JoeyLadle’seyefollowedtheflyingmorselofpaperdrearily。
　　"I’mgladtoseeyoutakeiteasy，sir，"hesaid。"Whateverhappens，itwillbealwaysacomforttoyoutorememberthatyoutookiteasyatfirst。Sometimesonemistakeleadstoanother。A
　　mandropsabitoforange—peelonthepavementbymistake，andanothermantreadsonitbymistake，andthere’sajobatthehospital，andapartycrippledforlife。I’mgladyoutakeiteasy，sir。InPebblesonNephew’stimeweshouldn’thavetakeniteasytillwehadseentheendofit。Withoutdesiringtocrowoverthehouse，youngMr。Vendale，Iwishyouwellthroughit。Nooffence，sir，"saidtheCellarman，openingthedoortogoout，andlookinginagainominouslybeforeheshutit。"I’mmuddledandmolloncolly，I
　　grantyou。ButI’manoldservantofPebblesonNephew，andIwishyouwellthroughthemsixcasesofredwine。"
　　Leftbyhimself，Vendalelaughed，andtookuphispen。"ImayaswellsendalinetoDefresnierandCompany，"hethought，"beforeI
　　forgetit。"Hewroteatonceintheseterms：
　　"DearSirs。Wearetakingstock，andatriflingmistakehasbeendiscoveredinthelastconsignmentofchampagnesentbyyourhousetoours。Sixofthecasescontainredwine——whichweherebyreturntoyou。Themattercaneasilybesetright，eitherbyyoursendingussixcasesofthechampagne，iftheycanbeproduced，or，ifnot，byyourcreditinguswiththevalueofsixcasesontheamountlastpaid（fivehundredpounds）byourfirmtoyours。Yourfaithfulservants，"WILDINGANDCO。"
　　Thisletterdespatchedtothepost，thesubjectdroppedatonceoutofVendale’smind。Hehadotherandfarmoreinterestingmatterstothinkof。LaterinthedayhepaidthevisittoObenreizerwhichhadbeenagreedonbetweenthem。CertaineveningsintheweekweresetapartwhichhewasprivilegedtospendwithMarguerite——always，however，inthepresenceofathirdperson。OnthisstipulationObenreizerpolitelybutpositivelyinsisted。TheoneconcessionhemadewastogiveVendalehischoiceofwhothethirdpersonshouldbe。Confidinginpastexperience，hischoicefellunhesitatinglyupontheexcellentwomanwhomendedObenreizer’sstockings。Onhearingoftheresponsibilityentrustedtoher，MadameDor’sintellectualnatureburstsuddenlyintoanewstageofdevelopment。
　　ShewaitedtillObenreizer’seyewasoffher——andthenshelookedatVendale，anddimlywinked。
　　Thetimepassed——thehappyeveningswithMargueritecameandwent。
　　ItwasthetenthmorningsinceVendalehadwrittentotheSwissfirm，whentheanswerappeared，onhisdesk，withtheotherlettersoftheday：
　　"DearSirs。Webegtoofferourexcusesforthelittlemistakewhichhashappened。Atthesametime，weregrettoaddthatthestatementofourerror，withwhichyouhavefavouredus，hasledtoaveryunexpecteddiscovery。Theaffairisamostseriousoneforyouandforus。Theparticularsareasfollows：
　　"Havingnomorechampagneofthevintagelastsenttoyou，wemadearrangementstocredityourfirmtothevalueofsixcases，assuggestedbyyourself。Ontakingthisstep，certainformsobservedinourmodeofdoingbusinessnecessitatedareferencetoourbankers’book，aswellastoourledger。Theresultisamoralcertaintythatnosuchremittanceasyoumentioncanhavereachedourhouse，andaliteralcertaintythatnosuchremittancehasbeenpaidtoouraccountatthebank。
　　"Itisneedless，atthisstageoftheproceedings，totroubleyouwithdetails。Themoneyhasunquestionablybeenstoleninthecourseofitstransitfromyoutous。Certainpeculiaritieswhichweobserve，relatingtothemannerinwhichthefraudhasbeenperpetrated，leadustoconcludethatthethiefmayhavecalculatedonbeingabletopaythemissingsumtoourbankers，beforeaninevitablediscoveryfollowedtheannualstrikingofourbalance。
　　Thiswouldnothavehappened，intheusualcourse，foranotherthreemonths。Duringthatperiod，butforyourletter，wemighthaveremainedperfectlyunconsciousoftherobberythathasbeencommitted。
　　"Wementionthislastcircumstance，asitmayhelptoshowyouthatwehavetodo，inthiscase，withnoordinarythief。Thusfarwehavenotevenasuspicionofwhothatthiefis。Butwebelieveyouwillassistusinmakingsomeadvancetowardsdiscovery，byexaminingthereceipt（forged，ofcourse）whichhasnodoubtpurportedtocometoyoufromourhouse。Bepleasedtolookandseewhetheritisareceiptentirelyinmanuscript，orwhetheritisanumberedandprintedformwhichmerelyrequiresthefillinginoftheamount。Thesettlementofthisapparentlytrivialquestionis，weassureyou，amatterofvitalimportance。Anxiouslyawaitingyourreply，weremain，withhighesteemandconsideration，"DEFRESNIER&CIE。"
　　Vendalehadtheletteronhisdesk，andwaitedamomenttosteadyhismindundertheshockthathadfallenonit。Atthetimeofallotherswhenitwasmostimportanttohimtoincreasethevalueofhisbusiness，thatbusinesswasthreatenedwithalossoffivehundredpounds。HethoughtofMarguerite，ashetookthekeyfromhispocketandopenedtheironchamberinthewallinwhichthebooksandpapersofthefirmwerekept。
　　Hewasstillinthechamber，searchingfortheforgedreceipt，whenhewasstartledbyavoicespeakingclosebehindhim。
　　"Athousandpardons，"saidthevoice;"IamafraidIdisturbyou。"
　　Heturned，andfoundhimselffacetofacewithMarguerite’sguardian。
　　"Ihavecalled，"pursuedObenreizer，"toknowifIcanbeofanyuse。BusinessofmyowntakesmeawayforsomedaystoManchesterandLiverpool。CanIcombineanybusinessofyourswithit？Iamentirelyatyourdisposal，inthecharacterofcommercialtravellerforthefirmofWildingandCo。"
　　"Excusemeforonemoment，"saidVendale;"Iwillspeaktoyoudirectly。"Heturnedroundagain，andcontinuedhissearchamongthepapers。"Youcomeatatimewhenfriendlyoffersaremorethanusuallyprecioustome，"heresumed。"IhavehadverybadnewsthismorningfromNeuchatel。"
　　"Badnews，"exclaimedObenreizer。"FromDefresnierandCompany？"
　　"Yes。Aremittancewesenttothemhasbeenstolen。Iamthreatenedwithalossoffivehundredpounds。What’sthat？"
　　Turningsharply，andlookingintotheroomforthesecondtime，Vendalediscoveredhisenvelopecaseoverthrownonthefloor，andObenreizeronhiskneespickingupthecontents。
　　"Allmyawkwardness，"saidObenreizer。"Thisdreadfulnewsofyoursstartledme;Isteppedback——"Hebecametoodeeplyinterestedincollectingthescatteredenvelopestofinishthesentence。
　　"Don’ttroubleyourself，"saidVendale。"Theclerkwillpickthethingsup。"
　　"Thisdreadfulnews！"repeatedObenreizer，persistingincollectingtheenvelopes。"Thisdreadfulnews！"
　　"Ifyouwillreadtheletter，"saidVendale，"youwillfindIhaveexaggeratednothing。Thereitis，openonmydesk。"
