下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Yes，thecleverdevil!\'exclaimedHavill，unabletodepreciatelonger。
\'How?\'
\'Theriddlethathasworriedmethreeweekshehassolvedinawaywhichissimplicityitself。Hehasgotit，andIamundone!\'
\'Nonsense，don\'tgiveway。Let\'smakeatracing。\'
\'Theground-planwillbesufficient，\'saidHavill，hiscouragereviving。\'Theideaissosimple，thatifonceseenitisnoteasilyforgotten。\'
AroughtracingofSomerset\'sdesignwasquicklymade，andblowingoutthecandlewithawaveofhishand，theyoungergentlemanlockedthedoor，andtheywentdownstairsagain。
\'Ishouldneverhavethoughtofit，\'saidHavill，astheywalkedhomeward。
\'Onemanhasneedofanothereverytenyears:Ognidiecianniunuomohabisognodell\'altro，astheysayinItaly。You\'llhelpmeforthisturnifIhaveneedofyou?\'
\'Ishallneverhavethepower。\'
\'Oyes，youwill。Amanwhocancontrivetogetadmittedtoacompetitionbywritingaletterabusinganotherman，hasanyamountofpower。Thestrokewasagoodone。\'
Havillwassilenttillhesaid，\'Ithinkthesegustsmeanthatwearetohaveastormofrain。\'
Darelookedup。Theskywasovercast，thetreesshivered，andadroportwobegantostrikeintothewalkers\'coatsfromtheeast。TheywerenotfarfromtheinnatSleeping-Green，whereDarehadlodgings，occupyingtheroomswhichhadbeenusedbySomersettillhegavethemupformorecommodiouschambersatMarkton；andtheydecidedtoturnintheretilltherainshouldbeover。
HavingpossessedhimselfofSomerset\'sbrainsHavillwasinclinedtobejovial，andorderedthebestinwinesthatthehouseafforded。Beforestartingfromhometheyhaddrunkasmuchaswasgoodforthem；sothattheirpotationsheresoonbegantohaveamarkedeffectupontheirtongues。Therainbeatuponthewindowswithadulldoggedpertinacitywhichseemedtosignifyboundlessreservesofthesameandlongcontinuance。Thewindrose，thesigncreaked，andthecandleswaved。Theweatherhad，intruth，brokenupfortheseason，andthiswasthefirstnightofthechange。
\'Well，hereweare，\'saidHavill，ashepouredoutanotherglassofthebrandiedliquorcalledoldportatSleeping-
Green；\'anditseemsthatherewearetoremainforthepresent。\'
\'Iamathomeanywhere!\'criedthelad，whosebrowwashotandeyewild。
Havill，whohadnotdrunkenoughtoaffecthisreasoning，helduphisglasstothelightandsaid，\'Inevercanquitemakeoutwhatyouare，orwhatyourageis。Areyousixteen，one-
and-twenty，ortwenty-seven?AndareyouanEnglishman，Frenchman，Indian，American，orwhat?Youseemnottohavetakenyourdegreesintheseparts。\'
\'That\'sasecret，myfriend，\'saidDare。\'Iamacitizenoftheworld。Iowenocountrypatriotism，andnokingorqueenobedience。Amanwhosecountryhasnoboundaryisyouronlytruegentleman。\'
\'Well，wherewereyouborn——somewhere，Isuppose?\'
\'Itwouldbeafactworththetelling。Thesecretofmybirthlieshere。\'AndDareslappedhisbreastwithhisrighthand。
\'Literally，justunderyourshirt-front；orfiguratively，inyourheart?\'askedHavill。
\'Literallythere。Itisnecessarythatitshouldberecorded，forone\'sownmemoryisatreacherousbookofreference，shouldverificationberequiredatatimeofdelirium，disease，ordeath。\'
Havillaskednofurtherwhathemeant，andwenttothedoor。
FindingthattherainstillcontinuedhereturnedtoDare，whowasbythistimesinkingdowninaone-sidedattitude，asifhungupbytheshoulder。Informinghiscompanionthathewasbutlittleinclinedtomovefarinsuchatempestuousnight，hedecidedtoremainintheinntillnextmorning。Oncallinginthelandlord，however，theylearntthatthehousewasfulloffarmersontheirwayhomefromalargesheep-fairintheneighbourhood，andthatseveralofthese，havingdecidedtostayonaccountofthesametempestuousweather，hadalreadyengagedthesparebeds。IfMr。Darewouldgiveuphisroom，andshareadouble-beddedroomwithMr。Havill，thethingcouldbedone，butnototherwise。
Tothisthetwocompanionsagreed，andpresentlywentupstairswithasgentlemanlyawalkandverticalacandleastheycouldexhibitunderthecircumstances。
