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diff --git a/1577-h/1577-h.htm b/1577-h/1577-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d0cb59b --- /dev/null +++ b/1577-h/1577-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9233 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> + <title> + The Grey Room, by Eden Phillpotts + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Grey Room, by Eden Phillpotts + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Grey Room + +Author: Eden Phillpotts + +Release Date: August 20, 2008 [EBook #1577] +Last Updated: February 7, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREY ROOM *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE GREY ROOM + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Eden Phillpotts + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE HOUSE PARTY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </td> + <td> + AN EXPERIMENT + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </td> + <td> + AT THE ORIEL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + "BY THE HAND OF GOD" + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE UNSEEN MOVES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE ORDER FROM LONDON + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE FANATIC + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE LABORS OF THE FOUR + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE NIGHT WATCH + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </td> + <td> + SIGNOR VERGILIO MANNETTI. + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </td> + <td> + PRINCE DJEM + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GOLDEN BULL + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + TWO NOTES + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE HOUSE PARTY + </h2> + <p> + The piers of the main entrance of Chadlands were of red brick, and upon + each reposed a mighty sphere of grey granite. Behind them stretched away + the park, where forest trees, nearly shorn of their leaves at the edge of + winter, still answered the setting sun with fires of thinning foliage. + They sank away through stretches of brake fern, and already amid their + trunks arose a thin, blue haze—breath of earth made visible by + coming cold. There was frost in the air, and the sickle of a new moon hung + where dusk of evening dimmed the green of the western sky. + </p> + <p> + The guns were returning, and eight men with three women arrived at the + lofty gates. One of the party rode a grey pony, and a woman walked on each + side of him. They chattered together, and the little company of tweed-clad + people passed into Chadlands Park and trudged forward, where the manor + house rose half a mile ahead. + </p> + <p> + Then an old man emerged from a lodge, hidden behind a grove of laurel and + bay within the entrance, and shut the great gates of scroll iron. They + were of a flamboyant Italian period, and more arrestive than + distinguished. Panelled upon them, and belonging to a later day than they, + had been imposed two iron coats of arms, with crest above and motto + beneath—the heraldic bearings of the present owner of Chadlands. He + set store upon such things, but was not responsible for the work. A + survival himself, and steeped in ancient opinions, his coat, won in a + forgotten age, interested him only less than his Mutiny medal—his + sole personal claim to public honor. He had served in youth as a soldier, + but was still a subaltern when his father died and he came into his + kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Now, Sir Walter Lennox, fifth baronet, had grown old, and his invincible + kindness of heart, his archaic principles, his great wealth, and the + limited experiences of reality, for which such wealth was responsible, + left him a popular and respected man. Yet he aroused much exasperation in + local landowners from his generosity and scorn of all economic principles; + and while his tenants held him the very exemplar of a landlord, and his + servants worshipped him for the best possible reasons, his friends, weary + of remonstrance, were forced to forgive his bad precedents and a mistaken + liberality quite beyond the power of the average unfortunate who lives by + his land. But he managed his great manor in his own lavish way, and + marvelled that other men declared difficulties with problems he so readily + solved. That night, after a little music, the Chadlands' house party + drifted to the billiard-room, and while most of the men, after a heavy day + far afield, were content to lounge by a great open hearth where a wood + fire burned, Sir Walter, who had been on a pony most of the time, declared + himself unwearied, and demanded a game. + </p> + <p> + "No excuses, Henry," he said; and turned to a young man lounging in an + easy-chair outside the fireside circle. + </p> + <p> + The youth started. His eyes had been fixed on a woman sitting beside the + fire, with her hand in a man's. It was such an attitude as sophisticated + lovers would only assume in private but the pair were not sophisticated + and lovers still, though married. They lacked self-consciousness, and the + husband liked to feel his wife's hand in his. After all, a thing + impossible until you are married may be quite seemly afterwards, and none + of their amiable elders regarded their devotion with cynicism. + </p> + <p> + "All right, uncle!" said Henry Lennox. + </p> + <p> + He rose—a big fellow with heavy shoulders, a clean-shaven, youthful + face, and flaxen hair. He had been handsome, save for a nose with a broken + bridge, but his pale brown eyes were fine, and his firm mouth and chin + well modelled. Imagination and reflection marked his countenance. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter claimed thirty points on his scoring board, and gave a miss + with the spot ball. + </p> + <p> + "I win to-night," he said. + </p> + <p> + He was a small, very upright man, with a face that seemed to belong to his + generation, and an expression seldom to be seen on a man younger than + seventy. Life had not puzzled him; his moderate intellect had taken it as + he found it, and, through the magic glasses of good health, good temper, + and great wealth, judged existence a desirable thing and quite easy to + conduct with credit. "You only want patience and a brain," he always + declared. Sir Walter wore an eyeglass. He was growing bald, but preserved + a pair of grey whiskers still of respectable size. His face, indeed, + belied him, for it was moulded in a stern pattern. One had guessed him a + martinet until his amiable opinions and easy-going personality were + manifested. The old man was not vain; he knew that a world very different + from his own extended round about him. But he was puzzle-headed, and had + never been shaken from his life-long complacency by circumstances. He had + been disappointed in love as a young man, and only married late in life. + He had no son, and was a widower—facts that, to his mind, quite + dwarfed his good fortune in every other respect. He held the comfortable + doctrine that things are always levelled up, and he honestly believed that + he had suffered as much sorrow and disappointment as any Lennox in the + history of the race. + </p> + <p> + His only child and her cousin, Henry Lennox, had been brought up together + and were of an age—both now twenty-six. The lad was his uncle's + heir, and would succeed to Chadlands and the title; and it had been Sir + Walter's hope that he and Mary might marry. Nor had the youth any + objection to such a plan. Indeed, he loved Mary well enough; there was + even thought to be a tacit understanding between them, and they grew up in + a friendship which gradually became ardent on the man's part, though it + never ripened upon hers. But she knew that her father keenly desired this + marriage, and supposed that it would happen some day. + </p> + <p> + They were, however, not betrothed when the war burst upon Europe, and + Henry, then one-and-twenty, went from the Officers' Training Corps to the + Fifth Devons, while his cousin became attached to the Red Cross and nursed + at Plymouth. The accident terminated their shadowy romance and brought + real love into the woman's life, while the man found his hopes at an end. + He was drafted to Mesopotamia, speedily fell sick of jaundice, was + invalided to India, and, on returning to the front, saw service against + the Turks. But chance willed that he won no distinction. He did his duty + under dreary circumstances, while to his hatred of war was added the + weight of his loss when he heard that Mary had fallen in love. He was an + ingenuous, kindly youth—a typical Lennox, who had developed an + accomplishment at Harrow and suffered for it by getting his nose broken + when winning the heavy-weight championship of the public schools in his + nineteenth year. In the East he still boxed, and after his love story was + ended, the epidemic of poetry-making took Henry also, and he wrote a + volume of harmless verse, to the undying amazement of his family. + </p> + <p> + For Mary Lennox the war had brought a sailor husband. Captain Thomas May, + wounded rather severely at Jutland, lost his heart to the plain but + attractive young woman with a fine figure who nursed him back to strength, + and, as he vowed, had saved his life. He was an impulsive man of thirty, + brown-bearded, black-eyed, and hot-tempered. He came from a little + Somerset vicarage and was the only son of a clergyman, the Rev. Septimus + May. Knowing the lady as "Nurse Mary" only, and falling passionately in + love for the first time in his life, he proposed on the day he was allowed + to sit up, and since Mary Lennox shared his emotions, also for the first + time, he was accepted before he even knew her name. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible to describe the force of love's advent for Mary Lennox. + She had come to believe herself as vaguely committed to her cousin, and + imagined that her affection for Henry amounted to as much as she was ever + likely to feel for a man. But reality awakened her, and its glory did not + make her selfish, since her nature was not constructed so to be; it only + taught her what love meant, and convinced her that she could never marry + anybody on earth but the stricken sailor. And this she knew long before he + was well enough to give a sign that he even appreciated her ministry. The + very whisper of his voice sent a thrill through her before he had gained + strength to speak aloud. And his deep tones, when she heard them, were + like no voice that had fallen on her ear till then. The first thing that + indicated restoring health was his request that his beard might be + trimmed; and he was making love to her three days after he had been + declared out of danger. Then did Mary begin to live, and looking back, she + marvelled how horses and dogs and a fishing-rod had been her life till + now. The revelation bewildered her and she wrote her emotions in many long + pages to her cousin. The causes of such changes she did not indeed + specify, but he read between the lines, and knew it was a man and not the + war that had so altered and deepened her outlook. He had never done it, + and he could not be angry with her now, for she had pretended no ardor of + emotion to him. Young though he was, he always feared that she liked him + not after the way of a lover. He had hoped to open her eyes some day, but + it was given to another to do so. + </p> + <p> + He felt no surprise, therefore, when news of her engagement reached him + from herself. He wrote the letter of his life in reply, and was at pains + to laugh at their boy-and-girl attachment, and lessen any regret she might + feel on his account. Her father took it somewhat hardly at first, for he + held that more than sufficient misfortunes, to correct the balance of + prosperity in his favor, had already befallen him. But he was deeply + attached to his daughter, and her magical change under the new and radiant + revelation convinced him that she had now awakened to an emotional fulness + of life which could only be the outward sign of love. That she was in love + for the first time also seemed clear; but he would not give his consent + until he had seen her lover and heard all there was to know about him. + That, however, did not alarm Mary, for she believed that Thomas May must + prove a spirit after Sir Walter's heart. And so he did. The sailor was a + gentleman; he had proposed without the faintest notion to whom he offered + his penniless hand, and when he did find out, was so bewildered that Mary + assured her father she thought he would change his mind. + </p> + <p> + "If I had not threatened him with disgrace and breach of promise, I do + think he would have thrown me over," she said. + </p> + <p> + And now they had been wedded for six months, and Mary sat by the great log + fire with her hand in Tom's. The sailor was on leave, but expected to + return to his ship at Plymouth in a day or two. Then his father-in-law had + promised to visit the great cruiser, for the Navy was a service of which + he knew little. Lennoxes had all been soldiers or clergymen since a great + lawyer founded the race. + </p> + <p> + The game of billiards proceeded, and Henry caught his uncle in the + eighties and ran out with an unfinished fifteen. Then Ernest Travers and + his wife—old and dear friends of Sir Walter—played a hundred + up, the lady receiving half the game. Mr. Travers was a Suffolk man, and + had fagged for Sir Walter at Eton. Their comradeship had lasted a + lifetime, and no year passed without reciprocal visits. Travers also + looked at life with the eyes of a wealthy man. He was sixty-five, pompous, + large, and rubicund—a "backwoodsman" of a pattern obsolescent. His + wife, ten years younger than himself, loved pleasure, but she had done + more than her duty, in her opinion, and borne him two sons and a daughter. + They were colorless, kind-hearted people who lived in a circle of others + like themselves. The war had sobered them, and at an early stage robbed + them of their younger boy. + </p> + <p> + Nelly Travers won her game amid congratulations, and Tom May challenged + another woman, a Diana, who lived for sport and had joined the house party + with her uncle, Mr. Felix Fayre-Michell. But Millicent Fayre-Michell + refused. + </p> + <p> + "I've shot six partridges, a hare, and two pheasants to-day," said the + girl, "and I'm half asleep." + </p> + <p> + Other men were present also of a type not dissimilar. It was a + conventional gathering of rich nobodies, each a big frog in his own little + puddle, none known far beyond it and none with sufficient intellect or + ability to create for himself any position in the world save that won by + the accident of money made by their progenitors. + </p> + <p> + Had it been necessary for any of them to earn his living, only in some + very modest capacity and on a very modest plane might they have done so. + Of the entire company only one—the youngest—could claim even + the celebrity that attached to his little volume of war verses. + </p> + <p> + And now upon the lives of these every-day folk was destined to break an + event unique and extraordinary. Existence, that had meandered without + personal incident save of a description common to them all, was, within + twelve hours, to confront men and women alike with reality. They were + destined to endure at close quarters an occurrence so astounding and + unparalleled that, for once in their lives, they would find themselves + interesting to the wider world beyond their own limited circuit, and, for + their friends and acquaintance, the centre of a nine days' wonder. + </p> + <p> + Most of them, indeed, merely touched the hem of the mystery and were not + involved therein, but even for them a reflected glory shone. They were at + least objects of attraction elsewhere, and for many months furnished + conversation of a more interesting and exciting character than any could + ever claim to have provided before. + </p> + <p> + The attitude to such an event, and the opinions concerning it, of such + people might have been pretty accurately predicted; nor would it be fair + to laugh at their terror and bewilderment, their confusion of tongues and + the fatuous theories they adventured by way of explanation. For wiser than + they—men experienced in the problems of humanity and trained to + solve its enigmas—were presently in no better case. + </p> + <p> + A very trivial and innocent remark was prelude to the disaster; and had + the speaker guessed what his jest must presently mean in terms of human + misery, grief, and horror, it is certain enough that he would not have + spoken. + </p> + <p> + The women were gone to bed and the men sat around the fire smoking and + admiring Sir Walter's ancient blend of whisky. He himself had just flung + away the stump of his cigar and was admonishing his son-in-law. "Church + to-morrow, Tom. None of your larks. When first you came to see me, + remember, you went to church twice on Sunday like a lamb. I'll have no + backsliding." + </p> + <p> + "Mary will see to that, governor." + </p> + <p> + "And you, Henry." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter, disappointed of his hopes respecting his nephew and daughter, + had none the less treated the young man with tact and tenderness. He felt + for Henry; he was also fond of him and doubted not that the youth would + prove a worthy successor. Thomas May was one with whom none could quarrel, + and he and his wife's old flame were now, after the acquaintance of a + week, on friendly terms. + </p> + <p> + "I shan't fail, uncle." + </p> + <p> + "Will anybody have another whisky?" asked Sir Walter, rising. + </p> + <p> + It was the signal for departure and invariably followed the stroke of a + deep-mouthed, grandfather clock in the hall. When eleven sounded, the + master rose; but to-night he was delayed. Tom May spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Fayre-Michell has never heard the ghost story, governor," he said, "and + Mr. Travers badly wants another drink. If he doesn't have one, he won't + sleep all night. He's done ten men's work to-day." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fayre-Michell spoke. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't know you had a ghost, Sir Walter. I'm tremendously interested in + psychical research and so on. If it's not bothering you and keeping you up—." + </p> + <p> + "A ghost at Chadlands, Walter?" asked Ernest Travers. "You never told me." + </p> + <p> + "Ghosts are all humbug," declared another speaker—a youthful + "colonel" of the war. + </p> + <p> + "I deprecate that attitude, Vane. It may certainly be that our ghost is a + humbug, or, rather, that we have no such thing as a ghost at all. And that + is my own impression. But an idle generality is always futile—indeed, + any generality usually is. You have, at least, no right to say, 'Ghosts + are all humbug.' Because you cannot prove they are. The weight of evidence + is very much on the other side." + </p> + <p> + "Sorry," said Colonel Vane, a man without pride. "I didn't know you + believed in 'em, Sir Walter." + </p> + <p> + "Most emphatically I believe in them." + </p> + <p> + "So do I," declared Ernest Travers. "Nay, so does my wife—for the + best possible reason. A friend of hers actually saw one." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fayre-Michell spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Spiritualism and spirits are two quite different things," he said. "One + may discredit the whole business of spiritualism and yet firmly believe in + spirits." + </p> + <p> + He was a narrow-headed, clean-shaven man with grey hair and moustache. He + had a small body on very long legs, and though a veteran now, was still + one of the best game shots in the West of England. + </p> + <p> + Ernest Travers agreed with him. Indeed, they all agreed. Sir Walter + himself summed up. + </p> + <p> + "If you're a Christian, you must believe in the spirits of the dead," he + declared; "but to go out of your way to summon these spirits, to call them + from the next world back to ours, and to consult people who profess to be + able to do so—extremely doubtful characters, as a rule—that I + think is much to be condemned. I deny that there are any living mediums of + communication between the spirit world and this one, and I should always + judge the man or woman who claimed such power to be a charlatan. But that + spirits of the departed have appeared and been recognized by the living, + who shall deny? + </p> + <p> + "My son-in-law has a striking case in his own recent experience. He + actually knows a man who was going to sail on the Lusitania, and his + greatest friend on earth, a soldier who fell on the Maine, appeared to him + and advised him not to do so. Tom's acquaintance could not say that he + heard words uttered, but he certainly recognized his dead friend as he + stood by his bedside, and he received into his mind a clear warning before + the vision disappeared. Is that so, Tom?" + </p> + <p> + "Exactly so, sir. And Jack Thwaites—that was the name of the man in + New York—told four others about it, and three took his tip and + didn't sail. The fourth went; but he wasn't drowned. He came out all + right." + </p> + <p> + "The departed are certainly proved to appear in their own ghostly persons—nay, + they often have been seen to do so," admitted Travers. "But I will never + believe they are at our beck and call, to bang tambourines or move + furniture. We cannot ring up the dead as we ring up the living on a + telephone. The idea is insufferable and indecent. Neither can anybody be + used as a mouth-piece in that way, or tell us the present position or + occupation and interests of a dead man—or what he smokes, or how his + liquor tastes. Such ideas degrade our impressions of life beyond the + grave. They are, if I may say so, disgustingly anthropomorphic. How can we + even take it for granted that our spirits will retain a human form and + human attributes after death?" + </p> + <p> + "It would be both weak-minded and irreligious to attempt to get at these + things, no doubt," declared Colonel Vane. + </p> + <p> + "And they make confusion worse confounded by saying that evil spirits + pretend sometimes to hoodwink us by posing as good spirits. Now, that's + going too far," said Henry Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "But your own ghost, Sir Walter?" asked Fayre-Michell. "It is a curious + fact that most really ancient houses have some such addition. Is it a + family spectre? Is it fairly well authenticated? Does it reign in a + particular spot of house or garden? I ask from no idle curiosity. It is a + very interesting subject if approached in a proper spirit, as the + Psychical Research Society, of which I am a member, does approach it." + </p> + <p> + "I am unprepared to admit that we have a ghost at all," repeated Sir + Walter. "Ancient houses, as you say, often get some legend tacked on to + them, and here a garden walk, or there a room, or passage, is associated + with something uncanny and contrary to experience. This is an old Tudor + place, and has been tinkered and altered in successive generations. We + have one room at the eastern end of the great corridor which always + suffered from a bad reputation. Nobody has ever seen anything in our time, + and neither my father nor grandfather ever handed down any story of a + personal experience. It is a bedroom, which you shall see, if you care to + do so. One very unfortunate and melancholy thing happened in it. That was + some twelve years ago, when Mary was still a child—two years after + my dear wife died." + </p> + <p> + "Tell us nothing that can cause you any pain, Walter," said Ernest + Travers. + </p> + <p> + "It caused me very acute pain at the time. Now it is old history and + mercifully one can look back with nothing but regret. One must, however, + mention an incident in my father's time, though it has nothing to do with + my own painful experience. However, that is part of the story—if + story it can be called. A death occurred in the Grey Room when I was a + child. Owing to the general vague feeling entertained against it, we never + put guests there, and so long ago as my father's day it was relegated to a + store place and lumber-store. But one Christmas, when we were very full, + there came quite unexpectedly on Christmas Eve an aunt of my father—an + extraordinary old character who never did anything that might be foreseen. + She had never come to the family reunion before, yet appeared on this + occasion, and declared that, as this was going to be her last Christmas on + earth, she had felt it right to join the clan—my father being the + head of the family. Her sudden advent strained our resources, I suppose, + but she herself reminded us of the Grey Room, and, on hearing that it was + empty, insisted on occupying it. The place is a bedroom, and my father, + who personally entertained no dislike or dread of it, raised not the least + objection to the strong-minded old lady's proposal. She retired, and was + found dead on Christmas morning. She had not gone to bed, but was just + about to do so, apparently, when she had fallen down and died. She was + eighty-eight, had undergone a lengthy coach journey from Exeter, and had + eaten a remarkably good dinner before going to bed. Her maid was not + suspected, and the doctor held her end in no way unusual. It was certainly + never associated with anything but natural causes. Indeed, only events of + much later date served to remind me of the matter. Then one remembered the + spoiled Christmas festivities and the callous and selfish anger of myself + and various other young people that our rejoicings should be spoiled and + Christmas shorn of all its usual delights. + </p> + <p> + "But twelve years ago Mary fell ill of pneumonia—dangerously—and + a nurse had to be summoned in haste, since her own faithful attendant, + Jane Bond, who is still with us, could not attend her both day and night. + A telegram to the Nurses' Institute brought Mrs. Gilbert Forrester—'Nurse + Forrester,' as she preferred to be called. She was a little bit of a + thing, but most attractive and capable. She had been a nurse before she + married a young medical man, and upon his unfortunate death she returned + to her profession. She desired her bedroom to be as near the patient as + possible, and objected, when she found it arranged at the other end of the + corridor. 'Why not the next room?' she inquired; and I had to tell her + that the next room suffered from a bad name and was not used. 'A bad name—is + it unwholesome?' she asked; and I explained that traditions credited it + with a sinister influence. 'In fact,' I said, 'it is supposed to be + haunted. Not,' I added, 'that anything has ever been seen, or heard in my + lifetime; but nervous people do not like that sort of room, and I should + never take the responsibility of putting anybody into it without telling + them.' She laughed. 'I'm not in the least afraid of ghosts, Sir Walter,' + she said, 'and that must obviously be my room, if you please. It is + necessary I should be as near my patient as possible, so that I can be + called at once if her own nurse is anxious when I am not on duty.' + </p> + <p> + "Well, we saw, of course, that she was perfectly right. She was a fearless + little woman, and chaffed Masters and the maids while they lighted a fire + and made the room comfortable. As a matter of fact, it is an exceedingly + pleasant room in every respect. Yet I hesitated, and could not say that I + was easy about it. I felt conscious of a discomfort which even her + indifference did not entirely banish. I attributed it to my acute anxiety + over Mary—also to a shadow of—what? It may have been + irritation at Nurse Forrester's unconcealed contempt for my superstition. + The Grey Room is large and commodious with a rather fine oriel window + above our eastern porch. She was delighted, and rated me very amusingly + for my doubts. 'I hope you'll never call such a lovely room haunted again + after I have gone,' said she. + </p> + <p> + "Mary took to her, and really seemed easier after she had been in the + sick-room an hour. She loved young people, and had an art to win them. She + was also a most accomplished and quick-witted nurse. There seemed to be + quite a touch of genius about her. Her voice was melodious and her touch + gentle. I could appreciate her skill, for I was never far from my + daughter's side during that anxious day. Mrs. Forrester came at the + critical hours, but declared herself very sanguine from the first. + </p> + <p> + "Night fell; the child was sleeping and Jane Bond arrived to relieve the + other about ten o'clock. Then the lady retired, directed that she should + be called at seven o'clock, or at any moment sooner, if Jane wanted her. I + sat with Jane I remember until two, and then turned in myself. Before I + did so, Mary drank some milk and seemed to be holding her strength well. I + was worn out, and despite my anxiety fell into deep sleep, and did not + wake until my man called me half an hour earlier than usual. What he told + me brought me quickly to my senses and out of bed. Nurse Forrester had + been called at seven o'clock, but had not responded. Nor could the maid + open the door, for it was locked. A quarter of an hour later the + housekeeper and Jane Bond had loudly summoned her without receiving any + reply. Then they called me. + </p> + <p> + "I could only direct that the door should be forced open as speedily as + possible, and we were engaged in this task when Mannering, my medical man, + who shot with us to-day, arrived to see Mary. I told him what had + happened. He went in to look at my girl, and felt satisfied that she was + holding her own well—indeed, he thought her stronger; and just as he + told me so the door into the Grey Room yielded. Mannering and my + housekeeper, Mrs. Forbes, entered the room, while Masters, Fred Caunter, + my footman, who had broken down the lock, and I remained outside. + </p> + <p> + "The doctor presently called me, and I went in. Nurse Forrester was + apparently lying awake in bed, but she was not awake. She slept the sleep + of death. Her eyes were open, but glazed, and she was already cold. + Mannering declared that she had been dead for a good many hours. Yet, save + for a slight but hardly unnatural pallor, not a trace of death marked the + poor little creature. An expression of wonder seemed to sit on her + features, but otherwise she was looking much as I had last seen her, when + she said 'Good-night.' Everything appeared to be orderly in the room. It + was now flooded with the first light of a sunny morning, for she had drawn + her blind up and thrown her window wide open. The poor lady passed out of + life without a sound or signal to indicate trouble, for in the silence of + night Jane Bond must have heard any alarm had she raised one. To me it + seemed impossible to believe that we gazed upon a corpse. But so it was, + though, as a matter of form, the doctor took certain measures to restore + her. But animation was not suspended; it had passed beyond recall. + </p> + <p> + "There was held a post-mortem examination, and an inquest, of course; and + Mannering, who felt deep professional interest, asked a friend from + Plymouth to conduct the examination. Their report astounded all concerned + and crowned the mystery, for not a trace of any physical trouble could be + discovered to explain Nurse Forrester's death. She was thin, but + organically sound in every particular, nor could the slightest trace of + poison be reported. Life had simply left her without any physical reason. + Search proved that she had brought no drugs or any sort of physic with + her, and no information to cast the least light came from the institution + for which she worked. She was a favorite there, and the news of her sudden + death brought sorrow to her many personal friends. + </p> + <p> + "The physicians felt their failure to find a natural and scientific cause + for her death. Indeed, Dr. Mordred, from Plymouth, an eminent pathologist, + trembled not a little about it, as Mannering afterwards told me. The + finite mind of science hates, apparently, to be faced with any mystery + beyond its power to explain. It regards such an incident as a challenge to + human intellect, and does not remember that we are encompassed with + mystery as with a garment, and that every day and every night are laden + with phenomena for which man cannot account, and never will. + </p> + <p> + "Nurse Forrester's relations—a sister and an old mother—came + to the funeral. Also her dearest woman friend, another professional nurse, + whose name I do not recollect. She was buried at Chadlands, and her grave + lies near our graves. Mary loves to tend it still, though to her the dead + woman is but a name. Yet to this day she declares that she can remember + Nurse Forrester's voice through her fever—gentle, yet musical and + cheerful. As for me, I never mourned so brief an acquaintance so heartily. + To part with the bright creature, so full of life and kindliness, and to + stand beside her corpse but eight or nine hours afterwards, was a + chastening and sad experience." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter became pensive, and did not proceed for the space of a minute. + None, however, spoke until he had again done so: + </p> + <p> + "That is the story of what is called our haunted room, so far as this + generation is concerned. What grounds for its sinister reputation existed + in the far past I know not—only a vague, oral tradition came to my + father from his, and it is certain that neither of them attached any + personal importance to it. But after such a peculiar and unfortunate + tragedy, you will not be surprised that I regarded the chamber as ruled + out from my domiciliary scheme, and denied it to any future guests." + </p> + <p> + "Do you really associate the lady's death with the room, Walter?" asked + Mr. Travers. + </p> + <p> + "Honestly I do not, Ernest. And for this reason: I deny that any + malignant, spiritual personality would ever be permitted by the Creator to + exercise physical powers over the living, or destroy human beings without + reason or justice. The horror of such a possibility to the normal mind is + sufficient argument against it. Causes beyond our apparent knowledge were + responsible for the death of Nurse Forrester; but who shall presume to say + that was really so? Why imagine anything so irregular? I prefer to think + that had the post-mortem been conducted by somebody else, subtle reasons + for her death might have appeared. Science is fallible, and even + specialists make outrageous mistakes." + </p> + <p> + "You believe she died from natural causes beyond the skill of those + particular surgeons to discover?" asked Colonel Vane. + </p> + <p> + "That is my opinion. Needless to say, I should not tell Mannering so. But + to what other conclusion can a reasonable man come? I do not, of course, + deny the supernatural, but it is weak-minded to fall back upon it as the + line of least resistance." + </p> + <p> + Then Fayre-Michell repeated his question. He had listened with intense + interest to the story. + </p> + <p> + "Would you deny that ghosts, so to call them, can be associated with one + particular spot, to the discomfort and even loss of reason, or life, of + those that may be in that spot at the psychological moment, Sir Walter?" + </p> + <p> + "Emphatically I would deny it," declared the elder. "However tragic the + circumstances that might have befallen an unfortunate being in life at any + particular place, it is, in my opinion, monstrous to suppose his + disembodied spirit will hereafter be associated with the place. We must be + reasonable, Felix. Shall the God Who gave us reason be Himself + unreasonable?" + </p> + <p> + "And yet there are authentic—However, I admit the weight of your + argument." + </p> + <p> + "At the same time," ventured Mr. Travers, "none can deny that many strange + and terrible things happen, from hidden causes quite beyond human power to + explain." + </p> + <p> + "They do, Ernest; and so I lock up my Grey Room and rule it out of our + scheme of existence. At present it is full of lumber—old furniture + and a pack of rubbishy family portraits that only deserve to be burned, + but will some day be restored, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + "Not on my account, Uncle Walter," said Henry Lennox. "I have no more + respect for them than yourself. They are hopeless as art." + </p> + <p> + "No, no one must restore them. The art is I believe very bad, as you say, + but they were most worthy people, and this is the sole memorial remaining + of them." + </p> + <p> + "Do let us see the room, governor," urged Tom May. "Mary showed it to me + the first time I came here, and I thought it about the jolliest spot in + the house." + </p> + <p> + "So it is, Tom," said Henry. "Mary says it should be called the Rose Room, + not the grey one." + </p> + <p> + "All who care to do so can see it," answered Sir Walter, rising. "We will + look in on our way to bed. Get the key from my key-cabinet in the study, + Henry. It's labelled 'Grey Room.'" + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. AN EXPERIMENT + </h2> + <p> + Ernest Travers, Felix Fayre-Michell, Tom May, and Colonel Vane followed + Sir Walter upstairs to a great corridor, which ran the length of the main + front, and upon which opened a dozen bedrooms and dressing-rooms. They + proceeded to the eastern extremity. It was lighted throughout, and now + their leader took off an electric bulb from a sconce on the wall outside + the room they had come to visit. + </p> + <p> + "There is none in there," he explained, "though the light was installed in + the Grey Room as elsewhere when I started my own plant twenty years ago. + My father never would have it. He disliked it exceedingly, and believed it + aged the eyes." + </p> + <p> + Henry arrived with the key. The door was unlocked, and the light + established. The party entered a large and lofty chamber with ceiling of + elaborate plaster work and silver-grey walls, the paper on which was + somewhat tarnished. A pattern of dim, pink roses as large as cabbages ran + riot over it. A great oriel window looked east, while a smaller one opened + upon the south. Round the curve of the oriel ran a cushioned seat eighteen + inches above the ground, while on the western side of the room, set in the + internal wall, was a modern fireplace with a white Adams mantel above it. + Some old, carved chairs stood round the walls, and in one corner, stacked + together, lay half a dozen old oil portraits, grimy and faded. They called + for the restorer, but were doubtfully worth his labors. Two large chests + of drawers, with rounded bellies, and a very beautiful washing-stand also + occupied places round the room, and against the inner wall rose a single, + fourposter bed of Spanish chestnut, also carved. A grey, self-colored + carpet covered the floor, and on one of the chests stood a miniature + bronze copy of the Faun of Praxiteles. + </p> + <p> + The apartment was bright and cheerful of aspect. Nothing gloomy or + depressing marked it, nor a suggestion of the sinister. + </p> + <p> + "Could one wish for a more amiable looking room?" asked Fayre-Michell. + </p> + <p> + They gazed round them, and Ernest Travers expressed admiration at the old + furniture. + </p> + <p> + "My dear Walter, why hide these things here?" he asked. "They are + beautiful, and may be valuable, too." + </p> + <p> + "I've been asked the same question before," answered the owner. "And they + are valuable. Lord Bolsover offered me a thousand guineas for those two + chairs; but the things are heirlooms in a sort of way, and I shouldn't + feel justified in parting with them. My grandfather was furniture mad—spent + half his time collecting old stuff on the Continent. Spain was his happy + hunting ground." + </p> + <p> + "It's positively a shame to doom these chairs to a haunted room, uncle," + declared Henry. + </p> + <p> + But the other shook his head and smothered a yawn. + </p> + <p> + "The house is too full as it is." he said. + </p> + <p> + "Mary wants you to scrap dozens of things," replied his nephew. "Then + there'd be plenty of room." + </p> + <p> + "You'll do what you please when your turn comes, and no doubt cast out my + tusks and antlers and tiger-skins, which I know you don't admire. Wait in + patience, Henry. And we will now go to bed," answered the elder. "I am + fatigued, and it must be nearly midnight." + </p> + <p> + Then Tom May brought their thoughts back to the reason of the visit. + </p> + <p> + "Look here, governor," he said. "It's a scandal to give a champion room + like this a bad name and shut it up. You've fallen into the habit, but you + know it's all nonsense. Mary loves this room. I'll make you a sporting + offer. Let me sleep in it to-night, and then, when I report a clean bill + to-morrow, you can throw it open again and announce it is forgiven without + a stain on its character. You've just said you don't believe spooks have + the power to hurt anybody. Then let me turn in here." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter, however, refused. + </p> + <p> + "No, Tom; most certainly not. It's far too late to go over the ground + again and explain why, but I don't wish it." + </p> + <p> + "A milder-mannered room was never seen," said Ernest Travers. "You must + let me look at it by daylight, and bring Nelly. The ceiling, too, is + evidently very fine—finer even than the one in my room." + </p> + <p> + "The ceilings here were all the work of Italians in Tudor times," + explained his friend. "They are Elizabethan. The plaster is certainly + wonderful, and my ceilings are considered as good as anything in the + country, I believe." + </p> + <p> + He turned, and the rest followed him. + </p> + <p> + Henry removed the electric bulb, and restored it to its place outside. + Then his uncle gave him the key. + </p> + <p> + "Put it back in the cabinet," he said. "I won't go down again." + </p> + <p> + The party broke up, and all save Lennox and the sailor went to their + rooms. The two younger men descended together and, when out of ear-shot of + his uncle, Henry spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Look here, Tom," he said, "you've given me a tip. I'm going to camp out + in the Grey Room to-night. Then, in the morning, I'll tell Uncle Walter I + have done so, and the ghost's number will be up." + </p> + <p> + "Quite all right, old man—only the plan must be modified. I'll sleep + there. I'm death on it, and the brilliant inspiration was mine, remember." + </p> + <p> + "You can't. He refused to let you." + </p> + <p> + "I didn't hear him." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes, you did—everybody did. Besides, this is fairly my task—you + won't deny that. Chadlands will be mine, some day, so it's up to me to + knock this musty yarn on the head once and for all. Could anything be more + absurd than shutting up a fine room like that? I'm really rather ashamed + of Uncle Walter." + </p> + <p> + "Of course it's absurd but, honestly, I'm rather keen about this. I'd + dearly love to add a medieval phantom to my experiences, and only wish I + thought anything would show up. I beg you'll raise no objection. It was my + idea, and I very much wish to make the experiment. Of course, I don't + believe in anything supernatural." + </p> + <p> + They went back to the billiard-room, dismissed Fred Caunter, the footman, + who was waiting to put out the lights, and continued their discussion. The + argument began to grow strenuous, for each proved determined, and who + owned the stronger will seemed a doubtful question. + </p> + <p> + For a time, since no conclusion could satisfy both, they abandoned the + centre of contention and debated, as their elders had done, on the general + question. Henry declared himself not wholly convinced. He adopted an + agnostic attitude, while Tom frankly disbelieved. The one preserved an + open mind, the other scoffed at apparitions in general. + </p> + <p> + "It's humbug to say sailors are superstitious now," he asserted. "They + might have been, but my experience is that they are no more credulous than + other people in these days. Anyway, I'm not. Life is a matter of + chemistry. There's no mumbo jumbo about it, in my opinion. Chemical + analysis has reached down to hormones and enzymes and all manner of subtle + secretions discovered by this generation of inquirers; but it's all + organic. Nobody has ever found anything that isn't. Existence depends on + matter, and when the chemical process breaks down, the organism perishes + and leaves nothing. When a man can't go on breathing, he's dead, and + there's an end of him." + </p> + <p> + But Henry had read modern science also. + </p> + <p> + "What about the vital spark, then? Biologists don't turn down the theory + of vitalism, do they?" + </p> + <p> + "Most of them do, who count, my dear chap. The presence of a vital spark—a + spark that cannot be put out—is merely a theory with nothing to + prove it. When he dies, the animating principle doesn't leave a man, and + go off on its own. It dies too. It was part of the man—as much as + his heart or brain." + </p> + <p> + "That's only an opinion. Nobody can be positive. We don't know anything + about what life really means, and we haven't got the machinery to find + out." + </p> + <p> + "By analogy we can," argued Tom. "Where are you going to draw the line? + Life is life, and a sponge is just as much alive as a herring; a nettle is + just as much alive as an oak-tree; and an oak-tree is just as much alive + as you are. What becomes of its vital spark when you eat an oyster?" + </p> + <p> + "You wouldn't believe in a life after death at all, then?" + </p> + <p> + "It's a pure assumption, Henry. I'd like to believe in it—who + wouldn't? Because, if you honestly did, it would transform this life into + something infinitely different from what it is." + </p> + <p> + "It ought to—yet it doesn't seem to." + </p> + <p> + "It ought to, certainly. If you believe this life is only the portal to + another of much greater importance, then—well, there you are. + Nothing matters but trying to make everybody else believe it, too. But as + a matter of fact, the people who do believe it, or think they do, seem to + me just as concentrated on this life and just as much out to get the very + best they can from it, and wring it dry, as I am, who reckon it's all." + </p> + <p> + "They believe as a matter of course, and don't seem to realize how much + their belief ought to imply," confessed Henry. + </p> + <p> + "Why do they believe? Because most of them haven't really thought about it + more than a turnip thinks. They dwell in a foggy sort of way on the future + life when they go to church on Sundays; then they return home and forget + all about it till next Sunday." + </p> + <p> + Lennox brought him back to the present difference. + </p> + <p> + "Well, seeing you laugh at ghosts, and I remain doubtful, it's only fair + that I sleep in the Grey Room. You must see that. Ghosts hate people who + don't believe in them. They'd cold shoulder you; but in my case they might + feel I was good material, worth convincing. They might show up for me in a + friendly spirit. If they show for you, it will probably be to bully you." + </p> + <p> + Tom laughed. + </p> + <p> + "That's what I want. I'd like to have it out and talk sense to a spook, + and show him what an ass he's making of himself. The governor was right + about that. When Fayre-Michell asked if he believed in them loafing about + a place where they'd been murdered or otherwise maltreated, he rejected + the idea." + </p> + <p> + "Yet a woman certainly died there, and without a shadow of reason." + </p> + <p> + "She probably died for a very good reason, only we don't happen to know + it." + </p> + <p> + Henry tried a different argument. + </p> + <p> + "You're married, and you matter; I'm not married, and don't matter to + anybody." + </p> + <p> + "Humbug!" + </p> + <p> + "Mary wouldn't like it, anyway; you know that." + </p> + <p> + "True—she'd hate it. But she won't know anything about it till + to-morrow. She always sleeps in her old nursery when she comes here, and + I'm down the corridor at the far end. She'd have a fit if she knew I'd + turned in next door to her and was snoozing in the Grey Room; but she + won't know till I tell her of my rash act to-morrow. Don't think I'm a + fool. Nobody loves life better than I do, and nobody has better reason to. + But I'm positive that this is all rank nonsense, and so are you really. We + know there's nothing in the room with a shadow of supernatural danger + about it. Besides, you wouldn't want to sleep there so badly if you + believed anything wicked was waiting for you. You're tons cleverer than I + am—so you must agree about that." + </p> + <p> + Lennox was bound to confess that he entertained no personal fear. They + still argued, and the clock struck midnight. Then the sailor made a + suggestion. + </p> + <p> + "Since you're so infernally obstinate, I'll do this. We'll toss up, and + the winner can have the fun. That's fair to both." + </p> + <p> + The other agreed; he tossed a coin, and May called "tails," and won. + </p> + <p> + He was jubilant, while Henry showed a measure of annoyance. The other + consoled him. + </p> + <p> + "It's better so, old man. You're highly strung and nervy, and a poet and + all that sort of thing. I'm no better than a prize ox, and don't know what + nerves mean. I can sleep anywhere, anyhow. If you can sleep in a + submarine, you bet you can in a nice, airy Elizabethan room, even if it is + haunted. But it's not; that's the whole point. There's not a haunted room + in the world. Get me your service revolver, like a good chap." + </p> + <p> + Henry was silent, and Tom rose to make ready for his vigil. + </p> + <p> + "I'm dog-tired, anyhow," he said. "Nothing less than Queen Elizabeth + herself will keep me awake, if it does appear." + </p> + <p> + Then the other surprised him. + </p> + <p> + "Don't think I want to go back on it. You've won the right to make the + experiment—if we ignore Uncle Walter. But—well, you'll laugh, + yet, on my honor, Tom, I've got a feeling I'd rather you didn't. It isn't + nerves. I'm not nervy any more than you are. I'm not suggesting that I go + now, of course. But I do ask you to think better of it and chuck the + thing." