Thedoorwasbrokenopen。anditmaybeobserved，inpassing，thatthelockwasdearindeedatwhatIpaidforit：acrowtopluckwithMasterGoguelat。Second，hereistheinstrumentemployed，oneofourowntable-knives，oneofourbest，mydear。whichseemstoindicatenopreparationonthepartofthegang-ifgangitwas。
Thirdly，IobservethatnothinghasbeenremovedexcepttheFrancharddishesandthecasket。ourownsilverhasbeenminutelyrespected。Thisiswily。itshowsintelligence，aknowledgeofthecode，adesiretoavoidlegalconsequences。Iarguefromthisfactthatthegangnumberspersonsofrespectability-outward，ofcourse，andmerelyoutward，astherobberyproves。ButIargue，second，thatwemusthavebeenobservedatFrancharditselfbysomeoccultobserver，anddoggedthroughoutthedaywithaskillandpatiencethatIventuretoqualifyasconsummate。Noordinaryman，nooccasionalcriminal，wouldhaveshownhimselfcapableofthiscombination。Wehaveinourneighbourhood，itisfarfromimprobable，aretiredbanditofthehighestorderofintelligence。’
’Goodheaven！’criedthehorrifiedAnastasie。’Henri，howcanyou？’
’Mycherishedone，thisisaprocessofinduction，’saidtheDoctor。’Ifanyofmystepsareunsound，correctme。Youaresilent？Thendonot，Ibeseechyou，besovulgarlyillogicalastorevoltfrommyconclusion。Wehavenowarrived，’heresumed，’atsomeideaofthecompositionofthegang-forIinclinetothehypothesisofmorethanone-andwenowleavethisroom，whichcandisclosenomore，andturnourattentiontothecourtandgarden。
Jean-Marie，Itrustyouareobservantlyfollowingmyvarioussteps。thisisanexcellentpieceofeducationforyou。Comewithmetothedoor。Nostepsonthecourt。itisunfortunateourcourtshouldbepaved。Onwhatsmallmattershangthedestinyofthesedelicateinvestigations！Hey！Whathavewehere？Ihaveledontotheveryspot，’hesaid，standinggrandlybackwardandindicatingthegreengate。’Anescalade，asyoucannowseeforyourselves，hastakenplace。’
Sureenough，thegreenpaintwasinseveralplacesscratchedandbroken。andoneofthepanelspreservedtheprintofanailedshoe。
Thefoothadslipped，however，anditwasdifficulttoestimatethesizeoftheshoe，andimpossibletodistinguishthepatternofthenails。
’Thewholerobbery，’concludedtheDoctor，’stepbystep，hasbeenreconstituted。Inductivesciencecannofurthergo。’
’Itiswonderful，’saidhiswife。’Youshouldindeedhavebeenadetective，Henri。Ihadnoideaofyourtalents。’
’Mydear，’repliedDesprez，condescendingly，’amanofscientificimaginationcombinesthelesserfaculties。heisadetectivejustasheisapublicistorageneral。thesearebutlocalapplicationsofhisspecialtalent。Butnow，’hecontinued，’wouldyouhavemegofurther？Wouldyouhavemelaymyfingerontheculprits-orrather，forIcannotpromisequitesomuch，pointouttoyoutheveryhousewheretheyconsort？Itmaybeasatisfaction，atleastitisallwearelikelytoget，sincewearedeniedtheremedyoflaw。Ireachthefurtherstageinthisway。Inordertofillmyoutlineoftherobbery，Irequireamanlikelytobeintheforestidling，Irequireamanofeducation，Irequireamansuperiortoconsiderationsofmorality。ThethreerequisitesallcentreinTentaillon’sboarders。Theyarepainters，thereforetheyarecontinuallyloungingintheforest。Theyarepainters，thereforetheyarenotunlikelytohavesomesmatteringofeducation。
Lastly，becausetheyarepainters，theyareprobablyimmoral。AndthisIproveintwoways。First，paintingisanartwhichmerelyaddressestheeye。itdoesnotinanyparticularexercisethemoralsense。Andsecond，painting，incommonwithalltheotherarts，impliesthedangerousqualityofimagination。Amanofimaginationisnevermoral。heoutsoarsliteraldemarcationsandreviewslifeundertoomanyshiftinglightstorestcontentwiththeinvidiousdistinctionsofthelaw！’
’Butyoualwayssay-atleast，soIunderstoodyou’-saidmadame，’thattheseladsdisplaynoimaginationwhatever。’
’Mydear，theydisplayedimagination，andofaveryfantasticorder，too，’returnedtheDoctor，’whentheyembracedtheirbeggarlyprofession。Besides-andthisisanargumentexactlysuitedtoyourintellectuallevel-manyofthemareEnglishandAmerican。Whereelseshouldweexpecttofindathief？-Andnowyouhadbettergetyourcoffee。Becausewehavelostatreasure，thereisnoreasonforstarving。Formypart，Ishallbreakmyfastwithwhitewine。Ifeelunaccountablyheatedandthirstyto-
day。Icanonlyattributeittotheshockofthediscovery。Andyet，youwillbearmeout，Isupportedtheemotionnobly。’
TheDoctorhadnowtalkedhimselfbackintoanadmirablehumour。
