"Good little darling! Sweet, gentle baby! It does not scream and fight as other babies do: no never. It is mamma's own precious treasure--and mamma is going to dress it presently and put on its pretty worked robe. Oh, baby, baby!" she broke off, her mood changing, and the distress3 at her heart rising to the surface, above the momentary4 make-believe dalliance, "if we could but be at rest as others are! We should be happier than the day has hours in it."
The accession of illness, attacking Sir Adam on the previous day, the great risk they ran in calling in a doctor to him, had shaken poor Rose's equanimity5 to the centre. She strove to be brave always, for his sake; she had been in the habit of keeping-in as well as she could the signs of the dread6 that ever lay upon her, and she had done so in a degree yesterday. But in the evening when the doctor had safely gone, and the day and its troubles were over, she had yielded to a sudden fit of hysterical7 weeping. Her husband came into the room in the midst of it. He partly soothed8, partly scolded her: where was the use of fretting9, he asked; better take matters as they came. With almost convulsive efforts she swallowed her sobs10 and dried her eyes; and turned the tables on him by gently reproaching him with getting up, when Dr. Cavendish had peremptorily11 enjoined12 him to stay in bed. Sir Adam laughed at that: saying he felt none the worse for his fainting fit, or whatever it was, and was not going to lie abed for all the doctors in Christendom.
The cheery morning sun is a great restorer--a gladdening comforter: and Rose felt its influence. During her sleepless13 night, nothing could be more disheartening, nothing more gloomy than the view pervading14 her mind: but this morning, with that glorious light from heaven shining on all things, she and the earth alike revived under it. One great thing she felt incessant15 thankfulness for; it was a real mercy--that that miserable16 visitation of the detective and his policemen had not been delayed to the day of Sir Adam's illness. Had they caught him in bed, no earthly power, she thought, could have saved him. Karl, stealing over for a few minutes at night, to see for himself what this alarm of increased illness of his brother's could mean, had warned them both to be prepared, for he had reason to fancy the search might be repeated.
"This spot is getting more dangerous day by day," murmured Rose to herself, pouring out another cup of tea. "Oh, if we could but get away from it! London itself seems as though it would be safer than this."
She proceeded with her meal very slowly, her thoughts buried in schemes for their departure. Of late she had been ever weaving a web of possibility for it, a cunning plan of action: and she thought she had formed one. If necessary she would stay on at the Maze with her baby--oh, for months--for years even--so that Adam could but get away. Until this man the detective--more feared by her, more dreadful to contemplate17 than any man born into the world yet--should take his departure from the place, nothing might be attempted: they could only remain still and quiet; taking what precautions they could against surprise and recapture, and she praying always that her husband might be spared this last crowning calamity18: beyond which, if it took place, there would never more be anything in this world but blank despair.
Ann Hopley was upstairs, making the beds, and attending to matters there generally. Until her room was ready, and the fire had burnt up well to dress the baby by, Mrs. Grey would stay where she was: consequently she was at full liberty to linger over her breakfast. There was something in the extreme quietness of the little child, and in its passive face, that to a more experienced eye might have suggested doubts of its well-being19: a perfectly20 healthy infant is apt to be as troublesome as it can be. Mrs. Grey suspected nothing. It had improved much since its baptism, and she supposed it to be getting strong and healthy. A soft sweet plaintive21 note escaped the child's lips.
"Yes, my baby. Mamma has not forgotten you. The room will soon be warm, and baby shall be dressed. And then mamma will wrap it up well and wrap herself up, and sit out of doors in the sunshine. And papa----"
The words broke off in a low wail22 of horror; her heart seemed to die away in the faintness of sick despair. Something like a dark cloud had passed the window, shutting out for a moment the glad sunshine on the grass. It was Mr. Detective Strange: and, following closely on his heels, were the two same policemen, both of them this time in official clothes. They had come through the maze without warning, no doubt by the help of the passe-partout, and were making swiftly for the entrance-door--that lay open to the morning air. Her supposition was that they had fathomed24 Adam's system of concealment25.
"God help us! God save and protect us!" breathed the poor wife, clasping her hands, and every drop of blood going out of her ashy face.
Mr. Strange, who had seen her through the window, was in the room without a moment's delay. He was courteous27 as before; he meant to be as considerate as the nature of his mission allowed him to be: and even before he had spoken a word, the keen, practised eye took in the visible signs. The small parlour affording no possibility for the concealment of Salter; the baby on the sofa; the breakfast, laid for one only, of which Mrs. Grey was partaking.
