第9章

TheGovernorstraightenedhisback。"Giveear，Opeople!"hecried。"ImakeanewLaw!"

Thevillagersclosedin。Hecalled:——

"HenceforwardIwillgiveonedollartothemanonwhoselandAbuHusseinisfound。Andanotherdollar"——heheldupthecoin——"tothemanonwhoselandthesedogsshallkillhim。ButtothemanonwhoselandAbuHusseinshallrunintoaholesuchasisthishole，Iwillgivenotdollars，butamostunmeasurablebeating。

Isitunderstood？"

"OurExcellency，"amansteppedforth，"onmylandAbuHusseinwasfoundthismorning。Isitnotso，brothers？"

Nonedenied。TheGovernortossedhimoverfourdollarswithoutaword。

"Onmylandtheyallwentintotheirholes，"criedanother。

"ThereforeImustbebeaten。"

"Notso。Thelandismine，andminearethebeatings。"

Thissecondspeakerthrustforwardhisshouldersalreadybared，andthevillagersshouted。

"Hullo!Twomenanxioustobelicked？Theremustbesomeswindleabouttheland，"saidtheGovernor。Theninthelocalvernacular:

"Whatareyourrightstothebeating？"

Asariver-reachchangesbeneathaslantofthesun，thatwhichhadbeenascatteredmobchangedtoacourtofmostancientjustice。ThehoundstoreandsobbedatAbuHussein\'shearthstone，allunnoticedamongthelegsofthewitnesses，andGihon，alsoaccustomedtolaws，purredapproval。

"YouwillnotwaittilltheJudgescomeuptherivertosettlethedispute？"saidtheGovernoratlast。

"No!"shoutedallthevillagesavethemanwhohadfirstaskedtobebeaten。"WewillabidebyOurExcellency\'sdecision。LetOurExcellencyturnoutthecreaturesoftheEmirswhostoleourlandinthedaysoftheOppression。"

"Andthousayest？"theGovernorturnedtothemanwhohadfirstaskedtobebeaten。

"Isay1willwaittillthewiseJudgescomedowninthesteamer。

ThenIwillbringmymanywitnesses，"hereplied。

"Heisrich。Hewillbringmanywitnesses，"thevillageSheikhmuttered。

"Noneed。Thyownmouthcondemnsthee!"theGovernorcried。"Nomanlawfullyentitledtohislandwouldwaitonehourbeforeenteringuponit。Standaside!"Theman，fellback，andthevillagejeeredhim。

Thesecondclaimantstoopedquicklybeneaththeliftedhunting-crop。Thevillagerejoiced。

"Oh，Suchanone；Sonofsuchanone，"saidtheGovernor，promptedbytheSheikh，"learn，fromthedaywhenIsendtheorder，toblockupalltheholeswhereAbuHusseinmayhideon——thy——land!"

Thelightflicksended。Themanstooduptriumphant。BythataccoladehadtheSupremeGovernmentacknowledgedhistitlebeforeallmen。

WhilethevillagepraisedtheperspicacityoftheGovernor，anaked，pock-markedchildstrodeforwardtotheearth，andstoodononeleg，unconcernedasayoungstork。

"Hal"hesaid，handsbehindhisback。"Thisshouldbeblockedupwithbundlesofdhurrastalks——or，better，bundlesofthorns。"

"Betterthorns，"saidtheGovernor。"Thickendsinnermost。"

Thechildnoddedgravelyandsquattedonthesand。

"Anevildayforthee，AbuHussein，"heshrilledintothemouthoftheearth。"Adayofobstaclestothyflagitiousreturnsinthemorning。"

"Whoisit？"theGovernoraskedtheSheikh。"Itthinks。"

"FaragtheFatherless。HispeoplewereslaininthedaysoftheOppression。ThemantowhomOurExcellencyhasawardedthelandis，asitwere，hismaternaluncle。"

"Willitcomewithmeandfeedthebigdogs？"saidtheGovernor。

Theotherpeeringchildrendrewback。"Run!"theycried。"OurExcellencywillfeedFaragtothebigdogs。"

"Iwillcome，"saidFarag。"AndIwillnevergo。"HethrewhisarmroundRoyal\'sneck，andthewisebeastlickedhisface。

"Binjamin，byJove!"theInspectorcried。

"No!"saidtheGovernor。"IbelievehehasthemakingsofaJamesPigg!"

Faragwavedhishandtohisuncle，andledRoyalontothebarge。

Therestofthepackfollowed。

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Gihon，thathadseenmanysports，learnedtoknowtheHuntbargewell。HemetherroundinghisbendsongreyDecemberdawnstomusicwildandlamentableasthealmostforgottenthrobofDervishdrums，when，highaboveRoyal\'stenorbell，sharpereventhanlyingBeagle-boy\'sfalsettobreak，FaragchanteddeathlesswaragainstAbuHusseinandallhisseed。Atsunrisetheriverwouldshoulderhercarefullyintoherplace，andlistentotherushandscutterofthepackfleeingupthegang-plank，andthetrampoftheGovernor\'sArabbehindthem。TheywouldpassoverthebrowintothedewlesscropswhereGihon，lowandshrunken，couldonlyguesswhattheywereaboutwhenAbuHusseinflewdownthebanktoscratchatastoppedearth，andflewbackintothebarleyagain。AsFaraghadforetold，itwasevildaysforAbuHusseinerehelearnedtotakethenecessarystepsandtogetawaycrisply。SometimesGihonsawthewholeprocessionoftheHuntsilhouettedagainstthemorning-blue，bearinghimcompanyformanymerrymiles。Ateveryhalfmilethehorsesandthedonkeysjumpedthewater-channels——up，on，changeyourleg，andoffagainlikefiguresinazoetrope，tilltheygrewsmallalongthelineofwaterwheels。

ThenGibonwaitedtheirrustlingreturnthroughthecrops，andtookthemtorestonhisbosomatteno\'clock。Whilethehorsesate，andFaragsleptwithhisheadonRoyal\'sflank，theGovernorandhisInspectorworkedforthegoodoftheHuntandhisProvince。

Afteralittletimetherewasnoneedtobeatanymanforneglectinghisearths。Thesteamer\'sdestinationwastelegraphedfromwaterwheeltowaterwheel，andthevillagersstoppedoutandputtoaccording。Ifanearthwereoverlooked，itmeantsomedisputeastotheownershipoftheland，andthenandtheretheHuntcheckedandsettleditinthiswise:TheGovernorandtheInspectorsidebyside，butthelatterhalfahorse\'slengthtotherear；bothbare-shoulderedclaimantswellinfront；thevillagershalf-moonedbehindthem，andFaragwiththepack，whoquiteunderstoodtheperformance，sittingdownontheleft。

Twentyminuteswereenoughtosettlethemostcomplicatedcase，for，astheGovernorsaidtoajudgeonthesteamer，"Onegetsatthetruthinahunting-fieldaheapquickerthaninyourlawcourts。"

"Butwhentheevidenceisconflicting？"theJudgesuggested。

"Watchthefield。They\'llthrowtonguefastenoughifyou\'rerunningawrongscent。You\'veneverhadanappealfromoneofmydecisionsyet。"

TheSheikhsonhorseback——thelesserfolkoncleverdonkeys——thechildrensodespisedbyFaragsoonunderstoodthatvillageswhichrepairedtheirwaterwheelsandchannelsstoodhighestintheGovernor\'sfavour。Heboughttheirbarley，forhishorses。

"Channels，"hesaid，"arenecessarythatwemayalljumpthem。

Theyarenecessary，moreover，forthecrops。Lettherebemanywheelsandsoundchannels——andmuchgoodbarley。"

