AsJonathangazedhebeheldathinredstreamtrickleoutfromthepartedandgrinninglips；hebeheldtheeyesturninward；hebeheldtheeyelidscontract；hebeheldthefigurestretchitself；
　　hebehelditbecomestillindeath。
　　IV。TheMomentousAdventurewiththeStrangerwiththeSilverEar—ringsSoourherostoodstunnedandbedazed，gazingdownuponhisvictim，likeamanturnedintoastone。Hisbrainappearedtohimtoexpandlikeabubble，thebloodsurgedandbummedinhisearswitheverygiganticbeatofhisheart，hisvisionswam，andhistremblinghandswerebedewedwithacoldandrepugnantsweat。Thedeadfigureuponthefloorathisfeetgazedathimwithawide，glassystare，andintheconfusionofhisminditappearedtoJonathanthathewas，indeed，amurderer。
　　Whatmonstrousthingwasthisthathadbefallenhimwho，butamomentbefore，hadbeensoentirelyinnocentoftheguiltofblood？Whatwashenowtodoinsuchanextremityasthis，withhisvictimlyingdeadathisfeet，aponiardinhisheart？Whowouldbelievehimtobeguiltlessofcrimewithsuchadreadfulevidenceasthispresentedagainsthim？Howwashe，astrangerinaforeignland，tototallydefendhimselfagainstanaccusingofmistakenjustice？Atthesethoughtsadevelopedterrorgrippedathisvitalsandasweatascoldasicebedewedhisentirebody。
　　No，hemusttarryfornoexplanationordefense！Hemustimmediatelyflyfromthisterribleplace，orelse，shouldhebediscovered，hisdoomwouldcertainlybesealed！
　　Atthatmoment，andintheveryextremityofhisapprehensions，therefellofasuddenaknockuponthedoor，soundingsoloudandsostartlinguponthesilenceoftheroomthateveryshatterednerveinourhero’sframetingledandthrilledinanswertoit。Hestoodpetrified，scarcelysomuchasdaringtobreathe；andthen，observingthathismouthwasagape，hemoistenedhisdryandparchinglips，anddrewhisjawstogetherwithasnap。
　　Againtherefellthesameloud，insistentknockuponthepanel，followedbytheimperativewords："Openwithin！"
　　ThewretchedJonathanflungabouthimaglanceatonceofterrorandofdespair，buttherewasforhimnopossibleescape。Hewasshuttightintheroomwithhisdeadvictim，likearatinatrap。Nothingremainedforhimbuttoobeythesummonsfromwithout。Indeed，intheveryextremityofhisdistraction，hepossessedreasonenoughtoperceivethatthelongerhedelayedopeningthedoorthelessinnocenthemighthopetoappearintheeyesofwhoeverstoodwithout。
　　Withtheuncertainandspasmodicmovementsofanill—constructedautomaton，hecrossedtheroom，andsteppingverycarefullyovertheprostratebodyuponthefloor，andwithahesitatingreluctancethathecouldinnodegreemaster，heunlocked，unbolted，andopenedthedoor。
　　Thefigurethatoutlineditselfinthelightofthecandle，againsttheblacknessofthepassagewaywithoutwasofsuchasingularandforeignaspectastofitextremelywellintotheextraordinarytragedyofwhichJonathanwasatoncethevictimandthecause。
　　Itwasthatofalean，tallmanwithathin，yellowcountenance，embellishedwithalong，blackmustache，andhavingapairofforbidding，deeplyset，andextremelyrestlessblackeyes。A
　　crimsonhandkerchiefbeneathalacecockedhatwastiedtightlyaroundthehead，andapairofsilverearrings，whichcaughtthelightofthecandle，gleamedandtwinkledagainsttheinkydarknessofthepassagewaybeyond。
　　Thisextraordinarybeing，withoutfavoringourherowithanywordofapologyforhisintrusion，immediatelythrusthimselfforwardintotheroom，andstretchinghislong，lean，bird—likenecksoastodirecthisgazeovertheinterveningtable，fixedagapingandconcentratedstareuponthefigurelyingstillandmotionlessinthecentreoftheroom。
　　"Vatyoudodare，"saidhe，withagutturalandforeignaccent，andthereupon，withoutwaitingforareply，cameforwardandkneltdownbesidethedeadman。Afterthrustinghishandintothesilentandshrunkenbosom，hepresentlylookedupandfixedhispenetratingeyesuponourhero’scountenance，who，benumbedandbedazedwithhisdespair，stillstoodlikeoneenchainedinthebondsofanightmare。"Hevasdead！"saidthestranger，andJonathannoddedhisheadinreply。