　　Heresumedhissearch，andinamomentmorediscoveredtheforgedreceipt。Itwasonthenumberedandprintedform，describedbytheSwissfirm。Vendalemadeamemorandumofthenumberandthedate。
　　Havingreplacedthereceiptandlockeduptheironchamber，hehadleisuretonoticeObenreizer，readingtheletterintherecessofawindowatthefarendoftheroom。
　　"Cometothefire，"saidVendale。"Youlookperishedwiththecoldoutthere。Iwillringforsomemorecoals。"
　　Obenreizerrose，andcameslowlybacktothedesk。"MargueritewillbeassorrytohearofthisasIam，"hesaid，kindly。"Whatdoyoumeantodo？"
　　"IaminthehandsofDefresnierandCompany，"answeredVendale。
　　"Inmytotalignoranceofthecircumstances，Icanonlydowhattheyrecommend。ThereceiptwhichIhavejustfound，turnsouttobethenumberedandprintedform。Theyseemtoattachsomespecialimportancetoitsdiscovery。Youhavehadexperience，whenyouwereintheSwisshouse，oftheirwayofdoingbusiness。Canyouguesswhatobjecttheyhaveinview？"
　　Obenreizerofferedasuggestion。
　　"SupposeIexaminethereceipt？"hesaid。
　　"Areyouill？"askedVendale，startledbythechangeinhisface，whichnowshoweditselfplainlyforthefirsttime。"Praygotothefire。Youseemtobeshivering——Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobeill？"
　　"NotI！"saidObenreizer。"PerhapsIhavecaughtcold。YourEnglishclimatemighthavesparedanadmirerofyourEnglishinstitutions。Letmelookatthereceipt。"
　　Vendaleopenedtheironchamber。Obenreizertookachair，anddrewitclosetothefire。Heheldbothhandsovertheflames。"Letmelookatthereceipt，"herepeated，eagerly，asVendalereappearedwiththepaperinhishand。Atthesamemomentaporterenteredtheroomwithafreshsupplyofcoals。Vendaletoldhimtomakeagoodfire。Themanobeyedtheorderwithadisastrousalacrity。Ashesteppedforwardandraisedthescuttle，hisfootcaughtinafoldoftherug，andhedischargedhisentirecargoofcoalsintothegrate。
　　Theresultwasaninstantsmotheringoftheflame，andtheproductionofastreamofyellowsmoke，withoutavisiblemorseloffiretoaccountforit。
　　"Imbecile！"whisperedObenreizertohimself，withalookatthemanwhichthemanrememberedformanyalongdayafterwards。
　　"Willyoucomeintotheclerks’room？"askedVendale。"Theyhaveastovethere。"
　　"No，no。Nomatter。"
　　Vendalehandedhimthereceipt。Obenreizer’sinterestinexaminingitappearedtohavebeenquenchedassuddenlyandaseffectuallyasthefireitself。Hejustglancedoverthedocument，andsaid，"No;
　　Idon’tunderstandit！Iamsorrytobeofnouse。"
　　"IwillwritetoNeuchatelbyto—night’spost，"saidVendale，puttingawaythereceiptforthesecondtime。"Wemustwait，andseewhatcomesofit。"
　　"Byto—night’spost，"repeatedObenreizer。"Letmesee。Youwillgettheanswerineightorninedays’time。Ishallbebackbeforethat。IfIcanbeofanyservice，ascommercialtraveller，perhapsyouwillletmeknowbetweenthisandthen。Youwillsendmewritteninstructions？Mybestthanks。IshallbemostanxiousforyouranswerfromNeuchatel。Whoknows？Itmaybeamistake，mydearfriend，afterall。Courage！courage！courage！"Hehadenteredtheroomwithnoappearanceofbeingpressedfortime。Henowsnatcheduphishat，andtookhisleavewiththeairofamanwhohadnotanothermomenttolose。
　　Leftbyhimself，Vendaletookaturnthoughtfullyintheroom。
　　HispreviousimpressionofObenreizerwasshakenbywhathehadheardandseenattheinterviewwhichhadjusttakenplace。Hewasdisposed，forthefirsttime，todoubtwhether，inthiscase，hehadnotbeenalittlehastyandhardinhisjudgmentonanotherman。
　　Obenreizer’ssurpriseandregret，onhearingthenewsfromNeuchatel，boretheplainestmarksofbeinghonestlyfelt——notpolitelyassumedfortheoccasion。Withtroublesofhisowntoencounter，suffering，toallappearance，fromthefirstinsidiousattackofaseriousillness，hehadlookedandspokenlikeamanwhoreallydeploredthedisasterthathadfallenonhisfriend。
　　HithertoVendalehadtriedvainlytoalterhisfirstopinionofMarguerite’sguardian，forMarguerite’ssake。Allthegenerousinstinctsinhisnaturenowcombinedtogetherandshooktheevidencewhichhadseemedunanswerableuptothistime。"Whoknows？"hethought。"Imayhavereadthatman’sfacewrongly，afterall。"
　　Thetimepassed——thehappyeveningswithMargueritecameandwent。
　　ItwasagainthetenthmorningsinceVendalehadwrittentotheSwissfirm;andagaintheanswerappearedonhisdeskwiththeotherlettersoftheday"DearSir。Myseniorpartner，M。Defresnier，hasbeencalledaway，byurgentbusiness，toMilan。Inhisabsence（andwithhisfullconcurrenceandauthority），Inowwritetoyouagainonthesubjectofthemissingfivehundredpounds。
　　"Yourdiscoverythattheforgedreceiptisexecutedupononeofournumberedandprintedformshascausedinexpressiblesurpriseanddistresstomypartnerandtomyself。Atthetimewhenyourremittancewasstolen，butthreekeyswereinexistenceopeningthestrong—boxinwhichourreceipt—formsareinvariablykept。Mypartnerhadonekey;Ihadtheother。Thethirdwasinthepossessionofagentlemanwho，atthatperiod，occupiedapositionoftrustinourhouse。Weshouldassoonhavethoughtofsuspectingoneofourselvesasofsuspectingthisperson。Suspicionnowpointsathim，nevertheless。Icannotprevailonmyselftoinformyouwhothepersonis，solongasthereistheshadowofachancethathemaycomeinnocentlyoutoftheinquirywhichmustnowbeinstituted。
　　Forgivemysilence;themotiveofitisgood。
　　"Theformourinvestigationmustnowtakeissimpleenough。Thehandwritingofyourreceiptmustbecompared，bycompetentpersonswhomwehaveatourdisposal，withcertainspecimensofhandwritinginourpossession。Icannotsendyouthespecimensforbusinessreasons，which，whenyouhearthem，youaresuretoapprove。ImustbegyoutosendmethereceipttoNeuchatel——and，inmakingthisrequest，Imustaccompanyitbyawordofnecessarywarning。
　　"Iftheperson，atwhomsuspicionnowpoints，reallyprovestobethepersonwhohascommittedthisforgerandtheft，Ihavereasontofearthatcircumstancesmayhavealreadyputhimonhisguard。Theonlyevidenceagainsthimistheevidenceinyourhands，andhewillmoveheavenandearthtoobtainanddestroyit。Istronglyurgeyounottotrustthereceipttothepost。Sendittome，withoutlossoftime，byaprivatehand，andchoosenobodyforyourmessengerbutapersonlongestablishedinyourownemployment，accustomedtotravelling，capableofspeakingFrench;amanofcourage，amanofhonesty，and，aboveallthings，amanwhocanbetrustedtoletnostrangerscrapeacquaintancewithhimontheroute。Tellnoone——
