THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedure
plus
pluslongtempsquelanôtre....Voilatouteladifférence."
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpracticallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.
Thecountrywas
tampaknya
apparentlytranquil.EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,
insiden
incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsupontherepublic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthesukacita
joyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.
Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.
Every
pesisir
coastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;thearmyundertheparentaleyeoftheGeneral
Staf
Staff,organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.
ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;
consequentlywewerenolongerrepresentedabroadbyincompetentpatriots.
The
bangsa
nationwasprosperous;Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,had
bangkit
risenfromitsruins,whiteandimperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.Everywheregoodarchitecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionofthe
ada
existinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,
benar
properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsofarchitecture,andthelongsystemof
batu
stonequayswhichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopulation.Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstateoperabroughtitsown
imbalan
reward.TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyof
Desain
DesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.Nobodyenviedthe
Sekretaris
SecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.The
Sekretaris
SecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamuchmudah
easiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.Wehadprofitedwellbythe
terbaru
latesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasameasureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontributedto
nasional
nationalcalmandprosperity.WhentheGovernment
memecahkan
solvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndiancavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontotheekor
tailofskeletonizedregimentsbyamantan
formerSecretaryofWar,thebangsa
nationdrewalongsighofrelief.When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandkindnessandcharitybeganto
menarik
drawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillenniumhadtiba
arrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.
InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.
Inthefollowing
musim dingin
winterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingbunuh diri
suicidewhichboreitsfinalbuah
fruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare
Square.IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformality.
Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.
WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysenta
peluru
bulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedtoendureperawatan
treatmentforinsanity.AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehadfortunatelyleftnoevilresults;
onthecontraryithadchangedmywhole
karakter
characterforthebetter.Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactive,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.
Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothefireplace;
thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopen
halaman
page,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofkegembiraan
joysopoignantthatImenderita
sufferedineverynerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothe
danau
lakeofHali;andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
IprayGodwill
mengutuk
cursethewriter,asthepenulis
writerhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtremblesbeforetheKinginKuning
Yellow.WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.
Itiswellknownhowthebook
menyebar
spreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,fromcontinenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.
Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,
meskipun
althoughitwasacknowledgedthatthesupremediketahui
noteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthestrain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestracun
poisonlurked.Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmore
mengerikan
awfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayof
April
April,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare
Square,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.The
blok
blockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenacquiredbytheGovernmentinthemusim dingin
winterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewhole
blok
blockwasenclosedbyagildedbesi
ironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelytaman
gardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.Inthecentreofthe
taman
gardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.
Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceand
memasuki
enteredthesquare.Ithreadedmywaythroughthe
diam
silentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.AregimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.
OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodthe
Gubernur
GovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheWalikota
MayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,Kolonel
ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthegarrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaf
staffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.Thetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsofthe
Nasional
NationalGuard.TheGovernorwasfinishinghisreplytotheshort
pidato
speechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibiting
bunuh diri
suicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyupaya
attemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.TheGovernmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerabletohim,through
fisik
physicalsufferingormentaldespair.Itisbelievedthatthe
masyarakat
communitywillbebenefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnotincreased.
NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,it
tetap
remainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethalChamber.
The
keheningan
silenceinthestreetwasabsolute."Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
ThenquicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevast
kerumunan
crowdhecriedinaclearvoice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."
Thesolemnhushwasbrokenbya
tajam
sharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantofthegarrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.Ileftthe
kerumunan
crowdtogapeandstareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.
Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthethreshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtheblushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.
Ismiledatherconfusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacoloured
piring
plate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsome
kuno
ancientsuitofarmour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittlehammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwitha
kecil
tinywrench.Thesoftclashofthe
surat
mailsentathrillofpleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleof
rantai
chainarmour.ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedme
pribadi
personally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptme
terjaga
awakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshould
mengatur
arrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtomengatur
arrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrongfascination.
Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaid
baja
steel,thesensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsome
gerakan
movementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingrag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecoloured
piring
platefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourintheMetropolitan
Museum
Museumofwhichhehadbeenappointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.Thiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhicha
klien
clientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforand
mengamankan
securedthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.Helaiddownhishammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450from
pemilik
ownertoowneruntilitwasacquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhissuperbcollectionwassold,this
klien
clientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutanycertaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"
I
menuntut
demanded.Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.
No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,smiling.
Myoneambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.
ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.
SheherselfhadnoticedcavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.
Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofher
lembut
softeyelashes.No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
I
bangkit
roseandpickedupmytopi
hatandcane.Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhim
tenang
quietly:"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhishammer.
Ilistenedtothe
emas
goldentinkleonthegreaveplates;whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.
Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.
Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,howevertrivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchaman
ada
existed,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingtosuppresswhatIfelt,"isit
omong kosong
nonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundantara
amongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk'shammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."
IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishandtremblingunderhisleathernapron.
Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isit
omong kosong
nonsensewhenMr.WildecontinuallyspeaksofyouastheMarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwithterrorwrittenoneveryfeature.
Hawberklookedatmeand
perlahan
slowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.
Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.
Yes,"hecontinued,
perlahan
slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongbertahan hidup
survivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisonecircumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.
II
I
memanjat
climbedthethreedilapidatedflightsoftangga
stairs,whichIhadsooftenmemanjat
climbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavy
dada
chestagainstit,hecameandsatdownsamping
besideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.Halfadozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthe
perak
silverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideouslyfascinating.
Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatananglefromthefine
kawat
wire,werehisoneweakness.Theyweremadeofwaxandpaintedashell
merah muda
pink,buttherestofhisfacewaskuning
yellow.Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewas
puas
satisfiedwithhiswaxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcely
tinggi
higherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsassetebal
thickasanyathlete's.Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellous
kecerdasan
intelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.Itwas
datar
flatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.Manycalledhim
gila
insane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.Idonot
menyangkal
denythathewaseccentric;themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatandteasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikea
setan
demon,wascertainlyeccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthe
makhluk
creature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.Irememberonce,glancingupfromthemanuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishigh
kursi
chair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadnaik
risenfromherplacebeforethestove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,trembled,andsprangintohisface.
Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,
menggaruk
scratchingandclawing,untilthecatberteriak
screamedandfledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingspider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehad
memanjat
climbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
Called
April
April3rd.Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
Reputasi
ReputationtoberepairedbyAgustus
August1st.RetainerFiveDollars."