andashesatinthearbourandslowlyimbibedalargeallowanceofwhitewineandpickedalittlebreadandcheesewithnoveryimpetuousappetite，ifathirdofhismeditationsranuponthemissingtreasure，theothertwo-thirdsweremorepleasinglybusiedintheretrospectofhisdetectiveskill。
AboutelevenCasimirarrived。hehadcaughtanearlytraintoFontainebleau，anddrivenovertosavetime。andnowhiscabwasstabledatTentaillon’s，andheremarked，studyinghiswatch，thathecouldspareanhourandahalf。Hewasmuchthemanofbusiness，decisivelyspoken，giventofrowninginanintellectualmanner。Anastasie’sbornbrother，hedidnotwastemuchsentimentonthelady，gaveheranEnglishfamilykiss，anddemandedamealwithoutdelay。
’Youcantellmeyourstorywhileweeat，’heobserved。’Anythinggoodto-day，Stasie？’
Hewaspromisedsomethinggood。Thetriosatdowntotableinthearbour，Jean-Mariewaitingaswellaseating，andtheDoctorrecountedwhathadhappenedinhisrichestnarrativemanner。
Casimirhearditwithexplosionsoflaughter。
’Whatastreakofluckforyou，mygoodbrother，’heobserved，whenthetalewasover。’IfyouhadgonetoParis，youwouldhaveplayeddick-duck-drakewiththewholeconsignmentinthreemonths。
Yourownwouldhavefollowed。andyouwouldhavecometomeinaprocessionlikethelasttime。ButIgiveyouwarning-StasiemayweepandHenriratiocinate-itwillnotserveyoutwice。Yournextcollapsewillbefatal。IthoughtIhadtoldyouso，Stasie？
Hey？Nosense？’
TheDoctorwincedandlookedfurtivelyatJean-Marie。buttheboyseemedapathetic。
’Andthenagain，’brokeoutCasimir，’whatchildrenyouare-
viciouschildren，myfaith！Howcouldyoutellthevalueofthistrash？Itmighthavebeenworthnothing，ornextdoor。’
’Pardonme，’saidtheDoctor。’Youhaveyourusualflowofspirits，Iperceive，butevenlessthanyourusualdeliberation。I
amnotentirelyignorantofthesematters。’
’NotentirelyignorantofanythingeverIheardof，’interruptedCasimir，bowing，andraisinghisglasswithasortofpertpoliteness。
’Atleast，’resumedtheDoctor，’Igavemymindtothesubject-
thatyoumaybewillingtobelieve-andIestimatedthatourcapitalwouldbedoubled。’Andhedescribedthenatureofthefind。
’Mywordofhonour！’saidCasimir，’Ihalfbelieveyou！Butmuchwoulddependonthequalityofthegold。’
’Thequality，mydearCasimir，was-’AndtheDoctor，indefaultoflanguage，kissedhisfinger-tips。
’Iwouldnottakeyourwordforit，mygoodfriend，’retortedthemanofbusiness。’Youareamanofveryrosyviews。Butthisrobbery，’hecontinued-’thisrobberyisanoddthing。OfcourseIpassoveryournonsenseaboutgangsandlandscape-painters。Forme，thatisadream。Whowasinthehouselastnight？’
’Nonebutourselves，’repliedtheDoctor。
’Andthisyounggentleman？’askedCasimir，jerkinganodinthedirectionofJean-Marie。
’Hetoo’-theDoctorbowed。
’Well。andifitisafairquestion，whoishe？’pursuedthebrother-in-law。
’Jean-Marie，’answeredtheDoctor，’combinesthefunctionsofasonandstable-boy。Hebeganasthelatter，butheroserapidlytothemorehonourablerankinouraffections。Heis，Imaysay，thegreatestcomfortinourlives。’
’Ha！’saidCasimir。’Andprevioustobecomingoneofyou？’
’Jean-Mariehaslivedaremarkableexistence。hisexperiencehisbeeneminentlyformative，’repliedDesprez。’IfIhadhadtochooseaneducationformyson，Ishouldhavechosensuchanother。
Beginninglifewithmountebanksandthieves，passingonwardtothesocietyandfriendshipofphilosophers，hemaybesaidtohaveskimmedthevolumeofhumanlife。’
’Thieves？’repeatedthebrother-in-law，withameditativeair。
TheDoctorcouldhavebittenhistongueout。Heforesawwhatwascoming，andpreparedhismindforavigorousdefence。
’Didyoueverstealyourself？’askedCasimir，turningsuddenlyonJean-Marie，andforthefirsttimeemployingasingleeyeglasswhichhungroundhisneck。
’Yes，sir，’repliedtheboy，withadeepblush。
Casimirturnedtotheotherswithpursedlips，andnoddedtothemmeaningly。’Hey？’saidhe。’howisthat？’
’Jean-Marieisatellerofthetruth，’returnedtheDoctor，throwingouthisbust。
’Hehasnevertoldalie，’addedmadame。’Heisthebestofboys。’
’Nevertoldalie，hashenot？’reflectedCasimir。’Strange，verystrange。Givemeyourattention，myyoungfriend，’hecontinued。
’Youknewaboutthistreasure？’
’Hehelpedtobringithome，’interposedtheDoctor。
’Desprez，Iaskyounothingbuttoholdyourtongue，’returnedCasimir。’Imeantoquestionthisstable-boyofyours。andifyouaresocertainofhisinnocence，youcanaffordtolethimanswerforhimself。Now，sir，’heresumed，pointinghiseyeglassstraightatJean-Marie。’Youknewitcouldbestolenwithimpunity？Youknewyoucouldnotbeprosecuted？Come！Didyou，ordidyounot？’
’Idid，’answeredJean-Marie，inamiserablewhisper。Hesattherechangingcolourlikearevolvingpharos，twistinghisfingershysterically，swallowingair，thepictureofguilt。