　　absolutelynoone——butyourmessengeroftheturnthismatterhasnowtaken。ThesafetransitofthereceiptmaydependonyourinterpretingLITERALLYtheadvicewhichIgiveyouattheendofthisletter。
　　"Ihaveonlytoaddthateverypossiblesavingoftimeisnowofthelastimportance。Morethanoneofourreceipt—formsismissing——anditisimpossibletosaywhatnewfraudsmaynotbecommittedifwefailtolayourhandsonthethief。
　　YourfaithfulservantROLLAND，（SigningforDefresnierandCie。）
　　Whowasthesuspectedman？InVendale’sposition，itseemeduselesstoinquire。
　　WhowastobesenttoNeuchatelwiththereceipt？MenofcourageandmenofhonestyweretobehadatCrippleCornerfortheasking。
　　Butwherewasthemanwhowasaccustomedtoforeigntravelling，whocouldspeaktheFrenchlanguage，andwhocouldbereallyreliedontoletnostrangerscrapeacquaintancewithhimonhisroute？Therewasbutonemanathandwhocombinedallthoserequisitesinhisownperson，andthatmanwasVendalehimself。
　　Itwasasacrificetoleavehisbusiness;itwasagreatersacrificetoleaveMarguerite。Butamatteroffivehundredpoundswasinvolvedinthependinginquiry;andaliteralinterpretationofM。
　　Rolland’sadvicewasinsistedonintermswhichtherewasnotriflingwith。ThemoreVendalethoughtofit，themoreplainlythenecessityfacedhim，andsaid，"Go！"
　　Ashelockeduptheletterwiththereceipt，theassociationofideasremindedhimofObenreizer。Aguessattheidentityofthesuspectedmanlookedmorepossiblenow。Obenreizermightknow。
　　Thethoughthadbarelypassedthroughhismind，whenthedooropened，andObenreizerenteredtheroom。
　　"TheytoldmeatSohoSquareyouwereexpectedbacklastnight，"
　　saidVendale，greetinghim。"Haveyoudonewellinthecountry？
　　Areyoubetter？"
　　Athousandthanks。Obenreizerhaddoneadmirablywell;Obenreizerwasinfinitelybetter。Andnow，whatnews？AnyletterfromNeuchatel？
　　"Averystrangeletter，"answeredVendale。"Thematterhastakenanewturn，andtheletterinsists——withoutexceptinganybody——onmykeepingournextproceedingsaprofoundsecret。"
　　"Withoutexceptinganybody？"repeatedObenreizer。Ashesaidthewords，hewalkedawayagain，thoughtfully，tothewindowattheotherendoftheroom，lookedoutforamoment，andsuddenlycamebacktoVendale。"Surelytheymusthaveforgotten？"heresumed，"ortheywouldhaveexceptedme？"
　　"ItisMonsieurRollandwhowrites，"saidVendale。"And，asyousay，hemustcertainlyhaveforgotten。Thatviewofthematterquiteescapedme。IwasjustwishingIhadyoutoconsult，whenyoucameintotheroom。AndhereIamtriedbyaformalprohibition，whichcannotpossiblyhavebeenintendedtoincludeyou。Howveryannoying！"
　　Obenreizer’sfilmyeyesfixedonVendaleattentively。
　　"Perhapsitismorethanannoying！"hesaid。"Icamethismorningnotonlytohearthenews，buttooffermyselfasmessenger，negotiator——whatyouwill。Wouldyoubelieveit？IhaveletterswhichobligemetogotoSwitzerlandimmediately。Messages，documents，anything——IcouldhavetakenthemalltoDefresnierandRollandforyou。"
　　"YouaretheverymanIwanted，"returnedVendale。"Ihaddecided，mostunwillingly，ongoingtoNeuchatelmyself，notfiveminutessince，becauseIcouldfindnooneherecapableoftakingmyplace。
　　Letmelookattheletteragain。"
　　Heopenedthestrongroomtogetattheletter。Obenreizer，afterfirstglancingroundhimtomakesurethattheywerealone，followedasteportwoandwaited，measuringVendalewithhiseye。Vendalewasthetallestman，andunmistakablythestrongestmanalsoofthetwo。Obenreizerturnedaway，andwarmedhimselfatthefire。
　　Meanwhile，Vendalereadthelastparagraphintheletterforthethirdtime。Therewastheplainwarning——therewastheclosingsentence，whichinsistedonaliteralinterpretationofit。Thehand，whichwasleadingVendaleinthedark，ledhimonthatconditiononly。Alargesumwasatstake：aterriblesuspicionremainedtobeverified。Ifheactedonhisownresponsibility，andifanythinghappenedtodefeattheobjectinview，whowouldbeblamed？Asamanofbusiness，Vendalehadbutonecoursetofollow。
　　Helockedtheletterupagain。
　　"Itismostannoying，"hesaidtoObenreizer——"itisapieceofforgetfulnessonMonsieurRolland’spartwhichputsmetoseriousinconvenience，andplacesmeinanabsurdlyfalsepositiontowardsyou。WhatamItodo？Iamactinginaveryseriousmatter，andactingentirelyinthedark。Ihavenochoicebuttobeguided，notbythespirit，butbytheletterofmyinstructions。Youunderstandme，Iamsure？Youknow，ifIhadnotbeenfetteredinthisway，howgladlyIshouldhaveacceptedyourservices？"
　　"Saynomore！"returnedObenreizer。"InyourplaceIshouldhavedonethesame。Mygoodfriend，Itakenooffence。Ithankyouforyourcompliment。Weshallbetravellingcompanions，atanyrate，"
　　addedObenreizer。"Yougo，asIgo，atonce？"
　　"Atonce。ImustspeaktoMargueritefirst，ofcourse！"
　　"Surely！surely！Speaktoherthisevening。Come，andpickmeuponthewaytothestation。Wegotogetherbythemailtrainto—
　　night？"
　　"Bythemailtrainto—night。"
　　ItwaslaterthanVendalehadanticipatedwhenhedroveuptothehouseinSohoSquare。Businessdifficulties，occasionedbyhissuddendeparture，hadpresentedthemselvesbydozens。AcruellylargeshareofthetimewhichhehadhopedtodevotetoMargueritehadbeenclaimedbydutiesathisofficewhichitwasimpossibletoneglect。
　　Tohissurpriseanddelight，shewasaloneinthedrawing—roomwhenheenteredit。
　　"Wehaveonlyafewminutes，George，"shesaid。"ButMadameDorhasbeengoodtome——andwecanhavethosefewminutesalone。"Shethrewherarmsroundhisneck，andwhisperedeagerly，"HaveyoudoneanythingtooffendMr。Obenreizer？"
　　"I！"exclaimedVendale，inamazement。
　　"Hush！"shesaid，"Iwanttowhisperit。YouknowthelittlephotographIhavegotofyou。Thisafternoonithappenedtobeonthechimney—piece。Hetookitupandlookedatit——andIsawhisfaceintheglass。Iknowyouhaveoffendedhim！Heismerciless;
　　heisrevengeful;heisassecretasthegrave。Don’tgowithhim，George——don’tgowithhim！"
　　"Myownlove，"returnedVendale，"youarelettingyourfancyfrightenyou！ObenreizerandIwereneverbetterfriendsthanweareatthismoment。"
　　Beforeawordmorecouldbesaid，thesuddenmovementofsomeponderousbodyshookthefloorofthenextroom。TheshockwasfollowedbytheappearanceofMadameDor。"Obenreizer"exclaimedthisexcellentpersoninawhisper，andplumpeddowninstantlyinherregularplacebythestove。
　　Obenreizercameinwithacourier’sbigstrappedoverhisshoulder。
