Well，oneSeptember，asItoldyou，youngArthurcomestoDoncaster，havingdecidedallofasudden，inhishare—brainedway，thathewouldgototheraces。Hedidnotreachthetowntilltowardthecloseofevening，andhewentatoncetoseeabouthisdinnerandbedattheprincipalhotel。Dinnertheywerereadyenoughtogivehim，butasforabed，theylaughedwhenhementionedit。Intherace—weekatDoncasteritisnouncommonthingforvisitorswhohavenotbespokenapartmentstopassthenightintheircarriagesattheinndoors。Asforthelowersortofstrangers，Imyselfhaveoftenseenthem，atthatfulltime，sleepingoutonthedoorstepsforwantofacoveredplacetocreepunder。Richashewas，Arthur’schanceofgettinganight’slodging（seeingthathehadnotwrittenbeforehandtosecureone）
wasmorethandoubtful。Hetriedthesecondhotel，andthethirdhotel，andtwooftheinferiorinnsafterthat，andwasmeteverywherewiththesameformofanswer。Noaccommodationforthenightofanysortwasleft。AllthebrightgoldensovereignsinhispocketwouldnotbuyhimabedatDoncasterintherace—week。
ToayoungfellowofArthur’stemperament，thenoveltyofbeingturnedawayintothestreetlikeapennilessvagabond，ateveryhousewhereheaskedforalodging，presenteditselfinthelightofanewandhighlyamusingpieceofexperience。Hewentonwithhiscarpet—baginhishand，applyingforabedateveryplaceofentertainmentfortravelersthathecouldfindinDoncaster，untilhewanderedintotheoutskirtsofthetown。
Bythistimethelastglimmeroftwilighthadfadedout，themoonwasrisingdimlyinamist，thewindwasgettingcold，thecloudsweregatheringheavily，andtherewaseveryprospectthatitwassoongoingtorain！
ThelookofthenighthadratheraloweringeffectonyoungHolliday’sspirits。Hebegantocontemplatethehouselesssituationinwhichhewasplacedfromtheseriousratherthanthehumorouspointofview，andhelookedabouthimforanotherpublichousetoinquireatwithsomethingverylikedownrightanxietyinhismindonthesubjectofalodgingforthenight。
Thesuburbanpartofthetowntowardwhichhehadnowstrayedwashardlylightedatall，andhecouldseenothingofthehousesashepassedthem，exceptthattheygotprogressivelysmalleranddirtierthefurtherhewent。Downthewindingroadbeforehimshonethedullgleamofanoillamp，theonefaintlonelylightthatstruggledineffectuallywiththefoggydarknessallroundhim。Heresolvedtogoonasfarasthislamp，andthen，ifitshowedhimnothingintheshapeofaninn，toreturntothecentralpartofthetown，andtotryifhecouldnotatleastsecureachairtositdownonthroughthenightatoneoftheprincipalhotels。
Ashegotnearthelampheheardvoices，and，walkingcloseunderit，foundthatitlightedtheentrancetoanarrowcourt，onthewallofwhichwaspaintedalonghandinfadedflesh—color，pointing，withaleanforefinger，tothisinscription：
THETWOROBINS。
ArthurturnedintothecourtwithouthesitationtoseewhatTheTwoRobinscoulddoforhim。Fourorfivemenwerestandingtogetherroundthedoorofthehouse，whichwasatthebottomofthecourt，facingtheentrancefromthestreet。Themenwerealllisteningtooneotherman，betterdressedthantherest，whowastellinghisaudiencesomething，inalowvoice，inwhichtheywereapparentlyverymuchinterested。
Onenteringthepassage，Arthurwaspassedbyastrangerwithaknapsackinhishand，whowasevidentlyleavingthehouse。
\"No，\"saidthetravelerwiththeknapsack，turningroundandaddressinghimselfcheerfullytoafat，sly—looking，bald—headedman，withadirtywhiteapronon，whohadfollowedhimdownthepassage，\"no，Mr。Landlord，Iamnoteasilyscaredbytrifles；
butIdon’tmindconfessingthatIcan’tquitestand_that_。\"
ItoccurredtoyoungHolliday，themomentheheardthesewords，thatthestrangerhadbeenaskedanexorbitantpriceforabedatTheTwoRobins，andthathewasunableorunwillingtopayit。
