hisname，hishonour，havetobethoughtofaswellashissafety。"
　　"Allshallbeasyouwish，Adam。Andnowastowhatwearetodo？
　　WecannotmurderLadyArabellaoff—hand。Thereforeweshallhavetoputthingsinorderforthekilling，andinsuchawaythatwecannotbetaxedwithacrime。"
　　"Itseemstome，sir，thatweareinanexceedinglytightplace。
　　Ourfirstdifficultyistoknowwheretobegin。Ineverthoughtthisfightinganantediluvianmonsterwouldbesuchacomplicatedjob。Thisoneisawoman，withallawoman’swit，combinedwiththeheartlessnessofaCOCOTTE。Shehasthestrengthandimpregnabilityofadiplodocus。Wemaybesurethatinthefightthatisbeforeustherewillbenosemblanceoffair—play。Alsothatourunscrupulousopponentwillnotbetrayherself！"
　　"Thatisso——butbeingfeminine，shewillprobablyover—reachherself。Now，Adam，itstrikesmethat，aswehavetoprotectourselvesandothersagainstfemininenature，ourstronggamewillbetoplayourmasculineagainstherfeminine。Perhapswehadbettersleeponit。Sheisathingofthenight;andthenightmaygiveussomeideas。"
　　Sotheybothturnedin。
　　AdamknockedatSirNathaniel’sdoorinthegreyofthemorning，and，onbeingbidden，cameintotheroom。Hehadseverallettersinhishand。SirNathanielsatupinbed。
　　"Well！"
　　"Ishouldliketoreadyouafewletters，but，ofcourse，Ishallnotsendthemunlessyouapprove。Infact"——withasmileandablush——"thereareseveralthingswhichIwanttodo;butIholdmyhandandmytonguetillIhaveyourapproval。"
　　"Goon！"saidtheotherkindly。"Tellmeall，andcountatanyrateonmysympathy，andonmyapprovalandhelpifIcanseemyway。"
　　AccordinglyAdamproceeded：
　　"WhenItoldyoutheconclusionsatwhichIhadarrived，IputintheforegroundthatMimiWatfordshould，forthesakeofherownsafety，beremoved——andthatthemonsterwhichhadwroughtalltheharmshouldbedestroyed。"
　　"Yes，thatisso。"
　　"Tocarrythisintopractice，sir，onepreliminaryisrequired——
　　unlessharmofanotherkindistobefaced。Mimishouldhavesomeprotectorwhomalltheworldwouldrecognise。Theonlyformrecognisedbyconventionismarriage！"
　　SirNathanielsmiledinafatherlyway。
　　"Tomarry，ahusbandisrequired。Andthathusbandshouldbeyou。"
　　"Yes，yes。"
　　"Andthemarriageshouldbeimmediateandsecret——or，atleast，notspokenofoutsideourselves。Wouldtheyoungladybeagreeabletothatproceeding？"
　　"Idonotknow，sir！"
　　"Thenhowarewetoproceed？"
　　"Isupposethatwe——oroneofus——mustaskher。"
　　"Isthisasuddenidea，Adam，asuddenresolution？"
　　"Asuddenresolution，sir，butnotasuddenidea。Ifsheagrees，alliswellandgood。Thesequenceisobvious。"
　　"Anditistobekeptasecretamongstourselves？"
　　"Iwantnosecret，sir，exceptforMimi’sgood。Formyself，I
　　shouldliketoshoutitfromthehouse—tops！Butwemustbediscreet;untimelyknowledgetoourenemymightworkincalculableharm。"
　　"Andhowwouldyousuggest，Adam，thatwecouldcombinethemomentousquestionwithsecrecy？"
　　Adamgrewredandmoveduneasily。
　　"Someonemustaskher——assoonaspossible！"
　　"Andthatsomeone？"
　　"Ithoughtthatyou，sir，wouldbesogood！"
　　"Godblessmysoul！Thisisanewkindofdutytotakeon——atmytimeoflife。Adam，IhopeyouknowthatyoucancountonmetohelpinanywayIcan！"
　　"Ihavealreadycountedonyou，sir，whenIventuredtomakesuchasuggestion。Icanonlyask，"headded，"thatyouwillbemorethaneverkindtome——tous——andlookonthepainfuldutyasavoluntaryactofgrace，promptedbykindnessandaffection。"
　　"Painfulduty！"
　　"Yes，"saidAdamboldly。"Painfultoyou，thoughtomeitwouldbealljoyful。"
　　"Itisastrangejobforanearlymorning！Well，weallliveandlearn。IsupposethesoonerIgothebetter。Youhadbetterwritealineformetotakewithme。For，yousee，thisistobeasomewhatunusualtransaction，anditmaybeembarrassingtothelady，eventomyself。Soweoughttohavesomesortofwarrant，somethingtoshowthatwehavebeenmindfulofherfeelings。Itwillnotdototakeacquiescenceforgranted——althoughweactforhergood。"
　　"SirNathaniel，youareatruefriend;IamsurethatbothMimiandIshallbegratefultoyouforallourlives——howeverlongtheymaybe！"
　　Sothetwotalkeditoverandagreedastopointstobeborneinmindbytheambassador。ItwasstrikingtenwhenSirNathanielleftthehouse，Adamseeinghimquietlyoff。
　　Astheyoungmanfollowedhimwithwistfuleyes——almostjealousoftheprivilegewhichhiskinddeedwasabouttobringhim——hefeltthathisownheartwasinhisfriend’sbreast。
　　Thememoryofthatmorningwaslikeadreamtoallthoseconcernedinit。SirNathanielhadaconfusedrecollectionofdetailandsequence，thoughthemainfactsstoodoutinhismemoryboldlyandclearly。AdamSalton’srecollectionwasofanillimitablewait，filledwithanxiety，hope，andchagrin，alldominatedbyasenseoftheslowpassageoftimeandaccompaniedbyvaguefears。Mimicouldnotforalongtimethinkatall，orrecollectanything，exceptthatAdamlovedherandwassavingherfromaterribledanger。Whenshehadtimetothink，lateron，shewonderedwhenshehadanyignoranceofthefactthatAdamlovedher，andthatshelovedhimwithallherheart。Everything，everyrecollectionhoweversmall，everyfeeling，seemedtofitintothoseelementalfactsasthoughtheyhadallbeenmouldedtogether。ThemainandcrowningrecollectionwashersayinggoodbyetoSirNathaniel，andentrustingtohimlovingmessages，straightfromherheart，toAdamSalton，andofhisbearingwhen——
