a comedy of masks -- e. dowson

8/13/2019 A Comedy of Masks -- e. Dowson

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A COMEDY OF MASKSA Novel

byERNEST DOWSON and ARTHUR MOORE1893

CHAPTER

n !"a! #n!$#%a!e and ob&%'$e lo%al#!y( )"#%" &!$e!%"e& be!)een !"eTo)e$ and Po*la$( a !a$$y $e+#on( &%a$%ely &'&*e%!ed by !"e ,a-o$#!yo. /ondone$&( !o )"o, !"e 0Po$! o. /ondon0 #& an e *$e&&#on *'$ely+eo+$a*"#%al( !"e$e #&( o$ )a& no! ,any yea$& a+o( !o be .o'nd a%e$!a#n d$y do%2 %alled la%2*ool( b'! be!!e$ 2no)n .$o, !#,e#,,e,o$#al !o &2#**e$& and lon+&"o$e,en( and all )"o +o do)n !o !"e&ea #n &"#*&( a& 0Ra#n"a,4& Do%250Many yea$& a+o( #n !"e day& o. !"e .#$&! Ra#n"a, and o. )ooden

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'llen>0

He *a%2ed !"e, '*( and !"en &!ood a !$#.le #$$e&ol'!ely( "#& "and.eel#n+ ove$ !"e %o#n& #n "#& *o%2e!5 P$e&en!ly "e *$od'%ed !)o o. !"e,( a &ove$e#+n and a &"#ll#n+50 y !"e )ay( 'llen;0 "e &a#d( 0!"e$e #& a l#!!le .'n%!#on %o,,on #nyo'$ !$ade( !"e +#.! o. a ne) "a!5 ! %o&!& a +'#nea( a, !old7!"o'+" -'d+#n+ .$o, !"e +ene$al a**ea$an%e o. lon+&"o$e,en( !"e$e&'l! &ee,& a l#!!le #nade 'a!e5 'llen( )e a$e *$e!!y old .$#end&no)( and e *e%! &"all no! be do)n "e$e &o o.!en -'&! a! *$e&en!5Allo) ,e66!o +#ve yo' a ne) "a!50T"e .o$e,an4& "'+e .#&! %lo&ed on !"e a$!#&!4& &lende$ one50T"an2 yo'( &#$; Yo' a$e &'%" a .a%e!#o'& +en!le,an5 Yo' ,ay de*end'*on ,e500 do(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2( )#!" a &'dden la*&e #n!o &e$#o'&ne&&( and.$o)n#n+ a l#!!le5

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a &*a$2 o. ,al#%e( a& !"o'+" Ra#n"a, )e$e a)a$e !"a! "#& &'++e&!ed!o*#% )a& no! )#!"o'! a!!$a%!#on !o "#& .$#end5 He )a& a &l#+"! ,ano. ,#ddle "e#+"!( and o. no a**a$en! d#&!#n%!#on( and "#& .a%e )#!"all #!& *e!'lan! l#ne& o. la&&#!'de and #ll6"eal!"66!"e )ea$ and!ea$ o. .o$!y yea$& "av#n+ done )#!" "#, !"e )o$2 o. .#.!y66&!$'%2 one )"o &a) P"#l#* Ra#n"a, .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e by no!"#n+ &o ,'%" a&

by "#& '+l#ne&&5 And ye! .e) *e$&on& )"o 2ne) "#, )o'ld "ave"e&#!a!ed !o allo) !o "#& ne$vo'&( &'..e$#n+ v#&a+e a %e$!a#n#nde.#nable %"a$,5 T"e la$+e "ead &e! on a .#+'$e ,a$2edly'n+$a%e.'l( on )"#%" !"e %lo!"e& &eldo, .#!!ed( )a& &"a*ely and$e.#ned( al!"o'+" !"e .ea!'$e& )e$e #nde.en&#ble( even +$o!e& 'e5

And "#& ,o'!"( )#!" #!& %on&!$a#ned !"#n l#*& and !"e a%$#d l#ne&abo'! #!( )a& 'n,#&!a2ably a &!$on+ one5 H#& dee*6&e! eye&(,o$eove$( o. a da$2 +$ay %olo'$( +lea,ed .$o, 'nde$ "#& !"#%2 eyeb$o)& )#!" a *lea&an! d#$e%!ne&&7 )"#le "#& &,#le( )"#%" &o,e

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*o$!$a#!&7 "ave )o$2ed do)n "e$e l#2e a +alley &lave .o$ !"e la&!!"$ee ,on!"&500And #& !"e 'ee$ l#!!le @e&!a,#ne!@ #n So"o &!#ll #n ev#den%e> Do !"e,en o. !o6,o$$o) &!#ll ,ee! !"e$e n#+"!ly and )e#+" !"e %la#,& o. !"e ,en o. !o6day>0/#+"!,a$2 &,#led a !$#.le ab&en!ly7 "#& eye& "ad )ande$ed o.. !o "#&

*#%!'$e #n !"e %o$ne$50O"( bel#eve &o;0 "e &a#d a! la&!7 0 d#ne !"e$e o%%a&#onally )"en

"ave !#,e5 '! "ave been +o#n+ o'! a +ood deal la!ely( and "a$dly eve$ do "ave !#,e5555 May &,o2e( by !"e )ay>0Ra#n"a, nodded +en!ly( and !"e a$!#&! *'lled o'! "#& %a&e and&!a$!ed a .$a+$an! %#+a$e!!e50Yo' &ee( Ra#n"a,(0 "e %on!#n'ed( &end#n+ a bl'e $#n+ &a#l#n+ a%$o&&!"e $oo,( 0 a, no! &o yo'n+ a& )a& la&! yea$( and "ave &een a+ood deal ,o$e o. !"e )o$ld500 &ee( D#%2(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,5 0Well( +o on;00 ,ean(0 "e e *la#ned( 0!"a! !"o&e ,en )"o ,ee! a! $odono)&2#4&a$e ve$y +ood .ello)&( and de'%ed %leve$( and all !"a!7 b'! do'b!#. !"ey a$e !"e &o$! o. ,en #! #& )ell !o +e! !oo ,'%" ,# ed '*)#!"5 T"ey a$e $a!"e$ @o'!$e@( yo' 2no)7 !"o'+"( o. %o'$&e( !"ey a$ea).'lly +ood .ello)& #n !"e#$ )ay500P$e%#&ely;0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( 0yo' a$e be%o,#n+ a ve$y Solo,on( D#%2;0



He &a! *lay#n+ #dly )#!" !"e $#n+ on "#& .o$e.#n+e$( )a!%"#n+ !"ea$!#&!4& &,o2e )#!" !"e &a,e %'$#o'&ly ob&%'$e &,#le5 ! "ad !"ee..e%! on /#+"!,a$2 no)( a& Ra#n"a,4& &,#le d#d on ,any *eo*le("o)eve$ #nno%en! #! ,#+"! be o. &a!#$#% #n!en!#on( o. #n.'&#n+ "#&ne ! $e,a$2& )#!" !"e a%%en! o. a*olo+y5

0Yo' &ee( Ra#n"a,( one "a& !o !"#n2 o. )"a! )#ll "el* one on( a&)ell a& )"a! one l#2e&5 T"e$e #& a ,an "ave %o,e !o 2no) la!ely66ave$y +ood ,an !oo( a ba$$#&!e$66)"o #& al)ay& d#nn#n+ !"a! #n!o ,e5He "a& #n!$od'%ed ,e !o &o,e ve$y '&e.'l *eo*le( and #& al)ay&'$+#n+ ,e no! !o %o,,#! ,y&el.5 And $odono)&2#4& #& $a!"e$ %o,,#!!al( yo' 2no)5 Ho)eve$( )e ,'&! d#ne !"e$e !o+e!"e$ a+a#n oneday( &oon( and !"en yo' )#ll 'nde$&!and #!500O"( 'nde$&!and #!( D#%2;0 &a#d Ra#n"a,5 0 '! le! ,e &ee !"e

*#%!'$e )"#le !"e l#+"! la&!&500O"( ye&;0 %$#ed /#+"!,a$2 ea+e$ly5 0We ,'&! no! .o$+e! !"e

*#%!'$e50 He "o#&!ed #! '* !o a &'#!able l#+"!( and Ra#n"a, &!ood by

!"e bo)6)#ndo)( .$o, )"#%" one al,o&! ob!a#ned !"e *o#n! o. v#e))"#%" !"e a$!#&! "ad %"o&en( $e+a$d#n+ #! #n a %$#!#%al &#len%e50W"a! do yo' %all #!>0 "e a&2ed a! la&!504T"e ?$ay R#ve$(40 &a#d /#+"!,a$27 !"en a l#!!le #,*a!#en!ly 0 '!"o) do yo' .#nd #!> A$e yo' )a#!#n+ .o$ a !$#*od>00 don4! !"#n2 &"all !ell yo'5 y .all#n+ #n!o *e$&onal %$#!#%#&,('nle&& one #& e#!"e$ d#&"one&! o$ !$#v#al( one $'n& !"e $#&2 o. lo&#n+ a .$#end500O"( non&en&e( ,an; !4& no! &'%" a da'b a& !"a!5 )#ll $#&2 yo'$ %ando'$50Ra#n"a, &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$50 . yo' )#ll "ave #!( D#%266only( don4! !"#n2 !"a! a, !o be %oa ed#n!o %o,*l#,en!&500@ &@ #! bad>0 a&2ed /#+"!,a$2 &%e*!#%ally50On !"e %on!$a$y( #! #& &'$*$#&#n+ly +ood5 !4& %leve$ and *$e!!y7&'$e !o be "'n+( &'$e !o &ell5 Only yo' "ave %o,e do)n a *e+5 T"e&en!#,en! abo'! !"a! $#ve$ #& ve$y *$e!!y( and !"a! ,#&! #&e,#nen!ly *#%!o$#al7 b'! #!4& no! !"e $#ve$ yo' )o'ld "ave *a#n!edla&! yea$7 and !"a! ,#&!66 "ave &een #! #n a +ood ,any *#%!'$e&no)66#& a ,#&! !"a! one %an4! '#!e bel#eve #n5 !4& !"e a$! !"a!

*ay&( b'! #!4& no! !"e a$! yo' !al2ed a! $odono)&2#4& la&! &',,e$(!"a! #& all50/#+"!,a$2 !'++ed a! "#& ,o'&!a%"e a l#!!le $'e.'lly5 Ra#n"a, "ad an#dea !"a! "#& '*& and do)n& )e$e !$e,endo'&5 H#& ,#nd )a& a,o'n!a#no'& %o'n!$y( and #. "e "ad ela!#on&( "e "ad al&o de*$e&&#on&a& a%'!e5 Ye! "#& ela&!#%#!y )a& eno$,o'&( and "e %o'ld !"$o) o.. !$o'ble&o,e #n!$'de$&( #n !"e &"a*e o. ,e,o$#e& o$ $e+$e!&( )#!" !"eea&e o. a &lo)6)o$, %a&!#n+ #!& &2#n5 And &o no) "#& %on.#den%e )a&only &"a2en .o$ a ,o,en!( and "e )a& able !o $e*ly +a#ly !oRa#n"a,4& la&! !"$'&!



0My dea$ .ello)( e *e%! !al2ed a +ood deal o. !$a&" la&! yea$(a.!e$ all066a &!a!e,en! )"#%" !"e o!"e$ d#d no! .#nd #! )o$!" )"#le!o deny5T"ey "ad $e&',ed !"e#$ *la%e& a! !"e !able( and /#+"!,a$2( )#!" a"al.6&"ee! o. no!e6*a*e$ be.o$e "#,( )a& da&"#n+ o.. *$o.#le&5 T"ey

)e$e all !"e &a,e66!"e "ead o. a +#$l a %"#ld#&" .a%e )#!" a&!$a#+"!( &,all no&e( and $o'+" "a#$ +a!"e$ed '* "#+" above "e$ "ead#n a *la#n 2no!5 Ra#n"a,( lean#n+ ove$( )a!%"ed "#, )#!" an a,'&ed&,#le50T"e %'$$en! #n.a!'a!#on( D#%2( o$ !"e la&! b'! one>00No(0 "e &a#d7 0only a +#$l 2no)5 A).'lly *$e!!y( #&n4! &"e>0Ra#n"a,( )"o )a& a l#!!le &"o$!6&#+"!ed( !oo2 '* !"e *a*e$ %a$ele&&ly5 He d$o**ed #! a.!e$ a ,#n'!e )#!" a &l#+"! &!a$!50 !"#n2 2no) "e$(0 "e &a#d5 0Yo' "ave a 2na%2 o. %a!%"#n+ .a%e&5

& #! M#&& Sylve&!e$>00Ye&7 #! #& Eve Sylve&!e$(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$25 0Do yo' 2no) !"e,> &ee

a +ood deal o. !"e, no)500 "ave 2no)n !"e, a +ood ,any yea$&(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,50T"ey "ave neve$ &*o2en o. yo' !o ,e(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$250No> da$e &ay no!5 W"y &"o'ld !"ey>0 He )a& &#len! .o$ a ,o,en!(loo2#n+ !"o'+"!.'lly a! "#& $#n+5 T"en "e &a#d ab$'*!ly 0 !"#n2 2no) no) )"o yo'$ .$#end !"e ba$$#&!e$ #&( D#%25 $e%o+n#&e !"e&!yle5 ! #& C"a$le& Sylve&!e$( #& #! no!>00Yo' a$e a )# a$d(0 an&)e$ed !"e o!"e$( la'+"#n+5 0Ye&( #! #&50 T"en"e a&2ed 0Don4! yo' !"#n2 &"e #& a).'lly *$e!!y>00M#&& Sylve&!e$>555 Be$y l#2ely7 &"e )a& a ve$y *$e!!y %"#ld5 Yo'2no)( &"e "ad no! %o,e o'! la&! yea$5 A$e yo' +o#n+>0/#+"!,a$2 "ad *'lled o'! "#& )a!%" ab&en!ly( and "e lea*! '* a& "ed#&%ove$ed !"e la!ene&& o. !"e "o'$50Heaven&( ye&; a, d#n#n+ o'!( and &"all ba$ely "ave !#,e !od$e&&5 )#ll .e!%" ,y !$a*& !o6,o$$o)7 !"en )e ,#+"! d#ne !o+e!"e$ a.!e$)a$d&500A& yo' l#2e(0 &a#d !"e elde$ ,an5 0 "ave no en+a+e,en!& ye!50/#+"!,a$2 le.! "#, )#!" a +en#al nod( and a ,o,en! la!e$ Ra#n"a, &a)"#, !"$o'+" !"e )#ndo) *a&&#n+ )#!" lon+ #,*e!'o'& &!$#de& a%$o&&!"e b$#d+e5 T"en "e $e!'$ned !o "#& de&2( and )$o!e a le!!e$ o$ !)o'n!#l !"e l#+"! .a#led( )"en "e *'&"ed "#& %"a#$ ba%2( and &a!( *en#n "and( loo2#n+ ,ed#!a!#vely( va+'ely( a! !"e an!# 'a!ed ,a*& '*on!"e )all&5P$e&en!ly "#& eye .ell on /#+"!,a$24& de$el#%! *a*e$( )#!" #!&&%$#bble o. a +#$l4& "ead5 He %on&#de$ed #! !"o'+"!.'lly .o$ &o,e!#,e( &!a$!#n+ a l#!!le( and %ove$#n+ #! )#!" "#& blo!!#n+6*a*e$()"en M$&5 'llen( "#& "o'&e2ee*e$( en!e$ed )#!" a %'* o. !ea66a.$ea2 o. "#& ne$ve& )"#%" ,ade "#, &,#le )"en &"e "ad +one5Even !"en "e le.! "#& !ea .o$ a lon+ !#,e( %ool#n+ and 'n!a&!ed()"#le "e &a! le!"a$+#%ally loll#n+ ba%2( and $e+a$d#n+ .$o, !#,e !o



!#,e !"e *en%#lled *$o.#le )#!" "#& &ad eye&5

CHAPTER

T"e *e$#od o. /#+"!,a$24& boy"ood "ad no! been an al!o+e!"e$ "a**y

one5 H#& ea$l#e&! $e%olle%!#on& %a$$#ed "#, ba%2 !o a !#,e )"en "el#ved a )ande$#n+( de&ola!e l#.e )#!" "#& .a!"e$ and ,o!"e$( #n anendle&& &e$#e& o. Con!#nen!al "o!el& and @*en&#on&@5 He )a& *$e*a$ed!o a&&e$!( )#!" %on.#den%e( !"a! "#& ,o!"e$ "ad been a ve$y

bea'!#.'l *e$&on( )"o %a$$#ed an a#$ o. !"e ,o&! ab'ndan! a..e%!#on.o$ "#, on !"e n',e$o'& o%%a&#on& )"en &"e $e%e#ved "e$ .$#end&5 O. "#& .a!"e$( )"o "ad( a& .a$ a& *o&&#ble( #+no$ed "#& e #&!en%e( "e$e,e,be$ed ve$y l#!!le5D'$#n+ !"e&e yea$& !"e$e "ad been .$e 'en! d#..#%'l!#e&( !"e na!'$eo. )"#%" "e "ad &#n%e lea$ned en!#$ely !o %o,*$e"end7 %on!$ove$&#e&)#!" )"#!e6)a#&!%oa!ed *$o*$#e!o$& o. "o!el& and vol'ble

!$ade&*eo*le( +ene$ally .ollo)ed by a &eve$an%e o. "a&!#ly6%e,en!ed.$#end&"#*&( and a de*a$!'$e o. a**a$en!ly 'n*$e,ed#!a!edab$'*!ne&&5W"en "#& ,o!"e$ d#ed( "e )a& &en! !o a .a#$ly +ood &%"ool #nEn+land( )"e$e "#& .a!"e$ o%%a&#onally v#&#!ed "#,( and )"e$e "e "ad

been !e$$#bly b'll#ed a! .#$&!( and "ad a.!e$)a$d& lea$ned !o b'lly#n !'$n5 He &*en! "#& "ol#day& #n /ondon( a! !"e "o'&e o. "#&+$and,o!"e$66an e %ellen! old lady( )"o *e!!ed and &%olded "#,al,o&! &#,'l!aneo'&ly( )"o !al2ed ,y&!e$#o'&ly abo'! "#& 0*oo$ dea$ .a!"e$(0 and !oo2 %a$e !"a! "e )en! !o %"'$%" $e+'la$ly( and "addan%#n+6le&&on& !"$ee !#,e& a )ee25H#& .a!"e$4& dea!"( )"#%" o%%'$$ed a! Mona%o &o,e)"a! 'ne *e%!edly(and on !"e &'b-e%! o. )"#%" "#& +$and,o!"e$ ,a#n!a#ned a %e$!a#n$e&e$ve( a..e%!ed !"e boy b'! l#!!le7 #n .a%!( !"e .#$&! $eal +$#e. )"#%" "e %o'ld $e,e,be$ !o "ave e *e$#en%ed )a& )"en !"e old lady"e$&el. d#ed66"e )a& !"en n#ne!een yea$& old66leav#n+ "#, "e$

ble&&#n+ and a &', o. Con&ol& &'..#%#en! !o *$od'%e an #n%o,e o. abo'! / a yea$5T"e boy4& #n%l#na!#on& leaned #n !"e d#$e%!#on o. O .o$d( and #n!"#& "e )a& &'**o$!ed by "#& only6&'$v#v#n+ $ela!#ve( "#& 'n%le(Colonel /#+"!,a$2( a lo'd6vo#%ed %aval$y o..#%e$( )"o "ad been !"e!e$$o$ o. R#%"a$d4& -'ven#le e #&!en%e( and )"o( a& e e%'!o$ o. !"eold lady4& )#ll( )a& .'lly a)a$e o. !"e *o&#!#on #n )"#%" "e$ dea!""ad le.! "#,( and "e$ de&#$e !"a! "e &"o'ld +o #n!o !"e C"'$%"5A! one o. !"e le&& .a&"#onable %olle+e&( )"#%" "e &ele%!ed be%a'&e"e )a& ena,o'$ed o. #!& *#%!'$e& 'e #nne$ 'ad$an+le( and o. !"e

'a#n! D'!%" +la&& #n !"e %"a*el )#ndo)&( /#+"!,a$2 )a& *o*'la$ )#!""#& *ee$&( and( .o$ "#& .#$&! !e$,( #n !ole$ably +ood odo'$ )#!" !"edon&( )"o de%#ded( on "#& %o,#n+ '* !o ,a!$#%'la!e( !"a! "e o'+"! !o$ead .o$ "ono'$&5 And "e d#d $ead .o$ "ono'$&( a.!e$ a .a&"#on( .o$



nea$ly a &%"ola&!#% yea$( a.!e$ )"#%" an 'n.o$!'na!e e %'$&#on !oAb#n+don( and a bo#&!e$o'& $e6en!$y #n!o !"e Un#ve$&#!y *$e%#n%!&(a! !"e la!!e$ *a$! o. )"#%" !"e -'n#o$ *$o%!o$ and "#& &a!ell#!e&)e$e *a#n.'lly %on&*#%'o'&( ended #n "#& be#n+ 0&en! do)n0 .o$ a!e$,5 W"e$e'*on "e de%#ded !o !$avel( a de%#&#on *$o,*!ed a& ,'%" by

a no! 'nna!'$al de&#$e !o avo#d av'n%'la$ %$#!#%#&, a& by a%on&!#!'!#onal yea$n#n+ .o$ !"e &'nny So'!"5 e&#de&( one %o'ld l#ve.o$ ne ! !o no!"#n+ ab$oad5D'$#n+ !"e ne ! .e) yea$& "#& *$o%eed#n+& )e$e )$a**ed #n a ve#l o. ,y&!e$y )"#%" "e neve$ en!#$ely !"$e) a&#de5 Ra#n"a,( #! #& !$'e(&a) "#, o%%a&#onally a! !"#& !#,e( .o$( #ndeed( #! )a& &oon a.!e$ "#& .#$&! a$$#val #n Pa$#& !"a! /#+"!,a$2 ,ade "#& .$#end4&a% 'a#n!an%e( &ealed by !"e#$ &'b&e 'en! -o'$ney !o+e!"e$ !o Ro,e5

'! Ra#n"a, )a& d#&%$ee!5 /#+"!,a$2 be.o$e lon+ #n.o$,ed "#& 'n%le()#!" )"o, "e a! .#$&! %o,,'n#%a!ed !"$o'+" !"e *o&! on !"e &'b-e%!o. d#v#dend&( !"a! "e )a& &!'dy#n+ A$!( !o )"#%" "#& 'n%le "ad

$e*l#ed0Don4! be a d6666d .ool5 Co,e ba%2 and !a2e yo'$ de+$ee50T"#& le!!e$ D#%2 "ad l#+"!6"ea$!edly #+no$ed( and "e $e%e#ved "#&ne ! %"e 'e .$o, "#& 'n%le4& &ol#%#!o$&( !o+e!"e$ )#!" a *ol#!e$e 'e&! !"a! "e )o'ld 2ee* !"e, #n.o$,ed a& !o "#& )ande$#n+&( andan #n!#,a!#on !"a! "#& 'n%le .o'nd #! ,o$e %onven#en! !o ,a2e !"e,!"e %"annel o. %o$$e&*onden%e .o$ !"e .'!'$e5A! Pa$#& #! )a& +ene$ally %on%eded !"a!( .o$ an En+l#&",an( !"edel#%a%y o. /#+"!,a$24& !o'%"( and !"e da$#n+ o. "#& %on%e*!#on ande e%'!#on( )e$e $eally ,a$vello'&7 and #. only "e %o'ld d$a); '! "e)a& !oo #,*a!#en! .o$ !"e end !o &*end !"e ne%e&&a$y !#,e #n

*e$.e%!#n+ !"e ,ean&5A! Ro,e "e !$#ed "#& "and a! &%'l*!'$e( and ,ade a .e) &2e!%"e&)"#%" "#& a!!$a%!#ve *e$&onal#!y $a!"e$ !"an !"e#$ #n!$#n&#% ,e$#!enabled "#, !o &ell5 T"e @%a,a$ade$#e@ o. !"e Ca.e ?$e%%o )el%o,ed "#,)#!" o*en a$,&7 and "e )a& !o be en%o'n!e$ed( #n !"e &ea&on( a! !"e,o&! .a&"#onable &!'d#o !ea6*a$!#e& and d#*lo,a!#% dan%e&5 e.o$elon+ "#& !alen! #n !"e d#$e%!#on o. &e# #n+ l#2ene&&e& &e%'$ed "#, a)ell6*a#d *o&! a& %a$#%a!'$#&!6#n6%"#e. on !"e &!a.. o. a Re*'bl#%an

-o'$nal o. ,o$e )#! !"an d#&%$e!#on7 and #! )a& #n !"#& %a*a%#!y!"a! "e +a#ned "#& l#!e$a$y e *e$#en%e5 On !"e eve o. !"e&'**$e&&#on o. !"#& en!e$*$#&#n+ o$+an !"e M#n#&!e$ o. Pol#%e!"o'+"! #! a .avo'$able o**o$!'n#!y !o e *$e&& !o /#+"!,a$2

*$#va!ely "#& o*#n#on !"a! "e )a& no! l#2ely !o .#nd !"e a!,o&*"e$eo. Ro,e *a$!#%'la$ly &al'b$#o'& d'$#n+ !"e ne ! .e) ,on!"&5W"e$e'*on o'$ .$#end "ad &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$&( and a.!e$ #$on#%ally !"an2#n+ !"e o..#%#al .o$ "#& d#&#n!e$e&!ed adv#%e( "e"ad +#ven a .a$e)ell ban 'e! o. +$ea! &*lendo'$ a! !"e ?$e%%o(

*a%2ed '* *ale!!e& and *a#n!6bo e&( and &!a$!ed .o$ /ondon( )"e$e"#& .$#end& *e$&'aded "#, !"a! "#& !alen! )o'ld be $e%o+n#&ed5 And



a! /ondon "e "ad a$$#ved( !$avell#n+ by $'#no'&ly ea&y &!a+e&( and b$ea2#n+ !"e -o'$ney a! Flo$en%e( )"e$e "e &2e!%"ed and &,o2ed *#*e&#nn',e$able on !"e /'n+ A$no7 a! Ben#%e( )"e$e "e a..e%!ed%#+a$e!!e&( and #nd'l+ed #n a de&*e$a!e .l#$!a!#on )#!" a *$e!!y

bla%26eyed ,a$%"e&a7 a! Mona%o( )"e$e "e +a,bled7 and a! Pa$#&(

)"e$e "e &*en! "#& )#nn#n+&( and .o$e+a!"e$ed )#!" "#& .$#end& o. !"e 'a$!#e$ /a!#n5H#& e,*!y *o%2e!& &'++e&!ed !"e #,,ed#a!e ne%e&&#!y .o$ )o$2 #n a,anne$ ,o$e e,*"a!#% !"an a+$eeable5 H#& 'n%le( '*on )"o, "e %alleda! "#& %l'b( #nv#!ed "#, !o d#nne$( le%!'$ed "#, )#!" %on&#de$ableelo 'en%e( and *$a%!#%ally de%l#ned !o "ave any ,o$e !o do )#!" !"eyo'n+ $e*$oba!e( )"#%" &"oo2 /#+"!,a$24& .a#!" #n !"e !ea%"#n+ o.

*a$able&5Ho)eve$( "e &e! !o )o$2 #n !"e !)o l#!!le $oo,& benea!" !"e !#le&)"#%" "e $en!ed #n loo,&b'$y( and )"#%" &e$ved "#, a& bed$oo, and&!'d#o7 and .o$ a .e) )ee2& "e .#n#&"ed &2e!%"e& by day( and )$o!e

&onne!& .o$ ,a+a #ne&( and .$#volo'& a$!#%le& .o$ da#l#e&( by n#+"!5And( &!$an+e !o &ay( !"o'+" !"e$e )e$e !#,e& )"en &'%%e&& &ee,edve$y "a$d !o +$a&*( and )"en "e )a& obl#+ed !o .o$e&!all

'a$!e$6day( and even !o bo$$o) ,oney .$o, Ra#n"a,66)"en !"a! b#$do. *a&&a+e )a& )#!"#n $ea%"66"e &old &2e!%"e& .$o, !#,e !o !#,e7 "eob!a#ned %o,,#&&#on& .o$ *o$!$a#!&7 and !"e ed#!o$& o%%a&#onally$ead and $e!a#ned "#& %on!$#b'!#on&5

n %o'$&e o. !#,e "e ,oved .'$!"e$ )e&!( !o !"e !"en 'n.a&"#onablene#+"bo'$"ood o. Holland Pa$2( and devo!ed "#& ene$+#e& !o !"e

*$od'%!#on o. a )o$2 )"#%" &"o'ld ,a2e an #,*$e&&#on a! !"e A%ade,y5! )a& "#& .#$&! la$+e *#%!'$e #n o#l&( an anony,o'& *o$!$a#!(

!$ea!ed )#!" all !"e a'da%#!y and @%"#%@ o. !"e ,ode$n F$en%" &%"ool(o. a .a#$6"a#$ed +#$l #n a 'a#n! .an%y d$e&&( &!and#n+ 'nde$ !"e&o.! l#+"! o. :a*ane&e lan!e$n&( #n a %on&e$va!o$y( )#!" a

ba%2+$o'nd o. ,a&&e& o. .lo)e$&5And )"en #! )a& .#n#&"ed( Ra#n"a, and !"e &,all %o!e$#e o. a$!#&!&)"o )e$e #n!#,a!e )#!" /#+"!,a$2 )e$e +ene$o'&ly en!"'&#a&!#% #n!"e#$ e *$e&&#on& o. a**$oval50 '! don4! 2no) abo'! !"e A%ade,y( old ,an(0 &a#d one o. !"e&e%$#!#%& d'b#o'&ly( a.!e$ !"e .#$&! &*on!aneo'& o'!b'$&! o. d#&%'&&#on5 0O. %o'$&e #!4& +ood eno'+"( b'! #!4& no! e a%!ly !"e#$ &!yle( yo' 2no)5 T"e old d'..e$& on !"e Han+#n+ Co,,#!!ee )o'ldn4!'nde$&!and #!66660And !"o'+" /#+"!,a$2 ,a#n!a#ned "#& #n!en!#on #n !"e .a%e o. !"#&%$#!#%#&,( !"e *#%!'$e )a& neve$ &'b,#!!ed !o !"e "an+e$&5 Ra#n"a,

b$o'+"! a )eal!"y A,e$#%an &"#*6o)ne$ !o &ee #!( and )"en !"e%o,,#!!ee &a! #n -'d+,en!( !"e )o$2 )a& al$eady on !"e "#+" &ea& on#!& )ay !o Ne) Yo$25A.!e$ all( /#+"!,a$2 o)ed "#& na&%en! $e*'!a!#on !o )o$2 o. a le&&#,*o$!an! na!'$e66a .e) land&%a*e& )"#%" a**ea$ed on !"e )all& o.



ond S!$ee! +alle$#e&( and )e$e !$an&.e$$ed #n %o'$&e o. !#,e !o.a&"#onable d$a)#n+6$oo,&7 a .e) *o$!$a#!&( )"#%" !"e 'n#n#!#a!ed!"o'+"! ad,#$able be%a'&e !"ey )e$e &o 0l#2e50 Mo$eove$( "e %o'ld.la!!e$ d#&%$ee!ly( and "e !oo2 %a$e no! !o bo$e "#& &#!!e$7 !)oad,#$able 'al#!#e& #n a *o$!$a#!6*a#n!e$ )"o de&#$e& !o &'%%eed5

CHAPTER

! )a& !o one o. "#& &#!!e$& !"a! /#+"!,a$2 o)ed "#& #n!$od'%!#on !o!"e Sylve&!e$&5 C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ "ad been !old !"a! /#+"!,a$2 )a& a,an )"o )o'ld %e$!a#nly a%"#eve +$ea!ne&&( and "e .el! !"a! "e$e )a&an o**o$!'n#!y !o add all "#!"e$!o ,#&&#n+ lea. !o "#& la'$el&( by%on&!#!'!#n+ "#,&el. a *a!$on o. a$!( a *o&#!#on no! o.!en a!!a#ned

by yo'n+ ba$$#&!e$& even )"en( a& #n Sylve&!e$4& %a&e( !"ey "aveal$eady de&#+n& '*on a &n'+ %on&!#!'en%y5Sylve&!e$ be+an by +#v#n+ "#& @*$o!e+e@ a %o,,#&&#on !o *a#n! "#&

,o!"e$4& *o$!$a#!( and be.o$e !"#& )o$2 )a& .#n#&"ed a ve$ya**$e%#able de+$ee o. #n!#,a%y "ad &*$'n+ '* be!)een !"e Sylve&!e$ .a,#ly and !"e yo'n+ *a#n!e$( )"o .o'nd no d#..#%'l!y #n +$a!#.y#n+a )o,an6o.6!"e6)o$ld4& *a&&#on .o$ &,all6!al2 and .a&"#onable#n!ell#+en%e66-'d#%#o'&ly %'lled .$o, !"e %ol',n& o. !"e da#lyne)&*a*e$& )#!" !"e a$! o. a *$a%!#&ed )#elde$ o. !"e &%#&&o$& and

*a&!e6b$'&"5W#!" M#&& Sylve&!e$ "e "ad a le&& ea&y !a&25 S"e )a& a +#$l )"o "ad.$o, a ve$y ea$ly a+e been a%%'&!o,ed !o "ave "e$ #,*$e&&#on&,o'lded by "e$ &el.6a&&e$!#ve elde$ b$o!"e$7 and "e( a! any $a!e a!.#$&!( "ad been %a$e.'l !o &"o) !"a! "e $e+a$ded /#+"!,a$2 a& anob-e%! o. "#& *a!$ona+e $a!"e$ !"an a& a .$#end )"o %o'ld ,ee! "#,on "#& o)n e al!ed level5 He "ad been 2no)n( #n "#& ea$l#e$ yea$&(!o &*ea2 &o,e)"a! %on!e,*!'o'&ly o. 0a$!#&!&07 and( #ndeed( "#& )an!o. &y,*a!"y )#!" o"e,#an& #n +ene$al "ad +#ven Eve o%%a&#on .o$ ,'%" )onde$#n+ ,en!al %o,,en!( )"en "e$ b$o!"e$ .#$&! &*o2e o. #n!$od'%#n+ !"e *o$!$a#!6*a#n!e$ !o !"e .a,#ly %#$%le5Ho)eve$( b$o!"e$ly $'le ove$ a +#$l4& o*#n#on& #& a*! !o bed#&e&!abl#&"ed )"en &"e d$a)& nea$ !"e a'!',n o. "e$ !een&7 anda.!e$ "e$ e,an%#*a!#on .$o, !"e &%"ool$oo, and &"o$! .$o%2&( M#&&Eve be+an !o !"#n2 #! )a& !#,e !"a! &"e &"o'ld be allo)ed !oen!e$!a#n and e *$e&& v#e)& o. "e$ o)n5 And a.!e$ "e$ .#$&! ball( ano%%a&#on on )"#%" "e$ *$o+$a,,e "ad &*eed#ly been be&#e+ed( and !"e

