Clair，andifNinaSanCroixshouldreturnIwoulddefyherandlockherupasalunatic。ButIwasreckoninglikeaninfernalass，toimagineforamomentthatIcouldthushoodwinksuchawomanasNinaSanCroix。

“To-nightIreceivedthis。”WalcotttooktheenvelopefromhispocketandgaveittoMason。“Yousawtheeffectofit；readitandyouwillunderstandwhy。IfeltthedeathhandwhenIsawherwritingontheenvelope。”

Masontookthepaperfromtheenvelope。ItwaswritteninSpanish，andran：

“GreetingtoRICHARDWARREN。

“ThegreatSenordoeshislittleNinainjusticetothinkshewouldgoawaytoSpainandleavehimtothebeautifulAmerican。Sheisnotsothoughtless。Beforeshegoes，sheshallbe，Ohsoveryrich！andthedearSenorshallbe，Ohsoverysafe！TheArchbishopandthekindChurchhatemurderers。

“NINASANCROIX。

“Ofcourse，fool，thepapersyoudestroyedwerecopies。

“N。SANC。”

TothiswaspinnedalineinadelicatearistocratichandsayingthattheArchbishopwouldwillinglylistentoMadamSanCroix”sstatementifshewouldcometohimonFridaymorningateleven。

“Yousee，“saidWalcott，desperately，“thereisnopossiblewayout。Iknowthewoman——whenshedecidestodoathingthatistheendofit。Shehasdecidedtodothis。”

Masonturnedaroundfromthetable，stretchedouthislonglegs，andthrusthishandsdeepintohispockets。Walcottsatwithhisheaddown，watchingMasonhopelessly，almostindifferently，hisfaceblankandsunken。Thetickingofthebronzeclockonthemantelshelfwasloud，painfullyloud。SuddenlyMasondrewhiskneesinandbentover，putbothhisbonyhandsonthetable，andlookedatWalcott。

“Sir，“hesaid，“thismatterisinsuchshapethatthereisonlyonethingtodo。Thisgrowthmustbecutoutattheroots，andcutoutquickly。Thisisthefirstfacttobedetermined，andafoolwouldknowit。Thesecondfactisthatyoumustdoityourself。

Hiredkillersarelikethegraveandthedaughtersofthehorseleech，——theycryalways，”Give，Give。”Theyareonlypalliatives，notcures。Byusingthemyouswapperils。Yousimplytakeastayofexecutionatbest。Thecommoncriminalwouldknowthis。Thesearethefactsofyourproblem。Themasterplottersofcrimewouldseeherebuttwodifficultiestomeet：

“Apracticalmethodforaccomplishingthebodyofthecrime。

“Acoverforthecriminalagent。

“Theywouldseenofarther，andattempttoguardnofarther。Aftertheyhadprovidedaplanforthekilling，andameansbywhichthekillercouldcoverhistrailandescapefromthetheaterofthehomicide，theywouldbelievealltherequirementsoftheproblemsmet，andwouldstop。Thegreatest，theverygiantsamongthem，havestoppedhereandhavebeeningreaterror。

“Ineverycrime，especiallyinthegreatones，thereexistsathirdelement，preeminentlyvital。Thisthirdelementthemasterplottershaveeitheroverlookedorelsehavenothadthegeniustoconstruct。Theyplanwithrarecunningtobafflethevictim。Theyplanwithvastwisdom，almostgenius，tobafflethetrailer。Buttheyfailutterlytoprovideanyplanforbafflingthepunisher。

Ergo，theirplotsarefatallydefectiveandoftenresultinruin。

Hencethevitalnecessityforprovidingthethirdelement——theescapeipsojure。”

Masonarose，walkedaroundthetable，andputhishandfirmlyonSamuelWalcott”sshoulder。“Thismustbedoneto-morrownight，“hecontinued；“youmustarrangeyourbusinessmattersto-morrowandannouncethatyouaregoingonayachtcruise，byorderofyourphysician，andmaynotreturnforsomeweeks。Youmustprepareyouryachtforavoyage，instructyourmentotouchatacertainpointonStatenIsland，andwaituntilsixo”clockdayaftertomorrowmorning。Ifyoudonotcomeaboardbythattime，theyaretogotooneoftheSouthAmericanportsandremainuntilfurtherorders。Bythismeansyourabsenceforanindefiniteperiodwillbeexplained。YouwillgotoNinaSanCroixinthedisguisewhichyouhavealwaysused，andfromhertotheyacht，andbythismeansstepoutofyourrealstatusandbackintoitwithoutleavingtraces。Iwillcomehereto-morroweveningandfurnishyouwitheverythingthatyoushallneedandgiveyoufullandexactinstructionsineveryparticular。Thesedetailsyoumustexecutewiththegreatestcare，astheywillbevitallyessentialtothesuccessofmyplan。”

ThroughitallWalcotthadbeensilentandmotionless。Nowhearose，andinhisfacetheremusthavebeensomepremonitionofprotest，forMasonsteppedbackandputouthishand。“Sir，“hesaid，withbrutalemphasis，“notaword。Rememberthatyouareonlythehand，andthehanddoesnotthink。”Thenheturnedaroundabruptlyandwentoutofthehouse。

III

TheplacewhichSamuelWalcotthadselectedfortheresidenceofNinaSanCroixwasfarupinthenorthernsuburbofNewYork。Theplacewasveryold。Thelawnwaslargeandillkept；thehouse，asquareold-fashionedbrick，wassetfarbackfromthestreet，andpartlyhiddenbytrees。Arounditallwasarustyironfence。Theplacehadtheairofgenteelruin，suchasonefindsintheVirginias。

OnaThursdayofNovember，aboutthreeo”clockintheafternoon，alittleman，drivingadray，stoppedinthealleyattherearofthehouse。Asheopenedthebackgateanoldnegrowomancamedownthestepsfromthekitchenanddemandedtoknowwhathewanted。Thedraymanaskediftheladyofthehousewasin。Theoldnegroansweredthatshewasasleepatthishourandcouldnotbeseen。

“Thatisgood，“saidthelittleman，“nowtherewon”tbeanyrow。

IbroughtupsomecasesofwinewhichsheorderedfromourhouselastweekandwhichtheBosstoldmetodeliveratonce，butI

forgotituntilto-day。Justletmeputitinthecellarnow，Auntie，anddon”tsayawordtotheladyaboutitandshewon”teverknowthatitwasnotbroughtupontime。”

Thedraymanstopped，fishedasilverdollaroutofhispocket，andgaveittotheoldnegro。“Therenow，Auntie，“hesaid，“myjobdependsupontheladynotknowingaboutthiswine；keepitmum。”

“Dat”sallright，honey，“saidtheoldservant，beaminglikeaMaymorning。“Decellardoorisopen，carryitallinandputitindebackpartandnobodyain”tnevergoingtoknowhowlongithasbeenindar。”

Theoldnegrowentbackintothekitchenandthelittlemanbegantounloadthedray。Hecarriedinfivewinecasesandstowedthemawayinthebackpartofthecellarastheoldwomanhaddirected。

Then，afterhavingsatisfiedhimselfthatnoonewaswatching，hetookfromthedraytwoheavypapersacks，presumablyfilledwithflour，andalittlebundlewrappedinanoldnewspaper；thesehecarefullyhidbehindthewinecasesinthecellar。Afterawhileheclosedthedoor，climbedonhisdray，anddroveoffdownthealley。

Abouteighto”clockintheeveningofthesameday，aMexicansailordodgedinthefrontgateandslippeddowntothesideofthehouse。Hestoppedbythewindowandtappedonitwithhisfinger。

Inamomentawomanopenedthedoor。Shewastall，lithe，andsplendidlyproportioned，withadarkSpanishfaceandstraighthair。Themansteppedinside。Thewomanboltedthedoorandturnedround。

“Ah，“shesaid，smiling，“itisyou，Senor？Howgoodofyou！“

Themanstarted。“Whomelsedidyouexpect？“hesaidquickly。

“Oh！“laughedthewoman，“perhapstheArchbishop。”

“Nina！“saidtheman，inabrokenvoicethatexpressedlove，humility，andreproach。Hisfacewaswhiteundertheblacksunburn。

Foramomentthewomanwavered。Ashadowflittedoverhereyes，thenshesteppedback。“No，“shesaid，“notyet。”

Themanwalkedacrosstothefire，sankdowninachair，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Thewomansteppedupnoiselesslybehindhimandleanedoverthechair。Themanwaseitheringreatagonyorelsehewasasuperbactor，forthemusclesofhisnecktwitchedviolentlyandhisshoulderstrembled。

“Oh，“hemuttered，asthoughechoinghisthoughts，“Ican”tdoit，Ican”t！“

Thewomancaughtthewordsandleapedupasthoughsomeonehadstruckherintheface。Shethrewbackherhead。Hernostrilsdilatedandhereyesflashed。

“Youcan”tdoit！“shecried。“Thenyoudoloveher！Youshalldoit！Doyouhearme？Youshalldoit！Youkilledhim！Yougotridofhim！butyoushallnotgetridofme。Ihavetheevidence，allofit。TheArchbishopwillhaveitto-morrow。Theyshallhangyou！Doyouhearme？Theyshallhangyou！“

Thewoman”svoicerose，itwasloudandshrill。Themanturnedslowlyroundwithoutlookingup，andstretchedouthisarmstowardthewoman。Shestoppedandlookeddownathim。Thefireglitteredforamomentandthendiedoutofhereyes，herbosomheavedandherlipsbegantotremble。Withacrysheflungherselfintohisarms，caughthimaroundtheneck，andpressedhisfaceupcloseagainsthercheek。

“Oh！Dick，Dick，“shesobbed，“Idoloveyouso！Ican”tlivewithoutyou！Notanotherhour，Dick！Idowantyousomuch，somuch，Dick！“