"Withoutmoney，"repliedanagedSheikh，"therearenowaterwheels。"

"Iwilllendthemoney，"saidtheGovernor。

"Atwhatinterest，OOurExcellency？"

"TakeyoutwoofMayQueen\'spuppiestobringupinyourvillageinsuchamannerthattheydonoteatfilth，norlosetheirhair，norcatchfeverfromlyinginthesun，butbecomewisehounds。"

"LikeRay-yal——notlikeBigglebai？"(AlreadyitwasaninsultalongtheRivertocompareamantotheshiftyanthropophagousblue-mottledharrier。)

"Certainly，likeRay-yal——notintheleastlikeBigglebai。Thatshallbetheinterestontheloan。Letthepuppiesthriveandthewaterwheelbebuilt，andIshallbecontent，"saidtheGovernor。

"Thewheelshallbebuilt，but，OOurExcellency，ifbyGod\'sfavourthepupsgrowtobewell-smelters，notfilth-eaters，notunaccustomedtotheirnames，notlawless，whowilldothemandmejusticeatthetimeofjudgingtheyoungdogs？"

"Hounds，man，hounds!Ha-wands，OSheikh，wecallthemintheirmanhood。"

"Theha-wandswhentheyarejudgedattheSha-ho。IhaveunfriendsdowntherivertowhomOurExcellencyhasalsoentrustedha-wandstobringup。"

"Puppies，man!Pah-peazwecallthem，OSheikh，intheirchildhood。"

"Pah-peat。Myenemiesmayjudgemypah-peazunjustlyattheSha-ho。Thismustbethoughtof。"

"Iseetheobstacle。Hearnow!Ifthenewwaterwheelisbuiltinamonthwithoutoppression，thou，OSheikh，shaltbenamedoneofthejudgestojudgethepah-peazattheSha-ho。Isitunderstood？"

"Understood。Wewillbuildthewheel。Iandmyseedareresponsiblefortherepaymentoftheloan。Wherearemypah-peaz？

Iftheyeatfowls，musttheyonanyaccounteatthefeathers？"

"Onnoaccountmusttheyeatthefeathers。Faraginthebargewilltelltheehowtheyaretolive。"

ThereisnoinstanceofanydefaultontheGovernor\'spersonalandunauthorizedloans，forwhichtheycalledhimtheFatherofWaterwheels。Butthefirstpuppyshowatthecapitalneededenormoustactandthepresenceofablackbattalionostentatiouslydrillinginthebarracksquaretopreventtroubleaftertheprize-giving。

ButwhocanchroniclethegloriesoftheGihonHunt——ortheirshames？Whoremembersthekillinthemarket-place，whentheGovernorbadetheassembledsheikhsandwarriorsobservehowthehoundswouldinstantlydevourthebodyofAbuHussein；buthow，whenhehadscientificallybrokenitup，thewearypackturnedfromitinloathing，andFaragweptbecausehesaidtheworld\'sfacehadbeenblackened？Whatmenwhohavenotyetriddenbeyondthesoundofanyhornrecallthemidnightrunwhichended——Beagleboyleading——amongtombs；thehastywhip-off，andtheoath，takenAboebones，toforgettheworry？Thedesertrun，whenAbuHusseinforsookthecultivation，andmadeasix-milepointtoearthinadesolatekhor——whenstrangearmedridersoncamelsswoopedoutofaravine，andinsteadofgivingbattle，offeredtotakethetiredhoundshomeontheirbeasts。Whichtheydid，andvanished。

Aboveall，whoremembersthedeathofRoyal，whenacertainSheikhweptabovethebodyofthestainlesshoundasitmighthavebeenhisson\'s——andthatdaytheHuntrodenomore？Thebadly-keptlog-booksayslittleofthis，butattheendoftheirsecondseason(forty-ninebrace)appearsthedarkentry:"Newbloodbadlywanted。Theyarebeginningtolistentobeagle-boy。"

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TheInspectorattendedtothematterwhenhisleavefelldue。

"Remember，"saidtheGovernor，"youmustgetusthebestbloodinEngland——real，daintyhounds——expensenoobject，butdon\'ttrustyourownjudgment。Presentmylettersofintroduction，andtakewhattheygiveyou。

TheInspectorpresentedhislettersinasocietywheretheymakemuchofhorses，moreofhounds，andaretolerablyciviltomenwhocanride。Theypassedhimfromhousetohouse，mountedhimaccordingtohismerits，andfedhim，afterfiveyearsofgoatchopandWorcestersauce，perhapsathoughttoorichly。

Theseatorcastlewherehemadehisgreatcoupdoesnotmuchmatter。FourMastersofFoxhoundswereattable，andinamellowhourtheInspectortoldthemstoriesoftheGihonHunt。Heended:

"BensaidIwasn\'ttotrustmyownjudgmentabouthounds，butI

thinkthereoughttobeaspecialtariffforEmpire-makers。"

Assoonashishostscouldspeak，theyreassuredhimonthispoint。

"Andnowtellusaboutyourfirstpuppy-showalloveragain，"

saidone。

"Andabouttheearth-stoppin\'。WasthatallBen\'sowninvention？"

saidanother。

"Waitamoment，"saidalarge，clean-shavenman——notanM。F。H——attheendofthetable。"AreyourvillagershabituallybeatenbyyourGovernorwhentheyfailtostopfoxes\'holes？"

Thetoneandthephrasewereenoughevenif，astheInspectorconfessedafterwards，thebig，bluedouble-chinnedmanhadnotlookedsolikeBeagle-boy。HetookhimonforthehonourofEthiopia。

"Weonlyhunttwiceaweek——sometimesthreetimes。I\'veneverknownamanchastisedmorethanfourtimesaweekunlessthere\'sabye。"

Thelargeloose-lippedmanflunghisnapkindown，cameroundthetable，casthimselfintothechairnexttheInspector，andleanedforwardearnestly，sothathebreathedintheInspector\'sface。

"Chastisedwithwhat？"hesaid。

"Withthekourbash——onthefeet。Akourbashisastripofoldhippo-hidewithasortofkeelonit，likethecuttingedgeofaboar\'stusk。Butweusetheroundedsideforafirstoffender。"

"Anddoanyconsequencesfollowthissortofthing？Forthevictim，Imean——notforyou？"

Ve-ryrarely。Letmebefair。I\'veneverseenamandieunderthelash，butgangrenemaysetupifthekourbashhasbeenpickled。"

"Pickledinwhat？"Allthetablewasstillandinterested。

"Incopperas，ofcourse。Didn\'tyouknowthat"saidtheInspector。

"ThankGodIdidn\'t。"Thelargemansputteredvisibly。

TheInspectorwipedhisfaceandgrewbolder。

"Youmustn\'tthinkwe\'recarelessaboutourearthstoppers。We\'veaHuntfundforhottar。Tar\'sasplendiddressingifthetoe-nailsaren\'tbeatenoff。Buthuntin\'aslargeacountryaswedo，wemayn\'tbebackatthatvillageforamonth，andifthedressingsain\'trenewed，andgangrenesetsin，oftenasnotyoufindyourmanpeggingaboutonhisstumps。We\'veawell-knownlocalnamefor\'emdowntheriver。Wecall\'emtheMudir\'sCranes。Yousee，IpersuadedtheGovernoronlytobastinadoononefoot。"

"Ononefoot？TheMudir\'sCranes!"Thelargemanturnedpurpletothetopofhisbaldhead。"WouldyoumindgivingmethelocalwordforMudir\'sCranes？"

Fromatoowell-stockedmemorytheInspectordrewoneshortadhesivewordwhichsurprisesbyitselfevenunblushingEthiopia。

