TheGovernorstraightenedhisback。"Giveear，Opeople!"hecried。"ImakeanewLaw!"
　　Thevillagersclosedin。Hecalled:——
　　"HenceforwardIwillgiveonedollartothemanonwhoselandAbuHusseinisfound。Andanotherdollar"——heheldupthecoin——"tothemanonwhoselandthesedogsshallkillhim。ButtothemanonwhoselandAbuHusseinshallrunintoaholesuchasisthishole，Iwillgivenotdollars，butamostunmeasurablebeating。
　　Isitunderstood？"
　　"OurExcellency，"amansteppedforth，"onmylandAbuHusseinwasfoundthismorning。Isitnotso，brothers？"
　　Nonedenied。TheGovernortossedhimoverfourdollarswithoutaword。
　　"Onmylandtheyallwentintotheirholes，"criedanother。
　　"ThereforeImustbebeaten。"
　　"Notso。Thelandismine，andminearethebeatings。"
　　Thissecondspeakerthrustforwardhisshouldersalreadybared，andthevillagersshouted。
　　"Hullo!Twomenanxioustobelicked？Theremustbesomeswindleabouttheland，"saidtheGovernor。Theninthelocalvernacular:
　　"Whatareyourrightstothebeating？"
　　Asariver-reachchangesbeneathaslantofthesun，thatwhichhadbeenascatteredmobchangedtoacourtofmostancientjustice。ThehoundstoreandsobbedatAbuHussein'shearthstone，allunnoticedamongthelegsofthewitnesses，andGihon，alsoaccustomedtolaws，purredapproval。
　　"YouwillnotwaittilltheJudgescomeuptherivertosettlethedispute？"saidtheGovernoratlast。
　　"No!"shoutedallthevillagesavethemanwhohadfirstaskedtobebeaten。"WewillabidebyOurExcellency'sdecision。LetOurExcellencyturnoutthecreaturesoftheEmirswhostoleourlandinthedaysoftheOppression。"
　　"Andthousayest？"theGovernorturnedtothemanwhohadfirstaskedtobebeaten。
　　"Isay1willwaittillthewiseJudgescomedowninthesteamer。
　　ThenIwillbringmymanywitnesses，"hereplied。
　　"Heisrich。Hewillbringmanywitnesses，"thevillageSheikhmuttered。
　　"Noneed。Thyownmouthcondemnsthee!"theGovernorcried。"Nomanlawfullyentitledtohislandwouldwaitonehourbeforeenteringuponit。Standaside!"Theman，fellback，andthevillagejeeredhim。
　　Thesecondclaimantstoopedquicklybeneaththeliftedhunting-crop。Thevillagerejoiced。
　　"Oh，Suchanone；Sonofsuchanone，"saidtheGovernor，promptedbytheSheikh，"learn，fromthedaywhenIsendtheorder，toblockupalltheholeswhereAbuHusseinmayhideon——thy——land!"
　　Thelightflicksended。Themanstooduptriumphant。BythataccoladehadtheSupremeGovernmentacknowledgedhistitlebeforeallmen。
　　WhilethevillagepraisedtheperspicacityoftheGovernor，anaked，pock-markedchildstrodeforwardtotheearth，andstoodononeleg，unconcernedasayoungstork。
　　"Hal"hesaid，handsbehindhisback。"Thisshouldbeblockedupwithbundlesofdhurrastalks——or，better，bundlesofthorns。"
　　"Betterthorns，"saidtheGovernor。"Thickendsinnermost。"
　　Thechildnoddedgravelyandsquattedonthesand。
　　"Anevildayforthee，AbuHussein，"heshrilledintothemouthoftheearth。"Adayofobstaclestothyflagitiousreturnsinthemorning。"
　　"Whoisit？"theGovernoraskedtheSheikh。"Itthinks。"
　　"FaragtheFatherless。HispeoplewereslaininthedaysoftheOppression。ThemantowhomOurExcellencyhasawardedthelandis，asitwere，hismaternaluncle。"
　　"Willitcomewithmeandfeedthebigdogs？"saidtheGovernor。
　　Theotherpeeringchildrendrewback。"Run!"theycried。"OurExcellencywillfeedFaragtothebigdogs。"
　　"Iwillcome，"saidFarag。"AndIwillnevergo。"HethrewhisarmroundRoyal'sneck，andthewisebeastlickedhisface。
　　"Binjamin，byJove!"theInspectorcried。
　　"No!"saidtheGovernor。"IbelievehehasthemakingsofaJamesPigg!"
　　Faragwavedhishandtohisuncle，andledRoyalontothebarge。
　　Therestofthepackfollowed。
　　*****
　　Gihon，thathadseenmanysports，learnedtoknowtheHuntbargewell。HemetherroundinghisbendsongreyDecemberdawnstomusicwildandlamentableasthealmostforgottenthrobofDervishdrums，when，highaboveRoyal'stenorbell，sharpereventhanlyingBeagle-boy'sfalsettobreak，FaragchanteddeathlesswaragainstAbuHusseinandallhisseed。Atsunrisetheriverwouldshoulderhercarefullyintoherplace，andlistentotherushandscutterofthepackfleeingupthegang-plank，andthetrampoftheGovernor'sArabbehindthem。TheywouldpassoverthebrowintothedewlesscropswhereGihon，lowandshrunken，couldonlyguesswhattheywereaboutwhenAbuHusseinflewdownthebanktoscratchatastoppedearth，andflewbackintothebarleyagain。AsFaraghadforetold，itwasevildaysforAbuHusseinerehelearnedtotakethenecessarystepsandtogetawaycrisply。SometimesGihonsawthewholeprocessionoftheHuntsilhouettedagainstthemorning-blue，bearinghimcompanyformanymerrymiles。Ateveryhalfmilethehorsesandthedonkeysjumpedthewater-channels——up，on，changeyourleg，andoffagainlikefiguresinazoetrope，tilltheygrewsmallalongthelineofwaterwheels。
　　ThenGibonwaitedtheirrustlingreturnthroughthecrops，andtookthemtorestonhisbosomatteno'clock。Whilethehorsesate，andFaragsleptwithhisheadonRoyal'sflank，theGovernorandhisInspectorworkedforthegoodoftheHuntandhisProvince。
　　Afteralittletimetherewasnoneedtobeatanymanforneglectinghisearths。Thesteamer'sdestinationwastelegraphedfromwaterwheeltowaterwheel，andthevillagersstoppedoutandputtoaccording。Ifanearthwereoverlooked，itmeantsomedisputeastotheownershipoftheland，andthenandtheretheHuntcheckedandsettleditinthiswise:TheGovernorandtheInspectorsidebyside，butthelatterhalfahorse'slengthtotherear；bothbare-shoulderedclaimantswellinfront；thevillagershalf-moonedbehindthem，andFaragwiththepack，whoquiteunderstoodtheperformance，sittingdownontheleft。
　　Twentyminuteswereenoughtosettlethemostcomplicatedcase，for，astheGovernorsaidtoajudgeonthesteamer，"Onegetsatthetruthinahunting-fieldaheapquickerthaninyourlawcourts。"
　　"Butwhentheevidenceisconflicting？"theJudgesuggested。
　　"Watchthefield。They'llthrowtonguefastenoughifyou'rerunningawrongscent。You'veneverhadanappealfromoneofmydecisionsyet。"
　　TheSheikhsonhorseback——thelesserfolkoncleverdonkeys——thechildrensodespisedbyFaragsoonunderstoodthatvillageswhichrepairedtheirwaterwheelsandchannelsstoodhighestintheGovernor'sfavour。Heboughttheirbarley，forhishorses。
　　"Channels，"hesaid，"arenecessarythatwemayalljumpthem。
　　Theyarenecessary，moreover，forthecrops。Lettherebemanywheelsandsoundchannels——andmuchgoodbarley。"
　　"Withoutmoney，"repliedanagedSheikh，"therearenowaterwheels。"
　　"Iwilllendthemoney，"saidtheGovernor。