Themanshiftedhisrightarmquickly，slippedagreatMexicanknifeoutofhissleeve，andpassedhisfingersslowlyupthewoman”ssideuntilhefelttheheartbeatunderhishand，thenheraisedtheknife，grippedthehandletight，anddrovethekeenbladeintothewoman”sbosom。Thehotbloodgushedoutoverhisarm，anddownonhisleg。Thebody，warmandlimp，slippeddowninhisarms。Themangotup，pulledouttheknife，andthrustitintoasheathathisbelt，unbuttonedthedress，andslippeditoffofthebody。Ashedidthisabundleofpapersdroppeduponthefloor；theseheglancedathastilyandputintohispocket。Thenhetookthedeadwomanupinhisarms，wentoutintothehall，andstartedtogoupthestairway。Thebodywasrelaxedandheavy，andforthatreasondifficulttocarry。Hedoubleditupintoanawfulheap，withthekneesagainstthechin，andwalkedslowlyandheavilyupthestairsandoutintothebathroom。Therehelaidthecorpsedownonthetiledfloor。Thenheopenedthewindow，closedtheshutters，andlightedthegas。Thebathroomwassmallandcontainedanordinarysteeltub，porcelainlined，standingnearthewindowandraisedaboutsixinchesabovethefloor。Thesailorwentovertothetub，priedupthemetalrimoftheoutletwithhisknife，removedit，andfittedintoitsplaceaporcelaindiskwhichhetookfromhispocket；tothisdiskwasattachedalongplatinumwire，theendofwhichhefastenedontheoutsideofthetub。

Afterhehaddonethishewentbacktothebody，strippedoffitsclothing，putitdowninthetubandbegantodismemberitwiththegreatMexicanknife。Thebladewasstrongandsharpasarazor。

Themanworkedrapidlyandwiththegreatestcare。

Whenhehadfinallycutthebodyintoassmallpiecesaspossible，hereplacedtheknifeinitssheath，washedhishands，andwentoutofthebathroomanddownstairstothelowerhall。Thesailorseemedperfectlyfamiliarwiththehouse。Byasidedoorhepassedintothecellar。Therehelightedthegas，openedoneofthewinecases，and，takingupallthebottlesthathecouldconvenientlycarry，returnedtothebathroom。Therehepouredthecontentsintothetubonthedismemberedbody，andthenreturnedtothecellarwiththeemptybottles，whichhereplacedinthewinecases。Thishecontinuedtodountilallthecasesbutonewereemptiedandthebathtubwasmorethanhalffullofliquid。Thisliquidwassulphuricacid。

Whenthesailorreturnedtothecellarwiththelastemptywinebottles，heopenedthefifthcase，whichreallycontainedwine，tooksomeofitout，andpouredalittleintoeachoftheemptybottlesinordertoremoveanypossibleodorofthesulphuricacid。

Thenheturnedoutthegasandbroughtuptothebathroomwithhimthetwopaperfloursacksandthelittleheavybundle。Thesesackswerefilledwithnitrateofsoda。Hesetthemdownbythedoor，openedthelittlebundle，andtookouttwolongrubbertubes，eachattachedtoaheavygasburner，notunliketheordinaryburnersofasmallgasstove。Hefastenedthetubestotwoofthegasjets，puttheburnersunderthetub，turnedthegasonfull，andlightedit。Thenhethrewintothetubthewoman”sclothingandthepaperswhichhehadfoundonherbody，afterwhichhetookupthetwoheavysacksofnitrateofsodaanddroppedthemcarefullyintothesulphuricacid。Whenhehaddonethishewentquicklyoutofthebathroomandclosedthedoor。

Thedeadlyacidsatonceattackedthebodyandbegantodestroyit；

astheheatincreased，theacidsboiledandthedestructiveprocesswasrapidandawful。Fromtimetotimethesailoropenedthedoorofthebathroomcautiously，and，holdingawettoweloverhismouthandnose，lookedinathishorriblework。Attheendofafewhourstherewasonlyaswimmingmassinthetub。Whenthemanlookedatfouro”clock，itwasallathickmurkyliquid。Heturnedoffthegasquicklyandsteppedbackoutoftheroom。Forperhapshalfanhourhewaitedinthehall；finally，whentheacidshadcooledsothattheynolongergaveofffumes，heopenedthedoorandwentin，tookholdoftheplatinumwireand，pullingtheporcelaindiskfromthestopcock，allowedtheawfulcontentsofthetubtorunout。Thenheturnedonthehotwater，rinsedthetubclean，andreplacedthemetaloutlet。Removingtherubbertubes，hecutthemintopieces，broketheporcelaindisk，and，rollinguptheplatinumwire，washeditalldownthesewerpipe。

Thefumeshadescapedthroughtheopenwindow；thishenowclosedandsethimselftoputtingthebathroominorder，andeffectuallyremovingeverytraceofhisnight”swork。Thesailormovedaroundwiththeverygreatestdegreeofcare。Finally，whenhehadarrangedeverythingtohiscompletesatisfaction，hepickedupthetwoburners，turnedoutthegas，andleftthebathroom，closingthedoorafterhim。Fromthebathroomhewentdirectlytotheattic，concealedthetworustyburnersunderaheapofrubbish，andthenwalkedcarefullyandnoiselesslydownthestairsandthroughthelowerhall。Asheopenedthedoorandsteppedintotheroomwherehehadkilledthewoman，twopoliceofficerssprangoutandseizedhim。Themanscreamedlikeawildbeasttakeninatrapandsankdown。

“Oh！oh！“hecried，“itwasnouse！itwasnousetodoit！“Thenherecoveredhimselfinamannerandwassilent。Theofficershandcuffedhim，summonedthepatrol，andtookhimatoncetothestationhouse。TherehesaidhewasaMexicansailorandthathisnamewasVictorAncona；buthewouldsaynothingfurther。ThefollowingmorninghesentforRandolphMasonandthetwowerelongtogether。

IV

Theobscuredefendantchargedwithmurderhaslittlereasontocomplainofthelaw”sdelays。ThemorningfollowingthearrestofVictorAncona，thenewspaperspublishedlongsensationalarticles，denouncedhimasafiend，andconvictedhim。Thegrandjury，asithappened，wasinsession。Thepreliminariesweresoonarrangedandthecasewasrailroadedintotrial。Theindictmentcontainedagreatmanycounts，andchargedtheprisonerwiththemurderofNinaSanCroixbystriking，stabbing，choking，poisoning，andsoforth。

Thetrialhadcontinuedforthreedaysandhadappearedsooverwhelminglyone-sidedthatthespectatorswhowerecrowdedinthecourtroomhadgrowntobeviolentandbitterpartisans，tosuchanextentthatthepolicewatchedthemclosely。TheattorneysforthePeopleweredramaticanddenunciatory，andforcedtheircasewitharrogantconfidence。Mason，ascounselfortheprisoner，wasindifferentandlistless。Throughouttheentiretrialhehadsatalmostmotionlessatthetable，hisgauntformbentover，hislonglegsdrawnupunderhischair，andhisweary，heavy-muscledface，withitsrestlesseyes，fixedandstaringoutovertheheadsofthejury，waslikeatragicmask。Thebar，andeventhejudge，believedthattheprisoner”scounselhadabandonedhiscase。

TheevidencewasallinandthePeoplerested。IthadbeenshownthatNinaSanCroixhadresidedformanyyearsinthehouseinwhichtheprisonerwasarrested；thatshehadlivedbyherself，withnoothercompanionthananoldnegroservant；thatherpastwasunknown，andthatshereceivednovisitors，savetheMexicansailor，whocametoherhouseatlongintervals。Nothingwhateverwasshowntendingtoexplainwhotheprisonerwasorwhencehehadcome。ItwasshownthatonTuesdayprecedingthekillingtheArchbishophadreceivedacommunicationfromNinaSanCroix，inwhichshesaidshedesiredtomakeastatementofthegreatestimport，andaskingforanaudience。TothistheArchbishoprepliedthathewouldwillinglygrantherahearingifshewouldcometohimateleveno”clockonFridaymorning。Twopolicementestifiedthatabouteighto”clockonthenightofThursdaytheyhadnoticedtheprisonerslipintothegateofNinaSanCroix”sresidenceandgodowntothesideofthehouse，wherehewasadmitted；thathisappearanceandseeminghastehadattractedtheirattention；thattheyhadconcludedthatitwassomeclandestineamour，andoutofcuriosityhadbothslippeddowntothehouseandendeavoredtofindapositionfromwhichtheycouldseeintotheroom，butwereunabletodoso，andwereabouttogobacktothestreetwhentheyheardawoman”svoicecryoutin，greatanger：“Iknowthatyouloveherandthatyouwanttogetridofme，butyoushallnotdoit！Youmurderedhim，butyoushallnotmurderme！Ihavealltheevidencetoconvictyouofmurderinghim！TheArchbishopwillhaveitto-

morrow！Theyshallhangyou！Doyouhearme？Theyshallhangyouforthismurder！“thatthereupononeofthepolicemenproposedthattheyshouldbreakintothehouseandseewhatwaswrong，buttheotherhadurgedthatitwasonlytheusuallovers”quarrelandiftheyshouldinterferetheywouldfindnothinguponwhichachargecouldbebasedandwouldonlybelaughedatbythechief；thattheyhadwaitedandlistenedforatime，buthearingnothingfurtherhadgonebacktothestreetandcontentedthemselveswithkeepingastrictwatchonthehouse。

ThePeopleprovedfurther，thatonThursdayeveningNinaSanCroixhadgiventheoldnegrodomesticasumofmoneyanddismissedher，withtheinstructionthatshewasnottoreturnuntilsentfor。

