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classical thought my child is being fitted to perceive new truths for
herself。' It is needless to say his friends considered these views altogether
too radical。 But for all that I was never sent to school。 My father's
library was always at my disposal； and I was taught how to use it。 We
were constantly together； and grew so into each other's lives that 〃 … but
her voice failed her； and her eyes moistened。 Maitland； though he
apparently did not notice her emotion； so busy was he in making notes；
quickly put a question which diverted her attention。
〃Your father seemed last night to have a presentiment of some
impending calamity。 Was this a common experience？〃
〃Of late； yes。 He has told me some six or seven times of dreaming
the same dreams … a dream in which some assassin struck him out of the
darkness。〃 〃Did you at any of these times notice anything which might
now lead you to believe this fancied repetition was the result of any
mental malady？〃
〃No。〃
〃Was his description of the dreams always the same？〃
〃No； never were they twice alike； save in the one particular of the
unseen assassin。〃
〃Hum！； Did the impression of these dreams remain long with him？〃
〃He never recovered from it； and each dream only accentuated his
assurance that the experience was prophetic。 When once I tried to
dissuade him from this view； he said to me： 'Gwen； it is useless； I am
making no mistake。 When I am gone you will know why I am now so
sure … I cannot tell you now； it would only ' … here he stopped short； and；
turning abruptly to me； said with a fierceness entirely alien to his
disposition： 'Hatred is foreign to my nature； but I hate that man with a
perfect hell of loathing！ Have I been a kind father to you； Gwen？ If so；
promise me ' … and he seized me by the wrist … ' promise me if I'm
murdered … I may as well say when I'm murdered … you will look upon the
man who brings my assassin to justice … the thought that he may escape is
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The Darrow Enigma
damning … as your dearest friend on earth！ You will deny him nothing。
You will learn later that I have taken care to reward him。 My child； you
will owe this man a debt you can never repay； for he will have enabled
your father's soul to find repose。 I dreamed last night that I came back
from the dead； and heard my avenger ask you to be his wife。 You refused；
and at your ingratitude my restless soul returned to torment everlasting。
Swear to me； Gwen； that you'll deny him nothing； nothing； nothing！' I
promised him； and he seemed much reassured。 'I am satisfied；' he said；
'and now can die in peace； for you are an anomaly； Gwen； … a woman who
fully knows the nature of a covenant；' and he put his arm about me； and
drew me to him。 His fierceness had subsided as quickly as it had
appeared； and he was now all tenderness。〃
Maitland； who appeared somewhat agitated by her recital； said to her：
〃After the exaction of such a promise you have； of course； no doubt that
your father was the victim of a mental malady … at least； at such times as
those of which you speak？〃
Gwen replied deliberately： 〃Indeed； I have grave doubts。 My father
was possessed by a strange conviction； but I never saw anything which
impressed me as indicating an unsound mind。 I am； of course； scarcely
fitted to judge in such matters。〃
Maitland's face darkened as he asked： 〃You would not have me infer
that you would consider your promise in any sense binding？〃
〃And why not？〃 she ejaculated in astonishment。
〃Because；〃 he continued； 〃the request is so unnatural as to be in itself
sufficient evidence that it was not made by a man in his right mind。〃
〃I cannot agree with you as to my father's condition；〃 Gwen replied
firmly； 〃 yet you may be right； I only know that I； at least； was in my right
mind； and that I promised。 If it cost me my life to keep that pledge； I
shall not hesitate a moment。 Have you forgotten that my father's last
words were； 'remember your promise'？〃 She glanced up at Maitland as
she said this； and started a little as she saw the expression of pain upon his
face。 〃I seem to you foolishly deluded；〃 she said apologetically； 〃and
you are displeased to see that my purpose is not shaken。 Think of all my
father was to me； and then ask yourself if I could betray his faith。 The
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The Darrow Enigma
contemplation of the subject is painful at best； its realisation may； from the
standpoint of a sensitive woman； be fraught with unspeakable horror； … I
dare not think of it！ May we not change the subject？〃
For a long time Maitland did not speak； and I forbore to break the
silence。 At last he said： 〃Let us hope； if the supposed assassin be taken；
the discovery may be made by someone worthy the name of man …
someone who will not permit you to sacrifice either yourself or your
money。〃 Gwen glanced at him quickly； for his voice was strangely heavy
and inelastic； and an unmistakable gloom had settled upon him。 I
thought she was a little startled； and I was considering if I had not better
call her aside and explain that he was subject to these moods； when he
continued； apparently unaware of the impression he had made： 〃Do you
realise how strong a case of suicide the authorities have made out？ Like
all of their work it has weak places。 We must search these in order to
overthrow their conclusion。 The insurance policies they were 'too busy' to
read we must peruse。 Then； judging from your story； there seems little
doubt that your father has left some explanation of affairs hitherto not
confided to you … some document which he has reserved for your perusal
after his death。 No time should be lost in settling this question。 The
papers may be here； or in the hands of his attorney。 Let us search here
first。〃
〃His private papers；〃 Gwen said； rising to lead the way； 〃are in his
desk in the study。〃
〃One moment； please；〃 Maitland interrupted； calling her back； 〃I have
something I have been trying to ask you for the last hour； but have
repeatedly put off。 I believe your father's death to have resulted from
poisoning。 You know the result of the post…mortem inquest。 It is
necessary to make an analysis of the poison； if there be any； and an
absolutely thorough microscopic examination of the wound。 I … I regret
to pain you … but to do this properly it will be necessary to cut away the
wounded portion。 Have we your permission to do so？〃
For a mo