第3章

"Youaremightysureofyourself，"heretorted。

"That’swhyImadetheproposition，"Ireplied。

"Gettingreligion，eh？"hesneered。

"No，"wasmyanswer。"ItmerelyhappensthatIpossessmorelifethanyoucaneverreachtheendof。Makeitahundreddaysifyouwant，andI’llsmileatyouwhenit’sover。"

"Iguesstendayswillmorethandoyou，Standing。"

"That’syouropinion，"Isaid。"Haveyougotfaithinit？Ifyouhaveyouwon’tevenlosethepriceofthetwofive-centssacksoftobacco。Anyway，whathaveyougottobeafraidof？"

"FortwocentsI’dkickthefaceoffofyourightnow，"hesnarled。

"Don’tletmestopyou。"Iwasimpudentlysuave。"Kickashardasyouplease，andI’llstillhaveenoughfaceleftwithwhichtosmile。Inthemeantime，whileyouarehesitating，supposeyouacceptmyoriginalproposition。"

Amanmustbeterriblyweakandprofoundlydesperatetobeable，undersuchcircumstances，tobeardtheWardeninsolitary。Orhemaybeboth，and，inaddition，hemayhavefaith。IknownowthatI

hadthefaithandsoactedonit。IbelievedwhatMorrellhadtoldme。Ibelievedinthelordshipofthemindoverthebody。I

believedthatnotevenahundreddaysinthejacketcouldkillme。

CaptainJamiemusthavesensedthisfaiththatinformedme，forhesaid:

"IrememberaSwedethatwentcrazytwentyyearsago。Thatwasbeforeyourtime，Warden。He’dkilledamaninaquarrelovertwenty-fivecentsandgotlifeforit。Hewasacook。Hegotreligion。Hesaidthatagoldenchariotwascomingtotakehimtoheaven，andhesatdownontopthered-hotrangeandsanghymnsandhosannahswhilehecooked。Theydraggedhimoff，buthecroakedtwodaysafterwardinhospital。Hewascookedtothebone。Andtotheendhesworehe’dneverfelttheheat。Couldn’tgetasquealoutofhim。"

"We’llmakeStandingsqueal，"saidtheWarden。

"Sinceyouaresosureofit，whydon’tyouacceptmyproposition？"

Ichallenged。

TheWardenwassoangrythatitwouldhavebeenludicroustomehadInotbeeninsodesperateplight。Hisfacewasconvulsed。Heclenchedhishands，and，foramoment，itseemedthathewasabouttofalluponmeandgivemeabeating。Then，withaneffort，hecontrolledhimself。

"Allright，Standing，"hesnarled。"I’llgoyou。Butyoubetyoursweetlifeyou’llhavetogosometosmiletendaysfromnow。Rollhimover，boys，andcinchhimtillyouhearhisribscrack。

Hutchins，showhimyouknowhowtodoit。"

AndtheyrolledmeoverandlacedmeasIhadneverbeenlacedbefore。Theheadtrustycertainlydemonstratedhisability。I

triedtostealwhatlittlespaceIcould。Littleitwas，forIhadlongsinceshedmyflesh，whilemymuscleswereattenuatedtomerestrings。Ihadneitherthestrengthnorbulktostealmorethanalittle，andthelittleIstoleIswearImanagedbysheerexpansionatthejointsofthebonesofmyframe。AndofthislittleIwasrobbedbyHutchins，who，intheolddaysbeforehewasmadeheadtrusty，hadlearnedallthetricksofthejacketfromtheinsideofthejacket。

Yousee，Hutchinswasacuratheart，oracreaturewhohadoncebeenaman，butwhohadbeenbrokenonthewheel。Hepossessedtenortwelvethousanddollars，andhisfreedomwasinsightifheobeyedorders。Later，Ilearnedthattherewasagirlwhohadremainedtruetohim，andwhowaseventhenwaitingforhim。Thewomanfactorexplainsmanythingsofmen。

Ifeveramandeliberatelycommittedmurder，AlHutchinsdidthatmorninginsolitaryattheWarden’sbidding。HerobbedmeofthelittlespaceIstole。And，havingrobbedmeofthat，mybodywasdefenceless，and，withhisfootinmybackwhilehedrewthelacinglight，heconstrictedmeasnomanhadeverbeforesucceededindoing。SoseverewasthisconstrictionofmyfrailframeuponmyvitalorgansthatIfelt，thereandthen，immediately，thatdeathwasuponme。Andstillthemiracleoffaithwasmine。IdidnotbelievethatIwasgoingtodie。Iknew——IsayIKNEW——thatIwasnotgoingtodie。Myheadwasswimming，andmyheartwaspoundingfrommytoenailstothehair-rootsinmyscalp。

"That’sprettytight，"CaptainJamieurgedreluctantly。

"Thehellitis，"saidDoctorJackson。"Itellyounothingcanhurthim。He’sawooz。Heoughttohavebeendeadlongago。"

WardenAtherton，afterahardstruggle，managedtoinserthisforefingerbetweenthelacingandmyback。Hebroughthisfoottobearuponme，withtheweightofhisbodyaddedtohisfoot，andpulled，butfailedtogetanyfractionofaninchofslack。

"Itakemyhatofftoyou，Hutchins，"hesaid。"Youknowyourjob。

Nowrollhimoverandlet’slookathim。"

Theyrolledmeoveronmyback。Istaredupatthemwithbulgingeyes。ThisIknow:HadtheylacedmeinsuchfashionthefirsttimeIwentintothejacket，Iwouldsurelyhavediedinthefirsttenminutes。ButIwaswelltrained。Ihadbehindmethethousandsofhoursinthejacket，and，plusthat，IhadfaithinwhatMorrellhadtoldme。

"Now，laugh，damnyou，laugh，"saidtheWardentome。"Startthatsmileyou’vebeenbraggingabout。

So，whilemylungspantedforalittleair，whilemyheartthreatenedtoburst，whilemymindreeled，neverthelessIwasabletosmileupintotheWarden’sface。

CHAPTERXI

Thedoorclanged，shuttingoutallbutalittlelight，andIwasleftaloneonmyback。BythetricksIhadlongsincelearnedinthejacket，Imanagedtowrithemyselfacrosstheflooraninchatatimeuntiltheedgeofthesoleofmyrightshoetouchedthedoor。

Therewasanimmensecheerinthis。Iwasnotutterlyalone。Iftheneedarose，IcouldatleastrapknuckletalktoMorrell。

ButWardenAthertonmusthaveleftstrictinjunctionsontheguards，for，thoughImanagedtocallMorrellandtellhimIintendedtryingtheexperiment，hewaspreventedbytheguardsfromreplying。Metheycouldonlycurse，for，insofarasIwasinthejacketforatendays’bout，Iwasbeyondallthreatofpunishment。

Irememberremarkingatthetimemyserenityofmind。Thecustomarypainofthejacketwasinmybody，butmymindwassopassivethatI

wasnomoreawareofthepainthanwasIawareofthefloorbeneathmeorthewallsaroundme。Neverwasamaninbettermentalandspiritualconditionforsuchanexperiment。Ofcourse，thiswaslargelyduetomyextremeweakness。Buttherewasmoretoit。I

hadlongschooledmyselftobeoblivioustopain。Ihadneitherdoubtsnorfears。Allthecontentofmymindseemedtobeanabsolutefaithintheover-lordshipofthemind。Thispassivitywasalmostdream-like，andyet，initsway，itwaspositivealmosttoapitchofexaltation。

Ibeganmyconcentrationofwill。Eventhenmybodywasnumbingandpricklingthroughthelossofcirculation。Idirectedmywilltothelittletoeofmyrightfoot，andIwilledthattoetoceasetobealiveinmyconsciousness。Iwilledthattoetodie——todiesofarasI，itslord，andadifferentthingentirelyfromit，wasconcerned。Therewasthehardstruggle。Morrellhadwarnedmethatitwouldbeso。Buttherewasnoflickerofdoubttodisturbmyfaith。Iknewthatthattoewoulddie，andIknewwhenitwasdead。