Theoldwomantestifiedthatshehadgonedirectlytothehouseofherson，andlaterhaddiscoveredthatshehadforgottensomearticlesofclothingwhichsheneeded；thatthereuponshehadreturnedtothehouseandhadgoneupthebackwaytoherroom，——

thiswasabouteighto”clock；thatwhilethereshehadheardNinaSanCroix”svoiceingreatpassionandrememberedthatshehadusedthewordsstatedbythepolicemen；thatthesesudden，violentcrieshadfrightenedhergreatlyandshehadboltedthedoorandbeenafraidtoleavetheroom；shortlythereafter，shehadheardheavyfootstepsascendingthestairs，slowlyandwithgreatdifficulty，asthoughsomeonewerecarryingaheavyburden；thatthereforeherfearhadincreasedandthatshehadputoutthelightandhiddenunderthebed。Sherememberedhearingthefootstepsmovingaboutupstairsformanyhours，howlongshecouldnottell。Finally，abouthalf-pastfourinthemorning，shecreptout，openedthedoor，slippeddownstairs，andranoutintothestreet。Thereshehadfoundthepolicemenandrequestedthemtosearchthehouse。

Thetwoofficershadgonetothehousewiththewoman。Shehadopenedthedoorandtheyhadhadjusttimetostepbackintotheshadowwhentheprisonerentered。Whenarrested，VictorAnconahadscreamedwithterror，andcriedout，“Itwasnouse！itwasnousetodoit！“

TheChiefofPolicehadcometothehouseandinstitutedacarefulsearch。Intheroombelow，fromwhichthecrieshadcome，hefoundadresswhichwasidentifiedasbelongingtoNinaSanCroixandwhichshewaswearingwhenlastseenbythedomestic，aboutsixo”clockthatevening。Thisdresswascoveredwithblood，andhadaslitabouttwoincheslongintheleftsideofthebosom，intowhichtheMexicanknife，foundontheprisoner，fittedperfectly。

Thesearticleswereintroducedinevidence，anditwasshownthattheslitwouldbeexactlyovertheheartofthewearer，andthatsuchawoundwouldcertainlyresultindeath。Therewasmuchbloodononeofthechairsandonthefloor。Therewasalsobloodontheprisoner”scoatandthelegofhistrousers，andtheheavyMexicanknifewasalsobloody。Thebloodwasshownbytheexpertstobehumanblood。

Thebodyofthewomanwasnotfound，andthemostrigidandtirelesssearchfailedtodeveloptheslightesttraceofthecorpse，orthemannerofitsdisposal。Thebodyofthewomanhaddisappearedascompletelyasthoughithadvanishedintotheair。

WhencounselannouncedthathehadclosedforthePeople，thejudgeturnedandlookedgravelydownatMason。“Sir，“hesaid，“theevidenceforthedefensemaynowbeintroduced。”

RandolphMasonaroseslowlyandfacedthejudge。

“IfyourHonorplease，“hesaid，speakingslowlyanddistinctly，“thedefendanthasnoevidencetooffer。”Hepausedwhileamurmurofastonishmentranoverthecourtroom。“But，ifyourHonorplease，“hecontinued，“Imovethatthejurybedirectedtofindtheprisonernotguilty。”

Thecrowdstirred。ThecounselforthePeoplesmiled。Thejudgelookedsharplyatthespeakeroverhisglasses。“Onwhatground？“

hesaidcurtly。

“Ontheground，“repliedMason，“thatthecorpusdelictihasnotbeenproven。”

“Ah！“saidthejudge，foroncelosinghisjudicialgravity。Masonsatdownabruptly。Theseniorcounselfortheprosecutionwasonhisfeetinamoment。

“What！“hesaid，“thegentlemanbaseshismotiononafailuretoestablishthecorpusdelicti？Doeshejest，orhasheforgottentheevidence？Theterm”corpusdelicti”istechnical，andmeansthebodyofthecrime，orthesubstantialfactthatacrimehasbeencommitted。Doesanyonedoubtitinthiscase？Itistruethatnooneactuallysawtheprisonerkillthedecedent，andthathehassosuccessfullyhiddenthebodythatithasnotbeenfound，butthepowerfulchainofcircumstances，clearandclose-linked，provingmotive，thecriminalagency，andthecriminalact，isoverwhelming。

“Thevictiminthiscaseisontheeveofmakingastatementthatwouldprovefataltotheprisoner。Thenightbeforethestatementistobemadehegoestoherresidence。Theyquarrel。Hervoiceisheard，raisedhighinthegreatestpassion，denouncinghim，andchargingthatheisamurderer，thatshehastheevidenceandwillrevealit，thatheshallbehanged，andthatheshallnotberidofher。Hereisthemotiveforthecrime，clearaslight。Arenotthebloodyknife，thebloodydress，thebloodyclothesoftheprisoner，unimpeachablewitnessestothecriminalact？Thecriminalagencyoftheprisonerhasnottheshadowofapossibilitytoobscureit。Hismotiveisgigantic。Thebloodonhim，andhisdespairwhenarrested，cry”Murder！murder！”withathousandtongues。

“Menmaylie，butcircumstancescannot。Thethousandhopesandfearsandpassionsofmenmaydelude，orbiasthewitness。Yetitisbeyondthehumanmindtoconceivethataclear，completechainofconcatenatedcircumstancescanbeinerror。Henceitisthatthegreatestjuristshavedeclaredthatsuchevidence，beingrarelyliabletodelusionorfraud，issafestandmostpowerful。Themachineryofhumanjusticecannotguardagainsttheremoteandimprobabledoubt。Theinferenceispersistentintheaffairsofmen。Itistheonlymeansbywhichthehumanmindreachesthetruth。Ifyouforbidthejurytoexerciseit，youbidthemworkafterfirststrikingofftheirhands。Ruleouttheirresistibleinference，andtheendofjusticeiscomeinthisland；andyoumayaswellleavethespidertoweavehiswebthroughtheabandonedcourtroom。”

Theattorneystopped，lookeddownatMasonwithapompoussneer，andretiredtohisplaceatthetable。Thejudgesatthoughtfulandmotionless。Thejurymenleanedforwardintheirseats。

“IfyourHonorplease，“saidMason，rising，“thisisamatteroflaw，plain，clear，andsowellsettledintheStateofNewYorkthatevencounselforthePeopleshouldknowit。ThequestionbeforeyourHonorissimple。Ifthecorpusdelicti，thebodyofthecrime，hasbeenproven，asrequiredbythelawsofthecommonwealth，thenthiscaseshouldgotothejury。Ifnot，thenitisthedutyofthisCourttodirectthejurytofindtheprisonernotguilty。Thereisherenoroomforjudicialdiscretion。YourHonorhasbuttorecallandapplytherigidruleannouncedbyourcourtsprescribingdistinctlyhowthecorpusdelictiinmurdermustbeproven。

“Theprisonerherestandschargedwiththehighestcrime。Thelawdemands，first，thatthecrime，asafact，beestablished。Thefactthatthevictimisindeeddeadmustfirstbemadecertainbeforeanyonecanbeconvictedforherkilling，because，solongasthereremainstheremotestdoubtastothedeath，therecanbenocertaintyastothecriminalagent，althoughthecircumstantialevidenceindicatingtheguiltoftheaccusedmaybepositive，complete，andutterlyirresistible。Inmurder，thecorpusdelicti，orbodyofthecrime，iscomposedoftwoelements：

“Death，asaresult。

“Thecriminalagencyofanotherasthemeans。

ItisthefixedandimmutablelawofthisState，laiddownintheleadingcaseofRuloffv。ThePeople，andbindinguponthisCourt，thatbothcomponentsofthecorpusdelictishallnotbeestablishedbycircumstantialevidence。Theremustbedirectproofofoneortheotherofthesetwocomponentelementsofthecorpusdelicti。

Ifoneisprovenbydirectevidence，theothermaybepresumed；butbothshallnotbepresumedfromcircumstances，nomatterhowpowerful，howcogent，orhowcompletelyoverwhelmingthecircumstancesmaybe。Inotherwords，nomancanbeconvictedofmurderintheStateofNewYork，unlessthebodyofthevictimbefoundandidentified，ortherebedirectproofthattheprisonerdidsomeactadequatetoproducedeath，anddiditinsuchamannerastoaccountforthedisappearanceofthebody。”

Thefaceofthejudgeclearedandgrewhard。Themembersofthebarwereattentiveandalert；theywerebeginningtoseethelegalescapeopenup。Theaudiencewerepuzzled；theydidnotyetunderstand。MasonturnedtothecounselforthePeople。Hisuglyfacewasbitterwithcontempt。

“Forthreedays，“hesaid，“Ihavebeentorturedbythisuselessandexpensivefarce。IfcounselforthePeoplehadbeenotherthanplay-actors，theywouldhaveknowninthebeginningthatVictorAnconacouldnotbeconvictedformurder，unlesshewereconfrontedinthiscourtroomwithalivingwitness，whohadlookedintothedeadfaceofNinaSanCroix；or，ifnotthat，alivingwitnesswhohadseenhimdrivethedaggerintoherbosom。

“Icarenotifthecircumstantialevidenceinthiscaseweresostrongandirresistibleastobeoverpowering；ifthejudgeonthebench，ifthejury，ifeverymanwithinsoundofmyvoice，wereconvincedoftheguiltoftheprisonertothedegreeofcertaintythatisabsolute；ifthecircumstantialevidenceleftinthemindnoshadowoftheremotestimprobabledoubt；yet，intheabsenceoftheeyewitness，thisprisonercannotbepunished，andthisCourtmustcompelthejurytoacquithim。”

Theaudiencenowunderstood，andtheyweredumfounded。Surelythiswasnotthelaw。Theyhadbeentaughtthatthelawwascommonsense，andthis，——thiswasanythingelse。

