“No，no。”returnedAllan，humoringhim。“WhenIcomedownfromtherigging，I’llcomebackhere。”Hesaidthewordsalittleconstrainedly，noticing，forthefirsttimewhilehenowspoke，anunderlyingdistressinMidwinter’sface，whichgrievedandperplexedhim。“You’renotangrywithme？”hesaid，inhissimple，sweet-temperedway。“Allthisismyfault，Iknow;andI
wasabruteandafooltolaughatyou，whenIoughttohaveseenyouwereill。Iamsosorry，Midwinter。Don’tbeangrywithme！“
Midwinterslowlyraisedhishead。Hiseyesrestedwithamournfulinterest，longandtender，onAllan’sanxiousface。
“Angry？”herepeated，inhislowest，gentlesttones。“Angrywith_you？_——Oh，mypoorboy，wereyoutoblameforbeingkindtomewhenIwasillintheoldwest-countryinn？AndwasItoblameforfeelingyourkindnessthankfully？Wasitourfaultthatweneverdoubtedeachother，andneverknewthatweweretravelingtogetherblindfoldonthewaythatwastoleadushere？Thecrueltimeiscoming，Allan，whenweshallruethedayweevermet。
Shakehands，brother，ontheedgeoftheprecipice——shakehandswhilewearebrothersstill！“
Allanturnedawayquickly，convincedthathismindhadnotyetrecoveredtheshockofthefaintingfit。“Don’tforgetthewhisky！“hesaid，cheerfully，ashesprangintotherigging，andmountedtothemizzen-top。
Itwaspasttwo，themoonwaswaning，andthedarknessthatcomesbeforedawnwasbeginningtogatherroundthewreck。BehindAllan，ashenowstoodlookingoutfromtheelevationofthemizzen-top，spreadthebroadandlonelysea。Beforehimwerethelow，black，lurkingrocks，andthebrokenwatersofthechannel，pouringwhiteandangryintothevastcalmofthewestwardoceanbeyond。Ontherighthand，heavedbackgrandlyfromthewater-side，weretherocksandprecipices，withtheirlittletable-landsofgrassbetween;theslopingdowns，andupward-rollingheathsolitudesoftheIsleofMan。OnthelefthandrosethecraggysidesoftheIsletoftheCalf，hererentwildlyintodeepblackchasms，therelyinglowunderlongsweepingacclivitiesofgrassandheath。Nosoundrose，nolightwasvisible，oneithershore。Theblacklinesofthetopmostmastsofthewrecklookedshadowyandfaintinthedarkeningmysteryofthesky;thelandbreezehaddropped;thesmallshorewardwavesfellnoiseless:farornear，nosoundwasaudiblebutthecheerlessbubblingofthebrokenwaterahead，pouringthroughtheawfulhushofsilenceinwhichearthandoceanwaitedforthecomingday。
EvenAllan’scarelessnaturefeltthesolemninfluenceofthetime。Thesoundofhisownvoicestartledhimwhenhelookeddownandhailedhisfriendondeck“IthinkIseeonehouse。”hesaid。“Here-away，onthemainlandtotheright。”Helookedagain，tomakesure，atadimlittlepatchofwhite，withfaintwhitelinesbehindit，nestlinglowinagrassyhollow，onthemainisland。“Itlookslikeastonehouseandinclosure。”heresumed。“I’llhailit，onthechance。”Hepassedhisarmroundaropetosteadyhimself，madeaspeaking-trumpetofhishands，andsuddenlydroppedthemagainwithoututteringasound。“It’ssoawfullyquiet。”hewhisperedtohimself。“I’mhalfafraidtocallout。”Helookeddownagainondeck。“Ishan’tstartleyou，Midwinter，shallI？”hesaid，withanuneasylaugh。Helookedoncemoreatthefaintwhiteobject，inthegrassyhollow。“Itwon’tdotohavecomeupherefornothing。”hethought，andmadeaspeaking-trumpetofhishandsagain。Thistimehegavethehailwiththewholepowerofhislungs。“Onshorethere！“heshouted，turninghisfacetothemainisland。“Ahoy-hoy-hoy！“
Thelastechoesofhisvoicediedawayandwerelost。Nosoundansweredhimbutthecheerlessbubblingofthebrokenwaterahead。
Helookeddownagainathisfriend，andsawthedarkfigureofMidwinterriseerect，andpacethedeckbackwardandforward，neverdisappearingoutofsightofthecabinwhenitretiredtowardthebowsofthewreck，andneverpassingbeyondthecabinwhenitreturnedtowardthestern。“Heisimpatienttogetaway。”
thoughtAllan;“I’lltryagain。”Hehailedthelandoncemore，and，taughtbypreviousexperience，pitchedhisvoiceinitshighestkey。
Thistimeanothersoundthanthesoundofthebubblingwateransweredhim。Thelowingoffrightenedcattlerosefromthebuildinginthegrassyhollow，andtraveledfaranddrearilythroughthestillnessofthemorningair。Allanwaitedandlistened。Ifthebuildingwasafarmhousethedisturbanceamongthebeastswouldrousethemen。Ifitwasonlyacattle-stable，nothingmorewouldhappen。Thelowingofthefrightenedbrutesroseandfelldrearily，theminutespassed，andnothinghappened。
“Oncemore！“saidAllan，lookingdownattherestlessfigurepacingbeneathhim。Forthethirdtimehehailedtheland。Forthethirdtimehewaitedandlistened。
Inapauseofsilenceamongthecattle，heheardbehindhim，ontheoppositeshoreofthechannel，faintandfaramongthesolitudesoftheIsletoftheCalf，asharp，suddensound，likethedistantclashofaheavydoor-boltdrawnback。Turningatonceinthenewdirection，hestrainedhiseyestolookforahouse。Thelastfaintraysofthewaningmoonlighttrembledhereandthereonthehigherrocks，andonthesteeperpinnaclesofground，butgreatstripsofdarknesslaydenseandblackoverallthelandbetween;andinthatdarknessthehouse，ifhousetherewere，waslosttoview。
“Ihaverousedsomebodyatlast。”Allancalledout，encouragingly，toMidwinter，stillwalkingtoandfroonthedeck，strangelyindifferenttoallthatwaspassingaboveandbeyondhim。“Lookoutfortheanswering，hail！“Andwithhisfacesettowardtheislet，Allanshoutedforhelp。
Theshoutwasnotanswered，butmimickedwithashrill，shriekingderision，withwilderandwildercries，risingoutofthedeepdistantdarkness，andminglinghorriblytheexpressionofahumanvoicewiththesoundofabrute’s。AsuddensuspicioncrossedAllan’smind，whichmadehisheadswimandturnedhishandcoldasitheldtherigging。Inbreathlesssilencehelookedtowardthequarterfromwhichthefirstmimicryofhiscryforhelphadcome。Afteramoment’spausetheshriekswererenewed，andthesoundofthemcamenearer。Suddenlyafigure，whichseemedthefigureofaman，leapedupblackonapinnacleofrock，andcaperedandshriekedinthewaninggleamofthemoonlight。Thescreamsofaterrifiedwomanmingledwiththecriesofthecaperingcreatureontherock。Aredsparkflashedoutinthedarknessfromalightkindledinaninvisiblewindow。Thehoarseshoutingofaman’svoiceinangerwasheardthroughthenoise。A
