Pushingopenthedoor，Northmouradmittedmebeforehimintotheapartment。AsIcameinIcouldseethedaughterslippingoutbythesidedoorintothestudy，whichhadbeenpreparedasherbedroom。Inthebed，whichwasdrawnbackagainstthewall，insteadofstanding，asIhadlastseenit，boldlyacrossthewindow，satBernardHuddlestone，thedefaultingbanker。LittleasIhadseenofhimbytheshiftinglightofthelanternonthelinks，Ihadnodifficultyinrecognizinghimforthesame。Hehadalongandsallowcountenance，surroundedbyalongredbeardandside-whiskers。Hisbrokennoseandhighcheek-honesgavehimsomewhattheairofaKalmuck，andhislighteyesshonewiththeexcitementofahighfever。Heworeaskull-capofblacksilk；ahugeBiblelayopenbeforehimonthebed，withapairofgoldspectaclesintheplace，andapileofotherbookslayonthestandbyhisside。Thegreencurtainslentacadaverousshadetohischeek；and，ashesatproppedonpillows，hisgreatstaturewaspainfullyhunched，andhisheadprotrudedtillitoverhunghisknees。Ibelieveifhehadnotdiedotherwise，hemusthavefallenavictimtoconsumptioninthecourseofbutaveryfewweeks。
Heheldouttomeahand，long，thin，anddisagreeablyhairy。
“Comein，comein，Mr。Cassilis，“saidhe。“Anotherprotector——
ahem！——anotherprotector。Alwayswelcomeasafriendofmydaughter”s，Mr。Cassilis。Howtheyhaveralliedaboutme，mydaughter”sfriends！MayGodinheavenblessandrewardthemforit！“
Igavehimmyhand，ofcourse，becauseIcouldnothelpit；butthesympathyIhadbeenpreparedtofeelforClara”sfatherwasimmediatelysouredbyhisappearance，andthewheedling，unrealtonesinwhichhespoke。
“Cassilisisagoodman，“saidNorthmour；“worthten。”
“SoIhear，“criedMr。Huddlestoneeagerly；“somygirltellsme。
Ah，Mr。Cassilis，mysinhasfoundmeout，yousee！Iamverylow，verylow；butIhopeequallypenitent。Wemustallcometothethroneofgraceatlast，Mr。Cassilis。Formypart，Icomelateindeed；butwithunfeignedhumility，Itrust。”
“Fiddle-de-dee！“saidNorthmourroughly。
“No，no，dearNorthmour！“criedthebanker。“Youmustnotsaythat；youmustnottrytoshakeme。Youforget，mydear，goodboy，youforgetImaybecalledthisverynightbeforemyMaker。”
Hisexcitementwaspitifultobehold；andIfeltmyselfgrowindignantwithNorthmour，whoseinfidelopinionsIwellknew，andheartilydespised，ashecontinuedtotauntthepoorsinneroutofhishumorofrepentance。
“Pooh，mydearHuddlestone！“saidhe。“Youdoyourselfinjustice。
Youareamanoftheworldinsideandout，andwereuptoallkindsofmischiefbeforeIwasborn。YourconscienceistannedlikeSouthAmericanleather——onlyyouforgottotanyourliver，andthat，ifyouwillbelieveme，istheseatoftheannoyance。”
“Rogue，rogue！badboy！“saidMr。Huddlestone，shakinghisfinger。
“Iamnoprecisian，ifyoucometothat；Ialwayshatedaprecisian；butIneverlostholdofsomethingbetterthroughitall。Ihavebeenabadboy，Mr。Cassilis；Idonotseektodenythat；butitwasaftermywife”sdeath，andyouknow，withawidower，it”sadifferentthing：sinful——Iwon”tsayno；butthereisagradation，weshallhope。Andtalkingofthat——Hark！“hebrokeoutsuddenly，hishandraised，hisfingersspread，hisfacerackedwithinterestandterror。“Onlytherain，blessGod！“headded，afterapause，andwithindescribablerelief。
Forsomesecondshelaybackamongthepillowslikeamanneartofainting；thenhegatheredhimselftogether，and，insomewhattremuloustones，beganoncemoretothankmefortheshareIwaspreparedtotakeinhisdefense。
“Onequestion，sir，“saidI，whenhehadpaused。“Isittruethatyouhavemoneywithyou？“
Heseemedannoyedbythequestion，butadmittedwithreluctancethathehadalittle。
“Well，“Icontinued，“itistheirmoneytheyareafter，isitnot？
Whynotgiveituptothem？“
“Ah！“repliedhe，shakinghishead，“Ihavetriedthatalready，Mr。
Cassilis；andalas！thatitshouldbeso，butitisbloodtheywant。”
“Huddlestone，that”salittlelessthanfair，“saidNorthmour。
“Youshouldmentionthatwhatyouofferedthemwasupwardoftwohundredthousandshort。Thedeficitisworthareference；itisforwhattheycallacoolsum，Frank。Then，yousee，thefellowsreasonintheirclearItalianway；anditseemstothem，asindeeditseemstome，thattheymayjustaswellhavebothwhilethey”reaboutit——moneyandbloodtogether，byGeorge，andnomoretroublefortheextrapleasure。”
“Isitinthepavilion？“Iasked。
“Itis；andIwishitwereinthebottomoftheseainstead，“saidNorthmour；andthensuddenly”Whatareyoumakingfacesatmefor？“hecriedtoMr。Huddlestone，onwhomIhadunconsciouslyturnedmyback。“DoyouthinkCassiliswouldsellyou？“
Mr。Huddlestoneprotestedthatnothinghadbeenfurtherfromhismind。
“Itisagoodthing，“retortedNorthmourinhisugliestmanner。
“Youmightendbywearyingus。Whatwereyougoingtosay？“headded，turningtome。
“Iwasgoingtoproposeanoccupationfortheafternoon，“saidI。
“Letuscarrythatmoneyout，piecebypiece，andlayitdownbeforethepaviliondoor。Ifthecarbonaricome，why，it”stheirsatanyrate。”
“No，no，“criedMr。Huddlestone；“itdoesnot，itcannot，belongtothem！Itshouldbedistributedprorataamongallmycreditors。”
“Comenow，Huddlestone，“saidNorthmour，“noneofthat。”
“Well，butmydaughter，“moanedthewretchedman。“Yourdaughterwilldowellenough。Herearetwosuitors，CassilisandI，neitherofusbeggars，betweenwhomshehastochoose。Andasforyourself，tomakeanendofarguments，youhavenorighttoafarthing，and，unlessI”mmuchmistaken，youaregoingtodie。”
Itwascertainlyverycruellysaid；butMr。Huddlestonewasamanwhoattractedlittlesympathy；and，althoughIsawhimwinceandshudder，Imentallyindorsedtherebuke；nay，Iaddedacontributionofmyown。
“NorthmourandI，“Isaid，“arewillingenoughtohelpyoutosaveyourlife，butnottoescapewithstolenproperty。”
Hestruggledforawhilewithhimself，asthoughhewereonthepointofgivingwaytoanger，butprudencehadthebestofthecontroversy。
“Mydearboys，“hesaid，“dowithmeormymoneywhatyouwill。I
leaveallinyourhands。Letmecomposemyself。”
Andsowelefthim，gladlyenoughIamsure。
ThelastthatIsaw，hehadoncemoretakenuphisgreatBible，andwithtremuloushandswasadjustinghisspectaclestoread。
VII
Therecollectionofthatafternoonwillalwaysbegravenonmymind。NorthmourandIwerepersuadedthatanattackwasimminent；
andifithadbeeninourpowertoalterinanywaytheorderofevents，thatpowerwouldhavebeenusedtoprecipitateratherthandelaythecriticalmoment。Theworstwastobeanticipated；yetwecouldconceivenoextremitysomiserableasthesuspensewewerenowsuffering。Ihaveneverbeenaneager，thoughalwaysagreat，reader；butIneverknewbookssoinsipidasthosewhichItookupandcastasidethatafternooninthepavilion。Eventalkbecameimpossible，asthehourswenton。Oneorotherwasalwayslisteningforsomesound，orpeeringfromanupstairswindowoverthelinks。Andyetnotasignindicatedthepresenceofourfoes。
Wedebatedoverandoveragainmyproposalwithregardtothemoney；andhadwebeenincompletepossessionofourfaculties，I
amsureweshouldhavecondemneditasunwise；butwewereflusteredwithalarm，graspedatastraw，anddetermined，althoughitwasasmuchasadvertisingMr。Huddlestone”spresenceinthepavilion，tocarrymyproposalintoeffect。
Thesumwaspartinspecie，partinbankpaper，andpartincircularnotespayabletothenameofJamesGregory。Wetookitout，countedit，incloseditoncemoreinadispatchboxbelongingtoNorthmour，andpreparedaletterinItalianwhichhetiedtothehandle。Itwassignedbybothofusunderoath，anddeclaredthatthiswasallthemoneywhichhadescapedthefailureofthehouseofHuddlestone。Thiswas，perhaps，themaddestactioneverperpetratedbytwopersonsprofessingtobesane。Hadthedispatchboxfallenintootherhandsthanthoseforwhichitwasintended，westoodcriminallyconvictedonourownwrittentestimony；but，asIhavesaid，wewereneitherofusinaconditiontojudgesoberly，andhadathirstforactionthatdroveustodosomething，rightorwrong，ratherthanenduretheagonyofwaiting。Moreover，aswewerebothconvincedthatthehollowsofthelinkswerealivewithhiddenspiesuponourmovements，wehopedthatourappearancewiththeboxmightleadtoaparley，and，perhaps，acompromise。
