第6章

HewasknownonboardasCubaTom；notbecausehewasCubanhowever；hewasindeedthebesttypeofagenuineBritishtarofthattime，andaman-of-war"smanforyears。Hecamebythenameonaccountofsomewonderfuladventureshehadinthatislandinhisyoungdays，adventureswhichwerethefavouritesubjectoftheyarnshewasinthehabitofspinningtohisshipmatesofaneveningontheforecastlehead。Hewasintelligent，verystrong，andofprovedcourage。Incidentallywearetold，soexactisournarrator，thatTomhadthefinestpigtailforthicknessandlengthofanymanintheNavy。Thisappendage，muchcaredforandsheathedtightlyinaporpoiseskin，hunghalfwaydownhisbroadbacktothegreatadmirationofallbeholdersandtothegreatenvyofsome。

OuryoungofficerdwellsonthemanlyqualitiesofCubaTomwithsomethinglikeaffection。Thissortofrelationbetweenofficerandmanwasnotthenveryrare。Ayoungsteronjoiningtheservicewasputunderthechargeofatrustworthyseaman，whoslunghisfirsthammockforhimandoftenlateronbecameasortofhumblefriendtothejuniorofficer。Thenarratoronjoiningthesloophadfoundthismanonboardaftersomeyearsofseparation。Thereissomethingtouchinginthewarmpleasureheremembersandrecordsatthismeetingwiththeprofessionalmentorofhisboyhood。

Wediscoverthenthat，noSpaniardbeingforthcomingfortheservice，thisworthyseamanwiththeuniquepigtailandaveryhighcharacterforcourageandsteadinesshadbeenselectedasmessengerforoneofthesemissionsinlandwhichhavebeenmentioned。Hispreparationswerenotelaborate。Onegloomyautumnmorningthesloopranclosetoashallowcovewherealandingcouldbemadeonthatiron-boundshore。Aboatwaslowered，andpulledinwithTomCorbin(CubaTom)perchedinthebow，andouryoungman(Mr。EdgarByrnewashisnameonthisearthwhichknowshimnomore)sittinginthesternsheets。

Afewinhabitantsofahamlet，whosegreystonehousescouldbeseenahundredyardsorsoupadeepravine，hadcomedowntotheshoreandwatchedtheapproachoftheboat。ThetwoEnglishmenleapedashore。Eitherfromdullnessorastonishmentthepeasantsgavenogreeting，andonlyfellbackinsilence。

Mr。ByrnehadmadeuphismindtoseeTomCorbinstartedfairlyonhisway。Helookedroundattheheavysurprisedfaces。

"Thereisn"tmuchtogetoutofthem，"hesaid。"Letuswalkuptothevillage。Therewillbeawineshopforsurewherewemayfindsomebodymorepromisingtotalktoandgetsomeinformationfrom。"

"Aye，aye，sir，"saidTomfallingintostepbehindhisofficer。"A

bitofpalaverastocoursesanddistancescandonoharm；I

crossedthebroadestpartofCubabythehelpofmytonguetho"

knowingfarlessSpanishthanIdonow。Astheysaythemselvesitwas"fourwordsandnomore"withme，thattimewhenIgotleftbehindonshorebytheBlanche，frigate。"

Hemadelightofwhatwasbeforehim，whichwasbutaday"sjourneyintothemountains。Itistruethattherewasafullday"sjourneybeforestrikingthemountainpath，butthatwasnothingforamanwhohadcrossedtheislandofCubaonhistwolegs，andwithnomorethanfourwordsofthelanguagetobeginwith。

Theofficerandthemanwerewalkingnowonathicksoddenbedofdeadleaves，whichthepeasantsthereaboutsaccumulateinthestreetsoftheirvillagestorotduringthewinterforfieldmanure。TurninghisheadMr。Byrneperceivedthatthewholemalepopulationofthehamletwasfollowingthemonthenoiselessspringycarpet。Womenstaredfromthedoorsofthehousesandthechildrenhadapparentlygoneintohiding。Thevillageknewtheshipbysight，afaroff，butnostrangerhadlandedonthatspotperhapsforahundredyearsormore。ThecockedhatofMr。Byrne，thebushywhiskersandtheenormouspigtailofthesailor，filledthemwithmutewonder。TheypressedbehindthetwoEnglishmenstaringlikethoseislandersdiscoveredbyCaptainCookintheSouthSeas。

ItwasthenthatByrnehadhisfirstglimpseofthelittlecloakedmaninayellowhat。Fadedanddingyasitwas，thiscoveringforhisheadmadehimnoticeable。

Theentrancetothewineshopwaslikearoughholeinawallofflints。Theownerwastheonlypersonwhowasnotinthestreet，forhecameoutfromthedarknessatthebackwheretheinflatedformsofwineskinshungonnailscouldbevaguelydistinguished。

Hewasatall，one-eyedAsturianwithscrubby，hollowcheeks；agraveexpressionofcountenancecontrastedenigmaticallywiththeroamingrestlessnessofhissolitaryeye。OnlearningthatthematterinhandwasthesendingonhiswayofthatEnglishmarinertowardacertainGonzalesinthemountains，heclosedhisgoodeyeforamomentasifinmeditation。Thenopenedit，verylivelyagain。

"Possibly，possibly。Itcouldbedone。"

AfriendlymurmuraroseinthegroupinthedoorwayatthenameofGonzales，thelocalleaderagainsttheFrench。InquiringastothesafetyoftheroadByrnewasgladtolearnthatnotroopsofthatnationhadbeenseenintheneighbourhoodformonths。NotthesmallestlittledetachmentoftheseimpiousPOLIZONES。Whilegivingtheseanswerstheownerofthewine-shopbusiedhimselfindrawingintoanearthenwarejugsomewinewhichhesetbeforethehereticEnglish，pocketingwithgraveabstractionthesmallpieceofmoneytheofficerthrewuponthetableinrecognitionoftheunwrittenlawthatnonemayenterawine-shopwithoutbuyingdrink。