Jointbyjointithaddiedunderthecompulsionofmywill。

Therestwaseasy，butslow，Iwilladmit。Jointbyjoint，toebytoe，allthetoesofbothmyfeetceasedtobe。Andjointbyjoint，theprocesswenton。Camethetimewhenmyfleshbelowtheankleshadceased。Camethetimewhenallbelowmykneeshadceased。

Suchwasthepitchofmyperfectexaltation，thatIknewnottheslightestprodofrejoicingatmysuccess。IknewnothingsavethatIwasmakingmybodydie。AllthatwasIwasdevotedtothatsoletask。Iperformedtheworkasthoroughlyasanymasonlayingbricks，andIregardedtheworkasjustaboutascommonplaceaswouldabrick-masonregardhiswork。

Attheendofanhourmybodywasdeadtothehips，andfromthehipsup，jointbyjoint，Icontinuedtowilltheascendingdeath。

ItwaswhenIreachedthelevelofmyheartthatthefirstblurringanddizzyingofmyconsciousness’occurred。ForfearthatIshouldloseconsciousness，IwilledtoholdthedeathIhadgained，andshiftedmyconcentrationtomyfingers。Mybrainclearedagain，andthedeathofmyarmstotheshoulderswasmostrapidlyaccomplished。

Atthisstagemybodywasalldead，sofarasIwasconcerned，savemyheadandalittlepatchofmychest。Nolongerdidthepoundandsmashofmycompressedheartechoinmybrain。Myheartwasbeatingsteadilybutfeebly。Thejoyofit，hadIdaredjoyatsuchamoment，wouldhavebeenthecessationofsensations。

AtthispointmyexperiencediffersfromMorrell’s。Stillwillingautomatically，Ibegantogrowdreamy，asonedoesinthatborderlandbetweensleepingandwaking。Also，itseemedasifaprodigiousenlargementofmybrainwastakingplacewithintheskullitselfthatdidnotenlarge。TherewereoccasionalglintingsandflashingsoflightasifevenI，theoverlord，hadceasedforamomentandthenextmomentwasagainmyself，stillthetenantofthefleshlytenementthatIwasmakingtodie。

Mostperplexingwastheseemingenlargementofbrain。Withouthavingpassedthroughthewallofskull，neverthelessitseemedtomethattheperipheryofmybrainwasalreadyoutsidemyskullandstillexpanding。AlongwiththiswasoneofthemostremarkablesensationsorexperiencesthatIhaveeverencountered。Timeandspace，insofarastheywerethestuffofmyconsciousness，underwentanenormousextension。Thus，withoutopeningmyeyestoverify，Iknewthatthewallsofmynarrowcellhadrecededuntilitwaslikeavastaudience-chamber。AndwhileIcontemplatedthematter，Iknewthattheycontinuedtorecede。Thewhimstruckmeforamomentthatifasimilarexpansionweretakingplacewiththewholeprison，thentheouterwallsofSanQuentinmustbefaroutinthePacificOceanononesideandontheothersidemustbeencroachingontheNevadadesert。Acompanionwhimwasthatsincemattercouldpermeatematter，thenthewallsofmycellmightwellpermeatetheprisonwalls，passthroughtheprisonwalls，andthusputmycelloutsidetheprisonandputmeatliberty。Ofcourse，thiswaspurefantasticwhim，andIknewitatthetimeforwhatitwas。

Theextensionoftimewasequallyremarkable。Onlyatlongintervalsdidmyheartbeat。Againawhimcametome，andIcountedtheseconds，slowandsure，betweenmyheart-beats。Atfirst，asI

clearlynoted，overahundredsecondsintervenedbetweenbeats。ButasIcontinuedtocounttheintervalsextendedsothatIwasmadewearyofcounting。

Andwhilethisillusionoftheextensionoftimeandspacepersistedandgrew，Ifoundmyselfdreamilyconsideringanewandprofoundproblem。Morrellhadtoldmethathehadwonfreedomfromhisbodybykillinghisbody——orbyeliminatinghisbodyfromhisconsciousness，which，ofcourse，wasineffectthesamething。Now，mybodywassoneartobeingentirelydeadthatIknewinallabsolutenessthatbyaquickconcentrationofwillontheyet-alivepatchofmytorsoit，too，wouldceasetobe。But——andherewastheproblem，andMorrellhadnotwarnedme:shouldIalsowillmyheadtobedead？IfIdidso，nomatterwhatbefellthespiritofDarrellStanding，wouldnotthebodyofDarrellStandingbeforeverdead？

Ichancedthechestandtheslow-beatingheart。Thequickcompulsionofmywillwasrewarded。Inolongerhadchestnorheart。Iwasonlyamind，asoul，aconsciousness——callitwhatyouwill——incorporateinanebulousbrainthat，whileitstillcentredinsidemyskull，wasexpanded，andwascontinuingtoexpand，beyondmyskull。

Andthen，withflashingsoflight，Iwasoffandaway。AtaboundI

hadvaultedprisonroofandCaliforniasky，andwasamongthestars。Isay"stars"advisedly。Iwalkedamongthestars。Iwasachild。Iwascladinfrail，fleece-like，delicate-colouredrobesthatshimmeredinthecoolstarlight。Theserobes，ofcourse，werebaseduponmyboyhoodobservanceofcircusactorsandmyboyhoodconceptionofthegarbofyoungangels。

Nevertheless，thusclad，Itrodinterstellarspace，exaltedbytheknowledgethatIwasboundonvastadventure，where，attheend，I

wouldfindallthecosmicformulaeandhavemadecleartometheultimatesecretoftheuniverse。InmyhandIcarriedalongglasswand。ItwasborneinuponmethatwiththetipofthiswandImusttoucheachstarinpassing。AndIknew，inallabsoluteness，thatdidIbutmissonestarIshouldbeprecipitatedintosomeunplummetedabyssofunthinkableandeternalpunishmentandguilt。

LongIpursuedmystarryquest。WhenIsay"long，"youmustbearinmindtheenormousextensionoftimethathadoccurredinmybrain。

ForcenturiesItrodspace，withthetipofmywandandwithunerringeyeandhandtappingeachstarIpassed。Everthewaygrewbrighter。Evertheineffablegoalofinfinitewisdomgrewnearer。

AndyetImadenomistake。Thiswasnootherselfofmine。Thiswasnoexperiencethathadoncebeenmine。IwasawareallthetimethatitwasI，DarrellStanding，whowalkedamongthestarsandtappedthemwithawandofglass。Inshort，Iknewthatherewasnothingreal，nothingthathadeverbeennorcouldeverbe。Iknewthatitwasnothingelsethanaridiculousorgyoftheimagination，suchasmenenjoyindrugdreams，indelirium，orinmereordinaryslumber。

Andthen，asallwentmerryandwellwithmeonmycelestialquest，thetipofmywandmissedastar，andontheinstantIknewIhadbeenguiltyofagreatcrime。Andontheinstantaknock，vastandcompulsive，inexorableandmandatoryasthestampoftheironhoofofdoom，smotemeandreverberatedacrosstheuniverse。Thewholesiderealsystemcoruscated，reeledandfellinflame。

Iwastornbyanexquisiteanddisruptiveagony。AndontheinstantIwasDarrellStanding，thelife-convict，lyinginhisstrait-jacketinsolitary。AndIknewtheimmediatecauseofthatsummons。ItwasarapoftheknucklebyEdMorrell，inCellFive，beginningthespellingofsomemessage。

Andnow，togivesomecomprehensionoftheextensionoftimeandspacethatIwasexperiencing。ManydaysafterwardsIaskedMorrellwhathehadtriedtoconveytome。Itwasasimplemessage，namely:

"Standing，areyouthere？"Hehadtappeditrapidly，whiletheguardwasatthefarendofthecorridorintowhichthesolitarycellsopened。AsIsay，hehadtappedthemessageveryrapidly。

Andnowbehold！BetweenthefirsttapandthesecondIwasoffandawayamongthestars，cladinfleecygarments，touchingeachstarasIpassedinmypursuitoftheformulaethatwouldexplainthelastmysteryoflife。And，asbefore，Ipursuedthequestforcenturies。

