第3章

CHAPTERVI

MISSHEDA

Itmightbethoughtthatafterallthistherewouldhavebeenapainfulexplanationonthefollowingmorning，butnothingofthesorthappened。Afterallthegreatestartistheartofignoringthings，withoutwhichtheworldcouldscarcelygoon，evenamongthesavageraces。Thusonthisoccasionthetwochiefactorsinthesceneofthepreviousnightpretendedthattheyhadforgottenwhattookplace，asIbelieve，toalargeextenttruly。Thefierceflameofdrinkintheoneandofpassionintheotherhadburntthewebofremembrancetoashes。Theyknewthatsomethingunpleasanthadoccurredanditsmainoutlines；theresthadvanishedaway；perhapsbecausetheyknewalsothattheywerenotresponsibleforwhattheysaidanddid，andthereforethatwhatoccurredhadnorighttoapermanentnicheintheirmemories。Itwas，asitwere，somethingoutsideoftheirnormalselves。AtleastsoIconjectured，andtheirconductseemedtogivecolourtomyguess。

Thedoctorspoketomeofthematterfirst。

“Ifeartherewasarowlastnight。”hesaid；“ithashappenedherebeforeovercards，andwillnodoubthappenagainuntilmattersclearthemselvesupsomehow。Marnham，asyousee，drinks，andwhendrunkisthebiggestliarintheworld，andI，I

amsorrytosay，amcursedwithaviolenttemper。Don’tjudgeeitherofustooharshly。Ifyouwereadoctoryouwouldknowthatallthesethingscometouswithourblood，andwedidn’tfashionourownclay，didwe？Havesomecoffee，won’tyou？“

SubsequentlywhenRoddwasn’tthere，Marnhamspokealsoandwiththatfineairofcourtesywhichwaspeculiartohim。

“Ioweadeepapology。”hesaid，“toyourselfandMr。Anscombe。

Idonotrecallmuchaboutit，butIknowtherewasascenelastnightoverthosecursedcards。Aweaknessovertakesmesometimes。Iwillsaynomore，exceptthatyou，whoarealsoamanwhoperhapshavefeltweaknessesofonesortoranother，will，Ihope，makeallowancesformeandpaynoattentiontoanythingthatImayhavesaidordoneinthepresenceofguests；

yes，thatiswhatpainsme——inthepresenceofguests。”

SomethinginhisdistinguishedmannercausedmetoreflectuponeverypeccadillothatIhadevercommitted，settingitinitsveryworstlight。

“Quiteso。”Ianswered，“quiteso。Praydonotmentionthematteranymore，although——“Thesewordsseemedtojerkthemselvesoutofmythroat，“youdidcalleachotherbysuchveryhardnames。”

“Idaresay。”heansweredwithavacantsmile，“butifsotheymeantnothing。”

“No，Iunderstand，justlikealovers’quarrel。Butlookhere，youleftsomediamondsonthetablewhichItooktokeeptheKaffirsoutoftemptation。Iwillfetchthem。”

“DidI？Well，probablyIleftsomeI。O。U。’salsowhichmightserveforpipelights。Sosupposewesettheoneagainsttheother。Idon’tknowthevalueofeitherthediamondsorthepipelights，itmaybelessormore，butforGod’ssakedon’tletmeseethebeastlythingsagain。There’snoneed，Ihaveplenty。”

“ImustspeaktoAnscombe。”Ianswered。“Themoneyatstakewashis，notmine。”

“Speaktowhomyouwill。”hereplied，andInotedthatthethrobbingveinuponhisforeheadindicatedarisingtemper。“Butneverletmeseethosediamondsagain。Throwthemintothegutterifyouwish，butneverletmeseethemagain，ortherewillbetrouble。”

Thenheflungoutoftheroom，leavinghisbreakfastalmostuntasted。

Reflectingthatthisqueeroldbirdprobablydidnotwishtobecross-questionedastohispossessionofsomanyuncutdiamonds，orthattheywereworthmuchlessthanthesumhehadlost，orpossiblythattheywerenotdiamondsatallbutglass，IwenttoreportthemattertoAnscombe。HeonlylaughedandsaidthatasIhadgotthethingsIhadbetterkeepthemuntilsomethinghappened，forwehadbothgotitintoourheadsthatsomethingwouldhappenbeforewehaddonewiththatestablishment。

SoIwenttoputthestonesawayassafelyasIcould。WhileI

wasdoingsoIheardtherumbleofwheels，andcameoutjustintimetoseeaCapecart，drawnbyfourverygoodhorsesanddrivenbyaHottentotinasmarthatandaredwaistband，pullupatthegardengate。Outofthiscartpresentlyemergedaneatlydressedlady，ofwhomallIcouldseewasthatshewasyoung，slenderandrathertall；also，asherbackwastowardsme，thatshehadagreatdealofauburnhair。

“There！“saidAnscombe。“Iknewthatsomethingwouldhappen。

Hedahashappened。Quatermain，asneitherherveneratedparentnorherlovingfiance，forsuchIgatherheis，seemstobeabout，youhadbettergoandgiveherahand。”

Iobeyedwithagroan，heartilywishingthatHedahadn’thappened，sincesomesensewarnedmethatshewouldonlyaddtothepresentcomplications。Atthegate，havinggivensomeinstructionstoaverystoutyoungcolouredwomanwho，Itookit，washermaid，aboutabasketofflowerrootsinthecart，sheturnedroundsuddenlyandwecamefacetofacewiththegatebetweenus。Foramomentwestaredateachother，Ireflectingthatshereallywasveryprettywithherdelicately-shapedfeatures，herfresh，healthy-lookingcomplexion，herlongdarkeyelashesandherlitheandcharmingfigure。WhatshereflectedaboutmeIdon’tknow，probablynothinghalfsocomplimentary。

Suddenly，however，herlargegreyisheyesgrewtroubledandalookofalarmappeareduponherface。

“Isanythingwrongwithmyfather？“sheasked。“Idon’tseehim。”

“IfyoumeanMr。Marnham。”Ireplied，liftingmyhat，“IbelievethatDr。Roddandhe——“

“NevermindaboutDr。Rodd。”shebrokeinwithacontemptuouslittlejerkofherchin。”howismyfather？“

“Iimaginemuchasusual。HeandDr。Roddwereherealittlewhileago，Isupposethattheyhavegoneout“(asamatteroffacttheyhad，butindifferentdirections)。

“Thenthat’sallright。”shesaidwithasighofrelief。“Yousee，Iheardthathewasveryill，whichiswhyIhavecomeback。”

So，thoughtItomyself，shelovesthatoldscampandshe——doesn’tlovethedoctor。Therewillbemoretroubleassureasfiveandtwoareseven。Allwewantedwasawomantomakethepotboilover。

ThenIopenedthegateandtookatravellingbagfromherhandwithmypolitestbow。

“MynameisQuatermainandthatofmyfriendAnscombe。Wearestayinghere，youknow。”Isaidratherawkwardly。

“Indeed。”sheansweredwithadelightfulsmile，“whataverystrangeplacetochoosetostayin。”

“Itisabeautifulhouse。”Iremarked。

“Notbad，althoughIdesignedit，moreorless。ButIwasalludingtoitsinhabitants。”

Thisfinishedme，andIamsureshefeltthatIcouldthinkofnothingnicetosayaboutthoseinhabitants，forIheardhersigh。Wewalkedsidebysideuptherose-fringedpathandpresentlyarrivedatthestoep，whereAnscombe，whosehairIhadcutverynicelyonthepreviousday，waswatchingusfromhislongchair。Theylookedateachother，andIsawbothofthemcolouralittle，outofmerefoolishness，Isuppose。

“Anscombe。”Isaid，“thisis——“andIpaused，notbeingquitecertainwhethershealsowascalledMarnham。“HedaMarnham。”sheinterrupted。

“Yes——MissHedaMarnham，andthisistheHonourableMauriceAnscombe。”

“Forgivemefornotrising，MissMarnham。”saidAnscombeinhispleasantvoice(bythewayherswaspleasanttoo，fullandratherlow，withjustasuggestionofsomethingforeignaboutit)。“A

shotthroughthefootpreventsmeatpresent。”

“Whoshotyou？“sheaskedquickly。

“Oh！onlyaKaffir。”

“Iamsosorry，Ihopeyouwillgetwellsoon。Forgivemenow，I

mustgotolookformyfather。”

“Sheisuncommonlypretty。”remarkedAnscombe，“andaladyintothebargain。InreflectingonoldMarnham’ssinswemustputittohiscreditthathehasproducedacharmingdaughter。”