Themomenthisbackwasturned，Arthur，comfortablyconsciousofhisownwell—filledpockets，addressedhimselfinagreathurry，forfearanyotherbenightedtravelershouldslipinandforestallhim，tothesly—lookinglandlordwiththedirtyapronandthebaldhead。
\"Ifyouhavegotabedtolet，\"hesaid，\"andifthatgentlemanwhohasjustgoneoutwon’tpayyourpriceforit，Iwill。\"
TheslylandlordlookedhardatArthur。\"Willyou，sir？\"heasked，inameditative，doubtfulway。
\"Nameyourprice，\"saidyoungHolliday，thinkingthatthelandlord’shesitationsprangfromsomeboorishdistrustofhim。
\"Nameyourprice，andI’llgiveyouthemoneyatonce，ifyoulike。\"
\"Areyougameforfiveshillings？\"inquiredthelandlord，rubbinghisstubbydoublechinandlookingupthoughtfullyattheceilingabovehim。
Arthurnearlylaughedintheman’sface；but，thinkingitprudenttocontrolhimself，offeredthefiveshillingsasseriouslyashecould。Theslylandlordheldouthishand，thensuddenlydrewitbackagain。
\"You’reactingallfairandaboveboardbyme，\"hesaid，\"and，beforeItakeyourmoney，I’lldothesamebyyou。Lookhere；
thisishowitstands。Youcanhaveabedalltoyourselfforfiveshillings，butyoucan’thavemorethanahalfshareoftheroomitstandsin。DoyouseewhatImean，younggentleman？\"
\"OfcourseIdo，\"returnedArthur，alittleirritably。\"Youmeanthatitisadouble—beddedroom，andthatoneofthebedsisoccupied？\"
Thelandlordnoddedhishead，andrubbedhisdoublechinharderthanever。Arthurhesitated，andmechanicallymovedbackasteportwotowardthedoor。Theideaofsleepinginthesameroomwithatotalstrangerdidnotpresentanattractiveprospecttohim。Hefeltmorethanhalfinclinedtodrophisfiveshillingsintohispocketandtogooutintothestreetoncemore。
\"Isityesorno？\"askedthelandlord。\"Settleitasquickasyoucan，becausethere’slotsofpeoplewantingabedatDoncasterto—nightbesidesyou。\"
Arthurlookedtowardthecourtandheardtherainfallingheavilyinthestreetoutside。HethoughthewouldaskaquestionortwobeforeherashlydecidedonleavingtheshelterofTheTwoRobins。
\"Whatsortofmanisitwhohasgottheotherbed？\"heinquired。
\"Isheagentleman？Imean，isheaquiet，well—behavedperson？\"
\"ThequietestmanIevercameacross，\"saidthelandlord，rubbinghisfathandsstealthilyoneovertheother。\"Assoberasajudge，andasregularasclock—workinhishabits。Ithasn’tstrucknine，nottenminutesago，andhe’sinhisbedalready。I
don’tknowwhetherthatcomesuptoyournotionofaquietman：
itgoesalongwayaheadofmine，Icantellyou。\"
\"Isheasleep，doyouthink？\"askedArthur。
\"Iknowhe’sasleep，\"returnedthelandlord；\"and，what’smore，he’sgoneoffsofastthatI’llwarrantyoudon’twakehim。Thisway，sir，\"saidthelandlord，speakingoveryoungHolliday’sshoulder，asifhewasaddressingsomenewguestwhowasapproachingthehouse。
\"Hereyouare，\"saidArthur，determinedtobebeforehandwiththestranger，whoeverhemightbe。\"I’lltakethebed。\"Andhehandedthefiveshillingstothelandlord，whonodded，droppedthemoneycarelesslyintohiswaistcoatpocket，andlightedacandle。
\"Comeupandseetheroom，\"saidthehostofTheTwoRobins，leadingthewaytothestaircasequitebriskly，consideringhowfathewas。
Theymountedtothesecondfloorofthehouse。Thelandlordhalfopenedadoorfrontingthelanding，thenstopped，andturnedroundtoArthur。
\"It’safairbargain，mind，onmysideaswellasonyours，\"hesaid。\"Yougivemefiveshillings，andIgiveyouinreturnaclean，comfortablebed；andIwarrant，beforehand，thatyouwon’tbeinterferedwith，orannoyedinanyway，bythemanwhosleepsinthesameroomwithyou。\"Sayingthosewords，helookedhard，foramoment，inyoungHolliday’sface，andthenledthewayintotheroom。
