"Foursnakes。Idon’tunderstand。"
"Mongoose，"saidAdam，andthenaddedexplanatorily："Iwasoutwiththemongoosejustafterthree。"
"Foursnakesinonemorning！Why，Ididn’tknowthereweresomanyontheBrow"——thelocalnameforthewesterncliff。"Ihopethatwasn’ttheconsequenceofourtalkoflastnight？"
"Itwas，sir。Butnotdirectly。"
"But，Godblessmysoul，youdidn’texpecttogetasnakeliketheLambtonworm，didyou？Why，amongoose，totackleamonsterlikethat——iftherewereone——wouldhavetobebiggerthanahaystack。"
"Thesewereordinarysnakes，aboutasbigasawalking—stick。"
"Well，it’spleasanttoberidofthem，bigorlittle。Thatisagoodmongoose，Iamsure;he’llclearoutallsuchverminroundhere，"saidMr。Salton。
Adamwentquietlyonwithhisbreakfast。Killingafewsnakesinamorningwasnonewexperiencetohim。Helefttheroomthemomentbreakfastwasfinishedandwenttothestudythathisunclehadarrangedforhim。BothSirNathanielandMr。Saltontookitthathewantedtobebyhimself，soastoavoidanyquestioningortalkofthevisitthathewastomakethatafternoon。Theysawnothingfurtherofhimtillabouthalf—an—hourbeforedinner—time。Thenhecamequietlyintothesmoking—room，whereMr。SaltonandSirNathanielweresittingtogether，readydressed。
"Isupposethereisnousewaiting。Wehadbettergetitoveratonce，"remarkedAdam。
Hisuncle，thinkingtomakethingseasierforhim，said："Getwhatover？"
Therewasasignofshynessabouthimatthis。Hestammeredalittleatfirst，buthisvoicebecamemoreevenashewenton。
"MyvisittoMercyFarm。"
Mr。Saltonwaitedeagerly。Theolddiplomatistsimplysmiled。
"IsupposeyoubothknowthatIwasmuchinterestedyesterdayintheWatfords？"Therewasnodenialorfendingoffthequestion。Boththeoldmensmiledacquiescence。Adamwenton："Imeantyoutoseeit——bothofyou。You，uncle，becauseyouaremyuncleandthenearestofmyownkin，and，moreover，youcouldn’thavebeenmorekindtomeormadememorewelcomeifyouhadbeenmyownfather。"
Mr。Saltonsaidnothing。Hesimplyheldouthishand，andtheothertookitandhelditforafewseconds。"Andyou，sir，becauseyouhaveshownmesomethingofthesameaffectionwhichinmywildestdreamsofhomeIhadnorighttoexpect。"Hestoppedforaninstant，muchmoved。
SirNathanielansweredsoftly，layinghishandontheyouth’sshoulder。
"Youareright，myboy;quiteright。Thatistheproperwaytolookatit。AndImaytellyouthatweoldmen，whohavenochildrenofourown，feelourheartsgrowingwarmwhenwehearwordslikethose。"
ThenAdamhurriedon，speakingwitharush，asifhewantedtocometothecrucialpoint。
"Mr。Watfordhadnotcomein，butLillaandMimiwereathome，andtheymademefeelverywelcome。Theyhaveallagreatregardformyuncle。Iamgladofthatanyway，forIlikethemall——much。Wewerehavingtea，whenMr。Caswallcametothedoor，attendedbythenegro。Lillaopenedthedoorherself。Thewindowoftheliving—
roomatthefarmisalargeone，andfromwithinyoucannothelpseeinganyonecoming。Mr。Caswallsaidhehadventuredtocall，ashewishedtomaketheacquaintanceofallhistenants，inalessformalway，andmoreindividually，thanhadbeenpossibletohimonthepreviousday。Thegirlsmadehimwelcome——theyareverysweetgirlsthose，sir;someonewillbeveryhappysomedaythere——witheitherofthem。"
"Andthatmanmaybeyou，Adam，"saidMr。Saltonheartily。
Asadlookcameovertheyoungman’seyes，andthefirehisunclehadseentherediedout。Likewisethetimbrelefthisvoice，makingitsoundlonely。
"Suchmightcrownmylife。Butthathappiness，Ifear，isnotforme——ornotwithoutpainandlossandwoe。"
"Well，it’searlydaysyet！"criedSirNathanielheartily。
Theyoungmanturnedonhimhiseyes，whichhadnowgrownexcessivelysad。
"Yesterday——afewhoursago——thatremarkwouldhavegivenmenewhope——newcourage;butsincethenIhavelearnedtoomuch。"
Theoldman，skilledinthehumanheart，didnotattempttoargueinsuchamatter。
"Tooearlytogivein，myboy。"
"Iamnotofagiving—inkind，"repliedtheyoungmanearnestly。
"But，afterall，itiswisetorealiseatruth。Andwhenaman，thoughheisyoung，feelsasIdo——asIhavefelteversinceyesterday，whenIfirstsawMimi’seyes——hisheartjumps。Hedoesnotneedtolearnthings。Heknows。"
Therewassilenceintheroom，duringwhichthetwilightstoleonimperceptibly。ItwasAdamwhoagainbrokethesilence。
"Doyouknow，uncle，ifwehaveanysecondsightinourfamily？"
"No，notthatIeverheardabout。Why？"
"Because，"heansweredslowly，"Ihaveaconvictionwhichseemstoansweralltheconditionsofsecondsight。"
"Andthen？"askedtheoldman，muchperturbed。
"Andthentheusualinevitable。WhatintheHebridesandotherplaces，wheretheSightisacult——abelief——iscalled’thedoom’——
thecourtfromwhichthereisnoappeal。Ihaveoftenheardofsecondsight——wehavemanywesternScotsinAustralia;butIhaverealisedmoreofitstrueinwardnessinaninstantofthisafternoonthanIdidinthewholeofmylifepreviously——agranitewallstretchinguptotheveryheavens，sohighandsodarkthattheeyeofGodHimselfcannotseebeyond。Well，iftheDoommustcome，itmust。Thatisall。"
ThevoiceofSirNathanielbrokein，smoothandsweetandgrave。
"Cantherenotbeafightforit？Therecanformostthings。"
"Formostthings，yes，butfortheDoom，no。WhatamancandoI
shalldo。Therewillbe——mustbe——afight。WhenandwhereandhowIknownot，butafighttherewillbe。But，afterall，whatisamaninsuchacase？"
"Adam，therearethreeofus。"Saltonlookedathisoldfriendashespoke，andthatoldfriend’seyesblazed。
"Ay，threeofus，"hesaid，andhisvoicerang。
Therewasagainapause，andSirNathanielendeavouredtogetbacktolessemotionalandmoreneutralground。