secondblackfigureleapedupontherock，struggledwiththefirstfigure，anddisappearedwithitinthedarkness。Thecriesgrewfainterandfainter，thescreamsofthewomanwerestilled，thehoarsevoiceofthemanwasheardagainforamoment，hailingthewreckinwordsmadeunintelligiblebythedistance，butintonesplainlyexpressiveofrageandfearcombined。Anothermoment，andtheclangofthedoor-boltwasheardagain，theredsparkoflightwasquenchedindarkness，andalltheisletlayquietintheshadowsoncemore。Thelowingofthecattleonthemain-landceased，roseagain，stopped。Then，coldandcheerlessasever，theeternalbubblingofthebrokenwaterwelledupthroughthegreatgapofsilence——theonesoundleft，asthemysteriousstillnessofthehourfelllikeamantlefromtheheavens，andclosedoverthewreck。
Allandescendedfromhisplaceinthemizzen-top，andjoinedhisfriendagainondeck。
“Wemustwaittilltheship-breakerscomeofftotheirwork。”hesaid，meetingMidwinterhalfwayinthecourseofhisrestlesswalk。“Afterwhathashappened，Idon’tmindconfessingthatI’vehadenoughofhailingtheland。Onlythinkoftherebeingamadmaninthathouseashore，andofmywakinghim！Horrible，wasn’tit？”
Midwinterstoodstillforamoment，andlookedatAllan，withtheperplexedairofamanwhohearscircumstancesfamiliarlymentionedtowhichheishimselfatotalstranger。Heappeared，ifsuchathinghadbeenpossible，tohavepassedoverentirelywithoutnoticeallthathadjusthappenedontheIsletoftheCalf。
“Nothingishorrible_out_ofthisship。”hesaid。“Everythingishorrible_in_it。”
Answeringinthosestrangewords，heturnedawayagain，andwentonwithhiswalk。
Allanpickeduptheflaskofwhiskylyingonthedecknearhim，andrevivedhisspiritswithadram。“Here’sonethingonboardthatisn’thorrible。”heretortedbriskly，ashescrewedonthestopperoftheflask;“andhere’sanother。”headded，ashetookacigarfromhiscaseandlitit。“Threeo’clock！“hewenton，lookingathiswatch，andsettlinghimselfcomfortablyondeckwithhisbackagainstthebulwark。“Daybreakisn’tfaroff;weshallhavethepipingofthebirdstocheerusupbeforelong。I
say，Midwinter，youseemtohavequitegotoverthatunluckyfaintingfit。Howyoudokeepwalking！Comehereandhaveacigar，andmakeyourselfcomfortable。What’sthegoodoftrampingbackwardandforwardinthatrestlessway？”
“Iamwaiting。”saidMidwinter。
“Waiting！Whatfor？”
“Forwhatistohappentoyouortome——ortobothofus——beforeweareoutofthisship。”
“Withsubmissiontoyoursuperiorjudgment，mydearfellow，I
thinkquiteenoughhashappenedalready。Theadventurewilldoverywellasitstandsnow;moreofitismorethanIwant。”Hetookanotherdramofwhisky，andrambledon，betweenthepuffsofhiscigar，inhisusualeasyway。“I’venotgotyourfineimagination，oldboy;andIhopethenextthingthathappenswillbetheappearanceoftheworkmen’sboat。Isuspectthatqueerfancyofyourshasbeenrunningawaywithyouwhileyouweredownhereallbyyourself。Come，now，whatwereyouthinkingofwhileIwasupinthemizzen-topfrighteningthecows？”
Midwintersuddenlystopped。“SupposeItellyou？”hesaid。
“Supposeyoudo？”
Thetorturingtemptationtorevealthetruth，rousedoncealreadybyhiscompanion’smercilessgayetyofspirit，possesseditselfofMidwinterforthesecondtime。Heleanedbackinthedarkagainstthehighsideoftheship，andlookeddowninsilenceatAllan’sfigure，stretchedcomfortablyonthedeck。“Rousehim。”
thefiendwhispered，subtly，“fromthatignorantself-possessionandthatpitilessrepose。Showhimtheplacewherethedeedwasdone;lethimknowitwithyourknowledge，andfearitwithyourdread。Tellhimoftheletteryouburned，andofthewordsnofirecandestroywhicharelivinginyourmemorynow。Lethimseeyourmindasitwasyesterday，whenitrousedyoursinkingfaithinyourownconvictions，tolookbackonyourlifeatsea，andtocherishthecomfortingremembrancethat，inallyourvoyages，youhadneverfalleninwiththisship。Lethimseeyourmindasitisnow，whentheshiphasgotyouattheturning-pointofyournewlife，attheoutsetofyourfriendshipwiththeonemanofallmenwhomyourfatherwarnedyoutoavoid。Thinkofthosedeath-bedwords，andwhispertheminhisear，thathemaythinkofthem，too:’Hideyourselffromhimunderanassumedname。Putthemountainsandtheseasbetweenyou;beungrateful，beunforgiving;beallthatismostrepellenttoyourowngentlernature，ratherthanliveunderthesameroofandbreathethesameairwiththatman。’“Sothetemptercounseled。So，likeanoisomeexhalationfromthefather’sgrave，thefather’sinfluenceroseandpoisonedthemindoftheson。
ThesuddensilencesurprisedAllan;helookedbackdrowsilyoverhisshoulder。“Thinkingagain！“heexclaimed，withawearyyawn。
Midwintersteppedoutfromtheshadow，andcamenearertoAllanthanhehadcomeyet。“Yes。”hesaid，“thinkingofthepastandthefuture。”
“Thepastandthefuture？”repeatedAllan，shiftinghimselfcomfortablyintoanewposition。“Formypart，I’mdumbaboutthepast。It’sasoresubjectwithme:thepastmeansthelossofthedoctor’sboat。Let’stalkaboutthefuture。Haveyoubeentakingapracticalview？asdearoldBrockcallsit。Haveyoubeenconsideringthenextseriousquestionthatconcernsusbothwhenwegetbacktothehotel——thequestionofbreakfast？”
Afteraninstant’shesitation，Midwintertookastepnearer。“I
havebeenthinkingofyourfutureandmine。”hesaid;“Ihavebeenthinkingofthetimewhenyourwayinlifeandmywayinlifewillbetwowaysinsteadofone。”
“Here’sthedaybreak！“criedAllan。“Lookupatthemasts;
they’rebeginningtogetclearagainalready。Ibegyourpardon。
Whatwereyousaying？”
Midwintermadenoreply。Thestrugglebetweenthehereditarysuperstitionthatwasdrivinghimon，andtheunconquerableaffectionforAllanthatwasholdinghimback，suspendedthenextwordsonhislips。Heturnedasidehisfaceinspeechlesssuffering。“Oh，myfather！“hethought，“betterhavekilledmeonthatdaywhenIlayonyourbosom，thanhaveletmeliveforthis。”
“What’sthataboutthefuture？”persistedAllan。“Iwaslookingforthedaylight;Ididn’thear。”
Midwintercontrolledhimself，andanswered:“Youhavetreatedmewithyourusualkindness。”hesaid，“inplanningtotakemewithyoutoThorpeAmbrose。Ithink，onreflection，IhadbetternotintrudemyselfwhereIamnotknownandnotexpected。”Hisvoicefaltered，andhestoppedagain。Themoreheshrankfromit，theclearerthepictureofthehappylifethathewasresigningroseonhismind。
Allan’sthoughtsinstantlyrevertedtothemystificationaboutthenewstewardwhichhehadpracticedonhisfriendwhentheywereconsultingtogetherinthecabinoftheyacht。“Hashebeenturningitoverinhismind？”wonderedAllan;“andishebeginningatlasttosuspectthetruth？I’lltryhim——Talkasmuchnonsense，mydearfellow，asyoulike。”herejoined，“butdon’tforgetthatyouareengagedtoseemeestablishedatThorpeAmbrose，andtogivemeyouropinionofthenewsteward。”
Midwintersuddenlysteppedforwardagain，closetoAllan。
