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library of the world's best mystery and detective  stories volume 1 by Julian Hawthorne editor section one American mystery stories By the  Waters of Paradise by Francis Maran Crawford part one I remember my childhood very distinctly  I do not think that the fact argues a good memory for I've never been clever at learning words  by heart in Pros or rhyme so that I believe my remembrance of events depends much more upon  the events themselves than upon my possessing any special facility for recal

ling them perhaps  I'm too imaginative and the earliest Impressions I received were of a kind to stimulate the  imagination abnormally a long series of little misfortunes so connected with each other as to  suggest a sort of weird fatality so worked upon my Melancholy temperament when I was a boy that  before I was of age I sincerely believe myself to be under a curse and not only myself but my  whole family and every individual Who Bore my name I was born in the old place where my father  and h

is father and all his predecessors had been born beyond the memory of man it is a very old  house and the greater part of it was originally a castle strongly fortified and surrounded by a deep  moat supplied with abundant water from the hills by a hidden aqueduct many of the fortifications  have been destroyed and the moat has been filled up the water from the aqueduct supplies great  fountains and runs down into huge oblong basins in the terraced Gardens one below the other each  surrounded by

a broad pavement of marble between the water and the flower beds the waste Surplus  finally escapes through an artificial Grotto some 30 yards long into a stream flowing down through  the park to The Meadows Beyond and then to to the distant River the buildings were extended a little  and greatly altered more than 200 years ago in the time of Charles II but since then little has been  done to improve them though they have been kept in Fairly good repair according to our Fortunes in  the gardens

there are Terraces and huge Hedges of box and Evergreen some of which used to be clipped  into shapes of animals in the Italian style I can remember when I was a lad how I used to try to  make out what the trees were cut to represent and how I used to appeal for explanations to Judith  my Welsh nurse she dealt in a strange mythology of her own and peopled the gardens with Griffins  dragons good gen and bad and filled my mind with him at the same time my Nursery window afforded  a view of the gre

at Fountains at the head of the upper Basin and on moonlit nights the Welsh woman  would hold me up to the glass and bid me look at the mist and spray Rising into into mysterious  shapes moving mystically in the white light like living things it's the woman of the water she used  to say and sometimes she would threaten that if I did not go to sleep the woman of the water would  steal up to the high window and Carry Me Away in her wet arms the place was gloomy the broad  basins of water and the t

all evergreen Hedges gave it a ferial look and The Damp stained marble  causeways by the pool TOS might have been made of tombstones the gray and weather-beaten walls and  towers without the dark and massively furnished rooms within the Deep mysterious recesses and  the heavy curtains all affected my spirits I was silent and sad from my childhood there was  a great Clock Tower above from which the hours rang dismally during the day and told like a  nail in the dead of night there was no light no

r life in the house for my mother was a helpless  invalid and my father had grown Melancholy in his long task of caring for her he was a thin dark  man with sad eyes kind I think but silent and unhappy next to my mother I believe he loved  me better than anything on Earth for he took immense pains and trouble in teaching me and what  he taught me I've never forgotten perhaps it was his only amusement and that may be the reason  why I had no Nursery govern or teacher of any kind while he lived I

used to be taken to see my  mother every day and sometimes twice a day for an hour at a time then I sat upon a little stool  near her feet and she would ask me what I had been doing and what I wanted to do I dare say she  saw already the seeds of a profound Melancholy in my nature for she looked at me always with a sad  smile and kissed me with a sigh when I was taken away one night night when I was just 6 years old  I lay awake in the nursery the door was not quite shut and the Welsh nurse was

sitting sewing in  the Next Room suddenly I heard her groan and say in a strange voice 1 2 1 two I was frightened  and I jumped up and ran to the door barefooted as I was what is it Judith I cried clinging  to her skirts I can remember the look in her strange dark eyes as she answered one two leaden  coffins fallen from the ceiling she cwed working herself in her chair one two a light coffin  and a heavy coffin falling to the floor then she seemed to notice me and she took me back to  bed and sa

ng me to sleep with a queer old Welsh song I do not know how it was but the impression  got hold of me that she had meant that my father and and mother were going to die very soon they  died in The Very Room where she had been sitting that night it was a great room my day Nursery  full of sun when there was any and when the days were dark it was the most cheerful place in  the house my mother grew rapidly worse and I was transferred to another part of the building to  make place for her they tho

ught my Nursery was gayer for her I suppose but she could not live  she was beautiful when she was dead and I cried bitterly the light one the light one the heavy  one to come cred the Welsh woman and she was right my father took the room after my mother was  gone and day by day he grew thinner and paler and sadder the heavy one the heavy one all of lead  moaned my nurse One Night in December standing still just as she was was going to take away  the light after putting me to bed then she took m

e up again and wrapped me in a little gown and  led me away to my father's room she knocked but no one answered she opened the door and we found  him in his easy chair before the fire very white quite dead so I was alone with the Welsh woman  till strange people came and relations whom I had never seen and then I heard them saying that  must be taken away to some more cheerful place they were kind people and I will not believe  that they were kind only because I was to be very rich when I grew t

o be a man the world never  seemed to be a very bad place for me nor all the people to be miserable Sinners even when I was  most Melancholy I do not remember that anyone ever did me any great Injustice nor that I was  ever oppressed or ill treated in any way even by the boys at school I was sad I suppose because  my childhood was so gloomy and later because I was unlucky in everything I undertook till I finally  believed I was pursued by fate and I used to dream that the old Welsh nurse and the

woman of the  water between them had vowed to pursue me to my end but my natural disposition should have been  cheerful as I have often thought Among The Lads of my age I was never last or even among the last  in anything but I was never first if I trained for a race I was sure to sprain my ankle on the  day when I was to run if I pulled an ore with others my ore was sure to break if I competed  for a prize some unforeseen accident prevented my winning it at the last moment nothing to which  I

put my hand succeeded and I got the reputation of being unlucky until my companions felt it was  always safe to bet against me no matter what the appearances might be I became discouraged and  listless in everything I gave up the idea of competing for any distinction at the University  comforting myself with a thought that I could not fail in the Examination for the ordinary degree  the day before the examination began I fell ill and when At Last I recovered after a narrow escape  from Death I t

urned my back upon Oxford and went down alone to visit the old place where I'd been  born feeble in health and profoundly disgusted and discouraged I was 21 years of age master of myself  and of my fortune but so deeply had the long chain of small unlucky circumstances affected me that I  thought seriously of shutting myself up from the world to live the life of a Hermit and to die as  soon as possible death seemed the only cheerful possibility in my existence and my thoughts soon  dwelt upon it

all together I had never shown any wish to return to my own home since I had been  taken away as a little boy and no one had ever pressed me to do so the place had been kept in  order after a fashion and did not seem to have suffered during the 15 years or more of my absence  nothing Earthly could affect those old gray walls that had fought the elements for so many centuries  the garden was more wild than I remembered it the marble causeways about the pool looked more yellow  and damp than of o

ld and the whole place at first looked smaller it was not until I had wandered  about the house and grounds for many hours that I realized the huge size of the home where I was  to live in solitude then I began to Delight in it and my resolution to live alone grew stronger the  people had turned out to welcome me of course and I tried to recognize the changed faces of the old  Gardener and the old housekeeper and to call them by name my old nurse I knew at once she had grown  very gray since she

heard the coffins fall in the nursery 15 years before but her strange eyes were  the same and the look in them woke all my old memories she went over the house with me and how  is the woman of the water I asked trying to laugh a little does she still play in the Moonlight she  is hungry answered the Welsh woman in a low voice voice hungry then we will feed her I laughed  but old Judith turned very pale and looked at me strangely feed her I you will feed her well  she muttered glancing behind he

r at the ancient housekeeper who tottered after us with feeble  steps through the halls and passages I did not think much of her words she had always talked  oddly as Welsh women will and though I was very Melancholy I'm sure I was not superstitious and  I was certainly not timid only as if in a far off dream I seem to see her standing with the light  in her hand and muttering the heavy one all of lead and then leading a little boy through  the long corridors to see his father lying dead in a gr

eat easy chair before a smoldering  fire so we went over the house and I chose the rooms where I would live and the servants I had  brought with me ordered and arranged everything and I had no more trouble I did not care what  they did provided I was left in peace and was not expected to give directions for I was more  listless than ever owing to the effects of my illness at College I dined in solitary State  and The Melancholy Grandeur of the vast old dining room pleased me then I went to the r

oom I  had selected for my study and sat down in a deep chair under a bright light to think or to let my  thoughts Meander through labyrinths of their own choosing utterly indifferent to the course they  might take the tall Windows of the room opened to the level of the ground upon The Terrace at  the head of the garden it was in the end of July and everything was open for the weather was  warm as I sat alone I heard the unceasing splash of the great fountains and I fell to thinking  of the woma

n of the water I Rose and went out into the still night and sat down upon a seat on  the Terrace between two gigantic Italian flower pots the air was deliciously soft and sweet with  the smell of the flowers and the garden was more congenial to me than the house sad people always  like running water and the sound of it at night though I cannot tell why I sat and listened in the  Gloom for it was dark below and The Pale Moon had not yet climbed over the hills in front of front  of me though the a

ir All Above was light with their Rising beams slowly the white Halo in the  Eastern Sky ascended in an arch above the wooded crests making the outlines of the mountains more  intensely Black by contrast as though the head of some great white Saint were rising from behind a  screen in a vast Cathedral throwing Misty glories from below I longed to see the moon herself and  I tried to reckon the seconds before she must appear then she sprang up quickly and in a moment  more hung round and perfect

in the sky I gazed at her and then at the floating spray of the tall  fountains and down at the pools where the water lies were rocking softly in their sleep on the  Velvet surface of the moonlit water just then a great Swan floated out silently into the midst  of the Basin and wreathed his long neck catching the water in his broad Bill and scattering  Showers of diamonds around him suddenly as I gazed something came between me and the light I  looked up instantly between me and the Round Disc o

f the Moon Rose a luminous face of a woman with  great strange eyes and a woman's mouth full and soft but not smiling hooded in Black staring at  me as I sat still upon my bench she was close to me so close that I could have touched her with  my hand but I was transfixed and helpless she stood still for a moment but her expression did  not change then she passed swiftly away and my hair stood up on my head while the cold breeze  from her white dress was wafted to my temples as she moved the Moon

light shining through the  tossing spray of the fountain made traceries of shadow on the gleaming folds of her garments  in an instant she was gone and I was alone I was strangely shaken by the vision and  some time passed before I could rise to my feet for I was still weak from my illness and  the sight that I had seen would have startled anyone I did not reason with myself for I was  certain that I had looked on the unearthly and no argument could have destroyed that belief  At Last I got up a

nd stood unsteadily gazing in the direction which I thought the face had  gone but there was nothing to be seen nothing but the broad paths the tall dark Evergreen  Hedges the tossing water of The Fountains and the smooth pool below I fell back upon the seat  and recalled the face I had seen strange to say now that the first impression had passed there  was nothing startling in the recollection on the contrary I felt that I was fascinated by the  face and would give anything to see it again I co

uld retrace the beautiful straight featur  feates the long dark eyes and the wonderful mouth most exactly in my mind and when I  had reconstructed every detail from memory I knew that the whole was beautiful and that I  should love a woman with such a face I wonder whether she's the woman of the water I said to  myself then Rising once more I wandered down the garden descending one short flight of steps  after another from Terrace to Terrace by the edge of the marble basins through the shadow an

d  through the Moonlight and I crossed the Water by The Rustic bridge above the artificial Grotto and  climbed slowly up again to the highest Terrace by the other side the air seemed sweeter and I was  very calm so that I think I smiled to myself as I walked as though a new happiness had come to  me the woman's face seemed always before me and the thought of it gave me an unwanted thrill of  pleasure unlike anything I had ever felt before I turned as I reached the house and looked back  upon the

scene it had certainly changed in the short hour since I had come out and my mood had  changed with it just like my luck I thought to fall in love with a ghost but in old times I would  have sighed and gone to bed more sad than ever at such a Melancholy conclusion tonight I felt happy  almost for the first time in my life the gloomy old study seemed cheerful when I went went in the  old pictures on the walls smiled at me and I sat down in my deep chair with a new and delightful  Sensation that

I was not alone the idea of having seen a ghost and of feeling much the better for  it was so absurd that I laughed softly and I took up one of the books that I had brought with me  and began to read that impression did not wear off I slept peacefully and in the morning I threw  open my windows to the summer air and look down at the Garden at the stretches of green and at the  colored flower beds at the circling swallows and at the bright water a man might make a paradise  at this place I exclai

med a man and a woman together from that day the old castle no longer  seemed gloomy and I think I ceased to be sad for some time too I began to take an interest in the  place and to try and make it more alive I avoided my old Welsh nurse lest she should damp my humor  with some dismal prophecy and recall my old self by bringing back memories of my dismal childhood  but what I thought of most was the ghostly figure I had seen in the garden that first night after  my arrival I went out every even

ing and wandered through the walks and paths but try as I might  I did not see my vision again at last after many days the me memory grew more faint and my old  Moody nature gradually overcame the temporary sense of lightness I had experienced the summer  turned to Autumn and I grew Restless it began to rain the dampness pervaded The Gardens and the  outer Halls smelled musty like tombs the gray sky oppressed me intolerably I left the place  as it was and went abroad determined to try anything w

hich might possibly make a second  break in the monotonous Melancholy from which I suffered part two most people would be struck  by the utter insignificance of the small events which after the death of my parents influenced my  life and made me unhappy the gruesome for boings of a Welsh nurse which chance to be realized by an  odd Coincidence of events should not seem enough to change the nature of a child and to direct  the bent of his character in after years the little disappointments of sch

ool boy life and the  somewhat less childish ones of an uneventful and undistinguished academic career should not have  sufficed to turn me out at 1 in 20 years of age a melancholic listless idler some weakness of my  own character may have contributed to the result but in a greater degree it was due to my having  a reputation for bad luck however I will not try to analyze the causes of my state for I should  satisfy nobody least of all myself still less will I attempt to explain why I felt a te

mporary  Revival of my spirits after my adventure in the garden it is certain that I was in love with  the face I had seen and that I longed to see it again that I gave up all hope of a second  visitation grew more sad than ever packed up my traps and finally went abroad but in my dreams  I went back to my home and it always appeared to me sunny and bright as it had looked on that  Summer's morning after I had seen the Woman by The Fountain I went to Paris I went farther and  wandered about Germ

any I tried to amuse myself and I failed miserably with the aimless whims  of an idle and useless man come all sorts of suggestions for good resolutions one day I made  up my mind that I would go and bury myself in a German University for a time and live simply like  a poor student I started with the intention of going to leipsig determined to stay there until  some event should direct my life or change my humor or make an end of me altogether the express  train stopped at some station of which

I did not know the name it was dusk On a Winter's afternoon  and I peered through the thick glass from my seat suddenly another train came gliding in from the  opposite direction and stopped alongside of ours I looked at the carriage which chanced to be a  breast of mine and idly read the black letters painted on a white board swinging from the brass  handrail Berlin cologne Paris then I looked up at the window above I started violently and the  cold perspiration broke out on my forehead in the

dim light not 6 feet from where I sat I saw  the face of a woman the face I loved the straight fine features the strange eyes the wonderful mouth  the pale skin her headdress was a dark Veil which seemed to be tied about her head and passed over  the shoulders under her chin as I threw down the window and knelt on the cushion seat leaning  far out to get a better view a long whistle screamed through the station followed by a quick  series of dull clanking sounds then there was a slight jerk and

my train moved on luckily the  window was narrow being the one over the seat beside the door or I believe I would have jumped  out of it then and there in an instant the speed increased and I was being carried swiftly away in  the opposite direction from the thing I loved for a quarter of an hour I lay back in my place  stunned by the suddenness of The Apparition at last one of the two other passengers a large  and gorgeous captain of the white kingburg cers civil but firmly suggested that I mig

ht shut  my window and as the evening was cold I did so with an apology and relapsed into silence  the train ran swiftly on for a long time and it was already beginning to back and speed before  entering another station when I roused myself and made a sudden resolution as the carriage stopped  before the brilliantly lighted platform I seized my belongings saluted my fellow passengers and  got out determined to take the first Express back to Paris this time the circumstances of the  vision had be

en so natural that it did not strike me that there was anything unreal about the face  or about the woman to whom it belonged I did not try to explain to myself how the face and the  woman could be traveling by a fast train from Berlin to Paris on a Winter's afternoon when  both were in my mind indelibly associated with the Moonlight and the fountains in my old English  home I certainly would not have admitted that I had been mistaken in the dark attributing to what  I had seen a resemblance to

my former Vision which did not really exist there was not the slightest  doubt in my mind and I was positively sure that I had again seen the face I loved I did not  hesitate and in a few hours I was on my way back to Paris I could not help reflecting on my  ill luck wandering as I had been for many months it might as easily have chanced that I should  be traveling in the same train with that woman instead of going the other way but my luck was  Des destined to turn for a time I searched Paris f

or several days I dined at the principal hotels  I went to the theaters I rode in the v de buong in the morning and picked up an acquaintance whom  I forced to drive with me in the afternoon I went to mass at the mine and I attended the services  at the English church I hung about the Lou and notredam I went to Versailles I spent hours in  parading The Rue de Rivoli in the neighborhood of maca's corner where foreigners pass and repass  from morning till night at last I received an invitation to

a reception at the English Embassy  I went and I found what I had sought so long there she was sitting by an old lady in gray satin and  diamonds who had a wrinkled but kindly face and Keen gray eyes that seemed to take in everything  they saw with very little inclination to give much in return but I did not notice the chaperon I saw  only the face that had haunted me for months and in the excitement of the moment I walked quickly  towards the pair forgetting such a trifle as the necessity for a

n introduction she was far more  beautiful than I had thought but I never doubted that it was she herself and no other Vision or no  vision before this was the reality and I knew it twice her hair had been covered now at last I  saw it and the added beauty of its magn ifence glorified the whole woman it was rich hair fine  and abundant golden with deep Ruddy tints in it like red bronze spun fine there was no ornament  in it not a rose not a thread of gold and I felt that it needed nothing to enh

ance its Splendor  nothing but her pale face her dark strange eyes and her heavy eyebrows I could see that she was  Slender too but strong with all as she sat there quietly gazing at the the moving scene in the  midst of the brilliant lights and the hum of Perpetual conversation I recollected the detail  of introduction in time and turned aside to look for my host I found him at last I begged him to  present me to the two ladies pointing them out to him at the same time yes by all means replied

his  Excellency with a pleasant smile he evidently had no idea of my name which was not to be wondered  at I Am Lord k angor I observed Oh by all means answered the Ambassador with the same hospitable  smile yes the fact is I must try to find out who they are such lots of people you know oh if you  will present me I will try and find out for you I said laughing ah yes so kind of you come along  said my host we threaded the crowd and in a few moments we stood before the two ladies allow me to  in

troduce Lord camor he said then adding quickly to me come and dine tomorrow won't you he glided  away with his Pleasant smile and disappeared in the crowd I sat down beside the beautiful girl  conscious that the eyes of the duenna were upon me I think we have been very near meeting before  I remarked by way of opening the conversation my companion turned her eyes full upon me with an air  of inquiry she evidently did not recall my face if she had ever seen me really I cannot remember  she observ

ed in a low and musical voice when in the first place you came down from Berlin by the  express 10 days ago I was going the other way and our carriages stopped opposite each other I saw  you at the window yes we came that way but I do not remember she hesitated secondly I continued  I was sitting alone in my garden last summer near the end of of July do you remember you must have  wandered in there through the park you came up to the house and looked at me was that you she asked  in evident surp

rise then she broke into a laugh I told everybody I had seen a ghost there had never  been any canor in the place since the memory of man we left the next day and never heard that you  had come there indeed I did not know the castle belonged to you where were you staying I asked  where why with my aunt where I always stay she's your neighbor since it is you I I beg your pardon  but but then is your Aunt lady Bluebell I did not quite catch don't be afraid she is amazingly deaf  yes she is the rel

ic of my beloved Uncle the 16th or 17th Baron Bluebell I forget exactly how many  of them there have been and I do you know who I am she laughed well knowing that I did not no I  answered frankly I have not the least idea I asked to be introduced because I recognized you perhaps  perhaps you are a Miss Bluebell considering that you are a neighbor I will tell you who I am she  answered no I am of the tribe of bluebells but my name is Lamas and I have been given to understand  that I was christene

d Margaret being a floral family they call me Daisy a dreadful American man  once told me that my aunt was a Blue Bell and that I was a hairbell with two L's and an e because  my hair is so thick I warn you so that you may avoid making such a bad pun do I look like a man  who makes puns I asked being very conscious of my Melancholy face and sad looks Miss Lamas eyed  me critically no you have a mournful temperament I think I can trust you she answered do you think  you could communicate to my au

nt the fact that you are a canor and a neighbor I'm sure she would like  to know I leaned toward the old lady inflating my lungs for a yell but Miss Lamas stopped me that  is not the slightest use she remarked you can write it on a bit of paper she's utterly deaf  I have a pencil I answered but I have no paper would my cuff do do you think oh yes replied Miss  Lamas with alacrity men often do that I wrote on my cuff Miss Lamas wishes me to explain that  I am your neighbor korm then I held out my

arm before the old lady's nose she seemed perfectly  accustomed to the proceeding put up her glasses read the words smiled nodded and addressed me in  the unearthly voice peculiar to people who hear nothing I knew your grandfather very well she said  then she smiled and nodded to me again and to her niece and relapsed into silence it is all right  remarked Miss l Moss Aunt Bluebell knows she is deaf and does not say much like the parrot you  see she knew your grandfather how odd that we should

be neighbors why have we never met before  if you had told me you knew my grandfather when you appeared in the garden I should not have  been in the least surprised I answered rather irreverently I really thought you were the ghost  of the old Fountain how in the world did you come there at that hour we were a large party and  we went out for a walk then we thought that we should like to see what your Park was like in  the Moonlight and so we trespassed I got separated from the rest and came upo

n you by accident just  as I was admiring the extremely ghostly look of your house and wondering whether anybody would  ever come and live there again it looks like the castle of MC Beth or a scene from the Opera do  you know anybody here hardly a soul do you no Aunt Bluebell said it was our duty to come it  is easy for her to go out she does not bear the burden of the conversation I'm sorry you find it  a burden said I shall I go away Miss Lamas looked at me with a sudden gravity in her beautif

ul eyes  and there was a sort of hesitation about the lines of her full soft mouth no she said at last quite  simply don't go away we may like each other if you stay a little longer and we ought to because  we're neighbors in the country I suppose I ought to have thought Miss Lamas a very Odd Girl there  is indeed a sort of Freemasonry between people who discover that they live near each other and  that they ought to have known each other before but there was a sort of unexpected frankness  and

simplicity in the girl's amusing manner which would have struck anyone else as being  singular to say the least of it to me however it all seemed natural enough I had dreamed of  her face too long not to be utterly happy when I met her at last and could talk to her as much as I  pleased to to me the man of ill luck in everything the whole meeting seemed too good to be true I  felt again the strange sensation of lightness which I had experienced after I had seen her face  in the garden the great

room seemed brighter life seemed worth living my sluggish Melancholy blood  ran faster and filled me with a new sense of strength I said to myself that without this woman  I was but an imperfect being but that with her I could accomplish everything to which I should  set my hand like the great doctor when he had thought he had cheated mephistophiles At Last I  could have cried aloud to the fleeting moment for vile are you always gay I asked suddenly how happy  you must be the days would sometime

s seem very long if I were gloomy she answered thoughtfully  yes I think I find life very pleasant and I tell it so how can you tell life anything I inquired  if I could catch my life and talk to it I would abuse it prodigiously I assure you I dare say you  have a Melancholy temper you ought to live out of doors dig potatoes make hay shoot hunt tumble  into ditches and come home muddy and hungry for dinner it would be much better for you than moping  in your Rook Tower and hating everything it i

s rather lonely down there I murmured apologetically  feeling that Miss Lamas was quite right then Mary and quarrel with your wife she laughed anything  is better than being alone I'm a very Peaceable person I never quarrel with anybody you can try  it you will find it quite impossible will you let me try she asked still smiling by all means  especially if it is to be only a preliminary caner I answered rashly what do you mean she inquired  turning quickly upon me oh nothing you might try my Pac

es with a view to quarreling in the future  I cannot imagine how you're going to do it you'll have to resort to immediate and direct abuse no I  will only say that if you do not like your life it is your own fault how can a man of your age talk  of being Melancholy or of the hollow of existence are you consumptive are you subject to hereditary  Insanity are you deaf like Aunt Bluebell are you poor like lots of people have you been crossed in  love have you lost the world for a woman or any parti

cular woman for the sake of the world are  you feeble-minded a [ __ ] an outcast are you repulsively ugly she laughed again is there any  reason in the world why you should not enjoy all you have got in life no there's no reason whatever  except that I'm dreadfully unlucky especially in small things then try big things just for a change  suggested Miss Lamas try and get married for instance and see how it turns out out if it turned  out badly it would be rather serious not half so serious as it

is to abuse everything unreasonably  if abuses your particular Talent abuse something that ought to be abused abuse the conservatives  or their liberals it doesn't matter which since they're always abusing each other make yourself  felt by other people you will like it if they don't it will make a man of you fill your mouth  with pebbles and howl at the sea if you cannot do anything else it did Dem he's no end of good you  know you'll have the satisfaction of imitating a great man really Miss La

mas I think the list of  innocent exercises you propose very well if you don't care for that sort of thing care for some  other sort of thing care for something or hate something don't be idle life is short and though  art may be long plenty of noise answers nearly as well I do care for something I mean somebody  I said a woman then marry her don't hesitate I do not know whether she would marry me I replied  I've never asked her then ask her at once answered Miss Lamas I shall die happy if I fee

l I have  persuaded a Melancholy fellow creature to Rouse himself to action ask her by all means and see  what she says if she does not accept you at once she may take you the next time meanwhile you will  have entered the race if you lose there are the all-aged trial stakes and the consolation race and  plenty of selling races into the bargain shall I take you at your word Miss Lamas I hope you will  she answered since you yourself advise me I will Miss Lamas will you do me the honor to marry m

e  for the first time in my life the blood rushed to my head and my sight swam I cannot tell why I  said it it would be useless to try to explain the extraordinary Fascination that the girl exercised  over me or the still more extraordinary feeling of intimacy with her which had grown in me during  that half hour lonely sad unlucky as I had been all my life I was certainly not timid nor even  shy but to propose to marry a woman after half an hour's acquaintance was a piece of Madness  of which I

never believed myself capable and of which I should never be capable again should I  be placed in the same situation it was as though my whole being being had been changed in a moment  by magic by the white magic of her nature brought into contact with mine the blood sank back into my  heart and a moment later I found myself staring at her with anxious Eyes to My amazement she was  as calm as ever but her beautiful mouth smiled and there was a mischievous light in her dark  brown eyes fairly ca

ught she answered for an individual who pretends to be listless and sad you  are not la lacking in humor I had really not the least idea what you were going to say wouldn't  it be singularly awkward for you if I had said yes I never saw anybody begin to practice so  sharply what was preached to him with so very little loss of time you probably never met a man  who had dreamed of you for seven months before being introduced no I never did she answered  gay it smacks of the Romantic perhaps you ar

e a romantic character after all I should think you  were if I believed you very well you have taken my advice entered for a stranger race and lost it try  the all-aged trial Stakes you have another cuff and a pencil propose to Aunt Bluebell she would  dance with astonishment and she might recover her hearing part three that was how I first asked  Margaret lamos to be my wife and and I will agree with anyone who says that I behaved very foolishly  but I have not repented of it and I never shall

I have long ago understood that I was out of my mind  that evening but I think my temporary insanity on that occasion has had the effect of making me a  serer man ever since her manner turned my head for it was so different from what I had expected  to hear this lovely creature who in my imagination was a heroine of romance if not of tragedy talk  talking familiarly and laughing readily was more than my equinity could bear and I lost my head as  well as my heart but when I went back to England i

n the spring I went to make certain Arrangements  at the castle certain changes and improvements which would be absolutely necessary I had won the  race for which I had entered myself so rashly and we were to be married in June whether the change  was due to the orders I had left with the gardener and the rest of the servants or to my own state of  mind I cannot tell at all events the old place did not look the same to me when I opened my window on  the morning after my arrival there were the gr

ay walls below me and the gray turrets flanking the  huge building there were the fountains the marble causeways the smooth basins the tall box Hedges  the water lies and the swans just as of old but there was something else there too something in  the air in the water and in the greenness that I did not recognize a light over everything by which  everything was transfigured the clock in the tower struck seven and The Strokes of the ancient Bell  sounded like a wedding chime the air sang with a

thrilling treble of the song birds with a silvery  music of the flashing water and the softer Harmony of the leaves stirred by the fresh morning  wind there was a smell of New Moon hay from the distant Meadows and of blooming roses from the  beds below wafted up together to my window I stood in the pure sunshine and drank the air and all the  sounds and the odors that were in it and I looked down at my garden and said it is Paradise after  all I think the men of old were right when they called H

eaven a garden in Eden a garden inhabited  by one man and one woman the Earthly Paradise I turned away wondering what had become of the  gloomy memories I had always associated with my home I tried to recall the Imp impression of  my nurse's horrible Prophecy Before the death of my parents an impression which hitherto had been  vivid enough I tried to remember my old self my dejection my listlessness my bad luck my Petty  disappointments I endeavored to force myself to think as I used to think i

f only to satisfy  myself that I had not lost my individuality but I succeeded in none of these efforts I was a  different man a changed being incapable of Sorrow of ill luck or of sadness my life had been a dream  not evil but infinitely gloomy and hopeless it was now a reality full of Hope gladness and all manner  of good my home had been like a tomb today it was Paradise my heart had been as though it had not  existed today it beat with strength and youth and the certainty of realized happine

ss I reveled  in the beauty of the world and called loveliness out of the future to enjoy it before time should  bring it to me as a traveler in the plains looks up to the mountains and already tastes the cool  air through the dust of the road here I thought we will live and live for years there we will sit  by the fountain toward evening and in the Deep Moonlight down those paths we will wander together  on those benches we will rest and talk among those Eastern Hills we will ride through the s

oft  Twilight and in the old house we will tell tales on winter nights when the logs Burn High and the  holly berries are red and the Old Clock tolls out the dying year on these old steps in these dark  passages and stately rooms there will one day be the sound of little pattering feet and laughing  child voices will ring up to the vaults of the ancient Hall those tiny footsteps shall not be  slow and sad as mine were nor shall the childish words be spoken in an odd whisper no gloomy Welsh  woma

n shall people the dusty Corners with weird Horrors nor utter horrid Prophecies of death and  ghastly things all shall be young and fresh and joyful and happy and we will turn the old luck  again and forget that there was ever any sadness so I thought as I looked out my window that  morning and for many mornings after that and every day it all seemed more real than ever before and  much nearer but the old nurse looked looked at me a scance and muttered odd sayings about the woman  of the water I

cared little what she said for I was far too happy at last the time came near for  the wedding lady Bluebell and all the tribe of the bluebells as Margaret called them were at Bluebell  Grange for we had determined to be married in the country and to come straight to the castle  afterwards we cared little for traveling and not at all for a crowded ceremony at St George's in  Hanover Square with all the tiresome formalities afterwards I used to ride over to the Grange every  day and very often M

argaret would come with her aunt and some of her cousins to the castle I was  suspicious of my own taste and was only too glad to let her have her way about the alterations and  improvements in our home we were to be married on the 30th of July and on the evening of the 28th  Margaret drove over with some of the Bluebell party in the long summer Twilight we all went out  into the garden naturally enough Margaret and I were left to ourselves and we wandered down by the  marble basins it is an odd

coincidence I said that it was on this very night last year that I first  saw you considering that it is the month of July answered Margaret with a laugh and that we've  been here almost every day I don't think the coincidence is so extraordinary after all no dear  said I I suppose not I don't know why it struck me we shall very likely be here a year from today  and a year after that the odd thing when I think of it is that you should be here at all but my  luck has turned I ought not to think

anything odd that happens now that I have you it is all sure  to be good a slight change in your ideas since that remarkable performance of yours in Paris said  Margaret do you know I thought you were the most extraordinary man I had ever met and I thought  you were the most Charming woman I had ever seen I naturally did not want to lose any time in  frivolities I took you at your word and followed your advice I asked you to marry me and this is  the delightful result what's the matter Margaret

had started suddenly and her hand tightened on  my arm an old woman was coming up The Path and was close to us before we saw her for the moon had  risen and was shining full in our faces the woman turned out to be my old nurse it's only Judith  dear don't be frightened I said then I spoke to the Welsh woman what are you about Judith have  you been feeding the woman of the water I when the clock strikes Willie my Lord I mean muttered  the old creature drawing aside to let us pass and fixing her s

trange eyes on Margaret's face what  does she mean asked Margaret when we had gone by nothing darling the old thing is modly crazy but  she's a good soul we went on in silence for a few moments and came to The Rustic Bridge just above  the artificial Grotto through which the water ran out into the park dark and Swift in its narrow  channel we stopped and leaned on the wooden rail the moon was now behind us and Shone full upon  the long Vista of basins and on the huge walls and towers of the cast

le above how proud you are to be  of such a grand old place said Margaret softly it is your now darling I answered you have as good a  right to love it as I but I only love it because you are to live in it dear her hand stole out and  lay on mine and we were both silent just then the clock began to strike far off in the tower I  counted 8 9 10 11 I looked at my watch 12 13 I laughed the bell went on strike ring the Old Clock  has gone crazy like Judith I exclaimed still it went on Note after not

e ringing out monotonously  through the still air we leaned over the rail instinctively looking in the direction when the  sound came on and on it went I counted nearly a hundred out of sheer curiosity for I understood  that something had broken and that the thing was running itself down suddenly there was a crack as  of breaking wood a cry and a heavy splash and I was alone clinging to the broken end of the rail  of The Rustic bridge I did not think I hesitated while my pulse beat twice I spran

g clear of the  bridge into the black Rushing Water dived to the bottom came up again with empty hands turned  and swam downward Through The Grotto into the thick Darkness plunging and Diving at every stroke  striking my head and hands against Jagged stones and sharp Corners clutching at last something in  my fingers and dragging it up with all my might I spoke I cried aloud but there was no answer I  was alone in the pitchy darkness with my burden and the house was 500 yd away struggling still 

I felt the ground beneath my feet I saw a ray of moonlight The Grotto widened and the deep water  became a broad and Shallow Brook as I stumbled over the stones and at last laid Margaret's body  on the bank in the park Beyond I willly as the Clock Struck said the voice of Judith the Welsh  nurse as she bent down and looked at the white face the old woman must have turned back and  followed us seen the accident and slipped out by the Lower Gate of the garden I she groaned you  have fed the woman

of the water this night Willie while the Clock Was striking I scarcely heard her  as I knelt beside the lifeless body of the woman I loved chafing the white wet temples and gazing  wildly into the the wide staring eyes I remember only the first returning look of Consciousness the  first heaving breath the first movement of those dear hands stretching out towards me that is not  much of a story you say it's the story of my life that is all it do not pretend to be anything else  old Judith says m

y luck turned on that Summer's night while I was struggling in the water to  save all that was worth living for a month later there was a stone bridge above The Grotto  and Margaret and I stood on it and looked up at the moonlit Castle as we had done once before and  as we have done many times since for all those things happened 10 years ago last summer and this  is the 10th Christmas Eve we have spent together by The Roaring logs in the old Hall talking of old  times and every year there are mo

re old times to talk of there are curly-headed boys too with red  gold hair and dark brown eyes like their mothers and a little Margaret with solemn black eyes like  mine why could she not look like her mother too as well as the rest of them the world is very bright  at this glorious Christmas time and perhaps there is little use in calling up the sadness of long  ago unless it be to make the Jolly fir light seem more cheerful the good wife's face looked gladder  and to give the children's laugh

ter a merrier ring by contrast with all that is gone perhaps too some  sad-faced little less Melancholy youth who feels that the world is very Hollow and that life is  like a Perpetual Funeral Service just as I used to feel myself may take courage from my example  and having found the woman of his heart ask her to marry him after half an hour's acquaintance but  on the whole I would not advise any man to marry for the simple reason that no man will ever find  a wife like mine and being obliged t

o go farther he will necessarily feare worse my wife wife has  done Miracles but I will not assert that any other woman is able to follow her example Margaret  always said that the old place was beautiful and that I ought to be proud of it I dare say  she's right she has even more imagination than I but I have a good answer and a plain one which  is this that all the beauty of the castle comes from her she has breathed upon it all as the  children blow upon the cold glass window panes in Winter

and as their warm breath crystallizes  into Landscapes from Fairyland full of Exquisite shapes and traceries upon the blank surface so her  spirit has transformed every gray stone of the old Towers every ancient tree and hedge in the gardens  every thought in my once Melancholy self all that was old is Young and all that was sad is glad and  I am the gladdest of all whatever Heaven may be there is no earthly Paradise without woman nor is  there anywhere a place so so desolate so dreary so unutte

rably miserable that a woman cannot make it  seem heaven to the man she loves and who loves her I hear certain cynics laugh and cry that all that  has been said before do not laugh my good cynic you are too small a man to laugh at such a great  thing as love prayers have been said before now by many and perhaps you say yours too I do not  think they lose anything by being repeated nor You by repeating them you say that the world is  bitter and full of the Waters of bitterness love and so live th

at you may be loved the world will  turn sweet for you and you shall rest Like Me By the Waters of paradise section three the Shadows  on the wall by Mary Elena Wilkins Freeman 1852 to 1930 Henry had words with Edward in the  study the night before Edward died said Carolyn Glenn she was elderly tall and harshly  thin with the hard colorlessness of face she spoke not with acrimony but with grave severity  Rebecca Anglin younger stouter and Rosy of face between her crinkling puffs of gray hair gas

sed  by way of ascent she sat in a white flounce of black silk in the corner of the sofa and rolled  terrified eyes from from her sister Carolyn to her sister Mrs Steven Bram who had been Emma  Glenn the one beauty of the family she was beautiful still with a large Splendid full-blown  Beauty she filled a great rocking chair with her superb bulk of femininity and swayed gently  back and forth her black silks whispering and her black Frills fluttering even the shock of  death for her brother Edwa

rd laid dead in the house could not disturb her outward Serenity  of demeanor she she was grieved over the loss of her brother he had been the youngest and she  had been fond of him but never had Emma Brigham lost sight of her own importance amidst the  Waters of tribulation she was always awake to the consciousness of her own stability in the  midst of vicissitudes and the Splendor of her permanent bearing but even the expression of  masterly placidity changed before her sister Carolyn's announ

cement and her sister Rebecca  an's gasp of Terror and distress in response I think Henry might have controlled his temper  when poor Edward was so near his end said she with an asperity which Disturbed slightly the  rosette curves of her beautiful mouth of course he did not know said Rebecca and in a faint tone  strangely out of keeping with her appearance one involuntarily looked again to be sure that such a  feeble pipe came from that full swelling chest of course he did not know it said Caro

lyn quickly  she turned on her sister with a strange sharp look of Suspicion how could he have known it  said she then she shrank as if from the others possible answer of course you and I both know  he could not said she conclusively but her pale face was paler than it had been before Rebecca  gasped again the married sister Mrs Emma briam was now sitting up straight in her chair she  ceased rocking and was eyeing them both intently with a sudden accentuation of family likeness in  her face give

n one common intensity of emotion and similar lines showed forth and the Three  Sisters of One race were evident what do you mean said she impartially to them both then she  too seemed to shrink before the possible answer she even laughed an evasive sort of laugh I  guess you don't mean anything said she but her face were still the expression of shrinking  horror nobody means anything said Carolyn firmly she Rose and crossed the room toward the door  with grim decisiveness where are you going as

ked Mrs Brigham I have something to see to replied  Carolyn and the others at once Knew by her tone that she had some solemn and sad duty to perform  in the chamber of death oh said Mrs briam after the door had closed behind Carolyn she turned to  Rebecca did Henry have many words with him she asked they were talking very loud replied Rebecca  evasively yet with an answering gleam of ready response to the other's curiosity in the quick  lift of her soft blue eyes eyes Mrs Brigham looked at her s

he had not resumed rocking she still sat  up straight with a slight knitting of intensity on her Fair forehead between the pretty Rippling  curves of her oburn hair did you hear anything she asked in a low voice with a glance toward the  door I was just across the hall in the South parlor and that door was open to this door a jar  replied Rebecca with a slight flush then you must have I couldn't help it everything most of it what  was it the old story I suppose Henry was mad as he always was bec

ause Edward was living on here for  nothing when he had wasted all the money father left him Rebecca nodded with a fearful glance  at the door when Emma spoke again her voice was still more hushed I know how he felt said she  he had always been so prudent himself and worked hard at his profession and there Edward had never  done anything but spend and it must have looked to him as if Edward was living at his expense but he  wasn't no he wasn't it was the way father left the property that all the

children should have a home  here and he left money enough to buy the food and all if we had all come home yes and Edward had a  right here according to the terms of Father's will and Henry ought to have remembered it yes he ought  thought did he say hard things pretty hard from what I heard what I heard him tell Edward that he  had no business here at all and he thought he had better go away what did Edward say that he would  stay here as long as he lived and afterwards too if he was a mind to

and he would like to see Henry  get him out and then what then he laughed what did Henry say I didn't hear him say anything anything  but but what I saw him when he came out of this room he looked mad you've seen him when he looks  so Emma nodded the expression of horror on her face had deepened do you remember that time he  killed the cat because she had scratched him yes don't then Carolyn re-entered the room she went up  to the stove in which a wood fire was burning it was a cold gloomy day

of fall and she warmed her  hands which were rened from recent washing in cold water Mrs Brigham looked at her and hesitated she  glanced at the door which was still a jar as it did not easily shut being still swollen with the  damp weather of the Summer She Rose and pushed it together with a sharp thud which Jarred the house  Rebecca started painfully with a half exclamation Carolyn looked at her disapprovingly it is time  you control your nerves Rebecca said she I can't help it replied Rebecca

with almost a whale I  am nervous there is enough to make me so the Lord knows what do you mean by that asked Caroline  with her old Air of sharp suspicion and something between Challenge and Dread of its being met  Rebecca shrank nothing said she then I wouldn't keep speaking in such a fashion Emma returning  from the closed door said imperiously that it ought to be fixed it shut so hard it will shrink  enough after we've had a fire a few days replied Carolyn if anything is done to it it will

be too  small there will be a crack at the sill I think Henry ought to be ashamed of himself for talking  as he did to Edward said Mrs pram abruptly but in an almost inaudible voice hush said carollyn  with a glance of actual fear at the closed door nobody can hear with the door shut he must have  heard it shut and well I can say what I want to before he comes down and I'm not afraid of him  I don't know who is afraid of him what reason is there for anybody to be afraid of Henry demanded  Caroly

n Mrs Brigham trembled before her sister's look Rebecca gasped again there isn't any reason  of course why should there be I wouldn't speak so then somebody might overhear you and think it was  queer Miranda Joy is in the South parlor suing you know I thought she went upstairs to stitch on the  machine she did but she has come down again well she can't hear I say again again I think Henry  ought to be ashamed of himself I shouldn't think he'd ever get over it having words with poor  Edward the v

ery night before he died Edward was in a sight better disposition than Henry with all  his faults I always thought a great deal of poor Edward myself Mrs Brigham passed a large fluff  of handkerchief across her eyes Rebecca sobbed outright Rebecca said Carolyn admonishing keeping  her mouth stiff and swallowing determinately I never heard him speak a cross word unless he  spoke cross to Henry that last night I don't know but he did from what Rebecca overheard said  Emma not so much cross as sort

of soft and sweet and aggravating sniffled Rebecca he never raised  his voice said Caroline but he had his way he had a right to in this case yes he did he had as much  right here as Henry sobbed Rebecca and now he's gone and he will never be in this home that poor  father left him and the rest of us again what do you really think AED Edward asked Emma in hardly  more than than a whisper she did not look at her sister Caroline sat down in a nearby armchair  and clutched the arms convulsively un

til her thin Knuckles whitened I told you said she Rebecca  held her handkerchief over her mouth and looked at them above it with terrified streaming eyes I know  you said that he had terrible pains in his stomach and had spasms but what do you think made him have  them Henry called it gastric trouble Henry called it gastric trouble you know Edward has always had  dispepsia Mrs spram hesitated a moment was there any talk of an examination said she then Carolyn  turned on her fiercely no said she

in a terrible voice no the three sisters Souls seemed to meet  on one common ground of terrified understanding through their eyes the oldfashioned latch of the  door was heard to Rattle and a push from without made the door Shake ineffectually it's Henry  Rebecca side rather than whispered Mrs Brigham settled herself after a noisess rush across the  floor into her rocking chair again and was swaying back and forth with her head comfortably leaning  back when the door at last yielded and Henry G

lenn entered he cast a covertly sharp comprehensive  glance at Mrs Brigham with her elaborate calm at Rebecca quietly huddled in the corner of the  sofa with her handkerchief to her face and only one small rened ear as attentive as a dog's  uncovered and revealing her alertness for his presence at Carolyn sitting with her strained  composure in her armchair by the stove she met his eyes quite firmly with a look of inscrutable  fear and Defiance of the fear and of him Henry Glenn looked more like

this sister than the  others both had the same hard delicacy of form and feature both were tall and almost emaciated  both had a sparse growth of gray blonde hair far back from high intellectual foreheads both had an  almost Noble equinity of feature they confronted each other with the pitiless immovability of two  statues in whose marble lineaments emotions were fixed for all eternity then Henry glinton  smiled and the smile transformed his face he looked suddenly years younger and an almost 

boyish recklessness and irresolution appeared in his face he flung himself into a chair with  a gesture which was bewildering from its in congruity with his General appearance he leaned  his head head back flung one leg over the other and looked laughingly at Mrs briam I declare Emma  you grow younger every year he said she flushed a little and her Placid mouth widened at the corners  she was susceptible to praise our thoughts today ought to belong to the one of us who will never  grow older sai

d Carolyn in a hard voice Henry looked at her still smiling of course we none of  us forget that said he in a deep gentle voice but we have to speak to the living Carolyn and I have  not seen Emma for a long time and the living are as dear as the dead not to me said Carolyn she  Rose and went abruptly out of the room again Rebecca also Rose and hurried after her sobbing  loudly Henry looked slowly after them Caroline is completely unstrung said he Mrs Brigham rocked  a confidence in him inspired

by his manner was stealing over her out of that confidence she  spoke quite easily and naturally his death was very sudden said she Henry's eyelids quivered  slightly but his gaze was unswerving yes said he it was very sudden he was sick only a few hours  what did you call it gastric you did not think of an examination there was no need I am perfectly  certain as to the cause of his death suddenly Mrs Brigham felt a creep as of some live horror  over over her very Soul her flesh prickled with c

old before an inflection of his voice she rose  tottering on weak knees where are you going asked Henry in a strange breathless voice Mrs briam said  something incoherent about some suing which she had to do some black for the funeral and was out  of the room she went up to the front chamber which she occupied Carolyn was there she went close to  her and took her hands and the two sisters looked at each other don't speak don't I won't have it  said Carolyn finally in an awful whisper I won't rep

lied Emma that afternoon the three sisters  were in the study the large front room on the ground floor across the hall from the south  parlor when the dusk deepened Mrs Brigham was Hamming some black material she sat close to the  West window for the waning light at last she laid her work on her lap it's no use I cannot see to  sue another Stitch until we have a light said she Carolyn who was writing some letters at the table  turned to Rebecca in her usual place on the sofa Rebecca you had bett

er get a lamb she said Rebecca  started up even in the dusk her face showed her agitation it doesn't seem to me that we need  a lamp quite yet she said in a pous pleading voice like a child yes we do returned Mrs briam  peremptorily we must have a light I must finish this tonight or I can't go to the funeral and  I can't see to sue another Stitch Caroline can see to write letters and she is farther from the  window than you are said Rebecca are you trying to save kerosine or are you lazy Rebecca

