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CHAPTERXXIV。
ONHISTRACKS。
“Able！“saidtheoldDoctor，onemorning，“afteryou’veharnessedCaustic，comeintothestudyafewminutes，willyou？“
Abelnodded。Hewasamanoffewwords，andheknewthatthe“willyou“didnotrequireananswer，beingthetrueNew-Englandwayofroundingthecornersofanemployer’sorder，——atributetothepersonalindependenceofanAmericancitizen。
Thehiredmancameintothestudyinthecourseofafewminutes。
Hisfacewasperfectlystill，andhewaitedtobespokento；buttheDoctor’seyedetectedacertainmeaninginhisexpression，whichlookedasifhehadsomethingtocommunicate。
“Well？“saidtheDoctor。
“He’suptomischiefo’somekind，Iguess。”saidAbel。“Ijesthappeneddaownbythemansion-haouselastnight，’n’hecomeaouto’
thegateonthatqueer-lookin’creator’o’his。Iwatchedhim，’n’
herid，veryslow，allraoun’bytheInstitoot，’n’actedasefhewasspyin’abaout。Helookstomelikeamanthat’scalc’latin’todosomekindofill-turntosomebody。Ishouldn’tliketohavehimraoun’me，’ftherewa’n’tapitchforkoraneel-spearorsomesechweep’nwithinreach。Hemaybeallright；butIdon’tlikehislooks，’n’Idon’tseewhathe’slurkin’raoun’theInstitootfor，afterfolksisabed。”
“Haveyouwatchedhimprettycloseforthelastfewdays？“saidtheDoctor。
“W’ll，yes，——I’vehadmyeyeonhimconsid’bleo’thetime。Ihaftobepootyshyabaoutit，orhe’llfindaoutth’tI’monhistracks。I
don’wanthimtogetaspiteag’instme，’fIc’nhelpit；helookstomelikeoneo’themkindthatkerrieswhattheycallslung-shot，’n’hitsyeonthesideo’th’headwith’emsosuddiny’neverknowwhathurtsye。”
“Why。”saidtheDoctor，sharply，——“haveyoueverseenhimwithanysuchweaponabouthim？“
“W’ll，no，——Icaan’tsaythatIhev。”Abelanswered。“On’yhelookskin’o’dangerous。Maybehe’salljest’zheoughttobe，——Icaan’tsaythathea’n’t，——buthe’saoutlatenights，’n’lurkin’raonn’
jest’zefhewasspyin’somebody，’n’somehaowIcaan’thelpmistrustin’themPortagee-lookin’fellahs。Icaan’tkeeptheruno’
thischapallthetime；butI’veanotionthatoldblackwomandaown’tthemansion-haouseknows’zmuchabaouthim’zanybody。”
TheDoctorpausedamoment，afterhearingthisreportfromhisprivatedetective，andthengotintohischaise，andturnedCaustic’sheadinthedirectionoftheDudleymansion。HehadbeensuspiciousofDickfromthefirst。Hedidnotlikehismixedblood，norhislooks，norhisways。Hehadformedaconjectureabouthisprojectsearly。HehadmadeashrewdguessastotheprobablejealousyDickwouldfeeloftheschoolmaster，hadfoundoutsomethingofhismovements，andhadcautionedMr。Bernard，——aswehaveseen。Hefeltaninterestintheyoungman，——astudentofhisownprofession，anintelligentandingenuouslyunsuspectingyoungfellow，whohadbeenthrownbyaccidentintothecompanionshiportheneighborhoodoftwopersons，oneofwhomheknewtobedangerous，andtheotherhebelievedinstinctivelymightbecapableofcrime。
TheDoctorrodedowntotheDudleymansionsolelyforthesakeofseeingoldSophy。Hewasluckyenoughtofindheraloneinherkitchen。Hebegantakingwithherasaphysician；hewantedtoknowhowherrheumatismhadbeen。Theshrewdoldwomansawthroughallthatwithherlittlebeadyblackeyes。Itwassomethingquitedifferenthehadcomefor，andoldSophyansweredverybrieflyforherachesandails。
“Oldfolks’bonesa’n’tlikeyoungfolks’。”shesaid。“It’stheLord’sdoin’s，’n’’ta’n’tmuchmatter。Isha’n’belongroan’thiskitchen。It’stheyoungMissis，Doctor，——it’sourElsie，——it’sthebaby，asweuse’t’callher，——don’youremember，Doctor？Seventeenyearago，’n’herpoormothercryin’forher，——’Whereisshe？whereisshe？Letmeseeher！’——’n’howIrunup-stairs，——Icouldrunthen，——’n’gotthecoralnecklace’n’putitroundherlittleneck，’n’thenshowedhertohermother，——’n’howhermotherlookedather，’n’looked，’n’thenputoutherpoorthinfingers’n’liftedthenecklace，——’n’fellrightbackonherpiller，aswhiteasthoughshewaslaidouttobury？“
TheDoctoransweredherbysilenceandalookofgraveassent。HehadneverchosentoletoldSophydwelluponthesematters，forobviousreasons。Thegirlmustnotgrowuphauntedbyperpetualfearsandprophecies，ifitwerepossibletopreventit。
“Well，howhasElsieseemedoflate？“hesaid，afterthisbriefpause。
Theoldwomanshookherhead。ThenshelookedupattheDoctorsosteadilyandsearchinglythatthediamondeyesofElsieherselfcouldhardlyhavepiercedmoredeeply。
TheDoctorraisedhishead，byhishabitualmovement，andmettheoldwoman’slookwithhisowncalmandscrutinizinggaze，sharpenedbytheglassesthroughwhichhenowsawher。
Sophyspokepresentlyinanawedtone，asiftellingavision。
“Weshallbehavin’troublebeforelong。The’’ssomethin’comin’
fromtheLord。I’vehaddreams，Doctor。It’smanyayearI’vebeena-dreamin’，butnowthey’recomin’over’n’overthesamething。
ThreetimesI’vedreamedonething，Doctor，——onething！“
“Andwhatwasthat？“theDoctorsaid，withthatshadeofcuriosityinhistonewhichametaphysicianwouldprobablysayisanindexofacertaintendencytobeliefinthesuperstitiontowhichthequestionrefers。
“Ica’n’jestlytelly’whatitwas，Doctor。”theoldwomananswered，asifbewilderedandtryingtoclearupherrecollections；“butitwassomethin’fearful，withagreatnoise’n’agreatcryin’o’
people，——liketheLas’Day，Doctor！TheLordhavemercyonmypoorchil’，’n’takecareofher，ifanythinghappens！ButI’sfearedshe’llneverlivetoseetheLas’Day，’f’tdon’comepootyquick。”
PoorSophy，onlythethirdgenerationfromcannibalism，was，notunnaturally，somewhatconfusedinhertheologicalnotions。SomeoftheSecond-Adventpreachershadbeenabout，andcirculatedtheirpredictionsamongthekitchen——populationofRockland。Thiswasthewayinwhichithappenedthatshemingledherfearsinsuchastrangemannerwiththeirdoctrines。
TheDoctoransweredsolemnly，thatofthedayandhourweknewnot，butitbecameustobealwaysready——“Isthereanythinggoingoninthehouseholddifferentfromcommon？“
OldSophy’swrinkledfacelookedasfulloflifeandintelligence，whensheturneditfullupontheDoctor，asifshehadslippedoffherinfirmitiesandyearslikeanoutergarment。Allthosefineinstinctsofobservationwhichcamestraighttoherfromhersavagegrandfatherlookedoutofherlittleeyes。ShehadakindoffaiththattheDoctorwasamightyconjurer，who，ifhewould，couldbewitchanyofthem。Shehadrelievedherfeelingsbyherlongtalkwiththeminister，buttheDoctorwastheimmediateadviserofthefamily，andhadwatchedthemthroughalltheirtroubles。Perhapshecouldtellthemwhattodo。Shehadbutonerealobjectofaffectionintheworld，——thischildthatshehadtendedfrominfancytowomanhood。Troublesweregatheringthickroundher；howsoontheywouldbreakuponher，andblightordestroyher，noonecouldtell；
buttherewasnothinginallthecatalogueofterrorswhichmightnotcomeuponthehouseholdatanymoment。Herownwitshadsharpenedthemselvesinkeepingwatchbydayandnight，andherfacehadforgottenitsageintheexcitementwhichgavelifetoitsfeatures。
“Doctor。”oldSophysaid，“there’sstrangethingsgoin’onherebynightandbyday。Idon’likethatman，——thatDick，——Ineverlikedhim。Hegiv’mesomeo’thesethingsI’goton；Itake’em’cosI
knowitmakehimmad，ifInotake’em；Iwear’em，sothatheneedn’feelasifIdidn’likehim；but，Doctor，Ihatehim，——jes’asmuchasamemberofthechurchhastheLord’sleavetohateanybody。”