Hiseyewasinconstantmotionasifitweretryingtodotheworkofthetwo；butwhenByrnemadeinquiriesastothepossibilityofhiringamule，itbecameimmovablyfixedinthedirectionofthedoorwhichwascloselybesiegedbythecurious。Infrontofthem，justwithinthethreshold，thelittlemaninthelargecloakandyellowhathadtakenhisstand。Hewasadiminutiveperson，amerehomunculus，Byrnedescribeshim，inaridiculouslymysterious，yetassertiveattitude，acornerofhiscloakthrowncavalierlyoverhisleftshoulder，mufflinghischinandmouth；whilethebroad-

brimmedyellowhathungonacornerofhissquarelittlehead。Hestoodtheretakingsnuff，repeatedly。

"Amule，"repeatedthewine-seller，hiseyesfixedonthatquaintandsnuffyfigure……"No，senorofficer!Decidedlynomuleistobegotinthispoorplace。"

Thecoxswain，whostoodbywiththetruesailor"sairofunconcerninstrangesurroundings，struckinquietly-

"IfyourhonourwillbelievemeShank"spony"sthebestforthisjob。Iwouldhavetoleavethebeastsomewhere，anyhow，sincethecaptainhastoldmethathalfmywaywillbealongpathsfitonlyforgoats。"

Thediminutivemanmadeastepforward，andspeakingthroughthefoldsofthecloakwhichseemedtomuffleasarcasticintention-

"Si，senor。Theyaretoohonestinthisvillagetohaveasinglemuleamongstthemforyourworship"sservice。TothatIcanbeartestimony。Inthesetimesit"sonlyroguesorveryclevermenwhocanmanagetohavemulesoranyotherfour-footedbeastsandthewherewithaltokeepthem。Butwhatthisvaliantmarinerwantsisaguide；andhere，senor，beholdmybrother-in-law，Bernardino，wine-

seller，andalcadeofthismostChristianandhospitablevillage，whowillfindyouone。"

This，Mr。Byrnesaysinhisrelation，wastheonlythingtodo。A

youthinaraggedcoatandgoat-skinbreecheswasproducedaftersomemoretalk。TheEnglishofficerstoodtreattothewholevillage，andwhilethepeasantsdrankheandCubaTomtooktheirdepartureaccompaniedbytheguide。Thediminutivemaninthecloakhaddisappeared。

Byrnewentalongwiththecoxswainoutofthevillage。Hewantedtoseehimfairlyonhisway；andhewouldhavegoneagreaterdistance，iftheseamanhadnotsuggestedrespectfullytheadvisabilityofreturnsoasnottokeeptheshipamomentlongerthannecessarysocloseinwiththeshoreonsuchanunpromisinglookingmorning。Awildgloomyskyhungovertheirheadswhentheytookleaveofeachother，andtheirsurroundingsofrankbushesandstonyfieldsweredreary。

"Infourdays"time，"wereByrne"slastwords，"theshipwillstandinandsendaboatonshoreiftheweatherpermits。Ifnotyou"llhavetomakeitoutonshorethebestyoucantillwecomealongtotakeyouoff。"

"Rightyouare，sir，"answeredTom，andstrodeon。Byrnewatchedhimstepoutonanarrowpath。Inathickpea-jacketwithapairofpistolsinhisbelt，acutlassbyhisside，andastoutcudgelinhishand，helookedasturdyfigureandwellabletotakecareofhimself。Heturnedroundforamomenttowavehishand，givingtoByrneonemoreviewofhishonestbronzedfacewithbushywhiskers。Theladingoatskinbreecheslooking，Byrnesays，likeafaunorayoungsatyrleapingahead，stoppedtowaitforhim，andthenwentoffatabound。Bothdisappeared。

Byrneturnedback。Thehamletwashiddeninafoldoftheground，andthespotseemedthemostlonelycorneroftheearthandasifaccursedinitsuninhabiteddesolatebarrenness。Beforehehadwalkedmanyyards，thereappearedverysuddenlyfrombehindabushthemuffledupdiminutiveSpaniard。NaturallyByrnestoppedshort。

Theothermadeamysteriousgesturewithatinyhandpeepingfromunderhiscloak。Hishathungverymuchatthesideofhishead。

"Senor，"hesaidwithoutanypreliminaries。"Caution!Itisapositivefactthatone-eyedBernardino，mybrother-in-law，hasatthismomentamuleinhisstable。Andwhyhewhoisnotcleverhasamulethere？Becauseheisarogue；amanwithoutconscience。

BecauseIhadtogiveuptheMACHOtohimtosecureformyselfarooftosleepunderandamouthfulofOLLAtokeepmysoulinthisinsignificantbodyofmine。Yet，senor，itcontainsaheartmanytimesbiggerthanthemeanthingwhichbeatsinthebreastofthatbruteconnectionofmineofwhichIamashamed，thoughIopposedthatmarriagewithallmypower。Well，themisguidedwomansufferedenough。Shehadherpurgatoryonthisearth-Godresthersoul。"

Byrnesayshewassoastonishedbythesuddenappearanceofthatsprite-likebeing，andbythesardonicbitternessofthespeech，thathewasunabletodisentanglethesignificantfactfromwhatseemedbutapieceoffamilyhistoryfiredoutathimwithoutrhymeorreason。Notatfirst。Hewasconfoundedandatthesametimehewasimpressedbytherapidforcibledelivery，quitedifferentfromthefrothyexcitedloquacityofanItalian。Sohestaredwhilethehomunculuslettinghiscloakfallabouthim，aspiredanimmensequantityofsnuffoutofthehollowofhispalm。

"Amule，"exclaimedByrneseizingatlasttherealaspectofthediscourse。"Yousayhehasgotamule？That"squeer!Whydidherefusetoletmehaveit？"

ThediminutiveSpaniardmuffledhimselfupagainwithgreatdignity。

"QUIENSABE，"hesaidcoldly，withashrugofhisdrapedshoulders。

"HeisagreatPOLITICOineverythinghedoes。Butonethingyourworshipmaybecertainof-thathisintentionsarealwaysrascally。ThishusbandofmyDEFUNTAsisteroughttohavebeenmarriedalongtimeagotothewidowwiththewoodenlegs。"(1)

"Isee。Butrememberthat；whateveryourmotives，yourworshipcountenancedhiminthislie。"

ThebrightunhappyeyesoneachsideofapredatorynoseconfrontedByrnewithoutwincing，whilewiththattestinesswhichlurkssooftenatthebottomofSpanishdignity-