　　withanimpulsewhichshecouldnotcheck——sheputherlipstohisandkissedhim。Later，whenshewasaloneandhadtimetothink，itwasapassinggrieftoherthatshewouldhavetobesilent，foratime，toLillaonthehappyeventsofthatstrangemission。
　　Shehad，ofcourse，agreedtokeepallsecretuntilAdamshouldgiveherleavetospeak。
　　TheadviceandassistanceofSirNathanielwasagreathelptoAdamincarryingouthisideaofmarryingMimiWatfordwithoutpublicity。
　　HewentwithhimtoLondon，and，withhisinfluence，theyoungmanobtainedthelicenseoftheArchbishopofCanterburyforaprivatemarriage。SirNathanielthenpersuadedoldMr。SaltontoallowhisnephewtospendafewweekswithhimatDoomTower，anditwasherethatMimibecameAdam’swife。Butthatwasonlythefirststepintheirplans;beforegoingfurther，however，AdamtookhisbrideofftotheIsleofMan。HewishedtoplaceastretchofseabetweenMimiandtheWhiteWorm，whilethingsmatured。Ontheirreturn，SirNathanielmetthemanddrovethematoncetoDoom，takingcaretoavoidanyonethatheknewonthejourney。
　　SirNathanielhadtakencaretohavethedoorsandwindowsshutandlocked——allbutthedoorusedfortheirentry。Theshutterswereupandtheblindsdown。Moreover，heavycurtainsweredrawnacrossthewindows。WhenAdamcommentedonthis，SirNathanielsaidinawhisper：
　　"Waittillwearealone，andI’lltellyouwhythisisdone;inthemeantimenotawordorasign。Youwillapprovewhenwehavehadatalktogether。"
　　Theysaidnomoreonthesubjecttillafterdinner，whentheywereensconcedinSirNathaniel’sstudy，whichwasonthetopstorey。
　　DoomTowerwasaloftystructure，situatedonaneminencehighupinthePeak。Thetopcommandedawideprospect，rangingfromthehillsabovetheRibbletothenearsideoftheBrow，whichmarkedthenorthernboundofancientMercia。ItwasoftheearlyNormanperiod，lessthanacenturyyoungerthanCastraRegis。Thewindowsofthestudywerebarredandlocked，andheavydarkcurtainsclosedthemin。Whenthiswasdonenotagleamoflightfromthetowercouldbeseenfromoutside。
　　Whentheywerealone，SirNathanielexplainedthathehadtakenhisoldfriend，Mr。Salton，intofullconfidence，andthatinfutureallwouldworktogether。
　　"Itisimportantforyoutobeextremelycareful。Inspiteofthefactthatourmarriagewaskeptsecret，asalsoyourtemporaryabsence，bothareknown。"
　　"How？Towhom？"
　　"How，Iknownot;butIambeginningtohaveanidea。"
　　"Toher？"askedAdam，inmomentaryconsternation。
　　SirNathanielshiveredperceptibly。
　　"TheWhiteWorm——yes！"
　　Adamnoticedthatfromnowon，hisfriendneverspokeofLadyArabellaotherwise，exceptwhenhewishedtodivertthesuspicionofothers。
　　SirNathanielswitchedofftheelectriclight，andwhentheroomwaspitchdark，hecametoAdam，tookhimbythehand，andledhimtoaseatsetinthesouthernwindow。Thenhesoftlydrewbackapieceofthecurtainandmotionedhiscompaniontolookout。
　　Adamdidso，andimmediatelyshrankbackasthoughhiseyeshadopenedonpressingdanger。Hiscompanionsethismindatrestbysayinginalowvoice：
　　"Itisallright;youmayspeak，butspeaklow。Thereisnodangerhere——atpresent！"
　　Adamleanedforward，takingcare，however，nottopresshisfaceagainsttheglass。Whathesawwouldnotunderordinarycircumstanceshavecausedconcerntoanybody。Withhisspecialknowledge，itwasappalling——thoughthenightwasnowsodarkthatinrealitytherewaslittletobeseen。
　　Onthewesternsideofthetowerstoodagroveofoldtrees，offorestdimensions。Theywerenotgroupedclosely，butstoodalittleapartfromeachother，producingtheeffectofarowwidelyplanted。Overthetopsofthemwasseenagreenlight，somethinglikethedangersignalatarailway—crossing。Itseemedatfirstquitestill;butpresently，whenAdam’seyebecameaccustomedtoit，hecouldseethatitmovedasiftrembling。ThisatoncerecalledtoAdam’smindthelightquiveringabovethewell—holeinthedarknessofthatinnerroomatDiana’sGrove，Oolanga’sawfulshriek，andthehideousblackface，nowgrowngreywithterror，disappearingintotheimpenetrablegloomofthemysteriousorifice。
　　Instinctivelyhelaidhishandonhisrevolver，andstoodupreadytoprotecthiswife。Then，seeingthatnothinghappened，andthatthelightandalloutsidethetowerremainedthesame，hesoftlypulledthecurtainoverthewindow。
　　SirNathanielswitchedonthelightagain，andinitscomfortingglowtheybegantotalkfreely。
　　CHAPTERXXII——ATCLOSEQUARTERS
　　"Shehasdiabolicalcunning，"saidSirNathaniel。"Eversinceyouleft，shehasrangedalongtheBrowandwhereveryouwereaccustomedtofrequent。Ihavenotheardwhencetheknowledgeofyourmovementscametoher，norhaveIbeenabletolearnanydatawhereontofoundanopinion。Sheseemstohaveheardbothofyourmarriageandyourabsence;butIgather，byinference，thatshedoesnotactuallyknowwhereyouandMimiare，orofyourreturn。Sosoonastheduskfails，shegoesoutonherrounds，andbeforedawncoversthewholegroundroundtheBrow，andawayupintotheheartofthePeak。TheWhiteWorm，inherownpropershape，certainlyhasgreatfacilitiesforthebusinessonwhichsheisnowengaged。Shecanlookintowindowsofanyordinarykind。Happily，thishouseisbeyondherreach，ifshewishes——asshemanifestlydoes——toremainunrecognised。But，evenatthisheight，itiswisetoshownolights，lestshemightlearnsomethingofourpresenceorabsence。"