Glenn cried  Mrs Brigham I can go and get the light myself but I have this work all in my lap Carolyn's pen  stopped scratching Rebecca we must have the light said she have we better have it in here asked  Rebecca weakly of course why not cried carollyn St stly I am sure I don't want to take my seing  into the other room when it is all cleaned up for tomorrow said Mrs Brigham why I never heard such  a to do about lighting a lamp Rebecca rose and left the room presently she entered with a lamp 

a large one with a white porcelain shade she set it on a table an old-fashioned card table which  was placed against the opposite wall from the window that wall was clear of bookcases and books  which were only on three sides of the room that opposite wall was taken up with three doors the  one small space being occupied by the table above the table on the old-fashioned paper of a white  setting gloss traversed by an indeterminate green scroll hung quite High a small guilt and black  framed Ivor

y miniature taken in her girlhood of the mother of the family when the lamp was set on  the table beneath it the tiny pretty face painted on the ivory seemed to gleam out with a look of  intelligence what have you put that lamp over there for asked Mrs briam with more of impatience  than her voice usually revealed why didn't you set it in the hall and have done with it neither  Caroline nor I can see if it is on that table I thought perhaps you would move replied Rebecca  hely if I do move we ca

n't both sit at that table Carolin has her paper all spread around why don't  you set the lamp on the study table in the middle of the room then we can both see Rebecca hesitated  her face was very pale she looked with an appeal that was fairly agonizing at her sister Caroline  why don't you put that lamp on this table as she says asked Caroline almost fiercely why do you  act so Rebecca I should think you would ask her that said Mrs briam she doesn't act like herself  at all Rebecca took the la

mp and set it on the table in the middle of the room without another  word then she turned her back upon it quickly and seated herself on the sofa and placed her hand  over her eyes as to shade them and remain so does the light hurt your eyes and is that the  reason why you didn't want the lamp asked Mrs briam kindly I always like to sit in the dark  replied Rebecca chokingly then she snatched her handkerchief hastily from her pocket and began  to weep Carolyn continued to write Mrs Brigham to s

ue end of section three section four the  shadow on the Wall Part Two by Mary elanar Wilkins Freeman suddenly Mrs Brigham as she  sewed glanced at the opposite wall the glance became a steady stare she looked intently her  work suspended in her hands then she looked away again and took a few more stitches then  she looked again and again turned to her task at last she laid her work in her lap and stared  concentratedly she looked from the wall around the roof taking note of the various objects s

he  looked at the wall long and intently then she turned to her sisters what is that she said  what asked Carolyn harshly her pen scratched loudly across the paper Rebecca gave one of  her convulsive gasps that strange shadow on the wall replied Mrs bickham Rebecca sat with  her face hidden Carolyn dipped her pen in the ink why don't you turn around and look asked Mrs  bigam in a Wandering and somewhat AG grieved way I am in a hurry to finish this letter if Mrs  Wilson ebot is going to get word

in time to come to the funeral replied Carolyn shortly Mrs  Brigham Rose her work slipping to the floor and she began walking around the room moving various  articles of furniture with her eyes on the shadow then suddenly she shrieked out look at this awful  Shadow what is it Carolyn look look Rebecca look what is it all Mrs Brigham's triumphant placidity  was gone her handsome face was livid with horror she stood stiffly pointing at the shadow look  she said pointing her finger at it look what

is it then Rebecca burst out in a wild whale after  a shuttering glance at the wall oh Carolyn there it is again there it is again Carolyn Glenn you  look said Mrs brigam look what is that Dreadful shadow Carolyn Rose turned and stood confronting  the wall how should I know she said it has been there every night since he died cried Rebecca  every night yes he died Thursday this is Saturday that makes three nights said Carolyn rigidly  she stood as if holding herself calm with a vice of concentra

ted will it it looks like like  stammered Mrs Brigham in a tone of intense horror I know what it looks like well enough said  Carolyn I've got eyes in my head it looks like Edward burst out Rebecca in a sort of frenzy of  fear only yes it does ascended Mrs brigam whose horror stricken tone matched her sisters only oh  it's awful what is it Carolyn I ask you again how should I know replied Carolyn I see it there  like you how should I know any more than you it must be something in the room said M

rs brigam  staring wildly around we've moved everything in the room the first night it came said Rebecca it's  not anything in the room Carolyn turned upon her with a sort of Fury of course it's something in  the room she said how you act what do you mean by talking so of course it is something in the  room of course it is agreed Mrs Brigham looking at Carolyn suspiciously of course it must be  it is only a coincidence it just happens so perhaps it is that fold of the window curtain  that makes

it it must be something in the room it's not anything in the room repeated be Rebecca  with obstinate horror the door suddenly opened and Henry Glenn entered he began to speak then  his eyes followed the direction of the others he stood stock still staring at the shadow on  the wall it was lifesize and stretched across the white parallelogram of a door half across  the wall space on which the picture hung what is that he demanded in a strange voice it must  be due to Something in the room Mrs br

igam said faintly it's not due to anything in the room said  Rebecca again with a shrill intensity of Terror how you act Rebecca Glenn said Carolyn Henry Glenn  stood and stared a moment longer his face showed a gamut of emotions horror conviction then Furious  incredulity suddenly he began hastening hither and thither about the room he moved the furniture with  Fierce jerks turning ever to see the effect upon the shadow on the wall not a line of its terrible  outlines wavered it must be somethi

ng in the room he declared in a voice which seemed to snap Like  A Lash his face changed the inmost secrecy of his nature seemed evident until one almost lost sight  of his linament Rebecca stood close to her sofa regarding him with woeful fascinated eyes Mrs  Brigham clutched Carolyn's hand they both stood in a corner out of the way for a few moments he  raged about the room like a caged wild animal he moved every piece of furniture when the moving  of a piece did not affect the shadow he flung

it to the floor his sisters watching then suddenly  he desisted he laughed and began straightening the furniture which he had flung down what an  absurdity he said easily such a Todo about a shadow that's so ascented Mrs briam in a scared  voice which she tried to make natural as she spoke she lifted a chair near her I think you  have broken the chair that Edward was so fond of said Carolyn Terror and WRA W were struggling  for expression on her face her mouth was set her eyes shrinking Henry l

ifted the chair with a  show of anxiety just as good as ever he said pleasantly he laughed again looking at his sisters  did I scare you he said I should think you might be used to me by this time you know my way of  wanting to LEAP to the bottom of a mystery and that shadow does look queer like and I thought  if there was any way of accounting for it I would like to do do it without any delay  you don't seem to have succeeded remarked Carolyn dryly with a slight glance at the wall  Henry's eyes

followed hers and he quivered perceptively oh there's no accounting for Shadows  he said and he laughed again a man is a fool to try to account for Shadows then the supperbell  rang and they all left the room but Henry kept his back to the wall as did indeed the others Mrs  brigam pressed close to Carolyn as she crossed the hall it looks like a demon she breathed in  her ear Henry led the way with an alert motion like a boy Rebecca brought up the rear she could  scarcely walk her knees trembled

so I can't sit in that room again this evening she whispered to  Carolyn after supper very well we'll sit in the South room replied Carolyn I think we will sit in  the South parlor she said loud it isn't as damp as the study and I have a cold so they all sat  in the South room with their sewing Henry read the newspaper his chair drawn close to the lamp on  the table about 9:00 he rose abruptly and crossed the hall to the study the three sisters looked at  one another Mrs brigam Rose folded her

rustling skirts compactly around her and began tiptoeing  toward the door what are you going to do inquired Rebecca agitatedly I'm going to see what he is  about replied Mrs Brigham cautiously she pointed as she spoke to the study door across the hall it  was a jar Henry had striven to pull it together behind him but it had somehow swollen beyond the  limit with curious speed it was still a jar and a streak of light showed from top to bottom the  hall lamp was not lit you had better stay where y

ou are are said Carolyn with guarded sharpness  I'm going to see repeated Mrs Brigham firmly then she folded her skirt so tightly that her bulk with  its swelling curves was revealed in a black silk sheath she went with a slow toddle across the hall  to the study door she stood there her eye at the crack in the South room Rebecca stopped sewing  and sat watching with dilated eyes Carolyn sewed steadily what Miss Bram standing at the crack in  the study door saw was this Henry Glenn evidently rea

soning that the source of the strange Shadow  must be between the table on which the lamp stood and the wall was making systematic passes and  thrusts all over and through the intervening space with an old sword which had belonged to his  father not an inch was left unpierced he seemed to have divided the space into mathematical sections  he brandished the sword with a sort of cold Fury and calculation the blade gave out flashes of  light the shadow remained unmoved Mrs Brigham watching felt her

self cold with horror finally  Henry ceased and stood with the sword in hand and raised as if to strike surveying the shadow  on the wall threateningly Mrs Brigham toddled back across the hall and shut the South room door  behind her before she related what she had seen he looks like a demon she said again have you  got any of that old wine in the house Carolyn I don't feel as if I could stand much more indeed  she looked overcome her handsome Placid face was worn and strain and pale yes there's

plenty said  Carolyn you can have some when you go to bed I think we had all better take some said Mrs briam  oh my God Carolyn what don't ask and don't speak said Caroline no I I'm not going to replied Mrs  Bram but Rebecca moaned aloud what are you doing that for asked Carolyn harshly poor Edward  returned Rebecca that is all you have to Gran for Carolyn there is nothing else I am going to  bed Mrs BR I sh be able to be at the funeral if I don't soon the three sisters went to their  Chambers

and the South Park par was deserted Carolyn called to Henry in the study to put out  the light before he came upstairs they had been gone about an hour when he came into the room  bringing the lamp which had stood in the study he set it down on the table and waited a few minutes  pacing up and down his face was terrible his fair complexion showed livid his blue eyes seemed dark  blanks of awful Reflections then he took the lamp up and returned to the library he set the the  lamp on the center ta

ble and the shadow sprang out on the wall again he studied the furniture  and moved it about but deliberately with none of his former frenzy nothing affected the shadow  then he returned to the South room with the lamp and again waited again he returned to the study  and placed the lamp on the table and the shadow sprang out from the wall it was midnight before  he went upstairs Mrs Brigham and the other sisters who could not sleep heard him the next day was  the funeral that evening the family

sat in the South room some relatives were with them nobody  entered the study until Henry carried a lamp in there after the others had retired for the night  he saw again the shadow on the wall leap to an awful life before the light the next morning at  breakfast Henry Glenn announced that he had to go to the city for 3 Days the sisters looked at him  with surprise he very seldom left home and just now his practice had been neglected on account  of Edward's Death he was a physician how can you l

eave your patience now asked Mrs Brigham  wonderingly I don't know how to but there is no other way replied Henry easily I have had a  telegram from Dr mitford consultation inquired Mrs Brigham I have business replied Henry Dr  midford was an old classmate of his who lived in a neighboring City and who occasionally  called upon him in the case of consultation after he had gone Mrs brigam said to Carolyn that  after all Henry had not said that he was going to consult with Dr midford and she thoug

ht it very  strange everything is very strange said Rebecca with a shudder what do you mean inquired Carolyn  sharply nothing replied Rebecca nobody entered the library that day nor the next nor the next the  third day Henry was expected home but he did not arrive and the last train from the city had come  I call it pretty queer work said Mrs Brigham the idea of a doctor leaving his patients for 3 Days  anyhow at such a time as this and I know he has some very sick ones he said so and the idea o

f a  consultation lasting 3 days there is no sense in it and now he has not come I don't understand it  for my part I don't either said Rebecca they were all in the South parlor there was no light in the  study opposite and the door was a jar presently Mrs Brigham Rose she could not have told why  something seemed to impel her some will outside her own she went out of the room again wrapping  her rustling skirts around that she might pass noiselessly and began pushing at the swollen door  of the

study she has not got any lamp said Rebecca in a shaking voice Carolin who was writing letters  rose again took a lamp there were two in the room and followed her sister Rebecca had risen but  she stood trembling not venturing to follow the doorbell rang but the others did not hear it it  was on the south door on the other side of the house from the study Rebecca after hesitating  until the bell rang the second time went to the door she remembered that the servant was out  Carolyn and her siste

r Emma entered the study Carolyn set the lamp on the table they looked at  the wall oh my God guessed Mrs Brigham there are there are two Shadows the sisters stood clutching  each other staring at the awful things on the wall then Rebecca came in staggering with the  telegram in her hand here is a telegram Henry is dead end of section four  recorded by J Martin section five the Corpus deti part one by Melville Davidson  post 1869 through 1930 Melville Davidson post introduction to the Corpus det

i The High Ground  of the field of crime has not been explored it has not even been entered the book stalls have been  filled to weariness with Tales based upon plans whereby the detective or faring power of the state  might be baffled but prodigious Marvel no writer has attempted to construct Tales based upon plans  whereby the punishing power of the state might be baffled the distinction if if one pauses for a  moment to consider it is striking it is possible even easy deliberately to plan cri

mes so that the  criminal agent and the criminal agency cannot be detected is it possible to plan and execute wrongs  in such a manner that they will have all the effect and all the resulting profit of desperate  crimes and yet not be crimes before the law we are prone to forget that the law is no perfect  structure that it is simp simply the result of human labor and human genius and that whatever  laws human Ingenuity can create for the protection of men those same laws human Ingenuity can eva

de  the spirit of evil is no dwarf he has developed equally with the spirit of good all wrongs are  not crimes indeed only those wrongs are crimes in which certain technical elements are present the  law provides a procrasti standard for all crimes thus a wrong to become criminal must fit exactly  into the measure laid down by the law else it is no crime if it varies never so little from the  legal measure the law must and will refuse to regard it as criminal no matter how injurious a  wrong it

may be there is no measure of morality or Equity or common right that can be applied to the  individual case the gauge of the law is Ironbound the wrong measured by this gauge is either a crime  or it is not there is no middle ground hence is it that if one knows well the technicalities of  the law one may commit horrible wrongs that will yield all the gain and all the resulting effect of  the highest crimes and yet the wrongs perpetrated will constitute no one of the crimes described by  the la

w thus the highest crimes even murder may be committed in such a manner that although  the criminal is known and the law holds him in custody yet it cannot punish him so it happens  that in this year of our lord of the 19th century the skillful attorney Marvels at the stupidity of  the Rogue who committing Crimes by the ordinary methods subjects himself to unnecessary Peril when  the result which he seeks can easily be attained by other methods equally expeditious and without  danger of liabilit

y in any criminal tribunal this is the field into which the author has ventured  and he believes it to be new and full of Interest it may be objected that the writer has prepared  here a textbook for the shrewd Nave to this it is answered that if he instructs the enemies  he also warns the friends of Law and Order and that evil has never yet been stronger because the  sun Shone on it the Corpus deti part one that man Mason said said Samuel Wilcock is the mysterious  member of this club he is mor

e than that he is the mysterious man of New York I was much surprised to  see him answered His companion Marshall stclair of the Great Law Firm of seaward St Clair and deuth  I had lost track of him since he went to Paris as Council for the American stockholders of the  canal company when did he come back to the states he turned up Suddenly in his ancient haunts about  four months ago said Walcott as Grand gloomy as peculiar as Napoleon ever was in his palest days  the younger members of the clu

b call him Zona redivivus he wanders through the house usually  at night apparently without noticing anything or anybody his mind seems to be deeply and busily  at work leaving his bodily self to wander as it may happen naturally strange stories are told  of him indeed his individuality and his habit of doing some unexpected thing and doing it in  such a marvelously original manner that that men who are experts at it look on in Wonder cannot  fail to make him an object of Interest he has never b

een known to play at any game whatever and  yet one night he sat down to the chess table with old Admiral du you know the Admiral is the great  Champion since he beat the French and English officers in the tournament last winter well you  also know that the conventional openings at chess are scientifically and accurately determined to  the utter disgust of du Mason opened the game with an unheard of attack from the extremes  of the board the old Admiral stopped and in a kindly patronizing way po

inted out the weak and  absurd Folly of his move and asked him to begin again with some one of the safe openings Mason  smiled and answered that if one had a head that he could trust he should use it if not then  it was the part of wisdom to follow blindly the Dead forms of some man who had a head due was  naturally angry and set himself to demolish Mason as quickly as possible the game was rapid for  a few moments Mason lost piece after piece his opening was broken and destroyed and its utter 

Folly apparent to the Lookers on the Admiral smiled and the game seemed all one-sided when  suddenly to his utter horror dubra found that his King was in a trap the foolish opening had  been only a piece of shrewd strategy the old Admiral fought and cursed and sacrificed his  pieces but it was of no use he was gone Mason checkmated him in two moves and arose wearily  where in Heaven's name man said the old Admiral thunder struck did you learn that Masterpiece just  here replied Mason to play che

ss one should know his opponent how could the dead Masters lay down  Rules by which you could be beaten sir they had never seen you and there whereupon he turned  and left the room of course St Clair such a strange man would soon become an object of all  kinds of mysterious rumors some are true and some are not at any rate I know that Mason is an  unusual man with a gigantic intellect of late he seems to have taken a strange fancy to me in fact  I seem to be the only member of the club that he w

ill talk with and I confess that he startles  and fascinates me he is an original genius St Clair of an unusual order I recall vividly said  the younger man that before Mason went to Paris he was considered one of the greatest lawyers  of the city and he was feared and hated by the bar at large he came here I believe from Virginia  and began with a high-grade Criminal practice he soon became famous for his powerful and ingenious  defenses he found holes in the law through which his clients escap

ed holes that by the profession  at large were not suspected to exist and that frequently astonished the judges his ability  caught the attention of the great corporations they tested him and found in him learning and  unlimited resources he pointed out methods by which they could evade obnoxious statutes by which  they could comply with the apparent letter of the law and yet violate its spirit and advised them  well in that most important of all things just how far they could bend the law witho

ut breaking  it at the time he left for Paris he had a vast clientage and was in the midst of a brilliant  career the day he took past Mage from New York the bar lost sight of him no matter how great  a man may be the wave soon closes over him in a city like this in a few years Mason was forgotten  now only the older practitioners would recall him and they would do so with hatred and bitterness  he was a tireless Savage uncompromising fighter always a recluse well said Walcott he reminds me  of

a great world weary cynic transplanted from some ancient mysterious Empire when I come into  the man's presence I feel instinctively in the grip of his intellect I tell you stclair Randolph  Mason is the mysterious man of New York at this moment a messenger boy came into the room and  handed Mr Walcott a telegram St Clare said that gentleman Rising the directors of the elevated  are in session and we must hurry the two men put on their coats and left the house Samuel well  cut was not a club man

after the manner of the Smart Set and yet he was in fact a club man he  was a bachelor in the latter 30s and resided in a great Silent House on the Avenue on the street  he was a man of substance shrewd and Progressive backed by great wealth he had various corporate  interests of the larger syndicates but the basis and Foundation of his fortune was real estate  his houses on the Avenue were the best possible property and his elevator Row in the importers  quarter was indeed a little literal gol

d mine it was known that many years before his grandfather  had died and left him the property which at that time was of no Great Value young Walcott had gone  out into the goldfields and had been lost sight of and forgotten 10 years afterwards he had turned  up Suddenly in New York and taken possession of his property then vastly increased in value his  speculations were almost phenomenally successful and backed by the now enormous value of his real  property he was soon on a level with the mer

chant princes his judgment was considered sound and he  had the full confidence of his business associates for safety and caution Fortune heaped up riches  around him with a lavish hand he was unmarried and the Halo of his wealth caught the Keen Eye of the  matron with marriageable daughters he was invited out caught by the Whirl of society and tossed into  its mailstrom in a measure he reciprocated he kept horses and a yacht his dinners at at Del mono's  and the club were above reproach but wit

h all he was a silent man with a shadow deep in his eyes  and seemed to court the Society of his fellows not because he loved them but because he either  hated or feared Solitude for years the strategy of the Matchmaker had gone gracefully a field but  fate is Relentless if she Shields the victim from the traps of men it is not because she wishes  him to escape but because she is pleased to Res serve him for her own trap so it happened  that when Virginia St Clair assisted Mrs Miriam Stant at he

r midwinter reception this same Samuel  welcott fell deeply and hopelessly and utterly in love and it was so apparent to the beaten generals  present that Mrs Miriam Stant applauded herself so to speak with enor after enor it was good to see  this courteous silent man literally at the feet of the young debutant he was there of right even  the mothers of marriageable daughters admitted that the young girl was brown-haired brown eyed  and tall enough said the experts and of the blue blood Royal wi

th all the grace courtesy and  imbred Genius of such princely Heritage perhaps it was objected by the censors of the smart set  that Miss St Clair's frankness and honesty were a trifle oldfashioned and that she was a shadowy  bit of a Puritan and perhaps it was of these same qualities that Samuel Walcott received his hurt  at any rate the hurt was there and deep and the new actor stepped up into the oldtime worn semi-  tragic drama and began his role with a tireless utter sincerity that was dead

ly dangerous if  he lost perhaps a week after the conversation between St Clair and Walcott Randolph Mason stood  in the private waiting room of the club with his hands behind his back he was a man apparently in  the middle 40s tall and reasonably broad across the shoulders muscular without being either  stout or lean his hair was thin and of a brown color with erratic streaks of gray his forehead  was Broad and high and of a faint reddish color his eyes were restless Inky black and not over  la

rge the nose was big and muscular and boded the eyebrows were black and heavy almost bushy  there were heavy furrows running from the nose downward and outward to the corners of the mouth  the mouth mouth was straight and the jaw was heavy and square looking at the face of Randolph Mason  from above the expression in Repose was crafty and cynical viewed from below upward it was Savage  and vindictive almost brutal while from the front if looked squarely in the face The Stranger was  fascinated b

y the animation of the man and at once concluded that his expression was fearless and  sneering he was evidently of Southern extraction and a man of unusual power a fire smoldered on the  Hearth it was a crisp evening in the early fall and with that far off touch of melancholy which  ever Heralds the coming winter even in the midst of a city the man's face looked tired and ugly his  long white hands were clasped tight together his entire figure and face wore every Mark of weakness  and physical

exhaustion but his eyes contradicted they were red and Restless in the private dining  room the dinner party was in the best of spirits Samuel Walcott was happy happy across a table from  him was Miss Virginia stclair radiant a tinge of color in her cheeks on either side Miss Miriam  Stant and Marshall stclair were brilliant and light-hearted Walcott looked at the young girl and  the measure of his worship was full he wondered for the thousandth time how she could possibly  love him and by what

Earthly Miracle she had come to accept him and how it would be to always have  her across the table from him his own table table in his own house they were about to rise from  the table when one of the waiters entered the room and handed Walcott an envelope he thrust it  quickly into his pocket in the confusion of rising the others did not notice him but his face was  Ash white and His Hands trembled violently as he placed the wraps around the bewitching shoulders  of Miss St Clair Marshall he s

aid and despite the powerful effort his voice was Hollow you will see  the lady safely cared for I am called to attend a grave matter all right Walcott answered the  young man with cheery good nature you are too serious old man TR along the poor dear murmured  Miss duvant after Walcott had helped them to the carriage and turned to go up the steps of the club  the poor deer is hard hit and men are such funny creatures when they are hard hit Samuel Walcott as  his fate would went direct to the pri

vate writing room and opened the door the lights were not  turned on and in the dark he did not see Mason motionless by the mantle shelf he went quickly  across the room to the writing table turned on one of the lights and taking the envelope from his  pocket tore it open then he bent down by the Light to read the contents as his eyes ran over the  paper his jaw fell the skin Drew away from his cheekbones and his face seemed literally to sink  in his knees gave way under him and he would have go

ne down in a heap had it not been for Mason's  long arms that closed around him and held him up the human economy is ever mysterious the moment  the new danger threatened the latent power of the man as an animal hidden away in the centers of  intelligence asserted itself his hand clutched the paper and with a half slide he turned in Mason's  arms for a moment he stared up at the ugly man whose thin arms felt like wire ropes you are Under  The Deadfall a said Mason the cunning of my enemy is Subl

ime your enemy gasped Walcott when did you  come into it how in God's name did you know it how your enemy Mason looked down at the wide bulging  eyes of the man who should know better than I he said haven't I broken through all the traps  and plots that she could set she she trap you the man's voice was full of horror the old schemer  muttered Mason the Cowardly old schemer to strike in the back but we can beat her she did not count  on my helping you I who know her so well Mason's face was red

and his eyes burned in the midst of  it all he had dropped his hands and went over to the fire Samuel Walcott arose panting and stood  looking at Mason with his hands behind him on the table the naturally strong nature and the rigid  School in which the man had been trained presently began to tell his composure in part returned and  he thought rapidly what did this strange man know was he simply making shrewd guesses or had he some  mysterious knowledge of this matter Walcott could not not know

that Mason meant only fate that  he believed her to be his great enemy Walcott had never before doubted his own ability to meet  any emergency this Mighty jerk had carried him off his feet he was unstrung and panic stricken  at any rate this man had promised help he would take it he put the paper and envelope carefully  into his pocket smoothed out his rumbled coat and going over to Mason touched him on the shoulder  come he said if you are going to help me we must go the man turned and followed

him without a word  in the Hall Mason put on his hat and overcoat and the two went out into the street Walcott hailed  a cab and the two were driven to his house on the Avenue Walcott took out his latch key opened the  door and led the way into the library he turned on the light and motioned Mason to seat himself  at the table then he went into another room and presently returned with a bundle of papers and  a decanter of Brandy he poured out a glass of the liquor and offered it to Mason the ma

n shook  his head Walcott poured the contents of the glass down his own throat then he set the decanter  down and Drew up a chair on the side of the table opposite Mason sir said Walcott in a voice  deliberate indeed but as Hollow as auler I am done for God has finally gathered up the ends of the  net and it is knotted tight am I not here to help you said Mason turning savagely I can beat fate  give me the details of her trap he bent forward and rested his arms on the table his streak gray  hair

was rumpled on end and his face was ugly for a moment Walcott did not answer he moved a little  into the shadow then he spread the bundle of old yellow papers out before him to begin with he said  I am living a lie a gilded cry made sham every bit of me there is not an honest piece anywhere it  is all lie I am a liar and a thief before men the property which I possess is not mine but stolen  from a dead man the very name which I bear is not my own but is the bastard child of a crime I  am more

than all that I am a murderer a murderer before the law a murderer before God and worse  than a murderer before the pure woman whom I love more than anything that God could make he paused  for a moment and wiped the perspiration from his face sir said Mason this is all Dil infantile  driil what you are is of no importance how to get out is the problem how to get out Samuel welcott  leaned forward and poured out a glass of Brandy and swallowed it well he said speaking slowly  my right name is Ric

hard Warren in the spring of 1879 I came to New York and fell in with the real  Samuel Walcott a young man with a little money and some property which his grandfather had left him  we became friends and concluded to go to the Far West together accordingly we scraped together what  money we could lay our hands on and landed in the gold mining regions of California we were young  and inexperienced and our money went rapidly one April morning we drifted into a little Shack Camp  a way up in the Sie

rra Nevadas called hell's elbow here we struggled and starved for perhaps a year  finally in utter desperation Walcott married the daughter of a Mexican Gambler who ran an eating  house and a poker joint with them we lived from hand to mouth in a wild godforsaken way for  several years after a Time the woman began to take a strange fancy to me Walcott finally noticed  it and grew jealous One Night in a drunken brawl we quarreled and I killed him it was late at night  and beside the woman there w

ere four of us in the poker room the Mexican Gambler a half breed  devil called cherubin Pete Walcott and myself when Walcott fell the Half Breed whipped out his  weapon and fired at me across the table but the woman Nina sroy struck him's arm and instead of  killing me as he intended the bullet mortally wounded her father the Mexican Gambler I shot  the Half Breed through the forehead and turned round expecting the woman to attack me on the  contrary she pointed to the window and bade me wait f

or her on the cross trail below it was fully  3 hours later before the woman joined me at the place indicated she had a bag of gold dust a few  jewels that belonged to her father and a package of papers I asked her why she had stayed behind so  long and she replied that the men were not killed outright and that she had brought a priest to them  and waited until they had died this was the truth but not all the truth moved by Superstition or  foresight the woman had induced the priest to take down

the sworn statements of the two dying  men seal it and give it to her this paper she brought with her all this I learned afterwards at  the time I knew nothing of this damning evidence we struck out for the Pacific coast the country  was lawless the privations we endured were almost past belief at times the woman exhibited cunning  and ability that were almost genius and through it all often in the very Fingers of Death her  Devotion to me never wavered it was doglike and seemed to be her only

object on earth when  we reached San Francisco the woman put these papers into my hands walcot took up the yellow  package and pushed it across the table to make she proposed that I assume Walcott's name and that  we come boldly to New York and claim the property I examined the papers found a copy of the will  by which Walcott inherited the property a bundle of correspondents and sufficient documentary  evidence to establish his identity beyond the shadow of a doubt desperate Gambler as I now wa

s  I quailed before the daring plan of Nina San Croy I urged that I Richard Warren would be known  that the attempted fraud would be detected and would result in investigation and perhaps unearth  the whole terrible matter the woman pointed out how much I resemble walcut what vast changes 10  years of such Life as we had led would naturally be expected to make in men how utterly impossible  it would be to trace back the fraud to Walcott's murder at El's elbow in the wild passes of the  Sierra Ne

vada she bade me remember that we were both outcasts both crime branded both enemies of  man's law and gods and that we had nothing to lose we were both sunk to the bottom then she laughed  and she said that she had not found me a coward until now but if I had turned chicken-hearted that  was the end of it of course the result was we sold the gold dust and jewels in San Francisco took  on such evidence of civilization as possible and purchased passage to New York on the best steamer  we could fi

nd I was growing to depend on The Bold Gambler Spirit of this woman Nina San Croy I felt  the need of her strong propagate nature she was of a queer breed and a queerer school her mother  was the daughter of a Spanish engineer and had been stolen by the Mexican her father she herself  had been raised and educated as best might be in one of the monasteries along the Rio Grand and  had there grown to Womanhood before her father fleeing into the mountains of California carried  her with him when we

landed in New York I offered to announce her as my wife but she refused saying  that her presence would excite comment and perhaps attract the attention of Walcott's relatives  we therefore arranged that I should go alone into the city claim the property and announc  myself as Samuel Walcott and that she should remain undercover until such time as we would feel  the ground safe under us every detail of the plan was fatally successful I established my identity  without difficulty and secured the

property it had increased vastly in value and I as Samuel Walcott  soon found myself a rich man I went to Nina sroy in hiding and gave her a large sum of money which  she purchased a residence in a retired part of the city far up in the northern suburb here she  lived secluded and unknown while I remained in the city living here as a wealthy Bachelor I did not  attempt to abandon the woman but went to her from time to time in Disguise and under cover of the  greatest secrecy for a time everythi

ng ran smooth the woman was still devoted to me above everything  else and thought always of my welfare first and seemed content to wait so long as I thought  best my business expanded I was sought after and consulted and drawn into the higher life of New  York and more and more felt that the woman was an albatross on my neck I put her off with one excuse  after another finally she began to suspect me and demanded that I should recognize her as my wife  I attempted to point out the difficulties

she met them all by saying that we should both go to Spain  there I could marry her and we could return to America and drop into my place in society without  causing more than a passing comment I concluded to to meet the matter squarely once and for all  I said that I would convert half of the property into money and give it to her but that I would  not marry her she did not fly into a storming rage as I had expected but went quietly out of the  room and presently returned with two papers which

she read one was the certificate of her marriage  to Walcott duly authenticated the other was the dying statement of her father the Mexican Gambler  and of Samuel Walcott charging me with murder it was in proper form and certified by the Jesuit  priest now she said sweetly when she had finished which do you prefer to recognize your wife or to  turn all the property over to Samuel Walcott's Widow and hang for his murder I was dumbfounded  and horrified I saw the Trap that I was in and I consented

to do anything she should say if she  would only destroy the papers this she refused to do I pleaded with her and implored her to destroy  them finally she gave them to me with a great show of returning confidence and I tore them into bits  and threw them into the fire that was 3 months ago we arranged to go to Spain and do as she said she  was to sail this morning and I was to follow of course I never intended to go I congratulated  myself on the fact that all trace of evidence against me was

destroyed and that her grip was  now broken my plan was to induce her to sail believing that I would follow when she was gone  I would marry Miss stclair and if Nina San Croy should return I would defy her and lock her up as  a lunatic but I was Reckoning like an infernal ass to imagine for a moment that I could thus Hoodwink  such a woman as Nina San Croy tonight I received this walcut took the envelope from his pocket and  gave it to Mason you saw the effect of it read it and you will understa

nd why I felt the death hand  when I saw her writing on the envelope Mason took the paper from the envelope it was written in  Spanish and ran greeting to Richard Warren the great seor does his little nah Injustice to think  she would go away to Spain and leave him to the beautiful American she is not so thoughtless  before she goes she shall be also very rich and the dear senor shall be alsoo very safe the  Archbishop and the kind Church hate murderers Nas and Croy of course fool the papers you

destroyed  were copies n s to this was pinned a line in a delicate aristocratic hand saying that the  Archbishop would willingly listen to Madame sro's statement if she would come to see him on Friday  morning at 11 you see said Walcott desperately there is no possible way out I know the woman when  she decides to do a thing that is the end of it she has decided to do this Mason turned around  from the table stretched out his long legs and thrust his hands deep into his pockets Walcott  sat wit

h his head down watching Mason hopelessly almost indifferently his face blank and sunken  the ticking of the bronze clock on the mantle shelf was loud painfully loud suddenly m drew his  knees in and bent over put both his bony hands on the table and looked at walcot sir he said this  matter is in such shape that there is only one thing to do this growth must be cut out at the  roots and cut out quickly this is the first fact to be determined and a fool would know it the  second fact is that you

must do it yourself hired killers are like the grave and the daughters  of the horse leech they cry always give give they are only palliatives not cures by using them you  swap perils you simply take a stay of execution at best the common criminal would know this these are  the facts of your problem the master plotters of crime would see here but two difficulties to meet  a practical method for accomplishing the body of a crime a cover for the criminal agent they would  see no farther and attem

pt to guard no farther after they had provided a plan for the killing and  a means by which the killer could cover his Trail and escape from the theater of the homicide they  would believe all the requirements of the problems met and would stop the greatest the very Giants  among them have stopped here and have been in great error in every crime especially in the great  ones there exists a third element preeminently vital this third element the master plotters have  either overlooked or else hav

e not had the genius to construct they plan with rare cunning to baffle  the victim they plan with vast wisdom almost genius to baffle the trailer but they fail utterly  to provide any plan for baffling The Punisher Ergo their plots are fatally defective and often  result in ruin hence the the vital necessity for providing the third element the Escape ipso jur  Mason arose walked around the table and put his hand firmly on Samuel Walcott's shoulder this  must be done tomorrow night he continued

you must arrange your business matters tomorrow and  announce that you are going on a yacht cruise by order of your physician and may not return for  some weeks you must prepare your Yacht for a voyage instruct your men to touch at at a certain  point on Staten Island and wait until 6:00 day after tomorrow morning if you do not come aboard  by that time they are to go to one of the South American ports and remain until further orders  by this means your absence for an indefinite period will be e

xplained you will go to Nina s  Croy in the disguise which you have always used and from her to the yacht and by this means step  out of your real status and back into it without leaving traces I will come here tomorrow evening  and furnish you with everything that you shall need and give you full and exact instructions in  every particular these details you must execute with the greatest care as they will be vitally  essential to the success of my plan through it all Walcott had been silent and

motionless now he  arose and in his face there must have been some premonition of protest for Mason step back and put  out his hand sir he said with brutal emphasis not a word remember that you are only the hand and  the hand does not think then he turned around abruptly and went out of the house end of section  five the Corpus dcti part two by Melville Davidson post 1869 through 1930 the place which Samuel  Walcott had selected for the residence of Nina sroy was far up in the northern suburb o

f New  York the place was very old the lawn was large and ill-kept the house a square old-fashioned  brick was set far back from the street and partly hidden by trees around it all was a rusty  iron fence the place had the air of Gentile ruin such as one finds in the virginas on a Thursday of  November about 3:00 in the afternoon a little man driving a Dre stopped in the alley at the rear of  the house as he opened the back gate an old negro woman came down the steps from the kitchen and  demand

ed to know what he wanted the drayman asked if the lady of the house was in the old negro  answered that she was asleep at this hour and could not be seen that is good said the little man  now there won't be any row I brought up some cases of wine which she ordered from our house last week  and which the boss told me to deliver at once but I forgot it until today just let me put it in the  cellar now auntie and don't say a word to the lady about it and she won't ever know that it was not  brough

t up on time the Draymond stopped fished a silver dollar out of his pocket and gave it to  the old negro there now Auntie he said my job depends upon the lady not knowing about this wine  keep it Mom that's all right honey said the old servant beaming like a me morning the cell door  is open carry it all in and put it in the back pot and nobody ain't never GNA know how long it  has been in there the old negro went back into the kitchen and the little man began to unload the Dr  he carried in fiv

e wine cases and stowed them away in the back part of the cellar as the old woman  had directed then after having satisfied himself that no one was watching he took from the Dr two  heavy paper sacks presumably filled with flour and a little bundle wrapped in an old newspaper these  he carefully hid behind the wine cases in the cellar after a while he closed the door climbed on  his tray and drove off down the alley about 8:00 in the evening of the same day a Mexican sailor  dodged in the front

gate and slipped down to the side of the house he stopped by the window and  tapped on it with his finger in a moment a woman opened the door she was tall life and splendidly  proportioned with a dark Spanish face and straight hair the man stepped inside the woman bolted the  door and turned round ah she said smiling is it you Senor how good of you the man started whom  else did you expect he said quickly oh laughed the woman perhaps the Archbishop n said the man  in a broken voice that expresse

d love humility and reproach his face was white Under the black  sunburn for a moment the woman wavered a shadow flitted over her eyes and then she stepped back no  she said not yet the man walked across to the fire sank down in a chair and covered his face with  his hands the woman stepped up noiselessly behind him and leaned over the chair the man was either  in great Agony or else he was a superb actor for the muscles of his neck twitched violently and  his shoulders trembled oh he muttered a

s though echoing his thoughts I can't do it I can't the  woman caught the words and leaped up as though someone had struck her in the face she threw back  her head her nostrils dilated and her eyes flashed you can't do it she cried then you do love her  you shall do it do you hear me you shall do it you killed him you got rid of him but you shall  not get rid of me I have the evidence all of it the Archbishop will have it tomorrow they shall  hang you do you hear me they shall hang you the woman