　　"Vyyoukeelzeman？"inquiredhisinterlocutor。
　　"Indeed，"criedJonathan，findingavoiceatlast，butonesohoarsethathecouldhardlyrecognizeitforhisown，"Iknownotwhattomakeoftheaffair！But，indeed，Idoassurethee，friend，thatIamentirelyinnocentofwhatthouseest。"
　　Thestrangerstillkepthispiercinggazefixeduponourhero’scountenance，andJonathan，feelingthatsomethingfurtherwasdemandedofhim，continued："Iam，indeed，avictimofamostextravagantandextraordinaryadventure。Thisevening，cominganentirestrangertothiscountry，Iwasintroducedintothehouseofabeautifulfemale，whobestoweduponmeachargethatappearedtometobeatonceinsignificantandabsurd。Beholdthislittleivoryball，"saidhe，drawingtheglobefromhispocket，anddisplayingitbetweenhisthumbandfinger。"Itisthisthatappearstohavebroughtallthisdisasteruponme；for，comingfromthehouseoftheyoungwoman，themanwhomthounowbeholdestlyingdeaduponthefloorinducedmetocometothisplace。Havinginveigledmehither，hedemandedofmetogivehimatoncethisinsignificanttrifle。Uponmyrefusingtodoso，heassaultedmewitheveryappearanceofamadandfuriousinclinationtodeprivemeofmylife！"
　　Atthesightoftheivoryballthestrangerquicklyarosefromhiskneelingpostureandfixeduponourheroagazethemostextraordinarythathehadeverencountered。Hiseyesdilatedlikethoseofacat，thebreathexpelleditselffromhisbosominsodeepandprofoundanexpirationthatitappearedasthoughitmightneverreturnagain。NorwasituntilJonathanhadreplacedtheballinhispocketthatheappearedtoawakenfromthetrancethatthesightoftheobjecthadsenthiminto。Butnosoonerhadthecauseofthisstrangedemeanordisappearedintoourhero’sbreeches—pocketthanhearoseaswithanelectricshock。Inaninstanthebecametransformedasbythetouchofmagic。Asuddenandbalefullightflamedintohiseyes，hisfacegrewasredasblood，andheclappedhishandtohispocketwithasuddenandviolentmotion。"Zeball！"hecried，inahoarseandstridentvoice。"Zeball！Givemezeball！"Anduponthenextinstantourherobeheldtheroundandshiningnozzleofapistolpointeddirectlyagainsthisforehead。
　　Foramomenthestoodasthoughtransfixed；theninthemortalperilthatfacedhim，heutteredaroarthatsoundedinhisownearsliketheoutcryofawildbeast，andthereuponflunghimselfbodilyupontheotherwiththeviolenceandthefuryofamadman。
　　Thestrangerdrewthetrigger，andthepowderflashedinthepan。
　　Hedroppedtheweapon，clattering，andinaninstanttriedtodrawanotherfromhisotherpocket。Beforehecoulddirecthisaim，however，ourherohadcaughthimbybothwrists，and，bendinghishandbackward，preventedthechanceofanyshotfromtakingimmediateeffectuponhisperson。Thenfollowedastruggleofextraordinaryferocityandfrenzy——thestrangerendeavoringtofreehishand，andJonathanstrivingwithalltheenergyofdespairtopreventhimfromeffectinghismurderouspurpose。
　　Inthestruggleourherobecamethrustagainsttheedgeofthetable。Hefeltasthoughhisbackwerebreaking，andbecameconsciousthatinsuchasituationhecouldhopetodefendhimselfonlyafewmomentslonger。Thestranger’sfacewaspressedclosetohisown。Hishotbreath，strongwiththeodorofgarlic，fannedourhero’scheek，whilehislips，distendedintoaferociousandferinegrin，displayedhissharpteethshininginthecandlelight。
　　"Givemezeball！"hesaid，inaharshandfuriouswhisper。
　　AtthemomentthereranginJonathan’searsthesuddenandastoundingdetonationofapistol—shot，andforamomenthewonderedwhetherhehadreceivedamortalwoundwithoutbeingawareofit。Thensuddenlyhebeheldanextraordinaryanddreadfultransformationtakeplaceinthecountenancethrustsoclosetohisown；theeyeswinkedseveraltimeswithincrediblerapidity，andthenrolledupwardandinward；thejawsgapedintoadreadfulandcavernousyawn；thepistolfellwithaclattertothefloor，andthenextmomentthemuscles，sorigidbutaninstantbefore，relaxedintoalimpandlistlessflaccidity。Thejointscollapsed，andtheentiremanfellintoanindistinguishableheapuponandacrossthedeadfigurestretchedoutuponthefloor，whileatthesametimeapungentandblindingcloudofgunpowdersmokefilledtheapartment。Forafewmomentsthehandstwitchedconvulsively；theneckstretcheditselftoanabominablelength；thelong，leanlegsslowlyandgraduallyrelaxed，andeveryfibreofthebodygraduallycollapsedintothelassitudeofdeath。Aspotofbloodappearedandgrewuponthecollaratthethroat，andinthesamedegreethecolorebbedfromthefaceleavingitofadullandleadenpallor。