“Tooprettyandcharmingbyhalf。”Igrunted。

“PerhapsDr。Roddisofthesamewayofthinking。GreatshamethatsuchagirlshouldbehandedovertoamedicalscoundrellikeDr。Rodd。Iwonderifshecaresforhim？“

“Justaboutasmuchasacanarycaresforatom-cat。Ihavefoundthatoutalready。”

“Really，Quatermain，youareadmirable。Ineverknewanyonewhocouldmakeabetteruseofthebriefestopportunity。”

Thenweweresilent，waiting，notwithoutacertainimpatience，forthereturnofMissHeda。Shedidreturnwithsurprisingquicknessconsideringthatshehadfoundtimetosearchforherparent，tochangeintoacleanwhitedress，andtopinasinglehibiscusflowerontoherbodicewhichgavejustthetouchofcolourthatwasnecessarytocompletehercostume。

“Ican’tfindmyfather。”shesaid，“buttheboyssayhehasgoneoutriding。Ican’tfindanybody。Whenyouhavebeensummonedfromalongwayoffandtravelledpost-haste，rathertoyourowninconvenience，itisamusing，isn’tit？“

“WagonsandcartsinSouthAfricadon’tarrivelikeexpresstrains，MissMarnham。”saidAnscombe，“soyoushouldn’tbeoffended。”

“Iamnotatalloffended，Mr。Anscombe。NowthatIknowthereisnothingthematterwithmyfatherI’m——But，tellme，howdidyougetyourwound？“

Sohetoldherwithmuchamusingdetailafterhisfashion。Shelistenedquietlywithapuckeredupbrowandonlymadeonecomment。Itwas，——

“IwonderwhatwhitemantoldthoseSekukuniKaffirsthatyouwerecoming。”

“Idon’tknow。”heanswered，“buthedeservesabulletthroughhimsomewhereabovetheankle。”

“Yes，thoughfewpeoplegetwhattheydeserveinthiswickedworld。”

“SoIhaveoftenthought。Haditbeenotherwise，forexample，I

shouldhavebeen——“

“Whatwouldyouhavebeen？“sheasked，consideringhimcuriously。

“Oh！abettershotthanMr。AllanQuatermain，andasbeautifulasaladyIoncesawinmyyouth。”

“Don’ttalkrubbishbeforeluncheon。”Iremarkedsternly，andwealllaughed，thefirstwholesomelaughterthatIhadheardattheTemple。Forthisyoungladyseemedtobringhappinessandmerrimentwithher。Irememberwonderingwhatitwasofwhichhercomingremindedme，andconcludingthatitwaslikethesightandsmellofapeachorchardinfullbloomstumbledonsuddenlyintheblackdesertoftheburntwinterveld。

Afterthiswebecamequitefriendly。ShedilatedonherskillinhavingproducedtheTemplefromanoldengraving，whichshefetchedandshowedtous，atnogreateranexpensethanitwouldhavecosttobuildanordinaryhouse。

“Thatisbecausethemarblewasathand。”saidAnscombe。

“Quiteso。”shereplieddemurely。“Speakinginageneralsenseonecandomanythingsinlife——ifthemarbleisathand。Onlymostofuswhenwelookformarblefindsandstoneormud。”

“Bravo！“saidAnscombe，“Ihavegenerallylituponthesandstone。”

“AndIonthemud。”shemused。

“AndIonallthree，fortheearthcontainsmarbleandmudandsandstone，tosaynothingofgoldandjewels。”Ibrokein，beingtiredofsilence。

Butneitherofthempaidmuchattentiontome。Anscombedidsay，outofpoliteness，Isuppose，thatpitchandsubterraneanfiresshouldbeadded，orsomesuchnonsense。

ThenshebegantotellhimofherinfantilememoriesofHungary，whichwereextremelyfaint；ofhowtheycamethisplaceandlivedfirstofallintwolargeKaffirhuts，untilsuddenlytheybegantogrowrich；ofherschooldaysatMaritzburg；ofthefriendswithwhomshehadbeenstaying，andIknownotwhat，untilatlastIgotupandwentoutforawalk。

WhenIreturnedanhourorsolatertheywerestilltalking，andsocontinuedtodountilDr。Roddarriveduponthescene。Atfirsttheydidnotseehim，forhestoodatanangletothem，butIsawhimandwatchedhisfacewithagreatdealofinterest。

It，orratheritsexpression，wasnotpleasant；beforenowIhaveseensomethinglikeitonthatofawildbeastwhichthinksthatitisabouttoberobbedofitspreybyastrongerwildbeast，inshort，amixtureofhate，fearandjealousy——especiallyjealousy。

AtthelastIdidnotwonder，forthesetwoseemedtobegettingonuncommonlywell。

Theywere，sotospeak，wellmatched。She，ofcourse，wasthebetterlookingofthetwo，areallyprettyandattractiveyoungwomanindeed，butthevivacityofAnscombe’sface，thetwinkleofhismerryblueeyesanditsgeneralrefinementmadeupforwhathelacked——regularityoffeature。Ithinkhehadjusttoldheroneofhisgoodstorieswhichhealwaysmanagedtomakesohumorousbyatrickofpleasingandharmlessexaggeration，andtheywerebothlaughingmerrily。Thenshecaughtsightofthedoctorandhermerrimentevaporatedlikeadropofwateronahotshovel。DistinctlyIsawherpullherselftogetherandprepareforsomething。

“Howdoyoudo？“shesaidrapidly，risingandholdingoutherslimsun-brownedhand。“ButIneednotask，youlooksowell。”

“Howdoyoudo，mydear。”withaheavyemphasisonthe“dear“heansweredslowly。“ButIneedn’task，forIseethatyouareinperfecthealthandspirits。”andhebentforwardasthoughtokissher。

Somehoworothersheavoidedthatendearmentorsealofpossession。Idon’tquiteknowhow，asIturnedmyheadaway，notwishingtowitnesswhatIfelttobeunpleasant。WhenI

lookedupagain，however，Isawthatshehadavoidedit，thescowlonhisfacethedemurenessofhersandAnscombe’sevidentamusementassuredmeofthis。Shewasaskingaboutherfather；

heansweredthathealsoseemedquitewell。

“ThenwhydidyouwritetotellmethatIoughttocomeashewasnotatallwell？“sheinquired，withaliftingofherdelicateeyebrows。

Thequestionwasneveranswered，foratthatmomentMarnhamhimselfappeared。

“Oh！father。”shesaid，andrushedintohisarms，whilehekissedhertenderlyonbothcheeks。

SoIwasnotmistaken，thoughtItomyself，shedoesreallylovethismoralwreck，andwhatismore，helovesher，whichshowsthattheremustbegoodinhim。Isanyonetrulybad，Iwondered，orforthematterofthat，trulygoodeither？Isitnotallaquestionofcircumstanceandblood？

NeitherthenoratanyothertimehaveIfoundananswertotheproblem。Atanyratetomethereseemedsomethingbeautifulaboutthemeetingofthesetwo。

TheinfluenceofMissHedainthehousewasfeltatonce。Theboysbecamesmarterandputoncleanclothes。Vasesofflowersappearedinthevariousrooms；ourswasturnedoutandcleaned，adisagreeableprocesssofaraswewereconcerned。Moreover，atdinnerbothMarnhamandRoddworedressclotheswithshortjackets，acircumstancethatputAnscombeandmyselftoshamesincewehadnone。Itwascurioustoseehowwiththosedressclothes，whichdoubtlessawokeoldassociationswithinhim，Marnhamchangedhiscolourlikeachameleon。ReallyhemighthavebeenthecolonelofacavalryregimentrisingtotoasttheQueenafterhehadsentroundthewine，sopoliteandpolishedwashistalk。Whocouldhaveidentifiedthemanwiththedryoldruffianoftwenty-fourhoursbefore，hewhowasdrinkingclaret(andverygoodclarettoo)mixedwithwaterandlisteningwithapoliteinteresttoallthedetailsofhisdaughter’sjourney？

Eventhedoctorlookedagentleman，whichdoubtlesshewasonceuponatime，ineveningdress。Moreover，somekindoftrucehadbeenarranged。HenolongercalledMissHeda“Mydear“orattemptedanyfamiliarities，whilesheonmorethanoneoccasionverydistinctlycalledhimDr。Rodd。

Somuchforthatnightandforseveralothersthatfollowed。Asforthedaystheywentbypleasantlyandidly。Hedawalkedaboutonherfather’sarm，conversedinfriendlyfashionwiththedoctor，alwayswatchinghim，Inoticed，asacatwatchesadogthatsheknowsiswaitinganopportunitytospring，andfortherestassociatedwithusasmuchasshecould。Particularlydidsheseemtotakerefugebehindmyowninsignificance，having，I

suppose，cometotheconclusionthatIwasaharmlesspersonwhomightpossiblyproveuseful。ButallthewhileIfeltthatthestormwasbankingup。IndeedMarnhamhimself，atanyratetoagreatextent，playedthepartofthecloud-compellingJove，forsoonitbecameevidenttome，andwithoutdoubttoDr。Roddalso，thathewasencouragingtheintimacybetweenhisdaughterandAnscombebyeverymeansinhispower。

