按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
writers said） when the winter changed the time of its appearance。 The like
might befall Markheim： the solid walls might become transparent and
reveal his doings like those of bees in a glass hive； the stout planks might
yield under his foot like quicksands and detain him in their clutch。 Ay； and
there were soberer accidents that might destroy him； if； for instance； the
house should fall and imprison him beside the body of his victim； or the
house next door should fly on fire； and the firemen invade him from all
sides。 These things he feared； and； in a sense； these things might be called
the hands of God reached forth against sin。 But about God himself he was
at ease； his act was doubtless exceptional； but so were his excuses； which
76
… Page 77…
STORIES
God knew； it was there； and not among men； that he felt sure of justice。
When he had got safe into the drawing…room； and shut the door behind
him； he was aware of a respite from alarms。 The room was quite
dismantled； uncarpeted besides； and strewn with packing…cases and
incongruous furniture； several great pier…glasses； in which he beheld
himself at various angles； like an actor on a stage； many pictures； framed
and unframed； standing； with their faces to the wall； a fine Sheraton
sideboard； a cabinet of marquetry； and a great old bed； with tapestry
hangings。 The windows opened to the floor； but by great good fortune the
lower part of the shutters had been closed； and this concealed him from the
neighbours。 Here； then； Markheim drew in a packing…case before the
cabinet； and began to search among the keys。 It was a long business； for
there were many； and it was irksome； besides； for； after all； there might be
nothing in the cabinet； and time was on the wing。 But the closeness of the
occupation sobered him。 With the tail of his eye he saw the dooreven
glanced at it from time to time directly； like a besieged commander
pleased to verify the good estate of his defences。 But in truth he was at
peace。 The rain falling in the street sounded natural and pleasant。 Presently；
on the other side； the notes of a piano were wakened to the music of a
hymn； and the voices of many children took up the air and words。 How
stately； how comfortable was the melody！ How fresh the youthful voices！
Markheim gave ear to it smilingly； as he sorted out the keys； and his mind
was thronged with answerable ideas and images： church…going children；
and the pealing of the high organ； children afield； bathers by the brookside；
ramblers on the brambly common； kite…flyers in the windy and cloud…
navigated sky； and then； at another cadence of the hymn； back again to
church； and the somnolence of summer Sundays； and the high genteel
voice of the parson （which he smiled a little to recall） and the painted
Jacobean tombs； and the dim lettering of the Ten Commandments in the
chancel。
And as he sat thus； at once busy and absent； he was startled to his feet。
A flash of ice； a flash of fire； a bursting gush of blood； went over him； and
then he stood transfixed and thrilling。 A step mounted the stair slowly and
steadily； and presently a hand was laid upon the knob； and the lock clicked；
77
… Page 78…
STORIES
and the door opened。
Fear held Markheim in a vice。 What to expect he knew notwhether
the dead man walking； or the official ministers of human justice； or some
chance witness blindly stumbling in to consign him to the gallows。 But
when a face was thrust into the aperture； glanced round the room； looked
at him； nodded and smiled as if in friendly recognition； and then withdrew
again； and the door closed behind it； his fear broke loose from his control
in a hoarse cry。 At the sound of this the visitant returned。
〃Did you call me？〃 he asked； pleasantly； and with that he entered the
room and closed the door behind him。
Markheim stood and gazed at him with all his eyes。 Perhaps there was
a film upon his sight； but the outlines of the new comer seemed to change
and waver like those of the idols in the wavering candle…light of the shop；
and at times he thought he knew him； and at times he thought he bore a
likeness to himself； and always； like a lump of living terror； there lay in
his bosom the conviction that this thing was not of the earth and not of
God。
And yet the creature had a strange air of the commonplace； as he stood
looking on Markheim with a smile； and when he added； 〃You are looking
for the money； I believe？〃 it was in the tones of everyday politeness。
Markheim made no answer。
〃I should warn you；〃 resumed the other； 〃that the maid has left her
sweetheart earlier than usual and will soon be here。 If Mr。 Markheim be
found in this house； I need not describe to him the consequences。〃
〃You know me？〃 cried the murderer。
The visitor smiled。 〃You have long been a favourite of mine；〃 he said；
〃and I have long observed and often sought to help you。〃
〃What are you？〃 cried Markheim； 〃the devil？〃
〃What I may be；〃 returned the other； 〃cannot affect the service I
propose to render you。〃
〃It can；〃 cried Markheim； 〃it does！ Be helped by you？ No； never； not
by you！ You do not know me yet； thank God； you do not know me！〃
〃I know you；〃 replied the visitant； with a sort of kind severity or rather
firmness。 〃I know you to the soul。〃
78
… Page 79…
STORIES
〃Know me！〃 cried Markheim。 〃Who can do so？ My life is but a
travesty and slander on myself。 I have lived to belie my nature。 All men do；
all men are better than this disguise that grows about and stifles them。 You
see each dragged away by life； like one whom bravos have seized and
muffled in a cloak。 If they had their own controlif you could see their
faces； they would be altogether different； they would shine out for heroes
and saints！ I am worse than most； myself is more overlaid； my excuse is
known to me and God。 But； had I the time； I could disclose myself。〃
〃To me？〃 inquired the visitant。
〃To you before all；〃 returned the murderer。 〃I supposed you were
intelligent。 I thoughtsince you existyou