CHAPTER V. OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION

"And you say they are gone?" "E tu dici che se ne sono andati?". cried Mary Louise in surprise, as she came down to breakfast the next morning and found the table laid for one and old Eben waiting to serve her. esclamò Mary Louise sorpresa, quando la mattina dopo scese a fare colazione e trovò la tavola imbandita e il vecchio Eben che l'aspettava per servirla.

"In de night, chile. "Nella notte, chile. I don' know 'zac'ly wha' der time, by de clock, but de Kun'l an' Missy Burrows did'n' sleep heah a-tall." Non so che ora sia, in base all'orologio, ma i Kun'l e Missy Burrows non hanno dormito qui in alto". "There is no night train," said the girl, seating herself thoughtfully at the table. "How could they go, Uncle?" "Jus' took deh auto'bile, chile, an' de Kun'l done druv it heself—bag an' baggage. "Ho solo preso l'autobilo, chile, e il Kun'l se l'è fatta da solo, borsa e bagaglio. But—see heah, Ma'y 'Ouise—we-all ain' s'pose to know nuth'n' bout dat git-away. Ma, vedete, signora Ouise, noi tutti non siamo tenuti a sapere nulla di quella fuga. Ef some imper'nent puss'n' ask us, we ain' gwine t' know how dey go, nohow. Se qualche imperfetto ci chiede di farlo, non sapremo mai come si fa, in nessun modo. De Kun'l say tell Ma'y 'Ouise she ain' gwine know noth'n' a-tall, 'bout nuth'n', 'cause 'tain't nobody's business." Il Kun'l dice di dire a Ma'y 'Ouise che non saprà niente di niente, di niente, perché non sono affari di nessuno". "I understand, Uncle Eben." She reflected upon this seemingly unnecessary secrecy as she ate her breakfast. Rifletteva su questa apparentemente inutile segretezza mentre faceva colazione. After a time she asked:

"What are you and Aunt Polly going to do, Uncle?" "Cosa farete tu e zia Polly, zio?". "Fus' thing," replied the old negro, "Polly gwine git yo' traps all pack up an' I gwine take 'em ovah to Missy Stearne's place in de wheel- barrer. "Per fortuna", rispose il vecchio negro, "Polly vi farà impacchettare le trappole e io le porterò a casa di Missy Stearne, in un carretto. Den I gwine red up de house an' take de keys to Mass' Gimble, de agent. Poi farò il rossetto della casa e porterò le chiavi a Mass' Gimble, l'agente. Den Polly an' me we go back to our own li'l' house in de lane yondeh. Poi Polly e io tornammo alla nostra casetta nel vicolo di casa. De Kun'l done 'range ev'thing propeh, an' we gwine do jus' like he say." Mary Louise felt lonely and uncomfortable in the big house, now that her mother and grandfather had gone away. Since the move was inevitable, she would be glad to go to Miss Stearne as soon as possible. She helped Aunt Polly pack her trunk and suit case, afterwards gathering into a bundle the things she had forgotten or overlooked, all of which personal belongings Uncle Eben wheeled over to the school. Aiutò zia Polly a preparare il baule e la valigia, raccogliendo poi in un fagotto le cose che aveva dimenticato o trascurato, e tutti gli effetti personali che lo zio Eben portò a scuola. Then she bade the faithful servitors good-bye, promising to call upon them at their humble home, and walked slowly over the well-known path to Miss Stearne's establishment, where she presented herself to the principal. Poi salutò i fedeli servitori, promettendo di tornare a trovarli nella loro umile casa, e si incamminò lentamente lungo il noto sentiero fino alla sede di Miss Stearne, dove si presentò alla direttrice. It being Saturday, Miss Stearne was seated at a desk in her own private room, where she received Mary Louise and bade her sit down. Essendo sabato, Miss Stearne era seduta alla scrivania nella sua stanza privata, dove ricevette Mary Louise e la fece accomodare.