Masonsawitall，andgrinned。“Initstenderness，“hesneered，“thelawshieldstheinnocent。ThegoodlawofNewYorkreachesoutitshandandliftstheprisoneroutoftheclutchesofthefiercejurythatwouldhanghim。”

Masonsatdown。Theroomwassilent。Thejurymenlookedateachotherinamazement。ThecounselforthePeoplearose。Hisfacewaswhitewithanger，andincredulous。

“YourHonor，“hesaid，“thisdoctrineismonstrous。Canitbesaidthat，inordertoevadepunishment，themurdererhasonlytohideordestroythebodyofthevictim，orsinkitintothesea？Then，ifheisnotseentokill，thelawispowerlessandthemurderercansnaphisfingerinthefaceofretributivejustice。Ifthisisthelaw，thenthelawforthehighestcrimeisadeadletter。Thegreatcommonwealthwinksatmurderandinviteseverymantokillhisenemy，providedhekillhiminsecretandhidehim。Irepeat，yourHonor，“——theman”svoicewasnowloudandangryandrangthroughthecourtroom”thatthisdoctrineismonstrous！“

“SosaidBest，andStory，andmanyanother，“mutteredMason，“andthelawremained。”

“TheCourt，“saidthejudge，abruptly，“desiresnofurtherargument。”

ThecounselforthePeopleresumedhisseat。Hisfacelightedupwithtriumph。TheCourtwasgoingtosustainhim。

Thejudgeturnedandlookeddownatthejury。Hewasgrave，andspokewithdeliberateemphasis。

“Gentlemenofthejury，“hesaid，“theruleofLordHaleobtainsinthisStateandisbindinguponme。Itisthelawasstatedbycounselfortheprisoner：thattowarrantconvictionofmurdertheremustbedirectproofeitherofthedeath，asofthefindingandidentificationofthecorpse，orofcriminalviolenceadequatetoproducedeath，andexertedinsuchamannerastoaccountforthedisappearanceofthebody；anditisonlywhenthereisdirectproofoftheonethattheothercanbeestablishedbycircumstantialevidence。Thisisthelaw，andcannotnowbedepartedfrom。Idonotpresumetoexplainitswisdom。Chief-

JusticeJohnsonhasobserved，intheleadingcase，thatitmayhaveitsprobablefoundationintheideathatwheredirectproofisabsentastoboththefactofthedeathandofcriminalviolencecapableofproducingdeath，noevidencecanrisetothedegreeofmoralcertaintythattheindividualisdeadbycriminalintervention，orevenleadbydirectinferencetothisresult；andthat，wherethefactofdeathisnotcertainlyascertained，allinculpatorycircumstantialevidencewantsthekeynecessaryforitssatisfactoryinterpretation，andcannotbedependedontofurnishmorethanprobableresults。Itmaybe，also，thatsucharulehassomereferencetothedangerouspossibilitythatageneralpreconceptionofguilt，orageneralexcitementofpopularfeeling，maycreepintosupplytheplaceofevidence，if，uponotherthandirectproofofdeathoracauseofdeath，ajuryarepermittedtopronounceaprisonerguilty。

“Inthiscasethebodyhasnotbeenfoundandthereisnodirectproofofcriminalagencyonthepartoftheprisoner，althoughthechainofcircumstantialevidenceiscompleteandirresistibleinthehighestdegree。Nevertheless，itisallcircumstantialevidence，andunderthelawsofNewYorktheprisonercannotbepunished。Ihavenorightofdiscretion。Thelawdoesnotpermitaconvictioninthiscase，althougheveryoneofusmaybemorallycertainoftheprisoner”sguilt。Iam，therefore，gentlemenofthejury，compelledtodirectyoutofindtheprisonernotguilty。”

“Judge，“interruptedtheforeman，jumpingupinthebox，“wecannotfindthatverdictunderouroath；weknowthatthismanisguilty。”

“Sir，“saidthejudge，“thisisamatteroflawinwhichthewishesofthejurycannotbeconsidered。Theclerkwillwriteaverdictofnotguilty，whichyou，asforeman，willsign。”

Thespectatorsbrokeoutintoathreateningmurmurthatbegantogrowandgathervolume。Thejudgerappedonhisdeskandorderedthebailiffspromptlytosuppressanydemonstrationonthepartoftheaudience。Thenhedirectedtheforemantosigntheverdictpreparedbytheclerk。WhenthiswasdoneheturnedtoVictorAncona；hisfacewashardandtherewasacoldglitterinhiseyes。

“Prisoneratthebar，“hesaid，“youhavebeenputtotrialbeforethistribunalonachargeofcold-bloodedandatrociousmurder。

Theevidenceproducedagainstyouwasofsuchpowerfulandoverwhelmingcharacterthatitseemstohaveleftnodoubtinthemindsofthejury，norindeedinthemindofanypersonpresentinthiscourtroom。

“Hadthequestionofyourguiltbeensubmittedtothesetwelvearbiters，aconvictionwouldcertainlyhaveresultedandthedeathpenaltywouldhavebeenimposed。Butthelaw，rigid，passionless，even-eyed，hasthrustinbetweenyouandthewrathofyourfellowsandsavedyoufromit。Idonotcryoutagainsttheimpotencyofthelaw；itisperhapsaswiseasimperfecthumanitycouldmakeit。

Ideplore，rather，thegeniusofevilmenwho，bycunningdesign，areenabledtoslipthroughthefingersofthislaw。Ihavenowordofcensureoradmonitionforyou，VictorAncona。ThelawofNewYorkcompelsmetoacquityou。Iamonlyitsmouthpiece，withmyindividualwishesthrottled。IspeakonlythosethingswhichthelawdirectsIshallspeak。

“Youarenowatlibertytoleavethiscourtroom，notguiltlessofthecrimeofmurder，perhaps，butatleastridofitspunishment。

TheeyesofmenmayseeCain”smarkonyourbrow，buttheeyesoftheLawareblindtoit。”

Whentheaudiencefullyrealizedwhatthejudgehadsaidtheywereamazedandsilent。Theyknewaswellasmencouldknow，thatVictorAnconawasguiltyofmurder，andyethewasnowgoingoutofthecourtroomfree。Couldithappenthatthelawprotectedonlyagainsttheblunderingrogue？Theyhadheardalwaysoftheboastedcompletenessofthelawwhichmagistratesfromtimeimmemorialhadlaboredtoperfect，andnowwhentheskillfulvillainsoughttoevadeit，theysawhowweakathingitwas。

V

TheweddingmarchofLohengrinfloatedoutfromtheEpiscopalChurchofSt。Mark，clearandsweet，andperhapsheavywithitsparadoxofwarning。Thetheaterofthiscomingcontractbeforehighheavenwasawildernessofrosesworththetaxesofacounty。

ThehighcasteofManhattan，bythegraceofthecheckbook，werepresent，clothedinParisianpurpleandfinelinen，cunninglyandmarvelouslywrought。

Overinherprivatepew，ablazewithjewels，anddeckedwithfabricsfromthedefthandofmanyaweaver，satMrs。MiriamSteuvisantasimperiousandself-complacentasaqueen。Toheritwasallakindoftriumphalprocession，proclaimingherabilityasageneral。Withherwereachoicefewofthegenushomo，whichobtainsatthefive-o”clockteas，instituted，saythesages，forthepurposeofsprinklingtheholywaterofLethe。

“Czarina，“whisperedReggieDuPuyster，leaningforward，“Isaluteyou。Theceremonysubjugumissuperb。”

“Walcottisanexcellentfellow，“answeredMrs。Steuvisant；“notavice，youknow，Reggie。”

“Aye，Empress，“putintheothers，“apuristtakeninthenet。Theclean-skirtedonehascometothealtar。Vivelavertu！“

SamuelWalcott，stillsunburnedfromhiscruise，stoodbeforethechancelwiththeonlydaughterofthebluebloodedSt。Clairs。Hisfacewasclearandhonestandhisvoicefirm。Thiswaslifeandnotromance。Thelidofthesepulcherhadclosedandhehadslippedfromunderit。Andnow，andeverafter，thehandredwithmurderwascleanasany。

Theministerraisedhisvoice，proclaimingtheholyunionbeforeGod，andthistwain，halfpure，halffoul，nowbydivineordinanceoneflesh，boweddownbeforeit。Nobloodcriedfromtheground。

Thesunlightofhighnoonstreameddownthroughthewindowpaneslikeabenediction。

BackinthepewofMrs。MiriamSteuvisant，ReggieDuPuysterturneddownhisthumb。“Habet！“hesaid。

From“TheStrangeSchemesofRandolphMason，“byMelvilleDavissonPost。Copyright，1896，byG。P。Putnam”sSons。

AmbroseBierceAnHeiressfromRedhorseCORONADO，June20th。

Ifindmyselfmoreandmoreinterestedinhim。Itisnot，Iamsure，his——doyouknowanynouncorrespondingtotheadjective“handsome“？Onedoesnotliketosay“beauty“whenspeakingofaman。Heishandsomeenough，heavenknows；Ishouldnotevencaretotrustyouwithhim——faithfulofallpossiblewivesthatyouare——

whenhelookshisbest，ashealwaysdoes。NordoIthinkthefascinationofhismannerhasmuchtodowithit。Yourecollectthatthecharmofartinheresinthatwhichisundefinable，andtoyouandme，mydearIrene，Ifancythereisratherlessofthatinthebranchofartunderconsiderationthantogirlsintheirfirstseason。IfancyIknowhowmyfinegentlemanproducesmanyofhiseffects，andcould，perhaps，givehimapointeronheighteningthem。Nevertheless，hismannerissomethingtrulydelightful。I

supposewhatinterestsmechieflyistheman”sbrains。HisconversationisthebestIhaveeverheard，andaltogetherunlikeanyone”selse。Heseemstoknoweverything，as，indeed，heought，forhehasbeeneverywhere，readeverything，seenallthereistosee——sometimesIthinkrathermorethanisgoodforhim——andhadacquaintancewiththeQUEERESTpeople。Andthenhisvoice——Irene，whenIhearitIactuallyfeelasifIoughttohavePAIDATTHE