Itwasnearlythreewhenweissuedfromthepavilion。Therainhadtakenoff；thesunshonequitecheerfully。Ihadneverseenthegullsflysocloseaboutthehouseorapproachsofearlesslytohumanbeings。Ontheverydoorsteponeflappedheavilypastourheads，anduttereditswildcryinmyveryear。
“Thereisanomenforyou，“saidNorthmour，wholikeallfreethinkerswasmuchundertheinfluenceofsuperstition。“Theythinkwearealreadydead。”
Imadesomelightrejoinder，butitwaswithhalfmyheart；forthecircumstancehadimpressedme。
Ayardortwobeforethegate，onapatchofsmoothturf，wesetdownthedispatchbox；andNorthmourwavedawhitehandkerchiefoverhishead。Nothingreplied。Weraisedourvoices，andcriedaloudinItalianthatwewerethereasambassadorstoarrangethequarrel，butthestillnessremainedunbrokensavebytheseagullsandthesurf。Ihadaweightatmyheartwhenwedesisted；andI
sawthatevenNorthmourwasunusuallypale。Helookedoverhisshouldernervously，asthoughhefearedthatsomeonehadcreptbetweenhimandthepaviliondoor。
“ByGod，“hesaidinawhisper，“thisistoomuchforme！“
Irepliedinthesamekey：“Supposethereshouldbenone，afterall！“
“Lookthere，“hereturned，noddingwithhishead，asthoughhehadbeenafraidtopoint。
Iglancedinthedirectionindicated；andthere，fromthenorthernquarteroftheSea-Wood，beheldathincolumnofsmokerisingsteadilyagainstthenowcloudlesssky。
“Northmour，“Isaidwestillcontinuedtotalkinwhispers，“itisnotpossibletoendurethissuspense。Ipreferdeathfiftytimesover。Stayyouheretowatchthepavilion；Iwillgoforwardandmakesure，ifIhavetowalkrightintotheircamp。”
Helookedonceagainallroundhimwithpuckeredeyes，andthennoddedassentinglytomyproposal。
MyheartheatlikeasledgehammerasIsetoutwalkingrapidlyinthedirectionofthesmoke；and，thoughuptothatmomentIhadfeltchillandshivering，Iwassuddenlyconsciousofaglowofheatallovermybody。Thegroundinthisdirectionwasveryuneven；ahundredmenmighthavelainhiddeninasmanysquareyardsaboutmypath。ButIwhohadnotpracticedthebusinessinvain，chosesuchroutesascutattheveryrootofconcealment，and，bykeepingalongthemostconvenientridges，commandedseveralhollowsatatime。ItwasnotlongbeforeIwasrewardedformycaution。Comingsuddenlyontoamoundsomewhatmoreelevatedthanthesurroundinghummocks，Isaw，notthirtyyardsaway，amanbentalmostdouble，andrunningasfastashisattitudepermitted，alongthebottomofagully。Ihaddislodgedoneofthespiesfromhisambush。AssoonasIsightedhim，IcalledloudlybothinEnglishandItalian；andhe，seeingconcealmentwasnolongerpossible，straightenedhimselfout，leapedfromthegully，andmadeoffasstraightasanarrowforthebordersofthewood。Itwasnoneofmybusinesstopursue；IhadlearnedwhatIwanted——thatwewerebeleagueredandwatchedinthepavilion；andIreturnedatonce，andwalkedasnearlyaspossibleinmyoldfootsteps，towhereNorthmourawaitedmebesidethedispatchbox。HewasevenpalerthanwhenIhadlefthim，andhisvoiceshookalittle。
“Couldyouseewhathewaslike？“heasked。
“Hekepthisbackturned，“Ireplied。
“Letusgetintothehouse，Frank。Idon”tthinkI”macoward，butIcanstandnomoreofthis，“hewhispered。
Allwasstillandsunshinyaboutthepavilion，asweturnedtoreenterit；eventhegullshadflowninawidercircuit，andwereseenflickeringalongthebeachandsandhills；andthislonelinessterrifiedmemorethanaregimentunderarms。ItwasnotuntilthedoorwasbarricadedthatIcoulddrawafullinspirationandrelievetheweightthatlayuponmybosom。NorthmourandI
exchangedasteadyglance；andIsupposeeachmadehisownreflectionsonthewhiteandstartledaspectoftheother。
“Youwereright，“Isaid。“Allisover。Shakehands，oldman，forthelasttime。”
“Yes，“repliedhe，“Iwillshakehands；for，assureasIamhere，Ibearnomalice。But，remember，if，bysomeimpossibleaccident，weshouldgivethesliptotheseblackguards，I”lltaketheupperhandofyoubyfairorfoul。”
“Oh，“saidI，“youwearyme！“
Heseemedhurt，andwalkedawayinsilencetothefootofthestairs，wherehepaused。
“Youdonotunderstand，“saidhe。“Iamnotaswindler，andI
guardmyself；thatisall。Imaywearyyouornot，Mr。Cassilis，I
donotcarearush；Ispeakformyownsatisfaction，andnotforyouramusement。Youhadbettergoupstairsandcourtthegirl；formypart，Istayhere。”
“AndIstaywithyou，“Ireturned。“DoyouthinkIwouldstealamarch，evenwithyourpermission？“
“Frank，“hesaid，smiling，“it”sapityyouareanass，foryouhavethemakingsofaman。IthinkImustbefeyto-day；youcannotirritatemeevenwhenyoutry。Doyouknow，“hecontinuedsoftly，“IthinkwearethetwomostmiserablemeninEngland，youandI？wehavegotontothirtywithoutwifeorchild，orsomuchasashoptolookafter——poor，pitiful，lostdevils，both！Andnowweclashaboutagirl！AsiftherewerenotseveralmillionsintheUnitedKingdom！Ah，Frank，Frank，theonewholoseshisthrow，beityouorme，hehasmypity！Itwerebetterforhim——howdoestheBiblesay？——thatamillstonewerehangedabouthisneckandhewerecastintothedepthofthesea。Letustakeadrink，“heconcludedsuddenly，butwithoutanylevityoftone。
Iwastouchedbyhiswords，andconsented。Hesatdownonthetableinthedining-room，andhelduptheglassofsherrytohiseye。
“Ifyoubeatme，Frank，“hesaid，“Ishalltaketodrink。Whatwillyoudo，ifitgoestheotherway？“
“Godknows，“Ireturned。
“Well，“saidhe，“hereisatoastinthemeantime：”Italiairredenta！”“
Theremainderofthedaywaspassedinthesamedreadfultediumandsuspense。Ilaidthetablefordinner，whileNorthmourandClarapreparedthemealtogetherinthekitchen。IcouldheartheirtalkasIwenttoandfro，andwassurprisedtofinditranallthetimeuponmyself。Northmouragainbracketedustogether，andralliedClaraonachoiceofhusbands；buthecontinuedtospeakofmewithsomefeeling，andutterednothingtomyprejudiceunlessheincludedhimselfinthecondemnation。Thisawakenedasenseofgratitudeinmyheart，whichcombinedwiththeimmediatenessofourperiltofillmyeyeswithtears。Afterall，Ithought——andperhapsthethoughtwaslaughablyvain——wewereherethreeverynoblehumanbeingstoperishindefenseofathievingbanker。
Beforewesatdowntotable，Ilookedforthfromanupstairswindow。Thedaywasbeginningtodecline；thelinkswereutterlydeserted；thedispatchboxstilllayuntouchedwherewehadleftithoursbefore。
Mr。Huddlestone，inalongyellowdressinggown，tookoneendofthetable，Claratheother；whileNorthmourandIfacedeachotherfromthesides。Thelampwasbrightlytrimmed；thewinewasgood；
theviands，althoughmostlycold，excellentoftheirsort。Weseemedtohaveagreedtacitly；allreferencetotheimpendingcatastrophewascarefullyavoided；and，consideringourtragiccircumstances，wemadeamerrierpartythancouldhavebeenexpected。Fromtimetotime，itistrue，NorthmourorIwouldrisefromtableandmakearoundofthedefenses；and，oneachoftheseoccasions，Mr。Huddlestonewasrecalledtoasenseofhistragicpredicament，glancedupwithghastlyeyes，andboreforaninstantonhiscountenancethestampofterror。Buthehastenedtoemptyhisglass，wipedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief，andjoinedagainintheconversation。
Iwasastonishedatthewitandinformationhedisplayed。Mr。
Huddlestone”swascertainlynoordinarycharacter；hehadreadandobservedforhimself；hisgiftsweresound；and，thoughIcouldneverhavelearnedtolovetheman，Ibegantounderstandhissuccessinbusiness，andthegreatrespectinwhichhehadbeenheldbeforehisfailure。Hehad，aboveall，thetalentofsociety；
andthoughIneverheardhimspeakbutonthisoneandmostunfavorableoccasion，IsethimdownamongthemostbrilliantconversationalistsIevermet。