Miss Stearne was a woman fifty years of age, tall and lean, with a deeply lined face and a tendency to nervousness that was increasing with her years. La signorina Stearne era una donna di cinquant'anni, alta e magra, con un viso profondamente segnato e una tendenza al nervosismo che aumentava con gli anni. She was a very clever teacher and a very incompetent business woman, so that her small school, of excellent standing and repute, proved difficult to finance. Era un'insegnante molto intelligente e una donna d'affari molto incompetente, tanto che la sua piccola scuola, di ottimo livello e reputazione, si rivelò difficile da finanziare. In character Miss Stearne was temperamental enough to have been a genius. She was kindly natured, fond of young girls and cared for her pupils with motherly instincts seldom possessed by those in similar positions. Aveva un carattere gentile, amava le ragazze e si prendeva cura delle sue allieve con un istinto materno raramente posseduto da chi occupa posizioni simili. She was lax in many respects, severely strict in others. Era lassista in molti aspetti, severa in altri. Not always were her rules and regulations dictated by good judgment. Non sempre le sue regole e i suoi regolamenti erano dettati dal buon senso. Therefore her girls usually found as much fault as other boarding school girls are prone to do, and with somewhat more reason. Per questo le sue ragazze di solito trovavano tanti difetti quanti ne hanno le altre ragazze del collegio, e con qualche ragione in più. On the other hand, no one could question the principal's erudition or her skill in imparting her knowledge to others. "Sit down, Mary Louise," she said to the girl. "This is an astonishing change in your life, is it not? "Questo è un cambiamento sorprendente nella vostra vita, non è vero? Colonel Weatherby came to me last evening and said he had been suddenly called away on important matters that would brook no delay, and that your mother was to accompany him on the journey. Il colonnello Weatherby è venuto da me ieri sera e mi ha detto che era stato chiamato all'improvviso per questioni importanti che non avrebbero tollerato ritardi, e che tua madre lo avrebbe accompagnato nel viaggio. He begged me to take you in as a regular boarder and of course I consented. Mi ha pregato di prenderti come pensionante regolare e naturalmente ho acconsentito. You have been one of my most tractable and conscientious pupils and I have been proud of your progress. Sei stato uno dei miei alunni più docili e coscienziosi e sono stato orgoglioso dei tuoi progressi. But the school is quite full, as you know; so at first I was uncertain that I could accommodate you here; but Miss Dandler, my assistant, has given up her room to you and I shall put a bed for her in my own sleeping chamber, so that difficulty is now happily arranged. I suppose your family left Beverly this morning, by the early train?" Suppongo che la sua famiglia abbia lasciato Beverly stamattina, con il treno di prima mattina". "They have gone," replied Mary Louise, non-committally. "Se ne sono andati", rispose Mary Louise, senza impegno. "You will be lonely for a time, of course, but presently you will feel quite at home in the school because you know all of my girls so well. It is not like a strange girl coming into a new school. Non è come una ragazza sconosciuta che arriva in una nuova scuola. And remember, Mary Louise, that you are to come to me for any advice and assistance you need, for I promised your grandfather that I would fill your mother's place as far as I am able to do so." Mary Louise reflected, with a little shock of pain, that her mother had never been very near to her and that Miss Stearne might well perform such perfunctory duties as the girl had been accustomed to expect. Mary Louise rifletté, con una piccola scossa di dolore, che sua madre non le era mai stata molto vicina e che la signorina Stearne poteva benissimo svolgere quei compiti sommari che la ragazza era abituata ad aspettarsi. But no one could ever take the place of Gran'pa Jim. "Thank you, Miss Stearne," she said. "I am sure I shall be quite contented here. Is my room ready?" "Yes; and your trunk has already been placed in it. "Sì; e il vostro baule è già stato sistemato al suo interno. Let me know, my dear, if there is anything you need." Mary Louise went to her room and was promptly pounced upon by Dorothy Knerr and Sue Finley, who roomed just across the hall from her and were delighted to find she was to become a regular boarder. Mary Louise andò nella sua stanza e fu subito presa d'assalto da Dorothy Knerr e Sue Finley, che abitavano proprio di fronte a lei e che furono felicissime di scoprire che sarebbe diventata una pensionante regolare. They asked numerous questions as they helped her to unpack and settle her room, but accepted her conservative answers without comment.