DOOR，though，ofcourse，itismyowndoor。

July3d。

IfearmyremarksaboutDr。Barritzmusthavebeen，beingthoughtless，verysilly，oryouwouldnothavewrittenofhimwithsuchlevity，nottosaydisrespect。Believeme，dearest，hehasmoredignityandseriousness(ofthekind，Imean，whichisnotinconsistentwithamannersometimesplayfulandalwayscharming)

thananyofthementhatyouandIevermet。AndyoungRaynor——youknewRaynoratMonterey——tellsmethatthemenalllikehim，andthatheistreatedwithsomethinglikedeferenceeverywhere。Thereisamystery，too——somethingabouthisconnectionwiththeBlavatskypeopleinNorthernIndia。Raynoreitherwouldnotorcouldnottellmetheparticulars。IinferthatDr。Barritzisthought——don”tyoudaretolaughatme——amagician！Couldanythingbefinerthanthat？Anordinarymysteryisnot，ofcourse，asgoodasascandal，butwhenitrelatestodarkanddreadfulpractices——

totheexerciseofunearthlypowers——couldanythingbemorepiquant？Itexplains，too，thesingularinfluencethemanhasuponme。Itistheundefinableinhisart——blackart。Seriously，dear，Iquitetremblewhenhelooksmefullintheeyeswiththoseunfathomableorbsofhis，whichIhavealreadyvainlyattemptedtodescribetoyou。Howdreadfulifwehavethepowertomakeonefallinlove！DoyouknowiftheBlavatskycrowdhavethatpower——

outsideofSepoy？

July1

Thestrangestthing！LasteveningwhileAuntiewasattendingoneofthehotelhops(Ihatethem)Dr。Barritzcalled。Itwasscandalouslylate——IactuallybelievehehadtalkedwithAuntieintheballroom，andlearnedfromherthatIwasalone。IhadbeenalltheeveningcontrivinghowtowormoutofhimthetruthabouthisconnectionwiththeThugsinSepoy，andallofthatblackbusiness，butthemomenthefixedhiseyesonme(forIadmittedhim，I”mashamedtosay)Iwashelpless，Itrembled，Iblushed，I——

OIrene，Irene，Ilovethemanbeyondexpression，andyouknowhowitisyourself！

Fancy！I，anuglyducklingfromRedhorse——daughter(theysay)ofoldCalamityJim——certainlyhisheiress，withnolivingrelationbutanabsurdoldaunt，whospoilsmeathousandandfiftyways——

absolutelydestituteofeverythingbutamilliondollarsandahopeinParis——Idaringtoloveagodlikehim！Mydear，ifIhadyouhere，Icouldtearyourhairoutwithmortification。

Iamconvincedthatheisawareofmyfeeling，forhestayedbutafewmoments，saidnothingbutwhatanothermanmighthavesaidhalfaswell，andpretendingthathehadanengagementwentaway。I

learnedto-day(alittlebirdtoldme——thebellbird)thathewentstraighttobed。Howdoesthatstrikeyouasevidenceofexemplaryhabits？

July17th。

Thatlittlewretch，Raynor，calledyesterday，andhisbabblesetmealmostwild。Heneverrunsdown——thatistosay，whenheexterminatesascoreofreputations，moreorless，hedoesnotpausebetweenonereputationandthenext。(Bytheway，heinquiredaboutyou，andhismanifestationsofinterestinyouhad，Iconfess，agooddealofvraisemblance。)

Mr。Raynorobservesnogamelaws；likeDeath(whichhewouldinflictifslanderwerefatal)hehasallseasonsforhisown。ButIlikehim，forweknewoneanotheratRedhorsewhenwewereyoungandtrue-heartedandbarefooted。Hewasknowninthosefarfairdaysas“Giggles，“andI——OIrene，canyoueverforgiveme？——Iwascalled“Gunny。”Godknowswhy；perhapsinallusiontothematerialofmypinafores；perhapsbecausethenameisinalliterationwith“Giggles，“forGigandIwereinseparableplaymates，andtheminersmayhavethoughtitadelicatecomplimenttorecognizesomekindofrelationshipbetweenus。

Later，wetookinathird——anotherofAdversity”sbrood，who，likeGarrickbetweenTragedyandComedy，hadachronicinabilitytoadjudicatetherivalclaims(tohimself)ofFrostandFamine。

Betweenhimandthegravetherewasseldomanythingmorethanasinglesuspenderandthehopeofamealwhichwouldatthesametimesupportlifeandmakeitinsupportable。Heliterallypickedupaprecariouslivingforhimselfandanagedmotherby“chloridingthedumps，“thatistosay，theminerspermittedhimtosearchtheheapsofwasterockforsuchpiecesof“payore“ashadbeenoverlooked；andthesehesackedupandsoldattheSyndicateMill。Hebecameamemberofourfirm”Gunny，Giggles，andDumps，“

thenceforth——throughmyfavor；forIcouldnotthen，norcanInow，beindifferenttohiscourageandprowessindefendingagainstGigglestheimmemorialrightofhissextoinsultastrangeandunprotectedfemale——myself。AfteroldJimstruckitintheCalamity，andIbegantowearshoesandgotoschool，andinemulationGigglestooktowashinghisface，andbecameJackRaynor，ofWells，Fargo&Co。，andoldMrs。Bartswasherselfchloridedtoherfathers，DumpsdriftedovertoSanJuanSmithandturnedstagedriver，andwaskilledbyroadagents，andsoforth。

WhydoItellyouallthis，dear？Becauseitisheavyonmyheart。

BecauseIwalktheValleyofHumility。BecauseIamsubduingmyselftopermanentconsciousnessofmyunworthinesstounloosethelatchetofDr。Barritz”sshoe。Because-oh，dear，oh，dear——there”sacousinofDumpsatthishotel！Ihaven”tspokentohim。Ineverhadanyacquaintancewithhim，but——doyousupposehehasrecognizedme？Do，please，givemeinyournextyourcandid，sure-

enoughopinionaboutit，andsayyoudon”tthinkso。DoyouthinkHeknowsaboutmealreadyandthatiswhyHeleftmelasteveningwhenHesawthatIblushedandtrembledlikeafoolunderHiseyes？

YouknowIcan”tbribeALLthenewspapers，andIcan”tgobackonanybodywhowasgoodtoGunnyatRedhorse——notifI”mpitchedoutofsocietyintothesea。Sotheskeletonsometimesrattlesbehindthedoor。Inevercaredmuchbefore，asyouknow，butnow——NOWitisnotthesame。JackRaynorIamsureof——hewillnottellhim。

Heseems，indeed，toholdhiminsuchrespectashardlytodarespeaktohimatall，andI”magooddealthatwaymyself。Dear，dear！IwishIhadsomethingbesidesamilliondollars！IfJackwerethreeinchestallerI”dmarryhimaliveandgobacktoRedhorseandwearsackclothagaintotheendofmymiserabledays。

July25th。

Wehadaperfectlysplendidsunsetlastevening，andImusttellyouallaboutit。IranawayfromAuntieandeverybody，andwaswalkingaloneonthebeach。Iexpectyoutobelieve，youinfidel！

thatIhadnotlookedoutofmywindowontheseawardsideofthehotelandseenhimwalkingaloneonthebeach。Ifyouarenotlosttoeveryfeelingofwomanlydelicacyyouwillacceptmystatementwithoutquestion。Isoonestablishedmyselfundermysunshadeandhadforsometimebeengazingoutdreamilyoverthesea，whenheapproached，walkingclosetotheedgeofthewater——itwasebbtide。Iassureyouthewetsandactuallybrightenedabouthisfeet！Asheapproachedme，heliftedhishat，saying：“MissDement，mayIsitwithyou？——orwillyouwalkwithme？“

Thepossibilitythatneithermightbeagreeableseemsnottohaveoccurredtohim。Didyoueverknowsuchassurance？Assurance？Mydear，itwasgall，downrightGALL！Well，Ididn”tfinditwormwood，andreplied，withmyuntutoredRedhorseheartinmythroat：“I——IshallbepleasedtodoANYTHING。”Couldwordshavebeenmorestupid？Therearedepthsoffatuityinme，friendo”mysoul，whicharesimplybottomless！

Heextendedhishand，smiling，andIdeliveredmineintoitwithoutamoment”shesitation，andwhenhisfingersclosedaboutittoassistmetomyfeet，theconsciousnessthatittrembledmademeblushworsethantheredwest。Igotup，however，andafterawhile，observingthathehadnotletgomyhand，Ipulledonitalittle，butunsuccessfully。Hesimplyheldon，sayingnothing，butlookingdownintomyfacewithsomekindofasmile——Ididn”tknow——

howcouldI？——whetheritwasaffectionate，derisive，orwhat，forIdidnotlookathim。Howbeautifulhewas！——withtheredfiresofthesunsetburninginthedepthsofhiseyes。Doyouknow，dear，iftheThugsandExpertsoftheBlavatskyregionhaveanyspecialkindofeyes？Ah，youshouldhaveseenhissuperbattitude，thegodlikeinclinationofhisheadashestoodovermeafterIhadgotuponmyfeet！Itwasanoblepicture，butIsoondestroyedit，forIbeganatoncetosinkagaintotheearth。