InonewayandanotherhehadfullyinformedhimselfastoAnscombe’sprospectsinlife，whichwerebrilliantenough。

Moreoverhelikedthemanwho，astheremnantofthebetterperceptionsofhisyouthtoldhim，wasoneofthebestclassofEnglishmen，andwhatismore，hesawthatHedalikedhimalso，asmuchindeedasshedislikedRodd。Heevenspoketomeofthematterinaround-aboutkindoffashion，sayingthattheyoungwomanwhomarriedAnscombewouldbeluckyandthatthefatherwhohadhimforason-in-lawmightgotohisgraveconfidentofhischild’shappiness。IansweredthatIagreedwithhim，unlessthelady’saffectionshadalreadycausedhertoformotherties。

“Affections！“heexclaimed，droppingallpretence，“therearenoneinvolvedinthisaccursedbusiness，asyouarequitesharpenoughtohaveseenforyourself。”

“Iunderstoodthatanengagementwasinvolved。”Iremarked。

“Onmypart，perhaps，notonhers。”heanswered。“Oh！can’tyouunderstand，Quatermain，thatsometimesmenfindthemselvesforcedintostrangesituationsagainsttheirwill？“

RememberingtheveryuglynamethatIhadheardRoddcallMarnhamonthenightofthecardparty，IreflectedthatIcouldunderstandwellenough，butIonlysaid——

“Afterallmarriageisamatterthatconcernsawomanevenmorethanitdoesherfather，one，inshort，ofwhichshemustbethejudge。”

“Quiteso，Quatermain，buttherearesomedaughterswhoarepreparedtomakegreatsacrificesfortheirfathers。Well，shewillbeofageerelong，ifonlyIcanstaveitofftillthen。

Buthow，how？“andwithagroanheturnedandleftme。

Thatoldgentleman’sneckisinsomekindofanoose，thoughtI

tomyself，andhisdifficultyistopreventtheropefrombeingdrawntight。Meanwhilethispoorgirl’shappinessandfutureareatstake。

“Allan。”saidAnscombetomealittlelater，forbynowhecalledmebymyChristianname，“Isupposeyouhaven’theardanythingaboutthoseoxen，haveyou？“

“No，Icouldscarcelyexpecttoyet，butwhydoyouask？“

Hesmiledinhisdrollfashionandreplied，“Because，interestingasthishouseholdisinsundryways，Ithinkitisabouttimethatwe，oratanyratethatI，gotoutofit。”

“Yourlegisn’tfittotravelyet，Anscombe，althoughRoddsaysthatallthesymptomsareverysatisfactory。”

“Yes，buttotellyouthetruthIamexperiencingothersymptomsquiteunknowntothatbelovedphysicianandsounfamiliartomyselfthatIattributethemtotheinfluencesofthelocality。

Altitudeaffectstheheart，doesitnot，andthishousestandshigh。”

“Don’tplayoffyourjokesonme。”Isaidsternly。“Whatdoyoumean？“

“IwonderifyoufindMissHedaattractive，Allan，orifyouaretooold。Ibelievetherecomesanagewhentheonlybeautiesthatcanmoveamanarethoseofarchitecture，orscenery，orproperlycookedfood。”

“Hangitall！IamnotMethusaleh。”Ireplied；“butifyoumeanthatyouarefallinginlovewithHeda，whythedeucedon’tyousayso，insteadofwastingmytimeandyourown？“

“Becausetimewasgiventoustowaste。Properlyconsidereditisthebestusetowhichitcanbeput，oratanyratetheonethatdoesleastmischief。AlsobecauseIwishedtomakeyousayitformethatImightjudgefromtheeffectofyourwordswhetheritisorisnottrue。ImayaddthatIfeartheformertobethecase。”

“Well，ifyouareinlovewiththegirlyoucan’texpectonesoancientasmyself，whoisquiteoutoftouchwithsuchfollies，toteachyouhowtoact。”

“No，Allan。Unfortunatelythereareoccasionswhenonemustrelyuponone’sownwisdom，andmine，whatthereisofit，tellsmeIhadbettergetoutofthis。ButIcan’trideevenifItookthehorseandyouranbehind，andtheoxenhaven’tcome。”

“PerhapsyoucouldborrowMissMarnham’scartinwhichtorunawayfromher。”Isuggestedsarcastically。

“Perhaps，thoughIbelieveitwouldbefataltomyfoottositupinacartforthenextfewdays，andthehorsesseemtohavebeensentoffsomewhere。Lookhere，oldfellow。”hewenton，droppinghisbanteringtone，“it’sratherawkwardtomakeafoolofoneselfoveraladywhoisengagedtosomeoneelse，especiallyifonesuspectsthatwithalittleencouragementshemightbegintowalkthesameroad。ThetruthisIhavetakenthefeverprettybad，worsethaneverIdidbefore，andifitisn’tstoppedsoonitwillbecomechronic。”

“Ohno，Anscombe，onlyintermittentattheworst，andAfricanmalarianearlyalwaysyieldstoachangeofclimate。”

“HowcanIexpectacynicandamisogynisttounderstandthesimplefervourofaninexperiencedsoul——Oh！dratitall，Quatermain，stopyouracidchaffandtellmewhatistobedone。

ReallyIaminatightplace。”

“Very；sotightthatIrejoicetothink，asyouwerekindenoughtopointout，thatmyyearsprotectmefromanythingofthesort。

Ihavenoadvicetogive；Ithinkyouhadbetteraskitofthelady。”

“Well，wedidhavealittleconversation，hypotheticalofcourse，aboutsomefriendsofourswhofoundthemselvessimilarlysituated，andIregrettosaywithoutresult。”

“Indeed。Ididnotknowyouhadanymutualacquaintances。Whatdidshesayanddo？“

“Shesaidnothing，onlysighedandlookedasthoughsheweregoingtoburstintotears，andallshedidwastowalkaway。I’dhavefollowedherifIcould，butasmycrutchwasn’tthereitwasimpossible。ItseemedtomethatsuddenlyIhadcomeupagainstabrickwall，thattherewassomethingonhermindwhichshecouldnotorwouldnotletout。

“Yes，andifyouwanttoknow，Iwilltellyouwhatitis。RoddhasgotaholdoverMarnhamofasortthatwouldbringhimsomewherenearthegallows。AsthepriceofhissilenceMarnhamhaspromisedhimhisdaughter。Thedaughterknowsthatherfatherisinthisman’spower，thoughIthinkshedoesnotknowinwhatway，andbeingagoodgirl——“

“Anangelyoumean——docallherbyherrightname，especiallyinaplacewhereangelsaresomuchwanted。”

“Well，anangelifyoulike——shehaspromisedonherparttomarryamansheloathesinordertosaveherparent’sbacon。”

“JustwhatIconcluded，fromwhatweheardintherow。Iwonderwhichofthatpairisthebiggerblackguard。Well，Allan，thatsettlesit。YouandIareonthesideoftheangel。Youwillhavetogetheroutofthisscrapeand——ifshe’llhaveme，I’llmarryher；andifshewon’t，whyitcan’tbehelped。Nowthat’safairdivisionoflabour。Howareyougoingtodoit？Ihaven’tanidea，andifIhad，Ishouldnotpresumetointerferewithonesomucholderandwiserthanmyself。”

“Isupposethatbythetimeyouappearedinit，thegameofheadsIwinandtailsyoulosehaddiedoutoftheworld。”Irepliedwithanindignantsnort。“IthinkthebestthingIcandowillbetotakethehorseandlookforthoseoxen。Meanwhileyoucansettleyourbusinessbythelightofyournativegenius，andI

onlyhopeyou’llfinishitwithoutmurderandsuddendeath。”

“Isay，oldfellow。”saidAnscombeearnestly，“youdon’treallymeantogooffandleavemeinthishideousness？Ihaven’tbotheredmuchuptothepresentbecauseIwassurethatyouwouldfindawayout，whichwouldbenothingtoamanofyourintellectandexperience。Imeanithonestly，Idoindeed。”

“Doyou？Well，Icanonlysaythatmymindisaperfectblank，butifyouwillstoptalkingIwilltrytothinkthematterover。

There’sMissHedainthegardencuttingflowers。Iwillgotohelpher，whichwillbeaverypleasantchange。”