ItwaslargerandcleanerthanArthurhadexpecteditwouldbe。
Thetwobedsstoodparallelwitheachother，aspaceofaboutsixfeetinterveningbetweenthem。Theywerebothofthesamemediumsize，andbothhadthesameplainwhitecurtains，madetodraw，ifnecessary，allroundthem。
Theoccupiedbedwasthebednearestthewindow。Thecurtainswerealldrawnrounditexceptthehalfcurtainatthebottom，onthesideofthebedfurthestfromthewindow。Arthursawthefeetofthesleepingmanraisingthescantyclothesintoasharplittleeminence，asifhewaslyingflatonhisback。Hetookthecandle，andadvancedsoftlytodrawthecurtain——stoppedhalfway，andlistenedforamoment——thenturnedtothelandlord。
\"Heisaveryquietsleeper，\"saidArthur。\"Yes，\"saidthelandlord，\"veryquiet。\"YoungHollidayadvancedwiththecandle，andlookedinatthemancautiously。
\"Howpaleheis，\"saidArthur。
\"Yes，\"returnedthelandlord，\"paleenough，isn’the？\"
Arthurlookedcloserattheman。Thebedclothesweredrawnuptohischin，andtheylayperfectlystillovertheregionofhischest。Surprisedandvaguelystartledashenoticedthis，Arthurstoopeddowncloseroverthestranger，lookedathisashy，partedlips，listenedbreathlesslyforaninstant，lookedagainatthestrangelystillface，andthemotionlesslipsandchest，andturnedroundsuddenlyonthelandlordwithhisowncheeksaspaleforthemomentasthehollowcheeksofthemanonthebed。
\"Comehere，\"hewhispered，underhisbreath。\"Comehere，forGod’ssake！Theman’snotasleep——heisdead。\"
\"YouhavefoundthatoutsoonerthanIthoughtyouwould，\"saidthelandlord，composedly。\"Yes，he’sdead，sureenough。Hediedatfiveo’clockto—day。\"
\"Howdidhedie？Whoishe？\"askedArthur，staggeredforthemomentbytheaudaciouscoolnessoftheanswer。
\"Astowhoishe，\"rejoinedthelandlord，\"Iknownomoreabouthimthanyoudo。Therearehisbooks，andletters，andthingsallsealedupinthatbrownpaperparcelforthecoroner’sinquesttoopento—morrowornextday。He’sbeenhereaweek，payinghiswayfairlyenough，andstoppingindoors，forthemostpart，asifhewasailing。Mygirlbroughthimuphisteaatfiveto—day，andashewaspouringofitout，hefelldowninafaint，orafit，oracompoundofboth，foranythingIknow。Wecouldn’tbringhimto，andIsaidhewasdead。And，thedoctorcouldn’tbringhimto，andthedoctorsaidhewasdead。Andthereheis。Andthecoroner’sinquest’scomingassoonasitcan。Andthat’sasmuchasIknowaboutit。\"
Arthurheldthecandleclosetotheman’slips。Theflamestillburnedstraightupassteadilyasever。Therewasamomentofsilence，andtherainpattereddrearilythroughitagainstthepanesofthewindow。
\"Ifyouhaven’tgotnothingmoretosaytome，\"continuedthelandlord，\"IsupposeImaygo。Youdon’texpectyourfiveshillingsback，doyou？There’sthebedIpromisedyou，cleanandcomfortable。There’sthemanIwarrantednottodisturbyou，quietinthisworldforever。Ifyou’refrightenedtostopalonewithhim，that’snotmylookout。I’vekeptmypartofthebargain，andImeantokeepthemoney。I’mnotYorkshiremyself，younggentleman，butI’velivedlongenoughinthesepartstohavemywitssharpened，andIshouldn’twonderifyoufoundoutthewaytobrightenupyoursnexttimeyoucomeamongus。\"
Withthesewordsthelandlordturnedtowardthedoor，andlaughedtohimselfsoftly，inhighsatisfactionathisownsharpness。
Startledandshockedashewas，Arthurhadbythistimesufficientlyrecoveredhimselftofeelindignantatthetrickthathadbeenplayedonhim，andattheinsolentmannerinwhichthelandlordexultedinit。
\"Don’tlaugh，\"hesaidsharply，\"tillyouarequitesureyouhavegotthelaughagainstme。Youshan’thavethefiveshillingsfornothing，myman。I’llkeepthebed。\"