Hewasrelatingwithgreatgusto，andseeminglynofeelingofshame，themaneuversofascoundrellycommissionmerchantwhomhehadknownandstudiedinhisyouth，andwewerealllisteningwithanoddmixtureofmirthandembarrassment，whenourlittlepartywasbroughtabruptlytoanendinthemoststartlingmanner。
AnoiselikethatofawetfingeronthewindowpaneinterruptedMr。Huddlestone”stale；andinaninstantwewereallfouraswhiteaspaper，andsattongue-tiedandmotionlessroundthetable。
“Asnail，“Isaidatlast；forIhadheardthattheseanimalsmakeanoisesomewhatsimilarincharacter。
“Snailbed——d！“saidNorthmour。“Hush！“
Thesamesoundwasrepeatedtwiceatregularintervals；andthenaformidablevoiceshoutedthroughtheshutterstheItalianword，“Traditore！“
Mr。Huddlestonethrewhisheadintheair；hiseyelidsquivered；
nextmomenthefellinsensiblebelowthetable。NorthmourandI
hadeachruntothearmoryandseizedagun。Clarawasonherfeetwithherhandatherthroat。
Sowestoodwaiting，forwethoughtthehourofattackwascertainlycome；butsecondpassedaftersecond，andallbutthesurfremainedsilentintheneighborhoodofthepavilion。
“Quick，“saidNorthmour；“upstairswithhimbeforetheycome。”
VIII
Somehoworother，byhookandcrook，andbetweenthethreeofus，wegotBernardHuddlestonebundledupstairsandlaiduponthebedinMyUncle”sRoom。Duringthewholeprocess，whichwasroughenough，hegavenosignofconsciousness，andheremained，aswehadthrownhim，withoutchangingthepositionofafinger。Hisdaughteropenedhisshirtandbegantowethisheadandbosom；
whileNorthmourandIrantothewindow。Theweathercontinuedclear；themoon，whichwasnowaboutfull，hadrisenandshedaveryclearlightuponthelinks；yet，strainoureyesaswemight，wecoulddistinguishnothingmoving。Afewdarkspots，moreorless，ontheunevenexpansewerenottobeidentified；theymightbecrouchingmen，theymightbeshadows；itwasimpossibletobesure。
“ThankGod，“saidNorthmour，“Aggieisnotcomingto-night。”
Aggiewasthenameoftheoldnurse；hehadnotthoughtofheruntilnow；butthatheshouldthinkofheratallwasatraitthatsurprisedmeintheman。
Wewereagainreducedtowaiting。Northmourwenttothefireplaceandspreadhishandsbeforetheredembers，asifhewerecold。I
followedhimmechanicallywithmyeyes，andinsodoingturnedmybackuponthewindow。Atthatmomentaveryfaintreportwasaudiblefromwithout，andaballshiveredapaneofglass，andburieditselfintheshuttertwoinchesfrommyhead。IheardClarascream；andthoughIwhippedinstantlyoutofrangeandintoacorner，shewasthere，sotospeak，beforeme，beseechingtoknowifIwerehurt。IfeltthatIcouldstandtobeshotateverydayandalldaylong，withsuchremarksofsolicitudeforareward；andIcontinuedtoreassureher，withthetenderestcaressesandincompleteforgetfulnessofoursituation，tillthevoiceofNorthmourrecalledmetomyself。
“Anairgun，“hesaid。“Theywishtomakenonoise。”
IputClaraaside，andlookedathim。Hewasstandingwithhisbacktothefireandhishandsclaspedbehindhim；andIknewbytheblacklookonhisface，thatpassionwasboilingwithin。Ihadseenjustsuchalookbeforeheattackedme，thatMarchnight，intheadjoiningchamber；and，thoughIcouldmakeeveryallowanceforhisanger，IconfessItrembledfortheconsequences。Hegazedstraightbeforehim；buthecouldseeuswiththetailofhiseye，andhistemperkeptrisinglikeagaleofwind。Withregularbattleawaitingusoutside，thisprospectofaninternecinestrifewithinthewallsbegantodauntme。
Suddenly，asIwasthuscloselywatchinghisexpressionandpreparedagainsttheworst，Isawachange，aflash，alookofrelief，uponhisface。Hetookupthelampwhichstoodbesidehimonthetable，andturnedtouswithanairofsomeexcitement。
“Thereisonepointthatwemustknow，“saidhe。“Aretheygoingtobutcherthelotofus，oronlyHuddlestone？Didtheytakeyouforhim，orfireatyouforyourownbeauxyeux？“
“Theytookmeforhim，forcertain，“Ireplied。“Iamnearastall，andmyheadisfair。”
“Iamgoingtomakesure，“returnedNorthmour；andhesteppeduptothewindow，holdingthelampabovehishead，andstoodthere，quietlyaffrontingdeath，forhalfaminute。
Clarasoughttorushforwardandpullhimfromtheplaceofdanger；
butIhadthepardonableselfishnesstoholdherbackbyforce。
“Yes，“saidNorthmour，turningcoollyfromthewindow，“it”sonlyHuddlestonetheywant。”
“Oh，Mr。Northmour！“criedClara；butfoundnomoretoadd；thetemerityshehadjustwitnessedseemingbeyondthereachofwords。
He，onhispart，lookedatme，cockinghishead，withafireoftriumphinhiseyes；andIunderstoodatoncethathehadthushazardedhislife，merelytoattractClara”snotice，anddeposemefrommypositionastheheroofthehour。Hesnappedhisfingers。
“Thefireisonlybeginning，“saidhe。“Whentheywarmuptotheirwork，theywon”tbesoparticular。”
Avoicewasnowheardhailingusfromtheentrance。Fromthewindowwecouldseethefigureofamaninthemoonlight；hestoodmotionless，hisfaceupliftedtoours，andaragofsomethingwhiteonhisextendedarm；andaswelookedrightdownuponhim，thoughhewasagoodmanyyardsdistantonthelinks，wecouldseethemoonlightglitteronhiseyes。
Heopenedhislipsagain，andspokeforsomeminutesonend，inakeysoloudthathemighthavebeenheardineverycornerofthepavilion，andasfarawayasthebordersofthewood。Itwasthesamevoicethathadalreadyshouted，“Traditore！“throughtheshuttersofthedining-room；thistimeitmadeacompleteandclearstatement。Ifthetraitor“Oddlestone“weregivenup，allothersshouldbespared；ifnot，nooneshouldescapetotellthetale。
“Well，Huddlestone，whatdoyousaytothat？“askedNorthmour，turningtothebed。
Uptothatmomentthebankerhadgivennosignoflife，andI，atleast，hadsupposedhimtobestilllyinginafaint；butherepliedatonce，andinsuchtonesasIhaveneverheardelsewhere，savefromadeliriouspatient，adjuredandbesoughtusnottodeserthim。Itwasthemosthideousandabjectperformancethatmyimaginationcanconceive。
“Enough，“criedNorthmour；andthenhethrewopenthewindow，leanedoutintothenight，andinatoneofexultation，andwithatotalforgetfulnessofwhatwasduetothepresenceofalady，pouredoutupontheambassadorastringofthemostabominableraillerybothinEnglishandItalian，andbadehimbegonewherehehadcomefrom。IbelievethatnothingsodelightedNorthmouratthatmomentasthethoughtthatwemustallinfalliblyperishbeforethenightwasout。
Meantime，theItalianputhisflagoftruceintohispocket，anddisappeared，ataleisurelypace，amongthesandhills。
“Theymakehonorablewar，“saidNorthmour。“Theyareallgentlemenandsoldiers。Forthecreditofthething，Iwishwecouldchangesides——youandI，Frank，andyou，too，missy，mydarling——andleavethatbeingonthebedtosomeoneelse。Tut！Don”tlookshocked！
Weareallgoingposttowhattheycalleternity，andmayaswellbeaboveboardwhilethere”stime。AsfarasIamconcerned，ifI
couldfirststrangleHuddlestoneandthengetClarainmyarms，I
coulddiewithsomeprideandsatisfaction。Andasitis，byGod，I”llhaveakiss！“
BeforeIcoulddoanythingtointerfere，hehadrudelyembracedandrepeatedlykissedtheresistinggirl。NextmomentIhadpulledhimawaywithfury，andflunghimheavilyagainstthewall。Helaughedloudandlong，andIfearedhiswitshadgivenwayunderthestrain；foreveninthebestofdayshehadbeenasparingandaquietlaugher。
“Now，Frank，“saidhe，whenhismirthwassomewhatappeased，“it”syourturn。Here”smyhand。Good-bye，farewell！“Then，seeingmestandrigidandindignant，andholdingClaratomyside”Man！“hebrokeout，“areyouangry？Didyouthinkweweregoingtodiewithalltheairsandgracesofsociety？Itookakiss；I”mgladIdidit；andnowyoucantakeanotherifyoulike，andsquareaccounts。”
IturnedfromhimwithafeelingofcontemptwhichIdidnotseektodissemble。
“Asyouplease，“saidhe。“You”vebeenapriginlife；aprigyou”lldie。”
Andwiththathesatdowninachair，arifleoverhisknee，andamusedhimselfwithsnappingthelock；butIcouldseethathisebullitionoflightspiritstheonlyoneIeverknewhimtodisplayhadalreadycometoanend，andwassucceededbyasullen，scowlinghumor。