"Tellusoftherestofthemeeting。Rememberweareallpledgedtothis。ItisafightEL’OUTRANCE，andwecanaffordtothrowawayorforgonochance。"
"Weshallthrowawayorlosenothingthatwecanhelp。Wefighttowin，andthestakeisalife——perhapsmorethanone——weshallsee。"
Thenhewentoninaconversationaltone，suchashehadusedwhenhespokeofthecomingtothefarmofEdgarCaswall："WhenMr。
Caswallcamein，thenegrowentashortdistanceawayandthereremained。Itgavemetheideathatheexpectedtobecalled，andintendedtoremaininsight，orwithinhail。ThenMimigotanothercupandmadefreshtea，andweallwentontogether。"
"Wasthereanythinguncommon——wereyouallquitefriendly？"askedSirNathanielquietly。
"Quitefriendly。TherewasnothingthatIcouldnoticeoutofthecommon——except，"hewenton，withaslighthardeningofthevoice，"exceptthathekepthiseyesfixedonLilla，inawaywhichwasquiteintolerabletoanymanwhomightholdherdear。"
"Now，inwhatwaydidhelook？"askedSirNathaniel。
"Therewasnothinginitselfoffensive;butnoonecouldhelpnoticingit。"
"Youdid。MissWatfordherself，whowasthevictim，andMr。
Caswall，whowastheoffender，areoutofrangeaswitnesses。Wasthereanyoneelsewhonoticed？"
"Mimidid。Herfaceflamedwithangerasshesawthelook。"
"Whatkindoflookwasit？Over—ardentortooadmiring，orwhat？
Wasitthelookofalover，oronewhofainwouldbe？Youunderstand？"
"Yes，sir，Iquiteunderstand。AnythingofthatsortIshouldofcoursenotice。Itwouldbepartofmypreparationforkeepingmyself—control——towhichIampledged。"
"Ifitwerenotamatory，wasitthreatening？Wherewastheoffence？"
Adamsmiledkindlyattheoldman。
"Itwasnotamatory。Evenifitwas，suchwastobeexpected。I
shouldbethelastmanintheworldtoobject，sinceIammyselfanoffenderinthatrespect。Moreover，notonlyhaveIbeentaughttofightfair，butbynatureIbelieveIamjust。IwouldbeastolerantofandasliberaltoarivalasIshouldexpecthimtobetome。No，thelookImeanwasnothingofthatkind。Andsolongasitdidnotlackproperrespect，Ishouldnotofmyownpartcondescendtonoticeit。Didyoueverstudytheeyesofahound？"
"Atrest？"
"No，whenheisfollowinghisinstincts！Or，betterstill，"Adamwenton，"theeyesofabirdofpreywhenheisfollowinghisinstincts。Notwhenheisswooping，butmerelywhenheiswatchinghisquarry？"
"No，"saidSirNathaniel，"Idon’tknowthatIeverdid。Why，mayI
ask？"
"Thatwasthelook。Certainlynotamatoryoranythingofthatkind—
—yetitwas，itstruckme，moredangerous，ifnotsodeadlyasanactualthreatening。"
Againtherewasasilence，whichSirNathanielbrokeashestoodup：
"Ithinkitwouldbewellifweallthoughtoverthisbyourselves。
Thenwecanrenewthesubject。"
CHAPTERVII——OOLANGA
Mr。Saltonhadanappointmentforsixo’clockatLiverpool。Whenhehaddrivenoff，SirNathanieltookAdambythearm。
"MayIcomewithyouforawhiletoyourstudy？Iwanttospeaktoyouprivatelywithoutyouruncleknowingaboutit，orevenwhatthesubjectis。Youdon’tmind，doyou？Itisnotidlecuriosity。No，no。Itisonthesubjecttowhichweareallcommitted。"
"Isitnecessarytokeepmyuncleinthedarkaboutit？Hemightbeoffended。"
"Itisnotnecessary;butitisadvisable。ItisforhissakethatIasked。Myfriendisanoldman，anditmightconcernhimunduly——
evenalarmhim。Ipromiseyouthereshallbenothingthatcouldcausehimanxietyinoursilence，oratwhichhecouldtakeumbrage。"
"Goon，sir！"saidAdamsimply。
"Yousee，youruncleisnowanoldman。Iknowit，forwewereboystogether。Hehasledanuneventfulandsomewhatself—containedlife，sothatanysuchconditionofthingsashasnowarisenisapttoperplexhimfromitsverystrangeness。Infact，anynewmatteristryingtooldpeople。Ithasitsowndisturbancesanditsownanxieties，andneitherofthesethingsaregoodforlivesthatshouldberestful。Youruncleisastrongman，withaveryhappyandplacidnature。Givenhealthandordinaryconditionsoflife，thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldnotlivetobeahundred。YouandI，therefore，whobothlovehim，thoughindifferentways，shouldmakeitourbusinesstoprotecthimfromalldisturbinginfluences。
Iamsureyouwillagreewithmethatanylabourtothisendwouldbewellspent。Allright，myboy！Iseeyouranswerinyoureyes;
soweneedsaynomoreofthat。Andnow，"herehisvoicechanged，"tellmeallthattookplaceatthatinterview。Therearestrangethingsinfrontofus——howstrangewecannotatpresentevenguess。
Doubtlesssomeofthedifficultthingstounderstandwhichliebehindtheveilwillintimebeshowntoustoseeandtounderstand。Inthemeantime，allwecandoistoworkpatiently，fearlessly，andunselfishly，toanendthatwethinkisright。YouhadgotsofaraswhereLillaopenedthedoortoMr。Caswallandthenegro。YoualsoobservedthatMimiwasdisturbedinhermindatthewayMr。Caswalllookedathercousin。"
"Certainly——though’disturbed’isapoorwayofexpressingherobjection。"
"CanyourememberwellenoughtodescribeCaswall’seyes，andhowLillalooked，andwhatMimisaidanddid？AlsoOolanga，Caswall’sWestAfricanservant。"
"I’lldowhatIcan，sir。AllthetimeMr。Caswallwasstaring，hekepthiseyesfixedandmotionless——butnotasifhewasinatrance。Hisforeheadwaswrinkledup，asitiswhenoneistryingtoseethroughorintosomething。Atthebestoftimeshisfacehasnotagentleexpression;butwhenitwasscreweduplikethatitwasalmostdiabolical。ItfrightenedpoorLillasothatshetrembled，andafterabitgotsopalethatIthoughtshehadfainted。
However，sheheldupandtriedtostareback，butinafeeblekindofway。ThenMimicamecloseandheldherhand。Thatbracedherup，and——still，neverceasingherreturnstare——shegotcolouragainandseemedmorelikeherself。"