“Iamnottalkingaboutyourstewardoryourestate。”heburstoutpassionately;“Iamtalkingaboutmyself。Doyouhear？
Myself！Iamnotafitcompanionforyou。Youdon’tknowwhoI
am。”Hedrewbackintotheshadowyshelterofthebulwarkassuddenlyashehadcomeoutfromit。“OGod！Ican’ttellhim。”
hesaidtohimself，inawhisper。
Foramoment，andforamomentonly，Allanwassurprised。“Notknowwhoyouare？”Evenasherepeatedthewords，hiseasygoodhumorgottheupper-handagain。Hetookupthewhiskyflask，andshookitsignificantly。“Isay。”heresumed，“howmuchofthedoctor’smedicinedidyoutakewhileIwasupinthemizzen-top？”
ThelighttonewhichhepersistedinadoptingstungMidwintertothelastpitchofexasperation。Hecameoutagainintothelight，andstampedhisfootangrilyonthedeck。“Listentome！“hesaid。“Youdon’tknowhalfthelowthingsIhavedoneinmylifetime。Ihavebeenatradesman’sdrudge;Ihavesweptouttheshopandputuptheshutters;Ihavecarriedparcelsthroughthestreet，andwaitedformymaster’smoneyathiscustomers’
doors。”
“Ihaveneverdoneanythinghalfasuseful。”returnedAllan，composedly。“Dearoldboy，whatanindustriousfellowyouhavebeeninyourtime！“
“I’vebeenavagabondandablackguardinmytime。”returnedtheother，fiercely;“I’vebeenastreettumbler，atramp，agypsy’sboy！I’vesungforhalf-pencewithdancingdogsonthehigh-road！
I’vewornafoot-boy’slivery，andwaitedattable！I’vebeenacommonsailors’cook，andastarvingfisherman’sJack-of-all-trades！Whathasagentlemaninyourpositionincommonwithamaninmine？Canyoutake_me_intothesocietyatThorpeAmbrose？Why，myverynamewouldbeareproachtoyou。
FancythefacesofyournewneighborswhentheirfootmenannounceOziasMidwinterandAllanArmadaleinthesamebreath！“Heburstintoaharshlaugh，andrepeatedthetwonamesagain，withascornfulbitternessofemphasiswhichinsistedpitilesslyonthemarkedcontrastbetweenthem。
SomethinginthesoundofhislaughterjarredpainfullyevenonAllan’seasynature。Heraisedhimselfonthedeckandspokeseriouslyforthefirsttime。“Ajoke’sajoke，Midwinter。”hesaid，“aslongasyoudon’tcarryittoofar。IrememberyoursayingsomethingofthesamesorttomeoncebeforewhenIwasnursingyouinSomersetshire。YouforcedmetoaskyouifI
deservedtobekeptatarms-lengthby_you_ofallthepeopleintheworld。Don’tforcemetosaysoagain。Makeasmuchfunofmeasyouplease，oldfellow，inanyotherway。_That_wayhurtsme。”
Simpleasthewordswere，andsimplyastheyhadbeenspoken，theyappearedtoworkaninstantrevolutioninMidwinter’smind。
Hisimpressiblenaturerecoiledasfromsomesuddenshock。
Withoutawordofreply，hewalkedawaybyhimselftotheforwardpartoftheship。Hesatdownonsomepiledplanksbetweenthemasts，andpassedhishandoverhisheadinavacant，bewilderedway。Thoughhisfather’sbeliefinfatalitywashisownbeliefoncemore——thoughtherewasnolongertheshadowofadoubtinhismindthatthewomanwhomMr。BrockhadmetinSomersetshire，andthewomanwhohadtriedtodestroyherselfinLondon，wereoneandthesame——thoughallthehorrorthatmasteredhimwhenhefirstreadtheletterfromWildbadhadnowmasteredhimagain，Allan’sappealtotheirpastexperienceofeachotherhadcomehometohisheart，withaforcemoreirresistiblethantheforceofhissuperstitionitself。Inthestrengthofthatverysuperstition，henowsoughtthepretextwhichmightencouragehimtosacrificeeverylessgenerousfeelingtotheonepredominantdreadofwoundingthesympathiesofhisfriend。“Whydistresshim？”hewhisperedtohimself。“Wearenottheendhere:thereistheWomanbehindusinthedark。Whyresisthimwhenthemischief’sdone，andthecautioncomestoolate？What_is_tobe_will_be。WhathaveItodowiththefuture？andwhathashe？”
HewentbacktoAllan，satdownbyhisside，andtookhishand。
“Forgiveme。”hesaid，gently;“Ihavehurtyouforthelasttime。”Beforeitwaspossibletoreply，hesnatchedupthewhiskyflaskfromthedeck。“Come！“heexclaimed，withasuddenefforttomatchhisfriend’scheerfulness，“youhavebeentryingthedoctor’smedicine，whyshouldn’tI？”
Allanwasdelighted。“Thisissomethinglikeachangeforthebetter。”hesaid;“Midwinterishimselfagain。Hark！therearethebirds。Hail，smilingmorn！smilingmorn！“Hesangthewordsofthegleeinhisold，cheerfulvoice，andclappedMidwinterontheshoulderinhisold，heartyway。“Howdidyoumanagetoclearyourheadofthoseconfoundedmegrims？Doyouknowyouwerequitealarmingaboutsomethinghappeningtooneorotherofusbeforewewereoutofthisship？”
“Sheernonsense！“returnedMidwinter，contemptuously。“Idon’tthinkmyheadhaseverbeenquiterightsincethatfever;I’vegotabeeinmybonnet，astheysayintheNorth。Let’stalkofsomethingelse。Aboutthosepeopleyouhaveletthecottageto？I
wonderwhethertheagent’saccountofMajorMilroy’sfamilyistobedependedon？Theremightbeanotherladyinthehouseholdbesideshiswifeandhisdaughter。”
“Oho！“criedAllan，“_you’re_beginningtothinkofnymphsamongthetrees，andflirtationsinthefruit-garden，areyou？Anotherlady，eh？Supposethemajor’sfamilycirclewon’tsupplyanother？
Weshallhavetospinthathalf-crownagain，andtossupforwhichistohavethefirstchancewithMissMilroy。”
ForonceMidwinterspokeaslightlyandcarelesslyasAllanhimself。“No，no。”hesaid，“themajor’slandlordhasthefirstclaimtothenoticeofthemajor’sdaughter。I’llretireintothebackground，andwaitforthenextladywhomakesherappearanceatThorpeAmbrose。”
“Verygood。I’llhaveanaddresstothewomenofNorfolkpostedintheparktothateffect。”saidAllan。“Areyouparticulartoashadeaboutsizeorcomplexion？What’syourfavoriteage？”
Midwintertrifledwithhisownsuperstition，asamantrifleswiththeloadedgunthatmaykillhim，orwiththesavageanimalthatmaymaimhimforlife。HementionedtheageashehadreckonedithimselfofthewomanintheblackgownandtheredPaisleyshawl。
“Five-and-thirty，“hesaid。
Asthewordspassedhislips，hisfactitiousspiritsdesertedhim。Helefthisseat，impenetrablydeaftoallAllan’seffortsatrallyinghimonhisextraordinaryanswer，andresumedhisrestlesspacingofthedeckindeadsilence。Oncemorethehauntingthoughtwhichhadgonetoandfrowithhiminthehourofdarknesswenttoandfrowithhimnowinthehourofdaylight。
OncemoretheconvictionpossesseditselfofhismindthatsomethingwastohappentoAllanortohimselfbeforetheyleftthewreck。
Minutebyminutethelightstrengthenedintheeasternsky;andtheshadowyplacesonthedeckofthetimber-shiprevealedtheirbarrenemptinessundertheeyeofday。Asthebreezeroseagain，theseabegantomurmurwakefullyinthemorninglight。Eventhecoldbubblingofthebrokenwaterchangeditscheerlessnote，andsoftenedontheearasthemellowingfloodofdaylightpouredwarmoveritfromtherisingsun。Midwinterpausedneartheforwardpartoftheship，andrecalledhiswanderingattentiontothepassingtime。
