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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/7486-0.txt b/7486-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..607d494 --- /dev/null +++ b/7486-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3579 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Master of Silence + +Author: Irving Bacheller + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7486] +Posting Date: July 27, 2009 +Last Updated: March 12, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Jeffrey Kraus-yao + + + + + +THE MASTER OF SILENCE + +A ROMANCE + + +Fiction, Fact, and Fancy Series + +Edited by Arthur Stedman + + +By Irving Bacheller + + +New York Charles L. Webster & Co. 1892 + + + + + +THE MASTER OF SILENCE + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Near the end of my fourteenth year I was apprenticed to Valentine, King +& Co., cotton importers, Liverpool, as a “pair of legs.” My father +had died suddenly, leaving me and his property in the possession of my +stepmother and my guardian. It was in deference to their urgent advice +that I left my home in London (with little reluctance, since my life +there had never been happy) to study the art of money-making. On +arriving at the scene of my expected triumphs I was assigned to the +somewhat humble position of errand boy. In common with other boys who +performed a like service for the firm I was known as “a pair of legs.” + Lodgings of a rather modest character had been secured for me in the +western outskirts of the city near the banks of the Mersey. I was slow +to make friends, and my evenings were spent in the perusal of some story +books, which I had brought with me from London. One night, not long +after the beginning of my new life in Liverpool, I was lying in bed +listening to the wind and rain beating over the housetops and driving +against the windows, when suddenly there came a loud rap at my door. + +“Who's there?” I demanded, starting out of bed. + +As I heard no answer, I repeated my inquiry and stood a moment +listening. I could hear nothing, however, but the wind and rain. +Lighting a candle and dressing myself with all haste, I opened the +door. I could just discern the figure of a bent old man standing in +the hallway, when a gust of wind suddenly put out the candle. The door +leading to the street was open, and the old man was probably a straggler +come to importune me for shelter or for something to eat. As I relit the +candle, he entered my room and stood facing me, but he did not speak. +His clothes were dripping and he was blinking at me with strange, +gleaming eyes. His hair was snow-white, and as I looked into his face +the deathly pallor of it frightened me. His general appearance was more +than startling; it was uncanny. + +“What can I do for you?” I asked. + +Greatly to my surprise he made no reply, but with a look of pain and +great anxiety sank into a chair. Then he withdrew from his pocket a +letter which he extended to me. The envelope was wet and dirty. It was +directed to Kendric Lane, Esq., No. Old Broad street, London, England. +The address was crossed and “22 Kirkland street, Liverpool,” written +under it in the familiar hand of my guardian. A strange proceeding! +thought I. Was the letter intended for my father, who was long dead, and +who had removed from that address more than ten years ago? The old man +began to grin and nod as I examined the superscription. I broke the seal +on the envelope and found the following letter, undated, and with no +indication of the place from which it was sent: + +“Dear Brother--I need your help. Come to me at once if you can. +Consequences of vast importance to me and to mankind depend upon your +prompt compliance. I cannot tell you where I am. The bearer will bring +you to me. Follow him and ask no questions. Moreover, be silent, like +him, regarding the subject of this letter. If you can come, procure +passage in the first steamer for New York. My messenger is provided with +funds. Your loving brother, + +“Revis Lane.” + +I had often heard my father speak of my uncle Revis, who went to America +almost twenty years before I was born. Now he was my nearest living +relative. No news of him had reached us for many years before my father +died. I was familiar with his handwriting and the specimen before me was +either genuine, or remarkably like it. If genuine he had evidently not +heard of my father's death. + +Extraordinary as the message was, the messenger was more so. He sat +peering at me with a strange, half-crazed expression on his face. + +“When did you leave my uncle?” I asked. + +He sat as if unconscious that I had spoken. + +I drew my chair to his side and repeated the words in a loud voice, but +he did not seem to hear me. Evidently the old man could neither hear nor +speak. In a moment he began groping in his pockets, and presently handed +me a card which contained the following words: + +“If you can come, tear this card in halves and return the right half to +him.” + +I examined the card carefully. The words were undoubtedly in my uncle's +handwriting. The back of the card was covered with strange characters in +red ink. I tore the card as directed and handed him the right half. + +He held it up to the light and examined it carefully, then put it away +in a pocket of his waistcoat. The look of pain returned to his face, +and he coughed feebly as if suffering from a severe cold. The hour being +late I intimated by pantomime that I desired him to occupy my bed. He +understood me readily enough and began feebly to remove his clothing, +while I prepared a sofa for myself. He was soon sound asleep, but I lay +awake long after the light was extinguished. He was evidently quite +ill, and I determined to go for a physician at the first appearance of +daylight. As soon as possible I would go with him to my uncle. There +were no ties to detain me, and it was clearly my duty to do so. Perhaps +my uncle was in some great peril. If so, I might be of service to him. + +When I arose in the morning my strange lodger seemed to be sleeping +quietly. His face looked pale and ghastly in the light of day. I stepped +close to his bed and, laying my hand upon his brow, was horrified +to discover that he was dead. What was I to do? I sat down to think, +trembling with fright. I must call in a policeman and tell him all I +knew about my strange visitor. No, not all; I must not tell him about +the letter, thought I. My uncle might not wish it to be published to the +world. I ran out upon the street and told the first officer I met how +the old man had rapped at my door during the storm; how I had given him +my bed out of pity, and how I had discovered on awaking in the morning +that he was dead. + +That day the body was taken to the morgue. The sum of L100 were found in +his pockets, a part of which gave him a decent burial. But while he had +gone to his long rest, he had sown in my mind the seed of unrest. I went +about my work clinging to the thread of a mystery half told. Whither +would it lead me? + +Strange as that messenger had seemed, he was certainly a good man to +carry secrets. + + + +CHAPTER II + + +The multitude of legs, engaged by the pair in the service of Valentine, +King & Co., were distinguished from each other by a bit of house slang. +I was known as “last legs” among my companions for some time after +my initiation to the warehouse. At first I was inclined to resent the +reduction of my individuality to such a vulgar formula, but as I became +inured to hard tasks the sharpness of this indignity wore away. + +There was one pair of legs doing service for the firm whose owner became +my most valued friend and confidant. In his business capacity he was +called “long legs,” but his proper name was Philbert Chaffin. He was +a tall, slim boy, with blue eyes and light hair, the son of a stage +carpenter, who was employed at one of the cheap theatres and who +lived within a stone's throw of my lodgings. His language was a unique +combination of bad grammar and provincial brogue; but every boy in +the warehouse allowed that he was a good fellow. He had spent many an +evening with me, and confided to me many a secret which, owing to solemn +pledges made at that time, I am not at liberty to divulge, before he +invited me to dine and spend an evening with the family. I accepted his +invitation gratefully, and the next evening Phil took me over. It was a +hearty welcome that I received at the home of the Chaffins. My enjoyment +of their simple hospitality would have been perfect but for the +embarrassment I felt at the many apologies with which it was offered. +Mrs. Chaffin knew as 'ow the tea was not as good as I was used to +drinking, but she 'oped it didn't taste “murky.” I assured her that +it did not taste murky, although a little doubtful as to the exact +significance of the word when applied to tea. But in spite of my +declaration she insisted that it must taste “murky” to one who was +accustomed to better things. The ham was never too good in Liverpool, +but she 'oped that it wasn't “reesty.” I solemnly declared that it was +not “reesty.” But Mrs. Chaffin and Mr. Chaffin out of the goodness of +their hearts continued to condole with me on the score that such ham +tasted and must taste “reesty” to one not used to it. I had no sooner +satisfied their misgivings concerning the ham than I was compelled to +take issue with them as to the bread, regarding which they entertained a +lurking suspicion of staleness. During all of this discussion about the +ham, the tea and the bread, I was conscious that a pair of big brown +eyes, darkly shaded with long lashes, were staring at me across the +table. Whenever I had the courage to glance that way I observed that +they had been looking at me intently, and were suddenly averted. These +wondering eyes belonged to the only daughter in the family. + +“They've all been boys,” said Mrs. Chaffin, “since Hetty was born.” + +I thought it strange that the H in her daughter's name was the only one +that the good woman had shown the ability to manage. + +“Hetty is the only one of the lot that takes to books,” she continued. +“The head master told me she will make a good scholar, and dear a me! +she does nothing but read books from mornin' till night.” While Hetty +and her mother removed the dishes we drew our chairs about the fire, +and Mr. Chaffin, a blunt, simple-minded man, entertained me with sage +observations regarding politics and the weather. He spoke rather loudly, +and in a key which, as I learned afterward, he only employed on very +special occasions. Presently the youngest lad in the family, who sat +on his father's knee, demanded a song. The response was prompt and +generous. The selection with which Mr. Chaffin favored us contained +upward of forty stanzas, relating the unhappy story of a fair maid and +a bold sailor, both of whom met a tragic death, in the last stanza, just +before the day set for their marriage. The song being finished, Hetty +and her mother drew their chairs up to the fire; Hetty sat next me, +and after a severe inward struggle I summoned the courage to ask her a +question. She answered me in the fewest words possible, but in a +voice so sweet and low that I wondered then and often afterward at +its contrast to the other voices I had heard in that house. She wore a +home-spun frock and a neat white pinafore, set off with a dainty ribbon +tied about her throat. + +“She's uncommon still when strangers is here, sir,” said Mrs. Chaffin; +“but law me! she goes rompitin' about the house like as if she was crazy +sometimes, ticklin' her father and tryin' t' snip off his beard with the +scissors.” + +That night was the beginning of happier days for me. When at last I +rose to go it was near midnight. I forgot my weariness as I walked to my +lodgings, thinking of those simple, honest people and of their kindness +to me. + +I enjoyed high jinks at the house of the Chaffins at least once a week +during the next year of my apprenticeship, near the close of which +I began to get ready for a visit to my stepmother in fulfilment of a +promise I had made by letter. It had been, on the whole, a happy year to +me. I had known many lonely hours, to be sure, but those visits to the +little old weather-stained house, in which I found my first friends +after leaving home, cheered me from week to week. I knew, too, that +Hetty enjoyed those long evenings as much as I did, which meant more to +me than I would have dared confess to her. I thought of her a good deal, +but it always resulted in the wretched feeling that we were both very +young after all. It is not likely that I would have decided to go home +for a fortnight, but that I thought it would be pleasant to observe +the effect of saying good-by to Hetty. I had no doubt that she would be +quite overcome with grief and loneliness after I had gone, and, reckless +youth that I was, nothing could have made me more happy than to have +known that she really felt grieved on my account. And yet when I called +to bid them all good-by, the evening before I started, she betrayed no +sign of regret. In fact, she seemed so much happier than usual that I +worried about it for weeks, even after I had gone so far away that it +seemed doubtful whether we would ever meet again. It did not occur to +me that I had been less skilful than she in concealing my emotions, and +that she might be merry only because she could perceive that I was sad. +Mrs. Chaffin was the only member of the family who seemed to entertain +feelings as serious as my own. She had dreamed that I would not come +back again, and we all laughed at her then, but when the swift years had +revealed some of their secrets, we thought of this prophetic dream with +a sadness deeper than any that comes to childish hearts. Hester and Phil +walked with me to the gate when I left the house. The radiance of a full +moon fell on our faces through the flying clouds. Phil, stupid fellow! +had so much to say that I did not get a chance to speak to his sister +before she darted back to the house as if pursued. On reaching my +lodgings I was surprised to find a gentleman waiting for me. + +“Don't know me, eh?” said he, shaking my hand warmly. + +He was a tall, portly man, with a kindly face, clean shaven except for +a pair of close-cropped, iron-gray side whiskers. I was sure I had seen +him before, but couldn't think of his name. + +“Earl,” said he, handing me a card on which his name and address were +printed as follows: + + DAVID GORDON EARL, + Barrister at Law, + Lincoln's Inn, London. + +I remembered distinctly having accompanied my father to his office on +one occasion some years before. + +“I've come up from London on purpose to see you. Just got here only a +few minutes ago,” said he, laying off his overcoat. “But upon my word!” + he added, surveying me from head to foot, “I didn't expect to find such +a big, strapping fellow as you are. Your surroundings are quite as I had +supposed they would be. Cramped quarters in a miserable tumble-down back +street! I suppose your guardian provided this place for you?” + +“I believe so,” said I. + +“Did you know that your stepmother had married again?” he asked. + +“Married!” I exclaimed. “To whom?” + +“To Martin Cobb.” + +“To my guardian?” I asked, in astonishment. + +Not heeding my question, he continued: + +“You're intending to go home to-morrow, I believe?” + +“Yes, sir.” + +“My boy,” said he, “I have an interest in you. I was your father's +friend and adviser for many years. I came all this distance to tell you +not to go to London. Do not ask me why, I beg you,” said he, with an +impatient gesture when I attempted to speak. “It would do you no good to +learn my reason for making this request. Listen to this--it's important +to you: There's an uncle of yours in America, your nearest relative, +I believe. Of course you have heard your father speak of him. A most +eccentric fellow! but a man of fine ability. He was a graduate of Oxford +and a physician of great skill and learning. Thirty-five years ago he +went to Canada and finally settled in a large town on one of the great +lakes not far from the border. It was Detroit, I believe. Your father +told me, shortly before his death, that he had not heard from your uncle +for many years. I have written to him twice within a twelvemonth, but +have received no reply. I want you to go over and look him up. If you +should find that he is dead, there's no harm done, and you can take time +to look about for a business opportunity. If you don't like it, come +back, but, if you can content yourself there for awhile, you had better +do so.” + +“But, sir, I have no money.” + +“You are going for me; I shall, therefore, insist upon paying the bills. +In the success of the undertaking I have, perhaps, as great an interest +as you.” + +“When do you wish me to start?” I asked. + +“To-night. That is to say, I would like you to leave this place at once, +go with me to a hotel, and sail by the first steamer that leaves for New +York.” + +Ever since that strange and silent messenger had come to me with my +uncle's letter I had been haunted by a desire to go in quest of him. Now +that it was possible, I hesitated. What would Hester say on hearing that +I had gone to America? It would be very grand to write her from New York +that I had been suddenly called abroad on important business. Would she +care? Of course she would care, and I was willing to wager a sixpence +with myself that she would cry bitterly, too, on receiving the letter. +Ah, what a punishment that would be for her coldness and indifference! + +Yes, I would go. I began picking up my things and packing them into my +box. + +“I conclude that you have decided to go,” he said. + +“Yes, sir. I shall be ready in a moment,” I replied. + +We were soon rattling over the pavements in a cab that had been waiting +at the door. + +On arriving at the Northwestern Hotel we were informed that a steamer +would leave for New York at five in the morning. We drove at once to +the dock and having succeeded in making comfortable arrangements for my +passage Mr. Earl went aboard the steamer with me. In a retired corner +of the great cabin I confessed to him that there was a girl in Liverpool +for whom I had a feeling of extraordinary tenderness. + +He laughed heartily and insisted that I should tell him all the +particulars. + +“You are rather young yet to entertain so serious a passion,” said he, +as he held my hand for a moment before going ashore. “You will get over +it as easily as you got into it.” + +I sat down, unable to reply or to restrain the tears that came to my +eyes as he left me alone. I went to my stateroom at once and to bed. +What thoughts came to me as I lay there inviting sleep to turn them +into dreams, while the great ship waited for the tide! I tossed about +my berth; I prayed; I listened. At length I thought I heard my father's +voice mingled with others, and a sound of casting off--but I heard no +more. + + + +CHAPTER III + + +One morning in early October, nearly two years after I left Liverpool +that memorable night, I found myself in the little city of Ogdensburg, +N. Y., past which the majestic St. Lawrence flows with a sleepy movement +quite in harmony with the spirit of the old town on its southern shore. +All this time I had been vainly beating about the Western Hemisphere in +quest of my uncle. He had left Detroit many years before, but I chanced +to meet a number of men there who had known him well. Although he had +enjoyed a very large practice and a wide reputation for skill, he had +made no friends that I could find. He was a man of few words, they told +me, and was never seen about the city except in the discharge of his +professional duties. Various and conflicting opinions were expressed +as to whither he had gone, in testing which I had visited no less than +twenty cities, making careful inquiries, especially among medical men. +Occasionally I struck what seemed to be a promising clew, which only +increased my confusion and left me more hopelessly in the dark. I had +reported my movements to Mr. Earl as often as once a week and I received +letters from him frequently, encouraging me to continue the search and +enclosing money with which to do so. But although I had written often +to Hester Chaffin no word from her ever reached me. I was tired of this +fruitless quest among strangers, so far from the little that I held +dear, and I was on the point of giving up when this paragraph fell under +my eye in a Montreal newspaper: + + A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER. + +“One who has ever passed the city of Ogdensburg by steamer will no doubt +recall a large gambrel-roofed house standing near the water's edge, just +out of the town, surrounded by towering trees and enclosed on all sides +by a wall nearly as high as the eaves of the building. The wall suggests +an asylum, a house of detention or some like place set apart for the +unfortunate members of society. In reality, however, it is the residence +of a mysterious recluse of the name of Lane, who shut himself up there +nearly eighteen years ago and has since been rarely seen. It was built +after his own plans, they say, when he came to Ogdensburg with his wife, +who died soon afterward. Nobody knows whence he came or anything of his +past history. He is apparently a total stranger here below, holding no +intercourse with the world beyond that enclosure. His wife is said to +have been a woman of great beauty, and her death doubtless threw him +into a morbid state of mind, from which he has never rallied. Many +years ago he is known to have bought a full-grown African lion from a +traveling menagerie, and, soon after, he erected the wall, presumably +out of regard for the public safety. Passers along the street have +caught an occasional glimpse of him through the high gate, walking in +the grounds surrounding his house, with the lion at his heels apparently +in complete subjection to its master. A dense thicket runs along the +wall on all sides within the enclosure, which, according to local +tradition, is alive with rattlesnakes, bred for some strange purpose +known only to himself--perhaps to make his isolation more secure. + +“He is supposed to have resigned the companionship of men for study and +scientific research. He has no children, and his only servant being a +deaf-mute, who is almost an idiot, there is little chance at present of +learning anything of his life. For more than two years nothing has been +seen of the mysterious master of the house. His disappearance would, we +think, be a legitimate subject of investigation by the authorities +of the town. May he not have been eaten by the lion, or killed by the +rattlesnakes? Who knows?” + +My heart was beating fast and my hands shook as if stricken with palsy +before I had finished the paragraph. The strange old man who had come +to me in Liverpool that night was probably the mute servant to which +the article referred. In an hour I was on the way to Ogdensburg, quite +confident that the issue of my wanderings was at hand. I reached that +town next morning nearly two years, as I have said, after the beginning +of my journey to the New World. Not stopping to breakfast even, I +started out to find the house, which my busy imagination had already +pictured for itself. The first townsman I saw directed me to the place. + +“Follow the turnpike,” said he. “'Sa mild or more--straight ahead. +You'll know it when y' git there. 'S' queer place an' stan's off by +itself.” + +The man was going my way, evidently to begin his day's work, for it was +then early in the morning, and I walked along with him. + +“Folks say,” he continued, “them grounds is full of hejious reptyles, +an' I've heerd fellers tell queer things they've seen when passin' there +at night--red lights a-flyin' about an' spooks at the winders. An' one +night, when Uncle Bill Jemson was comin' down the turnpike, they was a +storm come up, an' jest as he got opposite the big iron gate they was a +flash a lightnin'--an' Bill says he see the ole man, his long white hair +a-flyin' in th' wind, an' a lion standin' there in front a th' house. +Th' flash was out'n a minit, an' Bill whipped up his hosses an' sent em +clear to Mills' tavern on the dead run,” said he, laughing as if it were +a good joke. + +“They don't nobody like th' place ner th' man, though I don' know why, +fer no one's ever passed a word with him in these parts. There 'tis, +over yender with the pines around it an' th' high wall,” said he, +pointing with his finger. But my eye had already discovered the +low-built rambling house on the high banks of the river, well in the +distance, and had recognized it at once. + +Leaving my companion at the next turn in the road I walked hurriedly on, +and when I had reached the big iron gate I stopped and peered through +it. A gravel roadway, now overgrown with weeds, led from the gate to the +front of the house, which stood facing me. It was built entirely of +wood and consisted of four wings (at least there were no others visible) +evidently enclosing a quadrangular courtyard, the rear wings being +lower than those in front, and hidden by the latter from the view of one +standing at the gate as I was. It was only at a distance that one could +see their roofs above the enclosure. There was but one line of windows +along the front, but there was an oriel just under the peak of the main +building, and I could see a skylight here and there upon the roofs. + +The blinds were closed and there was no sign of life about the +house--evidently planned with hospitable intentions, but now silent and +forbidding. I tried the gates. They were locked securely. A screen of +closely woven wire rose from the pavement half way up the iron work. +Evidently it would be impossible to reach the doors without scaling +this barrier, and I was not yet ready to try an expedient so desperate. +Returning to my hotel I wrote a letter to the master of the house, +telling him of my long-continued quest and of my hopes regarding our +possible kinship. Day after day I anxiously awaited his reply, until +a week had passed, but no word came from him. In passing the house at +different times, however, I observed some signs of life within it--a +blind open that had been closed the day before--a faint glimmer of light +on the trees in the rear of the grounds at night, which might have come +from the back windows. Even this slight encouragement was gratifying, +but as time passed without bringing any reply to my letter I began to +think that, after all, my hopes rested on very shadowy foundations. One +day I asked the local postmaster if a man of the name of Lane, who lived +near that city, ever sent for his mail. + +“Never,” said he. “The man is crazy, I guess, and it's wasting postage +to write him. He's a hermit, sir--a regular hermit, and is about the +same as dead, for nobody ever sees him. The tradesmen tell me that his +old servant comes out of an evening, once in a while, to buy provisions, +but he's deaf as a post and dumb as an oyster.” The interview had at +least shown me the futility of trying to reach him by letter. + +It was clear that only one course was open to me. I must brave the +unknown perils with which this strange man had encompassed the path +of the trespasser, and gain an entrance to the house. I sought the +seclusion of my room at once, and thought over the result of my +investigations. I had not written to my good friend in London since my +arrival in Ogdensburg, and I concluded not to do so until I could give +him definite information. + +Late in the afternoon a slow, drizzling rain began to pour down, and +when night fell every luminary in the heavens was obscured by thick +clouds. It was a favorable time for carrying out my project, as the +darkness was intensified by a fog that had settled over the city. By +the light of my lamp I prepared for the undertaking, in such a state of +excitement that I was frequently startled by my own whispers, through +which I found myself now and then giving involuntary utterance to my +thoughts. Cutting up a pair of boots which I carried in my box, I wound +my legs in leather from my ankles up above my knees, carefully drawing +on a pair of thick, long stockings to hold it in place. This precaution +would give me a comfortable sense of security, even if there were no +snakes to fear. I felt sure that the lion, if he were still living, +would be kept in some place of confinement. + +It was long past bedtime, and the lights were out in every shop and +dwelling, when I started on my daring mission. The little lamps that +glared through the fog at the street corners could scarcely be seen +twenty feet away. I was so preoccupied that I frequently lost my +direction in the mud and darkness. It seemed as if I had been traveling +for hours, when at last I felt the big wall, and saw its dim bulk rising +above me and stretching away into the night. Cautiously I groped along +its base until my hands felt the iron bars of the gate. Then I stood for +some moments leaning against them, quite out of breath. They were cold +and wet, and chilled me to a shiver when I touched them. I peered toward +the house but could see nothing. I listened, but could hear nothing +except the beating of my own heart and the mournful sound of the pines +whose loftier branches were stirring in the still air. Grasping the +heavy bars I tried to climb the gate, but, as there were no projections +on which it was possible to get a foothold, I found this an exhausting +and difficult task. I climbed repeatedly several feet above the earth, +only to lose my foothold and slide down again. Finally, by exerting all +my strength, I succeeded in supporting myself with the edge of my boot +upon a crossbar about half way up; then, taking a small rope from my +pocket I threw one end of it over the gate, holding the other in my +teeth. Tying it securely by a noose I climbed hand over hand to the top +and then let myself down on the other side. I was quite exhausted by the +effort (unaccustomed as I was to such burglarious enterprises) and my +fingers were torn and bleeding from forcing a hold between the iron work +and the wire screen. I remembered the gravel pathway, overgrown with +grass, that led from the big gate to a front door. I groped about in the +darkness until I felt the gravel under my feet. Then I moved cautiously +along it, until I could dimly discern the outlines of the house. My +nerves were so wrought up, while I stood there holding my breath to +catch some sound from its gloomy interior, that I was near crying out +in abject terror at every step. An owl, startled from the limb of a tree +over my head, flew lazily into the upper air and across the thicket, +disturbing other birds that set up a chattering protest. Stealthily I +crept from window to window, but the blinds were closed fast. Finally I +came to a door that seemed to open into the main part of the building. +Desperate under the strain to which my nerves had been subjected, I +knocked loudly on its upper panels. The sound echoed through the +still house and the thickly wooded grounds around it. “God help me!” I +whispered; “will that echo never cease?” It kept repeating itself from +tree to tree, until I covered my ears to stop its weird reverberations. +Then I heard a low threatening sound, deep and resonant as the lower +tones of a great organ, that gradually grew louder until its volume +filled the air, and then died away, while its echoes went chasing each +other among the trees. In the silence which followed, my ear caught +another sound the like of which I had never heard before. A dozen clocks +being wound by quick turns on all sides of me would, I fancy, have +produced a similar effect. It was evident to me that my knocking had +disturbed my uncle's pets, but I was not to be frightened away. Hearing +no movement in the house I tried the door, and to my astonishment it +swung open. A peculiar odor, such as one notices in a house that has +long stood empty, came to my nostrils, and again I heard that fateful +whirring, but in the darkness I could discern no object. As I crossed +the threshold the sound grew louder, and to my horror the door closed +suddenly behind me. Hurriedly striking a match, I held it above my head +and peered about me. Its light revealed a small apartment finished in +polished wood. Along the angle of the floor was an opening, two or three +inches high, into the side walls. And half way up the wall in front of +me I saw a face--the face of a maniac it seemed to be--pale and wan, +with strange, inhuman eyes. I had scarcely glanced at it when the match +dropped from my fingers and fell slowly through the air, going out as it +struck the floor. My hands were cold, but so wet with perspiration that +they stuck to my clothing when I felt for a candle which I had brought +with me. + +There are moments in every man's life that move slowly, as if carrying +the weight of years upon their backs. I shall never cease to believe +that the few seconds it took me to light that candle must stand for as +many years in any correct reckoning of my age. When its beams at last +illumined the room, the strange face was still there. Had I seen it +before? It was marvellously like that other face which had haunted my +dreams so long. If it was the face of a man he must be standing on the +other side of the wall and looking through a panel. + +“Is Mr. Lane at home?” I asked in an unnatural tone that startled me. + +But no word of reply was spoken. + +“I am his nephew and I have important news for him.” + +The face disappeared for a moment, and presently a shrunken hand, +holding a white sheet of paper, was extended through the opening. I +stepped forward, took the sheet and, withdrawing to the centre of the +room, sat down upon the floor and wrote the following message in bold +characters with my pencil: + +“Kendric Lane, son of Kendric Lane (deceased), late of London, England, +wishes to see Dr. Lane on business of importance.” + +I handed the message to the strange man behind the wall, who immediately +disappeared with it, closing the panel. “The worst is over,” thought +I, while I stood in that mysterious and silent chamber waiting for his +return. But I should not have thought so had I known what was still to +be revealed to me before the dawn of another day, and in the months that +followed, during which that house and its echoing groves were my home. +And I sometimes ask myself, in the light of later events of which that +visit was indirectly the cause, whether, had I been able to foresee +them, I would still have persevered in my purpose to know the secrets of +my uncle's house? + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +A long time I stood waiting for some reply to my message. My candle was +fast burning out, and I began to fear that after all I was likely to +leave the house no wiser than when I had entered it. Suddenly a door +swung on its creaking hinges and a feeble old man, holding a lamp in one +hand, stood grinning at me in the opening. It was the same face that I +saw before, but it seemed less ghostly and unnatural now. Stepping back +he beckoned me to enter. As soon as I had crossed the threshold the door +closed behind me and the old man carefully bolted it. I stood in a +large room, richly furnished, of which spiders had apparently long held +possession. Great cobwebs hung like hammocks from the ceiling, and +the dust of years had settled over all. Two human skeletons completely +wrapped in cobwebs, stood facing me against the opposite wall. Following +my silent leader, I went through a long narrow passage, at the end of +which was a heavy door fastened with large iron bolts. Before opening +it the strange old man placed the lamp upon a table and turning around +looked squarely into my face. Merciful Heaven! It was the face of +another man who was looking at me now! The deep lines had almost +disappeared and the eyes looked brighter and more intelligent. No, +it was the same face, for while my eyes were eagerly scanning it that +hideous grin began to deepen its wrinkles, and its owner, taking half a +dozen steps down the passageway, made an awkward motion with both hands +as if trying to indicate that I was to follow him very closely. Then he +opened the big door and I was surprised to observe that it led into the +outer air. What gulf of darkness are we about to plunge into? I asked +myself, peering through the doorway; and as we stepped out I heard again +that ominous whirring. Close upon his heels I followed in a narrow path, +through what seemed to be a large courtyard, overgrown with thick grass. +Presently he stopped, and, taking a bunch of keys from his pocket, +unlocked a door in a back wing of the house. Reaching out until his hand +touched me, as if to make sure that I was there, he swung the door +open and we stepped into a dimly lighted apartment. My mysterious guide +turned up the wick of a lamp that was burning on a table in the centre +of the room. It was a library, with great shelves of books reaching +from floor to ceiling along its walls. A large galvanic battery, globes, +charts and other contrivances that belong to the equipment of a scholar +surrounded the table. This table was used for writing evidently, for +there were pens lying on it and a human skull used as an inkstand, the +fluid being held in the cavities of the eyes. I had seated myself in +a chair and was waiting for some sign from the little old man who had +brought me there. But where was he? Turning around I looked about me on +all sides. He had left the room during my momentary preoccupation. I +had scarcely seated myself again when a door opened and a venerable +man, with snow-white hair and a smooth-shaven face that was pale and +wrinkled, walked slowly toward me. I rose to my feet and advanced a step +or two. He came forward without speaking and looked steadily into my +eyes. Slowly and sadly he turned his gaze upon the floor, apparently in +deep thought. A sigh broke from his lips as if some memory, stirring in +the caves of thought, had driven it forth. + +The man who stood before me had deep-set gray eyes, almost concealed by +long shaggy brows not yet entirely white. His lips were thin, and drawn +closely together above a square, protruding chin. The nose was aquiline +and prominent, with large, but finely cut nostrils. Altogether his was +the most picturesque face I had ever seen. Suddenly he made an effort to +clear his throat. + +“Kendric's child,” said he, in a strange, low voice. He spoke slowly +and with great difficulty, as if his organs of speech were partially +paralyzed. I would not have been able to distinguish his words but for +the silence of that room and the unnatural keenness of my hearing. He +still stood motionless, his eyes upon the floor. I knew that he was +thinking of my father. + +“Dead?” he asked, looking at me inquisitively. + +“He is dead,” I answered. + +“And my man--did he give you the letter?” + +“Yes; he is dead also.” + +“Dead? I thought he was dead,” he repeated, slowly and thoughtfully. “I, +too, am dead--long dead.” + +The words were separated by considerable pauses, and he faced me almost +sternly as he finished speaking them. I stood staring at him, dumb with +surprise. + +“Why--how did you come here?” + +He sank into a chair, exhausted with the effort it had cost him to +speak. My presence seemed to irritate and annoy him. Why, indeed, had +I come there? What should I say in reply to his question? I tried to +think. + +“Knaves! Knaves!” said my uncle, in a shrill voice, rushing toward me. +In a moment he had thrown his arms about my neck and was sobbing aloud. +My heart was full and I wept with him. + +“Fortunate child of God,” said he, after a moment; “you have the seed +of life--immortal life. But I beg you to go. To one like you this house +will seem an uncanny place; I can only think of it as beyond the grave.” + +“Let me stay, uncle,” said I. “Don't send me away. Perhaps I can help +you or comfort you.” + +“Poor soul! you shall stay if you will. I am in great trouble and need +help, but you are a boy--I cannot ask you to give your life to me.” + +He sat down before the table, breathing heavily, and beckoned me to +a chair beside him. I was quite dumfounded and knew not what to say. +Presently he began writing upon large sheets of paper, handing each one +to me as soon as it was covered. The manuscript read as follows: + +“I am not able to talk much. To me words are a lie and an abomination. +Even these I now write are misrepresenting me and deceiving you, though +I wish them to tell the truth. They will make me out an ass or a madman. +I am neither. For eighteen years I have scarcely spoken as many words. A +word or two of Sanscrit now and then has met my needs, thank God! There +is an interior language for which speech is an imperfect medium. Through +that interior language thought is communicated directly and truthfully. +I used it long before I came here--imperfectly, to be sure, but with a +small degree of satisfaction to myself. Through it I was able to heal +the sick when others failed. I knew how they felt better than they could +tell me in feeble words. In some more perfect state of evolution, beyond +the grave, perhaps, all men will have this power and it will be perfect. +I can enjoy but an imperfect use of it until the mortal part of me +has been cast off. One trained to speech in childhood loses certain +faculties that can never be regained. + +“My wife died many years ago. She left me a broken heart and a child, +newly born. I had just built this house, among strangers. We intended to +devote the remainder of our lives to the study of mental phenomena. We +desired to carry on our work without interruption. We planned to live +unknown among those around us. When she died I saw in the child an +opportunity. I determined to make its life a grand experiment; to +preserve and cultivate its native intuitions--the germ of the power of +direct communication. God has vouchsafed success to me. He lives--a man +of exalted powers the like of which the world has never seen but once, +and then in Christ, the very Son of God. But, unlike Him, my son is only +human, with weaknesses that are our common lot. + +“The years are flying, and strength is failing! I must die soon and he +will live. That thought burns my brain, passing through it day by day. +His life may be long extended and he cannot live alone, nor among +men, for he would be a stranger and friendless--feared and dreaded by +superstitious fools. He has never seen a human face outside these walls +nor heard a human voice but mine. I have told you my trouble.” + +He ceased writing, but before I had finished reading the statement some +strange influence came over me. I felt restless and uncomfortable. My +hand was shaking so that I could scarcely read the words on the last +sheet of paper. Suddenly I raised my eyes and saw a young man, godlike +in form and feature, standing at my side. His face wore an expression of +indescribable eloquence. As familiar as he afterward became to me, I +can never forget the first impression which that magnificent human being +made upon my mind, as he stood there--radiating a power that I felt to +the tips of my fingers. What favored son of man was this confronting +me, born to such an inheritance of majesty and grace? I asked myself, +regarding him with amazement. He had eyes dark as night, set under a +broad forehead, about which wavy masses of tawny hair fell gracefully. +His stately form was erect and firm as a statue. For a moment his eyes +looked into mine; then he advanced and took my hand. Tenderly he pressed +it to his lips, stepping back as he did so and looking at me with +a half-curious, half-amused expression. I was so startled by the +unexpected appearance of this remarkable figure that I had not, until +now, noticed that a large lion had followed him into the room and was +lying quietly at his feet. I was not afraid; indeed, the king of beasts +seemed but a part of the man's masterful presence. I do not think I +would have seen the animal but that his enormous body was lying directly +before my eyes on the floor. My uncle had been sitting with his head +resting upon his hand at the table. Suddenly he rose and a strange, +guttural sound--it may have been a word from some language wholly +unfamiliar to me--passed his lips. The young man immediately left us, +the lion following closely at his heels. We both sat in silence for some +moments after he had gone. My mind had felt strange exhilaration in his +presence, and I rubbed my eyes to make sure that I was not dreaming. +When I looked at my uncle the sad expression on his face had given way +to a smile of infinite satisfaction. + +“He is pleased--thank God!” said my uncle, in a hoarse whisper, sinking +into a chair. + +I made no answer. + +“It was my son,” he continued, with animation. “Rayel--that was the name +she gave him. Rayel, the wonderful. He will love you as he loves me. +Come,” said he, rising, “the night is nearly gone.” + +Taking a lamp from the table, he beckoned me to follow him. Silently +we proceeded through a narrow hallway and up one flight of stairs to a +spacious bedroom which had seemingly been prepared for my use. A candle +was burning dimly on a large dressing-case, and by its flickering light, +as soon as my uncle had gone, I looked about me and tried to think +with calmness on the experience I had passed through. Bolting the door +securely, I threw open one of the window blinds. To my surprise the +first light of dawn was visible in the sky. My room was in the rear +of the house. Between me and the high wall was a dense tangle of +underbrush, barely visible in the dim light. Hastily undressing, I went +to bed without further delay, and was soon in deep sleep. When I awoke +it was near midday. Dressing as quickly as possible, I proceeded at once +to the library, where my uncle sat waiting for me. He conducted me to +the breakfast room--a well-lighted and cheerful apartment--where he +served me with his own hands. + +“You shall stay, sir--you shall stay,” said he, laying his hand on my +shoulder as he sat down beside me, with a smiling face. “Rayel loves +you. He hopes you will stay. He thinks God sent you to us.” + +“I am glad, for I wish to stay,” I said. + +“Good!” he exclaimed, in a long whisper. “You have brought the world to +him. Already he has seen it in your eyes. But it is good!” + +While I ate he asked me questions touching the changes in our family +since he left England. + +I told him of my life at home after my father's death; of my hard lot +in Liverpool, and of the midnight interviews with his messenger and +with Mr. Earl. He listened to me with grave and attentive interest, but +stopped me before I had finished, with an impatient gesture. + +“Speak out! they meant--they meant to kill you, didn't they?” + +I stared at him in amazement, while ideas that were new to me flocked +into the empyrean of thought like black birds of prey. Oh, no; I had +never suspected that! I would never before have permitted such a hideous +suspicion to enter my mind. Was it possible that Mr. Earl had sent me +away from England in order to save my life? My hands began to tremble, +and I felt my face turning red and pale under the searching eyes of my +uncle. + +“My boy,” said he, “if all the murders were done that men conceive, the +devil would live alone on earth. We shall know some time--I tell you we +shall know! Let us go to Rayel,” he said, rising and leading the way. + +The interview had greatly excited him, and his speech seemed even more +halting and labored than before. Many of his words were mispronounced +and separated by long pauses; but his manner was marvelously expressive, +and often a peculiar turn of the eye or movement of the hand made his +meaning clear when I was in doubt about his words. + +I followed him through a long gymnasium and out upon a grassy courtyard +extending along the rear of the grounds parallel with the river wall +for a hundred yards or more, and adorned with beds of flowers. It was +completely shut off from the eye of the outside world by a thick grove +and an impenetrable growth of underbrush that reached beyond the lowest +branches of the trees. Nothing but the blue sky, in which the sun was +on its downward course, the house, and the walls of living green, were +visible. Out of this Eden-like spot we passed into another wing of the +building with large windows looking out upon it. Rayel met us at the +door, dressed in a black robe of silk that hung gracefully from his +shoulders. Again he took my hand and kissed it, then looked into my eyes +with the same expression of curious interest upon his face that I had +noted before. Still holding my hand, he led me across the room. For +the first time I noticed that its walls were covered with pictures, +unframed, and that an easel stood in the light of each window. We +stopped before one of them. On a large canvas that was stretched across +it I saw a likeness of myself. The eyes wore a haggard look which seemed +unnatural. But there was something strangely real about it, in spite of +that. + +“Wonderful!” said I. + +Rayel started at the sound of my voice, and glanced from one to the +other with a puzzled, inquiring look. Turning to his father, he uttered +some strange monosyllable in a deep voice. Then he took my hand and +walked back and forth across the room with me, smiling in great delight. +I was fascinated by one of the pictures which showed a great gleaming +eye with a suggestion of lightning in its fiery depths, as if taken at +the keenest flash of fury. To intensify its fierceness a human hand was +raised in front of it so as to throw a dark shadow across the canvas. + +“It is the lion's eye,” said my uncle, who was standing near me. + +There were other paintings--many of them equally strange and +wonderful--hanging on the walls, some of which contained material he +could not have derived from direct observation. It was easy to discern +in his work the fragments of nature that came within the limited command +of his own eyes--the falling snow, the changing phases of the sky and +of vegetation--for they were presented with a stronger and more vivid +touch. Until the fading twilight blended all color into gloom I passed +from one canvas to another along the wall in silence, oblivious of all +save the presence of Rayel, who followed close at my elbow, evidently +enjoying my admiration of his work. When I had finished looking at the +paintings I turned for some sign to indicate his further pleasure, and +discovered that he was gone. My uncle was standing near me. + +“It is late,” said he. + +We returned at once across the yard to my uncle's retreat among his +books and papers. Lighting the lamps he sat down beside me. + +“The power of speech is returning,” said he. “I can talk more easily.” + +“Did I not hear you speak to your son?” I asked. + +“Yes,” he answered. “Long ago difficulties arose. Sometimes he could not +command my thoughts, nor I his. I had known fifty years of life; he had +not--hence an inequality. My physical organism had been neglected. It +was an imperfect agent of the mind. Many of my faculties were lost. +These circumstances stood between us like barriers. It was the beginning +of each communication that troubled us, when our minds were working in +different channels. Something was needed for a cue--a starting-point. +Ten pregnant words of Sanscrit were all we needed. It was easy then.” + +“I should think he would have lost the power of speech and hearing,” I +remarked. + +“No. Music saved them--abstract music. His voice is wonderful. His +hearing is quick. Rayel knows words but not speech. His mind has command +of my knowledge. He has never seen the world, but he knows about it. +I tried to begin my life anew and to forget the past. But I could not +wholly cleanse my mind of it. Its memories faded slowly. I have avoided +renewing them for his sake.” + +“He could, then, learn to speak?” + +“With ease, and it were better if he could speak now. We will teach him +soon.” + +As he ceased speaking, fatigued by the unaccustomed effort, I heard low +strains of music echoing through the silent halls around us. A violin! +The tone was deep and tremulous, gradually growing louder, filling the +ear with its message, and lifting the mind to lofty heights of thought +and passion. We both sat listening for hours, and midnight came before +the last strain died away. That music was like a strange story that +drops its plummet deep into life's mysteries. + +“A new song!” said my uncle, turning to me with surprise on his face. +“He got the subject from you. We shall see.” + +Presently Rayel entered the room, bringing something in his hand--a +picture--which he held up to the lamplight. A girl's face! and +wonderfully like that of Hester Chaffin. I sat amazed, staring at it. +But the likeness was not exact, the face was idealized--as I had seen it +in my dream the night before. I raised my eyes to Rayel's face. He was +looking at me with an expression of pain and embarrassment. + + + +CHAPTER V + + +My uncle recovered the power of speech rapidly. Before I had been a week +in his house he was able to talk with comparative ease. He seemed to +enjoy my companionship, and I spent most of my time in his library, +conversing with him or conning the musty books that had long lain +unread. To me this room was a fascinating and restful place. Somehow +it reminded me of an old cemetery. The time-worn books upon its shelves +stood in solemn rows, like headstones, sacred to the memory of the men +who wrote them--their titles like inscriptions half obliterated. I did +not see Rayel for days after the midnight episode that gave me such a +startling revelation of his power. + +“Do you think that Rayel knows everything that passes in one's mind--a +vivid dream, for instance?” I asked my uncle one day when we were alone +together. + +Yes, except when he is himself asleep. His command of my dreams puzzled +me at first. I thought I had put the past completely out of my mind. But +I could not hide it from him. Little by little he learned everything in +my history. One day I saw him at work on a picture. It startled me. +The canvas showed a man lying on a surgeon's table. The knife had just +severed an artery in his thigh. There were four men working over him--I +was one of them. Gradually the features took on a familiar expression. +His face grew paler under the brush. A few touches--the scene was +complete. The man was dead--his eyes wide open, staring at me. + +My uncle paused and looked earnestly into my face. + +“It was a bit of your professional experience,” said I. “Something had +reminded you of it.” + +“The night before I dreamed about it” he answered. “My mind, released +from the command of my will, betrayed me.” + +“A strange power!” I exclaimed. + +“Incredible to you! Impossible to acquire unless the work begins at +birth, and then the possibilities are infinite,” said he, drawing his +chair closer to mine. “You know what I have done. Start the new-born +mind on any highway and see how it hurries along. You can do more, +working a little while over the cradle, than all the preachers under +heaven, after its occupant has grown beyond your ministry. I tell +you, sir, the world is indifferent to its children. Neglected by their +parents, subject to hired tenderness or none at all; left to the care of +ignorant or depraved nurses, and often taught little but selfishness +and greed of gain, the children of men are surrounded by destructive +agencies. Can we wonder that the human mind loses in infancy so much +of its native power? But so the generations of earth are growing up, +bearing embittered fruit and sowing its seed to the four winds. +Who cares for the mind and body of a child has the highest possible +mission--the most sacred of all trusts. He must give it all his time and +strength. He must lead its mind into green pastures; he must share its +joys; he must know its hopes and fears; he must give it hold on lines +of thought that reach into eternity, which will sooner or later flood it +with inspiration; he must see that the brain has a sufficient foundation +of flesh and blood and bone; he must give it all his life until the +germs of power are developed.” + +“Unfortunately,” said I, “most parents have other things to do and think +of.” + +“Parentage is a crime under such circumstances. It has peopled the world +with fools and knaves. It delays the coming of Christ's kingdom. There +are a few wise men, but they are held down as gravitation holds the +rock. There are laws of attraction in the world of mind as in that of +matter. Good and evil are its poles. Every atom between them is held in +place by the operation of opposing forces. The general mass of mind +lies within narrow zones on both sides of the equatorial line of this +imaginary world. Its attraction prevents any men from rising far above +or descending far below it. I tell you, sir, the intellectual world has +degrees of latitude and longitude which determine every man's location. +Emancipated from the forces I have described, my son has risen to a +level beyond the attainment of men under ordinary conditions. Hypocrisy +and deceit are things of which he knows nothing. I do not ascribe to +him, mind you, the possession of saintly virtues. He is a man in whom +the best potentialities of mind and body have been developed. I have +carefully avoided the danger of making him a morbid, spiritual creature. +His body is quite as wonderful as his mind.” + +My uncle had been pacing restlessly up and down the room as he spoke, +often pausing before me and uttering his words vehemently, with quick +gestures and flashing eyes. He did not, seemingly, expect an answer to +his remark, for, as he ceased speaking, he stepped before one of the +windows and stood for a moment looking out upon the courtyard. + +“See!” said he suddenly, motioning to me. + +I stepped to his side and, looking through the window, saw Rayel running +across the lawn with the lion on his shoulders. When the beast sprang +down he seized it by the mane and tossed it about like one with the +strength of Hercules. Here was a man who exercised his rightful dominion +over animated nature! + +“The beast is very fond of him,” said my uncle, “and a movement of his +finger is sufficient to control it.” + +“Why did you adopt a pet so terrible?” I asked. + +“To secure isolation,” he answered. “He's an object of terror to +intruders, and a source of delight to us.” + +“You have snakes here, too,” I ventured. + +“Yes, and for the same reason, But they can't harm you now. Since you +came we have killed them. They have been good friends to me, but you +were a stranger, and your life would have been in danger every day. +Years ago I procured a score of them from the mountains of Pennsylvania +and put them into the thickets. They multiplied like rats, and so I was +armed against invasion. + +“To prevent their escape I sank a screen of wire two feet below the +ground along the base of the walls; I also posted a warning inside my +gate. Long ago I began to destroy them, and there were only a few left +when you came. They were good friends to me--excellent friends!” he +repeated, rubbing his hands with a grim smile. “For eighteen years I +have been able to carry on my work unmolested. No knowledge of what was +transpiring outside this little world has ever reached me.” + +“How did you begin the work of teaching this interior language to +Rayel?” I asked. + +“By signs at first--gradually making them more simple and suggestive. +The elimination of signs kept pace with the development of his +intuitions. It was slow work and hard work, but I gave all my time +to it. After he became familiar with a sign, I began to make it less +pantomimic, until finally a lift of the eyebrow, a movement of the lips, +or an inclination of the head served to express my meaning. In time he +could detect the passing shades of expression in my eyes and understand +them. Look at me,” said he, laying his hand on my head and watching my +eyes as the firelight shone upon them, for it was now evening. + +“Don't you know, my boy, that your eyes reflect what is passing in your +mind? Then there are countless nerves and muscles in your face which +proclaim thought. They aid my intuitions to discover what you do not +speak. You wonder--ah! you are afraid!--afraid of me.” + +I started in my chair, for while he was looking into my eyes a strange +gleam came into his own. He turned about suddenly and looked into the +bright fire that burned on the grate before us. + +“Never fear,” he continued, nervously twirling a lock of his white hair. +“Never fear, sir--I am not mad. Not yet. I have been afraid of it, but +my reason will outlast my life. Do you ever pray?” + +“Every day,” I answered. + +“Then you employ the interior language. We commune directly with the +Holy Spirit. You get some message from Him every day more satisfactory +than words. It's the answer of your prayers. I tell you, sir, words are +an invention of the devil. Do you like Rayel?” he asked, turning upon me +abruptly. + +“You need have no doubt of that,” I answered, “or of my willingness to +look after him if it should be necessary--to take him away with me and +cherish him as I would a brother.” + +“Good! Good!” he exclaimed smiling and rubbing his hands joyfully. +“I have not long to live. When the time comes, take him out among the +knaves and fools! But we must hurry: our time is short. We must prepare +him for a second birth. You will find him an apt pupil--a very apt one. +He already knows more of the world than I thought possible. I don't +think you will find him troublesome--he can help you; he will teach +you wisdom; he will enlarge the issues of your life. My fortune will be +ample for his needs: use it as you see fit. I have one servant left,” + he said, drawing his chair closer to mine and speaking scarcely above +a whisper: “I would like this to be his home when I am dead. It will be +better, however, to place him in some public institution where he can +be well provided for. I shall leave a sufficient allowance for him. The +manner of its bestowal I leave entirely to your judgment. There were two +of them--you have seen the other. He was a faithful fellow. They were +poor fools, both of them, but uncommonly wise,” he continued. “They kept +it to themselves. I found them in an asylum twenty-five years ago. They +called them idiots. Idiots! God help us!” + +That strange light seemed to kindle in his eyes again while he was +speaking, and it conveyed anything but a cheerful suggestion to my mind. + +“There is this difference between idiots and madmen,” he continued. “The +former are born outside the pale of human sympathy; the latter overstep +it. In either case they are not of this earth--they are embodied spirits +living in a world of their own creation, biding the time of liberation +from the flesh. And do you know, there are more madmen in the world than +it dreams of?” + +He stopped with a tone of sharp interrogation and looked squarely into +my face. + +“There are undoubtedly many of them,” said I. + +“The lines of monomania all lead to madness,” he continued. “The deeper +one plunges into the mysteries of life the nearer he approaches it. But, +mark you, one man may venture further than another. For years I have +lived in fear of two things--madness and death. Not on my account, but I +had Rayel to think of.” + +My uncle rose to his feet before he had ceased speaking and walked +stealthily on his tiptoes to an open door, where he stood for a moment +listening. I could hear nothing but the sound of the wind whistling in +the chimney. + +“Wait here,” he whispered presently, and then disappeared through the +door, closing it after him. I held my watch down to the firelight and +saw it was near eleven o'clock. I felt drowsy, and had almost fallen +asleep, when my uncle returned, carrying a lantern. “Rayel is asleep,” + said he, in a whisper. “Won't you come with me?--it will not take long.” + +“Certainly,” said I, rising, and waiting for him to lead the way. He put +on his antique hat and threw a shawl over his shoulders. + +“It's a chilly night,” said he. “You'd better wear another coat.” + +I drew on my overcoat at once, wondering what new experience awaited +me. Holding the lantern in front of him, he proceeded slowly and feebly +across the rear courtyard, and unlocked a door in one of the side wings +of the house, through which we passed into a large unfurnished room. + +“I always wait till he's asleep,” said my uncle, shuffling across the +room and unlocking another door on its opposite side. “He's never been +here--never yet,” he continued, pulling the door open. The dim light of +the lantern shone out upon a thicket of fragrant spruce and cedar. As +I stepped down upon the ground, following in the steps of my uncle, I +could hear the murmur of the great pines towering far above our heads. +Slowly we made our way through the dense undergrowth, and soon entered +an open space carpeted with pine needles and moss. It was a circular +plot in the thicket, and out of its centre rose an immense pine, whose +upper branches wholly obscured the sky. My uncle hung his lantern on a +knot protruding from the trunk of the tree, and slowly knelt upon the +ground, covering his face with his hands. Suddenly he beckoned to me, +and I knelt down beside him. + +“Listen!” said he. “Do you hear voices? She comes to me here. Can you +see her--my wife? Look about you, do you not see her?” + +He laid his trembling hand upon my shoulder. Again I saw that awful +gleam in his eyes. The gruesome suggestion he had made set my nerves +tingling, and I peered about among the shadows of that dimly lighted +recess, half expecting some vision to greet my eyes. Then there came a +loud rustling of the branches high above us. The lantern light flared up +and suddenly went out, leaving us in total darkness. + +“She is here!” he whispered, in excitement. “Sit still--do not speak.” + +A deep silence, intensified by the sound of the night wind in the trees +around us, followed my uncle's words. The going out of the light he had +seemed to regard as a signal from the spirit world, and I sat still as +he bade me, not doubting that his acute senses had penetrated the veil +which limited my own vision. I had seen so many revelations of his +strange power that I now sat awestruck and afraid, waiting for some word +from him to end my suspense. I could see nothing in the darkness, but +I could hear my uncle breathing heavily, as if trying to suppress his +emotion. Suddenly there was a stir in the bushes near us. Then I heard a +step like that of a man on the thickly covered earth close by my side. +I stretched out prone upon the ground, covering my face with my hands. +I could hear a sound as of some one groping about in the darkness, and +then I felt the touch of a strange hand upon my shoulder. + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +I shrank from the hand that touched me and, moving quickly aside, struck +a match and peered around. By its light I could discern the form of a +man standing near the edge of the thicket. Rising to my feet I took down +the lantern and lighted it. There, standing before me, was the grinning +mute who had admitted me to the house. My uncle, who was still kneeling, +rose feebly to his feet, his eyes wet with tears. + +“Good friend!” said he, taking the lantern from me and handing it to the +mute. “He alway comes for me here.” + +We followed the old servant in silence through the thick boughs of cedar +until we came to the door of a low-roofed wooden building that stood +by itself in the thicket. The mute opened the door, ushering us into +a small room containing a bed and some simple furniture. A comfortable +wood fire was burning in a large open stove, and we both sat down in +front of it, shivering from exposure to the chilly air of the night. My +uncle handed a key to the mute, who unlocked a cupboard, taking from it +a decanter of whiskey, which he set before us with glasses. + +“It will warm you,” said my uncle, pouring out the spirits: “I have +seen my wife. She always comes to me there--when the light goes out. She +knows your heart better than I. We shall leave Rayel to your care. It is +the last time I shall come here. My work is nearly finished.” + +We emptied our glasses in silence, but my mind was busy thinking on +those impressive words, “She always comes to me there--when the light +goes out.” + +It was strange--this going out of the light just at that moment. Was it +not possible, I asked myself, that the lantern, being always hung on the +same projection, was thus in the way of a current of air passing down +the trunk of the tree when a gust of wind struck its lofty branches? If +so, the knot would naturally conduct the current into the opening at +the top of the lantern. My reflections were interrupted by my uncle, who +rose, and, taking a candle, asked me to accompany him. I followed him +into a cellar filled with casks and barrels containing, as I supposed, +wine and provisions for future use. Returning, we passed through a +large room, in one end of which many boxes and barrels were stored. I +afterward learned that there was a large garden and poultry yard in this +lonely nook where my uncle's only servant was sequestered. + +I was glad when we started back through the thicket, for the hour was +late and I felt the need of sleep. + +“He gives us our food,” said my uncle, when we were at length in the +courtyard. “We have enough of everything needful--but little meat. It +destroys mental power. It is fools' food.” + +Next day my uncle was unable to leave his bed. I determined to go to +the hotel for my baggage and to post some letters, one of which gave Mr. +Earl an account of my experiences since the October night when I became +an inmate of that house. + +It was midwinter now, and the long stretches of pasturage and meadow +land outside the walls were blasted and sere when the old mute, whom I +had seen twice before, let me out of the big gate. When I returned he +was there to open the gate for me and help me with my baggage. + +I found Rayel at his father's bedside. The sick man was asleep, and I +went at once to the library, where Rayel soon came, as was his custom +in the afternoon, for a lesson in talking. Both my uncle and myself had +taken great pains to teach him this accomplishment, and his progress +had been even more rapid than we thought possible. He caught the +significance of words with astonishing ease, but found some difficulty +in producing their sound. He went about it with great patience, however, +repeating the hardest words after me until he was able to pronounce them +correctly. But although the work was often tedious we both got much fun +out of it. I had never heard the sound of laughter in that house. One +day I broke its solemn spell by laughing heartily at the grotesque +distortion of my cousin's face incidental to the production of a +difficult sound. He stopped suddenly and looked at me, half alarmed. +This made me laugh more heartily, and he grasped my hand with the +serious air of a physician feeling the pulse of his patient. +Being assured there was no danger, he indulged in a little offhand +cachinnation himself and was, I judged, well pleased with the trial, for +he repeated it frequently afterward, and greatly to his amusement. + +The word “woman,” and others related to it, puzzled him not a little, +for he had never seen a woman, except through the medium of my own mind +and that of his father. The subject interested him, and he gave much +serious thought to it, questioning me closely at some of our interviews, +as if dissatisfied with the idea conveyed to him. Our discussions, +however, had reached some slumbering chord in him, which, once touched, +stirred his blood with its vibrations. I do not think his isolation +could have lasted much longer, for he became restless and eager to see +the world. + +Rayel was greatly depressed by his father's illness. For months after +that night, the excitement of which had so hastened the failure of the +old man's strength, the silence of the great house was rarely broken by +the sound of our voices. My uncle lay helpless in a deep sleep most of +the time, never able to leave his bed until, revived by the freshness +of approaching summer, he had strength enough to sit in an easy-chair by +the window. Some fatal malady, the nature of which he did not disclose +to me, was evidently sapping his strength. I had urged him more than +once to let me summon a physician, but he would not permit me to do +so. When summer came at last, he grew stronger, and was able to walk, +supported by Rayel, to his chair in the open courtyard among the +flowers. + +The lion, which had been confined in its cage most of the time since my +uncle had grown so feeble as to need Rayel's constant attention sickened +and died in the warm days of early June. Rayel was sorely grieved by the +death of his pet, and although he stood in the shadow of a far greater +sorrow, he felt deeply the loss of this lifelong friend. The summer +passed slowly, one day like another, casting on us the same burden of +anxiety and silence. I spent much of the time in my uncle's library, +poring over his books and trying to shake off the melancholy thoughts +suggested by my daily life. + +One day in early autumn, Rayel was sitting with me near an open window +overlooking the courtyard, where his father was enjoying the open air. + +“He will die to-day,” said Rayel, calmly. “He told me he would die +to-day.” + +“He seems the same as usual,” I said. “We cannot tell; he may live for +months yet.” + +Rayel shook his head incredulously, and sat for a long time looking out +of the window in silence. + +“And I will go with you then?” he asked suddenly turning toward me. + +“Yes,” I answered. + +It was the first time he had ever asked me a question, for he could read +my mind like an open book, and to him all questioning was unnecessary. + +While we were sitting there, thinking over our plans, my uncle summoned +us by rapping with his cane. Rayel turned pale, and, with a whispered +ejaculation, hurried out of the room and ran down the path to his +father, followed closely by myself. My uncle was breathing heavily. + +“Count it,” said he, feebly extending his hand. Rayel counted his +pulse-beats. + +“Ninety-four, and growing quicker!” he exclaimed, turning toward me with +a frightened look. + +“It won't increase much,” my uncle whispered, feebly, but with a +cool and professional air. “It will go down soon, and then death will +follow.” + +“Be calm, Rayel,” he continued, almost sternly, as his son began +weeping. “Be calm, I say! That music! do you hear it, child? Do you see +what is passing now? Tell it. Let me hear you.” + +“I cannot hear it,” said Rayel, looking earnestly into his father's +face. + +“Hallucination!” he whispered, groping about until his hand rested +on the head of his son, who was kneeling beside him. “I seem to see +millions of forms around me. I seem to hear them, but I cannot see +you--nor hear you.” + +As if exhausted by the effort, his head fell back upon Rayel's shoulder, +and he lay for a time, his eyes closed, struggling for breath. The +dying man's faculties would no longer obey the whip of his mighty will. +Indeed, they had done him their final service, for in a few moments +he was dead. Tenderly and manfully, uttering no sound of grief, Rayel +lifted the lifeless body of his father, and bore it into the house. + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +In accordance with my uncle's wish, which he had made known to Rayel, we +buried him the day following his death in the sunny courtyard where he +had spent the last days of his life. The funeral arrangements were made +as simple as possible, so as to exclude all except the functionaries +whose presence was absolutely necessary. A rector of the Church of +England read the service for the dead before the body was borne to its +grave by the undertaker. When this brief ceremony was over, and the +great gates were closed again upon our seclusion, Rayel said to me: + +“I must talk more with you now, if you will let me. He said you would +help me after he was gone.” + +It seemed idle to assure him, who already knew my heart, of the +happiness it would give me to fulfill the pledge of friendship made to +my uncle. + +“Do you expect to see him again?” I asked. + +After a moment of the most serious reflection, he said: + +“Oh, yes, I shall see him again--when I die, then I shall see him. He +has gone to the Great Father, who gives life, and who takes it away.” + +I found that Rayel, although entirely ignorant of the creeds and dogmas +prevailing among men, was profoundly religious, and that his simple +faith was built upon the deepest foundations. He evidently gave much +thought to the relationship between man and his Creator after he +felt the sting of bereavement, but it was a subject to which he never +referred in our conversation, unless, perchance, it drifted in upon us. + +The weeks following my uncle's death, during which I was busy with +preparation for the new life that awaited us, Rayel spent in his +studio working over some unfinished pictures. At my urgent request, he +completed the head whose resemblance to Hester Chaffin had so startled +and amazed me the night I saw it first, and he regarded it with fonder +interest than he was wont to bestow upon the work of his brush. I +believe that face was the closest presentment of a human soul I shall +ever see until standing, as I hope to stand some time, in the presence +of the redeemed, where “that which is imperfect shall be put away.” I +have said that the picture bore a strong resemblance to Hester Chaffin, +but her face contained only a suggestion of that fine quality which was +so strongly presented in my cousin's ideal. + +My uncle's fortune, as described in his will, amounted to nearly +$250,000. The greater part of it--everything, indeed, but the house +and grounds--was in cash, represented by certificates of deposit +accompanying the will, and bonds of the United States. There was a +considerable bequest for me, whom he had named as executor of the will, +which, however, I determined never to apply to my own use, except in +case of Rayel's death. A handsome annuity was provided for his only +surviving servant. The remainder was left to Rayel. + +Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an asylum not +far from the city, our preparations to leave were soon complete. I was +elated at the prospect of resuming my relations with the busy world +outside that lonely habitation. My first step was to visit a lawyer for +the purpose of ascertaining the legal formalities which I must observe +as executor of the will. Rayel wished to go with me, and I gladly +assented, for it seemed wise as an initiatory step in the new life that +was awaiting him. He waved his hand to the mute, who stood looking at us +through the big gates after we had passed out into the road, and then he +walked on beside me in silence. The sun-shot haze of a beautiful autumn +day hung over the face of nature, and his eyes wandered down the long +stretches of landscape, and into the depths of the distant sky, rapt +by the vision that was unfolding before him. The changing phases of the +town he regarded with curious interest, which often expressed itself in +childish exclamations of surprise as we made our way through the crowded +streets. + +He was constantly calling my attention to things which, though familiar +and commonplace to me, were little less than wonderful to him. + +“Look!” said he, suddenly taking hold of my arm. “There is a woman!” + +He spoke in an eager, excited whisper, and shyly stepped behind me as +she passed us. + +“They won't hurt you,” said I, subduing my desire to laugh at his +remark. + +Such unfamiliar exposure to the public eye soon began to grate upon +his nerves. I did not wonder at it, for nearly every one we met took +a second look at his commanding figure, and some stared at him rudely. +Remembering my own emotions when I first stood in his presence, I was +not at all surprised that others were moved in a like manner. His were +a face and form that stood out like those of some heroic statue in the +throng of common mortals. + +The proving and recording of the will was left entirely in the hands of +a reputable lawyer, who said that these formalities would not detain us +longer than a week. + +We had determined to spend the winter in New York before going to +England. Since reaching America my time had been quite filled with work +until my entrance upon the utter isolation of my uncle's home. It was +my earnest desire to see something of the big metropolis on the western +Atlantic. Moreover, Mr. Earl had advised me in his letters to give Rayel +a chance to know more of life in his own country before bringing him to +England. + +When at last the faithful old mute had gone to his new home, and we had +turned our backs upon the silent and deserted mansion, Rayel was moved +to bitter tears. The thought of its loneliness, now that its master was +dead and we were leaving it, perhaps forever, brought sad feelings to my +heart. How calmly the old pines whispered together as we walked down the +road that morning I shall not soon forget. + +We reached the American metropolis early in October, three years after +my first arrival there from England. I rented comfortable apartments on +Fifth Avenue, near Madison Square. As soon as Rayel had recovered from +the fatigue and excitement of the trip, we set about unpacking his +pictures and getting them framed. Our lightest room was reserved for a +studio, and the paintings were hung under Rayel's direction. + +We were scarcely settled in our new home when we received an unexpected +call from a newspaper reporter. He had learned from an art dealer that +we had some remarkable old paintings, and humbly begged the privilege of +looking at them. We made him welcome, of course, but I explained to him +that the collection was wholly the work of my cousin, who was not yet +old himself. In answer to his questions I assured him that the paintings +would not be exhibited in the National Academy, and that my cousin's +work had never appeared in any art exhibition whatever, at which he +seemed greatly surprised. Rayel was still shy of strangers, and, as +he was evidently a little annoyed at the presence of our visitor, I +shielded him from the need of taking any part in our conversation. + +The next morning an article appeared in one of the leading dailies, +which subjected us to a glare of publicity not at all to our taste. + +It went on to say that Signor Lanion, a young Spanish artist, had +just arrived in New York and had taken apartments at No. Fifth +Avenue. “Lanion” was the name which had appeared on our bill for +picture-framing, the clerk who had waited on us having taken it down +incorrectly. “Unfortunately,” the article continued, “Signor Lanion +does not speak English, and for that reason the reporter was unable to +interview him.” + +The paper described Rayel's personal charms at much length, and claimed +the credit of having discovered a genius who, although still a youth, +had done work worthy of an acknowledged master. + +We had deep respect for the influence of that newspaper before another +week ended. Art managers, tailors, advertising agents, auctioneers +and numerous men and women prompted by no motive but idle curiosity, +besieged us until we bolted our doors in dismay against all comers. The +mail, too, brought us missives of varying import from persons who +had read the article, one of which was a polite letter from Francis +Paddington, a Wall Street broker, whose name I had heard frequently +during my American travels. + +“It was not stated,” said he, referring to the newspaper article, +“whether or not any of Signor Lanion's paintings are for sale. If +they are, I would be glad to look at them with a view to making some +purchases for my art collection.” + +The letter suggested an idea worth considering. Rayel worked rapidly and +had already painted more pictures than we could hang to advantage in any +but the most liberal quarters. He was at a loss to understand just what +was meant by selling the pictures, but he was willing to sell them if +they were not to be destroyed--at least some of them. Accordingly I +wrote Mr. Paddington, appointing an hour when we would be glad to see +him or his representative at our rooms. The gentleman himself did us +the honor to call. After looking at the paintings, he expressed his +willingness to buy the entire collection. I told him, however, that we +would not part with more than ten canvases, and he seemed glad to +buy even that number at a price which was so far in excess of our +expectations that I was loath to accept it. Our beloved “Woman”--that +was the title we had given Rayel's strangely derived conception--was +among the paintings included in the sale to Mr. Paddington. Rayel +thought he could reproduce it, and for days after it was gone he made +ineffectual efforts to paint another woman after the ideal of our +hearts. But, alas! try as he would, that face never came back to his +canvas. Many beautiful faces were conjured by his masterful touch, but +they were other faces, and none of them satisfied us. The failure made +Rayel unhappy, and tears came to his eyes when the “Woman” was referred +to, as if he were mourning the loss of a dear friend. + +Our patron had conceived a great liking for us, and we were soon invited +to visit his house “and meet a few of his friends at dinner.” It would +give us an opportunity to see the “Woman”--perhaps to buy her back +again--and we were strongly inclined to take advantage of it. Our +patron's residence was one of the largest and most elegant on Fifth +Avenue. It was a matter of common fame that his entertainments were the +cause of more envy and heartburning in the fashionable sisterhood than +any other events of the season. I had some doubt about the propriety of +taking Rayel to such a place, unaccustomed as he was to the refinements +and conventionalities of fashionable life. However, he had set his heart +upon going--he was so eager to see his beloved picture--and I did not +oppose his wish. In writing our acceptance of the invitation I +corrected Mr. Paddington's error regarding our name, and explained the +rechristening we had received in the public prints. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +On the day of our appointment for dinner at Mr. Paddington's the +newspapers were filled with accounts of a sensational bank robbery, +which had occurred in Wall Street the night before. Between midnight and +one o'clock in the morning, thieves had entered the Metropolitan Bank, +overpowered the watchman, broken into the vaults and stolen half a +million dollars in currency without leaving any clew behind them of the +slightest value to the police. The subject interested Rayel intensely, +and at our breakfast that morning we talked of little else. + +“When they have found the thieves what will they do with them?” he +asked. + +“Send them to prison,” I answered, “where thieves are kept apart from +the rest of humanity.” + +“And yet these thieves were not in prison. They could not have robbed +the bank if they had been in prison.” + +“True, but there are a good many thieves in the world who are not +suspected. They look like honest men and are highly successful in +concealing their dishonesty.” + +“I should think,” he said thoughtfully, “that one would know a thief by +his face.” + +“Remember,” said I, “that all men are not like you. Most of them are +easily deceived.” + +“Why, then, Kendric!” he exclaimed joyfully, “I can do some good with +this power of mine.” + +This conversation may seem commonplace enough, but it stands in close +relation to important events which will shortly claim our attention. The +subject which it introduces was not soon abandoned. We talked about it +on our way to the Paddingtons' that evening, where we were cordially +received by our host, and introduced to a large company of ladies and +gentlemen. + +Rayel's wonderful skill with the brush had evidently been the subject +of some discussion among Mr. Paddington's guests. It was referred to +frequently, and somewhat to the embarrassment of my cousin, in the +exchange of greetings that followed our introduction. + +Greatly to the relief of my fears Rayel seemed quite at ease. He +acknowledged the compliments paid him with gravity and self-possession, +but with few words. All eyes were raised to his face, as he stood head +and shoulders above a group of ladies and gentlemen who had gathered +about him. Never had his presence seemed so magnetic and impressive +since the first time I saw him in his father's house. Now, as then, a +new inspiration was stirring his blood and charging every nerve with the +wonderful magnetism of perfected manhood. + +The last person presented to us was a young lady of unusual beauty, +whom I noticed for some moments standing across the room in earnest +conversation with our host. Presently he made his way toward us with the +lady on his arm. + +“My daughter, Mr. Lane, whom I shall ask you to escort to dinner,” said +he, addressing Rayel. After I had been introduced to the young lady she +took Rayel's arm, and the company proceeded to the dining-hall. My seat +at the table was almost directly opposite Rayel. His grave and dignified +demeanor was made doubly conspicuous by the coquettish airs and ready +tongue of the young lady who sat beside him. Under a steady fire of +compliments and questions and artful glances I saw that he began to grow +uneasy. + +“That was a beautiful portrait you painted!” exclaimed Miss Paddington, +looking sentimental. + +“Thank you,” said he; “my cousin also admires it, but I must own that it +does not quite suit me.” + +“Perhaps you are an admirer of the lady it represents,” said she, +peering shyly into his eyes. “The Count de Montalle has fallen in love +with her and has borrowed the portrait from my father.” + +“Ze picture--ah! monsieur, it is beautiful,” said the Count, who sat +near them. “But ze lady--she sat for me long ago and I had ze honor +myself to paint her portrait.” + +He was a thin, wiry Frenchman, with small, black eyes, a forehead +sloping to a bald crown, an aquiline nose and a pointed chin, adorned +with an imperial. The face was almost mephistophelian in effect. He had +painted her portrait! Was the man an impostor? I asked myself. + +“The Count is an artist himself, you know,” said Miss Paddington. + +“Yes--an artist?” asked Rayel in a half-incredulous tone. Then he looked +inquiringly at the gentleman referred to, as if doubtful of his own +understanding of the words he had repeated. + +“Yes,” said the Count with emphasis. “For twenty years I have devote +myself to ze art.” + +“To what art, sir?” asked Rayel, in a tone suggesting doubt. + +I was now thoroughly frightened at the serious turn of the dialogue. Was +this “Count” a pretender and one of the many bogus noblemen of whom I +had read? Rayel was sounding him, that was quite evident. I saw now the +mistake I had made in bringing my cousin to such a place. + +“Quel impudence!” exclaimed the insulted nobleman, under his breath. + +“Forgive me, sir,” quickly answered Rayel, “I did not know it was wrong +to ask you.” + +“I wish you would paint my portrait, Mr. Lane,” said the young lady, who +did not seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation. + +“That would be easy enough,” he answered. + +“Would it? Ah, but I fear you would find me too plain a subject. I am +not beautiful, you know, but if I wore my best clothes you might think I +would do.” + +For some time Miss Paddington continued to spin out threads of small +talk, while Rayel sat listening. The dinner was nearly over when the +climax came which I had already begun to fear. + +“It is strange,” said Rayel thoughtfully. “You speak what is not +true, Miss Paddington. You said that the Prince of Wales gave you the +beautiful opal, but tell me--was it not your father who gave it you?” + +He waited a moment for her answer. + +“Oh, I understand now,” he continued. “People do not always speak the +truth--do they?” + +The young lady turned red with embarrassment, while an unnatural smile +played upon her lips. + +“But--but what is the use of talking then?” he asked. No one seemed +disposed to answer. + +“It is strange,” he continued, with childlike naivete, turning to the +young lady sitting at his left, “you have been laughing as if you were +very happy, but you have felt more like weeping. This must be a very sad +world!” He ceased speaking as if some suspicion of the pain his words +were causing had suddenly come to him. + +The whole company turned its eyes upon the two. The young lady's face +became suddenly pale and almost horror-stricken. Rayel's words were +spoken in such a gentle and sympathetic manner that every one was +mystified. + +“Have you read about the great robbery that occurred last night?” asked +Mr. Paddington, with the evident purpose of diverting attention from +the young lady. “The vaults of the Metropolitan Bank on Wall Street were +blown open with dynamite, and half a million dollars were stolen. No +trace of the thieves has been discovered.” + +“Too bad!” exclaimed half a dozen of the guests seeking to enhance +interest in the subject. + +“Zey were very bold about it,” said the Count, as he lighted a piece of +sugar soaked in cognac and held it over his coffee. + +Just at that moment a singular thing happened. The lights grew dim and +suddenly went out, as if the gas had been turned off. The burning cognac +cast a white flickering light upon the face of the man who had just +spoken. + +“You say there is no trace of the thieves,” said Rayel. “That is +strange, for one of them is in this room sitting at your table.” + +Only one face was visible, and all eyes were turned upon it, for now the +effect of that pale light keeping it in view was indescribably weird. +The eyes were suddenly turned in the direction of Rayel, and a devilish +glare came in them for an instant, when the face suddenly seemed to +shrink back into darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant +escorts rushed precipitately from the room. The servants hurried in +with candles, but light was no sooner restored than the guests who +still remained at table rose, as if by general consent, and left the +dining-hall. Miss Paddington and Rayel were the last to leave the table. +When they had passed out into the drawing-room her father came and took +her arm, bowing coldly to my cousin. It was evident that our presence +was no longer desired in the house of the Paddingtons. And no wonder! + +“Let us go,” I said, proceeding to the coat room. The Count met us on +the way. + +“You are a liar--a jackass!” he hissed into Rayel's ear. + +Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly night air +and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue. Neither of us spoke for +some moments. Presently Rayel asked: + +“What is a jackass?” + +He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of great moment. + +“A man who always tells the truth in this world--he is a jackass,” I +replied. + +I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had been through. +Perhaps that is why my answer savored so strongly of cynicism. + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +Painful as had been our introduction to polite society, the reaction +which followed it was scarcely less so. Next day we stayed indoors until +evening, when we ventured out for a walk with fear and trembling lest +the newspapers had already increased our fame and our mortification. The +twilight of a cloudless autumn day was closing in upon the city, and the +keen, bracing winds which sweep over the American metropolis from the +sea brought the color to our faces. We walked down Broadway, now quite +deserted, in silence, and as we were passing Wallack's Theatre Rayel +stopped suddenly, and stood for a moment looking into the brightly +lighted foyer. Stepping in, he beckoned me to follow. I immediately saw +what had attracted his eye, for on an easel just inside the entrance was +the portrait of our woman. On a placard below the picture was the name +“Edna Bronson.” Our surprise was mingled with sad regret at seeing it +playing a false part to serve the ends of an unscrupulous manager. + +“Perhaps she is here! suddenly exclaimed Rayel. + +“That is very unlikely,” I answered, “but we shall see.” + +I bought tickets for the evening's performance and we hastened home, +strangely elated, to dress for the play. + +Our seats were in one of the lower proscenium boxes and quite clearly +exposed to the gaze of the thousands who filled the theatre in winding +rows, ascending and receding to the roof high above us. The garish +decorations, the gay throng bedizened with jewels sparkling in the light +and the hundreds of fair faces and bright eyes that were turned toward +us presented a spectacle entirely new to Rayel. Shortly the curtain rose +and the play began. Its first scene was a counterfeit of real stage life +in an English theatre. An important performance is impending and at the +last moment both the leading lady and her understudy are suddenly taken +ill. The management is in a quandary. In the midst of its confusion the +stage carpenter suggests that he has a daughter who can play the part. +When this functionary came upon the scene my interest in the play began +to wax stronger. Hester Chaffin's father had been a stage carpenter, and +this turn in the scene startled me not a little after having found our +picture in the foyer. + +The carpenter's suggestion is at first treated with ridicule. He insists +that she has learned the part from witnessing the rehearsals, and urges +the managers to give her a trial. The performance must begin in four +hours or be postponed. It is found that the costumes prepared for the +part will fit the young lady. They consent to try her, the company is +hastily summoned together for rehearsal, and the curtain falls on the +first act. The audience waited impatiently for it to rise again and show +what fortune might have in store for the carpenter's daughter, but of +all that audience I was probably the most impatient. + +“There is the Count,” whispered Rayel, directing my attention to the +opposite box. The diabolical little Frenchman was there, sure +enough, sitting next to the rail, and sweeping the audience with his +opera-glasses. + +Soon the curtain was rung up and the rehearsal began which was to test +the powers of the venturesome young lady. Suddenly she appears at the +rear of the stage dressed for her part in Elizabethan costume. She +is greeted with loud applause, and she stands a moment, waiting for +silence. The lights have been turned down and I cannot see her face +distinctly. Before the last ripple of applause is quieted, she advances +down the centre of the stage and begins to speak her lines. That voice! +What is there in it that thrills me so strangely? When she ceases +speaking she is standing almost within reach of my hand. Suddenly her +eyes meet mine and I see Hester Chaffin standing there on the stage +and looking into my face. She recognizes me, for she seems confused and +proceeds with evident embarrassment. + +I turned to Rayel--he, too, was deeply moved by this great surprise. + +“Our woman has come to life,” said he, in tremulous whispers. “I knew we +would see her sometime.” + +How she had changed! She was little more than a child when I saw her +last: now she was almost a woman, but not more beautiful than when I +bade her good-by in the moonlight at her father's gate--long, long ago, +it seemed to me now. Was the scene I had witnessed a passage in her +own life since I had left Liverpool? At the close of the act an usher +carried my card to her. Presently I was summoned to one of the corridors +where a lady was waiting for me. + +“Is this Kendric Lane?” she asked, extending her hand. + +“It is,” I responded. + +“I have heard of you often. Miss Bronson is an old acquaintance of +yours, whom you knew as Hester Chaffin. Would you like to see her?” + +“I wish to see her to-night, if possible,” said I. + +“May I ask you, then, to go to this address and wait for us until the +performance is over? Hand this card to the night clerk of the hotel and +he will show you to our rooms.” + +Scribbling a few words upon the card, she gave it to me, and hurried +behind the scenes. + +Rayel and I immediately left the theatre and walked to our apartments. +The play would soon be over and we had no time to lose. On the way +home I noticed that he frequently turned about and peered through the +darkness as if expecting some one to join us. He said nothing, however, +and as I was so preoccupied by my own thoughts, I did not ask for whom +he was looking. + +“Shall I not go with you?” he asked, when we had reached home. + +“You had better wait up for me; I shall not be gone long,” I answered. + +“I can walk back again when we get there, or perhaps I can wait for you +in the hotel?” said he. + +He was not yet accustomed to life in a great city, and it did not seem +wise, either, to permit him to walk home alone, or to wait for me in the +hotel among strangers. He did not seem quite content to stay, however, +and there was a troubled expression on his face, which was new to it, +and which I could not put out of my mind after I had left the house. The +hotel to which I had been directed was on Union Square. It was not far +from our apartments, and I intended to walk there, but I had not +gone half a block before the street was lit up with a vivid flash of +lightning, followed by deafening thunder, and the wind blew damp in my +face. I hurried toward Third Avenue, intending to mount one of the horse +cars going down-town, but suddenly a fierce gust of wind swept over me, +sowing great drops of rain along the pavement. I looked about for a cab. +The street was deserted and so dark that I could see nothing except +the gloomy rows of brown stone that stood on either side. While I was +looking backward another flash of lightning illumined the street. What +man was that coming in the distance? Was it Rayel? No, that was scarcely +possible. I had only caught a momentary glimpse of him in the quick +flash. He was tall and erect like Rayel, and I thought the hat was his. +But my imagination must have tricked me after all, for nothing showed +clearly. I walked back a few steps and listened. I could hear no +footsteps, but then he might have followed me, and I ought to be sure. +So I called, “Rayel! Rayel!” twice, and waited for an answer, but +could hear none. I had not time to go back to our rooms, as Hester was +undoubtedly waiting for me now, and Rayel was certainly not the man +I had seen, or he would have answered me. So I hurried along without +giving any further thought to my fears. But where was Third Avenue? Its +character was not then so sharply defined as in these days of elevated +rail-roads--perhaps I had passed it. I had already walked a long +distance, and I had not yet recognized that thoroughfare. I could hear +footsteps behind me and I determined to wait a moment and inquire my +way. + +“I am going there--walk along with me,” said the man whom I questioned. +Just then we passed under a street lamp. I observed that he wore a large +coat and muffler and that he was walking under an umbrella. Another man, +also under an umbrella, fell in with us at the next corner. As we walked +along in silence I heard some person coming at a run down the street +quite a distance behind us. I was listening to this sound when I +received a terrific blow on the back of the head. I fell forward, one +side of my face striking heavily upon the pavement. Strangely enough, I +seemed unable to make any outcry, but I had not lost consciousness, for, +as I lay with my face resting on the wet stones, I could feel the rain +drops falling on it. I could hear those quick footsteps coming nearer. +Yes, I could hear Rayel's voice shouting in a loud and angry tone, but, +try as I would, I could not utter a sound. As I listened, the two men +clutched me with strong hands and dragged me through an open door, +which quickly closed behind them. It was no sooner shut than Rayel threw +himself against it with terrific force. I could hear the door groan and +shake under the strain. Once--twice, I was struck with cruel force upon +the head--then a loud roaring in my ears drowned everything. + +I can remember well the first return of consciousness. It was like the +slow breaking of dawn in the sky. I could hear voices singing: + +Hark! hark! my soul! angelic voices swelling O'er earth's green fields +and ocean's wave-beat shore. + +I could just distinguish those words. Where was I? Strange thoughts +began trooping through my mind. Then a great wave of emotion swept over +me. I could hear a low moaning sound that came from my own throat. +I could feel the hot tears rolling down my cheeks. A gentle hand was +brushing them away and some one was speaking to me. I was lying on a +soft bed. A sweet-faced woman was bending over me, whom I had never seen +before. + +“Where am I?” + +“In the hospital,” she answered. + +“The singing--who is singing?” I asked. + +“It is the chapel choir,” she answered; “the services are nearly over +now. It is Sunday.” + +“Is Rayel here?” + +“Your friend? yes, he has been with you every day.” + +“How long?” + +“Almost a month.” + +I tried to ask other questions, but a drowsy feeling overcame me and I +fell asleep. + +When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened my eyes he +leaned over and kissed my hands. + +“They thought you were dead once,” he said; “but I knew you were not +dead--I knew you were not dead.” I lay for a moment trying to collect +my thoughts. My head was in tight bandages and something was binding my +chest. + +“Where is Hester?” I asked. Rayel did not answer. He was not there, but +somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a lady kneeling beside me, +her face leaning forward upon the bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes +and listened to the rustling of withered leaves outside the window, +and the low humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic +sounds, and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A new life was +coming now. What was it to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. +I tried to keep my eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, +but in vain. When I awoke Rayel had returned. + +“You have slept a long time,” said he. + +“When I fell asleep a lady was here.” + +“Yes, it was our 'Woman,'” he replied--“the lady you love. She has come +every day to see you.” + +“Where is she now?” + +“She had to go away, but she will soon come back again.” + +“Who brought me here?” + +“I broke down the door--I found you there. You could not see me nor +speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men were gone. I carried +you out into the street. A policeman met me, and I told him what had +happened. Then the ambulance came and we put you into it, and you were +brought here. For a long time you lay like my father after he was dead. +Your face was white--like snow. They had stabbed you in the side--they +would have killed you if I had not broken the door.” + +“Who struck me?” I asked. + +“I knew,” he said, his eyes flashing, “I knew the devil was in their +heads--that is why I wished to go with you. They followed us that +night.” + +“Who?” I asked, eagerly. + +“The Count de Montalle and another man.” + +My cousin's answer amazed me. + +“Have you made known your suspicions?” I asked. + +“No. I have been waiting to talk with you first.” + +“Do not speak of it yet to any one,” I said. “Let us await +developments.” + +I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed +to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also, +that any futile discussion of the subject would defeat justice. + +That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been looking for +with much impatience since I had begun to feel more like myself. She +would shortly have fulfilled all her professional engagements, and +would then return at once to New York. “I wonder,” she added, somewhat +coquettishly, “if you will be glad to see me.” On this point there was +no doubt in my mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the +days passed with tedious slowness after that. + +I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the moving +throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was suddenly +opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I +waited for him to speak. + +“Kendric!” + +It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite +natural, and I turned to greet him. + +“This is our 'Woman,'” said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his +arm. + +I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, and took +her extended hand. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment without +speaking. My own were rapidly filling with tears, and I could see her +but dimly. + +“What a fine outlook you have!” she said, in a tremulous voice, turning +suddenly to the window and looking out upon the trees now half stripped +of their foliage by the autumn winds. We both stood staring out of the +window in silence. For my part, I could not have spoken if I had known +what to say. How she had changed! The blushing little miss who had +awakened the pangs of first love in my youthful heart was a beautiful +young woman, now full grown and arrayed in costly finery. Rayel was the +first to speak. + +“You must be glad to meet again--you have loved each other so long,” + said he. + +Honest Rayel! He knew our hearts--their longings, their histories, and +also the vanity and pride that dwelt in them. Why should there be any +concealment between her and me? + +“It has been a long time--a very long time to me, Hester, for I have +loved you ever since we first met.” + +She turned toward me, her eyes filled with tears, and I drew her to my +heart and kissed her fondly. + +“We have only known each other as children, Kendric,” said she. “Your +heart may change and mine may change--let us wait and see.” + +Then she left us, promising to come again next day. + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Hester and her maid looked in upon me every morning after that, until I +was able to leave the hospital. During these visits we told each other +the eventful story of our lives since the night of our parting at +her father's gate. Her first appearance on the stage had been, as I +suspected, literally represented in the play. For years she had been +permitted to accompany her father behind the scenes, and nights when +the cast was short she had played small parts with great success. The +glamour and excitement of stage life had proved distasteful to her. She +assured me that it was her intention never to go back to it, and this +strengthened my hope that she would some day consent to become my wife. +Rayel had told her, during my illness, the strange story of his life. +She knew nothing, however, of his wonderful powers, until I had related +to her some of the experiences which had revealed them to me. He had +said nothing to her, I learned, about our discovery of the picture. + +“Who painted the remarkable portrait of you which we saw at the +theatre?” I asked her one day. + +“It was painted, I believe, by a French nobleman, who presented it to me +here in New York. I suppose it looks a little as I did once, but it is +certainly too flattering and much too maidenly for me now. + +“The Frenchman is an impostor and worse,” I said. “The portrait was +painted by Rayel and sold to a broker of the name of Paddington, from +whom the Frenchman borrowed or bought it.” + +Her amazement could scarcely be overestimated when I told her what +occurred at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party. + +“The Frenchman,” she said, “has been paying me unwelcome attentions ever +since the first night of my appearance in New York. He became so odious +to me at length that I refused to accept any of his gifts, and, in spite +of the protests of my managers, returned everything he had sent me, +including the portrait.” + +I did not tell her that it was this same Frenchman to whom I was +indebted for my wounds. Of that I must wait for more palpable evidence, +though not for my own convincing. It seemed strange to me then that just +at the moment this thought was passing through my mind she asked me whom +I suspected of having committed the assault. It occurred to me after +she had gone that possibly she had some cause to suspect the man who had +been the subject of our conversation. + +Rayel always came late in the day, when there was no chance of meeting +other callers, and stayed with me until bedtime. As returning strength +brought back to me that interest in life which prompts keen observation, +I could see that a great change was coming over him. His face wore a +melancholy look which indicated too clearly that his mind was suffering +under some sad oppression. He was as gentle and considerate as ever, and +as tireless in his efforts to increase my comfort, but he rarely spoke +now, except in reply to my questions. He would sit by my side for hours, +gazing out of the window with a vacant look in his eyes, until the light +of day grew dim and the lamps were lighted. When supper was served to us +I could never induce him to eat. + +“What is the trouble, Rayel?” I asked, one evening. “You are not +yourself lately.” + +Neither of us had spoken for a long time. He turned suddenly, as +if startled by my words, his lips quivered, and stammering almost +incoherently, he rose to his feet. Then he stood erect before me for a +moment, looking sadly and thoughtfully into my eyes. + +“Nothing, Kendric,” he said presently, in a deep tone that trembled with +emotion. “I think I have been working too hard and need exercise--that +is all.” Then he grasped my hand warmly and bade me good night. + +I believe his answer to my question was the first lie that he had ever +spoken. + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Next day I was discharged from the hospital, and Rayel and I were driven +to our apartments. He had a number of surprises prepared for me. A large +painting on his easel, awaiting some finishing touches, compelled my +attention as soon as I entered the room. It represented a scene in +our own lives, which had lasted but a second, but which could never be +forgotten by either of us. He had seen me when I stood looking backward +in that vivid flash of lightning--there could be no doubt of it now, +for here was the scene transferred to canvas. The shaft of white light +shaking and darting across the black sky like a gleaming sword; the man +on the sidewalk looking backward with a startled glance; the big drops +of rain falling sidelong in the wind--these were all reproduced on the +canvas. His later pictures were characterized by a cynical tendency, +which I observed with regret. It was evident that his sensitive mind +had taken impressions from its brief contact with men, which were sadly +affecting his thought. + +He showed me numerous letters, many of which were from women who desired +to visit his studio and see his work. Indeed, my cousin had apparently +grown suddenly famous in the American metropolis. He was the victim +rather than the victor of fame, however, and regarded the matter with +very serious concern. The press of New York had been full of gossip +concerning his “eccentricities” since the event which had put my life in +danger. One of the society journals had printed a highly colored +version of that little episode at the house of the Paddingtons, and had +concluded its article by saying that the fair Miss Paddington had fallen +madly in love with her father's strange guest. + +That night, as we were sitting by the grate fire in our own rooms, +Rayel, encouraged by our seclusion, began to emerge from the silence to +which he had seemingly gone back for refuge in time of trouble. + +“We shall soon be ready to start for England,” I said. + +“I do not wish to go to England, Kendric,” said he. “For a long time +I have thought over it. Let me go back to the old house and live by my +father's grave, until the good Lord takes me to a better home. I would +miss you, dear Kendric, and every day I would look for you to come, but +I shall be happier there.” + +His words touched me deeply, and I was not prepared to answer him with +perfect calmness, although I had lately suspected that his despondency +would lead to this resolve. + +“Why must we separate now, after we have become so dear to each other?” + I asked. “Something has happened to change your purpose since I have +been ill--tell me what it is.” + +“To speak frankly, Kendric, I must say that the world has sadly +disappointed me. It is full of vanity and deceit and selfishness. Every +day brings to me some hideous revelation which the mercy of heaven has +hidden from others. I have seen the righteous forsaken of men, and the +wicked receiving homage; I have seen the unjust triumphing over the +just; I have seen some reveling in abundance while others were begging +for bread. Everywhere I have found want and misery staring me in the +face. + +“Remembering what Christ said, I sold all I had and gave to the poor, +and now there is nothing more I can do. My best pictures, my money and +all my extra clothing have gone to feed the hungry and cover the naked. +And even now, when I have nothing left to give, I find as much misery as +before. Often, since I have been alone, I have had nothing to eat and no +fire to keep me warm. Then I feared to tell you what I had done, and I +bore it in silence, hoping that I might earn more money by painting. But +I could not work. When Hester came back I told her all my troubles, and +she gave me money, not only for my own use but for the use of others who +needed it more than I. She and I have wandered about the city by day and +by night, ministering to the sick and the friendless.” + +He ceased speaking, his head bent forward upon his hands. It was indeed +a serious situation into which a too generous heart had betrayed him. +Nearly all his fortune had descended to him in cash on deposit, and +payable either to my order or to his. He had therefore saved nothing +for himself that had been available for the satisfaction of his good +impulses. Instead of displeasing me, however, as he feared, his action +only increased my love for him, if that were possible. + +“Do not let these things trouble you, Rayel,” I said. “We shall find no +difficulty, I think, in earning money enough for our needs. I cannot see +you shut yourself away from the world: you have yet an important work +to do among men. You are now morbidly sensitive to the misery that +surrounds us, but you will feel it less keenly as it grows more +familiar.” + +“You do not understand me, Kendric,” said he, starting from his chair, +and pacing restlessly up and down the room. “I cannot deceive you +any longer. In begging you to leave me, it is your own happiness I am +thinking of. Please go as soon as possible,” he pleaded, laying his hand +gently upon my shoulder. “Take her with you, and let me stay.” + +My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating. + +“My God, Rayel!” I exclaimed. “Are we both in love with the same woman?” + +“No, Kendric, no,” he said quickly, taking my hand. “I do not mean that. +I would not permit myself to love her, knowing that you love her also.” + +“What, then, do you mean?” I asked. + +“That there is danger,” he answered huskily, sinking into a chair. “I am +a fool not to have thought of it long ago!” + +His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not speak. + +“You know what is in her heart, Rayel,” I said presently. “Tell me, is +it false, or is she, as I have thought, a pure and noble woman?” + +“She is pure and worthy of your love,” he answered. “Her life has been +much exposed to temptation, but her character has been greater than any +temptation. When she began to go with me among the poor I did not know +what love was. I had never felt the power of it, nor did I think of the +danger to all of us. When at last it came upon me, and I saw what +it meant, I resolved not to see Hester again until God had given me +strength to subdue that passion. For days my heart was near breaking. +When you asked me to tell you what made me sad, I had not the courage to +do it. Then I told you a lie. I did the very thing which I have so much +condemned in others. This trouble has taught me to comprehend and to +pity the frailty of men. I look forward with fear and dread for my own +sake.. I shall be safe in my father's house. I must go back, but, before +I go, forgive me. Tell me that you do not despise me.” + +As he ceased speaking he laid his hand upon my shoulder and peered into +my face with a frightened and appealing look. + +“Despise you!” I repeated. “No. You are dearer to me now than ever. What +you have told me will bring us closer to each other, if we consider it +wisely. As yet there is no pledge between Hester and myself, save the +assurance given by unuttered thoughts. Her heart is free. I have no +right to claim it. If she loves you I shall wish you both much joy.” + +“That will not be necessary, Kendric. I had rather die than know that I +had come between you. I cannot even risk the danger of it. I must leave +you to-morrow.” + +“Under no circumstances will I consent to that. My promise to your +father and my duty to you forbid it. To go back now would be cowardly +and unworthy of you. With my help and guidance you can do great things. +We must face the world with stout hearts. As to this trouble, let +us concern ourselves about it as little as possible. I believe that +whatever may be best for all will happen if we but wait with patience.” + +Rayel made no answer, and for some moments we both sat looking at the +glowing embers in silence. + +“I shall obey your wish,” he said presently; “I cannot do otherwise. +I am like a child, and must look to you for instruction in all things. +Perhaps there will come a time when I can repay you.” + +“It will be a pleasure for me to help you as I would a brother, and you +will owe me no gratitude for it,” I said. + +We sat discussing our plans for the future until near midnight. When +we went to bed at last, Rayel looked happier than I had seen him before +since my recovery at the hospital. + +When I awoke it was near midday. I went to call Rayel and found that he +was gone. + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +After waiting for him nearly an hour I went to a neighboring restaurant +for breakfast. On returning I found that he had not yet come back. +Alarmed at his continued absence I went at once to Hester's apartments, +scarcely expecting, however, to find him there, but confident that she +would be able to tell me where he was likely to go. + +“No doubt he has gone on some good errand,” she said. “Has he not told +you of his charitable enterprises?” + +“He told me last night how they had reduced his fortune.” + +“Poor fellow!” she continued. “In his zeal for others he quite forgot +his own needs. I would have told you about it, but that he implored me +to spare you any knowledge of his condition. I think we shall be able to +find him. Let us go and try.” + +Hester and I set out at once, walking rapidly against a biting east wind +toward the river. On reaching Second Avenue we took a car and rode down +among the big tenements towering into the sky on all sides in the lower +part of the city. Alighting in the midst of these human hives, we +made our way through a wretched crowd, shivering in the livery of +destitution, down a long and narrow alley. Entering one of the doorways +we climbed a steep flight of stairs, above which was a squalid throng +pressing about an open door on the landing. The women held children +in their arms, and many of them were crying bitterly. The men stood in +silence peering curiously over the heads of the further throng into the +crowded chamber. Some of them greeted Hester with great respect, and +moved aside that we might have room to enter. As we neared the door I +could hear a babel of strange tongues and the voices of women calling +down the blessings of Heaven upon some one in their midst. It was Rayel. +He stood in a corner of the room holding two little children in his +arms, and the crowd was pressing forward as if eager to speak with him. +He was talking in a low voice to those nearest him, but I was unable to +catch his words. There were men and women of many nationalities in the +throng. I saw Italians, Celts, Poles, Germans and even men whose swarthy +faces and peculiar garb betokened Syrian origin. When we pressed nearer +to Rayel I saw some, as they came within reach, extend their hands +and touch him fondly, uttering exclamations as they did so, often in +a tongue that was strange to me. These simple-minded people seemed to +regard him as a supernatural being whom it was good to talk with, and +whose touch it was a blessing to feel. A look of love and gentleness and +sympathy irradiated his face and invited their confidence. These were +evidently the poor whom he had befriended, and he was now taking leave +of them, probably forever. It was a scene the like of which few can +ever hope to witness. After all, I thought, what manner of riches can +be compared to the satisfaction which Rayel feels at this moment? I was +quite ready then to applaud his unselfish generosity, for in that gloomy +and unclean place I first saw the full radiance of God's truth that it +is infinitely more blessed to give than to receive. We stood for a long +time looking upon this memorable meeting of Cadmus and Caliban. When at +length he caught sight of us, Rayel came where we stood, and said he was +ready to go home. Perceiving that we were about to go, the crowd hurried +from the building into the narrow alley leading out upon the street. +Some shouted endearing farewells as we passed them, and many of their +hardened faces were wet with tears. The sun was just going down and the +shadows were deepening between the high walls looming above us as we +started homeward. Hester insisted that we must dine with her and decide +upon the day of our departure. Rayel and I went directly home for a bath +and a change of clothing, after which we proceeded at once to Hester's +apartments. Evidently somewhat fatigued by the day's experience, Rayel +had little to say while we were eating dinner. It was arranged that we +would start for England by the first steamer on which we could secure a +comfortable passage. We had no sooner finished our coffee than a servant +announced Mr. Benjamin Murmurtot, who wished to see Miss Bronson. + +“A reporter!” exclaimed Hester. “There's no dodging them in America. +Shall I ask him in for a moment?” + +We said yes, of course, and Mr. Murmurtot presently fluttered into the +room. He was a natty little man, with a large nose, a bald head and a +decidedly English accent. + +“Delighted to see you, Miss Bronson,” said he, “delighted, I'm sure. +Thought I'd call and pay my respects before you leave the city.” + +He greeted us all with like effusiveness and sat down facing Hester. + +“It's very kind of you,” said she; “but pray how did you know I was to +leave the city?” + +“Why, I'm sure, Miss Bronson, everybody knows you are going home to be +married?” + +“It is true that I am going home soon,” said she, “but I must decline to +discuss my object in doing so.” + +“Pray pardon me; I'm a journalist, you know,” said Mr. Murmurtot, “and +I earn my living by impertinence. Have I not seen you before, sir?” he +continued, facing Rayel. “I think you were at the theatre one evening +some time ago--sat in the lower box at the right of the stage--I +remember it well, sir.” + +“I remember the occasion,” said my cousin, with his accustomed gravity. + +“I read about that occurrence at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party, sir,” + continued Mr. Murmurtot. “It was decidedly clever in you, sir--deucedly +clever! Everybody is talking about it, now that the Count has been +arrested.” + +“Arrested!” I exclaimed; “has he been arrested?” + +“Yes, this morning, for the robbery, you know. They say that the police +have secured evidence that will convict him sure, but it seems they are +not yet ready to make it public; reporters can't get the Inspector to +say a word about it, you know--not a word.” + +There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from all present, +save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint smile stole over his +face. + +“I knew they would find him out,” said he. + +“I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir,” said Mr. Murmurtot, again +addressing my cousin. + +“And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter,” said Rayel. +“It is good that we understand each other.” + +Mr. Murmurtot started with surprise at the remark. + +“I do not know how fully you may be acquainted with my secret,” said he, +“but permit me to assure you that I am here on a friendly mission. + +“I have no doubt of that,” said my cousin. + +“Let me proceed directly to the object of my visit, then, which is to +learn how soon you expect to return to England.” + +“By Saturday, if possible,” I replied. + +“That is good,” said he, turning toward me. “The sooner the better. In +the meantime it will be my duty to keep a sharp eye upon you; I have +been near you all day. You need not feel any alarm--only do not be +surprised if you meet me often. I am responsible for your safety, that +is all.” + +“For whom are you acting?” I asked. + +“My dear sir,” said he, rising to go, “men in my line of business must +not talk too much. Good night.” + +After he had gone we asked Rayel to tell us more about this mysterious +visitor, but he was unable to do so. + +When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with us to the +cab. As we alighted at our own door I saw a man standing by the street +lamp on the corner, some distance away, whom I recognized as Mr. +Murmurtot. I found a letter from Mr. Earl awaiting me at home, in which +he urged us to hasten back to England as soon as possible after my +recovery. + +“You and Rayel,” he said, “will, I trust, make your home at my house.” + +Next day we began our preparations for the voyage. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +It was on a bleak and windy night in December that we were driven +through a pelting rain to one of the docks on the North River, which our +steamer was to leave at high tide in the early morning. When we alighted +Mr. Murmurtot stood shivering in a greatcoat and muffler close by the +passengers' entrance. + +“This is a good place for a warm greeting,” said he, taking Hester's +hand. “I've stood here so long that my teeth are chattering from the +cold.” + +“Won't you come aboard with us?” I asked. + +“Not yet,” he replied; “but I expect to sail with you in the morning.” + +“'Sa rough night, sir,” said the porter who carried our luggage, “but +we'll find it a bit rougher outside, I'm feered, afore anither night.” + +Fatigued by a long day of arduous work, we went at once to our +staterooms. I was soon asleep after getting into my berth, but was +awakened by the tramp of feet on the upper decks and the shouting of +the crew long before the ship left her moorings. They reminded me of +the first night I had ever spent on an ocean steamer--the night I left +Liverpool on that journey fraught with danger I had not then dreamed +of. I had grown old very fast under the influences that had come into my +life since then. Indeed, I was now a man, whereas I had been only a boy +when I left England. But Rayel was with me now, and that repaid me for +all I had suffered. What would he have done in that lonely mansion +after his father's death? For hours my mind was occupied with these +reflections, and at length I determined to dress myself and go on deck. +Rayel awoke while I was dressing and decided to go with me. + +We found the decks thronged with people, and the ship's crew were +bustling about, getting ready to sail. We stood near the gangway, facing +the dock. A man was pacing back and forth in the opening whose figure +seemed familiar to me. Presently he came aboard, and as he passed near +us I saw it was the omnipresent Mr. Murmurtot. + +“I wonder if he is afraid somebody will steal the ship?” I remarked. + +“No, he is looking for some person,” said Rayel, divining my thoughts. + +“All ashore! Stand away, there!” shouted one of the ship's officers. + +The passengers fell back, the gangway was pulled aboard, the great +hawsers were loosened, and the ship moved slowly away from the dock. We +stood for a long time watching the river craft and the receding lights +of the city. The ship was well beyond the Atlantic Highlands when we +went to our stateroom and to bed again. We slept until late in the +morning, and arose barely in time for a late breakfast with Hester. +Rayel seemed cheerful enough and took more than ordinary interest in +his surroundings. When we had risen from the table he led me aside and +directed my attention to a short, stout man with a bristly growth of +close-cropped black hair, a low forehead and shaggy eyebrows, who was +leaning lazily against the railing of the stairway. + +“Let us avoid him,” he whispered. “I do not like his looks.” + +What can this mean? I asked myself, as we all proceeded to the deck. +Perhaps he was the man the detective was looking for. + +It was a beautiful sunlit afternoon, and the vessel rode steadily in a +sea that was growing quiet under the dying impulse that the winds had +left behind them. We drew our chairs together on the deck near the stern +of the vessel, and had settled down for a quiet chat among ourselves +when we were unexpectedly joined by Mr. Murmurtot. + +“Delighted, I'm sure!” he exclaimed, with the same inimitable drawl I +had noted on the occasion of our first meeting. I soon observed that +the artful little gentleman was master of an elaborate system of +exclamations by which he encouraged one to talk freely without saying +anything himself. + +In response to my assertion that we had been exceedingly busy getting +ready for the trip he said simply: “Indeed!” + +It was a very unusual burst of confidence in which he was moved to +express his views with any greater freedom. When the remark which +preceded it was evidently expected to meet with Mr. Murmurtot's +concurrence, then he would say, “Yes, indeed!” + +If the remark were one to which this response would be inappropriate he +often went to the extent of observing, “I dare say!” seemingly +ventured after careful consideration of the chances for and against the +proposition which provoked it. + +“My dear sir, I do not agree with you,” he would always say when he felt +compelled to differ with me. If the difference in our views chanced to +be extremely radical, he would throw particular emphasis upon the word +“dear,” as a sort of recompense for his opposition. These forms of +speech, with occasional and slight variations, were always employed by +Mr. Murmurtot as a medium of thought and sentiment. + +In the midst of our conversation I noticed the man whom Rayel had +pointed out to me when we arose from the breakfast-table. He was +standing against the rail, not twenty feet from where we sat, and as I +looked at him he turned away and walked leisurely down the deck. In a +moment Rayel was on his feet, and, excusing himself, he proceeded in +the same direction. An hour later, as he had not returned, I left Hester +with Mr. Murmurtot and went forward in quest of him. He was in the +reading-room, apparently interested in a newspaper. As he did not +observe me, I sat down behind his chair without disturbing him. To my +surprise I saw that he was not reading the paper, but that his eyes were +furtively watching the mysterious stranger he had followed, who sat +on the other side of the room listlessly puffing at a cigarette. I was +seated scarcely a moment when Rayel seemed to be aware of my presence. +Looking from face to face until he had discovered me he arose and came +to my side. + +“I was trying to read a newspaper,” said he, leading the way to the +door, “but reading is still hard work for me.” + +“I saw that you did not seem to be looking at the paper,” said I, as +we proceeded to the deck. He made no reply, but stopped and looked out +across the waste of waters at the horizon. + +“Do you know that man?” I asked. + +For a moment I stood waiting for his answer. Apparently he had not heard +my question, and I repeated it in a somewhat louder tone. + +He turned suddenly with an impatient exclamation. There was a flash of +anger in his eyes as he faced me. I had never seen him in such a mood +before. + +“Forgive me,” said he. “I am only angry with myself. Come, Hester will +be looking for us.” + +I did not venture again to refer to our bristly fellow-passenger in +Rayel's presence. Never inclined to talk much, even with me, he was +becoming more silent than ever as the voyage continued. Day by day his +interest in that strange man seemed to increase. He spent as little time +as possible in my company. When not with me he was hounding him about +the ship, keeping him in sight from some favorable point of observation. +What was the meaning of it? The question forced itself upon my mind +persistently by day and night, and begat in me a gloomy reticence which +Hester was quick to observe. Every day I expected some revelation from +Rayel, but he said nothing about the man in whom he had taken such +extraordinary interest. + +We had been over a week at sea, and I was sitting alone one afternoon, +when Mr. Murmurtot came along and asked if he might introduce an +acquaintance of his whom I ought to know. Then he went to find the +gentleman, saying that he would return in a few moments. He had no +sooner left me than my mind reverted to the man who had been the bugbear +of my thoughts since we left New York. Presently Mr. Murmurtot touched +my arm. Looking up suddenly, I saw standing before me the very man of +whom I had been thinking. + +“Mr. Lane, let me introduce you to Mr. Fenlon,” said the detective. +I shook the hand that was extended to me mechanically, and made some +incoherent response--I do not remember what. I had been taken by +surprise. My voice was unnatural and my strength seemed to have left me +suddenly. + +“Are you not well, sir?” he asked. + +“No, sir, he is not well yet.” + +It was the voice of Rayel that answered for me. He was standing by my +side, his lips tightly drawn, and his eyes fixed upon the man Fenlon. +There was a terrible look on his face as he stood there towering above +us. The man turned pale and moved quickly backward two or three steps, +staring at my cousin as if in fear of receiving a death-blow. For an +instant, only, he stood like some fierce animal at bay, then turned +and walked hurriedly down the deck. The situation was made all the more +impressive by the interval of silence that followed Rayel's words. + +“Forgive me,” said Mr. Murmurtot, taking my hand, “if this meeting was +unpleasant. It was necessary.” Then he bowed politely and walked away. +The sun was just going down as Rayel and I entered the cabin, where +Hester was waiting for us. + +“The captain thinks we will reach Southampton before five in the +morning,” said she. + +I was glad to learn that our voyage was so near its end. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +After dinner Rayel and I went at once to our stateroom. + +“I am out of patience with myself,” said he, as soon as we were seated. +“My mind is failing me just when I need it most. I have grown dull and +stupid. For more than a week I have been trying to find out that man's +secret. I knew that he had a secret, and that it concerned us. Not until +to-night was I certain that I had found it out. Once I could see the +truth clearly. No matter how deeply it was buried under lies--I could +see it. But now there is something like a mist before my eyes, and I am +sure of nothing. Perhaps it is because I am now a liar myself, as bad as +any of them. God have mercy on me!” said he, rising, and speaking with +much animation. “I know now what is blinding my soul. When a man lies +he loses some degree of his power to distinguish between truth and +falsehood.” + +He stood looking into my face impatiently, as if waiting to hear what I +would say to his remark. + +“That would be the natural result, I have no doubt,” said I; “but +are you not trying to convict yourself of too much wickedness and +stupidity?” + +I had never considered the misfortune of knowing too much--of being able +to detect every difference between word and thought, between appearance +and reality. That was the power which Rayel possessed, and it increased +his moral responsibility by as much as it transcended the power common +to others. Here, indeed, was a man ripe for the fate of a martyr. + +“Won't you tell me Fenlon's secret, if you have found it out?” I asked. +“I've been thinking about it night and day since we first saw him.” + +“Be wise! Don't try to learn too fast, Kendric” said he. “You shall know +it soon, I am sure of that--indeed, I promise that you shall.” + +“I am quite willing to wait on the future for everything if you think it +is best,” I said. + +We sat for a long time, making plans for our future life in England. It +was near midnight when we retired to our berths, but we were up early +in the morning, eager to catch the first sight of land. On reaching the +deck we were overjoyed to see the distant spires of Southampton glowing +in the morning sun. + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Mr. and Mrs. Earl met us at the station of the Southwestern Railway +in London, and we were driven at once to their home. Hester came to +breakfast with us, but Mrs. Earl would not let her go to Liverpool that +day, ship-worn and fatigued as we all felt after the voyage. + +“You resemble your father, sir, when he was of your age,” said Mr. +Earl, addressing my cousin, as we were eating. “But you are larger, much +larger, than he was.” + +“You were my father's friend when he was a young man, I believe?” said +Rayel. + +“Yes, he and his brother were my best friends in those days. I tried to +induce him to study law, but he was more inclined to medicine.” + +Rayel had found a man quite after his liking and the two were on the +best of terms at once. Indeed, he seemed to talk with my benefactor as +freely as he ever talked with me. I found Mrs. Earl very much as I had +imagined my mother to have been--a full-faced, ruddy-cheeked woman; with +a sweet voice and gentle manners. She greeted me as if I were her own +son returned from a long journey, and when we sat down to talk after +breakfast, I felt the joy and peace of one who has found a home after +much wandering. + +I spent the afternoon with Mr. Earl in his library, and he listened with +deep interest to the complete story of my life since the night we parted +in Liverpool. + +He had many questions to ask me touching the attempt upon my life, and +my replies were jotted down in his memorandum-book. After I had told him +all that I was able to tell he sat for some moments thoughtfully +turning the pages of the book, stopping now and then to read some of the +memoranda. + +“It looks pretty bad for them, doesn't it?” said he calmly, looking up +at me over his spectacles. “But we'll bring this matter to a climax very +soon,” he continued. “We haven't seen the last act of the play yet. You +need not have any further fear for your safety--I will look after that. +You may feel quite free to go and come as you please in this part of the +city. Above all things we must avoid letting them know that we suspect +anything; it might defeat me in getting hold of the last bit of evidence +that is necessary to complete our case.” + +I nodded, and waited for him to proceed. + +“Let us go carefully until we're sure of our ground,” he continued. +“Your stepmother knows you are in London, of course. You must go and see +her. Take your cousin with you, and--well, you will know how to treat +them. After all, you must bear in mind that in the eye of the law every +man is innocent until he is proven guilty. Adopt that view of the case +yourself. You needn't fear anything from Cobb or his wife. Only be +reasonably prudent.” + +“I've no fear that they will try to do us any harm,” said I; “and +I would greatly enjoy visiting the old house. Perhaps we could go +to-morrow.” + +“The day after. You'd better go down to Liverpool to-morrow with the +young lady, and return by the night train.” + +That day saw the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship between +Hester and Mrs. Earl. When we left next morning to go to Hester's home +in Liverpool, she promised to return soon for a long visit. By ten +o'clock we were well out of smoky London, on the way that I had already +traversed once before, with a cheerful heart most creditable to me under +the circumstances. Mrs. Chaffin was waiting for us at the gate when we +alighted in front of the old wood-colored cottage--that haven of weary +legs in days gone by. Phil (who had lengthened noticeably in the service +of Valentine, King & Co.) was there, too, and all the rest of the +Chaffin household in Sunday clothes. Mrs. Chaffin was quite beside +herself with joy. + +“Dear-a me!” said the good lady, after the salutations were over. +“Dear-a sakes! How you've growed! I didn't think you'd ever live to get +s' big. I thought as 'ow som' 'arm 'd come to ye when ye went away, an' +Hester--” + +“Mamma!” exclaimed Hester, with a reproving glance. “Don't tell him.” + +“I'm that fidgety I don't know what I'm sayin'. The Lord bless us, but +ye must be hungry!” said the good woman, as she spread the table for +dinner. She had guessed rightly, and Hester bustled about, helping +her mother get the dishes on the table, with a critical eye to all the +arrangements. Rayel was much amused by the children, the youngest of +whom had climbed upon his knee and was taking liberties with his cravat. +He was wholly unaccustomed to the pranks of children, and we frequently +rallied to his defence. He seemed to enjoy them, however, and was soon +involved in a spree at which both Hester and I laughed heartily. + +“This herring ain't extra good, sir, but I 'ope it won't go ag'in' ye,” + said Mrs. Chaffin to Rayel, as we sat down to the table. + +He seemed in doubt for a moment as to what it would be proper to say in +reply to this well-intended remark. + +“I have never eaten a herring, madam,” said he, gravely, “but I have no +doubt it will be good.” + +“I 'ope so, sir--indeed, I 'ope so; but I dare presume to say that it +will taste bad enough to the likes of you.” + +Mrs. Chaffin (good soul) had evidently concluded that my cousin was a +man entitled to extra politeness. Hester had adroitly side-tracked the +herring question and started another train of speculation, when her +mother's misgivings were again excited respecting the tea, which Rayel +had just tasted. + +“Murky, sir?” she asked, with a glance of alarm. “I 'ope it don't taste +murky.” + +Mrs. Chaffin's solicitude respecting the tea and the herring reminded +me of the first time I had stretched my tired legs under that hospitable +board at Phil's invitation; of those big, wondering eyes that stared at +me across the table; of the songs and stories which beguiled the evening +hours. + +The candles were lit before dinner was over, and when we rose from the +table it was to gather about the warm fire and exchange memories, while +Rayel listened with deep interest. Phil had been promoted from a pair of +legs to a pair of hands, and was now third bookkeeper for the firm. Our +carriage came for us at nine o'clock. Hester had decided to stay a day +or two with her mother, but it was necessary for Rayel and me to return +to London that night, as we were to make an important call the next day. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +Late in the afternoon of the day following our visit to Liverpool we +ascended the big stone steps of my old home and pulled the bell. After +all, I found that my nerves were not quite steady while we were waiting +for the door to open. We had come intending to spend the night there, +and my benefactor had given me certain precautions not calculated to +make me feel entirely at home. Was there some deeper plan underlying +his suggestion as to this visit than he had chosen to explain? I had not +long to consider that point, however, for suddenly the door opened and +a servant in imposing livery confronted us. I handed him my card and we +were shown into the reception room at once. Presently he conducted us to +my stepmother, who greeted me with a great show of cordiality and some +tears. She had grown old fast since I left home, but she had artfully +disguised the evidences of age upon her face and neck. Why had I stayed +away so long? What had she done to deserve such shameful neglect? These +and other questions taxed my wits for an answer that would neither +outrage my own conscience nor offend her. Mr. Cobb, who had just +returned from his office, suddenly entered the room. His face assumed an +ashen pallor, and he stared at me quite dumfounded for a moment, when I +arose and stood before him. + +“It is Kendric. Don't you recognize him?” said my stepmother. + +“So it is!” he exclaimed. “But he's grown quite out of my recollection.” + The man had recovered his self-possession in a moment, and treated me, +it must be said to his credit, with marked coolness. I was likely to get +on with him very well, I thought, but the fawning attitude of his wife +quite unhorsed me. If I am to see the devil I'd rather he'd frown than +smile. Cobb had very little to say to us, and left the room at the first +opportunity. In doing so he had shown scant consideration for his wife, +however, as it left a burden upon her shoulders that must have taxed her +strength. But she was not unequal to it. Her smile broadened after he +had gone, and there was a tone of deeper sincerity in her expressions +of regard. We had been to dinner, and if she would kindly send a little +cold lunch to our room at bedtime that would be quite sufficient. During +her absence for dinner the reaction came. When my stepmother returned +she seemed to have suddenly grown older, and she looked at us through +haggard and sunken eyes. Surely this was a terrible punishment she was +undergoing, and I pitied her. Mr. Cobb had an important engagement to +keep, she said, and hoped we would excuse him. Slowly the evening wore +away and at ten o'clock we were shown to our room, greatly fatigued by +this trying experience. It was a room fronting the street on the third +floor, which I had occupied before I left home. The walls had been +painted white since then, with a frieze of gold along the ceiling. +My father used to sleep in the room directly under it. Rayel had been +silent and absent-minded all the evening, rarely speaking except in +reply to some question. + +“I feel sad for some cause I do not understand,” said he, preparing to +retire. “I shall be glad when to-morrow comes.” + +“We will go back in the morning,” I said. “You don't feel at home here, +do you?” + +He did not seem to hear me, but tried the door, which I had already +bolted, and then got into bed, yawning and shivering, for the room was +cold. I turned down the light, and, opening the shutters, looked out +upon the street, now deserted save by a solitary man who had just passed +the house and whose slow footsteps were gradually growing less distinct. +I crouched there, listening for some moments to that fading sound, when +it began to grow louder again. The man had turned about and was coming +back. As he passed under the lamp on the opposite corner I thought I +recognized the slim figure of Mr. Murmurtot. Suddenly I was startled by +a noise in the room adjoining ours, and sprang to my feet in a tremor. +Plague take my imagination! It was somebody going to bed. I sat down +again and for a long time looked out at the man walking back and forth +in front of the house. I was rapidly getting into a condition of mind +unfavorable to rest and, closing the shutters, I went to bed at once. +For hours I lay tossing restlessly from one side to the other, and +finally fell into a deep sleep. I must have slept a long time when I +suddenly awoke, laboring with nightmare. I had heard no sound, I had +felt no touch, but all at once my eyes were open and I knew that I was +awake. The lamp was burning dimly on the table beside my bed. How my +heart was beating! And my arm--how it trembled when I tried to raise up +on my elbow and look about the room! + +“Who's there?” I whispered. Was it Rayel standing near the bed, his body +swaying backward and forward, or was I yet asleep? Everything looked dim +and weird. I seemed to be in some silent ghostland between sleeping and +waking. I rubbed my eyes and peered about the half-darkened room. It was +Rayel, and, as I gazed at him, his eyes seemed to shine like balls of +fire. I called to him, but he made no answer. What had happened since I +went to sleep? Alarmed, I threw the covers aside and leaped out of bed. +As I did so he stepped up close to the opposite wall, and, as his hand +moved, I could hear the grating of a crayon on its surface. In tremulous +haste I turned up the wick of the lamp and tiptoed toward him, holding +it in my hand. He was stepping backward and excitedly pointing at the +wall. He had been drawing a picture on its white surface--the form of +a woman holding something in her hand. I stepped nearer, still carrying +the lamp. A sharp interjection broke from my lips. The woman pictured +there was my stepmother, and it was a knife that she held! A man was +lying at her feet. Again Rayel stepped forward, and again I heard the +crayon grating on the wall. Then he stood aside. Great God! There were +drops of blood dripping from the knife now. Rayel sank down upon the +floor and covered his eyes with his hands. I stood there, dumb with fear +and horror, looking first upon him and then upon the picture. + +The silence of the night was unbroken save by those slow footsteps in +the street to which I had listened before retiring. But suddenly I heard +a low wailing cry in the room adjoining ours. It so startled me that +I came near dropping the lamp. Strange and weird it sounded, gradually +growing shriller and more terrible to hear! It was the voice of my +stepmother. Was she dreaming? And had Rayel seen the vision that +affrighted her? Was that dagger pricking her brain? In a moment the +swelling cry broke into a sharp scream, such as might come from one +exposed to sudden peril, and ceased. Then the sound of a bell rang +sharply through the house, followed by loud knocking at the door and a +man's shout. + +“Open the door, I command you!” he said. + +He must have heard that piercing cry. Rayel still lay motionless upon +the floor. Was he asleep? Why did he not rise? I began to feel numb. I +seemed to have lost the power of motion. I could hear some one rapping +at our door, but I could not move. + +“Kendric! Kendric! Kendric!” Was it my stepmother who was calling me? +What a piteous, pleading tone! “Let me speak to you, Kendric! For God's +sake, let me tell you!” I was reeling: my strength had all left me. +Crash! went the lamp at my feet. There was a great flash of light, which +dazzled my eyes, and I fell heavily upon the floor. + +I was in the open air when thought and feeling came back to me. My hands +and face were paining me as if they had been terribly burned. There were +a number of men standing over a motionless figure that lay beside me. + +“The poor lad!” said one of the men “he's nearly roasted. See here +how the clothes have been burned away from his neck! Can't ye stop the +blood? The mon'll die afore the amb'lance comes ef we don't stop the +blood. A brave mon he is, too. D'ye see 'im coming down the stairs with +th' other one on his back?” + +Of whom were they talking? I struggled to my feet--I could feel no pain +now--and bent over that still form which had been lying beside me. Oh! +it was the heaven-blessed face of Rayel, now bleeding and scarred and +ghastly. I raised his head. The hair fell away where my hand touched it, +and a groan escaped his lips. I could not speak nor weep nor utter +any sound. A strange calmness came over my spirit and I sat there +motionless, bending over him I loved so well, while the crowd of men +looked on in silence. “After His own image made He man;” these words +came to my mind as I looked into that dear face. Then I prayed in +silence--for him. Thank God! his eyes were open now and his lips were +moving. I bent lower until I could feel his breath upon my cheek. + +“Is it you, Kendric?” he whispered. “Did I save you from the fire? I +cannot see you, but I know you are here.” + +I heard his words distinctly, but I could not answer. The power of +speech seemed to have left me. + +“The fire awoke me,” he continued, moaning. “We were lying on the floor. +I called to you, but you did not answer. Thank God! you are safe now.” + +Returning consciousness brought with it an increasing sense of his +pain, and he began to struggle and groan in dreadful agony. Suddenly, +extending one of his blackened hands until it touched my face, he +shouted in a loud voice: + +“Kendric! Kendric! help--help me!” + +Then some men laid hold of me and lifted me up. I clung to Rayel with +all my strength, but could not resist them, and as I was borne away I +knew that Rayel and I had parted forever. + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +After that midnight parting the first thing I can recall was the touch +of a gentle hand upon my face. When my eyes opened I saw Hester bending +over me. + +“You are at home now, Kendric,” said she. Such a feeling of weakness +came over me that I could not speak. I thought a nail had been driven +into my brain, but the tears that began rolling down my cheeks and the +moans that broke from my lips seemed to loosen it. + +Many days passed before I was able to reflect upon this last tragic +episode in my life or to take any thought of the morrow. One evening +I awoke from a deep sleep feeling a new interest in life. There were +people sitting in the room and talking in low tones. + +“Has he asked for Rayel yet?” said one of them. + +“Not yet,” was the answer. + +“Better not let him know about it yet. There's time enough. He'll be +around soon.” + +I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside. There were Hester +and Mr. Earl and his good wife, all looking down upon me with smiling +faces. + +“You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel is dead.” + +They made no answer. + +“I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened,” I said. “There is no +danger; I am quite strong now.” + +Mr. Earl took my hand and told me in a low, calm voice, all he knew of +the tragedy. He only knew, however, that the lamp had exploded and that +Rayel had been horribly burned by the oil. + +“I suppose,” said he, “that the lamp was on a table near his bed when it +exploded. In a moment the whole room was afire, and you, no doubt, being +asleep at the time, he lifted you up and ran with you down the stairway +and out of the open door. But in the meantime he had been horribly +burned, and he fell in a faint as soon as he reached the pavement. +Strangely enough you were unconscious for some moments, although you +were not badly burned. Probably it was the smoke.” + +Then no one knows, thought I, what really did happen that night. The +lamp must have fallen almost directly upon Rayel's head, and the oil had +no doubt saturated his hair and clothing. + +“And the house?” I asked. “Is that--” + +“In ashes,” he replied. + +Then every trace of that strange event, which no eye save mine had +witnessed, was wiped out forever. The hideous secret had better never be +told. + +“If I was not badly burned, tell me why I have been lying ill.” + +“Brain fever, my boy,” said he. “Too much excitement, I presume--but +you're out of danger now, and will be on your feet again in a few days.” + +Fortunately the latter assurance was rightly spoken. The first day +that brought me strength enough to put on my clothes and walk about the +house, Mr. Earl invited me into the library to talk business. We were +no sooner seated than he unlocked a drawer and handed me a document to +read. + +It was a deed of all my father's real and personal property. + +“They have both confessed,” said he. + +“Confessed what?” I asked, wondering if the secret of my father's death +had come out. + +“The conspiracy against your life. There were two accomplices--one Count +de Montalle, formerly a servant of Cobb, and now a convict in America, +and the other a man named Fenlon, who is under arrest. These were the +men who tried to take your life. Fenlon came over on the steamer with +you, I believe.” + +“And my stepmother--where is she?” + +“Gone to answer for her sins at a higher court,” said he. “Her last +deposition is annexed to the deed. The old hussy ran into the fire like +a miller, and stood there screaming, 'Look at that picture on the +wall! Oh, God! do you see it?' she shouted to the fellow who found her +standing in the smoke and flames. The chap was so excited he really +thought that he did see the picture of a woman holding a knife.” + +“That is strange, isn't it?” said I. “Who was the man?” + +“A detective,” said he, “whom I hired to watch the house that night. He +heard some disturbance, it seems, and, fearing mischief, he immediately +forced the door open and ran pell-mell into your cousin, noble fellow, +who was then bringing you down-stairs. If he had been one moment later +the woman would have been burned to death, and we would never have got +this deposition. Cobb wouldn't have been the first to weaken, you may be +sure of that. But after she had told the whole story, why, there was no +use in holding out. Badly burned? No, strange to say, she was not badly +burned, but frightened out of her wits. The nervous shock was too much +for her and soon led to fatal results. Cobb will go to prison.” + +I made no reply. I could not have found words to express the thoughts +that came trooping through my brain. + +“I have to tell you,” he continued, “that your cousin left a will +bequeathing to you his father's house and a number of valuable +paintings.” + +I turned away and burning tears of sorrow came to my eyes. It was indeed +a sad inheritance--the earthly part of his great riches--and of little +moment to me. I could not bear to think or speak of it then, and I +begged my friend to hide the will from my sight until time might give me +strength to read it with composure. + +One evening in early spring Hester and I were walking along the shore of +the Mediterranean at Marseilles. I had been traveling through southern +Europe since my recovery, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Earl. Hester had +recently joined us in this ancient city of Provence. The sun was sinking +below the distant horizon of water, and his shafts, glancing from the +western edge of the sea, shot far into the immeasurable reaches above +us. We stood in silence while the great wall of night loomed into the +zenith, and then fell westward through the luminous slope of heaven. The +broad terrace from which we viewed the scene was quite deserted. + +“If it is a hopeless love I cherish, let me know it now, Hester,” I said +as we turned to go. “I cannot wait any longer.” + +“You can wait half an hour longer, I am sure,” she said, hurrying me +along. “We will be at home, then.” + +Some months after Hester had become my wife we received a call in London +from our old friend, Mr. Murmurtot. + +“You have been playing in a great life drama,” said he to Hester, “and +I, too, have had a part in it. Lest you may think that it was the +fool's part, let me tell you that I am the man who arrested the Count de +Montalle.” + +“And the man who brought Fenlon to justice?” I asked. + +“The same. He confessed within three hours after you were introduced to +him.” + + * * * * * * * + +Every week my wife and I visit Rayel's grave and strew fresh flowers +upon it. A tall shaft of marble marks the spot where he lies at rest. +His name is graven in the stone, and underneath it are these words: “He +was a man without selfishness or vanity.” + + + THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 7486-0.txt or 7486-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/4/8/7486/ + +Produced by Jeffrey Kraus-yao + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/7486-0.zip b/7486-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..02ccd5c --- /dev/null +++ b/7486-0.zip diff --git a/7486-h.zip b/7486-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2f38a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/7486-h.zip diff --git a/7486-h/7486-h.htm b/7486-h/7486-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5f55b07 --- /dev/null +++ b/7486-h/7486-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4292 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Master of Silence + +Author: Irving Bacheller + +Release Date: July 27, 2009 [EBook #7486] +Last Updated: March 12, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Jeffrey Kraus-yao, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE MASTER OF SILENCE + </h1> + <h2> + A ROMANCE + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + Fiction, Fact, and Fancy Series + </h4> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Edited by Arthur Stedman + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Irving Bacheller + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h5> + New York Charles L. Webster & Co. 1892 + </h5> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>THE MASTER OF SILENCE</b></big> + </a><br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE MASTER OF SILENCE + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + Near the end of my fourteenth year I was apprenticed to Valentine, King + & Co., cotton importers, Liverpool, as a “pair of legs.” My father had + died suddenly, leaving me and his property in the possession of my + stepmother and my guardian. It was in deference to their urgent advice + that I left my home in London (with little reluctance, since my life there + had never been happy) to study the art of money-making. On arriving at the + scene of my expected triumphs I was assigned to the somewhat humble + position of errand boy. In common with other boys who performed a like + service for the firm I was known as “a pair of legs.” Lodgings of a rather + modest character had been secured for me in the western outskirts of the + city near the banks of the Mersey. I was slow to make friends, and my + evenings were spent in the perusal of some story books, which I had + brought with me from London. One night, not long after the beginning of my + new life in Liverpool, I was lying in bed listening to the wind and rain + beating over the housetops and driving against the windows, when suddenly + there came a loud rap at my door. + </p> + <p> + “Who's there?” I demanded, starting out of bed. + </p> + <p> + As I heard no answer, I repeated my inquiry and stood a moment listening. + I could hear nothing, however, but the wind and rain. Lighting a candle + and dressing myself with all haste, I opened the door. I could just + discern the figure of a bent old man standing in the hallway, when a gust + of wind suddenly put out the candle. The door leading to the street was + open, and the old man was probably a straggler come to importune me for + shelter or for something to eat. As I relit the candle, he entered my room + and stood facing me, but he did not speak. His clothes were dripping and + he was blinking at me with strange, gleaming eyes. His hair was + snow-white, and as I looked into his face the deathly pallor of it + frightened me. His general appearance was more than startling; it was + uncanny. + </p> + <p> + “What can I do for you?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + Greatly to my surprise he made no reply, but with a look of pain and great + anxiety sank into a chair. Then he withdrew from his pocket a letter which + he extended to me. The envelope was wet and dirty. It was directed to + Kendric Lane, Esq., No. Old Broad street, London, England. The address was + crossed and “22 Kirkland street, Liverpool,” written under it in the + familiar hand of my guardian. A strange proceeding! thought I. Was the + letter intended for my father, who was long dead, and who had removed from + that address more than ten years ago? The old man began to grin and nod as + I examined the superscription. I broke the seal on the envelope and found + the following letter, undated, and with no indication of the place from + which it was sent: + </p> + <p> + “Dear Brother—I need your help. Come to me at once if you can. + Consequences of vast importance to me and to mankind depend upon your + prompt compliance. I cannot tell you where I am. The bearer will bring you + to me. Follow him and ask no questions. Moreover, be silent, like him, + regarding the subject of this letter. If you can come, procure passage in + the first steamer for New York. My messenger is provided with funds. Your + loving brother, + </p> + <p> + “Revis Lane.” + </p> + <p> + I had often heard my father speak of my uncle Revis, who went to America + almost twenty years before I was born. Now he was my nearest living + relative. No news of him had reached us for many years before my father + died. I was familiar with his handwriting and the specimen before me was + either genuine, or remarkably like it. If genuine he had evidently not + heard of my father's death. + </p> + <p> + Extraordinary as the message was, the messenger was more so. He sat + peering at me with a strange, half-crazed expression on his face. + </p> + <p> + “When did you leave my uncle?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + He sat as if unconscious that I had spoken. + </p> + <p> + I drew my chair to his side and repeated the words in a loud voice, but he + did not seem to hear me. Evidently the old man could neither hear nor + speak. In a moment he began groping in his pockets, and presently handed + me a card which contained the following words: + </p> + <p> + “If you can come, tear this card in halves and return the right half to + him.” + </p> + <p> + I examined the card carefully. The words were undoubtedly in my uncle's + handwriting. The back of the card was covered with strange characters in + red ink. I tore the card as directed and handed him the right half. + </p> + <p> + He held it up to the light and examined it carefully, then put it away in + a pocket of his waistcoat. The look of pain returned to his face, and he + coughed feebly as if suffering from a severe cold. The hour being late I + intimated by pantomime that I desired him to occupy my bed. He understood + me readily enough and began feebly to remove his clothing, while I + prepared a sofa for myself. He was soon sound asleep, but I lay awake long + after the light was extinguished. He was evidently quite ill, and I + determined to go for a physician at the first appearance of daylight. As + soon as possible I would go with him to my uncle. There were no ties to + detain me, and it was clearly my duty to do so. Perhaps my uncle was in + some great peril. If so, I might be of service to him. + </p> + <p> + When I arose in the morning my strange lodger seemed to be sleeping + quietly. His face looked pale and ghastly in the light of day. I stepped + close to his bed and, laying my hand upon his brow, was horrified to + discover that he was dead. What was I to do? I sat down to think, + trembling with fright. I must call in a policeman and tell him all I knew + about my strange visitor. No, not all; I must not tell him about the + letter, thought I. My uncle might not wish it to be published to the + world. I ran out upon the street and told the first officer I met how the + old man had rapped at my door during the storm; how I had given him my bed + out of pity, and how I had discovered on awaking in the morning that he + was dead. + </p> + <p> + That day the body was taken to the morgue. The sum of L100 were found in + his pockets, a part of which gave him a decent burial. But while he had + gone to his long rest, he had sown in my mind the seed of unrest. I went + about my work clinging to the thread of a mystery half told. Whither would + it lead me? + </p> + <p> + Strange as that messenger had seemed, he was certainly a good man to carry + secrets. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + The multitude of legs, engaged by the pair in the service of Valentine, + King & Co., were distinguished from each other by a bit of house + slang. I was known as “last legs” among my companions for some time after + my initiation to the warehouse. At first I was inclined to resent the + reduction of my individuality to such a vulgar formula, but as I became + inured to hard tasks the sharpness of this indignity wore away. + </p> + <p> + There was one pair of legs doing service for the firm whose owner became + my most valued friend and confidant. In his business capacity he was + called “long legs,” but his proper name was Philbert Chaffin. He was a + tall, slim boy, with blue eyes and light hair, the son of a stage + carpenter, who was employed at one of the cheap theatres and who lived + within a stone's throw of my lodgings. His language was a unique + combination of bad grammar and provincial brogue; but every boy in the + warehouse allowed that he was a good fellow. He had spent many an evening + with me, and confided to me many a secret which, owing to solemn pledges + made at that time, I am not at liberty to divulge, before he invited me to + dine and spend an evening with the family. I accepted his invitation + gratefully, and the next evening Phil took me over. It was a hearty + welcome that I received at the home of the Chaffins. My enjoyment of their + simple hospitality would have been perfect but for the embarrassment I + felt at the many apologies with which it was offered. Mrs. Chaffin knew as + 'ow the tea was not as good as I was used to drinking, but she 'oped it + didn't taste “murky.” I assured her that it did not taste murky, although + a little doubtful as to the exact significance of the word when applied to + tea. But in spite of my declaration she insisted that it must taste + “murky” to one who was accustomed to better things. The ham was never too + good in Liverpool, but she 'oped that it wasn't “reesty.” I solemnly + declared that it was not “reesty.” But Mrs. Chaffin and Mr. Chaffin out of + the goodness of their hearts continued to condole with me on the score + that such ham tasted and must taste “reesty” to one not used to it. I had + no sooner satisfied their misgivings concerning the ham than I was + compelled to take issue with them as to the bread, regarding which they + entertained a lurking suspicion of staleness. During all of this + discussion about the ham, the tea and the bread, I was conscious that a + pair of big brown eyes, darkly shaded with long lashes, were staring at me + across the table. Whenever I had the courage to glance that way I observed + that they had been looking at me intently, and were suddenly averted. + These wondering eyes belonged to the only daughter in the family. + </p> + <p> + “They've all been boys,” said Mrs. Chaffin, “since Hetty was born.” + </p> + <p> + I thought it strange that the H in her daughter's name was the only one + that the good woman had shown the ability to manage. + </p> + <p> + “Hetty is the only one of the lot that takes to books,” she continued. + “The head master told me she will make a good scholar, and dear a me! she + does nothing but read books from mornin' till night.” While Hetty and her + mother removed the dishes we drew our chairs about the fire, and Mr. + Chaffin, a blunt, simple-minded man, entertained me with sage observations + regarding politics and the weather. He spoke rather loudly, and in a key + which, as I learned afterward, he only employed on very special occasions. + Presently the youngest lad in the family, who sat on his father's knee, + demanded a song. The response was prompt and generous. The selection with + which Mr. Chaffin favored us contained upward of forty stanzas, relating + the unhappy story of a fair maid and a bold sailor, both of whom met a + tragic death, in the last stanza, just before the day set for their + marriage. The song being finished, Hetty and her mother drew their chairs + up to the fire; Hetty sat next me, and after a severe inward struggle I + summoned the courage to ask her a question. She answered me in the fewest + words possible, but in a voice so sweet and low that I wondered then and + often afterward at its contrast to the other voices I had heard in that + house. She wore a home-spun frock and a neat white pinafore, set off with + a dainty ribbon tied about her throat. + </p> + <p> + “She's uncommon still when strangers is here, sir,” said Mrs. Chaffin; + “but law me! she goes rompitin' about the house like as if she was crazy + sometimes, ticklin' her father and tryin' t' snip off his beard with the + scissors.” + </p> + <p> + That night was the beginning of happier days for me. When at last I rose + to go it was near midnight. I forgot my weariness as I walked to my + lodgings, thinking of those simple, honest people and of their kindness to + me. + </p> + <p> + I enjoyed high jinks at the house of the Chaffins at least once a week + during the next year of my apprenticeship, near the close of which I began + to get ready for a visit to my stepmother in fulfilment of a promise I had + made by letter. It had been, on the whole, a happy year to me. I had known + many lonely hours, to be sure, but those visits to the little old + weather-stained house, in which I found my first friends after leaving + home, cheered me from week to week. I knew, too, that Hetty enjoyed those + long evenings as much as I did, which meant more to me than I would have + dared confess to her. I thought of her a good deal, but it always resulted + in the wretched feeling that we were both very young after all. It is not + likely that I would have decided to go home for a fortnight, but that I + thought it would be pleasant to observe the effect of saying good-by to + Hetty. I had no doubt that she would be quite overcome with grief and + loneliness after I had gone, and, reckless youth that I was, nothing could + have made me more happy than to have known that she really felt grieved on + my account. And yet when I called to bid them all good-by, the evening + before I started, she betrayed no sign of regret. In fact, she seemed so + much happier than usual that I worried about it for weeks, even after I + had gone so far away that it seemed doubtful whether we would ever meet + again. It did not occur to me that I had been less skilful than she in + concealing my emotions, and that she might be merry only because she could + perceive that I was sad. Mrs. Chaffin was the only member of the family + who seemed to entertain feelings as serious as my own. She had dreamed + that I would not come back again, and we all laughed at her then, but when + the swift years had revealed some of their secrets, we thought of this + prophetic dream with a sadness deeper than any that comes to childish + hearts. Hester and Phil walked with me to the gate when I left the house. + The radiance of a full moon fell on our faces through the flying clouds. + Phil, stupid fellow! had so much to say that I did not get a chance to + speak to his sister before she darted back to the house as if pursued. On + reaching my lodgings I was surprised to find a gentleman waiting for me. + </p> + <p> + “Don't know me, eh?” said he, shaking my hand warmly. + </p> + <p> + He was a tall, portly man, with a kindly face, clean shaven except for a + pair of close-cropped, iron-gray side whiskers. I was sure I had seen him + before, but couldn't think of his name. + </p> + <p> + “Earl,” said he, handing me a card on which his name and address were + printed as follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DAVID GORDON EARL, + Barrister at Law, + Lincoln's Inn, London. +</pre> + <p> + I remembered distinctly having accompanied my father to his office on one + occasion some years before. + </p> + <p> + “I've come up from London on purpose to see you. Just got here only a few + minutes ago,” said he, laying off his overcoat. “But upon my word!” he + added, surveying me from head to foot, “I didn't expect to find such a + big, strapping fellow as you are. Your surroundings are quite as I had + supposed they would be. Cramped quarters in a miserable tumble-down back + street! I suppose your guardian provided this place for you?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe so,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Did you know that your stepmother had married again?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Married!” I exclaimed. “To whom?” + </p> + <p> + “To Martin Cobb.” + </p> + <p> + “To my guardian?” I asked, in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + Not heeding my question, he continued: + </p> + <p> + “You're intending to go home to-morrow, I believe?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “My boy,” said he, “I have an interest in you. I was your father's friend + and adviser for many years. I came all this distance to tell you not to go + to London. Do not ask me why, I beg you,” said he, with an impatient + gesture when I attempted to speak. “It would do you no good to learn my + reason for making this request. Listen to this—it's important to + you: There's an uncle of yours in America, your nearest relative, I + believe. Of course you have heard your father speak of him. A most + eccentric fellow! but a man of fine ability. He was a graduate of Oxford + and a physician of great skill and learning. Thirty-five years ago he went + to Canada and finally settled in a large town on one of the great lakes + not far from the border. It was Detroit, I believe. Your father told me, + shortly before his death, that he had not heard from your uncle for many + years. I have written to him twice within a twelvemonth, but have received + no reply. I want you to go over and look him up. If you should find that + he is dead, there's no harm done, and you can take time to look about for + a business opportunity. If you don't like it, come back, but, if you can + content yourself there for awhile, you had better do so.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir, I have no money.” + </p> + <p> + “You are going for me; I shall, therefore, insist upon paying the bills. + In the success of the undertaking I have, perhaps, as great an interest as + you.” + </p> + <p> + “When do you wish me to start?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “To-night. That is to say, I would like you to leave this place at once, + go with me to a hotel, and sail by the first steamer that leaves for New + York.” + </p> + <p> + Ever since that strange and silent messenger had come to me with my + uncle's letter I had been haunted by a desire to go in quest of him. Now + that it was possible, I hesitated. What would Hester say on hearing that I + had gone to America? It would be very grand to write her from New York + that I had been suddenly called abroad on important business. Would she + care? Of course she would care, and I was willing to wager a sixpence with + myself that she would cry bitterly, too, on receiving the letter. Ah, what + a punishment that would be for her coldness and indifference! + </p> + <p> + Yes, I would go. I began picking up my things and packing them into my + box. + </p> + <p> + “I conclude that you have decided to go,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. I shall be ready in a moment,” I replied. + </p> + <p> + We were soon rattling over the pavements in a cab that had been waiting at + the door. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at the Northwestern Hotel we were informed that a steamer + would leave for New York at five in the morning. We drove at once to the + dock and having succeeded in making comfortable arrangements for my + passage Mr. Earl went aboard the steamer with me. In a retired corner of + the great cabin I confessed to him that there was a girl in Liverpool for + whom I had a feeling of extraordinary tenderness. + </p> + <p> + He laughed heartily and insisted that I should tell him all the + particulars. + </p> + <p> + “You are rather young yet to entertain so serious a passion,” said he, as + he held my hand for a moment before going ashore. “You will get over it as + easily as you got into it.” + </p> + <p> + I sat down, unable to reply or to restrain the tears that came to my eyes + as he left me alone. I went to my stateroom at once and to bed. What + thoughts came to me as I lay there inviting sleep to turn them into + dreams, while the great ship waited for the tide! I tossed about my berth; + I prayed; I listened. At length I thought I heard my father's voice + mingled with others, and a sound of casting off—but I heard no more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + One morning in early October, nearly two years after I left Liverpool that + memorable night, I found myself in the little city of Ogdensburg, N. Y., + past which the majestic St. Lawrence flows with a sleepy movement quite in + harmony with the spirit of the old town on its southern shore. All this + time I had been vainly beating about the Western Hemisphere in quest of my + uncle. He had left Detroit many years before, but I chanced to meet a + number of men there who had known him well. Although he had enjoyed a very + large practice and a wide reputation for skill, he had made no friends + that I could find. He was a man of few words, they told me, and was never + seen about the city except in the discharge of his professional duties. + Various and conflicting opinions were expressed as to whither he had gone, + in testing which I had visited no less than twenty cities, making careful + inquiries, especially among medical men. Occasionally I struck what seemed + to be a promising clew, which only increased my confusion and left me more + hopelessly in the dark. I had reported my movements to Mr. Earl as often + as once a week and I received letters from him frequently, encouraging me + to continue the search and enclosing money with which to do so. But + although I had written often to Hester Chaffin no word from her ever + reached me. I was tired of this fruitless quest among strangers, so far + from the little that I held dear, and I was on the point of giving up when + this paragraph fell under my eye in a Montreal newspaper: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER. +</pre> + <p> + “One who has ever passed the city of Ogdensburg by steamer will no doubt + recall a large gambrel-roofed house standing near the water's edge, just + out of the town, surrounded by towering trees and enclosed on all sides by + a wall nearly as high as the eaves of the building. The wall suggests an + asylum, a house of detention or some like place set apart for the + unfortunate members of society. In reality, however, it is the residence + of a mysterious recluse of the name of Lane, who shut himself up there + nearly eighteen years ago and has since been rarely seen. It was built + after his own plans, they say, when he came to Ogdensburg with his wife, + who died soon afterward. Nobody knows whence he came or anything of his + past history. He is apparently a total stranger here below, holding no + intercourse with the world beyond that enclosure. His wife is said to have + been a woman of great beauty, and her death doubtless threw him into a + morbid state of mind, from which he has never rallied. Many years ago he + is known to have bought a full-grown African lion from a traveling + menagerie, and, soon after, he erected the wall, presumably out of regard + for the public safety. Passers along the street have caught an occasional + glimpse of him through the high gate, walking in the grounds surrounding + his house, with the lion at his heels apparently in complete subjection to + its master. A dense thicket runs along the wall on all sides within the + enclosure, which, according to local tradition, is alive with + rattlesnakes, bred for some strange purpose known only to himself—perhaps + to make his isolation more secure. + </p> + <p> + “He is supposed to have resigned the companionship of men for study and + scientific research. He has no children, and his only servant being a + deaf-mute, who is almost an idiot, there is little chance at present of + learning anything of his life. For more than two years nothing has been + seen of the mysterious master of the house. His disappearance would, we + think, be a legitimate subject of investigation by the authorities of the + town. May he not have been eaten by the lion, or killed by the + rattlesnakes? Who knows?” + </p> + <p> + My heart was beating fast and my hands shook as if stricken with palsy + before I had finished the paragraph. The strange old man who had come to + me in Liverpool that night was probably the mute servant to which the + article referred. In an hour I was on the way to Ogdensburg, quite + confident that the issue of my wanderings was at hand. I reached that town + next morning nearly two years, as I have said, after the beginning of my + journey to the New World. Not stopping to breakfast even, I started out to + find the house, which my busy imagination had already pictured for itself. + The first townsman I saw directed me to the place. + </p> + <p> + “Follow the turnpike,” said he. “'Sa mild or more—straight ahead. + You'll know it when y' git there. 'S' queer place an' stan's off by + itself.” + </p> + <p> + The man was going my way, evidently to begin his day's work, for it was + then early in the morning, and I walked along with him. + </p> + <p> + “Folks say,” he continued, “them grounds is full of hejious reptyles, an' + I've heerd fellers tell queer things they've seen when passin' there at + night—red lights a-flyin' about an' spooks at the winders. An' one + night, when Uncle Bill Jemson was comin' down the turnpike, they was a + storm come up, an' jest as he got opposite the big iron gate they was a + flash a lightnin'—an' Bill says he see the ole man, his long white + hair a-flyin' in th' wind, an' a lion standin' there in front a th' house. + Th' flash was out'n a minit, an' Bill whipped up his hosses an' sent em + clear to Mills' tavern on the dead run,” said he, laughing as if it were a + good joke. + </p> + <p> + “They don't nobody like th' place ner th' man, though I don' know why, fer + no one's ever passed a word with him in these parts. There 'tis, over + yender with the pines around it an' th' high wall,” said he, pointing with + his finger. But my eye had already discovered the low-built rambling house + on the high banks of the river, well in the distance, and had recognized + it at once. + </p> + <p> + Leaving my companion at the next turn in the road I walked hurriedly on, + and when I had reached the big iron gate I stopped and peered through it. + A gravel roadway, now overgrown with weeds, led from the gate to the front + of the house, which stood facing me. It was built entirely of wood and + consisted of four wings (at least there were no others visible) evidently + enclosing a quadrangular courtyard, the rear wings being lower than those + in front, and hidden by the latter from the view of one standing at the + gate as I was. It was only at a distance that one could see their roofs + above the enclosure. There was but one line of windows along the front, + but there was an oriel just under the peak of the main building, and I + could see a skylight here and there upon the roofs. + </p> + <p> + The blinds were closed and there was no sign of life about the house—evidently + planned with hospitable intentions, but now silent and forbidding. I tried + the gates. They were locked securely. A screen of closely woven wire rose + from the pavement half way up the iron work. Evidently it would be + impossible to reach the doors without scaling this barrier, and I was not + yet ready to try an expedient so desperate. Returning to my hotel I wrote + a letter to the master of the house, telling him of my long-continued + quest and of my hopes regarding our possible kinship. Day after day I + anxiously awaited his reply, until a week had passed, but no word came + from him. In passing the house at different times, however, I observed + some signs of life within it—a blind open that had been closed the + day before—a faint glimmer of light on the trees in the rear of the + grounds at night, which might have come from the back windows. Even this + slight encouragement was gratifying, but as time passed without bringing + any reply to my letter I began to think that, after all, my hopes rested + on very shadowy foundations. One day I asked the local postmaster if a man + of the name of Lane, who lived near that city, ever sent for his mail. + </p> + <p> + “Never,” said he. “The man is crazy, I guess, and it's wasting postage to + write him. He's a hermit, sir—a regular hermit, and is about the + same as dead, for nobody ever sees him. The tradesmen tell me that his old + servant comes out of an evening, once in a while, to buy provisions, but + he's deaf as a post and dumb as an oyster.” The interview had at least + shown me the futility of trying to reach him by letter. + </p> + <p> + It was clear that only one course was open to me. I must brave the unknown + perils with which this strange man had encompassed the path of the + trespasser, and gain an entrance to the house. I sought the seclusion of + my room at once, and thought over the result of my investigations. I had + not written to my good friend in London since my arrival in Ogdensburg, + and I concluded not to do so until I could give him definite information. + </p> + <p> + Late in the afternoon a slow, drizzling rain began to pour down, and when + night fell every luminary in the heavens was obscured by thick clouds. It + was a favorable time for carrying out my project, as the darkness was + intensified by a fog that had settled over the city. By the light of my + lamp I prepared for the undertaking, in such a state of excitement that I + was frequently startled by my own whispers, through which I found myself + now and then giving involuntary utterance to my thoughts. Cutting up a + pair of boots which I carried in my box, I wound my legs in leather from + my ankles up above my knees, carefully drawing on a pair of thick, long + stockings to hold it in place. This precaution would give me a comfortable + sense of security, even if there were no snakes to fear. I felt sure that + the lion, if he were still living, would be kept in some place of + confinement. + </p> + <p> + It was long past bedtime, and the lights were out in every shop and + dwelling, when I started on my daring mission. The little lamps that + glared through the fog at the street corners could scarcely be seen twenty + feet away. I was so preoccupied that I frequently lost my direction in the + mud and darkness. It seemed as if I had been traveling for hours, when at + last I felt the big wall, and saw its dim bulk rising above me and + stretching away into the night. Cautiously I groped along its base until + my hands felt the iron bars of the gate. Then I stood for some moments + leaning against them, quite out of breath. They were cold and wet, and + chilled me to a shiver when I touched them. I peered toward the house but + could see nothing. I listened, but could hear nothing except the beating + of my own heart and the mournful sound of the pines whose loftier branches + were stirring in the still air. Grasping the heavy bars I tried to climb + the gate, but, as there were no projections on which it was possible to + get a foothold, I found this an exhausting and difficult task. I climbed + repeatedly several feet above the earth, only to lose my foothold and + slide down again. Finally, by exerting all my strength, I succeeded in + supporting myself with the edge of my boot upon a crossbar about half way + up; then, taking a small rope from my pocket I threw one end of it over + the gate, holding the other in my teeth. Tying it securely by a noose I + climbed hand over hand to the top and then let myself down on the other + side. I was quite exhausted by the effort (unaccustomed as I was to such + burglarious enterprises) and my fingers were torn and bleeding from + forcing a hold between the iron work and the wire screen. I remembered the + gravel pathway, overgrown with grass, that led from the big gate to a + front door. I groped about in the darkness until I felt the gravel under + my feet. Then I moved cautiously along it, until I could dimly discern the + outlines of the house. My nerves were so wrought up, while I stood there + holding my breath to catch some sound from its gloomy interior, that I was + near crying out in abject terror at every step. An owl, startled from the + limb of a tree over my head, flew lazily into the upper air and across the + thicket, disturbing other birds that set up a chattering protest. + Stealthily I crept from window to window, but the blinds were closed fast. + Finally I came to a door that seemed to open into the main part of the + building. Desperate under the strain to which my nerves had been + subjected, I knocked loudly on its upper panels. The sound echoed through + the still house and the thickly wooded grounds around it. “God help me!” I + whispered; “will that echo never cease?” It kept repeating itself from + tree to tree, until I covered my ears to stop its weird reverberations. + Then I heard a low threatening sound, deep and resonant as the lower tones + of a great organ, that gradually grew louder until its volume filled the + air, and then died away, while its echoes went chasing each other among + the trees. In the silence which followed, my ear caught another sound the + like of which I had never heard before. A dozen clocks being wound by + quick turns on all sides of me would, I fancy, have produced a similar + effect. It was evident to me that my knocking had disturbed my uncle's + pets, but I was not to be frightened away. Hearing no movement in the + house I tried the door, and to my astonishment it swung open. A peculiar + odor, such as one notices in a house that has long stood empty, came to my + nostrils, and again I heard that fateful whirring, but in the darkness I + could discern no object. As I crossed the threshold the sound grew louder, + and to my horror the door closed suddenly behind me. Hurriedly striking a + match, I held it above my head and peered about me. Its light revealed a + small apartment finished in polished wood. Along the angle of the floor + was an opening, two or three inches high, into the side walls. And half + way up the wall in front of me I saw a face—the face of a maniac it + seemed to be—pale and wan, with strange, inhuman eyes. I had + scarcely glanced at it when the match dropped from my fingers and fell + slowly through the air, going out as it struck the floor. My hands were + cold, but so wet with perspiration that they stuck to my clothing when I + felt for a candle which I had brought with me. + </p> + <p> + There are moments in every man's life that move slowly, as if carrying the + weight of years upon their backs. I shall never cease to believe that the + few seconds it took me to light that candle must stand for as many years + in any correct reckoning of my age. When its beams at last illumined the + room, the strange face was still there. Had I seen it before? It was + marvellously like that other face which had haunted my dreams so long. If + it was the face of a man he must be standing on the other side of the wall + and looking through a panel. + </p> + <p> + “Is Mr. Lane at home?” I asked in an unnatural tone that startled me. + </p> + <p> + But no word of reply was spoken. + </p> + <p> + “I am his nephew and I have important news for him.” + </p> + <p> + The face disappeared for a moment, and presently a shrunken hand, holding + a white sheet of paper, was extended through the opening. I stepped + forward, took the sheet and, withdrawing to the centre of the room, sat + down upon the floor and wrote the following message in bold characters + with my pencil: + </p> + <p> + “Kendric Lane, son of Kendric Lane (deceased), late of London, England, + wishes to see Dr. Lane on business of importance.” + </p> + <p> + I handed the message to the strange man behind the wall, who immediately + disappeared with it, closing the panel. “The worst is over,” thought I, + while I stood in that mysterious and silent chamber waiting for his + return. But I should not have thought so had I known what was still to be + revealed to me before the dawn of another day, and in the months that + followed, during which that house and its echoing groves were my home. And + I sometimes ask myself, in the light of later events of which that visit + was indirectly the cause, whether, had I been able to foresee them, I + would still have persevered in my purpose to know the secrets of my + uncle's house? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + A long time I stood waiting for some reply to my message. My candle was + fast burning out, and I began to fear that after all I was likely to leave + the house no wiser than when I had entered it. Suddenly a door swung on + its creaking hinges and a feeble old man, holding a lamp in one hand, + stood grinning at me in the opening. It was the same face that I saw + before, but it seemed less ghostly and unnatural now. Stepping back he + beckoned me to enter. As soon as I had crossed the threshold the door + closed behind me and the old man carefully bolted it. I stood in a large + room, richly furnished, of which spiders had apparently long held + possession. Great cobwebs hung like hammocks from the ceiling, and the + dust of years had settled over all. Two human skeletons completely wrapped + in cobwebs, stood facing me against the opposite wall. Following my silent + leader, I went through a long narrow passage, at the end of which was a + heavy door fastened with large iron bolts. Before opening it the strange + old man placed the lamp upon a table and turning around looked squarely + into my face. Merciful Heaven! It was the face of another man who was + looking at me now! The deep lines had almost disappeared and the eyes + looked brighter and more intelligent. No, it was the same face, for while + my eyes were eagerly scanning it that hideous grin began to deepen its + wrinkles, and its owner, taking half a dozen steps down the passageway, + made an awkward motion with both hands as if trying to indicate that I was + to follow him very closely. Then he opened the big door and I was + surprised to observe that it led into the outer air. What gulf of darkness + are we about to plunge into? I asked myself, peering through the doorway; + and as we stepped out I heard again that ominous whirring. Close upon his + heels I followed in a narrow path, through what seemed to be a large + courtyard, overgrown with thick grass. Presently he stopped, and, taking a + bunch of keys from his pocket, unlocked a door in a back wing of the + house. Reaching out until his hand touched me, as if to make sure that I + was there, he swung the door open and we stepped into a dimly lighted + apartment. My mysterious guide turned up the wick of a lamp that was + burning on a table in the centre of the room. It was a library, with great + shelves of books reaching from floor to ceiling along its walls. A large + galvanic battery, globes, charts and other contrivances that belong to the + equipment of a scholar surrounded the table. This table was used for + writing evidently, for there were pens lying on it and a human skull used + as an inkstand, the fluid being held in the cavities of the eyes. I had + seated myself in a chair and was waiting for some sign from the little old + man who had brought me there. But where was he? Turning around I looked + about me on all sides. He had left the room during my momentary + preoccupation. I had scarcely seated myself again when a door opened and a + venerable man, with snow-white hair and a smooth-shaven face that was pale + and wrinkled, walked slowly toward me. I rose to my feet and advanced a + step or two. He came forward without speaking and looked steadily into my + eyes. Slowly and sadly he turned his gaze upon the floor, apparently in + deep thought. A sigh broke from his lips as if some memory, stirring in + the caves of thought, had driven it forth. + </p> + <p> + The man who stood before me had deep-set gray eyes, almost concealed by + long shaggy brows not yet entirely white. His lips were thin, and drawn + closely together above a square, protruding chin. The nose was aquiline + and prominent, with large, but finely cut nostrils. Altogether his was the + most picturesque face I had ever seen. Suddenly he made an effort to clear + his throat. + </p> + <p> + “Kendric's child,” said he, in a strange, low voice. He spoke slowly and + with great difficulty, as if his organs of speech were partially + paralyzed. I would not have been able to distinguish his words but for the + silence of that room and the unnatural keenness of my hearing. He still + stood motionless, his eyes upon the floor. I knew that he was thinking of + my father. + </p> + <p> + “Dead?” he asked, looking at me inquisitively. + </p> + <p> + “He is dead,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “And my man—did he give you the letter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he is dead also.” + </p> + <p> + “Dead? I thought he was dead,” he repeated, slowly and thoughtfully. “I, + too, am dead—long dead.” + </p> + <p> + The words were separated by considerable pauses, and he faced me almost + sternly as he finished speaking them. I stood staring at him, dumb with + surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Why—how did you come here?” + </p> + <p> + He sank into a chair, exhausted with the effort it had cost him to speak. + My presence seemed to irritate and annoy him. Why, indeed, had I come + there? What should I say in reply to his question? I tried to think. + </p> + <p> + “Knaves! Knaves!” said my uncle, in a shrill voice, rushing toward me. In + a moment he had thrown his arms about my neck and was sobbing aloud. My + heart was full and I wept with him. + </p> + <p> + “Fortunate child of God,” said he, after a moment; “you have the seed of + life—immortal life. But I beg you to go. To one like you this house + will seem an uncanny place; I can only think of it as beyond the grave.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me stay, uncle,” said I. “Don't send me away. Perhaps I can help you + or comfort you.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor soul! you shall stay if you will. I am in great trouble and need + help, but you are a boy—I cannot ask you to give your life to me.” + </p> + <p> + He sat down before the table, breathing heavily, and beckoned me to a + chair beside him. I was quite dumfounded and knew not what to say. + Presently he began writing upon large sheets of paper, handing each one to + me as soon as it was covered. The manuscript read as follows: + </p> + <p> + “I am not able to talk much. To me words are a lie and an abomination. + Even these I now write are misrepresenting me and deceiving you, though I + wish them to tell the truth. They will make me out an ass or a madman. I + am neither. For eighteen years I have scarcely spoken as many words. A + word or two of Sanscrit now and then has met my needs, thank God! There is + an interior language for which speech is an imperfect medium. Through that + interior language thought is communicated directly and truthfully. I used + it long before I came here—imperfectly, to be sure, but with a small + degree of satisfaction to myself. Through it I was able to heal the sick + when others failed. I knew how they felt better than they could tell me in + feeble words. In some more perfect state of evolution, beyond the grave, + perhaps, all men will have this power and it will be perfect. I can enjoy + but an imperfect use of it until the mortal part of me has been cast off. + One trained to speech in childhood loses certain faculties that can never + be regained. + </p> + <p> + “My wife died many years ago. She left me a broken heart and a child, + newly born. I had just built this house, among strangers. We intended to + devote the remainder of our lives to the study of mental phenomena. We + desired to carry on our work without interruption. We planned to live + unknown among those around us. When she died I saw in the child an + opportunity. I determined to make its life a grand experiment; to preserve + and cultivate its native intuitions—the germ of the power of direct + communication. God has vouchsafed success to me. He lives—a man of + exalted powers the like of which the world has never seen but once, and + then in Christ, the very Son of God. But, unlike Him, my son is only + human, with weaknesses that are our common lot. + </p> + <p> + “The years are flying, and strength is failing! I must die soon and he + will live. That thought burns my brain, passing through it day by day. His + life may be long extended and he cannot live alone, nor among men, for he + would be a stranger and friendless—feared and dreaded by + superstitious fools. He has never seen a human face outside these walls + nor heard a human voice but mine. I have told you my trouble.” + </p> + <p> + He ceased writing, but before I had finished reading the statement some + strange influence came over me. I felt restless and uncomfortable. My hand + was shaking so that I could scarcely read the words on the last sheet of + paper. Suddenly I raised my eyes and saw a young man, godlike in form and + feature, standing at my side. His face wore an expression of indescribable + eloquence. As familiar as he afterward became to me, I can never forget + the first impression which that magnificent human being made upon my mind, + as he stood there—radiating a power that I felt to the tips of my + fingers. What favored son of man was this confronting me, born to such an + inheritance of majesty and grace? I asked myself, regarding him with + amazement. He had eyes dark as night, set under a broad forehead, about + which wavy masses of tawny hair fell gracefully. His stately form was + erect and firm as a statue. For a moment his eyes looked into mine; then + he advanced and took my hand. Tenderly he pressed it to his lips, stepping + back as he did so and looking at me with a half-curious, half-amused + expression. I was so startled by the unexpected appearance of this + remarkable figure that I had not, until now, noticed that a large lion had + followed him into the room and was lying quietly at his feet. I was not + afraid; indeed, the king of beasts seemed but a part of the man's + masterful presence. I do not think I would have seen the animal but that + his enormous body was lying directly before my eyes on the floor. My uncle + had been sitting with his head resting upon his hand at the table. + Suddenly he rose and a strange, guttural sound—it may have been a + word from some language wholly unfamiliar to me—passed his lips. The + young man immediately left us, the lion following closely at his heels. We + both sat in silence for some moments after he had gone. My mind had felt + strange exhilaration in his presence, and I rubbed my eyes to make sure + that I was not dreaming. When I looked at my uncle the sad expression on + his face had given way to a smile of infinite satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “He is pleased—thank God!” said my uncle, in a hoarse whisper, + sinking into a chair. + </p> + <p> + I made no answer. + </p> + <p> + “It was my son,” he continued, with animation. “Rayel—that was the + name she gave him. Rayel, the wonderful. He will love you as he loves me. + Come,” said he, rising, “the night is nearly gone.” + </p> + <p> + Taking a lamp from the table, he beckoned me to follow him. Silently we + proceeded through a narrow hallway and up one flight of stairs to a + spacious bedroom which had seemingly been prepared for my use. A candle + was burning dimly on a large dressing-case, and by its flickering light, + as soon as my uncle had gone, I looked about me and tried to think with + calmness on the experience I had passed through. Bolting the door + securely, I threw open one of the window blinds. To my surprise the first + light of dawn was visible in the sky. My room was in the rear of the + house. Between me and the high wall was a dense tangle of underbrush, + barely visible in the dim light. Hastily undressing, I went to bed without + further delay, and was soon in deep sleep. When I awoke it was near + midday. Dressing as quickly as possible, I proceeded at once to the + library, where my uncle sat waiting for me. He conducted me to the + breakfast room—a well-lighted and cheerful apartment—where he + served me with his own hands. + </p> + <p> + “You shall stay, sir—you shall stay,” said he, laying his hand on my + shoulder as he sat down beside me, with a smiling face. “Rayel loves you. + He hopes you will stay. He thinks God sent you to us.