Contents：
TheSignal-ManTheHaunted-HouseTheTrialForMurderTHESIGNAL-MAN
"Halloa！Belowthere！"
Whenheheardavoicethuscallingtohim，hewasstandingatthedoorofhisbox，withaflaginhishand，furledrounditsshortpole。Onewouldhavethought，consideringthenatureoftheground，thathecouldnothavedoubtedfromwhatquarterthevoicecame；butinsteadoflookinguptowhereIstoodonthetopofthesteepcuttingnearlyoverhishead，heturnedhimselfabout，andlookeddowntheLine。Therewassomethingremarkableinhismannerofdoingso，thoughIcouldnothavesaidformylifewhat。ButIknowitwasremarkableenoughtoattractmynotice，eventhoughhisfigurewasforeshortenedandshadowed，downinthedeeptrench，andminewashighabovehim，sosteepedintheglowofanangrysunset，thatIhadshadedmyeyeswithmyhandbeforeIsawhimatall。
"Halloa！Below！"
FromlookingdowntheLine，heturnedhimselfaboutagain，and，raisinghiseyes，sawmyfigurehighabovehim。
"IsthereanypathbywhichIcancomedownandspeaktoyou？"
Helookedupatmewithoutreplying，andIlookeddownathimwithoutpressinghimtoosoonwitharepetitionofmyidlequestion。
Justthentherecameavaguevibrationintheearthandair，quicklychangingintoaviolentpulsation，andanoncomingrushthatcausedmetostartback，asthoughithadforcetodrawmedown。Whensuchvapourasrosetomyheightfromthisrapidtrainhadpassedme，andwasskimmingawayoverthelandscape，Ilookeddownagain，andsawhimrefurlingtheflaghehadshownwhilethetrainwentby。
Irepeatedmyinquiry。Afterapause，duringwhichheseemedtoregardmewithfixedattention，hemotionedwithhisrolled-upflagtowardsapointonmylevel，sometwoorthreehundredyardsdistant。Icalleddowntohim，"Allright！"andmadeforthatpoint。There，bydintoflookingcloselyaboutme，Ifoundaroughzigzagdescendingpathnotchedout，whichIfollowed。
Thecuttingwasextremelydeep，andunusuallyprecipitate。Itwasmadethroughaclammystone，thatbecameoozierandwetterasIwentdown。Forthesereasons，Ifoundthewaylongenoughtogivemetimetorecallasingularairofreluctanceorcompulsionwithwhichhehadpointedoutthepath。
WhenIcamedownlowenoughuponthezigzagdescenttoseehimagain，Isawthathewasstandingbetweentherailsonthewaybywhichthetrainhadlatelypassed，inanattitudeasifhewerewaitingformetoappear。Hehadhislefthandathischin，andthatleftelbowrestedonhisrighthand，crossedoverhisbreast。
HisattitudewasoneofsuchexpectationandwatchfulnessthatI
stoppedamoment，wonderingatit。
Iresumedmydownwardway，andsteppingoutupontheleveloftherailroad，anddrawingnearertohim，sawthathewasadarksallowman，withadarkbeardandratherheavyeyebrows。HispostwasinassolitaryanddismalaplaceaseverIsaw。Oneitherside，adripping-wetwallofjaggedstone，excludingallviewbutastripofsky；theperspectiveonewayonlyacrookedprolongationofthisgreatdungeon；theshorterperspectiveintheotherdirectionterminatinginagloomyredlight，andthegloomierentrancetoablacktunnel，inwhosemassivearchitecturetherewasabarbarous，depressing，andforbiddingair。Solittlesunlighteverfounditswaytothisspot，thatithadanearthy，deadlysmell；andsomuchcoldwindrushedthroughit，thatitstruckchilltome，asifIhadleftthenaturalworld。
Beforehestirred，Iwasnearenoughtohimtohavetouchedhim。
Noteventhenremovinghiseyesfrommine，hesteppedbackonestep，andliftedhishand。