He was very sorry to be obliged to intrude29 upon her again: but he had orders once more to search the Maze, and could but obey them. And he begged her to believe that she herself, individually, should be subjected to no annoyance30 or restraint.
She made no answer: she could collect neither thoughts nor words to do so in her terrible fear. Mr. Strange retreated with a bow and closed the door again, making a mental comment upon her evident distress, her ghastly looks.
"There's no mistake, I think, that he is ready to our hands this time: her face alone would betray it. The curious thing is--where was he before?"
Ann Hopley had finished the rooms, and was kneeling before the fire in her mistress's chamber32, coaxing33 an obstinate34 piece of coal to burn, and blowing at it with her lips with all her might, when a slight noise caused her to turn. There stood Mr. Strange, a policeman at his elbow. She had not heard the entrance. Up she got, and stood staring; unable to believe her eyes, and startled almost into screaming. But she knew how much lay upon her--almost life or death.
"Goodness bless me!" cried she, speaking freely, as she strove to brave it out, and shaking inwardly. "Whatever brings you folks here again?"
"We have to go through the house once more."
"How did you get in?"
"Quite legally," replied Mr. Strange. "I have to do my duty."
So entirely35 was she unprepared for this, and perhaps fearing that in her state of dismayed perplexity she might let fall some dangerous word of admission, feeling also that she could do no good to her master by staying, but might do harm, Ann Hopley withdrew, after giving the fire a gentle lift with the poker36, and went down to the kitchen with a cool air, as if resolved not to let the affair interrupt her routine of work. Taking up a small basket of what she would have termed "fine things," recently washed, consisting of caps and bits of lace, and such like articles pertaining37 to the baby, she carried it out of doors beyond the end of the lawn, and began putting the things on gooseberry bushes to dry. Old Hopley was pottering about there, doing something to the celery bed. The policeman left on guard below, and standing38 so that his sight could command all things, surveyed her movements with a critical eye. She did not go out of his sight, but came back with the basket at once. While spreading the things, she had noted39 him watching her.
"I daresay I'm a kind of genteel prisoner," ran her thoughts. "If I attempted to go where those ugly eyes of his couldn't follow me, he might be for ordering me back, for fear I should be giving warning to the master that they are here. Well, we can do nothing; it is in Heaven's hands: better they came in to-day than yesterday!"
Mr. Detective Strange had rarely felt surer of anything than he was that he should find Philip Salter in bed, and capture him without the slightest difficulty in his sick state. It was not so to be. Very much to his amazement40, there appeared to be no sign whatever of a sick man in the place. The rooms were all put in order for the day, the beds made; nothing was different from what it had been at the time of his previous entrance. Seek as he would, his practised eye could find no trace--nay41, no possibility--of any hidden chamber. In fact, there was none.
"Where the deuce can the fellow be?" mused42 Mr. Strange, gazing about him with a thoughtful air.
The underground places were visited with as little success, though the search he made was minute and careful. He could not understand it. That Salter had not been allowed time to escape out of doors, so rapid was their first approach, he knew; but, nevertheless, the trees and grounds were well examined. Hopley lifted his poor bent43 back from his work in the celery-bed--from which, as the watching policeman could have testified, he had not stirred at all--to touch his straw hat when the detective passed. Mr. Strange answered by a nod, but did not accost44 him. To question the deaf old man would be only waste of time.
There was some mystery about all this; a mystery he--even he--could not at present fathom23. Just one possibility crossed his mind and was exceedingly unwelcome--that Salter, alarmed by the stir that was being made, had in truth got away. Got away, in spite of the precautions that he, Strange, in conjunction with the police of Basham, had been for the past day or two taking, secretly and unobserved.
He did not believe it. He did not wish to believe it. And, in truth, it seemed to him not to be possible, for more reasons than one. A man in the condition of health hinted at by Dr. Cavendish would be in no state for travelling. But still--with the Maze turned, as he honestly believed, inside out, and showing no signs or trace of Salter, where was he?
This took up some time. Ann Hopley had got her preparations for dinner forward, had answered the butcher's bell and taken in the meat: and by and by went across the garden again to cut two cauliflowers. She was coming back with them in her apron45, when Mr. Strange met her, and spoke28.
"I have a question or two to put to you, Mrs. Hopley, which I must desire of you to answer--and to answer correctly. Otherwise I shall be obliged to summon you before the magistrates46 and compel your answers on your oath. If you are wise you will avoid giving me and yourself that trouble."