　　Alltheseterribleandformidablechangesofaspectourherostoodwatchingwithamotionlessandrivetedattention，andasthoughtheyweretohimmattersoftheutmostconsequenceandimportance；andonlywhenthelastflickeroflifehaddepartedfromhissecondvictimdidhelifthisgazefromthisterriblesceneofdissolutiontostareabouthim，thiswayandthat，hiseyesblinded，andhisbreathstifledbythethickcloudofsulphuroussmokethatobscuredtheobjectsabouthiminapungentcloud。
　　V。TheUnexpectedEncounterwiththeSea—captainwiththeBrokenNoseIfourherohadbeendistractedandbedazedbythefirstcatastrophethathadbefallen，thissecondandevenmoredreadfulandviolentoccurrenceappearedtotakeawayfromhim，forthemoment，everypowerofthoughtandofsensation。Allthatperturbationofemotionthathadbeforeconvulsedhimhediscoveredtohavedisappeared，andinitssteadabenumbedandblindedintelligencealoneremainedtohim。Ashestoodinthepresenceofthisseconddeath，ofwhichhehadbeenasinnocentandasunwillinganinstrumentashehadofthefirst，hecouldobservenosignseitherofremorseorofhorrorwithinhim。Hepickeduphishat，whichhadfallenuponthefloorinthefirstencounter，and，brushingawaythedustwiththecuffofhiscoatsleevewithextraordinarycare，adjustedthebeaveruponhisheadwiththeutmostnicety。Thenturning，stillstupefiedaswiththefumesofsomepowerfuldrug，hepreparedtoquitthesceneoftragicterrorsthathadthusunexpectedlyaccumulateduponhim。
　　Buterehecouldputhisdesignintoexecutionhisearswerestartledbythesoundofloudandhurriedfootstepswhich，comingfrombelow，ascendedthestairswithaprodigiousclatterandbustleofspeed。Atthelandingthesefootstepspausedforawhile，andthenapproached，morecautiousanddeliberate，towardtheroomwherethedoubletragedyhadbeenenacted，andwhereourheroyetstoodsilentandinert。
　　AllthiswhileJonathanmadenoendeavortoescape，butstoodpassiveandsubmissivetowhatmightoccur。Hefelthimselfthevictimofcircumstancesoverwhichhehimselfhadnocontrol。
　　Gazingatthepartlyopeneddoor，heawaitedforwhateveradventuremightnextbefallhim。Onceagainthefootstepspaused，thistimeattheverythreshold，andthenthedoorwasslowlypushedopenfromwithout。
　　Asourherogazedattheaperturetherepresentlybecamedisclosedtohisviewthestrongandrobustfigureofonewhowasevidentlyofaseafaringhabit。Fromthegoldbraiduponhishat，thesealsdanglingfromtheribbonathisfob，andacertainparticularityofcustom，hewasevidentlyoneofnosmallconsiderationinhisprofession。Hewasofastrongandpowerfulbuild，withaheadsetclosetohisshoulders，anduponaround，shortbullneck。Heworeablackcravat，looselytiedintoaknot，andaredwaistcoatelaboratelytrimmedwithgoldbraid；aleatherbeltwithabrassbuckleandhanger，andhugesea—bootscompletedacostumesingularlysuggestiveofhisoccupationinlife。Hisfacewasroundandbroad，likethatofacat，andacomplexionstained，byconstantexposuretothesunandwind，toacolorofnewlypolishedmahogany。Butacountenancewhichotherwisemighthavebeenhumorous，inthiscasewasrenderedsingularlyrepulsivebythefactthathisnosehadbeenbrokensoflattohisfacethatallthatremainedtodistinguishthatfeatureweretwocircularorificeswherethenostrilsshouldhavebeen。Hiseyeswerebynomeanssosinisterastherestofhisvisage，beingofalight—graycolorandexceedinglyvivacious——evengood—naturedinthemerryrestlessnessoftheirglance——albeittheywerewell—nighhiddenbeneathablackbushofoverhangingeyebrows。Whenhespoke，hisvoicewassodeepandresonantthatitwasasthoughitissuedfromabarrelratherthanfromthebreastofahumanbeing。