\"Willyou？\"saidthelandlord。\"ThenIwishyouagoodnight’srest。\"Withthatbrieffarewellhewentoutandshutthedoorafterhim。
Agoodnight’srest！Thewordshadhardlybeenspoken，thedoorhadhardlybeenclosed，beforeArthurhalfrepentedthehastywordsthathadjustescapedhim。Thoughnotnaturallyover—sensitive，andnotwantingincourageofthemoralaswellasthephysicalsort，thepresenceofthedeadmanhadaninstantaneouslychillingeffectonhismindwhenhefoundhimselfaloneintheroom——alone，andboundbyhisownrashwordstostaytheretillthenextmorning。Anoldermanwouldhavethoughtnothingofthosewords，andwouldhaveacted，withoutreferencetothem，ashiscalmersensesuggested。ButArthurwastooyoungtotreattheridiculeevenofhisinferiorswithcontempt——tooyoungnottofearthemomentaryhumiliationoffalsifyinghisownfoolishboastmorethanhefearedthetrialofwatchingoutthelongnightinthesamechamberwiththedead。
\"Itisbutafewhours，\"hethoughttohimself，\"andIcangetawaythefirstthinginthemorning。\"
Hewaslookingtowardtheoccupiedbedasthatideapassedthroughhismind，andthesharp，angulareminencemadeintheclothesbythedeadman’supturnedfeetagaincaughthiseye。Headvancedanddrewthecurtains，purposelyabstaining，ashedidso，fromlookingatthefaceofthecorpse，lesthemightunnervehimselfattheoutsetbyfasteningsomeghastlyimpressionofitonhismind。Hedrewthecurtainverygently，andsighedinvoluntarilyasheclosedit。
\"Poorfellow，\"hesaid，almostassadlyasifhehadknowntheman。\"Ah！poorfellow！\"
Hewentnexttothewindow。Thenightwasblack，andhecouldseenothingfromit。Therainstillpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass。Heinferred，fromhearingit，thatthewindowwasatthebackofthehouse，rememberingthatthefrontwasshelteredfromtheweatherbythecourtandthebuildingsoverit。
Whilehewasstillstandingatthewindow——foreventhedrearyrainwasarelief，becauseofthesounditmade；arelief，also，becauseitmoved，andhadsomefaintsuggestion，inconsequence，oflifeandcompanionshipinit——whilehewasstandingatthewindow，andlookingvacantlyintotheblackdarknessoutside，heheardadistantchurchclockstriketen。Onlyten！Howwashetopassthetimetillthehousewasastirthenextmorning？
Underanyothercircumstanceshewouldhavegonedowntothepublic—houseparlor，wouldhavecalledforhisgrog，andwouldhavelaughedandtalkedwiththecompanyassembledasfamiliarlyasifhehadknownthemallhislife。Buttheverythoughtofwhilingawaythetimeinthismannerwasnowdistastefultohim。
Thenewsituationinwhichhewasplacedseemedtohavealteredhimtohimselfalready。Thusfarhislifehadbeenthecommon，trifling，prosaic，surface—lifeofaprosperousyoungman，withnotroublestoconquerandnotrialstoface。Hehadlostnorelationwhomheloved，nofriendwhomhetreasured。Tillthisnight，whatsharehehadoftheimmortalinheritancethatisdividedamongusallhadlaindormantwithinhim。Tillthisnight，Deathandhehadnotoncemet，eveninthought。
Hetookafewturnsupanddowntheroom，thenstopped。Thenoisemadebyhisbootsonthepoorly—carpetedfloorjarredonhisear。
Hehesitatedalittle，andendedbytakingthebootsoff，andwalkingbackwardandforwardnoiselessly。
Alldesiretosleeportoresthadlefthim。Thebarethoughtoflyingdownontheunoccupiedbedinstantlydrewthepictureonhismindofadreadfulmimicryofthepositionofthedeadman。
Whowashe？Whatwasthestoryofhispastlife？Poorhemusthavebeen，orhewouldnothavestoppedatsuchaplaceastheTwoRobinsInn；andweakened，probably，bylongillness，orhecouldhardlyhavediedinthemannerwhichthelandlordhaddescribed。Poor，ill，lonely——deadinastrangeplace——dead，withnobodybutastrangertopityhim。Asadstory；truly，onthemerefaceofit，averysadstory。