"Didhestaretoo？"
"Morethanever。TheweakerLillaseemed，thestrongerhebecame，justasifhewerefeedingonherstrength。Allatoncesheturnedround，threwupherhands，andfelldowninafaint。Icouldnotseewhatelsehappenedjustthen，forMimihadthrownherselfonherkneesbesideherandhidherfromme。Thentherewassomethinglikeablackshadowbetweenus，andtherewasthenigger，lookingmorelikeamalignantdevilthanever。Iamnotusuallyapatientman，andthesightofthatuglydevilisenoughtomakeone’sbloodboil。
Whenhesawmyface，heseemedtorealisedanger——immediatedanger——
andslunkoutoftheroomasnoiselesslyasifhehadbeenblownout。Ilearnedonething，however——heisanenemy，ifeveramanhadone。"
"Thatstillleavesusthreetotwo！"putinSirNathaniel。
"ThenCaswallslunkout，muchastheniggerhaddone。Whenhehadgone，Lillarecoveredatonce。"
"Now，"saidSirNathaniel，anxioustorestorepeace，"haveyoufoundoutanythingyetregardingthenegro？Iamanxioustobepostedregardinghim。Ifeartherewillbe，ormaybe，gravetroublewithhim。"
"Yes，sir，I’veheardagooddealabouthim——ofcourseitisnotofficial;buthearsaymustguideusatfirst。YouknowmymanDavenport——privatesecretary，confidentialmanofbusiness，andgeneralfactotum。Heisdevotedtome，andhasmyfullconfidence。
IaskedhimtostayonboardtheWESTAFRICANandhaveagoodlookround，andfindoutwhathecouldaboutMr。Caswall。Naturally，hewasstruckwiththeaboriginalsavage。Hefoundoneoftheship’sstewards，whohadbeenontheregularvoyagestoSouthAfrica。HeknewOolangaandhadmadeastudyofhim。Heisamanwhogetsonwellwithniggers，andtheyopentheirheartstohim。ItseemsthatthisOolangaisquiteagreatpersonintheniggerworldoftheAfricanWestCoast。Hehasthetwothingswhichmenofhisowncolourrespect：hecanmakethemafraid，andheislavishwithmoney。Idon’tknowwhosemoney——butthatdoesnotmatter。Theyarealwaysreadytotrumpethisgreatness。Evilgreatnessitis——
butneitherdoesthatmatter。Briefly，thisishishistory。Hewasoriginallyawitch—finder——aboutaslowanoccupationasexistsamongstaboriginalsavages。ThenhegotupintheworldandbecameanObi—man，whichgivesanopportunitytowealthVIAblackmail。
Finally，hereachedthehighesthonourinhellishservice。HebecameauserofVoodoo，whichseemstobeaserviceoftheutmostbasenessandcruelty。Iwastoldsomeofhisdeedsofcruelty，whicharesimplysickening。Theymademelongforanopportunityofhelpingtodrivehimbacktohell。Youmightthinktolookathimthatyoucouldmeasureinsomewaytheextentofhisvileness;butitwouldbeavainhope。Monsterssuchasheisbelongtoanearlierandmorerudimentarystageofbarbarism。Heisinhiswayacleverfellow——foranigger;butisnonethelessdangerousorthelesshatefulforthat。Themenintheshiptoldmethathewasacollector：someofthemhadseenhiscollections。Suchcollections！Allthatwaspotentforevilinbirdorbeast，oreveninfish。Beaksthatcouldbreakandrendandtear——allthebirdsrepresentedwereofapredatorykind。Eventhefishesarethosewhichareborntodestroy，towound，totorture。Thecollection，I
assureyou，wasanobjectlessoninhumanmalignity。Thisbeinghasenoughevilinhisfacetofrightenevenastrongman。Itislittlewonderthatthesightofitputthatpoorgirlintoadeadfaint！"
Nothingmorecouldbedoneatthemoment，sotheyseparated。
AdamwasupintheearlymorningandtookasmartwalkroundtheBrow。AshewaspassingDiana’sGrove，helookedinontheshortavenueoftrees，andnoticedthesnakeskilledonthepreviousmorningbythemongoose。Theyalllayinarow，straightandrigid，asiftheyhadbeenplacedbyhands。Theirskinsseemeddampandsticky，andtheywerecoveredalloverwithantsandotherinsects。
Theylookedloathsome，soafteraglance，hepassedon。
Alittlelater，whenhisstepstookhim，naturallyenough，pasttheentrancetoMercyFarm，hewaspassedbythenegro，movingquicklyunderthetreeswherevertherewasshadow。Laidacrossoneextendedarm，lookinglikedirtytowelsacrossarail，hehadthehorrid—
lookingsnakes。HedidnotseemtoseeAdam。NoonewastobeseenatMercyexceptafewworkmeninthefarmyard，so，afterwaitingonthechanceofseeingMimi，Adambegantogoslowlyhome。
Oncemorehewaspassedontheway。ThistimeitwasbyLadyArabella，walkinghurriedlyandsofuriouslyangrythatshedidnotrecognisehim，eventotheextentofacknowledginghisbow。
WhenAdamgotbacktoLesserHill，hewenttothecoach—housewheretheboxwiththemongoosewaskept，andtookitwithhim，intendingtofinishattheMoundofStonewhathehadbegunthepreviousmorningwithregardtotheextermination。Hefoundthatthesnakeswereevenmoreeasilyattackedthanonthepreviousday;nolessthansixwerekilledinthefirsthalf—hour。Asnomoreappeared，hetookitforgrantedthatthemorning’sworkwasover，andwenttowardshome。Themongoosehadbythistimebecomeaccustomedtohim，andwaswillingtolethimselfbehandledfreely。Adamliftedhimupandputhimonhisshoulderandwalkedon。Presentlyhesawaladyadvancingtowardshim，andrecognisedLadyArabella。
Hithertothemongoosehadbeenquiet，likeaplayfulaffectionatekitten;butwhenthetwogotclose，Adamwashorrifiedtoseethemongoose，inastateofthewildestfury，witheveryhairstandingonend，jumpfromhisshoulderandruntowardsLadyArabella。Itlookedsofuriousandsointentonattackthathecalledawarning。
"Lookout——lookout！Theanimalisfuriousandmeanstoattack。"
LadyArabellalookedmorethaneverdisdainfulandwaspassingon;