Thencamethesummons，thestampofthehoofofdoom，theexquisitedisruptiveagony，andagainIwasbackinmycellinSanQuentin。

ItwasthesecondtapofEdMorrell’sknuckle。Theintervalbetweenitandthefirsttapcouldhavebeennomorethanafifthofasecond。Andyet，sounthinkablyenormouswastheextensionoftimetome，thatinthecourseofthatfifthofasecondIhadbeenawaystar-rovingforlongages。

NowIknow，myreader，thattheforegoingseemsallafarrago。I

agreewithyou。Itisfarrago。Itwasexperience，however。Itwasjustasrealtomeasisthesnakebeheldbyamanindeliriumtremens。

Possibly，bythemostliberalestimate，itmayhavetakenEdMorrelltwominutestotaphisquestion。Yet，tome，aeonselapsedbetweenthefirsttapofhisknuckleandthelast。NolongercouldItreadmystarrypathwiththatineffablepristinejoy，formywaywasbesetwithdreadoftheinevitablesummonsthatwouldripandtearmeasitjerkedmebacktomystraitjackethell。Thusmyaeonsofstar-wanderingwereaeonsofdread。

AndallthetimeIknewitwasEdMorrell’sknucklethatthuscruellyheldmeearth-bound。Itriedtospeaktohim，toaskhimtocease。ButsothoroughlyhadIeliminatedmybodyfrommyconsciousnessthatIwasunabletoresurrectit。Mybodylaydeadinthejacket，thoughIstillinhabitedtheskull。InvainIstrovetowillmyfoottotapmymessagetoMorrell。IreasonedIhadafoot。Andyet，sothoroughlyhadIcarriedouttheexperiment，I

hadnofoot。

Next——andIknownowthatitwasbecauseMorrellhadspelledhismessagequiteout——Ipursuedmywayamongthestarsandwasnotcalledback。Afterthat，andinthecourseofit，Iwasaware，drowsily，thatIwasfallingasleep，andthatitwasdelicioussleep。Fromtimetotime，drowsily，Istirred——please，myreader，don’tmissthatverb——ISTIRRED。Imovedmylegs，myarms。Iwasawareofclean，softbedlinenagainstmyskin。Iwasawareofbodilywell-being。Oh，itwasdelicious！Asthirstingmenonthedesertdreamofsplashingfountainsandflowingwells，sodreamedI

ofeasementfromtheconstrictionofthejacket，ofcleanlinessintheplaceoffilth，ofsmoothvelvetyskinofhealthinplaceofmypoorparchment-crinkledhide。ButIdreamedwithadifference，asyoushallsee。

Iawoke。Oh，broadandwideawakeIwas，althoughIdidnotopenmyeyes。AndpleaseknowthatinallthatfollowsIknewnosurprisewhatever。Everythingwasthenaturalandtheexpected。IwasI，besureofthat。BUTIWASNOTDARRELLSTANDING。DarrellStandinghadnomoretodowiththebeingIwasthandidDarrellStanding’sparchment-crinkledskinhaveaughttodowiththecool，softskinthatwasmine。NorwasIawareofanyDarrellStanding——asIcouldnotwellbe，consideringthatDarrellStandingwasasyetunbornandwouldnotbebornforcenturies。Butyoushallsee。

Ilaywithclosedeyes，lazilylistening。Fromwithoutcametheclackingofmanyhoofsmovingorderlyonstoneflags。Fromtheaccompanyingjingleofmetalbitsofman-harnessandsteed-harnessI

knewsomecavalcadewaspassingbyonthestreetbeneathmywindows。

Also，Iwonderedidlywhoitwas。Fromsomewhere——andIknewwhere，forIknewitwasfromtheinnyard——cametheringandstampofhoofsandanimpatientneighthatIrecognizedasbelongingtomywaitinghorse。

Camestepsandmovements——stepsopenlyadvertisedassuppressedwiththeintentofsilenceandthatyetweredeliberatelynoisywiththesecretintentofrousingmeifIstillslept。Ismiledinwardlyattherascal’strick。

"Pons，"Iordered，withoutopeningmyeyes，"water，coldwater，quick，adeluge。Idrankoverlonglastnight，andnowmygulletscorches。"

"Andsleptoverlongto-day，"hescolded，ashepassedmethewater，readyinhishand。

Isatup，openedmyeyes，andcarriedthetankardtomylipswithbothmyhands。AndasIdrankIlookedatPons。

Nownotetwothings。IspokeinFrench；IwasnotconsciousthatI

spokeinFrench。Notuntilafterward，backinsolitary，whenI

rememberedwhatIamnarrating，didIknowthatIhadspokeninFrench——ay，andspokenwell。Asforme，DarrellStanding，atpresentwritingtheselinesinMurderers’RowofFolsomPrison，why，IknowonlyhighschoolFrenchsufficienttoenablemetoreadthelanguage。Asformyspeakingit——impossible。Icanscarcelyintelligiblypronouncemywaythroughamenu。

Buttoreturn。Ponswasalittlewitheredoldman。Hewasborninourhouse——Iknow，foritchancedthatmentionwasmadeofitthisverydayIamdescribing。Ponswasallofsixtyyears。Hewasmostlytoothless，and，despiteapronouncedlimpthatcompelledhimtogoslippity-hop，hewasveryalertandspryinallhismovements。

Also，hewasimpudentlyfamiliar。Thiswasbecausehehadbeeninmyhousesixtyyears。Hehadbeenmyfather’sservantbeforeI

couldtoddle，andaftermyfather’sdeath(PonsandItalkedofitthisday)hebecamemyservant。ThelimphehadacquiredonastrickenfieldinItaly，whenthehorsemenchargedacross。Hehadjustdraggedmyfatherclearofthehoofswhenhewaslancedthroughthethigh，overthrown，andtrampled。Myfather，consciousbuthelplessfromhisownwounds，witnesseditall。Andso，asIsay，Ponshadearnedsucharighttoimpudentfamiliaritythatatleasttherewasnogainsayinghimbymyfather’sson。

PonsshookhisheadasIdrainedthehugedraught。

"Didyouhearitboil？"Ilaughed，asIhandedbacktheemptytankard。

"Likeyourfather，"hesaidhopelessly。"Butyourfatherlivedtolearnbetter，whichIdoubtyouwilldo。"

"Hegotastomachaffliction，"Idevilled，"sothatonemouthfulofspiritsturneditoutsidein。Itwerewisdomnottodrinkwhenone’stankwillnotholdthedrink。"

WhilewetalkedPonswasgatheringtomybedsidemyclothesfortheday。

"Drinkon，mymaster，"heanswered。"Itwon’thurtyou。You’lldiewithasoundstomach。"

"Youmeanmineisaniron-linedstomach？"Iwilfullymisunderstoodhim。

"Imean——"hebeganwithaquickpeevishness，thenbrokeoffasherealizedmyteasingandwithapoutofhiswitheredlipsdrapedmynewsablecloakuponachair-back。"Eighthundredducats，"hesneered。"Athousandgoatsandahundredfatoxeninacoattokeepyouwarm。Ascoreoffarmsonmygentleman’sfineback。"

"Andinthatahundredfinefarms，withacastleortwothrownin，tosaynothing，perhaps，ofapalace，"Isaid，reachingoutmyhandandtouchingtherapierwhichhewasjustintheactofdepositingonthechair。

"Soyourfatherwonwithhisgoodrightarm，"Ponsretorted。"Butwhatyourfatherwonheheld。"

HerePonspausedtoholduptoscornmynewscarletsatindoublet——awondrousthingofwhichIhadbeenextravagant。

"Sixtyducatsforthat，"Ponsindicted。"Yourfather’dhaveseenallthetailorsandJewsofChristendomroastinginhellbeforehe’da-paidsuchaprice。"

Andwhilewedressed——thatis，whilePonshelpedmetodress——I

continuedtoquipwithhim。

"Itisquiteclear，Pons，thatyouhavenotheardthenews，"Isaidslyly。

Whereatupprickedhisearsliketheoldgossiphewas。

"Latenews？"hequeried。"MayhapfromtheEnglishCourt？"

