首页 >出版文学> Dracula>第4章

第4章

  CHAPTER7
  CUTTINGFROM“THEDAILYGRAPH,“8AUGUST
  PASTEDINMINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL
  Fromacorrespondent。
  Whitby。
  Oneofthegreatestandsuddeneststormsonrecordhasjustbeenexperiencedhere,withresultsbothstrangeandunique。
  Theweatherhadbeensomewhatsultry,butnottoanydegreeuncommoninthemonthofAugust。Saturdayeveningwasasfineaswaseverknown,andthegreatbodyofholiday-makerslaidoutyesterdayforvisitstoMulgraveWoods,RobinHood'sBay,RigMill,Runswick,Staithes,andthevarioustripsintheneighborhoodofWhitby。ThesteamersEmmaandScarboroughmadetripsupanddownthecoast,andtherewasanunusualamountof`tripping'bothtoandfromWhitby。
  Thedaywasunusuallyfinetilltheafternoon,whensomeofthegossipswhofrequenttheEastCliffchurchyard,andfromthecommandingeminencewatchthewidesweepofseavisibletothenorthandeast,calledattentiontoasuddenshowof`marestails'highintheskytothenorthwest。
  Thewindwasthenblowingfromthesouth-westinthemilddegreewhichinbarometricallanguageisranked`No。2,lightbreeze。'
  Thecoastguardondutyatoncemadereport,andoneoldfisherman,whoformorethanhalfacenturyhaskeptwatchonweathersignsfromtheEastCliff,foretoldinanemphaticmannerthecomingofasuddenstorm。
  Theapproachofsunsetwassoverybeautiful,sograndinitsmassesofsplendidlycolouredclouds,thattherewasquiteanassemblageonthewalkalongthecliffintheoldchurchyardtoenjoythebeauty。
  BeforethesundippedbelowtheblackmassofKettleness,standingboldlyathwartthewesternsky,itsdownwardwaswasmarkedbymyriadcloudsofeverysunsetcolour,flame,purple,pink,green,violet,andallthetintsofgold,withhereandtheremassesnotlarge,butofseeminglyabsoluteblackness,inallsortsofshapes,aswelloutlinedascolossalsilhouettes。
  Theexperiencewasnotlostonthepainters,anddoubtlesssomeofthesketchesofthe`PreludetotheGreatStorm'willgracetheR。A
  andR。I。wallsinMaynext。
  Morethanonecaptainmadeuphismindthenandtherethathis`cobble'orhis`mule',astheytermthedifferentclassesofboats,wouldremainintheharbourtillthestormhadpassed。
  Thewindfellawayentirelyduringtheevening,andatmidnighttherewasadeadcalm,asultryheat,andthatprevailingintensitywhich,ontheapproachofthunder,affectspersonsofasensitivenature。
  Therewerebutfewlightsinsightatsea,foreventhecoastingsteamers,whichusuallyhugtheshoresoclosely,keptwelltoseaward,andbutfewfishingboatswereinsight。
  Theonlysailnoticeablewasaforeignschoonerwithallsailsset,whichwasseeminglygoingwestwards。
  Thefoolhardinessorignoranceofherofficerswasaprolificthemeforcommentwhilstsheremainedinsight,andeffortsweremadetosignalhertoreducesailinthefaceofherdanger。
  Beforethenightshutdownshewasseenwithsailsidlyflappingasshegentlyrolledontheundulatingswellofthesea。
  “Asidleasapaintedshipuponapaintedocean。“
  Shortlybeforeteno'clockthestillnessoftheairgrewquiteoppressive,andthesilencewassomarkedthatthebleatingofasheepinlandorthebarkingofadoginthetownwasdistinctlyheard,andthebandonthepier,withitslivelyFrenchair,waslikeadischordinthegreatharmonyofnature'ssilence。
  Alittleaftermidnightcameastrangesoundfromoverthesea,andhighoverheadtheairbegantocarryastrange,faint,hollowbooming。
  Thenwithoutwarningthetempestbroke。Witharapiditywhich,atthetime,seemedincredible,andevenafterwardsisimpossibletorealize,thewholeaspectofnatureatoncebecameconvulsed。
  Thewavesroseingrowingfury,eachover-toppingitsfellow,tillinaveryfewminutesthelatelyglassyseawaslikearoaringanddevouringmonster。White-crestedwavesbeatmadlyonthelevelsandsandrusheduptheshelvingcliffs。
  Othersbrokeoverthepiers,andwiththeirspumesweptthelanthornsofthelighthouseswhichrisefromtheendofeitherpierofWhitbyHarbour。
  Thewindroaredlikethunder,andblewwithsuchforcethatitwaswithdifficultythatevenstrongmenkepttheirfeet,orclungwithgrimclasptotheironstanchions。Itwasfoundnecessarytocleartheentirepierfromthemassofonlookers,orelsethefatalitiesofthenightwouldhaveincreasedmanifold。
  Toaddtothedifficultiesanddangersofthetime,massesofsea-fogcamedriftinginland。White,wetclouds,whichsweptbyinghostlyfashion,sodankanddampandcoldthatitneededbutlittleeffortofimaginationtothinkthatthespiritsofthoselostatseaweretouchingtheirlivingbrethrenwiththeclammyhandsofdeath,andmanyaoneshudderedatthewreathsofsea-mistsweptby。
  Attimesthemistcleared,andtheseaforsomedistancecouldbeseenintheglareofthelightning,whichcamethickandfast,followedbysuchpealsofthunderthatthewholeskyoverheadseemedtremblingundertheshockofthefootstepsofthestorm。
  Someofthescenesthusrevealedwereofimmeasurablegrandeurandofabsorbinginterest。Thesea,runningmountainshigh,threwskywardswitheachwavemightymassesofwhitefoam,whichthetempestseemedtosnatchatandwhirlawayintospace。
  Hereandthereafishingboat,witharagofsail,runningmadlyforshelterbeforetheblast,nowandagainthewhitewingsofastorm-tossedseabird。OnthesummitoftheEastCliffthenewsearchlightwasreadyforexperiment,buthadnotyetbeentried。
  Theofficersinchargeofitgotitintoworkingorder,andinthepausesofonrushingmistsweptwithitthesurfaceofthesea。
  Onceortwiceitsservicewasmosteffective,aswhenafishingboat,withgunwaleunderwater,rushedintotheharbour,able,bytheguidanceoftheshelteringlight,toavoidthedangerofdashingagainstthepiers。
  Aseachboatachievedthesafetyoftheporttherewasashoutofjoyfromthemassofpeopleontheshore,ashoutwhichforamomentseemedtocleavethegaleandwasthensweptawayinitsrush。
  Beforelongthesearchlightdiscoveredsomedistanceawayaschoonerwithallsailsset,apparentlythesamevesselwhichhadbeennoticedearlierintheevening。Thewindhadbythistimebackedtotheeast,andtherewasashudderamongstthewatchersonthecliffastheyrealizedtheterribledangerinwhichshenowwas。
  Betweenherandtheportlaythegreatflatreefonwhichsomanygoodshipshavefromtimetotimesuffered,and,withthewindblowingfromitspresentquarter,itwouldbequiteimpossiblethatsheshouldfetchtheentranceoftheharbour。
  Itwasnownearlythehourofhightide,butthewavesweresogreatthatintheirtroughstheshallowsoftheshorewerealmostvisible,andtheschooner,withallsailsset,wasrushingwithsuchspeedthat,inthewordsofoneoldsalt,“shemustfetchupsomewhere,ifitwasonlyinhell“。Thencameanotherrushofsea-fog,greaterthananyhitherto,amassofdankmist,whichseemedtocloseonallthingslikeagraypall,andleftavailabletomenonlytheorganofhearing,fortheroarofthetempest,andthecrashofthethunder,andtheboomingofthemightybillowscamethroughthedampoblivionevenlouderthanbefore。
  TheraysofthesearchlightwerekeptfixedontheharbourmouthacrosstheEastPier,wheretheshockwasexpected,andmenwaitedbreathless。
  Thewindsuddenlyshiftedtothenortheast,andtheremnantoftheseafogmeltedintheblast。Andthen,mirabiledictu,betweenthepiers,leapingfromwavetowaveasitrushedatheadlongspeed,sweptthestrangeschoonerbeforetheblast,withallsailset,andgainedthesafetyoftheharbour。
  Thesearchlightfollowedher,andashudderranthroughallwhosawher,forlashedtothehelmwasacorpse,withdroopinghead,whichswunghorriblytoandfroateachmotionoftheship。
  Nootherformcouldbeseenonthedeckatall。
  Agreatawecameonallastheyrealisedthattheship,asifbyamiracle,hadfoundtheharbour,unsteeredsavebythehandofadeadman!