　　"Woulditnotbewell，sir，ifoneofuscouldseethismonsterinherrealshapeatclosequarters？Iamwillingtoruntherisk——forItakeittherewouldbenoslightriskinthedoing。Idon’tsupposeanyoneofourtimehasseenhercloseandlivedtotellthetale。"
　　SirNathanielheldupanexpostulatoryhand。
　　"GoodGod，lad，whatareyousuggesting？Thinkofyourwife，andallthatisatstake。"
　　"ItisofMimithatIthink——forhersakethatIamwillingtoriskwhateveristoberisked。"
　　Adam’syoungbridewasproudofherman，butsheblanchedatthethoughtoftheghastlyWhiteWorm。Adamsawthisandatoncereassuredher。
　　"SolongasherladyshipdoesnotknowwhereaboutIam，Ishallhaveasmuchsafetyasremainstous;bearinmind，mydarling，thatwecannotbetoocareful。"
　　SirNathanielrealisedthatAdamwasright;theWhiteWormhadnosupernaturalpowersandcouldnotharmthemuntilshediscoveredtheirhidingplace。Itwasagreed，therefore，thatthetwomenshouldgotogether。
　　Whenthetwomenslippedoutbythebackdoorofthehouse，theywalkedcautiouslyalongtheavenuewhichtrendedtowardsthewest。
　　Everythingwaspitchdark——sodarkthatattimestheyhadtofeeltheirwaybythepalingsandtree—trunks。Theycouldstillsee，seeminglyfarinfrontofthemandhighup，thebalefullightwhichattheheightanddistanceseemedlikeafaintline。Astheywerenowontheleveloftheground，thelightseemedinfinitelyhigherthanithadfromthetopofthetower。AtthesightAdam’sheartfell;thedangerofthedesperateenterprisewhichhehadundertakenburstuponhim。Butthisfeelingwasshortlyfollowedbyanotherwhichrestoredhimtohimself——afierceloathing，andadesiretokill，suchashehadneverexperiencedbefore。
　　Theywentonforsomedistanceonalevelroad，fairlywide，fromwhichthegreenlightwasvisible。HereSirNathanielspokesoftly，placinghislipstoAdam’searforsafety。
　　"Weknownothingwhateverofthiscreature’spowerofhearingorsmelling，thoughIpresumethatbothareofnogreatstrength。Astoseeing，wemaypresumetheopposite，butinanycasewemusttrytokeepintheshadebehindthetree—trunks。Theslightesterrorwouldbefataltous。"
　　Adamonlynodded，incasethereshouldbeanychanceofthemonsterseeingthemovement。
　　Afteratimethatseemedinterminable，theyemergedfromthecirclingwood。Itwaslikecomingoutintosunlightbycomparisonwiththemistyblacknesswhichhadbeenaroundthem。Therewaslightenoughtoseeby，thoughnotsufficienttodistinguishthingsatadistance。Adam’seyessoughtthegreenlightinthesky。Itwasstillinaboutthesameplace，butitssurroundingsweremorevisible。Itwasnowatthesummitofwhatseemedtobealongwhitepole，nearthetopofwhichweretwopendantwhitemasses，likerudimentaryarmsorfins。Thegreenlight，strangelyenough，didnotseemlessenedbythesurroundingstarlight，buthadaclearereffectandadeepergreen。Whilsttheywerecarefullyregardingthis——Adamwiththeaidofanopera—glass——theirnostrilswereassailedbyahorridstench，somethinglikethatwhichrosefromthewell—holeinDiana’sGrove。
　　Bydegrees，astheireyesgottherightfocus，theysawanimmensetoweringmassthatseemedsnowywhite。Itwastallandthin。Thelowerpartwashiddenbythetreeswhichlaybetween，buttheycouldfollowthetallwhiteshaftandtheduplicategreenlightswhichtoppedit。Astheylookedtherewasamovement——theshaftseemedtobend，andthelineofgreenlightdescendedamongstthetrees。Theycouldseethegreenlighttwinkleasitpassedbetweentheobstructingbranches。
　　Seeingwheretheheadofthemonsterwas，thetwomenventuredalittlefurtherforward，andsawthatthehiddenmassatthebaseoftheshaftwascomposedofvastcoilsofthegreatserpent’sbody，formingabasefromwhichtheuprightmassrose。Astheylooked，thislowermassmoved，theglisteningfoldscatchingthemoonlight，andtheycouldseethatthemonster’sprogresswasalongtheground。
　　Itwascomingtowardsthemataswiftpace，sotheyturnedandran，takingcaretomakeaslittlenoiseaspossible，eitherbytheirfootfallsorbydisturbingtheundergrowthclosetothem。TheydidnotstoporpausetilltheysawbeforethemthehighdarktowerofDoom。
　　CHAPTERXXIII——INTHEENEMY’SHOUSE
　　SirNathanielwasinthelibrarynextmorning，afterbreakfast，whenAdamcametohimcarryingaletter。
　　"Herladyshipdoesn’tloseanytime。Shehasbegunworkalready！"
　　SirNathaniel，whowaswritingatatablenearthewindow，lookedup。
　　"Whatisit？"saidhe。
　　Adamheldouttheletterhewascarrying。Itwasinablazonedenvelope。
　　"Ha！"saidSirNathaniel，"fromtheWhiteWorm！Iexpectedsomethingofthekind。"
　　"But，"saidAdam，"howcouldshehaveknownwewerehere？Shedidn’tknowlastnight。"
　　"Idon’tthinkweneedtroubleaboutthat，Adam。Thereissomuchwedonotunderstand。Thisisonlyanothermystery。Sufficeitthatshedoesknow——perhapsitisallthebetterandsaferforus。"
