THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshad
praktisch
practicallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsuponthe
republik
republic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredper
prozent
centandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.
Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparentaleyeoftheGeneralStaff,
organisiert
organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserve
reserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;
consequentlywewerenolongerrepresented
im ausland
abroadbyincompetentpatriots.Thenationwas
wohlhabend
prosperous;Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteand
kaiserlich
imperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.Everywheregood
architektur
architecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingforanstand
decencyhadsweptawayagreatteil
portionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuiltto
ersetzen
replacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsof
architektur
architecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothebevölkerung
population.Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstate
oper
operabroughtitsownreward.TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.
TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasa
maßnahme
measureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofeinwanderung
immigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexekutive
executiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandwohlstand
prosperity.WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndian
kavallerie
cavalryscoutsinnativecostumewereersetzt
substitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongseufzer
sighofrelief.When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesand
freundlichkeit
kindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthejahrtausend
millenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelpless
kummer
sorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchie
Anarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodge
Statue
Statuewasremovedinthatyear.InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.
IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadison
Avenue
Avenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformalität
formality.Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeen
abwesend
absent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.Itwashardlyworthhis
gebühr
feetobetoldthat;Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlay
bewusstlos
unconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoertragen
enduretreatmentforinsanity.AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehad
glücklicherweise
fortunatelyleftnoevilresults;onthe
gegenteil
contraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecome
aktiv
active,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothe
kamin
fireplace;thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughta
blick
glimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerv
nerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsuns
sinken
sinkintothelakeofHali;andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhas
verflucht
cursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinitseinfachheit
simplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowzittert
tremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthe
übersetzten
translatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeifrig
eagertoreadit.Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,from
kontinent
continenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,verurteilt
denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeen
verletzt
violatedinthosewickedpages,nolehre
doctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwas
anerkannt
acknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthebelastung
strain,northriveonwordsinwhichthewesen
essenceofpurestpoisonlurked.Theverybanalityand
unschuld
innocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethal
Kammer
ChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue
Avenue.Theblockwhichhad
früher
formerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenerworben
acquiredbytheGovernmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,and
umgewandelt
convertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,
stark
severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasof
bronze
bronze.Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
A
regiment
regimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,military
hilfe
aidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarnison
garrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,Admiral
AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheKommissar
CommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghis
antwort
replytotheshortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
TheGovernmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendan
existenz
existencewhichmayhavebecomeunerträglich
intolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentalverzweiflung
despair.Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbe
profitieren
benefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnot
gestiegen
increased.NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablisha
Tödliche
LethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillaccepttheerleichterung
reliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethal
Kammer
Chamber.Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.
"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
Thenquicklyturningtothemilitary
hilfe
aidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheTödliche
LethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."
Thesolemn
stille
hushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'skutsche
carriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenue
Avenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarnison
garrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.Ileftthecrowdtogapeand
starrte
stareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue
Avenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.
Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthe
schwelle
threshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheerröten
blushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.Ismiledather
verwirrung
confusionandcomplimentedheronthebanner
bannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitof
rüstung
armour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittle
hammer
hammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.Gegenwärtig
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinyschraubenschlüssel
wrench.Thesoftclashofthemailsenta
nervenkitzel
thrillofpleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.
ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrong
faszination
fascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,the
gefühl
sensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoertragen
endure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedevery
nerv
nervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingheimlich
secretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishinglappen
rag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingto
untersuchen
examinemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresof
rüstung
armourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenernannt
appointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.
Helaiddownhis
hammer
hammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwaserworben
acquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhissuperb
sammlung
collectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutany
gewissheit
certaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyouno
ehrgeiz
ambitiontoberich?"Iasked,smiling.
Myone
ehrgeiz
ambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
Sheherselfhadnoticed
kavallerie
cavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebanner
bannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'
regiment
regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.
Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhis
hammer
hammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,however
trivial
trivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopräzise
preciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingto
unterdrücken
suppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofrüstung
armourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk's
hammer
hammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishand
zitterte
tremblingunderhisleathernapron.Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.Wilde
ständig
continuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquis
MarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwith
schrecken
terrorwrittenoneveryfeature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
About
rüstung
armour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"about
rüstung
armouralso—maybe—butheiswronginbezug
regardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisone
umstand
circumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.
Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfa
dutzend
dozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideously
faszinierend
fascinating.Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatan
winkel
anglefromthefinewire,werehisoneschwäche
weakness.Theyweremadeof
wachs
waxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.Hemightbetterhaverevelledinthe
luxus
luxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnounannehmlichkeiten
inconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificently
entwickelt
developed,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.
Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeas
gesund
saneasIwas.Idonotdenythathewas
exzentrisch
eccentric;themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatand
necken
teasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,wascertainlyexzentrisch
eccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthe
manuskript
manuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesziemlich
fairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforetheherd
stove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,
zitterte
trembled,andsprangintohisface.Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingand
kratzend
clawing,untilthecatscreamedandfloh
fledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspinne
spider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
Reputationtobe
repariert
repairedbyAugust1st.RetainerFiveDollars."