　　"Hownow，myhearty！"criedhe，instentoriantones，soloudthattheyseemedtostunthetenselydrawndrumsofourhero’sears。
　　"Hownow，myhearty！What’sto—dohere？Whoisshootingpistolsatthishourofthenight？"Then，catchingsightofthefigureslyinginahuddleuponthefloor，hisgreat，thicklipspartedintoagapeofwonderandhisgrayeyesrolledinhisheadliketwoballs，sothatwhatwithhisflatfaceandtheroundholesofhisnostrilshepresentedanappearancewhich，underothercircumstances，wouldhavebeenatonceludicrousandgrotesque。
　　"Bytheblood！"criedhe，"tobesureitismurderthathashappenedhere。"
　　"Notmurder！"criedJonathan，inashrillandpantingvoice。"Notmurder！Itwasallanaccident，andIamasinnocentasababy。"
　　Thenew—comerlookedathimandthenatthetwofiguresuponthefloor，andthenbackathimagainwitheyesatoncequizzicalandcunning。Thenhisfacebrokeintoagrinthatmighthardlybecalledofdrollery。"Accident！"quothhe。"Bytheblood！d’yesee’tisastrangeaccident，indeed，thatlaystwomenbytheheelsandletsthethirdgowithoutascratch！"Deliveringhimselfthus，hecameforwardintotheroom，and，takingthelastvictimofJonathan’sadventurebythearm，withaslittlecompunctionashewouldhavehandledasackofgrainhedraggedthelimpandhelplessfigurefromwhereitlaytothefloorbesidethefirstvictim。Then，liftingthelightedcandle，hebentoverthetwoprostratebodies，holdingtheilluminationclosetothelineamentsfirstofoneandthenoftheother。Helookedatthemverycarefullyforalongwhile，withtheclosestandmostintentscrutiny，andinperfectsilence。"Theyarebothasdead，"sayshe，"asDavyJones，and，whoeveryoube，IprotestthatyouhavedoneyourbusinessthemostcompletestthatIeversawinallofmylife。"
　　Indeed，"criedJonathan，inthesameshrillandpantingvoice，"itwasthemselveswhodidit。Firstoneofthemattackedmeandthentheother，andIdidbuttrytokeepthemfrommurderingme。
　　Thisonefellonhisknife，andthatoneshothimselfinhiseffortstodestroyme。"
　　"That，"saystheseaman，"youmayverywelltelltoadry—lander，andmaybehewillbelieveyou；butyoucannotsoeasilypullthewoolovertheeyesofCaptainBennyWillitts。Andwhat，ifImaybesoboldasfortoaskyou，wasthereasonfortheirattackingsoharmlessamanasyouproclaimyourselftobe？"
　　"ThatIknownot，"criedJonathan；"butIamentirelywillingtotelltheeallthecircumstances。ThoumustknowthatIamamemberoftheSocietyofFriends。ThisdayIlandedhereinKingston，andmetayoungwomanofverycomelyappearance，whointrustedmewiththislittleivoryball，whichsherequestedmetokeepforherafewdays。Thesightofthisball——inwhichI
　　candetectnothingthatcouldbelikelytoarouseanyfeelingsofviolence——appearstohavedriventhesetwomenentirelymad，sothattheyinstantlymadethemostferociousandmurderousassaultuponme。See！wouldstthouhavebelievedthatsosmallathingasthiswouldhavecausedsomuchtrouble？"Andashespokehehelduptothegazeoftheotherthecauseofthedoubletragedythathadbefallen。ButnosoonerhadCaptainWillitts’seyeslightedupontheballthanthemostsingularchangepassedoverhiscountenance。Thecolorappearedtogrowdullandyellowinhisruddycheeks，hisfatlipsdroppedapart，andhiseyesstaredwithafixedandglassyglare。Hearosetohisfeetand，stillwiththeexpressionofastonishmentandwonderuponhisface，gazedfirstatourheroandthenattheivoryballinhishands，asthoughheweredeprivedbothofreasonandofspeech。Atlast，asourheroslippedthetriflebackinhispocketagain，themarinerslowlyrecoveredhimself，thoughwithaprodigiouseffort，anddrewadeepandprofoundbreathastotheverybottomofhislungs。Hewiped，withthecornerofhisblacksilkcravat，hisbrow，uponwhichthesweatappearedtohavegathered。"Well，messmate，"sayshe，atlast，withasuddenchangeofvoice，"youhave，indeed，hadamostwonderfuladventure。"Thenwithanotherdeepbreath："Well，bytheblood！ImaytellyouplainlythatI