Thiswasalonesomeposttooccupy（Isaid），andithadrivetedmyattentionwhenIlookeddownfromupyonder。Avisitorwasararity，Ishouldsuppose；notanunwelcomerarity，Ihoped？Inme，hemerelysawamanwhohadbeenshutupwithinnarrowlimitsallhislife，andwho，beingatlastsetfree，hadanewly-awakenedinterestinthesegreatworks。TosuchpurposeIspoketohim；butIamfarfromsureofthetermsIused；for，besidesthatIamnothappyinopeninganyconversation，therewassomethinginthemanthatdauntedme。
Hedirectedamostcuriouslooktowardstheredlightnearthetunnel’smouth，andlookedallaboutit，asifsomethingweremissingfromit，andthenlookeditme。
Thatlightwaspartofhischarge？Wasitnot？
Heansweredinalowvoice，——"Don’tyouknowitis？"
Themonstrousthoughtcameintomymind，asIperusedthefixedeyesandthesaturnineface，thatthiswasaspirit，notaman。Ihavespeculatedsince，whethertheremayhavebeeninfectioninhismind。
Inmyturn，Isteppedback。Butinmakingtheaction，Idetectedinhiseyessomelatentfearofme。Thisputthemonstrousthoughttoflight。
"Youlookatme，"Isaid，forcingasmile，"asifyouhadadreadofme。"
"Iwasdoubtful，"hereturned，"whetherIhadseenyoubefore。"
"Where？"
Hepointedtotheredlighthehadlookedat。
"There？"Isaid。
Intentlywatchfulofme，hereplied（butwithoutsound），"Yes。"
"Mygoodfellow，whatshouldIdothere？However，bethatasitmay，Ineverwasthere，youmayswear。"
"IthinkImay，"herejoined。"Yes；IamsureImay。"
Hismannercleared，likemyown。Herepliedtomyremarkswithreadiness，andinwell-chosenwords。Hadhemuchtodothere？Yes；
thatwastosay，hehadenoughresponsibilitytobear；butexactnessandwatchfulnesswerewhatwasrequiredofhim，andofactualwork——
manuallabour——hehadnexttonone。Tochangethatsignal，totrimthoselights，andtoturnthisironhandlenowandthen，wasallhehadtodounderthathead。RegardingthosemanylongandlonelyhoursofwhichIseemedtomakesomuch，hecouldonlysaythattheroutineofhislifehadshapeditselfintothatform，andhehadgrownusedtoit。Hehadtaughthimselfalanguagedownhere，——ifonlytoknowitbysight，andtohaveformedhisowncrudeideasofitspronunciation，couldbecalledlearningit。Hehadalsoworkedatfractionsanddecimals，andtriedalittlealgebra；buthewas，andhadbeenasaboy，apoorhandatfigures。Wasitnecessaryforhimwhenondutyalwaystoremaininthatchannelofdampair，andcouldheneverriseintothesunshinefrombetweenthosehighstonewalls？Why，thatdependedupontimesandcircumstances。UndersomeconditionstherewouldbelessupontheLinethanunderothers，andthesameheldgoodastocertainhoursofthedayandnight。Inbrightweather，hedidchooseoccasionsforgettingalittleabovetheselowershadows；but，beingatalltimesliabletobecalledbyhiselectricbell，andatsuchtimeslisteningforitwithredoubledanxiety，thereliefwaslessthanIwouldsuppose。
Hetookmeintohisbox，wheretherewasafire，adeskforanofficialbookinwhichhehadtomakecertainentries，atelegraphicinstrumentwithitsdial，face，andneedles，andthelittlebellofwhichhehadspoken。Onmytrustingthathewouldexcusetheremarkthathehadbeenwelleducated，and（IhopedImightsaywithoutoffence）perhapseducatedabovethatstation，heobservedthatinstancesofslightincongruityinsuchwisewouldrarelybefoundwantingamonglargebodiesofmen；thathehadhearditwassoinworkhouses，inthepoliceforce，eveninthatlastdesperateresource，thearmy；andthatheknewitwasso，moreorless，inanygreatrailwaystaff。Hehadbeen，whenyoung（ifIcouldbelieveit，sittinginthathut，——hescarcelycould），astudentofnaturalphilosophy，andhadattendedlectures；buthehadrunwild，misusedhisopportunities，gonedown，andneverrisenagain。Hehadnocomplainttoofferaboutthat。Hehadmadehisbed，andhelayuponit。Itwasfartoolatetomakeanother。