AndIwent，leavinghimtostareaftermejealously。

CHAPTERVII

THESTOEP

WhenIreachedMissHedashewascollectinghalf-openedmonthlyrosesfromthehedge，andnotquiteknowingwhattosayImadetheappropriatequotation。Atleastitwasappropriatetomythought，and，fromheranswer，tohersalso。

“Yes。”shesaid，“IamgatheringthemwhileImay。”andshesighedand，asIthought，glancedtowardstheverandah，thoughofthisIcouldnotbesurebecauseofthewidebrimofthehatshewaswearing。

Thenwetalkedalittleonindifferentmatters，whileIprickedmyfingershelpingtoplucktheroses。SheaskedmeifIthoughtthatAnscombewasgettingonwell，andhowlongitwouldbebeforehecouldtravel。IrepliedthatDr。Roddcouldtellherbetterthanmyself，butthatIhopedinaboutaweek。

“Inaweek！“shesaid，andalthoughshetriedtospeaklightlytherewasdismayinhervoice。

“Ihopeyoudon’tthinkittoolong。”Ianswered；“butevenifheisfittogo，theoxenhavenotcomeyet，andIdon’tquiteknowwhentheywill。”

“Toolong！“sheexclaimed。“Toolong！Oh！ifyouonlyknewwhatitistometohavesuchguestsasyouareinthisplace。”andherdarkeyesfilledwithtears。

Bynowwehadpassedtothesideofthehouseinsearchofsomeotherflowerthatgrewintheshade，Ithinkitwasmignonette，andwereoutofsightoftheverandahandquitealone。

“Mr。Quatermain。”shesaidhurriedly，“Iamwonderingwhethertoaskyouradviceaboutsomething，ifyouwouldgiveit。Ihavenoonetoconsulthere。”sheaddedratherpiteously。

“Thatisforyoutodecide。IfyouwishtodosoIamoldenoughtobeyourfather，andwilldomybesttohelp。”

Wewalkedontoanorangegrovethatstoodaboutfortyyardsaway，ostensiblytopicksomefruit，butreallybecauseweknewthatthereweshouldbeoutofhearingandcouldseeanyonewhoapproached。

“Mr。Quatermain。”shesaidpresentlyinalowvoice，Iamingreattrouble，almostthegreatestawomancanhave。IamengagedtobemarriedtoamanwhomIdonotcarefor。

“Thenwhynotbreakitoff？Itmaybeunpleasant，butitisgenerallybesttofaceunpleasantthings，andnothingcanbesobadasmarryingamanwhomyoudonot——carefor。

“BecauseIcannot——Idarenot。Ihavetoobey。”

“Howoldareyou，MissMarnham？“

“Ishallbeofageinthreemonths’time。YoumayguessthatI

didnotintendtoreturnhereuntiltheywereover，butIwas，well——trapped。HewrotetomethatmyfatherwasillandI

came。”

“Atanyratewhentheyareoveryouwillnothavetoobeyanyone。Itisnotlongtowait。”

“Itisaneternity。Besidesthisisnotsomuchaquestionofobedienceasofdutyandoflove。Ilovemyfatherwho，whateverhisfaults，hasalwaysbeenverykindtome。”

“AndIamsurehelovesyou。Whynotgotohimandtellhimyourtrouble？“

“Heknowsitalready，Mr。Quatermain，andhatesthismarriageevenmorethanIdo，ifthatispossible。Butheisdriventoit，asIam。Oh！Imusttellthetruth。Thedoctorhassomeholdoverhim。Myfatherhasdonesomethingdreadful；Idon’tknowwhatandIdon’twanttoknow，butifitcameoutitwouldruinmyfather，orworse，worse。Iamthepriceofhissilence。

Onthedayofourmarriagehewilldestroytheproofs。IfI

refusetomarryhim，theywillbeproducedandthen——“

“Itisdifficult。”Isaid。

“Itismorethandifficult，itisterrible。Ifyoucouldseeallthereisinmyheart，youwouldknowhowterrible。”

“IthinkIcansee，MissHeda。Don’tsayanymorenow。Givemetimetoconsider。Incaseofnecessitycometomeagain，andbesurethatIwillprotectyou。”

“Butyouaregoinginaweek。”

“Manythingshappeninaweek。Sufficienttothedayisitsevil。Attheendoftheweekwewillcometosomedecisionunlesseverythingisalreadydecided。”

Forthenexttwenty-fourhoursIreflectedonthisprettyproblemashardaseverIdidonanythinginallmylife。Herewasayoungwomanwhomustsomehowprotectedfromascoundrel，butwhocouldnotbeprotectedbecausesheherselfhadtoprotectanotherscoundrel——towit，herownfather。Couldthethingbefacedout？

Impossible，forIwassurethatMarnhamhadcommittedamurder，ormurders，ofwhichRoddpossessedevidencethatwouldhanghim。

CouldHedabemarriedtoAnscombeatonce？Yes，ifbothwerewilling，butthenMarnhamwouldstillbehung。Couldtheyelope？

Possibly，butwiththesameresult。CouldItakeherawayandputherundertheprotectionoftheCourtatPretoria？Yes，butwiththesameresult。IwonderedwhatmyHottentotretainer，Hans，wouldhaveadvised，hewhowasnamedLight-in-Darkness，andinhisownsavagewaywasthecleverestandmostcunningmanthatIhavemet。Alas！Icouldnotraisehimfromthegravetotellme，andyetIknewwellwhathewouldhaveanswered。

“Baas。”hewouldhavesaid，“thisisaropewhichonlythepaleoldman(i。e。death)cancut。Letthisdoctordieorletthefatherdie，andthemaidenwillbefree。Surelyheavenislongingforoneorbothofthem，andifnecessary，Baas，I

believethatIcanpointoutapathtoheaven！“

Ilaughedtomyselfatthethought，whichwasonethatawhitemancouldnotentertainevenasathought。AndIfeltthatthehypotheticalHanswasright，deathalonecouldcutthisknot，andthereflectionmademeshiver。

ThatnightIsleptuneasilyanddreamed。IdreamedthatoncemoreIwasintheBlackKloofinZululand，seatedinfrontofthehutsattheendofthekloof。Beforemesquattedtheoldwizard，Zikali，wrappedupinhiskaross——Zikali，the“Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born。”whomIhadnotseenforyears。Nearhimweretheashesofafire，bythehelpofwhichI

knewhehadbeenpractisingdivination。Helookedupandlaughedoneofhisterriblelaughs。

“Soyouarehereagain，Macumazahn。”hesaid，“grownolder，butstillthesame；hereattheappointedhour。WhatdoyoucometoseekfromtheOpenerofRoads？NotMameenaasIthinkthistime。

No，no，itisshewhoseeksyouthistime，Macumazahn。Shefoundyouonce，didshenot？FarawaytothenorthamongastrangepeoplewhoworshippedanIvoryChild，apeopleofwhomIknewinmyyouth，andafterwards，forwasnottheirprophet，Harut，afriendofmineandoneofourbrotherhood？Shefoundyoubeneaththetusksoftheelephant，Jana，whomMacumazahntheskilfulcouldnothit。Oh！donotlookastonished。”

“Howdoyouknow？“Iaskedinmydream。

“Verysimply，Macumazahn。AlittleyellowmannamedHanshasbeenwithmeandtoldmeallthestorynotanhourago，afterwhichIsentforMameenatolearnifitweretrue。Shewillbegladtomeetyou，Macumazahn，shewhohasahungryheartthatdoesnotforget。Oh！don’tbeafraid。Imeanherebeneaththesun，inthelandbeyondtherewillbenoneedforhertomeetyousinceshewilldwelleveratyourside。”

“Whydoyoulietome，Zikali？“Iseemedtoask。“HowcanadeadmanspeaktoyouandhowcanImeetawomanwhoisdead？“

“Seektheanswertothatquestioninthehourofthebattlewhenthewhitemen，yourbrothers，fallbeneathassegaiasweedsfallbeforethehoe——orperhapsbeforeit。ButhavedonewithMameena，sinceshewhonevergrowsmoreoldcanwellaffordtowait。ItisnotofMameenathatyoucametospeaktome；itisofafairwhitewomannamedHeddanayouwouldspeak，andofthemansheloves，you，whowilleverbemixingyourselfupinaffairsofothers，andthereforemustbeartheirburdenswithnopaysavethatofhonour。Hearken，forthetimeisshort。Whenthestormburstsuponthembringhitherthefairmaiden，Heddana，andthewhitelord，Mauriti，andIwillshelterthemforyoursake。Takethemnowhereelse。Bringthemhitheriftheywouldescapetrouble。Ishallbegladtoseeyou，Macumazahn，foratlastIamabouttosmitetheZuluHouseofSenzangacona，myfoes，withabladderfullofblood，andoh！itstainstheirdoorpostsred。”

