"And how many have you in charge?"
"At present we have not more than ten, all together."
"Princ.i.p.ally females, I presume?"
"Oh, no-every one of them men, and stout fellows, too, I can tell you."
"Indeed! I have always understood that the majority of lunatics were of the gentler s.e.x."
"It is generally so, but not always. Some time ago, there were about twenty-seven patients here; and, of that number, no less than eighteen were women; but, lately, matters have changed very much, as you see."
"Yes-have changed very much, as you see," here interrupted the gentleman who had broken the shins of Ma"m"selle Laplace.
"Yes-have changed very much, as you see!" chimed in the whole company at once.
"Hold your tongues, every one of you!" said my host, in a great rage. Whereupon the whole company maintained a dead silence for nearly a minute. As for one lady, she obeyed Monsieur Maillard to the letter, and thrusting out her tongue, which was an excessively long one, held it very resignedly, with both hands, until the end of the entertainment.
"And this gentlewoman," said I, to Monsieur Maillard, bending over and addressing him in a whisper-"this good lady who has just spoken, and who gives us the c.o.c.k-a-doodle-de-doo-she, I presume, is harmless-quite harmless, eh?"
"Harmless!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed he, in unfeigned surprise, "why-why, what can can you mean?" you mean?"
"Only slightly touched?" said I, touching my head. "I take it for granted that she is not particularly-not dangerously affected, eh?"
"Mon dieu! qw qwwhat is it you imagine? This lady, my particular old friend, Madame Joyeuse, is as absolutely sane as myself. She has her little eccentricities, to be sure-but then, you know, all old women-all very very old women-are more or less eccentric!" old women-are more or less eccentric!"
"To be sure," said I,-"to be sure-and then the rest of these ladies and gentlemen-"
"Are my friends and keepers," interrupted Monsieur Maillard, drawing himself up with hauteur, hauteur,qx-"my very good friends and a.s.sistants."
"What! all of them?" I asked-"the women and all?"
"a.s.suredly," he said,-"we could not do at all without the women; they are the best lunatic nurses in the world; they have a way of their own, you know; their bright eyes have a marvellous enect-something like the fascination of the snake, you know."
"To be sure," said I,-"to be sure! They behave a little odd, eh?-they are a little queer, queer, eh?-don"t you think so?" eh?-don"t you think so?"
"Odd!-queer!-why, do you really really think so? We are not very prudish, to be sure, here in the South-do pretty much as we please-enjoy life, and all that sort of thing, you know-" think so? We are not very prudish, to be sure, here in the South-do pretty much as we please-enjoy life, and all that sort of thing, you know-"
"To be sure," said I,-"to be sure."
"And then, perhaps, this Clos de Vougeot Clos de Vougeot is a little heady, you know-a little is a little heady, you know-a little strong strong-you understand, eh?"
"To be sure," said I,-"to be sure. By the by, Monsieur, did I understand you to say that the system you have adopted, in place of the celebrated soothing system, was one of very rigorous severity?"
"By no means. Our confinement is necessarily close; but the treatment-the medical treatment, I mean-is rather agreeable to the patients than otherwise."
"And the new system is one of your own invention?"
"Not altogether. Some portions of it are referable to Professor Tarr, of whom you have, necessarily, heard; and, again, there are modifications in my plan which I am happy to acknowledge as belonging of right to the celebrated Fether,56 with whom, if I mistake not, you have the honor of an intimate acquaintance." with whom, if I mistake not, you have the honor of an intimate acquaintance."
"I am quite ashamed to confess," I replied, "that I have never even heard the names of either gentleman before."
"Good heavens!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed my host, drawing back his chair abruptly, and uplifting his hands. "I surely do not hear you aright! You did not intend to say, eh? that you had never heard heard either of the learned Doctor Tarr, or of the celebrated Professor Fether?" either of the learned Doctor Tarr, or of the celebrated Professor Fether?"
"I am forced to acknowledge my ignorance," I replied; "but the truth should be held inviolate above all things. Nevertheless, I feel humbled to the dust, not to be acquainted with the works of these, no doubt, extraordinary men. I will seek out their writings forthwith, and peruse them with deliberate care. Monsieur Maillard, you have really-I must confess it-you have really really-made me ashamed of myself!"
And this was the fact.
"Say no more, my good young friend," he said kindly, pressing my hand,-"join me now in a gla.s.s of Sauterne."
We drank. The company followed our example without stint. They chatted-they jested-they laughed-they perpetrated a thousand absurdities-the fiddles shrieked-the drum row-de-dowed-the trombones bellowed like so many brazen bulls of Phalaris qy qy-and the whole scene, growing gradually worse and worse, as the wines gained the ascendancy, became at length sort of pandemonium in petto. petto.57 In the meantime, Monsieur Maillard and myself, with some bottles of Sauterne and Vougeot between us, continued our conversation at the top of the voice. A word spoken in an ordinary key stood no more chance of being heard than the voice of a fish from the bottom of Niagara Falls. In the meantime, Monsieur Maillard and myself, with some bottles of Sauterne and Vougeot between us, continued our conversation at the top of the voice. A word spoken in an ordinary key stood no more chance of being heard than the voice of a fish from the bottom of Niagara Falls.
"And, sir," said I, screaming in his ear, "you mentioned something before dinner about the danger incurred in the old system of soothing. How is that?"
"Yes," he replied, "there was, occasionally, very great danger indeed. There is no accounting for the caprices of madmen; and, in my opinion, as well as in that of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether, it is never never safe to permit them to run at large unattended. A lunatic may be "soothed," as it is called, for a time, but, in the end, he is very apt to become obstreperous. His cunning, too, is proverbial and great. If he has a project in view, he conceals his design with a marvellous wisdom; and the dexterity with which he counterfeits sanity, presents, to the metaphysician, one of the most singular problems in the study of mind. When a madman appears safe to permit them to run at large unattended. A lunatic may be "soothed," as it is called, for a time, but, in the end, he is very apt to become obstreperous. His cunning, too, is proverbial and great. If he has a project in view, he conceals his design with a marvellous wisdom; and the dexterity with which he counterfeits sanity, presents, to the metaphysician, one of the most singular problems in the study of mind. When a madman appears thoroughly thoroughly sane, indeed, it is high time to put him in a strait-jacket." sane, indeed, it is high time to put him in a strait-jacket."
"But the danger, danger, my dear sir, of which you were speaking-in your own experience-during your control of this house-have you had practical reason to think liberty hazardous in the case of a lunatic?" my dear sir, of which you were speaking-in your own experience-during your control of this house-have you had practical reason to think liberty hazardous in the case of a lunatic?"