Theotherinmatesoftheinnsoonretiredtorest，andthestormragedonunheededbyalllocalhumanity。
III。
Attwoo\'clocktherainlesseneditsfury。Athalf-pasttwotheobscuredmoonshoneforth；andatthreeHavillawoke。Theblindhadnotbeenpulleddownovernight，andthemoonlightstreamedintotheroom，acrossthebedwhereonDarewassleeping。Helayonhisback，hisarmsthrownout；andhiswell-curvedyouthfulformlookedlikeanunpedestaledDionysusinthecolourlesslunarrays。
SleephadclearedHavill\'smindfromthedrowsingeffectsofthelastnight\'ssitting，andhethoughtofDare\'smysteriousmannerinspeakingofhimself。ThisladresembledtheEtruscanyouthTages，inonerespect，thatofbeingaboywith，seemingly，thewisdomofasage；andtheeffectofhispresencewasnowheightenedbyallthosesinisterandmysticattributeswhicharelentbynocturnalenvironment。Hewhoinbroaddaylightmightbebutayoungchevalierd\'industriewasnowanunlimitedpossibilityinsocialphenomena。Havillrememberedhowtheladhadpointedtohisbreast，andsaidthathissecretwasliterallykeptthere。Thearchitectwastoomuchofaprovincialtohavequenchedthecommoncuriositythatwaspartofhisnaturebytheacquiredmetropolitanindifferencetootherpeople\'sliveswhich，inessencemoreunworthyeventhantheformer，causeslesspracticalinconvenienceinitsexercise。
Darewasbreathingprofoundly。Instigatedasabovementioned，Havillgotoutofbedandstoodbesidethesleeper。Afteramoment\'spausehegentlypulledbacktheunfastenedcollarofDare\'snightshirtandsawawordtattooedindistinctcharactersonhisbreast。BeforetherewastimeforHavilltodecipheritDaremovedslightly，asifconsciousofdisturbance，andHavillhastenedbacktobed。Darebestirredhimselfyetmore，whereuponHavillbreathedheavily，thoughkeepinganintentglanceontheladthroughhishalf-closedeyestolearnifhehadbeenawareoftheinvestigation。
Darewascertainlyconsciousofsomething，forhesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andgazedaroundtheroom；thenafterafewmomentsofreflectionhedrewsomearticlefrombeneathhispillow。AbluegleamshonefromtheobjectasDarehelditinthemoonlight，andHavillperceivedthatitwasasmallrevolver。
Aclammydewbrokeoutuponthefaceandbodyofthearchitectwhen，steppingoutofbedwiththeweaponinhishand，Darelookedunderthebed，behindthecurtains，outofthewindow，andintoacloset，asifconvincedthatsomethinghadoccurred，butindoubtastowhatitwas。HethencameacrosstowhereHavillwaslyingandstillkeepinguptheappearanceofsleep。Watchinghimawhileandmistrustingtherealityofthissemblance，DarebroughtittothetestbyholdingtherevolverwithinafewinchesofHavill\'sforehead。
Havillcouldstandnomore。Crystallizedwithterror，hesaid，withouthowevermovingmorethanhislips，indreadofhastyactiononthepartofDare:\'O，goodLord，Dare，Dare，Ihavedonenothing!\'
Theyouthsmiledandloweredthepistol。\'Iwasonlyfindingoutwhetheritwasyouorsomeburglarwhohadbeenplayingtricksuponme。Ifinditwasyou。\'
\'Doputawaythatthing!Itistooghastlytoproduceinarespectablebedroom。Whydoyoucarryit?\'
\'Cosmopolitesalwaysdo。Nowanswermyquestions。Whatwereyouupto?\'andDareashespokeplayedwiththepistolagain。
Havillhadrecoveredsomecoolness。\'Youcouldnotuseituponme，\'hesaidsardonically，watchingDare。\'Itwouldberiskingyourneckfortoolittleanobject。\'
\'Ididnotthinkyouwereshrewdenoughtoseethat，\'repliedDarecarelessly，ashereturnedtherevolvertoitsplace。
\'Well，whetheryouhaveoutwittedmeorno，youwillkeepthesecretaslongasIchoose。\'
\'Why?\'saidHavill。
\'BecauseIkeepyoursecretoftheletterabusingMissP。，andofthepilferedtracingyoucarryinyourpocket。\'
\'Itisquitetrue，\'saidHavill。
Theywenttobedagain。Darewassoonasleep；butHavilldidnotattempttodisturbhimagain。Theeldermansleptbutfitfully。Hewasarousedinthemorningbyaheavyrumblingandjinglingalongthehighwayoverlookedbythewindow，thefrontwallofthehousebeingshakenbythereverberation。