@deb'!an!e@ ,a$2ed a& dan+e$o'& by !"e ob&e$van! ,o!"e$& o. ,a$$#a+eable &on& and da'+"!e$&66a.!e$ !"#& #,*o$!an! .'n%!#on(even C"a$le& "ad be+'n !o $e+a$d "#& *$e!!y &#&!e$ )#!" a %e$!a#na,o'n! o. de.e$en%e5 He %e$!a#nly "ad $ea&on !o %on+$a!'la!e "#,&el. on "av#n+ &o a!!$a%!#ve a yo'n+ *e$&on !o *o'$ o'! "#& %o..ee and%o,*o&e "#& 0b'!!on"ole&0 be.o$e "e &!a$!ed .o$ %"a,be$& #n !"e,o$n#n+5 Eve )a& a! an a+e )"en !"e )#ld6$o&e !#n!& o. a %o,*le #on



.o&!e$ed by -'d#%#o'& )al2& and &%"ool$oo, !ea& "ad no! ye! y#elded!o !"e bane.'l #n.l'en%e o. la!e d#nne$& and !"e o!"e$ o$+#e& )"#%"&o%#e!y %ond'%!& #n an 'nd'ly6"ea!ed a!,o&*"e$e5 He$ .#+'$e )a&&!#ll al,o&! %"#ld#&"ly &l#,( b'! +$a%e.'l( and &!$a#+"! eno'+" !ode.y %$#!#%#&, #n !"e ball6$oo, o$ !"e &addle5 He$ eye& )e$e +$ay(

)#!" a %'$#o'&( &!a$$y e *$e&&#on #n !"e#$ de*!"&( )"#%" al)ay&&'++e&!ed !"a! !"e &,#le )"#%" )a& &o o.!en on "e$ l#*& )a& '#!e$eady !o e a++e$a!e !"e d#,*le& #n "e$ %"ee2&5 He$ "a#$ )a&$e.$a%!o$y( .$o, "e$ o)n *o#n! o. v#e)7 b'! /#+"!,a$2 .o'nd !"e!an+led b$o)n ,a&&e&( )"#%" &"e )o$e +a!"e$ed #n!o a loo&e 2no! "#+"a! !"e ba%2 o. "e$ &"a*ely "ead( en!#$ely %"a$,#n+( and &'++e&!#ve(#n a )ay( o. one o. /an%$e!4& )ood ny,*"&5S"e %o'ld neve$ b$#n+ "e$&el. !o bel#eve !"a! "e$ no&e )a& *$e!!y(al!"o'+" #n !"e &e%l'&#on o. "e$ %"a,be$ &"e "ad .$an2ly %$#!#%#&ed"e$ $e.le%!ed #,a+e7 and *e$"a*& #! @)a&@ a !$#.le !oo &,all .o$ ,o&!%$#!#%&5 S!#ll( "e$ ad,#$e$& de%la$ed !"a!( e&*e%#ally #n *$o.#le(

#! )a& del#+"!.'lly *# 'an!( and va&!ly *$e.e$able !o !"e'n#n!e$e&!#n+ a '#l#ne& )"#%" ado$ned !"e %o'n!enan%e& o. "e$ ,o!"e$ and b$o!"e$5 A *$ovo2#n+( %"#ld#&"( %"a$,#n+ .a%e( )"en all )a&&a#d7 #! )a& no! )onde$.'l !"a! /#+"!,a$2 )o'ld .a#n *'! #! '*on%anva&5 And( #ndeed( &o .a$ a& !"e yo'n+ +#$l "e$&el. )a& %on%e$ned("e "ad al$eady a %ond#!#onal *$o,#&e5 S"e "ad no ob-e%!#on )"a!eve$ !o ,a2e( *$ov#ded !"a! C"a$le& )a& .#$&! %on&'l!ed7 only &"e "ad nod$e&& !"a! )o'ld ,ee! !"e o%%a&#on5 And )"en /#+"!,a$2 *$o!e&!ed!"a! !"e a#$y )"#!e +a$,en!( )#!" "e$e and !"e$e a &'++e&!#on o. %$ea,6%olo'$ed la%e and &'l*"'$ $#bbon&( )"#%" &"e )a& )ea$#n+( )a&en!#$ely $#+"!( &"e &%o'!ed !"e #dea )#!" &%o$n50T"#& old .$o%2( M$5 /#+"!,a$2(0 &"e e %la#,ed( )#!" a *$e!!yd#&*lay o. d#&da#n .o$ "#& !a&!e( 0)"y( 4ve )o$n !"e old !"#n+ .o$ ,on!"&; No7 #. C"a$le& &ay& ,ay "ave ,y *o$!$a#! *a#n!ed( &"all+o &!$a#+"! o.. !o Mada,e So*"#e( and !"en yo' ,ay *a#n! ,e and &end,e !o !"e A%ade,y o$ ?$o&veno$ #n all ,y +lo$y50/#+"!,a$2 "ad .o'nd #! '#!e '&ele&& !o *$o!e&!( )ell a& "e 2ne)!"a! !"e o$d#na$y F$en%" ,#ll#ne$ %an be )a$$an!ed !o &'%%eed #n

*$od'%#n+ a +a$,en! al,o&! a& 'n*a#n!able a& a ,a&%'l#ne bla%2 .$o%26%oa!5On !"e a.!e$noon o. !"e day a.!e$ Ra#n"a,4& $e!'$n !o !"e do%2(/#+"!,a$2 )a& %a$e&&#n+ "#& .a#$ ,o'&!a%"e '*on !"e doo$&!e* o. !"eSylve&!e$&4 "o'&e( No5 13G( Pa$2 S!$ee!( We&!( a ,an&#on o. 'n*$e!end#n+ &# e( +lo$#o'& #n #!& &',,e$ %oa! o. )"#!e *a#n!($el#eved only by !"e !'$ 'o#&e6bl'e !#le& )"#%" &'$$o'nded !"e)#ndo)6bo e&( and !"e da$2e$ bl'e o. !"e $a#l#n+& and .$on!6doo$5 He)a& %all#n+ o&!en&#bly .o$ !"e *'$*o&e o. #n '#$#n+ "o) C"a$le&Sylve&!e$ l#2ed !"e .$a,e )"#%" "e "ad &ele%!ed .o$ !"e$e%en!ly6.#n#&"ed *o$!$a#!7 $eally #n o$de$ !o #nd'%e "e$ b$o!"e$ !oallo) Eve !o &#! !o "#,5 So'nd& a& o. d#&%'&&#on .loa!ed do)n !"e



)#de &!a#$%a&e7 and )"en !"e &e$van! o*ened !"e d$a)#n+6$oo, doo$ *$e*a$a!o$y !o anno'n%#n+ "#,( /#+"!,a$2 "ea$d66and #! &!a$!led"#,66a )ell6$e,e,be$ed vo#%e '*$a#&ed #n *lay.'l *$o!e&!50No( 4*on ,y )o$d( M$&5 Sylve&!e$( ,y yo'n+ &%a,* o. a ne*"e) "a&n4!done yo' -'&!#%e( 4*on ,y &o'l "e "a&n4!50

A! .#$&! "e .el! al,o&! #n%l#ned !o !'$n !a#l7 !"o'+" "e "ad lon+ been a)a$e !"a! !"e Sylve&!e$& )e$e %o+n#&an! o. "#& $ela!#on&"#* !o!"e &o,e)"a! no!o$#o'& old Colonel( and !"a! !"ey 2ne) "#,( a&eve$yone d#d( "e "ad neve$ %on!e,*la!ed !"e *o&&#b#l#!y o. ,ee!#n+"#& 'n%le !"e$e5And )"en "e "ad &"a2en "and& #n a be)#lde$ed ,anne$ )#!" M$&5Sylve&!e$ and Eve( "e *e$%e#ved !"a! "#& 'n%le )a& +$ee!#n+ "#, )#!"an al,o&! *a!e$nal %o$d#al#!y50W"y( D#%2( ,y boy( 4*on ,y &o'l "aven4! &een yo' .o$ an a+e; Yo','&!n4! ne+le%! yo'$ +o'!y old 'n%le( yo' 2no)( D#%27 )"en a$e yo'+o#n+ !o *a#n! "#& *o$!$a#!( #n $ev#e) o$de$( e"> No! 'n!#l yo'4ve

*a#n!ed M#&& Eve "e$e( 4ll be bo'nd50T"e *$od#+al ne*"e) needed all "#& by no ,ean& de.#%#en! &!o%2 o. ne$ve !o enable "#, !o *$e&en! an 'n,oved %o'n!enan%e !o !"#&'ne *e%!ed a!!a%2 o. +en#al#!y5 T"#&( "e !"o'+"!( a& "e $e!'$ned !"eo!"e$4& +$ee!#n+ )#!" a& +$ea! a &e,blan%e o. ea&e a& "e %o'ld,'&!e$66!"#& )a& !"e 'n%le )"o "ad de%l#ned !o $e%o+n#&e "#, )"en!"ey ,e! a .e) ,on!"& a+o( #n !"e b$oade&! dayl#+"!( #n Pall Mall;P$e&en!ly( )"#le "e )a& !$y#n+ !o $e%ove$ "#& e 'an#,#!y by devo!#n+"#,&el. !o !"e %'l! o. Eve( "e "ea$d !"e %olonel )"#&*e$ #n a%on.#den!#al 'nde$!one !o !"e#$ "o&!e&&0Dev#l#&" %leve$ .ello)( ,y ne*"e)( y42no)( !"o'+" *e$"a*& o'+"!n4! !o &ay &o5 T"o&e ne)&*a*e$ be++a$& !"#n2 ve$y "#+"ly o. "#,66!"e %$#!#%&( y42no)( and all !"a!7 )"y( 4*on ,y &o'l( )a&$ead#n+ &o,e!"#n+ abo'! "#, only !"#& ,o$n#n+ a! !"e %l'b #n !"e)"a!4&6"#&6na,e66!"e @@O'!%$y@@5 Sa#d "e o'+"! !o be #n !"e A%ade,y500Ye&(0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$ &y,*a!"e!#%ally( 0yo' a$e '#!e $#+"! !o

be *$o'd o. "#,( Colonel /#+"!,a$25 C"a$le& !"#n2& "e #& ve$y%leve$( and "e #& @&o@ *lea&ed )#!" ,y *o$!$a#!5 We )an! "#, !o *a#n!Eve( yo' 2no)( only6666 O"( do le! ,e +#ve yo' ano!"e$ %'* o. !ea(M$5 /#+"!,a$2; T)o l',*& o. &'+a$( !"#n2>00T"an2 yo'( M$&5 Sylve&!e$5 Do yo' 2no)( "ave d#&%ove$ed !"a! )e"ave a ,'!'al .$#end66!"a! #& !o &ay( .o'nd o'! no! lon+ a+o(

'#!e by a%%#den!( !"a! ,y ve$y +ood .$#end( P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( "a& !"e *lea&'$e o. yo'$ a% 'a#n!an%e500O"( $eally;0 &a#d Eve del#+"!edly7 0do yo' 2no) P"#l#*66M$5Ra#n"a,> And "ave yo' &een "#, la!ely> We "aven4! "ea$d any!"#n+ o. "#, .o$ )ee2& and )ee2&66no! &#n%e C"$#&!,a&( "ave )e( ,a,,a>00A";0 an&)e$ed /#+"!,a$2( &,#l#n+( and le!!#n+ "#& eye& )ande$ ove$ !"e )"#!e e *an&e o. !"e Colonel4& )a#&!%oa!5 0 don4! )onde$ a!!"a!5 Yo' &ee( "e "a& been n'$&#n+ "#,&el. on !"e R#v#e$a all !"e



)#n!e$( l'%2y do+; He only %a,e ba%2 la&! n#+"!5 &a) "#, a! "#&do%2( yo' 2no)( do)n !"e $#ve$66&'%" a -olly old *la%e5 "ave been&2e!%"#n+ !"e$e( on and o..( nea$ly all !"e &*$#n+5 He le!& ,e ,a2e,y&el. '#!e a! "o,e500Ta2e %a$e( D#%2( ,y boy(0 &a#d !"e Colonel &en!en!#o'&ly( .# #n+

"#& bla%26$#,,ed eye+la&& 'nde$ !"e b'&"y )"#!e b$o) !"a! &"aded "#&$#+"! eye7 0don4! yo' le! "#, en!#%e yo' #n!o !"a! b'&#ne&&5 Don4! *ay no)aday&; All !"e &"#**#n+ +oe& '* No$!"( y42no)5 T"e *oo$ oldT"a,e& #& only '&ed .o$ $e+a!!a& no)( and *enny &!ea,e$&500Ho) ve$y n#%e .o$ !"e T"a,e&;0 %$#ed Eve5 0W"y( !"e$e4& no!"#n+ l#2e ,o$e !"an $e+a!!a&; do &o "o*e )e &"all +o !o Henley !"#&yea$7 b'! "o'&eboa!& a$e &o e *en&#ve( and #!4& no .'n 'nle&& yo'"ave a "o'&eboa!5 We "ad a *'n! la&! yea$( a &o$! o. !"#n+ l#2e alon+ b'!le$4& !$ay( and C"a$le& +o! #n!o .ea$.'l d#..#%'l!#e&5 Yo'2no)( #! loo2& &o ea&y !o *'&" a *'n! alon+ )#!" a *ole( b'! !"e

*ole "a& a )#%2ed )ay o. &!#%2#n+ #n !"e ,'d a! %$#!#%al

,o,en!&66)"en !"ey a$e %lea$#n+ !"e %o'$&e( .o$ #n&!an%e5 O"( #! )a&d$ead.'l; Eve$ybody )a& loo2#n+ a! '&( and .el! l#2e one o. !"o&e"o$$#d *eo*le )"o al)ay& +e! #n !"e )ay a! !"e O .o$d and Ca,b$#d+e

boa!6$a%e;00O$ !"e De$by do+( by :ove;0 &'++e&!ed !"e Colonel50 %an &y,*a!"# e )#!" yo' .'lly( M#&& Sylve&!e$(0 &a#d "#& ne*"e)50 &"o'ldn4! l#2e !o &ay "o) ,any !#,e& #n !"e %o'$&e o. ,y .#$&!&',,e$ !e$, a! O .o$d .o'nd ,y&el. &*$a)l#n+ #+no,#n#o'&ly #n !"eC"e$)ell( #n&!ead o. *o&#n+ #n a *#%!'$e& 'e a!!#!'de #n !"e &!e$no. ,y *'n!5 And one loo2ed &'%" a .ool +o#n+ '* !o %olle+e #n )e!!"#n+&5 '! !"e$e a$en4! ,any $e+a!!a& +o#n+ on #n !"e $e+#on& belo)/ondon $#d+e no)aday&5 !4& no! ,'%" l#2e Henley o$ Ma$lo)( !"o'+"#!4& *$e!!y eno'+" #n #!& )ay a! !#,e&5 Yo' o'+"! !o +e! Ra#n"a, !o#nv#!e yo' !o !"e do%27 yo' )o'ld %$ea!e an #,*$e&&#on on !"ena!#ve&( and o. %o'$&e "e )o'ld be del#+"!ed5 He4& +o! a ,o&!a,#able "o'&e2ee*e$( !"o'+" don4! !"#n2 &"e "a& "ea$d o. !"#n

b$ead6and6b'!!e$7 and "ave d#&%ove$ed !"a! "#& .o$e,an #& a -'d+eo. a$!66a $e+'la$ R'&2#n500And "o) #& *oo$ P"#l#*( M$5 /#+"!,a$2>0 a&2ed M$&5 Sylve&!e$ !en!a!#vely5 0Yo' ,'&! b$#n+ "#, "e$e ve$y &oon( and ,a2e "#, +#vean a%%o'n! o. "#,&el.500O"(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2 va+'ely( 0"e4& loo2#n+ *$e!!y .#!( !"o'+" "edoe&n4! l#2e !o be !old &o5 $eally bel#eve "e )o'ld be 'n"a**y #. "e )e$e #n $ob'&! "eal!"5 He .#nd& "#& da,a+ed l'n+ &'%" a +ood

*$e!e ! .o$ ne+le%!#n+ !"e do%27 and #. #! +o! '#!e )ell( "al. !"eo%%'*a!#on o. "#& l#.e )o'ld be +one50M$&5 Sylve&!e$ and Eve bo!" *$o!e&!ed la'+"#n+ly a+a#n&! !"#&&o,e)"a! "ea$!le&& v#e) o. !"e %a&e7 and a.!e$ de%l#n#n+ an o..e$ o. !"e ba%2 &ea!& o. !"e %a$$#a+e( )"#%" )a& al$eady )a#!#n+ a! !"edoo$ !o !a2e M$&5 Sylve&!e$ and "e$ da'+"!e$ .o$ !"e#$ an!e*$and#al



d$#ve #n !"e Pa$2( and e *$e&&#n+ !"e#$ $e+$e! !"a! !"ey "ad no!&een C"a$le&( 'n%le and ne*"e) !oo2 !"e#$ leave !o+e!"e$50D#%2( ,y boy(0 &a#d !"e %olonel( )"en !"ey )e$e &a.ely #n !"e&!$ee!( 0yo' ,'&! %o,e and d#ne )#!" ,e5 No! !on#+"!7 a, +o#n+ !o!a2e /ady D'l,#n&!e$ !o !"e F$en%" *lay5 /e! ,e "ave yo'$ add$e&&(

o$ %o,e and loo2 ,e '* a! !"e %l'b5 4, dev4l#&" +lad yo'4$e +e!!#n+on &o )ell( ,y boy( !"o'+" yo' )e$e a .ool no! !o &!ay '* a! O .o$dand !a2e yo'$ de+$ee5 A.!e$ all( !"o'+"( *e$"a*& yo' a$en4! '#!e!"e %'! .o$ !"e C"'$%" o$ a .ello)&"#*( and66and !"e Sylve&!e$& a$edev4l#&" +ood *eo*le !o 2no)( D#%25 Ta( !a; Don4! .o$+e! !o %o,e and&ee ,e50So &ay#n+( D#%24& ve$&a!#le 'n%le )aved "#& %"e$oo! by )ay o. ad#e'(and %la,be$ed labo$#o'&ly #n!o a "an&o,50 y :ove;0 &a#d !"e yo'n+e$ ,an blan2ly( 0)"a! a $#d#%'lo'& old"',b'+ #! #&; And "o) "e '&ed !o .$#+"!en ,e #n !"e old day& )#!""#& %on.o'nded %aval$y bl'&!e$; $a!"e$ !"#n2 @)#ll@ loo2 "#, '*

and 4ll d#ne )#!" "#, !"$ee !#,e& a )ee2 #. "e l#2e&5 Mean)"#le(#!4& !#,e .o$ ,e !o +o and ,ee! old Ra#n"a,( and !a2e "#, $o'nd !o$odono)&2#4&5 W"a! a $#**#n+ &'n&e!;0

And "e &!$olled l#+"!6"ea$!edly !"$o'+" ?$o&veno$ S 'a$e( !"e &,o2eo. "#& %#+a$e!!e .ad#n+ a)ay be"#nd "#,5

CHAPTER B

W"en Ra#n"a, *'&"ed ba%2 !"e doo$ o. !"e d#, l#!!le $e&!a'$an! #nT'$2 S!$ee!( So"o( "e &!ood a ,o,en!( bl#n2#n+ "#& eye& a l#!!le #n!"e &'dden %"an+e .$o, !"e b$#+"! &',,e$ &'n&"#ne( be.o$e "e a&&'$ed"#,&el. !"a! "#& .$#end "ad no! ye! a$$#ved5 Hal. a do en ,en )e$e&#!!#n+ abo'! &,o2#n+ o$ d#&%'&&#n+ va$#o'& d$#n2&5 T"e .a%e& o. &eve$al )e$e .a,#l#a$ !o "#,( b'! !"e$e )e$e none o. !"e, )"o, "e2ne)7 &o "e !oo2 "#& &ea! a! a !able nea$ !"e doo$ and o$de$ed ave$,o'!" !o o%%'*y "#, 'n!#l /#+"!,a$2( )"o&e 'n*'n%!'al#!y )a&no!o$#o'&( &"o'ld *'! #n an a**ea$an%e5 n !"e #n!e$#, "#& eye&&!$ayed $o'nd !"e e&!abl#&",en!( !a2#n+ &!o%2 o. !"e )all& )#!"!"e#$ $o'+" de%o$a!#on&( and !"e @%l#en!ele@( and no!#n+( no! )#!"o'!a %e$!a#n *lea&'$e( !"a! d'$#n+ !"e &# ,on!"& #n )"#%" "e "ad beenab&en! ne#!"e$ "ad &'..e$ed ,'%" al!e$a!#on5

ndeed( !o P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( )"o "ad do'b!le&& #n "#& blood !"e !a#n!o. o"e,#a( $odono)&2#4& and !"e en!"'&#a&, o. #!& +'e&!& "ad ave$y de.#n#!e %"a$,5 T"ey )e$e al,o&! all o. !"e, a$!#&!&7 !"ey )e$eall o. !"e, yo'n+ and a$den!7 and !"ey "ad a "ab#! o. *$o*o'nd#n+!"e#$ v#e)&( )"#%" )e$e al)ay& o. !"e ,o&! advan%ed na!'$e( )#!" ave"e,en%e )"#%" !o Ra#n"a, $e*$e&en!ed all !"e d#&#n!e$e&!edne&& o. yo'!"5 Be$y o.!en !"ey )e$e e %eed#n+ly )ell )o$!" 2no)#n+( !"o'+"#n !"e ,a-o$#!y o. %a&e& !"e )o$ld "ad no! .o'nd #! o'!5 He 2ne)ve$y .e) o. !"e, *e$&onally7 "e "ad been !a2en !"e$e .#$&! by



/#+"!,a$2( )"en !"e la!!e$ )a& .$e&" .$o, Pa$#&( and "ad been"#,&el. ,o$e #n !o'%" )#!" !"e,5 '! "e "ad o.!en &a! &,o2#n+&#len!ly a l#!!le o'!&#de !"e ,a#n +$o'*( l#&!en#n+( )#!" ade.e$en!#al a#$ !"a! &a! '*on "#& a+e &o,e)"a! oddly( !o !"e#$ a'da%#o'& *$o*a+anda5

n "#& ,#nd "e )o'ld &o,e!#,e& %on!$a&! !"e %o!e$#e )#!" %e$!a#na$!#&!#% "o'&e&( ,o$e &o%#ally #,*o$!an!( )"#%" "e "ad .$o,!#,e !o !#,e .$e 'en!ed )"e$e ea$ne&!6eyed )o,en #n +$a%e.'l+a$,en!&66)"#%" %e$!a#nly a..o$ded a $e&! !o !"e eye66d#&*en&ed !ea.$o, a @&a,ova$@( and d#&%o'$&ed d#&%$ee!ly o. !"e %'$$en! A%ade,y and!"e ,o&! $e%en! &y,*!o,a!#% novel5T"e del#+"! o. a v#&#ble( o$de$ly %'l!'$e *e$,ea!#n+ !"e#$ ,anne$&and !"e#$ %onve$&a!#on )a& a $eal one( and ye!( Ra#n"a, $e.le%!ed(#! le.! one a! !"e la&! a !$#.le )ea$y( a l#!!le %old5 ! &ee,ed !o"#, !"a! !"#& $e&!a'$an!( )#!" #!& *e$enn#al &,ell o. +a$l#%( #!&d#&%olo'$ed 2n#.e6"andle&( #!& .$e 'en!a!#on o. *#%!'$e& 'e *ove$!y(

*o&&e&&ed a%!'ally an "o$# on !"a! )a& &o,e)"a! le&& l#,#!ed5ndeed( !"e d#n+y $oo,( #!& a&&e,bla+e a*a$!( "ad ,any !$a%e& o. ana$!#&!#% *a!$ona+e5 T"e $o'+" )all& )e$e ado$ned( #n #,#!a!#on o. !"e .a,#l#a$ Ro,an "a'n!( o. )"#%" !"#& )a&( &o !o &*ea2( a %olony()#!" a "o&! o. .an!a&!#% &2e!%"e& $a*#d &#l"o'e!!e& #n %"a$%oal(d$a)n .o$ #ll'&!$a!#on o$ $e.'!a!#on #n !"e "ea! o. &o,e &!$en'o'&a$+',en!7 %a$#%a!'$e& #n !"e &a,e ,ed#',( &o,e o. !"e, !$en%"an!lyl#2e( o. !"e %'&!o,e$& a& )ell a& o. %e$!a#n a$!#&!#% %eleb$#!#e&()"o&e la'$el& $odono)&2#4& "ad no! a**$oved( va$#ed "e$e and !"e$e

by an e*#+$a, o$ a do++e$el %o'*le!( da,n#n+ !"e P"#l#&!#ne5Ra#n"a, &,#led a& "e $e%o+n#&ed o%%a&#onally !"e +$o!e& 'e !$ave&!yo. a .a,#l#a$ .a%e5 P$e&en!ly "#& eye& )e$e a$$e&!ed by a d$a)#n+)"#%" )a& ne) !o "#,( a .a%e o. &!$#2#n+ '+l#ne&&( o..e$#n+advan!a+e& !o !"e %a$#%a!'$#&! o. )"#%"( do'b!le&&( "e "ad no!o,#!!ed !o ava#l "#,&el.5 ! #,*o&ed #!&el. on Ra#n"a,( .o$ !"e&ava+e &!$en+!" )"#%" #! d#&*layed( and .o$ an ele,en! #n #!&"#deo'&ne&& )"#%" &'++e&!ed bea'!y5 He )a& &!#ll ab&o$bed #n !"e&!'dy o. !"#& .a%e )"en /#+"!,a$2 en!e$ed and !oo2 "#& *la%eo**o&#!e "#, )#!" a b$#e. a*olo+y .o$ "#& !a$d#ne&&5 He )a& d$e&&ed)ell( )#!" a )"#!e o$%"#d #n "#& b'!!on6"ole( and loo2ed *$o&*e$o'&and $o&y5 So,e l#+"! bad#na+e on !"#& &%o$e .$o, "#& va$#o'&a% 'a#n!an%e& #n !"e $e&!a'$an! "e *a$$#ed )#!" a +ood6"',o'$ednon%"alan%e7 !"en "e be!oo2 "#,&el. !o %on&#de$a!#on o. !"e @,en'@50 "ave been %all#n+ on yo'$ .$#end&( !"e Sylve&!e$&(0 "e e *la#neda.!e$ a )"#le( 0and %o'ld no! +e! a)ay be.o$e5 My 'n%le )a& !"e$e(

by !"e )ay5 Yo' "ave "ea$d ,e &*ea2 o. "#,>00Yo'$ 'n%le( )"o "old& &'%" a la v#e) o. !"e av'n%'la$ o..#%e&>0/#+"!,a$2 &,#led a l#!!le &el.6%on+$a!'la!o$y &,#le50A"( !"a!4& %"an+ed5 T"e old boy )a& de'%ed .$#endly66+ave ,e "#&)"ole "and #n&!ead o. !)o .#n+e$&( and a&2ed ,e !o d#ne )#!" "#,5



!"#n2(0 "e )en! on a.!e$ a ,o,en!( 0!"e Sylve&!e$& "ave been *'!!#n+#n a +ood )o$d .o$ ,e5 O$ *e$"a*& #! )a& M$&5 Sylve&!e$4& *o$!$a#!)"#%" d#d !"e -ob500A"(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( 0yo' "ave *a#n!ed "e$( "ave yo'>0T"e#$ .#&" o%%'*#ed !"e, #n &#len%e5 /#+"!,a$2( a !$#.le .l'&"ed

.$o, "#& $a*#d )al2( &,#led .$o, !#,e !o !#,e ab&en!ly( a& !"o'+""#& !"o'+"!& )e$e *lea&an! one&5 T"e olde$ ,an !"o'+"! "e "ad &eldo,&een "#, loo2#n+ ,o$e boy#&"ly "and&o,e5 P$e&en!ly "#& eye& a+a#n%a'+"! !"e "ead )"#%" "ad &o &!$'%2 "#& .an%y50 & !"a! yo'$&( D#%2>0 "e a&2ed5/#+"!,a$2 .ollo)ed !"e d#$e%!#on o. "#& eye& !o !"e o**o&#!e )all50 bel#eve #! #&(0 "e $e,a$2ed( )#!" a &"ade o. de*$e%a!#on #n "#&,anne$5 0 ! #& O&)yn5 Don4! yo' 2no) "#,>00 don4! 2no) "#,(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$( &#**#n+ "#& !"#n Medo%5 0 '! !"#n2 &"o'ld l#2e !o5 W"a! #& "e>00He )#ll be "e$e &oon( no do'b!( and !"en yo' )#ll &ee .o$ yo'$&el.5

He #& O&)yn; 2ne) "#, #n Pa$#& be!!e$ !"an do no)5 He )a& #n66664& &!'d#o7 and 6666 &)o$e !"a! "e "ad a ,a+n#.#%en! +en#'&5 He *a#n!ed a ,on&!$o'& *#%!'$e )"#%" !"e Salon )o'ldn4! "an+7 b'! 6666 bo'+"! #!( and "'n+ #! #n "#& &!'d#o( )"e$e #! .$#+"!ened "#& ,odel&#n!o .#!&5 /a&! yea$ "e %a,e !o /ondon( )"e$e "e ,a2e& eno'+"( )"en"e #& &obe$( by *a#n!#n+ *o!6bo#le$& .o$ !"e deale$&( !o 2ee* "#, #nab&#n!"e and !oba%%o( )"#%" a$e a**a$en!ly "#& &ole &'&!enan%e5 n!"e ,ean)"#le "e #& *a#n!#n+ a ,a&!e$*#e%e7 a! lea&!( &o "e )#ll!ell yo'5 He #& a v#$'len! .ana!#%( )"o&e a$! #& !"e ,o&! ,on&!$o'&!"#n+ #,a+#nable5 He #&66b'! !al2 o. !"e dev#l66660He b$o2e o.. and nodded !o a l#!!le( lean ,an o. a,b#+'o'& a+e( #n a&!$a#ned %oa!( )"o en!e$ed a! !"#& ,o,en! )#!" a $a*#d l'$%"#n++a#!5 He &a! do)n #,,ed#a!ely o**o&#!e !"e,( 'nde$ /#+"!,a$24&

*$e&en!,en!( )#!" )"#%" Ra#n"a, %'$#o'&ly %o,*a$ed "#,5 And #!&!$'%2 "#, !"a! !"e$e )a& &o,e!"#n+ #n !"a! oddly $e*'l&#ve .#+'$e)"#%" /#+"!,a$24& &'*e$.#%#al %$ayon "ad ,#&&ed5 T"e lon+( "a++a$d.a%e )a& !"e$e( )#!" #!& #ll62e,*! "a#$ and bea$d7 and !"e l#*&()"#%"( )"en !"ey *a$!ed #n a &,#le !"a! )a& !oo .'ll o. #$ony($evealed !"e ,an4& 'neven( d#&%olo'$ed !ee!"5 Ra#n"a, lo&! &#+"! o. "#& 'n%o'!"ne&& #n a &en&e o. "#& e !$e,e *o)e$5 H#& eye&( )"#%")e$e $e&!le&& and e !$ao$d#na$#ly b$#ll#an!( ,e! Ra#n"a,4&

*$e&en!ly7 and !"e la!!e$ )a& %on&%#o'& o. a %e$!a#n .a&%#na!#on #n!"e#$ &'&!a#ned +a e5 n &*#!e o. !"e a#$ o. &ava+e$y )"#%" *e$vaded!"e ,an( #! )a& a ,ove,en! o. &y,*a!"y )"#%"( on !"e )"ole( "ee *e$#en%ed !o)a$d& "#,5 And #! &ee,ed a& #. !"#& &en!#,en! )e$e$e%#*$o%al( .o$ )"en !"e ?e$,an yo'!"( )"o )a& !"e %'*bea$e$ o. !"ee&!abl#&",en!( "ad !a2en O&)yn4& o$de$( and "ad b$o'+"! "#, ab&#n!"e#n a lon+ +la&&( "e ,o!#oned #! ab$'*!ly !o !"e o**o&#!e !able5 T"en"e %$o&&ed ove$ and a%%o&!ed /#+"!,a$2( )"o, "e "ad no! "#!"e$!oa**ea$ed !o $e%o+n#&e( )#!" a )o$d o. +$ee!#n+5 /#+"!,a$2 ,'$,'$ed



"#& na,e and Ra#n"a,4&( and !"e &!$an+e( l#!!le ,an nodded !o "#,no! 'na,#ably50 ,'&! &,o2e( #. yo' don4! ,#nd(0 "e &a#d( a.!e$ a ,o,en!5T"ey nodded a&&en!( and "e *$od'%ed !oba%%o #n a &%$e) o. ne)&*a*e$ .$o, !"e *o%2e! o. "#& %oa!( and be+an $a*#dly !o ,a2e %#+a$e!!e&5

Ra#n"a, )a!%"ed !"e de !e$o'& ,ove,en!& o. "#& lon+ ne$vo'&"and&66!"e %olo'$ o. old #vo$y66and .o'nd !"e, no!#%eable50Yo' a$e no! an a$!#&!( !"#n2(0 "e &'++e&!ed a.!e$ a ,o,en!(.# #n+ "#& %'$#o'&ly #n!en! eye& on Ra#n"a,50No(0 ad,#!!ed !"e o!"e$( &,#l#n+( 0 a, a.$a#d a, no!5 a, only"e$e on &'..e$an%e5 a, a ,ende$ o. &"#*&500He #& a %onno#&&e'$(0 *'! #n /#+"!,a$2 +a#ly5 0 !4& an a%%#den!!"a! "e "a**en& !o be %onne%!ed )#!" &"#**#n+66a .o$!'na!e one(!"o'+"( .o$ "e o)n& a ,o&! *#%!'$e& 'e old &"an!y #n !"e .a$ Ea&!5

'! a%!'ally "e doe& no! 2no) a $'dde$ *o&! .$o, a -#b6boo,500 &'**o&e yo' "ave been *a#n!#n+ #!>0 &a#d O&)yn &"o$!ly5

/#+"!,a$2 nodded50 "ave been *a#n!#n+ !"e $#ve$ .$o, "#& )"a$.5 T"e *#%!'$e #& -'&!.#n#&"ed( and on !"e )"ole a, *lea&ed )#!" #!5 Yo' &"o'ld %o,e #nand +#ve #! a loo2( O&)yn( &o,e !#,e5 Yo' "aven4! &een ,y ne)&!'d#o500 neve$ +o )e&! o. Re+en! S!$ee!(0 &a#d O&)yn b$'& 'ely5/#+"!,a$2 la'+"ed a l#!!le ne$vo'&ly50O&)yn doe&n4! bel#eve #n ,e( yo' 2no)( P"#l#*(0 "e e *la#nedl#+"!ly5 0 ! #& a "',#l#a!#n+ !"#n+ !o "ave !o &ay( b'! ,ay a&)ell &ay #!( !o &ave "#, !"e !$o'ble5 He #& &o #n.e$nally .$an2 abo'! #!( yo' 2no)5 He !"#n2& !"a! a, a "',b'+( !"a! don4! !a2e,y a$! &e$#o'&ly( and be%a'&e( )"en "ave *a#n!ed ,y *#%!'$e(

be+#n !o !"#n2 abo'! !"e *#e%e& o. &#lve$( "e #& no! '#!e &'$e !"a! ,ay no! be a de&%endan! o. :'da&5 And !"en( )o$&! o. all( "ave

%o,,#!!ed !"e 'n*a$donable &#n "ave been "'n+ a! '$l#n+!onHo'&e5 &n4! !"a! abo'! #!( O&)yn>0T"e elde$ ,an la'+"ed "#& lo)( ,#$!"le&& la'+"50We 'nde$&!and ea%" o!"e$( D#%27 b'! yo' don4! '#!e do yo'$&el.