themongoosejumpedatherinafuriousattack。Adamrushedforwardwithhisstick，theonlyweaponhehad。Butjustashegotwithinstrikingdistance，theladydrewoutarevolverandshottheanimal，breakinghisbackbone。Notsatisfiedwiththis，shepouredshotaftershotintohimtillthemagazinewasexhausted。Therewasnocoolnessorhauteurabouthernow;sheseemedmorefuriouseventhantheanimal，herfacetransformedwithhate，andasdeterminedtokillashehadappearedtobe。Adam，notknowingexactlywhattodo，liftedhishatinapologyandhurriedontoLesserHill。
CHAPTERVIII——SURVIVALS
AtbreakfastSirNathanielnoticedthatAdamwasputoutaboutsomething，buthesaidnothing。Thelessonofsilenceisbetterrememberedinagethaninyouth。Whentheywerebothinthestudy，whereSirNathanielfollowedhim，Adamatoncebegantotellhiscompanionofwhathadhappened。SirNathaniellookedgraverandgraverasthenarrationproceeded，andwhenAdamhadstoppedheremainedsilentforseveralminutes，beforespeaking。
"Thisisverygrave。Ihavenotformedanyopinionyet;butitseemstomeatfirstimpressionthatthisisworsethananythingI
hadexpected。"
"Why，sir？"saidAdam。"Isthekillingofamongoose——nomatterbywhom——soseriousathingasallthat？"
Hiscompanionsmokedonquietlyforquiteanotherfewminutesbeforehespoke。
"WhenIhaveproperlythoughtitoverImaymoderatemyopinion，butinthemeantimeitseemstomethatthereissomethingdreadfulbehindallthis——somethingthatmayaffectallourlives——thatmaymeantheissueoflifeordeathtoanyofus。"
Adamsatupquickly。
"Dotellme，sir，whatisinyourmind——if，ofcourse，youhavenoobjection，ordonotthinkitbettertowithholdit。"
"Ihavenoobjection，Adam——infact，ifIhad，Ishouldhavetoovercomeit。Ifeartherecanbenomorereservedthoughtsbetweenus。"
"Indeed，sir，thatsoundsserious，worsethanserious！"
"Adam，Igreatlyfearthatthetimehascomeforus——foryouandme，atallevents——tospeakoutplainlytooneanother。Doesnotthereseemsomethingverymysteriousaboutthis？"
"Ihavethoughtso，sir，allalong。Theonlydifficultyonehasiswhatoneistothinkandwheretobegin。"
"Letusbeginwithwhatyouhavetoldme。Firsttaketheconductofthemongoose。Hewasquiet，evenfriendlyandaffectionatewithyou。Heonlyattackedthesnakes，whichis，afterall，hisbusinessinlife。"
"Thatisso！"
"ThenwemusttrytofindsomereasonwhyheattackedLadyArabella。"
"Mayitnotbethatamongoosemayhavemerelytheinstincttoattack，thatnaturedoesnotalloworprovidehimwiththefinereasoningpowerstodiscriminatewhoheistoattack？"
"Ofcoursethatmaybeso。But，ontheotherhand，shouldwenotsatisfyourselveswhyhedoeswishtoattackanything？Ifforcenturies，thisparticularanimalisknowntoattackonlyonekindofotheranimal，arewenotjustifiedinassumingthatwhenoneofthemattacksahithertounclassedanimal，herecognisesinthatanimalsomequalitywhichithasincommonwiththehereditaryenemy？"
"Thatisagoodargument，sir，"Adamwenton，"butadangerousone。
Ifwefolloweditout，itwouldleadustobelievethatLadyArabellaisasnake。"
"Wemustbesure，beforegoingtosuchanend，thatthereisnopointasyetunconsideredwhichwouldaccountfortheunknownthingwhichpuzzlesus。"
"Inwhatway？"
"Well，supposetheinstinctworksonsomephysicalbasis——forinstance，smell。Iftherewereanythinginrecentjuxtapositiontotheattackedwhichwouldcarrythescent，surelythatwouldsupplythemissingcause。"
"Ofcourse！"Adamspokewithconviction。
"Now，fromwhatyoutellme，thenegrohadjustcomefromthedirectionofDiana’sGrove，carryingthedeadsnakeswhichthemongoosehadkilledthepreviousmorning。Mightnotthescenthavebeencarriedthatway？"
"Ofcourseitmight，andprobablywas。Ineverthoughtofthat。Isthereanypossiblewayofguessingapproximatelyhowlongascentwillremain？Yousee，thisisanaturalscent，andmayderivefromaplacewhereithasbeeneffectiveforthousandsofyears。Then，doesascentofanykindcarrywithitanyformorqualityofanotherkind，eithergoodorevil？Iaskyoubecauseoneancientnameofthehouselivedinbytheladywhowasattackedbythemongoosewas’TheLairoftheWhiteWorm。’Ifanyofthesethingsbeso，ourdifficultieshavemultipliedindefinitely。Theymayevenchangeinkind。Wemaygetintomoralentanglements;beforeweknowit，wemaybeinthemidstofastrugglebetweengoodandevil。"
SirNathanielsmiledgravely。
"Withregardtothefirstquestion——sofarasIknow，therearenofixedperiodsforwhichascentmaybeactive——Ithinkwemaytakeitthatthatperioddoesnotrunintothousandsofyears。Astowhetheranymoralchangeaccompaniesaphysicalone，IcanonlysaythatIhavemetnoproofofthefact。Atthesametime，wemustrememberthat’good’and’evil’aretermssowideastotakeinthewholeschemeofcreation，andallthatisimpliedbythemandbytheirmutualactionandreaction。Generally，IwouldsaythatintheschemeofaFirstCauseanythingispossible。Solongastheinherentforcesortendenciesofanyonethingareveiledfromuswemustexpectmystery。"
"ThereisoneotherquestiononwhichIshouldliketoaskyouropinion。Supposethatthereareanypermanentforcesappertainingtothepast，whatwemaycall’survivals，’dothesebelongtogoodaswellastoevil？Forinstance，ifthescentoftheprimaevalmonstercansoremaininproportiontotheoriginalstrength，canthesamebetrueofthingsofgoodimport？"
SirNathanielthoughtforawhilebeforeheanswered。
"Wemustbecarefulnottoconfusethephysicalandthemoral。I