Whilethesethoughtswerepassingthroughhismind，hehadstoppedinsensiblyatthewindow，closetowhichstoodthefootofthebedwiththeclosedcurtains。Atfirsthelookedatitabsently；thenhebecameconsciousthathiseyeswerefixedonit；andthenaperversedesiretookpossessionofhimtodotheverythingwhichhehadresolvednottodouptothistime——tolookatthedeadman。
Hestretchedouthishandtowardthecurtains，butcheckedhimselfintheveryactofundrawingthem，turnedhisbacksharplyonthebed，andwalkedtowardthechimney—piece，toseewhatthingswereplacedonit，andtotryifhecouldkeepthedeadmanoutofhismindinthatway。
Therewasapewterinkstandonthechimney—piece，withsomemildewedremainsofinkinthebottle。Thereweretwocoarsechinaornamentsofthecommonestkind；andtherewasasquareofembossedcard，dirtyandfly—blown，withacollectionofwretchedriddlesprintedonit，inallsortsofzigzagdirections，andinvariouslycoloredinks。Hetookthecardandwentawaytoreaditatthetableonwhichthecandlewasplaced，sittingdownwithhisbackresolutelyturnedtothecurtainedbed。
Hereadthefirstriddle，thesecond，thethird，allinonecornerofthecard，thenturneditroundimpatientlytolookatanother。Beforehecouldbeginreadingtheriddlesprintedherethesoundofthechurchclockstoppedhim。
Eleven。
Hehadgotthroughanhourofthetimeintheroomwiththedeadman。
Oncemorehelookedatthecard。Itwasnoteasytomakeoutthelettersprintedonitinconsequenceofthedimnessofthelightwhichthelandlordhadlefthim——acommontallowcandle，furnishedwithapairofheavyold—fashionedsteelsnuffers。Uptothistimehismindhadbeentoomuchoccupiedtothinkofthelight。Hehadleftthewickofthecandleunsnuffedtillithadrisenhigherthantheflame，andhadburnedintoanoddpent—houseshapeatthetop，fromwhichmorselsofthecharredcottonfellofffromtimetotimeinlittleflakes。Hetookupthesnuffersnowandtrimmedthewick。Thelightbrighteneddirectly，andtheroombecamelessdismal。
Againheturnedtotheriddles，readingthemdoggedlyandresolutely，nowinonecornerofthecard，nowinanother。Allhisefforts，however，couldnotfixhisattentiononthem。Hepursuedhisoccupationmechanically，derivingnosortofimpressionfromwhathewasreading。Itwasasifashadowfromthecurtainedbedhadgotbetweenhismindandthegaylyprintedletters——ashadowthatnothingcoulddispel。Atlasthegaveupthestruggle，threwthecardfromhimimpatiently，andtooktowalkingsoftlyupanddowntheroomagain。
Thedeadman，thedeadman，the_hidden_deadmanonthebed！
Therewastheonepersistentideastillhauntinghim。Hidden！Wasitonlythebodybeingthere，orwasitthebodybeingthere_concealed，_thatwaspreyingonhismind？Hestoppedatthewindowwiththatdoubtinhim，oncemorelisteningtothepatteringrain，oncemorelookingoutintotheblackdarkness。
Stillthedeadman！
Thedarknessforcedhismindbackuponitself，andsethismemoryatwork，revivingwithapainfullyvividdistinctnessthemomentaryimpressionithadreceivedfromhisfirstsightofthecorpse。Beforelongthefaceseemedtobehoveringoutinthemiddleofthedarkness，confrontinghimthroughthewindow，withthepalenesswhiter——withthedreadfuldulllineoflightbetweentheimperfectly—closedeyelidsbroaderthanhehadseenit——withthepartedlipsslowlydroppingfurtherandfurtherawayfromeachother——withthefeaturesgrowinglargerandmovingcloser，tilltheyseemedtofillthewindow，andtosilencetherain，andtoshutoutthenight。
Thesoundofavoiceshoutingbelowstairswokehimsuddenlyfromthedreamofhisowndistemperedfancy。Herecognizeditasthevoiceofthelandlord。