Hereyessparkledwiththeoldsavagelight，asifherill-willtoMr。RichardVeneermightperhapsgoalittlefartherthantheChristianlimitshehadassigned。Butrememberthathergrandfatherwasinthehabitofinvitinghisfriendstodinewithhimuponthelastenemyhehadbagged，andthathergrandmother’steethwerefileddowntopoints，sothattheywereassharpasashark’s。
“WhatisthatyouhaveseenaboutMr。RichardVeneerthatgivesyousuchaspiteagainsthim，Sophy？“askedtheDoctor。
“WhatI’seen’boutDickVeneer？“shereplied，fiercely。“I’lltelly’whatI’seen。Dickwan’stomarryourElsie，——that’swhathewan’s；’n’hedon’loveher，Doctor，——hehatesher，Doctor，asbadasIhatehim！Hewan’stomarryourElsie，In’livehereinthebighouse，’n’havenothin’todobutjes’laystill’n’watch。MassaVenner’n’seehowlong’tIlltakehimtodie，’n’’fhedon’diefas’’puff，helphimsomewayt’diefasser！——Comecloseupt’me，Doctor！Iwan’t’tellyousomethin’Itol’th’ministert’otherday。Th’minister，hecomedown’n’prayed’n’talkedgood，——he’sagoodman，thatDoctorHoneywood，’n’Itol’himall’boutourElsie，buthedidn’tellnobodywhattodotostopallwhatI’beendreamin’abouthappenin’。Comecloseuptome，Doctor！“
TheDoctordrewhischaircloseuptothatoftheoldwoman。
“Doctor，nobodymus’n’nevermarryourElsie’slongsshelives！
Nobodymus’n’neverlivewithElsiebutolSophy；’n’olSophywon’tneverdie’slong’sElsie’salivetobetookcareof。ButI’sfeared，Doctor，I’sgreatlyfearedElsiewan’tomarrysomebody。
The’’sayounggen’l’m’nupatthatschoolwhereshego，——sosomeof’emtellsme，’n’shelovest’seehim’n’talkwi’him，’n’shetalksabouthimwhenshe’sasleepsometimes。Shemus’n’nevermarrynobody，Doctor！Ifshedo，hedie，certain！“
“Ifshehasafancyfortheyoungmanupattheschoolthere。”theDoctorsaid，“Ishouldn’tthinktherewouldbemuchdangerfromDick。”
“Doctor，nobodyknownothin’’boutElsiebutofSophy。Shenolikeanyothercreator’th’teverdrawedthebrefo’life。Ifsheca’n’
marryoneman’cosshelovehim，shemarryanotherman’cosshehatehim。”
“Marryamanbecauseshehateshim，Sophy？Nowomaneverdidsuchathingasthat，oreverwilldoit。”
“Whotol’youElsiewasawoman，Doctor？“saidoldSophy，withaflashofstrangeintelligenceinhereyes。
TheDoctor’sfaceshowedthathewasstartled。TheoldwomancouldnotknowmuchaboutElsiethathedidnotknow；butwhatstrangesuperstitionhadgotintoherhead，hewaspuzzledtoguess。HehadbetterfollowSophy’sleadandfindoutwhatshemeant。
“IshouldcallElsieawoman，andaveryhandsomeone。”hesaid。
“Youdon’tmeanthatshehasanymarkabouther，except——youknow——
underthenecklace？“
Theoldwomanresentedthethoughtofanydeformityaboutherdarling。
“Ididn’sayshehadnothin’——butjes’that——youknow。Mybeautyhaveanythingugly？She’sthebeautifullest-shapedladythateverhadashinin’silkgowndrawedoverhershoulders。On’yshea’n’tlikenootherwomaninnoneofherways。Shedon’tcry’n’laughlikeotherwomen。An’sheha’n’gotthesamekindo’feelin’sasotherwomen——Doyouknowthatyounggen’1’m’nupattheschool，Doctor？“
“Yes，Sophy，I’vemethimsometimes。He’saverynicesortofyoungman，handsome，too，andIdon’tmuchwonderElsietakestohim。Tellme，Sophy，whatdoyouthinkwouldhappen，ifheshouldchancetofallinlovewithElsie，andshewithhim，andheshouldmarryher？“
“Putyourearclosetomylips，Doctor，dear！“ShewhisperedalittletotheDoctor，thenaddedaloud，“Hedie，——that’sall。”
“Butsurely，Sophy，youa’n’tafraidtohaveDickmarryher，ifshewouldhavehimforanyreason，areyou？Hecantakecareofhimself，ifanybodycan。”
“Doctor！“Sophyanswered，“nobodycantakecareofhisselfthatlivewi’Elsie！Nobodyneverinallthisworl’mus’livewi’ElsiebutofSophy，Itellyou。Youdon’thinkIcareforDick？WhatdoIcare，ifDickVennerdie？Hewam’stomarryourElsieso’stoliveinthebighouse’n’getallthemoney’n’allthesilverthings’n’allthechistsfullo’linen’n’beautifulclothes。That’swhatDickwan’s。
An’hehatesElsie’cosshedon’likehim。ButifhemarryElsie，she’llmakehimdiesomewrongwayorother，’n’they’lltakeher’n’hangher，orhe’llgetmadwithher’n’chokeher——Oh，Iknowhischokin’tricks！——hedon’leavehiskeysroun’fornothin’“
“What’sthatyousay，Sophy？Tellmewhatyoumeanbyallthat。”
SopoorSophyhadtoexplaincertainfactsnotinallrespectstohercredit。Shehadtakentheopportunityofhisabsencetolookabouthischamber，and，havingfoundakeyinoneofhisdrawers，hadappliedittoatrunk，and，findingthatitopenedthetrunk，hadmadeakindofinspectionforcontrabandarticles，and，seeingtheendofaleatherthong，hadfolloweditupuntilshesawthatitfinishedwithanoose，which，fromcertainappearances，sheinferredtohaveseenserviceofatleastdoubtfulnature。Anunauthorizedsearch；butoldSophyconsideredthatagameoflifeanddeathwasgoingoninthehousehold，andthatshewasboundtolookoutforherdarling。
TheDoctorpausedamomenttothinkoverthisoddpieceofinformation。WithoutsharingSophy’sbeliefastothekindofusethismischievous-lookingpieceofpropertyhadbeenputto，itwascertainlyveryoddthatDickshouldhavesuchathingatthebottomofhistrunk。TheDoctorrememberedreadingorhearingsomethingaboutthelassoandthelariatandthebolas，andhadanindistinctideathattheyhadbeensometimesusedasweaponsofwarfareorprivaterevenge；buttheywereessentiallyahuntsman’simplements，afterall，anditwasnotverystrangethatthisyoungmanhadbroughtoneofthemwithhim。Notstrange，perhaps，butworthnoting。
“DoyoureallythinkDickmeansmischieftoanybody，thathehassuchdangerous-lookingthings？“theDoctorsaid，presently。
“Itellyou，Doctor。DickmeanstohaveElsie。Ifheca’n’gether，heneverletnobodyelsehaveher！Oh，Dick’sadarkman，Doctor！
Iknowhim！I’memberhimwhenhewaslittleboy，——healwayscunin’。
Ithinkhemeanmischieftosomebody。Hecomehomelatenights，——
comeinsoftly，——oh，Ihearhim！Ilayawake，’n’gotsharpears，——I
hearthecatswalkin’overtheroofs，——’n’IhearDickVeneer，whenhecomesupinhisstockin’-feetasstillasacat。Ithinkhemean’
mischieftosomebody。Inolikehislookstheselas’days——Isthataverypootygen’l’m’nupattheschoolhouse，Doctor？“
“Itoldyouhewasgood-looking。Whatifheis？“
“Ishouldliketoseehim，Doctor，——Ishouldliketoseethepootygen’l’m’nthatmypoorElsieloves。Shemus’n’nevermarrynobody，——but，oh，Doctor，Ishouldliketoseehim，’n’jes’thinkalittlehowitwouldha’been，iftheLordhadn’beensohardonElsie。”
Sheweptandwrungherhands。ThekindDoctorwastouched，andleftheramomenttoherthoughts。
“AndhowdoesMr。DudleyVeneertakeallthis？“hesaid，bywayofchangingthesubjectalittle。
“Oh，MassaVeneer，hegoodman，buthedon’knownothin’’boutElsie，asofSophydo。Ikeepclosebyher；Ihelpherwhenshegotobed，’n’setbyhersometimewhenshe——’sleep；Icometoherinth’
mornin’’n’helpherputonherthings。”——Then，inawhisper；——
“Doctor，ElsieletsofSophytakeoffthatnecklaceforher。Whatyouthinkshedo，’fanybodyelsetechit？“
“Idon’tknow，I’msure，Sophy，——striketheperson，perhaps。”
“Oh，yes，strike’em！butnotwithherhan’s，Doctor！“——Theoldwoman’ssignificantpantomimemustbeguessedat。
“Butyouhaven’ttoldme，Sophy，whatMr。DudleyVeneerthinksofhisnephew，norwhetherhehasanynotionthatDickwantstomarryElsie。”
“Itellyou。MassaVenner，hegoodman，buthenoseenothin’’boutwhatgoesonhereinthehouse。Hesorto’broken-hearted，youknow，——sorto’givup，——don’knowwhattodowi’Elsie，’xcep’say’Yes，yes。’Dickalwayslooksmilin’’n’behavewellbeforehim。
OnetimeIthoughtMassaVeneerb’lieveDickwasgoin’totaketoElsie；butnowhedon’seemtotakemuchnotice，——hekin’o’stupid-’