　　amnopoorhandatthereadingoffaces。Well，Ithinkyoutobehonest，andIaminclinedtobelieveeverywordyoutellme。Bytheblood！Iamprodigiouslysorryforyou，andaminclinedtohelpyououtofyourscrape。
　　"Thefirstthingtodo，"hecontinued，"istogetridofthesetwodeadmen，andthatisanaffairIbelieveweshallhavenotroubleinhandling。Oneofthemwewillwrapupinthecarpethere，andt’otherwecanrollintoyonderbed—curtain。YoushallcarrytheoneandItheother，and，theharborbeingatnogreatdistance，wecaneasilybringthemthitherandtumblethemoverboard，andnoonewillbethewiserofwhathashappened。Foryourownsafety，asyoumayeasilysee，youcanhardlygoawayandleavetheseobjectsheretobefoundbythefirst—comer，andtoariseupinevidenceagainstyou。"
　　Thisreasoning，inourhero’spresentbewilderedstate，appearedtohimtobesoextremelyjustthatheraisednottheleastobjectiontoit。Accordingly，eachofthetwosilent，voicelessvictimsoftheevening’soccurrenceswerewrappedintoabundlethatfromwithoutappearedtobeneitherportentousnorterribleinappearance。
　　Thereupon，Jonathanshoulderingtherugcontainingthelittlegentlemaninblack，andthesea—captaindoingthelikefortheother，theypresentlymadetheirwaydownthestairsthroughthedarkness，andsooutintothestreet。Herethesea—captainbecametheconductoroftheexpedition，andleadingthewaydownseveralalleysandalongcertainby—streets——nowandthenstoppingtorest，fortheburdenswerebothheavyandclumsytocarry——theybothcameoutatlasttotheharborfront，withoutanyonehavingquestionedthemorhavingappearedtosuspectthemofanythingwrong。Atthewater—sidewasanopenwharfextendingaprettygooddistanceoutintotheharbor。ThitherthecaptainledthewayandJonathanfollowed。Sotheymadetheirwayoutalongthewharforpier，stumblingnowandthenoverlooseboards，untiltheycameatlasttowherethewaterwasofasufficientdepthfortheirpurpose。Herethecaptain，bendinghisshoulders，shothisburdenoutintothedark，mysteriouswaters，andJonathan，followinghisexample，didthesame。Eachbodysankwithasullenandleadensplashintotheelementwhere，thecasingswhichswathedthembecomingloosened，therugandthecurtainrosetothesurfaceanddriftedslowlyawaywiththetide。
　　AsJonathanstoodgazingdullyatthedisappearanceoftheselastevidencesofhistwoinadvertentmurders，hewassuddenlyandvehementlyarousedbyfeelingapairofarmsofenormousstrengthflungabouthimfrombehind。Intheirembracehiselbowswereinstantlypinnedtighttohisside，andhestoodforamomenthelplessandastounded，whilethevoiceofthesea—captain，rumblinginhisveryear，exclaimed："Yebloody，murtheringQuaker，I’llhavethativoryball，orI’llhaveyourlife！"
　　ThesewordsproducedthesameeffectuponJonathanasthoughadoucheofcoldwaterhadsuddenlybeenflungoverhim。Hebeganinstantlytostruggletofreehimself，andthatwithafranticandvehementviolencebegottenatonceofterroranddespair。Soprodigiouswerehiseffortsthatmorethanoncehehadnearlytornhimselffree，butstillthepowerfularmsofhiscaptorheldhimasinaviseofiron。Meantime，ourhero’sassailantmadefrequentthoughineffectualattemptstothrustahandintothebreeches—pocketwheretheivoryballwashidden，swearingthewhileunderhisbreathwithaterrifyingandmonstrousstringofoaths。Atlast，findinghimselffoiledineverysuchattempt，andlosingallpatienceatthestrugglesofhisvictim，heendeavoredtoliftJonathanoffofhisfeet，asthoughtodashhimbodilyupontheground。Inthishewoulddoubtlesshavesucceededhadhenotcaughthisheelinthecrackofalooseboardofthewharf。
　　Instantlytheybothfell，violentlyprostrate，thecaptainbeneathandJonathanabovehim，thoughstillencircledinhisironembrace。Ourherofeltthebackofhisheadstrikeviolentlyupontheflatfaceoftheother，andheheardthecaptain’sskullsoundwithaterrificcracklikethatofabreakingegguponsomepostorbilletofwood，againstwhichhemusthavestruck。Intheirfranticstrugglestheyhadapproachedextremelyneartheedgeofthewharf，sothatthenextinstant，withanenormousandthunderoussplash，Jonathanfoundhimselfplungedintothewatersoftheharbor，andthearmsofhisassailantloosenedfromabouthisbody。
