第4章

CHAPTER7

CUTTINGFROM“THEDAILYGRAPH，“8AUGUST

(PASTEDINMINAMURRAY\'SJOURNAL)

Fromacorrespondent。

Whitby。

Oneofthegreatestandsuddeneststormsonrecordhasjustbeenexperiencedhere，withresultsbothstrangeandunique。

Theweatherhadbeensomewhatsultry，butnottoanydegreeuncommoninthemonthofAugust。Saturdayeveningwasasfineaswaseverknown，andthegreatbodyofholiday-makerslaidoutyesterdayforvisitstoMulgraveWoods，RobinHood\'sBay，RigMill，Runswick，Staithes，andthevarioustripsintheneighborhoodofWhitby。ThesteamersEmmaandScarboroughmadetripsupanddownthecoast，andtherewasanunusualamountof`tripping\'bothtoandfromWhitby。

Thedaywasunusuallyfinetilltheafternoon，whensomeofthegossipswhofrequenttheEastCliffchurchyard，andfromthecommandingeminencewatchthewidesweepofseavisibletothenorthandeast，calledattentiontoasuddenshowof`marestails\'highintheskytothenorthwest。

Thewindwasthenblowingfromthesouth-westinthemilddegreewhichinbarometricallanguageisranked`No。2，lightbreeze。\'

Thecoastguardondutyatoncemadereport，andoneoldfisherman，whoformorethanhalfacenturyhaskeptwatchonweathersignsfromtheEastCliff，foretoldinanemphaticmannerthecomingofasuddenstorm。

Theapproachofsunsetwassoverybeautiful，sograndinitsmassesofsplendidlycolouredclouds，thattherewasquiteanassemblageonthewalkalongthecliffintheoldchurchyardtoenjoythebeauty。

BeforethesundippedbelowtheblackmassofKettleness，standingboldlyathwartthewesternsky，itsdownwardwaswasmarkedbymyriadcloudsofeverysunsetcolour，flame，purple，pink，green，violet，andallthetintsofgold，withhereandtheremassesnotlarge，butofseeminglyabsoluteblackness，inallsortsofshapes，aswelloutlinedascolossalsilhouettes。

Theexperiencewasnotlostonthepainters，anddoubtlesssomeofthesketchesofthe`PreludetotheGreatStorm\'willgracetheR。A

andR。I。wallsinMaynext。

Morethanonecaptainmadeuphismindthenandtherethathis`cobble\'orhis`mule\'，astheytermthedifferentclassesofboats，wouldremainintheharbourtillthestormhadpassed。

Thewindfellawayentirelyduringtheevening，andatmidnighttherewasadeadcalm，asultryheat，andthatprevailingintensitywhich，ontheapproachofthunder，affectspersonsofasensitivenature。

Therewerebutfewlightsinsightatsea，foreventhecoastingsteamers，whichusuallyhugtheshoresoclosely，keptwelltoseaward，andbutfewfishingboatswereinsight。

Theonlysailnoticeablewasaforeignschoonerwithallsailsset，whichwasseeminglygoingwestwards。

Thefoolhardinessorignoranceofherofficerswasaprolificthemeforcommentwhilstsheremainedinsight，andeffortsweremadetosignalhertoreducesailinthefaceofherdanger。

Beforethenightshutdownshewasseenwithsailsidlyflappingasshegentlyrolledontheundulatingswellofthesea。

“Asidleasapaintedshipuponapaintedocean。“

Shortlybeforeteno\'clockthestillnessoftheairgrewquiteoppressive，andthesilencewassomarkedthatthebleatingofasheepinlandorthebarkingofadoginthetownwasdistinctlyheard，andthebandonthepier，withitslivelyFrenchair，waslikeadischordinthegreatharmonyofnature\'ssilence。

Alittleaftermidnightcameastrangesoundfromoverthesea，andhighoverheadtheairbegantocarryastrange，faint，hollowbooming。

Thenwithoutwarningthetempestbroke。Witharapiditywhich，atthetime，seemedincredible，andevenafterwardsisimpossibletorealize，thewholeaspectofnatureatoncebecameconvulsed。

Thewavesroseingrowingfury，eachover-toppingitsfellow，tillinaveryfewminutesthelatelyglassyseawaslikearoaringanddevouringmonster。White-crestedwavesbeatmadlyonthelevelsandsandrusheduptheshelvingcliffs。

Othersbrokeoverthepiers，andwiththeirspumesweptthelanthornsofthelighthouseswhichrisefromtheendofeitherpierofWhitbyHarbour。

Thewindroaredlikethunder，andblewwithsuchforcethatitwaswithdifficultythatevenstrongmenkepttheirfeet，orclungwithgrimclasptotheironstanchions。Itwasfoundnecessarytocleartheentirepierfromthemassofonlookers，orelsethefatalitiesofthenightwouldhaveincreasedmanifold。

Toaddtothedifficultiesanddangersofthetime，massesofsea-fogcamedriftinginland。White，wetclouds，whichsweptbyinghostlyfashion，sodankanddampandcoldthatitneededbutlittleeffortofimaginationtothinkthatthespiritsofthoselostatseaweretouchingtheirlivingbrethrenwiththeclammyhandsofdeath，andmanyaoneshudderedatthewreathsofsea-mistsweptby。

Attimesthemistcleared，andtheseaforsomedistancecouldbeseenintheglareofthelightning，whichcamethickandfast，followedbysuchpealsofthunderthatthewholeskyoverheadseemedtremblingundertheshockofthefootstepsofthestorm。

Someofthescenesthusrevealedwereofimmeasurablegrandeurandofabsorbinginterest。Thesea，runningmountainshigh，threwskywardswitheachwavemightymassesofwhitefoam，whichthetempestseemedtosnatchatandwhirlawayintospace。

Hereandthereafishingboat，witharagofsail，runningmadlyforshelterbeforetheblast，nowandagainthewhitewingsofastorm-tossedseabird。OnthesummitoftheEastCliffthenewsearchlightwasreadyforexperiment，buthadnotyetbeentried。

Theofficersinchargeofitgotitintoworkingorder，andinthepausesofonrushingmistsweptwithitthesurfaceofthesea。

Onceortwiceitsservicewasmosteffective，aswhenafishingboat，withgunwaleunderwater，rushedintotheharbour，able，bytheguidanceoftheshelteringlight，toavoidthedangerofdashingagainstthepiers。

Aseachboatachievedthesafetyoftheporttherewasashoutofjoyfromthemassofpeopleontheshore，ashoutwhichforamomentseemedtocleavethegaleandwasthensweptawayinitsrush。

Beforelongthesearchlightdiscoveredsomedistanceawayaschoonerwithallsailsset，apparentlythesamevesselwhichhadbeennoticedearlierintheevening。Thewindhadbythistimebackedtotheeast，andtherewasashudderamongstthewatchersonthecliffastheyrealizedtheterribledangerinwhichshenowwas。