　　"Atwhatinterest，OOurExcellency？"
　　"TakeyoutwoofMayQueen'spuppiestobringupinyourvillageinsuchamannerthattheydonoteatfilth，norlosetheirhair，norcatchfeverfromlyinginthesun，butbecomewisehounds。"
　　"LikeRay-yal——notlikeBigglebai？"AlreadyitwasaninsultalongtheRivertocompareamantotheshiftyanthropophagousblue-mottledharrier。
　　"Certainly，likeRay-yal——notintheleastlikeBigglebai。Thatshallbetheinterestontheloan。Letthepuppiesthriveandthewaterwheelbebuilt，andIshallbecontent，"saidtheGovernor。
　　"Thewheelshallbebuilt，but，OOurExcellency，ifbyGod'sfavourthepupsgrowtobewell-smelters，notfilth-eaters，notunaccustomedtotheirnames，notlawless，whowilldothemandmejusticeatthetimeofjudgingtheyoungdogs？"
　　"Hounds，man，hounds!Ha-wands，OSheikh，wecallthemintheirmanhood。"
　　"Theha-wandswhentheyarejudgedattheSha-ho。IhaveunfriendsdowntherivertowhomOurExcellencyhasalsoentrustedha-wandstobringup。"
　　"Puppies，man!Pah-peazwecallthem，OSheikh，intheirchildhood。"
　　"Pah-peat。Myenemiesmayjudgemypah-peazunjustlyattheSha-ho。Thismustbethoughtof。"
　　"Iseetheobstacle。Hearnow!Ifthenewwaterwheelisbuiltinamonthwithoutoppression，thou，OSheikh，shaltbenamedoneofthejudgestojudgethepah-peazattheSha-ho。Isitunderstood？"
　　"Understood。Wewillbuildthewheel。Iandmyseedareresponsiblefortherepaymentoftheloan。Wherearemypah-peaz？
　　Iftheyeatfowls，musttheyonanyaccounteatthefeathers？"
　　"Onnoaccountmusttheyeatthefeathers。Faraginthebargewilltelltheehowtheyaretolive。"
　　ThereisnoinstanceofanydefaultontheGovernor'spersonalandunauthorizedloans，forwhichtheycalledhimtheFatherofWaterwheels。Butthefirstpuppyshowatthecapitalneededenormoustactandthepresenceofablackbattalionostentatiouslydrillinginthebarracksquaretopreventtroubleaftertheprize-giving。
　　ButwhocanchroniclethegloriesoftheGihonHunt——ortheirshames？Whoremembersthekillinthemarket-place，whentheGovernorbadetheassembledsheikhsandwarriorsobservehowthehoundswouldinstantlydevourthebodyofAbuHussein；buthow，whenhehadscientificallybrokenitup，thewearypackturnedfromitinloathing，andFaragweptbecausehesaidtheworld'sfacehadbeenblackened？Whatmenwhohavenotyetriddenbeyondthesoundofanyhornrecallthemidnightrunwhichended——Beagleboyleading——amongtombs；thehastywhip-off，andtheoath，takenAboebones，toforgettheworry？Thedesertrun，whenAbuHusseinforsookthecultivation，andmadeasix-milepointtoearthinadesolatekhor——whenstrangearmedridersoncamelsswoopedoutofaravine，andinsteadofgivingbattle，offeredtotakethetiredhoundshomeontheirbeasts。Whichtheydid，andvanished。
　　Aboveall，whoremembersthedeathofRoyal，whenacertainSheikhweptabovethebodyofthestainlesshoundasitmighthavebeenhisson's——andthatdaytheHuntrodenomore？Thebadly-keptlog-booksayslittleofthis，butattheendoftheirsecondseasonforty-ninebraceappearsthedarkentry:"Newbloodbadlywanted。Theyarebeginningtolistentobeagle-boy。"
　　*****
　　TheInspectorattendedtothematterwhenhisleavefelldue。
　　"Remember，"saidtheGovernor，"youmustgetusthebestbloodinEngland——real，daintyhounds——expensenoobject，butdon'ttrustyourownjudgment。Presentmylettersofintroduction，andtakewhattheygiveyou。
　　TheInspectorpresentedhislettersinasocietywheretheymakemuchofhorses，moreofhounds，andaretolerablyciviltomenwhocanride。Theypassedhimfromhousetohouse，mountedhimaccordingtohismerits，andfedhim，afterfiveyearsofgoatchopandWorcestersauce，perhapsathoughttoorichly。
　　Theseatorcastlewherehemadehisgreatcoupdoesnotmuchmatter。FourMastersofFoxhoundswereattable，andinamellowhourtheInspectortoldthemstoriesoftheGihonHunt。Heended:
　　"BensaidIwasn'ttotrustmyownjudgmentabouthounds，butI
　　thinkthereoughttobeaspecialtariffforEmpire-makers。"
　　Assoonashishostscouldspeak，theyreassuredhimonthispoint。
　　"Andnowtellusaboutyourfirstpuppy-showalloveragain，"
　　saidone。
　　"Andabouttheearth-stoppin'。WasthatallBen'sowninvention？"
　　saidanother。
　　"Waitamoment，"saidalarge，clean-shavenman——notanM。F。H——attheendofthetable。"AreyourvillagershabituallybeatenbyyourGovernorwhentheyfailtostopfoxes'holes？"
　　Thetoneandthephrasewereenoughevenif，astheInspectorconfessedafterwards，thebig，bluedouble-chinnedmanhadnotlookedsolikeBeagle-boy。HetookhimonforthehonourofEthiopia。
　　"Weonlyhunttwiceaweek——sometimesthreetimes。I'veneverknownamanchastisedmorethanfourtimesaweekunlessthere'sabye。"
　　Thelargeloose-lippedmanflunghisnapkindown，cameroundthetable，casthimselfintothechairnexttheInspector，andleanedforwardearnestly，sothathebreathedintheInspector'sface。
　　"Chastisedwithwhat？"hesaid。
　　"Withthekourbash——onthefeet。Akourbashisastripofoldhippo-hidewithasortofkeelonit，likethecuttingedgeofaboar'stusk。Butweusetheroundedsideforafirstoffender。"
　　"Anddoanyconsequencesfollowthissortofthing？Forthevictim，Imean——notforyou？"
　　Ve-ryrarely。Letmebefair。I'veneverseenamandieunderthelash，butgangrenemaysetupifthekourbashhasbeenpickled。"
　　"Pickledinwhat？"Allthetablewasstillandinterested。
　　"Incopperas，ofcourse。Didn'tyouknowthat"saidtheInspector。
　　"ThankGodIdidn't。"Thelargemansputteredvisibly。
　　TheInspectorwipedhisfaceandgrewbolder。
　　"Youmustn'tthinkwe'recarelessaboutourearthstoppers。We'veaHuntfundforhottar。Tar'sasplendiddressingifthetoe-nailsaren'tbeatenoff。Buthuntin'aslargeacountryaswedo，wemayn'tbebackatthatvillageforamonth，andifthedressingsain'trenewed，andgangrenesetsin，oftenasnotyoufindyourmanpeggingaboutonhisstumps。We'veawell-knownlocalnamefor'emdowntheriver。Wecall'emtheMudir'sCranes。Yousee，IpersuadedtheGovernoronlytobastinadoononefoot。"
　　"Ononefoot？TheMudir'sCranes!"Thelargemanturnedpurpletothetopofhisbaldhead。"WouldyoumindgivingmethelocalwordforMudir'sCranes？"
　　Fromatoowell-stockedmemorytheInspectordrewoneshortadhesivewordwhichsurprisesbyitselfevenunblushingEthiopia。
　　Hespeltitout，sawthelargemanwriteitdownonhiscuffandwithdraw。ThentheInspectortranslatedafewofitssignificationsandimplicationstothefourMastersofFoxhounds。
　　HeleftthreedayslaterwitheightcoupleofthebesthoundsinEngland——afreeandafriendlyandanamplegiftfromfourpackstotheGihonHunt。Hehadhonestlymeanttoundeceivethelargebluemottledman，butsomehowforgotaboutit。
