Hepushedthepageacrossthetable，withhisfingerononesentence。Midwinter’sagitationmisledhim。Hemistooktheindication，andread，“AvoidthewidowofthemanIkilled，ifthewidowstilllives。”
“Notthatsentence。”saidtherector。“Thenext。”
Midwinterreadit:“Avoidthemaidwhosewickedhandsmoothedthewaytothemarriage，ifthemaidisstillinherservice。”
“Themaidandthemistressparted。”saidMr。Brock，“atthetimeofthemistress’smarriage。ThemaidandthemistressmetagainatMrs。Armadale’sresidenceinSomersetshirelastyear。Imyselfmetthewomaninthevillage，andImyselfknowthathervisithastenedMrs。Armadale’sdeath。Waitalittle，andcomposeyourself;IseeIhavestartledyou。”
Hewaitedashewasbid，hiscolorfadingawaytoagraypalenessandthelightinhisclearbrowneyesdyingoutslowly。Whattherectorhadsaidhadproducednotransientimpressiononhim;
therewasmorethandoubt，therewasalarminhisface，ashesatlostinhisownthought。Wasthestruggleofthepastnightrenewingitselfalready？Didhefeelthehorrorofhishereditarysuperstitioncreepingoverhimagain？
“Canyouputmeonmyguardagainsther？”heasked，afteralongintervalofsilence。“Canyoutellmehername？”
“IcanonlytellyouwhatMrs。Armadaletoldme。”answeredMr。
Brock。“Thewomanacknowledgedhavingbeenmarriedinthelongintervalsincesheandhermistresshadlastmet。Butnotawordmoreescapedheraboutherpastlife。ShecametoMrs。Armadaletoaskformoney，underapleaofdistress。Shegotthemoney，andsheleftthehouse，positivelyrefusing，whenthequestionwasputtoher，tomentionhermarriedname。”
“Yousawheryourselfinthevillage。Whatwasshelike？”
“Shekeptherveildown。Ican’ttellyou。”
“Youcantellmewhatyou_did_see？”
“Certainly。Isaw，assheapproachedme，thatshemovedverygracefully，thatshehadabeautifulfigure，andthatshewasalittleoverthemiddleheight。Inoticed，whensheaskedmethewaytoMrs。Armadale’shouse，thathermannerwasthemannerofalady，andthatthetoneofhervoicewasremarkablysoftandwinning。Lastly，Irememberedafterwardthatsheworeathickblackveil，ablackbonnet，ablacksilkdress，andaredPaisleyshawl。IfeelalltheimportanceofyourpossessingsomebettermeansofidentifyingherthanIcangiveyou。Butunhappily——“
Hestopped。Midwinterwasleaningeagerlyacrossthetable，andMidwinter’shandwaslaidsuddenlyonhisarm。
“Isitpossiblethatyouknowthewoman？”askedMr。Brock，surprisedatthesuddenchangeinhismanner。
“No。”
“WhathaveIsaid，then，thathasstartledyouso？”
“Doyourememberthewomanwhothrewherselffromtheriversteamer？”askedtheother——“thewomanwhocausedthatsuccessionofdeathswhichopenedAllanArmadale’swaytotheThorpeAmbroseestate？”
“Irememberthedescriptionofherinthepolicereport。”
answeredtherector。
“_That_woman。”pursuedMidwinter，“movedgracefully，andhadabeautifulfigure。_That_womanworeablackveil，ablackbonnet，ablacksilkgown，andaredPaisleyshawl——“Hestopped，releasedhisholdofMr。Brock’sarm，andabruptlyresumedhischair。“Canitbethesame？”hesaidtohimselfinawhisper。
“_Is_thereafatalitythatfollowsmeninthedark？Andisitfollowing_us_inthatwoman’sfootsteps？”
Iftheconjecturewasright，theoneeventinthepastwhichhadappearedtobeentirelydisconnectedwiththeeventsthathadprecededitwas，onthecontrary，theonemissinglinkwhichmadethechaincomplete。Mr。Brock’scomfortablecommonsenseinstinctivelydeniedthatstartlingconclusion。HelookedatMidwinterwithacompassionatesmile。
“Myyoungfriend。”hesaid，kindly，“haveyouclearedyourmindofallsuperstitionascompletelyasyouthink？Iswhatyouhavejustsaidworthyofthebetterresolutionatwhichyouarrivedlastnight？”
Midwinter’sheaddroopedonhisbreast;thecolorrushedbackoverhisface;hesighedbitterly。
“Youarebeginningtodoubtmysincerity。”hesaid。“Ican’tblameyou。”
“Ibelieveinyoursincerityasfirmlyasever。”answeredMr。
Brock。“Ionlydoubtwhetheryouhavefortifiedtheweakplacesinyournatureasstronglyasyouyourselfsuppose。Manyamanhaslostthebattleagainsthimselffaroftenerthanyouhavelostityet，andhasneverthelesswonhisvictoryintheend。I
don’tblameyou，Idon’tdistrustyou。Ionlynoticewhathashappened，toputyouonyourguardagainstyourself。Come！come！
Letyourownbettersensehelpyou;andyouwillagreewithmethatthereisreallynoevidencetojustifythesuspicionthatthewomanwhomImetinSomersetshire，andthewomanwhoattemptedsuicideinLondon，areoneandthesame。NeedanoldmanlikemeremindayoungmanlikeyouthattherearethousandsofwomeninEnglandwithbeautifulfigures——thousandsofwomenwhoarequietlydressedinblacksilkgownsandredPaisleyshawls？”
Midwintercaughteagerlyatthesuggestion;tooeagerly，asitmighthaveoccurredtoahardercriticonhumanitythanMr。
Brock。
“Youarequiteright，sir。”hesaid，“andIamquitewrong。Tensofthousandsofwomenanswerthedescription，asyousay。Ihavebeenwastingtimeonmyownidlefancies，whenIoughttohavebeencarefullygatheringupfacts。IfthiswomaneverattemptstofindherwaytoAllan，Imustbepreparedtostopher。”Hebegansearchingrestlesslyamongthemanuscriptleavesscatteredaboutthetable，pausedoveroneofthepages，andexamineditattentively。’Thishelpsmetosomethingpositive。”hewenton;
“thishelpsmetoaknowledgeofherage。ShewastwelveatthetimeofMrs。Armadale’smarriage;addayear，andbringhertothirteen;addAllan’sagetwenty-two，andwemakeherawomanoffive-and-thirtyatthepresenttime。Iknowherage;andI
knowthatshehasherownreasonsforbeingsilentabouthermarriedlife。Thisissomethinggainedattheoutset，anditmaylead，intime，tosomethingmore。”HelookedupbrightlyagainatMr。Brock。“AmIintherightwaynow，sir？AmIdoingmybesttoprofitbythecautionwhichyouhavekindlygivenme？”
“Youarevindicatingyourownbettersense。”answeredtherector，encouraginghimtotrampledownhisownimagination，withanEnglishman’sreadydistrustofthenoblestofthehumanfaculties。“Youarepavingthewayforyourownhappierlife。”
“AmI？”saidtheother，thoughtfully。
Hesearchedamongthepapersoncemore，andstoppedatanotherofthescatteredpages。
“Theship！“heexclaimed，suddenly，hiscolorchangingagain，andhismanneralteringontheinstant。
“Whatship？”askedtherector。
“Theshipinwhichthedeedwasdone。”Midwinteranswered，withthefirstsignsofimpatiencethathehadshownyet。“Theshipinwhichmyfather’smurderoushandturnedthelockofthecabindoor。”
“Whatofit？”saidMr。Brock。
Heappearednottohearthequestion;hiseyesremainedfixedintentlyonthepagethathewasreading。