AllthatIhaveherecondensedhesaidinaquietmanner，withhisgravedarkregardsdividedbetweenmeandthefire。Hethrewintheword，"Sir，"fromtimetotime，andespeciallywhenhereferredtohisyouth，——asthoughtorequestmetounderstandthatheclaimedtobenothingbutwhatIfoundhim。Hewasseveraltimesinterruptedbythelittlebell，andhadtoreadoffmessages，andsendreplies。
Oncehehadtostandwithoutthedoor，anddisplayaflagasatrainpassed，andmakesomeverbalcommunicationtothedriver。Inthedischargeofhisduties，Iobservedhimtoberemarkablyexactandvigilant，breakingoffhisdiscourseatasyllable，andremainingsilentuntilwhathehadtodowasdone。
Inaword，Ishouldhavesetthismandownasoneofthesafestofmentobeemployedinthatcapacity，butforthecircumstancethatwhilehewasspeakingtomehetwicebrokeoffwithafallencolour，turnedhisfacetowardsthelittlebellwhenitdidNOTring，openedthedoorofthehut（whichwaskeptshuttoexcludetheunhealthydamp），andlookedouttowardstheredlightnearthemouthofthetunnel。Onbothofthoseoccasions，hecamebacktothefirewiththeinexplicableairuponhimwhichIhadremarked，withoutbeingabletodefine，whenweweresofarasunder。
SaidI，whenIrosetoleavehim，"YoualmostmakemethinkthatI
havemetwithacontentedman。"
（IamafraidImustacknowledgethatIsaidittoleadhimon。）
"IbelieveIusedtobeso，"herejoined，inthelowvoiceinwhichhehadfirstspoken；"butIamtroubled，sir，Iamtroubled。"
Hewouldhaverecalledthewordsifhecould。Hehadsaidthem，however，andItookthemupquickly。
"Withwhat？Whatisyourtrouble？"
"Itisverydifficulttoimpart，sir。Itisvery，verydifficulttospeakof。Ifeveryoumakemeanothervisit，Iwilltrytotellyou。"
"ButIexpresslyintendtomakeyouanothervisit。Say，whenshallitbe？"
"Igooffearlyinthemorning，andIshallbeonagainattento-
morrownight，sir。"
"Iwillcomeateleven。"
Hethankedme，andwentoutatthedoorwithme。"I’llshowmywhitelight，sir，"hesaid，inhispeculiarlowvoice，"tillyouhavefoundthewayup。Whenyouhavefoundit，don’tcallout！Andwhenyouareatthetop，don’tcallout！"
Hismannerseemedtomaketheplacestrikecoldertome，butIsaidnomorethan，"Verywell。"
"Andwhenyoucomedownto-morrownight，don’tcallout！Letmeaskyouapartingquestion。Whatmadeyoucry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’
to-night？"
"Heavenknows，"saidI。"Icriedsomethingtothateffect——"
"Nottothateffect，sir。Thoseweretheverywords。Iknowthemwell。"
"Admitthoseweretheverywords。Isaidthem，nodoubt，becauseI
sawyoubelow。"
"Fornootherreason？"
"WhatotherreasoncouldIpossiblyhave？"
"Youhadnofeelingthattheywereconveyedtoyouinanysupernaturalway？"
"No。"
Hewishedmegood-night，andhelduphislight。IwalkedbythesideofthedownLineofrails（withaverydisagreeablesensationofatraincomingbehindme）untilIfoundthepath。Itwaseasiertomountthantodescend，andIgotbacktomyinnwithoutanyadventure。
Punctualtomyappointment，Iplacedmyfootonthefirstnotchofthezigzagnextnight，asthedistantclockswerestrikingeleven。
Hewaswaitingformeatthebottom，withhiswhitelighton。"I
havenotcalledout，"Isaid，whenwecameclosetogether；"mayI
speaknow？""Byallmeans，sir。""Good-night，then，andhere’smyhand。""Good-night，sir，andhere’smine。"Withthatwewalkedsidebysidetohisbox，enteredit，closedthedoor，andsatdownbythefire。
"Ihavemadeupmymind，sir，"hebegan，bendingforwardassoonaswewereseated，andspeakinginatonebutalittleaboveawhisper，"thatyoushallnothavetoaskmetwicewhattroublesme。Itookyouforsomeoneelseyesterdayevening。Thattroublesme。"