"Here?-in my own experience?-why, I may say, yes. For example: -no very very long while ago, a singular circ.u.mstance occurred in this very house. The "soothing system," you know, was then in operation, and the patients were at large. They behaved remarkably well-especially so,-any one of sense might have known that some devilish scheme was brewing from that particular fact, that the fellows behaved so long while ago, a singular circ.u.mstance occurred in this very house. The "soothing system," you know, was then in operation, and the patients were at large. They behaved remarkably well-especially so,-any one of sense might have known that some devilish scheme was brewing from that particular fact, that the fellows behaved so remarkably remarkably well. And, sure enough, one fine morning the keepers found themselves pinioned hand and foot, and thrown into the cells, where they were attended, as if well. And, sure enough, one fine morning the keepers found themselves pinioned hand and foot, and thrown into the cells, where they were attended, as if they they were the lunatics, by the lunatics themselves, who had usurped the offices of the keepers." were the lunatics, by the lunatics themselves, who had usurped the offices of the keepers."
"You don"t tell me so! I never heard of any thing so absurd in my life!"
"Fact-it all came to pa.s.s by means of a stupid fellow-a lunatic-who, by some means, had taken it into his head that he had invented a better system of government than any ever heard of before-of lunatic government, I mean. He wished to give his invention a trial, I suppose, and so he persuaded the rest of the patients to join him in a conspiracy for the overthrow of the reigning powers."
"And he really succeeded?"
"No doubt of it. The keepers and kept were soon made to exchange places. Not that exactly either, for the madmen had been free, but the keepers were shut up in cells forthwith, and treated, I am sorry to say, in a very cavalier manner."
"But I presume a counter-revolution was soon effected. This condition of things could not have long existed. The country people in the neighborhood-visitors coming to see the establishment-would have given the alarm."
"There you are out. The head rebel was too cunning for that. He admitted no visitors at all-with the exception, one day, of a very stupid-looking young gentleman of whom he had no reason to be afraid. He let him in to see the place-just by way of variety,-to have a little fun with him, As soon as he had gammoned qz qz him sufficiently, he let him out, and sent him about his business." him sufficiently, he let him out, and sent him about his business."
"And how long, then, did the madmen reign?"
"Oh, a very long time, indeed-a month certainly-how much longer I can"t precisely say. In the meantime, the lunatics had a jolly season of it-that you may swear. They doffed their own shabby clothes, and made free with the family wardrobe and jewels. The cellars of the chateau chateau were well stocked with wine; and these madmen are just the devils that know how to drink it. They lived well, I can tell you." were well stocked with wine; and these madmen are just the devils that know how to drink it. They lived well, I can tell you."
"And the treatment-what was the particular species of treatment which the leader of the rebels put into operation?"
"Why, as for that, a madman is not necessarily a fool, as I have already observed; and it is my honest opinion that his treatment was a much better treatment than that which it superseded. It was a very capital system indeed-simple-neat-no trouble at all-in fact it was delicious-it was-"
Here my host"s observations were cut short by another series of yells, of the same character as those which had previously disconcerted us. This time, however, they seemed to proceed from persons rapidly approaching.
"Gracious heavens!" I e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed-"the lunatics have most undoubtedly broken loose."
"I very much fear it is so," replied Monsieur Maillard, now becoming excessively pale. He had scarcely finished the sentence, before loud shouts and imprecations were heard beneath the windows; and, immediately afterward, it became evident that some persons outside were endeavoring to gain entrance into the room. The door was beaten with what appeared to be a sledge-hammer, and the shutters were wrenched and shaken with prodigious violence.
A scene of the most terrible confusion ensued. Monsieur Maillard, to my excessive astonishment, threw himself under the sideboard. I had expected more resolution at his hands. The members of the orchestra, who, for the last fifteen minutes, had been seemingly too much intoxicated to do duty, now sprang all at once to their feet and to their instruments, and, scrambling upon their table, broke out, with one accord, into, "Yankee Doodle," which they performed, if not exactly in tune, at least with an energy superhuman, during the whole of the uproar.58 Meantime, upon the main dining-table, among the bottles and gla.s.ses, leaped the gentleman who, with such difficulty, had been restrained from leaping there before. As soon as he fairly settled himself, he commenced an oration, which, no doubt, was a very capital one, if it could only have been heard. At the same moment, the man with the tee totum predilection, set himself to spinning around the apartment, with immense energy, and with arms outstretched at right angles with his body; so that he had all the air of a tee-totum in fact, and knocked everybody down that happened to get in his way. And now, too, hearing an incredible popping and fizzing of champagne, I discovered at length, that it proceeded from the person who performed the bottle of that delicate drink during dinner. And then, again, the frog-man croaked away as if the salvation of his soul depended upon every note that he uttered. And, in the midst of all this, the continuous braying of a donkey arose over all. As for my old friend, Madame Joyeuse, I really could have wept for the poor lady, she appeared so terribly perplexed. All she did, however, was to stand up in a corner, by the fireplace, and sing out incessantly at the top of her voice, "c.o.c.k-a-doodle-de-dooooooh!"
And now came the climax-the catastrophe of the drama. As no resistance, beyond whooping and yelling and c.o.c.k-a-doodling, was offered to the encroachments of the party without, the ten windows were very speedily, and almost simultaneously, broken in. But I shall never forget the emotions of wonder and horror with which I gazed, when, leaping through these windows, and down among us pelemele, pelemele, ra rafighting, stamping, scratching, and howling, there rushed a perfect army of what I took to be chimpanzees, ourang-outangs, or big black baboons of the Cape of Good Hope.rb I received a terrible beating-after which I rolled under a sofa and lay still. After lying there some fifteen minutes, however, during which time I listened with all my ears to what was going on in the room, I came to some satisfactory denouement denouement rc rc of this tragedy. Monsieur Maillard, it appeared, in giving me the account of the lunatic who had excited his fellows to rebellion, had been merely relating his own exploits. This gentleman had, indeed, some two or three years before, been the superintendent of the establishment; but grew crazy himself, and so became a patient. This fact was unknown to the travelling companion who introduced me. The keepers, ten in number, having been suddenly overpowered, were first well tarred, then carefully feathered, and then shut up in underground cells. They had been so imprisoned for more than a month, during which period Monsieur Maillard had generously allowed them not only the tar and feathers (which const.i.tuted his "system"), but some bread and abundance of water. The latter was pumped on them daily. At length, one escaping through a sewer, gave freedom to all the rest. of this tragedy. Monsieur Maillard, it appeared, in giving me the account of the lunatic who had excited his fellows to rebellion, had been merely relating his own exploits. This gentleman had, indeed, some two or three years before, been the superintendent of the establishment; but grew crazy himself, and so became a patient. This fact was unknown to the travelling companion who introduced me. The keepers, ten in number, having been suddenly overpowered, were first well tarred, then carefully feathered, and then shut up in underground cells. They had been so imprisoned for more than a month, during which period Monsieur Maillard had generously allowed them not only the tar and feathers (which const.i.tuted his "system"), but some bread and abundance of water. The latter was pumped on them daily. At length, one escaping through a sewer, gave freedom to all the rest.