"Nay，"Ishookmyhead。"Butnewsperhapstoyou，butoldnewsforallofthat。Haveyounotheard？ThephilosophersofGreecewerewhisperingitnightwothousandyearsago。ItisbecauseofthatnewsthatIputtwentyfatfarmsonmyback，liveatCourt，andambecomeadandy。Yousee，Pons，theworldisamostevilplace，lifeismostsad，allmendie，and，beingdead……well，aredead。

Wherefore，toescapetheevilandthesadness，meninthesedays，likeme，seekamazement，insensibility，andthemadnessesofdalliance。"

"Butthenews，master？Whatdidthephilosopherswhisperaboutsolongago？"

"ThatGodwasdead，Pons，"Irepliedsolemnly。"Didn’tyouknowthat？Godisdead，andIsoonshallbe，andIweartwentyfatfarmsonmyback。"

"Godlives，"Ponsassertedfervently。"Godlives，andhiskingdomisathand。Itellyou，master，itisathand。Itmaybenolaterthanto-morrowthattheearthshallpassaway。"

"SosaidtheyinoldRome，Pons，whenNeromadetorchesofthemtolighthissports。"

Ponsregardedmepityingly。

"Toomuchlearningisasickness，"hecomplained。"Iwasalwaysopposedtoit。Butyoumusthaveyourwillanddragmyoldbodyaboutwithyou——a-studyingastronomyandnumbersinVenice，poetryandalltheItalianFOL-DE-ROLSinFlorence，andastrologyinPisa，andGodknowswhatinthatmadmancountryofGermany。Pishforthephilosophers！Itellyou，master，I，Pons，yourservant，apooroldmanwhoknowsnotaletterfromapike-staff——ItellyouGodlives，andthetimeyoushallappearbeforehimisshort。"Hepausedwithsuddenrecollection，andadded:"Heishere，thepriestyouspokeof。"

OntheinstantIrememberedmyengagement。

"Whydidyounottellmebefore？"Idemandedangrily。

"Whatdiditmatter？"Ponsshruggedhisshoulders。"Hashenotbeenwaitingtwohoursasitis？"

"Whydidn’tyoucallme？"

Heregardedmewithathoughtful，censoriouseye。

"Andyourollingtobedandshoutinglikechanticleer，’Singcucu，singcucu，cucununucucu，singcucu，singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。’"

Hemockedmewiththesenselessrefraininanear-janglingfalsetto。

WithoutdoubtIhadbawledthenonsenseoutonmywaytobed。

"Youhaveagoodmemory，"Icommenteddrily，asIessayedamomenttodrapemyshoulderswiththenewsablecloakereItossedittoPonstoputaside。Heshookhisheadsourly。

"Noneedofmemorywhenyouroareditoverandoverforthethousandthtimetillhalftheinnwasa-knockatthedoortospityouforthesleep-killeryouwere。AndwhenIhadyoudecentlyinthebed，didyounotcallmetoyouandcommand，ifthedevilcalled，totellhimmyladyslept？Anddidyounotcallmebackagain，and，withagriponmyarmthatleavesitbruisedandblackthisday，commandme，asIlovedlife，fatmeat，andthewarmfire，tocallyounotofthemorningsaveforonething？"

"Whichwas？"Iprompted，unableforthelifeofmetoguesswhatI

couldhavesaid。

"Whichwastheheartofone，ablackbuzzard，yousaid，bynameMartinelli——whoeverhemaybe——fortheheartofMartinellismokingonagoldplatter。Theplattermustbegold，yousaid；andyousaidImustcallyoubysinging，’Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。’

Whereatyoubegantoteachmehowtosing，’Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。’"

AndwhenPonshadsaidthename，Iknewitatonceforthepriest，Martinelli，whohadbeenknockinghisheelstwomortalhoursintheroomwithout。

WhenMartinelliwaspermittedtoenterandashesalutedmebytitleandname，Iknewatoncemynameandallofit。IwasCountGuillaumedeSainte-Maure。(Yousee，onlycouldIknowthen，andrememberafterward，whatwasinmyconsciousmind。)

ThepriestwasItalian，darkandsmall，leanaswithfastingorwithawastinghungernotofthisworld，andhishandswereassmallandslenderasawoman’s。Buthiseyes！Theywerecunningandtrustless，narrow-slittedandheavy-lidded，atoneandthesametimeassharpasaferret’sandasindolentasabaskinglizard’s。

"Therehasbeenmuchdelay，CountdeSainte-Maure，"hebeganpromptly，whenPonshadlefttheroomataglancefromme。"HewhomIservegrowsimpatient。"

"Changeyourtune，priest，"Ibrokeinangrily。"Remember，youarenotnowinRome。"

"Myaugustmaster——"hebegan。

"RulesaugustlyinRome，mayhap，"Iagaininterrupted。"ThisisFrance。"

Martinellishruggedhisshouldersmeeklyandpatiently，buthiseyes，gleaminglikeabasilisk’s，gavehisshouldersthelie。

"MyaugustmasterhassomeconcernwiththedoingsofFrance，"hesaidquietly。"Theladyisnotforyou。Mymasterhasotherplans……"Hemoistenedhisthinlipswithhistongue。"Otherplansforthelady……andforyou。"

Ofcourse，bytheladyIknewhereferredtothegreatDuchessPhilippa，widowofGeoffrey，lastDukeofAquitaine。Butgreatduchess，widow，andall，Philippawasawoman，andyoung，andgay，andbeautiful，and，bymyfaith，fashionedforme。

"Whatarehisplans？"Idemandedbluntly。

"Theyaredeepandwide，CountSainte-Maure——toodeepandwideformetopresumetoimagine，muchlessknowordiscusswithyouoranyman。"

"Oh，Iknowbigthingsareafootandslimywormssquirmingunderground，"Isaid。

"Theytoldmeyouwerestubborn-necked，butIhaveobeyedcommands。"

Martinelliarosetoleave，andIarosewithhim。

"Isaiditwasuseless，"hewenton。"Butthelastchancetochangeyourmindwasaccordedyou。Myaugustmasterdealsmorefairlythanfair。"

"Oh，well，I’llthinkthematterover，"Isaidairily，asIbowedthepriesttothedoor。

Hestoppedabruptlyatthethreshold。

"Thetimeforthinkingispast，"hesaid。"ItisdecisionIcamefor。"

"Iwillthinkthematterover，"Irepeated，thenadded，asafterthought:"Ifthelady’splansdonotaccordwithmine，thenmayhaptheplansofyourmastermayfruitashedesires。Forremember，priest，heisnomasterofmine。"

"Youdonotknowmymaster，"hesaidsolemnly。

"NordoIwishtoknowhim，"Iretorted。

AndIlistenedtothelithe，lightstepofthelittleintriguingpriestgodownthecreakingstairs。

DidIgointotheminutiaeofdetailofallthatIsawthishalfadayandhalfanightthatIwasCountGuillaumedeSainte-Maure，nottenbooksthesizeofthisIamwritingcouldcontainthetotalityofthematter。MuchIshallskip；infact，Ishallskipalmostall；

forneveryethaveIheardofacondemnedmanbeingreprievedinorderthathemightcompletehismemoirs——atleast，notinCalifornia。

WhenIrodeoutinParisthatdayitwastheParisofcenturiesagone。Thenarrowstreetswereanunsanitaryscandaloffilthandslime。ButImustskip。AndskipIshall，alloftheafternoon’sevents，alloftherideoutsidethewalls，ofthegrandfetegivenbyHughdeMeung，ofthefeastingandthedrinkinginwhichItooklittlepart。OnlyoftheendoftheadventurewillIwrite，whichbeginswithwhereIstoodjestingwithPhilippaherself——ah，dearGod，shewaswondrousbeautiful。Agreatlady——ay，butbeforethat，andafterthat，andalways，awoman。

Welaughedandjestedlightlyenough，asaboutusjostledthemerrythrong；butunderourjestingwasthedeepearnestnessofmanandwomanwelladvancedacrossthethresholdofloveandyetnottoosureeachoftheother。Ishallnotdescribeher。Shewassmall，exquisitelyslender——butthere，Iamdescribingher。Inbrief，shewastheonewomanintheworldforme，andlittleIreckedthelongarmofthatgrayoldmaninRomecouldreachouthalfacrossEuropebetweenmywomanandme。