like’boutsechthings。It’strouble，Doctor；’cosMassaVeneerbrightmannaterally，——’n’he’sgotagreatheapo’books。Idon’
thinkMassaVeneerneverbeenjes’heselfsenceElsie’sborn。Hedoneallheknowhow，——but，Doctor，thatwa’n’agreatdeal。Youmen-folksdon’knownothin’’bouttheseyounggals；’n’’fyouknowedalltheyounggalsthateverlived，y’wouldn’knownothin’’boutourElsie。”
“No，——but，Sophy，whatIwanttoknowis，whetheryouthinkMr。
Veneerhasanykindofsuspicionabouthisnephew，——whetherhehasanynotionthathe’sadangeroussortoffellow，——orwhetherhefeelssafetohavehimabout，orhaseventakenasortoffancytohim。”
“Lar’blessyou，Doctor，MassaVeneernomoreidee’fanymischief’boutDickthanhehas’boutyouorme。Y’see，heveryfondo’theCap’n，——thatDick’sfather，——’n’helivesolongalonehere，’longwi’us，thathekin’o’liketoseemos’anybody’t’sgotanyo’th’
offamily-bloodin’em。Heha’n’tgotnomoresuspicions’nababy，——y’neverseesechaman’ny’rlife。Ikin’o’thinkhedon’carefornothin’inthisworld’xcep’jes’t’dowhatElsiewan’shimto。
Thefus’yearafteryoungMadamdiehedonothin’butjes’setatthewindow’n’lookoutathergrave，’n’thencomeup’n’lookatthebaby’sneck’n’say，’It’sfadin’，Sophy，a’n’tit？’n’thengodowninthestudy’n’walk’n’walk，’n’themkneeldown’n’pray。
Doctor，therewastwoplacesintheoldcarpetthatwasallthreadbare，wherehiskneeshadworn’em。An’sometimes，youremember’boutallthat，——he’dgooffupintoTheMountain，’n’begoneallday，’n’killalltheUglyThingshecouldfindupthere——
Oh，Doctor，Idon’liketothinko’themdays！——An’by’n’byhegrewkin’o’still，’n’beguntoreadalittle，’n’’tlas’hegot’squiet’salamb，’n’that’sthewayheisnow。Ithinkhe’sgotreligion，Doctor；buthea’n’tsobrightaboutwhat’sgoin’on，’n’I
don’believeheneversuspec’nothin’tillsomethin’happens；forthe’’ssomethin’goin’tohappen，Doctor，iftheLas’Daydoesn’
cometostopit；’n’youmus’telluswhattodo，’n’savemypoorElsie，mybabythattheLordhasn’tookcareoflikeallhisotherchilder。”
TheDoctorassuredtheoldwomanthathewasthinkingagreatdealaboutthemall，andthattherewereothereyesonDickbesidesherown。Letherwatchhimcloselyaboutthehouse，andhewouldkeepalook-outelsewhere。Iftherewasanythingnew，shemustlethimknowatonce。Senduponeofthemenservants，andhewouldcomedownatamoment’swarning。
Therewasreallynothingdefiniteagainstthisyoungman；buttheDoctorwassurethathewasmeditatingsomeevildesignorother。HerodestraightuptotheInstitute。TherehesawMr。Bernard，andhadabriefconversationwithhim，principallyonmattersrelatingtohispersonalinterests。
Thatevening，forsomeunknownreason，Mr。Bernardchangedtheplaceofhisdeskanddrewdowntheshadesofhiswindows。LatethatnightMr。RichardVennerdrewthechargeofarifle，andputthegunbackamongthefowling-pieces，swearingthataleatherhalterwasworthadozenofit。
CHAPTERXXV。
THEPERILOUSHOUR。
UptothistimeDickVennerhadnotdecidedontheparticularmodeandthepreciseperiodofrelievinghimselffromtheunwarrantableinterferencewhichthreatenedtodefeathisplans。Theluxuryoffeelingthathehadhismaninhispowerwasitsownreward。Onewhowatchesinthedark，outside，whilehisenemy，inutterunconsciousness，isilluminatinghisapartmentandhimselfsothateverymovementofhisheadandeverybuttononhiscoatcanbeseenandcounted，experiencesapeculiarkindofpleasure，ifheholdsaloadedrifleinhishand，whichhenaturallyhatestobringtoitsclimaxbytestinghisskillasamarksmanupontheobjectofhisattention。
Besides，Dickhadtwosidesinhisnature，almostasdistinctaswesometimesobserveinthosepersonswhoarethesubjectsoftheconditionknownasdoubleconsciousness。OnhisNewEnglandsidehewascunningandcalculating，alwayscautious，measuringhisdistancebeforeheriskedhisstroke，asnicelyasifhewerethrowinghislasso。Buthewasliabletointercurrentfitsofjealousyandrage，suchasthelight-huedracesarehardlycapableofconceiving，blindingparoxysmsofpassion，whichforthetimeovermasteredhim，andwhich，iftheyfoundnoreadyoutlet，transformedthemselvesintothemoredangerousforcesthatworkedthroughtheinstrumentalityofhiscoolcraftiness。
HehadfailedasyetingettinganypositiveevidencethattherewasanyrelationbetweenElsieandtheschoolmasterotherthansuchasmightexistunsuspectedandunblamedbetweenateacherandhispupil。
Abook，oranote，even，didnotprovetheexistenceofanysentiment。Atonetimehewouldbedevouredbysuspicions，atanotherhewouldtrytolaughhimselfoutofthem。AndinthemeanwhilehefollowedElsie’stastesascloselyashecould，determinedtomakesomeimpressionuponher，——tobecomeahabit，aconvenience，anecessity，——whatevermightaidhimintheattainmentoftheoneendwhichwasnowtheaimofhislife。
Itwastohumoroneofhertastesalreadyknowntothereader，thathesaidtoheronemorning，——“Come，Elsie，takeyourcastanets，andletushaveadance。”
Hehadstrucktherightveininthegirl’sfancy，forshewasinthemoodforthisexercise，andverywillinglyledthewayintooneofthemoreemptyapartments。Whattherewasinthisparticularkindofdancewhichexcitedheritmightnotbeeasytoguess；butthosewholookedinwiththeoldDoctor，onaformeroccasion，andsawher，willrememberthatshewasstrangelycarriedawaybyit，andbecamealmostfearfulinthevehemenceofherpassion。Thesoundofthecastanetsseemedtomakeheraliveallover。Dickknewwellenoughwhattheexhibitionwouldbe，andwasalmostafraidofheratthesemoments；foritwaslikethedancingmaniaofEasterndevotees，morethantheordinarylightamusementofjoyousyouth，——aconvulsionofthebodyandthemind，ratherthanaseriesofvoluntarymodulatedmotions。
Elsierattledoutthetriplemeasureofasaraband。Hereyesbegantoglittermorebrilliantly，andhershapetoundulateinfreercurves。PresentlyshenoticedthatDick’slookwasfixeduponhernecklace。Hisfacebetrayedhiscuriosity；hewasintentonsolvingthequestion，whyshealwaysworesomethingaboutherneck。Thechainofmosaicsshehadonatthatmomentdisplaceditselfateverystep，andhewaspeeringwithmalignant，searchingeagernesstoseeifanunsunnedringoffairerhuethantherestofthesurface，oranylesseasilyexplainedpeculiarity，werehiddenbyherornaments。
Shestoppedsuddenly，caughtthechainofmosaicsandsettledithastilyinitsplace，flungdownhercastanets，drewherselfback，andstoodlookingathim，withherheadalittleononeside，andhereyesnarrowinginthewayhehadknownsolongandwell。
“Whatisthematter，CousinElsie？Whatdoyoustopfor？“hesaid。
Elsiedidnotanswer，butkepthereyesonhim，fullofmaliciouslight。Thejealousywhichlaycoveredupunderhissurface-thoughtstookthisopportunitytobreakout。
“Youwouldn’tactso，ifyouweredancingwithMr。Langdon，——wouldyou，Elsie？“heasked。
Itwaswithsomeeffortthathelookedsteadilyathertoseetheeffectofhisquestion。
Elsiecolored，——notmuch，butstillperceptibly。Dickcouldnotrememberthathehadeverseenhershowthismarkofemotionbefore，inallhisexperienceofherfitfulchangesofmood。Ithadasingulardepthofsignificance，therefore，forhim；heknewhowhardlyhercolorcame。Blushingmeansnothing，insomepersons；inothers，itbetraysaprofoundinwardagitation，——aperturbationofthefeelingsfarmoretryingthanthepassionswhichwithmanyeasilymovedpersonsbreakforthintears。Allwhohaveobservedmuchareawarethatsomemen，whohaveseenagooddealoflifeinitslesschastenedaspectsandareanythingbutmodest，willblushoftenandeasily，whiletherearedelicateandsensitivewomenwhocanfaint，orgointofits，ifnecessary，butareveryrarelyseentobetraytheirfeelingsintheircheeks，evenwhentheirexpressionshowsthattheirinmostsoulisblushingscarlet。Presentlysheanswered，abruptlyandscornfully，“Mr。Langdonisagentleman，andwouldnotvexmeasyoudo。”