-'&!#%e66o$ ,e5 "ave an #,,en&e $e&*e%! .o$ yo'$ !alen!5 .eel&'$e yo' )#ll a%"#eve +$ea!ne&&66#n '$l#n+!on Ho'&e500Well( #!4& a $e&*e%!able #n&!#!'!#on(0 &a#d !"e yo'n+ ,an &obe$ly5O&)yn .#n#&"ed "#& d$#n2 a! a lon+( !"#$&!y +'l*( )a!%"#n+ !"e yo'n+,an a&2an%e )#!" "#& #,*$e&&#ve eye&5 Ra#n"a, no!#%ed .o$ !"e .#$&!!#,e !"a! "e "ad a %'$#o'& !$#%2 o. &,#l#n+ )#!" "#& l#*& only66o$ )a& #! o. &nee$#n+>66)"#le !"e '**e$ *a$! o. "#& .a%e and "#& "eavy

b$o)& .$o)ned50 y !"e )ay( /#+"!,a$2(0 "e ob&e$ved *$e&en!ly( 0 "ave !o%on+$a!'la!e yo' on yo'$ $eno)n5 T"e$e #& '#!e a lon+ *ane+y$#% onyo'$ *#%!'$e #n !"e @O'!%$y@ !"#& )ee25 Do yo' 2no) )"o )$o!e #!>00Da,n #!( ,an;0 b$o2e o'! /#+"!,a$2( )#!" a ve"e,en%e )"#%"( !o



Ra#n"a,( &ee,ed 'n%alled .o$( 0"o) &"o'ld 2no)> "aven4! &een !"e$a+ .o$ an a+e50T"e$e )a& an an+$y l#+"! #n "#& eye&( b'! #! .aded #,,ed#a!ely5O&)yn %on!#n'ed a*olo+e!#%ally0 be+ yo'$ *a$don5 ! ,'&! be ve$y annoy#n+ !o yo' !o be *'..ed

#nd#&%$ee!ly5 '! .an%#ed( yo' 2no)66660/#+"!,a$2( .l'&"#n+ a l#!!le( #n!e$$'*!ed "#,( lay#n+ "#& "and )#!"a '#%2 +e&!'$e( !"a! ,#+"! "ave %on!a#ned an a**eal #n #!( on !"e

*a#n!e$4& .$ayed %oa!6&leeve50Yo'$ +la&& #& e,*!y( and )e a$e abo'! $eady .o$ o'$ %o..ee5 W"a!)#ll yo' !a2e>0O&)yn $e*ea!ed "#& o$de$( &,#l#n+ &!#ll a l#!!le $e,o!ely( a& "e le!!"e )a!e$ !$#%2le do)n .$o, a &%#en!#.#% "e#+"! !o "#& +la&&()"#**#n+ !"e %$y&!al +$een o. #!& %on!en!& #n!o a neb'lo'& yello)5Ra#n"a,( )"o "ad l#&!ened !o !"e l#!!le *a&&a+e o. a$,& #n &#len%e(.el! !$o'bled( 'nea&y5 T"e a#$ &ee,ed !"'nde$o'&( and )a& "eavy )#!"

'n&*o2en )o$d&5 T"e$e a**ea$ed !o be an 'nde$6%'$$en! o. 'nde$&!and#n+ be!)een !"e !)o *a#n!e$& )"#%" )a& !"e $eve$&e o. &y,*a!"e!#%( and ,ade %onve$&a!#on d#..#%'l! and vol%an#%5 ! %a'&ed"#, !o $e,#nd "#,&el.( a !$#.le &adly( "o) l#!!le( a.!e$ all( one2ne) o. even one4& nea$e&! .$#end66and /#+"!,a$2( *e$"a*&( o%%'*#ed!o "#, !"a! $ela!#on66"o) ,'%" o. !"e %o'n!$y o. "#& ,#nd $e,a#n&

*e$*e!'ally 'nd#&%ove$ed7 and #! ,ade "#, )onde$( a& "e "ad&o,e!#,e& )onde$ed be.o$e( )"e!"e$ !"e ve$y o*en and &'nny na!'$e o. !"e yo'n+ *a#n!e$( )"#%" )a& &o la$+e a *a$! o. "#& %"a$,( "ad no!#!& %on%ealed &"ado)&66"o) .a$( b$#e.ly( /#+"!,a$24& ve$y .$an2ne&&,#+"! no! be a $e.#ne,en! o. &e%$e!#vene&&>

.( "o)eve$( a )o$d "e$e and !"e$e( a !$a#! &'$*$#&ed( #nde.#nable(led "#, on o%%a&#on !o do'b! o. "#& do,#nan! #,*$e&&#on o. /#+"!,a$24& %"a$a%!e$( !"e&e do'b!& )e$e neve$ o. lon+ d'$a!#on7 and"e )o'ld d#&,#&& !"e,( ba$ely en!e$!a#ned( even a& a &o$! o. d#&loyal!y( !o !"e l#,bo o. &!#llbo$n .an%#e&5 And &o no)( )#!" "#&a%%'&!o,ed +ene$o&#!y( "e &*eed#ly .l'n+ "#,&el. #n!o !"e b$ea%"(and d#d "#& be&! !o d$#ve !"e %onve$&a!#on #n!o #,*e$&onal and

*$e&',ably &a.e$ %"annel&5 He !o'%"ed on !"e *$o&*e%!& o. !"eA%ade,y( o. a%ade,#% a$!( and a$! #n +ene$al( and by6and6by( a&O&)yn $o&e !o !"e d#&%'&&#on( "e be%a,e "#,&el. #n!e$e&!ed( and )a&a%!'a!ed le&& by a )#&" !o ,a2e %onve$&a!#on !"an !o d$a) "#& ne).$#end o'!5 And a& !"e a$!#&! lean! .o$)a$d( +$e) e %#!ed( )#!" "#&)"#!e( lean .a%e )o$2#n+ #n!o &!$an+e %on!o$!#on&66a& "e &"o! o'!"#& &ava+e *a$ado e&( e *o'nd#n+ !"e +o&*el o. !"e ne) a$! a !$#.le!"#%2ly no)( and $oll#n+ and a& $a*#dly &,o2#n+ *e$*e!'al%#+a$e!!e&( "e .o'nd "#, a+a#n &!$an+ely a!!$a%!#ve5He "ad .la&"e& o. #n&#+"!( #! &ee,ed !o Ra#n"a,7 !"e$e )a& &o,e!"#n+#n "#& %a'&!#% %$#!#%#&, )"#%" led "#, !o bel#eve !"a! "e %o'ld a!ano!"e$ !#,e "ave -'&!#.#ed "#,&el.( de.ended $ea&onably and &anely



a *o&#!#on !"a! )a& a! lea&! !enable5'! !"e !#de o. "#& &*leen #nva$#ably ove$!oo2 "#,( and "e abandoned

e e+e&#& .o$ !#$ade5 T"e @bo'$+eo#&@( l#,#!ed &%o*e o. !"e a$! #nvo+'e66!"#& )a& !"e b'$den o. "#& $e#!e$a!ed $ab#d a!!a%2&7 a$!)a!e$ed do)n !o &'#! !"e *'bl#%4& #n&#*#d *ala!e( and "e 'o!ed

C"a,.o$! .'$#o'&ly 0Co,b#en de &o!& .a'!6#l *o'$ .a#$e 'n *'bl#%>066!"e a$! o. &#,*e$#n+ *$e!!#ne&&( )#!"o'! $oo! o$ .$'#! #nl#.e( !"e a$! o. ab&ol'!e %onven!#on5 He $an ove$ a l#&! o. &'%%e&&.'l na,e& )#!" an eve$6+$o)#n+ $an%o'$66a$!#&!#% "a%2&( !"e%$e) o. !"e,( !"e -o'$nal#&!& o. *a#n!#n+66)#!" a &#de +lan%e a!/#+"!,a$2( )"o &a! *'ll#n+ "#& .la en ,o'&!a%"e( loo2#n+ &!#.. andne$vo'&66"e )o'ld "an+ !"e lo! o. !"e, !o6,o$$o) #. "e "ad "#& )ay(.o$ %o$$'*!e$& o. !a&!e( o$( be!!e$ &!#ll( %onde,n !"e, !o *e$*e!'al#n%a$%e$a!#on #n !"e %o,*any o. !"e#$ o)n da'b&5 T"e&e *eo*le( #n.#ne( !"e ,'!'al ad,#$a!#on &o%#e!y o. #n%o,*e!en!&66)"e$e )a& !"e#$

-'&!#.#%a!#on( )"e$e )o'ld !"ey be #n a de%ade o$ &o> T"e "an+e$&6on

o. !"e .a&"#onable )o$ld( %a$#n+ .o$ !"e#$ a$! a& a ,ean& o. &'%%e&&( o. a% '#$#n+ +'#nea& o$ a ba$one!%y o$ a %o'*le o. #n#!#al&( )"o d$o**ed !"e l#!!le !e%"n# 'e !"ey *o&&e&&ed a& &oon a&!"ey "ad a %o,*e!en%y( and .o#&!ed !"e#$ *#%!'$e& ,o&! on *eo*le)"en !"ey "ad .o$+o!!en "o) !o *a#n!5 @Po,*#e$&@( @.',#&!e&@( ,a2e$& o. $e&*e%!able @*o,,ade@66a& !"e *a#n!e$4& *o!a!#on& #n%$ea&ed( "#&En+l#&" be%a,e le&& .l'en!( and "e )a& d$#ven ba%2 %on&!an!ly !o !"ed#ale%! o. !"e Pa$#& @a!el#e$&@( )"#%" )a& ,o$e .a,#l#a$ !o "#, !"an"#& ,o!"e$ !on+'e5 A"; "o) "e "a!ed !"e&e *eo*le and !"e#$ !"$ead6*a*e$ ,o$al#!y( and !"e#$ &o$d#d %on%e*!#on o. a$!66a

*$e!!#ne&& !"a! )o'ld &ell;Ra#n"a, "ad "ea$d #! all be.o$e7 #! )a& .'ll o. &*leen and $an%o'$('nne%e&&a$#ly v#olen!( and( %on%e#vably( 'n-'&!5 '! )"a! "e %o'ldno! "el* $e%o+n#&#n+( #n &*#!e o. "#& $e*'l&#on( )a& a %e$!a#nnob#l#!y and &#n+lene&& #n !"e ,an( $'#n a& "e )a&5 B#$!'e %a,e o'!o. "#,7 "e "ad !"e &av#n+ 'al#!y o. +en#'&( and #! )a& a ve$#!able

b'$n#n+ *a&&#on o. *e$.e%!#on( )"#%" ,a& 'e$aded #n "#& &*leen5 H#&%on%e*!#on o. a$! .o$ !"e &a2e o. a$! only ,#+"! be e$$oneo'&( b'!#! )a& a! lea&! e al!ed7 and !"e #n&!#n%! )"#%" d$ove "#, al)ay& .o$ "#& ,a!e$#al d#$e%!ly !o l#.e( $e-e%!#n+ no!"#n+ a& %o,,on o$ 'n%lean66#n !"e v#olen%e o. "#& $evol!( *e$"a*& d)ell#n+ !oo'n#.o$,ly on )"a! )a& .'nda,en!ally '+ly66,#+"! be d#&*'!able( b'!)a& obv#o'&ly &#n%e$e5 T"e la&! no!#on )"#%" Ra#n"a, !oo2 a)ay )#!""#,( )"en !"ey *a$!ed la!e #n !"e even#n+ <O&)yn "av#n+ &'ddenlyla*&ed .$o, !"e elo 'en%e !o !"e #n%o"e$en%y o. d$'n2enne&&=( )a& a)#&" !o &ee ,o$e o. "#,5 He "ad +#ven "#, "#& %a$d( and "e )a#!ed'n!#l "e "ad &een "#, *la%e #!66a.!e$ ob&e$v#n+ #! .o$ &o,e ,o,en!&a!!en!#vely )#!" la%26l'&!$e eye&66#n !"e &e%'$#!y o. "#& )a#&!%oa!5And a& !"e !)o .$#end& )al2ed !o)a$d& C"a$#n+ C$o&&( Ra#n"a,ob&e$ved !"a! "e "o*ed "e )o'ld %all5



0He #& a d#&$e*'!able .ello)(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2 a l#!!le &'llenly(0and an 'n*$o.#!able a% 'a#n!an%e5 Yo' )#ll .#nd #! le&& d#..#%'l!!o *e$&'ade "#, !o ,a2e yo' a v#&#! !"an !o .#n#&" #!50 A! )"#%"Ra#n"a, "ad ,e$ely &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$&( .#nd#n+ "#& .$#end(

*e$"a*& .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( a l#!!le @banal@5

CHAPTER B

A day o$ !)o la!e$( a& Ra#n"a, &a! #n "#& $#ve$6bo'nd o..#%e&!$'++l#n+( by )ay o. l'n%"eon( )#!" !"e ,o&! *$#,#!#ve o. %"o*&("#& eye&( )ande$#n+ a)ay .$o, a &o,e)"a! ,e%"an#% &%$'!#ny o. !"e

@S"#**#n+ ?a e!!e@( .ell '*on !"e &"#.!#n+ %alenda$ on !"e,an!el*#e%e5T"e d#al no!ed T"'$&day7 and "e $e,#nded "#,&el. !"a! on !"a! day"#& .$#end( /ady ?a$ne!!( "ad a *e$enn#al "ab#! o. be#n+ a! "o,e !o"e$ #n!#,a!e&( on !"e l#&! o. )"o, Ra#n"a, %o'ld a%2no)led+e(

)#!"o'! 'nd'e van#!y( "#& na,e o%%'$$ed "#+"5 T"e$e )a& a !o'%" o. &el.6$e*$oa%" #n "#& added $e,#nde$ !"a! a )ee2 "ad ela*&ed &#n%e"#& $e!'$n( and "e "ad no! al$eady "a&!ened !o %la&* !"e e %ellen!old lady4& "and5 ! )a& an 'n*$e%eden!ed *o&!*one,en! and an#n.$#n+e,en! o. a !#,e6"ono'$ed "ab#!7 and Ra#n"a, "ad .o$ "#& "ab#!all !"e $e&*e%! o. a ,an )"o #& al)ay& #ndolen! and o.!en #ll7!"o'+" #! ,'&! be ad,#!!ed !"a! !o "#& %le$2&( )"o v#e)ed !"e !$a#!%o,*la%en!ly( and !o !"e #,*o$!'na!e 'llen( )"o $e&en!ed #!( "e&ee,ed !o be only $e+'la$ #n "#& #$$e+'la$#!y5 He de%#ded !"a! a!lea&! !"#& o%%a&#on &"o'ld no! be allo)ed !o &l#*7 a .$ee a.!e$noon)o'ld bene.#! "#,5 He )a& al)ay& $a!"e$ lav#&" o. !"o&e l#%en&e&7and #! &ee,ed !o "#, !"a! !"e !#n!#nnab'la!#on o. !ea%'*& #n /ady?a$ne!!4& *$#,$o&e and +$ay d$a)#n+6$oo, )o'ld be a bea$able %"an+e.$o, !"e d#n o. a "'nd$ed "a,,e$&( )"#%" "ad *el!ed "#, !"$o'+" !"eo*en )#ndo)& all !"e ,o$n#n+5 T"ey )e$e *a!%"#n+ a l#!!le )ooden

ba$ 'e )#!" %o**e$( and "e *a'&ed a ,o,en! #n !"e ya$d( lean#n+ on"#& &l#, ',b$ella !o ad,#$e !"e b$#ll#an! yello) o. !"e $ene)ed&"ee!&( &!and#n+ o'! #n v#v#d blo!& a+a#n&! !"e !a$n#&"ed ve$d#+$#&o. !"e old5 To *a&& .$o, la%2*ool !o !"e We&!( "o)eve$( #& a !a$dy

*$o%e&&7 and )"en Ra#n"a, $ea%"ed !"e &*$'%e( l#!!le "o'&e #n one o. !"e ,o&! &ele%! o. !"e d#&%$ee! and 'n#.o$, &!$ee!& )"#%" ad-o#nPo$!,an S 'a$e( "e .o'nd !"e %la!!e$ o. !ea%'*& .o$ !"e ,o&! *a$!ove$5 T"e$e )e$e( #n .a%!( only !)o *e$&on& #n !"e lon+ $oo,( )"#%"()#!" #!& o*en E$a$d( and #!& #nn',e$able @b#belo!&@( and #!& *len#!'deo. 'a#n!( #,*o&&#ble %"a#$&( &ee,ed '#!e %o&#ly e #+'o'&5 An oldlady )#!" a bea'!#.'l( $e.#ned .a%e and a )eal!" o. )"#!e "a#$()"#%" )a& &!#ll %"a$,#n+ !o loo2 a!( &a! #n an a!!#!'de .'ll o. %o,.o$!able #ndolen%e( )#!" a &,all *'+ #n "e$ la*( )"o bo'n%ed a!Ra#n"a, )#!" a ba$2 o. .$#endly $e%o+n#!#on5 A yo'n+ lady( a! !"eo!"e$ &#de o. !"e $oo, <&"e )a& a! lea&! yo'n+ by %o'$!e&y=( )"o )a&



*o'$#n+ o'! !ea( &!o**ed &"o$! #n !"#& o*e$a!#on !o +$ee! !"e ne)v#&#!o$ )#!" a l#!!le &o.! e %la,a!#on( #n )"#%" *lea&'$e and&'$*$#&e ,#n+led e 'ally5 T"e old lady al&o loo2ed '* &,#l#n+5 S"e&ee,ed bo!" +ood6na!'$ed and d#&!#n+'#&"ed( and &"e "ad !"e a#$66a&o$! o. !#$ed %o,*la%en%y66o. a *e$&on )"o "a& been &ay#n+ )#!!y

!"#n+& .o$ a )"ole a.!e$noon( and #& a! la&! #n !"e en-oy,en! o. a)ell6de&e$ved $e&!5 S"e e !ended bo!" "and& !o Ra#n"a,( )"o "eld!"e, .o$ a ,#n'!e #n "#& o)n( &#len!ly &,#l#n+ do)n a! "e$( be.o$e"e $elea&ed !"e, !o +$ee! "e$ %o,*an#on5S"e )a& a !all( *ale +#$l #n a bla%2 d$e&&( )"o, a! .#$&! &#+"! !"e#,*a$!#al ob&e$ve$ ,#+"! ea&#ly de%la$e !o be ne#!"e$ *$e!!y no$ yo'n+5 A& a ,a!!e$ o. .a%!( &"e )a& yo'n+e$ !"an &"e &ee,ed( .o$ &"e)a& ba$ely .#ve6and6!)en!y( al!"o'+" "e$ .a%e and ,anne$ belon+ed!o a !y*e )"#%"( even #n +#$l"ood( al$eady .o$e&!all& &o,e o. !"e+$av#!y and $e&e$ve !"a! a$$#ve )#!" yea$&5 A& .o$ "e$ bea'!y( !"e$e)e$e !"o&e )"o d#&*'!ed #! al!o+e!"e$7 and ye! even )"en one "ad

+one &o .a$ a& !o de%la$e !"a! Ma$y Ma&!e$& )a& *la#n( one "ad( #n -'&!#%e( !o add !"a! &"e *o&&e&&ed none !"e le&& a d#&!#n%! anddel#%a!e %"a$, o. "e$ o)n5 ! )a& a da#&y6l#2e %"a$, d#..e$#n+ #n2#nd .$o, !"e %"a$, o. Eve Sylve&!e$( )"#%" )a& !"a! o. a v#ole! o$ a %"#ld( *e$*e!'ally *e$.',#n+ !"e a#$5 ! %o'ld be !$a%ed a!la&!66.o$ &"e "ad no! a +ood .ea!'$e66!o !"e *o&&e&&#on o. a *a#$ o. ve$y &o.!( and &"y( b$o)n eye&( and o. a vo#%e( &#,*ly a+$eeable#n %onve$&a!#on( )"#%" b'$+eoned o'! #n &on+ #n!o !"e $#%"e&!%on!$al!o #,a+#nable( %a'&#n+ "e$ !o be 2no)n )#dely #n &o%#e!y a&0!"e M#&& Ma&!e$& )"o &#n+&50 ndeed( &"e "ad a )onde$.'l ,'&#%al!alen!( )"#%" &"e "ad %'l!#va!ed la$+ely5 He$ *lay#n+ "ad evena**$oved #!&el. !o !"e d#..#%'l! R'b#n&!e#n7 and( al!"o'+" &"e "ad a%e$!a#n $e*'!a!#on .o$ %leve$ne&&( !"e lo&& !o &o%#e!y )"en &"e le.!!"e ,'&#%6&!ool !o ,#n+le #n #! )a& +ene$ally .el! no! !o be ,e! bya %o$$e&*ond#n+ +a#n7 and( #ndeed( a& a $'le( *eo*le d#d no!%on&#de$ "e$ &e*a$a!ely5 T"e +ene$al#!y )e$e #n%l#ned &#,*ly !oa%%e*! "e$( #n $ela!#on !o "e$ a'n!( /ady ?a$ne!!( )#!" )"o, &"e "adl#ved &#n%e &"e )a& a +#$l o. &# !een( a& any o!"e$ o. !"a! )#!!yold )o,an4& #,*ed#,en!a66"e$ *'+ Me.#&!o.ele( o$ "e$ ,a!%"le&&ena,el&( o$ "e$ Wa!!ea' .an&5 A& &"e %a,e !o)a$d& "#, no) )#!" a %'*#n "e$ "and( "e$ *ale .a%e a l#!!le .l'&"ed( "e$ da$2 "a#$ b$a#dedve$y *la#nly and nea!ly above "e$ "#+" .o$e"ead( Ra#n"a, %o'ld no!"el* !"#n2#n+ !"a! &"e )o'ld ,a2e an ado$able old ,a#d50Yo' loo2 )ell( Ma$y(0 "e $e,a$2ed( "old#n+ "e$ a! a$,&4 len+!"%$#!#%ally( )#!" !"e .$eedo, o. an old .$#end5 0Yo' loo2 #n&'l!#n+ly)ell66 "o*e yo' don4! ,ean #!500 a, a.$a#d do(0 la'+"ed !"e +#$l5 0 )#&" %o'ld &ay a& ,'%".o$ yo'50Ra#n"a, &"oo2 "#& "ead )#!" b'$le& 'e &ole,n#!y( and &an2 do)n )#!""#& .$a+#le %'* #n!o !"e ,o&! %o,.o$!able o. !"e /o'#& '#n e %"a#$&



)"#%" "e %o'ld &ele%!50 !4& del#+"!.'l !o be ba%2 a+a#n(0 "e $e,a$2ed( le!!#n+ "#& eye&)ande$ $o'nd !"e .a,#l#a$ )all&5 0 2no) yo'$ !"#n+& by "ea$!( /ady?a$ne!!7 !"e$e4& no! one o. !"e, %o'ld &*a$e5 T"an2&( Ma$y( no&'+a$7 %$ea,( #. yo' *lea&e5 A.!e$ all( don4! 2no) anyone )"o "a&

&'%" %"a$,#n+ $oo,&5 /e! ,e &ee #. !"e$e #& any!"#n+ ne)5 Ye&( !"o&eena,el&7 #n!$od'%e ,e( Ma$y( *lea&e5 Ye&( !"ey a$e ve$y n#%e5 y!"e )ay( *#%2ed '* &o,e old *o#n! .o$ yo' a! ?enoa( only "aveno! 'n*a%2ed #! ye!5 '! !"e ?'&!ave Mo$ea'( )"e$e #& !"a!> A"(

&ee yo' "ave &"#.!ed #! ove$ !"e *#ano5 Ye&( #! #& e a%!ly!"e &a,e7 yo' a$e all *$e%#&ely !"e &a,e7 #!4& del#+"!.'l( &'%"%on&!an%y66del#+"!.'l; !a2e #! a& a *e$&onal %o,*l#,en!5 '! )"e$ea$e all !"e del#+"!.'l *eo*le>0/ady ?a$ne!! &,#led *la%#dly50T"e del#+"!.'l *eo*le "ave +one5 To !ell yo' !"e !$'!"( a, -'&! al#!!le +lad( e&*e%#ally a& yo' "ave d$o**ed #n .$o, !"e %lo'd&( o$

!"e R#v#e$a d# Ponen!e66)"#%" #& #!( P"#l#*>00To be .$an2 )#!" yo'( .$o, ne#!"e$5 "ave #! on ,y %on&%#en%e !o!ell yo' !"a! "ave been ba%2 &o,e day&5 )an!ed !o %o,e "e$e

be.o$e500A" )ell( &o lon+ a& yo' "ave %o,e no);0 &a#d !"e old lady50Yo'$ 2no%2 )a& ,y&!#.y#n+( P"#l#*(0 *'! #n !"e +#$l *$e&en!ly7 0)ee *e%!ed nobody el&e b'! !"e Sylve&!e$&( and )"en )e "ea$d yo'$ &ol#!a$y &!e* o'$ "ea$!& &an25 We !"o'+"! !"a! C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ "ad!a2en #! #n!o "#& "ead !o %o,e by "#,&el.500He #& a !e$$#ble yo'n+ ,an(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!7 0"e #& al,o&! a&l#,#!ed a& "#& ,a,,a( and "e !a2e& "#,&el. ,o$e &e$#o'&ly5 W"en "e#& )#!" "#& &#&!e$ one %an !ole$a!e "#,( b'! alone66660S"e "eld '* "e$ !"#n )$#n2led "and& )#!" a l#!!le +e&!'$e o. el#&#on( a! )"#%" "e$ e *$e&&#ve &"o'lde$& a&&#&!ed5 S"e )a& o. F$en%" e !$a%!#on( !"e la&! &'$v#vo$ o. an #ll'&!$#o'& .a,#ly7 and$e%on%#led a& &"e "ad be%o,e !o En+land66.o$ yea$& &"e "ad "a$dlyle.! /ondon66a &l#+"! and ve$y *$e!!y a%%en!( and !"#& !$#%2 o. "e$ &"o'lde$&( $e,a#ned !o $e,#nd *eo*le !"a! "e$ *o#n! o. v#e) )a&&!#ll e&&en!#ally .o$e#+n5 Ra#n"a,( )"o "ad .$o, "#& boy"ood .o'ndEn+land &o,e)"a! a *$#&on6"o'&e( ado$ed "e$ .o$ !"#& !$a#!5 T"e

'a#n! old )o,an( #ndeed( )#!" "e$ &,oo!"( )ell6b$ed vo#%e( "e$ elabo$a!e %o,*le #on( "e$ l#!!le( d#+n#.#ed #n%on+$'#!#e&( "adal)ay& been !"e +$ea!e&! &ola%e !o "#,5 S"e "ad !"e %"a$, o. all$o%o%o !"#n+&7 &"e $e*$e&en!ed &o ,'%" !"a! "ad *a&&ed a)ay(e "al#n+ a &o$! o. ele+an! )#%2edne&& !o .#nd a *a$allel !o )"#%"one "ad !o &ee2 ba%2 !o !"e day& o. !"e Re+en%y5 O. %o'$&e( #n&o%#e!y( &"e *a&&ed .o$ be#n+ ve$y devo'!7 and( #ndeed( "e$ l#!!le

*#e!#e&( "e$ 'n.a#l#n+ a!!endan%e a! Ma&& on day& o. Obl#+a!#on( a!!"e %"a*el o. !"e F$en%" E,ba&&y "a$d by( &!$'%2 Ra#n"a, a& ,o&!ed#.y#n+5 Really "e *e$%e#ved !"a! "e$ devo'! a!!#!'de )a& *'$ely



!$ad#!#onal( a .o$, o. +ood ,anne$&5 S"e $e,a#ned !"e &a,e )#%2ed(%"a$,#n+ old Sadd'%ee a& be.o$e "e$ ,o$o%%o6bo'nd @*a$o#&&#en@ ,#+"!a**ea$ on .e&!#val& and o%%a&#on&7 &"e &!#ll &le*! a& o.!en a& no!o. n#+"!& )#!" 0Cand#de0 'nde$ "e$ *#llo)5T"e 2no)led+e o. a %e$!a#n &en!#,en! )"#%" !"ey &"a$ed !o)a$d& !"e

l#,#!a!#on& o. /ondon <!"ey )e$e bo!" *e$&on& &!$#2#n+ly )#!"o'! *$e-'d#%e= len! a %e$!a#n *# 'an%y !o !"e#$ old6e&!abl#&"ed$ela!#on&( an all'&#ve .lavo'$ !o !"e#$ %onve$&a!#on66#! )a& al)ay&"#+"ly &ea&oned )#!" bad#na+e66!"a! *' led ,any o. !"e#$ %o,,ona% 'a#n!an%e eno$,o'&ly5Ma$y Ma&!e$&( a& a &"y and &e$#o'& ,a#den( .$e&" .$o, a %o'n!$y

*a$&ona+e( $e,e,be$ed )ell !"e a&!on#&",en!( ,#n+led )#!" &o,e!"#n+no! 'nl#2e a)e( )#!" )"#%" &"e "ad .#$&! "ea$d !"e, !al25 P"#l#*Ra#n"a, "ad been %all#n+( a& #! ,#+"! be no)( )"en &"e a$$#ved( and/ady ?a$ne!! "ad *$o,*!ly #n!$od'%ed "#, !o "e$ a& "e$ +od&on(

be%a'&e( a& &"e $e,a$2ed l#+"!ly( #. "e #& no!( "e o'+"! !o "ave

been5 To )"#%" P"#l#* "ad $e*l#ed( #n a l#2e "',o'$( !"a! #! )a& all!"e &a,e #. !"ey "adn4! !"a! $ela!#on( a! any $a!e !"e#$ be"av#o'$ #,*l#ed #!5

! )a& a novel!y #n "e$ &,all and &e$#o'& e *e$#en%e !o .#nd "e$&el. #n %on-'n%!#on )#!" &'%" .$#vol#!y7 &"e )a& al,o&! #n%l#ned !o be&"o%2ed5 Neve$!"ele&&( #n !"e !en yea$& d'$#n+ )"#%" &"e "ad ,ade"e$ "o,e #n Pa$!on S!$ee!( Ma$y Ma&!e$& "ad &'$,o'n!ed "e$ a)e( #. "e$ a&!on#&",en! &!#ll o%%a&#onally ob!a#ned5 Ne#!"e$ "e$ a'n! no$ Ra#n"a, "ad al!e$ed( no$ "ad !"ey +$o)n *e$%e*!#bly olde$5Wa!%"#n+ !"e la!!e$ !o6day a& "e &a! loll#n+ ba%2 la #ly( balan%#n+"#& !ea%'*( &"e )a& %'$#o'&ly $e,#nded o. "e$ .#$&! #,*$e&&#on o. "#,7 !a2#n+ &!o%2 o. "e$ "',o$o'&ly( &#len!ly( #n al,o&! !"e &a,ea!!#!'de( )#!" !"e &a,e &ad eye&5 And &#n%e Ma$y( !oo( "ad $e,a#nedv#$!'ally 'n%"an+ed( #! #& !o !"e %$ed#! o. !"e "ead o. a

*a$!#%'la$ly &e$#o'& l#!!le da'+"!e$ o. !"e P'$#!an& !"a! &"e "adended by a**$e%#a!#n+ !"e, bo!"5 n .a%!( &"e "ad d#&%ove$ed !"a!ne#!"e$ o. !"e, )a& &o .$#volo'& a& #! a**ea$ed( o$( a! lea&!( !"a!!"e$e )e$e v#&#!o$& #n Pa$!on S!$ee! )"o &ee,ed le&& .$#volo'&(and )"o&e .$#vol#!y &"o%2ed "e$ ,o$e5 He$ &"y b$o)n eye& )e$e

*ene!$a!#ve( and o.!en &a) ,o$e !"an one )o'ld "ave #,a+#ned( anda! la&! !"ey bel#eved !"a! !"ey "ad &een !"$o'+" !"e *"#lo&o*"#%#nd#..e$en%e o. /ady ?a$ne!!4& &"$'+( !"e +en!le #$ony o. Ra#n"a,4&

*e$*e!'al &,#le( !"e va$#o'& ,a&2& o. !$a+#% %o,ed#an& on a &!a+e)"e$e !"e$e #& no *$o,*!e$( )"e$e !"e .oo!l#+"!& a$e ,o&! *#!#le&&(and )"e$e !"e +alle$y #& only !oo lav#&" o. #!& %a!6%all& a! !"e&,alle&! &l#*5 enea!" #! all &"e &a) !)o *eo*le )"o 'nde$&!ood ea%"o!"e$ a& )ell a& any !)o *e$&on& #n !"e )o$ld5 D#d !"ey 'nde$&!andea%" o!"e$ &o )ell !"a! !"ey %o'ld a..o$d !o !$#.le> S"e "ad an #dea!"a! !"e#$ &#len%e& )e$e elo 'en!( and !"a! !"ey ,#+"! )ell belav#&" o. !"e %$'d#!y o. &*ee%"5 O"( !"ey *$e!ended ve$y )ell; T"e



yo'n+ +#$l .o'nd &o,e!"#n+ ad,#$able #n !"e "a$d( *ol#&"ed &'$.a%e)"#%" "e$ a'n! *$e&en!ed !o !"e )o$ld "e$ $o'+e and "e$ d#a,ond&("e$ l#!!le b#$d6l#2e a#$ o. l#v#n+ only #n !"e *$e&en!( o. be#n+#n!en&ely #n!e$e&!ed( o. "av#n+ no $e+$e!&66a ,anne$ !o )"#%"Ra#n"a, $e&*onded &o .l'en!ly )#!" an a&&',*!#on !"a! &"e )a&

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%on&*#%'o'&ly ab&en!5 /#2e /ady ?a$ne!!( .#nd !"e ba$$#&!e$ e "a'&!#n+5 He #& ve$y 'nl#2e "#& .a!"e$500We a$e +o#n+ !o S)#! e$land )#!" !"e, !"#& &',,e$( yo' 2no)(P"#l#*> W#ll yo' -o#n '&>00A";0 "e *'! "#& %'* do)n( no! $e&*ond#n+ .o$ a ,o,en!5 0 ! )o'ld bedel#+"!.'l( b'! a, a.$a#d #,*o&&#ble5 Yo' &ee( !"e$e4& !"e do%27

"ave been a)ay .$o, #! &# ,on!"&( and &"all "ave !o $e*ea! !"e *$o%e&& )"en !"e .o+& be+#n5 No( /ady ?a$ne!!( )on4! be !e,*!ed50S"e be+an !o *$e&& "#,( and !"ey .en%ed $a*#dly .o$ &o,e ,#n'!e&(la'+"#n+5 Ra#n"a, "ad -'&! been #nd'%ed !o *$o,#&e !"a! "e )o'ld a!lea&! %on&#de$ !"e *$o*o&#!#on( )"en !"e .oo!,an anno'n%ed M$5 andM#&& Sylve&!e$5 T"ey %a,e #n a ,o,en! la!e$7 and )"#le !"e

ba$$#&!e$( a !all )ell6d$e&&ed ,an( )#!" !"e &"aven '**e$ l#* andnea! )"#&2e$ o. "#& %la&&( and a ba%2 )"#%" &ee,ed !o bend )#!"d#..#%'l!y( e *la#ned !o /ady ?a$ne!! !"a! "#& ,o!"e$ )a& &'..e$#n+!oo ,'%" .$o, ne'$al+#a !o %o,e )#!" !"e,( Ra#n"a, $e&',ed "#&a% 'a#n!an%e )#!" !"e yo'n+ +#$l5 He "ad &een l#!!le o. "e$ d'$#n+!"e *a&! !)o yea$&( and #n !"e la&! o. !"e,( #n )"#%" &"e "ad%"an+ed ,o&!( "e "ad no! &een "e$ a! all5 ! )a& )#!" a &l#+"!&"o%2( !"en( !"a! "e $eal# ed "o) %o,*le!ely &"e "ad +$o)n '*5 He$e,e,be$ed "e$ #n &o ,any *"a&e& o. %"#ld"ood and l#!!le +#$l"ood($an+#n+ '* .$o, a !#,e )"en "e$ &*ee%" )a& #n%o"e$en!( and &"e "ad&a! on "#& 2nee and *layed )#!" "#& )a!%"( !o !"e ,o$e $e%en!o%%a&#on& )"en "e "ad ,e! "e$ $#d#n+ #n !"e Pa$2 )#!" "e$ b$o!"e$7and &"e "ad )aved "e$ l#!!le )"#* !o "#,( loo2#n+ *a$!#%'la$ly &l#,and *$e!!y #n !"e ve$y !$y#n+ %o&!',e )"#%" .a&"#on *$e&%$#be& .o$ l#!!le +#$l& )"o $#de5T"ey "ad al)ay& been ve$y +ood .$#end&7 &"e "ad been a ,o&! en+a+#n+l#!!le %o,*an#on( and $eally( "e $e.le%!ed( "e "ad been e !$e,ely.ond o. "e$5 ! +ave "#, a d#&!#n%! *a#n !o $e.le%! !"a! !"e#$



$ela!#on "ad( #n !"e na!'$e o. !"#n+&( %o,e !o an end5 ?$ad'ally( a&!"ey !al2ed( !"e yo'n+ +#$l +$o)#n+ o'! o. !"e .#$&! $e&!$a#n! o. "e$ &"yne&&( and .all#n+ ba%2 #n!o &o,e!"#n+ o. "e$ old ,anne$( !"e.#$&! *a#n.'l #,*$e&&#on o. "e$ en!#$e &!$an+ene&& le.! Ra#n"a,5 n&*#!e o. "e$ ,a!'$e( l#!!le &o%#e!y a#$( "e$ en+a+#n+ a!!e,*!& a!