’Youknewwhereitwasput？’resumedtheinquisitor。
’Yes，’fromJean-Marie。
’Yousayyouhavebeenathiefbefore，’continuedCasimir。’NowhowamItoknowthatyouarenotonestill？Isupposeyoucouldclimbthegreengate？’
’Yes，’stilllower，fromtheculprit。
’Well，then，itwasyouwhostolethesethings。Youknowit，andyoudarenotdenyit。Lookmeintheface！Raiseyoursneak’seyes，andanswer！’
ButinplaceofanythingofthatsortJean-Mariebrokeintoadismalhowlandfledfromthearbour。Anastasie，asshepursuedtocaptureandreassurethevictim，foundtimetosendoneParthianarrow-’Casimir，youareabrute！’
’Mybrother，’saidDesprez，withthegreatestdignity，’youtakeuponyourselfalicence-’
’Desprez，’interruptedCasimir，’forHeaven’ssakebeamanoftheworld。Youtelegraphmetoleavemybusinessandcomedownhereonyours。Icome，Iaskthebusiness，yousayFindmethisthief！
Well，Ifindhim。IsayThereheis！Youneednotlikeit，butyouhavenomannerofrighttotakeoffence。’
’Well，’returnedtheDoctor，’Igrantthat。Iwilleventhankyouforyourmistakenzeal。Butyourhypothesiswassoextravagantlymonstrous-’
’Lookhere，’interruptedCasimir。’wasityouorStasie？’
’Certainlynot，’answeredtheDoctor。
’Verywell。thenitwastheboy。Saynomoreaboutit，’saidthebrother-in-law，andheproducedhiscigar-case。
’Iwillsaythismuchmore，’returnedDesprez：’ifthatboycameandtoldmesohimself，Ishouldnotbelievehim。andifIdidbelievehim，soimplicitismytrust，Ishouldconcludethathehadactedforthebest。’
’Well，well，’saidCasimir，indulgently。’Haveyoualight？I
mustbegoing。Andbytheway，IwishyouwouldletmesellyourTurksforyou。Ialwaystoldyou，itmeantsmash。Itellyousoagain。Indeed，itwaspartlythatthatbroughtmedown。Youneveracknowledgemyletters-amostunpardonablehabit。’
’Mygoodbrother，’repliedtheDoctorblandly，’Ihaveneverdeniedyourabilityinbusiness。butIcanperceiveyourlimitations。’
’Egad，myfriend，Icanreturnthecompliment，’observedthemanofbusiness。’Yourlimitationistobedownrightirrational。’
’Observetherelativeposition，’returnedtheDoctorwithasmile。
’Itisyourattitudetobelievethroughthickandthininoneman’sjudgment-yourown。Ifollowthesameopinion，butcriticallyandwithopeneyes。Whichisthemoreirrational？-Ileaveittoyourself。’
’O，mydearfellow！’criedCasimir，’sticktoyourTurks，sticktoyourstable-boy，gotothedevilingeneralinyourownwayandbedonewithit。Butdon’tratiocinatewithme-Icannotbearit。
Andso，ta-ta。ImightaswellhavestayedawayforanygoodI’vedone。Saygood-byefrommetoStasie，andtothesullenhang-dogofastable-boy，ifyouinsistonit。I’moff。’
AndCasimirdeparted。TheDoctor，thatnight，dissectedhischaracterbeforeAnastasie。’Onething，mybeautiful，’hesaid，’hehaslearnedonethingfromhislifelongacquaintancewithyourhusband：thewordRATIOCINATE。Itshinesinhisvocabulary，likeajewelinamuck-heap。And，evenso，hecontinuallymisappliesit。
Foryoumusthaveobservedheusesitasasortoftaunt，inthesenseoftoERGOTISE，implying，asitwere-thepoor，dearfellow！-
aveinofsophistry。AsforhiscrueltytoJean-Marie，itmustbeforgivenhim-itisnothisnature，itisthenatureofhislife。Amanwhodealswithmoney，mydear，isamanlost。’
WithJean-Marietheprocessofreconciliationhadbeensomewhatslow。Atfirsthewasinconsolable，insistedonleavingthefamily，wentfromparoxysmtoparoxysmoftears。anditwasonlyafterAnastasiehadbeenclosetedforanhourwithhim，alone，thatshecameforth，soughtouttheDoctor，and，withtearsinhereyes，acquaintedthatgentlemanwithwhathadpassed。
’Atfirst，myhusband，hewouldhearofnothing，’shesaid。
’Imagine！ifhehadleftus！whatwouldthetreasurebetothat？
Horribletreasure，ithasbroughtallthisabout！Atlast，afterhehassobbedhisveryheartout，heagreestostayonacondition-wearenottomentionthismatter，thisinfamoussuspicion，noteventomentiontherobbery。Onthatagreementonly，thepoor，cruelboywillconsenttoremainamonghisfriends。’
’Butthisinhibition，’saidtheDoctor，’thisembargo-itcannotpossiblyapplytome？’
’Toallofus，’Anastasieassuredhim。
’Mycherishedone，’Desprezprotested，’youmusthavemisunderstood。Itcannotapplytome。Hewouldnaturallycometome。’
’Henri，’shesaid，’itdoes。Isweartoyouitdoes。’
’Thisisapainful，averypainfulcircumstance，’theDoctorsaid，lookingalittleblack。’Icannotaffect，Anastasie，tobeanythingbutjustlywounded。Ifeelthis，Ifeelit，mywife，acutely。’
’Iknewyouwould，’shesaid。’Butifyouhadseenhisdistress！
Wemustmakeallowances，wemustsacrificeourfeelings。’