Hespeltitout，sawthelargemanwriteitdownonhiscuffandwithdraw。ThentheInspectortranslatedafewofitssignificationsandimplicationstothefourMastersofFoxhounds。

HeleftthreedayslaterwitheightcoupleofthebesthoundsinEngland——afreeandafriendlyandanamplegiftfromfourpackstotheGihonHunt。Hehadhonestlymeanttoundeceivethelargebluemottledman，butsomehowforgotaboutit。

ThenewdraftmarksanewchapterintheHunt\'shistory。Fromanisolatedphenomenoninabargeitbecameapermanentinstitutionwithbrick-builtkennelsashore，andaninfluencesocial，political，andadministrative，co-terminouswiththeboundariesoftheprovince。Ben，theGovernor，departedtoEngland，wherehekeptapackofrealdaintyhounds，butneverceasedtolongfortheoldlawlesslot。Hissuccessorswereex-officioMastersoftheGihonHunt，asallInspectorswereWhips。Foronereason；

Farag，thekennelhuntsman，inkhakiandputtees，wouldobeynothingundertherankofanExcellency，andthehoundswouldobeynoonebutFarag；foranother，thebestwayofestimatingcropreturnsandrevenuewasbyridingstraighttohounds；forathird，thoughJudgesdowntheriverissuedsignedandsealedland-titlestoalllawfulowners，yetpublicopinionalongtheriverneverheldanysuchtitlevalidtillithadbeenconfirmed，accordingtoprecedent，bytheGovernor\'shuntingcropinthehuntingfield，abovethewilfullyneglectedearth。True，theceremonyhadbeencutdowntothreemeretapsontheshoulder，butGovernorswhotriedtoevadethatmuchfoundthemselvesandtheirofficecompassedaboutwithagreatcloudofwitnesseswhotookuptheirtimewithlawsuitsand，worsestill，neglectedthepuppies。

Theoldersheikhs，indeed，stoodoutfortheunmeasurablebeatingsoftheolddays——thesharperthepunishment，theyargued，thesurerthetitle；butherethehandofmodernprogresswasagainstthem，andtheycontentedthemselveswithtellingtalesofBenthefirstGovernor，whomtheycalledtheFatherofWaterwheels，andofthatheroicagewhenmen，horses，andhoundswereworthfollowing。

ThissameModernProgresswhichbroughtdogbiscuitandbrasswater-tapstothekennelswasatworkallovertheworld。Forces，Activities，andMovementssprangintobeing，agitatedthemselves，coalesced，and，inonepoliticalavalanche，overwhelmedabewildered，andnotintheleastintendingit，England。TheechoesoftheNewErawereborneintotheProvinceonthewingsofinexplicablecables。TheGihonHuntreadspeechesandsentiments，andpolicieswhichamazedthem，andtheythankedGod，prematurely，thattheirProvincewastoofaroff，toohot，andtoohardworkedtobereachedbythosespeakersortheirpolicies。Butthey，withothers，under-estimatedthescopeandpurposeoftheNewEra。

Onebyone，theProvincesoftheEmpirewerehauledupandbaited，hitandheld，lashedunderthebelly，andforcedbackontheirhaunchesfortheamusementoftheirnewmastersintheparishofWestminster。Onebyonetheyfellaway，soreandangry，tocomparestripeswitheachotherattheendsoftheuneasyearth。EvensotheGihonHunt，likeAbuHusseinintheolddays，didnotunderstand。ThenitreachedthemthroughthePressthattheyhabituallyfloggedtodeathgoodrevenue-payingcultivatorswhoneglectedtostopearths；butthatthefew，theveryfewwhodidnotdieunderhippohidewhipssoakedincopperas，walkedaboutontheirgangrenousankle-bones，andwereknowninderisionastheMudir\'sCranes。ThechargeswerevouchedforintheHouseofCommonsbyaMr。LethabieGroombride，whohadformedaCommittee，andwasdisseminatingliterature:TheProvincegroaned；theInspector——nowanInspectorofInspectors——whistled。

Hehadforgottenthegentlemanwhosputteredinpeople\'sfaces。

"Heshouldn\'thavelookedsolikeBeagle-boy!"washissoledefencewhenhemettheGovernoratbreakfastonthesteamerafterameet。

"Youshouldn\'thavejokedwithananimalofthatclass，"saidPetertheGovernor。"LookwhatFaraghasbroughtme!"

Itwasapamphlet，signedonbehalfofaCommitteebyaladysecretary，butcomposedbysomepersonwhothoroughlyunderstoodthelanguageoftheProvince。Aftertellingthetaleofthebeatings，itrecommendedallthebeatentoinstitutecriminalproceedingsagainsttheirGovernor，and，assoonasmightbe，toriseagainstEnglishoppressionandtyranny。SuchdocumentswerenewinEthiopiainthosedays。

TheInspectorreadthelasthalfpage。"But——but，"hestammered，"thisisimpossible。Whitemendon\'twritethissortofstuff。"

"Don\'tthey，just？"saidtheGovernor。"TheygetmadeCabinetMinistersfordoingittoo。Iwenthomelastyear。Iknow。"

"It\'llblowover，"saidtheInspectorweakly。

"Notit。Groombrideiscomingdownheretoinvestigatethematterinafewdays。"

"Forhimself？"

"TheImperialGovernment\'sbehindhim。Perhapsyou\'dliketolooktmyorders。"TheGovernorlaiddownanuncodedcable。Thewhiplashtoitran:"YouwillaffordMr。Groombrideeveryfacilityforhisinquiry，andwillbeheldresponsiblethatnoobstaclesareputinhiswaytothefullestpossibleexaminationofanywitnesseswhichhemayconsidernecessary。Hewillbeaccompaniedbyhisowninterpreter，whomustnotbetamperedwith。"

"That\'stome——GovernoroftheProvince!"saidPetertheGovernor。

"Itseemsaboutenough，"theInspectoranswered。

Farag，kennel-huntsman，enteredthesaloon，aswashisprivilege。

"Myuncle，whowasbeatenbytheFatherofWaterwheels，wouldapproach，OExcellency，"hesaid，"andthereareothersonthebank。"

"Admit，"saidtheGovernor。

Theretrampedaboardsheikhsandvillagerstothenumberofseventeen。Ineachman\'shandwasacopyofthepamphlet；ineachman\'seyeterroranduneasinessofthesortthatGovernorsspendandarespenttoclearaway。Farag\'suncle，nowSheikhofthevillage，spoke:"Itiswritteninthisbook，Excellency，thatthebeatingswherebyweholdourlandsareallvalueless。ItiswrittenthateverymanwhoreceivedsuchabeatingfromtheFatherofWaterwheelswhoslowtheEmirs，shouldinstantlybeginalawsuit，becausethetitletohislandisnotvalid。"

"Itissowritten。Wedonotwishlawsuits。WewishtoholdthelandasitwasgiventousafterthedaysoftheOppression，"

theycried。

TheGovernorglancedattheInspector。Thiswasserious。Tocastdoubtontheownershipoflandmeans，inEthiopia，thelettinginofwaters，andthegettingoutoftroops。

"Yourtitlesaregood，"saidtheGovernor。TheInspectorconfirmedwithanod。

"ThenwhatisthemeaningofthesewritingswhichcamefromdowntheriverwheretheJudgesare？"Farag\'sunclewavedhiscopy。

"Bywhoseorderareweorderedtoslayyou，OExcellencyOurGovernor？"

"Itisnotwrittenthatyouaretoslayme。"

"Notinthoseverywords，butifweleaveanearthunstopped，itisthesameasthoughwewishedtosaveAbuHusseinfromthehounds。Thesewritingssay:\'Abolishyourrulers。\'Howcanweabolishexceptwekill？Wehearrumoursofonewhocomesfromdowntheriversoontoleadustokill。"

"Fools!"saidtheGovernor。"Yourtitlesaregood。Thisismadness!"