　　Theshockofthewaterbroughthiminstantlytohissenses，and，beingafairlygoodswimmer，hehadnottheleastdifficultyinreachingandclutchingthecross—pieceofawoodenladderthat，coatedwithslimysea—moss，ledfromthewater—leveltothewharfabove。
　　Afterreachingthesafetyofthedrylandoncemore，Jonathangazedabouthimasthoughtodiscernwhencethenextattackmightbedelivereduponhim。Buthestoodentirelyaloneuponthedock——notanotherlivingsoulwasinsight。Thesurfaceofthewaterexhibitedsomecommotion，asthoughdisturbedbysomethingstrugglingbeneath；butthesea—captain，whohaddoubtlessbeenstunnedbythetremendouscrackuponhishead，neveraroseagainoutoftheelementthathadengulfedhim。
　　Themoonlightshonewithapeacefulandresplendentillumination，and，exceptingcertainremotenoisesfromthedistanttownnotasoundbrokethesilenceandthepeacefulnessofthebalmy，tropicalnight。Thelimpidwater，illuminatedbytheresplendentmoonlight，lappedagainstthewharf。Alltheworldwascalm，serene，andenvelopedinaprofoundandentirerepose。
　　Jonathanlookedupattheroundandbrilliantglobeoflightfloatingintheskyabovehishead，andwonderedwhetheritwere，indeed，possiblethatallthathadbefallenhimwasarealityandnotsometremendoushallucination。Thensuddenlyarousinghimselftoarenewedrealizationofthatwhichhadoccurred，heturnedandranlikeonepossessed，upalongthewharf，andsointothemoonlittownoncemore。
　　VI。TheConclusionoftheAdventurewiththeLadywiththeSilverVeilNordidhecheckhisprecipitousflightuntilsuddenly，beingledperhapsbysomestrangeinfluenceofwhichhewasnotatallthemaster，hediscoveredhimselftobestandingbeforethegarden—gatewherenotmorethananhourbeforehehadfirstenteredupontheseriesofmonstrousadventuresthathadledtosuchtremendousconclusions。
　　Peoplewerestillpassingandrepassing，andoneofthesegroups——apartyofyoungladiesandgentlemen——pausedupontheoppositesideofthestreettoobserve，withnosmallcuriosityandamusement，hisdrippingandbedraggledaspect。Butonlyonethoughtandoneintentionpossessedourhero——torelievehimselfasquicklyaspossibleofthattrustwhichhehadtakenupsothoughtlessly，andwithsuchmonstrousresultstohimselfandtohisvictims。Herantothegateofthegardenandbeganbeatingandkickinguponitwithavehemencethathecouldneithermasternorcontrol。Hewasawarethattheentireneighborhoodwasbecomingaroused，forhebeheldlightsmovingandloudvoicesofinquiry；yethegavenottheleastthoughttothedisturbancehewascreating，butcontinuedwithoutintermissionhisuproariouspoundinguponthegate。
　　Atlength，inanswertothesoundofhisvehementblows，thelittlewicketwasopenedandapairofeyesappearedthereat。Thenextinstantthegatewascastajarveryhastily，andthepock—pittednegressappeared。Shecaughthimbythesleeveofhiscoatanddrewhimquicklyintothegarden。"Buckra，Buckra！"shecried。"Whatyoudoing？Youwakedewholetown！"Then，observinghisdrippinggarments："Youbeenindewater。Youcatchdefeverandshaketillyoudie。"
　　"Thymistress！"criedJonathan，almostsobbingintheexcessofhisemotion；"takemetoherupontheinstant，orIcannotanswerformynotgoingentirelymad！"
　　Whenourherowasagainintroducedtothelady，hefoundhercladinalooseandanelegantnegligee，infinitelybecomingtohergracefulfigure，andstillcoveredwiththeveilofsilvergauzethathadbeforeenvelopedher。
　　"Friend，"hecried，vehemently，approachingherandholdingouttowardherthelittleivoryball，"takeagainthiswhichthougavestme！Ithasbroughtdeathtothreemen，andIknownotwhatterriblefatemaybefallmeifIkeepitlongerinmypossession。