“AFrenchvessel，employedinthetimbertrade。”hesaid，stillspeakingtohimself——“aFrenchvessel，named_LaGracedeDieu。_
Ifmyfather’sbeliefhadbeentherightbelief——ifthefatalityhadbeenfollowingme，stepbystep，frommyfather’sgrave，inoneorotherofmyvoyages，Ishouldhavefalleninwiththatship。”HelookedupagainatMr。Brock。“Iamquitesureaboutitnow。”hesaid。“Thosewomenaretwo，andnotone。”
Mr。Brockshookhishead。
“Iamgladyouhavecometothatconclusion。”hesaid。“ButI
wishyouhadreacheditinsomeotherway。”
Midwinterstartedpassionatelytohisfeet，and，seizingonthepagesofthemanuscriptwithbothhands，flungthemintotheemptyfireplace。
“ForGod’ssakeletmeburnit！“heexclaimed。“Aslongasthereisapageleft，Ishallreadit。And，aslongasIreadit，myfathergetsthebetterofme，inspiteofmyself！“
Mr。Brockpointedtothematch-box。Inanothermomenttheconfessionwasinflames。Whenthefirehadconsumedthelastmorselofpaper，Midwinterdrewadeepbreathofrelief。
“Imaysay，likeMacbeth:’Why，so，beinggone，Iamamanagain！’“hebrokeoutwithafeverishgayety。“Youlookfatigued，sir;andnowonder。”headded，inalowertone。“Ihavekeptyoutoolongfromyourrest——Iwillkeepyounolonger。
Dependonmyrememberingwhatyouhavetoldme;dependonmystandingbetweenAllanandanyenemy，manorwoman，whocomesnearhim。Thankyou，Mr。Brock;athousandthousandtimes，thankyou！Icameintothisroomthemostwretchedoflivingmen;Icanleaveitnowashappyasthebirdsthataresingingoutside！“
Asheturnedtothedoor，theraysoftherisingsunstreamedthroughthewindow，andtouchedtheheapofasheslyingblackintheblackfireplace。ThesensitiveimaginationofMidwinterkindledinstantlyatthesight。
“Look！“hesaid，joyously。“ThepromiseoftheFutureshiningovertheashesofthePast！“
Aninexplicablepityfortheman，atthemomentofhislifewhenheneededpityleast，stoleovertherector’sheartwhenthedoorhadclosed，andhewasleftbyhimselfagain。
“Poorfellow！“hesaid，withanuneasysurpriseathisowncompassionateimpulse。“Poorfellow！“
CHAPTERIII。
DAYANDNIGHT
THEmorninghourshadpassed;thenoonhadcomeandgone;andMr。
Brockhadstartedonthefirststageofhisjourneyhome。
AfterpartingfromtherectorinDouglasHarbor，thetwoyoungmenhadreturnedtoCastletown，andhadthereseparatedatthehoteldoor，Allanwalkingdowntothewatersidetolookafterhisyacht，andMidwinterenteringthehousetogettherestthatheneededafterasleeplessnight。
Hedarkenedhisroom;heclosedhiseyes，butnosleepcametohim。Onthisfirstdayoftherector’sabsence，hissensitivenatureextravagantlyexaggeratedtheresponsibilitywhichhenowheldintrustforMr。Brock。AnervousdreadofleavingAllanbyhimself，evenforafewhoursonly，kepthimwakinganddoubting，untilitbecameareliefratherthanahardshiptorisefromthebedagain，and，followinginAllan’sfootsteps，totakethewaytothewatersidewhichledtotheyacht。
Therepairsofthelittlevesselwerenearlycompleted。Itwasabreezy，cheerfulday;thelandwasbright，thewaterwasblue，thequickwavesleapedcrisplyinthesunshine，themenweresingingattheirwork。Descendingtothecabin，Midwinterdiscoveredhisfriendbusilyoccupiedinattemptingtosettheplacetorights。Habituallytheleastsystematicofmortals，Allannowandthenawoketoanoverwhelmingsenseoftheadvantagesoforder，andonsuchoccasionsaperfectfrenzyoftidinesspossessedhim。Hewasdownonhisknees，hotlyandwildlyatwork，whenMidwinterlookedinonhim;andwasfastreducingtheneatlittleworldofthecabintoitsoriginalelementsofchaos，withamisdirectedenergywonderfultosee。
“Here’samess！“saidAllan，risingcomposedlyonthehorizonofhisownaccumulatedlitter。“Doyouknow，mydearfellow，IbegintowishIhadletwellalone！“
Midwintersmiled，andcametohisfriend’sassistancewiththenaturalneat-handednessofasailor。
ThefirstobjectthatheencounteredwasAllan’sdressing-case，turnedupsidedown，withhalfthecontentsscatteredonthefloor，andwithadusterandahearth-broomlyingamongthem。
Replacingthevariousobjectswhichformedthefurnitureofthedressing-caseonebyone，Midwinterlightedunexpectedlyonaminiatureportrait，oftheold-fashionedovalform，primlyframedinasettingofsmalldiamonds。
“Youdon’tseemtosetmuchvalueonthis。”hesaid。“Whatisit？”
Allanbentoverhim，andlookedattheminiature。“Itbelongedtomymother。”heanswered;“andIsetthegreatestvalueonit。Itisaportraitofmyfather。”
Midwinterputtheminiatureabruptly，intoAllan’shands，andwithdrewtotheoppositesideofthecabin。
“Youknowbestwherethethingsoughttobeputinyourowndressing-case。”hesaid，keepinghisbackturnedonAllan。“I’llmaketheplacetidyonthissideofthecabin，andyoushallmaketheplacetidyontheother。”
Hebegansettinginorderthelitterscatteredabouthimonthecabintableandonthefloor。Butitseemedasiffatehaddecidedthathisfriend’spersonalpossessionsshouldfallintohishandsthatmorning，employthemwherehemight。OneamongthefirstobjectswhichhetookupwasAllan’stobaccojar，withthestoppermissing，andwithaletterwhichappearedbythebulkofittocontaininclosurescrumpledintothemouthofthejarinthestopper’splace。
“Didyouknowthatyouhadputthishere？”heasked。“Istheletterofanyimportance？”
Allanrecognizeditinstantly。ItwasthefirstofthelittleseriesofletterswhichhadfollowedthecruisingpartytotheIsleofMan——theletterwhichyoungArmadalehadbrieflyreferredtoasbringinghim“moreworriesfromthoseeverlastinglawyers。”
andhadthendismissedfromfurthernoticeasrecklesslyasusual。
“Thisiswhatcomesofbeingparticularlycareful。”saidAllan;
“hereisaninstanceofmyextremethoughtfulness。YoumaynotthinkitbutIputtheletterthereonpurpose。EverytimeIwenttothejar，youknow，Iwassuretoseetheletter;andeverytimeIsawtheletter，Iwassuretosaytomyself，’Thismustbeanswered。’There’snothingtolaughat;itwasaperfectlysensiblearrangement，ifIcouldonlyhaverememberedwhereIputthejar。SupposeItieaknotinmypocket-handkerchiefthistime？Youhaveawonderfulmemory，mydearfellow。Perhapsyou’llremindmeinthecourseoftheday，incaseIforgettheknotnext。”
Midwintersawhisfirstchance，sinceMr。Brock’sdeparture，ofusefullyfillingMr。Brock’splace。
“Hereisyourwriting-case。”hesaid;“whynotanswertheletteratonce？Ifyouputitawayagain，youmayforgetitagain。”
“Verytrue。”returnedAllan。“Buttheworstofitis，Ican’tquitemakeupmymindwhatanswertowrite。Iwantawordofadvice。Comeandsitdownhere，andI’lltellyouallaboutit。”