  However,alltookplacemorequicklythanittakestowritethesewords。
  Theschoonerpausednot,butrushingacrosstheharbour,pitchedherselfonthataccumulationofsandandgravelwashedbymanytidesandmanystormsintothesoutheastcornerofthepierjuttingundertheEastCliff,knownlocallyasTateHillPier。
  Therewasofcourseaconsiderableconcussionasthevesseldroveuponthesandheap。Everyspar,rope,andstaywasstrained,andsomeofthe`top-hammer'camecrashingdown。
  But,strangestofall,theveryinstanttheshorewastouched,animmensedogsprangupondeckfrombelow,asifshotupbytheconcussion,andrunningforward,jumpedfromthebowonthesand。
  Makingstraightforthesteepcliff,wherethechurchyardhangsoverthelanewaytotheEastPiersosteeplythatsomeoftheflattombstones,thruffsteansorthrough-stones,astheycalltheminWhitbyvernacular,actuallyprojectoverwherethesustainingcliffhasfallenaway,itdisappearedinthedarkness,whichseemedintensifiedjustbeyondthefocusofthesearchlight。
  ItsohappenedthattherewasnooneatthemomentonTateHillPier,asallthosewhosehousesareincloseproximitywereeitherinbedorwereoutontheheightsabove。
  Thusthecoastguardondutyontheeasternsideoftheharbour,whoatoncerandowntothelittlepier,wasthefirsttoclimbaboard。Themenworkingthesearchlight,afterscouringtheentranceoftheharbourwithoutseeinganything,thenturnedthelightonthederelictandkeptitthere。
  Thecoastguardranaft,andwhenhecamebesidethewheel,bentovertoexamineit,andrecoiledatonceasthoughundersomesuddenemotion。Thisseemedtopiquegeneralcuriosity,andquiteanumberofpeoplebegantorun。
  ItisagoodwayroundfromtheWestCliffbytheDraw-bridgetoTateHillPier,butyourcorrespondentisafairlygoodrunner,andcamewellaheadofthecrowd。WhenIarrived,however,Ifoundalreadyassembledonthepieracrowd,whomthecoastguardandpolicerefusedtoallowtocomeonboard。
  Bythecourtesyofthechiefboatman,Iwas,asyourcorrespondent,permittedtoclimbondeck,andwasoneofasmallgroupwhosawthedeadseamanwhilstactuallylashedtothewheel。
  Itwasnowonderthatthecoastguardwassurprised,orevenawed,fornotoftencansuchasighthavebeenseen。
  Themanwassimplyfastenedbyhishands,tiedoneovertheother,toaspokeofthewheel。Betweentheinnerhandandthewoodwasacrucifix,thesetofbeadsonwhichitwasfastenedbeingaroundbothwristsandwheel,andallkeptfastbythebindingcords。
  Thepoorfellowmayhavebeenseatedatonetime,buttheflappingandbuffetingofthesailshadworkedthroughtherudderofthewheelandhaddraggedhimtoandfro,sothatthecordswithwhichhewastiedhadcutthefleshtothebone。
  Accuratenotewasmadeofthestateofthings,andadoctor,SurgeonJ。M。Caffyn,of33,EastElliotPlace,whocameimmediatelyafterme,declared,aftermakingexamination,thatthemanmusthavebeendeadforquitetwodays。
  Inhispocketwasabottle,carefullycorked,emptysaveforalittlerollofpaper,whichprovedtobetheaddendumtothelog。
  Thecoastguardsaidthemanmusthavetieduphisownhands,fasteningtheknotswithhisteeth。Thefactthatacoastguardwasthefirstonboardmaysavesomecomplicationslateron,intheAdmiraltyCourt,forcoastguardscannotclaimthesalvagewhichistherightofthefirstcivilianenteringonaderelict。
  Already,however,thelegaltonguesarewagging,andoneyounglawstudentisloudlyassertingthattherightsoftheownerarealreadycompletelysacrificed,hispropertybeingheldincontraventionofthestatuesofmortmain,sincethetiller,asemblemship,ifnotproof,ofdelegatedpossession,isheldinadeadhand。
  Itisneedlesstosaythatthedeadsteersmanhasbeenreverentlyremovedfromtheplacewhereheheldhishonourablewatchandwardtilldeath,asteadfastnessasnobleasthatoftheyoungCasabianca,andplacedinthemortuarytoawaitinquest。
  Alreadythesuddenstormispassing,anditsfiercenessisabating。
  Crowdsarescatteringbackward,andtheskyisbeginningtoreddenovertheYorkshirewolds。
  Ishallsend,intimeforyournextissue,furtherdetailsofthederelictshipwhichfoundherwaysomiraculouslyintoharbourinthestorm。
  9August——Thesequeltothestrangearrivalofthederelictinthestormlastnightisalmostmorestartlingthanthethingitself。
  ItturnsoutthattheschoonerisRussianfromVarna,andiscalledtheDemeter。Sheisalmostentirelyinballastofsilversand,withonlyasmallamountofcargo,anumberofgreatwoodenboxesfilledwithmould。
  ThiscargowasconsignedtoaWhitbysolicitor,Mr。S。F。Billington,of7,TheCrescent,whothismorningwentaboardandtookformalpossessionofthegoodsconsignedtohim。
  TheRussianconsul,too,actingforthecharter-party,tookformalpossessionoftheship,andpaidallharbourdues,etc。
  Nothingistalkedaboutheretodayexceptthestrangecoincidence。
  TheofficialsoftheBoardofTradehavebeenmostexactinginseeingthateverycompliancehasbeenmadewithexistingregulations。
  Asthematteristobea`ninedayswonder',theyareevidentlydeterminedthatthereshallbenocauseofothercomplaint。
  Agooddealofinterestwasabroadconcerningthedogwhichlandedwhentheshipstruck,andmorethanafewofthemembersoftheS。P。C。A。,whichisverystronginWhitby,havetriedtobefriendtheanimal。
  Tothegeneraldisappointment,however,itwasnottobefound。
  Itseemstohavedisappearedentirelyfromthetown。
  Itmaybethatitwasfrightenedandmadeitswayontothemoors,whereitisstillhidinginterror。
  Therearesomewholookwithdreadonsuchapossibility,lestlateronitshouldinitselfbecomeadanger,foritisevidentlyafiercebrute。Earlythismorningalargedog,ahalf-bredmastiffbelongingtoacoalmerchantclosetoTateHillPier,wasfounddeadintheroadwayoppositeitsmaster'syard。
  Ithadbeenfighting,andmanifestlyhadhadasavageopponent,foritsthroatwastornaway,anditsbellywasslitopenasifwithasavageclaw。