’Itrust，mydear，youhaveneverfoundmeaversetosacrifices，’
returnedtheDoctorverystiffly。
’Andyouwillletmegoandtellhimthatyouhaveagreed？Itwillbelikeyournoblenature，’shecried。
Soitwould，heperceived-itwouldbelikehisnoblenature！Upjumpedhisspirits，triumphantatthethought。’Go，darling，’hesaidnobly，’reassurehim。Thesubjectisburied。more-Imakeaneffort，Ihaveaccustomedmywilltotheseexertions-anditisforgotten。’
Alittleafter，butstillwithswolleneyesandlookingmortallysheepish，Jean-Mariereappearedandwentostentatiouslyabouthisbusiness。Hewastheonlyunhappymemberofthepartythatsatdownthatnighttosupper。AsfortheDoctor，hewasradiant。Hethussangtherequiemofthetreasure：-
’Thishasbeen，onthewhole，amostamusingepisode，’hesaid。
’Wearenotapennytheworse-nay，weareimmenselygainers。Ourphilosophyhasbeenexercised。someoftheturtleisstillleft-
themostwholesomeofdelicacies。Ihavemystaff，Anastasiehashernewdress，Jean-Marieistheproudpossessorofafashionablekepi。Besides，wehadaglassofHermitagelastnight。theglowstillsuffusesmymemory。IwasgrowingpositivelyniggardlywiththatHermitage，positivelyniggardly。Letmetakethehint：wehadonebottletocelebratetheappearanceofourvisionaryfortune。
letushaveasecondtoconsoleusforitsoccultation。ThethirdIherebydedicatetoJean-Marie’sweddingbreakfast。’
CHAPTERVII。THEFALLOFTHEHOUSEOFDESPREZ。
THEDoctor’shousehasnotyetreceivedthecomplimentofadescription，anditisnowhightimethattheomissionweresupplied，forthehouseisitselfanactorinthestory，andonewhosepartisnearlyatanend。Twostoriesinheight，wallsofawarmyellow，tilesofanancientruddybrowndiversifiedwithmossandlichen，itstoodwithonewalltothestreetintheangleoftheDoctor’sproperty。Itwasroomy，draughty，andinconvenient。
Thelargerafterswerehereandthereengravenwithrudemarksandpatterns。thehandrailofthestairwascarvedincountrifiedarabesque。astouttimberpillar，whichdiddutytosupportthedining-roomroof，boremysteriouscharactersonitsdarkerside，runes，accordingtotheDoctor。nordidhefail，whenheranoverthelegendaryhistoryofthehouseanditspossessors，todwellupontheScandinavianscholarwhohadleftthem。Floors，doors，andraftersmadeagreatvarietyofangles。everyroomhadaparticularinclination。thegablehadtiltedtowardsthegarden，afterthemannerofaleaningtower，andoneoftheformerproprietorshadbuttressedthebuildingfromthatsidewithagreatstrutofwood，likethederrickofacrane。Altogether，ithadmanymarksofruin。itwasahousefortheratstodesert。andnothingbutitsexcellentbrightness-thewindow-glasspolishedandshining，thepaintwellscoured，thebrassesradiant，theverypropallwreathedaboutwithclimbingflowers-nothingbutitsairofawell-tended，smilingveteran，sitting，crutchandall，inthesunnycornerofagarden，markeditasahouseforcomfortablepeopletoinhabit。Inpoororidlemanagementitwouldsoonhavehurriedintotheblackguardstagesofdecay。Asitwas，thewholefamilylovedit，andtheDoctorwasneverbetterinspiredthanwhenhenarrateditsimaginarystoryanddrewthecharacterofitssuccessivemasters，fromtheHebrewmerchantwhohadre-edifieditswallsafterthesackofthetown，andpastthemysteriousengraveroftherunes，downtothelong-headed，dirty-handedboorfromwhomhehadhimselfacquireditataruinousexpense。Asforanyalarmaboutitssecurity，theideahadneverpresenteditself。Whathadstoodfourcenturiesmightwellendurealittlelonger。
Indeed，inthisparticularwinter，afterthefindingandlosingofthetreasure，theDesprez’hadananxietyofaverydifferentorder，andonewhichlaynearertheirhearts。Jean-Mariewasplainlynothimself。Hehadfitsofhecticactivity，whenhemadeunusualexertionstoplease，spokemoreandfaster，andredoubledinattentiontohislessons。Butthesewereinterruptedbyspellsofmelancholiaandbroodingsilence，whentheboywaslittlebetterthanunbearable。
’Silence，’theDoctormoralised-’yousee，Anastasie，whatcomesofsilence。Hadtheboyproperlyunbosomedhimself，thelittledisappointmentaboutthetreasure，thelittleannoyanceaboutCasimir’sincivility，wouldlongagohavebeenforgotten。Asitis，theypreyuponhimlikeadisease。Helosesflesh，hisappetiteisvariableand，onthewhole，impaired。Ikeephimonthestrictestregimen，Iexhibitthemostpowerfultonics。bothinvain。’
’Don’tyouthinkyoudrughimtoomuch？’askedmadame，withanirrepressibleshudder。
’Drug？’criedtheDoctor。’Idrug？Anastasie，youaremad！’