Allthistimeourassailantsmighthavebeenenteringthehouse，andwebeennonethewiser；wehadintruthalmostforgottenthedangerthatsoimminentlyoverhungourdays。ButjustthenMr。
Huddlestoneutteredacry，andleapedfromthebed。
Iaskedhimwhatwaswrong。
“Fire！“hecried。“Theyhavesetthehouseonfire！“
Northmourwasonhisfeetinaninstant，andheandIranthroughthedoorofcommunicationwiththestudy。Theroomwasilluminatedbyaredandangrylight。Almostatthemomentofourentrance，atowerofflamearoseinfrontofthewindow，and，withatinglingreport，apanefellinwardonthecarpet。Theyhadsetfiretothelean-toouthouse，whereNorthmourusedtonursehisnegatives。
“Hotwork，“saidNorthmour。“Letustryinyouroldroom。”
Weranthitherinabreath，threwupthecasement，andlookedforth。Alongthewholebackwallofthepavilionpilesoffuelhadbeenarrangedandkindled；anditisprobabletheyhadbeendrenchedwithmineraloil，for，inspiteofthemorning”srain，theyallburnedbravely。Thefirehadtakenafirmholdalreadyontheouthouse，whichblazedhigherandhighereverymoment；thebackdoorwasinthecenterofared-hotbonfire；theeaveswecouldsee，aswelookedupward，werealreadysmoldering，fortheroofoverhung，andwassupportedbyconsiderablebeamsofwood。Atthesametime，hot，pungent，andchokingvolumesofsmokebegantofillthehouse。Therewasnotahumanbeingtobeseentorightorleft。
“Ah，well！“saidNorthmour，“here”stheend，thankGod！“
AndwereturnedtoMyUncle”sRoom。Mr。Huddlestonewasputtingonhisboots，stillviolentlytrembling，butwithanairofdeterminationsuchasIhadnothithertoobserved。Clarastoodclosebyhim，withhercloakinbothhandsreadytothrowabouthershoulders，andastrangelookinhereyes，asifshewerehalfhopeful，halfdoubtfulofherfather。
“Well，boysandgirls，“saidNorthmour，“howaboutasally？Theovenisheating；itisnotgoodtostayhereandbebaked；and，formypart，Iwanttocometomyhandswiththem，andbedone。”
“There”snothingelseleft，“Ireplied。
AndbothClaraandMr。Huddlestone，thoughwithaverydifferentintonation，added，“Nothing。”
Aswewentdownstairstheheatwasexcessive，andtheroaringofthefirefilledourears；andwehadscarcereachedthepassagebeforethestairswindowfellin，abranchofflameshotbrandishingthroughtheaperture，andtheinteriorofthepavilionbecamelightedupwiththatdreadfulandfluctuatingglare。Atthesamemomentweheardthefallofsomethingheavyandinelasticintheupperstory。Thewholepavilion，itwasplain，hadgonealightlikeaboxofmatches，andnownotonlyflamedskyhightolandandsea，butthreatenedwitheverymomenttocrumbleandfallinaboutourears。
NorthmourandIcockedourrevolvers。Mr。Huddlestone，whohadalreadyrefusedafirearm，putusbehindhimwithamannerofcommand。
“LetClaraopenthedoor，“saidhe。“So，iftheyfireavolley，shewillbeprotected。Andinthemeantimestandbehindme。Iamthescapegoat；mysinshavefoundmeout。”
Iheardhim，asIstoodbreathlessbyhisshoulder，withmypistolready，patteringoffprayersinatremulous，rapidwhisper；and，I
confess，horridasthethoughtmayseem，Idespisedhimforthinkingofsupplicationsinamomentsocriticalandthrilling。
Inthemeantime，Clara，whowasdeadwhitebutstillpossessedherfaculties，haddisplacedthebarricadefromthefrontdoor。
Anothermoment，andshehadpulleditopen。Firelightandmoonlightilluminatedthelinkswithconfusedandchangefulluster，andfarawayagainsttheskywecouldseealongtrailofglowingsmoke。
Mr。Huddlestone，filledforthemomentwithastrengthgreaterthanhisown，struckNorthmourandmyselfaback-handerinthechest；
andwhilewewerethusforthemomentincapacitatedfromaction，liftinghisarmsabovehisheadlikeoneabouttodive，heranstraightforwardoutofthepavilion。
“HereamI！“hecried”Huddlestone！Killme，andsparetheothers！“
Hissuddenappearancedaunted，Isuppose，ourhiddenenemies；forNorthmourandIhadtimetorecover，toseizeClarabetweenus，onebyeacharm，andtorushforthtohisassistance，ereanythingfurtherhadtakenplace。Butscarcehadwepassedthethresholdwhentherecamenearadozenreportsandflashesfromeverydirectionamongthehollowsofthelinks。Mr。Huddlestonestaggered，utteredaweirdandfreezingcry，threwuphisarmsoverhishead，andfellbackwardontheturf。
“Traditore！Traditore！“criedtheinvisibleavengers。
Andjustthenapartoftheroofofthepavilionfellin，sorapidwastheprogressofthefire。Aloud，vague，andhorriblenoiseaccompaniedthecollapse，andavastvolumeofflamewentsoaringuptoheaven。Itmusthavebeenvisibleatthatmomentfromtwentymilesoutatsea，fromtheshoreatGradenWester，andfarinlandfromthepeakofGraystiel，themosteasternsummitoftheCaulderHills。BernardHuddlestone，althoughGodknowswhatwerehisobsequies，hadafinepyreatthemomentofhisdeath。
IX
Ishouldhavethegreatestdifficultytotellyouwhatfollowednextafterthistragiccircumstance。Itisalltome，asIlookbackuponit，mixed，strenuous，andineffectual，likethestrugglesofasleeperinanightmare。Clara，Iremember，utteredabrokensighandwouldhavefallenforwardtoearth，hadnotNorthmourandIsupportedherinsensiblebody。Idonotthinkwewereattacked：
Idonotremembereventohaveseenanassailant；andIbelievewedesertedMr。Huddlestonewithoutaglance。Ionlyrememberrunninglikeamaninapanic，nowcarryingClaraaltogetherinmyownarms，nowsharingherweightwithNorthmour，nowscufflingconfusedlyforthepossessionofthatdearburden。WhyweshouldhavemadeformycampintheHemlockDen，orhowwereachedit，arepointslostforevertomyrecollection。ThefirstmomentatwhichIbecamedefinitelysure，Clarahadbeensufferedtofallagainsttheoutsideofmylittletent，NorthmourandIweretumblingtogetherontheground，andhe，withcontainedferocity，wasstrikingformyheadwiththebuttofhisrevolver。Hehadalreadytwicewoundedmeonthescalp；anditistotheconsequentlossofbloodthatIamtemptedtoattributethesuddenclearnessofmymind。
Icaughthimbythewrist。
“Northmour，“Iremembersaying，“youcankillmeafterwards。LetusfirstattendtoClara。”
Hewasatthatmomentuppermost。Scarcelyhadthewordspassedmylips，whenhehadleapedtohisfeetandrantowardthetent；andthenextmoment，hewasstrainingClaratohisheartandcoveringherunconscioushandsandfacewithhiscaresses。
“Shame！“Icried。“Shametoyou，Northmour！“
And，giddythoughIstillwas，Istruckhimrepeatedlyupontheheadandshoulders。
Herelinquishedhisgrasp，andfacedmeinthebrokenmoonlight。
“Ihadyouunder，andIletyougo，“saidhe；“andnowyoustrikeme！Coward！“
“Youarethecoward，“Iretorted。“Didshewishyourkisseswhileshewasstillsensibleofwhatyouwanted？Notshe！Andnowshemaybedying；andyouwastethisprecioustime，andabuseherhelplessness。Standaside，andletmehelpher。”
Heconfrontedmeforamoment，whiteandmenacing；thensuddenlyhesteppedaside。
“Helpherthen，“saidhe。
Ithrewmyselfonmykneesbesideher，andloosened，aswellasI
wasable，herdressandcorset；butwhileIwasthusengaged，agraspdescendedonmyshoulder。
“Keepyourhandsoffher，“saidNorthmour，fiercely。“DoyouthinkIhavenobloodinmyveins？“
“Northmour，“Icried，“ifyouwillneitherhelpheryourself，norletmedoso，doyouknowthatIshallhavetokillyou？“
“Thatisbetter！“hecried。“Letherdiealso，where”stheharm？
Stepasidefromthatgirl！andstanduptofight。”
“Youwillobserve，“saidI，halfrising，“thatIhavenotkissedheryet。”
“Idareyouto，“hecried。
Idonotknowwhatpossessedme；itwasoneofthethingsIammostashamedofinmylife，though，asmywifeusedtosay，Iknewthatmykisseswouldbealwayswelcomewereshedeadorliving；downI
fellagainuponmyknees，partedthehairfromherforehead，and，withthedearestrespect，laidmylipsforamomentonthatcoldbrow。Itwassuchacaressasafathermighthavegiven；itwassuchaoneaswasnotunbecomingfromamansoontodietoawomanalreadydead。
“Andnow，“saidI，“Iamatyourservice，Mr。Northmour。”
ButIsaw，tomysurprise，thathehadturnedhisbackuponme。