  Later——BythekindnessoftheBoardofTradeinspector,IhavebeenpermittedtolookoverthelogbookoftheDemeter,whichwasinorderuptowithinthreedays,butcontainednothingofspecialinterestexceptastofactsofmissingmen。
  Thegreatestinterest,however,iswithregardtothepaperfoundinthebottle,whichwastodayproducedattheinquest。
  Andamorestrangenarrativethanthetwobetweenthemunfoldithasnotbeenmylottocomeacross。
  Asthereisnomotiveforconcealment,Iampermittedtousethem,andaccordinglysendyouatranscript,simplyomittingtechnicaldetailsofseamanshipandsupercargo。
  Italmostseemsasthoughthecaptainhadbeenseizedwithsomekindofmaniabeforehehadgotwellintobluewater,andthatthishaddevelopedpersistentlythroughoutthevoyage。
  Ofcoursemystatementmustbetakencumgrano,sinceIamwritingfromthedictationofaclerkoftheRussianconsul,whokindlytranslatedforme,timebeingshort。
  LOGOFTHE“DEMETER“VarnatoWhitbyWritten18July,thingssostrangehappening,thatIshallkeepaccuratenotehenceforthtillweland。
  On6Julywefinishedtakingincargo,silversandandboxesofearth。
  Atnoonsetsail。Eastwind,fresh。Crew,fivehands……twomates,cook,andmyself,captain。
  On11JulyatdawnenteredBosphorus。BoardedbyTurkishCustomsofficers。Backsheesh。Allcorrect。Underwayat4p。m。
  On12JulythroughDardanelles。MoreCustomsofficersandflagboatofguardingsquadron。Backsheeshagain。
  Workofofficersthorough,butquick。Wantusoffsoon。
  AtdarkpassedintoArchipelago。
  On13JulypassedCapeMatapan。Crewdissatisfiedaboutsomething。
  Seemedscared,butwouldnotspeakout。
  On14Julywassomewhatanxiousaboutcrew。Menallsteadyfellows,whosailedwithmebefore。Matecouldnotmakeoutwhatwaswrong。
  TheyonlytoldhimtherewasSOMETHING,andcrossedthemselves。
  Matelosttemperwithoneofthemthatdayandstruckhim。
  Expectedfiercequarrel,butallwasquiet。
  On16Julymatereportedinthemorningthatoneofthecrew,Petrofsky,wasmissing。Couldnotaccountforit。Tooklarboardwatcheightbellslastnight,wasrelievedbyAmramoff,butdidnotgotobunk。
  Menmoredowncastthanever。Allsaidtheyexpectedsomethingofthekind,butwouldnotsaymorethantherewasSOMETHINGaboard。
  Mategettingveryimpatientwiththem。Fearedsometroubleahead。
  On17July,yesterday,oneofthemen,Olgaren,cametomycabin,andinanawestruckwayconfidedtomethathethoughttherewasastrangemanaboardtheship。Hesaidthatinhiswatchhehadbeenshelteringbehindthedeckhouse,astherewasarainstorm,whenhesawatall,thinman,whowasnotlikeanyofthecrew,comeupthecompanionway,andgoalongthedeckforwardanddisappear。Hefollowedcautiously,butwhenhegottobowsfoundnoone,andthehatchwayswereallclosed。
  Hewasinapanicofsuperstitiousfear,andIamafraidthepanicmayspread。Toallayit,Ishalltodaysearchtheentireshipcarefullyfromstemtostern。
  LaterinthedayIgottogetherthewholecrew,andtoldthem,astheyevidentlythoughttherewassomeoneintheship,wewouldsearchfromstemtostern。Firstmateangry,saiditwasfolly,andtoyieldtosuchfoolishideaswoulddemoralisethemen,saidhewouldengagetokeepthemoutoftroublewiththehandspike。
  Ilethimtakethehelm,whiletherestbeganathoroughsearch,allkeepingabreast,withlanterns。Weleftnocornerunsearched。
  Astherewereonlythebigwoodenboxes,therewerenooddcornerswhereamancouldhide。Menmuchrelievedwhensearchover,andwentbacktoworkcheerfully。Firstmatescowled,butsaidnothing。
  22July——Roughweatherlastthreedays,andallhandsbusywithsails,notimetobefrightened。Menseemtohaveforgottentheirdread。
  Matecheerfulagain,andallongoodterms。Praisedmenforworkinbadweather。PassedGibraltarandoutthroughStraits。Allwell。
  24July——Thereseemssomedoomoverthisship。
  Alreadyahandshort,andenteringtheBayofBiscaywithwildweatherahead,andyetlastnightanothermanlost,disappeared。
  Likethefirst,hecameoffhiswatchandwasnotseenagain。
  Menallinapanicoffear,sentaroundrobin,askingtohavedoublewatch,astheyfeartobealone。Mateangry。
  Feartherewillbesometrouble,aseitherheorthemenwilldosomeviolence。
  28July——Fourdaysinhell,knockingaboutinasortofmalestrom,andthewindatempest。Nosleepforanyone。Menallwornout。
  Hardlyknowhowtosetawatch,sincenoonefittogoon。
  Secondmatevolunteeredtosteerandwatch,andletmensnatchafewhourssleep。Windabating,seasstillterrific,butfeelthemless,asshipissteadier。
  29July——Anothertragedy。Hadsinglewatchtonight,ascrewtootiredtodouble。Whenmorningwatchcameondeckcouldfindnooneexceptsteersman。Raisedoutcry,andallcameondeck。Thoroughsearch,butnoonefound。
  Arenowwithoutsecondmate,andcrewinapanic。
  MateandIagreedtogoarmedhenceforthandwaitforanysignofcause。
  30July——Lastnight。RejoicedwearenearingEngland。
  Weatherfine,allsailsset。Retiredwornout,sleptsoundly,awakenedbymatetellingmethatbothmanofwatchandsteersmanmissing。
  Onlyselfandmateandtwohandslefttoworkship。
  1August——Twodaysoffog,andnotasailsighted。HadhopedwhenintheEnglishChanneltobeabletosignalforhelporgetinsomewhere。
  Nothavingpowertoworksails,havetorunbeforewind。
  Darenotlower,ascouldnotraisethemagain。Weseemtobedriftingtosometerribledoom。Matenowmoredemoralisedthaneitherofmen。
  Hisstrongernatureseemstohaveworkedinwardlyagainsthimself。
  Menarebeyondfear,workingstolidlyandpatiently,withmindsmadeuptoworst。TheyareRussian,heRoumanian。
  2August,midnight——Wokeupfromfewminutessleepbyhearingacry,seeminglyoutsidemyport。Couldseenothinginfog。
  Rushedondeck,andranagainstmate。Tellsmeheheardcryandran,butnosignofmanonwatch。Onemoregone。Lord,helpus!