"Thatmistake？"
"No。Thatsomeoneelse。"
"Whoisit？"
"Idon’tknow。"
"Likeme？"
"Idon’tknow。Ineversawtheface。Theleftarmisacrosstheface，andtherightarmiswaved，——violentlywaved。Thisway。"
Ifollowedhisactionwithmyeyes，anditwastheactionofanarmgesticulating，withtheutmostpassionandvehemence，"ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！"
"Onemoonlightnight，"saidtheman，"Iwassittinghere，whenI
heardavoicecry，’Halloa！Belowthere！’Istartedup，lookedfromthatdoor，andsawthisSomeoneelsestandingbytheredlightnearthetunnel，wavingasIjustnowshowedyou。Thevoiceseemedhoarsewithshouting，anditcried，’Lookout！Lookout！’Andthenattain，’Halloa！Belowthere！Lookout！’Icaughtupmylamp，turneditonred，andrantowardsthefigure，calling，’What’swrong？Whathashappened？Where？’Itstoodjustoutsidetheblacknessofthetunnel。IadvancedsocloseuponitthatI
wonderedatitskeepingthesleeveacrossitseyes。Iranrightupatit，andhadmyhandstretchedouttopullthesleeveaway，whenitwasgone。"
"Intothetunnel？"saidI。
"No。Iranonintothetunnel，fivehundredyards。Istopped，andheldmylampabovemyhead，andsawthefiguresofthemeasureddistance，andsawthewetstainsstealingdownthewallsandtricklingthroughthearch。IranoutagainfasterthanIhadrunin（forIhadamortalabhorrenceoftheplaceuponme），andI
lookedallroundtheredlightwithmyownredlight，andIwentuptheironladdertothegalleryatopofit，andIcamedownagain，andranbackhere。Itelegraphedbothways，’Analarmhasbeengiven。Isanythingwrong？’Theanswercameback，bothways，’Allwell。’"
Resistingtheslowtouchofafrozenfingertracingoutmyspine，I
showedhimhowthatthisfiguremustbeadeceptionofhissenseofsight；andhowthatfigures，originatingindiseaseofthedelicatenervesthatministertothefunctionsoftheeye，wereknowntohaveoftentroubledpatients，someofwhomhadbecomeconsciousofthenatureoftheiraffliction，andhadevenproveditbyexperimentsuponthemselves。"Astoanimaginarycry，"saidI，"dobutlistenforamomenttothewindinthisunnaturalvalleywhilewespeaksolow，andtothewildharpitmakesofthetelegraphwires。"
Thatwasallverywell，hereturned，afterwehadsatlisteningforawhile，andheoughttoknowsomethingofthewindandthewires，——
hewhosooftenpassedlongwinternightsthere，aloneandwatching。
Buthewouldbegtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。
Iaskedhispardon，andheslowlyaddedthesewords，touchingmyarm，-
"WithinsixhoursaftertheAppearance，thememorableaccidentonthisLinehappened，andwithintenhoursthedeadandwoundedwerebroughtalongthroughthetunneloverthespotwherethefigurehadstood。"
Adisagreeableshuddercreptoverme，butIdidmybestagainstit。
Itwasnottobedenied，Irejoined，thatthiswasaremarkablecoincidence，calculateddeeplytoimpresshismind。Butitwasunquestionablethatremarkablecoincidencesdidcontinuallyoccur，andtheymustbetakenintoaccountindealingwithsuchasubject。
ThoughtobesureImustadmit，Iadded（forIthoughtIsawthathewasgoingtobringtheobjectiontobearuponme），menofcommonsensedidnotallowmuchforcoincidencesinmakingtheordinarycalculationsoflife。
Heagainbeggedtoremarkthathehadnotfinished。
Iagainbeggedhispardonforbeingbetrayedintointerruptions。