's voice Rose it was loud and shrill the man  turned slowly round without looking up stretched out his arms toward the woman she stopped and  looked down at him the fire glittered for a moment and then died out of her eyes her bosom  heaved and her lips began to tremble with a cry she flung herself into his arms caught him around  the neck and pressed his face up close against her cheek oh dick dick she sobbed I do love you so I  can't live without you not another hour dick I do want you so much

so much dick the man shifted his  right arm quickly slipped a great Mexican knife out of his sleeve and passed his fingers slowly  up the woman's side until he felt the heartbeat under his hand then he raised the knife gripped  the handle tight and drove the Keen blade into the woman's bosom the hot blood gushed out over  his arm and down on his leg the body warm and Limp slipped down in his arms the man got up pulled out  the knife and thrust it into a sheath at his belt unbuttoned the dress a

nd slipped it off of the  body as he did this a bundle of papers dropped upon the floor these he glanced at hastily and  put into his pocket then he took the dead woman up in his arms went out into the hall and started  to go up the stairway the body was relaxed and heavy and for that reason difficult to carry he  doubled it up into an awful Heap with the knees against the chin and walked slowly and heavily  up the stairs and out into the bathroom there he laid the corpse down on the tiled floor

then he  opened the window closed the shutters and lighted the gas the bathroom was small and contained an  ordinary steel tub porcelain lined standing near the window and raised about 6 Ines above the floor  the sailor went over to the tub pried up the metal rim of the outlet with his knife removed it and  fitted into its place a porcelain disc which he took from his pocket to this disc was attached Ed  a long Platinum wire the end of which he fastened on the outside of the tub after he had do

ne this  he went back to the body stripped off its clothing put it down in the tub and began to dismember it  with the great Mexican knife the blade was strong and Sharp As a Razor the man worked rapidly and  with the greatest care when he had finally cut the body into as small pieces as possible he replaced  the knife in its sheath washed his hands and went out out of the bathroom and downstairs to the  lower Hall the Sailor seemed perfectly familiar with the house by a side door he passed into

the  cellar there he lighted the gas opened one of the wine cases and taking up all the bottles that he  could conveniently carry returned to the bathroom there he poured the contents into the tub on the  dismembered body and then returned to the cellar with the empty bottles which he replaced in the  wine cases this he continued to do until all the cases but one were emptied and the bathtub  was more than half full of liquid this liquid was sulfuric acid when the Sailor returned to the  cellar

with the last empty wine bottles he opened the fifth case which really contained wine took  some out of it and poured a little into each of the empty bottles in order to remove any possible  odor of the sulfuric acid then he turned out the gas and brought up to the bathroom with him the  two paper flower sacks and the little heavy bundle these sacks were filled with nitrate of soda  he set them down by the door opened the little bundle and took out two long rubber tubes each  attached to a heav

y gas burner not unlike the ordinary burners of a small gas stove he fastened  the tubes to two of the gas jets put the burners under the tub turned the gas on full and lighted  it then he threw into the tub the woman's clothing and the papers which he had found on her body  after which he took up the two heavy sacks of nitrate of soda and dropped them carefully into  the sulfuric acid when he had done this he went quickly out of the bathroom and closed the door  the deadly acids at once attacke

d the body and began to destroy it as the heat increased the  acids boiled and the destructive process was rapid and awful from time to time the Sailor opened the  door of the bathroom cautiously and holding a wet towel over his mouth and nose looked in at his  horrible work at the end of a few hours there was only a swimming mass in the tub when the man  looked at 4:00 it was all a thick murky liquid he turned off the gas quickly and stepped back out  of the room for perhaps half an hour he wai

ted in the hall finally when the acids had cooled  so that they no longer gave off fumes he opened the door and went in took hold the Platinum wire  and pulling the porcelain disc from the stopcock allowed the awful contents of the tub to run out  then he turned on the hot water rinsed the tub clean and replaced the metal Outlet removing the  rubber tubes he cut them into pieces broke the porcelain disc and rolling up the Platinum wire  washed it all down the sewer pipe the fumes had escaped thr

ough the open window this he now closed  and set himself to putting the bathroom in order and efficiently removing everything every trace of  his night's work the Sailor moved around with the very greatest degree of care finally when he had  arranged everything to his complete satisfaction he picked up the two burners turned out the gas  and left the bathroom closing the door after him from the bathroom he went directly to the attic  concealed the two Rusty burners under a heap of rubbish and th

en walked carefully and noiselessly  down the stairs and through the lower Hall as he opened the door and stepped into the room where  he had killed the woman two police officers sprang out and seized him the man screamed like a  wild beast taken in a trap and sank down oh oh he cried it was no use it was no use to do it then he  recovered himself in a manner and was silent the officer handcuffed him summoned the patrol and  took him at once to the Station House there he said he was a Mexican sa

ilor and that his name was  Victor anona but he would say nothing further the following morning he sent for Randolph Mason and  the two were long together the Obscure defendant charged with murder has little reason to complain  of the Law's delays the morning following of the arrest of Victor anona the newspapers published  long Sensational articles denounced him as a fiend and convicted him the grand jury as it happened  was in session the preliminaries were soon arranged and the case was railr

oaded into trial  the indictment contained a great many counts and charged by the prisoner with the murder of Nina  San Croy by striking stabbing choking poisoning and so forth the trial had continued for 3 days  and had appeared so overwhelmingly one-sided that the spectators who were crowded in the courtroom  had grown to be violent and bitter partisans to such an extent that the police watched them  closely ly the attorneys for the people were dramatic and denunciatory and forced their case 

with arrogant confidence Mason as Cil for the prisoner was indifferent and listless throughout  the entire trial he had sat almost motionless at the table his gaunt form bent over his long legs  drawn up under his chair and his weary heavy muscled face with its Restless eyes fixed and  staring out over the heads of the jury was like a tragic mask the bar and even the judge believed  that the prisoners councel had abandoned the case the evidence was all in and the people rested it  had been shown

that Nina San Croy had resided for many years in the house in which the prisoner  was arrested that she had lived by herself with no other companion than an old negro servant  that her past was unknown and that she received no visitors save the Mexican sailor who came to  her house at long intervals nothing whatever was shown tending to explain who the prisoner was or  whence he had come it was shown that on Tuesday preceding the killing the Archbishop had received  a communication from Nina sr

oy in which she said she desired to make a statement of the greatest  import and asking for an audience to this the Archbishop replied that he would willingly Grant  her a hearing if she would come to him at 11:00 on Friday morning two policemen testified that about  8:00 on the night of Thursday they had noticed the prisoner slip into the gate of Nina San croy's  residence and go down to the side of the house where he was admitted that his appearance and  seeming haste had attracted their atten

tion that they had concluded that it was some clandestine  Amore and out of courtesy had both slipped down to the house and endeavored to find a position  from which they could see into the room but were unable to do so and were were about to go back  to the street when they heard a woman's voice cry out in great anger I know that you love her  and that you want to get rid of me but you shall not do it you murdered him but you shall not  murder me I have all the evidence to convict you of murder

ing him the Archbishop will have it  tomorrow they shall hang you do you hear me they shall hang you for this murder that thereupon  one of the policemen proposed that they should break into the house and see what was wrong but  the other had urged that it was only the usual lovers quarrel and if they should interfere they  would find nothing upon which a charge could be based and would only be laughed at by the chief  that they had waited and listened for a time but hearing nothing further had

gone back to the  street and contented themselves with keeping a strict watch on the house the people proved  further that on Thursday evening Nina San Croy had given the old negro domestic a sum of money  and dismissed missed her with the instruction that she was not to return until sent for the  old woman testified that she had gone directly to the house of her son and later had discovered  that she had forgotten some articles of clothing which she needed that thereupon she had returned  to th

e house and had gone up the back way to her room this was about 8:00 that while there she  had heard Nina sro's voice in great passion and remembered that she had used the words stated by  the policeman that these sudden violent cries had frightened her greatly and she had bolted the  door and been afraid to leave the room shortly thereafter she had heard heavy footsteps ascending  the stairs slowly and with great difficulty as though someone were carrying a heavy burden that  therefore her fear

had increased and that she had put out the light and hidden under the bed she  remembered hearing the footsteps moving about upstairs for many hours how long she could not  tell finally about half 4 in the morning she crept out opened the door slipped downstairs and ran out  into the street there she had found the policemen and requested them to search the house the two  officers had gone to the house with the woman she had opened the door and they had just time  to step back into the shadow wh

en the prisoner entered when arrested Victor and Kona had screamed  with Terror and cried out it was no use it was no used to do it the chief of police had come to the  house and instituted a careful search in the room below from which the cries had come he found a  dress which was identified as belonging to Nina sroy and which she was wearing when last seen by  the domestic about 6:00 that evening this dress was covered with blood and had a slit about 2 in  long in the left side of the bosom in

to which the Mexican knife found on the prisoner fitted  perfectly these articles were introduced in evidence and it was shown that the slit would be  exactly over the heart of the wearer and that such a wound would certainly result in death there  was much blood on one of the chairs and on the floor there was also Blood on the prisoner's coat  and the leg of his trousers and the heavy Mexican knife was also bloody the blood was shown by the  experts to be human blood the body of the woman was n

ot found and the most rigid and tireless  search failed to develop the slightest trace of the corpse or the manner of its disposal the  body of the woman had disappeared as completely as though it had vanished into the air when  Council announced that he had closed for the people the judge turned and looked Gravely down  at Mason sir he said the evidence for the defense may now be introduced Randolph Mason arose slowly  and faced the judge if your honor please he said speaking slowly and distinc

tly the defendant has  no evidence to offer he paused while a murmur of astonishment ran over the courtroom but if your  honor please he continued I move that the jury be directed to find the prisoner not guilty the  crowd stirred the council for the people smiled the judge looked sharply at the speaker over  his glasses on what ground he said curtly on the ground replied Mason that the Corpus deti has  not been proven ah said the judge for once losing his judicial gravity Mason sat down abruptl

y the  senior councel for the prosecution was on his feet in a moment what he said the gentleman  bases his motion on a failure to establish the Corpus delect ey does he justest or has he  forgotten the evidence the term Corpus deti is Technical and means the body of the crime or the  substantial fact that a crime has been committed does anyone doubt it in this case it is true that  no one actually saw the prisoner kill the decedent and that he has so successfully hidden the body  that it has no

t been found but the powerful chain of circumstances clear and Clos linked proving  motive the criminal agency and the criminal act is overwhelming the victim in this case is on the  eve of making a statement that would prove fatal to the prisoner the night before the statement is  to be made he goes to her residence they quarrel her voice is heard raised high in the greatest  passion denouncing him and charging that he is a murderer that she has the evidence and will  reveal it that he shall be

hanged and that he shall not be rid of her here is the motive for  the crime clear as light are not the bloody knife the bloody dress the bloody clothes of The  Prisoner unimpeachable witness to the criminal act the criminal agency of the prisoner has not the  shadow of a possibility to obscure it his motive is gigantic the blood on him and his despair when  arrested cry murder murder with a thousand tongues men may lie but circumstances cannot the Thousand  hopes and fears and passions of men

may delude or bias the witness yet it is beyond the human  mind to conceive that a clear complete chain of concatenated circumstances can be in error hence  it is that the greatest jurists have declared that such evidence being rarely liable to delusion or  fraud is safest and most powerful the Machinery of human Justice cannot guard against the remote and  improbable doubt the inference is persistent in the Affairs of men it is the only means by which  the human mind reaches truth if you forbid

the jury to exercise it you bid them work after first  striking off their hands rule out the irresistible inference and the end of justice has come in  this land and you may as well leave the spider to weave his web through the abandoned courtroom  the attorney stopped looked down at Mason with a pompous sneer and retired to his place at the  table the judge sat thoughtful and motionless the jurymen leaned forward in their seats if  your honor please said Mason Rising this is a matter of law PL

clear and so well settled in the  state of New York that even Council for the people should know it the question before your honor  is simple if the Corpus delecti the body of the crime has been proven as required by the laws of  the Commonwealth then this case should go to the jury if not then it is the duty of this court to  direct the jury to find the prisoner not guilty there is here no room for judicial discretion  your honor has but to recall and and apply the rigid rule announced by our

courts prescribing  distinctly how the Corpus dcti in Murder must be proven The Prisoner here stands charged with  the highest crime the law demands first that the crime as a fact be established the fact that the  victim is indeed dead must first be made certain before anyone can be convicted for her killing  because so long as there Remains the remotest doubt as to the death there can be no certainty as  to the criminal agent although the circumstantial evidence indicating the guilt of the accu

sed may  be positive complete and utterly irresistable in Murder the Corpus dcti or body of the crime is  composed of two elements death as a result the criminal agency of another as the means it is  the fixed and immutable law of this state laid down in the leading case of ruaf versus the people  and binding upon this court that both components of the the Corpus dcti shall not be established  by circumstantial evidence there must be direct proof of one or the other of these two component  eleme

nts of the Corpus dcti if one is proven by direct evidence the other may be presumed but  both shall not be presumed from circumstances no matter how powerful how cogent or how completely  overwhelming the circumstances may be in other words no man can be convicted of murder in the  state of New York unless the body of the victim be found and identified or there be direct proof  that the prisoner did some ACT adequate to produce death and did it in such a manner as to account  for The Disappeara

nce of the body the face of the judge cleared and grew hard members of the  bar were attentive and alert they were beginning to see the legal Escape open up the audience were  puzzled they did not yet understand Mason turned to the council for the people his ugly face was  bitter with contempt for three days he said I have been tortured by this useless and expensive farce  if Council for the people had been other than play actors they would have known in the beginning  that Victor anona could no

t be convicted for murder unless he were confronted in this courtroom  with a living witness who had looked into the Dead face of Nina San Croy or or if not that a living  witness who had seen him drive the dagger into her bosom I care not if the circumstantial evidence  in this case were so strong and irresistible as to be overpowering if the judge on the bench  if the jury if every man within the sound of my voice were convinced of the guilt of the  prisoner to the degree of certainty that is

absolute if the circumstantial evidence left in  the mind no shadow of the remotest improb doubt yet in the absence of the eyewitness this prisoner  cannot be punished and this court must compel the jury to acquit him the audience now understood  and they were dumbfounded surely this was not the law they had been taught that the law was common  sense and this this was anything else Mason saw it all and grinned in its tenderness he sneered  the law Shield the innocent the good law of New York rea

ches out its hand and lifts The Prisoner  out of the clutches of the fierce jury that would hang him Mason sat down the room was silent the  jurymen looked at each other in amazement the counsil for the people arose his face was white  with anger and incredulous your honor he said this Doctrine is monstrous can it be said that in order  to evade punishment the murderer has only to hide or destroy the body of the victim or sink it into  the sea then if he is not seen to kill the law is powerless

and the murderer can snap his finger  in the face of retributive Justice if this is the law then the law for the highest crime is a dead  letter the great Commonwealth Winks at murder and invites every man to kill his enemy provided  he kill him in secret and him I repeat your honor the man's voice was now loud and angry and  rang through the courtroom that this Doctrine is monstrous so said best and story and many another  muttered Mason and the law remained the court said the judge abruptly de

sires no further argument the  council for the people resumed his seat his face lighted up up with Triumph the court was going to  sustain him the judge turned and looked down at the jury he was grave and spoke with deliberate  emphasis Gentlemen of the jury he said the rule of Lord hail obtains in the state and is binding  upon me it is the law as stated by councel for the prisoner that to Warrant conviction of murder  there must be direct proof either of the death as of the finding and identif

ication of the corpse or  of criminal violence adequate to produce death and exerted in such a manner as to account for The  Disappearance of the body and it is only when there is direct proof of the one that the other  can be established by circumstantial evidence this is the law and cannot now be departed from I do  not presume to explain its wisdom Chief Justice Johnson has observed in the leading case that it  may have its probable foundation in the idea that where direct proof is absent as

to both the fact  of the death and of the criminal violence capable of producing death no evidence can rise to the  degree of moral certainty that the individual is dead by criminal intervention or even led by  direct inference to this result and that where the fact of death is not certainly ascertained all  inculpatory circumstantial evidence wants the key necessary for its satisfactory interpretation  and cannot be depended on to furnish more than probable results it may be also that such a ru

le  has some reference to the dangerous possibility that a general preconception of guilt or a  general excitement of popular feeling May creep in to supply the place of evidence if  upon other than direct proof of death or a cause of death a jury are permitted to pronounce a  prisoner guilty in this case the body has not been found and there is no direct proof of criminal  Agency on the part of the prisoner although the chain of circumstantial evidence is complete and  irresistible in the highe

st degree nevertheless it is all circumstantial evidence and under the laws  of New York The Prisoner cannot be punished I have no right of discretion the law does not permit a  conviction in this case although every one of us may be morally certain of the prisoner's guilt I  am therefore Gentlemen of the jury compelled to direct you to find the prisoner not guilty judge  interrupted the foreman jumping up in the Box we cannot find that verdict under our oath we know  that this man is guilty sir

said the judge this is a matter of law in which the wishes of the  jury cannot be considered the clerk will write a verdict of not guilty which you as Foreman will  sign The Spectators broke out into a threatening murmur that began to grow and gather volume  the judge wrapped on his desk and ordered the BFFs promptly to suppress any demonstration on the  part of the audience then he directed the foreman to sign the verdict prepared by the clerk when  this was done he turned to Victor anona his

face was hard and there was a cold glitter in his eyes  prisoner at the bar are he said you have been put to trial before this tribunal on a charge of  coldblooded and atrocious murder the evidence produced against you was of such powerful and  overwhelming character that it seems to have left no doubt in the minds of the jury nor indeed in  the mind of any person present in this courtroom had the question of your guilt been submitted to  these 12 Arbiters a conviction would certain ly have resu

lted and the death penalty would have  been imposed but the law rigid passionless even eyed has thrust in between you and the wrath of  your fellows and saved you from it I do not cry out against the impotency of the law it is  perhaps as wise as imperfect Humanity could make it I deplore rather The Genius of evil men  who by cunning design are unable to slip through the fingers of this law I have I have no word of  censure or admonition for you Victor anona the law of New York compels me to acq

uit you I am only  its mouthpiece with my individual wishes throttled I speak only those things which the law directs I  shall speak you are now at Liberty to leave this courtroom not Guiltless of the crime of murder  perhaps but at least rid of its punishment the eyes of men may see Cain's mark on your brow  but the eyes of the law are blind to it when the audience fully realized what the judge had  said they were amazed and Silent they knew as well as men could know that Victor anona was  guil

ty of murder and yet he was now going out of the courtroom free could it happen that the  law protected only against the blundering Rogue they had heard always of the boasted completeness  of the law which magistrates from time immemorial had labored to perfect and now when the skillful  villain sought to evade it they saw how weak a thing it was The Wedding March lingren floated  out from the Episcopal Church of St Mark clear and sweet and perhaps heavy with its Paradox  of warning the theater

of this coming contract before high heaven was a Wilderness of roses worth  the taxes of a county the high cast of Manhattan by the grace of the checkbook were present clothed  in in Parisian purple and fine linen cunningly and marvelously rought over in her private Pew Ablaze  with jewels and decked with Fabrics from the deaf hand of many a weaver sat Mrs Miriam Stant as  imperious and self-complacent as a queen to her it was all a kind of triumphal procession  proclaiming her ability as a gene

ral with her were a few of the genus homo which obtains at the  5:00 te instituted say the sages for the purpose of sprinkling the holy water of leth Zarina  whispered Reggie duper leaning forward I salute you the ceremony sub jugum is superb Walcott is  an excellent fellow answered Mrs duvant not a vice you know Reggie I Empress put in the others a  purist taken in the net the clean skirted one has come to the altar Viva La virtu Samuel Walcott  still sunburn from his Cruise stood before the ch

ancel with the only daughter of the blue blooded  St Claire's his face was clear and honest and his voice firm this was life and not Romance the lid  of the Sepulcher had closed and he had slipped from under it and now and Ever After the hand red  with murder was clean as any the minister raised his voice proclaiming the holy Union before God  and this Twain half pure half foul Now by Divine Ordinance one flesh bowed down before it no blood  cried from the ground the sunlight of High Noon stream

ed down through the window panes like a  benediction back in the Pew of Mrs Miriam Stant Reggie D poyer turned down his thumb habet he  said from the strange schemes of Randolph Mason by Melvin Davidson post copyright 1896 by GP putnam's  Sons end of section six recorded by Sher Elston Minnesota Section seven an arys from Red  Horse by Ambrose beer Coronado June 20th I find myself more and more interested in him  it is not I am sure his do you know any noun corresponding to the adjective handsom

e One does  not like to say beauty when speaking of a man he is handsome enough heaven knows I should not  even care to trust you with him faithful of all possible wives that you are when he looks  his best as he always does nor do I think the fascination of his manner has much to do with  it you recollect that the charm of Art inheres in that which is undefinable and to you and me my  dear Irene I fancy there is rather less of that in the branch of art under consideration than to  girls in thei

r first season I fancy I know how my fine gentleman produces many of his effects and  could perhaps give him a pointer on heightening them nevertheless his manner is something truly  delightful I suppose what interests me chiefly is the man's brains his conversation is the best  I have ever heard and altogether unlike anyone's else he seems to know everything as indeed he  ought for he has been everywhere read everything seen all there is to see sometimes I think rather  more than is good for hi

m and had acquaintance with the queerest people and then his voice Irene  when I hear it I actually feel as if I ought to have paid at the door though of course it is  my own door July 3rd I fear my remarks about Dr baritz have been being thoughtless very silly  or you would not have written of him with such levity not to say disrespect believe me dearest  he has more dignity and seriousness of the kind I mean which is not inconsistent with a manner  sometimes playful and always Charming than an

y of the men that you and I ever met and young  RoR you know RoR at Monterey tells me that the men all like him and that he is treated with  something like difference everywhere there is a mystery too something about his connection with  the bitsky people in Northern India Rainer either would not or could not tell me the particulars  I infer that Dr baritz is thought don't you dare to laugh at me a magician could anything be finer  than that an ordinary mystery is not of course as good as a scan

dal but when it relates to dark and  Dreadful practices to the exercise of unearthly powers could anything be more peccant it explains  to the singular influence the man has upon me it is the undefinable in his art blackards seriously  dear I quite tremble when he looks me full in the eyes with those unfathomable orbs of his which  I have already vainly attempted to describe to you how Dreadful if we have the power to make  one fall in love do you know if the baski crowd have that power outside

of sepoy July 1st the  strangest thing last evening while Auntie was attending one of the hotel hops I hate them  Dr baritz called it was scandalously late I actually believe he had talked with Auntie in the  ballroom and learned from her that I was alone I had been all the evening contriving how to worm  out of him the truth about his connection with the thugs in SEO and all of that black business but  the moment he fixed his eyes on me for I admitted him I'm ashamed to say I was helpless I tre

mbled  I blushed I oh iene iene I love the man beyond expression and you know how it is yourself fancy  I an ugly duckling from Red Horse daughter they say of old Calamity Jim certainly his ays with  no living relation but an absurd old Aunt who spoils me a thousand 50 Ways absolutely destitute  of everything but a million dollars and a hope in Paris I daring to to love a God Like Him my dear  if I had you here I could tear your hair out with mortification I am convinced that he is aware  of my

feeling for he stayed but a few moments said nothing but what another man might have  said half as well and pretending that he had an engagement went away I learned today a little  bird told me the Bell bird that he went straight to bed how does that strike you as evidence of  exemplary habits July 17th that little wretch Rainer called yesterday and his Babble almost sent  me wild he never runs down that is to say when he exterminates a score of reputations more or less  he does not pause betwee

n one reputation and the next by the way he inquired about you and his  manifestations of interest in you had I confess a good deal of resemblance Mr rer observes no  game laws like death which he would inflict if slander were fatal he has all seasons for his  own but I like him for we knew one another at Red Horse When We Were Young and true-hearted and  barefooted he was known in those farf days as giggles and I oh I reain can you ever forgive  me I was called gunny God knows why perhaps an il

lusion to the material of my pinor perhaps  because the name is in alliteration with Giggles for gig and I were inseparable Playmates and the  miners may have thought it a delicate compliment to recognize some kind of relationship between us  later we took in a third another of adversities brood who like Garrick between tragedy and comedy  had a chronic inability to adjudicate the Rival claims to himself of frost and famine between him  and the grave there was seldom anything more than a single

suspender and the hope of a meal which  would at the same time support life and make it insupportable he literally picked up a precarious  living for himself and an aged Mother by choring the dumps that is to say the miners permitted him  to search the heaps of was Rock for such pieces of pay or as had been overlooked and these  he sacked up and sold at The Syndicate Mill he became a member of our firm gunny giggles and  dumps henceforth through my favor for I could not then nor can I now be ind

ifferent to his courage  and prowess in defending against Giggles the immemorial right of his sex to insult a strange  and unprotected female meal myself after old Jim Struck it in the Calamity and I began to wear  shoes and go to school and in emulation Giggles took to washing his face and became Jack rer of  Wells Fargo and Co and old Mrs Barts was herself chlorided to her father's dumps drifted over to  San Juan Smith and turned stage driver and was killed by Road agents and so forth why do I

I tell  you all this dear because it is heavy on my heart because I walk the valley of humility because I  am subduing myself to permanent consciousness of my unworthiness to unloose the latchet of Dr  bit's shoe because oh dear oh dear there's a cousin of dumps at this hotel I haven't spoken  to him I never had any acquaintance with him but do you suppose he has recognized me do please  give me in your next your CED sure enough opinion about it and say you don't think so do you think  he knows

about me already and that is why he left me last evening when he saw that I blushed and  trembled like a fool under his eyes you know I can't bribe all the newspapers and I can't go back  on anybody who was good to gunny at Red Horse not if I'm pitched out of society into the sea so the  skeleton sometimes rattles behind the door I never cared much before as you know but now now it is  not the same Jack Rainer I am sure of he will not tell him he seems indeed to hold him in such  respect as har

dly to DARE speak to him at all and I'm a good deal that way myself dear dear I wish  I had something besides a million dollars if Jack were 3 in taller I'd marry him alive and go back  to Red Horse and wear sackcloth again to the end of my miserable days July 25th we had a perfectly  Splendid Sunset last evening and I must tell you all about it I ran away from auntie and everybody  and was walking alone on the beach I expect you to believe you Infidel that I had not looked out  of my window on

the Seward side of the hotel and seen him walking alone on the beach if you are  not lost to every feeling of womanly delicacy you will accept my statement without question I  soon established myself under my sun shade and had for some time been gazing out dreamily over  the sea when he approached walking close to the edge of the water it was e tide I assure you the  wet sand actually brightened about his feet as he approached me he lifted his hat saying Miss  DT may I sit with you or will you w

alk with me the possibility that neither might be agreeable  seems not to have occurred to him did you ever know such Assurance Assurance my dear it was GA  downright GA well I didn't find it wormwood and replied with my untutored red horse heart in my  throat I I shall be pleased to do anything could words have been more stupid there are depths  of fatuity in me friend of my soul which are simply bottomless he extended his hand smiling  and I delivered mine into it without a moment's hesitation

and when his fingers closed about it  to assist me to my feet the Consciousness that it trembled made me blush worse than the Red West I  got up however and after a while observing that he had not let go my hand I pulled on it a little but  unsuccessfully he simply held on saying nothing but looking down into my face with some kind of  a smile I didn't know how could I whether it was affectionate derisive or what for I did not look  at him how beautiful he was with the red fires of the sunset b

urning in the depths of his eyes  do you know dear if the Thugs and Experts of the baski region have any special kind of eyes ah you  should have seen his superb attitude the Godlike inclination of his head as he stood over me after  I had got upon my feet it was a noble picture but I soon destroyed it for I began at once to sink  again to the Earth there was only one thing for him to do and he did it he supported me with an  arm about my waist Miss dant are you ill he said it was not an exclama

tion there was neither alarm  nor solicitude in it if he had added I suppose that is about what I am expected to say he would  hardly have expressed his sense of the situation more clearly his manner filled me with shame and  indignation for I was suffering acutely I wrenched my hand out of his grasped the arm supporting  me and pushing myself free fell plump into the sand and sat helpless my hat had fallen off in  the struggle and my hair tumbled about my face face and shoulders in the most mor

tifying way go  from me I cried half choking oh please go away you you Thug how dare you think that when my leg  is asleep I actually said those identical words and then I broke down and sobbed I re I blubbered  his manner altered in an instant I could see that much through my fingers and hair he dropped on  one knee beside me parted the tangle of hair and said in the tenderest way my poor girl God knows  I have not intended to pain you how should I I who love you I who have loved you for for ye

ars  and years he had pulled my wet hands away from my face and was covering them with kisses my cheeks  were like two coals my whole face was flaming and I think steaming what could I do to I hid it on  his shoulder there was no other place and oh my dear friend how my leg tingled and thrilled and  how I wanted to kick we sat so for a long time he had released one of my hands to pass his arm about  me again and I possessed myself of my handkerchief and was drying my eyes and my nose I would not

  look up until that was done he tried in vain to push me a little away and gaze into my eyes  presently when it was all right and it had grown a bit dark I lifted my head looked him straight  in the eyes and smiled my best my level best dear what do you mean I said by years and years  dearest he replied very Gravely very earnestly in the absence of the sunken cheeks the the hollow  eyes the lank hair the slouching gate the rags dirt and youth can you not will you not understand  gunny I'm dumps

in a moment I was upon my feet and he upon his I seized him by the lapels of his coat  and peered into his handsome face in the deepening Darkness I was breathless with excitement and  you are not dead I asked hardly knowing what I said only dead in love dear I recovered from the  road agent's bullet but this I fear is fatal but about Jack Mr Rainer don't you know I am ashamed  to say darling that it was through that unworthy person's invitation that I came here from Vienna  Irene they have pla

yed it upon your affectionate friends Mary Jane demant PS the worst of it is  that there is no mystery that was an invention of Jack to arouse my curiosity and interest James  is not a thug he solemnly assures me that in all his wonderings he has never set foot in SEO  end of section seven recording by Katie rley October 2009 Section 8 the man and the snake by  Ambrose beerus one it is a veritable report and attested of so many that there be now of wise and  learned none to gain say it that ye s

erpent his eye hath a magnetic property that who so falleth  into its vasion is drawn forth in despite of his will and perisheth miserable by ye creature his  bite stretched at ease upon a sofa in gown and slippers Harker Brighton smiled as he read the  foregoing sentence in Old morester marvels of science the only Marvel in the matter he said to  himself is that the wise and learned in morester day should have believed such nonsense as is  rejected by most of even the ignorant in ours a train o

f Reflections followed for Brighton was  a man of thought and he unconsciously lowered his book without altering the direction of his eyes  as soon as the volume had gone below the line of sight something in an obscure corner of the  room recalled his attention to his surroundings what he saw in the shadow under his bed were two  small points of light apparently about an inch apart they might have been reflections of the  gas jet above him in metal nail heads he gave them but little thought and

resumed his reading  a moment later something some impulse which he did not occur to him to analyze impelled him  to lower the book again and seek for what he saw before the points of light were still there  they seemed to have become brighter than before shining with a greenish luster which he had not at  first observed he thought too that they might have moved a trifle were somewhat nearer they were  still too much in the shadow however to reveal their nature and origin to an indolent attentio

n  and he resumed his reading suddenly something in the text suggested a thought which made him start  and dropped the book for the third time to the side of the sofa whence escaping from his hand it  fell sprawling to the floor back upward Brighton half risen was staring into intently into the  obscurity beneath the bed where the points of light Shone with it seemed to him and added fire  his attention was now fully aroused his gaze eager and imperative it disclosed almost directly  beneath the

foot rail of the bed the coils of a large serpent the points of light were its  eyes its horrible head thrust flatly forth from the innermost coil and resting upon the outermost  was directed straight toward him the definition of the wide brutal jaw and the idiot likee forehead  serving to show the direction of its malevolent gaze the eyes were no longer merely luminous  points they looked into his own with a meaning a malign significance two a snake in a bedroom of a  modern city dwelling of t

he better sort is happily not so common a phenomenon as to make explanation  altogether needless marker Brion a bachelor of 35 a scholar idler and something of an athlete Rich  popular and of Sound Health had returned to San Francisco from all manner of remote and unfamiliar  countries his tastes always a trifle luxurious had taken on an added exuberance from long privation  and the resources of even the Castle Hotel being inadequate for their perfect gratification he had  gladly accepted the ho

spitality of his friend Dr dring the distinguished scientist Dr during's  House a large old-fashioned one in what was now an obscure quarter of the city had an outer  and visible aspect of reserve it plainly would not associate with the contiguous elements of its  altered environment and appeared to have developed some of the eccentricities which come of isolation  one of these was a wing conspicuously Irrelevant in point of architecture and no less rebellious in  the matter of purpose for it wa

s a combination of laboratory managerie and Museum it was here that  the doctor indulged in the scientific side of his nature in the study of such forms of animal life  as engaged his interest and comforted his taste which it must be confessed ran rather to to  the lower forms for one of the higher types nimbly and sweetly to recommend itself unto his  gentle senses it had at least to retain certain rudimentary characteristics allying itself to  such dragons of the Prime as toads and snakes his

scientific sympathies were distinctly  reptilian he loved Nature's vulgarians and described himself as the Zola of zoology his  wife and daughters not having the advantage to share his enlightened curiosity regarding  the works and ways of our ill starred fellow creatures were with needless austerity excluded  from what he called the snaker and doomed to companionship with their own kind though to soften  the rigors of their lot he had permitted them out of his great wealth to outdo the reptiles

in the  gorgeousness of their surroundings and to shine with a superior Splendor architecture naturally  and in point of Furnishing the snake had a severe Simplicity befitting The Humble circumstances of  its occupants many of whom indeed could not have safely been entrusted with the Liberty which is  necessary to the full enjoyment of luxury for they had the Troublesome peculiarity of being alive  in their own Apartments however they were under as little personal restraint as was compatible  w

ith their protection from the banful habit of swallowing one another another and as Brighton  had thoughtfully been apprised it was more than a tradition that some of them had at diverse times  been found in parts of the premises where it would have embarrassed them to explain their presence  despite the snaker and its uncanny associations to which indeed he gave little attention Brighton  found life at the dring Mansion very much to his mind three Beyond a smart shock of surprise and  a shudder

of mere loathing Mr Brighton was not greatly affected his first thought was to ring  the call Bell and bring a servant but although the Bell cord dangled within easy reach he made  no movement toward it it had occurred to his mind that the ACT might subject him to the suspicion  of fear which he certainly did not feel he was more keenly conscious of the incongruous nature  of the situation than affected by its perils it was re revolting but absurd the reptile was of  a species with which Bright

on was unfamiliar its length he could only conjecture the body at the  largest visible part seemed about as thick as his forearm in what way was it dangerous if in any way  was it venomous was it a constrictor his knowledge of Nature's danger signals did not enable him  to say he had never deciphered the code if not dangerous the creature was at least offensive it  was Detro matter out of place and impertinence the gem was Unworthy of the setting even the barbarous  taste of our time and Country

which had loaded the walls of the room with pictures the floor with  furniture and the furniture with bricka had not quite fitted the place for this bit of the Savage  Life of the Jungle besides insupportable thought the exhalations of its breath mingled with the  atmosphere which he himself was breathing these thoughts shaped themselves with greater or less  definition in Brighton's mind and begot action the process is what we call consideration and decision  it is thus that we are wise and un

wise it is thus that the withered Le in an autumn breeze shows  greater or less intelligence than its fellows falling upon the land or upon the lake The Secret  Of Human Action is an open one something contracts our muscles does it matter if we give to the  Preparatory molecular changes the name of will Brighton Rose to his feet and prepared to back  softly away from the snake without disturbing it if possible and through the door people retire  so from the presence of the great for greatness is

power and power is a menace he knew that he could  walk backward without obstruction and find the door without error should the monster follow the  taste which had plastered the walls with paintings had consistently supplied a rack of murderous  Oriental weapons from which he could snatch one to suit the occasion in the meantime the snake's  eyes burned with a more pitiless malevolence than ever Brighton lifted his right foot free of the  floor to step backward that moment he felt a strong aver

sion to doing so I am accounted Brave  he murmured is bravery then No More Than Pride because there are none to witness the shame shall  I Retreat he was steadying himself with his right hand upon the back of a chair his foot suspended  nonsense he said aloud I am not so great a coward as to fear to seem to myself afraid he lifted the  foot a little higher by slightly bending the knee and thrust it sharply to the floor an inch  in front of the other he could not think how that occurred a trial w

ith the left foot had the  same result it was again in advance of the right the hand upon the chairback was grasping it the  arm was straight reaching somewhat backward one might have seen that he was reluctant to lose  his hold the snake's malignant head was still thrust forth from the inner coil as before  the neck level it had not moved but its eyes were now electric Sparks radiating an Infinity  of luminous needles the man had an ashy palar again he took a step forward and another partly  dr

agging the chair which when finally released fell upon the floor with a crash the man groaned  the snake made neither sound nor motion but its eyes were to dazzling Suns the reptile itself was  wholly concealed by them they gave off enlarging rings of rich and Vivid colors which at their  greatest expansion successively van vanish like soap bubbles they seemed to approach his very  face and Anon were an immeasurable distance away he heard somewhere the continual throbbing  of a great drum with d

esolator bursts of far music inconceivably sweet like the tones of an  aolian harp he knew it for the sunrise Melody of mnan statue and thought he stood in the nide reads  hearing with exalted sense that immortal Al Anthem through the Silence of the centuries the music  ceased rather it became by insensible degrees the distant role of a retreating thunderstorm a  landscape glittering with sun and Rain stretched before him arched with a vivid rainbow framing  in its giant curve a 100 visible citi

es in the middle distance a vast serpent wearing a crown  reared its head out of its voluminous convolution ions and looked at him with his Dead Mother's Eyes  suddenly this enchanting landscape seemed to rise swiftly upward like the drop scene at a theater  and vanished in a blank something struck him a hard blow upon the face and breast he had fallen  to the floor the blood ran from his broken nose and his bruised lips for a moment he was Dazed and  stunned and lay with closed eyes his face ag

ainst the door in a few moments he had recovered and  then realized that his Fall by withdrawing his eyes had broken the spell which held him he  felt that now by keeping his gaze averted he would be able to retreat but the thought of the  serpent within a few feet of his head yet unseen perhaps in the very Act of springing upon him  and throwing its coils about his throat was too horrible he lifted his head stared again into  those baleful eyes and was again in bondage the snake had not moved a

nd appeared somewhat to  have lost its power upon the imagination the gorgeous illusions of a few moments before were  not repeated beneath that flat and brainless brow its black beady eyes simply glittered as at first  with an expression unspeakably malignant it was as if the creature knowing its Triumph assured  had determined to practice no more alluring WS now ensued a fearful scene the man prone upon the  floor within a yard of his enemy raised the upper part of his body upon his elbows his

head thrown  back his legs extended to their full length his face was white between its gouts of blood his eyes  were strained open to their uttermost expansion there was froth upon his lips it dropped off  in flakes strong convulsions ran through his body making almost Serpentine undulations he  bent himself at the waist shifting his legs from side to side and every movement left him a  little nearer to the snake he thrust his hands forward to brace himself back yet constantly  Advanced upon h

is elbows four doct dring and his wife sat in the library the scientist was in  rare Good Humor I have just obtained by exchange with another collector he said a splendid specimen  of the opop fagus and what might that be the lady inquired with a somewhat languid interest why  bless my soul what profound ignorance my dear a man who ascertains after marriage that his wife  does not know Greek is entitled to a divorce the oop fagus is a snake which eats other snakes  I hope it will eat all yours s

he said absently Shifting the lamp but how does it get the other  snakes by Charming them I suppose that is just like you dear said the doctor with an affectation  of petulance you know how irritating to me is any illusion to that vulgar superstition about the  snake's power of Fascination the conversation was interrupted by a mighty cry which rang  through the Silent House like the voice of a demon shouting in a tomb again and yet again it  sounded Ed with terrible distinctness they sprang to t

heir feet the man confused the lady pale and  speechless with fright almost before The Echoes of The Last Cry had died away the doctor was out  of the room springing up the staircase two steps at a time in the corridor in front of Brighton's  chamber he met some servants who had come from the Upper Floor together they rushed at the door  without knocking it was unfastened and gave way Bron lay upon his stomach on the floor dead his  head and arms were partly concealed under the foot rail of the

bed they pulled the body away turning  it upon the back the face was doed with blood and froth the eyes were wide open staring a dreadful  sight died in a fit said the scientist bending his knee and placing his hand upon the heart  while in that position he happened to glance under the good God he added how did this thing  get in here he reached under the bed pulled out the snake and flung it still coiled to the center  of the room whence with a harsh shuffling sound it slid across the pished fl

oor till stopped  by the wall where it lay without motion it was a stuffed snake its eyes were two shoe  buttons end of Section 8 recording by Bill sner www.bill.com section N9 The Oblong Box by Edgar  alen Poe some years ago I engaged passage from Charleston South Carolina to the city of New York  in the fine packet ship Independence Captain Hardy we were to sail on the 15th of the month June  weather permitting and on the 14 I went on board to arrange some matters in my state room I  found tha

t we were to have a great many passengers including a more than unusual number of ladies  on the list were several of my acquaintances and among other names I was rejoiced to see that  of Mr Cornelius Wyatt a young artist for whom I entertained feelings of warm friendship  he had been with me a fellow student at C University where we were very much together  he had the ordinary temperament of of genius and was a compound of misanthropy sensibility and  enthusiasm to these qualities he United the

warst and truest heart which ever beat in the human  bosom I observed that his name was carded upon three staterooms and upon again referring to the  list of passengers I found that he had engaged passage for himself wife and two sisters his own  the state rooms were sufficiently roomy and each had two births one of above the other these  births to be sure were so exceedingly narrow as to be insufficient for more than one person  still I could not comprehend why there were three staterooms for

these four persons I was just at  this Epoch in one of those Moody frames of mind which makes a man abnormally inquisitive about  Trifles and I confess with shame that I busied myself in a variety of ill breed and Preposterous  conjectures about this matter of the supern numery State Room it was no business of mine to be  sure but with nonetheless pertinacity did I occupy myself in attempts to resolve the Enigma  At Last I reached a conclusion which wrought in me great wonder why I had not arriv

ed at it before  it is the servant of course I said what a fool I am not sooner to have thought of so obvious  a solution and then I again repaired to the list but here I saw distinctly that no servant  was to come with the party although in fact it had been the original design to bring one for the  words and servant had been first written and then overscored oh extra baggage to be sure I now said  to myself something he wishes not to be put in the hold something to be kept under his own eye ah

I  have it a painting or so and this is what he has been bargaining about with nicolino the Italian  Jew this idea satisfied me and I dismissed my curiosity for the nons Wyatt's Two Sisters I knew  very well and most amiable and clever girls they were his wife he had newly married and I had  never yet seen her he had often talked about her in my presence however and in his usual style  of enthusiasm he described her as of surpassing beauty wit and accomplishment I was therefore  quite anxious to

make her acquaintance on the day in which I visited the ship the 14th Wyatt  and party were also to visit it so the captain informed me and I waited on board an hour longer  than I had designed in Hope of being presented to the bride but then an apology came Mrs W was  a little indisposed and would decline coming on board until tomorrow at the hour of sailing  the tomorrow having arrived I was going from my hotel to the warf when Captain Hardy met me  and said that owing to circumstances a stup

id but convenient phrase he rather thought the  independence would not sail for a day or two and that when all was ready he would send up and  let me know this I thought strange for there was a stiff Sly Breeze but as the circumstances were not  forthcoming although I pumped for them with much perseverance I had nothing to do but to return  home and digest my impatience at leisure I did not received the expected message from the captain  for nearly a week it came at length however and I immediat

ely went on board the ship was crowded  with passengers and everything was in a bustle attended upon making sail Wyatt's party arrived  in about 10 minutes after myself there were two sisters the bride and the artist the latter in  one of his customary fits of Moody misanthropy I was too well used to these however to pay them any  special attention he did not even introduce me to his wife this courtesy devolving perforce upon his  sister Marian a very sweet and intelligent girl who in a few hurr

ied words made us acquainted Mrs  Wyatt had been closely veiled and when she raised her veil in acknowledging my bow I confessed that  I was very profoundly astonished I should have been much more so however had not long experience  advised me not to trust with too implicit of Reliance the enthusi fastic description of my  friend the artist when indulging in comments upon the loveliness of women when Beauty was the theme  I well knew with what facility he soared into the regions of the purely id

eal the truth is I could  not help regarding Mrs Wyatt as a decidedly plain looking woman if not positively ugly she was not  I think very far from it she was dressed however in Exquisite taste and then I had no doubt that  she had captivated Ed my friend's heart by more enduring Graces of the intellect and soul she said  very few words and passed at once into her State room with Mr W my old inquisitiveness now returned  there was no servant that was a settled point I looked therefore for the ex

tra baggage after some  delay a cart arrived at the warf with an oblong pine box which was everything that seemed to be  expected immediately upon it arrival we made sail and in a short time were safely Over the Bar and  standing out to see the Box in question was as I say oblong it was about 6 ft in length by 2 and  1/2 in breadth I observed it attentively and like to be precise now this shape was peculiar and no  sooner had I seen it than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing

I had reached the  conclusion it will be remembered that the extra baggage of my friend the artist would prove to be  pictures or at least a picture for I knew he had been for several weeks in conference with nicolino  and now here was a box which from its shape could possibly contain nothing in the world but a copy  of Leonard's Last Supper and a copy of this very last supper done by rabini the younger at Florence  I had known for some time to be in the possession of nicolino this point theref

ore I considered as  sufficiently settled I chuckled excessively when I thought of my Acumen it was the first time I had  ever known why to keep from me any of his artistic Secrets but here he evidently intended to steal  a March upon me and smuggle a fine picture to New York under my very nose expecting me to know  nothing of the matter I resolved to quiz him well now and Hereafter one thing however annoyed me not  a little the Box did not go into the extra station State Room it was deposited i

n W's own and there  too it remained occupying very nearly the whole of the floor no doubt to the exceeding discomfort of  the artist and his wife this the more especially as the tyal paint with which it was lettered in  sprawling capitals emitted a strong disagreeable and to my fancy a peculiarly disgusting odor  on the lid were painted the words Mrs Adelaide Curtis Albany New York charg of cornel's Wyatt  asquire this side up to be handled with care now I was aware that Mrs Adelaide Curtis of

Albany  was the artist's wife's mother but then I looked upon the whole address as a mystification intended  especially for myself I made up my mind of course that the box and the contents would never get  farther north than the studio of my misanthropic friend in Chambers Street New York for the first 3  or 4 days we had fin weather although the wind was dead ahead having chopped round to the northward  immediately Upon Our losing sight of the coast the passengers were consequently in High Spir

its  and disposed to be social I must accept however Wyatt and his sisters who behave stiffly and I  could not help thinking UNC courteously to the rest of the party Wyatt's conduct I did not  so much regard he was gloomy even Beyond his usual Habit in fact he was morose but in him I was  prepared for eccentricity for the Sisters however I could make no excuse they secluded themselves  in their staterooms during the greater part of the passage and absolutely refused although  I repeatedly urged

them to hold communication with any person on board Mrs Wyatt herself was  far more agreeable that is to say she was chatty and to be chatty is no slight recommendation at  Sea she became excessively intimate with both most of the ladies and to my profound astonishment  evinced no equivocal disposition to cette with the men she amused us all very much I say amused and  scarcely know how to explain myself the truth is I soon found that Mrs W was far more oftener laughed  at than with the gentlema

n said little about her but the ladies in a little while pronounced her  a good-hearted thing rather indifferent looking totally uneducated decidedly vulgar the great  Wonder was how Wyatt had been entrapped into such a match wealth was the General solution but  this I knew to be no solution at all for Wyatt had told me that she neither brought him a dollar  nor had any expectation from any Source whatever he had married he said for love and for love only  and his bride was far more than worthy

of his love when I thought of these Expressions on the part  of my friend I confess that I felt indescribably puzzled could it be possible that he was taking  leave of his senses what else could I think he so refined so intellectual so fastidious with so  Exquisite a perception of the faulty and so Keen in appreciation of the beautiful to be sure the  lady seemed especially fond of him particularly so in his absence when she made herself Ridiculous by  frequent quotations of what had been said b

y her beloved husband Mr Wyatt the word husband seemed  forever to use one of her own delicate Expressions Forever on the tip of her tongue in the meantime  it was observed by all on board that he avoided her in the most pointed Manner and for the most  part shut himself up alone in his State room where in fact he might have been said to live altogether  leaving his wife at full Liberty to amuse herself as she thought best in the public Society of the  main cabin my conclusion from what I saw an

d heard was that the artist by some unaccountable freak  of fate or perhaps in some fit of enthusiastic and fanciful passion had been induced to unite himself  with a person alt together beneath him and that the natural result intire and Speedy disgust had  ensued I pied him from the bottom of my heart but could not for that reason quite forgive his Inc  communicativeness in the matter of the last supper for this I resolved to have my revenge one day  he came upon deck and taking his arm as had

been my want I Saed with him back and forward his Gloom  however which I considered quite natural under any circumstances seemed entirely unabated he said  little and that moodily and with evident effort I ventured a Gest or two and he made a sickening  attempt at a smile poor fellow as I thought of his wife I wondered that he could have heart to put on  even the semblance of Mirth At Last I ventured a home thrust I determined to commence a series of  covert insinuations or innuendos about The O

blong Box just to let him perceive gradually that I was  not altogether the but or victim of his little bit of pleasant mystification my first observation  was by the way of opening a masted battery I said something about the peculiar shape of that box and  as I spoke the words I smiled knowingly winked and touched him gently with my forefinger in the ribs  the manner in which Wyatt received this harmless pleasantry convinced me at once that he was mad at  first he stared at me as if he found it

impossible to comprehend the witticism of my remark but  as its Point seemed slowly to make its way into his brain his eyes in the same proportion seemed  protruding from their sockets then he he grew very red then hideously pale then as if highly amused  with what I had insinuated he began a loud and boisterous laugh which to my astonishment he kept  up with gradually increasing Vigor for 10 minutes or more in conclusion he fell flat and heavily  upon the deck when I ran to uplift him to all a

ppearance he was dead I called assistance and  with much difficulty we brought him to himself upon Reviving he spoke incoherently for some time  at length we bled him and put him to bed the next morning he was quite recovered so far as regarded  his mere bodily health of his mind I say nothing of course I avoided him during the rest of the  passage by advice of the captain who seemed to coincide with me altogether in my views of his  insanity but cautioned me to say nothing on this head to any p

erson on board several circumstances  occurred immediately after after this fit of wies which contributed to heighten the Curiosity which  I was already possessed among other things this I had been nervous drank too much strong green tea  and slept ill at night in fact for two nights I could not be properly said to sleep at all now my  state room opened into the main cabin or dining room as did those of all the single men on board  Wyatt's three rooms were in the after cabin which was separated

from the main one by a slight  sliding door never locked even at night as we were almost constantly on a wind and the breeze  was not a little stiff the ship healed to lewood very considerably and whenever her starboard  side was to lewood the sliding door between the cabin slid open and so remained nobody taking the  trouble to get up and shut it but my birth was in such a position that when my own stateroom door  was open as well as the sliding door in question and my own door was always open

on account of  the heat I could see into the after cabin quite distinctly and just at that portion of it too  where was situated the staterooms of Mr Wyatt well during the two nights not consecutive while  I lay awake I clearly saw Mrs W about 11:00 upon each night steal cautiously from the stateroom of  Mr W and enter the extra room where she remained until Daybreak when she was called by her husband  and went back that they were virtually separated was clear they had separate apartments no dou

bt  in contemplation of a more permanent divorce and here after all I thought was the mystery of  the extra room there was another circumstance too which interested me much during the two  wakeful nights in question and immediately after The Disappearance of Mrs Wyatt into the  extra State room I was attracted by certain singular cautious subdued noises in that of her  husband after listening to them for some time with thoughtful attention I at length succeeded  perfectly in translating their im

port there were Sounds occasioned by the artist in prying open The  Oblong Box by means of a chisel and a mallet the latter being apparently muffled or deadened  by some soft Woolen or cotton substance in which its head was enveloped in this manner I  fancied I could distinguish the precise moment when he fairly disengaged the lid or that I could  determine when he removed it alt together and when he deposited upon the lower birth in his room this  latter point I knew for example by certain slig

ht Taps which the lid made in Striking against the  wooden edges of the birth as he endeavored to lay it down very gently there being no room for it on  the floor after this there was a dead Stillness and I heard nothing more upon either occasion  until nearly Daybreak unless perhaps I may mention a low s sobbing or murmuring sound so very much  suppressed as to be nearly inaudible if indeed the Hall of this latter noise were not rather  produced by my own imagination I say it seemed to resemble

sobbing or sighing but of course it  could not have been either I rather think it was a ringing in my own ears Mr Wyatt no doubt according  to custom was merely giving the rain to one of his Hobbies indulging in one of his fits of artistic  enthusiasm he had opened his Oblong Box in order to Feast his eyes on the pictural treasure within  there was nothing in this however to make him SOB I repeat therefore that it must have been simply a  freak of my own Fancy distempered by good Captain Hardy'

s green tea Just Before Dawn on each of the  two nights of which I speak I distinctly heard Mr Wyatt replace the lid upon the Oblong Box and  force the nails into their old places by means of the muffled Mallet having done this he issued  from his stateroom fully dressed and proceeded to call Mrs W from hers we had been at Sea 7 days  and were now off Cape hatus when there came a tremendously heavy Blow from the southwest we  were in a measure prepared for it however as the weather had been hold

ing out threats for some  time everything was made snug Al low and Loft and as the wind steadily freshened We Lay too at  length under spanker and fortop sail both double reefed in this trim we rode safely enough for 48  hours the ship proving herself an excellent seab boat in many respects and shipping no water of any  consequence at the end of this period however the Gale had freshened into a hurricane and our after  saale split into ribbons bringing us so much in the trough of the water that

we shipped several  prodigous Seas one immediately after the other by this accident we lost three men overboard  with the Caboose and nearly the whole of the lbo buw walks scarcely had we recovered our senses  before the four toop sail went into shreds when we got up a storm stay sail and with this did pretty  well for some hours the ship heading the sea much more steadily than before the Gale still held on  however and we saw no signs of its abating the rigging was found to be ill- fitted and g

reatly  strained and on the third day of the blow about 5: in the afternoon our mizen mast in a heavy  Lurch to Windwood went by the board for an hour or more we tried in vain to get rid of it on  account of the prodigious rolling of the ship and before we had succeeded the carpenter came  after and announced 4T water in the hold to add to our dilemma we found the pumps choked and  nearly useless all was now confusion and despair but an effort was made to lighten the ship by  throwing overboard

as much of her cargo as could be reached and by cutting away the two masks that  remained this we at last accomplished but we were still unable to do anything at the pumps and in  the meantime the leak gained on us very fast at sundown the Gale had sensibly diminished in  violence and as the sea went down with it we still entertained faint hopes of saving our souls  in the boats at 8:00 p.m. the clouds broke away to Winwood and we had the advantage of a full moon a  piece of Good Fortune which s

erved wonderfully to cheer our drooping spirits after incredible labor  we succeeded at length in getting the Longboat over the side without material accident and into  this we crowded the whole of the crew and most of the passengers this party made off immediately and  after undergoing much suffering finally arrived in safety at okra Coke Inlet on the third day after  the wreck 14 passengers with the captain remained on board resolving to trust their fortunes to the  the Jolly boat at the stern

we lowered it without difficulty although it was only by a miracle  that we prevented it from swamping as it touch the water it contained when afloat the captain and  his wife Mr Wyatt and party a Mexican officer wife four children and myself with a negro valet we  had no room of course for anything except a few positively necessary instruments some provisions  and the clothes upon our backs no one had thought of even attempting to save anything more what  must have been the astonishment of all

then when having proceeded a few fathoms from the ship  Mr Wyatt stood up in the stern sheets and cooly demanded of Captain Hardy that the boat should  be put back for the purpose of taking in his Oblong Box sit down Mr Wyatt replied the captain  somewhat sternly you will capsize us if you do not sit quite still our gun whale is almost in  the water now the Box vociferated Mr Wyatt Still Standing the box I say captain Hardy you cannot  you will not refuse me its weight will be but a trifle it i

s nothing mere Nothing by the mother  Who Bore You For the Love of Heaven by your hope of Salvation I implore you to put back for the  Box the captain for a moment seemed touched by the earnest appeal of the artist but he regained  his Stern composure and merely said Mr Wyatt you are mad I cannot listen to you sit down I say or  you will swamp the boat stay hold him seize him he is about to Spring overboard there I knew it he  is over as the captain said this Mr Wyatt in fact sprang from the boa

t and as we were yet in the  Lee of the wreck succeeded by all my superhuman exertion in getting hold of a rope which hung  from the four chains in another moment he was on board and rushing frantically down into the  cabin in the meantime we had been swept a stern of the ship and being quite out of her Lee were  at the mercy of the tremendous sea which was still running we made a determined effort to put  back but our little boat was like a feather in the breath of the Tempest we saw at a glanc

e that  the Doom of the unfortunate artist was sealed as our distance from the wreck rapidly increased  the madman for as such only could we regard him was seen to emerge from the companion way up  which by Dent of strength that appeared gigantic he dragged bodily The Oblong Box while we gazed  in the extreme of astonishment he passed rapidly several turns of a 3-in rope first around the  box and then around his body in another instant both body and the Box were in the sea disappearing  Suddenly

at once and forever we lingered a while sadly Upon Our OES with our eyes riveted upon  the spot at length we pulled away the silence remained unbroken for an hour finally I hazarded  a remark Did You observe Captain how suddenly they sank was not that an exceedingly singular thing I  confess that I entertained some feble hope of his final Deliverance when I saw him lash himself to  the box and commit himself to the Sea they sank as a matter of course replied the captain and that  like a shot th

ere will soon Rise Again however but not till the salt melts the salt I ejaculated hush  said the captain pointing to the wife and sister of the deceased we must talk of these things at  some more appropriate time we suffered much and made a narrow Escape but Fortune defended us as  well as our mates in the Longboat we landed in fine more dead than alive after 4 days of intense  distress upon the beach opposite Rowan ik Island we remained here a week were not ill treated by  the Wreckers and at

length obtained a passage to New York about a month after the loss of the  independence I happened to meet Captain Hardy in Broadway our conversation turned naturally  upon the disaster and especially upon the sad fate of poor Wyatt I thus learned the following  particulars the artist had engaged passage for himself wife two sisters and servant his wife was  indeed as she had been presented a most lovely and most accomplished woman on the morning of the  14th of June the day in which I first vis

ited the ship the lady suddenly sickened and died  the young husband was frantic with grief but circumstances imperatively forbade the deferring  of his voyage to New York it was necessary to take to her mother the corpse of his adored wife and  on the other hand hand the universal Prejudice which would prevent his doing so openly was well  known 9/10 of the passengers would have abandoned the ship rather than take passage with a dead  body in this dilemma Captain Hardy arranged that the corpse

being first partially embalmed and  packed with a large quantity of salt in a box of suitable Dimensions should be conveyed on board as  merchandise nothing was to be said of the lady's decease and as it was well understood that Mr  Wyatt had engaged passage for his wife it became necessary that some person should personate her  during the voyage this the deceased lady's maid was easily prevailed on to do the extra stateroom  originally engaged for this girl during her mistress's life was now me

rely retained in this  state room the pseudo wife slept of course every night in the daytime she performed to the best of  her ability the part of her mistress whose person it had been carefully ascertained was unknown  to any of the passengers on board my own mistake arose naturally enough through too careless too  inquisitive and too impulsive a temperament but of late it is a rare thing that I sleep soundly  at night there is a countenance which haunts me turn as I will there is an hysterical

  laugh which will forever ring within my ears end of The Oblong Box recording by Linda  Ferguson section 10 the gold bug part one by Edgar Allen Poe what ho what ho this fellow is  dancing mad he has been bitten by the tarantula all in the wrong many years ago I contracted  an intimacy with a Mr William Legrand he was of an ancient hukan not family and had once been  wealthy but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want to avoid the mortification consequent  upon his disasters he left New