\'Thereisnorestformehere，\'hesaid，risingandgoingtothewindow，carefullyavoidingtheneighbourhoodofMr。Dare。
WhenHavillhadglancedouthereturnedtodresshimself。
\'What\'sthatnoise?\'saidDare，awakenedbythesamerumble。
\'ItistheArtillerygoingaway。\'
\'Fromwhere?\'
\'Marktonbarracks。\'
\'Hurrah!\'saidDare，jumpingupinbed。\'Ihavebeenwaitingforthatthesesixweeks。\'
Havilldidnotaskquestionsastothemeaningofthisunexpectedremark。
WhentheyweredownstairsDare\'sfirstactwastoringthebellandaskifhisArmyandNavyGazettehadarrived。
WhiletheservantwasgoneHavillclearedhisthroatandsaid，\'Iamanarchitect，andItakeintheArchitect；youareanarchitect，andyoutakeintheArmyandNavyGazette。\'
\'IamnotanarchitectanymorethanIamasoldier；butI
havetakenintheArmyandNavyGazettethesemanyweeks。\'
Whentheywereatbreakfastthepapercamein。Darehastilytoreitopenandglancedatthepages。
\'IamgoingtoMarktonafterbreakfast!\'hesaidsuddenly，beforelookingup；\'wewillwalktogetherifyoulike?\'
Theywalkedtogetherasplanned，andenteredMarktonaboutteno\'clock。
\'Ihavejusttomakeacallhere，\'saidDare，whentheywereoppositethebarrack-entranceontheoutskirtsofthetown，wherewheel-tracksandaregularchainofhoof-marksleftbythedepartedbatterieswereimprintedinthegravelbetweentheopengates。\'Ishallnotbeamoment。\'Havillstoodstillwhilehiscompanionenteredandaskedthecommissaryincharge，orsomebodyrepresentinghim，whenthenewbatterieswouldarrivetotaketheplaceofthosewhichhadgoneaway。
Hewasinformedthatitwouldbeaboutnoon。
\'NowIamatyourservice，\'saidDare，\'andwillhelpyoutorearrangeyourdesignbythenewintellectuallightwehaveacquired。\'
TheyenteredHavill\'sofficeandsettowork。WhencontrastedwiththetracingfromSomerset\'splan，Havill\'sdesign，whichwasnotfaradvanced，revealedallitsweaknessestohim。
AfterseeingSomerset\'sschemethebandsofHavill\'simaginationwereloosened:helaidhisownpreviouseffortsaside，gotfreshsheetsofdrawing-paperanddrewwithvigour。
\'Imayaswellstayandhelpyou，\'saidDare。\'Ihavenothingtodotilltwelveo\'clock；andnotmuchthen。\'
Sothereheremained。AtaquartertotwelvechildrenandidlersbegantogatheragainsttherailingsofHavill\'shouse。
Afewminutespasttwelvethenoiseofanarrivinghostwasheardattheentrancetothetown。ThereuponDareandHavillwenttothewindow。
TheXandYBatteriesoftheZBrigade，RoyalHorseArtillery，wereenteringMarkton，eachheadedbythemajorwithhisbuglerbehindhim。Inamomenttheycameabreastandpassed，everymaninhisplace；thatistosay:
Sixshininghorses，inpairs，harnessedbyrope-traceswhiteasmilk，withadriveroneachnearhorse:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledlimber，theircarcasesjoltedtoajellyforlackofsprings:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledgun-carriage，inthesamepersonalcondition:
thenine-poundergun，dippingitsheavyheadtoearth，asifashamedofitsofficeintheseenlightenedtimes:thecomplementofjinglingandprancingtroopers，ridingatthewheelsandelsewhere:sixshininghorseswiththeirdrivers，andtraceswhiteasmilk，asbefore:twomoregallantjoltedmen，onanotherjoltinglimber，andmorestoutwheelsandlead-colouredpaint:twomorejoltedmenonanotherdroopinggun:morejinglingtroopersonhorseback:againsixshiningdraught-horses，traces，drivers，gun，gunners，leadpaint，stoutwheelsandtroopersasbefore。
Soeachdetachmentlumberedslowlyby，alleyesmartiallyforward，exceptwhenwanderinginquestoffemalebeauty。
\'He\'safinefellow，ishenot?\'saidDare，denotingbyanodamountedofficer，withasallow，yethandsomeface，andblackmoustache，whocameuponabaygeldingwiththemenofhisbattery。
\'Whatishe?\'saidHavill。
\'Acaptainwholacksadvancement。\'
\'Doyouknowhim?\'
\'Iknowhim?\'
\'Yes；doyou?\'