"Itissowritten，"theyansweredlikeapack。

"Listen，"saidtheInspectorsmoothly。"Iknowwhocausedthewritingstobewrittenandsent。Heisamanofablue-mottledjowl，inaspectlikeBigglebaiwhoateuncleanmatters。Hewillcomeuptheriverandwillgivetongueaboutthebeatings。"

"Willheimpeachourland-titles？Anevildayforhim!"

"Goslow，Baker，"theGovernorwhispered。"They\'llkillhimiftheygetscaredabouttheirland。"

"Itellaparable。"TheInspectorlitacigarette。"DeclarewhichofyoutooktowalkthechildrenofMilkmaid？"

"Melik-meidFirstorSecond？"saidFaragquickly。

"Thesecond——theonewhichwaslamedbythethorn。"

"No——no。Melik-meidtheSecondstrainedhershoulderleapingmywater-channel，"asheikhcried。"Melik-meidtheFirstwaslamedbythethornsonthedaywhenOurExcellencyfellthrice。"

"True——true。ThesecondMelik-meid\'smatewasMalvolio，thepiedhound，"saidtheInspector。

"IhadtwoofthesecondMelik-meid\'spups，"saidFarag\'suncle。

"Theydiedofthemadnessintheirninthmonth。"

"Andhowdidtheydobeforetheydied？"saidtheInspector。

"Theyranaboutinthesun，andslaveredatthemouthtilltheydied。"

"Wherefore？"

"Godknows。Hesentthemadness。Itwasnofaultofmine。"

"Thyownmouthhathansweredthee。"TheInspectorlaughed。"Itiswithmenasitiswithdogs。Godafflictssomewithamadness。Itisnofaultofoursifsuchmenrunaboutinthesunandfrothatthemouth。Themanwhoiscomingwillemitsprayfromhismouthinspeaking，andwillalwaysedgeandpushintowardshishearers。WhenyeseeandhearhimyewillunderstandthatheisafflictedofGod:beingmad。HeisinGod\'shands。"

"Butourtitles——areourtitlestoourlandsgood？"thecrowdrepeated。

"Yourtitlesareinmyhands——theyaregood，"saidtheGovernor。

"AndhewhowrotethewritingsisanafflictedofGod？"saidFarag\'suncle。

"TheInspectorhathsaidit，"criedtheGovernor。"Yewillseewhenthemancomes。Osheikhsandmen，haveweriddentogetherandwalkedpuppiestogether，andboughtandsoldbarleyforthehorsesthataftertheseyearsweshouldrunriotonthescentofamadman——anafflictedofGod？"

"ButtheHuntpaysustokillmadjackals，"saidFarag\'suncle。

"Andhewhoquestionsmytitlestomyland"

"Aahh!\'Wareriot!"TheGovernor\'shunting-cropcrackedlikeathree-pounder。"ByAllah，"hethundered，"iftheafflictedofGodcometoanyharmatyourhands，Imyselfwillshooteveryhoundandeverypuppy，andtheHuntshallridenomore。Onyourheadsbeit。Goinpeace，andtelltheothers。"

"TheHuntshallridenomore，"saidFarag\'suncle。"Thenhowcanthelandbegoverned？No——no，OExcellencyOurGovernor，wewillnotharmahairontheheadoftheafflictedofGod。HeshallbetousasisAbuHussein\'swifeinthebreedingseason。"

WhentheyweregonetheGovernormoppedhisforehead。

"WemustputafewsoldiersineveryvillagethisGroombridevisits，Baker。Tell\'emtokeepoutofsight，andhaveaneyeonthevillagers。He\'strying\'emratherhigh。"

"OExcellency，"saidthesmoothvoiceofFarag，layingtheFieldandCountryLifesquareonthetable，"istheafflictedofGodwhoresemblesBigglebaionewiththemanwhomtheInspectormetinthegreathouseinEngland，andtowhomhetoldthetaleoftheMudir\'sCranes？"

"Thesameman，Farag，"saidtheInspector。

"IhaveoftenheardtheInspectortellthetaleto，OurExcellencyatfeeding-timeinthekennels；butsinceIamintheGovernmentserviceIhavenevertoldittomypeople。MayIloosethattaleamongthevillages？"

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TheGovernornodded。"Noharm，"saidhe。

ThedetailsofMr。Groombride\'sarrival，withhisinterpreter，whomheproposedshouldeatwithhimattheGovernor\'stable，hisallocutiontotheGovernorontheNewMovement，andthesinsofImperialism，Ipurposelyomit。AtthreeintheafternoonMr。

Groombridesaid:"Iwillgooutnowandaddressyourvictimsinthisvillage。"

"Won\'tyoufinditratherhot？"saidtheGovernor。"Theygenerallytake\'anaptillsunsetatthistimeofyear。"

Mr。Groombride\'slarge，looselipsset。"That，"herepliedpointedly，"wouldbeenoughtodecideme。Ifearyouhavenotquitemasteredyourinstructions。MayIaskyoutosendformyinterpreter？Ihopehehasnotbeentamperedwithbyyoursubordinates。"

HewasayellowishboycalledAbdul，whohadwelleatenanddrunkwithFarag。TheInspector，bytheway，wasnotpresentatthemeal。

"Atwhateverrisk，Ishallgounattended，"saidMr。Groombride。

"Yourpresencewouldcowthem-fromgivingevidence。Abdul，mygoodfriend，wouldyouverykindlyopentheumbrella？"

Hepassedupthegang-planktothevillage，andwithnomorepreludethanaSalvationArmypicketinaPortsmouthslum，cried:

"Oh，mybrothers!"

Hedidnotguesshowhispathhadbeenprepared。Thevillagewaswidelyawake。Farag，inloose，flowinggarments，quiteunlikeakennelhuntsman\'skhakiandputtees，leanedagainstthewallofhisuncle\'shouse。"ComeandseetheafflictedofGod，。"hecriedmusically，"whoseface，indeed，resemblesthatofBigglebai。"

Thevillagecame，anddecidedthatonthewholeFaragwasright。

"Ican\'tquitecatchwhattheyaresaying，"saidMr。Groombride。

"Theysayingtheyverymuchpleasedtoseeyou，Sar，"Adbulinterpreted。

"ThenIdothinktheymighthavesentadeputationtothesteamer；butIsupposetheywerefrightenedoftheofficials。

Tellthemnottobefrightened，Abdul。"

"Hesaysyouarenottobefrightened，"Abdulexplained。Achildheresputteredwithlaughter。"Refrainfrommirth，"Faragcried。

"TheafflictedofGodistheguestofTheExcellencyOurGovernor。Weareresponsibleforeveryhairofhishead。"

"Hehasnone，"avoicespoke。"Hehasthewhiteandtheshiningmange。"

"NowtellthemwhatIhavecomefor，Abdul，andpleasekeeptheumbrellawellup。IthinkIshallreservemyselfformylittlevernacularspeechattheend。"

"Approach!Look!Listen!"Abdulchanted。"TheafflictedofGodwillnowmakesport。Presentlyhewillspeakinyourtongue，andwillconsumeyouwithmirth。Ihavebeenhisservantforthreeweeks。Iwilltellyouabouthisundergarmentsandhisperfumesforhishead。"

Hetoldthematlength。

"Anddidstthoutakeanyofhisperfumebottles？"saidFaragattheend。

"Iamhisservant。Itooktwo，"Abdulreplied。

"Askhim，"saidFarag\'suncle，"whatheknowsaboutourland-titles。Yeyoungmenareallalike。"Hewavedapamphlet。