  MatesayswemustbepastStraitsofDover,asinamomentoffogliftinghesawNorthForeland,justasheheardthemancryout。
  IfsowearenowoffintheNorthSea,andonlyGodcanguideusinthefog,whichseemstomovewithus,andGodseemstohavedesertedus。
  3August——AtmidnightIwenttorelievethemanatthewheelandwhenIgottoitfoundnoonethere。
  Thewindwassteady,andasweranbeforeittherewasnoyawing。Idarednotleaveit,soshoutedforthemate。
  Afterafewseconds,herushedupondeckinhisflannels。
  Helookedwild-eyedandhaggard,andIgreatlyfearhisreasonhasgivenway。Hecameclosetomeandwhisperedhoarsely,withhismouthtomyear,asthoughfearingtheveryairmighthear。
  “Itishere。Iknowitnow。OnthewatchlastnightI
  sawIt,likeaman,tallandthin,andghastlypale。
  Itwasinthebows,andlookingout。IcreptbehindIt,andgaveitmyknife,buttheknifewentthroughIt,emptyastheair。“
  Andashespokehetooktheknifeanddroveitsavagelyintospace。
  Thenhewenton,“ButItishere,andI'llfindIt。
  Itisinthehold,perhapsinoneofthoseboxes。
  I'llunscrewthemonebyoneandsee。Youworkthehelm。“
  Andwithawarninglookandhisfingeronhislip,hewentbelow。
  Therewasspringingupachoppywind,andIcouldnotleavethehelm。Isawhimcomeoutondeckagainwithatoolchestandlantern,andgodowntheforwardhatchway。
  Heismad,stark,ravingmad,andit'snousemytryingtostophim。
  Hecan'thurtthosebigboxes,theyareinvoicedasclay,andtopullthemaboutisasharmlessathingashecando。
  SohereIstayandmindthehelm,andwritethesenotes。
  IcanonlytrustinGodandwaittillthefogclears。
  Then,ifIcan'tsteertoanyharbourwiththewindthatis,Ishallcutdownsails,andlieby,andsignalforhelp……
  Itisnearlyallovernow。JustasIwasbeginningtohopethatthematewouldcomeoutcalmer,forIheardhimknockingawayatsomethinginthehold,andworkisgoodforhim,therecameupthehatchwayasudden,startledscream,whichmademybloodruncold,anduponthedeckhecameasifshotfromagun,aragingmadman,withhiseyesrollingandhisfaceconvulsedwithfear。“Saveme!
  Saveme!”hecried,andthenlookedroundontheblanketoffog。
  Hishorrorturnedtodespair,andinasteadyvoicehesaid,“Youhadbettercometoo,captain,beforeitistoolate。Heisthere!
  Iknowthesecretnow。TheseawillsavemefromHim,anditisallthatisleft!”BeforeIcouldsayaword,ormoveforwardtoseizehim,hesprangonthebulwarkanddeliberatelythrewhimselfintothesea。
  IsupposeIknowthesecrettoo,now。Itwasthismadmanwhohadgotridofthemenonebyone,andnowhehasfollowedthemhimself。
  Godhelpme!HowamItoaccountforallthesehorrorswhenIgettoport?WhenIgettoport!Willthateverbe?
  4August——Stillfog,whichthesunrisecannotpierce,IknowthereissunrisebecauseIamasailor,whyelseIknownot。
  Idarednotgobelow,Idarednotleavethehelm,sohereallnightIstayed,andinthedimnessofthenightIsawit,Him!
  God,forgiveme,butthematewasrighttojumpoverboard。
  Itwasbettertodielikeaman。Todielikeasailorinbluewater,nomancanobject。ButIamcaptain,andImustnotleavemyship。
  ButIshallbafflethisfiendormonster,forIshalltiemyhandstothewheelwhenmystrengthbeginstofail,andalongwiththemIshalltiethatwhichHe,It,darenottouch。
  Andthen,comegoodwindorfoul,Ishallsavemysoul,andmyhonourasacaptain。Iamgrowingweaker,andthenightiscomingon。
  IfHecanlookmeinthefaceagain,Imaynothavetimetoact……Ifwearewrecked,mayhapthisbottlemaybefound,andthosewhofinditmayunderstand。Ifnot……well,thenallmenshallknowthatIhavebeentruetomytrust。
  GodandtheBlessedVirginandtheSaintshelpapoorignorantsoultryingtodohisduty……
  Ofcoursetheverdictwasanopenone。Thereisnoevidencetoadduce,andwhetherornotthemanhimselfcommittedthemurdersthereisnownonetosay。Thefolkhereholdalmostuniversallythatthecaptainissimplyahero,andheistobegivenapublicfuneral。
  AlreadyitisarrangedthathisbodyistobetakenwithatrainofboatsuptheEskforapieceandthenbroughtbacktoTateHillPieranduptheabbeysteps,forheistobeburiedinthechurchyardonthecliff。
  Theownersofmorethanahundredboatshavealreadygivenintheirnamesaswishingtofollowhimtothegrave。
  Notracehaseverbeenfoundofthegreatdog,atwhichthereismuchmourning,for,withpublicopinioninitspresentstate,hewould,Ibelieve,beadoptedbythetown。
  Tomorrowwillseethefuneral,andsowillendthisonemore`mysteryofthesea'。
  MINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL
  8August——Lucywasveryrestlessallnight,andItoo,couldnotsleep。Thestormwasfearful,andasitboomedloudlyamongthechimneypots,itmademeshudder。
  Whenasharppuffcameitseemedtobelikeadistantgun。
  Strangelyenough,Lucydidnotwake,butshegotuptwiceanddressedherself。Fortunately,eachtimeIawokeintimeandmanagedtoundressherwithoutwakingher,andgotherbacktobed。
  Itisaverystrangething,thissleep-walking,forassoonasherwillisthwartedinanyphysicalway,herintention,iftherebeany,disappears,andsheyieldsherselfalmostexactlytotheroutineofherlife。
  Earlyinthemorningwebothgotupandwentdowntotheharbourtoseeifanythinghadhappenedinthenight。
  Therewereveryfewpeopleabout,andthoughthesunwasbright,andtheairclearandfresh,thebig,grim-lookingwaves,thatseemeddarkthemselvesbecausethefoamthattoppedthemwaslikesnow,forcedthemselvesinthroughthemouthoftheharbour,likeabullyingmangoingthroughacrowd。
  SomehowIfeltgladthatJonathanwasnotonthesealastnight,butonland。But,oh,isheonlandorsea?