Withhisloudboyishlaugh——echoedbyMidwinter，whocaughttheinfectionofhisgayety——hesweptaheapofmiscellaneousincumbrancesoffthecabinsofa，andmaderoomforhisfriendandhimselftotaketheirplaces。Inthehighflowofyouthfulspirits，thetwosatdowntotheirtriflingconsultationoveraletterlostinatobaccojar。Itwasamemorablemomenttobothofthem，lightlyastheythoughtofitatthetime。Beforetheyhadrisenagainfromtheirplaces，theyhadtakenthefirstirrevocablesteptogetheronthedarkandtortuousroadoftheirfuturelives。
Reducedtoplainfacts，thequestiononwhichAllannowrequiredhisfriend’sadvicemaybestatedasfollows:
WhilethevariousarrangementsconnectedwiththesuccessiontoThorpeAmbrosewereinprogressofsettlement，andwhilethenewpossessoroftheestatewasstillinLondon，aquestionhadnecessarilyarisenrelatingtothepersonwhoshouldbeappointedtomanagetheproperty。ThestewardemployedbytheBlanchardfamilyhadwritten，withoutlossoftime，toofferhisservices。
Althoughaperfectlycompetentandtrustworthyman，hefailedtofindfavorintheeyesofthenewproprietor。Acting，asusual，onhisfirstimpulses，andresolved，atallhazards，toinstallMidwinterasapermanentinmateatThorpeAmbrose，Allanhaddeterminedthatthesteward’splacewastheplaceexactlyfittedforhisfriend，forthesimplereasonthatitwouldnecessarilyobligehisfriendtolivewithhimontheestate。HehadaccordinglywrittentodeclinetheproposalmadetohimwithoutconsultingMr。Brock，whosedisapprovalhehadgoodreasontofear;andwithouttellingMidwinter，whowouldprobablyifachancewereallowedhimofchoosinghavedeclinedtakingasituationwhichhisprevioustraininghadbynomeansfittedhimtofill。
Furthercorrespondencehadfollowedthisdecision，andhadraisedtwonewdifficultieswhichlookedalittleembarrassingonthefaceofthem，butwhichAllan，withtheassistanceofhislawyer，easilycontrivedtosolve。Thefirstdifficulty，ofexaminingtheoutgoingsteward’sbooks，wassettledbysendingaprofessionalaccountanttoThorpeAmbrose;andtheseconddifficulty，ofputtingthesteward’semptycottagetosomeprofitableuseAllan’splansforhisfriendcomprehendingMidwinter’sresidenceunderhisownroof，wasmetbyplacingthecottageonthelistofanactivehouseagentintheneighboringcountytown。InthisstatethearrangementshadbeenleftwhenAllanquittedLondon。
Hehadheardandthoughtnothingmoreofthematter，untilaletterfromhislawyershadfollowedhimtotheIsleofMan，inclosingtwoproposalstooccupythecottage，bothreceivedonthesameday，andrequestingtohear，athisearliestconvenience，whichofthetwohewaspreparedtoaccept。
Findinghimself，afterhavingconvenientlyforgottenthesubjectforsomedayspast，placedfacetofaceoncemorewiththenecessityfordecision，Allannowputthetwoproposalsintohisfriend’shands，and，afteraramblingexplanationofthecircumstancesofthecase，requestedtobefavoredwithawordofadvice。Insteadofexaminingtheproposals，Midwinterunceremoniouslyputthemaside，andaskedthetwoverynaturalandveryawkwardquestionsofwhothenewstewardwastobe，andwhyhewastoliveinAllan’shouse？
“I’lltellyouwho，andI’lltellyouwhy，whenwegettoThorpeAmbrose。”saidAllan。“Inthemeantimewe’llcallthestewardX。
Y。Z。，andwe’llsayheliveswithme，becauseI’mdevilishsharp，andImeantokeephimundermyowneye。Youneedn’tlooksurprised。Iknowthemanthoroughlywell;herequiresagooddealofmanagement。IfIofferedhimthesteward’splacebeforehand，hismodestywouldgetinhisway，andhewouldsay’No。’IfIpitchhimintoitneckandcrop，withoutawordofwarningandwithnobodyathandtorelievehimofthesituation，he’llhavenothingforitbuttoconsultmyinterests，andsay’Yes。’X。Y。Z。isnotatallabadfellow，Icantellyou。
You’llseehimwhenwegotoThorpeAmbrose;andIratherthinkyouandhewillgetonuncommonlywelltogether。”
ThehumoroustwinkleinAllan’seye，theslysignificanceinAllan’svoice，wouldhavebetrayedhissecrettoaprosperousman。Midwinterwasasfarfromsuspectingitasthecarpenterswhowereatworkabovethemonthedeckoftheyacht。
“Istherenostewardnowontheestate？”heasked，hisfaceshowingplainlythathewasfarfromfeelingsatisfiedwithAllan’sanswer。“Isthebusinessneglectedallthistime？”
“Nothingofthesort！“returnedAllan。“Thebusinessisgoingwith’awetsheetandaflowingsea，andawindthatfollowsfree。’I’mnotjoking;I’monlymetaphorical。Aregularaccountanthaspokedhisnoseintothebooks，andasteady-goinglawyer’sclerkattendsattheofficeonceaweek。Thatdoesn’tlooklikeneglect，doesit？Leavethenewstewardaloneforthepresent，andjusttellmewhichofthosetwotenantsyouwouldtake，ifyouwereinmyplace。”
Midwinteropenedtheproposals，andreadthemattentively。
ThefirstproposalwasfromnolessapersonthanthesolicitoratThorpeAmbrose，whohadfirstinformedAllanatParisofthelargefortunethathadfallenintohishands。Thisgentlemanwrotepersonallytosaythathehadlongadmiredthecottage，whichwascharminglysituatedwithinthelimitsoftheThorpeAmbrosegrounds。Hewasabachelor，ofstudioushabits，desirousofretiringtoacountryseclusionafterthewearandtearofhisbusinesshours;andheventuredtosaythatMr。Armadale，inacceptinghimasatenant，mightcountonsecuringanunobtrusiveneighbor，andonputtingthecottageintoresponsibleandcarefulhands。
Thesecondproposalcamethroughthehouseagent，andproceededfromatotalstranger。Thetenantwhoofferedforthecottage，inthiscase，wasaretiredofficerinthearmy——oneMajorMilroy。
Hisfamilymerelyconsistedofaninvalidwifeandanonlychild——ayounglady。Hisreferenceswereunexceptionable;andhe，too，wasespeciallyanxioustosecurethecottage，astheperfectquietofthesituationwasexactlywhatwasrequiredbyMrs。
Milroyinherfeeblestateofhealth。
“Well，whichprofessionshallIfavor？”askedAllan。“Thearmyorthelaw？”
“Thereseemstometobenodoubtaboutit。”saidMidwinter。“Thelawyerhasbeenalreadyincorrespondencewithyou;andthelawyer’sclaimis，therefore，theclaimtobepreferred。”“Iknewyouwouldsaythat。InallthethousandsoftimesIhaveaskedotherpeopleforadvice，IneveryetgottheadviceIwanted。
Here’sthisbusinessoflettingthecottageasaninstance。I’mallontheothersidemyself。Iwanttohavethemajor。”
“Why？”
YoungArmadalelaidhisforefingeronthatpartoftheagent’sletterwhichenumeratedMajorMilroy’sfamily，andwhichcontainedthethreewords——“ayounglady。”