"NodoubtthesenorofficerwouldnotloseanounceofbloodifI

werestuckunderthefifthrib，"heretorted。"Butwhatofthispoorsinnerhere？"Thenchanginghistone。"Senor，bythenecessitiesofthetimesIlivehereinexile，aCastilianandanoldChristian，existingmiserablyinthemidstofthesebruteAsturians，anddependentontheworstofthemall，whohaslessconscienceandscruplesthanawolf。AndbeingamanofintelligenceIgovernmyselfaccordingly。YetIcanhardlycontainmyscorn。YouhaveheardthewayIspoke。Acaballeroofpartslikeyourworshipmighthaveguessedthattherewasacatinthere。"

"Whatcat？"saidByrneuneasily。"Oh，Isee。Somethingsuspicious。No，senor。Iguessednothing。Mynationarenotgoodguessersatthatsortofthing；and，therefore，Iaskyouplainlywhetherthatwine-sellerhasspokenthetruthinotherparticulars？"

"TherearecertainlynoFrenchmenanywhereabout，"saidthelittlemanwithareturntohisindifferentmanner。

"Orrobbers-LADRONES？"

"LADRONESENGRANDE-no!Assuredlynot，"wastheanswerinacoldphilosophicaltone。"WhatisthereleftforthemtodoaftertheFrench？Andnobodytravelsinthesetimes。Butwhocansay!

Opportunitymakestherobber。Stillthatmarinerofyourshasafierceaspect，andwiththesonofacatratswillhavenoplay。

Butthereisasaying，too，thatwherehoneyistherewillsoonbeflies。"

ThisoraculardiscourseexasperatedByrne。"InthenameofGod，"

hecried，"tellmeplainlyifyouthinkmymanisreasonablysafeonhisjourney。"

Thehomunculus，undergoingoneofhisrapidchanges，seizedtheofficer"sarm。Thegripofhislittlehandwasastonishing。

"Senor!Bernardinohadtakennoticeofhim。Whatmoredoyouwant？Andlisten-menhavedisappearedonthisroad-onacertainportionofthisroad，whenBernardinokeptaMESON，aninn，andI，hisbrother-in-law，hadcoachesandmulesforhire。Nowtherearenotravellers，nocoaches。TheFrenchhaveruinedme。

Bernardinohasretiredhereforreasonsofhisownaftermysisterdied。Theywerethreetotormentthelifeoutofher，heandErminiaandLucilla，twoauntsofhis-allaffiliatedtothedevil。Andnowhehasrobbedmeofmylastmule。Youareanarmedman。DemandtheMACHOfromhim，withapistoltohishead，senor-

itisnothis，Itellyou-andrideafteryourmanwhoissoprecioustoyou。Andthenyoushallbothbesafe，fornotwotravellershavebeeneverknowntodisappeartogetherinthosedays。Astothebeast，I，itsowner，Iconfideittoyourhonour。"

Theywerestaringhardateachother，andByrnenearlyburstintoalaughattheingenuityandtransparencyofthelittleman"splottoregainpossessionofhismule。Buthehadnodifficultytokeepastraightfacebecausehefeltdeepwithinhimselfastrangeinclinationtodothatveryextraordinarything。Hedidnotlaugh，buthislipquivered；atwhichthediminutiveSpaniard，detachinghisblackglitteringeyesfromByrne"sface，turnedhisbackonhimbrusquelywithagestureandaflingofthecloakwhichsomehowexpressedcontempt，bitterness，anddiscouragementallatonce。Heturnedawayandstoodstill，hishataslant，muffleduptotheears。ButhewasnotoffendedtothepointofrefusingthesilverDUROwhichByrneofferedhimwithanon-committalspeechasifnothingextraordinaryhadpassedbetweenthem。

"Imustmakehasteonboardnow，"saidByrne，then。

"VAYAUSTEDCONDIOS，"mutteredthegnome。Andthisinterviewendedwithasarcasticlowsweepofthehatwhichwasreplacedatthesameperilousangleasbefore。

Directlytheboathadbeenhoistedtheship"ssailswerefilledontheoff-shoretack，andByrneimpartedthewholestorytohiscaptain，whowasbutaveryfewyearsolderthanhimself。Therewassomeamusedindignationatit-butwhiletheylaughedtheylookedgravelyateachother。ASpanishdwarftryingtobeguileanofficerofhismajesty"snavyintostealingamuleforhim-thatwastoofunny，tooridiculous，tooincredible。Thoseweretheexclamationsofthecaptain。Hecouldn"tgetoverthegrotesquenessofit。

"Incredible。That"sjustit，"murmuredByrneatlastinasignificanttone。

Theyexchangedalongstare。"It"sasclearasdaylight，"affirmedthecaptainimpatiently，becauseinhishearthewasnotcertain。

AndTomthebestseamanintheshipforone，thegood-humouredlydeferentialfriendofhisboyhoodfortheother，wasbecomingendowedwithacompellingfascination，likeasymbolicfigureofloyaltyappealingtotheirfeelingsandtheirconscience，sothattheycouldnotdetachtheirthoughtsfromhissafety。Severaltimestheywentupondeck，onlytolookatthecoast，asifitcouldtellthemsomethingofhisfate。Itstretchedaway，lengtheninginthedistance，mute，naked，andsavage，veilednowandthenbytheslantingcoldshaftsofrain。Thewesterlyswellrolleditsinterminableangrylinesoffoamandbigdarkcloudsflewovertheshipinasinisterprocession。

"Iwishtogoodnessyouhaddonewhatyourlittlefriendintheyellowhatwantedyoutodo，"saidthecommanderoftheslooplateintheafternoonwithvisibleexasperation。

"Doyou，sir？"answeredByrne，bitterwithpositiveanguish。"I

wonderwhatyouwouldhavesaidafterwards？Why!ImighthavebeenkickedoutoftheserviceforlootingamulefromanationinalliancewithHisMajesty。OrImighthavebeenbatteredtoapulpwithflailsandpitch-forks-aprettytaletogetabroadaboutoneofyourofficers-whiletryingtostealamule。Orchasedignominiouslytotheboat-foryouwouldnothaveexpectedmetoshootdownunoffendingpeopleforthesakeofamangymule……Andyet，"headdedinalowvoice，"IalmostwishmyselfIhaddoneit。"