　　"Howisthat？"askedAdamwithapuzzledlook。
　　"Generalprocessofreasoning，myboy;andtheexperienceofsomeyearsinthediplomaticworld。Thiscreatureisamonsterwithoutheartorconsiderationforanythingoranyone。Sheisnotnearlysodangerousintheopenaswhenshehasthedarktoprotecther。
　　Besides，weknow，byourownexperienceofhermovements，thatforsomereasonsheshunspublicity。Inspiteofhervastbulkandabnormalstrength，sheisafraidtoattackopenly。Afterall，sheisonlyasnakeandwithasnake’snature，whichistokeeplowandsquirm，andproceedbystealthandcunning。Shewillneverattackwhenshecanrunaway，althoughsheknowswellthatrunningawaywouldprobablybefataltoher。Whatistheletterabout？"
　　SirNathaniel’svoicewascalmandself—possessed。Whenhewasengagedinanystruggleofwitshewasalldiplomatist。
　　"SheasksMimiandmetoteathisafternoonatDiana’sGrove，andhopesthatyoualsowillfavourher。"
　　SirNathanielsmiled。
　　"PleaseaskMrs。Saltontoacceptforusall。"
　　"Shemeanssomedeadlymischief。Surely——surelyitwouldbewisernot。"
　　"Itisanoldtrickthatwelearnearlyindiplomacy，Adam——tofightongroundofyourownchoice。Itistruethatshesuggestedtheplaceonthisoccasion;butbyacceptingitwemakeitours。
　　Moreover，shewillnotbeabletounderstandourreasonfordoingso，andherownbadconscience——ifshehasany，badorgood——andherownfearsanddoubtswillplayourgameforus。No，mydearboy，letusaccept，byallmeans。"
　　Adamsaidnothing，butsilentlyheldouthishand，whichhiscompanionshook：nowordswerenecessary。
　　Whenitwasgettingneartea—time，MimiaskedSirNathanielhowtheyweregoing。
　　"Wemustmakeapointofgoinginstate。Wewantallpossiblepublicity。"Mimilookedathiminquiringly。"Certainly，mydear，inthepresentcircumstancespublicityisapartofsafety。Donotbesurprisedif，whilstweareatDiana’sGrove，occasionalmessagescomeforyou——foralloranyofus。"
　　"Isee！"saidMrs。Salton。"Youaretakingnochances。"
　　"None，mydear。AllIhavelearnedatforeigncourts，andamongstcivilisedanduncivilisedpeople，isgoingtobeutilisedwithinthenextcoupleofhours。"
　　SirNathaniel’svoicewasfullofseriousness，anditbroughttoMimiinaconvincingwaytheawfulgravityoftheoccasionInduecourse，theysetoutinacarriagedrawnbyafinepairofhorses，whosoondevouredthefewmilesoftheirjourney。Beforetheycametothegate，SirNathanielturnedtoMimi。
　　"IhavearrangedwithAdamcertainsignalswhichmaybenecessaryifcertaineventualitiesoccur。Theseneedbenothingtodowithyoudirectly。ButbearinmindthatifIaskyouorAdamtodoanything，donotloseasecondinthedoingofit。Wemusttrytopassoffsuchmomentswithanappearanceofunconcern。Inallprobability，nothingrequiringsuchcarewilloccur。TheWhiteWormwillnottryforce，thoughshehassomuchofittospare。Whatevershemayattemptto—day，ofharmtoanyofus，willbeinthewayofsecretplot。Someothertimeshemaytryforce，but——ifIamabletojudgesuchathing——notto—day。Themessengerswhomayaskforanyofuswillnotbewitnessesonly，theymayhelptostaveoffdanger。"Seeingqueryinherface，hewenton："Ofwhatkindthedangermaybe，Iknownot，andcannotguess。Itwilldoubtlessbesomeordinarycircumstance;butnonethelessdangerousonthataccount。Hereweareatthegate。Now，becarefulinallmatters，howeversmall。Tokeepyourheadishalfthebattle。"
　　Therewereanumberofmeninliveryinthehallwhentheyarrived。
　　Thedoorsofthedrawing—roomwerethrownopen，andLadyArabellacameforthandofferedthemcordialwelcome。Thishavingbeengotover，LadyArabellaledthemintoanotherroomwhereteawasserved。
　　Adamwasacutelywatchfulandsuspiciousofeverything，andsawonthefarsideofthisroomapanelledirondoorofthesamecolourandconfigurationastheouterdooroftheroomwherewasthewell—
　　holewhereinOolangahaddisappeared。Somethinginthesightalarmedhim，andhequietlystoodnearthedoor。Hemadenomovement，evenofhiseyes，buthecouldseethatSirNathanielwaswatchinghimintently，and，hefancied，withapproval。
　　Theyallsatnearthetablespreadfortea，Adamstillnearthedoor。LadyArabellafannedherself，complainingofheat，andtoldoneofthefootmentothrowalltheouterdoorsopen。
　　TeawasinprogresswhenMimisuddenlystartedupwithalookoffrightonherface;atthesamemoment，themenbecamecognisantofathicksmokewhichbegantospreadthroughtheroom——asmokewhichmadethosewhoexperienceditgaspandchoke。Thefootmenbegantoedgeuneasilytowardstheinnerdoor。Denseranddensergrewthesmoke，andmoreacriditssmell。Mimi，towardswhomthedraughtfromtheopendoorwaftedthesmoke，roseupchoking，andrantotheinnerdoor，whichshethrewopentoitsfullestextent，disclosingontheoutsideacurtainofthinsilk，fixedtothedoorposts。Thedraughtfromtheopendoorswayedthethinsilktowardsher，andinherfright，shetoredownthecurtain，whichenvelopedherfromheadtofoot。Thensheranthroughthestillopendoor，heedlessofthefactthatshecouldnotseewhereshewasgoing。Adam，followedbySirNathaniel，rushedforwardandjoinedher——Adamcatchinghiswifebythearmandholdinghertight。Itwaswellthathedidso，forjustbeforeherlaytheblackorificeofthewell—hole，which，ofcourse，shecouldnotseewiththesilkcurtainroundherhead。Thefloorwasextremelyslippery;somethinglikethickoilhadbeenspilledwhereshehadtopass;andclosetotheedgeoftheholeherfeetshotfromunderher，andshestumbledforwardtowardsthewell—
