THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardthe
نهاية
endoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringtheالأخيرة
lastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.The
البلاد
countrywasapparentlytranquil.Everybodyknows
كيف
howtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.The
الحرب
warwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftأي
novisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.
The
البلاد
countrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.كل
Everycoastcityhadbeenجيد
wellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;في
thearmyundertheparentaleyeofفي
theGeneralStaff,organizedaccordingtoفي
thePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,مع
withaterritorialreserveofaمليون
million;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolled
في
thesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingعلى
asteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethat
على
acollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzed
بعد
afterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhiteالمدينة
citywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.Everywhere
الجيدة
goodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.
The
الجديدة
newgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andtheالطويل
longsystemofstonequaysالتي
whichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparksالتي
whichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtits
الخاصة
ownreward.TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsof
في
thesamekind.Nobodyenvied
في
theSecretaryofFineArts,سواء
eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.TheSecretaryofForestryand
اللعبة
GamePreservationhadamucheasierوقت
time,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.Wehadprofited
جيد
wellbythelatesttreatiesمع
withFranceandEngland;theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsas
على
ameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementoftheالجديدة
newindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,theالجديدة
newlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofالسلطة
powerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalالهدوء
calmandprosperity.WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndian
مشكلة
problemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofالحرب
War,thenationdrewalongsighofrelief.عندما
When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atالأقل
leastinthenewworldالذي
whichafterallisaworldbyitself.لكن
Butself-preservationisthefirstالقانون
law,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemواحدة
onebyone.Inthe
مدينة
cityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthat
السنة
year.InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,
عندما
whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.Ihadwalkeddown
ذلك
thatdayfromDr.Archer'sمنزل
houseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.Ever
منذ
sincethatfallfrommyhorse,أربع
fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsintheالخلفي
backofmyheadandneck,butالآن
nowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andtheالطبيب
doctorsentmeawaythatاليوم
daysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.Itwashardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthe
المال
money.WhatImindedwasthemistake
الذي
whichhemadeatfirst.Whentheypickedmeupfromthepavement
حيث
whereIlayunconscious,andأحدهم
somebodyhadmercifullysentabulletعبر
throughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumحيث
whereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.Atlasthedecided
أن
thatIwaswell,andI,knowingأن
thatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.Itold
منه
him,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinعلى
awhile.Ididso,hopingfor
على
achancetoevenupaccounts,لكنه
buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.Thefallfrommyhorsehadfortunatelyleft
أي
noevilresults;onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Fromalazyyoungman
حول
abouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveكل
allelse—ambitious.Therewasonly
واحد
onethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,The
الملك
KinginYellow.Iremember
بعد
afterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadالأفضل
betterstop.Istartedupandflung
في
thebookintothefireplace;thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfell
مفتوحة
openonthehearthinthefirelight.لو
IfIhadnotcaughtعلى
aglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldلم
neverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithعلى
acryofterror,orربما
perhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedinكل
everynerve,Isnatchedtheالشيء
thingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,حيث
whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithعلى
ahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthe
الشيء
thingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosaحيث
whereblackstarshangintheheavens;حيث
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,عندما
whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
Ipray
الله
Godwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichالآن
nowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.عندما
WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopiesالتي
whichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofالحال
course,becameeagertoreadit.Itiswellknown
كيف
howthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromمدينة
citytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredحتى
evenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.أي
Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinتلك
thosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,أي
noconvictionsoutraged.Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinThe
الملك
KinginYellow,allfeltthatالبشرية
humannaturecouldnotbearthestrain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.في
Theverybanalityandinnocenceofفي
thefirstactonlyallowedفي
theblowtofallafterwardمع
withmoreawfuleffect.Itwas,I
أتذكر
remember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thattheأول
firstGovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthالجانب
sideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.Theblock
التي
whichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyالقديمة
oldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbytheGovernmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygarden
مع
withlawns,flowersandfountains.Inthecentreofthegardenstooda
صغير
small,whitebuilding,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.ستة
SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stood
أمام
beforethedoor,theworkofaالشاب
youngAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinParisعندما
whenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmyway
خلال
throughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthالشارع
Streetbyacordonofالشرطة
police.AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.
OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,
و
andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkو
andBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkو
andBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeالمستشفى
Hospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,و
andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytotheshortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.
