THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS
I
Neraillonspaslesfous;
leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....
Voilatouteladifférence."
Hacia
Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshadprácticamente
practicallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministración
administration.Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.
EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.
ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsuponthe
república
republic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculoussituación
plightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredpercentandthe
territorio
territoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.Thecountrywasinasuperbstateof
defensa
defence.Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;
thearmyunderthe
parental
parentaleyeoftheGeneralStaff,organizado
organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenaumentado
increasedto300,000men,withaterritorialreserva
reserveofamillion;andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-ships
patrullaban
patrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserva
reserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedto
reconocer
acknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;consequentlywewerenolongerrepresented
extranjero
abroadbyincompetentpatriots.Thenationwasprosperous;
Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteand
imperial
imperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.Everywheregood
arquitectura
architecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddenanhelo
cravingfordecencyhadsweptawayagreatportionoftheexistinghorrors.Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructures
demolido
demolishedandundergroundroadsbuilttoreplacethem.Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsof
arquitectura
architecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelyrodeaba
surroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothepoblación
population.Thesubsidizingofthestate
teatro
theatreandstateoperabroughtitsownreward.TheUnitedStatesNational
Academia
AcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.Nobody
envidiaba
enviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhisgabinete
cabinetpositionorhisportfolio.TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.
WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;
theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasa
medida
measureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependiente
independentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingofinmigración
immigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerintheejecutivo
executiveallcontributedtonationalcalmandprosperidad
prosperity.WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndian
caballería
cavalryscoutsinnativecostumeweresubstitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalongsuspiro
sighofrelief.When,afterthe
colosal
colossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesandbondad
kindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthemilenio
millenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookonin
impotente
helplesssorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesofAnarquía
Anarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.
Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;
the
Dodge
DodgeStatuewasremovedinthatyear.InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernment
Letal
LethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadison
Avenida
Avenue,whereIhadbeenasamereformalidad
formality.Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeenabsent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.
Itwashardlyworthhisfeetobetoldthat;
Iknewitmyself.
StillIdidnot
rencor
grudgehimthemoney.WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.
Whentheypickedmeupfromthe
pavimento
pavementwhereIlayunconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer
Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainafectado
affected,placedmeinhisprivateasilo
asylumwhereIwasobligedtosoportar
enduretreatmentforinsanity.AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.
Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.
Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.
Thefallfrommyhorsehad
afortunadamente
fortunatelyleftnoevilresults;onthecontraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.
Froma
perezoso
lazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecomeactivo
active,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.
DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.
Irememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatit
ocurrió
occurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.Istartedupandflungthebookintothe
chimenea
fireplace;thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.
IfIhadnotcaughta
vistazo
glimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedineverynervio
nerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandarrastré
creptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorror
horrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;
wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsuns
se hunden
sinkintothelakeofHali;andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.
IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhascursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendous
creación
creation,terribleinitssimplicity,irresistible
irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnowtiembla
tremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.WhentheFrenchGovernment
apoderó
seizedthetranslatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,becameansioso
eagertoreadit.Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,from
continente
continenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscado
confiscatedthere,denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.No
definido
definiteprincipleshadbeenviolatedinthosewickedpages,nodoctrina
doctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknown
estándar
standard,yet,althoughitwasreconocía
acknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthetensión
strain,northriveonwordsinwhichtheesencia
essenceofpurestpoisonlurked.Theverybanalityand
inocencia
innocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirstGovernment
Letal
LethalChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifthAvenue.Theblockwhichhad
anteriormente
formerlyconsistedofalotofmal
shabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeenadquirido
acquiredbytheGovernmentinthewinterof1898.TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;
thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,andconvertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.
Inthe
centro
centreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,severamente
severelyclassicalinarchitecture,androdeado
surroundedbythicketsofflowers.SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasof
bronce
bronze.Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.
TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.
Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.
A
regimiento
regimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahueco
hollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,military
ayuda
aidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingtheguarnición
garrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,Almirante
AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andtheCommissionerofPublicWorks.ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.
TheGovernorwasfinishinghis
respuesta
replytotheshortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.Iheardhimsay:
"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.
TheGovernmenthasseenfitto
reconocer
acknowledgetherightofmantoendanexistencia
existencewhichmayhavebecomeintolerable
intolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormentaldesesperación
despair.Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbe
beneficiará
benefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnot
aumentado
increased.NowtheGovernmenthas
decidido
determinedtoestablishaLethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthealivio
reliefthusprovided."Hepaused,andturnedtothewhite
Letal
LethalChamber.Thesilenceinthestreetwas
absoluto
absolute."Thereapainlessdeath
espera
awaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."