“Doyouhear？“Iasked。
“Yes，“saidhe，“Ido。Ifyouwishtofight，Iamready。Ifnot，goonandsaveClara。Allisonetome。”
Ididnotwaittobetwicebidden；but，stoopingagainoverClara，continuedmyeffortstoreviveher。Shestilllaywhiteandlifeless；Ibegantofearthathersweetspirithadindeedfledbeyondrecall，andhorrorandasenseofutterdesolationseizeduponmyheart。Icalledherbynamewiththemostendearinginflections；Ichafedandbeatherhands；nowIlaidherheadlow，nowsupporteditagainstmyknee；butallseemedtobeinvain，andthelidsstilllayheavyonhereyes。
“Northmour，“Isaid，“thereismyhat。ForGod”ssakebringsomewaterfromthespring。”
Almostinamomenthewasbymysidewiththewater。
“Ihavebroughtitinmyown，“hesaid。“Youdonotgrudgemetheprivilege？“
“Northmour，“Iwasbeginningtosay，asIlavedherheadandbreast；butheinterruptedmesavagely。
“Oh，youhushup！“hesaid。“Thebestthingyoucandoistosaynothing。”
Ihadcertainlynodesiretotalk，mymindbeingswallowedupinconcernformydearloveandhercondition；soIcontinuedinsilencetodomybesttowardherrecovery，and，whenthehatwasempty，returnedittohim，withoneword”More。”Hehad，perhaps，goneseveraltimesuponthiserrand，whenClarareopenedhereyes。
“Now，“saidhe，“sincesheisbetter，youcanspareme，canyounot？Iwishyouagoodnight，Mr。Cassilis。”
Andwiththathewasgoneamongthethicket。Imadeafire，forI
hadnownofearoftheItalians，whohadevensparedallthelittlepossessionsleftinmyencampment；and，brokenasshewasbytheexcitementandthehideouscatastropheoftheevening，Imanaged，inonewayoranother——bypersuasion，encouragement，warmth，andsuchsimpleremediesasIcouldlaymyhandon——tobringherbacktosomecomposureofmindandstrengthofbody。
Dayhadalreadycome，whenasharp“Hist！“soundedfromthethicket。Istartedfromtheground；butthevoiceofNorthmourwasheardadding，inthemosttranquiltones：“Comehere，Cassilis，andalone；Iwanttoshowyousomething。”
IconsultedClarawithmyeyes，and，receivinghertacitpermission，leftheralone，andclamberedoutoftheden。AtsomedistanceoffIsawNorthmourleaningagainstanelder；and，assoonasheperceivedme，hebeganwalkingseaward。Ihadalmostovertakenhimashereachedtheoutskirtsofthewood。
“Look，“saidhe，pausing。
Acoupleofstepsmorebroughtmeoutofthefoliage。Thelightofthemorninglaycoldandclearoverthatwell-knownscene。Thepavilionwasbutablackenedwreck；theroofhadfallenin，oneofthegableshadfallenout；and，farandnear，thefaceofthelinkswascicatrizedwithlittlepatchesofburnedfurze。Thicksmokestillwentstraightupwardinthewindlessairofthemorning，andagreatpileofardentcindersfilledthebarewallsofthehouse，likecoalsinanopengrate。Closebytheisletaschooneryachtlayto，andawell-mannedboatwaspullingvigorouslyfortheshore。
“The”RedEarl”！“Icried。“The”RedEarl”twelvehourstoolate！“
“Feelinyourpocket，Frank。Areyouarmed？“askedNorthmour。
Iobeyedhim，andIthinkImusthavebecomedeadlypale。Myrevolverhadbeentakenfromme。
“Yousee，Ihaveyouinmypower，“hecontinued。“IdisarmedyoulastnightwhileyouwerenursingClara；butthismorning——here——
takeyourpistol。Nothanks！“hecried，holdinguphishand。“I
donotlikethem；thatistheonlywayyoucanannoymenow。”
Hebegantowalkforwardacrossthelinkstomeettheboat，andI
followedasteportwobehind。InfrontofthepavilionIpausedtoseewhereMr。Huddlestonehadfallen；buttherewasnosignofhim，norsomuchasatraceofblood。
“GradenFloe，“saidNorthmour。
Hecontinuedtoadvancetillwehadcometotheheadofthebeach。
“Nofarther，please，“saidhe。“WouldyouliketotakehertoGradenHouse？“
“Thankyou，“repliedI；“IshalltrytogethertotheministeratGradenWester。”
Theprowoftheboatheregratedonthebeach，andasailorjumpedashorewithalineinhishand。
“Waitaminute，lads！“criedNorthmour；andthenlowerandtomyprivateear，“Youhadbettersaynothingofallthistoher，“headded。
“Onthecontrary！“Ibrokeout，“sheshallknoweverythingthatI
cantell。”
“Youdonotunderstand，“hereturned，withanairofgreatdignity。
“Itwillbenothingtoher；sheexpectsitofme。Good-by！“headded，withanod。
Iofferedhimmyhand。
“Excuseme，“saidhe。“It”ssmall，Iknow；butIcan”tpushthingsquitesofarasthat。Idon”twishanysentimentalbusiness，tositbyyourhearthawhite-hairedwanderer，andallthat。Quitethecontrary：IhopetoGodIshallneveragainclapeyesoneitheroneofyou。”
“Well，Godblessyou，Northmour！“Isaidheartily。
“Oh，yes，“hereturned。
Hewalkeddownthebeach；andthemanwhowasashoregavehimanarmonboard，andthenshovedoffandleapedintothebowshimself。
Northmourtookthetiller；theboatrosetothewaves，andtheoarsbetweenthetholepinssoundedcrispandmeasuredinthemorningair。
Theywerenotyethalfwaytothe“RedEarl，“andIwasstillwatchingtheirprogress，whenthesunroseoutofthesea。
Onewordmore，andmystoryisdone。Yearsafter，NorthmourwaskilledfightingunderthecolorsofGaribaldifortheliberationoftheTyrol。
WilkieCollinsTheDreamWomanAMysteryinFourNarrativesTHEFIRSTNARRATIVE
INTRODUCTORYSTATEMENTOFTHEFACTSBYPERCYFAIRBANK
I
“Hullo，there！Hostler！Hullo-o-o！“
“Mydear！whydon”tyoulookforthebell？“
“IHAVElooked——thereisnobell。”
“Andnobodyintheyard。Howveryextraordinary！Callagain，dear。”
“Hostler！Hullo，there！Hostler-r-r！“
Mysecondcallechoesthroughemptyspace，androusesnobody——
produces，inshort，novisibleresult。Iamattheendofmyresources——Idon”tknowwhattosayorwhattodonext。HereI
standinthesolitaryinnyardofastrangetown，withtwohorsestohold，andaladytotakecareof。Bywayofaddingtomyresponsibilities，itsohappensthatoneofthehorsesisdeadlame，andthattheladyismywife。
WhoamI？——youwillask。
Thereisplentyoftimetoanswerthequestion。Nothinghappens；
andnobodyappearstoreceiveus。Letmeintroducemyselfandmywife。
IamPercyFairbank——Englishgentleman——ageletussayforty——noprofession——moderatepolitics——middleheight——faircomplexion——easycharacter——plentyofmoney。
MywifeisaFrenchlady。ShewasMademoiselleClotildeDelorge——
whenIwasfirstpresentedtoheratherfather”shouseinFrance。
Ifellinlovewithher——Ireallydon”tknowwhy。ItmighthavebeenbecauseIwasperfectlyidle，andhadnothingelsetodoatthetime。OritmighthavebeenbecauseallmyfriendssaidshewastheverylastwomanwhomIoughttothinkofmarrying。Onthesurface，Imustown，thereisnothingincommonbetweenMrs。
Fairbankandme。Sheistall；sheisdark；sheisnervous，excitable，romantic；inallheropinionssheproceedstoextremes。
Whatcouldsuchawomanseeinme？whatcouldIseeinher？Iknownomorethanyoudo。Insomemysteriousmannerweexactlysuiteachother。Wehavebeenmanandwifefortenyears，andouronlyregretis，thatwehavenochildren。Idon”tknowwhatYOUmaythink；Icallthat——uponthewhole——ahappymarriage。
Somuchforourselves。Thenextquestionis——whathasbroughtusintotheinnyard？andwhyamIobligedtoturngroom，andholdthehorses？
WeliveforthemostpartinFrance——atthecountryhouseinwhichmywifeandIfirstmet。Occasionally，bywayofvariety，wepayvisitstomyfriendsinEngland。Wearepayingoneofthosevisitsnow。Ourhostisanoldcollegefriendofmine，possessedofafineestateinSomersetshire；andwehavearrivedathishouse——
calledFarleighHall——towardthecloseofthehuntingseason。
OnthedayofwhichIamnowwriting——destinedtobeamemorabledayinourcalendar——thehoundsmeetatFarleighHall。Mrs。
FairbankandIaremountedontwoofthebesthorsesinmyfriend”sstables。Wearequiteunworthyofthatdistinction；forweknownothingandcarenothingabouthunting。Ontheotherhand，wedelightinriding，andweenjoythebreezySpringmorningandthefairandfertileEnglishlandscapesurroundingusoneveryside。