Thecheeringinfluencesofthehourwereroundhim，lookwherehemight。Thehappymorningsmileofthesummersky，sobrightlymercifultotheoldandwearyearth，lavisheditsall-embracingbeautyevenonthewreck。Thedewthatlayglitteringontheinlandfieldslayglitteringonthedeck，andthewornandrustedriggingwasgemmedasbrightlyasthefreshgreenleavesonshore。Insensibly，ashelookedround，Midwinter’sthoughtsrevertedtothecomradewhohadsharedwithhimtheadventureofthenight。Hereturnedtotheafter-partoftheship，spoketoAllanasheadvanced。Receivingnoanswer，heapproachedtherecumbentfigureandlookedcloseratit。Lefttohisownresources，Allanhadletthefatiguesofthenighttaketheirownwaywithhim。Hisheadhadsunkback;hishathadfallenoff;helaystretchedatfulllengthonthedeckofthetimber-ship，deeplyandpeacefullyasleep。
Midwinterresumedhiswalk;hismindlostindoubt;hisownpastthoughtsseemingsuddenlytohavegrownstrangetohim。Howdarklyhisforebodingshaddistrustedthecomingtime，andhowharmlesslythattimehadcome！Thesunwasmountingintheheavens，thehourofreleasewasdrawingnearerandnearer，andofthetwoArmadalesimprisonedinthefatalship，onewassleepingawaythewearytime，andtheotherwasquietlywatchingthegrowthofthenewday。
Thesunclimbedhigher;thehourworeon。Withthelatentdistrustofthewreckwhichstillclungtohim，Midwinterlookedinquiringlyoneithershoreforsignsofawakeninghumanlife。
Thelandwasstilllonely。Thesmokewreathsthatweresoontorisefromcottagechimneyshadnotrisenyet。
Afteramoment’sthoughthewentbackagaintotheafter-partofthevessel，toseeiftheremightbeafisherman’sboatwithinhailasternofthem。Absorbedforthemomentbythenewidea，hepassedAllanhastily，afterbarelynoticingthathestilllayasleep。Onestepmorewouldhavebroughthimtothetaffrail，whenthatstepwassuspendedbyasoundbehindhim，asoundlikeafaintgroan。Heturned，andlookedatthesleeperonthedeck。
Hekneltsoftly，andlookedcloser。
“Ithascome！“hewhisperedtohimself。“Notto_me_——butto_him。_“
Ithadcome，inthebrightfreshnessofthemorning;ithadcome，inthemysteryandterrorofaDream。ThefacewhichMidwinterhadlastseeninperfectreposewasnowthedistortedfaceofasufferingman。TheperspirationstoodthickonAllan’sforehead，andmattedhiscurlinghair。Hispartiallyopenedeyesshowednothingbutthewhiteoftheeyeballgleamingblindly。Hisoutstretchedhandsscratchedandstruggledonthedeck。Frommomenttomomenthemoanedandmutteredhelplessly;butthewordsthatescapedhimwerelostinthegrindingandgnashingofhisteeth。Therehelay——sonearinthebodytothefriendwhobentoverhim;sofarawayinthespirit，thatthetwomighthavebeenindifferentworlds——therehelay，withthemorningsunshineonhisface，inthetortureofhisdream。
Onequestion，andoneonly，roseinthemindofthemanwhowaslookingathim。Whathadthefatalitywhichhadimprisonedhiminthewreckdecreedthatheshouldsee？
HadthetreacheryofSleepopenedthegatesofthegravetothatoneofthetwoArmadaleswhomtheotherhadkeptinignoranceofthetruth？Wasthemurderofthefatherrevealingitselftotheson——there，ontheveryspotwherethecrimehadbeencommitted——inthevisionofadream？
Withthatquestionovershadowingallelseinhismind，thesonofthehomicidekneltonthedeck，andlookedatthesonofthemanwhomhisfather’shandhadslain。
Theconflictbetweenthesleepingbodyandthewakingmindwasstrengtheningeverymoment。Thedreamer’shelplessgroaningfordeliverancegrewlouder;hishandsraisedthemselves，andclutchedattheemptyair。Strugglingwiththeall-masteringdreadthatstillheldhim，MidwinterlaidhishandgentlyonAllan’sforehead。Lightasthetouchwas，thereweremysterioussympathiesinthedreamingmanthatansweredit。Hisgroaningceased，andhishandsdroppedslowly。TherewasaninstantofsuspenseandMidwinterlookedcloser。Hisbreathjustflutteredoverthesleeper’sface。Beforethenextbreathhadrisentohislips，Allansuddenlyspranguponhisknees——sprangup，asifthecallofatrumpethadrungonhisear，awakeinaninstant。
“Youhavebeendreaming。”saidMidwinter，astheotherlookedathimwildly，inthefirstbewildermentofwaking。
Allan’seyesbegantowanderaboutthewreck，atfirstvacantly，thenwithalookofangrysurprise。“Areweherestill？”hesaid，asMidwinterhelpedhimtohisfeet。“WhateverelseIdoonboardthisinfernalship。”headded，afteramoment，“Iwon’tgotosleepagain！“
Ashesaidthosewords，hisfriend’seyessearchedhisfaceinsilentinquiry。Theytookaturntogetheronthedeck。
“Tellmeyourdream。”saidMidwinter，withastrangetoneofsuspicioninhisvoice，andastrangeappearanceofabruptnessinhismanner。
“Ican’ttellityet。”returnedAllan。“WaitalittletillI’mmyownmanagain。”
Theytookanotherturnonthedeck。Midwinterstopped，andspokeoncemore。
“Lookatmeforamoment，Allan。”hesaid。
Therewassomethingofthetroubleleftbythedream，andsomethingofnaturalsurpriseatthestrangerequestjustaddressedtohim，inAllan’sface，asheturneditfullonthespeaker;butnoshadowofill-will，nolurkinglinesofdistrustanywhere。Midwinterturnedasidequickly，andhid，ashebestmight，anirrepressibleoutburstofrelief。
“DoIlookalittleupset？”askedAllan，takinghisarm，andleadinghimonagain。“Don’tmakeyourselfnervousaboutmeifI
do。Myheadfeelswildandgiddy，butIshallsoongetoverit。”
Forthenextfewminutestheywalkedbackwardandforwardinsilence，theonebentondismissingtheterrorofthedreamfromhisthoughts，theotherbentondiscoveringwhattheterrorofthedreammightbe。Relievedofthedreadthathadoppressedit，thesuperstitiousnatureofMidwinterhadleapedtoitsnextconclusionatabound。WhatifthesleeperhadbeenvisitedbyanotherrevelationthantherevelationofthePast？WhatifthedreamhadopenedthoseunturnedpagesinthebookoftheFuturewhichtoldthestoryofhislifetocome？ThebaredoubtthatitmightbesostrengthenedtenfoldMidwinter’slongingtopenetratethemysterywhichAllan’ssilencestillkeptasecretfromhim。
“Isyourheadmorecomposed？”heasked。“Canyoutellmeyourdreamnow？”
Whileheputthequestion，alastmemorablemomentintheAdventureoftheWreckwasathand。
Theyhadreachedthestern，andwerejustturningagainwhenMidwinterspoke。AsAllanopenedhislipstoanswer，helookedoutmechanicallytosea。Insteadofreplying，hesuddenlyrantothetaffrail，andwavedhishatoverhishead，withashoutofexultation。