Therewasonlyonethingforhimtodo，andhedidit；hesupportedmewithanarmaboutmywaist。

“MissDement，areyouill？“hesaid。

Itwasnotanexclamation；therewasneitheralarmnorsolicitudeinit。Ifhehadadded：“IsupposethatisaboutwhatIamexpectedtosay，“hewouldhardlyhaveexpressedhissenseofthesituationmoreclearly。Hismannerfilledmewithshameandindignation，forIwassufferingacutely。Iwrenchedmyhandoutofhis，graspedthearmsupportingme，and，pushingmyselffree，fellplumpintothesandandsathelpless。Myhathadfallenoffinthestruggle，andmyhairtumbledaboutmyfaceandshouldersinthemostmortifyingway。

“Goawayfromme，“Icried，halfchoking。“Oh，PLEASEgoaway，you——youThug！HowdareyouthinkTHATwhenmylegisasleep？“

Iactuallysaidthoseidenticalwords！AndthenIbrokedownandsobbed。Irene，IBLUBBERED！

Hismanneralteredinaninstant——Icouldseethatmuchthroughmyfingersandhair。Hedroppedononekneebesideme，partedthetangleofhair，andsaid，inthetenderestway：Mypoorgirl，GodknowsIhavenotintendedtopainyou。HowshouldI？——Iwholoveyou——Iwhohavelovedyoufor——foryearsandyears！“

Hehadpulledmywethandsawayfrommyfaceandwascoveringthemwithkisses。Mycheekswereliketwocoals，mywholefacewasflamingand，Ithink，steaming。WhatcouldIdo？Ihiditonhisshoulder——therewasnootherplace。And，oh，mydearfriend，howmylegtingledandthrilled，andhowIwantedtokick！

Wesatsoforalongtime。Hehadreleasedoneofmyhandstopasshisarmaboutmeagain，andIpossessedmyselfofmyhandkerchiefandwasdryingmyeyesandmynose。Iwouldnotlookupuntilthatwasdone；hetriedinvaintopushmealittleawayandgazeintomyeyes。Presently，whenitwasallright，andithadgrownabitdark，Iliftedmyhead，lookedhimstraightintheeyes，andsmiledmybest——mylevelbest，dear。

“Whatdoyoumean，“Isaid，“by”yearsandyears”？“

“Dearest，“hereplied，verygravely，veryearnestly，“intheabsenceofthesunkencheeks，theholloweyes，thelankhair，theslouchinggait，therags，dirt，andyouth，canyounot——willyounotunderstand？Gunny，I”mDumps！“

InamomentIwasuponmyfeetandheuponhis。Iseizedhimbythelapelsofhiscoatandpeeredintohishandsomefaceinthedeepeningdarkness。Iwasbreathlesswithexcitement。

“Andyouarenotdead？“Iasked，hardlyknowingwhatIsaid。

“Onlydeadinlove，dear。Irecoveredfromtheroadagent”sbullet，butthis，Ifear，isfatal。”

“ButaboutJack——Mr。Raynor？Don”tyouknow”

“Iamashamedtosay，darling，thatitwasthroughthatunworthyperson”sinvitationthatIcameherefromVienna。”

Irene，theyhaveplayedituponyouraffectionatefriend，MARYJANEDEMENT。

P。S——Theworstofitisthatthereisnomystery。ThatwasaninventionofJacktoarousemycuriosityandinterest。JamesisnotaThug。HesolemnlyassuresmethatinallhiswanderingshehasneversetfootinSepoy。

TheManandtheSnakeI

Itisofveritabyllreport，andattestedofsomanythattherebenoweofwyseandlearnednonetogaynsayeit，thatyeserpentehyseyehathamagnetickpropertiethatwhosoefallethintoitssvasionisdrawnforwardsindespyteofhiswille，andperishethmiserabyllbyyecreaturehysbyte。

Stretchedateaseuponasofa，ingownandslippers，HarkerBraytonsmiledashereadtheforegoingsentenceinoldMorryster”s“MarvellsofScience。”“Theonlymarvelinthematter，“hesaidtohimself，“isthatthewiseandlearnedinMorryster”sdayshouldhavebelievedsuchnonsenseasisrejectedbymostofeventheignorantinours。”

Atrainofreflectionsfollowed——forBraytonwasamanofthought——

andheunconsciouslyloweredhisbookwithoutalteringthedirectionofhiseyes。Assoonasthevolumehadgonebelowthelineofsight，somethinginanobscurecorneroftheroomrecalledhisattentiontohissurroundings。Whathesaw，intheshadowunderhisbed，weretwosmallpointsoflight，apparentlyaboutaninchapart。Theymighthavebeenreflectionsofthegasjetabovehim，inmetalnailheads；hegavethembutlittlethoughtandresumedhisreading。Amomentlatersomething——someimpulsewhichitdidnotoccurtohimtoanalyze——impelledhimtolowerthebookagainandseekforwhathesawbefore。Thepointsoflightwerestillthere。Theyseemedtohavebecomebrighterthanbefore，shiningwithagreenishlusterwhichhehadnotatfirstobserved。

Hethought，too，thattheymighthavemovedatrifle——weresomewhatnearer。Theywerestilltoomuchintheshadow，however，torevealtheirnatureandorigintoanindolentattention，andheresumedhisreading。Suddenlysomethinginthetextsuggestedathoughtwhichmadehimstartanddropthebookforthethirdtimetothesideofthesofa，whence，escapingfromhishand，itfellsprawlingtothefloor，backupward。Brayton，half-risen，wasstaringintentlyintotheobscuritybeneaththebed，wherethepointsoflightshonewith，itseemedtohim，anaddedfire。Hisattentionwasnowfullyaroused，hisgazeeagerandimperative。Itdisclosed，almostdirectlybeneaththefootrailofthebed，thecoilsofalargeserpent——thepointsoflightwereitseyes！Itshorriblehead，thrustflatlyforthfromtheinnermostcoilandrestingupontheoutermost，wasdirectedstraighttowardhim，thedefinitionofthewide，brutaljawandtheidiotlikeforeheadservingtoshowthedirectionofitsmalevolentgaze。Theeyeswerenolongermerelyluminouspoints；theylookedintohisownwithameaning，amalignsignificance。

II

Asnakeinabedroomofamoderncitydwellingofthebettersortis，happily，notsocommonaphenomenonastomakeexplanationaltogetherneedless。HarkerBrayton，abachelorofthirty-five，ascholar，idler，andsomethingofanathlete，rich，popular，andofsoundhealth，hadreturnedtoSanFranciscofromallmannerofremoteandunfamiliarcountries。Histastes，alwaysatrifleluxurious，hadtakenonanaddedexuberancefromlongprivation；

andtheresourcesofeventheCastleHotelbeinginadequatefortheirperfectgratification，hehadgladlyacceptedthehospitalityofhisfriend，Dr。Druring，thedistinguishedscientist。Dr。

Druring”shouse，alarge，old-fashionedoneinwhatwasnowanobscurequarterofthecity，hadanouterandvisibleaspectofreserve。Itplainlywouldnotassociatewiththecontiguouselementsofitsalteredenvironment，andappearedtohavedevelopedsomeoftheeccentricitieswhichcomeofisolation。Oneofthesewasa“wing，“conspicuouslyirrelevantinpointofarchitecture，andnolessrebelliousinthematterofpurpose；foritwasacombinationoflaboratory，menagerie，andmuseum。Itwasherethatthedoctorindulgedthescientificsideofhisnatureinthestudyofsuchformsofanimallifeasengagedhisinterestandcomfortedhistaste——which，itmustbeconfessed，ranrathertothelowerforms。Foroneofthehighertypesnimblyandsweetlytorecommenditselfuntohisgentlesenses，ithadatleasttoretaincertainrudimentarycharacteristicsallyingittosuch“dragonsoftheprime“astoadsandsnakes。Hisscientificsympathiesweredistinctlyreptilian；helovednature”svulgariansanddescribedhimselfastheZolaofzoology。Hiswifeanddaughters，nothavingtheadvantagetosharehisenlightenedcuriosityregardingtheworksandwaysofourill-starredfellow-creatures，were，withneedlessausterity，excludedfromwhathecalledtheSnakery，anddoomedtocompanionshipwiththeirownkind；though，tosoftentherigorsoftheirlot，hehadpermittedthem，outofhisgreatwealth，tooutdothereptilesinthegorgeousnessoftheirsurroundingsandtoshinewithasuperiorsplendor。

Architecturally，andinpointof“furnishing，“theSnakeryhadaseveresimplicitybefittingthehumblecircumstancesofitsoccupants，manyofwhom，indeed，couldnotsafelyhavebeenintrustedwiththelibertywhichisnecessarytothefullenjoymentofluxury，fortheyhadthetroublesomepeculiarityofbeingalive。

Intheirownapartments，however，theywereunderaslittlepersonalrestraintaswascompatiblewiththeirprotectionfromthebanefulhabitofswallowingoneanother；and，asBraytonhadthoughtfullybeenapprised，itwasmorethanatraditionthatsomeofthemhadatdiverstimesbeenfoundinpartsofthepremiseswhereitwouldhaveembarrassedthemtoexplaintheirpresence。

DespitetheSnakeryanditsuncannyassociations——towhich，indeed，hegavelittleattention——BraytonfoundlifeattheDruringmansionverymuchtohismind。

III

Beyondasmartshockofsurpriseandashudderofmereloathing，Mr。Braytonwasnotgreatlyaffected。Hisfirstthoughtwastoringthecallbellandbringaservant；but，althoughthebellcorddangledwithineasyreach，hemadenomovementtowardit；ithadoccurredtohismindthattheactmightsubjecthimtothesuspicionoffear，whichhecertainlydidnotfeel。Hewasmorekeenlyconsciousoftheincongruousnatureofthesituationthanaffectedbyitsperils；itwasrevolting，butabsurd。