“Abachelorofstudioushabitswalkingaboutmygrounds。”saidAllan，“isnotaninterestingobject;ayoungladyis。IhavenottheleastdoubtMissMilroyisacharminggirl。OziasMidwinteroftheseriouscountenance！thinkofherprettymuslindressflittingaboutamongyourtreesandcommittingtrespassesonyourproperty;thinkofheradorablefeettrottingintoyourfruit-garden，andherdeliciousfreshlipskissingyourripepeaches;thinkofherdimpledhandsamongyourearlyviolets，andherlittlecream-colorednoseburiedinyourblush-roses。Whatdoesthestudiousbacheloroffermeinexchangeforthelossofallthis？Heoffersmearheumaticbrownobjectingaitersandawig。No！no！Justiceisgood，mydearfriend;but，believeme，MissMilroyisbetter。”
“Canyoubeseriousaboutanymortalthing，Allan？”
“I’lltrytobe，ifyoulike。IknowIoughttotakethelawyer;
butwhatcanIdoifthemajor’sdaughterkeepsrunninginmyhead？”
Midwinterreturnedresolutelytothejustandsensibleviewofthematter，andpresseditonhisfriend’sattentionwithallthepersuasionofwhichhewasmaster。Afterlisteningwithexemplarypatienceuntilhehaddone，Allansweptasupplementaryaccumulationoflitteroffthecabintable，andproducedfromhiswaistcoatpocketahalf-crowncoin。
“I’vegotanentirelynewidea。”hesaid。“Let’sleaveittochance。”
Theabsurdityoftheproposal——ascomingfromalandlord——wasirresistible。Midwinter’sgravitydesertedhim。
“I’llspin。”continuedAllan，“andyoushallcall。Wemustgiveprecedencetothearmy，ofcourse;sowe’llsayHeads，themajor;
Tails，thelawyer。Onespintodecide。Now，then，lookout！“
Hespunthehalf-crownonthecabintable。
“Tails！“criedMidwinter，humoringwhathebelievedtobeoneofAllan’sboyishjokes。
ThecoinfellonthetablewiththeHeaduppermost。
“Youdon’tmeantosayyouarereallyinearnest！“saidMidwinter，astheotheropenedhiswriting-caseanddippedhispenintheink。
“Oh，butIam，though！“repliedAllan。“Chanceisonmyside，andMissMilroy’s;andyou’reoutvoted，twotoone。It’snousearguing。Themajorhasfallenuppermost，andthemajorshallhavethecottage。Iwon’tleaveittothelawyers;they’llonlybeworryingmewithmoreletters。I’llwritemyself。”
Hewrotehisanswerstothetwoproposals，literallyintwominutes。Onetothehouseagent:“Dearsir，IacceptMajorMilroy’soffer;lethimcomeinwhenhepleases。Yourstruly，AllanArmadale。”Andonetothelawyer:“Dearsir，Iregretthatcircumstancespreventmefromacceptingyourproposal。Yourstruly。”etc。“Peoplemakeafussaboutletter-writing。”Allanremarked，whenhehaddone。“_I_finditeasyenough。”
Hewrotetheaddressesonhistwonotes，andstampedthemforthepost，whistlinggayly。Whilehehadbeenwriting，hehadnotnoticedhowhisfriendwasoccupied。Whenhehaddone，itstruckhimthatasuddensilencehadfallenonthecabin;and，lookingup，heobservedthatMidwinter’swholeattentionwasstrangelyconcentratedonthehalfcrownasitlayheaduppermostonthetable。Allansuspendedhiswhistlinginastonishment。
“Whatonearthareyoudoing？”heasked。
“Iwasonlywondering。”repliedMidwinter。
“Whatabout？”persistedAllan。
“Iwaswondering。”saidtheother，handinghimbackthehalf-crown，“whetherthereissuchathingaschance。”
Halfanhourlaterthetwonoteswereposted;andAllan，whoseclosesuperintendenceoftherepairsoftheyachthadhithertoallowedhimbutlittleleisuretimeonshore，hadproposedtowhileawaytheidlehoursbytakingawalkinCastletown。EvenMidwinter’snervousanxietytodeserveMr。Brock’sconfidenceinhimcoulddetectnothingobjectionableinthisharmlessproposal，andtheyoungmensetforthtogethertoseewhattheycouldmakeofthemetropolisoftheIsleofMan。
Itisdoubtfulifthereisaplaceonthehabitableglobewhich，regardedasasight-seeinginvestmentofferingitselftothespareattentionofstrangers，yieldssosmallapercentageofinterestinreturnasCastletown。Beginningwiththewaterside，therewasaninnerharbortosee，withadrawbridgetoletvesselsthrough;anouterharbor，endinginadwarflighthouse;aviewofaflatcoasttotheright，andaviewofaflatcoasttotheleft。Inthecentralsolitudesofthecity，therewasasquatgraybuildingcalled“thecastle“;alsoamemorialpillardedicatedtooneGovernorSmelt，withaflattopforastatue，andnostatuestandingonit;alsoabarrack，holdingthehalf-companyofsoldiersallottedtotheisland，andexhibitingonespirit-brokensentryatitslonelydoor。Theprevalentcolorofthetownwasfaintgray。Thefewshopsopenwerepartedatfrequentintervalsbyothershopsclosedanddesertedindespair。
Thewearyloungingofboatmenonshorewastreblywearyhere;theyouthofthedistrictsmokedtogetherinspeechlessdepressionundertheleeofadeadwall;theraggedchildrensaidmechanically:“Giveusapenny。”andbeforethecharitablehandcouldsearchthemercifulpocket，lapsedawayagaininmisanthropicdoubtofthehumannaturetheyaddressed。Thesilenceofthegraveoverflowedthechurchyard，andfilledthismiserabletown。Butoneedifice，prosperoustolookat，roseconsolatoryinthedesolationofthesedreadfulstreets。
Frequentedbythestudentsoftheneighboring“CollegeofKingWilliam。”thisbuildingwasnaturallydedicatedtotheusesofapastry-cook’sshop。Here，atleastviewedthroughthefriendlymediumofthewindow，therewassomethinggoingonforastrangertosee;forhere，onhighstools，thepupilsofthecollegesat，withswinginglegsandslowlymovingjaws，and，hushedinthehorridstillnessofCastletown，gorgedtheirpastrygravely，inanatmosphereofawfulsilence。
“HangmeifIcanlookanylongerattheboysandthetarts！“
saidAllan，dragginghisfriendawayfromthepastry-cook’sshop。
“Let’stryifwecan’tfindsomethingelsetoamuseusinthenextstreet。”
Thefirstamusingobjectwhichthenextstreetpresentedwasacarver-and-gilder’sshop，expiringfeeblyinthelaststageofcommercialdecay。Thecounterinsidedisplayednothingtoviewbuttherecumbentheadofaboy，peacefullyasleepintheunbrokensolitudeoftheplace。Inthewindowwereexhibitedtothepassingstrangerthreeforlornlittlefly-spottedframes;asmallposting-bill，dustywithlong-continuedneglect，announcingthatthepremisesweretolet;andonecoloredprint，thelastofaseriesillustratingthehorrorsofdrunkenness，onthefiercesttemperanceprinciples。Thecomposition——representinganemptybottleofgin，animmenselyspaciousgarret，aperpendicularScripturereader，andahorizontalexpiringfamily——appealedtopublicfavor，undertheentirelyunobjectionabletitleof“TheHandofDeath。”Allan’sresolutiontoextractamusementfromCastletownbymainforcehadresistedagreatdeal，butitfailedhimatthisstageoftheinvestigations。Hesuggestedtryinganexcursiontosomeotherplace。Midwinterreadilyagreeing，theywentbacktothehoteltomakeinquiries。