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad, for I wish to stay,” I said. + </p> + <p> + “Good!” he exclaimed, in a long whisper. “You have brought the world to + him. Already he has seen it in your eyes. But it is good!” + </p> + <p> + While I ate he asked me questions touching the changes in our family since + he left England. + </p> + <p> + I told him of my life at home after my father's death; of my hard lot in + Liverpool, and of the midnight interviews with his messenger and with Mr. + Earl. He listened to me with grave and attentive interest, but stopped me + before I had finished, with an impatient gesture. + </p> + <p> + “Speak out! they meant—they meant to kill you, didn't they?” + </p> + <p> + I stared at him in amazement, while ideas that were new to me flocked into + the empyrean of thought like black birds of prey. Oh, no; I had never + suspected that! I would never before have permitted such a hideous + suspicion to enter my mind. Was it possible that Mr. Earl had sent me away + from England in order to save my life? My hands began to tremble, and I + felt my face turning red and pale under the searching eyes of my uncle. + </p> + <p> + “My boy,” said he, “if all the murders were done that men conceive, the + devil would live alone on earth. We shall know some time—I tell you + we shall know! Let us go to Rayel,” he said, rising and leading the way. + </p> + <p> + The interview had greatly excited him, and his speech seemed even more + halting and labored than before. Many of his words were mispronounced and + separated by long pauses; but his manner was marvelously expressive, and + often a peculiar turn of the eye or movement of the hand made his meaning + clear when I was in doubt about his words. + </p> + <p> + I followed him through a long gymnasium and out upon a grassy courtyard + extending along the rear of the grounds parallel with the river wall for a + hundred yards or more, and adorned with beds of flowers. It was completely + shut off from the eye of the outside world by a thick grove and an + impenetrable growth of underbrush that reached beyond the lowest branches + of the trees. Nothing but the blue sky, in which the sun was on its + downward course, the house, and the walls of living green, were visible. + Out of this Eden-like spot we passed into another wing of the building + with large windows looking out upon it. Rayel met us at the door, dressed + in a black robe of silk that hung gracefully from his shoulders. Again he + took my hand and kissed it, then looked into my eyes with the same + expression of curious interest upon his face that I had noted before. + Still holding my hand, he led me across the room. For the first time I + noticed that its walls were covered with pictures, unframed, and that an + easel stood in the light of each window. We stopped before one of them. On + a large canvas that was stretched across it I saw a likeness of myself. + The eyes wore a haggard look which seemed unnatural. But there was + something strangely real about it, in spite of that. + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful!” said I. + </p> + <p> + Rayel started at the sound of my voice, and glanced from one to the other + with a puzzled, inquiring look. Turning to his father, he uttered some + strange monosyllable in a deep voice. Then he took my hand and walked back + and forth across the room with me, smiling in great delight. I was + fascinated by one of the pictures which showed a great gleaming eye with a + suggestion of lightning in its fiery depths, as if taken at the keenest + flash of fury. To intensify its fierceness a human hand was raised in + front of it so as to throw a dark shadow across the canvas. + </p> + <p> + “It is the lion's eye,” said my uncle, who was standing near me. + </p> + <p> + There were other paintings—many of them equally strange and + wonderful—hanging on the walls, some of which contained material he + could not have derived from direct observation. It was easy to discern in + his work the fragments of nature that came within the limited command of + his own eyes—the falling snow, the changing phases of the sky and of + vegetation—for they were presented with a stronger and more vivid + touch. Until the fading twilight blended all color into gloom I passed + from one canvas to another along the wall in silence, oblivious of all + save the presence of Rayel, who followed close at my elbow, evidently + enjoying my admiration of his work. When I had finished looking at the + paintings I turned for some sign to indicate his further pleasure, and + discovered that he was gone. My uncle was standing near me. + </p> + <p> + “It is late,” said he. + </p> + <p> + We returned at once across the yard to my uncle's retreat among his books + and papers. Lighting the lamps he sat down beside me. + </p> + <p> + “The power of speech is returning,” said he. “I can talk more easily.” + </p> + <p> + “Did I not hear you speak to your son?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he answered. “Long ago difficulties arose. Sometimes he could not + command my thoughts, nor I his. I had known fifty years of life; he had + not—hence an inequality. My physical organism had been neglected. It + was an imperfect agent of the mind. Many of my faculties were lost. These + circumstances stood between us like barriers. It was the beginning of each + communication that troubled us, when our minds were working in different + channels. Something was needed for a cue—a starting-point. Ten + pregnant words of Sanscrit were all we needed. It was easy then.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think he would have lost the power of speech and hearing,” I + remarked. + </p> + <p> + “No. Music saved them—abstract music. His voice is wonderful. His + hearing is quick. Rayel knows words but not speech. His mind has command + of my knowledge. He has never seen the world, but he knows about it. I + tried to begin my life anew and to forget the past. But I could not wholly + cleanse my mind of it. Its memories faded slowly. I have avoided renewing + them for his sake.” + </p> + <p> + “He could, then, learn to speak?” + </p> + <p> + “With ease, and it were better if he could speak now. We will teach him + soon.” + </p> + <p> + As he ceased speaking, fatigued by the unaccustomed effort, I heard low + strains of music echoing through the silent halls around us. A violin! The + tone was deep and tremulous, gradually growing louder, filling the ear + with its message, and lifting the mind to lofty heights of thought and + passion. We both sat listening for hours, and midnight came before the + last strain died away. That music was like a strange story that drops its + plummet deep into life's mysteries. + </p> + <p> + “A new song!” said my uncle, turning to me with surprise on his face. “He + got the subject from you. We shall see.” + </p> + <p> + Presently Rayel entered the room, bringing something in his hand—a + picture—which he held up to the lamplight. A girl's face! and + wonderfully like that of Hester Chaffin. I sat amazed, staring at it. But + the likeness was not exact, the face was idealized—as I had seen it + in my dream the night before. I raised my eyes to Rayel's face. He was + looking at me with an expression of pain and embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + My uncle recovered the power of speech rapidly. Before I had been a week + in his house he was able to talk with comparative ease. He seemed to enjoy + my companionship, and I spent most of my time in his library, conversing + with him or conning the musty books that had long lain unread. To me this + room was a fascinating and restful place. Somehow it reminded me of an old + cemetery. The time-worn books upon its shelves stood in solemn rows, like + headstones, sacred to the memory of the men who wrote them—their + titles like inscriptions half obliterated. I did not see Rayel for days + after the midnight episode that gave me such a startling revelation of his + power. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that Rayel knows everything that passes in one's mind—a + vivid dream, for instance?” I asked my uncle one day when we were alone + together. + </p> + <p> + Yes, except when he is himself asleep. His command of my dreams puzzled me + at first. I thought I had put the past completely out of my mind. But I + could not hide it from him. Little by little he learned everything in my + history. One day I saw him at work on a picture. It startled me. The + canvas showed a man lying on a surgeon's table. The knife had just severed + an artery in his thigh. There were four men working over him—I was + one of them. Gradually the features took on a familiar expression. His + face grew paler under the brush. A few touches—the scene was + complete. The man was dead—his eyes wide open, staring at me. + </p> + <p> + My uncle paused and looked earnestly into my face. + </p> + <p> + “It was a bit of your professional experience,” said I. “Something had + reminded you of it.” + </p> + <p> + “The night before I dreamed about it” he answered. “My mind, released from + the command of my will, betrayed me.” + </p> + <p> + “A strange power!” I exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Incredible to you! Impossible to acquire unless the work begins at birth, + and then the possibilities are infinite,” said he, drawing his chair + closer to mine. “You know what I have done. Start the new-born mind on any + highway and see how it hurries along. You can do more, working a little + while over the cradle, than all the preachers under heaven, after its + occupant has grown beyond your ministry. I tell you, sir, the world is + indifferent to its children. Neglected by their parents, subject to hired + tenderness or none at all; left to the care of ignorant or depraved + nurses, and often taught little but selfishness and greed of gain, the + children of men are surrounded by destructive agencies. Can we wonder that + the human mind loses in infancy so much of its native power? But so the + generations of earth are growing up, bearing embittered fruit and sowing + its seed to the four winds. Who cares for the mind and body of a child has + the highest possible mission—the most sacred of all trusts. He must + give it all his time and strength. He must lead its mind into green + pastures; he must share its joys; he must know its hopes and fears; he + must give it hold on lines of thought that reach into eternity, which will + sooner or later flood it with inspiration; he must see that the brain has + a sufficient foundation of flesh and blood and bone; he must give it all + his life until the germs of power are developed.” + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately,” said I, “most parents have other things to do and think + of.” + </p> + <p> + “Parentage is a crime under such circumstances. It has peopled the world + with fools and knaves. It delays the coming of Christ's kingdom. There are + a few wise men, but they are held down as gravitation holds the rock. + There are laws of attraction in the world of mind as in that of matter. + Good and evil are its poles. Every atom between them is held in place by + the operation of opposing forces. The general mass of mind lies within + narrow zones on both sides of the equatorial line of this imaginary world. + Its attraction prevents any men from rising far above or descending far + below it. I tell you, sir, the intellectual world has degrees of latitude + and longitude which determine every man's location. Emancipated from the + forces I have described, my son has risen to a level beyond the attainment + of men under ordinary conditions. Hypocrisy and deceit are things of which + he knows nothing. I do not ascribe to him, mind you, the possession of + saintly virtues. He is a man in whom the best potentialities of mind and + body have been developed. I have carefully avoided the danger of making + him a morbid, spiritual creature. His body is quite as wonderful as his + mind.” + </p> + <p> + My uncle had been pacing restlessly up and down the room as he spoke, + often pausing before me and uttering his words vehemently, with quick + gestures and flashing eyes. He did not, seemingly, expect an answer to his + remark, for, as he ceased speaking, he stepped before one of the windows + and stood for a moment looking out upon the courtyard. + </p> + <p> + “See!” said he suddenly, motioning to me. + </p> + <p> + I stepped to his side and, looking through the window, saw Rayel running + across the lawn with the lion on his shoulders. When the beast sprang down + he seized it by the mane and tossed it about like one with the strength of + Hercules. Here was a man who exercised his rightful dominion over animated + nature! + </p> + <p> + “The beast is very fond of him,” said my uncle, “and a movement of his + finger is sufficient to control it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you adopt a pet so terrible?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “To secure isolation,” he answered. “He's an object of terror to + intruders, and a source of delight to us.” + </p> + <p> + “You have snakes here, too,” I ventured. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and for the same reason, But they can't harm you now. Since you came + we have killed them. They have been good friends to me, but you were a + stranger, and your life would have been in danger every day. Years ago I + procured a score of them from the mountains of Pennsylvania and put them + into the thickets. They multiplied like rats, and so I was armed against + invasion. + </p> + <p> + “To prevent their escape I sank a screen of wire two feet below the ground + along the base of the walls; I also posted a warning inside my gate. Long + ago I began to destroy them, and there were only a few left when you came. + They were good friends to me—excellent friends!” he repeated, + rubbing his hands with a grim smile. “For eighteen years I have been able + to carry on my work unmolested. No knowledge of what was transpiring + outside this little world has ever reached me.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you begin the work of teaching this interior language to Rayel?” + I asked. + </p> + <p> + “By signs at first—gradually making them more simple and suggestive. + The elimination of signs kept pace with the development of his intuitions. + It was slow work and hard work, but I gave all my time to it. After he + became familiar with a sign, I began to make it less pantomimic, until + finally a lift of the eyebrow, a movement of the lips, or an inclination + of the head served to express my meaning. In time he could detect the + passing shades of expression in my eyes and understand them. Look at me,” + said he, laying his hand on my head and watching my eyes as the firelight + shone upon them, for it was now evening. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you know, my boy, that your eyes reflect what is passing in your + mind? Then there are countless nerves and muscles in your face which + proclaim thought. They aid my intuitions to discover what you do not + speak. You wonder—ah! you are afraid!—afraid of me.” + </p> + <p> + I started in my chair, for while he was looking into my eyes a strange + gleam came into his own. He turned about suddenly and looked into the + bright fire that burned on the grate before us. + </p> + <p> + “Never fear,” he continued, nervously twirling a lock of his white hair. + “Never fear, sir—I am not mad. Not yet. I have been afraid of it, + but my reason will outlast my life. Do you ever pray?” + </p> + <p> + “Every day,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then you employ the interior language. We commune directly with the Holy + Spirit. You get some message from Him every day more satisfactory than + words. It's the answer of your prayers. I tell you, sir, words are an + invention of the devil. Do you like Rayel?” he asked, turning upon me + abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “You need have no doubt of that,” I answered, “or of my willingness to + look after him if it should be necessary—to take him away with me + and cherish him as I would a brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Good! Good!” he exclaimed smiling and rubbing his hands joyfully. “I have + not long to live. When the time comes, take him out among the knaves and + fools! But we must hurry: our time is short. We must prepare him for a + second birth. You will find him an apt pupil—a very apt one. He + already knows more of the world than I thought possible. I don't think you + will find him troublesome—he can help you; he will teach you wisdom; + he will enlarge the issues of your life. My fortune will be ample for his + needs: use it as you see fit. I have one servant left,” he said, drawing + his chair closer to mine and speaking scarcely above a whisper: “I would + like this to be his home when I am dead. It will be better, however, to + place him in some public institution where he can be well provided for. I + shall leave a sufficient allowance for him. The manner of its bestowal I + leave entirely to your judgment. There were two of them—you have + seen the other. He was a faithful fellow. They were poor fools, both of + them, but uncommonly wise,” he continued. “They kept it to themselves. I + found them in an asylum twenty-five years ago. They called them idiots. + Idiots! God help us!” + </p> + <p> + That strange light seemed to kindle in his eyes again while he was + speaking, and it conveyed anything but a cheerful suggestion to my mind. + </p> + <p> + “There is this difference between idiots and madmen,” he continued. “The + former are born outside the pale of human sympathy; the latter overstep + it. In either case they are not of this earth—they are embodied + spirits living in a world of their own creation, biding the time of + liberation from the flesh. And do you know, there are more madmen in the + world than it dreams of?” + </p> + <p> + He stopped with a tone of sharp interrogation and looked squarely into my + face. + </p> + <p> + “There are undoubtedly many of them,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “The lines of monomania all lead to madness,” he continued. “The deeper + one plunges into the mysteries of life the nearer he approaches it. But, + mark you, one man may venture further than another. For years I have lived + in fear of two things—madness and death. Not on my account, but I + had Rayel to think of.” + </p> + <p> + My uncle rose to his feet before he had ceased speaking and walked + stealthily on his tiptoes to an open door, where he stood for a moment + listening. I could hear nothing but the sound of the wind whistling in the + chimney. + </p> + <p> + “Wait here,” he whispered presently, and then disappeared through the + door, closing it after him. I held my watch down to the firelight and saw + it was near eleven o'clock. I felt drowsy, and had almost fallen asleep, + when my uncle returned, carrying a lantern. “Rayel is asleep,” said he, in + a whisper. “Won't you come with me?—it will not take long.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said I, rising, and waiting for him to lead the way. He put + on his antique hat and threw a shawl over his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “It's a chilly night,” said he. “You'd better wear another coat.” + </p> + <p> + I drew on my overcoat at once, wondering what new experience awaited me. + Holding the lantern in front of him, he proceeded slowly and feebly across + the rear courtyard, and unlocked a door in one of the side wings of the + house, through which we passed into a large unfurnished room. + </p> + <p> + “I always wait till he's asleep,” said my uncle, shuffling across the room + and unlocking another door on its opposite side. “He's never been here—never + yet,” he continued, pulling the door open. The dim light of the lantern + shone out upon a thicket of fragrant spruce and cedar. As I stepped down + upon the ground, following in the steps of my uncle, I could hear the + murmur of the great pines towering far above our heads. Slowly we made our + way through the dense undergrowth, and soon entered an open space carpeted + with pine needles and moss. It was a circular plot in the thicket, and out + of its centre rose an immense pine, whose upper branches wholly obscured + the sky. My uncle hung his lantern on a knot protruding from the trunk of + the tree, and slowly knelt upon the ground, covering his face with his + hands. Suddenly he beckoned to me, and I knelt down beside him. + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” said he. “Do you hear voices? She comes to me here. Can you see + her—my wife? Look about you, do you not see her?” + </p> + <p> + He laid his trembling hand upon my shoulder. Again I saw that awful gleam + in his eyes. The gruesome suggestion he had made set my nerves tingling, + and I peered about among the shadows of that dimly lighted recess, half + expecting some vision to greet my eyes. Then there came a loud rustling of + the branches high above us. The lantern light flared up and suddenly went + out, leaving us in total darkness. + </p> + <p> + “She is here!” he whispered, in excitement. “Sit still—do not + speak.” + </p> + <p> + A deep silence, intensified by the sound of the night wind in the trees + around us, followed my uncle's words. The going out of the light he had + seemed to regard as a signal from the spirit world, and I sat still as he + bade me, not doubting that his acute senses had penetrated the veil which + limited my own vision. I had seen so many revelations of his strange power + that I now sat awestruck and afraid, waiting for some word from him to end + my suspense. I could see nothing in the darkness, but I could hear my + uncle breathing heavily, as if trying to suppress his emotion. Suddenly + there was a stir in the bushes near us. Then I heard a step like that of a + man on the thickly covered earth close by my side. I stretched out prone + upon the ground, covering my face with my hands. I could hear a sound as + of some one groping about in the darkness, and then I felt the touch of a + strange hand upon my shoulder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <p> + I shrank from the hand that touched me and, moving quickly aside, struck a + match and peered around. By its light I could discern the form of a man + standing near the edge of the thicket. Rising to my feet I took down the + lantern and lighted it. There, standing before me, was the grinning mute + who had admitted me to the house. My uncle, who was still kneeling, rose + feebly to his feet, his eyes wet with tears. + </p> + <p> + “Good friend!” said he, taking the lantern from me and handing it to the + mute. “He alway comes for me here.” + </p> + <p> + We followed the old servant in silence through the thick boughs of cedar + until we came to the door of a low-roofed wooden building that stood by + itself in the thicket. The mute opened the door, ushering us into a small + room containing a bed and some simple furniture. A comfortable wood fire + was burning in a large open stove, and we both sat down in front of it, + shivering from exposure to the chilly air of the night. My uncle handed a + key to the mute, who unlocked a cupboard, taking from it a decanter of + whiskey, which he set before us with glasses. + </p> + <p> + “It will warm you,” said my uncle, pouring out the spirits: “I have seen + my wife. She always comes to me there—when the light goes out. She + knows your heart better than I. We shall leave Rayel to your care. It is + the last time I shall come here. My work is nearly finished.” + </p> + <p> + We emptied our glasses in silence, but my mind was busy thinking on those + impressive words, “She always comes to me there—when the light goes + out.” + </p> + <p> + It was strange—this going out of the light just at that moment. Was + it not possible, I asked myself, that the lantern, being always hung on + the same projection, was thus in the way of a current of air passing down + the trunk of the tree when a gust of wind struck its lofty branches? If + so, the knot would naturally conduct the current into the opening at the + top of the lantern. My reflections were interrupted by my uncle, who rose, + and, taking a candle, asked me to accompany him. I followed him into a + cellar filled with casks and barrels containing, as I supposed, wine and + provisions for future use. Returning, we passed through a large room, in + one end of which many boxes and barrels were stored. I afterward learned + that there was a large garden and poultry yard in this lonely nook where + my uncle's only servant was sequestered. + </p> + <p> + I was glad when we started back through the thicket, for the hour was late + and I felt the need of sleep. + </p> + <p> + “He gives us our food,” said my uncle, when we were at length in the + courtyard. “We have enough of everything needful—but little meat. It + destroys mental power. It is fools' food.” + </p> + <p> + Next day my uncle was unable to leave his bed. I determined to go to the + hotel for my baggage and to post some letters, one of which gave Mr. Earl + an account of my experiences since the October night when I became an + inmate of that house. + </p> + <p> + It was midwinter now, and the long stretches of pasturage and meadow land + outside the walls were blasted and sere when the old mute, whom I had seen + twice before, let me out of the big gate. When I returned he was there to + open the gate for me and help me with my baggage. + </p> + <p> + I found Rayel at his father's bedside. The sick man was asleep, and I went + at once to the library, where Rayel soon came, as was his custom in the + afternoon, for a lesson in talking. Both my uncle and myself had taken + great pains to teach him this accomplishment, and his progress had been + even more rapid than we thought possible. He caught the significance of + words with astonishing ease, but found some difficulty in producing their + sound. He went about it with great patience, however, repeating the + hardest words after me until he was able to pronounce them correctly. But + although the work was often tedious we both got much fun out of it. I had + never heard the sound of laughter in that house. One day I broke its + solemn spell by laughing heartily at the grotesque distortion of my + cousin's face incidental to the production of a difficult sound. He + stopped suddenly and looked at me, half alarmed. This made me laugh more + heartily, and he grasped my hand with the serious air of a physician + feeling the pulse of his patient. Being assured there was no danger, he + indulged in a little offhand cachinnation himself and was, I judged, well + pleased with the trial, for he repeated it frequently afterward, and + greatly to his amusement. + </p> + <p> + The word “woman,” and others related to it, puzzled him not a little, for + he had never seen a woman, except through the medium of my own mind and + that of his father. The subject interested him, and he gave much serious + thought to it, questioning me closely at some of our interviews, as if + dissatisfied with the idea conveyed to him. Our discussions, however, had + reached some slumbering chord in him, which, once touched, stirred his + blood with its vibrations. I do not think his isolation could have lasted + much longer, for he became restless and eager to see the world. + </p> + <p> + Rayel was greatly depressed by his father's illness. For months after that + night, the excitement of which had so hastened the failure of the old + man's strength, the silence of the great house was rarely broken by the + sound of our voices. My uncle lay helpless in a deep sleep most of the + time, never able to leave his bed until, revived by the freshness of + approaching summer, he had strength enough to sit in an easy-chair by the + window. Some fatal malady, the nature of which he did not disclose to me, + was evidently sapping his strength. I had urged him more than once to let + me summon a physician, but he would not permit me to do so. When summer + came at last, he grew stronger, and was able to walk, supported by Rayel, + to his chair in the open courtyard among the flowers. + </p> + <p> + The lion, which had been confined in its cage most of the time since my + uncle had grown so feeble as to need Rayel's constant attention sickened + and died in the warm days of early June. Rayel was sorely grieved by the + death of his pet, and although he stood in the shadow of a far greater + sorrow, he felt deeply the loss of this lifelong friend. The summer passed + slowly, one day like another, casting on us the same burden of anxiety and + silence. I spent much of the time in my uncle's library, poring over his + books and trying to shake off the melancholy thoughts suggested by my + daily life. + </p> + <p> + One day in early autumn, Rayel was sitting with me near an open window + overlooking the courtyard, where his father was enjoying the open air. + </p> + <p> + “He will die to-day,” said Rayel, calmly. “He told me he would die + to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “He seems the same as usual,” I said. “We cannot tell; he may live for + months yet.” + </p> + <p> + Rayel shook his head incredulously, and sat for a long time looking out of + the window in silence. + </p> + <p> + “And I will go with you then?” he asked suddenly turning toward me. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time he had ever asked me a question, for he could read + my mind like an open book, and to him all questioning was unnecessary. + </p> + <p> + While we were sitting there, thinking over our plans, my uncle summoned us + by rapping with his cane. Rayel turned pale, and, with a whispered + ejaculation, hurried out of the room and ran down the path to his father, + followed closely by myself. My uncle was breathing heavily. + </p> + <p> + “Count it,” said he, feebly extending his hand. Rayel counted his + pulse-beats. + </p> + <p> + “Ninety-four, and growing quicker!” he exclaimed, turning toward me with a + frightened look. + </p> + <p> + “It won't increase much,” my uncle whispered, feebly, but with a cool and + professional air. “It will go down soon, and then death will follow.” + </p> + <p> + “Be calm, Rayel,” he continued, almost sternly, as his son began weeping. + “Be calm, I say! That music! do you hear it, child? Do you see what is + passing now? Tell it. Let me hear you.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot hear it,” said Rayel, looking earnestly into his father's face. + </p> + <p> + “Hallucination!” he whispered, groping about until his hand rested on the + head of his son, who was kneeling beside him. “I seem to see millions of + forms around me. I seem to hear them, but I cannot see you—nor hear + you.” + </p> + <p> + As if exhausted by the effort, his head fell back upon Rayel's shoulder, + and he lay for a time, his eyes closed, struggling for breath. The dying + man's faculties would no longer obey the whip of his mighty will. Indeed, + they had done him their final service, for in a few moments he was dead. + Tenderly and manfully, uttering no sound of grief, Rayel lifted the + lifeless body of his father, and bore it into the house. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <p> + In accordance with my uncle's wish, which he had made known to Rayel, we + buried him the day following his death in the sunny courtyard where he had + spent the last days of his life. The funeral arrangements were made as + simple as possible, so as to exclude all except the functionaries whose + presence was absolutely necessary. A rector of the Church of England read + the service for the dead before the body was borne to its grave by the + undertaker. When this brief ceremony was over, and the great gates were + closed again upon our seclusion, Rayel said to me: + </p> + <p> + “I must talk more with you now, if you will let me. He said you would help + me after he was gone.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed idle to assure him, who already knew my heart, of the happiness + it would give me to fulfill the pledge of friendship made to my uncle. + </p> + <p> + “Do you expect to see him again?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + After a moment of the most serious reflection, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I shall see him again—when I die, then I shall see him. He + has gone to the Great Father, who gives life, and who takes it away.” + </p> + <p> + I found that Rayel, although entirely ignorant of the creeds and dogmas + prevailing among men, was profoundly religious, and that his simple faith + was built upon the deepest foundations. He evidently gave much thought to + the relationship between man and his Creator after he felt the sting of + bereavement, but it was a subject to which he never referred in our + conversation, unless, perchance, it drifted in upon us. + </p> + <p> + The weeks following my uncle's death, during which I was busy with + preparation for the new life that awaited us, Rayel spent in his studio + working over some unfinished pictures. At my urgent request, he completed + the head whose resemblance to Hester Chaffin had so startled and amazed me + the night I saw it first, and he regarded it with fonder interest than he + was wont to bestow upon the work of his brush. I believe that face was the + closest presentment of a human soul I shall ever see until standing, as I + hope to stand some time, in the presence of the redeemed, where “that + which is imperfect shall be put away.” I have said that the picture bore a + strong resemblance to Hester Chaffin, but her face contained only a + suggestion of that fine quality which was so strongly presented in my + cousin's ideal. + </p> + <p> + My uncle's fortune, as described in his will, amounted to nearly $250,000. + The greater part of it—everything, indeed, but the house and grounds—was + in cash, represented by certificates of deposit accompanying the will, and + bonds of the United States. There was a considerable bequest for me, whom + he had named as executor of the will, which, however, I determined never + to apply to my own use, except in case of Rayel's death. A handsome + annuity was provided for his only surviving servant. The remainder was + left to Rayel. + </p> + <p> + Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an asylum not far + from the city, our preparations to leave were soon complete. I was elated + at the prospect of resuming my relations with the busy world outside that + lonely habitation. My first step was to visit a lawyer for the purpose of + ascertaining the legal formalities which I must observe as executor of the + will. Rayel wished to go with me, and I gladly assented, for it seemed + wise as an initiatory step in the new life that was awaiting him. He waved + his hand to the mute, who stood looking at us through the big gates after + we had passed out into the road, and then he walked on beside me in + silence. The sun-shot haze of a beautiful autumn day hung over the face of + nature, and his eyes wandered down the long stretches of landscape, and + into the depths of the distant sky, rapt by the vision that was unfolding + before him. The changing phases of the town he regarded with curious + interest, which often expressed itself in childish exclamations of + surprise as we made our way through the crowded streets. + </p> + <p> + He was constantly calling my attention to things which, though familiar + and commonplace to me, were little less than wonderful to him. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” said he, suddenly taking hold of my arm. “There is a woman!” + </p> + <p> + He spoke in an eager, excited whisper, and shyly stepped behind me as she + passed us. + </p> + <p> + “They won't hurt you,” said I, subduing my desire to laugh at his remark. + </p> + <p> + Such unfamiliar exposure to the public eye soon began to grate upon his + nerves. I did not wonder at it, for nearly every one we met took a second + look at his commanding figure, and some stared at him rudely. Remembering + my own emotions when I first stood in his presence, I was not at all + surprised that others were moved in a like manner. His were a face and + form that stood out like those of some heroic statue in the throng of + common mortals. + </p> + <p> + The proving and recording of the will was left entirely in the hands of a + reputable lawyer, who said that these formalities would not detain us + longer than a week. + </p> + <p> + We had determined to spend the winter in New York before going to England. + Since reaching America my time had been quite filled with work until my + entrance upon the utter isolation of my uncle's home. It was my earnest + desire to see something of the big metropolis on the western Atlantic. + Moreover, Mr. Earl had advised me in his letters to give Rayel a chance to + know more of life in his own country before bringing him to England. + </p> + <p> + When at last the faithful old mute had gone to his new home, and we had + turned our backs upon the silent and deserted mansion, Rayel was moved to + bitter tears. The thought of its loneliness, now that its master was dead + and we were leaving it, perhaps forever, brought sad feelings to my heart. + How calmly the old pines whispered together as we walked down the road + that morning I shall not soon forget. + </p> + <p> + We reached the American metropolis early in October, three years after my + first arrival there from England. I rented comfortable apartments on Fifth + Avenue, near Madison Square. As soon as Rayel had recovered from the + fatigue and excitement of the trip, we set about unpacking his pictures + and getting them framed. Our lightest room was reserved for a studio, and + the paintings were hung under Rayel's direction. + </p> + <p> + We were scarcely settled in our new home when we received an unexpected + call from a newspaper reporter. He had learned from an art dealer that we + had some remarkable old paintings, and humbly begged the privilege of + looking at them. We made him welcome, of course, but I explained to him + that the collection was wholly the work of my cousin, who was not yet old + himself. In answer to his questions I assured him that the paintings would + not be exhibited in the National Academy, and that my cousin's work had + never appeared in any art exhibition whatever, at which he seemed greatly + surprised. Rayel was still shy of strangers, and, as he was evidently a + little annoyed at the presence of our visitor, I shielded him from the + need of taking any part in our conversation. + </p> + <p> + The next morning an article appeared in one of the leading dailies, which + subjected us to a glare of publicity not at all to our taste. + </p> + <p> + It went on to say that Signor Lanion, a young Spanish artist, had just + arrived in New York and had taken apartments at No. Fifth Avenue. “Lanion” + was the name which had appeared on our bill for picture-framing, the clerk + who had waited on us having taken it down incorrectly. “Unfortunately,” + the article continued, “Signor Lanion does not speak English, and for that + reason the reporter was unable to interview him.” + </p> + <p> + The paper described Rayel's personal charms at much length, and claimed + the credit of having discovered a genius who, although still a youth, had + done work worthy of an acknowledged master. + </p> + <p> + We had deep respect for the influence of that newspaper before another + week ended. Art managers, tailors, advertising agents, auctioneers and + numerous men and women prompted by no motive but idle curiosity, besieged + us until we bolted our doors in dismay against all comers. The mail, too, + brought us missives of varying import from persons who had read the + article, one of which was a polite letter from Francis Paddington, a Wall + Street broker, whose name I had heard frequently during my American + travels. + </p> + <p> + “It was not stated,” said he, referring to the newspaper article, “whether + or not any of Signor Lanion's paintings are for sale. If they are, I would + be glad to look at them with a view to making some purchases for my art + collection.” + </p> + <p> + The letter suggested an idea worth considering. Rayel worked rapidly and + had already painted more pictures than we could hang to advantage in any + but the most liberal quarters. He was at a loss to understand just what + was meant by selling the pictures, but he was willing to sell them if they + were not to be destroyed—at least some of them. Accordingly I wrote + Mr. Paddington, appointing an hour when we would be glad to see him or his + representative at our rooms. The gentleman himself did us the honor to + call. After looking at the paintings, he expressed his willingness to buy + the entire collection. I told him, however, that we would not part with + more than ten canvases, and he seemed glad to buy even that number at a + price which was so far in excess of our expectations that I was loath to + accept it. Our beloved “Woman”—that was the title we had given + Rayel's strangely derived conception—was among the paintings + included in the sale to Mr. Paddington. Rayel thought he could reproduce + it, and for days after it was gone he made ineffectual efforts to paint + another woman after the ideal of our hearts. But, alas! try as he would, + that face never came back to his canvas. Many beautiful faces were + conjured by his masterful touch, but they were other faces, and none of + them satisfied us. The failure made Rayel unhappy, and tears came to his + eyes when the “Woman” was referred to, as if he were mourning the loss of + a dear friend. + </p> + <p> + Our patron had conceived a great liking for us, and we were soon invited + to visit his house “and meet a few of his friends at dinner.” It would + give us an opportunity to see the “Woman”—perhaps to buy her back + again—and we were strongly inclined to take advantage of it. Our + patron's residence was one of the largest and most elegant on Fifth + Avenue. It was a matter of common fame that his entertainments were the + cause of more envy and heartburning in the fashionable sisterhood than any + other events of the season. I had some doubt about the propriety of taking + Rayel to such a place, unaccustomed as he was to the refinements and + conventionalities of fashionable life. However, he had set his heart upon + going—he was so eager to see his beloved picture—and I did not + oppose his wish. In writing our acceptance of the invitation I corrected + Mr. Paddington's error regarding our name, and explained the rechristening + we had received in the public prints. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <p> + On the day of our appointment for dinner at Mr. Paddington's the + newspapers were filled with accounts of a sensational bank robbery, which + had occurred in Wall Street the night before. Between midnight and one + o'clock in the morning, thieves had entered the Metropolitan Bank, + overpowered the watchman, broken into the vaults and stolen half a million + dollars in currency without leaving any clew behind them of the slightest + value to the police. The subject interested Rayel intensely, and at our + breakfast that morning we talked of little else. + </p> + <p> + “When they have found the thieves what will they do with them?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Send them to prison,” I answered, “where thieves are kept apart from the + rest of humanity.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet these thieves were not in prison. They could not have robbed the + bank if they had been in prison.” + </p> + <p> + “True, but there are a good many thieves in the world who are not + suspected. They look like honest men and are highly successful in + concealing their dishonesty.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think,” he said thoughtfully, “that one would know a thief by + his face.” + </p> + <p> + “Remember,” said I, “that all men are not like you. Most of them are + easily deceived.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then, Kendric!” he exclaimed joyfully, “I can do some good with this + power of mine.” + </p> + <p> + This conversation may seem commonplace enough, but it stands in close + relation to important events which will shortly claim our attention. The + subject which it introduces was not soon abandoned. We talked about it on + our way to the Paddingtons' that evening, where we were cordially received + by our host, and introduced to a large company of ladies and gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + Rayel's wonderful skill with the brush had evidently been the subject of + some discussion among Mr. Paddington's guests. It was referred to + frequently, and somewhat to the embarrassment of my cousin, in the + exchange of greetings that followed our introduction. + </p> + <p> + Greatly to the relief of my fears Rayel seemed quite at ease. He + acknowledged the compliments paid him with gravity and self-possession, + but with few words. All eyes were raised to his face, as he stood head and + shoulders above a group of ladies and gentlemen who had gathered about + him. Never had his presence seemed so magnetic and impressive since the + first time I saw him in his father's house. Now, as then, a new + inspiration was stirring his blood and charging every nerve with the + wonderful magnetism of perfected manhood. + </p> + <p> + The last person presented to us was a young lady of unusual beauty, whom I + noticed for some moments standing across the room in earnest conversation + with our host. Presently he made his way toward us with the lady on his + arm. + </p> + <p> + “My daughter, Mr. Lane, whom I shall ask you to escort to dinner,” said + he, addressing Rayel. After I had been introduced to the young lady she + took Rayel's arm, and the company proceeded to the dining-hall. My seat at + the table was almost directly opposite Rayel. His grave and dignified + demeanor was made doubly conspicuous by the coquettish airs and ready + tongue of the young lady who sat beside him. Under a steady fire of + compliments and questions and artful glances I saw that he began to grow + uneasy. + </p> + <p> + “That was a beautiful portrait you painted!” exclaimed Miss Paddington, + looking sentimental. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said he; “my cousin also admires it, but I must own that it + does not quite suit me.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are an admirer of the lady it represents,” said she, peering + shyly into his eyes. “The Count de Montalle has fallen in love with her + and has borrowed the portrait from my father.” + </p> + <p> + “Ze picture—ah! monsieur, it is beautiful,” said the Count, who sat + near them. “But ze lady—she sat for me long ago and I had ze honor + myself to paint her portrait.” + </p> + <p> + He was a thin, wiry Frenchman, with small, black eyes, a forehead sloping + to a bald crown, an aquiline nose and a pointed chin, adorned with an + imperial. The face was almost mephistophelian in effect. He had painted + her portrait! Was the man an impostor? I asked myself. + </p> + <p> + “The Count is an artist himself, you know,” said Miss Paddington. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—an artist?” asked Rayel in a half-incredulous tone. Then he + looked inquiringly at the gentleman referred to, as if doubtful of his own + understanding of the words he had repeated. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Count with emphasis. “For twenty years I have devote + myself to ze art.” + </p> + <p> + “To what art, sir?” asked Rayel, in a tone suggesting doubt. + </p> + <p> + I was now thoroughly frightened at the serious turn of the dialogue. Was + this “Count” a pretender and one of the many bogus noblemen of whom I had + read? Rayel was sounding him, that was quite evident. I saw now the + mistake I had made in bringing my cousin to such a place. + </p> + <p> + “Quel impudence!” exclaimed the insulted nobleman, under his breath. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me, sir,” quickly answered Rayel, “I did not know it was wrong to + ask you.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you would paint my portrait, Mr. Lane,” said the young lady, who + did not seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation. + </p> + <p> + “That would be easy enough,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + “Would it? Ah, but I fear you would find me too plain a subject. I am not + beautiful, you know, but if I wore my best clothes you might think I would + do.” + </p> + <p> + For some time Miss Paddington continued to spin out threads of small talk, + while Rayel sat listening. The dinner was nearly over when the climax came + which I had already begun to fear. + </p> + <p> + “It is strange,” said Rayel thoughtfully. “You speak what is not true, + Miss Paddington. You said that the Prince of Wales gave you the beautiful + opal, but tell me—was it not your father who gave it you?” + </p> + <p> + He waited a moment for her answer. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I understand now,” he continued. “People do not always speak the + truth—do they?” + </p> + <p> + The young lady turned red with embarrassment, while an unnatural smile + played upon her lips. + </p> + <p> + “But—but what is the use of talking then?” he asked. No one seemed + disposed to answer. + </p> + <p> + “It is strange,” he continued, with childlike naivete, turning to the + young lady sitting at his left, “you have been laughing as if you were + very happy, but you have felt more like weeping. This must be a very sad + world!” He ceased speaking as if some suspicion of the pain his words were + causing had suddenly come to him. + </p> + <p> + The whole company turned its eyes upon the two. The young lady's face + became suddenly pale and almost horror-stricken. Rayel's words were spoken + in such a gentle and sympathetic manner that every one was mystified. + </p> + <p> + “Have you read about the great robbery that occurred last night?” asked + Mr. Paddington, with the evident purpose of diverting attention from the + young lady. “The vaults of the Metropolitan Bank on Wall Street were blown + open with dynamite, and half a million dollars were stolen. No trace of + the thieves has been discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “Too bad!” exclaimed half a dozen of the guests seeking to enhance + interest in the subject. + </p> + <p> + “Zey were very bold about it,” said the Count, as he lighted a piece of + sugar soaked in cognac and held it over his coffee. + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment a singular thing happened. The lights grew dim and + suddenly went out, as if the gas had been turned off. The burning cognac + cast a white flickering light upon the face of the man who had just + spoken. + </p> + <p> + “You say there is no trace of the thieves,” said Rayel. “That is strange, + for one of them is in this room sitting at your table.” + </p> + <p> + Only one face was visible, and all eyes were turned upon it, for now the + effect of that pale light keeping it in view was indescribably weird. The + eyes were suddenly turned in the direction of Rayel, and a devilish glare + came in them for an instant, when the face suddenly seemed to shrink back + into darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant escorts rushed + precipitately from the room. The servants hurried in with candles, but + light was no sooner restored than the guests who still remained at table + rose, as if by general consent, and left the dining-hall. Miss Paddington + and Rayel were the last to leave the table. When they had passed out into + the drawing-room her father came and took her arm, bowing coldly to my + cousin. It was evident that our presence was no longer desired in the + house of the Paddingtons. And no wonder! + </p> + <p> + “Let us go,” I said, proceeding to the coat room. The Count met us on the + way. + </p> + <p> + “You are a liar—a jackass!” he hissed into Rayel's ear. + </p> + <p> + Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly night air and + walked leisurely down the deserted avenue. Neither of us spoke for some + moments. Presently Rayel asked: + </p> + <p> + “What is a jackass?” + </p> + <p> + He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of great moment. + </p> + <p> + “A man who always tells the truth in this world—he is a jackass,” I + replied. + </p> + <p> + I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had been through. + Perhaps that is why my answer savored so strongly of cynicism. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <p> + Painful as had been our introduction to polite society, the reaction which + followed it was scarcely less so. Next day we stayed indoors until + evening, when we ventured out for a walk with fear and trembling lest the + newspapers had already increased our fame and our mortification. The + twilight of a cloudless autumn day was closing in upon the city, and the + keen, bracing winds which sweep over the American metropolis from the sea + brought the color to our faces. We walked down Broadway, now quite + deserted, in silence, and as we were passing Wallack's Theatre Rayel + stopped suddenly, and stood for a moment looking into the brightly lighted + foyer. Stepping in, he beckoned me to follow. I immediately saw what had + attracted his eye, for on an easel just inside the entrance was the + portrait of our woman. On a placard below the picture was the name “Edna + Bronson.” Our surprise was mingled with sad regret at seeing it playing a + false part to serve the ends of an unscrupulous manager. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps she is here! suddenly exclaimed Rayel. + </p> + <p> + “That is very unlikely,” I answered, “but we shall see.” + </p> + <p> + I bought tickets for the evening's performance and we hastened home, + strangely elated, to dress for the play. + </p> + <p> + Our seats were in one of the lower proscenium boxes and quite clearly + exposed to the gaze of the thousands who filled the theatre in winding + rows, ascending and receding to the roof high above us. The garish + decorations, the gay throng bedizened with jewels sparkling in the light + and the hundreds of fair faces and bright eyes that were turned toward us + presented a spectacle entirely new to Rayel. Shortly the curtain rose and + the play began. Its first scene was a counterfeit of real stage life in an + English theatre. An important performance is impending and at the last + moment both the leading lady and her understudy are suddenly taken ill. + The management is in a quandary. In the midst of its confusion the stage + carpenter suggests that he has a daughter who can play the part. When this + functionary came upon the scene my interest in the play began to wax + stronger. Hester Chaffin's father had been a stage carpenter, and this + turn in the scene startled me not a little after having found our picture + in the foyer. + </p> + <p> + The carpenter's suggestion is at first treated with ridicule. He insists + that she has learned the part from witnessing the rehearsals, and urges + the managers to give her a trial. The performance must begin in four hours + or be postponed. It is found that the costumes prepared for the part will + fit the young lady. They consent to try her, the company is hastily + summoned together for rehearsal, and the curtain falls on the first act. + The audience waited impatiently for it to rise again and show what fortune + might have in store for the carpenter's daughter, but of all that audience + I was probably the most impatient. + </p> + <p> + “There is the Count,” whispered Rayel, directing my attention to the + opposite box. The diabolical little Frenchman was there, sure enough, + sitting next to the rail, and sweeping the audience with his + opera-glasses. + </p> + <p> + Soon the curtain was rung up and the rehearsal began which was to test the + powers of the venturesome young lady. Suddenly she appears at the rear of + the stage dressed for her part in Elizabethan costume. She is greeted with + loud applause, and she stands a moment, waiting for silence. The lights + have been turned down and I cannot see her face distinctly. Before the + last ripple of applause is quieted, she advances down the centre of the + stage and begins to speak her lines. That voice! What is there in it that + thrills me so strangely? When she ceases speaking she is standing almost + within reach of my hand. Suddenly her eyes meet mine and I see Hester + Chaffin standing there on the stage and looking into my face. She + recognizes me, for she seems confused and proceeds with evident + embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + I turned to Rayel—he, too, was deeply moved by this great surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Our woman has come to life,” said he, in tremulous whispers. “I knew we + would see her sometime.” + </p> + <p> + How she had changed! She was little more than a child when I saw her last: + now she was almost a woman, but not more beautiful than when I bade her + good-by in the moonlight at her father's gate—long, long ago, it + seemed to me now. Was the scene I had witnessed a passage in her own life + since I had left Liverpool? At the close of the act an usher carried my + card to her. Presently I was summoned to one of the corridors where a lady + was waiting for me. + </p> + <p> + “Is this Kendric Lane?” she asked, extending her hand. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” I responded. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard of you often. Miss Bronson is an old acquaintance of yours, + whom you knew as Hester Chaffin. Would you like to see her?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to see her to-night, if possible,” said I. + </p> + <p> + “May I ask you, then, to go to this address and wait for us until the + performance is over? Hand this card to the night clerk of the hotel and he + will show you to our rooms.” + </p> + <p> + Scribbling a few words upon the card, she gave it to me, and hurried + behind the scenes. + </p> + <p> + Rayel and I immediately left the theatre and walked to our apartments. The + play would soon be over and we had no time to lose. On the way home I + noticed that he frequently turned about and peered through the darkness as + if expecting some one to join us. He said nothing, however, and as I was + so preoccupied by my own thoughts, I did not ask for whom he was looking. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I not go with you?” he asked, when we had reached home. + </p> + <p> + “You had better wait up for me; I shall not be gone long,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “I can walk back again when we get there, or perhaps I can wait for you in + the hotel?” said he. + </p> + <p> + He was not yet accustomed to life in a great city, and it did not seem + wise, either, to permit him to walk home alone, or to wait for me in the + hotel among strangers. He did not seem quite content to stay, however, and + there was a troubled expression on his face, which was new to it, and + which I could not put out of my mind after I had left the house. The hotel + to which I had been directed was on Union Square. It was not far from our + apartments, and I intended to walk there, but I had not gone half a block + before the street was lit up with a vivid flash of lightning, followed by + deafening thunder, and the wind blew damp in my face. I hurried toward + Third Avenue, intending to mount one of the horse cars going down-town, + but suddenly a fierce gust of wind swept over me, sowing great drops of + rain along the pavement. I looked about for a cab. The street was deserted + and so dark that I could see nothing except the gloomy rows of brown stone + that stood on either side. While I was looking backward another flash of + lightning illumined the street. What man was that coming in the distance? + Was it Rayel? No, that was scarcely possible. I had only caught a + momentary glimpse of him in the quick flash. He was tall and erect like + Rayel, and I thought the hat was his. But my imagination must have tricked + me after all, for nothing showed clearly. I walked back a few steps and + listened. I could hear no footsteps, but then he might have followed me, + and I ought to be sure. So I called, “Rayel! Rayel!” twice, and waited for + an answer, but could hear none. I had not time to go back to our rooms, as + Hester was undoubtedly waiting for me now, and Rayel was certainly not the + man I had seen, or he would have answered me. So I hurried along without + giving any further thought to my fears. But where was Third Avenue? Its + character was not then so sharply defined as in these days of elevated + rail-roads—perhaps I had passed it. I had already walked a long + distance, and I had not yet recognized that thoroughfare. I could hear + footsteps behind me and I determined to wait a moment and inquire my way. + </p> + <p> + “I am going there—walk along with me,” said the man whom I + questioned. Just then we passed under a street lamp. I observed that he + wore a large coat and muffler and that he was walking under an umbrella. + Another man, also under an umbrella, fell in with us at the next corner. + As we walked along in silence I heard some person coming at a run down the + street quite a distance behind us. I was listening to this sound when I + received a terrific blow on the back of the head. I fell forward, one side + of my face striking heavily upon the pavement. Strangely enough, I seemed + unable to make any outcry, but I had not lost consciousness, for, as I lay + with my face resting on the wet stones, I could feel the rain drops + falling on it. I could hear those quick footsteps coming nearer. Yes, I + could hear Rayel's voice shouting in a loud and angry tone, but, try as I + would, I could not utter a sound. As I listened, the two men clutched me + with strong hands and dragged me through an open door, which quickly + closed behind them. It was no sooner shut than Rayel threw himself against + it with terrific force. I could hear the door groan and shake under the + strain. Once—twice, I was struck with cruel force upon the head—then + a loud roaring in my ears drowned everything. + </p> + <p> + I can remember well the first return of consciousness. It was like the + slow breaking of dawn in the sky. I could hear voices singing: + </p> + <p> + Hark! hark! my soul! angelic voices swelling O'er earth's green fields and + ocean's wave-beat shore. + </p> + <p> + I could just distinguish those words. Where was I? Strange thoughts began + trooping through my mind. Then a great wave of emotion swept over me. I + could hear a low moaning sound that came from my own throat. I could feel + the hot tears rolling down my cheeks. A gentle hand was brushing them away + and some one was speaking to me. I was lying on a soft bed. A sweet-faced + woman was bending over me, whom I had never seen before. + </p> + <p> + “Where am I?” + </p> + <p> + “In the hospital,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “The singing—who is singing?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “It is the chapel choir,” she answered; “the services are nearly over now. + It is Sunday.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Rayel here?” + </p> + <p> + “Your friend? yes, he has been with you every day.” + </p> + <p> + “How long?” + </p> + <p> + “Almost a month.” + </p> + <p> + I tried to ask other questions, but a drowsy feeling overcame me and I + fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened my eyes he + leaned over and kissed my hands. + </p> + <p> + “They thought you were dead once,” he said; “but I knew you were not dead—I + knew you were not dead.” I lay for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. + My head was in tight bandages and something was binding my chest. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Hester?” I asked. Rayel did not answer. He was not there, but + somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a lady kneeling beside me, + her face leaning forward upon the bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes + and listened to the rustling of withered leaves outside the window, and + the low humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic sounds, + and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A new life was coming + now. What was it to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. I tried + to keep my eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in + vain. When I awoke Rayel had returned. + </p> + <p> + “You have slept a long time,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “When I fell asleep a lady was here.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was our 'Woman,'” he replied—“the lady you love. She has + come every day to see you.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is she now?” + </p> + <p> + “She had to go away, but she will soon come back again.” + </p> + <p> + “Who brought me here?” + </p> + <p> + “I broke down the door—I found you there. You could not see me nor + speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men were gone. I carried + you out into the street. A policeman met me, and I told him what had + happened. Then the ambulance came and we put you into it, and you were + brought here. For a long time you lay like my father after he was dead. + Your face was white—like snow. They had stabbed you in the side—they + would have killed you if I had not broken the door.” + </p> + <p> + “Who struck me?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “I knew,” he said, his eyes flashing, “I knew the devil was in their heads—that + is why I wished to go with you. They followed us that night.” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” I asked, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “The Count de Montalle and another man.” + </p> + <p> + My cousin's answer amazed me. + </p> + <p> + “Have you made known your suspicions?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “No. I have been waiting to talk with you first.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not speak of it yet to any one,” I said. “Let us await developments.” + </p> + <p> + I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed + to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also, + that any futile discussion of the subject would defeat justice. + </p> + <p> + That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been looking for with + much impatience since I had begun to feel more like myself. She would + shortly have fulfilled all her professional engagements, and would then + return at once to New York. “I wonder,” she added, somewhat coquettishly, + “if you will be glad to see me.” On this point there was no doubt in my + mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the days passed with + tedious slowness after that. + </p> + <p> + I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the moving + throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was suddenly + opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I + waited for him to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Kendric!” + </p> + <p> + It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite + natural, and I turned to greet him. + </p> + <p> + “This is our 'Woman,'” said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his + arm. + </p> + <p> + I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, and took + her extended hand. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment without + speaking. My own were rapidly filling with tears, and I could see her but + dimly. + </p> + <p> + “What a fine outlook you have!” she said, in a tremulous voice, turning + suddenly to the window and looking out upon the trees now half stripped of + their foliage by the autumn winds. We both stood staring out of the window + in silence. For my part, I could not have spoken if I had known what to + say. How she had changed! The blushing little miss who had awakened the + pangs of first love in my youthful heart was a beautiful young woman, now + full grown and arrayed in costly finery. Rayel was the first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “You must be glad to meet again—you have loved each other so long,” + said he. + </p> + <p> + Honest Rayel! He knew our hearts—their longings, their histories, + and also the vanity and pride that dwelt in them. Why should there be any + concealment between her and me? + </p> + <p> + “It has been a long time—a very long time to me, Hester, for I have + loved you ever since we first met.” + </p> + <p> + She turned toward me, her eyes filled with tears, and I drew her to my + heart and kissed her fondly. + </p> + <p> + “We have only known each other as children, Kendric,” said she. “Your + heart may change and mine may change—let us wait and see.” + </p> + <p> + Then she left us, promising to come again next day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <p> + Hester and her maid looked in upon me every morning after that, until I + was able to leave the hospital. During these visits we told each other the + eventful story of our lives since the night of our parting at her father's + gate. Her first appearance on the stage had been, as I suspected, + literally represented in the play. For years she had been permitted to + accompany her father behind the scenes, and nights when the cast was short + she had played small parts with great success. The glamour and excitement + of stage life had proved distasteful to her. She assured me that it was + her intention never to go back to it, and this strengthened my hope that + she would some day consent to become my wife. Rayel had told her, during + my illness, the strange story of his life. She knew nothing, however, of + his wonderful powers, until I had related to her some of the experiences + which had revealed them to me. He had said nothing to her, I learned, + about our discovery of the picture. + </p> + <p> + “Who painted the remarkable portrait of you which we saw at the theatre?” + I asked her one day. + </p> + <p> + “It was painted, I believe, by a French nobleman, who presented it to me + here in New York. I suppose it looks a little as I did once, but it is + certainly too flattering and much too maidenly for me now. + </p> + <p> + “The Frenchman is an impostor and worse,” I said. “The portrait was + painted by Rayel and sold to a broker of the name of Paddington, from whom + the Frenchman borrowed or bought it.” + </p> + <p> + Her amazement could scarcely be overestimated when I told her what + occurred at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party. + </p> + <p> + “The Frenchman,” she said, “has been paying me unwelcome attentions ever + since the first night of my appearance in New York. He became so odious to + me at length that I refused to accept any of his gifts, and, in spite of + the protests of my managers, returned everything he had sent me, including + the portrait.” + </p> + <p> + I did not tell her that it was this same Frenchman to whom I was indebted + for my wounds. Of that I must wait for more palpable evidence, though not + for my own convincing. It seemed strange to me then that just at the + moment this thought was passing through my mind she asked me whom I + suspected of having committed the assault. It occurred to me after she had + gone that possibly she had some cause to suspect the man who had been the + subject of our conversation. + </p> + <p> + Rayel always came late in the day, when there was no chance of meeting + other callers, and stayed with me until bedtime. As returning strength + brought back to me that interest in life which prompts keen observation, I + could see that a great change was coming over him. His face wore a + melancholy look which indicated too clearly that his mind was suffering + under some sad oppression. He was as gentle and considerate as ever, and + as tireless in his efforts to increase my comfort, but he rarely spoke + now, except in reply to my questions. He would sit by my side for hours, + gazing out of the window with a vacant look in his eyes, until the light + of day grew dim and the lamps were lighted. When supper was served to us I + could never induce him to eat. + </p> + <p> + “What is the trouble, Rayel?” I asked, one evening. “You are not yourself + lately.” + </p> + <p> + Neither of us had spoken for a long time. He turned suddenly, as if + startled by my words, his lips quivered, and stammering almost + incoherently, he rose to his feet. Then he stood erect before me for a + moment, looking sadly and thoughtfully into my eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, Kendric,” he said presently, in a deep tone that trembled with + emotion. “I think I have been working too hard and need exercise—that + is all.” Then he grasped my hand warmly and bade me good night. + </p> + <p> + I believe his answer to my question was the first lie that he had ever + spoken. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <p> + Next day I was discharged from the hospital, and Rayel and I were driven + to our apartments. He had a number of surprises prepared for me. A large + painting on his easel, awaiting some finishing touches, compelled my + attention as soon as I entered the room. It represented a scene in our own + lives, which had lasted but a second, but which could never be forgotten + by either of us. He had seen me when I stood looking backward in that + vivid flash of lightning—there could be no doubt of it now, for here + was the scene transferred to canvas. The shaft of white light shaking and + darting across the black sky like a gleaming sword; the man on the + sidewalk looking backward with a startled glance; the big drops of rain + falling sidelong in the wind—these were all reproduced on the + canvas. His later pictures were characterized by a cynical tendency, which + I observed with regret. It was evident that his sensitive mind had taken + impressions from its brief contact with men, which were sadly affecting + his thought. + </p> + <p> + He showed me numerous letters, many of which were from women who desired + to visit his studio and see his work. Indeed, my cousin had apparently + grown suddenly famous in the American metropolis. He was the victim rather + than the victor of fame, however, and regarded the matter with very + serious concern. The press of New York had been full of gossip concerning + his “eccentricities” since the event which had put my life in danger. One + of the society journals had printed a highly colored version of that + little episode at the house of the Paddingtons, and had concluded its + article by saying that the fair Miss Paddington had fallen madly in love + with her father's strange guest. + </p> + <p> + That night, as we were sitting by the grate fire in our own rooms, Rayel, + encouraged by our seclusion, began to emerge from the silence to which he + had seemingly gone back for refuge in time of trouble. + </p> + <p> + “We shall soon be ready to start for England,” I said. + </p> + <p> + “I do not wish to go to England, Kendric,” said he. “For a long time I + have thought over it. Let me go back to the old house and live by my + father's grave, until the good Lord takes me to a better home. I would + miss you, dear Kendric, and every day I would look for you to come, but I + shall be happier there.” + </p> + <p> + His words touched me deeply, and I was not prepared to answer him with + perfect calmness, although I had lately suspected that his despondency + would lead to this resolve. + </p> + <p> + “Why must we separate now, after we have become so dear to each other?” I + asked. “Something has happened to change your purpose since I have been + ill—tell me what it is.” + </p> + <p> + “To speak frankly, Kendric, I must say that the world has sadly + disappointed me. It is full of vanity and deceit and selfishness. Every + day brings to me some hideous revelation which the mercy of heaven has + hidden from others. I have seen the righteous forsaken of men, and the + wicked receiving homage; I have seen the unjust triumphing over the just; + I have seen some reveling in abundance while others were begging for + bread. Everywhere I have found want and misery staring me in the face. + </p> + <p> + “Remembering what Christ said, I sold all I had and gave to the poor, and + now there is nothing more I can do. My best pictures, my money and all my + extra clothing have gone to feed the hungry and cover the naked. And even + now, when I have nothing left to give, I find as much misery as before. + Often, since I have been alone, I have had nothing to eat and no fire to + keep me warm. Then I feared to tell you what I had done, and I bore it in + silence, hoping that I might earn more money by painting. But I could not + work. When Hester came back I told her all my troubles, and she gave me + money, not only for my own use but for the use of others who needed it + more than I. She and I have wandered about the city by day and by night, + ministering to the sick and the friendless.” + </p> + <p> + He ceased speaking, his head bent forward upon his hands. It was indeed a + serious situation into which a too generous heart had betrayed him. Nearly + all his fortune had descended to him in cash on deposit, and payable + either to my order or to his. He had therefore saved nothing for himself + that had been available for the satisfaction of his good impulses. Instead + of displeasing me, however, as he feared, his action only increased my + love for him, if that were possible. + </p> + <p> + “Do not let these things trouble you, Rayel,” I said. “We shall find no + difficulty, I think, in earning money enough for our needs. I cannot see + you shut yourself away from the world: you have yet an important work to + do among men. You are now morbidly sensitive to the misery that surrounds + us, but you will feel it less keenly as it grows more familiar.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not understand me, Kendric,” said he, starting from his chair, and + pacing restlessly up and down the room. “I cannot deceive you any longer. + In begging you to leave me, it is your own happiness I am thinking of. + Please go as soon as possible,” he pleaded, laying his hand gently upon my + shoulder. “Take her with you, and let me stay.” + </p> + <p> + My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating. + </p> + <p> + “My God, Rayel!” I exclaimed. “Are we both in love with the same woman?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Kendric, no,” he said quickly, taking my hand. “I do not mean that. I + would not permit myself to love her, knowing that you love her also.” + </p> + <p> + “What, then, do you mean?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “That there is danger,” he answered huskily, sinking into a chair. “I am a + fool not to have thought of it long ago!” + </p> + <p> + His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not speak. + </p> + <p> + “You know what is in her heart, Rayel,” I said presently. “Tell me, is it + false, or is she, as I have thought, a pure and noble woman?” + </p> + <p> + “She is pure and worthy of your love,” he answered. “Her life has been + much exposed to temptation, but her character has been greater than any + temptation. When she began to go with me among the poor I did not know + what love was. I had never felt the power of it, nor did I think of the + danger to all of us. When at last it came upon me, and I saw what it + meant, I resolved not to see Hester again until God had given me strength + to subdue that passion. For days my heart was near breaking. When you + asked me to tell you what made me sad, I had not the courage to do it. + Then I told you a lie. I did the very thing which I have so much condemned + in others. This trouble has taught me to comprehend and to pity the + frailty of men. I look forward with fear and dread for my own sake.. I + shall be safe in my father's house. I must go back, but, before I go, + forgive me. Tell me that you do not despise me.” + </p> + <p> + As he ceased speaking he laid his hand upon my shoulder and peered into my + face with a frightened and appealing look. + </p> + <p> + “Despise you!” I repeated. “No. You are dearer to me now than ever. What + you have told me will bring us closer to each other, if we consider it + wisely. As yet there is no pledge between Hester and myself, save the + assurance given by unuttered thoughts. Her heart is free. I have no right + to claim it. If she loves you I shall wish you both much joy.” + </p> + <p> + “That will not be necessary, Kendric. I had rather die than know that I + had come between you. I cannot even risk the danger of it. I must leave + you to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Under no circumstances will I consent to that. My promise to your father + and my duty to you forbid it. To go back now would be cowardly and + unworthy of you. With my help and guidance you can do great things. We + must face the world with stout hearts. As to this trouble, let us concern + ourselves about it as little as possible. I believe that whatever may be + best for all will happen if we but wait with patience.” + </p> + <p> + Rayel made no answer, and for some moments we both sat looking at the + glowing embers in silence. + </p> + <p> + “I shall obey your wish,” he said presently; “I cannot do otherwise. I am + like a child, and must look to you for instruction in all things. Perhaps + there will come a time when I can repay you.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be a pleasure for me to help you as I would a brother, and you + will owe me no gratitude for it,” I said. + </p> + <p> + We sat discussing our plans for the future until near midnight. When we + went to bed at last, Rayel looked happier than I had seen him before since + my recovery at the hospital. + </p> + <p> + When I awoke it was near midday. I went to call Rayel and found that he + was gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <p> + After waiting for him nearly an hour I went to a neighboring restaurant + for breakfast. On returning I found that he had not yet come back. Alarmed + at his continued absence I went at once to Hester's apartments, scarcely + expecting, however, to find him there, but confident that she would be + able to tell me where he was likely to go. + </p> + <p> + “No doubt he has gone on some good errand,” she said. “Has he not told you + of his charitable enterprises?” + </p> + <p> + “He told me last night how they had reduced his fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor fellow!” she continued. “In his zeal for others he quite forgot his + own needs. I would have told you about it, but that he implored me to + spare you any knowledge of his condition. I think we shall be able to find + him. Let us go and try.” + </p> + <p> + Hester and I set out at once, walking rapidly against a biting east wind + toward the river. On reaching Second Avenue we took a car and rode down + among the big tenements towering into the sky on all sides in the lower + part of the city. Alighting in the midst of these human hives, we made our + way through a wretched crowd, shivering in the livery of destitution, down + a long and narrow alley. Entering one of the doorways we climbed a steep + flight of stairs, above which was a squalid throng pressing about an open + door on the landing. The women held children in their arms, and many of + them were crying bitterly. The men stood in silence peering curiously over + the heads of the further throng into the crowded chamber. Some of them + greeted Hester with great respect, and moved aside that we might have room + to enter. As we neared the door I could hear a babel of strange tongues + and the voices of women calling down the blessings of Heaven upon some one + in their midst. It was Rayel. He stood in a corner of the room holding two + little children in his arms, and the crowd was pressing forward as if + eager to speak with him. He was talking in a low voice to those nearest + him, but I was unable to catch his words. There were men and women of many + nationalities in the throng. I saw Italians, Celts, Poles, Germans and + even men whose swarthy faces and peculiar garb betokened Syrian origin. + When we pressed nearer to Rayel I saw some, as they came within reach, + extend their hands and touch him fondly, uttering exclamations as they did + so, often in a tongue that was strange to me. These simple-minded people + seemed to regard him as a supernatural being whom it was good to talk + with, and whose touch it was a blessing to feel. A look of love and + gentleness and sympathy irradiated his face and invited their confidence. + These were evidently the poor whom he had befriended, and he was now + taking leave of them, probably forever. It was a scene the like of which + few can ever hope to witness. After all, I thought, what manner of riches + can be compared to the satisfaction which Rayel feels at this moment? I + was quite ready then to applaud his unselfish generosity, for in that + gloomy and unclean place I first saw the full radiance of God's truth that + it is infinitely more blessed to give than to receive. We stood for a long + time looking upon this memorable meeting of Cadmus and Caliban. When at + length he caught sight of us, Rayel came where we stood, and said he was + ready to go home. Perceiving that we were about to go, the crowd hurried + from the building into the narrow alley leading out upon the street. Some + shouted endearing farewells as we passed them, and many of their hardened + faces were wet with tears. The sun was just going down and the shadows + were deepening between the high walls looming above us as we started + homeward. Hester insisted that we must dine with her and decide upon the + day of our departure. Rayel and I went directly home for a bath and a + change of clothing, after which we proceeded at once to Hester's + apartments. Evidently somewhat fatigued by the day's experience, Rayel had + little to say while we were eating dinner. It was arranged that we would + start for England by the first steamer on which we could secure a + comfortable passage. We had no sooner finished our coffee than a servant + announced Mr. Benjamin Murmurtot, who wished to see Miss Bronson. + </p> + <p> + “A reporter!” exclaimed Hester. “There's no dodging them in America. Shall + I ask him in for a moment?” + </p> + <p> + We said yes, of course, and Mr. Murmurtot presently fluttered into the + room. He was a natty little man, with a large nose, a bald head and a + decidedly English accent. + </p> + <p> + “Delighted to see you, Miss Bronson,” said he, “delighted, I'm sure. + Thought I'd call and pay my respects before you leave the city.” + </p> + <p> + He greeted us all with like effusiveness and sat down facing Hester. + </p> + <p> + “It's very kind of you,” said she; “but pray how did you know I was to + leave the city?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I'm sure, Miss Bronson, everybody knows you are going home to be + married?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true that I am going home soon,” said she, “but I must decline to + discuss my object in doing so.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray pardon me; I'm a journalist, you know,” said Mr. Murmurtot, “and I + earn my living by impertinence. Have I not seen you before, sir?” he + continued, facing Rayel. “I think you were at the theatre one evening some + time ago—sat in the lower box at the right of the stage—I + remember it well, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember the occasion,” said my cousin, with his accustomed gravity. + </p> + <p> + “I read about that occurrence at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party, sir,” + continued Mr. Murmurtot. “It was decidedly clever in you, sir—deucedly + clever! Everybody is talking about it, now that the Count has been + arrested.” + </p> + <p> + “Arrested!” I exclaimed; “has he been arrested?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, this morning, for the robbery, you know. They say that the police + have secured evidence that will convict him sure, but it seems they are + not yet ready to make it public; reporters can't get the Inspector to say + a word about it, you know—not a word.” + </p> + <p> + There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from all present, + save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint smile stole over his face. + </p> + <p> + “I knew they would find him out,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir,” said Mr. Murmurtot, again + addressing my cousin. + </p> + <p> + “And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter,” said Rayel. “It + is good that we understand each other.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Murmurtot started with surprise at the remark. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know how fully you may be acquainted with my secret,” said he, + “but permit me to assure you that I am here on a friendly mission. + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt of that,” said my cousin. + </p> + <p> + “Let me proceed directly to the object of my visit, then, which is to + learn how soon you expect to return to England.” + </p> + <p> + “By Saturday, if possible,” I replied. + </p> + <p> + “That is good,” said he, turning toward me. “The sooner the better. In the + meantime it will be my duty to keep a sharp eye upon you; I have been near + you all day. You need not feel any alarm—only do not be surprised if + you meet me often. I am responsible for your safety, that is all.” + </p> + <p> + “For whom are you acting?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir,” said he, rising to go, “men in my line of business must not + talk too much. Good night.” + </p> + <p> + After he had gone we asked Rayel to tell us more about this mysterious + visitor, but he was unable to do so. + </p> + <p> + When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with us to the + cab. As we alighted at our own door I saw a man standing by the street + lamp on the corner, some distance away, whom I recognized as Mr. + Murmurtot. I found a letter from Mr. Earl awaiting me at home, in which he + urged us to hasten back to England as soon as possible after my recovery. + </p> + <p> + “You and Rayel,” he said, “will, I trust, make your home at my house.” + </p> + <p> + Next day we began our preparations for the voyage. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <p> + It was on a bleak and windy night in December that we were driven through + a pelting rain to one of the docks on the North River, which our steamer + was to leave at high tide in the early morning. When we alighted Mr. + Murmurtot stood shivering in a greatcoat and muffler close by the + passengers' entrance. + </p> + <p> + “This is a good place for a warm greeting,” said he, taking Hester's hand. + “I've stood here so long that my teeth are chattering from the cold.” + </p> + <p> + “Won't you come aboard with us?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” he replied; “but I expect to sail with you in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “'Sa rough night, sir,” said the porter who carried our luggage, “but + we'll find it a bit rougher outside, I'm feered, afore anither night.” + </p> + <p> + Fatigued by a long day of arduous work, we went at once to our staterooms. + I was soon asleep after getting into my berth, but was awakened by the + tramp of feet on the upper decks and the shouting of the crew long before + the ship left her moorings. They reminded me of the first night I had ever + spent on an ocean steamer—the night I left Liverpool on that journey + fraught with danger I had not then dreamed of. I had grown old very fast + under the influences that had come into my life since then. Indeed, I was + now a man, whereas I had been only a boy when I left England. But Rayel + was with me now, and that repaid me for all I had suffered. What would he + have done in that lonely mansion after his father's death? For hours my + mind was occupied with these reflections, and at length I determined to + dress myself and go on deck. Rayel awoke while I was dressing and decided + to go with me. + </p> + <p> + We found the decks thronged with people, and the ship's crew were bustling + about, getting ready to sail. We stood near the gangway, facing the dock. + A man was pacing back and forth in the opening whose figure seemed + familiar to me. Presently he came aboard, and as he passed near us I saw + it was the omnipresent Mr. Murmurtot. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if he is afraid somebody will steal the ship?” I remarked. + </p> + <p> + “No, he is looking for some person,” said Rayel, divining my thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “All ashore! Stand away, there!” shouted one of the ship's officers. + </p> + <p> + The passengers fell back, the gangway was pulled aboard, the great hawsers + were loosened, and the ship moved slowly away from the dock. We stood for + a long time watching the river craft and the receding lights of the city. + The ship was well beyond the Atlantic Highlands when we went to our + stateroom and to bed again. We slept until late in the morning, and arose + barely in time for a late breakfast with Hester. Rayel seemed cheerful + enough and took more than ordinary interest in his surroundings. When we + had risen from the table he led me aside and directed my attention to a + short, stout man with a bristly growth of close-cropped black hair, a low + forehead and shaggy eyebrows, who was leaning lazily against the railing + of the stairway. + </p> + <p> + “Let us avoid him,” he whispered. “I do not like his looks.” + </p> + <p> + What can this mean? I asked myself, as we all proceeded to the deck. + Perhaps he was the man the detective was looking for. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful sunlit afternoon, and the vessel rode steadily in a sea + that was growing quiet under the dying impulse that the winds had left + behind them. We drew our chairs together on the deck near the stern of the + vessel, and had settled down for a quiet chat among ourselves when we were + unexpectedly joined by Mr. Murmurtot. + </p> + <p> + “Delighted, I'm sure!” he exclaimed, with the same inimitable drawl I had + noted on the occasion of our first meeting. I soon observed that the + artful little gentleman was master of an elaborate system of exclamations + by which he encouraged one to talk freely without saying anything himself. + </p> + <p> + In response to my assertion that we had been exceedingly busy getting + ready for the trip he said simply: “Indeed!” + </p> + <p> + It was a very unusual burst of confidence in which he was moved to express + his views with any greater freedom. When the remark which preceded it was + evidently expected to meet with Mr. Murmurtot's concurrence, then he would + say, “Yes, indeed!” + </p> + <p> + If the remark were one to which this response would be inappropriate he + often went to the extent of observing, “I dare say!” seemingly ventured + after careful consideration of the chances for and against the proposition + which provoked it. + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir, I do not agree with you,” he would always say when he felt + compelled to differ with me. If the difference in our views chanced to be + extremely radical, he would throw particular emphasis upon the word + “dear,” as a sort of recompense for his opposition. These forms of speech, + with occasional and slight variations, were always employed by Mr. + Murmurtot as a medium of thought and sentiment. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of our conversation I noticed the man whom Rayel had pointed + out to me when we arose from the breakfast-table. He was standing against + the rail, not twenty feet from where we sat, and as I looked at him he + turned away and walked leisurely down the deck. In a moment Rayel was on + his feet, and, excusing himself, he proceeded in the same direction. An + hour later, as he had not returned, I left Hester with Mr. Murmurtot and + went forward in quest of him. He was in the reading-room, apparently + interested in a newspaper. As he did not observe me, I sat down behind his + chair without disturbing him. To my surprise I saw that he was not reading + the paper, but that his eyes were furtively watching the mysterious + stranger he had followed, who sat on the other side of the room listlessly + puffing at a cigarette. I was seated scarcely a moment when Rayel seemed + to be aware of my presence. Looking from face to face until he had + discovered me he arose and came to my side. + </p> + <p> + “I was trying to read a newspaper,” said he, leading the way to the door, + “but reading is still hard work for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw that you did not seem to be looking at the paper,” said I, as we + proceeded to the deck. He made no reply, but stopped and looked out across + the waste of waters at the horizon. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know that man?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + For a moment I stood waiting for his answer. Apparently he had not heard + my question, and I repeated it in a somewhat louder tone. + </p> + <p> + He turned suddenly with an impatient exclamation. There was a flash of + anger in his eyes as he faced me. I had never seen him in such a mood + before. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me,” said he. “I am only angry with myself. Come, Hester will be + looking for us.” + </p> + <p> + I did not venture again to refer to our bristly fellow-passenger in + Rayel's presence. Never inclined to talk much, even with me, he was + becoming more silent than ever as the voyage continued. Day by day his + interest in that strange man seemed to increase. He spent as little time + as possible in my company. When not with me he was hounding him about the + ship, keeping him in sight from some favorable point of observation. What + was the meaning of it? The question forced itself upon my mind + persistently by day and night, and begat in me a gloomy reticence which + Hester was quick to observe. Every day I expected some revelation from + Rayel, but he said nothing about the man in whom he had taken such + extraordinary interest. + </p> + <p> + We had been over a week at sea, and I was sitting alone one afternoon, + when Mr. Murmurtot came along and asked if he might introduce an + acquaintance of his whom I ought to know. Then he went to find the + gentleman, saying that he would return in a few moments. He had no sooner + left me than my mind reverted to the man who had been the bugbear of my + thoughts since we left New York. Presently Mr. Murmurtot touched my arm. + Looking up suddenly, I saw standing before me the very man of whom I had + been thinking. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Lane, let me introduce you to Mr. Fenlon,” said the detective. I + shook the hand that was extended to me mechanically, and made some + incoherent response—I do not remember what. I had been taken by + surprise. My voice was unnatural and my strength seemed to have left me + suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Are you not well, sir?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, he is not well yet.” + </p> + <p> + It was the voice of Rayel that answered for me. He was standing by my + side, his lips tightly drawn, and his eyes fixed upon the man Fenlon. + There was a terrible look on his face as he stood there towering above us. + The man turned pale and moved quickly backward two or three steps, staring + at my cousin as if in fear of receiving a death-blow. For an instant, + only, he stood like some fierce animal at bay, then turned and walked + hurriedly down the deck. The situation was made all the more impressive by + the interval of silence that followed Rayel's words. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me,” said Mr. Murmurtot, taking my hand, “if this meeting was + unpleasant. It was necessary.” Then he bowed politely and walked away. The + sun was just going down as Rayel and I entered the cabin, where Hester was + waiting for us. + </p> + <p> + “The captain thinks we will reach Southampton before five in the morning,” + said she. + </p> + <p> + I was glad to learn that our voyage was so near its end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <p> + After dinner Rayel and I went at once to our stateroom. + </p> + <p> + “I am out of patience with myself,” said he, as soon as we were seated. + “My mind is failing me just when I need it most. I have grown dull and + stupid. For more than a week I have been trying to find out that man's + secret. I knew that he had a secret, and that it concerned us. Not until + to-night was I certain that I had found it out. Once I could see the truth + clearly. No matter how deeply it was buried under lies—I could see + it. But now there is something like a mist before my eyes, and I am sure + of nothing. Perhaps it is because I am now a liar myself, as bad as any of + them. God have mercy on me!” said he, rising, and speaking with much + animation. “I know now what is blinding my soul. When a man lies he loses + some degree of his power to distinguish between truth and falsehood.” + </p> + <p> + He stood looking into my face impatiently, as if waiting to hear what I + would say to his remark. + </p> + <p> + “That would be the natural result, I have no doubt,” said I; “but are you + not trying to convict yourself of too much wickedness and stupidity?” + </p> + <p> + I had never considered the misfortune of knowing too much—of being + able to detect every difference between word and thought, between + appearance and reality. That was the power which Rayel possessed, and it + increased his moral responsibility by as much as it transcended the power + common to others. Here, indeed, was a man ripe for the fate of a martyr. + </p> + <p> + “Won't you tell me Fenlon's secret, if you have found it out?” I asked. + “I've been thinking about it night and day since we first saw him.” + </p> + <p> + “Be wise! Don't try to learn too fast, Kendric” said he. “You shall know + it soon, I am sure of that—indeed, I promise that you shall.