Daremadenoreply；andtheywatchedthecaptainasherodepastwithhisdrawnswordinhishand，thesunmakingalittlesunuponitsblade，anduponhisbrilliantlypolishedlongbootsandbrightspurs；alsowarminghisgoldcross-beltandbraidings，whitegloves，busbywithitsredbag，andtallwhiteplume。
Havillseemedtobetooindifferenttopresshisquestioning；
andwhenallthesoldiershadpassedby，Dareobservedtohiscompanionthatheshouldleavehimforashorttime，butwouldreturnintheafternoonornextday。
Afterthishewalkedupthestreetintherearoftheartillery，followingthemtothebarracks。Onreachingthegateshefoundacrowdofpeoplegatheredoutside，lookingwithadmirationatthegunsandgunnersdrawnupwithintheenclosure。Whenthesoldiersweredismissedtotheirquartersthesightseersdispersed，andDarewentthroughthegatestothebarrack-yard。
Thegunswerestandingonthegreen；thesoldiersandhorseswerescatteredabout，andthehandsomecaptainwhomDarehadpointedouttoHavillwasinspectingthebuildingsinthecompanyofthequartermaster。Daremadeamentalnoteofthesethings，and，apparentlychangingapreviousintention，wentoutfromthebarracksandreturnedtothetown。
IV。
ToreturnforawhiletoGeorgeSomerset。Thesunofhislaterexistencehavingvanishedfromthatyoungman\'shorizon，heconfinedhimselfcloselytothestudio，superintendingtheexertionsofhisdraughtsmenBowles，Knowles，andCockton，whowerenowinthefullswingofworkingoutSomerset\'screationsfromthesketcheshehadpreviouslyprepared。
HehadsofargotthestartofHavillinthecompetitionthat，bythehelpofthesethreegentlemen，hisdesignwassoonfinished。Buthegainednounfairadvantageonthisaccount，anadditionalmonthbeingallowedtoHavilltocompensateforhislaterinformation。
BeforescalinguphisdrawingsSomersetwishedtospendashorttimeinLondon，anddismissinghisassistantstillfurthernotice，helockeduptheroomswhichhadbeenappropriatedasofficeandstudioandpreparedforthejourney。
Itwasafternoon。SomersetwalkedfromthecastleinthedirectionofthewoodtoreachMarktonbyadetour。Hehadnotproceededfarwhenthereapproachedhispathamanridingabayhorsewithasquare-cuttail。Theequestrianworeagrizzledbeard，andlookedatSomersetwithapiercingeyeashenoiselesslyambledneareroverthesoftsodofthepark。
HeprovedtobeMr。CunninghamHaze，chiefconstableofthedistrict，whohadbecomeslightlyknowntoSomersetduringhissojournhere。
\'Oneword，Mr。Somerset，\'saidtheChief，aftertheyhadexchangednodsofrecognition，reininghishorseashespoke。
Somersetstopped。
\'Youhaveastudioatthecastleinwhichyouarepreparingdrawings?\'
\'Ihave。\'
\'Haveyouaclerk?\'
\'Ihadthreetillyesterday，whenIpaidthemoff。\'
\'Wouldtheyhaveanyrighttoenterthestudiolateatnight?\'
\'Therewouldhavebeennothingwrongintheirdoingso。
Eitherofthemmighthavegonebackatanytimeforsomethingforgotten。Theylivedquitenearthecastle。\'
\'Ah，thenallisexplained。IwasridingpastoverthegrassonthenightoflastThursday，andIsawtwopersonsinyourstudiowithalight。Itmusthavebeenabouthalf-pastnineo\'clock。Oneofthemcameforwardandpulleddowntheblindsothatthelightfelluponhisface。ButIonlysawitforashorttime。\'
\'IfitwereKnowlesorCocktonhewouldhavehadabeard。\'
\'Hehadnobeard。\'
\'ThenitmusthavebeenBowles。Ayoungman?\'
\'Quiteyoung。Hiscompanioninthebackgroundseemedolder。\'
\'Theyareallaboutthesameagereally。Bytheway——itcouldn\'thavebeenDare——andHavill，surely!Wouldyourecognizethemagain?\'
\'Theyoungonepossibly。Theothernotatall，forheremainedintheshade。\'
SomersetendeavouredtodiscerninadescriptionbythechiefconstablethefeaturesofMr。Bowles:butitseemedtoapproximatemorecloselytoDareinspiteofhimself。\'I\'llmakeasketchoftheonlyonewhohadnobusinessthere，andshowittoyou，\'hepresentlysaid。\'Ishouldlikethisclearedup。\'
Mr。CunninghamHazesaidhewasgoingtoToneboroughthatafternoon，butwouldreturnintheeveningbeforeSomerset\'sdeparture。Withthistheyparted。ApossiblemotiveforDare\'spresenceintheroomshadinstantlypresenteditselftoSomerset\'smind，forhehadseenDareenterHavill\'sofficemorethanonce，asifhewereatworkthere。