Mr。GroombridesmiledtoseehowtheseedsowninLondonhadbornefruitbyGihon。Lo!Alltheseniorsheldcopiesofthepamphlet。

"Heknowslessthanabuffalo。HetoldmeonthesteamerthathewasdrivenoutofhisownlandbyDemah-Keraziwhichisadevilinhabitingcrowdsandassemblies，"saidAbdul。

"Allahbetweenusandevil!"awomancackledfromthedarknessofahut。"Comein，children，hemayhavetheEvilEye。"

"No，myaunt，"saidFarag。"NoafflictedofGodhasanevileye。

Waittillyehearhismirth-provokingspeechwhichhewilldeliver。IhaveheardittwicefromAbdul。"

"Theyseemveryquicktograspthepoint。Howfarhaveyougot，Abdul？"

"Allaboutthebeatings，sar。Theyarehighlyinterested。"

"Don\'tforgetaboutthelocalself-government，andpleaseholdtheumbrellaoverme。Itishopelesstodestroyunlessonefirstbuildsup。"

"HemaynothavetheEvilEye，"Farag\'sunclegrunted，"buthisdevilledhimtoocertainlytoquestionmyland-title。Askhimwhetherhestilldoubtsmyland-title？"

"Ormine，ormine？"criedtheelders。

"Whatodds？HeisanafflictedofGod，"Faragcalled。"RememberthetaleItoldyou。"

"Yes，butheisanEnglishman，anddoubtlessofinfluence，orOurExcellencywouldnotentertainhim。Bidthedown-countryjackassaskhim。"

"Sar，"saidAbdul，"thesepeople，muchfearingtheymaybeturnedoutoftheirlandinconsequenceofyourremarks。Thereforetheyaskyoutomakepromisenobadconsequencesfollowingyourvisit。"

Mr。Groombrideheldhisbreathandturnedpurple。Thenhestampedhisfoot。

"Tellthem，"hecried，"thatifahairofanyoneoftheirheadsistouchedbyanyofficialonanyaccountwhatever，allEnglandshallringwithit。GoodGod!Whatcallousoppression!Thedarkplacesoftheeartharefullofcruelty。"Hewipedhisface，andthrowingouthisarmscried:"Tellthem，oh!tellthepoor，serfsnottobeafraidofme。TellthemIcometoredresstheirwrongs——not，heavenknows，toaddtotheirburden。"

Thelong-drawngurgleofthepractisedpublicspeakerpleasedthemmuch。

"Thatishowthenewwater-taprunsoutinthekennel，"saidFarag。"TheExcellencyOurGovernorentertainshimthathemaymakesport。Makehimsaythemirth-movingspeech。"

"Whatdidhesayaboutmyland-titles？"Farag\'sunclewasnottobeturned。

"Hesays，"Faraginterpreted，"thathedesires，nothingbetterthanthatyoushouldliveonyourlandsinpeace。HetalksasthoughhebelievedhimselftobeGovernor。"

"Well。Wehereareallwitnessestowhathehassaid。Nowgoforwardwiththesport。"Farag\'sunclesmoothedhisgarments。

"HowdiverselyhathAllahmadeHiscreatures!OnoneHebestowsstrengthtoslayEmirs；anotherHecausestogomadandwanderinthesun，liketheafflictedsonsofMelik-meid。"

"Yes，andtoemitsprayfromthemouth，astheInspectortoldus。

AllwillhappenastheInspectorforetold，"saidFarag。"IhaveneveryetseentheInspectorthrownoutduringanyrun。"

"Ithink，"AbdulpluckedatMr。Groombride\'ssleeves，"Ithinkperhapsitisbetternow，Sar，ifyougiveyourfinelittlenativespeech。TheynotunderstandingEnglish，butmuchpleasedatyourcondescensions。"

"Condescensions？"Mr。Groombridespunround。"IftheyonlyknewhowIfelttowardstheminmyheart!IfIcouldexpressatitheofmyfeelings!Imuststayhereandlearnthelanguage。Holduptheumbrella，AbdullIthinkmylittlespeechwillshowthemI

knowsomethingoftheirvieintime。"

Itwasashort，simple；carefullylearnedaddress，andtheaccent，supervisedbyAbdulonthesteamer，allowedthehearerstoguessitsmeaning，whichwasarequesttoseeoneoftheMudir\'sCranes；sincethedesireofthespeaker\'slife，theobjecttowhichhewouldconsecratehisdays，wastoimprovetheconditionoftheMudir\'sCranes。Butfirsthemustbeholdthemwithhisowneyes。Would，then，hisbrethren，whomheloved，showhimaMudir\'sCranewhomhedesiredtolove？

Once，twice，andagaininhisperorationherepeatedhisdemand，usingalways——thattheymightseehewasacquaintedwiththeirlocalargot——usingalways，Isay，thewordwhichtheInspectorhadgivenhiminEnglandlongago——theshort，adhesivewordwhich，byitself，surprisesevenunblushingEthiopia。

Therearelimitstothesublimepolitenessofanancientpeople。

Abulky，blue-chinnedmaninwhiteclothes，hisnamered-letteredacrosshislowershirtfront，splutteringfromunderagreen-linedumbrellaalmosttearfulappealstobeintroducedtotheUnintroducible；namingloudlytheUnnameable；dancing，asitseemed，inperversejoyatmerementionoftheUnmentionable——foundthoselimits。Therewasamoment\'shush，andthensuchmirthasGihonthroughhiscenturieshadneverheard——aroarliketotheroarofhisowncataractsinflood。Childrencastthemselvesontheground，androlledbackandforthcheeringandwhooping；strongmen，theirfaceshiddenintheirclothes，swayedinsilence，tilltheagonybecameinsupportable，andtheythrewuptheirheadsandbayedatthesun；women，mothersandvirgins，shrilledshriekuponmountingshriek，andslappedtheirthighsasitmighthavebeentherollofmusketry。Whentheytriedtodrawbreath，somehalf-strangledvoicewouldquackouttheword，andtheriotbeganafresh。Lasttofallwasthecity-trainedAbdul。Heheldontotheedgeofapoplexy，thencollapsed，throwingtheumbrellafromhim。

Mr。Groombrideshouldnotbejudgedtooharshly。Exerciseandstrongemotionunderahotsun，theshockofpublicingratitude，forthemomentruedhisspirit。Hefurledtheumbrella，andwithtbeattheprostrateAbdul，cryingthathehadbeenbetrayed。InwhichposturetheInspector，onhorseback，followedbytheGovernor，suddenlyfoundhim。

*****

"That\'sallverywell，"saidtheInspector，whenhehadtakenAbdul\'sdramaticallydyingdepositionsonthesteamer，"butyoucan\'thammeranativemerelybecausehelaughsatyou。Iseenothingforitbutthelawtotakeitscourse。"

"Youmightreducethechargeto——er——tamperingwithaninterpreter，"saidtheGovernor。Mr。Groombridewastoofargonetobecomforted。

"It\'sthepublicitythatIfear，"hewailed。"Istherenopossiblemeansofhushinguptheaffair？Youdon\'tknowwhataquestion——asinglequestionintheHousemeanstoamanofmyposition——theruinofmypoliticalcareer，Iassureyou。"

"Ishouldn\'thaveimaginedit，"saidtheGovernorthoughtfully。

"And，thoughperhapsIoughtnottosayit，Iamnotwithouthonourinmyowncountry——orinfluence。Awordinseason，asyouknow，YourExcellency。Itmightcarryanofficialfar。"

TheGovernorshuddered。

"Yes，thathadtocometoo，"hesaidtohimself。"Well，lookhere。IfItellthismanofyourstowithdrawthechargeagainstyou，youcangotoGehennaforaughtIcare。TheonlyconditionI

makeisthatifyouwrite——Isupposethat\'spartofyourbusinessaboutyourtravels，youdon\'tpraiseme!"