　　ThenewdraftmarksanewchapterintheHunt'shistory。Fromanisolatedphenomenoninabargeitbecameapermanentinstitutionwithbrick-builtkennelsashore，andaninfluencesocial，political，andadministrative，co-terminouswiththeboundariesoftheprovince。Ben，theGovernor，departedtoEngland，wherehekeptapackofrealdaintyhounds，butneverceasedtolongfortheoldlawlesslot。Hissuccessorswereex-officioMastersoftheGihonHunt，asallInspectorswereWhips。Foronereason；
　　Farag，thekennelhuntsman，inkhakiandputtees，wouldobeynothingundertherankofanExcellency，andthehoundswouldobeynoonebutFarag；foranother，thebestwayofestimatingcropreturnsandrevenuewasbyridingstraighttohounds；forathird，thoughJudgesdowntheriverissuedsignedandsealedland-titlestoalllawfulowners，yetpublicopinionalongtheriverneverheldanysuchtitlevalidtillithadbeenconfirmed，accordingtoprecedent，bytheGovernor'shuntingcropinthehuntingfield，abovethewilfullyneglectedearth。True，theceremonyhadbeencutdowntothreemeretapsontheshoulder，butGovernorswhotriedtoevadethatmuchfoundthemselvesandtheirofficecompassedaboutwithagreatcloudofwitnesseswhotookuptheirtimewithlawsuitsand，worsestill，neglectedthepuppies。
　　Theoldersheikhs，indeed，stoodoutfortheunmeasurablebeatingsoftheolddays——thesharperthepunishment，theyargued，thesurerthetitle；butherethehandofmodernprogresswasagainstthem，andtheycontentedthemselveswithtellingtalesofBenthefirstGovernor，whomtheycalledtheFatherofWaterwheels，andofthatheroicagewhenmen，horses，andhoundswereworthfollowing。
　　ThissameModernProgresswhichbroughtdogbiscuitandbrasswater-tapstothekennelswasatworkallovertheworld。Forces，Activities，andMovementssprangintobeing，agitatedthemselves，coalesced，and，inonepoliticalavalanche，overwhelmedabewildered，andnotintheleastintendingit，England。TheechoesoftheNewErawereborneintotheProvinceonthewingsofinexplicablecables。TheGihonHuntreadspeechesandsentiments，andpolicieswhichamazedthem，andtheythankedGod，prematurely，thattheirProvincewastoofaroff，toohot，andtoohardworkedtobereachedbythosespeakersortheirpolicies。Butthey，withothers，under-estimatedthescopeandpurposeoftheNewEra。
　　Onebyone，theProvincesoftheEmpirewerehauledupandbaited，hitandheld，lashedunderthebelly，andforcedbackontheirhaunchesfortheamusementoftheirnewmastersintheparishofWestminster。Onebyonetheyfellaway，soreandangry，tocomparestripeswitheachotherattheendsoftheuneasyearth。EvensotheGihonHunt，likeAbuHusseinintheolddays，didnotunderstand。ThenitreachedthemthroughthePressthattheyhabituallyfloggedtodeathgoodrevenue-payingcultivatorswhoneglectedtostopearths；butthatthefew，theveryfewwhodidnotdieunderhippohidewhipssoakedincopperas，walkedaboutontheirgangrenousankle-bones，andwereknowninderisionastheMudir'sCranes。ThechargeswerevouchedforintheHouseofCommonsbyaMr。LethabieGroombride，whohadformedaCommittee，andwasdisseminatingliterature:TheProvincegroaned；theInspector——nowanInspectorofInspectors——whistled。
　　Hehadforgottenthegentlemanwhosputteredinpeople'sfaces。
　　"Heshouldn'thavelookedsolikeBeagle-boy!"washissoledefencewhenhemettheGovernoratbreakfastonthesteamerafterameet。
　　"Youshouldn'thavejokedwithananimalofthatclass，"saidPetertheGovernor。"LookwhatFaraghasbroughtme!"
　　Itwasapamphlet，signedonbehalfofaCommitteebyaladysecretary，butcomposedbysomepersonwhothoroughlyunderstoodthelanguageoftheProvince。Aftertellingthetaleofthebeatings，itrecommendedallthebeatentoinstitutecriminalproceedingsagainsttheirGovernor，and，assoonasmightbe，toriseagainstEnglishoppressionandtyranny。SuchdocumentswerenewinEthiopiainthosedays。
　　TheInspectorreadthelasthalfpage。"But——but，"hestammered，"thisisimpossible。Whitemendon'twritethissortofstuff。"
　　"Don'tthey，just？"saidtheGovernor。"TheygetmadeCabinetMinistersfordoingittoo。Iwenthomelastyear。Iknow。"
　　"It'llblowover，"saidtheInspectorweakly。
　　"Notit。Groombrideiscomingdownheretoinvestigatethematterinafewdays。"
　　"Forhimself？"
　　"TheImperialGovernment'sbehindhim。Perhapsyou'dliketolooktmyorders。"TheGovernorlaiddownanuncodedcable。Thewhiplashtoitran:"YouwillaffordMr。Groombrideeveryfacilityforhisinquiry，andwillbeheldresponsiblethatnoobstaclesareputinhiswaytothefullestpossibleexaminationofanywitnesseswhichhemayconsidernecessary。Hewillbeaccompaniedbyhisowninterpreter，whomustnotbetamperedwith。"
　　"That'stome——GovernoroftheProvince!"saidPetertheGovernor。
　　"Itseemsaboutenough，"theInspectoranswered。
　　Farag，kennel-huntsman，enteredthesaloon，aswashisprivilege。
　　"Myuncle，whowasbeatenbytheFatherofWaterwheels，wouldapproach，OExcellency，"hesaid，"andthereareothersonthebank。"
　　"Admit，"saidtheGovernor。
　　Theretrampedaboardsheikhsandvillagerstothenumberofseventeen。Ineachman'shandwasacopyofthepamphlet；ineachman'seyeterroranduneasinessofthesortthatGovernorsspendandarespenttoclearaway。Farag'suncle，nowSheikhofthevillage，spoke:"Itiswritteninthisbook，Excellency，thatthebeatingswherebyweholdourlandsareallvalueless。ItiswrittenthateverymanwhoreceivedsuchabeatingfromtheFatherofWaterwheelswhoslowtheEmirs，shouldinstantlybeginalawsuit，becausethetitletohislandisnotvalid。"
　　"Itissowritten。Wedonotwishlawsuits。WewishtoholdthelandasitwasgiventousafterthedaysoftheOppression，"
　　theycried。
　　TheGovernorglancedattheInspector。Thiswasserious。Tocastdoubtontheownershipoflandmeans，inEthiopia，thelettinginofwaters，andthegettingoutoftroops。
　　"Yourtitlesaregood，"saidtheGovernor。TheInspectorconfirmedwithanod。
　　"ThenwhatisthemeaningofthesewritingswhichcamefromdowntheriverwheretheJudgesare？"Farag'sunclewavedhiscopy。
　　"Bywhoseorderareweorderedtoslayyou，OExcellencyOurGovernor？"
　　"Itisnotwrittenthatyouaretoslayme。"
　　"Notinthoseverywords，butifweleaveanearthunstopped，itisthesameasthoughwewishedtosaveAbuHusseinfromthehounds。Thesewritingssay:'Abolishyourrulers。'Howcanweabolishexceptwekill？Wehearrumoursofonewhocomesfromdowntheriversoontoleadustokill。"
　　"Fools!"saidtheGovernor。"Yourtitlesaregood。Thisismadness!"