At the noon luncheon Mary Louise was accorded a warm reception by the assembled boarders and this cordial welcome by her school-mates did much to restore the girl to her normal condition of cheerfulness. Al pranzo di mezzogiorno Mary Louise fu accolta calorosamente dai convittori e questa accoglienza cordiale da parte dei suoi compagni di scuola fece molto per riportare la ragazza alla sua normale condizione di allegria. She even joined a group in a game of tennis after luncheon and it was while she was playing that little Miss Dandler came with, a message that Mary Louise was wanted in Miss Stearne's room at once. Dopo pranzo si unì a un gruppo per una partita di tennis e fu proprio mentre giocava che arrivò la signorina Dandler con il messaggio che Mary Louise era desiderata nella stanza della signorina Stearne. "Take my racquet," she said to Jennie Allen; "I'll be back in a minute." When she entered Miss Stearne's room she was surprised to find herself confronted by the same man whom she and her grandfather had encountered in front of Cooper's Hotel the previous afternoon—the man whom she secretly held responsible for this abrupt change in her life. The principal sat crouched over her desk as if overawed by her visitor, who stopped his nervous pacing up and down the room as the girl appeared. La direttrice si sedette accovacciata sulla scrivania, come se fosse spaventata dal suo visitatore, che smise di camminare nervosamente su e giù per la stanza all'apparire della ragazza.

"This is Mary Louise Burrows," said Miss Stearne, in a weak voice. "Questa è Mary Louise Burrows", disse Miss Stearne con voce flebile. "Huh!" He glared at her with a scowl for a moment and then demanded: "Where's Hathaway?" La guardò con cipiglio per un attimo e poi chiese: "Dov'è Hathaway?". Mary Louise reddened. Mary Louise arrossì.

"I do not know to whom you refer," she answered quietly. "Aren't you his granddaughter?" "I am the granddaughter of Colonel James Weatherby, sir." "It's all the same; Hathaway or Weatherby, the scoundrel can't disguise his personality. "È lo stesso; Hathaway o Weatherby, il furfante non può mascherare la sua personalità. Where is he?" She did not reply. Her eyes had narrowed a little, as the Colonel's were sometimes prone to do, and her lips were pressed firmly together. I suoi occhi si erano un po' ristretti, come talvolta tendevano a fare quelli del colonnello, e le sue labbra erano saldamente serrate. "Answer me!" he shouted, waving his arms threateningly. gridò, agitando le braccia con fare minaccioso.

"Miss Stearne," Mary Louise said, turning to the principal, "unless you request your guest to be more respectful I shall leave the room." "Signorina Stearne", disse Mary Louise rivolgendosi alla direttrice, "se non chiede al suo ospite di essere più rispettoso, lascerò la stanza". "Not yet you won't," said the man in a less boisterous tone. "Non ancora", disse l'uomo con un tono meno esuberante. "Don't annoy me with your airs, for I'm in a hurry. "Non mi seccate con le vostre arie, perché ho fretta. Where is Hathaway—or Weatherby—or whatever he calls himself?" "I do not know." "You don't, eh? Didn't he leave an address?" "No." "I don't believe you. Where did he go?" "If I knew," said Mary Louise with dignity, "I would not inform you." He uttered a growl and then threw back his coat, displaying a badge attached to his vest. Ha emesso un ringhio e poi si è tirato indietro il cappotto, mostrando un distintivo attaccato al gilet.