ThereptilewasofaspecieswithwhichBraytonwasunfamiliar。

Itslengthhecouldonlyconjecture；thebodyatthelargestvisiblepartseemedaboutasthickashisforearm。Inwhatwaywasitdangerous，ifinanyway？Wasitvenomous？Wasitaconstrictor？Hisknowledgeofnature”sdangersignalsdidnotenablehimtosay；hehadneverdecipheredthecode。

Ifnotdangerous，thecreaturewasatleastoffensive。Itwasdetrop”matteroutofplace“——animpertinence。Thegemwasunworthyofthesetting。Eventhebarbaroustasteofourtimeandcountry，whichhadloadedthewallsoftheroomwithpictures，thefloorwithfurniture，andthefurniturewithbric-a-brac，hadnotquitefittedtheplaceforthisbitofthesavagelifeofthejungle。

Besides——insupportablethought！——theexhalationsofitsbreathmingledwiththeatmospherewhichhehimselfwasbreathing！

ThesethoughtsshapedthemselveswithgreaterorlessdefinitioninBrayton”smind，andbegotaction。Theprocessiswhatwecallconsiderationanddecision。Itisthusthatwearewiseandunwise。Itisthusthatthewitheredleafinanautumnbreezeshowsgreaterorlessintelligencethanitsfellows，fallinguponthelandoruponthelake。Thesecretofhumanactionisanopenone——somethingcontractsourmuscles。Doesitmatterifwegivetothepreparatorymolecularchangesthenameofwill？

Braytonrosetohisfeetandpreparedtobacksoftlyawayfromthesnake，withoutdisturbingit，ifpossible，andthroughthedoor。

Peopleretiresofromthepresenceofthegreat，forgreatnessispower，andpowerisamenace。Heknewthathecouldwalkbackwardwithoutobstruction，andfindthedoorwithouterror。Shouldthemonsterfollow，thetastewhichhadplasteredthewallswithpaintingshadconsistentlysuppliedarackofmurderousOrientalweaponsfromwhichhecouldsnatchonetosuittheoccasion。Inthemeantimethesnake”seyesburnedwithamorepitilessmalevolencethanever。

Braytonliftedhisrightfootfreeofthefloortostepbackward。

Thatmomenthefeltastrongaversiontodoingso。

“Iamaccountedbrave，“hemurmured；“isbravery，then，nomorethanpride？BecausetherearenonetowitnesstheshameshallI

retreat？“

Hewassteadyinghimselfwithhisrighthanduponthebackofachair，hisfootsuspended。

“Nonsense！“hesaidaloud；“Iamnotsogreatacowardastofeartoseemtomyselfafraid。”

Heliftedthefootalittlehigherbyslightlybendingtheknee，andthrustitsharplytothefloor——aninchinfrontoftheother！

Hecouldnotthinkhowthatoccurred。Atrialwiththeleftfoothadthesameresult；itwasagaininadvanceoftheright。Thehanduponthechairbackwasgraspingit；thearmwasstraight，reachingsomewhatbackward。Onemighthaveseenthathewasreluctanttolosehishold。Thesnake”smalignantheadwasstillthrustforthfromtheinnercoilasbefore，thenecklevel。Ithadnotmoved，butitseyeswerenowelectricsparks，radiatinganinfinityofluminousneedles。

Themanhadanashypallor。Againhetookastepforward，andanother，partlydraggingthechair，which，whenfinallyreleased，felluponthefloorwithacrash。Themangroaned；thesnakemadeneithersoundnormotion，butitseyesweretwodazzlingsuns。Thereptileitselfwaswhollyconcealedbythem。Theygaveoffenlargingringsofrichandvividcolors，whichattheirgreatestexpansionsuccessivelyvanishedlikesoapbubbles；theyseemedtoapproachhisveryface，andanonwereanimmeasurabledistanceaway。Heheard，somewhere，thecontinualthrobbingofagreatdrum，withdesultoryburstsoffarmusic，inconceivablysweet，likethetonesofanaeolianharp。HeknewitforthesunrisemelodyofMemnon”sstatue，andthoughthestoodintheNilesidereeds，hearing，withexaltedsense，thatimmortalanthemthroughthesilenceofthecenturies。

Themusicceased；rather，itbecamebyinsensibledegreesthedistantrollofaretreatingthunderstorm。Alandscape，glitteringwithsunandrain，stretchedbeforehim，archedwithavividrainbow，framinginitsgiantcurveahundredvisiblecities。Inthemiddledistanceavastserpent，wearingacrown，reareditsheadoutofitsvoluminousconvolutionsandlookedathimwithhisdeadmother”seyes。Suddenlythisenchantinglandscapeseemedtoriseswiftlyupward，likethedropsceneatatheater，andvanishedinablank。Somethingstruckhimahardblowuponthefaceandbreast。Hehadfallentothefloor；thebloodranfromhisbrokennoseandhisbruisedlips。Foramomenthewasdazedandstunned，andlaywithclosedeyes，hisfaceagainstthedoor。Inafewmomentshehadrecovered，andthenrealizedthathisfall，bywithdrawinghiseyes，hadbrokenthespellwhichheldhim。Hefeltthatnow，bykeepinghisgazeaverted，hewouldbeabletoretreat。

Butthethoughtoftheserpentwithinafewfeetofhishead，yetunseen——perhapsintheveryactofspringinguponhimandthrowingitscoilsabouthisthroat——wastoohorrible。Heliftedhishead，staredagainintothosebalefuleyes，andwasagaininbondage。

Thesnakehadnotmoved，andappearedsomewhattohavelostitspowerupontheimagination；thegorgeousillusionsofafewmomentsbeforewerenotrepeated。Beneaththatflatandbrainlessbrowitsblack，beadyeyessimplyglittered，asatfirst，withanexpressionunspeakablymalignant。Itwasasifthecreature，knowingitstriumphassured，haddeterminedtopracticenomorealluringwiles。

Nowensuedafearfulscene。Theman，proneuponthefloor，withinayardofhisenemy，raisedtheupperpartofhisbodyuponhiselbows，hisheadthrownback，hislegsextendedtotheirfulllength。Hisfacewaswhitebetweenitsgoutsofblood；hiseyeswerestrainedopentotheiruttermostexpansion。Therewasfrothuponhislips；itdroppedoffinflakes。Strongconvulsionsranthroughhisbody，makingalmostserpentineundulations。Hebenthimselfatthewaist，shiftinghislegsfromsidetoside。Andeverymovementlefthimalittlenearertothesnake。Hethrusthishandsforwardtobracehimselfback，yetconstantlyadvanceduponhiselbows。

IV

Dr。Druringandhiswifesatinthelibrary。Thescientistwasinraregoodhumor。

“Ihavejustobtained，byexchangewithanothercollector，“hesaid，“asplendidspecimenoftheOphiophagus。”

“Andwhatmaythatbe？“theladyinquiredwithasomewhatlanguidinterest。

“Why，blessmysoul，whatprofoundignorance！Mydear，amanwhoascertainsaftermarriagethathiswifedoesnotknowGreek，isentitledtoadivorce。TheOphiophagusisasnakewhicheatsothersnakes。”

“Ihopeitwilleatallyours，“shesaid，absentlyshiftingthelamp。“Buthowdoesitgettheothersnakes？Bycharmingthem，I

suppose。”

“Thatisjustlikeyou，dear，“saidthedoctor，withanaffectationofpetulance。“Youknowhowirritatingtomeisanyallusiontothatvulgarsuperstitionaboutthesnake”spoweroffascination。”

Theconversationwasinterruptedbyamightycrywhichrangthroughthesilenthouselikethevoiceofademonshoutinginatomb。

Againandyetagainitsounded，withterribledistinctness。Theysprangtotheirfeet，themanconfused，theladypaleandspeechlesswithfright。Almostbeforetheechoesofthelastcryhaddiedawaythedoctorwasoutoftheroom，springingupthestaircasetwostepsatatime。Inthecorridor，infrontofBrayton”schamber，hemetsomeservantswhohadcomefromtheupperfloor。Togethertheyrushedatthedoorwithoutknocking。Itwasunfastened，andgaveway。Braytonlayuponhisstomachonthefloor，dead。Hisheadandarmswerepartlyconcealedunderthefootrailofthebed。Theypulledthebodyaway，turningitupontheback。Thefacewasdaubedwithbloodandfroth，theeyeswerewideopen，staring——adreadfulsight！

“Diedinafit，“saidthescientist，bendinghiskneeandplacinghishandupontheheart。Whileinthatpositionhehappenedtoglanceunderthebed。“GoodGod！“headded；“howdidthisthinggetinhere？“

Hereachedunderthebed，pulledoutthesnake，andflungit，stillcoiled，tothecenteroftheroom，whence，withaharsh，shufflingsound，itslidacrossthepolishedfloortillstoppedbythewall，whereitlaywithoutmotion。Itwasastuffedsnake；itseyesweretwoshoebuttons。

From“TalesofSoldiersandCivilians，“byAmbroseBierce。

Copyright，1891，byE。L。G。Steele。

EdgarAllanPoeTheOblongBoxSomeyearsago，IengagedpassagefromCharleston，S。C，tothecityofNewYork，inthefinepacket-ship“Independence，“CaptainHardy。Weweretosailonthefifteenthofthemonth(June)，weatherpermitting；andonthefourteenth，Iwentonboardtoarrangesomemattersinmystateroom。

Ifoundthatweweretohaveagreatmanypassengers，includingamorethanusualnumberofladies。Onthelistwereseveralofmyacquaintances，andamongothernames，IwasrejoicedtoseethatofMr。CorneliusWyatt，ayoungartist，forwhomIentertainedfeelingsofwarmfriendship。Hehadbeenwithmeafellow-studentatC——University，wherewewereverymuchtogether。Hehadtheordinarytemperamentofgenius，andwasacompoundofmisanthropy，sensibility，andenthusiasm。Tothesequalitiesheunitedthewarmestandtruestheartwhicheverbeatinahumanbosom。