ThankstothemixedinfluenceofAllan’sreadygiftoffamiliarity，andtotalwantofmethodinputtinghisquestions，aperfectdelugeofinformationflowedinonthetwostrangers，relatingtoeverysubjectbutthesubjectwhichhadactuallybroughtthemtothehotel。TheymadevariousinterestingdiscoveriesinconnectionwiththelawsandconstitutionoftheIsleofMan，andthemannersandcustomsofthenatives。ToAllan’sdelight，theManxmenspokeofEnglandasofawell-knownadjacentisland，situatedatacertaindistancefromthecentralempireoftheIsleofMan。ItwasfurtherrevealedtothetwoEnglishmenthatthishappylittlenationrejoicedinlawsofitsown，publiclyproclaimedonceayearbythegovernorandthetwoheadjudges，groupedtogetheronthetopofanancientmound，infancycostumesappropriatetotheoccasion。Possessingthisenviableinstitution，theislandaddedtoittheinestimableblessingofalocalparliament，calledtheHouseofKeys，anassemblyfarinadvanceoftheotherparliamentbelongingtotheneighboringisland，inthisrespect——thatthemembersdispensedwiththepeople，andsolemnlyelectedeachother。Withtheseandmanymorelocalparticulars，extractedfromallsortsandconditionsofmeninandaboutthehotel，Allanwhiledawaythewearytimeinhisownessentiallydesultorymanner，untilthegossipdiedoutofitself，andMidwinterwhohadbeenspeakingapartwiththelandlordquietlyrecalledhimtothematterinhand。Thefinestcoastsceneryintheislandwassaidtobetothewestwardandthesouthward，andtherewasafishingtowninthoseregionscalledPortSt。Mary，withahotelatwhichtravelerscouldsleep。IfAllan’simpressionsofCastletownstillinclinedhimtotryanexcursiontosomeotherplace，hehadonlytosayso，andacarriagewouldbeproducedimmediately。Allanjumpedattheproposal，andintenminutesmoreheandMidwinterwereontheirwaytothewesternwildsoftheisland。
Withtriflingincidents，thedayofMr。Brock’sdeparturehadwornonthusfar。Withtriflingincidents，inwhichnotevenMidwinter’snervouswatchfulnesscouldseeanythingtodistrust，itwasstilltoproceed，untilthenightcame——anightwhichoneatleastofthetwocompanionswasdestinedtoremembertotheendofhislife。
Beforethetravelershadadvancedtwomilesontheirroad，anaccidenthappened。Thehorsefell，andthedriverreportedthattheanimalhadseriouslyinjuredhimself。TherewasnoalternativebuttosendforanothercarriagetoCastletown，ortogetontoPortSt。Maryonfoot。
Decidingtowalk，MidwinterandAllanhadnotgonefarbeforetheywereovertakenbyagentlemandrivingaloneinanopenchaise。Hecivillyintroducedhimselfasamedicalman，livingclosetoPortSt。Mary，andofferedseatsinhiscarriage。Alwaysreadytomakenewacquaintances，Allanatonceacceptedtheproposal。HeandthedoctorwhosenamewasascertainedtobeHawburybecamefriendlyandfamiliarbeforetheyhadbeenfiveminutesinthechaisetogether;Midwinter，sittingbehindthem，reservedandsilent，onthebackseat。TheyseparatedjustoutsidePortSt。Mary，beforeMr。Hawbury’shouse，Allanboisterouslyadmiringthedoctor’sneatFrenchwindowsandprettyflower-gardenandlawn，andwringinghishandatpartingasiftheyhadknowneachotherfromboyhoodupward。ArrivedinPortSt。Mary，thetwofriendsfoundthemselvesinasecondCastletownonasmallerscale。Butthecountryround，wild，open，andhilly，deserveditsreputation。Awalkbroughtthemwellenoughonwiththeday——stilltheharmless，idledaythatithadbeenfromthefirst——toseetheeveningnearathand。Afterwaitingalittletoadmirethesun，settinggrandlyoverhill，andheath，andcrag，andtalking，whiletheywaited，ofMr。Brockandhislongjourneyhome，theyreturnedtothehoteltoordertheirearlysupper。
Nearerandnearerthenight，andtheadventurewhichthenightwastobringwithit，cametothetwofriends;andstilltheonlyincidentsthathappenedwereincidentstobelaughedat，iftheywerenoticedatall。Thesupperwasbadlycooked;thewaiting-maidwasimpenetrablystupid;theold-fashionedbell-ropeinthecoffee-roomhadcomedowninAllan’shands，and，strikinginitsdescentapaintedchinashepherdessonthechimney-piece，hadlaidthefigureinfragmentsonthefloor。Eventsastriflingasthesewerestilltheonlyeventsthathadhappened，whenthetwilightfaded，andthelightedcandleswerebroughtintotheroom。
FindingMidwinter，afterthedoublefatigueofasleeplessnightandarestlessday，butlittleinclinedforconversation，Allanlefthimrestingonthesofa，andloungedintothepassageofthehotel，onthechanceofdiscoveringsomebodytotalkto。HereanotherofthetrivialincidentsofthedaybroughtAllanandMr。
Hawburytogetheragain，andhelped——whetherhappilyornot，yetremainedtobeseen——tostrengthentheacquaintancebetweenthemoneitherside。
The“bar“ofthehotelwassituatedatoneendofthepassage，andthelandladywasinattendancethere，mixingaglassofliquorforthedoctor，whohadjustlookedinforalittlegossip。OnAllan’saskingpermissiontomakeathirdinthedrinkingandthegossiping，Mr。Hawburycivillyhandedhimtheglasswhichthelandladyhadjustfilled。Itcontainedcoldbrandy-and-water。AmarkedchangeinAllan’sface，ashesuddenlydrewbackandaskedforwhiskyinstead，caughtthedoctor’smedicaleye。“Acaseofnervousantipathy。”saidMr。Hawbury，quietlytakingtheglassawayagain。TheremarkobligedAllantoacknowledgethathehadaninsurmountableloathingwhichhewasfoolishenoughtobealittleashamedofmentioningtothesmellandtasteofbrandy。Nomatterwithwhatdilutingliquidthespiritwasmixed，thepresenceofit，instantlydetectedbyhisorgansoftasteandsmell，turnedhimsickandfaintifthedrinktouchedhislips。Startingfromthispersonalconfession，thetalkturnedonantipathiesingeneral;andthedoctoracknowledged，onhisside，thathetookaprofessionalinterestinthesubject，andthathepossessedacollectionofcuriouscasesathome，whichhisnewacquaintancewaswelcometolookat，ifAllanhadnothingelsetodothatevening，andifhewouldcall，whenthemedicalworkofthedaywasover，inanhour’stime。
CordiallyacceptingtheinvitationwhichwasextendedtoMidwinteralso，ifhecaredtoprofitbyit，Allanreturnedtothecoffee-roomtolookafterhisfriend。Halfasleepandhalfawake，Midwinterwasstillstretchedonthesofa，withthelocalnewspaperjustdroppingoutofhislanguidhand。