　　hole。
　　WhenAdamsawMimislip，heflunghimselfbackward，stillholdingher。Hisweighttold，andhedraggedherupfromtheholeandtheyfelltogetherontheflooroutsidethezoneofslipperiness。Inamomenthehadraisedherup，andtogethertheyrushedoutthroughtheopendoorintothesunlight，SirNathanielclosebehindthem。
　　Theywereallpaleexcepttheolddiplomatist，wholookedbothcalmandcool。ItsustainedandcheeredAdamandhiswifetoseehimthusmasterofhimself。Bothmanagedtofollowhisexample，tothewondermentofthefootmen，whosawthethreewhohadjustescapedaterribledangerwalkingtogethergaily，as，undertheguidingpressureofSirNathaniel’shand，theyturnedtore—enterthehouse。
　　LadyArabella，whosefacehadblanchedtoadeadlywhite，nowresumedherministrationsatthetea—boardasthoughnothingunusualhadhappened。Theslop—basinwasfullofhalf—burnedbrownpaper，overwhichteahadbeenpoured。
　　SirNathanielhadbeennarrowlyobservinghishostess，andtookthefirstopportunityaffordedhimofwhisperingtoAdam：
　　"Therealattackistocome——sheistooquiet。WhenIgivemyhandtoyourwifetoleadherout，comewithus——andcautionhertohurry。Don’tloseasecond，evenifyouhavetomakeascene。Hs—
　　s—s—h！"
　　Thentheyresumedtheirplacesclosetothetable，andtheservants，inobediencetoLadyArabella’sorder，broughtinfreshtea。
　　Thenceon，thattea—partyseemedtoAdam，whosefacultieswereattheirutmostintensity，likeaterribledream。AsforpoorMimi，shewassooverwroughtbothwithpresentandfuturefear，andwithhorroratthedangershehadescaped，thatherfacultieswerenumb。
　　However，shewasbracedupforatrial，andshefeltassuredthatwhatevermightcomeshewouldbeabletogothroughwithit。SirNathanielseemedjustasusual——suave，dignified，andthoughtful——
　　perfectmasterofhimself。
　　Toherhusband，itwasevidentthatMimiwasillatease。Thewayshekeptturningherheadtolookaroundher，thequickcomingandgoingofthecolourofherface，herhurriedbreathing，alternatingwithperiodsofsuspiciouscalm，wereevidencesofmentalperturbation。Toher，theattitudeofLadyArabellaseemedcompoundedofsocialsweetnessandpersonalconsideration。Itwouldbehardtoimaginemorethoughtfulandtenderkindnesstowardsanhonouredguest。
　　Whenteawasoverandtheservantshadcometoclearawaythecups，LadyArabella，puttingherarmroundMimi’swaist，strolledwithherintoanadjoiningroom，whereshecollectedanumberofphotographswhichwerescatteredabout，and，sittingdownbesideherguest，begantoshowthemtoher。Whileshewasdoingthis，theservantsclosedallthedoorsofthesuiteofrooms，aswellasthatwhichopenedfromtheroomoutside——thatofthewell—holeintotheavenue。
　　Suddenly，withoutanyseemingcause，thelightintheroombegantogrowdim。SirNathaniel，whowassittingclosetoMimi，rosetohisfeet，and，crying，"Quick！"caughtholdofherhandandbegantodragherfromtheroom。Adamcaughtherotherhand，andbetweenthemtheydrewherthroughtheouterdoorwhichtheservantswerebeginningtoclose。Itwasdifficultatfirsttofindtheway，thedarknesswassogreat;buttotheirreliefwhenAdamwhistledshrilly，thecarriageandhorses，whichhadbeenwaitingintheangleoftheavenue，dashedup。HerhusbandandSirNathaniellifted——almostthrew——Mimiintothecarriage。Thepostillionpliedwhipandspur，andthevehicle，rockingwithitsspeed，sweptthroughthegateandtoreuptheroad。Behindthemwasahubbub——
　　servantsrushingabout，ordersbeingshoutedout，doorsshutting，andsomewhere，seeminglyfarbackinthehouse，astrangenoise。
　　Everynerveofthehorseswasstrainedastheydashedrecklesslyalongtheroad。ThetwomenheldMimibetweenthem，thearmsofbothofthemroundherasthoughprotectingly。Astheywent，therewasasuddenriseintheground;butthehorses，breathingheavily，dashedupitatracingspeed，notslackeningtheirpacewhenthehillfellawayagain，leavingthemtohurryalongthedowngrade。
　　ItwouldbefoolishtosaythatneitherAdamnorMimihadanyfearinreturningtoDoomTower。Mimifeltitmorekeenlythanherhusband，whosenerveswereharder，andwhowasmoreinuredtodanger。Stillsheboreupbravely，andasusualtheeffortwashelpfultoher。Whenonceshewasinthestudyinthetopoftheturret，shealmostforgottheterrorswhichlayoutsideinthedark。
　　Shedidnotattempttopeepoutofthewindow;butAdamdid——andsawnothing。Themoonlightshowedallthesurroundingcountry，butnowherewastobeobservedthattremulouslineofgreenlight。
　　Thepeacefulnighthadagoodeffectonthemall;danger，beingunseen，seemedfaroff。Attimesitwashardtorealisethatithadeverbeen。Withcouragerestored，AdamroseearlyandwalkedalongtheBrow，seeingnochangeinthesignsoflifeinCastraRegis。