Whilethehuntprospers，wefollowthehunt。Butwhenacheckoccurs——whentimepassesandpatienceissorelytried；whenthebewildereddogsrunhitherandthither，andstronglanguagefallsfromthelipsofexasperatedsportsmen——wefailtotakeanyfurtherinterestintheproceedings。Weturnourhorses”headsinthedirectionofagrassylane，delightfullyshadedbytrees。Wetrotmerrilyalongthelane，andfindourselvesonanopencommon。Wegallopacrossthecommon，andfollowthewindingsofasecondlane。
Wecrossabrook，wepassthroughavillage，weemergeintopastoralsolitudeamongthehills。Thehorsestosstheirheads，andneightoeachother，andenjoyitasmuchaswedo。Thehuntisforgotten。Weareashappyasacoupleofchildren；weareactuallysingingaFrenchsong——wheninonemomentourmerrimentcomestoanend。Mywife”shorsesetsoneofhisforefeetonaloosestone，andstumbles。Hisrider”sreadyhandsaveshimfromfalling。But，atthefirstattempthemakestogoon，thesadtruthshowsitself——atendonisstrained；thehorseislame。
Whatistobedone？Wearestrangersinalonelypartofthecountry。Lookwherewemay，weseenosignsofahumanhabitation。
Thereisnothingforitbuttotakethebridleroadupthehill，andtrywhatwecandiscoverontheotherside。Itransferthesaddles，andmountmywifeonmyownhorse。Heisnotusedtocarryalady；hemissesthefamiliarpressureofaman”slegsoneithersideofhim；hefidgets，andstarts，andkicksupthedust。
Ifollowonfoot，atarespectfuldistancefromhisheels，leadingthelamehorse。Isthereamoremiserableobjectonthefaceofcreationthanalamehorse？Ihaveseenlamemenandlamedogswhowerecheerfulcreatures；butIneveryetsawalamehorsewhodidn”tlookheartbrokenoverhisownmisfortune。
Forhalfanhourmywifecapersandcurvetssidewaysalongthebridleroad。Itrudgeonbehindher；andtheheartbrokenhorsehaltsbehindme。Hardbythetopofthehill，ourmelancholyprocessionpassesaSomersetshirepeasantatworkinafield。I
summonthemantoapproachus；andthemanlooksatmestolidly，fromthemiddleofthefield，withoutstirringastep。IaskatthetopofmyvoicehowfaritistoFarleighHall。TheSomersetshirepeasantanswersatthetopofHISvoice：
“Vourteenmile。Gi”oiadrapo”zyder。”
Itranslateformywife”sbenefitfromtheSomersetshirelanguageintotheEnglishlanguage。WearefourteenmilesfromFarleighHall；andourfriendinthefielddesirestoberewarded，forgivingusthatinformation，withadropofcider。Thereisthepeasant，paintedbyhimself！Quiteabitofcharacter，mydear！
Quiteabitofcharacter！
Mrs。Fairbankdoesn”tviewthestudyofagriculturalhumannaturewithmyrelish。Herfidgetyhorsewillnotallowheramoment”srepose；sheisbeginningtolosehertemper。
“Wecan”tgofourteenmilesinthisway，“shesays。“Whereisthenearestinn？Askthatbruteinthefield！“
Itakeashillingfrommypocketandholditupinthesun。Theshillingexercisesmagneticvirtues。Theshillingdrawsthepeasantslowlytowardmefromthemiddleofthefield。IinformhimthatwewanttoputupthehorsesandtohireacarriagetotakeusbacktoFarleighHall。Wherecanwedothat？Thepeasantanswerswithhiseyeontheshilling：
“AtOonderbridge，tobezure。”AtUnderbridge，tobesure。
“IsitfartoUnderbridge？“
Thepeasantrepeats，“VartoOonderbridge？“——andlaughsatthequestion。“Hoo-hoo-hoo！“Underbridgeisevidentlycloseby——ifwecouldonlyfindit。“Willyoushowustheway，myman？““Willyougi”oiadrapofzyder？“Icourteouslybendmyhead，andpointtotheshilling。Theagriculturalintelligenceexertsitself。Thepeasantjoinsourmelancholyprocession。Mywifeisafinewoman，butheneveroncelooksatmywife——and，moreextraordinarystill，heneverevenlooksatthehorses。Hiseyesarewithhismind——andhismindisontheshilling。
Wereachthetopofthehill——and，beholdontheotherside，nestlinginavalley，theshrineofourpilgrimage，thetownofUnderbridge！Hereourguideclaimshisshilling，andleavesustofindouttheinnforourselves。Iamconstitutionallyapoliteman。Isay“Goodmorning“atparting。Theguidelooksatmewiththeshillingbetweenhisteethtomakesurethatitisagoodone。
“Marnin！“hesayssavagely——andturnshisbackonus，asifwehadoffendedhim。Acuriousproduct，this，ofthegrowthofcivilization。IfIdidn”tseeachurchspireatUnderbridge，I
mightsupposethatwehadlostourselvesonasavageisland。
II
Arrivingatthetown，wehadnodifficultyinfindingtheinn。Thetowniscomposedofonedesolatestreet；andmidwayinthatstreetstandstheinn——anancientstonebuildingsadlyoutofrepair。Thepaintingonthesign-boardisobliterated。Theshuttersoverthelongrangeoffrontwindowsareallclosed。Acockandhishensaretheonlylivingcreaturesatthedoor。Plainly，thisisoneoftheoldinnsofthestage-coachperiod，ruinedbytherailway。Wepassthroughtheopenarcheddoorway，andfindnoonetowelcomeus。Weadvanceintothestableyardbehind；Iassistmywifetodismount——andthereweareinthepositionalreadydisclosedtoviewattheopeningofthisnarrative。Nobelltoring。NohumancreaturetoanswerwhenIcall。Istandhelpless，withthebridlesofthehorsesinmyhand。Mrs。Fairbanksauntersgracefullydownthelengthoftheyardanddoes——whatallwomendo，whentheyfindthemselvesinastrangeplace。Sheopenseverydoorasshepassesit，andpeepsin。Onmyside，Ihavejustrecoveredmybreath，I
amonthepointofshoutingforthehostlerforthethirdandlasttime，whenIhearMrs。Fairbanksuddenlycalltome：
“Percy！comehere！“
Hervoiceiseagerandagitated。Shehasopenedalastdoorattheendoftheyard，andhasstartedbackfromsomesightwhichhassuddenlymetherview。Ihitchthehorses”bridlesonarustynailinthewallnearme，andjoinmywife。Shehasturnedpale，andcatchesmenervouslybythearm。
“Goodheavens！“shecries；“lookatthat！“
Ilook——andwhatdoIsee？Iseeadingylittlestable，containingtwostalls。Inonestallahorseismunchinghiscorn。Intheotheramanislyingasleeponthelitter。
Aworn，withered，woebegonemaninahostler”sdress。Hishollowwrinkledcheeks，hisscantygrizzledhair，hisdryyellowskin，telltheirowntaleofpastsorroworsuffering。Thereisanominousfrownonhiseyebrows——thereisapainfulnervouscontractiononthesideofhismouth。IhearhimbreathingconvulsivelywhenIfirstlookin；heshuddersandsighsinhissleep。Itisnotapleasantsighttosee，andIturnroundinstinctivelytothebrightsunlightintheyard。Mywifeturnsmebackagaininthedirectionofthestabledoor。
“Wait！“shesays。“Wait！hemaydoitagain。”
“Dowhatagain？“
“Hewastalkinginhissleep，Percy，whenIfirstlookedin。Hewasdreamingsomedreadfuldream。Hush！he”sbeginningagain。”
Ilookandlisten。Themanstirsonhismiserablebed。Themanspeaksinaquick，fiercewhisperthroughhisclinchedteeth。
“Wakeup！Wakeup，there！Murder！“
Thereisanintervalofsilence。Hemovesoneleanarmslowlyuntilitrestsoverhisthroat；heshudders，andturnsonhisstraw；heraiseshisarmfromhisthroat，andfeeblystretchesitout；hishandclutchesatthestrawonthesidetowardwhichhehasturned；heseemstofancythatheisgraspingattheedgeofsomething。Iseehislipsbegintomoveagain；Istepsoftlyintothestable；mywifefollowsme，withherhandfastclaspedinmine。
Webothbendoverhim。Heistalkingoncemoreinhissleep——
strangetalk，madtalk，thistime。
“Lightgrayeyes“wehearhimsay，“andadroopinthelefteyelid——flaxenhair，withagold-yellowstreakinit——allright，mother！fair，whitearmswithadownonthem——little，lady”shand，withareddishlookroundthefingernails——theknife——thecursedknife——firstononeside，thenontheother——aha，youshe-devil！
whereistheknife？“
Hestopsandgrowsrestlessonasudden。Weseehimwrithingonthestraw。Hethrowsupbothhishandsandgaspshystericallyforbreath。Hiseyesopensuddenly。Foramomenttheylookatnothing，withavacantglitterinthem——thentheycloseagainindeepersleep。Ishedreamingstill？Yes；butthedreamseemstohavetakenanewcourse。Whenhespeaksnext，thetoneisaltered；
thewordsarefew——sadlyandimploringlyrepeatedoverandoveragain。“Sayyouloveme！IamsofondofYOU。Sayyouloveme！
sayyouloveme！“Hesinksintodeeperanddeepersleep，faintlyrepeatingthosewords。Theydieawayonhislips。Hespeaksnomore。