Beforedarkthosetwoyoungmenhadworkedthemselvesupintoahighlycomplexpsychologicalstateofscornfulscepticismandalarmedcredulity。Ittormentedthemexceedingly；andthethoughtthatitwouldhavetolastforsixdaysatleast，andpossiblybeprolongedfurtherforanindefinitetime，wasnottobeborne。Theshipwasthereforeputontheinshoretackatdark。Allthroughthegustydarknightshewenttowardsthelandtolookforherman，attimeslyingoverintheheavypuffs，atothersrollingidleintheswell，nearlystationary，asifshetoohadamindofherowntoswingperplexedbetweencoolreasonandwarmimpulse。

Thenjustatdaybreakaboatputofffromherandwentontossedbytheseastowardstheshallowcovewhere，withconsiderabledifficulty，anofficerinathickcoatandaroundhatmanagedtolandonastripofshingle。

"Itwasmywish，"writesMr。Byrne，"awishofwhichmycaptainapproved，tolandsecretlyifpossible。Ididnotwanttobeseeneitherbymyaggrievedfriendintheyellowhat，whosemotiveswerenotclear，orbytheone-eyedwine-seller，whomayormaynothavebeenaffiliatedtothedevil，orindeedbyanyotherdwellerinthatprimitivevillage。Butunfortunatelythecovewastheonlypossiblelandingplaceformiles；andfromthesteepnessoftheravineIcouldn"tmakeacircuittoavoidthehouses。"

"Fortunately，"hegoeson，"allthepeoplewereyetintheirbeds。

ItwasbarelydaylightwhenIfoundmyselfwalkingonthethicklayerofsoddenleavesfillingtheonlystreet。Nosoulwasstirringabroad，nodogbarked。Thesilencewasprofound，andI

hadconcludedwithsomewonderthatapparentlynodogswerekeptinthehamlet，whenIheardalowsnarl，andfromanoisomealleybetweentwohovelsemergedavilecurwithitstailbetweenitslegs。Heslunkoffsilentlyshowingmehisteethasheranbeforeme，andhedisappearedsosuddenlythathemighthavebeentheuncleanincarnationoftheEvilOne。Therewas，too，somethingsoweirdinthemannerofitscomingandvanishing，thatmyspirits，alreadybynomeansveryhigh，becamefurtherdepressedbytherevoltingsightofthiscreatureasifbyanunluckypresage。"

Hegotawayfromthecoastunobserved，asfarasheknew，thenstruggledmanfullytothewestagainstwindandrain，onabarrendarkupland，underaskyofashes。Farawaytheharshanddesolatemountainsraisingtheirscarpedanddenudedridgesseemedtowaitforhimmenacingly。Theeveningfoundhimfairlyneartothem，but，insailorlanguage，uncertainofhisposition，hungry，wet，andtiredoutbyadayofsteadytrampingoverbrokengroundduringwhichhehadseenveryfewpeople，andhadbeenunabletoobtaintheslightestintelligenceofTomCorbin"spassage。"On!on!I

mustpushon，"hehadbeensayingtohimselfthroughthehoursofsolitaryeffort，spurredmorebyincertitudethanbyanydefinitefearordefinitehope。

Theloweringdaylightdiedoutquickly，leavinghimfacedbyabrokenbridge。Hedescendedintotheravine，fordedanarrowstreambythelastgleamofrapidwater，andclamberingoutontheothersidewasmetbythenightwhichfenlikeabandageoverhiseyes。Thewindsweepinginthedarknessthebroadsideofthesierraworriedhisearsbyacontinuousroaringnoiseasofamaddenedsea。Hesuspectedthathehadlosttheroad。Evenindaylight，withitsrutsandmud-holesandledgesofoutcroppingstone，itwasdifficulttodistinguishfromthedrearywasteofthemoorinterspersedwithbouldersandclumpsofnakedbushes。But，ashesays，"hesteeredhiscoursebythefeelofthewind，"hishatrammedlowonhisbrow，hisheaddown，stoppingnowandagainfrommerewearinessofmindratherthanofbody-asifnothisstrengthbuthisresolutionwerebeingovertaxedbythestrainofendeavourhalfsuspectedtobevain，andbytheunrestofhisfeelings。

Inoneofthesepausesborneinthewindfaintlyasiffromveryfarawayheheardasoundofknocking，justknockingonwood。Henoticedthatthewindhadlulledsuddenly。

Hisheartstartedbeatingtumultuouslybecauseinhimselfhecarriedtheimpressionofthedesertsolitudeshehadbeentraversingforthelastsixhours-theoppressivesenseofanuninhabitedworld。Whenheraisedhisheadagleamoflight，illusoryasitoftenhappensindensedarkness，swambeforehiseyes。Whilehepeered，thesoundoffeebleknockingwasrepeated-

andsuddenlyhefeltratherthansawtheexistenceofamassiveobstacleinhispath。Whatwasit？Thespurofahill？Orwasitahouse!Yes。Itwasahouserightclose，asthoughithadrisenfromthegroundorhadcomeglidingtomeethim，dumbandpallid；

fromsomedarkrecessofthenight。Ittoweredloftily。Hehadcomeupunderitslee；anotherthreestepsandhecouldhavetouchedthewallwithhishand。ItwasnodoubtaPOSADAandsomeothertravellerwastryingforadmittance。Heheardagainthesoundofcautiousknocking。

Nextmomentabroadbandoflightfellintothenightthroughtheopeneddoor。Byrnesteppedeagerlyintoit，whereuponthepersonoutsideleapedwithastifledcryawayintothenight。Anexclamationofsurprisewasheardtoo，fromwithin。Byrne，flinginghimselfagainstthehalfcloseddoor，forcedhiswayinagainstsomeconsiderableresistance。

Amiserablecandle，amererushlight，burnedattheendofalongdealtable。AndinitslightByrnesaw，staggeringyet，thegirlhehaddrivenfromthedoor。Shehadashortblackskirt，anorangeshawl，adarkcomplexion-andtheescapedsinglehairsfromthemass，sombreandthicklikeaforestandheldupbyacomb，madeablackmistaboutherlowforehead。Ashrilllamentablehowlof:"Misericordia!"cameintwovoicesfromthefurtherendofthelongroom，wherethefire-lightofanopenhearthplayedbetweenheavyshadows。Thegirlrecoveringherselfdrewahissingbreaththroughhersetteeth。