Timewenton，andtheboy’shealthstillslowlydeclined。TheDoctorblamedtheweather，whichwascoldandboisterous。HecalledinhisCONFREREfromBourron，tookafancyforhim，magnifiedhiscapacity，andwasprettysoonundertreatmenthimself-itscarcelyappearedforwhatcomplaint。HeandJean-Mariehadeachmedicinetotakeatdifferentperiodsoftheday。TheDoctorusedtolieinwaitfortheexactmoment，watchinhand。’Thereisnothinglikeregularity，’hewouldsay，filloutthedoses，anddilateonthevirtuesofthedraught。andiftheboyseemednonethebetter，theDoctorwasnotatalltheworse。
GunpowderDay，theboywasparticularlylow。Itwasscowling，squallyweather。Hugebrokencompaniesofcloudsailedswiftlyoverhead。rakinggleamsofsunlightsweptthevillage，andwerefollowedbyintervalsofdarknessandwhite，flyingrain。Attimesthewindliftedupitsvoiceandbellowed。Thetreeswereallscourgingthemselvesalongthemeadows，thelastleavesflyinglikedust。
TheDoctor，betweentheboyandtheweather，wasinhiselement。hehadatheorytoprove。Hesatwithhiswatchoutandabarometerinfrontofhim，waitingforthesquallsandnotingtheireffectuponthehumanpulse。’Forthetruephilosopher，’heremarkeddelightedly，’everyfactinnatureisatoy。’Alettercametohim。but，asitsarrivalcoincidedwiththeapproachofanothergust，hemerelycrammeditintohispocket，gavethetimetoJean-
Marie，andthenextmomenttheywerebothcountingtheirpulsesasifforawager。
Atnightfallthewindroseintoatempest。Itbesiegedthehamlet，apparentlyfromeveryside，asifwithbatteriesofcannon。thehousesshookandgroaned。livecoalswereblownuponthefloor。
Theuproarandterrorofthenightkeptpeoplelongawake，sittingwithpallidfacesgivingear。
ItwastwelvebeforetheDesprezfamilyretired。Byhalf-pastone，whenthestormwasalreadysomewhatpastitsheight，theDoctorwasawakenedfromatroubledslumber，andsatup。Anoisestillranginhisears，butwhetherofthisworldortheworldofdreamshewasnotcertain。Anotherclapofwindfollowed。Itwasaccompaniedbyasickeningmovementofthewholehouse，andinthesubsequentlullDesprezcouldhearthetilespouringlikeacataractintotheloftabovehishead。HepluckedAnastasiebodilyoutofbed。
’Run！’hecried，thrustingsomewearingapparelintoherhands。
’thehouseisfalling！Tothegarden！’
Shedidnotpausetobetwicebidden。shewasdownthestairinaninstant。Shehadneverbeforesuspectedherselfofsuchactivity。
TheDoctormeanwhile，withthespeedofapieceofpantomimebusiness，andundeterredbybrokenshins，proceededtoroutoutJean-Marie，toreAlinefromhervirginslumbers，seizedherbythehand，andtumbleddownstairsandintothegarden，withthegirltumblingbehindhim，stillnothalfawake。
Thefugitivesrendezvous’dinthearbourbysomecommoninstinct。
Thencameabull’s-eyeflashofstrugglingmoonshine，whichdisclosedtheirfourfiguresstandinghuddledfromthewindinaraffleofflyingdrapery，andnotwithoutaconsiderableneedformore。AtthehumiliatingspectacleAnastasieclutchedhernightdressdesperatelyaboutherandburstloudlyintotears。TheDoctorflewtoconsoleher。butsheelbowedhimaway。Shesuspectedeverybodyofbeingthegeneralpublic，andthoughtthedarknesswasalivewitheyes。
Anothergleamandanotherviolentgustarrivedtogether。thehousewasseentorockonitsfoundation，and，justasthelightwasoncemoreeclipsed，acrashwhichtriumphedovertheshoutingofthewindannounceditsfall，andforamomentthewholegardenwasalivewithskippingtilesandbrickbats。OnesuchmissilegrazedtheDoctor’sear。anotherdescendedonthebarefootofAline，whoinstantlymadenighthideouswithhershrieks。
Bythistimethehamletwasalarmed，lightsflashedfromthewindows，hailsreachedtheparty，andtheDoctoranswered，noblycontendingagainstAlineandthetempest。ButthisprospectofhelponlyawakenedAnastasietoamoreactivestageofterror。
’Henri，peoplewillbecoming，’shescreamedinherhusband’sear。
’Itrustso，’hereplied。
’Theycannot。Iwouldratherdie，’shewailed。
’Mydear，’saidtheDoctorreprovingly，’youareexcited。Igaveyousomeclothes。Whathaveyoudonewiththem？’
’Oh，Idon’tknow-Imusthavethrownthemaway！Wherearethey？’
shesobbed。
Desprezgropedaboutinthedarkness。’Admirable！’heremarked。
’mygreyvelveteentrousers！Thiswillexactlymeetyournecessities。’
’Givethemtome！’shecriedfiercely。butassoonasshehadtheminherhandshermoodappearedtoalter-shestoodsilentforamoment，andthenpressedthegarmentbackupontheDoctor。’GiveittoAline，’shesaid-’poorgirl。’
’Nonsense！’saidtheDoctor。’Alinedoesnotknowwhatsheisabout。Alineisbesideherselfwithterror。andatanyrate，sheisapeasant。NowIamreallyconcernedatthisexposureforapersonofyourhousekeepinghabits。mysolicitudeandyourfantasticmodestybothpointtothesameremedy-thepantaloons。’
