THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920the
Regering
GovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallyvoltooid
completedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresident
PresidentWinthrop'sadministration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightof
Generaal
GeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStaat
StateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidone
honderd
hundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellwaard
worthitscostasacoalingstation.Thecountrywasinasuperb
staat
stateofdefence.Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparental
oog
eyeoftheGeneralStaff,organizedvolgens
accordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
Thegentlemenfromthe
Westen
Westhadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethatacollege
collegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnoodzakelijk
necessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeen
gebouwd
builtforitsplaythingin1893.Overal
Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroads
gebouwd
builttoreplacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelong
systeem
systemofstonequayswhichvolledig
completelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.
TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.
TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenew
systeem
systemofNationalMountedPolice.WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegro
staat
stateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.Whenthe
Regering
GovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsighofrelief.When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewere
gelegd
laidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybegonnen
begantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.
InthecityofNewYorkthe
zomer
summerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.The
zomer
summerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
Inthefollowingwinter
begon
beganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichdroeg
boreitsfinalfruitinthemaand
monthofApril,1920,whenthefirstRegering
GovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommy
paard
horse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandnek
neck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.Itwashardly
waard
worthhisfeetobetoldthat;Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthe
fout
mistakewhichhemadeatfirst.WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,Iwas
voor
carriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmyhersenen
brainaffected,placedmeinhisprivé
privateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.Atlasthe
besloot
decidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.Itoldhim,
glimlachend
smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhisfout
mistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegaveme
geen
none,andItoldhimIwouldwait.Thefallfrommy
paard
horsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.
Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,I
lachte
laughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.Tijdens
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.Irememberafterfinishingthefirst
akte
actthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecond
akte
actIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithaschreeuw
cryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlachte
laughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengtheninthe
middag
afternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;andmymindwill
dragen
bearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.I
bid
prayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,verschrikkelijk
terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.WhentheFrench
Regering
GovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedby
Pers
Pressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbe
beoordeeld
judgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofkunst
arthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannatuur
naturecouldnotbearthestrain,noch
northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirst
akte
actonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirst
Regering
GovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.Theblockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbythe
Regering
Governmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoa
mooie
lovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,white
gebouw
building,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumns
steunden
supportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.Asplendidmarble
groep
groupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquare
rond
roundtheLethalChamber.Ona
verhoogde
raisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaire
militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,Generaal
GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNational
Garde
Guard.TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytothe
korte
shortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
The
Regering
Governmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldespair.Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.
Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.
Nowthe
Regering
GovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townanddorp
villageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillaanvaarden
acceptthereliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.
"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
Then
snel
quicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearstem
voice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmethe
Regering
GovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledand
vormden
formedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.IleftthecrowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,
oversteken
crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingy
winkel
shopwhichborethesign:.HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberk
bezig
busyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,hearty
stem
voice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehad
verwacht
expected,mycousinLouis.I
glimlachte
smiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancient
pak
suitofarmour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaint
winkel
shop.Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinywrench.
Thesoftclashofthemailsentathrillof
plezier
pleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadnever
geïnteresseerd
interestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,behalve
exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.Thisdidoccupymy
aandacht
attention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheir
toekomst
futureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.Echter
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutbezoeken
visitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethissterke
strongfascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.
Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwitha
plezier
pleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutoffthestraal
rayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.
Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberk
legde uit
explained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofverschillende
severalcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.Thiswasthemissinggreaveofa
beroemd
famoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittlewinkel
shopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthe
pak
suitwascomplete.Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethe
geschiedenis
historyofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhissuperbcollectionwas
verkocht
sold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthepak
suit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyongeluk
accident,locatedinParis.Didyou
voortgezet
continuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItooka
persoonlijk
personalinterestinHawberk.Itwas
waard
worthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.No,"hereplied,
lachend
laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,
glimlachend
smiling.Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
Sheherselfhad
opgemerkt
noticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyour
neef
cousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.
Areyougoing
boven
upstairstoseethelunaticagain?"lachte
laughedoldHawberk.IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
Itrouses
bepaalde
certainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretouitleggen
explain.However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshall
vallen
dropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,to
bezoeken
visithimasoftenasyoudo."Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,
beginnen
beginningagainwithhishammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,
noch
norisheintheleastdemented.Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberk
lachte
laughed.Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknows
geschiedenis
historyasnooneelsecouldknowit.Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhis
geheugen
memoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,
zoek
searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelled
pak
suitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk'shammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."
IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"he
huilde
cried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".
Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoher
voeten
feetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,
glimlachend
smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."
Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buther
stem
voicewassweetandcalm.Letus
eens
agree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadso
vaak
oftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorand
duwde
pushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhis
neus
noseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsteunden
supportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefinewire,werehisoneweakness.
Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.
Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwas
absoluut
absolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.
Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.
Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;
themaniahehadforkeepingthat
kat
catandteasingheruntilshevloog
flewathisfacelikeademon,waszeker
certainlyeccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,
noch
norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwas
bestudeerde
studyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethekat
cat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthevloer
floorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.
Howlingandfoamingthey
rolden
rolledoverandoveronthevloer
floor,scratchingandclawing,untilthekat
catscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,after
bestuderen
studyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."