)o$ldl#ne&&( &"e )a&( a.!e$ all( no! &o +$o)n6'* a& &"e &ee,ed5 T"e%"#ld +lea,ed o'! "e$e and !"e$e '#!e da#n!#ly( and a& "e #nd'l+ed#n $e,#n#&%en%e( and $e,#nded "e$ o. &o,e o. !"e#$ ,o$e $e,o!eadven!'$e&( "e$ ,e$$#,en! .o'nd '!!e$an%e ve$y %"#ld#&"ly50O'$ ,o&! !$a+#%al en%o'n!e$( !"o'+"( )a& )#!" !"e ,on2ey5 Have yo'.o$+o!!en !"a!> ! )a& on one o. yo'$ b#$!"day&66yo' "ad a +ood ,anyo. !"e, #n Flo$en%e66 .o$+e! )"#%" #! )a&5 Yo' ,'&! "ave been abo'!!en5 "ad !a2en yo' !o !"e oolo+#%al ?a$den&( &'%" a& !"ey )e$e50He$ la'+"!e$ $#**led o'! &o.!ly a+a#n50 $e,e,be$(0 &"e nodded( 0#! )a& d$ead.'l500Ye&(0 "e &a#d7 0)e )e$e a! !"e ,on2ey6%a+e7 yo' "ad +$o)n !#$ed o.

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)onde$ #. #!4& !oo la!e !o do any!"#n+ no)50T"e +#$l4& la'+"!e$ b$o2e o'! a+a#n( !"#& !#,e a!!$a%!#n+ !"ea!!en!#on o. "e$ b$o!"e$( )"o )a& d#&%'&&#n+ !"e *$o-e%!ed !$avel&()#!" !"e a#d o. $ad&"a)( a! Ma$y Ma&!e$&4 &#de5 He +lan%ed a! !"e,a&2an%e( *'ll#n+ a! "#& %olla$ #n "#& &!#..( ne$vo'& .a&"#on al#!!le 'nea&#ly50W"a! a lon+ !#,e a+o all !"a! &ee,&( P"#l#*;0 &"e $e,a$2ed a.!e$ a)"#le5He )a& &#len! .o$ a ,o,en! e a,#n#n+ "#& .#n+e$6na#l& #n!en!ly50Ye&(0 "e &a#d $a!"e$ &adly7 0 &'**o&e #! doe&5 da$e &ay yo')o'ldn4! %a$e ,'%" .o$ !"e oo no)>00O"( &"o'ldn4! ,#nd(0 &"e &a#d +a#ly( 0#. yo' )#ll !a2e ,e50

'! a ,ove "ad been ,ade o**o&#!e( and C"a$le& Sylve&!e$( %o,#n+ '*!o !"e,( ove$"ea$d !"#& la&! $e,a$250 !"#n2 )e ,'&! be o..(0 "e &a#d( %on&'l!#n+ "#& )a!%"5 0W"e$e #&



Ra#n"a, +o#n+ !o !a2e yo'>00To Flo$en%e(0 &"e &a#d( &,#l#n+( 0!o !"e oo500A"( a +ood #dea(0 "e ,'$,'$ed5 0Well( +ood6bye( /ady ?a$ne!!7+ood6day( Ra#n"a,5 a, &o$$y !o &ee yo' don4! &ee, !o "ave

bene.#!ed ,'%" by yo'$ )#n!e$ ab$oad5 al,o&! )onde$ yo' %a,e ba%2

&o &oon5 Wa& no! #! $a!"e$ 'n)#&e> T"#& !$ea%"e$o'& %l#,a!e( yo'2no)500Ye&(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,7 0 ( !oo( !"#n2 yo' a$e $#+"!5 !"#n2 "ad,'%" be!!e$ "ave &!ayed66ve$y ,'%" be!!e$500A"( )ell(0 "e &a#d( 0yo' ,'&! !a2e %a$e o. yo'$&el.( and +#ve '& aloo2 #n #. yo' "ave !#,e50Eve loo2ed '* a! "#,( .l'&"#n+ a l#!!le( a& !"o'+" &"e .o'nd "e$

b$o!"e$4& .o$,al *ol#!ene&& la%2#n+ #n "o&*#!al#!y5 S"e )a& &!$'%2 !"en( a& &"e "ad no! been ye! d'$#n+ "e$ v#&#!( by a %'$#o'&la&&#!'de #n "e$ old .$#end4& .a%e5 ! a..e%!ed "e$ )#!" an'n%on&%#o'& *#!y( %a'&#n+ "e$ !o &e%ond "e$ b$o!"e$4& &o,e)"a!

%"#lly #nv#!a!#on ,o$e %o$d#ally5T"e "',o'$ )"#%" "ad &"one #n Ra#n"a,4& eye& )"#le !"ey "ad been!al2#n+ &ee,ed !o "ave +one o'! &'ddenly( l#2e a la,*( leav#n+ !"e,

blan2 and !#$ed5 ! &"o%2ed "e$ !o $eal# e "o) old and #ll "e "ad be%o,e5

CHAPTER B

ndolen%e and #ll6"eal!"( #n !"e o*#n#on o. ,any !"e &al#en! *o#n!&#n P"#l#* Ra#n"a,4& %"a$a%!e$( "ad le.! "#, a! .o$!y )#!" l#!!le o. !"e &o%#al "ab#!5 T"e %#$%le o. "#& #n!#,a!e& "ad &en&#bly na$$o)ed(and .o$ !"e $e&! "e )a& be%o,#n+ ,o$e and ,o$e %on&%#o'& !"a! *eo*le)"o, one doe& no! 2no) e %eed#n+ly )ell a$e no! )o$!" 2no)#n+ a!all5 T"e *$o%e&& o. d#n#n+ o'! !)o o$ !"$ee !#,e& a )ee2 #n !"e%o,*any o. !)o o$ !"$ee *e$&on& )"o&e %la#,& on "#& a!!en!#on )e$eo. !"e &lende$e&! "e .o'nd a *$o%e&& a!!ended )#!" le&& and le&&

*lea&'$e !"e olde$ "e +$e)5 T"e$e )e$e .e) "o'&e& no) )"#%" "e.$e 'en!ed( and !"#& yea$( )"en "e "ad ,ade an e..o$! !o devo!e a%o'*le o. even#n+& !o !"e $ene)al o. &o,e a% 'a#n!an%e o. !"e)#n!e$( and "ad d#&%ove$ed( a& "e "ad d#&%ove$ed ane) ea%" &ea&on(!"a! !"e e..o$! +ave "#, no a**$e%#able %o,*en&a!#on& .o$ !"ed#&a+$eeable& #! #nvolved( "e ,ade .$e&" $e&ol'!#on& o. ab&!#nen%e(and on !"e )"ole "e 2e*! !"e, a,a #n+ly )ell5Fo$ !"e ,o&! *a$!( )"en "e )a& no! $o'!ed o'! by /#+"!,a$2 <and&#n%e !"e yo'n+ a$!#&! )a& #n !$a#n !o be%o,e a &o%#al a% '#&#!#on!"#& "a**ened le&& .$e 'en!ly !"an o. old=( #! )a& a! la%2*ool !"a!"e &*en! "#& even#n+&5 He "ad( #! #& !$'e( a &!and#n+ #nv#!a!#on !od#nne$ a! /ady ?a$ne!!4& )"en !"a! old lady .o'nd "e$&el. a! "o,e7

b'! Po$!,an S 'a$e )a& $e,o!e( and even#n+ d$e&&( !o a ,an )#!" onel'n+ #n a %l#,a!e )"#%" "ad &o .#%2le a !$#%2 o. $e+#&!e$#n+ #!&el.



e#!"e$ a! !"e e !$e,e !o* o$ bo!!o, o. !"e !"e$,o,e!e$( *$e&en!edva$#o'& d#&%o,.o$!&5 H#& den be"#nd !"e o..#%e66a l#!!le&#!!#n+6$oo, )#!" a bay6)#ndo) .a%#n+ la%2*ool Rea%"( a $oo,.#lled )#!" boo2& !"a! "ad no $ela!#on !o &"#**#n+( and "'n+ $o'nd)#!" e!%"#n+& and *#%!'$e& #n !"o&e %'$#o'&ly6lo) !one& .o$ )"#%" "e

"ad &o 'n$ea&onable an a..e%!#on66)a& )"a! "e %"e$#&"ed ,o&! #n/ondon5 He $ead l#!!le no)( b'! !"e ,e$e *$e&en%e o. !"e boo2& "eloved be&! #n $o'+"( 'neven %a&e&( *a#n!ed bla%2( l#n#n+ !"e )all&(%a$e&&ed "#,5 A& )#!" *e$&on& one "a& loved and +$o)n '&ed !olov#n+( #! )a& no! al)ay& need.'l !"a! !"ey &"o'ld &*ea2 !o "#,7 #!)a& &'..#%#en!( &#,*ly( !"a! !"ey &"o'ld be !"e$e5 Ne#!"e$ d#d "e)$#!e on !"e&e lon+( #n!e$,#nable even#n+&( )"#%" )e$e *$olon+ed&o,e!#,e& .a$ #n!o !"e n#+"!5 He "ad ended by be#n+ able !o &,#lea! "#& l#!e$a$y a,b#!#on& o. !)en!y( %'l!#va!#n+ "#& #ndolen%e a&&o,e!"#n+ %"o#%e and o$#+#nal( .#nd#n+ "#& de&!#ny a**$o*$#a!e5He &*en! !"e !#,e #n #n!e$,#nable $eve$#e&( &#!!#n+ )#!" a vol',e

be.o$e "#,( a& o.!en a& no! 'no*ened( &,o2#n+ #n%e&&an!ly( andloo2#n+ o'! o. !"e )#ndo)5 T"e "ab#! a,'&ed "#,&el. a! !#,e&7 #! )a&&o e,#nen!ly &y,bol#% o. "#& de&!#ny5 /#.e( a.!e$ all( "ad been !o"#, no!"#n+ &o ,'%" a& !"a!66a lon+ loo2#n+ o'! o. )#ndo)( !"e#,*a$!#al &*e%!a!o$&"#* o. a %$o)d o. *e$&on& and *a&&#on& .$o,)"#%" "e "ad %o,e a! la&! !o &ee, &!$an+ely de!a%"ed( al,o&! a&,'%" a& .$o, !"#& %"a,eleon $#ve$( )"#%" "e "ad ob&e$ved )#!" &'%"&a!#&.a%!#on #n all #!& ,an#.old +$ada!#on& o. %"a$a%!e$ and %olo'$7#!& %'$#o'& %old +$ayne&& #n !"e be+#nn#n+ o. an a'!',nal da)n7 !"e#ll'&#on o. )a$,!" and de*!" )"#%" #! &'&!a#ned a! noon( b$#n+#n+'* #!& b'$den o. lev#a!"an& on !"e !o* o. !"e .lood7 #!& &"een on,oonle&& n#+"!&( )"en only l#!!le *'n%!'$e&( +$een and $ed ando$an+e( and #!& a'd#ble &!#llne&&( $e,#nded "#, !"a! do)n #n !"eob&%'$#!y !"e +$ea! *oll'!ed &!$ea, &!ole on )ea$#ly( ,ono!ono'&ly(eve$la&!#n+ly !o !"e &ea5 ! )a& %"an+e.'l and %"an+ele&&5 He!"o'+"! "e 2ne) #!& e..e%!& by "ea$!( b'! #! "ad al)ay& ne) one& #n$e&e$ve !o &'$*$#&e and del#+"! "#,5 He de%la$ed #! a! la&! !o be#ne "a'&!#ble5 ! )a& l#2e a d#a,ond on &'nny day&( .la&"#n+ o'!l#+"! #n eve$y l#!!le $#**le7 #n !"e la!e( &'nle&& a.!e$noon !"el#+"! lay dee*ly )#!"#n #!( and #! &ee,ed -ealo'& o. +#v#n+ ba%2 !"elea&! *a$!#%le5 He %o,*a$ed #! !"en !o an o*al o$ a &a**"#$e( )"#%"&"#ne )#!" !"e &a,e *a$&#,on#o'& $ad#an%e5One n#+"!( )"#le "e &a! &,o2#n+ #n "#& )on!ed ,ed#!a!#ve .a&"#on("e "ad a v#&#!o$66!"e *a#n!e$ O&)yn5 He "ad al,o&! .o$+o!!en "#&#nv#!a!#on( b'! "e $e,#nded "#,&el. o. "#& .#$&! #,*$e&&#on( and+$ee!ed "#, )#!" a %o$d#al#!y )"#%" !"e o!"e$ &ee,ed !o .#nd&'$*$#&#n+5 He !oo2 "#, #n!o "#& &an%!'a$y and .o'nd "#, )"#&2y anda *#*e7 !"en "e &e! "#,&el. !o ,a2e !"e *a#n!e$ !al2( a !a&2 )"#%""e .o'nd by no ,ean& a$d'o'&5O&)yn )a& &obe$( and Ra#n"a, )a& &'$*$#&ed a.!e$ a )"#le a! "#&



&an#!y5 He de%#ded !"a!( !"o'+" one ,#+"! d#..e$ .$o, "#,( d#&&en!.$o, "#& *$e,#&e& o$ "#& %on%l'&#on&( "e )a& &!#ll a ,an !o be !a2en&e$#o'&ly5 H#& .l'en%y )a& a& $e,a$2able a& eve$( and a! .#$&! a&&*leen.'l7 by6and6by "#& o'!$a+eo'& ,ood +ave )ay( and( #n $e&*on&e!o &o,e o. Ra#n"a,4& ad$o#! !"$'&!&( "e %onde&%ended !o &!and on "#&

de.en%e5 He %o'ld +#ve a $ea&onable a%%o'n! o. "#,&el.7 )a& *$e*a$ed%lea$ly( and &'%%#n%!ly( and &e$#o'&ly )#!" "#& -'&!#.#%a!#on5Ra#n"a, )a& #,*$e&&ed ane) by "#& &#n+lene&&( !"e *'$#!y o. "#&a$!#&!#% *a&&#on5 H#& l#.e ,#+"! be d#&+$a%e.'l( #nde&%$#bable "#&a$! lay a*a$! .$o, #!7 and )"en "e !oo2 '* a b$'&" an en!"'&#a&,(a devo!#on !o a$!( al,o&! $el#+#o'&( &!ead#ed "#& "and50Yo' ,ay !"#n2 ,e a %"a$la!an(0 "e &a#d( )#!" !"e &a,e &ava+eea$ne&!ne&&( 0b'! %an !ell yo' a, no!5 ,ay .a#l o$ ,ay&'%%eed( a& !"e )o$ld %o'n!& !"o&e !"#n+&5 ! #& all !"e &a,e

bel#eve #n ,y&el.5 ! #& &'..#%#en! !o ,e #. a**$ove ,y&el.( and!"e )o$ld ,ay +o !o da,na!#on; W"a! %a$e .o$ #& ,y #dea;555 ye&(

,y #dea( !"a!4& #!; T"ey %an "o)l a! ,e(0 "e )en! on7 0b'! !"ey %anneve$ &ay o. any &!$o2e o. ,y b$'&" !"a! *'! #! !"e$e .o$ !"e,5 %o'ld "ave *a#n!ed *#%!'$e& l#2e /#+"!,a$2 #. "ad %a$ed( yo' 2no)(

b'! d#d no! %a$e;00And ye! "e "a& +$ea! .a%#l#!y(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, !en!a!#vely50He "a& ,o$e(0 &a#d O&)yn b#!!e$ly( 0o$( a! lea&!( "e "ad66+en#'&5And "e "a& del#be$a!ely %"o&en !o +o !"e )$on+ )ay( !o be%onven!#onal5 He %an4! *lead 4#nv#n%#ble #+no$an%e4 l#2e !"e o!"e$&7"e o'+"! !o 2no) be!!e$5 Well( "e "a& "#& $e)a$d7 b'! %an4!.o$+#ve "#,50Ra#n"a, &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$& )#!" &o,e!"#n+ be!)een a &#+" and ala'+"50Poo$ boy; "e #& yo'n+( yo' 2no)5 Pe$"a*& "e )#ll l#ve !o &ee !"ee$$o$& o. "#& )ay&500W"en "e4& an A%ade,#%#an( &'**o&e>0 &'++e&!ed !"e o!"e$ #$on#%ally5 0Do !"ey eve$ &ee !"e e$$o$& o. !"e#$ )ay&> . !"ey do!"ey don4! &"o) #!5 No7 "e )#ll ,a$$y a $#%" )#.e( and ,a2e &*ee%"e&a! ban 'e!&( and *a#n! *o$!$a#!& o. %eleb$#!#e&( .o$ !"e $e&! o. "#&day&5 And #n .#.!y yea$&4 !#,e *eo*le )#ll &ay( 4/#+"!,a$2( R5A5>W"o !"e dev#l )a& "e>40

y !"#& !#,e !"e yo'n+ ,oon "ad $#&en( and #!& %old l#+"! &"#,,e$edon !"e ,#&!y $#ve$5 Ra#n"a, $e.#lled "#& *#*e( and o*ened !"e )#ndo)&!#ll ,o$e )#dely50 y :ove( )"a! a n#+"!;0 "e &a#d5 0W"a! a n#+"! .o$ a *a#n!e$; a,&'$e yo' a$e lon+#n+ !o be o'! #n #!5 4, a.$a#d !"e$e4& no!"#n+ !o&"o) yo' #n !"e do%2 a! *$e&en!7 yo' ,'&! %o,e do)n a+a#n )"en!"e$e4& a &"#* %o,#n+ #n a! n#+"!5 .eel '#!e $e%on%#led !o !"edo%2 on !"o&e o%%a&#on&5 S"all )e +o .o$ a &!$oll #n !"e,oonl#+"!66and &ee2 #,*$e&&#on&>0O&)yn4& $e&!le&& "',o'$ )el%o,ed !"e &'++e&!#on( and "e )a& al$eady



)a#!#n+( "#& &o.! .el! "a! #n one 'n+loved "and( and a "eavy('a#n!ly %a$ved &!#%2 #n !"e o!"e$5

T"ey &!ood .o$ &o,e ,#n'!e& on !"e l#!!le( & 'a$e( *'l*#!6l#2eland#n+( a! !"e !o* o. !"e %$ea2#n+ )ooden &!a#$%a&e( )"#%" led do)n!"e &#de o. !"e b'#ld#n+ .$o, o..#%e !o ya$d( l#&!en#n+ !o !"e .a#n!

d$#* o. !"e )a!e$ !"$o'+" !"e &l'#%e6+a!e&7 !"e )a#l o. a %"#ldo'!&#de !"e )all&( and !"e *a%#n+ &!e* o. !"e )o,an )"o "'&"ed #!7!"e d#&!an! #n!e$,#!!en! $oa$ o. !"e &on+ )"#%" $ea%"ed !"e, !"$o'+"!"e o.!en o*ened doo$& o. a *'bl#%6"o'&e5 P$e&en!ly !"en#+"!6)a!%",an l',be$ed o'! o. "#& &en!$y6bo by !"e +a!e&( "#& d#,lan!e$n &o'nd#n+ *ool& o. ,y&!e$#o'& da$2ne&&( )"#%" )e$e 'n!o'%"ed

by !"e &ol#!a$y +a&6la,* #n !"e &!$ee! o'!&#de( and )"#%" !"e .a#n!,oonl#+"! only &ee,ed !o #n!en&#.y5O&)yn d$e) #n a lon+ b$ea!" o. !"e %ool( %a$e&&#n+ a#$( ,o,en!a$#ly&!$a#+"!en#n+ "#& ben! .#+'$e5 T"en "e +ave a &"o$! la'+"( )"#%"&!a$!led Ra#n"a, .$o, !"e .a,#l#a$ &!a!e o. "al.6&,#l#n+ $eve$#e !o

)"#%" "e )a& al)ay& &o $eady !o $e%'$50T"e la&! !#,e &a) !"e $#ve$ l#2e !"#&(0 "e &a#d660!"e la&! !#,e )a& do)n "e$e a! n#+"!( !"a! #&66)a& )"en )en! )#!" a Malay

,odel o. ,#ne !o "#& .avo'$#!e o*#', den500Yo' "ave no! $e*ea!ed !"e e *e$#,en!>0 a&2ed Ra#n"a, ab&en!ly50No7 no! ye!( a! any $a!e5 ! ,ade ,y "and &"a2e &o da,nably .o$ a)ee2 a.!e$)a$d& !"a! %o'ldn4! *a#n!5 e&#de&( do'b! #. %o'ld.#nd !"e *la%e a+a#n5 %o'ldn4! +e! !"e Malay !o %o,e a)ay a! all7"e #& *$obably !"e$e &!#ll500 e+ yo'$ *a$don( &#$(0 &a#d !"e n#+"!6)a!%",an "oa$&ely( )"en !"ey$ea%"ed !"e bo!!o, o. !"e d#..#%'l! &!a#$%a&e( 0!"e$e4& been a yo'n+)o,an "e$e a&2#n+ .o$ a +en!le,an o. !"e na,e o. C$#%"!on5 !old"e$ !"e$e )e$en4! no one o. !"a! na,e "e$e( and M$5 'llen( &#$( "e&a) "e$( and &en! "e$ a)ay5 !"o'+"! "ad be!!e$ ,en!#on #! !oyo'( &#$500C$#%"!on> C$#%"!on>0 $e*ea!ed Ra#n"a, #nd#..e$en!ly5 0 don4! 2no)anyone o. !"a! na,e5 So,e ,#&!a2e( &'**o&e( o$6666 Well( &a#lo$&)#ll be &a#lo$&; T"an2 yo'( And$e)e&( !"a! )#ll do5 ?ood6n#+"!66o$($a!"e$( )e &"all be ba%2 #n "al. an "o'$ o$ &o50 He !'$ned !o O&)yn()"o "ad been "an+#n+ ba%2 !o avo#d any a**ea$an%e o. #n!e$e&! #n !"e%onve$&a!#on( .o$ %o$$obo$a!#on5 0Yo' )#ll %o,e ba%2( o. %o'$&e>00Ra!"e$ la!e( #&n4! #!> !"#n2 "ad be!!e$ %a!%" &o,e !$a#n be.o$e,#dn#+"!( #. !"e$e #& one500O"( !"e$e a$e *len!y o. !$a#n&(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, va+'ely5 0We %an&e!!le !"a! ,a!!e$ la!e$5 %an +#ve yo' a bed "e$e( yo' 2no)( o$ a

be$!"( a! any $a!e50A& !"ey &!e**ed !"$o'+" !"e na$$o) o*en#n+ #n !"e +a!e( a da$2 .o$,&*$an+ .o$)a$d o'! o. !"e &"ado)( and !"en &!o**ed !#,#dly50O"( Cy$#l;0 %$#ed a )o,an4& *la#n!#ve vo#%e5 0Cy$#l; 2ne) yo')e$e "e$e( and !"ey )o'ldn4! le! ,e6666 A"( ,y ?od; #! #&n4! Cy$#l



a.!e$ all555;0T"e vo#%e66and #! &!$'%2 Ra#n"a, !"a! #! )a& no! !"e vo#%e o. a)o,an o. !"e &o$! one )o'ld e *e%! !o en%o'n!e$ #n !"e &!$ee!& a!!"a! "o'$66d#ed a)ay #n a b$o2en &ob( and !"e +#$l .ell ba%2 a &!e*(al,o&! d$o**#n+ !"e %"#ld &"e %a$$#ed #n "e$ a$,&5

He$ ev#den! de&*a#$ a**ealed !o Ra#n"a,4& &o,e)"a! #n%onven#en!lya&&e$!#ve &en&#b#l#!y5He "e&#!a!ed .o$ a ,o,en!( +lan%#n+ .$o, !"e +#$l !o O&)yn( andno!#n+ !"a! !"e .a%e( !oo( "ad a %e$!a#n bea'!y )"#%" )a& no! o. !"eo$de$ a..e%!ed by !"e )o,en o. la%2*ool50Don4! +o(0 "e &a#d !o O&)yn( )"o "ad )#!"d$a)n a .e) *a%e&5 0)on4! 2ee* yo' a ,o,en!;0T"e baby #n !"e )o,an4& a$,& &e! '* a .eeble )a#l( and #! )a& bo$ne#n '*on Ra#n"a,4& ,#nd !"a! !"e 'n"a**y %$ea!'$e )#!" !"e )"#!e .a%eand *lead#n+ da$2 eye& "ad been )a#!#n+ lon+50D#dn4! ,y .o$e,an !ell yo' !"a! !"e66!"a! !"e +en!le,an yo' a&2ed

.o$ #& no! "e$e>0 "e #n '#$ed +en!ly5 0No one "e$e "a& eve$ "ea$d o. M$5 C$#%"!on5 4, a.$a#d yo' "ave ,ade a ,#&!a2e5555 Hadn4! yo' be!!e$ +o "o,e> 4, &'$e #! )o'ld be be&! .o$ yo'$ %"#ld500Ho,e>0 e%"oed !"e +#$l b#!!e$ly5 T"en( %"an+#n+ "e$ !one( 0 '! &a) "#, "e$e )#!" ,y o)n eye&;0 &"e *leaded5 0 &a) "#, a! !"e)#ndo) !"e$e no! a )ee2 a+o '#!e *la#n( and !"en !"ey !old ,e "e)a&n4! "e$e; 4, &'$e "e )o'ld &ee ,e #. "e only 2ne)66#. "e only2ne);00He ,ay "ave been "e$e(0 &'++e&!ed Ra#n"a, do'b!.'lly5 0T"e$e a$e a+$ea! ,any *eo*le "e$e .$o, day !o day( and )e don4! al)ay& 2no)!"e#$ na,e&5 '! a&&'$e yo' "e #&n4! "e$e no)50T"e +#$l66.o$ #n &*#!e o. "e$ *ale ,#&e$y &"e d#d no! loo2 ,o$e66d$e) "e$ da$2 &"a)l ,o$e %lo&ely $o'nd "e$&el. and !"e %"#ld)#!" a l#!!le( de&*a#$#n+ &"'dde$( +lan%#n+ ove$ "e$ &"o'lde$5Ra#n"a, le! "#& eye& $e&! on !"e .$a#l .#+'$e *#!y#n+ly( and a!"o'+"! o. !"e $#ve$ be"#nd "e$ &!$'%2 "#, )#!" a &'dden %"#ll5He *'! "#& "and( al,o&! &'$$e*!#!#o'&ly( #n!o "#& *o%2e!50W"e$e do yo' l#ve>0 "e a&2ed5 0Nea$ "e$e>0 T"e +#$l ,en!#oned a&!$ee! )"#%" "e &o,e!#,e& *a&&ed !"$o'+" )"en e%ono,y o. !#,e#nd'%ed "#, !o ,a2e an o!"e$)#&e 'nde&#$able &"o$!6%'! !o !"e$a#l)ay &!a!#on5 0Well(0 "e &a#d *$e&en!ly( 0 %an4! 2ee* ,y .$#end"e$e )a#!#n+( yo' 2no)5 Co,e and &ee ,e !o6,o$$o) ,o$n#n+ abo'!,#dday( and )#ll &ee #. %an "el* yo'5 Only yo' ,'&! *$o,#&e ,e!o +o &!$a#+"! "o,e no); And066"e$e "e d$o**ed a %o#n '#%2ly #n!o"e$ "and660b'y &o,e!"#n+ .o$ yo'$ %"#ld7 yo' bo!" loo2 a& #. yo')an!ed #!50T"e +#$l loo2ed a! "#, d',bly .o$ a ,o,en!50 )#ll %o,e( &#$( and66and !"an2 yo';0 &"e &a#d( )#!" a 'ave$ #n"e$ vo#%e5 And !"en( #n obed#en%e !o Ra#n"a,4& *lay.'lly !"$ea!en#n++e&!'$e( &"e !'$ned a)ay5



Ra#n"a, +a ed a.!e$ "e$ 'n!#l &"e "ad !'$ned !"e %o$ne$50 4, &o$$y !o "ave !$ea!ed yo' !o !"#&66&%ene(0 "e &a#da*olo+e!#%ally( a& "e -o#ned O&)yn( )"o )a& +a #n+ ove$ !"e na$$o)

b$#d+e5 0 .el! bo'nd !o do &o,e!"#n+ .o$ !"e +#$l( a.!e$ &"e "ad been )a&!#n+ all !"a! !#,e o'!&#de ,y +a!e&5 D#d yo' no!#%e )"a! a

*$e!!y( $e.#ned .a%e &"e "ad> )onde$ )"o !"e ,an %an be66C$#%"!on(Ce%#l C$#%"!on( )a&n4! #!>555 neve$ "ea$d !"e na,e be.o$e5 !doe&n4! &o'nd l#2e a &a#lo$4& na,e500Ce%#l C$#%"!on>0 e%"oed !"e o!"e$5 0No 555 and ye! #! &o'nd&.a,#l#a$5 Pe$"a*& a, !"#n2#n+ o. !"e Ad,#$able( !"o'+" "e )a&n4!Ce%#l( a& .a$ a& $e,e,be$5 T"e old &!o$y( &'**o&e5 Ce%#lC$#%"!on66a"( Cy$#l C$#%"!on>0 "e $e*ea!ed5 T"en( d#&,#&&#n+ !"e&'b-e%! &o,e)"a! b$'!ally( 0A"( )ell( #!4& no b'&#ne&& o. ,#ne; W#llyo' +#ve ,e a l#+"!> T"an2&;0

CHAPTER B

A! !"$ee o4%lo%2 /#+"!,a$2 d#&,#&&ed "#& ,odel66an !al#an( )#!" a)onde$.'lly .#ne !o$&o and ad,#$able %a*ab#l#!#e& .o$ *#%!'$e& 'e