The "soothing system," with important modifications, has been resumed at the chateau; chateau; yet I cannot help agreeing with Monsieur Maillard, that his own "treatment" was a very capital one of its kind. As he justly observed, it was "simple-neat-and gave no trouble at all-not the least." yet I cannot help agreeing with Monsieur Maillard, that his own "treatment" was a very capital one of its kind. As he justly observed, it was "simple-neat-and gave no trouble at all-not the least."
I have only to add that, although I have searched every library in Europe for the works of Doctor Tarr Tarr and Professor and Professor Fether, Fether, I have, up to the present day, utterly failed in my endeavors to procure a copy. I have, up to the present day, utterly failed in my endeavors to procure a copy.
"Thou Art the Man"rd I WILL NOW PLAY the dipus to the Rattleborough enigma.re I will expound to you-as I alone can-the secret of the enginery that effected the Rattleborough miracle-the one, the true, the admitted, the undisputed, the indisputable miracle, which put a definite end to infidelity among the Rattleburghers, and converted to the orthodoxy of the grandames all the carnal-minded I will expound to you-as I alone can-the secret of the enginery that effected the Rattleborough miracle-the one, the true, the admitted, the undisputed, the indisputable miracle, which put a definite end to infidelity among the Rattleburghers, and converted to the orthodoxy of the grandames all the carnal-mindedrf who had ventured to be skeptical before. who had ventured to be skeptical before.
This event-which I should be sorry to discuss in a tone of unsuitable levity-occurred in the summer of 18-. Mr. Barnabas Shuttleworthy-one of the wealthiest and most respectable citizens of the borough-had been missing for several days under circ.u.mstances which gave rise to suspicion of foul play. Mr. Shuttleworthy had set out from Rattleborough very early one Sat.u.r.day morning, on horseback, with the avowed intention of proceeding to the city of-, about fifteen miles distant, and of returning the night of the same day. Two hours after his departure, however, his horse returned without him, and without the saddle-bags which had been strapped on his back at starting. The animal was wounded, too, and covered with mud. These circ.u.mstances naturally gave rise to much alarm among the friends of the missing man; and when it was found, on Sunday morning, that he had not yet made his appearance, the whole borough arose en ma.s.se ma.s.serg to go and look for his body. to go and look for his body.
The foremost and most energetic in inst.i.tuting this search was the bosom friend of Mr. Shuttleworthy-a Mr. Charles Goodfellow, or, as he was universally called, "Charley Goodfellow," or "Old Charley Goodfellow."59 Now, whether it is a marvellous coincidence, or whether it is that the name itself has an imperceptible effect upon the character, I have never yet been able to ascertain; but the fact is unquestionable, that there never yet was any person named Charles who was not an open, manly, honest, good-natured, and frank-hearted fellow, with a rich, clear voice, that did you good to hear it, and an eye that looked you always straight in the face, as much as to say: "I have a clear conscience myself, am afraid of no man, and am altogether above doing a mean action." And thus all the hearty, careless, "walking gentlemen" of the stage Now, whether it is a marvellous coincidence, or whether it is that the name itself has an imperceptible effect upon the character, I have never yet been able to ascertain; but the fact is unquestionable, that there never yet was any person named Charles who was not an open, manly, honest, good-natured, and frank-hearted fellow, with a rich, clear voice, that did you good to hear it, and an eye that looked you always straight in the face, as much as to say: "I have a clear conscience myself, am afraid of no man, and am altogether above doing a mean action." And thus all the hearty, careless, "walking gentlemen" of the stagerh are very certain to be called Charles. are very certain to be called Charles.
Now, "Old Charley Goodfellow," although he had been in Rattleborough not longer than six months or thereabouts, and although n.o.body knew any thing about him before he came to settle in the neighborhood, had experienced no difficulty in the world in making the acquaintance of all the respectable people in the borough. Not a man of them but would have taken his bare word for a thousand at any moment; and as for the women, there is no saying what they would not have done to oblige him. And all this came of his having been christened Charles, and of his possessing, in consequence, that ingenuous face which is proverbially the very "best letter of recommendation." ri ri I have already said that Mr. Shuttleworthy was one of the most respectable, and, undoubtedly, he was the most wealthy man in Rattleborough, while "Old Charley Goodfellow" was upon as intimate terms with him as if he had been his own brother. The two old gentlemen were next-door neighbors, and, although Mr. Shuttleworthy seldom, if ever, visited "Old Charley," and never was known to take a meal in his house, still this did not prevent the two friends from being exceedingly intimate, as I have just observed; for "Old Charley" never let a day pa.s.s without stepping in three or four times to see how his neighbor came on, and very often he would stay to breakfast or tea, and almost always to dinner; and then the amount of wine that was made way with by the two cronies at a sitting, it would really be a difficult thing to ascertain. "Old Charley"s" favorite beverage was Chateau Margaux, Chateau Margaux,rj and it appeared to do Mr. Shuttleworthy"s heart good to see the old fellow swallow it, as he did, quart after quart; so that, one day, when the wine was and it appeared to do Mr. Shuttleworthy"s heart good to see the old fellow swallow it, as he did, quart after quart; so that, one day, when the wine was in in and the wit, as a natural consequence, somewhat and the wit, as a natural consequence, somewhat out, out, he said to his crony, as he slapped him upon the back: "I tell you what it is, "Old Charley," you are, by all odds, the heartiest old fellow I ever came across in all my born days; and, since you love to guzzle the wine at that fashion, I"ll be darned if I don"t have to make thee a present of a big box of the Chateau Margaux. Od rot me," he said to his crony, as he slapped him upon the back: "I tell you what it is, "Old Charley," you are, by all odds, the heartiest old fellow I ever came across in all my born days; and, since you love to guzzle the wine at that fashion, I"ll be darned if I don"t have to make thee a present of a big box of the Chateau Margaux. Od rot me,"rk-(Mr. Shuttleworthy had a sad habit of swearing, although he seldom went beyond "Od rot me," or "By gosh," or "By the jolly golly,")-"Od rot me," says he, "if I don"t send an order to town this very afternoon for a double box of the best that can be got, and I"ll make ye a present of it, I will!-ye needn"t say a word now-I will, will, I tell ye, and there"s an end of it; so look out for it-it will come to hand some of these fine days, precisely when ye are looking for it the least!" I mention this little bit of liberality on the part of Mr. Shuttleworthy, just by way of showing you how I tell ye, and there"s an end of it; so look out for it-it will come to hand some of these fine days, precisely when ye are looking for it the least!" I mention this little bit of liberality on the part of Mr. Shuttleworthy, just by way of showing you how very very intimate an understanding existed between the two friends. intimate an understanding existed between the two friends.