“Iheardyourvoiceinthepassage。”hesaid，drowsily。“Whomwereyoutalkingto？”
“Thedoctor。”repliedAllan。“Iamgoingtosmokeacigarwithhim，inanhour’stime。Willyoucometoo？”
Midwinterassentedwithawearysigh。Alwaysshylyunwillingtomakenewacquaintances，fatigueincreasedthereluctancehenowfelttobecomeMr。Hawbury’sguest。Asmattersstood，however，therewasnoalternativebuttogo;for，withAllan’sconstitutionalimprudence，therewasnosafelytrustinghimaloneanywhere，andmoreespeciallyinastranger’shouse。Mr。Brockwouldcertainlynothavelefthispupiltovisitthedoctoralone;andMidwinterwasstillnervouslyconsciousthatheoccupiedMr。Brock’splace。
“Whatshallwedotillit’stimetogo？”askedAllan，lookingabouthim。“Anythinginthis？”headded，observingthefallennewspaper，andpickingitupfromthefloor。
“I’mtootiredtolook。Ifyoufindanythinginteresting，readitout。”saidMidwinter，thinkingthatthereadingmighthelptokeephimawake。
Partofthenewspaper，andnosmallpartofit，wasdevotedtoextractsfrombooksrecentlypublishedinLondon。OneoftheworksmostlargelylaidundercontributioninthismannerwasofthesorttointerestAllan:itwasahighlyspicednarrativeofTravelingAdventuresinthewildsofAustralia。Pouncingonanextractwhichdescribedthesufferingsofthetraveling-party，lostinatracklesswilderness，andindangerofdyingbythirst，Allanannouncedthathehadfoundsomethingtomakehisfriend’sfleshcreep，andbeganeagerlytoreadthepassagealoud。
Resolutenottosleep，Midwinterfollowedtheprogressoftheadventure，sentencebysentence，withoutmissingaword。Theconsultationofthelosttravelers，withdeathbythirststaringthemintheface;theresolutiontopressonwhiletheirstrengthlasted;thefallofaheavyshower，thevaineffortsmadetocatchtherainwater，thetransientreliefexperiencedbysuckingtheirwetclothes;thesufferingsrenewedafewhoursafter;thenightadvanceofthestrongestoftheparty，leavingtheweakestbehind;thefollowingaflightofbirdswhenmorningdawned;thediscoverybythelostmenofthebroadpoolofwaterthatsavedtheirlives——allthisMidwinter’sfast-failingattentionmasteredpainfully，Allan’svoicegrowingfainterandfainteronhisearwitheverysentencethatwasread。Soonthenextwordsseemedtodropawaygently，andnothingbuttheslowlysinkingsoundofthevoicewasleft。Thenthelightintheroomdarkenedgradually，thesounddwindledintodelicioussilence，andthelastwakingimpressionsofthewearyMidwintercamepeacefullytoanend。
Thenexteventofwhichhewasconsciouswasasharpringingatthecloseddoorofthehotel。Hestartedtohisfeet，withthereadyalacrityofamanwhoselifehasaccustomedhimtowakeattheshortestnotice。Aninstant’slookroundshowedhimthattheroomwasempty，andaglanceathiswatchtoldhimthatitwascloseonmidnight。Thenoisemadebythesleepyservantinopeningthedoor，andthetreadthenextmomentofquickfootstepsinthepassage，filledhimwithasuddenforebodingofsomethingwrong。Ashehurriedlysteppedforwardtogooutandmakeinquiry，thedoorofthecoffee-roomopened，andthedoctorstoodbeforehim。
“Iamsorrytodisturbyou。”saidMr。Hawbury。“Don’tbealarmed;
there’snothingwrong。”
“Whereismyfriend？”askedMidwinter。
“Atthepierhead。”answeredthedoctor。“Iam，toacertainextent，responsibleforwhatheisdoingnow;andIthinksomecarefulperson，likeyourself，oughttobewithhim。”
ThehintwasenoughforMidwinter。Heandthedoctorsetoutforthepierimmediately，Mr。Hawburymentioningonthewaythecircumstancesunderwhichhehadcometothehotel。
PunctualtotheappointedhourAllanhadmadehisappearanceatthedoctor’shouse，explainingthathehadlefthiswearyfriendsofastasleeponthesofathathehadnothadthehearttowakehim。Theeveninghadpassedpleasantly，andtheconversationhadturnedonmanysubjects，until，inanevilhour，Mr。Hawburyhaddroppedahintwhichshowedthathewasfondofsailing，andthathepossessedapleasure-boatofhisownintheharbor。Excitedontheinstantbyhisfavoritetopic，Allanhadlefthishostnohospitablealternativebuttotakehimtothepierheadandshowhimtheboat。Thebeautyofthenightandthesoftnessofthebreezehaddonetherestofthemischief;theyhadfilledAllanwithirresistiblelongingsforasailbymoonlight。Preventedfromaccompanyinghisguestbyprofessionalhindranceswhichobligedhimtoremainonshore，thedoctor，notknowingwhatelsetodo，hadventuredondisturbingMidwinter，ratherthantaketheresponsibilityofallowingMr。Armadalenomatterhowwellhemightbeaccustomedtotheseatosetoffonasailingtripatmidnightentirelybyhimself。
ThetimetakentomakethisexplanationbroughtMidwinterandthedoctortothepierhead。There，sureenough，wasyoungArmadaleintheboat，hoistingthesail，andsingingthesailor’s“Yo-heave-ho！“atthetopofhisvoice。
“Comealong，oldboy！“criedAllan。“You’rejustintimeforafrolicbymoonlight！“
Midwintersuggestedafrolicbydaylight，andanadjournmenttobedinthemeantime。
“Bed！“criedAllan，onwhoseharum-scarumhighspiritsMr。
Hawbury’shospitalityhadcertainlynotproducedasedativeeffect。“Hearhim，doctor！onewouldthinkhewasninety！Bed，youdrowsyolddormouse！Lookatthat，andthinkofbedifyoucan！“
Hepointedtothesea。Themoonwasshininginthecloudlessheaven;thenight-breezeblewsoftandsteadyfromtheland;thepeacefulwatersrippledjoyfullyinthesilenceandthegloryofthenight。Midwinterturnedtothedoctorwithawiseresignationtocircumstances:hehadseenenoughtosatisfyhimthatallwordsofremonstrancewouldbewordssimplythrownaway。
“Howisthetide？”heasked。
Mr。Hawburytoldhim。
“Arethereoarsintheboat？”
“Yes。”
“Iamwellusedtothesea。”saidMidwinter，descendingthepiersteps。“Youmaytrustmetotakecareofmyfriend，andtotakecareoftheboat。”
“Good-night，doctor！“shoutedAllan。“Yourwhisky-and-waterisdelicious——yourboat’salittlebeauty——andyou’rethebestfellowIevermetinmylife！“
Thedoctorlaughedandwavedhishand，andtheboatglidedoutfromtheharbor，withMidwinteratthehelm。
Asthebreezethenblew，theyweresoonabreastofthewestwardheadland，boundingtheBayofPoolvash，andthequestionwasstartedwhethertheyshouldrunouttoseaorkeepalongtheshore。Thewisestproceeding，intheeventofthewindfailingthem，wastokeepbytheland。Midwinteralteredthecourseoftheboat，andtheysailedonsmoothlyinasouth-westerlydirection，abreastofthecoast。