*o&e( )"o, "e "ad ea&#ly *e$&'aded !o abandon "#& #%e6%$ea, ba$$o)!o &#! .o$ "#, !)o o$ !"$ee !#,e& a )ee2( a%!#n+ !"e *a$! o. &!'d#o&e$van! #n !"e #n!e$val&50T"a! )#ll do( Ce&a$e(0 "e &a#d( 0@a&*e!!o *e$&one@7 be&#de&( yo'4$e&"#ve$#n+ &"all "ave yo' %a!%"#n+ %old ne !( and %an4! *a#n!)"#le yo'4$e &nee #n+5 Ye&( yo'4$e '#!e $#+"!( @e 'n .$eddo!e$$#b#le@( %on&#de$#n+ !"a! #!4& :'ly5 O.. )#!" yo' no)( and %o,ea+a#n a! !"e &a,e !#,e on F$#day5 @S# %on&e$v#@66!"a!4& !o &ay( don4!+e! d$'n2 #n !"e #n!e$val7 #! ,a2e& yo' loo2 &'%" a b$'!e !"a! %an4! *a#n! yo'50W"#le !"e ,odel !$an&.o$,ed "#,&el. .$o, a &%an!#ly6a!!#$ed Ro,an+lad#a!o$ #n!o an !al#an o. !"e o$d#na$y Sa..$on H#ll de&%$#*!#on(/#+"!,a$2 "a&!#ly )a&"ed "#& b$'&"e&( !'$ned do)n "#& &"#$! &leeve&(and donned !"e be%o,#n+ velve! *a#n!#n+6-a%2e!( )"#%" M$&5 Dollond"ad &o ,'%" ad,#$ed50 "o*e !"ey )on4! no!#%e Ce&a$e4& *#*e(0 "e &a#d an #o'&ly5 0Even!"o'+" "e doe&n4! &,o2e "e$e( #! al)ay& &ee,& !o "an+ abo'!5 Pe$"a*&

"ad be!!e$ o*en !"e )#ndo) and b'$n a *a&!#lle5 And no)( a$e )e *$e*a$ed !o $e%e#ve P"#l#&!#a> Ye&( don4! !"#n2 !"e *la%e loo2& bad( and66b'! *e$"a*& M$&5 Sylve&!e$ ,#+"!n4! l#2e !"e +lad#a!o$5 He%e$!a#nly #& de'%edly ana!o,#%al a! *$e&en!5 4ll +o and leave "#,#n Co*al4& &!'d#o( and !"en %an bo$$o) "#& !ea6!"#n+& a! !"e &a,e!#,e50T"e &!'d#o )a& a lo.!y $oo, on !"e +$o'nd6.loo$ )#!" anelabo$a!ely6dev#&ed &2yl#+"!( and a la$+e )#ndo) .a%#n+ no$!"(!"$o'+" )"#%" a d#&!an! +l#,*&e o. Holland Pa$2 %o'ld be ob!a#ned5/#+"!,a$2 "ad %ove$ed !"e .loo$ )#!" *ale nd#an ,a!!#n+( )#!" a b#!



o. &!$on+ %olo'$( "e$e and !"e$e( #n !"e &"a*e o. a ,ode$n T'$2#&"$'+5 Fo$ .'$n#!'$e( "e "ad *#%2ed '* &o,e old %"a#$& and a la$+e&!$a#+"!6ba%2ed &e!!ee )#!" +$o!e& 'ely6%a$ved le+&( )"#%"( )#!" !"ea#d o. a -'d#%#o'& a$$an+e,en! o. d$a*e$y( loo2ed e,#nen!lya!!$a%!#ve( and %onveyed an #,*$e&&#on o. %o,.o$! )"#%" %lo&e$

a% 'a#n!an%e d#d no! al!o+e!"e$ bel#e5 T"en !"e$e )a& !"e *la!.o$,(%ove$ed )#!" da$2 %lo!"( on )"#%" "#& ,odel& *o&ed7 !"e $#%2e!y!able )#!" ,any d$a)e$&( #n )"#%" "e 2e*! b$'&"e& and %olo'$&7 a lay.#+'$e( d#&+'#&ed a& a Bene!#an .lo)e$6+#$l( )"#%" "ad %olla*&ed!#*&#ly #n!o a %o$ne$7 !)o o$ !"$ee ea&el&7 and a !all( &!a,*edlea!"e$ &%$een( )"#%" )a& '&e.'l .o$ ba%2+$o'nd&5 A .e) &2e!%"e&(,o&!ly 'n.$a,ed( &!ood #n a $o) on !"e na$$o) &"el. )"#%" $an alon+!"e *ale6+$een d#&!e,*e$ed )all&7 and ,o$e )e$e &!a%2ed #n !"e%o$ne$&66&o,e #n *o$!.ol#o&( and &o,e )#!" !"e#$ d'&!y ba%2& e *o&ed!o v#e)5 T"e *ale!!e )"#%" "e "ad been '&#n+ lay( l#2e a +$ea!.an!a&!#% lea.( '*on !"e !able( a,#d a %"ao& o. b$o2en %$ayon&(

d#n+y &!',*&( *"o!o+$a*"& o. &#!!e$&( *elle!& o. b$ead( d#&$e*'!able%olo'$6!'be&( and &,all bo!!le& o. l#n&eed6o#l( va$n#&"( and!'$*en!#ne5 A &2e!%" .o$ M$&5 Sylve&!e$4& *o$!$a#!( #n %$ayon&( )a&

*$o**ed a+a#n&! !"e .oo! o. an ea&el </#+"!,a$2 "o*ed !"a! "e$ &on,#+"! b'y #! .o$ "#& %"a,be$&=7 !"e %anva& )"#%" "e "ad *$e*a$eda+a#n&! !"e ,'%"6delayed &#!!#n+ d'e .$o, M#&& Sylve&!e$ e *o&ed #!&

blan2 &'$.a%e on ano!"e$5 A !all :a*ane&e -a$ .'ll o. *'$*le andyello) #$#&e&( a !$#b'!e !o "#& e *e%!ed +'e&!&( &!ood on !"e d'&!y

bla%2 &!ove5He "ad ba$ely "ad !#,e !o a$$an+e !"e bo$$o)ed !ea6!"#n+&( and !o&e! a 2e!!le on a l#!!le &*#$#!6la,* be"#nd !"e &%$een( )"en M$&5Dollond and "e$ "'&band )e$e anno'n%ed5 He !"$e) "#& bla%2 &o,b$e$o&o,e)"a! !"ea!$#%ally #n!o a %o$ne$( and advan%ed )#!" e..'&#on !o,ee! !"e,5 M$&5 Dollond "ad !a2en a de%#ded #n!e$e&! #n !"e yo'n+

*a#n!e$ eve$ &#n%e !"e del#+"!.'lly 'n%and#d $e.le%!#on o. "e$ by no,ean& yo'!".'l bea'!y( )"#%" "e "ad e "#b#!ed a! !"e ?$o&veno$( "ad

*$ovo2ed &o ,'%" %o,,en! a,on+ "e$ .$#end&5S"e )a& a *l',*( l#!!le( .a#$6"a#$ed )o,an( )#!" bl'e eye&( a ve$y

*#n2 and )"#!e %o,*le #on( &,all "and&( and a *a&&#on .o$ d$e&& )#!")"#%" *eo*le )"o "ad 2no)n "e$ be.o$e "e$ ,a$$#a+e( a& a &l#, ,a#dendevo!ed !o &a+e6+$een d$a*e$#e& and & 'a$e6!oed &"oe&( de%l#ned !o%$ed#! "e$( 'n!#l !"ey )e$e !old !"a! &"e "ad( !o *'! #! *la#nly(+$o)n .a!66a develo*,en! )"#%" %o,*elled "e$ !o +#ve '* ae&!"e!#%#&,and e,*loy a @,od#&!e@5He$ "'&band( )"o .ollo)ed "e$ #n!o !"e $oo,( %a$$y#n+ "e$ #,*ed#,en!a( )o$e !"e bo$ed e *$e&&#on o. !"e R5A5 )"o #& e *e%!ed!o ad,#$e !"e )o$2 o. an o'!&#de$5 He )a& !"e ab-e%! &lave o. "#&+ood6na!'$ed )#.e66&"e @)a&@ +ood6na!'$ed( #n &*#!e o. "e$ love o. &%andal66and "#& only .a'l! .$o, "e$ *o#n! o. v#e)( and "#& +$ea!e&!one #n !"e eye& o. *eo*le #n +ene$al( lay #n an 'n.o$!'na!e "ab#! o.



!"#n2#n+ alo'd( a dan+e$o'& %"a$a%!e$#&!#%( )"#%" *e$&on& )"o a$ea*! !o .#nd !"e,&elve& #n !"e *o&#!#on o. %$#!#% &"o'ld a! any %o&!e$ad#%a!e5 /'%2#ly( "#& benevolen%e )a& &'%" !"a! !"e&e o'!&*o2en%o,,en!& )e$e neve$ $eally v#$'len!( and no! o.!en o..en&#ve5M$&5 Dollond &ea!ed "e$&el. &,#l#n+ly on !"e lea&! $#%2e!y %"a#$(

d#&*o&ed o. "e$ ve#l )#!" one nea!ly6+loved "and( and *$e*a$ed a!o$!o#&e&"ell eye+la&& .o$ a%!#on )#!" !"e o!"e$50W"a! a %"a$,#n+ *o$!$a#!;0 &"e &a#d( *o#n!#n+ )#!" "e$ *l',*#nde 6.#n+e$ !o !"e &2e!%" o. M$&5 Sylve&!e$5 0Do 2no) !"e lady( )onde$> O"; do bel#eve #!4& !"a! M$&5 Sylve&!e$500Ye&(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$25 0 . yo' $e,e,be$( yo' #n!$od'%ed ,e !o "e$ a!!"e A%ade,y &o#$ee la&! yea$5 e *e%! "e$ "e$e !"#& a.!e$noon( )#!""e$ da'+"!e$5 a, +o#n+ !o *a#n! M#&& Sylve&!e$4& *o$!$a#!500A"(0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond ,#&%"#evo'&ly( 0and !"a! a%%o'n!& .o$ !"e

*a&!#lle5 Yo' neve$ ,ade &'%" *$e*a$a!#on& )"en @ @ &a! !o yo'5 &'**o&e yo' !"o'+"! !"a! a *a#n!e$4& )#.e %o'ld no! *o&&#bly ob-e%!

!o !oba%%o500And &"e %e$!a#nly doe&n4!( -'d+#n+ by "e$ %on&',*!#on o. %#+a$e!!e&;0 #n!e$*o&ed "e$ "'&band50H'+"( 4, a&"a,ed o. yo'5 Yo' 2no) 4, a ,a$!y$ !o a&!",a66and%#+a$e!!e& a$en4! !oba%%o5 '! "o) old #& M#&& Sylve&!e$> & &"e

*$e!!y>00Don4! a&2 ,e !o de&%$#be "e$( M$&5 Dollond5 Wa#! !#ll yo' &ee"e$66&"e4& %o,#n+( yo' 2no)5 W"a! do yo' !"#n2 o. !"a! $#ve$6&%a*e(,o&! $eve$end &#+no$> !4& one o. !"e l#!!le !"#n+& 4ve been do#n+do)n a! Ra#n"a,4& Do%266do)n a! la%2*ool50T"e A%ade,#%#an !$#ed !o a**ea$ #n!e$e&!ed a& "e a&&',ed !"e%onven!#onal b#$d6l#2e *o&e o. !"e *#%!'$e6+a e$( and &'$veyed !"e&2e!%"50Be$y *$e!!y66ve$y *$e!!y; &"o'ld "a$dly "ave !"o'+"! #! )a& !"eT"a,e&( !"o'+"5 ! #&n4! ,'ddy eno'+"5 n .a%!( !"e )"ole &%"e,e o. %olo'$ #& ,'%" !oo %lean .o$ /ondon5 '#!e ab&'$d; No! a b#! l#2e#!; E"( ,y dea$( )"a! )a& &ay#n+> O" ye&( l#2e !"e e..e%! o. !"e&'nl#+"! on !"a! b$o)n &a#l #,,en&ely5 !4& $eally ve$y %leve$( ve$y%leve$50M$&5 Dollond( )"o neve$ 2ne) )"a! "e$ "'&band )o'ld &ay ne !()el%o,ed !"e #n.l' o. a &,all !"$on+ o. v#&#!o$& )#!" a &#+" o. $el#e.5T"e Sylve&!e$& and P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( a$$#v#n+ a! !"e &a,e !#,e( .o'nd!"e l#!!le &!'d#o al,o&! %$o)ded5 e&#de& !"e Dollond& !"e$e )e$e!)o o$ !"$ee o. !"e T'$2 S!$ee! .$a!e$n#!y7 a yo'n+ &%'l*!o$( ne)lya$$#ved .$o, Ro,e( )#!" "#& )#.e7 D#ony&'& F5 'a#n( an A,e$#%an#n!e$e&!ed #n *e!$ole',( )"o "ad *a!$on# ed /#+"!,a$2 al&o a! Ro,e7and Co*al( )"o&e &!'d#o )a& #n !"e &a,e b'#ld#n+( and )"o )a&,an#.e&!ly an #o'& abo'! "#& C"el&ea !ea%'*&5M$&5 Sylve&!e$ +$ee!ed "e$ @*$o!e+e@ )#!" a .la!!e$#n+ de+$ee o.



)a$,!" )"#%" )a& en!#$ely ab&en! .$o, !"e &!a$e and %onven!#onal&,#le )#!" )"#%" &"e "ono'$ed M$&5 Dollond( and !"e &o,e)"a!#,*e$!#nen! a#$ o. *a!$ona+e )"#%" &"e )o$e )"en one o$ !)o o. !"eyo'n+ a$!#&!& )e$e #n!$od'%ed !o "e$5 . !"ey d#d no! ,#nd( M$&5Dollond )a& #n%l#ned !o be $e&en!.'l( .o$ !"e ,o,en!( a! lea&!7 and(

a& a *$el#,#na$y a!!a%2( &"e ,al#%#o'&ly en%o'$a+ed Eve( )"o(en&%on%ed #n a %o$ne$( bl#&&.'lly 'n%on&%#o'& o. !"e ,a!e$nalan #e!y )"#%" !"e o!"e$ ,a!$on "ad de!e%!ed( )a& ea+e$ly !'$n#n+ove$ !"e %on!en!& o. a *o$!.ol#o )"#%" &"e "ad 'nea$!"ed .$o, #!&l'$2#n+6*la%e be"#nd "e$ %"a#$5Ra#n"a, )a& loo2#n+ ove$ "e$ &"o'lde$( ad,#$#n+ !"e %"a$,#n+ *o#&eo. !"e +#$l4& "ead( and !"e %on!o'$& o. "e$ )$#&!& and "and&( a& &"e&'b,#!!ed !"e d$a)#n+& !o "#& #n&*e%!#on5 C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ &!a!#oned "#,&el. %lo&e by( and devo!ed "#,&el. !o b'!!on"ol#n+ !"eA,e$#%an &ena!o$( !o !"e obv#o'& d#&%o,.o$! o. "#& v#%!#,( )"o&e2no)led+e o. Penn&ylvan#an o#l6)ell& )a& #n.#n#!ely +$ea!e$ !"an "#&

a% 'a#n!an%e )#!" !"e $'d#,en!& o. &',,a$y -'$#&d#%!#on( a& *$a%!#&ed #n "#& na!#ve S!a!e( and )"o( a.!e$ "a a$d#n+ a $e,a$2 !o!"e e..e%! !"a! :'d+e /yn%" "ad lon+ &#n%e $e!#$ed .$o, !"e en%"("ad( a& "e )o'ld "ave *'! #!( 0*$e!!y %on&#de$ably *e!e$ed o'!500 "o*e ,y da'+"!e$ #&n4! #nd#&%$ee!>0 M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "ad "a a$ded(a.!e$ %a!%"#n+ /#+"!,a$24& eye on #!& $e!'$n -o'$ney .$o, a +lan%e#n !"e d#$e%!#on o. !"e l#!!le +$o'* #n !"e %o$ne$7 and !"e yo'n+,an "ad $ea&&'$ed "e$ "a&!#ly( be.o$e ,#&+#v#n+& "ad !#,e !o a&&a#l"#,( and )"en !"ey d#d( "e "o*ed .o$ !"e be&!5 Fo$ a *a#n!e$4&

*o$!.ol#o #&( a.!e$ all( "a$dly le&& %on.#den!#al !"an a d#a$y( and,ay be on o%%a&#on al,o&! a& %o,*$o,#&#n+( #n &*#!e o. !"e .a%! !"a!!"e $e%o$d& #! %on!a#n& a$e )$#!!en #n %#*"e$5T"e &'nl#+"!( ,ello)ed !o a d'll &!$a) %olo'$ by #!& *a&&a+e !"$o'+"/ondon a#$( &lan!ed #n a! !"e )#ndo)( .all#n+ .#$&! on C"a$le&Sylve&!e$4& "and&o,e .a%e( )#!" #!& e,#nen!ly *$o.e&&#onal( &eve$ely%'! .ea!'$e&( and !"e %a$e.'l l#,#!a!#on o. )"#&2e$( )"#%" &ee,ed &o%o,*le!ely #n "a$,ony )#!" "#& &"aven '**e$ l#* and !"e'n&y,*a!"e!#% &%$'!#ny o. "#& do'ble eye+la&&7 !"en( lo&#n+ &o,e o. #!& b$#+"!ne&& a,on+ !"e l#!!le $#**le& o. b$o)n "a#$ )"#%" a+$a%#o'& P$ov#den%e "ad .o$b#dden "e$ "a! !o %on%eal( .ell l#2e a"alo '*on !"e *ale +$een )all be"#nd Eve4& "ead5T"e yo'n+ a$!#&!&66!"e 0boy&(0 a& !"ey )o'ld "ave %alled!"e,&elve&66)e$e %#$%'la!#n+ b'&#ly )#!" !ea%'*& and @*e!#!& .o'$&@(and !"e %"a!!e$ o. vo#%e& bo$e !e&!#,ony !o !"e *$e*onde$an%e o. !"e

o"e,#an ele,en!5 ! #& only !"e d)elle$& on !"e %on.#ne& )"o lo&e!"e#$ vo#%e& #n !"e Te,*le o. A$!66a +odde&& )"o( !o -'d+e by "e$ vo!a$#e&( #& no! )on! !o !a2e *lea&'$e #n &#len%e50O"(0 &a#d Eve( #n $e*ly !o one o. Ra#n"a,4& $e,a$2&( 0#& !"a!

o$d#+"e$a> W"a! lovely bl'e )a!e$; and )"a! *e$.e%!ly del#%#o'&l#!!le .#&"#n+6boa!&; &"o'ld l#2e !o +o !"e$e5 C"a$le& #& +o#n+ !o



!a2e '& !o /'%e$ne #n a )ee2 o$ !)o( yo' 2no)( )"en !"e /on+Ba%a!#on be+#n&5 '! &'**o&e )e &"all "a$dly +e! !o !aly500Ye&( !"a!4& o$d#+"e$a066)#!" a &#+"660,y "a**y "'n!#n+6+$o'nd5 And!"e )a!e$ #& ,'%" bl'e$ $eally66only don4! !ell D#%2 &a#d &o5 Ye&(yo' o'+"! !o +o !"e$e5 . yo' &!ayed la!e eno'+" yo' )o'ld "ave ,e

d$o**#n+ #n on yo' one .#ne day( a& &oon a& !"e .o+& be+#n "e$e5Ha**y !"o'+"!; W"y &"o'ldn4! )e all )#n!e$ o'! !"e$e>00T"a! )o'ld be n#%e(0 &a#d Eve( $a!"e$ do'b!.'lly7 0b'!( yo' 2no)(!"e$e4& C"a$le&66"e )o'ld "ave !o %o,e ba%2 .o$ !"e /a) Co'$!& #n!"e a'!',n( and "e )o'ld be &o lonely all by "#,&el.5 And66and!"e$e4& ,y *o$!$a#!5 M$5 /#+"!,a$2 )an!& !o +e! !"a! $eady .o$ ne !yea$4& A%ade,y7 and %an4! &#! !o "#, ve$y o.!en( a& #! #&( be%a'&eo. @%"a*e$on&@( yo' 2no)50Mean)"#le /#+"!,a$2 )a& !ell#n+ M$&5 Dollond( #n a %on.#den!#al'nde$!one( &o,e &!o$y o. a .a#$ A,e$#%an &#!!e$( )"o( on "#&e *$e&&#n+ "#,&el. d#&&a!#&.#ed )#!" "#& e..o$!& )o$!"#ly !o

!$an&.e$ "e$ %o,*le #on !o %anva&( "ad a! on%e o..e$ed !o &end "e$ ,a#d $o'nd !o "#& &!'d#o )#!" an a&&o$!,en! o. "e$ .avo'$#!e @*o'd$ede $o&e@5 Dollond l#&!ened )#!" an a,'&ed &,#le !o a $e%#!al o. !"e&%'l*!o$4& #,*$e&&#on& o. !"e Salon( )"#%" "e "ad !a2en on "#& )ay.$o, Ro,e5 Co*al )a& ,a2#n+ de&*e$a!e e..o$!& !o %o'n! "#& *$e%#o'&!ea%'*&( a !a&2 )"#%" !"e#$ &%a!!e$ed *o&#!#on& $ende$edd#&!$e&&#n+ly d#..#%'l!5 C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ )a& &o,e)"a! l#&!le&&ly%$o&&6e a,#n#n+ a P5R5A5 #n e,b$yo a& !o !"e e a%! ,ean#n+ o. 0b$ead!"0 #n a *a#n!#n+7 and M$5 'a#n "ad been ,a2#n+ "#& )ay a&'no&!en!a!#o'&ly a& !"e %$ea2#ne&& o. "#& boo!& )o'ld *e$,#! !o)a$d&!"e doo$5 Eve "ad de&*a!%"ed one o. 0!"e boy&0 #n &ea$%" o. a

*o$!.ol#o !o $e*la%e !"e one )"#%" &"e "ad e "a'&!ed( and ano!"e$ "ad been en!$'&!ed )#!" !"e &a.e be&!o)al o. "e$ e,*!y !ea%'*5 T"ene) *o$!.ol#o( )"en #! a$$#ved( *$oved !o be .#lled( no! a& !"eo!"e$&( )#!" land&%a*e& and )a!e$&%a*e&( b'! )#!" &!'d#e& .$o,l#.e66Ca*$# .#&"e$ +#$l&( +$o'*& o. ,a$2e! *eo*le( Bene!#an boa!,en(and "a&!y &2e!%"e& .o$ *o$!$a#!&5Eve *a'&ed $a!"e$ lon+e$ !"an '&'al ove$ one o. !"e&e( !"e *#%!'$eo. a *$e!!y .a#$6"a#$ed +#$l( d$e&&ed a& P#e$$e!!e( !"e +ene$al la%2 o. de!a#l and ab&en%e o. ba%2+$o'nd only ,a2#n+ !"e v#+o$o'&lyo'!l#ned .a%e ,o$e d#&!#n%!50W"a! a *$e!!y +#$l( P"#l#*;0 &a#d !"e yo'n+ %$#!#% *$e&en!ly7 0and"o) %'$#o'&ly &"e4& d$e&&ed; W"a! #& &"e #n!ended !o $e*$e&en!> &#! a .an%y d$e&&>555 M$5 Ra#n"a,( #. yo' don4! a!!end( )on4! &"o)yo' any ,o$e *#%!'$e&500Ty$an!(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, ab&en!ly( a& "e %a$$#ed "#& eye& .$o, !"e%on!e,*la!#ve &!a$e )#!" )"#%" !"ey "ad been $e+a$d#n+ !"e va+a$#e&o. a b'!!e$.ly on !"e &2yl#+"!5 0W"a! "ave yo' .o'nd no)>66K#!!y( by:ove;0He "ad no &oone$ '!!e$ed !"e&e la&! !"$ee )o$d&( #n a ve$y d#..e$en!



!one !o !"a! o. "#& *$ev#o'& #dle $e,a$2&( !"an "e %'$&ed "#&#nd#&%$e!#on5 ! )a& a *#e%e o. @+a'%"e$#e@ )"#%" "e )o'ld .#nd #!"a$d !o .o$+#ve #n "#,&el.( and /#+"!,a$2 ,#+"! )ell $e&en! #!50K#!!y>0 a&2ed Eve( )#!" &o,e &'$*$#&e( 0)"o #& K#!!y> M$5/#+"!,a$2( *lea&e !ell '& )"o !"#& %"a$,#n+ yo'n+ lady( )"o, M$5

Ra#n"a, %all& K#!!y( #&( &#n%e "e )on4!500K#!!y>0 $e*ea!ed /#+"!,a$2( )#!" only a ,o,en!a$y "e&#!a!#on( )"#%"!"e &'ddenne&& o. !"e 'e$y ,#+"! )ell a%%o'n! .o$7 0 4, a.$a#d don4! '#!e $e,e,be$5 T"e$e a$e &o ,any K#!!#e&( yo' 2no)5 All,odel& a$e e#!"e$ K#!!y o$ Polly5 '! #. Ra#n"a, &ay& #!4& K#!!y(de*end '*on #! "e4& $#+"!5 He4& +o! a )onde$.'l ,e,o$y .o$ .a%e&(e&*e%#ally *$e!!y one&566Ye&(0 "e added ,#&%"#evo'&ly( 0yo' a&2 Ra#n"a,50M$&5 Sylve&!e$ loo2ed 'nea&y( and( !o "e$ &'b&e 'en! d#&+'&!( be+an!o *$e&& 0dea$ M$&5 Dollond0 !o %o,e and &ee "e$5C"a$le&( )"o "ad loo2ed '* &"a$*ly a! !"e .#$&! ,en!#on o. !"e na,e(

)"#%" "ad &o d#&!'$bed !"e '&'ally #,*e$!'$bable Ra#n"a,( .# ed "#&#n!e$$o+a!#ve +la&&e& .#$&! on !"e la!!e$ and !"en on /#+"!,a$2( and.#nally le! !"e, $e&!( )#!" an e *$e&&#on o. #n '#$#n+ %en&'$e( onRa#n"a,( )"o&e %on.'&#on &avo'$ed !o "#& ,#nd &o 'n,#&!a2ably o. +'#l! !"a! 0?en!le,en o. !"e -'$y0 $o&e al,o&! a'!o,a!#%ally !o "#&l#*&5 No$ d#d Ra#n"a,4& a!!e,*! !o &,oo!" ,a!!e$& a&&#&! "#,50 ,'&! "ave &een !"e +#$l a! !"e &!'d#o(0 "e &a#d( 0)"en /#+"!,a$2 )a& *a#n!#n+ "e$5 !4& %e$!a#nly a &!$#2#n+ l#2ene&&( and !"a!4&)"a! a&!on#&"ed ,e( yo' 2no)5 Al,o&! l#2e &ee#n+ a +"o&!5 A"( !"a!l#!!le .ello) '&ed !o &#! .o$ /#+"!,a$2 #n Ro,e66l#!!le &'nb'$n!$'..#an5 We *#%2ed "#, '* on !"e ?"e!!o( al,o&! &!a$v#n+( and "e +o!

'#!e an a$!#&!#% %onne%!#on be.o$e )e le.!5 He )a& *o&#!#vely+$o)#n+ !oo .a!7 *$o&*e$#!y &*o#led "#, a& a ,odel500Really>0 &a#d Eve l#&!le&&ly5 0 don4! !"#n2 )an! !o loo2 a! any,o$e d$a)#n+&7 one %an "ave !oo ,'%" o. a +ood !"#n+( and #! ,'&! be!#,e .o$ '& !o +o5 We4$e d#n#n+ o'!( and C"a$le& doe&n4! l#2ed$e&&#n+ #n a "'$$y5 Ye&( ,a,,a #& b'!!on#n+ "e$ +love&5 ?ood6bye(M$5 Ra#n"a,5 S"all )e &ee yo' a+a#n be.o$e )e +o !o S)#! e$land> A"()ell( le!4& "o*e &o5 A' $evo#$( M$5 /#+"!,a$25 . yo' $eally !"#n2 #!4& )o$!" )"#le .o$ ,e !o +#ve yo' a &ol#!a$y &#!!#n+ ne !)ee2666600 . yo' )o'ld be &o +ood5 Yo' &ee( &"o'ld "ave &o,e #dea& !o +o on)#!"5 Don4! de&e$ve &o,e $e)a$d( !oo( .o$ allo)#n+ Ra#n"a, !o,ono*ol# e yo' all !"e a.!e$noon> And #. yo' don4! +#ve ,e a &#!!#n+no)( 4, a.$a#d yo' )#ll .o$+e! all abo'! #! )"en yo' %o,e ba%2 !o!o)n7 )"e$ea&( #. )e ,a2e a be+#nn#n+( yo' )#ll "ave !o &ee #!!"$o'+"66yo' )#ll be %o,*$o,#&ed500W"a! a &!'*#d e *$e&&#on;0 !"o'+"! M$&5 Sylve&!e$ a& !"e %a$$#a+e$olled alon+ !"e Ken&#n+!on "#+"$oad5C"a$le& )a& 'n'&'ally &#len! d'$#n+ !"e d$#ve5 T"e &'b-e%! )"#%"



o%%'*#ed "#& !"o'+"!& )a& no! one )"#%" "e )o'ld "ave d$ea,ed o. ven!#la!#n+ even )#!" "#& ,o!"e$( and Eve4& *$e&en%e &ee,ed !o$ende$ !"e .a#n!e&! all'&#on !o #! #,*$a%!#%able5He "ad no +$ea! a..e%!#on o$ even $e+a$d .o$ P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( )"o, "e%on!e,*la!ed )#!" !"a! 'nde.#ned d#&da#n )"#%" a yo'n+e$ ,an &o

o.!en .eel& .o$ one )"o #& !oo old !o be on "#& o)n level( and !ooyo'n+ !o #n&*#$e $eve$en%e5 T"e "al.6*#!y#n+ $e+a$d )"#%" M$&5Sylve&!e$ be&!o)ed on !"e ,an )"o "ad been !o "e$ "'&band a& a ve$ydea$ yo'n+e$ b$o!"e$ "ad neve$ .'$!"e$ed Ra#n"a,4& advan%e,en! #n"e$ &on4& .avo'$7 and !"e ,anne$ #n )"#%" Eve "ad %en!$ed "e$ %"#ld#&" a..e%!#on& #n P"#l#*( )"o "ad ,ade "e$ "#& e&*e%#al.avo'$#!e( )a& even ,o$e *$e-'d#%#al !o "#& #n!e$e&!& #n !"a!