Well, on the Sunday morning in question, when it came to be fairly understood that Mr. Shuttleworthy had met with foul play, I never saw any one so profoundly affected as "Old Charley Goodfellow." When he first heard that the horse had come home without his master, and without his master"s saddle-bags, and all b.l.o.o.d.y from a pistol-shot, that had gone clean through and through the poor animal"s chest without quite killing him,-when he heard all this, he turned as pale as if the missing man had been his own dear brother or father, and shivered and shook all over as if he had had a fit of the ague.rl At first he was too much overpowered with grief to be able to do any thing at all, or to decide upon any plan of action; so that for a long time he endeavored to dissuade Mr. Shuttleworthy"s other friends from making a stir about the matter, thinking it best to wait awhile-say for a week or two, or a month or two-to see if something wouldn"t turn up, or if Mr. Shuttleworthy wouldn"t come in the natural way, and explain his reasons for sending his horse on before. I dare say you have often observed this disposition to temporize, or to procrastinate, in people who are laboring under any very poignant sorrow. Their powers of mind seem to be rendered torpid, so that they have a horror of any thing like action, and like nothing in the world so well as to lie quietly in bed and "nurse their grief," as the old ladies express it-that is to say, ruminate over their trouble.
The people of Rattleborough had, indeed, so high an opinion of the wisdom and discretion of "Old Charley," that the greater part of them felt disposed to agree with him, and not make a stir in the business "until something should turn up," as the honest old gentleman worded it; and I believe that, after all, this would have been the general determination, but for the very suspicious interference of Mr. Shuttleworthy"s nephew, a young man of very dissipated habits, and otherwise of rather bad character. This nephew, whose name was Pennifeather, would listen to nothing like reason in the matter of "lying quiet," but insisted upon making immediate search for the "corpse of the murdered man." This was the expression he employed; and Mr. Goodfellow acutely remarked at the time, that it was "a singular singular expression, to say no more." This remark of "Old Charley"s," too, had great effect upon the crowd; and one of the party was heard to ask, very impressively, "how it happened that young Mr. Pennifeather was so intimately cognizant of all the circ.u.mstances connected with his wealthy uncle"s disappearance, as to feel authorized to a.s.sert, distinctly and unequivocally, that his uncle expression, to say no more." This remark of "Old Charley"s," too, had great effect upon the crowd; and one of the party was heard to ask, very impressively, "how it happened that young Mr. Pennifeather was so intimately cognizant of all the circ.u.mstances connected with his wealthy uncle"s disappearance, as to feel authorized to a.s.sert, distinctly and unequivocally, that his uncle was was "a murdered man."" Hereupon some little squibbling and bickering occurred among various members of the crowd, and especially between "Old Charley" and Mr. Pennifeather-although this latter occurrence was, indeed, by no means a novelty, for little good-will had subsisted between the parties for the last three or four months; and matters had even gone so far that Mr. Pennifeather had actually knocked down his uncle"s friend for some alleged excess of liberty that the latter had taken in the uncle"s house, of which the nephew was an inmate. Upon this occasion "Old Charley" is said to have behaved with exemplary moderation and Christian charity. He arose from the blow adjusted his clothes, and made no attempt at retaliation at all-merely muttering a few words about "taking summary vengeance at the first convenient opportunity,"-a natural and very justifiable ebullition of anger, which meant nothing, however, and, beyond doubt, was no sooner given vent to than forgotten. "a murdered man."" Hereupon some little squibbling and bickering occurred among various members of the crowd, and especially between "Old Charley" and Mr. Pennifeather-although this latter occurrence was, indeed, by no means a novelty, for little good-will had subsisted between the parties for the last three or four months; and matters had even gone so far that Mr. Pennifeather had actually knocked down his uncle"s friend for some alleged excess of liberty that the latter had taken in the uncle"s house, of which the nephew was an inmate. Upon this occasion "Old Charley" is said to have behaved with exemplary moderation and Christian charity. He arose from the blow adjusted his clothes, and made no attempt at retaliation at all-merely muttering a few words about "taking summary vengeance at the first convenient opportunity,"-a natural and very justifiable ebullition of anger, which meant nothing, however, and, beyond doubt, was no sooner given vent to than forgotten.
However these matters may be (which have no reference to the point now at issue), it is quite certain that the people of Rattleborough, princ.i.p.ally through the persuasion of Mr. Pennifeather, came at length to the determination of dispersing over the adjacent country in search of the missing Mr. Shuttleworthy. I say they came to this determination in the first instance. After it had been fully resolved that a search should be made, it was considered almost a matter of course that the seekers should disperse-that is to say, distribute themselves in parties-for the more thorough examination of the region round about. I forget, however, by what ingenious train of reasoning it was that "Old Charley" finally convinced the a.s.sembly that this was the most injudicious plan that could be pursued. Convince them, however, he did-all except Mr. Pennifeather, and, in the end, it was arranged that a search should be inst.i.tuted, carefully and very thoroughly, by the burghersrm en ma.s.se, en ma.s.se, "Old Charley" himself leading the way. "Old Charley" himself leading the way.