“Agentleman！“Dickanswered，withthemostinsultingaccent，——
“agentleman！Come，Elsie，you’vegottheDudleybloodinyourveins，anditdoesn’tdoforyoutocallthispoor，sneakingschoolmasteragentleman！“
Hestoppedshort。Elsie’sbosomwasheaving，thefaintflushonhercheekwasbecomingavividglow。Whetheritwereshameorwrath，hesawthathehadreachedsomedeep-lyingcentreofemotion。Therewasnolongeranydoubtinhismind。Withanothergirlthesesignsofconfusionmightmeanlittleornothing；withhertheyweredecisiveandfinal。ElsieVennerlovedBernardLangdon。
Thesuddenconviction，absolute，overwhelming，whichrusheduponhim，hadwell-nighledtoanexplosionofwrath，andperhapssometerriblescenewhichmighthavefulfilledsomeofoldSophy’spredictions。
This，however，wouldneverdo。Dick’sfacewhitenedwithhisthoughts，buthekeptstilluntilhecouldspeakcalmly。
“I’venothingagainsttheyoungfellow。”hesaid；“onlyIdon’tthinkthere’sanythingquitegoodenoughtokeepthecompanyofpeoplethathavetheDudleybloodinthem。Youa’n’tasproudasIam。Ican’tquitemakeupmymindtocallaschoolmasteragentleman，thoughthisonemaybewellenough。I’venothingagainsthim，atanyrate。”
Elsiemadenoanswer，butglidedoutoftheroomandslidawaytoherownapartment。Sheboltedthedooranddrewhercurtainsclose。
Thenshethrewherselfonthefloor，andfellintoadull，slowacheofpassion，withouttears，withoutwords，almostwithoutthoughts。
Sosheremained，perhaps，forahalf-hour，attheendofwhichtimeitseemedthatherpassionhadbecomeasullenpurpose。Shearose，and，lookingcautiouslyround，wenttothehearth，whichwasornamentedwithcuriousoldDutchtiles，withpicturesofScripturesubjects。Oneoftheserepresentedtheliftingofthebrazenserpent。Shetookahair-pinfromoneofherbraids，and，insinuatingitspointsundertheedgeofthetile，raiseditfromitsplace。Asmallleadenboxlayunderthetile，whichsheopened，and，takingfromitalittlewhitepowder，whichshefoldedinascrapofpaper，replacedtheboxandthetileoverit。
WhetherDickhadbyanymeansgotaknowledgeofthisproceeding，orwhetherheonlysuspectedsomeunmentionabledesignonherpart，thereisnosufficientmeansofdetermining。Atanyrate，whentheymet，anhourortwoaftertheseoccurrences，hecouldnothelpnoticinghoweasilysheseemedtohavegotoverherexcitement。Shewasverypleasantwithhim，——toopleasant，Dickthought。ItwasnotElsie’swaytocomeoutofafitofangersoeasilyasthat。Shehadcontrivedsomewayoflettingoffherspite；thatwascertain。Dickwasprettycunning，asoldSophyhadsaid，and，whetherornothehadanymeansofknowingElsie’sprivateintentions，watchedherclosely，andwasonhisguardagainstaccidents。
Forthefirsttime，hetookcertainprecautionswithreferencetohisdiet，suchaswerequitealientohiscommonhabits。Oncomingtothedinner-table，thatday，hecomplainedofheadache，tookbutlittlefood，andrefusedthecupofcoffeewhichElsieofferedhim，sayingthatitdidnotagreewithhimwhenhehadtheseattacks。
Herewasanewcomplication。Obviouslyenough，hecouldnotliveinthisway，suspectingeverythingbutplainbreadandwater，andhardlyfeelingsafeinmeddlingwiththem。Notonlyhadthisschool-keepingwretchcomebetweenhimandtheschemebywhichhewastosecurehisfuturefortune，buthisimagehadsoinfectedhiscousin’smindthatshewasreadytotryonhimsomeofthosetrickswhich，ashehadheardhintedinthevillage，shehadoncebeforeputinpracticeuponapersonwhohadbecomeodioustoher。
Somethingmustbedone，andatonce，tomeetthedoublenecessitiesofthiscase。Everyday，whiletheyounggirlwasintheserelationswiththeyoungman，wasonlymakingmattersworse。Theycouldexchangewordsandlooks，theycouldarrangeprivateinterviews，theywouldbestoopingtogetheroverthesamebook，herhairtouchinghischeek，herbreathminglingwithhis，allthemagneticattractionsdrawingthemtogetherwithstrange，invisibleeffluences。Asherpassionfortheschoolmasterincreased，herdisliketohim，hercousin，wouldgrowwithit，andallhisdangerswouldbemultiplied。
Itwasafearfulpointhehad，reached。Hewastemptedatonemomenttogiveupallhisplansandtodisappearsuddenlyfromtheplace，leavingwiththeschoolmaster，whohadcomebetweenhimandhisobject，ananonymoustokenofhispersonalsentimentswhichwouldberememberedagoodwhileinthehistoryofthetownofRockland。Thiswasbutamomentarythought；thegreatDudleypropertycouldnotbegivenupinthatway。
Somethingmusthappenatoncetobreakupallthisorderofthings。
HecouldthinkofbutoneProvidentialeventadequatetotheemergency，——aneventforeshadowedbyvariousrecentcircumstances，buthithertofloatinginhismindonlyasapossibility。ItsoccurrencewouldatoncechangethecourseofElsie’sfeelings，providingherwithsomethingtothinkofbesidesmischief，andremovetheaccursedobstaclewhichwasthwartingallhisownprojects。
Everypossiblemotive，then，——hisinterest，hisjealousy，hislongingforrevenge，andnowhisfearsforhisownsafety，——urgedhimtoregardthehappeningofacertaincasualtyasamatterofsimplenecessity。Thiswastheself-destructionofMr。BernardLangdon。
Suchanevent，thoughitmightbesurprisingtomanypeople，wouldnotbeincredible，norwithoutmanyparallelcases。Hewaspoor，amiserablefag，underthecontrolofthatmeanwretchupthereattheschool，wholookedasifhehadsourbuttermilkinhisveinsinsteadofblood。Hewasinlovewithagirlabovehisstation，rich，andofoldfamily，butstrangeinallherways，anditwasconceivablethatheshouldbecomesuddenlyjealousofher。Orshemighthavefrightenedhimwithsomedisplayofherpeculiaritieswhichhadfilledhimwithasuddenrepugnanceintheplaceoflove。Anyofthesethingswerecredible，andwouldmakeaprobablestoryenough，——
sothoughtDickovertohimselfwiththeNew-Englandhalfofhismind。
Unfortunately，menwillnotalwaystakethemselvesoutofthewaywhen，sofarastheirneighborsareconcerned，itwouldbealtogetherthemostappropriateandgracefulandacceptableservicetheycouldrender。Therewasatthisparticularmomentnospecialreasonforbelievingthattheschoolmastermeditatedanyviolencetohisownperson。Onthecontrary，therewasgoodevidencethathewastakingsomecareofhimself。Hewaslookingwellandingoodspirits，andinthehabitofamusinghimselfandexercising，asiftokeepuphisstandardofhealth，especiallyoftakingcertainevening-walks，beforereferredto，atanhourwhenmostoftheRocklandpeoplehad“retired。”or，invulgarlanguage，“gonetobed。”
DickVeneersettledit，however，inhisownmind，thatMr。BernardLangdonmustlayviolenthandsuponhimself。Heevenwentsofarastodeterminetheprecisehour，andthemethodinwhichthe“rashact。”asitwouldundoubtedlybecalledinthenextissueof“TheRocklandWeeklyUniverse。”shouldbecommitted。Time，——thisevening。
Method，asphyxia，bysuspension。Itwas，unquestionably，takingagreatlibertywithamantodecidethatheshouldbecomefelodesewithouthisownconsent。Such，however，wasthedecisionofMr。
RichardVeneerwithregardtoMr。BernardLangdon。