Heaccordinglysatonthenextstile，andtakingouthispocket-bookbeganapencilsketchofDare\'shead，toshowtoMr。Hazeintheevening；forifDarehadindeedfoundadmissionwithHavill，orashisagent，thedesignwaslost。
Buthecouldnotmakeadrawingthatwasasatisfactorylikeness。ThenheluckilyrememberedthatDare，intheintensewarmthofadmirationhehadaffectedforSomersetonthefirstdayortwooftheiracquaintance，hadbeggedforhisphotograph，andinreturnforithadleftoneofhimselfonthemantelpiece，takenashesaidbyhisownprocess。
SomersetresolvedtoshowthisproductiontoMr。Haze，asbeingmoretothepurposethanasketch，andinsteadoffinishingthelatter，proceededonhisway。
HeenteredtheoldovergrowndrivewhichwoundindirectlythroughthewoodtoMarkton。Theroad，havingbeenlaidoutforidlingratherthanforprogress，bentsharplyhitherandthitheramongthefissuredtrunksandlayersofhornyleaveswhichlaytherealltheyearround，interspersedwithcushionsofvividgreenmossthatformedoasesintherust-redexpanse。
Reachingapointwheretheroadmadeoneofitsbendsbetweentwolargebeeches，amanandwomanrevealedthemselvesatafewyards\'distance，walkingslowlytowardshim。IntheshortandquaintladyherecognizedCharlotteDeStancy，whomherememberednottohaveseenforseveraldays。
Sheslightlyblushedandsaid，\'O，thisispleasant，Mr。
Somerset!Letmepresentmybrothertoyou，CaptainDeStancyoftheRoyalHorseArtillery。\'
HerbrothercameforwardandshookhandsheartilywithSomerset；andtheyallthreerambledontogether，talkingoftheseason，theplace，thefishing，theshooting，andwhateverelsecameuppermostintheirminds。
CaptainDeStancywasapersonagewhowouldhavebeencalledinterestingbywomenwelloutoftheirteens。Hewasripe，withouthavingdeclinedadigittowardsfogeyism。Hewassufficientlyoldandexperiencedtosuggestagoodlyaccumulationoftouchingamourettesinthechambersofhismemory，andnottoooldforthepossibilityofincreasingthestore。Hewasapparentlyabouteight-and-thirty，lesstallthanhisfatherhadbeen，butadmirablymade；andhiseverymovementexhibitedafinecombinationofstrengthandflexibilityoflimb。Hisfacewassomewhatthinandthoughtful，itscomplexionbeingnaturallypale，thoughdarkenedbyexposuretoawarmersunthanours。Hisfeaturesweresomewhatstriking；hismoustacheandhairravenblack；
andhiseyes，deniedtheattributesofmilitarykeennessbyreasonofthelargenessanddarknessoftheiraspect，acquiredtherebyasoftnessofexpressionthatwasinpartwomanly。
Hismouthasfarasitcouldbeseenreproducedthischaracteristic，whichmighthavebeencalledweakness，orgoodness，accordingtothementalattitudeoftheobserver。
Itwaslargebutwellformed，andshowedanunimpairedlineofteethwithin。Hisdressatpresentwasaheather-colouredruralsuit，cutclosetohisfigure。
\'Youknewmycousin，JackRavensbury?\'hesaidtoSomerset，astheywenton。\'PoorJack:hewasagoodfellow。\'
\'Hewasaverygoodfellow。\'
\'Hewouldhavebeenmadeaparsonifhehadlived——itwashisgreatwish。I，ashissenior，andamanoftheworldasI
thoughtmyself，usedtochaffhimaboutitwhenhewasaboy，andtellhimnottobeamilksop，buttoenterthearmy。ButIthinkJackwasright——theparsonshavethebestofit，Iseenow。\'
\'Theywouldhardlyadmitthat，\'saidSomerset，laughing。\'NorcanI。\'
\'NorI，\'saidthecaptain\'ssister。\'SeehowlovelyyoualllookedwithyourbiggunsanduniformwhenyouenteredMarkton；andthenseehowstupidtheparsonslookbycomparison，whentheyflockintoMarktonataVisitation。\'
\'Ah，yes，\'saidDeStancy，\'"Doubtlessitisabrilliantmasquerade；
Butwhenofthefirstsightyou\'vehadyourfill，Itpalls——atleastitdoessouponme，Thisparadiseofpleasureandennui。"
Whenoneisgettingonforforty；
"Whenwehavemadeourlove，andgamedourgaming，Dressed，voted，shone，andmaybe，somethingmore；
Withdandiesdined，heardsenatorsdeclaiming；
Seenbeautiesbroughttomarketbythescore，"
andsoon，therearisesastrongdesireforaquietold-