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite willing to wait on the future for everything if you think it + is best,” I said. + </p> + <p> + We sat for a long time, making plans for our future life in England. It + was near midnight when we retired to our berths, but we were up early in + the morning, eager to catch the first sight of land. On reaching the deck + we were overjoyed to see the distant spires of Southampton glowing in the + morning sun. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <p> + Mr. and Mrs. Earl met us at the station of the Southwestern Railway in + London, and we were driven at once to their home. Hester came to breakfast + with us, but Mrs. Earl would not let her go to Liverpool that day, + ship-worn and fatigued as we all felt after the voyage. + </p> + <p> + “You resemble your father, sir, when he was of your age,” said Mr. Earl, + addressing my cousin, as we were eating. “But you are larger, much larger, + than he was.” + </p> + <p> + “You were my father's friend when he was a young man, I believe?” said + Rayel. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he and his brother were my best friends in those days. I tried to + induce him to study law, but he was more inclined to medicine.” + </p> + <p> + Rayel had found a man quite after his liking and the two were on the best + of terms at once. Indeed, he seemed to talk with my benefactor as freely + as he ever talked with me. I found Mrs. Earl very much as I had imagined + my mother to have been—a full-faced, ruddy-cheeked woman; with a + sweet voice and gentle manners. She greeted me as if I were her own son + returned from a long journey, and when we sat down to talk after + breakfast, I felt the joy and peace of one who has found a home after much + wandering. + </p> + <p> + I spent the afternoon with Mr. Earl in his library, and he listened with + deep interest to the complete story of my life since the night we parted + in Liverpool. + </p> + <p> + He had many questions to ask me touching the attempt upon my life, and my + replies were jotted down in his memorandum-book. After I had told him all + that I was able to tell he sat for some moments thoughtfully turning the + pages of the book, stopping now and then to read some of the memoranda. + </p> + <p> + “It looks pretty bad for them, doesn't it?” said he calmly, looking up at + me over his spectacles. “But we'll bring this matter to a climax very + soon,” he continued. “We haven't seen the last act of the play yet. You + need not have any further fear for your safety—I will look after + that. You may feel quite free to go and come as you please in this part of + the city. Above all things we must avoid letting them know that we suspect + anything; it might defeat me in getting hold of the last bit of evidence + that is necessary to complete our case.” + </p> + <p> + I nodded, and waited for him to proceed. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go carefully until we're sure of our ground,” he continued. “Your + stepmother knows you are in London, of course. You must go and see her. + Take your cousin with you, and—well, you will know how to treat + them. After all, you must bear in mind that in the eye of the law every + man is innocent until he is proven guilty. Adopt that view of the case + yourself. You needn't fear anything from Cobb or his wife. Only be + reasonably prudent.” + </p> + <p> + “I've no fear that they will try to do us any harm,” said I; “and I would + greatly enjoy visiting the old house. Perhaps we could go to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “The day after. You'd better go down to Liverpool to-morrow with the young + lady, and return by the night train.” + </p> + <p> + That day saw the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship between Hester + and Mrs. Earl. When we left next morning to go to Hester's home in + Liverpool, she promised to return soon for a long visit. By ten o'clock we + were well out of smoky London, on the way that I had already traversed + once before, with a cheerful heart most creditable to me under the + circumstances. Mrs. Chaffin was waiting for us at the gate when we + alighted in front of the old wood-colored cottage—that haven of + weary legs in days gone by. Phil (who had lengthened noticeably in the + service of Valentine, King & Co.) was there, too, and all the rest of + the Chaffin household in Sunday clothes. Mrs. Chaffin was quite beside + herself with joy. + </p> + <p> + “Dear-a me!” said the good lady, after the salutations were over. “Dear-a + sakes! How you've growed! I didn't think you'd ever live to get s' big. I + thought as 'ow som' 'arm 'd come to ye when ye went away, an' Hester—” + </p> + <p> + “Mamma!” exclaimed Hester, with a reproving glance. “Don't tell him.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm that fidgety I don't know what I'm sayin'. The Lord bless us, but ye + must be hungry!” said the good woman, as she spread the table for dinner. + She had guessed rightly, and Hester bustled about, helping her mother get + the dishes on the table, with a critical eye to all the arrangements. + Rayel was much amused by the children, the youngest of whom had climbed + upon his knee and was taking liberties with his cravat. He was wholly + unaccustomed to the pranks of children, and we frequently rallied to his + defence. He seemed to enjoy them, however, and was soon involved in a + spree at which both Hester and I laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + “This herring ain't extra good, sir, but I 'ope it won't go ag'in' ye,” + said Mrs. Chaffin to Rayel, as we sat down to the table. + </p> + <p> + He seemed in doubt for a moment as to what it would be proper to say in + reply to this well-intended remark. + </p> + <p> + “I have never eaten a herring, madam,” said he, gravely, “but I have no + doubt it will be good.” + </p> + <p> + “I 'ope so, sir—indeed, I 'ope so; but I dare presume to say that it + will taste bad enough to the likes of you.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Chaffin (good soul) had evidently concluded that my cousin was a man + entitled to extra politeness. Hester had adroitly side-tracked the herring + question and started another train of speculation, when her mother's + misgivings were again excited respecting the tea, which Rayel had just + tasted. + </p> + <p> + “Murky, sir?” she asked, with a glance of alarm. “I 'ope it don't taste + murky.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Chaffin's solicitude respecting the tea and the herring reminded me + of the first time I had stretched my tired legs under that hospitable + board at Phil's invitation; of those big, wondering eyes that stared at me + across the table; of the songs and stories which beguiled the evening + hours. + </p> + <p> + The candles were lit before dinner was over, and when we rose from the + table it was to gather about the warm fire and exchange memories, while + Rayel listened with deep interest. Phil had been promoted from a pair of + legs to a pair of hands, and was now third bookkeeper for the firm. Our + carriage came for us at nine o'clock. Hester had decided to stay a day or + two with her mother, but it was necessary for Rayel and me to return to + London that night, as we were to make an important call the next day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + Late in the afternoon of the day following our visit to Liverpool we + ascended the big stone steps of my old home and pulled the bell. After + all, I found that my nerves were not quite steady while we were waiting + for the door to open. We had come intending to spend the night there, and + my benefactor had given me certain precautions not calculated to make me + feel entirely at home. Was there some deeper plan underlying his + suggestion as to this visit than he had chosen to explain? I had not long + to consider that point, however, for suddenly the door opened and a + servant in imposing livery confronted us. I handed him my card and we were + shown into the reception room at once. Presently he conducted us to my + stepmother, who greeted me with a great show of cordiality and some tears. + She had grown old fast since I left home, but she had artfully disguised + the evidences of age upon her face and neck. Why had I stayed away so + long? What had she done to deserve such shameful neglect? These and other + questions taxed my wits for an answer that would neither outrage my own + conscience nor offend her. Mr. Cobb, who had just returned from his + office, suddenly entered the room. His face assumed an ashen pallor, and + he stared at me quite dumfounded for a moment, when I arose and stood + before him. + </p> + <p> + “It is Kendric. Don't you recognize him?” said my stepmother. + </p> + <p> + “So it is!” he exclaimed. “But he's grown quite out of my recollection.” + The man had recovered his self-possession in a moment, and treated me, it + must be said to his credit, with marked coolness. I was likely to get on + with him very well, I thought, but the fawning attitude of his wife quite + unhorsed me. If I am to see the devil I'd rather he'd frown than smile. + Cobb had very little to say to us, and left the room at the first + opportunity. In doing so he had shown scant consideration for his wife, + however, as it left a burden upon her shoulders that must have taxed her + strength. But she was not unequal to it. Her smile broadened after he had + gone, and there was a tone of deeper sincerity in her expressions of + regard. We had been to dinner, and if she would kindly send a little cold + lunch to our room at bedtime that would be quite sufficient. During her + absence for dinner the reaction came. When my stepmother returned she + seemed to have suddenly grown older, and she looked at us through haggard + and sunken eyes. Surely this was a terrible punishment she was undergoing, + and I pitied her. Mr. Cobb had an important engagement to keep, she said, + and hoped we would excuse him. Slowly the evening wore away and at ten + o'clock we were shown to our room, greatly fatigued by this trying + experience. It was a room fronting the street on the third floor, which I + had occupied before I left home. The walls had been painted white since + then, with a frieze of gold along the ceiling. My father used to sleep in + the room directly under it. Rayel had been silent and absent-minded all + the evening, rarely speaking except in reply to some question. + </p> + <p> + “I feel sad for some cause I do not understand,” said he, preparing to + retire. “I shall be glad when to-morrow comes.” + </p> + <p> + “We will go back in the morning,” I said. “You don't feel at home here, do + you?” + </p> + <p> + He did not seem to hear me, but tried the door, which I had already + bolted, and then got into bed, yawning and shivering, for the room was + cold. I turned down the light, and, opening the shutters, looked out upon + the street, now deserted save by a solitary man who had just passed the + house and whose slow footsteps were gradually growing less distinct. I + crouched there, listening for some moments to that fading sound, when it + began to grow louder again. The man had turned about and was coming back. + As he passed under the lamp on the opposite corner I thought I recognized + the slim figure of Mr. Murmurtot. Suddenly I was startled by a noise in + the room adjoining ours, and sprang to my feet in a tremor. Plague take my + imagination! It was somebody going to bed. I sat down again and for a long + time looked out at the man walking back and forth in front of the house. I + was rapidly getting into a condition of mind unfavorable to rest and, + closing the shutters, I went to bed at once. For hours I lay tossing + restlessly from one side to the other, and finally fell into a deep sleep. + I must have slept a long time when I suddenly awoke, laboring with + nightmare. I had heard no sound, I had felt no touch, but all at once my + eyes were open and I knew that I was awake. The lamp was burning dimly on + the table beside my bed. How my heart was beating! And my arm—how it + trembled when I tried to raise up on my elbow and look about the room! + </p> + <p> + “Who's there?” I whispered. Was it Rayel standing near the bed, his body + swaying backward and forward, or was I yet asleep? Everything looked dim + and weird. I seemed to be in some silent ghostland between sleeping and + waking. I rubbed my eyes and peered about the half-darkened room. It was + Rayel, and, as I gazed at him, his eyes seemed to shine like balls of + fire. I called to him, but he made no answer. What had happened since I + went to sleep? Alarmed, I threw the covers aside and leaped out of bed. As + I did so he stepped up close to the opposite wall, and, as his hand moved, + I could hear the grating of a crayon on its surface. In tremulous haste I + turned up the wick of the lamp and tiptoed toward him, holding it in my + hand. He was stepping backward and excitedly pointing at the wall. He had + been drawing a picture on its white surface—the form of a woman + holding something in her hand. I stepped nearer, still carrying the lamp. + A sharp interjection broke from my lips. The woman pictured there was my + stepmother, and it was a knife that she held! A man was lying at her feet. + Again Rayel stepped forward, and again I heard the crayon grating on the + wall. Then he stood aside. Great God! There were drops of blood dripping + from the knife now. Rayel sank down upon the floor and covered his eyes + with his hands. I stood there, dumb with fear and horror, looking first + upon him and then upon the picture. + </p> + <p> + The silence of the night was unbroken save by those slow footsteps in the + street to which I had listened before retiring. But suddenly I heard a low + wailing cry in the room adjoining ours. It so startled me that I came near + dropping the lamp. Strange and weird it sounded, gradually growing + shriller and more terrible to hear! It was the voice of my stepmother. Was + she dreaming? And had Rayel seen the vision that affrighted her? Was that + dagger pricking her brain? In a moment the swelling cry broke into a sharp + scream, such as might come from one exposed to sudden peril, and ceased. + Then the sound of a bell rang sharply through the house, followed by loud + knocking at the door and a man's shout. + </p> + <p> + “Open the door, I command you!” he said. + </p> + <p> + He must have heard that piercing cry. Rayel still lay motionless upon the + floor. Was he asleep? Why did he not rise? I began to feel numb. I seemed + to have lost the power of motion. I could hear some one rapping at our + door, but I could not move. + </p> + <p> + “Kendric! Kendric! Kendric!” Was it my stepmother who was calling me? What + a piteous, pleading tone! “Let me speak to you, Kendric! For God's sake, + let me tell you!” I was reeling: my strength had all left me. Crash! went + the lamp at my feet. There was a great flash of light, which dazzled my + eyes, and I fell heavily upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + I was in the open air when thought and feeling came back to me. My hands + and face were paining me as if they had been terribly burned. There were a + number of men standing over a motionless figure that lay beside me. + </p> + <p> + “The poor lad!” said one of the men “he's nearly roasted. See here how the + clothes have been burned away from his neck! Can't ye stop the blood? The + mon'll die afore the amb'lance comes ef we don't stop the blood. A brave + mon he is, too. D'ye see 'im coming down the stairs with th' other one on + his back?” + </p> + <p> + Of whom were they talking? I struggled to my feet—I could feel no + pain now—and bent over that still form which had been lying beside + me. Oh! it was the heaven-blessed face of Rayel, now bleeding and scarred + and ghastly. I raised his head. The hair fell away where my hand touched + it, and a groan escaped his lips. I could not speak nor weep nor utter any + sound. A strange calmness came over my spirit and I sat there motionless, + bending over him I loved so well, while the crowd of men looked on in + silence. “After His own image made He man;” these words came to my mind as + I looked into that dear face. Then I prayed in silence—for him. + Thank God! his eyes were open now and his lips were moving. I bent lower + until I could feel his breath upon my cheek. + </p> + <p> + “Is it you, Kendric?” he whispered. “Did I save you from the fire? I + cannot see you, but I know you are here.” + </p> + <p> + I heard his words distinctly, but I could not answer. The power of speech + seemed to have left me. + </p> + <p> + “The fire awoke me,” he continued, moaning. “We were lying on the floor. I + called to you, but you did not answer. Thank God! you are safe now.” + </p> + <p> + Returning consciousness brought with it an increasing sense of his pain, + and he began to struggle and groan in dreadful agony. Suddenly, extending + one of his blackened hands until it touched my face, he shouted in a loud + voice: + </p> + <p> + “Kendric! Kendric! help—help me!” + </p> + <p> + Then some men laid hold of me and lifted me up. I clung to Rayel with all + my strength, but could not resist them, and as I was borne away I knew + that Rayel and I had parted forever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <p> + After that midnight parting the first thing I can recall was the touch of + a gentle hand upon my face. When my eyes opened I saw Hester bending over + me. + </p> + <p> + “You are at home now, Kendric,” said she. Such a feeling of weakness came + over me that I could not speak. I thought a nail had been driven into my + brain, but the tears that began rolling down my cheeks and the moans that + broke from my lips seemed to loosen it. + </p> + <p> + Many days passed before I was able to reflect upon this last tragic + episode in my life or to take any thought of the morrow. One evening I + awoke from a deep sleep feeling a new interest in life. There were people + sitting in the room and talking in low tones. + </p> + <p> + “Has he asked for Rayel yet?” said one of them. + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” was the answer. + </p> + <p> + “Better not let him know about it yet. There's time enough. He'll be + around soon.” + </p> + <p> + I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside. There were Hester + and Mr. Earl and his good wife, all looking down upon me with smiling + faces. + </p> + <p> + “You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel is dead.” + </p> + <p> + They made no answer. + </p> + <p> + “I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened,” I said. “There is no + danger; I am quite strong now.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Earl took my hand and told me in a low, calm voice, all he knew of the + tragedy. He only knew, however, that the lamp had exploded and that Rayel + had been horribly burned by the oil. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” said he, “that the lamp was on a table near his bed when it + exploded. In a moment the whole room was afire, and you, no doubt, being + asleep at the time, he lifted you up and ran with you down the stairway + and out of the open door. But in the meantime he had been horribly burned, + and he fell in a faint as soon as he reached the pavement. Strangely + enough you were unconscious for some moments, although you were not badly + burned. Probably it was the smoke.” + </p> + <p> + Then no one knows, thought I, what really did happen that night. The lamp + must have fallen almost directly upon Rayel's head, and the oil had no + doubt saturated his hair and clothing. + </p> + <p> + “And the house?” I asked. “Is that—” + </p> + <p> + “In ashes,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + Then every trace of that strange event, which no eye save mine had + witnessed, was wiped out forever. The hideous secret had better never be + told. + </p> + <p> + “If I was not badly burned, tell me why I have been lying ill.” + </p> + <p> + “Brain fever, my boy,” said he. “Too much excitement, I presume—but + you're out of danger now, and will be on your feet again in a few days.” + </p> + <p> + Fortunately the latter assurance was rightly spoken. The first day that + brought me strength enough to put on my clothes and walk about the house, + Mr. Earl invited me into the library to talk business. We were no sooner + seated than he unlocked a drawer and handed me a document to read. + </p> + <p> + It was a deed of all my father's real and personal property. + </p> + <p> + “They have both confessed,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Confessed what?” I asked, wondering if the secret of my father's death + had come out. + </p> + <p> + “The conspiracy against your life. There were two accomplices—one + Count de Montalle, formerly a servant of Cobb, and now a convict in + America, and the other a man named Fenlon, who is under arrest. These were + the men who tried to take your life. Fenlon came over on the steamer with + you, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “And my stepmother—where is she?” + </p> + <p> + “Gone to answer for her sins at a higher court,” said he. “Her last + deposition is annexed to the deed. The old hussy ran into the fire like a + miller, and stood there screaming, 'Look at that picture on the wall! Oh, + God! do you see it?' she shouted to the fellow who found her standing in + the smoke and flames. The chap was so excited he really thought that he + did see the picture of a woman holding a knife.” + </p> + <p> + “That is strange, isn't it?” said I. “Who was the man?” + </p> + <p> + “A detective,” said he, “whom I hired to watch the house that night. He + heard some disturbance, it seems, and, fearing mischief, he immediately + forced the door open and ran pell-mell into your cousin, noble fellow, who + was then bringing you down-stairs. If he had been one moment later the + woman would have been burned to death, and we would never have got this + deposition. Cobb wouldn't have been the first to weaken, you may be sure + of that. But after she had told the whole story, why, there was no use in + holding out. Badly burned? No, strange to say, she was not badly burned, + but frightened out of her wits. The nervous shock was too much for her and + soon led to fatal results. Cobb will go to prison.” + </p> + <p> + I made no reply. I could not have found words to express the thoughts that + came trooping through my brain. + </p> + <p> + “I have to tell you,” he continued, “that your cousin left a will + bequeathing to you his father's house and a number of valuable paintings.” + </p> + <p> + I turned away and burning tears of sorrow came to my eyes. It was indeed a + sad inheritance—the earthly part of his great riches—and of + little moment to me. I could not bear to think or speak of it then, and I + begged my friend to hide the will from my sight until time might give me + strength to read it with composure. + </p> + <p> + One evening in early spring Hester and I were walking along the shore of + the Mediterranean at Marseilles. I had been traveling through southern + Europe since my recovery, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Earl. Hester had + recently joined us in this ancient city of Provence. The sun was sinking + below the distant horizon of water, and his shafts, glancing from the + western edge of the sea, shot far into the immeasurable reaches above us. + We stood in silence while the great wall of night loomed into the zenith, + and then fell westward through the luminous slope of heaven. The broad + terrace from which we viewed the scene was quite deserted. + </p> + <p> + “If it is a hopeless love I cherish, let me know it now, Hester,” I said + as we turned to go. “I cannot wait any longer.” + </p> + <p> + “You can wait half an hour longer, I am sure,” she said, hurrying me + along. “We will be at home, then.” + </p> + <p> + Some months after Hester had become my wife we received a call in London + from our old friend, Mr. Murmurtot. + </p> + <p> + “You have been playing in a great life drama,” said he to Hester, “and I, + too, have had a part in it. Lest you may think that it was the fool's + part, let me tell you that I am the man who arrested the Count de + Montalle.” + </p> + <p> + “And the man who brought Fenlon to justice?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “The same. He confessed within three hours after you were introduced to + him.” + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + Every week my wife and I visit Rayel's grave and strew fresh flowers upon + it. A tall shaft of marble marks the spot where he lies at rest. His name + is graven in the stone, and underneath it are these words: “He was a man + without selfishness or vanity.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + THE END. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 7486-h.htm or 7486-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/4/8/7486/ + +Produced by Jeffrey Kraus-yao, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Master of Silence + +Author: Irving Bacheller + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7486] +Posting Date: July 27, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + + + + +Produced by Jeffrey Kraus-yao + + + + + +THE MASTER OF SILENCE + +A ROMANCE + + +Fiction, Fact, and Fancy Series + +Edited by Arthur Stedman + + +By Irving Bacheller + + +New York Charles L. Webster & Co. 1892 + + + + + +THE MASTER OF SILENCE + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Near the end of my fourteenth year I was apprenticed to Valentine, King +& Co., cotton importers, Liverpool, as a "pair of legs." My father +had died suddenly, leaving me and his property in the possession of my +stepmother and my guardian. It was in deference to their urgent advice +that I left my home in London (with little reluctance, since my life +there had never been happy) to study the art of money-making. On +arriving at the scene of my expected triumphs I was assigned to the +somewhat humble position of errand boy. In common with other boys who +performed a like service for the firm I was known as "a pair of legs." +Lodgings of a rather modest character had been secured for me in the +western outskirts of the city near the banks of the Mersey. I was slow +to make friends, and my evenings were spent in the perusal of some story +books, which I had brought with me from London. One night, not long +after the beginning of my new life in Liverpool, I was lying in bed +listening to the wind and rain beating over the housetops and driving +against the windows, when suddenly there came a loud rap at my door. + +"Who's there?" I demanded, starting out of bed. + +As I heard no answer, I repeated my inquiry and stood a moment +listening. I could hear nothing, however, but the wind and rain. +Lighting a candle and dressing myself with all haste, I opened the +door. I could just discern the figure of a bent old man standing in +the hallway, when a gust of wind suddenly put out the candle. The door +leading to the street was open, and the old man was probably a straggler +come to importune me for shelter or for something to eat. As I relit the +candle, he entered my room and stood facing me, but he did not speak. +His clothes were dripping and he was blinking at me with strange, +gleaming eyes. His hair was snow-white, and as I looked into his face +the deathly pallor of it frightened me. His general appearance was more +than startling; it was uncanny. + +"What can I do for you?" I asked. + +Greatly to my surprise he made no reply, but with a look of pain and +great anxiety sank into a chair. Then he withdrew from his pocket a +letter which he extended to me. The envelope was wet and dirty. It was +directed to Kendric Lane, Esq., No. Old Broad street, London, England. +The address was crossed and "22 Kirkland street, Liverpool," written +under it in the familiar hand of my guardian. A strange proceeding! +thought I. Was the letter intended for my father, who was long dead, and +who had removed from that address more than ten years ago? The old man +began to grin and nod as I examined the superscription. I broke the seal +on the envelope and found the following letter, undated, and with no +indication of the place from which it was sent: + +"Dear Brother--I need your help. Come to me at once if you can. +Consequences of vast importance to me and to mankind depend upon your +prompt compliance. I cannot tell you where I am. The bearer will bring +you to me. Follow him and ask no questions. Moreover, be silent, like +him, regarding the subject of this letter. If you can come, procure +passage in the first steamer for New York. My messenger is provided with +funds. Your loving brother, + +"Revis Lane." + +I had often heard my father speak of my uncle Revis, who went to America +almost twenty years before I was born. Now he was my nearest living +relative. No news of him had reached us for many years before my father +died. I was familiar with his handwriting and the specimen before me was +either genuine, or remarkably like it. If genuine he had evidently not +heard of my father's death. + +Extraordinary as the message was, the messenger was more so. He sat +peering at me with a strange, half-crazed expression on his face. + +"When did you leave my uncle?" I asked. + +He sat as if unconscious that I had spoken. + +I drew my chair to his side and repeated the words in a loud voice, but +he did not seem to hear me. Evidently the old man could neither hear nor +speak. In a moment he began groping in his pockets, and presently handed +me a card which contained the following words: + +"If you can come, tear this card in halves and return the right half to +him." + +I examined the card carefully. The words were undoubtedly in my uncle's +handwriting. The back of the card was covered with strange characters in +red ink. I tore the card as directed and handed him the right half. + +He held it up to the light and examined it carefully, then put it away +in a pocket of his waistcoat. The look of pain returned to his face, +and he coughed feebly as if suffering from a severe cold. The hour being +late I intimated by pantomime that I desired him to occupy my bed. He +understood me readily enough and began feebly to remove his clothing, +while I prepared a sofa for myself. He was soon sound asleep, but I lay +awake long after the light was extinguished. He was evidently quite +ill, and I determined to go for a physician at the first appearance of +daylight. As soon as possible I would go with him to my uncle. There +were no ties to detain me, and it was clearly my duty to do so. Perhaps +my uncle was in some great peril. If so, I might be of service to him. + +When I arose in the morning my strange lodger seemed to be sleeping +quietly. His face looked pale and ghastly in the light of day. I stepped +close to his bed and, laying my hand upon his brow, was horrified +to discover that he was dead. What was I to do? I sat down to think, +trembling with fright. I must call in a policeman and tell him all I +knew about my strange visitor. No, not all; I must not tell him about +the letter, thought I. My uncle might not wish it to be published to the +world. I ran out upon the street and told the first officer I met how +the old man had rapped at my door during the storm; how I had given him +my bed out of pity, and how I had discovered on awaking in the morning +that he was dead. + +That day the body was taken to the morgue. The sum of L100 were found in +his pockets, a part of which gave him a decent burial. But while he had +gone to his long rest, he had sown in my mind the seed of unrest. I went +about my work clinging to the thread of a mystery half told. Whither +would it lead me? + +Strange as that messenger had seemed, he was certainly a good man to +carry secrets. + + + +CHAPTER II + + +The multitude of legs, engaged by the pair in the service of Valentine, +King & Co., were distinguished from each other by a bit of house slang. +I was known as "last legs" among my companions for some time after +my initiation to the warehouse. At first I was inclined to resent the +reduction of my individuality to such a vulgar formula, but as I became +inured to hard tasks the sharpness of this indignity wore away. + +There was one pair of legs doing service for the firm whose owner became +my most valued friend and confidant. In his business capacity he was +called "long legs," but his proper name was Philbert Chaffin. He was +a tall, slim boy, with blue eyes and light hair, the son of a stage +carpenter, who was employed at one of the cheap theatres and who +lived within a stone's throw of my lodgings. His language was a unique +combination of bad grammar and provincial brogue; but every boy in +the warehouse allowed that he was a good fellow. He had spent many an +evening with me, and confided to me many a secret which, owing to solemn +pledges made at that time, I am not at liberty to divulge, before he +invited me to dine and spend an evening with the family. I accepted his +invitation gratefully, and the next evening Phil took me over. It was a +hearty welcome that I received at the home of the Chaffins. My enjoyment +of their simple hospitality would have been perfect but for the +embarrassment I felt at the many apologies with which it was offered. +Mrs. Chaffin knew as 'ow the tea was not as good as I was used to +drinking, but she 'oped it didn't taste "murky." I assured her that +it did not taste murky, although a little doubtful as to the exact +significance of the word when applied to tea. But in spite of my +declaration she insisted that it must taste "murky" to one who was +accustomed to better things. The ham was never too good in Liverpool, +but she 'oped that it wasn't "reesty." I solemnly declared that it was +not "reesty." But Mrs. Chaffin and Mr. Chaffin out of the goodness of +their hearts continued to condole with me on the score that such ham +tasted and must taste "reesty" to one not used to it. I had no sooner +satisfied their misgivings concerning the ham than I was compelled to +take issue with them as to the bread, regarding which they entertained a +lurking suspicion of staleness. During all of this discussion about the +ham, the tea and the bread, I was conscious that a pair of big brown +eyes, darkly shaded with long lashes, were staring at me across the +table. Whenever I had the courage to glance that way I observed that +they had been looking at me intently, and were suddenly averted. These +wondering eyes belonged to the only daughter in the family. + +"They've all been boys," said Mrs. Chaffin, "since Hetty was born." + +I thought it strange that the H in her daughter's name was the only one +that the good woman had shown the ability to manage. + +"Hetty is the only one of the lot that takes to books," she continued. +"The head master told me she will make a good scholar, and dear a me! +she does nothing but read books from mornin' till night." While Hetty +and her mother removed the dishes we drew our chairs about the fire, +and Mr. Chaffin, a blunt, simple-minded man, entertained me with sage +observations regarding politics and the weather. He spoke rather loudly, +and in a key which, as I learned afterward, he only employed on very +special occasions. Presently the youngest lad in the family, who sat +on his father's knee, demanded a song. The response was prompt and +generous. The selection with which Mr. Chaffin favored us contained +upward of forty stanzas, relating the unhappy story of a fair maid and +a bold sailor, both of whom met a tragic death, in the last stanza, just +before the day set for their marriage. The song being finished, Hetty +and her mother drew their chairs up to the fire; Hetty sat next me, +and after a severe inward struggle I summoned the courage to ask her a +question. She answered me in the fewest words possible, but in a +voice so sweet and low that I wondered then and often afterward at +its contrast to the other voices I had heard in that house. She wore a +home-spun frock and a neat white pinafore, set off with a dainty ribbon +tied about her throat. + +"She's uncommon still when strangers is here, sir," said Mrs. Chaffin; +"but law me! she goes rompitin' about the house like as if she was crazy +sometimes, ticklin' her father and tryin' t' snip off his beard with the +scissors." + +That night was the beginning of happier days for me. When at last I +rose to go it was near midnight. I forgot my weariness as I walked to my +lodgings, thinking of those simple, honest people and of their kindness +to me. + +I enjoyed high jinks at the house of the Chaffins at least once a week +during the next year of my apprenticeship, near the close of which +I began to get ready for a visit to my stepmother in fulfilment of a +promise I had made by letter. It had been, on the whole, a happy year to +me. I had known many lonely hours, to be sure, but those visits to the +little old weather-stained house, in which I found my first friends +after leaving home, cheered me from week to week. I knew, too, that +Hetty enjoyed those long evenings as much as I did, which meant more to +me than I would have dared confess to her. I thought of her a good deal, +but it always resulted in the wretched feeling that we were both very +young after all. It is not likely that I would have decided to go home +for a fortnight, but that I thought it would be pleasant to observe +the effect of saying good-by to Hetty. I had no doubt that she would be +quite overcome with grief and loneliness after I had gone, and, reckless +youth that I was, nothing could have made me more happy than to have +known that she really felt grieved on my account. And yet when I called +to bid them all good-by, the evening before I started, she betrayed no +sign of regret. In fact, she seemed so much happier than usual that I +worried about it for weeks, even after I had gone so far away that it +seemed doubtful whether we would ever meet again. It did not occur to +me that I had been less skilful than she in concealing my emotions, and +that she might be merry only because she could perceive that I was sad. +Mrs. Chaffin was the only member of the family who seemed to entertain +feelings as serious as my own. She had dreamed that I would not come +back again, and we all laughed at her then, but when the swift years had +revealed some of their secrets, we thought of this prophetic dream with +a sadness deeper than any that comes to childish hearts. Hester and Phil +walked with me to the gate when I left the house. The radiance of a full +moon fell on our faces through the flying clouds. Phil, stupid fellow! +had so much to say that I did not get a chance to speak to his sister +before she darted back to the house as if pursued. On reaching my +lodgings I was surprised to find a gentleman waiting for me. + +"Don't know me, eh?" said he, shaking my hand warmly. + +He was a tall, portly man, with a kindly face, clean shaven except for +a pair of close-cropped, iron-gray side whiskers. I was sure I had seen +him before, but couldn't think of his name. + +"Earl," said he, handing me a card on which his name and address were +printed as follows: + + DAVID GORDON EARL, + Barrister at Law, + Lincoln's Inn, London. + +I remembered distinctly having accompanied my father to his office on +one occasion some years before. + +"I've come up from London on purpose to see you. Just got here only a +few minutes ago," said he, laying off his overcoat. "But upon my word!" +he added, surveying me from head to foot, "I didn't expect to find such +a big, strapping fellow as you are. Your surroundings are quite as I had +supposed they would be. Cramped quarters in a miserable tumble-down back +street! I suppose your guardian provided this place for you?" + +"I believe so," said I. + +"Did you know that your stepmother had married again?" he asked. + +"Married!" I exclaimed. "To whom?" + +"To Martin Cobb." + +"To my guardian?" I asked, in astonishment. + +Not heeding my question, he continued: + +"You're intending to go home to-morrow, I believe?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"My boy," said he, "I have an interest in you. I was your father's +friend and adviser for many years. I came all this distance to tell you +not to go to London. Do not ask me why, I beg you," said he, with an +impatient gesture when I attempted to speak. "It would do you no good to +learn my reason for making this request. Listen to this--it's important +to you: There's an uncle of yours in America, your nearest relative, +I believe. Of course you have heard your father speak of him. A most +eccentric fellow! but a man of fine ability. He was a graduate of Oxford +and a physician of great skill and learning. Thirty-five years ago he +went to Canada and finally settled in a large town on one of the great +lakes not far from the border. It was Detroit, I believe. Your father +told me, shortly before his death, that he had not heard from your uncle +for many years. I have written to him twice within a twelvemonth, but +have received no reply. I want you to go over and look him up. If you +should find that he is dead, there's no harm done, and you can take time +to look about for a business opportunity. If you don't like it, come +back, but, if you can content yourself there for awhile, you had better +do so." + +"But, sir, I have no money." + +"You are going for me; I shall, therefore, insist upon paying the bills. +In the success of the undertaking I have, perhaps, as great an interest +as you." + +"When do you wish me to start?" I asked. + +"To-night. That is to say, I would like you to leave this place at once, +go with me to a hotel, and sail by the first steamer that leaves for New +York." + +Ever since that strange and silent messenger had come to me with my +uncle's letter I had been haunted by a desire to go in quest of him. Now +that it was possible, I hesitated. What would Hester say on hearing that +I had gone to America? It would be very grand to write her from New York +that I had been suddenly called abroad on important business. Would she +care? Of course she would care, and I was willing to wager a sixpence +with myself that she would cry bitterly, too, on receiving the letter. +Ah, what a punishment that would be for her coldness and indifference! + +Yes, I would go. I began picking up my things and packing them into my +box. + +"I conclude that you have decided to go," he said. + +"Yes, sir. I shall be ready in a moment," I replied. + +We were soon rattling over the pavements in a cab that had been waiting +at the door. + +On arriving at the Northwestern Hotel we were informed that a steamer +would leave for New York at five in the morning. We drove at once to +the dock and having succeeded in making comfortable arrangements for my +passage Mr. Earl went aboard the steamer with me. In a retired corner +of the great cabin I confessed to him that there was a girl in Liverpool +for whom I had a feeling of extraordinary tenderness. + +He laughed heartily and insisted that I should tell him all the +particulars. + +"You are rather young yet to entertain so serious a passion," said he, +as he held my hand for a moment before going ashore. "You will get over +it as easily as you got into it." + +I sat down, unable to reply or to restrain the tears that came to my +eyes as he left me alone. I went to my stateroom at once and to bed. +What thoughts came to me as I lay there inviting sleep to turn them +into dreams, while the great ship waited for the tide! I tossed about +my berth; I prayed; I listened. At length I thought I heard my father's +voice mingled with others, and a sound of casting off--but I heard no +more. + + + +CHAPTER III + + +One morning in early October, nearly two years after I left Liverpool +that memorable night, I found myself in the little city of Ogdensburg, +N. Y., past which the majestic St. Lawrence flows with a sleepy movement +quite in harmony with the spirit of the old town on its southern shore. +All this time I had been vainly beating about the Western Hemisphere in +quest of my uncle. He had left Detroit many years before, but I chanced +to meet a number of men there who had known him well. Although he had +enjoyed a very large practice and a wide reputation for skill, he had +made no friends that I could find. He was a man of few words, they told +me, and was never seen about the city except in the discharge of his +professional duties. Various and conflicting opinions were expressed +as to whither he had gone, in testing which I had visited no less than +twenty cities, making careful inquiries, especially among medical men. +Occasionally I struck what seemed to be a promising clew, which only +increased my confusion and left me more hopelessly in the dark. I had +reported my movements to Mr. Earl as often as once a week and I received +letters from him frequently, encouraging me to continue the search and +enclosing money with which to do so. But although I had written often +to Hester Chaffin no word from her ever reached me. I was tired of this +fruitless quest among strangers, so far from the little that I held +dear, and I was on the point of giving up when this paragraph fell under +my eye in a Montreal newspaper: + + A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER. + +"One who has ever passed the city of Ogdensburg by steamer will no doubt +recall a large gambrel-roofed house standing near the water's edge, just +out of the town, surrounded by towering trees and enclosed on all sides +by a wall nearly as high as the eaves of the building. The wall suggests +an asylum, a house of detention or some like place set apart for the +unfortunate members of society. In reality, however, it is the residence +of a mysterious recluse of the name of Lane, who shut himself up there +nearly eighteen years ago and has since been rarely seen. It was built +after his own plans, they say, when he came to Ogdensburg with his wife, +who died soon afterward. Nobody knows whence he came or anything of his +past history. He is apparently a total stranger here below, holding no +intercourse with the world beyond that enclosure. His wife is said to +have been a woman of great beauty, and her death doubtless threw him +into a morbid state of mind, from which he has never rallied. Many +years ago he is known to have bought a full-grown African lion from a +traveling menagerie, and, soon after, he erected the wall, presumably +out of regard for the public safety. Passers along the street have +caught an occasional glimpse of him through the high gate, walking in +the grounds surrounding his house, with the lion at his heels apparently +in complete subjection to its master. A dense thicket runs along the +wall on all sides within the enclosure, which, according to local +tradition, is alive with rattlesnakes, bred for some strange purpose +known only to himself--perhaps to make his isolation more secure. + +"He is supposed to have resigned the companionship of men for study and +scientific research. He has no children, and his only servant being a +deaf-mute, who is almost an idiot, there is little chance at present of +learning anything of his life. For more than two years nothing has been +seen of the mysterious master of the house. His disappearance would, we +think, be a legitimate subject of investigation by the authorities +of the town. May he not have been eaten by the lion, or killed by the +rattlesnakes? Who knows?" + +My heart was beating fast and my hands shook as if stricken with palsy +before I had finished the paragraph. The strange old man who had come +to me in Liverpool that night was probably the mute servant to which +the article referred. In an hour I was on the way to Ogdensburg, quite +confident that the issue of my wanderings was at hand. I reached that +town next morning nearly two years, as I have said, after the beginning +of my journey to the New World. Not stopping to breakfast even, I +started out to find the house, which my busy imagination had already +pictured for itself. The first townsman I saw directed me to the place. + +"Follow the turnpike," said he. "'Sa mild or more--straight ahead. +You'll know it when y' git there. 'S' queer place an' stan's off by +itself." + +The man was going my way, evidently to begin his day's work, for it was +then early in the morning, and I walked along with him. + +"Folks say," he continued, "them grounds is full of hejious reptyles, +an' I've heerd fellers tell queer things they've seen when passin' there +at night--red lights a-flyin' about an' spooks at the winders. An' one +night, when Uncle Bill Jemson was comin' down the turnpike, they was a +storm come up, an' jest as he got opposite the big iron gate they was a +flash a lightnin'--an' Bill says he see the ole man, his long white hair +a-flyin' in th' wind, an' a lion standin' there in front a th' house. +Th' flash was out'n a minit, an' Bill whipped up his hosses an' sent em +clear to Mills' tavern on the dead run," said he, laughing as if it were +a good joke. + +"They don't nobody like th' place ner th' man, though I don' know why, +fer no one's ever passed a word with him in these parts. There 'tis, +over yender with the pines around it an' th' high wall," said he, +pointing with his finger. But my eye had already discovered the +low-built rambling house on the high banks of the river, well in the +distance, and had recognized it at once. + +Leaving my companion at the next turn in the road I walked hurriedly on, +and when I had reached the big iron gate I stopped and peered through +it. A gravel roadway, now overgrown with weeds, led from the gate to the +front of the house, which stood facing me. It was built entirely of +wood and consisted of four wings (at least there were no others visible) +evidently enclosing a quadrangular courtyard, the rear wings being +lower than those in front, and hidden by the latter from the view of one +standing at the gate as I was. It was only at a distance that one could +see their roofs above the enclosure. There was but one line of windows +along the front, but there was an oriel just under the peak of the main +building, and I could see a skylight here and there upon the roofs. + +The blinds were closed and there was no sign of life about the +house--evidently planned with hospitable intentions, but now silent and +forbidding. I tried the gates. They were locked securely. A screen of +closely woven wire rose from the pavement half way up the iron work. +Evidently it would be impossible to reach the doors without scaling +this barrier, and I was not yet ready to try an expedient so desperate. +Returning to my hotel I wrote a letter to the master of the house, +telling him of my long-continued quest and of my hopes regarding our +possible kinship. Day after day I anxiously awaited his reply, until +a week had passed, but no word came from him. In passing the house at +different times, however, I observed some signs of life within it--a +blind open that had been closed the day before--a faint glimmer of light +on the trees in the rear of the grounds at night, which might have come +from the back windows. Even this slight encouragement was gratifying, +but as time passed without bringing any reply to my letter I began to +think that, after all, my hopes rested on very shadowy foundations. One +day I asked the local postmaster if a man of the name of Lane, who lived +near that city, ever sent for his mail. + +"Never," said he. "The man is crazy, I guess, and it's wasting postage +to write him. He's a hermit, sir--a regular hermit, and is about the +same as dead, for nobody ever sees him. The tradesmen tell me that his +old servant comes out of an evening, once in a while, to buy provisions, +but he's deaf as a post and dumb as an oyster." The interview had at +least shown me the futility of trying to reach him by letter. + +It was clear that only one course was open to me. I must brave the +unknown perils with which this strange man had encompassed the path +of the trespasser, and gain an entrance to the house. I sought the +seclusion of my room at once, and thought over the result of my +investigations. I had not written to my good friend in London since my +arrival in Ogdensburg, and I concluded not to do so until I could give +him definite information. + +Late in the afternoon a slow, drizzling rain began to pour down, and +when night fell every luminary in the heavens was obscured by thick +clouds. It was a favorable time for carrying out my project, as the +darkness was intensified by a fog that had settled over the city. By +the light of my lamp I prepared for the undertaking, in such a state of +excitement that I was frequently startled by my own whispers, through +which I found myself now and then giving involuntary utterance to my +thoughts. Cutting up a pair of boots which I carried in my box, I wound +my legs in leather from my ankles up above my knees, carefully drawing +on a pair of thick, long stockings to hold it in place. This precaution +would give me a comfortable sense of security, even if there were no +snakes to fear. I felt sure that the lion, if he were still living, +would be kept in some place of confinement. + +It was long past bedtime, and the lights were out in every shop and +dwelling, when I started on my daring mission. The little lamps that +glared through the fog at the street corners could scarcely be seen +twenty feet away. I was so preoccupied that I frequently lost my +direction in the mud and darkness. It seemed as if I had been traveling +for hours, when at last I felt the big wall, and saw its dim bulk rising +above me and stretching away into the night. Cautiously I groped along +its base until my hands felt the iron bars of the gate. Then I stood for +some moments leaning against them, quite out of breath. They were cold +and wet, and chilled me to a shiver when I touched them. I peered toward +the house but could see nothing. I listened, but could hear nothing +except the beating of my own heart and the mournful sound of the pines +whose loftier branches were stirring in the still air. Grasping the +heavy bars I tried to climb the gate, but, as there were no projections +on which it was possible to get a foothold, I found this an exhausting +and difficult task. I climbed repeatedly several feet above the earth, +only to lose my foothold and slide down again. Finally, by exerting all +my strength, I succeeded in supporting myself with the edge of my boot +upon a crossbar about half way up; then, taking a small rope from my +pocket I threw one end of it over the gate, holding the other in my +teeth. Tying it securely by a noose I climbed hand over hand to the top +and then let myself down on the other side. I was quite exhausted by the +effort (unaccustomed as I was to such burglarious enterprises) and my +fingers were torn and bleeding from forcing a hold between the iron work +and the wire screen. I remembered the gravel pathway, overgrown with +grass, that led from the big gate to a front door. I groped about in the +darkness until I felt the gravel under my feet. Then I moved cautiously +along it, until I could dimly discern the outlines of the house. My +nerves were so wrought up, while I stood there holding my breath to +catch some sound from its gloomy interior, that I was near crying out +in abject terror at every step. An owl, startled from the limb of a tree +over my head, flew lazily into the upper air and across the thicket, +disturbing other birds that set up a chattering protest. Stealthily I +crept from window to window, but the blinds were closed fast. Finally I +came to a door that seemed to open into the main part of the building. +Desperate under the strain to which my nerves had been subjected, I +knocked loudly on its upper panels. The sound echoed through the +still house and the thickly wooded grounds around it. "God help me!" I +whispered; "will that echo never cease?" It kept repeating itself from +tree to tree, until I covered my ears to stop its weird reverberations. +Then I heard a low threatening sound, deep and resonant as the lower +tones of a great organ, that gradually grew louder until its volume +filled the air, and then died away, while its echoes went chasing each +other among the trees. In the silence which followed, my ear caught +another sound the like of which I had never heard before. A dozen clocks +being wound by quick turns on all sides of me would, I fancy, have +produced a similar effect. It was evident to me that my knocking had +disturbed my uncle's pets, but I was not to be frightened away. Hearing +no movement in the house I tried the door, and to my astonishment it +swung open. A peculiar odor, such as one notices in a house that has +long stood empty, came to my nostrils, and again I heard that fateful +whirring, but in the darkness I could discern no object. As I crossed +the threshold the sound grew louder, and to my horror the door closed +suddenly behind me. Hurriedly striking a match, I held it above my head +and peered about me. Its light revealed a small apartment finished in +polished wood. Along the angle of the floor was an opening, two or three +inches high, into the side walls. And half way up the wall in front of +me I saw a face--the face of a maniac it seemed to be--pale and wan, +with strange, inhuman eyes. I had scarcely glanced at it when the match +dropped from my fingers and fell slowly through the air, going out as it +struck the floor. My hands were cold, but so wet with perspiration that +they stuck to my clothing when I felt for a candle which I had brought +with me. + +There are moments in every man's life that move slowly, as if carrying +the weight of years upon their backs. I shall never cease to believe +that the few seconds it took me to light that candle must stand for as +many years in any correct reckoning of my age. When its beams at last +illumined the room, the strange face was still there. Had I seen it +before? It was marvellously like that other face which had haunted my +dreams so long. If it was the face of a man he must be standing on the +other side of the wall and looking through a panel. + +"Is Mr. Lane at home?" I asked in an unnatural tone that startled me. + +But no word of reply was spoken. + +"I am his nephew and I have important news for him." + +The face disappeared for a moment, and presently a shrunken hand, +holding a white sheet of paper, was extended through the opening. I +stepped forward, took the sheet and, withdrawing to the centre of the +room, sat down upon the floor and wrote the following message in bold +characters with my pencil: + +"Kendric Lane, son of Kendric Lane (deceased), late of London, England, +wishes to see Dr. Lane on business of importance." + +I handed the message to the strange man behind the wall, who immediately +disappeared with it, closing the panel. "The worst is over," thought +I, while I stood in that mysterious and silent chamber waiting for his +return. But I should not have thought so had I known what was still to +be revealed to me before the dawn of another day, and in the months that +followed, during which that house and its echoing groves were my home. +And I sometimes ask myself, in the light of later events of which that +visit was indirectly the cause, whether, had I been able to foresee +them, I would still have persevered in my purpose to know the secrets of +my uncle's house? + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +A long time I stood waiting for some reply to my message. My candle was +fast burning out, and I began to fear that after all I was likely to +leave the house no wiser than when I had entered it. Suddenly a door +swung on its creaking hinges and a feeble old man, holding a lamp in one +hand, stood grinning at me in the opening. It was the same face that I +saw before, but it seemed less ghostly and unnatural now. Stepping back +he beckoned me to enter. As soon as I had crossed the threshold the door +closed behind me and the old man carefully bolted it. I stood in a +large room, richly furnished, of which spiders had apparently long held +possession. Great cobwebs hung like hammocks from the ceiling, and +the dust of years had settled over all. Two human skeletons completely +wrapped in cobwebs, stood facing me against the opposite wall. Following +my silent leader, I went through a long narrow passage, at the end of +which was a heavy door fastened with large iron bolts. Before opening +it the strange old man placed the lamp upon a table and turning around +looked squarely into my face. Merciful Heaven! It was the face of +another man who was looking at me now! The deep lines had almost +disappeared and the eyes looked brighter and more intelligent. No, +it was the same face, for while my eyes were eagerly scanning it that +hideous grin began to deepen its wrinkles, and its owner, taking half a +dozen steps down the passageway, made an awkward motion with both hands +as if trying to indicate that I was to follow him very closely. Then he +opened the big door and I was surprised to observe that it led into the +outer air. What gulf of darkness are we about to plunge into? I asked +myself, peering through the doorway; and as we stepped out I heard again +that ominous whirring. Close upon his heels I followed in a narrow path, +through what seemed to be a large courtyard, overgrown with thick grass. +Presently he stopped, and, taking a bunch of keys from his pocket, +unlocked a door in a back wing of the house. Reaching out until his hand +touched me, as if to make sure that I was there, he swung the door +open and we stepped into a dimly lighted apartment. My mysterious guide +turned up the wick of a lamp that was burning on a table in the centre +of the room. It was a library, with great shelves of books reaching +from floor to ceiling along its walls. A large galvanic battery, globes, +charts and other contrivances that belong to the equipment of a scholar +surrounded the table. This table was used for writing evidently, for +there were pens lying on it and a human skull used as an inkstand, the +fluid being held in the cavities of the eyes. I had seated myself in +a chair and was waiting for some sign from the little old man who had +brought me there. But where was he? Turning around I looked about me on +all sides. He had left the room during my momentary preoccupation. I +had scarcely seated myself again when a door opened and a venerable +man, with snow-white hair and a smooth-shaven face that was pale and +wrinkled, walked slowly toward me. I rose to my feet and advanced a step +or two. He came forward without speaking and looked steadily into my +eyes. Slowly and sadly he turned his gaze upon the floor, apparently in +deep thought. A sigh broke from his lips as if some memory, stirring in +the caves of thought, had driven it forth. + +The man who stood before me had deep-set gray eyes, almost concealed by +long shaggy brows not yet entirely white. His lips were thin, and drawn +closely together above a square, protruding chin. The nose was aquiline +and prominent, with large, but finely cut nostrils. Altogether his was +the most picturesque face I had ever seen. Suddenly he made an effort to +clear his throat. + +"Kendric's child," said he, in a strange, low voice. He spoke slowly +and with great difficulty, as if his organs of speech were partially +paralyzed. I would not have been able to distinguish his words but for +the silence of that room and the unnatural keenness of my hearing. He +still stood motionless, his eyes upon the floor. I knew that he was +thinking of my father. + +"Dead?" he asked, looking at me inquisitively. + +"He is dead," I answered. + +"And my man--did he give you the letter?" + +"Yes; he is dead also." + +"Dead? I thought he was dead," he repeated, slowly and thoughtfully. "I, +too, am dead--long dead." + +The words were separated by considerable pauses, and he faced me almost +sternly as he finished speaking them. I stood staring at him, dumb with +surprise. + +"Why--how did you come here?" + +He sank into a chair, exhausted with the effort it had cost him to +speak. My presence seemed to irritate and annoy him. Why, indeed, had +I come there? What should I say in reply to his question? I tried to +think. + +"Knaves! Knaves!" said my uncle, in a shrill voice, rushing toward me. +In a moment he had thrown his arms about my neck and was sobbing aloud. +My heart was full and I wept with him. + +"Fortunate child of God," said he, after a moment; "you have the seed +of life--immortal life. But I beg you to go. To one like you this house +will seem an uncanny place; I can only think of it as beyond the grave." + +"Let me stay, uncle," said I. "Don't send me away. Perhaps I can help +you or comfort you." + +"Poor soul! you shall stay if you will. I am in great trouble and need +help, but you are a boy--I cannot ask you to give your life to me." + +He sat down before the table, breathing heavily, and beckoned me to +a chair beside him. I was quite dumfounded and knew not what to say. +Presently he began writing upon large sheets of paper, handing each one +to me as soon as it was covered. The manuscript read as follows: + +"I am not able to talk much. To me words are a lie and an abomination. +Even these I now write are misrepresenting me and deceiving you, though +I wish them to tell the truth. They will make me out an ass or a madman. +I am neither. For eighteen years I have scarcely spoken as many words. A +word or two of Sanscrit now and then has met my needs, thank God! There +is an interior language for which speech is an imperfect medium. Through +that interior language thought is communicated directly and truthfully. +I used it long before I came here--imperfectly, to be sure, but with a +small degree of satisfaction to myself. Through it I was able to heal +the sick when others failed. I knew how they felt better than they could +tell me in feeble words. In some more perfect state of evolution, beyond +the grave, perhaps, all men will have this power and it will be perfect. +I can enjoy but an imperfect use of it until the mortal part of me +has been cast off. One trained to speech in childhood loses certain +faculties that can never be regained. + +"My wife died many years ago. She left me a broken heart and a child, +newly born. I had just built this house, among strangers. We intended to +devote the remainder of our lives to the study of mental phenomena. We +desired to carry on our work without interruption. We planned to live +unknown among those around us. When she died I saw in the child an +opportunity. I determined to make its life a grand experiment; to +preserve and cultivate its native intuitions--the germ of the power of +direct communication. God has vouchsafed success to me. He lives--a man +of exalted powers the like of which the world has never seen but once, +and then in Christ, the very Son of God. But, unlike Him, my son is only +human, with weaknesses that are our common lot. + +"The years are flying, and strength is failing! I must die soon and he +will live. That thought burns my brain, passing through it day by day. +His life may be long extended and he cannot live alone, nor among +men, for he would be a stranger and friendless--feared and dreaded by +superstitious fools. He has never seen a human face outside these walls +nor heard a human voice but mine. I have told you my trouble." + +He ceased writing, but before I had finished reading the statement some +strange influence came over me. I felt restless and uncomfortable. My +hand was shaking so that I could scarcely read the words on the last +sheet of paper. Suddenly I raised my eyes and saw a young man, godlike +in form and feature, standing at my side. His face wore an expression of +indescribable eloquence. As familiar as he afterward became to me, I +can never forget the first impression which that magnificent human being +made upon my mind, as he stood there--radiating a power that I felt to +the tips of my fingers. What favored son of man was this confronting +me, born to such an inheritance of majesty and grace? I asked myself, +regarding him with amazement. He had eyes dark as night, set under a +broad forehead, about which wavy masses of tawny hair fell gracefully. +His stately form was erect and firm as a statue. For a moment his eyes +looked into mine; then he advanced and took my hand. Tenderly he pressed +it to his lips, stepping back as he did so and looking at me with +a half-curious, half-amused expression. I was so startled by the +unexpected appearance of this remarkable figure that I had not, until +now, noticed that a large lion had followed him into the room and was +lying quietly at his feet. I was not afraid; indeed, the king of beasts +seemed but a part of the man's masterful presence. I do not think I +would have seen the animal but that his enormous body was lying directly +before my eyes on the floor. My uncle had been sitting with his head +resting upon his hand at the table. Suddenly he rose and a strange, +guttural sound--it may have been a word from some language wholly +unfamiliar to me--passed his lips. The young man immediately left us, +the lion following closely at his heels. We both sat in silence for some +moments after he had gone. My mind had felt strange exhilaration in his +presence, and I rubbed my eyes to make sure that I was not dreaming. +When I looked at my uncle the sad expression on his face had given way +to a smile of infinite satisfaction. + +"He is pleased--thank God!" said my uncle, in a hoarse whisper, sinking +into a chair. + +I made no answer. + +"It was my son," he continued, with animation. "Rayel--that was the name +she gave him. Rayel, the wonderful. He will love you as he loves me. +Come," said he, rising, "the night is nearly gone." + +Taking a lamp from the table, he beckoned me to follow him. Silently +we proceeded through a narrow hallway and up one flight of stairs to a +spacious bedroom which had seemingly been prepared for my use. A candle +was burning dimly on a large dressing-case, and by its flickering light, +as soon as my uncle had gone, I looked about me and tried to think +with calmness on the experience I had passed through. Bolting the door +securely, I threw open one of the window blinds. To my surprise the +first light of dawn was visible in the sky. My room was in the rear +of the house. Between me and the high wall was a dense tangle of +underbrush, barely visible in the dim light. Hastily undressing, I went +to bed without further delay, and was soon in deep sleep. When I awoke +it was near midday. Dressing as quickly as possible, I proceeded at once +to the library, where my uncle sat waiting for me. He conducted me to +the breakfast room--a well-lighted and cheerful apartment--where he +served me with his own hands. + +"You shall stay, sir--you shall stay," said he, laying his hand on my +shoulder as he sat down beside me, with a smiling face. "Rayel loves +you. He hopes you will stay. He thinks God sent you to us." + +"I am glad, for I wish to stay," I said. + +"Good!" he exclaimed, in a long whisper. "You have brought the world to +him. Already he has seen it in your eyes. But it is good!" + +While I ate he asked me questions touching the changes in our family +since he left England. + +I told him of my life at home after my father's death; of my hard lot +in Liverpool, and of the midnight interviews with his messenger and +with Mr. Earl. He listened to me with grave and attentive interest, but +stopped me before I had finished, with an impatient gesture. + +"Speak out! they meant--they meant to kill you, didn't they?" + +I stared at him in amazement, while ideas that were new to me flocked +into the empyrean of thought like black birds of prey. Oh, no; I had +never suspected that! I would never before have permitted such a hideous +suspicion to enter my mind. Was it possible that Mr. Earl had sent me +away from England in order to save my life? My hands began to tremble, +and I felt my face turning red and pale under the searching eyes of my +uncle. + +"My boy," said he, "if all the murders were done that men conceive, the +devil would live alone on earth. We shall know some time--I tell you we +shall know! Let us go to Rayel," he said, rising and leading the way. + +The interview had greatly excited him, and his speech seemed even more +halting and labored than before. Many of his words were mispronounced +and separated by long pauses; but his manner was marvelously expressive, +and often a peculiar turn of the eye or movement of the hand made his +meaning clear when I was in doubt about his words. + +I followed him through a long gymnasium and out upon a grassy courtyard +extending along the rear of the grounds parallel with the river wall +for a hundred yards or more, and adorned with beds of flowers. It was +completely shut off from the eye of the outside world by a thick grove +and an impenetrable growth of underbrush that reached beyond the lowest +branches of the trees. Nothing but the blue sky, in which the sun was +on its downward course, the house, and the walls of living green, were +visible. Out of this Eden-like spot we passed into another wing of the +building with large windows looking out upon it. Rayel met us at the +door, dressed in a black robe of silk that hung gracefully from his +shoulders. Again he took my hand and kissed it, then looked into my eyes +with the same expression of curious interest upon his face that I had +noted before. Still holding my hand, he led me across the room. For +the first time I noticed that its walls were covered with pictures, +unframed, and that an easel stood in the light of each window. We +stopped before one of them. On a large canvas that was stretched across +it I saw a likeness of myself. The eyes wore a haggard look which seemed +unnatural. But there was something strangely real about it, in spite of +that. + +"Wonderful!" said I. + +Rayel started at the sound of my voice, and glanced from one to the +other with a puzzled, inquiring look. Turning to his father, he uttered +some strange monosyllable in a deep voice. Then he took my hand and +walked back and forth across the room with me, smiling in great delight. +I was fascinated by one of the pictures which showed a great gleaming +eye with a suggestion of lightning in its fiery depths, as if taken at +the keenest flash of fury. To intensify its fierceness a human hand was +raised in front of it so as to throw a dark shadow across the canvas. + +"It is the lion's eye," said my uncle, who was standing near me. + +There were other paintings--many of them equally strange and +wonderful--hanging on the walls, some of which contained material he +could not have derived from direct observation. It was easy to discern +in his work the fragments of nature that came within the limited command +of his own eyes--the falling snow, the changing phases of the sky and +of vegetation--for they were presented with a stronger and more vivid +touch. Until the fading twilight blended all color into gloom I passed +from one canvas to another along the wall in silence, oblivious of all +save the presence of Rayel, who followed close at my elbow, evidently +enjoying my admiration of his work. When I had finished looking at the +paintings I turned for some sign to indicate his further pleasure, and +discovered that he was gone. My uncle was standing near me. + +"It is late," said he. + +We returned at once across the yard to my uncle's retreat among his +books and papers. Lighting the lamps he sat down beside me. + +"The power of speech is returning," said he. "I can talk more easily." + +"Did I not hear you speak to your son?" I asked. + +"Yes," he answered. "Long ago difficulties arose. Sometimes he could not +command my thoughts, nor I his. I had known fifty years of life; he had +not--hence an inequality. My physical organism had been neglected. It +was an imperfect agent of the mind. Many of my faculties were lost. +These circumstances stood between us like barriers. It was the beginning +of each communication that troubled us, when our minds were working in +different channels. Something was needed for a cue--a starting-point. +Ten pregnant words of Sanscrit were all we needed. It was easy then." + +"I should think he would have lost the power of speech and hearing," I +remarked. + +"No. Music saved them--abstract music. His voice is wonderful. His +hearing is quick. Rayel knows words but not speech. His mind has command +of my knowledge. He has never seen the world, but he knows about it. +I tried to begin my life anew and to forget the past. But I could not +wholly cleanse my mind of it. Its memories faded slowly. I have avoided +renewing them for his sake." + +"He could, then, learn to speak?" + +"With ease, and it were better if he could speak now. We will teach him +soon." + +As he ceased speaking, fatigued by the unaccustomed effort, I heard low +strains of music echoing through the silent halls around us. A violin! +The tone was deep and tremulous, gradually growing louder, filling the +ear with its message, and lifting the mind to lofty heights of thought +and passion. We both sat listening for hours, and midnight came before +the last strain died away. That music was like a strange story that +drops its plummet deep into life's mysteries. + +"A new song!" said my uncle, turning to me with surprise on his face. +"He got the subject from you. We shall see." + +Presently Rayel entered the room, bringing something in his hand--a +picture--which he held up to the lamplight. A girl's face! and +wonderfully like that of Hester Chaffin. I sat amazed, staring at it. +But the likeness was not exact, the face was idealized--as I had seen it +in my dream the night before. I raised my eyes to Rayel's face. He was +looking at me with an expression of pain and embarrassment. + + + +CHAPTER V + + +My uncle recovered the power of speech rapidly. Before I had been a week +in his house he was able to talk with comparative ease. He seemed to +enjoy my companionship, and I spent most of my time in his library, +conversing with him or conning the musty books that had long lain +unread. To me this room was a fascinating and restful place. Somehow +it reminded me of an old cemetery. The time-worn books upon its shelves +stood in solemn rows, like headstones, sacred to the memory of the men +who wrote them--their titles like inscriptions half obliterated. I did +not see Rayel for days after the midnight episode that gave me such a +startling revelation of his power. + +"Do you think that Rayel knows everything that passes in one's mind--a +vivid dream, for instance?" I asked my uncle one day when we were alone +together. + +Yes, except when he is himself asleep. His command of my dreams puzzled +me at first. I thought I had put the past completely out of my mind. But +I could not hide it from him. Little by little he learned everything in +my history. One day I saw him at work on a picture. It startled me. +The canvas showed a man lying on a surgeon's table. The knife had just +severed an artery in his thigh. There were four men working over him--I +was one of them. Gradually the features took on a familiar expression. +His face grew paler under the brush. A few touches--the scene was +complete. The man was dead--his eyes wide open, staring at me. + +My uncle paused and looked earnestly into my face. + +"It was a bit of your professional experience," said I. "Something had +reminded you of it." + +"The night before I dreamed about it" he answered. "My mind, released +from the command of my will, betrayed me." + +"A strange power!" I exclaimed. + +"Incredible to you! Impossible to acquire unless the work begins at +birth, and then the possibilities are infinite," said he, drawing his +chair closer to mine. "You know what I have done. Start the new-born +mind on any highway and see how it hurries along. You can do more, +working a little while over the cradle, than all the preachers under +heaven, after its occupant has grown beyond your ministry. I tell +you, sir, the world is indifferent to its children. Neglected by their +parents, subject to hired tenderness or none at all; left to the care of +ignorant or depraved nurses, and often taught little but selfishness +and greed of gain, the children of men are surrounded by destructive +agencies. Can we wonder that the human mind loses in infancy so much +of its native power? But so the generations of earth are growing up, +bearing embittered fruit and sowing its seed to the four winds. +Who cares for the mind and body of a child has the highest possible +mission--the most sacred of all trusts. He must give it all his time and +strength. He must lead its mind into green pastures; he must share its +joys; he must know its hopes and fears; he must give it hold on lines +of thought that reach into eternity, which will sooner or later flood it +with inspiration; he must see that the brain has a sufficient foundation +of flesh and blood and bone; he must give it all his life until the +germs of power are developed." + +"Unfortunately," said I, "most parents have other things to do and think +of." + +"Parentage is a crime under such circumstances. It has peopled the world +with fools and knaves. It delays the coming of Christ's kingdom. There +are a few wise men, but they are held down as gravitation holds the +rock. There are laws of attraction in the world of mind as in that of +matter. Good and evil are its poles. Every atom between them is held in +place by the operation of opposing forces. The general mass of mind +lies within narrow zones on both sides of the equatorial line of this +imaginary world. Its attraction prevents any men from rising far above +or descending far below it. I tell you, sir, the intellectual world has +degrees of latitude and longitude which determine every man's location. +Emancipated from the forces I have described, my son has risen to a +level beyond the attainment of men under ordinary conditions. Hypocrisy +and deceit are things of which he knows nothing. I do not ascribe to +him, mind you, the possession of saintly virtues. He is a man in whom +the best potentialities of mind and body have been developed. I have +carefully avoided the danger of making him a morbid, spiritual creature. +His body is quite as wonderful as his mind." + +My uncle had been pacing restlessly up and down the room as he spoke, +often pausing before me and uttering his words vehemently, with quick +gestures and flashing eyes. He did not, seemingly, expect an answer to +his remark, for, as he ceased speaking, he stepped before one of the +windows and stood for a moment looking out upon the courtyard. + +"See!" said he suddenly, motioning to me. + +I stepped to his side and, looking through the window, saw Rayel running +across the lawn with the lion on his shoulders. When the beast sprang +down he seized it by the mane and tossed it about like one with the +strength of Hercules. Here was a man who exercised his rightful dominion +over animated nature! + +"The beast is very fond of him," said my uncle, "and a movement of his +finger is sufficient to control it." + +"Why did you adopt a pet so terrible?" I asked. + +"To secure isolation," he answered. "He's an object of terror to +intruders, and a source of delight to us." + +"You have snakes here, too," I ventured. + +"Yes, and for the same reason, But they can't harm you now. Since you +came we have killed them. They have been good friends to me, but you +were a stranger, and your life would have been in danger every day. +Years ago I procured a score of them from the mountains of Pennsylvania +and put them into the thickets. They multiplied like rats, and so I was +armed against invasion. + +"To prevent their escape I sank a screen of wire two feet below the +ground along the base of the walls; I also posted a warning inside my +gate. Long ago I began to destroy them, and there were only a few left +when you came. They were good friends to me--excellent friends!" he +repeated, rubbing his hands with a grim smile. "For eighteen years I +have been able to carry on my work unmolested. No knowledge of what was +transpiring outside this little world has ever reached me." + +"How did you begin the work of teaching this interior language to +Rayel?" I asked. + +"By signs at first--gradually making them more simple and suggestive. +The elimination of signs kept pace with the development of his +intuitions. It was slow work and hard work, but I gave all my time +to it. After he became familiar with a sign, I began to make it less +pantomimic, until finally a lift of the eyebrow, a movement of the lips, +or an inclination of the head served to express my meaning. In time he +could detect the passing shades of expression in my eyes and understand +them. Look at me," said he, laying his hand on my head and watching my +eyes as the firelight shone upon them, for it was now evening. + +"Don't you know, my boy, that your eyes reflect what is passing in your +mind? Then there are countless nerves and muscles in your face which +proclaim thought. They aid my intuitions to discover what you do not +speak. You wonder--ah! you are afraid!--afraid of me." + +I started in my chair, for while he was looking into my eyes a strange +gleam came into his own. He turned about suddenly and looked into the +bright fire that burned on the grate before us. + +"Never fear," he continued, nervously twirling a lock of his white hair. +"Never fear, sir--I am not mad. Not yet. I have been afraid of it, but +my reason will outlast my life. Do you ever pray?" + +"Every day," I answered. + +"Then you employ the interior language. We commune directly with the +Holy Spirit. You get some message from Him every day more satisfactory +than words. It's the answer of your prayers. I tell you, sir, words are +an invention of the devil. Do you like Rayel?" he asked, turning upon me +abruptly. + +"You need have no doubt of that," I answered, "or of my willingness to +look after him if it should be necessary--to take him away with me and +cherish him as I would a brother." + +"Good! Good!" he exclaimed smiling and rubbing his hands joyfully. +"I have not long to live. When the time comes, take him out among the +knaves and fools! But we must hurry: our time is short. We must prepare +him for a second birth. You will find him an apt pupil--a very apt one. +He already knows more of the world than I thought possible. I don't +think you will find him troublesome--he can help you; he will teach +you wisdom; he will enlarge the issues of your life. My fortune will be +ample for his needs: use it as you see fit. I have one servant left," +he said, drawing his chair closer to mine and speaking scarcely above +a whisper: "I would like this to be his home when I am dead. It will be +better, however, to place him in some public institution where he can +be well provided for. I shall leave a sufficient allowance for him. The +manner of its bestowal I leave entirely to your judgment. There were two +of them--you have seen the other. He was a faithful fellow. They were +poor fools, both of them, but uncommonly wise," he continued. "They kept +it to themselves. I found them in an asylum twenty-five years ago. They +called them idiots. Idiots! God help us!" + +That strange light seemed to kindle in his eyes again while he was +speaking, and it conveyed anything but a cheerful suggestion to my mind. + +"There is this difference between idiots and madmen," he continued. "The +former are born outside the pale of human sympathy; the latter overstep +it. In either case they are not of this earth--they are embodied spirits +living in a world of their own creation, biding the time of liberation +from the flesh. And do you know, there are more madmen in the world than +it dreams of?" + +He stopped with a tone of sharp interrogation and looked squarely into +my face. + +"There are undoubtedly many of them," said I. + +"The lines of monomania all lead to madness," he continued. "The deeper +one plunges into the mysteries of life the nearer he approaches it. But, +mark you, one man may venture further than another. For years I have +lived in fear of two things--madness and death. Not on my account, but I +had Rayel to think of." + +My uncle rose to his feet before he had ceased speaking and walked +stealthily on his tiptoes to an open door, where he stood for a moment +listening. I could hear nothing but the sound of the wind whistling in +the chimney. + +"Wait here," he whispered presently, and then disappeared through the +door, closing it after him. I held my watch down to the firelight and +saw it was near eleven o'clock. I felt drowsy, and had almost fallen +asleep, when my uncle returned, carrying a lantern. "Rayel is asleep," +said he, in a whisper. "Won't you come with me?--it will not take long." + +"Certainly," said I, rising, and waiting for him to lead the way. He put +on his antique hat and threw a shawl over his shoulders. + +"It's a chilly night," said he. "You'd better wear another coat." + +I drew on my overcoat at once, wondering what new experience awaited +me. Holding the lantern in front of him, he proceeded slowly and feebly +across the rear courtyard, and unlocked a door in one of the side wings +of the house, through which we passed into a large unfurnished room. + +"I always wait till he's asleep," said my uncle, shuffling across the +room and unlocking another door on its opposite side. "He's never been +here--never yet," he continued, pulling the door open. The dim light of +the lantern shone out upon a thicket of fragrant spruce and cedar. As +I stepped down upon the ground, following in the steps of my uncle, I +could hear the murmur of the great pines towering far above our heads. +Slowly we made our way through the dense undergrowth, and soon entered +an open space carpeted with pine needles and moss. It was a circular +plot in the thicket, and out of its centre rose an immense pine, whose +upper branches wholly obscured the sky. My uncle hung his lantern on a +knot protruding from the trunk of the tree, and slowly knelt upon the +ground, covering his face with his hands. Suddenly he beckoned to me, +and I knelt down beside him. + +"Listen!" said he. "Do you hear voices? She comes to me here. Can you +see her--my wife? Look about you, do you not see her?" + +He laid his trembling hand upon my shoulder. Again I saw that awful +gleam in his eyes. The gruesome suggestion he had made set my nerves +tingling, and I peered about among the shadows of that dimly lighted +recess, half expecting some vision to greet my eyes. Then there came a +loud rustling of the branches high above us. The lantern light flared up +and suddenly went out, leaving us in total darkness. + +"She is here!" he whispered, in excitement. "Sit still--do not speak." + +A deep silence, intensified by the sound of the night wind in the trees +around us, followed my uncle's words. The going out of the light he had +seemed to regard as a signal from the spirit world, and I sat still as +he bade me, not doubting that his acute senses had penetrated the veil +which limited my own vision. I had seen so many revelations of his +strange power that I now sat awestruck and afraid, waiting for some word +from him to end my suspense. I could see nothing in the darkness, but +I could hear my uncle breathing heavily, as if trying to suppress his +emotion. Suddenly there was a stir in the bushes near us. Then I heard a +step like that of a man on the thickly covered earth close by my side. +I stretched out prone upon the ground, covering my face with my hands. +I could hear a sound as of some one groping about in the darkness, and +then I felt the touch of a strange hand upon my shoulder. + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +I shrank from the hand that touched me and, moving quickly aside, struck +a match and peered around. By its light I could discern the form of a +man standing near the edge of the thicket. Rising to my feet I took down +the lantern and lighted it. There, standing before me, was the grinning +mute who had admitted me to the house. My uncle, who was still kneeling, +rose feebly to his feet, his eyes wet with tears. + +"Good friend!" said he, taking the lantern from me and handing it to the +mute. "He alway comes for me here." + +We followed the old servant in silence through the thick boughs of cedar +until we came to the door of a low-roofed wooden building that stood +by itself in the thicket. The mute opened the door, ushering us into +a small room containing a bed and some simple furniture. A comfortable +wood fire was burning in a large open stove, and we both sat down in +front of it, shivering from exposure to the chilly air of the night. My +uncle handed a key to the mute, who unlocked a cupboard, taking from it +a decanter of whiskey, which he set before us with glasses. + +"It will warm you," said my uncle, pouring out the spirits: "I have +seen my wife. She always comes to me there--when the light goes out. She +knows your heart better than I. We shall leave Rayel to your care. It is +the last time I shall come here. My work is nearly finished." + +We emptied our glasses in silence, but my mind was busy thinking on +those impressive words, "She always comes to me there--when the light +goes out." + +It was strange--this going out of the light just at that moment. Was it +not possible, I asked myself, that the lantern, being always hung on the +same projection, was thus in the way of a current of air passing down +the trunk of the tree when a gust of wind struck its lofty branches? If +so, the knot would naturally conduct the current into the opening at +the top of the lantern. My reflections were interrupted by my uncle, who +rose, and, taking a candle, asked me to accompany him. I followed him +into a cellar filled with casks and barrels containing, as I supposed, +wine and provisions for future use. Returning, we passed through a +large room, in one end of which many boxes and barrels were stored. I +afterward learned that there was a large garden and poultry yard in this +lonely nook where my uncle's only servant was sequestered. + +I was glad when we started back through the thicket, for the hour was +late and I felt the need of sleep. + +"He gives us our food," said my uncle, when we were at length in the +courtyard. "We have enough of everything needful--but little meat. It +destroys mental power. It is fools' food." + +Next day my uncle was unable to leave his bed. I determined to go to +the hotel for my baggage and to post some letters, one of which gave Mr. +Earl an account of my experiences since the October night when I became +an inmate of that house. + +It was midwinter now, and the long stretches of pasturage and meadow +land outside the walls were blasted and sere when the old mute, whom I +had seen twice before, let me out of the big gate. When I returned he +was there to open the gate for me and help me with my baggage. + +I found Rayel at his father's bedside. The sick man was asleep, and I +went at once to the library, where Rayel soon came, as was his custom +in the afternoon, for a lesson in talking. Both my uncle and myself had +taken great pains to teach him this accomplishment, and his progress +had been even more rapid than we thought possible. He caught the +significance of words with astonishing ease, but found some difficulty +in producing their sound. He went about it with great patience, however, +repeating the hardest words after me until he was able to pronounce them +correctly. But although the work was often tedious we both got much fun +out of it. I had never heard the sound of laughter in that house. One +day I broke its solemn spell by laughing heartily at the grotesque +distortion of my cousin's face incidental to the production of a +difficult sound. He stopped suddenly and looked at me, half alarmed. +This made me laugh more heartily, and he grasped my hand with the +serious air of a physician feeling the pulse of his patient. +Being assured there was no danger, he indulged in a little offhand +cachinnation himself and was, I judged, well pleased with the trial, for +he repeated it frequently afterward, and greatly to his amusement. + +The word "woman," and others related to it, puzzled him not a little, +for he had never seen a woman, except through the medium of my own mind +and that of his father. The subject interested him, and he gave much +serious thought to it, questioning me closely at some of our interviews, +as if dissatisfied with the idea conveyed to him. Our discussions, +however, had reached some slumbering chord in him, which, once touched, +stirred his blood with its vibrations. I do not think his isolation +could have lasted much longer, for he became restless and eager to see +the world. + +Rayel was greatly depressed by his father's illness. For months after +that night, the excitement of which had so hastened the failure of the +old man's strength, the silence of the great house was rarely broken by +the sound of our voices. My uncle lay helpless in a deep sleep most of +the time, never able to leave his bed until, revived by the freshness +of approaching summer, he had strength enough to sit in an easy-chair by +the window. Some fatal malady, the nature of which he did not disclose +to me, was evidently sapping his strength. I had urged him more than +once to let me summon a physician, but he would not permit me to do +so. When summer came at last, he grew stronger, and was able to walk, +supported by Rayel, to his chair in the open courtyard among the +flowers. + +The lion, which had been confined in its cage most of the time since my +uncle had grown so feeble as to need Rayel's constant attention sickened +and died in the warm days of early June. Rayel was sorely grieved by the +death of his pet, and although he stood in the shadow of a far greater +sorrow, he felt deeply the loss of this lifelong friend. The summer +passed slowly, one day like another, casting on us the same burden of +anxiety and silence. I spent much of the time in my uncle's library, +poring over his books and trying to shake off the melancholy thoughts +suggested by my daily life. + +One day in early autumn, Rayel was sitting with me near an open window +overlooking the courtyard, where his father was enjoying the open air. + +"He will die to-day," said Rayel, calmly. "He told me he would die +to-day." + +"He seems the same as usual," I said. "We cannot tell; he may live for +months yet." + +Rayel shook his head incredulously, and sat for a long time looking out +of the window in silence. + +"And I will go with you then?" he asked suddenly turning toward me. + +"Yes," I answered. + +It was the first time he had ever asked me a question, for he could read +my mind like an open book, and to him all questioning was unnecessary. + +While we were sitting there, thinking over our plans, my uncle summoned +us by rapping with his cane. Rayel turned pale, and, with a whispered +ejaculation, hurried out of the room and ran down the path to his +father, followed closely by myself. My uncle was breathing heavily. + +"Count it," said he, feebly extending his hand. Rayel counted his +pulse-beats. + +"Ninety-four, and growing quicker!" he exclaimed, turning toward me with +a frightened look. + +"It won't increase much," my uncle whispered, feebly, but with a +cool and professional air. "It will go down soon, and then death will +follow." + +"Be calm, Rayel," he continued, almost sternly, as his son began +weeping. "Be calm, I say! That music! do you hear it, child? Do you see +what is passing now? Tell it. Let me hear you." + +"I cannot hear it," said Rayel, looking earnestly into his father's +face. + +"Hallucination!" he whispered, groping about until his hand rested +on the head of his son, who was kneeling beside him. "I seem to see +millions of forms around me. I seem to hear them, but I cannot see +you--nor hear you." + +As if exhausted by the effort, his head fell back upon Rayel's shoulder, +and he lay for a time, his eyes closed, struggling for breath. The +dying man's faculties would no longer obey the whip of his mighty will. +Indeed, they had done him their final service, for in a few moments +he was dead. Tenderly and manfully, uttering no sound of grief, Rayel +lifted the lifeless body of his father, and bore it into the house. + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +In accordance with my uncle's wish, which he had made known to Rayel, we +buried him the day following his death in the sunny courtyard where he +had spent the last days of his life. The funeral arrangements were made +as simple as possible, so as to exclude all except the functionaries +whose presence was absolutely necessary. A rector of the Church of +England read the service for the dead before the body was borne to its +grave by the undertaker. When this brief ceremony was over, and the +great gates were closed again upon our seclusion, Rayel said to me: + +"I must talk more with you now, if you will let me. He said you would +help me after he was gone." + +It seemed idle to assure him, who already knew my heart, of the +happiness it would give me to fulfill the pledge of friendship made to +my uncle. + +"Do you expect to see him again?" I asked. + +After a moment of the most serious reflection, he said: + +"Oh, yes, I shall see him again--when I die, then I shall see him. He +has gone to the Great Father, who gives life, and who takes it away." + +I found that Rayel, although entirely ignorant of the creeds and dogmas +prevailing among men, was profoundly religious, and that his simple +faith was built upon the deepest foundations. He evidently gave much +thought to the relationship between man and his Creator after he +felt the sting of bereavement, but it was a subject to which he never +referred in our conversation, unless, perchance, it drifted in upon us. + +The weeks following my uncle's death, during which I was busy with +preparation for the new life that awaited us, Rayel spent in his +studio working over some unfinished pictures. At my urgent request, he +completed the head whose resemblance to Hester Chaffin had so startled +and amazed me the night I saw it first, and he regarded it with fonder +interest than he was wont to bestow upon the work of his brush. I +believe that face was the closest presentment of a human soul I shall +ever see until standing, as I hope to stand some time, in the presence +of the redeemed, where "that which is imperfect shall be put away." I +have said that the picture bore a strong resemblance to Hester Chaffin, +but her face contained only a suggestion of that fine quality which was +so strongly presented in my cousin's ideal. + +My uncle's fortune, as described in his will, amounted to nearly +$250,000. The greater part of it--everything, indeed, but the house +and grounds--was in cash, represented by certificates of deposit +accompanying the will, and bonds of the United States. There was a +considerable bequest for me, whom he had named as executor of the will, +which, however, I determined never to apply to my own use, except in +case of Rayel's death. A handsome annuity was provided for his only +surviving servant. The remainder was left to Rayel. + +Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an asylum not +far from the city, our preparations to leave were soon complete. I was +elated at the prospect of resuming my relations with the busy world +outside that lonely habitation. My first step was to visit a lawyer for +the purpose of ascertaining the legal formalities which I must observe +as executor of the will. Rayel wished to go with me, and I gladly +assented, for it seemed wise as an initiatory step in the new life that +was awaiting him. He waved his hand to the mute, who stood looking at us +through the big gates after we had passed out into the road, and then he +walked on beside me in silence. The sun-shot haze of a beautiful autumn +day hung over the face of nature, and his eyes wandered down the long +stretches of landscape, and into the depths of the distant sky, rapt +by the vision that was unfolding before him. The changing phases of the +town he regarded with curious interest, which often expressed itself in +childish exclamations of surprise as we made our way through the crowded +streets. + +He was constantly calling my attention to things which, though familiar +and commonplace to me, were little less than wonderful to him. + +"Look!" said he, suddenly taking hold of my arm. "There is a woman!" + +He spoke in an eager, excited whisper, and shyly stepped behind me as +she passed us. + +"They won't hurt you," said I, subduing my desire to laugh at his +remark. + +Such unfamiliar exposure to the public eye soon began to grate upon +his nerves. I did not wonder at it, for nearly every one we met took +a second look at his commanding figure, and some stared at him rudely. +Remembering my own emotions when I first stood in his presence, I was +not at all surprised that others were moved in a like manner. His were +a face and form that stood out like those of some heroic statue in the +throng of common mortals. + +The proving and recording of the will was left entirely in the hands of +a reputable lawyer, who said that these formalities would not detain us +longer than a week. + +We had determined to spend the winter in New York before going to +England. Since reaching America my time had been quite filled with work +until my entrance upon the utter isolation of my uncle's home. It was +my earnest desire to see something of the big metropolis on the western +Atlantic. Moreover, Mr. Earl had advised me in his letters to give Rayel +a chance to know more of life in his own country before bringing him to +England. + +When at last the faithful old mute had gone to his new home, and we had +turned our backs upon the silent and deserted mansion, Rayel was moved +to bitter tears. The thought of its loneliness, now that its master was +dead and we were leaving it, perhaps forever, brought sad feelings to my +heart. How calmly the old pines whispered together as we walked down the +road that morning I shall not soon forget. + +We reached the American metropolis early in October, three years after +my first arrival there from England. I rented comfortable apartments on +Fifth Avenue, near Madison Square. As soon as Rayel had recovered from +the fatigue and excitement of the trip, we set about unpacking his +pictures and getting them framed. Our lightest room was reserved for a +studio, and the paintings were hung under Rayel's direction. + +We were scarcely settled in our new home when we received an unexpected +call from a newspaper reporter. He had learned from an art dealer that +we had some remarkable old paintings, and humbly begged the privilege of +looking at them. We made him welcome, of course, but I explained to him +that the collection was wholly the work of my cousin, who was not yet +old himself. In answer to his questions I assured him that the paintings +would not be exhibited in the National Academy, and that my cousin's +work had never appeared in any art exhibition whatever, at which he +seemed greatly surprised. Rayel was still shy of strangers, and, as +he was evidently a little annoyed at the presence of our visitor, I +shielded him from the need of taking any part in our conversation. + +The next morning an article appeared in one of the leading dailies, +which subjected us to a glare of publicity not at all to our taste. + +It went on to say that Signor Lanion, a young Spanish artist, had +just arrived in New York and had taken apartments at No. Fifth +Avenue. "Lanion" was the name which had appeared on our bill for +picture-framing, the clerk who had waited on us having taken it down +incorrectly. "Unfortunately," the article continued, "Signor Lanion +does not speak English, and for that reason the reporter was unable to +interview him." + +The paper described Rayel's personal charms at much length, and claimed +the credit of having discovered a genius who, although still a youth, +had done work worthy of an acknowledged master. + +We had deep respect for the influence of that newspaper before another +week ended. Art managers, tailors, advertising agents, auctioneers +and numerous men and women prompted by no motive but idle curiosity, +besieged us until we bolted our doors in dismay against all comers. The +mail, too, brought us missives of varying import from persons who +had read the article, one of which was a polite letter from Francis +Paddington, a Wall Street broker, whose name I had heard frequently +during my American travels. + +"It was not stated," said he, referring to the newspaper article, +"whether or not any of Signor Lanion's paintings are for sale. If +they are, I would be glad to look at them with a view to making some +purchases for my art collection." + +The letter suggested an idea worth considering. Rayel worked rapidly and +had already painted more pictures than we could hang to advantage in any +but the most liberal quarters. He was at a loss to understand just what +was meant by selling the pictures, but he was willing to sell them if +they were not to be destroyed--at least some of them. Accordingly I +wrote Mr. Paddington, appointing an hour when we would be glad to see +him or his representative at our rooms. The gentleman himself did us +the honor to call. After looking at the paintings, he expressed his +willingness to buy the entire collection. I told him, however, that we +would not part with more than ten canvases, and he seemed glad to +buy even that number at a price which was so far in excess of our +expectations that I was loath to accept it. Our beloved "Woman"--that +was the title we had given Rayel's strangely derived conception--was +among the paintings included in the sale to Mr. Paddington. Rayel +thought he could reproduce it, and for days after it was gone he made +ineffectual efforts to paint another woman after the ideal of our +hearts. But, alas! try as he would, that face never came back to his +canvas. Many beautiful faces were conjured by his masterful touch, but +they were other faces, and none of them satisfied us. The failure made +Rayel unhappy, and tears came to his eyes when the "Woman" was referred +to, as if he were mourning the loss of a dear friend. + +Our patron had conceived a great liking for us, and we were soon invited +to visit his house "and meet a few of his friends at dinner." It would +give us an opportunity to see the "Woman"--perhaps to buy her back +again--and we were strongly inclined to take advantage of it. Our +patron's residence was one of the largest and most elegant on Fifth +Avenue. It was a matter of common fame that his entertainments were the +cause of more envy and heartburning in the fashionable sisterhood than +any other events of the season. I had some doubt about the propriety of +taking Rayel to such a place, unaccustomed as he was to the refinements +and conventionalities of fashionable life. However, he had set his heart +upon going--he was so eager to see his beloved picture--and I did not +oppose his wish. In writing our acceptance of the invitation I +corrected Mr. Paddington's error regarding our name, and explained the +rechristening we had received in the public prints. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +On the day of our appointment for dinner at Mr. Paddington's the +newspapers were filled with accounts of a sensational bank robbery, +which had occurred in Wall Street the night before. Between midnight and +one o'clock in the morning, thieves had entered the Metropolitan Bank, +overpowered the watchman, broken into the vaults and stolen half a +million dollars in currency without leaving any clew behind them of the +slightest value to the police. The subject interested Rayel intensely, +and at our breakfast that morning we talked of little else. + +"When they have found the thieves what will they do with them?" he +asked. + +"Send them to prison," I answered, "where thieves are kept apart from +the rest of humanity." + +"And yet these thieves were not in prison. They could not have robbed +the bank if they had been in prison." + +"True, but there are a good many thieves in the world who are not +suspected. They look like honest men and are highly successful in +concealing their dishonesty." + +"I should think," he said thoughtfully, "that one would know a thief by +his face." + +"Remember," said I, "that all men are not like you. Most of them are +easily deceived." + +"Why, then, Kendric!" he exclaimed joyfully, "I can do some good with +this power of mine." + +This conversation may seem commonplace enough, but it stands in close +relation to important events which will shortly claim our attention. The +subject which it introduces was not soon abandoned. We talked about it +on our way to the Paddingtons' that evening, where we were cordially +received by our host, and introduced to a large company of ladies and +gentlemen. + +Rayel's wonderful skill with the brush had evidently been the subject +of some discussion among Mr. Paddington's guests. It was referred to +frequently, and somewhat to the embarrassment of my cousin, in the +exchange of greetings that followed our introduction. + +Greatly to the relief of my fears Rayel seemed quite at ease. He +acknowledged the compliments paid him with gravity and self-possession, +but with few words. All eyes were raised to his face, as he stood head +and shoulders above a group of ladies and gentlemen who had gathered +about him. Never had his presence seemed so magnetic and impressive +since the first time I saw him in his father's house. Now, as then, a +new inspiration was stirring his blood and charging every nerve with the +wonderful magnetism of perfected manhood. + +The last person presented to us was a young lady of unusual beauty, +whom I noticed for some moments standing across the room in earnest +conversation with our host. Presently he made his way toward us with the +lady on his arm. + +"My daughter, Mr. Lane, whom I shall ask you to escort to dinner," said +he, addressing Rayel. After I had been introduced to the young lady she +took Rayel's arm, and the company proceeded to the dining-hall. My seat +at the table was almost directly opposite Rayel. His grave and dignified +demeanor was made doubly conspicuous by the coquettish airs and ready +tongue of the young lady who sat beside him. Under a steady fire of +compliments and questions and artful glances I saw that he began to grow +uneasy. + +"That was a beautiful portrait you painted!" exclaimed Miss Paddington, +looking sentimental. + +"Thank you," said he; "my cousin also admires it, but I must own that it +does not quite suit me." + +"Perhaps you are an admirer of the lady it represents," said she, +peering shyly into his eyes. "The Count de Montalle has fallen in love +with her and has borrowed the portrait from my father." + +"Ze picture--ah! monsieur, it is beautiful," said the Count, who sat +near them. "But ze lady--she sat for me long ago and I had ze honor +myself to paint her portrait." + +He was a thin, wiry Frenchman, with small, black eyes, a forehead +sloping to a bald crown, an aquiline nose and a pointed chin, adorned +with an imperial. The face was almost mephistophelian in effect. He had +painted her portrait! Was the man an impostor? I asked myself. + +"The Count is an artist himself, you know," said Miss Paddington. + +"Yes--an artist?" asked Rayel in a half-incredulous tone. Then he looked +inquiringly at the gentleman referred to, as if doubtful of his own +understanding of the words he had repeated. + +"Yes," said the Count with emphasis. "For twenty years I have devote +myself to ze art." + +"To what art, sir?" asked Rayel, in a tone suggesting doubt. + +I was now thoroughly frightened at the serious turn of the dialogue. Was +this "Count" a pretender and one of the many bogus noblemen of whom I +had read? Rayel was sounding him, that was quite evident. I saw now the +mistake I had made in bringing my cousin to such a place. + +"Quel impudence!" exclaimed the insulted nobleman, under his breath. + +"Forgive me, sir," quickly answered Rayel, "I did not know it was wrong +to ask you." + +"I wish you would paint my portrait, Mr. Lane," said the young lady, who +did not seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation. + +"That would be easy enough," he answered. + +"Would it? Ah, but I fear you would find me too plain a subject. I am +not beautiful, you know, but if I wore my best clothes you might think I +would do." + +For some time Miss Paddington continued to spin out threads of small +talk, while Rayel sat listening. The dinner was nearly over when the +climax came which I had already begun to fear. + +"It is strange," said Rayel thoughtfully. "You speak what is not +true, Miss Paddington. You said that the Prince of Wales gave you the +beautiful opal, but tell me--was it not your father who gave it you?" + +He waited a moment for her answer. + +"Oh, I understand now," he continued. "People do not always speak the +truth--do they?" + +The young lady turned red with embarrassment, while an unnatural smile +played upon her lips. + +"But--but what is the use of talking then?" he asked. No one seemed +disposed to answer. + +"It is strange," he continued, with childlike naivete, turning to the +young lady sitting at his left, "you have been laughing as if you were +very happy, but you have felt more like weeping. This must be a very sad +world!" He ceased speaking as if some suspicion of the pain his words +were causing had suddenly come to him. + +The whole company turned its eyes upon the two. The young lady's face +became suddenly pale and almost horror-stricken. Rayel's words were +spoken in such a gentle and sympathetic manner that every one was +mystified. + +"Have you read about the great robbery that occurred last night?" asked +Mr. Paddington, with the evident purpose of diverting attention from +the young lady. "The vaults of the Metropolitan Bank on Wall Street were +blown open with dynamite, and half a million dollars were stolen. No +trace of the thieves has been discovered." + +"Too bad!" exclaimed half a dozen of the guests seeking to enhance +interest in the subject. + +"Zey were very bold about it," said the Count, as he lighted a piece of +sugar soaked in cognac and held it over his coffee. + +Just at that moment a singular thing happened. The lights grew dim and +suddenly went out, as if the gas had been turned off. The burning cognac +cast a white flickering light upon the face of the man who had just +spoken. + +"You say there is no trace of the thieves," said Rayel. "That is +strange, for one of them is in this room sitting at your table." + +Only one face was visible, and all eyes were turned upon it, for now the +effect of that pale light keeping it in view was indescribably weird. +The eyes were suddenly turned in the direction of Rayel, and a devilish +glare came in them for an instant, when the face suddenly seemed to +shrink back into darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant +escorts rushed precipitately from the room. The servants hurried in +with candles, but light was no sooner restored than the guests who +still remained at table rose, as if by general consent, and left the +dining-hall. Miss Paddington and Rayel were the last to leave the table. +When they had passed out into the drawing-room her father came and took +her arm, bowing coldly to my cousin. It was evident that our presence +was no longer desired in the house of the Paddingtons. And no wonder! + +"Let us go," I said, proceeding to the coat room. The Count met us on +the way. + +"You are a liar--a jackass!" he hissed into Rayel's ear. + +Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly night air +and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue. Neither of us spoke for +some moments. Presently Rayel asked: + +"What is a jackass?" + +He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of great moment. + +"A man who always tells the truth in this world--he is a jackass," I +replied. + +I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had been through. +Perhaps that is why my answer savored so strongly of cynicism. + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +Painful as had been our introduction to polite society, the reaction +which followed it was scarcely less so. Next day we stayed indoors until +evening, when we ventured out for a walk with fear and trembling lest +the newspapers had already increased our fame and our mortification. The +twilight of a cloudless autumn day was closing in upon the city, and the +keen, bracing winds which sweep over the American metropolis from the +sea brought the color to our faces. We walked down Broadway, now quite +deserted, in silence, and as we were passing Wallack's Theatre Rayel +stopped suddenly, and stood for a moment looking into the brightly +lighted foyer. Stepping in, he beckoned me to follow. I immediately saw +what had attracted his eye, for on an easel just inside the entrance was +the portrait of our woman. On a placard below the picture was the name +"Edna Bronson." Our surprise was mingled with sad regret at seeing it +playing a false part to serve the ends of an unscrupulous manager. + +"Perhaps she is here! suddenly exclaimed Rayel. + +"That is very unlikely," I answered, "but we shall see." + +I bought tickets for the evening's performance and we hastened home, +strangely elated, to dress for the play. + +Our seats were in one of the lower proscenium boxes and quite clearly +exposed to the gaze of the thousands who filled the theatre in winding +rows, ascending and receding to the roof high above us. The garish +decorations, the gay throng bedizened with jewels sparkling in the light +and the hundreds of fair faces and bright eyes that were turned toward +us presented a spectacle entirely new to Rayel. Shortly the curtain rose +and the play began. Its first scene was a counterfeit of real stage life +in an English theatre. An important performance is impending and at the +last moment both the leading lady and her understudy are suddenly taken +ill. The management is in a quandary. In the midst of its confusion the +stage carpenter suggests that he has a daughter who can play the part. +When this functionary came upon the scene my interest in the play began +to wax stronger. Hester Chaffin's father had been a stage carpenter, and +this turn in the scene startled me not a little after having found our +picture in the foyer. + +The carpenter's suggestion is at first treated with ridicule. He insists +that she has learned the part from witnessing the rehearsals, and urges +the managers to give her a trial. The performance must begin in four +hours or be postponed. It is found that the costumes prepared for the +part will fit the young lady. They consent to try her, the company is +hastily summoned together for rehearsal, and the curtain falls on the +first act. The audience waited impatiently for it to rise again and show +what fortune might have in store for the carpenter's daughter, but of +all that audience I was probably the most impatient. + +"There is the Count," whispered Rayel, directing my attention to the +opposite box. The diabolical little Frenchman was there, sure +enough, sitting next to the rail, and sweeping the audience with his +opera-glasses. + +Soon the curtain was rung up and the rehearsal began which was to test +the powers of the venturesome young lady. Suddenly she appears at the +rear of the stage dressed for her part in Elizabethan costume. She +is greeted with loud applause, and she stands a moment, waiting for +silence. The lights have been turned down and I cannot see her face +distinctly. Before the last ripple of applause is quieted, she advances +down the centre of the stage and begins to speak her lines. That voice! +What is there in it that thrills me so strangely? When she ceases +speaking she is standing almost within reach of my hand. Suddenly her +eyes meet mine and I see Hester Chaffin standing there on the stage +and looking into my face. She recognizes me, for she seems confused and +proceeds with evident embarrassment. + +I turned to Rayel--he, too, was deeply moved by this great surprise. + +"Our woman has come to life," said he, in tremulous whispers. "I knew we +would see her sometime." + +How she had changed! She was little more than a child when I saw her +last: now she was almost a woman, but not more beautiful than when I +bade her good-by in the moonlight at her father's gate--long, long ago, +it seemed to me now. Was the scene I had witnessed a passage in her +own life since I had left Liverpool? At the close of the act an usher +carried my card to her. Presently I was summoned to one of the corridors +where a lady was waiting for me. + +"Is this Kendric Lane?" she asked, extending her hand. + +"It is," I responded. + +"I have heard of you often. Miss Bronson is an old acquaintance of +yours, whom you knew as Hester Chaffin. Would you like to see her?" + +"I wish to see her to-night, if possible," said I. + +"May I ask you, then, to go to this address and wait for us until the +performance is over? Hand this card to the night clerk of the hotel and +he will show you to our rooms." + +Scribbling a few words upon the card, she gave it to me, and hurried +behind the scenes. + +Rayel and I immediately left the theatre and walked to our apartments. +The play would soon be over and we had no time to lose. On the way +home I noticed that he frequently turned about and peered through the +darkness as if expecting some one to join us. He said nothing, however, +and as I was so preoccupied by my own thoughts, I did not ask for whom +he was looking. + +"Shall I not go with you?" he asked, when we had reached home. + +"You had better wait up for me; I shall not be gone long," I answered. + +"I can walk back again when we get there, or perhaps I can wait for you +in the hotel?" said he. + +He was not yet accustomed to life in a great city, and it did not seem +wise, either, to permit him to walk home alone, or to wait for me in the +hotel among strangers. He did not seem quite content to stay, however, +and there was a troubled expression on his face, which was new to it, +and which I could not put out of my mind after I had left the house. The +hotel to which I had been directed was on Union Square. It was not far +from our apartments, and I intended to walk there, but I had not +gone half a block before the street was lit up with a vivid flash of +lightning, followed by deafening thunder, and the wind blew damp in my +face. I hurried toward Third Avenue, intending to mount one of the horse +cars going down-town, but suddenly a fierce gust of wind swept over me, +sowing great drops of rain along the pavement. I looked about for a cab. +The street was deserted and so dark that I could see nothing except +the gloomy rows of brown stone that stood on either side. While I was +looking backward another flash of lightning illumined the street. What +man was that coming in the distance? Was it Rayel? No, that was scarcely +possible. I had only caught a momentary glimpse of him in the quick +flash. He was tall and erect like Rayel, and I thought the hat was his. +But my imagination must have tricked me after all, for nothing showed +clearly. I walked back a few steps and listened. I could hear no +footsteps, but then he might have followed me, and I ought to be sure. +So I called, "Rayel! Rayel!" twice, and waited for an answer, but +could hear none. I had not time to go back to our rooms, as Hester was +undoubtedly waiting for me now, and Rayel was certainly not the man +I had seen, or he would have answered me. So I hurried along without +giving any further thought to my fears. But where was Third Avenue? Its +character was not then so sharply defined as in these days of elevated +rail-roads--perhaps I had passed it. I had already walked a long +distance, and I had not yet recognized that thoroughfare. I could hear +footsteps behind me and I determined to wait a moment and inquire my +way. + +"I am going there--walk along with me," said the man whom I questioned. +Just then we passed under a street lamp. I observed that he wore a large +coat and muffler and that he was walking under an umbrella. Another man, +also under an umbrella, fell in with us at the next corner. As we walked +along in silence I heard some person coming at a run down the street +quite a distance behind us. I was listening to this sound when I +received a terrific blow on the back of the head. I fell forward, one +side of my face striking heavily upon the pavement. Strangely enough, I +seemed unable to make any outcry, but I had not lost consciousness, for, +as I lay with my face resting on the wet stones, I could feel the rain +drops falling on it. I could hear those quick footsteps coming nearer. +Yes, I could hear Rayel's voice shouting in a loud and angry tone, but, +try as I would, I could not utter a sound. As I listened, the two men +clutched me with strong hands and dragged me through an open door, +which quickly closed behind them. It was no sooner shut than Rayel threw +himself against it with terrific force. I could hear the door groan and +shake under the strain. Once--twice, I was struck with cruel force upon +the head--then a loud roaring in my ears drowned everything. + +I can remember well the first return of consciousness. It was like the +slow breaking of dawn in the sky. I could hear voices singing: + +Hark! hark! my soul! angelic voices swelling O'er earth's green fields +and ocean's wave-beat shore. + +I could just distinguish those words. Where was I? Strange thoughts +began trooping through my mind. Then a great wave of emotion swept over +me. I could hear a low moaning sound that came from my own throat. +I could feel the hot tears rolling down my cheeks. A gentle hand was +brushing them away and some one was speaking to me. I was lying on a +soft bed. A sweet-faced woman was bending over me, whom I had never seen +before. + +"Where am I?" + +"In the hospital," she answered. + +"The singing--who is singing?" I asked. + +"It is the chapel choir," she answered; "the services are nearly over +now. It is Sunday." + +"Is Rayel here?" + +"Your friend? yes, he has been with you every day." + +"How long?" + +"Almost a month." + +I tried to ask other questions, but a drowsy feeling overcame me and I +fell asleep. + +When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened my eyes he +leaned over and kissed my hands. + +"They thought you were dead once," he said; "but I knew you were not +dead--I knew you were not dead." I lay for a moment trying to collect +my thoughts. My head was in tight bandages and something was binding my +chest. + +"Where is Hester?" I asked. Rayel did not answer. He was not there, but +somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a lady kneeling beside me, +her face leaning forward upon the bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes +and listened to the rustling of withered leaves outside the window, +and the low humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic +sounds, and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A new life was +coming now. What was it to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. +I tried to keep my eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, +but in vain. When I awoke Rayel had returned. + +"You have slept a long time," said he. + +"When I fell asleep a lady was here." + +"Yes, it was our 'Woman,'" he replied--"the lady you love. She has come +every day to see you." + +"Where is she now?" + +"She had to go away, but she will soon come back again." + +"Who brought me here?" + +"I broke down the door--I found you there. You could not see me nor +speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men were gone. I carried +you out into the street. A policeman met me, and I told him what had +happened. Then the ambulance came and we put you into it, and you were +brought here. For a long time you lay like my father after he was dead. +Your face was white--like snow. They had stabbed you in the side--they +would have killed you if I had not broken the door." + +"Who struck me?" I asked. + +"I knew," he said, his eyes flashing, "I knew the devil was in their +heads--that is why I wished to go with you. They followed us that +night." + +"Who?" I asked, eagerly. + +"The Count de Montalle and another man." + +My cousin's answer amazed me. + +"Have you made known your suspicions?" I asked. + +"No. I have been waiting to talk with you first." + +"Do not speak of it yet to any one," I said. "Let us await +developments." + +I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed +to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also, +that any futile discussion of the subject would defeat justice. + +That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been looking for +with much impatience since I had begun to feel more like myself. She +would shortly have fulfilled all her professional engagements, and +would then return at once to New York. "I wonder," she added, somewhat +coquettishly, "if you will be glad to see me." On this point there was +no doubt in my mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the +days passed with tedious slowness after that. + +I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the moving +throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was suddenly +opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to see me, and I +waited for him to speak. + +"Kendric!" + +It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not seem quite +natural, and I turned to greet him. + +"This is our 'Woman,'" said he, advancing toward me with Hester upon his +arm. + +I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, and took +her extended hand. We looked into each other's eyes for a moment without +speaking. My own were rapidly filling with tears, and I could see her +but dimly. + +"What a fine outlook you have!" she said, in a tremulous voice, turning +suddenly to the window and looking out upon the trees now half stripped +of their foliage by the autumn winds. We both stood staring out of the +window in silence. For my part, I could not have spoken if I had known +what to say. How she had changed! The blushing little miss who had +awakened the pangs of first love in my youthful heart was a beautiful +young woman, now full grown and arrayed in costly finery. Rayel was the +first to speak. + +"You must be glad to meet again--you have loved each other so long," +said he. + +Honest Rayel! He knew our hearts--their longings, their histories, and +also the vanity and pride that dwelt in them. Why should there be any +concealment between her and me? + +"It has been a long time--a very long time to me, Hester, for I have +loved you ever since we first met." + +She turned toward me, her eyes filled with tears, and I drew her to my +heart and kissed her fondly. + +"We have only known each other as children, Kendric," said she. "Your +heart may change and mine may change--let us wait and see." + +Then she left us, promising to come again next day. + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Hester and her maid looked in upon me every morning after that, until I +was able to leave the hospital. During these visits we told each other +the eventful story of our lives since the night of our parting at +her father's gate. Her first appearance on the stage had been, as I +suspected, literally represented in the play. For years she had been +permitted to accompany her father behind the scenes, and nights when +the cast was short she had played small parts with great success. The +glamour and excitement of stage life had proved distasteful to her. She +assured me that it was her intention never to go back to it, and this +strengthened my hope that she would some day consent to become my wife. +Rayel had told her, during my illness, the strange story of his life. +She knew nothing, however, of his wonderful powers, until I had related +to her some of the experiences which had revealed them to me. He had +said nothing to her, I learned, about our discovery of the picture. + +"Who painted the remarkable portrait of you which we saw at the +theatre?" I asked her one day. + +"It was painted, I believe, by a French nobleman, who presented it to me +here in New York. I suppose it looks a little as I did once, but it is +certainly too flattering and much too maidenly for me now. + +"The Frenchman is an impostor and worse," I said. "The portrait was +painted by Rayel and sold to a broker of the name of Paddington, from +whom the Frenchman borrowed or bought it." + +Her amazement could scarcely be overestimated when I told her what +occurred at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party. + +"The Frenchman," she said, "has been paying me unwelcome attentions ever +since the first night of my appearance in New York. He became so odious +to me at length that I refused to accept any of his gifts, and, in spite +of the protests of my managers, returned everything he had sent me, +including the portrait." + +I did not tell her that it was this same Frenchman to whom I was +indebted for my wounds. Of that I must wait for more palpable evidence, +though not for my own convincing. It seemed strange to me then that just +at the moment this thought was passing through my mind she asked me whom +I suspected of having committed the assault. It occurred to me after +she had gone that possibly she had some cause to suspect the man who had +been the subject of our conversation. + +Rayel always came late in the day, when there was no chance of meeting +other callers, and stayed with me until bedtime. As returning strength +brought back to me that interest in life which prompts keen observation, +I could see that a great change was coming over him. His face wore a +melancholy look which indicated too clearly that his mind was suffering +under some sad oppression. He was as gentle and considerate as ever, and +as tireless in his efforts to increase my comfort, but he rarely spoke +now, except in reply to my questions. He would sit by my side for hours, +gazing out of the window with a vacant look in his eyes, until the light +of day grew dim and the lamps were lighted. When supper was served to us +I could never induce him to eat. + +"What is the trouble, Rayel?" I asked, one evening. "You are not +yourself lately." + +Neither of us had spoken for a long time. He turned suddenly, as +if startled by my words, his lips quivered, and stammering almost +incoherently, he rose to his feet. Then he stood erect before me for a +moment, looking sadly and thoughtfully into my eyes. + +"Nothing, Kendric," he said presently, in a deep tone that trembled with +emotion. "I think I have been working too hard and need exercise--that +is all." Then he grasped my hand warmly and bade me good night. + +I believe his answer to my question was the first lie that he had ever +spoken. + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Next day I was discharged from the hospital, and Rayel and I were driven +to our apartments. He had a number of surprises prepared for me. A large +painting on his easel, awaiting some finishing touches, compelled my +attention as soon as I entered the room. It represented a scene in +our own lives, which had lasted but a second, but which could never be +forgotten by either of us. He had seen me when I stood looking backward +in that vivid flash of lightning--there could be no doubt of it now, +for here was the scene transferred to canvas. The shaft of white light +shaking and darting across the black sky like a gleaming sword; the man +on the sidewalk looking backward with a startled glance; the big drops +of rain falling sidelong in the wind--these were all reproduced on the +canvas. His later pictures were characterized by a cynical tendency, +which I observed with regret. It was evident that his sensitive mind +had taken impressions from its brief contact with men, which were sadly +affecting his thought. + +He showed me numerous letters, many of which were from women who desired +to visit his studio and see his work. Indeed, my cousin had apparently +grown suddenly famous in the American metropolis. He was the victim +rather than the victor of fame, however, and regarded the matter with +very serious concern. The press of New York had been full of gossip +concerning his "eccentricities" since the event which had put my life in +danger. One of the society journals had printed a highly colored +version of that little episode at the house of the Paddingtons, and had +concluded its article by saying that the fair Miss Paddington had fallen +madly in love with her father's strange guest. + +That night, as we were sitting by the grate fire in our own rooms, +Rayel, encouraged by our seclusion, began to emerge from the silence to +which he had seemingly gone back for refuge in time of trouble. + +"We shall soon be ready to start for England," I said. + +"I do not wish to go to England, Kendric," said he. "For a long time +I have thought over it. Let me go back to the old house and live by my +father's grave, until the good Lord takes me to a better home. I would +miss you, dear Kendric, and every day I would look for you to come, but +I shall be happier there." + +His words touched me deeply, and I was not prepared to answer him with +perfect calmness, although I had lately suspected that his despondency +would lead to this resolve. + +"Why must we separate now, after we have become so dear to each other?" +I asked. "Something has happened to change your purpose since I have +been ill--tell me what it is." + +"To speak frankly, Kendric, I must say that the world has sadly +disappointed me. It is full of vanity and deceit and selfishness. Every +day brings to me some hideous revelation which the mercy of heaven has +hidden from others. I have seen the righteous forsaken of men, and the +wicked receiving homage; I have seen the unjust triumphing over the +just; I have seen some reveling in abundance while others were begging +for bread. Everywhere I have found want and misery staring me in the +face. + +"Remembering what Christ said, I sold all I had and gave to the poor, +and now there is nothing more I can do. My best pictures, my money and +all my extra clothing have gone to feed the hungry and cover the naked. +And even now, when I have nothing left to give, I find as much misery as +before. Often, since I have been alone, I have had nothing to eat and no +fire to keep me warm. Then I feared to tell you what I had done, and I +bore it in silence, hoping that I might earn more money by painting. But +I could not work. When Hester came back I told her all my troubles, and +she gave me money, not only for my own use but for the use of others who +needed it more than I. She and I have wandered about the city by day and +by night, ministering to the sick and the friendless." + +He ceased speaking, his head bent forward upon his hands. It was indeed +a serious situation into which a too generous heart had betrayed him. +Nearly all his fortune had descended to him in cash on deposit, and +payable either to my order or to his. He had therefore saved nothing +for himself that had been available for the satisfaction of his good +impulses. Instead of displeasing me, however, as he feared, his action +only increased my love for him, if that were possible. + +"Do not let these things trouble you, Rayel," I said. "We shall find no +difficulty, I think, in earning money enough for our needs. I cannot see +you shut yourself away from the world: you have yet an important work +to do among men. You are now morbidly sensitive to the misery that +surrounds us, but you will feel it less keenly as it grows more +familiar." + +"You do not understand me, Kendric," said he, starting from his chair, +and pacing restlessly up and down the room. "I cannot deceive you +any longer. In begging you to leave me, it is your own happiness I am +thinking of. Please go as soon as possible," he pleaded, laying his hand +gently upon my shoulder. "Take her with you, and let me stay." + +My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating. + +"My God, Rayel!" I exclaimed. "Are we both in love with the same woman?" + +"No, Kendric, no," he said quickly, taking my hand. "I do not mean that. +I would not permit myself to love her, knowing that you love her also." + +"What, then, do you mean?" I asked. + +"That there is danger," he answered huskily, sinking into a chair. "I am +a fool not to have thought of it long ago!" + +His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not speak. + +"You know what is in her heart, Rayel," I said presently. "Tell me, is +it false, or is she, as I have thought, a pure and noble woman?" + +"She is pure and worthy of your love," he answered. "Her life has been +much exposed to temptation, but her character has been greater than any +temptation. When she began to go with me among the poor I did not know +what love was. I had never felt the power of it, nor did I think of the +danger to all of us. When at last it came upon me, and I saw what +it meant, I resolved not to see Hester again until God had given me +strength to subdue that passion. For days my heart was near breaking. +When you asked me to tell you what made me sad, I had not the courage to +do it. Then I told you a lie. I did the very thing which I have so much +condemned in others. This trouble has taught me to comprehend and to +pity the frailty of men. I look forward with fear and dread for my own +sake.. I shall be safe in my father's house. I must go back, but, before +I go, forgive me. Tell me that you do not despise me." + +As he ceased speaking he laid his hand upon my shoulder and peered into +my face with a frightened and appealing look. + +"Despise you!" I repeated. "No. You are dearer to me now than ever. What +you have told me will bring us closer to each other, if we consider it +wisely. As yet there is no pledge between Hester and myself, save the +assurance given by unuttered thoughts. Her heart is free. I have no +right to claim it. If she loves you I shall wish you both much joy." + +"That will not be necessary, Kendric. I had rather die than know that I +had come between you. I cannot even risk the danger of it. I must leave +you to-morrow." + +"Under no circumstances will I consent to that. My promise to your +father and my duty to you forbid it. To go back now would be cowardly +and unworthy of you. With my help and guidance you can do great things. +We must face the world with stout hearts. As to this trouble, let +us concern ourselves about it as little as possible. I believe that +whatever may be best for all will happen if we but wait with patience." + +Rayel made no answer, and for some moments we both sat looking at the +glowing embers in silence. + +"I shall obey your wish," he said presently; "I cannot do otherwise. +I am like a child, and must look to you for instruction in all things. +Perhaps there will come a time when I can repay you." + +"It will be a pleasure for me to help you as I would a brother, and you +will owe me no gratitude for it," I said. + +We sat discussing our plans for the future until near midnight. When +we went to bed at last, Rayel looked happier than I had seen him before +since my recovery at the hospital. + +When I awoke it was near midday. I went to call Rayel and found that he +was gone. + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +After waiting for him nearly an hour I went to a neighboring restaurant +for breakfast. On returning I found that he had not yet come back. +Alarmed at his continued absence I went at once to Hester's apartments, +scarcely expecting, however, to find him there, but confident that she +would be able to tell me where he was likely to go. + +"No doubt he has gone on some good errand," she said. "Has he not told +you of his charitable enterprises?" + +"He told me last night how they had reduced his fortune." + +"Poor fellow!" she continued. "In his zeal for others he quite forgot +his own needs. I would have told you about it, but that he implored me +to spare you any knowledge of his condition. I think we shall be able to +find him. Let us go and try." + +Hester and I set out at once, walking rapidly against a biting east wind +toward the river. On reaching Second Avenue we took a car and rode down +among the big tenements towering into the sky on all sides in the lower +part of the city. Alighting in the midst of these human hives, we +made our way through a wretched crowd, shivering in the livery of +destitution, down a long and narrow alley. Entering one of the doorways +we climbed a steep flight of stairs, above which was a squalid throng +pressing about an open door on the landing. The women held children +in their arms, and many of them were crying bitterly. The men stood in +silence peering curiously over the heads of the further throng into the +crowded chamber. Some of them greeted Hester with great respect, and +moved aside that we might have room to enter. As we neared the door I +could hear a babel of strange tongues and the voices of women calling +down the blessings of Heaven upon some one in their midst. It was Rayel. +He stood in a corner of the room holding two little children in his +arms, and the crowd was pressing forward as if eager to speak with him. +He was talking in a low voice to those nearest him, but I was unable to +catch his words. There were men and women of many nationalities in the +throng. I saw Italians, Celts, Poles, Germans and even men whose swarthy +faces and peculiar garb betokened Syrian origin. When we pressed nearer +to Rayel I saw some, as they came within reach, extend their hands +and touch him fondly, uttering exclamations as they did so, often in +a tongue that was strange to me. These simple-minded people seemed to +regard him as a supernatural being whom it was good to talk with, and +whose touch it was a blessing to feel. A look of love and gentleness and +sympathy irradiated his face and invited their confidence. These were +evidently the poor whom he had befriended, and he was now taking leave +of them, probably forever. It was a scene the like of which few can +ever hope to witness. After all, I thought, what manner of riches can +be compared to the satisfaction which Rayel feels at this moment? I was +quite ready then to applaud his unselfish generosity, for in that gloomy +and unclean place I first saw the full radiance of God's truth that it +is infinitely more blessed to give than to receive. We stood for a long +time looking upon this memorable meeting of Cadmus and Caliban. When at +length he caught sight of us, Rayel came where we stood, and said he was +ready to go home. Perceiving that we were about to go, the crowd hurried +from the building into the narrow alley leading out upon the street. +Some shouted endearing farewells as we passed them, and many of their +hardened faces were wet with tears. The sun was just going down and the +shadows were deepening between the high walls looming above us as we +started homeward. Hester insisted that we must dine with her and decide +upon the day of our departure. Rayel and I went directly home for a bath +and a change of clothing, after which we proceeded at once to Hester's +apartments. Evidently somewhat fatigued by the day's experience, Rayel +had little to say while we were eating dinner. It was arranged that we +would start for England by the first steamer on which we could secure a +comfortable passage. We had no sooner finished our coffee than a servant +announced Mr. Benjamin Murmurtot, who wished to see Miss Bronson. + +"A reporter!" exclaimed Hester. "There's no dodging them in America. +Shall I ask him in for a moment?" + +We said yes, of course, and Mr. Murmurtot presently fluttered into the +room. He was a natty little man, with a large nose, a bald head and a +decidedly English accent. + +"Delighted to see you, Miss Bronson," said he, "delighted, I'm sure. +Thought I'd call and pay my respects before you leave the city." + +He greeted us all with like effusiveness and sat down facing Hester. + +"It's very kind of you," said she; "but pray how did you know I was to +leave the city?" + +"Why, I'm sure, Miss Bronson, everybody knows you are going home to be +married?" + +"It is true that I am going home soon," said she, "but I must decline to +discuss my object in doing so." + +"Pray pardon me; I'm a journalist, you know," said Mr. Murmurtot, "and +I earn my living by impertinence. Have I not seen you before, sir?" he +continued, facing Rayel. "I think you were at the theatre one evening +some time ago--sat in the lower box at the right of the stage--I +remember it well, sir." + +"I remember the occasion," said my cousin, with his accustomed gravity. + +"I read about that occurrence at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party, sir," +continued Mr. Murmurtot. "It was decidedly clever in you, sir--deucedly +clever! Everybody is talking about it, now that the Count has been +arrested." + +"Arrested!" I exclaimed; "has he been arrested?" + +"Yes, this morning, for the robbery, you know. They say that the police +have secured evidence that will convict him sure, but it seems they are +not yet ready to make it public; reporters can't get the Inspector to +say a word about it, you know--not a word." + +There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from all present, +save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint smile stole over his +face. + +"I knew they would find him out," said he. + +"I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir," said Mr. Murmurtot, again +addressing my cousin. + +"And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter," said Rayel. +"It is good that we understand each other." + +Mr. Murmurtot started with surprise at the remark. + +"I do not know how fully you may be acquainted with my secret," said he, +"but permit me to assure you that I am here on a friendly mission. + +"I have no doubt of that," said my cousin. + +"Let me proceed directly to the object of my visit, then, which is to +learn how soon you expect to return to England." + +"By Saturday, if possible," I replied. + +"That is good," said he, turning toward me. "The sooner the better. In +the meantime it will be my duty to keep a sharp eye upon you; I have +been near you all day. You need not feel any alarm--only do not be +surprised if you meet me often. I am responsible for your safety, that +is all." + +"For whom are you acting?" I asked. + +"My dear sir," said he, rising to go, "men in my line of business must +not talk too much. Good night." + +After he had gone we asked Rayel to tell us more about this mysterious +visitor, but he was unable to do so. + +When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with us to the +cab. As we alighted at our own door I saw a man standing by the street +lamp on the corner, some distance away, whom I recognized as Mr. +Murmurtot. I found a letter from Mr. Earl awaiting me at home, in which +he urged us to hasten back to England as soon as possible after my +recovery. + +"You and Rayel," he said, "will, I trust, make your home at my house." + +Next day we began our preparations for the voyage. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +It was on a bleak and windy night in December that we were driven +through a pelting rain to one of the docks on the North River, which our +steamer was to leave at high tide in the early morning. When we alighted +Mr. Murmurtot stood shivering in a greatcoat and muffler close by the +passengers' entrance. + +"This is a good place for a warm greeting," said he, taking Hester's +hand. "I've stood here so long that my teeth are chattering from the +cold." + +"Won't you come aboard with us?" I asked. + +"Not yet," he replied; "but I expect to sail with you in the morning." + +"'Sa rough night, sir," said the porter who carried our luggage, "but +we'll find it a bit rougher outside, I'm feered, afore anither night." + +Fatigued by a long day of arduous work, we went at once to our +staterooms. I was soon asleep after getting into my berth, but was +awakened by the tramp of feet on the upper decks and the shouting of +the crew long before the ship left her moorings. They reminded me of +the first night I had ever spent on an ocean steamer--the night I left +Liverpool on that journey fraught with danger I had not then dreamed +of. I had grown old very fast under the influences that had come into my +life since then. Indeed, I was now a man, whereas I had been only a boy +when I left England. But Rayel was with me now, and that repaid me for +all I had suffered. What would he have done in that lonely mansion +after his father's death? For hours my mind was occupied with these +reflections, and at length I determined to dress myself and go on deck. +Rayel awoke while I was dressing and decided to go with me. + +We found the decks thronged with people, and the ship's crew were +bustling about, getting ready to sail. We stood near the gangway, facing +the dock. A man was pacing back and forth in the opening whose figure +seemed familiar to me. Presently he came aboard, and as he passed near +us I saw it was the omnipresent Mr. Murmurtot. + +"I wonder if he is afraid somebody will steal the ship?" I remarked. + +"No, he is looking for some person," said Rayel, divining my thoughts. + +"All ashore! Stand away, there!" shouted one of the ship's officers. + +The passengers fell back, the gangway was pulled aboard, the great +hawsers were loosened, and the ship moved slowly away from the dock. We +stood for a long time watching the river craft and the receding lights +of the city. The ship was well beyond the Atlantic Highlands when we +went to our stateroom and to bed again. We slept until late in the +morning, and arose barely in time for a late breakfast with Hester. +Rayel seemed cheerful enough and took more than ordinary interest in +his surroundings. When we had risen from the table he led me aside and +directed my attention to a short, stout man with a bristly growth of +close-cropped black hair, a low forehead and shaggy eyebrows, who was +leaning lazily against the railing of the stairway. + +"Let us avoid him," he whispered. "I do not like his looks." + +What can this mean? I asked myself, as we all proceeded to the deck. +Perhaps he was the man the detective was looking for. + +It was a beautiful sunlit afternoon, and the vessel rode steadily in a +sea that was growing quiet under the dying impulse that the winds had +left behind them. We drew our chairs together on the deck near the stern +of the vessel, and had settled down for a quiet chat among ourselves +when we were unexpectedly joined by Mr. Murmurtot. + +"Delighted, I'm sure!" he exclaimed, with the same inimitable drawl I +had noted on the occasion of our first meeting. I soon observed that +the artful little gentleman was master of an elaborate system of +exclamations by which he encouraged one to talk freely without saying +anything himself. + +In response to my assertion that we had been exceedingly busy getting +ready for the trip he said simply: "Indeed!" + +It was a very unusual burst of confidence in which he was moved to +express his views with any greater freedom. When the remark which +preceded it was evidently expected to meet with Mr. Murmurtot's +concurrence, then he would say, "Yes, indeed!" + +If the remark were one to which this response would be inappropriate he +often went to the extent of observing, "I dare say!" seemingly +ventured after careful consideration of the chances for and against the +proposition which provoked it. + +"My dear sir, I do not agree with you," he would always say when he felt +compelled to differ with me. If the difference in our views chanced to +be extremely radical, he would throw particular emphasis upon the word +"dear," as a sort of recompense for his opposition. These forms of +speech, with occasional and slight variations, were always employed by +Mr. Murmurtot as a medium of thought and sentiment. + +In the midst of our conversation I noticed the man whom Rayel had +pointed out to me when we arose from the breakfast-table. He was +standing against the rail, not twenty feet from where we sat, and as I +looked at him he turned away and walked leisurely down the deck. In a +moment Rayel was on his feet, and, excusing himself, he proceeded in +the same direction. An hour later, as he had not returned, I left Hester +with Mr. Murmurtot and went forward in quest of him. He was in the +reading-room, apparently interested in a newspaper. As he did not +observe me, I sat down behind his chair without disturbing him. To my +surprise I saw that he was not reading the paper, but that his eyes were +furtively watching the mysterious stranger he had followed, who sat +on the other side of the room listlessly puffing at a cigarette. I was +seated scarcely a moment when Rayel seemed to be aware of my presence. +Looking from face to face until he had discovered me he arose and came +to my side. + +"I was trying to read a newspaper," said he, leading the way to the +door, "but reading is still hard work for me." + +"I saw that you did not seem to be looking at the paper," said I, as +we proceeded to the deck. He made no reply, but stopped and looked out +across the waste of waters at the horizon. + +"Do you know that man?" I asked. + +For a moment I stood waiting for his answer. Apparently he had not heard +my question, and I repeated it in a somewhat louder tone. + +He turned suddenly with an impatient exclamation. There was a flash of +anger in his eyes as he faced me. I had never seen him in such a mood +before. + +"Forgive me," said he. "I am only angry with myself. Come, Hester will +be looking for us." + +I did not venture again to refer to our bristly fellow-passenger in +Rayel's presence. Never inclined to talk much, even with me, he was +becoming more silent than ever as the voyage continued. Day by day his +interest in that strange man seemed to increase. He spent as little time +as possible in my company. When not with me he was hounding him about +the ship, keeping him in sight from some favorable point of observation. +What was the meaning of it? The question forced itself upon my mind +persistently by day and night, and begat in me a gloomy reticence which +Hester was quick to observe. Every day I expected some revelation from +Rayel, but he said nothing about the man in whom he had taken such +extraordinary interest. + +We had been over a week at sea, and I was sitting alone one afternoon, +when Mr. Murmurtot came along and asked if he might introduce an +acquaintance of his whom I ought to know. Then he went to find the +gentleman, saying that he would return in a few moments. He had no +sooner left me than my mind reverted to the man who had been the bugbear +of my thoughts since we left New York. Presently Mr. Murmurtot touched +my arm. Looking up suddenly, I saw standing before me the very man of +whom I had been thinking. + +"Mr. Lane, let me introduce you to Mr. Fenlon," said the detective. +I shook the hand that was extended to me mechanically, and made some +incoherent response--I do not remember what. I had been taken by +surprise. My voice was unnatural and my strength seemed to have left me +suddenly. + +"Are you not well, sir?" he asked. + +"No, sir, he is not well yet." + +It was the voice of Rayel that answered for me. He was standing by my +side, his lips tightly drawn, and his eyes fixed upon the man Fenlon. +There was a terrible look on his face as he stood there towering above +us. The man turned pale and moved quickly backward two or three steps, +staring at my cousin as if in fear of receiving a death-blow. For an +instant, only, he stood like some fierce animal at bay, then turned +and walked hurriedly down the deck. The situation was made all the more +impressive by the interval of silence that followed Rayel's words. + +"Forgive me," said Mr. Murmurtot, taking my hand, "if this meeting was +unpleasant. It was necessary." Then he bowed politely and walked away. +The sun was just going down as Rayel and I entered the cabin, where +Hester was waiting for us. + +"The captain thinks we will reach Southampton before five in the +morning," said she. + +I was glad to learn that our voyage was so near its end. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +After dinner Rayel and I went at once to our stateroom. + +"I am out of patience with myself," said he, as soon as we were seated. +"My mind is failing me just when I need it most. I have grown dull and +stupid. For more than a week I have been trying to find out that man's +secret. I knew that he had a secret, and that it concerned us. Not until +to-night was I certain that I had found it out. Once I could see the +truth clearly. No matter how deeply it was buried under lies--I could +see it. But now there is something like a mist before my eyes, and I am +sure of nothing. Perhaps it is because I am now a liar myself, as bad as +any of them. God have mercy on me!" said he, rising, and speaking with +much animation. "I know now what is blinding my soul. When a man lies +he loses some degree of his power to distinguish between truth and +falsehood." + +He stood looking into my face impatiently, as if waiting to hear what I +would say to his remark. + +"That would be the natural result, I have no doubt," said I; "but +are you not trying to convict yourself of too much wickedness and +stupidity?" + +I had never considered the misfortune of knowing too much--of being able +to detect every difference between word and thought, between appearance +and reality. That was the power which Rayel possessed, and it increased +his moral responsibility by as much as it transcended the power common +to others. Here, indeed, was a man ripe for the fate of a martyr. + +"Won't you tell me Fenlon's secret, if you have found it out?" I asked. +"I've been thinking about it night and day since we first saw him." + +"Be wise! Don't try to learn too fast, Kendric" said he. "You shall know +it soon, I am sure of that--indeed, I promise that you shall." + +"I am quite willing to wait on the future for everything if you think it +is best," I said. + +We sat for a long time, making plans for our future life in England. It +was near midnight when we retired to our berths, but we were up early +in the morning, eager to catch the first sight of land. On reaching the +deck we were overjoyed to see the distant spires of Southampton glowing +in the morning sun. + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Mr. and Mrs. Earl met us at the station of the Southwestern Railway +in London, and we were driven at once to their home. Hester came to +breakfast with us, but Mrs. Earl would not let her go to Liverpool that +day, ship-worn and fatigued as we all felt after the voyage. + +"You resemble your father, sir, when he was of your age," said Mr. +Earl, addressing my cousin, as we were eating. "But you are larger, much +larger, than he was." + +"You were my father's friend when he was a young man, I believe?" said +Rayel. + +"Yes, he and his brother were my best friends in those days. I tried to +induce him to study law, but he was more inclined to medicine." + +Rayel had found a man quite after his liking and the two were on the +best of terms at once. Indeed, he seemed to talk with my benefactor as +freely as he ever talked with me. I found Mrs. Earl very much as I had +imagined my mother to have been--a full-faced, ruddy-cheeked woman; with +a sweet voice and gentle manners. She greeted me as if I were her own +son returned from a long journey, and when we sat down to talk after +breakfast, I felt the joy and peace of one who has found a home after +much wandering. + +I spent the afternoon with Mr. Earl in his library, and he listened with +deep interest to the complete story of my life since the night we parted +in Liverpool. + +He had many questions to ask me touching the attempt upon my life, and +my replies were jotted down in his memorandum-book. After I had told him +all that I was able to tell he sat for some moments thoughtfully +turning the pages of the book, stopping now and then to read some of the +memoranda. + +"It looks pretty bad for them, doesn't it?" said he calmly, looking up +at me over his spectacles. "But we'll bring this matter to a climax very +soon," he continued. "We haven't seen the last act of the play yet. You +need not have any further fear for your safety--I will look after that. +You may feel quite free to go and come as you please in this part of the +city. Above all things we must avoid letting them know that we suspect +anything; it might defeat me in getting hold of the last bit of evidence +that is necessary to complete our case." + +I nodded, and waited for him to proceed. + +"Let us go carefully until we're sure of our ground," he continued. +"Your stepmother knows you are in London, of course. You must go and see +her. Take your cousin with you, and--well, you will know how to treat +them. After all, you must bear in mind that in the eye of the law every +man is innocent until he is proven guilty. Adopt that view of the case +yourself. You needn't fear anything from Cobb or his wife. Only be +reasonably prudent." + +"I've no fear that they will try to do us any harm," said I; "and +I would greatly enjoy visiting the old house. Perhaps we could go +to-morrow." + +"The day after. You'd better go down to Liverpool to-morrow with the +young lady, and return by the night train." + +That day saw the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship between +Hester and Mrs. Earl. When we left next morning to go to Hester's home +in Liverpool, she promised to return soon for a long visit. By ten +o'clock we were well out of smoky London, on the way that I had already +traversed once before, with a cheerful heart most creditable to me under +the circumstances. Mrs. Chaffin was waiting for us at the gate when we +alighted in front of the old wood-colored cottage--that haven of weary +legs in days gone by. Phil (who had lengthened noticeably in the service +of Valentine, King & Co.) was there, too, and all the rest of the +Chaffin household in Sunday clothes. Mrs. Chaffin was quite beside +herself with joy. + +"Dear-a me!" said the good lady, after the salutations were over. +"Dear-a sakes! How you've growed! I didn't think you'd ever live to get +s' big. I thought as 'ow som' 'arm 'd come to ye when ye went away, an' +Hester--" + +"Mamma!" exclaimed Hester, with a reproving glance. "Don't tell him." + +"I'm that fidgety I don't know what I'm sayin'. The Lord bless us, but +ye must be hungry!" said the good woman, as she spread the table for +dinner. She had guessed rightly, and Hester bustled about, helping +her mother get the dishes on the table, with a critical eye to all the +arrangements. Rayel was much amused by the children, the youngest of +whom had climbed upon his knee and was taking liberties with his cravat. +He was wholly unaccustomed to the pranks of children, and we frequently +rallied to his defence. He seemed to enjoy them, however, and was soon +involved in a spree at which both Hester and I laughed heartily. + +"This herring ain't extra good, sir, but I 'ope it won't go ag'in' ye," +said Mrs. Chaffin to Rayel, as we sat down to the table. + +He seemed in doubt for a moment as to what it would be proper to say in +reply to this well-intended remark. + +"I have never eaten a herring, madam," said he, gravely, "but I have no +doubt it will be good." + +"I 'ope so, sir--indeed, I 'ope so; but I dare presume to say that it +will taste bad enough to the likes of you." + +Mrs. Chaffin (good soul) had evidently concluded that my cousin was a +man entitled to extra politeness. Hester had adroitly side-tracked the +herring question and started another train of speculation, when her +mother's misgivings were again excited respecting the tea, which Rayel +had just tasted. + +"Murky, sir?" she asked, with a glance of alarm. "I 'ope it don't taste +murky." + +Mrs. Chaffin's solicitude respecting the tea and the herring reminded +me of the first time I had stretched my tired legs under that hospitable +board at Phil's invitation; of those big, wondering eyes that stared at +me across the table; of the songs and stories which beguiled the evening +hours. + +The candles were lit before dinner was over, and when we rose from the +table it was to gather about the warm fire and exchange memories, while +Rayel listened with deep interest. Phil had been promoted from a pair of +legs to a pair of hands, and was now third bookkeeper for the firm. Our +carriage came for us at nine o'clock. Hester had decided to stay a day +or two with her mother, but it was necessary for Rayel and me to return +to London that night, as we were to make an important call the next day. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +Late in the afternoon of the day following our visit to Liverpool we +ascended the big stone steps of my old home and pulled the bell. After +all, I found that my nerves were not quite steady while we were waiting +for the door to open. We had come intending to spend the night there, +and my benefactor had given me certain precautions not calculated to +make me feel entirely at home. Was there some deeper plan underlying +his suggestion as to this visit than he had chosen to explain? I had not +long to consider that point, however, for suddenly the door opened and +a servant in imposing livery confronted us. I handed him my card and we +were shown into the reception room at once. Presently he conducted us to +my stepmother, who greeted me with a great show of cordiality and some +tears. She had grown old fast since I left home, but she had artfully +disguised the evidences of age upon her face and neck. Why had I stayed +away so long? What had she done to deserve such shameful neglect? These +and other questions taxed my wits for an answer that would neither +outrage my own conscience nor offend her. Mr. Cobb, who had just +returned from his office, suddenly entered the room. His face assumed an +ashen pallor, and he stared at me quite dumfounded for a moment, when I +arose and stood before him. + +"It is Kendric. Don't you recognize him?" said my stepmother. + +"So it is!" he exclaimed. "But he's grown quite out of my recollection." +The man had recovered his self-possession in a moment, and treated me, +it must be said to his credit, with marked coolness. I was likely to get +on with him very well, I thought, but the fawning attitude of his wife +quite unhorsed me. If I am to see the devil I'd rather he'd frown than +smile. Cobb had very little to say to us, and left the room at the first +opportunity. In doing so he had shown scant consideration for his wife, +however, as it left a burden upon her shoulders that must have taxed her +strength. But she was not unequal to it. Her smile broadened after he +had gone, and there was a tone of deeper sincerity in her expressions +of regard. We had been to dinner, and if she would kindly send a little +cold lunch to our room at bedtime that would be quite sufficient. During +her absence for dinner the reaction came. When my stepmother returned +she seemed to have suddenly grown older, and she looked at us through +haggard and sunken eyes. Surely this was a terrible punishment she was +undergoing, and I pitied her. Mr. Cobb had an important engagement to +keep, she said, and hoped we would excuse him. Slowly the evening wore +away and at ten o'clock we were shown to our room, greatly fatigued by +this trying experience. It was a room fronting the street on the third +floor, which I had occupied before I left home. The walls had been +painted white since then, with a frieze of gold along the ceiling. +My father used to sleep in the room directly under it. Rayel had been +silent and absent-minded all the evening, rarely speaking except in +reply to some question. + +"I feel sad for some cause I do not understand," said he, preparing to +retire. "I shall be glad when to-morrow comes." + +"We will go back in the morning," I said. "You don't feel at home here, +do you?" + +He did not seem to hear me, but tried the door, which I had already +bolted, and then got into bed, yawning and shivering, for the room was +cold. I turned down the light, and, opening the shutters, looked out +upon the street, now deserted save by a solitary man who had just passed +the house and whose slow footsteps were gradually growing less distinct. +I crouched there, listening for some moments to that fading sound, when +it began to grow louder again. The man had turned about and was coming +back. As he passed under the lamp on the opposite corner I thought I +recognized the slim figure of Mr. Murmurtot. Suddenly I was startled by +a noise in the room adjoining ours, and sprang to my feet in a tremor. +Plague take my imagination! It was somebody going to bed. I sat down +again and for a long time looked out at the man walking back and forth +in front of the house. I was rapidly getting into a condition of mind +unfavorable to rest and, closing the shutters, I went to bed at once. +For hours I lay tossing restlessly from one side to the other, and +finally fell into a deep sleep. I must have slept a long time when I +suddenly awoke, laboring with nightmare. I had heard no sound, I had +felt no touch, but all at once my eyes were open and I knew that I was +awake. The lamp was burning dimly on the table beside my bed. How my +heart was beating! And my arm--how it trembled when I tried to raise up +on my elbow and look about the room! + +"Who's there?" I whispered. Was it Rayel standing near the bed, his body +swaying backward and forward, or was I yet asleep? Everything looked dim +and weird. I seemed to be in some silent ghostland between sleeping and +waking. I rubbed my eyes and peered about the half-darkened room. It was +Rayel, and, as I gazed at him, his eyes seemed to shine like balls of +fire. I called to him, but he made no answer. What had happened since I +went to sleep? Alarmed, I threw the covers aside and leaped out of bed. +As I did so he stepped up close to the opposite wall, and, as his hand +moved, I could hear the grating of a crayon on its surface. In tremulous +haste I turned up the wick of the lamp and tiptoed toward him, holding +it in my hand. He was stepping backward and excitedly pointing at the +wall. He had been drawing a picture on its white surface--the form of +a woman holding something in her hand. I stepped nearer, still carrying +the lamp. A sharp interjection broke from my lips. The woman pictured +there was my stepmother, and it was a knife that she held! A man was +lying at her feet. Again Rayel stepped forward, and again I heard the +crayon grating on the wall. Then he stood aside. Great God! There were +drops of blood dripping from the knife now. Rayel sank down upon the +floor and covered his eyes with his hands. I stood there, dumb with fear +and horror, looking first upon him and then upon the picture. + +The silence of the night was unbroken save by those slow footsteps in +the street to which I had listened before retiring. But suddenly I heard +a low wailing cry in the room adjoining ours. It so startled me that +I came near dropping the lamp. Strange and weird it sounded, gradually +growing shriller and more terrible to hear! It was the voice of my +stepmother. Was she dreaming? And had Rayel seen the vision that +affrighted her? Was that dagger pricking her brain? In a moment the +swelling cry broke into a sharp scream, such as might come from one +exposed to sudden peril, and ceased. Then the sound of a bell rang +sharply through the house, followed by loud knocking at the door and a +man's shout. + +"Open the door, I command you!" he said. + +He must have heard that piercing cry. Rayel still lay motionless upon +the floor. Was he asleep? Why did he not rise? I began to feel numb. I +seemed to have lost the power of motion. I could hear some one rapping +at our door, but I could not move. + +"Kendric! Kendric! Kendric!" Was it my stepmother who was calling me? +What a piteous, pleading tone! "Let me speak to you, Kendric! For God's +sake, let me tell you!" I was reeling: my strength had all left me. +Crash! went the lamp at my feet. There was a great flash of light, which +dazzled my eyes, and I fell heavily upon the floor. + +I was in the open air when thought and feeling came back to me. My hands +and face were paining me as if they had been terribly burned. There were +a number of men standing over a motionless figure that lay beside me. + +"The poor lad!" said one of the men "he's nearly roasted. See here +how the clothes have been burned away from his neck! Can't ye stop the +blood? The mon'll die afore the amb'lance comes ef we don't stop the +blood. A brave mon he is, too. D'ye see 'im coming down the stairs with +th' other one on his back?" + +Of whom were they talking? I struggled to my feet--I could feel no pain +now--and bent over that still form which had been lying beside me. Oh! +it was the heaven-blessed face of Rayel, now bleeding and scarred and +ghastly. I raised his head. The hair fell away where my hand touched it, +and a groan escaped his lips. I could not speak nor weep nor utter +any sound. A strange calmness came over my spirit and I sat there +motionless, bending over him I loved so well, while the crowd of men +looked on in silence. "After His own image made He man;" these words +came to my mind as I looked into that dear face. Then I prayed in +silence--for him. Thank God! his eyes were open now and his lips were +moving. I bent lower until I could feel his breath upon my cheek. + +"Is it you, Kendric?" he whispered. "Did I save you from the fire? I +cannot see you, but I know you are here." + +I heard his words distinctly, but I could not answer. The power of +speech seemed to have left me. + +"The fire awoke me," he continued, moaning. "We were lying on the floor. +I called to you, but you did not answer. Thank God! you are safe now." + +Returning consciousness brought with it an increasing sense of his +pain, and he began to struggle and groan in dreadful agony. Suddenly, +extending one of his blackened hands until it touched my face, he +shouted in a loud voice: + +"Kendric! Kendric! help--help me!" + +Then some men laid hold of me and lifted me up. I clung to Rayel with +all my strength, but could not resist them, and as I was borne away I +knew that Rayel and I had parted forever. + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +After that midnight parting the first thing I can recall was the touch +of a gentle hand upon my face. When my eyes opened I saw Hester bending +over me. + +"You are at home now, Kendric," said she. Such a feeling of weakness +came over me that I could not speak. I thought a nail had been driven +into my brain, but the tears that began rolling down my cheeks and the +moans that broke from my lips seemed to loosen it. + +Many days passed before I was able to reflect upon this last tragic +episode in my life or to take any thought of the morrow. One evening +I awoke from a deep sleep feeling a new interest in life. There were +people sitting in the room and talking in low tones. + +"Has he asked for Rayel yet?" said one of them. + +"Not yet," was the answer. + +"Better not let him know about it yet. There's time enough. He'll be +around soon." + +I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside. There were Hester +and Mr. Earl and his good wife, all looking down upon me with smiling +faces. + +"You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel is dead." + +They made no answer. + +"I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened," I said. "There is no +danger; I am quite strong now." + +Mr. Earl took my hand and told me in a low, calm voice, all he knew of +the tragedy. He only knew, however, that the lamp had exploded and that +Rayel had been horribly burned by the oil. + +"I suppose," said he, "that the lamp was on a table near his bed when it +exploded. In a moment the whole room was afire, and you, no doubt, being +asleep at the time, he lifted you up and ran with you down the stairway +and out of the open door. But in the meantime he had been horribly +burned, and he fell in a faint as soon as he reached the pavement. +Strangely enough you were unconscious for some moments, although you +were not badly burned. Probably it was the smoke." + +Then no one knows, thought I, what really did happen that night. The +lamp must have fallen almost directly upon Rayel's head, and the oil had +no doubt saturated his hair and clothing. + +"And the house?" I asked. "Is that--" + +"In ashes," he replied. + +Then every trace of that strange event, which no eye save mine had +witnessed, was wiped out forever. The hideous secret had better never be +told. + +"If I was not badly burned, tell me why I have been lying ill." + +"Brain fever, my boy," said he. "Too much excitement, I presume--but +you're out of danger now, and will be on your feet again in a few days." + +Fortunately the latter assurance was rightly spoken. The first day +that brought me strength enough to put on my clothes and walk about the +house, Mr. Earl invited me into the library to talk business. We were +no sooner seated than he unlocked a drawer and handed me a document to +read. + +It was a deed of all my father's real and personal property. + +"They have both confessed," said he. + +"Confessed what?" I asked, wondering if the secret of my father's death +had come out. + +"The conspiracy against your life. There were two accomplices--one Count +de Montalle, formerly a servant of Cobb, and now a convict in America, +and the other a man named Fenlon, who is under arrest. These were the +men who tried to take your life. Fenlon came over on the steamer with +you, I believe." + +"And my stepmother--where is she?" + +"Gone to answer for her sins at a higher court," said he. "Her last +deposition is annexed to the deed. The old hussy ran into the fire like +a miller, and stood there screaming, 'Look at that picture on the +wall! Oh, God! do you see it?' she shouted to the fellow who found her +standing in the smoke and flames. The chap was so excited he really +thought that he did see the picture of a woman holding a knife." + +"That is strange, isn't it?" said I. "Who was the man?" + +"A detective," said he, "whom I hired to watch the house that night. He +heard some disturbance, it seems, and, fearing mischief, he immediately +forced the door open and ran pell-mell into your cousin, noble fellow, +who was then bringing you down-stairs. If he had been one moment later +the woman would have been burned to death, and we would never have got +this deposition. Cobb wouldn't have been the first to weaken, you may be +sure of that. But after she had told the whole story, why, there was no +use in holding out. Badly burned? No, strange to say, she was not badly +burned, but frightened out of her wits. The nervous shock was too much +for her and soon led to fatal results. Cobb will go to prison." + +I made no reply. I could not have found words to express the thoughts +that came trooping through my brain. + +"I have to tell you," he continued, "that your cousin left a will +bequeathing to you his father's house and a number of valuable +paintings." + +I turned away and burning tears of sorrow came to my eyes. It was indeed +a sad inheritance--the earthly part of his great riches--and of little +moment to me. I could not bear to think or speak of it then, and I +begged my friend to hide the will from my sight until time might give me +strength to read it with composure. + +One evening in early spring Hester and I were walking along the shore of +the Mediterranean at Marseilles. I had been traveling through southern +Europe since my recovery, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Earl. Hester had +recently joined us in this ancient city of Provence. The sun was sinking +below the distant horizon of water, and his shafts, glancing from the +western edge of the sea, shot far into the immeasurable reaches above +us. We stood in silence while the great wall of night loomed into the +zenith, and then fell westward through the luminous slope of heaven. The +broad terrace from which we viewed the scene was quite deserted. + +"If it is a hopeless love I cherish, let me know it now, Hester," I said +as we turned to go. "I cannot wait any longer." + +"You can wait half an hour longer, I am sure," she said, hurrying me +along. "We will be at home, then." + +Some months after Hester had become my wife we received a call in London +from our old friend, Mr. Murmurtot. + +"You have been playing in a great life drama," said he to Hester, "and +I, too, have had a part in it. Lest you may think that it was the +fool's part, let me tell you that I am the man who arrested the Count de +Montalle." + +"And the man who brought Fenlon to justice?" I asked. + +"The same. He confessed within three hours after you were introduced to +him." + + * * * * * * * + +Every week my wife and I visit Rayel's grave and strew fresh flowers +upon it. A tall shaft of marble marks the spot where he lies at rest. +His name is graven in the stone, and underneath it are these words: "He +was a man without selfishness or vanity." + + + THE END. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + +***** This file should be named 7486.txt or 7486.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/4/8/7486/ + +Produced by Jeffrey Kraus-yao + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Master of Silence + +Author: Irving Bacheller + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7486] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 9, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + + + + +This ebook was prepared by Jeffrey Kraus-yao. + + + + +Fiction, Fact, and Fancy Series +Edited by Arthur Stedman + + +The Master of Silence + + + +The Master of Silence + +A Romance + + +By +Irving Bacheller + + +New York +Charles L. Webster & Co. +1892 + + + +THE MASTER OF SILENCE + + +CHAPTER I + + +Near the end of my fourteenth year I was apprenticed to +Valentine, King & Co., cotton importers, Liverpool, as a +"pair of legs." My father had died suddenly, leaving me and +his property in the possession of my stepmother and my +guardian. It was in deference to their urgent advice that I +left my home in London (with little reluctance, since my +life there had never been happy) to study the art of +money-making. On arriving at the scene of my expected +triumphs I was assigned to the somewhat humble position of +errand boy. In common with other boys who performed a like +service for the firm I was known as "a pair of legs." +Lodgings of a rather modest character had been secured for +me in the western outskirts of the city near the banks of +the Mersey. I was slow to make friends, and my evenings were +spent in the perusal of some story books, which I had +brought with me from London. One night, not long after the +beginning of my new life in Liverpool, I was lying in bed +listening to the wind and rain beating over the housetops +and driving against the windows, when suddenly there came a +loud rap at my door. + +"Who's there?" I demanded, starting out of bed. + +As I heard no answer, I repeated my inquiry and stood a +moment listening. I could hear nothing, however, but the +wind and rain. Lighting a candle and dressing myself with +all haste, I opened the door. I could just discern the +figure of a bent old man standing in the hallway, when a +gust of wind suddenly put out the candle. The door leading +to the street was open, and the old man was probably a +straggler come to importune me for shelter or for something +to eat. As I relit the candle, he entered my room and stood +facing me, but he did not speak. His clothes were dripping +and he was blinking at me with strange, gleaming eyes. His +hair was snow-white, and as I looked into his face the +deathly pallor of it frightened me. His general appearance +was more than startling; it was uncanny. + +"What can I do for you?" I asked. + +Greatly to my surprise he made no reply, but with a look of +pain and great anxiety sank into a chair. Then he withdrew +from his pocket a letter which he extended to me. The +envelope was wet and dirty. It was directed to Kendric Lane, +Esq., No. Old Broad street, London, England. The address was +crossed and "22 Kirkland street, Liverpool," written under +it in the familiar hand of my guardian. A strange +proceeding! thought I. Was the letter intended for my +father, who was long dead, and who had removed from that +address more than ten years ago? The old man began to grin +and nod as I examined the superscription. I broke the seal +on the envelope and found the following letter, undated, and +with no indication of the place from which it was sent: + +"Dear Brother--I need your help. Come to me at +once if you can. Consequences of vast importance to +me and to mankind depend upon your prompt compliance. +I cannot tell you where I am. The bearer will +bring you to me. Follow him and ask no questions. +Moreover, be silent, like him, regarding the subject of +this letter. If you can come, procure passage in the +first steamer for New York. My messenger is provided +with funds. Your loving brother, + "Revis Lane." + +I had often heard my father speak of my uncle Revis, who +went to America almost twenty years before I was born. Now +he was my nearest living relative. No news of him had +reached us for many years before my father died. I was +familiar with his handwriting and the specimen before me was +either genuine, or remarkably like it. If genuine he had +evidently not heard of my father's death. + +Extraordinary as the message was, the messenger was more so. +He sat peering at me with a strange, half-crazed expression +on his face. + +"When did you leave my uncle?" I asked. + +He sat as if unconscious that I had spoken. + +I drew my chair to his side and repeated the words in a loud +voice, but he did not seem to hear me. Evidently the old man +could neither hear nor speak. In a moment he began groping +in his pockets, and presently handed me a card which +contained the following words: + +"If you can come, tear this card in halves and return the +right half to him." + +I examined the card carefully. The words were undoubtedly in +my uncle's handwriting. The back of the card was covered +with strange characters in red ink. I tore the card as +directed and handed him the right half. + +He held it up to the light and examined it carefully, then +put it away in a pocket of his waistcoat. The look of pain +returned to his face, and he coughed feebly as if suffering +from a severe cold. The hour being late I intimated by +pantomime that I desired him to occupy my bed. He understood +me readily enough and began feebly to remove his clothing, +while I prepared a sofa for myself. He was soon sound +asleep, but I lay awake long after the light was +extinguished. He was evidently quite ill, and I determined +to go for a physician at the first appearance of daylight. +As soon as possible I would go with him to my uncle. There +were no ties to detain me, and it was clearly my duty to do +so. Perhaps my uncle was in some great peril. If so, I might +be of service to him. + +When I arose in the morning my strange lodger seemed to be +sleeping quietly. His face looked pale and ghastly in the +light of day. I stepped close to his bed and, laying my hand +upon his brow, was horrified to discover that he was dead. +What was I to do? I sat down to think, trembling with +fright. I must call in a policeman and tell him all I knew +about my strange visitor. No, not all; I must not tell him +about the letter, thought I. My uncle might not wish it to +be published to the world. I ran out upon the street and +told the first officer I met how the old man had rapped at +my door during the storm; how I had given him my bed out of +pity, and how I had discovered on awaking in the morning +that he was dead. + +That day the body was taken to the morgue. The sum of L100 +were found in his pockets, a part of which gave him a decent +burial. But while he had gone to his long rest, he had sown +in my mind the seed of unrest. I went about my work clinging +to the thread of a mystery half told. Whither would it lead +me? + +Strange as that messenger had seemed, he was certainly a +good man to carry secrets. + + + +CHAPTER II + + +The multitude of legs, engaged by the pair in the service of +Valentine, King & Co., were distinguished from each other by +a bit of house slang. I was known as "last legs" among my +companions for some time after my initiation to the +warehouse. At first I was inclined to resent the reduction +of my individuality to such a vulgar formula, but as I +became inured to hard tasks the sharpness of this indignity +wore away. + +There was one pair of legs doing service for the firm whose +owner became my most valued friend and confidant. In his +business capacity he was called "long legs," but his proper +name was Philbert Chaffin. He was a tall, slim boy, with +blue eyes and light hair, the son of a stage carpenter, who +was employed at one of the cheap theatres and who lived +within a stone's throw of my lodgings. His language was a +unique combination of bad grammar and provincial brogue; but +every boy in the warehouse allowed that he was a good +fellow. He had spent many an evening with me, and confided +to me many a secret which, owing to solemn pledges made at +that time, I am not at liberty to divulge, before he invited +me to dine and spend an evening with the family. I accepted +his invitation gratefully, and the next evening Phil took me +over. It was a hearty welcome that I received at the home of +the Chaffins. My enjoyment of their simple hospitality would +have been perfect but for the embarrassment I felt at the +many apologies with which it was offered. Mrs. Chaffin knew +as 'ow the tea was not as good as I was used to drinking, +but she 'oped it didn't taste "murky." I assured her that it +did not taste murky, although a little doubtful as to the +exact significance of the word when applied to tea. But in +spite of my declaration she insisted that it must taste +"murky" to one who was accustomed to better things. The ham +was never too good in Liverpool, but she 'oped that it +wasn't "reesty." I solemnly declared that it was not +"reesty." But Mrs. Chaffin and Mr. Chaffin out of the +goodness of their hearts continued to condole with me on the +score that such ham tasted and must taste "reesty" to one +not used to it. I had no sooner satisfied their misgivings +concerning the ham than I was compelled to take issue with +them as to the bread, regarding which they entertained a +lurking suspicion of staleness. During all of this +discussion about the ham, the tea and the bread, I was +conscious that a pair of big brown eyes, darkly shaded with +long lashes, were staring at me across the table. Whenever I +had the courage to glance that way I observed that they had +been looking at me intently, and were suddenly averted. +These wondering eyes belonged to the only daughter in the +family. + +"They've all been boys," said Mrs. Chaffin, "since Hetty was +born." + +I thought it strange that the H in her daughter's name was +the only one that the good woman had shown the ability to +manage. + +"Hetty is the only one of the lot that takes to books," she +continued. "The head master told me she will make a good +scholar, and dear a me! she does nothing but read books from +mornin' till night." While Hetty and her mother removed the +dishes we drew our chairs about the fire, and Mr. Chaffin, a +blunt, simple-minded man, entertained me with sage +observations regarding politics and the weather. He spoke +rather loudly, and in a key which, as I learned afterward, +he only employed on very special occasions. Presently the +youngest lad in the family, who sat on his father's knee, +demanded a song. The response was prompt and generous. The +selection with which Mr. Chaffin favored us contained upward +of forty stanzas, relating the unhappy story of a fair maid +and a bold sailor, both of whom met a tragic death, in the +last stanza, just before the day set for their marriage. The +song being finished, Hetty and her mother drew their chairs +up to the fire; Hetty sat next me, and after a severe inward +struggle I summoned the courage to ask her a question. She +answered me in the fewest words possible, but in a voice so +sweet and low that I wondered then and often afterward at +its contrast to the other voices I had heard in that house. +She wore a home-spun frock and a neat white pinafore, set +off with a dainty ribbon tied about her throat. + +"She's uncommon still when strangers is here, sir," said +Mrs. Chaffin; "but law me! she goes rompitin' about the +house like as if she was crazy sometimes, ticklin' her +father and tryin' t' snip off his beard with the scissors." + +That night was the beginning of happier days for me. When at +last I rose to go it was near midnight. I forgot my +weariness as I walked to my lodgings, thinking of those +simple, honest people and of their kindness to me. + +I enjoyed high jinks at the house of the Chaffins at least +once a week during the next year of my apprenticeship, near +the close of which I began to get ready for a visit to my +stepmother in fulfilment of a promise I had made by letter. +It had been, on the whole, a happy year to me. I had known +many lonely hours, to be sure, but those visits to the +little old weather-stained house, in which I found my first +friends after leaving home, cheered me from week to week. I +knew, too, that Hetty enjoyed those long evenings as much as +I did, which meant more to me than I would have dared +confess to her. I thought of her a good deal, but it always +resulted in the wretched feeling that we were both very +young after all. It is not likely that I would have decided +to go home for a fortnight, but that I thought it would be +pleasant to observe the effect of saying good-by to Hetty. I +had no doubt that she would be quite overcome with grief and +loneliness after I had gone, and, reckless youth that I was, +nothing could have made me more happy than to have known +that she really felt grieved on my account. And yet when I +called to bid them all good-by, the evening before I +started, she betrayed no sign of regret. In fact, she seemed +so much happier than usual that I worried about it for +weeks, even after I had gone so far away that it seemed +doubtful whether we would ever meet again. It did not occur +to me that I had been less skilful than she in concealing my +emotions, and that she might be merry only because she could +perceive that I was sad. Mrs. Chaffin was the only member of +the family who seemed to entertain feelings as serious as my +own. She had dreamed that I would not come back again, and +we all laughed at her then, but when the swift years had +revealed some of their secrets, we thought of this prophetic +dream with a sadness deeper than any that comes to childish +hearts. Hester and Phil walked with me to the gate when I +left the house. The radiance of a full moon fell on our +faces through the flying clouds. Phil, stupid fellow! had so +much to say that I did not get a chance to speak to his +sister before she darted back to the house as if pursued. On +reaching my lodgings I was surprised to find a gentleman +waiting for me. + +"Don't know me, eh?" said he, shaking my hand warmly. + +He was a tall, portly man, with a kindly face, clean shaven +except for a pair of close-cropped, iron-gray side whiskers. +I was sure I had seen him before, but couldn't think of his +name. + +"Earl," said he, handing me a card on which his name and +address were printed as follows: + + DAVID GORDON EARL, + Barrister at Law, + Lincoln's Inn, London. + +I remembered distinctly having accompanied my father to his +office on one occasion some years before. + +"I've come up from London on purpose to see you. Just got +here only a few minutes ago," said he, laying off his +overcoat. "But upon my word!" he added, surveying me from +head to foot, "I didn't expect to find such a big, strapping +fellow as you are. Your surroundings are quite as I had +supposed they would be. Cramped quarters in a miserable +tumble-down back street! I suppose your guardian provided +this place for you?" + +"I believe so," said I. + +"Did you know that your stepmother had married again?" he +asked. + +"Married!" I exclaimed. "To whom?" + +"To Martin Cobb." + +"To my guardian?" I asked, in astonishment. + +Not heeding my question, he continued: + +"You're intending to go home to-morrow, I believe?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"My boy," said he, "I have an interest in you. I was your +father's friend and adviser for many years. I came all this +distance to tell you not to go to London. Do not ask me why, +I beg you," said he, with an impatient gesture when I +attempted to speak. "It would do you no good to learn my +reason for making this request. Listen to this--it's +important to you: There's an uncle of yours in America, your +nearest relative, I believe. Of course you have heard your +father speak of him. A most eccentric fellow! but a man of +fine ability. He was a graduate of Oxford and a physician of +great skill and learning. Thirty-five years ago he went to +Canada and finally settled in a large town on one of the +great lakes not far from the border. It was Detroit, I +believe. Your father told me, shortly before his death, that +he had not heard from your uncle for many years. I have +written to him twice within a twelvemonth, but have received +no reply. I want you to go over and look him up. If you +should find that he is dead, there's no harm done, and you +can take time to look about for a business opportunity. If +you don't like it, come back, but, if you can content +yourself there for awhile, you had better do so." + +"But, sir, I have no money." + +"You are going for me; I shall, therefore, insist upon +paying the bills. In the success of the undertaking I have, +perhaps, as great an interest as you." + +"When do you wish me to start?" I asked. + +"To-night. That is to say, I would like you to leave this +place at once, go with me to a hotel, and sail by the first +steamer that leaves for New York." + +Ever since that strange and silent messenger had come to me +with my uncle's letter I had been haunted by a desire to go +in quest of him. Now that it was possible, I hesitated. What +would Hester say on hearing that I had gone to America? It +would be very grand to write her from New York that I had +been suddenly called abroad on important business. Would she +care? Of course she would care, and I was willing to wager a +sixpence with myself that she would cry bitterly, too, on +receiving the letter. Ah, what a punishment that would be +for her coldness and indifference! + +Yes, I would go. I began picking up my things and packing +them into my box. + +"I conclude that you have decided to go," he said. + +"Yes, sir. I shall be ready in a moment," I replied. + +We were soon rattling over the pavements in a cab that had +been waiting at the door. + +On arriving at the Northwestern Hotel we were informed that +a steamer would leave for New York at five in the morning. +We drove at once to the dock and having succeeded in making +comfortable arrangements for my passage Mr. Earl went aboard +the steamer with me. In a retired corner of the great cabin +I confessed to him that there was a girl in Liverpool for +whom I had a feeling of extraordinary tenderness. + +He laughed heartily and insisted that I should tell him all +the particulars. + +"You are rather young yet to entertain so serious a +passion," said he, as he held my hand for a moment before +going ashore. "You will get over it as easily as you got +into it." + +I sat down, unable to reply or to restrain the tears that +came to my eyes as he left me alone. I went to my stateroom +at once and to bed. What thoughts came to me as I lay there +inviting sleep to turn them into dreams, while the great +ship waited for the tide! I tossed about my berth; I prayed; +I listened. At length I thought I heard my father's voice +mingled with others, and a sound of casting off--but I +heard no more. + + + +CHAPTER III + + +One morning in early October, nearly two years after I left +Liverpool that memorable night, I found myself in the little +city of Ogdensburg, N. Y., past which the majestic St. +Lawrence flows with a sleepy movement quite in harmony with +the spirit of the old town on its southern shore. All this +time I had been vainly beating about the Western Hemisphere +in quest of my uncle. He had left Detroit many years before, +but I chanced to meet a number of men there who had known +him well. Although he had enjoyed a very large practice and +a wide reputation for skill, he had made no friends that I +could find. He was a man of few words, they told me, and was +never seen about the city except in the discharge of his +professional duties. Various and conflicting opinions were +expressed as to whither he had gone, in testing which I had +visited no less than twenty cities, making careful +inquiries, especially among medical men. Occasionally I +struck what seemed to be a promising clew, which only +increased my confusion and left me more hopelessly in the +dark. I had reported my movements to Mr. Earl as often as +once a week and I received letters from him frequently, +encouraging me to continue the search and enclosing money +with which to do so. But although I had written often to +Hester Chaffin no word from her ever reached me. I was tired +of this fruitless quest among strangers, so far from the +little that I held dear, and I was on the point of giving up +when this paragraph fell under my eye in a Montreal +newspaper: + + A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER. + +"One who has ever passed the city of Ogdensburg by steamer +will no doubt recall a large gambrel-roofed house standing +near the water's edge, just out of the town, surrounded by +towering trees and enclosed on all sides by a wall nearly as +high as the eaves of the building. The wall suggests an +asylum, a house of detention or some like place set apart +for the unfortunate members of society. In reality, however, +it is the residence of a mysterious recluse of the name of +Lane, who shut himself up there nearly eighteen years ago +and has since been rarely seen. It was built after his own +plans, they say, when he came to Ogdensburg with his wife, +who died soon afterward. Nobody knows whence he came or +anything of his past history. He is apparently a total +stranger here below, holding no intercourse with the world +beyond that enclosure. His wife is said to have been a woman +of great beauty, and her death doubtless threw him into a +morbid state of mind, from which he has never rallied. Many +years ago he is known to have bought a full-grown African +lion from a traveling menagerie, and, soon after, he erected +the wall, presumably out of regard for the public safety. +Passers along the street have caught an occasional glimpse +of him through the high gate, walking in the grounds +surrounding his house, with the lion at his heels apparently +in complete subjection to its master. A dense thicket runs +along the wall on all sides within the enclosure, which, +according to local tradition, is alive with rattlesnakes, +bred for some strange purpose known only to himself--perhaps +to make his isolation more secure. + +"He is supposed to have resigned the companionship of men +for study and scientific research. He has no children, and +his only servant being a deaf-mute, who is almost an idiot, +there is little chance at present of learning anything of +his life. For more than two years nothing has been seen of +the mysterious master of the house. His disappearance would, +we think, be a legitimate subject of investigation by the +authorities of the town. May he not have been eaten by the +lion, or killed by the rattlesnakes? Who knows?" + +My heart was beating fast and my hands shook as if stricken +with palsy before I had finished the paragraph. The strange +old man who had come to me in Liverpool that night was +probably the mute servant to which the article referred. In +an hour I was on the way to Ogdensburg, quite confident that +the issue of my wanderings was at hand. I reached that town +next morning nearly two years, as I have said, after the +beginning of my journey to the New World. Not stopping to +breakfast even, I started out to find the house, which my +busy imagination had already pictured for itself. The first +townsman I saw directed me to the place. + +"Follow the turnpike," said he. "'Sa mild or more--straight +ahead. You'll know it when y' git there. 