Orleans the city of his forefathers and took up his residence  at Sullivan's Island near Charleston South Carolina this island is a very singular one it  consists of little else than the Sealands and is about 3 miles long it's breath at no point  exceeds a quarter of a mile it is separated from the mainland by a scarcely perceptible  Creek oozing its way through a Wilderness of reeds and slime a favorite Resort of  the marsh hen the vegetation as might be supposed is scant or at least dwarfish

no  trees of any magnitude are to be seen near the Western extremity where Fort maltry stands  and where are some miserable frame buildings tenanted during summer by the fugitives from  Charleston dust and fever may be found indeed the bristly paletto but the whole island with  the exception of this Western point and a line of hard white Beach on the Sea Coast is covered  with the dense undergrowth of the sweet Myrtle so much prized by the horticulturalists  of England the shrub here often attai

ns the height of 15 or 20 ft and forms an almost  impenetrable compus burdening the air with its fragrance in the inmost recesses of this Copus  not far from the Eastern or more remote end of the island LR had built himself a small Hut which  he occupied when I first by mere accident made his acquaintance this soon ripened into friendship for  there was much in the recluse to excite interest and esteem I found him well educated with unusual  powers of mind but infected with misanthropy and subje

ct to perverse moods of alternate enthusiasm  and Melancholy he had with him many books but rarely employed them his chief amusements were  gunning and fishing or sauntering along the beach and through the myrtles in quest of shells or  entomological specimens his collection of the latter might have been envied by a swammer dam in  these excursions he was usually accompanied by an old negro called Jupiter who had been manumitted  before the reverses of the family but who could be induced neither

by threats nor by promises to  abandon what he considered his right of attendance upon the footsteps of his young Massa will it is  not improbable that the relatives of LR conceiving him to be somewhat unsettled in intellect had  contrived to instill this obstinacy into Jupiter with a view to the supervision and guardianship  of The Wanderer the winters in the latitude of Sullivan's Island are seldom very severe and  in the fall of the year it is a rare event indeed when a fire is considered ne

cessary about  the middle of October 18 blank there occurred however a day of remarkable chilliness Just Before  Sunset I scrambled my way through the Evergreens to the Hut of my friend whom I had not visited for  several weeks my residence being at that time in Charleston a distance of 9 miles from the island  while the facilities of Passage and repassage were very far behind those of the present day upon  reaching the Hut I wrapped as was my custom and getting no reply sought for the key where

I  knew it was secreted unlocked the door and went in a fine fire was Blazing upon the Hearth it  was a novelty and by no means an ungrateful one I threw off an Overcoat took an armchair by the  crackling logs and awaited patiently the arrival of my hosts soon after dark they arrived and gave  me a most cordial welcome Jupiter grinning from ear to ear bustled about to prepare some Marsh  hens for supper the grand was in one of his fits how else shall I term them of enthusiasm he had  found an u

nknown by Valve forming a new genus and More Than This he had hunted down and secured with  Jupiter's assistance a scarabus which he believed to be totally new but in respect to which he  wish to have my opinion on the tomorrow and why not tonight I asked rubbing my hands over the  Blaze and wishing the whole tribe of Scarab at the Devil ah if I had only known you were here said LR  but it's so long since I saw you and how could I foresee that you would pay me a visit this very  night of all oth

ers as I was coming home I met Lieutenant G from the Forts and very foolishly I  lent him the bug so it will be impossible for you to see it until the morning stay here tonight and  I will send up down for it at Sunrise it is the loveliest thing in Christ ation what Sunrise  nonsense no the bug it is of a brilliant gold collar about the size of a large hickory nut  with two jet black spots near one extremity of the back and another somewhat longer at the  other the antenna are they ain't no tin

in him Massa will I keep a tellon on you here interrupted  Jupiter debug is a a ghoul bug solid every bit of him inside and all except him Wing never feel half  so heavy a bug in my life well suppose it is jup replied LR somewhat more earnestly it seemed to  me than the case demanded is that any reason for your letting the birds burn the color here he  turned to me is really almost enough to Warrant Jupiter's idea you never saw a more brilliant  metallic luster than the scales emit but of this y

ou cannot judge till tomorrow in the meantime I  can give you some idea of the shape saying this he seated himself at a small table on which were  a pen and ink but no paper he looked for some in a drawer but found none never mind he said at  length this will answer atie Drew from his waist coat pocket a scrap of what I took to be very very  dirty full scrap and made upon it a rough drawing with a pen while he did this I retained my seat  by the fire for I was still chilly when the design was co

mplete he handed it to me without Rising as  I received it a loud growl Was Heard succeeded by a scratching at the door Jupiter opened it and  a large New Foundland belonging to the Grand rushed in leaped upon my shoulders and loaded me  with caresses for I had shown him much attention during previous visits when his gambles were over  I looked at the paper and to speak the truth found myself not a little puzzled at what my friend  had depicted well I said after contemplating it for some minutes

this is a strange scarabus I  must confess new to me never saw anything like it before unless it was a skull or a death's head  which it more nearly resembles than anything else that has come under my observation a death's head  echoed L Grand oh yes well it has something of that appearance on paper no doubt the two upper  black spots look like eyes eh and the longer one at the bottom like a mouth and then the shape  of the hole is oval perhaps so said I but LR I fear you are no artist I must w

ait until I see  the beetle itself if I am to form any idea of its personal appearance well I don't know said  he a little nettled I draw tolerably should do it at least have had good Masters and flatter  myself that I am not quite a blockhead but my dear fellow you are joking then said I this is a  very passible skull indeed I may say that it is a very excellent skull according to the vulgar  Notions about such specimens of physiology and your scarabus must be the queerest scarabus in the  worl

d if it resembles it why we may get up a very thrilling bit of superstition upon this hint I  presume you will call the bug scarabus capit humus or something of that kind there are many similar  titles in the natural histories but what are the antenna you spoke of the antenna said L Grand  who seemed to be getting unaccountably warm upon the subject I am sure you must see the antenna I  made them as distinct as they are in the original insect and I presume that is sufficient well well  I said pe

rhaps you have still I don't see them and I handed him the paper without additional remark  not wishing to ruffle his temper but I was much surprised at the turn of fairs had taken his ill  humor puzzled me and as for the drawing of the beetle there were positively no antenna visible  and the hole did Bear a very close resemblance to the ordinary cuts of a death's head he received  the paper very peevishly and was about to crumple it apparently to throw it in the fire when a  casual glance at th

e design seemed suddenly to rivet his attention in an instant his face  grew violently red in another excessively pale for some minutes he continued to scrutinize the  drawing minutely where he sat at length he arose took a candle from the table and proceeded to seat  himself upon a Sea Chest in the farthest corner of the room here again he made an anxious examination  of the paper turning it in all directions he said nothing however and his conduct greatly astonished  me yet I thought it pruden

t not to exacerbate the growing moodiness of his temper by any comments  presently he took from his coat pocket a wallet placed the paper carefully in it and deposited  both in a writing desk which he locked he now grew more composed in his demeanor but his  original air of enthusiasm had quite disappeared yet he seemed not so much suy as abstracted as  the evening wore away he became more and more absorbed in revery from which no sallies of mine  could arouse him it had been my intention to pas

s the night at the hut as I had frequently done  before but seeing my host in this mood I deemed it proper to take leave he did not press me to  remain but as I departed he shook my hands with even more than his usual cordiality it was about  a month after this and during the interval I had seen nothing of L Grand when I received a visit at  Charleston from his man Jupiter I had never seen the old negro look so dispirited and I feared that  some serious disaster had befallen my friend well jup s

aid I what is the matter now how is your  master why I to speak the truth Massa him not so very well as M be not well I am truly sorry  to hear it what does he complain of Dar that's it him never play Nothing But him very sick for  all that very sick Jupiter why didn't you say so at once is he confined to bed no dad he ain't he  ain't find nowhere dad just where to shoe pinch my mind has got to be very heavy about poor Master  will Jupiter I should like to understand what it is you are talking a

bout you say your master is  sick hasn't he told you what ails him why M taint wolf while for to get mad about the matter Master  will say nothing at all ain't the matter with him but then what make him go about looking this here  way with his head down and his shoulders up and as white as a Goose and Denny keep a siphon all the  time keep a what Jupiter keeps a siphon with the figures on the Slate queerest figures I ever did  see I getting to be scared I tell you have for to keep Mighty tight e

ye upon Him manuvers toter  day he give me slip for the Sun up and was gone to whole all blessed day I had a big stick Ready  Cut for to give him deed good beating when he did come but as such a fool that I hadn't the heart  at all he looked so very poorly eh what ah yes upon the whole I think you had better not be too  severe with the poor fellow don't fog him Jupiter he can't very well stand it but you can form no  idea of what has occasioned this illness or rather this change of conduct has a

nything unpleasant  happened since I saw you no Massa they Ain been nothing unpleasant since then was for then I'm  feared TW The Bu day you was there how what do you mean why Massa I mean the bug there now the  what the bug I'm very certain that mass will been bit somewhere about the head by that ghoul bug and  what cause have you Jupiter for such a supposition claws enough Massa and mouth too I never did see  such a deuced bug he kick and he bite everything what come near him Master will caugh

t him fuss  but had for to let him go again Mighty quick I tell you then was the time he must had got to bite  I didn't like to look up the bug mouth myself no how so I wouldn't take hold of him with my finger  but I CAU him with a piece of paper that I found I wrap him up into the paper and stuff a piece of  it in he mouth that was the way and you think then that your master was really bitten by the Beetle  and that the Beetle made him sick I don't think nothing about it I knows it what make hi

m dream  about the ghoul so much if T cuz he bit by the gold bug I hear about them gold bugs for this  but how do you know he dreams about gold how I know why cuz he talk about it and he sleep that's  how I knows well jum perhaps you are right but to what fortunate circumstance am I to attribute the  honor of a visit from you today what mam Massa did you bring any message from Mr LR no Massa I bring  this here pistle and here Jupiter handed me a note which ran thus my dear blank why have I not s

een  you for so long long a time I hope you have not been so foolish as to take offense at any little  bruser of mine but no that is improbable since I saw you I have had great cause for anxiety I  have something to tell you yet scarcely know how to tell it or whether I should tell it at all  I have not been quite well for some days past and poor old jup annoys me almost Beyond Endurance by  his well- meant attention would you believe it he had prepared a huge stick the other day with  which to

chastise me for giving him the slip and spending the day stess among the hills on  the mainland I verily believe that my ill looks alone saved me from a flogging I have made no  addition to my cabinet since we met if you can in any way make it convenient come over with  Jupiter do come I wish to to you tonight upon business of importance I assure you that it is  of the highest importance ever yours William LR there was something in the tone of this note which  gave me great uneasiness its whole

style differed materially from that of the grand what could  he be dreaming of what new crotchet possessed his excitable brain what business of the highest  importance could he he possibly have to transact Jupiter's account of him boded no good I dreaded  lest the continued pressure of Misfortune had at length fairly unsettled the reason of my friend  without a moment's hesitation therefore I prepared to accompany the Negro upon reaching the warf I  noticed a skythe and three Spades all apparent

ly new laying in the bottom of the boat in which  we were to Embark what is is the meaning of all this jup I inquired him Massa and Spade very true  but what are they doing here him to scyth and to Spade what mastera will sis upon me buying for  him into town and the devil's own lot of money I had to give for him but what in the name of all  that is mysterious is your Massa will going to do with skies and Spades that's more than I know and  de will take me if I don't believe is more than he know

too but it's all come of debug finding that  no satisfaction was to be obtained of Jupiter whose whole intellect seemed to be absorbed by  debug I now stepped into the boat and made sail with a fair and strong Breeze we soon ran into  the little Cove to the northward of Fort maltry and a walk of some two miles brought us to the hut  it was about 3: in the afternoon when we arrived lran had been awaiting Us in eager expectation  he grasped my hand with a nervous impressment which alarmed me and

strengthened the suspicions  already entertained his countenance was pale even to ghastliness and his deep set eyes glared with  unnatural luster after some inquiries respecting his health I asked him not knowing what better  to say if he had yet obtained the scarabus from Lieutenant G oh yes he replied coloring violently  I got it from him the next morning nothing should tempt me to part with that scarabus do you know  that Jupiter is quite right about it in what way I asked with a sad forbodin

g at heart in supposing  it to be a bug of real gold he said this with an air of profound serious ious nness and I felt  inexpressibly shocked this bug is to make my fortune he continued with a triumphant smile to  reinstate me in my family possessions is it any Wonder then that I prize it since Fortune has  thought fit to bestow it upon me I have only to use it properly and I shall arrive at the Gold  of which it is the index Jupiter bring me that scarabus what the bug Massa I'd rather not go 

for trouble that bug you must get him for your own self hereupon Legrand rose with a grave and  stately air and brought me the beetle from a glass case in which it was enclosed it was a beautiful  scarabus and at that time unknown to naturalists of course a great prize in the scientific point  of view there were two round black spots near one extremity of the back and a long one near  the other the scales were exceedingly hard and glossy with all the appearance of burnished gold  the weight of t

he insect was very remarkable and taking all things into consideration I could  hardly blame Jupiter for his opinion respecting it but what to make of lr's concordance with that  opinion I could not for the life of me tell I sent for you said he in a grand eloquent tone when  I had completed my examination of the beetle I sent for you that I might have your counsel and  assistance in furthering the views of fate and of the bug my dear L Grand I cried interrupting him  you are certainly unwell an

d had better use some little precautions you shall go to bed and I will  remain with you a few days until you get over this you are feverish and feel my pulse said he I felt  it and to say the truth found not the slightest indication of fever but you may be ill and yet  have no fever allow me this once to prescribe for you in the first place go to bed in the next you  are mistaken he interposed I am as well as I can expect to be under the excitement which I suffer  if you really wish me well you

will Rel leave this excitement and how is this to be done very easily  Jupiter and myself are going upon an expedition into the hills upon the mainlands and in this  Expedition we shall need the aid of some person in whom we can confide you are the only one we can  trust whether we succeed or fail the excitement which you now perceive in me will be equally  allayed I am anxious to oblige you in any way I replied but do you mean to say that this infernal  Beetle has any connection with your Expe

dition into the hills it has then LR I can become a party  to No Such absurd proceeding I am sorry very sorry for we shall have to try it by ourselves try it by  yourselves the man is surely mad but stay how long do you propose to be absent probably all night we  shall start immediately and be back at all events by sunrise and will you promise me upon your honor  that when this freak of yours is over and the bug business good God settled to your satisfaction  you will then return home and follow

my advice implicitly as that of your physician yes I promise  and now let us be off for we have no time to lose L with a heavy heart I accompanied my friends we  started about 4:00 LR Jupiter the dog and myself Jupiter had with him the sky and Spades the whole  of which he insisted upon carrying more through fear it seemed to me of trusting either of the  implements Within Reach of his master than from any excess of industry or complacence his demeanor  was dogged in the extreme and that deuced

bug were the sole Words which escaped his lips during the  journey for my own part I had charge of a couple of dark lanterns while a grand contented himself  with the scarabus which he carried attached to the ends of a bit of whip cord swirling it to  and fro with the air of a conjuror as he went when I observed this last plain evidence of  my friend's apparation of mind I could scarce refrain from tears I thought it best however to  humor his fancy at least for the present or until I could ado

pt some more energetic measures with a  Chance of success in the meantime I endeavored but all in vain to sound him in regard to the object  of the Expedition having succeeded in inducing me to accompany him he seemed unwilling to hold  conversation upon any topic of minor importance and to all my questions vouch saved no other  reply than we shall see we crossed the creek at the head of the island by means of a skiff and  ascending the high grounds on the shore of the Mainland proceeded in a no

rthwesterly direction  through a tract of country excessively wild and desolate where no trace of a human footstep was  to be seen LR led the way with decision pausing only for an instant here and there to consult  what appeared to be certain landmarks of his own contrivance upon a former occasion in this  manner we journeyed for about 2 hours and the sun was just setting when we entered a region  infinitely more dreary than any yet seen it was a species of table land near the summit of an  almo

st inaccessible Hill densely wooded from base to Pinnacle and interspersed with huge Crags that  appeared to lie loose ly upon the soil and in many cases were prevented from precipitating themselves  into The Valleys below merely by the support of the trees against which they reclined deep ravines  in various directions gave an air of still Sterner solemnity to the scene the natural platform to  which we had clamored was thickly overgrown with brambles through which we soon discovered that it  w

ould have been impossible to force our way but for the skies and Jupiter by direction of his  master proceeded to clear for us a path to the foot of an enormously tall tulip tree which stood  with some eight or 10 Oaks upon the level and far surpassed them all and all other trees which I  had ever seen in the beauty of its foliage and form in the widespread of its branches and in the  general Majesty of its appearance when we reached this tree lran turned to Jupiter and asked him if  he thought

he could climb it the old man seemed a little staggered by the question and for some  moments made no reply at length he approached the huge trunk walked slowly around it and examined  it with minute attention when he had completed his scrutiny he merely said yes MAA J climb any  tree he ever see in he life then up with you as soon as possible for it will soon be too dark to  see what we are about how far must go up Massa inquired Jupiter get up the main trunk first  and then I will tell you whi

ch way to go and here stop take this beetle with you de bug Massa  will de bug cried the Negro drawing back a dismay what for must to to Bunk way up the tree DN if I  do if you are afraid jum a great big negro like you to take hold of a harmless little dead Beetle  why you can carry it up by the string but if you do not take it up with you in some way I shall  be under the necessity of breaking your head with a shovel what the matter now Massa said jop  evidently shamed into compliance always wa

nt for to raise fuss with old [ __ ] was only fun and  anyhow me feared to bug what I cared for to bug here he took cautiously hold of the extreme end  of the string and maintaining the insect as far from his person as circumstances would permit  prepared to ascend the tree in youth the tulip tree or Lio dendrin tulip fum the most magnificent  of American Forest has a trunk peculiarly smooth and often Rises to a great height without lateral  branches but in its riper Age The Bark becomes gnarled

and uneven while many short limbs make  their appearance on the stem thus the difficulty of Ascension in the present case lay more in  semblance than in reality embracing the huge cylinder as closely as possible with his arms and  knees seizing with his hands some projections and resting his naked toes upon others Jupiter after  one or two narrow escapes from falling at length wriggled himself into the first great fork and  seemed to consider the whole business as virtually accomplished the ris

k of the achievement was in  fact now over although the climber was some 60 or 70 ft from the ground which way must go now Master  will he asked keep up the largest branch the one on this side said the GRS the Negro obeyed him  promptly and apparently with but little trouble ascending higher and higher until no glimpse  of his squat figure could be obtained through the dense foliage which enveloped it presently his  voice was heard in a sort of hallo how much futter is got for go how high up are

you asked LR e so  fur replied the Negro can see the sky through the top of the tree never mind the sky but attend to  what I say look down the trunk and count the limbs below you on this side how many limbs have you  passed 1 2 three 4 5 I dump pass Five big limb Massa upon this side then go one limb higher in a  few minutes The Voice Was Heard again announcing that the seventh limb was attained now jump cried  L Grand evidently much excited I want you to work your way out upon that limb as fa

r as you can if  you see anything strange let me know by this time what little doubt I might have entertained of my  poor friend's Insanity was finally put at rest I had no alternative but to conclude him stricken  with lunacy and I became seriously anxious about getting him home while I was pondering upon what  was best to be done Jupiter's voice was again heard Moss feared for to venture upon this limb  very far his dead limb pretty much all way did you say it was a dead limb Jupiter cried L G

rand in a  quavering voice yes Massa him dead is the doornail done up for sarden done dep parted this here life  what in the name of Heaven shall I do asked the grand seemingly in the greatest distress do said  I glad of an opportunity to interpose a word why come home and go to bed come now there's a fine  fellow it's getting late and besides you remember your promise Jupiter cried he without heeding me  in the least do you hear me yes master will hear you ever so plain try the wood well then w

ith your  knife and see if you think it is very rotten him rotten Massa sure enough replied the Negro in  a few moments but not so very rotten as might be might venture out little way upon the the  limb by myself that's true by yourself what do you mean why I mean the bug this very heavy bug  suppose I drop him down first and then the limb won't break with just a weight of one [ __ ]  you infernal scoundrel cried LR apparently much relieved what do you mean by telling me such  nonsense as that a

s sure as you drop that Beetle I'll break your neck look here Jupiter do you  hear me yes Massa need Hollow at poor [ __ ] D style well now listen if you will venture out on  the limb as far as you think safe and not let go the beetle I'll make you a present of a silver  dollar as soon as you get down I'm Gwen Master will daa is replied the Negro very promptly  most out to the end now out to the end here fairly screamed L Grand do you say you are out  to the end of the limb soon be to the end Ma

ssa oh lamasi what is this here p a tree well cried LR  highly delighted what is it what Ain nothing but a skull somebody been left him head up to tree and  the crows done gobble every bit up to meat off a skull you say very well how is it fastened to the  limb what holds it on sure enough Massa must look why this very curious circumstance upon my word  there's a great big nail into skull what fastens zbit on to the tree well now Jupiter do exactly  as I tell you do you hear yes MAA pay attentio

n then find the left eye of the skull hum ho that's  good why there ain't no eye left at all curse your stupidity do you know your right hand from your  left yes I knows that knows all about that is my left hand which I chops to wood with to be sure  you are left-handed and your left eye is on the same side as your left hand now I suppose you can  find the left eye of the skull or the place where the left eye has been have you found it here was  a long pause at length the Negro asked is the left

eye of dull upon the same side as the left hand  of dull too cuz the skull ain't got not a bit of a hand at all never mind I got the left ey now  here the left eye what must I do with it let the beetle drop through it as far as the string will  reach but be careful and not let go your hold of the string all that done Master will might easy  thing for to put the bug through the hole look out for him there below during this colqui no  portion of Jupiter's person could be seen but the beetle which

he had suffered to descend was  now visible at the end of the string and glistened like a globe of burnished gold in the last rays  of the Setting Sun some of which still faintly illumined the Eminence upon which we stood the  scarabus hung quite clear of any branches and if allowed to fall would have fallen at our feet LR  immediately took the Skye and cleared with it a circular Space 3 or four yards in diameter just  beneath the insect and having accomplished this ordered Jupiter to let go th

e string and come down  from the tree driving a peg with great nicity into the ground at the precise spot where the beetle  fell my friend now produced from his pocket a tape measure fastening one end of this at that  point of the trunk of the tree which was nearest the peg he unrolled it till it reached the Peg and  then further unrolled it in the direction already established by the two points of the tree and the  peg for the distance of 50 ft Jupiter clearing away the brambles with the sky at

the spot thus  attained a second Peg was driven and about this as a center a rude Circle about 4 ft in diameter  described now taking a spade himself and giving one to Jupiter and one to me LR begged us to set  about digging as quickly as possible to speak the truth I had no special relish for such amusement  at any time and at that particular moment would willingly have declined it for the night was  coming on and I felt much fatigued with the exercise already taken but I saw no mode of escape

  and was fearful of disturbing my poor friend's equinity by a refusal could I have depended indeed  upon Jupiter's Aid I would have had no hesitation in attempting to get the lunatic home by force  but I was too well assured of the old negro's disposition to hope that he would assist me under  any circumstances in a personal contest with his master I made no doubt that the latter had been  infected with some of the innumerable Southern superstitions about money buried and that his  fantasy had

received confirmation by the fighting of the scarabus or perhaps by Jupiter's obstinacy  in maintaining it to be a bug of real gold a mind disposed to lunacy would readily be led Away by  such suggestions especially if chiming in with favorite preconceived ideas and then I called to  mind the poor fellow's speech about the Beatles being the index of his fortune upon the whole  I was sadly vexed and puzzled but at length I concluded to make a virtue of necessity to  dig with a Goodwill and thus t

he sooner to convince the Visionary by ocular demonstration  of the fallacy of the opinion he entertained the lanterns having been lit we all fell to work  with a Zeal worthy a more rational cause and as the glare fell Upon Our persons and implements  I could not help thinking how picturesque a group we composed and how strange and suspicious our  labors must have appeared to any interloper who by chance might have stumbled Upon Our whereabouts  we dug very stly for 2 hours little was said and o

ur chief embarrassment lay in the yelping of the  dog who took exceeding interest in our proceedings he at length became so obstreperous that we grew  fearful of his giving the alarm to some stragg in the vicinity or rather this was the apprehension  of the grand for myself I should have rejoiced at any Interruption which might have enabled me to  get The Wanderer home the noise was at any length very effectually silenced by Jupiter who getting  out of the hole with a dogged air of deliberation

tied the brut's mouth up with one of his  suspenders and then returns with a grave chuckle to his task when the time mentioned had expired we  had reached a depth of 5T and yet no signs of any treasure became manifest a general pause ensued  and I began to hope that the farce was at an end LR however although evidently much disconcerted  wiped his brow thoughtfully and recommenced we had excavated the entire circle of 4T diameter and  now we slightly enlarged the limit and went to the farther de

pth of 2 ft still nothing appeared the  goldseker whom I sincerely pied at length clamored from the pit with the bitterest disappointment  imprinted upon every feature and proceeded slowly and reluctantly to put on his coat which he had  thrown off at the beginning of his labor in the meantime I made no remark Jupiter at a signal from  his master began to gather up his tools this done and the dog having been unmuzzled we turned  in profound silence toward home we had taken perhaps a dozen steps

in this direction when with  a loud oath Legrand stred up to Jupiter and seized him by the color the astonished negro opened his  eyes and mouth to the fullest extent let fall the Spades and fell upon his knees you scoundrel  said the grand kissing out the syllables from between his clenched teeth you infernal black  villain speak I tell you answer me this instant without pration which which is your left eye oh  my golly Master will ain't this here my left eye for S roared the terrified Jupiter

placing his  hand upon his right organ of vision and holding it there with a desperate pertinency as if in  immediate dread of his master's attempt at a gouge I thought so I knew it hurrah vociferated  LR letting the Negro go and executing a series of curvet and carols much to the astonishment  of his valet who arising from his knees looked mutely from his master to myself and then from  myself to his master come we must go back said the latter the game's not up yet and he again led  the way to

the Tulip Tree Jupiter said he when we reached its foot come here was the skull nailed  to the limb with a face outward or with a face to the limb def face was out Massa so danta crows  could get at the eyes good without any trouble well then was it this eye or that through which  you dropped the beetle here L Grand touched each of Jupiter's eyes was this eye mastera the left  eye just as you tell me and here it was his right eye that the Negro indicated that will do we must  try it again end of

section 10 recording by Katie Riley October 2009 section 11 the gold bug part  two by Edgar alen Poe here my friends about whose Madness I now saw or fancied that I saw certain  indications of method removed the peg which marked the spot where the beetle fell to a spot about 3  in to the westward of its former position taking now the tape measure from the nearest point of  the trunk to the peg as before and continuing the extension in a straight line to the distance  of 50 ft a spot was indicat

ed removed by several yards from the point at which we had been digging  around the new position of circle somewhat larger than in the former instance was now described  and we again set to work with the Spade I was dreadfully weary but scarcely understanding what  had occasioned the change in my thoughts I felt no longer any great aversion from the labor imposed  I had become unaccountably interested nay even excited perhaps there was something amid all the  extravagant demeanor of LR some air

of forethought or of deliberation which impressed me I dug  eagerly and now and then caught myself actually looking with something that very much resembled  expectation for the fancied treasure the vision of which had demented my unfortunate companion at  a period when such vagaries of thought most fully possessed me and when we had been at work perhaps  an hour and a half we were again interrupted by the violent howlings of the dog his uneasiness  in the first instance had been evidently but th

e result of playfulness or Caprice but he  now assumed a a bitter and serious tone upon Jupiter's again attempting to muzzle him he made  Furious resistance and leaping into the hole tore up the mold frantically with his claws in a few  seconds he had uncovered a massive human bones forming two complete skeletons intermingled with  several buttons of metal and what appeared to be the dust of decayed Woolen one or two strokes of a  spade upturned the blade of a large Spanish knife knife and as we

dug farther three or four loose  pieces of gold and silver coin came to light at sight of these the joy of Jupiter could scarcely  be restrained but the countenance of his master wor an air of extreme disappointment he urged us  however to continue our exertions and the words were hardly uttered when I stumbled and fell  forward having caught the toe of my boot in a large ring of iron that lay half buried in the  loose Earth we now worked in Earnest and never did I pass 10 minutes of more inten

se excitement  during this interval we had Fairly Unearthed an oblong chest of wood which from its perfect  preservation and wonderful hardness had plainly been subjected to some mineralizing process  perhaps that of the Bic chloride of mercury this box was 3T and 1/2 long 3 ft Broad and 2 and  1/2 ft deep it was firmly secured by bands of rot iron riveted and forming a kind of open chellis  work over the hole on each side of the chest near the top were three rings of iron six in all by  means o

f which a firm hold could be obtained by six persons our utmost United Endeavors served  only to disturb the Coffer very slightly in its bed we at once saw the impossibility of removing  so great a weight luckily the sole fastenings of the lid consist Ed of two sliding bolts these we  drew back trembling and panting with anxiety in an instant a treasure of incalculable value lay  gleaming before us as the Rays of the lantern fell within the pit there flashed upward a glow  and a glare from a con

fused heap of gold and of jewels that absolutely dazzled our eyes I shall  not pretend to describe the feelings with which I gazed amazement was of course of course  predominant Legrand appeared exhausted with excitement and spoke very few words Jupiter's  countenance wore for some minutes as deadly a palar as it is possible in the nature of things  for any negro's Visage to assume he seemed stupified Thunder stricken presently he fell upon  his knees in the pit and buring his naked arms up to t

he elbows in Gold let them there remain as  if enjoying the luxury a bath at length with a deep sigh he exclaimed as if in a squi and this  all come up the gold bug deep putty gou bug the poor little ghou bug would I boost in that Savage  kind of style ain't you shamed of yourself [ __ ] answer me D it became necessary at last that  I should arouse both master and valet to the expediency of removing the treasure it was growing  late and it behooved us to make exertion that we might get everythin

g housed before daylight it  was difficult to say what should be done and much time was spent in deliberation so confused  were the ideas of all we finally lighted The Box by removing twoth thirs of its contents when we  were enabled with some trouble to raise it from its hole the Articles taken out were deposited  among the brambles and the dog left to guard them with strict orders from Jupiter neither upon  any pretense to stir from the spot nor to open his mouth until our return we then hurri

edly  made for home with the chest reaching the Hut in safety but after excessive toil at 1:00 in  the morning worn out as we were it was not in human nature to do more immediately we rested  until 2 and had supper starting for the hills immediately afterwards armed with three Stout  sacks which by good luck were upon the premises a little before 4 we arrived at the pit divided  the remainder of the booty as equally as might be among us and leaving the holes unfilled again  set out for the Hut a

t which for the second time we deposited our golden burin just as the first  faint streaks of the Dawn gleamed from Over the Treetops in the East we were now thoroughly broken  down but the intense excitement of the time denied us Repose after an unquiet Slumber of some 3 or  4 hours duration we arose as if by preconcerted the brim and we spent the whole day and the  greater part of the next night in a scrutiny of its contents there had been nothing like order  or Arrangement everything had been

heaped in promiscuously having assorted all with care we  found ourselves possessed of even vaster wealth than we had at First supposed in coin there was  rather more than $450,000 estimating the value of the pieces as accurately as we could by the tables  of the period there was not a particle of silver all was gold of antique date and of great variety  French Spanish and German money with a few English guine and some counters of which we had never seen  specimens before there were several ver

y large and heavy coins so worn that we could make nothing  of their inscriptions there was no American money the value of the jewels we found more difficulty  in estimating there were diamonds some of them exceedingly large and fine 110 in all and not one  of them small 18 rubies of remarkable brilliancy 310 emeralds all very beautiful and 21 sapphires  with an opal these Stones had all been broken from their settings and thrown loose in the chest the  settings themselves which we picked out fr

om among the other gold appear to have been beaten up with  hammers as if to prevent identification besides all this there was a vast quantity of solid  gold ornaments nearly 200 massive finger and earrings Rich chains 30 of these if I remember  883 very large and heavy crucifixes five gold sensors of Great Value a prodigious golden punch  bowl ornamented with richly chased Vine leaves and bakalian figures with two sword handles  exquisitely embossed and many other smaller articles which I canno

t recollect the weight of  these valuables exceeded 350 lb ever to Poise and in this estimate I have not included 197 superb  gold watches three of the number being worth each $500 if one many of them were very old and as  timekeepers valueless The Works having suffered more or less from corrosion but all were richly  [ __ ] and in cases of great worth we estimated the entire contents of the chest that night at  a million and a half of dollars and upon the subsequent disposal of the Trinkets and

jewels a  few being retained for our own use it was found that we had greatly undervalued the treasure  when at length we had concluded our examination and the intense excitements of the time had in  some measure subsided the grand who saw that I was dying with impatience for a solution of this  most extraordinary riddle entered into a full detail of all the circumstances connected with it  you remember said he the night when I handed you the rough sketch I had made of the scarabus you  recolle

ct also that I became quite vexed at you for insisting that my drawing resembled a death's  head when you first made this assertion I thought you were jesting but afterwards I called to mind  the peculiar spots on the back of the insect and I admitted to myself that your remark had some  little foundation in fact still the sneer at my graphic Powers irritated me for I am considered a  good artist and therefore when you handed me the scrap of parchment I was about to crumple it up  and throw it a

ngrily into the fire the scrap of paper you mean said I no it had much of the  appearance of paper and at first I supposed it to be such but when I came to draw upon it I  discovered it at once to be a piece of very thin parchment it was quite dirty you remember well  as I was in the very Act of crumpling it up my glance fell upon the sketch at which you had been  looking and you may imagine my astonishment when I perceived in fact the figure of a death's head  just where it seemed to me I had m

ade the drawing of the Beetle for a moment I was too much amazed  to think with accuracy I knew that my design was very different in detail from this although  there was a certain similarity in general outline presently I took a candle and seating myself at  the other end of the room proceeded to scrutinize the parchment more closely upon turning it over I  saw my own sketch upon the reverse just as I had made it my first idea now was mere surprise at  the really remarkable similarity of outline

and the singular coincidence involved in the fact that  unknown to me there should have have been a skull upon the other side of the parchment immediately  beneath my figure of the scarabus and that this skull not only in outline but in size should so  closely resemble my drawing I say the singularity of this coincidence absolutely stupified me  for a time this is the usual effect of such coincidences the Mind struggles to establish  a connection a sequence of cause and effect and being unable

to do so suffers a species  of temporary paralysis but when I recovered from this stuper there dawned upon me gradually  a conviction which startled me even far more than the coincidence I began distinctly positively to  remember that there had been no drawing upon the parchments when I made my sketch of the scarabus I  became perfectly certain of this for I recollected turning up first one side and then the other in  search of the cleanest spot had the skull been then there of course I could no

t have failed to  notice it here was indeed a mystery which I felt it impossible to explain but even at that early  moment there seemed to glimmer faintly within the most remote and secret chambers of my intellect  a glowworm likee conception of that truth which last night's Adventure brought to so magnificent  a demonstration I arose at once and putting the parchment securely away dismissed all further  reflection until I should be alone when you had gone and when Jupiter was fast asleep I beto

ok  myself to a more methodical investigation of the affair in the first place I considered the manner  in which the parchment had come into my possession the spot where we discovered the scarabus was on  the coast of the Mainland about a mile Eastward of the island and but a short distance above  high water mark upon my taking hold of it it gave gave me a sharp bite which caused me to  Let It Drop Jupiter with his accustomed caution before seizing the insect which had flown toward  him looked a

bout him for a leaf or something of that nature by which to take hold of it it was at  this moment that his eyes and mine also fell upon the scrap of parchment which I then supposed to  be paper it was lying half buried in the sand a corner sticking up near the spot where we found  it I observed the remnants of the Hall of what appeared to have been a ship's Longboat the wreck  seemed to have been there for a very great while for the resemblance to boat Timbers could scarcely  be traced well Jup

iter picked up the parchments wrapped the beetle in it and gave it to me soon  afterwards we turned to go home and on the way met Lieutenant G I showed him the insect and he  begged me to let him take it to the Fort upon my consenting he thrust it it forth withth into his  waist coat pocket without the parchment in which it had been wrapped and which I had continued to  hold in my hand during his inspection perhaps he dreaded my changing my mind and thought it best  to make sure of the prize at

once you know how enthusiastic he is on all subjects connected  with natural history at the same time without being conscious of it I must have deposited the  parchment in my own pocket you remember that when I went to the table for the purpose of making a  sketch of the beetle I found no paper where it was usually kept I looked in the drawer and found  none there I searched my pockets hoping to find an old letter when my hand fell upon the parchment  I thus detailed the precise mode in which it

came into my possession for the circumstances impressed  me with peculiar Force no doubt you will think me fanciful but I had already established a kind of  con ction I had put together two links of a great chain there was a boat lying upon a Sea Coast and  not far from the boat was a parchment not a paper with a skull depicted upon it you will of course  ask where is the connection I reply that the skull or the death's head is the well-known emblem of  the pirate the flag of the death's head i

s hoisted in all engagements I have said that the scrap  was parchment and not paper parchment is durable almost imperishable matters of little moments are  rarely consigned to parchments since for the mere ordinary purposes of drawing or writing it is not  nearly so well adapted as paper this reflection suggested some meaning some relevancy in the  death's head I did not fail to observe also the form of the parchment although one of its Corners  had been Bent by some accident destroyed it could

be seen that the original form was oblong it was  just a slip indeed as might have been chosen for a memorandum for a record of something to  be long remembered and carefully preserved but I interposed you say that the skull was not  upon the parchment when you made the drawing of the beetle how then do you trace any connection  between the boat and the skull since this ladder according to your own admission must have been  designed God only knows how or by whom at some period subsequent to you

r sketching the scarabus  ah here upon turns the whole mystery although the secret at this point I had comparatively little  difficulty in solving my steps were sure and could afford but a single result I reasoned for example  thus when I drew the scarabus there was no skull apparent upon the parchment when I had completed  the drawing I gave it to you and observed you narrowly until you returned it you therefore did  not design the skull and no one else was present to do it then it was not done

by human agency  and nevertheless it was done at this stage of my Reflections I endeavored to remember and did  remember with entire distinctness every incident which occurred about the period in question the  weather was chilly a rare and happy accident and a fire was Blazing upon the Hearth I was heated  with exercise and sat near the table you however had drawn a chair close to the chimney just as  I placed the parchment in your hands and as you were in the act of inspecting it Wolf the new 

foundin entered and leaped upon your shoulders with your left hand you caressed him and kept him  off while your right holding the parchment was permitted to fall listlessly between your knees  and in close proximity to the fire at one moment I thought the blaze had caught it and was about  to caution you but before I could speak you had withdrawn it and were engaged in its examination  when I considered all these particulars I doubted Not For a Moment that heat had been the agent  in bringing

to light upon the parchment the skull which I saw designed upon it you are well  aware that chemical preparations exist and have existed Time Out of Mind by means of which it is  possible to write upon either paper or Vellum so that the characters shall become visible only when  subjected to the action of fire zapper digested in aqua regia and diluted with four times its  weight of water is sometimes employed a green tint results the regulus of cobalt dissolved in  spirit of Nitra gives a red th

ese colors disappear at longer or shorter intervals after the material  written upon cools but again becomes apparent upon the reapplication of heat I now scrutinized  the death's head with care its outer edges the edges of the drawing nearest the edge of the  Vellum were far more distinct than the others it was clear that the action of the caloric had been  imperfect or unequal I immediately handled a fire and subjected every portion of the parchment to  a glowing Heat at first the only effect

was the strengthening of the faint lines in the skull but  upon persevering in the experiment there became visible at the corner of the slip diagonally  opposite to the spot in which the death's head was delineated the figure of what I at First supposed  to be a goat a closer scrutiny however satisfied me that it was intended for a kid haha said I to  be sure I have no right to laugh at you a million and a half of money is too serious a matter for  Earth but you are not about to establish a thir

d link in your chain you will not find any special  connection between your Pirates and a goat Pirates you know have nothing to do with goats they  appertain to the farming interest but I have just said that the figure was not that of a goat  well a kid then pretty much the same thing pretty much but not altogether said LR you may have  heard of one Captain kid I at once looked upon the figure of the animal as a kind of punning or  hieroglyphical signature I say signature because its position up

on the Vellum suggested the idea  the death's head at the corner diagonally opposite had in the same manner the air of a stamp or seal  but I was sorely put out by the absence of all else of the body to my imagined instruments of the  text for my context I presume you expected to find a letter between the stamp and the signature  something of that kind the fact is I felt irresistibly impressed with the presentent of some  vast Good Fortune impending I can scarcely say why perhaps after all it wa

s rather a desire than  an actual belief but do you know that Jupiter's silly words about the bug being of solid gold  had remarkable effect upon my fancy and then the series of accidents and coincidence these  were so very extraordinary Do You observe how mere an accident it was that these events should  have occurred upon the sole day of all the year in which it has been or may be sufficiently cool  for fire and that without the fire or without the intervention of the dog at the precise moment

s in  which he appeared I should never have become aware of the death's head and so never the possessor  of the treasure but proceed I am all impatience well you have heard of course the many stories  current the Thousand vague rumors afloat about money buried somewhere upon the Atlantic coast  by kid and his associates these rumors must have had some foundation in fact and that the  rumors have existed so long and so continuous could have resulted it appeared to me only from  the circumstance o

f the buried treasure still remaining inomed had kid concealed his plunder  for a time and afterwards reclaimed it the rumors would scarcely have reached us in their present  unvarying form you will observe that the stories told are all about money Seekers and not about  money finders had the pirate recovered his money there the affair would have dropped it seemed to  me that some accident say the loss of a memorandum indicating its locality had deprived him of the  means of recovering it and th

at this accident had become known to his followers who otherwise  might never have heard that the treasure had been concealed at all and to busying themselves in  vain because unguided attempts to regain it had given first birth and then universal currency to  the reports which are now so common have you ever heard of any important treasure being Unearthed  along the coast never but that kids accumulations were immense is well known I took it for granted  therefore that the Earth still held them

and you will scarcely be surprised when I tell you that  I felt a hope nearly amounting to certainty that the parchment so strangely found involved a  lost record of the place of deposit but how did you proceed I held the Vellum again to the fire  after increasing the heat but nothing appeared I now thought it possible that the coating of dirt  might have something to do with the failure so I carefully rinsed the parchment by pouring warm  water over it and having done this I placed it in a tin

pan with the skull downward and put the  pan upon a furnace of lighted charcoal in a few minutes the pan having become thoroughly heated I  removed the slip and to my inexpressible joy found it spotted in several places with what appeared to  be figures arranged in lines again I placed it in the pan and suffered it to remain another minute  upon taking it off the hole was just as you see it now here the gr having reheated the parchment  submitted it to my inspection the following characters wer

e rudely traced in a red tint  between the death's head and the Goat 53 double dagger double dagger dagger 305 right parenthesis  right parenthesis 6 Aster semicolon 4826 right parenthesis 4 Double dagger right parenthesis 4  Double dagger period semicolon 806 Aster semicolon 48 dagger 8 pilcro 60 right parenthesis right  parenthesis 85 semicolon 1 double dagger left parenthesis semicolon colon double dagger  AST 8 dagger 8 three left parenthesis 88 right parenthesis five Aster dagger semicolon 