fashionedcountrylife，inwhichincessantmovementisnotanecessarypartoftheprogramme。\'
\'Butyouarenotforty，Will?\'saidCharlotte。
\'Mydear，Iwasthirty-ninelastJanuary。\'
\'Well，menabouthereareyouthsatthatage。ItwasIndiausedyouupso，whenyouservedintheline，wasitnot?I
wishyouhadnevergonethere!\'
\'SodoI，\'saidDeStancydrily。\'ButIoughttogrowayouthagain，liketherest，nowIaminmynativeair。\'
Theycametoanarrowbrook，notwiderthanaman\'sstride，andMissDeStancyhaltedontheedge。
\'Why，Lottie，youusedtojumpiteasilyenough，\'saidherbrother。\'Butwewon\'tmakeherdoitnow。\'Hetookherinhisarms，andliftedherover，givingheragratuitousrideforsomeadditionalyards，andsaying，\'Youarenotapoundheavier，Lott，thanyouwereattenyearsold……Whatdoyouthinkofthecountryhere，Mr。Somerset?Areyougoingtostaylong?\'
\'Ithinkverywellofit，\'saidSomerset。\'ButIleaveto-
morrowmorning，whichmakesitnecessarythatIturnbackinaminuteortwofromwalkingwithyou。\'
\'That\'sadisappointment。Ihadhopedyouweregoingtofinishouttheautumnwithshooting。There\'ssome，veryfair，tobegothereonreasonableterms，I\'vejustheard。\'
\'Butyouneednothireany!\'spokeupCharlotte。\'Paulawouldletyoushootanything，Iamsure。Shehasnotbeenherelongenoughtopreservemuchgame，andthepoachershaditallinMr。Wilkins\'time。Butwhatthereisyoumightkillwithpleasuretoher。\'
\'No，thankyou，\'saidDeStancygrimly。\'IprefertoremainastrangertoMissPower——MissSteam-Power，sheoughttobecalled——andtoallherpossessions。\'
Charlottewassubdued，anddidnotinsistfurther；whileSomerset，beforehecouldfeelhimselfabletodecideonthemoodinwhichthegallantcaptain\'sjokeatPaula\'sexpenseshouldbetaken，wonderedwhetheritwereamarriedmanorabachelorwhoutteredit。
HehadnotbeenabletokeepthequestionofDeStancy\'sdomesticstateoutofhisheadfromthefirstmomentofseeinghim。AssumingDeStancytobeahusband，hefelttheremightbesomeexcuseforhisremark；ifunmarried，Somersetlikedthesatirestillbetter；insuchcircumstancestherewasareliefinthethoughtthatCaptainDeStancy\'sprejudicesmightbeinfinitelystrongerthanthoseofhissisterorfather。
\'Goingto-morrow，didyousay，Mr。Somerset?\'askedMissDeStancy。\'Thenwillyoudinewithusto-day?Myfatherisanxiousthatyoushoulddosobeforeyougo。Iamsorrytherewillbeonlyourownfamilypresenttomeetyou；butyoucanleaveasearlyasyouwish。\'
Herbrothersecondedtheinvitation，andSomersetpromised，thoughhisleisureforthateveningwasshort。HewasintruthsomewhatinclinedtolikeDeStancy；forthoughthecaptainhadsaidnothingofanyvalueeitheronwar，commerce，science，orart，hehadseemedattractivetotheyoungerman。
Beyondthenaturalinterestasoldierhasforimaginativemindsinthecivilwalksoflife，DeStancy\'soccasionalmanifestationsoftaediumvitaeweretoopoeticallyshapedtoberepellent。Gallantrycombinedinhimwithasortofasceticself-repressioninawaythatwascurious。HewasadozenyearsolderthanSomerset:hislifehadbeenpassedingroovesremotefromthoseofSomerset\'sownlife；andthelatterdecidedthathewouldliketomeettheartilleryofficeragain。
Biddingthematemporaryfarewell，hewentawaytoMarktonbyashorterpaththanthatpursuedbytheDeStancys，andafterspendingtheremainderoftheafternoonpreparingfordeparture，hesalliedforthjustbeforethedinner-hourtowardsthesuburbanvilla。
HehadbecomeyetmorecuriouswhetheraMrs。DeStancyexisted；iftherewereonehewouldprobablyseeherto-night。
Hehadanirrepressiblehopethattheremightbesuchalady。
Onenteringthedrawing-roomonlythefather，son，anddaughterwereassembled。SomersetfellintotalkwithCharlotteduringthefewminutesbeforedinner，andhisthoughtfounditswayout。
\'ThereisnoMrs。DeStancy?\'hesaidinanundertone。
\'None，\'shesaid；\'mybrotherisabachelor。\'
ThedinnerhavingbeenfixedatanearlyhourtosuitSomerset，theyhadreturnedtothedrawing-roomateighto\'clock。Aboutninehewasaimingtogetaway。