Betweenherandtheportlaythegreatflatreefonwhichsomanygoodshipshavefromtimetotimesuffered，and，withthewindblowingfromitspresentquarter，itwouldbequiteimpossiblethatsheshouldfetchtheentranceoftheharbour。

Itwasnownearlythehourofhightide，butthewavesweresogreatthatintheirtroughstheshallowsoftheshorewerealmostvisible，andtheschooner，withallsailsset，wasrushingwithsuchspeedthat，inthewordsofoneoldsalt，“shemustfetchupsomewhere，ifitwasonlyinhell“。Thencameanotherrushofsea-fog，greaterthananyhitherto，amassofdankmist，whichseemedtocloseonallthingslikeagraypall，andleftavailabletomenonlytheorganofhearing，fortheroarofthetempest，andthecrashofthethunder，andtheboomingofthemightybillowscamethroughthedampoblivionevenlouderthanbefore。

TheraysofthesearchlightwerekeptfixedontheharbourmouthacrosstheEastPier，wheretheshockwasexpected，andmenwaitedbreathless。

Thewindsuddenlyshiftedtothenortheast，andtheremnantoftheseafogmeltedintheblast。Andthen，mirabiledictu，betweenthepiers，leapingfromwavetowaveasitrushedatheadlongspeed，sweptthestrangeschoonerbeforetheblast，withallsailset，andgainedthesafetyoftheharbour。

Thesearchlightfollowedher，andashudderranthroughallwhosawher，forlashedtothehelmwasacorpse，withdroopinghead，whichswunghorriblytoandfroateachmotionoftheship。

Nootherformcouldbeseenonthedeckatall。

Agreatawecameonallastheyrealisedthattheship，asifbyamiracle，hadfoundtheharbour，unsteeredsavebythehandofadeadman！

However，alltookplacemorequicklythanittakestowritethesewords。

Theschoonerpausednot，butrushingacrosstheharbour，pitchedherselfonthataccumulationofsandandgravelwashedbymanytidesandmanystormsintothesoutheastcornerofthepierjuttingundertheEastCliff，knownlocallyasTateHillPier。

Therewasofcourseaconsiderableconcussionasthevesseldroveuponthesandheap。Everyspar，rope，andstaywasstrained，andsomeofthe`top-hammer\'camecrashingdown。

But，strangestofall，theveryinstanttheshorewastouched，animmensedogsprangupondeckfrombelow，asifshotupbytheconcussion，andrunningforward，jumpedfromthebowonthesand。

Makingstraightforthesteepcliff，wherethechurchyardhangsoverthelanewaytotheEastPiersosteeplythatsomeoftheflattombstones，thruffsteansorthrough-stones，astheycalltheminWhitbyvernacular，actuallyprojectoverwherethesustainingcliffhasfallenaway，itdisappearedinthedarkness，whichseemedintensifiedjustbeyondthefocusofthesearchlight。

ItsohappenedthattherewasnooneatthemomentonTateHillPier，asallthosewhosehousesareincloseproximitywereeitherinbedorwereoutontheheightsabove。

Thusthecoastguardondutyontheeasternsideoftheharbour，whoatoncerandowntothelittlepier，wasthefirsttoclimbaboard。Themenworkingthesearchlight，afterscouringtheentranceoftheharbourwithoutseeinganything，thenturnedthelightonthederelictandkeptitthere。

Thecoastguardranaft，andwhenhecamebesidethewheel，bentovertoexamineit，andrecoiledatonceasthoughundersomesuddenemotion。Thisseemedtopiquegeneralcuriosity，andquiteanumberofpeoplebegantorun。

ItisagoodwayroundfromtheWestCliffbytheDraw-bridgetoTateHillPier，butyourcorrespondentisafairlygoodrunner，andcamewellaheadofthecrowd。WhenIarrived，however，Ifoundalreadyassembledonthepieracrowd，whomthecoastguardandpolicerefusedtoallowtocomeonboard。

Bythecourtesyofthechiefboatman，Iwas，asyourcorrespondent，permittedtoclimbondeck，andwasoneofasmallgroupwhosawthedeadseamanwhilstactuallylashedtothewheel。

Itwasnowonderthatthecoastguardwassurprised，orevenawed，fornotoftencansuchasighthavebeenseen。

Themanwassimplyfastenedbyhishands，tiedoneovertheother，toaspokeofthewheel。Betweentheinnerhandandthewoodwasacrucifix，thesetofbeadsonwhichitwasfastenedbeingaroundbothwristsandwheel，andallkeptfastbythebindingcords。

Thepoorfellowmayhavebeenseatedatonetime，buttheflappingandbuffetingofthesailshadworkedthroughtherudderofthewheelandhaddraggedhimtoandfro，sothatthecordswithwhichhewastiedhadcutthefleshtothebone。

Accuratenotewasmadeofthestateofthings，andadoctor，SurgeonJ。M。Caffyn，of33，EastElliotPlace，whocameimmediatelyafterme，declared，aftermakingexamination，thatthemanmusthavebeendeadforquitetwodays。

Inhispocketwasabottle，carefullycorked，emptysaveforalittlerollofpaper，whichprovedtobetheaddendumtothelog。

Thecoastguardsaidthemanmusthavetieduphisownhands，fasteningtheknotswithhisteeth。Thefactthatacoastguardwasthefirstonboardmaysavesomecomplicationslateron，intheAdmiraltyCourt，forcoastguardscannotclaimthesalvagewhichistherightofthefirstcivilianenteringonaderelict。

Already，however，thelegaltonguesarewagging，andoneyounglawstudentisloudlyassertingthattherightsoftheownerarealreadycompletelysacrificed，hispropertybeingheldincontraventionofthestatuesofmortmain，sincethetiller，asemblemship，ifnotproof，ofdelegatedpossession，isheldinadeadhand。

Itisneedlesstosaythatthedeadsteersmanhasbeenreverentlyremovedfromtheplacewhereheheldhishonourablewatchandwardtilldeath，asteadfastnessasnobleasthatoftheyoungCasabianca，andplacedinthemortuarytoawaitinquest。

Alreadythesuddenstormispassing，anditsfiercenessisabating。

Crowdsarescatteringbackward，andtheskyisbeginningtoreddenovertheYorkshirewolds。

Ishallsend，intimeforyournextissue，furtherdetailsofthederelictshipwhichfoundherwaysomiraculouslyintoharbourinthestorm。

9August——Thesequeltothestrangearrivalofthederelictinthestormlastnightisalmostmorestartlingthanthethingitself。

ItturnsoutthattheschoonerisRussianfromVarna，andiscalledtheDemeter。Sheisalmostentirelyinballastofsilversand，withonlyasmallamountofcargo，anumberofgreatwoodenboxesfilledwithmould。

ThiscargowasconsignedtoaWhitbysolicitor，Mr。S。F。Billington，of7，TheCrescent，whothismorningwentaboardandtookformalpossessionofthegoodsconsignedtohim。

TheRussianconsul，too，actingforthecharter-party，tookformalpossessionoftheship，andpaidallharbourdues，etc。

