THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Verso
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadpraticamente
practicallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsuponthe
repubblica
republic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculoussituazione
plightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandthe
territorio
territoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.Thecountrywasinasuperbstateof
difesa
defence.Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyundertheparentaleyeoftheGeneralStaff,
organizzato
organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenaumentato
increasedto300,000men,withaterritorialriserva
reserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-ships
pattugliavano
patrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingavapore
steamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedto
riconoscere
acknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;consequentlywewerenolongerrepresented
all'estero
abroadbyincompetentpatriots.Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteand
imperiale
imperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.Everywheregood
architettura
architecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfordecenza
decencyhadsweptawayagreatparte
portionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructures
demolite
demolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsof
architettura
architecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelycircondava
surroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepopolazione
population.Thesubsidizingofthestate
teatro
theatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.
Nobody
invidiava
enviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhisgabinetto
cabinetpositionorhisportfolio.TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasa
misura
measureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindipendente
independentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofimmigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheexecutiveallcontribuirono
contributedtonationalcalmandprosperità
prosperity.WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndian
cavalleria
cavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsospiro
sighofrelief.When,afterthe
colossale
colossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandgentilezza
kindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemillennio
millenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelpless
dolore
sorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,chinò
stoopedandboundthemonebyone.InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
theDodge
Statua
Statuewasremovedinthatyear.InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernment
Letale
LethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadisonAvenue,whereIhadbeenasa
semplice
mereformality.Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnot
rancore
grudgehimthemoney.WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
Whentheypickedmeupfromthe
marciapiede
pavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybraincolpito
affected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobbligato
obligedtoenduretreatmentforpazzia
insanity.AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehad
fortunatamente
fortunatelyleftnoevilresults;onthe
contrario
contraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.Froma
pigro
lazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeattivo
active,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.
Istartedupandflungthebookintothe
camino
fireplace;thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughtaglimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasI
chinavo
stoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterrore
terror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynervo
nerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandstrisciato
creptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithaorrore
horrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsunssinkintothelakeofHali;
andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhas
maledetto
cursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreazione
creation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistibile
irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtrema
tremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameeagertoreadit.
Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,from
continente
continenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscato
confiscatedthere,denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.No
definito
definiteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodottrina
doctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknown
standard
standard,yet,althoughitwasriconoscesse
acknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthetensione
strain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheessenceofpurestpoisonlurked.Theverybanalityandinnocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.
Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirstGovernment
Letale
LethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.Theblockwhichhadformerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeen
acquisito
acquiredbytheGovernmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.
Inthe
centro
centreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,severamente
severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andcircondato
surroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasofbronze.
A
splendido
splendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
A
reggimento
regimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinacavo
hollowsquareroundtheLethalCamera
Chamber.OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,militaryaidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthe
guarnigione
garrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,AdmiralBuffbyoftheflotta
fleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghis
risposta
replytotheshortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
TheGovernmenthasseenfitto
riconoscere
acknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencewhichmayhavebecomeinsopportabile
intolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldisperazione
despair.Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbe
beneficio
benefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnot
aumentato
increased.NowtheGovernmenthas
deciso
determinedtoestablishaLethalCamera
Chamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthereliefthusprovided."He
pausa
paused,andturnedtothewhiteLetale
LethalChamber.Thesilenceinthestreetwas
assoluto
absolute."Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.
Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
ThenquicklyturningtothemilitaryaidofthePresident's
casa
household,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalCamera
Chamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernment
dichiara
declarestheLethalChambertobeopen."The
solenne
solemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarrozza
carriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenuetowaitforthecommandantoftheguarnigione
garrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.Ileftthecrowdtogapeand
fissare
stareatthewhitemarbleDeathCamera
Chamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenue,walkedalongtheoccidentale
westernsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.
Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthe
soglia
threshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtherossore
blushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.Ismiledather
confusione
confusionandcomplimentedheronthestriscione
bannershewasembroideringfromacolorato
colouredplate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitof
armatura
armour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittle
martello
hammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.Attualmente
Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andagitato
fussedaboutforamomentwithatinychiave
wrench.Thesoftclashofthemailsenta
brivido
thrillofpleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,the
morbido
mellowshockofthemalletoncoscia
thighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdid
occupava
occupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.
However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinkling
martello
hammerhadformethisstrongfascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,the
sensazione
sensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentoendure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedevery
nervo
nervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrillingsegretamente
secretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingstraccio
rag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthen
pausa
pausingtoexaminemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitan
MetropolitanMuseum.Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourinthe
Metropolitan
MetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeennominato
appointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,had
negoziato
negotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.Helaiddownhis
martello
hammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasacquisito
acquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhis
superba
superbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,trovava
locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutany
certezza
certaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"I
chiesto
demanded.Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"I
avventurato
ventured.No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyounoambitiontoberich?"
Iasked,smiling.
Myone
ambizione
ambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesatthe
Letale
LethalChamber.Sheherselfhadnoticed
cavalleria
cavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebandiera
bannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"Irepliedcarelessly.
"Louis'
reggimento
regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."Iroseandpickedupmyhatand
bastone
cane.Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"
laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.
ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmost
demente
demented.Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"
osservato
observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhismartello
hammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.
No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleast
demente
demented.Hismindisawonder
camera
chamber,fromwhichhecanestrarre
extracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,however
banale
trivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingto
sopprimere
suppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmourcomunemente
commonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk's
martello
hammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishand
tremare
tremblingunderhisleathernapron.Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.Wilde
continuamente
continuallyspeaksofyouastheMarchese
MarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwith
terrore
terrorwrittenoneveryfeature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathern
grembiule
apron.Thatisimpossible,"he
osservato
observed,"Mr.Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
Aboutarmour,for
esempio
instance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"aboutarmouralso—maybe—butheiswrongin
riguardo
regardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisone
circostanza
circumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthe
corridoio
corridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfa
dozzina
dozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideously
affascinante
fascinating.Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatan
angolo
anglefromthefinewire,werehisonedebolezza
weakness.Theyweremadeof
cera
waxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.Hemightbetterhaverevelledinthe
lusso
luxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconveniente
inconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiscera
waxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificently
sviluppate
developed,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.Still,themost
notevole
remarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeassaneasIwas.
Idonotdenythathewas
eccentrico
eccentric;themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatandteasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,wascertainlyeccentric.
Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthe
manoscritto
manuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildeaccovacciato
squattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesfairlyblazingwitheccitazione
excitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethestufa
stove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,
tremava
trembled,andsprangintohisface.Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedand
fuggì
fledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandarricciavano
curlinguplikethelegsofadyingragno
spider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."