canseethatalreadyyouhaveswitchedonthemoralentirely，soperhapswehadbetterfollowitupfirst。Onthesideofthemoral，wehavecertainjustificationforbeliefintheutterancesofrevealedreligion。Forinstance，’theeffectualferventprayerofarighteousmanavailethmuch’isaltogetherforgood。Wehavenothingofasimilarkindonthesideofevil。Butifweacceptthisdictumweneedhavenomorefearof’mysteries’：thesebecomethenceforthmerelyobstacles。"
Adamsuddenlychangedtoanotherphaseofthesubject。
"Andnow，sir，mayIturnforafewminutestopurelypracticalthings，orrathertomattersofhistoricalfact？"
SirNathanielbowedacquiescence。
"Wehavealreadyspokenofthehistory，sofarasitisknown，ofsomeoftheplacesroundus——’CastraRegis，’’Diana’sGrove，’and’TheLairoftheWhiteWorm。’Iwouldliketoaskifthereisanythingnotnecessarilyofevilimportaboutanyoftheplaces？"
"Which？"askedSirNathanielshrewdly。
"Well，forinstance，thishouseandMercyFarm？"
"Hereweturn，"saidSirNathaniel，"totheotherside，thelightsideofthings。LetustakeMercyFarmfirst。WhenAugustinewassentbyPopeGregorytoChristianiseEngland，inthetimeoftheRomans，hewasreceivedandprotectedbyEthelbert，KingofKent，whosewife，daughterofCharibert，KingofParis，wasaChristian，anddidmuchforAugustine。ShefoundedanunneryinmemoryofColumba，whichwasnamedSEDESMISERICORDIOE，theHouseofMercy，and，astheregionwasMercian，thetwonamesbecameinvolved。AsColumbaistheLatinfordove，thedovebecameasortofsignificationofthenunnery。Sheseizedontheideaandmadethenewly—foundednunneryahouseofdoves。Someonesentherafreshly—
discovereddove，asortofcarrier，butwhichhadinthewhitefeathersofitsheadandnecktheformofareligiouscowl。Thenunneryflourishedformorethanacentury，when，inthetimeofPenda，whowasthereactionaryofheathendom，itfellintodecay。
Inthemeantimethedoves，protectedbyreligiousfeeling，hadincreasedmightily，andwereknowninallCatholiccommunities。
WhenKingOffaruledinMercia，aboutahundredandfiftyyearslater，herestoredChristianity，andunderitsprotectionthenunneryofSt。Columbawasrestoredanditsdovesflourishedagain。
Inprocessoftimethisreligioushouseagainfellintodesuetude;
butbeforeitdisappearedithadachievedagreatnameforgoodworks，andinespecialforthepietyofitsmembers。Ifdeedsandprayersandhopesandearnestthinkingleaveanywhereanymoraleffect，MercyFarmandallaroundithavealmosttherighttobeconsideredholyground。"
"Thankyou，sir，"saidAdamearnestly，andwassilent。SirNathanielunderstood。
Afterlunchthatday，AdamcasuallyaskedSirNathanieltocomeforawalkwithhim。Thekeen—wittedolddiplomatistguessedthattheremustbesomemotivebehindthesuggestion，andheatonceagreed。
Assoonastheywerefreefromobservation，Adambegan。
"Iamafraid，sir，thatthereismoregoingoninthisneighbourhoodthanmostpeopleimagine。Iwasoutthismorning，andontheedgeofthesmallwood，Icameuponthebodyofachildbytheroadside。
Atfirst，Ithoughtshewasdead，andwhileexaminingher，Inoticedonhernecksomemarksthatlookedlikethoseofteeth。"
"Somewilddog，perhaps？"putinSirNathaniel。
"Possibly，sir，thoughIthinknot——butlistentotherestofmynews。Iglancedaround，andtomysurprise，Inoticedsomethingwhitemovingamongthetrees。Iplacedthechilddowncarefully，andfollowed，butIcouldnotfindanyfurthertraces。SoI
returnedtothechildandresumedmyexamination，and，tomydelight，Idiscoveredthatshewasstillalive。Ichafedherhandsandgraduallysherevived，buttomydisappointmentsherememberednothing——exceptthatsomethinghadcreptupquietlyfrombehind，andhadgrippedherroundthethroat。Then，apparently，shefainted。"
"Grippedherroundthethroat！Thenitcannothavebeenadog。"
"No，sir，thatismydifficulty，andexplainswhyIbroughtyououthere，wherewecannotpossiblybeoverheard。Youhavenoticed，ofcourse，thepeculiarsinuouswayinwhichLadyArabellamoves——well，IfeelcertainthatthewhitethingthatIsawinthewoodwasthemistressofDiana’sGrove！"
"GoodGod，boy，becarefulwhatyousay。"
"Yes，sir，Ifullyrealisethegravityofmyaccusation，butIfeelconvincedthatthemarksonthechild’sthroatwerehuman——andmadebyawoman。"
Adam’scompanionremainedsilentforsometime，deepinthought。
"Adam，myboy，"hesaidatlast，"thismatterappearstometobefarmoreseriouseventhanyouthink。Itforcesmetobreakconfidencewithmyoldfriend，youruncle——but，inordertosparehim，Imustdoso。Forsometimenow，thingshavebeenhappeninginthisdistrictthathavebeenworryinghimdreadfully——severalpeoplehavedisappeared，withoutleavingtheslightesttrace;adeadchildwasfoundbytheroadside，withnovisibleorascertainablecauseofdeath——sheepandotheranimalshavebeenfoundinthefields，bleedingfromopenwounds。Therehavebeenothermatters——manyofthemapparentlytrivialinthemselves。Somesinisterinfluencehasbeenatwork，andIadmitthatIhavesuspectedLadyArabella——thatiswhyIquestionedyousocloselyaboutthemongooseanditsstrangeattackuponLadyArabella。YouwillthinkitstrangethatI
shouldsuspectthemistressofDiana’sGrove，abeautifulwomanofaristocraticbirth。Letmeexplain——thefamilyseatisnearmyownplace，DoomTower，andatonetimeIknewthefamilywell。Whenstillayounggirl，LadyArabellawanderedintoasmallwoodnearherhome，anddidnotreturn。Shewasfoundunconsciousandinahighfever——thedoctorsaidthatshehadreceivedapoisonousbite，andthegirlbeingatadelicateandcriticalage，theresultwasserious——somuchsothatshewasnotexpectedtorecover。AgreatLondonphysiciancamedownbutcoulddonothing——indeed，hesaidthatthegirlwouldnotsurvivethenight。Allhopehadbeenabandoned，when，toeveryone’ssurprise，LadyArabellamadeasuddenandstartlingrecovery。Withinacoupleofdaysshewasgoingaboutasusual！Buttothehorrorofherpeople，shedevelopedaterriblecravingforcruelty，maimingandinjuringbirdsandsmallanimals——