　　"Itissowritten，"theyansweredlikeapack。
　　"Listen，"saidtheInspectorsmoothly。"Iknowwhocausedthewritingstobewrittenandsent。Heisamanofablue-mottledjowl，inaspectlikeBigglebaiwhoateuncleanmatters。Hewillcomeuptheriverandwillgivetongueaboutthebeatings。"
　　"Willheimpeachourland-titles？Anevildayforhim!"
　　"Goslow，Baker，"theGovernorwhispered。"They'llkillhimiftheygetscaredabouttheirland。"
　　"Itellaparable。"TheInspectorlitacigarette。"DeclarewhichofyoutooktowalkthechildrenofMilkmaid？"
　　"Melik-meidFirstorSecond？"saidFaragquickly。
　　"Thesecond——theonewhichwaslamedbythethorn。"
　　"No——no。Melik-meidtheSecondstrainedhershoulderleapingmywater-channel，"asheikhcried。"Melik-meidtheFirstwaslamedbythethornsonthedaywhenOurExcellencyfellthrice。"
　　"True——true。ThesecondMelik-meid'smatewasMalvolio，thepiedhound，"saidtheInspector。
　　"IhadtwoofthesecondMelik-meid'spups，"saidFarag'suncle。
　　"Theydiedofthemadnessintheirninthmonth。"
　　"Andhowdidtheydobeforetheydied？"saidtheInspector。
　　"Theyranaboutinthesun，andslaveredatthemouthtilltheydied。"
　　"Wherefore？"
　　"Godknows。Hesentthemadness。Itwasnofaultofmine。"
　　"Thyownmouthhathansweredthee。"TheInspectorlaughed。"Itiswithmenasitiswithdogs。Godafflictssomewithamadness。Itisnofaultofoursifsuchmenrunaboutinthesunandfrothatthemouth。Themanwhoiscomingwillemitsprayfromhismouthinspeaking，andwillalwaysedgeandpushintowardshishearers。WhenyeseeandhearhimyewillunderstandthatheisafflictedofGod:beingmad。HeisinGod'shands。"
　　"Butourtitles——areourtitlestoourlandsgood？"thecrowdrepeated。
　　"Yourtitlesareinmyhands——theyaregood，"saidtheGovernor。
　　"AndhewhowrotethewritingsisanafflictedofGod？"saidFarag'suncle。
　　"TheInspectorhathsaidit，"criedtheGovernor。"Yewillseewhenthemancomes。Osheikhsandmen，haveweriddentogetherandwalkedpuppiestogether，andboughtandsoldbarleyforthehorsesthataftertheseyearsweshouldrunriotonthescentofamadman——anafflictedofGod？"
　　"ButtheHuntpaysustokillmadjackals，"saidFarag'suncle。
　　"Andhewhoquestionsmytitlestomyland"
　　"Aahh!'Wareriot!"TheGovernor'shunting-cropcrackedlikeathree-pounder。"ByAllah，"hethundered，"iftheafflictedofGodcometoanyharmatyourhands，Imyselfwillshooteveryhoundandeverypuppy，andtheHuntshallridenomore。Onyourheadsbeit。Goinpeace，andtelltheothers。"
　　"TheHuntshallridenomore，"saidFarag'suncle。"Thenhowcanthelandbegoverned？No——no，OExcellencyOurGovernor，wewillnotharmahairontheheadoftheafflictedofGod。HeshallbetousasisAbuHussein'swifeinthebreedingseason。"
　　WhentheyweregonetheGovernormoppedhisforehead。
　　"WemustputafewsoldiersineveryvillagethisGroombridevisits，Baker。Tell'emtokeepoutofsight，andhaveaneyeonthevillagers。He'strying'emratherhigh。"
　　"OExcellency，"saidthesmoothvoiceofFarag，layingtheFieldandCountryLifesquareonthetable，"istheafflictedofGodwhoresemblesBigglebaionewiththemanwhomtheInspectormetinthegreathouseinEngland，andtowhomhetoldthetaleoftheMudir'sCranes？"
　　"Thesameman，Farag，"saidtheInspector。
　　"IhaveoftenheardtheInspectortellthetaleto，OurExcellencyatfeeding-timeinthekennels；butsinceIamintheGovernmentserviceIhavenevertoldittomypeople。MayIloosethattaleamongthevillages？"
　　*****
　　TheGovernornodded。"Noharm，"saidhe。
　　ThedetailsofMr。Groombride'sarrival，withhisinterpreter，whomheproposedshouldeatwithhimattheGovernor'stable，hisallocutiontotheGovernorontheNewMovement，andthesinsofImperialism，Ipurposelyomit。AtthreeintheafternoonMr。
　　Groombridesaid:"Iwillgooutnowandaddressyourvictimsinthisvillage。"
　　"Won'tyoufinditratherhot？"saidtheGovernor。"Theygenerallytake'anaptillsunsetatthistimeofyear。"
　　Mr。Groombride'slarge，looselipsset。"That，"herepliedpointedly，"wouldbeenoughtodecideme。Ifearyouhavenotquitemasteredyourinstructions。MayIaskyoutosendformyinterpreter？Ihopehehasnotbeentamperedwithbyyoursubordinates。"
　　HewasayellowishboycalledAbdul，whohadwelleatenanddrunkwithFarag。TheInspector，bytheway，wasnotpresentatthemeal。
　　"Atwhateverrisk，Ishallgounattended，"saidMr。Groombride。
　　"Yourpresencewouldcowthem-fromgivingevidence。Abdul，mygoodfriend，wouldyouverykindlyopentheumbrella？"
　　Hepassedupthegang-planktothevillage，andwithnomorepreludethanaSalvationArmypicketinaPortsmouthslum，cried:
　　"Oh，mybrothers!"