'a$!e$5 H#!"e$!o( #ndeed( Sylve&!e$4& va+'e d#&l#2e "ad been &o'nde,on&!$a!#ve and #,,a!e$#al !"a! "e )o'ld "a$dly "ave o)ned !o #!a& &'%"( and .a$ le&& )o'ld "e "ave a%2no)led+ed !"a! "e )a&("o)eve$ 'n%on&%#o'&ly( .eel#n+ .o$ a *e+ on )"#%" !o "an+ #!( .o$

+$o'nd !o &'**o$! #!7 and ye! .$o, !"e .#$&! ,o,en! )"en !"e ,an4&&!a$!led vo#%e d$e) !"e 'e&!#on#n+ eye& '*on "#& e,ba$$a&&,en!( !"e -'d#%#al ,#nd "ad been able !o *l',e #!&el. '*on !"e *ene!$a!#on)"#%" "ad enabled #! !o de!e%! &o,e!"#n+ o. do'b!.'l odo'$ abo'! "#,.$o, !"e .#$&!5 0K#!!y;0 T"a! )o$d ,#+"! e *la#n &o ,'%"66Ra#n"a,4&lon+ &o-o'$n& a)ay .$o, "#& b'&#ne&&( .o$ e a,*le5C"a$le& loo2ed a! Eve and .$o)ned5 De%#dedly( !"o'+"! !"e yo'n+,o$al#&!( !"e old #n!#,a%y ,'&! be d#&%o'$a+ed5 No$ d#d !"e .a%!!"a! Ra#n"a, "ad been !"e &o'$%e o. "#& .#$&! b$#e.( a& )ell a& o. &'b&e 'en! o!"e$&( !"o'+" #! )a& no! .o$+o!!en( &'++e&! !"eadv#&ab#l#!y o. a %o,*$o,#&e7 "e even be+an !o !a2e a %e$!a#n *$#de#n !"e de!e$,#na!#on )#!" )"#%" "e )a& b$#n+#n+ "#,&el. !o%on!e,*la!e !"e &a%$#.#%e o. &o '&e.'l a .$#end&"#*5W"en !"ey $ea%"ed "o,e !"e$e )a& ba$ely !#,e !o d$e&& .o$ d#nne$(and C"a$le& "ad no o**o$!'n#!y .o$ a @!e!e6a6!e!e@ d#&%'&&#on o. !"e&#!'a!#on )#!" "#& ,o!"e$ !"a! even#n+5 And a& "e b$ea2.a&!ed ea$lyne ! day and d#ned a! !"e %l'b( "e "ad a,*le !#,e #n )"#%" !ode!e$,#ne !"a!( .o$ !"e *$e&en!( "e )o'ld avo#d any!"#n+ #n !"e&"a*e o. a .a,#ly %on.e$en%e( and )o'ld %on!en! "#,&el. )#!" 2ee*#n+"#& eye on !"e @,a'va#& &'-e!@5

CHAPTER B

A& &oon a& /#+"!,a$2 and Ra#n"a, )e$e le.! alone #n !"e !)#l#+"! o. !"e &!'d#o( !"e .o$,e$ .l'n+ "#,&el. #n!o a %"a#$ )#!" a &#+" o. $el#e.( and devo!ed "#,&el. !o $oll#n+ and l#+"!#n+ a %#+a$e!!e5Ra#n"a, *#%2ed '* "#& "a!( %on&'l!ed "#& )a!%"( )#!" a *$eo%%'*a!#ono. ,#nd )"#%" *$even!ed "#, .$o, no!#%#n+ )"a! !"e !#,e )a&(and( $e.'&#n+ !"e *$o..e$ed !oba%%o6*o'%" and !"e &'++e&!ed)"#&2y6and6&oda( &ee,ed abo'! !o +o5 T"en "e &!o**ed( )#!" "#& ba%2



!'$ned !o)a$d& "#& "o&! and a *$e!en%e o. e a,#n#n+ a &2e!%"50 4, &o$$y ,ade &'%" an a&& o. ,y&el. abo'! !"a! &!'dy66!"a! +#$l(yo' 2no)(0 "e &a#d *$e&en!ly5 0T"e .a%! #&( &a) "e$ !"e o!"e$ day(and !"e %o#n%#den%e )a& $a!"e$ &!a$!l#n+50/#+"!,a$2 ble) a l#+"! %lo'd o. &,o2e .$o, "#& l#*& be.o$e "e &*o2e5

0O"( #! doe&n4! ,a!!e$ #n !"e lea&!( old ,an5 Yo' d#dn4! #,*l#%a!e,e( a& #! "a**ened( !"o'+" 4, a.$a#d yo' +o! yo'$&el. #n!o $a!"e$ "o! )a!e$5 A *oo$ dev#l o. a *a#n!e$ ,'&! "ave ,odel&( and #!4&$e%o+n#&ed( b'! ,en o. b'&#ne&&6666; !4& '#!e ano!"e$ !"#n+5T"e$e4& no *o&&#ble %onne%!#on be!)een +#$l& and d$y do%2&50 T"en "eadded l#+"!ly( 0W"e$e a$e yo' +o#n+ !o d#ne !o6n#+"!> /e!4& +o !oone o. o'$ /e#%e&!e$ S 'a$e "a'n!&( o$ &"all )e +e! #n!o a "an&o,and d$#ve !o R#%",ond> 4ve &old old 'a#n a *#%!'$e( and .eele !$ava+an!ly #n%l#ned5 W"a! do yo' &ay> Unde$ )"#%" @%"e.@> S*ea2( o$ le!4& !o&& '*50Ra#n"a, a**ea$ed !o %on&#de$ .o$ a ,o,en!7 !"en "e &a! do)n a+a#n5

0Abo'! !"a! +#$l(0 "e &a#d7 0 &'**o&e yo' @do@ $e,e,be$ &o,e!"#n+abo'! "e$> S"e ,'&! "ave been ve$y *$e!!y )"en yo' *a#n!ed "e$(!"o'+" &"e4& no!"#n+ )onde$.'l no)( *oo$ !"#n+; don4! )an! !o *',*yo'( D#%2( b'! &"e &ee,& !o "ave been *$e!!y badly !$ea!ed( and )an! !o &ee #. %an4! "el* "e$500Hel* "e$;0 )#!" a &"$'+5 0Fo$ +oodne&&4 &a2e !ell ,e #& #! Don

'# o!e o$ Don /o!"a$#o !"a! yo' a$e *lay#n+>00 &"o'ld "ave !"o'+"! yo' need "a$dly "ave a&2ed(0 an&)e$ed !"eo!"e$ a l#!!le &adly5 0 .o'nd !"e )$e!%"ed %$ea!'$e )a#!#n+( )#!"an e 'ally )$e!%"ed baby( bo!" a**a$en!ly no! .a$ .$o, &!a$va!#on(o'!&#de !"e do%2 !"e o!"e$ n#+"!7 and66)ell( !"o'+"! &"e ,#+"! be)a#!#n+ .o$ yo'50/#+"!,a$2 !"$e) !"e &!',* o. "#& %#+a$e!!e #n!o a %o$ne$ v#%#o'&ly()#!" a dan+e$o'& +lan%e a! !"e o!"e$50W"y !"e dev#l &"o'ld &"e "ave been )a#!#n+ .o$ ,e> D#d &"e &ay &"e)a& )a#!#n+ .o$ ,e> Ho) &"o'ld a ,odel 2no) !"a! "ad been *a#n!#n+!"e$e> '! don4! )an! !o 'a$$el )#!" yo'( and( a.!e$ all yo'4vedone .o$ ,e( &'**o&e yo'4ve a %e$!a#n $#+"! !o *'! yo'$&el. @#nlo%o *a$en!#&@( and all !"a! &o$! o. !"#n+5 Tell ,e all yo' "ave.o'nd o'! abo'! !"e +#$l66all &"e "a& !old yo'( !"a! #& !o &ay( and!"en 4ll &ee )"a! %an do50T"#& ,a&!e$ly &'++e&!#on &ee,ed !o Ra#n"a, bo!" *la'&#ble and

*$a%!#%al( and "e *$o%eeded !o 'n.old !"e )"ole &!o$y o. "#& .#$&!,ee!#n+ )#!" K#!!y5 W"en "e $ea%"ed !"e *a$! o. "#& na$$a!#ve )"#%"

b$o'+"! o'! !"e +#$l4& e *lana!#on !"a! &"e )a& &ee2#n+ !o &*ea2 )#!" a M$5 C$#%"!on( /#+"!,a$2 loo2ed a! "#, a+a#n %ove$!ly( )#!"!"e &a,e !"$ea!en#n+ l#+"! #n "#& +lan%e5 T"en( a**a$en!ly$ea&&'$ed( "e $e&#+ned "#,&el. a+a#n !o l#&!en( )#!" a %#+a$e!!e'nl#+"!ed be!)een "#& .#n+e$&50Yo' &ay O&)yn "ea$d !"e )"ole &!o$y>0 "e a&2ed( )"en Ra#n"a, "ad



.#n#&"ed5 0D#d !"e +#$l &ee, !o 2no) "#,> O$ d#d @"e@ &ee, !o "ave"ea$d o. !"#& C$#%"!on be.o$e>00No(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, $e.le%!#vely7 0!"e +#$l d#dn4! 2no) O&)yn(!"o'+"( on !"e o!"e$ "and( "e &ee,ed %e$!a#n !"a! "e "ad &een "e$ .a%e &o,e)"e$e66*$obably #n !"a! &!'dy o. yo'$&( by !"e )ay7 and "e

a**ea$ed !o !"#n2 !"a! o'+"! !o "ave "ea$d o. C$#%"!on66Cy$#lC$#%"!on5 He !old ,e !"a! !"e ,an )$o!e %leve$( &%'$$#lo'& a$!#%le&on a$! and !"e d$a,a .o$ !"e @O'!%$y@5 '! don4! $ead En+l#&" *a*e$&,'%"5 Yo' &ee( o'$ d#..#%'l!y #& !"a! Cy$#l C$#%"!on #& obv#o'&ly ano, de *l',e( and no one66no! even !"e *eo*le a! !"e @O'!%$y@ o..#%e662no)( o$ )#ll &ay( )"o !"e ,an #&7 K#!!y "a& !$#ed5 &'**o&e !"e ed#!o$ 2no)& all $#+"!( b'! "e #& d#&%$ee!500A";0 %$#ed /#+"!,a$25 0No) $e,e,be$ &o,e!"#n+ abo'! "e$5 Have yo'+o! yo'$ "a!> /e!4& +e! #n!o a "an&o, and +o and d#ne66 4,

*o&#!#vely &!a$v#n+5 4ll &!and yo' a d#nne$ a! !"e Cavo'$66&!and#n+yo' a d#nne$ )#ll be &'%" a ne) &en&a!#on7 and ne) &en&a!#on& a$e

!"e only !"#n+& )o$!" l#v#n+ .o$5 )#ll !ell yo' abo'! K#!!y #n !"e%ab5 W"a! a bene.#%en! old be++a$ yo' a$e;0A& !"ey d$ove $a*#dly ea&!)a$d alon+ !"e H#+" S!$ee! o. OldKen&#n+!on( )"e$e !"e *ale o$an+e o. !"e la,*l#+"! )a& -'&!

be+#nn#n+ !o !ell #n !"e d'&2( /#+"!,a$2 e *la#ned "o)( &o,e !)oyea$& a+o o$ ,o$e( "e "ad been !al2#n+ !o a &!$an+e$ #n a $a#l)ay%a$$#a+e( and la,en!#n+ !"e d#..#%'l!y o. .#nd#n+ $eally *$e!!y+#$l& )"o )o'ld a%! a& ,odel&7 "o) !"e &!$an+e$ "ad !old "#, !"a! "e2ne) o. &'%" a one66a d$e&&,a2e$4& a**$en!#%e( o$ &o,e!"#n+ o. !"a!&o$!( )"o .o'nd !"e )o$2 and "o'$& !oo "a$d7 and "o)( .#nally( K#!!y"ad %alled a! "#& &!'d#o66!"e old one #n loo,&b'$y66and "ad &a! !o"#,( *e$"a*& "al. a do en !#,e&( be.o$e van#&"#n+ .$o, "#&2no)led+e5 T"#& a%%o'n! "ad been .$eely #n!e$&*e$&ed )#!"e %la,a!#on& on !"e bea'!y o. !"e even#n+ l#+"! #n !"e Pa$2( and !"e&'b!le %"a$, o. !"e "o'$ a.!e$ &'n&e!( ,o$e e '#&#!e #n !"e %lea$ a!,o&*"e$e o. Pa$#&( b'! &!#ll &'..#%#en!ly lovely even #n /ondon(and a%2no)led+ed by bo!" o. !"e, !o be one o. !"e .e) %o,*en&a!#on&a%%o$ded !o !"e d)elle$& #n !"e ,'%"6ab'&ed Me!$o*ol#&50 4, &o$$y(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, *en#!en!ly7 0 "ad a &!'*#d &o$! o. #dea!"a! yo' )e$e ,# ed '* #n !"e b'&#ne&& &o,e"o)5 !"o'+"! &o even

be.o$e &a) !"e &2e!%"( be%a'&e %o'ldn4! 'nde$&!and )"o, el&e &"e%o'ld "ave been loo2#n+ .o$ a! !"e do%25 !4& ve$y ,y&!e$#o'&500 &"o'ldn4! bo!"e$ abo'! !"e +#$l #. )e$e yo'(0 $e*l#ed !"e o!"e$ l#+"!6"ea$!edly5 0Even #. "ad been ,# ed '* )#!" "e$( a& yo'+$a%e.'lly e *$e&& #!( @yo'@ )o'ldn4! "ave any!"#n+ !o do )#!" #!5

bel#eve yo' !"#n2 4ve been *lay#n+ !"e dev#l )#!" "e$ no)( yo' old,o$al#&!; Hea$ ,e &)ea$( by yon *ale6666 Da&" #!; !"e$e #&n4! a,oon66)ell( by !"e %$e&&e! on !"e !o* o. !"e E,*#$e( !"a! !"e yo'n+

*e$&on #n 'e&!#on "a& been ,y ,odel .o$ a b$#e. &*a%e( and no!"#n+,o$e5 Only ,y ,odel #n !"e &!$#%!e&! &en&e o. !"e )o$d5 No( 4ll *ay



!"e %ab .o$ on%e #n a )ay50W"en !"ey "ad d#ned( &#!!#n+ a! !"e#$ .avo'$#!e !able( )"#%"( .$o,#!& *o&#!#on a! !"e end( %o,,anded a v#e) o. !"e b$#+"! e o!#% $oo,()#!" #!& %o&,o*ol#!an %on!en!&( !"e#$ )an!& %a$ed .o$ by !"e"ead6)a#!e$( )"o ado$ed /#+"!,a$2 .o$ "#& 2no)led+e o. "#&

,o!"e$6!on+'e( $e%o+n#&#n+ and be#n+ $e%o+n#&ed by !"e .o$+o!!en o. !"e#$ a% 'a#n!an%e( )"o )e$e al&o d#n#n+ !"e$e( /#+"!,a$2 *$o*o&edan ad-o'$n,en! !o !"e l#!!le !"ea!$e #n Dean S!$ee! "a$d by( )"e$e0N#n#%"e0 )a& be#n+ *layed .o$ !"e la&! !#,e by a %leve$ %o,*any.$o, a%$o&& !"e C"annel50We ,'&! +o !o !"e !"ea!$e(0 "e &a#d( 0'nle&& yo' *$e.e$ a "all7 %on.e&& 4, &#%2 o. !"e,5 "aven4! &a!#&.#ed ,y #dea& o. e !$ava+an%e nea$ly ye!5 We )#ll +o and &#! #n !"e &!all& a! !"eRoyal!y and &ee :ane May and !"e o!"e$&7 #! )#ll $e,#nd '& o. oldday&500 '!( ,y dea$ .ello)(0 e *o&!'la!ed !"e o!"e$( 0#!4& &o la!e( and

)e4$e #n ,o$n#n+ d$e&&5 /e!4& +o !o6,o$$o) n#+"! #n&!ead500A" no; !o6,o$$o) &"a4n4! be #n !"e $#+"! ,ood5 Neve$ *'! o.. !#ll!o6,o$$o)( yo' 2no)5 O'$ no! be#n+ #n even#n+ d$e&& )on4! ,a!!e$ a

b#!( !"ey4ll only !"#n2 )e4$e %$#!#%&7 and 4N#n#%"e4 doe&n4! be+#n!#ll n#ne50On !"e#$ &*eedy a$$#val a! !"e ,ode&! *o$!al& o. !"e l#!!le !"ea!$e(/#+"!,a$2 #n&!$'%!ed "#& %o,*an#on( )#!" an a#$ o. ,y&!e$y( !o )a#!(and *$e&en!ly e,e$+ed( &,#l#n+( .$o, a !$#',*"an! en%o'n!e$ )#!" !"e+en!le,an *$e&#d#n+ a! !"e bo 6o..#%e50T"ey "ad no &!all& le.!(0 "e )"#&*e$ed7 0b'! !"ey4$e +o#n+ !o *'!'& #n !)o %"a#$& a! !"e &#de50T"e "o'&e( )#!" !"e e %e*!#on o. !"e ,o$e *o*'la$ *la%e&( )a&%$o)ded7 and !"e bo#&!e$o'& ab&'$d#!y o. !"e .a$%e )a& a! #!&"e#+"!5 Ra#n"a, a! .#$&! .el! '#!e d#&%on%e$!ed by !"e *$o #,#!y o. !"e l'd#%$o'& .#+'$e #n ba!"#n+ d$e&& )"o )a& lean#n+ ove$ !"e.oo!l#+"!&( and de%la#,#n+ "#& )oe& )#!" a d#$e%!ne&& o. a**eal !o!"e a'd#en%e )"#%" alone )o'ld "ave ,a$2ed !"e na!#onal#!y o. !"e$ob'&! a%!o$( )"o )a& %$ea!#n+ &o ,'%" ,#$!" o'! o. !"e e !$e,ely"a%2neyed &#!'a!#on5 He "ad +o! #n!o !"e )$on+ ba!"#n+6,a%"#ne</#+"!,a$2 &ee,ed !o .#nd #! #n!en&ely a,'&#n+= and !"e !$o'&e$& o. !"e $#+"!.'l o%%'*an! only %a,e do)n !o "#& 2nee&5 Ra#n"a, a! .#$&!)a& d#&%on%e$!ed( and !"en "e be+an !o .eel bo$ed5 He .ell #n!o a&e,#6%o,a!o&e &!a!e o. %on!e,*la!#on( .$o, )"#%" "e )a& only a$o'&ed

by !"e %aden%e on "#& ea$ o. one o. !"e ,o&! %"a$,#n+ vo#%e& "e "adeve$ "ea$d5 So "e %"a$a%!e$# ed #!( !o /#+"!,a$24& a,'&e,en!( )"en!"ey )e$e d#&%'&&#n+ !"e#$ %#+a$e!!e& and !"e @-e'ne *$e,#e$e@ #n !"e#n!e$val be!)een !"e a%!&50O" .o$ an e*#!"e! !o de&%$#be "e$;0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2( %a!%"#n+ "#&.$#end4& en!"'&#a&,5 0S"e #&n4! e a%!ly *$e!!y66ye&( &"e @#&@ *$e!!y(

b'! &"e #&n4! bea'!#.'l; S"e4& +o! any a,o'n! o. )"a! d$a,a!#%



%$#!#%& %all @%"#%@5 Don4! &"'dde$66 "a!e !"e )o$d '#!e a& ,'%" a&yo' do( b'! #! )a& #nev#!able5 T"e only !"#n+ .eel &'$e abo'! #&!"a! &"e4& @e&*#e+le@( and al!o+e!"e$ del#+"!.'l5 And "o) .'nny !"a!,an #&( o$ )o'ld be( #. !"e a'!"o$& "ad only +#ven "#, a be!!e$ %"an%e; T"e .'n o. !"e *#e%e #& l#2e !"o&e !$o'&e$&66#! only %o,e&

do)n !o "#& 2nee&500W"a! ad,#$e ,o&! #& "e$ vo#%e(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$ #n%on&e 'en!ly50Ho) #& #! !"a! F$en%" a%!$e&&e& "ave &'%" bea'!#.'l vo#%e&> F$eedo,.$o, .o+& %an4! be !"e only %a'&e5 And #!4& +o! all !"a! del#%#o'&

*la#n!#vene&&666600Ye&(0 #n!e$*o&ed /#+"!,a$2( 0#!4& !"e vo#%e o. a !$'e Pa$#&#an

@.e,,e de &#e%le( .#n de &#e%le@5 T"e$e4& !"e bell( le!4& +o and "ea$ &o,e ,o$e o. #!50A.!e$ !"e &e%ond a%! /#+"!,a$2( #n )"o, !"e #n.l'en%e o. !"e even#n+)a& be+#nn#n+ !o ,an#.e&! #!&el. #n !"e &"a*e o. a +en#al#!y )"#%")a& ab&en! #n a +$ea! de+$ee .$o, "#& ,o$e &e$#o'& "o'$&( and )"#%"

"ad 'ndo'b!edly )on "#, ,o$e .$#end& !"an !"e o!"e$ &l#+"!ly *'+na%#o'& *"a&e o. "#& !e,*e$a,en!( de%#ded !"a! N#n#%"e )a& $eallyve$y l#2e M#&& Sylve&!e$( only le&& bea'!#.'l( and a&&e$!ed !"a! "e)a& %on.#den! !"a! &"e )a& yo'n+e$ !"an !"e ne)&*a*e$& ,ade o'!5/a!e$( be.o$e !"e !)o .$#end& *a$!ed on !"e &!e*& o. !"e ,ode&!%l'b( )"#%" #n%l'ded bo!" #n #!& l#&! o. !o)n ,e,be$&( /#+"!,a$2 a&&',ed an a#$ o. ,y&!e$y( &#+"ed on%e o$ !)#%e( and loo2ed a! "#&.$#end )#!" an e *$e&&#on #n )"#%" .o$+#vene&&( $e*$oa%"( and !"ela!ene&& o. !"e "o'$ )e$e &!$an+ely %o,,#n+led50Old boy(0 "e &a#d( bend#n+ "#& eyeb$o)& )#!" an e..o$! !o)a$d&+$av#!y( 0 4, $eally $a!"e$ %'! '* abo'! !"a! b'&#ne&&66yo' !"#n2#n+

)a& *lay#n+ !"e +ay de%e#ve$( and all !"a! &o$! o. !"#n+( yo'2no)5 ! )a& 'n)o$!"y o. yo'( P"#l#*66#! )a&( $eally5 Da&" #!; 4ve

been #n love .o$ eve$ &o lon+5 All !"e &',,e$( &e$#o'&ly7 4, +o#n+!o +e! ,a$$#ed66&e!!le do)n( $an+e ,y&el.5 C'! all yo' $#*& o.

ba%"elo$&5555 '! *e$"a*& &"e )on4! &ee #!5 O"( /o$d;555 Da,n #!all5 W"y don4! yo' %on+$a!'la!e ,e( e">0Ra#n"a, )a& +$o)#n+ ,o$e and ,o$e &e$#o'&( and #! )a& )#!" a $eal"ea$!a%"e and a %'$#o'& a**$e"en&#on o. a ,o$al blo) !"a! "ean&)e$ed( a& +a#ly a& "e %o'ld0Yo'4$e +o#n+ a l#!!le !oo .a&!( D#%25 . yo' "aven4! a&2ed !"e+#$l( #!4& $a!"e$ !oo ea$ly .o$ %on+$a!'la!#on&( "o)eve$ #$$e&#&!#ble yo'$ a!!$a%!#on& ,ay be5 W"o66)"o #& #!( D#%2>00O"( %o,e( yo' 2no) )ell eno'+"5 Eve66 )onde$ #. &"e4ll le! ,e %all"e$ Eve> Eve; &n4! #! a *$e!!y na,e>00 )#&" yo' "adn4! !old ,e !"#&( D#%2(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$( )#!" ,o$e o. !"e .a,#l#a$ )ea$#ne&& #n "#& vo#%e5 0A$e yo' &'$e yo' ,ean #!> don4! bel#eve yo'4ve !"o'+"! #! o'!5 W"y( )"a! do yo' &'**o&e M$&5Sylve&!e$ )#ll &ay( and C"a$le& Sylve&!e$>00Yo' !"#n2 !"ey )on4! "ave any!"#n+ !o do )#!" a *oo$ dev#l o. an



a$!#&!( &'**o&e> R#+"! yo' a$e( &#$7 b'! )"en !"e *oo$ dev#l "a& a$#%" and +o'!y 'n%le( )"o #& d#&*o&ed !o be .$#endly5555 See> !"#n2 !"a! al!e$& !"e %o,*le #on o. !"e %a&e5 Yo' 2no)( !"eSylve&!e$& a$e a).'lly )ell %onne%!ed( and &o on( b'! !"ey "aven4!+o! ,'%" ,oney5 M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "a& a l#.e ann'#!y( and C"a$le&66)"o,

al)ay& )an! !o %all 4C"a)le&(4 be%a'&e "e4& &o *o,*o'&66"a& +o!"#& *$o.e&&#onal #n%o,e5 And Eve "a& +o! a l#!!le( eno'+" !o d$e&&"e$( &"o'ld !"#n25 4Payable 'a$!e$ly on "e$ a!!a#n#n+ !"e a+e o. !)en!y6one yea$&( o$ ,a$$y#n+ 'nde$ !"a! a+e( )"#%"eve$ &"all .#$&!"a**en54 4ve loo2ed #! all '* a! So,e$&e! Ho'&e5 /a&! )#ll and!e&!a,en! o. Sylve&!e$ C"a$le& Sylve&!e$( E& 5 2no) !"ey4$e $a!"e$ a,b#!#o'&( and )o'ldn4! loo2 a! ,e #. #! )a&n4! .o$ !"e Colonel5 '!!"e Colonel #& a &ol#d .a%!( and 4ve no do'b! !"ey !"#n2 "e4&$#%"e$ !"an "e #&5 And a, ,a2#n+ ,oney( !"o'+" yo' ,#+"!n4! !"#n2 #!500 don4! bel#eve M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "a& !"o'+"! abo'! #! a! all(0 &a#d

Ra#n"a, do'b!.'lly5 0Eve #& &o yo'n+( and yo'n+ a$!#&!& a$e neve$ loo2ed on a& ,a$$y#n+ ,en5 Ta2e ,y adv#%e and !"#n2 abo'! #!500@Yo'@ %all "e$ Eve( do yo'> A"( )ell( )on4! be -ealo'& o. yo'( old

boy5 Yo' &"all %o,e !o !"e )edd#n+ and be be&! ,an7 o$ no( !"eColonel )#ll be be&! ,an( &'**o&e> %an #,a+#ne "#, $e!'$n#n+!"an2& .o$ !"e b$#de&,a#d& #n !"e ,o&! da l#n+ )"#!e )a#&!%oa! !"a!)a& eve$ &!a$%"ed5 ?ood6n#+"!7 &ee yo' a+a#n &oon500 don4! 2no) "o) #! #&(0 !"o'+"! Ra#n"a,( a& "e )al2ed '* OldCo,*!on S!$ee!( on "#& )ay !o !"e a!!#% nea$ !"e $#!#&" M'&e',)"#%" "e $en!ed )"en "e )a& #n En+land( .o$ '&e on o%%a&#on& o. !"#&2#nd5 0 !4& ve$y &!'*#d o. ,e( b'! %an4! bea$ !"e #dea o. Eve,a$$y#n+5 A &*e%#e& o. -ealo'&y( &'**o&e7 no! o$d#na$y -ealo'&y(o. %o'$&e5 And ye! )"y no!> "ave neve$ !"o'+"! o. "e$ a& any!"#n+

b'! a %"#ld 555 )"y &"o'ldn4! /#+"!,a$2 ,a$$y "e$> Eve4& yo'n+( and+ood6loo2#n+( and &'$e !o +e! on7 and 4, a &el.#&" old )$e%25 Ye&("e &"all ,a$$y "e$( and )#ll b'y "#& *#%!'$e&50 S!#ll( "e &"oo2 "#& "ead even a& "e .o$,'la!ed !"#& +ene$o'& &ol'!#on o. !"e

'e&!#on( and %o'ld no! #nd'%e "#,&el. !o $e+a$d !"e *o&#!#on )#!"e 'an#,#!y( !"o'+" "e &a! '* !#ll b$oad dayl#+"! )$e&!l#n+ )#!" #!50 )onde$ #. a, #n love(0 "e &a#d( )#!" a b#!!e$ la'+"( a& "e&"oo2 !"e a&"e& o'! o. "#& la&! *#*e5

CHAPTER I

T"e '**e$ end o. !"e Pa$2 #& neve$ &o .a&"#onably .$e 'en!ed a& #!&&o'!"e$n $e+#on&( and Ra#n"a,( )"o&e )an! o. *'$*o&e "ad led "#,

*a&! +ay %a$*e!6bed& and 'nde$ b$an%"#n+ !$ee& nea$ly !o !"e Ma$bleA$%"( )a& "a$dly &'$*$#&ed !o $e%o+n#&e a,on+ !"e "e!e$o+eneo'&a$$ay o. *$o,enade$&( !$a,*&( and n'$&e,a#d&( )"o, !"e "ea! o. !"e&lan!#n+ &'n "ad *$o,*!ed !o o%%'*y !"e ben%"e& do!!ed a! #n!e$val&



alon+ !"e Ro)( a .a%e )"o&e )ea$y *allo$ %a'&ed "#, a *an+ o. &el.6$e*$oa%"66K#!!y;Fo$ !"e la&! .e) day&( &#n%e "#& en%o'n!e$ )#!" "e$ *o$!$a#! a!/#+"!,a$24& &!'d#o( "e "ad &%a$%ely +#ven "e$ !$o'ble& a !"o'+"!5W"en !"e +#$l &a) "#,( a.!e$ a &!a$!led loo2 and ,ove,en!( &"e

&ee,ed !o &"$#n2 &!#ll .'$!"e$ #n!o !"e .old& o. "e$ $'&!y bla%2 %loa2( and( !o avo#d ,ee!#n+ Ra#n"a,4& eye&( ben! "e$ "ead ove$ !"e%"#ld )"o )a& &ea!ed a! "e$ &#de5 He .o'nd &o,e!"#n+ #$$e&#&!#bly%"a$,#n+ and *a!"e!#%ally +ene$o'& #n !"e +#$l4& &*on!aneo'& den#alo. any %la#, !o "#& no!#%e( al!"o'+"( e %e*! !"a! "e "ad *$o,#&ed !ole! "e$ 2no) any!"#n+ "e ,#+"! lea$n o. !"e )"e$eabo'!& o. !"e.a!"e$ o. "e$ %"#ld( "e )o'ld "ave .o'nd #! "a$d !o e&!abl#&" #n !"e,#nd o. an o'!&#de %$#!#% !"a! any &'%" %la#, #n .a%! e #&!ed50Well( ,y *oo$ %"#ld(0 "e &a#d &o.!ly( a& "e d$o**ed #n!o one o. !"eva%an! &ea!& on !"e &a,e ben%"( 0"o) +oe& #! )#!" yo' and !"e l#!!leone>0

0O"( &#$( yo' &"o'ldn4! &*ea2 !o ,e66no! "e$e5 Anyone ,#+"! &ee yo'5P$ay +o5 2no) &"all +e! yo' #n!o !$o'ble( and yo' &o 2#nd;0T"e&e )o$d& )e$e &*o2en #n a $a*#d( .$#+"!ened )"#&*e$( and )#!" ana**$e"en&#ve +lan%e a! !"e #n!e$,#!!en! &!$ea, o. %a$$#a+e& *a&&#n+)#!"#n a .e) ya$d& o. !"e,5 Ra#n"a, &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$&

*#!#.'lly( b'! .o'nd #! $a!"e$ d#..#%'l! !o &ay any!"#n+5 Ce$!a#nly("#& $e*'!a!#on )a& $'nn#n+ a $#&2( and "e .el! !"a! "#& #nd#..e$en%e)a& &o,e)"a! e %e*!#onal50 4, &o$$y !o &ay 4ve +o! no ne)& .o$ yo'(0 "e &a#d *$e&en!ly(a.!e$ a &#len! *a'&e( d'$#n+ )"#%" "e "ad ob&e$ved !"a! !"e)#de6eyed %"#ld )a& $eally .a$ *$e!!#e$ !"an ,any )"o <a& "e "ad

been a&&'$ed by !"e %o,*la%en! ,a!$on& )"o e "#b#!ed !"e,= )e$e0l#!!le %"e$'b&(0 and !"a! #! )a& a& &%$'*'lo'&ly %a$ed .o$ a& !"el#!!le %"e$'b&( even #n !"e#$ e "#b#!#on a$$ay5 0 "aven4! been able!o d#&%ove$ any!"#n+7 b'! yo' ,'&!n4! de&*a#$( )e &"all .#nd "#,&oone$ o$ la!e$50T"e +#$l +lan%ed a! "#, #$$e&ol'!ely( and !"en d$o**ed "e$ eye&a+a#n( lean#n+ ove$ !"e %"#ld50 !4& no +ood( &#$(0 &"e &a#d5 0 4, only &o$$y !o "ave +#ven yo' &o,'%" !$o'ble al$eady5 He )on4! %o,e ba%266"e4& !#$ed o. ,e5 He %o'ld.#nd ,e #. "e )an!ed !o( and )a!%"#n+ and "'n!#n+ .o$ "#, l#2e !"#&)o'ld only &e! "#, ,o$e and ,o$e a+a#n&! ,e50Ra#n"a,( a& "e l#&!ened !o "e$( $a!"e$ *' led by "e$ &'dden %"an+eo. a!!#!'de &#n%e !"e#$ la&! #n!e$v#e)( )a& .o$%ed !o ad,#! ,en!ally!"a! "e$ $ea&on#n+( #. #! la%2ed &*on!ane#!y( )a&( a! all even!&(#nd#&*'!ably &o'nd7 and )"#le "e .o'nd "#,&el. do'b!#n+ )"e!"e$ !"ev#%!#, )a& no! be!!e$ ve$&ed #n )o$ldl#ne&& !"an "e "ad a! .#$&!&'&*e%!ed( "e &!#ll .el! a %'$#o'& $el'%!an%e )"#%"( !"o'+" "e )a&"al. a&"a,ed o. "#& del#%a%y( *$even!ed "#, .$o, &'++e&!#n+ !"a!(&en!#,en!al $ea&on& a*a$!( !"e be!$aye$ &!#ll o'+"! !o be



d#&%ove$ed( #. only #n o$de$ !o .o$%e "#, !o *$ov#de .o$ !"e,a#n!enan%e o. "#& %"#ld5 ! "a$dly( *e$"a*&( o%%'$$ed !o "#, !"a!"e( a.!e$ all( )o'ld be !"e *e$&on )"o )o'ld &'..e$ ,o&!( and "e%e$!a#nly d#d no! .o$ an #n&!an! %$ed#! !"e +#$l )#!" any 'l!e$#o$ de&#+n& '*on "#& *'$&e5

0O"( don4! 2no)(0 "e &a#d .eebly5 0Pe$"a*& "e doe& no! 2no) )"e$eyo' a$e5 And da$e &ay( #. "e &a) !"e %"#ld666600T"e %"#ld>0 e%"oed !"e )o,an b#!!e$ly5 0T"a!4& -'&! !"e )o$&! o. #!;0Ra#n"a, &#+"ed( .o$%ed a+a#n !o a%2no)led+e "#& lo)e$ &!and#n+ #n!"e )#&do, o. !"e )o$ld5 He )o'ld "ave +#ven a +$ea! deal !o be able!o +e! '* and +o50T"en yo' don4! )an! ,e !o e,*loy a de!e%!#ve( o$ !o adve$!#&e(o$66o$ !o ,a2e an a**eal !o !"e ed#!o$ o. !"e @O'!%$y@>0M$&5 C$#%"!on &ee,ed !o )el%o,e !"e o**o$!'n#!y a..o$ded by !"#&d#$e%! 'e&!#on#n+5

0No(0 &"e &a#d( 0 !"#n2 #! )o'ld be be!!e$ no!5 don4! )an! !o&ee, 'n+$a!e.'l( &#$66and 4, &'$e !"an2 yo' ve$y( ve$y ,'%" .o$ all yo' "ave done .o$ ,e66b'! !"#n2 yo' "ad be!!e$ !a2e no ,o$e!$o'ble abo'! #!5 . %an +e! )o$2 &"all do all $#+"!50

n &*#!e o. !"e +#$l4& ev#den! a!!e,*! !o *'ll "e$&el. !o+e!"e$( "e$ vo#%e )a& le&& b$ave !"an "e$ )o$d&( and !"ey %onveyed b'! l#!!lea&&'$an%e !o !"e l#&!ene$5 He &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$& &o,e)"a!#,*a!#en!ly !"e #n!e$v#e) )a& be+#nn#n+ !o !ell '*on "#& ne$ve&50O. %o'$&e( #!4& .o$ yo' !o de%#de( and &'**o&e yo' "ave !"o'+"!#! )ell o'!( and "ave +ood $ea&on .o$ !"#& al!e$a!#on o. *'$*o&e5

'! )"en yo' !al2 abo'! )o$26666>0He .#n#&"ed "#& &en!en%e )#!" a no!e o. #n '#$y and a "al. a*olo+e!#% +lan%e a! "e$ &l#+"! .o$, and .$a#l( )"#!e .#n+e$&50 "aven4! al)ay& been a ,odel(0 &"e e *la#ned )#!" &o,e d#+n#!y50Wo'ld !o ?od neve$ "ad; %an &e) be!!e$ !"an ,o&!( and %an)o$2 a !y*e6,a%"#ne5 T"a!4& )"a! '&ed !o do be.o$e "e %a,e5 '!!y*e6)$#!#n+ )o$2 #&n4! &o ea&y !o +e! a& #! )a&( and a, o'! o.

*$a%!#%e50! o%%'$$ed !o "#, .o$ a ,o,en! !o a&2 !"e +#$l )"e!"e$ &"e %o'ld

$e,e,be$ &#!!#n+ .o$ M$5 /#+"!,a$2( b'! "e .el! !"a! D#%2 ,#+"!$e&en! !"e #n!$od'%!#on o. "#& na,e7 and( $e,e,be$#n+ !"a! &"e "ad!old "#, !"a!( .o$ a !#,e( be.o$e "e$ "eal!" +ave )ay( "e$ a$!#&!