　　"Areyouready？"heasked，addressingVendale。"CanItakeanythingforyou？Youhavenotravelling—bag。Ihavegotone。Hereisthecompartmentforpapers，openatyourservice。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidVendale。"Ihaveonlyonepaperofimportancewithme;andthatpaperIamboundtotakechargeofmyself。Hereitis，"headded，touchingthebreast—pocketofhiscoat，"andhereitmustremaintillwegettoNeuchatel。"
　　Ashesaidthosewords，Marguerite’shandcaughthis，andpresseditsignificantly。ShewaslookingtowardsObenreizer。BeforeVendalecouldlook，inhisturn，Obenreizerhadwheeledround，andwastakingleaveofMadameDor。
　　"Adieu，mycharmingniece！"hesaid，turningtoMargueritenext。
　　"Enroute，myfriend，forNeuchatel！"HetappedVendalelightlyoverthebreast—pocketofhiscoatandledthewaytothedoor。
　　Vendale’slastlookwasforMarguerite。Marguerite’slastwordstohimwere，"Don’tgo！"
　　ACTIII——INTHEVALLEY
　　ItwasaboutthemiddleofthemonthofFebruarywhenVendaleandObenreizersetforthontheirexpedition。Thewinterbeingahardone，thetimewasbadfortravellers。Sobadwasitthatthesetwotravellers，comingtoStrasbourg，founditsgreatinnsalmostempty。
　　Andeventhefewpeopletheydidencounterinthatcity，whohadstartedfromEnglandorfromParisonbusinessjourneystowardstheinteriorofSwitzerland，wereturningback。
　　ManyoftherailroadsinSwitzerlandthattouristspasseasilyenoughnow，werealmostorquiteimpracticablethen。Somewerenotbegun;morewerenotcompleted。Onsuchaswereopen，therewerestilllargegapsofoldroadwherecommunicationinthewinterseasonwasoftenstopped;onothers，therewereweakpointswherethenewworkwasnotsafe，eitherunderconditionsofseverefrost，orofrapidthaw。Therunningoftrainsonthislastclasswasnottobecountedonintheworsttimeoftheyear，wascontingentuponweather，orwaswhollyabandonedthroughthemonthsconsideredthemostdangerous。
　　AtStrasbourgthereweremoretravellers’storiesafloat，respectingthedifficultiesofthewayfurtheron，thanthereweretravellerstorelatethem。Manyofthesetaleswereaswildasusual;butthemoremodestlymarvellousdidderivesomecolourfromthecircumstancethatpeoplewereindisputablyturningback。However，astheroadtoBaslewasopen，Vendale’sresolutiontopushonwasinnowisedisturbed。Obenreizer’sresolutionwasnecessarilyVendale’s，seeingthathestoodatbaythusdesperately：Hemustberuined，ormustdestroytheevidencethatVendalecarriedabouthim，evenifhedestroyedVendalewithit。
　　Thestateofmindofeachofthesetwofellow—travellerstowardstheotherwasthis。Obenreizer，encircledbyimpendingruinthroughVendale’squicknessofaction，andseeingthecirclenarrowedeveryhourbyVendale’senergy，hatedhimwiththeanimosityofafiercecunningloweranimal。Hehadalwayshadinstinctivemovementsinhisbreastagainsthim;perhaps，becauseofthatoldsoreofgentlemanandpeasant;perhaps，becauseoftheopennessofhisnature，perhaps，becauseofhisbetterlooks;perhaps，becauseofhissuccesswithMarguerite;perhaps，onallthosegrounds，thetwolastnottheleast。Andnowhesawinhim，besides，thehunterwhowastrackinghimdown。Vendale，ontheotherhand，alwayscontendinggenerouslyagainsthisfirstvaguemistrust，nowfeltboundtocontendagainstitmorethanever：remindinghimself，"HeisMarguerite’sguardian。Weareonperfectlyfriendlyterms;heismycompanionofhisownproposal，andcanhavenointerestedmotiveinsharingthisundesirablejourney。"TowhichpleasinbehalfofObenreizer，chanceaddedoneconsiderationmore，whentheycametoBasleafterajourneyofmorethantwicetheaverageduration。
　　Theyhadhadalatedinner，andwerealoneinaninnroomthere，overhangingtheRhine：atthatplacerapidanddeep，swollenandloud。Vendaleloungeduponacouch，andObenreizerwalkedtoandfro：now，stoppingatthewindow，lookingatthecrookedreflectionofthetownlightsinthedarkwater（andperadventurethinking，"IfIcouldflinghimintoit！"）;now，resuminghiswalkwithhiseyesuponthefloor。
　　"WhereshallIrobhim，ifIcan？WhereshallImurderhim，ifI
　　must？"So，ashepacedtheroom，rantheriver，rantheriver，rantheriver。
　　Theburdenseemedtohim，atlast，tobegrowingsoplain，thathestopped;thinkingitaswelltosuggestanotherburdentohiscompanion。
　　"TheRhinesoundsto—night，"hesaidwithasmile，"liketheoldwaterfallathome。Thatwaterfallwhichmymothershowedtotravellers（Itoldyouofitonce）。Thesoundofitchangedwiththeweather，asdoesthesoundofallfallingwatersandflowingwaters。WhenIwaspupilofthewatchmaker，Iremembereditassometimessayingtomeforwholedays，’Whoareyou，mylittlewretch？Whoareyou，mylittlewretch？’Iremembereditassaying，othertimes，whenitssoundwashollow，andstormwascomingupthePass：’Boom，boom，boom。Beathim，beathim，beathim。’Likemymotherenraged——ifshewasmymother。"
　　"Ifshewas？"saidVendale，graduallychanginghisattitudetoasittingone。"Ifshewas？Whydoyousay’if’？"
　　"WhatdoIknow？"repliedtheothernegligently，throwinguphishandsandlettingthemfallastheywould。"Whatwouldyouhave？I
　　amsoobscurelyborn，thathowcanIsay？Iwasveryyoung，andalltherestofthefamilyweremenandwomen，andmyso—calledparentswereold。Anythingispossibleofacaselikethat。"
　　"Didyoueverdoubt——"
　　"Itoldyouonce，Idoubtthemarriageofthosetwo，"hereplied，throwinguphishandsagain，asifhewerethrowingtheunprofitablesubjectaway。"ButhereIaminCreation。Icomeofnofinefamily。Whatdoesitmatter？"
　　"AtleastyouareSwiss，"saidVendale，afterfollowinghimwithhiseyestoandfro。
　　"HowdoIknow？"heretortedabruptly，andstoppingtolookbackoverhisshoulder。"Isaytoyou，atleastyouareEnglish。Howdoyouknow？"
　　"BywhatIhavebeentoldfrominfancy。"
　　"Ah！Iknowofmyselfthatway。"
　　"And，"addedVendale，pursuingthethoughtthathecouldnotdriveback，"bymyearliestrecollections。"
　　"Ialso。Iknowofmyselfthatway——ifthatwaysatisfies。"
　　"Doesitnotsatisfyyou？"
　　"Itmust。Thereisnothinglike’itmust’inthislittleworld。Itmust。Twoshortwordsthose，butstrongerthanlongprooforreasoning。"
　　"YouandpoorWildingwereborninthesameyear。Youwerenearlyofanage，"saidVendale，againthoughtfullylookingafterhimasheresumedhispacingupanddown。
　　"Yes。Verynearly。"
　　CouldObenreizerbethemissingman？Intheunknownassociationsofthings，wasthereasubtlermeaningthanhehimselfthought，inthattheorysooftenonhislipsaboutthesmallnessoftheworld？HadtheSwissletterpresentinghimfollowedsocloseonMrs。