46 left parenthesis semicolon 88 Aster 96 Aster question mark semicolon 8 right parenthesis Aster  double dagger left parenthesis semicolon 485 right parenthesis semicolon 5 Aster dagger 2 colon Aster  double dagger left parenthesis semicolon 4956 Aster 2 left parenthesis five Aster M Dash 4 right  parenthesis 8 pilcro 8 Aster semicolon 4069 285 right parenthesis semicolon right parenthesis six  dagger eight right parenthesis four double dagger double dagger semicolon 1 left parenthesis double 

dagger 9 semicolon 4808 1 semicolon 8 colon 8 double dagger 1 semicolon 48 dagger 8 5 semicolon  4 right parenthesis 485 dagger 5288 06 Aster 81 left parenthesis double dagger 9 semicolon  48 semicolon left parenthesis 88 semicolon 4 left parenthesis double dagger question mark  34 semicolon 48 right parenthesis four double dagger semicolon 161 semicolon colon 188 semicolon  double dagger question mark semicolon but said I returning him the slip I am as much in the dark  as ever were all the je

wels of goonda awaiting me upon my solution of this Enigma I am quite sure  that I should be unable to earn them and yet said LR the solution is by no means so difficult as  you might be led to imagine from the first Hasty inspection of the characters these characters as  anyone might readily guess form a cipher that is to say they convey a meaning but then from what  is known of kid I could not suppose him capable of constructing any of the more obuse cryptograph I  made up my mind at once that

this was of a simple species such however as would appear to the crude  intellect of the Sailor absolutely insolvable without the key and you really solved it readily  I have solved others of an obrus this 10,000 times greater circumstances and a certain bias of Minds  have led me to take interest in such riddles and it may well be doubted whether human Ingenuity  can construct an enigma of the kind which human Ingenuity may not by proper application resolve  in fact having once established con

nected and legible characters I scarcely gave a thought to  the mere difficulty of developing their Imports in the present case indeed in all cases of  secret writing the first question regards the language of the cipher for the principles of  solution so so far especially as the more simple ciphers are concerned depend upon and are varied  by The Genius of the particular idiom in general there is no alternative but experiment directed  by probabilities of every tongue known to him who attempts

the solution until the true one  be attained but with the cipher now before us all difficulty was removed by the signature  the pun upon the word kid is appreciable in no other language than the English but for this  consideration I should have begun my attempts with the Spanish and French as the tongues in which a  secret of this kind would most naturally have been written by a pirate of the Spanish main as it  was I assumed the cryptograph to be English You observe there are no divisions betwe

en the words  had there been divisions the task would have been comparatively easy in such cases I should have  commenced with a collation of analysis of the shorter words and had a word of a single letter  occurred as is most likely a or I for example I should have considered the solution as assured  but there being no division my first step was to Asser the predominant letters as well as the least  frequent counting all I constructed a table thus of the character eight there are 33 semicolon 

there are 26 four there are 19 double dagger WR parenthesis There are 16 Aster there are 13 five  there are 12 six there are 11 dagger one there are eight zero there are six 92 there are five colon  three there are four question mark there are three pilcro there are two m- period there is one now in  English the letter which most frequently occurs is e afterwards the succession runs thus a o i d h  NR s t u y CF g l m WB KP QX z e predominates so remarkably that an individual sentence of any  le

ngth is rarely seen in which it is not the prevailing character here then we have in the very  beginning the groundwork for something more than a mere gas the general use which may be made of the  table is obvious but in this particular Cipher we shall only very partially require its Aid as our  predominant character is eight we will commence by assuming it as the E of the natural alphabet  to verify the supposition let us observe if the eight be seen often in couples for e is doubled  with grea

t frequency in English in such words for example as meat Fleet speed seen b agree Etc  in the present instance we see it doubled no less than five times although the cryptograph is  brief let us assume eight then as e now of all words in language the' is the most usual let us  see therefore whether there are not repetitions of any three characters in the same order of  collocation the last of them being eight if we discover repetitions of such letters so arranged  they will most probably represe

nt the wordthe upon inspection we find no less than seven such  Arrangements the characters being semicolon 48 we may therefore assume that semicolon represents  T four represents H and 8 represents e the last being now well confirmed thus a great step has  been taken but having established a single word we are enabled to establish a vastly important  point that is to say several commencements and terminations of other words let us refer for  example to the last instance but one in which the com

bination semicolon 48 occurs not far  from the end of the cipher we know that the semicolon immediately uing is the commencement  of a word and of the six characters succeeding thisth we are cognizant of no less than five let  us set these characters down thus by the letters we know them to represent leaving a space for the  unknown t space e t here we are enabled at once to discard the th as forming no portion of the word  commencing with the first T since by experiment of the entire alphabet f

or a letter adapted to the  vacancy we perceive that no word can be formed of which this th can be a part we are thus narrowed  into TS space e and going through the alphabet if necessary as before we arrive at the word  tree as the sole possible reading we thus gain another letter r represented by left parenthesis  with the word the tree in justos looking Beyond these words for a short distance we again see the  combination semicolon 48 and employ it by way of termination to what immediately pr

oceeds we have  thus this Arrangement the tree semicolon 4 left parenthesis double dagger question mark 34 thee  or substituting the natural letters where known it reads thus the tree T HR double dagger question  mark 38 the now if in place of the unknown characters we have blank spaces or substitute dots  we read thus the tree th HR space space space H the when the word through makes itself evidence at  once but this discovery gives us three new letters o u and G represented by double dagger qu

estion  mark and three looking now narrowly through the cipher for combinations of known characters  we find not very far from the beginning this Arrangement 83 left parenthesis 88 or igree which  plainly is the conclusion of the word degree and gives us another letter D represented by dagger  for letters beyond the word degree we perceive the combination semi colon 46 left parenthesis  semicolon 88 translating the known characters and representing the unknown by dots as before we  read thus t h

space RTE an arrangement immediately suggestive of the word 13 and again Furnishing  us with two new characters I and N represented by six and Aster referring now to the beginning  of the cryptog graph we find the combination 53 double dagger double dagger dagger translating  as before we obtain space good which assures us that the first letter is a and that the first two  words are a good it is now time that we arrange our key as far as discovered in a tabular form to  avoid confusion it will

stand thus five represents a dagger represents D 8 represents e three  represents G four represents H six represents I Aster represents N double dagger represents o  left parenthesis represents R semicolon represents T question mark represents U we have therefore  no less than 11 of the most important letters represented and it will be unnecessary to proceed  with the details of the solution I have just said enough to convince you that ciphers of this nature  are readily soluable and to give you

some insight into the rationale of their development and but  be assured that the specimen before us pertains to the very simplest species of cryptograph it now  only remains to give you the full translation of the characters upon the parchment as un riddled  here it is a good glass in The Bishop's hostel in the devil's seat 41° and 13 minutes Northeast  and by in North Main Branch seventh limb East Side shoot from the left eye of the death's head  a be line from the tree through the shot 50 ft

out but said I the Enigma still seems in as bad  a condition as ever how is it possible to extort a meeting from all this jargon about Devil's  seats death's head and bishop's hostiles I confess replied the gr that the matter still  wears a serious aspect when regarded with a casual glance my first Endeavor was to divide the  sentence into the natural division intended by the cryptograph you mean to punctuate it something of  that kind but how is it possible to affect this I reflected that it h

ad been a point with a writer  to run his words together without division so as to increase the difficulty of solution now a not  over acute man in pursuing such an object would be nearly certain to overdo the matter when in the  course of his composition he arrived at a break in his subject which would naturally require a pause  or a point he would be exceedingly apt to run his characters at this place more than usually close  together if you will observe the MS in the present instance you will

easily detect five such cases of  unusual crowding acting upon this hint I made the division thus a good glass in The Bishop's hostel  in the devil seat M Dash 41° and 13 minutes M Dash Northeast and by North M Dash main branch seventh  limb East Side M Dash shoot from the left eye of the death's head M Dash a beine from the tree  through the shot 50 ft out even this division said I leaves me still in the dark it left me  also in the dark replied the grand for a few days during which I made dil

igent inquiry in the  neighborhood of Sullivan's Island for any building which went by name of The Bishop's hotel for of  course I dropped the obsolete word hostile gaining no information on the subject I was on the point  of extending my sphere of search and proceeding in a more systematic manner when one morning it  entered into my head quite suddenly that this Bishop's hostel might have some reference to an  old family of the name of Bess which time out of mind had held possession of an ancie

nt manor house  about four miles to the north word of the island I accordingly went over to the plantation and  reinstituted my inquiries among the older Negroes of the place at length one of the most aged of the  women said that she had heard of such a place as bess's castle and thought that she could guide me  to it but that it was not a castle nor a Tavern but a high Rock I offered to pay her well for  her trouble and after some demure she consented to accompany me to the spot we found it wit

hout  much difficulty when dismissing her I proceeded to examine the place the castle consisted of an  irregular assemblage of cliffs and rocks one of the latter being quite remarkable for a tight  as well as four its insulated and artificial appearance I clamored to its apex and then felt  much at a loss as to what should be next done while I was busied in reflection my eyes fell  upon a narrow Ledge in the Eastern face of the rock perhaps a yard below the summit upon which I  stood this ledge

projected about 18 Ines and was not more than a foot wide while a niche in the  cliff just above it gave a rude resemblance to one of the hollow backed chairs used by our  ancestors I made no doubt that here was the devil sea alluded to in the Ms and now I seem  to grasp the full secret of the riddle the good glass I knew could have reference to nothing but a  telescope for the word glass is rarely employed in any other sense by seamen and here I had once  saw was a telescope to be used and a de

finite point of view admitting no variation from which  to use it nor did I hesitate to believe that the phrases 41° and 13 minutes and Northeast by North  were intended as directions for the leveling of the glass greatly excited by these discoveries  I hurried home procured a telescope and returned to the Rock I let myself down to the ledge and  found that it was impossible to retain a seat upon it except in one particular position this  fact confirmed my preconceived idea I proceeded to use th

e glass of course the 41° and 13 minutes  could allude to nothing but elevation above the visible Horizon since the horizontal Direction  was clearly indicated by the words Northeast and by North this latter Direction I at once  established by means of a pocket compass then pointing the glass as nearly at an angle of 41°  of elevation as I could do it by gas I moved it cautiously up or down until my attention was  arrested by a circular Rift or opening in the foliage of a large tree that overtop

ped its  fellows in the distance in the corner of this Rift I perceived a white spot but could not  at first distinguish what it was adjusting the focus of the telescope I again looked and  now made it out to be a human skull upon this discovery I was so sanguin as to consider the  Enigma solved for the phrase main branch seventh limb side could refer only to the position of the  skull upon the tree while shoot from the left eye of the death's head admitted also of but one  interpretation in reg

ard to a search for buried treasure I perceived that the design was to drop  a bullet from the left eye of the skull and that a beline or in other words a straight line drawn  from the nearest point of the trunk through the shot or the spot where the bullet fell and then  extended to a distance of 50 ft would indicate a definite point and beneath this point I thought  it at least possible that a deposit of value lay concealed all this I said is exceedingly clear and  although ingenious still sim

ple and explicit when you left the Bishop's Hotel what then why having  carefully taken the bearings of the tree I turned Homeward the instant that I left the devil's  seat however the circular Rift vanished nor could I get get a glimpse of it afterwards turn  as I would what seems to me the chief Ingenuity in this whole business is the fact for repeated  experiment has convinced me it is a fact that the circular opening in question is visible from no  other attainable point of view than that af

forded by the narrow ledge upon the face of the Rock  in this expedition to The Bishop's Hotel I had been attended by Jupiter who had no doubt observed  for some weeks past the abstraction of my demeanor and took a special care not to leave me alone but  on the next day getting up very early I contrived to give him the slip and went into the hills  in search of the tree after much toil I found it when I came home at night my valet proposed to  give me a fogging with the rest of the adventure I b

elieve you are as well acquainted as myself I  suppose said I you missed the spot in the first attempt at digging through Jupiter's stupidity and  letting the bug fall through the right instead of through the left eye of the skull precisely this  mistake made a difference of about 2 in and a half in the shot that is to say in the position of  the peg nearest the tree and had the treasure been beneath the shot the error would have been  of little moment but the shot together with the nearest poin

t of the tree were merely two points  for the establishment of a line of direction of course the error however trivial in the beginning  increased as we proceeded with the line and by the time we had gone 50 ft threw us quite off the  scent but for my deep-seated Impressions that treasure was here somewhere actually buried we  might have had all our labor in vain but your grandiloquence and your conduct in swinging  the beetle how excessively odd I was sure you were mad and why did you insist up

on letting fall  the bug instead of a bullet from the skull why to be frank I felt somewhat annoyed by your evident  suspicions touching my sanity and so resolved to punish you quietly in my own way by a little bit  of sober mystification for this reason I swung the Beetle and for this reason I let it fall from  the tree an observation of yours about its great weight suggested the latter idea yes I perceive  and now there is only one point which puzzles me what are we to make of the skeletons fo

und in  the hole that is a question I am no more able to answer than yourself there seems however only  one plausible way of accounting for them and yet it is Dreadful to believe in such atrocity as my  suggestion would imply it is clear that kid if kid indeed secreted this treasure which I doubt not it  is clear that he must have had assistance in the labor but this labor labor concluded he may have  thought it expedient to remove all participants in his secret perhaps a couple of blows with a 

medic were sufficient while his coadjutors were busy in the pit perhaps it required a dozen who  shall tell end of section 11 recording by Katie Riley October 2009 section number 14 Advent Ure of  the black fisherman by Washington Irving everybody knows Black Sam the old negro fisherman or as  he is commonly called Mud Sam who has fished about the sound for the last half century it is  now many years since Sam who was then as active a young negro as any in the province and worked  on the farm o

f kilan soam on Long Island having finished his day's work at an early hour was  fishing one summer evening just about the neighbor neighborhood of Hellgate he was in a light skiff  and being well acquainted with the currents and Eddies had shifted his station according to the  shifting of the tide from the hen and chickens to the Hogs back from the Hogs back to the pot from  the pot to the frying pan but in the eagerness of his sport he did not see that the tide was  rapidly ebbing until the Ro

aring of the whel pools and Eddy warned him of his danger and he had  some difficulty in shooting his skiff from among the rocks and Breakers and getting to the point  of Blackwell's Island here he cast anchor for some time waiting the turn of the tide to enable  him to return Homeward as the night set in it grew blustering and Gusty dark clouds came bundling up  in the west and now and then a growl of Thunder or a flash of lightning told that a summer storm was  at hand Sam pulled over therefor

e under the Lee of Manhattan Island and coasting along came to a snug  Nook just under AA steep beetling rock where he fastened his skiff to the root of a tree that shot  up from a cleft and spread its broad branches like a canopy over the water the gust came scouring  along the wind threw up the river in white surges the rain rattled among the leaves the Thunder  bellowed worse than that which is now bellowing the lightning seemed to lick up the surges of the  stream but Sam snugly sheltered un

der a rock and tree lay crouching in his skiff rocking upon the  Billows until he fell asleep sleep when he awoke all was quiet the gust had passed away and only  now and then a faint gleam of lightning in the East showed which way it had gone the night was  dark and moonless and from the state of the tide Sam concluded it was near midnight he was on the  point of making loose his skiff to return Homeward when he saw a light gleaming along the water from  a distance which seemed rapidly approach

ing as it drew near he perceived it came from a lantern  in the bow of a boat gliding along under the shadow of the land it pulled up in a small Cove  close to where he was a man jumped on Shore and searching about with a lantern exclaimed this is  the place here's the iron ring the boat was then made fast and the man returning on board assisted  his comrades in conveying something heavy on Shore as the light gleamed among them Sam saw that they  were five Stout desperat looking fellows in red W

oolen caps with a leader in a three cornered  hat and that some of them were armed with Dirks or Long Knives and pistols they talked low to one  another and occasionally in some outlandish tongue which he could not understand on Landing they  made their way among the bushes taking turns to relieve each other and lugging their burden up the  rocky Bank Sam's curiosity was now fully aroused so leaving his skiff he clambered silently up a  ridge that overlooked their path they had stopped to rest a

moment and the leader was looking about  the bushes with his l Lantern have you brought the Spades said one they are here replied another who  had them on his shoulder we must dig deep where there will be no risk of Discovery said a third  a cold chill ran through Sam's veins he fancied he saw before him a gang of murderers about to  bury their victim his knees smoked together in his agitation he shook the branch of the tree  which he was supporting himself and he looked over the edge of the cl

iff what's that cried one  of the gang someone stirs among the bushes the Lantern was held up in the direction of the noise  one of the redcaps cocked a pistol and pointed it to the very place where Sam was standing he stood  motionless breathless expecting the next moment to be his last fortunately his dingy complexion  was in his favor and he made no glare among the leaves t no one said the man with a lantern what  a plague you would not fire off your pistol and alarm the country the pistol wa

s uncocked the  burden was resumed and the party slowly toiled along along the bank Sam watched them as they went  the light sending back fitful gleams through the dripping bushes and it was not till they were  fairly out of sight that he ventured to draw breath freely he now thought of getting back in  his boat and making his Escape out of the reach of such dangerous neighbors but curiosity was all  powerful he hesitated and lingered and listened by and by he heard The Strokes of Spades they're

  digging a grave he said to himself and the cold sweat started upon his forehead every stroke of  a spade as it sounded through the silent Groves went to his heart it was evident that there was  as little noise made as possible everything had an air of terrible mystery and secrecy Sam had a  great relish for the horrible A Tale of murder was a treat for him and he was a constant attendant  at executions he could not resist an Impulse in spite of every danger to steal nearer to the  scene of mys

tery and Overlook the midnight night fellows at their work he crawled along cautiously  therefore inch by inch stepping with the utmost care among the dry leaves lest their rustling  should betray him he came at length to where a steep Rock intervened between him and the Gang  for he saw the light of their Lantern shining up against the branches of the trees on the side  Sam slowly and silently clambered up the surface of the Rock and raising his head above its naked  Edge beheld the villains im

mediately below him and so near that though he dreaded Discovery  he dared not withdraw lest the least movement should be heard in this way he remained with  his round black face peering above the edge of the rock like the sun just emerging above the  edge of the horizon or the Round cheeked Moon on the dial of a clock the red caps had nearly  finished their work the grave was filled up and they were carefully replacing the turf this done  they scattered dry leaves over the place and now said th

e leader I defy the devil himself to find  it out the murderers exclaimed Sam involuntarily the whole gang started and looking up beheld the  round black head of Sam just above them his white eyes strained half out of their orbits his white  teeth chattering and his whole Visage shining with cold perspiration we're discovered cried one  down with him cried another Sam heard the cocking of a pistol but did not pause for the report he  scrambled over the rock and stone through brush and Brier red

down Banks like a hedgehog scrambled  up others like a catamount in every direction he heard someone or other of the gang hemming him  in at length he reached the Rocky Ridge along the river one of the red caps was hard behind him a  steep Rock like a wall Rose directly in his way it seemed to cut off all Retreat when fortunately he  aspired the strong cordlike branch of a grape vine reaching halfway down it he sprang at it with the  force of a desperate man seized it with both hands and being y

oung and agile succeeded in swinging  himself to the summit of the cliff here he stood in full relief against the sky when the redcap  cocked his pistol and fired the ball whistled by Sam's head with the lucky thought of a man in  an emergency he uttered a yell fell to the ground and detached at the same time a fragment of rock  which tumbled with a loud Splash into the river I've done his business said the redcap to one or  two of his comrades as they arrived panting he'll tell no Tales except

to the fishes in the River  his pursuers now turned to meet their companions Sam silently sliding down the surface of the rock  leted himself quietly into a skiff cast loose the fastening and abandoned himself to the rapid  current which in that place runs like a Millstream and soon swept him off from the neighborhood  it was not however until he had drifted a great distance that he ventured to ply his ores when  he made his skiff Dart like an arrow through the straight of Hell Gate never heedin

g the danger  of pot frying pan nor Hogs back itself nor did he feel himself thoroughly secure until safely  nestled in bed in the cockloft of the ancient Farmhouse of the soams here the worthy peachy prow  paused to take breath and to take a sip of the gossip tanker that stood at his elbow his Auditors  remained with open mouths and outstretched necks gaping like a nest of swallows for an additional  mouthful and is that all exclaimed the half-pay officer that's all that belongs to the the stor

y  said pachy prow and did Sam ever find out what was buried by the red caps said wolfford eagerly  whose mind was haunted by nothing but ingots and deons not that I know of said pachy he had no time  to spare from his work and to tell the truth he did not like to run the risk of another race among  the rocks besides how should he recollect the spot where the grave had been digged everything would  look so different by daylight and then where was the use in looking for a dead body when there's n

o  chance of hanging the murderers I but are you sure it was a dead body they buried said Wilford to be  sure cried pachy prow exultingly does it not haunt him in the neighborhood to this very day haunts  exclaimed several of the party opening their eyes still wider and edging their chairs still closer  I hunts repeated pachy have none of you heard of father redcap who haunts the old bmed farmhouse in  the woods on the border of the sound near Hellgate oh to be sure I've heard tell of something 

of the kind but then I took it for some old wives Fable old wives Fable are not said peachy  praw that Farmhouse stands by the very spot it's been unoccupied time out of mind and stands in a  lonely part of the coast but those who fish in the neighborhood have often heard strange noises there  and lights have been seen about the wood at night and an old fellow in a red cap has been seen at  the windows more than once which which people take to be the ghost of the body buried there once upon  a

time three soldiers took shelter in the building for the night and raged it from top to bottom  when they found old father redcap a stride of a cider Barrel in the cellar with a jug in one hand  and a goblet in the other he offered them a drink out of his goblet but just as one of the soldiers  was putting it to his mouth a flash of fire blazed through the cellar blinding Every Mother's Son of  them for several minutes and when they recovered the eyesight jug goblet and redcap had vanished  and

nothing but the empty cider Barrel remained here the half-pay officer who was growing very  Muzzy and sleepy and nodding over his liquor with half extinguished eye suddenly gleamed up like  an expiring light that's all fudge he said as pachy finished his last story well I don't vouch  for the truth of it myself said pachy prow though all the world knows that there's something strange  about that house and grounds but as to the story of mud Sam I believe it just as well as if it  had happened to

myself the Deep interest taken in this conversation by the company had made  them unconscious of the Uproar abroad among the elements when suddenly they were electrified  by a tremendous clap of Thunder a lumbering crash followed instantaneously shaking the building to  its very Foundation all started from their seats Imagining the shock of an earthquake or that old  father redcap was coming among them in all his Terrors they listened for a moment but only heard  the rain pelting against the win

dows and the wind howling among the trees the explosion was soon  explained by The Apparition of an old negro's bald head thrust in at the door his white goggle eyes  contrasting with his Jetty paw which was wet with rain and Shone like a bottle in a jargon but half  intelligible he announced that the kitchen chimney had been struck with lightning a sullen pause  of the storm which now Rose and sank in gusts produced a momentary Stillness in this interval  the report of a musket Was Heard and a

long shout almost like a yell resounded from the shores  everyone crowded to the window another musket shot was heard and another long shout mingled wildly  with the rising blast of wind it seemed as if the Cry came up from the bosom of the water for though  incessant flashes of lightning spread a light about the shore no one was to be seen suddenly  the window of the room overhead was opened and a loud halloo uttered by the mysterious stranger  several Hailings passed from one party to the othe

r but in a language which none of the company  in the barroom could understand and presently they heard the window closed and a great noise overhead  as if all the furniture were pulled and hauled about the room the Negro servant was summoned and  shortly afterward was seen assisting the veteran to Lug the ponderous Sea Chest downstairs the  landlord was in amazement what you are not going on the water in such a storm storm said the other  scornfully do you call such a sputter of weather a storm

you'll get drenched to the skin you'll  catch your death said pachy praw affectionately thunder and lightning exclaimed the veteran Don't  Preach about weather to a man that has cruised in whirlwinds and tornadoes the obsequious pachy  was again struck dumb The Voice from the water was heard once more in a tone of impatience the  bystanders shared with redoubled awe at this man of storms who seemed to have come up out of the  deep and to be summoned back to it again as with the assistance of th

e Negro he slowly bore his  ponderous Sea Chest toward the shore they eyed it with the superstitious feeling half doubting  whether he were not really about to Embark upon it and launch forth upon the Wild Waves they followed  him at a distance with a lantern douse the light roared a horse voice from the water no one wants  light here thunder and lightning exclaimed the veteran turning up short upon them back to the  house with you wolfford and his companions shrank back in dismay still their cu

riosity would not  allow them to entirely withdraw a long sheet of lightning now flickered across the waves and  discovered a boat filled with men just under a Rocky Point rising and sinking with the heaving  surges and swashing of The Waters at every heave it was with difficulty held to the rocks by a boat  hook for the current rushed furiously around the point the veteran hoisted one end of the lumbering  Sea Chest onto the gunnel of the boat and seized the handle at the other end to lift it i

n when  the motion propelled the boat from the shore the chest slipped off from the gunnel and sinking into  the waves pulled the veteran headlong after it a loud shriek was uttered by all on the shore and a  volley of execrations by those on board but boat and man were hurried Away by rushing swiftness of  the tide a pitchy Darkness succeeded Wilford Weber indeed fancied that he distinguished a cry for  help and then he beheld the drowning man beckoning for assistance but when the lightning aga

in  gleamed along the water all was void neither man nor boat was to be seen nothing but the dashing  and weltering of the Waves as they hurried past the company returned to the tavern to await the  subsiding of the storm they resumed their seats and gazed on each other with dismay the whole  transaction had not occupied 5 minutes and not a dozen words had been spoken when they looked at  the Oaken chair they could scarcely realize the fact that the strange being who had So lately  tenanted it f

ull of life and Herculean Vigor should already be a corpse there was the very  glass he had just drunk from there lay the ashes from the pipe which he had smoked as it were with  his last breath as the worthy Burgers pondered on these things they felt a terrible conviction  of uncertainty of existence and each felt as if the ground on which he stood was rendered  less stable by his awful example as however the most of the company were possessed of that  valuable philosophy which enables a man to

Bear up with fortitude against the misfortunes of his  neighbors they soon managed to console themselves for the tragic end of the veteran the landlord was  particularly happy that the poor dear man had paid his Reckoning before he went and he made a kind  of farewell speech on the occasion he came said he in a storm and he went in a storm he came in  the night and he went in the night he came nobody knows whence and he's gone nobody knows when for a  I know he's gone to the Sea once more on hi

s chest and may land to bother some people on the other  side of the world though it's a thousand pities added he if he's gone to Davy Jones Locker that he  had not left his own locker behind him his locker St Nicholas preserve us cried pachy prow I'd not  have that Sea Chest in the house for any money I'll warrant he'd come racking after it at nights  and making a haunted house of the inn and as to his going to Sea in his chest I recollect what  happened to Skipper underdunk ship on his voyage

from Amsterdam the boat swin died during a storm  so they wrapped him up in a sheet and put him in his own Sea Chest and threw him overboard but they  neglected in their hurry Scurry to say prayers over him and the storm raged and roared louder  than ever and they saw the dead man seated in his chest with his shroud for a sail coming hard  after the ship and the Sea beckoning before him in great sprays like fire and there they kept scut  day day after day and night after night expecting every mo

ment to go to wreck and every night they  saw the dead boat swin in his Sea Chest trying to get up with them and they heard his whistle above  the blasts of the wind and he seemed to send great seas mountain high after them that would have  swamped the ship if they had not put up the dead lights and so it went on till they lost sight  of him in the fogs off newfinland and supposed he had veered ship and stood for Dead Man's aisle  so much for burying a man man at sea without saying prayers over

him the Thunder gust which  had hitherto detained the company was now at an end the cuckoo clock on the hall had told midnight  everyone pressed to depart for seldom was such a late hour of the Night trespassed On by These  Quiet Burgers as they sallied forth they found the heavens once more Serene the storm which had  lately obscured them had rolled away and lay plied up in fleecy masses on the horizon lighted up by  the bright Crescent of the Moon which looked like a little silver lamp hung up

in a palace of clouds  the Dismal occurrence of the night and the Dismal narrations they had made had left a superstitious  feeling in every mind they cast a fearful glance at the spot where the buccaneer had disappeared  almost expecting to see him sailing on his chest in the cool moonshine the trembling Rays glittered  along the water but all was Placid and the current dimpled over the spot where he had gone down the  party huddled together in a little crowd as they repaired Homeward particul

arly when they passed  a lonely field where a man had been murdered and even the sexton who had to complete his journey  alone though accustom one would think to ghosts and goblins went a long way around rather than  pass by his own churchyard Wilford webert had now carried home a fresh stock of stories and  Notions to ruminate upon these accounts of pots of money and Spanish Treasures buried here and  there and everywhere about the rocks and Bays of these wild Shores made him almost dizzy bless

ed  St Nicholas ejaculated he half aloud is it not possible to come upon one of these golden hordes  and to make oneself rich in a twinkling how hard that I must go on delving and delving day in and  day out merely to make a morsel of bread when one lucky stroke of a spade might enable me to ride in  my carriage for the rest of my life as he turned over in his thoughts all that had been told of the  singular adventure of of the Negro fisherman his imagination gave a totally different complexion 

to the tale he saw in the gang of redcaps nothing but a crew of pirates burying their spoils and his  cupidity was once more awakened by the possibility of at length getting on the traces of some of  this lurking wealth indeed his infected fancy tinged everything with gold he felt like the  greedy inhabitant of Baghdad when his eyes had been greased with the magic ointment of the Der  that gave him to see all the Treasures of the earth caskets of buried Jewels chests of ingots  and barrels of o

utlandish coins seemed to court him from their concealment and supplicate him to  relieve them from their untimely Graves on making private inquiries about the grounds said to be  haunted by feather redcap he was more and more confirmed in his surmise he learned that the place  had several times been visited by experienced money diggers who had heard Black Sam story though  none of them had met with success on the contrary they had always been dogged with ill luck of some  kind or other in conse

quence as wolfford concluded of not going to work at the proper time with the  proper ceremonials the last attempt had been made by kobus quackenbos who dug for a whole night and  met with Incredible difficulty for as fast as he threw one shovel full of Earth out of the hole two  were thrown in by invisible hands he succeeded so far however as to uncover an iron chest when there  was a terrible roaring ramping and raging of UNC figures about the hole and at length a shower of  blows dealt by inv

isible cudgels fairly belabored him off of The Forbidden ground this cobus  quackenbos had declared on his death ped so that there could not be any doubt of it he was a man  that had devoted many years of his life to money digging and it was thought would have ultimately  succeeded had he not died recently of brain fever in the Alms House Wilford Weber was now in a worry  trepidation and impatience fearful lest some rival Adventurer should get a scent of the buried gold  he determined privately

to seek out the black fisherman and to get him to serve as a guide to  the place where he had witnessed the mysterious scene of interment Sam was easily found for he  was one of those old habitual beings that lived about the neighborhood until they wear themselves  a place in the public mind and become in a matter public characters there was not an unlucky urch  in about town that did not know Sam the fisherman and think that he had a right to play his tricks  upon the old negro Sam had led an a

mphibious life for more than half a century about the shores  of the bay and the fishing grounds of the sound he passed the greater part of his time on and in  the water particularly about Hellgate and might have been taken in bad weather for one of the  hobgoblins that used to haunt that straight there would he be seen at all times and in all weathers  sometimes in his skiff anchored among the edies or prowling like a shark about some wreck where  fish are supposed to be most abundant sometimes

Seated on a rock from hour to hour looking in the  mist and drizzle like a solitary Heron watching for its prey he was well acquainted with every  hole in corner of the sound from the wallabout to Hellgate and from Hellgate unto the devil's  stepping stones and it was even affirmed that he knew all the fish in the river by their Christian  names Wolford found him at his cabin which was not much larger than a tolerable dogghouse It was  rudely constructed of fragments of wrecks and drift built o

n the rocky Shore at the foot  of the Old Fort just about what at present forms the point of the battery a very ancient and  fish-like smell pervaded the place [ __ ] paddles and fishing rods were leaning against the wall  of the fort a net was spread on the sand to dry a skiff was drawn up on the beach and at the door  of of his cabin was mud Sam himself indulging in a true negro luxury of sleeping in the sunshine  many years had passed away since the time of Sam's youthful adventure and the Sn

ows of many a  winter had grizzled the naughty wool upon his head he perfectly recollected the circumstances however  for he had often been called upon to relate them though in his version of the story he differed in  many points from peachy prow as is not infrequent the case with authentic historians as to the sub  quent researches of money diggers Sam knew nothing about them they were matters quite out of his  line neither did the cautious wolfford care to disturb his thoughts on that point hi

s only wish  was to secure the old fisherman as a pilot to the spot and this was readily affected the long  time that had intervened since his nocturnal Adventure had effaced all Sam's awe of the place  and the promise of a trifling reward roused him at once from his sleep and his Sunshine the tide  was adverse to making the the Expedition by water and Wilford was too impatient to get to the land  of promise to wait for its turning they set off therefore by land a walk of four or five miles  bro

ught them to the edge of the wood which at that time covered the greater part of the Eastern  side of the island it was just beyond the pleasant region of bloomindale here they struck into a  long Lane struggling among the trees and bushes very much overgrown with weeds and mullon stocks  as if but seldom used and so complet overshadowed as to enjoy but a kind of Twilight wild vines  entangled the trees and flaunted in their faces brambles and briers caught their clothes as they  passed the gutt

er snake glided across their path the spotted toad hopped and waddled before them  and the Restless Catbird mewed at them from every Thicket had Wilford Weber been deeply read in  romantic Legend he might have fancied himself entering upon forbidden Enchanted ground or that  these were some of the Guardians set to keep watch upon buried treasure as it was the loneliness of  the place and the wild stories connected with it had their effect upon his mind on reaching the  lower end of the lane they

found themselves near the shore of the sound in a kind of Amphitheater  surrounded by forest trees the area had once been a grass plot but was now shagged with Briars and  rank weeds at one end and just on the River Bank was a ruined building little better than a heap  of rubbish with a stack of chimneys Rising like a solitary Tower out of the center the current  of the sound rushed along just below it and the wildly grown trees drooping their branches into  its waves Wilford had not a doubt th

at this was the Haunted House of father redcap and called  to mind the story of peachy prow the evening was approaching and the light falling dubiously  among the Woody places gave a Melancholy tone to the scene well calculated to Foster any lurking  feeling of awe or Superstition the Nighthawk Wheeling about in the high highest regions of the  air emitted his peevish boding cry the Woodpecker gave a lonely tap now and then on some hollow  tree and the firebird streamed by them with his deep red

plumage they now came to an enclosure  that had once been a garden it extended along the foot of a Rocky Ridge but was little better  than a Wilderness of weeds with here and there a matted rose bush or a peach or Plum Tree grown  wild and ragged and covered with moss at the end of the garden they passed a kind of vault in the  side of the bank facing the water it had the look of a root house the door though decayed was still  strong and appeared to have been recently patched up Wilford pushed

it open it gave a harsh grating  upon its hinges and striking against something like a box a rattling sound ensued and a skull  rolled on the floor wilfor Drew back shuttering but was reassured on being informed by the Negro  that this was a family Vault belonging to one of the old Old Dutch families that owned this estate  an assertion corroborated by the sight of coffins of various sizes piled within Sam had been  familiar with all these scenes when a boy and now knew that he could not be far

from the place  of which they were in quest they now made their way to the water's edge scrambling along Ledges of  rock that overhung the waves and obliged often to hold by shrubs and grape Vines to avoid slipping  into the deep and hurried stream at length they came to a small Cove a rather an indent of  the shore it was protected by steep rocks and overshadowed by a thick cops of Oaks and chestnuts  so as to be sheltered and almost concealed the beach shelved gradually within the Cove but the

  current swept deep and black and Rapid along its jetting points the Negro paused raised his remnant  of a hat and scratched his grizzled paw for a moment as he regarded this Nook then suddenly  clapping his hands he stepped exultingly forward and pointed to a large iron ring stapled firmly  in the Rock just where a broad shelf of stone furnished a commodious landing place it was the  very spot where the red caps had landed years had changed the more perishable features of the scene  but Rock a

nd iron yield slowly to the influence of time on looking more closely wolfford remarked  three crosses cut in the Rock just above the ring which had no doubt some mysterious signification  old Sam now readily recognized the overhanging rock under which his skiff had been sheltered  during the Thunder gust to follow up the course which the midnight gang had taken however was  a harder task his mind had been so much taken up on the eventful occasion by the persons of the  drama as to pay but littl

e attention to the scenes and these places looked so different by night and  day after wandering about for some time however they came to an opening among the trees which Sam  thought resembled the place there was a ledge of rock of moderate height like a wall on one side  which he thought might be be the very Ridge when he had overlooked the diggers Wilford examined it  narrowly and at length discovered three crosses similar to those on the above ring cut deeply  of the rock but nearly oblitera

ted by Moss that had grown over them his heart leaped for Joy for  he doubted not that they were the private marks of the Buccaneers all now that remained was to  ascertain the precise spot where the treasure lay buried for otherwise he might dig at random in the  neighborhood of the crosses without coming upon the SPO o s and he had already had enough of such  profitless labor here however the old negro was perfectly at a loss and indeed perplexed him by a  variety of opinions for his Recollect

ions were all confused sometimes he declared it must have been  at the foot of a mulberry tree hard by then beside a great white stone then under a small green null  a short distance from the ledge of rocks until at length wolfort became as bewildered as himself the  shadows of evening were now spreading themselves over the the woods and rock and tree began to  mingle together it was evidently too late to attempt anything further at present and indeed  Wilford had come unprovided with the implem

ents to prosecute their researches satisfied therefore  with having ascertained the place he took note of all its landmarks that he might recognize it  again and set out on his return Homeward resolved to prosecute this golden Enterprise without  delay end of section 14 recording by Chris a kalamazo Michigan www. kav v- llc.com section 15  adventure of the black fisherman by Washington Irving the leading anxiety which had hitherto  absorbed every feeling being now in some measure a Pease fancy b

egan to wander and to conjure up  a thousand shapes and chimeras as he returned through this haunted region Pirates hanging in  Chains seemed to swing from every tree and he almost expected to see some Spanish Dawn with his  throat cut from ear to ear Rising slowly out of the ground and shaking the ghost of a moneybag  their way back lay through the desolate garden and wolford's nerves had arrived at so sensitive  a state that the flitting of a bird and rustling of a leaf or the falling of a nut

was enough to  startle him as they entered the confines of the garden they caught sight of a figure at a distance  advancing slowly up one of the walks and bending under the weight of a burden they paused and  regarded him attentively he wore what appeared to be a Woolen cap and still more alarming of a  most sanguinary red the figure moved slowly on ascended the bank and stopped at the very door of  the Seiler Vault just before entering it he looked around what was the affright of wolfort when

  he recognized the grizzly Visage of the drowned buccaneer he uttered an ejaculation of horror the  figure slowly raised his Iron Fist and shook it with a terrible Menace Wolford did not pause to  see anymore but hurried off as fast as his legs could carry him nor was Sam slow in following at  his heels having all his ancient Terrors revived away then did they scramble through the bush  and break horribly frightened at every Bramble that tugged at their skirts nor did they pause  to breathe unt

il they had blundered their way through this perilous wood and fairly reached  the high road to the city several days elapsed before wilfor could summon courage enough to  prosecute the Enterprise so much had he been dismayed by The Apparition whether living or dead  of the grizzly Buccaneer in the meantime what a conflict of Mind did he suffer he neglected all  his concerns was Moody and Restless all day lost his appetite wandered in his thoughts and words  and committed a thousand blunders his

rest was broken and when he fell asleep the nightmare in  shape of a huge moneybag sat squatted upon his breast he babbled about incalculable sums fancied  himself engaged in money digging through the bed clothes right and left in the idea that he was  shoveling away the dirt groped under the bed in quest of the treasure and lugged forth as he  supposed an inestimable pot of gold Dame Weber and her daughter were in despair at what they  conceived a returning Touch of insanity there are two fami

ly or Les one or other of which Dutch  Housewives consult in all cases of great doubt and perplexity the dominee and the doctor in the  present instance they repaired to the doctor there was at that time a little dark moldy man of  medicine famous among the old wives of the manados for his skill not only in The Healing Art but in  all matters of strange and mysterious nature his name was Dr Nipper Housen but he was more commonly  known by the apption of the high German doctor to him did the poor

women repair for counsel and  assistance touching the mental vagaries of Wolford Weber they found the doctor seated in his little  study clad in his dark camet robe of knowledge with his black velvet cap after the manner of  boraver Van helmet and other medical sages a pair of green spectacles set in Black Horn upon  his clubbed nose and pouring over a German folio that reflected back the darkness of of his phom  the doctor listened to their statement of symptoms of wolford's malady with profou

nd attention but  when he came to mention his raving about buried money the little man pricked up his ears Alas poor  women they little knew the aid they had called in Dr Nipper Housen had been half of his life  engaged in seeking the shortcuts to fortune in quest of which so many a long lifetime is wasted  he had passed some years of his youth among the hars mountains of Germany and had derived much  valuable instruction from the miners touching the mode of seeking treasure buried in the earth

he  had prosecuted his studies also under a traveling Sage who United the mysteries of Medicine with  magic and Ledger domain his mind therefore had become stored with all kinds of Mystic lore he had  dabbled a little in astrology Alchemy divination knew how to detect stolen money and to tell where  Springs of water lay hidden in a word by the dark nature of his knowledge he had acquired the name  of the high German doctor which is pretty nearly equivalent to that of necromancer the doctor  had

often heard rumors of treasure being buried in various parts of the island and had long been  anxious to get on the traces of it no sooner were wolford's waking and sleeping vagaries confided to  him than he beheld in them the confirmed symptoms of a case of money digging and lost no time in  probing it to the bottom Wilford had long been sorely oppressed in Mind by the golden secret  and as a family physician is a kind of father Confessor he was glad of any opportunity of  unburdening himself s

o far from the curing the doctor caught the malady from his patient the  circumstances unfolded to him awakened all his cupidity he had not a doubt of money being buried  somewhere in the neighborhood of the mysterious crosses and offered to join Wilford in the search  he informed him that much secrecy and caution must be observed in Enterprises of this kind that  money is only to be dug for at night with certain forms and ceremonies and burning of drugs the  repeating of Mystic words and above

all that The Seekers must first be provided with the divining  Rod which had the wonderful property of pointing to the very spot on the surface of the Earth under  which treasure lay hidden as the doctor had given much of his mind to these matters he charged  himself with all the necessary preparations and and as the quarter of the moon was propitious  he undertook to have the divining Rod ready by a certain night wilford's heart leaped with joy at  having met so learned and able a coador everyt

hing went on secretly but swimmingly the doctor had  many consultations with his patient and the good women of the household lauded the comforting  effect of his visits in the meantime the wonderful divining Rod that great key to Nature's Secrets  was duly prepared the doctor had thumbed over over all his books of knowledge for the occasion  and the black fisherman was engaged to take him in his skiff to the scene of Enterprise to work with  a spade and pickaxe in unearthing the Treasure and to