"This，"hesaid，againlayinghishanduponmyarm，andglancingoverhisshoulderwithholloweyes，"wasjustayearago。Sixorsevenmonthspassed，andIhadrecoveredfromthesurpriseandshock，whenonemorning，asthedaywasbreaking，I，standingatthedoor，lookedtowardstheredlight，andsawthespectreagain。"Hestopped，withafixedlookatme。
"Diditcryout？"
"No。Itwassilent。"
"Diditwaveitsarm？"
"No。Itleanedagainsttheshaftofthelight，withbothhandsbeforetheface。Likethis。"
OncemoreIfollowedhisactionwithmyeyes。Itwasanactionofmourning。Ihaveseensuchanattitudeinstonefiguresontombs。
"Didyougouptoit？"
"Icameinandsatdown，partlytocollectmythoughts，partlybecauseithadturnedmefaint。WhenIwenttothedooragain，daylightwasaboveme，andtheghostwasgone。"
"Butnothingfollowed？Nothingcameofthis？"
Hetouchedmeonthearmwithhisforefingertwiceorthricegivingaghastlynodeachtime：-
"Thatveryday，asatraincameoutofthetunnel，Inoticed，atacarriagewindowonmyside，whatlookedlikeaconfusionofhandsandheads，andsomethingwaved。Isawitjustintimetosignalthedriver，Stop！Heshutoff，andputhisbrakeon，butthetraindriftedpasthereahundredandfiftyyardsormore。Iranafterit，and，asIwentalong，heardterriblescreamsandcries。A
beautifulyoungladyhaddiedinstantaneouslyinoneofthecompartments，andwasbroughtinhere，andlaiddownonthisfloorbetweenus。"
InvoluntarilyIpushedmychairback，asIlookedfromtheboardsatwhichhepointedtohimself。
"True，sir。True。Preciselyasithappened，soItellityou。"
Icouldthinkofnothingtosay，toanypurpose，andmymouthwasverydry。Thewindandthewirestookupthestorywithalonglamentingwail。
Heresumed。"Now，sir，markthis，andjudgehowmymindistroubled。Thespectrecamebackaweekago。Eversince，ithasbeenthere，nowandagain，byfitsandstarts。"
"Atthelight？"
"AttheDanger-light。"
"Whatdoesitseemtodo？"
Herepeated，ifpossiblewithincreasedpassionandvehemence，thatformergesticulationof，"ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！"
Thenhewenton。"Ihavenopeaceorrestforit。Itcallstome，formanyminutestogether，inanagonisedmanner，’Belowthere！
Lookout！Lookout！’Itstandswavingtome。Itringsmylittlebell——"
Icaughtatthat。"DiditringyourbellyesterdayeveningwhenI
washere，andyouwenttothedoor？"
"Twice。"
"Why，see，"saidI，"howyourimaginationmisleadsyou。Myeyeswereonthebell，andmyearswereopentothebell，andifIamalivingman，itdidNOTringatthosetimes。No，noratanyothertime，exceptwhenitwasrunginthenaturalcourseofphysicalthingsbythestationcommunicatingwithyou。"
Heshookhishead。"Ihavenevermadeamistakeastothatyet，sir。
Ihaveneverconfusedthespectre’sringwiththeman’s。Theghost’sringisastrangevibrationinthebellthatitderivesfromnothingelse，andIhavenotassertedthatthebellstirstotheeye。Idon’twonderthatyoufailedtohearit。ButIheardit。"
"Anddidthespectreseemtobethere，whenyoulookedout？"
"ItWASthere。"’
"Bothtimes？"
Herepeatedfirmly："Bothtimes。"
"Willyoucometothedoorwithme，andlookforitnow？"
Hebithisunderlipasthoughheweresomewhatunwilling，butarose。Iopenedthedoor，andstoodonthestep，whilehestoodinthedoorway。TherewastheDanger-light。Therewasthedismalmouthofthetunnel。Therewerethehigh，wetstonewallsofthecutting。Therewerethestarsabovethem。
"Doyouseeit？"Iaskedhim，takingparticularnoteofhisface。
Hiseyeswereprominentandstrained，butnotverymuchmoreso，perhaps，thanmyownhadbeenwhenIhaddirectedthemearnestlytowardsthesamespot。
"No，"heanswered。"Itisnotthere。"
"Agreed，"saidI。
