It might be Edgerton or not. I was morally sure it was. By grappling
with him, in such a situation, I should bring the affair to a final
issue, though it might not be a murderous one. But of that I did
not think; I went forward to do something; what that something was
to be, it was left for time and chance to determine. But, suddenly,
as I opened the door, the music ceased. Stepping into the yard, I
heard the sound as of a falling body. I naturally concluded that
he had heard the opening of the door, and had suffered himself to
drop down to the ground. I took for granted that he had descended
on the opposite side of the yard and within the enclosure of a
neighbor. I leaped the fence, hurried to the tree, traversed the
grounds, and found nobody. I returned, reached my own premises,
and found the gate open which opened upon the street. He had gone
then in that direction. I turned into this street, posted with
all speed to the corner of the square and met only the watchman.
I asked, but he had seen nobody. The street was perfectly quiet,
I returned, reascended to my chamber, found Julia now awake, and
evidently much agitated. She had arisen in my absence, and was only
about to re-enter the bed when I rushed up stairs.
What was I to think? What fear? I was too conscious of the
suspicious nature of my thoughts and fears to suffer myself to ask
any questions--and she, unhappily for both of us--she said nothing.
Had she but spoken--had she but uttered the natural inquiry--"Did
you hear that strange music, husband?"--how much easier had been
her extrication. But she was silent, and I was again let loose upon
a wide sea of fears and doubts and damnable apprehensions. Once
more, and now with a feeling which would not have made me forbear
the use of any weapon, however deadly, I re-examined my own enclosure,
but in vain. The horrible thought which possessed me was that he
had even penetrated the dwelling while I was seeking him in the
street; that they had met; and how was I to know the degree of
tenderness which had marked their meeting and sweetness to their
adieus!