SofarMr。Groombridehasloyallyadheredtothisunderstanding。

GALLIO\'SSONG

Alldaylongtothejudgment-seatThecrazedProvincialsdrew——

Alldaylongattheirruler\'sfeetHowledforthebloodoftheJew。

InsurrectionwithoneaccordBandeditselfandwoke:

AndPaulwasabouttoopenhismouthWhenAchaia\'sDeputyspoke"WhethertheGoddescendfromaboveOrthemanascenduponhigh，WhetherthismakeroftentsbeJoveOrayoungerdeity——

IwillbenojudgebetweenyourgodsAndyourgodlessbickerings，Lictor，drivethemhencewithrods——

Icarefornoneofthesethings!

"WereitaquestionoflawfuldueOralabourer\'shiredenied，ReasonwouldIshouldbearwithyouAndorderitwelltobetriedButthisisaquestionofwordsandnamesAndIknowthestrifeitbrings，Iwillnotpassuponanyyourclaims。

Icarefornoneofthesethings。

"OnethingonlyIseemostclear，AsIprayyoualsosee。

ClaudiusCaesarhathsetmehereRome\'sDeputytobe。

ItisHerpeacethatyegotobreakNotmine，noranyking\'s，But，touchingyourclamourof\'consciencesake，\'

Icarefornoneofthesethings!"

THEHOUSESURGEON

OnaneveningafterEasterDay，Isatatatableinahomewardboundsteamer\'ssmoking-room，wherehalfadozenofustoldghoststories。Asourpartybrokeupaman，playingPatienceinthenextalcove，saidtome:"Ididn\'tquitecatchtheendofthatlaststoryabouttheCurseonthefamily\'sfirst-born。"

"Itturnedouttobedrains，"Iexplained。"AssoonasnewoneswereputintothehousetheCursewaslifted，Ibelieve。Ineverknewthepeoplemyself。"

"Ah!I\'vehadmydrainsuptwice；I\'mongraveltoo。"

"Youdon\'tmeantosayyou\'veaghostinyourhouse？Whydidn\'tyoujoinourparty？"

"Anymoreorders，gentlemen，beforethebarcloses？"thestewardinterrupted。

"Sitdownagain，andhaveonewithme，"saidthePatienceplayer。

"No，itisn\'taghost。Ourtroubleismoredepressionthananythingelse。"

"Howinteresting？Thenit\'snothinganyonecansee？"

"It\'s——it\'snothingworsethanalittledepression。Andtheoddpartisthattherehasn\'tbeenadeathinthehousesinceitwasbuilt——in1863。Thelawyersaidso。Thatdecidedme——mygoodlady，ratherandhemademepayanextrathousandforit。"

"Howcurious。Unusual，too!"Isaid。

"Yes；ain\'tit？Itwasbuiltforthreesisters——Moultriewasthename——threeoldmaids。Theyalllivedtogether；theeldestownedit。Iboughtitfromherlawyerafewyearsago，andifI\'vespentapoundontheplacefirstandlast，Imusthavespentfivethousand。Electriclight，newservants\'wing，garden——allthatsortofthing。Amanandhisfamilyoughttobehappyaftersomuchexpense，ain\'tit？"Helookedatmethroughthebottomofhisglass。

"Doesitaffectyourfamilymuch？"

"Mygoodlady——she\'saGreek，bytheway——andmyselfaremiddle-aged。Wecanbearupagainstdepression；butit\'shardonmylittlegirl。Isaylittle；butshe\'stwenty。Wesendhervisitingtoescapeit。Shealmostlivedathotelsandhydros，lastyear，butthatisn\'tpleasantforher。Sheusedtobeacanary——aperfectcanary——alwayssinging。Yououghttohearher。

Shedoesn\'tsingnow。Thatsortofthing\'sunwholesomefortheyoung，ain\'tit？"

"Can\'tyougetridoftheplace？"Isuggested。

"Notexceptatasacrifice，andwearefondofit。Justsuitsusthree。We\'dloveitifwewereallowed。"

"Whatdoyoumeanbynotbeingallowed？"

"Imeanbecauseofthedepression。Itspoilseverything。"

"What\'sitlikeexactly？"

"Icouldn\'tverywellexplain。Itmustbeseentobeappreciated，astheauctioneerssay。Now，Iwasmuchimpressedbythestoryyouweretellingjustnow。"

"Itwasn\'ttrue，"Isaid。

"Mytaleistrue。Ifyouwoulddomethepleasuretocomedownandspendanightatmylittleplace，you\'dlearnmorethanyouwouldifItalkedtillmorning。Verylikely\'twouldn\'ttouchyourgoodselfatall。Youmightbe——immune，ain\'tit？Ontheotherhand，ifthisinfluenza，——influencedoeshappentoaffectyou，why，Ithinkitwillbeanexperience。"

Whilehetalkedhegavemehiscard，andIreadhisnamewasL。

MaxwellM\'Leod，Esq。，ofHolmescroft。ACityaddresswastuckedawayinacorner。

"Mybusiness，"headded，"usedtobefurs。Ifyouareinterestedinfurs——I\'vegiventhirtyyearsofmylifeto\'em。"

"You\'reverykind，"Imurmured。

"Farfromit，Iassureyou。IcanmeetyounextSaturdayafternoonanywhereinLondonyouchoosetoname，andI\'llbeonlytoohappytomotoryoudown。Itoughttobeadelightfulrunatthistimeofyeartherhododendronswillbeout。Imeanit。Youdon\'tknowhowtrulyImeanit。Veryprobably——itwon\'taffectyouatall。And——IthinkImaysayIhavethefinestcollectionofnarwhaltusksintheworld。AllthebestskinsandhornshavetogothroughLondon，andL。MaxwellM\'Leod，heknowswheretheycomefrom，andwheretheygoto。That\'shisbusiness。"

Fortherestofthevoyageup-channelMr。M\'Leodtalkedtomeoftheassembling，preparation，andsaleoftherarerfurs；andtoldmethingsaboutthemanufactureoffur-linedcoatswhichquiteshockedme。Somehoworother，whenwelandedonWednesday，I

foundmyselfpledgedtospendthatweek-endwithhimatHolmescroft。

OnSaturdayhemetmewithawell-groomedmotor，andranmeout，inanhourandahalf，toanexclusiveresidentialdistrictofdustlessroadsandelegantlydesignedcountryvillas，eachstandinginfromthreetofiveacresofperfectlyappointedland。

Hetoldmelandwassellingateighthundredpoundstheacre，andthenewgolflinks，whoseQueenAnnepavilionwepassed，hadcostnearlytwenty-fourthousandpoundstocreate。

Holmescroftwasalarge，two-storied，low，creeper-coveredresidence。Averandahatthesouthsidegaveontoagardenandtwotenniscourts，separatedbyatastefulironfencefromamostpark-likemeadowoffiveorsixacres，wheretwoJerseycowsgrazed。Teawasreadyintheshadeofapromisingcopperbeech，andIcouldseegroupsonthelawnofyoungmenandmaidensappropriatelyclothed，playinglawntennisinthesunshine。

"Aprettyscene，ain\'tit？"saidMr。M\'Leod。"Mygoodlady\'ssittingunderthetree，andthat\'smylittlegirlinpinkonthefarcourt。ButI\'lltakeyoutoyourroom，andyoucansee\'emalllater。"