*a!$on& "ad been n',e$o'&( "e d#&,#&&ed !"e #dea a& no! l#2ely !o be *$o.#!able5A& !"ey &*o2e( &"e )#!" "e$ ,o'$n.'l eye& !'$ned on Ra#n"a,4&&y,*a!"e!#% .a%e( "e ab&en!ly .ollo)#n+ !"e ,ove,en!& o. !"e %"#lda& #! labo$#o'&ly $a#&ed a &,all ed#.#%e o. +$avel6&!one& on !"e&ea! be!)een !"e,( ne#!"e$ o. !"e, no!#%ed !"e &eve$ely %o$$e%!.#+'$e #n !"e .$o%26%oa! and #,,a%'la!e "a! )"o *a&&ed %lo&e be"#nd)#!" ob&e$van! eye+la&& .# ed '*on !"e l#!!le +$o'*( and )#!" an a#$



)"#%"( a.!e$ !"e .#$&! .l'&" o. o*en6,o'!"ed &'$*$#&e( )a&elo 'en!ly e *$e&&#ve o. $e+$e!.'l #nd#+na!#on and !"e "#+"e&!,o!#ve&5C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ %on!#n'ed "#& )al2 .o$ a d#&!an%e o. abo'! .#.!y

*a%e&( and !"en &ea!ed "#,&el. #n a *o&#!#on !o %o,,and a v#e) o.

!"e *e$&on& #n )"o, "e )a& #n!e$e&!ed50 don4! l#2e )a!%"#n+ Ra#n"a, l#2e !"#&(0 "e &a#d !o "#,&el.7 0b'!#!4& a d'!y )"#%" o)e !o &o%#e!y50T"a! !"e ,an )a& Ra#n"a, )a& a& obv#o'& a& !"a! !"e )o,an "e )a&!al2#n+ !o )a& o. a .a$ lo)e$ $an2 #n l#.e !"an "#& o)n5 And !"en!"e$e )a& !"e %"#ld;0 y :ove;0 &a#d Sylve&!e$ &en!en!#o'&ly( 0#!4& )o$&e !"an !"o'+"!5Peo*le $eally o'+"! !o be )a$ned5 &'**o&e #!4& !"a! +#$l "e )a&!al2#n+ abo'! a! !"e &!'d#o !"e o!"e$ day7 and "e !$#ed !o &"#.! "e$ on !o /#+"!,a$25 W"a! a "y*o%$#!e !"e ,an ,'&! be;0He )a& no!( "o)eve$( .o$ lon+ %alled '*on !o ,a#n!a#n( #n !"e

#n!e$e&!& o. &o%#e!y( "#& *o&#!#on o. e&*#ona+e7 .o$ Ra#n"a,( )a$nedo. !"e la*&e o. !#,e by !"e %lo%2 )"#%" ado$n& !"e Pa$2 lod+e( *$e&en!ly be%a,e a)a$e !"a!( #. "e )a& !o .'l.#l "#& #n!en!#on o. %all#n+ on M$&5 Sylve&!e$( "e "ad no !#,e !o &*a$e7 and )"en "e $o&e.$o, "#& &ea! C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ !"o'+"! #! adv#&able !o $e&',e !"e)al2 )"#%" "#& eal "ad #nd'%ed "#, !o #n!e$$'*!5

CHAPTER I

A.!e$ all( "e need no! "ave "'$$#ed5 M$&5 Sylve&!e$ )a& o'!( "e )a&!old by !"e b'!le$( )"o *$o%eeded !o &'++e&!( )#!" !"e .$eedo, o. anold .$#end( !"a! "e &"o'ld ,a2e "#& )ay '*&!a#$& and .#nd M#&& Eve50Ye&( !"#n2 )#ll( P"el*&(0 "e &a#d( a.!e$ a ,o,en!4& "e&#!a!#on(0#. &"e #& d#&en+a+ed500M#&& Eve #& #n !"e ,'&#%6$oo, *lay#n+( !"#n2( &#$5 W#ll yo' +o'*>0T"ey .o'nd !"e $oo, e,*!y( "o)eve$( !"o'+" an o*en v#ol#n6%a&e on!"e !able and a ,'&#%6&!and( on )"#%" lea.le!& o. S%"'be$! .l'!!e$ed.#!.'lly #n !"e l#+"! b$ee e !"a! en!e$ed !"$o'+" !"e o*en )#ndo)(!e&!#.#ed !o #!& $e%en! o%%'*a!#on5W"#le !"e b'!le$ le.! Ra#n"a,( )#!" a*olo+#e&( !o ,a2e .'$!"e$ &ea$%"( !"e la!!e$ &!ood( "a! #n "and( ,a2#n+ a &'$vey o. !"e l#!!le)a#n&%o!ed $oo,( )"#%" "e $e,e,be$ed a& !"e &%"ool$oo,5 ndeed(!"o'+" !"e na,e( #n de.e$en%e do'b!le&& !o Eve4& ,a!'$e a+e( "ad

been al!e$ed( #! &!#ll $e!a#ned ,'%" o. #!& .o$,e$ a&*e%!5 F$o, !"el#!!le .e,#n#ne !$#.le& ly#n+ abo'!( &%$a*& o. 'n.#n#&"ed%$e)el6)o$2 and e,b$o#de$y( and !"e .$e&" .lo)e$& #n !"e va&e&( "e+a!"e$ed !"a! #! )a& &!#ll an a*a$!,en! )"#%" Eve .$e 'en!ed5 He$e%o+n#&ed "e$ %a+e o. love6b#$d& "an+#n+ #n !"e )#ndo)7 !"e %o!!a+e

*#ano )#!" #!& .$on!al o. .aded &#l2( on )"#%" "e %o'ld $e,e,be$ "e$



.#$&! *a#n.'l &!$'++le& )#!" C e$ny and &%ale&7 !"e *#%!'$e& on !"e)all&( ,any o. !"e, %olo'$ed $e*$od'%!#on& .$o, !"e C"$#&!,a&n',be$& o. !"e #ll'&!$a!ed *a*e$&7 !"e #n26&!a#ned !able%lo!" on !"e$o'nd !able #n !"e %en!$e5 He e a,#ned !"e *"o!o+$a*"& on !"e,an!el*#e%e )#!" a &,#le66C"a$le& #n "#& )#+ and +o)n( and M$&5

Sylve&!e$ )#!" "e$ *$e!!y( .aded .a%e( +a ed a! ea%" o!"e$( )#!" a%'$#o'& l#2ene&& #n !"e#$ d#&*a$#!y( .$o, a do'ble .$a,e #n !"e%en!$e7 !"e &*e%!a%led *$o.#le o. !"e e,#nen!ly $e&*e%!able )o,an)"o "ad &'*e$#n!ended M#&& Eve4& &!'d#e& "eld ano!"e$ *la%e o. "ono'$7 and( o**o&#!e( Ra#n"a, $e%o+n#&ed a .aded *"o!o+$a*" o. "#,&el.( !a2en &# yea$& be.o$e #n Ro,e5 He !'$ned .$o, !"e&e !o !"e

boo2&"elve&( )"#%" &ee,ed !o be .#lled )#!" $ele+a!#on& .$o, !"e$e&! o. !"e "o'&e66%"#ld$en4& &!o$y6boo2& #n !a$n#&"ed b$#+"! %ove$&and d#la*#da!ed &%"ool6boo2&5 He !oo2 do)n one o. !"e&e la!!e$ ande a,#ned #! ab&en!ly( )#!" a "al.6&#+"5 He "ad #! &!#ll #n "#& "and)"en !"e yo'n+ +#$l .l'!!e$ed #n( loo2#n+ ve$y %ool and .$e&" #n "e$

*la#n( )"#!e d$e&& )#!" a b$oad &a&" o. a**le6+$een $#bbon50 !"o'+"! yo' )e$e neve$ %o,#n+ !o &ee '& a+a#n( P"#l#*(0 &"e &a#d$e*$oa%".'lly( a& &"e "eld o'! "e$ l#!!le "and !o "#,5 0W"a!

*o&&e&&ed !"e, !o b$#n+ yo' "e$e> !4& a).'lly 'n!#dy500P"el*& "ad an #dea yo' )e$e ,a2#n+ ,'&#%(0 "e e *la#ned7 0and( .o$ !"e 'n!#d#ne&&( &'**o&e "e $e,e,be$ed !"a! )a& '&ed !o #! o. old500Ye&( #!4& -'&! !"e &a,e5 ! #& an 'n!#d#ne&& o. yea$&( and #! #&"o*ele&& !o %o*e )#!" #!5 W"a! @"ave@ yo' +o! !"e$e>0He !'$ned !"e boo2 $o'nd !o a% 'a#n! "#,&el.50Ollendo$.4& 4Ele,en!a$y ?e$,an ?$a,,a$(40 "e &a#d )#!" a &,#le70#!4& an #n!e$e&!#n+ )o$250S"e ,ade a l#!!le @,o'e@ e *$e&&#ve o. d#&a**$oval50A"( "o) n#%e #! #& !o "ave done )#!" all !"a!( P"#l#*; Yo' %an4!

bel#eve "o) +lad a, !o be 4.#n#&"ed47 ye&( a, .#n#&"ed no)5 don4! even "ave ,a&!e$&( and M#&& M'$#&on "a& +one a)ay !o $#+"!onand o*ened a &%"ool .o$ yo'n+ +en!le,en5 Poo$ l#!!le )$e!%"e&; "o)&o$$y a, .o$ !"e,; Do yo' $e,e,be$ M#&& M'$#&on( P"#l#*>0S"e "ad &'n2 do)n #n!o an a$,6%"a#$( and Ra#n"a, &!ood( "#& &!oo*#n+&"o'lde$& *$o**ed a+a#n&! !"e ,an!el*#e%e( &,#l#n+ do)n a! "e$50Ye&( $e,e,be$ M#&& M'$#&on7 and &o yo' a$e +lad "e$ $e#+n "a&%o,e !o an end( Eve> Well( &'**o&e #! #& na!'$al50S"e nodded "e$ *$e!!y "ead50:'&! a l#!!le( P"#l#*5 '! "o) !#$ed yo' loo2; W#ll yo' "ave &o,e!ea> &'**o&e yo' "ave -'&! %o,e .$o, la%2*ool>0H#& .a%e da$2ened &'ddenly( and !"e &,#le .o$ a ,o,en! d#ed a)ay50No(0 "e &a#d &"o$!ly( 0 "ave been #n !"e Pa$2500Well(0 &"e $e,a$2ed a.!e$ a ,o,en!( 0yo' ,'&! "ave &o,e !ea(any"o)5 O. %o'$&e yo' )#ll )a#! and &ee ,a,,a7 &"e "a& +one !o !"eDollond&4 4a! "o,e(4 yo' 2no)5 an all alone5 . yo' l#2e( )e )#ll



"ave #! #n "e$e( a& )e d#d #n !"e old day&66a $e+'la$ &%"ool$oo,!ea500 ! )#ll be %"a$,#n+(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( &ea!#n+ "#,&el.7 0#! )#ll only)an! !"e M'$#&on !o %o,*le!e !"e #ll'&#on500O"( #! )#ll do -'&! a& )ell )#!"o'! "e$(0 &a#d Eve( la'+"#n+7 0$#n+

!"e bell( *lea&e50Ra#n"a, &a! ba%2 )a!%"#n+ "e$ )#!" .a$6a)ay eye&( a& &"e ,ovedl#+"!ly abo'!( +#v#n+ "e$ o$de$& )#!" a %"#ld#&" #,*e$#o'&ne&&( and&e!!#n+ o'! !"e l#!!le !ea6!able be!)een !"e,50 ! #& del#+"!.'l(0 "e &a#d a+a#n( )"en !"ey )e$e on%e ,o$e aloneand "e "ad a%%e*!ed a )ell6%$ea,ed %'* and a )a.e$l#2e @!a$!#ne@7 0and

.eel a& #. "ad !'$ned ba%2 &eve$al yea$&5 '! "o) #& #!( by6!"e6bye( !"a! yo' "ave no! +one !o !"e Dollond&4>0S"e la'+"ed '* a! "#, ,e$$#ly50 e%a'&e "ave "ad ,'%" ,o$e #,*o$!an! !"#n+& !o do5 "ave been)#!" ,y d$e&&,a2e$5 a, +o#n+ !o a dan%e !o6n#+"!( and "ave "ad a

+$ea! deal o. bo!"e$ ove$ ,y ne) .$o%25 '! #! #& all $#+"! no)( and &"all )ea$ #! !o6n#+"!7 and #! #& *e$.e%!ly &)ee!5 O"( yo' "aveneve$ &een ,e a! a *a$!y ye!( P"#l#*500Neve$> My dea$ %"#ld( "ave dan%ed )#!" yo' a! &%o$e&500O" ye&( a! %"#ld$en4& *a$!#e&7 b'! neve$ &#n%e "ave +$o)n'*664%o,e o'!(4 ,ean5 O"( P"#l#*( #& !"e$e any!"#n+ #n l#.e &odel#+"!.'l a& one4& .#$&! ball> )#&" yo' )o'ld %o,e o'! )#!" '&&o,e!#,e&5 &"o'ld l#2e !o dan%e )#!" yo' a+a#n no)500A"(0 "e &a#d( 0,y dan%#n+ day& a$e ove$5 a, a )all.lo)e$( Eve(no)7 and ,y only '&e a! ball& #& !o .e!%" and %a$$y .o$ !"e%"a*e$on&500P"#l#*;0 &"e %$#ed $e*$oa%".'lly( 0)"a! a d$ead.'l !"#n+ !o &ay;

e&#de&( yo' '&ed !o dan%e &o &*lend#dly500D#d >0 "e a&2ed7 0 e *e%! yo' )o'ld be le&& len#en! no)5 Ye&( )#ll "ave ano!"e$ %'*( *lea&e50S"e .#lled #!( and "e !oo2 #! .$o, "e$ #n &#len%e( )onde$#n+ "o) "e%o'ld lea&! ob!$'&#vely +a#n !"e 2no)led+e o. "e$ ,#nd "e &o'+"!5 He"ad &a#d !o "#,&el. !"a! #. "e %o'ld .#nd "e$ alone( #! )o'ld be &oea&y7 -'&! a )o$d( an a%%en!( )o'ld !ell "#, "o) .a$ &"e $eally%a$ed5 '! no) !"a! &"e )a& a%!'ally )#!" "#,( #! "ad be%o,e&!$an+ely d#..#%'l!5 Be$y &adly "e $e.le%!ed !"a! &"e "ad +$o)n o'!o. "#& 2no)led+e7 a)ay .$o, "e$( &"e $e&!ed #n "#& ,e,o$y a& a %"#ld)"o, "e %o'ld "el*5 T"e a%!'al *$e&en%e o. !"#& yo'n+ +#$l )#!" !"edee* eye&( #n !"e .#$&! .l'&" o. "e$ )o,an"ood( %o$$e%!ed "#,7 an#n!ole$able )e#+"! &ealed "#& !on+'e( .o$b#dd#n+ "#, !o '!!e$ /#+"!,a$24& na,e( +$ea!ly a& "e de&#$ed5 He $a%2ed "#,&el. .o$ del#%a!e %#$%',lo%'!#on&( and #! )a& only a! la&!( by a +#+an!#%e..o$!( )"en "e $eal# ed !"a! !"e a.!e$noon )aned( )"#le "e )a&!edan 'n# 'e o%%a&#on #n "',o$o'& %o,,on*la%e( !"a! "e b$o2e al,o&!

b$'!ally #n!o Eve4& d#& '#&#!#on& on "e$ va$#o'& .e&!#v#!#e& !o a&2(



bl'&"#n+ l#2e a +#$l( #. /#+"!,a$24& *#%!'$e *$o+$e&&ed50 "ave "ad only a .e) &#!!#n+&(0 &"e ad,#!!ed( 0and e *e%! !"ey)#ll be !"e la&! "e$e5 Pe$"a*& !"ey )#ll be %on!#n'ed ab$oad5 Yo'2no) M$5 /#+"!,a$2 #& +o#n+ !o ,ee! '& #n S)#! e$land( *e$"a*&500Yo' )#ll l#2e !"a!>0 &'++e&!ed Ra#n"a, +$avely5

S"e loo2ed #n!o "e$ %'*( bea!#n+ a !a!!oo on !"e %a$*e! )#!" "e$ l#!!le .oo! ne$vo'&ly50Ye&(0 &"e &a#d( a.!e$ a ,#n'!e( 0 !"#n2 &o50T"e$e )a& no!"#n+ #n "e$ )o$d&( "e$ !one( !o %olo'$ !"#& ba$e&!a!e,en! o. a &#,*le .a%!5 Only a &e%ond la!e$( a& #. #n a &'ddenneed o. %on.#den%e( a $e&',*!#on o. "e$ old %"#ld#&" "ab#! !o)a$d&"#,( &"e $a#&ed "e$ eye& !o "#&( and #n !"e#$ %lea$( +$ay de*!"&(

be.o$e !"ey d$oo*ed a+a#n benea!" !"e lon+ la&"e&( "e $ead "e$ &e%$e!5 No )o$d& %o'ld "ave !old "#, ,o$e *la#nly !"a! &"e loved/#+"!,a$266!"a! D#%2 "ad ,e$ely !o &*ea25 T"e#$ &#len%e only la&!eda ,o,en!7 b'! #! &ee,ed !o Ra#n"a,( )"o "ad no! &"#.!ed "#& *o&#!#on

o$ ,oved a ,'&%le( !"a! #! &!$e!%"ed ove$ an #n!e$,#nable &*a%e o. !#,e5 ! )a& %'$#o'&ly #n!an+#ble( and ye! even !"en "e $eal# ed!"a! #! )o'ld $e,a#n )#!" #!& lea&! a%%e&&o$#e& #n "#& ,#nd one o. !"o&e !$#v#al( #ndel#ble *"o!o+$a*"& )"#%" la&! a l#.e!#,e5 T"e&,ell o. ,#+none!!e !"a! &*$ead #n .$o, !"e )#ndo)6bo !"$o'+" !"e!'$ 'o#&e6bl'e Bene!#an bl#nd&7 !"e %"a!!e$#n+ o. !"e love6b#$d&7!"e &!$a#n& o. a )al! o. Wald!e'.el4& .loa!#n+ '* .$o, a ?e$,an

band #n !"e &!$ee! belo)66!"ey $an #n!o a &#n+le &en&a!#on !"a! )a&l#2e !"e &!ab o. %old &!eel5 He &a! &!a$#n+ blan2ly a! !"e !a!!e$ed

boo2&"elve&( *lay#n+ ,e%"an#%ally )#!" "#& !ea&*oon7 and *$e&en!ly"e be%a,e a)a$e !"a! !"e yo'n+ +#$l )a& !al2#n+( )a& !ell#n+ "#, !"e$o'!e !"ey &"o'ld !a2e ne ! )ee2( and !"e na,e o. !"e "o!el !"ey)e$e +o#n+ !o a! a&el50Ye&(0 "e "a a$ded( and 0Ye&(0 and 0Ye&(0 "#& &,#l#n+ l#*& bely#n+!"e la&&#!'de o. "#& eye&5 A%!'ally( "e loo2ed o'! and beyond "e$(a! ano!"e$ Eve( !o )"o, "e no) *a#d "#& ad#e' 5 ! )a& !"e da#n!yl#!!le .#+'$e o. "e$ %"#ld#&" &el. )"#%" "e &a)( )#!" #!& b$#+"!(lon+ "a#$( and #!& %on.#d#n+ eye&( and #!& %a$e&&#n+ l#!!le )ay&( #n!"e dee*en#n+ &"ado)& be!)een !"e boo2&"elve&66and .o$ !"e la&!!#,e5 ! van#&"ed l#2e a &"ado)( &,#l#n+ ,o%2#n+ly( and "e 2ne) #!)o'ld neve$ $e!'$n5 n #!& *la%e abode "en%e.o$!" !"e #,a+e o. !"#&&!a!ely ,a#den( %o,ely and de&#$able( )#!" !"e *$o.o'nd eye& )"#%"l#+"!ed '*66.o$ D#%25 An 'na%%o'n!able &en&e o. .a#l'$e &!ole ove$ Ra#n"a,66'na%%o'n!able be%a'&e "e %o'ld lay "#& .#n+e$ '*on no!an+#ble %a'&e o. "#& d#&%o,.#!'$e5

CHAPTER I

T"e l#!!le !o)n )a& b$#ll#an! )#!" Se*!e,be$ &'n&"#ne7 !"e bl'e&,o2e &*#$ed al,o&! 'nb$o2en #n!o !"e bl'e$ va'l! above( and !"e



%$ea,6%olo'$ed .a%ade& o. !"e "o'&e&( )#!" !"e#$ .aded bl'e &"'!!e$&and ve$anda&( !"e +ay &!$#*ed a)n#n+& o. !"e l#!!le .lee! o. $o)#n+

boa!&( !"e +$ay o. !"e &!one *a$a*e!( and !"e d'll +$een o. !"e,o'n!a#no'& o**o&#!e &"o$e( )e$e ,#$$o$ed &!ee*ly #n !"e b#+"! o. na$$o)#n+( &'nl#! la2e5 T"e )#de( d'&!y e&*lanade )a& al,o&! e,*!y(

e %e*! a! !"e %o$ne$&( )"e$e vol'ble ,a$2e! )o,en +o&&#*ed ove$ !"e#$ .$'#!6ba&2e!&( "ea*ed )#!" *'$*le6b$o)n .#+&( l#!!le,o'n!a#n6bo$n &!$a)be$$#e&( &)ee!( )a!e$y +$a*e&( +$een al,ond&( and&!'*endo'& *ea$&5 A! $a$e #n!e$val& a &!ea,boa!( b$#+"! and nea! a&a ne) !oy( !$a#led a lon+ .ea!"e$ o. &,o2e .$o, !"e .oo! o. !"eR#+#( &"ed a &,all and d'&!y %$o)d #n!o !"e &lee*y !o)n( and !"en

b'&!led ba%2( &"ea$#n+ !"e &#l2en .lood and &!$an+ely d#&!o$!#n+ #!&$e.le%!#on&50T"e )o$&! o. /'%e$ne(0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$660!"e )o$&! o. /'%e$ne#& !"a! one %an4! e&%a*e .$o, Mo'n! P#la!'& and !"e /#on5 T"e#n"ab#!an!& all !"#n2 !"a! P#la!'& $e+'la!e& !"e )ea!"e$( and !"ey

)o'ld %e$!a#nly +#ve !"e#$ /#on !"e *$e.e$en%e ove$ !"e Ben'& o. M#lo50T"ey )e$e all &#!!#n+ on !"e !e$$a%e #n .$on! o. !"e S%")e#! e$"o.7/ady ?a$ne!! and Ma$y( M$&5 Sylve&!e$ and Eve5 /ady ?a$ne!! and "e$ %o,*an#on )e$e b'! ne)ly a$$#ved( and( a& b#$d& o. *a&&a+e(

*$e.e$$ed !"e "o!el !o a @*en&#on@5 T"e Sylve&!e$& "ad been &!ay#n+ #n!"e 'a#n!( $a,bl#n+ !o)n .o$ nea$ly a .o$!n#+"!5 ! )a& !"e#$ '&'al&',,e$ $e&o$!( and al!"o'+" !"e &*$#n+ o. ea%" yea$ .o'nd !"e,de%#d#n+ !o +o el&e)"e$e .o$ a %"an+e( #n !"e end !"ey nea$ly al)ay&

*$oved .a#!".'l !o !"e .a,#l#a$ la2e5 T"e#$ @*en&#on@66!"ey $e+a$ded#! al,o&! a& a %o'n!$y "o'&e66)a& &'%" an #nd'%e,en!; T"e Pen&#on

'n+ay )a& ,a#n!a#ned by an old &e$van! o. !"e .a,#ly( )"o( )"en "e be+an !o .#nd !"e d'!#e& o. b'!le$ !oo e a%!#n+ .o$ "#& de%l#n#n+yea$&( +ave a )a$n#n+( )"#%" a**l#ed al&o !o one o. "#&.ello)6&e$van!&( !"e %oo2( !o )#!( a lady o. Con!#nen!al o$#+#n( )"o"ad %on&en!ed !o be%o,e Mada,e 'n+ay7 and !"e *a#$( "av#n+ &o'l&above *'bl#%6"o'&e&( and $ely#n+ on !"e#$ no! #n%on&#de$able%onne%!#on a,on+ !"e &e$van!& o. May.a#$( "ad boldly and&'%%e&&.'lly la'n%"ed #n!o an #nde*enden! %a$ee$ a& &ole *$o*$#e!o$&and ,ana+e$& o. !"e Pen&#on 'n+ay( /'%e$ne50Ye&(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!! &y,*a!"e!#%ally7 0 &'**o&e P#la!'& @#&@ $a!"e$ ,ono!ono'&5 !4& $a!"e$ !oo nea$( !"#n25 ! o'+"! !o be .a$ a)ay( and %ove$ed )#!" &no)( ,o$e l#2e !"e :'n+.$a'( )"#%" )e "ave

been )o$&"#**#n+ a! n!e$la2en( )"e$e( by !"e )ay( !"e$e a$e *o&#!#vely ,o$e A,e$#%an& !"an na!#ve&500O"(0 M$&5 Sylve&!e$ %"#,ed #n( 0#&n4! #! d$ead.'l !"e )ay !"eyove$$'n E'$o*e no)aday&; T"e$e a$e !)o A,e$#%an .a,#l#e& &!ay#n+ a!o'$ @*en&#on@( and yo' &ee !"e, eve$y)"e$e500 !"#n2 $a!"e$ l#2e !"e,5 T"ey a,'&e ,e( yo' 2no)( and &o,e"o)(!"o'+" #! ,ay be d#&loyal .o$ ,e( a& a na!'$al# ed En+l#&")o,an( !o



&ay &o( a& a $'le !"ey %o,*o$! !"e,&elve& ,'%" be!!e$ !"an !"eo$d#na$y $#!#&" !o'$#&!5 O. %o'$&e( !"e %o'n!$y #& no! &oa%%e&&#ble .o$ !"e A,e$#%an&7 #!4& o'! o. !"e $ea%" o. !"e#$ %"ea*e %'$&#on#&!&5 '! "o) o**o$!'ne !"a! %'$#o'& !o)e$ #&( and !"e

b$#d+e; o. %o'$&e( #!4& %o$$e%! !o ad,#$e !"e,>0

Ma$y Ma&!e$& and Eve( )"o "ad been '#e!ly d#&%'&&#n+ @%"#..on&@( +o!'* .$o, !"e#$ %"a#$& )#!" a *$e%on%e$!ed a#$50We a$e &o !#$ed o. &#!!#n+ &!#ll(0 &a#d !"e .o$,e$( balan%#n+"e$&el. )#!" an a#$ o. #nde%#&#on( and +#v#n+ M$&5 Sylve&!e$ !#,e !ono!e !"e ad,#$able !a&!e o. "e$ &#,*le( ,a# e6%olo'$ed !$avell#n+d$e&&( )"#%" d#d no! &'..e$ .$o, %on!$a&! )#!" !"e yo'n+e$ +#$l4&

b$#+"!e$ and ,o$e elabo$a!ely %"a$,#n+ !o#le!!e5 0M#&& Sylve&!e$ )an!& !o &"o) ,e !"e 'n%a!%"able !$o'! #n !"e la2e( and )an! !o +oand &ee #. !"e &alon #& e,*!y( &o !"a! %an !$y !"e *#ano7 and )e%an4! de%#de )"#%" !o do5 &'**o&e( M$&5 Sylve&!e$( !"a! !"e "o!el#& ,o$e )#!"#n !"e bo'nd& o. *$o*$#e!y>0

0O"( )ell(0 &a#d Eve( la'+"#n+( 0 don4! %a$e7 any"o)( le!4& +o and.#nd !"e *#ano5 Only( !"e$e #& &'$e !o be &o,e one !"e$e al$eady500 y !"e )ay(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!( )"en !"e +#$l& "ad van#&"ed #n!o!"e b'#ld#n+( 0o. %o'$&e yo' 2no) !"a! P"#l#* Ra#n"a,4& .$#end66!"eyo'n+ ,an )"o *a#n!& and "a& a ,o'&!a%"e( ,ean66#& "e$e( o$ )#ll

be ve$y &"o$!ly> He )a& &!ay#n+ a! o'$ "o!el a! e$ne500M$5 /#+"!,a$2( &'**o&e>0 an&)e$ed !"e o!"e$( )#!"o'! &"o)#n+ "e$ &'$*$#&e e %e*! #n "e$ eye&5 0We !old "#, !"a! )e )e$e %o,#n+ !o/'%e$ne( and #! )a& ,o$e o$ le&& a$$an+ed500A"( ye&(0 #n!e$*o&ed /ady ?a$ne!!7 0a, #nd#&%$ee! #n &'++e&!#n+an e %e*!#onal a!!$a%!#on>0M$&5 Sylve&!e$ ,e$ely loo2ed ,y&!e$#o'&( and /ady ?a$ne!! )a&en%o'$a+ed !o %on!#n'e50Yo'$ da'+"!e$ #& ve$y bea'!#.'l5 T"#& M$5 /#+"!,a$2 "a& been

*a#n!#n+ "e$ *o$!$a#!( @n4e&! %e *a&@> &"o'ld !"#n2 #! o'+"! !o be a&'%%e&&5 A, !o %on+$a!'la!e "#,>00O"(0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "'$$#edly( 0dea$ /ady ?a$ne!!( #! "a&n4!+one &o .a$ a& !"a!500T"e *o$!$a#!>0 ,'$,'$ed !"e o!"e$ #nno%en!ly5 0A"( 4, a.$a#d yo',#&'nde$&!ood ,e50M$&5 Sylve&!e$ %a&! a ,ean#n+ +lan%e #n !"e d#$e%!#on o. Eve( )"o(&a'n!e$#n+ alon+ !"e !e$$a%e )#!" Ma$y( )a& no) be"#nd !"e#$ &ea!(and !"e %onve$&a!#on( )"#%" *$o,#&ed !o be%o,e #n!e$e&!#n+( d$o**ed()"#le Ma$y e *la#ned !"a! !"ey "ad .o'nd !"e ,'&#%6&!ool o%%'*#ed bya lady( )"o )a& &'*e$.l'o'&ly *$o!e&!#n+ "e$ #nab#l#!y !o &#n+ 0!"eold &on+&066!"e *e$&on )"o al)ay& @d#d@ ,ono*ol# e "o!el *#ano&( a&Ma$y la'+"#n+ly a&&e$!ed5T)o day& la!e$ /#+"!,a$2 *$e&en!ed "#,&el. a! !"e Pen&#on 'n+ay5 He"ad %o,e !o /'%e$ne )#!" !"e .# ed *'$*o&e o. de.#n#!ely *$o*o&#n+,a$$#a+e !o Eve5 He )a& .a$ !oo )o$ldly6)#&e !o .a#l !o *e$%e#ve



!"a!( &o .a$ a! lea&!( M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "ad %e$!a#nly !a2en no !$o'ble!o d#&%o'$a+e "#& *$e!en&#on&5 H#& a!!en!#on&( "e a$+'ed( "ad been

by no ,ean& ob&%'$e7 "#& &!'d#o "ad been &#n+'la$ly "ono'$ed by !"e *$e&en%e o. M#&& Sylve&!e$ and "e$ ,o!"e$( .o$ !"e *'$*o&e& o. !"e *o$!$a#!7 "e "ad even been +$an!ed a &#!!#n+ a! !"e "o'&e #n Pa$2

S!$ee!( )"en a le&& $#+#d &'*e$v#&#on "ad been e e$%#&ed( and )"en(#n !"e ab&en%e o. !"e ,o!"e$( "e "ad been able !o a&&'$e "#,&el. !"a! !"e +#$l )a& .a$ .$o, de&*#&#n+ "#& ado$a!#on5 e.o$e leav#n+!o)n "e "ad d#ned )#!" "#& 'n%le( !"e Colonel( a! "#& %l'b( and !"eve!e$an "ad &*on!aneo'&ly and &!$en'o'&ly '$+ed !"e &!e*( and even!"$o)n o'! *$o,#&#n+ "#n!& a& !o &e!!le,en!&5 He b$o2e #n '*on !"el#!!le %#$%le a! !"e "o'$ o. a.!e$noon !ea( and Eve .o'nd "#& +$ay!$avell#n+ &'#!( and !"e b$on e o. "#& %o,*le #on( e %eed#n+ly

be%o,#n+5 He anno'n%ed !"a! "e "ad %o,e !o &!ay .o$ a )ee2 o$ !)o7"e )a& +o#n+ !o ,a2e &o,e &2e!%"e&( and "e %o'ldn4! !ea$ "#,&el. a)ay .$o, !"a! del#+"!.'l b$#d+e( and "#& lod+#n+&;

0My dea$ .ello)(0 "e &a#d !o C"a$le& Sylve&!e$( )#!" an a#$ o. .a,#l#a$#!y )"#%" +ave one an #n&#+"! a& !o !"e advan%e !"e a$!#&!"ad ,ade #n "#& $ela!#on& )#!" !"e .a,#ly( 0yo' ,'&! %o,e and &ee ,yd#++#n+&5 T"e ,o&! del#+"!.'l old "o&!el$y #n E'$o*e5 '#l! &!$a#+"!'* o'! o. !"e la2e( l#2e !"e %a&!le o. C"#llon5 !4& %alled !"e

@?a&!"o. ', P.#&!e$n@5 %o'ld .#&" o'! o. ,y bed$oo, )#ndo)5 a&&'$e yo'( #!4& %"a$,#n+5 Yo' ,'&! %o,e and d#ne )#!" ,e !"e$e5 "o*e yo' lad#e& )#ll &o .a$ "ono'$ ,e>0T"#& *$o-e%!( "o)eve$( .ell !"$o'+"( and by )ay o. %o,*en&a!#on/#+"!,a$2 and C"a$le& en-oyed !"e *$#v#le+e o. en!e$!a#n#n+ !"e

*a$!y( #n%l'd#n+ /ady ?a$ne!! and M#&& Ma&!e$&( a! o$+"on#4&7 a.!e$ )"#%" !"e yo'n+e$ *eo*le %"a$!e$ed a boa!( and .loa!ed #dly abo'!!"e &!a$6$e.le%!#n+ la2e( )"#le !"e do)a+e$& ,a#n!a#ned a d#&%$ee!&'$ve#llan%e .$o, !"e#$ &ea! on !"e e&*lanade5O. !"#& la&! #n%#den! #! ,ay be &a#d !"a! /#+"!,a$2 and Eve .o'nd #!al!o+e!"e$ del#+"!.'l( !"e la!!e$ e&*e%#ally be#n+ &!$'%2 by !"e$o,an%e o. !"e &#!'a!#on7 )"#le C"a$le& )a& #n%l#ned !o be