Freight his bark with the weighty spoils they  were certain of finding at length the appointed Knight arrived for this perilous undertaking  before wolfford left his home he counseled his wife and daughter to go to bed and feel no alarm  if he should not return during the night like reasonable women on being told not to feel any  alarm they fell immediately into a panic they saw At Once by his manner that something unusual was  in agitation all their fears about the unsettled state of his mind w

ere revived with ten-fold Force  they hung about him intreating him not to expose himself to the night air but all in vain when  once wolfford was mounted on his hobby it was no easy manner to get him out of the saddle it was  a clear Starlet night when he issued out of the portal of the Weber Palace he wore large flapped  hat tied under the chin with a handkerchief of his daughter's to secure him from the night's  damp while Dean Weber threw her long red cloak about his shoulders and fastened i

t around his  neck the doctor had been no less carefully armed and enountered by his housekeeper the Vigilant  fra ILY and sallied forth in his camlet robe by way of Sir coat his black velvet cap under his  cocked hat a thick clasped book under his arm a basket of drugs and dried herbs in one hand and  in the other the miraculous Rod of divination the great church Clock Struck 10 as wolfford and the  doctor passed by the churchyard and the Watchman bald inoar voice a long and doleful all well a 

deep sleep had already fallen upon this primitive little burrow nothing Disturbed this awful silence  excepting now and then the bark of some proplate night walking dog or the serenade of some romantic  cat it is true Wilford fancied more than once that he heard the sound of a stealthy footfall at the  distance behind them but it might have been merely the echo of their own footsteps along the quiet  streets he thought also at one time that he saw a tall figure skullking after them stopping whe

n  they stopped and moving on as they proceeded but the dim and uncertain lamp light threw such vague  gleams and shadows that this might all have been mere fancy they found the old fisherman waiting  for them smoking his pipe in the stern of the skiff which which was moed just in front of his  little cabin a pickaxe and Spade were lying in the bottom of the boat with a dark Lantern and  a stone bottle of good Dutch courage in which honest Sam no doubt put even more faith than Dr  Nipper Housen

in his drugs thus then did these three worthies Embark upon their cockal shell  of a skiff upon this nocturnal Expedition with a wisdom and Valor equaled only by the three wise  men of Gotham who had ventured to see in a bowl the tide was rising and running rapidly up the  sound the current bore them along almost without the aid of an ore the profile of the Town lay all  in Shadow here and there a light feebly glimmered from some sick chamber or from the cabin window  of some vessel at anchor in

the Stream not a cloud obscured the Deep Starry firmament the lights  of which wavered on the surface of the Placid River and a shooting meteor streaking its pale  course in the very Direction they were taking was interpreted by the the doctor into a most  propitious Omen in a little while they glided upon the point of corlier hook with the rural Inn  which had been the scene of such night Adventures the family had retired to rest and the house was  dark and still wilfort felt a chill pass over

him as they passed the point where the buccaneer had  disappeared he pointed it out to Dr Nipper Housen while regarding it they thought they saw a boat  actually lurking at the very place but the Shore cast such a Shadow over the border of the water  that they could discern nothing distinctly they had not proceeded far when they heard the low  sounds of distant OES as if cautiously pulled Sam plied his OES with redoubled Vigor and knowing  all the edes and currents of the stream soon left their

followers if such they were far a Stern in  a little while they stretched across Turtle Bay and Kips Bay then shouted themselves in the Deep  shadow of the Manhattan Shore and glided swiftly along secure from observation at length the Negro  shot his skiff into a little Cove Darkly embowered by trees and made it fast to the well-known iron  ring they now landed and lighting the lantern gathered their various implements and proceeded  slowly through the bushes every sound startled them even that

of their own footsteps among the  dry leaves the hooting of a Screech alll from the shattered chimney of the neighboring ruin made  their blood run cold in spite of all wolford's caution and taking note of the landmarks it was  some time before they could find the open place among the trees where the treasure was supposed to  be buried at length they came to the ledge of rock and on examining its surface by the aid of lantern  wilfor recognized the three Mystic crosses their hearts beat quick f

or the momentous Trail was  at hand that was to determine their hopes the lantern was now held by wolfford Weber while the  doctor produced the divining Rod it was a forked to twig one end of which was grasped firmly  in each hand while the center forming the stem pointed perpendicularly upward the doctor  moved his wand about within a certain distance of the Earth from place to place but for some time  without any effect while wolfford kept the light of the lantern turned full upon it and watch

ed  it with the most breathless interest at length the rod began slowly to turn the doctor grasped it  with the greater earnestness the doctor grasp ased it with greater earnestness his hands trembling  with the agitation of his mind the wand continued to turn gradually until at length the stem had  reversed its position and pointed perpendicularly downward and remained pointing to one spot as  fixedly as the needle to its pole this is the spot said the doctor in an almost inaudible  tone wolfor

d's heart was in his throat shall I dig said the Negro grasping the Spade send  no replied the little doctor hastily he now ordered his companions to keep close by him and to  maintain the most inflexible silence that certain precautions must be taken and ceremonies used to  prevent the evil spirits which kept about buried treasure from doing them any harm he then drew a  circle about the place enough to include the whole party he next gathered dry twigs and leaves and  made a fire upon which he

threw certain drugs and dried herbs which he had brought in his basket a  Thick Smoke Rose diffusing a potent odor savoring marvelously of Brimstone and asapa which however  grateful it might be to the olfactory nerves of spirits nearly strangled poor wolfort and produced  a fit of coughing and wheezing that made the whole Grove ReSound Dr Nipper Housen then unclasped  the volume which he had brought under his arm which was printed in red and black characters in  German text while wolfford held

the lantern the doctor by the aid of his spectacles read off  off several forms of conjuration in Latin and German he then ordered Sam to seize the pickaxe  and proceed to work the close- bound soil gave obstinate signs of not having been Disturbed  for many a year after having picked his way through the surface Sam came to a bed of sand and  gravel which he threw briskly to right and left with the Spade hark said wolfford who fancied  he heard a trampling among the dry leaves and a rustling th

rough the bushes Sam paused for a  moment and they listened no footstep was near the bat flitted by them in silence a bird roused  from his Roost By the Light which glared up among the trees flew circling about the flame in the  profound Stillness of the Woodland they could distinguish the current Rippling among the rocky  Shore and the distant murmuring and roaring of Hellgate the Negro continued his labors and had  already digged a considerable hole the doctor stood on the edge reading formula

every now and  then from his black letter volume or throwing more drugs and herbs upon the fire while wolfford bent  anxiously over the pit watching every stroke of the Spade anyone witnessing the scene thus lighted  up by fire Lantern and the reflection of wolford's red mantle might have mistaken the little doctor  for some foul magician busied in his incantations and the grizzled head negro for some swart Goblin  obedient to his command at length the Spade of the fisherman struck upon somethi

ng that sounded  Hollow the sound vibrated to wolford's heart he struck his Spade again t a chest said Sam full of  gold I'll warrant it cried wolfford clasping his hands with Rapture scarcely had he uttered the  words when a sound from above caught his ear he cast his eyes up and Low by the expiring light  of the fire he beheld just over the disc of the rock what appeared to be the Grim Visage of the  drowned Buccaneer grinning hideously down upon Him wolfford gave a loud cry and let the lanter

n fall  his Panic communicated itself to his companions the Negro leaped out of the hole the doctor  dropped his book and BAS and began to pray in German all was horror and confusion the fire was  scattered about the lantern extinguished in their hurry Scurry they ran against and confounded one  another they fancied a legion of hobgoblins let loose upon them and that they saw by fitful gleams  of the scattered emds strange figures in red caps gibbering and ramping around them the doctor ran  one

way the Negro another and Wilford made for the water side as he plunged struggling onward  through the brush and break he heard the tread of someone in Pursuit he scrambled frantically  forward the footsteps gained upon him he felt himself grasped by his cloak when suddenly his  pursuer was attacked in turn a fierce fight and struggle ensued a pistol was discharged that Lit  Up The Rock and Bush for a second and showed two figures grappling together all was then darker  than ever the contest co

ntinued the combatants clinched each other and panted and groaned and  rolled among the rocks there was a snarling and growling of a cur mingled with curses in which  wilfor fan I he could recognize the voice of the buccaneer he would Fain have fled but he  was on the brink of a precipice and could go no farther again the parties were on their feet  again there was a tugging and struggling as if strength alone could decide the combat until one  was precipitated from the brow of the cliff and sen

t headlong into the deep stream that Whirled  below Wilford heard the plunge and a kind of strangling bubbling murmur but the darkness of the  night hid everything from him and the swiftness of the current swept everything instantly out of  hearing one of the combatants was disposed of but whether Friend or Foe wilfor could not tell  nor whether they might not both be foes he heard the Survivor approach and his Terror revived he  saw where the profile of the Rocks Rose against the Horizon a huma

n form advancing he could not  be mistaken it must be the buccaneer with should he fly a precipice was on one side a murderer  on the other the enemy approached he was close at hand Wolford attempt tempted to let himself  down the face of the cliff his cloak caught on a thorn That Grew on the edge he was jerked from  off his feet and held dangling in the air half choked by the string with which his careful wife  had fastened the Garment around his neck wolfford thought his last moment was arrive

d already he  had committed his soul to St Nicholas when the string broke and he tumbled down the banks bumping  from rock to rock and Bush to Bush and leaving the Red Cloak fluttering like a bloody Banner in the  air it was a long while before wolfford came to himself when he opened his eyes the Ruddy streaks  of morning were already shooting up the sky he found himself grievously battered and lying in  the bottom of a boat he attempted to sit up but was too sore and stiff to move a voice reque

sted  him in a friendly accents to lie still he turned his eyes toward the speaker it was Dirk Waldren  he had dogged the party at the earnest request of Dame Weber and her daughter who with the laudable  Curiosity of their sex had pried into the secret consultations of wolfford and the doctor Dirk had  been completely distanced in following the light skiff of the fisherman and had just come in time  to rescue the poor money Digger from his pursuer thus ended this perilous Enterprise the doctor 

and black Sam severely found their way back to the manhatt each having some Dreadful tale of  peril to relate as to poor wolfford instead of returning in Triumph Laden with bags of gold  he was born home on a shutter followed by a rabble route of curious as urchin his wife and  daughter saw the Dismal pageant from a distance and alarmed the neighborhood with their cries  they thought the poor man had suddenly settled the great debate of nature in one of his Wayward  moods finding him however st

ill living they had him speedily to bed at a jury of old matrons of  the neighborhood assembled to determine how he should be doctored the whole town was in a buzz  with the story of the money diggers many repaired to the scene of the previous night's Adventures  but though they found the very place place of the digging they discovered nothing that compensated  them for their trouble some say they found the fragments of an Oaken chest and an iron pot lid  which savored strongly of hidden money a

nd that in the old family Vault there were traces of  Bales and boxes but this is all very dubious in fact the secret of all this story has never  to this day been discovered whether any treasure were ever actually buried at that place whether  if so it were carried off at Night by those who had buried it or whether it still remains there  under the guardianship of gnomes and Spirits until it shall be properly sought for is all a matter  of conjecture for my part I incline to the latter opinion

and make no doubt that great sums lie  buried there both there and in other parts of this island and its neighborhood ever since the times  of the Buccaneers and the Dutch colonists and I would earnestly recommend the search after them to  such of my fellow citizens as are not engaged in any other speculations there were many conjectures  formed also as to who and what the strange Man Of The Seas who had domineered over the little  fraternity at cor's hook for a Time disappeared so strangely and

reappeared so fearfully some  supposed him a Smuggler stationed at that place to assist his comrades in landing their goods  among the rocky Coes of the island others that he was one of the ancient comrades of kid or bradish  returned to convey away Treasures formerly hidden in the vicinity the only circumstance that  throws anything like a vague light on this mysterious matter is a report which prevailed of  a strange foreign-built shallop with much the look of a picaroon having been seen hove

ring about  the sound for several days without Landing or reporting herself though Boats were seen going  to and from her at night and that she was seen standing out of the mouth of the harbor in the  gray of the dawn after the catastrophe of the money diggers I must not omit to mention another  report also which I confess is rather apocryphal of the buccaneer who was supposed to have been  drowned being seen before Daybreak with a lantern in his hand seated a stride of his Great Sea Chest  and

sailing through Hellgate which just then began to Roar and Bellow with redoubled Fury while All  the gossip world was thus filled with talk and rumor poor wolfford lay sick and sorrowfully in  his bed bruised in body and sorely beaten down in mind his wife and daughter did all they could to  bind up his wounds both Corporal and spiritual the good old Dame never stirred from his bedside where  she sat knitting from morning till night while his daughter busied herself about him with the fondest  c

are nor did they lack assistance from abroad whatever may be said of a desertion of friends in  distress they had no complaint of the kind to make not an old wife in the neighborhood but abandon  her work to crowd the Mansion of wolfford Weber to inquire after his health and the particulars of  his story not one came moreover without her little Pipkin of Penny Royal Sage balm or other herb  tea delighted at an opportunity of signalizing her kindness and her doctor what drenching did  not the poo

r wolfford undergo and all in vain it was a moving sight to Behold Him wasting away day  by day growing thinner and thinner and ghastlier and ghastlier and staring with ruul Visage from  under an old Patchwork counterpane upon the jury of matrons kindly assembled to sigh and groan  and look unhappy around him Durk Waldren was the only being that seemed to shed a ray of sunshine  into the house of mourning he came in with cheery look and manly spirit and tried to reanimate the  expiring heart of

the poor money Digger but it was all in vain wolfford was completely done over if  anything was wanting to complete his despair it was a notice served upon him in the midst of his  distress that the corporation was about to run a new street through the very center of his cabbage  Garden he now saw nothing before him but poverty and ruin his last Reliance the garden of his  forefathers was to be laid waste and what then was to become of his poor wife and child his eyes  filled with tears as they

followed the dutiful Amy out of the room one morning Dirk Waldren was  seated beside him wilfort grasped his hand pointed after his daughter and for the first time since  his illness broke the silence he had maintained I am going said he shaking his head feebly and when  I am gone my poor daughter leave her to me father said Dirk manfully I take care of her Wilford  looked up in the face of the Cheery strapping youngster and saw there was none better able to  take care of a woman enough he said

she is yours and now fetch me a lawyer let me make my will  and die a lawyer was brought a Dapper bustling round-headed little man roorbach or rabach as  it was pronounced by name at the sight of him the women broke into loud Lamentations for they  looked upon the signing of a will as the signing of a death warrant w wolfford made a feeble motion  for them to be silent poor Amy buried her face in grief in their bed curtain Dame Weber resumed  her knitting to hide her distress which betrayed itse

lf however in a pcid tear which trickled  silently down and hung at the end of her Peak nose while the cat the only unconcerned member  of the family played with the good Dame's ball of worsted as it rolled about the floor wolfford lay  on his back his night cap drawn over his forehead his eyes closed his whole Visage the picture of  death he begged the lawyer to be brief for he felt his end approaching and that he had no time  to lose the lawyer nibbed his pen spread out his paper and prepared

to write I give and bequeath  said Wilford faintly my small farm what all exclaimed the lawyer wolfford half opened his eyes  and looked upon the lawyer yes all he said what all that great patch of land with cabbages and  sunflowers which the Corporation is going to run a main street through the same said Wilford with  a heavy sigh sinking back upon his pillow I wish him joy that inherits it said the little lawyer  chuckling and rubbing his hands involuntarily what do you mean said Wolford again

opening his eyes  that he'll be one of the richest men in the place cried little rabu the expiring wolfford seemed  to steep back from the threshold of existence his eyes again lighted up he raised himself in his  bed shoved his red worsted night cap and stared broadly at the lawyer you don't say exclaimed he  Faith but I do rejoined the other why when that great field and that huge Meadow came to be laid  out in the streets and cut up into snug building Lots why whoever owns it need not pull o

ff his  hat to the Patroon say you so cried wolfford half thrusting one leg out of bed why then I think I'll  not make my will yet to the surprise of everyone the dying man actually recovered covered the vital  spark which had glimmered faintly in the socket received fresh fuel from the oil of gladness which  the little lawyer poured into his soul it was once more burned up into a flame give physic to the  heart ye who would revive the body of a spirit broken man in a few days Wolford left his r

oom in  a few days more his table was covered with Deeds plans of streets and building Lots little rabu was  constantly with him his right-hand man and adviser and instead of making his will assisted him in  the more agreeable task of making his fortune in fact Wolford Weber was one of those worthy Dutch  Burgers of the manados whose fortunes have been made in a manner in spite of themselves who have  tenaciously held on to their hereditary Acres raising turnips and cabbage about the skirts of 

the city hardly able to make both ends meet until the corporation has cruy driven streets through  their abodes and they have suddenly awakened out of their lethargy and to the astonishment found  themselves rich men before many months had elapsed a great bustling Street passed through the very  center of the Weber Garden just where Wilford had dreamed of finding a treasure his Golden Dream was  accomplished he did indeed find an unlooked for source of wealth for when his paternal lands were  di

stributed into building lots and rented out to Safe tants instead of producing a poultry crop  of cabbages they returned him an abundant crop of rent in so much that on quarter day it was  goodly sight to see his tendons knocking at the door from morning till night each with a little  round bellied Bag of Money a golden produce of the soil the ancient Mansion of his forefathers  was still kept up but instead of being a little yellow fronted Dutch house in a garden it now  stood boldly in the mid

st of a street the Grand Home of the neighborhood for wolfford enlarged  it with a wing on each side and aoua or te- room on top where he might climb up and smoke his  pipe in hot weather and in the course of time the the whole mansion was overrun by chubby-faced  progyny of Amy Weber and Dirk Waldren as wolfford waxed old and Rich and corpulent he also set  up a great gingerbread colored Carriage drawn by a pair of black Flanders mares with tails that  swept the ground and to commemorate the or

igin of his greatness he had for his Crest a full-blown  cabbage painted on the panels with the py motto alisop that is to say all head meaning thereby  that he had risen by sheer head workor to fill the measure of his greatness in the fullness  of time the renowned Ram rapali slept with his fathers and Wolford Weber succeeded to the  leather bottomed armchair in the in parlor at kier's hook where he long reigned greatly honored  and respected in so much that he was never known to tell a story w

ithout its being believed  nor to utter a joke without its being laughed at end of section 15 recording by Chris  Robertson Kalamazoo Michigan www. kav v- llc.com section 16 wheelan's madness part one by Charles  Brockton Brown introduction to Wan's Madness from Wheeland or the transformation from virtues  Blissful paths away the double tongue are sure to stray good is a forthright journey still and  Maisy passs but lead to Ill Wheeland is the first American novel it appeared in 1798 its author

was  soon recognized as the earliest American novelist and he remained the greatest until fenmore  Cooper brought forth his leather stocking Tales a quarter of a century later although modern  sophistication easily points out flaws in Charles Brockton Brown's story structure and reproves him  for improbability morbidness and a style often too elevated yet his work lives his downright  originality is worthy of Cooper himself in his weird imaginations and horribly sustained scenes  of Terror have

been surpassed by few writers save Edgar Allen Poe Charles Brockton Brown first part  one Wan's Madness as the story opens the narrator Clara weand is entering upon the happy realization  of her love for Henry PL closest friend of her brother wand their Woodland home mettingen on  the banks of the then remote skuul is the Abode of Music letters and thorough culture the piece  of high thinking and simple outdoor life hovers over all one sunny afternoon I was standing in the  door of my house when

I marked a person passing in close to the edge of the bank that was in front  his Pace was a careless and lingering one and had none of that gracefulness and ease which  distinguish a person with certain advantages of Education from a clown his gate was rustic and  awkward his form was ungainly and disproportioned shoulders Broad and square breast sunken his head  drooping his body of uniform breadth supported by long and lank legs were the ingredients of his  his frame his Garb was not ill ada

pted to such a figure a slouched hat tarnished by the weather a  coat of thick gray cloth cut and rot as it seemed by a country tailor blue worsted stockings and  shoes fastened by thongs and deeply discolored by dust which brush had never Disturbed constituted  his dress there was nothing remarkable in these appearances they were frequently to be met with  on the road and and in the Harvest field I cannot tell why I gazed upon them on this occasion with  more than ordinary attention unless it w

ere that such figures were seldom seen by me except on the  road or field this lawn was only traversed by men whose views were directed to the pleasures  of the walk or the Grandeur of the scenery he passed slowly along frequently pausing as if to  examine the prospect more deliberately but never turning his eye toward the house so as to allow  a view of his countenance presently he entered a cops at a small distance and disappeared my eye  followed him while he remained in sight If His Image re

mained for any duration in my fancy  after his departure it was because no other object occurred sufficient to expel it I continued  in the same spot for half an hour vaguely and by fits contemplating the image of this Wanderer and  drawing from outward appearances those inferences with respect to the intellectual history of  this person which experience affords us I reflected on the alliance which commonly subsists  between ignorance and the practice of Agriculture and indulge myself in Airy sp

eculations as to the  influence of progressive knowledge in dissolving this Alliance and embodying the dreams of The  Poets I asked why the plow and the hoe might not become the trade of every human being and how  this trade might be made conducive to or at least consistent with the acquisition of wisdom and  eloquence weary with these Reflections I returned to the kitchen to perform some household office  I had usually but one servant and she was a girl about my own age I was busy near the chim

ney and  she was employed near the door of the apartment when someone knocked the door was opened by her  and she was immediately addressed with pretty good girl can thou Supply a thirsty man with a glass of  Buttermilk Sheed answered that there was none in the house I but there is some in the dairy Yonder  thou knowest as well as I though Hermes never taught thee that though every Dairy be a house  every house is not a dairy to this speech though she understood only a part of it she replied by 

repeating her assurances that she had none to give well then rejoined The Stranger for Charity's  sweet sake hand me forth a cup of cold water the girl said she would go to the bring and fetch it  nay give me the cup and suffer me to help myself neither manacled nor lame I should Merit burial in  the MW of car and crows if I laid this task upon thee she gave him the cup and he turned to go to  the spring I listened to this dialogue in Silence the words uttered by the person without affected  me

as somewhat singular but what chiefly rendered them remarkable was the tone that accompanied them  it was wholly new my brother's voice and plos were Musical and energetic I had fondly imagined  that in this respect they were surpassed by none now my mistake was detected I cannot pretend  to communicate the impression that was made upon me by these accents or to depict the degree  in which force and sweetness were Blended in them they were articulated with a distinctness  that was unexampled in

my experience but this was not all the voice was not only mellifluent  and clear but the emphasis was so just and the modulation so impassioned that it seemed as if  a Heart of Stone could not fail of being moved by it it imparted to me an emotion altogether  involuntary and uncontrollable when he uttered the words for Charity's sweet sake I dropped the  cloth that I held in my hand my heart overflowed with sympathy and my eyes with unbidden tears  this description will appear to you trifling o

r incredible the importance of these circumstances  will be manifested in the sequel the manner in which I was affected on this occasion was to my  own apprehension a subject of astonishment the tones were indeed such as I never heard before  but that they should in an instant as it were dissolve me in tears will not easily be believed  by others and can scarce be comprehended by myself it will be readily supposed that I was somewhat  inquisitive as to the person and demeanor of our visitant aft

er a moment's pause I stepped to the  door and looked after him judge my surprise when I beheld the self-same figure that had appeared  a half hour before upon the bank my fancy had conjured up a very different image a form and  attitude and Garb were instantly created worthy to accompany such elocution but this person  was in all visible respects the reverse of this Phantom strange as it may seem I could not  speedily reconcile myself to this disappointment instead of returning to my employment

I threw  myself in a chair that was placed opposite the door and sunk into a fit of musing my attention  was in a few minutes recalled by The Stranger who returned with the empty Cup in his hand I had not  thought of the circumstance or should certainly have chosen a different seat he no sooner showed  himself than a confused sense of impropriety added to the suddenness of the interview for which not  having foreseen it I had made no preparation threw me into a state of the most painful embarra

ssment  he brought with him a Placid brow but no sooner had he cast his eyes upon me than his face was  as glowingly suffused as my own he placed the cup upon the bench stammered out thanks and retired  it was some time before I could recover my wanted composure I had snatched a view of the stranger's  countenance the impression that it made was Vivid and indelible his cheeks were palet and lank his  eyes sunken his forehead overshadowed by coarse straggling hairs his teeth large and irregular 

though sound and brilliantly white and his chin discolored by a tedar his skin was of coarse  grain and salow Hue a every feature was wide of Beauty and the outline of his face reminded you  of an inverted cone and yet his forehead so far as Shaggy locks would allow it to be seen his eyes  lustrously black and possessing in the midst of haggardness a Radiance inexpressibly Serene and  potent and something in the rest of his features which it would be in vain to describe but which  serve to betok

en a mind of the highest order were essential ingredients in the portrait this this  in the effects which immediately flowed from it I count among the most extraordinary incidents  of my life this face seen for a moment continued for hours to occupy my fancy to the exclusion  of almost every other image I had proposed to spend the evening with my brother but I could  not resist the inclination of forming a sketch upon paper of this memorable Visage whether  my hand was aided by any peculiar insp

iration or I was deceived by my own fond conceptions  this portrait though hastily executed appeared unaccepting upon it half the night passed away in  wakefulness and in contemplation of this picture so flexible and yet so stubborn is the human mind  so obedient to impulses the most transient and brief and yet so unalterably observant of the  direction which is given to it how little did I then foresee the termination of that chain of  which this may be regarded as the first link next day arose

in darkness and storm torrents of rain  fell during the whole day attended with incessant Thunder which reverberated in stunning Echoes from  the opposite declivity the inclemency of the air would not allow me to walk out I had indeed  no inclination to leave my apartment I betook myself to the contemplation of this portrait  whose attractions time had rather enhanced than diminished I laid aside my usual occupations  and seating myself at a window consumed the day in alternately looking out up

on the storm and  gazing at the picture which lay upon a table before me you will perhaps deem this conduct  somewhat singular and describe to it certain peculiarities of temper I am not aware of any  such peculiarities I can account for my devotion to this image no otherwise than by supposing that  its properties were rare and prodigious perhaps you will suspect that such were the first inroads  of a passion incident to every female heart and which frequently gains a footing by means even  more

slight and more improbable than these I shall not controvert the reasonableness of the  suspicion but leave you at Liberty to draw from my narrative what conclusions you please Knight  at length returned and the storm ceased the air was once more clear and calm and bore an affecting  contrast to that uproar of The Elements by which it had been preceded I spent the darksome hours  as I spent the day contemplative and seated at the window why was my mind absorbed in thoughts  ominous and dreary w

hy did my bosom heave with size and my eyes overflow with tears was the  Tempest that had just passed a signal of the ruin which impended over me my soul fondly dwelt  upon the the images of my brother and his children yet they only increased the mournfulness of my  contemplations the smiles of the Charming babes were as Bland as formerly the same dignity sat  on the brow of their father and yet I thought of them with anguish something whispered that the  happiness we at present enjoyed was set

on mutable foundations death must happen to all whether  our Felicity was to be subverted by it tomorrow or whether it was ordained that we should lay  down our heads full of years and of Honor was a question that no human being could solve at other  times these items seldom intruded I either forbore to reflect upon the destiny that is reserved for  all men or the reflection was mixed up with images that disrobed it of Terror but now the uncertainty  of Life occurred to me without any of its usu

al and alleviating accompaniments I said to myself  we must die soon sooner or later we must disappear forever from the face of the Earth whatever  be the lengths that hold us to life they must be broken this scene of existence is in all its  parts calamitous the greater number is oppressed with immediate evils and those the tide of whose  fortunes is full how small is their portion of enjoyment since they know that it will terminate  for some time I indulged myself without reluctance in these g

loomy thoughts but at length the  dejection which they produced became insupportable painful I endeavored to dissipate it with music  I had all my grandfather's Melody as well as poetry by rote I now lighted by chance on a ballad  which commemorated the fate of a German Cavalier who fell at the siege of nce under Godfrey of  Buon my choice was unfortunate for the scenes of violence and Carnage which were here wildly  but forcibly portrayed only suggest suggested to my thoughts a new topic in the

horrors of War I  sought Refuge but ineffectually in sleep my mind was thronged by Vivid but confused images and  no effort that I made was sufficient to drive them away in this situation I heard the clock  which hung in the room give the signal for 12 it was the same instrument which formerly hung in my  father's chamber in which on account of its being his workmanship was regarded by everyone of our  family with veneration it had fallen to me in the division of his property and was placed in

this  Asylum the sound awakened a series of Reflections respecting his death I was not allowed to pursue  them for scarcely had the vibrations ceased when my attention was attracted by a whisper which at  first appeared to proceed from lips that were laid close to my ear no wonder that a circumstance  like this startled me in the first impulse of my Terror I uttered a slight scream and shrunk to  the opposite side of the bed in a moment however I recovered from my trepidation I was habitually  i

ndifferent to all the causes of fear by which the majority are afflicted I entertain no apprehension  of either ghosts or robbers our security had never been molested by either and I made use of no means  to prevent or counterwork their imaginations my Tranquility on this occasion was quickly retrieved  the whisper evidently proceeded from one who was posted at my bedside the first idea that suggested  itself was that it was uttered by the girl who lived with me as a servant perhaps somewhat  ha

d alarmed her or she was sick and had come to request my assistance by whispering in my ear  she intended to Rouse without alarming me full of this persuasion I called Judith is it you what  do you want is there anything the matter with you no no answer was returned I repeated my  inquiry but equally in vain cloudy as was the atmosphere and curtained as my bed was nothing  was visible I withdrew the curtain and leaning my head on my elbow I listened with the deepest  attention to catch some new

sound meanwhile I ran over in my thoughts every circumstance that could  assist my conjectures my habitation was a wooden edifice consisting of two stories in each story  were two rooms separated by an entry or Middle Passage with which they communicated by opposite  doors the passage on the lower story had doors at the two ends and a staircase Windows answered  to the doors on the upper story Annex to this on the Eastern side were Wings divided in like manner  into an upper and lower room one o

f them comprised a kitchen and chamber above it for the servant  and communicated on both stories with the par adjoining it below and the Chamber adjoining it  above the opposite Wing is of smaller Dimensions the rooms not being above 8 ft Square the lower  of these was used as a depository of household implements the upper was a closet in which I  deposited my books and papers they had but one Inlet which was from the room adjoining there  was no window in the lower one and in the upper a small

aperture which communicated light and air  but would scarcely admit the body the door which led into this was close to my bed head and was  always locked but when I myself was within the Avenues below were accustomed to be closed and  bolted at nights the maid was my only companion and she could not reach my chamber without  previously passing through the opposite chamber and the middle passage of which however the doors  were usually unfastened if she had occasioned this noise she would have a

nswered answered my repeated  calls no other conclusion therefore was left me but that I had mistaken the sounds and that my  imagination had transformed some casual noise into the voice of a human creature satisfied with  this solution I Was preparing to relinquish my listening attitude when my ear was again saluted  with a new and yet louder Whispering it appeared as before to issue from lips that touched my  pillow a second effort of attention however clearly showed me that the sounds issued

from  within the closet the door of which was not more than 8 in from my pillow this second Interruption  occasioned a shock less vehement than the former I started but gave no audible token of alarm I was  so much Mistress of my feelings as to continue listening to what should be said the Whisperer was  distinct horar and uttered so as to show that the speaker was desirous of being heard by someone one  near but at the same time studious to avoid being overheard by any other stop stop I say mad

man as  you are there are better means than that curse upon your rashness there is no need to shoot such  were the words uttered in a tone of eagerness and anger within so small a distance of my pillow what  construction could I put upon them my heart began to palpitate with Dread of some unknown Danger  presently another voice but equally near me was heard Whispering an answer why not I will draw a  trigger in this business but predition be my lot if I do more to this the first voice returned i

n  a tone which rage had heightened in a small degree above her whispered coward stand aside and see  me do it I will grasp her throat I will do her business in an instant she shall not have time  so much as to groan what wonder that I was was petrified by sounds so Dreadful murderers lurked  in my closet they were planning the means of my destruction one resolved to shoot and the other  menaced Suffocation their means being chosen they would forth with break the door flight  instantly suggested

itself as most eligible in circumstances so perilous I deliberated not a  moment but fear adding Wings to my speed I leaped out of bed and scantily robed as I was rushed out  of the chamber downstairs and into the open air I can hardly recollect the process of turning keys  and withdrawing bolts my Terrors urged me forward with almost a mechanical impulse I stopped not  till I reached my brother's door I had not gained the threshold when exhausted by the violence of  my emotions and by my speed

I sunk down in a fit how long I remained in this situation I know  not when I recovered I found myself stretched on a bed surrounded by my sister and her female  servants I was astonished at the scene before me but gradually recovered the recollection of  what had happened I answered their importunate inquiries as well as I was able my brother and  pile whom the storm of the preceding day chanced to detain here informing themselves of every  particular proceeded with lights and weapons to my de

serted habitation they entered my chamber  and my closet and found everything in its proper place and customary order the door of the closet  was locked and appeared not to have been opened in my absence they went to Judith's apartment  they found her asleep and in safety pl's caution induced him to forbear alarming the girl and  finding her wholly ignorant of what had passed they directed her to return to her chamber they  then fastened the doors and returned my friends were disposed to regard

this transaction action as  a dream that persons should actually be immured in this closet to which in the circumstances of the  time access from without or within was apparently impossible they could not seriously believe that  any human beings had intended murder unless it were to cover a scheme of pillage was incredible  but that no such design had been formed was evident from the security in which the furniture  of the house and the closet remained I revolved every incident and expression th

at had occurred  my senses assured me of the truth of them and yet their abruptness and improbability made me in my  turn somewhat incredulous the adventure had made a deep impression on my fancy and it was not  till after a weeks Abode at my brothers that I resolved to resume the possession of my own  dwelling there was another circumstance that enhanced the mysteriousness of this event after  my recovery it was obvious to inquire by what what means the attention of the family had been drawn  t

o my situation I had fallen before I had reached the threshold or was able to give any signal my  brother related that while this was transacting in my chamber he himself was awake in consequence  of some slight indisposition and lay according to his custom musing on some favorite topic suddenly  the silence which was remarkably profound was broken by a voice of the most piercing shrillness  that seemed seemed to be uttered by one in the hall below his chamber awake arise it exclaimed  hasten to

sucker one that is dying at your door this summons was effectual there was no one in the  house who was not roused by it pile was the first to obey and my brother overtook him before he  reached the hall what was the General astonishment when your friend was discovered stretched upon  the grass before the door pale ghastly and with every Mark of Death but how was I to regard this  midnight conversation horar and manlike voices conferring on the means of death so near my bed  and at such an hour

how had my ancient security vanished that dwelling which had hitherto been an  inviolet asylum was now beset with danger to my life that Solitude formerly so dear to me could no  longer be endured PL who had consented to reside with us during the months of spring lodged in  the vacant chamber in order to quiet my alarms he treated my affairs with ridicule and in a short  time very slight traces of them remained but as it was wholly indifferent to him whether his nights  were passed at my house

or at my brother's this Arrangement gave General satisfaction two I will  enumerate the various inquiries and conjectures which these incidents occasion after all our  efforts we came no nearer to dispelling the Mist in which they were involved and time instead  of facilitating a solution only accumulated our doubts in the midst of thoughts excited by these  events I was not unmindful of my interview with the stranger I related the particulars and showed  the portrait to my friends pile recollec

ted to have met with a figure resembling my description  in the city but neither his face or Garb made the same impression upon him that it made upon me it  was a hint to Rally me upon my prepossessions and to amuse us with a thousand ludicrous anecdotes  which he had collected in his travels he made no scruple to charge me with being in love and  threatened to inform the Swain when he met him of his Good Fortune pl's temper made him susceptible  of no dur able Impressions his conversation was o

ccasionally visited by gleams of his ancient  vivacity but though his impetuosity was sometimes inconvenient there was nothing to dread from his  malice I had no fear that my character or dignity would suffer in his hands and was not heartily  displeased when he declared his intention of profiting by his first meeting with the stranger  to introduce him to our acquaintance some weeks after this I had spent a toysome day and as the  sun declined found myself disposed to seek relief in a walk the

river bank is at this part of it and  for some considerable space upward so rugged and steep as not to be easily descended in a recess  of this declivity near the southern verge of my little domain was placed a slight building  with seats and lates from a crevice of the rock to which this edifice was attached there  burst forth a stream of the purest water which leaping from ledge to ledge for the space of 60  ft produced a freshness in the air and a murmur the most delicious and soothing imagin

able these  added to the odors of the Cedars which embowered it and of the honey suckle which clustered among  the lates rendered this my favorite retreat in summer on this occasion I repaired hither my  spirits drooped through the fatigue of long attention and I threw myself upon a bench in a  St both mentally and personally of the utmost supineness the lulling sounds of the waterfall  the fragrance and the dusk combined to becalm my spirits and in a short time to sink me into sleep  either the

uneasiness of my posture or some slight indisposition molested my Repose with dreams of  no cheerful Hue after various incoherences had taken their turn to occupy my fancy I at length  imagined myself walking in the evening Twilight to my brother's habitation a pit me thought had been  dug in the path I had taken of which I was not aware as I carelessly pursued my walk I thought  I saw my brother standing at some distance before me beckoning and calling me to make haste he stood  on the opposit

e edge of the gulf I mended my pace and one step more would have plunged me into this  Abyss had not someone from behind caught suddenly my arm and exclaimed in a voice of eagerness and  Terror hold hold the sound broke my sleep and I found myself at the next moment standing on my  feet and surrounded by the deepest Darkness images so terrific and forcible disabled me for a time  from distinguishing between sleep and wakefulness and withheld from me the knowledge of my actual  condition my first

panic was succeeded by the perturbations of surprise to find myself alone in  in the open air and immersed in so deep a Gloom I slowly recollected the incidents of the afternoon  and how I came hither I could not estimate the time but saw the propriety of returning with  speed to the house my faculties were still too confused and the Darkness too intense to allow  me immediately to find my way up the Steep I sat down there to recover myself and to reflect  upon my situation this was no sooner d

one then a low voice was heard from behind the lattice on  the side where I sat between the Rock and the lattice was a Chasm not wide enough to admit  a human body yet in this Chasm he that spoke appeared to be stationed attend attend but be not  terrified I started and exclaimed good Heavens what is that who are you a friend one come not  to injure you but to save you fear nothing this voice was immediately recognized to be the same  with one of those which I had heard in the closet it was the

voice of him who had proposed to shoot  rather than to strangle his victim my Terror made me at once mute and motionless he continued I  leagued to murder you I Repent mark my bidding and be safe avoid this spot the snares of death  Encompass it elsewhere danger will be distant but this spot shun it as you value your life Mark  me further profit by this warning but divulge it not if a syllable of what has passed Escape  you your doom is sealed remember your father and be faithful here the accent

ceased and left me  overwhelmed with dismay I was fraught with the persuasion that during every moment I remained  here my life was endangered but I could not take a step without Hazard of falling to the bottom  of the precipice the path leading to the summit was short but rugged and intricate even Starlight  was excluded by the umbrage and not The faintest Gleam was afforded to guide my steps what should  I do to depart or remain was equally and eminently perilous in this state of uncertainty

I perceived  a rave flit across the gloom and disappear another succeeded which was stronger and remained for a  passing moment it glittered on the shrubs that were scattered at the entrance and gleam continued  to succeed gleam for a few seconds till they finally gave place to uninter mitted Darkness the  first visitings of this light called upon a train of Horrors in my mind destruction impended over  this spot the voice which I I had lately heard had warned me to retire and had menaced me wit

h the  fate of my father if I refused I was desirous but unable to obey these gleams were such as preluded  The Stroke by which he fell the hour perhaps was the same I shuddered as if I had beheld suspended  over me The Exterminating sword presently a new and stronger illumination burst through the  lattice on the right hand and a voice from the edge of the precipice above called out my name  it was PL joyfully did I recognize his accents but such was the tumult of my thoughts that I had  not po

wer to answer him till he had frequently repeated his summons I hurried at length from the  Fatal spot and directed by the lantern which he bore ascended the hill end of section 16  recording by Bill sisna ww ww. bills.com section 17 Wan's madness part two by Charles  Brockton Brown pale and breathless it was with difficulty I could support myself he anxiously  inquired into the cause of my afri and the motive of my unusual absence he had returned from my  brothers at a late hour and was informe

d by Judith that I had walked out before Sunset and had  not yet returned this intelligence was somewhat alarming he waited some time but my absence  continuing he had set out in search of me he had explored the neighborhood with the utmost care  but receiving no Tidings of me he was preparing to acquaint my brother with this circumstance when  he recollected the summerhouse on the bank and conceived it possible that some accident had  detained me there he again inquired into the cause of this d

etention and of that confusion and  dismay which my looks testified I told him that I had strolled hither in the afternoon that sleep  had overtaken me as I sat and that I had awakened a few minutes before his arrival I could tell him  no more in the present impetuosity of my thoughts I was almost dubious whether the pit into which  my brother had endeavored to entice me and the voice that talked through the Lattis were not  parts of the same dream I remembered likewise the charge of secrecy and

the penalty denounced  if I should rashly divulge what I had heard for these reasons I was silent on that subject and  shutting myself in my chamber delivered myself up to contemplation what I have related will no  doubt appear to you as a fable you will believe that Calamity has subverted my reason and that  I am amusing you with the chimeras of my brain instead of facts that have really happened I  shall not be surprised or offended if these be your suspicions I know not indeed how you can de

ny  them admission for if to me the immediate witness they are fertile of perplexity and doubt how must  they affect another to whom they are recommended only by my testimony it was only by subsequent  events that I was fully and incontestably assured of the veracity of my senses meanwhile what was I  to think I had been assured that a design had been formed against my life the Ruffians had leagued  to murder me whom had I offended who was there with whom I had ever maintained intercourse  who w

as capable of harboring such atrocious purposes my temper was the reverse of cruel and  imperious my heart was touched with Sympathy for the children of Misfortune but this sympathy was  not a Barren sentiment my purse scanty as it was was ever open and my hands ever active to relieve  distress many were the wretches whom my personal exertions had extricated from want and disease  and who rewarded me with their gratitude there was no face which lowered at my Approach and no  lips which uttered i

mprecations in my hearing on the contrary there was none over whose fate I  had exerted any influence or to whom I was known by reputation who did not greet me with smiles  and dismiss me with proofs of veneration yet did not my senses assure me that a plot was laid  against my life I am not destitute of Courage I have shown myself deliberative and calm in  the midst of peril I have hazarded my own life for the preservation of another but now was I  confused and panic struck I have not lived so

as to fear death yet to perish by an unseen and  secret stroke to be mangled by the knife of an assassin was a thought at which I shuddered what  had I done to deserve to be made the victim of malign passions but soft was I not assured that  my life was safe in all places but one and why was the treason limited to take effect in this  SP spot I was everywhere equally defenseless my house and chamber were at all times accessible  danger still impended over me the bloody purpose was still entertai

ned but the hand that was to  execute it was powerless in all places but one here I had remained for the last four or 5 hours  without the means of resistance or defense yet I had not been attacked a human being was at hand  and who was conscious of my presence and warned me Hereafter to avoid this Retreat his voice  was not absolutely knew but had I never heard it but once before but why did he prohibit me from  relating this instant to others and what species of death will be awarded if I diso

bey such were  the reflections that haunted me during the night and which effectually deprived me of sleep next  morning at breakfast pile related an event which my disappearance had hindered him from mentioning  the night before early the preceding morning his occasions called him to the city he had stepped  into a coffee house to while away an hour here he had met a person whose appearance instantly  bespoke to him to be the same whose Hasty visit I have mentioned and whose extraordinary Visag

e  and tones had so powerfully affected me on an attentive survey however he proved likewise to be  one with whom my friend had had some intercourse in Europe This authorized the liberty of accosting  him and after some conversation mindful as PL said of the footing which this stranger had gained  in my heart he had ventured to invite him to mettingen the invitation had been cheerfully  accepted and a visit promised on the afternoon of the next day this information excited no sober  emotions in

my breast I was of course eager to be informed as to the circumstances of their ancient  intercourse when and where had they met what knew he of the life and character of this man in answer  to my inquiries he informed me that three years before he was a traveler in Spain he had made an  Excursion from Valencia to madro with a view to inspect the remains of Roman magnificent scattered  in the environs of that town while traversing the site of the theater of old saguntum he alighted  upon this ma

n Seated on a stone and deeply engaged in perusing the work of the deacon Marty a short  conversation ensued which proved the stranger to be English they returned to Valencia together  his Garb aspect and deportment were wholly Spanish a residence of three years in the country  indefatigable attention to the language and a studious Conformity with the customs of the people  had made him indistinguishable from a native when he chose to assume that character pile found him  to be connected on the

footing of friendship and respect with many eminent merchants in that City  he had embraced the Catholic religion and adopted a Spanish name instead of his own which was  Carwin and devoted himself to the literature and religion of his new country he pursued no  profession but subsisted on remittances from England while pile remained in Valencia Carwin  betrayed no aversion to intercourse and the former found no small attractions in the Society  of this new acquaintance on General topics he was

highly intelligent and communicative he had  visited every corner of Spain and could furnish the most accurate details respecting its ancient  and present State on topics of of religion and of his own history previous to his transformation  into a Spaniard he was invariably silent you could merely gather from his discourse that he  was English and that he was well acquainted with the neighboring countries his character excited  considerable curiosity in The Observer it was not easy to reconcile

his conversion to the  Rish Faith with those proofs of knowledge and capacity that were exhibited by him on different  occasions a suspicion was sometimes admitted that his belief was counterfeited for some political  purpose the most careful observation however produced no Discovery his manners were at all  times harmless and inartificial and his habits those of a lover of contemplation and seclusion  he appeared to have contracted an affection for PL who was not slow to return it my friend aft

er a  month residence in this city returned into France and since that period had heard nothing concerning  Carwin till his appearance at mettingen on this occasion Carwin had received pile's greeting  with a certain distance and solemnity to which the latter had not been accustomed he had waved  noticing the inquiries of PLO respecting his desertion of Spain in which he had formerly  declared that it was his purpose to spend his life he had assiduously diverted the attention of  the latter to i

ndifferent topics but was still on every theme as eloquent and judicious as formerly  why he had assumed the Garb of a rustic pile was unable to conjecture perhaps it might be poverty  perhaps he was swayed by motives which it was his interest to conceal but which were connected with  the consequences of the utmost moment such was the summ of my friends information I was not sorry to  be left alone during the greater part of this day every employment was irksome which did not leave  me at Libert

y to meditate I had now a new subject on which to exercise my thoughts before evening I  should be ushered into his presence and listened to those tones whose magical and thrilling power  I had already experienced but with what new images would he then be accompanied Carwin was an  adherent to the romish faith yet was an Englishman by birth and perhaps a Protestant by education  he had adopted Spain for his country and had intimated a design to spend his days There Yet now  was an inhabitant of

this district and disguised by the hilt of a clown what could have obliterated  the impressions of his Youth and made him abjure his religion and his country what subsequent  events had introduced so total a change in his plans in withdrawing from Spain had he reverted to  the religion of his ancestors or was it true that his former conversion was deceitful and that  his conduct had been swayed by motives which it was prudent to conceal hours were consumed  in revolving these ideas my meditation