　　Whathedidsee，tohiswonderandconcern，onhisreturninghomeward，wasLadyArabella，inhertight—fittingwhitedressanderminecollar，butwithoutheremeralds;shewasemergingfromthegateofDiana’sGroveandwalkingtowardstheCastle。Ponderingonthisandtryingtofindsomemeaninginit，occupiedhisthoughtstillhejoinedMimiandSirNathanielatbreakfast。Theybeganthemealinsilence。Whathadbeenhadbeen，andwasknowntothemall。
　　Moreover，itwasnotapleasanttopic。
　　AfillipwasgiventotheconversationwhenAdamtoldofhisseeingLadyArabella，onherwaytoCastraRegis。Theyeachhadsomethingtosayofher，andofwhatherwishesorintentionsweretowardsEdgarCaswall。Mimispokebitterlyofherineveryaspect。Shehadnotforgotten——andneverwould——nevercould——theoccasionwhen，toharmLilla，thewomanhadconsortedevenwiththenigger。Asasocialmatter，shewasdisgustedwithherforfollowinguptherichlandowner——"throwingherselfathisheadsoshamelessly，"washowsheexpressedit。ShewasinterestedtoknowthatthegreatkitestillflewfromCaswall’stower。Butbeyondsuchmattersshedidnottrytogo。Theonlycommentshemadewasofstronglyexpressedsurpriseatherladyship’s"cheek"inignoringherowncriminalacts，andherimpudenceintakingitforgrantedthatothershadoverlookedthemalso。
　　CHAPTERXXIV——ASTARTLINGPROPOSITION
　　ThemoreMimithoughtoverthelateevents，themorepuzzledshewas。Whatdiditallmean——whatcoulditmean，exceptthattherewasanerroroffactsomewhere。Coulditbepossiblethatsomeofthem——allofthemhadbeenmistaken，thattherehadbeennoWhiteWormatall？Oneithersideofherwasabeliefimpossibleofreception。Nottobelieveinwhatseemedapparentwastodestroytheveryfoundationsofbelief……yetinolddaystherehadbeenmonstersontheearth，andcertainlysomepeoplehadbelievedinjustsuchmysteriouschangesofidentity。Itwasallverystrange。
　　Justfancyhowanystranger——sayadoctor——wouldregardher，ifsheweretotellhimthatshehadbeentoatea—partywithanantediluvianmonster，andthattheyhadbeenwaitedonbyup—to—datemen—servants。
　　Adamhadreturned，exhilaratedbyhiswalk，andmoresettledinhismindthanhehadbeenforsometime。LikeMimi，hehadgonethroughthephaseofdoubtandinabilitytobelieveintherealityofthings，thoughithadnotaffectedhimtothesameextent。Theidea，however，thathiswifewassufferingill—effectsfromherterribleordeal，bracedhimup。Heremainedwithherforatime，thenhesoughtSirNathanielinordertotalkoverthematterwithhim。Heknewthatthecalmcommonsenseandself—relianceoftheoldman，aswellashisexperience，wouldbehelpfultothemall。
　　SirNathanielhadcometotheconclusionthat，forsomereasonwhichhedidnotunderstand，LadyArabellahadchangedherplans，and，forthepresentatallevents，waspacific。HewasinclinedtoattributeherchangeddemeanourtothefactthatherinfluenceoverEdgarCaswallwassofarincreased，astojustifyamorefixedbeliefinhissubmissiontohercharms。
　　Asamatteroffact，shehadseenCaswallthatmorningwhenshevisitedCastraRegis，andtheyhadhadalongtalktogether，duringwhichthepossibilityoftheirunionhadbeendiscussed。Caswall，withoutbeingenthusiasticonthesubject，hadbeencourteousandattentive;asshehadwalkedbacktoDiana’sGrove，shealmostcongratulatedherselfonhernewsettlementinlife。Thattheideawasbecomingfixedinhermind，wasshownbyaletterwhichshewrotelaterinthedaytoAdamSalton，andsenttohimbyhand。Itranasfollows：
　　"DEARMR。SALTON，"Iwonderifyouwouldkindlyadvise，and，ifpossible，helpmeinamatterofbusiness。IhavebeenforsometimetryingtomakeupmymindtosellDiana’sGrove，Ihaveputoffandputoffthedoingofittillnow。Theplaceismyownproperty，andnoonehastobeconsultedwithregardtowhatImaywishtodoaboutit。Itwasboughtbymylatehusband，CaptainAdolphusRangerMarch，whohadanotherresidence，TheCrest，Appleby。Heacquiredallrightsofallkinds，includingminingandsporting。Whenhedied，helefthiswholepropertytome。Ishallfeelleavingthisplace，whichhasbecomeendearedtomebymanysacredmemoriesandaffections——therecollectionofmanyhappydaysofmyyoungmarriedlife，andthemorethanhappymemoriesofthemanIlovedandwholovedmesomuch。Ishouldbewillingtoselltheplaceforanyfairprice——solong，ofcourse，asthepurchaserwasoneIlikedandofwhomI
　　approved。MayIsaythatyouyourselfwouldbetheidealperson。
　　ButIdarenothopeforsomuch。Itstrikesme，however，thatamongyourAustralianfriendsmaybesomeonewhowishestomakeasettlementintheOldCountry，andwouldcaretofixthespotinoneofthemosthistoricregionsinEngland，fullofromanceandlegend，andwithanever—endingvistaofhistoricalinterest——anestatewhich，thoughsmall，isinperfectconditionandwithillimitablepossibilitiesofdevelopment，andmanydoubtful——orunsettled——
　　rightswhichhaveexistedbeforethetimeoftheRomansorevenCelts，whoweretheoriginalpossessors。Inaddition，thehousehasbeenkeptuptotheDERNIERCRI。Immediatepossessioncanbearranged。Mylawyerscanprovideyou，orwhoeveryoumaysuggest，withallbusinessandhistoricaldetails。Awordfromyouofacceptanceorrefusalisallthatisnecessary，andwecanleavedetailstobethrashedoutbyouragents。Forgiveme，won’tyou，fortroublingyouinthematter，andbelieveme，yoursverysincerely。