Littlebylittlethecliffsroseinheight，andtherocks，massedwildandjagged，showedriftedblackchasmsyawningdeepintheirseawardsides。OfftheboldpromontorycalledSpanishHead，Midwinterlookedominouslyathiswatch。ButAllanpleadedhardforhalfallhourmore，andforaglanceatthefamouschanneloftheSound，whichtheywerenowfastnearing，andofwhichhehadheardsomestartlingstoriesfromtheworkmenemployedonhisyacht。ThenewchangewhichMidwinter’scompliancewiththisrequestrendereditnecessarytomakeinthecourseoftheboatbroughtherclosetothewind;andrevealed，ononeside，thegrandviewofthesouthernmostshoresoftheIsleofMan，and，ontheother，theblackprecipicesoftheisletcalledtheCalf，separatedfromthemainlandbythedarkanddangerouschanneloftheSound。
OncemoreMidwinterlookedathiswatch。“Wehavegonefarenough。”hesaid。“Standbythesheet！“
“Stop！“criedAllan，fromthebowsoftheboat。“GoodGod！here’sawreckedshiprightaheadofus！“
Midwinterlettheboatfalloffalittle，andlookedwheretheotherpointed。
There，strandedmidwaybetweentherockyboundariesoneithersideoftheSound——there，neveragaintoriseonthelivingwatersfromhergraveonthesunkenrock;lostandlonelyinthequietnight;high，anddark，andghostlyintheyellowmoonshine，laytheWreckedShip。
“Iknowthevessel。”saidAllan，ingreatexcitement。“Iheardmyworkmentalkingofheryesterday。Shedriftedinhere，onapitch-darknight，whentheycouldn’tseethelights;apooroldworn-outmerchantman，Midwinter，thattheship-brokershaveboughttobreakup。Let’sruninandhavealookather。”
Midwinterhesitated。Alltheoldsympathiesofhissea-lifestronglyinclinedhimtofollowAllan’ssuggestion;butthewindwasfallinglight，andhedistrustedthebrokenwaterandtheswirlingcurrentsofthechannelahead。“Thisisanuglyplacetotakeaboatintowhenyouknownothingaboutit。”hesaid。
“Nonsense！“returnedAllan。“It’saslightasday，andwefloatintwofeetofwater。”
BeforeMidwintercouldanswer，thecurrentcaughttheboat，andsweptthemonwardthroughthechannelstraighttowardthewreck。
“Lowerthesail。”saidMidwinter，quietly，“andshiptheoars。Wearerunningdownonherfastenoughnow，whetherwelikeitornot。”
Bothwellaccustomedtotheuseoftheoar，theybroughtthecourseoftheboatundersufficientcontroltokeepheronthesmoothestsideofthechannel——thesidewhichwasnearesttotheIsletoftheCalf。Astheycameswiftlyupwiththewreck，MidwinterresignedhisoartoAllan;and，watchinghisopportunity，caughtaholdwiththeboat-hookonthefore-chainsofthevessel。Thenextmomenttheyhadtheboatsafelyinhand，undertheleeofthewreck。
Theship’sladderusedbytheworkmenhungoverthefore-chains。
Mountingit，withtheboat’sropeinhisteeth，Midwintersecuredoneend，andloweredtheothertoAllanintheboat。“Makethatfast。”hesaid，“andwaittillIseeifit’sallsafeonboard。”
Withthosewords，hedisappearedbehindthebulwark。
“Wait？”repeatedAllan，intheblankestastonishmentathisfriend’sexcessivecaution。“Whatonearthdoeshemean？I’llbehangedifIwait。Whereoneofusgoes，theothergoestoo！“
Hehitchedthelooseendoftheroperoundtheforwardthwartoftheboat，and，swinginghimselfuptheladder，stoodthenextmomentonthedeck。“Anythingverydreadfulonboard？”heinquiredsarcastically，asheandhisfriendmet。
Midwintersmiled。“Nothingwhatever。”hereplied。“ButIcouldn’tbesurethatweweretohavethewholeshiptoourselvestillI
gotoverthebulwarkandlookedaboutme。”
Allantookaturnonthedeck，andsurveyedthewreckcriticallyfromstemtostern。
“Notmuchofavessel。”hesaid;“theFrenchmengenerallybuildbettershipsthanthis。”
Midwintercrossedthedeck，andeyedAllaninamomentarysilence。
“Frenchmen？”herepeated，afteraninterval。“IsthisvesselFrench？”
“Yes。”
“Howdoyouknow？”
“ThemenIhavegotatworkontheyachttoldme。Theyknowallabouther。”
Midwintercamealittlenearer。Hisswarthyfacebegantolook，toAllan’seyes，unaccountablypaleinthemoonlight。
“Didtheymentionwhattradeshewasengagedin？”
“Yes;thetimbertrade。”
AsAllangavethatanswer，Midwinter’sleanbrownhandclutchedhimfastbytheshoulder，andMidwinter’steethchatteredinhisheadliketheteethofamanstruckbyasuddenchill。
“Didtheytellyouhername？”heasked，inavoicethatdroppedsuddenlytoawhisper。
“Theydid，Ithink。Butithasslippedmymemory——Gently，oldfellow;theselongclawsofyoursarerathertightonmyshoulder。”
“Wasthename——？”Hestopped，removedhishand，anddashedawaythegreatdropsthatweregatheringonhisforehead。“Wasthename_LaGracedeDieu？_“
“Howthedeucedidyoucometoknowit？That’sthename，sureenough。_LaGracedeDieu。_“
Atonebound，Midwinterleapedonthebulwarkofthewreck。
“Theboat！“hecried，withascreamofhorrorthatrangfarandwidethroughthestillnessofthenight，andbroughtAllaninstantlytohisside。
Thelowerendofthecarelesslyhitchedropewaslooseonthewater，andahead，inthetrackofthemoonlight，asmallblackobjectwasfloatingoutofview。Theboatwasadrift。
CHAPTERIV。
THESHADOWOFTHEPAST。
ONEsteppingbackunderthedarkshelterofthebulwark，andonestandingoutboldlyintheyellowlightofthemoon，thetwofriendsturnedfacetofaceonthedeckofthetimber-ship，andlookedateachotherinsilence。ThenextmomentAllan’sinveteraterecklessnessseizedonthegrotesquesideofthesituationbymainforce。Heseatedhimselfastrideonthebulwark，andburstoutboisterouslyintohisloudestandheartiestlaugh。
“Allmyfault。”hesaid;“butthere’snohelpforitnow。Hereweare，hardandfastinatrapofourownsetting;andtheregoesthelastofthedoctor’sboat！Comeoutofthedark，Midwinter;I
can’thalfseeyouthere，andIwanttoknowwhat’stobedonenext。”
Midwinterneitheranswerednormoved。Allanleftthebulwark，and，mountingtheforecastle，lookeddownattentivelyatthewatersoftheSound。
“Onethingisprettycertain。”hesaid。“Withthecurrentonthatside，andthesunkenrocksonthis，wecan’tfindourwayoutofthescrapebyswimming，atanyrate。Somuchfortheprospectatthisendofthewreck。Let’stryhowthingslookattheother。
Rouseup，messmate！“hecalledout，cheerfully，ashepassedMidwinter。“Comeandseewhattheoldtubofatimber-shiphasgottoshowusastern。”Hesaunteredon，withhishandsinhispockets，hummingthechorusofacomicsong。
Hisvoicehadproducednoapparenteffectonhisfriend;but，atthelighttouchofhishandinpassing，Midwinterstarted，andmovedoutslowlyfromtheshadowofthebulwark。“Comealong！“