Nothingistalkedaboutheretodayexceptthestrangecoincidence。

TheofficialsoftheBoardofTradehavebeenmostexactinginseeingthateverycompliancehasbeenmadewithexistingregulations。

Asthematteristobea`ninedayswonder\'，theyareevidentlydeterminedthatthereshallbenocauseofothercomplaint。

Agooddealofinterestwasabroadconcerningthedogwhichlandedwhentheshipstruck，andmorethanafewofthemembersoftheS。P。C。A。，whichisverystronginWhitby，havetriedtobefriendtheanimal。

Tothegeneraldisappointment，however，itwasnottobefound。

Itseemstohavedisappearedentirelyfromthetown。

Itmaybethatitwasfrightenedandmadeitswayontothemoors，whereitisstillhidinginterror。

Therearesomewholookwithdreadonsuchapossibility，lestlateronitshouldinitselfbecomeadanger，foritisevidentlyafiercebrute。Earlythismorningalargedog，ahalf-bredmastiffbelongingtoacoalmerchantclosetoTateHillPier，wasfounddeadintheroadwayoppositeitsmaster\'syard。

Ithadbeenfighting，andmanifestlyhadhadasavageopponent，foritsthroatwastornaway，anditsbellywasslitopenasifwithasavageclaw。

Later——BythekindnessoftheBoardofTradeinspector，IhavebeenpermittedtolookoverthelogbookoftheDemeter，whichwasinorderuptowithinthreedays，butcontainednothingofspecialinterestexceptastofactsofmissingmen。

Thegreatestinterest，however，iswithregardtothepaperfoundinthebottle，whichwastodayproducedattheinquest。

Andamorestrangenarrativethanthetwobetweenthemunfoldithasnotbeenmylottocomeacross。

Asthereisnomotiveforconcealment，Iampermittedtousethem，andaccordinglysendyouatranscript，simplyomittingtechnicaldetailsofseamanshipandsupercargo。

Italmostseemsasthoughthecaptainhadbeenseizedwithsomekindofmaniabeforehehadgotwellintobluewater，andthatthishaddevelopedpersistentlythroughoutthevoyage。

Ofcoursemystatementmustbetakencumgrano，sinceIamwritingfromthedictationofaclerkoftheRussianconsul，whokindlytranslatedforme，timebeingshort。

LOGOFTHE“DEMETER“VarnatoWhitbyWritten18July，thingssostrangehappening，thatIshallkeepaccuratenotehenceforthtillweland。

On6Julywefinishedtakingincargo，silversandandboxesofearth。

Atnoonsetsail。Eastwind，fresh。Crew，fivehands……twomates，cook，andmyself，(captain)。

On11JulyatdawnenteredBosphorus。BoardedbyTurkishCustomsofficers。Backsheesh。Allcorrect。Underwayat4p。m。

On12JulythroughDardanelles。MoreCustomsofficersandflagboatofguardingsquadron。Backsheeshagain。

Workofofficersthorough，butquick。Wantusoffsoon。

AtdarkpassedintoArchipelago。

On13JulypassedCapeMatapan。Crewdissatisfiedaboutsomething。

Seemedscared，butwouldnotspeakout。

On14Julywassomewhatanxiousaboutcrew。Menallsteadyfellows，whosailedwithmebefore。Matecouldnotmakeoutwhatwaswrong。

TheyonlytoldhimtherewasSOMETHING，andcrossedthemselves。

Matelosttemperwithoneofthemthatdayandstruckhim。

Expectedfiercequarrel，butallwasquiet。

On16Julymatereportedinthemorningthatoneofthecrew，Petrofsky，wasmissing。Couldnotaccountforit。Tooklarboardwatcheightbellslastnight，wasrelievedbyAmramoff，butdidnotgotobunk。

Menmoredowncastthanever。Allsaidtheyexpectedsomethingofthekind，butwouldnotsaymorethantherewasSOMETHINGaboard。

Mategettingveryimpatientwiththem。Fearedsometroubleahead。

On17July，yesterday，oneofthemen，Olgaren，cametomycabin，andinanawestruckwayconfidedtomethathethoughttherewasastrangemanaboardtheship。Hesaidthatinhiswatchhehadbeenshelteringbehindthedeckhouse，astherewasarainstorm，whenhesawatall，thinman，whowasnotlikeanyofthecrew，comeupthecompanionway，andgoalongthedeckforwardanddisappear。Hefollowedcautiously，butwhenhegottobowsfoundnoone，andthehatchwayswereallclosed。

Hewasinapanicofsuperstitiousfear，andIamafraidthepanicmayspread。Toallayit，Ishalltodaysearchtheentireshipcarefullyfromstemtostern。

LaterinthedayIgottogetherthewholecrew，andtoldthem，astheyevidentlythoughttherewassomeoneintheship，wewouldsearchfromstemtostern。Firstmateangry，saiditwasfolly，andtoyieldtosuchfoolishideaswoulddemoralisethemen，saidhewouldengagetokeepthemoutoftroublewiththehandspike。

Ilethimtakethehelm，whiletherestbeganathoroughsearch，allkeepingabreast，withlanterns。Weleftnocornerunsearched。

Astherewereonlythebigwoodenboxes，therewerenooddcornerswhereamancouldhide。Menmuchrelievedwhensearchover，andwentbacktoworkcheerfully。Firstmatescowled，butsaidnothing。

22July——Roughweatherlastthreedays，andallhandsbusywithsails，notimetobefrightened。Menseemtohaveforgottentheirdread。

Matecheerfulagain，andallongoodterms。Praisedmenforworkinbadweather。PassedGibraltarandoutthroughStraits。Allwell。

24July——Thereseemssomedoomoverthisship。

Alreadyahandshort，andenteringtheBayofBiscaywithwildweatherahead，andyetlastnightanothermanlost，disappeared。

Likethefirst，hecameoffhiswatchandwasnotseenagain。

Menallinapanicoffear，sentaroundrobin，askingtohavedoublewatch，astheyfeartobealone。Mateangry。

Feartherewillbesometrouble，aseitherheorthemenwilldosomeviolence。

28July——Fourdaysinhell，knockingaboutinasortofmalestrom，andthewindatempest。Nosleepforanyone。Menallwornout。

Hardlyknowhowtosetawatch，sincenoonefittogoon。

Secondmatevolunteeredtosteerandwatch，andletmensnatchafewhourssleep。Windabating，seasstillterrific，butfeelthemless，asshipissteadier。

29July——Anothertragedy。Hadsinglewatchtonight，ascrewtootiredtodouble。Whenmorningwatchcameondeckcouldfindnooneexceptsteersman。Raisedoutcry，andallcameondeck。Thoroughsearch，butnoonefound。

Arenowwithoutsecondmate，andcrewinapanic。

MateandIagreedtogoarmedhenceforthandwaitforanysignofcause。

30July——Lastnight。RejoicedwearenearingEngland。

Weatherfine，allsailsset。Retiredwornout，sleptsoundly，awakenedbymatetellingmethatbothmanofwatchandsteersmanmissing。