AndtheItalian，Fortini，leanedtomyshoulderandwhispered:

"Onewhodesirestospeak。"

"Onewhomustwaitmypleasure，"Iansweredshortly。

"Iwaitnoman’spleasure，"washisequallyshortreply。

And，whilemybloodboiled，Irememberedthepriest，Martinelli，andthegrayoldmanatRome。Thethingwasclear。Itwasdeliberate。

Itwasthelongarm。FortinismiledlazilyatmewhileIthuspausedforthemomenttodebate，butinhissmilewastheessenceofallinsolence。

This，ofalltimes，wasthetimeIshouldhavebeencool。Buttheoldredangerbegantokindleinme。Thiswastheworkofthepriest。ThiswastheFortini，poverishedofallsavelineage，reckonedthebestswordcomeupoutofItalyinhalfascoreofyears。To-nightitwasFortini。Ifhefailedthegrayoldman’scommandto-morrowitwouldbeanothersword，thenextdayanother。

And，perchancestillfailing，thenmightIexpectthecommonbravo’ssteelinmybackorthecommonpoisoner’sphilterinmywine，mymeat，orbread。

"Iambusy，"Isaid。"Begone。"

"Mybusinesswithyoupresses，"washisreply。

Insensiblyourvoiceshadslightlyrisen，sothatPhilippaheard。

"Begone，youItalianhound，"Isaid。"Takeyourhowlingfrommydoor。Ishallattendtoyoupresently。"

"Themoonisup，"hesaid。"Thegrassisdryandexcellent。Thereisnodew。Beyondthefish-pond，anarrow’sflighttotheleft，isanopenspace，quietandprivate。"

"Presentlyyoushallhaveyourdesire，"Imutteredimpatiently。

Butstillhepersistedinwaitingatmyshoulder。

"Presently，"Isaid。"PresentlyIshallattendtoyou。"

ThenspokePhilippa，inallthedaringspiritandtheironofher。

"Satisfythegentleman’sdesire，Sainte-Maure。Attendtohimnow。

Andgoodfortunegowithyou。"Shepausedtobeckontoherheruncle，JeandeJoinville，whowaspassing——uncleonhermother’sside，ofthedeJoinvillesofAnjou。"Goodfortunegowithyou，"

sherepeated，andthenleanedtomesothatshecouldwhisper:"Andmyheartgoeswithyou，Sainte-Maure。Donotbelong。Ishallawaityouinthebighall。"

Iwasintheseventhheaven。Itrodonair。Itwasthefirstfrankadmittanceofherlove。AndwithsuchbenedictionIwasmadesostrongthatIknewIcouldkillascoreofFortinisandsnapmyfingersatascoreofgrayoldmeninRome。

JeandeJoinvilleborePhilippaawayinthepress，andFortiniandI

settledourarrangementsinatrice。Weseparated——hetofindafriendorso，andItofindafriendorso，andalltomeetattheappointedplacebeyondthefish-pond。

FirstIfoundRobertLanfranc，and，next，HenryBohemond。ButbeforeIfoundthemIencounteredawindlestrawwhichshowedwhichwayblewthewindandgavepromiseofaverygale。Iknewthewindlestraw，GuydeVillehardouin，arawyoungprovincial，comeupthefirsttimetoCourt，butafierylittlecockerelforallofthat。Hewasred-haired。Hisblueeyes，smallandpinchedclosetoether，werelikewisered，atleastinthewhitesofthem；andhisskin，ofthesortthatgoeswithsuchtypes，wasredandfreckled。

Hehadquiteaparboiledappearance。

AsIpassedhimbyasuddenmovementhejostledme。Oh，ofcourse，thethingwasdeliberate。Andheflamedatmewhilehishanddroppedtohisrapier。

"Faith，"thoughtI，"thegrayoldmanhasmanyandstrangetools，"

whiletothecockerelIbowedandmurmured，"Yourpardonformyclumsiness。Thefaultwasmine。Yourpardon，Villehardouin。"

Buthewasnottobeappeasedthuseasily。AndwhilehefumedandstruttedIglimpsedRobertLanfranc，beckonedhimtous，andexplainedthehappening。

"Sainte-Maurehasaccordedyousatisfaction，"washisjudgment。"Hehasprayedyourpardon。"

"Intruth，yes，"Iinterruptedinmysuavesttones。"AndIprayyourpardonagain，Villehardouin，formyverygreatclumsiness。I

prayyourpardonathousandtimes。Thefaultwasmine，thoughunintentioned。InmyhastetoanengagementIwasclumsy，mostwofulclumsy，butwithoutintention。"

WhatcouldthedoltdobutgrudginglyaccepttheamendsIsofreelyprofferedhim？YetIknew，asLanfrancandIhastenedon，thateremanydays，orhours，theflame-headedyouthwouldseetoitthatwemeasuredsteeltogetheronthegrass。

IexplainednomoretoLanfrancthanmyneedofhim，andhewaslittleinterestedtoprydeeperintothematter。Hewashimselfalivelyyoungsterofnomorethantwenty，buthehadbeentrainedtoarms，hadfoughtinSpain，andhadanhonourablerecordonthegrass。Merelyhisblackeyesflashedwhenhelearnedwhatwastoward，andsuchwashiseagernessthatitwashewhogatheredHenryBohemondintoournumber。

Whenthethreeofusarrivedintheopenspacebeyondthefish-pondFortiniandtwofriendswerealreadywaitingus。OnewasFelixPasquini，nephewtotheCardinalofthatname，andascloseinhisuncle’sconfidenceaswashisunclecloseintheconfidenceofthegrayoldman。TheotherwasRaouldeGoncourt，whosepresencesurprisedme，hebeingtoogoodandnobleamanforthecompanyhekept。

Wesalutedproperly，andproperlywentaboutthebusiness。Itwasnothingnewtoanyofus。Thefootingwasgood，aspromised。Therewasnodew。Themoonshonefair，andFortini’sbladeandminewereoutandatearnestplay。

ThisIknew:goodswordsmanastheyreckonedmeinFrance，Fortiniwasabetter。This，too，Iknew:thatIcarriedmylady’sheartwithmethisnight，andthatthisnight，becauseofme，therewouldbeoneItalianlessintheworld。IsayIknewit。Inmymindtheissuecouldnotbeindoubt。AndasourrapiersplayedIponderedthemannerIshouldkillhim。Iwasnotmindedforalongcontest。

Quickandbrillianthadalwaysbeenmyway。Andfurther，whatofmypastgaymonthsofcarousalandofsinging"Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu，"atungodlyhours，IknewIwasnotconditionedforalongcontest。Quickandbrilliantwasmydecision。

ButquickandbrilliantwasadifficultmatterwithsoconsummateaswordsmanasFortiniopposedtome。Besides，asluckwouldhaveit，Fortini，alwaysthecoldone，alwaysthetireless-wristed，alwayssureandlong，asreporthadit，ingoingaboutsuchbusiness，onthisnightelected，too，thequickandbrilliant。

Itwasnervous，tinglingwork，forassurelyasIsensedhisintentionofbriefness，justassurelyhadhesensedmine。IdoubtthatIcouldhavedonethetrickhaditbeenbroaddayinsteadofmoonlight。Thedimlightaidedme。AlsowasIaidedbydivining，themomentinadvance，whathehadinmind。Itwasthetimeattack，acommonbutperiloustrickthateverynoviceknows，thathaslaidonhisbackmanyagoodmanwhoattemptedit，andthatissofraughtwithdangertotheperpetratorthatswordsmenarenotenamouredofit。

Wehadbeenatworkbarelyaminute，whenIknewunderallhisdarting，flashingshowofoffencethatFortinimeditatedthisverytimeattack。Hedesiredofmeathrustandlunge，notthathemightparryitbutthathemighttimeitanddeflectitbythecustomaryslightturnofthewrist，hisrapierpointdirectedtomeetmeasmybodyfollowedinthelunge。Aticklishthing——ay，aticklishthinginthebestoflight。Didhedeflectafractionofasecondtooearly，Ishouldbewarnedandsaved。Didhedeflectafractionofasecondtoolate，mythrustwouldgohometohim。