Wewentinagain，shutthedoor，andresumedourseats。Iwasthinkinghowbesttoimprovethisadvantage，ifitmightbecalledone，whenhetookuptheconversationinsuchamatter-of-courseway，soassumingthattherecouldbenoseriousquestionoffactbetweenus，thatIfeltmyselfplacedintheweakestofpositions。
"Bythistimeyouwillfullyunderstand，sir，"hesaid，"thatwhattroublesmesodreadfullyisthequestion，Whatdoesthespectremean？"
Iwasnotsure，Itoldhim，thatIdidfullyunderstand。
"Whatisitswarningagainst？"hesaid，ruminating，withhiseyesonthefire，andonlybytimesturningthemonme。"Whatisthedanger？Whereisthedanger？ThereisdangeroverhangingsomewhereontheLine。Somedreadfulcalamitywillhappen。Itisnottobedoubtedthisthirdtime，afterwhathasgonebefore。Butsurelythisisacruelhauntingofme。WhatcanIdo？"
Hepulledouthishandkerchief，andwipedthedropsfromhisheatedforehead。
"IfItelegraphDanger，oneithersideofme，oronboth，Icangivenoreasonforit，"hewenton，wipingthepalmsofhishands。"I
shouldgetintotrouble，anddonogood。TheywouldthinkIwasmad。Thisisthewayitwouldwork，——Message：’Danger！Takecare！’Answer：’WhatDanger？Where？’Message：’Don’tknow。
But，forGod’ssake，takecare！’Theywoulddisplaceme。Whatelsecouldtheydo？"
Hispainofmindwasmostpitiabletosee。Itwasthementaltortureofaconscientiousman，oppressedbeyondendurancebyanunintelligibleresponsibilityinvolvinglife。
"WhenitfirststoodundertheDanger-light，"hewenton，puttinghisdarkhairbackfromhishead，anddrawinghishandsoutwardacrossandacrosshistemplesinanextremityoffeverishdistress，"whynottellmewherethataccidentwastohappen，——ifitmusthappen？Whynottellmehowitcouldbeaverted，——ifitcouldhavebeenaverted？Whenonitssecondcomingithiditsface，whynottellme，instead，’Sheisgoingtodie。Letthemkeepherathome’？
Ifitcame，onthosetwooccasions，onlytoshowmethatitswarningsweretrue，andsotopreparemeforthethird，whynotwarnmeplainlynow？AndI，Lordhelpme！Amerepoorsignal-manonthissolitarystation！Whynotgotosomebodywithcredittobebelieved，andpowertoact？"
WhenIsawhiminthisstate，Isawthatforthepoorman’ssake，aswellasforthepublicsafety，whatIhadtodoforthetimewastocomposehismind。Therefore，settingasideallquestionofrealityorunrealitybetweenus，Irepresentedtohimthatwhoeverthoroughlydischargedhisdutymustdowell，andthatatleastitwashiscomfortthatheunderstoodhisduty，thoughhedidnotunderstandtheseconfoundingAppearances。InthiseffortI
succeededfarbetterthanintheattempttoreasonhimoutofhisconviction。Hebecamecalm；theoccupationsincidentaltohispostasthenightadvancedbegantomakelargerdemandsonhisattention：
andIlefthimattwointhemorning。Ihadofferedtostaythroughthenight，buthewouldnothearofit。
ThatImorethanoncelookedbackattheredlightasIascendedthepathway，thatIdidnotliketheredlight，andthatIshouldhavesleptbutpoorlyifmybedhadbeenunderit，Iseenoreasontoconceal。NordidIlikethetwosequencesoftheaccidentandthedeadgirl。Iseenoreasontoconcealthateither。
ButwhatranmostinmythoughtswastheconsiderationhowoughtI
toact，havingbecometherecipientofthisdisclosure？Ihadprovedthemantobeintelligent，vigilant，painstaking，andexact；
buthowlongmightheremainso，inhisstateofmind？Thoughinasubordinateposition，stillheheldamostimportanttrust，andwouldI（forinstance）liketostakemyownlifeonthechancesofhiscontinuingtoexecuteitwithprecision？