Midwinterjoinedhim，andsawalargesix-oaredboatpullingstraightforthechanneloftheSound。Afigure，whichtheyboththoughttheyrecognized，roseeagerlyinthestern-sheetsandreturnedthewavingofAllan’shat。Theboatcamenearer，thesteersmancalledtothemcheerfully，andtheyrecognizedthedoctor’svoice。
“ThankGodyou’rebothabovewater！“saidMr。Hawbury，astheymethimonthedeckofthetimber-ship。“Ofallthewindsofheaven，whichwindblewyouhere？”
HelookedatMidwinterashemadetheinquiry，butitwasAllanwhotoldhimthestoryofthenight，andAllanwhoaskedthedoctorforinformationinreturn。TheoneabsorbinginterestinMidwinter’smind——theinterestofpenetratingthemysteryofthedream——kepthimsilentthroughout。Heedlessofallthatwassaidordoneabouthim，hewatchedAllan，andfollowedAllan，likeadog，untilthetimecameforgettingdownintotheboat。Mr。
Hawbury’sprofessionaleyerestedonhimcuriously，notinghisvaryingcolor，andtheincessantrestlessnessofhishands。“I
wouldn’tchangenervoussystemswiththatmanforthelargestfortunethatcouldbeofferedme。”thoughtthedoctorashetooktheboat’stiller，andgavetheoarsmentheirordertopushofffromthewreck。
HavingreservedallexplanationsonhissideuntiltheywereontheirwaybacktoPortSt。Mary，Mr。HawburynextaddressedhimselftothegratificationofAllan’scuriosity。Thecircumstanceswhichhadbroughthimtotherescueofhistwoguestsofthepreviouseveningweresimpleenough。ThelostboathadbeenmetwithatseabysomefishermenofPortErin，onthewesternsideoftheisland，whoatoncerecognizeditasthedoctor’sproperty，andatoncesentamessengertomakeinquiry，atthedoctor’shouse。Theman’sstatementofwhathadhappenedhadnaturallyalarmedMr。HawburyforthesafetyofAllanandhisfriend。Hehadimmediatelysecuredassistance，and，guidedbytheboatman’sadvice，hadmadefirstforthemostdangerousplaceonthecoast——theonlyplace，inthatcalmweather，inwhichanaccidentcouldhavehappenedtoaboatsailedbyexperiencedmen——thechanneloftheSound。Afterthusaccountingforhiswelcomeappearanceonthescene，thedoctorhospitablyinsistedthathisguestsoftheeveningshouldbehisguestsofthemorningaswell。Itwouldstillbetooearlywhentheygotbackforthepeopleatthehoteltoreceivethem，andtheywouldfindbedandbreakfastatMr。Hawbury’shouse。
AtthefirstpauseintheconversationbetweenAllanandthedoctor，Midwinter，whohadneitherjoinedinthetalknorlistenedtothetalk，touchedhisfriendonthearm。“Areyoubetter？”heasked，inawhisper。“ShallyousoonbecomposedenoughtotellmewhatIwanttoknow？”
Allan’seyebrowscontractedimpatiently;thesubjectofthedream，andMidwinter’sobstinacyinreturningtoit，seemedtobealikedistastefultohim。Hehardlyansweredwithhisusualgoodhumor。“IsupposeIshallhavenopeacetillItellyou。”hesaid，“soImayaswellgetitoveratonce。”
“No！“returnedMidwinter，withalookatthedoctorandhisoarsmen。“Notwhereotherpeoplecanhearit——nottillyouandI
arealone。”
“Ifyouwishtoseethelast，gentlemen，ofyourquartersforthenight。”interposedthedoctor，“nowisyourtime！Thecoastwillshutthevesseloutinaminutemore。”
Insilenceontheonesideandontheother，thetwoArmadaleslookedtheirlastatthefatalship。Lonelyandlosttheyhadfoundthewreckinthemysteryofthesummernight;lonelyandlosttheyleftthewreckintheradiantbeautyofthesummermorning。
Anhourlaterthedoctorhadseenhisguestsestablishedintheirbedrooms，andhadleftthemtotaketheirrestuntilthebreakfasthourarrived。
Almostassoonashisbackwasturned，thedoorsofbothroomsopenedsoftly，andAllanandMidwintermetinthepassage。
“Canyousleepafterwhathashappened？”askedAllan。
Midwintershookhishead。“Youwerecomingtomyroom，wereyounot？”hesaid。“Whatfor？”
“Toaskyoutokeepmecompany。Whatwereyoucomingto_my_roomfor？”
“Toaskyoutotellmeyourdream。”
“Damnthedream！Iwanttoforgetallaboutit。”
“And_I_wanttoknowallaboutit。”
Bothpaused;bothrefrainedinstinctivelyfromsayingmore。Forthefirsttimesincethebeginningoftheirfriendshiptheywereonthevergeofadisagreement，andthatonthesubjectofthedream。Allan’sgoodtemperjuststoppedthemonthebrink。
“Youarethemostobstinatefellowalive。”hesaid;“butifyouwillknowallaboutit，youmustknowallaboutit，Isuppose。
Comeintomyroom，andI’lltellyou。”
Heledtheway，andMidwinterfollowed。Thedoorclosedandshutthemintogether。
CHAPTERV。
THESHADOWOFTHEFUTURE。
WHENMr。Hawburyjoinedhisguestsinthebreakfast-room，thestrangecontrastofcharacterbetweenthemwhichhehadnoticedalreadywasimpressedonhismindmorestronglythanever。Oneofthemsatatthewell-spreadtable，hungryandhappy，rangingfromdishtodish，anddeclaringthathehadnevermadesuchabreakfastinhislife。Theothersatapartatthewindow;hiscupthanklesslydesertedbeforeitwasempty，hismeatleftungraciouslyhalf-eatenonhisplate。Thedoctor’smorninggreetingtothetwoaccuratelyexpressedthedifferingimpressionswhichtheyhadproducedonhismind。
HeclappedAllanontheshoulder，andsalutedhimwithajoke。HebowedconstrainedlytoMidwinter，andsaid，“Iamafraidyouhavenotrecoveredthefatiguesofthenight。”
“It’snotthenight，doctor，thathasdampedhisspirits。”saidAllan。“It’ssomethingIhavebeentellinghim。Itisnotmyfault，mind。IfIhadonlyknownbeforehandthathebelievedindreams，Iwouldn’thaveopenedmylips。”
“Dreams？”repeatedthedoctor，lookingatMidwinterdirectly，andaddressinghimunderamistakenimpressionofthemeaningofAllan’swords。“Withyourconstitution，yououghttobewellusedtodreamingbythistime。”
“Thisway，doctor;youhavetakenthewrongturning！“criedAllan。“I’mthedreamer，nothe。Don’tlookastonished;itwasn’tinthiscomfortablehouse;itwasonboardthatconfoundedtimber-ship。Thefactis，Ifellasleepjustbeforeyoutookusoffthewreck;andit’snottobedeniedthatIhadaveryuglydream。Well，whenwegotbackhere——“
“WhydoyoutroubleMr。Hawburyaboutamatterthatcannotpossiblyinteresthim？”askedMidwinter，speakingforthefirsttime，andspeakingveryimpatiently。
“Ibegyourpardon。”returnedthedoctor，rathersharply;“sofarasIhaveheard，thematterdoesinterestme。”
“That’sright，doctor！“saidAllan。“Beinterested，Ibegandpray;Iwantyoutoclearhisheadofthenonsensehehasgotinitnow。Whatdoyouthink？Hewillhaveitthatmydreamisawarningtometoavoidcertainpeople;andheactuallypersistsinsayingthatoneofthosepeopleis——himself！Didyoueverhearthelikeofit？Itookgreatpains;Iexplainedthewholethingtohim。Isaid，warningbehanged;it’sallindigestion！Youdon’tknowwhatIateanddrankatthedoctor’ssupper-table;I
do。Doyouthinkhewouldlistentome？Nothe。Youtryhimnext;