　　"Whatisityousay？"criedshe，inapiercingvoice。"Didyousayithathcausedthedeathofthreemen？Quick！Tellmewhathashappened，forIfeelsomehowapresagethatyoubringmenewsofsafetyandreleasefromallmydangers。"
　　"Iknownotwhatthoumeanest！"criedJonathan，stillpantingwithagitation。"ButthisIdoknow：thatwhenIwentawayfromtheeIdepartedaninnocentman，andnowIcomebacktotheeburdenedwiththeweightofthreelives，which，thoughinnocentI
　　havebeeninstrumentalintaking。"
　　"Explain！"exclaimedthelady，tappingthefloorwithherfoot。
　　"Explain！explain！explain！"
　　"ThatIwill，"criedJonathan，"andassoonasIamable！WhenIlefttheeandwentoutintothestreetIwasaccostedbyalittlegentlemancladinblack。"
　　"Indeed！"criedthelady；"andhadhebutoneeye，anddidhecarryagold—headedcane？"
　　"Exactly，"saidJonathan；"andheclaimedacquaintancewithfriendJeremiahDoolittle。"
　　"Heneverknewhim！"criedthelady，vehemently；"andImusttellyouthathewasavillainnamedHunt，whoatonetimewastheintimateconsortofthepirateKeitt。Heitwaswhoplungedadeadlyknifeintohiscaptain’sbosom，andsomurderedhiminthisveryhouse。Hehimselforhisagents，musthavebeenwatchingmygatewhenyouwentforth。"
　　"Iknownothowthatmaybe，"saidJonathan，"buthetookmetohisapartment，andthere，obtainingaknowledgeofthetrustthoudidstburdenmewith，hedemandeditofme，anduponmyrefusingtodeliverittohimhepresentlyfelltoattackingmewithadagger。InmyeffortstoprotectmylifeIinadvertentlycausedhimtoplungetheknifeintohisownbosomandtokillhimself。"
　　"Andwhatthen？"criedthelady，whoappearedwell—nighdistractedwithheremotions。
　　"Then，"saidJonathan，"therecameastrangeman——aforeigner——whouponhispartassaultedmewithapistol，witheveryintentionofmurderingmeandthusobtainingpossessionofthatsamelittletrifle。"
　　Anddidhe，"exclaimedthelady，"havelong，blackmustachios，anddidhehavesilverear—ringsinhisears？"
　　"Yes，"saidJonathan，"hedid。"
　　"That，"criedthelady，couldhavebeennoneotherthanCaptainKeitt’sPortuguesesailing—master，whomusthavebeenspyinguponHunt！Tellmewhathappenednext！"
　　"Hewouldhavetakenmylife，"saidJonathan，"butinthestrugglethatfollowedheshothimselfaccidentallywithhisownpistol，anddiedatmyveryfeet。Idonotknowwhatwouldhavehappenedtomeifasea—captainhadnotcomeandprofferedhisassistance。"
　　"Asea—captain！"sheexclaimed；"andhadheaflatfaceandabrokennose？"
　　"Indeedhehad，"repliedJonathan。
　　"That，"saidthelady，"musthavebeenCaptainKeitt’spiratepartner——CaptainWillitts，ofTheBloodyHand。HewasdoubtlessspyinguponthePortuguese。"
　　"Heinducedme，"saidJonathan，"tocarrythetwobodiesdowntothewharf。Havinginveigledmethere——where，Isuppose，hethoughtnoonecouldinterfere——heassaultedme，andendeavoredtotaketheivoryballawayfromme。Inmyeffortstoescapewebothfellintothewater，andhe，strikinghisheadupontheedgeofthewharf，wasfirststunnedandthendrowned。"
　　"ThankGod！"criedthelady，withatransportoffervor，andclaspingherjewelledhandstogether。"AtlastIamfreeofthosewhohaveheretoforepersecutedmeandthreatenedmyverylifeitself！Youhaveaskedtobeholdmyface；Iwillnowshowittoyou！HeretoforeIhavebeenobligedtokeepitconcealedlest，recognizingme，myenemiesshouldhaveslainme。"Asshespokeshedrewasideherveil，anddisclosedtothevisionofourheroacountenanceofthemostextraordinaryandstrikingbeauty。HerluminouseyeswerelikethoseofaJawa，andsetbeneathexquisitelyarchedandpencilledbrows。Herforeheadwaslikelustrousivoryandherlipslikerose—leaves。Herhair，whichwasassoftasthefinestsilk，wasfastenedupinmassesofravishingabundance。"Iam，"saidshe，"thedaughterofthatunfortunateCaptainKeitt，who，thoughweakandapirate，wasnotsowicked，Iwouldhaveyouknow，ashehasbeenpainted。Hewould，doubtless，havebeenanhonestmanhadhenotbeenledastraybythevillainHunt，whosonearlycompassedyourowndestruction。Hereturnedtothisislandbeforehisdeath，andmademethesoleheirofallthatgreatfortunewhichhehadgathered——perhapsnotbythemosthonestmeans——inthewatersoftheIndianOcean。ButthegreatesttreasureofallthatfortunebequeathedtomewasasinglejewelwhichyouyourselfhavejustnowdefendedwithacourageandafidelitythatIcannotsufficientlyextol。ItisthatpricelessgemknownastheRubyofKishmoor。Iwillshowittoyou。"Hereuponshetookthelittleivoryballinherhand，and，withaturnofherbeautifulwrists，unscrewedalidsonicelyandcunninglyadjustedthatnoeyecouldhavedetectedwhereitwasjoinedtotheparentglobe。