Ifeverythingwentright，then，therewouldbeacoroner’sinquestto-morrowuponwhatremainedofthatgentleman，foundsuspendedtothebranchofatreesomewherewithinamileoftheApollineanInstitute。The“WeeklyUniverse“wouldhaveastartlingparagraphannouncinga“SADEVENT！！！“whichhad“thrownthetownintoanintensestateofexcitement。Mr。BarnardLangden，awell-knownteacherattheAppolinianInstitute，wasfound，etc。，etc。Thevitalsparkwasextinct。Themotivetotherashactcanonlybeconjectured，butissupposedtobedisappointedaffection。Thenameofanaccomplishedyoungladyofthehighestrespectabilityandgreatbeautyismentionedinconnectionwiththismelancholyoccurrence。”
DickVennerwasatthetea-tablethatevening，asusual——No，hewouldtakegreentea，ifshepleased，——thesamethatherfatherdrank。Itwouldsuithisheadachebetter——Nothing，——hewasmuchobligedtoher。Hewouldhelphimself，——whichhedidinalittledifferentwayfromcommon，naturallyenough，onaccountofhisheadache。HenoticedthatElsieseemedalittlenervouswhileshewasrinsingsomeoftheteacupsbeforetheirremoval。
“There’ssomethinggoingoninthatwitch’shead。”hesaidtohimself。“Iknowher，——she’dbesavagenow，ifshehadn’tgotsometrickinhand。Let’sseehowshelooksto-morrow！“
Dickannouncedthatheshouldgotobedearlythatevening，onaccountofthisconfoundedheadachewhichhadbeentroublinghimsomuch。Infact，hewentupearly，andlockedhisdoorafterhim，withasmuchnoiseashecouldmake。Hethenchangedsomepartofhisdress，sothatitshouldbedarkthroughout，slippedoffhisboots，drewthelassooutfromthebottomofthecontentsofhistrunk，and，carryingthatandhisbootsinhishand，openedhisdoorsoftly，lockeditafterhim，andstoledowntheback-stairs，soastogetoutofthehouseunnoticed。Hewentstraighttothestableandsaddledthemustang。Hetookaropefromthestablewithhim，mountedhishorse，andsetforthinthedirectionoftheInstitute。
Mr。Bernard，aswehaveseen，hadnotbeenveryprofoundlyimpressedbytheoldDoctor’scautions，——enough，however，tofollowoutsomeofhishintswhichwerenottroublesometoattendto。Helaughedattheideaofcarryingaloadedpistolaboutwithhim；butstillitseemedonlyfair，astheoldDoctorthoughtsomuchofthematter，tohumorhimaboutit。Asfornotgoingaboutwhenandwhereheliked，forfearhemighthavesomelurkingenemy，thatwasathingnottobelistenedtonorthoughtof。Therewasnothingtobeashamedofortroubledaboutinanyofhisrelationswiththeschool-girls。Elsie，nodoubt，showedakindofattractiontowardshim，asdidperhapssomeothers；buthehadbeenperfectlydiscreet，andnofatherorbrotherorloverhadanyjustcauseofquarrelwithhim。Tobesure，thatdarkyoungmanattheDudleymansion-houselookedasifhewerehisenemy，whenhehadmethim；butcertainlytherewasnothingintheirrelationstoeachother，orinhisowntoElsie，thatwouldbeliketostirsuchmaliceinhismindaswouldleadhimtoplayanyofhiswildSoutherntricksathis，Mr。Bernard’s，expense。Yethehadavaguefeelingthatthisyoungmanwasdangerous，andhehadbeengiventounderstandthatoneoftherisksheranwasfromthatquarter。
Onthisparticularevening，hehadastrange，unusualsenseofsomeimpendingperil。HisrecentinterviewwiththeDoctor，certainremarkswhichhadbeendroppedinhishearing，butaboveallanunaccountableimpressionuponhisspirits，allcombinedtofillhismindwithaforebodingconvictionthathewasverynearsomeovershadowingdanger。Itwasasthechilloftheice-mountaintowardwhichtheshipissteeringunderfullsail。HefeltastrongimpulsetoseeHelenDarleyandtalkwithher。Shewasinthecommonparlor，and，fortunately，alone。
“Helen。”hesaid，——fortheywerealmostlikebrotherandsisternow，——“Ihavebeenthinkingwhatyouwoulddo，ifIshouldhavetoleavetheschoolatshortnotice，orbetakenawaysuddenlybyanyaccident。”
“Do？“shesaid，hercheekgrowingpalerthanitsnaturaldelicatehue，——“why，IdonotknowhowIcouldpossiblyconsenttolivehere，ifyouleftus。Sinceyoucame，mylifehasbeenalmosteasy；
before，itwasgettingintolerable。Youmustnottalkaboutgoing，mydearfriend；youhavespoiledmeformyplace。WhoisthereherethatIcanhaveanytruesocietywith，butyou？Youwouldnotleaveusforanotherschool，wouldyou？“
“No，no，mydearHelen。”Mr。Bernardsaid，“ifitdependsonmyself，Ishallstayoutmyfulltime，andenjoyyourcompanyandfriendship。
Buteverythingisuncertaininthisworld。IhavebeenthinkingthatImightbewantedelsewhere，andcalledwhenIdidnotthinkofit；——
itwasafancy，perhaps，——butIcan’tkeepitoutofmymindthisevening。Ifanyofmyfanciesshouldcometrue，Helen，therearetwoorthreemessagesIwanttoleavewithyou。Ihavemarkedabookortwowithacrossinpencilonthe：Ly-leaf；——theseareforyou。
Thereisalittlehymn-bookIshouldliketohaveyougivetoElsiefromme；——itmaybeakindofcomforttothepoorgirl。”
Helen’seyesglistenedassheinterruptedhim，——
“Whatdoyoumean？Youmustnottalkso，Mr。Langdon。Why，youneverlookedbetterinyourlife。Tellmenow，youarenotinearnest，areyou，butonlytryingalittlesentimentonme？“
Mr。Bernardsmiled，butrathersadly。
“Abouthalfinearnest。”hesaid。“Ihavehadsomefanciesinmyhead，——superstitions，Isuppose，——atanyrate，itdoesnoharmtotellyouwhatIshouldliketohavedone，ifanythingshouldhappen，——verylikelynothingeverwill。Sendtherestofthebookshome，ifyouplease，andwritealettertomymother。And，Helen，youwillfindonesmallvolumeinmydeskenvelopedanddirected，youwillseetowhom；——givethiswithyourownhands；itisakeepsake。”
Thetearsgatheredinhereyes；shecouldnotspeakatfirst。
Presently，“Why，Bernard，mydearfriend，mybrother，itcannotbethatyouareindanger？Tellmewhatitis，and，ifIcanshareitwithyou，orcounselyouinanyway，itwillonlybepayingbackthegreatdebtIoweyou。No，no，——itcan’tbetrue，——youaretiredandworried，andyourspiritshavegotdepressed。Iknowwhatthatis；——
Iwassure，onewinter，thatIshoulddiebeforespring；butIlivedtoseethedandelionsandbuttercupsgotoseed。Come，tellmeitwasnothingbutyourimagination。”
Shefeltatearuponhercheek，butwouldnotturnherfaceawayfromhim；itwasthetearofasister。
“Iamreallyinearnest，Helen。”hesaid。“Idon’tknowthatthereistheleastreasonintheworldforthesefancies。Iftheyallgooffandnothingcomesofthem，youmaylaughatme，ifyoulike。Butifthereshouldbeanyoccasion，remembermyrequests。Youdon’tbelieveinpresentiments，doyou？“
“Oh，don’task-me，Ibegyou。”Helenanswered。“IhavehadagoodmanyfrightsforeveryonerealmisfortuneIhavesuffered。
SometimesIhavethoughtIwaswarnedbeforehandofcomingtrouble，justasmanypeopleareofchangesintheweather，bysomeunaccountablefeeling，——butnotoften，andIdon’tliketotalkaboutsuchthings。Iwouldn’tthinkaboutthesefanciesofyours。Idon’tbelieveyouhaveexercisedenough；——don’tyouthinkit’sconfinementintheschoolhasmadeyounervous？“
“Perhapsithas；butithappensthatIhavethoughtmoreofexerciselately，andhavetakenregulareveningwalks，besidesplayingmyoldgymnastictrickseveryday。”
Theytalkedonmanysubjects，butthroughallhesaidHelenperceivedapervadingtoneofsadness，andanexpressionasofadreamyforebodingofunknownevil。Theypartedattheusualhour，andwenttotheirseveralrooms。ThesadnessofMr。BernardhadsunkintotheheartofHelen，andshemingledmanytearswithherprayersthatevening，earnestlyentreatingthathemightbecomfortedinhisdaysoftrialandprotectedinhishourofdanger。
Mr。Bernardstayedinhisroomashorttimebeforesettingoutforhiseveningwalk。HiseyefellupontheBiblehismotherhadgivenhimwhenhelefthome，andheopeneditintheNewTestamentataventure。Ithappenedthatthefirstwordshereadwerethese，——