　　"ARABELLAMARCH。"
　　Adamreadthisoverseveraltimes，andthen，hismindbeingmadeup，hewenttoMimiandaskedifshehadanyobjection。Sheanswered——
　　afterashudder——thatshewas，inthis，asinallthings，willingtodowhateverhemightwish。
　　"Dearest，Iamwillingthatyoushouldjudgewhatisbestforus。
　　Bequitefreetoactasyouseeyourduty，andasyourinclinationcalls。WeareinthehandsofGod，andHehashithertoguidedus，andwilldosotoHisownend。"
　　Fromhiswife’sroomAdamSaltonwentstraighttothestudyinthetower，whereheknewSirNathanielwouldbeatthathour。Theoldmanwasalone，so，whenhehadenteredinobediencetothe"Comein，"whichansweredhisquery，heclosedthedoorandsatdownbesidehim。
　　"Doyouthink，sir，thatitwouldbewellformetobuyDiana’sGrove？"
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidtheoldman，startled，"whyonearthwouldyouwanttodothat？"
　　"Well，IhavevowedtodestroythatWhiteWorm，andmybeingabletodowhateverImaychoosewiththeLairwouldfacilitatemattersandavoidcomplications。"
　　SirNathanielhesitatedlongerthanusualbeforespeaking。Hewasthinkingdeeply。
　　"Yes，Adam，thereismuchcommonsenseinyoursuggestion，thoughitstartledmeatfirst。Ithinkthat，forallreasons，youwoulddowelltobuythepropertyandtohavetheconveyancesettledatonce。
　　Ifyouwantmoremoneythanisimmediatelyconvenient，letmeknow，sothatImaybeyourbanker。"
　　"Thankyou，sir，mostheartily;butIhavemoremoneyatimmediatecallthanIshallwant。Iamgladyouapprove。"
　　"Thepropertyishistoric，andastimegoesonitwillincreaseinvalue。Moreover，Imaytellyousomething，whichindeedisonlyasurmise，butwhich，ifIamright，willaddgreatvaluetotheplace。"Adamlistened。"Hasiteverstruckyouwhytheoldname，’TheLairoftheWhiteWorm，’wasgiven？Weknowthattherewasasnakewhichinearlydayswascalledaworm;butwhywhite？"
　　"Ireallydon’tknow，sir;Ineverthoughtofit。Isimplytookitforgranted。"
　　"SodidIatfirst——longago。ButlaterIpuzzledmybrainforareason。"
　　"Andwhatwasthereason，sir？"
　　"SimplyandsolelybecausethesnakeorwormWASwhite。WearenearthecountyofStafford，wherethegreatindustryofchina—burningwasoriginatedandgrew。Staffordowesmuchofitswealthtothelargedepositsoftherarechinaclayfoundinitfromtimetotime。
　　Thesedepositsbecomeintimeprettywellexhausted;butforcenturiesStaffordadventurerslookedforthespecialclay，asOhioandPennsylvaniafarmersandexplorerslookedforoil。Anyoneowningrealestateonwhichchinaclaycanbediscoveredstrikesasortofgoldmine。"
　　"Yes，andthen——"Theyoungmanlookedpuzzled。
　　"Theoriginal’Worm’so—called，fromwhichthenameoftheplacecame，hadtofindadirectwaydowntothemarshesandthemud—
　　holes。Now，theclayiseasilypenetrable，andtheoriginalholeprobablypiercedabedofchinaclay。WhenoncethewaywasmadeitwouldbecomeasortofhighwayfortheWorm。Butasmuchmovementwasnecessarytoascendsuchagreatheight，someoftheclaywouldbecomeattachedtoitsroughskinbyattrition。Thedownwaymusthavebeeneasywork，buttheascentwasdifferent，andwhenthemonstercametoviewintheupperworld，itwouldbefreshfromcontactwiththewhiteclay。Hencethename，whichhasnocrypticsignificance，butonlyfact。Now，ifthatsurmisebetrue——andIdonotseewhynot——theremustbeadepositofvaluableclay——possiblyofimmensedepth。"
　　Adam’scommentpleasedtheoldgentleman。
　　"Ihaveitinmybones，sir，thatyouhavestruck——orratherreasonedout——agreattruth。"
　　SirNathanielwentoncheerfully。"Whentheworldofcommercewakesuptothevalueofyourfind，itwillbeaswellthatyourtitletoownershiphasbeenperfectlysecured。Ifanyoneeverdeservedsuchagain，itisyou。"
　　Withhisfriend’said，Adamsecuredthepropertywithoutlossoftime。Thenhewenttoseehisuncle，andtoldhimaboutit。Mr。
　　Saltonwasdelightedtofindhisyoungrelativealreadyconstructivelytheownerofsofineanestate——onewhichgavehimanimportantstatusinthecounty。HemademanyanxiousenquiriesaboutMimi，andthedoingsoftheWhiteWorm，butAdamre—assuredhim。
　　Thenextmorning，whenAdamwenttohishostinthesmoking—room，SirNathanielaskedhimhowhepurposedtoproceedwithregardtokeepinghisvow。
　　"Itisadifficultmatterwhichyouhaveundertaken。TodestroysuchamonsterissomethinglikeoneofthelaboursofHercules，inthatnotonlyitssizeandweightandpowerofusingtheminlittle—
　　knownwaysareagainstyou，buttheoccultsideisaloneanunsurpassabledifficulty。TheWormisalreadymasterofalltheelementsexceptfire——andIdonotseehowfirecanbeusedfortheattack。Ithasonlytosinkintotheearthinitsusualway，andyoucouldnotovertakeitifyouhadtheresourcesofthebiggestcoal—mineinexistence。ButIdaresayyouhavemappedoutsomeplaninyourmind，"headdedcourteously。
　　"Ihave，sir。But，ofcourse，itmaynotstandthetestofpractice。"
　　"MayIknowtheidea？"