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, one can't help one's feelings. I do feel a rum sort of conviction + at the bottom of my mind that it's not good enough. I can't explain; there + are no words for it that I know, but it's growing on me. Intuition, + perhaps." + </p> + <p> + "Intuition of what?" + </p> + <p> + "I can't tell you. But I ask you not to go." + </p> + <p> + "You were going if you'd won the toss?" + </p> + <p> + "I know." + </p> + <p> + "Then your growing intuition is only because I won it. Hanged if I don't + think you want to funk me, old man!" + </p> + <p> + "I couldn't do that. But it's different me going and you going. I've got + nothing to live for. Don't think I'm maudlin, or any rot of that sort; but + you know all about the past. I've never mentioned it to you, and, of + course, you haven't to me; and I never should have. But I will now. I + loved Mary with all my heart and soul, Tom. She didn't know how much, and + probably I didn't either. But that's done, and no man on earth rejoices in + her great happiness more than I do. And no man on earth is going to be a + better or a truer friend to you and her than, please God, I shall be. But + that being so, can't you see the rest? My life ended in a way when the + dream of my life ended. I attach no importance to living for itself, and + if anything final happened to me it wouldn't leave a blank anywhere. + You're different. In sober honesty you oughtn't to run into any needless + danger—real or imaginary. I'm thinking of Mary only when I say that—not + you." + </p> + <p> + "But I deny the danger." + </p> + <p> + "Yes; only you might listen. So did I, but I deny it no longer. The case + is altered when I tell you in all seriousness—when I take my oath if + you like—that I do believe now there is something in this. I don't + say it's supernatural, and I don't say it isn't; but I do feel deeply + impressed in my mind now, and it's growing stronger every minute, that + there's something here out of the common and really infernally dangerous." + </p> + <p> + The other looked at him in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "What bee has got into your bonnet?" + </p> + <p> + "Don't call it that. It's a conviction, Tom. Do be guided by me, old + chap!" + </p> + <p> + The sailor flushed a little, emptied his glass, and rose. + </p> + <p> + "If you really wanted to choke me off, you chose a funny way to do so. + Surely it only needed this to determine anybody. If you, as a sane person, + honestly believe there's a pinch of danger in that blessed place, then I + certainly sleep there to-night, or else wake there." + </p> + <p> + "Let me come, too, then, Tom." + </p> + <p> + "That be damned for a yarn! Ghosts don't show up for two people—haven't + got pluck enough. If I get any sport, I'll be quite straight about it, and + you shall try your luck to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + "I can only make it a favor; and not for your own sake, either." + </p> + <p> + "I know. Mary will be sleeping the sleep of the just in the next room. How + little she'll guess! Perhaps, if I see an apparition worthy of the Golden + Age, I'll call her up." + </p> + <p> + "Do oblige me, May." + </p> + <p> + "In anything on earth but this thing. It's really too late now. Don't you + see you've defeated your own object? You mustn't ask me to throw up the + sponge to your sudden intuition of danger sprung on me at the eleventh + hour. I won the toss, and can't take my orders from you, old chap, can I?" + </p> + <p> + The other, in his turn, grew a little warm. + </p> + <p> + "All right. I've spoken. I think you're rather a fool to be so obstinate. + It isn't as if a nervous old woman was talking to you. But you'll go your + own way. It doesn't matter a button to me, and I only made it a favor for + somebody else's sake." + </p> + <p> + "We'll leave it at that, then. May I trouble you for the key? And your + revolver, too. I haven't got mine here." + </p> + <p> + Henry hesitated. The key was in the pocket of his jacket. + </p> + <p> + "It is a matter of honor, Lennox," said the sailor. + </p> + <p> + The other handed over the key on this speech, and prepared to go. + </p> + <p> + "I'll get the revolver," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Thanks. Look me up in the morning, if you're awake first," added May; but + the other did not answer. + </p> + <p> + He let Tom precede him, and then turned out the lights. Other lights he + also extinguished as they left the hall and ascended the stairs. The + younger's pride was struggling for mastery; but he conquered it and spoke + again. + </p> + <p> + "I wish to Heaven you could see it from another point of view than your + own, Tom." + </p> + <p> + "I have no point of view. You're rather exasperating, and don't seem to + understand that, even if I might have changed my mind before, it's + impossible now." + </p> + <p> + "That's really only a foolish sort of pride. If I chose my words clumsily—" + </p> + <p> + "You did. The devil and all his angels wouldn't make me climb down now." + </p> + <p> + The younger left him, and returned in a minute or two with the revolver. + </p> + <p> + "Good-night," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Good-night, old boy. Thank you. Loaded?" + </p> + <p> + "In all the chambers. Funny you should want it." + </p> + <p> + "Take it back, then." + </p> + <p> + But Henry did not answer, and they parted. Each sought his own bedroom, + and while Lennox retired at once and might have been expected to pass a + night more mentally peaceful than the other, in reality it was not so. + </p> + <p> + The younger slept ill, while May suffered no emotion but annoyance. He was + contemptuous of Henry. It seemed to him that he had taken a rather mean + and unsporting line, nor did he believe for a moment that he was honest. + Lennox had a modern mind; he had been through the furnace of war; he had + received a first-class education. It seemed impossible to imagine that he + spoke the truth, or that his sudden suspicion of real perils, beyond human + power to combat, could be anything but a spiteful attempt to put May off, + after he himself had lost the toss. Yet that seemed unlike a gentleman. + Then the allusion to Mary perturbed the sailor. He could not quarrel with + the words, but he resented the advice, seeing what it was based upon. + </p> + <p> + His anger lessened swiftly, however, and before he started his adventure + he had dismissed Henry from his mind. He put on pyjamas and a + dressing-gown, took a candle, a railway-rug, his watch, and the loaded + revolver. + </p> + <p> + Then he walked quietly down the corridor to the Grey Room. On reaching it + his usual good temper returned, and he found himself entirely happy and + contented. He unlocked the forbidden entrance, set his candle by the bed, + and locked the door again from inside. He rolled up his dressing-gown for + a pillow, and placed his watch and revolver and candle at his hand on a + chair. A few broken reflections drifted through his mind, as he yawned and + prepared to sleep. His brain brought up events of the day—a missed + shot, a good shot, lunch under a haystack with Mary and Fayre-Michell's + niece. She was smart and showy and slangy—cheap every way compared + with Mary. What would his wife think if she knew he was so near? Come to + him for certain. He cordially hoped that he might not be recalled to his + ship; but there was a possibility of it. It would be rather a lark to show + the governor over the Indomitable. She was a "hush-hush" ship—one of + the wonders of the Navy still. Funny that the Italian roof of the Grey + Room looked like a dome, though it was really flat. A cunning trick of + perspective. + </p> + <p> + It was a still and silent night, moonless, very dark, and very tranquil. + He went to the window to throw it open. + </p> + <p> + Only a solitary being waked long that night at Chadlands, and only a + solitary mind suffered tribulation. But into the small hours Henry Lennox + endured the companionship of disquiet thoughts. He could not sleep, and + his brain, clear enough, retraced no passage from the past day. Indeed the + events of the day had sunk into remote time. He was only concerned with + the present, and he wondered while he worried that he should be worrying. + Yet a proleptic instinct made him look forward. He had neither lied nor + exaggerated to May. From the moment of losing the toss, he honestly + experienced a strong, subjective impression of danger arising out of the + proposed attack on the mysteries of the Grey Room. It was, indeed, that + consciousness of greater possibilities in the adventure than May admitted + or imagined which made Lennox so insistent. Looking back, he perceived + many things, and chiefly that he had taken a wrong line, and approached + Mary's husband from a fatal angle. Too late he recognized his error. It + was inevitable that a hint of suspected danger would confirm the sailor in + his resolution; and that such a hint should follow the spin of the coin + against Lennox, and be accompanied by the assurance that, had he won, + Henry would have proceeded, despite his intuitions, to do what he now + begged Tom not to do—that was a piece of clumsy work which he deeply + regretted. + </p> + <p> + At the hour when his own physical forces were lowest, his errors of + diplomacy forced themselves upon his mind. He wasted much time, as all men + do upon their beds, in anticipating to-morrow; in considering what is + going to happen, or what is not; in weighing their own future words and + deeds given a variety of contingencies. For reason, which at first kept + him, despite his disquiet, in the region of the rational, grew weaker with + Henry as the night advanced; the shadow of trouble deepened as his weary + wits lost their balance to combat it. The premonition was as formless and + amorphous as a cloud, and, though he could not see any shape to his fear, + or define its limitations, it grew darker ere he slept. He considered what + might happen and, putting aside any lesser disaster, tried to imagine what + the morning would bring if May actually succumbed. + </p> + <p> + For the moment the size of such an imaginary disaster served curiously to + lessen his uneasiness. Pushed to extremities, the idea became merely + absurd. He won a sort of comfort from such an outrageous proposition, + because it brought him back to the solid ground of reason and the + assurance that some things simply do not happen. From this extravagant + summit of horror, his fears gradually receded. Such a waking nightmare + even quieted his nerves when it was past; for if a possibility presents a + ludicrous side, then its horror must diminish by so much. Moreover, Henry + told himself that if the threat of a disaster so absolute could really be + felt by him, it was his duty to rise at once, intervene, and, if + necessary, summon his uncle and force May to leave the Grey Room + immediately. + </p> + <p> + This idea amused him again and offered another jest. The tragedy really + resolved into jests. He found himself smiling at the picture of May being + treated like a disobedient schoolboy. But if that happened, and Tom was + proclaimed the sinner, what must be Henry's own fate? To win the + reputation of an unsportsmanlike sneak in Mary's opinion as well as Tom's. + He certainly could call upon nobody to help him now. But he might go and + look up May himself. That would be very sharply resented, however. He + travelled round and round in circles, then asked himself what he would do + and say to-morrow if anything happened to Tom—nothing, of course, + fatal, but something perhaps so grave that May himself would be unable to + explain it. In that case Henry could only state facts exactly as they had + occurred. But there would be a deuce of a muddle if he had to make + statements and describe the exact sequence of recent incidents. Already he + forgot the exact sequence. It seemed ages since he parted from May. He + broke off there, rose, drank a glass of water, and lighted a cigarette. He + shook himself into wakefulness, condemned himself for this debauch of + weak-minded thinking, found the time to be three o'clock, and brushed the + whole cobweb tangle from his mind. He knew that sudden warmth after cold + will often induce sleep—a fact proved by incidents of his campaigns—so + he trudged up and down and opened his window and let the cool breath of + the night chill his forehead and breast for five minutes. + </p> + <p> + This action calmed him, and he headed himself off from returning to the + subject. He felt that mental dread and discomfort were only waiting to + break out again; but he smothered them, returned to bed, and succeeded in + keeping his mind on neutral-tinted matter until he fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + He woke again before he was called, rose and went to his bath. He took it + cold, and it refreshed him and cleared his head, for he had a headache. + Everything was changed, and the phantoms of his imagination remained only + as memories to be laughed at. He no longer felt alarm or anxiety. He + dressed presently, and guessing that Tom, always the first to rise, might + already be out of doors, he strolled on to the terrace presently to meet + him there. + </p> + <p> + Already he speculated whether an apology was due from him to May, or + whether he might himself expect one. It didn't matter. He knew perfectly + well that Tom was all right now, and that was the only thing that + signified. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. AT THE ORIEL + </h2> + <p> + Chadlands sprang into existence when the manor houses of England—save + for the persistence of occasional embattled parapets and other warlike + survivals of unrestful days now past—had obeyed the laws of + architectural evolution, and begun to approach a future of cleanliness and + comfort, rising to luxury hitherto unknown. The development of this + ancient mass was displayed in plan as much as in elevation, and, at its + date, the great mansion had stood for the last word of perfection, when + men thought on large lines and the conditions of labour made possible + achievements now seldom within the power of a private purse. Much had + since been done, but the main architectural features were preserved, + though the interior of the great house was transformed. + </p> + <p> + The manor of Chadlands extended to some fifty thousand acres lying in a + river valley between the heights of Haldon on the east and the frontiers + of Dartmoor westerly. The little township was connected by a branch with + the Great Western Railway, and the station lay five miles from the manor + house. No more perfect parklands, albeit on a modest scale, existed in + South Devon, and the views of the surrounding heights and great vale + opening from the estate caused pleasure alike to those contented with + obvious beauty and the small number of spectators who understood the + significance of what constitutes really distinguished landscape. + </p> + <p> + Eastward, long slopes of herbage and drifts of azaleas—a glorious + harmony of gold, scarlet, and orange in June—sloped upwards to larch + woods; while the gardens of pleasure, watered by a little trout stream, + spread beneath the manor house, and behind it rose hot-houses and the + glass and walled gardens of fruit and vegetables. To the south and west + opened park and vale, where receded forest and fallow lands, until the + grey ramparts of the moor ascending beyond them hemmed in the picture. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter Lennox had devoted himself to the sporting side of the estate + and had made it famous in this respect. His father, less interested in + shooting and hunting, had devoted time and means to the flower gardens, + and rendered them as rich as was possible in his day; while earlier yet, + Sir Walter's grandfather had been more concerned for the interior, and had + done much to enrich and beautify it. + </p> + <p> + A great terrace stretched between the south front and a balustrade of + granite, that separated it from the gardens spreading at a lower level. + Here walked Henry Lennox and sought Tom May. It was now past eight o'clock + on Sunday morning, and he found himself alone. The sun, breaking through + heaviness of morning clouds, had risen clear of Haldon Hills and cast a + radiance, still dimmed by vapour, over the glow of the autumn trees. + Subdued sounds of birds came from the glades below, and far distant, from + the scrub at the edge of the woods, pheasants were crowing. The morning + sparkled, and, in a scene so fair, Henry found his spirits rise. Already + the interview with Mary's husband on the preceding night seemed remote and + unreal. He was, however, conscious that he had made an ass of himself, but + he did not much mind, for it could not be said that May had shone, either. + </p> + <p> + He called him, and, for reply, an old spaniel emerged from beneath, + climbed a flight of broad steps that ascended to the terrace, and paddled + up to Henry, wagging his tail. He was a very ancient hero, whose record + among the wild duck still remained a worthy memory and won him honour in + his declining days. The age of "Prince" remained doubtful, but he was + decrepit now—gone in the hams and suffering from cataract of both + eyes—a disease to which it is impossible to minister in a dog. But + his life was good to him; he still got about, slept in the sun, and shared + the best his master's dish could offer. Sir Walter adored him, and + immediately felt uneasy if the creature did not appear when summoned. + Often, had he been invisible too long, his master would wander whistling + round his haunts. Then he would find him, or be himself found, and feel + easy again. + </p> + <p> + "Prince" went in to the open window of the breakfast-room, while Henry, + moved by a thought, walked round the eastern angle of the house and looked + up at the oriel window of the Grey Room, where it hung aloft on the side + of the wall, like a brilliant bubble, and flashed with the sunshine that + now irradiated the casement. To his surprise he saw the window was thrown + open and that May, still in his pyjamas, knelt on the cushioned recess + within and looked out at the morning. + </p> + <p> + "Good lord, old chap!" he cried, "Needn't ask you if you have slept. It's + nearly nine o'clock." + </p> + <p> + But the other made no response whatever. He continued to gaze far away + over Henry's head at the sunrise, while the morning breeze moved his dark + hair. + </p> + <p> + "Tom! Wake up!" shouted Lennox again; but still the other did not move a + muscle. Then Henry noticed that he was unusually pale, and something about + his unwinking eyes also seemed foreign to an intelligent expression. They + were set, and no movement of light played upon them. It seemed that the + watcher was in a trance. Henry felt his heart jump, and a sensation of + alarm sharpened his thought. For him the morning was suddenly transformed, + and fearing an evil thing had indeed befallen the other, he turned to the + terrace and entered the breakfast-room from it. The time was now five + minutes to nine, and as unfailing punctuality had ever been a foible of + Sir Walter, his guests usually respected it. Most of them were already + assembled, and Mary May, who was just stepping into the garden, asked + Henry if he had seen her husband. + </p> + <p> + "He's always the first to get up and the last to go to bed," she said. + </p> + <p> + Bidding her good-morning, but not answering her question, the young man + hastened through the room and ascended to the corridor. Beneath, Ernest + Travers, a being of fussy temperament with a heart of gold, spoke to + Colonel Vane. Travers was clad in Sunday black, for he respected + tradition. + </p> + <p> + "Forgive me, won't you, but this is your first visit, and you don't look + much like church." + </p> + <p> + "Must we go to church, too?" asked the colonel blankly. He was still a + year under forty, but had achieved distinction in the war. "There is no + 'must' about it, but Sir Walter would appreciate the effort on your part. + He likes his guests to go. He is one of those men who are a light to this + generation—an ancient light, if you like, but a shining one. He + loves sound maxims. You may say he runs his life on sound maxims. He lives + charitably with all men and it puzzles him, as it puzzles me, to + understand the growing doubt, the class prejudice—nay, class hatred + the failure of trust and the increasing tension and uneasiness between + employer and employed. He and I are agreed that the tribulations of the + present time can be traced to two disasters only—the lack of + goodwill—as shown in the proletariat, whose leaders teach them to + respect nobody, and the weakening hold of religion as also revealed in the + proletariat. Now, to combat these things and set a good example is our + duty—nay, our privilege. Don't you think so?" + </p> + <p> + Such a lecture on an empty stomach depressed the colonel. He looked uneasy + and anxious. + </p> + <p> + "I'll come, of course, if he'd like it; but I'm afraid I shared my men's + dread of church parade, though our padre was a merciful being on the whole + and fairly sensible." + </p> + <p> + Overhead, Henry had tried the door of the Grey Room, and found it locked. + As he did so, the gong sounded for breakfast. Masters always performed + upon it. First he woke a preliminary whisper of the great bronze disc, + then deepened the note to a genial and mellow roar, and finally calmed it + down again until it faded gently into silence. He spoke of the gong as a + musical instrument, and declared the art of sounding it was a gift that + few men could acquire. + </p> + <p> + Neither movement nor response rewarded the summons of Lennox, and now in + genuine alarm, he went below again, stopped Fred Caunter, the footman, and + asked him to call out Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + Fred waited until his master had said a brief grace before meat; then he + stepped to his side and explained, that his nephew desired to see him. + </p> + <p> + "Good patience! What's the matter?" asked the old man as he rose and + joined Henry in the hall. + </p> + <p> + Then his nephew spoke, and indicated his alarm. He stammered a little, but + strove to keep calm and state facts clearly. + </p> + <p> + "It's like this. I'm afraid you'll be rather savage, but I can't talk now. + Tom and I had a yarn when you'd gone to bed, and he was awfully keen to + spend the night in the Grey Room." + </p> + <p> + "I did not wish it." + </p> + <p> + "I know—we were wrong—but we were both death on it, and we + tossed up, and he won." + </p> + <p> + "Where is he?" + </p> + <p> + "Up there now, looking out of the window. I've called him and made a row + at the door, but he doesn't answer. He's locked himself in, apparently." + </p> + <p> + "What have you done, Henry? We must get to him instantly. Tell Caunter—no, + I will. Don't breathe a syllable of this to anybody unless necessity + arises. Don't tell Mary." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter beckoned the footman, bade him get some tools and ascend + quickly to the Grey Room. He then went up beside his nephew, while Fred, + bristling with excitement, hastened to the toolroom. He was a handy man, + had been at sea during the war, and now returned to his old employment. + His slow brain moved backwards, and he remembered that this was a task he + had already performed ten or more years before. Then the ill-omened + chamber had revealed a dead woman. Who was in it now? Caunter guessed + readily enough. + </p> + <p> + Lennox spoke to his uncle as they approached the locked door. + </p> + <p> + "It was only a lark, just to clear the room of its bad character and have + a laugh at your expense this morning. But I'm afraid he's ill—fainted + or something. He turned in about one o'clock. I was rather bothered, and + couldn't explain to myself why, but—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't chatter!" answered the other. "You have both done a very wrong + thing and should have respected my wishes." + </p> + <p> + At the door he called loudly. + </p> + <p> + "Let us in at once, Tom, please! I am much annoyed! If this is a jest, it + has gone far enough—and too far! I blame you severely!" + </p> + <p> + But none replied. Absolute silence held the Grey Room. + </p> + <p> + Then came the footman with a frail of tools. The task could not be + performed in a moment, and Sir Walter, desirous above all things to create + no uneasiness at the breakfast-table, determined to go down again. But he + was too late, for his daughter had already suspected something. She was + not anxious but puzzled that her husband tarried. She came up the stairs + with a letter. + </p> + <p> + "I'm going to find Tom," she said. "It's not like him to be so lazy. + Here's a letter from the ship, and I'm awfully afraid he may have to go + back." + </p> + <p> + "Mary," said her father, "come here a moment." + </p> + <p> + He drew her under a great window which threw light into the corridor. + </p> + <p> + "You must summon your nerve and pluck, my girl! I'm very much afraid that + something has gone amiss with Tom. I know nothing yet, but last night, it + seems, after we had gone to bed, he and Henry determined that one of them + should sleep in the Grey Room." + </p> + <p> + "Father! Was he there, and I so near him—sleeping in the very next + room?" + </p> + <p> + "He was there—and is there. He is not well. Henry saw him looking + out of the window five minutes ago, but he was, I fear, unconscious." + </p> + <p> + "Let me go to him," she said. + </p> + <p> + "I will do so first. It will be wiser. Run down and ask Ernest to join me. + Do not be alarmed; I dare say it is nothing at all." + </p> + <p> + Her habit of obedience prompted her to do as he desired instantly, but she + descended like lightning, called Travers, and returned with him. + </p> + <p> + "I will ask you to come in with me, Ernest," explained Sir Walter. "My + son-in-law slept in the Grey Room last night, and he does not respond to + our calls this morning. The door is locked and we are breaking it open." + </p> + <p> + "But you expressly refused him permission to do so, Walter." + </p> + <p> + "I did—you heard me. Let sleeping dogs lie is a very good motto, but + young men will be young men. I hope, however, nothing serious—" + </p> + <p> + He stopped, for Caunter had forced the door and burst it inward with a + crash. During the moment's silence that followed they heard the key spring + into the room and strike the wainscot. The place was flooded with + sunshine, and seemed to welcome them with genial light and attractive art. + The furniture revealed its rich grain and beautiful modelling; the cherubs + carved on the great chairs seemed to dance where the light flashed on + their little, rounded limbs. The silvery walls were bright, and the huge + roses that tumbled over them appeared to revive and display their original + color at the touch of the sun. + </p> + <p> + On a chair beside the bed stood an extinguished candle, Tom's watch, and + Henry's revolver. The sailor's dressing-gown was still folded where he had + placed it; his rug was at the foot of the bed. He himself knelt in the + recess at the open window upon the settee that ran beneath. His position + was natural; one arm held the window-ledge and steadied him, and his back + was turned to Sir Walter and Travers, who first entered the room. + </p> + <p> + Henry held Mary back and implored her to wait a moment, but she shook off + his hand and followed her father. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter it was who approached Tom and grasped his arm. In so doing he + disturbed the balance of the body, which fell back and was caught by the + two men. Its weight bore Ernest Travers to the ground, but Henry was in + time to save both the quick and the dead. For Tom May had expired many + hours before. His face was of an ivory whiteness, his mouth closed. No + sign of fear, but rather a profound astonishment sat upon his features. + His eyes were opened and dim. In them, too, was frozen a sort of + speechless amazement. How long he had been dead they knew not, but none + were in doubt of the fact. His wife, too, perceived it. She went to where + he now lay, put her arms around his neck, and fainted. + </p> + <p> + Others were moving outside, and the murmur of voices reached the Grey + Room. It was one of those tragic situations when everybody desires to be + of service, and when well-meaning and small-minded people are often hurt + unintentionally and never forget it, putting fancied affronts before the + incidents that caused them. + </p> + <p> + The man lay dead and his wife unconscious upon his body. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter rose to the occasion as best he might, issued orders, and + begged all who heard him to obey without question. He and his friend + Travers lifted Mary and carried her to her room. It was her nursery of + old. Here they put her on her bed, and sent Caunter for Mrs. Travers and + Mary's old servant, Jane Bond. She had recovered consciousness before the + women reached her. Then they returned to the dead, and the master of + Chadlands urged those standing on the stairs and in the corridor to go + back to their breakfast and their duties. + </p> + <p> + "You can do no good," he said. "I will only ask Vane to help us." + </p> + <p> + Fayre-Michell spoke, while the colonel came forward. + </p> + <p> + "Forgive me, Sir Walter, but if it is anything psychical, I ask, as a + member—" + </p> + <p> + "For Heaven's sake do as I wish," returned the other. "My son-in-law is + dead. What more there is to know, you'll hear later. I want Vane, because + he is a powerful man and can help Henry and my butler. We have to carry—" + </p> + <p> + He broke off. + </p> + <p> + "Dead!" gasped the visitor. + </p> + <p> + Then he hastened downstairs. Presently they lifted the sailor among them, + and got him to his own room. They could not dispose him in a comely + position—a fact that specially troubled Sir Walter—and Masters + doubted not that the doctor would be able to do it. + </p> + <p> + Henry Lennox started as swiftly as possible for the house of the + physician, four miles off. He took a small motor-car, did the journey + along empty roads in twelve minutes, and was back again with Dr. Mannering + in less than half an hour. + </p> + <p> + The people, whose visit of pleasure was thus painfully brought to a close, + moved about whispering on the terrace. They had as yet heard no details, + and were considering whether it would be possible to get off at once, or + necessary to wait until the morrow. + </p> + <p> + Their natural desire was to depart, since they could not be of any service + to the stricken household; but no facilities existed on Sunday. They + walked about in little groups. One or two, desiring to smoke but feeling + that to do so would appear callous, descended into the seclusion of the + garden. Then Ernest Travers joined them. He was important, but could only + tell them that May had disobeyed his father-in-law, slept in the Grey + Room, and died there. He gave them details and declared that in his + opinion it would be unseemly to attempt to leave until the following day. + </p> + <p> + "Sir Walter would feel it," he said. "He is bearing up well. He will lunch + with us. My wife tells me that Mary, Mrs. May, is very sadly. That is + natural—an awful blow. I find myself incapable of grasping it. To + think of so much boyish good spirits and such vitality extinguished in + this way." + </p> + <p> + "Can we do anything on earth for them?" asked Millicent Fayre-Michell. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing—nothing. If I may advise, I think we had all better go to + church. By so doing we get out of the way for a time and please dear Sir + Walter. I shall certainly go." + </p> + <p> + They greeted the suggestion—indeed, clutched at it. Their bewildered + minds welcomed action. They were hushed and perturbed. Death, crashing in + upon them thus, left them more than uncomfortable. Some, at the bottom of + their souls, felt almost indignant that an event so horrible should have + disturbed the level tenor of their lives. They shared the most profound + sympathy for the sufferers as well as for themselves. Some discovered that + their own physical bodies were upset, too, and felt surprised at the depth + of their emotions. + </p> + <p> + "It isn't as if it were natural," Felix Fayre-Michell persisted. "Don't + imagine that for a moment." + </p> + <p> + "It's too creepy—I can't believe it," declared his niece. She was + incapable of suffering much for anybody, and her excitement had a flavour + not wholly bitter. She saw herself describing these events at other house + parties. It would be unfair to say that she was enjoying herself; still + she knew nobody at Chadlands very well, it was her first visit, and + adventures are, after all, adventures. Her uncle discussed the psychic + significance of the tragedy, and gave instances of similar events. One or + two listened to him for lack of anything better to do. There was a general + sensation of blankness. They were all thrown. Life had let them down. + Under the circumstances, to most of them it seemed an excellent idea to go + to church. Vane joined them presently. He was able to give them many + details and excite their interest. They crowded round him, and he spoke + nakedly. Death was nothing to him—he had seen so much. They heard + the motor return with Dr. Mannering. + </p> + <p> + "We're so out of it," said Mr. Miles Handford, a stout man from Yorkshire—a + wealthy landowner and sportsman. + </p> + <p> + He was unaccustomed to be out of anything in his environment, and he + showed actual irritation. + </p> + <p> + "Thank Heaven we are, I should think!" answered another; and the first + speaker frowned at him. + </p> + <p> + Ernest Travers joined them presently. He had put on a black tie and wore + black gloves and a silk hat. + </p> + <p> + "If you accompany me," he said, "I can show you the short way by a field + path. It cuts off half a mile. I have told Sir Walter we all go to church, + and he asked me if we would like the motors; but I felt, the day being + fine, you would agree with me that we might walk. He is terribly crushed, + but taking it like the man he is." + </p> + <p> + Miles Handford and Fayre-Michell followed the church party in the rear, + and relieved their minds by criticizing Mr. Travers. + </p> + <p> + "Officious ass!" said the stout man. "A typical touch that black tie! A + decent-minded person would have felt this appalling tragedy far too much + to think of such a trifle. I hope I shall never see the brute again." + </p> + <p> + "It seems too grotesque marching to church like a lot of children, because + he tells us to do so," murmured Fayre-Michell. + </p> + <p> + "I don't want to go. I only want distraction. In fact, I don't think I + shall go," added Mr. Handford. But a woman urged him to do so. + </p> + <p> + "Sir Walter would like it," she said. + </p> + <p> + "It's all very sad and very exasperating indeed," declared the + Yorkshireman; "and it shows, if that wanted showing, that there's far, far + less consideration among young men for their elders than there used to be + in my young days. If my father-in-law had told me not to do a thing, the + very wish to do it would have disappeared at once." + </p> + <p> + "Sir Walter was as clear as need be," added Felix. "We all heard him. Then + the young fool—Heaven forgive him—behind everybody's back goes + and plays with fire in this insane way." + </p> + <p> + "The selfishness! Just look at the inconvenience—the upset—the + suffering to his relations and the worry for all of us. All our plans must + be altered—everything upset, life for the moment turned upside down—a + woman's heart broken very likely—and all for a piece of disobedient + folly. Such things make one out of tune with Providence. They oughtn't to + happen. They don't happen in Yorkshire. Devonshire appears to be a + slacker's county. It's the air, I shouldn't wonder." + </p> + <p> + "Education, and law and order, and the discipline inculcated in the Navy + ought to have prevented this," continued Fayre-Michell. "Who ever heard of + a sailor disobeying—except Nelson?" + </p> + <p> + "He's paid, poor fellow," said his niece, who walked beside him. + </p> + <p> + "We have all paid," declared the north countryman. "We have all paid the + price; and the price has been a great deal of suffering and discomfort and + stress of mind that we ought not have been called upon to endure. One + resents such things in a stable world." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'm not going to church, anyway. I must smoke for my nerves. I'm a + psychic myself, and I react to a thing of this sort," replied + Fayre-Michell. + </p> + <p> + From a distant stile between two fields Mr. Travers, some hundred yards + ahead, was waving directions and pointing to the left. + </p> + <p> + "Go to Jericho!" snapped Mr. Handford, but not loud enough for Ernest + Travers to hear him. + </p> + <p> + A little ring of bells throbbed thin music. It rose and fell on the + easterly breeze and a squat grey tower, over which floated a white ensign + on a flagstaff, appeared upon a little knoll of trees in the midst of the + village of Chadlands. + </p> + <p> + Presently the bells stopped, and the flag was brought down to half-mast. + Mr. Travers had reached the church. + </p> + <p> + "A maddening sort of man," said Miles Handford, who marked these + phenomena. "Be sure Sir Walter never told him to do anything of that sort. + He has taken it upon himself—a theatrical mind. If I were the vicar—" + </p> + <p> + Elsewhere Dr. Mannering heard what Henry Lennox could tell him as they + returned to the manor house together. He displayed very deep concern + combined with professional interest. He recalled the story that Sir Walter + had related on the previous night. + </p> + <p> + "Not a shadow of evidence—a perfectly healthy little woman; and it + will be the same here as sure as I'm alive," he said. "To think—we + shot side by side yesterday, and I remarked his fine physique and + wonderful high spirits—a big, tough fellow. How's poor Mary?" + </p> + <p> + "She is pretty bad, but keeping her nerve, as she would be sure to do," + declared the other. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter was with his daughter when Mannering arrived. The doctor had + been a crony of the elder for many years. He was about the average of a + country physician—a hard-bitten, practical man who loved his + profession, loved sport, and professed conservative principles. Experience + stood in place of high qualifications, but he kept in touch with medical + progress, to the extent of reading about it and availing himself of + improved methods and preparations when opportunity offered. He examined + the dead man very carefully, indicated how his posture might be rendered + more normal, and satisfied himself that human power was incapable of + restoring the vanished life. He could discover no visible indication of + violence and no apparent excuse for Tom May's sudden end. He listened with + attention to the little that Henry Lennox could tell him, and then went to + see Mary May and her father. + </p> + <p> + The young wife had grown more collected, but she was dazed rather than + reconciled to her fate; her mind had not yet absorbed the full extent of + her sorrow. She talked incessantly and dwelt on trivialities, as people + will under a weight of events too large to measure or discuss. + </p> + <p> + "I am going to write to Tom's father," she said. "This will be an awful + blow to him. He was wrapped up in Tom. And to think that I was troubling + about his letter! He will never see the sea he loved so much again. He + always hated that verse in the Bible that says there will be no more sea. + I was asleep so near him last night. Yet I never heard him cry out or + anything." + </p> + <p> + Mannering talked gently to her. + </p> + <p> + "Be sure he did not cry out. He felt no pain, no shock—I am sure of + that. To die is no hardship to the dead, remember. He is at peace, Mary. + You must come and see him presently. Your father will call you soon. There + is just a look of wonder in his face—no fear, no suffering. Keep + that in mind." + </p> + <p> + "He could not have felt fear. He knew of nothing that a brave man might + fear, except doing wrong. Nobody knows how good he was but me. His father + loved him fiercely, passionately; but he never knew how good he was, + because Tom did not think quite like old Mr. May. I must write and say + that Tom is dangerously ill, and cannot recover. That will break it to + him. Tom was the only earthly affection he had. It will be terrible when + he comes." + </p> + <p> + They left her, and, after they had gone, she rose, fell on her knees, and + so remained, motionless and tearless, for a long time. Through her own + desolation, as yet unrealized, there still persisted the thought of her + husband's father. It seemed that her mind could dwell on his isolation, + while powerless to present the truth of her husband's death to her. By + some strange mental operation, not unbeneficent, she saw his grief more + vividly than as yet she felt her own. She rose presently, quick-eared to + wait the call, and went to her desk in the window. Then she wrote a letter + to her father-in-law, and pictured his ministering at that moment to his + church. Her inclination was to soften the blow, yet she knew that could + only be a cruel kindness. She told him, therefore, that his son must die. + Then she remembered that he was so near. A telegram must go rather than a + letter, and he would be at Chadlands before nightfall. She destroyed her + letter and set about a telegram. Jane Bond came in, and she asked her to + dispatch the telegram as quickly as possible. Her old nurse, an elderly + spinster, to whom Mary was the first consideration in existence, had + brought her a cup of soup and some toast. It had seemed to Jane the right + thing to do. + </p> + <p> + Mary thanked her and drank a little. She passed through a mental phase as + of dreaming—a sensation familiar in sleep; but she knew that this + was not a sleeping but a waking experience. She waited for her father, yet + dreaded to hear him return. She thought of human footsteps and the + difference between them. She remembered that she would never hear Tom's + long stride again. + </p> + <p> + It often broke into a run, she remembered, as he approached her; and she + would often run toward him, too—to banish the space that separated + them. She blamed herself bitterly that she had decreed to sleep in her old + nursery. She had loved it so, and the small bed that had held her from + childhood; yet, if she had slept with him, this might not have happened. + </p> + <p> + "To think that only a wall separated us!" she kept saying to herself. "And + I sleeping and dreaming of him, and he dying only a few yards away." + </p> + <p> + Death was no disaster for Tom, so the doctor had said. What worthless + wisdom! And perhaps not even wisdom. Who knows what a disaster death may + be? And who would ever know what he had felt at the end, or what his mind + had suffered if time had been given him to understand that he was going to + die? She worked herself into agony, lost self-control at last and wept, + with Jane Bond's arms round her. + </p> + <p> + "And I was so troubled, because I thought he had been called back to his + ship!" she said. + </p> + <p> + "He's called to a better place than a ship, dear love," sobbed Jane. + </p> + <p> + After they left her, Sir Walter and Dr. Mannering had entered the Grey + Room for a moment and, standing there, spoke together. + </p> + <p> + "I have a strange consciousness that I am living over the past again," + declared the physician. "Things were just so when that poor woman, Nurse + Forrester—you remember." + </p> + <p> + "Yes. I felt the same when Caunter was breaking open the door. I faced the + worst from the beginning, for the moment I heard what he had done, I + somehow knew that my unfortunate son-in-law was dead. I directly negatived + his suggestion last night, and never dreamed that he would have gone on + with it when he knew my wish." + </p> + <p> + "Doubtless he did not realize how much in earnest you were on the subject. + This may well prove as impossible to understand as the nurse's death. I do + not say it will; but I suspect it will. A perfectly healthy creature cut + off in a moment and nothing to show us why—absolutely nothing." + </p> + <p> + "A death without a cause—a negation of science surely?" + </p> + <p> + "There is a cause, but I do not think this dreadful tragedy will reveal + it," answered the doctor. "I pray it may, however, for all our sakes," he + continued. "It is impossible to say how deeply I feel this for her, but + also for you, and myself, too. He was one of the best, a good sportsman + and a good man." + </p> + <p> + "And a great loss to the Service," added Sir Walter. "I have not + considered all this means yet. My thoughts are centred on Mary." + </p> + <p> + "You must let me spare you all I can, my friend. There will be an inquest, + of course, and an inquiry. Also a post-mortem. Shall I communicate with + Dr. Mordred to-day, or would you prefer that somebody else—" + </p> + <p> + "Somebody else. The most famous man you know. From no disrespect to Dr. + Mordred, or to you, Mannering. You understand that. But I should like an + independent examination by some great authority, some one who knew nothing + of the former case. This is an appalling thing to happen. I don't know + where to begin thinking." + </p> + <p> + "Do not put too great a strain upon yourself. Leave it to those who will + come to the matter with all their wits and without your personal sorrow. + An independent inquirer is certainly best, one who, as you say, knows + nothing about the former case." + </p> + <p> + "I don't know where to begin thinking," repeated the other. "Such a thing + upsets one's preconceived opinions. I had always regarded my aversion to + this room as a human weakness—a thing to be conquered. Look round + you. Would it be possible to imagine an apartment with less of evil + suggestion?" + </p> + <p> + The other made a perfunctory examination, went into every corner, tapped + the walls and stared at the ceiling. The clean morning light showed its + intricate pattern of interwoven circles converging from the walls to the + centre, and so creating a sense of a lofty dome instead of a flat surface. + In the centre was a boss of a conventional lily flower opening its petals. + </p> + <p> + "The room should not be touched till after the inquest, I think. Indeed, + if I may advise, you will do well to leave it just as it is for the police + to see." + </p> + <p> + "They will want to see it, I imagine?" + </p> + <p> + "Unless you communicate direct with Scotland Yard, ask for a special + inquiry, and beg that the local men are not employed. There is reason in + that, for it is quite certain that nobody here would be of any greater use + to you than they were before." + </p> + <p> + "Act for me then, please. Explain that money is no object, and ask them to + send the most accomplished and experienced men in the service. But they + are only concerned with crime. This may be outside their scope." + </p> + <p> + "We cannot say as to that. We cannot even assert that this is not a crime. + We know nothing." + </p> + <p> + "A crime needs a criminal, Mannering." + </p> + <p> + "That is so; but what would be criminal, if human agency were responsible + for it, might, nevertheless, be the work of forces to which the word + criminal cannot be applied." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter stared at him. + </p> + <p> + "Is it possible you suggest a supernatural cause for this?" + </p> + <p> + The doctor shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "Emphatically not, though I am not a materialist, as you are aware. My + generation of practitioners has little difficulty in reconciling our creed + with our cult, though few of the younger men are able to do so, I admit. + But science is science, and not for a moment do I imagine anything + supernatural here. I think, however, there are unconscious forces at work, + and those responsible for setting those forces in action would be + criminals without a doubt, if they knew what they were doing. The man who + fires a rifle at an animal, if he hits and kills it, is the destroyer, + though he may operate from half a mile away. On the other hand, the agents + may be unconscious of what they are doing." + </p> + <p> + "There is no human being in this house for whom I would not answer." + </p> + <p> + "I know it. We beat the wind. It will be time enough to consider + presently. Indeed, I should rather that you strove to relieve your mind of + the problem. You have enough to do without that. Leave it to those + professionally trained in such mysteries. If a man is responsible for this + atrocious thing, then it should be within the reach of man's wits to find + him. We failed before; but this time no casual examination of this place, + or the antecedents of your son-in-law's life, will serve the purpose. We + must go to the bottom, or, rather, skilled minds, trained to do so, must + go to the bottom. They will approach the subject from a different angle. + They will come unprejudiced and unperturbed. If there has been foul play, + they will find it out. In my opinion it is incredible that they will be + baffled." + </p> + <p> + "The best men engaged in such work must come to help us. I cannot bring + myself to believe the room is haunted, and that this is the operation of + an evil force outside Nature, yet permitted by the Creator to destroy + human life. The idea is too horrible—it revolts me, Mannering." + </p> + <p> + "Well, it may do so. Banish any such irrational thought from your mind. It + is not worthy of you. I must go now. I will telegraph to London—to + Sir Howard Fellowes—also, I think to the State authorities on + forensic medicine. A Government analyst must do his part. Shall I + communicate with Scotland Yard to-day?" + </p> + <p> + "Leave that until the evening. You will come again to see Mary, please." + </p> + <p> + "Most certainly I shall. At three o'clock I should have a reply to my + messages. I will go into Newton Abbot and telephone from there." + </p> + <p> + "I thank you, Mannering. I wish it were possible to do more myself. My + mind is cruelly shaken. This awful experience has made an old man of me." + </p> + <p> + "Don't say that. It is awful enough, I admit. But life is full of awful + things. Would that you might have escaped them!" + </p> + <p> + "Henry will help you, if it is in his power. It would be well if we could + give him something to do. He feels guilty in a way. I have little time to + observe other people; but—" + </p> + <p> + "He's all right. He can run into Newton with me now. It looks to me as + though his own life had hung on the pitch of a coin. They tossed up! After + that—so he tells me—he tried to dissuade your son-in-law, but + failed. Lennox is rather cowed and dismayed—naturally. The young, + however, survive mental and physical disasters and recover in the most + amazing manner. Their mental recuperation is on a par with their bodily + powers of recovery. Nature is on their side. Let me urge you to go down + and take food. If you can even lunch with your party I should. It will + distract your mind." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter declared that he had intended to do so. + </p> + <p> + "I am an old soldier," he said. "It shall not be thought I evade my + obligations for personal sorrow. As for this room, it is accursed and I am + in a mind to destroy it utterly." + </p> + <p> + "Wait—wait. We shall see what our fellow-men can find out for us. Do + not think, because I am practical and business-like, I am not feeling + this. Seldom have I had such a shock in nearly forty years' work. You + know, without my telling you, how deep and heartfelt is my sympathy. I + feel for you both from my soul." + </p> + <p> + "I am sure of that. I will try and forget myself for the present. I must + go to my guests. I am very sorry for them also. It is a fearful experience + to crash upon their party of pleasure." + </p> + <p> + "I hope Travers may stay. He is a comfort to you, is he not?" + </p> + <p> + "Nobody can be a comfort just now. I shall not ask him to stay. + Fortunately Henry is here. He will stop for the present. Mary is all that + matters. I shall take her away as quickly as possible and devote my every + thought to her." + </p> + <p> + "I'm sure you will. It is a sad duty, but may prove a very necessary one. + Their devotion was absolute. It must go hard with her when she realizes + the whole meaning of this." + </p> + <p> + He went his way, and Sir Walter returned to his child again. With her he + visited the dead, when told that he could do so. She was now very + self-controlled. She stopped a little while only beside her husband. + </p> + <p> + "How beautiful and happy he looks," she said. "But what I loved is gone; + and, going, it has changed all the rest. This is not Tom—only the + least part of him." + </p> + <p> + Her father bowed his head. + </p> + <p> + "I felt so when your mother died, my dearest child." + </p> + <p> + Then she knelt down and put her hand on the hand of the dead man and + prayed. Her father knelt beside her, and it was he, not the young widow, + who wept. + </p> + <p> + She rose presently. + </p> + <p> + "I can think of him better away from him now," she said. "I will not see + him again." + </p> + <p> + They returned to her old nursery, and he told her that he was going to + face life and take the head of his table at luncheon. + </p> + <p> + "How brave of you, dear father," she said. Sir Walter waited for the gong + to sound, but it did not, and he rebuked himself for thinking that it + would sound. Masters had a more correct sense of the fitness of things + than he. He thought curiously upon this incident, and suspected that he + must be unhinged a little. Then he remembered a thing that he had desired + to say to Mary and returned to her. + </p> + <p> + "I do not wish you to sleep in this room to-night, my darling," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Jane has begged me not to. I am going to sleep with her," she answered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. "BY THE HAND OF GOD" + </h2> + <p> + Sir Walter always remembered that Sunday luncheon and declared that it + reminded him of a very painful experience in his early life. When big-game + shooting in South Africa, he had once been tossed by a wounded buffalo + bull. By good chance the creature threw him into a gully some feet lower + than the surrounding bush. Thus it lost him, and he was safe from + destruction. There, however, he remained with a broken leg for some hours + until rescued; and during that time the mosquitoes caused him unspeakable + torments. + </p> + <p> + To-day the terrible disaster of the morning became temporarily + overshadowed by the necessity of enduring his friends' comments upon it. + The worst phase of the ordeal was their pity. Sir Walter had never been + pitied in his life, and detested the experience. This stream of sympathy + and the chastened voices much oppressed him. He was angry with himself + also, for a guilty conviction that, in truth, the interest of the visitors + exceeded their grief. He felt it base to suspect them of any such thing; + but the buzz of their polite expressions, combined with their cautious + questions and evident thirst for knowledge, caused him exquisite + uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + They all wanted to know everything he could tell them concerning Tom May. + Had he enemies? Was it conceivable that he might have even bitter and + unscrupulous enemies? + </p> + <p> + "Dear Mary is keeping up splendidly," said Mrs. Travers. "She is + magnificent. Thank Heaven I have been some little help to her." + </p> + <p> + "You have, Nelly, without a doubt." + </p> + <p> + "Do try to eat more, Walter," urged Ernest Travers. "Much lies before you. + Indeed, the worst has yet to come. You must keep up for all our sakes. How + thankfully I would share your load if I could!" + </p> + <p> + "I hope you are going to make this an official matter, Sir Walter, and + communicate with the Society for Psychical Research," urged Felix + Fayre-Michell. "It is just a case for them. In fact, when this gets known + widely, as it must, of course, a great many skilled inquirers will wish to + visit Chadlands and spend a night in the room." + </p> + <p> + "The police will have to be considered first," declared Colonel Vane. + "This is, of course, a police affair. I should think they will so regard + it. There is the Service, too. The Admiralty will be sure to do + something." + </p> + <p> + "Is he to be buried at Chadlands? I suppose so, poor fellow," murmured + Ernest Travers. "I think your family graves so distinguished, Walter—so + simple and fine and modest—just perfectly kept, grassy mounds, and + simple inscriptions. I was looking at them after service to-day. The vicar + made a very tactful allusion to the great grief that had overtaken the + lord of the manor at the end of his sermon." + </p> + <p> + Henry assisted his uncle to the best of his power. It was he who went into + the question of the Sunday service from the neighboring market town, and + proved, to the relief of Colonel Vane and Mr. Miles Handford, that they + might leave in comfort before nightfall and catch a train to London. + </p> + <p> + "A car is going in later, to meet poor Tom's father," he said, "and if + it's any convenience, it would take you both." + </p> + <p> + The pair thankfully agreed. + </p> + <p> + Then Colonel Vane interested Sir Walter in spite of himself. The latter + had spoken of an inquiry, and Vane urged a distinguished name upon him. + </p> + <p> + "Do get Peter Hardcastle if you can," he said. "He's absolutely top hole + at this sort of thing at present—an amazing beggar." + </p> + <p> + "I seem to have heard the name." + </p> + <p> + "Who hasn't? It was he who got to the bottom of that weird murder in + Yorkshire." + </p> + <p> + "It was weird," said Handford. "I knew intimate friends of the murdered + man." + </p> + <p> + "A crime for which no logical reason existed," continued the colonel. "It + puzzled everybody, till Hardcastle succeeded where his superior officers + at Scotland Yard had failed. I believe he's still young. But that was less + amazing than the German spy—you remember now, Sir Walter? The spy + had been too clever for England and France—thanks to a woman who + helped him. Peter Hardcastle got to know her; then he actually disguised + himself as the woman—of course without her knowledge—arrested + her, and kept an appointment that she had made with the spy. What was the + spy called? I forget." + </p> + <p> + "Wundt," said Felix Fayre-Michell. + </p> + <p> + "No, I don't think so. Hardt or Hardfelt, or something like that." + </p> + <p> + "Anyway, a jolly wonderful thing. He's the first man at this business, and + I hope you'll be able to secure him." + </p> + <p> + "If he comes, Sir Walter, don't let it be known that he is here. Keep it a + secret. If Hardcastle could come down as your guest, and nobody know he + was here, it might help him to succeed." + </p> + <p> + "And if he fails, then I hope you'll invite the Psychical Research + Society." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter let the chatter flow past him; but he concentrated on the name + of Peter Hardcastle. He remembered the story of the spy, and the sensation + it had aroused. + </p> + <p> + Millicent Fayre-Michell also remembered it. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Hardcastle declined to let his photograph be published in the + halfpenny papers, I remember," she said. "That struck me as so wonderful. + There was a reason given—that he did not wish the public to know him + by sight. I believe he is never seen as himself, and that he makes up just + as easily to look like a woman as a man." + </p> + <p> + "Some people believe he is a woman." + </p> + <p> + "No! You don't say that?" + </p> + <p> + "To have made up as that German's friend and so actually reached his + presence—nay, secured him! It is certainly one of the most + remarkable pages in the annals of crime," said Ernest Travers. + </p> + <p> + "Is he attached to Scotland Yard still, or does he work independently?" + asked Miles Handford. + </p> + <p> + "I don't know yet. Mannering has already urged me to consult Scotland Yard + at once. Indeed, he was going to approach them to-day. Mr. Hardcastle + shall certainly be invited to do what he can. I shall leave no stone + unturned to reach the truth. Yet what even such a man can do is difficult + to see. The walls of the Grey Room are solid, the floor is of sound oak, + the ceiling is nine or ten inches thick, and supported by immense beams. + The hearth is modern, and the chimney not large enough to admit a human + being. This was proved twelve years ago." + </p> + <p> + "Give him a free hand all the same—with servants and everybody. I + should ask him to come as your guest, then nobody need know who he is, and + he can pursue his investigations the more freely." + </p> + <p> + Felix Fayre-Michell made this suggestion after luncheon was ended, and + Masters and Fred Caunter had left the room. Then the conversation showed + signs of drifting back to sentimentality. Sir Walter saw it coming in + their eyes, and sought to head them off by inquiring concerning their own + movements. + </p> + <p> + "Can I be of any service to simplify your plans? I fear this terrible + event has put you all to great inconvenience." + </p> + <p> + "Our inconvenience is nothing beside your sorrow, dear Walter," said Nelly + Travers. + </p> + <p> + All declared that if they could serve the cause in any way they would + gladly stop at Chadlands, but since they were powerless to assist, they + felt that the sooner they departed the better. + </p> + <p> + "We go, but we leave our undying sympathy and commiseration, dear friend," + declared Mr. Travers. "Believe me, this has aged my wife and myself. + Probably it would not be an exaggeration to say it has aged us all. That + he should have come through Jutland, done worthy deeds, won honorable + mention and the D. S. O., then to be snatched out of life in this + incomprehensible manner—nay, perhaps even by supernatural means, for + we cannot yet actually declare it is not so. All this makes it impossible + to say much that can comfort you or dear Mary. Time must pass I fear, + Walter. You must get her away into another environment. Thank Heaven she + has youth on her side." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes, I shall live for her, be sure of that." He left them and + presently spoke to his nephew alone in his study. + </p> + <p> + "Do what you can for them. Handford and Vane are getting off this + afternoon, the rest early to-morrow. I don't think I shall be able to dine + with them to-night. Tom's father will be here. I fear he is likely to be + prostrated when he knows that all is over." + </p> + <p> + "No, he's not that kind of man, uncle. Mary tells me he will want to get + to the bottom of this in his own way. He's one of the fighting sort, but + he believes in a lot of queer things. I'm going in to Newton with Colonel + Vane, and shall meet Mannering there about—about Sir Howard + Fellowes. He'll come down to-morrow, no doubt, perhaps to-night. Mannering + will know." + </p> + <p> + "And tell Mannering to insist on a detective called Peter Hardcastle for + the inquiry. If he's left Scotland Yard and acting independently, none the + less engage him. I shall, of course, thankfully pay anything to get this + tragedy explained." + </p> + <p> + "Be sure they will explain it." + </p> + <p> + "If they do not I shall be tempted to leave altogether. Indeed, I may do + so in any case. Mary will never reconcile herself to live here now." + </p> + <p> + "Don't bother about the future, don't think about it. Consider yourself, + and take a little rest this afternoon. Everybody is very concerned for + you, they mean to be awfully decent in their way; but I know how they try + you. They can't help it. Such a thing takes them out of their daily round, + and beggars their experience, and makes them excited and tactless. There's + no precedent for them, and you know how most people depend on precedent + and how they're bowled over before anything new." + </p> + <p> + "I will go to Mary, I think. Has the undertaker been?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, uncle." + </p> + <p> + "I want him to be buried with us here. I should not suppose his father + will object." + </p> + <p> + "Not likely. Mary would wish it so." + </p> + <p> + "It was so typical of Mary to think of Septimus May before everybody. She + put her own feelings from her that she might soften the blow for him." + </p> + <p> + "She would." + </p> + <p> + "Are you equal to telling the clergyman at the station that his son is + dead, or can't you trust yourself to do it?" + </p> + <p> + "I expect he'll know it well enough, but I'll tell him everything there is + to tell. I remember long ago, after the wedding, that he was interested in + haunted rooms, and said he believed in such things on Scriptural grounds." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter took pause at this statement. + </p> + <p> + "That is news to me. Supposing he—However, we need not trouble + ourselves with him yet. He will, of course, be as deeply concerned to get + to the bottom of this as I am, though we must not interfere, or make the + inquiry harder for Hardcastle than he is bound to find it." + </p> + <p> + "Certainly nobody must interfere. I only hope we can get Peter + Hardcastle." + </p> + <p> + "Tell them to call me when Mr. May arrives, and not sooner. I'll see Mary, + then lie down for an hour or two." + </p> + <p> + "You feel all right? Should you care to see Mannering?" + </p> + <p> + "I am right enough. Say 'Good-bye' to Vane and Miles Handford for me. They + may have to return here presently. One can't tell who may be wanted, and + who may not be. I don't know—these things are outside my experience; + but they had better both leave you their directions." + </p> + <p> + "I'll ask them." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter visited his daughter, and changed his mind about sleeping. She + was passing through an hour of unspeakable horror. The dark temple of + realization had opened for her and she was treading its dreary aisles. + Henceforth for long days—she told herself for ever—sorrow and + sense of unutterable loss must be her companions and share her waking + hours. + </p> + <p> + They stopped together alone till the dusk came down and Mannering + returned. He stayed but a few minutes, and presently they heard his car + start again, while that containing the departing guests and Henry Lennox + immediately followed it. + </p> + <p> + In due course Septimus May returned to Chadlands with him. The clergyman + had heard of his son's end, and went immediately to see the dead man. + There Mary joined him, and witnessed his self-control under very + shattering grief. He was thin, clean-shaven—a grey man with + smouldering eyes and an expression of endurance. A fanatic in faith, by + virtue of certain asperities of mind and a critical temperament, he had + never made friends, won his parish into close ties, nor advanced the cause + of his religion as he had yearned to do. With the zeal of a reformer, he + had entered the ministry in youth; but while commanding respect for his + own rule of conduct and the example he set his little flock, their + affection he never won. The people feared him, and dreaded his stern + criticism. Once certain spirits, smarting under pulpit censure, had sought + to be rid of him; but no grounds existed on which they could eject the + reverend gentleman or challenge his status. He remained, therefore, as + many like him remain, embedded in his parish and unknown beyond it. He was + a poor student of human nature and life had dimmed his old ambitions, + soured his hopes; but it had not clouded his faith. With a passionate + fervor he believed all that he tried to teach, and held that an almighty, + all loving and all merciful God controlled every destiny, ordered + existence for the greatest and least, and allowed nothing to happen upon + earth that was not the best that could happen for the immortal beings He + had created in His own image. Upon this assurance fell the greatest, + almost the only, blow that life could deal Septimus May. He was stricken + suddenly, fearfully with his unutterable loss; but his agony turned into + prayer while he knelt beside his son. He prayed with a fiery intensity and + a resonant vibration of voice that scorched rather than comforted the + woman who knelt beside him. The fervor of the man's emotion and the depth + of his conviction, running like a torrent through the narrow channels of + his understanding, were destined presently to complicate a situation + sufficiently painful without intervention; for a time swiftly came when + Septimus May forced his beliefs upon Chadlands and opposed them to the + opinions of other people as deeply concerned as himself to explain the + death of his son. + </p> + <p> + Mr. May, learning that most of the house party could not depart until the + following morning, absented himself from dinner; indeed, he spent his time + almost entirely with his boy, and when night came kept vigil beside him. + Something of the strange possession of his mind already appeared, in + curious hints that puzzled Sir Walter; but it was not until after the + post-mortem examination and inquest that his extraordinary views were + elaborated. + </p> + <p> + Millicent Fayre-Michell and her uncle were the first to depart on the + following day. The girl harbored a grievance. + </p> + <p> + "Surely Mary might have seen me a moment to say 'Good-bye,'" she said. + "It's a very dreadful thing, but we've been so sympathetic and + understanding about it that I think they ought to feel rather grateful. + They might realize how trying it is for us, too. And to let me go without + even seeing her—she saw Mrs. Travers over and over again." + </p> + <p> + "Do not mind. Grief makes people selfish," declared Felix. "Probably we + should not have acted so. I think we should have hidden our sufferings and + faced our duty; but perhaps we are exceptional. I dare say Mrs. May will + write and express regret and gratitude later. We must allow for her youth + and sorrow." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fayre-Michell rather prided himself on the charity of this conclusion. + </p> + <p> + When Mr. and Mrs. Travers departed, Sir Walter bade them farewell. The + lady wept, and her tears fell on his hand as he held it. She was + hysterical. + </p> + <p> + "For Heaven's sake don't let Mary be haunted by that dreadful priest," she + said. "There is something terrible about him. He has no bowels of + compassion. I tried to console him for the loss of his son, and he turned + upon me as if I were weak-minded." + </p> + <p> + "I had to tell him he was being rude and forgetting that he spoke to a + lady," said Ernest Travers. "One makes every allowance for a father's + sufferings; but they should not take the form of abrupt and harsh speech + to a sympathetic fellow-creature—nay, to anyone, let alone a woman. + His sacred calling ought to—" + </p> + <p> + "A man's profession cannot alter his manners, my dear Ernest; they come + from defects of temperament, no doubt. May must not be judged. His faith + would move mountains." + </p> + <p> + "So would mine," said Ernest Travers, "and so would yours, Walter. But it + is perfectly possible to be a Christian and a gentleman. To imply that our + faith was weak because we expressed ordinary human emotions and pitied him + unfeignedly for the loss of his only child—" + </p> + <p> + "Good-bye, good-bye, my dear friends," answered the other. "I cannot say + how I esteem your kindly offices in this affliction. May we meet again + presently. God bless and keep you both." + </p> + <p> + The post-mortem examination revealed no physical reason why Thomas May + should have ceased to breathe. Neither did the subsequent investigations + of a Government analytical chemist throw any light upon the sailor's + sudden death. No cause existed, and therefore none could be reported at + the inquest held a day later. + </p> + <p> + The coroner's jury brought in a verdict rarely heard, but none dissented + from it. They held that May had received his death "by the hand of God." + </p> + <p> + "All men receive death from the hand of God," said Septimus May, when the + judicial inquiry was ended. "They receive life from the hand of God also. + But, while bowing to that, there is a great deal more we are called to do + when God's hand falls as it has fallen upon my son. To-night I shall pray + beside his dust, and presently, when he is at peace, I shall be guided. + There is a grave duty beside me, Sir Walter, and none must come between me + and that duty." + </p> + <p> + "There is a duty before all of us, and be sure nobody will shrink from it. + I have done what is right, so far. We have secured a famous detective—the + most famous in England, they tell me. He is called Peter Hardcastle, and + he will, I hope, be able to arrive here immediately." + </p> + <p> + The clergyman shook his head. + </p> + <p> + "I will say nothing at present," he answered. "But, believe me, a thousand + detectives cannot explain my son's death. I shall return to this subject + after the funeral, Sir Walter. But my conviction grows that the reason of + these things will never be revealed to the eye of science. To the eye of + faith alone we must trust the explanation of what has happened. There are + things concealed from the wise and prudent—to be revealed unto + babes." + </p> + <p> + That night the master of Chadlands, his nephew, and the priest dined + together, and Henry Lennox implored a privilege. + </p> + <p> + "I feel I owe it to poor Tom in a way," he said. "I beg that you will let + me spend the night in the Grey Room, Uncle Walter. I would give my soul to + clear this." + </p> + <p> + But his uncle refused with a curt shake of the head, and the clergyman + uttered a reproof. + </p> + <p> + "Do not speak so lightly," he said. "You use a common phrase and a very + objectionable phrase, young man. Do you rate your soul so low that you + would surrender it for the satisfaction of a morbid craving? For that is + all this amounts to. Not to such an inquirer will my son's death reveal + its secret." + </p> + <p> + "I have already received half-a-dozen letters from people offering and + wishing to spend a night in that accursed room," said Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "Do not call it 'accursed' until you know more," urged Septimus May. + </p> + <p> + "You have indeed charity," answered the other. + </p> + <p> + "Why withhold charity? We must approach the subject in the only spirit + that can disarm the danger. These inquirers who seek to solve the mystery + are not concerned with my son's death, only the means that brought it + about. Not to such as they will any answer be vouchsafed, and not to the + spirit of materialistic inquiry, either. I speak what I know, and will say + more upon the subject at another time." + </p> + <p> + "You cannot accept this awful thing without resentment or demur, Mr. May?" + asked Henry Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "Who shall demur? Did not even the unenlightened men who formed the + coroner's jury declare that Tom passed into another world by the hand of + God? Can we question our Creator? I, too, desire as much as any human + being can an explanation; what is more, I am far more confident of an + explanation than you or any other man. But that is because I already know + the only road by which it will please God to send an explanation. And that + is not the road which scientists or rationalists are used to travel. It is + a road that I must be allowed to walk alone." + </p> + <p> + He left them after dinner, and returned to his daughter-in-law. She had + determined not to attend the funeral, but Mr. May argued with her, + examined her reasons, found them, in his opinion, not sufficient, and + prevailed with her to change her mind. + </p> + <p> + "Drink the cup to the dregs," he said. "This is our grief, our trial. None + feel and know what we feel and know, and your youth is called to bear a + burden heavy to be borne. You must stand beside his grave as surely as I + must commit him to it." + </p> + <p> + Men will go far to look upon the coffin of one whose end happens to be + mysterious or terrible. The death of Sir Walter's son-in-law had made much + matter for the newspapers, and not only Chadlands, but the countryside + converged upon the naval funeral, lined the route to the grave, and + crowded the little burying ground where the dead man would lie. Cameras + pointed their eyes at the gun-carriage and the mourners behind it. The + photographers worked for a sort of illustrated paper that tramples with a + swine's hoofs and routs up with a swine's nose the matter its clients best + love to purchase. Mary, supported by her father and her cousin, preserved + a brave composure. Indeed, she was less visibly moved than they. It seemed + that the ascetic parent of the dead had power to lift the widow to his own + stern self-control. The chaplain of Tom May's ship assisted at the + service, but Septimus May conducted it. Not a few old messmates attended, + for the sailor had been popular, and his unexpected death brought genuine + grief to many men. Under a pile of flowers the coffin was carried to the + grave. Rare and precious blossoms came from Sir Walter's friends, and H. + M. S. Indomitable sent a mighty anchor of purple violets. Mr. May read the + service without a tremor, but his eyes blazed out of his lean head, and + there lacked not other signs to indicate the depth of emotion he + concealed. Then the bluejackets who had drawn the gun-carriage fired a + volley, and the rattle of their musketry echoed sharply from the church + tower. + </p> + <p> + Upon the evening of the day that followed Septimus May resumed the subject + concerning which he had already fitfully spoken. His ideas were now in + order, and he brought a formidable argument to support a strange request. + Indeed, it amounted to a demand, and for a time it seemed doubtful whether + Sir Walter would deny him. The priest, indeed, declared that he could take + no denial, and his host was thankful that other and stronger arguments + than his own were at hand to argue the other side. For Dr. Mannering + stayed at the manor house after the funeral, and the Rev. Noel Prodgers, + the vicar of Chadlands, a distant connection of the Lennoxes, was also + dining there. Until now Mannering could not well speak, but he invited + himself to dinner on the day after the funeral that he might press a + course of action upon those who had suffered so severely. He wished Sir + Walter to take his daughter away at once, for her health's sake, and while + advancing this advice considered the elder also, for these things had + upset the master of Chadlands in mind and body, and Mannering was aware of + it. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow Peter Hardcastle would arrive, and he had urgently directed + that his coming should be in a private capacity, unknown to the local + police or neighborhood. Neither did he wish the staff of Chadlands to + associate him with the tragedy. + </p> + <p> + An official examination of the room had been made by the local + constabulary, as upon the occasion of Nurse Forrester's death; but it was + a perfunctory matter, and those responsible for it understood that special + attention would presently be paid to the problem by the supreme authority. + </p> + <p> + "After this man has been and gone, I do earnestly beg you to leave England + and get abroad, Sir Walter," said Mannering. "I think it your duty, not + only for your girl's sake, but your own. Do not even wait for the report. + There is nothing to keep you, and I shall personally be very thankful and + relieved if you will manage this and take Mary to some fresh scenes, a + place or country that she has not visited before. There is nothing like an + entirely novel environment for distracting the mind, bracing the nerves, + and restoring tone." + </p> + <p> + "I must do my duty," answered the other, "and that remains to be seen. If + Hardcastle should find out anything, there may be a call upon me. At + least, I cannot turn my back upon Chadlands till the mystery is threshed + out to the bottom, as far as man can do it." + </p> + <p> + It was then that Septimus May spoke and astounded his hearers. + </p> + <p> + "You give me the opportunity to introduce my subject," he said, "for it + bears directly on Sir Walter's intentions, and it is in my power, as I + devoutly believe, to free him swiftly of any further need to remain here. + I am, of course, prepared to argue for my purpose, but would rather not do + so. Briefly, I hold it a vital obligation to spend this night in the Grey + Room, and I ask that no obstacle of any kind be raised to prevent my doing + so. The wisdom of man is foolishness before the wit of God, and what I + desire to do is God's will and wish, impressed upon me while I knelt for + long hours and prayed to know it. I am convinced, and that should be + enough. In this matter I am far from satisfied that all has yet been done, + within the Almighty's purpose and direction, to discover the mystery of + our terrible loss. But He helps those who help themselves, remember, and I + owe it to my son, Sir Walter, and you owe it to your daughter Mary first, + and the community also, to take such steps as Heaven, through me, has now + directed." + </p> + <p> + They were for a moment struck dumb by this extraordinary assertion and + demand. A thousand objections leaped to the lips of the elder men, and Mr. + Prodgers, a devout young Christian of poor physique but great spiritual + courage, found himself as interested by this fearless demand of faith as + the others were alarmed by it. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter spoke. + </p> + <p> + "We know it is so, May. None recognizes our obligations, both to the + living and the dead, more acutely than I do. A very famous man of European + reputation will be here to-morrow, and if you, too, desire a + representative, you have only got to say so." + </p> + <p> + "I desire no representative armed with material craft or knowledge of + criminal procedure. I am my own representative, and I come armed with + greater power than any you can command on earth, Sir Walter. I mean my + Maker's response to my prayer. I must spend the night in that room, and + cannot leave Chadlands until I have done so. I trust to no human expedient + or precaution, for such things would actually disarm me; but my faith is + in the God I have served to the best of my power from my youth up. I + entertain not the least shadow of fear or doubt. To fear or doubt would be + to fail. I rely absolutely on the Supreme Being who has permitted this + unspeakable sorrow to fall upon us, and there is no living man less likely + than myself to fall a victim to the unknown spirit hidden here and + permitted to exercise such awful control over us. The time has come to + challenge that spirit in the name of its Maker, and to cleanse your house + once and for all of something which, potent for evil though it is allowed + to be, must yield to the forces of the Most High, even in the feeble hand + of His minister." + </p> + <p> + The doctor spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Is it possible, sir, that you attribute your son's death to anything but + natural physical forces?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Is it possible to do otherwise? How can you, of all men, ask? Science has + spoken—or, rather, science has been struck dumb. No natural, + physical force is responsible for his end. He died without any cause that + you could discover. This is no new thing, however. History records that + men have passed similarly under visitations beyond human power to explain. + If the Lord could slay multitudes in a night at a breath, as we know from + the pages of the Old Testament, then it is certain He can still end the + life of any man at any moment, and send His messengers to do so. I believe + in good and evil spirits as I believe in my Bible, and I know that, strong + and terrible though they may be and gifted with capital powers against our + flesh, yet the will of God is stronger than the strongest of them. These + things, I say, have happened before. They are sent to try our faith. I do + not mourn my son, save with the blind, natural pang of paternity, because + I know that he has been withdrawn from this world for higher purposes in + another; but the means of his going I demand to investigate, because they + may signify much more than his death itself. One reason for his death may + be this: that we are now called to understand what is hidden in the Grey + Room. My son's death may have been necessary to that explanation. Human + intervention may be demanded there. One of God's immortal souls, for + reasons we cannot tell, may be chained in that room, waiting its + liberation at human hands. We are challenged, and I accept the challenge, + being impelled thereto by the sacred message that has been put into my + heart." + </p> + <p> + Even his fellow-priest stared in bewilderment at Septimus May's + extraordinary opinions, while to the physician this was the chatter of a + lunatic. + </p> + <p> + "I will take my Bible into that haunted room to-night," concluded the + clergyman, "and I will pray to God, Who sits above both quick and dead, to + protect me, guide me, and lead me to my duty." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter spoke. + </p> + <p> + "You flout reason when you say these things, my dear May." + </p> + <p> + "And why should I not flout reason? What Christian but knows well enough + that reason is the staff that breaks in our hands and wounds us? Much of + our most vital experience has no part nor lot with reason. A thousand + things happen in the soul's history which reason cannot account for. A + thousand moods, temptations, incitements prompt us to action or deter us + from it—urge us to do or avoid—for which reason is not + responsible. Reason, if we bring these emotions to it, cannot even + pronounce upon them. Yet in them and from them springs the life of the + soul and the conviction of immortality. 'To act on impulse'—who but + daily realizes that commonplace in his own experience? The mind does not + only play tricks and laugh at reason in dreams while we sleep. It laughs + at reason while we wake, and the sanest spirit experiences inspired + moments, mad moments, unaccountable impulses the reason for which he knows + not. The ancients explained these as temptations of malicious and + malignant spirits or promptings from unseen beings who wish man well. And + where the urge is to evil, that may well be the truth; and where it is to + good, who can doubt whence the inspiration comes?" + </p> + <p> + "And shall not my inspiration—to employ the cleverest detective in + England—be also of good?" asked Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "Emphatically not. Because this thing is in another category than that of + human crime. It is lifted upon a plane where the knowledge of man avails + nothing. You are a Christian, and you should understand this as well as I + do. If there is danger, then I am secure, because I have the only arms + that can avail in a battle of the spirit. My trust is shield enough + against any evil being that may roam this earth or be held by invisible + bonds within the walls of the Grey Room. I will justify the ways of God to + man and, through the channel of potent prayer, exorcise this presence and + bring peace to your afflicted house. For any living fellow-creature would + I gladly pit my faith against evil; how much more, then, in a matter where + my very own life's blood has been shed? You cannot deny me this. It is my + right." + </p> + <p> + "I will ask you to listen to the arguments against you, nevertheless," + replied Mannering. "You have propounded an extraordinary theory, and must + not mind if we disagree with you." + </p> + <p> + "Speak for yourself alone, then," answered May. "I do not ask or expect a + man of your profession to agree with me. But the question ceases to be + your province." + </p> + <p> + "Do not say that, sir," urged Henry Lennox. "I don't think my uncle agrees + with you either. You are assuming too much." + </p> + <p> + "Honestly, I can't quite admit your assumption, my dear May," declared Sir + Walter. "You go too far—farther than is justified at this stage of + events, at any rate. Were we in no doubt that a spirit is granted power + within my house to destroy human life, then I confess, with due + precautions, I could not deny you access to it in the omnipotent Name you + invoke. I am a Christian and believe my Bible as soundly as you do. But + why assume such an extraordinary situation? Why seek a supernatural cause + for dear Tom's death before we are satisfied that no other exists?" + </p> + <p> + "Are you not satisfied? What mortal man can explain the facts on any + foundation of human knowledge?" + </p> + <p> + "Consider how limited human knowledge is," said Mannering, "and grant that + we have not exhausted its possibilities yet. There may be some physical + peculiarity about the room, some deadly but perfectly natural chemical + accident, some volatile stuff, in roof or walls, that reacts to the + lowered temperatures of night. A thousand rare chance combinations of + matter may occur which are capable of examination, and which, under + skilled experiment, will resolve their secret. Nothing it more bewildering + than a good conjuring trick till we know how it is done, and Nature is the + supreme conjurer. We have not found out all her tricks, and never shall do + so; but we very well know that a solution to all of them exists." + </p> + <p> + "A material outlook and arrogant," said the priest. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Mannering grew a little warm. + </p> + <p> + "It is neither material nor arrogant. I am humbler than you, and your + positive assertion seems much the more arrogant. This is the twentieth + century, and your mediaeval attitude would win no possible sympathy or + support from any educated man." + </p> + <p> + "Truth can afford to be patient," answered May. "But I, too, am quite + sane, though your face doubts it. I do not claim that human prayer can + alter physical laws, and I do not ask my Maker to work a miracle on my + behalf or suspend the operations of cause and effect. But I am satisfied + that we are in a region outside our experience and on another plane and + dimension than those controlled by natural law. God has permitted us to + enter such a region. He has opened the door into this mystery. He has + spoken to my soul and so directed me that I cannot sit with folded hands. + This is, I repeat, a challenge to me personally. + </p> + <p> + "There is, as I potently believe, a being in bondage here which only the + voice of God, speaking through one of His creatures, can liberate. If I am + wrong, then I shall pray in vain; if right, as I know by deepest + conviction and intuition, then my prayer must avail. In any case, I do my + duty, and if I myself was called to die while so doing, what nobler death + can I desire?" + </p> + <p> + Mannering regarded the speaker with growing concern. But he still assumed + sanity on the part of the reverend gentleman, and still felt considerable + irritation mix with his solicitude. + </p> + <p> + "You must consider others a little," he said. + </p> + <p> + "No, Dr. Mannering; they must consider me. Providence sends me a message + denied to the rest of you, because I am a fit recipient; you are not. It + is Newman's 'Illative Sense'—a conviction arising from well-springs + far deeper and purer than those that account for human reason. I know + because I know. Reasoning, at best, is mere inference deduced from + observation, but I am concerned with an inspiration—a something akin + to the gift of prophecy." + </p> + <p> + "Then I can only hope that Sir Walter will exercise his rights and + responsibilities and deny you what you wish." + </p> + <p> + "He has faith, and I am sorry that you lack it." + </p> + <p> + "No, Mr. May, you must not say that. It is entirely reasonable that + Mannering should ask you to consider others," said Sir Walter. "To you a + sudden and peaceful death might be no ill; but it would be a very serious + ill to the living—a loss to your work on earth, which is not done, a + shock and grief to those who respect you, and a reflection on all here." + </p> + <p> + "Let the living minister to the living and put their trust in God." + </p> + <p> + Mannering spoke to the vicar of Chadlands. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think, Prodgers? You are a parson, too, yet may be able to + see with our eyes. Surely common sense shouldn't be left out of our + calculations, even if they concern the next world?" + </p> + <p> + "I respect Mr. May's faith," answered the younger priest, "and assuredly I + believe that if we eliminate all physical and natural causes from poor + Captain May's death, then no member of our sacred calling should fear to + spend the night alone in that room. Jacob wrestled with the angel of + light. Shall the servants of God fear to oppose a dark angel?" + </p> + <p> + "Well spoken," said Mr. May. + </p> + <p> + "But that is not all, sir," continued Noel Prodgers. "It is impossible + that we can share such certainty as you claim. Probability lies entirely + against it. This has happened twice, remember, and each time a valuable + and precious life disappears, for causes beyond our knowledge. That, + however, is no reason for assuming the causes are beyond all human + knowledge. We do not all possess learning in physics. I would venture most + earnestly to beg you to desist, at least until much more has been done and + this famous professional man has made such researches as his genius + suggests. That is only reasonable, and reason, after all, is a mighty gift + of God—a gift, no doubt, often abused by finite beings, who actually + use it to defy the Giver—yet none the less, in its proper place, the + handmaid of faith and the light of true progress." + </p> + <p> + But Septimus May argued against him. "To shelter behind reason at such a + moment is to blunt the sword of the spirit," he replied, "and human reason + is never the handmaid of faith, as you wrongly suggest, but her obdurate, + unsleeping foe. That which metaphysicians call intuition, and which I call + the voice of God, tells me in clear tones that my boy died by no human + agency whatever and by no natural accident. He was wrapt from this life to + the next in the twinkling of an eye by forces, or a force, concerning + which we know nothing save through the Word of God. I will go farther. I + will venture to declare that this death-dealing ghost, or discarnate but + conscious being, may not be, as you say, a dark angel—perhaps not + wholly evil—perhaps not evil at all. One thing none can question—it + did the will of its Creator, as we all must, and we are not, therefore, + justified in asserting that a malignant force was exerted. To say so is to + speak in terms of our own bitter loss and our own aching hearts. But we + are justified in believing that a fearful, unknown power was liberated + during the night that Tom died, and I desire to approach that power upon + my knees and with my life in my Maker's hands." + </p> + <p> + The conviction of this righteous but superstitious soul was uttered with + passionate zeal. He puzzled to understand how fellow Christians could + argue against him, and much resented the fact that Sir Walter withstood + his claim and declined to permit the experiment he desired to make. A + formalist and precisian, he held any sort of doubt to be backsliding + before the message in his own heart. They argued unavailingly with him, + and Henry Lennox suggested a compromise. + </p> + <p> + "Why is it vital, after all, that only one should undertake this ordeal?" + he asked. "I begged you to let me try—for revenge." + </p> + <p> + "Do not use that word," said Mr. Prodgers. + </p> + <p> + "Well, at any rate, I feel just as great a call to be there as Tom's + father can feel—just as pressing a demand and desire. There may have + been foul play. At any rate, the thing was done by an active agency, and + Tom was taken in some way at a disadvantage. There was no fair fight, I'll + swear. He was evidently kneeling, calmly enough looking out of the window, + when he died, and the blow must have been a coward's blow, struck from + behind, whoever struck it." + </p> + <p> + "There was no blow, Henry," said Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "Death is a blow, uncle—the most awful blow a strong man can be + called to suffer, surely. And I beg this, that if you won't let me face + the infernal thing alone you'll let me share this business with Mr. May. + He can pray and I can—watch." + </p> + <p> + But the dead man's father made short work of Henry's proposition. + </p> + <p> + "You are introducing that very element of rationalism to be, before all + things, distrusted here. The mere introduction of human precaution and + human weapons would sully faith and make of no avail the only sure means + of winning light on this solemn problem. Reason, so employed, would be a + hindrance—an actual danger. Only absolute faith can unravel the + mystery before us." + </p> + <p> + "Then, frankly, I tell you that I lack any such absolute faith," declared + Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "Do not say that—you libel yourself and are letting a base and + material fear cloud your own trust," answered May. "As there is no human + reason for what has happened, so no human reason will be found to explain + it. By denying me, you are denying the sole means by which this dark + terror can be banished. You are denying God's offer of peace. We must not + only seek peace, but ensure it. That means that we are now called to take + such steps as the Almighty puts at our service by the road of conscience + and faith. I have a right to this revelation as my boy's father. The cup + is mine, and you will do very wrongly if you deny me the right to drink + it. I desire to say, 'Peace be to this house' before I leave it, and, + Christian to Christian, you cannot deny me, or hesitate as to your + answer." + </p> + <p> + No argument would bend his obstinate conviction, and he debated with great + force from his own standpoint. He presented a man overmastered and + mentally incapable of appreciating any argument against his possession. + </p> + <p> + But Sir Walter, now determined, was as obstinate as the clergyman. + Mannering bluntly declared that it would be suicide on May's part, and a + conniving at the same by any who permitted him to attempt his vigil. + </p> + <p> + "I, too, must do my duty as I see it," summed up the master of Chadlands, + "and after I have done so, then we may be in a position to admit the case + is altered." + </p> + <p> + The other suddenly rose and lifted his hands. He was trembling with + emotion. + </p> + <p> + "May my God give a sign, then!" he cried. + </p> + <p> + They were silent a moment, for courtesy or astonishment. Nothing happened, + and presently Sir Walter spoke: + </p> + <p> + "You must bear with me. You are upset, and scarcely know the gravity of + the things you say. To-morrow the physical and material investigation that + I consider proper, and the world has a right to demand, will be made—in + a spirit, I hope, as earnest and devout as your own. And if after that no + shadow of explanation is forthcoming, and no peril to life can be + discovered, then I should feel disposed to consider your views more + seriously—with many reserves, however. At any rate, it will be your + turn then, if you still adhere to your opinions; and I am sure all just + persons who hear of your purpose would join their prayers with you." + </p> + <p> + "Your faith is weak, though you believe it strong," answered the other. + </p> + <p> + And he was equally curt when the physician advised him to take a + sleeping-draught before retiring. He bade them "Good-night" without more + words, and went to his room, while after further conversation, Dr. + Mannering and Mr. Prodgers took their leave. + </p> + <p> + The former strongly urged Sir Walter to set some sort of guard outside the + door of the Grey Room. + </p> + <p> + "That man's not wholly sane to-night," he declared, "and he appears to + glory in the fact that he isn't. He must surely be aware that much he said + was superstitious bosh. Look after him. Guard his own apartment. That will + be the simplest plan." + </p> + <p> + When they had gone, Sir Walter addressed his nephew. They went upstairs + together and stood for a moment outside the Grey Room. The door was wide + open, and the place brilliantly lighted by a high-powered bulb. So had it + been by night ever since the disaster. None of the household entered it, + and none, save Sir Walter or Henry, was willing to do so until more should + be known. + </p> + <p> + "I have your word of honor you will not go into that room to-night," said + his uncle; "but such is the mental condition of this poor clergyman that I + can but feel Mannering is right. May might, from some fancied call of the + spirit, take the law into his own hands and do what he wishes to do. This + must be prevented at any cost. I will ask you, Henry, to follow the + doctor's suggestion on my behalf, and keep guard over him. Oppose him + actively if he should appear, and call me. I would suggest that Caunter or + Masters accompanied you, but that is only to make gossip and mystery." + </p> + <p> + "On no account. I'll look after him. You can trust me. I expect he's + pretty worn out after such a harrowing day, poor old beggar. He'll + probably sleep soundly enough when he gets to bed." + </p> + <p> + "I trust so. I cannot offer to aid you myself, for I am dead beat," said + the other. + </p> + <p> + Then they parted, and the younger presently took up a position in the west + wing of the house, where Septimus May had his bedroom. + </p> + <p> + Not until sunrise did Henry Lennox go to his own chamber, but his + sleepless night proved a needless precaution, for Septimus May gave no + sign. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE UNSEEN MOVES + </h2> + <p> + Before ten o'clock on the following morning Peter Hardcastle, who had + travelled by the night train from Paddington, was at Chadlands. A car had + gone into Newton Abbot to meet him, as no train ran on the branch line + until a later hour. + </p> + <p> + The history of the detective was one of hard work, crowned at last by a + very remarkable success. His opportunity had come, and he had grasped it. + The accident of the war and the immense publicity given to his capture of + a German secret agent had brought him into fame, and raised him to the + heights of his profession. Moreover, the extraordinary histrionic means + taken to achieve his purpose, and the picturesqueness of the details, + captured that latent love of romance common to all minds. Hardcastle had + become a lion; women were foolish about him; he might have made a great + match and retired into private life had he desired to do so. At the + present time an American heiress ardently wished to wed the man. + </p> + <p> + But he was not fond of women, and only in love with his business. A hard + life in the seamy places of the world had made him something of a cynic. + He had always appreciated his own singular powers, and consciousness of + ability, combined with a steadfast patience and unconquerable devotion to + his "art," as he called it, had brought him through twenty years in the + police force. He began at the bottom and reached the top. He was the son + of a small shopkeeper, and now that his father was dead his mother still + ran a little eating-house for her own satisfaction and occupation. + </p> + <p> + Peter Hardcastle was forty. He had already made arrangements to leave + Scotland Yard and set up, single-handed, as a private inquiry agent. The + mystery of Chadlands would be the last case to occupy him as a Government + servant. In a measure he regretted the fact, for the death of Captain + Thomas May, concerning which every known particular was now in his + possession, attracted him, and he knew the incident had been widely + published. It was a popular mystery, and, as a man of business, he well + understood the professional value of such sensations to the man who + resolves the puzzle. His attitude toward the case appeared at the outset, + and Sir Walter, who had been deeply impressed by the opinions of the dead + man's father, and even unconsciously influenced by them, now found himself + in the presence of a very different intellect. There was nothing in the + least superstitious about Peter Hardcastle. He uttered the views of a + remorseless realist, and at the outset committed himself to certain + definite assumptions. The inhabitants of the manor house were informed + that a friend of Sir Walter's had come to visit Chadlands, and they saw + nothing to make them doubt it. For Peter was a great actor. He had mixed + with all classes, and the detective had the imitative cleverness to adapt + himself in speech and attire to every society. He even claimed that he + could think with the brains of anybody and adapt his inner mind, as well + as his outer shape, to the changing environment of his activities. He + appreciated the histrionics that operate out of sight, and would adopt the + blank purview of the ignorant, the deeper attitude of the cultured, or the + solid posture of that class whose education and inherent opinions is based + upon tradition. He had made a study of the superficial etiquette and + manners and customs of what is called "the best" society, and knew its + ways as a naturalist patiently masters the habits of a species. + </p> + <p> + Chadlands saw a small, fair man with scanty hair, a clean-shaven face, a + rather feminine cast of features, a broad forehead, slate-grey eyes, and a + narrow, lipless mouth which revealed very fine white teeth when he spoke. + It was a colorless face and challenged no attention; but it was a face + that served as an excellent canvas, and few professional actors had ever + surpassed Peter in the art of making up their features. + </p> + <p> + Similarly he could disguise his voice, the natural tones of which were + low, monotonous, and of no arrestive quality. Mr. Hardcastle surprised Sir + Walter by his commonplace appearance and seeming youth, for he looked ten + years younger than the forty he had lived. A being so undistinguished + rather disappointed his elder, for the master of Chadlands had imagined + that any man of such wide celebrity must offer superficial marks of + greatness. + </p> + <p> + But here was one so insignificant and so undersized that it seemed + impossible to imagine him a famous Englishman. His very voice, in its + level, matter-of-fact tones, added to the suggestion of mediocrity. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter found, however, that the detective did not undervalue himself. + He was not arrogant, but revealed decision and immense will power. From + the first he imposed his personality, and made people forget the accidents + of his physical constitution. He said very little during breakfast, but + listened with attention to the conversation. + </p> + <p> + He observed that Henry Lennox spoke seldom, but studied him unobtrusively, + as a man concerning whom he specially desired to know more. Hardcastle + proved himself well educated; indeed, his reading, studiously pursued, and + his intellectual attainments, developed by hard work and ambition, far + exceeded those of any present. + </p> + <p> + The clergyman returned to his own ground, and expressed his former + opinions, to which Hardcastle listened without a shadow of the secret + surprise they awoke in him. + </p> + <p> + "The Witchcraft Act assumes that there can be no possible communication + between living men and spirits," he said in answer to an assertion; + whereon Septimus May instantly took up the challenge. + </p> + <p> + "A fatuous, archaic assumption, and long since destroyed by actual, human + experience," he replied. "It is time such blasphemous folly should be + banished from the Statute Book. I say 'blasphemous' because such an Act + takes no cognizance of the Word of God. Outworn Acts of Parliament are + responsible for a great deal of needless misery in this world, and it is + high time these ordinances of another generation were sent to the dust + heap." + </p> + <p> + "In that last opinion I heartily agree with you," declared the detective. + </p> + <p> + Henry ventured a quotation. He was much interested to learn whether + Hardcastle had any views on the ghost theory. + </p> + <p> + "Goethe says that matter cannot exist without spirit, or spirit without + matter. Would you sub-scribe to that, Mr. Hardcastle?" + </p> + <p> + "Partially. Matter can exist without spirit, which you may prove by + getting under an avalanche; but I do most emphatically agree that spirit + cannot exist without matter. 'Divorced from matter, where is life?' asks + Tyndall, and nobody can answer him." + </p> + <p> + "You misunderstand Goethe," declared Mr. May. "In metaphysics—" + </p> + <p> + "I have no use for metaphysics. Believe me, the solemn humbug of + metaphysics doesn't take in a policeman for a moment. Juggling with words + never advanced the world's welfare or helped the cause of truth. What, for + any practical purpose, does it matter how subjectively true a statement + may be if it is objectively false? Life is just as real as I am myself—no + more and no less—and all the metaphysical jargon in the world won't + prevent my shins from bleeding wet, red blood when I bark them against a + stone." + </p> + <p> + "You don't believe in the supernatural then?" asked Mr. May. + </p> + <p> + "Most emphatically not." + </p> + <p> + "How extraordinary! And how, if I may ask, do you fill the terrible vacuum + in your life that such a denial must create?" + </p> + <p> + "I have never been conscious of such a vacuum. I was a sceptic from my + youth up. No doubt those who were nurtured in superstition, when reason at + last conquers and they break away, may experience a temporary blank; but + the wonders of nature and the achievements of man and the demands of the + suffering world—these should be enough to fill any blank for a + reasonable creature." + </p> + <p> + "If such are your opinions, you will fail here," declared the clergyman + positively. + </p> + <p> + "Why do you feel so sure of that?" + </p> + <p> + "Because you are faced with facts that have no material explanation. They + are supernatural, or supernormal, if you prefer the word." + </p> + <p> + "'One world at a time,' is a very good motto in my judgment," replied + Hardcastle. "We will exhaust the possibilities of this world first, sir." + </p> + <p> + "They have already been exhausted. Only a simple, straightforward question + awaits your reply. Do you believe in another world or do you not?" + </p> + <p> + "In the endless punishment or the endless happiness of men and women after + they are dead?" + </p> + <p> + "If you like to confuse the issue in that way you are at liberty, of + course, to do so. As a Christian, I cannot demur. The problem for the + rationalist is this: How does he ignore the deeply rooted and universal + conviction that there is a life to come? Is such a sanguine assurance + planted in the mind of even the lowest savage for nothing? Where did the + aborigines win that expectation?" + </p> + <p> + "My answer embraces the whole question from my own point of view," replied + Hardcastle. "The savages got their idea of dual personality from phenomena + of nature which they were unable to explain—from their dreams, from + their own shadows on the earth and reflections in water, from the stroke + of the lightning and the crash of the thunder, from the echo of their own + voices, thrown back to them from crags and cliffs. These things created + their superstitions. Ignorance bred terror, and terror bred gods and + demons—first out of the forces of nature. That is the appalling + mental legacy handed down in varying shapes to all the children of men. We + labor under them to this day." + </p> + <p> + "You would dare to say our most sacred verities have sprung from the + dreams of savages?" + </p> + <p> + Hardcastle smiled. + </p> + <p> + "It is true. And dreams, we further know, are often the result of + indigestion. Early man didn't understand the art of cookery, and therefore + no doubt his stomach had a great deal to put up with. We have to thank his + bear steaks and wolf chops for a great deal of our cherished nonsense, no + doubt." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter, marking the clergyman's flashing eyes, changed the subject, + and Septimus May, who observed his concern, restrained a bitter answer. + But he despaired of the detective from that moment, and proposed to + himself a future assault on such detested modern opinions when opportunity + occurred. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast Mr. Hardcastle begged for a private interview with the + master of Chadlands, and for two hours sat in his study and took him + through the case from the beginning. + </p> + <p> + He put various questions concerning the members of the recent house party, + and presently begged that Henry Lennox might join them. + </p> + <p> + "I should like to hear the account of what passed on the night between him + and Captain May," he said. + </p> + <p> + Henry joined them, and detailed his experience. While he talked, + Hardcastle appraised him, and perceived that certain nebulous opinions, + which had begun to crystallize in his own mind, could have no real + foundation. The detective believed that he was confronted with a common + murder, and on hearing Henry's history, as part of Sir Walter's story with + the rest, perceived that the old lover of Mary Lennox had last seen her + husband alive, had drunk with him, and been the first to find him dead. + Might not Henry have found an eastern poison in Mesopotamia? But his + conversation with the young man, and the unconscious revelation of Henry + himself, shattered the idea. Lennox was innocent enough. + </p> + <p> + For a moment, the information of uncle and nephew exhausted, Hardcastle + returned to the matter of the breakfast discussion. + </p> + <p> + "You will, of course, understand that I am quite satisfied a material and + physical explanation exists for this unfortunate event," he said. "I need + hardly tell you that I am unprepared to entertain any supernatural theory + of the business. I don't believe myself in ghosts, because in my + experience, and it is pretty wide, ghost stories break down badly under + anything like skilled and independent examination. There is a natural + reason for what has happened, as there is a natural reason for everything + that happens. We talk of unnatural things happening, but that is a + contradiction in terms. Nothing can happen that is not natural. What we + call Nature embraces every conceivable action or event or possibility. We + may fail to fathom a mystery, and we know that a thousand things happen + every day and night that seem beyond the power of our wits to explain; but + that is only to say our wits are limited. I hold, however, that very few + things happen which do not yield an explanation, sooner or later, if + approached by those best trained to examine them without predisposition or + prejudice. And I earnestly hope that this tragic business will give up its + secret." + </p> + <p> + "May you prove the correctness of your opinions, Mr. Hardcastle," answered + Sir Walter. "Would you like to see the Grey Room now?" + </p> + <p> + "I should; though I tell you frankly it is not in the Grey Room that I + shall find what I seek. It does not particularly interest me, and for this + reason. I do not associate Captain May's death in any way with the earlier + tragedy—that of the hospital nurse, Mrs. Forrester. It is a + coincidence, in my opinion, and probably, if physiology were a more + perfect science than, in my experience of post-mortem examinations, it has + proved to be, the reason for the lady's death would have appeared. And, + for that matter, the reason for Captain May's death also. To say there was + no reason is, of course, absurd. Nothing ever yet happened, or could + happen, without a reason. The springs of action were arrested and the + machine instantly ran down. But a man is not a clock, which can be stopped + and reveal no sign of the thing that stopped it. Life is a far more + complex matter than a watch-spring, and if we knew more we might not be + faced with so many worthless post-mortem reports. But Sir Howard Fellowes + is not often beaten. I repeat, however, I do not associate the two deaths + in the Grey Room or connect them as the result of one and the same cause. + I do not state this as a fact beyond dispute, but that, for the present, + is my assumption. The gap in time seems too considerable. I suspect other + causes, and shall have to make researches into the dead man's past life. I + should wish also to examine all his property. He has been in foreign + countries, and may have brought back something concerning the nature of + which he was ignorant. He may possess enemies, of whom neither you nor + Mrs. May have heard anything. Your knowledge of him, recollect, extends + over only a short time—eight or ten months, I suppose. I shall visit + his ship and his cabin in H. M. S. Indomitable also, and learn all that + his fellow officers can tell me." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter looked at his watch. + </p> + <p> + "It is now nearly one o'clock," he said, "and at two we usually take + luncheon. What would you wish to do between now and then? None here but + ourselves and my butler—an old friend in all my secrets—knows + you have come professionally. I concealed the fact and called you + 'Forbes,' at your wish, though they cannot fail to suspect, I fear." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you. I will see the room, then, and look round the place. Perhaps + after luncheon, if she feels equal to the task, Mrs. May will give me a + private interview. I want to learn everything possible concerning your + late son-in-law—his career before Jutland, his philosophy of life, + his habits and his friends." + </p> + <p> + "She will very gladly tell you everything she can." + </p> + <p> + They ascended to the Grey Room. + </p> + <p> + "Not the traditional haunt of spooks, certainly," said Peter Hardcastle as + they entered the bright and cheerful chamber. The day was clear, and from + the southern window unclouded sunshine came. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing is changed?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing. The room remains as it has been for many years." + </p> + <p> + "Kindly describe exactly where Captain May was found. Perhaps Mr. Lennox + will imitate his posture, if he remembers it?" + </p> + <p> + "Remember it! I shall never forget it," said Henry. "I first saw him from + below. He was looking out of the open window and kneeling here on this + seat." + </p> + <p> + "Let us open the window then." + </p> + <p> + The situation and attitude of the dead on discovery were imitated, and + Hardcastle examined the spot. Then he himself occupied the position and + looked out. + </p> + <p> + "I will ask for a ladder presently, and examine the face of the wall. Ivy, + I see. Ivy has told me some very interesting secrets before to-day, Sir + Walter." + </p> + <p> + "I dare say it has." + </p> + <p> + "If you will remind me at luncheon, I can tell you a truly amazing story + about ivy—a story of life and death. A man could easily go and come + by this window." + </p> + <p> + "Not easily I think," said Henry. "It is rather more than thirty-five feet + to the ground." + </p> + <p> + "How do you know that?" + </p> + <p> + "The police, who made the original inquiry and were stopped, as you will + remember, from Scotland Yard, measured it the second morning afterwards—on + Monday." + </p> + <p> + "But they did not examine the face of the wall?" + </p> + <p> + "I think not. They dropped a measure from the window." + </p> + <p> + The other pursued his examination of the room. "Old furniture," he said; + "very old evidently." + </p> + <p> + "It was collected in Spain by my grandfather many years ago." + </p> + <p> + "Valuable, no doubt?" + </p> + <p> + "I understand so." + </p> + <p> + "Wonderful carving. And this door?" + </p> + <p> + "It is not a door, but a cupboard in the solid wall." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter opened the receptacle as he spoke. The cupboard—some six + and a half feet high—was empty. At the back of it appeared a row of + pegs for clothes. + </p> + <p> + "I can finish with the room for the present at any rate, in an hour, + gentlemen," said Hardcastle. "I'll spend the time here till luncheon. Had + your son-in-law any interest in old furniture, Sir Walter?" + </p> + <p> + "None whatever to my knowledge. He was interested, poor fellow, not in the + contents, but in the evil reputation of the room. Its bad name dated back + far beyond the occupation of my family. Captain May laughed at my + mistrust, and, as you know, he came here, contrary to my express wishes, + in order that he might chaff me next morning over my superstition. He + wanted 'to clear its character,' as he said." + </p> + <p> + Hardcastle was turning over the stack of old oil-paintings in tarnished + frames. + </p> + <p> + "Family portraits?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "You mistrusted the room yourself, Sir Walter?" + </p> + <p> + "After Nurse Forrester's death I did. Not before. But while attaching no + importance myself to the tradition, I respected it." + </p> + <p> + "Nobody else ever spent a night here after the lady's death?" + </p> + <p> + "Nobody. Of that I am quite certain." + </p> + <p> + "Have you not left the house since?" + </p> + <p> + "Frequently. I generally spend March, April, and May on the Continent—in + France or Italy. But the house is never closed, and my people are + responsible to me. The room is always locked, and when I am not in + residence Abraham Masters, my butler, keeps the key. He shares my own + feelings so far as the Grey Room is concerned." + </p> + <p> + The detective nodded. He was standing in the middle of the room with his + hands in his pockets. + </p> + <p> + "A strange fact—the force of superstition," he said. "It seems to + feed on night, where ghosts are involved. What, I suppose, credulous + people call 'the powers of darkness.' But have you ever asked yourself why + the spiritualists must work in the dark?" + </p> + <p> + "To simplify their operations, no doubt, and make it easier for the + spirits." + </p> + <p> + "And themselves! But why is the night sacred to apparitions and + supernatural phenomena generally?" + </p> + <p> + "Tradition associates them with those hours. Spiritualists say it is + easier for spectres to appear in the dark by reason of their material + composition. It is then that we find the most authentic accounts of their + manifestations." + </p> + <p> + "Yes; because at that time human vitality is lowest and human reason + weakest. Darkness itself has a curious and depressing effect on the minds + of many people. I have won my advantage from that more than once. I once + proved a very notorious crime by the crude expedient of impersonating the + criminal's victim—a murdered woman—and appearing to him at + night before a concealed witness. But spirits are doomed. The present + extraordinary wave of superstition and the immense prosperity of the + dealers in the 'occult' is a direct result of the war. They are profiteers—every + one of them—crystal gazers, mediums, fortune tellers, and the rest. + They are reaping a rare harvest for the moment. We punish the humbler + rogues, but we don't punish the fools who go to see them. If I had my way, + the man or woman who visited the modern witch or wizard should get six + months in the second division. Fools should be punished oftener for their + folly. But education will sweep these things into the limbo of man's + ignorance and mental infancy. Ghosts cannot stand the light of knowledge + any better than they can operate in the light of day." + </p> + <p> + "You are very positive, Mr. Hardcastle." + </p> + <p> + "Not often—on this subject—yes, Sir Walter Lennox. I have seen + too much of the practitioners. Metaphysics is largely to blame. Physics, + the strong, you will find far too merciful to metaphysics, the weak." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter found himself regarding Hardcastle with dislike. He spoke + quietly, yet there was something mocking and annoying in his dogmatism. + </p> + <p> + "You must discuss the subject with Mr. May, who breakfasted with us. He + will, I think, have no difficulty in maintaining the contrary opinion." + </p> + <p> + "They never have any difficulty—clergymen I mean—and argument + with them is vain, because we cannot find common ground to start from. + What is the reverend gentleman's theory?" + </p> + <p> + "He believes that the room holds an invisible and conscious presence + permitted to exercise powers of a physical character antagonistic to human + life. He is guarded, you see, and will not go so far as to say whether + this being is working for good or evil." + </p> + <p> + "But it has done evil, surely?" + </p> + <p> + "Evil from our standpoint. But since the Supreme Creator made this + creature as well as He made us, therefore Mr. May holds that we are not + justified in declaring its operations are evil—save from a human + standpoint." + </p> + <p> + "How was he related to Captain Thomas May?" + </p> + <p> + "His father." + </p> + <p> + Peter Hardcastle remained silent for a moment; then he spoke again. + </p> + <p> + "Have you observed how many of the sons of the clergy go into the Navy or + Merchant Marine?" + </p> + <p> + "I have not." + </p> + <p> + "They do, however." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter began to dislike the detective more than before. + </p> + <p> + "We will leave you now," he said. "You will find me in my study if you + want me. That bell communicates with the servants. The lock of the door + was broken when we forced our way in, and has not been mended; but you can + close the door if you wish to do so. It has been kept open since and the + electric light always turned on at night." + </p> + <p> + "Many thanks. I will consider a point or two here and rejoin you. Was the + chimney examined?" + </p> + <p> + "No. It would not admit a human being." + </p> + <p> + Then Sir Walter and his nephew left the room, and Hardcastle, waiting + until they were out of earshot, shut the door and thrust a heavy chair + against it. + </p> + <p> + They heard no more of him for an hour, and joined Mary and Septimus May, + who were walking on the terrace together. The former was eager to learn + the detective's opinions, but her husband's father had already warned her + that Peter Hardcastle was doomed to fail. + </p> + <p> + The four walked up and down together, and Prince, Sir Walter's ancient + spaniel, went beside them. + </p> + <p> + Henry told his cousin the nature of their conversation and the direction + in which the professional inquiry seemed to turn. + </p> + <p> + "He wants to see you and hear everything you can tell him about dear Tom's + past," he said. + </p> + <p> + "Of course I will tell him everything; and what I do not know, Mr. May + will remember." + </p> + <p> + "He is very quiet and very open-minded about some things, but jolly + positive about others. Your father-in-law won't get far with him. He + scoffs at any supernatural explanation of our terrible loss." + </p> + <p> + Mr. May overheard this remark. + </p> + <p> + "As I have already told Mary, his failure is assured. He is wasting his + time, and I knew he probably would do so before he came. Not to such a + man, however clever he may be, will an explanation be vouchsafed. I would + rather trust an innocent child to discover these things than such a + person. He is lost in his own conceit and harbors vain ideas." + </p> + <p> + "There is something about him I cordially dislike already," confessed Sir + Walter. "And yet it is a most unreasonable dislike on my part, for he is + exceedingly well mannered, speaks and conducts himself like a gentleman, + and does nothing that can offend the most sensitive." + </p> + <p> + "A prejudice, Uncle Walter." + </p> + <p> + "Perhaps it is, Henry; yet I rarely feel prejudice." + </p> + <p> + "Call it rather an intuition," said the clergyman. "What your antipathetic + attitude means is that you already unconsciously know this man is not + going to avail, and that his assumption of superiority in the matter of + knowledge—his opinions and lack of faith—will defeat him if + nothing else does. He approaches his problem in an infidel spirit, and + consequently the problem will evade his skill; because such skill is not + merely futile in this matter, but actually destructive." + </p> + <p> + Mary left them, and they discussed the probable chances of the detective + without convincing each other. Henry, who had been much impressed by + Hardcastle, argued in his favor; but Septimus May was obdurate, and Sir + Walter evidently inclined to agree with him. + </p> + <p> + "The young men think the old men fools, and the old men know the young + ones are," said Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "But he is not young, uncle; he's forty. He told me so." + </p> + <p> + "I thought him ten years less, and he spoke with the dogmatism of youth." + </p> + <p> + "Only on that subject." + </p> + <p> + "Which happens to be the one subject of all others on which we have a + right to demand an open and reverent mind," said the clergyman. + </p> + <p> + Henry noticed that Sir Walter spoke almost spitefully. + </p> + <p> + "Well, at any rate, he thought rather small beer of the Grey Room. He felt + quite sure that the secret lay outside it. He was going to exhaust the + possibilities of the place in no time." + </p> + <p> + As he spoke the gong sounded, and Prince, pricking his ears, led the way + to the open French window of the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + "Call our friend, Henry," said his uncle. And young Lennox, glad of the + opportunity, entered the house. He desired a word with Hardcastle in + private, and ascended to join him. + </p> + <p> + The door of the Grey Room was still closed, and Henry found some obstacle + within that prevented it from yielding to his hand. At once disturbed by + this incident, he did not stand upon ceremony. He pushed the door, which + gave before him, and he perceived that a heavy chair had been thrust + against it. His noisy entrance challenged no response, and, looking round, + it appeared for an instant that the room was empty; but, lowering his + eyes, he saw first the detective's open notebook and stylograph lying upon + the ground, then he discovered Peter Hardcastle himself upon his face with + his arms stretched out before him. He lay beside the hearth, motionless. + </p> + <p> + Lennox stooped, supported, and turned him over. He was still warm and + relaxed in every limb, but quite unconscious and apparently dead. An + expression of surprise marked his face, and the corner of each open eye + had not yet lost its lustre, but the pupil was much dilated. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. THE ORDER FROM LONDON + </h2> + <p> + Henry Lennox suffered as he had not suffered even during the horrors of + war. For the first time in his life he felt fear. He lowered the + unconscious man to the ground, and knew that he was dead, for he had + looked on sudden death too often to feel in any doubt. Others, however, + were not so ready to credit this, and after he hastened downstairs with + his evil message, both Sir Walter and Masters found it hard to believe + him. + </p> + <p> + When he descended, his uncle and May were standing at the dining room + door, waiting for him and Peter Hardcastle. Mary had just joined them. + </p> + <p> + "He's dead!" was all the youth could say; then, thoroughly unnerved, he + fell into a chair and buried his face in his hands. + </p> + <p> + Again through his agency had a dead man been discovered in the Grey Room. + In each case his had been the eyes first to confront a tragedy, and his + the voice to report it. The fact persisted in his mind with a dark + obstinacy, as though some great personal tribulation had befallen him. + </p> + <p> + Mary stopped with her cousin and asked terrified questions, while Sir + Walter, calling to Masters, hastened upstairs, followed by Septimus May. + The clergyman was also agitated, yet in his concern there persisted a note + almost of triumph. + </p> + <p> + "It is there!" he cried. "It is close to us, watching us, powerless to + touch either you or me. But this unhappy sceptic proved an easy victim." + </p> + <p> + "Would to God I had listened to you yesterday," said Sir Walter. "Then + this innocent man had not perhaps been snatched from life." + </p> + <p> + "You were directed not to listen. Your heart was hardened. His hour had + come." + </p> + <p> + "I cannot believe it. We may restore him. It is impossible that he can be + dead in a moment." + </p> + <p> + They stood over the detective, and Masters and Fred Caunter, with courage + and presence of mind, carried him out into the corridor. + </p> + <p> + The butler spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Run for the brandy, Fred," he said. "We must get some down his neck if we + can. I don't feel the gentleman's heart, but it may not have stopped. He's + warm enough." + </p> + <p> + The footman obeyed, and Hardcastle was laid upon his back. Then Sir Walter + directed Masters. + </p> + <p> + "Hold his head up. It may be better for him." + </p> + <p> + They waited, and, during the few moments before Caunter returned, Sir + Walter spoke again. His mind wandered backward and seemed for the moment + incapable of grasping the fact before him. + </p> + <p> + "Almost the last thing the man said was to ask me why ghosts haunted the + night rather than the day." + </p> + <p> + "Poor fool—poor fool! He is answered," replied the priest. + </p> + <p> + All attempts to restore the vanished life proved useless, and they carried + Hardcastle downstairs presently. Henry Lennox was already gone for the + doctor, and when, within an hour, Mannering joined them, he could only + pronounce that the man was dead. No sign of life rewarded their protracted + efforts to restore circulation. How he had come by his end, how death had + broken into his frame, it was impossible to determine. Not an unusual sign + marked the body. It revealed neither wound nor outward evidence of shock. + The case seemed parallel with that of Thomas May. Death had struck the man + like a flash of lightning and dropped him, where he stood, making his + notes by the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon a complication faced Dr. Mannering. Mary came to him, where he + spoke in the library with Sir Walter and Henry Lennox. She implored him to + use his influence with her father-in-law; for they had forgotten Septimus + May, while hastily deliberating as to what telegrams should be dispatched; + but now they learned that Mr. May was in the Grey Boom and refused to + leave it. + </p> + <p> + "He is very excited," she said. "He is walking up and down, speaking + aloud, quoting texts from Scripture, addressing the spirit that he + believes to be listening to him. It would be grotesque were it not so + horrible. He must be made to come away." + </p> + <p> + "He is justified of his faith," declared Sir Walter. "I have withstood him + until now, but I can do so no longer." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed you must. He is playing with death," said Mannering. + </p> + <p> + They sought Tom's father, to find him, as Mary had said, walking up and + down, with fierce joy of battle on his thin, stern face and in his shining + eyes. + </p> + <p> + "Now shall the powers of Light triumph and the will of God be done!" he + said to them. + </p> + <p> + He made no demur, however, when they drew him away. + </p> + <p> + "The future is mine," he declared, and grew calm. "You cannot stand + between me and my duty again, Sir Walter. You have gravely erred, and this + is the result of your error. But you will not err a second time." + </p> + <p> + His excitation ceased, and it was he who proposed that they should return + to their forgotten meal. In the matter of the man just dead, he revealed + an indifference almost callous. + </p> + <p> + "His God will justly judge him according to his deserving," he declared. + "If he sinned through ignorance and false teaching, his punishment will + not be heavy; if he hardened his heart against truth and rejected the + faith from pride—but even then the Father of Mercy may pardon him. + He has failed, even as I knew he must, and paid a terrible penalty for + failure." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter, sorely stricken, hardly heard the other. He ate a little at + Mary's entreaty, then, driven by some impulse to leave his + fellow-creatures and court solitude, excused himself, begged Lennox and + Mannering to bring him news when the telegram dispatched to Scotland Yard + was answered, and prepared to leave them. + </p> + <p> + As he rose, he marked his old spaniel standing whimpering by his side. + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter with Prince?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "He has not had his dinner," said Mary. + </p> + <p> + "Let him be fed at once," answered her father, and went out alone. + </p> + <p> + She rose to follow him immediately, but Mannering, who had stopped and was + with them, begged her not to do so. + </p> + <p> + "Leave him to himself," he said. "This has shaken your father, as well it + may. He's all right. Make him take his bromide to-night, and let nobody do + anything to worry him." + </p> + <p> + The master of Chadlands meantime went afield, walked half a mile to a + favorite spot, and sat down upon a seat that he had there erected. A storm + was blowing up from the south-west, and the weather of his mind welcomed + it. He alternated between bewilderment and indignation. His own life-long + philosophy and trust in the ordered foundations of human existence + threatened to fail him entirely before this second stroke. It seemed that + the punctual universe was suddenly turned upside down, and had emptied a + vial of horror upon his innocent head. + </p> + <p> + Reality was a thing of the past. A nightmare had taken its place, a + nightmare from which there was no waking. He considered the stability of + his days—a lifetime followed upon high principles and founded on + religious convictions that had comforted his sorrows and countenanced his + joys. It seemed a trial undeserved, that in his old age he should be + thrust upon a pinnacle of publicity, forced into the public eye, robbed of + dignity, denied the privacy he esteemed as the most precious privilege + that wealth could command. Stability was destroyed; to count upon the + morrow seemed impossible. His thought, strung to a new morbidity, unknown + till now, ran on and pictured, with painful, vivid stroke upon stroke, the + insufferable series of events that lay before him. + </p> + <p> + Life was become a bizarre and brutal business for a man of fine feeling. + He would be thrust into the pitiless mouth of sensation-mongers, called to + appear before tribunals, subjected to an inquisition of his fellow-men, + made to endure a notoriety infinitely odious even in anticipation. Indeed, + Sir Walter's simple intellect wallowed in anticipation, and so suffered + much that, given exercise of restraint, he might have escaped altogether. + He was brave enough, but personal bravery would not be called for. He sat + now staring dumbly at an imaginary series of events abominable and + unseemly in every particular to his order of mind. He was so concerned + with what the future must hold in store for him that for a time the + present quite escaped his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + He returned to it, however, and it was almost with the shock of a new + surprise he remembered that Peter Hardcastle, a man of European repute, + had just died in his house. But he could not in the least realize the new + tragedy. He had as yet barely grasped the truth of his son-in-law's end, + and still often found himself expecting Tom's footfall and his jolly + voice. That such an abundant vitality was stilled, that such an infectious + laugh would never sound again on mortal ear he yet sometimes found it hard + to believe. + </p> + <p> + But now it seemed that the impact of this second blow rammed home the + first. He brooded upon his dead son-in-law, and it was long before he + returned to the event of that day. A thought struck him, and though + elementary enough, it seemed to Sir Walter an important conclusion. There + could be no shadow of doubt that Tom May and Peter Hardcastle had died by + the same secret force. He felt that he must remember this. + </p> + <p> + Again he puzzled, and then decided with himself that, if he meant to keep + sane, he must practice faith and trust in God. Septimus May had said that + such unparalleled things sometimes happened in the world to try man's + faith. Doubtless he was right. + </p> + <p> + Henceforth the old man determined to stand firmly on the side of the + supernatural with the priest. He went further, and blamed his scepticism. + It had cost the world a valuable life. He could not, indeed, be censured + for that in any court of inquiry. Sceptical men would doubtless say that + he had done rightly in refusing Mr. May his experiment. But Sir Walter now + convinced himself that he had done wrongly. At such a time, with landmarks + vanishing and all accepted laws of matter resolved into chaos, there + remained only God to trust. Such a burden as this was not to be borne by + any mortal, and Sir Walter determined that he would not bear it. + </p> + <p> + Were we not told to cast our tribulations before the Almighty? Here, if + ever, was a situation beyond the power of human mind to approach, unless a + man walked humbly with his hand in his Maker's. Septimus May had been + emphatically right. Sir Walter repeated this conviction to himself again + and again, like a child. + </p> + <p> + He descended to details presently. The hidden being, that it had been + implicitly agreed could only operate by night in the Grey Room, proved + equally potent under noonday sun. But why should it be otherwise? To limit + its activities was to limit its powers, and the Almighty alone knew what + powers had been granted to it. He shrank from further inquiries or + investigations on any but a religious basis. He was now convinced that no + natural explanation would exist for what had happened in the Grey Room, + and he believed that only through the paths of Christian faith would peace + return to him or his house. + </p> + <p> + Then the present dropped out of his thoughts. They wandered into the past, + and he concerned himself with his wife. She it was who had taught him to + care for foreign travel. Until his marriage he had hardly left England, + save when yachting with friends, and an occasional glimpse of a + Mediterranean port was all that Sir Walter knew of the earth outside his + own country. But he remembered with gratitude the opportunities won from + her. He had taken her round the world, and found himself much the richer + in great memories for that experience. + </p> + <p> + He was still thinking when Mary found him, with his old dog asleep at his + feet. She brought him a coat and umbrella, for the threatened storm + advanced swiftly under clouds laden with rain. Reluctantly enough he + returned to the present. A telegram had been received from London, + directing Dr. Mannering to reach the nearest telephone and communicate + direct. The doctor was gone to Newton Abbot, and nothing could be done + until he came back. Not knowing what had occupied Sir Walter's mind, Mary + urged him to leave Chadlands without delay. + </p> + <p> + "Put the place into the hands of the police and take me with you," she + said. "Nothing can be gained by our stopping, and, after this, it is + certain the authorities will not rest until they have made a far more + searching examination than has ever yet been carried out. They will feel + this disaster a challenge." + </p> + <p> + "Thankfully I would go," he answered. "Most thankfully I would avoid what + is hanging over my head. It was terrible enough when your dear husband + died; but now we shall be the centre of interest to half England. Every + instinct cries to me to get out of it, but obviously that is impossible, + even were I permitted to do so. It is the duty of the police to suspect + every man and woman under my roof—myself with the rest. These + appalling things have occurred in my home, and I must bear the brunt of + them and stand up to all that they mean. No Lennox ever ran from his duty, + however painful it might be. The death of this man—so eminent in his + calling—will attract tremendous attention and be, as you say, a sort + of direct challenge to the authorities for whom he worked. They will + resent this second tragedy, and with good reason. The poor man, though I + cannot pretend that I admired him, was a force for good in the world, and + his peculiar genius was devoted to the detection of crime and punishment + of criminals—a very worthy occupation, however painful to our + ideas." + </p> + <p> + They sat in the library now, and Henry Lennox spoke to his uncle, with his + eye on the window, waiting for the sight of the doctor's car. + </p> + <p> + "They'll want to tear the place down, very likely. They'll certainly have + no mercy on the stones and mortar, any more than they will on us." + </p> + <p> + "They can spare themselves that trouble, and you your fears," declared + Septimus May, who had joined them. "It is impossible that they will be + here until to-morrow. Meantime—" + </p> + <p> + "It is easy to see what they will do," proceeded young Lennox, "and what + they will think also. Nor can we prevent them, even if we wanted to. I + image their theory will be this. They will suppose that Mr. Hardcastle, + left in that room alone, was actually on the track of those responsible + for Tom's death. They will guess that, in some way, or by some accident, + he surprised the author of the tragedy, and the assassin, seeing his + danger, resorted to the same unknown means of murder as before. They may + imagine some hidden lunatic concealed here, whose presence is only known + to some of us. They may suspect a homicidal maniac in me, or my uncle, or + Masters, or anybody. Certainly they will seek a natural explanation and + flout the idea of any other." + </p> + <p> + The clergyman protested, but Henry was not prepared to traverse the old + ground again. + </p> + <p> + "I have as much right to my opinions as you to yours," he said. "And I am + positive this is man's work." + </p> + <p> + Then Mary announced that Mannering's car was in sight. The library windows + opened on the western side of the house and afforded a view of the main + drive, along which the doctor's little hooded car came flying, like a dead + leaf in a storm. But it was not alone. A hospital motor ambulance followed + behind it. + </p> + <p> + They soon learned of curious things, and the house was first thrown into a + great bustle and then restored to peace. + </p> + <p> + Mannering had spoken for half an hour with London, and received directions + that puzzled him not a little by their implication. For a moment he seemed + unwilling to speak before Mary. Then he begged her bluntly to leave them + for a while. + </p> + <p> + "It's this way," he said when she was gone. "They're harboring a mad idea + in London, though, of course, the facts will presently convince them to + the contrary. Surely I must know death when I see it? But a divisional + surgeon, or some other medical official, directs me to bring this poor + fellow's body to London to-night. Every care must be taken, warmth and air + applied, and so on. They've evidently got a notion that, since life + appears to go so easily in the Grey Room, and leave no scratch or wound, + either life has not gone at all, or that it may be within the power of + science to bring it back again. In a sense this is a reflection upon me—as + though it were possible that I could make any mistake between death and + suspended animation; but I must do as I'm ordered. I travel to town with + the dead man to-night, and if they find he is anything but dead as a + doornail, I'll—" + </p> + <p> + The doctor was writing his reminiscences, "The Recollections of a Country + Physician," and he could not fail to welcome these events, for they were + destined to lend extraordinary attraction to a volume otherwise not + destined to be much out of the common. + </p> + <p> + He spoke again. + </p> + <p> + "I should be very glad if you would accompany me, Lennox. I shall have a + police inspector from Plymouth; but it would be a satisfaction if you + could come. Moreover, you would help me in London." + </p> + <p> + "I'll come up, certainly. You don't mind, Uncle Walter?" + </p> + <p> + "Not if Mannering wishes it. We owe him more than we can ever repay. + Anything that we can do to lessen his labors ought to be done." + </p> + <p> + "I should certainly welcome your company. A small saloon carriage is to be + put on to the Plymouth train that leaves Newton for London before + midnight. We shall be met at Paddington by some of their doctors. And as + to Chadlands, four men arrive to-morrow morning by the same train that + Peter Hardcastle came down in last night. We shall pass them on the way. + They will take charge both of the Grey Room and the house as soon as they + arrive." + </p> + <p> + "And they will be welcome. I would myself willingly pull down Chadlands to + the foundations if by so doing I could discover the truth." + </p> + <p> + "It demands no such sacrifice," declared May, who had listened to these + facts. "Bricks and mortar, stone and timber are innocent things. One might + as soon dissect a thunder-cloud to find the lightning as destroy material + substances to discover what is hidden in this house. The unknown being, + about his Master's business here, will no more yield its secret to four + detectives, or an army of them, than it did to one. 