IobservedthathisnamewascardeduponTHREEstate-rooms；and，uponagainreferringtothelistofpassengers，Ifoundthathehadengagedpassageforhimself，wife，andtwosisters——hisown。Thestate-roomsweresufficientlyroomy，andeachhadtwoberths，oneabovetheother。Theseberths，tobesure，weresoexceedinglynarrowastobeinsufficientformorethanoneperson；still，I

couldnotcomprehendwhytherewereTHREEstateroomsforthesefourpersons。Iwas，justatthatepoch，inoneofthosemoodyframesofmindwhichmakeamanabnormallyinquisitiveabouttrifles：andIconfess，withshame，thatIbusiedmyselfinavarietyofill-

bredandpreposterousconjecturesaboutthismatterofthesupernumerarystateroom。Itwasnobusinessofmine，tobesure，butwithnonethelesspertinacitydidIoccupymyselfinattemptstoresolvetheenigma。AtlastIreachedaconclusionwhichwroughtinmegreatwonderwhyIhadnotarrivedatitbefore。“Itisaservantofcourse，“Isaid；“whatafoolIam，notsoonertohavethoughtofsoobviousasolution！“AndthenIagainrepairedtothelist——buthereIsawdistinctlythatNOservantwastocomewiththeparty，although，infact，ithadbeentheoriginaldesigntobringone——forthewords“andservant“hadbeenfirstwrittenandthenover-scored。“Oh，extrabaggage，tobesure，“Inowsaidtomyself”somethinghewishesnottobeputinthehold——

somethingtobekeptunderhisowneye——ah，Ihaveit——apaintingorso——andthisiswhathehasbeenbargainingaboutwithNicolino，theItalianJew。”Thisideasatisfiedme，andIdismissedmycuriosityforthenonce。

Wyatt”stwosistersIknewverywell，andmostamiableandclevergirlstheywere。Hiswifehehadnewlymarried，andIhadneveryetseenher。Hehadoftentalkedaboutherinmypresence，however，andinhisusualstyleofenthusiasm。Hedescribedherasofsurpassingbeauty，wit，andaccomplishment。Iwas，therefore，quiteanxioustomakeheracquaintance。

OnthedayinwhichIvisitedtheship(thefourteenth)，Wyattandpartywerealsotovisitit——sothecaptaininformedme——andI

waitedonboardanhourlongerthanIhaddesigned，inhopeofbeingpresentedtothebride，butthenanapologycame。“Mrs。W。

wasalittleindisposed，andwoulddeclinecomingonboarduntilto-morrow，atthehourofsailing。”

Themorrowhavingarrived，Iwasgoingfrommyhoteltothewharf，whenCaptainHardymetmeandsaidthat，“owingtocircumstances“

(astupidbutconvenientphrase)，“heratherthoughtthe”Independence”wouldnotsailforadayortwo，andthatwhenallwasready，hewouldsendupandletmeknow。”ThisIthoughtstrange，fortherewasastiffsoutherlybreeze；butas“thecircumstances“werenotforthcoming，althoughIpumpedforthemwithmuchperseverance，Ihadnothingtodobuttoreturnhomeanddigestmyimpatienceatleisure。

Ididnotreceivetheexpectedmessagefromthecaptainfornearlyaweek。Itcameatlength，however，andIimmediatelywentonboard。Theshipwascrowdedwithpassengers，andeverythingwasinthebustleattendantuponmakingsail。Wyatt”spartyarrivedinabouttenminutesaftermyself。Therewerethetwosisters，thebride，andtheartist——thelatterinoneofhiscustomaryfitsofmoodymisanthropy。Iwastoowellusedtothese，however，topaythemanyspecialattention。Hedidnotevenintroducemetohiswife；——thiscourtesydevolving，perforce，uponhissisterMarian——

averysweetandintelligentgirl，who，inafewhurriedwords，madeusacquainted。

Mrs。Wyatthadbeencloselyveiled；andwhensheraisedherveil，inacknowledgingmybow，IconfessthatIwasveryprofoundlyastonished。Ishouldhavebeenmuchmoreso，however，hadnotlongexperienceadvisedmenottotrust，withtooimplicitareliance，theenthusiasticdescriptionsofmyfriend，theartist，whenindulgingincommentsuponthelovelinessofwoman。Whenbeautywasthetheme，Iwellknewwithwhatfacilityhesoaredintotheregionsofthepurelyideal。

Thetruthis，IcouldnothelpregardingMrs。Wyattasadecidedlyplain-lookingwoman。Ifnotpositivelyugly，shewasnot，Ithink，veryfarfromit。Shewasdressed，however，inexquisitetaste——

andthenIhadnodoubtthatshehadcaptivatedmyfriend”sheartbythemoreenduringgracesoftheintellectandsoul。Shesaidveryfewwords，andpassedatonceintoherstate-roomwithMr。W。

Myoldinquisitivenessnowreturned。TherewasNOservant——THAT

wasasettledpoint。Ilooked，therefore，fortheextrabaggage。

Aftersomedelay，acartarrivedatthewharf，withanoblongpinebox，whichwaseverythingthatseemedtobeexpected。Immediatelyuponitsarrivalwemadesail，andinashorttimeweresafelyoverthebarandstandingouttosea。

Theboxinquestionwas，asIsay，oblong。Itwasaboutsixfeetinlengthbytwoandahalfinbreadth；Iobserveditattentively，andliketobeprecise。NowthisshapewasPECULIAR；andnosoonerhadIseenit，thanItookcredittomyselffortheaccuracyofmyguessing。Ihadreachedtheconclusion，itwillberemembered，thattheextrabaggageofmyfriend，theartist，wouldprovetobepictures，oratleastapicture；forIknewhehadbeenforseveralweeksinconferencewithNicolino：——andnowherewasabox，which，fromitsshape，COULDpossiblycontainnothingintheworldbutacopyofLeonardo”s“LastSupper；“andacopyofthisvery“LastSupper，“donebyRubinitheyounger，atFlorence，Ihadknown，forsometime，tobeinthepossessionofNicolino。Thispoint，therefore，Iconsideredassufficientlysettled。IchuckledexcessivelywhenIthoughtofmyacumen。ItwasthefirsttimeI

hadeverknownWyatttokeepfrommeanyofhisartisticalsecrets；

buthereheevidentlyintendedtostealamarchuponme，andsmuggleafinepicturetoNewYork，undermyverynose；expectingmetoknownothingofthematter。IresolvedtoquizhimWELL，nowandhereafter。

Onething，however，annoyedmenotalittle。TheboxdidNOTgointotheextrastateroom。ItwasdepositedinWyatt”sown；andthere，too，itremained，occupyingverynearlythewholeofthefloor——nodoubttotheexceedingdiscomfortoftheartistandhiswife；——thisthemoreespeciallyasthetarorpaintwithwhichitwasletteredinsprawlingcapitals，emittedastrong，disagreeable，and，tomyfancy，apeculiarlydisgustingodor。Onthelidwerepaintedthewords”Mrs。AdelaideCurtis，Albany，NewYork。ChargeofCorneliusWyatt，Esq。Thissideup。Tobehandledwithcare。”

Now，IwasawarethatMrs。AdelaideCurtis，ofAlbany，wastheartist”swife”smother，——butthenIlookeduponthewholeaddressasamystification，intendedespeciallyformyself。Imadeupmymind，ofcourse，thattheboxandcontentswouldnevergetfarthernorththanthestudioofmymisanthropicfriend，inChambersStreet，NewYork。

Forthefirstthreeorfourdayswehadfineweather，althoughthewindwasdeadahead；havingchoppedroundtothenorthward，immediatelyuponourlosingsightofthecoast。Thepassengerswere，consequently，inhighspiritsanddisposedtobesocial。I

MUSTexcept，however，Wyattandhissisters，whobehavedstiffly，and，Icouldnothelpthinking，uncourteouslytotherestoftheparty。Wyatt”sconductIdidnotsomuchregard。Hewasgloomy，evenbeyondhisusualhabit——infacthewasMOROSE——butinhimI

waspreparedforeccentricity。Forthesisters，however，Icouldmakenoexcuse。Theysecludedthemselvesintheirstateroomsduringthegreaterpartofthepassage，andabsolutelyrefused，althoughIrepeatedlyurgedthem，toholdcommunicationwithanypersononboard。

Mrs。Wyattherselfwasfarmoreagreeable。Thatistosay，shewasCHATTY；andtobechattyisnoslightrecommendationatsea。ShebecameEXCESSIVELYintimatewithmostoftheladies；and，tomyprofoundastonishment，evincednoequivocaldispositiontocoquetwiththemen。Sheamusedusallverymuch。Isay“amused“——andscarcelyknowhowtoexplainmyself。Thetruthis，IsoonfoundthatMrs。W。wasfaroftenerlaughedATthanWITH。Thegentlemensaidlittleabouther；buttheladies，inalittlewhile，pronouncedher“agood-heartedthing，ratherindifferentlooking，totallyuneducated，anddecidedlyvulgar。”Thegreatwonderwas，howWyatthadbeenentrappedintosuchamatch。Wealthwasthegeneralsolution——butthisIknewtobenosolutionatall；forWyatthadtoldmethatsheneitherbroughthimadollarnorhadanyexpectationsfromanysourcewhatever。“Hehadmarried，“hesaid，“forlove，andforloveonly；andhisbridewasfarmorethanworthyofhislove。”WhenIthoughtoftheseexpressions，onthepartofmyfriend，IconfessthatIfeltindescribablypuzzled。

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