　　Withinwasafleeceofrawsilkcontaininganobjectwhichshepresentlydisplayedbeforetheastonishedgazeofourhero。Itwasaredstoneofaboutthebignessofaplover’segg，andwhichglowedandflamedwithsuchanexquisiteandruddybrilliancyastodazzleevenJonathan’sinexperiencedeyes。Indeed，hedidnotneedtobeinformedofthepricelessvalueofthetreasure，whichhebeheldintherosypalmextendedtowardhim。Howlonghegazedatthisextraordinaryjewelheknewnot，buthewasarousedfromhiscontemplationbythesoundofthelady’svoiceaddressinghim。"Thethreevillains，"saidshe，"whohavethisdaymettheirdesertsinaviolentandbloodydeath，hadbyanaccidentobtainedknowledgethatthisjewelwasinmypossession。Sincethenmylifehashunguponathread，andeverystepthatIhavetakenhasbeenwatchedbytheseenemies，themostcruelandrelentlessthatitwaseverthelotofanyunfortunatetopossess。Fromthemortaldangersoftheirmachinationsyouhavesavedme，exhibitingacourageandadeterminationthatcannotbesufficientlyapplauded。Inthisyouhaveearnedmydeepestadmirationandregard。Iwouldrather，"shecried，"intrustmylifeandmyhappinesstoyouthanintothekeepingofanymanwhomIhaveeverknown！Icannothopetorewardyouinsuchawayastorecompenseyoufortheperilsintowhichmynecessitieshavethrustyou；butyet"——andhereshehesitated，asthoughseekingforwordsinwhichtoexpressherself——"butyetifyouarewillingtoacceptofthisjewel，andallofthefortunethatbelongstome，togetherwiththepersonofpoorEvalineKeittherself，notonlythestoneandthewealth，butthewomanalso，areyourstodisposeofasyouseefit！"
　　Ourherowassostruckabackatthisunexpectedturnthatheknewnotupontheinstantwhatreplytomake。"Friend，"saidhe，atlast，"Ithanktheeextremelyforthyoffer，and，thoughIwouldnotbeungracious，itisyetborneinuponmetotestifytotheethatastothestoneitselfandthefortune——ofwhichthouspeakest，andofwhichIverywellknowthehistory——Ihavenoinclinationtoreceiveeithertheoneortheother，boththefruitsoftheft，rapine，andmurder。ThejewelIhavemyselfbeheldthreetimesstained，asitwere，withthebloodofmyfellow—man，sothatitnowhassolittlevalueinmysightthatI
　　wouldnotgiveapeppercorntopossessit。Indeed，thereisnoinducementintheworldthatcouldpersuademetoacceptit，oreventotakeitagainintomyhand。Astotherestofthygenerousoffer，IhaveonlytosaythatIam，fourmonthshence，tobemarriedtoaverycomelyyoungwomanofKensington，inPennsylvania，bynameMarthaDobbs，andthereforeIamnotatallatlibertytoconsidermyinclinationsinanyotherdirection。"
　　Havingsodeliveredhimself，Jonathanbowedwithsucheaseashisstiffandawkwardjointsmightcommand，andthereuponwithdrewfromthepresenceofthecharmer，who，withcheekssuffusedwithblushesandwitheyesaverted，madenoendeavortodetainhim。
　　Soendedtheonlyadventureofmomentthateverhappenedtohiminallhislife。Forthereafterhecontentedhimselfwithsuchexcitementashismercantileprofessionandhisextremelypeacefulexistencemightafford。
　　EpilogueInconclusionitmaybesaidthatwhentheworthyJonathanRuggwasmarriedtoMarthaDobbs，uponthefollowingJune，somemysteriousfriendpresentedtothebridearopeofpearlsofsuchconsiderablevaluethatwhentheywererealizedintomoneyourherowasenabledtoenterintopartnershipwithhisformerpatrontheworthyJeremiahDoolittle，andthat，havingmadesuchabeginning，heby—and—byarosetobecome，inhisday，oneoftheleadingmerchantsofhisnativetownofPhiladelphia。