　　Goldstraw’srevelationconcerningtheinfantwhohadbeentakenawaytoSwitzerland，becausehewasthatinfantgrownaman？Inaworldwheresomanydepthslieunsounded，itmightbe。Thechances，orthelaws——callthemeither——thathadwroughtouttherevivalofVendale’sownacquaintancewithObenreizer，andhadripeneditintointimacy，andhadbroughtthemheretogetherthispresentwinternight，werehardlylesscurious;whilereadbysuchalight，theywereseentocoheretowardsthefurtheranceofacontinuousandanintelligiblepurpose。
　　Vendale’sawakenedthoughtsranhighwhilehiseyesmusinglyfollowedObenreizerpacingupanddowntheroom，therivereverrunningtothetune："WhereshallIrobhim，ifIcan？WhereshallImurderhim，ifImust？"ThesecretofhisdeadfriendwasinnohazardfromVendale’slips;butjustashisfriendhaddiedofitsweight，sodidheinhislightersuccessionfeeltheburdenofthetrust，andtheobligationtofollowanyclue，howeverobscure。Herapidlyaskedhimself，wouldhelikethismantobetherealWilding？No。Arguedownhismistrustashemight，hewasunwillingtoputsuchasubstituteintheplaceofhislateguileless，outspokenchildlikepartner。Herapidlyaskedhimself，wouldhelikethismantoberich？No。HehadmorepowerthanenoughoverMargueriteasitwas，andwealthmightinvesthimwithmore。WouldhelikethismantobeMarguerite’sGuardian，andyetprovedtostandinnodegreeofrelationshiptowardsher，howeverdisconnectedanddistant？No。Butthesewerenotconsiderationstocomebetweenhimandfidelitytothedead。LethimseetoitthattheypassedhimwithnoothernoticethantheknowledgethattheyHADpassedhim，andlefthimbentonthedischargeofasolemnduty。Andhedidseetoit，sosoonthathefollowedhiscompanionwithungrudgingeyes，whilehestillpacedtheroom;thatcompanion，whomhesupposedtobemoodilyreflectingonhisownbirth，andnotonanotherman’s——leastofallwhatman’s——violentDeath。
　　TheroadinadvancefromBasletoNeuchatelwasbetterthanhadbeenrepresented。Thelatestweatherhaddoneitgood。Drivers，bothofhorsesandmules，hadcomeinthateveningafterdark，andhadreportednothingmoredifficulttobeovercomethantrialsofpatience，harness，wheels，axles，andwhipcord。Abargainwassoonstruckforacarriageandhorses，totakethemoninthemorning，andtostartbeforedaylight。
　　"Doyoulockyourdooratnightwhentravelling？"askedObenreizer，standingwarminghishandsbythewoodfireinVendale’schamber，beforegoingtohisown。
　　"NotI。Isleeptoosoundly。"
　　"Youaresosoundasleeper？"heretorted，withanadmiringlook。
　　"Whatablessing！"
　　"Anythingbutablessingtotherestofthehouse，"rejoinedVendale，"ifIhadtobeknockedupinthemorningfromtheoutsideofmybedroomdoor。"
　　"I，too，"saidObenreizer，"leaveopenmyroom。Butletmeadviseyou，asaSwisswhoknows：always，whenyoutravelinmycountry，putyourpapers——and，ofcourse，yourmoney——underyourpillow。
　　Alwaysthesameplace。"
　　"Youarenotcomplimentarytoyourcountrymen，"laughedVendale。
　　"Mycountrymen，"saidObenreizer，withthatlighttouchofhisfriend’selbowsbywayofGood—Nightandbenediction，"Isupposearelikethemajorityofmen。Andthemajorityofmenwilltakewhattheycanget。Adieu！Atfourinthemorning。"
　　"Adieu！Atfour。"
　　Lefttohimself，Vendalerakedthelogstogether，sprinkledoverthemthewhitewood—asheslyingonthehearth，andsatdowntocomposehisthoughts。Buttheystillranhighontheirlatesttheme，andtherunningoftherivertendedtoagitateratherthantoquietthem。Ashesatthinking，whatlittledispositionhehadhadtosleepdeparted。Hefeltithopelesstoliedownyet，andsatdressedbythefire。Marguerite，Wilding，Obenreizer，thebusinesshewasthenupon，andathousandhopesanddoubtsthathadnothingtodowithit，occupiedhismindatonce。Everythingseemedtohavepoweroverhimbutslumber。Thedeparteddispositiontosleepkeptfaraway。
　　Hehadsatforalongtimethinking，onthehearth，whenhiscandleburneddownanditslightwentout。Itwasoflittlemoment;therewaslightenoughinthefire。Hechangedhisattitude，and，leaninghisarmonthechair—back，andhischinuponthathand，satthinkingstill。
　　Buthesatbetweenthefireandthebed，and，asthefireflickeredintheplayofairfromthefast—flowingriver，hisenlargedshadowflutteredonthewhitewallbythebedside。Hisattitudegaveitanair，halfofmourningandhalfofbendingoverthebedimploring。
　　Hiseyeswereobservantofit，whenhebecametroubledbythedisagreeablefancythatitwaslikeWilding’sshadow，andnothisown。
　　Aslightchangeofplacewouldcauseittodisappear。Hemadethechange，andtheapparitionofhisdisturbedfancyvanished。Henowsatintheshadeofalittlenookbesidethefire，andthedooroftheroomwasbeforehim。
　　Ithadalongcumbrousironlatch。Hesawthelatchslowlyandsoftlyrise。Thedooropenedaverylittle，andcametoagain，asthoughonlytheairhadmovedit。Buthesawthatthelatchwasoutofthehasp。
　　Thedooropenedagainveryslowly，untilitopenedwideenoughtoadmitsomeone。Itafterwardsremainedstillforawhile，asthoughcautiouslyheldopenontheotherside。Thefigureofamanthenentered，withitsfaceturnedtowardsthebed，andstoodquietjustwithinthedoor。Untilitsaid，inalowhalf—whisper，atthesametimetakingonestopforward："Vendale！"
　　"Whatnow？"heanswered，springingfromhisseat;"whoisit？"
　　ItwasObenreizer，andheutteredacryofsurpriseasVendalecameuponhimfromthatunexpecteddirection。"Notinbed？"hesaid，catchinghimbybothshoulderswithaninstinctivetendencytoastruggle。"ThensomethingISwrong！"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidVendale，releasinghimself。
　　"Firsttellme;youarenotill？"
　　"Ill？No。"
　　"Ihavehadabaddreamaboutyou。HowisitthatIseeyouupanddressed？"
　　"Mygoodfellow，ImayaswellaskyouhowitisthatIseeYOUupandundressed？"
　　"Ihavetoldyouwhy。Ihavehadabaddreamaboutyou。Itriedtorestafterit，butitwasimpossible。IcouldnotmakeupmymindtostaywhereIwaswithoutknowingyouweresafe;andyetIcouldnotmakeupmymindtocomeinhere。Ihavebeenminuteshesitatingatthedoor。Itissoeasytolaughatadreamthatyouhavenotdreamed。Whereisyourcandle？"
　　"Burntout。"
　　"Ihaveawholeoneinmyroom。ShallIfetchit？"
　　"Doso。"
　　Hisroomwasverynear，andhewasabsentforbutafewseconds。
　　Comingbackwiththecandleinhishand，hekneeleddownonthehearthandlightedit。Asheblewwithhisbreathacharredbilletintoflameforthepurpose，Vendale，lookingdownathim，sawthathislipswerewhiteandnoteasyofcontrol。
　　"Yes！"saidObenreizer，settingthelightedcandleonthetable，"itwasabaddream。Onlylookatme！"