Heledmethroughawideparquet-flooredhallfurnishedinpalelemon，withhugeCloisonneevases，anebonizedandgoldgrandpiano，andbanksofpotflowersinBenaresbrassbowls，upapaleoakstaircasetoaspaciouslanding，wheretherewasagreenvelvetsetteetrimmedwithsilver。Theblindsweredown，andthelightlayinparallellinesonthefloors。

Heshowedmemyroom，sayingcheerfully:"Youmaybealittletired。Oneofteniswithoutknowingitafterarunthroughtraffic。Don\'tcomedowntillyoufeelquiterestored。Weshallallbeinthegarden。"

Myroomwasratherwarm，andsmeltofperfumedsoap。Ithrewupthewindowatonce，butitopenedsoclosetothefloorandworkedsoclumsilythatIcamewithinanaceofpitchingout，whereIshouldcertainlyhaveruinedaratherlop-sidedlaburnumbelow。AsIsetaboutwashingoffthejourney\'sdust，Ibegantofeelalittletired。But，Ireflected，Ihadnotcomedownhereinthisweatherandamongthesenewsurroundingstobedepressed；

soIbegantowhistle。

AnditwasjustthenthatIwasawareofalittlegreyshadow，asitmighthavebeenasnowflakeseenagainstthelight，floatingatanimmensedistanceinthebackgroundofmybrain。Itannoyedme，andIshookmyheadtogetridofit。Thenmybraintelegraphedthatitwastheforerunnerofaswift-stridinggloomwhichtherewasyettimetoescapeifIwouldforcemythoughtsawayfromit，asamanleapingforlifeforceshisbodyforwardandawayfromthefallofawall。ButthegloomovertookmebeforeIcouldtakeinthemeaningofthemessage。Imovedtowardthebed，everynervealreadyachingwiththeforeknowledgeofthepainthatwastobedealtit，andsatdown，whilemyamazedandangrysouldropped，gulfbygulf，intothathorrorofgreatdarknesswhichisspokenofintheBible，andwhich，asauctioneerssay，mustbeexperiencedtobeappreciated。

Despairupondespair，miseryuponmisery，fearafterfear，eachcausingtheirdistinctandseparatewoe，packedinuponmeforanunrecordedlengthoftime，untilatlasttheyblurredtogether，andIheardaclickinmybrainliketheclickintheearwhenonedescendsinadivingbell，andIknewthatthepressureswereequalisedwithinandwithout，andthat，forthemoment，theworstwasatanend。ButIknewalsothatatanymomentthedarknessmightcomedownanew；andwhile，Idweltonthisspeculationpreciselyasamantormentsaragingtoothwithhistongue，itebbedawayintothelittlegreyshadowonthebrainofitsfirstcoming，andoncemoreIheardmybrain，whichknewwhatwouldrecur，telegraphtoeveryquarterfoxhelp，releaseordiversion。

Thedooropened，andM\'Leodreappeared。Ithankedhimpolitely，sayingIwascharmedwithmyroom，anxioustomeetMrs。M\'Leod，muchrefreshedwithmywash，andsoonandsoforth。Beyondalittlestickinessatthecornersofmymouth，itseemedtomethatIwasmanagingmywordsadmirably；thewhilethatImyselfcoweredatthebottomofunclimbablepits。M\'Leodlaidhishandonmyshoulder，andsaid"You\'vegotitnowalready，ain\'tit？"

"Yes，"Ianswered。"It\'smakingmesick!"

"Itwillpassoffwhenyoucomeoutside。Igiveyoumyworditwillthenpassoff。Come!"

Ishambledoutbehindhim，andwipedmyforeheadinthehall。

"Youmusn\'tmind，"hesaid。"Iexpecttheruntiredyou。Mygoodladyissittingthereunderthecopperbeech。"

Shewasafatwomaninanapricot-colouredgown，withaheavilypowderedface，againstwhichherblacklong-lashedeyesshowedlikecurrantsindough。Iwasintroducedtomanyfineladiesandgentlemenofthoseparts。Magnificentlyappointedlandausandcoveredmotorssweptinandoutofthedrive，andtheairwasgaywiththemerryoutcriesofthetennisplayers。

Astwilightdrewontheyallwentaway，andIwasleftalonewithMr。andMrs。M\'Leod，whiletallmenservantsandmaidservantstookawaythetennisandteathings。MissM\'Leodhadwalkedalittledownthedrivewithalight-hairedyoungman，whoapparentlykneweverythingabouteverySouthAmericanrailwaystock。Hehadtoldmeatteathatthesewerethedaysoffinancialspecialisation。

"Ithinkitwentoffbeautifully，mydear，"saidMr。M\'Leodtohiswife；andtome:"Youfeelallrightnow，ain\'tit？Ofcourseyoudo。"

Mrs。M\'Leodsurgedacrossthegravel。Herhusbandskippednimblybeforeherintothesouthverandah，turnedaswitch，andallHolmescroftwasfloodedwithlight。

"Youcandothatfromyourroomalso，"hesaidastheywentin。

"Thereissomethinginmoney，ain\'tit？"

MissM\'Leodcameupbehindmeinthedusk。"Wehavenotyetbeenintroduced，"shesaid，"butIsupposeyouarestayingthenight？"

"Yourfatherwaskindenoughtoaskme，"Ireplied。

Shenodded。"Yes，Iknow；andyouknowtoo，don\'tyou？Isawyourfacewhenyoucametoshakehandswithmamma。Youfeltthedepressionverysoon。Itissimplyfrightfulinthatbedroomsometimes。Whatdoyouthinkitis——bewitchment？InGreece，whereIwasalittlegirl，itmighthavebeen；butnotinEngland，doyouthink？Ordoyou？"

"Cheerup，Thea。Itwillallcomeright，"heinsisted。

"No，papa。"Sheshookherdarkhead。"Nothingisrightwhileitcomes。"

"ItisnothingthatweourselveshaveeverdoneinourlivesthatIwillsweartoyou，"saidMrs。M\'Leodsuddenly。"Andwehavechangedourservantsseveraltimes。Soweknowitisnotthem。"

"Nevermind。Letusenjoyourselveswhilewecan，"saidMr。

M\'Leod，openingthechampagne。

Butwedidnotenjoyourselves。Thetalkfailed。Therewerelongsilences。

"Ibegyourpardon，"Isaid，forIthoughtsomeoneatmyelbowwasabouttospeak。

"Ah!Thatistheotherthing!"saidMissM\'Leod。Hermothergroaned。

Weweresilentagain，and，inafewsecondsitmusthavebeen，alivegriefbeyondwords——notghostlydreadorhorror，butaching，helplessgrief——overwhelmedus，each，Ifelt，accordingtohisorhernature，andheldsteadylikethebeamofaburningglass。

BehindthatpainIwasconscioustherewasadesireonsomebody\'sparttoexplainsomethingonwhichsometremendouslyimportantissuehung。

MeantimeIrolledbreadpillsandrememberedmysins；M\'Leodconsideredhisownreflectioninaspoon；hiswifeseemedtobepraying，andthegirlfidgetteddesperatelywithhandsandfeet，tillthedarknesspassedon——asthoughthemalignantraysofaburning-glasshadbeenshiftedfromus。"

"There，"saidMissM\'Leod，halfrising。"Nowyouseewhatmakesahappyhome。Oh，sellit——sellit，fathermine，andletusgoaway!"