ThenIwokeup，feelingafraid，asonedoesafteranightmare，andwascomfortedtohearAnscombesleepingquietlyontheothersideoftheroom。

“Mauriti。WhydidZikalicallhimMauriti？“Iwondereddrowsilytomyself。“Oh！ofcoursehisnameisMaurice，anditwasaZulucorruptionofacommonsortaswasHeddanaofHeda。”ThenI

dozedoffagain，andbythemorninghadforgottenallaboutmydreamuntilitwasbroughtbacktomebysubsequentevents。

StillitwasthisandnothingelsethatputitintomyheadtoflytoZululandonanemergencythatwastoariseerelong。*

[*——ForthehistoryofZikaliandMameenaseethebookcalled_ChildofStorm_byH。RiderHaggard。]

ThateveningRoddwasabsentfromdinner，andoninquiringwherehemightbe，IwasinformedthathehadriddentovisitaKaffirheadman，apatientofhiswholivedatadistance，andwouldveryprobablysleepatthekraal，returningearlynextday。OneofthetopicsofconversationduringdinnerwasastowheretheexactboundarylineusedtorunbetweentheTransvaalandthecountryoverwhichtheBasutochief，Sekukuni，claimedownershipandjurisdiction。Marnhamsaidthatitpassedwithinacoupleofmilesofhishouse，andwhenwerose，themoonbeingverybright，offeredtoshowmewherethebeaconshadbeenplacedyearsbeforebyaBoerCommission。Iaccepted，asthenightwaslovelyforastrollafterthehotday。AlsoIwashalfconsciousofanotherundefinedpurposeinmymind，whichperhapsmayhavespreadtothatofMarnham。Thosetwoyoungpeoplelookedveryhappytogetherthereonthestoep，andastheymustpartsosoonitwould，Ithought，bekindtogivethemtheopportunityofaquietchat。

SooffwewenttothebrowofthehillonwhichtheTemplestood，whenceoldMarnhampointedouttomeabeacon，whichIcouldnotseeinthedim，silverybush-veldbelow，andhowthelineranfromittoanotherbeaconsomewhereelse。

“YouknowtheYellow-woodswamp。”hesaid。“Itpassesstraightthroughthat。ThatiswhythoseBasutoswhowerefollowingyoupulledupupontheedgeoftheswamp，thoughasamatteroffact，accordingtotheirideas，theyhadaperfectrighttokillyouontheirsideofthelinewhichcutsthroughthemiddle。”

ImadesomeremarktotheeffectthatIpresumedthatthelinehadinfactceasedtoexistatall，astheBasutoterritoryhadpracticallybecomeBritish；afterwhichwestrolledbacktothehouse。Walkingquietlybetweenthetallrosehedgesandwithoutspeaking，foreachofuswaspreoccupiedwithhisownthoughts，suddenlywecameuponaveryprettyscene。

WehadleftAnscombeandHedaseatedsidebysideonthestoep。

Theywerestillthere，butmuchclosertogether。Infacthisarmswereroundher，andtheywerekissingeachotherinaremarkablywhole-heartedway。Aboutthistherecouldbenomistake，sincetherimpi-strungcouchonwhichtheysatwasimmediatelyunderthehanginglamp——asomewhatunfortunatesituationforsuchendearments。Butwhatdidtheythinkofhanginglampsoranyotherlights，savethoseoftheirowneyes，theywhowerecontenttokissandmurmurwordsofpassionasthoughtheywereasmuchaloneasAdamandEveinEden？Whatdidtheythinkeitheroftheserpentcoiledabouttheboleofthistreeofknowledgewhereoftheyhadjustpluckedtheripeandmaddeningfruit？

ByamutualinstinctMarnhamandIwithdrewourselves，verygentlyindeed，purposingtoskirtroundthehouseandenteritfrombehind，ortobeseizedwithafitofcoughingatthegate，ortodosomethingtoannounceourpresenceataconvenientdistance。Whenwehadgonealittlewayweheardacrashinthebushes。

“Anotherofthosecursedbaboonsrobbingthegarden。”remarkedMarnhamreflectively。

“Ithinkheisgoingtorobthehousealso。”Ireplied，turningtopointtosomethingdarkthatseemedtobeleapingupontotheverandah。

NextmomentweheardHedautteralittlecryofalarm，andamansayinalowfiercevoice-

“SoIhavecaughtyouatlast，haveI！“

“Thedoctorhasreturnedfromhisbusinessroundssoonerthanwasexpected，andIthinkthatwehadbetterjointheparty。”I

remarked，andmadeabeelineforthestoep，Marnhamfollowingme。

IthinkthatIarrivedjustintimetopreventmischief。There，witharevolverinhishand，stoodRodd，tallandformidable，hisdarkfacelookinglikethatofSatanhimself，averymonumentofrageandjealousy。ThereinfrontofhimonthecouchsatHeda，graspingitsedgewithherfingers，hercheeksaspaleasasheetandhereyesshining。ByhersidewasAnscombe，coolandcollectedasusual，Inoticed，butevidentlyperplexed。

“Ifthereisanyshootingtobedone。”hewassaying，“Ithinkyouhadbetterbeginwithme。”

HiscalmnessseemedtoexasperateRodd，wholiftedtherevolver。

ButItoowasprepared，forinthathouseIalwayswentarmed。

Therewasnotimetogetattheman，whowasperhapsfifteenfeetaway，andIdidnotwanttohurthim。SoIdidthebestIcould；

thatis，Ifiredatthepistolinhishand，andthelightbeinggood，struckitnearthehiltandknockeditoffthebarrelbeforethehecouldpressthetrigger，ifhereallymeanttoshoot。

“That’sagoodshot。”remarkedAnscombewhohadseenme，whileRoddstaredatthehiltwhichhestillheld。

“Aluckyone。”Ianswered，walkingforward。“Andnow，Dr。Rodd，willyoubesogoodastotellmewhatyoumeanbyflourishingarevolver，presumablyloaded，inthefacesofaladyandanunarmedman？“

“Whatthedevilisthattoyou。”heaskedfuriously，“andwhatdoyoumeanbyfiringatme？“

“Agreatdeal。”Ianswered，“seeingthatayoungwomanandmyfriendareconcerned。Asforfiringatyou，hadIdonesoyouwouldnotbeaskingquestionsnow。Ifiredatthepistolinyourhand，butifthereismoretroublenexttimeitshallbeattheholder。”andIglancedatmyrevolver。

SeeingthatImeantbusinesshemadenoreply，butturneduponMarnhamwhohadfollowedme。

“Thisisyourwork，youoldvillain。”hesaidinalowvoicethatwasheavywithhate。“Youpromisedyourdaughtertome。Sheisengagedtome，andnowIfindherinthiswanderer’sarms。”

“WhathaveItodowithit？“saidMarnham。“Perhapsshehaschangedhermind。Youhadbetteraskher。”

“Thereisnoneedtoaskme。”interruptedHeda，whonowseemedtohavegothernerveagain。“I_have_changedmymind。Ineverlovedyou，Dr。Rodd，andIwillnotmarryyou。IloveMr。

Anscombehere，andashehasaskedmetobehiswifeImeantomarryhim。”

“Isee。”hesneered，“youwanttobeapeeressoneday，nodoubt。

Well，younevershallifIcanhelpit。Perhaps，too，thisfinegentlemanofyourswillnotbesoparticularlyanxioustomarryyouwhenhelearnsthatyouarethedaughterofamurderer。”

Thatwordwaslikeabombshellburstingamongus。Welookedateachotheraspeople，yetdazedwiththeshock，mightonabattlefieldwhenthenoiseoftheexplosionhasdiedandthesmokeclearedaway，toseewhoisstillalive。Anscombespokethefirst。

“Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanortowhatyourefer。”hesaidquietly。“Butatanyratethisladywhohaspromisedtomarrymeisinnocent，andthereforeifallherancestorshadbeenmurderersitwouldnotintheslightestturnmefrommypurposeofmarryingher。”

Shelookedathim，andallthegratitudeintheworldshoneinherfrightenedeyes。Marnhamstepped，orratherstaggeredforward，theblueveinthrobbingonforehead。

“Helies。”hesaidhoarsely，tuggingathislongbeard。“ListennowandIwilltellyouthetruth。Once，morethanayearago，I

wasdrunkandinarage。InthisstateIfiredataKaffirtofrightenhim，andbysomedevil’schanceshothimdead。That’swhathecallsbeingamurderer。”