'What I do thou + knowest not now.' It is all summed up in that." + </p> + <p> + He turned to Mannering and asked a sudden question. + </p> + <p> + "Why did you object to Mary hearing these facts? In what way should they + distress her particularly?" + </p> + <p> + "Can you not see? Indeed, one might fairly have objected to your presence + also. But you are a man. There is an implied horror of the darkest sort + for poor Mary in the suggestion that Hardcastle may still live. If he can + be brought back to life, then she would surely think that perhaps her + husband and your son might have been. Imagine the agony of that. I speak + plainly; indeed, there is no rational or sentimental reason why I should + not, for the truth is, of course, that the signs of death were clearly + evident on your poor boy before what we had to do was done. But the bare + thought must have shocked Mary. We know emphatically that Hardcastle is + dead, and we need not mention to her this fantastic theory from London." + </p> + <p> + "I appreciate your consideration," said Sir Walter; and the clergyman also + acknowledged it. + </p> + <p> + "There can be no shadow of doubt concerning my son," he said; "nor is + there any in the matter of this unfortunate man." + </p> + <p> + Henry Lennox went to prepare for the journey. Then, obeying the doctor's + directions and treating the dead man as though he were merely unconscious, + they carried him to the ambulance car. It was an unseemly farce in + Mannering's opinion, and he only realized the painful nature of his task + when he came to undertake it; but he carried it through in every + particular as directed, conveyed the corpse to Newton after dark, and had + the ambulance bed, in which it reposed, borne to the saloon carriage when + the night mail arrived from Plymouth, between eleven and twelve. He was + able to regulate the temperature with hot steam, and kept hot bottles to + the feet and sides of the dead. + </p> + <p> + He felt impatient and resentful; he poured scorn on the superior authority + for the benefit of the inspector and Henry Lennox, who accompanied him; + but in secret he experienced emotions of undoubted satisfaction that life + had broken from its customary monotonous round to furnish him with an + adventure so unique. He pointed out a fact to the policeman before they + had started. + </p> + <p> + "You will observe," he said, with satire, "that, despite the heat we are + directed to apply to this unfortunate man, rigor mortis has set in. + Whether the authority in London regards that as an evidence of death, of + course I cannot pretend to say. Perhaps not. I may be behind the times." + </p> + <p> + Neither Mannering nor Lennox had spared much thought for those left behind + them at Chadlands. The extraordinary character of the task put upon them + sufficed to fill their minds, and it was not until the small hours, when + they sat with their hands in their pockets and the train ran steadily + through darkness and storm, that the younger spoke of his cousin. + </p> + <p> + "I hope those old men won't bully Mary to-night," he said. "I'd meant to + ask you to give Uncle Walter a caution. May's not quite all there, in my + opinion, and very likely, now you're out of the way, he'll get round Sir + Walter about that infernal room." + </p> + <p> + Mannering became interested. + </p> + <p> + "D'you mean for an instant he wants to try his luck after what's + happened?" + </p> + <p> + "You forget. Your day has been so full that you forget what did happen." + </p> + <p> + "I do not, Lennox. Mary begged me to tackle the man. I calmed him, and he + came down to his luncheon. He must have thought over the matter since + then, and seen that he was playing with death." + </p> + <p> + "Far from it, 'The future is mine!' That's what he said. And that means + he'll try and be in the Grey Room alone to-night." + </p> + <p> + "I wish to Heaven you'd made this clear before we'd started. But surely we + can trust Sir Walter; he knows what this means, even if that superstitious + lunatic doesn't." + </p> + <p> + "I don't want to bother you," answered Henry; "but, looking back, I'm none + so sure that we can trust my uncle. He's been pretty wild to-day, and who + shall blame him? Things like this crashing into his life leave him + guessing. He's very shaken, and has lost his mental grip, too. Reality's + played him such ugly tricks that he may be tempted to fall back on + unreality now." + </p> + <p> + "You don't mean he'll let May go into that room to-night?" + </p> + <p> + "I hope not. He was firm enough last night when the clergyman clamored to + do so. In fact, he made me keep watch to see he didn't. But I think he's + weakened a lot since Hardcastle came to grief in broad daylight. And I + sha'n't be there to do anything." + </p> + <p> + "All this comes too late," answered the other. "If harm has happened—it + has happened. We can only pray they've preserved some sanity among them." + </p> + <p> + "That's why I say I hope they're not bullying Mary," answered Lennox. "Of + course, she'd be dead against her father-in-law's idea. But she won't + count. She can't control him if Sir Walter goes over to his side." + </p> + <p> + "Let us not imagine anything so unreasonable. We'll telegraph to hear if + all's well at the first moment we can." + </p> + <p> + The storm sent a heavy wash of rain against the side of the carriage. It + was a famous tempest, that punished the South of England from Land's End + to the North Foreland. + </p> + <p> + They were distracted from their thoughts by the terrific impact of the + wind. + </p> + <p> + "Wonder we can stop on the rails," said Mannering. "This is a fifty-knot + gale, or I'm mistaken." + </p> + <p> + "I'm thinking of the Chadlands trees," answered the other. "It's rum how, + in the middle of such an awful business as this, the mind switches off to + trifles. Does it on purpose, I suppose, to relieve the strain. Yes, the + trees will catch it to-night. I expect I shall hear a grim tale of fallen + timber from Sir Walter by the time I get back to-morrow." + </p> + <p> + "If nothing's fallen but timber, I sha'n't mind," answered Mannering; "but + you've made me devilish uneasy now. If anything further went wrong—well, + to put it mildly, they would say your uncle ought to have known a great + deal better." + </p> + <p> + "He does know a great deal better. It's only that temporarily he's knocked + off his balance. But I hardly feel as anxious as you do. There's Mary + against May; and even if my uncle were for him, on a general, vague theory + of something esoteric and outside nature, which you can't fairly call + unreasonable any more, Mannering, seeing what's happened—even if Sir + Walter felt tempted to let him have his way, I don't believe he'd really + consent when it came to the point." + </p> + <p> + "I hope not—I hope not," answered the other. "Such a concession + would take a lot of explanation if the result were another of these + disasters. There ought to be an official guard over the room." + </p> + <p> + "After to-morrow there certainly will be," replied Henry. "You may be sure + the police won't leave it again till they've satisfied themselves. All the + same, I don't see how a dozen of them will be any safer than one—even + if it's some material and physical thing that happens, as we must suppose. + And for that matter, if it's really supernatural, why should a dozen be + safer than one? Obviously they wouldn't. Whatever it is, it can strike as + it likes and without being struck back." + </p> + <p> + But Dr. Mannering did not answer these questions. He was considering a + little book in his pocket, which he would hand over to the police in + London next morning. + </p> + <p> + "Poor chap—if he could have begun by taking the problem by the + throat, as he has written here. But, instead, it took him by the throat!" + </p> + <p> + He took Hardcastle's notebook from his pocket and read again the last few + pages. + </p> + <p> + "He was dreaming of his theories to the last, when he should surely have + been girt up in every limb to face facts," said Lennox. "He never realized + the horrible danger." + </p> + <p> + Perusal of the detective's data had revealed an interesting fact. It was + known by his colleagues that he designed a book on the theory and practice + of criminal investigations, and in many of his pocket-books, subsequently + examined, were found memoranda and jottings, doubtless destined to be + worked out at another time. It was clear that he had, for a few moments, + drifted away from the Grey Room in thought when his death overtook him. + Past events, not present problems, were apparently responsible for the + reflections that occupied his mind. He was not concentrating on the + material phenomena actually under his observation when he died, but + following some private meditations provoked by his experiences. + </p> + <p> + "Elimination embraces the secret of success," he had written. "Exercise + the full force of your intelligence and spare no pains to eliminate from + every case all matter not bearing directly upon the actual problem. Nine + times out of ten the issue is direct, and once permit side issues to draw + their tracks across it, once admit metaphysical lines of reasoning, the + result will be confusion and a problem increasing in complexity at every + stage. Only in romances, where a plot is invented and then complicated by + deliberate art, shall we find the truth ultimately permitted to appear in + some subordinate incident, or individual, studiously kept in the + background—that is the craft of telling detective stories. But, in + truth, one needs to lay hold of the problem by the throat at the outset. + Deception is too much the province of the criminal and too little the + business of the investigator; and where it may be possible to creep, like + a snake, into a case, unknown for what you truly are, then your + opportunities and chances of success are enormously increased. It is, + however, the exception when one can start without the knowledge of anybody + involved, and the Scotland Yard of the future will pursue its business + under very different circumstances from the present. The detective's work + should be made easier and not more difficult. None should know who is + working on a case. The law's representatives should be disguised and move + among the characters surrounding the crime as something other than they + really are. They will—" + </p> + <p> + Here Hardcastle's reflections came to an end. Some previous notes there + were of superficial accidents in the Grey Room and a rough ground plan of + it; but nothing more. He had evidently, for the time being, broken away + from his environment and was merely thinking, with a pen on paper, when he + died. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE FANATIC + </h2> + <p> + A succession of incidents, that must have perturbed the doctor and his + companion in earnest, had followed upon their departure from Chadlands, + and Mary soon discovered that she was faced with a terrible problem. + </p> + <p> + For one young woman had little chance of winning her way against an old + man and the religious convictions that another had impressed upon him. Sir + Walter and the priest were now at one, nor did the common sense of a + fourth party to the argument convince them. At dinner Septimus May + declared his purpose. + </p> + <p> + "We are happily free of any antagonistic and material influence," he said. + "Providence has willed that those opposed to us should be taken elsewhere, + and I am now able to do my duty without more opposition." + </p> + <p> + "Surely, father, you do not wish this?" asked Mary. "I thought you—" + </p> + <p> + But the elder was fretful. + </p> + <p> + "Let me eat my meal in peace," he answered. "I am not made of iron, and + reason cuts both ways. It was reasonable to deny Mr. May before these + events. It would be unreasonable to pretend that the death of Peter + Hardcastle has not changed my opinions. To cleave to the possibility of a + physical explanation any longer is mere folly and obstinacy. I believe him + to be right." + </p> + <p> + "This is fearful for me—and fearful for everybody here. Don't you + see what it would mean if anything happened to you, Mr. May? Even + supposing there is a spirit hidden in the Grey Room with power and + permission to destroy us—why, that being so, are you any safer than + dear Tom was or this poor man?" + </p> + <p> + "Because I am armed, Mary, and they were defenseless. Unhappily youth is + seldom clothed in the whole armor of righteousness. My dear son was a good + and honorable man, but he was not a religious man. He had yet to learn the + incomparable and vital value of the practice of Christian faith. + Hardcastle invited his own doom. He admitted—he even appeared to + pride himself upon a crude and pagan rationalism. It is not surprising + that such a man should be called away to learn the lessons of which he + stood so gravely in need." + </p> + <p> + "I know that our dear Tom was bidden to higher work—to labor in a + higher cause than here, to purer knowledge of those things that matter + most to the human soul," said Mary. "But that is not to say God chose to + take him by a miracle. For what you believe amounts to a miracle. You know + that I am bearing my loss in the same spirit as yourself, but, granted it + had to be at God's will, that is no reason why we should suppose the means + employed were outside nature." + </p> + <p> + "How can you pretend they are inside nature, as we know it?" asked her + father. + </p> + <p> + "We know nothing at all yet, and I implore Mr. May to wait until we are at + least assured that science cannot find a reason." + </p> + <p> + "Fear not for me, my child," answered Septimus May. "You forget certain + details that have assisted to decide me. Remember that Hardcastle had + openly denied and derided the possibility of supernatural peril. He had + challenged this potent thing not an hour before he was brought face to + face with it. Tom went to his death innocently; this man cannot be + absolved so easily. In my case, with my knowledge and faith, the + conditions are very different, and I oppose an impregnable barrier between + myself and the secret being. I am an old priest, and I go knowing the + nature of my task. My weapons are such that a good spirit would applaud + them and an evil spirit be powerless against them. Do you not see that the + Almighty could never permit one of His creatures—for even the devils + also are His—to defeat His own minister or trample on the name of + Christ? It would amount to that. So armed one might walk in safety through + the lowermost hell, for hell can only believe and tremble before the + truth." + </p> + <p> + Mary looked hopelessly at her father; but he offered her small comfort. + Sir Walter still found himself conforming to the fierce piety and dogmatic + assurance of the man of God. In this welter and upheaval his modest + intellect found only a foothold here, and his judgment now firmly inclined + to the confident assertions of religion. He was himself a devout and + conventional believer, and he turned to the support of faith, and shared, + with increasing conviction, the opinion of Septimus May, as uttered in a + volume of confident words. He became blind to the physical danger. He even + showed a measure of annoyance at Mary's obstinate entreaties. She strove + to calm him, and told him he was not himself—an assertion that, by + his inner consciousness of its truth, seemed to incense Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + He begged her to be silent, and declared that her remarks savored of + irreverence. Startled and bewildered by such a criticism, the woman was + indeed silent for some time, while her father-in-law flowed on and uttered + his conviction. Yet not all his intensity and asseverations could justify + such extravagant assertion. At another time they might even have amused + Mary; but in sight of the fact that her father was yielding, and that the + end of the argument would mean the clergyman in the Grey Room, she could + win nothing but frantic anxiety from the situation. Sir Walter was broken; + he had lost his hold on reality, and she realized that. His unsettled + intelligence had gone over to the opposition, and there was none, as it + seemed, to argue on her side. + </p> + <p> + Septimus May had acted like a dangerous drug on Sir Walter; he appeared to + be intoxicated in some degree. But only in mind, not in manner. He argued + for his new attitude, and he was not as excited as the priest, but + maintained his usual level tones. + </p> + <p> + "I agreed with Mannering and Henry yesterday, as you know, Mary," he said, + "and at my desire Mr. May desisted from his wish. We see how mistaken I + was, how right he must have been. I have thought it out this afternoon, + calmly and logically. These unfortunate young men have died without a + reason, for be sure no explanation of Peter Hardcastle's death will be + forthcoming though the whole College of Surgeons examines his corpse. Then + we must admit that life has been snatched out of these bodies by some + force of which we have no conception. Were it natural, science would have + discovered a reason for death; but it could not, because their lives + flowed away as water out of a bottle, leaving the bottle unchanged in + every particular. But life does not desert its physical habitation on + these terms. It cannot quit a healthy, human body neither ruined nor rent. + You must be honest with yourself, my child, as well as with your + father-in-law and me. A physical cause being absolutely ruled out, what + remains? To-night I emphatically support Mr. May, and my conscience, long + in terrible concern, is now at rest again. And because it is at rest, I + know that I have done well. I believe that what dear Tom's father desires + to do—namely, to spend this night in the Grey Room—is now + within his province and entirely proper to his profession, and I share his + perfect faith and confidence." + </p> + <p> + "It is you who lack faith, Mary," continued Septimus May. "You lack faith, + otherwise you would appreciate the unquestionable truth of what your + father tells you. Listen," he continued, "and understand something of what + this means from a larger outlook than our own selfish and immediate + interests. Much may come of my action for the Faith at large. I may find + an answer to those grave questions concerning the life beyond and the + whole problem of spiritualism now convulsing the Church and casting us + into opposing sections. It is untrodden and mysterious ground; but I am + called upon to tread it. For my part, I am never prepared to flout + inquirers if they approach these subjects in a reverent spirit. We must + not revile good men because they think differently from ourselves. We must + examine the assertions of such inquirers as Sir Oliver Lodge and Sir Conan + Doyle in a mood of reverence and sympathy. Some men drift away from the + truth in vital particulars; but not so far that they cannot return if the + road is made clear to them. + </p> + <p> + "We must remember that our conviction of a double existence rests on the + revelation of God through His Son, not on a mere, vague desire toward a + future life common to all sorts and conditions of men. They suspected and + hoped; we know. Science may explain that general desire if it pleases; it + cannot explain, or destroy, the triumphant certainty born of faith. + Spiritualism has succeeded to the biblical record of 'possession,' and I, + for my part, of course prefer what my Bible teaches. I do not myself find + that the 'mediums' of modern spiritualism speak with tongues worthy of + much respect up to the present, and it is certain that rogues abound; but + the question is clamant. It demands to be discussed by our spiritual + guides and the fathers of the Church. Already they recognize this fact and + are beginning to approach it—some priests in a right spirit, some—as + at the Church Congress last month—in a wrong spirit." + </p> + <p> + "A wrong spirit, May?" asked Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "In my opinion, a wrong spirit," answered the other. "There is much, even + in a meeting of the Church Congress, that makes truly religious men mourn. + They laughed when they should have learned. I refer to incidents and + criticisms of last October. There the Dean of Manchester, who shows how + those, who have apparently spoken to us from Beyond through the mouths of + living persons, describe their different states and conditions. Stainton + Moses gave us a vision of heaven such as an Oxford don and myself might be + supposed to appreciate. + </p> + <p> + "Raymond describes a heaven wherein the average second lieutenant could + find all that, for the moment, he needs. But why laugh at these things? If + we make our own hells, shall we not make our own heavens? We must go into + the next world more or less cloyed and clogged with the emotions and + interests of this one. It is inevitable. We cannot instantly throw off a + lifetime of interests, affections, and desires. We are still human and + pass onward as human beings, not as angels of light. + </p> + <p> + "Therefore, we may reasonably suppose that the Almighty will temper the + wind to the shorn lamb, nor impose too harsh and terrible a transformation + upon the souls of the righteous departed, but lead one and all, by gradual + stages and through not unfamiliar conditions, to the heaven of ultimate + and absolute perfection that He has designed for His conscious creatures." + </p> + <p> + "Well spoken," said Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + But Mr. May had not finished. He proceeded to the immediate point. + </p> + <p> + "Shall it be denied that devils have been cast out in the name of God?" he + asked. "And if from human tenements, then why not from dwellings made with + human hands also? May not a house be similarly cleansed as well as a soul? + This unknown spirit—angel or fiend, or other sentient being—is + permitted to challenge mankind and draw attention to its existence. A + mystery, I grant, but its Maker has now willed that some measure of this + mystery shall be revealed to us. We are called to play our part in this + spirit's existence. + </p> + <p> + "It would seem that it has endured a sort of imprisonment in this + particular room for more years than we know, and it may actually be the + spirit of some departed human being condemned, for causes that humanity + has forgotten, to remain within these walls. The nameless and unknown + thing cries passionately to be liberated, and is permitted by its Maker to + draw our terrified attention upon itself by the exercise of destructive + functions transcending our reason. + </p> + <p> + "God, then, has willed that, through the agency of devout and living men, + the unhappy phantom shall now be translated and moved from this + environment for ever; and to me the appointed task is allotted. So I + believe, as firmly as I believe in the death and resurrection of the Lord. + Is that clear to you, Sir Walter?" + </p> + <p> + "It is. You have made it convincingly clear." + </p> + <p> + "So be it, then. I, too, Mary, am not dead to the meaning of science in + its proper place. We may take an illustration of what I have told you from + astronomy. As comets enter our system from realms of which we have no + knowledge, dazzle us a little, awaken our speculations and then depart, so + may certain immortal spirits also be supposed to act. We entangle them + possibly in our gross air and detain them for centuries, or moments, until + their Creator's purpose in sending them is accomplished. Then He takes the + means to liberate them and set them on their eternal roads and to their + eternal tasks once more." + </p> + <p> + The listening woman, almost against her reason, felt herself beginning to + share these assumptions. But that they were fantastic, unsupported by any + human knowledge, and would presently involve an experiment full of awful + peril to the life of the man who uttered them, she also perceived. Yet her + reasonable caution and conventional distrust began to give way a little + under the priest's magnetic voice, his flaming eyes, his positive and + triumphant certainty of truth. He burned with his inspiration, and she + felt herself powerless to oppose any argument founded on facts against the + mystic enthusiasm of such religious faith. His honesty and fervor could + not, however, abate Mary's acute fear. Her father had entirely gone over + to the side of the devotee and she knew it. + </p> + <p> + "It is well we have your opportunity to-night," he said, "for had the + police arrived, out of their ignorance they might deny it to you." + </p> + <p> + Yet Mary fought on against them. In despair she appealed to Masters. He + had been an officer's orderly in his day, and when he left the Army and + came to Chadlands, he never departed again. He was an intelligent man, who + occupied a good part of his leisure in reading. He set Sir Walter and Mary + first in his affections; and that Mary should have won him so completely + she always held to be a triumph, since Abraham Masters had no regard or + admiration for women. + </p> + <p> + "Can't you help me, Masters?" she begged. "I'm sure you know as well as I + do that this ought not to happen." + </p> + <p> + The butler eyed his master. He was handing coffee, but none took it. + </p> + <p> + "By all means speak," said Sir Walter. "You know how I rate your judgment, + Masters. You have heard Mr. May upon this terrible subject, and should be + convinced, as I am." + </p> + <p> + Masters was very guarded. + </p> + <p> + "It's not for me to pass an opinion, Sir Walter. But the reverend + gentleman, no doubt, understands such things. Only there's the Witch of + Endor, if I may mention the creature, she fetched up more than she + bargained for. And I remember a proverb as I heard in India, from a + Hindoo. I've forgot the lingo now, but I remember the sense. They Hindoos + say that if you knock long enough at a closed door, the devil will open it—excuse + my mentioning such a thing; but Hindoos are awful wise." + </p> + <p> + "And what then, Masters? I know not who may open the door of this mystery; + but this I know, that, in the Name of the Most High God, I can face + whatever opens it." + </p> + <p> + "I ain't particular frightened neither, your reverence," said Masters. + "But I wouldn't chance it alone, being about average sinful and not near + good enough to tackle that unknown horror hid up there single-handed. I'd + chance it, though, in high company like yours. And that's something." + </p> + <p> + "It is, Masters, and much to your credit," declared Sir Walter. "For that + matter, I would do the like. Indeed, I am willing to accompany Mr. May." + </p> + <p> + While Septimus May shook his head and Mary trembled, the butler spoke + again. + </p> + <p> + "But there's nobody else in this house would. Not even Fred Caunter, who + doesn't know the meaning of fear, as you can testify, Sir Walter. But he's + fed up with the Grey Room, if I may say so, and so's the housekeeper, Mrs. + Forbes, and so's Jane Bond. Not that they would desert the ship; but + there's others that be going to do so. I may mention that four maids and + Jackson intend to give notice to-morrow. Ann Maine, the second housemaid, + has gone to-night. Her father fetched her. Excuse me mentioning it, but + Mrs. Forbes will give you the particulars to-morrow, if you please." + </p> + <p> + "Hysteria," declared Sir Walter. "I don't blame them. It is natural. + Everybody is free to go, if they desire to do so. But tell them what you + have heard to-night, Masters. Tell them that no good Christian need fear + to rest in peace. Explain that Mr. May will presently enter the Grey Room + in the name of God; and bid them pray on their knees for him before they + go to sleep." + </p> + <p> + Masters hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "All the same, I very much wish the reverend gentleman would give Scotland + Yard a chance. If they fall, then he can wipe their eye after—excuse + my language, Sir Walter. I've read a lot about the spirits, being terrible + interested in 'em, as all human men must be; and I hear that running after + 'em often brings trouble. I don't mean to your life, Sir Walter, but to + your wits. People get cracked on 'em and have to be locked up. I stopped + everybody frightening themselves into 'sterics at dinner to-day; but you + could see how it took 'em; and, whether or no, I do beg Mr. May to be so + kind as to let me sit up along with him to-night. + </p> + <p> + "You never hear of two people getting into trouble with these here + customers, and while he was going for this blackguard ghost in the name of + the Lord, I could keep my weather eye lifting for trouble. 'Tis a matter + for common sense and keeping your nerve, in my opinion, and we don't want + another death on our hands, I suppose. There'll be half the mountebanks + and photograph men and newspaper men in the land here to-morrow, and + 'twill take me all my time to keep 'em from over-running the house. + Because if they could come in their scores for the late captain—poor + gentleman!—what won't they try now this here famous detective has + been done in?" + </p> + <p> + "Henry deplored the same thing," said Mary. "And I answer again, as I + answered then," replied Septimus May. "You mean well, Sir Walter, and your + butler means well; but you propose an act in direct opposition to the + principle that inspires me." + </p> + <p> + "What do you expect to happen?" asked Mary. "Do you suppose you will see + something, and that something will tell you what it is, and why it killed + dear Tom?" + </p> + <p> + "That, at any rate, would be a very great blessing to the living," said + her father. + </p> + <p> + "The least the creature could do, in my humble opinion," ventured Masters. + </p> + <p> + But Septimus May deprecated such curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "Hope for no such thing, and do not dwell upon what is to happen until I + am able to tell you what does happen," he answered. "Allow no human + weakness, no desire to learn the secrets of another world, to distract + your thoughts. I am only concerned with what I know beyond possibility of + doubt is my duty—to be entered upon as swiftly as possible. I hear + my call in the very voice of the wind shouting round the house to-night. + But beyond my duty I do not seek. Whether information awaits me, whether + some manifestation indicating my success and valuable to humanity will be + granted, I cannot say. I do not stop now to think about that. + </p> + <p> + "Alone I do this thing—yet not alone, for my hand is in my Maker's + hand. Your part will not be to accompany me. Let each man and woman be + informed of what I do, and let them lift a petition for me, that my work + be crowned with success. But let them not assume that to-morrow I shall + have anything to impart. The night may be one of peace within, though so + stormy without. I may pray till dawn with no knowledge how my prayer + prospers, or I may be called to face a being that no human eye has ever + seen and lived. These things are hidden from us." + </p> + <p> + "You are wonderful, and it is heartening to meet with such mighty faith," + replied Sir Walter. "You have no fear, no shadow of hesitation or doubt at + the bottom of your mind?" + </p> + <p> + "None. Only an overmastering desire to obey the message that throbs in my + heart. I will be honest with you, for I recognize that many might doubt + whether you were in the right to let me face this ordeal. But I am driven + by an overwhelming mandate. Did I fear, or feel one tremor of uncertainty, + I would not proceed; for any wavering might be fatal and give me helpless + into the power of this watchful spirit; but I am as certain of my duty as + I am that salvation awaits the just man. + </p> + <p> + "I believe that I shall liberate this arrested being with cathartic prayer + and cleansing petition to our common Maker. And have I not the spirit of + my dead boy on my side? Could any living man, however well intentioned, + watch with me and over me as he will? Fear nothing; go to your rest, and + let all who would assist me do so on their knees before they sleep." + </p> + <p> + Even Masters echoed some of this fierce and absolute faith when he + returned to the servants' hall. + </p> + <p> + "His eyes blaze," he said. "He's about the most steadfast man ever I saw + inside a pulpit, or out of it. You feel if that man went to the window and + told the rain to stop and the wind to go down, they would. No ghost that + ever walked could best him anyway. They asked me to talk and say what I + felt, and I did; but words are powerless against such an iron will as he's + got. + </p> + <p> + "I doubted first, and Sir Walter said he doubted likewise; but he's dead + sure now, and what's good enough for him is good enough for us. I'll bet + Caunter, or any man, an even flyer that he's going to put the creature + down and out and come off without a scratch himself. I offered to sit up + with him, so did Sir Walter; but he wouldn't hear of it. So all we've got + to do is to turn in and say our prayers. That's simple enough for + God-fearing people, and we can't do no better than to obey orders." + </p> + <p> + It was none the less a nervous and highly strung household that presently + went to bed, and no woman slept without another woman to keep her company. + Sir Walter found himself worn out in mind and body. Mary made him take his + bromide, and he slept without a dream, despite the din of the great + "sou'-wester" and the distant, solemn crash of more than one great tree + thrown upon the lap of mother earth at last. + </p> + <p> + Before he retired, however, something in the nature of a procession had + escorted the priest to his ordeal. Mr. May donned biretta, surplice, and + stole, for, as he explained, he was to hold a religious service as sacred + and significant as any other rite. + </p> + <p> + "Lord send him no congregation then," thought Masters. + </p> + <p> + But, with Sir Walter and Mary, he followed the ministrant, and left him at + the open door of the Grey Room. The electric light shone steadily; but the + storm seemed to beat its fists at the windows, and the leaded panes shook + and chattered. With no bell and candle, but his Bible alone, Septimus May + entered the room, having first made the sign of the Cross before him; then + he turned and bade good-night to all. + </p> + <p> + "Be of good faith!" were the last words he spoke to them. + </p> + <p> + Having done so he shut the door, and they heard his voice immediately + uplifted in prayer. They waited a little, and the sound roiled steadily + on. Sir Walter then bade Masters extinguish all the lights and send the + household to bed, though the time was not more than ten o'clock. + </p> + <p> + As for Masters, the glamour and appeal of those strenuous words at the + dinner-table had now passed, and presently, as he prepared to retire, he + found himself far less confident and assured than his recent words had + implied. He sank slowly from hope to fear, even pictured the worse, and + asked himself what would follow if the worst happened. He believed that it + might mean serious disaster for Sir Walter. If another life were + sacrificed to this unknown peril, and it transpired that his master had + sanctioned what would amount to suicide in the eyes of reason; then he + began to fear that grave trouble must result. Already the burning words of + Septimus May began to cool and sound unreal, and Masters suspected that, + if they were repeated in other ears, which had not heard him utter them, + or seen the fervor of religious earnestness and reverence in which they + had been spoken, this feverish business of exorcising a ghost in the + twentieth century might only awake derision and receive neither credence + nor respect. His entire concern was for Sir Walter, not Mr. May. He could + not sleep, lighted a pipe, considered whether it was in his power to do + anything, felt a sudden impulse to take certain steps, yet hesitated—from + no fear to himself, but doubt whether action might not endanger another. + Mary did not sleep either, and she suffered more, for she had never + approved, and now she blamed herself not a little for her weak opposition. + A thousand arguments occurred to her while she lay awake. Then, for a + time, she forgot present tribulations, and her own grief overwhelmed her, + as it was wont to do by night. For while the events that had so swiftly + followed each other since her husband's death banished him now and again, + save from her subconscious mind, when alone he was swift to return and her + sorrow made many a night sleepless. She was herself ill, but did not know + it. The reaction had yet to come, and could not be long delayed, for her + nervous energy was worn out now. She wept and lived days with the dead; + then the present returned to her mind, and she fretted and prayed—for + Septimus May and for daylight. She wondered why stormy nights were always + the longest. She heard a thousand unfamiliar sounds, and presently leaped + from her bed, put on a dressing-gown, and crept out into the house. To + know that all was well with the watcher would hearten her. But then her + feet dragged before she had left the threshold of her own room, and she + stood still and shuddered a little. For how if all were not well? How if + his voice no longer sounded? + </p> + <p> + She hesitated to make the experiment, and balanced the relief of + reassurance against the horror of silence. She remembered a storm at sea, + when through a long night, not lacking danger to a laboring steamer with + weak engines, she had lain awake and felt her heart warm again when the + watch shouted the hour. + </p> + <p> + She set out, then, determined to know if all prospered with her + father-in-law. Nor would she give ear to misgiving or ask herself what she + would do if no voice were steadily uplifted in the Grey Room. + </p> + <p> + The great wind seemed to play upon Chadlands like a harp. It roared and + reverberated, now stilled a moment for another leap, now died away against + the house, yet still sounded with a steady shout in the neighbor trees. At + the casements it tugged and rattled; against them it flung the rain + fiercely. Every bay and passage of the interior uttered its own voice, and + overhead was creaking of old timbers, rattling of old slates, and rustling + of mortar fragments dislodged by sudden vibrations. + </p> + <p> + Mary proceeded on her way, and then, to her astonishment, heard a + footfall, and nearly ran into an invisible figure approaching from the + direction of the Grey Room. Man and woman startled each other, but neither + exclaimed, and Mrs. May spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Who is it?" she asked; and Masters answered: + </p> + <p> + "Oh, my gracious! Terrible sorry, ma'am! If I didn't think—" + </p> + <p> + "What on earth are you doing, Masters?" + </p> + <p> + "Much the same as you, I expect, ma'am. I thought just to creep along and + see if the reverend gentleman was all right. And he is. The light's + burning—you can see it under the door—and he's praying away, + steady as a steam-threshing machine. I doubt he's keeping the evil + creature at arm's length, and I'm a tidy lot more hopeful than what I was + an hour ago. The thing ain't strong enough to touch a man praying to God + like what he can. But if prayers keep it harmless, then it's got ears and + it's alive!" + </p> + <p> + "Can you believe that, Masters?" she whispered. + </p> + <p> + "Got to, ma'am. If it was just a natural horror beyond the reach of + prayer, it would have knocked his reverence out long before now, like + other people. It settled the police officer in under an hour, and Mr. + May's been up against it for three—nearly four hours, so far. He'll + bolt it yet, I shouldn't wonder, like a ferret bolts a rat." + </p> + <p> + "You really feel more hopeful?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, I do, ma'am; and if he can fire the creature and signal 'All's + clear' for Chadlands, it will calm everybody and be a proper feather in + his cap, and he did ought to be made a bishop, at the least. Not that + Scotland Yard men will believe a word of it to-morrow, all the same. + Ghosts are bang out of their line, and I never met even a common constable + that believed in 'em, except Bob Parrett, and he had bats in the belfry, + poor chap. No; they'll reckon it's somebody in the house, I expect, who + wanted to kill t' others, but ain't got no quarrel with Mr. May. And you'd + be wise to get back to bed, ma'am, and try to sleep, else you'll catch a + cold. I'll look round again in an hour or to, if I don't go to sleep my + self." + </p> + <p> + They parted, while the storm still ran high, and through the empty + corridor, when it was lulled, a voice rolled steadily on from the Grey + Boom. + </p> + <p> + When it suddenly ceased, an hour before dawn, the storm had already begun + to sink, and through a rack of flying and breaking cloud the "Hunter" + wheeled westerly to his setting. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. THE LABORS OF THE FOUR + </h2> + <p> + Despite the storm, Sir Walter slept through the night, and did not waken + until his man drew the blinds upon a dawn sky so clear that it seemed + washed of its blue. He had directed to be wakened at six o'clock. + </p> + <p> + "What of Mr. May?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Masters wants to know if we shall call him, Sir Walter." + </p> + <p> + "Not if he has returned to his room, but immediately if still in the Grey + Room." + </p> + <p> + "He's not in his own room, sir." + </p> + <p> + "Then seek him at once." + </p> + <p> + The valet hesitated. + </p> + <p> + "Please, Sir Walter, there's none much cares to open the door." + </p> + <p> + He heard his daughter's voice outside at the same moment. + </p> + <p> + "Mr. May has not left the Grey Room, father." + </p> + <p> + "I'll be with you in a moment," he answered. + </p> + <p> + Then he rose, dressed partially, and joined her. She was full of active + fear. + </p> + <p> + "All went well at two o'clock," she said, "for I crept out to listen. So + did Masters. Mr. May's voice sounded clear and steady." + </p> + <p> + They found the butler at the door of the Grey Room. He was pale and + mopping his forehead. + </p> + <p> + "I've called to him, but it's as silent as the grave in there," he said. + "It's all up with the gentleman; I know it!" + </p> + <p> + "He may not be there; he may have gone out," answered Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + Then he opened the door widely and entered. The electric light still shone + and killed the pallid white stare of the morning. Upon a little table + under it they observed Septimus May's Bible, open at an epistle of St. + Paul, but the priest himself was on the floor some little distance away. + He lay in a huddled heap of his vestments. He had fallen upon his right + side apparently, and, though the surplice and cassock which he had worn + were disarranged, he appeared peaceful enough, with his cheek on a foot + stool, as though disposed deliberately upon the ground to sleep. His + biretta was still upon his head; his eyes were open, and the fret and + passion manifested by his face in life had entirely left it. He looked + many years younger, and no emotion of any kind marked his placid + countenance. But he was dead; his heart had ceased to beat and his + extremities were already cold. The room appeared unchanged in every + particular. As in the previous cases, death had come by stealth, yet + robbed, as far as the living could judge, of all terror for its victim. + </p> + <p> + Masters called Caunter and Sir Walter's valet, who stood at the door. The + latter declined to enter or touch the dead, but Caunter obeyed, and + together the two men lifted Mr. May and carried him to his own room. In a + moment it seemed that the house knew what had happened. + </p> + <p> + A scene of panic and hysteria followed below stairs, and, without Jane + Bond's description of it, Mary knew the people were running out of the + house as from a plague. She left her father with Masters, and strove to + calm the frightened domestics. She spoke well, and explained that the + event, horrible though it was, yet proved that no cause for their alarm + any longer existed. + </p> + <p> + "If it had been a wicked spirit we do not understand, it would have had no + power over Mr. May, who was a saint of God," she said. "Be at peace, + restrain yourselves, and fear nothing now. There is no ghost here. Had it + been a demon or any such thing, it must have been conscious, and therefore + powerless against Mr. May. This proves that there is some fearful natural + danger which we have not yet discovered hidden in the room, but no harm + can happen to anybody if they do not go into the room. The police are + coming from Scotland Yard in an hour or two, and you may feel as sure, as + I do, and Sir Walter does, that they will find out the truth, whatever it + is. You must none of you think of leaving before they come. If you do, + they will only send for you again. Please prepare your breakfast and be + reasonable. Sir Walter is terribly upset, and it would be a base thing if + any of you were to desert him at a moment like this." + </p> + <p> + They grew steadier before her, and Mrs. Forbes, the housekeeper, who + believed what Mary had said, added her voice. + </p> + <p> + Then Sir Walter's daughter returned to her father, who was with Masters in + the study. A man had already started for a doctor, but with Mannering away + there was none nearer than Neon Abbot. + </p> + <p> + Mary called on Masters to assert his authority, and reassure the household + as she had done. She told him her argument, and he accepted it as a + revelation. + </p> + <p> + "Thank God you could keep your senses and see that, ma'am! Tell the master + the same, and make him drink a drop of spirits and get into his clothes. + He's shook cruel!" + </p> + <p> + He had already brought the brandy, which was his panacea for all ills, and + now left Mary and her father together. She found him collapsed, and forgot + the cause for a few moments in her present concern for him. Indeed, she + always thought, and often said afterwards, that but for the minor needs + for action that intervened in this series of terrible moments she must + herself have gone out of her mind. But something always happened, as in + this case, to demand her full attention, and so arrest and deflect the + strain almost at the moment of its impact. + </p> + <p> + She found that the ideas she had just employed to pacify the servants' + hall were also in her father's thoughts. From them, however, he won no + consolation, though he stood convinced. But the fact that Septimus May + should have failed, and paid for his failure with his life, now assumed + its true significance for Sir Walter. He was self-absorbed, prostrate, and + desperate. In such a condition one is not master of oneself, and may say + and do anything. The old man's armor was off, and in the course of his + next few speeches, by a selfish forgetfulness that he would have been the + first to condemn in another, he revealed a thing that was destined to + cause the young widow bitter and needless pain. First, however, he pointed + out what she already grasped and made clear to others. + </p> + <p> + "This upsets all May's theories and gives the lie to me as well. Why did I + believe him! Why did I let him convince me against my better judgment?" + </p> + <p> + "Do not fret about that now." + </p> + <p> + "You might say, 'I told you so!' but you will not do that. Nevertheless, + you were right to seek to stop this unfortunate man last night, and he was + terribly mistaken. No being from another world had anything to do with his + death. If we granted that, there is an end of religious faith." + </p> + <p> + "We can be sure of it, father. Evil spirits would have had no power over + Mr. May, if there is a just God in heaven." + </p> + <p> + "Then it is something else. If not a spirit, then a living man—a + human devil—and the police will discover him. In this house, one we + have known and trusted; for all are known and trusted. They will blame me, + with good reason, for sacrificing another life. The irony of fate that I, + of all men, one so much alive to the meaning of mercy—that I, out of + superstitious folly—But how will it look in the eyes of justice? + Black—black! I am well prepared to suffer what I have deserved, + Mary. Nothing that man can do to me equals the shame and dismay I feel + when I consider what I have done to myself!" + </p> + <p> + "You must not talk so; it is unworthy of you. You know it, father, while + you speak. Nobody has a right to question you or your opinions. Many would + have been convinced by Mr. May last night. They may still think that he + was right, and that, far from receiving evil treatment, he was blessed by + being taken away into the next world without pain or shock. We must feel + for him as we try to feel for dear Tom. And I do not mean that I am sorry + for him; I am only sorry for us, because of the difficulty of explaining. + Yet to tell the truth will not be difficult. They must do the best they + can. It doesn't matter as much as you think. Indeed, how should they blame + you at all until they themselves find out the truth?" + </p> + <p> + "They will—they must! They will discover the reason. They will hunt + down the murderer, and they will inevitably attach utmost blame to me for + listening to a man possessed. May was possessed, I tell you!" + </p> + <p> + "He was exceedingly convincing. When I listened to him he shook me, too." + </p> + <p> + "I should have supported you, instead of going over to him." + </p> + <p> + "He knows the truth now. He is with Tom now. We must remember that. We + know they are happy, and that makes the opinion of living people matter + very little." + </p> + <p> + Then, out of his weakness, he smote her, and thrust upon her some hours of + agony, very horrible in their nature, which there was no good reason that + Mary should have suffered. + </p> + <p> + "Who is alive and who is dead?" he asked. "We don't even know that. The + police demanded to make their own inquiries, and Peter Hardcastle may at + this moment be a living and breathing man, if they are right." + </p> + <p> + She stared at him and feared for his reason. + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" + </p> + <p> + "I mean that they were not prepared to grant that he was dead. Henry and + Mannering took him up on that assumption. He may have been restored to + animation and his vital forces recovered. Why not? There was nothing + visible to indicate dissolution. We have heard of trances, catalepsies, + which simulate death so closely that even physicians are deceived. Have + not men been buried alive? Tom's father at this moment might be restored + to life, if we only knew how to act." + </p> + <p> + "Then—" she said, with horrified eyes, and stopped. + </p> + <p> + He saw what he had done. + </p> + <p> + "God forgive me! No, no, not that, Mary! It's all madness and moonshine! + This is delirium; it will kill me! Don't think I believe them, any more + than Mannering did, or Henry did. Henry has seen much death; he could not + have been deceived. Tom was dead, and your heart told you he was dead. One + cannot truly make any mistake in the presence of death; I know that." + </p> + <p> + Mary was marvellously restrained, despite the fact that she had received + this appalling blow and vividly suffered all that it implied. + </p> + <p> + "I will try to put it out of my mind, father," she said quietly. "But if + Mr. Hardcastle is alive, I shall go mad!" + </p> + <p> + "He is not. Mannering was positive." + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, he may be. And if he is, then Mr. May probably is." + </p> + <p> + "Grotesque, horrible, worse than death even! Keep your mind away from it, + my darling, for the love of God!" + </p> + <p> + "Who knows what we can suffer till we are called to find out? No, I shall + not go mad. But I must know to-day. I cannot eat or sleep until I know. I + shall not live long if they don't tell me quickly." + </p> + <p> + Her father trembled and grew very white. + </p> + <p> + "This is the worst of all," he said. "These things will leave a burning + brand. I am ruined by them, and my life thrown down. I, that thought I was + strong, prove so weak that I can forget my own daughter, and out of + cowardly misery speak of a thing she should never have known. You have + your revenge, Mary, for I shall go a broken man from this hour. Nothing + can ever be the same again. My self-respect is gone. I could have endured + everything else—the things that I dreaded. All I could have suffered + and survived; but to have forgotten and stabbed you—" + </p> + <p> + "Don't, don't—come—we have got each other, father—we + have still got each other. The dead understand everything. Who else + matters? Go to your room, and let your dear mind rest. I am not suffering. + We cannot alter the past, and who would wish it, if they believe in + eternal life? I would not call Tom back if I had the power to do so. Be + sure of that." + </p> + <p> + She spoke comfortable words to him, and supported him to his room. She + knew the police would soon arrive, and though they could not report + concerning the life, or death, of Peter Hardcastle, she doubted not that + definite information relating to him must come to Chadlands quickly. Upon + that another life might hang. Yet, when the medical man arrived from + Newton, he could only say that Septimus May was dead. He was a friend of + Mannering, and knew the London opinion, that this form of apparent death + might in reality conceal latent possibilities of resuscitation; but he + spoke with absolute certainty. He was old, and had nearly fifty years of + professional experience behind him. + </p> + <p> + "The man is dead, or I never saw death," he declared. "By a hundred + independent evidences we can be positive. Post-mortem stains have already + appeared, and were they ever known on a living body? Of the others who + died in this room I know nothing personally; but here is death, and in + twenty-four hours the fact will be plain to the perception of an idiot. + What has happened is this: the London police have heard of a famous, + recent German case mentioned in 'Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschraft'—an + astonishing thing. A woman, who had taken morphine and barbital, was found + apparently dead after a night's exposure in some lonely spot. There were + no reflexes, no pulse, no respiration or heart-beat. Yet she was alive—existing + without oxygen—an impossibility as we had always supposed. Seeing no + actual evidence of death, the physicians injected camphor and caffein and + took other restorative steps, with the result that in an hour the woman + breathed again! Twenty-four hours later she was conscious and able to + speak. It is assumed that the poison and the cold night air together had + paralyzed her vasomotor nerves and reduced her body to a state akin to + hibernation, wherein physical needs are at their minimum. That case has + doubtless awakened these suspicions, and having regard to them, we will + keep the poor gentleman in a warm room and proceed with the classical + means for restoring respiration." + </p> + <p> + The doctor was thus engaged when four men reached Chadlands after their + nightly journey. They were detective officers of wide reputation, and + their chief—a grey-haired man with a round, amiable face and + impersonal manner—listened to the events that had followed upon + Peter Hardcastle's arrival and departure. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter himself narrated the incidents, and perceiving his excitation, + Inspector Frith assumed the gentlest and most forbearing attitude that he + knew. + </p> + <p> + The police had come in a fighting humor. They arrived without any + preconceived ideas or plan of action; but they were in bitter earnest, and + knew that a great body of public opinion lay behind them. That Hardcastle, + who had won such credit for his department and earned the applause of two + continents, should have thus been lost, in a manner so mean and futile, + exasperated not only his personal colleagues, but the larger public + interested in his picturesque successes and achievements. + </p> + <p> + The new arrivals felt little doubt that their colleague was indeed dead, + nor, when they heard of the last catastrophe, and presently stood by + Septimus May, could they feel the most shadowy suspicion that life might + be restored to him. Sir Walter found his nerve steadied on the arrival of + these men. Indeed, by comparison with other trials, the ordeal before him + now seemed of no complexity. He gave a clear account of events, admitted + his great error, and answered all questions without any further confusion + of mind. + </p> + <p> + "I am not concerned to justify my permission in the matter of Mr. May," he + concluded. "I deeply deplore it, and bitterly lament the result; but my + reasons for granting him leave to do what he desired I am prepared to + justify when the time comes. Others also heard him speak, and though he + did not convince my daughter, whose intellect is keener than my own, I + honestly believed him with all my heart. It seemed to me that only so + could any reasonable explanation be reached. Moreover, you have to + consider his own triumphant conviction and power of argument. Rightly or + wrongly, he made me feel that he was not mistaken—indeed, made me + share his resolute convictions. These things I am prepared to explain if + need be. But that will not matter to you. Personally I am now only too + sure that both Septimus May and I were mistaken. I realize that there must + exist some physical causes for these terrible things, that they are of + human origin, and I hope devoutly that you will be permitted by Providence + to discover them, and those responsible for them. But the peril is + evidently still acute. The danger remains, and I need not ask you to + recognize it." + </p> + <p> + Inspector Frith answered him, and proved more human than Sir Walter + expected. He was an educated man of high standing in his business. + </p> + <p> + "We'll waste no time," he said. "Perhaps it is as well you are convinced, + Sir Walter, that these things have happened inside natural laws, and don't + depend on beings in some unknown fourth dimension. That is your affair, + and I am very sure, as you say, that you can give good reasons for what + you did at a future inquiry, though the results are so shocking. Poor + Peter was taken back to London last night, you tell us, according to + directions. If he's in the same case as this unfortunate gentleman, then + there's not much doubt about his being dead. We must begin at the + beginning, though for us, naturally, Hardcastle's operations and their + failure are the most interesting facts to be dealt with. You have told us + everything that happened to him. But we have not heard who found him." + </p> + <p> + "My nephew, Henry Lennox." + </p> + <p> + "He found Captain May, too?" + </p> + <p> + "He did. He was the last to see him alive, and the first to see him + afterwards." + </p> + <p> + "Is he here?" + </p> + <p> + "He will be here in the course of the day. He travelled to London last + night with the body of Mr. Hardcastle." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" + </p> + <p> + "The doctor, Mr. Mannering, wished him to do so. He desired to have a + companion." + </p> + <p> + "Have you anything further that you would care to tell us?" + </p> + <p> + "Only this, that I think Mr. Hardcastle, with whom I had a long + conversation on his arrival, gave it as his opinion that it was not in the + Grey Room we must look for an explanation. I believe he regarded his visit + to the room itself as a comparatively unimportant part of the case. He was + really more interested in the life of my son-in-law and his relations with + other people. I think he regarded May's death as a matter which had been + determined outside the Grey Room. But, if I may presume to advise you, + this view of his is surely proved mistaken in the light of his own + destruction and what has happened since. It is certain now that the cause + of danger lies actually in the room itself, and equally certain that what + killed my son-in-law also killed Mr. Hardcastle and, last night, killed + the Reverend Septimus May." + </p> + <p> + "On the fact of it, yes," admitted Frith. "I think, after we have + considered the situation now developed and visited the Grey Room, we shall + agree that there, at any rate, we may begin the work that has brought us. + You understand we rule out the possibility of any supernatural event, as + Hardcastle, of course, did. While he very properly centred on the history + of Captain May, and, from his point of view, did not expect to find the + accident of the captain's death in this particular place would prove + important, we shall now assume otherwise, and give the room, or somebody + with access to it, the credit for this destruction of human life. We shall + fasten on the room therefore. Our inquiry is fairly simple at the outset, + simpler than poor Hardcastle's. It will lie along one of two channels, and + it depends entirely upon which channel we have to proceed whether the + matter is going to take much time, and possibly fail of explanation at the + end, or but a short time, and be swiftly cleared up. I hope the latter." + </p> + <p> + "I shall be glad if you can explain that remark," answered Sir Walter; but + Mr. Frith was not prepared immediately to do so. + </p> + <p> + "Fully when the time comes, Sir Walter; but for the moment, no—not + even to you. You will understand that our work must be entirely secret, + and the lines on which we proceed known only to ourselves." + </p> + <p> + "That is reasonable, for you cannot tell yet whether I, who speak to you, + may not be responsible for everything. At least, command me. I only hope + to Heaven you are not going to discover a great crime." + </p> + <p> + "I share your hope. That is why I speak of two channels for inquiry," + answered the detective. "Needless to say, we four men shall discuss the + new light thrown upon the situation very fully. At present the majority of + us are inclined to believe there is no crime, and the death of Mr. May + does not, to my mind, increase the likelihood of such a thing. Indeed, it + supports me, I should judge, in my present opinion. What that is will + appear without much delay. We'll get to our quarters now, and ask to see + the Grey Room later on." + </p> + <p> + "May I inquire concerning Mr. Hardcastle? I hope he had no wife or family + to mourn him." + </p> + <p> + "He was a bachelor, and lived with his mother, who keeps a shop. The + intention is to examine his body this morning, and submit it to certain + conclusive tests. Nobody expects much from them, but they're not going to + lose half a chance. He was a great man." + </p> + <p> + "You will hear at once from London if anything transpires to help you?" + </p> + <p> + "We shall hear by noon at latest." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter left them then, and Masters took the four to their + accommodation. Their rooms were situated together in the corridor, as near + the east end of it as possible. But the four were not yet of one mind, and + when they met presently, and walked together in the garden for an hour, it + appeared that while two of them agreed with Inspector Frith, under whom + all acted, the fourth held to a contrary view, and desired to take the + second of the two channels his chief had mentioned. + </p> + <p> + Thus three men believed some extraordinary concatenation of circumstances, + probably mechanical in operation, was responsible for all that had + happened in the Grey Room; but the fourth, a man older than Frith, and in + some sort his rival for many years, held to it that the reason of these + things must be sought in an active and conscious agency. He trusted in a + living cause, but felt confident that it was not a sane one. He had known + a case when a madman, unsuspected of madness, had operated with + extraordinary skill to destroy innocent persons and escape detection, and + already he was disposed to believe that among the household of Chadlands + might hide such an insane criminal. + </p> + <p> + On a similar plane, it was in his personal experience that weak-minded + persons, possessed with a desire to do something out of the common, had + often planned and perpetrated apparent physical phenomena, and created an + appearance of supernatural visitations, only exposed after great + difficulty by professional research. Along such lines, therefore, this man + was prepared to operate, and he believed it might be possible that a + maniac, in possession of some physical secret, would be found among the + inhabitants of the manor house. He did not, however, elaborate this + opinion, but kept it to himself. Indeed, the human element of jealousy, so + often responsible for the frustration of the worthiest human ambitions, + was not absent from the minds of the four now concerned with this problem. + </p> + <p> + Each desired to solve it, and while no rivalry existed among them, save in + the case of the two older men, it was certain that the eldest of the four + would not lose his hold on his own theory, or be at very vital pains to + stultify it. All, however, were fully conscious of the danger before them, + and Frith, from the first, directed that none was to work alone, either in + the Grey Room or elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + At noon a telegram arrived for Mr. Frith from Scotland Yard. It recorded + the fact that Peter Hardcastle was dead, and that examination had revealed + no cause for his end. The news reached Sir Walter at once, and if ever he + rejoiced in the death of a fellow-creature, it was upon this occasion. It + meant unspeakable relief both for him and his daughter. + </p> + <p> + The detectives began their operations after a midday meal, and having + first carefully studied the Grey Room in every visible particular, they + emptied it of its contents, and placed the pictures, furniture, and + statuette outside in the corridor. They asked for no assistance, and + desired that none should visit the scene of their labors. The apartment, + empty to the walls, they examined minutely; with the help of ladders, they + investigated the outer walls on the east and south side; and they probed + the chimney from above and below. They searched the adjoining room—Mary's + old nursery—to satisfy themselves that no communication existed, and + they drove an iron rod through the walls in various directions, only to + prove they were of solid stone, eighteen inches thick within and two feet + thick without. There was no apartment on the other side of the chamber. It + completed the eastern angle of the house front, and behind it, inside, the + corridor terminated at an eastern window parallel with the Grey Room + oriel, but flat and undecorated—a modern window inserted by Sir + Walter's grandfather to lighten a dark corner. Not a foot of the walls + they left untested, and they examined and removed a portion of the paper + upon them also. Then, taking up the carpet, they broke into the flooring + and skirting boards, but discovered no indication that the grime and dust + of centuries had ever been disturbed. The desiccated mummy of a rat alone + rewarded their scrutiny. It lay between great timbers under the planking—beams + that supported the elaborate stucco roof of a dwelling-room below. + </p> + <p> + To the ceiling of the Grey Room they next turned their attention, fastened + an electric wire to the nearest point, and, through a trap-door in the + roof of the passage, investigated the empty space between the ceiling and + the roof. Not an inch of the massive oaken struts above did they fail to + scrutinize, and they made experiments with smoke and water, to learn if, + at any point, so much as a pin-hole existed in the face of the stucco. But + it was solid, and spread evenly to a considerable depth. They studied it, + then, from inside the room, to discover nothing but the beautifully + modeled surface, encrusted with successive layers of whitewash. The + workmanship belonged to a time when men knew not to scamp their labors and + art and craft went hand in hand. Such enthusiasms perished with the + improvement of education. They died with the Guilds, and the Unions are + not concerned to revive them. + </p> + <p> + The detectives had finished this examination when, at an hour in the late + afternoon, Henry Lennox and Dr. Mannering returned. The authorities had + been informed of the death of Septimus May, and desired that no more than + the ordinary formalities should be taken, unless their representatives at + Chadlands thought otherwise. But they did not. They were now convinced + that no communication existed between the Grey Room and the outer world, + and they declared their determination to watch in it during the coming + night. As a preliminary to this course, however, they examined each piece + of furniture and every picture and other object that they had removed from + the room. These told them nothing, and presently they restored the chamber + in every particular, re-laid and nailed the carpet, and placed each + article as it had stood when they arrived. They continued to decline + assistance, and made it clear that nobody was to approach the end of the + corridor in which they worked. Alive to the danger, but believing that, + whatever its quality, four men could hardly be simultaneously destroyed, + they prepared for their vigil. Nor did they manifest any fear of what + awaited them. Facts, indeed, may be stubborn things, but even facts will + not upset the convictions of a lifetime. Not one of the four for an + instant imagined that a supernatural explanation of the mystery existed. + Their minds were open, and their wits, long trained in problems obscure + and difficult, assured them that the problem was capable of solution and + within the power of their wits to solve. They apprehended no discovery + from the watch to be undertaken; but, at Frith's orders, they set stolidly + about it, as a preliminary to the proceedings of the following day. Once + proved that the murderous force was powerless against men prepared and + armed against it, and the practical inquiry as to these strange deaths + would be entered upon. + </p> + <p> + They came with full powers, and designed to search the house without + warning on the following morning, and examine all who dwelt in it. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter invited them to dine with him, and they did so. There were + present the master of Chadlands, Dr. Mannering—who asked to spend + the night there—and Henry Lennox; while Masters and Fred Caunter + waited upon them. The detectives heard with interest the result of the + post-mortem conducted during the morning, and related incidents in the + life of Peter Hardcastle. They were all unfeignedly amazed that a man with + such a record—one who had carried his life in his hand on many + occasions—should have lost it thus, at noonday and without a sound + of warning to his fellow-creatures. Dr. Mannering told how he had watched + the medical examination, but not assisted at it. All attempts to galvanize + back life failed, as the experts engaged immediately perceived they must + upon viewing the corpse; and during the subsequent autopsy, when the dead + man's body had been examined by chemist and microscopist, the result was + barren of any pathological detail. No indication to explain his death + rewarded the search. Not a clue or suspicion existed. He was healthy in + every particular, and his destruction remained, so far, inexplicable to + science. Hardcastle had died in a syncope, as the other victims; that was + all the most learned could declare. + </p> + <p> + Impressed by these facts, the four made ready, and Lennox observed that + they neither drank during their meal nor smoked after it. + </p> + <p> + At nine o'clock they began their work of the night, but invited nobody to + assist them, and begged that they might not be approached until daylight + on the following morning. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Mannering took it upon himself earnestly to beg they would abandon the + vigil. Indeed, he argued strongly against it. + </p> + <p> + "Consider, gentlemen," he said, "you are now possibly convinced in your + own minds that the source of these horrible things is to be found outside + the Grey Room, and not in it. I agree with you, so far. We have reached a + pitch where, in my judgment, we are justified in believing that some + motiveless malignity is at work. But by going into that room, are you not + giving somebody another opportunity to do what has already been done? Evil + performed without motive, as you know better than I can tell you, must be + the work of a maniac, and there may exist in this house, unsuspected and + unguessed, a servant afflicted in this awful way. One has heard of such + things." + </p> + <p> + The eldest of his listeners felt unspeakable interest in these remarks, + since his own opinion inclined in the same direction. He was, however, + none the less chagrined that another should thus voice his secret theory. + He did not answer, but his chief replied. + </p> + <p> + "It is proved," said Frith, "that no violence overtakes those subjected to + this ordeal. And I have decided that we shall not be in danger, for this + reason. We shall be armed as none of the dead were. Our precautions will + preclude any possibility of foul play from a material assault. And, + needless to say, we contemplate no other. We are free agents, and I should + not quarrel with any among us who shirked; but duty is duty, and we have + all faced dangers as great as this—probably far greater. What you + say is most interesting, doctor, and I agree with you, that outside the + room we must look for the explanation of these murders—if murders + they are. Upon that business we shall start to-morrow. Forgive me for not + going into details, because we have our personal methods. They embrace the + element of surprise, and, of course, prevent any conversation concerning + what we are going to do until we have done it." + </p> + <p> + "Supposing you are all found dead to-morrow?" asked Dr. Mannering bluntly. + </p> + <p> + "Then we are all found dead to-morrow; and others will have the + satisfaction of finding out why." + </p> + <p> + "You suspect somebody, yet can absolve nobody?" + </p> + <p> + "Exactly, Sir Walter. I said pretty much that to the pressmen, who forced + themselves in this afternoon. The accursed daily Press of this country has + saved the skin of more blackguards than I like to count. Keep them and the + photographers away. It ought to be criminal—their interference." + </p> + <p> + "I ordered that none was to be admitted for a moment." + </p> + <p> + "It is always very hard to keep them out. They are cunning devils, and + take a perverse pleasure in adding to our difficulties. Little they care + how they defeat justice if they can only get 'copy' for their infernal + newspapers." + </p> + <p> + Inspector Frith spoke with some warmth; he had little for which to thank + the popular Press. + </p> + <p> + Within an hour the four departed, and it was understood that they should + not be disturbed until they themselves cared to reappear. + </p> + <p> + Mannering remained with Sir Walter and Lennox. He was dejected and + exceedingly anxious. But the others did not share his fears. The younger, + indeed, felt hopeful that definite results might presently be recorded, + and he went to his bed very thankful to get there. But Sir Walter, now + calm and refreshed by some hours of sleep during the afternoon, designed + to keep his own vigil. + </p> + <p> + "Poor May lies in my library to-night," he said, "and I shall watch beside + him. Mary also wishes to do so. It seems a proper respect to pay the dead. + The inquest takes place to-morrow, and he will be buried in his parish. We + must attend the funeral, Mary and I." + </p> + <p> + "If ever a man took his own life, that man did!" declared the doctor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE NIGHT WATCH + </h2> + <p> + Though a room had been prepared for Dr. Mannering, he did not occupy it + long. The early hours of night found him in a bad temper, and suffering + from considerable exacerbation of nerves. He troubled little for himself, + and still less concerning the police, for he was human, and their + indifference to his advice annoyed him; but for Sir Walter he was + perturbed, and did not like the arrangements that he had planned. The + doctor, however, designed to go and come and keep an eye upon the old man, + and he hoped that the master of Chadlands would presently sleep, if only + in his study chair. For himself he suffered a somewhat unpleasant + experience toward midnight, but had himself to thank for it. He rested for + an hour in his bedroom, then went downstairs, to find Mary and her father + sitting quietly together in the great library. They were both reading, + while at the farther end, where a risen moon already frosted the lofty + windows above him, lay Septimus May in his coffin. Mary had plucked a + wealth of white hothouse flowers, which stood in an old Venetian bowl at + his feet. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter was solicitous for the doctor. + </p> + <p> + "Not in bed!" he exclaimed. "This is too bad, Mannering. We shall have you + ill next. You have been on your feet for countless hours and much lies + before you to-morrow. Do be sensible, my dear fellow, and take some rest—even + if you cannot sleep." + </p> + <p> + "There is no sleep to-night for me. Lord knows how soon I may be wanted by + those fools playing with fire upstairs." + </p> + <p> + "We cannot interfere. For myself a great peace has descended upon me, now + that initiative and the need for controlling and directing is taken out of + my hands. I began to feel this when poor Hardcastle arrived; but that + composure was sadly shattered. I am even prepared for the needful + publicity now. I can face it. If I erred in the matter of this devoted + priest, I shall not question the judgment of my fellow-men upon me." + </p> + <p> + "Fear nothing of that sort," answered Mannering. "Your fellow-man has no + right to judge you, and the law, with all its faults, appreciates logic. + Who can question your right to believe that this is a matter outside human + knowledge? Your wisdom may be questioned, but not your right. Plenty would + have felt the same. When the mind of man finds itself groping in the dark, + you will see that, in the huge majority of cases, it falls back upon + supernatural explanations for mystery. This fact has made fortunes for not + a few who profit by the credulity of human nature. Faiths are founded on + it. May carried too many guns for you. He honestly convinced you that his + theory of his son's death was the correct theory; and I, for one, though I + deplore the fact that you came to see with his eyes, and permitted him to + do what he believed was his duty, yet should be the last to think your + action open to judicial blame. No Christian judge, at any rate, would have + the least right to question you. In a word, there is no case yet against + anybody. The force responsible for these things is utterly unknown, and if + ill betides the men upstairs, that is only another argument for you." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter put down his book—a volume of pious meditations. Events + had drawn him into a receptive attitude toward religion. He was surprised + at Dr. Mannering. + </p> + <p> + "I never thought to hear you admit as much as that. How strangely the + currents of the mind ebb and flow, Mannering. Here are you with your + scepticism apparently weakening, while I feel thankfully assured, at any + rate for the moment, that only a material reason accounts for these + disasters." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" asked the physician. + </p> + <p> + "Because against the powers of any dark spirit Septimus May was safe. Even + had he been right and his prayer had freed such a being and cast it out of + my house, would the Almighty have permitted it to rend and destroy the + agent of its liberation? May could not have suffered death by any + conscious, supernatural means if our faith is true; but, as he himself + said, when he came here after the death of his boy, he did not pretend + that faith in God rendered a human being superior to the laws of matter. + If, as was suggested at dinner to-day, there is somebody in this house + with a mind unhinged who has discovered a secret of nature by which human + life can be destroyed and leave no sign, then this dead clergyman was, of + course, as powerless against such a hideous danger as any other human + being." + </p> + <p> + "But surely such a theory is quite as wild as any based on supernatural + assumptions? You know the occupants of this house—every one of them, + Sir Walter. Mary knows them, Henry knows them. I have attended most of + them at one time or another. Is there one against whom such a suspicion + can be entertained?" + </p> + <p> + "Not one indeed." + </p> + <p> + "Could the war have made a difference?" asked Mary. "We know how shell + shock and wounds to a poor man's head had often left him apparently sound, + yet in reality weakened as to his mind." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, that is true enough. And when the unfortunate men get back into + everyday life from the hospitals, or endeavor to resume their old work, + the weakness appears. I have seen cases. But of all the men in Chadlands + there are only three examples of any such catastrophe. I know a few in the + village—none where one can speak of actual insanity, however. Here + there is only Fred Caunter, who was hurt about the head on board ship, but + the injury left no defect." + </p> + <p> + "Fred is certainly as sane as I am—perhaps saner," admitted Sir + Walter. + </p> + <p> + "Don't think I really imagine there is anything of the kind here," added + Mannering. "But if these four men are in a condition to proceed with their + work to-morrow, you must expect them to make a searching examination of + everybody in the house. And they may find a good number of nervous and + hysterical women, if not men. It is not their province, however, to + determine whether people are weak in the head, and I know, as well as you + do, that none in this house had any hand in these disasters." + </p> + <p> + "Never was a family with fewer secrets than mine," declared Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "The morning may bring light," said Mary. + </p> + <p> + "I feel very little hope that it will," answered Mannering. "The inquiry + will proceed, whatever happens to-night, and we may all have to go to + London to attend it. After they have turned Chadlands and everybody in it + upside down, as they surely will, then we may be called, if they arrive at + no conclusion." + </p> + <p> + "I am prepared to be. I shall not leave the country, of course, until I + receive permission to do so. It must be apparent to everybody that I am, + of all men, if not the most involved, at least the most anxious to clear + this mystery—that nobody can doubt." + </p> + <p> + "Then you must conserve your strength and be guided," said Mannering. "I + do beg of you to retire now, and insist upon Mary doing the same. Nothing + can be gained by the dead, and necessary energy is lost to the living by + this irrational vigil. It is far past midnight; I beg you to retire, Sir + Walter, and Mary, too. There is nothing that should keep you out of bed, + and I urge you to go to it." + </p> + <p> + But the elder refused. + </p> + <p> + "Few will sleep under this roof to-night," he said. "There is a spirit of + human anxiety and distress apparent, and naturally so. I will stay here + with this good man. He is better company than many of the living. I feel a + great peace here. The dead sustains me." + </p> + <p> + He joined Mannering, however, in an appeal to his daughter, and, satisfied + that their friend would not be far off at any time, Mary presently left + them. She declared herself as not anxious or nervous. She had never + believed that anything but natural causes were responsible for her + husband's death, and felt an assurance that morning would bring some + measure, at least, of explanation. She went out of the room with + Mannering, and, promising her to keep a close watch on her father, the + doctor left Mary, lighted his pipe, and strolled to the billiard-room. + Presently he patrolled the hall and pursued his own reflections. Where his + thoughts bent, there his body unconsciously turned, and, forgetting the + injunction of the silent men aloft—indeed, forgetting them also for + a moment—Mannering ascended the stairs and proceeded along the + corridor toward the Grey Room. But he did not get far. Out of the darkness + a figure rose and stopped him. The man turned an electric torch on Dr. + Mannering, and recognized him. It appeared that while one detective kept + guard outside, the others watched within. At the sound of voices the door + of the Grey Room opened, and in the bright light that streamed from it a + weird figure stood—a tall, black object with huge and flashing eyes + and what looked like an elephant's trunk descending from between them. The + watchers, wearing hoods and gas masks, resembled the fantastic demons of a + Salvator Rosa, or Fuselli. Their chief now accosted the doctor somewhat + sharply. He knew his name and received his apology, but bade him leave the + corridor at once. "I must, however, search you first," said Frith. "You + were wrong to come," he continued. "This is no time to distract us. + Explain to-morrow, please." + </p> + <p> + The doctor, after holding up his hands and submitting to a very close + scrutiny, departed and swore at his own inadvertence. He had forgotten + that, in common with everybody else involved, he must bear the brunt of + suspicion, and he perceived that his approach to the Grey Room, after it + was clearly understood that none should on any account attempt to do so, + must attract unpleasant attention to himself. And he could offer no better + excuse than that he had forgotten the order. He apprehended an + unpleasantness on the following day, and wondered at himself that he could + have done anything so open to question. Brain fag was a poor excuse, but + he had none better. + </p> + <p> + In an hour he returned to Sir Walter, hoping to find him asleep; but the + master of Chadlands was still reading, and in a frame of mind very quiet + and peaceful. He regretted the forgetfulness that had taken his friend + into the forbidden gallery. + </p> + <p> + "I am concerned for Mary," he said. "She is only keeping up at a terrible + cost of nervous power. It is more than time that she was away; but she + will not go until I am able to accompany her." + </p> + <p> + "It should not be long. We must hope they will get to the bottom of it + soon, if not to-night. I am most anxious for both of you to be off." + </p> + <p> + "We design to go to Italy. She shrinks from the Riviera and longs for + Florence, or some such peaceful place." + </p> + <p> + "It will be cold there." + </p> + <p> + "Cold won't hurt us." + </p> + <p> + "Shall you shut up Chadlands?" + </p> + <p> + "Impossible. It is the only home of half my elder people. But, if nothing + is discovered and we are still left without an explanation, I shall seal + the Grey Room—windows, door, and hearth—unless the authorities + direct otherwise. I wish I could fill the place with solid stone or + concrete, so that it would cease to be a room at all." + </p> + <p> + "That you can't do," answered the practical doctor. "Such a weight would + bring down the ceiling beneath. But you can make it fast and block it up + if the thing beats them." + </p> + <p> + "We are like the blind moving in regions unfamiliar to their touch," said + Sir Walter. "I had hoped so much from the prayer of that just man. He, + indeed, has gone to his reward. He is with the boy he loved better than + anything on earth; but for us is left great sorrow and distress. Still, + prayers continue to be answered, Mannering. I have prayed for patience, + and I find myself patient. The iron has entered my soul. The horror of + publicity—the morbid agony I experienced when I knew my name must be + dragged through every newspaper in England—these pangs are past. My + life seems to have ended in one sense, and, looking back, I cannot fail to + see how little I grasped the realities of existence, how I took my easy + days as a matter of course and never imagined that for me, too, extreme + suffering and misery were lying in wait. Each man's own burden seems the + hardest to bear, I imagine, and to me these events have shrivelled the + very marrow in my bones. They scorched me, and the glare, thrown from the + larger world into the privacy of my life, made me feel that I could call + on the hills to cover me. But now I can endure all." + </p> + <p> + "You must not look at it so, Sir Walter. Everybody knows that you have + done no wrong, and if your judgment is questioned, what is it? Only the + fate every man—great or small, famous or insignificant—has to + bear. You can't escape criticism in this world, any more than you can + escape calumny. It is something that you can now speak so steadfastly, + preserve such patience, and see so clearly, too. But, for my part, clear + seeing only increases my anxiety to-night. I don't personally care a + button for the welfare of those men, since they declined to take my + advice; but I am human, and as I suffer with a sick patient and rejoice + when he recovers, so I cannot help suffering at the thought of the risk + these four are running. They sit there, I suppose, or else walk about. + They wear gas masks, and carry weapons in their hands. But if we are + opposed to a blind, deaf, unreasoning force, which acts unconsciously and + inevitably, then the fate of ten men would be just as uncertain as the + fate of one. The thing operates by day or night—that much has been + proved—and, since it is probably acting automatically, as lightning + or steam, how can they escape?" + </p> + <p> + "This invisible death-dealing force may be in the control of a human mind, + remember." + </p> + <p> + "It is beyond the bounds of possibility, Sir Walter." + </p> + <p> + "You are a rash man to affirm anything so definite, after what you have + gone through with the rest of us. Let me, in my turn, urge you to go to + your rest. These things have told upon you. You are only flesh and blood, + not iron, as you fancy. The men are all right so far." + </p> + <p> + "I'll get something to eat and drink," said Mannering, "and leave you in + peace for a while." + </p> + <p> + "Do. You will find all you need in the dining-room. I directed Masters to + leave ample there, in case the detectives might want food." + </p> + <p> + "Shall I bring you something—a whisky, and a biscuit?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no. I need nothing." + </p> + <p> + The doctor went his way, and passed an hour with meat and drink. Then he + felt an overpowering desire to sleep, but resisted it, lighted his pipe + again, and, resumed his march in the hall. He listened presently at the + library door, and was gratified to hear a gentle but steady snore. The + sound pleased Mannering well. + </p> + <p> + He padded about once more, resolved to keep awake until the vigil was + ended. Then he would go to bed and sleep. It was now past three o'clock on + a still, winter night—a lull and interval between yesterday's storm + and rough weather yet to come. The doctor went out of doors for a time and + tramped the terrace. A waning moon had risen, and the night was mild and + cloudy. + </p> + <p> + Bright light shot out like fans into the murk from the east and south + windows of the Grey Room. Returning to the house, the watcher listened at + the foot of the staircase, and heard the mumble of men's voices and the + sound of feet. They were changing the guard, and the detective in the + corridor gave up his place to one from inside. All was well so far. + </p> + <p> + Then Mannering went to the billiard-room, lolled on the settee for a time, + and drowsed through another hour. For a few minutes he lost consciousness, + started up to blame his weakness, and looked at his watch. But he had only + slumbered for five minutes. + </p> + <p> + At six o'clock he told himself that it was morning, and went in again to + Sir Walter. The old man had wakened, and was sitting in quiet reflection + until daylight should outline the great window above the dead. + </p> + <p> + "The night has been one of peace," he declared. "The spirit of poor May + seemed near me, and I felt, too, as though his son were not far off, + either. Is all well with the watchers?" + </p> + <p> + "I leave you to inquire, but don't go too near them. Night fades over the + woods, so the day can be said to have begun." + </p> + <p> + "Doubtless the household will be stirring. I shall go and inquire, if they + will permit me to do so. Oblige me by staying here a few minutes until I + call my daughter. I do not want our poor friend to be alone until he + leaves us." + </p> + <p> + "I will stay here for the present. But don't let Mary be called if she is + sleeping, and turn in yourself for a few hours now." + </p> + <p> + "I have slept off and on." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter left him and ascended to the corridor. Already light moved + wanly in the windows. + </p> + <p> + He stood at the top of the staircase and raised his voice. + </p> + <p> + "Is all well, gentlemen?" he asked loudly; but he received no answer. + </p> + <p> + "Is all well?" he cried again. + </p> + <p> + And then from the gloom emerged Inspector Frith. He had doffed his gas + mask. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter switched on an electric light. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, I trust, has happened?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing whatever, Sir Walter. No sign or sound of anything out of the + common can be recorded." + </p> + <p> + "Thank Heaven—thank Heaven for that!" + </p> + <p> + "Though we had exhausted the possibilities of such a thing, we none the + less expected gas," explained the detective. "That seemed the only + conceivable means by which life might be destroyed in that room. Therefore + we wore gas masks of the latest pattern, supposed to defy any gaseous + combination ever turned out of a laboratory. It is well known that new, + destructive gases were discovered just before the end of the war—gases + said to be infinitely more speedy and deadly than any that were employed. + As to that, and whether the Government has the secret of them, I cannot + say. But no gas was liberated in the Grey Room last night. Otherwise a rat + in a trap and birds in a cage, which we kept by us, would have felt it. + The room is pure enough." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter followed him down the corridor, and chatted with the other men + also. They had left the Grey Room and taken off their masks; they looked + weary and haggard in the waxing, white light of day. + </p> + <p> + "You've done your duty, and I am beyond measure thankful that no evil has + overtaken you. What can now be prepared for you in the way of food?" + </p> + <p> + They thanked him, and declared that in an hour they would be glad of + breakfast. Then Sir Walter went to his own apartments, rang, and gave the + needful directions. He joined Mary soon afterwards, and she shared his + thanksgivings. She was already dressed, and descended immediately to Dr. + Mannering. + </p> + <p> + Henry Lennox also appeared soon afterwards. He had already learned from + Fred Caunter that the watchers were safely through the night. + </p> + <p> + Chadlands was the scene of another inquest, and again a coroner's jury + declared that Septimus May, as his son before him, had died by the Hand of + God. Later in the day the dead man was conveyed to his own parish, and two + days later Sir Walter and Mary, with her cousin, attended the funeral. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, the detectives began their serious work. They proceeded with + system and upon their own plan. They omitted to question not the least of + the persons who dwelt at Chadlands, and inquired also privately concerning + every member of the house party there assembled when Tom May died. Into + the sailor's private life they also searched, and so gradually + investigated every possible line of action and point of approach to his + death. The cause of this they were content to disregard, arguing that if + an assassin could be traced, his means of murder would then be learned; + but, from the first, no sort of light illumined their activities, and + nothing to be regarded as a clue could be discovered, either in Tom May's + relations with the world, or in the history and character of anyone among + the many who were subject for inquiry. + </p> + <p> + Concerning the house party, only Ernest Travers and his wife had met the + sailor before, on the occasion of his wedding; while as to the staff at + Chadlands, nothing transpired to indicate that any had ever had occasion + to feel affronted by an act of his. They were, moreover, loyal to a man + and woman. They furnished no peculiarities, and gave no ground for the + least suspicion. The case, in Frith's opinion, was unique, because, + despite the number of persons it was necessary to study and consider, in + none of their relations with the family involved could there be found a + shadow of unfriendly intercourse, a harbored grudge, or a suggestion of + ill-feeling. The people were all simple and ingenuous. They declared and + displayed nothing but regard for their employer, and many of them had + succeeded their own parents in their present employment. It was a large + household, very closely united by ties of tradition and affection. Henry + Lennox also proved above suspicion, though his former attachment to Mary + was not concealed. It needed no great student of character, however, to + appreciate his transparent honesty under examination, a remark that + extended to Dr. Mannering, whose incautious advent in the corridor on the + night of their vigil had offended the watchers. + </p> + <p> + For three weeks they worked industriously—without vision, but to the + best of their experience and intellectual powers. In the familiar phrase, + they left no stone unturned; and following their report, which frankly + admitted absolute failure, a small commission instituted a further inquiry + on the evidence, and invited those chiefly concerned to attend it. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter, his daughter, Henry Lennox, and Dr. Mannering were examined + with sympathy and consideration. But they could offer no opinions, throw + no light, and suggest no other lines of inquiry than those already + pursued. + </p> + <p> + For the world the mystery died like a new star, which was blazed into fame + only to retreat or diminish and disappear once more. Fresh problems and + new sensations filled the newspapers, and a time at last came when, to his + relief, Sir Walter could open his morning journal and find no mention of + Chadlands therein. Architects examined the room a second time, and the + authorities also gave permission to certain notable spiritualists to make + further nocturnal and diurnal vigils therein, though no solitary watcher + was permitted. Three came and passed a day and a night in the Grey Room. + They were rewarded with no phenomena whatever. + </p> + <p> + The master of Chadlands was at length informed that he might leave + England, but directed to set a seal on the Grey Room, and to treat it in + such a manner that it should no longer be capable of entrance. + </p> + <p> + The red tape that had wound itself about the tragedy was thus unloosed at + last, and the suffering pair made all haste to get away. Its owner + undertook to treat the Grey Room as directed on his return from abroad, + and meanwhile had both door and window boarded up with heavy timbers. + </p> + <p> + The household was long since restored to self-possession and even + cheerfulness. Some felt pride in their passing publicity, and none + expressed any fear of remaining. But Sir Walter guessed that few feet + would tread the great corridor until a day was near for his return. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. SIGNOR VERGILIO MANNETTI. + </h2> + <p> + Sir Walter persisted in his purpose and went to Florence. He believed that + here Mary might find distractions and novelties to awaken interest which + would come freshly into her life without the pain and poignancy of any + recollection to lessen the work of peace. For himself he only desired to + see her returning to content. Happiness he knew must be a condition far + removed from her spirit for many days. + </p> + <p> + They stood one evening on the Piazza of Michelangelo and saw Florence, + like a city of dim, red gold extended beneath them. The setting sunlight + wove an enchantment over towers and roofs. It spread a veil of ineffable + brightness upon the city and tinged green Arno also, where the river wound + through the midst. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter was quietly happy, because he knew that in a fortnight his + friends, Ernest and Nelly Travers, would be at Florence. Mary, too, + prepared to welcome them gladly, for her father's sake. He left his + daughter largely undisturbed, and while they took their walks together, + the old man, to whom neither music nor pictures conveyed much + significance, let her wander at will, and the more readily because he + found that art was beginning to exercise a precious influence over Mary's + mind. There was none to guide her studies, but she pursued them with a + plan of her own, and though at first the effort sometimes left her weary, + yet she persisted until she began to perceive at least the immensity of + the knowledge she desired to acquire. + </p> + <p> + Music soothed her mind; painting offered an interest, part sensuous, part + intellectual. Perhaps she loved music best at first, since it brought a + direct anodyne. In the sound of music she could bear to think of her brief + love story. She even made her father come and listen presently to things + that she began to value. + </p> + <p> + Their minds inevitably proceeded by different channels of thought, and + while she strove resolutely to occupy herself with the new interests, and + put away the agony of the past, till thinking was bearable again and a + road to peace under her feet once more, Sir Walter seldom found himself + passing many hours without recurrence of painful memories and a sustained + longing to strip the darkness which buried them. To his forthright and + simple intelligence, mystery was hateful, and the reflection that his home + must for ever hold a profound and appalling mystery often thrust itself + upon his thoughts, and even inclined him, in some moods, to see Chadlands + no more. Yet a natural longing to return to the old environment, in which + he could move with ease and comfort, gradually mastered him, and as the + spring advanced he often sighed for Devonshire, yet wondered how he could + do so. Then would return the gloomy history of the winter rolling over his + spirit like a cloud, and the thought of going home again grew distasteful. + </p> + <p> + Mary, however, knew her father well enough, and at this lustrous hour, + while Florence stretched beneath them in its quiet, evening beauty, she + declared that they must not much longer delay their return. + </p> + <p> + "Plenty of time," he said. "I am not too old to learn, I find, and a man + would indeed be a great fool if he could not learn in such a place as + this. But though art can never mean much to me now, your case is + different, and I am thankful to know that these things will be a great + addition and interest to your future life. I'm a Philistine, and shall + always so remain, but I'm a repentant one. I see my mistake too late." + </p> + <p> + "It's a new world, father," she said, "and it has done a great deal for an + unhappy woman—not only in taking my thoughts off myself, but in + lessening my suffering, too. I do not know why, or how, but music, and + these great, solemn pictures painted by dead men, all touch my thoughts of + dear Tom. I seem to see that there are so many more mighty ones dead than + living. And yet not dead. They live in what they have made. And Tom lives + in what he made—that was my love for him and his for me. He grows + nearer and dearer than ever when I hear beautiful music. I can better bear + to think of him at such times, and it will always help me to remember + him." + </p> + <p> + "God bless art if it does so much," he said. "We come to it as little + children, and I shall always be a child and never understand, but for you + the valuable message will be received. May life never turn you away from + these things in years to come." + </p> + <p> + "Never! Never!" she assured him. "Art has done too much for me. I shall + not try to live my life without it. Already I feel I could not." + </p> + <p> + "What have you seen to-day?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "I was at the Pitti all the morning. I liked best Fra Bartolommeo's great + altar piece and Titian's portrait of Cardinal Ippolito dei Medici. You + must see him—a strange, unhappy spirit only twenty-three years old. + Two years afterwards he was poisoned, and his haunted, discontented eyes + closed for ever. And the 'Concert'—so wonderful, with such a + hunger-starved expression in the soul of the player. And Andrea del Sarto—how + gracious and noble; but Henry James says he's second-rate, because his + mind was second-rate, so I suppose he is, but not to me. He never will be + to me. To-morrow you must come and see some of the things I specially + love. I won't bore you. I don't know enough to bore you yet. Oh, and + Allori's 'Judith'—so lovely, but I wonder if Allori did justice to + her? Certainly his 'Judith' could never have done what the real Judith + did. And there's a landscape by Rubens—dark and old—yet it + reminded me of our woods where they open out above the valley." + </p> + <p> + He devoted the next morning to Mary, and wandered among the pictures with + her. He strove to share her enthusiasm, and, indeed, did so sometimes. + Then occurred a little incident, so trivial that they forgot all about it + within an hour, yet were reminded of it at a very startling moment now + fast approaching. + </p> + <p> + They had separated, and Sir Walter's eye was caught by a portrait. But he + forgot it a moment later in passing interest of a blazoned coat of arms + upon the frame—a golden bull's head on a red ground. The heraldic + emblem was tarnished and inconspicuous, yet the spectator felt curiously + conscious that it was not unfamiliar. It seemed that he had seen it + already somewhere. He challenged Mary with it presently; but she had never + observed it before to her recollection. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter enjoyed his daughter's interest, and finding that his company + among the pictures added to Mary's pleasure, while his comments caused her + no apparent pain, he declared his intention of seeing more. + </p> + <p> + "You must tell me what you know," he said. + </p> + <p> + "It will be the blind leading the blind, dearest," she answered, "but my + delight must be in finding things I think you'll like. The truth is that + neither of us knows anything about what we ought to like." + </p> + <p> + "That's a very small matter," he declared. "We must begin by learning to + like pictures at all. When Ernest comes, he will want us to live in his + great touring car and fly about, so we should use our present time to the + best advantage. Pictures do not attract him, and he will be very much + surprised to hear that I have been looking at them." + </p> + <p> + "We must interest him, too, if we can." + </p> + <p> + "That would be impossible. Ernest does not understand pictures, and music + gives him no pleasure. He regards art with suspicion, as a somewhat + unmanly thing." + </p> + <p> + "Poor Mr. Travers!" + </p> + <p> + "Do not pity him, Mary. His life is sufficiently full without it." + </p> + <p> + "But I've lived to find out that no life can be." In due course Ernest and + Nelly arrived, and, as Sir Walter had prophesied, their pleasure consisted + in long motor drives to neighboring places and scenes of interest and + beauty. His daughter, in the new light that was glimmering for her, found + her father's friends had shrunk a little. She could speak with them and + share their interests less whole-heartedly than of old; but they set it + down to her tribulation and tried to "rouse" her. Ernest Travers even + lamented her new-found interests and hoped they were "only a passing + phase." + </p> + <p> + "She appears to escape from reality into a world of pictures and music," + he said. "You must guard against that, my dear Walter. These things can be + of no permanent interest to a healthy mind." + </p> + <p> + For a fortnight they saw much of their friends, and Mary observed how her + father expanded in the atmosphere of Ernest and Nelly. They understood + each other so well and echoed so many similar sentiments and convictions. + </p> + <p> + Ernest entertained a poor opinion of the Italian character. He argued that + a nation which depended for its prosperity on wines and silk—"and + such wines"—must have too much of the feminine in it to excel. He + had a shadowy idea that he understood the language, though he could not + speak nor write it himself. + </p> + <p> + "We, who have been nurtured at Eton and Oxford, remember enough Latin to + understand these people," he said, "for what is Italian but the + emasculated tongue of ancient Rome?" + </p> + <p> + Nelly Travers committed herself to many utterances as idiotic as Ernest's, + and Mary secretly wondered to find how shadowy and ridiculous such solid + people showed in a strange land. They carried their ignorance and their + parochial atmosphere with them as openly and unashamedly as they carried + their luggage. She was not sorry to leave them, for she and her father + intended to stop for a while at Como before returning home again. + </p> + <p> + Their friends were going to motor over the battlefields of France + presently, and both Ernest and Nelly came to see Sir Walter and his + daughter off for Milan. Mr. Travers rushed to the door of the carriage and + thrust in a newspaper as the train moved. + </p> + <p> + "I have secured a copy of last week's 'Field,' Walter," he said. + </p> + <p> + They passed over the Apennines on a night when the fire-flies flashed in + every thicket under the starry gloom of a clear and moonless sky; and when + the train stopped at little, silent stations the throb of nightingales + fell upon their ears. + </p> + <p> + But circumstances prevented their visit to the Larian Lake, for at Milan + letters awaited Sir Walter from home, and among them one that hastened his + return. From a stranger it came, and chance willed that the writer, an + Italian, had actually made the journey from Rome to London in order that + he might see Sir Walter, while all the time the master of Chadlands + happened to be within half a day's travel. Now, the writer was still in + London, and proposed to stop there until he should receive an answer to + his communication. He wrote guardedly, and made one statement of + extraordinary gravity. He was concerned with the mystery of the Grey Room, + and believed that he might throw some light upon the melancholy incidents + recorded concerning it. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter hesitated for Mary's sake, but was relieved when she suggested + a prompt return. + </p> + <p> + "It would be folly to delay," she said. "This means quite as much to me as + to you, father, and I could not go to Como knowing there may be even the + least gleam of light for us at home. Nothing can alter the past, but if it + were possible to explain how and why—what an unutterable relief to + us both!" + </p> + <p> + "Henry was to meet us at Menaggio." + </p> + <p> + "He will be as thankful as we are if anything comes of this. He doesn't + leave England till Thursday, and can join us at Chadlands instead." + </p> + <p> + "I only live to explain these things," confessed her father. "I would give + all that I have to discover reasons for the death of your dear husband. + But there are terribly grave hints here. I can hardly imagine this man is + justified in speaking of 'crime.' Would the word mean less to him than to + us?" + </p> + <p> + "He writes perfect English. Whatever may be in store, we must face it + hopefully. Such things do not happen by chance." + </p> + <p> + "He is evidently a gentleman—a man of refinement and delicate + feeling. I am kindly disposed to him already. There is something chivalric + and what is called 'old-fashioned' in his expressions. No young man writes + like this nowadays." + </p> + <p> + The letter, which both read many times, revealed the traits that Sir + Walter declared. It was written with Latin courtesy and distinction. There + were also touches of humor in it, which neither he nor Mary perceived: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Claridge's Hotel, London. April 9. + + "Dear Sir Walter Lennox,—In common with the rest of the + world that knows England, I have recently been profoundly + interested and moved at the amazing events reported as + happening at Chadlands, in the County of Devon, under your + roof. The circumstances were related in Italian journals + with no great detail, but I read them in the 'Times' + newspaper, being familiar with your language and a great + lover of your country. + + "I had already conceived the idea of communicating with you + when—so small is the world in this our time—accident + actually threw me into the society of one of your personal + friends. At an entertainment given by the British Ambassador + at Rome, a young soldier, one Colonel Vane, was able to do + me some service in a crush of people, and I enjoyed the + privilege of his acquaintance as the result. I would not + have inflicted myself upon another generation, but he took + an interest in conversing with one who knew his own language. + He was also intelligent—for a military man. Needless to + say, he made no allusion to the tragedy at Chadlands, but + when he spoke of espionage in war and kindred matters, I + found him familiar with the details concerning the death of + the great English detective, Peter Hardcastle. I then asked + him, as being myself deeply interested in the matter, whether + it would be possible to get further and fuller details of the + story of 'the Grey Room,' whereupon he told me, to my + amazement, that he had been at Chadlands when your lamented + son-in-law, Captain Thomas May, passed out of life. I then + recollected Colonel Vane's name, among others mentioned in + the 'Times,' as at Chadlands when the disaster occurred. + + "Finding that my curiosity was not idle, Colonel Vane accepted + an invitation to dinner, and I enjoyed the pleasure of + entertaining him and learning many personal and intimate + particulars of the event. These were imparted in confidence, + and he knew that I should not abuse his trust. Indeed, I had + already told him that it was my determination to communicate + with you upon the strength of his narrative. + + "It seems improbable that anything I can say will bear upon + the case, and I may presently find that I lack the means to + serve you, or throw light where all is so profoundly buried + in darkness. Yet I am not sure. Small things will often + lead to greater, and though the past is unhappily beyond + recall, since our Maker Himself cannot undo the work of + yesterday, or obliterate events embalmed in vanished time, + yet there is always the future; and if we could but read + the past aright, which we never can, then the future would + prove less of a painful riddle than mankind generally + finds it. + + "If, then, I can help you to read the past, I may at least + modify your anxieties in the future; and should I, by a + remote chance, be right in my suspicions, it is quite + imperative that I place myself at your service for the + sake of mankind. In a word, a great crime has been + committed, and the situation is possibly such that further + capital crimes will follow it. I affirm nothing, but I + conceive the agency responsible for these murders to + be still active, since the police have been so completely + foiled. At Chadlands there may still remain an unsleeping + danger to those who follow you—a danger, indeed, to all + human life, so long as it is permitted to persist. I write, + of course, assuming you to be desirous of clearing this + abominable mystery, both for your own satisfaction and the + credit of your house. "There is but little to hope from me, + and I would beg you not to feel sanguine in any way. Yet + this I do believe: that if there is one man in the world + to-day who holds the key of your tribulation, I am that man. + One lives in hope that one may empty the world of so great a + horror; and to do so would give one the most active + satisfaction. But I promise nothing. + + "If I should be on the right track, however, let me explain + the direction in which my mind is moving. Human knowledge + may not be equal to any solution, and I may fail accordingly. + It may even be possible that the Rev. Septimus May did not + err, and that at the cost of his life he exorcised some + spirit whose operations were permitted for reasons hid in + the mind of its Creator; but, so far as I am concerned, I + believe otherwise. And if I should prove correct, it will + be possible to show that all has fallen out in a manner + consonant with human reason and explicable by human + understanding. I therefore came to England, glad of the + excuse to do so, and waited upon you at your manor, only to + hear, much to my chagrin, that you were not in residence, + but had gone to Florence, a bird's journey from my own home! + + "Now I write to the post-office at Milan, where your servant + directed me that letters should for the moment be sent. If + you are returning soon, I wait for you. If not, it may be + possible to meet in Italy. But I should prefer to think + you return ere long, for I cannot be of practical service + until I have myself, with your permission, visited your + house and seen the Grey Room with my own eyes. + + "I beg you will accept my assurances of kindly regard and + sympathy in the great sufferings you and Madame May have + been called upon to endure. + + "Until I hear from you, I remain at Claridge's Hotel in + London. + + "I have the honor to be, + "Faithfully yours, + "Vergilio Mannetti." +</pre> + <p> + To this communication, albeit he felt little hope, Sir Walter made speedy + response. He declared his intention of returning to England during the + following week, after which he hoped that Signor Mannetti would visit + Chadlands at any time convenient to himself. He thanked him gratefully, + but feared that, since the Italian based his theory on a crime, he could + not feel particularly sanguine, for the possibility of such a thing had + proved non-existent. + </p> + <p> + Mary, however, looked deeper into the letter. She even suspected that the + writer himself entertained a greater belief in his powers than he + declared. + </p> + <p> + "One has always felt the Grey Room is somehow associated with Italy," she + said. "The ceiling we know was moulded by Italians in Elizabeth's day." + </p> + <p> + "It was; but so are all the other moulded ceilings in the house as well." + </p> + <p> + "He may understand Italian workmanship, and know some similar roof that + hid a secret." + </p> + <p> + "The roof cannot conceal an assassin, and he clearly believes himself on + the track of a crime." Nevertheless, Sir Walter's interest increased as + the hour approached for their return home. Only when that was decided did + he discover how much he longed to be there. For the horror and suffering + of the past were a little dimmed already; he thirsted to see his woods and + meadows in their vernal dress, to hear the murmur of his river, and move + again among familiar voices and familiar paths. + </p> + <p> + Chadlands welcomed them on a rare evening of May, and the very genuine joy + of his people moved Sir Walter not a little. Henry Lennox was already + arrived, and deeply interested to read the Italian's letter. He and Mary + walked presently in the gardens and he found her changed. She spoke more + slowly, laughed not at all. But she had welcomed him with affection, and + been interested to learn all that he had to tell her of himself. + </p> + <p> + "I felt that it would disappoint you to be stopped at the last moment," + she said, "but I knew the reason would satisfy you well enough. I feel + hopeful somehow; father does not. Yet it is hope mixed with fear, for + Signor Mannetti speaks of a great crime." + </p> + <p> + "A vain theory, I'm afraid. Tell me about yourself. You are well?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, very well. You must come to Italy some day, Henry, and let me show + you the wonderful things I have seen." + </p> + <p> + "I should dearly love it. I'm such a Goth. But it's only brutal laziness. + I want to take up art and understand a little of what it really matters." + </p> + <p> + "You have it in you. Are you writing any more poetry?" + </p> + <p> + "Nothing worth showing you." + </p> + <p> + She exercised the old fascination; but he indulged in no hope of the + future. He knew what her husband had been to Mary, despite the shortness + of their union; and, rightly, he felt positive that she would never marry + again. + </p> + <p> + A mournful spectacle appeared, drawn by the sound of well-known voices, + and the old spaniel, Prince, crept to Mary's feet. He offered feeble + homage, and she made much of him, but the dog had sunk to a shadow. + </p> + <p> + "He must be put away, poor old beggar; it's cruel to keep him alive. Only + Masters said he was determined he should not go while Uncle Walter was + abroad. Masters has been a mother to him." + </p> + <p> + "Tell father that; he may blame Masters for letting him linger on like + this. He rather hoped, I know, that poor Prince would be painlessly + destroyed, or die, before he came back." + </p> + <p> + "Masters would never have let him die unless directed to do so." + </p> + <p> + "And I'm sure father could never have written the words down and posted + them. You know father." + </p> + <p> + Letters awaited the returned travellers, one from Colonel Vane, who + described his meeting with Signor Mannetti, and hoped something might come + of it; and another from the stranger himself. He expressed satisfaction at + his invitation, and proposed arriving at Chadlands on the following + Monday, unless directions reached him to the contrary. + </p> + <p> + When the time came, Sir Walter himself went into Exeter to meet his guest + and bring him back by motor-car. At first sight of the signor, his host + experienced a slight shock of astonishment to mark the Italian's age. For + Vergilio Mannetti was an ancient man. He had been tall, but now stooped, + and, though not decrepit, yet he needed assistance, and was accompanied + and attended by a middle-aged Italian. The traveller displayed a + distinguished bearing. He had a brown, clean-shaved face, the skin of + which appeared to have shrunk rather than wrinkled, yet no suggestion of a + mummy accompanied this physical accident. His hair was still plentiful, + and white as snow; his dark eyes were undimmed, and proved not only + brilliant but wonderfully keen. He told them more than once, and indeed + proved, that behind large glasses, that lent an owl-like expression to his + face, his long sight was unimpaired. His rather round face sparkled with + intelligence and humor. + </p> + <p> + He owned to eighty years, yet presented an amazing vitality and a keen + interest in life and its fulness. The old man had played the looker-on at + human existence, and seemed to know as much, if not more, of the game than + the players. He confessed to this attitude and blamed himself for it. + </p> + <p> + "I have never done a stroke of honest work in my life," he said. "I was + born with the silver spoon in my mouth. Alas, I have been amazingly lazy; + it was my metier to look on. I ought, at least, to have written a book; + but then all the things I wanted to say have been so exquisitely said by + Count Gobineau in his immortal volumes, that I should only have been an + echo. The world is too full of echoes as it is. Believe me, if I had been + called to work for my living, I should have cut a respectable figure, for + I have an excellent brain." + </p> + <p> + "You know England, signor?" + </p> + <p> + "When I tell you that I married an English-woman, and that both my sons + have English blood in their veins, you will realize the sincerity of my + devotion. My dear wife was a Somerset." + </p> + <p> + Mary May always declared that the old Italian won her heart and even + awakened something akin to affection before she had known him half an + hour. There was a fascination in his admixture of childish simplicity and + varied knowledge. None, indeed, could resist his gracious humor and + old-world courtesies. The old man could be simple and ingenuous, too; but + only when it pleased him so to be; and it was not the second childishness + of age, for his intellect remained keen and moved far more swiftly than + any at Chadlands. But he was modest and loved a jest. The hand of time had + indeed touched him, and sometimes his memory broke down and he faltered + with a verbal difficulty; but this only appeared to happen when he was + weary. + </p> + <p> + "The morning is my good time," he told them. "You will, I fear, find me a + stupid old fellow after dinner." + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti proved a tremendous talker, and implicitly revealed that + he belonged to the nobility of his country, and that he enjoyed the + friendship of many notable men. The subject of his visit was not mentioned + on the day of his arrival. He spoke only of Italy, laughed to think he had + passed through Florence to seek Sir Walter in England, and then, finding + his hostess a neophyte at the shrines of art, attuned himself to the + subject for her benefit. + </p> + <p> + "If you found pictures answer to an unknown need within yourself, that is + very well," he declared. "About music I know little; but concerning + painting a great deal. And you desire to know, too, I see. The spirit is + willing, but the spirit probably does not know yet what lies in front of + it. You are groping—blind, childlike—without a hand to guard + and an authority to guide. That is merely to waste time. When you go back + to Italy, you must begin at the beginning, if you are in earnest—not + at the middle. Only ignorance measures art in terms of skill, for there + are no degrees in art. None has transcended Giotto, because technique and + draughtsmanship are accidents of time; they lie outside the soul of the + matter. Art is in fact a static thing. It changes as the face of the sea + changes, from hour to hour; but it does not progress. There are great and + small artists and great and small movements, as there are great and small + waves, brisk breezes and terrific tempests; but all are moulded of like + substance. In the one case art, in the other, the ocean, remains + unchanged. I shall plan your instruction for you, if you please, and send + you to the primitives first—the mighty ones who laid the + foundations. I lived five years at Siena—for love of the beginnings; + and you must also learn to love and reverence the beginnings, if you would + understand that light in the darkness men call the Renaissance." + </p> + <p> + He broke from Mary presently, strove to interest Sir Walter, and + succeeded. + </p> + <p> + "A benevolent autocracy is the ideal government, my friend—the ideal + of all supreme thinkers—a Machiavelli, a Nietzsche, a Stendhal, a + Gobineau. Liberty and equality are terms mutually destructive, they cannot + exist together; for, given liberty, the strong instantly look to it that + equality shall perish. And rightly so. Equality is a war cry for fools—a + negation of nature, an abortion. The very ants know better. Doubtless you + view with considerable distrust the growing spirit of democracy, or what + is called by that name?" + </p> + <p> + "I do," admitted Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "Your monarch and mine are a little bitten by this tarantula. I am + concerned for them. We must not pander to the mob's leaders, for they are + not, and never have been, the many-headed thing itself. They, not the mob, + are 'out to kill,' as you say. But that State will soon perish that thinks + to prosper under the rule of the proletariat. Such a constitution would be + opposed to natural law and, therefore, contain the seeds of its own + dissolution. And its death would be inconceivably horrible; for the death + of huge, coarse organisms is always horrible. Only distinguished creatures + are beautiful in death, or know how to die like gentlemen." + </p> + <p> + "Who are on your side to-day, signor?" asked Henry Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "More than I know, I hope. Gobineau is my lighthouse in the storm. You + must read him, if you have not done so. He was the incarnate spirit of the + Renaissance. He radiated from his bosom its effulgence and shot it forth, + like the light of a pharos over dark waters; he, best of all men, + understood it, and, most of all men, mourned to see its bright hope and + glory perish out of the earth under the unconquerable superstition of + mankind and the lamentable infliction of the Jewish race. Alas! The Jews + have destroyed many other things besides the Saviour of us all." + </p> + <p> + They found the Renaissance to be the favorite theme of Signor Mannetti. He + returned again and again to it, and it was typical of him that he could + combine assurances of being a devout Catholic with sentiments purely + pagan. + </p> + <p> + "Christianity has operated in the making of many slaves and charlatans," + he said. "One mourns the fact, but must be honest. It has too often + scourged the only really precious members of society from the temple of + life. It has cast the brave and clean and virile into outer darkness, and + exalted the staple of humanity, which is never brave, or virile, and + seldom really clean. A hideous wave submerges everything that matters. The + proud, the beautiful—the only beings that justify the existence of + mankind—will soon be on the hills with the hawks and leopards, and + hunted like them—outcast, pariah, unwanted, hated." + </p> + <p> + "The spirit of christianity is socialistic, I fear," said Sir Walter. "It + is one of those things I do not pretend to understand, but the modern + clergy speak with a clear voice on the subject." + </p> + <p> + "Do your clergy indeed speak with a clear voice?" + </p> + <p> + "They do; and we must, of course, listen. Truth is apt to be painful. And + how can we reconcile our aristocratic instincts with our faith? I ask for + information and you will forgive the personality. I find myself in almost + entire agreement with your noble sentiments. But, as a good Christian, + ought I to be so? How do you stand with the one true faith in your heart + and these opinions in your head, signor?" + </p> + <p> + The old man twinkled and a boyish smile lighted his aged countenance. + </p> + <p> + "A good question—a shrewd thrust, Sir Walter. There can be only one + answer to that, my friend. With God all things are possible." + </p> + <p> + Henry laughed; his uncle was puzzled. + </p> + <p> + "You think that is no answer," continued the Italian. "But reason also + must have a place in the sun, though we have to hide it in our pocket + sometimes. So many great men would not extinguish their light—and + had it extinguished for them. A difficult subject. Let us continue to + think in compartments. It is safer so. If you are over eighty years old, + you love safety. But I love joy and romance also, and is not religion + almost the only joy and romance left to us? It is affirmation remember, + not negation, that makes the world go round! The 'intellectuals' forget + that, and they are sterile accordingly." + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti's wits were something too nimble for his hearers. He + talked and talked—about everything but the matter in their minds—until + half-past ten o'clock, when his man came after him. Thereupon he rose, + like an obedient child, and wished them "Good-night." + </p> + <p> + "Stephano is my guardian angel," he said—"a being of painful + punctuality. But he adds years to my life. He forgets nothing. I wish you + a kind farewell until to-morrow and offer grateful thanks for your + welcome. I breakfast in my room, if you please, and shall be ready at + eleven o'clock to put myself at your service. Then you will be so gracious + as to answer me some questions, and I shall, please God, try to help you." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. PRINCE DJEM + </h2> + <p> + The master of Chadlands was both drawn and repelled by his guest. Signor + Mannetti revealed a type of mind entirely beyond the other's experience, + and while he often uttered sentiments with which Sir Walter found himself + in cordial agreement, he also committed himself to a great many opinions + that surprised and occasionally shocked the listener. Sir Walter was also + conscious that many words uttered flew above his understanding. The old + Italian could juggle with English almost as perfectly as he was able to do + with his own language. He had his country's mastery of the phrase, the + ironies, the double meanings, half malicious, half humorous, the outlook + on humanity that delights to surprise—the compliment that, on closer + examination, proves really to be the reverse. Mary's father voiced his + emotions when the visitor had gone to bed. + </p> + <p> + "If it didn't seem impossible," he told Henry, "I could almost imagine + that Signor Mannetti was trying to pull my leg sometimes." + </p> + <p> + "He tries, and succeeds," answered young Lennox. "He is built that way. + His mind is as agile as a monkey, despite his age. He's a sly old bird; + his thoughts move a thousand times faster than ours, and they're a + thousand times more subtle." + </p> + <p> + "But he's very fascinating," declared Mary. + </p> + <p> + "He's a gentleman," answered Henry—"an Italian gentleman. They're + different from us in their ideas of good form, that's all. Good form is + largely a matter of geography—like most other manners and customs." + </p> + <p> + "I believe in him, anyway." + </p> + <p> + "So do I, Mary. I don't think he would ever have put himself to such + extraordinary trouble if he hadn't felt pretty hopeful." + </p> + <p> + But Sir Walter doubted. + </p> + <p> + "He's old and his mind plays him tricks sometimes. No doubt he's immensely + clever; but his cleverness belongs to the past. He has not moved with the + times any more than I have." + </p> + <p> + "His eye flashes still, and you know he has claws, but, like a dear old + Persian cat, he would never dream of using them." + </p> + <p> + "I think he would," answered her cousin. "He might spring on anybody—from + behind." + </p> + <p> + "He is, at any rate, too old to understand democracy." + </p> + <p> + "He understands it only too well," replied Sir Walter. "Like myself, he + knows that democracy is only autocracy turned inside out. Human nature + isn't constructed to bear any such ideal. It might suit sheep and oxen—not + men." + </p> + <p> + "He is an aristocrat, a survival, proud as a peacock under his humility, + as kind-hearted as you are yourself, father." + </p> + <p> + "I rather doubt his kindness of heart," said Henry. "Latins are not kind. + But I don't doubt his cleverness. One must be on one's guard against first + impressions, Mary." + </p> + <p> + "No, no one mustn't, when they're so pleasant. There is nothing small or + peddling about him. It was angelic of such an old man to take so much + trouble." + </p> + <p> + Henry Lennox reminded them of practical considerations. + </p> + <p> + "The first thing is to get the room opened for him. He is going to see + Uncle Walter at eleven o'clock, and he'll want to visit the Grey Room + afterwards. If we get Chubb and a man or two from the village the first + thing in the morning, they can help Caunter to open the room and have it + ready for him after lunch." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter rang and directed that workmen should be sent for at the + earliest hour next day. + </p> + <p> + "I feel doubtful as to what the authorities would say, however," he told + Henry, when his orders had been taken. + </p> + <p> + "What can they say, but be well pleased if the infernal thing is cleared + up?" + </p> + <p> + "It is too good to be true." + </p> + <p> + "So I should think, but I share Mary's optimism. I honestly believe that + Signor Mannetti knows a great deal more about the Grey Room than he has + let us imagine." + </p> + <p> + "How can he possibly do that?" asked his uncle. + </p> + <p> + "Time will show; but I'm going to back him." At eleven o'clock on the + following morning the visitor appeared. He walked with a gold-headed, + ebony cane and dressed in a fashion of earlier days. He was alert and + keen; his mind had no difficulty in concentrating on his subject. It + appeared that he had all particulars at his fingers' ends, and he went + back into the history of the Grey Room as far as Sir Walter was able to + take him. + </p> + <p> + "We are dealing with five victims to our certain knowledge," he said, "for + there is very little doubt that all must have suffered the same death and + under the same circumstances." + </p> + <p> + "Four victims, signor." + </p> + <p> + "You forget your aged relative—the lady who came to spend Christmas + with your father, when you were a boy, and was found dead on the floor. + Colonel Vane, however, recollected her, because you had mentioned her when + telling the story of Mrs. Forrester—Nurse Forrester." + </p> + <p> + "I never associated my aged aunt with subsequent tragedies—nobody + did." + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, it was not old age and a good dinner that ended her life. + She, too, perished by an assassin." + </p> + <p> + "You still speak of crime." + </p> + <p> + "If I am not mistaken, then 'crime' is the only word." + </p> + <p> + "But, forgive me, is it imaginable that the same criminal could destroy + three men last year and kill an old woman more than sixty years ago?" + </p> + <p> + "Quite possible. You do not see? Then I hope to have the privilege of + showing you presently." + </p> + <p> + "It would seem, then, that the malignant thing is really undying—as + poor May believed—a conscious being hidden there, but beyond our + sight and knowledge?" + </p> + <p> + "No, no, my friend. Let me be frank. I have no theory that embraces either + a good or evil spirit. Believe me, there are fewer things in heaven and + earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy. Man has burdened his brain + with an infinite deal of rubbish of his own manufacture. Much of his + principle and practice is built on myths and dreams. He is a credulous + creature, and insanely tenacious to tradition; but I say to you, suspect + tradition at every turn, and the more ancient the tradition, the more + mistrust it. We harbor a great deal too much of the savage still in us—we + still carry about far more of his mental lumber and nonsense than we + imagine. Intellect should simplify rather than complicate, and those to + come will look back with pity to see this generation, like flies, + entangled in the webs of thought their rude forefathers spun. But the + eternal verities are few; a child could count them. We are, however, a + great deal too fond of believing what our ancestors believed. Alas, nobody + sins more in this respect than I. Let us, then, throw overboard the + supernatural, once and for all, so far as the Grey Room is concerned. No + ghost haunts it; no succubus or succuba is hidden there, to harry the life + out of good men and women." + </p> + <p> + "It is strange that you should take almost the identical line of thought + that poor Peter Hardcastle took. I hope to God you are right!" + </p> + <p> + "So far I am most certainly in the right. We can leave the other world out + of our calculations." + </p> + <p> + He asked various questions, many of which did not appear to bear on the + subject, but he made no suggestions as yet, and advanced no theories. He + suspected that Peter Hardcastle might have arrived at a conclusion had not + death cut short his inquiry. From time to time he lifted his hand gently + for silence, and permitted a reply to penetrate his mind. + </p> + <p> + "I think very slowly about new things now," he said. "An idea must sink in + gradually and find its place. That is the worst of new ideas. There is so + little room for them when you are eighty. The old and settled opinions + fill the space, and are jealous and resent newcomers." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter explained to him presently that the room was being opened, and + would be ready after luncheon. Whereupon he expressed concern for the + workers. + </p> + <p> + "Let them have a care," he said, "for, if I am right, the danger is still + present. Let them work with despatch, and not loiter about." + </p> + <p> + "No harm has ever undertaken more than one, when in the room alone. The + detectives saw and felt nothing." + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, the assassin was quite equal to smudging out the + detectives, believe me, Sir Walter." + </p> + <p> + The day was fine, and Signor Mannetti expressed a wish to take the air. + They walked on the terrace presently, and Mary joined them. He asked for + her arm, and she gave it. + </p> + <p> + Prince padded beside her, and the visitor declared interest in him. + </p> + <p> + "Like myself, your dog is on the verge of better things," he said. "He + will do good deeds in the happy hunting grounds, be sure." + </p> + <p> + They told him the feats of Prince, and he appeared to be interested. + </p> + <p> + "Nevertheless, the faithful creature ought to die now. He is blind and + paralysis is crippling his hinder parts." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter patted the head of his ancient favorite. + </p> + <p> + "He dies on Friday," he said. "The vet will come then. I assure you the + thought gives me very genuine pain." + </p> + <p> + "He has earned euthanasia, surely. What is that fine tree with great white + flowers? I have seen the like before, but am sadly ignorant of + horticulture." + </p> + <p> + "A tulip-tree," said Mary. "It's supposed to be the finest in Devonshire." + </p> + <p> + "A beautiful object. But all is beautiful here. An English spring can be + divine. I shall ask you to drive me to primroses presently. Those are + azaleas—that bank of living fire—superb!" + </p> + <p> + He praised the scene, and spoke about the formal gardens of Italy. + </p> + <p> + Then, when luncheon was finished and he had smoked a couple of cigarettes, + Signor Mannetti rose, bowed to Sir Walter, and said: + </p> + <p> + "Now, if you please." + </p> + <p> + They accompanied and watched him silently, while his eyes wandered round + the Grey Room. + </p> + <p> + The place was unchanged, and the dancing cherubs on the great chairs + seemed to welcome daylight after their long darkness. + </p> + <p> + The visitor wandered slowly from end to end of the chamber, nodded to + himself, and became animated. Then he checked his gathering excitement, + and presently spoke. + </p> + <p> + "I think I am going to help you, Sir Walter," he said. + </p> + <p> + "That is great and good news, signor." + </p> + <p> + Then the old man became inconsequent, and turned from the room to the + contents. If, indeed, he had found a clue, he appeared in no haste to + pursue it. He entered now upon a disquisition concerning the furniture, + and they listened patiently, for he had showed that any interruption + troubled him. But it seemed that he enjoyed putting a strain upon their + impatience. + </p> + <p> + "Beautiful pieces," he said, "but not Spanish, as you led me to suppose. + Spanish chestnut wood, but nothing else Spanish about them. They are of + the Italian Renaissance, and it is most seemly that Italian craftsmanship + of such high order should repose here, under an Italian ceiling. Strange + to say, my sleeping apartment at Rome closely resembles this room. I live + in a villa that dates from the fifteenth century, and belonged to the + Colonna. My chests are more superb than these; but your suite—the + bed and chairs—I confess are better than mine. There is, however, a + reason for that. Let us examine them for the sake of Mrs. May. Are these + carved chairs, with their reliefs of dancing putti, familiar to her—the + figures, I mean?" + </p> + <p> + Mary shook her head. + </p> + <p> + "Then it is certain that in your Italian wanderings you did not go to + Prato. These groups of children dancing and blowing horns are very + cleverly copied from Donatello's famous pulpit in the duomo. The design is + carried on from the chairs to the footboard of the bed; but in their midst + upon the footboard is let in this oval, easel-picture, painted on wood. It + is faded, and the garlands have withered in so many hundred years, as well + they might; but I can feel the dead color quite well, and I also know who + painted it." + </p> + <p> + "Is it possible, signor—this faint ghost of a picture?" + </p> + <p> + "There exists no doubt at all. You see a little Pinturicchio. Note the gay + bands of variegated patterns, the arabesques and fruits. Their hues have + vanished, but their forms and certain mannerisms of the master are + unmistakable. These dainty decorations were the sign manual of such + quattrocento painters as Gozzoli and Pinturicchio; and to these men he, + for whom these works of art were created, assigned the painting and + adornment of the Vatican. We will come to him directly. It was for + Michelangelo to make the creations of these artists mere colored bubbles + and froth, when seen against the immensity and intellectual grandeur of + his future masterpieces in the Sistine. But that was afterwards. We are + concerned with the Pope for whom these chairs and this bed were made. Yes, + a Pope, my friends—no less a personage than Alexander VI.!" + </p> + <p> + He waited, like a skilled actor, for the tremendous sensation he expected + and deserved. But it did not come. Unhappily for Signor Mannetti's great + moment, his words conveyed no particular impression to anybody. + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter asked politely: + </p> + <p> + "And was he a good, or a bad Pope? I fear many of those gentlemen had + little to their credit." + </p> + <p> + But the signor felt the failure of his great climax. At first he regretted + it, and a wave of annoyance, even contempt, passed unseen through his + mind; then he was glad that the secret should be hidden for another + four-and-twenty hours, to gain immensely in dramatic sensation by delay. + Already he was planning the future, and designing wonderful histrionics. + He could not be positive that he was right; though now the old man felt + very little doubt. + </p> + <p> + He did not answer Sir Walter's question, but asked one himself. + </p> + <p> + "The detectives examined this apartment with meticulous care, you say?" + </p> + <p> + "They did indeed." + </p> + <p> + "And yet what can care and zeal do; what can the most conscientious + student achieve if his activities are confounded by ignorance? The amazing + thing to me is that nobody should have had the necessary information to + lead them at least in the right direction. And yet I run on too fast. + After all, who shall be blamed, for it is, of course, the Grey Room and + nothing but the Grey Room we are concerned with. Am I right? The Grey Room + has the evil fame?" + </p> + <p> + "Certainly it has." + </p> + <p> + "And yet a little knowledge of a few peculiar facts—a pinch of + history—yet, once again, who shall be blamed? Who can be fairly + asked to possess that pinch of history which means so much in this room?" + </p> + <p> + "How could history have helped us, signor?" asked Henry Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "I shall tell you. But history is always helpful. There is history + everywhere around us—not only here, but in every other department of + this noble house. Take these chairs. By the accident of training, I read + in them a whole chapter of the beginnings of the Renaissance; to you they + are only old furniture. You thought them Spanish because they were bought + in Spain—at Valencia, as a matter of fact. You did not know that, + Sir Walter; but your grandfather purchased them there—to the despair + and envy of another collector. Yes, these chairs have speaking faces to + me, just as the ceiling over them has a speaking face also. It, too, is + copied. History, in fact, breathes its very essence in this home. If I + knew more history than I do, then other beautiful things would talk to me + as freely as these chairs—and as freely as the trophies of the chase + and the tiger skins below no doubt talk to Sir Walter. But are we not all + historical—men, women, even children? To exist is to take your place + in history, though, as in my case, the fact will not be recorded save in + the 'Chronicles' of the everlasting. Yes, I am ancient history now, and go + far back, before Italy was a united kingdom. Much entertaining information + will be lost for ever when I die. Believe me, while the new generation is + crying forth the new knowledge and glorying in its genius, we of the old + guard are sinking into our graves and taking the old knowledge with us. + Yet they only rediscover for themselves what we know. Human life is the + snake with its tail in its mouth—Nietzsche's eternal recurrence and + the commonplaces of our forefathers are echoed on the lips of our children + as great discoveries." + </p> + <p> + Henry Lennox ventured to bring him back to the point. + </p> + <p> + "What knowledge—what particular branch of information should a man + possess, signor, to find out what you have found?" + </p> + <p> + "Merely an adornment, my young friend, a side branch of withered learning, + not cultivated, I fear, by your Scotland Yard. Yet I have known country + gentlemen to be skilled in it. The practice of heraldry. I marked your + arms on your Italian gates. I must look at those gates again—they + are not very good, I fear. But the arms—a chevron between three + lions—a fine coat, yet probably not so ancient as the gates." + </p> + <p> + "It was such a thing as bothered me in Florence," said Sir Walter. "I'd + seen it before somewhere, but where I know not—a bull's head of gold + on a red field." + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti started and laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Ha-ha! We will come to the golden bull presently, Sir Walter. You shall + meet him, I promise you!" + </p> + <p> + Then he broke off and patted his forehead. + </p> + <p> + "But I go too quickly—far too quickly indeed. I must rest my poor + brain now, or it will rattle in my head like a dry walnut. When it begins + to rattle, I know that I have done enough for the present. May I walk in + the garden again—not alone, but with your companionship?" + </p> + <p> + "Of course, unless you would like to retire and rest for a while." + </p> + <p> + "Presently I shall do so. And please permit nobody to enter the Grey Room + but myself. Not a soul must go or come without me." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter spoke. + </p> + <p> + "You still believe the peril is material then—an active, physical + thing, controlled by a conscious human intelligence?" + </p> + <p> + "If I am right, it certainly is active enough." + </p> + <p> + They went into the garden, and Signor Mannetti, finding a snug seat in the + sun, decided to stop there. Henry and his uncle exchanged glances, and the + latter found his faith weakening, for the Italian's mind appeared to + wander. He became more and more irrelevant, as it seemed. He spoke again + of the old dog who was at his master's feet. + </p> + <p> + "Euthanasia for the aged. Why not? For that matter, I have considered it + for myself in dark moments. Have you ever wondered why we destroy our + pets, for love of them, yet suffer our fellow creatures to exist and + endure to the very dregs Nature's most fiendish methods of dissolution? + Again one of those terrible problems where mercy and religion cannot see + eye to eye." + </p> + <p> + They uttered appropriate sentiments, and again the old man changed the + subject and broke new ground. + </p> + <p> + "There was a prince—not your old dog—but a royal lad of the + East—Prince Djem, the brother of the Sultan Bajazet. Do you know + that story? Possibly not—it is unimportant enough, and to this day + the sequel of the incident is buried in a mystery as profound as that of + the Grey Room. Our later historians whitewash Alexander VI. concerning the + matter of Prince Djem; but then it is so much the habit of later + historians to whitewash everybody. A noble quality in human nature perhaps—to + try and see the best, even while one can only do so by ignoring the worst. + Certainly, as your poet says, 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder'; or, + at any rate, softer. There is a tendency to side with the angels where we + are dealing with historic dead. Nero, Caligula, Calvin, Alva, Napoleon, + Torquemada—all these monsters and portents, and a thousand such + blood-bespattered figures are growing whiter as they grow fainter. They + will have wings and haloes presently. Yet not for me. I am a good hater, + my friends. But Prince Djem—I wander so. You should be more severe + with me and keep me to my point. Sultan Bajazet wanted his younger brother + out of the way, and he paid the Papacy forty thousand ducats a year to + keep the young fellow a prisoner in Italy. It was a gilded captivity and + doubtless the dissolute Oriental enjoyed himself quite as well at Rome as + he would have done in Constantinople. But after Alexander had achieved the + triple tiara, Bajazet refused to pay his forty thousand ducats any longer. + The Pope, therefore, wrote strongly to the Sultan, telling him that the + King of France designed to seize Prince Djem and go to war on his account + against the Turks. This does not weary you?" + </p> + <p> + "No, indeed," declared Mary. + </p> + <p> + "Alexander added, that to enable him to resist the French and spare + Bajazet's realms the threatened invasion, a sum of forty thousand ducats + must be immediately forthcoming. The Sultan, doubtless appalled by such a + threat, despatched the money with a private letter. He was as great a + diplomat as the Pope himself, and saw a way to evade this gigantic annual + impost by compounding on the death of Djem. Unfortunately for him, + however, both the papal envoy and Bajazet's own messenger were captured + upon their return journey by the brother of Cardinal della Rovere—Alexander's + bitterest enemy. Thus the contents of the secret letter became known, and + the Christian world heard with horror how Bajazet had offered the occupant + of St. Peter's throne three hundred thousand ducats to assassinate Prince + Djem! + </p> + <p> + "Time passed, and the Pope triumphed over his enemies. He prepared to + abandon the person of the young Turk to Charles of France, and effectively + checkmated the formidable Rovere for a season. But then, as we know, + Prince Djem suddenly perished, and while latest writers declare that he + actually reached France, only to die there, ruined by his own + debaucheries, I, for one, have not accepted that story. He never reached + France, my friends, for be sure Alexander VI. was not the man to let any + human life stand between his treasury and three hundred thousand ducats." + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti preserved silence for a time, then he returned in very + surprising fashion to the subject that had brought him to Chadlands. He + had been reflecting and now proceeded with his thoughts aloud. + </p> + <p> + "You must, however, restrain your natural impatience a little longer, + until another night has passed. I will, if you please, myself spend some + hours in the Grey Room after dark, and learn what the medieval spirits + have to tell me. Shall I see the wraith of Prince Djem, think you? Or the + ghost of Pinturicchio hovering round his little picture? Or those bygone, + cunning workers in plaster who built the ceiling? They will at least talk + the language of Tuscany, and I shall be at home among them." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter protested. + </p> + <p> + "That, indeed, is the last thing I could permit, signor," he said. + </p> + <p> + "That is the first thing that must happen, nevertheless," replied the old + gentleman calmly. "You need not fear for me, Sir Walter. I jest about the + spirits. There are no spirits in the Grey Room, or, if there are, they are + not such as can quarrel with you, or me. There is, however, something much + worse than any spirit lurking in the heart of your house—a potent, + sleepless, fiendish thing; and far from wondering at all that has + happened, I only marvel that worse did not befall. But I have the magic + talisman, the 'open sesame.' I am safe enough even if I am mistaken. + Though my fires are burning low, it will take more than your Grey Room to + extinguish them. I hold the clue of the labyrinth, and shall pass safely + in and out again. To-morrow I can tell you if I am right." + </p> + <p> + "I confess that any such plan is most disagreeable to me. I have been + specially directed by the authorities to allow no man to make further + experiments alone." + </p> + <p> + Vergilio Mannetti showed a trace of testiness. "Forgive me, but your mind + moves without its usual agility, my friend. Have I not told you + everything? What matters Scotland Yard, seeing that it is entirely in the + dark, while I have the light? Let them hear that they are bats and owls, + and that one old man has outwitted the pack of them!" + </p> + <p> + "You have, as you say, told us much, my dear signor, and much that you + have said is deeply interesting. In your mind it may be that these various + facts are related, and bring you to some sort of conclusion bearing on the + Grey Room; but for us it is not so. These statements leave us where they + find us; they hang on nothing, not even upon one another in our ears. I + speak plainly, since this is a matter for plain speaking. It is natural + that you should not feel as we feel; but I need not remind you that what + to you is merely an extraordinary mystery, to us is much more. You have + imagination, however, far more than I have, and can guess, without being + told, the awful suffering the past has brought to my daughter and myself." + </p> + <p> + "Our slow English brains cannot flash our thoughts along so quickly as + yours, signor," said Mary. "It is stupid of us, but—" + </p> + <p> + "I stand corrected," answered the other instantly. He rose from his seat, + and bowed to them with his hand on his heart. + </p> + <p> + "I am a withered old fool, and not quick at all. Forgive me. But thus it + stands. Since you did not guess, through pardonable ignorance of a certain + fact, then, for the pleasure of absolute proof, I withhold my discovery a + little longer. There is drama here, but we must be skilled dramatists and + not spoil our climax, or anticipate it. To-morrow it shall be—perhaps + even to-night. You are not going to be kept long in suspense. Nor will I + go alone and disobey Scotland Yard. Your aged pet—this spaniel dog—shall + join me. Good Prince and I will retire early and, if you so desire it, we + shall be very willing to welcome you in the Grey Room—say some six + or seven hours later. I do not sleep there, but merely sustain a vigil, as + all the others did. But it will be briefer than theirs. You will oblige + me?" + </p> + <p> + Mary spoke, seeing the pain on her father's face. She felt certain that + the old man knew perfectly what he was talking about. She had spoken aside + to Henry, and he agreed with her. Mannetti had solved the mystery; he had + even enabled them to solve it; but now, perhaps to punish them for their + stupidity, he was deliberately withholding the key, half from love of + effect, half in a spirit of mischief. He was planning something + theatrical. He saw himself at the centre of the stage in this tragic + drama, and it was not unnatural that he should desire to figure there + effectively after taking so much trouble. Thus, while Sir Walter still + opposed, he was surprised to hear Mary plead on the visitor's behalf, and + his nephew support her. + </p> + <p> + "Signor Mannetti is quite right, father; I am positive of it," she said. + "He is right; and because he is right, he is safe." + </p> + <p> + "Admirably put!" cried the Italian. "There you have the situation in a + nutshell, my friends. Trust a clever woman's intuition. I am indeed right. + Never was consciousness of right so impressed upon my mind—prone as + I am always to doubt my own conclusions. I am, in fact, right because I + cannot be wrong. Trust me. My own safety is absolutely assured, for we are + concerned with the operations of men like ourselves—at least, I hope + very different from ourselves, but men, nevertheless. It was your fate to + revive this horror; it shall be my privilege to banish it out of the + earth. At a breath the cunning of the ungodly shall be brought to nought. + And not before it is time. But the mills of God grind slowly. Our + achievement will certainly resound to the corners of the civilized world." + </p> + <p> + "I'm as positive as the signor himself that he is safe, uncle," said Henry + Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "Let us go to tea," replied Sir Walter. "These things are far too deep for + a plain man. I only ask you to consider all this must mean to me who am + the master of Chadlands and responsible to the authorities. Reflect if ill + overtook you." + </p> + <p> + "It is impossible that it can." + </p> + <p> + "So others believed. And where are they? Further trouble would unhinge my + mind, signor." + </p> + <p> + "You have endured enough to make you speak so strongly, and your brave + girl also. But fear nothing whatever. I am far too deeply concerned and + committed on your behalf to add a drop to the bitter drink of the past, my + dear Sir Walter. I am as safe in that room as I should be at the altar + steps of St. Peter's. Trust old Prince, if you cannot trust me. I rely + largely on your blind pet to aid me. He has good work to do yet, faithful + fellow." + </p> + <p> + "The detectives took animals into the room, but they were not hurt," said + Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "Neither shall the dog be hurt." + </p> + <p> + He patted the sleeping spaniel, and they rose and went into the house + together. + </p> + <p> + Mannetti evidently assumed that his wishes were to be granted. + </p> + <p> + "I will go and sleep awhile," he said. "Until an early dinner, excuse me, + and let Mrs. May and Mr. Lennox convince you, as they are themselves + convinced. These events have immensely excited my vitality. I little + guessed that, at the end of my days, a sensation so remarkable lay in + store for me. I must conserve my strength for to-night. I am well—very + well—and supported by the consciousness of coming triumph. Such an + achievement would have rewarded my long journey and these exertions, even + had not your acquaintance been ample reward already. I will, then, sleep + until dinner-time, and so be replenished to play my part in a wonderful + though melancholy romance. Let us dine at seven, if you please." + </p> + <p> + His excitement and natural levity strove with the gloomy facts. He + resembled a mourner at a funeral who experiences pleasant rather than + painful emotions but continually reminds himself to behave in a manner + appropriate to the occasion. + </p> + <p> + They sent for his man, and, on Stephano's arm, the old gentleman withdrew. + </p> + <p> + He returned for a moment, however, and spoke again. + </p> + <p> + "You will do exactly as I wish and allow no human being to enter the Grey + Room. Keep the key in your pocket, Sir Walter; and do not go there + yourself either. It is still a trap of death for everybody else in the + world but myself." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. THE GOLDEN BULL + </h2> + <p> + When Masters came to clear the tea, he found Sir Walter still unconvinced. + </p> + <p> + "What do you think of Signor Mannetti, Masters?" asked Henry; and the + butler, who was a great reader of the newspapers, made answer. + </p> + <p> + "I think he's a bit of a freak, Mr. Henry. They tell me that old people + can have a slice of monkey slipped into 'em nowadays—to keep 'em + going and make 'em young and lively again. Well, I should say the + gentleman had a whole monkey popped in somewhere. I never see such + another. He's got a tongue like a rat-trap, and he leaves you guessing + every time. He's amazing clever; so's his man. That Stephano knows a thing + or two! He's got round Jane Bond something disgraceful. I never knew what + was in Jane—and her five and fifty if she's an hour." + </p> + <p> + "Would he be safe in the Grey Room?" said Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "He'd be safe anywhere. The question in my mind is whether our silver's + safe; and a few other things. I catched him poking about in the silver + table only this morning. He knows what's what. He knows everything. I + wouldn't say he ain't one of the swell mob myself—made up to look + like an old man. I'll swear he's never seen eighty years for all he + pretends." + </p> + <p> + Henry laughed. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you be frightened of him, Masters; he's all right." + </p> + <p> + "Let him go in the Grey Room by all means, Mr. Henry. He knows he's safe + anywhere. Yes, Sir Walter, he knows he's safe enough. He's got the measure + of it." + </p> + <p> + "Prince is to go with him, Masters." + </p> + <p> + "Prince! Why, ma'am?" + </p> + <p> + "We don't know. He wishes it. He can't hurt poor old Prince anyway." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I sha'n't sleep no worse; and I hope none of you won't, if you'll + excuse me. Come what will, there's nothing in the Grey Room will catch + that man napping. Not that I'm against the gentleman in general, you + understand. Only I wouldn't trust him a foot. He's play-acting, and he's + no more a foreigner than I am—else he couldn't talk so fine English + as I do, if not finer." + </p> + <p> + "Masters is on our side, father," said Mary. "And he's right. The signor + is play-acting. He loves to be in the centre of the stage. All old people + do, and one of the pathetic things in life is that they're seldom allowed + to be. So he's making the most of his opportunity." + </p> + <p> + "And if you refuse, Uncle Walter, he'll only go away and say he cannot + help you, and accuse us of giving him all this trouble for nothing," added + Henry Lennox. + </p> + <p> + They had their wish at last, and when Signor Mannetti came down to an + early dinner in splendid spirits, Sir Walter conceded his desire. + </p> + <p> + "Good, my friend! And do not fear that a night of anxiety awaits you. + Indeed, if I am not mistaken, it will be possible for us all to sleep very + soundly, though we may go to bed rather late. But I think we must be + prepared not to retire till after two o'clock. I will enter upon my watch + at eight—in half an hour. The door shall be left open, as you wish. + But I beg that none will approach the east end of the corridor. That is + only fair. I will, however, permit Mr. Lennox to station himself on the + top of the great staircase, and from time to time he may challenge me. He + shall say 'Is all well?' and be sure I shall answer 'All is well.' Could + anything be more satisfactory?" + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti ate sparingly, then he donned a big, fur, motor-coat and + declared himself ready. They thought he had forgotten Prince, but he + insisted upon the company of the ancient spaniel. The dog had fed, and he + could sleep as well in one place as another. + </p> + <p> + "Fear not," said the Italian. "I shall be considerate to your ancient pet. + I do not beg his aid without reason. He is on my side and will help me if + he can—infirm though he be. I have made friends with him. Set him at + my feet. I will sit here under the electric light and read my Italian + papers." + </p> + <p> + Thus once again a solitary occupied the Grey Room and measured his + intelligence against the terrible forces therein concealed. Signor + Mannetti took leave of them cheerfully at eight o'clock, and while Sir + Walter and Mary descended to the library, Henry took up his station at the + head of the staircase. The corridor was lighted and the door of the Grey + Room left open. + </p> + <p> + But in ten minutes the watcher looked out and cried to Lennox, who sat + smoking about thirty-five yards from him. + </p> + <p> + "There is a great draught here," he said. "I will close the door, but + leave it ajar that we may salute each other from time to time." + </p> + <p> + The hours crept on and since everybody at Chadlands knew what was + happening, few retired to rest. It was understood that some time after + midnight Signor Mannetti hoped to declare the result of his experiment. + </p> + <p> + Henry Lennox challenged half-hourly, always receiving a brisk reply. But a + little after half-past one his "All well, signor?" received no response. + He raised his voice, but still no answer came. He went to the door, + therefore, and looked into the Grey Room. The watcher had slipped down in + the armchair they had set for him under the electric light, and was lying + motionless, but in an easy position. He still wore his fur-coat. Prince + Henry did not see. The room was silent and cold. The electric light burned + brightly, and both windows were open. Young Lennox hastened downstairs. + His thoughts concentrated on his uncle, and his desire was to spare him + any needless shock. For a moment he believed that Signor Mannetti had + succumbed in the Grey Room, as others before him, but he could not be + certain. A bare half-hour had elapsed since the watcher had uttered a + cheerful answer to the last summons, and told them his vigil was nearly + ended. Lennox sought Masters, therefore, told him that the worst was to be + feared, yet explained that the old man who had watched in the Grey Room + might not be dead but sunk in sleep. + </p> + <p> + Masters was sanguine that it might be so. + </p> + <p> + "Be sure he is so. I'll fetch the liqueur brandy," and, armed with his + panacea, he followed Henry upstairs. Signor Mannetti had not moved, but as + they approached him, to their infinite relief he did so, opened his eyes, + stared wildly about him, and then realized the situation. + </p> + <p> + "Alas! Now I have frightened you out of your senses," he said, looking at + their anxious faces. "All is well. In less than another hour I should have + summoned Sir Walter. But just that last half-hour overcame me, and I sank + into sleep. What is the time?" + </p> + <p> + "A quarter to two, signor." + </p> + <p> + "Good! Then let your uncle be summoned. I have found out the secret." + </p> + <p> + "A thimbleful of old cognac, signor?" asked Masters. + </p> + <p> + "Willingly, my friend, willingly. I see how wise you both were. I approve + and thank you. You thought that I had followed the others into the shades, + yet meant to restore me if you could without frightening Sir Walter. To go + to sleep was unpardonable." + </p> + <p> + Abraham Masters and Henry descended with the good news, while the old man + drank. + </p> + <p> + "I shall detain you half an hour or so," he said, when they all returned + to him. "But I have no fear that anybody will want to fall asleep." + </p> + <p> + Sir Walter spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Thank Heaven, signor, thank Heaven! All is well with you?" + </p> + <p> + "All is absolutely well with me, but then I have slept refreshingly for + some time. You, I fear, have not closed your eyes." + </p> + <p> + "Would you have any objection to Masters hearing what you may have to tell + us? By so doing a true and ungarbled report will get out to Chadlands." + </p> + <p> + "My report will go out to the whole world, Sir Walter. All is accomplished + and established on certain proofs. Your good spaniel has played his part + also. I salute him—the old Prince." + </p> + <p> + Henry now observed that the dog was stretched on the floor at Signor + Mannetti's feet. + </p> + <p> + "Still asleep?" + </p> + <p> + Mary knelt to pat the spaniel and started back. + </p> + <p> + "How horribly cold he is!" + </p> + <p> + "For ever asleep—a martyr to science. He was to die on Friday, + remember. He has received euthanasia a little sooner, and nothing in his + life has become him like the leaving of it. The last victim of the Grey + Room. Mourn him not, he passed without a pang—as did his betters." + </p> + <p> + "But, but—you spoke of crime and criminals!" gasped Sir Walter. + </p> + <p> + "And truly. Great crimes have been committed in this room and great + criminals committed them. Is a crime any less a crime because the doers + have mouldered in their dishonored graves for nearly five hundred years?" + </p> + <p> + "Your handling of speech is not ours, and you use words differently. The + old dog did not suffer, you say? How did he come to die—in his + sleep?" + </p> + <p> + "Even so. Without a sigh, the last venerable victim of this murdering + shadow." + </p> + <p> + "You saw him die, and yet were safe yourself, sir?" asked Lennox. + </p> + <p> + "That is what happened. Now sit down all of you, father Abraham also, and + in five minutes all will be as clear as day." + </p> + <p> + They obeyed him silently. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, a master criminal, one whose name has rung down the ages and will + from to-morrow win a further resonance. Would that we could bring him to + account; but he has already gone to it, if justice lies at the root of + things, as all men pray, and you and I believe, Sir Walter. An interesting + reflection: How many suffer, if they do not actually perish, from the sins + of the dead? Not only the sins of our father are visited upon us, but, if + we could trace the infliction, the crimes of countless dead men + accomplished long before we were born into this suffering world. I speak + in a parable, but this is literal, actual. Dead men committed these + murders, and left this legacy of woe." + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti stroked the lifeless spaniel. + </p> + <p> + "When we were left alone I picked him up and set him on the bed. He did + not waken, and I knew that he would never waken again. Now let us look at + this noble bed, if you please. Here is the link, you see, without which so + much that I told you yesterday must have sounded no more than the idle + chatter of an old man. Come and use your eyes. Ah, if only people had used + their eyes sooner!" + </p> + <p> + They followed him, and he pointed to a framework of carved wood that + connected the four posts. + </p> + <p> + "What is this on the frieze running above the capitals of the little Ionic + pillars?" + </p> + <p> + "The papal crown and keys," said Mary. + </p> + <p> + "Good! Now regard the other side." + </p> + <p> + "A coat of arms—a golden bull on a red ground—why, father, + that was what puzzled you at Florence!" + </p> + <p> + "Surely it was. The thing stuck in my memory, yet I could not remember + where I had seen it before." + </p> + <p> + Signor Mannetti prepared for his effect, then made it. + </p> + <p> + "The arms of the Borgia! The arms of the Spanish Pope, Alexander VI. of + unholy memory. So all is told, and we will soon go to bed. Having marked + them this morning, you will see how readily I was led into the heart of + the secret. It only needed some such certain sign. And everything that had + happened was consonant with this explanation. The first to suffer puzzled + me; but I solved that problem, too. You shall hear how each woman and each + man was slain. Look at this mattress upholstered in satin—there lies + the unsleeping thing that brings sleep so quickly to others! I guessed it + this morning; I proved it to-night. At seventeen minutes past eight Prince + was dead; but not until I awoke, near two o'clock, did I dare approach + him. For how did he die? The moment the heat of his ancient body + penetrated the mattress under him, it released its awful venom. He + stretched himself, curled up again, and, as the exhalation rose, with + scarcely a tremor he passed from sleep into death. Needless to tell you + that I kept far from him, for I guessed that not until the poor fellow was + cold would the demon in the mattress sink down and disappear, as the + effret into his bottle. Then mattress and dog were alike harmless, as they + are now. I gave him only five hours, for he was a small, thin beast, and + the heat soon left his body." + </p> + <p> + "But, signor—" + </p> + <p> + "I shall anticipate all your objections if you will listen a little + longer, dear Mrs. May. Let us sit again, and question me after I have + spoken, if any doubts remain unanswered. Another liqueur, Masters." + </p> + <p> + He sipped, and preserved silence for a few moments, while none spoke. Then + from his armchair he traversed the story of the Grey Room, and proved + amazingly familiar with the smallest detail of it. Indeed, when at last he + had finished, none could find any questions to ask. "There are two very + interesting preliminary facts to note, my friends," began the signor. He + beamed upon them, and enjoyed his own exposition with unconcealed gusto. + "The first is that a room, already suffering from sinister traditions, and + held to be haunted, should have been precisely that into which this + infernal engine of destruction was introduced. Yet what more natural? You + have the furniture, and, for the time being, do not know what to do with + it. The house is already full of beautiful things, and these surplus + treasures you store here, to be safe and out of the way, in a room which + is not put to its proper use. You are not collectors or experts. Sir + Walter's father did not share his father's enthusiasm, neither did Sir + Walter care for old furniture. So the pieces take their place in this + room, and are, more or less, forgotten. + </p> + <p> + "That is the first interesting fact, and the second seems to me to be + this: that those who perished here in living memory all died at different + places in the room, and so died that their deaths could not be immediately + and undeviatingly traced to the bed. Hardcastle, for example, as you have + related his conversation, did not associate the death of poor Captain May + with that of the lady of the hospital eleven years before; and Sir Walter + himself saw no reason to connect the still earlier death of his aged aunt, + which took place when he was a boy, with the disaster that followed. + </p> + <p> + "Let us now examine for a moment the amazing fact that none of the + stigmata of death was found in those who perished here. + </p> + <p> + "Death has three modes—the pale horseman strikes us down by + asphyxia, by coma, and by syncope. In asphyxia he stabs the lungs; in coma + his lance is aimed at the brain; in syncope, at the heart. + </p> + <p> + "When a man dies by asphyxia, it means that the action of the muscles by + which he breathes is stopped, or the work of his lungs prevented by + injury, or the free passage of air arrested, as in drowning, or + strangulation. It may also mean that embolism has taken place, and the + pulmonary artery is blocked, withholding blood from the lungs. But it was + not thus that any died in this chamber. + </p> + <p> + "Coma occurs through an apoplexy, or concussion; by the use of certain + narcotic or mineral poisons; and in various other ways, all of which are + ruled out for us. + </p> + <p> + "There remains syncope. A heart ceases to beat from haemorrhage, or + starvation, from exhaustion, or the depressing influence of certain drugs. + They who died here died from syncope; but why? No autopsy can tell us why. + They passed with only their Maker to sustain them, and none leaves behind + an explanation of what overtook him, or her. Yet we know full well, even + in the case of Peter Hardcastle, concerning whom the police felt doubt, + that he was quite dead before Mr. Lennox discovered him and picked him up. + We know that the phenomena of rigor mortis had already set in before his + body reached London. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing, however, is new under the sun. Many journals related the fact + that these people had passed away without a cause, as though it were an + event without a parallel. It is not. Your Dr. Templeman, in 1893, + describes two examples of sudden death with absolute absence of any + pathological condition in any part of the bodies to account for it. He + describes the case of a man of forty-three, and calls it 'emotional + inhibition of the heart.' The heart was arrested in diastole, instead of + systole, as is usually the case; the mode of death was syncope; the cause + of death, undiscoverable. + </p> + <p> + "A layman may be permitted, I suppose, to describe 'emotional inhibition + of the heart' as 'shock'; but we know, in our cases, that if a shock, it + was not a painful one—perhaps not even an unpleasant one. Since all + other emotions can be pleasant or unpleasant, why must we assume that the + supreme emotion of death may not be pleasant also, did we know how to make + it so? Perhaps the Borgia, among their secrets, had discovered this. At + least the familiar signs of death were wholly absent from the countenances + of the dead. The jaws were not set; the familiar, expressions were not + changed, as usually happens from rigidity of facial muscles; their faces + were not sallow; their temples were not sunk; their brows were not + contracted. + </p> + <p> + "We will now take the victims, one by one, and show how death happened to + each of them, yet left no sign that it had happened. Frankly, the first + case alone presented any difficulties to me. For a time I despaired of + proving how the bed had destroyed Sir Walter's ancestor, because she had + not entered it. But the difficulty becomes clear to one possessing our + present knowledge, for once prove the properties of the bed, and the rest + follows. You will say that they were not proved, only guessed. That was + true, until Prince died. His death crowned my edifice of theory and + converted it to fact. As to why the bed has these properties, that is for + science to find out presently. + </p> + <p> + "To return, then, to the old lady, the ancient woman of your race, who + came unexpectedly to the Christmas re-union and was put to sleep in the + Grey Room at her own wish. She was found dead next morning on the floor. + She had not entered the bed. The exact facts have long disappeared from + human knowledge, and it is only possible to re-construct them by inference + and the support of those straightforward events that followed. I conceive, + then, that though the old lady did not create the warmth that liberated + the evil spirit of the bed and so destroyed her, that warmth was + nevertheless artificially created. What must have happened, think you? The + bed is made up in haste and the fire lighted. But the fire is a long way + from the bed, and would have no effect to create the necessary + temperature. There is, however, a hot-water bottle in the bed, or a hot + brick wrapped in flannel. The old lady is about to enter her bed. She has + extinguished her candle, but the flame of the fire gives light. She has + prayed; she throws off her dressing-gown and flings back the covering of + the bed, to fall an instant victim to the miasma. She drops backward and + is found dead next morning, by which time the bottle and bed are also + cold. + </p> + <p> + "Taken alone, I grant this explanation may fail to win your sympathy; but + consider the cumulative evidence in store. The old lady may, of course, + have died a natural death. She may not have turned down the bed. There is + nobody living to tell us. All that Sir Walter can recollect is that she + was found on the floor of the room dead. Exactly where, he does not + remember. But for my own part I have no doubt whatever that her death took + place in that way. + </p> + <p> + "We are on safer ground with the other tragic happenings, though, save in + the case of Nurse Forrester, there is nothing on the surface of events to + connect their deaths with the accursed bed. You will see, however, that it + is very easy to do so. In the lady's case all is clear enough. She goes to + bed tired and she sleeps peacefully into death without waking. She is + probably asleep within ten minutes, before her own warmth has penetrated + through sheet and blanket to the mattress beneath and so destroyed her. + Suppose that she is dead in half an hour. She retired to rest at ten + o'clock; she is called at seven; the room is presently broken into and she + is then not only dead, but cold. The demon has gone to sleep again under + its lifeless burden. Now had she been stout and well covered, there had + hardly been time for her to grow cold, and those who came to her + assistance might even have perished, too. But she is a little, thin thing, + and the heat has gone out of her. This assured the safety of those who + came to the bedside. One can make no laws as to the time necessary for a + dead body to grow as cold as its surroundings. The bodies of the old and + the young cool more quickly than those of adult persons. If the conditions + are favorable a body may cool in six to eight hours. Prince took but five, + poor little bag of bones. + </p> + <p> + "In the case of Captain May the conditions are altogether different. Let + me speak with all tenderness and spare you pain. Be sure that he suffered + no more than the others. The bed is now no longer made; the mattress is + bare. That matters not to him. Clad in his pyjamas, with a railway rug to + cover him and his dressing-gown for a pillow, he flings himself down, and + from his powerful and sanguine frame warmth is instantly communicated to + the mattress that supports him. Probably but a few minutes were sufficient + to liberate the poison. He is not asleep, but on the edge of sleep when he + becomes suddenly conscious of physical sensations beyond his experience. + He had breathed death, but yet he is not dead. His brain works, and can + send a message to his limbs, which are still able to obey. But his hour + has come. He leaps from the bed in no suffering, but conscious, perhaps of + an oppression, or an unfamiliar odor—we cannot say what. We only + know that he feels intense surprise, not pain for in that dying moment his + emotions are fixed for ever by the muscles of his face. He needs air and + seeks it. He hurries to the recess, kneels on the cushion, and throws open + the window. Or the window may have been already open—we cannot tell. + To reach it is his last conscious act, and in another moment he is dead. + The bed is not suspected. Why should it be? Who could prove that he had + even laid down upon it? Indeed it was believed and reported at the inquest + that he had not done so. Yet that is what unquestionably happened. + Otherwise his candle would have burned to the socket. He had blown it out + and settled to rest, be sure. + </p> + <p> + "We have now to deal with the detective, and here again there was nothing + to associate his death with the bed of the Borgia. Yet you will see + without my aid how easily he came by his death. Peter Hardcastle desires + to be alone, that he may study the Grey Room and everything in it. He is + left as he wishes, walks here and there, sketches a ground plan of the + room and exhausts its more obvious peculiarities. Would that he had known + the meaning of the golden bull! Presently he strikes a train of thought + and sits down to develop it. Or he may not have finished with the room and + have taken a seat from which he could survey everything around him. He + sits at the foot of the bed—there on the right side. He makes his + notes, then his last thoughts enter his mind—abstract reflection on + the subject of his trade. For a moment he forgets the matter immediately + in hand and writes his ideas in his book. He has been sitting on the bed + now for some while—how long we know not, but long enough to create + the heightened temperature which is all the watchful fiend within the + mattress requires to summon him. Then ascends the spirit of death, and + Hardcastle, surprised as Captain May was surprised, leaps to his feet. He + takes two or three steps forward; his book and pen fall from his hand and + he drops upon his face—a dead man. He is, of course, still warm when + Mr. Lennox finds him; but the bed he leaped from is cold again and + harmless—its work done. + </p> + <p> + "There remains the priest, the Rev. Septimus May. He neither lay on the + bed, nor sat upon it. But what did he do? He clearly knelt beside it a + long time, engaged in prayer. Nothing more natural than that he should + stretch his arms over the mattress; bury his face in his hands, and so + remain in commune with the Almighty, uttering petition after petition for + the being he conceived as existing in the Grey Room, without power to + escape from it. Thus leaning upon the bed with his arms stretched upon it + and his head perhaps sunk between them, he presently creates that + heightened temperature sufficient to arouse the destroyer. It enters into + him—how, we know not yet—and he sinks unconscious to the + floor, while the bed is quickly cold again. + </p> + <p> + "As to the four detectives—Inspector Frith and his men—pure + chance saved the life of at least one of them, and by so doing, chance + also prevented them from discovering that the bed in their midst was the + seat of all the trouble. Had one among them taken up his watch upon it, he + would certainly have died in the presence of his collaborators; but the + men sat on chairs in the corners of the room, and the chairs were + harmless. Whether their gas masks would indeed have saved them remains, of + course, to be proved. I doubt it. + </p> + <p> + "Such, my friends, were the masterpieces of the Borgia, for whom the + profoundest chemists worked willingly enough and by doing so doubtless + made their fortunes. Their poisons were so designed to act that, by their + very operation, the secrets of them were concealed, and all clues + obliterated. Chemistry knows nothing of the supernatural, yet can, as in + this case, achieve results that may well appear to be black magic. + </p> + <p> + "And if we, of this day, fail to find them out, it is easy to guess that + in their own times, much that they caused to be done was set down to the + operations of Heaven alone. + </p> + <p> + "Science will be deeply interested in your Borgia mattress, Sir Walter. + Science, I doubt not, will carefully unpick it and make a series of very + remarkable experiments; yet I make bold to believe that science may be + baffled by the cunning and forgotten knowledge of men long dust. We shall + see as to that." + </p> + <p> + He rose and bade Masters call Stephano. Then, with a few words, they + parted, and each shook the old man's hand and expressed a deep and genuine + gratitude before they did so. + </p> + <p> + "A little remains to add," said Signor Mannetti. "You shall hear what it + is to-morrow. For the moment, 'Good-night!' It has been a crowning joy to + my long life that I was able to do this service to new and valued + friends." + </p> + <p> + In the servants' hall next morning Masters related what he had heard. + </p> + <p> + "And if you ask me," he concluded, "I draw back what I thought about him + being younger than he pretends. He's older—old as the hills—older + than that horror in the Grey Boom. He's a demon; and he's killed the old + dog; and I believe he's a Borge himself if the truth was known." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. TWO NOTES + </h2> + <p> + They walked in the garden next morning, and Sir Walter delayed to write to + Scotland Yard until after seeing Signor Mannetti again. The old gentleman + descended to them presently, and declared himself over-fatigued. + </p> + <p> + "I must sit in the sun and go to sleep again after lunch," he said. + "Stephano is annoyed with me, and hints at the doctor." + </p> + <p> + "Mannering will be here to lunch. You will understand that nobody is more + deeply interested in these things than he." + </p> + <p> + "But yourself," said Mary. "Come and sit down and rest. You are looking + very tired to-day." + </p> + <p> + "A little reaction—no more. It was worth it." He then proceeded + where he had broken off on the preceding night. + </p> + <p> + "There remains only to tell you how I found myself caught up in your sad + story. It had not occurred to you to wonder?" + </p> + <p> + "I confess I had never thought of that, signor. You made us forget such a + trifling detail." + </p> + <p> + "But, none the less, you will want to know, Sir Walter. Our common friend, + Colonel Vane, put the first thought in my head. He laid the train to which + I set the match so well. He it was who described the Grey Room very + exactly, and the moment that I heard of the ancient carved furniture, I + knew that he spoke of curios concerning which I already had heard. The + name of Lennox completed the clue, for that had already stirred memories + in my ancient mind. I had listened to my father, when I was young, telling + a story in which a bed and chairs and a gentleman named Lennox were + connected. He spoke of an ancient Italian suite of three pieces, the work + of craftsmen at Rome in the fifteenth century. It was papal furniture of + the early Renaissance, well known to him as being in a Spanish collection—a + hundred and fifty years ago that is now—and when these things came + into the market, he rejoiced and hurried off to Valencia, where it was to + be sold. For he was even such a man as your grandfather—a + connoisseur and an enthusiastic collector. But, alas, his hopes were + short-lived; he found himself in opposition to a deeper purse than his + own, and it was Sir John Lennox, not my father, who secured the bed and + the two chairs that go with it. These things, as I tell you, returned to + my recollection, and, remembering them, I guessed myself upon the right + track. The arms of the Borgia, and the successful experiment with the dog, + Prince, proved that I was correct in guessing where the poison lay + hidden." + </p> + <p> + "It is impossible to express my sense of your amazing goodness, or my + gratitude, or my admiration for your genius," declared Sir Walter; but the + other contradicted him. + </p> + <p> + "Genius is a great word to which I can lay no claim. I have done nothing + at all that you yourself might not have done, given the same knowledge. As + for gratitude, if indeed that is not too strong an expression also, you + can show gratitude in a very simple manner, dear friend. I am a practical, + old man and, to be honest, I very greatly covet the Borgia bed and chairs. + Now, if indeed you feel that I am not asking too grand a favor—a + favor out of all keeping with my good offices on your behalf—then + let me purchase the bed and chairs, and convey them with me home to Rome. + It is seemly that they should return to Rome, is it not? Rome would + welcome them. I much desire to sleep in that bed—to be where I am so + sure Prince Djem lay when he breathed his last. Yes, believe me, he + received your bed as a gracious present from Alexander VI. The Borgia were + generous of such gifts." + </p> + <p> + "The bed and chairs are yours, my dear signor, and the rest of the + contents of the Grey Room, also, if you esteem them in any way." + </p> + <p> + "Positively I could not, Sir Walter." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed you shall. It is done, and leaves me greatly your debtor still." + </p> + <p> + "Then be it so. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Nor will I say + that you oppress me with such extraordinary generosity, for is it not more + blessed to give than receive? Heavens knows what dark evils the bed may + have committed in the course of its career, but its activities are at an + end. For me it shall bring no more than honest slumber. But the mattress—no. + I do not want the mattress. That will be a nice present for the museum of + your Royal College of Surgeons." + </p> + <p> + A week later the old man was sufficiently rested, and he returned home, + taking his treasures with him. But he did not depart until he had won a + promise that Sir Walter and Mary would visit him at Rome within the year. + </p> + <p> + Experts again descended upon Chadlands, packed the source of tribulation + with exceeding care, and conveyed it to London for examination. Those + destined to make the inquiry were much alive to their perils, and took no + risk. + </p> + <p> + Six weeks later letters passed between England and Rome, and Sir Walter + wrote to Signor Mannetti, sending such details as he was able to furnish. + </p> + <p> + "A thin, supple wire was found to run between the harmless flock of the + mattress and the satin casing," wrote Sir Walter. "Experiments showed that + neither the stuffing nor the outer case contained any harmful substance. + But the wire, of which fifty miles wound over the upper and lower surfaces + of the mattress under its satin upholstery, proved infinitely sensitive to + heat, and gave off, or ejected at tremendous speed, an invisible, highly + poisonous matter even at a lower temperature than that of a normal human + being. Insects placed upon it perished in the course of a few hours, and + it destroyed microscopic life and fish and frogs in water at comparatively + low temperatures, that caused the living organisms no inconvenience until + portions of the wire were introduced. A cat died in eight minutes; a + monkey in ten. No pain or discomfort marked the operation of the wire on + unconscious creatures. They sank into death as into sudden sleep, and + examination revealed no physical effects whatever. The wire is an alloy, + and the constituent metals have not yet been determined; but it is not an + amalgam, for mercury is absent. The wire contains thallium and helium as + the spectroscope shows; but its awful radioactivity and deadly emanation + has yet to be explained. The chemical experts have a startling theory. + They suspect there is a new element here—probably destined to occupy + one of the last unfilled places of the Periodic Table, which chronicles + all the elements known to science. Chemical analysis fails to reach the + radio-active properties, and for their examination the electroscope and + spinthariscope are needful. With these the radio-chemists are at work. The + wire melted at a lower temperature than lead, but melting did not destroy + its potency. After cooling, the metal retained its properties and was + still responsive, as before, to warmth. But experiment shows that in a + molten state, the metal of the wire increases in effect, and any living + thing brought within a yard of it under this condition succumbs instantly. + Its properties cannot be extracted, so far, from the actual composition of + the wire. They prove also that the emanation from the warmed wire is + exceedingly subtle, tenuous, and volatile. Save under conditions of + super-heat, it only operates at two feet and a few inches, and the wire + naturally grows cold very quickly. It is almost as light as aluminium. A + gas mask does not arrest the poison; indeed, it evidently enters a body + through the nearest point offered to it and a safe shield has not yet been + discovered. + </p> + <p> + "I shall tell you more when we know more," concluded Sir Walter. "But at + present it looks as though your prophecy were correct, and that science is + not going to get at the bottom of the horrible secret easily. Dr. + Mannering says that the properties of the elements have yet to be fully + determined, while the subject of alloys was never suspected of containing + such secrets as may prove to be the case. If more there is to learn, you + shall learn it." + </p> + <p> + In his reply, Signor Mannetti declared that the Borgia bed continued to be + a source of extreme satisfaction and comfort to him. + </p> + <p> + "As yet no vision has broken my slumbers, but I continue to hope that the + Oriental features of Sultan Bajazet's brother may presently revisit the + place of his taking off, and that Prince Djem will some night afford me + the pleasure of a conversation. How much might we tell each other that + neither of us knows! + </p> + <p> + "As to the wire, my friend, I will explain to you how that was probably + created and, right or wrong, there is nobody on this earth at present who + can prove my theory to be mistaken. Be sure that a medieval alchemist, + searching in vain for elixir vitae, or the philosopher's stone, chanced + upon this infernal synthesis and fusion. For him, no doubt, it proved a + philosopher's stone in earnest, for the Borgia always extended a generous + hand to those who could assist their damnable activities. Transmutation—so + a skilled friend assures me—is now proved to be a fact, and another + generation will be able perhaps to make gold, if the desire for that + accursed mineral continues much longer to dominate mankind. + </p> + <p> + "Farewell for the present. Again to see you and your daughter is one of + those pleasures lying in wait for me, to make next winter a season of + gladness rather than dismay. But do not change your minds. One must keep + faith with a man of eighty, or risk the possibilities of remorse." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Grey Room, by Eden Phillpotts + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREY ROOM *** + +***** This file should be named 1577-h.htm or 1577-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/7/1577/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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