  Whereishe,andhow?Iamgettingfearfullyanxiousabouthim。
  IfIonlyknewwhattodo,andcoulddoanything!
  10August——Thefuneralofthepoorseacaptaintodaywasmosttouching。
  Everyboatintheharbourseemedtobethere,andthecoffinwascarriedbycaptainsallthewayfromTateHillPieruptothechurchyard。
  Lucycamewithme,andwewentearlytoouroldseat,whilstthecortegeofboatswentuptherivertotheViaductandcamedownagain。
  Wehadalovelyview,andsawtheprocessionnearlyalltheway。
  Thepoorfellowwaslaidtorestnearourseatsothatwestoodonit,whenthetimecameandsaweverything。
  PoorLucyseemedmuchupset。Shewasrestlessanduneasyallthetime,andIcannotbutthinkthatherdreamingatnightistellingonher。
  Sheisquiteoddinonething。Shewillnotadmittomethatthereisanycauseforrestlessness,oriftherebe,shedoesnotunderstanditherself。
  ThereisanadditionalcauseinthatpoorMr。Swaleswasfounddeadthismorningonourseat,hisneckbeingbroken。
  Hehadevidently,asthedoctorsaid,fallenbackintheseatinsomesortoffright,fortherewasalookoffearandhorroronhisfacethatthemensaidmadethemshudder。
  Poordearoldman!
  Lucyissosweetandsensitivethatshefeelsinfluencesmoreacutelythanotherpeopledo。JustnowshewasquiteupsetbyalittlethingwhichIdidnotmuchheed,thoughIammyselfveryfondofanimals。
  Oneofthemenwhocameuphereoftentolookfortheboatswasfollowedbyhisdog。Thedogisalwayswithhim。Theyarebothquietpersons,andIneversawthemanangry,norheardthedogbark。
  Duringtheservicethedogwouldnotcometoitsmaster,whowasontheseatwithus,butkeptafewyardsoff,barkingandhowling。
  Itsmasterspoketoitgently,andthenharshly,andthenangrily。
  Butitwouldneithercomenorceasetomakeanoise。Itwasinafury,withitseyessavage,andallitshairbristlingoutlikeacat'stailwhenpussisonthewarpath。
  Finallythemantoogotangry,andjumpeddownandkickedthedog,andthentookitbythescruffoftheneckandhalfdraggedandhalfthrewitonthetombstoneonwhichtheseatisfixed。
  Themomentittouchedthestonethepoorthingbegantotremble。
  Itdidnottrytogetaway,butcroucheddown,quiveringandcowering,andwasinsuchapitiablestateofterrorthatItried,thoughwithouteffect,tocomfortit。
  Lucywasfullofpity,too,butshedidnotattempttotouchthedog,butlookedatitinanagonisedsortofway。Igreatlyfearthatsheisoftoosupersensitiveanaturetogothroughtheworldwithouttrouble。
  Shewillbedreamingofthistonight,Iamsure。Thewholeagglomerationofthings,theshipsteeredintoportbyadeadman,hisattitude,tiedtothewheelwithacrucifixandbeads,thetouchingfuneral,thedog,nowfuriousandnowinterror,willallaffordmaterialforherdreams。
  Ithinkitwillbebestforhertogotobedtiredoutphysically,soI
  shalltakeherforalongwalkbythecliffstoRobinHood'sBayandback。
  Sheoughtnottohavemuchinclinationforsleep-walkingthen。
  CHAPTER8
  MINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL
  Sameday,11o'clockP。M——Oh,butIamtired!IfitwerenotthatIhadmademydiaryadutyIshouldnotopenittonight。
  Wehadalovelywalk。Lucy,afterawhile,wasingayspirits,owing,Ithink,tosomedearcowswhocamenosingtowardsusinafieldclosetothelighthouse,andfrightenedthewitsoutofus。
  Ibelieveweforgoteverything,exceptofcourse,personalfear,anditseemedtowipetheslatecleanandgiveusafreshstart。
  Wehadacapital`severetea'atRobinHood'sBayinasweetlittleold-fashionedinn,withabowwindowrightovertheseaweed-coveredrocksofthestrand。Ibelieveweshouldhaveshockedthe`NewWoman'
  withourappetites。Menaremoretolerant,blessthem!
  Thenwewalkedhomewithsome,orrathermany,stoppagestorest,andwithourheartsfullofaconstantdreadofwildbulls。
  Lucywasreallytired,andweintendedtocreepofftobedassoonaswecould。Theyoungcuratecamein,however,andMrs。Westenraaskedhimtostayforsupper。
  LucyandIhadbothafightforitwiththedustymiller。
  Iknowitwasahardfightonmypart,andIamquiteheroic。
  Ithinkthatsomedaythebishopsmustgettogetherandseeaboutbreedingupanewclassofcurates,whodon'ttakesupper,nomatterhowhardtheymaybepressedto,andwhowillknowwhengirlsaretired。
  Lucyisasleepandbreathingsoftly。Shehasmorecolorinhercheeksthanusual,andlooks,ohsosweet。
  IfMr。Holmwoodfellinlovewithherseeingheronlyinthedrawingroom,Iwonderwhathewouldsayifhesawhernow。
  Someofthe`NewWomen'writerswillsomedaystartanideathatmenandwomenshouldbeallowedtoseeeachotherasleepbeforeproposingoraccepting。ButIsupposethe`NewWoman'
  won'tcondescendinfuturetoaccept。Shewilldotheproposingherself。Andanicejobshewillmakeofittoo!