“Ihaveanothertale。”saidRodd，“withwhichIwillnottroublethiscompanyjustnow。Lookhere，Heda，eitheryoufulfilyourpromiseandmarryme，oryourfatherswings。”

Shegaspedandsanktogetherontheseatasthoughshehadbeenshot。ThenItookupmyparable。

“Areyoutheman。”Iasked，“toaccuseothersofcrime？Letussee。YouhavespentseveralmonthsinanEnglishprison(Igavethename)foracrimeIwon’tmention。”

“Howdoyouknow——“hebegan。

“Nevermind，Idoknowandtheprisonbookswillshowit。

Further，yourbusinessisthatofsellinggunsandammunitiontotheBasutosofSekukuni’stribe，who，althoughtheexpeditionagainstthemhasbeentemporarilyrecalled，arestilltheQueen’senemies。Don’tdenyit，forIhavetheproofs。Further，itwasyouwhoadvisedSekukunitokilluswhenwewentdowntohiscountrytoshoottheotherday，becauseyouwereafraidthatweshoulddiscoverwhencehegothisguns。”(Thiswasabowdrawnataventure，butthearrowwenthome，forIsawhisjawdrop。)

“Further，Ibelieveyoutobeanillicitdiamondbuyer，andI

believealsothatyouhaveagainbeenarrangingwiththeBasutostomakeanendofus，thoughoftheselasttwoitemsatpresentI

lackpositiveproof。Now，Dr。Rodd，Iaskyouforthesecondtimewhetheryouareapersontoaccuseothersofcrimesandwhether，shouldyoudoso，youwillbeconsideredacrediblewitnesswhenyourownarebroughttolight？“

“Ifhadbeenguiltyofanyofthesethings，whichIamnot，itisobviousthatmypartnermusthavesharedinallofthem，exceptthefirst。Soifyouinformagainstme，youinformagainsthim，andthefatherofHeda，whomyourfriendwishestomarry，will，accordingtoyourshowing，beprovedagun-runner，athiefandawould-bemurdererofhisguests。Ishouldadviseyoutoleavethatbusinessalone，Mr。Quatermain。”

Thereplywasboldandclever，somuchsothatIregardedthisblackguardwithacertainamountofadmiration，asIanswered——

“Ishalltakeyouradviceifyoutakeminetoleaveanotherbusinessalone，thatofthisyoungladyandherfather，butnototherwise。”

“Thenspareyourbreathanddoyourworst；onlycareful，sharpasyouthinkyourself，thatyourmeddlingdoesnotrecoilonyourownhead。Listen，Heda，eitheryoumakeupyourmindtomarrymeatonceandarrangethatthisyounggentleman，whoasadoctorI

assureyouisnowquitefittotravelwithoutinjurytohishealth，leavesthishouseto-morrowwiththespyQuatermain——youmightlendhimtheCapecarttogoin——orIstartwiththeproofstolayachargeofmurderagainstyourfather。Igiveyoutillto-morrowmorningtohaveafamilycounciltothinkitover。

Good-night。”

“Good-night。”Iansweredashepassedme，“andpleasebecarefulthatnoneofusseeyourfaceagainbeforeto-morrowmorning。Asyoumayhappentohaveheard，mynativenamemeansWatcher-by-Night。”andIlookedattherevolverinmyhand。

WhenhehadvanishedIremarkedinascheerfulvoiceasIcouldcommand，thatIthoughtitwasbedtime，andasnobodystirred，added，“Don’tbeafraid，younglady。Ifyoufeellonely，youmusttellthatstoutmaidofyourstosleepinyourroom。Also，asthenightissohotIshalltakemynaponthestoep，there，justoppositeyourwindow。No，don’tletustalkanymorenow。

Therewillbeplentyoftimeforthatto-morrow。”

Sherose，lookedatAnscombe，lookedatme，lookedatherfatherverypitifully；thenwithalittleexclamationofdespairpassedintoherroombytheFrenchwindow，wherepresentlyIheardhercallthenativemaidandtellherthatshewastosleepwithher。

Marnhamwatchedherdepart。Thenhetoowentwithhisheadbowedandstaggeringalittleinhiswalk。NextAnscomberoseandlimpedoffintohisroom，Ifollowinghim。

“Well，youngman。”Isaid，“youhaveputusallinthesoupnowandnomistake。”

“Yes，Allan，IamafraidIhave。Butonthewholedon’tyouthinkitratherinterestingsoup——somanyunexpectedingredients，yousee！“

“Interestingsoup！Unexpectedingredients！“Irepeatedafterhim，adding，“Whynotcallithell’sbrothatonce？“

Thenhebecameserious，dreadfullyserious。

“Lookhere。”hesaid，“IloveHeda，andwhateverherfamilyhistorymaybeImeantomarryherandfacetherowathome。”

“Youcouldscarcelydolessinallthecircumstances，andasforrows，thatyoungladywouldsoonfitherselfintoanyplacethatyoucangiveher。Butthequestionis，howcanyoumarryher？“

“Oh！somethingwillhappen。”herepliedoptimistically。

“Youarequiterightthere。Somethingwillcertainlyhappen，butthepointis——what？SomethingwasverynearhappeningwhenI

turneduponthatstoep，sonearthatIthinkitwasluckyforyou，orforMissHeda，orboth，thatIhavelearnedhowtohandleapistol。Nowletmeseeyourfoot，anddon’tspeakanotherwordtomeaboutallthisbusinessto-night。I’drathertackleitwhenIamclear-headedinthemorning。”

“Well，IexaminedhisinstepandlegverycarefullyandfoundthatRoddwasright。Althoughitstillhurthimtowalk，thewoundwasquitehealedandallinflammationhadgonefromthelimb。Nowitwasonlyaquestionoftimeforthesinewstorightthemselves。WhileIwasthusengagedheheldforthonthevirtuesandcharmsofHeda，Imakingnocomment。

“Liedownandgettosleep，ifyoucan。”IsaidwhenIhadfinished。“ThedoorislockedandIamgoingontothestoep，soyouneedn’tbeafraidofthewindows。Good-night。”

Iwentoutandsatmyselfdowninsuchapositionthatbythelightofthehanginglamp，whichstillburned，IcouldmakesurethatnoonecouldapproacheitherHeda’sormyroomwithoutmyseeinghim。Fortherest，allmylifeIhavebeenaccustomedtonightvigils，andtheloadedrevolverhungfrommywristbyaloopofhide。Moreover，neverhadIfeltlesssleepy。ThereI

sathourafterhour，thinking。

Thesubstanceofmythoughtsdoesnotmatter，sincetheeventsthatfollowedmakethemsuperfluoustothestory。Iwillmerelyrecord，therefore，thattowardsdawnagreathorrortookholdofme。IdidnotknowofwhatIwasafraid，butIwasmuchafraidofsomething。NothingwaspassingineitherHeda’sorourroom，ofthatImadesurebypersonalexamination。Thereforeitwouldseemthatmyterrorswereunnecessary，andyettheygrewandgrew。Ifeltsurethatsomethingwashappeningsomewhere，adreadoccurrencewhichitwasbeyondmypowertoprevent，thoughwhetheritwereinthishouseorattheotherendofAfricaIdidnotknow。

Thementaldepressionincreasedandculminated。Thenofasuddenitpassedcompletelyaway，andasImoppedthesweatfromoffmybrowInoticedthatdawnwasbreaking。Itwasatenderandbeautifuldawn，andinadimwayItookitasagoodomen。Ofcourseitwasnothingbutthedailyresurrectionofthesun，andyetitbroughttomecomfortandhope。Thenightwaspastwithallitsfears；thelighthadcomewithallitsjoys。FromthatmomentIwascertainthatweshouldtriumphoverthesedifficultiesandthattheendofthemwouldbepeace。

SosurewasIthatIventuredtotakeanap，knowingthattheslightestmovementorsoundwouldwakeme。IsupposeIsleptuntilsixo’clock，whenIwasarousedbyafootfall。Isprangup，andsawbeforemeoneofournativeservants。Hewastremblingandhisfacewasashenbeneaththeblack。Moreoverhecouldnotspeak。Allhedidwastoputhisheadononeside，likeadeadman，andkeeponpointingdownwards。Thenwithhismouthopenandstartingeyeshebeckonedtometofollowhim。

Ifollowed。

CHAPTERVIII

RODD’SLASTCARD

ThemanledmetoMarnham’sroom，whichIhadneverenteredbefore。AllIcouldseeatfirst，fortheshutterswereclosed，wasthattheplaceseemedlarge，asbedchambersgoinSouthAfrica。Whenmyeyesgrewaccustomedtothelight，Imadeoutthefigureofamanseatedinachairwithhisheadbentforwardoveratablethatwasplacedatthefootofthebedalmostinthecentreoftheroom。Ithrewopentheshuttersandthemorninglightpouredin。ThemanwasMarnham。Onthetablewerewritingmaterials，alsoabrandybottlewithonlyadregofspiritinit。