s were intense and when the series was broken I began to  reflect with astonishment on my situation from the death of my parents till the commencement of this  year my life had been Serene and Blissful beyond the ordinary portion of humanity but now my bosom  was corroded by anxiety I was visited by dread of unknown dangers and the future was a scene over  which the clouds rolled and Thunders muttered I compared the cause with the effect and they seemed  disproportioned to each other all unaware

and in a manner which I had no power to explain I was  put ped from my immovable and lofty station and cast upon a sea of troubles I determined to be my  brother's visitant on this evening yet my resolves were not unattended with wavering and reluctance  PS insinuations that I was in love affected in no degree my belief yet the Consciousness that  this was the opinion of one who would probably be present at our introduction to each other would  excite all that confusion which the passion itself

is apt to produce this would confirm him in  his error and call forth new [ __ ] his mirth when exerted upon this topic was the source of  the bitterest vexation had he been aware of its influence upon my happiness his temper would not  have allowed him to persist but this influence it was my chief Endeavor to conceal that the belief  of my having bestowed my heart upon another produced in my friend none but ludicrous sense  ations was the true cause of my distress but if this had been discover

ed by him my distress would  have been unspeakably aggravated three as soon as the evening arrived I performed my visit Carwin  made one of the company into which I was ushered appearances were the same as when I before beheld  him his guard was equally negligent and rustic I gazed upon his countenance with new curiosity my  situation was such as to enable me to bestow upon it a deliberate examination viewed at more Leisure  it lost none of its wonderful properties I could not deny my homage to

the intelligence expressed  in it but was wholly uncertain whether he were an object to be dreaded or adored and whether his  powers had been exerted to evil or to good he was sparing in discourse but whatever he said was  pregnant with meaning and uttered with rectitude of articulation and force of emphasis of which  I had entertained no conception previously to my knowledge of him not withstanding the uncouthness  of his Garb his manners were not unpolished all topics were handled by him with

skill and without  pedantry or affectation he uttered no sentiment calculated to produce a disadvantageous impression  on the contrary his observations denoted a mind alive to every generous and heroic feeling they  were introduced without parade and accompanied with that degree of earnestness which indicates  sincerity he parted from us not till late refusing an invitation to spend the night here but readily  consented to repeat his visit his visits were frequently repeated each day introduced

us to a  more intimate acquaintance with his sentiments but left us wholly in the dark concerning that about  which we were the most inquisitive he studiously avoided all mention of his past or present  situation even the place of his Abode in the city he concealed from us our sphere in this respect  being somewhat limited and the intellectual endowments of this man being indisputably great  his deportment was more diligently marked and copiously commented on by us than you perhaps will  think t

he circumstances warranted not a gesture or glance or accent that was not in our private  assemblies discussed and inferences deduced from it it may well be thought that he modeled his  behavior by an uncommon standard when with all our opportunities and accuracy of observation we were  able for a long time to gather no satisfactory information he afforded us no ground on which  to build even a plausible conjecture there is a degree of familiarity which takes place between  constant Associates t

hat justifies the negligence of many rules of which in an earlier period of  their intercourse politeness requires the exact observance inquiries into our condition  are allowable when they are prompted by a disinterested concern for our welfare and this  solicitude is not only pardonable but may justly be demanded from those who choose us for their  companions this state of things was more slow to arrive at on this occasion than on most others on  account of the gravity and loftiness of this ma

n's behavior avior pile however began at length to  employ regular means for this end he occasionally alluded to the circumstances in which they had  formerly met and remarked the incongruousness between the religion and habits of a Spaniard  with those of a native of Britain he expressed his astonishment at meeting our guest in this corner  of the globe especially as when they parted in Spain he was taught to believe that Carwin should  never leave that country he insinuated that a change so gr

eat must have been prompted by motives  of a singular and momentous kind no answer or an answer wide of the purpose was generally made to  these insinuations Britain and Spaniards he said are voies of the same deity and square their faith  by the same precepts their ideas are drawn from the same Fountains of literature and they speak  dialects of the same tongue their government and laws have more resemblances than differences  they were formerly provinces of the same civil and till lately of th

e same religious Empire  as to the motives which induce men to change the place of their Abode these must unavoidably  be fleeting and mutable if not bound to one spot by conjugal or parental ties or by the nature  of that employment to which we are indebted for subsistence the inducements to change are far more  numerous and powerful than opposite inducements he spoke as if desirous of showing that he was not  aware of the tendency of pl's remarks yet certain tokens were apparent that proved hi

m by no means  wanting in penetration these tokens were to be read in his countenance and not in his words when  anything was said indicating curiosity in us the Gloom of his countenance was deepened his eyes  sunk to the ground and his wanted air was not resumed without visible struggle hence it was  obvious to infer that some incidents of his his life were reflected on by him with regret  and that since these incidents were carefully concealed and even that regret which flowed from  them labor

iously stifled they had not been merely disastrous the secrecy that was observed appeared  not designed to provoke or baffle the inquisitive but was prompted by the shame or by the Prudence  of guilt these ideas which were adopted by pile and my brother as well as myself hindered us from  employing more direct me means for accomplishing our wishes questions might have been put in such  terms that no room should be left for the pretense of misapprehension and if modesty merely had been  the obsta

cle such questions would not have been wanting but we considered that if the disclosure  were productive of pain or disgrace it was inhuman to extort it amidst the various topics that were  discussed in his presence Illusions were of course made to the inexplicable events that had lately  happened happened at those times the words and looks of this man were objects of my particular  attention the subject was extraordinary and anyone whose experience or Reflections could throw any  light upon it

was entitled to my gratitude as this man was enlightened by reading and travel  I listened with eagerness to the remarks which he should make at first I entertained a kind  of apprehension that the tale would be heard by him with incredulity and secret ridicule I had  formerly heard stories that resembled this in some of their mysterious circumstances but they were  commonly heard by me with contempt I was doubtful whether the same impression would not now be made  on the mind of our guest but I

was mistaken in my fears he heard them with seriousness and without  any marks either of surprise or incredulity he pursued with visible pleasure that kind of  disquisition that was naturally suggested by them his fancy was eminently vigorous and prolific  and if he did not persuade us that human beings are sometimes admitted to a sensible intercourse  with the author of nature he at least won over our inclination to the cause he merely deduced  from his own reasonings that such intercourse was

probable but confessed that though he was  acquainted with many instances somewhat similar to those which had been related by us none of  them were perfectly Exempted from the suspicion of human agency on being requested to relate these  instances he amused us with many curious details his narratives were constructed with so much skill  and rehearsed with so much energy that all the effects of a dramatic exhibition were frequently  produced by them those that were most coherent and most minute

and of consequence least entitled to  credit were yet rendered probable by the Exquisite art of this rhetoric for every difficulty that  was suggested a ready and plausible solution was furnished mysterious voices had always a share in  producing the catastrophe but they were always to be explained on some known principles either as  reflected into a focus or communicated through a tube I could not but remark that his narratives  however complex or marvelous contain no instance sufficiently para

llel to those that had befallen  ourselves and in which the solution was applicable to our own case my brother was a much more sanguin  Reasoner than our guest even in some of the facts which were related by Carwin he maintained the  probability of celestial interference when the latter was disposed to deny it and had found as  he imagined footsteps of a human agent PLO was by no means equally credulous he scrupled not  to deny Faith to any testimony but that of his senses and allowed the facts

which had lately been  supported by this testimony not to mold his belief but merely to give birth to doubts it was soon  observed that Carwin adopted in some degree a similar distinction a tale of this kind related by  others he would believe provided it was explicable upon known principles but that such notices were  actually communicated by beings of a higher order he would believe only when his own ears were  assailed in a manner which could not be otherwise accounted for civility forbade hi

m to contradict  my brother or myself but his understanding refused to acques in our testimony besides he was disposed  to question whether the voices were not really uttered by human organs on this supposition he was  desired to explain how the effect was produced he answered that the Cry for Help heard in the hall  on the night of my adventure was to be ascribed to a human creature who actually stood in the hall  when he uttered it it was of no moment he said that we could not explain by what

motives he that  made the signal was led hither how imperfectly acquainted were we with the condition and designs  of the beings that surrounded us the city was near at hand and thousands might there exist  whose powers and purposes might easily explain whatever was mysterious in this transaction as  to the closet dialogue he was obliged to adopt one of two suppositions and affirm either that it  was fashioned in my own fancy or that it actually took place between two persons in the closet such 

was Carwin's mode of explaining these appearances it is such perhaps as would commend itself as  the most plausible to the most scious minds but it was insufficient to impart conviction to us  as to the treason that was meditated against me it was doubtless just to conclude that it was  either real or imaginary but that it was real was attested by the mysterious warning in the  summerhouse The Secret of which I had hitherto locked up in my own breast a month passed away  in this kind of interco

urse as to Carwin our ignorance was in no degree enlightened respecting  his genuine character and Views appearances were uniform no man possessed a larger store  of knowledge or a greater degree of skill in the communication of it to others hence he  was regarded as an inestimable addition to our society considering the distance of my brother's  house from the city he was frequently prevailed upon to pass the night where he spent the evening  two days seldom elapsed without a visit from him hen

ce he was regarded as a kind of inmate of the  house he entered and departed without ceremony when he arrived he received an unaffected welcome  and when he chose to retire no importunities were used to induce him to remain Carwin never parted  with his Gravity the inscrutable of his character and the uncertainty whether his Fellowship tended  to good or to evil were seldom absent from our minds this circumstance powerfully contributed  to sadden us my heart was the seat of growing disques this

change in one who had formerly been  characterized by all the exuberan of Soul could would not fail to be remarked by my friends  my brother was always a pattern of solemnity my sister was Clay molded by the circumstances in  which she happened to be placed there was but one whose deportment remains to be described as being  of importance to our happiness had PLO likewise dismissed his vivacity he was as Whimsical and  justful as ever but he was not happy the truth in this respect was of too muc

h importance to me  not to make me a Vigilant Observer his mirth was easily perceived to be the fruit of exertion when  his thoughts wandered from the company an air of dissatisfaction and impatience stole across his  features even the punctuality and frequency of his visits were somewhat lessened it may be supposed  that my own uneasiness was heightened by these tokens but strange as it may seem I found in the  present state of my mind no relief but in the persu equ that pile was unhappy that u

nhappiness  indeed depended for its value in my eyes on the cause that produced it there was but one source  whence it could flow a nameless ecstasy thrilled through my frame when any new proof occurred  that the ambiguousness of my behavior was the cause four my brother had received a new book from  Germany it was a tragedy in the first attempt of of a Saxon poet of whom my brother had been taught  to entertain the highest expectations the exploits of zisa the Bohemian hero were woven into a  d

ramatic series in connection according to German custom it was minute and diffuse and dictated by  an adventurous and Lawless fancy it was a chain of audacious acts and unheard of disasters the  moded Fortress and the thicket the Ambush and the battle and the conflict of headlong passions  were portrayed in Wild numbers and with terrific energy an afternoon was set apart to rehearse  this performance the language was familiar to all of us but Carwin whose company therefore  was tacitly dispensed

with the morning previous to this intended rehearsal I spent at home my  mind was occupied with Reflections relative to my own situation the sentiment which lived with  Chief energy in my heart was connected with the image of Pile in the midst of my anguish I had not  been destitute of consolation his late deportment had given spring to my hopes was not the hour  at hand which should render me the happiest of human creatures he suspected that I looked  with favorable Eyes Upon Carwin hence aros

e disques which he struggled in vain to conceal he  loved me but was hopeless that his love would be compensated is it not time said I to rectify this  error but by what means is this to be affected it can only be done by a change of deportment in me  but how must I demean myself for this purpose I must not speak neither eyes nor lips must impart  the information he must not be assured that my heart is his previous to the tender of his own  but he must be convinced that it has not been given giv

en to another he must be supplied with  space whereon to build a doubt as to the true state of my affections he must be prompted to avow  himself the line of delicate propriety how hard it is not to fall short and not to overleap it this  afternoon we shall meet we shall not separate till late it will be his Province to accompany me home  the Airy expans is without a speck This breeze is usually steadfast and its promise of a bland and  cloudless evening may be trusted the moon will rise at 11:

and at that hour we shall wind along  this Bank possibly that hour may decide my fate if suitable encouragement be given PLO will reveal  his soul to me and I a I reach this threshold will be made the happiest of beings and is this good  to be mine add wings to thy speed sweet evening and thou Moon I charge thee shroud thy beams at  the moment when my plyo Whispers love I would not for the world that the burning blushes and  the mounting raptures of that moment should be visible but what encoura

gement is wanting I must  be regardful of insurmountable limits yet when minds are imbued with a genuine sympathy are not  words and looks Superfluous are not motion and touch sufficient to impart feelings such as mine  has he not eyed me at moments when the pressure of his hand has thrown me into tumults and was  it impossible that he mistook the impetuosity of love for the eloquence of indignation but  the hastening evening will decide would it were come and yet I shudder at its near approach

an  interview that must thus terminate is surely to be wished for by me and and yet it is not without  its Terrors would to Heaven it were come and gone I feel no reluctance my friends to be thus  explicit time was when these emotions would be hidden with immeasurable solicitude from  every human eye alas these Airy and fleeting impulses of Shame are gone my Scruples were  Preposterous and criminal they are bred in all Hearts by a perverse and vicious education  and would still have maintained t

heir place in my heart had not my portion been set in misery my  errors have taught me thus much wisdom that those sentiments which we ought not to disclose it is  Criminal to Harbor it was proposed to begin the rehearsal at 4:00 I counted the minutes as they  passed their flight was at once too rapid and too slow my Sensations were of an excruciating kind  I could taste no food nor apply to any task nor enjoy a moment's Repose when the hour arrived I  hastened to my brothers pile was not there

he had not yet come on ordinary occasions he was emminent  for punctuality he had testified great eagerness to share in the pleasures of this rehearsal he  was to divide the task with my brother and in tasks like these he always engaged with peculiar  Zeal his elocution was less sweet than some ous and therefore better adapted than the mlen of  his friends to the outrageous veh of this drama what could detain him perhaps he lingered through  forgetfulness yet this was incredible never had his me

mory been known to fail upon even more  trivial occasions not less impossible was it that the scheme had lost its attractions and that  he stayed because his coming would afford him no gratification but why should we expect him to  adhere to the minute a half hour hour elapsed but pile was still at a distance perhaps he had  misunderstood the hour which had been proposed perhaps he had conceived that tomorrow and not  today had been selected for this purpose but no a review of preceding circumst

ances demonstrated  that such misapprehension was impossible for he had himself proposed this day and this hour this  day his attention would not otherwise be occupied but tomorrow an indispensable engagement  was foreseen by which all his time would be engrossed his detention therefore must be owing  to some unforeseen and extraordinary event our conjectures were vague tumultuous and sometimes  fearful his sickness and his death might possibly have detained him tortured with suspense we sat  ga

zing at each other and at the path which led from the road every Horseman that passed was  for a moment imagined to be him our succeeded hour and the the sun gradually declining at  length disappeared every signal of his coming proved fallacious and our hopes were at length  dismissed his absence affected my friends in no insupportable degree they should be obliged  they said to defer this undertaking till the tomorrow and perhaps their impatient curiosity  would compel them to dispense entirely

with his presence no doubt some harmless occurrence  had diverted him from his purpose and they trusted that they should receive a satisfactory  account of him in the morning end of section 17 recording by Bill sisna www.bill sisna.com section  18 wyland's madness part three by Charles Brockton Brown it may be supposed that this disappointment  affected me in a very different manner I turned aside my head to conceal my tears I fled into  Solitude to give vent to my reproaches without interrupti

on or restraint my heart was ready to  burst with indignation and grief PL was not the only object of my Keen but unjust uing deeply did  I execrate my own Folly thus fallen into ruins was the gay fabric which I had reared thus had my  golden Vision melted into air how fondly did I dream that plel was a lover if he were would  he have suffered any obstacle to hinder his coming blind and infatuated man I exclaimed thou  sport us with happiness the good that is offered thee thou Hast the insolence

and fly to refuse  well I will henceforth entrust my Felicity to no one's keeping but my own the first agonies of this  disappointment would not allow me to be reasonable or just every ground on which I had built the  persuasion that plel was not unimpressed in my favor appeared to vanish it seemed as if he had  been misled into this opinion by the most palpable Illusions I made some trifling excuse and returned  much earlier than I expected to my own house I retired early to my chamber without

designing  to sleep I placed myself at a window and gave the Reigns to reflection the hateful and degrading  impulses which said lately controlled me were in some degree removed new dejection succeeded  but it was now produced by contemplating my late Behavior surely that passion is worthy to be  adored which obscures our understanding and urges us to Commission of Injustice what right had  I to expect his attendance had I not demeaned myself like one indifferent to his happiness and  his havin

g bestowed my regards upon another his absence might be prompted by the love which  I considered his absence as a proof that he wanted he came not because of the sight of me the  spectacle of my coldness or aversion contributed to his despair why should I prolong my hypocrisy  or silence his misery as well as my own why not deal with him explicitly and assure him of the  truth you will hardly believe that in obedience to the suggestion I Rose for the purpose of  ordering a light that I might ins

tantly make this confession in a letter a second thought  showed me the rashness of this scheme and I wondered by what infirmity of mind I could be  betrayed into a momentary approbation of it I saw with the utmost clearness that a confession like  that would be the most remediless and unpardonable outrage upon the Dignity of my sex and utterly  Unworthy of that passion which controlled me I resumed my seat and my musing to account for the  absence of plel became once more the scope of my conjec

tures how many incidents might occur to  raise Inseparable imp pediment in his way when I was a child a scheme of pleasure in which he and  his sister were parties had been in like manner frustrated by his absence but his absence in that  instance had been occasioned by his falling from a boat into the river in consequence of which  he had run the most imminent Hazard of being drowned here was a second disappointment endured  by the same persons and produced by his failure might it not originate

in the same cause had he  not designed to cross the river that morning to make some necessary purchases in New Jersey he  had preconcerted to return to his own house to dinner perhaps some disaster had befallen  him experience had taught me the insecurity of a canoe and that was the only kind of boat  which plal used I was likewise actuated by an hereditary dread of water these circumstances  combined to bestow considerable plausibility on this conjecture but the consternation with which  I beg

an to be seized was laay by reflecting that if this disaster had happened my brother would  have received the speediest information of it consolation which this idea imparted was ravished  from me by a new thought this disaster might have happened and his family not be appraised of it the  first intelligence of his fate may be communicated by the livid corpse which the tide May cast many  days hence upon the shore thus I was distressed by opposite conjectures thus was I tormented by  Phantoms of

my own creation it was not always thus I can Asain the date when my mind became the  victim of this imbecility perhaps it was coeval with the inroad of a fatal passion a passion that  will never rank me in the number of its eulogies it was alone sufficient to exterminate of my peace  it was itself a plenteous source of Calamity and needed not the concurrence of other evils to make  way the attractions of existence and did for me an untimely grave the state of my mind naturally  introduced a tra

in of Reflections upon the dangers and cares which never be beset a human being by  no violent transition was I led to ponder on the turbulent life and mysterious end of my father I  cherished with the utmost veneration the memory of this man and every Relic connected with his fate  was preserved with the most scrupulous care among these was to be numbered a manuscript containing  Memoirs of his own life The Narrative was by no means recommended by its eloquence but neither  did all its value fl

ow from my relationship to the offer its style had an unaffected and  picturesque Simplicity the great variety and circumstantial display of the incidents  together with their intrinsic importance as descriptive of human manners and passions made it  the most useful book in my collection it was late but being sensible of no inclination to sleep  I resolved to betake myself of the perusal of it to do this it was requisite to procure a light  the girl had long since retired to her chamber it was t

herefore proper to wait upon myself a lamp  and the means of lighting it were only the to be found in the kitchen thither I resolved forth  with to repair but the light was of use merely to enable me to read the book I knew the shelf  and the spot where it stood whether I took down the book or prepared the lamp in the first place  appeared to be a matter of no moment the latter was preferred and leaving my seat I approached the  closet in which as I mentioned formerly my books and papers were de

posited suddenly the remembrance  of what had lately passed in this closet occurred whether midnight was approaching or had passed I  knew not I was as then alone and defenseless the wind was in that direction in which aided by the  deathlike rep ose of nature it brought to me the murmuring of the waterfall this was mingled with  the solemn and enchanting sound which a breathe produces among the leaves of Pines the words of  that mysterious dialogue their fearful import and the wild excess to wh

ich I was transported by  my Terrors filled my imagination a new my steps faltered and I stood a moment to recover myself I  prevailed on myself at length to move towards the closet I touched the lock but my fingers were  powerless I was visited aresh by unconquerable apprehensions a sort of belief darted into  my mind that some being was concealed within whose purposes were evil I began to contend with  those fears when it occurred to me that I might without impropriety go for a lamp previously

  to opening the closet I receded a few steps but before I reached the chamber door my thoughts  took a new Direction motions seemed to produce a mechanical influence upon me I was ashamed of  my weakness besides what Aid could be afforded me by a lamp my fears had pictured to themselves  no precise object it would be difficult to depict in words the ingredients and Hues of that Phantom  which haunted me a hand invisible and of patronal strength lifted by human passions and selecting  my life fo

r its aim were parts of this terrific image all places were alike accessible to this  fo or if his empire were restricted by local bounds those bounds were utterly inscrutable by  me but had I not been told by someone in League with this enemy that every play but the recesses  in the bank was exempt from danger I returned to the closet and once more put my hand upon the  lock oh may my ears lose their sensibility if they be again assailed by a shriek so terrible  not merely my understanding was

subdued by the sound it acted on my nerves like an edge of Steel  it appeared to cut a sun to the fibers of my brain and rack every joint with Agony the cry loud  and piercing as it was was nevertheless human no articulation was ever more distinct the breath  which accompanied it did not fan my hair yet did every circumstance combined to persuade me that  the lips which uttered it touched my very shoulder hold hold with the words of this tremendous  prohibit in whose tone the whole soul seemed t

o be wrapped up and every energy converted into  eagerness and Terror shuddering I dashed myself against the wall and by the same involuntary  impulse turned my face backwards to examine the mysterious monitor the Moonlight streamed into  each window and every corner of the room was conspicuous and yet I beheld nothing the interval  was too brief to be artificially measured between the utterance of these words and my scrutiny  directed to the quarter when they came yet if a human being had been

there could he fail to have  been visible which of my senses was the prey of a fatal illusion the shock which the sound produced  was still felt in every part of my frame the sound therefore could not but be a genuine commotion  but that I had heard it was not more true than that the being who uttered it was was stationed  at my right ear yet my attendant was invisible I cannot describe the state of my thoughts at that  moment surprise had mastered my faculties my frame Shook and the vital curre

nt was congealed I was  conscious only of the vehement of my Sensations this condition could not but be lasting like a  tide which suddenly mounts to an overwhelming height and then gradually subsides my confusion  slowly gave place to order and my tumults to a calm I was able to deliberate and move I resumed  my feet and advanced into the midst of the room upward and Beyond and on each side I threw  penetrating glances I was not satisfied with one examination he that hitherto refused to be seen

  might change his purpose and on the next survey be clearly distinguishable Solitude imposes  least restraint upon the fancy dark is less fertile of images than the feeble luster of the  Moon I was alone and the walls were checkered by shadowy forms as the Moon passed behind a cloud  and emerged these Shadows seemed to be endowed with life and to move the apartment was open to  the breeze and the curtain was occasionally blown from its ordinary position this motion was not  unaccompanied with s

ound I failed not to snatch a look and to listen when this motion and this  sound occurred my belief that my monitor was posted near was strong and instantly converted  these appearances to tokens of his presence and yet I could discern nothing when my thoughts  were at length permitted to revert to the past the first idea that occurred was the resemblance  between the words of the voice which I had just heard and those which had terminated my dream in  the summerhouse there are means by which w

e are able to distinguish a substance from a shadow  a reality from a phantom of a dream the pit my brother beckoning me forward the seizure of my  arm and the voice behind were surely imaginary that these incidents were fashioned in my sleep  is supported by the same undoubtable evidence that compels me to believe myself awake at present yet  the words and the voice were the same then by some inexplicable contrivance I was aware of the danger  while my actions and Sensations were those of one w

holly unacquainted with it now was it not equally  true that my actions and Persuasions were at War had not the belief that evil lurked in the closet  gained admittance and had not my actions betokened an unw warant in security to obviate the effects  of my infatuation the same means had been used in my dream he that tempted me to my destruction  was my brother death was ambushed in my path from what evil was I now rescued what minister  or Implement of ill was shut up in this recess who was it

whose suffocating grasp I was to feel  should I dare to enter what monstrous conception is this my brother no protection and not injury is  his Province strange and terrible Shamira yet it would not be suddenly dismissed it was surely no  vulgar agency that gave this form to my my fears he to whom all parts of time are equally present  whom no contingency approaches was the author of that spell which now seized upon me life was  dear to me no consideration was present that enjoined me to relinqu

ish it sacred Duty combined  with every spontaneous sentiment to endear to me my being should I not shudder when my being was  endangered but what emotion should possess me when the arm lifted against me was vience ideas  exist in our mind can be accounted for by no EST Lish laws why did I dream that my brother was  my foe why but because an omen of my fate was ordained to be communicated yet what salutary end  did it serve did it arm me with caution to allude or fortitude to Bear the evils to w

hich I was  reserved my present thoughts were no doubt in indebted for their Hue to the similitude existing  between these incidents and those of my dream surely it was frenzy that dictated my need that a  Ruffian was hidden in the closet was an idea that the genuine tendency of which was to urge me to  flight such had been the effect formerly produced had my mind been simply occupied with this thought  at present no doubt the same impulse would have been experienced but now it was my brother  w

hom I was irresistibly persuaded to regard as the contriver of that ill of which I had been  forewarned this persuasion did not extenuate my fears or my danger why then did I again approach  the closet and withdraw the bolt my resolution was instantly conceived and executed without FAL ing  the door was formed of light materials the lock of simple structure easily forwent its hold it  opened into the room and commonly moved upon its hinges after being unfastened without any effort  of mind this

effort however was bestowed upon the present occasion it was my purpose to open it  with the quickness but the exertion which I made was ineffectual it refused to open at another  time the circumstance would not have looked with a face of mystery I should have supposed  some casual obstruction and repeated my efforts to surmount it but now my mind was accessible to  no conjecture but one the door was hindered from opening by human Force surely here was a new cause  for aight this was confirmatio

n proper to decide my conduct now was all ground of hesitation  taken away what could be supposed but that I deserted the Chamber of the house that I at least  endeavored no longer to withdraw the door have I not said that my actions were directed by frenzy  my reason had forborn for a time to suggest or to sway my result VES I reiterated my Endeavors I  exerted all my Force to overcome the obstacle but in vain the strength that was exerted to keep it  shut was Superior to mine a casual Observer

might perhaps applaud the audaciousness of this conduct  once but from a habitual Defiance of danger could my perseverance arise I have already assigned  as distinctly as I am able the cause of it the Frantic conception that my brother was within that  the resistance made to my design was exerted by him had rooted itself in my mind mind you will  comprehend the height of this infatuation when I tell you that finding all my exertions vain I  betook myself to exclamations surely I was utterly ber

eft of understanding now I had arrived at the  crisis of my fate oh hinder not the door to open I exclaimed in a tone that has less of fear than the  grief in it I know you well come forth but hammy not me I beseech you come forth I had taken my  hand from the lock and removed to a small distance from the door I had scarcely uted these words when  the door swung upon its hinges and displayed to my view the interior of the closet whoever was  within was shrouded in darkness a few seconds passed w

ithout interruption of the silence I knew  not what to expect or to fear my eyes would not stray from the recess presently a deep sigh was  heard the quarter from which it came heightened the eagerness of my gaze someone approached from  the farther end I quickly perceived the outlines of a human figure its steps were irresolute and  slow I recoiled as it Advanced but coming at length within the verge of the room his form was  clearly distinguishable I had prefigured to myself a very different p

ersonage the face that presented  itself was the last that I should desire to meet at an hour and in a place like this my Wonder  was stifled by my fear assassins had lurked in this recess some Divine voice warned me of  a danger that at this moment awaited me I had spurned the intimation and challenged my adversary  I recalled the mysterious countenance and dubious character of Carwin what motive but atrocious  ones could guide his steps hither I was alone my habit suited the hour and the place

and the  warmth of the Season all suker was remote he had placed himself between me and the door my frame  shook with the vehement of my apprehensions I was not wholly lost to myself I vigilantly marked  his demeanor his looks were grave but not without perturbation what species of inquit it betrayed  the light was not strong enough to enable me to discover he stood still but his eyes wandered  from one object to another when those powerful organs were fixed upon me I shrunk into myself at  len

gth he broke the silence earnestness and not embarrassment was in his tone he Advanced close  to me while he spoke what voice was that which lately addressed you he paused for an answer  but observing my predition he resumed with undiminished solemnity be not terrified whoever  he was he has done you an important service I need not ask you if it were the voice of a companion  that sound was beyond the compass of human organs the knowledge that enabled him to tell you who  was in the closet was o

btained by incomprehensible means you knew that kin was there were you not  appraised of his intents the same power could impart the one as well as the other yet knowing  these you persisted audacious girl but perhaps you confided in his guardianship your confidence was  just with suker like this at hand you may safely defy me he is my eternal fo the baffler of my best  concerted schemes twice have you been saved by his accursed interposition but from him I should no  longer ear now borne away T

he Spoils of your honor he looked at me with greater steadfastness than  before I became every moment more anxious for my safety it was with difficulty I stammered out an  intreaty that he would instantly depart or suffer me to do so he paid no regard to my request but  proceeded in a more impassioned manner what is it you fear have I not told you you are safe has  not one in whom you more reasonably place trust assured you of it even if I execute my purpose Pur  what injury is done your Prejudi

ce will call it by that name but it merits it not I was impelled by  a sentiment that does you honor a sentiment that would sanctify my deed but whoever it be you are  safe be this Shamira still worshiped I will do nothing to pollute it there he stopped the accents  and gestures of this man left me drained of all courage surely on no other occasion should I have  been thus puus animus my state I regarded as a hopeless one I was wholly at the mercy of this  being whichever way I turned I saw no A

venue by which I might escape the resources of my personal  strength my Ingenuity and my eloquence I estimated at nothing the Dignity of virtue and the force  of truth I had been accustomed to celebrate and had frequently vaunted of the conquest which  I should make with their assistance I used to suppose that certain evils could never befall  a being in possession of a sound mind that true virtue supplies us with energy which Vice can  never resist that it was always in our power to obstruct by

his own death the designs of an enemy  who aimed at less than our life how was it that a sentiment like despair had now invaded me and  that I trusted to the protection of chance or to the pity of my persecutor his words imparted  some notion of my injury which he had meditated he talked of obstacles that he had risen in his  way he had relinquished his design these sources supplied me with Slender consolation there was  no security but in his absence when I looked at myself when I reflected on

the hour and the place  I was overpowered by horror and dejection he was silent museful and inattentive to my situation  yet made no motion to depart I was silent in my turn what could I say I was confident that reason  in this contest would be important I must owe my safety to his own suggestions whatever purpose  brought brought him hither he had changed it why then did he remain his resolutions might fluctuate  and the pause of a few minutes restore to him his first resolutions yet was not t

his man whom we had  treated with unwearied kindness whose Society was endeared To Us by his intellectual elevation  and accomplishments who had a thousand times expatiated on the usefulness and beauty of virtue  why should such a one be dreaded if I could have forgotten the circumstances in which our interview  had taken place I might have treated his words as justs presently he resumed fear not the space  that serves us is small and all visible suker is distant you believe yourself completely

in  my power that you stand upon the brink of Ruin such are your groundless fears I cannot lift a  finger to hurt you easier would it be to stop the moon in her course than to injure you the  power that protects you would crumble my Senus and reduce me to a heap of ashes in a moment if  I were to Harbor a thought of hostility to your safety thus appearances at length solved little  did I expect that they originated hence what a portion is assigned to you scann by the eyes of  this intelligence y

our path will be without pits to swallow or snares to intangle you environed  by the arms of this protection all artifices will be frustrated and all malice repelled here  succeeded a new pause I was still observant of every gesture and look the Tranquil solemnity  that had lately possessed his countenance gave Widow a new expression all now was trepidation  and anxiety I must be gone he said in a faltering accent why do I linger here I will not ask  your forgiveness I see that your Terrors are

invincible your pardon will be extorted by  fear not dictated by compassion I must fly from you forever he that could plot against your honor  must expect from you and your friends persecution and death I must Doom myself to endless exile  saying this he hastily left the room I listened while he descended the stairs and unbolting the  outer door went forth I did not follow him with my eyes as the Moonlight would have enabled me  to do relieved by his absence and exhausted by the conflict of my f

ears I threw myself on a  chair and resign myself to those bewildering ideas which incidents like those could not fail  to produce order could not readily be introduced into my thoughts The Voice still rung in my ears  every accent that was uttered by Carwin was fresh in my my remembrance his unwelcome reproach the  recognition of his person his Hasty departure produced a complex impression on my mind which  no words can delineate I strove to give a slower Motion in my thoughts and to regulate a

confusion  which became painful but my efforts were nugatory I covered my eyes with my hand and sat I know  not how long without power to rrange or utter my conceptions I had remained for hours as I  believed in absolute solitude no thought of personal danger had molested my tranquil qu ility  I made no preparation for defense what was it that suggested the design of perusing my father's  manuscript If instead of this I had retired to bed and to sleep to what fate might I not have  been reserve

d the Ruffian who must almost have supressed his breathings to screen himself from  Discovery would have noticed this signal and I should have awakened only to perish with the  fright and to abhor myself could I have remained unconscious of my danger could I have tranquil  slept the in the midst of so deadly a snare and who was he that threatened to destroy me by what  means could he hide himself in this closet surely he is gifted with Supernatural power such is the  enemy of whose attempts I wa

s forewarned daily I had seen him and conversed with him nothing could  be discerned through the impenetrable veil of his duplicity when busied in conjectures as to the  author of the evil that was threatened my mind did not light for a moment upon his image yet was  was he not avowed himself my enemy why should he be here if he had not meditated evil he confesses  that this has been his second attempt what was the scene of his former conspiracy was it not he  whose Whispers betrayed him am I de

ceived or was there not a faint resemblance between the voice  of this man and that which talked of grasping my throat and extinguishing my life in a moment  then he had a colleague in his crime now he is alone then death was the scope of thoughts now  an injury unspeakably more Dreadful how thankful should I be to the power that has interposed to  save me that power is invisible it is subject to the cognizance of one of my senses what are the  means that will inform me of what nature it is he h

as set himself to counterwork the mechan of  this man who had menaced destruction to all that is dear to me and whose coming had surmounted  every human impediment there was none to rescue me from his grasp my rashness even hastened the  completion of his scheme and precluded him from benefits of deliberation I had robbed him of the  power to repent and forbear had I been appraised of the danger I should have regarded my conduct  as the means of render rendering my escape from it impossible such

likewise seems to have been  the fears of my invisible protector else why that startling in treaty to refrain from opening  the closet by what inexplicable infatuations was I compelled to proceed surely said I there is  omnipotence in the cause that change the views of a man like Carwin the Divinity that shielded  me from his attempts will take suitable care of my future safety thus to yield to my fears is  to deserve that they should be real scarcely had I uttered these words when my attention

was  startled by the sound of footsteps they denoted someone stepping into the pza in front of my house  my newborn confidence was extinguished in a moment Carwin I thought had repented its departure and  was hastily returning the possibility that his return was prompted by intentions consistent  with my safety found no place in my mind images of violation and murder assailed me a new and the  Terrors which succeeded almost incapacitated me from taking any measure for my defense it was an  Impu

lse of which I was scarcely conscious that made me fasten the lock and draw the bolts of my  chamber door having done this I threw myself on a seat for I trembled to a degree which disabled  me from standing and my soul was so perfectly absorbed in the act of listening that almost  the vital motions were stopped the door Below creaked on its hinges it was not again thrust  too but appeared to remain open footsteps entered traversed the entry and began to mount the stairs  how I detested the Foll

y of not pursuing the man when he withdrew and bolting after him the outer  door might he not conceive this Omission to be a proof that my angel had deserted me and be thereby  fortified in guilt every step on the stairs which brought him nearer to my chamber added Vigor to  my desperation the evil with which I was menaced was to be at any rate eluded how little did I  preconceive the conduct which in an exence like this I should be prone to adopt you will suppose  that deliberation and despair

would have suggested the same course of action and that I should  have unhesitatingly restored to the best means of personal defense within my power a pen knife  lay open upon my table I remembered that it was there and I see used it for what purpose you will  scarcely inquire it will be immediately supposed that I meant it for my last refuge and that if  all of mean should fail I should plunge it into the heart of my ravisher I have lost all faith in  the steadfastness of human resolves it was

thus that in periods of calm I had determined to act no  cowardice had been held by me in greater abor than that which prompted an injured female to destroy  not her injurer here the injury was perpetrated but herself when it was without remedy yet now  this pen knife appeared to me of no other use than to baffle my as salent and to prevent the crime by  destroying myself to deliberate at such a time was impossible but among the tunal suggestions of the  moment I do not recollect that it once oc

curred to me to use it as an instrument of direct defense  the steps had now reached the second floor every footfall accelerated the completion without  augmenta the certainty of evil the Consciousness that the door was fast now that nothing but that  was interposed between me and danger was the source of some consolation I cast my eye toward  the window this likewise was a new suggestion if the door should give way it was my sudden  resolution to throw myself from the window its height from the

ground which is covered beneath  by a brick pavement would ensure my destruction but I thought not of that when opposite to my my  door the footsteps ceased was he listening whether my fears were allayed and my caution were asleep  did he hope to take me by surprise yet if so why did he allow so many noisy signals to betray  his approach presently the steps were again heard to approach the door a hand was laid upon  the lock and the latch pulled back did he imagine it possible that I should fai

l to secure the door  a slight effort was made to push it open as if if all boats being withdrawn a slight effort only  was required I no sooner perceived this man than I moved swiftly toward the window Carwin's frame  might be said to be all muscle his strength and activity had appeared in various instances to be  prodigious a slight exertion of its force would demolish the door would not that exertion be made  too surely it would but at the same moment that this obstacle should yield and he sh

ould enter  the apartment my determination was formed to leap from the window my senses were still bound  to this object I gazed at the door in momentary expectation that the assault would be made the  pause continued the person without was irresolute and motionless suddenly it occurred to me that  Carwin might conceive me to have fled that I had not betaken myself to flight was indeed the least  probable of all conclusions in this persuasion he must have been confirmed on finding the lower  doo

r unfastened and the Chamber door locked was it no wiser to Foster this persuasion did I  maintain deep silence this in addition to other circumstances might encourage the belief and he  would once more depart every new reflection added plausibility to this reasoning it was presently  more strongly enforced when I noticed footsteps withdrawing from the door the blood once more  flowed back into my heart and a dawn of exaltation began to rise but my joy was shortlived instead  of descending the s

tairs he passed the door of the opposite chamber opened it and having entered shut  it after him with a violence that shook the house end of section 18 recorded by Jersey City Frankie  section 19 wheelan's Madness by Charles Brockton Brown how was I to interpret this circumstance  for what end could he have entered this chamber did the violence with which he closed the door  Testify the depth of his vexation this room was usually occupied by pile was Carwin aware of his  absence on this night co

uld he be suspected of a design so sorted as pillage If This Were his view  there were no means in my power to frustrate it it behooved me to seize the first opportunity  to escape but if my Escape were supposed by my enemy to have been already affected no Asylum was  more secure than the present How Could my passage from the house be accomplished without noises that  might incite him to pursue me utterly at a loss to account for his going into pile's chamber I waited  in instant expectation of

hearing him come forth all however was profoundly still I listened in  vain for a considerable period to catch the sound of the door when it should again be opened there  was no other Avenue by which he could Escape but a door which led into the girl's chamber would any  evil from this quarter befall the girl hence arose a new train of apprehensions they merely added  to the turbulence and Agony of my Reflections whatever evil impended over her I had no power  to avert it seclusion and silence w

ere the only means of saving myself from The Perils of this  fatal night what solemn vows did I put up that if I should once more behold the light of day  I would never trust myself again within the threshold of this dwelling minute lingered after  minute but no token was given that Carwin had returned to the passage what I again asked could  detain him in this room was it possible that he had returned and glided unperceived away I was  speedily aware of the difficulty that attended an Enterpris

e like this and yet as if by that  means I were capable of gaining any information on that head I cast anxious looks from the window  the object that first attracted my attention was a human figure standing on the edge of the bank  perhaps my penetration was assisted by my hopes be that as it will the figure of Carwin was  clearly distinguishable from the obscurity of my station it was impossible that I should be  discerned by him and yet he scarcely suffered me to catch a glimpse of him he turn

ed and  went down the Steep which in this part was not difficult to be scaled my conjecture then  had been right Carwin has softly opened the door descended the stairs and issued forth that I  should not have overheard his steps was only less incredible than that my eyes had deceived me but  what was now to be done the house was at length delivered from this detested inmate by one Avenue  might he again re-enter was it not wise to Bar the lower door perhaps perhaps he had gone out by  the kitche

n door for this end he must have passed through Judith's chamber these entrances being  closed and bolted as great security was gained as was compatible with my lonely condition the  propriety of these measures was too manifest not to make me struggle successfully with my fear yet  I opened my own door with the utmost caution and descended as if I were afraid that Carwin had been  still immured in pl's chamber the outer door was a jar I shut it with trembling eagerness and Drew  every bolt that

appended to it I then passed with light and less cautious steps through the Parlor  but was surprised to discover that the kitchen door was Secure I was compelled to acques in the  first conjecture that Carwin had escaped through the entry my heart was now somewhat eased of the  load of apprehension I returned once more to my chamber the door of which I was careful to lock  it was no time to think of repose the Moonlight began already to fade before the light of the day  the approach of morning

was betokened by the usual signals I mused upon the events of this night  and determined to take up my Abode henceforth at my brothers whether I should inform him of what  had happened was a question which seemed to demand some consideration my safety unquestionably  required that I should abandon my my present habitation as my thoughts began to flow with fewer  impediments the image of pile and the dubiousness of his condition again recurred to me I again ran  over the possible causes of his ab

sence on the preceding day my mind was attuned to Melancholy  I dwelt with an obstinacy for which I could not account on the idea of his death I painted to  myself his struggles with the Billows and his last appearance I imagined myself a midnight Wanderer  on the shore and to have stumbled on his corpse which the tide had cast up these dreary images  affected me even to tears I endeavored not to restrain them they imparted a relief which I had  not anticipated the more copiously they flowed the

more did my general Sensations appear to subside  into calm and a certain restlessness gave way to to Repose perhaps relieved by this affusion the  Slumber so much wanted might have stolen on my senses had there been no new cause for alarm  six I was aroused from this stuper by sounds that evidently arose in the next chamber was it  possible that I had been mistaken in the figure which I had seen on the bank or had Carwin by some  inscrutable means penetrated once more into this chamber the opp

osite door opened footsteps came  forth and the person advancing to mine knocked so unexpected an incident robbed me of all presence  of mind and starting up I involuntarily exclaimed who is there an answer was immediately given the  voice to my inexpressible astonishment was pl's it is I have you risen if you have not make haste  I want 3 minutes conversation with you in the Parlor I will wait for you there saying this  he retired from the door should I confide in the testimony of my ears if th

at were true it was  pile that had been hither to ured in the opposite chamber he whom my ruul fancy had depicted in so  many ruinous and ghastly shapes he whose footsteps had been listened to with such inquietude what is  man that knowledge is so sparingly conferred upon him that his heart should be rung with distress  and his frame be exanimated with fear though his safety be encompassed with impregnable walls  what are the bounds of human imbecility he that warned me of the presence of my foe

refused the  intimation by which so many racking fears would have been precluded yet who would have imagined  the arrival of plel at such an hour power his tone was desponding and anxious why this unseasonable  summons and why this Hasty departure some Tidings he perhaps Bears of mysterious and unwelcome  import my impatience would not allow me to consume much time in deliberation I hastened down pile I  found standing at a window with eyes cast down as in meditation and arms folded on his brea

st every  l in his countenance was pregnant with sorrow to this was added a certain Wess and a of fatigue the  last time I had seen him appearances had been the reverse of these I was startled at the change the  first impulse was to question him as to the cause this impulse was supplanted by some degree of  confusion flowing from a Consciousness that love had too large and as it might prove a perceptible  share in creating this impulse I was silent presently he raised his eyes and fixed them upo

n  me I read in them an anguish altogether ineffable never had I witnessed a like demeanor in PL never  indeed had I observed a human countenance in which grief was more legibly inscribed he seemed  struggling for utterance but his struggles being fruitless he shook his head and turned away from  me my impatience would not allow me to be longer silent what said I For Heaven's Sake my friend  what is the matter he started at the sound of my voice his looks for a moment became convulsed  with an e

motion very different from grief his accents were broken with rage the matter oh wretch  thus exquisitly fashioned on whom nature seemed to have exhausted all her graces with charms so  awful and so pure how art thou fallen from what height Fallen a ruin so complete so unheard of  his words were again choked by emotion grief and pity were again mingled in his features he resumed  in a tone half suffocated by sobs but why should I abraid Thee could I restore to thee what thou  Hast lost if face t

his cursed stain snatch thee from the jaws of this Fiend I would do it yet  what will Avail my efforts I have not arms with which to contend with so consummate so frightful a  depravity evidence less than this would have only excited resentment and Scorn the wretch who should  have breathed a suspicion injurious to thy honor would have been regarded Without Anger not hatred  or Envy could have prompted him it would merely be an argument of Madness that my eyes that that my  ears should bear witn

ess to thy Fall by no other way could detestable conviction be imparted why do  I summon thee to this conference why expose myself to thy derision here admonition and in treaty are  vain thou knowest him already for a murderer and Thief I thought to have been the first to disclose  to thee his infamy to have warned thee of the pit to which Thou Art hastening but thy eyes are  open in vain oh foul and insupportable disgrace there is but one path I know you will disappear  together in thy ruin how

will the Felicity and honor of multitudes be involved but it must come  this scene shall not be blotted by his presence no doubt thou Wilt shortly see thy Det tested  Paramore this scene will be again polluted by a midnight assignation inform him of his dangers  tell him that his crimes are known let him fly far and instantly from this spot if he desires  to avoid the Fate which menaced him in Ireland and wilt thou not stay behind but shame upon my  weakness I know not what I would say I have d