Heheldthemready。
’Itisimpossible。Youdonotunderstand，’shesaidwithdignity。
Bythistimerescuewasathand。Ithadbeenfoundimpracticabletoenterbythestreet，forthegatewasblockedwithmasonry，andthenoddingruinstillthreatenedfurtheravalanches。ButbetweentheDoctor’sgardenandtheoneontherighthandtherewasthatverypicturesquecontrivance-acommonwell。thedoorontheDesprez’sidehadchancedtobeunbolted，andnow，throughthearchedapertureaman’sbeardedfaceandanarmsupportingalanternwereintroducedintotheworldofwindydarkness，whereAnastasieconcealedherwoes。Thelightstruckhereandthereamongthetossingappleboughs，itglintedonthegrass。butthelanternandtheglowingfacebecamethecentreoftheworld。
Anastasiecrouchedbackfromtheintrusion。
’Thisway！’shoutedtheman。’Areyouallsafe？’Aline，stillscreaming，rantothenewcomer，andwaspresentlyhauledhead-
foremostthroughthewall。
’Now，Anastasie，comeon。itisyourturn，’saidthehusband。
’Icannot，’shereplied。
’Arewealltodieofexposure，madame？’thunderedDoctorDesprez。
’Youcango！’shecried。’Oh，go，goaway！Icanstayhere。Iamquitewarm。’
TheDoctortookherbytheshoulderswithanoath。
’Stop！’shescreamed。’Iwillputthemon。’
Shetookthedetestedlendingsinherhandoncemore。butherrepulsionwasstrongerthanshame。’Never！’shecried，shuddering，andflungthemfarawayintothenight。
NextmomenttheDoctorhadwhirledhertothewell。Themanwasthereandthelantern。Anastasieclosedhereyesandappearedtoherselftobeabouttodie。Howshewastransportedthroughthearchsheknewnot。butonceontheothersideshewasreceivedbytheneighbour’swife，andenvelopedinafriendlyblanket。
Bedsweremadereadyforthetwowomen，clothesofveryvarioussizesfortheDoctorandJean-Marie。andfortheremainderofthenight，whilemadamedozedinandoutontheborderlandofhysterics，herhusbandsatbesidethefireandheldforthtotheadmiringneighbours。Heshowedthem，atlength，thecausesoftheaccident。foryears，heexplained，thefallhadbeenimpending。onesignhadfollowedanother，thejointshadopened，theplasterhadcracked，theoldwallsbowedinward。last，notthreeweeksago，thecellardoorhadbeguntoworkwithdifficultyinitsgrooves。’Thecellar！’hesaid，gravelyshakinghisheadoveraglassofmulledwine。’Thatremindsmeofmypoorvintages。ByamanifestprovidencetheHermitagewasnearlyatanend。Onebottle-Ilosebutonebottleofthatincomparablewine。IthadbeensetapartagainstJean-Marie’swedding。Well，Imustlaydownsomemore。itwillbeaninterestinlife。Iam，however，amansomewhatadvancedinyears。Mygreatworkisnowburiedinthefallofmyhumbleroof。itwillneverbecompleted-mynamewillhavebeenwritinwater。Andyetyoufindmecalm-Iwouldsaycheerful。
Canyourpriestdomore？’
Bythefirstglimpseofdaythepartysalliedforthfromthefiresideintothestreet。Thewindhadfallen，butstillchariotedaworldoftroubledclouds。theairbitlikefrost。andtheparty，astheystoodabouttheruinsintherainytwilightofthemorning，beatupontheirbreastsandblewintotheirhandsforwarmth。Thehousehadentirelyfallen，thewallsoutward，theroofin。itwasamereheapofrubbish，withhereandthereaforlornspearofbrokenrafter。Asentinelwasplacedovertheruinstoprotecttheproperty，andthepartyadjournedtoTentaillon’stobreaktheirfastattheDoctor’sexpense。Thebottlecirculatedsomewhatfreely。andbeforetheyleftthetableithadbeguntosnow。
Forthreedaysthesnowcontinuedtofall，andtheruins，coveredwithtarpaulinandwatchedbysentries，wereleftundisturbed。TheDesprez’meanwhilehadtakenuptheirabodeatTentaillon’s。
Madamespenthertimeinthekitchen，concoctinglittledelicacies，withtheadmiringaidofMadameTentaillon，orsittingbythefireinthoughtfulabstraction。Thefallofthehouseaffectedherwonderfullylittle。thatblowhadbeenparriedbyanother。andinhermindshewascontinuallyfightingoveragainthebattleofthetrousers。Hadshedoneright？Hadshedonewrong？Andnowshewouldapplaudherdetermination。andanon，withahorridflushofunavailingpenitence，shewouldregretthetrousers。Nojunctureinherlifehadsomuchexercisedherjudgment。InthemeantimetheDoctorhadbecomevastlypleasedwithhissituation。Twoofthesummerboardersstilllingeredbehindtherest，prisonersforlackofaremittance。theywerebothEnglish，butoneofthemspokeFrenchprettyfluently，andwas，besides，ahumorous，agile-mindedfellow，withwhomtheDoctorcouldreasonbythehour，secureofcomprehension。Manyweretheglassestheyemptied，manythetopicstheydiscussed。
