"Alas ! " said I, " no one to accuse Leave me to my fate Fly from scene stained with cruelty, devoted to despair "

Carwin stood for time musing and mournful , "What has happened ? to expiate my crimes: let me know them in their full extent horrible forebodings ! What has happened ? "

silent; but, recollecting the intimation given man when detected in my closet, which implied some knowledge power which interfered in my favor, I eagerly inquired, "What voice which called upon me to hold when I attempted to open the closet ? What face which bottom stairs ? Answer me truly "

" to confess the truth Your allusions are horrible and strange Perhaps but faint conceptions evils which my infatuation has produced; but what remains perform MY VOICE that you heard ! MY FACE that you saw ! "

For moment I doubted whether my remembrance of events confused How could he be at once stationed at my shoulder and shut up in my closet ? How could he stand near me and yet be invisible ? But if Carwin's were the thrilling voice fiery image which I had heard and seen, then was he the prompter brother, author dismal outrages

Once more I averted my eyes and struggled for speech:--"Begone ! thou man of mischief ! Remorseless and implacable miscreant, begone ! "

" obey," said he, in disconsolate voice; "yet, wretch as , am I unworthy to repair the evils that committed ? as repentant criminal you whom injured, and at your bar am I willing to appear and confess and expiate my crimes deceived you; sported with your terrors; plotted to destroy your reputation I come now to remove your terrors; to set you beyond the reach of similar fears; to rebuild your fame as far as able

" amount guilt, and this the fruit remorse not hear me ? Listen to my confession, and then denounce punishment All I ask is patient audience "

"What ! " I replied; "was not thine the voice that commanded my brother to imbrue his hands blood children ? --to strangle that angel of sweetness, his wife ? Has he not vowed my death, death of Pleyel, at thy bidding ? Hast thou not made him the butcher family ? --changed him who glory species into worse than brute ? --robbed him of reason and consigned the rest days to fetters and stripes ? "

Carwin's eyes glared limbs were petrified intelligence No words were requisite him guiltless enormities: , however, nearly insensible exculpatory tokens He walked farther end room, and, having recovered some degree of composure, he spoke:--

" not this villain slain no one; prompted none to slay; handled tool of wonderful efficacy without malignant intentions, but without caution Ample the punishment temerity, conduct has contributed evil " He paused

I likewise was silent I struggled to command myself listen tale which tell Observing this, he continued:--

" apprised existence of power which I possess not by what name it [1] It enables me to mimic exactly the voice of another, and to modify the sound so shall appear from what quarter and be uttered at what distance I please

" not that everyone possesses this power Perhaps, though casual position organs in my youth showed me that I possessed it, an art taught to all Would to God I had died unknowing secret ! It has produced nothing but degradation and calamity "

[1] Biloquium, or ventrilocution Sound is varied according variations of direction and distance The art ventriloquist consists in modifying his voice according to all these variations, without changing his place See the work Abbe de la Chappelle, are accurately recorded the performances of artists, and some ingenious though unsatisfactory speculations are given means the effects are produced This power is, perhaps, given by nature, but is doubtless improvable, acquirable, by art It may, possibly, consist in an unusual flexibility or extension bottom tongue uvula That speech is producible alone granted, since anatomists mention two instances of persons speaking without tongue In one case the organ was originally wanting, but its place was supplied by small tubercle, uvula was perfect other the tongue was destroyed by disease, but probably small part of it remained

This power is difficult to explain, but the fact is undeniable Experience shows human voice can imitate the voice of all men and of all inferior animals The sound of musical instruments, and even noises contact of inanimate substances, accurately imitated The mimicry of animals is notorious; and Dr Burney ("Musical Travels") mentions one who imitated flute and violin, so deceive even his ears

THIRD PART

I

[After Carwin's confession powers of ventriloquism all the mysteries are cleared up--save one The owner voice heard in Clara's chamber, first night wanderer appeared at Mettingen; the threatener edge precipice; the spy in Clara's closet, and would-be intruder; the manipulator vile plot that destroyed her lover's confidence--all these hidden identities have materialized person of unhappy man But while confessing the prying disposition which led sins, in efforts to protect himself from discovery, Carwin still denies that Wieland's mad acts were perpetrated at his instigation ]

" uttered the truth extent offenses You tell me horrid tale of Wieland being led destruction wife and children by some mysterious agent You charge me guilt agency, but I repeat amount guilt truly stated The perpetrator of Catharine's death was unknown till now; nay, still unknown "

moment, the closing of door kitchen was distinctly heard Carwin started and paused " some one coming not be found here by my enemies, and need not, since my purpose is answered "

I had drunk in, most vehement attention, every word that he had uttered I had no breath to interrupt his tale by interrogations or comments The power that he spoke of was hitherto unknown ; its existence was incredible; susceptible of no direct proof

He owns that his were the voice and face which I heard and saw He attempts human explanation phantasms but enough that he owns himself the agent: his tale is lie, nature devilish As he deceived me, he likewise deceived my brother, and now do I behold the author of all our calamities !

Such were my thoughts when his pause allowed me bade him begone silence interrupted; but now I feared no more ; milkiness nature was curdled into hatred and rancor Some one was near, and this enemy of God and man might possibly be brought to justice I reflected not preternatural power which he had hitherto exerted would avail to rescue him from any toils his feet entangled Meanwhile, looks, and not words, of menace and abhorrence, were all that bestow

depart dubious whether by passing house, or by remaining somewhat longer where , most endanger his safety His confusion increased when steps of one barefoot were heard stairs He threw anxious glances sometimes closet, sometimes window, and sometimes chamber door; yet detained by some inexplicable fascination He stood rooted spot

me, my soul was bursting with detestation and revenge I had no room for surmises and fears respecting him that approached doubtless human being, and would befriend me aid me in arresting this offender

The stranger quickly entered the room My eyes eyes of Carwin were same moment darted upon him second glance was not needed to inform us who His locks were tangled, and fell confusedly over his forehead and ears His shirt was of coarse stuff, and open neck and breast His coat was once of bright and fine texture, but now torn and tarnished with dust His feet, his legs, arms, were bare His features were the seat of wild and tranquil solemnity, but his eyes bespoke inquietude and curiosity

He advanced with firm step, and looking as in search of some one me and stopped He bent his sight floor, and, clenching his hands, appeared suddenly absorbed in meditation Such were the figure and deportment of Wieland ! Such, fallen state, were the aspect and guise brother !

Carwin fail to recognize the visitant Care own safety was apparently swallowed up amazement which this spectacle produced His station was conspicuous, and have escaped the roving glances of Wieland; yet the latter seemed totally unconscious presence

Grief scene of ruin and blast was at first the only sentiment conscious fearful stillness ensued Wieland, lifting his hands, which were locked in , breast, exclaimed, "Father ! I thank thee thy guidance Hither thou hast led me, that perform thy will Yet let me not err; let me hear again thy messenger ! "