Iheardhim
يقول
say:"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentfor
أي
anyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.في
TheGovernmenthasseenfittoacknowledgeفي
therightofmantoإنهاء
endanexistencewhichmayhaveيصبح
becomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingأو
ormentaldespair.Itisbelieved
أن
thatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofمثل
suchpeoplefromtheirmidst.منذ
Sincethepassageofthislaw,theعدد
numberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablish
على
aLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageintheالبلاد
country,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatالفئة
classofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothe
البيضاء
whiteLethalChamber.Thesilenceinthe
الشارع
streetwasabsolute."Thereapainless
موت
deathawaitshimwhocanلا
nolongerbearthesorrowsofهذه
thislife.Ifdeathis
ترحيب
welcomelethimseekitthere."ThenquicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:
"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."
Thesolemnhushwasbrokenby
على
asharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedالشرطة
policefollowedthem.Ileftthecrowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarble
الموت
DeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternالجانب
sideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstopped
أمام
beforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhis
الصغير
littleshopattheendofthehall.Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,his
ابنته
daughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasآخر
anotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.
العجوز
OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofبعض
someancientsuitofarmour,و
andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhis
صغيرة
littlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussed
عن
aboutforamomentwithatinywrench.Thesoftclashofthemailsentathrillofpleasurethroughme.
Ilovedtohearthe
موسيقى
musicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.هذا
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.Hehad
لم
neverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptfortheحقيقة
factofherbeinginlovewithLouis.هذا
Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesحتى
evenkeptmeawakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthat
كل
allwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.However,Ishould
لم
neverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIأقول
say,thatthemusicofفي
thetinklinghammerhadformethisstrongfascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhen
على
astraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasure
التي
thatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,حتى
untilsomemovementoftheالعجوز
oldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,لا تزال
stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintotheصوت
soundofthepolishingrag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworked
مع
withtheembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.من
Whoisthisfor?"Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.
هذا
Thiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitالتي
whichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.
Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,traced
منذ
since1450fromownertoownerحتى
untilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.عندما
Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,هذا
thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpushedحتى
untilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistently
دون
withoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingلا تزال
stillinexistence?"Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
لديك
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"Iasked,smiling.
Myoneambitionistobethe
أفضل
bestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.Constanceaskedme
إذا
ifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.SheherselfhadnoticedcavalrypassingupBroadway
ذلك
thatmorning,andhadwishedtoرؤية
seetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,
مع
withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.
Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughed
العجوز
oldHawberk.IfHawberkknew
كم
howIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamoment
أو
ortwo."Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthe
رأسه
head,"itmustbehardtoالعيش
livealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginning
مرة أخرى
againwithhishammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
عندما
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryas
لا
nooneelsecouldknowit.شيء
Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchaالرجل
manexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsense
عندما
whenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'يمكن
canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk'shammerfelltotheground,
لكنه
buthepickeditupandasked,withعلى
agreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."Ididnot
أعرف
knowuntilMr.Wildementionedittomeفي
theotherday.Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhis
يده
handtremblingunderhisleathernapron.Is
هذا
thisnonsensetoo?"Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsense
عندما
whenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeet
مع
withterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wilde
قد
mayknowagreatmanythings—".عن
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryears
قبل
ago,andwenttoAustraliaحيث
wherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,
لكن
buthervoicewassweetandcalm.Letusagree,
لو
ifyouplease,thatinهذه
thisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthe
الثلاثة
threedilapidatedflightsofstairs,التي
whichIhadsooftenclimbedقبل
before,andknockedatasmallالباب
doorattheendofthecorridor.Mr.Wildeopenedthe
الباب
doorandIwalkedin.عندما
Whenhehaddouble-lockedtheالباب
doorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.نصف
Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwiresالتي
whichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhad
لم
neverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,
التي
whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefinewire,werehisoneweakness.Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,
لكن
buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.Hemight
الأفضل
betterhaverevelledintheluxuryofبعض
someartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,لكنها
butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthana
طفل
childoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasأي
anyathlete's.Still,themostremarkable
الشيء
thingaboutMr.Wildewasthataرجل
manofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldيكون
havesuchahead.Itwasflatandpointed,
مثل
liketheheadsofmanyofأولئك
thoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;
themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatandteasingher
حتى
untilsheflewathisfaceمثل
likeademon,wascertainlyeccentric.Inevercould
أفهم
understandwhyhekeptthecreature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomمع
withthissurly,viciousbeast.I
أتذكر
rememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbytheضوء
lightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,بينما
whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplaceأمام
beforethestove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.قبل
BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytoفي
theground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedandfled
تحت
underthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlingupمثل
likethelegsofadyingspider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeper
مع
withWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
Retainer
خمسة
FiveDollars."