Itisunnecessarytoreportthelongprocessofquestionsandanswersbywhichhesoothedthefearsoftwooldwomenwhosatoneachsideofthefire，onwhichstoodalargeearthenwarepot。

Byrnethoughtatonceoftwowitcheswatchingthebrewingofsomedeadlypotion。Butallthesame，whenoneofthemraisingforwardpainfullyherbrokenformliftedthecoverofthepot，theescapingsteamhadanappetisingsmell。Theotherdidnotbudge，butsathunchedup，herheadtremblingallthetime。

Theywerehorrible。Therewassomethinggrotesqueintheirdecrepitude。Theirtoothlessmouths，theirhookednoses，themeagrenessoftheactiveone，andthehangingyellowcheeksoftheother(thestillone，whoseheadtrembled)wouldhavebeenlaughableifthesightoftheirdreadfulphysicaldegradationhadnotbeenappallingtoone"seyes，hadnotgrippedone"sheartwithpoignantamazementattheunspeakablemiseryofage，attheawfulpersistencyoflifebecomingatlastanobjectofdisgustanddread。

TogetoveritByrnebegantotalk，sayingthathewasanEnglishman，andthathewasinsearchofacountrymanwhooughttohavepassedthisway。DirectlyhehadspokentherecollectionofhispartingwithTomcameupinhismindwithamazingvividness:

thesilentvillagers，theangrygnome，theone-eyedwine-seller，Bernardino。Why!Thesetwounspeakablefrightsmustbethatman"saunts-affiliatedtothedevil。

Whatevertheyhadbeenonceitwasimpossibletoimaginewhatusesuchfeeblecreaturescouldbetothedevil，now，intheworldoftheliving。WhichwasLucillaandwhichwasErminia？Theywerenowthingswithoutaname。AmomentofsuspendedanimationfollowedByrne"swords。Thesorceresswiththespoonceasedstirringthemessintheironpot，theverytremblingoftheother"sheadstoppedforthespaceofbreath。InthisinfinitesimalfractionofasecondByrnehadthesenseofbeingreallyonhisquest，ofhavingreachedtheturnofthepath，almostwithinhailofTom。

"Theyhaveseenhim，"hethoughtwithconviction。Herewasatlastsomebodywhohadseenhim。HemadesuretheywoulddenyallknowledgeoftheIngles；butonthecontrarytheywereeagertotellhimthathehadeatenandsleptthenightinthehouse。Theybothstartedtalkingtogether，describinghisappearanceandbehaviour。Anexcitementquitefierceinitsfeeblenesspossessedthem。Thedoubled-upsorceressflourishedaloftherwoodenspoon，thepuffymonstergotoffherstoolandscreeched，steppingfromonefoottotheother，whilethetremblingofherheadwasacceleratedtopositivevibration。Byrnewasquitedisconcertedbytheirexcitedbehaviour……Yes!Thebig，fierceIngleswentawayinthemorning，aftereatingapieceofbreadanddrinkingsomewine。Andifthecaballerowishedtofollowthesamepathnothingcouldbeeasier-inthemorning。

"Youwillgivemesomebodytoshowmetheway？"saidByrne。

"Si，senor。Aproperyouth。Themanthecaballerosawgoingout。"

"Buthewasknockingatthedoor，"protestedByrne。"Heonlyboltedwhenhesawme。Hewascomingin。"

"No!No!"thetwohorridwitchesscreamedouttogether。"Goingout。Goingout!"

Afterallitmayhavebeentrue。Thesoundofknockinghadbeenfaint，elusive，reflectedByrne。Perhapsonlytheeffectofhisfancy。Heasked-

"Whoisthatman？"

"HerNOVIO。"Theyscreamedpointingtothegirl。"Heisgonehometoavillagefarawayfromhere。Buthewillreturninthemorning。HerNOVIO!Andsheisanorphan-thechildofpoorChristianpeople。SheliveswithusfortheloveofGod，fortheloveofGod。"

TheorphancrouchingonthecornerofthehearthhadbeenlookingatByrne。HethoughtthatshewasmorelikeachildofSatankepttherebythesetwoweirdharridansfortheloveoftheDevil。Hereyeswerealittleoblique，hermouthratherthick，butadmirablyformed；herdarkfacehadawildbeauty，voluptuousanduntamed。

Astothecharacterofhersteadfastgazeattacheduponhimwithasensuouslysavageattention，"toknowwhatitwaslike，"saysMr。

Byrne，"youhaveonlytoobserveahungrycatwatchingabirdinacageoramouseinsideatrap。"

Itwasshewhoservedhimthefood，ofwhichhewasglad；thoughwiththosebigslantingblackeyesexamininghimatcloserange，asifhehadsomethingcuriouswrittenonhisface，shegavehimanuncomfortablesensation。Butanythingwasbetterthanbeingapproachedbytheseblear-eyednightmarishwitches。Hisapprehensionssomehowhadbeensoothed；perhapsbythesensationofwarmthaftersevereexposureandtheeaseofrestingaftertheexertionoffightingthegaleinchbyinchalltheway。HehadnodoubtofTom"ssafety。HewasnowsleepinginthemountaincamphavingbeenmetbyGonzales"men。

Byrnerose，filledatingobletwithwineoutofaskinhangingonthewall，andsatdownagain。Thewitchwiththemummyfacebegantotalktohim，ramblinglyofoldtimes；sheboastedoftheinn"sfameinthosebetterdays。Greatpeopleintheirowncoachesstoppedthere。AnarchbishopsleptonceintheCASA，along，longtimeago。

Thewitchwiththepuffyfaceseemedtobelisteningfromherstool，motionless，exceptforthetremblingofherhead。Thegirl(Byrnewascertainshewasacasualgipsyadmittedthereforsomereasonorother)satonthehearthstoneintheglowoftheembers。

Shehummedatunetoherself，rattlingapairofcastanetsslightlynowandthen。AtthementionofthearchbishopshechuckledimpiouslyandturnedherheadtolookatByrne，sothattheredglowofthefireflashedinherblackeyesandonherwhiteteethunderthedarkcowloftheenormousovermantel。Andhesmiledather。