  There'ssomeconsolationinthat。Iamsohappytonight,becausedearLucyseemsbetter。Ireallybelieveshehasturnedthecorner,andthatweareoverhertroubleswithdreaming。
  IshouldbequitehappyifIonlyknewifJonathan……Godblessandkeephim。
  11August——Diaryagain。Nosleepnow,soImayaswellwrite。
  Iamtooagitatedtosleep。Wehavehadsuchanadventure,suchanagonizingexperience。IfellasleepassoonasIhadclosedmydiary……SuddenlyIbecamebroadawake,andsatup,withahorriblesenseoffearuponme,andofsomefeelingofemptinessaroundme。Theroomwasdark,soIcouldnotseeLucy'sbed。
  Istoleacrossandfeltforher。Thebedwasempty。
  Ilitamatchandfoundthatshewasnotintheroom。
  Thedoorwasshut,butnotlocked,asIhadleftit。
  Ifearedtowakehermother,whohasbeenmorethanusuallyilllately,sothrewonsomeclothesandgotreadytolookforher。
  AsIwasleavingtheroomitstruckmethattheclothessheworemightgivemesomecluetoherdreamingintention。
  Dressing-gownwouldmeanhouse,dressoutside。
  Dressing-gownanddresswerebothintheirplaces。
  “ThankGod,“Isaidtomyself,“shecannotbefar,assheisonlyinhernightdress。“
  Irandownstairsandlookedinthesittingroom。
  Notthere!ThenIlookedinalltheotherroomsofthehouse,withanever-growingfearchillingmyheart。
  Finally,Icametothehalldoorandfounditopen。
  Itwasnotwideopen,butthecatchofthelockhadnotcaught。
  Thepeopleofthehousearecarefultolockthedooreverynight,soIfearedthatLucymusthavegoneoutasshewas。
  Therewasnotimetothinkofwhatmighthappen。
  Avagueover-masteringfearobscuredalldetails。
  Itookabig,heavyshawlandranout。TheclockwasstrikingoneasIwasintheCrescent,andtherewasnotasoulinsight。
  IranalongtheNorthTerrace,butcouldseenosignofthewhitefigurewhichIexpected。AttheedgeoftheWestCliffabovethepierIlookedacrosstheharbourtotheEastCliff,inthehopeorfear,Idon'tknowwhich,ofseeingLucyinourfavoriteseat。
  Therewasabrightfullmoon,withheavyblack,drivingclouds,whichthrewthewholesceneintoafleetingdioramaoflightandshadeastheysailedacross。ForamomentortwoIcouldseenothing,astheshadowofacloudobscuredSt。Mary'sChurchandallaroundit。
  ThenasthecloudpassedIcouldseetheruinsoftheabbeycomingintoview,andastheedgeofanarrowbandoflightassharpasasword-cutmovedalong,thechurchandchurchyardbecamegraduallyvisible。Whatevermyexpectationwas,itwasnotdisappointed,forthere,onourfavoriteseat,thesilverlightofthemoonstruckahalf-recliningfigure,snowywhite。
  Thecomingofthecloudwastooquickformetoseemuch,forshadowshutdownonlightalmostimmediately,butitseemedtomeasthoughsomethingdarkstoodbehindtheseatwherethewhitefigureshone,andbentoverit。
  Whatitwas,whethermanorbeast,Icouldnottell。
  Ididnotwaittocatchanotherglance,butflewdownthesteepstepstothepierandalongbythefish-markettothebridge,whichwastheonlywaytoreachtheEastCliff。Thetownseemedasdead,fornotasouldidIsee。
  Irejoicedthatitwasso,forIwantednowitnessofpoorLucy'scondition。
  Thetimeanddistanceseemedendless,andmykneestrembledandmybreathcamelabouredasItoileduptheendlessstepstotheabbey。Imusthavegonefast,andyetitseemedtomeasifmyfeetwereweightedwithlead,andasthougheveryjointinmybodywererusty。
  WhenIgotalmosttothetopIcouldseetheseatandthewhitefigure,forIwasnowcloseenoughtodistinguishiteventhroughthespellsofshadow。Therewasundoubtedlysomething,longandblack,bendingoverthehalf-recliningwhitefigure。
  Icalledinfright,“Lucy!Lucy!”andsomethingraisedahead,andfromwhereIwasIcouldseeawhitefaceandred,gleamingeyes。
  Lucydidnotanswer,andIranontotheentranceofthechurchyard。
  AsIentered,thechurchwasbetweenmeandtheseat,andforaminuteorsoIlostsightofher。WhenIcameinviewagainthecloudhadpassed,andthemoonlightstrucksobrilliantlythatIcouldseeLucyhalfrecliningwithherheadlyingoverthebackoftheseat。
  Shewasquitealone,andtherewasnotasignofanylivingthingabout。
  WhenIbentoverherIcouldseethatshewasstillasleep。
  Herlipswereparted,andshewasbreathing,notsoftlyasusualwithher,butinlong,heavygasps,asthoughstrivingtogetherlungsfullateverybreath。AsIcameclose,sheputupherhandinhersleepandpulledthecollarofhernightdressclosearoundher,asthoughshefeltthecold。
  Iflungthewarmshawloverher,anddrewtheedgestightaroundherneck,forIdreadedlestsheshouldgetsomedeadlychillfromthenightair,uncladasshewas。Ifearedtowakeherallatonce,so,inordertohavemyhandsfreetohelpher,Ifastenedtheshawlatherthroatwithabigsafetypin。
  ButImusthavebeenclumsyinmyanxietyandpinchedorprickedherwithit,forby-and-by,whenherbreathingbecamequieter,sheputherhandtoherthroatagainandmoaned。
  WhenIhadhercarefullywrappedupIputmyshoesonherfeet,andthenbeganverygentlytowakeher。
  Atfirstshedidnotrespond,butgraduallyshebecamemoreandmoreuneasyinhersleep,moaningandsighingoccasionally。
  Atlast,astimewaspassingfast,andformanyotherreasons,Iwishedtogetherhomeatonce,Ishookherforcibly,tillfinallysheopenedhereyesandawoke。Shedidnotseemsurprisedtoseeme,as,ofcourse,shedidnotrealizeallatoncewhereshewas。
  Lucyalwayswakesprettily,andevenatsuchatime,whenherbodymusthavebeenchilledwithcold,andhermindsomewhatappalledatwakinguncladinachurchyardatnight,shedidnotlosehergrace。
  Shetrembledalittle,andclungtome。WhenItoldhertocomeatoncewithmehome,sherosewithoutaword,withtheobedienceofachild。
  Aswepassedalong,thegravelhurtmyfeet,andLucynoticedmewince。
  Shestoppedandwantedtoinsistuponmytakingmyshoes,butIwouldnot。
  However,whenwegottothepathwayoutsidethechruchyard,wheretherewasapuddleofwater,remainingfromthestorm,Idaubedmyfeetwithmud,usingeachfootinturnontheother,sothataswewenthome,noone,incaseweshouldmeetanyone,shouldnoticemybarefeet。
  Fortunefavouredus,andwegothomewithoutmeetingasoul。Oncewesawaman,whoseemednotquitesober,passingalongastreetinfrontofus。
  Butwehidinadoortillhehaddisappearedupanopeningsuchastherearehere,steeplittlecloses,or`wynds',astheycalltheminScotland。
  MyheartbeatsoloudallthetimesometimesIthoughtIshouldfaint。