Onlyselfandmateandtwohandslefttoworkship。

1August——Twodaysoffog，andnotasailsighted。HadhopedwhenintheEnglishChanneltobeabletosignalforhelporgetinsomewhere。

Nothavingpowertoworksails，havetorunbeforewind。

Darenotlower，ascouldnotraisethemagain。Weseemtobedriftingtosometerribledoom。Matenowmoredemoralisedthaneitherofmen。

Hisstrongernatureseemstohaveworkedinwardlyagainsthimself。

Menarebeyondfear，workingstolidlyandpatiently，withmindsmadeuptoworst。TheyareRussian，heRoumanian。

2August，midnight——Wokeupfromfewminutessleepbyhearingacry，seeminglyoutsidemyport。Couldseenothinginfog。

Rushedondeck，andranagainstmate。Tellsmeheheardcryandran，butnosignofmanonwatch。Onemoregone。Lord，helpus！

MatesayswemustbepastStraitsofDover，asinamomentoffogliftinghesawNorthForeland，justasheheardthemancryout。

IfsowearenowoffintheNorthSea，andonlyGodcanguideusinthefog，whichseemstomovewithus，andGodseemstohavedesertedus。

3August——AtmidnightIwenttorelievethemanatthewheelandwhenIgottoitfoundnoonethere。

Thewindwassteady，andasweranbeforeittherewasnoyawing。Idarednotleaveit，soshoutedforthemate。

Afterafewseconds，herushedupondeckinhisflannels。

Helookedwild-eyedandhaggard，andIgreatlyfearhisreasonhasgivenway。Hecameclosetomeandwhisperedhoarsely，withhismouthtomyear，asthoughfearingtheveryairmighthear。

“Itishere。Iknowitnow。OnthewatchlastnightI

sawIt，likeaman，tallandthin，andghastlypale。

Itwasinthebows，andlookingout。IcreptbehindIt，andgaveitmyknife，buttheknifewentthroughIt，emptyastheair。“

Andashespokehetooktheknifeanddroveitsavagelyintospace。

Thenhewenton，“ButItishere，andI\'llfindIt。

Itisinthehold，perhapsinoneofthoseboxes。

I\'llunscrewthemonebyoneandsee。Youworkthehelm。“

Andwithawarninglookandhisfingeronhislip，hewentbelow。

Therewasspringingupachoppywind，andIcouldnotleavethehelm。Isawhimcomeoutondeckagainwithatoolchestandlantern，andgodowntheforwardhatchway。

Heismad，stark，ravingmad，andit\'snousemytryingtostophim。

Hecan\'thurtthosebigboxes，theyareinvoicedasclay，andtopullthemaboutisasharmlessathingashecando。

SohereIstayandmindthehelm，andwritethesenotes。

IcanonlytrustinGodandwaittillthefogclears。

Then，ifIcan\'tsteertoanyharbourwiththewindthatis，Ishallcutdownsails，andlieby，andsignalforhelp……

Itisnearlyallovernow。JustasIwasbeginningtohopethatthematewouldcomeoutcalmer，forIheardhimknockingawayatsomethinginthehold，andworkisgoodforhim，therecameupthehatchwayasudden，startledscream，whichmademybloodruncold，anduponthedeckhecameasifshotfromagun，aragingmadman，withhiseyesrollingandhisfaceconvulsedwithfear。“Saveme！

Saveme！”hecried，andthenlookedroundontheblanketoffog。

Hishorrorturnedtodespair，andinasteadyvoicehesaid，“Youhadbettercometoo，captain，beforeitistoolate。Heisthere！

Iknowthesecretnow。TheseawillsavemefromHim，anditisallthatisleft！”BeforeIcouldsayaword，ormoveforwardtoseizehim，hesprangonthebulwarkanddeliberatelythrewhimselfintothesea。

IsupposeIknowthesecrettoo，now。Itwasthismadmanwhohadgotridofthemenonebyone，andnowhehasfollowedthemhimself。

Godhelpme！HowamItoaccountforallthesehorrorswhenIgettoport？WhenIgettoport！Willthateverbe？

4August——Stillfog，whichthesunrisecannotpierce，IknowthereissunrisebecauseIamasailor，whyelseIknownot。

Idarednotgobelow，Idarednotleavethehelm，sohereallnightIstayed，andinthedimnessofthenightIsawit，Him！

God，forgiveme，butthematewasrighttojumpoverboard。

Itwasbettertodielikeaman。Todielikeasailorinbluewater，nomancanobject。ButIamcaptain，andImustnotleavemyship。

ButIshallbafflethisfiendormonster，forIshalltiemyhandstothewheelwhenmystrengthbeginstofail，andalongwiththemIshalltiethatwhichHe，It，darenottouch。

Andthen，comegoodwindorfoul，Ishallsavemysoul，andmyhonourasacaptain。Iamgrowingweaker，andthenightiscomingon。

IfHecanlookmeinthefaceagain，Imaynothavetimetoact……Ifwearewrecked，mayhapthisbottlemaybefound，andthosewhofinditmayunderstand。Ifnot……well，thenallmenshallknowthatIhavebeentruetomytrust。

GodandtheBlessedVirginandtheSaintshelpapoorignorantsoultryingtodohisduty……

Ofcoursetheverdictwasanopenone。Thereisnoevidencetoadduce，andwhetherornotthemanhimselfcommittedthemurdersthereisnownonetosay。Thefolkhereholdalmostuniversallythatthecaptainissimplyahero，andheistobegivenapublicfuneral。

AlreadyitisarrangedthathisbodyistobetakenwithatrainofboatsuptheEskforapieceandthenbroughtbacktoTateHillPieranduptheabbeysteps，forheistobeburiedinthechurchyardonthecliff。

Theownersofmorethanahundredboatshavealreadygivenintheirnamesaswishingtofollowhimtothegrave。

Notracehaseverbeenfoundofthegreatdog，atwhichthereismuchmourning，for，withpublicopinioninitspresentstate，hewould，Ibelieve，beadoptedbythetown。

Tomorrowwillseethefuneral，andsowillendthisonemore`mysteryofthesea\'。

MINAMURRAY\'SJOURNAL

8August——Lucywasveryrestlessallnight，andItoo，couldnotsleep。Thestormwasfearful，andasitboomedloudlyamongthechimneypots，itmademeshudder。

Whenasharppuffcameitseemedtobelikeadistantgun。

Strangelyenough，Lucydidnotwake，butshegotuptwiceanddressedherself。Fortunately，eachtimeIawokeintimeandmanagedtoundressherwithoutwakingher，andgotherbacktobed。

Itisaverystrangething，thissleep-walking，forassoonasherwillisthwartedinanyphysicalway，herintention，iftherebeany，disappears，andsheyieldsherselfalmostexactlytotheroutineofherlife。

Earlyinthemorningwebothgotupandwentdowntotheharbourtoseeifanythinghadhappenedinthenight。