"As far as answering you goes, sir, I'd as soon answer as be silent," she returned, in a temperate47 but nevertheless injured tone. "But I must say that it puts my temper up to see an innocent and inoffensive young lady insulted as my poor mistress is. What has she done to be signalled out for such treatment? If she were not entirely unprotected here, a lone31 woman, you'd not dare to do it. You told her the other day you were in search of one Salter: and you know that you looked in every hole and corner our house has got, and must have satisfied yourself that no Salter was here. And yet, here you come in, searching again!"
"It was not Salter, I suppose, who was ill yesterday; for whom Dr. Cavendish was telegraphed?" rejoined Mr. Strange, significantly, having allowed her speech to run on to its end. "Perhaps you will tell me that?"
"Salter! That I'll take my oath it was not, sir."
"Who was it, then?"
"Well, sir, it was no one that you could have any concern with."
"I am the best judge of that. Who was it? Remember, I ask you in the name of the law, and you must answer me."
"That gentleman came down on a short visit to my mistress, and was taken ill while he stayed. It frightened us out of our senses; it was a fainting-fit, or something of that sort, but he looked for all the world like a man dead; and I ran off and telegraphed for a doctor."
The detective's eyes were searching Ann Hopley through and through. She did not flinch48: and looked innocent as the day.
"What has become of him?"
"He went away again last night, sir."
"Went away, did he!"--in a mocking tone of incredulity.
"He did, sir. After the doctor left he got up and dressed and came down, saying he was better. He didn't seem to think much of his illness; he had been as bad, he said, before. I confess I was surprised, myself, to hear he was going away, for I thought him not well enough to travel. But I believe he was obliged to go."
"What was his name?"
"I did not hear it, sir. He was here but a few hours in all."
"Look here, Mrs. Hopley: if you will tell me where that gentleman came from, and what his name is, I will give you five sovereigns."
Her eyes opened, apparently49 with the magnitude of the offer.
"I wish I could, sir. I'm sure I should be glad to earn all that, if it were in my power; for I don't believe Hopley will be able to work over-much longer, and we are laying up what little we can. I think he came from London, but I am not sure: and I think he's going off to some foreign country, for he and my mistress were talking of the sea. She wished him a good voyage and a safe landing. I heard her."
The detective paused. Was this true or false? "What was his name? Come, Mrs. Hopley?"
"Sir, I have said that I did not hear his name. He came without our expecting him, or I might have heard beforehand. My mistress called him Edward: but of course that must be his Christian50 name. I understood him to be some relation of hers."
"I wonder what Hopley could tell me of this?" cried the detective, looking at her.
"Hopley could tell you nothing--but of course you are welcome to ask him if you please. Hopley never saw him at all, as far as I know; and I did not say anything to the old man about it. If you question Hopley, sir, I must help you--you'd be a month making him hear, yourself."
"How is it that you keep your husband in ignorance of things?--as you seem to do."
"Of what things, sir?" rejoined the woman. "I'm sure I don't keep things from him: I have no things to keep. It's true I didn't tell him of this. I was uncommonly51 tired last night, for it had been a trying day, and full of work besides; and it takes no little exertion52, I can testify, to make Hopley understand. One can't gossip with him, as one can with people who have got their hearing."
This was no doubt true. The detective was frightfully at fault, and did not conceal26 from himself that he was. The woman seemed so honest, so open, so truthful53; and yet he could have staked his professional fame that there lay mystery somewhere, and that the sick man had not gone away. Instinct, prevision--call it what you will--told him that the man was lying close to his hand--if he could only put that hand out in the right direction and lay it on him. Bending his head, he took a few steps about the grass: and Ann Hopley, hoping she was done with, went into the kitchen with her cauliflowers.
Letting them fall on to the dresser out of her apron, she gave a sharp look around, indoors and out. The detective was then conversing54 with his two policemen, whom he had called up. Now was her time. Slipping off her shoes--though it was not likely her footsteps could be heard out on the lawn--she went across the passage, and opened the door of the little room: from which Mrs. Grey, in her fear and distress, had not dared to stir.
"Mistress," she whispered, "I must give you the clue of what I have been saying, lest they come and ask you questions too. It would never do for us to have two tales, you one and me another. Do you mind me, ma'am?"
"Go on, Ann. Yes."