"Quickandbrilliantisit？"wasmythought。"Verywell，myItalianfriend，quickandbrilliantshallitbe，andespeciallyshallitbequick。"

Inaway，itwastimeattackagainsttimeattack，butIwouldfoolhimonthetimebybeingover-quick。AndIwasquick。AsIsaid，wehadbeenatworkscarcelyaminutewhenithappened。Quick？

Thatthrustandlungeofminewereone。Asnapofactionitwas，anexplosion，aninstantaneousness。Iswearmythrustandlungewereafractionofasecondquickerthananymanissupposedtothrustandlunge。Iwonthefractionofasecond。BythatfractionofasecondtoolateFortiniattemptedtodeflectmybladeandimpalemeonhis。Butitwashisbladethatwasdeflected。Itflashedpastmybreast，andIwasin——insidehisweapon，whichextendedfulllengthintheemptyairbehindme——andmybladewasinsideofhim，andthroughhim，heart-high，fromrightsideofhimtoleftsideofhimandoutsideofhimbeyond。

Itisastrangethingtodo，tospitalivemanonalengthofsteel。Isithereinmycell，andceasefromwritingaspace，whileIconsiderthematter。AndIhaveconsidereditoften，thatmoonlightnightinFranceoflongago，whenItaughttheItalianhoundquickandbrilliant。Itwassoeasyathing，thatperforationofatorso。Onewouldhaveexpectedmoreresistance。Therewouldhavebeenresistancehadmyrapierpointtouchedbone。Asitwas，itencounteredonlythesoftnessofflesh。Stillitperforatedsoeasily。Ihavethesensationofitnow，inmyhand，mybrain，asI

write。Awoman’shat-pincouldgothroughaplumpuddingnotmoreeasilythandidmybladegothroughtheItalian。Oh，therewasnothingamazingaboutitatthetimetoGuillaumedeSainte-Maure，butamazingitistome，DarrellStanding，asIrecollectandponderitacrossthecenturies。Itiseasy，mosteasy，tokillastrong，live，breathingmanwithsocrudeaweaponasapieceofsteel。

Why，menarelikesoft-shellcrabs，sotender，frail，andvulnerablearethey。

Buttoreturntothemoonlightonthegrass。Mythrustmadehome，therewasaperceptiblepause。NotatoncedidFortinifall。NotatoncedidIwithdrawtheblade。Forafullsecondwestoodinpause——I，withlegsspread，andarchedandtense，bodythrownforward，rightarmhorizontalandstraightout；Fortini，hisbladebeyondmesofarthathiltandhandjustrestedlightlyagainstmyleftbreast，hisbodyrigid，hiseyesopenandshining。

SostatuesquewereweforthatsecondthatIswearthoseaboutuswerenotimmediatelyawareofwhathadhappened。ThenFortinigaspedandcoughedslightly。Therigidityofhisposeslackened。

Thehiltandhandagainstmybreastwavered，thenthearmdroopedtohissidetilltherapierpointrestedonthelawn。BythistimePasquinianddeGoncourthadsprungtohimandhewassinkingintotheirarms。Infaith，itwasharderformetowithdrawthesteelthantodriveitin。Hisfleshclungaboutitasifjealoustoletitdepart。Oh，believeme，itrequiredadistinctphysicalefforttogetclearofwhatIhaddone。

Butthepangofthewithdrawalmusthavestunghimbacktolifeandpurpose，forheshookoffhisfriends，straightenedhimself，andliftedhisrapierintoposition。I，too，tookposition，marvellingthatitwaspossibleIhadspittedhimheart-highandyetmissedanyvitalspot。Then，andbeforehisfriendscouldcatchhim，hislegscrumpledunderhimandhewentheavilytograss。Theylaidhimonhisback，buthewasalreadydead，hisfaceghastlystillunderthemoon，hisrighthandstilla-clutchoftherapier。

Yes；itisindeedamarvellouseasythingtokillaman。

Wesalutedhisfriendsandwereabouttodepart，whenFelixPasquinidetainedme。

"Pardonme，"Isaid。"Letitbeto-morrow。"

"Wehavebuttomoveastepaside，"heurged，"wherethegrassisstilldry。"

"Letmethenwetitforyou，Sainte-Maure，"Lanfrancaskedofme，eagerhimselftodoforanItalian。

Ishookmyhead。

"Pasquiniismine，"Ianswered。"Heshallbefirstto-morrow。"

"Arethereothers？"Lanfrancdemanded。

"AskdeGoncourt，"Igrinned。"Iimagineheisalreadylayingclaimtothehonourofbeingthethird。"

Atthis，deGoncourtshoweddistressedacquiescence。Lanfranclookedinquiryathim，anddeGoncourtnodded。

"AndafterhimIdoubtnotcomesthecockerel，"Iwenton。

AndevenasIspokethered-hairedGuydeVillehardouin，alone，strodetousacrossthemoonlitgrass。

"AtleastIshallhavehim，"Lanfranccried，hisvoicealmostwheedling，sogreatwashisdesire。

"Askhim，"Ilaughed，thenturnedtoPasquini。"To-morrow，"Isaid。

"Doyounametimeandplace，andIshallbethere。"

"Thegrassismostexcellent，"heteased，"theplaceismostexcellent，andIammindedthatFortinihasyouforcompanythisnight。"

"’Twerebetterhewereaccompaniedbyafriend，"Iquipped。"Andnowyourpardon，forImustgo。"

Butheblockedmypath。

"Whoeveritbe，"hesaid，"letitbenow。"

Forthefirsttime，withhim，myangerbegantorise。

"Youserveyourmasterwell，"Isneered。

"Iservebutmypleasure，"washisanswer。"MasterIhavenone。"

"PardonmeifIpresumetotellyouthetruth，"Isaid。

"Whichis？"hequeriedsoftly。

"Thatyouarealiar，Pasquini，aliarlikeallItalians。"

HeturnedimmediatelytoLanfrancandBohemond。

"Youheard，"hesaid。"Andafterthatyoucannotdenymehim。"

Theyhesitatedandlookedtomeforcounselofmywishes。ButPasquinididnotwait。

"Andifyoustillhaveanyscruples，"hehurriedon，"thenallowmetoremovethem……thus。"

Andhespatinthegrassatmyfeet。Thenmyangerseizedmeandwasbeyondme。TheredwrathIcallit——anoverwhelming，all-

masteringdesiretokillanddestroy。IforgotthatPhilippawaitedformeinthegreathall。AllIknewwasmywrongs——theunpardonableinterferenceinmyaffairsbythegrayoldman，theerrandofthepriest，theinsolenceofFortini，theimpudenceofVillehardouin，andherePasquinistandinginmywayandspittinginthegrass。Isawred。Ithoughtred。Ilookeduponallthesecreaturesasrankandnoisomegrowthsthatmustbehewnoutofmypath，outoftheworld。Asanettedlionmayrageagainstthemeshes，soragedIagainstthesecreatures。Theywereallaboutme。

Intruth，Iwasinthetrap。Theonewayoutwastocutthemdown，tocrushthemintotheearthandstampuponthem。

"Verywell，"Isaid，calmlyenough，althoughmypassionwassuchthatmyframeshook。"Youfirst，Pasquini。Andyounext，deGoncourt？Andattheend，deVillehardouin？"

EachnoddedinturnandPasquiniandIpreparedtostepaside。

"Sinceyouareinhaste，"HenryBohemondproposedtome，"andsincetherearethreeofthemandthreeofus，whynotsettleitattheonetime？"

"Yes，yes，"wasLanfranc’seagercry。"DoyoutakedeGoncourt。DeVillehardouinformine。"

ButIwavedmygoodfriendsback。

"Theyareherebycommand，"Iexplained。"ItisItheydesiresostronglythatbymyfaithIhavecaughtthecontagionoftheirdesire，sothatnowIwantthemandwillhavethemformyself。"

