THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentofthe
संयुक्त
UnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,
घटना
incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgottenintheखुशी
joyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.
Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.
Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparentaleyeoftheGeneral
स्टाफ
Staff,organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;
consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
The
राष्ट्र
nationwasprosperous;Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.
Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,a
अचानक
suddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,
ठीक
properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.
Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsown
इनाम
reward.TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
Nobodyenviedthe
सचिव
SecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.The
सचिव
SecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamuchआसान
easiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.Wehadprofitedwellbythe
नवीनतम
latesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.
WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothe
पूंछ
tailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaपूर्व
formerSecretaryofWar,theराष्ट्र
nationdrewalongsighofrelief.When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybeganto
खींचना
drawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andthe
संयुक्त
UnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
Inthefollowing
सर्दियों
winterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingआत्महत्या
suicidewhichboreitsfinalफल
fruitinthemonthofअप्रैल
April,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonस्क्वायर
Square.IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysenta
गोली
bulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoendureउपचार
treatmentforinsanity.AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;
onthecontraryithadchangedmywhole
चरित्र
characterforthebetter.Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.
Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopen
पृष्ठ
page,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofखुशी
joysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomyबेडरूम
bedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothe
झील
lakeofHali;andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallid
मास्क
Mask.IprayGodwill
शाप
cursethewriter,astheलेखक
writerhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginपीले रंग
Yellow.WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.
Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectious
बीमारी
disease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,
हालांकि
althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremeनोट
noteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginपीले रंग
Yellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthestrain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestजहर
poisonlurked.Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmore
भयानक
awfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayof
अप्रैल
April,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonस्क्वायर
Square,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.The
ब्लॉक
blockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbytheGovernmentintheसर्दियों
winterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewhole
ब्लॉक
blockwasenclosedbyagildedलोहे
ironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelyबगीचे
gardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.Inthecentreofthe
बगीचे
gardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedthe
छत
roof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossed
यूनिवर्सिटी
UniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
Aregimentof
संयुक्त
UnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowवर्ग
squareroundtheLethalChamber.OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodthe
गवर्नर
GovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheमेयर
MayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,कर्नल
ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresidentoftheसंयुक्त
UnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,theस्टाफ
staffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.
The
गवर्नर
Governorwasfinishinghisreplytotheshortभाषण
speechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandproviding
दंड
punishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.TheGovernmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,through
शारीरिक
physicalsufferingormentaldespair.Itisbelievedthatthe
समुदाय
communitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesinthe
संयुक्त
UnitedStateshasnotincreased.NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfall
प्रतिदिन
dailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
The
खामोशी
silenceinthestreetwasabsolute."Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
ThenquicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevast
भीड़
crowdhecriedinaclearvoice:"CitizensofNewYorkandofthe
संयुक्त
UnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbya
तेज
sharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.Ileftthe
भीड़
crowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthe
हॉल
hall.Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.
Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacoloured
प्लेट
plate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsome
प्राचीन
ancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwitha
छोटे
tinywrench.Thesoftclashofthe
मेल
mailsentathrillofpleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicof
स्टील
steelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofचेन
chainarmour.ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptme
जागते
awakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshould
व्यवस्था
arrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoव्यवस्था
arrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrongfascination.
Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaid
स्टील
steel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsome
आंदोलन
movementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecoloured
प्लेट
platefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitan
संग्रहालय
Museumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.Thiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhicha
ग्राहक
clientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.
Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450from
मालिक
ownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,this
ग्राहक
clientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"
Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,smiling.
Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
SheherselfhadnoticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathis
अनुरोध
request.Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofher
नरम
softeyelashes.No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmy
टोपी
hatandcane.Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmy
उपस्थिति
presence.ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhim
चुपचाप
quietly:"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhishammer.
Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."
Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isit
बकवास
nonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundबीच
amongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk'shammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."
IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.
Isthis
बकवास
nonsensetoo?"Iaskedpleasantly,"isit
बकवास
nonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.
Hawberklookedatmeand
धीरे
slowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.
Yes,"hecontinued,
धीरे
slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongजीवित
survivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.
II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsof
सीढ़ियों
stairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthe
चांदी
silverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefine
तार
wire,werehisoneweakness.Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashell
गुलाबी
pink,buttherestofhisfacewasपीला
yellow.Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewas
संतुष्ट
satisfiedwithhiswaxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsas
मोटी
thickasanyathlete's.Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceand
ज्ञान
knowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.Itwas
सपाट
flatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.Manycalledhim
पागल
insane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.Idonot
इनकार
denythathewaseccentric;themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatandteasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikea
राक्षस
demon,wascertainlyeccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthe
प्राणी
creature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousजानवर
beast.Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishigh
कुर्सी
chair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.
Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.
Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishigh
कुर्सी
chair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
Called
अप्रैल
April3rd.Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
प्रतिष्ठा
Reputationtoberepairedbyअगस्त
August1st.RetainerFiveDollars."