As for the matter of that, there could have been no better pioneer than "Old Charley," whom everybody knew to have the eye of a lynx; rn rn but, although he led them into all manner of out-of-the-way holes and corners, by routes that n.o.body had ever suspected of existing in the neighborhood, and although the search was incessantly kept up day and night for nearly a week, still no trace of Mr. Shuttleworthy could be discovered. When I say no trace, however, I must not be understood to speak literally; for trace, to some extent, there certainly was. The poor gentleman had been tracked, by his horse"s shoes (which were peculiar), to a spot about three miles to the east of the borough, on the main road leading to the city. Here the track made off into a by-path through a piece of woodland-the path coming out again into the main road, and cutting off about half a mile of the regular distance. Following the shoe-marks down this lane, the party came at length to a pool of stagnant water, half hidden by the brambles, to the right of the lane, and opposite this pool all vestige of the track was lost sight of. It appeared, however, that a struggle of some nature had here taken place, and it seemed as if some large and heavy body, much larger and heavier than a man, had been drawn from the by-path to the pool. This latter was carefully dragged twice, but nothing was found; and the party were upon the point of going away, in despair of coming to any resuit, when Providence suggested to Mr. Goodfellow the expediency of draining the water off altogether. This project was received with cheers, and many high compliments to "Old Charley" upon his sagacity and consideration. As many of the burghers had brought spades with them, supposing that they might possibly be called upon to disinter a corpse, the drain was easily and speedily effected; and no sooner was the bottom visible, than right in the middle of the mud that remained was discovered a black silk velvet waistcoat, but, although he led them into all manner of out-of-the-way holes and corners, by routes that n.o.body had ever suspected of existing in the neighborhood, and although the search was incessantly kept up day and night for nearly a week, still no trace of Mr. Shuttleworthy could be discovered. When I say no trace, however, I must not be understood to speak literally; for trace, to some extent, there certainly was. The poor gentleman had been tracked, by his horse"s shoes (which were peculiar), to a spot about three miles to the east of the borough, on the main road leading to the city. Here the track made off into a by-path through a piece of woodland-the path coming out again into the main road, and cutting off about half a mile of the regular distance. Following the shoe-marks down this lane, the party came at length to a pool of stagnant water, half hidden by the brambles, to the right of the lane, and opposite this pool all vestige of the track was lost sight of. It appeared, however, that a struggle of some nature had here taken place, and it seemed as if some large and heavy body, much larger and heavier than a man, had been drawn from the by-path to the pool. This latter was carefully dragged twice, but nothing was found; and the party were upon the point of going away, in despair of coming to any resuit, when Providence suggested to Mr. Goodfellow the expediency of draining the water off altogether. This project was received with cheers, and many high compliments to "Old Charley" upon his sagacity and consideration. As many of the burghers had brought spades with them, supposing that they might possibly be called upon to disinter a corpse, the drain was easily and speedily effected; and no sooner was the bottom visible, than right in the middle of the mud that remained was discovered a black silk velvet waistcoat,ro which nearly every one present immediately recognized as the property of Mr. Pennifeather. This waistcoat was much torn and stained with blood, and there were several persons among the party who had a distinct remembrance of its having been worn by its owner on the very morning of Mr. Shuttleworthy"s departure for the city; while there were others, again, ready to testify upon oath, if required, that Mr. P. did which nearly every one present immediately recognized as the property of Mr. Pennifeather. This waistcoat was much torn and stained with blood, and there were several persons among the party who had a distinct remembrance of its having been worn by its owner on the very morning of Mr. Shuttleworthy"s departure for the city; while there were others, again, ready to testify upon oath, if required, that Mr. P. did not not wear the garment in question at any period during the wear the garment in question at any period during the remainder remainder of that memorable day; nor could any one be found to say that he had seen it upon Mr. P."s person at any period at all subsequent to Mr. Shuttleworthy"s disappearance. of that memorable day; nor could any one be found to say that he had seen it upon Mr. P."s person at any period at all subsequent to Mr. Shuttleworthy"s disappearance.
Matters now wore a very serious aspect for Mr. Pennifeather, and it was observed, as an indubitable confirmation of the suspicions which were excited against him, that he grew exceedingly pale, and when asked what he had to say for himself, was utterly incapable of saying a word. Hereupon, the few friends his riotous mode of living had left him deserted him at once to a man, and were even more clamorous than his ancient and avowed enemies for his instantaneous arrest. But, on the other hand, the magnanimity of Mr. Goodfellow shone forth with only the more brilliant l.u.s.tre through contrast. He made a warm and intensely eloquent defence of Mr. Pennifeather, in which he alluded more than once to his own sincere forgiveness of that wild young gentleman-"the heir of the worthy Mr. Shuttleworthy,"-for the insult which he (the young gentleman) had, no doubt in the heat of pa.s.sion, thought proper to put upon him (Mr. Goodfellow). "He forgave him for it," he said, "from the very bottom of his heart; and for himself (Mr. Goodfellow), so far from pushing the suspicious circ.u.mstances to extremity, which, he was sorry to say, really had had arisen against Mr. Pennifeather, he (Mr. Goodfellow) would make every exertion in his power, would employ all the little eloquence in his possession to-to-to-soften down, as much as he could conscientiously do so, the worst features of this really exceedingly perplexing piece of business." arisen against Mr. Pennifeather, he (Mr. Goodfellow) would make every exertion in his power, would employ all the little eloquence in his possession to-to-to-soften down, as much as he could conscientiously do so, the worst features of this really exceedingly perplexing piece of business."
Mr. Goodfellow went on for some half hour longer in this strain, very much to the credit both of his head and of his heart; but your warmhearted people are seldom apposite in their observations-they run into all sorts of blunders, contre-temps contre-temps and mal and mal apropos-isms, apropos-isms,rpin the hotheadedness of their zeal to serve a friend-thus, often with the kindest intentions in the world, doing infinitely more to prejudice his cause than to advance it.
So, in the present instance, it turned out with all the eloquence of "Old Charley"; for, although he labored earnestly in behalf of the suspected, yet it so happened, somehow or other, that every syllable he uttered of which the direct but unwitting tendency was not to exalt the speaker in the good opinion of his audience, had the effect of deepening the suspicion already attached to the individual whose cause he pled, and of arousing against him the fury of the mob.
One of the most unaccountable errors committed by the orator was his allusion to the suspected as "the heir of the worthy old gentleman Mr. Shuttleworthy." The people had really never thought of this before. They had only remembered certain threats of disinheritance uttered a year or two previously by the uncle (who had no living relative except the nephew), and they had, therefore, always looked upon this disinheritance as a matter that was settled-so single-minded a race of beings were the Rattleburghers; but the remark of "Old Charley" brought them at once to a consideration of this point, and thus gave them to see the possibility of the threats having been nothing more more than a threat. And straightway, hereupon, arose the natural question of than a threat. And straightway, hereupon, arose the natural question of cui bono? cui bono?rq-a question that tended even more than the waistcoat to fasten the terrible crime upon the young man. And here, lest I be misunderstood, permit me to digress for one moment merely to observe that the exceedingly brief and simple Latin phrase which I have employed, is invariably mistranslated and misconceived. "Cui bono?" "Cui bono?" in all the crack novels and elsewhere,-in those of Mrs. Gore, for example, (the author of "Cecil,") a lady who quotes all tongues from the Chaldaean to Chickasaw, and is helped to her learning, "as needed," upon a systematic plan, by Mr. Beckfbrd,-in in all the crack novels and elsewhere,-in those of Mrs. Gore, for example, (the author of "Cecil,") a lady who quotes all tongues from the Chaldaean to Chickasaw, and is helped to her learning, "as needed," upon a systematic plan, by Mr. Beckfbrd,-in all all the crack novels, I say, from those of Bulwer and d.i.c.kens to those of Turnapenny and Ainsworth, the crack novels, I say, from those of Bulwer and d.i.c.kens to those of Turnapenny and Ainsworth,60 the two little Latin words the two little Latin words cui cui bono are rendered "to what purpose?" or, (as if bono are rendered "to what purpose?" or, (as if quo bono) quo bono) "to what good?" Their true meaning, nevertheless, is "for whose advantage." "to what good?" Their true meaning, nevertheless, is "for whose advantage." Cui, Cui, to whom; to whom; bono, bono, is it for a benefit? It is a purely legal phrase, and applicable precisely in cases such as we have now under consideration, where the probability of the doer of a deed hinges upon the probability of the benefit accruing to this individual or to that from the deed"s accomplishment Now, in the present instance, the question is it for a benefit? It is a purely legal phrase, and applicable precisely in cases such as we have now under consideration, where the probability of the doer of a deed hinges upon the probability of the benefit accruing to this individual or to that from the deed"s accomplishment Now, in the present instance, the question cui bono? cui bono? very pointedly implicated Mr. Pennifeather. His uncle had threatened him, after making a will in his favor, with disinheritance. But the threat had not been actually kept; the original will, it appeared, had not been altered. very pointedly implicated Mr. Pennifeather. His uncle had threatened him, after making a will in his favor, with disinheritance. But the threat had not been actually kept; the original will, it appeared, had not been altered. Had Had it been altered, the only supposable motive for murder on the part of the suspected would have been the ordinary one of revenge; and even this would have been counteracted by the hope of re instation into the good graces of the uncle. But the will being unaltered, while the threat to alter remained suspended over the nephew"s head, there appears at once the very strongest possible inducement for the atrocity; and so concluded, very sagaciously, the worthy citizens of the borough of Rattle. it been altered, the only supposable motive for murder on the part of the suspected would have been the ordinary one of revenge; and even this would have been counteracted by the hope of re instation into the good graces of the uncle. But the will being unaltered, while the threat to alter remained suspended over the nephew"s head, there appears at once the very strongest possible inducement for the atrocity; and so concluded, very sagaciously, the worthy citizens of the borough of Rattle.