IhadobservedthatPasquinifrettedatmydelayofspeech-making，andIresolvedtofrethimfurther。

"You，Pasquini，"Iannounced，"Ishallsettlewithinshortaccount。

IwouldnotthatyoutarriedwhileFortiniwaitsyourcompanionship。

You，RaouldeGoncourt，Ishallpunishasyoudeserveforbeinginsuchbadcompany。Youaregettingfatandwheezy。Ishalltakemytimewithyouuntilyourfatmeltsandyourlungspantandwheezelikeleakybellows。You，deVillehardouin，IhavenotdecidedinwhatmannerIshallkill。"

AndthenIsalutedPasquini，andwewereatit。Oh，Iwasmindedtoberarelydevilishthisnight。Quickandbrilliant——thatwasthething。NorwasIunmindfulofthatdeceptivemoonlight。AswithFortiniwouldIsettlewithhimifhedaredthetimeattack。Ifhedidnot，andquickly，thenIwoulddareit。

DespitethefretIhadputhimin，hewascautious。NeverthelessI

compelledtheplaytoberapid，andinthedimlight，dependinglessthanusualonsightandmorethanusualonfeel，ourbladeswereincontinualtouch。

BarelywasthefirstminuteofplaypastwhenIdidthetrick。I

feignedaslightslipofthefoot，and，intherecovery，feignedlossoftouchwithPasquini’sblade。Hethrusttentatively，andagainIfeigned，thistimemakinganeedlesslywideparry。TheconsequentexposureofmyselfwasthebaitIhadpurposelydangledtodrawhimon。AnddrawhimonIdid。Likeaflashhetookadvantageofwhathedeemedaninvoluntaryexposure。Straightandtruewashisthrust，andallhiswillandbodywereheartilyintheweightofthelungehemade。AndallhadbeenfeignedonmypartandIwasreadyforhim。Justlightlydidmysteelmeethisasourbladesslithered。Andjustfirmlyenoughandnomoredidmywristtwistanddeflecthisbladeonmybaskethilt。Oh，suchaslightdeflection，amatterofinches，justbarelysufficienttosendhispointpastmesothatitpiercedafoldofmysatindoubletinpassing。Ofcourse，hisbodyfollowedhisrapierinthelunge，while，heart-high，rightside，myrapierpointmethisbody。Andmyoutstretchedarmwasstiffandstraightasthesteelintowhichitelongated，andbehindthearmandthesteelmybodywasbracedandsolid。

Heart-high，Isay，myrapierenteredPasquini’ssideontheright，butitdidnotemerge，ontheleft，for，well-nighthroughhim，itmetarib(oh，man-killingisbutcher’swork！)withsuchawillthattheforcingoverbalancedhim，sothathefellpartbackwardandpartsidewisetotheground。Andevenashefell，anderehestruck，withjerkandwrenchIclearedmyweaponofhim。

DeGoncourtwastohim，buthewaveddeGoncourttoattendonme。

NotsoswiftlyasFortinididPasquinipass。Hecoughedandspat，and，helpedbydeVillehardouin，proppedhiselbowunderhim，restedhisheadonhand，andcoughedandspatagain。

"Apleasantjourney，Pasquini，"Ilaughedtohiminmyredanger。

"Prayhasten，forthegrasswhereyoulieisbecomesuddenlywetandifyoulingeryouwillcatchyourdeathofcold。"

WhenImadeimmediatelytobeginwithdeGoncourt，BohemondprotestedthatIshouldrestaspace。

"Nay，"Isaid。"Ihavenotproperlywarmedup。"AndtodeGoncourt，"Nowwillwehaveyoudanceandwheeze——Salute！"

DeGoncourt’sheartwasnotinthework。Itwaspatentthathefoughtunderthecompulsionofcommand。Hisplaywasold-fashioned，asanymiddle-agedman’sisapttobe，buthewasnotanindifferentswordsman。Hewascool，determined，dogged。Buthewasnotbrilliant，andhewasoppressedwithforeknowledgeofdefeat。A

scoreoftimes，byquickandbrilliant，hewasmine。ButI

refrained。IhavesaidthatIwasdevilish-minded。IndeedIwas。

Iworehimdown。IbackedhimawayfromthemoonsothathecouldseelittleofmebecauseIfoughtinmyownshadow。AndwhileI

worehimdownuntilhebegantowheezeasIhadpredicted，Pasquini，headonhandandwatching，coughedandspatouthislife。

"Now，deGoncourt，"Iannouncedfinally。"YouseeIhaveyouquitehelpless。Youaremineinanyofadozenways。Beready，braceyourself，forthisisthewayIwill。"

And，sosaying，Imerelywentfromcartetotierce，andasherecoveredwildlyandparriedwidelyIreturnedtocarte，tooktheopening，anddrovehomeheart-highandthroughandthrough。AndatsightoftheconclusionPasquiniletgohisholdonlife，buriedhisfaceinthegrass，quiveredamoment，andlaystill。

"Yourmasterwillbefourservantsshortthisnight，"IassureddeVillehardouin，inthemomentjustereweengaged。

Andsuchanengagement！Theboywasridiculous。Inwhatbucolicschooloffencehehadbeentaughtwasbeyondimagining。Hewasdownrightclownish。"Shortworkandsimple"wasmyjudgment，whilehisredhairseemeda-bristlewithveryrageandwhilehepressedmelikeamadman。

Alas！Itwashisclownishnessthatundidme。WhenIhadplayedwithhimandlaughedathimforahandfulofsecondsfortheclumsyboorhewas，hebecamesoangeredthatheforgottheworsethanlittlefenceheknew。Withanarm-widesweepofhisrapier，asthoughitboreheftandacuttingedge，hewhistleditthroughtheairandrappeditdownonmycrown。Iwasinamaze。Neverhadsoabsurdathinghappenedtome。Hewaswideopen，andIcouldhaverunhimthroughforthright。But，asIsaid，Iwasinamaze，andthenextIknewwasthepangoftheenteringsteelasthisclumsyprovincialranmethroughandchargedforward，bull-like，tillhishiltbruisedmysideandIwasbornebackward。

AsIfellIcouldseetheconcernonthefacesofLanfrancandBohemondandtheglutofsatisfactioninthefaceofdeVillehardouinashepressedme。

Iwasfalling，butIneverreachedthegrass。Cameablurrofflashinglights，athunderinmyears，adarkness，aglimmeringofdimlightslowlydawning，awrenching，rackingpainbeyondalldescribing，andthenIheardthevoiceofonewhosaid:

"Ican’tfeelanything。"

Iknewthevoice。ItwasWardenAtherton’s。AndIknewmyselfforDarrellStanding，justreturnedacrossthecenturiestothejackethellofSanQuentin。AndIknewthetouchoffinger-tipsonmyneckwasWardenAtherton’s。AndIknewthefinger-tipsthatdisplacedhiswereDoctorJackson’s。AnditwasDoctorJackson’svoicethatsaid:

"Youdon’tknowhowtotakeaman’spulsefromtheneck。There——

rightthere——putyourfingerswheremineare。D’yegetit？Ah，I

thoughtso。Heartweak，butsteadyasachronometer。"

"It’sonlytwenty-fourhours，"CaptainJamiesaid，"andhewasneverinlikeconditionbefore。"

"Puttingiton，that’swhathe’sdoing，andyoucanstackonthat，"

AlHutchins，theheadtrusty，interjected。

"Idon’tknow，"CaptainJamieinsisted。"Whenaman’spulseisthatlowittakesanexperttofindit——"

"Aw，Iservedmyapprenticeshipinthejacket，"AlHutchinssneered。

"AndI’vemadeyouunlaceme，Captain，whenyouthoughtIwascroaking，anditwasallIcoulddotokeepfromsnickeringinyourface。"

"Whatdoyouthink，Doc？"WardenAthertonasked。

"Itellyoutheheartactionissplendid，"wastheanswer。"Ofcourseitisweak。Thatisonlytobeexpected。ItellyouHutchinsisright。Themanisfeigning。"

Withhisthumbheturneduponeofmyeyelids，whereatIopenedmyothereyeandgazedupatthegroupbendingoverme。