one what I proposed to stay longer to expostulate to  beseech to enumerate the consequences of thy act what end can it serve but to blazen thy infamy and  embitter our woes and yet oh think think here it be too late on the distresses which thy flight  will entail upon us on the base groeling and atrocious character of the rich to whom thou Hast  sold thy honor but what is this is not thy eony impenetrable and thy heart thoroughly cankered oh  most specious and most propagate of women saying this

he rushed out of the house I saw him in a  few moments hurrying along the path which led to my brothers I had no power to prevent his going  or to recall or to follow him the accents I had heard were calculated to confound and bewilder I  looked around me to assure myself that the scene was real I moved that I might vanish the thought  that I was awake such enormous imputations from the mouth of plel to be stigmatized with the  names of wanon and proplate to be charged with the sacrifice of Hon

or with midnight meetings with  a wretch known to be a murderer and Thief with an intention to fly in his company what I had heard  was surely the dictate of frenzy or it was built upon some fatal some incomprehensible mistake  after the horrors of the night after undergoing perils so imminent from this man to be summoned to  an interview like this to find pile fraught with the belief that instead of having chosen death  as a refuge from the violence of this man I had hugged his Bas to my heart

had sacrificed for him  my Purity my spotless name my friendships and my fortune that even Madness could engender accus  ations like these was not to be believed what evidence could possibly suggest conceptions  so wild after the unlooked for interview with Carwin in my chamber he retired could PL have  observed his exit it was not long after that pile himself entered did he build on this incident  his odious conclusions could the long series of my actions and sentiments grant me no exemption  f

rom suspicion so foul was it not more rational to infer that Carwin's designs had been illicit  that my life had been endangered by the fury of one whom by some means he had discovered to be  an assassin and robber that my honor had been assailed not by blandishments but by violence he  has judged me without hearing he has drawn from dubious appearances he has drawn from dubious  appearances conclusions the most improbable and unjust he has loaded me with all outrageous  epithets he has ranked m

e with prostitutes and thieves I cannot pardon thee pile for this  Injustice thy understanding must be hurt if it be not If thy conduct was sober and deliberate  I can never forgive an outrage so unmanly and so gross these thoughts gradually gave place to  others PL was possessed by some momentary frenzy appearances had led him into palpable errors  when could his sagacity have contracted this blindness was it not love previously assured of  my affection for Carwin distracted with grief and jeal

ousy and impelled hither at that late  hour by some unknown instigation his imagination transformed Shadows into monsters and plunged him  into these deplorable errors this idea was not unattended with consolation my soul was divided  between indignation at his Injustice and Delight on account of the source from which I conceived  it to Spring for a long moment they would allow admission to no other thoughts surprise is an  emotion that enfeebles not invigorates all my meditations were accompani

ed with wonder I  rambled with vagueness or clung to one image with an obstinacy which sufficiently testified the  maddening influence of late transactions gradually I proceeded to reflect upon the consequences of  pl's mistake and on the measures I should take to guard myself against future injury from Carwin  should I suffer this mistake to be detected by time when his passion should subside would he not  perceive the flagrancy of his Injustice and hasten to ATT tone for it did it not become m

y character  to testify resentment for language and treatment so aporous wrapped up in the consciousness of  innocence and confiding in the influence of time and reflection to confute so groundless  a charge it was my Province to be passive and Silent as to the violences meditated by Carwin and  the means of eluding them the path to be taken by Me was obvious I resolved to tell the tale to my  brother and regulate Myself by his advice for this end when the morning was somewhat Advanced I took  t

he way to his house my sister was engaged in her customary occupations as soon as I appeared she  remarked a change in my looks I was not willing to alarm her by the information which I had to  communicate her health was in that condition which rendered a disastrous tale particularly  unsuitable I forbore a direct answer to her inquiries and inquired in my turn for Wheeland  why she said I suspect something mysterious and unpleasant has happened this morning scarcely  had we risen when plal drop

ped Among Us what could have prompted him to make us so early and  so unseasonable a visit I cannot tell to judge from the disorder of his dress and his countenance  something of an extraordinary Nature has occurred he permitted me merely to know that he had slept  none nor even undressed during the past night he took your brother to walk with him some topic  must have deeply engaged them for Wheeland did not return till the breakfast hour was passed and  returned alone his disturbance was exces

sive but he would not listen to my importunities or tell me  what had happened I gathered from hints which he let fall that your situation was in some way the  cause yet he assured me that you were at your own house alive in good health and in perfect safety  he scarcely ate a morsel and immediately after breakfast went out again he would not inform me  with he was going but mentioned that he probably might not return before night I was equally  astonished and alarmed by this information pile ha

d told his tale to my brother and had by a  plausible and exaggerated picture instilled into him unfavorable thoughts of me yet would not  the more correct Judgment of wand perceive and expose the fallacy of his conclusions perhaps his  uneasiness might arise from some insight into the character of Carwin and from apprehensions for  my safety the appearances by which PL had been misled might induce him likewise to believe  that I entertained an Indiscreet though not dishonorable affection for Ca

rwin such were the  conjectures rapidly formed I was inexpressibly anxious to change them into certainty for this  end an interview with my brother was desirable he was gone no one knew with and was not expected  speedily to return I had no clue by which to trace his footsteps my anxieties could could not  be concealed from my sister they heightened her solicitude to be acquainted with the cause  there were many reasons persuading me to silence at least till I had seen my brother it would be  an

act of inexcusable tarity to unfold what had lately passed no other expedient for alluding her  importunities occurred to me but that of returning to my own house I recollected my determination  to become a tenant of this roof I mentioned it to her she joyfully exceeded to this proposal and  suffered me with less reluctance to depart when I told her that it was with a view to collect  and send to my new dwelling what articles would be immediately useful to me once more I returned  to the house

which had been the sense of so much turbulence and danger I was at no great distance  from it when I observed my brother coming out on seeing me he stopped and after ascertaining as  it seemed which way I was going he returned into the house before me I sincerely rejoiced at this  event and I hastened to set things if possible on their right footing his brow was by no means  expressive of those vehement emotions with which pile had been agitated I drew a favorable Omen  from this circumstance wi

thout delay I began the conversation I have been to look for you said I  but was told by Katherine that pile had engaged you on some important and disagreeable Affair  before his interview with you he spent a few minutes with me these minutes he employed in iding  me for crimes and intentions with which I am by no means chargeable I believe him to have taken  up his opinions on very insufficient grounds his behavior was in the highest degree precipitate  and unjust and until I receive some atone

ment I shall treat him in my turn with that contempt  which he justly merits meanwhile I am fearful that he has prejudiced my brother against me that  is an evil which I most anxiously deprecate and which I shall indeed exert myself to remove has he  made me the subject of this morning's conversation my brother's countenance testified no surprise  at my address the bity of his looks was no wise diminished it is true said he your conduct was  the subject of our discourse I am your friend as well

as your brother there is no human being whom  I love with more tenderness and whose welfare is Nearer My Heart judge then with what emotions I  listen to pile's story I expect and desire you to vindicate yourself from aspersions so foul  if Vindication be possible the tone with which he uttered the last words affected me deeply if  Vindication be possible repeated I from what you know do you deem a formal Vindication necessary  can you Harbor for a moment the belief of my guilt he shook his head

with an air of acute anguish  I have struggled said he to dismiss that belief you speak before a judge who will profit by any  pretense to acquit you who is ready to question his own senses when they plead against you  these words incited a new set of thoughts in my mind I began to suspect that pile had built  his accusations on some Foundation unknown to me I may be a stranger to the grounds of your  belief plol loaded me with indecent and virulent invectives but he withheld from me the facts

that  generated his suspicions events took place last night of which some of the circumstances were of  an ambiguous nature I conceived that these might possibly have fallen under his cognizance and that  viewed through the midsts of prejudice and passion they supplied a pretense for his conduct but  believed that your more unbiased judgment would estimate them at their just value perhaps his tale  has been different from what I suspect it to be listen then to my narrative if there be anything 

in his story inconsistent with mine his story is false I then proceeded to a circumstantial  relation of the incidents of the last night wand listened with deep attention having finished  this continued I is the truth you see in what circumstances an interview took place between  Carwin and me He remained for hours in my closet and for some minutes in my chamber he departed  without haste or Interruption if PLO marked him as he left the house and it is not impossible that  he did inferences inju

rious to my character might suggest themselves to him in admitting them he  gave proofs of less discernment and less cander than I once ascribed to him his proofs said wiland  after a considerable pause are different that he should be deceived is not possible that he himself  is not the deceiver could not be believed if his testimony were not inconsist with yours but the  doubts which I entertained are now removed your tale some parts of it is marvelous The Voice which  exclaimed against your ra

shness in approaching the closet your persisting not withstanding that  prohibition your belief that I was the Ruffian and your subsequent conduct are believed by me  because I have known you from childhood because a thousand instances have attested your veracity  and because nothing less than my own hearing and vision would convince me in opposition to her  own assertions that my sister had fallen into wickedness like this I threw my arms around him  and bathed his cheek with my tears that said

I is spoken like my brother but what are the proofs  he replied pile informed me that in going to your house his attention was attracted by two voices  the person speaking sat beneath the bank out of sight these persons judging by their voices were  Carwin and you I will not repeat the dialogue if my sister was the female PLO was justified in  concluding you to be indeed one of the most propagate of women hence his accusations of you  and his efforts to obtain my concurrence to a plan by which

an eternal separation should be brought  about between my sister and this man I made wand repeat this recital here indeed was a tale to  fill me with terrible for boing I had vainly thought that my safety could be sufficiently  secured by doors and bars but this is a foe from whose grasp no power of divinity can save me  his artifices will ever lay my fame and happiness at his Mercy how shall I counterwork his plots or  detect his co- adutor he has taught some vile and abandoned female to mimic

my voice pile's ears  were the witnesses of my dishonor this is the midnight assignation to which he alluded thus is  the silence he maintained when attempting to open the door of my chamber accounted for he supposed  me absent and meant perhaps had my apartment been accessible to leave in it some accusing Memorial  second part one as this part opens the unhappy Clara is describing her hurried return to the same  ill-fated Abode at mettingen hence kind friends had borne her after the catastrophe

of her brother  wand's transformation this was the crowning horror of all the morbid fanatic prepared by gloomy  anticipations of some terrible sacrifice to be demanded in the name of religion had found himself  goated to Blind Fury by a mysterious compelling voice to yield up to God the lies of his beloved  wife wife and family and had done the awful deed though chained in his mad house he persists  in his delusion insists that it Still Remains for him to sacrifice his sister Clara and twice 

breaks away in Wild efforts to find and destroy her I took an irregular path which led me to  my own house all was vacant and forlorn a small enclosure near which the path LED was the burying  ground belonging to the to the family this I was obliged to pass once I had intended to enter  it and Ponder on the emblems and inscriptions which my uncle had caused to be made on the tombs  of Catherine and her children but now my heart faltered as I approached and I hastened forward  that distance which

might conceal it from my view when I approached the recess my heart again sunk  I averted my eyes and left it behind me as quickly as possible silence rain through my habitation  in a darkness which closed doors and shutters produced every object was connected with mine or  my brother's history I passed the entry mounted the stair and unlocked the door of my chamber it  was with difficulty that I curbed my fancy and smothered my fears slight movements and Casual  sounds were transformed into be

ckoning shadows and calling shapes I proceeded to the closet I  opened and looked round it with fearfulness all things were in their accustomed order I sought  and found the manuscript where I was used to deposit it this being secured there was nothing to  detain me yet I stood and contemplated a while the furniture and walls of my chamber I remembered  how long this apartment had been a sweet and tranquil Asylum I compared its former state with  its present dreariness and reflected that I now b

eheld it for the last last time here it was  that the incomprehensible behavior of Carwin was witnessed this the stage on which that enemy of  man showed himself for a moment unmasked here the menaces of murder were wafted to my ear and here  these menaces were executed these thoughts had a tendency to take me from my self-command my feeble  limbs refused to support me and I sunk upon a chair incoherent and half articulate exclamations  escaped my lips the name of Carwin was uttered and eternal

woes woes like that which his malice had  entailed upon us were heaped upon him I invoked allseeing heaven to drag to light and punish  this betrayer and accused its Providence for having thus long delayed the retribution that was  due to so enormous a guilt I have said that the window shutters were closed a fee light however  found entrance through the crevices a small window illuminated the closet and the door being closed  a dim Ray streamed Through the Keyhole a kind of Twilight was thus cre

ated sufficient for the  purposes of vision but at the same time involving all minutter objects in obscurity this Darkness  suited the color of my thoughts I sickened at the remembrance of the past the prospect of the  future excited my love loathing I muttered in a low voice why should I live longer why should  I drag a miserable being all for whom I thought to live have perished am I not myself haunted to  death at that moment my despair suddenly became vigorous my nerves were no longer unstru

ng my  powers that had long been deadened were revived my bosom swelled with a sudden energy and the  conviction darted through my mind that to end my torments was at once practicable and wise  I knew how to find way to the recesses of life I could use a Lancet with some skill and could  distinguish between vein and artery by piercing deep into the ladder I should shun the evils  which the future had in store for me and take refuge from my woes in quiet death I started on my  feet for my feeblen

ess was gone and hasted to the closet a Lancet and other small instruments were  preserved in a case which I had deposited here inattentive as I was to foreign considerations my  ears were still open to any sound of mysterious import that should occur I thought I heard a step  in the entry my purpose was suspended and I cast an eager glance at my chamber door which was  open no one appeared unless the shadow which I discerned upon the floor was the outline of a  man if it were I was authorized t

o suspect that someone was posted close to the entrance who  possibly had overheard my exclamations my teeth chattered and a wild confusion took the place  of my momentary calm thus it was when a terrific Visage had disclosed itself on a former night thus  it was when the evil Destiny of Wheeland assumed the lineaments of something human what horrid  Apparition Was preparing to blast past my sight still I listened and gazed not long for the shadow  moved a foot unshapely and huge was thrust forw

ard a form Advanced from its concealment and stalked  into the room it was Carwin while I had breath I shrieked while I had power over my muscles I  motioned with my hand that he should vanish my exertions could not last long I sunk into a fit  oh that this grateful Oblivion had lasted forever too quickly I recovered my senses the power of  distinct Vision was no sooner restored to me than this hateful form again presented itself and  I once more relapsed a second time unted nature recalled me f

rom the sleep of death I found myself  stretched upon the bed when I had power to look up I remembered only that I had cause to fear  here my distempered fancy fashioned to itself no distinguishable image I threw a languid glance  round me once more my eyes lighted upon Carwin he was Seated on the floor his back rested against  the wall his knees were drawn up and his face was buried in his hands that his station was at some  distance that his attitude was not menacing that his ominous Visage wa

s concealed May account  for my now escaping a shock violent as those which were passed I withdrew my eyes but was  not again deserted by my senses on perceiving that I had recovered my sensibility he lifted  his head this motion attracted my attention his countenance was mild but sorrow and astonishment  sat upon his features I averted my eyes and feebly explained oh fly fly far and forever I cannot  behold you and live he did not rise upon his feet but clasped his hands and said in a tone  of

deprecation I will fly I am become a fiend the sight of whom destroys yet tell me my offense  you have linked curses with my name you ascribe to me a malice monstrous and infernal I look  around all is loneliness and desert this house and your brothers are solitary and dismantled you  die away at the sight of me my fear Whispers that some deed of horror has been perpetrated that I  am the undesigning cause what language was this had he not avowed himself a ravisher had not  this chamber witnesse

d his atrocious purposes I besought him with new vehement to go he lifted  his eyes great Heaven what have I done I think I know the extent of my offenses I have acted but  my actions have possibly affected more than I designed this fear has brought me back from my  retreat I come to repair the evil of which my rashness was the cause and to prevent more evil  I come to confess my errors wretch I cried when my suffocating emotions would permit me to speak  the ghosts of my sister and her children

do they not rise to accuse thee who was it that blasted  the intellect of wand who was it that urged him to Fury and guided him to murder who but thou and  the devil with whom thou art confederated at these words a new spirit pervaded his countenance his  eyes once more appealed to Heaven if I have memory if I have being I am innocent I intended no ill  but my folly indect directly and remotely may have caused it but what words are these your brother  lunatic his children dead what should I inf

er from this deportment was the ignorance which these  words implied real or pretended yet how could I imagine a mere human agency in these events but if  the influence was preternatural or maniacal in my brother's case they must be equally so in my own  then I remembered that the voice exerted was to save me from Carwin's attempts these ideas tended  to Abate my abhorrence of this man and to detect the absurdity of my accusations alas said I I have  no one to accuse leave me to my fate fly from

a scene stained with cruelty devoted to despair  Carwin stood for a Time musing and mournful at length he said what has happened I came to expiate  my my crimes let me know them in their full extent I have horrible for boings what has happened I  was silent but recollecting the intimation given by this man when he was detected in my closet  which implied some knowledge of that power which interfered in my favor I eagerly inquired what  was that voice which called upon me to hold when I attempte

d to open the closet what face was that  which I saw at the bottom of the stairs answer me truly I came to confess the truth your Illusions  are horrible and strange perhaps I have but faint conceptions of the evils which my infatuation has  produced but what remains I will perform it was my voice that you heard it was my face that you saw  for a moment I doubted whether my remembrance of events were not confused how could he be at once  stationed at my shoulder and shut up in my closet how coul

d he stand near me And yet be invisible  but if Carwin were the thrilling voice and the fiery image which I had heard and seen then was he  the prompter of my brother and the author of these dismal outrages once more I averted my eyes and  struggled for speech be gone thou Man Of Mischief remorseless and implacable miscreant be gone I  will obey said he in a discon ENT voice yet wret that I am am I unworthy to repair the evils that  I have committed I came as a repentant criminal it is you whom

I have injured and at your bar  am I willing to appear and confess and expiate my crimes I have deceived you I have sported  with your Terrors I have plotted to destroy your reputation I come now to remove your Terror to set  you beyond the reach of similar fears to rebuild your Fame as far as I am able this is the amount  of my guilt and this the fruit of my remorse will you not hear me listen to My Confession and  then denounce punishment all I ask is a patient audience what I replied was not

thine the voice  that commanded my brother to EMW his hand hands in the blood of his children to strangle that angel  of sweetness his wife has he not vowed my death and the death of pile at thy bidding hast thou not  made him the Butcher of his family changed him who was the glory of his species into worse than brute  robbed him of reason and consigned the rest of his days to feathers and Stripes Carwin's eyes glared  and his limbs were petrified at this intelligence no words were requisite to

prove him Guiltless  of these enormities at the time however I was nearly insensible to these exculpatory tokens he  walked to the farther end of the room and having recovered some degree of composure he spoke I  am not this villain I have slain no one I have prompted none to slay I have handled a tool of  wonderful efficacy without malignant intentions but without caution ample will be the punishment  of my tarity if my conduct has contributed to this evil he paused I was likewise silent I stru

ggled  to command myself so far as to listen to the tale which he should tell observing this he continued  you are not apprised of the existence of a power which I possess I know not by what name to call  it footnote one bilum or ventu sound is varied AC according to the variations of direction and  distance the art of the ventriloquist consists in modifying his voice according to all these  variations without changing his place see the work of the AB de la Chappel in which are  accurately recor

ded the performances of one of these artists and some ingenious though  unsatisfactory speculations are given on the means by which the effects are produced  this power is perhaps given by nature but is doubtless improvable if not acquirable by Art it  may possibly consist in an unusual flexibility or extension of the bottom of the tongue and the  uula that speech is producible by these alone must be granted since anatomist mentioned two  instances of person speaking without a tongue in one case

the organ was originally wanting but  its place was supplied by a small tubercle and the uila was perfect in the other the tongue was  destroyed by disease but probably a small part of it remained this power is difficult to explain  but the fact is undeniable experience shows that the human voice can imitate the voice of all men  and of all inferior animals the sound of musical instruments and even noises from the contact  of inanimate substances have been accurately imitated the mimicry of ani

mals is notorious  and Dr Bernie of musical travels mentions one who imitated a flute and violin so as to deceive  even his ears it enables me to mimic exactly the voice of another and to modify the sound so that  it shall appear to come from what quarter and be uttered at what distance I please I know not that  everyone possesses this power perhaps though a casual position of my organs in my youth showed  me that I possessed it it is an art which may be taught to all would to God I had died unk

nowing of  the secret it has produced nothing but degradation and Calamity end of section 19 recording by Bill  sisna www.bill sisna.com section 20 wheelan's Madness by Charles Brockton Brown after Carwin's  confession of his powers of ventriloquism all the Mysteries are cleared up save one the  owner of the voice heard in cla's chamber on the first night after The Wanderer appeared  at mettingen the threatener on the edge of the precipice the spy in Claire's closet and would  be Intruder the ma

nipulator of the vile plot that destroyed her Lover's confidence all these hidden  identities have materialized in the person of this one unhappy man but while confessing the prying  disposition which led to these sins in efforts to protect himself from Discovery Carwin still Deni  I that wheelan's mad Acts were perpetrated at his instigation I have uttered the truth this is the  extent of my offenses you tell me a horrid tale of wheen being led to the destruction of his wife  and children by so

me mysterious agent you charge me with the guilt of this agency but I repeat that  the amount of my guilt has been truly stated the perpetrator of Catherine's death was unknown to  me till now nay it is still unknown to me at that moment the closing of a door in the kitchen  was distinct heard by us Carwin started and paused there's someone coming I must not be found  here by my enemies and need not since my purpose is answered I had drunken with the most vehement  attention every word that he h

ad uttered I had no breath to interrupt his tales by interrogations or  comments the power that he spoke of was hitherto unknown to me its existence was incredible it  was susceptible of no direct proof he owns that his were the voice and face which I heard and saw  he attempts to give a human explanation of these fantasms but it is enough that he owns himself  to be the agent his tales a lie and his nature devilish as he deceived me he likewise deceived my  brother and now do I behold the autho

r of all our calamities such were my thoughts when his pause  allowed me to think I should have B him be gone if the silence had not been interrupted but now I  feared no more for myself and the milkiness of my nature was curled into hatred and ranker someone  was near and this enemy of God and man might be brought to Justice I reflected not that the Peter  natural power which he had hither to exerted would Avail to rescue him from any toils in which his  feet might be entangled meanwhile looks

and not words of Menace and aor were all I could bestow  he did not depart he seemed dubious whether by passing out of the house or by remaining somewhat  longer where he was he should most endanger his safety his confusion increased when the steps of  one Barefoot were heard upon the stairs he threw anxious glances sometimes at the closet sometimes  at the window and sometimes at the chamber door yet he was detained by some inexplicable  Fascination he stood as rooted to the spot as to me my so

ul was bursting with detestation  and revenge I had no room for surises and fears respecting him that approached it was doubtless  a human being and would befriend me so far as to Aid me in arresting this offender The Stranger  quickly entered the room my eyes and the eyes of Carin were at the same moment darted upon him  a Second Glance was not needed to inform us who he was his locks were Tangled and fell confusedly  over his forehead and ears his shirt was of course stuff and open at the neck

and breast his coat was  once of brightened fine texture but now torn and tarnished with dust his feet his legs and his arms  were bare his features were the seat of a wild and tranquil semity but his eyes Boke in quietude and  curiosity he Advanced with a firm step and looking as in search of someone he saw me and stopped  he bent his sight on the floor and clenching his hands appeared suddenly absorbed in meditation  such were the figure and deputation of weand such in his Fallen state were t

he aspect and guise  of my brother Carwin did not fail to recognize the visitant care for's own safety was apparently  swallowed up in the amazement which the spectacle produced his station was conspicuous and he could  not have escaped the roving glances of weand yet the ladder seemed totally UNC conscious of his  presence grief at this scene of Ruin and blast was at first the only sentiment of which I was  conscious a fearful Stillness ensued at length wand lifting his hands which were locked

in each  other to his breast exclaimed father I thank thee this is thy guidance hither thou Hast led me that  I might perform thy will yet let me not he let me hear again thy messenger he stood for a minute  as of listening but recovering from his attitude he continued it it is not needed dastardly wetch  thus eternally questioning the behest of thy maker weak in resolution wailer in faith he Advanced  me and after another pause resumed poor girl a dismal Fate has set its Mark upon thee thy life

is  demanded as a sacrifice prepare thee to die make not my office Difficult by fruitless opposition  th prayers might subdue stones but none but he who enjoined my purpose can shake it these words  were a sufficient explanation of the scene the nature of his frenzy as described by my uncle was  remembered I who had sought death was now thrilled with horror because it was near death in this form  death from the hand of her brother was thought upon with Indescribable repugnance in a state  thus

verging upon Madness my eye glanced upon Carwin his astonishment appeared to have struck  him motionless and dumb my life was in danger and my brother's hand was about to be imbued with  my blood I firmly believed that Carwin's with the instigation I could rescue myself from this abhor  f fate I could dissipate this tremendous illusion I could save my brother from the perpetration  of new Horrors by pointing out the devil who seduced him to hesitate a moment much to perish  the thoughts gave str

ength to my limbs and energy to my accents I started on my feet oh brother  spare me spare thyself there is thy betrayer he counterfeited the voice and face of an angel  for the purpose of destroying thee and me he has this moment confessed it he is able to speak  where he is not he is leagued with hell but will not a valot yet he confesses that the agency was  his my brother turned slowly his eyes and fixed them upon Carwin every joint in the frame of the  ladder trembled his complexion was pal

er than a ghosts his eyes dared not meet that of weand but  wandered with an air of distraction from one space to another man said my brother in a voice totally  unlike that which he had used to me what art thou the charge which have been made answer it the  Visage the voice at the bottom of these step stairs at the hour of 11 to whom did they belong  to thee twice did Carwin attempt to speak but his words died away upon his lips my brother resumed  in a tone of Greater Vance thou falter falteri

ng is ominous say yes or no one word will suffice  but beware of falsehood was it a strategy of Hell to overthrow my family was thou the agent I  now saw that the Wrath which had been prepared for me was to be heaped upon another the tale that I  heard from him and his present trepidations were abundant testimonies of his guilt what if Leland  should be undeceived what if he shall find his act to have proceeded not from a Heavenly prompter  but from Human treachery will not his rage Mount into W

hirlwind will not he tear limb from limb  this devoted wretch instinctively I recorded from this image but it gave place to another Carwin  may be innocent but the impetuosity of his judge May misconstrue his answers into a confession of  guilt we knows not that the mysterious voices and appearances were likewise witnessed by me Carwin  made me ignorant of those which misled my brother thus may his answers unwarily betray himself  to ruin such might be the consequences of my Fran's precipitation

and these it was necessary  if possible to prevent I attempted to speak but wean turning suddenly upon me commanded silence in  a tone Furious and terrible my lips closed and my tongue refused its office what art thou he assumed  addressing himself to Carwin answer me whose form whose voice was it thy contrivance answer me the  answer was now given but confusedly and scarcely articulated I meant nothing I intended no ill  if I understand if I do not mistake you it is too true I I did appear in

in the entry did speak  the contrivance was mine but these words were no sooner uttered than my brother ceased to wear  the same aspect his eyes were downcast he was motionless his respiration became horar like  that of a man in the agonies of death Carwin seemed unable to say more he might have easily  escaped but the thought which occupied him related to what was horrid and unintelligible in this  scene and not to his own danger presently the faculties of weand which for a time were chained  u

p were seized with restlessness and trembling he broke silence the stoutest heart would have  been appalled by the tone in which he spoke he addressed himself to Carwin why art thou here who  detains thee go and learn better I will meet thee but it must be at the bar of the maker there  I shall bear witness against thee perceiving that Carn did not obey he continued Dost thou wish  me to complete the catalog by thy death thy life is a worthless thing tempt me no more I am but a  man and thy pres

ence May awaken a fury which may spor my control be gone Carn irresolute striving  in vain for utterance his complexion pallet as death his knees beating one against another slowly  obeyed the Mandate and withdrew a few words more and I lay aside the pin forever yet why should  I not relinquish it now all that I have said is Preparatory to this scene and my fingers tremulous  and cold as my heart refuse any further exertion this must not be let my last energies support me  in finishing of this t

ask then I will lay down my head in the lap of death hushed will be all my  murmurs in the sleep of the Grave every sentiment has perished in my bosom even friendship is  extinct your love for me has prompted me to this task but I would not have complied if it had not  been a luxury thus to Feast upon my woes I have justly calculated upon my remnant of strength when  I lay down the pin the taper of life will expire my existence will terminate with my tail now  that I was left alone with weind th

e per ARS of my situation presented themselves to my mind that  this paroxysm should terminate in havoc and rage it was reasonable to predict the first suggestion  of my fears had been disproved by my experience Carwin had acknowledged his offensive and yet had  escaped the Vengeance which I had harbored had not been admitted by wand and yet the evils which I  had endured compared with those inflicted upon my brother were as nothing I thirsted for his blood  and was tormented with an insatiable

appetite for his destruction but my brother was UN moved and  had dismissed him in safety surely thou was more than a man while I am sunk below the Beast did I  place a right construction on the conduct of weand was the error that misled him so easily rectified  were views so vivid and Faith so strenuous thus liable to failing and to change was there not  reason to doubt the accuracy of my perceptions with images like these with my mind thronged till  the deportment of my brother called away my

atten mention I saw his lips move and his eyes cast up  to heaven then he would listen and look back as if an expectation of someone's appearance Thrice  he repeated these gesticulations in this inaudible prayer each time the midst of confusion and  doubt seemed to grow darker and to settle on his understanding I guessed at the meaning of these  tokens the words of Carwin had shaken his belief and he was employed in summoning the messenger who  had formly communed with him to attest the value of

the new doubts in vain the summons was repeated  for his eyes meant nothing but vacancy not a sound looted his ear he walked to the bed gazed with  eagerness at the pillow which had sustained the head of the breathless Catherine and then returned  to the place where I sat I had no power to lift my eyes to his face I was dubious of his purpose  his purpose might aim at my life alas nothing but subjection to danger and exposure to Temptation  can show us what we are by this test was I now tried a

nd found to be cowardly and rash men can  deliberately untie the thread of life and of this I had deemed myself capable it was now that I  stood upon the brink of Fate that the knife of the sacrificer was aimed at my heart I shuddered  and betook myself to any means of Escape however monstrous can I bear to Think Can I Endure to  relate to the outrage which my heart meditated where were my means of safety resist was vain not  even the energy of Despair could set me on a level with that strength

which his terrific prompter  had bestowed upon Wheeland Terror enables us to perform incredible Feats but Terror was not within  my state of mind where then were my hopes of rescue he thinks it is too much I stand aside as  it were for myself I estimate my own deservings a hatred Immortal and inexorable is my due I listen  to my own pleas and find them empty in and false yes I acknowledge that my guilt surpasses that of  mankind I confess that the curses of a world and the frowns of a DD are ina

dequate to my demerits  is there a thing in the world worthy of infinite abhorrence it is I what shall I say I was mined  as I thought with death and to elude this evil my hand was ready to inflict death upon the minister  in visiting my house I had made a provision against the machinations of Carwin in a fold of my  dress an open pin knife was concealed this I now seized and Drew forth it looked out of view but I  now see that my state of mind would have rendered the deed inevitable if my broth

er had lifted his  hand this instruct of my preservation would have been plunged into his heart oh insupportable  remembrance hide thee from my view for a Time hide it from me that my heart was black enough to  meditate the stabbing of a brother a brother thus Supreme in misery thus towering in virtue he was  probably unconscious of my design but presently Drew back this interval was sufficient to restore  me to myself the madness the iniquity of the ACT which I had proposed rushed upon my appre

hension  for a moment I was breathless with Agony at the next moment I recovered my strength and threw the  knife with violence on the floor the sound awoke my brother from his Ry he gazed alternately at  me and at the weapon with movement equally s he swooped and took it back up he placed the blade  in different positions scrutinizing it accurately and maintaining at the same time a profound  silence again he looked at me but all that vence and loftiness of spear which had so lightly  character

ized his features were flown Fallen muscles a forehead contracted into folds eyes  dim with unbidden drops and a roflness of aspect which no words can describe were now visible his  looks touched into energy the same sympathies in me and I poured forth the flood of Tears this  passion was quickly checked by fear which had now no longer my own but his safety forther object  I watched his deportment in silence at length he spoke sister said he in an accent mournful and  Mild I have acted poorly my

part in this world what thinkest thou shall I not do better in the  next I could make no answer the mildness of his tone astonished and encouraged me I continued  to regard him with wistful and anxious looks I think resumed he I will try my wife and my babes  have gone before happy wretches I have sent you to Repose and ought not to linger Behind these words  had a meaning sufficiently intelligible I looked at the open knife in his hand and shuddered but  knew not how to prevent the deed which

I dreaded he quickly noticed my fears and comprehended  them stretching toward me his hand with an air of increasing mildness take it said he fear not  for thy own sake nor for mine the cup is gone by and its transient ination is succeeded by the  soberness of Truth thou Angel whom I was want to worship fearest thou my sister for thy life  once it was the scope of my laborers to destroy thee but I was prompted to the deed by Heaven such  at least it was my belief thinkest thou that thy death was

sought to gratify my malevolence no I  am pure from all strain I believed that God was my mover neither thee nor myself have I caused  to injure I have done my duty and surely there is Merit in having sacrificed to that all that is  dear to the heart of man if a devil has deceived me he came in the habit of an Angel if I aired it  was not my judgment that deceived me but my senses in thy sight being of beings I am still pure still  will I look for my reward and thy Justice did my ears truly rep

ort these sounds if I did not Heir  my brother was restored to just perceptions he knew himself to have been betrayed to the murder  of his wife and children to have been the victim of infernal artifice yet he found consolation in  the rectitude of his motives he was not devoid of Sorrow for this was written on his countenance  but his soul was tranquil and Sublime perhaps this was merely a transition of his former Madness  into a new shape perhaps he had not yet awakened the memory of the horro

rs which he had perpetrated  infatuated wretch that I was to set myself up as a model by which to judge of my heroic brother my  reason taught me that his conclusions were right but conscious of the impotence of Reason over  my own conduct conscious of my cowardly rashness and my criminal despair I doubted whether anyone  could be steadfast and wise such was my weakness that even in the midst of these thoughts my mind  glided into abhorrence of Carwin and I uttered in a low voice oh Carwin Carwi

n what ha thou to  answer for my brother immediately noticed the involuntary exclamation Clara said he be thyself  Equity used to be a theme for thy eloquence reduce its lessons to practice and be just to that  unfortunate man the instrument has done its work and I am satisfied I thank thee my God for this  last illumination my enemy is thine also I deemed him to be a man the man with whom I have often  communed but now thy goodness has unveiled to me his true nature as the performer of thy behe

sts  he is my friend my heart began now to misgive me his mournful aspect had gradually yielded place to  a Serene brow a New Soul appeared to actuate his frame and his eyes to be with pratal luster these  symptoms did not Abate and he continued continued Clara I must not leave thee in doubt I know not  what brought about thy interview with the being whom thou call Colin for a time I was guilty  of thy error and deduced from this incoherent confessions that I had been made the victim of  human m

alice he left us at my bidding and I put up a prayer that my doubts should be removed thy eyes  were shut and th ears sealed to the vision that answered my prayer I was indeed deceived the form  thou past scene was the Incarnation of a demon the VIS and voice which urged to me the sacrifice  of my family were his now he impersonates a human form then he was environed with the luster of  Heaven Clara he continued advancing closer to me thy death must come this minister is evil but  he from whom h

is commission was received is God submit then with all thy wanted resignation to a  decree that cannot be reversed or resisted Mark the cloud Lo 3 minutes are allowed to thee in  which to call up thy fortitude and prepare thee for thy Doom there he stopped even now when this  scene exists only in memory when life and all its functions have sunk into toor my pulse throb as  my hairs uprise my brows are knit as thin and i gaze around me in distraction I was unconquerably  averse to death but death

imminent and full of Agony as that which was threatened was nothing  this was not the only or chief inspirer of my fears for him not for myself was my soul tormented  I might die and no crime surpassing the reach of Mercy would pursue me to the presence of my judge  but my assassin would survive to contemplate his deed and that assassin was wheelen Wings to  Bear me Beyond his reach I had not I could not vanish with a thought the door was open but  my murder was interposed between that and me o

f self-defense I was was incapable the frenzy that  later prompted me to blood was gone my state was desperate my rescue was impossible the weight of  these accumulated thoughts could not be born my sight became confused my limbs were seized with  convulsion I spoke but my words were half formed spare me my brother look down righteous judge  snatch me from this fate take away this Fury from him or turn it elsewhere such was the agony  of my thoughts that I noticed not steps entering my apartment

supplicating Eyes Were cast upward  but when my prayer was breeed I once more wildly gazed at the door a form at my sight I shuddered  as if the god whom I invoked were present it was Carn that again intruded and who stood before  me erect in attitude and steadfast in look the sight of him awakened new and Rapid thoughts his  recent tale was remembered his magical Transitions and the Mysterious energy of voice whether he were  infernal or miraculous ulous or human there was no power no need to

decide whether the contriver  or not of this spell he was able to unbind it and to check the fury of my brother he described  to himself intentions not malignant here now was afforded a test of his truth let him interpose  as from above revok the Savage decree which the Badness of weand had assigned to heaven and  extinguish Forever This passion for blood my mind detected at a glance this Avenue to safety the  recommendations it Poss Ed thronged as it were together and made but one impression my

intellect  remoter effects and collateral dangers I saw not perhaps the pause of an instant had sufficed to  call them up the improbability that the influence which governed weand was external or human the  tendency of a strategy to sanction so fatal an error or substitute a more destructive rage in  place of his the insufficiency of Carwin's mere muscular forces to counteract the effort and  restrain the fear of weand Might might at a Second Glance have been discovered but no Second  Glance wa

s allowed my first thought hurried me to action and fixing my eyes upon Carwin I exclaimed  oh wretch once more thou Hast come let it be to obur thy malice to counterwork this hellish  stratagy to turn from me and from my brother this desolating rage testify thy innocence or  thy remorse exert the powers which pertain to thee whatever they be to turn aside this ruin  Thou Art the author of these horor what have I done to deserve thus to die how have I merited  this unrelenting persecution I adju

re Thee by that God whose voice thou Hast dared to counterfeit  to save my life wilt thou then go leave me sucker Carwin listened to my inent treaties unmoved and  turned from me he seemed to hesitate a moment then glided through the door rage and despair stifled  my utterance the interval of respit was passed the pains reserved for me by Wheeland were not to  be endured my thoughts rushed again into Anarchy having received the knife from his hand I held it  Loosely and without regard but now it

seized again my attention and I grasped it with Force he seemed  to notice not the entrance or exit of Carwin my gesture in their murderous weapon appeared to  have escaped his notice his silence was unbroken his eye fixed upon the clock for a time was now  withdrawn Fury kindled in every feature all that was human in his face gave away to an expression  Supernatural and tremendous I felt my arm within his grasp even now I hesitated to strike I sunk  from his assault but in vain you let me desi

st why should I rescue this event from Oblivion why  should I paint this detestable conflict why not terminate at once this series of Horrors hurry to  the verge of the precipice and cast myself forever Beyond remembrance and Beyond hope still I live  with this load upon my breast with this Phantom to pursue my steps with adders lodged in my bosom and  stinging me to Madness still I consent to live yes I will rise above the sphere of mortal passions I  will spur the Cowardly remorse that bids me

seek impunity in silence or comfort in forgetfulness  my nerves shall be new strung to the task have I not resolved I will die the golf before me is  inevitable and near I will die but then only when my taale is at an end my right hand grasping the  Unseen n KN was still disengaged it was lifted to strike all my strength was exhausted but what  was sufficient to the performance of this deed already was the energy awakened and the impulse  given that should bear the Fatal steel to his heart when

wheelan shrunk back his hand with his  drawn breathless with a fright and Desperation I stood freed from his gasp unassailed untouched  the long had the power which controlled the scene forborne to interfere but now his might was irres  resistible and wand in a moment was disarmed of all his purposes a voice louder than human organs  could produce surer than language can depict burst from the ceiling and commanded him to hold  trouble and dismay succeeded to the steadfastness that had lately be

en displayed in the looks of  weand his eyes ROV from one quarter to another with an expression of doubt he seemed to wait  for further intimation Carwin's agency was here easily recognized I besought him to interpose in  my defense he had flown I had imagined him death to my prayer and Resolute to see me perish yet he  disappeared merely to devise and execute the means of my relief why did he not forbear when this end  was accomplished why did his misjudging Zeal and accursed precipitation over

pass that limit or  Min he thus to Crown the scene and conduct his inscrutable plots to this consummation such ideas  were the fruit of subsequent contemplation this moment with pregnant with fa fate I had no power  to reason in the career of my temptu thoughts rent into pieces as my mind was by accumulating Horrors  Caron was unseen and unsuspected I partook of Wan's credulity shook with his amazement and  panted with his awe silence took place for a moment so much as allowed the attention to r

ecover  its post the new sounds were uttered from above man of Errors cease to cherish thy delusion not  heaven or hell but thy senses have misled thee to commit these acts shake off thy frenzy and Ascend  into rational and human be lunatic no longer my brother opened his lips to speak his tone was  terrific and faint he muttered an appeal to Heaven it was difficult to comprehend the theme of  his inquiries they implied doubt as to the nature of the impulse that hitherto had guided him and  ques

tion whether he had acted in consequence of insane perceptions do these interrogatory  to the voice which now seemed to hover at his shoulder loudly answered in the affirmative  then uninterrupted silence ensued fallen from his lofty and heroic station now finally restored  to the perception of Truth weighed to Earth by the recollection of his own Deeds consoled  no longer a consciousness of rectitude for the loss of Offspring and wife a loss for which  he was indebted to his own misguided hand

weind was transformed at once into the man of sof s he  reflected not that credit should be as reasonably denied to the last as to any former intimidation  that one might as justly be ascribing to aing or diseased senses as the other he saw not that this  discovery in no degree affected the Integrity of his conduct that his motives had lost none of  their claims to the homage of mankind that the preference of supreme god and the boundless  energies of Duty were undiminished in his bosom it is no

t for me to pursue him through  the ghastly changes of his countenance words he had none now he sat upon the floor Motionless  in all his limbs with his eyes glazed and fixed a monument of Woe Aon a spirit of tempestuous but  undesigning activity seized him he rosed from his place and stroe across the floor tottering and at  random his eyes were without moisture and gleamed with the fire that consumed his vitals the muscles  of his face were agitated by convulsions his lips moved but no sound es

caped him that nature should  long sustain this conflict was not to be believed my state was little different from that of my  brother I entered as it were into his thoughts my heart was visited by rent and his pangs oh that  thy frenzy had never been cured that thy Madness with its Blissful Visions would return or if that  must not be that thy scene would hasten to a close that death would cover thee with his Oblivion  what can I wish for thee thou who Hast divide with the great preacher of thy

faith in sanctity  of motives and in elevation of sensual and selfish thou whom thy Fate has changed into paraside and  Savage can I wish for the continuance of thy being no for a time his movements seemed destitute of  purpose if he walked if he turned if his fingers were entwined with each other if his hands were  pressed against opposite sides of his head with a force of sufficient to crush it into pieces  it was to tear his mind from self-contemplation to waste his thoughts on external obje

cts speedily  this train was broken a beam appeared to be darted into his mind which gave a purpose to his efforts  an Avenue to escape presented itself and now he eagerly gazed about him when my thoughts became  engaged by his demeanor my fingers were stretched as by a mechanical force and the knife no longer  heated or of use escaped from my grasp and fell UNP perceived pered on the floor his eyes now  lighted upon it he seized it with the quickness of thought I shrieked aloud but it was too l

ate  he plunged it to the hilt in his neck and his life instantly escaped with the steam that gushed  from the wound he was stretched at my feet and my hands were sprinkled with his blood as he fell  such was thy last deed my brother for spectacle like this wasn't my fate to be reserved thy eyes  were closed thy face ghastly with death thy arms in the spot where thou liest floated with thy  life's blood these images Have Not For a Moment forsaken me till I am breathless and cold they  must conti

nue to hover in my sight Carwin as I had said had left the room but he still lingered  in the house my voice summoned him to my aid but I scarcely noticed his re-entrance and now  faintly recollect his terrified looks his broken exclamations his vehement aows of Innocence  the effusions of his pity for me and his offers of assistance I did not listen I answered him  not I ceased to abraid or accuse his guilt was a point to which I was indifferent Ruan or devil  black as hell or bright as Angels

then force with nothing to me I was incapable of sparing a look  or thought from the ruins that was spread at my feet when he left me I was scarcely conscious  of any variation in the scene he informed the inhabitants of the Hut what had passed and they  flew to the spot careless of his own safety he hastened to the city to inform my friends of my  condition my uncle speedily arrived at the house the body of wand was removed my presence and they  supposed that I would follow it but no my home is

ascertained here I have taken a breast and never  will I go hint till like Wheeland I am Born To My Grave impunity was tried in vain they threatened  to remove Me by violence nay violence was used but my soul prizes too dearly this little roof to  endure to reved of it forth should not Prevail when the Hy locks and supplicating tears of my  uncle were ineffectual my repugnance to move gave birth to ferociousness and frenzy when force  was employed and they were obliged to consent to my return t

hey besought me they remonstrated they  appealed to every Duty that connected me with him that made me in with my fellow man in vain while  I live I will not go hint have I not fulfilled my destiny why will you T me with your reasonings  and reproofs can you restore to me the hope of my better days can ye give back to me Catherine and  her babes can ye recall to life him who died at my feet I will eat I will drink I will lie down and  rise up at your bidding all I ask is the choice of my Abode w

hat is there unreasonable in this demand  shortly will I be at peace this is the spot which I have chosen to breathe my last sigh deny me not  I beseech you so slight a boon talk not to me oh my Reverend friend of Carwin he has told thee his  tale and th es sculpt test him from all direct concern in the fate of weand this scene of Havoc  was produced by an illusion of the senses be it so I care not from what source these disasters have  flowed it suffices that they have swallowed up our hopes an

d our existence what his agency began  his agency conducted to a close he intended by the final effort of his power to rescue me and  to banish his Illusions for my brother such is his tale concerning the truth of which I care  not henceforth I Foster about one wish I ask only quick deliverance from life and all the ills  that attend It Go wretch torment me not with thy presence and thy prayers forgive thee will that  Avail thee when thy fateful hour shall arrive be thou acquitted at thy own Tri

tribunal and thou  needest not fear for the verdict of others If thy guilt be capable of black or Hues if hither to  thy conscience be without strain thy crime will be made more flagrant by thus violating my retreat  take thyself Away From My Sight if thou wouldst not behold my death thou art gone murmuring and  reluctant and now my Repose is coming my work is done end of section 20 recording by  Kevin Vin end of library of the world's best mystery and detective stories  volume 1 by Julian Hawt

horne editor