evenkillingthem。Thiswasputdowntoanervousdisturbanceduetoherage，anditwashopedthathermarriagetoCaptainMarchwouldputthisright。However，itwasnotahappymarriage，andeventuallyherhusbandwasfoundshotthroughthehead。Ihavealwayssuspectedsuicide，thoughnopistolwasfoundnearthebody。
Hemayhavediscoveredsomething——Godknowswhat！——sopossiblyLadyArabellamayherselfhavekilledhim。Puttingtogethermanysmallmattersthathavecometomyknowledge，IhavecometotheconclusionthatthefoulWhiteWormobtainedcontrolofherbody，justashersoulwasleavingitsearthlytenement——thatwouldexplainthesuddenrevivalofenergy，thestrangeandinexplicablecravingformaimingandkilling，aswellasmanyothermatterswithwhichIneednottroubleyounow，Adam。AsIsaidjustnow，GodaloneknowswhatpoorCaptainMarchdiscovered——itmusthavebeensomethingtooghastlyforhumanendurance，ifmytheoryiscorrectthattheoncebeautifulhumanbodyofLadyArabellaisunderthecontrolofthisghastlyWhiteWorm。"
Adamnodded。
"Butwhatcanwedo，sir——itseemsamostdifficultproblem。"
"Wecandonothing，myboy——thatistheimportantpartofit。Itwouldbeimpossibletotakeaction——allwecandoistokeepcarefulwatch，especiallyasregardsLadyArabella，andbereadytoact，promptlyanddecisively，iftheopportunityoccurs。"
Adamagreed，andthetwomenreturnedtoLesserHill。
CHAPTERIX——SMELLINGDEATH
AdamSalton，thoughhetalkedlittle，didnotletthegrassgrowunderhisfeetinanymatterwhichhehadundertaken，orinwhichhewasinterested。HehadagreedwithSirNathanielthattheyshouldnotdoanythingwithregardtothemysteryofLadyArabella’sfearofthemongoose，buthesteadilypursuedhiscourseinbeingPREPAREDtoactwhenevertheopportunitymightcome。Hewasinhisownmindperpetuallycastingaboutforinformationorclueswhichmightleadtopossiblelinesofaction。Baffledbythekillingofthemongoose，helookedaroundforanotherlinetofollow。Hewasfascinatedbytheideaoftherebeingamysteriouslinkbetweenthewomanandtheanimal，buthewasalreadypreparingasecondstringtohisbow。HisnewideawastousethefacultiesofOolanga，sofarashecould，intheserviceofdiscovery。HisfirstmovewastosendDavenporttoLiverpooltotrytofindthestewardoftheWEST
AFRICAN，whohadtoldhimaboutOolanga，andifpossiblesecureanyfurtherinformation，andthentrytoinduce（bybriberyorothermeans）theniggertocometotheBrow。SosoonashehimselfcouldhavespeechoftheVoodoo—manhewouldbeabletolearnfromhimsomethinguseful。Davenportwassuccessfulinhismissions，forhehadtogetanothermongoose，andhewasabletotellAdamthathehadseenthesteward，whotoldhimmuchthathewantedtoknow，andhadalsoarrangedforOolangatocometoLesserHillthefollowingday。AtthispointAdamsawhiswaysufficientlycleartoadmitDavenporttosomeextentintohisconfidence。Hehadcometotheconclusionthatitwouldbebetter——certainlyatfirst——nothimselftoappearinthematter，withwhichDavenportwasfullycompetenttodeal。Itwouldbetimeforhimselftotakeapersonalpartwhenmattershadadvancedalittlefurther。
Ifwhattheniggersaidwasinanywisetrue，themanhadararegiftwhichmightbeusefulinthequesttheywereafter。Hecould，asitwere，"smelldeath。"Ifanyonewasdead，ifanyonehaddied，orifaplacehadbeenusedinconnectionwithdeath，heseemedtoknowthebroadfactbyintuition。Adammadeuphismindthattotestthisfacultywithregardtoseveralplaceswouldbehisfirsttask。Naturallyhewasanxious，andthetimepassedslowly。
Theonlycomfortwasthearrivalthenextmorningofastrongpackingcase，locked，fromRoss，thekeybeinginthecustodyofDavenport。Inthecaseweretwosmallerboxes，bothlocked。OneofthemcontainedamongoosetoreplacethatkilledbyLadyArabella;
theotherwasthespecialmongoosewhichhadalreadykilledtheking—cobrainNepaul。Whenboththeanimalshadbeensafelyputunderlockandkey，hefeltthathemightbreathemorefreely。Noonewasallowedtoknowthesecretoftheirexistenceinthehouse，excepthimselfandDavenport。HearrangedthatDavenportshouldtakeOolangaroundtheneighbourhoodforawalk，stoppingateachoftheplaceswhichhedesignated。HavinggoneallalongtheBrow，hewastoreturnthesamewayandinducehimtotouchonthesamesubjectsintalkingwithAdam，whowastomeetthemasifbychanceatthefarthestpart——thatbeyondMercyFarm。
TheincidentsofthedayprovedmuchasAdamexpected。AtMercyFarm，atDiana’sGrove，atCastraRegis，andafewotherspots，thenegrostoppedand，openinghiswidenostrilsasiftosniffboldly，saidthathesmelleddeath。Itwasnotalwaysinthesameform。AtMercyFarmhesaidthereweremanysmalldeaths。AtDiana’sGrovehisbearingwasdifferent。Therewasadistinctsenseofenjoymentabouthim，especiallywhenhespokeofmanygreatdeaths。Here，too，hesniffedinastrangeway，likeabloodhoundatcheck，andlookedpuzzled。Hesaidnowordineitherpraiseordisparagement，butinthecentreoftheGrove，where，hiddenamongstancientoakstumps，wasablockofgraniteslightlyhollowedonthetop，hebentlowandplacedhisforeheadontheground。Thiswastheonlyplacewhereheshoweddistinctreverence。AttheCastle，thoughhespokeofmuchdeath，heshowednosignofrespect。