BythistimeMrs。Fairbankhasgotoverherterror；sheisdevouredbycuriositynow。Themiserablecreatureonthestrawhasappealedtotheimaginativesideofhercharacter。Herillimitableappetiteforromancehungersandthirstsformore。Sheshakesmeimpatientlybythearm。
“Doyouhear？Thereisawomanatthebottomofit，Percy！Thereisloveandmurderinit，Percy！Wherearethepeopleoftheinn？
Gointotheyard，andcalltothemagain。”
Mywifebelongs，onhermother”sside，totheSouthofFrance。TheSouthofFrancebreedsfinewomenwithhottempers。Isaynomore。
Marriedmenwillunderstandmyposition。Singlemenmayneedtobetoldthatthereareoccasionswhenwemustnotonlyloveandhonor——
wemustalsoobey——ourwives。
IturntothedoortoobeyMYwife，andfindmyselfconfrontedbyastrangerwhohasstolenonusunawares。Thestrangerisatiny，sleepy，rosyoldman，withavacantpudding-face，andashiningbaldhead。Hewearsdrabbreechesandgaiters，andarespectablesquare-tailedancientblackcoat。Ifeelinstinctivelythathereisthelandlordoftheinn。
“Goodmorning，sir，“saystherosyoldman。“I”malittlehardofhearing。Wasityouthatwasa-callingjustnowintheyard？“
BeforeIcananswer，mywifeinterposes。Sheinsistsinashrillvoice，adaptedtoourhost”shardnessofhearingonknowingwhothatunfortunatepersonissleepingonthestraw。“Wheredoeshecomefrom？Whydoeshesaysuchdreadfulthingsinhissleep？Ishemarriedorsingle？Didheeverfallinlovewithamurderess？
Whatsortofalookingwomanwasshe？Didshereallystabhimornot？Inshort，dearMr。Landlord，tellusthewholestory！“
DearMr。LandlordwaitsdrowsilyuntilMrs。Fairbankhasquitedone——thendelivershimselfofhisreplyasfollows：
“Hisname”sFrancisRaven。He”sanIndependentMethodist。Hewasforty-fiveyearoldlastbirthday。Andhe”smyhostler。That”shisstory。”
Mywife”shotsoutherntemperfindsitswaytoherfoot，andexpressesitselfbyastamponthestableyard。
Thelandlordturnshimselfsleepilyround，andlooksatthehorses。
“Afinepairofhorses，themtwointheyard。Doyouwanttoput”eminmystables？“Ireplyintheaffirmativebyanod。Thelandlord，bentonmakinghimselfagreeabletomywife，addressesheroncemore。“I”ma-goingtowakeFrancisRaven。He”sanIndependentMethodist。Hewasforty-fiveyearoldlastbirthday。
Andhe”smyhostler。That”shisstory。”
Havingissuedthissecondeditionofhisinterestingnarrative，thelandlordentersthestable。WefollowhimtoseehowhewillwakeFrancisRaven，andwhatwillhappenuponthat。Thestablebroomstandsinacorner；thelandlordtakesit——advancestowardthesleepinghostler——andcoollystirsthemanupwithabroomasifhewasawildbeastinacage。FrancisRavenstartstohisfeetwithacryofterror——looksatuswildly，withahorridglareofsuspicioninhiseyes——recovershimselfthenextmoment——andsuddenlychangesintoadecent，quiet，respectableserving-man。
“Ibegyourpardon，ma”am。Ibegyourpardon，sir。”
Thetoneandmannerinwhichhemakeshisapologiesarebothabovehisapparentstationinlife。IbegintocatchtheinfectionofMrs。Fairbank”sinterestinthisman。Webothfollowhimoutintotheyardtoseewhathewilldowiththehorses。Themannerinwhichheliftstheinjuredlegofthelamehorsetellsmeatoncethatheunderstandshisbusiness。Quicklyandquietly，heleadstheanimalintoanemptystable；quicklyandquietly，hegetsabucketofhotwater，andputsthelamehorse”slegintoit。“Thewarmwaterwillreducetheswelling，sir。Iwillbandagethelegafterwards。”Allthathedoesisdoneintelligently；allthathesays，hesaystothepurpose。
Nothingwild，nothingstrangeabouthimnow。Isthisthesamemanwhomweheardtalkinginhissleep？——thesamemanwhowokewiththatcryofterrorandthathorridsuspicioninhiseyes？I
determinetotryhimwithoneortwoquestions。
III
“Notmuchtodohere，“Isaytothehostler。
“Verylittletodo，sir，“thehostlerreplies。
“Anybodystayinginthehouse？“
“Thehouseisquiteempty，sir。”
“Ithoughtyouwerealldead。Icouldmakenobodyhearme。”
“Thelandlordisverydeaf，sir，andthewaiterisoutonanerrand。”
“Yes；andYOUwerefastasleepinthestable。Doyouoftentakeanapinthedaytime？“
Thewornfaceofthehostlerfaintlyflushes。Hiseyeslookawayfrommyeyesforthefirsttime。Mrs。Fairbankfurtivelypinchesmyarm。Areweontheeveofadiscoveryatlast？Irepeatmyquestion。Themanhasnocivilalternativebuttogivemeananswer。Theanswerisgiveninthesewords：
“Iwastiredout，sir。Youwouldn”thavefoundmeasleepinthedaytimebutforthat。”
“Tiredout，eh？Youhadbeenhardatwork，Isuppose？“
“No，sir。”
“Whatwasit，then？“
Hehesitatesagain，andanswersunwillingly，“Iwasupallnight。”
“Upallnight？Anythinggoingoninthetown？“
“Nothinggoingon，sir。”
“Anybodyill？“
“Nobodyill，sir。”
Thatreplyisthelast。TryasImay，Icanextractnothingmorefromhim。Heturnsawayandbusieshimselfinattendingtothehorse”sleg。IleavethestabletospeaktothelandlordaboutthecarriagewhichistotakeusbacktoFarleighHall。Mrs。Fairbankremainswiththehostler，andfavorsmewithalookatparting。
Thelooksaysplainly，“Imeantofindoutwhyhewasupallnight。
LeavehimtoMe。”
Theorderingofthecarriageiseasilyaccomplished。Theinnpossessesonehorseandonechaise。Thelandlordhasastorytotellofthehorse，andastorytotellofthechaise。TheyresemblethestoryofFrancisRaven——withthisexception，thatthehorseandchaisebelongtonoreligiouspersuasion。“Thehorsewillbenineyearoldnextbirthday。I”vehadtheshayforfour-
and-twentyyear。Mr。Max，ofUnderbridge，hebredthehorse；andMr。Pooley，ofYeovil，hebuilttheshay。It”smyhorseandmyshay。Andthat”sTHEIRstory！“Havingrelievedhismindofthesedetails，thelandlordproceedstoputtheharnessonthehorse。Bywayofassistinghim，Idragthechaiseintotheyard。Justasourpreparationsarecompleted，Mrs。Fairbankappears。Amomentortwolaterthehostlerfollowsherout。Hehasbandagedthehorse”sleg，andisnowreadytodriveustoFarleighHall。Iobservesignsofagitationinhisfaceandmanner，whichsuggestthatmywifehasfoundherwayintohisconfidence。Iputthequestiontoherprivatelyinacorneroftheyard。“Well？HaveyoufoundoutwhyFrancisRavenwasupallnight？“
Mrs。Fairbankhasaneyetodramaticeffect。Insteadofansweringplainly，YesorNo，shesuspendstheinterestandexcitestheaudiencebyputtingaquestiononherside。
“Whatisthedayofthemonth，dear？“
“ThedayofthemonthisthefirstofMarch。”
“ThefirstofMarch，Percy，isFrancisRaven”sbirthday。”
ItrytolookasifIwasinterested——anddon”tsucceed。
“Franciswasborn，“Mrs。Fairbankproceedsgravely，“attwoo”clockinthemorning。”
Ibegintowonderwhethermywife”sintellectisgoingthewayofthelandlord”sintellect。“Isthatall？“Iask。
“ItisNOTall，“Mrs。Fairbankanswers。“FrancisRavensitsuponthemorningofhisbirthdaybecauseheisafraidtogotobed。”
“Andwhyisheafraidtogotobed？“
“Becauseheisinperilofhislife。”
“Onhisbirthday？“
“Onhisbirthday。Attwoo”clockinthemorning。Asregularlyasthebirthdaycomesround。”
Thereshestops。Hasshediscoverednomorethanthat？Nomorethusfar。Ibegintofeelreallyinterestedbythistime。Iaskeagerlywhatitmeans？Mrs。Fairbankpointsmysteriouslytothechaise——withFrancisRavenhithertoourhostler，nowourcoachman
waitingforustogetin。Thechaisehasaseatfortwoinfront，andaseatforonebehind。Mywifecastsawarninglookatme，andplacesherselfontheseatinfront。
ThenecessaryconsequenceofthisarrangementisthatMrs。Fairhanksitsbythesideofthedriverduringajourneyoftwohoursandmore。NeedIstatetheresult？Itwouldbeaninsulttoyourintelligencetostatetheresult。Letmeofferyoumyplaceinthechaise。AndletFrancisRaventellhisterriblestoryinhisownwords。
THESECONDNARRATIVE
THEHOSTLER”SSTORY——TOLDBYHIMSELF
IV
ItisnowtenyearsagosinceIgotmyfirstwarningofthegreattroubleofmylifeintheVisionofaDream。
IshallbebetterabletotellyouaboutitifyouwillpleasesupposeyourselvestobedrinkingteaalongwithusinourlittlecottageinCambridgeshire，tenyearssince。