UnabletoovercomeafeelingthattherewouldbesomethingtreacherousinmycommunicatingwhathehadtoldmetohissuperiorsintheCompany，withoutfirstbeingplainwithhimselfandproposingamiddlecoursetohim，Iultimatelyresolvedtooffertoaccompanyhim（otherwisekeepinghissecretforthepresent）tothewisestmedicalpractitionerwecouldhearofinthoseparts，andtotakehisopinion。Achangeinhistimeofdutywouldcomeroundnextnight，hehadapprisedme，andhewouldbeoffanhourortwoaftersunrise，andonagainsoonaftersunset。Ihadappointedtoreturnaccordingly。
Nexteveningwasalovelyevening，andIwalkedoutearlytoenjoyit。ThesunwasnotyetquitedownwhenItraversedthefield-pathnearthetopofthedeepcutting。Iwouldextendmywalkforanhour，Isaidtomyself，halfanhouronandhalfanhourback，anditwouldthenbetimetogotomysignal-man’sbox。
Beforepursuingmystroll，Isteppedtothebrink，andmechanicallylookeddown，fromthepointfromwhichIhadfirstseenhim。I
cannotdescribethethrillthatseizeduponme，when，closeatthemouthofthetunnel，Isawtheappearanceofaman，withhisleftsleeveacrosshiseyes，passionatelywavinghisrightarm。
Thenamelesshorrorthatoppressedmepassedinamoment，forinamomentIsawthatthisappearanceofamanwasamanindeed，andthattherewasalittlegroupofothermen，standingatashortdistance，towhomheseemedtoberehearsingthegesturehemade。
TheDanger-lightwasnotyetlighted。Againstitsshaft，alittlelowhut，entirelynewtome，hadbeenmadeofsomewoodensupportsandtarpaulin。Itlookednobiggerthanabed。
Withanirresistiblesensethatsomethingwaswrong，——withaflashingself-reproachfulfearthatfatalmischiefhadcomeofmyleavingthemanthere，andcausingnoonetobesenttooverlookorcorrectwhathedid，——IdescendedthenotchedpathwithallthespeedIcouldmake。
"Whatisthematter？"Iaskedthemen。
"Signal-mankilledthismorning，sir。"
"Notthemanbelongingtothatbox？"
"Yes，sir。"
"NotthemanIknow？"
"Youwillrecognisehim，sir，ifyouknewhim，"saidthemanwhospokefortheothers，solemnlyuncoveringhisownhead，andraisinganendofthetarpaulin，"forhisfaceisquitecomposed。"
"O，howdidthishappen，howdidthishappen？"Iasked，turningfromonetoanotherasthehutclosedinagain。
"Hewascutdownbyanengine，sir。NomaninEnglandknewhisworkbetter。Butsomehowhewasnotclearoftheouterrail。Itwasjustatbroadday。Hehadstruckthelight，andhadthelampinhishand。Astheenginecameoutofthetunnel，hisbackwastowardsher，andshecuthimdown。Thatmandroveher，andwasshowinghowithappened。Showthegentleman，Tom。"
Theman，whoworearoughdarkdress，steppedbacktohisformerplaceatthemouthofthetunnel。
"Comingroundthecurveinthetunnel，sir，"hesaid，"Isawhimattheend，likeasifIsawhimdownaperspective-glass。Therewasnotimetocheckspeed，andIknewhimtobeverycareful。Ashedidn’tseemtotakeheedofthewhistle，Ishutitoffwhenwewererunningdownuponhim，andcalledtohimasloudasIcouldcall。"
"Whatdidyousay？"
"Isaid，’Belowthere！Lookout！Lookout！ForGod’ssake，cleartheway！’"
Istarted。
"Ah！itwasadreadfultime，sir。Ineverleftoffcallingtohim。
Iputthisarmbeforemyeyesnottosee，andIwavedthisarmtothelast；butitwasnouse。"
Withoutprolongingthenarrativetodwellonanyoneofitscuriouscircumstancesmorethanonanyother，Imay，inclosingit，pointoutthecoincidencethatthewarningoftheEngine-Driverincluded，notonlythewordswhichtheunfortunateSignal-manhadrepeatedtomeashauntinghim，butalsothewordswhichImyself——nothe——hadattached，andthatonlyinmyownmind，tothegesticulationhehadimitated。
THEHAUNTEDHOUSE
CHAPTERI——THEMORTALSINTHEHOUSE