Ilookedfortheglassandfounditbyhissideonthefloor，shattered，notmerelybroken。

“Drunk。”Isaidaloud，whereontheservant，whounderstoodme，spokeforthefirsttime，sayinginafrightenedvoiceinDutch——

“No，Baas，dead，halfcold。Ifoundhimsojustnow。”

IbentdownandexaminedMarnham，alsofelthisface。Sureenough，hewasdead，forhisjawhadfallen；alsohisfleshwaschill，andfromhimcameahorriblesmellofbrandy。Ithoughtforamoment，thenbadetheboyfetchDr。Roddandsaynothingtoanyoneelse，Hewent，andnowforthefirsttimeInoticedalargeenvelopeaddressed“AllanQuatermain，Esq。”inasomewhatshakyhand。ThisIpickedupandslippedintomypocket。

Roddarrivedhalfdressed。

“What’sthematternow？“hegrowled。

IpointedtoMarnham，saying——

“Thatisaquestionforyoutoanswer。

“Oh！drunkagain，Isuppose。”hesaid。ThenhedidasIhaddone，bentdownandexaminedhim。Afewsecondslaterhesteppedorreeledback，lookingasfrightenedasamancouldbe，andexclaiming——

“Deadasastone，byGod！Deadthesethreehoursormore。”

“Quiteso。”Ianswered，“butwhatkilledhim？“

“HowshouldIknow？“heaskedsavagely。“Doyoususpectmeofpoisoninghim？“

“Mymindisopen。”Ireplied；“butasyouquarrelledsobitterlylastnight，othersmight。”

Theboltwenthome；hesawhisdanger。

“Probablytheoldsotdiedinafit，oroftoomuchbrandy。Howcanoneknowwithoutapost-mortem？Butthatmustn’tbemadebyme。I’mofftoinformthemagistrateandgetholdofanotherdoctor。LetthebodyremainasitisuntilIreturn。

Ireflectedquickly。OughtItolethimgoornot？Ifhehadanyhandinthisbusiness，doubtlessheintendedtoescape。

Well，supposingthisweresoandhedidescapee，thatwouldbeagoodthingforHeda，andreallyitwasnoaffairofminetobringthefellowtojustice。Moreovertherewasnothingtoshowthathewasguilty；hiswholemannerseemedtopointanotherway，thoughofcoursehemightbeacting。

“Verywell。”Ireplied，“butreturnasquicklyaspossible。”

Hestoodforafewsecondslikeamanwhoisdazed。ItoccurredtomethatitmighthavecomeintohismindwithMarnham’sdeaththathehadlosthisholdoverHeda。Butifsohesaidnothingofit，butonlyasked——

“Willyougoinsteadofme？“

“OnthewholeIthinknot。”Ireplied，“andifIdid，thestoryI

shouldhavetotellmightnottendtoyouradvantage。

“That’strue，damnyou！“heexclaimedandlefttheroom。

TenminuteslaterhewasgallopingtowardsPilgrim’sRest。

BeforeIdepartedfromthedeathchamberIexaminedtheplacecarefullytoseeifIcouldfindanypoisonorotherdeadlything，butwithoutsuccess。OnethingIdiddiscover，however。

Turningtheleafofablotting-bookthatwasbyMarnham’selbow，Icameuponasheetofpaperonwhichwerewrittenthesewordsinhishand，“Greaterlovehathnomanthanthis——“thatwasall。

Eitherhehadforgottentheendofthequotationorchangedhismind，orwasunablethroughweaknesstofinishthesentence。

ThispaperalsoIputinmypocket。BoltingtheshuttersandlockingthedoorIreturnedtothestoep，whereIwasalone，forasyetnooneelsewasstirring。ThenIrememberedtheletterinmypocketandopenedit。Itran——

“DearMr。Quatermain，——

“IhaverememberedthatthosewhoquarrelwithDr。Roddareapttodiesoonandsuddenly；atanyratelifeatmyageisalwaysuncertain。Therefore，asIknowyoutobeanhonestman，Iamenclosingmywillthatitmaybeinsafekeepingandpurposetosendittoyourroomto-morrowmorning。PerhapswhenyoureturntoPretoriayouwilldeposititintheStandardBankthere，andifIamstillalive，forwardmethereceipt。YouwillseethatI

leaveeverythingtomydaughterwhomIdearlylove，andthatthereisenoughtokeepthewolffromherdoor，besidesmyshareinthisproperty，ifitiseverrealized。

“Afterallthathaspassedto-nightIdonotfeeluptowritingalongletter，so“Remainsincerelyyours，“H。A。Marnham。”

“PS——IshouldliketostateclearlyuponpaperthatmyearnesthopeandwisharethatHedamaygetclearofthatblack-hearted，murderous，scoundrelRoddandmarryMr。Anscombe，whomIlikeandwho，Iamsure，wouldmakeheragoodhusband。”

Thinkingtomyselfthisdidnotlookveryliketheletterofasuicide，Iglancedthroughthewill，asthetestatorseemedtohavewishedthatIshoulddoso。Itwasshort，butproperlydrawn，signed，andwitnessed，andbequeathedasumof#9，000，whichwasondepositattheStandardBank，togetherwithallhisotherproperty，realandpersonal，toHedaforherownsoleuse，freefromthedebtsandengagementsofherhusband，shouldshemarry。Alsoshewasforbiddentospendmorethan#1，000ofthecapital。Inshortthemoneywasstrictlytiedup。WiththewillweresomeotherpapersthatapparentlyreferredtocertainpropertyinHungarytowhichHedamightbecomeentitled，butabouttheseIdidnottrouble。

Replacingthesedocumentsinasafeinnerpocketintheliningofmywaistcoat，IwentintoourroomandwokeupAnscombewhowassleepingsoundly，afactthatcausedanunreasonableirritationinmymind。WhenatlengthhewasthoroughlyarousedIsaidtohim——

“Youareinluck’sway，myfriend。Marnhamisdead。”

“Oh！poorHeda。”heexclaimed，“shelovedhim。Itwillhalfbreakherheart。”

“Ifitbreakshalfofherheart。”Ireplied，“itwillmendtheotherhalf，fornowherfilialaffectioncan’tforcehertomarryRodd，andthatiswhereyouareinluck’sway。”

ThenItoldhimallthestory。

“Washemurderedordidhecommitsuicide？“heaskedwhenIhadfinished。

“Idon’tknow，andtotellyouthetruthIdon’twanttoknow；

norwillyouifyouarewise，unlessknowledgeisforceduponyou。Itisenoughthatheisdead，andforhisdaughter’ssakethelessthecircumstancesofhisendareexaminedintothebetter。”

“PoorHeda！“hesaidagain，“whowilltellher？Ican’t。_You_

foundhim，Allan。”

“Iexpectedthatjobwouldbemyshareofthebusiness，Anscombe。

Well，thesooneritisoverthebetter。Nowdressyourselfandcomeontothestoep。”

ThenIlefthimandnextminutemetHeda’sfat，half-breedmaid，astupidbutgoodsortofawomanwhowascalledKaatje，emergingfromhermistress’sroomwithajug，tofetchhotwater，I

suppose。

“Kaatje。”Isaid，“gobackandtelltheMissieHedathatIwanttospeaktoherassoonasIcan。Nevermindthehotwater，butstopandhelphertodress。”

Shebegantogrumblealittleinagood-naturedway，butsomethinginmyeyestoppedherandshewentbackintotheroom。

TenminuteslaterHedawasbymyside。

“Whatisit，Mr。Quatermain？“sheasked。“Ifeelsurethatsomethingdreadfulhashappened。”

“Ithas，mydear。”Ianswered，“thatis，ifdeathisdreadful。

Yourfatherdiedlastnight。”

“Oh！“shesaid，“oh！“andsankbackontotheseat。

“Bearup。”Iwenton，“wemustalldieoneday，andhehadreachedthefullageofman。”

“ButIlovedhim。”shemoaned。“HehadmanyfaultsIknow，stillIlovedhim。”

“Itisthelotoflife，Heda，thatweshouldlosewhatwelove。

Bethankful，therefore，thatyouhavesomeonelefttolove。”

“Yes，thankGod！that’strue。Ifithadbeenhim——no，it’swickedtosaythat。”

ThenItoldherthestory，andwhileIwasdoingso，Anscombejoinedus，walkingbyaidofhisstick。AlsoIshowedthembothMarnham’slettertomeandthewill，buttheotherbitofpaperI

didnotspeakoforshow。

ShesatverypaleandquietandlistenedtillIhaddone。Thenshesaid——

“Ishouldliketoseehim。”

