THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920the
Pemerintah
GovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallymenyelesaikan
completedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresiden
PresidentWinthrop'sadministration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequent
konyol
ridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidone
seratus
hundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswelllayak
worthitscostasacoalingstasiun
station.Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.
Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwith
darat
landfortifications;thearmyundertheparental
mata
eyeoftheGeneralStaff,organizedsesuai
accordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
Thegentlemenfromthe
Barat
Westhadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethataperguruan tinggi
collegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.
Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.
Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.
Thenew
pemerintah
governmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelongsistem
systemofstonequayswhichbenar
completelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.Thesubsidizingofthe
negara
statetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinet
posisi
positionorhisportfolio.TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenew
sistem
systemofNationalMountedPolice.WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegro
negara
stateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperity.Whenthe
Pemerintah
GovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsighofrelief.When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharity
mulai
begantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.
InthecityofNewYorkthe
musim panas
summerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.The
musim panas
summerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
Inthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthe
bulan
monthofApril,1920,whenthefirstPemerintah
GovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommy
kuda
horse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandleher
neck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.Itwashardly
layak
worthhisfeetobetoldthat;Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthe
kesalahan
mistakewhichhemadeatfirst.WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmy
otak
brainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoenduretreatmentforinsanity.Atlasthe
memutuskan
decidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.Itoldhim,
tersenyum
smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegaveme
tidak
none,andItoldhimIwouldwait.Thefallfrommy
kuda
horsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,and
atas
aboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
Selama
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.Irememberafter
menyelesaikan
finishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecond
tindakan
actIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithamenangis
cryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;
andmymindwillbearforeverthe
ingatan
memoryofthePallidMask.I
berdoa
prayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,mengerikan
terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.WhentheFrench
Pemerintah
GovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedby
Pers
Pressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremenoteof
seni
arthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumansifat
naturecouldnotbearthestrain,atau
northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirst
tindakan
actonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirst
Pemerintah
GovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedontheselatan
southsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSelatan
SouthFifthAvenue.Theblockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbythe
Pemerintah
Governmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoa
indah
lovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,white
bangunan
building,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.
Asplendidmarble
kelompok
groupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.
OnaraisedtribunefacingWashington
Park
ParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthenegara
statetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresiden
PresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sPulau
Island,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheUtara
NorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNational
Garda
Guard.TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytothe
singkat
shortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
The
Pemerintah
Governmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldespair.Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.
Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.
Nowthe
Pemerintah
GovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townanddesa
villageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenapakah
whetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillmenerima
acceptthereliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.
"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolonger
menanggung
bearthesorrowsofthislife.Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
Then
cepat
quicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearsuara
voice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnited
Menyatakan
StatesofAmerica,throughmethePemerintah
GovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.
IleftthecrowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.
ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingy
toko
shopwhichborethesign:.HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberk
sibuk
busyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,hearty
suara
voice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,my
sepupu
cousinLouis.Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.
OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!
ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaint
toko
shop.Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinywrench.
Thesoftclashofthemailsentathrillof
kesenangan
pleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.
ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,
kecuali
exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.Thisdidoccupymy
perhatian
attention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheir
masa depan
futureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.Namun
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethiskuat
strongfascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.
Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwitha
kesenangan
pleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutoffthesinar
rayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.
Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberk
menjelaskan
explained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofbeberapa
severalcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.Thiswasthemissinggreaveofa
terkenal
famoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittletoko
shopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthe
setelan
suitwascomplete.Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethe
sejarah
historyofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthe
setelan
suit,andsincethenthepencarian
searchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethe
pencarian
searchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"Idemanded.
Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItooka
pribadi
personalinterestinHawberk.Itwas
bernilai
worthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,
tersenyum
smiling.Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
Sheherselfhadnoticedcavalry
melewati
passingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyour
sepupu
cousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.
Areyougoing
atas
upstairstoseethelunaticagain?"laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
Itrouses
tertentu
certainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.Namun
However,Iansweredhimquietly:"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,
mulai
beginningagainwithhishammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknows
sejarah
historyasnooneelsecouldknowit.Nothing,
bagaimanapun
howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthe
lantai
floorforafallenrivet.Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"
Hawberk'shammerfelltothe
tanah
ground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"he
menangis
cried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".
Ididnot
selesai
finish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.
Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,
tersenyum
smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."
Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letus
setuju
agree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadso
sering
oftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorand
mendorong
pushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.Halfadozennewscratches
menutupi
coveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichmendukung
supportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefinewire,werehisoneweakness.
Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.
Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.
Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.
Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.
Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewaseccentric;
themaniahehadforkeepingthat
kucing
catandteasingheruntilsheterbang
flewathisfacelikeademon,wastentu
certainlyeccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,
atau
norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethe
kucing
cat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthelantai
floorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytothe
tanah
ground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthe
lantai
floor,scratchingandclawing,untilthekucing
catscreamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,after
mempelajari
studyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersin
gereja
churchornaments.CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."