TherewasevidentlysomethingaboutDiana’sGrovewhichbothinterestedandbaffledhim。Beforeleaving，hemovedallovertheplaceunsatisfied，andinonespot，closetotheedgeoftheBrow，wheretherewasadeephollow，heappearedtobeafraid。Afterreturningseveraltimestothisplace，hesuddenlyturnedandraninapanicoffeartothehigherground，crossingashedidsotheoutcroppingrock。Thenheseemedtobreathemorefreely，andrecoveredsomeofhisjauntyimpudence。
AllthisseemedtosatisfyAdam’sexpectations。HewentbacktoLesserHillwithasereneandsettledcalmuponhim。SirNathanielfollowedhimintohisstudy。
"Bytheway，Iforgottoaskyoudetailsaboutonething。WhenthatextraordinarystaringepisodeofMr。Caswallwenton，howdidLillatakeit——howdidshebearherself？"
"Shelookedfrightened，andtrembledjustasIhaveseenapigeonwithahawk，orabirdwithaserpent。"
"Thanks。ItisjustasIexpected。TherehavebeencircumstancesintheCaswallfamilywhichleadonetobelievethattheyhavehadfromtheearliesttimessomeextraordinarymesmericorhypnoticfaculty。Indeed，askilledeyecouldreadsomuchintheirphysiognomy。Thatshotofyours，whetherbyinstinctorintention，ofthehawkandthepigeonwaspeculiarlyapposite。Ithinkwemaysettleonthatasafixedtraittobeacceptedthroughoutourinvestigation。"
Whenduskhadfallen，Adamtookthenewmongoose——nottheonefromNepaul——and，carryingtheboxslungoverhisshoulder，strolledtowardsDiana’sGrove。ClosetothegatewayhemetLadyArabella，cladasusualintightlyfittingwhite，whichshowedoffherslimfigure。
Tohisintenseastonishmentthemongooseallowedhertopethim，takehimupinherarmsandfondlehim。Asshewasgoinginhisdirection，theywalkedontogether。
RoundtheroadwaybetweentheentrancesofDiana’sGroveandLesserHillweremanytrees，withnotmuchfoliageexceptatthetop。Intheduskthisplacewasshadowy，andtheviewwashamperedbytheclusteringtrunks。Intheuncertain，tremulouslightwhichfellthroughthetree—tops，itwashardtodistinguishanythingclearly，andatlast，somehow，helostsightofheraltogether，andturnedbackonhistracktofindher。Presentlyhecameacrossherclosetoherowngate。Shewasleaningoverthepalingofsplitoakbrancheswhichformedthepalingoftheavenue。Hecouldnotseethemongoose，soheaskedherwhereithadgone。
"HesliptoutofmyarmswhileIwaspettinghim，"sheanswered，"anddisappearedunderthehedges。"
Theyfoundhimataplacewheretheavenuewidenedsoastoletcarriagespasseachother。Thelittlecreatureseemedquitechanged。Hehadbeenebullientlyactive;nowhewasdullandspiritless——seemedtobedazed。Heallowedhimselftobeliftedbyeitherofthepair;butwhenhewasalonewithLadyArabellahekeptlookingroundhiminastrangeway，asthoughtryingtoescape。
WhentheyhadcomeoutontheroadwayAdamheldthemongoosetighttohim，and，liftinghishattohiscompanion，movedquicklytowardsLesserHill;heandLadyArabellalostsightofeachotherinthethickeninggloom。
WhenAdamgothome，heputthemongooseinhisbox，andlockedthedooroftheroom。Theothermongoose——theonefromNepaul——wassafelylockedinhisownbox，buthelayquietanddidnotstir。
WhenhegottohisstudySirNathanielcamein，shuttingthedoorbehindhim。
"Ihavecome，"hesaid，"whilewehaveanopportunityofbeingalone，totellyousomethingoftheCaswallfamilywhichIthinkwillinterestyou。Thereis，orusedtobe，abeliefinthispartoftheworldthattheCaswallfamilyhadsomestrangepowerofmakingthewillsofotherpersonssubservienttotheirown。Therearemanyallusionstothesubjectinmemoirsandotherunimportantworks，butIonlyknowofonewherethesubjectisspokenofdefinitely。ItisMERCIAANDITSWORTHIES，writtenbyEzraTomsmorethanahundredyearsago。TheauthorgoesintothequestionofthecloseassociationofthethenEdgarCaswallwithMesmerinParis。HespeaksofCaswallbeingapupilandthefellowworkerofMesmer，andstatesthatthough，whenthelatterleftFrance，hetookawaywithhimavastquantityofphilosophicalandelectricinstruments，hewasneverknowntousethemagain。Heoncemadeitknowntoafriendthathehadgiventhemtohisoldpupil。Thetermheusedwasodd，foritwas’bequeathed，’butnosuchbequestofMesmerwasevermadeknown。Atanyratetheinstrumentsweremissing，andneverturnedup。"
AservantcameintotheroomtotellAdamthattherewassomestrangenoisecomingfromthelockedroomintowhichhehadgonewhenhecamein。Hehurriedofftotheplaceatonce，SirNathanielgoingwithhim。Havinglockedthedoorbehindthem，Adamopenedthepacking—casewheretheboxesofthetwomongooseswerelockedup。
Therewasnosoundfromoneofthem，butfromtheotheraqueerrestlessstruggling。Havingopenedbothboxes，hefoundthatthenoisewasfromtheNepaulanimal，which，however，becamequietatonce。Intheotherboxthenewmongooselaydead，witheveryappearanceofhavingbeenstrangled！
CHAPTERX——THEKITE
Onthefollowingday，alittleafterfouro’clock，AdamsetoutforMercy。
Hewashomejustastheclockswerestrikingsix。Hewaspaleandupset，butotherwiselookedstrongandalert。Theoldmansummeduphisappearanceandmannerthus："Bracedupforbattle。"
"Now！"saidSirNathaniel，andsettleddowntolisten，lookingatAdamsteadilyandlisteningattentivelythathemightmissnothing——
eventheinflectionofaword。
"IfoundLillaandMimiathome。Watfordhadbeendetainedbybusinessonthefarm。MissWatfordreceivedmeaskindlyasbefore;
Mimi，too，seemedgladtoseeme。Mr。CaswallcamesosoonafterI
arrived，thathe，orsomeoneonhisbehalf，musthavebeenwatchingforme。Hewasfollowedcloselybythenegro，whowaspuffinghardasifhehadbeenrunning——soitwasprobablyhewhowatched。Mr。
Caswallwasverycoolandcollected，buttherewasamorethanusuallyironlookabouthisfacethatIdidnotlike。However，wegotonverywell。Hetalkedpleasantlyonallsortsofquestions。