“Perhapsitisaswell。”Ianswered。“Ifyoucanbearit，comeatonce，anddoyoucomealso，Anscombe。”

Wewenttotheroom，AnscombeandHedaholdingeachotherbythehand。Iunlockedthedoorand，entering，threwopenashutter。

TheresatthedeadmanasIhadlefthim，onlyhisheadhadfallenoveralittle。Shegazedathim，trembling，thenadvancedandkissedhiscoldforehead，muttering，“Good-bye，father。Oh！good-bye，father。”

Athoughtstruckme，andIasked——

“Isthereanyplaceherewhereyourfatherlockedupthings？AsI

haveshownyou，youarehisheiress，andifsoitmightbeaswellinthishousethatyoushouldpossessyourselfofhisproperty。”

“Thereisasafeinthecorner。”sheanswered，“ofwhichhealwayskeptthekeyinhistrouserpocket。”

“ThenwithyourleaveIwillopenitinyourpresence。”

GoingtothedeadmanIsearchedhispocketandfoundinitabunchofkeys。TheseIwithdrewandwenttothesafeoverwhichaskinrugwasthrown。Iunlockediteasilyenough。Withinweretwobagsofgold，eachmarked#100；alsoanotherlargerbagmarked“Mywife’sjewelry。ForHeda“；alsosomepapersandaminiatureoftheladywhoseportraithunginthesitting-room；

alsosomeloosegold。

“Nowwhowilltakechargeofthese？“Iasked。“Idonotthinkitsafetoleavethemhere。”

“You，ofcourse。”saidAnscombe，whileHedanodded。

SowithagroanIconsignedallthesevaluablestomycapaciouspockets。ThenIlockeduptheemptysafe，replacedthekeyswhereIhadfoundthemonMarnham，fastenedtheshutterandlefttheroomwithAnscombe，waitingforawhileoutsidetillHedajoinedus，sobbingalittle。Afterthiswegotsomethingtoeat，insistingonHedadoingthesame。

OnleavingthetableIsawacurioussight，namely，thepatientswhomRoddwasattendinginthelittlehospitalofwhichIhavespoken，departingtowardsthebush-veld，thoseofthemwhocouldwalkwellandtheattendantsassistingtheothers。Theywerealreadysomedistanceaway，toofarindeedformetofollow，asI

didnotwishtoleavethehouse。Theincidentfilledmewithsuspicion，andIwentroundtothebacktomakeinquiries，butcouldfindnoone。AsIpassedthehospitaldoor，however，I

heardavoicecallinginSisutu——

“Donotleavemebehind，mybrothers。”

IenteredandsawthemanonwhomRoddhadoperatedthedayofourarrival，lyinginbedandquitealone。Iaskedhimwheretheothershadgone。Atfirsthewouldnotanswer，butwhenI

pretendedtoleavehim，calledoutthatitwasbacktotheirowncountry。Finally，tocutthestoryshort，IextractedfromhimthattheyhadleftbecausetheyhadnewsthattheTemplewasgoingtobeattackedbySekukunianddidnotwishtobeherewhenIandAnscombewerekilled。Howthenewsreachedhimherefused，orcouldnot，say；nordidheseemtoknowanythingofthedeathofMarnham。WhenIpressedhimontheformerpoint，heonlygroanedandcriedforwater，forhewasinpainandthirsty。I

askedhimwhohadtoldSekukuni’speopletokillus，butherefusedtospeak。

“Verywell。”Isaid，“thenyoushalllieherealoneanddieofthirst。”andagainIturnedtowardsthedoor。

Atthishecriedout——

“Iwilltellyou。Itwasthewhitemedicine-manwholiveshere；

hewhocutmeopen。Hearrangeditallafewdaysagobecausehehatesyou。Lastnightherodetotelltheimpiwhentocome。”

“Whenisittocome？“Iasked，holdingthejugofwatertowardshim。

“To-nightattherisingofthemoon，sothatitmaygetfarawaybeforethedawn。Mypeoplearethirstyforyourbloodandforthatoftheotherwhitechief，becauseyoukilledsomanyofthembytheriver。Theotherstheywillnotharm。”

“Howdidyoulearnallthis？“Iaskedhimagain，butwithoutresult，forhebecameincoherentandonlymutteredsomethingaboutbeingleftalonebecausetheotherscouldnotcarryhim。

SoIgavehimsomewater，afterwhichhefellasleep，orpretendedtodoso，andIlefthim，wonderingwhetherhewasdelirious，orspoketruth。AsIpassedthestablesIsawthatmyownhorsewasthere，forinthisdistricthorsesarealwaysshutupatnighttokeepthemfromcatchingsickness，butthatthefourbeaststhathadbroughtHedafromNatalintheCapecartweregone，thoughitwasevidentthattheyhadbeenkraaledheretillwithinanhourortwo。Ithrewmyhorseabundleofforageandreturnedtothehousebythebackentrance。Thekitchenwasempty，butcrouchedbythedoorofMarnham’sroomsattheboywhohadfoundhimdead。Hehadbeenattachedtohismasterandseemedhalfdazed。Iaskedhimwheretheotherservantswere，towhichherepliedthattheyhadallrunaway。ThenIaskedhimwherethehorseswere。HeansweredthattheBaasRoddhadorderedthemtobeturnedoutbeforeherodeoffthatmorning。I

badehimaccompanymetothestoep，asIdarednotlethimoutofmysight，whichhedidunwillinglyenough。

ThereIfoundAnscombeandHeda。Theywereseatedsidebysideuponthecouch。Tearswererunningdownherfaceandhe，lookingverytroubled，heldherbythehand。SomehowthatpictureofHedahasalwaysremainedfixedinmymind。Sorrowbecomessomewomenandshewasoneofthem。Herbeautifuldarkgreyeyesdidnotgrowredwithweeping；thetearsjustwelledupinthemandfelllikedewdropsfromtheheartofaflower。

Shesatveryuprightandverystill，ashedid，lookingstraightinfrontofher，whilearayofsunshine，fallingonherhead，showedthechestnut-huedlightsinherwavinghair，ofwhichshehadagreatabundance。

Indeedthepairofthem，thusseatedsidebyside，remindedmeofanengravingIhadseensomewhereofthestatuesofahusbandandwifeinanoldEgyptiantomb。Withjustsuchalookdidthewomanofthousandsofyearsagositgazinginpatienthopeintothedarknessofthefuture。Deathhadmadehersad，butitwasgoneby，andthelittlewistfulsmileaboutherlipsseemedtosuggestthatinthisdarknesshersorrowfuleyesalreadysawthestirringofthenewlifetobe。Moreover，wasnotthemanshelovedthecompanionofherhopesashehadbeenofherwoes。

Suchwasthefancifulthoughtthatsprangupinmymind，eveninthemidstofthosegreatanxieties，likeasingleflowerinastonywildernessofthornsoronestarontheblacknessofthenight。

InamomentithadgoneandIwastellingthemofwhatIhadlearned。TheylistenedtillIhadfinished。ThenAnscombesaidslowly——

“Twoofuscan’tholdthishouseagainstanimpi。Wemustgetoutofit。”

“Bothyourconclusionsseemquitesound。”Iremarked，“thatisifyonderoldKaffiristellingthetruth。Butthequestionis——how？Wecan’tallthreeofusrideononenag，asyouarestillacripple。”

“ThereistheCapecart。”suggestedHeda。

“Yes，butthehorseshavebeenturnedout，andIdon’tknowwheretolookforthem。NordareIsendthatboyalone，forprobablyhewouldboltliketheothers。Ithinkthatyouhadbettergetonmyhorseandrideforit，leavingustotakeourchance。I

daresaythewholethingisalieandthatweshallbeinnodanger。”Iaddedbywayofsofteningthesuggestion。

“ThatIwillneverdo。”sherepliedwithsomuchquietconvictionthatIsawitwasuselesstopursuetheargument。

Ithoughtforamoment，asthepositionwasverydifficult。Theboywasnottobetrusted，andifIwentwithhimIshouldbeleavingthesetwoaloneand，inAnscombe’sstate，almostdefenceless。StillitseemedasthoughImust。JustthenI

lookedup，andthereatthegardengatesawAnscombe’sdriver，Footsack，themanwhomIhaddespatchedtoPretoriatofetchhisoxen。Inotedthathelookedfrightenedandwasbreathless，forhiseyesstartedoutofhishead。Alsohishatwasgoneandhebledalittlefromhisface。

Seeingusheranupthepathandsatdownasthoughheweretired。