　　Hedidnotguesshowhispathhadbeenprepared。Thevillagewaswidelyawake。Farag，inloose，flowinggarments，quiteunlikeakennelhuntsman'skhakiandputtees，leanedagainstthewallofhisuncle'shouse。"ComeandseetheafflictedofGod，。"hecriedmusically，"whoseface，indeed，resemblesthatofBigglebai。"
　　Thevillagecame，anddecidedthatonthewholeFaragwasright。
　　"Ican'tquitecatchwhattheyaresaying，"saidMr。Groombride。
　　"Theysayingtheyverymuchpleasedtoseeyou，Sar，"Adbulinterpreted。
　　"ThenIdothinktheymighthavesentadeputationtothesteamer；butIsupposetheywerefrightenedoftheofficials。
　　Tellthemnottobefrightened，Abdul。"
　　"Hesaysyouarenottobefrightened，"Abdulexplained。Achildheresputteredwithlaughter。"Refrainfrommirth，"Faragcried。
　　"TheafflictedofGodistheguestofTheExcellencyOurGovernor。Weareresponsibleforeveryhairofhishead。"
　　"Hehasnone，"avoicespoke。"Hehasthewhiteandtheshiningmange。"
　　"NowtellthemwhatIhavecomefor，Abdul，andpleasekeeptheumbrellawellup。IthinkIshallreservemyselfformylittlevernacularspeechattheend。"
　　"Approach!Look!Listen!"Abdulchanted。"TheafflictedofGodwillnowmakesport。Presentlyhewillspeakinyourtongue，andwillconsumeyouwithmirth。Ihavebeenhisservantforthreeweeks。Iwilltellyouabouthisundergarmentsandhisperfumesforhishead。"
　　Hetoldthematlength。
　　"Anddidstthoutakeanyofhisperfumebottles？"saidFaragattheend。
　　"Iamhisservant。Itooktwo，"Abdulreplied。
　　"Askhim，"saidFarag'suncle，"whatheknowsaboutourland-titles。Yeyoungmenareallalike。"Hewavedapamphlet。
　　Mr。GroombridesmiledtoseehowtheseedsowninLondonhadbornefruitbyGihon。Lo!Alltheseniorsheldcopiesofthepamphlet。
　　"Heknowslessthanabuffalo。HetoldmeonthesteamerthathewasdrivenoutofhisownlandbyDemah-Keraziwhichisadevilinhabitingcrowdsandassemblies，"saidAbdul。
　　"Allahbetweenusandevil!"awomancackledfromthedarknessofahut。"Comein，children，hemayhavetheEvilEye。"
　　"No，myaunt，"saidFarag。"NoafflictedofGodhasanevileye。
　　Waittillyehearhismirth-provokingspeechwhichhewilldeliver。IhaveheardittwicefromAbdul。"
　　"Theyseemveryquicktograspthepoint。Howfarhaveyougot，Abdul？"
　　"Allaboutthebeatings，sar。Theyarehighlyinterested。"
　　"Don'tforgetaboutthelocalself-government，andpleaseholdtheumbrellaoverme。Itishopelesstodestroyunlessonefirstbuildsup。"
　　"HemaynothavetheEvilEye，"Farag'sunclegrunted，"buthisdevilledhimtoocertainlytoquestionmyland-title。Askhimwhetherhestilldoubtsmyland-title？"
　　"Ormine，ormine？"criedtheelders。
　　"Whatodds？HeisanafflictedofGod，"Faragcalled。"RememberthetaleItoldyou。"
　　"Yes，butheisanEnglishman，anddoubtlessofinfluence，orOurExcellencywouldnotentertainhim。Bidthedown-countryjackassaskhim。"
　　"Sar，"saidAbdul，"thesepeople，muchfearingtheymaybeturnedoutoftheirlandinconsequenceofyourremarks。Thereforetheyaskyoutomakepromisenobadconsequencesfollowingyourvisit。"
　　Mr。Groombrideheldhisbreathandturnedpurple。Thenhestampedhisfoot。
　　"Tellthem，"hecried，"thatifahairofanyoneoftheirheadsistouchedbyanyofficialonanyaccountwhatever，allEnglandshallringwithit。GoodGod!Whatcallousoppression!Thedarkplacesoftheeartharefullofcruelty。"Hewipedhisface，andthrowingouthisarmscried:"Tellthem，oh!tellthepoor，serfsnottobeafraidofme。TellthemIcometoredresstheirwrongs——not，heavenknows，toaddtotheirburden。"
　　Thelong-drawngurgleofthepractisedpublicspeakerpleasedthemmuch。
　　"Thatishowthenewwater-taprunsoutinthekennel，"saidFarag。"TheExcellencyOurGovernorentertainshimthathemaymakesport。Makehimsaythemirth-movingspeech。"
　　"Whatdidhesayaboutmyland-titles？"Farag'sunclewasnottobeturned。
　　"Hesays，"Faraginterpreted，"thathedesires，nothingbetterthanthatyoushouldliveonyourlandsinpeace。HetalksasthoughhebelievedhimselftobeGovernor。"
　　"Well。Wehereareallwitnessestowhathehassaid。Nowgoforwardwiththesport。"Farag'sunclesmoothedhisgarments。
　　"HowdiverselyhathAllahmadeHiscreatures!OnoneHebestowsstrengthtoslayEmirs；anotherHecausestogomadandwanderinthesun，liketheafflictedsonsofMelik-meid。"
　　"Yes，andtoemitsprayfromthemouth，astheInspectortoldus。
　　AllwillhappenastheInspectorforetold，"saidFarag。"IhaveneveryetseentheInspectorthrownoutduringanyrun。"
　　"Ithink，"AbdulpluckedatMr。Groombride'ssleeves，"Ithinkperhapsitisbetternow，Sar，ifyougiveyourfinelittlenativespeech。TheynotunderstandingEnglish，butmuchpleasedatyourcondescensions。"
　　"Condescensions？"Mr。Groombridespunround。"IftheyonlyknewhowIfelttowardstheminmyheart!IfIcouldexpressatitheofmyfeelings!Imuststayhereandlearnthelanguage。Holduptheumbrella，AbdullIthinkmylittlespeechwillshowthemI
　　knowsomethingoftheirvieintime。"
　　Itwasashort，simple；carefullylearnedaddress，andtheaccent，supervisedbyAbdulonthesteamer，allowedthehearerstoguessitsmeaning，whichwasarequesttoseeoneoftheMudir'sCranes；sincethedesireofthespeaker'slife，theobjecttowhichhewouldconsecratehisdays，wastoimprovetheconditionoftheMudir'sCranes。Butfirsthemustbeholdthemwithhisowneyes。Would，then，hisbrethren，whomheloved，showhimaMudir'sCranewhomhedesiredtolove？
　　Once，twice，andagaininhisperorationherepeatedhisdemand，usingalways——thattheymightseehewasacquaintedwiththeirlocalargot——usingalways，Isay，thewordwhichtheInspectorhadgivenhiminEnglandlongago——theshort，adhesivewordwhich，byitself，surprisesevenunblushingEthiopia。
　　Therearelimitstothesublimepolitenessofanancientpeople。
　　Abulky，blue-chinnedmaninwhiteclothes，hisnamered-letteredacrosshislowershirtfront，splutteringfromunderagreen-linedumbrellaalmosttearfulappealstobeintroducedtotheUnintroducible；namingloudlytheUnnameable；dancing，asitseemed，inperversejoyatmerementionoftheUnmentionable——foundthoselimits。Therewasamoment'shush，andthensuchmirthasGihonthroughhiscenturieshadneverheard——aroarliketotheroarofhisowncataractsinflood。Childrencastthemselvesontheground，androlledbackandforthcheeringandwhooping；strongmen，theirfaceshiddenintheirclothes，swayedinsilence，tilltheagonybecameinsupportable，andtheythrewuptheirheadsandbayedatthesun；women，mothersandvirgins，shrilledshriekuponmountingshriek，andslappedtheirthighsasitmighthavebeentherollofmusketry。Whentheytriedtodrawbreath，somehalf-strangledvoicewouldquackouttheword，andtheriotbeganafresh。Lasttofallwasthecity-trainedAbdul。Heheldontotheedgeofapoplexy，thencollapsed，throwingtheumbrellafromhim。
　　Mr。Groombrideshouldnotbejudgedtooharshly。Exerciseandstrongemotionunderahotsun，theshockofpublicingratitude，forthemomentruedhisspirit。Hefurledtheumbrella，andwithtbeattheprostrateAbdul，cryingthathehadbeenbetrayed。InwhichposturetheInspector，onhorseback，followedbytheGovernor，suddenlyfoundhim。
　　*****
　　"That'sallverywell，"saidtheInspector，whenhehadtakenAbdul'sdramaticallydyingdepositionsonthesteamer，"butyoucan'thammeranativemerelybecausehelaughsatyou。Iseenothingforitbutthelawtotakeitscourse。"
　　"Youmightreducethechargeto——er——tamperingwithaninterpreter，"saidtheGovernor。Mr。Groombridewastoofargonetobecomforted。
　　"It'sthepublicitythatIfear，"hewailed。"Istherenopossiblemeansofhushinguptheaffair？Youdon'tknowwhataquestion——asinglequestionintheHousemeanstoamanofmyposition——theruinofmypoliticalcareer，Iassureyou。"
　　"Ishouldn'thaveimaginedit，"saidtheGovernorthoughtfully。
　　"And，thoughperhapsIoughtnottosayit，Iamnotwithouthonourinmyowncountry——orinfluence。Awordinseason，asyouknow，YourExcellency。Itmightcarryanofficialfar。"
　　TheGovernorshuddered。
　　"Yes，thathadtocometoo，"hesaidtohimself。"Well，lookhere。IfItellthismanofyourstowithdrawthechargeagainstyou，youcangotoGehennaforaughtIcare。TheonlyconditionI
　　makeisthatifyouwrite——Isupposethat'spartofyourbusinessaboutyourtravels，youdon'tpraiseme!"