　　"Well，sir，thiswasmyargument：AtthetimeoftheChartisttrouble，anideaspreadamongstfinancialcirclesthatanattackwasgoingtobemadeontheBankofEngland。Accordingly，thedirectorsofthatinstitutionconsultedmanypersonswhoweresupposedtoknowwhatstepsshouldbetaken，anditwasfinallydecidedthatthebestprotectionagainstfire——whichiswhatwasfeared——wasnotwaterbutsand。Tocarrytheschemeintopracticegreatstoreoffinesea—
　　sand——thekindthatblowsaboutandisusedtofillhour—glasses——
　　wasprovidedthroughoutthebuilding，especiallyatthepointsliabletoattack，fromwhichitcouldbebroughtintouse。
　　"IproposetoprovideatDiana’sGrove，assoonasitcomesintomypossession，anenormousamountofsuchsand，andshalltakeanearlyoccasionofpouringitintothewell—hole，whichitwillintimechoke。ThusLadyArabella，inherguiseoftheWhiteWorm，willfindherselfcutofffromherrefuge。Theholeisanarrowone，andissomehundredsoffeetdeep。Theweightofthesandthiscancontainwouldnotinitselfbesufficienttoobstruct;butthefrictionofsuchabodyworkingupagainstitwouldbetremendous。"
　　"Onemoment。Whatusewouldthesandbefordestruction？"
　　"None，directly;butitwouldholdthestrugglingbodyinplacetilltherestofmyschemecameintopractice。"
　　"Andwhatistherest？"
　　"Asthesandisbeingpouredintothewell—hole，quantitiesofdynamitecanalsobethrownin！"
　　"Good。Buthowwouldthedynamiteexplode——for，ofcourse，thatiswhatyouintend。Wouldnotsomesortofwireorfuseherequiredforeachparcelofdynamite？"
　　Adamsmiled。
　　"Notinthesedays，sir。ThatwasprovedinNewYork。Athousandpoundsofdynamite，insealedcanisters，wasplacedaboutsomeworkings。Atthelastachargeofgunpowderwasfired，andtheconcussionexplodedthedynamite。Itwasmostsuccessful。Thosewhowerenon—expertsinhighexplosivesexpectedthateverypaneofglassinNewYorkwouldbeshattered。But，inreality，theexplosivedidnoharmoutsidetheareaintended，althoughsixteenacresofrockhadbeenminedandonlythesupportingwallsandpillarshadbeenleftintact。Thewholeoftherockswereshattered。"
　　SirNathanielnoddedapproval。
　　"Thatseemsagoodplan——averyexcellentone。Butifithastoteardownsomanyfeetofprecipice，itmaywreckthewholeneighbourhood。"
　　"Andfreeitforeverfromamonster，"addedAdam，ashelefttheroomtofindhiswife。
　　CHAPTERXXV——THELASTBATTLE
　　LadyArabellahadinstructedhersolicitorstohurryonwiththeconveyanceofDiana’sGrove，sonotimewaslostinlettingAdamSaltonhaveformalpossessionoftheestate。AfterhisinterviewwithSirNathaniel，hehadtakenstepstobeginputtinghisplanintoaction。Inordertoaccumulatethenecessaryamountoffinesea—sand，heorderedthestewardtoprepareforanelaboratesystemoftop—dressingallthegrounds。Agreatheapofthesand，broughtfrombaysontheWelshcoast，begantogrowatthebackoftheGrove。Nooneseemedtosuspectthatitwasthereforanypurposeotherthanwhathadbeengivenout。
　　LadyArabella，whoalonecouldhaveguessed，wasnowsoabsorbedinhermatrimonialpursuitofEdgarCaswall，thatshehadneithertimenorinclinationforthoughtextraneoustothis。Shehadnotyetmovedfromthehouse，thoughshehadformallyhandedovertheestate。
　　Adamputuparoughcorrugated—ironshedbehindtheGrove，inwhichhestoredhisexplosives。Allbeingreadyforhisgreatattemptwheneverthetimeshouldcome，hewasnowcontenttowait，and，inordertopassthetime，interestedhimselfinotherthings——eveninCaswall’sgreatkite，whichstillflewfromthehightowerofCastraRegis。
　　ThemoundoffinesandgrewtoproportionssovastastopuzzlethebailiffsandfarmersroundtheBrow。Thehouroftheintendedcataclysmwasapproachingapace。Adamwished——butinvain——foranopportunity，whichwouldappeartobenatural，ofvisitingCaswallintheturretofCastraRegis。Atlast，onemorning，hemetLadyArabellamovingtowardstheCastle，sohetookhiscourageEDEUX
　　MAINSandaskedtobeallowedtoaccompanyher。Shewasglad，forherownpurposes，tocomplywithhiswishes。Sotogethertheyentered，andfoundtheirwaytotheturret—room。CaswallwasmuchsurprisedtoseeAdamcometohishouse，butlenthimselftothetaskofseemingtobepleased。HeplayedthehostsowellastodeceiveevenAdam。Theyallwentoutontheturretroof，whereheexplainedtohisgueststhemechanismforraisingandloweringthekite，takingalsotheopportunityoftestingthemovementsofthemultitudesofbirds，howtheyansweredalmostinstantaneouslytotheloweringorraisingofthekite。
　　AsLadyArabellawalkedhomewithAdamfromCastraRegis，sheaskedhimifshemightmakearequest。Permissionhavingbeenaccorded，sheexplainedthatbeforeshefinallyleftDiana’sGrove，whereshehadlivedsolong，shehadadesiretoknowthedepthofthewell—
　　hole。Adamwasreallyhappytomeetherwishes，notfromanysentiment，butbecausehewishedtogivesomevalidandostensiblereasonforexaminingthepassageoftheWorm，whichwouldobviateanysuspicionresultingfromhisbeingonthepremises。HebroughtfromLondonaKelvinsoundingapparatus，withasufficientlengthofpiano—wirefortestinganyprobabledepth。Thewirepassedeasilyovertherunningwheel，andwhenthiswasoncefixedoverthehole，hewassatisfiedtowaittillthemostadvantageoustimeforhisfinalexperiment。