Therewereveryfewpeopleabout，andthoughthesunwasbright，andtheairclearandfresh，thebig，grim-lookingwaves，thatseemeddarkthemselvesbecausethefoamthattoppedthemwaslikesnow，forcedthemselvesinthroughthemouthoftheharbour，likeabullyingmangoingthroughacrowd。

SomehowIfeltgladthatJonathanwasnotonthesealastnight，butonland。But，oh，isheonlandorsea？

Whereishe，andhow？Iamgettingfearfullyanxiousabouthim。

IfIonlyknewwhattodo，andcoulddoanything！

10August——Thefuneralofthepoorseacaptaintodaywasmosttouching。

Everyboatintheharbourseemedtobethere，andthecoffinwascarriedbycaptainsallthewayfromTateHillPieruptothechurchyard。

Lucycamewithme，andwewentearlytoouroldseat，whilstthecortegeofboatswentuptherivertotheViaductandcamedownagain。

Wehadalovelyview，andsawtheprocessionnearlyalltheway。

Thepoorfellowwaslaidtorestnearourseatsothatwestoodonit，whenthetimecameandsaweverything。

PoorLucyseemedmuchupset。Shewasrestlessanduneasyallthetime，andIcannotbutthinkthatherdreamingatnightistellingonher。

Sheisquiteoddinonething。Shewillnotadmittomethatthereisanycauseforrestlessness，oriftherebe，shedoesnotunderstanditherself。

ThereisanadditionalcauseinthatpoorMr。Swaleswasfounddeadthismorningonourseat，hisneckbeingbroken。

Hehadevidently，asthedoctorsaid，fallenbackintheseatinsomesortoffright，fortherewasalookoffearandhorroronhisfacethatthemensaidmadethemshudder。

Poordearoldman！

Lucyissosweetandsensitivethatshefeelsinfluencesmoreacutelythanotherpeopledo。JustnowshewasquiteupsetbyalittlethingwhichIdidnotmuchheed，thoughIammyselfveryfondofanimals。

Oneofthemenwhocameuphereoftentolookfortheboatswasfollowedbyhisdog。Thedogisalwayswithhim。Theyarebothquietpersons，andIneversawthemanangry，norheardthedogbark。

Duringtheservicethedogwouldnotcometoitsmaster，whowasontheseatwithus，butkeptafewyardsoff，barkingandhowling。

Itsmasterspoketoitgently，andthenharshly，andthenangrily。

Butitwouldneithercomenorceasetomakeanoise。Itwasinafury，withitseyessavage，andallitshairbristlingoutlikeacat\'stailwhenpussisonthewarpath。

Finallythemantoogotangry，andjumpeddownandkickedthedog，andthentookitbythescruffoftheneckandhalfdraggedandhalfthrewitonthetombstoneonwhichtheseatisfixed。

Themomentittouchedthestonethepoorthingbegantotremble。

Itdidnottrytogetaway，butcroucheddown，quiveringandcowering，andwasinsuchapitiablestateofterrorthatItried，thoughwithouteffect，tocomfortit。

Lucywasfullofpity，too，butshedidnotattempttotouchthedog，butlookedatitinanagonisedsortofway。Igreatlyfearthatsheisoftoosupersensitiveanaturetogothroughtheworldwithouttrouble。

Shewillbedreamingofthistonight，Iamsure。Thewholeagglomerationofthings，theshipsteeredintoportbyadeadman，hisattitude，tiedtothewheelwithacrucifixandbeads，thetouchingfuneral，thedog，nowfuriousandnowinterror，willallaffordmaterialforherdreams。

Ithinkitwillbebestforhertogotobedtiredoutphysically，soI

shalltakeherforalongwalkbythecliffstoRobinHood\'sBayandback。

Sheoughtnottohavemuchinclinationforsleep-walkingthen。

CHAPTER8

MINAMURRAY\'SJOURNAL

Sameday，11o\'clockP。M——Oh，butIamtired！IfitwerenotthatIhadmademydiaryadutyIshouldnotopenittonight。

Wehadalovelywalk。Lucy，afterawhile，wasingayspirits，owing，Ithink，tosomedearcowswhocamenosingtowardsusinafieldclosetothelighthouse，andfrightenedthewitsoutofus。

Ibelieveweforgoteverything，exceptofcourse，personalfear，anditseemedtowipetheslatecleanandgiveusafreshstart。

Wehadacapital`severetea\'atRobinHood\'sBayinasweetlittleold-fashionedinn，withabowwindowrightovertheseaweed-coveredrocksofthestrand。Ibelieveweshouldhaveshockedthe`NewWoman\'

withourappetites。Menaremoretolerant，blessthem！

Thenwewalkedhomewithsome，orrathermany，stoppagestorest，andwithourheartsfullofaconstantdreadofwildbulls。

Lucywasreallytired，andweintendedtocreepofftobedassoonaswecould。Theyoungcuratecamein，however，andMrs。Westenraaskedhimtostayforsupper。

LucyandIhadbothafightforitwiththedustymiller。

Iknowitwasahardfightonmypart，andIamquiteheroic。

Ithinkthatsomedaythebishopsmustgettogetherandseeaboutbreedingupanewclassofcurates，whodon\'ttakesupper，nomatterhowhardtheymaybepressedto，andwhowillknowwhengirlsaretired。

Lucyisasleepandbreathingsoftly。Shehasmorecolorinhercheeksthanusual，andlooks，ohsosweet。

IfMr。Holmwoodfellinlovewithherseeingheronlyinthedrawingroom，Iwonderwhathewouldsayifhesawhernow。

Someofthe`NewWomen\'writerswillsomedaystartanideathatmenandwomenshouldbeallowedtoseeeachotherasleepbeforeproposingoraccepting。ButIsupposethe`NewWoman\'

won\'tcondescendinfuturetoaccept。Shewilldotheproposingherself。Andanicejobshewillmakeofittoo！

There\'ssomeconsolationinthat。Iamsohappytonight，becausedearLucyseemsbetter。Ireallybelieveshehasturnedthecorner，andthatweareoverhertroubleswithdreaming。

IshouldbequitehappyifIonlyknewifJonathan……Godblessandkeephim。

11August——Diaryagain。Nosleepnow，soImayaswellwrite。

Iamtooagitatedtosleep。Wehavehadsuchanadventure，suchanagonizingexperience。IfellasleepassoonasIhadclosedmydiary……SuddenlyIbecamebroadawake，andsatup，withahorriblesenseoffearuponme，andofsomefeelingofemptinessaroundme。Theroomwasdark，soIcouldnotseeLucy\'sbed。

Istoleacrossandfeltforher。Thebedwasempty。

Ilitamatchandfoundthatshewasnotintheroom。

Thedoorwasshut，butnotlocked，asIhadleftit。

Ifearedtowakehermother，whohasbeenmorethanusuallyilllately，sothrewonsomeclothesandgotreadytolookforher。

AsIwasleavingtheroomitstruckmethattheclothessheworemightgivemesomecluetoherdreamingintention。