’Anastasie，’theDoctorsaidonthethirdmorning，’takeanexamplefromyourhusband，fromJean-Marie！Theexcitementhasdonemorefortheboythanallmytonics，hetakeshisturnassentrywithpositivegusto。Asforme，youbeholdme。IhavemadefriendswiththeEgyptians。andmyPharaohis，Iswearit，amostagreeablecompanion。Youalonearehipped。Aboutahouse-afewdresses？
WhataretheyincomparisontothePharmacopoeia-thelabourofyearslyingburiedbelowstonesandsticksinthisdepressinghamlet？Thesnowfalls。Ishakeitfrommycloak！Imitateme。
Ourincomewillbeimpaired，Igrantit，sincewemustrebuild。butmoderation，patience，andphilosophywillgatheraboutthehearth。
Inthemeanwhile，theTentaillonsareobliging。thetable，withyouradditions，willpass。onlythewineisexecrable-well，I
shallsendforsometo-day。MyPharaohwillbegratifiedtodrinkadecentglass。aha！andIshallseeifhepossessesthatacmeoforganisation-apalate。Ifhehasapalate，heisperfect。’
’Henri，’shesaid，shakingherhead，’youareaman。youcannotunderstandmyfeelings。nowomancouldshakeoffthememoryofsopublicahumiliation。’TheDoctorcouldnotrestrainatitter。
’Pardonme，darling，’hesaid。’butreally，tothephilosophicalintelligence，theincidentappearssosmallatrifle。Youlookedextremelywell-’
’Henri！’shecried。
’Well，well，Iwillsaynomore，’hereplied。’Though，tobesure，ifyouhadconsentedtoindue-APROPOS，’hebrokeoff，’andmytrousers！Theyarelyinginthesnow-myfavouritetrousers！’
AndhedashedinquestofJean-Marie。
Twohoursafterwardstheboyreturnedtotheinnwithaspadeunderonearmandacurioussopofclothingundertheother。
TheDoctorruefullytookitinhishands。’Theyhavebeen！’hesaid。’Theirtenseispast。Excellentpantaloons，youarenomore！Stay，somethinginthepocket，’andheproducedapieceofpaper。’Aletter！ay，nowImindme。itwasreceivedonthemorningofthegale，whenIwasabsorbedindelicateinvestigations。Itisstilllegible。Frompoor，dearCasimir！Itisaswell，’hechuckled，’thatIhaveeducatedhimtopatience。
PoorCasimirandhiscorrespondence-hisinfinitesimal，timorous，idioticcorrespondence！’
Hehadbythistimecautiouslyunfoldedthewetletter。but，ashebenthimselftodecipherthewriting，aclouddescendedonhisbrow。
’BIGRE！’hecried，withagalvanicstart。
Andthentheletterwaswhippedintothefire，andtheDoctor’scapwasonhisheadintheturnofahand。
’Tenminutes！Icancatchit，ifIrun，’hecried。’Itisalwayslate。IgotoParis。Ishalltelegraph。’
’Henri！whatiswrong？’criedhiswife。
’OttomanBonds！’camefromthedisappearingDoctor。andAnastasieandJean-Mariewereleftfacetofacewiththewettrousers。
DesprezhadgonetoParis，forthesecondtimeinsevenyears。hehadgonetoPariswithapairofwoodenshoes，aknittedspencer，ablackblouse，acountrynightcap，andtwentyfrancsinhispocket。
Thefallofthehousewasbutasecondarymarvel。thewholeworldmighthavefallenandscarcelefthisfamilymorepetrified。
CHAPTERVIII。THEWAGESOFPHILOSOPHY。
ONthemorningofthenextday，theDoctor，amerespectreofhimself，wasbroughtbackinthecustodyofCasimir。TheyfoundAnastasieandtheboysittingtogetherbythefire。andDesprez，whohadexchangedhistoiletteforaready-maderig-outofpoormaterials，wavedhishandasheentered，andsankspeechlessonthenearestchair。MadameturneddirecttoCasimir。
’Whatiswrong？’shecried。
’Well，’repliedCasimir，’whathaveItoldyouallalong？Ithascome。Itisacleanshave，thistime。soyoumayaswellbearupandmakethebestofit。Housedown，too，eh？Badluck，uponmysoul。’
’Arewe-arewe-ruined？’shegasped。
TheDoctorstretchedouthisarmstoher。’Ruined，’hereplied，’youareruinedbyyoursinisterhusband。’
Casimirobservedtheconsequentembracethroughhiseyeglass。thenheturnedtoJean-Marie。’Youhear？’hesaid。’Theyareruined。
nomorepickings，nomorehouse，nomorefatcutlets。Itstrikesme，myfriend，thatyouhadbestbepacking。thepresentspeculationisaboutworkedout。’Andhenoddedtohimmeaningly。
’Never！’criedDesprez，springingup。’Jean-Marie，ifyouprefertoleaveme，nowthatIampoor，youcango。youshallreceiveyourhundredfrancs，ifsomuchremainstome。Butifyouwillconsenttostay’-theDoctorweptalittle-’Casimiroffersmeaplace-
asclerk，’heresumed。’Theemolumentsareslender，buttheywillbeenoughforthree。Itistoomuchalreadytohavelostmyfortune。mustIlosemyson？’
Jean-Mariesobbedbitterly，butwithoutaword。
’Idon’tlikeboyswhocry，’observedCasimir。’Thisoneisalwayscrying。Here！youclearoutofthisforalittle。Ihavebusinesswithyourmasterandmistress，andthesedomesticfeelingsmaybesettledafterIamgone。March！’andheheldthedooropen。
Jean-Marieslunkout，likeadetectedthief。
BytwelvetheywereallattablebutJean-Marie。