"WhatdidItellyou？"wasDoctorJackson’scryoftriumph。

Andthen，althoughitseemedtheeffortmustcrackmyface，I

summonedallthewillofmeandsmiled。

Theyheldwatertomylips，andIdrankgreedily。ItmustberememberedthatallthiswhileIlayhelplessonmyback，myarmspinionedalongwithmybodyinsidethejacket。Whentheyofferedmefood——dryprisonbread——Ishookmyhead。IclosedmyeyesinadvertisementthatIwastiredoftheirpresence。Thepainofmypartialresuscitationwasunbearable。Icouldfeelmybodycomingtolife。Downthecordsofmyneckandintomypatchofchestovertheheartdartingpainsweremakingtheirway。AndinmybrainthememorywasstrongthatPhilippawaitedmeinthebighall，andIwasdesiroustoescapeawaybacktothehalfadayandhalfanightI

hadjustlivedinoldFrance。

Soitwas，evenastheystoodaboutme，thatIstrovetoeliminatetheliveportionofmybodyfrommyconsciousness。Iwasinhastetodepart，butWardenAtherton’svoiceheldmeback。

"Isthereanythingyouwanttocomplainabout？"heasked。

NowIhadbutonefear，namely，thattheywouldunlaceme；sothatitmustbeunderstoodthatmyreplywasnotutteredinbraggadociobutwasmeanttoforestallanypossibleunlacing。

"Youmightmakethejacketalittletighter，"Iwhispered。"It’stoolooseforcomfort。Igetlostinit。Hutchinsisstupid。Heisalsoafool。Hedoesn’tknowthefirstthingaboutlacingthejacket。Warden，yououghttoputhiminchargeoftheloom-room。

Heisamoreprofoundmasterofinefficiencythanthepresentincumbent，whoismerelystupidwithoutbeingafoolaswell。Nowgetout，allofyou，unlessyoucanthinkofworsetodotome。Inwhichcase，byallmeansremain。Iinviteyouheartilytoremain，ifyouthinkinyourfeebleimaginingsthatyouhavedevisedfreshtortureforme。"

"He’sawooz，atrue-blue，dyed-in-the-woolwooz，"DoctorJacksonchanted，withthemedico’sdelightinanovelty。

"Standing，youAREawonder，"theWardensaid。"You’vegotanironwill，butI’llbreakitassureasGodmadelittleapples。"

"Andyou’vetheheartofarabbit，"Iretorted。"One-tenththejacketingIhavereceivedinSanQuentinwouldhavesqueezedyourrabbitheartoutofyourlongears。"

Oh，itwasatouch，that，fortheWardendidhaveunusualears。

TheywouldhaveinterestedLombroso，Iamsure。

"Asforme，"Iwenton，"Ilaughatyou，andIwishnoworsefatetotheloom-roomthanthatyoushouldtakechargeofityourself。Why，you’vegotmedownandworkedyourwickednessonme，andstillI

liveandlaughinyourface。Inefficient？Youcan’tevenkillme。

Inefficient？Youcouldn’tkillacorneredratwithastickofdynamite——REALdynamite，andnotthesortyouaredeludedintobelievingIhavehiddenaway。"

"Anythingmore？"hedemanded，whenIhadceasedfrommydiatribe。

AndintomymindflashedwhatIhadtoldFortiniwhenhepressedhisinsolenceonme。

"Begone，youprisoncur，"Isaid。"Takeyouryappingfrommydoor。"

ItmusthavebeenaterriblethingforamanofWardenAtherton’sstripetobethusbeardedbyahelplessprisoner。Hisfacewhitenedwithrageandhisvoiceshookashethreatened:

"ByGod，Standing，I’lldoforyouyet。"

"Thereisonlyonethingyoucando，"Isaid。"Youcantightenthisdistressinglyloosejacket。Ifyouwon’t，thengetout。AndI

don’tcareifyoufailtocomebackforaweekorforthewholetendays。"

AndwhatcaneventheWardenofagreatprisondoinreprisalonaprisoneruponwhomtheultimatereprisalhasalreadybeenwreaked？

ItmaybethatWardenAthertonthoughtofsomepossiblethreat，forhebegantospeak。Butmyvoicehadstrengthenedwiththeexercise，andIbegantosing，"Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。"AndsingI

diduntilmydoorclangedandtheboltsandlockssqueakedandgratedfast。

CHAPTERXII

NowthatIhadlearnedthetrickthewaywaseasy。AndIknewthewaywasboundtobecomeeasierthemoreItravelledit。Onceestablishalineofleastresistance，everysucceedingjourneyalongitwillfindstilllessresistance。Andso，asyoushallsee，myjourneysfromSanQuentinlifeintootherliveswereachievedalmostautomaticallyastimewentby。

AfterWardenAthertonandhiscrewhadleftmeitwasamatterofminutestowilltheresuscitatedportionofmybodybackintothelittledeath。Deathinlifeitwas，butitwasonlythelittledeath，similartothetemporarydeathproducedbyananaesthetic。

Andso，fromallthatwassordidandvile，frombrutalsolitaryandjackethell，fromacquaintedfliesandsweatsofdarknessandtheknuckle-talkofthelivingdead，Iwasawayataboundintotimeandspace。

Camethedurationofdarkness，andtheslow-growingawarenessofotherthingsandofanotherself。Firstofall，inthisawareness，wasdust。Itwasinmynostrils，dryandacrid。Itwasonmylips。

Itcoatedmyface，myhands，andespeciallywasitnoticeableonthefinger-tipswhentouchedbytheballofmythumb。

NextIwasawareofceaselessmovement。Allthatwasaboutmelurchedandoscillated。Therewasjoltandjar，andIheardwhatI

knewasamatterofcoursetobethegrindofwheelsonaxlesandthegrateandclashofirontyresagainstrockandsand。Andtherecametomethejadedvoicesofmen，incurseandsnarlofslow-

plodding，jadedanimals。

Iopenedmyeyes，thatwereinflamedwithdust，andimmediatelyfreshdustbitintothem。OnthecoarseblanketsonwhichIlaythedustwashalfaninchthick。Aboveme，throughsiftingdust，Isawanarchedroofoflurching，swayingcanvas，andmyriadsofdustmotesdescendedheavilyintheshaftsofsunshinethatenteredthroughholesinthecanvas。

Iwasachild，aboyofeightornine，andIwasweary，aswasthewoman，dusty-visagedandhaggard，whosatupbesidemeandsoothedacryingbabeinherarms。Shewasmymother；thatIknewasamatterofcourse，justasIknew，whenIglancedalongthecanvastunnelofthewagon-top，thattheshouldersofthemanonthedriver’sseatweretheshouldersofmyfather。

WhenIstartedtocrawlalongthepackedgearwithwhichthewagonwasladenmymothersaidinatiredandquerulousvoice，"Can’tyoueverbestillaminute，Jesse？"

Thatwasmyname，Jesse。Ididnotknowmysurname，thoughIheardmymothercallmyfatherJohn。Ihaveadimrecollectionofhearing，atonetimeoranother，theothermenaddressmyfatherasCaptain。Iknewthathewastheleaderofthiscompany，andthathisorderswereobeyedbyall。

Icrawledoutthroughtheopeninginthecanvasandsatdownbesidemyfatherontheseat。Theairwasstiflingwiththedustthatrosefromthewagonsandthemanyhoofsoftheanimals。Sothickwasthedustthatitwaslikemistorfogintheair，andthelowsunshonethroughitdimlyandwithabloodylight。

Notalonewasthelightofthissettingsunominous，buteverythingaboutmeseemedominous——thelandscape，myfather’sface，thefretofthebabeinmymother’sarmsthatshecouldnotstill，thesixhorsesmyfatherdrovethathadcontinuallytobeurgedandthatwerewithoutanysignofcolour，soheavilyhadthedustsettledonthem。

Thelandscapewasanaching，eye-hurtingdesolation。Lowhillsstretchedendlesslyawayoneveryhand。Hereandthereonlyontheirslopeswereoccasionalscrubgrowthsofheat-parchedbrush。