　　Hisfeetwerebare;hisred—flannelshirtwasthrownbackatthethroat，anditssleeveswererolledabovetheelbows;hisonlyothergarment，apairofunderpantaloonsordrawers，reachingtotheankles，fittedhimcloseandtight。Acertainlitheandsavageappearancewasonhisfigure，andhiseyeswereverybright。
　　"Iftherehadbeenawrestlewitharobber，asIdreamed，"saidObenreizer，"yousee，Iwasstrippedforit。"
　　"Andarmedtoo，"saidVendale，glancingathisgirdle。
　　"Atraveller’sdagger，thatIalwayscarryontheroad，"heansweredcarelessly，halfdrawingitfromitssheathwithhislefthand，andputtingitbackagain。"Doyoucarrynosuchthing？"
　　"Nothingofthekind。"
　　"Nopistols？"saidObenreizer，glancingatthetable，andfromittotheuntouchedpillow。
　　"Nothingofthesort。"
　　"YouEnglishmenaresoconfident！Youwishtosleep？"
　　"Ihavewishedtosleepthislongtime，butIcan’tdoit。"
　　"Ineither，afterthebaddream。Myfirehasgonethewayofyourcandle。MayIcomeandsitbyyours？Twoo’clock！Itwillsosoonbefour，thatitisnotworththetroubletogotobedagain。"
　　"Ishallnottakethetroubletogotobedatall，now，"saidVendale;"sithereandkeepmecompany，andwelcome。"
　　Goingbacktohisroomtoarrangehisdress，Obenreizersoonreturnedinaloosecloakandslippers，andtheysatdownonoppositesidesofthehearth。IntheintervalVendalehadreplenishedthefirefromthewood—basketinhisroom，andObenreizerhadputuponthetableaflaskandcupfromhis。
　　"Commoncabaretbrandy，Iamafraid，"hesaid，pouringout;"boughtupontheroad，andnotlikeyoursfromCrippleCorner。Butyoursisexhausted;somuchtheworse。Acoldnight，acoldtimeofnight，acoldcountry，andacoldhouse。Thismaybebetterthannothing;
　　tryit。"
　　Vendaletookthecup，anddidso。
　　"Howdoyoufindit？"
　　"Ithasacoarseafter—flavour，"saidVendale，givingbackthecupwithaslightshudder，"andIdon’tlikeit。"
　　"Youareright，"saidObenreizer，tasting，andsmackinghislips;
　　"itHASacoarseafter—flavour，andIdon’tlikeit。Booh！Itburns，though！"Hehadflungwhatremainedinthecupuponthefire。
　　Eachofthemleanedanelbowonthetable，reclinedhisheaduponhishand，andsatlookingattheflaringlogs。Obenreizerremainedwatchfulandstill;butVendale，aftercertainnervoustwitchesandstarts，inoneofwhichherosetohisfeetandlookedwildlyabouthim，fellintothestrangestconfusionofdreams。Hecarriedhispapersinaleathercaseorpocket—book，inaninnerbreast—pocketofhisbuttonedtravelling—coat;andwhateverhedreamedof，inthelethargythatgotpossessionofhim，somethingimportunateinthosepaperscalledhimoutofthatdream，thoughhecouldnotwakefromit。HewasberatedonthesteppesofRussia（someshadowypersongavethatnametotheplace）withMarguerite;andyetthesensationofahandathisbreast，softlyfeelingtheoutlineofthepacket—
　　bookashelayasleepbeforethefire，waspresenttohim。Hewasship—wreckedinanopenboatatsea，andhavinglosthisclothes，hadnoothercoveringthananoldsail;andyetacreepinghand，tracingoutsidealltheotherpocketsofthedressheactuallywore，forpapers，andfindingnoneansweritstouch，warnedhimtorousehimself。HewasintheancientvaultatCrippleCorner，towhichwastransferredtheverybedsubstantialandpresentinthatveryroomatBasle;andWilding（notdead，ashehadsupposed，andyethedidnotwondermuch）shookhim，andwhispered，"Lookatthatman！
　　Don’tyouseehehasrisen，andisturningthepillow？Whyshouldheturnthepillow，ifnottoseekthosepapersthatareinyourbreast？Awake！"Andyetheslept，andwanderedoffintootherdreams。
　　Watchfulandstill，withhiselbowonthetable，andhisheaduponthathand，hiscompanionatlengthsaid："Vendale！Wearecalled。
　　PastFour！"Then，openinghiseyes，hesaw，turnedsidewaysonhim，thefilmyfaceofObenreizer。
　　"Youhavebeeninaheavysleep，"hesaid。"Thefatigueofconstanttravellingandthecold！"
　　"Iambroadawakenow，"criedVendale，springingup，butwithanunsteadyfooting。"Haven’tyousleptatall？"
　　"Imayhavedozed，butIseemtohavebeenpatientlylookingatthefire。Whetherorno，wemustwash，andbreakfast，andturnout。
　　Pastfour，Vendale;pastfour！"
　　Itwassaidinatonetorousehim，foralreadyhewashalfasleepagain。Inhispreparationfortheday，too，andathisbreakfast，hewasoftenvirtuallyasleepwhileinmechanicalaction。Itwasnotuntilthecolddarkdaywasclosingin，thathehadanydistincterimpressionsoftheridethanjinglingbells，bitterweather，slippinghorses，frowninghill—sides，bleakwoods，andastoppageatsomewaysidehouseofentertainment，wheretheyhadpassedthroughacow—housetoreachthetravellers’roomabove。Hehadbeenconsciousoflittlemore，exceptofObenreizersittingthoughtfulathissideallday，andeyeinghimmuch。
　　Butwhenheshookoffhisstupor，Obenreizerwasnotathisside。
　　Thecarriagewasstoppingtobaitatanotherwaysidehouse;andalineoflongnarrowcarts，ladenwithcasksofwine，anddrawnbyhorseswithaquantityofbluecollarandhead—gear，werebaitingtoo。Thesecamefromthedirectioninwhichthetravellersweregoing，andObenreizer（notthoughtfulnow，butcheerfulandalert）
　　wastalkingwiththeforemostdriver。AsVendalestretchedhislimbs，circulatedhisblood，andclearedofftheleesofhislethargy，withasharpruntoandfrointhebracingair，thelineofcartsmovedon：thedriversallsalutingObenreizerastheypassedhim。
　　"Whoarethose？"askedVendale。
　　"Theyareourcarriers——DefresnierandCompany’s，"repliedObenreizer。"Thoseareourcasksofwine。"Hewassingingtohimself，andlightingacigar。
　　"Ihavebeendrearilydullcompanyto—day，"saidVendale。"Idon’tknowwhathasbeenthematterwithme。"
　　"Youhadnosleeplastnight;andakindofbrain—congestionfrequentlycomes，atfirst，ofsuchcold，"saidObenreizer。"Ihaveseenitoften。Afterall，weshallhaveourjourneyfornothing，itseems。"
　　"Howfornothing？"
　　"TheHouseisatMilan。Youknow，weareaWineHouseatNeuchatel，andaSilkHouseatMilan？Well，Silkhappeningtopressofasudden，morethanWine，DefresnierwassummonedtoMilan。Rolland，theotherpartner，hasbeentakenillsincehisdeparture，andthedoctorswillallowhimtoseenoone。AletterawaitsyouatNeuchateltotellyouso。Ihaveitfromourchiefcarrierwhomyousawmetalkingwith。Hewassurprisedtoseeme，andsaidhehadthatwordforyouifhemetyou。Whatdoyoudo？Goback？"
　　"Goon，"saidVendale。
　　"On？"
　　"On？Yes。AcrosstheAlps，anddowntoMilan。"
　　ObenreizerstoppedinhissmokingtolookatVendale，andthensmokedheavily，lookeduptheroad，lookeddowntheroad，lookeddownatthestonesintheroadathisfeet。