“Lest，comingsuddenly，hefindyousleeping。”Inthestateofmindinwhichhewasatthemoment，thetextstartledhim。Itwaslikeasupernaturalwarning。Hewasnotgoingtoexposehimselftoanyparticulardangerthisevening；awalkinaquietvillagewasasfreefromriskasHelenDarleyorhisownmothercouldask；yethehadanunaccountablefeelingofapprehension，withoutanydefiniteobject。
AtthismomentherememberedtheoldDoctor’scounsel，whichhehadsometimesneglected，and，blushingatthefeelingwhichledhimtodoit，hetookthepistolhissuspiciousoldfriendhadforceduponhim，whichhehadputawayloaded，and，thrustingitintohispocket，setoutuponhiswalk。
Themoonwasshiningatintervals，forthenightwaspartiallyclouded。Thereseemedtobenobodystirring，thoughhisattentionwasunusuallyawake，andhecouldhearthewhirrofthebatsoverhead，andthepulsatingcroakofthefrogsinthedistantpoolsandmarshes。Presentlyhedetectedthesoundofhoofsatsomedistance，and，lookingforward，sawahorsemancominginhisdirection。Themoonwasunderacloudatthemoment，andhecouldonlyobservethatthehorseandhisriderlookedlikeasingledarkobject，andthattheyweremovingalongataneasypace。Mr。Bernardwasreallyashamedofhimself，whenhefoundhishandonthebuttofhispistol。Whenthehorsemanwaswithinahundredandfiftyyardsofhim，themoonshoneoutsuddenlyandrevealedeachofthemtotheother。Theriderpausedforamoment，asifcarefullysurveyingthepedestrian，thensuddenlyputhishorsetothefullgallop，anddashedtowardshim，risingatthesameinstantinhisstirrupsandswingingsomethingroundhishead，what，Mr。Bernardcouldnotmakeout。Itwasastrangemanoeuvre，——sostrangeandthreateninginaspectthattheyoungmanforgothisnervousnessinaninstant，cockedhispistol，andwaitedtoseewhatmischiefallthismeant。
Hedidnotwaitlong。Astheridercamerushingtowardshim，hemadearapidmotionandsomethingleapedfive-and-twentyfeetthroughtheair，inMr。Bernard’sdirection。Inaninstanthefeltaring，asofaropeorthong，settleuponhisshoulders。Therewasnotimetothink，hewouldbelostinanothersecond。Heraisedhispistolandfired，——notattherider，butatthehorse。Hisaimwastrue；themustanggaveoneboundandfelllifeless，shotthroughthehead。Thelassowasfastenedtohissaddle，andhislastboundthrewMr。
Bernardviolentlytotheearth，wherehelaymotionless，asifstunned。
Inthemeantime，DickVenner，whohadbeendasheddownwithhishorse，wastryingtoextricatehimself，——oneofhislegsbeingheldfastundertheanimal，thelongspuronhisboothavingcaughtinthesaddle-cloth。Hefound，however，thathecoulddonothingwithhisrightarm，hisshoulderhavingbeeninsomewayinjuredinhisfall。
ButhisSouthernbloodwasup，and，ashesawMr。Bernardmoveasifhewerecomingtohissenses，hestruggledviolentlytofreehimself。
“I’llhavethedog，yet。”hesaid，——“onlyletmegetathimwiththeknife！“
Hehadjustsucceededinextricatinghisimprisonedleg，andwasreadytospringtohisfeet，whenhewascaughtfirmlybythethroat，andlookingup，sawaclumsybarbedweapon，commonlyknownasahayfork，withinaninchofhisbreast。
“Holdonthere！What’nthunder’r’y’abaout，y’darnedPortagee？“
saidavoice，withadecidednasaltoneinit，butsharpandresolute。
Dicklookedfromtheweapontothepersonwhoheldit，andsawasturdy，plainmanstandingoverhim，withhisteethclinched，andhisaspectthatofoneallreadyformischief。
“Laystill，naow！“saidAbelStebbins，theDoctor’sman；“’fy’
don’t，I’llstickye，’zsure’zy’’r’alive！Ibeenaafteryef’raweek，’n’Igoty’naow！IknowedI’dketchyeatsomedarnedtrickor’nother’foreI’ddone’ithye！“
Dicklayperfectlystill，feelingthathewascrippledandhelpless，thinkingallthetimewiththeYankeehalfofhismindwhattodoaboutit。HesawMr。Bernardlifthisheadandlookaroundhim。Hewouldgethissensesagaininafewminutes，veryprobably，andthenhe，Mr。RichardVenner，wouldbedonefor。
“Letmeup！letmeup！“hecried，inalow，hurriedvoice，——“I’llgiveyouahundreddollarsingoldtoletmego。Themana’n’thurt，——don’tyouseehimstirring？He’llcometohimselfintwominutes。Letmeup！I’llgiveyouahundredandfiftydollarsingold，now，hereonthespot，——andthewatchoutofmypocket；takeityourself，withyourownhands！“
“I’llseey’darnedfust！Ketchmelett’n’go！“wasAbel’semphaticanswer。“Yeoulaystill，’n’waitt’llthatmancomestew。”
Hekeptthehay-forkreadyforactionattheslightestsignofresistance。
Mr。Bernard，inthemeantime，hadbeengetting，firsthissenses，andthensomefewofhisscatteredwits，alittletogether。
“Whatisit？“——hesaid。“Who’shurt？What’shappened？“
“Comealonghere’zquick’zy’ken。”Abelanswered，“’n’haalpmefixthisfellah。Y’beenhurt，y’rself，’n’the’’smurdercomepootynighhappenin’。”
Mr。Bernardheardtheanswer，butpresenthstaredaboutandaskedagain，“Who’shurt？What’shay)pened？“
“Y’’r’hurt，y’rself，Itellye。”saidAbel；“’n’the’’sbeenamurder，pootynigh。”
Mr。Bernardfeltsomethingabouthisneck，and，puttinghishandsup，foundtheloopofthelasso，whichheloosened，butdidnotthinktoslipoverhishead，intheconfusionofhisperceptionsandthoughts。
Itwasawonderthatithadnotchokedhim，buthehadfallenforwardsoastoslackenit。
Bythistimehewasgettingsomenotionofwhathewasabout，andpresentlybeganlookingroundforhispistol，whichhadfallen。Hefounditlyingnearhim，cockeditmechanically，andwalked，somewhatunsteadily，towardsthetwomen，whowerekeepingtheirpositionasstillasiftheywereperforminginatableau。
“Quick，naow！“saidAbel，whohadheardtheclickofcockingthepistol，andsawthathehelditinhishand，ashecametowardshim。
“Gi’methatpistil，andyeoufetchthat’ereropelayin’there。I
’llhavethisherefella，hfixed’nless’ntwominutes。”
Mr。BernarddidasAbelsaid，——stupidlyandmechanically，forhewasbuthalfrightasyet。AbelpointedthepistolatDick’shead。
“Naowholdupy’rhands，yeoufellah。”hesaid，“’n’keep’emup，whilethismanputstheropemoundy’rwrists。”
Dickfelthimselfhelpless，and，ratherthanhavehisdisabledarmroughlydealtwith，helduphishands。Mr。BernarddidasAbelsaid；
hewasinapurelypassivestate，andobeyedorderslikeachild。
Abelthensecuredtheropeinamostthoroughandsatisfactorycomplicationoftwistsandknots。
“Naowgetup，willye？“hesaid；andtheunfortunateDickrosetohisfeet。
“Who’shurt？What’shappened？“askedpoorMr。Bernardagain，hismemoryhavingbeencompletelyjarredoutofhimforthetime。
“Come，lookherenaow，yeou，don’Stan’askin’questionsover’n’
over；——’tbeatsall！ha’n’tItol’y’adozentimes？“
AsAbelspoke，heturnedandlookedatMr。Bernard。
“Hullo！What’nthunder’sthat’ereraoun’y’rneck？Ketchedye’ithaslippernoose，hey？Wal，ifthata’n’tthecraownerIHol’onaminute，Cap’n，’n’I’llshowyewhatthat’erehalter’sgoodfor。”
AbelslippedthenooseoverMr。Bernard’shead，andputitroundtheneckofthemiserableDickVeneer，whomadenosignofresistance，——
whetheronaccountofthepainhewasin，orfrommerehelplessness，orbecausehewaswaitingforsomeunguardedmomenttoescape，——sinceresistanceseemedofnouse。
“I’mgo’n’tokerryy’home。”saidAbel；’T’th’olDoctor，he’sgotagre’tcur’osityt’seeye。Jes’stepalongnaow，——offthatway，willye？——’n’IIllhol’ont’th’bridle，f’feary’sh’drunaway。”
Hetookholdoftheleatherthong，butfoundthatitwasfastenedattheotherendtothesaddle。ThiswastoomuchforAbel。
“Wal，naow，yeoubeapootychaptohevraound！Afellah’sneckinaslippernooseatoneeendofahalter，’n’ahorsonth’fullspringatt’othereend！“