Mr. Pennifeather was, accordingly, arrested upon the spot, and the crowd, after some further search, proceeded homeward, having him in custody. On the route, however, another circ.u.mstance occurred tending to confirm the suspicion entertained. Mr. Goodfellow, whose zeal led him to be always a little in advance of the party, was seen suddenly to run forward a few paces, stoop, and then apparently to pick up some small object from the gra.s.s. Having quickly examined it, he was observed, too, to make a sort of half attempt at concealing it in his coat pocket; but this action was noticed, as I say, and consequently prevented, when the object picked up was found to be a Spanish knife which a dozen persons at once recognized as belonging to Mr. Pennifeather. Moreover, his initials were engraved upon the handle. The blade of this knife was open and b.l.o.o.d.y.
No doubt now remained of the guilt of the nephew, and immediately upon reaching Rattleborough he was taken before a magistrate for examination.
Here matters again took a most unfavorable turn. The prisoner, being questioned as to his whereabouts on the morning of Mr. Shuttleworthy"s disappearance, had absolutely the audacity to acknowledge that on that very morning he had been out with his rifle deer-stalking, in the immediate neighborhood of the pool where the bloodstained waistcoat had been discovered through the sagacity of Mr. Goodfellow.
This latter now came forward, and, with tears in his eyes, asked permission to be examined. He said that a stern sense of the duty he owed his Maker, not less than his fellow-men, would permit him no longer to remain silent. Hitherto, the sincerest affection for the young man (notwithstanding the latter"s ill treatment of himself, Mr. Goodfellow) had induced him to make every hypothesis which imagination could suggest, by way of endeavoring to account for what appeared suspicious in the circ.u.mstances that told so seriously against Mr. Pennifeather; but these circ.u.mstances were now altogether too too convincing- convincing-too d.a.m.ning; he would hesitate no longer-he would tell all he knew, although his heart (Mr. Goodfellow"s) should absolutely burst asunder in the effort. He then went on to state that, on the afternoon of the day previous to Mr. Shuttleworthy"s departure for the city, that worthy old gentleman had mentioned to his nephew, in d.a.m.ning; he would hesitate no longer-he would tell all he knew, although his heart (Mr. Goodfellow"s) should absolutely burst asunder in the effort. He then went on to state that, on the afternoon of the day previous to Mr. Shuttleworthy"s departure for the city, that worthy old gentleman had mentioned to his nephew, in his his hearing (Mr. Goodfellow"s), that his object in going to town on the morrow was to make a deposit of an unusually large sum of money in the "Farmers" and Mechanics" Bank," and that, then and there, the said Mr. Shuttleworthy had distinctly avowed to the said nephew his irrevocable determination of rescinding the will originally made, and of cutting him off with a shilling. He (the witness) now solemnly called upon the accused to state whether what he (the witness) had just stated was or was not the truth in every substantial particular. Much to the astonishment of every one present, Mr. Pennifeather frankly admitted that it hearing (Mr. Goodfellow"s), that his object in going to town on the morrow was to make a deposit of an unusually large sum of money in the "Farmers" and Mechanics" Bank," and that, then and there, the said Mr. Shuttleworthy had distinctly avowed to the said nephew his irrevocable determination of rescinding the will originally made, and of cutting him off with a shilling. He (the witness) now solemnly called upon the accused to state whether what he (the witness) had just stated was or was not the truth in every substantial particular. Much to the astonishment of every one present, Mr. Pennifeather frankly admitted that it was. was.
The magistrate now considered it his duty to send a couple of constables to search the chamber of the accused in the house of his uncle. From this search they almost immediately returned with the well-known steel-bound, russet leather pocket-book which the old gentleman had been in the habit of carrying for years. Its valuable contents, however, had been abstracted, and the magistrate in vain endeavored to extort from the prisoner the use which had been made of them, or the place of their concealment. Indeed, he obstinately denied all knowledge of the matter. The constables, also, discovered, between the bed and sacking of the unhappy man, a shirt and neck-handkerchief both marked with the initials of his name, and both hideously besmeared with the blood of the victim.