Theniggerwaitedawhileandthendisappearedasontheotheroccasion。Mr。Caswall’seyeswereasusualfixedonLilla。True，theyseemedtobeverydeepandearnest，buttherewasnooffenceinthem。Haditnotbeenforthedrawingdownofthebrowsandthesternsetofthejaws，Ishouldnotatfirsthavenoticedanything。
Butthestare，whenpresentlyitbegan，increasedinintensity。I
couldseethatLillabegantosufferfromnervousness，asonthefirstoccasion;butshecarriedherselfbravely。However，themorenervousshegrew，theharderMr。Caswallstared。Itwasevidenttomethathehadcomepreparedforsomesortofmesmericorhypnoticbattle。Afterawhilehebegantothrowglancesroundhimandthenraisedhishand，withoutlettingeitherLillaorMimiseetheaction。Itwasevidentlyintendedtogivesomesigntothenegro，forhecame，inhisusualstealthyway，quietlyinbythehalldoor，whichwasopen。ThenMr。Caswall’seffortsatstaringbecameintensified，andpoorLilla’snervousnessgrewgreater。Mimi，seeingthathercousinwasdistressed，cameclosetoher，asiftocomfortorstrengthenherwiththeconsciousnessofherpresence。
ThisevidentlymadeadifficultyforMr。Caswall，forhisefforts，withoutappearingtogetfeebler，seemedlesseffective。Thiscontinuedforalittlewhile，tothegainofbothLillaandMimi。
Thentherewasadiversion。Withoutwordorapologythedooropened，andLadyArabellaMarchenteredtheroom。Ihadseenhercomingthroughthegreatwindow。WithoutawordshecrossedtheroomandstoodbesideMr。Caswall。Itreallywasverylikeafightofapeculiarkind;andthelongeritwassustainedthemoreearnest——thefiercer——itgrew。Thatcombinationofforces——theover—lord，thewhitewoman，andtheblackman——wouldhavecostsome—
—probablyallofthem——theirlivesintheSouthernStatesofAmerica。Tousitwassimplyhorrible。Butallthatyoucanunderstand。Thistime，togooninsportingphrase，itwasunderstoodbyalltobea’fighttoafinish，’andthemixedgroupdidnotslackenamomentorrelaxtheirefforts。OnLillathestrainbegantotelldisastrously。Shegrewpale——apatchypallor，whichmeantthathernerveswereoutoforder。Shetrembledlikeanaspen，andthoughshestruggledbravely，Inoticedthatherlegswouldhardlysupporther。Adozentimessheseemedabouttocollapseinafaint，buteachtime，oncatchingsightofMimi’seyes，shemadeafreshstruggleandpulledthrough。
"BynowMr。Caswall’sfacehadlostitsappearanceofpassivity。
Hiseyesglowedwithafierylight。HewasstilltheoldRomanininflexibilityofpurpose;butgraftedontotheRomanwasanewBerserkerfury。Hiscompanionsinthebalefulworkseemedtohavetakenonsomethingofhisfeeling。LadyArabellalookedlikeasoulless，pitilessbeing，nothuman，unlessitrevivedoldlegendsoftransformedhumanbeingswhohadlosttheirhumanityinsometransformationorinthesweepofnaturalsavagery。Asforthenegro——well，Icanonlysaythatitwassolelyduetotheself—
restraintwhichyouimpressedonmethatIdidnotwipehimoutashestood——withoutwarning，withoutfairplay——withoutasingleoneofthegracesoflifeanddeath。Lillawassilentinthehelplessconcentrationofdeadlyfear;Mimiwasallresolveandself—
forgetfulness，sointentonthesoul—struggleinwhichshewasengagedthattherewasnopossibilityofanyotherthought。Asformyself，thebondsofwillwhichheldmeinactiveseemedlikebandsofsteelwhichnumbedallmyfaculties，exceptsightandhearing。
WeseemedfixedinanIMPASSE。Somethingmusthappen，thoughthepowerofguessingwasinactive。Asinadream，IsawMimi’shandmoverestlessly，asifgropingforsomething。MechanicallyittouchedthatofLilla，andinthatinstantshewastransformed。Itwasasifyouthandstrengthenteredafreshintosomethingalreadydeadtosensibilityandintention。Asifbyinspiration，shegraspedtheother’sbandwithaforcewhichblenchedtheknuckles。
Herfacesuddenlyflamed，asifsomedivinelightshonethroughit。
Herformexpandedtillitstoodoutmajestically。Liftingherrighthand，shesteppedforwardtowardsCaswall，andwithaboldsweepofherarmseemedtodrivesomestrangeforcetowardshim。Againandagainwasthegesturerepeated，themanfallingbackfromherateachmovement。Towardsthedoorheretreated，shefollowing。Therewasasoundasofthecooingsobofdoves，whichseemedtomultiplyandintensifywitheachsecond。Thesoundfromtheunseensourceroseandroseasheretreated，tillfinallyitswelledoutinatriumphantpeal，asshewithafiercesweepofherarm，seemedtohurlsomethingatherfoe，andhe，movinghishandsblindlybeforehisface，appearedtobesweptthroughthedoorwayandoutintotheopensunlight。
"Allatoncemyownfacultieswerefullyrestored;Icouldseeandheareverything，andbefullyconsciousofwhatwasgoingon。Eventhefiguresofthebalefulgroupwerethere，thoughdimlyseenasthroughaveil——ashadowyveil。IsawLillasinkdowninaswoon，andMimithrowupherarmsinagestureoftriumph。AsIsawherthroughthegreatwindow，thesunshinefloodedthelandscape，which，however，wasmomentarilybecomingeclipsedbyanonrushofamyriadbirds。"
Bythenextmorning，daylightshowedtheactualdangerwhichthreatened。Fromeverypartoftheeasterncountiesreportswerereceivedconcerningtheenormousimmigrationofbirds。Expertsweresending——ontheirownaccount，onbehalfoflearnedsocieties，andthroughlocalandimperialgoverningbodies——reportsdealingwiththematter，andsuggestingremedies。
Thereportsclosertohomewereevenmoredisturbing。Alldaylongitwouldseemthatthebirdswerecomingthickerfromallquarters。
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