　　SofarMr。Groombridehasloyallyadheredtothisunderstanding。
　　GALLIO'SSONG
　　Alldaylongtothejudgment-seatThecrazedProvincialsdrew——
　　Alldaylongattheirruler'sfeetHowledforthebloodoftheJew。
　　InsurrectionwithoneaccordBandeditselfandwoke:
　　AndPaulwasabouttoopenhismouthWhenAchaia'sDeputyspoke"WhethertheGoddescendfromaboveOrthemanascenduponhigh，WhetherthismakeroftentsbeJoveOrayoungerdeity——
　　IwillbenojudgebetweenyourgodsAndyourgodlessbickerings，Lictor，drivethemhencewithrods——
　　Icarefornoneofthesethings!
　　"WereitaquestionoflawfuldueOralabourer'shiredenied，ReasonwouldIshouldbearwithyouAndorderitwelltobetriedButthisisaquestionofwordsandnamesAndIknowthestrifeitbrings，Iwillnotpassuponanyyourclaims。
　　Icarefornoneofthesethings。
　　"OnethingonlyIseemostclear，AsIprayyoualsosee。
　　ClaudiusCaesarhathsetmehereRome'sDeputytobe。
　　ItisHerpeacethatyegotobreakNotmine，noranyking's，But，touchingyourclamourof'consciencesake，'
　　Icarefornoneofthesethings!"
　　THEHOUSESURGEON
　　OnaneveningafterEasterDay，Isatatatableinahomewardboundsteamer'ssmoking-room，wherehalfadozenofustoldghoststories。Asourpartybrokeupaman，playingPatienceinthenextalcove，saidtome:"Ididn'tquitecatchtheendofthatlaststoryabouttheCurseonthefamily'sfirst-born。"
　　"Itturnedouttobedrains，"Iexplained。"AssoonasnewoneswereputintothehousetheCursewaslifted，Ibelieve。Ineverknewthepeoplemyself。"
　　"Ah!I'vehadmydrainsuptwice；I'mongraveltoo。"
　　"Youdon'tmeantosayyou'veaghostinyourhouse？Whydidn'tyoujoinourparty？"
　　"Anymoreorders，gentlemen，beforethebarcloses？"thestewardinterrupted。
　　"Sitdownagain，andhaveonewithme，"saidthePatienceplayer。
　　"No，itisn'taghost。Ourtroubleismoredepressionthananythingelse。"
　　"Howinteresting？Thenit'snothinganyonecansee？"
　　"It's——it'snothingworsethanalittledepression。Andtheoddpartisthattherehasn'tbeenadeathinthehousesinceitwasbuilt——in1863。Thelawyersaidso。Thatdecidedme——mygoodlady，ratherandhemademepayanextrathousandforit。"
　　"Howcurious。Unusual，too!"Isaid。
　　"Yes；ain'tit？Itwasbuiltforthreesisters——Moultriewasthename——threeoldmaids。Theyalllivedtogether；theeldestownedit。Iboughtitfromherlawyerafewyearsago，andifI'vespentapoundontheplacefirstandlast，Imusthavespentfivethousand。Electriclight，newservants'wing，garden——allthatsortofthing。Amanandhisfamilyoughttobehappyaftersomuchexpense，ain'tit？"Helookedatmethroughthebottomofhisglass。
　　"Doesitaffectyourfamilymuch？"
　　"Mygoodlady——she'saGreek，bytheway——andmyselfaremiddle-aged。Wecanbearupagainstdepression；butit'shardonmylittlegirl。Isaylittle；butshe'stwenty。Wesendhervisitingtoescapeit。Shealmostlivedathotelsandhydros，lastyear，butthatisn'tpleasantforher。Sheusedtobeacanary——aperfectcanary——alwayssinging。Yououghttohearher。
　　Shedoesn'tsingnow。Thatsortofthing'sunwholesomefortheyoung，ain'tit？"
　　"Can'tyougetridoftheplace？"Isuggested。
　　"Notexceptatasacrifice，andwearefondofit。Justsuitsusthree。We'dloveitifwewereallowed。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbynotbeingallowed？"
　　"Imeanbecauseofthedepression。Itspoilseverything。"
　　"What'sitlikeexactly？"
　　"Icouldn'tverywellexplain。Itmustbeseentobeappreciated，astheauctioneerssay。Now，Iwasmuchimpressedbythestoryyouweretellingjustnow。"
　　"Itwasn'ttrue，"Isaid。
　　"Mytaleistrue。Ifyouwoulddomethepleasuretocomedownandspendanightatmylittleplace，you'dlearnmorethanyouwouldifItalkedtillmorning。Verylikely'twouldn'ttouchyourgoodselfatall。Youmightbe——immune，ain'tit？Ontheotherhand，ifthisinfluenza，——influencedoeshappentoaffectyou，why，Ithinkitwillbeanexperience。"
　　Whilehetalkedhegavemehiscard，andIreadhisnamewasL。
　　MaxwellM'Leod，Esq。，ofHolmescroft。ACityaddresswastuckedawayinacorner。
　　"Mybusiness，"headded，"usedtobefurs。Ifyouareinterestedinfurs——I'vegiventhirtyyearsofmylifeto'em。"
　　"You'reverykind，"Imurmured。
　　"Farfromit，Iassureyou。IcanmeetyounextSaturdayafternoonanywhereinLondonyouchoosetoname，andI'llbeonlytoohappytomotoryoudown。Itoughttobeadelightfulrunatthistimeofyeartherhododendronswillbeout。Imeanit。Youdon'tknowhowtrulyImeanit。Veryprobably——itwon'taffectyouatall。And——IthinkImaysayIhavethefinestcollectionofnarwhaltusksintheworld。AllthebestskinsandhornshavetogothroughLondon，andL。MaxwellM'Leod，heknowswheretheycomefrom，andwheretheygoto。That'shisbusiness。"
　　Fortherestofthevoyageup-channelMr。M'Leodtalkedtomeoftheassembling，preparation，andsaleoftherarerfurs；andtoldmethingsaboutthemanufactureoffur-linedcoatswhichquiteshockedme。Somehoworother，whenwelandedonWednesday，I
　　foundmyselfpledgedtospendthatweek-endwithhimatHolmescroft。
　　OnSaturdayhemetmewithawell-groomedmotor，andranmeout，inanhourandahalf，toanexclusiveresidentialdistrictofdustlessroadsandelegantlydesignedcountryvillas，eachstandinginfromthreetofiveacresofperfectlyappointedland。
　　Hetoldmelandwassellingateighthundredpoundstheacre，andthenewgolflinks，whoseQueenAnnepavilionwepassed，hadcostnearlytwenty-fourthousandpoundstocreate。
　　Holmescroftwasalarge，two-storied，low，creeper-coveredresidence。Averandahatthesouthsidegaveontoagardenandtwotenniscourts，separatedbyatastefulironfencefromamostpark-likemeadowoffiveorsixacres，wheretwoJerseycowsgrazed。Teawasreadyintheshadeofapromisingcopperbeech，andIcouldseegroupsonthelawnofyoungmenandmaidensappropriatelyclothed，playinglawntennisinthesunshine。
　　"Aprettyscene，ain'tit？"saidMr。M'Leod。"Mygoodlady'ssittingunderthetree，andthat'smylittlegirlinpinkonthefarcourt。ButI'lltakeyoutoyourroom，andyoucansee'emalllater。"