’Hey？’saidCasimir。’Gone，yousee。Tookthehintatonce。’
’Idonot，Iconfess，’saidDesprez，’Idonotseektoexcusehisabsence。Itspeaksawantofheartthatdisappointsmesorely。’
’Wantofmanners，’correctedCasimir。’Heart，heneverhad。Why，Desprez，foracleverfellow，youarethemostgulliblemortalincreation。Yourignoranceofhumannatureandhumanbusinessisbeyondbelief。YouareswindledbyheathenTurks，swindledbyvagabondchildren，swindledrightandleft，upstairsanddownstairs。Ithinkitmustbeyourimagination。IthankmystarsIhavenone。’
’Pardonme，’repliedDesprez，stillhumbly，butwithareturnofspiritatsightofadistinctiontobedrawn。’pardonme，Casimir。
Youpossess，eventoaneminentdegree，thecommercialimagination。
Itwasthelackofthatinme-itappearsitismyweakpoint-
thathasledtotheserepeatedshocks。Bythecommercialimaginationthefinancierforecaststhedestinyofhisinvestments，marksthefallinghouse-’
’Egad，’interruptedCasimir：’ourfriendthestable-boyappearstohavehisshareofit。’
TheDoctorwassilenced。andthemealwascontinuedandfinishedprincipallytothetuneofthebrother-in-law’snotveryconsolatoryconversation。HeentirelyignoredthetwoyoungEnglishpainters，turningablindeyeglasstotheirsalutations，andcontinuinghisremarksasifhewerealoneinthebosomofhisfamily。andwitheverysecondwordherippedanotherstitchoutoftheairballoonofDesprez’svanity。BythetimecoffeewasoverthepoorDoctorwasaslimpasanapkin。
’Letusgoandseetheruins，’saidCasimir。
Theystrolledforthintothestreet。Thefallofthehouse，likethelossofafronttooth，hadquitetransformedthevillage。
Throughthegaptheeyecommandedagreatstretchofopensnowycountry，andtheplaceshrankincomparison。Itwaslikearoomwithanopendoor。Thesentinelstoodbythegreengate，lookingveryredandcold，buthehadapleasantwordfortheDoctorandhiswealthykinsman。
Casimirlookedatthemoundofruins，hetriedthequalityofthetarpaulin。’H’m，’hesaid，’Ihopethecellararchhasstood。Ifithas，mygoodbrother，Iwillgiveyouagoodpriceforthewines。’
’Weshallstartdiggingto-morrow，’saidthesentry。’Thereisnomorefearofsnow。’
’Myfriend，’returnedCasimirsententiously，’youhadbetterwaittillyougetpaid。’
TheDoctorwinced，andbegandragginghisoffensivebrother-in-lawtowardsTentaillon’s。Inthehousetherewouldbefewerauditors，andthesealreadyinthesecretofhisfall。
’Hullo！’criedCasimir，’theregoesthestable-boywithhisluggage。no，egad，heistakingitintotheinn。’
Andsureenough，Jean-MariewasseentocrossthesnowystreetandenterTentaillon’s，staggeringunderalargehamper。
TheDoctorstoppedwithasudden，wildhope。
’Whatcanhehave？’hesaid。’Letusgoandsee。’Andhehurriedon。
’Hisluggage，tobesure，’answeredCasimir。’Heisonthemove-
thankstothecommercialimagination。’
’Ihavenotseenthathamperfor-foreversolong，’remarkedtheDoctor。
’Norwillyouseeitmuchlonger，’chuckledCasimir。’unless，indeed，weinterfere。Andbytheway，Iinsistonanexamination。’
’Youwillnotrequire，’saidDesprez，positivelywithasob。and，castingamoist，triumphantglanceatCasimir，hebegantorun。
’Whatthedevilisupwithhim，Iwonder？’Casimirreflected。andthen，curiositytakingtheupperhand，hefollowedtheDoctor’sexampleandtooktohisheels。
Thehamperwassoheavyandlarge，andJean-Mariehimselfsolittleandsoweary，thatithadtakenhimagreatwhiletobundleitupstairstotheDesprez’privateroom。andhehadjustsetitdownonthefloorinfrontofAnastasie，whentheDoctorarrived，andwascloselyfollowedbythemanofbusiness。Boyandhamperwerebothinamostsorryplight。fortheonehadpassedfourmonthsundergroundinacertaincaveonthewaytoAcheres，andtheotherhadrunaboutfivemilesashardashislegswouldcarryhim，halfthatdistanceunderastaggeringweight。
’Jean-Marie，’criedtheDoctor，inavoicethatwasonlytooseraphictobecalledhysterical，’isit-？Itis！’hecried。
’O，myson，myson！’Andhesatdownuponthehamperandsobbedlikealittlechild。
’YouwillnotgotoParisnow，’saidJean-Mariesheepishly。
’Casimir，’saidDesprez，raisinghiswetface，’doyouseethatboy，thatangelboy？Heisthethief。hetookthetreasurefromamanunfittobeentrustedwithitsuse。hebringsitbacktomewhenIamsoberedandhumbled。These，Casimir，aretheFruitsofmyTeaching，andthismomentistheRewardofmyLife。’
’TIENS，’saidCasimir。
Footnotes：
1Boggy。
2Clock3Enjoy。
4Tocomeforrit-toofferoneselfasacommunicant。
5ItwasacommonbeliefinScotlandthatthedevilappearedasablackman。ThisappearsinseveralwitchtrialsandIthinkinLaw’sMEMORIALS，thatdelightfulstore-houseofthequaintandgrisly。
6Letitbeso，formytale！
End