Dressing-gownwouldmeanhouse，dressoutside。

Dressing-gownanddresswerebothintheirplaces。

“ThankGod，“Isaidtomyself，“shecannotbefar，assheisonlyinhernightdress。“

Irandownstairsandlookedinthesittingroom。

Notthere！ThenIlookedinalltheotherroomsofthehouse，withanever-growingfearchillingmyheart。

Finally，Icametothehalldoorandfounditopen。

Itwasnotwideopen，butthecatchofthelockhadnotcaught。

Thepeopleofthehousearecarefultolockthedooreverynight，soIfearedthatLucymusthavegoneoutasshewas。

Therewasnotimetothinkofwhatmighthappen。

Avagueover-masteringfearobscuredalldetails。

Itookabig，heavyshawlandranout。TheclockwasstrikingoneasIwasintheCrescent，andtherewasnotasoulinsight。

IranalongtheNorthTerrace，butcouldseenosignofthewhitefigurewhichIexpected。AttheedgeoftheWestCliffabovethepierIlookedacrosstheharbourtotheEastCliff，inthehopeorfear，Idon\'tknowwhich，ofseeingLucyinourfavoriteseat。

Therewasabrightfullmoon，withheavyblack，drivingclouds，whichthrewthewholesceneintoafleetingdioramaoflightandshadeastheysailedacross。ForamomentortwoIcouldseenothing，astheshadowofacloudobscuredSt。Mary\'sChurchandallaroundit。

ThenasthecloudpassedIcouldseetheruinsoftheabbeycomingintoview，andastheedgeofanarrowbandoflightassharpasasword-cutmovedalong，thechurchandchurchyardbecamegraduallyvisible。Whatevermyexpectationwas，itwasnotdisappointed，forthere，onourfavoriteseat，thesilverlightofthemoonstruckahalf-recliningfigure，snowywhite。

Thecomingofthecloudwastooquickformetoseemuch，forshadowshutdownonlightalmostimmediately，butitseemedtomeasthoughsomethingdarkstoodbehindtheseatwherethewhitefigureshone，andbentoverit。

Whatitwas，whethermanorbeast，Icouldnottell。

Ididnotwaittocatchanotherglance，butflewdownthesteepstepstothepierandalongbythefish-markettothebridge，whichwastheonlywaytoreachtheEastCliff。Thetownseemedasdead，fornotasouldidIsee。

Irejoicedthatitwasso，forIwantednowitnessofpoorLucy\'scondition。

Thetimeanddistanceseemedendless，andmykneestrembledandmybreathcamelabouredasItoileduptheendlessstepstotheabbey。Imusthavegonefast，andyetitseemedtomeasifmyfeetwereweightedwithlead，andasthougheveryjointinmybodywererusty。

WhenIgotalmosttothetopIcouldseetheseatandthewhitefigure，forIwasnowcloseenoughtodistinguishiteventhroughthespellsofshadow。Therewasundoubtedlysomething，longandblack，bendingoverthehalf-recliningwhitefigure。

Icalledinfright，“Lucy！Lucy！”andsomethingraisedahead，andfromwhereIwasIcouldseeawhitefaceandred，gleamingeyes。

Lucydidnotanswer，andIranontotheentranceofthechurchyard。

AsIentered，thechurchwasbetweenmeandtheseat，andforaminuteorsoIlostsightofher。WhenIcameinviewagainthecloudhadpassed，andthemoonlightstrucksobrilliantlythatIcouldseeLucyhalfrecliningwithherheadlyingoverthebackoftheseat。

Shewasquitealone，andtherewasnotasignofanylivingthingabout。

WhenIbentoverherIcouldseethatshewasstillasleep。

Herlipswereparted，andshewasbreathing，notsoftlyasusualwithher，butinlong，heavygasps，asthoughstrivingtogetherlungsfullateverybreath。AsIcameclose，sheputupherhandinhersleepandpulledthecollarofhernightdressclosearoundher，asthoughshefeltthecold。

Iflungthewarmshawloverher，anddrewtheedgestightaroundherneck，forIdreadedlestsheshouldgetsomedeadlychillfromthenightair，uncladasshewas。Ifearedtowakeherallatonce，so，inordertohavemyhandsfreetohelpher，Ifastenedtheshawlatherthroatwithabigsafetypin。

ButImusthavebeenclumsyinmyanxietyandpinchedorprickedherwithit，forby-and-by，whenherbreathingbecamequieter，sheputherhandtoherthroatagainandmoaned。

WhenIhadhercarefullywrappedupIputmyshoesonherfeet，andthenbeganverygentlytowakeher。

Atfirstshedidnotrespond，butgraduallyshebecamemoreandmoreuneasyinhersleep，moaningandsighingoccasionally。

Atlast，astimewaspassingfast，andformanyotherreasons，Iwishedtogetherhomeatonce，Ishookherforcibly，tillfinallysheopenedhereyesandawoke。Shedidnotseemsurprisedtoseeme，as，ofcourse，shedidnotrealizeallatoncewhereshewas。

Lucyalwayswakesprettily，andevenatsuchatime，whenherbodymusthavebeenchilledwithcold，andhermindsomewhatappalledatwakinguncladinachurchyardatnight，shedidnotlosehergrace。

Shetrembledalittle，andclungtome。WhenItoldhertocomeatoncewithmehome，sherosewithoutaword，withtheobedienceofachild。

Aswepassedalong，thegravelhurtmyfeet，andLucynoticedmewince。

Shestoppedandwantedtoinsistuponmytakingmyshoes，butIwouldnot。

However，whenwegottothepathwayoutsidethechruchyard，wheretherewasapuddleofwater，remainingfromthestorm，Idaubedmyfeetwithmud，usingeachfootinturnontheother，sothataswewenthome，noone，incaseweshouldmeetanyone，shouldnoticemybarefeet。

Fortunefavouredus，andwegothomewithoutmeetingasoul。Oncewesawaman，whoseemednotquitesober，passingalongastreetinfrontofus。

Butwehidinadoortillhehaddisappearedupanopeningsuchastherearehere，steeplittlecloses，or`wynds\'，astheycalltheminScotland。

MyheartbeatsoloudallthetimesometimesIthoughtIshouldfaint。

IwasfilledwithanxietyaboutLucy，notonlyforherhealth，lestsheshouldsufferfromtheexposure，butforherreputationincasethestoryshouldgetwind。Whenwegotin，andhadwashedourfeet，andhadsaidaprayerofthankfulnesstogether，Ituckedherintobed。

Beforefallingasleepsheasked，evenimplored，menottosayawordtoanyone，evenhermother，abouthersleep-walkingadventure。

Ihesitatedatfirst，topromise，butonthinkingofthestateofhermother\'shealth，andhowtheknowledgeofsuchathingwouldfrether，andthinktoo，ofhowsuchastorymightbecomedistorted，nay，infalliblywould，incaseitshouldleakout，Ithoughtitwisertodoso。