　　Heledmethroughawideparquet-flooredhallfurnishedinpalelemon，withhugeCloisonneevases，anebonizedandgoldgrandpiano，andbanksofpotflowersinBenaresbrassbowls，upapaleoakstaircasetoaspaciouslanding，wheretherewasagreenvelvetsetteetrimmedwithsilver。Theblindsweredown，andthelightlayinparallellinesonthefloors。
　　Heshowedmemyroom，sayingcheerfully:"Youmaybealittletired。Oneofteniswithoutknowingitafterarunthroughtraffic。Don'tcomedowntillyoufeelquiterestored。Weshallallbeinthegarden。"
　　Myroomwasratherwarm，andsmeltofperfumedsoap。Ithrewupthewindowatonce，butitopenedsoclosetothefloorandworkedsoclumsilythatIcamewithinanaceofpitchingout，whereIshouldcertainlyhaveruinedaratherlop-sidedlaburnumbelow。AsIsetaboutwashingoffthejourney'sdust，Ibegantofeelalittletired。But，Ireflected，Ihadnotcomedownhereinthisweatherandamongthesenewsurroundingstobedepressed；
　　soIbegantowhistle。
　　AnditwasjustthenthatIwasawareofalittlegreyshadow，asitmighthavebeenasnowflakeseenagainstthelight，floatingatanimmensedistanceinthebackgroundofmybrain。Itannoyedme，andIshookmyheadtogetridofit。Thenmybraintelegraphedthatitwastheforerunnerofaswift-stridinggloomwhichtherewasyettimetoescapeifIwouldforcemythoughtsawayfromit，asamanleapingforlifeforceshisbodyforwardandawayfromthefallofawall。ButthegloomovertookmebeforeIcouldtakeinthemeaningofthemessage。Imovedtowardthebed，everynervealreadyachingwiththeforeknowledgeofthepainthatwastobedealtit，andsatdown，whilemyamazedandangrysouldropped，gulfbygulf，intothathorrorofgreatdarknesswhichisspokenofintheBible，andwhich，asauctioneerssay，mustbeexperiencedtobeappreciated。
　　Despairupondespair，miseryuponmisery，fearafterfear，eachcausingtheirdistinctandseparatewoe，packedinuponmeforanunrecordedlengthoftime，untilatlasttheyblurredtogether，andIheardaclickinmybrainliketheclickintheearwhenonedescendsinadivingbell，andIknewthatthepressureswereequalisedwithinandwithout，andthat，forthemoment，theworstwasatanend。ButIknewalsothatatanymomentthedarknessmightcomedownanew；andwhile，Idweltonthisspeculationpreciselyasamantormentsaragingtoothwithhistongue，itebbedawayintothelittlegreyshadowonthebrainofitsfirstcoming，andoncemoreIheardmybrain，whichknewwhatwouldrecur，telegraphtoeveryquarterfoxhelp，releaseordiversion。
　　Thedooropened，andM'Leodreappeared。Ithankedhimpolitely，sayingIwascharmedwithmyroom，anxioustomeetMrs。M'Leod，muchrefreshedwithmywash，andsoonandsoforth。Beyondalittlestickinessatthecornersofmymouth，itseemedtomethatIwasmanagingmywordsadmirably；thewhilethatImyselfcoweredatthebottomofunclimbablepits。M'Leodlaidhishandonmyshoulder，andsaid"You'vegotitnowalready，ain'tit？"
　　"Yes，"Ianswered。"It'smakingmesick!"
　　"Itwillpassoffwhenyoucomeoutside。Igiveyoumyworditwillthenpassoff。Come!"
　　Ishambledoutbehindhim，andwipedmyforeheadinthehall。
　　"Youmusn'tmind，"hesaid。"Iexpecttheruntiredyou。Mygoodladyissittingthereunderthecopperbeech。"
　　Shewasafatwomaninanapricot-colouredgown，withaheavilypowderedface，againstwhichherblacklong-lashedeyesshowedlikecurrantsindough。Iwasintroducedtomanyfineladiesandgentlemenofthoseparts。Magnificentlyappointedlandausandcoveredmotorssweptinandoutofthedrive，andtheairwasgaywiththemerryoutcriesofthetennisplayers。
　　Astwilightdrewontheyallwentaway，andIwasleftalonewithMr。andMrs。M'Leod，whiletallmenservantsandmaidservantstookawaythetennisandteathings。MissM'Leodhadwalkedalittledownthedrivewithalight-hairedyoungman，whoapparentlykneweverythingabouteverySouthAmericanrailwaystock。Hehadtoldmeatteathatthesewerethedaysoffinancialspecialisation。
　　"Ithinkitwentoffbeautifully，mydear，"saidMr。M'Leodtohiswife；andtome:"Youfeelallrightnow，ain'tit？Ofcourseyoudo。"
　　Mrs。M'Leodsurgedacrossthegravel。Herhusbandskippednimblybeforeherintothesouthverandah，turnedaswitch，andallHolmescroftwasfloodedwithlight。
　　"Youcandothatfromyourroomalso，"hesaidastheywentin。
　　"Thereissomethinginmoney，ain'tit？"
　　MissM'Leodcameupbehindmeinthedusk。"Wehavenotyetbeenintroduced，"shesaid，"butIsupposeyouarestayingthenight？"
　　"Yourfatherwaskindenoughtoaskme，"Ireplied。
　　Shenodded。"Yes，Iknow；andyouknowtoo，don'tyou？Isawyourfacewhenyoucametoshakehandswithmamma。Youfeltthedepressionverysoon。Itissimplyfrightfulinthatbedroomsometimes。Whatdoyouthinkitis——bewitchment？InGreece，whereIwasalittlegirl，itmighthavebeen；butnotinEngland，doyouthink？Ordoyou？"
　　"Cheerup，Thea。Itwillallcomeright，"heinsisted。
　　"No，papa。"Sheshookherdarkhead。"Nothingisrightwhileitcomes。"
　　"ItisnothingthatweourselveshaveeverdoneinourlivesthatIwillsweartoyou，"saidMrs。M'Leodsuddenly。"Andwehavechangedourservantsseveraltimes。Soweknowitisnotthem。"
　　"Nevermind。Letusenjoyourselveswhilewecan，"saidMr。
　　M'Leod，openingthechampagne。
　　Butwedidnotenjoyourselves。Thetalkfailed。Therewerelongsilences。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"Isaid，forIthoughtsomeoneatmyelbowwasabouttospeak。
　　"Ah!Thatistheotherthing!"saidMissM'Leod。Hermothergroaned。
　　Weweresilentagain，and，inafewsecondsitmusthavebeen，alivegriefbeyondwords——notghostlydreadorhorror，butaching，helplessgrief——overwhelmedus，each，Ifelt，accordingtohisorhernature，andheldsteadylikethebeamofaburningglass。
　　BehindthatpainIwasconscioustherewasadesireonsomebody'sparttoexplainsomethingonwhichsometremendouslyimportantissuehung。
　　MeantimeIrolledbreadpillsandrememberedmysins；M'Leodconsideredhisownreflectioninaspoon；hiswifeseemedtobepraying，andthegirlfidgetteddesperatelywithhandsandfeet，tillthedarknesspassedon——asthoughthemalignantraysofaburning-glasshadbeenshiftedfromus。"
　　"There，"saidMissM'Leod，halfrising。"Nowyouseewhatmakesahappyhome。Oh，sellit——sellit，fathermine，andletusgoaway!"