\"Shutupattwelve，Ben，\"hehearditsay。\"I’mofftobed。\"
Hewipedawaythedampthathadgatheredonhisforehead，reasonedwithhimselfforalittlewhile，andresolvedtoshakehismindfreeoftheghastlycounterfeitwhichstillclungtoitbyforcinghimselftoconfront，ifitwasonlyforamoment，thesolemnreality。Withoutallowinghimselfaninstanttohesitate，hepartedthecurtainsatthefootofthebed，andlookedthrough。
Therewasthesad，peaceful，whiteface，withtheawfulmysteryofstillnessonit，laidbackuponthepillow。Nostir，nochangethere！Heonlylookedatitforamomentbeforeheclosedthecurtainsagain，butthatmomentsteadiedhim，calmedhim，restoredhim——mindandbody——tohimself。Hereturnedtohisoldoccupationofwalkingupanddowntheroom，perseveringinitthistimetilltheclockstruckagain。
Twelve。
Asthesoundoftheclock—belldiedaway，itwassucceededbytheconfusednoisedownstairsofthedrinkersinthetaproomleavingthehouse。Thenextsound，afteranintervalofsilence，wascausedbythebarringofthedoorandtheclosingoftheshuttersatthebackoftheinn。Thenthesilencefollowedagain，andwasdisturbednomore。
Hewasalonenow——absolutely，hopelesslyalonewiththedeadmantillthenextmorning。
Thewickofthecandlewantedtrimmingagain。Hetookupthesnuffers，butpausedsuddenlyontheverypointofusingthem，andlookedattentivelyatthecandle——thenback，overhisshoulder，atthecurtainedbed——thenagainatthecandle。Ithadbeenlightedforthefirsttimetoshowhimthewayupstairs，andthreepartsofit，atleast，werealreadyconsumed。Inanotherhouritwouldbeburnedout。Inanotherhour，unlesshecalledatoncetothemanwhohadshutuptheinnforafreshcandle，hewouldbeleftinthedark。
Stronglyashismindhadbeenaffectedsincehehadenteredtheroom，hisunreasonabledreadofencounteringridiculeandofexposinghiscouragetosuspicionhadnotaltogetherlostitsinfluenceoverhimevenyet。
Helingeredirresolutelybythetable，waitingtillhecouldprevailonhimselftoopenthedoor，andcallfromthelanding，tothemanwhohadshutuptheinn。Inhispresenthesitatingframeofmind，itwasakindofrelieftogainafewmomentsonlybyengaginginthetriflingoccupationofsnuffingthecandle。
Hishandtrembledalittle，andthesnufferswereheavyandawkwardtouse。Whenheclosedthemonthewick，heclosedthemahair—breadthtoolow。Inaninstantthecandlewasout，andtheroomwasplungedinpitchdarkness。
Theoneimpressionwhichtheabsenceoflightimmediatelyproducedonhismindwasdistrustofthecurtainedbed——distrustwhichshapeditselfintonodistinctidea，butwhichwaspowerfulenough，initsveryvagueness，tobindhimdowntohischair，tomakehisheartbeatfast，andtosethimlisteningintently。Nosoundstirredintheroom，butthefamiliarsoundoftherainagainstthewindow，louderandsharpernowthanhehadheardityet。
Stillthevaguedistrust，theinexpressibledreadpossessedhim，andkepthiminhischair。Hehadputhiscarpet—bagonthetablewhenhefirstenteredtheroom，andhenowtookthekeyfromhispocket，reachedouthishandsoftly，openedthebag，andgropedinitforhistravelingwriting—case，inwhichheknewthattherewasasmallstoreofmatches。Whenhehadgotoneofthematcheshewaitedbeforehestruckitonthecoarsewoodentable，andlistenedintentlyagainwithoutknowingwhy。Stilltherewasnosoundintheroombutthesteady，ceaselessrattlingsoundoftherain。
Helightedthecandleagainwithoutanothermomentofdelay，and，ontheinstantofitsburningup，thefirstobjectintheroomthathiseyessoughtforwasthecurtainedbed。
Justbeforethelighthadbeenputouthehadlookedinthatdirection，andhadseennochange，nodisarrangementofanysortinthefoldsoftheclosely—drawncurtains。
Whenhelookedatthebednow，hesawhangingoverthesideofitalongwhitehand。