"The sick gentleman came unexpectedly yesterday, and was taken sick here. You and me got frightened, and sent telegraphing off for a doctor. He got up after doctor left--said he was better--didn't seem to think much of his illness, said he had been as bad before. Went away again at night; had to go; was going off to sea, I thought, as I heard you wish him a good voyage and safe landing. I didn't know his name, I said; only heard you call him Edward: thought it was some near relation of yours.--Can you remember all this, ma'am?"
"Oh yes. You had better go back, Ann. If they see you talking to me--oh, go back! Ann, I--I feel as though I should die."
"Nay, but you must keep up," returned the woman in a kind tone. "I'll bring you in a beat-up egg with a drop of wine in it. And, ma'am, you might say he was your brother if they come to close questioning: or brother-in-law. Don't fear. I'd lay all I'm worth they won't light upon the master. Twice they went within a yard or two of him, but----"
There was some noise. Ann Hopley broke off, closed the door softly, stole back again, and slipped her feet into her shoes. In less than a minute, when one of the men sauntered up, throwing his eyes through all the windows, she was in the scullery pumping water over her cauliflowers with as much noise as she could make.
Ann Hopley had judged correctly. Mr. Strange went to the little room, knocking for permission to enter, and there held an audience of its mistress. The baby lay on her lap now, fast asleep. His questions were tended to get a confirmation--or contradiction--of the servant's ready tale. Mrs. Grey, though in evident tremor55, and looking only fit for a ghost, had caught the thread of her lesson well, and answered correctly. Some particulars she had to improvise56; for his questions were more minute than they had been to Ann Hopley.
His name?--Grey. What relation?--Brother-in-law. What did he come down for?--To say goodbye before embarking57 for Australia. Where would he take ship?--She did not know; forgot: oh, now she remembered, it was Gravesend. Was she in the habit of seeing him?--Not often. He was never long together in one place, always travelling about. But was he in a fit state to travel? She did not know. She had thought he looked very ill and begged him to remain at least until to-day, but he said he could not as he might lose his ship. Did he come down to Foxwood by train?--Oh yes, by train: there was no other way. And go up by train I--To be sure. Which train?--One of the evening trains: thought it was past eight when he left the Maze.
"It's the time for my mistress to take her egg," interposed Ann Hopley at this juncture58, entering the room with the said egg in a tumbler. "I suppose she's at liberty to do it."
To this last little fling Mr. Strange answered nothing. Ann Hopley put the tumbler on the table and withdrew. Poor Mrs. Grey looked too weak and ill to lift it to her lips, and let it stay where it was.
"Can it possibly be true that you are still in search of Philip Salter?--here?" she asked, raising her troubled eyes to the detective's.
"It is quite true," he replied.
"And that you really believe him to be concealed59 here?"
"Madam, I could stake my life upon it."
She shook her head in feeble impotence, feeling how weak she was to combat this fixed60 belief. It was the old story over again. Nevertheless she made one more effort. Mr. Strange was watching her.
"Sir, I do not know what to say more than I said before. But I declare to you once again, as solemnly as I can ever speak anything in this life, as solemnly as I shall one day have to answer before my Maker61, that I know nothing of Philip Salter. He never was here at all to my knowledge, later or earlier. Why will you not leave me in peace?"
Mr. Detective Strange began to think that he should have to leave her in peace. Twice had he carried this fortress62 by storm to search at will its every nook and corner: and searched in vain. Armed with great power though he was, the law would not justify63 these repeated forcible entries, and he might be called to account for exceeding his duty. But the man was there--as surely as that the sun was in the heavens: and yet he could not unearth64 him. He began to think there must be caves underground impenetrable to the eye of man, with some invisible subtle entrance to them through the earth itself--and perhaps a subterranean65 passage communicating with Mr. Smith's abode66 opposite.
And so, the second search ended as the first had done--in signal failure. Once more there was nothing left for the detective but to withdraw his men and himself, and to acknowledge that he was for the time defeated.
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1
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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wondrously
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| adv.惊奇地，非常，极其 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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pervading
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的现在分词 ) | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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calamity
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well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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fathomed
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| 理解…的真意( fathom的过去式和过去分词 )； 彻底了解； 弄清真相 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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pertaining
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| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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accost
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| v.向人搭话，打招呼 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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temperate
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| adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的 | |
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flinch
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| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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50
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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51
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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52
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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53
truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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54
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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55
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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56
improvise
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| v.即兴创作；临时准备，临时凑成 | |
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57
embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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58
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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59
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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60
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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61
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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62
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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63
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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64
unearth
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| v.发掘，掘出，从洞中赶出 | |
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65
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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66
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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