"ButI\'vespentthousandsonit。YoushallgotoHarrogatenextweek，Theadear。"

"I\'monlyjustbackfromhotels。Iamsotiredofpacking。"

"Cheerup，Thea。Itisover。Youknowitdoesnotoftencomeheretwiceinthesamenight。Ithinkweshalldarenowtobecomfortable。"

Heliftedadish-cover，andhelpedhiswifeanddaughter。Hisfacewaslinedandfallenlikeanoldman\'safterdebauch，buthishanddidnotshake，andhisvoicewasclear。Asheworkedtorestoreusbyspeechandaction，heremindedmeofagrey-muzzledcollieherdingdemoralisedsheep。

Afterdinnerwesatroundthedining-roomfirethedrawing-roommighthavebeenundertheShadowforaughtweknewtalkingwiththeintimacyofgipsiesbythewayside，orofwoundedcomparingnotesafteraskirmish。Byeleveno\'clockthethreebetweenthemhadgivenmeeverynameanddetailtheycouldrecallthatinanywayboreonthehouse，andwhattheyknewofitshistory。

Wewenttobedinafortifyingblazeofelectriclight。Myonefearwasthattheblastinggustofdepressionwouldreturn——thesurestway，ofcourse，tobringit。Ilayawaketilldawn，breathingquicklyandsweatinglightly，beneathwhatDeQuinceyinadequatelydescribesas"theoppressionofinexpiableguilt。"

Nowassoonasthelovelydaywasbroken，Ifellintothemostterribleofalldreams——thatjoyousoneinwhichallpastevilhasnotonlybeenwipedoutofourlives，buthasneverbeencommitted；andintheveryblissofourassuredinnocence，beforeourlovesshriekandchangecountenance，wewaketothedaywehaveearned。

Itwasacoolishmorning，butwepreferredtobreakfastinthesouthverandah。Theforenoonwespentinthegarden，pretendingtoplaygamesthatcomeoutofboxes，suchascroquetandclockgolf。Butmostofthetimewedrewtogetherandtalked。TheyoungmanwhoknewallaboutSouthAmericanrailwaystookMissM\'Leodforawalkintheafternoon，andatfiveM\'Leodthoughtfullywhirledusalluptodineintown。

"Now，don\'tsayyouwilltellthePsychologicalSociety，andthatyouwillcomeagain，"saidMissM\'Leod，asweparted。"BecauseI

knowyouwillnot。"

"Youshouldnotsaythat，"saidhermother。"Youshouldsay，\'Goodbye，Mr。Perseus。Comeagain。\'"

"Nothim!"thegirlcried。"HehasseentheMedusa\'shead!"

Lookingatmyselfintherestaurant\'smirrors，itseemedtomethatIhadnotmuchbenefitedbymyweek-end。NextmorningI

wroteoutallmyHolmescroftnotesatfullestlength，inthehopethatbysodoingIcouldputitallbehindme。Buttheexperienceworkedonmymind，astheysaycertainimperfectlyunderstoodraysworkonthebody。

IamlesscalculatedtomakeaSherlockHolmesthananymanI

know，forIlackbothmethodandpatience，yettheideaoffollowingupthetroubletoitssourcefascinatedme。Ihadnotheorytogoon，exceptavagueideathatIhadcomebetweentwopolesofadischarge，andhadtakenashockmeantforsomeoneelse。Thiswasfollowedbyafeelingofintenseirritation。I

waitedcautiouslyonmyself，expectingtobeovertakenbyhorrorofthesupernatural，butmyselfpersistedinbeinghumanlyindignant，exactlyasthoughithadbeenthevictimofapracticaljoke。Itwasingreatpainsandupheavals——thatIfeltineveryfibrebutitsdominantidea，toputitcoarsely，wastogetbackabitofitsown。BythisIknewthatImightgoforwardifIcouldfindtheway。

AfterafewdaysitoccurredtometogototheofficeofMr。

J。M。M。Baxter——thesolicitorwhohadsoldHolmescrofttoM\'Leod。

IexplainedIhadsomenotionofbuyingtheplace。Wouldheactformeinthematter？

Mr。Baxter，alarge，greyish，throaty-voicedman，showednoenthusiasm。"IsoldittoMr。M\'Leod，"hesaid。"It\'udscarcelydoformetostartontherunning-downtacknow。ButIcanrecommend——"

"Iknowhe\'saskinganawfulprice，"Iinterrupted，"andatopofithewantsanextrathousandforwhathecallsyourcleanbillofhealth。"

Mr。Baxtersatupinhischair。Ihadallhisattention。

"Yourguaranteewiththehouse。Don\'tyourememberit？"

"Yes，yes。Thatnodeathhadtakenplaceinthehousesinceitwasbuilt:Irememberperfectly。"

Hedidnotgulpasuntrainedmendowhentheylie，buthisjawsmovedstickily，andhiseyes，turningtowardsthedeedboxesonthewall，dulled。Icountedseconds，one，two，three——one，two，threeuptoten。Aman，Iknew，canlivethroughagesofmentaldepressioninthattime。

"Irememberperfectly。"Hismouthopenedalittleasthoughithadtastedoldbitterness。

"Ofcoursethatsortofthingdoesn\'tappealtome。"Iwenton。

"Idon\'texpecttobuyahousefreefromdeath。"

"Certainlynot。Noonedoes。ButitwasMr。M\'Leod\'sfancy——hiswife\'srather，Ibelieve；andsincewecouldmeetit——itwasmydutytomyclientsatwhatevercosttomyownfeelings——tomakehimpay。"

"That\'sreallywhyIcametoyou。Iunderstoodfromhimyouknewtheplacewell。"

"Oh，yes。Alwaysdid。Itoriginallybelongedtosomeconnectionsofmine。"

"TheMissesMoultrie，Isuppose。Howinteresting!Theymusthavelovedtheplacebeforethecountryroundaboutwasbuiltup。"

"Theywereveryfondofitindeed。"

"Idon\'twonder。Sorestfulandsunny。Idon\'tseehowtheycouldhavebroughtthemselvestopartwithit。"

NowitisoneofthemostconstantpeculiaritiesoftheEnglishthatinpoliteconversation——andIhadstriventobepolite——nooneeverdoesorsellsanythingformeremoney\'ssake。

"MissAgnes——theyoungest——fellill"(hespacedhiswordsalittle)，"and，astheywereverymuchattachedtoeachother，thatbrokeupthehome。"

"Naturally。Ifancieditmusthavebeensomethingofthatkind。

Onedoesn\'tassociatetheStaffordshireMoultries"(myDemonofIrresponsibilityatthatinstantcreated\'em)，"with——withbeinghardup。"

"Idon\'tknowwhetherwe\'rerelatedtothem，"heansweredimportantly。"Wemaybe，forourbranchofthefamilycomesfromtheMidlands。"

Igivethistalkatlength，becauseIamsoproudofmyfirstattemptatdetectivework。WhenIlefthim，twentyminuteslater，withinstructionstomoveagainsttheownerofHolmescroft，withaviewtopurchase，IwasmorebewilderedthananyDoctorWatsonattheopeningofastory。

Whyshouldamiddle-agedsolicitorturnplovers\'eggcolouranddrophisjawwhenremindedofsoinnocentandfestalamatterasthatnodeathhadeveroccurredinahousethathehadsold？IfI

knewmyEnglishvocabularyatall，thetoneinwhichhesaidtheyoungestsister"fellill"meantthatshehadgoneoutofhermind。Thatmightexplainhischangeofcountenance，anditwasjustpossiblethatherdementedinfluencestillhungaboutHolmescroft；buttherestwasbeyondme。

IwasrelievedwhenIreachedM\'Leod\'sCityoffice，andcouldtellhimwhatIhaddone——notwhatIthought。

M\'Leodwasquitewillingtoenterintothegameofthepretendedpurchase，butdidnotseehowitwouldhelpifIknewBaxter。