Herestednowintheeaseofsecurity。Hisadventnothavingbeenexpectedtherecouldbenoplotagainsthiminexistence。

Drowsinessstoleuponhissenses。Heenjoyedit，butkeepingahold，sohethoughtatleast，onhiswits；buthemusthavebeengonefurtherthanhethoughtbecausehewasstartledbeyondmeasurebyafiendishuproar。Hehadneverheardanythingsopitilesslystridentinhislife。Thewitcheshadstartedafiercequarrelaboutsomethingorother。Whateveritsorigintheywerenowonlyabusingeachotherviolently，withoutarguments；theirsenilescreamsexpressednothingbutwickedangerandferociousdismay。

Thegipsygirl"sblackeyesflewfromonetotheother。NeverbeforehadByrnefelthimselfsoremovedfromfellowshipwithhumanbeings。Beforehehadreallytimetounderstandthesubjectofthequarrel，thegirljumpeduprattlinghercastanetsloudly。A

silencefell。Shecameuptothetableandbendingover，hereyesinhis-

"Senor，"shesaidwithdecision，"Youshallsleepinthearchbishop"sroom。"

Neitherofthewitchesobjected。Thedried-uponebentdoublewasproppedonastick。Thepuffyfacedonehadnowacrutch。

Byrnegotup，walkedtothedoor，andturningthekeyintheenormouslockputitcoollyinhispocket。Thiswasclearlytheonlyentrance，andhedidnotmeantobetakenunawaresbywhateverdangertheremighthavebeenlurkingoutside。

Whenheturnedfromthedoorhesawthetwowitches"affiliatedtotheDevil"andtheSatanicgirllookingathiminsilence。HewonderedifTomCorbintookthesameprecautionlastmight。Andthinkingofhimhehadagainthatqueerimpressionofhisnearness。

Theworldwasperfectlydumb。Andinthisstillnessheheardthebloodbeatinginhisearswithaconfusedrushingnoise，inwhichthereseemedtobeavoiceutteringthewords:"Mr。Byrne，lookout，sir。"Tom"svoice。Heshuddered；forthedelusionsofthesensesofhearingarethemostvividofall，andfromtheirnaturehaveacompellingcharacter。

ItseemedimpossiblethatTomshouldnotbethere。Againaslightchillasofstealthydraughtpenetratedthroughhisveryclothesandpassedoverallhisbody。Heshookofftheimpressionwithaneffort。

Itwasthegirlwhoprecededhimupstairscarryinganironlampfromthenakedflameofwhichascendedathinthreadofsmoke。Hersoiledwhitestockingswerefullofholes。

Withthesamequietresolutionwithwhichhehadlockedthedoorbelow，Byrnethrewopenoneafteranotherthedoorsinthecorridor。Alltheroomswereemptyexceptforsomenondescriptlumberinoneortwo。Andthegirlseeingwhathewouldbeatstoppedeverytime，raisingthesmokylightineachdoorwaypatiently。Meantimesheobservedhimwithsustainedattention。

Thelastdoorofallshethrewopenherself。

"Yousleephere，senor，"shemurmuredinavoicelightlikeachild"sbreath，offeringhimthelamp。

"BUENOSNOCHES，SENORITA，"hesaidpolitely，takingitfromher。

Shedidn"treturnthewishaudibly，thoughherlipsdidmovealittle，whilehergazeblacklikeastarlessnightneverforamomentwaveredbeforehim。Hesteppedin，andasheturnedtoclosethedoorshewasstilltheremotionlessanddisturbing，withhervoluptuousmouthandslantingeyes，withtheexpressionofexpectantsensualferocityofabaffledcat。Hehesitatedforamoment，andinthedumbhouseheheardagainthebloodpulsatingponderouslyinhisears，whileoncemoretheillusionofTom"svoicespeakingearnestlysomewherenearbywasspeciallyterrifying，becausethistimehecouldnotmakeoutthewords。

Heslammedthedoorinthegirl"sfaceatlast，leavingherinthedark；andheopeneditagainalmostontheinstant。Nobody。Shehadvanishedwithouttheslightestsound。Heclosedthedoorquicklyandbolteditwithtwoheavybolts。

Aprofoundmistrustpossessedhimsuddenly。Whydidthewitchesquarrelaboutlettinghimsleephere？Andwhatmeantthatstareofthegirlasifshewantedtoimpresshisfeaturesforeverinhermind？Hisownnervousnessalarmedhim。Heseemedtohimselftoberemovedveryfarfrommankind。

Heexaminedhisroom。Itwasnotveryhigh，justhighenoughtotakethebedwhichstoodunderanenormousbaldaquin-likecanopyfromwhichfellheavycurtainsatfootandhead；abedcertainlyworthyofanarchbishop。Therewasaheavytablecarvedallroundtheedges，somearm-chairsofenormousweightlikethespoilsofagrandee"spalace；atallshallowwardrobeplacedagainstthewallandwithdoubledoors。Hetriedthem。Locked。Asuspicioncameintohismind，andhesnatchedthelamptomakeacloserexamination。No，itwasnotadisguisedentrance。Thatheavy，tallpieceoffurniturestoodclearofthewallbyquiteaninch。

Heglancedattheboltsofhisroomdoor。No!Noonecouldgetathimtreacherouslywhileheslept。Butwouldhebeabletosleep？

heaskedhimselfanxiously。IfonlyhehadTomthere-thetrustyseamanwhohadfoughtathisrighthandinacuttingoutaffairortwo，andhadalwayspreachedtohimthenecessitytotakecareofhimself。"Forit"snogreattrick，"heusedtosay，"togetyourselfkilledinahotfight。Anyfoolcandothat。TheproperpastimeistofighttheFrenchiesandthenlivetofightanotherday。"

Byrnefounditahardmatternottofallintolisteningtothesilence。SomehowhehadtheconvictionthatnothingwouldbreakitunlessheheardagainthehauntingsoundofTom"svoice。Hehadheardittwicebefore。Odd!Andyetnowonder，hearguedwithhimselfreasonably，sincehehadbeenthinkingofthemanforoverthirtyhourscontinuouslyand，what"smore，inconclusively。ForhisanxietyforTomhadnevertakenadefiniteshape。"Disappear，"

wastheonlywordconnectedwiththeideaofTom"sdanger。Itwasveryvagueandawful。"Disappear!"Whatdidthatmean？