  IwasfilledwithanxietyaboutLucy,notonlyforherhealth,lestsheshouldsufferfromtheexposure,butforherreputationincasethestoryshouldgetwind。Whenwegotin,andhadwashedourfeet,andhadsaidaprayerofthankfulnesstogether,Ituckedherintobed。
  Beforefallingasleepsheasked,evenimplored,menottosayawordtoanyone,evenhermother,abouthersleep-walkingadventure。
  Ihesitatedatfirst,topromise,butonthinkingofthestateofhermother'shealth,andhowtheknowledgeofsuchathingwouldfrether,andthinktoo,ofhowsuchastorymightbecomedistorted,nay,infalliblywould,incaseitshouldleakout,Ithoughtitwisertodoso。
  IhopeIdidright。Ihavelockedthedoor,andthekeyistiedtomywrist,soperhapsIshallnotbeagaindisturbed。Lucyissleepingsoundly。
  Thereflexofthedawnishighandfaroverthesea……
  Sameday,noon——Allgoeswell。LucyslepttillIwokeherandseemednottohaveevenchangedherside。Theadventureofthenightdoesnotseemtohaveharmedher,onthecontrary,ithasbenefitedher,forshelooksbetterthismorningthanshehasdoneforweeks。
  Iwassorrytonoticethatmyclumsinesswiththesafety-pinhurther。
  Indeed,itmighthavebeenserious,fortheskinofherthroatwaspierced。
  Imusthavepinchedupapieceoflooseskinandhavetransfixedit,fortherearetwolittleredpointslikepin-pricks,andonthebandofhernightdresswasadropofblood。WhenIapologisedandwasconcernedaboutit,shelaughedandpettedme,andsaidshedidnotevenfeelit。
  Fortunatelyitcannotleaveascar,asitissotiny。
  Sameday,night——Wepassedahappyday。Theairwasclear,andthesunbright,andtherewasacoolbreeze。WetookourlunchtoMulgraveWoods,Mrs。WestenradrivingbytheroadandLucyandIwalkingbythecliff-pathandjoiningheratthegate。
  Ifeltalittlesadmyself,forIcouldnotbutfeelhowabsolutelyhappyitwouldhavebeenhadJonathanbeenwithme。
  Butthere!Imustonlybepatient。IntheeveningwestrolledintheCasinoTerrace,andheardsomegoodmusicbySpohrandMackenzie,andwenttobedearly。Lucyseemsmorerestfulthanshehasbeenforsometime,andfellasleepatonce。
  Ishalllockthedoorandsecurethekeythesameasbefore,thoughIdonotexpectanytroubletonight。
  12August——Myexpectationswerewrong,fortwiceduringthenightI
  waswakenedbyLucytryingtogetout。Sheseemed,eveninhersleep,tobealittleimpatientatfindingthedoorshut,andwentbacktobedunderasortofprotest。Iwokewiththedawn,andheardthebirdschirpingoutsideofthewindow。Lucywoke,too,andI
  wasgladtosee,wasevenbetterthanonthepreviousmorning。
  Allheroldgaietyofmannerseemedtohavecomeback,andshecameandsnuggledinbesidemeandtoldmeallaboutArthur。
  ItoldherhowanxiousIwasaboutJonathan,andthenshetriedtocomfortme。Well,shesucceededsomewhat,for,thoughsympathycan'talterfacts,itcanmakethemmorebearable。
  13August——Anotherquietday,andtobedwiththekeyonmywristasbefore。AgainIawokeinthenight,andfoundLucysittingupinbed,stillasleep,pointingtothewindow。
  Igotupquietly,andpullingasidetheblind,lookedout。
  Itwasbrilliantmoonlight,andthesofteffectofthelightovertheseaandsky,mergedtogetherinonegreatsilentmystery,wasbeautifulbeyondwords。Betweenmeandthemoonlightflittedagreatbat,comingandgoingingreatwhirlingcircles。
  Onceortwiceitcamequiteclose,butwas,Isuppose,frightenedatseeingme,andflittedawayacrosstheharbourtowardstheabbey。WhenIcamebackfromthewindowLucyhadlaindownagain,andwassleepingpeacefully。
  Shedidnotstiragainallnight。
  14August——OntheEastCliff,readingandwritingallday。
  LucyseemstohavebecomeasmuchinlovewiththespotasIam,anditishardtogetherawayfromitwhenitistimetocomehomeforlunchorteaordinner。Thisafternoonshemadeafunnyremark。
  Wewerecominghomefordinner,andhadcometothetopofthestepsupfromtheWestPierandstoppedtolookattheview,aswegenerallydo。
  Thesettingsun,lowdowninthesky,wasjustdroppingbehindKettleness。
  TheredlightwasthrownoverontheEastCliffandtheoldabbey,andseemedtobatheeverythinginabeautifulrosyglow。Weweresilentforawhile,andsuddenlyLucymurmuredasiftoherself……
  “Hisredeyesagain!Theyarejustthesame。“Itwassuchanoddexpression,comingaproposofnothing,thatitquitestartledme。
  Islewedroundalittle,soastoseeLucywellwithoutseemingtostareather,andsawthatshewasinahalfdreamystate,withanoddlookonherfacethatIcouldnotquitemakeout,soIsaidnothing,butfollowedhereyes。Sheappearedtobelookingoveratourownseat,whereonwasadarkfigureseatedalone。
  Iwasquitealittlestartledmyself,foritseemedforaninstantasifthestrangerhadgreateyeslikeburningflames,butasecondlookdispelledtheillusion。TheredsunlightwasshiningonthewindowsofSt。Mary'sChurchbehindourseat,andasthesundippedtherewasjustsufficientchangeintherefractionandreflectiontomakeitappearasifthelightmoved。
  IcalledLucy'sattentiontothepeculiareffect,andshebecameherselfwithastart,butshelookedsadallthesame。
  Itmayhavebeenthatshewasthinkingofthatterriblenightupthere。
  Weneverrefertoit,soIsaidnothing,andwewenthometodinner。
  Lucyhadaheadacheandwentearlytobed。Isawherasleep,andwentoutforalittlestrollmyself。
  Iwalkedalongthecliffstothewestward,andwasfullofsweetsadness,forIwasthinkingofJonathan。Whencominghome,itwasthenbrightmoonlight,sobrightthat,thoughthefrontofourpartoftheCrescentwasinshadow,everythingcouldbewellseen,Ithrewaglanceupatourwindow,andsawLucy'sheadleaningout。Iopenedmyhandkerchiefandwavedit。
  Shedidnotnoticeormakeanymovementwhatever。Justthen,themoonlightcreptroundanangleofthebuilding,andthelightfellonthewindow。TheredistinctlywasLucywithherheadlyingupagainstthesideofthewindowsillandhereyesshut。
  Shewasfastasleep,andbyher,seatedonthewindowsill,wassomethingthatlookedlikeagood-sizedbird。
  Iwasafraidshemightgetachill,soIranupstairs,butasI
  cameintotheroomshewasmovingbacktoherbed,fastasleep,andbreathingheavily。Shewasholdingherhandtoherthroat,asthoughtoprotectiffromthecold。
  Ididnotwakeher,buttuckedherupwarmly。Ihavetakencarethatthedoorislockedandthewindowsecurelyfastened。