Helookedathimfrom’headtofootasanaturalistinspectsanewspecimen。Hisclotheshadsufferedinhisfall，especiallyonthelegwhichhadbeencaughtunderthehorse。
“Hullo！looko’there，naow！What’sthat’erestickin’aouto’y’rboot？“
Itwasnothingbutthehandleofanuglyknife，whichAbelinstantlyrelievedhimof。
ThepartynowtookupthelineofmarchforoldDoctorKittredge’shouse，Abelcarryingthepistolandknife，andMr。Bernardwalkinginsilence，stillhalf-stunned，holdingthehay-fork，whichAbelhadthrustintohishand。Itwasalladreamtohimasyet。Herememberedthehorsemanridingathim，andhisfiringthepistol；butwhetherhewasalive，andthesewallsaroundhimbelongedtothevillageofRockland，orwhetherhehadpassedthedarkriver，andwasinasuburboftheNewJerusalem，hecouldnotasyethavetold。
TheywereinthestreetwheretheDoctor’shousewassituated。
“IguessI’llfireoffoneo’thesehereberrils。”saidAbel。
Hefired。
Presentlytherewasanoiseofopeningwindows，andthenocturnalhead-dressesofRocklandfloweredoutofthemlikesomanydevelopmentsoftheNightbloomingCereus。Whitecottoncapsandredbandannahandkerchiefsweretheprevailingformsofefflorescence。
Themainpointwasthatthevillagewaswakedup。TheoldDoctoralwayswakedeasily，fromlonghabit，andwasthefirstamongthosewholookedouttoseewhathadhappened。
“Why，Abel！“hecalledout，“whathaveyougotthere？andwhat’sallthisnoiseabout？“
“We’veketchedthePortagee！“Abelanswered，aslaconicallyastheheroofLakeErie，inhisfamousdispatch。“Gointhere，youfellah！“
Theprisonerwasmarchedintothehouse，andtheDoctor，whohadbewitchedhisclothesuponhiminawaythatwouldhavebeenmiraculousinanybodybutaphysician，wasdowninpresentableformassoonasifithadbeenachildinafitthathewassentfor。
“RichardVeneer！“theDoctorexclaimed。“Whatisthemeaningofallthis？Mr。Langdon，hasanythinghappenedtoyou？“
Mr。Bernardputhishandtohishead。
“Mymindisconfused。”hesaid。“I’vehadafall——Oh，yes！——waitaminuteanditwillallcomebacktome。”
“Sitdown，sitdown。”theDoctorsaid。“Abelwilltellmeaboutit。
Slightconcussionofthebrain。Can’trememberverywellforanhourortwo，——willcomerightbyto-morrow。”
“Beenstunded。”Abelsaid。“Hecan’ttellnothin’。”
AbelthenproceededtogiveaNapoleonicbulletinoftherecentcombatofcavalryandinfantryanditsresults，——noneslain，onecaptured。
TheDoctorlookedattheprisonerthroughhisspectacles。
“What’sthematterwithyourshoulder，Venner？“
Dickansweredsullenly，thathedidn’tknow，fellonitwhenhishorsecamedown。TheDoctorexamineditascarefullyashecouldthroughhisclothes。
“Outofjoint。Untiehishands，Abel“
Bythistimeasmallalarmhadspreadamongtheneighbors，andtherewasacirclearoundDick，whoglaredaboutontheassembledhonestpeoplelikeahawkwithabrokenwing。
WhentheDoctorsaid，“Untiehishands。”thecirclewidenedperceptibly。
“Isn’titaleetlerashtogivehimtheuseofhishands？Iseethere’sfemalesandchildrenstandin’near。”
Thiswastheremarkofouroldfriend，DeaconSoper，whoretiredfromthefrontrow，ashespoke，behindarespectable-looking，butsomewhathastilydressedpersonofthedefencelesssex，thefemalehelpofaneighboringhousehold，accompaniedbyaboy，whoseunsmoothedshockofhairlookedlikealastyear’scrow’s-nest。
ButAbeluntiedhishands，inspiteoftheDeacon’sconsiderateremonstrance。
“Now。”saidtheDoctor，“thefirstthingistoputthejointback。”
“Stop。”saidDeaconSoper，——“stopaminute。Don’tyouthinkitwillbesafer——forthewomen-folks——jesttowaittillmornin’，aforeyouputthatj’intintothesocket？“
ColonelSprowle，whohadbeencalledbyaspecialmessenger，spokeupatthismoment。
“Letthewomen-folksandthedeaconsgohome，ifthey’rescared，andputthefellah’sj’intinasquickasyoulike。I’llreskhim，j’intinorout。”
“IwantoneofyoutogostraightdowntoDudleyVenner’swithamessage。”theDoctorsaid。“Iwillhavetheyoungman’sshoulderinquickenough。”
“Don’tsendthatmessage！“saidDick，inahoarsevoice；——“dowhatyoulikewithmyarm，butdon’tsendthatmessage！Letmego，——Icanwalk，andI’llbeofffromthisplace。There’snobodyhurtbutmyself。Damntheshoulder！——letmego！Youshallneverhearofmeagain！“
Mr。Bernardcameforward。
“Myfriends。”hesaid，“Iamnotinjured，——seriously，atleast。
Nobodyneedcomplainagainstthisman，ifIdon’t。TheDoctorwilltreathimlikeahumanbeing，atanyrate；andthen，ifhewillgo，lethim。Therearetoomanywitnessesagainsthimhereforhimtowanttostay。”
TheDoctor，inthemeantime，withoutsayingawordtoallthis，hadgotatowelroundtheshoulderandchestandanotherroundthearm，andhadthebonereplacedinaveryfewminutes。
“Abel，putCassiaintothenewchaise。”hesaid，quietly。“Myfriendsandneighbors，leavethisyoungmantome。”
“ColonelSprowle，you’reajusticeofthepeace。”saidDeaconSoper，“andyouknowwhatthelawsaysincaseslikethis。Ita’n’tsoclearthatitwon’thavetocomeaforetheGrandJury，whetherwewillorno。”
“Iguesswe’llsetthatj’intto-morrowmornin’。”saidColonelSprowle，——whichmadealaughattheDeacon’sexpense，andvirtuallysettledthequestion。
“Nowtrustthisyoungmaninmycare。”saidtheoldDoctor，“andgohomeandfinishyournaps。IknewhimwhenhewasaboyandI’llanswerforit，hewon’ttroubleyouanymore。TheDudleybloodmakesfolksproud，Icantellyou，whateverelsetheyare。”
ThegoodpeoplesorespectedandbelievedintheDoctorthattheylefttheprisonerwithhim。
Presently，Cassia，thefastMorganmare，cameuptothefront-door，withthewheelsofthenew，lightchaiseflashingbehindherinthemoonlight。TheDoctordroveDickfortymilesatastretchthatnight，outofthelimitsoftheState。
“Doyouwantmoney？“hesaid，beforehelefthim。
Dicktoldhimthesecretofhisgoldenbelt。
“WhereshallIsendyourtrunkafteryoufromyouruncle’s？“
Dickgavehimadirectiontoaseaporttowntowhichhehimselfwasgoing，totakepassageforaportinSouthAmerica。
“Good-bye，Richard。”saidtheDoctor。“Trytolearnsomethingfromto-night’slesson。”
TheSouthernimpulsesinDick’swildbloodovercamehim，andhekissedtheoldDoctoronbothcheeks，cryingasonlythechildrenofthesuncancry，afterthefirsthoursinthedewymorningoflife。
SoDickVennerdisappearsfromthisstory。Anhourafterdawn，Cassiapointedherfineearshomeward，andstruckintohersquare，honesttrot，asifshehadnotbeendoinganythingmorethanherdutyduringherfourhours’stretchofthelastnight。
AbelwasnotinthehabitofquestioningtheDoctor’sdecisions。
“It’sallright。”hesaidtoMr。Bernard。“Thefellah’sSquireVenner’srelation，anyhaow。Don’tyouwanttowaithere，jestalittlewhile，tillIcomeback？The’saconsid’ablenicesaddle’n’
bridleonadeadbossthat’slayin’daownthereintheroad’n’I
guessthe’a’n’tnouseinlettin’on’emspite，——soI’lljeststepaout’n’fetch’emalong。Ikindo’calc’late’twon’tpaytotakethecretur’sshoes’n’hideoffto-night，——’n’the’won’tbemuchirononthathose’shuffsanhaourafterdaylight，I’llbateyeaquarter。”
“I’llwalkalongwithyou。”saidMr。Bernard；“IfeelasifIcouldgetalongwellenoughnow。”
Sotheysetofftogether。Therewasalittlecrowdroundthedeadmustangalready，principallyconsistingofneighborswhohadadjournedfromtheDoctor’shousetoseethesceneofthelateadventure。Inadditiontothese，however，theassemblywashonoredbythepresenceofMr。PrincipalSilasPeckham，whohadbeencalledfromhisslumbersbyamessagethatMasterLangdonwasshotthroughtheheadbyahighway-robber，buthadlearnedatrueversionofthestorybythistime。Hisvoicewasatthatmomentheardabovetherest，——sharp，butthin，likebadcider-vinegar。