At this juncture, it was announced that the horse of the murdered man had just expired in the stable from the effects of the wound he had received, and it was proposed by Mr. Goodfellow that a post-mortem post-mortem rr rr examination of the beast should be immediately made, with the view, if possible, of discovering the ball. This was accordingly done; and, as if to demonstrate beyond a question the guilt of the accused, Mr. Goodfellow, after considerable searching in the cavity of the chest, was enabled to detect and to pull forth a bullet of very extraordinary size, which, upon trial, was found to be exactly adapted to the bore of Mr. Pennifeather"s rifle, while it was far too large for that of any other person in the borough or its vicinity. To render the matter even surer yet, however, this bullet was discovered to have a flaw or seam at right angles to the usual suture; and upon examination, this seam corresponded precisely with an accidental ridge or elevation in a pair of moulds acknowledged by the accused himself to be his own property. Upon the finding of this bullet, the examining magistrate refused to listen to any further testimony, and immediately committed the prisoner for trial-declining resolutely to take any bail in the case, although against this severity Mr. Goodfellow very warmly remonstrated, and offered to become surety in whatever amount might be required. This generosity on the part of "Old Charley" was only in accordance with the whole tenor of his amiable and chivalrous conduct during the entire period of his sojourn in the borough of Rattle. In the present instance, the worthy man was so entirely carried away by the excessive warmth of his sympathy, that he seemed to have quite forgotten, when he offered to go bail for his young friend, that he himself (Mr. Goodfellow) did not possess a single dollar"s worth of property upon the face of the earth. examination of the beast should be immediately made, with the view, if possible, of discovering the ball. This was accordingly done; and, as if to demonstrate beyond a question the guilt of the accused, Mr. Goodfellow, after considerable searching in the cavity of the chest, was enabled to detect and to pull forth a bullet of very extraordinary size, which, upon trial, was found to be exactly adapted to the bore of Mr. Pennifeather"s rifle, while it was far too large for that of any other person in the borough or its vicinity. To render the matter even surer yet, however, this bullet was discovered to have a flaw or seam at right angles to the usual suture; and upon examination, this seam corresponded precisely with an accidental ridge or elevation in a pair of moulds acknowledged by the accused himself to be his own property. Upon the finding of this bullet, the examining magistrate refused to listen to any further testimony, and immediately committed the prisoner for trial-declining resolutely to take any bail in the case, although against this severity Mr. Goodfellow very warmly remonstrated, and offered to become surety in whatever amount might be required. This generosity on the part of "Old Charley" was only in accordance with the whole tenor of his amiable and chivalrous conduct during the entire period of his sojourn in the borough of Rattle. In the present instance, the worthy man was so entirely carried away by the excessive warmth of his sympathy, that he seemed to have quite forgotten, when he offered to go bail for his young friend, that he himself (Mr. Goodfellow) did not possess a single dollar"s worth of property upon the face of the earth.
The result of the committal may be readily foreseen. Mr. Pennifeather, amid the loud execrations of all Rattleborough, was brought to trial at the next criminal sessions, when the chain of circ.u.mstantial evidence (strengthened as it was by some additional d.a.m.ning facts, which Mr. Goodfellow"s sensitive conscientiousness forbade him to withhold from the court) was considered so unbroken and so thoroughly conclusive, that the jury, without leaving their seats, returned an immediate verdict of "Guilty of murder in the first degree." "Guilty of murder in the first degree." Soon afterward the unhappy wretch received sentence of death, and was remanded to the county jail to await the inexorable vengeance of the law. Soon afterward the unhappy wretch received sentence of death, and was remanded to the county jail to await the inexorable vengeance of the law.
In the meantime, the n.o.ble behavior of "Old Charley Goodfellow" had doubly endeared him to the honest citizens of the borough. He became ten times a greater favorite than ever; and, as a natural result of the hospitality with which he was treated, he relaxed, as it were, perforce, the extremely parsimonious habits which his poverty had hitherto impelled him to observe, and very frequently had little reunions reunions at his own house, when wit and jollity reigned supreme-dampened a little, at his own house, when wit and jollity reigned supreme-dampened a little, of course, of course, by the occasional remembrance of the untoward and melancholy fate which impended over the nephew of the late lamented bosom friend of the generous host. by the occasional remembrance of the untoward and melancholy fate which impended over the nephew of the late lamented bosom friend of the generous host.
One fine day, this magnanimous old gentleman was agreeably surprised at the receipt of the following letter:-
The fact is, that Mr. Goodfellow had, since the death of Mr. Shuttleworthy, given over all expectation of ever receiving the promised Chateau Margaux; Chateau Margaux; and he, therefore, looked upon it and he, therefore, looked upon it now now as a sort of especial dispensation of Providence in his behalf. He was highly delighted, of course, and in the exuberance of his joy invited a large party of friends to a pet.i.t as a sort of especial dispensation of Providence in his behalf. He was highly delighted, of course, and in the exuberance of his joy invited a large party of friends to a pet.i.t souper souperrs on the morrow, for the purpose of broaching the good old Mr. Shuttleworthy"s present. Not that he on the morrow, for the purpose of broaching the good old Mr. Shuttleworthy"s present. Not that he said said any thing about "the good old Mr. Shuttleworthy" when he issued the invitations. The fact is, he thought much and concluded to say nothing at all. He did any thing about "the good old Mr. Shuttleworthy" when he issued the invitations. The fact is, he thought much and concluded to say nothing at all. He did not not mention to any one-if I remember aright-that he had received a mention to any one-if I remember aright-that he had received a present present of of Chateau Margaux. Chateau Margaux. He merely asked his friends to come and help him drink some of a remarkably fine quality and rich flavor that he had ordered up from the city a couple of months ago, and of which he would be in the receipt upon the morrow. I have often puzzled myself to imagine He merely asked his friends to come and help him drink some of a remarkably fine quality and rich flavor that he had ordered up from the city a couple of months ago, and of which he would be in the receipt upon the morrow. I have often puzzled myself to imagine why why it was that "Old Charley" came to the conclusion to say nothing about having received the wine from his old friend, but I could never precisely understand his reason for the silence, although he had some excellent and very magnamimous reason, no doubt. it was that "Old Charley" came to the conclusion to say nothing about having received the wine from his old friend, but I could never precisely understand his reason for the silence, although he had some excellent and very magnamimous reason, no doubt.
The morrow at length arrived, and with it a very large and highly respectable company at Mr. Goodfellow"s house. Indeed, half the borough was there,-I myself among the number,-but, much to the vexation of the host, the Chateau Margaux Chateau Margaux did not arrive until a late hour, and when the sumptuous supper supplied by "Old Charley" had been done very ample justice by the guests. It came at length, however, -a monstrously big box of it there was, too,-and as the whole party were in excessively good humor, it was decided, did not arrive until a late hour, and when the sumptuous supper supplied by "Old Charley" had been done very ample justice by the guests. It came at length, however, -a monstrously big box of it there was, too,-and as the whole party were in excessively good humor, it was decided, nem. con. nem. con. rt rtthat it should be lifted upon the table and its contents disembowelled forthwith.
No sooner said than done. I lent a helping hand; and, in a trice, we had the box upon the table, in the midst of all the bottles and gla.s.ses, not a few of which were demolished in the scuffle. "Old Charley," who was pretty much intoxicated, and excessively red in the face, now took a seat, with an air of mock dignity, at the head of the board, and thumped furiously upon it with a decanter, calling upon the company to keep order "during the ceremony of disinterring the treasure."