\'Youarenotoffyet?\'saidthecaptain。
\'Therewouldhavebeennohurry，\'saidSomerset，\'hadInotjustrememberedthatIhaveleftonethingundonewhichIwanttoattendtobeforemydeparture。Iwanttoseethechiefconstableto-night。\'
\'CunninghamHaze?——heistheverymanItoowanttosee。Buthewentoutoftownthisafternoon，andIhardlythinkyouwillseehimto-night。Hisreturnhasbeendelayed。\'
\'Thenthemattermustwait。\'
\'Ihaveleftwordathishouseaskinghimtocallhereifhegetshomebeforehalf-pastten；butatanyrateIshallseehimto-morrowmorning。CanIdoanythingforyou，sinceyouareleavingearly?\'
Somersetrepliedthatthebusinesswasofnogreatimportance，andbrieflyexplainedthesuspectedintrusionintohisstudio；
thathehadwithhimaphotographofthesuspectedyoungman。
\'Ifitisamistake，\'addedSomerset，\'Ishouldregretputtingmydraughtsman\'sportraitintothehandsofthepolice，sinceitmightinjurehischaracter；indeed，itwouldbeunfairtohim。SoIwishtokeepthelikenessinmyownhands，andmerelytoshowittoMr。Haze。That\'swhyIprefernottosendit。\'
\'MymatterwithHazeisthatthebarrackfurnituredoesnotcorrespondwiththeinventories。Ifyoulike，I\'llaskyourquestionatthesametimewithpleasure。\'
ThereuponSomersetgaveCaptainDeStancyanunfastenedenvelopecontainingtheportrait，askinghimtodestroyitiftheconstableshoulddeclareitnottocorrespondwiththefacethatmethiseyeatthewindow。Soonafter，Somersettookhisleaveofthehousehold。
Hehadnotbeenabsenttenminuteswhenotherwheelswereheardonthegravelwithout，andtheservantannouncedMr。
CunninghamHaze，whohadreturnedearlierthanhehadexpected，andhadcalledasrequested。
Theywentintothedining-roomtodiscusstheirbusiness。
WhenthebarrackmatterhadbeenarrangedDeStancysaid，\'I
havealittlecommissiontoexecuteformyfriendMr。
Somerset。Iamtoaskyouifthisportraitofthepersonhesuspectsofunlawfullyenteringhisroomislikethemanyousawthere?\'
Thespeakerwasseatedononesideofthedining-tableandMr。
Hazeontheother。AshespokeDeStancypulledtheenvelopefromhispocket，andhalfdrewoutthephotograph，whichhehadnotasyetlookedat，tohanditovertotheconstable。
Intheacthiseyefellupontheportrait，withitsuncertainexpressionofage，assuredlook，andhairworninafringelikeagirl\'s。
CaptainDeStancy\'sfacebecamestrained，andheleantbackinhischair，havingpreviouslyhadsufficientpoweroverhimselftoclosetheenvelopeandreturnittohispocket。
\'Goodheavens，youareill，CaptainDeStancy?\'saidthechiefconstable。
\'Itwasonlymomentary，\'saidDeStancy；\'betterinaminute——
aglassofwaterwillputmeright。\'
Mr。Hazegothimaglassofwaterfromthesideboard。
\'Thesespasmsoccasionallyovertakeme，\'saidDeStancywhenhehaddrunk。\'Iamalreadybetter。Whatwerewesaying?O，thisaffairofMr。Somerset\'s。Ifindthatthisenvelopeisnottherightone。\'Heostensiblysearchedhispocketagain。
\'Imusthavemislaidit，\'hecontinued，rising。\'I\'llbewithyouagaininamoment。\'
DeStancywentintotheroomadjoining，openedanalbumofportraitsthatlayonthetable，andselectedoneofayoungmanquiteunknowntohim，whoseagewassomewhatakintoDare\'s，butwhoinnootherattributeresembledhim。
DeStancyplacedthispictureintheoriginalenvelope，andreturnedwithittothechiefconstable，sayinghehadfounditatlast。
\'Thankyou，thankyou，\'saidCunninghamHaze，lookingitover。
\'Ah——IperceiveitisnotwhatIexpectedtosee。Mr。
Somersetwasmistaken。\'
Whenthechiefconstablehadleftthehouse，CaptainDeStancyshutthedooranddrewouttheoriginalphotograph。AshelookedatthetranscriptofDare\'sfeatureshewasmovedbyapainfulagitation，tillrecallinghimselftothepresent，hecarefullyputtheportraitintothefire。
DuringthefollowingdaysCaptainDeStancy\'smannerontheroads，inthestreets，andatbarracks，wasthatofCrusoeafterseeingtheprintofaman\'sfootonthesand。
V。