Byrneshuddered，andthensaidtohimselfthathemustbealittlefeverish。ButTomhadnotdisappeared。Byrnehadjustheardofhim。Andagaintheyoungmanfeltthebloodbeatinginhisears。

HesatstillexpectingeverymomenttohearthroughthepulsatingstrokesthesoundofTom"svoice。Hewaitedstraininghisears，butnothingcame。Suddenlythethoughtoccurredtohim:"Hehasnotdisappeared，buthecannotmakehimselfheard。"

Hejumpedupfromthearm-chair。Howabsurd!Layinghispistolandhishangeronthetablehetookoffhisbootsand，feelingsuddenlytootiredtostand，flunghimselfonthebedwhichhefoundsoftandcomfortablebeyondhishopes。

Hehadfeltverywakeful，buthemusthavedozedoffafterall，becausethenextthingheknewhewassittingupinbedandtryingtorecollectwhatitwasthatTom"svoicehadsaid。Oh!Heremembereditnow。Ithadsaid:"Mr。Byrne!Lookout，sir!"A

warningthis。Butagainstwhat？

Helandedwithoneleapinthemiddleofthefloor，gaspedonce，thenlookedallroundtheroom。Thewindowwasshutteredandbarredwithanironbar。Againheranhiseyesslowlyallroundthebarewalls，andevenlookedupattheceiling，whichwasratherhigh。Afterwardshewenttothedoortoexaminethefastenings。

Theyconsistedoftwoenormousironboltsslidingintoholesmadeinthewall；andasthecorridoroutsidewastoonarrowtoadmitofanybatteringarrangementoreventopermitanaxetobeswung，nothingcouldburstthedooropen-unlessgunpowder。Butwhilehewasstillmakingsurethatthelowerboltwaspushedwellhome，hereceivedtheimpressionofsomebody"spresenceintheroom。Itwassostrongthathespunroundquickerthanlightning。Therewasnoone。Whocouldtherebe？Andyet……

Itwasthenthathelostthedecorumandrestraintamankeepsupforhisownsake。Hegotdownonhishandsandknees，withthelamponthefloor，tolookunderthebed，likeasillygirl。Hesawalotofdustandnothingelse。Hegotup，hischeeksburning，andwalkedaboutdiscontentedwithhisownbehaviourandunreasonablyangrywithTomfornotleavinghimalone。Thewords:

"Mr。Byrne!Lookout，sir，"keptonrepeatingthemselvesinhisheadinatoneofwarning。

"Hadn"tIbetterjustthrowmyselfonthebedandtrytogotosleep，"heaskedhimself。Buthiseyesfellonthetallwardrobe，andhewenttowardsitfeelingirritatedwithhimselfandyetunabletodesist。Howhecouldexplainto-morrowtheburglariousmisdeedtothetwoodiouswitcheshehadnoidea。Neverthelessheinsertedthepointofhishangerbetweenthetwohalvesofthedoorandtriedtoprizethemopen。Theyresisted。Heswore，stickingnowhotlytohispurpose。Hismutter:"Ihopeyouwillbesatisfied，confoundyou，"wasaddressedtotheabsentTom。Justthenthedoorsgavewayandflewopen。

Hewasthere。

He-thetrusty，sagacious，andcourageousTomwasthere，drawnupshadowyandstiff，inaprudentsilence，whichhiswide-openeyesbytheirfixedgleamseemedtocommandByrnetorespect。ButByrnewastoostartledtomakeasound。Amazed，hesteppedbackalittle-andontheinstanttheseamanflunghimselfforwardheadlongasiftoclasphisofficerroundtheneck。InstinctivelyByrneputouthisfalteringarms；hefeltthehorriblerigidityofthebodyandthenthecoldnessofdeathastheirheadsknockedtogetherandtheirfacescameintocontact。Theyreeled，ByrnehuggingTomclosetohisbreastinordernottolethimfallwithacrash。Hehadjuststrengthenoughtolowertheawfulburdengentlytothefloor-thenhisheadswam，hislegsgaveway，andhesankonhisknees，leaningoverthebodywithhishandsrestingonthebreastofthatmanoncefullofgenerouslife，andnowasinsensibleasastone。

"Dead!mypoorTom，dead，"herepeatedmentally。Thelightofthelampstandingneartheedgeofthetablefellfromabovestraightonthestonyemptystareoftheseeyeswhichnaturallyhadamobileandmerryexpression。

Byrneturnedhisownawayfromthem。Tom"sblacksilkneckerchiefwasnotknottedonhisbreast。Itwasgone。Themurderershadalsotakenoffhisshoesandstockings。Andnoticingthisspoliation，theexposedthroat，thebareup-turnedfeet，Byrnefelthiseyesrunfulloftears。Inotherrespectstheseamanwasfullydressed；neitherwashisclothingdisarrangedasitmusthavebeeninaviolentstruggle。Onlyhischeckedshirthadbeenpulledalittleoutthewaistbandinoneplace，justenoughtoascertainwhetherhehadamoneybeltfastenedroundhisbody。Byrnebegantosobintohishandkerchief。

Itwasanervousoutburstwhichpassedoffquickly。Remainingonhiskneeshecontemplatedsadlytheathleticbodyofasfineaseamanaseverhaddrawnacutlass，laidagun，orpassedtheweatherearringinagale，lyingstiffandcold，hischeery，fearlessspiritdeparted-perhapsturningtohim，hisboychum，tohisshipoutthererollingonthegreyseasoffaniron-boundcoast，attheverymomentofitsflight。

HeperceivedthatthesixbrassbuttonsofTom"sjackethadbeencutoff。Heshudderedatthenotionofthetwomiserableandrepulsivewitchesbusyingthemselvesghoulishlyaboutthedefencelessbodyofhisfriend。Cutoff。Perhapswiththesameknifewhich……Theheadofonetrembled；theotherwasbentdouble，andtheireyeswereredandbleared，theirinfamousclawsunsteady……Itmusthavebeeninthisveryroomtoo，forTomcouldnothavebeenkilledintheopenandbroughtinhereafterwards。OfthatByrnewascertain。Yetthosedevilishcronescouldnothavekilledhimthemselvesevenbytakinghimunawares-

andTomwouldbealwaysonhisguardofcourse。Tomwasaverywideawakewarymanwhenengagedonanyservice……Andinfacthowdidtheymurderhim？Whodid？Inwhatway？