Undernoneoftheaccreditedghostlycircumstances，andenvironedbynoneoftheconventionalghostlysurroundings，didIfirstmakeacquaintancewiththehousewhichisthesubjectofthisChristmaspiece。Isawitinthedaylight，withthesunuponit。Therewasnowind，norain，nolightning，nothunder，noawfulorunwontedcircumstance，ofanykind，toheightenitseffect。Morethanthat：
Ihadcometoitdirectfromarailwaystation：itwasnotmorethanamiledistantfromtherailwaystation；and，asIstoodoutsidethehouse，lookingbackuponthewayIhadcome，Icouldseethegoodstrainrunningsmoothlyalongtheembankmentinthevalley。
Iwillnotsaythateverythingwasutterlycommonplace，becauseI
doubtifanythingcanbethat，excepttoutterlycommonplacepeople——
andtheremyvanitystepsin；but，IwilltakeitonmyselftosaythatanybodymightseethehouseasIsawit，anyfineautumnmorning。
Themannerofmylightingonitwasthis。
IwastravellingtowardsLondonoutoftheNorth，intendingtostopbytheway，tolookatthehouse。Myhealthrequiredatemporaryresidenceinthecountry；andafriendofminewhoknewthat，andwhohadhappenedtodrivepastthehouse，hadwrittentometosuggestitasalikelyplace。Ihadgotintothetrainatmidnight，andhadfallenasleep，andhadwokeupandhadsatlookingoutofwindowatthebrilliantNorthernLightsinthesky，andhadfallenasleepagain，andhadwokeupagaintofindthenightgone，withtheusualdiscontentedconvictiononmethatIhadn’tbeentosleepatall；——uponwhichquestion，inthefirstimbecilityofthatcondition，IamashamedtobelievethatIwouldhavedonewagerbybattlewiththemanwhosatoppositeme。Thatoppositemanhadhad，throughthenight——asthatoppositemanalwayshas——severallegstoomany，andallofthemtoolong。Inadditiontothisunreasonableconduct（whichwasonlytobeexpectedofhim），hehadhadapencilandapocket-book，andhadbeenperpetuallylisteningandtakingnotes。Ithadappearedtomethattheseaggravatingnotesrelatedtothejoltsandbumpsofthecarriage，andIshouldhaveresignedmyselftohistakingthem，underageneralsuppositionthathewasinthecivil-engineeringwayoflife，ifhehadnotsatstaringstraightovermyheadwheneverhelistened。Hewasagoggle-eyedgentlemanofaperplexedaspect，andhisdemeanourbecameunbearable。
Itwasacold，deadmorning（thesunnotbeingupyet），andwhenI
hadout-watchedthepalinglightofthefiresoftheironcountry，andthecurtainofheavysmokethathungatoncebetweenmeandthestarsandbetweenmeandtheday，Iturnedtomyfellow-travellerandsaid：
"IBEGyourpardon，sir，butdoyouobserveanythingparticularinme"？For，really，heappearedtobetakingdown，eithermytravelling-capormyhair，withaminutenessthatwasaliberty。
Thegoggle-eyedgentlemanwithdrewhiseyesfrombehindme，asifthebackofthecarriagewereahundredmilesoff，andsaid，withaloftylookofcompassionformyinsignificance：
"Inyou，sir？——B。"
"B，sir？"saidI，growingwarm。
"Ihavenothingtodowithyou，sir，"returnedthegentleman；"prayletmelisten——O。"
Heenunciatedthisvowelafterapause，andnoteditdown。
AtfirstIwasalarmed，foranExpresslunaticandnocommunicationwiththeguard，isaseriousposition。ThethoughtcametomyreliefthatthegentlemanmightbewhatispopularlycalledaRapper：oneofasectfor（someof）whomIhavethehighestrespect，butwhomIdon’tbelievein。Iwasgoingtoaskhimthequestion，whenhetookthebreadoutofmymouth。
"Youwillexcuseme，"saidthegentlemancontemptuously，"ifIamtoomuchinadvanceofcommonhumanitytotroublemyselfatallaboutit。Ihavepassedthenight——asindeedIpassthewholeofmytimenow——inspiritualintercourse。"
"O！"saidI，somewhatsnappishly。
返回顶部