IhopeIdidright。Ihavelockedthedoor，andthekeyistiedtomywrist，soperhapsIshallnotbeagaindisturbed。Lucyissleepingsoundly。

Thereflexofthedawnishighandfaroverthesea……

Sameday，noon——Allgoeswell。LucyslepttillIwokeherandseemednottohaveevenchangedherside。Theadventureofthenightdoesnotseemtohaveharmedher，onthecontrary，ithasbenefitedher，forshelooksbetterthismorningthanshehasdoneforweeks。

Iwassorrytonoticethatmyclumsinesswiththesafety-pinhurther。

Indeed，itmighthavebeenserious，fortheskinofherthroatwaspierced。

Imusthavepinchedupapieceoflooseskinandhavetransfixedit，fortherearetwolittleredpointslikepin-pricks，andonthebandofhernightdresswasadropofblood。WhenIapologisedandwasconcernedaboutit，shelaughedandpettedme，andsaidshedidnotevenfeelit。

Fortunatelyitcannotleaveascar，asitissotiny。

Sameday，night——Wepassedahappyday。Theairwasclear，andthesunbright，andtherewasacoolbreeze。WetookourlunchtoMulgraveWoods，Mrs。WestenradrivingbytheroadandLucyandIwalkingbythecliff-pathandjoiningheratthegate。

Ifeltalittlesadmyself，forIcouldnotbutfeelhowabsolutelyhappyitwouldhavebeenhadJonathanbeenwithme。

Butthere！Imustonlybepatient。IntheeveningwestrolledintheCasinoTerrace，andheardsomegoodmusicbySpohrandMackenzie，andwenttobedearly。Lucyseemsmorerestfulthanshehasbeenforsometime，andfellasleepatonce。

Ishalllockthedoorandsecurethekeythesameasbefore，thoughIdonotexpectanytroubletonight。

12August——Myexpectationswerewrong，fortwiceduringthenightI

waswakenedbyLucytryingtogetout。Sheseemed，eveninhersleep，tobealittleimpatientatfindingthedoorshut，andwentbacktobedunderasortofprotest。Iwokewiththedawn，andheardthebirdschirpingoutsideofthewindow。Lucywoke，too，andI

wasgladtosee，wasevenbetterthanonthepreviousmorning。

Allheroldgaietyofmannerseemedtohavecomeback，andshecameandsnuggledinbesidemeandtoldmeallaboutArthur。

ItoldherhowanxiousIwasaboutJonathan，andthenshetriedtocomfortme。Well，shesucceededsomewhat，for，thoughsympathycan\'talterfacts，itcanmakethemmorebearable。

13August——Anotherquietday，andtobedwiththekeyonmywristasbefore。AgainIawokeinthenight，andfoundLucysittingupinbed，stillasleep，pointingtothewindow。

Igotupquietly，andpullingasidetheblind，lookedout。

Itwasbrilliantmoonlight，andthesofteffectofthelightovertheseaandsky，mergedtogetherinonegreatsilentmystery，wasbeautifulbeyondwords。Betweenmeandthemoonlightflittedagreatbat，comingandgoingingreatwhirlingcircles。

Onceortwiceitcamequiteclose，butwas，Isuppose，frightenedatseeingme，andflittedawayacrosstheharbourtowardstheabbey。WhenIcamebackfromthewindowLucyhadlaindownagain，andwassleepingpeacefully。

Shedidnotstiragainallnight。

14August——OntheEastCliff，readingandwritingallday。

LucyseemstohavebecomeasmuchinlovewiththespotasIam，anditishardtogetherawayfromitwhenitistimetocomehomeforlunchorteaordinner。Thisafternoonshemadeafunnyremark。

Wewerecominghomefordinner，andhadcometothetopofthestepsupfromtheWestPierandstoppedtolookattheview，aswegenerallydo。

Thesettingsun，lowdowninthesky，wasjustdroppingbehindKettleness。

TheredlightwasthrownoverontheEastCliffandtheoldabbey，andseemedtobatheeverythinginabeautifulrosyglow。Weweresilentforawhile，andsuddenlyLucymurmuredasiftoherself……

“Hisredeyesagain！Theyarejustthesame。“Itwassuchanoddexpression，comingaproposofnothing，thatitquitestartledme。

Islewedroundalittle，soastoseeLucywellwithoutseemingtostareather，andsawthatshewasinahalfdreamystate，withanoddlookonherfacethatIcouldnotquitemakeout，soIsaidnothing，butfollowedhereyes。Sheappearedtobelookingoveratourownseat，whereonwasadarkfigureseatedalone。

Iwasquitealittlestartledmyself，foritseemedforaninstantasifthestrangerhadgreateyeslikeburningflames，butasecondlookdispelledtheillusion。TheredsunlightwasshiningonthewindowsofSt。Mary\'sChurchbehindourseat，andasthesundippedtherewasjustsufficientchangeintherefractionandreflectiontomakeitappearasifthelightmoved。

IcalledLucy\'sattentiontothepeculiareffect，andshebecameherselfwithastart，butshelookedsadallthesame。

Itmayhavebeenthatshewasthinkingofthatterriblenightupthere。

Weneverrefertoit，soIsaidnothing，andwewenthometodinner。

Lucyhadaheadacheandwentearlytobed。Isawherasleep，andwentoutforalittlestrollmyself。

Iwalkedalongthecliffstothewestward，andwasfullofsweetsadness，forIwasthinkingofJonathan。Whencominghome，itwasthenbrightmoonlight，sobrightthat，thoughthefrontofourpartoftheCrescentwasinshadow，everythingcouldbewellseen，Ithrewaglanceupatourwindow，andsawLucy\'sheadleaningout。Iopenedmyhandkerchiefandwavedit。

Shedidnotnoticeormakeanymovementwhatever。Justthen，themoonlightcreptroundanangleofthebuilding，andthelightfellonthewindow。TheredistinctlywasLucywithherheadlyingupagainstthesideofthewindowsillandhereyesshut。

Shewasfastasleep，andbyher，seatedonthewindowsill，wassomethingthatlookedlikeagood-sizedbird。

Iwasafraidshemightgetachill，soIranupstairs，butasI

cameintotheroomshewasmovingbacktoherbed，fastasleep，andbreathingheavily。Shewasholdingherhandtoherthroat，asthoughtoprotectiffromthecold。

Ididnotwakeher，buttuckedherupwarmly。Ihavetakencarethatthedoorislockedandthewindowsecurelyfastened。

Shelookssosweetasshesleeps，butsheispalerthanisherwont，andthereisadrawn，haggardlookunderhereyeswhichIdonotlike。

Ifearsheisfrettingaboutsomething。IwishIcouldfindoutwhatitis。

15August——Roselaterthanusual。Lucywaslanguidandtired，andsleptonafterwehadbeencalled。Wehadahappysurpriseatbreakfast。