you’reaprofessionalman，andhemustlistentoyou。Beagoodfellow，doctor，andgivemeacertificateofindigestion;I’llshowyoumytonguewithpleasure。”
“Thesightofyourfaceisquiteenough。”saidMr。Hawbury。“I
certify，onthespot，thatyouneverhadsuchathingasanindigestioninyourlife。Let’shearaboutthedream，andseewhatwecanmakeofit，ifyouhavenoobjection，thatistosay。”
AllanpointedatMidwinterwithhisfork。
“Applytomyfriend，there。”hesaid;“hehasgotamuchbetteraccountofitthanIcangiveyou。Ifyou’llbelieveme，hetookitalldowninwritingfrommyownlips;andhemademesignitattheend，asifitwasmy’lastdyingspeechandconfession’
beforeIwenttothegallows。Outwithit，oldboy——Isawyouputitinyourpocket-book——outwithit！“
“Areyoureallyinearnest？”askedMidwinter，producinghispocketbookwithareluctancewhichwasalmostoffensiveunderthecircumstances，foritimplieddistrustofthedoctorinthedoctor’sownhouse。
Mr。Hawbury’scolorrose。“Praydon’tshowittome，ifyoufeeltheleastunwillingness。”hesaid，withtheelaboratepolitenessofanoffendedman。
“Stuffandnonsense！“criedAllan。“Throwitoverhere！“
Insteadofcomplyingwiththatcharacteristicrequest，Midwintertookthepaperfromthepocket-book，and，leavinghisplace，approachedMr。Hawbury。“Ibegyourpardon。”hesaid，asheofferedthedoctorthemanuscriptwithhisownhand。Hiseyesdroppedtotheground，andhisfacedarkened，whilehemadetheapology。“Asecret，sullenfellow。”thoughtthedoctor，thankinghimwithformalcivility;“hisfriendisworthtenthousandofhim。”Midwinterwentbacktothewindow，andsatdownagaininsilence，withtheoldimpenetrableresignationwhichhadoncepuzzledMr。Brock。
“Readthat，doctor。”saidAllan，asMr。Hawburyopenedthewrittenpaper。“It’snottoldinmyroundaboutway;butthere’snothingaddedtoit，andnothingtakenaway。It’sexactlywhatI
dreamed，andexactlywhatIshouldhavewrittenmyself，ifIhadthoughtthethingworthputtingdownonpaper，andifIhadhadtheknackofwriting——which。”concludedAllan，composedlystirringhiscoffee，“Ihaven’t，exceptit’sletters;andI
rattle_them_offinnotime。”
Mr。Hawburyspreadthemanuscriptbeforehimonthebreakfast-table，andreadtheselines:
“ALLANARMADALE’SDREAM。
“EarlyonthemorningofJunethefirst，eighteenhundredandfifty-one，Ifoundmyselfthroughcircumstanceswhichitisnotimportanttomentioninthisplaceleftalonewithafriendofmine——ayoungmanaboutmyownage——onboardtheFrenchtimber-shipnamed_LaGracedeDieu，_whichshipthenlaywreckedinthechanneloftheSoundbetweenthemain-landoftheIsleofManandtheisletcalledtheCalf。Havingnotbeeninbedthepreviousnight，andfeelingovercomebyfatigue，Ifellasleeponthedeckofthevessel。Iwasinmyusualgoodhealthatthetime，andthemorningwasfarenoughadvancedforthesuntohaverisen。Underthesecircumstances，andatthatperiodoftheday，Ipassedfromsleepingtodreaming。AsclearlyasIcanrecollectit，afterthelapseofafewhours，thiswasthesuccessionofeventspresentedtomebythedream:
“1。ThefirsteventofwhichIwasconsciouswastheappearanceofmyfather。Hetookmesilentlybythehand;andwefoundourselvesinthecabinofaship。
“2。Waterroseslowlyoverusinthecabin;andIandmyfathersankthroughthewatertogether。
“3。Anintervalofoblivionfollowed;andthenthesensecametomeofbeingleftaloneinthedarkness。
“4。Iwaited。
“5。Thedarknessopened，andshowedmethevision——asinapicture——ofabroad，lonelypool，surroundedbyopenground。
AbovethefarthermarginofthepoolIsawthecloudlesswesternsky，redwiththelightofsunset。
“6。OnthenearmarginofthepooltherestoodtheShadowofaWoman。
“7。Itwastheshadowonly。NoindicationwasvisibletomebywhichIcouldidentifyit，orcompareitwithanylivingcreature。Thelongrobeshowedmethatitwastheshadowofawoman，andshowedmenothingmore。
“8。Thedarknessclosedagain——remainedwithmeforaninterval——andopenedforthesecondtime。
“9。Ifoundmyselfinaroom，standingbefore。alongwindow。TheonlyobjectoffurnitureorofornamentthatIsaworthatIcannowrememberhavingseenwasalittlestatueplacednearme。Thewindowopenedonalawnandflower-garden;andtherainwaspatteringheavilyagainsttheglass。
“10。Iwasnotaloneintheroom。StandingoppositetomeatthewindowwastheShadowofaMan。
“11。Isawnomoreofit;IknewnomoreofitthanIsawandknewoftheshadowofthewoman。Buttheshadowofthemanmoved。
Itstretchedoutitsarmtowardthestatue;andthestatuefellinfragmentsonthefloor。
“12。Withaconfusedsensationinme，whichwaspartlyangerandpartlydistress，Istoopedtolookatthefragments。WhenIroseagain，theShadowhadvanished，andIsawnomore。
“13。Thedarknessopenedforthethirdtime，andshowedmetheShadowoftheWomanandtheShadowoftheMantogether。
“14。NosurroundingsceneornonethatIcannowcalltomind
wasvisibletome。
“15。TheMan-Shadowwasthenearest;theWoman-Shadowstoodback。
Fromwhereshestood，therecameasoundasofthepouringofaliquidsoftly。Isawhertouchtheshadowofthemanwithonehand，andwiththeothergivehimaglass。Hetooktheglass，andgaveittome。InthemomentwhenIputittomylips，adeadlyfaintnessmasteredmefromheadtofoot。WhenIcametomysensesagain，theShadowshadvanished，andthethirdvisionwasatanend。
“16。Thedarknessclosedovermeagain;andtheintervalofoblivionfollowed。
“17。Iwasconsciousofnothingmore，tillIfeltthemorningsunshineonmyface，andheardmyfriendtellmethatIhadawakenedfromadream。”……
AfterreadingthenarrativeattentivelytothelastlineunderwhichappearedAllan’ssignature，thedoctorlookedacrossthebreakfast-tableatMidwinter，andtappedhisfingersonthemanuscriptwithasatiricalsmile。
“Manymen，manyopinions。”hesaid。“Idon’tagreewitheitherofyouaboutthisdream。Yourtheory。”headded，lookingatAllan，withasmile，“wehavedisposedofalready:thesupperthat_you_
can’tdigestisasupperwhichhasyettobediscovered。Mytheorywewillcometopresently;yourfriend’stheoryclaimsattentionfirst。”HeturnedagaintoMidwinter，withhisanticipatedtriumphoveramanwhomhedislikedalittletooplainlyvisibleinhisfaceandmanner。“IfIunderstandrightly。”hewenton，“youbelievethatthisdreamisawarning！
supernaturallyaddressedtoMr。Armadale，ofdangerouseventsthatarethreateninghim，andofdangerouspeopleconnectedwiththoseeventswhomhewoulddowiselytoavoid。MayIinquirewhetheryouhavearrivedatthisconclusionasanhabitualbelieverindreams，orashavingreasonsofyourownforattachingespecialimportancetothisonedreaminparticular？”
“Youhavestatedwhatmyconvictionisquiteaccurately。”