"I'm a federal officer," he asserted with egotistic pride, "a member of the Government's Secret Service Department. "Sono un funzionario federale", affermò con orgoglio egoistico, "un membro del Dipartimento dei Servizi Segreti del Governo". I've been searching for James J. Hathaway for nine years, and so has every man in the service. Last night I stumbled upon him by accident, and on inquiring found he has been living quietly in this little jumping-off place. Ieri sera mi sono imbattuto in lui per caso e, informandomi, ho scoperto che viveva tranquillamente in questo piccolo punto di partenza. I wired the Department for instructions and an hour ago received orders to arrest him, but found my bird had flown. He left you behind, though, and I'm wise to the fact that you're a clew that will lead me straight to him. Però ti ha lasciato indietro e io sono consapevole del fatto che sei un indizio che mi condurrà dritto a lui. You're going to do that very thing, and the sooner you make up your mind to it the better for all of us. Lei farà proprio questo e prima si deciderà a farlo, meglio sarà per tutti noi. No nonsense, girl! The Federal Government's not to be trifled with. Non si può scherzare con il governo federale. Tell me where to find your grandfather." "If you have finished your insolent remarks," she answered with spirit, "I will go away. "Se hai finito le tue osservazioni insolenti", rispose lei con spirito, "me ne andrò. You have interrupted my game of tennis." He gave a bark of anger that made her smile, but as she turned away he sprang forward and seized her arm, swinging her around so that she again faced him. Lui emise un abbaio di rabbia che la fece sorridere, ma mentre lei si voltava, lui scattò in avanti e le afferrò il braccio, facendola ruotare in modo che fosse di nuovo di fronte a lui.

"Great Caesar, girl! "Grande Cesare, ragazza! Don't you realize what you're up against?" he demanded.

"I do," said she. "I seem to be in the power of a brute. "Sembra che io sia in potere di un bruto. If a law exists that permits you to insult a girl, there must also be a law to punish you. I shall see a lawyer and try to have you properly punished for this absolute insolence." He regarded her keenly, still frowning, but when he spoke again he had moderated both his tone and words. La guardò con attenzione, ancora accigliato, ma quando riprese a parlare aveva moderato sia il tono che le parole.

"I do not intend to be insolent, Miss Burrows, but I have been greatly aggravated by your grandfather's unfortunate escape and in this emergency every moment is precious if I am to capture him before he gets out of America, as he has done once or twice before. "Non intendo essere insolente, signorina Burrows, ma sono stato molto aggravato dalla sfortunata fuga di suo nonno e in questa emergenza ogni momento è prezioso se devo catturarlo prima che esca dall'America, come ha fatto una o due volte in passato. Also, having wired the Department that I have found Hathaway, I shall be discredited if I let him slip through my fingers, so I am in a desperate fix. Inoltre, avendo comunicato al Dipartimento di aver trovato Hathaway, verrei screditato se me lo lasciassi sfuggire, quindi sono in una situazione disperata. If I have seemed a bit gruff and nervous, forgive me. Se vi sono sembrato un po' burbero e nervoso, perdonatemi. It is your duty, as a loyal subject of the United States, to assist an officer of the law by every means in your power, especially when he is engaged in running down a criminal. È vostro dovere, in quanto sudditi leali degli Stati Uniti, assistere un ufficiale della legge con ogni mezzo in vostro potere, specialmente quando è impegnato a catturare un criminale. Therefore, whether you dislike to or not, you must tell me where to find your grandfather." "My grandfather is not a criminal, sir." "The jury will decide that when his case comes to trial. At present he is accused of crime and a warrant is out for his arrest. Attualmente è accusato di crimine ed è stato emesso un mandato di arresto. Where is he?" "I do not know," she persisted. "He—he left by the morning train, which goes west," stammered Miss Stearne, anxious to placate the officer and fearful of the girl's stubborn resistance. "È partito con il treno del mattino, che va a ovest", balbettò Miss Stearne, ansiosa di placare l'ufficiale e timorosa della resistenza ostinata della ragazza. "So the nigger servant told me," sneered the man; "but he didn't. "Così mi ha detto il servo negro", sogghignò l'uomo; "ma non è vero. I was at the station myself—two miles from this forsaken place—to make sure that Hathaway didn't skip while I was waiting for orders. Io stesso ero alla stazione, a due miglia da questo posto abbandonato, per assicurarmi che Hathaway non saltasse mentre aspettavo gli ordini. Therefore, he is either hidden somewhere in Beverly or he has sneaked away to an adjoining town. Pertanto, o è nascosto da qualche parte a Beverly o è sgattaiolato via in una città adiacente. The old serpent is slippery as an eel; but I'm going to catch him, this time, as sure as fate, and this girl must give me all the information she can." Il vecchio serpente è viscido come un'anguilla; ma questa volta lo prenderò, sicuro come il destino, e questa ragazza deve darmi tutte le informazioni possibili". "Oh, that will be quite easy," retorted Mary Louise, somewhat triumphantly, "for I have no information to divulge." "Oh, sarà molto facile", replicò Mary Louise, un po' trionfante, "perché non ho informazioni da divulgare". He began to pace the room again, casting at her shrewd and uncertain glances. Ricominciò a camminare per la stanza, lanciandole sguardi accorti e incerti.