'S' queer place an' +stan's off by itself." + +The man was going my way, evidently to begin his day's work, +for it was then early in the morning, and I walked along +with him. + +"Folks say," he continued, "them grounds is full of hejious +reptyles, an' I've heerd fellers tell queer things they've +seen when passin' there at night--red lights a-flyin' about +an' spooks at the winders. An' one night, when Uncle Bill +Jemson was comin' down the turnpike, they was a storm come +up, an' jest as he got opposite the big iron gate they was a +flash a lightnin'--an' Bill says he see the ole man, his +long white hair a-flyin' in th' wind, an' a lion standin' +there in front a th' house. Th' flash was out'n a minit, an' +Bill whipped up his hosses an' sent em clear to Mills' +tavern on the dead run," said he, laughing as if it were a +good joke. + +"They don't nobody like th' place ner th' man, though I don' +know why, fer no one's ever passed a word with him in these +parts. There 'tis, over yender with the pines around it an' +th' high wall," said he, pointing with his finger. But my +eye had already discovered the low-built rambling house on +the high banks of the river, well in the distance, and had +recognized it at once. + +Leaving my companion at the next turn in the road I walked +hurriedly on, and when I had reached the big iron gate I +stopped and peered through it. A gravel roadway, now +overgrown with weeds, led from the gate to the front of the +house, which stood facing me. It was built entirely of wood +and consisted of four wings (at least there were no others +visible) evidently enclosing a quadrangular courtyard, the +rear wings being lower than those in front, and hidden by +the latter from the view of one standing at the gate as I +was. It was only at a distance that one could see their +roofs above the enclosure. There was but one line of windows +along the front, but there was an oriel just under the peak +of the main building, and I could see a skylight here and +there upon the roofs. + +The blinds were closed and there was no sign of life about +the house--evidently planned with hospitable intentions, but +now silent and forbidding. I tried the gates. They were +locked securely. A screen of closely woven wire rose from +the pavement half way up the iron work. Evidently it would +be impossible to reach the doors without scaling this +barrier, and I was not yet ready to try an expedient so +desperate. Returning to my hotel I wrote a letter to the +master of the house, telling him of my long-continued quest +and of my hopes regarding our possible kinship. Day after +day I anxiously awaited his reply, until a week had passed, +but no word came from him. In passing the house at different +times, however, I observed some signs of life within it--a +blind open that had been closed the day before--a faint +glimmer of light on the trees in the rear of the grounds at +night, which might have come from the back windows. Even +this slight encouragement was gratifying, but as time passed +without bringing any reply to my letter I began to think +that, after all, my hopes rested on very shadowy +foundations. One day I asked the local postmaster if a man +of the name of Lane, who lived near that city, ever sent for +his mail. + +"Never," said he. "The man is crazy, I guess, and it's +wasting postage to write him. He's a hermit, sir--a regular +hermit, and is about the same as dead, for nobody ever sees +him. The tradesmen tell me that his old servant comes out of +an evening, once in a while, to buy provisions, but he's +deaf as a post and dumb as an oyster." The interview had at +least shown me the futility of trying to reach him by +letter. + +It was clear that only one course was open to me. I must +brave the unknown perils with which this strange man had +encompassed the path of the trespasser, and gain an entrance +to the house. I sought the seclusion of my room at once, and +thought over the result of my investigations. I had not +written to my good friend in London since my arrival in +Ogdensburg, and I concluded not to do so until I could give +him definite information. + +Late in the afternoon a slow, drizzling rain began to pour +down, and when night fell every luminary in the heavens was +obscured by thick clouds. It was a favorable time for +carrying out my project, as the darkness was intensified by +a fog that had settled over the city. By the light of my +lamp I prepared for the undertaking, in such a state of +excitement that I was frequently startled by my own +whispers, through which I found myself now and then giving +involuntary utterance to my thoughts. Cutting up a pair of +boots which I carried in my box, I wound my legs in leather +from my ankles up above my knees, carefully drawing on a +pair of thick, long stockings to hold it in place. This +precaution would give me a comfortable sense of security, +even if there were no snakes to fear. I felt sure that the +lion, if he were still living, would be kept in some place +of confinement. + +It was long past bedtime, and the lights were out in every +shop and dwelling, when I started on my daring mission. The +little lamps that glared through the fog at the street +corners could scarcely be seen twenty feet away. I was so +preoccupied that I frequently lost my direction in the mud +and darkness. It seemed as if I had been traveling for +hours, when at last I felt the big wall, and saw its dim +bulk rising above me and stretching away into the night. +Cautiouly I groped along its base until my hands felt the +iron bars of the gate. Then I stood for some moments leaning +against them, quite out of breath. They were cold and wet, +and chilled me to a shiver when I touched them. I peered +toward the house but could see nothing. I listened, but +could hear nothing except the beating of my own heart and +the mournful sound of the pines whose loftier branches were +stirring in the still air. Grasping the heavy bars I tried +to climb the gate, but, as there were no projections on +which it was possible to get a foothold, I found this an +exhausting and difficult task. I climbed repeatedly several +feet above the earth, only to lose my foothold and slide +down again. Finally, by exerting all my strength, I +succeeded in supporting myself with the edge of my boot upon +a crossbar about half way up; then, taking a small rope from +my pocket I threw one end of it over the gate, holding the +other in my teeth. Tying it securely by a noose I climbed +hand over hand to the top and then let myself down on the +other side. I was quite exhausted by the effort +(unaccustomed as I was to such burglarious enterprises) and +my fingers were torn and bleeding from forcing a hold +between the iron work and the wire screen. I remembered the +gravel pathway, overgrown with grass, that led from the big +gate to a front door. I groped about in the darkness until I +felt the gravel under my feet. Then I moved cautiously along +it, until I could dimly discern the outlines of the house. +My nerves were so wrought up, while I stood there holding my +breath to catch some sound from its gloomy interior, that I +was near crying out in abject terror at every step. An owl, +startled from the limb of a tree over my head, flew lazily +into the upper air and across the thicket, disturbing other +birds that set up a chattering protest. Stealthily I crept +from window to window, but the blinds were closed fast. +Finally I came to a door that seemed to open into the main +part of the building. Desperate under the strain to which my +nerves had been subjected, I knocked loudly on its upper +panels. The sound echoed through the still house and the +thickly wooded grounds around it. "God help me!" I +whispered; "will that echo never cease?" It kept repeating +itself from tree to tree, until I covered my ears to stop +its weird reverberations. Then I heard a low threatening +sound, deep and resonant as the lower tones of a great +organ, that gradually grew louder until its volume filled +the air, and then died away, while its echoes went chasing +each other among the trees. In the silence which followed, +my ear caught another sound the like of which I had never +heard before. A dozen clocks being wound by quick turns on +all sides of me would, I fancy, have produced a similar +effect. It was evident to me that my knocking had disturbed +my uncle's pets, but I was not to be frightened away. +Hearing no movement in the house I tried the door, and to my +astonishment it swung open. A peculiar odor, such as one +notices in a house that has long stood empty, came to my +nostrils, and again I heard that fateful whirring, but in +the darkness I could discern no object. As I crossed the +threshold the sound grew louder, and to my horror the door +closed suddenly behind me. Hurriedly striking a match, I +held it above my head and peered about me. Its light +revealed a small apartment finished in polished wood. Along +the angle of the floor was an opening, two or three inches +high, into the side walls. And half way up the wall in front +of me I saw a face--the face of a maniac it seemed to +be--pale and wan, with strange, inhuman eyes. I had scarcely +glanced at it when the match dropped from my fingers and +fell slowly through the air, going out as it struck the +floor. My hands were cold, but so wet with perspiration that +they stuck to my clothing when I felt for a candle which I +had brought with me. + +There are moments in every man's life that move slowly, as +if carrying the weight of years upon their backs. I shall +never cease to believe that the few seconds it took me to +light that candle must stand for as many years in any +correct reckoning of my age. When its beams at last +illumined the room, the strange face was still there. Had I +seen it before? It was marvellously like that other face +which had haunted my dreams so long. If it was the face of a +man he must be standing on the other side of the wall and +looking through a panel. + +"Is Mr. Lane at home?" I asked in an unnatural tone that +startled me. + +But no word of reply was spoken. + +"I am his nephew and I have important news for him." + +The face disappeared for a moment, and presently a shrunken +hand, holding a white sheet of paper, was extended through +the opening. I stepped forward, took the sheet and, +withdrawing to the centre of the room, sat down upon the +floor and wrote the following message in bold characters +with my pencil: + +"Kendric Lane, son of Kendric Lane (deceased), late of +London, England, wishes to see Dr. Lane on business of +importance." + +I handed the message to the strange man behind the wall, who +immediately disappeared with it, closing the panel. "The +worst is over," thought I, while I stood in that mysterious +and silent chamber waiting for his return. But I should not +have thought so had I known what was still to be revealed to +me before the dawn of another day, and in the months that +followed, during which that house and its echoing groves +were my home. And I sometimes ask myself, in the light of +later events of which that visit was indirectly the cause, +whether, had I been able to foresee them, I would still have +persevered in my purpose to know the secrets of my uncle's +house? + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +A long time I stood waiting for some reply to my message. My +candle was fast burning out, and I began to fear that after +all I was likely to leave the house no wiser than when I had +entered it. Suddenly a door swung on its creaking hinges and +a feeble old man, holding a lamp in one hand, stood grinning +at me in the opening. It was the same face that I saw +before, but it seemed less ghostly and unnatural now. +Stepping back he beckoned me to enter. As soon as I had +crossed the threshold the door closed behind me and the old +man carefully bolted it. I stood in a large room, richly +furnished, of which spiders had apparently long held +possession. Great cobwebs hung like hammocks from the +ceiling, and the dust of years had settled over all. Two +human skeletons completely wrapped in cobwebs, stood facing +me against the opposite wall. Following my silent leader, I +went through a long narrow passage, at the end of which was +a heavy door fastened with large iron bolts. Before opening +it the strange old man placed the lamp upon a table and +turning around looked squarely into my face. Merciful +Heaven! It was the face of another man who was looking at me +now! The deep lines had almost disappeared and the eyes +looked brighter and more intelligent. No, it was the same +face, for while my eyes were eagerly scanning it that +hideous grin began to deepen its wrinkles, and its owner, +taking half a dozen steps down the passageway, made an +awkward motion with both hands as if trying to indicate that +I was to follow him very closely. Then he opened the big +door and I was surprised to observe that it led into the +outer air. What gulf of darkness are we about to plunge +into? I asked myself, peering through the doorway; and as we +stepped out I heard again that ominous whirring. Close upon +his heels I followed in a narrow path, through what seemed +to be a large courtyard, overgrown with thick grass. +Presently he stopped, and, taking a bunch of keys from his +pocket, unlocked a door in a back wing of the house. +Reaching out until his hand touched me, as if to make sure +that I was there, he swung the door open and we stepped into +a dimly lighted apartment. My mysterious guide turned up the +wick of a lamp that was burning on a table in the centre of +the room. It was a library, with great shelves of books +reaching from floor to ceiling along its walls. A large +galvanic battery, globes, charts and other contrivances that +belong to the equipment of a scholar surrounded the table. +This table was used for writing evidently, for there were +pens lying on it and a human skull used as an inkstand, the +fluid being held in the cavities of the eyes. I had seated +myself in a chair and was waiting for some sign from the +little old man who had brought me there. But where was he? +Turning around I looked about me on all sides. He had left +the room during my momentary preoccupation. I had scarcely +seated myself again when a door opened and a venerable man, +with snow-white hair and a smooth-shaven face that was pale +and wrinkled, walked slowly toward me. I rose to my feet and +advanced a step or two. He came forward without speaking and +looked steadily into my eyes. Slowly and sadly he turned his +gaze upon the floor, apparently in deep thought. A sigh +broke from his lips as if some memory, stirring in the caves +of thought, had driven it forth. + +The man who stood before me had deep-set gray eyes, almost +concealed by long shaggy brows not yet entirely white. His +lips were thin, and drawn closely together above a square, +protruding chin. The nose was aquiline and prominent, with +large, but finely cut nostrils. Altogether his was the most +picturesque face I had ever seen. Suddenly he made an effort +to clear his throat. + +"Kendric's child," said he, in a strange, low voice. He +spoke slowly and with great difficulty, as if his organs of +speech were partially paralyzed. I would not have been able +to distinguish his words but for the silence of that room +and the unnatural keenness of my hearing. He still stood +motionless, his eyes upon the floor. I knew that he was +thinking of my father. + +"Dead?" he asked, looking at me inquisitively. + +"He is dead," I answered. + +"And my man--did he give you the letter?" + +"Yes; he is dead also." + +"Dead? I thought he was dead," he repeated, slowly and +thoughtfully. "I, too, am dead--long dead." + +The words were separated by considerable pauses, and he +faced me almost sternly as he finished speaking them. I +stood staring at him, dumb with surprise. + +"Why--how did you come here?" + +He sank into a chair, exhausted with the effort it had cost +him to speak. My presence seemed to irritate and annoy him. +Why, indeed, had I come there? What should I say in reply to +his question? I tried to think. + +"Knaves! Knaves!" said my uncle, in a shrill voice, rushing +toward me. In a moment he had thrown his arms about my neck +and was sobbing aloud. My heart was full and I wept with +him. + +"Fortunate child of God," said he, after a moment; "you have +the seed of life--immortal life. But I beg you to go. To one +like you this house will seem an uncanny place; I can only +think of it as beyond the grave." + +"Let me stay, uncle," said I. "Don't send me away. Perhaps I +can help you or comfort you." + +"Poor soul! you shall stay if you will. I am in great +trouble and need help, but you are a boy--I cannot ask you +to give your life to me." + +He sat down before the table, breathing heavily, and +beckoned me to a chair beside him. I was quite dumfounded +and knew not what to say. Presently he began writing upon +large sheets of paper, handing each one to me as soon as it +was covered. The manuscript read as follows: + +"I am not able to talk much. To me words are a lie and an +abomination. Even these I now write are misrepresenting me +and deceiving you, though I wish them to tell the truth. +They will make me out an ass or a madman. I am neither. For +eighteen years I have scarcely spoken as many words. A word +or two of Sanscrit now and then has met my needs, thank God! +There is an interior language for which speech is an +imperfect medium. Through that interior language thought is +communicated directly and truthfully. I used it long before +I came here--imperfectly, to be sure, but with a small +degree of satisfaction to myself. Through it I was able to +heal the sick when others failed. I knew how they felt +better than they could tell me in feeble words. In some more +perfect state of evolution, beyond the grave, perhaps, all +men will have this power and it will be perfect. I can enjoy +but an imperfect use of it until the mortal part of me has +been cast off. One trained to speech in childhood loses +certain faculties that can never be regained. + +"My wife died many years ago. She left me a broken heart and +a child, newly born. I had just built this house, among +strangers. We intended to devote the remainder of our lives +to the study of mental phenomena. We desired to carry on our +work without interruption. We planned to live unknown among +those around us. When she died I saw in the child an +opportunity. I determined to make its life a grand +experiment; to preserve and cultivate its native +intuitions--the germ of the power of direct communication. +God has vouchsafed success to me. He lives--a man of exalted +powers the like of which the world has never seen but once, +and then in Christ, the very Son of God. But, unlike Him, my +son is only human, with weaknesses that are our common lot. + +"The years are flying, and strength is failing! I must die +soon and he will live. That thought burns my brain, passing +through it day by day. His life may be long extended and he +cannot live alone, nor among men, for he would be a stranger +and friendless--feared and dreaded by superstitious fools. +He has never seen a human face outside these walls nor heard +a human voice but mine. I have told you my trouble." + +He ceased writing, but before I had finished reading the +statement some strange influence came over me. I felt +restless and uncomfortable. My hand was shaking so that I +could scarcely read the words on the last sheet of paper. +Suddenly I raised my eyes and saw a young man, godlike in +form and feature, standing at my side. His face wore an +expression of indescribable eloquence. As familiar as he +afterward became to me, I can never forget the first +impression which that magnificent human being made upon my +mind, as he stood there--radiating a power that I felt to +the tips of my fingers. What favored son of man was this +confronting me, born to such an inheritance of majesty and +grace? I asked myself, regarding him with amazement. He had +eyes dark as night, set under a broad forehead, about which +wavy masses of tawny hair fell gracefully. His stately form +was erect and firm as a statue. For a moment his eyes looked +into mine; then he advanced and took my hand. Tenderly he +pressed it to his lips, stepping back as he did so and +looking at me with a half-curious, half-amused expression. I +was so startled by the unexpected appearance of this +remarkable figure that I had not, until now, noticed that a +large lion had followed him into the room and was lying +quietly at his feet. I was not afraid; indeed, the king of +beasts seemed but a part of the man's masterful presence. I +do not think I would have seen the animal but that his +enormous body was lying directly before my eyes on the +floor. My uncle had been sitting with his head resting upon +his hand at the table. Suddenly he rose and a strange, +guttural sound--it may have been a word from some language +wholly unfamiliar to me--passed his lips. The young man +immediately left us, the lion following closely at his +heels. We both sat in silence for some moments after he had +gone. My mind had felt strange exhilaration in his presence, +and I rubbed my eyes to make sure that I was not dreaming. +When I looked at my uncle the sad expression on his face had +given way to a smile of infinite satisfaction. + +"He is pleased--thank God!" said my uncle, in a hoarse +whisper, sinking into a chair. + +I made no answer. + +"It was my son," he continued, with animation. "Rayel--that +was the name she gave him. Rayel, the wonderful. He will +love you as he loves me. Come," said he, rising, "the night +is nearly gone." + +Taking a lamp from the table, he beckoned me to follow him. +Silently we proceeded through a narrow hallway and up one +flight of stairs to a spacious bedroom which had seemingly +been prepared for my use. A candle was burning dimly on a +large dressing-case, and by its flickering light, as soon as +my uncle had gone, I looked about me and tried to think with +calmness on the experience I had passed through. Bolting the +door securely, I threw open one of the window blinds. To my +surprise the first light of dawn was visible in the sky. My +room was in the rear of the house. Between me and the high +wall was a dense tangle of underbrush, barely visible in the +dim light. Hastily undressing, I went to bed without further +delay, and was soon in deep sleep. When I awoke it was near +midday. Dressing as quickly as possible, I proceeded at once +to the library, where my uncle sat waiting for me. He +conducted me to the breakfast room--a well-lighted and +cheerful apartment--where he served me with his own hands. + +"You shall stay, sir--you shall stay," said he, laying his +hand on my shoulder as he sat down beside me, with a smiling +face. "Rayel loves you. He hopes you will stay. He thinks +God sent you to us." + +"I am glad, for I wish to stay," I said. + +"Good!" he exclaimed, in a long whisper. "You have brought +the world to him. Already he has seen it in your eyes. But +it is good!" + +While I ate he asked me questions touching the changes in +our family since he left England. + +I told him of my life at home after my father's death; of my +hard lot in Liverpool, and of the midnight interviews with +his messenger and with Mr. Earl. He listened to me with +grave and attentive interest, but stopped me before I had +finished, with an impatient gesture. + +"Speak out! they meant--they meant to kill you, didn't +they?" + +I stared at him in amazement, while ideas that were new to +me flocked into the empyrean of thought like black birds of +prey. Oh, no; I had never suspected that! I would never +before have permitted such a hideous suspicion to enter my +mind. Was it possible that Mr. Earl had sent me away from +England in order to save my life? My hands began to tremble, +and I felt my face turning red and pale under the searching +eyes of my uncle. + +"My boy," said he, "if all the murders were done that men +conceive, the devil would live alone on earth. We shall know +some time--I tell you we shall know! Let us go to Rayel," he +said, rising and leading the way. + +The interview had greatly excited him, and his speech seemed +even more halting and labored than before. Many of his words +were mispronounced and separated by long pauses; but his +manner was marvelously expressive, and often a peculiar turn +of the eye or movement of the hand made his meaning clear +when I was in doubt about his words. + +I followed him through a long gymnasium and out upon a +grassy courtyard extending along the rear of the grounds +parallel with the river wall for a hundred yards or more, +and adorned with beds of flowers. It was completely shut off +from the eye of the outside world by a thick grove and an +impenetrable growth of underbrush that reached beyond the +lowest branches of the trees. Nothing but the blue sky, in +which the sun was on its downward course, the house, and the +walls of living green, were visible. Out of this Eden-like +spot we passed into another wing of the building with large +windows looking out upon it. Rayel met us at the door, +dressed in a black robe of silk that hung gracefully from +his shoulders. Again he took my hand and kissed it, then +looked into my eyes with the same expression of curious +interest upon his face that I had noted before. Still +holding my hand, he led me across the room. For the first +time I noticed that its walls were covered with pictures, +unframed, and that an easel stood in the light of each +window. We stopped before one of them. On a large canvas +that was stretched across it I saw a likeness of myself. The +eyes wore a haggard look which seemed unnatural. But there +was something strangely real about it, in spite of that. + +"Wonderful!" said I. + +Rayel started at the sound of my voice, and glanced from one +to the other with a puzzled, inquiring look. Turning to his +father, he uttered some strange monosyllable in a deep +voice. Then he took my hand and walked back and forth across +the room with me, smiling in great delight. I was fascinated +by one of the pictures which showed a great gleaming eye +with a suggestion of lightning in its fiery depths, as if +taken at the keenest flash of fury. To intensify its +fierceness a human hand was raised in front of it so as to +throw a dark shadow across the canvas. + +"It is the lion's eye," said my uncle, who was standing near +me. + +There were other paintings--many of them equally strange and +wonderful--hanging on the walls, some of which contained +material he could not have derived from direct observation. +It was easy to discern in his work the fragments of nature +that came within the limited command of his own eyes--the +falling snow, the changing phases of the sky and of +vegetation--for they were presented with a stronger and more +vivid touch. Until the fading twilight blended all color +into gloom I passed from one canvas to another along the +wall in silence, oblivious of all save the presence of +Rayel, who followed close at my elbow, evidently enjoying my +admiration of his work. When I had finished looking at the +paintings I turned for some sign to indicate his further +pleasure, and discovered that he was gone. My uncle was +standing near me. + +"It is late," said he. + +We returned at once across the yard to my uncle's retreat +among his books and papers. Lighting the lamps he sat down +beside me. + +"The power of speech is returning," said he. "I can talk +more easily." + +"Did I not hear you speak to your son?" I asked. + +"Yes," he answered. "Long ago difficulties arose. Sometimes +he could not command my thoughts, nor I his. I had known +fifty years of life; he had not--hence an inequality. My +physical organism had been neglected. It was an imperfect +agent of the mind. Many of my faculties were lost. These +circumstances stood between us like barriers. It was the +beginning of each communication that troubled us, when our +minds were working in different channels. Something was +needed for a cue--a starting-point. Ten pregnant words of +Sanscrit were all we needed. It was easy then." + +"I should think he would have lost the power of speech and +hearing," I remarked. + +"No. Music saved them--abstract music. His voice is +wonderful. His hearing is quick. Rayel knows words but not +speech. His mind has command of my knowledge. He has never +seen the world, but he knows about it. I tried to begin my +life anew and to forget the past. But I could not wholly +cleanse my mind of it. Its memories faded slowly. I have +avoided renewing them for his sake." + +"He could, then, learn to speak?" + +"With ease, and it were better if he could speak now. We +will teach him soon." + +As he ceased speaking, fatigued by the unaccustomed effort, +I heard low strains of music echoing through the silent +halls around us. A violin! The tone was deep and tremulous, +gradually growing louder, filling the ear with its message, +and lifting the mind to lofty heights of thought and +passion. We both sat listening for hours, and midnight came +before the last strain died away. That music was like a +strange story that drops its plummet deep into life's +mysteries. + +"A new song!" said my uncle, turning to me with surprise on +his face. "He got the subject from you. We shall see." + +Presently Rayel entered the room, bringing something in his +hand--a picture--which he held up to the lamplight. A girl's +face! and wonderfully like that of Hester Chaffin. I sat +amazed, staring at it. But the likeness was not exact, the +face was idealized--as I had seen it in my dream the night +before. I raised my eyes to Rayel's face. He was looking at +me with an expression of pain and embarrassment. + + + +CHAPTER V + + +My uncle recovered the power of speech rapidly. Before I had +been a week in his house he was able to talk with +comparative ease. He seemed to enjoy my companionship, and I +spent most of my time in his library, conversing with him or +conning the musty books that had long lain unread. To me +this room was a fascinating and restful place. Somehow it +reminded me of an old cemetery. The time-worn books upon its +shelves stood in solemn rows, like headstones, sacred to the +memory of the men who wrote them--their titles like +inscriptions half obliterated. I did not see Rayel for days +after the midnight episode that gave me such a startling +revelation of his power. + +"Do you think that Rayel knows everything that passes in +one's mind--a vivid dream, for instance?" I asked my uncle +one day when we were alone together. + +Yes, except when he is himself asleep. His command of my +dreams puzzled me at first. I thought I had put the past +completely out of my mind. But I could not hide it from him. +Little by little he learned everything in my history. One +day I saw him at work on a picture. It startled me. The +canvas showed a man lying on a surgeon's table. The knife +had just severed an artery in his thigh. There were four men +working over him--I was one of them. Gradually the features +took on a familiar expression. His face grew paler under the +brush. A few touches--the scene was complete. The man was +dead--his eyes wide open, staring at me. + +My uncle paused and looked earnestly into my face. + +"It was a bit of your professional experience," said I. +"Something had reminded you of it." + +"The night before I dreamed about it" he answered. "My mind, +released from the command of my will, betrayed me." + +"A strange power!" I exclaimed. + +"Incredible to you! Impossible to acquire unless the work +begins at birth, and then the possibilities are infinite," +said he, drawing his chair closer to mine. "You know what I +have done. Start the new-born mind on any highway and see +how it hurries along. You can do more, working a little +while over the cradle, than all the preachers under heaven, +after its occupant has grown beyond your ministry. I tell +you, sir, the world is indifferent to its children. +Neglected by their parents, subject to hired tenderness or +none at all; left to the care of ignorant or depraved +nurses, and often taught little but selfishness and greed of +gain, the children of men are surrounded by destructive +agencies. Can we wonder that the human mind loses in infancy +so much of its native power? But so the generations of earth +are growing up, bearing embittered fruit and sowing its seed +to the four winds. Who cares for the mind and body of a +child has the highest possible mission--the most sacred of +all trusts. He must give it all his time and strength. He +must lead its mind into green pastures; he must share its +joys; he must know its hopes and fears; he must give it hold +on lines of thought that reach into eternity, which will +sooner or later flood it with inspiration; he must see that +the brain has a sufficient foundation of flesh and blood and +bone; he must give it all his life until the germs of power +are developed." + +"Unfortunately," said I, "most parents have other things to +do and think of." + +"Parentage is a crime under such circumstances. It has +peopled the world with fools and knaves. It delays the +coming of Christ's kingdom. There are a few wise men, but +they are held down as gravitation holds the rock. There are +laws of attraction in the world of mind as in that of +matter. Good and evil are its poles. Every atom between them +is held in place by the operation of opposing forces. The +general mass of mind lies within narrow zones on both sides +of the equatorial line of this imaginary world. Its +attraction prevents any men from rising far above or +descending far below it. I tell you, sir, the intellectual +world has degrees of latitude and longitude which determine +every man's location. Emancipated from the forces I have +described, my son has risen to a level beyond the attainment +of men under ordinary conditions. Hypocrisy and deceit are +things of which he knows nothing. I do not ascribe to him, +mind you, the possession of saintly virtues. He is a man in +whom the best potentialities of mind and body have been +developed. I have carefully avoided the danger of making him +a morbid, spiritual creature. His body is quite as wonderful +as his mind." + +My uncle had been pacing restlessly up and down the room as +he spoke, often pausing before me and uttering his words +vehemently, with quick gestures and flashing eyes. He did +not, seemingly, expect an answer to his remark, for, as he +ceased speaking, he stepped before one of the windows and +stood for a moment looking out upon the courtyard. + +"See!" said he suddenly, motioning to me. + +I stepped to his side and, looking through the window, saw +Rayel running across the lawn with the lion on his +shoulders. When the beast sprang down he seized it by the +mane and tossed it about like one with the strength of +Hercules. Here was a man who exercised his rightful dominion +over animated nature! + +"The beast is very fond of him," said my uncle, "and a +movement of his finger is sufficient to control it." + +"Why did you adopt a pet so terrible?" I asked. + +"To secure isolation," he answered. "He's an object of +terror to intruders, and a source of delight to us." + +"You have snakes here, too," I ventured. + +"Yes, and for the same reason, But they can't harm you now. +Since you came we have killed them. They have been good +friends to me, but you were a stranger, and your life would +have been in danger every day. Years ago I procured a score +of them from the mountains of Pennsylvania and put them into +the thickets. They multiplied like rats, and so I was armed +against invasion. + +"To prevent their escape I sank a screen of wire two feet +below the ground along the base of the walls; I also posted +a warning inside my gate. Long ago I began to destroy them, +and there were only a few left when you came. They were good +friends to me--excellent friends!" he repeated, rubbing his +hands with a grim smile. "For eighteen years I have been +able to carry on my work unmolested. No knowledge of what +was transpiring outside this little world has ever reached +me." + +"How did you begin the work of teaching this interior +language to Rayel?" I asked. + +"By signs at first--gradually making them more simple and +suggestive. The elimination of signs kept pace with the +development of his intuitions. It was slow work and hard +work, but I gave all my time to it. After he became familiar +with a sign, I began to make it less pantomimic, until +finally a lift of the eyebrow, a movement of the lips, or an +inclination of the head served to express my meaning. In +time he could detect the passing shades of expression in my +eyes and understand them. Look at me," said he, laying his +hand on my head and watching my eyes as the firelight shone +upon them, for it was now evening. + +"Don't you know, my boy, that your eyes reflect what is +passing in your mind? Then there are countless nerves and +muscles in your face which proclaim thought. They aid my +intuitions to discover what you do not speak. You +wonder--ah! you are afraid!--afraid of me." + +I started in my chair, for while he was looking into my eyes +a strange gleam came into his own. He turned about suddenly +and looked into the bright fire that burned on the grate +before us. + +"Never fear," he continued, nervously twirling a lock of his +white hair. "Never fear, sir--I am not mad. Not yet. I have +been afraid of it, but my reason will outlast my life. Do +you ever pray?" + +"Every day," I answered. + +"Then you employ the interior language. We commune directly +with the Holy Spirit. You get some message from Him every +day more satisfactory than words. It's the answer of your +prayers. I tell you, sir, words are an invention of the +devil. Do you like Rayel?" he asked, turning upon me +abruptly. + +"You need have no doubt of that," I answered, "or of my +willingness to look after him if it should be necessary--to +take him away with me and cherish him as I would a brother." + +"Good! Good!" he exclaimed smiling and rubbing his hands +joyfully. "I have not long to live. When the time comes, +take him out among the knaves and fools! But we must hurry: +our time is short. We must prepare him for a second birth. +You will find him an apt pupil--a very apt one. He already +knows more of the world than I thought possible. I don't +think you will find him troublesome--he can help you; he +will teach you wisdom; he will enlarge the issues of your +life. My fortune will be ample for his needs: use it as you +see fit. I have one servant left," he said, drawing his +chair closer to mine and speaking scarcely above a whisper: +"I would like this to be his home when I am dead. It will be +better, however, to place him in some public institution +where he can be well provided for. I shall leave a +sufficient allowance for him. The manner of its bestowal I +leave entirely to your judgment. There were two of them--you +have seen the other. He was a faithful fellow. They were +poor fools, both of them, but uncommonly wise," he +continued. "They kept it to themselves. I found them in an +asylum twenty-five years ago. They called them idiots. +Idiots! God help us!" + +That strange light seemed to kindle in his eyes again while +he was speaking, and it conveyed anything but a cheerful +suggestion to my mind. + +"There is this difference between idiots and madmen," he +continued. "The former are born outside the pale of human +sympathy; the latter overstep it. In either case they are +not of this earth--they are embodied spirits living in a +world of their own creation, biding the time of liberation +from the flesh. And do you know, there are more madmen in +the world than it dreams of?" + +He stopped with a tone of sharp interrogation and looked +squarely into my face. + +"There are undoubtedly many of them," said I. + +"The lines of monomania all lead to madness," he continued. +"The deeper one plunges into the mysteries of life the +nearer he approaches it. But, mark you, one man may venture +further than another. For years I have lived in fear of two +things--madness and death. Not on my account, but I had +Rayel to think of." + +My uncle rose to his feet before he had ceased speaking and +walked stealthily on his tiptoes to an open door, where he +stood for a moment listening. I could hear nothing but the +sound of the wind whistling in the chimney. + +"Wait here," he whispered presently, and then disappeared +through the door, closing it after him. I held my watch down +to the firelight and saw it was near eleven o'clock. I felt +drowsy, and had almost fallen asleep, when my uncle +returned, carrying a lantern. "Rayel is asleep," said he, in +a whisper. "Won't you come with me?--it will not take long." + +"Certainly," said I, rising, and waiting for him to lead the +way. He put on his antique hat and threw a shawl over his +shoulders. + +"It's a chilly night," said he. "You'd better wear another +coat." + +I drew on my overcoat at once, wondering what new experience +awaited me. Holding the lantern in front of him, he +proceeded slowly and feebly across the rear courtyard, and +unlocked a door in one of the side wings of the house, +through which we passed into a large unfurnished room. + +"I always wait till he's asleep," said my uncle, shuffling +across the room and unlocking another door on its opposite +side. "He's never been here--never yet," he continued, +pulling the door open. The dim light of the lantern shone +out upon a thicket of fragrant spruce and cedar. As I +stepped down upon the ground, following in the steps of my +uncle, I could hear the murmur of the great pines towering +far above our heads. Slowly we made our way through the +dense undergrowth, and soon entered an open space carpeted +with pine needles and moss. It was a circular plot in the +thicket, and out of its centre rose an immense pine, whose +upper branches wholly obscured the sky. My uncle hung his +lantern on a knot protruding from the trunk of the tree, and +slowly knelt upon the ground, covering his face with his +hands. Suddenly he beckoned to me, and I knelt down beside +him. + +"Listen!" said he. "Do you hear voices? She comes to me +here. Can you see her--my wife? Look about you, do you not +see her?" + +He laid his trembling hand upon my shoulder. Again I saw +that awful gleam in his eyes. The gruesome suggestion he had +made set my nerves tingling, and I peered about among the +shadows of that dimly lighted recess, half expecting some +vision to greet my eyes. Then there came a loud rustling of +the branches high above us. The lantern light flared up and +suddenly went out, leaving us in total darkness. + +"She is here!" he whispered, in excitement. "Sit still--do +not speak." + +A deep silence, intensified by the sound of the night wind +in the trees around us, followed my uncle's words. The going +out of the light he had seemed to regard as a signal from +the spirit world, and I sat still as he bade me, not +doubting that his acute senses had penetrated the veil which +limited my own vision. I had seen so many revelations of his +strange power that I now sat awestruck and afraid, waiting +for some word from him to end my suspense. I could see +nothing in the darkness, but I could hear my uncle breathing +heavily, as if trying to suppress his emotion. Suddenly +there was a stir in the bushes near us. Then I heard a step +like that of a man on the thickly covered earth close by my +side. I stretched out prone upon the ground, covering my +face with my hands. I could hear a sound as of some one +groping about in the darkness, and then I felt the touch of +a strange hand upon my shoulder. + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +I shrank from the hand that touched me and, moving quickly +aside, struck a match and peered around. By its light I +could discern the form of a man standing near the edge of +the thicket. Rising to my feet I took down the lantern and +lighted it. There, standing before me, was the grinning mute +who had admitted me to the house. My uncle, who was still +kneeling, rose feebly to his feet, his eyes wet with tears. + +"Good friend!" said he, taking the lantern from me and +handing it to the mute. "He alway comes for me here." + +We followed the old servant in silence through the thick +boughs of cedar until we came to the door of a low-roofed +wooden building that stood by itself in the thicket. The +mute opened the door, ushering us into a small room +containing a bed and some simple furniture. A comfortable +wood fire was burning in a large open stove, and we both sat +down in front of it, shivering from exposure to the chilly +air of the night. My uncle handed a key to the mute, who +unlocked a cupboard, taking from it a decanter of whiskey, +which he set before us with glasses. + +"It will warm you," said my uncle, pouring out the spirits: +"I have seen my wife. She always comes to me there--when +the light goes out. She knows your heart better than I. We +shall leave Rayel to your care. It is the last time I shall +come here. My work is nearly finished." + +We emptied our glasses in silence, but my mind was busy +thinking on those impressive words, "She always comes to me +there--when the light goes out." + +It was strange--this going out of the light just at that +moment. Was it not possible, I asked myself, that the +lantern, being always hung on the same projection, was thus +in the way of a current of air passing down the trunk of the +tree when a gust of wind struck its lofty branches? If so, +the knot would naturally conduct the current into the +opening at the top of the lantern. My reflections were +interrupted by my uncle, who rose, and, taking a candle, +asked me to accompany him. I followed him into a cellar +filled with casks and barrels containing, as I supposed, +wine and provisions for future use. Returning, we passed +through a large room, in one end of which many boxes and +barrels were stored. I afterward learned that there was a +large garden and poultry yard in this lonely nook where my +uncle's only servant was sequestered. + +I was glad when we started back through the thicket, for the +hour was late and I felt the need of sleep. + +"He gives us our food," said my uncle, when we were at +length in the courtyard. "We have enough of everything +needful--but little meat. It destroys mental power. It is +fools' food." + +Next day my uncle was unable to leave his bed. I determined +to go to the hotel for my baggage and to post some letters, +one of which gave Mr. Earl an account of my experiences +since the October night when I became an inmate of that +house. + +It was midwinter now, and the long stretches of pasturage +and meadow land outside the walls were blasted and sere when +the old mute, whom I had seen twice before, let me out of +the big gate. When I returned he was there to open the gate +for me and help me with my baggage. + +I found Rayel at his father's bedside. The sick man was +asleep, and I went at once to the library, where Rayel soon +came, as was his custom in the afternoon, for a lesson in +talking. Both my uncle and myself had taken great pains to +teach him this accomplishment, and his progress had been +even more rapid than we thought possible. He caught the +significance of words with astonishing ease, but found some +difficulty in producing their sound. He went about it with +great patience, however, repeating the hardest words after +me until he was able to pronounce them correctly. But +although the work was often tedious we both got much fun out +of it. I had never heard the sound of laughter in that +house. One day I broke its solemn spell by laughing heartily +at the grotesque distortion of my cousin's face incidental +to the production of a difficult sound. He stopped suddenly +and looked at me, half alarmed. This made me laugh more +heartily, and he grasped my hand with the serious air of a +physician feeling the pulse of his patient. Being assured +there was no danger, he indulged in a little offhand +cachinnation himself and was, I judged, well pleased with +the trial, for he repeated it frequently afterward, and +greatly to his amusement. + +The word "woman," and others related to it, puzzled him not +a little, for he had never seen a woman, except through the +medium of my own mind and that of his father. The subject +interested him, and he gave much serious thought to it, +questioning me closely at some of our interviews, as if +dissatisfied with the idea conveyed to him. Our discussions, +however, had reached some slumbering chord in him, which, +once touched, stirred his blood with its vibrations. I do +not think his isolation could have lasted much longer, for +he became restless and eager to see the world. + +Rayel was greatly depressed by his father's illness. For +months after that night, the excitement of which had so +hastened the failure of the old man's strength, the silence +of the great house was rarely broken by the sound of our +voices. My uncle lay helpless in a deep sleep most of the +time, never able to leave his bed until, revived by the +freshness of approaching summer, he had strength enough to +sit in an easy-chair by the window. Some fatal malady, the +nature of which he did not disclose to me, was evidently +sapping his strength. I had urged him more than once to let +me summon a physician, but he would not permit me to do so. +When summer came at last, he grew stronger, and was able to +walk, supported by Rayel, to his chair in the open courtyard +among the flowers. + +The lion, which had been confined in its cage most of the +time since my uncle had grown so feeble as to need Rayel's +constant attention sickened and died in the warm days of +early June. Rayel was sorely grieved by the death of his +pet, and although he stood in the shadow of a far greater +sorrow, he felt deeply the loss of this lifelong friend. The +summer passed slowly, one day like another, casting on us +the same burden of anxiety and silence. I spent much of the +time in my uncle's library, poring over his books and trying +to shake off the melancholy thoughts suggested by my daily +life. + +One day in early autumn, Rayel was sitting with me near an +open window overlooking the courtyard, where his father was +enjoying the open air. + +"He will die to-day," said Rayel, calmly. "He told me he +would die to-day." + +"He seems the same as usual," I said. "We cannot tell; he +may live for months yet." + +Rayel shook his head incredulously, and sat for a long time +looking out of the window in silence. + +"And I will go with you then?" he asked suddenly turning +toward me. + +"Yes," I answered. + +It was the first time he had ever asked me a question, for +he could read my mind like an open book, and to him all +questioning was unnecessary. + +While we were sitting there, thinking over our plans, my +uncle summoned us by rapping with his cane. Rayel turned +pale, and, with a whispered ejaculation, hurried out of the +room and ran down the path to his father, followed closely +by myself. My uncle was breathing heavily. + +"Count it," said he, feebly extending his hand. Rayel +counted his pulse-beats. + +"Ninety-four, and growing quicker!" he exclaimed, turning +toward me with a frightened look. + +"It won't increase much," my uncle whispered, feebly, but +with a cool and professional air. "It will go down soon, and +then death will follow." + +"Be calm, Rayel," he continued, almost sternly, as his son +began weeping. "Be calm, I say! That music! do you hear it, +child? Do you see what is passing now? Tell it. Let me hear +you." + +"I cannot hear it," said Rayel, looking earnestly into his +father's face. + +"Hallucination!" he whispered, groping about until his hand +rested on the head of his son, who was kneeling beside him. +"I seem to see millions of forms around me. I seem to hear +them, but I cannot see you--nor hear you." + +As if exhausted by the effort, his head fell back upon +Rayel's shoulder, and he lay for a time, his eyes closed, +struggling for breath. The dying man's faculties would no +longer obey the whip of his mighty will. Indeed, they had +done him their final service, for in a few moments he was +dead. Tenderly and manfully, uttering no sound of grief, +Rayel lifted the lifeless body of his father, and bore it +into the house. + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +In accordance with my uncle's wish, which he had made known +to Rayel, we buried him the day following his death in the +sunny courtyard where he had spent the last days of his +life. The funeral arrangements were made as simple as +possible, so as to exclude all except the functionaries +whose presence was absolutely necessary. A rector of the +Church of England read the service for the dead before the +body was borne to its grave by the undertaker. When this +brief ceremony was over, and the great gates were closed +again upon our seclusion, Rayel said to me: + +"I must talk more with you now, if you will let me. He said +you would help me after he was gone." + +It seemed idle to assure him, who already knew my heart, of +the happiness it would give me to fulfill the pledge of +friendship made to my uncle. + +"Do you expect to see him again?" I asked. + +After a moment of the most serious reflection, he said: + +"Oh, yes, I shall see him again--when I die, then I shall +see him. He has gone to the Great Father, who gives life, +and who takes it away." + +I found that Rayel, although entirely ignorant of the creeds +and dogmas prevailing among men, was profoundly religious, +and that his simple faith was built upon the deepest +foundations. He evidently gave much thought to the +relationship between man and his Creator after he felt the +sting of bereavement, but it was a subject to which he never +referred in our conversation, unless, perchance, it drifted +in upon us. + +The weeks following my uncle's death, during which I was +busy with preparation for the new life that awaited us, +Rayel spent in his studio working over some unfinished +pictures. At my urgent request, he completed the head whose +resemblance to Hester Chaffin had so startled and amazed me +the night I saw it first, and he regarded it with fonder +interest than he was wont to bestow upon the work of his +brush. I believe that face was the closest presentment of a +human soul I shall ever see until standing, as I hope to +stand some time, in the presence of the redeemed, where +"that which is imperfect shall be put away." I have said +that the picture bore a strong resemblance to Hester +Chaffin, but her face contained only a suggestion of that +fine quality which was so strongly presented in my cousin's +ideal. + +My uncle's fortune, as described in his will, amounted to +nearly $250,000. The greater part of it--everything, indeed, +but the house and grounds--was in cash, represented by +certificates of deposit accompanying the will, and bonds of +the United States. There was a considerable bequest for me, +whom he had named as executor of the will, which, however, I +determined never to apply to my own use, except in case of +Rayel's death. A handsome annuity was provided for his only +surviving servant. The remainder was left to Rayel. + +Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an +asylum not far from the city, our preparations to leave were +soon complete. I was elated at the prospect of resuming my +relations with the busy world outside that lonely +habitation. My first step was to visit a lawyer for the +purpose of ascertaining the legal formalities which I must +observe as executor of the will. Rayel wished to go with me, +and I gladly assented, for it seemed wise as an initiatory +step in the new life that was awaiting him. He waved his +hand to the mute, who stood looking at us through the big +gates after we had passed out into the road, and then he +walked on beside me in silence. The sun-shot haze of a +beautiful autumn day hung over the face of nature, and his +eyes wandered down the long stretches of landscape, and into +the depths of the distant sky, rapt by the vision that was +unfolding before him. The changing phases of the town he +regarded with curious interest, which often expressed itself +in childish exclamations of surprise as we made our way +through the crowded streets. + +He was constantly calling my attention to things which, +though familiar and commonplace to me, were little less than +wonderful to him. + +"Look!" said he, suddenly taking hold of my arm. "There is a +woman!" + +He spoke in an eager, excited whisper, and shyly stepped +behind me as she passed us. + +"They won't hurt you," said I, subduing my desire to laugh +at his remark. + +Such unfamiliar exposure to the public eye soon began to +grate upon his nerves. I did not wonder at it, for nearly +every one we met took a second look at his commanding +figure, and some stared at him rudely. Remembering my own +emotions when I first stood in his presence, I was not at +all surprised that others were moved in a like manner. His +were a face and form that stood out like those of some +heroic statue in the throng of common mortals. + +The proving and recording of the will was left entirely in +the hands of a reputable lawyer, who said that these +formalities would not detain us longer than a week. + +We had determined to spend the winter in New York before +going to England. Since reaching America my time had been +quite filled with work until my entrance upon the utter +isolation of my uncle's home. It was my earnest desire to +see something of the big metropolis on the western Atlantic. +Moreover, Mr. Earl had advised me in his letters to give +Rayel a chance to know more of life in his own country +before bringing him to England. + +When at last the faithful old mute had gone to his new home, +and we had turned our backs upon the silent and deserted +mansion, Rayel was moved to bitter tears. The thought of its +loneliness, now that its master was dead and we were leaving +it, perhaps forever, brought sad feelings to my heart. How +calmly the old pines whispered together as we walked down +the road that morning I shall not soon forget. + +We reached the American metropolis early in October, three +years after my first arrival there from England. I rented +comfortable apartments on Fifth Avenue, near Madison Square. +As soon as Rayel had recovered from the fatigue and +excitement of the trip, we set about unpacking his pictures +and getting them framed. Our lightest room was reserved for +a studio, and the paintings were hung under Rayel's +direction. + +We were scarcely settled in our new home when we received an +unexpected call from a newspaper reporter. He had learned +from an art dealer that we had some remarkable old +paintings, and humbly begged the privilege of looking at +them. We made him welcome, of course, but I explained to him +that the collection was wholly the work of my cousin, who +was not yet old himself. In answer to his questions I +assured him that the paintings would not be exhibited in the +National Academy, and that my cousin's work had never +appeared in any art exhibition whatever, at which he seemed +greatly surprised. Rayel was still shy of strangers, and, as +he was evidently a little annoyed at the presence of our +visitor, I shielded him from the need of taking any part in +our conversation. + +The next morning an article appeared in one of the leading +dailies, which subjected us to a glare of publicity not at +all to our taste. + +It went on to say that Signor Lanion, a young Spanish +artist, had just arrived in New York and had taken +apartments at No. Fifth Avenue. "Lanion" was the name which +had appeared on our bill for picture-framing, the clerk who +had waited on us having taken it down incorrectly. +"Unfortunately," the article continued, "Signor Lanion does +not speak English, and for that reason the reporter was +unable to interview him." + +The paper described Rayel's personal charms at much length, +and claimed the credit of having discovered a genius who, +although still a youth, had done work worthy of an +acknowledged master. + +We had deep respect for the influence of that newspaper +before another week ended. Art managers, tailors, +advertising agents, auctioneers and numerous men and women +prompted by no motive but idle curiosity, besieged us until +we bolted our doors in dismay against all comers. The mail, +too, brought us missives of varying import from persons who +had read the article, one of which was a polite letter from +Francis Paddington, a Wall Street broker, whose name I had +heard frequently during my American travels. + +"It was not stated," said he, referring to the newspaper +article, "whether or not any of Signor Lanion's paintings +are for sale. If they are, I would be glad to look at them +with a view to making some purchases for my art collection." + +The letter suggested an idea worth considering. Rayel worked +rapidly and had already painted more pictures than we could +hang to advantage in any but the most liberal quarters. He +was at a loss to understand just what was meant by selling +the pictures, but he was willing to sell them if they were +not to be destroyed--at least some of them. Accordingly I +wrote Mr. Paddington, appointing an hour when we would be +glad to see him or his representative at our rooms. The +gentleman himself did us the honor to call. After looking at +the paintings, he expressed his willingness to buy the +entire collection. I told him, however, that we would not +part with more than ten canvases, and he seemed glad to buy +even that number at a price which was so far in excess of +our expectations that I was loath to accept it. Our beloved +"Woman"--that was the title we had given Rayel's strangely +derived conception--was among the paintings included in the +sale to Mr. Paddington. Rayel thought he could reproduce it, +and for days after it was gone he made ineffectual efforts +to paint another woman after the ideal of our hearts. But, +alas! try as he would, that face never came back to his +canvas. Many beautiful faces were conjured by his masterful +touch, but they were other faces, and none of them satisfied +us. The failure made Rayel unhappy, and tears came to his +eyes when the "Woman" was referred to, as if he were +mourning the loss of a dear friend. + +Our patron had conceived a great liking for us, and we were +soon invited to visit his house "and meet a few of his +friends at dinner." It would give us an opportunity to see +the "Woman"--perhaps to buy her back again--and we were +strongly inclined to take advantage of it. Our patron's +residence was one of the largest and most elegant on Fifth +Avenue. It was a matter of common fame that his +entertainments were the cause of more envy and heartburning +in the fashionable sisterhood than any other events of the +season. I had some doubt about the propriety of taking Rayel +to such a place, unaccustomed as he was to the refinements +and conventionalities of fashionable life. However, he had +set his heart upon going--he was so eager to see his beloved +picture--and I did not oppose his wish. In writing our +acceptance of the invitation I corrected Mr. Paddington's +error regarding our name, and explained the rechristening we +had received in the public prints. + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +On the day of our appointment for dinner at Mr. Paddington's +the newspapers were filled with accounts of a sensational +bank robbery, which had occurred in Wall Street the night +before. Between midnight and one o'clock in the morning, +thieves had entered the Metropolitan Bank, overpowered the +watchman, broken into the vaults and stolen half a million +dollars in currency without leaving any clew behind them of +the slightest value to the police. The subject interested +Rayel intensely, and at our breakfast that morning we talked +of little else. + +"When they have found the thieves what will they do with +them?" he asked. + +"Send them to prison," I answered, "where thieves are kept +apart from the rest of humanity." + +"And yet these thieves were not in prison. They could not +have robbed the bank if they had been in prison." + +"True, but there are a good many thieves in the world who +are not suspected. They look like honest men and are highly +successful in concealing their dishonesty." + +"I should think," he said thoughtfully, "that one would know +a thief by his face." + +"Remember," said I, "that all men are not like you. Most of +them are easily deceived." + +"Why, then, Kendric!" he exclaimed joyfully, "I can do some +good with this power of mine." + +This conversation may seem commonplace enough, but it stands +in close relation to important events which will shortly +claim our attention. The subject which it introduces was not +soon abandoned. We talked about it on our way to the +Paddingtons' that evening, where we were cordially received +by our host, and introduced to a large company of ladies and +gentlemen. + +Rayel's wonderful skill with the brush had evidently been +the subject of some discussion among Mr. Paddington's +guests. It was referred to frequently, and somewhat to the +embarrassment of my cousin, in the exchange of greetings +that followed our introduction. + +Greatly to the relief of my fears Rayel seemed quite at +ease. He acknowledged the compliments paid him with gravity +and self-possession, but with few words. All eyes were +raised to his face, as he stood head and shoulders above a +group of ladies and gentlemen who had gathered about him. +Never had his presence seemed so magnetic and impressive +since the first time I saw him in his father's house. Now, +as then, a new inspiration was stirring his blood and +charging every nerve with the wonderful magnetism of +perfected manhood. + +The last person presented to us was a young lady of unusual +beauty, whom I noticed for some moments standing across the +room in earnest conversation with our host. Presently he +made his way toward us with the lady on his arm. + +"My daughter, Mr. Lane, whom I shall ask you to escort to +dinner," said he, addressing Rayel. After I had been +introduced to the young lady she took Rayel's arm, and the +company proceeded to the dining-hall. My seat at the table +was almost directly opposite Rayel. His grave and dignified +demeanor was made doubly conspicuous by the coquettish airs +and ready tongue of the young lady who sat beside him. Under +a steady fire of compliments and questions and artful +glances I saw that he began to grow uneasy. + +"That was a beautiful portrait you painted!" exclaimed Miss +Paddington, looking sentimental. + +"Thank you," said he; "my cousin also admires it, but I must +own that it does not quite suit me." + +"Perhaps you are an admirer of the lady it represents," said +she, peering shyly into his eyes. "The Count de Montalle has +fallen in love with her and has borrowed the portrait from +my father." + +"Ze picture--ah! monsieur, it is beautiful," said the Count, +who sat near them. "But ze lady--she sat for me long ago and +I had ze honor myself to paint her portrait." + +He was a thin, wiry Frenchman, with small, black eyes, a +forehead sloping to a bald crown, an aquiline nose and a +pointed chin, adorned with an imperial. The face was almost +mephistophelian in effect. He had painted her portrait! Was +the man an impostor? I asked myself. + +"The Count is an artist himself, you know," said Miss +Paddington. + +"Yes--an artist?" asked Rayel in a half-incredulous tone. +Then he looked inquiringly at the gentleman referred to, as +if doubtful of his own understanding of the words he had +repeated. + +"Yes," said the Count with emphasis. "For twenty years I +have devote myself to ze art." + +"To what art, sir?" asked Rayel, in a tone suggesting doubt. + +I was now thoroughly frightened at the serious turn of the +dialogue. Was this "Count" a pretender and one of the many +bogus noblemen of whom I had read? Rayel was sounding him, +that was quite evident. I saw now the mistake I had made in +bringing my cousin to such a place. + +"Quel impudence!" exclaimed the insulted nobleman, under his +breath. + +"Forgive me, sir," quickly answered Rayel, "I did not know +it was wrong to ask you." + +"I wish you would paint my portrait, Mr. Lane," said the +young lady, who did not seem to appreciate the gravity of +the situation. + +"That would be easy enough," he answered. + +"Would it? Ah, but I fear you would find me too plain a +subject. I am not beautiful, you know, but if I wore my best +clothes you might think I would do." + +For some time Miss Paddington continued to spin out threads +of small talk, while Rayel sat listening. The dinner was +nearly over when the climax came which I had already begun +to fear. + +"It is strange," said Rayel thoughtfully. "You speak what is +not true, Miss Paddington. You said that the Prince of Wales +gave you the beautiful opal, but tell me--was it not your +father who gave it you?" + +He waited a moment for her answer. + +"Oh, I understand now," he continued. "People do not always +speak the truth--do they?" + +The young lady turned red with embarrassment, while an +unnatural smile played upon her lips. + +"But--but what is the use of talking then?" he asked. No one +seemed disposed to answer. + +"It is strange," he continued, with childlike naivete, +turning to the young lady sitting at his left, "you have +been laughing as if you were very happy, but you have felt +more like weeping. This must be a very sad world!" He ceased +speaking as if some suspicion of the pain his words were +causing had suddenly come to him. + +The whole company turned its eyes upon the two. The young +lady's face became suddenly pale and almost horror-stricken. +Rayel's words were spoken in such a gentle and sympathetic +manner that every one was mystified. + +"Have you read about the great robbery that occurred last +night?" asked Mr. Paddington, with the evident purpose of +diverting attention from the young lady. "The vaults of the +Metropolitan Bank on Wall Street were blown open with +dynamite, and half a million dollars were stolen. No trace +of the thieves has been discovered." + +"Too bad!" exclaimed half a dozen of the guests seeking to +enhance interest in the subject. + +"Zey were very bold about it," said the Count, as he lighted +a piece of sugar soaked in cognac and held it over his +coffee. + +Just at that moment a singular thing happened. The lights +grew dim and suddenly went out, as if the gas had been +turned off. The burning cognac cast a white flickering light +upon the face of the man who had just spoken. + +"You say there is no trace of the thieves," said Rayel. +"That is strange, for one of them is in this room sitting at +your table." + +Only one face was visible, and all eyes were turned upon it, +for now the effect of that pale light keeping it in view was +indescribably weird. The eyes were suddenly turned in the +direction of Rayel, and a devilish glare came in them for an +instant, when the face suddenly seemed to shrink back into +darkness. The ladies and some of their more gallant escorts +rushed precipitately from the room. The servants hurried in +with candles, but light was no sooner restored than the +guests who still remained at table rose, as if by general +consent, and left the dining-hall. Miss Paddington and Rayel +were the last to leave the table. When they had passed out +into the drawing-room her father came and took her arm, +bowing coldly to my cousin. It was evident that our presence +was no longer desired in the house of the Paddingtons. And +no wonder! + +"Let us go," I said, proceeding to the coat room. The Count +met us on the way. + +"You are a liar--a jackass!" he hissed into Rayel's ear. + +Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly +night air and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue. +Neither of us spoke for some moments. Presently Rayel asked: + +"What is a jackass?" + +He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of +great moment. + +"A man who always tells the truth in this world--he is a +jackass," I replied. + +I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had +been through. Perhaps that is why my answer savored so +strongly of cynicism. + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +Painful as had been our introduction to polite society, the +reaction which followed it was scarcely less so. Next day we +stayed indoors until evening, when we ventured out for a +walk with fear and trembling lest the newspapers had already +increased our fame and our mortification. The twilight of a +cloudless autumn day was closing in upon the city, and the +keen, bracing winds which sweep over the American metropolis +from the sea brought the color to our faces. We walked down +Broadway, now quite deserted, in silence, and as we were +passing Wallack's Theatre Rayel stopped suddenly, and stood +for a moment looking into the brightly lighted foyer. +Stepping in, he beckoned me to follow. I immediately saw +what had attracted his eye, for on an easel just inside the +entrance was the portrait of our woman. On a placard below +the picture was the name "Edna Bronson." Our surprise was +mingled with sad regret at seeing it playing a false part to +serve the ends of an unscrupulous manager. + +"Perhaps she is here! suddenly exclaimed Rayel. + +"That is very unlikely," I answered, "but we shall see." + +I bought tickets for the evening's performance and we +hastened home, strangely elated, to dress for the play. + +Our seats were in one of the lower proscenium boxes and +quite clearly exposed to the gaze of the thousands who +filled the theatre in winding rows, ascending and receding +to the roof high above us. The garish decorations, the gay +throng bedizened with jewels sparkling in the light and the +hundreds of fair faces and bright eyes that were turned +toward us presented a spectacle entirely new to Rayel. +Shortly the curtain rose and the play began. Its first scene +was a counterfeit of real stage life in an English theatre. +An important performance is impending and at the last moment +both the leading lady and her understudy are suddenly taken +ill. The management is in a quandary. In the midst of its +confusion the stage carpenter suggests that he has a +daughter who can play the part. When this functionary came +upon the scene my interest in the play began to wax +stronger. Hester Chaffin's father had been a stage +carpenter, and this turn in the scene startled me not a +little after having found our picture in the foyer. + +The carpenter's suggestion is at first treated with +ridicule. He insists that she has learned the part from +witnessing the rehearsals, and urges the managers to give +her a trial. The performance must begin in four hours or be +postponed. It is found that the costumes prepared for the +part will fit the young lady. They consent to try her, the +company is hastily summoned together for rehearsal, and the +curtain falls on the first act. The audience waited +impatiently for it to rise again and show what fortune might +have in store for the carpenter's daughter, but of all that +audience I was probably the most impatient. + +"There is the Count," whispered Rayel, directing my +attention to the opposite box. The diabolical little +Frenchman was there, sure enough, sitting next to the rail, +and sweeping the audience with his opera-glasses. + +Soon the curtain was rung up and the rehearsal began which +was to test the powers of the venturesome young lady. +Suddenly she appears at the rear of the stage dressed for +her part in Elizabethan costume. She is greeted with loud +applause, and she stands a moment, waiting for silence. The +lights have been turned down and I cannot see her face +distinctly. Before the last ripple of applause is quieted, +she advances down the centre of the stage and begins to +speak her lines. That voice! What is there in it that +thrills me so strangely? When she ceases speaking she is +standing almost within reach of my hand. Suddenly her eyes +meet mine and I see Hester Chaffin standing there on the +stage and looking into my face. She recognizes me, for she +seems confused and proceeds with evident embarrassment. + +I turned to Rayel--he, too, was deeply moved by this great +surprise. + +"Our woman has come to life," said he, in tremulous +whispers. "I knew we would see her sometime." + +How she had changed! She was little more than a child when I +saw her last: now she was almost a woman, but not more +beautiful than when I bade her good-by in the moonlight at +her father's gate--long, long ago, it seemed to me now. Was +the scene I had witnessed a passage in her own life since I +had left Liverpool? At the close of the act an usher carried +my card to her. Presently I was summoned to one of the +corridors where a lady was waiting for me. + +"Is this Kendric Lane?" she asked, extending her hand. + +"It is," I responded. + +"I have heard of you often. Miss Bronson is an old +acquaintance of yours, whom you knew as Hester Chaffin. +Would you like to see her?" + +"I wish to see her to-night, if possible," said I. + +"May I ask you, then, to go to this address and wait for us +until the performance is over? Hand this card to the night +clerk of the hotel and he will show you to our rooms." + +Scribbling a few words upon the card, she gave it to me, and +hurried behind the scenes. + +Rayel and I immediately left the theatre and walked to our +apartments. The play would soon be over and we had no time +to lose. On the way home I noticed that he frequently turned +about and peered through the darkness as if expecting some +one to join us. He said nothing, however, and as I was so +preoccupied by my own thoughts, I did not ask for whom he +was looking. + +"Shall I not go with you?" he asked, when we had reached +home. + +"You had better wait up for me; I shall not be gone long," I +answered. + +"I can walk back again when we get there, or perhaps I can +wait for you in the hotel?" said he. + +He was not yet accustomed to life in a great city, and it +did not seem wise, either, to permit him to walk home alone, +or to wait for me in the hotel among strangers. He did not +seem quite content to stay, however, and there was a +troubled expression on his face, which was new to it, and +which I could not put out of my mind after I had left the +house. The hotel to which I had been directed was on Union +Square. It was not far from our apartments, and I intended +to walk there, but I had not gone half a block before the +street was lit up with a vivid flash of lightning, followed +by deafening thunder, and the wind blew damp in my face. I +hurried toward Third Avenue, intending to mount one of the +horse cars going down-town, but suddenly a fierce gust of +wind swept over me, sowing great drops of rain along the +pavement. I looked about for a cab. The street was deserted +and so dark that I could see nothing except the gloomy rows +of brown stone that stood on either side. While I was +looking backward another flash of lightning illumined the +street. What man was that coming in the distance? Was it +Rayel? No, that was scarcely possible. I had only caught a +momentary glimpse of him in the quick flash. He was tall and +erect like Rayel, and I thought the hat was his. But my +imagination must have tricked me after all, for nothing +showed clearly. I walked back a few steps and listened. I +could hear no footsteps, but then he might have followed me, +and I ought to be sure. So I called, "Rayel! Rayel!" twice, +and waited for an answer, but could hear none. I had not +time to go back to our rooms, as Hester was undoubtedly +waiting for me now, and Rayel was certainly not the man I +had seen, or he would have answered me. So I hurried along +without giving any further thought to my fears. But where +was Third Avenue? Its character was not then so sharply +defined as in these days of elevated rail-roads--perhaps I +had passed it. I had already walked a long distance, and I +had not yet recognized that thoroughfare. I could hear +footsteps behind me and I determined to wait a moment and +inquire my way. + +"I am going there--walk along with me," said the man whom I +questioned. Just then we passed under a street lamp. I +observed that he wore a large coat and muffler and that he +was walking under an umbrella. Another man, also under an +umbrella, fell in with us at the next corner. As we walked +along in silence I heard some person coming at a run down +the street quite a distance behind us. I was listening to +this sound when I received a terrific blow on the back of +the head. I fell forward, one side of my face striking +heavily upon the pavement. Strangely enough, I seemed unable +to make any outcry, but I had not lost consciousness, for, +as I lay with my face resting on the wet stones, I could +feel the rain drops falling on it. I could hear those quick +footsteps coming nearer. Yes, I could hear Rayel's voice +shouting in a loud and angry tone, but, try as I would, I +could not utter a sound. As I listened, the two men clutched +me with strong hands and dragged me through an open door, +which quickly closed behind them. It was no sooner shut than +Rayel threw himself against it with terrific force. I could +hear the door groan and shake under the strain. Once--twice, +I was struck with cruel force upon the head--then a loud +roaring in my ears drowned everything. + +I can remember well the first return of consciousness. It +was like the slow breaking of dawn in the sky. I could hear +voices singing: + +Hark! hark! my soul! angelic voices swelling O'er earth's +green fields and ocean's wave-beat shore. + +I could just distinguish those words. Where was I? Strange +thoughts began trooping through my mind. Then a great wave +of emotion swept over me. I could hear a low moaning sound +that came from my own throat. I could feel the hot tears +rolling down my cheeks. A gentle hand was brushing them away +and some one was speaking to me. I was lying on a soft bed. +A sweet-faced woman was bending over me, whom I had never +seen before. + +"Where am I?" + +"In the hospital," she answered. + +"The singing--who is singing?" I asked. + +"It is the chapel choir," she answered; "the services are +nearly over now. It is Sunday." + +"Is Rayel here?" + +"Your friend? yes, he has been with you every day." + +"How long?" + +"Almost a month." + +I tried to ask other questions, but a drowsy feeling +overcame me and I fell asleep. + +When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened +my eyes he leaned over and kissed my hands. + +"They thought you were dead once," he said; "but I knew you +were not dead--I knew you were not dead." I lay for a moment +trying to collect my thoughts. My head was in tight bandages +and something was binding my chest. + +"Where is Hester?" I asked. Rayel did not answer. He was not +there, but somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a +lady kneeling beside me, her face leaning forward upon the +bed. Who could it be? I closed my eyes and listened to the +rustling of withered leaves outside the window, and the low +humming of insects in the autumn sun. These were prophetic +sounds, and they opened the gates of thought and memory. A +new life was coming now. What was it to be? Again I felt +myself drifting into sleep. I tried to keep my eyes open and +resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in vain. When I +awoke Rayel had returned. + +"You have slept a long time," said he. + +"When I fell asleep a lady was here." + +"Yes, it was our 'Woman,'" he replied--"the lady you love. +She has come every day to see you." + +"Where is she now?" + +"She had to go away, but she will soon come back again." + +"Who brought me here?" + +"I broke down the door--I found you there. You could not see +me nor speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men +were gone. I carried you out into the street. A policeman +met me, and I told him what had happened. Then the ambulance +came and we put you into it, and you were brought here. For +a long time you lay like my father after he was dead. Your +face was white--like snow. They had stabbed you in the +side--they would have killed you if I had not broken the +door." + +"Who struck me?" I asked. + +"I knew," he said, his eyes flashing, "I knew the devil was +in their heads--that is why I wished to go with you. They +followed us that night." + +"Who?" I asked, eagerly. + +"The Count de Montalle and another man." + +My cousin's answer amazed me. + +"Have you made known your suspicions?" I asked. + +"No. I have been waiting to talk with you first." + +"Do not speak of it yet to any one," I said. "Let us await +developments." + +I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for +insanity if pressed to the point of explaining his +suspicions. It seemed quite likely, also, that any futile +discussion of the subject would defeat justice. + +That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been +looking for with much impatience since I had begun to feel +more like myself. She would shortly have fulfilled all her +professional engagements, and would then return at once to +New York. "I wonder," she added, somewhat coquettishly, "if +you will be glad to see me." On this point there was no +doubt in my mind, and although my strength increased +rapidly, the days passed with tedious slowness after that. + +I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon +the moving throng in the opposite street, when the door of +my room was suddenly opened. I supposed that one of the +physicians had come to see me, and I waited for him to +speak. + +"Kendric!" + +It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did +not seem quite natural, and I turned to greet him. + +"This is our 'Woman,'" said he, advancing toward me with +Hester upon his arm. + +I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden +announcement, and took her extended hand. We looked into +each other's eyes for a moment without speaking. My own were +rapidly filling with tears, and I could see her but dimly. + +"What a fine outlook you have!" she said, in a tremulous +voice, turning suddenly to the window and looking out upon +the trees now half stripped of their foliage by the autumn +winds. We both stood staring out of the window in silence. +For my part, I could not have spoken if I had known what to +say. How she had changed! The blushing little miss who had +awakened the pangs of first love in my youthful heart was a +beautiful young woman, now full grown and arrayed in costly +finery. Rayel was the first to speak. + +"You must be glad to meet again--you have loved each other +so long," said he. + +Honest Rayel! He knew our hearts--their longings, their +histories, and also the vanity and pride that dwelt in them. +Why should there be any concealment between her and me? + +"It has been a long time--a very long time to me, Hester, +for I have loved you ever since we first met." + +She turned toward me, her eyes filled with tears, and I drew +her to my heart and kissed her fondly. + +"We have only known each other as children, Kendric," said +she. "Your heart may change and mine may change--let us wait +and see." + +Then she left us, promising to come again next day. + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Hester and her maid looked in upon me every morning after +that, until I was able to leave the hospital. During these +visits we told each other the eventful story of our lives +since the night of our parting at her father's gate. Her +first appearance on the stage had been, as I suspected, +literally represented in the play. For years she had been +permitted to accompany her father behind the scenes, and +nights when the cast was short she had played small parts +with great success. The glamour and excitement of stage life +had proved distasteful to her. She assured me that it was +her intention never to go back to it, and this strengthened +my hope that she would some day consent to become my wife. +Rayel had told her, during my illness, the strange story of +his life. She knew nothing, however, of his wonderful +powers, until I had related to her some of the experiences +which had revealed them to me. He had said nothing to her, I +learned, about our discovery of the picture. + +"Who painted the remarkable portrait of you which we saw at +the theatre?" I asked her one day. + +"It was painted, I believe, by a French nobleman, who +presented it to me here in New York. I suppose it looks a +little as I did once, but it is certainly too flattering and +much too maidenly for me now. + +"The Frenchman is an impostor and worse," I said. "The +portrait was painted by Rayel and sold to a broker of the +name of Paddington, from whom the Frenchman borrowed or +bought it." + +Her amazement could scarcely be overestimated when I told +her what occurred at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party. + +"The Frenchman," she said, "has been paying me unwelcome +attentions ever since the first night of my appearance in +New York. He became so odious to me at length that I refused +to accept any of his gifts, and, in spite of the protests of +my managers, returned everything he had sent me, including +the portrait." + +I did not tell her that it was this same Frenchman to whom I +was indebted for my wounds. Of that I must wait for more +palpable evidence, though not for my own convincing. It +seemed strange to me then that just at the moment this +thought was passing through my mind she asked me whom I +suspected of having committed the assault. It occurred to me +after she had gone that possibly she had some cause to +suspect the man who had been the subject of our +conversation. + +Rayel always came late in the day, when there was no chance +of meeting other callers, and stayed with me until bedtime. +As returning strength brought back to me that interest in +life which prompts keen observation, I could see that a +great change was coming over him. His face wore a melancholy +look which indicated too clearly that his mind was suffering +under some sad oppression. He was as gentle and considerate +as ever, and as tireless in his efforts to increase my +comfort, but he rarely spoke now, except in reply to my +questions. He would sit by my side for hours, gazing out of +the window with a vacant look in his eyes, until the light +of day grew dim and the lamps were lighted. When supper was +served to us I could never induce him to eat. + +"What is the trouble, Rayel?" I asked, one evening. "You are +not yourself lately." + +Neither of us had spoken for a long time. He turned +suddenly, as if startled by my words, his lips quivered, and +stammering almost incoherently, he rose to his feet. Then he +stood erect before me for a moment, looking sadly and +thoughtfully into my eyes. + +"Nothing, Kendric," he said presently, in a deep tone that +trembled with emotion. "I think I have been working too hard +and need exercise--that is all." Then he grasped my hand +warmly and bade me good night. + +I believe his answer to my question was the first lie that +he had ever spoken. + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Next day I was discharged from the hospital, and Rayel and I +were driven to our apartments. He had a number of surprises +prepared for me. A large painting on his easel, awaiting +some finishing touches, compelled my attention as soon as I +entered the room. It represented a scene in our own lives, +which had lasted but a second, but which could never be +forgotten by either of us. He had seen me when I stood +looking backward in that vivid flash of lightning--there +could be no doubt of it now, for here was the scene +transferred to canvas. The shaft of white light shaking and +darting across the black sky like a gleaming sword; the man +on the sidewalk looking backward with a startled glance; the +big drops of rain falling sidelong in the wind--these were +all reproduced on the canvas. His later pictures were +characterized by a cynical tendency, which I observed with +regret. It was evident that his sensitive mind had taken +impressions from its brief contact with men, which were +sadly affecting his thought. + +He showed me numerous letters, many of which were from women +who desired to visit his studio and see his work. Indeed, my +cousin had apparently grown suddenly famous in the American +metropolis. He was the victim rather than the victor of +fame, however, and regarded the matter with very serious +concern. The press of New York had been full of gossip +concerning his "eccentricities" since the event which had +put my life in danger. One of the society journals had +printed a highly colored version of that little episode at +the house of the Paddingtons, and had concluded its article +by saying that the fair Miss Paddington had fallen madly in +love with her father's strange guest. + +That night, as we were sitting by the grate fire in our own +rooms, Rayel, encouraged by our seclusion, began to emerge +from the silence to which he had seemingly gone back for +refuge in time of trouble. + +"We shall soon be ready to start for England," I said. + +"I do not wish to go to England, Kendric," said he. "For a +long time I have thought over it. Let me go back to the old +house and live by my father's grave, until the good Lord +takes me to a better home. I would miss you, dear Kendric, +and every day I would look for you to come, but I shall be +happier there." + +His words touched me deeply, and I was not prepared to +answer him with perfect calmness, although I had lately +suspected that his despondency would lead to this resolve. + +"Why must we separate now, after we have become so dear to +each other?" I asked. "Something has happened to change your +purpose since I have been ill--tell me what it is." + +"To speak frankly, Kendric, I must say that the world has +sadly disappointed me. It is full of vanity and deceit and +selfishness. Every day brings to me some hideous revelation +which the mercy of heaven has hidden from others. I have +seen the righteous forsaken of men, and the wicked receiving +homage; I have seen the unjust triumphing over the just; I +have seen some reveling in abundance while others were +begging for bread. Everywhere I have found want and misery +staring me in the face. + +"Remembering what Christ said, I sold all I had and gave to +the poor, and now there is nothing more I can do. My best +pictures, my money and all my extra clothing have gone to +feed the hungry and cover the naked. And even now, when I +have nothing left to give, I find as much misery as before. +Often, since I have been alone, I have had nothing to eat +and no fire to keep me warm. Then I feared to tell you what +I had done, and I bore it in silence, hoping that I might +earn more money by painting. But I could not work. When +Hester came back I told her all my troubles, and she gave me +money, not only for my own use but for the use of others who +needed it more than I. She and I have wandered about the +city by day and by night, ministering to the sick and the +friendless." + +He ceased speaking, his head bent forward upon his hands. It +was indeed a serious situation into which a too generous +heart had betrayed him. Nearly all his fortune had descended +to him in cash on deposit, and payable either to my order or +to his. He had therefore saved nothing for himself that had +been available for the satisfaction of his good impulses. +Instead of displeasing me, however, as he feared, his action +only increased my love for him, if that were possible. + +"Do not let these things trouble you, Rayel," I said. "We +shall find no difficulty, I think, in earning money enough +for our needs. I cannot see you shut yourself away from the +world: you have yet an important work to do among men. You +are now morbidly sensitive to the misery that surrounds us, +but you will feel it less keenly as it grows more familiar." + +"You do not understand me, Kendric," said he, starting from +his chair, and pacing restlessly up and down the room. "I +cannot deceive you any longer. In begging you to leave me, +it is your own happiness I am thinking of. Please go as soon +as possible," he pleaded, laying his hand gently upon my +shoulder. "Take her with you, and let me stay." + +My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating. + +"My God, Rayel!" I exclaimed. "Are we both in love with the +same woman?" + +"No, Kendric, no," he said quickly, taking my hand. "I do +not mean that. I would not permit myself to love her, +knowing that you love her also." + +"What, then, do you mean?" I asked. + +"That there is danger," he answered huskily, sinking into a +chair. "I am a fool not to have thought of it long ago!" + +His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not +speak. + +"You know what is in her heart, Rayel," I said presently. +"Tell me, is it false, or is she, as I have thought, a pure +and noble woman?" + +"She is pure and worthy of your love," he answered. "Her +life has been much exposed to temptation, but her character +has been greater than any temptation. When she began to go +with me among the poor I did not know what love was. I had +never felt the power of it, nor did I think of the danger to +all of us. When at last it came upon me, and I saw what it +meant, I resolved not to see Hester again until God had +given me strength to subdue that passion. For days my heart +was near breaking. When you asked me to tell you what made +me sad, I had not the courage to do it. Then I told you a +lie. I did the very thing which I have so much condemned in +others. This trouble has taught me to comprehend and to pity +the frailty of men. I look forward with fear and dread for +my own sake.. I shall be safe in my father's house. I must +go back, but, before I go, forgive me. Tell me that you do +not despise me." + +As he ceased speaking he laid his hand upon my shoulder and +peered into my face with a frightened and appealing look. + +"Despise you!" I repeated. "No. You are dearer to me now +than ever. What you have told me will bring us closer to +each other, if we consider it wisely. As yet there is no +pledge between Hester and myself, save the assurance given +by unuttered thoughts. Her heart is free. I have no right to +claim it. If she loves you I shall wish you both much joy." + +"That will not be necessary, Kendric. I had rather die than +know that I had come between you. I cannot even risk the +danger of it. I must leave you to-morrow." + +"Under no circumstances will I consent to that. My promise +to your father and my duty to you forbid it. To go back now +would be cowardly and unworthy of you. With my help and +guidance you can do great things. We must face the world +with stout hearts. As to this trouble, let us concern +ourselves about it as little as possible. I believe that +whatever may be best for all will happen if we but wait with +patience." + +Rayel made no answer, and for some moments we both sat +looking at the glowing embers in silence. + +"I shall obey your wish," he said presently; "I cannot do +otherwise. I am like a child, and must look to you for +instruction in all things. Perhaps there will come a time +when I can repay you." + +"It will be a pleasure for me to help you as I would a +brother, and you will owe me no gratitude for it," I said. + +We sat discussing our plans for the future until near +midnight. When we went to bed at last, Rayel looked happier +than I had seen him before since my recovery at the +hospital. + +When I awoke it was near midday. I went to call Rayel and +found that he was gone. + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +After waiting for him nearly an hour I went to a neighboring +restaurant for breakfast. On returning I found that he had +not yet come back. Alarmed at his continued absence I went +at once to Hester's apartments, scarcely expecting, however, +to find him there, but confident that she would be able to +tell me where he was likely to go. + +"No doubt he has gone on some good errand," she said. "Has +he not told you of his charitable enterprises?" + +"He told me last night how they had reduced his fortune." + +"Poor fellow!" she continued. "In his zeal for others he +quite forgot his own needs. I would have told you about it, +but that he implored me to spare you any knowledge of his +condition. I think we shall be able to find him. Let us go +and try." + +Hester and I set out at once, walking rapidly against a +biting east wind toward the river. On reaching Second Avenue +we took a car and rode down among the big tenements towering +into the sky on all sides in the lower part of the city. +Alighting in the midst of these human hives, we made our way +through a wretched crowd, shivering in the livery of +destitution, down a long and narrow alley. Entering one of +the doorways we climbed a steep flight of stairs, above +which was a squalid throng pressing about an open door on +the landing. The women held children in their arms, and many +of them were crying bitterly. The men stood in silence +peering curiously over the heads of the further throng into +the crowded chamber. Some of them greeted Hester with great +respect, and moved aside that we might have room to enter. +As we neared the door I could hear a babel of strange +tongues and the voices of women calling down the blessings +of Heaven upon some one in their midst. It was Rayel. He +stood in a corner of the room holding two little children in +his arms, and the crowd was pressing forward as if eager to +speak with him. He was talking in a low voice to those +nearest him, but I was unable to catch his words. There were +men and women of many nationalities in the throng. I saw +Italians, Celts, Poles, Germans and even men whose swarthy +faces and peculiar garb betokened Syrian origin. When we +pressed nearer to Rayel I saw some, as they came within +reach, extend their hands and touch him fondly, uttering +exclamations as they did so, often in a tongue that was +strange to me. These simple-minded people seemed to regard +him as a supernatural being whom it was good to talk with, +and whose touch it was a blessing to feel. A look of love +and gentleness and sympathy irradiated his face and invited +their confidence. These were evidently the poor whom he had +befriended, and he was now taking leave of them, probably +forever. It was a scene the like of which few can ever hope +to witness. After all, I thought, what manner of riches can +be compared to the satisfaction which Rayel feels at this +moment? I was quite ready then to applaud his unselfish +generosity, for in that gloomy and