returnedMidwinter，chafingunderthedoctor’slooksandtones。
“ExcusemeifIaskyoutobesatisfiedwiththatadmission，andtoletmekeepmyreasonstomyself。”
“That’sexactlywhathesaidtome。”interposedAllan。“Idon’tbelievehehasgotanyreasonsatall。”
“Gently！gently！“saidMr。Hawbury。“Wecandiscussthesubjectwithoutintrudingourselvesintoanybody’ssecrets。Letuscometomyownmethodofdealingwiththedreamnext。Mr。MidwinterwillprobablynotbesurprisedtohearthatIlookatthismatterfromanessentiallypracticalpointofview。”
“Ishallnotbeatallsurprised。”retortedMidwinter。“Theviewofamedicalman，whenhehasaprobleminhumanitytosolve，seldomrangesbeyondthepointofhisdissecting-knife。”
Thedoctorwasalittlenettledonhisside。“Ourlimitsarenotquitesonarrowasthat。”hesaid;“butIwillinglygrantyouthattherearesomearticlesofyourfaithinwhichwedoctorsdon’tbelieve。Forexample，wedon’tbelievethatareasonablemanisjustifiedinattachingasupernaturalinterpretationtoanyphenomenonwhichcomeswithintherangeofhissenses，untilhehascertainlyascertainedthatthereisnosuchthingasanaturalexplanationofittobefoundinthefirstinstance。”
“Come;that’sfairenough，I’msure。”exclaimedAllan。“Hehityouhardwiththe’dissecting-knife，’doctor;andnowyouhavehithimbackagainwithyour’naturalexplanation。’Let’shaveit。”
“Byallmeans。”saidMr。Hawbury。“Hereitis。Thereisnothingatallextraordinaryinmytheoryofdreams:itisthetheoryacceptedbythegreatmassofmyprofession。Adreamisthereproduction，inthesleepingstateofthebrain，ofimagesandimpressionsproducedonitinthewakingstate;andthisreproductionismoreorlessinvolved，imperfect，orcontradictory，astheactionofcertainfacultiesinthedreameriscontrolledmoreorlesscompletelybytheinfluenceofsleep。
Withoutinquiringfurtherintothislatterpartofthesubject——averycuriousandinterestingpartofit——letustakethetheory，roughlyandgenerally，asIhavejuststatedit，andapplyitatoncetothedreamnowunderconsideration。”Hetookupthewrittenpaperfromthetable，anddroppedtheformaltoneasofalectureraddressinganaudienceintowhichhehadinsensiblyfallen。“Iseeoneeventalreadyinthisdream。”heresumed，“whichIknowtobethereproductionofawakingimpressionproducedonMr。Armadaleinmyownpresence。Ifhewillonlyhelpmebyexertinghismemory，Idon’tdespairoftracingbackthewholesuccessionofeventssetdownheretosomethingthathehassaidorthought，orseenordone，inthefour-and-twentyhours，orless，whichprecededhisfallingasleeponthedeckofthetimber-ship。”
“I’llexertmymemorywiththegreatestpleasure。”saidAllan。
“Whereshallwestartfrom？”
“Startbytellingmewhatyoudidyesterday，beforeImetyouandyourfriendontheroadtothisplace。”repliedMr。Hawbury。“Wewillsay，yougotupandhadyourbreakfast。Whatnext？”
“Wetookacarriagenext。”saidAllan，“anddrovefromCastletowntoDouglastoseemyoldfriend，Mr。Brock，offbythesteamertoLiverpool。WecamebacktoCastletown。andseparatedatthehoteldoor。
Midwinterwentintothehouse，andIwentontomyyachtintheharbor——By-the-bye，doctor;rememberyouhavepromisedtogocruisingwithusbeforeweleavetheIsleofMan。”
“Manythanks;butsupposewekeeptothematterinhand。Whatnext？”
Allanhesitated。Inbothsensesofthewordhismindwasatseaalready。
“Whatdidyoudoonboardtheyacht？”
“Oh，Iknow！Iputthecabintorights——thoroughlytorights。I
giveyoumywordofhonor，Iturnedeveryblessedthingtopsy-turvy。Andmyfriendtherecameoffinashore-boatandhelpedme——Talkingofboats，Ihaveneveraskedyouyetwhetheryourboatcametoanyharmlastnight。Ifthere’sanydamagedone，Iinsistonbeingallowedtorepairit。”
ThedoctorabandonedallfurtherattemptsatthecultivationofAllan’smemoryindespair。
“Idoubtifweshallbeabletoreachourobjectconvenientlyinthisway。”hesaid。“Itwillbebettertotaketheeventsofthedreamintheirregularorder，andtoaskthequestionsthatnaturallysuggestthemselvesaswegoon。Herearethefirsttwoeventstobeginwith。Youdreamthatyourfatherappearstoyou——thatyouandhefindyourselvesinthecabinofaship——thatthewaterrisesoveryou，andthatyousinkinittogether。Wereyoudowninthecabinofthewreck，mayIask？”
“Icouldn’tbedownthere。”repliedAllan，“asthecabinwasfullofwater。Ilookedinandsawit，andshutthedooragain。”
“Verygood。”saidMr。Hawbury。“Herearethewakingimpressionsclearenough，sofar。Youhavehadthecabininyourmind;andyouhavehadthewaterinyourmind;andthesoundofthechannelcurrentasIwellknowwithoutaskingwasthelastsoundinyourearswhenyouwenttosleep。Theideaofdrowningcomestoonaturallyoutofsuchimpressionsasthesetoneeddwellingon。
Isthereanythingelsebeforewegoon？Yes;thereisonemorecircumstancelefttoaccountfor。”
“Themostimportantcircumstanceofall。”remarkedMidwinter，joiningintheconversation，withoutstirringfromhisplaceatthewindow。
“YoumeantheappearanceofMr。Armadale’sfather？Iwasjustcomingtothat。”answeredMr。Hawbury。“Isyourfatheralive？”headded，addressinghimselftoAllanoncemore。
“MyfatherdiedbeforeIwasborn。”
Thedoctorstarted。“Thiscomplicatesitalittle。”hesaid。“Howdidyouknowthatthefigureappearingtoyouinthedreamwasthefigureofyourfather？”
Allanhesitatedagain。Midwinterdrewhischairalittleawayfromthewindow，andlookedatthedoctorattentivelyforthefirsttime。
“Wasyourfatherinyourthoughtsbeforeyouwenttosleep？”
pursuedMr。Hawbury。“Wasthereanydescriptionofhim——anyportraitofhimathome——inyourmind？”
“Ofcoursetherewas！“criedAllan，suddenlyseizingthelostrecollection。“Midwinter！youremembertheminiatureyoufoundonthefloorofthecabinwhenwewereputtingtheyachttorights？
YousaidIdidn’tseemtovalueit;andItoldyouIdid，becauseitwasaportraitofmyfather——“
“Andwasthefaceinthedreamlikethefaceintheminiature？”
askedMr。Hawbury。
“Exactlylike！Isay，doctor，thisisbeginningtogetinteresting！“
“Whatdoyousaynow？”askedMr。Hawbury，turningtowardthewindowagain。
Midwinterhurriedlylefthischair，andplacedhimselfatthetablewithAllan。JustashehadoncealreadytakenrefugefromthetyrannyofhisownsuperstitioninthecomfortablecommonsenseofMr。Brock，so，withthesameheadlongeagerness，withthesamestraightforwardsincerityofpurpose，henowtookrefugeinthedoctor’stheoryofdreams。“Isaywhatmyfriendsays。”heanswered，flushingwithasuddenenthusiasm;“thisisbeginningtogetinteresting。Goon;praygoon。”