Thenquicklyturningtothemilitary
ayuda
aidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"IdeclaretheLethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevasta
vastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernment
declara
declarestheLethalChambertobeopen."The
solemne
solemnhushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor'scarruaje
carriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifthAvenida
Avenuetowaitforthecommandantoftheguarnición
garrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.Ileftthecrowdtogapeand
fijamente
stareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifthAvenida
Avenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.
HAWBERK,ARMOURER.
Iglancedinatthe
puerta
doorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"
Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthe
umbral
threshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawtherubor
blushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.Ismiledather
confusión
confusionandcomplimentedheronthebannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitof
armadura
armour,andtheting!ting!
ting!
ofhislittle
martillo
hammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.Presentlyhedroppedhis
martillo
hammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatinyllave
wrench.Thesoftclashofthemailsenta
emoción
thrillofpleasurethroughme.Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,the
suave
mellowshockofthemalletonmuslo
thighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmadura
armour.ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.
Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.
Thisdid
ocupaba
occupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,John
Archer
Archer.However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinkling
martillo
hammerhadformethisstrongfascinación
fascination.Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,the
sensación
sensationitgavemewasalmosttookeentosoportar
endure.Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethat
estiraba
stretchedeverynervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillemocionado
thrillingsecretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishingtrapo
rag,swish!swish!
rubbingrustfromtherivets.
Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingto
examinar
examinemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitano
MetropolitanMuseum.Whoisthisfor?"
Iasked.
Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresofarmourinthe
Metropolitano
MetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeennombrado
appointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.
He,Hawberk,had
negociado
negotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.Helaiddownhis
martillo
hammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwasadquirido
acquiredbyThomasStainbridge.Whenhis
magnífica
superbcollectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,localizado
locatedinParis.Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutany
certeza
certaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"I
exigí
demanded.Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.
ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.
Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"I
aventuré
ventured.No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."
Haveyouno
ambición
ambitiontoberich?"Iasked,smiling.
Myone
ambición
ambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesatthe
Letal
LethalChamber.Sheherselfhadnoticed
caballería
cavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthebandera
bannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"
sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.
No,"I
respondí
repliedcarelessly."Louis'regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."
Iroseandpickedupmyhatand
bastón
cane.Areyougoingupstairstoseethe
lunático
lunaticagain?"laughedoldHawberk.
IfHawberkknewhowI
detesto
loathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.
However,Iansweredhimquietly:
"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."
Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.
Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."
Ithinkheisvicious,"
observó
observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhismartillo
hammer.Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;
whenhehadfinishedI
respondí
replied:.No,heisnot
vicioso
vicious,norisheintheleastdemented.Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecan
extraer
extracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.Hawberklaughed.
Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:
"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.
Nothing,however
trivial
trivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsoluta
absolute,sopreciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.
Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingto
reprimir
suppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitofarmadura
armourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"Hawberk's
martillo
hammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.
Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."
Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishand
temblaba
tremblingunderhisleathernapron.Isthisnonsensetoo?"
Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.Wilde
continuamente
continuallyspeaksofyouastheMarqués
MarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwithterrorwrittenonevery
rasgo
feature.Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathern
delantal
apron.Thatisimpossible,"he
observó
observed,"Mr.Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".
About
armadura
armour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"about
armadura
armouralso—maybe—butheiswronginregardtotheMarqués
MarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."Mr.
Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.
Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.
Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisone
circunstancia
circumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.II
Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthe
pasillo
corridor.Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.
Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.
Halfa
docena
dozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideously
fascinante
fascinating.Hehadnoears.
Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatan
ángulo
anglefromthefinewire,werehisonedebilidad
weakness.Theyweremadeof
cera
waxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.Hemightbetterhaverevelledintheluxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimnoinconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhis
cera
waxears.Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificentlydeveloped,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.
Still,themost
notable
remarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.
Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeas
cuerdo
saneasIwas.Idonotdenythathewas
excéntrico
eccentric;themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatand
burlarse
teasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,wascertainlyeccentric.Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.
Irememberonce,glancingupfromthe
manuscrito
manuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyesbastante
fairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforetheestufa
stove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,
tembló
trembled,andsprangintohisface.Aullando
Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingandclawing,untilthecatscreamedandhuyó
fledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadyingaraña
spider.Hewaseccentric.
Mr.
Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.
HenryB.
Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.
CalledApril3rd.
Reputationdamagedontherace-track.
Knownasawelcher.
ReputationtoberepairedbyAugust1st.
RetainerFiveDollars."