criedAllan，suspendinghissingingforamoment，andglancingback。Still，withoutawordofanswer，theotherfollowed。Thricehestoppedbeforehereachedthesternendofthewreck:thefirsttime，tothrowasidehishat，andpushbackhishairfromhisforeheadandtemples;thesecondtime，reeling，giddy，toholdforamomentbyaring-boltcloseathand;thelasttimethoughAllanwasplainlyvisibleafewyardsahead，tolookstealthilybehindhim，withthefurtivescrutinyofamanwhobelievesthatotherfootstepsarefollowinghiminthedark。
“Notyet！“hewhisperedtohimself，witheyesthatsearchedtheemptyair。“Ishallseehimastern，withhishandonthelockofthecabindoor。”
Thesternendofthewreckwasclearoftheship-breakers’
lumber，accumulatedintheotherpartsofthevessel。Here，theoneobjectthatrosevisibleonthesmoothsurfaceofthedeckwasthelowwoodenstructurewhichheldthecabindoorandroofedinthecabinstairs。Thewheel-househadbeenremoved，thebinnaclehadbeenremoved，butthecabinentrance，andallthathadbelongedtoit，hadbeenleftuntouched。Thescuttlewason，andthedoorwasclosed。
Ongainingtheafter-partofthevessel，Allanwalkedstraighttothestern，andlookedouttoseaoverthetaffrail。Nosuchthingasaboatwasinviewanywhereonthequiet，moon-brightenedwaters。KnowingMidwinter’ssighttobebetterthanhisown，hecalledout，“Comeuphere，andseeifthere’safishermanwithinhailofus。”Hearingnoreply，helookedback。Midwinterhadfollowedhimasfarasthecabin，andhadstoppedthere。Hecalledagaininaloudervoice，andbeckonedimpatiently。
Midwinterhadheardthecall，forhelookedup，butstillheneverstirredfromhisplace。Therehestood，asifhehadreachedtheutmostlimitsoftheshipandcouldgonofurther。
Allanwentbackandjoinedhim。Itwasnoteasytodiscoverwhathewaslookingat，forhekepthisfaceturnedawayfromthemoonlight;butitseemedasifhiseyeswerefixed，withastrangeexpressionofinquiry，onthecabindoor。“Whatistheretolookatthere？”Allanasked。“Let’sseeifit’slocked。”Ashetookastepforwardtoopenthedoor，Midwinter’shandseizedhimsuddenlybythecoatcollarandforcedhimback。Themomentafter，thehandrelaxedwithoutlosingitsgrasp，andtrembledviolently，likethehandofamancompletelyunnerved。
“AmItoconsidermyselfincustody？”askedAllan，halfastonishedandhalfamused。“Whyinthenameofwonderdoyoukeepstaringatthecabindoor？Anysuspiciousnoisesbelow？It’snousedisturbingtherats——ifthat’swhatyoumean——wehaven’tgotadogwithus。Men？Livingmentheycan’tbe;fortheywouldhaveheardusandcomeondeck。Deadmen？Quiteimpossible！Noship’screwcouldbedrownedinaland-lockedplacelikethis，unlessthevesselbrokeupunderthem——andhere’sthevesselassteadyasachurchtospeakforherself。Manalive，howyourhandtrembles！Whatistheretoscareyouinthatrottenoldcabin？
Whatareyoushakingandshiveringabout？Anycompanyofthesupernaturalsortonboard？Mercypreserveus！astheoldwomensaydoyouseeaghost？”
“_Iseetwo！_“answeredtheother，drivenheadlongintospeechandactionbyamaddeningtemptationtorevealthetruth。“Two！“
herepeated，hisbreathburstingfromhimindeep，heavygasps，ashetriedvainlytoforcebackthehorriblewords。“Theghostofamanlikeyou，drowninginthecabin！Andtheghostofamanlikeme，turningthelockofthedooronhim！“
OncemoreyoungArmadale’sheartylaughterrangoutloudandlongthroughthestillnessofthenight。
“Turningthelockofthedoor，ishe？”saidAllan，assoonashismerrimentlefthimbreathenoughtospeak。“That’sadevilishunhandsomeaction，MasterMidwinter，onthepartofyourghost。
TheleastIcando，afterthat，istoletmineoutofthecabin，andgivehimtherunoftheship。”
Withnomorethanamomentaryexertionofhissuperiorstrength，hefreedhimselfeasilyfromMidwinter’shold。“Belowthere！“hecalledout，gayly，ashelaidhisstronghandonthecrazylock，andtoreopenthecabindoor。“GhostofAllanArmadale，comeondeck！“Inhisterribleignoranceofthetruth，heputhisheadintothedoorwayandlookeddown，laughing，attheplacewherehismurderedfatherhaddied。“Pah！“heexclaimed，steppingbacksuddenly，withashudderofdisgust。“Theairisfoulalready;andthecabinisfullofwater。”
Itwastrue。Thesunkenrocksonwhichthevessellaywreckedhadbursttheirwaythroughherlowertimbersastern，andthewaterhadwelledupthroughtheriftedwood。Here，wherethedeedhadbeendone，thefatalparallelbetweenpastandpresentwascomplete。Whatthecabinhadbeeninthetimeofthefathers，thatthecabinwasnowinthetimeofthesons。
Allanpushedthedoortoagainwithhisfoot，alittlesurprisedatthesuddensilencewhichappearedtohavefallenonhisfriendfromthemomentwhenhehadlaidhishandonthecabinlock。Whenheturnedtolook，thereasonofthesilencewasinstantlyrevealed。Midwinterhaddroppedonthedeck。Helaysenselessbeforethecabindoor;hisfaceturnedup，whiteandstill，tothemoonlight，likethefaceofadeadman。
InamomentAllanwasathisside。Helookeduselesslyroundthelonelylimitsofthewreck，asheliftedMidwinter’sheadonhisknee，forachanceofhelp，whereallchancewasruthlesslycutoff。“WhatamItodo？”hesaidtohimself，inthefirstimpulseofalarm。“Notadropofwaternear，butthefoulwaterinthecabin。”Asuddenrecollectioncrossedhismemory，thefloridcolorrushedbackoverhisface，andhedrewfromhispocketawicker-coveredflask。“Godblessthedoctorforgivingmethisbeforewesailed！“hebrokeout，fervently，ashepoureddownMidwinter’sthroatsomedropsoftherawwhiskywhichtheflaskcontained。Thestimulantactedinstantlyonthesensitivesystemoftheswooningman。Hesighedfaintly，andslowlyopenedhiseyes。“HaveIbeendreaming？”heasked，lookingupvacantlyinAllan’sface。Hiseyeswanderedhigher，andencounteredthedismantledmastsofthewreckrisingweirdandblackagainstthenightsky。Heshudderedatthesightofthem，andhidhisfaceonAllan’sknee。“Nodream！“hemurmuredtohimself，mournfully。“Ohme，nodream！“
“Youharebeenovertiredallday。”saidAllan，“andthisinfernaladventureofourshasupsetyou。Takesomemorewhisky，it’ssuretodoyougood。Canyousitbyyourself，ifIputyouagainstthebulwark，so？”
“Whybymyself？Whydoyouleaveme？”askedMidwinter。
Allanpointedtothemizzenshroudsofthewreck，whichwerestillleftstanding。“Youarenotwellenoughtoroughitheretilltheworkmencomeoffinthemorning。”hesaid。“Wemustfindourwayonshoreatonce，ifwecan。Iamgoinguptogetagoodviewallround，andseeifthere’sahousewithinhailofus。”
Eveninthemomentthatpassedwhilethosefewwordswerespoken，Midwinter’seyeswanderedbackdistrustfullytothefatalcabindoor。“Don’tgonearit！“hewhispered。“Don’ttrytoopenit，forGod’ssake！“