Arthur\'sfatherisbetter，andwantsthemarriagetocomeoffsoon。

Lucyisfullofquietjoy，andhermotherisgladandsorryatonce。

Lateroninthedayshetoldmethecause。SheisgrievedtoloseLucyasherveryown，butsheisrejoicedthatsheissoontohavesomeonetoprotecther。Poordear，sweetlady！Sheconfidedtomethatshehasgotherdeathwarrant。ShehasnottoldLucy，andmademepromisesecrecy。

Herdoctortoldherthatwithinafewmonths，atmost，shemustdie，forherheartisweakening。Atanytime，evennow，asuddenshockwouldbealmostsuretokillher。Ah，wewerewisetokeepfromhertheaffairofthedreadfulnightofLucy\'ssleep-walking。

17August——Nodiaryfortwowholedays。Ihavenothadthehearttowrite。

Somesortofshadowypallseemstobecomingoverourhappiness。

NonewsfromJonathan，andLucyseemstobegrowingweaker，whilsthermother\'shoursarenumberingtoaclose。IdonotunderstandLucy\'sfadingawayassheisdoing。Sheeatswellandsleepswell，andenjoysthefreshair，butallthetimetherosesinhercheeksarefading，andshegetsweakerandmorelanguiddaybyday。

AtnightIhearhergaspingasifforair。

Ikeepthekeyofourdooralwaysfastenedtomywristatnight，butshegetsupandwalksabouttheroom，andsitsattheopenwindow。

LastnightIfoundherleaningoutwhenIwokeup，andwhenItriedtowakeherIcouldnot。

Shewasinafaint。WhenImanagedtorestoreher，shewasweakaswater，andcriedsilentlybetweenlong，painfulstrugglesforbreath。

WhenIaskedherhowshecametobeatthewindowsheshookherheadandturnedaway。

Itrustherfeelingillmaynotbefromthatunluckyprickofthesafety-pin。Ilookedatherthroatjustnowasshelayasleep，andthetinywoundsseemnottohavehealed。

Theyarestillopen，and，ifanything，largerthanbefore，andtheedgesofthemarefaintlywhite。Theyarelikelittlewhitedotswithredcentres。Unlesstheyhealwithinadayortwo，Ishallinsistonthedoctorseeingaboutthem。

LETTER，SAMUELF。BILLINGTON&SON，SOLICITORSWHITBY，TOMESSRS。

CARTER，PATERSON&CO。，LONDON。

17August“DearSirs，——“HerewithpleasereceiveinvoiceofgoodssentbyGreatNorthernRailway。SamearetobedeliveredatCarfax，nearPurfleet，immediatelyonreceiptatgoodsstationKing\'sCross。

Thehouseisatpresentempty，butenclosedpleasefindkeys，allofwhicharelabelled。

“Youwillpleasedeposittheboxes，fiftyinnumber，whichformtheconsignment，inthepartiallyruinedbuildingformingpartofthehouseandmarked`A\'onroughdiagramsenclosed。

Youragentwilleasilyrecognizethelocality，asitistheancientchapelofthemansion。Thegoodsleavebythetrainat9：30tonight，andwillbedueatKing\'sCrossat4：30tomorrowafternoon。

Asourclientwishesthedeliverymadeassoonaspossible，weshallbeobligedbyyourhavingteamsreadyatKing\'sCrossatthetimenamedandforthwithconveyingthegoodstodestination。

Inordertoobviateanydelayspossiblethroughanyroutinerequirementsastopaymentinyourdepartments，weenclosechequeherewithfortenpounds，receiptofwhichpleaseacknowledge。

Shouldthechargebelessthanthisamount，youcanreturnbalance，ifgreater，weshallatoncesendchequefordifferenceonhearingfromyou。Youaretoleavethekeysoncomingawayinthemainhallofthehouse，wheretheproprietormaygetthemonhisenteringthehousebymeansofhisduplicatekey。

“Praydonottakeusasexceedingtheboundsofbusinesscourtesyinpressingyouinallwaystousetheutmostexpedition。

“Weare，dearSirs，“Faithfullyyours，“SAMUELF。BILLINGTON&SON“

LETTER，MESSRS。CARTER，PATERSON&CO。，LONDON，TOMESSRS。

BILLINGTON&SON，WHITBY。

21August。

“DearSirs，——“Webegtoacknowledge10poundsreceivedandtoreturnchequeof1pound，17s，9d，amountofoverplus，asshowninreceiptedaccountherewith。

Goodsaredeliveredinexactaccordancewithinstructions，andkeysleftinparcelinmainhall，asdirected。

“Weare，dearSirs，“Yoursrespectfully，“ProCARTER，PATERSON&CO。“

MINAMURRAY\'SJOURNAL。

18August——Iamhappytoday，andwritesittingontheseatinthechurchyard。Lucyiseversomuchbetter。Lastnightshesleptwellallnight，anddidnotdisturbmeonce。

Therosesseemcomingbackalreadytohercheeks，thoughsheisstillsadlypaleandwan-looking。IfshewereinanywayanemicIcouldunderstandit，butsheisnot。

Sheisingayspiritsandfulloflifeandcheerfulness。

Allthemorbidreticenceseemstohavepassedfromher，andshehasjustremindedme，asifIneededanyreminding，ofthatnight，andthatitwashere，onthisveryseat，Ifoundherasleep。

Asshetoldmeshetappedplayfullywiththeheelofherbootonthestoneslabandsaid，“Mypoorlittlefeetdidn\'tmakemuchnoisethen！

IdaresaypooroldMr。SwaleswouldhavetoldmethatitwasbecauseIdidn\'twanttowakeupGeordie。“

Asshewasinsuchacommunicativehumour，Iaskedherifshehaddreamedatallthatnight。

Beforesheanswered，thatsweet，puckeredlookcameintoherforehead，whichArthur，IcallhimArthurfromherhabit，saysheloves，andindeed，Idon\'twonderthathedoes。

Thenshewentoninahalf-dreamingkindofway，asiftryingtorecallittoherself。

“Ididn\'tquitedream，butitallseemedtobereal。

Ionlywantedtobehereinthisspot。Idon\'tknowwhy，forIwasafraidofsomething，Idon\'tknowwhat。Iremember，thoughIsupposeIwasasleep，passingthroughthestreetsandoverthebridge。

AfishleapedasIwentby，andIleanedovertolookatit，andIheardalotofdogshowling。Thewholetownseemedasifitmustbefullofdogsallhowlingatonce，asIwentupthesteps。

ThenIhadavaguememoryofsomethinglonganddarkwithredeyes，justaswesawinthesunset，andsomethingverysweetandverybitterallaroundmeatonce。AndthenIseemedsinkingintodeepgreenwater，andtherewasasinginginmyears，asIhaveheardthereistodrowningmen，andtheneverythingseemedpassingawayfromme。

Mysoulseemedtogooutfrommybodyandfloatabouttheair。

IseemtorememberthatoncetheWestLighthousewasrightunderme，andthentherewasasortofagonizingfeeling，asifIwereinanearthquake，andIcamebackandfoundyoushakingmybody。

IsawyoudoitbeforeIfeltyou。“