　　"Ihaveaveryseriousmatterincharge，"saidVendale;"moreofthesemissingformsmaybeturnedtoasbadaccount，orworse：IamurgedtolosenotimeinhelpingtheHousetotakethethief;andnothingshallturnmeback。"
　　"No？"criedObenreizer，takingouthiscigartosmile，andgivinghishandtohisfellow—traveller。"ThennothingshallturnMEback。
　　Ho，driver！Despatch。Quickthere！Letuspushon！"
　　Theytravelledthroughthenight。Therehadbeensnow，andtherewasapartialthaw，andtheymostlytravelledatafoot—pace，andalwayswithmanystoppagestobreathethesplashedandflounderinghorses。Afteranhour’sbroaddaylight，theydrewreinattheinn—
　　dooratNeuchatel，havingbeensomeeight—and—twentyhoursinconqueringsomeeightyEnglishmiles。
　　Whentheyhadhurriedlyrefreshedandchanged，theywenttogethertothehouseofbusinessofDefresnierandCompany。Theretheyfoundtheletterwhichthewine—carrierhaddescribed，enclosingthetestsandcomparisonsofhand—writingessentialtothediscoveryoftheForger。Vendale’sdeterminationtopressforward，withoutresting，beingalreadytaken，theonlyquestiontodelaythemwasbywhatPasscouldtheycrosstheAlps？RespectingthestateofthetwoPassesoftheSt。GotthardandtheSimplon，theguidesandmule—
　　driversdifferedgreatly;andbothpasseswerestillfarenoughoff，topreventthetravellersfromhavingthebenefitofanyrecentexperienceofeither。Besideswhich，theywellknewthatafallofsnowmightaltogetherchangethedescribedconditionsinasinglehour，eveniftheywerecorrectlystated。But，onthewhole，theSimplonappearingtobethehopefullerroute，Vendaledecidedtotakeit。Obenreizerborelittleornopartinthediscussion，andscarcelyspoke。
　　ToGeneva，toLausanne，alongthelevelmarginofthelaketoVevay，sointothewindingvalleybetweenthespursofthemountains，andintothevalleyoftheRhone。Thesoundofthecarriage—wheels，astheyrattledon，throughtheday，throughthenight，becameasthewheelsofagreatclock，recordingthehours。Nochangeofweathervariedthejourney，afterithadhardenedintoasullenfrost。Inasombre—yellowsky，theysawtheAlpineranges;andtheysawenoughofsnowonnearerandmuchlowerhill—topsandhill—sides，tosully，bycontrast，thepurityoflake，torrent，andwaterfall，andmakethevillageslookdiscolouredanddirty。Butnosnowfell，norwasthereanysnow—driftontheroad。Thestalkingalongthevalleyofmoreorlessofwhitemist，changingontheirhairanddressintoicicles，wastheonlyvarietybetweenthemandthegloomysky。Andstillbyday，andstillbynight，thewheels。Andstilltheyrolled，inthehearingofoneofthem，totheburden，alteredfromtheburdenoftheRhine："Thetimeisgoneforrobbinghimalive，andImustmurderhim。"
　　Theycame，atlength，tothepoorlittletownofBrieg，atthefootoftheSimplon。Theycamethereafterdark，butyetcouldseehowdwarfedmen’sworksandmenbecamewiththeimmensemountainstoweringoverthem。Heretheymustlieforthenight;andherewaswarmthoffire，andlamp，anddinner，andwine，andafter—conferenceresounding，withguidesanddrivers。NohumancreaturehadcomeacrossthePassforfourdays。Thesnowabovethesnow—linewastoosoftforwheeledcarriage，andnothardenoughforsledge。Therewassnowinthesky。Therehadbeensnowintheskyfordayspast，andthemarvelwasthatithadnotfallen，andthecertaintywasthatitmustfall。Novehiclecouldcross。Thejourneymightbetriedonmules，oritmightbetriedonfoot;butthebestguidesmustbepaiddanger—priceineithercase，andthat，too，whethertheysucceededintakingthetwotravellersacross，orturnedforsafetyandbroughtthemback。
　　Inthisdiscussion，Obenreizerborenopartwhatever。HesatsilentlysmokingbythefireuntiltheroomwasclearedandVendalereferredtohim。
　　"Bah！Iamwearyofthesepoordevilsandtheirtrade，"hesaid，inreply。"Alwaysthesamestory。Itisthestoryoftheirtradeto—
　　day，asitwasthestoryoftheirtradewhenIwasaraggedboy。
　　WhatdoyouandIwant？Wewantaknapsackeach，andamountain—
　　staffeach。Wewantnoguide;weshouldguidehim;hewouldnotguideus。Weleaveourportmanteaushere，andwecrosstogether。
　　Wehavebeenonthemountainstogetherbeforenow，andIammountain—born，andIknowthisPass——Pass！——ratherHighRoad！——byheart。Wewillleavethesepoordevils，inpity，totradewithothers;buttheymustnotdelayustomakeapretenceofearningmoney。Whichisalltheymean。"
　　Vendale，gladtobequitofthedispute，andtocuttheknot：
　　active，adventurous，bentongettingforward，andthereforeverysusceptibletothelasthint：readilyassented。Withintwohours，theyhadpurchasedwhattheywantedfortheexpedition，hadpackedtheirknapsacks，andlaydowntosleep。
　　Atbreakofday，theyfoundhalfthetowncollectedinthenarrowstreettoseethemdepart。Thepeopletalkedtogetheringroups;
　　theguidesanddriverswhisperedapart，andlookedupatthesky;noonewishedthemagoodjourney。
　　Astheybegantheascent，agleamofrunshonefromtheotherwiseunalteredsky，andforamomentturnedthetinspiresofthetowntosilver。
　　"Agoodomen！"saidVendale（thoughitdiedoutwhilehespoke）。
　　"PerhapsourexamplewillopenthePassonthisside。"
　　"No;weshallnotbefollowed，"returnedObenreizer，lookingupattheskyandbackatthevalley。"Weshallbealoneupyonder。"
　　ONTHEMOUNTAIN
　　Theroadwasfairenoughforstoutwalkers，andtheairgrewlighterandeasiertobreatheasthetwoascended。Butthesettledgloomremainedasithadremainedfordaysback。Natureseemedtohavecometoapause。Thesenseofhearing，nolessthanthesenseofsight，wastroubledbyhavingtowaitsolongforthechange，whateveritmightbe，thatimpended。Thesilencewasaspalpableandheavyastheloweringclouds——orrathercloud，forthereseemedtobebutoneinallthesky，andthatonecoveringthewholeofit。
　　Althoughthelightwasthusdismallyshrouded，theprospectwasnotobscured。DowninthevalleyoftheRhonebehindthem，thestreamcouldbetracedthroughallitsmanywindings，oppressivelysombreandsolemninitsoneleadenhue，acolourlesswaste。Farandhighabovethem，glaciersandsuspendedavalanchesoverhungthespotswheretheymustpass，by—and—by;deepanddarkbelowthemontheirright，wereawfulprecipiceandroaringtorrent;tremendousmountainsaroseineveryvista。Thegiganticlandscape，uncheeredbyatouchofchanginglightorasolitaryrayofsun，wasyetterriblydistinctinitsferocity。Theheartsoftwolonelymenmightshrinkalittle，iftheyhadtowintheirwayformilesandhoursamongalegionofsilentandmotionlessmen——meremenlikethemselves——alllookingatthemwithfixedandfrowningfront。Buthowmuchmore，whenthelegionisofNature’smightiestworks，andthefrownmayturntofuryinaninstant！