“Itakechargeofthatproperty，Isay。MasterLangdon’sactin’
undermyorders，andIclaimthathossandallthat’sonhim。Hiram！
jestslipoffthatsaddleandbridle，andcarry’emuptotheInstitoot，andbringdownapairofpinchersandafile，——and——stop——
fetchapairofshears，too；there’shosshairenoughinthatmaneandtailtostuffabolsterwith。”
“Youletthathossalone！“spokeupColonelSprowle。“Whenafellahgoesouthuntin’andshootsasquirrel，doyouthinkhe’sgo’n’toletanotherfellahpickhimupandkerryhimoff？Notifhe’sgotadouble-berrilgun，andt’otherberrilha’n’tbeenfiredoffyet！I
shouldliketoseethemahnthat’lltakeoffthatseddle’n’bridle，excep’theoneth’thezafairrighttothewholeconcern！“
HiramwasfromoneoftheleanstreaksinNewHampshire，and，notbeingoverfedinMr。SilasPeckham’skitchen，wassomewhatwantinginstamina，aswellasinstomach，forsodoubtfulanenterprise，asundertakingtocarryouthisemployer’sordersinthefaceoftheColonel’sdefiance。
JustthenMr。BernardandAbelcameuptogether。“Heretheybe。”
saidtheColonel。“Stan’beck，gentlemen！“
Mr。Bernard，whowaspaleandstillalittleconfused，butgraduallybecomingmorelikehimself，stoodandlookedinsilenceforamoment。
Allhisthoughtsseemedtobeclearingthemselvesinthisinterval。
Hetookinthewholeseriesofincidents：hisownfrightfulrisk；thestrange，instinctive，nay，Providentialimpulse，whichhadledhimsosuddenlytodotheoneonlythingwhichcouldpossiblyhavesavedhim；thesuddenappearanceoftheDoctor’sman，butforwhichhemightyethavebeenlost；andthediscomfitureandcaptureofhisdangerousenemy。
Itwasallpastnow，andafeelingofpityroseinMr。Bernard’sheart。
“Helovedthathorse，nodoubt。”hesaid，——“andnowonder。A
beautiful，wild——lookingcreature！Takeoffthosethingsthatareonhim，Abel，andhavethemcarriedtoMr。DudleyVeneer’s。Ifhedoesnotwantthem，youmaykeepthemyourself，forallthatIhavetosay。Onethingmore。Ihopenobodywilllifthishandagainstthisnoblecreaturetomutilatehiminanyway。Afteryouhavetakenoffthesaddleandbridle，Abel，buryhimjustasheis。Underthatoldbeech-treewillbeagoodplace。You’llseetoit，——won’tyon，Abel？“
Abelnoddedassent，andMr。BernardreturnedtotheInstitute，threwhimselfinhisclothesonthebed，andsleptlikeonewhoisheavywithwine。
FollowingMr。Bernard’swishes，Abelatoncetookoffthehigh-peakedsaddleandtherichlyornamentedbridlefromthemustang。Then，withtheaidoftwoorthreeothers，heremovedhimtotheplaceindicated。Spadesandshovelsweresoonprocured，andbeforethemoonhadset，thewildhorseofthePampaswasatrestundertheturfatthewayside，inthefarvillageamongthehillsofNewEngland。
CHAPTERXXVI。
THENEWSREACHESTHEDUDLEYMANSION。
EarlythenextmorningAbelStebbinsmadehisappearanceatDudleyVeneer’s，andrequestedtoseethemaano’thehaouseabaoutsomethin’o’consequence。Mr。Veneersentwordthatthemessengershouldwaitbelow，andpresentlyappearedinthestudy，whereAbelwasmakinghimselfathome，asisthewontoftherepublicancitizen，whenhehidesthepurpleofempirebeneaththeapronofdomesticservice。
“Goodmornin’，Squire！“saidAbel，asMr。Vennerentered。“Myname’sStebbins，’n’I’mstoppin’f’raspell’ithofDoctorKittredge。”
“Well，Stebbins。”saidMr。DudleyVeneer，“haveyoubroughtanyspecialmessagefromtheDoctor？“
“Y’ha’n’theerdnothin’abaoutit，Squire，d’yemeant’say？“saidAbel，——beginningtosuspectthathewasthefirsttobringthenewsoflastevening’sevents。
“Aboutwhat？“askedMr。Veneer，withsomeinterest。
“Dewtell，naow！Waal，thatbeatsall！Why，that’erePortageerelationo’yourn’zbeentryin’t’ketchafellah’naslippernoose，’n’gotketchedhimself，——that’sall。Y’ha’n’theerdnoth’n’
abaoutit？“
“Sitdown。”saidMr。DudleyVeneer，calmly，“andtellmeallyouhavetosay。”
SoAbelsatdownandgavehimanaccountoftheeventsofthelastevening。ItwasastrangeandterriblesurprisetoDudleyVeneertofindthathisnephew，whohadbeenaninmateofhishouseandthecompanionofhisdaughter，wastoallintentsandpurposesguiltyofthegravestofcrimes。ButthefirstshockwasnosooneroverthanhebegantothinkwhateffectthenewswouldhaveonElsie。Heimaginedthattherewasakindoffriendlyfeelingbetweenthem，andhefearedsomecrisiswouldbeprovokedinhisdaughter’smentalconditionbythediscovery。Hewouldwait，however，untilshecamefromherchamber，beforedisturbingherwiththeeviltidings。
Abeldidnotforgethismessagewithreferencetotheequipmentsofthedeadmustang。
“The’wassomethingsonthehoss，Squire，thatthemanheketchedsaidhedidn’carenogre’tabaout；butperhapsyou’dliketohave’emfetchedtothemansion-haouse。Efy’didn’careabaout’em，though，Ishouldn’min’keepin’on’em；theymightcomehandysometimeor’nother：theysay，holtont’anythingfortenyear’n’
there’llbesomekin’o’usefor’t。”
“Keepeverything。”saidDudleyVeneer。“Idon’twanttoseeanythingbelongingtothatyoungman。”
SoAbelnoddedtoMr。Veneer，andleftthestudytofindsomeofthemenaboutthestabletotellandtalkoverwiththemtheeventsofthelastevening。HepresentlycameuponElbridge，chiefoftheequinedepartment，anddriverofthefamily-coach。
“Goodmornin’，Abe。”saidElbridge。“What’sfetchedy’daownheresoall-firedairly？“
“You’readarnedpootylotdaownhere，yoube！“
Abelanswered。“BetterkeepyourPortageest’homenex’time，ketchin’folks’ithslippernoosesraoun’theirnecks，’n’kerryin’
knives’ntheirboots！“
“What’r’youjawin’abaout？“Elbridgesaid，lookinguptoseeifhewasinearnest，andwhathemeant。
“Jawin’abaout？You’llfindaout’zsoon’zy’gointothat’erestableo’yourn！Y’won’tcurrythat’erelong-tailedblackhossnomore；’n’y’won’tsety’reyesonthefellahthatridhim，ag’in，inahurry！“
Elbridgewalkedstraighttothestable，withoutsayingaword，foundthedoorunlocked，andwentin。
“Th’critter’sgone，sureenough！“hesaid。“Gladon’t！Thedarndest，kickin’est，bitin’estbeastth’teverIsee，’reverwan’
t’seeag’in！Goodreddance！Don’wan’nosnappin’-turklesinmystable！Whar’sthemangoneth’tbroughtthecritter？“
“Wharhe’sgone？Guessy’bettergo’naskmyolman；hekerriedhimofflass’night；’n’whenhecomesback，mebbehe’lltellyewharhe’sgonetew！“
BythistimeElbridgehadfoundoutthatAbelwasinearnest，andhadsomethingtotell。Helookedatthelitterinthemustang’sstall，thenatthecrib。
“Ha’n’teatb’thaalfhisfeed。Ha’n’tbeendaownonhisstraw。
Mustha’beentookaoutsomewhereabaoutten’r’leveeo’clock。I
knowthat’erecritter’sways。Thefellah’shadhimaoutnightsafore；b’tIneverthoughtnothin’o’nomischief。He’sakin’o’
haalfInjin。Whatis’tthechap’sbeena-doin’on？Tell’sallabaoutit。”
Abelsatdownonameal-chest，pickedupastrawandputitintohismouth。Elbridgesatdownattheotherend，pulledouthisjack-
knife，openedthepenknife-blade，andbeganstickingitintothelidofthemeal-chest。TheDoctor’smanhadastorytotell，andhemeanttogetalltheenjoymentoutofit。Sohetolditwitheveryluxuryofcircumstance。Mr。Veneer’smanhearditallwithopenmouth。NolistenerinthegardensofStamboulcouldhavefoundmoreraptureinataleheardamidsttheperfumeofrosesandthevoicesofbirdsandtinklingoffountainsthanElbridgeinfollowingAbel’snarrative，astheysatthereinthearomaticammoniacalatmosphereofthestable，thegrindingofthehorses’jawskeepingevenlyonthroughitall，withnowandthentheinterruptionofastampinghoof，andatintervalsaringingcrowfromthebarn-yard。
