have not imagined someone living and supping and shaving in my house!"
White shook his head and looked to the floor.
I went on in a deep and serious tone. "Dupin is the wire-puller of this. He must be stopped at all costs! He is dangerous, Officer White! He has kidnapped a rare genius and may have already brought him to injury. He will spread his false version of events behind Poe's death. Does none of that concern you?"
It clearly did not; and there was nothing to do for the moment but keep on doggedly with my search.
***
I wondered what might have been had I been more aware of human malice in those days. Had I been able to posit the dismal, secret plans-had I known to stay near Duponte at all times, to carry him bodily to the lecture hall if necessary. For all of Duponte's strengths, he could do nothing faced with the Baron and Bonjour threatening his life, and I pictured him, as described by my domestic, accompanying them without even a struggle. What it would have meant to Poe's legacy for Duponte to have spoken on this night. But such a question is pure speculation.
The time for the lecture was growing near. Walking with a rueful air along that street, for I wished to brood at the appropriate site, I was startled to see a throng of people pushing into the entrance of the lyceum hall. I touched the arm of one of the men on line and asked him the occasion.
"Haven't the lyceum organizers canceled the lecture tonight?"
"No such thing!"
"This is the lecture that has been planned, you mean to say? On the true death of Poe?"
"Of course!" he said. "Perhaps you thought Emerson had come to town."
"Duponte," I breathed. "Has he escaped after all? He has come?"
"Only," the man interjected, "there has been a change of circumstances. They now must charge for each ticket of admission."
"Impossible!"
He nodded with resignation. "No matter. It is the original 'Dupin,' you know. It is worth one dollar and a half."
I stared at him. He proudly held up a copy of Poe's tales. "It is bound to be something," he said.
Running to the front of the mob, I shoved my way inside, past the objecting doorkeeper asking for my ticket.
There, behind the stage, sat the erect figure of Auguste Duponte, quietly waiting alone in contemplation. I looked on with renewed faith and triumph, and reverence.
"How-?" I stepped closer.
"Welcome," he said, glancing up at me deviously, and then looking around as though waiting for something more important. "I am glad, Brother Quentin, you will be a witness to history."
It was not Duponte.
As remarkable as his imitation of Duponte had been at earlier times, the metamorphosis was now terrifyingly complete. Even the eyes contained something of Duponte's spirit.
"Baron! I will not let this come off, be sure of that." I gripped my Malacca in front of me.
"And what will you do?" His gaze fell leisurely over me. "You and Duponte have done me a favor, you know. I already have collected the subscription fees from my lecture to be held in a few days, and will receive those from today as well."
I was surprised, once my mind adjusted to the circumstance, to find no trace of Bonjour around him. Would the Baron leave himself so unprotected? I suppose someone had to guard Duponte, unless they had...no, not even the Baron. Not an unarmed man.
"I will tell you the truth, the real truth, Brother Quentin. There were times before this day when I thought the jig was up. That Duponte was too clever for me. I see by your face you can hardly believe it. Yes, I thought, by the bye, he would by some measure prevail. He has lost his last chance, and now he may lie down and die."
"Where is he?" I demanded. "What have you done to him?"
The Baron wore a devilish grin. "What do you mean?"
"I shall have the police on you! You shall not escape this!" I decided to try for any ace of information from him, and to loosen his confidence besides. "You know, wherever you have him, however you are holding him, Duponte will find a way out. He will come for you like all wrath. He will stop you at the last moment; he will prevail."
The Baron offered an intimate laugh. He revealed nothing, but his insecurity showed in a twitch of his lip. "Monsieur Clark, do you know the obstacles I have overcome to reach