After some vociferation, quiet was at length fully restored, and, as very often happens in similar cases, a profound and remarkable silence ensued. Being then requested to force open the lid, I complied, of course, "with an infinite deal of pleasure." I inserted a chisel, and giving it a few slight taps with a hammer, the top of the box flew suddenly off, and, at the same instant, there sprang up into a sitting position, directly facing the host, the bruised, b.l.o.o.d.y, and nearly putrid corpse of the murdered Mr. Shuttleworthy himself. It gazed for a few moments, fixedly and sorrowfully, with its decaying and lack-l.u.s.tre eyes, full into the countenance of Mr. Goodfellow; uttered slowly, but clearly and impressively, the words-"Thou art the man!" and then, falling over the side of the chest as if thoroughly satisfied, stretched out its limbs quiveringly upon the table.
The scene that ensued is altogether beyond description. The rush for the doors and windows was terrific, and many of the most robust men in the room fainted outright through sheer horror. But after the first wild, shrieking burst of affright, all eyes were directed to Mr. Goodfellow. If I live a thousand years, I can never forget the more than mortal agony which was depicted in that ghastly face of his, so lately rubicund with triumph and wine. For several minutes he sat rigidly as a statue of marble; his eyes seeming, in the intense vacancy of their gaze, to be turned inward and absorbed in the contemplation of his own miserable, murderous soul. At length their expression appeared to flash suddenly out into the external world, when, with a quick leap, he sprang from his chair, and falling heavily with his head and shoulders upon the table, and in contact with the corpse, poured out rapidly and vehemently a detailed confession of the hideous crime for which Mr. Pennifeather was then imprisoned and doomed to die.
What he recounted was in substance this:-He followed his victim to the vicinity of the pool; there shot his horse with a pistol; despatched its rider with the b.u.t.t end; possessed himself of the pocket-book; and, supposing the horse dead, dragged it with great labor to the brambles by the pond. Upon his own beast he slung the corpse of Mr. Shuttleworthy, and thus bore it to a secure place of concealment a long distance off through the woods.
The waistcoat, the knife, the pocket-book, and bullet, had been placed by himself where found, with the view of avenging himself upon Mr. Pennifeather. He had also contrived the discovery of the stained handkerchief and shirt.
Toward the end of the blood-chilling recital, the words of the guilty wretch faltered and grew hollow. When the record was finally exhausted, he arose, staggered backward from the table, and fell-dead.
The means by which this happily-timed confession was extorted, although efficient, were simple indeed. Mr. Goodfellow"s excess of frankness had disgusted me, and excited my suspicions from the first. I was present when Mr. Pennifeather had struck him, and the fiendish expression which then arose upon his countenance, although momentary, a.s.sured me that his threat of vengeance would, if possible, be rigidly fulfilled. I was thus prepared to view the manuvring manuvringru of "Old Charley" in a very different light from that in which it was regarded by the good citizens of Rattleborough. I saw at once that all the crim inating discoveries arose, either directly or indirectly, from himself. But the fact which clearly opened my eyes to the true state of the case, was the affair of the bullet, of "Old Charley" in a very different light from that in which it was regarded by the good citizens of Rattleborough. I saw at once that all the crim inating discoveries arose, either directly or indirectly, from himself. But the fact which clearly opened my eyes to the true state of the case, was the affair of the bullet, found found by Mr. G. in the carca.s.s of the horse. by Mr. G. in the carca.s.s of the horse. I I had not forgotten, although the Rattleburghers had not forgotten, although the Rattleburghers had, had, that there was a hole where the ball had entered the horse, and another where it that there was a hole where the ball had entered the horse, and another where it went went out. If it were found in the animal then, after having made its exit, I saw clearly that it must have been deposited by the person who found it. The b.l.o.o.d.y shirt and handkerchief confirmed the idea suggested by the bullet; for the blood on examination proved to be capital claret, and no more. When I came to think of these things, and also of the late increase of liberality and expenditure on the part of Mr. Goodfellow, I entertained a suspicion which was none the less strong because I kept it altogether to myself. out. If it were found in the animal then, after having made its exit, I saw clearly that it must have been deposited by the person who found it. The b.l.o.o.d.y shirt and handkerchief confirmed the idea suggested by the bullet; for the blood on examination proved to be capital claret, and no more. When I came to think of these things, and also of the late increase of liberality and expenditure on the part of Mr. Goodfellow, I entertained a suspicion which was none the less strong because I kept it altogether to myself.
In the meantime, I inst.i.tuted a rigorous private search for the corpse of Mr. Shuttleworthy, and, for good reasons, searched in quarters as divergent as possible from those to which Mr. Goodfellow conducted his party. The result was that, after some days, I came across an old dry well, the mouth of which was nearly hidden by brambles; and here, at the bottom, I discovered what I sought.
Now it so happened that I had overheard the colloquy between the two cronies, when Mr. Goodfellow had contrived to cajole his host into the promise of a box of Chateau Margaux. Chateau Margaux. Upon this hint I acted. I procured a stiff piece of whalebone, thrust it down the throat of the corpse, and deposited the latter in an old wine box-taking care so to double the body up as to double the whalebone with it. In this manner I had to press forcibly upon the lid to keep it down while I secured it with nails; and I antic.i.p.ated, of course, that as soon as these latter were removed, the top would fly Upon this hint I acted. I procured a stiff piece of whalebone, thrust it down the throat of the corpse, and deposited the latter in an old wine box-taking care so to double the body up as to double the whalebone with it. In this manner I had to press forcibly upon the lid to keep it down while I secured it with nails; and I antic.i.p.ated, of course, that as soon as these latter were removed, the top would fly off off and the body and the body up. up.
Having thus arranged the box, I marked, numbered, and addressed it as already told; and then writing a letter in the name of the wine-merchants with whom Mr. Shuttleworthy dealt, I gave instructions to my servant to wheel the box to Mr. Goodfellow"s door, in a barrow, at a given signal from myself. For the words which I intended the corpse to speak, I confidently depended upon my ventriloquial abilities; for their effect, I counted upon the conscience of the murderous wretch.
I believe there is nothing more to be explained. Mr. Pennifeather was released upon the spot, inherited the fortune of his uncle, profited by the lessons of experience, turned over a new leaf, and led happily ever afterward a new life.
The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar OF COURSE I SHALL not pretend to consider it any matter for wonder, that the extraordinary case of M. Valdemar has excited discussion. It would have been a miracle had it not-especially under the circ.u.mstances. Through the desire of all parties concerned, to keep the affair from the public, at least for the present, or until we had further opportunities for investigation-through our endeavors to effect this-a garbled or exaggerated account made its way into society, and became the source of many unpleasant misrepresentations; and, very naturally, of a great deal of disbelief.
It is now rendered necessary that I give the facts facts-as far as I comprehend them myself. They are, succinctly, these: My attention, for the last three years, had been repeatedly drawn to the subject of Mesmerism;rv and, about nine months ago, it occurred to me, quite suddenly, that in the series of experiments made hitherto, there had been a very remarkable and most unaccountable omission: -no person had as yet been mesmerized and, about nine months ago,