  Shelookssosweetasshesleeps,butsheispalerthanisherwont,andthereisadrawn,haggardlookunderhereyeswhichIdonotlike。
  Ifearsheisfrettingaboutsomething。IwishIcouldfindoutwhatitis。
  15August——Roselaterthanusual。Lucywaslanguidandtired,andsleptonafterwehadbeencalled。Wehadahappysurpriseatbreakfast。
  Arthur'sfatherisbetter,andwantsthemarriagetocomeoffsoon。
  Lucyisfullofquietjoy,andhermotherisgladandsorryatonce。
  Lateroninthedayshetoldmethecause。SheisgrievedtoloseLucyasherveryown,butsheisrejoicedthatsheissoontohavesomeonetoprotecther。Poordear,sweetlady!Sheconfidedtomethatshehasgotherdeathwarrant。ShehasnottoldLucy,andmademepromisesecrecy。
  Herdoctortoldherthatwithinafewmonths,atmost,shemustdie,forherheartisweakening。Atanytime,evennow,asuddenshockwouldbealmostsuretokillher。Ah,wewerewisetokeepfromhertheaffairofthedreadfulnightofLucy'ssleep-walking。
  17August——Nodiaryfortwowholedays。Ihavenothadthehearttowrite。
  Somesortofshadowypallseemstobecomingoverourhappiness。
  NonewsfromJonathan,andLucyseemstobegrowingweaker,whilsthermother'shoursarenumberingtoaclose。IdonotunderstandLucy'sfadingawayassheisdoing。Sheeatswellandsleepswell,andenjoysthefreshair,butallthetimetherosesinhercheeksarefading,andshegetsweakerandmorelanguiddaybyday。
  AtnightIhearhergaspingasifforair。
  Ikeepthekeyofourdooralwaysfastenedtomywristatnight,butshegetsupandwalksabouttheroom,andsitsattheopenwindow。
  LastnightIfoundherleaningoutwhenIwokeup,andwhenItriedtowakeherIcouldnot。
  Shewasinafaint。WhenImanagedtorestoreher,shewasweakaswater,andcriedsilentlybetweenlong,painfulstrugglesforbreath。
  WhenIaskedherhowshecametobeatthewindowsheshookherheadandturnedaway。
  Itrustherfeelingillmaynotbefromthatunluckyprickofthesafety-pin。Ilookedatherthroatjustnowasshelayasleep,andthetinywoundsseemnottohavehealed。
  Theyarestillopen,and,ifanything,largerthanbefore,andtheedgesofthemarefaintlywhite。Theyarelikelittlewhitedotswithredcentres。Unlesstheyhealwithinadayortwo,Ishallinsistonthedoctorseeingaboutthem。
  LETTER,SAMUELF。BILLINGTON&SON,SOLICITORSWHITBY,TOMESSRS。
  CARTER,PATERSON&CO。,LONDON。
  17August“DearSirs,——“HerewithpleasereceiveinvoiceofgoodssentbyGreatNorthernRailway。SamearetobedeliveredatCarfax,nearPurfleet,immediatelyonreceiptatgoodsstationKing'sCross。
  Thehouseisatpresentempty,butenclosedpleasefindkeys,allofwhicharelabelled。
  “Youwillpleasedeposittheboxes,fiftyinnumber,whichformtheconsignment,inthepartiallyruinedbuildingformingpartofthehouseandmarked`A'onroughdiagramsenclosed。
  Youragentwilleasilyrecognizethelocality,asitistheancientchapelofthemansion。Thegoodsleavebythetrainat9:30tonight,andwillbedueatKing'sCrossat4:30tomorrowafternoon。
  Asourclientwishesthedeliverymadeassoonaspossible,weshallbeobligedbyyourhavingteamsreadyatKing'sCrossatthetimenamedandforthwithconveyingthegoodstodestination。
  Inordertoobviateanydelayspossiblethroughanyroutinerequirementsastopaymentinyourdepartments,weenclosechequeherewithfortenpounds,receiptofwhichpleaseacknowledge。
  Shouldthechargebelessthanthisamount,youcanreturnbalance,ifgreater,weshallatoncesendchequefordifferenceonhearingfromyou。Youaretoleavethekeysoncomingawayinthemainhallofthehouse,wheretheproprietormaygetthemonhisenteringthehousebymeansofhisduplicatekey。
  “Praydonottakeusasexceedingtheboundsofbusinesscourtesyinpressingyouinallwaystousetheutmostexpedition。
  “Weare,dearSirs,“Faithfullyyours,“SAMUELF。BILLINGTON&SON“
  LETTER,MESSRS。CARTER,PATERSON&CO。,LONDON,TOMESSRS。
  BILLINGTON&SON,WHITBY。
  21August。
  “DearSirs,——“Webegtoacknowledge10poundsreceivedandtoreturnchequeof1pound,17s,9d,amountofoverplus,asshowninreceiptedaccountherewith。
  Goodsaredeliveredinexactaccordancewithinstructions,andkeysleftinparcelinmainhall,asdirected。
  “Weare,dearSirs,“Yoursrespectfully,“ProCARTER,PATERSON&CO。“
  MINAMURRAY'SJOURNAL。
  18August——Iamhappytoday,andwritesittingontheseatinthechurchyard。Lucyiseversomuchbetter。Lastnightshesleptwellallnight,anddidnotdisturbmeonce。
  Therosesseemcomingbackalreadytohercheeks,thoughsheisstillsadlypaleandwan-looking。IfshewereinanywayanemicIcouldunderstandit,butsheisnot。
  Sheisingayspiritsandfulloflifeandcheerfulness。
  Allthemorbidreticenceseemstohavepassedfromher,andshehasjustremindedme,asifIneededanyreminding,ofthatnight,andthatitwashere,onthisveryseat,Ifoundherasleep。
  Asshetoldmeshetappedplayfullywiththeheelofherbootonthestoneslabandsaid,“Mypoorlittlefeetdidn'tmakemuchnoisethen!
  IdaresaypooroldMr。SwaleswouldhavetoldmethatitwasbecauseIdidn'twanttowakeupGeordie。“
  Asshewasinsuchacommunicativehumour,Iaskedherifshehaddreamedatallthatnight。
  Beforesheanswered,thatsweet,puckeredlookcameintoherforehead,whichArthur,IcallhimArthurfromherhabit,saysheloves,andindeed,Idon'twonderthathedoes。
  Thenshewentoninahalf-dreamingkindofway,asiftryingtorecallittoherself。
  “Ididn'tquitedream,butitallseemedtobereal。
  Ionlywantedtobehereinthisspot。Idon'tknowwhy,forIwasafraidofsomething,Idon'tknowwhat。Iremember,thoughIsupposeIwasasleep,passingthroughthestreetsandoverthebridge。
  AfishleapedasIwentby,andIleanedovertolookatit,andIheardalotofdogshowling。Thewholetownseemedasifitmustbefullofdogsallhowlingatonce,asIwentupthesteps。
  ThenIhadavaguememoryofsomethinglonganddarkwithredeyes,justaswesawinthesunset,andsomethingverysweetandverybitterallaroundmeatonce。AndthenIseemedsinkingintodeepgreenwater,andtherewasasinginginmyears,asIhaveheardthereistodrowningmen,andtheneverythingseemedpassingawayfromme。
  Mysoulseemedtogooutfrommybodyandfloatabouttheair。
  IseemtorememberthatoncetheWestLighthousewasrightunderme,andthentherewasasortofagonizingfeeling,asifIwereinanearthquake,andIcamebackandfoundyoushakingmybody。
  IsawyoudoitbeforeIfeltyou。“