Byrnejumpedup，snatchedthelampoffthetable，andstoopedswiftlyoverthebody。Thelightrevealedontheclothingnostain，notrace，nospotofbloodanywhere。Byrne"shandsbegantoshakesothathehadtosetthelamponthefloorandturnawayhisheadinordertorecoverfromthisagitation。

Thenhebegantoexplorethatcold，still，andrigidbodyforastab，agunshotwound，forthetraceofsomekillingblow。Hefeltallovertheskullanxiously。Itwaswhole。Heslippedhishandundertheneck。Itwasunbroken。Withterrifiedeyeshepeeredcloseunderthechinandsawnomarksofstrangulationonthethroat。

Therewerenosignsanywhere。Hewasjustdead。

ImpulsivelyByrnegotawayfromthebodyasifthemysteryofanincomprehensibledeathhadchangedhispityintosuspicionanddread。Thelamponthefloorneartheset，stillfaceoftheseamanshoweditstaringattheceilingasifdespairingly。InthecircleoflightByrnesawbytheundisturbedpatchesofthickdustonthefloorthattherehadbeennostruggleinthatroom。"Hehasdiedoutside，"hethought。Yes，outsideinthatnarrowcorridor，wheretherewashardlyroomtoturn，themysteriousdeathhadcometohispoordearTom。TheimpulseofsnatchinguphispistolsandrushingoutoftheroomabandonedByrnesuddenly。ForTom，too，hadbeenarmed-withjustsuchpowerlessweaponsashehimselfpossessed-pistols，acutlass!AndTomhaddiedanamelessdeath，byincomprehensiblemeans。

AnewthoughtcametoByrne。Thatstrangerknockingatthedoorandfleeingsoswiftlyathisappearancehadcometheretoremovethebody。Aha!ThatwastheguidethewitheredwitchhadpromisedwouldshowtheEnglishofficertheshortestwayofrejoininghisman。Apromise，hesawitnow，ofdreadfulimport。Hewhohadknockedwouldhavetwobodiestodealwith。Manandofficerwouldgoforthfromthehousetogether。ForByrnewascertainnowthathewouldhavetodiebeforethemorning-andinthesamemysteriousmanner，leavingbehindhimanunmarkedbody。

Thesightofasmashedhead，ofathroatcut，ofagapinggunshotwound，wouldhavebeenaninexpressiblerelief。Itwouldhavesoothedallhisfears。Hissoulcriedwithinhimtothatdeadmanwhomhehadneverfoundwantingindanger。"Whydon"tyoutellmewhatIamtolookfor，Tom？Whydon"tyou？"Butinrigidimmobility，extendedonhisback，heseemedtopreserveanausteresilence，asifdisdaininginthefinalityofhisawfulknowledgetoholdconversewiththeliving。

SuddenlyByrneflunghimselfonhiskneesbythesideofthebody，anddry-eyed，fierce，openedtheshirtwideonthebreast，asiftotearthesecretforciblyfromthatcoldheartwhichhadbeensoloyaltohiminlife!Nothing!Nothing!Heraisedthelamp，andallthesignvouchsafedtohimbythatfacewhichusedtobesokindlyinexpressionwasasmallbruiseontheforehead-theleastthing，ameremark。Theskinevenwasnotbroken。Hestaredatitalongtimeasiflostinadreadfuldream。ThenheobservedthatTom"shandswereclenchedasthoughhehadfallenfacingsomebodyinafightwithfists。Hisknuckles，oncloserview，appearedsomewhatabraded。Bothhands。

ThediscoveryoftheseslightsignswasmoreappallingtoByrnethantheabsoluteabsenceofeverymarkwouldhavebeen。SoTomhaddiedstrikingagainstsomethingwhichcouldbehit，andyetcouldkillonewithoutleavingawound-byabreath。

Terror，hotterror，begantoplayaboutByrne"sheartlikeatongueofflamethattouchesandwithdrawsbeforeitturnsathingtoashes。Hebackedawayfromthebodyasfarashecould，thencameforwardstealthilycastingfearfulglancestostealanotherlookatthebruisedforehead。Therewouldperhapsbesuchafaintbruiseonhisownforehead-beforethemorning。

"Ican"tbearit，"hewhisperedtohimself。Tomwasforhimnowanobjectofhorror，asightatoncetemptingandrevoltingtohisfear。Hecouldn"tbeartolookathim。

Atlast，desperationgettingthebetterofhisincreasinghorror，hesteppedforwardfromthewallagainstwhichhehadbeenleaning，seizedthecorpseunderthearmpits，andbegantolugitovertothebed。Thebareheelsoftheseamantrailedonthefloornoiselessly。Hewasheavywiththedeadweightofinanimateobjects。WithalasteffortByrnelandedhimfacedownwardsontheedgeofthebed，rolledhimover，snatchedfromunderthisstiffpassivethingasheetwithwhichhecovereditover。Thenhespreadthecurtainsatheadandfootsothatjoiningtogetherasheshooktheirfoldstheyhidthebedaltogetherfromhissight。

Hestumbledtowardsachair，andfellonit。Theperspirationpouredfromhisfaceforamoment，andthenhisveinsseemedtocarryforawhileathinstreamofhalf，frozenblood。Completeterrorhadpossessionofhimnow，anamelessterrorwhichhadturnedhishearttoashes。

Hesatuprightinthestraight-backedchair，thelampburningathisfeet，hispistolsandhishangerathisleftelbowontheendofthetable，hiseyesturningincessantlyintheirsocketsroundthewalls，overtheceiling，overthefloor，intheexpectationofamysteriousandappallingvision。Thethingwhichcoulddealdeathinabreathwasoutsidethatbolteddoor。ButByrnebelievedneitherinwallsnorboltsnow。Unreasoningterrorturningeverythingtoaccount，hisoldtimeboyishadmirationoftheathleticTom，theundauntedTom(hehadseemedtohiminvincible)，helpedtoparalysehisfaculties，addedtohisdespair。