THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshad
praktisch
practicallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsuponthe
republiek
republic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandthe
grondgebied
territoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.Thecountrywasinasuperbstateof
verdediging
defence.Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyunderthe
ouderlijke
parentaleyeoftheGeneralStaff,georganiseerd
organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeentoegenomen
increasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserve
reserveofamillion;andsix
prachtige
magnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrouilleerden
patrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedto
erkennen
acknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;bijgevolg
consequentlywewerenolongervertegenwoordigd
representedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.Thenationwas
welvarend
prosperous;Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteand
keizerlijk
imperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.Everywheregood
architectuur
architecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingforfatsoen
decencyhadsweptawayagreatdeel
portionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructures
gesloopt
demolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttovervangen
replacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsof
architectuur
architecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelyomringden
surroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothebevolking
population.Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.
TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlike
Europese
Europeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.Nobody
benijdde
enviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportefeuille
portfolio.TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasa
maatregel
measureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewonafhankelijke
independentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigratie
immigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutivealldroegen
contributedtonationalcalmandwelvaart
prosperity.WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndian
cavalerie
cavalryscoutsinnativecostumewerevervangen
substitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongzuchtte
sighofrelief.When,afterthe
kolossale
colossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandvriendelijkheid
kindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillennium
millenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookonin
hulpeloos
helplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchie
Anarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
the
Dodge
DodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.
IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadison
Avenue
Avenue,whereIhadbeenasalouter
mereformality.Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardlyworthhis
vergoeding
feetobetoldthat;Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
Whentheypickedmeupfromthe
stoep
pavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer
Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaangetast
affected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasgedwongen
obligedtoenduretreatmentforkrankzinnigheid
insanity.AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehad
gelukkig
fortunatelyleftnoevilresults;onthe
integendeel
contraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecome
actief
active,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
the
volume
volumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.IfIhadnotcaughta
glimp
glimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineveryzenuw
nerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandkroop
creptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthe
tweeling
twinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendous
schepping
creation,terribleinitssimplicity,onweerstaanbaar
irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowbeeft
tremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthe
vertaalde
translatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameenthousiast
eagertoreadit.Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikean
besmettelijke
infectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinent
continenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,veroordeeld
denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraire
literaryanarchists.Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeen
geschonden
violatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknown
standaard
standard,yet,althoughitwaserkend
acknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthespanning
strain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessentie
essenceofpurestpoisonlurked.Theverybanalityand
onschuld
innocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifth
Avenue
Avenue.Theblockwhichhad
vroeger
formerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenverworven
acquiredbytheGovernmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.
Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,
ernstig
severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andomringd
surroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasof
brons
bronze.Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
A
regiment
regimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahol
hollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,military
hulp
aidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarnizoen
garrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,Admiraal
AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.Thetribunewas
omringd
surroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.TheGovernorwasfinishinghis
antwoord
replytotheshortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
TheGovernmenthasseenfitto
erkennen
acknowledgetherightofmantoendanbestaan
existencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentalwanhoop
despair.Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.
Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnot
toegenomen
increased.NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."
He
pauzeerde
paused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.Thesilenceinthestreetwas
absoluut
absolute."Thereapainlessdeath
wacht
awaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
Thenquicklyturningtothemilitary
hulp
aidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"Iverklaar
declaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingtheenorme
vastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernment
verklaart
declarestheLethalChambertobeopen."The
plechtige
solemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'skoets
carriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongVijfde
FifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarnizoen
garrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.Ileftthecrowdtogapeand
staren
stareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue
Avenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
Iglancedinatthe
deur
doorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthe
drempel
threshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblozen
blushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.Ismiledather
verwarring
confusionandcomplimentedheronthespandoek
bannershewasembroideringfromagekleurd
colouredplate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitof
harnas
armour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittle
hamer
hammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.Momenteel
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinymoersleutel
wrench.Thesoftclashofthemailsenta
sensatie
thrillofpleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,the
zachte
mellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdid
bezette
occupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,John
Archer
Archer.However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinkling
hamer
hammerhadformethisstrongfascinatie
fascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,the
sensatie
sensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoverdragen
endure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethat
strekte
stretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!swish!
wrijven
rubbingrustfromtherivets.Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthen
pauzeerde
pausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatroon
patterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitan
MetropolitanMuseum.Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourinthe
Metropolitan
MetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenbenoemd
appointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,had
onderhandeld
negotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.Helaiddownhis
hamer
hammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasverworven
acquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhissuperb
collectie
collectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,gevonden
locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutany
zekerheid
certaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"I
eiste
demanded.Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"he
antwoordde
replied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."Haveyouno
ambitie
ambitiontoberich?"Iasked,smiling.
Myone
ambitie
ambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
Sheherselfhadnoticed
cavalerie
cavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebanier
bannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"I
antwoordde
repliedcarelessly."Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatand
stok
cane.Areyougoingupstairstoseethe
krankzinnige
lunaticagain?"laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,
verlamd
crippledandalmostdemented.Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhis
hamer
hammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedI
antwoordde
replied:.No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,however
triviaal
trivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsoluut
absolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingto
onderdrukken
suppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofharnas
armourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatrale
theatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk's
hamer
hammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishand
beefde
tremblingunderhisleathernapron.Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.Wilde
voortdurend
continuallyspeaksofyouastheMarkies
MarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwith
terreur
terrorwrittenoneveryfeature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathern
schort
apron.Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
About
harnas
armour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"about
pantser
armouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarkies
MarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisone
omstandigheid
circumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthe
gang
corridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfa
dozijn
dozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhiskunstmatige
artificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideously
fascinerend
fascinating.Hehadnoears.
The
kunstmatige
artificialones,whichnowstoodoutatanhoek
anglefromthefinewire,werehisonezwakte
weakness.Theyweremadeof
was
waxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.Hemightbetterhaverevelledinthe
luxe
luxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoongemak
inconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswas
waxears.Hewasverysmall,
nauwelijks
scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlyontwikkeld
developed,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.Still,themost
opmerkelijke
remarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeas
gezond
saneasIwas.Idonotdenythathewas
excentriek
eccentric;themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatand
plagen
teasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,wascertainlyexcentriek
eccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthe
manuscript
manuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithopwinding
excitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethekachel
stove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,
beefde
trembled,andsprangintohisface.Howlingand
schuimend
foamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedandvluchtte
fledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandkrullen
curlinguplikethelegsofadyingspin
spider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."