unclean place I first saw +the full radiance of God's truth that it is infinitely more +blessed to give than to receive. We stood for a long time +looking upon this memorable meeting of Cadmus and Caliban. +When at length he caught sight of us, Rayel came where we +stood, and said he was ready to go home. Perceiving that we +were about to go, the crowd hurried from the building into +the narrow alley leading out upon the street. Some shouted +endearing farewells as we passed them, and many of their +hardened faces were wet with tears. The sun was just going +down and the shadows were deepening between the high walls +looming above us as we started homeward. Hester insisted +that we must dine with her and decide upon the day of our +departure. Rayel and I went directly home for a bath and a +change of clothing, after which we proceeded at once to +Hester's apartments. Evidently somewhat fatigued by the +day's experience, Rayel had little to say while we were +eating dinner. It was arranged that we would start for +England by the first steamer on which we could secure a +comfortable passage. We had no sooner finished our coffee +than a servant announced Mr. Benjamin Murmurtot, who wished +to see Miss Bronson. + +"A reporter!" exclaimed Hester. "There's no dodging them in +America. Shall I ask him in for a moment?" + +We said yes, of course, and Mr. Murmurtot presently +fluttered into the room. He was a natty little man, with a +large nose, a bald head and a decidedly English accent. + +"Delighted to see you, Miss Bronson," said he, "delighted, +I'm sure. Thought I'd call and pay my respects before you +leave the city." + +He greeted us all with like effusiveness and sat down facing +Hester. + +"It's very kind of you," said she; "but pray how did you +know I was to leave the city?" + +"Why, I'm sure, Miss Bronson, everybody knows you are going +home to be married?" + +"It is true that I am going home soon," said she, "but I +must decline to discuss my object in doing so." + +"Pray pardon me; I'm a journalist, you know," said Mr. +Murmurtot, "and I earn my living by impertinence. Have I not +seen you before, sir?" he continued, facing Rayel. "I think +you were at the theatre one evening some time ago--sat in +the lower box at the right of the stage--I remember it well, +sir." + +"I remember the occasion," said my cousin, with his +accustomed gravity. + +"I read about that occurrence at Mr. Paddington's +dinner-party, sir," continued Mr. Murmurtot. "It was +decidedly clever in you, sir--deucedly clever! Everybody is +talking about it, now that the Count has been arrested." + +"Arrested!" I exclaimed; "has he been arrested?" + +"Yes, this morning, for the robbery, you know. They say that +the police have secured evidence that will convict him sure, +but it seems they are not yet ready to make it public; +reporters can't get the Inspector to say a word about it, +you know--not a word." + +There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from +all present, save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint +smile stole over his face. + +"I knew they would find him out," said he. + +"I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir," said Mr. +Murmurtot, again addressing my cousin. + +"And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter," +said Rayel. "It is good that we understand each other." + +Mr. Murmurtot started with surprise at the remark. + +"I do not know how fully you may be acquainted with my +secret," said he, "but permit me to assure you that I am +here on a friendly mission. + +"I have no doubt of that," said my cousin. + +"Let me proceed directly to the object of my visit, then, +which is to learn how soon you expect to return to England." + +"By Saturday, if possible," I replied. + +"That is good," said he, turning toward me. "The sooner the +better. In the meantime it will be my duty to keep a sharp +eye upon you; I have been near you all day. You need not +feel any alarm--only do not be surprised if you meet me +often. I am responsible for your safety, that is all." + +"For whom are you acting?" I asked. + +"My dear sir," said he, rising to go, "men in my line of +business must not talk too much. Good night." + +After he had gone we asked Rayel to tell us more about this +mysterious visitor, but he was unable to do so. + +When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with +us to the cab. As we alighted at our own door I saw a man +standing by the street lamp on the corner, some distance +away, whom I recognized as Mr. Murmurtot. I found a letter +from Mr. Earl awaiting me at home, in which he urged us to +hasten back to England as soon as possible after my +recovery. + +"You and Rayel," he said, "will, I trust, make your home at +my house." + +Next day we began our preparations for the voyage. + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +It was on a bleak and windy night in December that we were +driven through a pelting rain to one of the docks on the +North River, which our steamer was to leave at high tide in +the early morning. When we alighted Mr. Murmurtot stood +shivering in a greatcoat and muffler close by the +passengers' entrance. + +"This is a good place for a warm greeting," said he, taking +Hester's hand. "I've stood here so long that my teeth are +chattering from the cold." + +"Won't you come aboard with us?" I asked. + +"Not yet," he replied; "but I expect to sail with you in the +morning." + +"'Sa rough night, sir," said the porter who carried our +luggage, "but we'll find it a bit rougher outside, I'm +feered, afore anither night." + +Fatigued by a long day of arduous work, we went at once to +our staterooms. I was soon asleep after getting into my +berth, but was awakened by the tramp of feet on the upper +decks and the shouting of the crew long before the ship left +her moorings. They reminded me of the first night I had ever +spent on an ocean steamer--the night I left Liverpool on +that journey fraught with danger I had not then dreamed of. +I had grown old very fast under the influences that had come +into my life since then. Indeed, I was now a man, whereas I +had been only a boy when I left England. But Rayel was with +me now, and that repaid me for all I had suffered. What +would he have done in that lonely mansion after his father's +death? For hours my mind was occupied with these +reflections, and at length I determined to dress myself and +go on deck. Rayel awoke while I was dressing and decided to +go with me. + +We found the decks thronged with people, and the ship's crew +were bustling about, getting ready to sail. We stood near +the gangway, facing the dock. A man was pacing back and +forth in the opening whose figure seemed familiar to me. +Presently he came aboard, and as he passed near us I saw it +was the omnipresent Mr. Murmurtot. + +"I wonder if he is afraid somebody will steal the ship?" I +remarked. + +"No, he is looking for some person," said Rayel, divining my +thoughts. + +"All ashore! Stand away, there!" shouted one of the ship's +officers. + +The passengers fell back, the gangway was pulled aboard, the +great hawsers were loosened, and the ship moved slowly away +from the dock. We stood for a long time watching the river +craft and the receding lights of the city. The ship was well +beyond the Atlantic Highlands when we went to our stateroom +and to bed again. We slept until late in the morning, and +arose barely in time for a late breakfast with Hester. Rayel +seemed cheerful enough and took more than ordinary interest +in his surroundings. When we had risen from the table he led +me aside and directed my attention to a short, stout man +with a bristly growth of close-cropped black hair, a low +forehead and shaggy eyebrows, who was leaning lazily against +the railing of the stairway. + +"Let us avoid him," he whispered. "I do not like his looks." + +What can this mean? I asked myself, as we all proceeded to +the deck. Perhaps he was the man the detective was looking +for. + +It was a beautiful sunlit afternoon, and the vessel rode +steadily in a sea that was growing quiet under the dying +impulse that the winds had left behind them. We drew our +chairs together on the deck near the stern of the vessel, +and had settled down for a quiet chat among ourselves when +we were unexpectedly joined by Mr. Murmurtot. + +"Delighted, I'm sure!" he exclaimed, with the same +inimitable drawl I had noted on the occasion of our first +meeting. I soon observed that the artful little gentleman +was master of an elaborate system of exclamations by which +he encouraged one to talk freely without saying anything +himself. + +In response to my assertion that we had been exceedingly +busy getting ready for the trip he said simply: "Indeed!" + +It was a very unusual burst of confidence in which he was +moved to express his views with any greater freedom. When +the remark which preceded it was evidently expected to meet +with Mr. Murmurtot's concurrence, then he would say, "Yes, +indeed!" + +If the remark were one to which this response would be +inappropriate he often went to the extent of observing, "I +dare say!" seemingly ventured after careful consideration of +the chances for and against the proposition which provoked +it. + +"My dear sir, I do not agree with you," he would always say +when he felt compelled to differ with me. If the difference +in our views chanced to be extremely radical, he would throw +particular emphasis upon the word "dear," as a sort of +recompense for his opposition. These forms of speech, with +occasional and slight variations, were always employed by +Mr. Murmurtot as a medium of thought and sentiment. + +In the midst of our conversation I noticed the man whom +Rayel had pointed out to me when we arose from the +breakfast-table. He was standing against the rail, not +twenty feet from where we sat, and as I looked at him he +turned away and walked leisurely down the deck. In a moment +Rayel was on his feet, and, excusing himself, he proceeded +in the same direction. An hour later, as he had not +returned, I left Hester with Mr. Murmurtot and went forward +in quest of him. He was in the reading-room, apparently +interested in a newspaper. As he did not observe me, I sat +down behind his chair without disturbing him. To my surprise +I saw that he was not reading the paper, but that his eyes +were furtively watching the mysterious stranger he had +followed, who sat on the other side of the room listlessly +puffing at a cigarette. I was seated scarcely a moment when +Rayel seemed to be aware of my presence. Looking from face +to face until he had discovered me he arose and came to my +side. + +"I was trying to read a newspaper," said he, leading the way +to the door, "but reading is still hard work for me." + +"I saw that you did not seem to be looking at the paper," +said I, as we proceeded to the deck. He made no reply, but +stopped and looked out across the waste of waters at the +horizon. + +"Do you know that man?" I asked. + +For a moment I stood waiting for his answer. Apparently he +had not heard my question, and I repeated it in a somewhat +louder tone. + +He turned suddenly with an impatient exclamation. There was +a flash of anger in his eyes as he faced me. I had never +seen him in such a mood before. + +"Forgive me," said he. "I am only angry with myself. Come, +Hester will be looking for us." + +I did not venture again to refer to our bristly +fellow-passenger in Rayel's presence. Never inclined to talk +much, even with me, he was becoming more silent than ever as +the voyage continued. Day by day his interest in that +strange man seemed to increase. He spent as little time as +possible in my company. When not with me he was hounding him +about the ship, keeping him in sight from some favorable +point of observation. What was the meaning of it? The +question forced itself upon my mind persistently by day and +night, and begat in me a gloomy reticence which Hester was +quick to observe. Every day I expected some revelation from +Rayel, but he said nothing about the man in whom he had +taken such extraordinary interest. + +We had been over a week at sea, and I was sitting alone one +afternoon, when Mr. Murmurtot came along and asked if he +might introduce an acquaintance of his whom I ought to know. +Then he went to find the gentleman, saying that he would +return in a few moments. He had no sooner left me than my +mind reverted to the man who had been the bugbear of my +thoughts since we left New York. Presently Mr. Murmurtot +touched my arm. Looking up suddenly, I saw standing before +me the very man of whom I had been thinking. + +"Mr. Lane, let me introduce you to Mr. Fenlon," said the +detective. I shook the hand that was extended to me +mechanically, and made some incoherent response--I do not +remember what. I had been taken by surprise. My voice was +unnatural and my strength seemed to have left me suddenly. + +"Are you not well, sir?" he asked. + +"No, sir, he is not well yet." + +It was the voice of Rayel that answered for me. He was +standing by my side, his lips tightly drawn, and his eyes +fixed upon the man Fenlon. There was a terrible look on his +face as he stood there towering above us. The man turned +pale and moved quickly backward two or three steps, staring +at my cousin as if in fear of receiving a death-blow. For an +instant, only, he stood like some fierce animal at bay, then +turned and walked hurriedly down the deck. The situation was +made all the more impressive by the interval of silence that +followed Rayel's words. + +"Forgive me," said Mr. Murmurtot, taking my hand, "if this +meeting was unpleasant. It was necessary." Then he bowed +politely and walked away. The sun was just going down as +Rayel and I entered the cabin, where Hester was waiting for +us. + +"The captain thinks we will reach Southampton before five in +the morning," said she. + +I was glad to learn that our voyage was so near its end. + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +After dinner Rayel and I went at once to our stateroom. + +"I am out of patience with myself," said he, as soon as we +were seated. "My mind is failing me just when I need it +most. I have grown dull and stupid. For more than a week I +have been trying to find out that man's secret. I knew that +he had a secret, and that it concerned us. Not until +to-night was I certain that I had found it out. Once I could +see the truth clearly. No matter how deeply it was buried +under lies--I could see it. But now there is something like +a mist before my eyes, and I am sure of nothing. Perhaps it +is because I am now a liar myself, as bad as any of them. +God have mercy on me!" said he, rising, and speaking with +much animation. "I know now what is blinding my soul. When a +man lies he loses some degree of his power to distinguish +between truth and falsehood." + +He stood looking into my face impatiently, as if waiting to +hear what I would say to his remark. + +"That would be the natural result, I have no doubt," said I; +"but are you not trying to convict yourself of too much +wickedness and stupidity?" + +I had never considered the misfortune of knowing too +much--of being able to detect every difference between word +and thought, between appearance and reality. That was the +power which Rayel possessed, and it increased his moral +responsibility by as much as it transcended the power common +to others. Here, indeed, was a man ripe for the fate of a +martyr. + +"Won't you tell me Fenlon's secret, if you have found it +out?" I asked. "I've been thinking about it night and day +since we first saw him." + +"Be wise! Don't try to learn too fast, Kendric" said he. +"You shall know it soon, I am sure of that--indeed, I +promise that you shall." + +"I am quite willing to wait on the future for everything if +you think it is best," I said. + +We sat for a long time, making plans for our future life in +England. It was near midnight when we retired to our berths, +but we were up early in the morning, eager to catch the +first sight of land. On reaching the deck we were overjoyed +to see the distant spires of Southampton glowing in the +morning sun. + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Mr. and Mrs. Earl met us at the station of the Southwestern +Railway in London, and we were driven at once to their home. +Hester came to breakfast with us, but Mrs. Earl would not +let her go to Liverpool that day, ship-worn and fatigued as +we all felt after the voyage. + +"You resemble your father, sir, when he was of your age," +said Mr. Earl, addressing my cousin, as we were eating. "But +you are larger, much larger, than he was." + +"You were my father's friend when he was a young man, I +believe?" said Rayel. + +"Yes, he and his brother were my best friends in those days. +I tried to induce him to study law, but he was more inclined +to medicine." + +Rayel had found a man quite after his liking and the two +were on the best of terms at once. Indeed, he seemed to talk +with my benefactor as freely as he ever talked with me. I +found Mrs. Earl very much as I had imagined my mother to +have been--a full-faced, ruddy-cheeked woman; with a sweet +voice and gentle manners. She greeted me as if I were her +own son returned from a long journey, and when we sat down +to talk after breakfast, I felt the joy and peace of one who +has found a home after much wandering. + +I spent the afternoon with Mr. Earl in his library, and he +listened with deep interest to the complete story of my life +since the night we parted in Liverpool. + +He had many questions to ask me touching the attempt upon my +life, and my replies were jotted down in his +memorandum-book. After I had told him all that I was able to +tell he sat for some moments thoughtfully turning the pages +of the book, stopping now and then to read some of the +memoranda. + +"It looks pretty bad for them, doesn't it?" said he calmly, +looking up at me over his spectacles. "But we'll bring this +matter to a climax very soon," he continued. "We haven't +seen the last act of the play yet. You need not have any +further fear for your safety--I will look after that. You +may feel quite free to go and come as you please in this +part of the city. Above all things we must avoid letting +them know that we suspect anything; it might defeat me in +getting hold of the last bit of evidence that is necessary +to complete our case." + +I nodded, and waited for him to proceed. + +"Let us go carefully until we're sure of our ground," he +continued. "Your stepmother knows you are in London, of +course. You must go and see her. Take your cousin with you, +and--well, you will know how to treat them. After all, you +must bear in mind that in the eye of the law every man is +innocent until he is proven guilty. Adopt that view of the +case yourself. You needn't fear anything from Cobb or his +wife. Only be reasonably prudent." + +"I've no fear that they will try to do us any harm," said I; +"and I would greatly enjoy visiting the old house. Perhaps +we could go to-morrow." + +"The day after. You'd better go down to Liverpool to-morrow +with the young lady, and return by the night train." + +That day saw the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship +between Hester and Mrs. Earl. When we left next morning to +go to Hester's home in Liverpool, she promised to return +soon for a long visit. By ten o'clock we were well out of +smoky London, on the way that I had already traversed once +before, with a cheerful heart most creditable to me under +the circumstances. Mrs. Chaffin was waiting for us at the +gate when we alighted in front of the old wood-colored +cottage--that haven of weary legs in days gone by. Phil (who +had lengthened noticeably in the service of Valentine, King +& Co.) was there, too, and all the rest of the Chaffin +household in Sunday clothes. Mrs. Chaffin was quite beside +herself with joy. + +"Dear-a me!" said the good lady, after the salutations were +over. "Dear-a sakes! How you've growed! I didn't think you'd +ever live to get s' big. I thought as 'ow som' 'arm 'd come +to ye when ye went away, an' Hester--" + +"Mamma!" exclaimed Hester, with a reproving glance. "Don't +tell him." + +"I'm that fidgety I don't know what I'm sayin'. The Lord +bless us, but ye must be hungry!" said the good woman, as +she spread the table for dinner. She had guessed rightly, +and Hester bustled about, helping her mother get the dishes +on the table, with a critical eye to all the arrangements. +Rayel was much amused by the children, the youngest of whom +had climbed upon his knee and was taking liberties with his +cravat. He was wholly unaccustomed to the pranks of +children, and we frequently rallied to his defence. He +seemed to enjoy them, however, and was soon involved in a +spree at which both Hester and I laughed heartily. + +"This herring ain't extra good, sir, but I 'ope it won't go +ag'in' ye," said Mrs. Chaffin to Rayel, as we sat down to +the table. + +He seemed in doubt for a moment as to what it would be +proper to say in reply to this well-intended remark. + +"I have never eaten a herring, madam," said he, gravely, +"but I have no doubt it will be good." + +"I 'ope so, sir--indeed, I 'ope so; but I dare presume to +say that it will taste bad enough to the likes of you." + +Mrs. Chaffin (good soul) had evidently concluded that my +cousin was a man entitled to extra politeness. Hester had +adroitly side-tracked the herring question and started +another train of speculation, when her mother's misgivings +were again excited respecting the tea, which Rayel had just +tasted. + +"Murky, sir?" she asked, with a glance of alarm. "I 'ope it +don't taste murky." + +Mrs. Chaffin's solicitude respecting the tea and the herring +reminded me of the first time I had stretched my tired legs +under that hospitable board at Phil's invitation; of those +big, wondering eyes that stared at me across the table; of +the songs and stories which beguiled the evening hours. + +The candles were lit before dinner was over, and when we +rose from the table it was to gather about the warm fire and +exchange memories, while Rayel listened with deep interest. +Phil had been promoted from a pair of legs to a pair of +hands, and was now third bookkeeper for the firm. Our +carriage came for us at nine o'clock. Hester had decided to +stay a day or two with her mother, but it was necessary for +Rayel and me to return to London that night, as we were to +make an important call the next day. + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +Late in the afternoon of the day following our visit to +Liverpool we ascended the big stone steps of my old home and +pulled the bell. After all, I found that my nerves were not +quite steady while we were waiting for the door to open. We +had come intending to spend the night there, and my +benefactor had given me certain precautions not calculated +to make me feel entirely at home. Was there some deeper plan +underlying his suggestion as to this visit than he had +chosen to explain? I had not long to consider that point, +however, for suddenly the door opened and a servant in +imposing livery confronted us. I handed him my card and we +were shown into the reception room at once. Presently he +conducted us to my stepmother, who greeted me with a great +show of cordiality and some tears. She had grown old fast +since I left home, but she had artfully disguised the +evidences of age upon her face and neck. Why had I stayed +away so long? What had she done to deserve such shameful +neglect? These and other questions taxed my wits for an +answer that would neither outrage my own conscience nor +offend her. Mr. Cobb, who had just returned from his office, +suddenly entered the room. His face assumed an ashen pallor, +and he stared at me quite dumfounded for a moment, when I +arose and stood before him. + +"It is Kendric. Don't you recognize him?" said my +stepmother. + +"So it is!" he exclaimed. "But he's grown quite out of my +recollection." The man had recovered his self-possession in +a moment, and treated me, it must be said to his credit, +with marked coolness. I was likely to get on with him very +well, I thought, but the fawning attitude of his wife quite +unhorsed me. If I am to see the devil I'd rather he'd frown +than smile. Cobb had very little to say to us, and left the +room at the first opportunity. In doing so he had shown +scant consideration for his wife, however, as it left a +burden upon her shoulders that must have taxed her strength. +But she was not unequal to it. Her smile broadened after he +had gone, and there was a tone of deeper sincerity in her +expressions of regard. We had been to dinner, and if she +would kindly send a little cold lunch to our room at bedtime +that would be quite sufficient. During her absence for +dinner the reaction came. When my stepmother returned she +seemed to have suddenly grown older, and she looked at us +through haggard and sunken eyes. Surely this was a terrible +punishment she was undergoing, and I pitied her. Mr. Cobb +had an important engagement to keep, she said, and hoped we +would excuse him. Slowly the evening wore away and at ten +o'clock we were shown to our room, greatly fatigued by this +trying experience. It was a room fronting the street on the +third floor, which I had occupied before I left home. The +walls had been painted white since then, with a frieze of +gold along the ceiling. My father used to sleep in the room +directly under it. Rayel had been silent and absent-minded +all the evening, rarely speaking except in reply to some +question. + +"I feel sad for some cause I do not understand," said he, +preparing to retire. "I shall be glad when to-morrow comes." + +"We will go back in the morning," I said. "You don't feel at +home here, do you?" + +He did not seem to hear me, but tried the door, which I had +already bolted, and then got into bed, yawning and +shivering, for the room was cold. I turned down the light, +and, opening the shutters, looked out upon the street, now +deserted save by a solitary man who had just passed the +house and whose slow footsteps were gradually growing less +distinct. I crouched there, listening for some moments to +that fading sound, when it began to grow louder again. The +man had turned about and was coming back. As he passed under +the lamp on the opposite corner I thought I recognized the +slim figure of Mr. Murmurtot. Suddenly I was startled by a +noise in the room adjoining ours, and sprang to my feet in a +tremor. Plague take my imagination! It was somebody going to +bed. I sat down again and for a long time looked out at the +man walking back and forth in front of the house. I was +rapidly getting into a condition of mind unfavorable to rest +and, closing the shutters, I went to bed at once. For hours +I lay tossing restlessly from one side to the other, and +finally fell into a deep sleep. I must have slept a long +time when I suddenly awoke, laboring with nightmare. I had +heard no sound, I had felt no touch, but all at once my eyes +were open and I knew that I was awake. The lamp was burning +dimly on the table beside my bed. How my heart was beating! +And my arm--how it trembled when I tried to raise up on my +elbow and look about the room! + +"Who's there?" I whispered. Was it Rayel standing near the +bed, his body swaying backward and forward, or was I yet +asleep? Everything looked dim and weird. I seemed to be in +some silent ghostland between sleeping and waking. I rubbed +my eyes and peered about the half-darkened room. It was +Rayel, and, as I gazed at him, his eyes seemed to shine like +balls of fire. I called to him, but he made no answer. What +had happened since I went to sleep? Alarmed, I threw the +covers aside and leaped out of bed. As I did so he stepped +up close to the opposite wall, and, as his hand moved, I +could hear the grating of a crayon on its surface. In +tremulous haste I turned up the wick of the lamp and tiptoed +toward him, holding it in my hand. He was stepping backward +and excitedly pointing at the wall. He had been drawing a +picture on its white surface--the form of a woman holding +something in her hand. I stepped nearer, still carrying the +lamp. A sharp interjection broke from my lips. The woman +pictured there was my stepmother, and it was a knife that +she held! A man was lying at her feet. Again Rayel stepped +forward, and again I heard the crayon grating on the wall. +Then he stood aside. Great God! There were drops of blood +dripping from the knife now. Rayel sank down upon the floor +and covered his eyes with his hands. I stood there, dumb +with fear and horror, looking first upon him and then upon +the picture. + +The silence of the night was unbroken save by those slow +footsteps in the street to which I had listened before +retiring. But suddenly I heard a low wailing cry in the room +adjoining ours. It so startled me that I came near dropping +the lamp. Strange and weird it sounded, gradually growing +shriller and more terrible to hear! It was the voice of my +stepmother. Was she dreaming? And had Rayel seen the vision +that affrighted her? Was that dagger pricking her brain? In +a moment the swelling cry broke into a sharp scream, such as +might come from one exposed to sudden peril, and ceased. +Then the sound of a bell rang sharply through the house, +followed by loud knocking at the door and a man's shout. + +"Open the door, I command you!" he said. + +He must have heard that piercing cry. Rayel still lay +motionless upon the floor. Was he asleep? Why did he not +rise? I began to feel numb. I seemed to have lost the power +of motion. I could hear some one rapping at our door, but I +could not move. + +"Kendric! Kendric! Kendric!" Was it my stepmother who was +calling me? What a piteous, pleading tone! "Let me speak to +you, Kendric! For God's sake, let me tell you!" I was +reeling: my strength had all left me. Crash! went the lamp +at my feet. There was a great flash of light, which dazzled +my eyes, and I fell heavily upon the floor. + +I was in the open air when thought and feeling came back to +me. My hands and face were paining me as if they had been +terribly burned. There were a number of men standing over a +motionless figure that lay beside me. + +"The poor lad!" said one of the men "he's nearly roasted. +See here how the clothes have been burned away from his +neck! Can't ye stop the blood? The mon'll die afore the +amb'lance comes ef we don't stop the blood. A brave mon he +is, too. D'ye see 'im coming down the stairs with th' other +one on his back?" + +Of whom were they talking? I struggled to my feet--I could +feel no pain now--and bent over that still form which had +been lying beside me. Oh! it was the heaven-blessed face of +Rayel, now bleeding and scarred and ghastly. I raised his +head. The hair fell away where my hand touched it, and a +groan escaped his lips. I could not speak nor weep nor utter +any sound. A strange calmness came over my spirit and I sat +there motionless, bending over him I loved so well, while +the crowd of men looked on in silence. "After His own image +made He man;" these words came to my mind as I looked into +that dear face. Then I prayed in silence--for him. Thank +God! his eyes were open now and his lips were moving. I bent +lower until I could feel his breath upon my cheek. + +"Is it you, Kendric?" he whispered. "Did I save you from the +fire? I cannot see you, but I know you are here." + +I heard his words distinctly, but I could not answer. The +power of speech seemed to have left me. + +"The fire awoke me," he continued, moaning. "We were lying +on the floor. I called to you, but you did not answer. Thank +God! you are safe now." + +Returning consciousness brought with it an increasing sense +of his pain, and he began to struggle and groan in dreadful +agony. Suddenly, extending one of his blackened hands until +it touched my face, he shouted in a loud voice: + +"Kendric! Kendric! help--help me!" + +Then some men laid hold of me and lifted me up. I clung to +Rayel with all my strength, but could not resist them, and +as I was borne away I knew that Rayel and I had parted +forever. + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +After that midnight parting the first thing I can recall was +the touch of a gentle hand upon my face. When my eyes opened +I saw Hester bending over me. + +"You are at home now, Kendric," said she. Such a feeling of +weakness came over me that I could not speak. I thought a +nail had been driven into my brain, but the tears that began +rolling down my cheeks and the moans that broke from my lips +seemed to loosen it. + +Many days passed before I was able to reflect upon this last +tragic episode in my life or to take any thought of the +morrow. One evening I awoke from a deep sleep feeling a new +interest in life. There were people sitting in the room and +talking in low tones. + +"Has he asked for Rayel yet?" said one of them. + +"Not yet," was the answer. + +"Better not let him know about it yet. There's time enough. +He'll be around soon." + +I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside. There +were Hester and Mr. Earl and his good wife, all looking down +upon me with smiling faces. + +"You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel is +dead." + +They made no answer. + +"I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened," I said. +"There is no danger; I am quite strong now." + +Mr. Earl took my hand and told me in a low, calm voice, all +he knew of the tragedy. He only knew, however, that the lamp +had exploded and that Rayel had been horribly burned by the +oil. + +"I suppose," said he, "that the lamp was on a table near his +bed when it exploded. In a moment the whole room was afire, +and you, no doubt, being asleep at the time, he lifted you +up and ran with you down the stairway and out of the open +door. But in the meantime he had been horribly burned, and +he fell in a faint as soon as he reached the pavement. +Strangely enough you were unconscious for some moments, +although you were not badly burned. Probably it was the +smoke." + +Then no one knows, thought I, what really did happen that +night. The lamp must have fallen almost directly upon +Rayel's head, and the oil had no doubt saturated his hair +and clothing. + +"And the house?" I asked. "Is that--" + +"In ashes," he replied. + +Then every trace of that strange event, which no eye save +mine had witnessed, was wiped out forever. The hideous +secret had better never be told. + +"If I was not badly burned, tell me why I have been lying +ill." + +"Brain fever, my boy," said he. "Too much excitement, I +presume--but you're out of danger now, and will be on your +feet again in a few days." + +Fortunately the latter assurance was rightly spoken. The +first day that brought me strength enough to put on my +clothes and walk about the house, Mr. Earl invited me into +the library to talk business. We were no sooner seated than +he unlocked a drawer and handed me a document to read. + +It was a deed of all my father's real and personal property. + +"They have both confessed," said he. + +"Confessed what?" I asked, wondering if the secret of my +father's death had come out. + +"The conspiracy against your life. There were two +accomplices--one Count de Montalle, formerly a servant of +Cobb, and now a convict in America, and the other a man +named Fenlon, who is under arrest. These were the men who +tried to take your life. Fenlon came over on the steamer +with you, I believe." + +"And my stepmother--where is she?" + +"Gone to answer for her sins at a higher court," said he. +"Her last deposition is annexed to the deed. The old hussy +ran into the fire like a miller, and stood there screaming, +'Look at that picture on the wall! Oh, God! do you see it?' +she shouted to the fellow who found her standing in the +smoke and flames. The chap was so excited he really thought +that he did see the picture of a woman holding a knife." + +"That is strange, isn't it?" said I. "Who was the man?" + +"A detective," said he, "whom I hired to watch the house +that night. He heard some disturbance, it seems, and, +fearing mischief, he immediately forced the door open and +ran pell-mell into your cousin, noble fellow, who was then +bringing you down-stairs. If he had been one moment later +the woman would have been burned to death, and we would +never have got this deposition. Cobb wouldn't have been the +first to weaken, you may be sure of that. But after she had +told the whole story, why, there was no use in holding out. +Badly burned? No, strange to say, she was not badly burned, +but frightened out of her wits. The nervous shock was too +much for her and soon led to fatal results. Cobb will go to +prison." + +I made no reply. I could not have found words to express the +thoughts that came trooping through my brain. + +"I have to tell you," he continued, "that your cousin left a +will bequeathing to you his father's house and a number of +valuable paintings." + +I turned away and burning tears of sorrow came to my eyes. +It was indeed a sad inheritance--the earthly part of his +great riches--and of little moment to me. I could not bear +to think or speak of it then, and I begged my friend to hide +the will from my sight until time might give me strength to +read it with composure. + +One evening in early spring Hester and I were walking along +the shore of the Mediterranean at Marseilles. I had been +traveling through southern Europe since my recovery, +accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Earl. Hester had recently joined +us in this ancient city of Provence. The sun was sinking +below the distant horizon of water, and his shafts, glancing +from the western edge of the sea, shot far into the +immeasurable reaches above us. We stood in silence while the +great wall of night loomed into the zenith, and then fell +westward through the luminous slope of heaven. The broad +terrace from which we viewed the scene was quite deserted. + +"If it is a hopeless love I cherish, let me know it now, +Hester," I said as we turned to go. "I cannot wait any +longer." + +"You can wait half an hour longer, I am sure," she said, +hurrying me along. "We will be at home, then." + +Some months after Hester had become my wife we received a +call in London from our old friend, Mr. Murmurtot. + +"You have been playing in a great life drama," said he to +Hester, "and I, too, have had a part in it. Lest you may +think that it was the fool's part, let me tell you that I am +the man who arrested the Count de Montalle." + +"And the man who brought Fenlon to justice?" I asked. + +"The same. He confessed within three hours after you were +introduced to him." + + * * * * * * * + +Every week my wife and I visit Rayel's grave and strew fresh +flowers upon it. A tall shaft of marble marks the spot where +he lies at rest. His name is graven in the stone, and +underneath it are these words: "He was a man without +selfishness or vanity." + + + THE END. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + +This file should be named mssln10.txt or mssln10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, mssln11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, mssln10a.txt + +This ebook was prepared by Jeffrey Kraus-yao. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/old/mssln10.zip b/old/mssln10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..856ac36 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/mssln10.zip diff --git a/old/mssln10h.htm b/old/mssln10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0583d03 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/mssln10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3939 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" ?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<title>The Master of Silence</title> +<meta name="author" content="Irving Bacheller" /> +<meta name="genre" content="Fiction" /> +<style type="text/css"> +div {page-break-before:always} +h1 {text-align:center} +h2 {text-align:center} +p {font-size:medium} +p.letter {font-size:small} +p.signature {font-size:small; text-align:right} +p.newspaper {font-size:small} +p.song {font-size:small} +p.end {text-align:center} +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller +#2 in our series by Irving Bacheller + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Master of Silence + +Author: Irving Bacheller + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7486] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on May 9, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + + + + +This ebook was prepared by Jeffrey Kraus-yao. + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p>Fiction, Fact, and Fancy Series Edited by Arthur Stedman</p> + +<p>The Master of Silence</p> + +<h1>The Master of Silence</h1> + +<p>A Romance</p> + +<p>By Irving Bacheller</p> + +<p>New York Charles L. Webster & Co. 1892</p> + +<div> +<h2>THE MASTER OF SILENCE</h2> + +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<p>Near the end of my fourteenth year I was apprenticed to +Valentine, King & Co., cotton importers, Liverpool, as a +“pair of legs.” My father had died suddenly, leaving me +and his property in the possession of my stepmother and my +guardian. It was in deference to their urgent advice that I left my +home in London (with little reluctance, since my life there had +never been happy) to study the art of money-making. On arriving at +the scene of my expected triumphs I was assigned to the somewhat +humble position of errand boy. In common with other boys who +performed a like service for the firm I was known as “a pair +of legs.” Lodgings of a rather modest character had been +secured for me in the western outskirts of the city near the banks +of the Mersey. I was slow to make friends, and my evenings were +spent in the perusal of some story books, which I had brought with +me from London. One night, not long after the beginning of my new +life in Liverpool, I was lying in bed listening to the wind and +rain beating over the housetops and driving against the windows, +when suddenly there came a loud rap at my door.</p> + +<p>“Who’s there?” I demanded, starting out of +bed.</p> + +<p>As I heard no answer, I repeated my inquiry and stood a moment +listening. I could hear nothing, however, but the wind and rain. +Lighting a candle and dressing myself with all haste, I opened the +door. I could just discern the figure of a bent old man standing in +the hallway, when a gust of wind suddenly put out the candle. The +door leading to the street was open, and the old man was probably a +straggler come to importune me for shelter or for something to eat. +As I relit the candle, he entered my room and stood facing me, but +he did not speak. His clothes were dripping and he was blinking at +me with strange, gleaming eyes. His hair was snow-white, and as I +looked into his face the deathly pallor of it frightened me. His +general appearance was more than startling; it was uncanny.</p> + +<p>“What can I do for you?” I asked.</p> + +<p>Greatly to my surprise he made no reply, but with a look of pain +and great anxiety sank into a chair. Then he withdrew from his +pocket a letter which he extended to me. The envelope was wet and +dirty. It was directed to Kendric Lane, Esq., No. Old Broad street, +London, England. The address was crossed and “22 Kirkland +street, Liverpool,” written under it in the familiar hand of +my guardian. A strange proceeding! thought I. Was the letter +intended for my father, who was long dead, and who had removed from +that address more than ten years ago? The old man began to grin and +nod as I examined the superscription. I broke the seal on the +envelope and found the following letter, undated, and with no +indication of the place from which it was sent:</p> + +<p class="letter">“Dear Brother—I need your help. Come to me at once +if you can. Consequences of vast importance to me and to mankind +depend upon your prompt compliance. I cannot tell you where I am. +The bearer will bring you to me. Follow him and ask no questions. +Moreover, be silent, like him, regarding the subject of this +letter. If you can come, procure passage in the first steamer for +New York. My messenger is provided with funds. Your loving brother, +</p> +<p class="signature">“Revis Lane.”</p> + +<p>I had often heard my father speak of my uncle Revis, who went to +America almost twenty years before I was born. Now he was my +nearest living relative. No news of him had reached us for many +years before my father died. I was familiar with his handwriting +and the specimen before me was either genuine, or remarkably like +it. If genuine he had evidently not heard of my father’s +death.</p> + +<p>Extraordinary as the message was, the messenger was more so. He +sat peering at me with a strange, half-crazed expression on his +face.</p> + +<p>“When did you leave my uncle?” I asked.</p> + +<p>He sat as if unconscious that I had spoken.</p> + +<p>I drew my chair to his side and repeated the words in a loud +voice, but he did not seem to hear me. Evidently the old man could +neither hear nor speak. In a moment he began groping in his +pockets, and presently handed me a card which contained the +following words:</p> + +<p>“If you can come, tear this card in halves and return the +right half to him.”</p> + +<p>I examined the card carefully. The words were undoubtedly in my +uncle’s handwriting. The back of the card was covered with +strange characters in red ink. I tore the card as directed and +handed him the right half.</p> + +<p>He held it up to the light and examined it carefully, then put +it away in a pocket of his waistcoat. The look of pain returned to +his face, and he coughed feebly as if suffering from a severe cold. +The hour being late I intimated by pantomime that I desired him to +occupy my bed. He understood me readily enough and began feebly to +remove his clothing, while I prepared a sofa for myself. He was +soon sound asleep, but I lay awake long after the light was +extinguished. He was evidently quite ill, and I determined to go +for a physician at the first appearance of daylight. As soon as +possible I would go with him to my uncle. There were no ties to +detain me, and it was clearly my duty to do so. Perhaps my uncle +was in some great peril. If so, I might be of service to him.</p> + +<p>When I arose in the morning my strange lodger seemed to be +sleeping quietly. His face looked pale and ghastly in the light of +day. I stepped close to his bed and, laying my hand upon his brow, +was horrified to discover that he was dead. What was I to do? I sat +down to think, trembling with fright. I must call in a policeman +and tell him all I knew about my strange visitor. No, not all; I +must not tell him about the letter, thought I. My uncle might not +wish it to be published to the world. I ran out upon the street and +told the first officer I met how the old man had rapped at my door +during the storm; how I had given him my bed out of pity, and how I +had discovered on awaking in the morning that he was dead.</p> + +<p>That day the body was taken to the morgue. The sum of £100 +were found in his pockets, a part of which gave him a decent +burial. But while he had gone to his long rest, he had sown in my +mind the seed of unrest. I went about my work clinging to the +thread of a mystery half told. Whither would it lead me?</p> + +<p>Strange as that messenger had seemed, he was certainly a good +man to carry secrets.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<p>The multitude of legs, engaged by the pair in the service of +Valentine, King & Co., were distinguished from each other by a +bit of house slang. I was known as “last legs” among my +companions for some time after my initiation to the warehouse. At +first I was inclined to resent the reduction of my individuality to +such a vulgar formula, but as I became inured to hard tasks the +sharpness of this indignity wore away.</p> + +<p>There was one pair of legs doing service for the firm whose +owner became my most valued friend and confidant. In his business +capacity he was called “long legs,” but his proper name +was Philbert Chaffin. He was a tall, slim boy, with blue eyes and +light hair, the son of a stage carpenter, who was employed at one +of the cheap theatres and who lived within a stone’s throw of +my lodgings. His language was a unique combination of bad grammar +and provincial brogue; but every boy in the warehouse allowed that +he was a good fellow. He had spent many an evening with me, and +confided to me many a secret which, owing to solemn pledges made at +that time, I am not at liberty to divulge, before he invited me to +dine and spend an evening with the family. I accepted his +invitation gratefully, and the next evening Phil took me over. It +was a hearty welcome that I received at the home of the Chaffins. +My enjoyment of their simple hospitality would have been perfect +but for the embarrassment I felt at the many apologies with which +it was offered. Mrs. Chaffin knew as ’ow the tea was not as +good as I was used to drinking, but she ’oped it didn’t +taste “murky.” I assured her that it did not taste +murky, although a little doubtful as to the exact significance of +the word when applied to tea. But in spite of my declaration she +insisted that it must taste “murky” to one who was +accustomed to better things. The ham was never too good in +Liverpool, but she ’oped that it wasn’t +“reesty.” I solemnly declared that it was not +“reesty.” But Mrs. Chaffin and Mr. Chaffin out of the +goodness of their hearts continued to condole with me on the score +that such ham tasted and must taste “reesty” to one not +used to it. I had no sooner satisfied their misgivings concerning +the ham than I was compelled to take issue with them as to the +bread, regarding which they entertained a lurking suspicion of +staleness. During all of this discussion about the ham, the tea and +the bread, I was conscious that a pair of big brown eyes, darkly +shaded with long lashes, were staring at me across the table. +Whenever I had the courage to glance that way I observed that they +had been looking at me intently, and were suddenly averted. These +wondering eyes belonged to the only daughter in the family.</p> + +<p>“They’ve all been boys,” said Mrs. Chaffin, +“since Hetty was born.”</p> + +<p>I thought it strange that the H in her daughter’s name was +the only one that the good woman had shown the ability to +manage.</p> + +<p>“Hetty is the only one of the lot that takes to +books,” she continued. “The head master told me she +will make a good scholar, and dear a me! she does nothing but read +books from mornin’ till night.” While Hetty and her +mother removed the dishes we drew our chairs about the fire, and +Mr. Chaffin, a blunt, simple-minded man, entertained me with sage +observations regarding politics and the weather. He spoke rather +loudly, and in a key which, as I learned afterward, he only +employed on very special occasions. Presently the youngest lad in +the family, who sat on his father’s knee, demanded a song. +The response was prompt and generous. The selection with which Mr. +Chaffin favored us contained upward of forty stanzas, relating the +unhappy story of a fair maid and a bold sailor, both of whom met a +tragic death, in the last stanza, just before the day set for their +marriage. The song being finished, Hetty and her mother drew their +chairs up to the fire; Hetty sat next me, and after a severe inward +struggle I summoned the courage to ask her a question. She answered +me in the fewest words possible, but in a voice so sweet and low +that I wondered then and often afterward at its contrast to the +other voices I had heard in that house. She wore a home-spun frock +and a neat white pinafore, set off with a dainty ribbon tied about +her throat.</p> + +<p>“She’s uncommon still when strangers is here, +sir,” said Mrs. Chaffin; “but law me! she goes +rompitin’ about the house like as if she was crazy sometimes, +ticklin’ her father and tryin’ t’ snip off his +beard with the scissors.”</p> + +<p>That night was the beginning of happier days for me. When at +last I rose to go it was near midnight. I forgot my weariness as I +walked to my lodgings, thinking of those simple, honest people and +of their kindness to me.</p> + +<p>I enjoyed high jinks at the house of the Chaffins at least once +a week during the next year of my apprenticeship, near the close of +which I began to get ready for a visit to my stepmother in +fulfilment of a promise I had made by letter. It had been, on the +whole, a happy year to me. I had known many lonely hours, to be +sure, but those visits to the little old weather-stained house, in +which I found my first friends after leaving home, cheered me from +week to week. I knew, too, that Hetty enjoyed those long evenings +as much as I did, which meant more to me than I would have dared +confess to her. I thought of her a good deal, but it always +resulted in the wretched feeling that we were both very young after +all. It is not likely that I would have decided to go home for a +fortnight, but that I thought it would be pleasant to observe the +effect of saying good-by to Hetty. I had no doubt that she would be +quite overcome with grief and loneliness after I had gone, and, +reckless youth that I was, nothing could have made me more happy +than to have known that she really felt grieved on my account. And +yet when I called to bid them all good-by, the evening before I +started, she betrayed no sign of regret. In fact, she seemed so +much happier than usual that I worried about it for weeks, even +after I had gone so far away that it seemed doubtful whether we +would ever meet again. It did not occur to me that I had been less +skilful than she in concealing my emotions, and that she might be +merry only because she could perceive that I was sad. Mrs. Chaffin +was the only member of the family who seemed to entertain feelings +as serious as my own. She had dreamed that I would not come back +again, and we all laughed at her then, but when the swift years had +revealed some of their secrets, we thought of this prophetic dream +with a sadness deeper than any that comes to childish hearts. +Hester and Phil walked with me to the gate when I left the house. +The radiance of a full moon fell on our faces through the flying +clouds. Phil, stupid fellow! had so much to say that I did not get +a chance to speak to his sister before she darted back to the house +as if pursued. On reaching my lodgings I was surprised to find a +gentleman waiting for me.</p> + +<p>“Don’t know me, eh?” said he, shaking my hand +warmly.</p> + +<p>He was a tall, portly man, with a kindly face, clean shaven +except for a pair of close-cropped, iron-gray side whiskers. I was +sure I had seen him before, but couldn’t think of his +name.</p> + +<p>“Earl,” said he, handing me a card on which his name +and address were printed as follows:</p> + +<p class="card">DAVID GORDON EARL,<br /> +Barrister at Law,<br /> +Lincoln’s Inn,London.</p> + +<p>I remembered distinctly having accompanied my father to his +office on one occasion some years before.</p> + +<p>“I’ve come up from London on purpose to see you. +Just got here only a few minutes ago,” said he, laying off +his overcoat. “But upon my word!” he added, surveying +me from head to foot, “I didn’t expect to find such a +big, strapping fellow as you are. Your surroundings are quite as I +had supposed they would be. Cramped quarters in a miserable +tumble-down back street! I suppose your guardian provided this +place for you?”</p> + +<p>“I believe so,” said I.</p> + +<p>“Did you know that your stepmother had married +again?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Married!” I exclaimed. “To whom?”</p> + +<p>“To Martin Cobb.”</p> + +<p>“To my guardian?” I asked, in astonishment.</p> + +<p>Not heeding my question, he continued:</p> + +<p>“You’re intending to go home to-morrow, I +believe?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“My boy,” said he, “I have an interest in you. +I was your father’s friend and adviser for many years. I came +all this distance to tell you not to go to London. Do not ask me +why, I beg you,” said he, with an impatient gesture when I +attempted to speak. “It would do you no good to learn my +reason for making this request. Listen to this—it’s +important to you: There’s an uncle of yours in America, your +nearest relative, I believe. Of course you have heard your father +speak of him. A most eccentric fellow! but a man of fine ability. +He was a graduate of Oxford and a physician of great skill and +learning. Thirty-five years ago he went to Canada and finally +settled in a large town on one of the great lakes not far from the +border. It was Detroit, I believe. Your father told me, shortly +before his death, that he had not heard from your uncle for many +years. I have written to him twice within a twelvemonth, but have +received no reply. I want you to go over and look him up. If you +should find that he is dead, there’s no harm done, and you +can take time to look about for a business opportunity. If you +don’t like it, come back, but, if you can content yourself +there for awhile, you had better do so.”</p> + +<p>“But, sir, I have no money.”</p> + +<p>“You are going for me; I shall, therefore, insist upon +paying the bills. In the success of the undertaking I have, +perhaps, as great an interest as you.”</p> + +<p>“When do you wish me to start?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“To-night. That is to say, I would like you to leave this +place at once, go with me to a hotel, and sail by the first steamer +that leaves for New York.”</p> + +<p>Ever since that strange and silent messenger had come to me with +my uncle’s letter I had been haunted by a desire to go in +quest of him. Now that it was possible, I hesitated. What would +Hester say on hearing that I had gone to America? It would be very +grand to write her from New York that I had been suddenly called +abroad on important business. Would she care? Of course she would +care, and I was willing to wager a sixpence with myself that she +would cry bitterly, too, on receiving the letter. Ah, what a +punishment that would be for her coldness and indifference!</p> + +<p>Yes, I would go. I began picking up my things and packing them +into my box.</p> + +<p>“I conclude that you have decided to go,” he +said.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. I shall be ready in a moment,” I +replied.</p> + +<p>We were soon rattling over the pavements in a cab that had been +waiting at the door.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the Northwestern Hotel we were informed that a +steamer would leave for New York at five in the morning. We drove +at once to the dock and having succeeded in making comfortable +arrangements for my passage Mr. Earl went aboard the steamer with +me. In a retired corner of the great cabin I confessed to him that +there was a girl in Liverpool for whom I had a feeling of +extraordinary tenderness.</p> + +<p>He laughed heartily and insisted that I should tell him all the +particulars.</p> + +<p>“You are rather young yet to entertain so serious a +passion,” said he, as he held my hand for a moment before +going ashore. “You will get over it as easily as you got into +it.”</p> + +<p>I sat down, unable to reply or to restrain the tears that came +to my eyes as he left me alone. I went to my stateroom at once and +to bed. What thoughts came to me as I lay there inviting sleep to +turn them into dreams, while the great ship waited for the tide! I +tossed about my berth; I prayed; I listened. At length I thought I +heard my father’s voice mingled with others, and a sound of +casting off —but I heard no more.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<p>One morning in early October, nearly two years after I left +Liverpool that memorable night, I found myself in the little city +of Ogdensburg, N. Y., past which the majestic St. Lawrence flows +with a sleepy movement quite in harmony with the spirit of the old +town on its southern shore. All this time I had been vainly beating +about the Western Hemisphere in quest of my uncle. He had left +Detroit many years before, but I chanced to meet a number of men +there who had known him well. Although he had enjoyed a very large +practice and a wide reputation for skill, he had made no friends +that I could find. He was a man of few words, they told me, and was +never seen about the city except in the discharge of his +professional duties. Various and conflicting opinions were +expressed as to whither he had gone, in testing which I had visited +no less than twenty cities, making careful inquiries, especially +among medical men. Occasionally I struck what seemed to be a +promising clew, which only increased my confusion and left me more +hopelessly in the dark. I had reported my movements to Mr. Earl as +often as once a week and I received letters from him frequently, +encouraging me to continue the search and enclosing money with +which to do so. But although I had written often to Hester Chaffin +no word from her ever reached me. I was tired of this fruitless +quest among strangers, so far from the little that I held dear, and +I was on the point of giving up when this paragraph fell under my +eye in a Montreal newspaper:</p> + +<p class="newspaper" style="text-align:center">A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER.</p> + +<p class="newspaper">“One who has ever passed the city of Ogdensburg by steamer +will no doubt recall a large gambrel-roofed house standing near the +water’s edge, just out of the town, surrounded by towering +trees and enclosed on all sides by a wall nearly as high as the +eaves of the building. The wall suggests an asylum, a house of +detention or some like place set apart for the unfortunate members +of society. In reality, however, it is the residence of a +mysterious recluse of the name of Lane, who shut himself up there +nearly eighteen years ago and has since been rarely seen. It was +built after his own plans, they say, when he came to Ogdensburg +with his wife, who died soon afterward. Nobody knows whence he came +or anything of his past history. He is apparently a total stranger +here below, holding no intercourse with the world beyond that +enclosure. His wife is said to have been a woman of great beauty, +and her death doubtless threw him into a morbid state of mind, from +which he has never rallied. Many years ago he is known to have +bought a full-grown African lion from a traveling menagerie, and, +soon after, he erected the wall, presumably out of regard for the +public safety. Passers along the street have caught an occasional +glimpse of him through the high gate, walking in the grounds +surrounding his house, with the lion at his heels apparently in +complete subjection to its master. A dense thicket runs along the +wall on all sides within the enclosure, which, according to local +tradition, is alive with rattlesnakes, bred for some strange +purpose known only to himself—perhaps to make his isolation +more secure.</p> + +<p class="newspaper">“He is supposed to have resigned the companionship of men +for study and scientific research. He has no children, and his only +servant being a deaf-mute, who is almost an idiot, there is little +chance at present of learning anything of his life. For more than +two years nothing has been seen of the mysterious master of the +house. His disappearance would, we think, be a legitimate subject +of investigation by the authorities of the town. May he not have +been eaten by the lion, or killed by the rattlesnakes? Who +knows?”</p> + +<p>My heart was beating fast and my hands shook as if stricken with +palsy before I had finished the paragraph. The strange old man who +had come to me in Liverpool that night was probably the mute +servant to which the article referred. In an hour I was on the way +to Ogdensburg, quite confident that the issue of my wanderings was +at hand. I reached that town next morning nearly two years, as I +have said, after the beginning of my journey to the New World. Not +stopping to breakfast even, I started out to find the house, which +my busy imagination had already pictured for itself. The first +townsman I saw directed me to the place.</p> + +<p>“Follow the turnpike,” said he. “’Sa +mild or more—straight ahead. You’ll know it when +y’ git there. ‘S’ queer place an’ +stan’s off by itself.”</p> + +<p>The man was going my way, evidently to begin his day’s +work, for it was then early in the morning, and I walked along with +him.</p> + +<p>“Folks say,” he continued, “them grounds +is full of hejious reptyles, an’ I’ve heerd fellers +tell queer things they’ve seen when passin’ there at +night—red lights a-flyin’ about an’ spooks at the +winders. An’ one night, when Uncle Bill Jemson was +comin’ down the turnpike, they was a storm come up, an’ +jest as he got opposite the big iron gate they was a flash a +lightnin’—an’ Bill says he see the ole man, his +long white hair a-flyin’ in th’ wind, an’ a lion +standin’ there in front a th’ house. Th’ flash +was out’n a minit, an’ Bill whipped up his hosses +an’ sent em clear to Mills’ tavern on the dead +run,” said he, laughing as if it were a good joke.</p> + +<p>“They don’t nobody like th’ place ner +th’ man, though I don’ know why, fer no one’s +ever passed a word with him in these parts. There ’tis, over +yender with the pines around it an’ th’ high +wall,” said he, pointing with his finger. But my eye had +already discovered the low-built rambling house on the high banks +of the river, well in the distance, and had recognized it at +once.</p> + +<p>Leaving my companion at the next turn in the road I walked +hurriedly on, and when I had reached the big iron gate I stopped +and peered through it. A gravel roadway, now overgrown with weeds, +led from the gate to the front of the house, which stood facing me. +It was built entirely of wood and consisted of four wings (at least +there were no others visible) evidently enclosing a quadrangular +courtyard, the rear wings being lower than those in front, and +hidden by the latter from the view of one standing at the gate as I +was. It was only at a distance that one could see their roofs above +the enclosure. There was but one line of windows along the front, +but there was an oriel just under the peak of the main building, +and I could see a skylight here and there upon the roofs.</p> + +<p>The blinds were closed and there was no sign of life about the +house—evidently planned with hospitable intentions, but now +silent and forbidding. I tried the gates. They were locked +securely. A screen of closely woven wire rose from the pavement +half way up the iron work. Evidently it would be impossible to +reach the doors without scaling this barrier, and I was not yet +ready to try an expedient so desperate. Returning to my hotel I +wrote a letter to the master of the house, telling him of my +long-continued quest and of my hopes regarding our possible +kinship. Day after day I anxiously awaited his reply, until a week +had passed, but no word came from him. In passing the house at +different times, however, I observed some signs of life within +it—a blind open that had been closed the day before—a +faint glimmer of light on the trees in the rear of the grounds at +night, which might have come from the back windows. Even this +slight encouragement was gratifying, but as time passed without +bringing any reply to my letter I began to think that, after all, +my hopes rested on very shadowy foundations. One day I asked the +local postmaster if a man of the name of Lane, who lived near that +city, ever sent for his mail.</p> + +<p>“Never,” said he. “The man is crazy, I guess, +and it’s wasting postage to write him. He’s a hermit, +sir—a regular hermit, and is about the same as dead, for +nobody ever sees him. The tradesmen tell me that his old servant +comes out of an evening, once in a while, to buy provisions, but +he’s deaf as a post and dumb as an oyster.” The +interview had at least shown me the futility of trying to reach him +by letter.</p> + +<p>It was clear that only one course was open to me. I must brave +the unknown perils with which this strange man had encompassed the +path of the trespasser, and gain an entrance to the house. I sought +the seclusion of my room at once, and thought over the result of my +investigations. I had not written to my good friend in London since +my arrival in Ogdensburg, and I concluded not to do so until I +could give him definite information.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon a slow, drizzling rain began to pour down, +and when night fell every luminary in the heavens was obscured by +thick clouds. It was a favorable time for carrying out my project, +as the darkness was intensified by a fog that had settled over the +city. By the light of my lamp I prepared for the undertaking, in +such a state of excitement that I was frequently startled by my own +whispers, through which I found myself now and then giving +involuntary utterance to my thoughts. Cutting up a pair of boots +which I carried in my box, I wound my legs in leather from my +ankles up above my knees, carefully drawing on a pair of thick, +long stockings to hold it in place. This precaution would give me a +comfortable sense of security, even if there were no snakes to +fear. I felt sure that the lion, if he were still living, would be +kept in some place of confinement.</p> + +<p>It was long past bedtime, and the lights were out in every shop +and dwelling, when I started on my daring mission. The little lamps +that glared through the fog at the street corners could scarcely be +seen twenty feet away. I was so preoccupied that I frequently lost +my direction in the mud and darkness. It seemed as if I had been +traveling for hours, when at last I felt the big wall, and saw its +dim bulk rising above me and stretching away into the night. +Cautiouly I groped along its base until my hands felt the iron bars +of the gate. Then I stood for some moments leaning against them, +quite out of breath. They were cold and wet, and chilled me to a +shiver when I touched them. I peered toward the house but could see +nothing. I listened, but could hear nothing except the beating of +my own heart and the mournful sound of the pines whose loftier +branches were stirring in the still air. Grasping the heavy bars I +tried to climb the gate, but, as there were no projections on which +it was possible to get a foothold, I found this an exhausting and +difficult task. I climbed repeatedly several feet above the earth, +only to lose my foothold and slide down again. Finally, by exerting +all my strength, I succeeded in supporting myself with the edge of +my boot upon a crossbar about half way up; then, taking a small +rope from my pocket I threw one end of it over the gate, holding +the other in my teeth. Tying it securely by a noose I climbed hand +over hand to the top and then let myself down on the other side. I +was quite exhausted by the effort (unaccustomed as I was to such +burglarious enterprises) and my fingers were torn and bleeding from +forcing a hold between the iron work and the wire screen. I +remembered the gravel pathway, overgrown with grass, that led from +the big gate to a front door. I groped about in the darkness until +I felt the gravel under my feet. Then I moved cautiously along it, +until I could dimly discern the outlines of the house. My nerves +were so wrought up, while I stood there holding my breath to catch +some sound from its gloomy interior, that I was near crying out in +abject terror at every step. An owl, startled from the limb of a +tree over my head, flew lazily into the upper air and across the +thicket, disturbing other birds that set up a chattering protest. +Stealthily I crept from window to window, but the blinds were +closed fast. Finally I came to a door that seemed to open into the +main part of the building. Desperate under the strain to which my +nerves had been subjected, I knocked loudly on its upper panels. +The sound echoed through the still house and the thickly wooded +grounds around it. “God help me!” I whispered; +“will that echo never cease?” It kept repeating itself +from tree to tree, until I covered my ears to stop its weird +reverberations. Then I heard a low threatening sound, deep and +resonant as the lower tones of a great organ, that gradually grew +louder until its volume filled the air, and then died away, while +its echoes went chasing each other among the trees. In the silence +which followed, my ear caught another sound the like of which I had +never heard before. A dozen clocks being wound by quick turns on +all sides of me would, I fancy, have produced a similar effect. It +was evident to me that my knocking had disturbed my uncle’s +pets, but I was not to be frightened away. Hearing no movement in +the house I tried the door, and to my astonishment it swung open. A +peculiar odor, such as one notices in a house that has long stood +empty, came to my nostrils, and again I heard that fateful +whirring, but in the darkness I could discern no object. As I +crossed the threshold the sound grew louder, and to my horror the +door closed suddenly behind me. Hurriedly striking a match, I held +it above my head and peered about me. Its light revealed a small +apartment finished in polished wood. Along the angle of the floor +was an opening, two or three inches high, into the side walls. And +half way up the wall in front of me I saw a face—the face of +a maniac it seemed to be—pale and wan, with strange, inhuman +eyes. I had scarcely glanced at it when the match dropped from my +fingers and fell slowly through the air, going out as it struck the +floor. My hands were cold, but so wet with perspiration that they +stuck to my clothing when I felt for a candle which I had brought +with me.</p> + +<p>There are moments in every man’s life that move slowly, as +if carrying the weight of years upon their backs. I shall never +cease to believe that the few seconds it took me to light that +candle must stand for as many years in any correct reckoning of my +age. When its beams at last illumined the room, the strange face +was still there. Had I seen it before? It was marvellously like +that other face which had haunted my dreams so long. If it was the +face of a man he must be standing on the other side of the wall and +looking through a panel.</p> + +<p>“Is Mr. Lane at home?” I asked in an unnatural tone +that startled me.</p> + +<p>But no word of reply was spoken.</p> + +<p>“I am his nephew and I have important news for +him.”</p> + +<p>The face disappeared for a moment, and presently a shrunken +hand, holding a white sheet of paper, was extended through the +opening. I stepped forward, took the sheet and, withdrawing to the +centre of the room, sat down upon the floor and wrote the following +message in bold characters with my pencil:</p> + +<p>“Kendric Lane, son of Kendric Lane (deceased), late of +London, England, wishes to see Dr. Lane on business of +importance.”</p> + +<p>I handed the message to the strange man behind the wall, who +immediately disappeared with it, closing the panel. “The +worst is over,” thought I, while I stood in that mysterious +and silent chamber waiting for his return. But I should not have +thought so had I known what was still to be revealed to me before +the dawn of another day, and in the months that followed, during +which that house and its echoing groves were my home. And I +sometimes ask myself, in the light of later events of which that +visit was indirectly the cause, whether, had I been able to foresee +them, I would still have persevered in my purpose to know the +secrets of my uncle’s house?</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<p>A long time I stood waiting for some reply to my message. My +candle was fast burning out, and I began to fear that after all I +was likely to leave the house no wiser than when I had entered it. +Suddenly a door swung on its creaking hinges and a feeble old man, +holding a lamp in one hand, stood grinning at me in the opening. It +was the same face that I saw before, but it seemed less ghostly and +unnatural now. Stepping back he beckoned me to enter. As soon as I +had crossed the threshold the door closed behind me and the old man +carefully bolted it. I stood in a large room, richly furnished, of +which spiders had apparently long held possession. Great cobwebs +hung like hammocks from the ceiling, and the dust of years had +settled over all. Two human skeletons completely wrapped in +cobwebs, stood facing me against the opposite wall. Following my +silent leader, I went through a long narrow passage, at the end of +which was a heavy door fastened with large iron bolts. Before +opening it the strange old man placed the lamp upon a table and +turning around looked squarely into my face. Merciful Heaven! It +was the face of another man who was looking at me now! The deep +lines had almost disappeared and the eyes looked brighter and more +intelligent. No, it was the same face, for while my eyes were +eagerly scanning it that hideous grin began to deepen its wrinkles, +and its owner, taking half a dozen steps down the passageway, made +an awkward motion with both hands as if trying to indicate that I +was to follow him very closely. Then he opened the big door and I +was surprised to observe that it led into the outer air. What gulf +of darkness are we about to plunge into? I asked myself, peering +through the doorway; and as we stepped out I heard again that +ominous whirring. Close upon his heels I followed in a narrow path, +through what seemed to be a large courtyard, overgrown with thick +grass. Presently he stopped, and, taking a bunch of keys from his +pocket, unlocked a door in a back wing of the house. Reaching out +until his hand touched me, as if to make sure that I was there, he +swung the door open and we stepped into a dimly lighted apartment. +My mysterious guide turned up the wick of a lamp that was burning +on a table in the centre of the room. It was a library, with great +shelves of books reaching from floor to ceiling along its walls. A +large galvanic battery, globes, charts and other contrivances that +belong to the equipment of a scholar surrounded the table. This +table was used for writing evidently, for there were pens lying on +it and a human skull used as an inkstand, the fluid being held in +the cavities of the eyes. I had seated myself in a chair and was +waiting for some sign from the little old man who had brought me +there. But where was he? Turning around I looked about me on all +sides. He had left the room during my momentary preoccupation. I +had scarcely seated myself again when a door opened and a venerable +man, with snow-white hair and a smooth-shaven face that was pale +and wrinkled, walked slowly toward me. I rose to my feet and +advanced a step or two. He came forward without speaking and looked +steadily into my eyes. Slowly and sadly he turned his gaze upon the +floor, apparently in deep thought. A sigh broke from his lips as if +some memory, stirring in the caves of thought, had driven it +forth.</p> + +<p>The man who stood before me had deep-set gray eyes, almost +concealed by long shaggy brows not yet entirely white. His lips +were thin, and drawn closely together above a square, protruding +chin. The nose was aquiline and prominent, with large, but finely +cut nostrils. Altogether his was the most picturesque face I had +ever seen. Suddenly he made an effort to clear his throat.</p> + +<p>“Kendric’s child,” said he, in a strange, low +voice. He spoke slowly and with great difficulty, as if his organs +of speech were partially paralyzed. I would not have been able to +distinguish his words but for the silence of that room and the +unnatural keenness of my hearing. He still stood motionless, his +eyes upon the floor. I knew that he was thinking of my father.</p> + +<p>“Dead?” he asked, looking at me inquisitively.</p> + +<p>“He is dead,” I answered.</p> + +<p>“And my man—did he give you the letter?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; he is dead also.”</p> + +<p>“Dead? I thought he was dead,” he repeated, slowly +and thoughtfully. “I, too, am dead— long +dead.”</p> + +<p>The words were separated by considerable pauses, and he faced me +almost sternly as he finished speaking them. I stood staring at +him, dumb with surprise.</p> + +<p>“Why—how did you come here?”</p> + +<p>He sank into a chair, exhausted with the effort it had cost him +to speak. My presence seemed to irritate and annoy him. Why, +indeed, had I come there? What should I say in reply to his +question? I tried to think.</p> + +<p>“Knaves! Knaves!” said my uncle, in a shrill voice, +rushing toward me. In a moment he had thrown his arms about my neck +and was sobbing aloud. My heart was full and I wept with him.</p> + +<p>“Fortunate child of God,” said he, after a moment; +“you have the seed of life—immortal life. But I beg you +to go. To one like you this house will seem an uncanny place; I can +only think of it as beyond the grave.”</p> + +<p>“Let me stay, uncle,” said I. “Don’t +send me away. Perhaps I can help you or comfort you.”</p> + +<p>“Poor soul! you shall stay if you will. I am in great +trouble and need help, but you are a boy—I cannot ask you to +give your life to me.”</p> + +<p>He sat down before the table, breathing heavily, and beckoned me +to a chair beside him. I was quite dumfounded and knew not what to +say. Presently he began writing upon large sheets of paper, handing +each one to me as soon as it was covered. The manuscript read as +follows:</p> + +<p>“I am not able to talk much. To me words are a lie and an +abomination. Even these I now write are misrepresenting me and +deceiving you, though I wish them to tell the truth. They will make +me out an ass or a madman. I am neither. For eighteen years I have +scarcely spoken as many words. A word or two of Sanscrit now and +then has met my needs, thank God! There is an interior language for +which speech is an imperfect medium. Through that interior language +thought is communicated directly and truthfully. I used it long +before I came here—imperfectly, to be sure, but with a small +degree of satisfaction to myself. Through it I was able to heal the +sick when others failed. I knew how they felt better than they +could tell me in feeble words. In some more perfect state of +evolution, beyond the grave, perhaps, all men will have this power +and it will be perfect. I can enjoy but an imperfect use of it +until the mortal part of me has been cast off. One trained to +speech in childhood loses certain faculties that can never be +regained.</p> + +<p>“My wife died many years ago. She left me a broken heart +and a child, newly born. I had just built this house, among +strangers. We intended to devote the remainder of our lives to the +study of mental phenomena. We desired to carry on our work without +interruption. We planned to live unknown among those around us. +When she died I saw in the child an opportunity. I determined to +make its life a grand experiment; to preserve and cultivate its +native intuitions—the germ of the power of direct +communication. God has vouchsafed success to me. He lives—a +man of exalted powers the like of which the world has never seen +but once, and then in Christ, the very Son of God. But, unlike Him, +my son is only human, with weaknesses that are our common lot.</p> + +<p>“The years are flying, and strength is failing! I must die +soon and he will live. That thought burns my brain, passing through +it day by day. His life may be long extended and he cannot live +alone, nor among men, for he would be a stranger and +friendless—feared and dreaded by superstitious fools. He has +never seen a human face outside these walls nor heard a human voice +but mine. I have told you my trouble.”</p> + +<p>He ceased writing, but before I had finished reading the +statement some strange influence came over me. I felt restless and +uncomfortable. My hand was shaking so that I could scarcely read +the words on the last sheet of paper. Suddenly I raised my eyes and +saw a young man, godlike in form and feature, standing at my side. +His face wore an expression of indescribable eloquence. As familiar +as he afterward became to me, I can never forget the first +impression which that magnificent human being made upon my mind, as +he stood there— radiating a power that I felt to the tips of +my fingers. What favored son of man was this confronting me, born +to such an inheritance of majesty and grace? I asked myself, +regarding him with amazement. He had eyes dark as night, set under +a broad forehead, about which wavy masses of tawny hair fell +gracefully. His stately form was erect and firm as a statue. For a +moment his eyes looked into mine; then he advanced and took my +hand. Tenderly he pressed it to his lips, stepping back as he did +so and looking at me with a half-curious, half-amused expression. I +was so startled by the unexpected appearance of this remarkable +figure that I had not, until now, noticed that a large lion had +followed him into the room and was lying quietly at his feet. I was +not afraid; indeed, the king of beasts seemed but a part of the +man’s masterful presence. I do not think I would have seen +the animal but that his enormous body was lying directly before my +eyes on the floor. My uncle had been sitting with his head resting +upon his hand at the table. Suddenly he rose and a strange, +guttural sound—it may have been a word from some language +wholly unfamiliar to me—passed his lips. The young man +immediately left us, the lion following closely at his heels. We +both sat in silence for some moments after he had gone. My mind had +felt strange exhilaration in his presence, and I rubbed my eyes to +make sure that I was not dreaming. When I looked at my uncle the +sad expression on his face had given way to a smile of infinite +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>“He is pleased—thank God!” said my uncle, in a +hoarse whisper, sinking into a chair.</p> + +<p>I made no answer.</p> + +<p>“It was my son,” he continued, with animation. +“Rayel—that was the name she gave him. Rayel, the +wonderful. He will love you as he loves me. Come,” said he, +rising, “the night is nearly gone.”</p> + +<p>Taking a lamp from the table, he beckoned me to follow him. +Silently we proceeded through a narrow hallway and up one flight of +stairs to a spacious bedroom which had seemingly been prepared for +my use. A candle was burning dimly on a large dressing-case, and by +its flickering light, as soon as my uncle had gone, I looked about +me and tried to think with calmness on the experience I had passed +through. Bolting the door securely, I threw open one of the window +blinds. To my surprise the first light of dawn was visible in the +sky. My room was in the rear of the house. Between me and the high +wall was a dense tangle of underbrush, barely visible in the dim +light. Hastily undressing, I went to bed without further delay, and +was soon in deep sleep. When I awoke it was near midday. Dressing +as quickly as possible, I proceeded at once to the library, where +my uncle sat waiting for me. He conducted me to the breakfast +room—a well-lighted and cheerful apartment—where he +served me with his own hands.</p> + +<p>“You shall stay, sir—you shall stay,” said he, +laying his hand on my shoulder as he sat down beside me, with a +smiling face. “Rayel loves you. He hopes you will stay. He +thinks God sent you to us.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad, for I wish to stay,” I said.</p> + +<p>“Good!” he exclaimed, in a long whisper. “You +have brought the world to him. Already he has seen it in your eyes. +But it is good!”</p> + +<p>While I ate he asked me questions touching the changes in our +family since he left England.</p> + +<p>I told him of my life at home after my father’s death; of +my hard lot in Liverpool, and of the midnight interviews with his +messenger and with Mr. Earl. He listened to me with grave and +attentive interest, but stopped me before I had finished, with an +impatient gesture.</p> + +<p>“Speak out! they meant—they meant to kill you, +didn’t they?”</p> + +<p>I stared at him in amazement, while ideas that were new to me +flocked into the empyrean of thought like black birds of prey. Oh, +no; I had never suspected that! I would never before have permitted +such a hideous suspicion to enter my mind. Was it possible that Mr. +Earl had sent me away from England in order to save my life? My +hands began to tremble, and I felt my face turning red and pale +under the searching eyes of my uncle.</p> + +<p>“My boy,” said he, “if all the murders were +done that men conceive, the devil would live alone on earth. We +shall know some time—I tell you we shall know! Let us go to +Rayel,” he said, rising and leading the way.</p> + +<p>The interview had greatly excited him, and his speech seemed +even more halting and labored than before. Many of his words were +mispronounced and separated by long pauses; but his manner was +marvelously expressive, and often a peculiar turn of the eye or +movement of the hand made his meaning clear when I was in doubt +about his words.</p> + +<p>I followed him through a long gymnasium and out upon a grassy +courtyard extending along the rear of the grounds parallel with the +river wall for a hundred yards or more, and adorned with beds of +flowers. It was completely shut off from the eye of the outside +world by a thick grove and an impenetrable growth of underbrush +that reached beyond the lowest branches of the trees. Nothing but +the blue sky, in which the sun was on its downward course, the +house, and the walls of living green, were visible. Out of this +Eden-like spot we passed into another wing of the building with +large windows looking out upon it. Rayel met us at the door, +dressed in a black robe of silk that hung gracefully from his +shoulders. Again he took my hand and kissed it, then looked into my +eyes with the same expression of curious interest upon his face +that I had noted before. Still holding my hand, he led me across +the room. For the first time I noticed that its walls were covered +with pictures, unframed, and that an easel stood in the light of +each window. We stopped before one of them. On a large canvas that +was stretched across it I saw a likeness of myself. The eyes wore a +haggard look which seemed unnatural. But there was something +strangely real about it, in spite of that.</p> + +<p>“Wonderful!” said I.</p> + +<p>Rayel started at the sound of my voice, and glanced from one to +the other with a puzzled, inquiring look. Turning to his father, he +uttered some strange monosyllable in a deep voice. Then he took my +hand and walked back and forth across the room with me, smiling in +great delight. I was fascinated by one of the pictures which showed +a great gleaming eye with a suggestion of lightning in its fiery +depths, as if taken at the keenest flash of fury. To intensify its +fierceness a human hand was raised in front of it so as to throw a +dark shadow across the canvas.</p> + +<p>“It is the lion’s eye,” said my uncle, who was +standing near me.</p> + +<p>There were other paintings—many of them equally strange +and wonderful—hanging on the walls, some of which contained +material he could not have derived from direct observation. It was +easy to discern in his work the fragments of nature that came +within the limited command of his own eyes—the falling snow, +the changing phases of the sky and of vegetation—for they +were presented with a stronger and more vivid touch. Until the +fading twilight blended all color into gloom I passed from one +canvas to another along the wall in silence, oblivious of all save +the presence of Rayel, who followed close at my elbow, evidently +enjoying my admiration of his work. When I had finished looking at +the paintings I turned for some sign to indicate his further +pleasure, and discovered that he was gone. My uncle was standing +near me.</p> + +<p>“It is late,” said he.</p> + +<p>We returned at once across the yard to my uncle’s retreat +among his books and papers. Lighting the lamps he sat down beside +me.</p> + +<p>“The power of speech is returning,” said he. +“I can talk more easily.”</p> + +<p>“Did I not hear you speak to your son?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” he answered. “Long ago difficulties +arose. Sometimes he could not command my thoughts, nor I his. I had +known fifty years of life; he had not—hence an inequality. My +physical organism had been neglected. It was an imperfect agent of +the mind. Many of my faculties were lost. These circumstances stood +between us like barriers. It was the beginning of each +communication that troubled us, when our minds were working in +different channels. Something was needed for a cue—a +starting-point. Ten pregnant words of Sanscrit were all we needed. +It was easy then.”</p> + +<p>“I should think he would have lost the power of speech and +hearing,” I remarked.</p> + +<p>“No. Music saved them—abstract music. His voice is +wonderful. His hearing is quick. Rayel knows words but not speech. +His mind has command of my knowledge. He has never seen the world, +but he knows about it. I tried to begin my life anew and to forget +the past. But I could not wholly cleanse my mind of it. Its +memories faded slowly. I have avoided renewing them for his +sake.”</p> + +<p>“He could, then, learn to speak?”</p> + +<p>“With ease, and it were better if he could speak now. We +will teach him soon.”</p> + +<p>As he ceased speaking, fatigued by the unaccustomed effort, I +heard low strains of music echoing through the silent halls around +us. A violin! The tone was deep and tremulous, gradually growing +louder, filling the ear with its message, and lifting the mind to +lofty heights of thought and passion. We both sat listening for +hours, and midnight came before the last strain died away. That +music was like a strange story that drops its plummet deep into +life’s mysteries.</p> + +<p>“A new song!” said my uncle, turning to me with +surprise on his face. “He got the subject from you. We shall +see.”</p> + +<p>Presently Rayel entered the room, bringing something in his +hand—a picture—which he held up to the lamplight. A +girl’s face! and wonderfully like that of Hester Chaffin. I +sat amazed, staring at it. But the likeness was not exact, the face +was idealized—as I had seen it in my dream the night before. +I raised my eyes to Rayel’s face. He was looking at me with +an expression of pain and embarrassment.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<p>My uncle recovered the power of speech rapidly. Before I had +been a week in his house he was able to talk with comparative ease. +He seemed to enjoy my companionship, and I spent most of my time in +his library, conversing with him or conning the musty books that +had long lain unread. To me this room was a fascinating and restful +place. Somehow it reminded me of an old cemetery. The time-worn +books upon its shelves stood in solemn rows, like headstones, +sacred to the memory of the men who wrote them—their titles +like inscriptions half obliterated. I did not see Rayel for days +after the midnight episode that gave me such a startling revelation +of his power.</p> + +<p>“Do you think that Rayel knows everything that passes in +one’s mind—a vivid dream, for instance?” I asked +my uncle one day when we were alone together.</p> + +<p>Yes, except when he is himself asleep. His command of my dreams +puzzled me at first. I thought I had put the past completely out of +my mind. But I could not hide it from him. Little by little he +learned everything in my history. One day I saw him at work on a +picture. It startled me. The canvas showed a man lying on a +surgeon’s table. The knife had just severed an artery in his +thigh. There were four men working over him—I was one of +them. Gradually the features took on a familiar expression. His +face grew paler under the brush. A few touches—the scene was +complete. The man was dead—his eyes wide open, staring at +me.</p> + +<p>My uncle paused and looked earnestly into my face.</p> + +<p>“It was a bit of your professional experience,” said +I. “Something had reminded you of it.”</p> + +<p>“The night before I dreamed about it” he answered. +“My mind, released from the command of my will, betrayed +me.”</p> + +<p>“A strange power!” I exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Incredible to you! Impossible to acquire unless the work +begins at birth, and then the possibilities are infinite,” +said he, drawing his chair closer to mine. “You know what I +have done. Start the new-born mind on any highway and see how it +hurries along. You can do more, working a little while over the +cradle, than all the preachers under heaven, after its occupant has +grown beyond your ministry. I tell you, sir, the world is +indifferent to its children. Neglected by their parents, subject to +hired tenderness or none at all; left to the care of ignorant or +depraved nurses, and often taught little but selfishness and greed +of gain, the children of men are surrounded by destructive +agencies. Can we wonder that the human mind loses in infancy so +much of its native power? But so the generations of earth are +growing up, bearing embittered fruit and sowing its seed to the +four winds. Who cares for the mind and body of a child has the +highest possible mission—the most sacred of all trusts. He +must give it all his time and strength. He must lead its mind into +green pastures; he must share its joys; he must know its hopes and +fears; he must give it hold on lines of thought that reach into +eternity, which will sooner or later flood it with inspiration; he +must see that the brain has a sufficient foundation of flesh and +blood and bone; he must give it all his life until the germs of +power are developed.”</p> + +<p>“Unfortunately,” said I, “most parents have +other things to do and think of.”</p> + +<p>“Parentage is a crime under such circumstances. It has +peopled the world with fools and knaves. It delays the coming of +Christ’s kingdom. There are a few wise men, but they are held +down as gravitation holds the rock. There are laws of attraction in +the world of mind as in that of matter. Good and evil are its +poles. Every atom between them is held in place by the operation of +opposing forces. The general mass of mind lies within narrow zones +on both sides of the equatorial line of this imaginary world. Its +attraction prevents any men from rising far above or descending far +below it. I tell you, sir, the intellectual world has degrees of +latitude and longitude which determine every man’s location. +Emancipated from the forces I have described, my son has risen to a +level beyond the attainment of men under ordinary conditions. +Hypocrisy and deceit are things of which he knows nothing. I do not +ascribe to him, mind you, the possession of saintly virtues. He is +a man in whom the best potentialities of mind and body have been +developed. I have carefully avoided the danger of making him a +morbid, spiritual creature. His body is quite as wonderful as his +mind.”</p> + +<p>My uncle had been pacing restlessly up and down the room as he +spoke, often pausing before me and uttering his words vehemently, +with quick gestures and flashing eyes. He did not, seemingly, +expect an answer to his remark, for, as he ceased speaking, he +stepped before one of the windows and stood for a moment looking +out upon the courtyard.</p> + +<p>“See!” said he suddenly, motioning to me.</p> + +<p>I stepped to his side and, looking through the window, saw Rayel +running across the lawn with the lion on his shoulders. When the +beast sprang down he seized it by the mane and tossed it about like +one with the strength of Hercules. Here was a man who exercised his +rightful dominion over animated nature!</p> + +<p>“The beast is very fond of him,” said my uncle, +“and a movement of his finger is sufficient to control +it.”</p> + +<p>“Why did you adopt a pet so terrible?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“To secure isolation,” he answered. +“He’s an object of terror to intruders, and a source of +delight to us.”</p> + +<p>“You have snakes here, too,” I ventured.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and for the same reason, But they can’t harm +you now. Since you came we have killed them. They have been good +friends to me, but you were a stranger, and your life would have +been in danger every day. Years ago I procured a score of them from +the mountains of Pennsylvania and put them into the thickets. They +multiplied like rats, and so I was armed against invasion.</p> + +<p>“To prevent their escape I sank a screen of +wire two feet below the ground along the base +of the walls; I also posted a warning inside my gate. Long ago I +began to destroy them, and there were only a few left when you +came. They were good friends to me—excellent friends!” +he repeated, rubbing his hands with a grim smile. “For +eighteen years I have been able to carry on my work unmolested. No +knowledge of what was transpiring outside this little world has +ever reached me.”</p> + +<p>“How did you begin the work of teaching this interior +language to Rayel?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“By signs at first—gradually making them more simple +and suggestive. The elimination of signs kept pace with the +development of his intuitions. It was slow work and hard work, but +I gave all my time to it. After he became familiar with a sign, I +began to make it less pantomimic, until finally a lift of the +eyebrow, a movement of the lips, or an inclination of the head +served to express my meaning. In time he could detect the passing +shades of expression in my eyes and understand them. Look at +me,” said he, laying his hand on my head and watching my eyes +as the firelight shone upon them, for it was now evening.</p> + +<p>“Don’t you know, my boy, that your eyes reflect what +is passing in your mind? Then there are countless nerves and +muscles in your face which proclaim thought. They aid my intuitions +to discover what you do not speak. You wonder—ah! you are +afraid!—afraid of me.”</p> + +<p>I started in my chair, for while he was looking into my eyes a +strange gleam came into his own. He turned about suddenly and +looked into the bright fire that burned on the grate before us.</p> + +<p>“Never fear,” he continued, nervously twirling a +lock of his white hair. “Never fear, sir —I am not mad. +Not yet. I have been afraid of it, but my reason will outlast my +life. Do you ever pray?”</p> + +<p>“Every day,” I answered.</p> + +<p>“Then you employ the interior language. We commune +directly with the Holy Spirit. You get some message from Him every +day more satisfactory than words. It’s the answer of your +prayers. I tell you, sir, words are an invention of the devil. Do +you like Rayel?” he asked, turning upon me abruptly.</p> + +<p>“You need have no doubt of that,” I answered, +“or of my willingness to look after him if it should be +necessary—to take him away with me and cherish him as I would +a brother.”</p> + +<p>“Good! Good!” he exclaimed smiling and rubbing his +hands joyfully. “I have not long to live. When the time +comes, take him out among the knaves and fools! But we must hurry: +our time is short. We must prepare him for a second birth. You will +find him an apt pupil—a very apt one. He already knows more +of the world than I thought possible. I don’t think you will +find him troublesome—he can help you; he will teach you +wisdom; he will enlarge the issues of your life. My fortune will be +ample for his needs: use it as you see fit. I have one servant +left,” he said, drawing his chair closer to mine and speaking +scarcely above a whisper: “I would like this to be his home +when I am dead. It will be better, however, to place him in some +public institution where he can be well provided for. I shall leave +a sufficient allowance for him. The manner of its bestowal I leave +entirely to your judgment. There were two of them—you have +seen the other. He was a faithful fellow. They were poor fools, +both of them, but uncommonly wise,” he continued. “They +kept it to themselves. I found them in an asylum twenty-five years +ago. They called them idiots. Idiots! God help us!”</p> + +<p>That strange light seemed to kindle in his eyes again while he +was speaking, and it conveyed anything but a cheerful suggestion to +my mind.</p> + +<p>“There is this difference between idiots and +madmen,” he continued. “The former are born outside the +pale of human sympathy; the latter overstep it. In either case they +are not of this earth—they are embodied spirits living in a +world of their own creation, biding the time of liberation from the +flesh. And do you know, there are more madmen in the world than it +dreams of?”</p> + +<p>He stopped with a tone of sharp interrogation and looked +squarely into my face.</p> + +<p>“There are undoubtedly many of them,” said I.</p> + +<p>“The lines of monomania all lead to madness,” he +continued. “The deeper one plunges into the mysteries of life +the nearer he approaches it. But, mark you, one man may venture +further than another. For years I have lived in fear of two +things—madness and death. Not on my account, but I had Rayel +to think of.”