"He didn't say where he was going?" "No." "Or leave any address?" "No." "What DID he say?" "That he was going away and would arrange with Miss Stearne for me to board at the school." "Che stava per partire e che si sarebbe accordato con la signorina Stearne per farmi alloggiare a scuola". "Huh! I see. Foxy old guy. Un vecchio volpino. Knew I would question you and wouldn't take chances. Sapeva che l'avrei interrogata e non avrebbe corso rischi. If he writes you, or you learn what has become of him, will you tell me?" Se ti scrive, o se vieni a sapere cosa ne è stato di lui, me lo dirai?". "No." "I thought not." He turned toward the principal. How about this girl's board money?" E i soldi della pensione di questa ragazza?". he asked.

"When did he say he'd send it?" "He paid me in advance, to the end of the present term," answered the agitated Miss Stearne. "Foxy old boy! Seemed to think of everything. I'm going, now; but take this warning—both of you. Io me ne vado, ora; ma prendete questo avvertimento, tutti e due. Don't gabble about what I've said. Non parlate di quello che ho detto. Keep the secret. If nothing gets out, Hathaway may think the coast is clear and it's safe for him to come back. Se non si viene a sapere nulla, Hathaway potrebbe pensare che la via sia libera e che il suo ritorno sia sicuro. In that case I—or someone appointed by the Department—will get a chance to nab him. In questo caso io, o qualcuno nominato dal Dipartimento, avrò la possibilità di catturarlo. That's all. Good day." He made his exit from the room without ceremony, leaving Mary Louise and Miss Stearne staring fearfully at one another.

"It—it's—dreadful!" stammered the teacher, shrinking back with a moan. balbettò l'insegnante, ritraendosi con un gemito.

"It would be, if it were true," said the girl. "Lo sarebbe, se fosse vero", disse la ragazza. "But Gran'pa Jim is no criminal, we all know. He's the best man that ever lived, and the whole trouble is that this foolish officer has mistaken him for someone else. I heard him, with my own ears, tell the man he was mistaken." Miss Stearne reflected.

"Then why did your grandfather run away?" she asked.

It was now Mary Louise's turn to reflect, seeking an answer. Ora toccava a Mary Louise riflettere, cercando una risposta. Presently she realized that a logical explanation of her grandfather's action was impossible with her present knowledge. "I cannot answer that question, Miss Stearne," she admitted, candidly, "but Gran'pa Jim must have had some good reason." There was unbelief in the woman's eyes—unbelief and a horror of the whole disgraceful affair that somehow included Mary Louise in its scope. C'era incredulità negli occhi della donna, incredulità e orrore per l'intera vicenda vergognosa che in qualche modo includeva Mary Louise nella sua portata. The girl read this look and it confused her. She mumbled an excuse and fled to her room to indulge in a good cry. Borbottò una scusa e si rifugiò nella sua stanza per abbandonarsi a un bel pianto.