Itlayperfectlymotionlessmidwayonthesideofthebed，wherethecurtainattheheadandthecurtainatthefootmet。Nothingmorewasvisible。Theclingingcurtainshideverythingbutthelongwhitehand。
Hestoodlookingatit，unabletostir，unabletocallout——feelingnothing，knowingnothing——everyfacultyhepossessedgatheredupandlostintheoneseeingfaculty。Howlongthatfirstpanicheldhimhenevercouldtellafterward。Itmighthavebeenonlyforamoment——itmighthavebeenformanyminutestogether。Howhegottothebed——whetherherantoitheadlong，orwhetherheapproacheditslowly；howhewroughthimselfuptounclosethecurtainsandlookin，heneverhasremembered，andneverwillremembertohisdyingday。Itisenoughthathedidgotothebed，andthathedidlookinsidethecurtains。
Themanhadmoved。Oneofhisarmswasoutsidetheclothes；hisfacewasturnedalittleonthepillow；hiseyelidswerewideopen。Changedastopositionandastooneofthefeatures，thefacewasotherwisefearfullyandwonderfullyunaltered。Thedeadpalenessandthedeadquietwereonitstill。
OneglanceshowedArthurthis——oneglancebeforeheflewbreathlesslytothedoorandalarmedthehouse。
Themanwhomthelandlordcalled\"Ben\"wasthefirsttoappearonthestairs。InthreewordsArthurtoldhimwhathadhappened，andsenthimforthenearestdoctor。
I，whotellyouthisstory，wasthenstayingwithamedicalfriendofmine，inpracticeatDoncaster，takingcareofhispatientsforhimduringhisabsenceinLondon；andI，forthetimebeing，wasthenearestdoctor。Theyhadsentformefromtheinnwhenthestrangerwastakenillintheafternoon，butIwasnotathome，andmedicalassistancewassoughtforelsewhere。
WhenthemanfromTheTwoRobinsrangthenight—bell，Iwasjustthinkingofgoingtobed。Naturallyenough，Ididnotbelieveawordofhisstoryabout\"adeadmanwhohadcometolifeagain。\"
However，Iputonmyhat，armedmyselfwithoneortwobottlesofrestorativemedicine，andrantotheinn，expectingtofindnothingmoreremarkable，whenIgotthere，thanapatientinafit。
Mysurpriseatfindingthatthemanhadspokentheliteraltruthwasalmost，ifnotquite，equaledbymyastonishmentatfindingmyselffacetofacewithArthurHollidayassoonasIenteredthebedroom。Itwasnotimethenforgivingorseekingexplanations。
Wejustshookhandsamazedly，andthenIorderedeverybodybutArthuroutoftheroom，andhurriedtothemanonthebed。
Thekitchenfirehadnotbeenlongout。Therewasplentyofhotwaterintheboiler，andplentyofflanneltobehad。Withthese，withmymedicines，andwithsuchhelpasArthurcouldrenderundermydirection，Idraggedthemanliterallyoutofthejawsofdeath。InlessthananhourfromthetimewhenIhadbeencalledin，hewasaliveandtalkinginthebedonwhichhehadbeenlaidouttowaitforthecoroner’sinquest。
Youwillnaturallyaskmewhathadbeenthematterwithhim，andImighttreatyou，inreply，toalongtheory，plentifullysprinkledwithwhatthechildrencallhardwords。Iprefertellingyouthat，inthiscase，causeandeffectcouldnotbesatisfactorilyjoinedtogetherbyanytheorywhatever。Therearemysteriesinlifeandtheconditionsofitwhichhumansciencehasnotfathomedyet；andIcandidlyconfesstoyouthat，inbringingthatmanbacktoexistence，Iwas，morallyspeaking，gropinghaphazardinthedark。Iknow（fromthetestimonyofthedoctorwhoattendedhimintheafternoon）thatthevitalmachinery，sofarasitsactionisappreciablebyoursenses，had，inthiscase，unquestionablystopped，andIamequallycertain（seeingthatIrecoveredhim）thatthevitalprinciplewasnotextinct。WhenIaddthathehadsufferedfromalongandcomplicatedillness，andthathiswholenervoussystemwasutterlyderanged，IhavetoldyouallIreallyknowofthephysicalconditionofmydead—alivepatientattheTwoRobinsInn。