Thetimewasthecloseofday，andtherewerethreeofusatthetable，namely，mymother，myself，andmymother”ssister，Mrs。
Chance。ThesetwowereScotchwomenbybirth，andbothwerewidows。
TherewasnootherresemblancebetweenthemthatIcancalltomind。MymotherhadlivedallherlifeinEngland，andhadnomoreoftheScotchbrogueonhertonguethanIhave。MyauntChancehadneverbeenoutofScotlanduntilshecametokeephousewithmymotherafterherhusband”sdeath。AndwhenSHEopenedherlipsyouheardbroadScotch，Icantellyou，ifyoueverheardityet！
Asitfellout，therewasamatterofsomeconsequenceindebateamongusthatevening。Itwasthis：whetherIshoulddowellornottotakealongjourneyonfootthenextmorning。
Nowthenextmorninghappenedtobethedaybeforemybirthday；andthepurposeofthejourneywastooffermyselfforasituationasgroomatagreathouseintheneighboringcountytoours。Theplacewasreportedaslikelytofallvacantinaboutthreeweeks”
time。Iwasaswellfittedtofillitasanyotherman。Intheprosperousdaysofourfamily，myfatherhadbeenmanagerofatrainingstable，andhehadkeptmeemployedamongthehorsesfrommyboyhoodupward。Pleasetoexcusemytroublingyouwiththesesmallmatters。Theyallfitintomystoryfartheron，asyouwillsoonfindout。Mypoormotherwasdeadagainstmyleavinghomeonthemorrow。
“Youcanneverwalkallthewaythereandallthewaybackagainbyto-morrownight，“shesays。“Theendofitwillbethatyouwillsleepawayfromhomeonyourbirthday。Youhaveneverdonethatyet，Francis，sinceyourfather”sdeath，Idon”tlikeyourdoingitnow。Waitadaylonger，myson——onlyoneday。”
Formyownpart，Iwaswearyofbeingidle，andIcouldn”tabidethenotionofdelay。Evenonedaymightmakeallthedifference。
Someothermanmighttaketimebytheforelock，andgettheplace。
“ConsiderhowlongIhavebeenoutofwork，“Isays，“anddon”taskmetoputoffthejourney。Iwon”tfailyou，mother。I”llgetbackbyto-morrownight，ifIhavetopaymylastsixpenceforaliftinacart。”
Mymothershookherhead。“Idon”tlikeit，Francis——Idon”tlikeit！“Therewasnomovingherfromthatview。Wearguedandargued，untilwewerebothatadeadlock。Itendedinouragreeingtoreferthedifferencebetweenustomymother”ssister，Mrs。
Chance。
Whileweweretryinghardtoconvinceeachother，myauntChancesatasdumbasafish，stirringherteaandthinkingherownthoughts。Whenwemadeourappealtoher，sheseemedasitweretowakeup。“Yebaithreferittomypuirjudgment？“shesays，inherbroadScotch。WebothansweredYes。UponthatmyauntChancefirstclearedthetea-table，andthenpulledoutfromthepocketofhergownapackofcards。
Don”trunaway，ifyouplease，withthenotionthatthiswasdonelightly，withaviewtoamusemymotherandme。MyauntChanceseriouslybelievedthatshecouldlookintothefuturebytellingfortunesonthecards。Shedidnothingherselfwithoutfirstconsultingthecards。Shecouldgivenomoreseriousproofofherinterestinmywelfarethantheproofwhichshewasofferingnow。
Idon”tsayitprofanely；Ionlymentionthefact——thecardshad，insomeincomprehensibleway，gotthemselvesjumbleduptogetherwithherreligiousconvictions。Youmeetwithpeoplenowadayswhobelieveinspiritsworkingbywayoftablesandchairs。OnthesameprincipleifthereISanyprincipleinitmyauntChancebelievedinProvidenceworkingbywayofthecards。
“WhetherYOUareright，Francie，oryourmither——whetheryewilldoweelorill，themorrow，togoorstay——thecairdswilltellit。
Wearea”inthehandsofProavidence。Thecairdswilltellit。”
Hearingthis，mymotherturnedherheadaside，withsomethingofasourlookinherface。Hersister”snotionsaboutthecardswerelittlebetterthanflatblasphemytohermind。Butshekeptheropiniontoherself。MyauntChance，toownthetruth，hadinherited，throughherlatehusband，apensionofthirtypoundsayear。Thiswasanimportantcontributiontoourhousekeeping，andwepoorrelationswereboundtotreatherwithacertainrespect。
Asformyself，ifmypoorfatherneverdidanythingelseformebeforehefellintodifficulties，hegavemeagoodeducation，andraisedmethankGodabovesuperstitionsofallsorts。However，averylittleamusedmeinthosedays；andIwaitedtohavemyfortunetold，aspatientlyasifIbelievedinittoo！
Myauntbeganherhocuspocusbythrowingoutallthecardsinthepackunderseven。Sheshuffledtherestwithherlefthandforluck；andthenshegavethemtometocut。“Wi”yerlefthand，Francie。Mindthat！PetyourtrustinProavidence——butdinnaforgetthatyourluck”sinyerlefthand！“Alongandroundaboutshiftingofthecardsfollowed，reducingtheminnumberuntiltherewerejustfifteenofthemleft，laidoutneatlybeforemyauntinahalfcircle。Thecardwhichhappenedtolieoutermost，attheright-handendofthecircle，was，accordingtoruleinsuchcases，thecardchosentorepresentMe。Bywayofbeingappropriatetomysituationasapoorgroomoutofemployment，thecardwas——theKingofDiamonds。
“Itak”uptheKingo”Diamants，“saysmyaunt。“Icountsevencairdsfra”richttoleft；andIhumblyaskablessingonwhatfollows。”Myauntshuthereyesasifshewassayinggracebeforemeat，andhelduptometheseventhcard。Icalledtheseventhcard——theQueenofSpades。Myauntopenedhereyesagaininahurry，andcastaslylookmyway。“TheQueeno”Spadesmeansadairkwoman。Ye”llbethinkinginsecret，Francie，ofadairkwoman？“
Whenamanhasbeenoutofworkformorethanthreemonths，hismindisn”ttroubledmuchwiththinkingofwomen——lightordark。I
wasthinkingofthegroom”splaceatthegreathouse，andItriedtosayso。MyauntChancewouldn”tlisten。Shetreatedmyinterpretationwithcontempt。“Hoot-toot！there”sthecairdinyourhand！Ifye”renothinkingofhertheday，ye”llbethinkingofherthemorrow。Where”stheharmofthinkingofadairkwoman！
Iwasanceadairkwomanmyself，beforemyhairwasgray。Haudyerpeace，Francie，andwatchthecairds。”
IwatchedthecardsasIwastold。Thereweresevenleftonthetable。Myauntremovedtwofromoneendoftherowandtwofromtheother，anddesiredmetocallthetwooutermostofthethreecardsnowleftonthetable。IcalledtheAceofClubsandtheTenofDiamonds。MyauntChanceliftedhereyestotheceilingwithalookofdevoutgratitudewhichsorelytriedmymother”spatience。
TheAceofClubsandtheTenofDiamonds，takentogether，signified——first，goodnewsevidentlythenewsofthegroom”splace；secondly，ajourneythatlaybeforemepointingplainlytomyjourneyto-morrow！；thirdlyandlastly，asumofmoneyprobablythegroom”swages！waitingtofinditswayintomypockets。Havingtoldmyfortuneintheseencouragingterms，myauntdeclinedtocarrytheexperimentanyfurther。“Eh，lad！it”sacleantemptingo”Proavidencetoaskmairo”thecairdsthanthecairdshavetauldusnoo。Gaeyerwaysto-morrowtothegreathoose。Adairkwomanwillmeetyeatthegate；andshe”llhaveahandingettingyethegroom”splace，wi”a”thegratificationsandpairquisitesappertainingtothesame。And，mebbe，whenyerpoaket”sfullo”money，ye”llno”beforgettingyerauntChance，maintainingherainunblemishedwidowhood——wi”Proavidenceassisting——onthrattypundsayear！“
IpromisedtoremembermyauntChancewhohadthedefect，bytheway，ofbeingaterriblygreedypersonaftermoneyonthenexthappyoccasionwhenmypooremptypocketsweretobefilledatlast。Thisdone，Ilookedatmymother。Shehadagreedtotakehersisterforumpirebetweenus，andhersisterhadgivenitinmyfavor。Sheraisednomoreobjections。Silently，shegotonherfeet，andkissedme，andsighedbitterly——andsolefttheroom。MyauntChanceshookherhead。“Idoubt，Francie，yerpuirmitherhasbutaheathennotionofthevairtueofthecairds！“
BydaylightthenextmorningIsetforthonmyjourney。IlookedbackatthecottageasIopenedthegardengate。Atonewindowwasmymother，withherhandkerchieftohereyes。AttheotherstoodmyauntChance，holdinguptheQueenofSpadesbywayofencouragingmeatstarting。Iwavedmyhandstobothofthemintokenoffarewell，andsteppedoutbrisklyintotheroad。ItwasthenthelastdayofFebruary。Bepleasedtoremember，inconnectionwiththis，thatthefirstofMarchwastheday，andtwoo”clockinthemorningthehourofmybirth。