Thedoctorlookedathisstrangeguestmoreindulgentlythanhehadlookedyet。“YouaretheonlymysticIhavemetwith。”hesaid，“whoiswillingtogivefairevidencefairplay。Idon’tdespairofconvertingyoubeforeourinquirycomestoanend。Letusgetontothenextsetofevents。”heresumed，afterreferringforamomenttothemanuscript。“Theintervalofoblivionwhichisdescribedassucceedingthefirstoftheappearancesinthedreammaybeeasilydisposedof。Itmeans，inplainEnglish，themomentarycessationofthebrain’sintellectualaction，whileadeeperwaveofsleepflowsoverit，justasthesenseofbeingaloneinthedarkness，whichfollows，indicatestherenewalofthataction，previoustothereproductionofanothersetofimpressions。Letusseewhattheyare。Alonelypool，surroundedbyanopencountry;asunsetskyonthefurthersideofthepool;
andtheshadowofawomanonthenearside。Verygood;nowforit，Mr。Armadale！Howdidthatpoolgetintoyourhead？TheopencountryyousawonyourwayfromCastletowntothisplaceButwehavenopoolsorlakeshereabouts;andyoucanhaveseennonerecentlyelsewhere，foryoucamehereafteracruiseatsea。Mustwefallbackonapicture，orabook，oraconversationwithyourfriend？”
AllanlookedatMidwinter。“Idon’tremembertalkingaboutpoolsorlakes。”hesaid。“Doyou？”
Insteadofansweringthequestion，Midwintersuddenlyappealedtothedoctor。
“HaveyougotthelastnumberoftheManxnewspaper？”heasked。
Thedoctorproduceditfromthesideboard。Midwinterturnedtothepagecontainingthoseextractsfromtherecentlypublished“TravelsinAustralia。”whichhadrousedAllan’s，interestonthepreviousevening，andthereadingofwhichhadendedbysendinghisfriendtosleep。There——inthepassagedescribingthesufferingsofthetravelersfromthirst，andthesubsequentdiscoverywhichsavedtheirlives——there，appearingattheclimaxofthenarrative，wasthebroadpoolofwaterwhichhadfiguredinAllan’sdream！
“Don’tputawaythepaper。”saidthedoctor，whenMidwinterhadshownittohim，withthenecessaryexplanation。“Beforeweareattheendoftheinquiry，itisquitepossiblewemaywantthatextractagain。Wehavegotatthepool。Howaboutthesunset？
Nothingofthatsortisreferredtointhenewspaperextract。
Searchyourmemoryagain，Mr。Armadale;wewantyourwakingimpressionofasunset，ifyouplease。”
Oncemore，Allanwasatalossforananswer;and，oncemore，Midwinter’sreadymemoryhelpedhimthroughthedifficulty。
“IthinkIcantraceourwaybacktothisimpression，asItracedourwaybacktotheother。”hesaid，addressingthedoctor。
“Afterwegothereyesterdayafternoon，myfriendandItookalongwalkoverthehills——“
“That’sit！“interposedAllan。“Iremember。Thesunwassettingaswecamebacktothehotelforsupper，anditwassuchasplendidredsky，webothstoppedtolookatit。AndthenwetalkedaboutMr。Brock，andwonderedhowfarhehadgotonhisjourneyhome。Mymemorymaybeaslowoneatstarting，doctor;
butwhenit’soncesetgoing，stopitifyoucan！Ihaven’thalfdoneyet。”
“Waitoneminute，inmercytoMr。Midwinter’smemoryandmine。”
saidthedoctor。“Wehavetracedbacktoyourwakingimpressionsthevisionoftheopencountry，thepool，andthesunset。ButtheShadowoftheWomanhasnotbeenaccountedforyet。Canyoufindustheoriginalofthismysteriousfigureinthedreamlandscape？”
Allanrelapsedintohisformerperplexity，andMidwinterwaitedforwhatwastocome，withhiseyesfixedinbreathlessinterestonthedoctor’sface。Forthefirsttimetherewasunbrokensilenceintheroom。Mr。HawburylookedinterrogativelyfromAllantoAllan’sfriend。Neitherofthemansweredhim。Betweentheshadowandtheshadow’ssubstancetherewasagreatgulfofmystery，impenetrablealiketoallthreeofthem。
“Patience。”saidthedoctor，composedly。“Letusleavethefigurebythepoolforthepresentandtryifwecan’tpickherupagainaswegoon。Allowmetoobserve，Mr。Midwinter，thatitisnotveryeasytoidentifyashadow;butwewon’tdespair。Thisimpalpableladyofthelakemaytakesomeconsistencywhenwenextmeetwithher。”
Midwintermadenoreply。Fromthatmomenthisinterestintheinquirybegantoflag。
“Whatisthenextsceneinthedream？”pursuedMr。Hawbury，referringtothemanuscript。“Mr。Armadalefindshimselfinaroom。Heisstandingbeforealongwindowopeningonalawnandflower-garden，andtherainispatteringagainsttheglass。Theonlythingheseesintheroomisalittlestatue;andtheonlycompanyhehasistheShadowofaManstandingoppositetohim。
TheShadowstretchesoutitsarm，andthestatuefallsinfragmentsonthefloor;andthedreamer，inangeranddistressatthecatastropheobserve，gentlemen，thatherethesleeper’sreasoningfacultywakesupalittle，andthedreampassesrationally，foramoment，fromcausetoeffect，stoopstolookatthebrokenpieces。Whenhelooksupagain，thescenehasvanished。Thatistosay，intheebbandflowofsleep，itistheturnoftheflownow，andthebrainrestsalittle。What’sthematter，Mr。Armadale？Hasthatrestivememoryofyoursrunawaywithyouagain？”
“Yes。”saidAllan。“I’moffatfullgallop。I’verunthebrokenstatuetoearth;it’snothingmorenorlessthanachinashepherdessIknockedoffthemantel-pieceinthehotelcoffee-room，whenIrangthebellforsupperlastnight。Isay，howwellwegeton;don’twe？It’slikeguessingariddle。Now，then，Midwinter！yourturnnext。”
“No！“saidthedoctor。“Myturn，ifyouplease。Iclaimthelongwindow，thegarden，andthelawn，asmyproperty。Youwillfindthelongwindow，Mr。Armadale，inthenextroom。Ifyoulookout，you’llseethegardenandlawninfrontofit;and，ifyou’llexertthatwonderfulmemoryofyours，youwillrecollectthatyouweregoodenoughtotakespecialandcomplimentarynoticeofmysmartFrenchwindowandmyneatgarden，whenIdroveyouandyourfriendtoPortSt。Maryyesterday。”
“Quiteright。”rejoinedAllan;“soIdid。Butwhatabouttherainthatfellinthedream？Ihaven’tseenadropofrainforthelastweek。”
Mr。Hawburyhesitated。TheManxnewspaperwhichhadbeenleftonthetablecaughthiseye。“Ifwecanthinkofnothingelse。”hesaid，“letustryifwecan’tfindtheideaoftherainwherewefoundtheideaofthepool。”Helookedthroughtheextractcarefully。“Ihavegotit！“heexclaimed。“HereisraindescribedashavingfallenonthesethirstyAustraliantravelers，beforetheydiscoveredthepool。Beholdtheshower，Mr。Armadale，whichgotintoyourmindwhenyoureadtheextracttoyourfriendlastnight！Andbeholdthedream，Mr。Midwinter，mixingupseparatewakingimpressionsjustasusual！“
“Canyoufindthewakingimpressionwhichaccountsforthehumanfigureatthewindow？”askedMidwinter;“orarewetopassovertheShadowoftheManaswehavepassedovertheShadowoftheWomanalready？”
Heputthequestionwithscrupulouscourtesyofmanner，butwithatoneofsarcasminhisvoicewhichcaughtthedoctor’sear，andsetupthedoctor’scontroversialbristlesontheinstant。