　　"ButI'vespentthousandsonit。YoushallgotoHarrogatenextweek，Theadear。"
　　"I'monlyjustbackfromhotels。Iamsotiredofpacking。"
　　"Cheerup，Thea。Itisover。Youknowitdoesnotoftencomeheretwiceinthesamenight。Ithinkweshalldarenowtobecomfortable。"
　　Heliftedadish-cover，andhelpedhiswifeanddaughter。Hisfacewaslinedandfallenlikeanoldman'safterdebauch，buthishanddidnotshake，andhisvoicewasclear。Asheworkedtorestoreusbyspeechandaction，heremindedmeofagrey-muzzledcollieherdingdemoralisedsheep。
　　Afterdinnerwesatroundthedining-roomfirethedrawing-roommighthavebeenundertheShadowforaughtweknewtalkingwiththeintimacyofgipsiesbythewayside，orofwoundedcomparingnotesafteraskirmish。Byeleveno'clockthethreebetweenthemhadgivenmeeverynameanddetailtheycouldrecallthatinanywayboreonthehouse，andwhattheyknewofitshistory。
　　Wewenttobedinafortifyingblazeofelectriclight。Myonefearwasthattheblastinggustofdepressionwouldreturn——thesurestway，ofcourse，tobringit。Ilayawaketilldawn，breathingquicklyandsweatinglightly，beneathwhatDeQuinceyinadequatelydescribesas"theoppressionofinexpiableguilt。"
　　Nowassoonasthelovelydaywasbroken，Ifellintothemostterribleofalldreams——thatjoyousoneinwhichallpastevilhasnotonlybeenwipedoutofourlives，buthasneverbeencommitted；andintheveryblissofourassuredinnocence，beforeourlovesshriekandchangecountenance，wewaketothedaywehaveearned。
　　Itwasacoolishmorning，butwepreferredtobreakfastinthesouthverandah。Theforenoonwespentinthegarden，pretendingtoplaygamesthatcomeoutofboxes，suchascroquetandclockgolf。Butmostofthetimewedrewtogetherandtalked。TheyoungmanwhoknewallaboutSouthAmericanrailwaystookMissM'Leodforawalkintheafternoon，andatfiveM'Leodthoughtfullywhirledusalluptodineintown。
　　"Now，don'tsayyouwilltellthePsychologicalSociety，andthatyouwillcomeagain，"saidMissM'Leod，asweparted。"BecauseI
　　knowyouwillnot。"
　　"Youshouldnotsaythat，"saidhermother。"Youshouldsay，'Goodbye，Mr。Perseus。Comeagain。'"
　　"Nothim!"thegirlcried。"HehasseentheMedusa'shead!"
　　Lookingatmyselfintherestaurant'smirrors，itseemedtomethatIhadnotmuchbenefitedbymyweek-end。NextmorningI
　　wroteoutallmyHolmescroftnotesatfullestlength，inthehopethatbysodoingIcouldputitallbehindme。Buttheexperienceworkedonmymind，astheysaycertainimperfectlyunderstoodraysworkonthebody。
　　IamlesscalculatedtomakeaSherlockHolmesthananymanI
　　know，forIlackbothmethodandpatience，yettheideaoffollowingupthetroubletoitssourcefascinatedme。Ihadnotheorytogoon，exceptavagueideathatIhadcomebetweentwopolesofadischarge，andhadtakenashockmeantforsomeoneelse。Thiswasfollowedbyafeelingofintenseirritation。I
　　waitedcautiouslyonmyself，expectingtobeovertakenbyhorrorofthesupernatural，butmyselfpersistedinbeinghumanlyindignant，exactlyasthoughithadbeenthevictimofapracticaljoke。Itwasingreatpainsandupheavals——thatIfeltineveryfibrebutitsdominantidea，toputitcoarsely，wastogetbackabitofitsown。BythisIknewthatImightgoforwardifIcouldfindtheway。
　　AfterafewdaysitoccurredtometogototheofficeofMr。
　　J。M。M。Baxter——thesolicitorwhohadsoldHolmescrofttoM'Leod。
　　IexplainedIhadsomenotionofbuyingtheplace。Wouldheactformeinthematter？
　　Mr。Baxter，alarge，greyish，throaty-voicedman，showednoenthusiasm。"IsoldittoMr。M'Leod，"hesaid。"It'udscarcelydoformetostartontherunning-downtacknow。ButIcanrecommend——"
　　"Iknowhe'saskinganawfulprice，"Iinterrupted，"andatopofithewantsanextrathousandforwhathecallsyourcleanbillofhealth。"
　　Mr。Baxtersatupinhischair。Ihadallhisattention。
　　"Yourguaranteewiththehouse。Don'tyourememberit？"
　　"Yes，yes。Thatnodeathhadtakenplaceinthehousesinceitwasbuilt:Irememberperfectly。"
　　Hedidnotgulpasuntrainedmendowhentheylie，buthisjawsmovedstickily，andhiseyes，turningtowardsthedeedboxesonthewall，dulled。Icountedseconds，one，two，three——one，two，threeuptoten。Aman，Iknew，canlivethroughagesofmentaldepressioninthattime。
　　"Irememberperfectly。"Hismouthopenedalittleasthoughithadtastedoldbitterness。
　　"Ofcoursethatsortofthingdoesn'tappealtome。"Iwenton。
　　"Idon'texpecttobuyahousefreefromdeath。"
　　"Certainlynot。Noonedoes。ButitwasMr。M'Leod'sfancy——hiswife'srather，Ibelieve；andsincewecouldmeetit——itwasmydutytomyclientsatwhatevercosttomyownfeelings——tomakehimpay。"
　　"That'sreallywhyIcametoyou。Iunderstoodfromhimyouknewtheplacewell。"
　　"Oh，yes。Alwaysdid。Itoriginallybelongedtosomeconnectionsofmine。"
　　"TheMissesMoultrie，Isuppose。Howinteresting!Theymusthavelovedtheplacebeforethecountryroundaboutwasbuiltup。"
　　"Theywereveryfondofitindeed。"
　　"Idon'twonder。Sorestfulandsunny。Idon'tseehowtheycouldhavebroughtthemselvestopartwithit。"
　　NowitisoneofthemostconstantpeculiaritiesoftheEnglishthatinpoliteconversation——andIhadstriventobepolite——nooneeverdoesorsellsanythingformeremoney'ssake。
　　"MissAgnes——theyoungest——fellill"hespacedhiswordsalittle，"and，astheywereverymuchattachedtoeachother，thatbrokeupthehome。"
　　"Naturally。Ifancieditmusthavebeensomethingofthatkind。
　　Onedoesn'tassociatetheStaffordshireMoultries"myDemonofIrresponsibilityatthatinstantcreated'em，"with——withbeinghardup。"
　　"Idon'tknowwhetherwe'rerelatedtothem，"heansweredimportantly。"Wemaybe，forourbranchofthefamilycomesfromtheMidlands。"
　　Igivethistalkatlength，becauseIamsoproudofmyfirstattemptatdetectivework。WhenIlefthim，twentyminuteslater，withinstructionstomoveagainsttheownerofHolmescroft，withaviewtopurchase，IwasmorebewilderedthananyDoctorWatsonattheopeningofastory。
　　Whyshouldamiddle-agedsolicitorturnplovers'eggcolouranddrophisjawwhenremindedofsoinnocentandfestalamatterasthatnodeathhadeveroccurredinahousethathehadsold？IfI
　　knewmyEnglishvocabularyatall，thetoneinwhichhesaidtheyoungestsister"fellill"meantthatshehadgoneoutofhermind。Thatmightexplainhischangeofcountenance，anditwasjustpossiblethatherdementedinfluencestillhungaboutHolmescroft；buttherestwasbeyondme。
　　IwasrelievedwhenIreachedM'Leod'sCityoffice，andcouldtellhimwhatIhaddone——notwhatIthought。
　　M'Leodwasquitewillingtoenterintothegameofthepretendedpurchase，butdidnotseehowitwouldhelpifIknewBaxter。