Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-03-09
Countess NarOla.
By WILKIE COLLINS.
nrv moved mechanically to the door.

Even when he had his hand on the Key, ready to turn it in the lock in case of neces- nty, he still looked back at the appalling object on the floor. There was no possibility of identifying those decayed and distorted features with any living creature whom he had seen-and yet he was conscious of feeling Q vague and awful doubt which shook him to the soul. The questions which tortured the mind of Agnes were now his questions, too He asked himself, ''In whose likeness might 1 have recognized 1t before tue decay set ins The likeness of Fcrrari9 or the like ness ofP'- He paused trembling, as Az nes had paused trembling before him. Agnesl The name, of all women's names the dearest to him, was a terror to him now! What was he to say to her? What might be the conse. uuence if he trusted her with the terrible truths
 No footsteps approached the door; no voices were audible outside. The travellers were still occupied in their rooms at the eastern end of the corridor.
 In the brief interval that had passed the manager had sufficiently recovered himself to be able to think once more of the first and foremost interest of his life-the interest of the hotel. He approached Henry anxicusy.
 ''If this frightful discovery becomes known," he said, "the closing of the hotel and the ruin of the company will be the in- evitable results I feel sure that can trust your discretion, sir, so farsa
 "You can certainly/trust me-" Henry an- swered "But surely discretion has it's linn it's" he added, "after such discovery as we have made?" /
 The manager understood that the duty | which they owed to the community as honest and law abiding men, was the duty to which Henry now referred. "I will at once find tine l l. ..1f< privately out of the house, and will myself place them ill the care of the police authori. ties. Will you leave the room wi.l me? or do you not object to keep watch here, and help me when I return?"
 While he was speaking, the voices of the travellers made themselves heard aga at the end of the corridor. Henry instantly con- sented to wait i'll the room. He shrunk from facing the inevitable meeting with A:1.es if lie showed himself in the corridor at that mo- mcnt.
 The manager hastened his departure. in the hope of escaping notice. He was discovered by his guests before he could reach the head of the stairs. Henry heard the voices plainly as he turned the key. While the terrible drama of discovery was ill progress on one side of the door, tr vial questions about the amusements of Venice and facetious discus  Italian cookery were proceeding on the other Little by little the sound of the talking grew fainter. The visitors having arranged their plans of amusement for the day, were on their way out of the hotel. In 8 minute or two there was silence once more.
 Henry turned to the window, thinking to relieve his mind by looking at the bright view over the canal. He soon grew wearied of the familiar scene. The morbid fascina- tion which seems to be xercised by all hor- r.ole sights, drew him back again to the ghastly object on the floor
 Dream or reality, how had Agnes survived the sight of i.? As the question passed through his mind, he noticed for the first time something lying on the floor near the head. Looking closer, he perceived thin tached to it. which had apparently dropped out (ooscned by the shocl) when the manager let the hcad fall on the floor.
 T.!e importance of this discovery, and the necessity of not too readily communicating it to others, instantly struck Henry. Here sur.ly was a chance-if any chance remained of Identifying the shocking relic of human itv which lay before him, the dumb witness of a crime! Acting on this idea, he took posses 5on of the teeth, purposing to use them as q last means of inquiry when other at tenptS at investigation had been tried and had failed.
 He went back again to the window; the solitude of the room began to weigh OH his spirits As he looked out again at the view, there was soft knock at the door. He hastened to open it-and checked himself in the act. A doubt occurred to him. Was it the manager who had knocked! He called out, "Who is there?"
 -Tba voice of rnes answered him. ~Have you anything to tell me, Henrya" He was hardly able to reply. "Not just now," he said, confusedly. Forgive me if don't open the door. will speak to you a | little later"
 Tho sweet voice made itself heard again, pleading with him piteously. Don't leave me alone, Henry! I can't go back to the happy people down stairs" How could he resist that appeala He heard | her sigh-he heard the rustling of her dress as she moved away in despair. The very thing that he had shrunk from doing but 6 l few minutes since was the thing that he did 1 now! He joined Agnes ill the corridor She turned as she heard him, and pointed trem bling ill the direction of the closed room "Is iG so terrible as that?' she asked, faintly. He put his arm round her to support her A thought came to him as he looked at her waiting in doubt and fear for his reply "You shall decide the question for yourself, he said, Eff you will first put OH your hat ane l cloak, and come out with me-"
 She was naturally surprised Can yo,
 tell me your object in going out7' she asked.
 He owned what nis object was unreserv- edly. "I want. before all things" he said,
 "to satisfy your mlnd and mine on the sub- | ject of Montbarry's death. I ana going to take you to the doctor who attended him in his illness and to the consul who followed him to tue grave"
 Her eyes rested on Henry gratefully "Oh, how we'll you understand mel" she said. The manager joined them at the same moment, on his way up the stairs. Henry gave him the key of the room. and then called to the servants ill the hall to have {; gondoa ready at the steps.
 aAre you leaving the hotela" the manager asked.
 "In search of evidence" Henry whispered, pointing to the key. eff the authorities l want me, shall be back in an hour"
 CHAPTER XIV. ~
 The day had advanced to evening. Lord | &l,o1 .lo1, ,.fv lod tr