AnybodywhohadcloselyconsideredDareatthistimewouldhavediscoveredthat，shortlyafterthearrivaloftheRoyalHorseArtilleryatMarktonBarracks，hegaveuphisroomattheinnatSleeping-Greenandtookpermanentlodgingsoverabroker\'sshopinthetownabove-mentioned。Thepeculiarityoftheroomswasthattheycommandedaviewlengthwiseofthebarracklanealongwhichanysoldier，inthenaturalcourseofthings，wouldpasseithertoenterthetown，tocallatMyrtleVilla，ortogotoStancyCastle。
Dareseemedtoactasiftherewereplentyoftimeforhisbusiness。Somefewdayshadslippedbywhen，perceivingCaptainDeStancywalkpasthiswindowandintothetown，Daretookhishatandcane，andfollowedinthesamedirection。
WhenhewasaboutfiftyyardsshortofMyrtleVillaontheothersideofthetownhesawDeStancyenteritsgate。
Daremountedastilebesidethehighwayandpatientlywaited。
InabouttwentyminutesDeStancycameoutagainandturnedbackinthedirectionofthetown，tillDarewasrevealedtohimonhislefthand。WhenDeStancyrecognizedtheyouthhewasvisiblyagitated，thoughapparentlynotsurprised。
Standingstillamomenthedroppedhisglanceupontheground，andthencameforwardtoDare，whohavingalightedfromthestilestoodbeforethecaptainwithasmile。
\'Mydearlad!\'saidDeStancy，muchmovedbyrecollections。
HeheldDare\'shandforamomentinbothhisown，andturnedaskance。
\'Youarenotastonished，\'saidDare，stillretaininghissmile，asiftohismindthereweresomethingcomicinthesituation。
\'Iknewyouweresomewherenear。Wheredoyoucomefrom?\'
\'Fromgoingtoandfrointheearth，andwalkingupanddowninit，asSatansaidtohisMaker——Southamptonlast，incommonspeech。\'
\'Haveyoucomeheretoseeme?\'
\'Entirely。IdivinedthatyournextquarterswouldbeMarkton，thepreviousbatteriesthatwereatyourstationhavingcomeonhere。Ihavewantedtoseeyoubadly。\'
\'Youhave?\'
\'Iamratheroutofcash。Ihavebeenknockingaboutagooddealsinceyoulastheardfromme。\'
\'IwilldowhatIcanagain。\'
\'Thanks，captain。\'
\'But，Willy，Iamafraiditwillnotbemuchatpresent。YouknowIamaspoorasamouse。\'
\'Butsuchasitis，couldyouwriteachequeforitnow?\'
\'Iwillsendittoyoufromthebarracks。\'
\'Ihaveabetterplan。BygettingoverthisstilewecouldgoroundatthebackofthevillastoSleeping-GreenChurch。
Thereisalwaysapen-and-inkinthevestry，andwecanhaveanicetalkontheway。Itwouldbeunwiseformetoappearatthebarracksjustnow。\'
\'That\'strue。\'
DeStancysighed，andtheywereabouttowalkacrossthefieldstogether。\'No，\'saidDare，suddenlystopping:myplansmakeitimperativethatweshouldnotruntheriskofbeingseenineachother\'scompanyforlong。Walkon，andI
willfollow。Youcanstrollintothechurchyard，andmoveaboutasifyouwereruminatingontheepitaphs。Therearesomewithexcellentmorals。I\'llenterbytheothergate，andwecanmeeteasilyinthevestry-room。\'
DeStancylookedgloomy，andwasonthepointofacquiescingwhenheturnedbackandsaid，\'Whyshouldyourphotographbeshowntothechiefconstable?\'
\'Bywhom?\'
\'Somersetthearchitect。Hesuspectsyourhavingbrokenintohisofficeorsomethingofthesort。\'DeStancybrieflyrelatedwhatSomersethadexplainedtohimatthedinner-
table。
\'Itwasmerelydiamondcutdiamondbetweenus，onanarchitecturalmatter，\'murmuredDare。\'Ho!andhesuspects；
andthat\'shisremedy!\'
\'Ihopethisisnothingserious?\'askedDeStancygravely。
\'Ipeepedathisdrawing——that\'sall。Butsincehechoosestomakethatuseofmyphotograph，whichIgavehiminfriendship，I\'llmakeuseofhisinawayhelittledreamsof。
Wellnow，let\'son。\'
AquarterofanhourlatertheymetinthevestryofthechurchatSleeping-Green。
\'Ihaveonlyjusttransferredmyaccounttothebankhere，\'
saidDeStancy，ashetookouthischeque-book，\'anditwillbemoreconvenienttomeatpresenttodrawbutasmallsum。
Iwillmakeupthebalanceafterwards。\'
WhenhehadwrittenitDareglancedoverthepaperandsaidruefully，\'Itissmall，dad。Well，thereisallthemorereasonwhyIshouldbroachmyscheme，withaviewtomakingsuchdocumentslargerinthefuture。\'
\'Ishallbegladtohearofanysuchscheme，\'answeredDeStancy，withalanguidattemptatjocularity。