</p> + +<p>My uncle rose to his feet before he had ceased speaking and +walked stealthily on his tiptoes to an open door, where he stood +for a moment listening. I could hear nothing but the sound of the +wind whistling in the chimney.</p> + +<p>“Wait here,” he whispered presently, and then +disappeared through the door, closing it after him. I held my watch +down to the firelight and saw it was near eleven o’clock. I +felt drowsy, and had almost fallen asleep, when my uncle returned, +carrying a lantern. “Rayel is asleep,” said he, in a +whisper. “Won’t you come with me?—it will not +take long.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” said I, rising, and waiting for him to +lead the way. He put on his antique hat and threw a shawl over his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>“It’s a chilly night,” said he. +“You’d better wear another coat.”</p> + +<p>I drew on my overcoat at once, wondering what new experience +awaited me. Holding the lantern in front of him, he proceeded +slowly and feebly across the rear courtyard, and unlocked a door in +one of the side wings of the house, through which we passed into a +large unfurnished room.</p> + +<p>“I always wait till he’s asleep,” said my +uncle, shuffling across the room and unlocking another door on its +opposite side. “He’s never been here—never +yet,” he continued, pulling the door open. The dim light of +the lantern shone out upon a thicket of fragrant spruce and cedar. +As I stepped down upon the ground, following in the steps of my +uncle, I could hear the murmur of the great pines towering far +above our heads. Slowly we made our way through the dense +undergrowth, and soon entered an open space carpeted with pine +needles and moss. It was a circular plot in the thicket, and out of +its centre rose an immense pine, whose upper branches wholly +obscured the sky. My uncle hung his lantern on a knot protruding +from the trunk of the tree, and slowly knelt upon the ground, +covering his face with his hands. Suddenly he beckoned to me, and I +knelt down beside him.</p> + +<p>“Listen!” said he. “Do you hear voices? She +comes to me here. Can you see her—my wife? Look about you, do +you not see her?”</p> + +<p>He laid his trembling hand upon my shoulder. Again I saw that +awful gleam in his eyes. The gruesome suggestion he had made set my +nerves tingling, and I peered about among the shadows of that dimly +lighted recess, half expecting some vision to greet my eyes. Then +there came a loud rustling of the branches high above us. The +lantern light flared up and suddenly went out, leaving us in total +darkness.</p> + +<p>“She is here!” he whispered, in excitement. +“Sit still—do not speak.”</p> + +<p>A deep silence, intensified by the sound of the night wind in +the trees around us, followed my uncle’s words. The going out +of the light he had seemed to regard as a signal from the spirit +world, and I sat still as he bade me, not doubting that his acute +senses had penetrated the veil which limited my own vision. I had +seen so many revelations of his strange power that I now sat +awestruck and afraid, waiting for some word from him to end my +suspense. I could see nothing in the darkness, but I could hear my +uncle breathing heavily, as if trying to suppress his emotion. +Suddenly there was a stir in the bushes near us. Then I heard a +step like that of a man on the thickly covered earth close by my +side. I stretched out prone upon the ground, covering my face with +my hands. I could hear a sound as of some one groping about in the +darkness, and then I felt the touch of a strange hand upon my +shoulder.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<p>I shrank from the hand that touched me and, moving quickly +aside, struck a match and peered around. By its light I could +discern the form of a man standing near the edge of the thicket. +Rising to my feet I took down the lantern and lighted it. There, +standing before me, was the grinning mute who had admitted me to +the house. My uncle, who was still kneeling, rose feebly to his +feet, his eyes wet with tears.</p> + +<p>“Good friend!” said he, taking the lantern from me +and handing it to the mute. “He alway comes for me +here.”</p> + +<p>We followed the old servant in silence through the thick boughs +of cedar until we came to the door of a low-roofed wooden building +that stood by itself in the thicket. The mute opened the door, +ushering us into a small room containing a bed and some simple +furniture. A comfortable wood fire was burning in a large open +stove, and we both sat down in front of it, shivering from exposure +to the chilly air of the night. My uncle handed a key to the mute, +who unlocked a cupboard, taking from it a decanter of whiskey, +which he set before us with glasses.</p> + +<p>“It will warm you,” said my uncle, pouring out the +spirits: “ I have seen my wife. She always comes to me +there—when the light goes out. She knows your heart better +than I. We shall leave Rayel to your care. It is the last time I +shall come here. My work is nearly finished.”</p> + +<p>We emptied our glasses in silence, but my mind was busy thinking +on those impressive words, “She always comes to me +there— when the light goes out.”</p> + +<p>It was strange—this going out of the light just at that +moment. Was it not possible, I asked myself, that the lantern, +being always hung on the same projection, was thus in the way of a +current of air passing down the trunk of the tree when a gust of +wind struck its lofty branches? If so, the knot would naturally +conduct the current into the opening at the top of the lantern. My +reflections were interrupted by my uncle, who rose, and, taking a +candle, asked me to accompany him. I followed him into a cellar +filled with casks and barrels containing, as I supposed, wine and +provisions for future use. Returning, we passed through a large +room, in one end of which many boxes and barrels were stored. I +afterward learned that there was a large garden and poultry yard in +this lonely nook where my uncle’s only servant was +sequestered.</p> + +<p>I was glad when we started back through the thicket, for the +hour was late and I felt the need of sleep.</p> + +<p>“He gives us our food,” said my uncle, when we were +at length in the courtyard. “We have enough of everything +needful—but little meat. It destroys mental power. It is +fools’ food.”</p> + +<p>Next day my uncle was unable to leave his bed. I determined to +go to the hotel for my baggage and to post some letters, one of +which gave Mr. Earl an account of my experiences since the October +night when I became an inmate of that house.</p> + +<p>It was midwinter now, and the long stretches of pasturage and +meadow land outside the walls were blasted and sere when the old +mute, whom I had seen twice before, let me out of the big gate. +When I returned he was there to open the gate for me and help me +with my baggage.</p> + +<p>I found Rayel at his father’s bedside. The sick man was +asleep, and I went at once to the library, where Rayel soon came, +as was his custom in the afternoon, for a lesson in talking. Both +my uncle and myself had taken great pains to teach him this +accomplishment, and his progress had been even more rapid than we +thought possible. He caught the significance of words with +astonishing ease, but found some difficulty in producing their +sound. He went about it with great patience, however, repeating the +hardest words after me until he was able to pronounce them +correctly. But although the work was often tedious we both got much +fun out of it. I had never heard the sound of laughter in that +house. One day I broke its solemn spell by laughing heartily at the +grotesque distortion of my cousin’s face incidental to the +production of a difficult sound. He stopped suddenly and looked at +me, half alarmed. This made me laugh more heartily, and he grasped +my hand with the serious air of a physician feeling the pulse of +his patient. Being assured there was no danger, he indulged in a +little offhand cachinnation himself and was, I judged, well pleased +with the trial, for he repeated it frequently afterward, and +greatly to his amusement.</p> + +<p>The word “woman,” and others related to it, puzzled +him not a little, for he had never seen a woman, except through the +medium of my own mind and that of his father. The subject +interested him, and he gave much serious thought to it, questioning +me closely at some of our interviews, as if dissatisfied with the +idea conveyed to him. Our discussions, however, had reached some +slumbering chord in him, which, once touched, stirred his blood +with its vibrations. I do not think his isolation could have lasted +much longer, for he became restless and eager to see the world.</p> + +<p>Rayel was greatly depressed by his father’s illness. For +months after that night, the excitement of which had so hastened +the failure of the old man’s strength, the silence of the +great house was rarely broken by the sound of our voices. My uncle +lay helpless in a deep sleep most of the time, never able to leave +his bed until, revived by the freshness of approaching summer, he +had strength enough to sit in an easy-chair by the window. Some +fatal malady, the nature of which he did not disclose to me, was +evidently sapping his strength. I had urged him more than once to +let me summon a physician, but he would not permit me to do so. +When summer came at last, he grew stronger, and was able to walk, +supported by Rayel, to his chair in the open courtyard among the +flowers.</p> + +<p>The lion, which had been confined in its cage most of the time +since my uncle had grown so feeble as to need Rayel’s +constant attention sickened and died in the warm days of early +June. Rayel was sorely grieved by the death of his pet, and +although he stood in the shadow of a far greater sorrow, he felt +deeply the loss of this lifelong friend. The summer passed slowly, +one day like another, casting on us the same burden of anxiety and +silence. I spent much of the time in my uncle’s library, +poring over his books and trying to shake off the melancholy +thoughts suggested by my daily life.</p> + +<p>One day in early autumn, Rayel was sitting with me near an open +window overlooking the courtyard, where his father was enjoying the +open air.</p> + +<p>“He will die to-day,” said Rayel, calmly. “He +told me he would die to-day.”</p> + +<p>“He seems the same as usual,” I said. “We +cannot tell; he may live for months yet.”</p> + +<p>Rayel shook his head incredulously, and sat for a long time +looking out of the window in silence.</p> + +<p>“And I will go with you then?” he asked suddenly +turning toward me.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” I answered.</p> + +<p>It was the first time he had ever asked me a question, for he +could read my mind like an open book, and to him all questioning +was unnecessary.</p> + +<p>While we were sitting there, thinking over our plans, my uncle +summoned us by rapping with his cane. Rayel turned pale, and, with +a whispered ejaculation, hurried out of the room and ran down the +path to his father, followed closely by myself. My uncle was +breathing heavily.</p> + +<p>“Count it,” said he, feebly extending his hand. +Rayel counted his pulse-beats.</p> + +<p>“Ninety-four, and growing quicker!” he exclaimed, +turning toward me with a frightened look.</p> + +<p>“It won’t increase much,” my uncle whispered, +feebly, but with a cool and professional air. “It will go +down soon, and then death will follow.”</p> + +<p>“Be calm, Rayel,” he continued, almost sternly, as +his son began weeping. “Be calm, I say! That music! do you +hear it, child? Do you see what is passing now? Tell it. Let me +hear you.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot hear it,” said Rayel, looking earnestly +into his father’s face.</p> + +<p>“Hallucination!” he whispered, groping about until +his hand rested on the head of his son, who was kneeling beside +him. “I seem to see millions of forms around me. I seem to +hear them, but I cannot see you—nor hear you.”</p> + +<p>As if exhausted by the effort, his head fell back upon +Rayel’s shoulder, and he lay for a time, his eyes closed, +struggling for breath. The dying man’s faculties would no +longer obey the whip of his mighty will. Indeed, they had done him +their final service, for in a few moments he was dead. Tenderly and +manfully, uttering no sound of grief, Rayel lifted the lifeless +body of his father, and bore it into the house.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<p>In accordance with my uncle’s wish, which he had made +known to Rayel, we buried him the day following his death in the +sunny courtyard where he had spent the last days of his life. The +funeral arrangements were made as simple as possible, so as to +exclude all except the functionaries whose presence was absolutely +necessary. A rector of the Church of England read the service for +the dead before the body was borne to its grave by the undertaker. +When this brief ceremony was over, and the great gates were closed +again upon our seclusion, Rayel said to me:</p> + +<p>“I must talk more with you now, if you will let me. He +said you would help me after he was gone.”</p> + +<p>It seemed idle to assure him, who already knew my heart, of the +happiness it would give me to fulfill the pledge of friendship made +to my uncle.</p> + +<p>“Do you expect to see him again?” I asked.</p> + +<p>After a moment of the most serious reflection, he said:</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes, I shall see him again—when I die, then I +shall see him. He has gone to the Great Father, who gives life, and +who takes it away.”</p> + +<p>I found that Rayel, although entirely ignorant of the creeds and +dogmas prevailing among men, was profoundly religious, and that his +simple faith was built upon the deepest foundations. He evidently +gave much thought to the relationship between man and his Creator +after he felt the sting of bereavement, but it was a subject to +which he never referred in our conversation, unless, perchance, it +drifted in upon us.</p> + +<p>The weeks following my uncle’s death, during which I was +busy with preparation for the new life that awaited us, Rayel spent +in his studio working over some unfinished pictures. At my urgent +request, he completed the head whose resemblance to Hester Chaffin +had so startled and amazed me the night I saw it first, and he +regarded it with fonder interest than he was wont to bestow upon +the work of his brush. I believe that face was the closest +presentment of a human soul I shall ever see until standing, as I +hope to stand some time, in the presence of the redeemed, where +“that which is imperfect shall be put away.” I have +said that the picture bore a strong resemblance to Hester Chaffin, +but her face contained only a suggestion of that fine quality which +was so strongly presented in my cousin’s ideal.</p> + +<p>My uncle’s fortune, as described in his will, amounted to +nearly $250,000. The greater part of it—everything, indeed, +but the house and grounds—was in cash, represented by +certificates of deposit accompanying the will, and bonds of the +United States. There was a considerable bequest for me, whom he had +named as executor of the will, which, however, I determined never +to apply to my own use, except in case of Rayel’s death. A +handsome annuity was provided for his only surviving servant. The +remainder was left to Rayel.</p> + +<p>Having arranged for the maintenance of the old mute at an asylum +not far from the city, our preparations to leave were soon +complete. I was elated at the prospect of resuming my relations +with the busy world outside that lonely habitation. My first step +was to visit a lawyer for the purpose of ascertaining the legal +formalities which I must observe as executor of the will. Rayel +wished to go with me, and I gladly assented, for it seemed wise as +an initiatory step in the new life that was awaiting him. He waved +his hand to the mute, who stood looking at us through the big gates +after we had passed out into the road, and then he walked on beside +me in silence. The sun-shot haze of a beautiful autumn day hung +over the face of nature, and his eyes wandered down the long +stretches of landscape, and into the depths of the distant sky, +rapt by the vision that was unfolding before him. The changing +phases of the town he regarded with curious interest, which often +expressed itself in childish exclamations of surprise as we made +our way through the crowded streets.</p> + +<p>He was constantly calling my attention to things which, though +familiar and commonplace to me, were little less than wonderful to +him.</p> + +<p>“Look!” said he, suddenly taking hold of my arm. +“There is a woman!”</p> + +<p>He spoke in an eager, excited whisper, and shyly stepped behind +me as she passed us.</p> + +<p>“They won’t hurt you,” said I, subduing my +desire to laugh at his remark.</p> + +<p>Such unfamiliar exposure to the public eye soon began to grate +upon his nerves. I did not wonder at it, for nearly every one we +met took a second look at his commanding figure, and some stared at +him rudely. Remembering my own emotions when I first stood in his +presence, I was not at all surprised that others were moved in a +like manner. His were a face and form that stood out like those of +some heroic statue in the throng of common mortals.</p> + +<p>The proving and recording of the will was left entirely in the +hands of a reputable lawyer, who said that these formalities would +not detain us longer than a week.</p> + +<p>We had determined to spend the winter in New York before going +to England. Since reaching America my time had been quite filled +with work until my entrance upon the utter isolation of my +uncle’s home. It was my earnest desire to see something of +the big metropolis on the western Atlantic. Moreover, Mr. Earl had +advised me in his letters to give Rayel a chance to know more of +life in his own country before bringing him to England.</p> + +<p>When at last the faithful old mute had gone to his new home, and +we had turned our backs upon the silent and deserted mansion, Rayel +was moved to bitter tears. The thought of its loneliness, now that +its master was dead and we were leaving it, perhaps forever, +brought sad feelings to my heart. How calmly the old pines +whispered together as we walked down the road that morning I shall +not soon forget.</p> + +<p>We reached the American metropolis early in October, three years +after my first arrival there from England. I rented comfortable +apartments on Fifth Avenue, near Madison Square. As soon as Rayel +had recovered from the fatigue and excitement of the trip, we set +about unpacking his pictures and getting them framed. Our lightest +room was reserved for a studio, and the paintings were hung under +Rayel’s direction.</p> + +<p>We were scarcely settled in our new home when we received an +unexpected call from a newspaper reporter. He had learned from an +art dealer that we had some remarkable old paintings, and humbly +begged the privilege of looking at them. We made him welcome, of +course, but I explained to him that the collection was wholly the +work of my cousin, who was not yet old himself. In answer to his +questions I assured him that the paintings would not be exhibited +in the National Academy, and that my cousin’s work had never +appeared in any art exhibition whatever, at which he seemed greatly +surprised. Rayel was still shy of strangers, and, as he was +evidently a little annoyed at the presence of our visitor, I +shielded him from the need of taking any part in our +conversation.</p> + +<p>The next morning an article appeared in one of the leading +dailies, which subjected us to a glare of publicity not at all to +our taste.</p> + +<p>It went on to say that Signor Lanion, a young Spanish artist, +had just arrived in New York and had taken apartments at No. Fifth +Avenue. “Lanion” was the name which had appeared on our +bill for picture-framing, the clerk who had waited on us having +taken it down incorrectly. “Unfortunately,” the article +continued, “Signor Lanion does not speak English, and for +that reason the reporter was unable to interview him.”</p> + +<p>The paper described Rayel’s personal charms at much +length, and claimed the credit of having discovered a genius who, +although still a youth, had done work worthy of an acknowledged +master.</p> + +<p>We had deep respect for the influence of that newspaper before +another week ended. Art managers, tailors, advertising agents, +auctioneers and numerous men and women prompted by no motive but +idle curiosity, besieged us until we bolted our doors in dismay +against all comers. The mail, too, brought us missives of varying +import from persons who had read the article, one of which was a +polite letter from Francis Paddington, a Wall Street broker, whose +name I had heard frequently during my American travels.</p> + +<p>“It was not stated,” said he, referring to the +newspaper article, “whether or not any of Signor +Lanion’s paintings are for sale. If they are, I would be glad +to look at them with a view to making some purchases for my art +collection.”</p> + +<p>The letter suggested an idea worth considering. Rayel worked +rapidly and had already painted more pictures than we could hang to +advantage in any but the most liberal quarters. He was at a loss to +understand just what was meant by selling the pictures, but he was +willing to sell them if they were not to be destroyed —at +least some of them. Accordingly I wrote Mr. Paddington, appointing +an hour when we would be glad to see him or his representative at +our rooms. The gentleman himself did us the honor to call. After +looking at the paintings, he expressed his willingness to buy the +entire collection. I told him, however, that we would not part with +more than ten canvases, and he seemed glad to buy even that number +at a price which was so far in excess of our expectations that I +was loath to accept it. Our beloved “Woman”—that +was the title we had given Rayel’s strangely derived +conception—was among the paintings included in the sale to +Mr. Paddington. Rayel thought he could reproduce it, and for days +after it was gone he made ineffectual efforts to paint another +woman after the ideal of our hearts. But, alas! try as he would, +that face never came back to his canvas. Many beautiful faces were +conjured by his masterful touch, but they were other faces, and +none of them satisfied us. The failure made Rayel unhappy, and +tears came to his eyes when the “Woman” was referred +to, as if he were mourning the loss of a dear friend.</p> + +<p>Our patron had conceived a great liking for us, and we were soon +invited to visit his house “and meet a few of his friends at +dinner.” It would give us an opportunity to see the +“Woman” —perhaps to buy her back again—and +we were strongly inclined to take advantage of it. Our +patron’s residence was one of the largest and most elegant on +Fifth Avenue. It was a matter of common fame that his +entertainments were the cause of more envy and heartburning in the +fashionable sisterhood than any other events of the season. I had +some doubt about the propriety of taking Rayel to such a place, +unaccustomed as he was to the refinements and conventionalities of +fashionable life. However, he had set his heart upon going—he +was so eager to see his beloved picture—and I did not oppose +his wish. In writing our acceptance of the invitation I corrected +Mr. Paddington’s error regarding our name, and explained the +rechristening we had received in the public prints.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<p>On the day of our appointment for dinner at Mr. +Paddington’s the newspapers were filled with accounts of a +sensational bank robbery, which had occurred in Wall Street the +night before. Between midnight and one o’clock in the +morning, thieves had entered the Metropolitan Bank, overpowered the +watchman, broken into the vaults and stolen half a million dollars +in currency without leaving any clew behind them of the slightest +value to the police. The subject interested Rayel intensely, and at +our breakfast that morning we talked of little else.</p> + +<p>“When they have found the thieves what will they do with +them?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Send them to prison,” I answered, “where +thieves are kept apart from the rest of humanity.”</p> + +<p>“And yet these thieves were not in prison. They could not +have robbed the bank if they had been in prison.”</p> + +<p>“True, but there are a good many thieves in the world who +are not suspected. They look like honest men and are highly +successful in concealing their dishonesty.”</p> + +<p>“I should think,” he said thoughtfully, “that +one would know a thief by his face.”</p> + +<p>“Remember,” said I, “that all men are not like +you. Most of them are easily deceived.”</p> + +<p>“Why, then, Kendric!” he exclaimed joyfully, +“I can do some good with this power of mine.”</p> + +<p>This conversation may seem commonplace enough, but it stands in +close relation to important events which will shortly claim our +attention. The subject which it introduces was not soon abandoned. +We talked about it on our way to the Paddingtons’ that +evening, where we were cordially received by our host, and +introduced to a large company of ladies and gentlemen.</p> + +<p>Rayel’s wonderful skill with the brush had evidently been +the subject of some discussion among Mr. Paddington’s guests. +It was referred to frequently, and somewhat to the embarrassment of +my cousin, in the exchange of greetings that followed our +introduction.</p> + +<p>Greatly to the relief of my fears Rayel seemed quite at ease. He +acknowledged the compliments paid him with gravity and +self-possession, but with few words. All eyes were raised to his +face, as he stood head and shoulders above a group of ladies and +gentlemen who had gathered about him. Never had his presence seemed +so magnetic and impressive since the first time I saw him in his +father’s house. Now, as then, a new inspiration was stirring +his blood and charging every nerve with the wonderful magnetism of +perfected manhood.</p> + +<p>The last person presented to us was a young lady of unusual +beauty, whom I noticed for some moments standing across the room in +earnest conversation with our host. Presently he made his way +toward us with the lady on his arm.</p> + +<p>“My daughter, Mr. Lane, whom I shall ask you to escort to +dinner,” said he, addressing Rayel. After I had been +introduced to the young lady she took Rayel’s arm, and the +company proceeded to the dining-hall. My seat at the table was +almost directly opposite Rayel. His grave and dignified demeanor +was made doubly conspicuous by the coquettish airs and ready tongue +of the young lady who sat beside him. Under a steady fire of +compliments and questions and artful glances I saw that he began to +grow uneasy.</p> + +<p>“That was a beautiful portrait you painted!” +exclaimed Miss Paddington, looking sentimental.</p> + +<p>“Thank you,” said he; “my cousin also admires +it, but I must own that it does not quite suit me.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you are an admirer of the lady it +represents,” said she, peering shyly into his eyes. +“The Count de Montalle has fallen in love with her and has +borrowed the portrait from my father.”</p> + +<p>“Ze picture—ah! monsieur, it is beautiful,” +said the Count, who sat near them. “But ze lady—she sat +for me long ago and I had ze honor myself to paint her +portrait.”</p> + +<p>He was a thin, wiry Frenchman, with small, black eyes, a +forehead sloping to a bald crown, an aquiline nose and a pointed +chin, adorned with an imperial. The face was almost mephistophelian +in effect. He had painted her portrait! Was the man an impostor? I +asked myself.</p> + +<p>“The Count is an artist himself, you know,” said +Miss Paddington.</p> + +<p>“Yes—an artist?” asked Rayel in a +half-incredulous tone. Then he looked inquiringly at the gentleman +referred to, as if doubtful of his own understanding of the words +he had repeated.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said the Count with emphasis. “For +twenty years I have devote myself to ze art.”</p> + +<p>“To what art, sir?” asked Rayel, in a tone +suggesting doubt.</p> + +<p>I was now thoroughly frightened at the serious turn of the +dialogue. Was this “Count” a pretender and one of the +many bogus noblemen of whom I had read? Rayel was sounding him, +that was quite evident. I saw now the mistake I had made in +bringing my cousin to such a place.</p> + +<p>“Quel impudence!” exclaimed the insulted nobleman, +under his breath.</p> + +<p>“Forgive me, sir,” quickly answered Rayel, “I +did not know it was wrong to ask you.”</p> + +<p>“I wish you would paint my portrait, Mr. Lane,” said +the young lady, who did not seem to appreciate the gravity of the +situation.</p> + +<p>“That would be easy enough,” he answered.</p> + +<p>“Would it? Ah, but I fear you would find me too plain a +subject. I am not beautiful, you know, but if I wore my best +clothes you might think I would do.”</p> + +<p>For some time Miss Paddington continued to spin out threads of +small talk, while Rayel sat listening. The dinner was nearly over +when the climax came which I had already begun to fear.</p> + +<p>“It is strange,” said Rayel thoughtfully. “You +speak what is not true, Miss Paddington. You said that the Prince +of Wales gave you the beautiful opal, but tell me—was it not +your father who gave it you?”</p> + +<p>He waited a moment for her answer.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I understand now,” he continued. “People +do not always speak the truth—do they?”</p> + +<p>The young lady turned red with embarrassment, while an unnatural +smile played upon her lips.</p> + +<p>“But—but what is the use of talking then?” he +asked. No one seemed disposed to answer.</p> + +<p>“It is strange,” he continued, with childlike +<i>naïveté</i>, turning to the young lady sitting at his left, +“you have been laughing as if you were very happy, but you +have felt more like weeping. This must be a very sad world!” He +ceased speaking as if some suspicion of the pain his words were +causing had suddenly come to him.</p> + +<p>The whole company turned its eyes upon the two. The young +lady’s face became suddenly pale and almost horror-stricken. +Rayel’s words were spoken in such a gentle and sympathetic +manner that every one was mystified.</p> + +<p>“Have you read about the great robbery that occurred last +night?” asked Mr. Paddington, with the evident purpose of +diverting attention from the young lady. “The vaults of the +Metropolitan Bank on Wall Street were blown open with dynamite, and +half a million dollars were stolen. No trace of the thieves has +been discovered.”</p> + +<p>“Too bad!” exclaimed half a dozen of the guests +seeking to enhance interest in the subject.</p> + +<p>“Zey were very bold about it,” said the Count, as he +lighted a piece of sugar soaked in cognac and held it over his +coffee.</p> + +<p>Just at that moment a singular thing happened. The lights grew +dim and suddenly went out, as if the gas had been turned off. The +burning cognac cast a white flickering light upon the face of the +man who had just spoken.</p> + +<p>“You say there is no trace of the thieves,” said +Rayel. “That is strange, for one of them is in this room +sitting at your table.”</p> + +<p>Only one face was visible, and all eyes were turned upon it, for +now the effect of that pale light keeping it in view was +indescribably weird. The eyes were suddenly turned in the direction +of Rayel, and a devilish glare came in them for an instant, when +the face suddenly seemed to shrink back into darkness. The ladies +and some of their more gallant escorts rushed precipitately from +the room. The servants hurried in with candles, but light was no +sooner restored than the guests who still remained at table rose, +as if by general consent, and left the dining-hall. Miss Paddington +and Rayel were the last to leave the table. When they had passed +out into the drawing-room her father came and took her arm, bowing +coldly to my cousin. It was evident that our presence was no longer +desired in the house of the Paddingtons. And no wonder!</p> + +<p>“Let us go,” I said, proceeding to the coat room. +The Count met us on the way.</p> + +<p>“You are a liar—a jackass!” he hissed into +Rayel’s ear.</p> + +<p>Hastily drawing on our coats we stepped out into the chilly +night air and walked leisurely down the deserted avenue. Neither of +us spoke for some moments. Presently Rayel asked:</p> + +<p>“What is a jackass?”</p> + +<p>He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of great +moment.</p> + +<p>“A man who always tells the truth in this world—he +is a jackass,” I replied.</p> + +<p>I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had been +through. Perhaps that is why my answer savored so strongly of +cynicism.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<p>Painful as had been our introduction to polite society, the +reaction which followed it was scarcely less so. Next day we stayed +indoors until evening, when we ventured out for a walk with fear +and trembling lest the newspapers had already increased our fame +and our mortification. The twilight of a cloudless autumn day was +closing in upon the city, and the keen, bracing winds which sweep +over the American metropolis from the sea brought the color to our +faces. We walked down Broadway, now quite deserted, in silence, and +as we were passing Wallack’s Theatre Rayel stopped suddenly, +and stood for a moment looking into the brightly lighted foyer. +Stepping in, he beckoned me to follow. I immediately saw what had +attracted his eye, for on an easel just inside the entrance was the +portrait of our woman. On a placard below the picture was the name +“Edna Bronson.” Our surprise was mingled with sad +regret at seeing it playing a false part to serve the ends of an +unscrupulous manager.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps she is here! suddenly exclaimed Rayel.</p> + +<p>“That is very unlikely,” I answered, “but we +shall see.”</p> + +<p>I bought tickets for the evening’s performance and we +hastened home, strangely elated, to dress for the play.</p> + +<p>Our seats were in one of the lower proscenium boxes and quite +clearly exposed to the gaze of the thousands who filled the theatre +in winding rows, ascending and receding to the roof high above us. +The garish decorations, the gay throng bedizened with jewels +sparkling in the light and the hundreds of fair faces and bright +eyes that were turned toward us presented a spectacle entirely new +to Rayel. Shortly the curtain rose and the play began. Its first +scene was a counterfeit of real stage life in an English theatre. +An important performance is impending and at the last moment both +the leading lady and her understudy are suddenly taken ill. The +management is in a quandary. In the midst of its confusion the +stage carpenter suggests that he has a daughter who can play the +part. When this functionary came upon the scene my interest in the +play began to wax stronger. Hester Chaffin’s father had been +a stage carpenter, and this turn in the scene startled me not a +little after having found our picture in the foyer.</p> + +<p>The carpenter’s suggestion is at first treated with +ridicule. He insists that she has learned the part from witnessing +the rehearsals, and urges the managers to give her a trial. The +performance must begin in four hours or be postponed. It is found +that the costumes prepared for the part will fit the young lady. +They consent to try her, the company is hastily summoned together +for rehearsal, and the curtain falls on the first act. The audience +waited impatiently for it to rise again and show what fortune might +have in store for the carpenter’s daughter, but of all that +audience I was probably the most impatient.</p> + +<p>“There is the Count,” whispered Rayel, directing my +attention to the opposite box. The diabolical little Frenchman was +there, sure enough, sitting next to the rail, and sweeping the +audience with his opera-glasses.</p> + +<p>Soon the curtain was rung up and the rehearsal began which was +to test the powers of the venturesome young lady. Suddenly she +appears at the rear of the stage dressed for her part in +Elizabethan costume. She is greeted with loud applause, and she +stands a moment, waiting for silence. The lights have been turned +down and I cannot see her face distinctly. Before the last ripple +of applause is quieted, she advances down the centre of the stage +and begins to speak her lines. That voice! What is there in it that +thrills me so strangely? When she ceases speaking she is standing +almost within reach of my hand. Suddenly her eyes meet mine and I +see Hester Chaffin standing there on the stage and looking into my +face. She recognizes me, for she seems confused and proceeds with +evident embarrassment.</p> + +<p>I turned to Rayel—he, too, was deeply moved by this great +surprise.</p> + +<p>“Our woman has come to life,” said he, in tremulous +whispers. “I knew we would see her sometime.”</p> + +<p>How she had changed! She was little more than a child when I saw +her last: now she was almost a woman, but not more beautiful than +when I bade her good-by in the moonlight at her father’s +gate—long, long ago, it seemed to me now. Was the scene I had +witnessed a passage in her own life since I had left Liverpool? At +the close of the act an usher carried my card to her. Presently I +was summoned to one of the corridors where a lady was waiting for +me.</p> + +<p>“Is this Kendric Lane?” she asked, extending her +hand.</p> + +<p>“It is,” I responded.</p> + +<p>“I have heard of you often. Miss Bronson is an old +acquaintance of yours, whom you knew as Hester Chaffin. Would you +like to see her?”</p> + +<p>“I wish to see her to-night, if possible,” said +I.</p> + +<p>“May I ask you, then, to go to this address and wait for +us until the performance is over? Hand this card to the night clerk +of the hotel and he will show you to our rooms.</p> + +<p>Scribbling a few words upon the card, she gave it to me, and +hurried behind the scenes.</p> + +<p>Rayel and I immediately left the theatre and walked to our +apartments. The play would soon be over and we had no time to lose. +On the way home I noticed that he frequently turned about and +peered through the darkness as if expecting some one to join us. He +said nothing, however, and as I was so preoccupied by my own +thoughts, I did not ask for whom he was looking.</p> + +<p>“Shall I not go with you?” he asked, when we had +reached home.</p> + +<p>“You had better wait up for me; I shall not be gone +long,” I answered.</p> + +<p>“I can walk back again when we get there, or perhaps I can +wait for you in the hotel?” said he.</p> + +<p>He was not yet accustomed to life in a great city, and it did +not seem wise, either, to permit him to walk home alone, or to wait +for me in the hotel among strangers. He did not seem quite content +to stay, however, and there was a troubled expression on his face, +which was new to it, and which I could not put out of my mind after +I had left the house. The hotel to which I had been directed was on +Union Square. It was not far from our apartments, and I intended to +walk there, but I had not gone half a block before the street was +lit up with a vivid flash of lightning, followed by deafening +thunder, and the wind blew damp in my face. I hurried toward Third +Avenue, intending to mount one of the horse cars going down-town, +but suddenly a fierce gust of wind swept over me, sowing great +drops of rain along the pavement. I looked about for a cab. The +street was deserted and so dark that I could see nothing except the +gloomy rows of brown stone that stood on either side. While I was +looking backward another flash of lightning illumined the street. +What man was that coming in the distance? Was it Rayel? No, that +was scarcely possible. I had only caught a momentary glimpse of him +in the quick flash. He was tall and erect like Rayel, and I thought +the hat was his. But my imagination must have tricked me after all, +for nothing showed clearly. I walked back a few steps and listened. +I could hear no footsteps, but then he might have followed me, and +I ought to be sure. So I called, “Rayel! Rayel!” twice, +and waited for an answer, but could hear none. I had not time to go +back to our rooms, as Hester was undoubtedly waiting for me now, +and Rayel was certainly not the man I had seen, or he would have +answered me. So I hurried along without giving any further thought +to my fears. But where was Third Avenue? Its character was not then +so sharply defined as in these days of elevated rail-roads +—perhaps I had passed it. I had already walked a long +distance, and I had not yet recognized that thoroughfare. I could +hear footsteps behind me and I determined to wait a moment and +inquire my way.</p> + +<p>“I am going there—walk along with me,” said +the man whom I questioned. Just then we passed under a street lamp. +I observed that he wore a large coat and muffler and that he was +walking under an umbrella. Another man, also under an umbrella, +fell in with us at the next corner. As we walked along in silence I +heard some person coming at a run down the street quite a distance +behind us. I was listening to this sound when I received a terrific +blow on the back of the head. I fell forward, one side of my face +striking heavily upon the pavement. Strangely enough, I seemed +unable to make any outcry, but I had not lost consciousness, for, +as I lay with my face resting on the wet stones, I could feel the +rain drops falling on it. I could hear those quick footsteps coming +nearer. Yes, I could hear Rayel’s voice shouting in a loud +and angry tone, but, try as I would, I could not utter a sound. As +I listened, the two men clutched me with strong hands and dragged +me through an open door, which quickly closed behind them. It was +no sooner shut than Rayel threw himself against it with terrific +force. I could hear the door groan and shake under the strain. +Once—twice, I was struck with cruel force upon the +head— then a loud roaring in my ears drowned everything.</p> + +<p>I can remember well the first return of consciousness. It was +like the slow breaking of dawn in the sky. I could hear voices +singing:</p> + +<p class="song">Hark! hark! my soul! angelic voices swelling<br /> +O’er earth’s green fields and ocean’s wave-beat shore.</p> + +<p>I could just distinguish those words. Where was I? Strange +thoughts began trooping through my mind. Then a great wave of +emotion swept over me. I could hear a low moaning sound that came +from my own throat. I could feel the hot tears rolling down my +cheeks. A gentle hand was brushing them away and some one was +speaking to me. I was lying on a soft bed. A sweet-faced woman was +bending over me, whom I had never seen before.</p> + +<p>“Where am I?”</p> + +<p>“In the hospital,” she answered.</p> + +<p>“The singing—who is singing?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“It is the chapel choir,” she answered; “the +services are nearly over now. It is Sunday.”</p> + +<p>“Is Rayel here?”</p> + +<p>“Your friend? yes, he has been with you every +day.”</p> + +<p>“How long?”</p> + +<p>“Almost a month.”</p> + +<p>I tried to ask other questions, but a drowsy feeling overcame me +and I fell asleep.</p> + +<p>When I awoke again Rayel was sitting beside me. As I opened my +eyes he leaned over and kissed my hands.</p> + +<p>“They thought you were dead once,” he said; +“but I knew you were not dead—I knew you were not +dead.” I lay for a moment trying to collect my thoughts. My +head was in tight bandages and something was binding my chest.</p> + +<p>“Where is Hester?” I asked. Rayel did not answer. He +was not there, but somebody was holding one of my hands. It was a +lady kneeling beside me, her face leaning forward upon the bed. Who +could it be? I closed my eyes and listened to the rustling of +withered leaves outside the window, and the low humming of insects +in the autumn sun. These were prophetic sounds, and they opened the +gates of thought and memory. A new life was coming now. What was it +to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. I tried to keep my +eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in vain. +When I awoke Rayel had returned.</p> + +<p>“You have slept a long time,” said he.</p> + +<p>“When I fell asleep a lady was here.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it was our ‘Woman,’” he +replied— “the lady you love. She has come every day to +see you.”</p> + +<p>“Where is she now?”</p> + +<p>“She had to go away, but she will soon come back +again.”</p> + +<p>“Who brought me here?”</p> + +<p>“I broke down the door—I found you there. You could +not see me nor speak to me, but I knew you were not dead. The men +were gone. I carried you out into the street. A policeman met me, +and I told him what had happened. Then the ambulance came and we +put you into it, and you were brought here. For a long time you lay +like my father after he was dead. Your face was white—like +snow. They had stabbed you in the side— they would have +killed you if I had not broken the door.”</p> + +<p>“Who struck me?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“I knew,” he said, his eyes flashing, “I knew +the devil was in their heads—that is why I wished to go with +you. They followed us that night.”</p> + +<p>“Who?” I asked, eagerly.</p> + +<p>“The Count de Montalle and another man.”</p> + +<p>My cousin’s answer amazed me.</p> + +<p>“Have you made known your suspicions?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“No. I have been waiting to talk with you +first.”</p> + +<p>“Do not speak of it yet to any one,” I said. +“Let us await developments.”</p> + +<p>I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if +pressed to the point of explaining his suspicions. It seemed quite +likely, also, that any futile discussion of the subject would +defeat justice.</p> + +<p>That day brought me a letter from Hester, whom I had been +looking for with much impatience since I had begun to feel more +like myself. She would shortly have fulfilled all her professional +engagements, and would then return at once to New York. “I +wonder,” she added, somewhat coquettishly, “if you will +be glad to see me.” On this point there was no doubt in my +mind, and although my strength increased rapidly, the days passed +with tedious slowness after that.</p> + +<p>I was sitting by the window one morning, looking out upon the +moving throng in the opposite street, when the door of my room was +suddenly opened. I supposed that one of the physicians had come to +see me, and I waited for him to speak.</p> + +<p>“Kendric!”</p> + +<p>It was Rayel who spoke my name, but somehow his voice did not +seem quite natural, and I turned to greet him.</p> + +<p>“This is our ‘Woman,’” said he, +advancing toward me with Hester upon his arm.</p> + +<p>I rose feebly to my feet, confused by the sudden announcement, +and took her extended hand. We looked into each other’s eyes +for a moment without speaking. My own were rapidly filling with +tears, and I could see her but dimly.</p> + +<p>“What a fine outlook you have!” she said, in a +tremulous voice, turning suddenly to the window and looking out +upon the trees now half stripped of their foliage by the autumn +winds. We both stood staring out of the window in silence. For my +part, I could not have spoken if I had known what to say. How she +had changed! The blushing little miss who had awakened the pangs of +first love in my youthful heart was a beautiful young woman, now +full grown and arrayed in costly finery. Rayel was the first to +speak.</p> + +<p>“You must be glad to meet again—you have loved each +other so long,” said he.</p> + +<p>Honest Rayel! He knew our hearts—their longings, their +histories, and also the vanity and pride that dwelt in them. Why +should there be any concealment between her and me?</p> + +<p>“It has been a long time—a very long time to me, +Hester, for I have loved you ever since we first met.”</p> + +<p>She turned toward me, her eyes filled with tears, and I drew her +to my heart and kissed her fondly.</p> + +<p>“We have only known each other as children, +Kendric,” said she. “Your heart may change and mine may +change—let us wait and see.”</p> + +<p>Then she left us, promising to come again next day.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<p>Hester and her maid looked in upon me every morning after that, +until I was able to leave the hospital. During these visits we told +each other the eventful story of our lives since the night of our +parting at her father’s gate. Her first appearance on the +stage had been, as I suspected, literally represented in the play. +For years she had been permitted to accompany her father behind the +scenes, and nights when the cast was short she had played small +parts with great success. The glamour and excitement of stage life +had proved distasteful to her. She assured me that it was her +intention never to go back to it, and this strengthened my hope +that she would some day consent to become my wife. Rayel had told +her, during my illness, the strange story of his life. She knew +nothing, however, of his wonderful powers, until I had related to +her some of the experiences which had revealed them to me. He had +said nothing to her, I learned, about our discovery of the +picture.</p> + +<p>“Who painted the remarkable portrait of you which we saw +at the theatre?” I asked her one day.</p> + +<p>“It was painted, I believe, by a French nobleman, who +presented it to me here in New York. I suppose it looks a little as +I did once, but it is certainly too flattering and much too +maidenly for me now.</p> + +<p>“The Frenchman is an impostor and worse,” I said. +“The portrait was painted by Rayel and sold to a broker of +the name of Paddington, from whom the Frenchman borrowed or bought +it.”</p> + +<p>Her amazement could scarcely be overestimated when I told her +what occurred at Mr. Paddington’s dinner-party.</p> + +<p>“The Frenchman,” she said, “has been paying me +unwelcome attentions ever since the first night of my appearance in +New York. He became so odious to me at length that I refused to +accept any of his gifts, and, in spite of the protests of my +managers, returned everything he had sent me, including the +portrait.”</p> + +<p>I did not tell her that it was this same Frenchman to whom I was +indebted for my wounds. Of that I must wait for more palpable +evidence, though not for my own convincing. It seemed strange to me +then that just at the moment this thought was passing through my +mind she asked me whom I suspected of having committed the assault. +It occurred to me after she had gone that possibly she had some +cause to suspect the man who had been the subject of our +conversation.</p> + +<p>Rayel always came late in the day, when there was no chance of +meeting other callers, and stayed with me until bedtime. As +returning strength brought back to me that interest in life which +prompts keen observation, I could see that a great change was +coming over him. His face wore a melancholy look which indicated +too clearly that his mind was suffering under some sad oppression. +He was as gentle and considerate as ever, and as tireless in his +efforts to increase my comfort, but he rarely spoke now, except in +reply to my questions. He would sit by my side for hours, gazing +out of the window with a vacant look in his eyes, until the light +of day grew dim and the lamps were lighted. When supper was served +to us I could never induce him to eat.</p> + +<p>“What is the trouble, Rayel?” I asked, one evening. +“You are not yourself lately.”</p> + +<p>Neither of us had spoken for a long time. He turned suddenly, as +if startled by my words, his lips quivered, and stammering almost +incoherently, he rose to his feet. Then he stood erect before me +for a moment, looking sadly and thoughtfully into my eyes.</p> + +<p>“Nothing, Kendric,” he said presently, in a deep +tone that trembled with emotion. “I think I have been working +too hard and need exercise—that is all.” Then he +grasped my hand warmly and bade me good night.</p> + +<p>I believe his answer to my question was the first lie that he +had ever spoken.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<p>Next day I was discharged from the hospital, and Rayel and I +were driven to our apartments. He had a number of surprises +prepared for me. A large painting on his easel, awaiting some +finishing touches, compelled my attention as soon as I entered the +room. It represented a scene in our own lives, which had lasted but +a second, but which could never be forgotten by either of us. He +had seen me when I stood looking backward in that vivid flash of +lightning—there could be no doubt of it now, for here was the +scene transferred to canvas. The shaft of white light shaking and +darting across the black sky like a gleaming sword; the man on the +sidewalk looking backward with a startled glance; the big drops of +rain falling sidelong in the wind—these were all reproduced +on the canvas. His later pictures were characterized by a cynical +tendency, which I observed with regret. It was evident that his +sensitive mind had taken impressions from its brief contact with +men, which were sadly affecting his thought.</p> + +<p>He showed me numerous letters, many of which were from women who +desired to visit his studio and see his work. Indeed, my cousin had +apparently grown suddenly famous in the American metropolis. He was +the victim rather than the victor of fame, however, and regarded +the matter with very serious concern. The press of New York had +been full of gossip concerning his “eccentricities” +since the event which had put my life in danger. One of the society +journals had printed a highly colored version of that little +episode at the house of the Paddingtons, and had concluded its +article by saying that the fair Miss Paddington had fallen madly in +love with her father’s strange guest.</p> + +<p>That night, as we were sitting by the grate fire in our own +rooms, Rayel, encouraged by our seclusion, began to emerge from the +silence to which he had seemingly gone back for refuge in time of +trouble.</p> + +<p>“We shall soon be ready to start for England,” I +said.</p> + +<p>“I do not wish to go to England, Kendric,” said he. +“For a long time I have thought over it. Let me go back to +the old house and live by my father’s grave, until the good +Lord takes me to a better home. I would miss you, dear Kendric, and +every day I would look for you to come, but I shall be happier +there.”</p> + +<p>His words touched me deeply, and I was not prepared to answer +him with perfect calmness, although I had lately suspected that his +despondency would lead to this resolve.</p> + +<p>“Why must we separate now, after we have become so dear to +each other?” I asked. “Something has happened to change +your purpose since I have been ill—tell me what it +is.”</p> + +<p>“To speak frankly, Kendric, I must say that the world has +sadly disappointed me. It is full of vanity and deceit and +selfishness. Every day brings to me some hideous revelation which +the mercy of heaven has hidden from others. I have seen the +righteous forsaken of men, and the wicked receiving homage; I have +seen the unjust triumphing over the just; I have seen some reveling +in abundance while others were begging for bread. Everywhere I have +found want and misery staring me in the face.</p> + +<p>“Remembering what Christ said, I sold all I had and gave +to the poor, and now there is nothing more I can do. My best +pictures, my money and all my extra clothing have gone to feed the +hungry and cover the naked. And even now, when I have nothing left +to give, I find as much misery as before. Often, since I have been +alone, I have had nothing to eat and no fire to keep me warm. Then +I feared to tell you what I had done, and I bore it in silence, +hoping that I might earn more money by painting. But I could not +work. When Hester came back I told her all my troubles, and she +gave me money, not only for my own use but for the use of others +who needed it more than I. She and I have wandered about the city +by day and by night, ministering to the sick and the +friendless.”</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking, his head bent forward upon his hands. It was +indeed a serious situation into which a too generous heart had +betrayed him. Nearly all his fortune had descended to him in cash +on deposit, and payable either to my order or to his. He had +therefore saved nothing for himself that had been available for the +satisfaction of his good impulses. Instead of displeasing me, +however, as he feared, his action only increased my love for him, +if that were possible.</p> + +<p>“Do not let these things trouble you, Rayel,” I +said. “We shall find no difficulty, I think, in earning money +enough for our needs. I cannot see you shut yourself away from the +world: you have yet an important work to do among men. You are now +morbidly sensitive to the misery that surrounds us, but you will +feel it less keenly as it grows more familiar.”</p> + +<p>“You do not understand me, Kendric,” said he, +starting from his chair, and pacing restlessly up and down the +room. “I cannot deceive you any longer. In begging you to +leave me, it is your own happiness I am thinking of. Please go as +soon as possible,” he pleaded, laying his hand gently upon my +shoulder. “Take her with you, and let me stay.”</p> + +<p>My heart seemed suddenly to have stopped beating.</p> + +<p>“My God, Rayel!” I exclaimed. “Are we both in +love with the same woman?”</p> + +<p>“No, Kendric, no,” he said quickly, taking my hand. +“I do not mean that. I would not permit myself to love her, +knowing that you love her also.”</p> + +<p>“What, then, do you mean?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“That there is danger,” he answered huskily, sinking +into a chair. “I am a fool not to have thought of it long +ago!”</p> + +<p>His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not +speak.</p> + +<p>“You know what is in her heart, Rayel,” I said +presently. “Tell me, is it false, or is she, as I have +thought, a pure and noble woman?”</p> + +<p>“She is pure and worthy of your love,” he answered. +“Her life has been much exposed to temptation, but her +character has been greater than any temptation. When she began to +go with me among the poor I did not know what love was. I had never +felt the power of it, nor did I think of the danger to all of us. +When at last it came upon me, and I saw what it meant, I resolved +not to see Hester again until God had given me strength to subdue +that passion. For days my heart was near breaking. When you asked +me to tell you what made me sad, I had not the courage to do it. +Then I told you a lie. I did the very thing which I have so much +condemned in others. This trouble has taught me to comprehend and +to pity the frailty of men. I look forward with fear and dread for +my own sake.. I shall be safe in my father’s house. I must go +back, but, before I go, forgive me. Tell me that you do not despise +me.”</p> + +<p>As he ceased speaking he laid his hand upon my shoulder and +peered into my face with a frightened and appealing look.</p> + +<p>“Despise you!” I repeated. “No. You are dearer +to me now than ever. What you have told me will bring us closer to +each other, if we consider it wisely. As yet there is no pledge +between Hester and myself, save the assurance given by unuttered +thoughts. Her heart is free. I have no right to claim it. If she +loves you I shall wish you both much joy.”</p> + +<p>“That will not be necessary, Kendric. I had rather die +than know that I had come between you. I cannot even risk the +danger of it. I must leave you to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“Under no circumstances will I consent to that. My promise +to your father and my duty to you forbid it. To go back now would +be cowardly and unworthy of you. With my help and guidance you can +do great things. We must face the world with stout hearts. As to +this trouble, let us concern ourselves about it as little as +possible. I believe that whatever may be best for all will happen +if we but wait with patience.”</p> + +<p>Rayel made no answer, and for some moments we both sat looking +at the glowing embers in silence.</p> + +<p>“I shall obey your wish,” he said presently; +“I cannot do otherwise. I am like a child, and must look to +you for instruction in all things. Perhaps there will come a time +when I can repay you.”</p> + +<p>“It will be a pleasure for me to help you as I would a +brother, and you will owe me no gratitude for it,” I +said.</p> + +<p>We sat discussing our plans for the future until near midnight. +When we went to bed at last, Rayel looked happier than I had seen +him before since my recovery at the hospital.</p> + +<p>When I awoke it was near midday. I went to call Rayel and found +that he was gone.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<p>After waiting for him nearly an hour I went to a neighboring +restaurant for breakfast. On returning I found that he had not yet +come back. Alarmed at his continued absence I went at once to +Hester’s apartments, scarcely expecting, however, to find him +there, but confident that she would be able to tell me where he was +likely to go.</p> + +<p>“No doubt he has gone on some good errand,” she +said. “Has he not told you of his charitable +enterprises?”</p> + +<p>“He told me last night how they had reduced his +fortune.”</p> + +<p>“Poor fellow!” she continued. “In his zeal for +others he quite forgot his own needs. I would have told you about +it, but that he implored me to spare you any knowledge of his +condition. I think we shall be able to find him. Let us go and +try.”</p> + +<p>Hester and I set out at once, walking rapidly against a biting +east wind toward the river. On reaching Second Avenue we took a car +and rode down among the big tenements towering into the sky on all +sides in the lower part of the city. Alighting in the midst of +these human hives, we made our way through a wretched crowd, +shivering in the livery of destitution, down a long and narrow +alley. Entering one of the doorways we climbed a steep flight of +stairs, above which was a squalid throng pressing about an open +door on the landing. The women held children in their arms, and +many of them were crying bitterly. The men stood in silence peering +curiously over the heads of the further throng into the crowded +chamber. Some of them greeted Hester with great respect, and moved +aside that we might have room to enter. As we neared the door I +could hear a babel of strange tongues and the voices of women +calling down the blessings of Heaven upon some one in their midst. +It was Rayel. He stood in a corner of the room holding two little +children in his arms, and the crowd was pressing forward as if +eager to speak with him. He was talking in a low voice to those +nearest him, but I was unable to catch his words. There were men +and women of many nationalities in the throng. I saw Italians, +Celts, Poles, Germans and even men whose swarthy faces and peculiar +garb betokened Syrian origin. When we pressed nearer to Rayel I saw +some, as they came within reach, extend their hands and touch him +fondly, uttering exclamations as they did so, often in a tongue +that was strange to me. These simple-minded people seemed to regard +him as a supernatural being whom it was good to talk with, and +whose touch it was a blessing to feel. A look of love and +gentleness and sympathy irradiated his face and invited their +confidence. These were evidently the poor whom he had befriended, +and he was now taking leave of them, probably forever. It was a +scene the like of which few can ever hope to witness. After all, I +thought, what manner of riches can be compared to the satisfaction +which Rayel feels at this moment? I was quite ready then to applaud +his unselfish generosity, for in that gloomy and unclean place I +first saw the full radiance of God’s truth that it is +infinitely more blessed to give than to receive. We stood for a +long time looking upon this memorable meeting of Cadmus and +Caliban. When at length he caught sight of us, Rayel came where we +stood, and said he was ready to go home. Perceiving that we were +about to go, the crowd hurried from the building into the narrow +alley leading out upon the street. Some shouted endearing farewells +as we passed them, and many of their hardened faces were wet with +tears. The sun was just going down and the shadows were deepening +between the high walls looming above us as we started homeward. +Hester insisted that we must dine with her and decide upon the day +of our departure. Rayel and I went directly home for a bath and a +change of clothing, after which we proceeded at once to +Hester’s apartments. Evidently somewhat fatigued by the +day’s experience, Rayel had little to say while we were +eating dinner. It was arranged that we would start for England by +the first steamer on which we could secure a comfortable passage. +We had no sooner finished our coffee than a servant announced Mr. +Benjamin Murmurtot, who wished to see Miss Bronson.</p> + +<p>“A reporter!” exclaimed Hester. “There’s +no dodging them in America. Shall I ask him in for a +moment?”</p> + +<p>We said yes, of course, and Mr. Murmurtot presently fluttered +into the room. He was a natty little man, with a large nose, a bald +head and a decidedly English accent.</p> + +<p>“Delighted to see you, Miss Bronson,” said he, +“delighted, I’m sure. Thought I’d call and pay my +respects before you leave the city.”</p> + +<p>He greeted us all with like effusiveness and sat down facing +Hester.</p> + +<p>“It’s very kind of you,” said she; “but +pray how did you know I was to leave the city?”</p> + +<p>“Why, I’m sure, Miss Bronson, everybody knows you +are going home to be married?”</p> + +<p>“It is true that I am going home soon,” said she, +“but I must decline to discuss my object in doing +so.”</p> + +<p>“Pray pardon me; I’m a journalist, you know,” +said Mr. Murmurtot, “and I earn my living by impertinence. +Have I not seen you before, sir?” he continued, facing Rayel. +“I think you were at the theatre one evening some time +ago—sat in the lower box at the right of the stage—I +remember it well, sir.”</p> + +<p>“I remember the occasion,” said my cousin, with his +accustomed gravity.</p> + +<p>“I read about that occurrence at Mr. Paddington’s +dinner-party, sir,” continued Mr. Murmurtot. “It was +decidedly clever in you, sir— deucedly clever! Everybody is +talking about it, now that the Count has been arrested.”</p> + +<p>“Arrested!” I exclaimed; “has he been +arrested?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, this morning, for the robbery, you know. They say +that the police have secured evidence that will convict him sure, +but it seems they are not yet ready to make it public; reporters +can’t get the Inspector to say a word about it, you +know—not a word.”</p> + +<p>There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from all +present, save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint smile stole +over his face.</p> + +<p>“I knew they would find him out,” said he.</p> + +<p>“I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir,” said Mr. +Murmurtot, again addressing my cousin.</p> + +<p>“And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter, +said Rayel. “It is good that we understand each +other.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Murmurtot started with surprise at the remark.</p> + +<p>“I do not know how fully you may be acquainted with my +secret,” said he, “but permit me to assure you that I +am here on a friendly mission.</p> + +<p>“I have no doubt of that,” said my cousin.</p> + +<p>“Let me proceed directly to the object of my visit, then, +which is to learn how soon you expect to return to +England.”</p> + +<p>“By Saturday, if possible,” I replied.</p> + +<p>“That is good,” said he, turning toward me. +“The sooner the better. In the meantime it will be my duty to +keep a sharp eye upon you; I have been near you all day. You need +not feel any alarm—only do not be surprised if you meet me +often. I am responsible for your safety, that is all.”</p> + +<p>“For whom are you acting?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“My dear sir,” said he, rising to go, “men in +my line of business must not talk too much. Good night.”</p> + +<p>After he had gone we asked Rayel to tell us more about this +mysterious visitor, but he was unable to do so.</p> + +<p>When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with us +to the cab. As we alighted at our own door I saw a man standing by +the street lamp on the corner, some distance away, whom I +recognized as Mr. Murmurtot. I found a letter from Mr. Earl +awaiting me at home, in which he urged us to hasten back to England +as soon as possible after my recovery.</p> + +<p>“You and Rayel,” he said, “will, I trust, make +your home at my house.”</p> + +<p>Next day we began our preparations for the voyage.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<p>It was on a bleak and windy night in December that we were +driven through a pelting rain to one of the docks on the North +River, which our steamer was to leave at high tide in the early +morning. When we alighted Mr. Murmurtot stood shivering in a +greatcoat and muffler close by the passengers’ entrance.</p> + +<p>“This is a good place for a warm greeting,” said he, +taking Hester’s hand. “I’ve stood here so long +that my teeth are chattering from the cold.”</p> + +<p>“Won’t you come aboard with us?” I asked.</p> + +<p>“Not yet,” he replied; “but I expect to sail +with you in the morning.”</p> + +<p>“’Sa rough night, sir,” said the porter who +carried our luggage, “but we’ll find it a bit rougher +outside, I’m feered, afore anither night.”</p> + +<p>Fatigued by a long day of arduous work, we went at once to our +staterooms. I was soon asleep after getting into my berth, but was +awakened by the tramp of feet on the upper decks and the shouting +of the crew long before the ship left her moorings. They reminded +me of the first night I had ever spent on an ocean +steamer—the night I left Liverpool on that journey fraught +with danger I had not then dreamed of. I had grown old very fast +under the influences that had come into my life since then. Indeed, +I was now a man, whereas I had been only a boy when I left England. +But Rayel was with me now, and that repaid me for all I had +suffered. What would he have done in that lonely mansion after his +father’s death? For hours my mind was occupied with these +reflections, and at length I determined to dress myself and go on +deck. Rayel awoke while I was dressing and decided to go with +me.</p> + +<p>We found the decks thronged with people, and the ship’s +crew were bustling about, getting ready to sail. We stood near the +gangway, facing the dock. A man was pacing back and forth in the +opening whose figure seemed familiar to me. Presently he came +aboard, and as he passed near us I saw it was the omnipresent Mr. +Murmurtot.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if he is afraid somebody will steal the +ship?” I remarked.</p> + +<p>“No, he is looking for some person,” said Rayel, +divining my thoughts.</p> + +<p>“All ashore! Stand away, there!” shouted one of the +ship’s officers.</p> + +<p>The passengers fell back, the gangway was pulled aboard, the +great hawsers were loosened, and the ship moved slowly away from +the dock. We stood for a long time watching the river craft and the +receding lights of the city. The ship was well beyond the Atlantic +Highlands when we went to our stateroom and to bed again. We slept +until late in the morning, and arose barely in time for a late +breakfast with Hester. Rayel seemed cheerful enough and took more +than ordinary interest in his surroundings. When we had risen from +the table he led me aside and directed my attention to a short, +stout man with a bristly growth of close-cropped black hair, a low +forehead and shaggy eyebrows, who was leaning lazily against the +railing of the stairway.</p> + +<p>“Let us avoid him,” he whispered. “I do not +like his looks.”</p> + +<p>What can this mean? I asked myself, as we all proceeded to the +deck. Perhaps he was the man the detective was looking for.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful sunlit afternoon, and the vessel rode +steadily in a sea that was growing quiet under the dying impulse +that the winds had left behind them. We drew our chairs together on +the deck near the stern of the vessel, and had settled down for a +quiet chat among ourselves when we were unexpectedly joined by Mr. +Murmurtot.</p> + +<p>“Delighted, I’m sure!” he exclaimed, with the +same inimitable drawl I had noted on the occasion of our first +meeting. I soon observed that the artful little gentleman was +master of an elaborate system of exclamations by which he +encouraged one to talk freely without saying anything himself.</p> + +<p>In response to my assertion that we had been exceedingly busy +getting ready for the trip he said simply: +“Indeed!”</p> + +<p>It was a very unusual burst of confidence in which he was moved +to express his views with any greater freedom. When the remark +which preceded it was evidently expected to meet with Mr. +Murmurtot’s concurrence, then he would say, “Yes, +indeed!”</p> + +<p>If the remark were one to which this response would be +inappropriate he often went to the extent of observing, “I +dare say!” seemingly ventured after careful consideration of +the chances for and against the proposition which provoked it.</p> + +<p>“My dear sir, I do not agree with you,” he would +always say when he felt compelled to differ with me. If the +difference in our views chanced to be extremely radical, he would +throw particular emphasis upon the word “dear,” as a +sort of recompense for his opposition. These forms of speech, with +occasional and slight variations, were always employed by Mr. +Murmurtot as a medium of thought and sentiment.</p> + +<p>In the midst of our conversation I noticed the man whom Rayel +had pointed out to me when we arose from the breakfast-table. He +was standing against the rail, not twenty feet from where we sat, +and as I looked at him he turned away and walked leisurely down the +deck. In a moment Rayel was on his feet, and, excusing himself, he +proceeded in the same direction. An hour later, as he had not +returned, I left Hester with Mr. Murmurtot and went forward in +quest of him. He was in the reading-room, apparently interested in +a newspaper. As he did not observe me, I sat down behind his chair +without disturbing him. To my surprise I saw that he was not +reading the paper, but that his eyes were furtively watching the +mysterious stranger he had followed, who sat on the other side of +the room listlessly puffing at a cigarette. I was seated scarcely a +moment when Rayel seemed to be aware of my presence. Looking from +face to face until he had discovered me he arose and came to my +side.</p> + +<p>“I was trying to read a newspaper,” said he, leading +the way to the door, “but reading is still hard work for +me.”</p> + +<p>“I saw that you did not seem to be looking at the +paper,” said I, as we proceeded to the deck. He made no +reply, but stopped and looked out across the waste of waters at the +horizon.</p> + +<p>“Do you know that man?” I asked.</p> + +<p>For a moment I stood waiting for his answer. Apparently he had +not heard my question, and I repeated it in a somewhat louder +tone.</p> + +<p>He turned suddenly with an impatient exclamation. There was a +flash of anger in his eyes as he faced me. I had never seen him in +such a mood before.</p> + +<p>“Forgive me,” said he. “I am only angry with +myself. Come, Hester will be looking for us.”</p> + +<p>I did not venture again to refer to our bristly fellow-passenger +in Rayel’s presence. Never inclined to talk much, even with +me, he was becoming more silent than ever as the voyage continued. +Day by day his interest in that strange man seemed to increase. He +spent as little time as possible in my company. When not with me he +was hounding him about the ship, keeping him in sight from some +favorable point of observation. What was the meaning of it? The +question forced itself upon my mind persistently by day and night, +and begat in me a gloomy reticence which Hester was quick to +observe. Every day I expected some revelation from Rayel, but he +said nothing about the man in whom he had taken such extraordinary +interest.</p> + +<p>We had been over a week at sea, and I was sitting alone one +afternoon, when Mr. Murmurtot came along and asked if he might +introduce an acquaintance of his whom I ought to know. Then he went +to find the gentleman, saying that he would return in a few +moments. He had no sooner left me than my mind reverted to the man +who had been the bugbear of my thoughts since we left New York. +Presently Mr. Murmurtot touched my arm. Looking up suddenly, I saw +standing before me the very man of whom I had been thinking.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Lane, let me introduce you to Mr. Fenlon,” said +the detective. I shook the hand that was extended to me +mechanically, and made some incoherent response—I do not +remember what. I had been taken by surprise. My voice was unnatural +and my strength seemed to have left me suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Are you not well, sir?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“No, sir, he is not well yet.”</p> + +<p>It was the voice of Rayel that answered for me. He was standing +by my side, his lips tightly drawn, and his eyes fixed upon the man +Fenlon. There was a terrible look on his face as he stood there +towering above us. The man turned pale and moved quickly backward +two or three steps, staring at my cousin as if in fear of receiving +a death-blow. For an instant, only, he stood like some fierce +animal at bay, then turned and walked hurriedly down the deck. The +situation was made all the more impressive by the interval of +silence that followed Rayel’s words.</p> + +<p>“Forgive me,” said Mr. Murmurtot, taking my hand, +“if this meeting was unpleasant. It was necessary.” +Then he bowed politely and walked away. The sun was just going down +as Rayel and I entered the cabin, where Hester was waiting for +us.</p> + +<p>“The captain thinks we will reach Southampton before five +in the morning,” said she.</p> + +<p>I was glad to learn that our voyage was so near its end.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<p>After dinner Rayel and I went at once to our stateroom.</p> + +<p>“I am out of patience with myself,” said he, as soon +as we were seated. “My mind is failing me just when I need it +most. I have grown dull and stupid. For more than a week I have +been trying to find out that man’s secret. I knew that he had +a secret, and that it concerned us. Not until to-night was I +certain that I had found it out. Once I could see the truth +clearly. No matter how deeply it was buried under lies—I +could see it. But now there is something like a mist before my +eyes, and I am sure of nothing. Perhaps it is because I am now a +liar myself, as bad as any of them. God have mercy on me!” +said he, rising, and speaking with much animation. “I know +now what is blinding my soul. When a man lies he loses some degree +of his power to distinguish between truth and falsehood.”</p> + +<p>He stood looking into my face impatiently, as if waiting to hear +what I would say to his remark.</p> + +<p>“That would be the natural result, I have no doubt,” +said I; “but are you not trying to convict yourself of too +much wickedness and stupidity?”</p> + +<p>I had never considered the misfortune of knowing too +much—of being able to detect every difference between word +and thought, between appearance and reality. That was the power +which Rayel possessed, and it increased his moral responsibility by +as much as it transcended the power common to others. Here, indeed, +was a man ripe for the fate of a martyr.</p> + +<p>“Won’t you tell me Fenlon’s secret, if you +have found it out?” I asked. “I’ve been thinking +about it night and day since we first saw him.”</p> + +<p>“Be wise! Don’t try to learn too fast, +Kendric” said he. “You shall know it soon, I am sure of +that—indeed, I promise that you shall.”</p> + +<p>“I am quite willing to wait on the future for everything +if you think it is best,” I said.</p> + +<p>We sat for a long time, making plans for our future life in +England. It was near midnight when we retired to our berths, but we +were up early in the morning, eager to catch the first sight of +land. On reaching the deck we were overjoyed to see the distant +spires of Southampton glowing in the morning sun.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Earl met us at the station of the Southwestern +Railway in London, and we were driven at once to their home. Hester +came to breakfast with us, but Mrs. Earl would not let her go to +Liverpool that day, ship-worn and fatigued as we all felt after the +voyage.</p> + +<p>“You resemble your father, sir, when he was of your +age,” said Mr. Earl, addressing my cousin, as we were eating. +“But you are larger, much larger, than he was.”</p> + +<p>“You were my father’s friend when he was a young +man, I believe?” said Rayel.</p> + +<p>“Yes, he and his brother were my best friends in those +days. I tried to induce him to study law, but he was more inclined +to medicine.”</p> + +<p>Rayel had found a man quite after his liking and the two were on +the best of terms at once. Indeed, he seemed to talk with my +benefactor as freely as he ever talked with me. I found Mrs. Earl +very much as I had imagined my mother to have been— a +full-faced, ruddy-cheeked woman; with a sweet voice and gentle +manners. She greeted me as if I were her own son returned from a +long journey, and when we sat down to talk after breakfast, I felt +the joy and peace of one who has found a home after much +wandering.</p> + +<p>I spent the afternoon with Mr. Earl in his library, and he +listened with deep interest to the complete story of my life since +the night we parted in Liverpool.</p> + +<p>He had many questions to ask me touching the attempt upon my +life, and my replies were jotted down in his memorandum-book. After +I had told him all that I was able to tell he sat for some moments +thoughtfully turning the pages of the book, stopping now and then +to read some of the memoranda.</p> + +<p>“It looks pretty bad for them, doesn’t it?” +said he calmly, looking up at me over his spectacles. “But +we’ll bring this matter to a climax very soon,” he +continued. “We haven’t seen the last act of the play +yet. You need not have any further fear for your safety—I +will look after that. You may feel quite free to go and come as you +please in this part of the city. Above all things we must avoid +letting them know that we suspect anything; it might defeat me in +getting hold of the last bit of evidence that is necessary to +complete our case.”</p> + +<p>I nodded, and waited for him to proceed.</p> + +<p>“Let us go carefully until we’re sure of our +ground,” he continued. “Your stepmother knows you are +in London, of course. You must go and see her. Take your cousin +with you, and—well, you will know how to treat them. After +all, you must bear in mind that in the eye of the law every man is +innocent until he is proven guilty. Adopt that view of the case +yourself. You needn’t fear anything from Cobb or his wife. +Only be reasonably prudent.”</p> + +<p>“I’ve no fear that they will try to do us any +harm,” said I; “and I would greatly enjoy visiting the +old house. Perhaps we could go to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“The day after. You’d better go down to Liverpool +to-morrow with the young lady, and return by the night +train.”</p> + +<p>That day saw the beginning of a deep and lasting friendship +between Hester and Mrs. Earl. When we left next morning to go to +Hester’s home in Liverpool, she promised to return soon for a +long visit. By ten o’clock we were well out of smoky London, +on the way that I had already traversed once before, with a +cheerful heart most creditable to me under the circumstances. Mrs. +Chaffin was waiting for us at the gate when we alighted in front of +the old wood-colored cottage—that haven of weary legs in days +gone by. Phil (who had lengthened noticeably in the service of +Valentine, King & Co.) was there, too, and all the rest of the +Chaffin household in Sunday clothes. Mrs. Chaffin was quite beside +herself with joy.</p> + +<p>“Dear-a me!” said the good lady, after the +salutations were over. “Dear-a sakes! How you’ve +growed! I didn’t think you’d ever live to get s’ +big. I thought as ’ow som’ ’arm ’d come to +ye when ye went away, an’ Hester—”</p> + +<p>“Mamma!” exclaimed Hester, with a reproving glance. +“Don’t tell him.”</p> + +<p>“I’m that fidgety I don’t know what I’m +sayin’. The Lord bless us, but ye must be hungry!” said +the good woman, as she spread the table for dinner. She had guessed +rightly, and Hester bustled about, helping her mother get the +dishes on the table, with a critical eye to all the arrangements. +Rayel was much amused by the children, the youngest of whom had +climbed upon his knee and was taking liberties with his cravat. He +was wholly unaccustomed to the pranks of children, and we +frequently rallied to his defence. He seemed to enjoy them, +however, and was soon involved in a spree at which both Hester and +I laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>“This herring ain’t extra good, sir, but I +’ope it won’t go ag’in’ ye,” said +Mrs. Chaffin to Rayel, as we sat down to the table.</p> + +<p>He seemed in doubt for a moment as to what it would be proper to +say in reply to this well-intended remark.</p> + +<p>“I have never eaten a herring, madam,” said he, +gravely, “but I have no doubt it will be good.”</p> + +<p>“I ’ope so, sir—indeed, I ’ope so; but I +dare presume to say that it will taste bad enough to the likes of +you.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chaffin (good soul) had evidently concluded that my cousin +was a man entitled to extra politeness. Hester had adroitly +side-tracked the herring question and started another train of +speculation, when her mother’s misgivings were again excited +respecting the tea, which Rayel had just tasted.</p> + +<p>“Murky, sir?” she asked, with a glance of alarm. +“I ’ope it don’t taste murky.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Chaffin’s solicitude respecting the tea and the +herring reminded me of the first time I had stretched my tired legs +under that hospitable board at Phil’s invitation; of those +big, wondering eyes that stared at me across the table; of the +songs and stories which beguiled the evening hours.</p> + +<p>The candles were lit before dinner was over, and when we rose +from the table it was to gather about the warm fire and exchange +memories, while Rayel listened with deep interest. Phil had been +promoted from a pair of legs to a pair of hands, and was now third +bookkeeper for the firm. Our carriage came for us at nine +o’clock. Hester had decided to stay a day or two with her +mother, but it was necessary for Rayel and me to return to London +that night, as we were to make an important call the next day.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<p>Late in the afternoon of the day following our visit to +Liverpool we ascended the big stone steps of my old home and pulled +the bell. After all, I found that my nerves were not quite steady +while we were waiting for the door to open. We had come intending +to spend the night there, and my benefactor had given me certain +precautions not calculated to make me feel entirely at home. Was +there some deeper plan underlying his suggestion as to this visit +than he had chosen to explain? I had not long to consider that +point, however, for suddenly the door opened and a servant in +imposing livery confronted us. I handed him my card and we were +shown into the reception room at once. Presently he conducted us to +my stepmother, who greeted me with a great show of cordiality and +some tears. She had grown old fast since I left home, but she had +artfully disguised the evidences of age upon her face and neck. Why +had I stayed away so long? What had she done to deserve such +shameful neglect? These and other questions taxed my wits for an +answer that would neither outrage my own conscience nor offend her. +Mr. Cobb, who had just returned from his office, suddenly entered +the room. His face assumed an ashen pallor, and he stared at me +quite dumfounded for a moment, when I arose and stood before +him.</p> + +<p>“It is Kendric. Don’t you recognize him?” said +my stepmother.</p> + +<p>“So it is!” he exclaimed. “But he’s +grown quite out of my recollection.” The man had recovered +his self-possession in a moment, and treated me, it must be said to +his credit, with marked coolness. I was likely to get on with him +very well, I thought, but the fawning attitude of his wife quite +unhorsed me. If I am to see the devil I’d rather he’d +frown than smile. Cobb had very little to say to us, and left the +room at the first opportunity. In doing so he had shown scant +consideration for his wife, however, as it left a burden upon her +shoulders that must have taxed her strength. But she was not +unequal to it. Her smile broadened after he had gone, and there was +a tone of deeper sincerity in her expressions of regard. We had +been to dinner, and if she would kindly send a little cold lunch to +our room at bedtime that would be quite sufficient. During her +absence for dinner the reaction came. When my stepmother returned +she seemed to have suddenly grown older, and she looked at us +through haggard and sunken eyes. Surely this was a terrible +punishment she was undergoing, and I pitied her. Mr. Cobb had an +important engagement to keep, she said, and hoped we would excuse +him. Slowly the evening wore away and at ten o’clock we were +shown to our room, greatly fatigued by this trying experience. It +was a room fronting the street on the third floor, which I had +occupied before I left home. The walls had been painted white since +then, with a frieze of gold along the ceiling. My father used to +sleep in the room directly under it. Rayel had been silent and +absent-minded all the evening, rarely speaking except in reply to +some question.</p> + +<p>“I feel sad for some cause I do not understand,” +said he, preparing to retire. “I shall be glad when to-morrow +comes.”</p> + +<p>“We will go back in the morning,” I said. “You +don’t feel at home here, do you?”</p> + +<p>He did not seem to hear me, but tried the door, which I had +already bolted, and then got into bed, yawning and shivering, for +the room was cold. I turned down the light, and, opening the +shutters, looked out upon the street, now deserted save by a +solitary man who had just passed the house and whose slow footsteps +were gradually growing less distinct. I crouched there, listening +for some moments to that fading sound, when it began to grow louder +again. The man had turned about and was coming back. As he passed +under the lamp on the opposite corner I thought I recognized the +slim figure of Mr. Murmurtot. Suddenly I was startled by a noise in +the room adjoining ours, and sprang to my feet in a tremor. Plague +take my imagination! It was somebody going to bed. I sat down again +and for a long time looked out at the man walking back and forth in +front of the house. I was rapidly getting into a condition of mind +unfavorable to rest and, closing the shutters, I went to bed at +once. For hours I lay tossing restlessly from one side to the +other, and finally fell into a deep sleep. I must have slept a long +time when I suddenly awoke, laboring with nightmare. I had heard no +sound, I had felt no touch, but all at once my eyes were open and I +knew that I was awake. The lamp was burning dimly on the table +beside my bed. How my heart was beating! And my arm— how it +trembled when I tried to raise up on my elbow and look about the +room!</p> + +<p>“Who’s there?” I whispered. Was it Rayel +standing near the bed, his body swaying backward and forward, or +was I yet asleep? Everything looked dim and weird. I seemed to be +in some silent ghostland between sleeping and waking. I rubbed my +eyes and peered about the half-darkened room. It was Rayel, and, as +I gazed at him, his eyes seemed to shine like balls of fire. I +called to him, but he made no answer. What had happened since I +went to sleep? Alarmed, I threw the covers aside and leaped out of +bed. As I did so he stepped up close to the opposite wall, and, as +his hand moved, I could hear the grating of a crayon on its +surface. In tremulous haste I turned up the wick of the lamp and +tiptoed toward him, holding it in my hand. He was stepping backward +and excitedly pointing at the wall. He had been drawing a picture +on its white surface—the form of a woman holding something in +her hand. I stepped nearer, still carrying the lamp. A sharp +interjection broke from my lips. The woman pictured there was my +stepmother, and it was a knife that she held! A man was lying at +her feet. Again Rayel stepped forward, and again I heard the crayon +grating on the wall. Then he stood aside. Great God! There were +drops of blood dripping from the knife now. Rayel sank down upon +the floor and covered his eyes with his hands. I stood there, dumb +with fear and horror, looking first upon him and then upon the +picture.</p> + +<p>The silence of the night was unbroken save by those slow +footsteps in the street to which I had listened before retiring. +But suddenly I heard a low wailing cry in the room adjoining ours. +It so startled me that I came near dropping the lamp. Strange and +weird it sounded, gradually growing shriller and more terrible to +hear! It was the voice of my stepmother. Was she dreaming? And had +Rayel seen the vision that affrighted her? Was that dagger pricking +her brain? In a moment the swelling cry broke into a sharp scream, +such as might come from one exposed to sudden peril, and ceased. +Then the sound of a bell rang sharply through the house, followed +by loud knocking at the door and a man’s shout.</p> + +<p>“Open the door, I command you!” he said.</p> + +<p>He must have heard that piercing cry. Rayel still lay motionless +upon the floor. Was he asleep? Why did he not rise? I began to feel +numb. I seemed to have lost the power of motion. I could hear some +one rapping at our door, but I could not move.</p> + +<p>“Kendric! Kendric! Kendric!” Was it my stepmother +who was calling me? What a piteous, pleading tone! “Let me +speak to you, Kendric! For God’s sake, let me tell +you!” I was reeling: my strength had all left me. Crash! went +the lamp at my feet. There was a great flash of light, which +dazzled my eyes, and I fell heavily upon the floor.</p> + +<p>I was in the open air when thought and feeling came back to me. +My hands and face were paining me as if they had been terribly +burned. There were a number of men standing over a motionless +figure that lay beside me.</p> + +<p>“The poor lad!” said one of the men +“he’s nearly roasted. See here how the clothes have +been burned away from his neck! Can’t ye stop the blood? The +mon’ll die afore the amb’lance comes ef we don’t +stop the blood. A brave mon he is, too. D’ye see ’im +coming down the stairs with th’ other one on his +back?”</p> + +<p>Of whom were they talking? I struggled to my feet—I could +feel no pain now—and bent over that still form which had been +lying beside me. Oh! it was the heaven-blessed face of Rayel, now +bleeding and scarred and ghastly. I raised his head. The hair fell +away where my hand touched it, and a groan escaped his lips. I +could not speak nor weep nor utter any sound. A strange calmness +came over my spirit and I sat there motionless, bending over him I +loved so well, while the crowd of men looked on in silence. +“After His own image made He man;” these words came to +my mind as I looked into that dear face. Then I prayed in +silence—for him. Thank God! his eyes were open now and his +lips were moving. I bent lower until I could feel his breath upon +my cheek.</p> + +<p>“Is it you, Kendric?” he whispered. “Did I +save you from the fire? I cannot see you, but I know you are +here.”</p> + +<p>I heard his words distinctly, but I could not answer. The power +of speech seemed to have left me.</p> + +<p>“The fire awoke me,” he continued, moaning. +“We were lying on the floor. I called to you, but you did not +answer. Thank God! you are safe now.”</p> + +<p>Returning consciousness brought with it an increasing sense of +his pain, and he began to struggle and groan in dreadful agony. +Suddenly, extending one of his blackened hands until it touched my +face, he shouted in a loud voice:</p> + +<p>“Kendric! Kendric! help—help me!”</p> + +<p>Then some men laid hold of me and lifted me up. I clung to Rayel +with all my strength, but could not resist them, and as I was borne +away I knew that Rayel and I had parted forever.</p> + +</div> +<div> + +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<p>After that midnight parting the first thing I can recall was the +touch of a gentle hand upon my face. When my eyes opened I saw +Hester bending over me.</p> + +<p>“You are at home now, Kendric,” said she. Such a +feeling of weakness came over me that I could not speak. I thought +a nail had been driven into my brain, but the tears that began +rolling down my cheeks and the moans that broke from my lips seemed +to loosen it.</p> + +<p>Many days passed before I was able to reflect upon this last +tragic episode in my life or to take any thought of the morrow. One +evening I awoke from a deep sleep feeling a new interest in life. +There were people sitting in the room and talking in low tones.</p> + +<p>“Has he asked for Rayel yet?” said one of them.</p> + +<p>“Not yet,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“Better not let him know about it yet. There’s time +enough. He’ll be around soon.”</p> + +<p>I called to them and they came quickly to my bedside. There were +Hester and Mr. Earl and his good wife, all looking down upon me +with smiling faces.</p> + +<p>“You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel +is dead.”</p> + +<p>They made no answer.</p> + +<p>“I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened,” I +said. “There is no danger; I am quite strong now.”</p> + +<p>Mr. Earl took my hand and told me in a low, calm voice, all he +knew of the tragedy. He only knew, however, that the lamp had +exploded and that Rayel had been horribly burned by the oil.</p> + +<p>“I suppose,” said he, “that the lamp was on a +table near his bed when it exploded. In a moment the whole room was +afire, and you, no doubt, being asleep at the time, he lifted you +up and ran with you down the stairway and out of the open door. But +in the meantime he had been horribly burned, and he fell in a faint +as soon as he reached the pavement. Strangely enough you were +unconscious for some moments, although you were not badly burned. +Probably it was the smoke.”</p> + +<p>Then no one knows, thought I, what really did happen that night. +The lamp must have fallen almost directly upon Rayel’s head, +and the oil had no doubt saturated his hair and clothing.</p> + +<p>“And the house?” I asked. “Is +that—”</p> + +<p>“In ashes,” he replied.</p> + +<p>Then every trace of that strange event, which no eye save mine +had witnessed, was wiped out forever. The hideous secret had better +never be told.</p> + +<p>“If I was not badly burned, tell me why I have been lying +ill.”</p> + +<p>“Brain fever, my boy,” said he. “Too much +excitement, I presume—but you’re out of danger now, and +will be on your feet again in a few days.”</p> + +<p>Fortunately the latter assurance was rightly spoken. The first +day that brought me strength enough to put on my clothes and walk +about the house, Mr. Earl invited me into the library to talk +business. We were no sooner seated than he unlocked a drawer and +handed me a document to read.</p> + +<p>It was a deed of all my father’s real and personal +property.</p> + +<p>“They have both confessed,” said he.</p> + +<p>“Confessed what?” I asked, wondering if the secret +of my father’s death had come out.</p> + +<p>“The conspiracy against your life. There were two +accomplices—one Count de Montalle, formerly a servant of +Cobb, and now a convict in America, and the other a man named +Fenlon, who is under arrest. These were the men who tried to take +your life. Fenlon came over on the steamer with you, I +believe.”</p> + +<p>“And my stepmother—where is she?”</p> + +<p>“Gone to answer for her sins at a higher court,” +said he. “Her last deposition is annexed to the deed. The old +hussy ran into the fire like a miller, and stood there screaming, +‘Look at that picture on the wall! Oh, God! do you see +it?’ she shouted to the fellow who found her standing in the +smoke and flames. The chap was so excited he really thought that he +did see the picture of a woman holding a knife.”</p> + +<p>“That is strange, isn’t it?” said I. +“Who was the man?”</p> + +<p>“A detective,” said he, “whom I hired to watch +the house that night. He heard some disturbance, it seems, and, +fearing mischief, he immediately forced the door open and ran +pell-mell into your cousin, noble fellow, who was then bringing you +down-stairs. If he had been one moment later the woman would have +been burned to death, and we would never have got this deposition. +Cobb wouldn’t have been the first to weaken, you may be sure +of that. But after she had told the whole story, why, there was no +use in holding out. Badly burned? No, strange to say, she was not +badly burned, but frightened out of her wits. The nervous shock was +too much for her and soon led to fatal results. Cobb will go to +prison.</p> + +<p>I made no reply. I could not have found words to express the +thoughts that came trooping through my brain.</p> + +<p>“I have to tell you,” he continued, “that your +cousin left a will bequeathing to you his father’s house and +a number of valuable paintings.”</p> + +<p>I turned away and burning tears of sorrow came to my eyes. It +was indeed a sad inheritance —the earthly part of his great +riches— and of little moment to me. I could not bear to think +or speak of it then, and I begged my friend to hide the will from +my sight until time might give me strength to read it with +composure.</p> + +<p>One evening in early spring Hester and I were walking along the +shore of the Mediterranean at Marseilles. I had been traveling +through southern Europe since my recovery, accompanied by Mr. and +Mrs. Earl. Hester had recently joined us in this ancient city of +Provence. The sun was sinking below the distant horizon of water, +and his shafts, glancing from the western edge of the sea, shot far +into the immeasurable reaches above us. We stood in silence while +the great wall of night loomed into the zenith, and then fell +westward through the luminous slope of heaven. The broad terrace +from which we viewed the scene was quite deserted.</p> + +<p>“If it is a hopeless love I cherish, let me know it now, +Hester,” I said as we turned to go. “I cannot wait any +longer.”</p> + +<p>“You can wait half an hour longer, I am sure,” she +said, hurrying me along. “We will be at home, +then.”</p> + +<p>Some months after Hester had become my wife we received a call +in London from our old friend, Mr. Murmurtot.</p> + +<p>“You have been playing in a great life drama,” said +he to Hester, “and I, too, have had a part in it. Lest you +may think that it was the fool’s part, let me tell you that I +am the man who arrested the Count de Montalle.”</p> + +<p>“And the man who brought Fenlon to justice?” I +asked.</p> + +<p>“The same. He confessed within three hours after you were +introduced to him.”</p> + +<p style="text-align:center">* * * * * * *</p> + +<p>Every week my wife and I visit Rayel’s grave and strew +fresh flowers upon it. A tall shaft of marble marks the spot where +he lies at rest. His name is graven in the stone, and underneath it +are these words: “He was a man without selfishness or +vanity.”</p> + +<p class="end">THE END.</p> + +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Master of Silence, by Irving Bacheller + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASTER OF SILENCE *** + +This file should be named mssln10h.htm or mssln10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, mssln11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, mssln10ah.htm + +This ebook was prepared by Jeffrey Kraus-yao. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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