　　Astheyascended，theroadbecamegraduallymoreruggedanddifficult。ButthespiritsofVendaleroseastheymountedhigher，leavingsomuchmoreoftheroadbehindthemconquered。Obenreizerspokelittle，andheldonwithadeterminedpurpose。Both，inrespectofagilityandendurance，werewellqualifiedfortheexpedition。Whateverthebornmountaineerreadintheweather—
　　tokensthatwasillegibletotheother，hekepttohimself。
　　"Shallwegetacrossto—day？"askedVendale。
　　"No，"repliedtheother。"Youseehowmuchdeeperthesnowliesherethanitlayhalfaleaguelower。Thehigherwemountthedeeperthesnowwilllie。Walkingishalfwadingevennow。Andthedaysaresoshort！IfwegetashighasthefifthRefuge，andlieto—nightattheHospice，weshalldowell。"
　　"Istherenodangeroftheweatherrisinginthenight，"askedVendale，anxiously，"andsnowingusup？"
　　"Thereisdangerenoughaboutus，"saidObenreizer，withacautiousglanceonwardandupward，"torendersilenceourbestpolicy。YouhaveheardoftheBridgeoftheGanther？"
　　"Ihavecrosseditonce。"
　　"Inthesummer？"
　　"Yes;inthetravellingseason。"
　　"Yes;butitisanotherthingatthisseason;"withasneer，asthoughhewereoutoftemper。"Thisisnotatimeofyear，orastateofthings，onanAlpinePass，thatyougentlemenholiday—
　　travellersknowmuchabout。"
　　"YouaremyGuide，"saidVendale，goodhumouredly。"Itrusttoyou。"
　　"IamyourGuide，"saidObenreizer，"andIwillguideyoutoyourjourney’send。ThereistheBridgebeforeus。"
　　Theyhadmadeaturnintoadesolateanddismalravine，wherethesnowlaydeepbelowthem，deepabovethem，deeponeveryside。
　　Whilespeaking，ObenreizerstoodpointingattheBridge，andobservingVendale’sface，withaverysingularexpressiononhisown。
　　"IfI，asGuide，hadsentyouoverthere，inadvance，andencouragedyoutogiveashoutortwo，youmighthavebroughtdownuponyourselftonsandtonsandtonsofsnow，thatwouldnotonlyhavestruckyoudead，butburiedyoudeep，atablow。"
　　"Nodoubt，"saidVendale。
　　"Nodoubt。ButthatisnotwhatIhavetodo，asGuide。Sopasssilently。Or，goingaswego，ourindiscretionmightelsecrushandburyME。Letusgeton！"
　　TherewasagreataccumulationofsnowontheBridge;andsuchenormousaccumulationsofsnowoverhungthemfromprotectingmassesofrock，thattheymighthavebeenmakingtheirwaythroughastormyskyofwhiteclouds。Usinghisstaffskilfully，soundingashewent，andlookingupward，withbentshoulders，asitweretoresistthemereideaofafallfromabove，Obenreizersoftlyled。Vendalecloselyfollowed。Theywereyetinthemidstoftheirdangerousway，whentherecameamightyrush，followedbyasoundasofthunder。ObenreizerclappedhishandonVendale’smouthandpointedtothetrackbehindthem。Itsaspecthadbeenwhollychangedinamoment。Anavalanchehadsweptoverit，andplungedintothetorrentatthebottomofthegulfbelow。
　　TheirappearanceatthesolitaryInnnotfarbeyondthisterribleBridge，elicitedmanyexpressionsofastonishmentfromthepeopleshutupinthehouse。"Westaybuttorest，"saidObenreizer，shakingthesnowfromhisdressatthefire。"Thisgentlemanhasverypressingoccasiontogetacross;tellthem，Vendale。"
　　"Assuredly，Ihaveverypressingoccasion。Imustcross。"
　　"Youhear，allofyou。Myfriendhasverypressingoccasiontogetacross，andwewantnoadviceandnohelp。Iamasgoodaguide，myfellow—countrymen，asanyofyou。Now，giveustoeatanddrink。"
　　Inexactlythesameway，andinnearlythesamewords，whenitwascomingondarkandtheyhadstruggledthroughthegreatlyincreaseddifficultiesoftheroad，andhadatlastreachedtheirdestinationforthenight，ObenreizersaidtotheastonishedpeopleoftheHospice，gatheringaboutthematthefire，whiletheywereyetintheactofgettingtheirwetshoesoff，andshakingthesnowfromtheirclothes：
　　"Itiswelltounderstandoneanother，friendsall。Thisgentleman—
　　—"
　　"——Has，"saidVendale，readilytakinghimupwithasmile，"verypressingoccasiontogetacross。Mustcross。"
　　"Youhear？——hasverypressingoccasiontogetacross，mustcross。
　　Wewantnoadviceandnohelp。Iammountain—born，andactasGuide。Donotworryusbytalkingaboutit，butletushavesupper，andwine，andbed。"
　　Allthroughtheintensecoldofthenight，thesameawfulstillness。
　　Againatsunrise，nosunnytingetogildorreddenthesnow。Thesameinterminablewasteofdeathlywhite;thesameimmovableair;
　　thesamemonotonousgloominthesky。
　　"Travellers！"afriendlyvoicecalledtothemfromthedoor，aftertheywereafoot，knapsackonbackandstaffinhand，asyesterday;
　　"recollect！Therearefiveplacesofshelter，neartogether，onthedangerousroadbeforeyou;andthereisthewoodencross，andthereisthenextHospice。Donotstrayfromthetrack。IftheTourmentecomeson，takeshelterinstantly！"
　　"Thetradeofthesepoordevils！"saidObenreizertohisfriend，withacontemptuousbackwardwaveofhishandtowardsthevoice。
　　"Howtheysticktotheirtrade！YouEnglishmensayweSwissaremercenary。Truly，itdoeslooklikeit。"
　　Theyhaddividedbetweenthetwoknapsackssuchrefreshmentsastheyhadbeenabletoobtainthatmorning，andastheydeemeditprudenttotake。Obenreizercarriedthewineashisshareoftheburden;
　　Vendale，thebreadandmeatandcheese，andtheflaskofbrandy。
　　Theyhadforsometimelabouredupwardandonwardthroughthesnow——
　　whichwasnowabovetheirkneesinthetrack，andofunknowndepthelsewhere——andtheywerestilllabouringupwardandonwardthroughthemostfrightfulpartofthattremendousdesolation，whensnowbegintofall。Atfirst，butafewflakesdescendedslowlyandsteadily。Afteralittlewhilethefallgrewmuchdenser，andsuddenlyitbeganwithoutapparentcausetowhirlitselfintospiralshapes。Instantlyensuinguponthislastchange，anicyblastcameroaringatthem，andeverysoundandforceimprisoneduntilnowwasletloose。
　　Oneofthedismalgalleriesthroughwhichtheroadiscarriedatthatperilouspoint，acaveekedoutbyarchesofgreatstrength，wasnearathand。Theystruggledintoit，andthestormragedwildly。Thenoiseofthewind，thenoiseofthewater，thethunderingdownofdisplacedmassesofrockandsnow，theawfulvoiceswithwhichnotonlythatgorgebuteverygorgeinthewholemonstrousrangeseemedtobesuddenlyendowed，thedarknessasofnight，theviolentrevolvingofthesnowwhichbeatandbrokeitintosprayandblindedthem，themadnessofeverythingaroundinsatiatefordestruction，therapidsubstitutionoffuriousviolenceforunnaturalcalm，andhostsofappallingsoundsforsilence：thesewerethings，ontheedgeofadeepabyss，tochilltheblood，thoughthefiercewind，madeactuallysolidbyiceandsnow，hadfailedtochillit。