*onde$o'&ly &en!#,en!al( and M#&& Ma&!e$& a.!e$)a$d& %on.e&&ed !o"av#n+ .el! bo$ed5

n !"e %o'$&e o. !"e ne ! day /#+"!,a$2 "ad !"e *$#v#le+e o. a%on.#den!#al #n!e$v#e) )#!" !"e ,o!"e$ o. "#& ado$ed5 M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "ad .'lly a$,ed "e$&el. .o$ !"e o%%a&#on( and *$e&en!ed an ed#.y#n+e a,*le o. ,a!$only a..e%!#on and *$'den%e50O. %o'$&e( )a& no! al!o+e!"e$ 'n*$e*a$ed .o$ !"#&( M$5 /#+"!,a$25

n .a%!( ,ay a& )ell o)n !"a! "ave !al2ed #! ove$ )#!" ,y &on(and )e a+$eed !"a! !"e )"ole 'e&!#on $e&olved #!&el. #n!o66a"66#n!o&e!!le,en!&5 Yo' ,'&! no! !"#n2 ,e ,e$%ena$y50 T"#& )a& &a#d )#!" ad#+n#.#ed %al,( )"#%" ,ade !"e #dea *$e*o&!e$o'&5 0 . yo' %an066"e$e&"e &ee,ed !o $e.e$ !o &o,e ,en!al no!e6boo2660a"66&a!#&.y C"a$le&on !"a! *o#n!( a, &'$e !"a! #! )#ll +#ve ,e +$ea! *lea&'$e !o



$e+a$d yo' a& a *$o&*e%!#ve &on6#n6la)5 O. %o'$&e( yo' 2no)( %an4!an&)e$ .o$ Eve( o$ C"a$le&500A"( ,y dea$ lady(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$( +$a%e.'lly ove$)"el,ed( 0#. ,ay %o'n! on yo'$ +ood o..#%e& a, ve$y .o$!'na!e50T"a! even#n+( a& !"e !)o ,en &a! d#&%'&&#n+ !"e#$ %#+a$& and %o..ee(

/#+"!,a$2 l#&!ened )#!" )onde$.'l *a!#en%e !o a d#& '#&#!#on on !"e&'b-e%! o.66"e %o'ldn4! a.!e$)a$d& $e,e,be$ )"e!"e$ #! )a& S!$#2e&o$ !"e S'+a$ o'n!y5 He )a& $a!"e$ a.$a#d o. !"e ne%e&&a$y #n!e$v#e))#!" C"a$le&5 ! )o'ld $e '#$e &o,e !a%!( and "e )a& *$e*a$ed !o.#nd "#, 'n*lea&an!ly e a%!#n+ a& a$b#!e$ o. "#& *e%'n#a$y &!a!'&50Yo' o'+"! !o be #n !"e Ho'&e( by :ove; !"a!4& yo'$ l#ne( Sylve&!e$()#!" a %leve$ )#.e( yo' 2no)( !o do !"e %anva&&#n+ .o$ yo'0 <0and)$#!e yo'$ &*ee%"e&(0 "e ,en!ally added=5T"e o!"e$ o)ned !"a! "e "ad !"o'+"! o. #!50 '! !"e )#.e(0 "e added( )#!" an a!!e,*! a! lev#!y( 0!"a!4& !"ed#..#%'l!y;0

And !"e %onne%!#on o. a &'b&e 'en! $e,a$2 )#!" !"#& !o*#%( !"o'+"&o,e %onve$&a!#on #n!e$vened( d#d no! e&%a*e "#& a&!'!e %o,*an#on(and "e )a& %a$e.'l !o &#n+ M#&& Ma&!e$&4 *$a#&e& )#!" an ab&en%e o. all'&#vene&&( )"#%" &"o)ed !"e a%!o$5 T"en "e !"$e) a)ay !"e &!',*o. "#& %#+a$( and ,en!ally b$a%ed "#,&el.50Yo' "ave &een a +ood deal o. ,e la!ely(0 "e &a#d5 0 )an! !o a&2 yo' #. yo' "ave any ob-e%!#on !o ,e a& a *o&&#ble b$o!"e$6#n6la)7 #n.a%!( )an! !o ,a$$y yo'$ &#&!e$500Ye&>0 &a#d !"e o!"e$ en%o'$a+#n+ly50 "ave( a& yo' ,ay 2no)( &*o2en !o M$&5 Sylve&!e$ abo'! #!( and

bel#eve &"e )#ll66!"a! #& !o &ay( !"#n2 &"e "a& no *e$&onalob-e%!#on !o ,e500O"( o. %o'$&e( ,y dea$ .ello)( ,y ,o!"e$ and a$e .la!!e$ed( '#!e.la!!e$ed7 b'! yo' )#ll 'nde$&!and o'$ an #e!y !"a! )e &"o'ld $'n no$#&2 o. &a%$#.#%#n+ any o. !"e advan!a+e& &"e "a& en-oyed "#!"e$!o5May a&2( e$666600W"a! #& ,y #n%o,e .$o, all &o'$%e&>0 &'++e&!ed /#+"!,a$2 $a!"e$ .l#**an!ly5 0Well( "ave !o %on.e&& !"a! ,y *$o.e&&#on( #n )"#%" a, &a#d !o be $#&#n+( b$#n+& ,e #n abo'! .o'$ "'nd$ed and .#.!y ayea$( #n add#!#on !o )"#%" "ave a *$#va!e #n%o,e( )"#%" a,o'n!&!o( &ay( !"$ee "'nd$ed7 !o!al( &even "'nd$ed and .#.!y50 T"en(&ee#n+ !"a! C"a$le& loo2ed +$ave( "e *layed "#& !$',* %a$d 0And o'+"! !o add !"a! ,y 'n%le( !"e Colonel( yo' 2no)( "a& been +oodeno'+" !o !al2 abo'! ,a2#n+ ,e an allo)an%e( on ,y ,a$$y#n+ )#!" "#&a**$oval5 n .a%! "e #&( bel#eve( *$e*a$ed !o ,a2e a &e!!le,en! on,y ,a$$#a+e )#!" yo'$ &#&!e$50C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ *$ono'n%ed "#,&el. *$ov#&#onally &a!#&.#ed( and #!)a& a$$an+ed !"a! "e &"o'ld %o,,'n#%a!e )#!" Colonel /#+"!,a$2( and!"a! ,ean)"#le !"e en+a+e,en! &"o'ld no! be ,ade *'bl#%5Eve )a& &!and#n+ on !"e l#!!le bal%ony( a**e$!a#n#n+ !o !"e



&#!!#n+6$oo, )"#%" "ad been ded#%a!ed !o !"e lad#e& a& a &*e%#al,a$2 o. .avo'$ by !"e *$o*$#e!o$ o. !"e @*en&#on@( and /#+"!,a$2 "a&!ened !o -o#n "e$ !"e$e7 and )"#le C"a$le& and "#& ,o!"e$ *layeda lon+ +a,e o. %"e&&( !"e !)o loo2ed o'! a! !"e l#ne o. ,oonl#!Al*&( and )e$e &en!#,en!ally and ab&'$dly "a**y5

0M$&5 Sylve&!e$(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2( )"en !"a! lady !"o'+"! #!adv#&able !o )a$n "e$ da'+"!e$ !"a! !"e$e )a& a %old )#nd blo)#n+o.. !"e la2e( 0)e "ave a$$an+ed !"a! a %e$!a#n *o$!$a#! &"all .#+'$e#n !"e A%ade,y %a!alo+'e ne ! &*$#n+ a& 4Po$!$a#! o. !"e A$!#&!4&W#.e540A.!e$ )"#%" M$&5 Sylve&!e$ be+an !o %all "#, R#%"a$d( and C"a$le&

be%a,e o**$e&&#vely +en#al a develo*,en! )"#%" led !"e e,ba$$a&&ed$e%#*#en! o. !"e&e "ono'$& !o %on&ole "#,&el. by $e.le%!#n+ !"a!(a.!e$ all( "e )a& no! +o#n+ !o ,a$$y !"e en!#$e .a,#ly50@Ma %"e$#e@(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!( a& !"e Pa$#& !$a#n &!ea,ed o'! o. /'%e$ne on !"e a.!e$noon o. !"e ne ! day b'! one( 0do yo' 2no) !"a!

.eel a &en&a!#on o. *o&#!#ve $el#e. a! +e!!#n+ a)ay .$o, !"o&e *eo*le> Eve #& ve$y @+en!#lle@( b'! love$& a$e @&o@ 'n#n!e$e&!#n+( )"en!"ey a$e *$o*e$ly en+a+ed7 and !"e e %ellen! C"a$le&; My %"#ld( a,a.$a#d yo' "ave been ve$y %$'el500C$'el( a'n!>0 &a#d Ma$y( )#!" a de,'$e loo2 o. a&!on#&",en!5 0l#2e Eve ve$y ,'%"( and &'**o&e M$5 /#+"!,a$2 ,'&! be n#%e(

be%a'&e "e4& &'%" a .$#end o. P"#l#*4&5 '! don4! '#!e l#2e !"e)ay "e !al2& abo'! P"#l#*( and 555 "e4& ve$y %leve$500Ye&(0 &a#d !"e old lady d$o)&#ly7 0"e4& %leve$e$ !"an P"#l#*500He ,ay be %leve$e$( b'!66660 Ma$y be+an )#!" &o,e )a$,!"( and

*a'&ed5He$ %o,*an#on o*ened "e$ eye& )#dely( and da$!ed a 2een +lan%e a!!"e +#$l5 T"en( &e!!l#n+ "e$&el. #n!o "e$ %o$ne$0My dea$ %"#ld( !o )"o, do yo' &ay #!>0

! )a& e,#nen!ly %"a$a%!e$#&!#% o. /ady ?a$ne!! !"a!( even )"en &"e)a& &lee*y( &"e 'nde$&!ood )"a! *eo*le )e$e +o#n+ !o &ay lon+ be.o$e!"e )o$d& )e$e &*o2en( and( e&*e%#ally )#!" "e$ .a,#l#a$&( &"e "ad a"ab#! o. !a2#n+ "e$ an!#%#*a!#on& a& $eal# ed5Ma$y .o'nd &o,e!"#n+ e,ba$$a&&#n+ #n !"e "',o'$ o. !"e old lady4&e *$e&&#on( and devo!ed "e$&el. !o +a #n+ o'! o. !"e )#ndo) a! !"e,o'n!a#n6bo'nd land&%a*e( #n )"#%" "o'&e&( !$ee&( and %a!!le all&ee,ed !o be #n ,#n#a!'$e( 'n!#l !"e &o'nd o. $e+'la$ b$ea!"#n+a&&'$ed "e$ !"a! !"e #n '#&#!#ve eye& )e$e %lo&ed5

CHAPTER I

D'$#n+ !"e lon+( "o! A'+'&!( )"#%" va$#o'&ly d#&*e$&ed !"e $e&! o. !"e#$ a% 'a#n!an%e&( !"e #n!#,a%y o. !"a! #ll6a&&o$!ed %o'*le( !"e

b#$d o. *a&&a+e Ra#n"a,( and O&)yn !"e a$!#&!( )a& able !o $#*en5T"ey ,e! o%%a&#onally a! $odono)&2#4&( o. )"#%" d#n+y $e&!a'$an!



!"ey "ad no) al,o&! a ,ono*oly7 .o$ #!& a$!#&!#% &e&&#on "ad been *$o$o+'ed( and !"e 0boy&0 )e$e &%a!!e$ed( de*a$!#n+ one by one( a&!"e#$ *'$&e& and #n%l#na!#on& *$o,*!ed( !o $e&',e a% 'a#n!an%e )#!"!"e#$ .avo'$#!e 0b#!&0 #n Co$n)all( o$ a,on+ !"e o$%"a$d& and ,oo$&o. $#!!any( !o &!'dy ,o'n!a#n& #n &ad Me$#one!"( o$ !o *a#n! o%ean

$olle$& and $#&" *ea&an!& #n 'l!#,a!e ?al)ay5 On !"e o%%a&#on o. !"e#$ &e%ond ,ee!#n+( Ra#n"a, "av#n+ <a !$#.le d#..#den!ly( .o$ !"e *a#n!e$ )a& no! a 'e&!#onable ,an= ev#n%ed a %'$#o&#!y a& !o "#&&',,e$ ,ove,en!&( O&)yn "ad &%o$n.'lly $e*'d#a!ed &'%" a no!#on50T"an2 ?od;0 "e %$#ed( 0 "ave o'!)o$n !"a! ,an#a o. &ea$%"#n+ .o$

*$e!!#ne&&5 /ondon #& b#+ eno'+" .o$ ,e5 My )o$2 #& "e$e( and !"e&!'d#e& )an! a$e "e$e( and "e$e &!ay !#ll !"e end o. all !"#n+&5

"a!e !"e !a,e %o'n!$y .a%e&( !"e a++$e&&#ve &!#llne&& and !"e&#len! no#&e( !"e &en!#,en! and !"e &"ee* o. #!5 ?#ve ,e !"e &!$ee!&and !"e yello) +a&( !"e $oa$ o. !"e C#!y( &,o2e( "a++a$d .a%e&(.la,#n+ o,n#b'&e&( *a$%"ed /ondon( and !"e $#ve$ $oll#n+ o#l#ly by

!"e e,ban2,en! l#2e S!y a! n#+"! )"en !"e la,*& &"#ne50He d$e) #n a b$ea!" !"#$&!#ly( a& !"o'+" !"e *#%!'$e )e$e +$o)#n+ on%anva& be.o$e "#,50Well( #. yo' )an! $#ve$ &'b-e%!& yo' ,'&! %o,e and .#nd !"e, a!

la%2*ool(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,7 and O&)yn "ad $e*l#ed ab$'*!ly !"a! "e)o'ld5And "e 2e*! "#& )o$d( no! on%e b'! ,any !#,e&( d$o**#n+ do)n onRa#n"a, &'ddenly( 'ne *la#nedly( a.!e$ "#& .a&"#on( a& #! )e$e .$o,!"e %lo'd&( #n !"e la!e a.!e$noon( )"en !"e %le$2& "ad le.!5 He)o'ld %"a! !"e$e .o$ an "o'$ o$ !)o #n "#& &*a&,od#%( "al.6&'llen)ay( #n )"#%"( "o)eve$( an #n%$ea&#n+ %o$d#al#!y ,#n+led( ,a2#n+(

be.o$e "e $e!#$ed on%e ,o$e #n!o &*a%e( &o,e %olo'$ no!e& o. !"eya$d o$ !"e $#ve$( o$ a! !#,e& a $o'+" &2e!%"( )"#%" )a& neve$ )#!"o'! #!& !e$&e o$#+#nal#!y5Ra#n"a, be+an !o loo2 .o$)a$d !o !"e&e v#&#!& )#!" a $e%'$$#n+

*lea&'$e5 O&)yn4& bea'!#.'l +en#'& and O&)yn4& &ava+e "',o'$&.a&%#na!ed "#,( and no le&& "#& *lea&#n+( *e$&onal a,b#+'#!y5 He&ee,ed !o be a *e$&on )#!"o'! an!e%eden!&( a& "e )a& %e$!a#nly)#!"o'! *$e&en! !#e&5 E %e*! !"a! "e *a#n!ed( and &o ,'&! "avea *la%e !o *a#n! #n( "e ,#+"! "ave lod+ed *$e%a$#o'&ly #n ado&&6"o'&e( o$ on doo$6&!e*&( o$ 'nde$ !"e Adel*"# a$%"e& )#!" !"o&eo'!%a&!& o. %#v#l# a!#on !o )"o,( #n *e$&onal a**ea$an%e( one ,#+"!no! deny "e bo$e a %e$!a#n $e&e,blan%e5 To no one d#d "e $eveal "#&ab#d#n+6*la%e( and #! )a& !"e ,e$e&! !$ad#!#on o. l#!!le a'!"o$#!y!"a! a ,an .$o, $odono)&2#4& "ad on%e been !a2en !o "#& &!'d#o5 yno ,ean& a *e$&*#%'o'& ,an( and !o be a**$oa%"ed *e$"a*& %"a$#ly7ye! Ra#n"a,( a& "#& a% 'a#n!an%e *$o+$e&&ed( .o'nd "#,&el. .$o, !#,e!o !#,e b$o'+"! '* )#!" a %e$!a#n &'$*$#&e( a& "e d#&%ove$ed( 'nde$ all "#& &ava+e %yn#%#&,( "#& ove$)een#n+ devo!#on !o a de*$e&&#n+!"eo$y( a ve$y $eal ve#n o. $e.#ne,en!( o. del#%a!e ,'ndane



&en&#b#l#!y( $evealed *e$"a*& #n a %"an%e *"$a&e o$ d#..#den%e( o$ ,o$e o.!en #n &o,e %'$#o'&ly .#ne !o'%" !o %anva& o. "#& $a$e(a'da%#o'& b$'&"5 T"e #n%on+$'#!#e& o. !"e ,an( "#& ,al#%e( "#&%oa$&ene&&( "#& $e%2le&& +ene$o&#!y( +ave Ra#n"a, ,'%" .ood .o$ !"o'+"!5 And( #ndeed( !"a! *a$%"ed e,*!y A'+'&! &ee,ed .'ll o.

*$oble,a!#%al #&&'e&7 and "e "ad( on ,a!!e$& o. ,o$e #,*o$! !"an !"een#+,a!#% ,#nd o. a ne) .$#end( !o be %on!en! a! la&! !o be !o&&ed!o and .$o on !"e )#nd& o. va#n %on-e%!'$e5/#+"!,a$2 and !"e Sylve&!e$& o%%'*#ed "#, ,'%"7 b'! beyond a b$#e. no!e .$o, M$&5 Sylve&!e$ #n /'%e$ne( )"#%" !old "#, no!"#n+ !"a! "e)o'ld 2no)( !"e$e %a,e !o "#, no ne)& .$o, S)#! e$land5 n !"e,a!!e$ o. !"e +#$l )"o, "e "ad be.$#ended( $e%2le&&ly( "e !old"#,&el. a! !#,e&( d#..#%'l!#e& ,'l!#*l#ed5 A &o$! o. d',b dev#l&ee,ed !o "ave en!e$ed #n!o "e$( and( )#!" !"e be&! )#ll #n !"e)o$ld( #! )a& a ,e$ely *e%'n#a$y a&&#&!an%e )"#%" "e %o'ld +#ve "e$("al. an+$y )#!" "#,&el. !"e )"#le !"a! "#& #ndolen! +ood na!'$e <#!

a**ea$ed !o "#, l#!!le el&e= .o$bade "#, !o %a&! ba%2 a! "e$ )"a!&ee,ed a %'$#o'& #n+$a!#!'de al,o&! *a&&#n+ !"e *$ove$b#al .e,#n#ne *e$ve$&#!y( and le! "e$ +o "e$ o)n )ay a& &"e )o'ld "ave #!5 On !)oo%%a&#on&( &#n%e !"a! %"an%e ,ee!#n+ #n !"e Pa$2( "e "ad %alleda! !"e lod+#n+ #n )"#%" "e "ad "el*ed "e$ !o #n&!all "e$&el.7 and.$o, !"e la&! "e "ad %o,e a)ay )#!" a d#&!#n%! &en&e o. .a#l'$e5So,e!"#n+ "ad %o,e be!)een !"e,( an al#en #n.l'en%e )a& #n !"ea#$( and !"e ,y&!e$y )"#%" &'$$o'nded !"e +#$l( "e &a) )#!"d#&a**o#n!,en!( &"e )o'ld no! o. "e$ o)n a%%o$d a&&#&! !o d#&&#*a!e5And ye! !"e$e )a& no!"#n+ o..en&#ve #n "e$ a!!#!'de( only #! "ad%"an+ed( la%2ed .$an2ne&&5One a.!e$noon( .#nd#n+ !"a! "e %o'ld leave !"e do%2 ea$ly( "e ,adeano!"e$ e..o$!5 He &!o**ed be.o$e one #n a d#n+y $o) o. &,all"o'&e&( 'n#.o$,ly de*$e&&#n+( #n a &!$ee! !"a! $an #n!o !"eCo,,e$%#al Road( and $an+ !"e bell( )"#%" !#n2led a++$e&&#vely5 A&la!!e$nly )o,an( )#!" a banda+e $o'nd "e$ "ead and an a#$ o. d$'n2en &e$v#l#!y( $e&*onded !o "#& #n '#$y .o$ 0M$&5 C$#%"!on0 by'&"e$#n+ "#, #n!o a &,all ba%2 *a$lo'$( #n )"#%" a *ale +#$l #n

bla%2 &a! )#!" "e$ "ead ben! ove$ a !y*e)$#!e$5 S"e $o&e( a& "e %a,e#n( a l#!!le ne$vo'&ly( and &!ood( "e$ !"#n "and& %la&*ed #n .$on!o. "e$( loo2#n+ '* a! "#, )#!" e *e%!an!( !e$$#.#ed eye&50 a, &o$$y !o ala$, yo'(0 "e &a#d &!#..ly5 0 %a,e !o &ee #. %o'ld do any!"#n+ .o$ yo'( and !o !ell yo' on%e ,o$e !"a! %an dono!"#n+ .o$ yo' 'nle&& yo' a$e o*en )#!" ,e( 'nle&& yo' "el* ,e50T"e )o,an loo2ed a)ay !o )"e$e !"e %"#ld &a!( #n a %o$ne$ o. !"e&,all $oo,( *lay#n+ )#!" &o,e d#&'&ed %o!!on $eel&50Yo' a$e ve$y 2#nd( &#$(0 &"e &a#d #n a lo)( 'nea&y vo#%e7 0b'! )an! no!"#n+( )e )an! ve$y l#!!le( !"e %"#ld and 7 and )#!" )"a!yo'$ 2#ndne&& #n +e!!#n+ ,e !"e ,a%"#ne "el*& '& !o( )e "aveeno'+"50



0Yo' don4! )an! !o be $e#n&!a!ed( !o +e! ba%2 yo'$ love$( !o "aveyo'$ %"#ld a%2no)led+ed>0T"e +#$l .l'&"ed7 "e$ "and&( )"#%" )e$e &!#ll lo%2ed !o+e!"e$(!$e,bled a l#!!le50 don4! )an! .o$ no!"#n+( &#$( e %e*! !o be le.! alone50

T"en &"e added( loo2#n+ "#, &!$a#+"! #n !"e .a%e no)( )#!" a %e$!a#n$'de d#+n#!y0 )o'ldn4! &ee, 'n+$a!e.'l( &#$( .o$ yo'$ +$ea! 2#ndne&&5 !"#n2 yo' a$e !"e be&! ,an eve$ ,e!5 O"( bel#eve ,e( a, no!'n+$a!e.'l( &#$; '! #! #& no +ood( no! a &%$a*( !"o'+" on%e !"o'+"! #!5 We ,'&! +e! alon+ a& )e %an no)( !"e %"#ld and 66&"a,eand all50S"e &#+"ed( +a ed #n!en!ly .o$ a &#len! ,#n'!e a! !"e 2ey& o. !"eelabo$a!e ,a%"#ne be.o$e "e$( and !"en %on!#n'ed( &*ea2#n+ ve$y&lo)ly( a& #. &"e )e$e a.$a#d o. d$a)#n+ !oo la$+ely on "e$ ne)ly6.o'nd %ando'$5

0W"y &"o'ld 2ee* #! .$o, yo'> ! ,a2e& ,e .eel a l#a$ eve$y !#,e &ee yo'5 )#ll be '#!e *la#n )#!" yo'( &#$7 *e$"a*& !"e !$'!"4& be&!( !"o'+" #!4& "a$d eno'+"5 4ve &een "#,7 !"a!4& )"y %o'ldn4!!ell yo' any ,o$e5 And #!4& all ove$ and done( and ?od "el* '&; We,'&! ,a2e !"e be&! o. #!5 Yo' &ee( &#$( "e #& ,a$$#ed(0 &a#d !"e+#$l( )#!" a &"a$* #n!ona!#on #n "e$ vo#%e l#2e a &ob5Ra#n"a, "ad &'n2 #n!o a %"a#$ )ea$#ly7 "e loo2ed '* a! "e$ no)(d$a)#n+ a lon+ b$ea!"( )"#%"( .o$ &o,e $ea&on "e %o'ld no! analy&e()a& $e*le!e )#!" $el#e.50Ma$$#ed>0 "e e-a%'la!ed7 0a$e yo' &'$e>00S'$e eno'+"(0 &a#d K#!!y C$#%"!on5 0He !old ,e &o500Do yo' %a$e .o$ !"#& .ello)>0 "e a&2ed %'$#o'&ly a.!e$ a )"#le5T"e .l'&" on "e$ .a%e "ad .aded #n!o !)o "e%!#% &*o!& on e#!"e$ %"ee27 !"e$e )a& a la%2 o. all an#,a!#on #n "e$ vo#%e( )"e!"e$ o. "o*e o$ #nd#+na!#on7 &"e "ad !"e a#$ o. a *e$&on )"o +ave '*( )"o)a& !e$$#bly !#$ed o. !"#n+&50Ca$e>0 &"e e%"oed5 0 don4! $#+"!ly 2no)( &#$7 !"#n2 #!4& alldead !o+e!"e$66love and an+e$( and ,y +ood loo2& and all5 %a$e .o$ !"e %"#ld( and don4! )an! !o "a$$y o$ "'n! "#, do)n .o$ !"e &a2eo. )"a! "a& been(66!"a!4& all50He $e+a$ded "e$ )#!" !"e &a,e d#&#n!e$e&!ed *#!y )"#%" "ad &e# ed"#, )"en "e &a) "e$ .#$&!5 T"e$e )e$e only $'#n& o. a bea'!y !"a!,'&! "ave on%e been &!$#2#n+5 A& "e )a!%"ed "e$ a do'b! a&&a#led"#,( )"e!"e$( a.!e$ all( "e "ad no! been de%e#ved by a ba$e$e&e,blan%e7 )"e!"e$( #n e..e%!( &"e "ad eve$ been a%!'ally#den!#%al )#!" !"a! b$#ll#an! P#e$$e!!e )"o&e l#2ene&& "ad &o a,a ed"#, #n /#+"!,a$24& $oo,&50 y !"e )ay(0 "e a&2ed &'ddenly( 0yo' !old ,e yo' "ave been a ,odeld#d66)a& !"#& ,an a *a#n!e$> Ha& "e eve$ *a#n!ed yo'>0T"e +#$l .ell ba%2 a &!e* o$ !)o #$$e&ol'!ely5



0A"; )"y do yo' !$o'ble &o> W"a! doe& #! ,a!!e$>0 T"en &"e added.a#n!ly( b'! "'$$#edly &!',bl#n+ ove$ "e$ )o$d&0He )a&n4! a *a#n!e$66only .o$ a,'&e,en!7 "e d#dn4! e "#b#!5 He )a&a ne)&*a*e$ )$#!e$5 '! "e %o'ldn4! +e! )o$2( and +o! a *la%e #n a.o$e#+n6+o#n+ &!ea,e$( !o 2ee* a%%o'n!&( !"#n25 T"a! )a&

a.!e$)a$d&( and !"a!4& )"y loo2ed .o$ "#, a! yo'$ do%25 T"ey !old,e !"e &"#* "ad been !"e$e( b'! #! )a&n4! !$'e5 A"; le! ,e be( &#$(le! ,e be;0S"e b$o2e o.. "a&!#ly( %la&*#n+ "e$ "and& a%$o&& "e$ b$ea&!5T"e &!o$y( !"o'+" #n%o"e$en!( )a& *o&&#ble7 Ra#n"a, %o'ld &ee no,o!#ve .o$ "e$ de%e#v#n+ "#,( and ye! "e bel#eved &"e )a& ly#n+5 He,e$ely &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$&( )#!" a $#&#n+ la&&#!'de5 He &ee,ed !o"ave been #n.e%!ed by "e$ o)n d$ea$#ne&&( !o labo'$ 'nde$ ad#&ab#l#!y o. do#n+ o$ &ay#n+ any ,o$e7 "e( !oo( +ave #! '*5 He)an!ed !o +e! a)ay o'! o. !"e d#n+y $oo,7 #!& $#%2e!y !able and%"a#$&( #!& !)o v'l+a$ va&e& on !"e &!a#ned ,an!el( #!& +$o&&

'*"ol&!e$y( &ee,ed !oo !$en%"an!ly &o$d#d #n !"e &!$on+ A'+'&! &'n5T"e %"#ld4& +olden "ead66&"e )a& +$o)#n+ #n!ell#+en! no)( and &!$on+on "e$ le+&66)a& !"e one b$#+"! &*o! #n !"e $oo,5 He &!o**ed !o *a!#! )#!" a +$ea! *#!y( a &en&e o. !oo ,'%" *a!"o& #n !"#n+& .lood#n+"#,( be.o$e "e *a&&ed o'! a+a#n #n!o !"e ,ean &!$ee!5

CHAPTER I

Se*!e,be$ &e! #n %old( )#!" $a#n and ea&! )#nd&( and Ra#n"a,( ana!'$ally %"#lly ,o$!al( a& "e "anded "#& %oa! !o /ady ?a$ne!!4&

b'!le$( and .ollo)ed "#, #n!o !"e l#!!le l#b$a$y( )"e$e d#nne$ )a&la#d .o$ !"$ee( %on+$a!'la!ed "#,&el. !"a! a &ea&onable .#$e%$a%2led on !"e la$+e "ea$!"50 "a$dly e *e%!ed yo' ba%2 ye!(0 "e $e,a$2ed( a.!e$ !"e .#$&!+$ee!#n+&( &!$e!%"#n+ o'! "#& "and& !o !"e bla e7 0and yo'$ no!e )a&a )el%o,e &'$*$#&e5 al,o&! !"#n2 )e a$e !"e only *eo*le #n !o)n50/ady ?a$ne!! &"$'++ed "e$ &"o'lde$& )#!" a +e&!'$e o. $#%"!ole$an%e( a& one )"o a%2no)led+ed !"e $e&*e%!ab#l#!y o. all !a&!e&()"#l&! *$e.e$$#n+ "e$ o)n50/ondon "a& #!& %"a$,( !o ,e(0 &"e $e,a$2ed5 0We a$e +lad !o be

ba%25 a, +e!!#n+ !oo old !o !$avel66!"a! !e$$#ble %$o&&#n+( and!"e !e$$#ble *eo*le one ,ee!&;0Ra#n"a, &,#led )#!" ab&en! &y,*a!"y( loo2#n+ #n!o !"e $ed %oal&50Yo' ,'&! $e,e,be$( don4! 2no) )"e$e yo' "ave been5 Tell ,e yo'$ adven!'$e& and yo'$ ne)&500 leave !"a! !o Ma$y( ,y dea$(0 &a#d !"e old lady5And a! !"a! ,o,en! !"e +#$l %a,e #n( loo2#n+ &!a!ely and olde$ !"an"e$ a+e #n one o. !"e da$2( "#+"6%'! d$e&&e& )"#%" &"e a..e%!ed5 S"e&"oo2 "and& )#!" Ra#n"a,( &,#l#n+7 and a& !"ey )en! !o !able "e$e*ea!ed "#& 'e&!#on5



0 ! #& d#..#%'l!(0 &"e &a#d7 0)e &ee, !o "ave been eve$y)"e$e5 O"()e "ave been ve$y $e&!le&& !"#& yea$( P"#l#*5 !"#n2 )e )e$e+ene$ally #n !"e !$a#n5 We !$#ed T$o'v#lle666600De!e&!able;0 *'! #n /ady ?a$ne!! )#!" +en#al *e!'lan%e7 0#! )a& !oo&,all5 Hal. !"e )o$ld )a& %$o)ded #n!o #!7 and #! )a& *$e%#&ely !"e

"al.6)o$ld666600 %an #,a+#ne #!(0 #n!e$$'*!ed Ra#n"a,( )#!" "#& +$ave &,#le7 0and!"en>00T"en )e !"o'+"! o. S)#! e$land(0 %on!#n'ed !"e yo'n+ +#$l5 0We )en!!o ?eneva5 We )e$e al,o&! dead )"en )e a$$#ved( be%a'&e )e "ad !o +oa ve$y $o'ndabo'! )ay !o avo#d Pa$#&7 )e %o'ld no! +o !o Pa$#&(

be%a'&e )e )e$e a.$a#d o. &ee#n+ !"e Re*'bl#%5 ! )a& ve$y "o! #n?eneva5 No *la%e eve$ )a& &o "o! be.o$e5 We lay on !"e &o.a .o$ !"$ee day&( and !"en )e )e$e &!$on+ eno'+" !o $'n a)ay500 ! )a& *'$+a!o$#al;0 &a#d !"e elde$ lady7 0#! )a& .'ll o. En+l#&"+ove$ne&&e& and S)#&& *a&!o$&50

0T"en )e )en! !o loo2 .o$ %ool *la%e&( and )e "ad a %"a$,#n+ )ee2 a!n!e$la2en( and loo2ed lon+#n+ly a! !"e :'n+.$a'( and %on!e,*la!ed!"e a&%en!50/ady ?a$ne!! la'+"ed "e$ 'a#n!( l#!!le la'+"50 n!e$la2en ,#+"! "ave &'..#%ed( ,y dea$7 b'!( 'n.o$!'na!ely66#! )a&one o. Ma$y4& $#d#%'lo'& e%ono,#e&66)e )en! !o a @*en&#on@7 and )e.ell #n!o !"e "and& o. an e !$ao$d#na$y )o,an )#!" a .$#n+e and a

#ble( a na!#ve o. No$!" A,e$#%a( )"o endeavo'$ed !o *e$&'ade ,e!"a! )a& a :e)e&&500No( no;0 la'+"ed Ma$y( 0no! '#!e &o bad a& !"a!5 ! )a& one o. !"eo!"e$ !$#be& &"e )o'ld "ave '& belon+ !o66one o. !"e lo&! !$#be&5

! )a& no! *e$&onal500A"( @D#e' ,e$%#@; #. !"ey a$e lo&!(0 e-a%'la!ed "e$ a'n!7 0b'! yo'a$e )$on+7 #! )a& ,o&! *e$&onal( Ma$y500 )#ll do "e$ !"e -'&!#%e !o add !"a! &"e only &'++e&!ed #! on%e(0%on!#n'ed !"e +#$l )#!" a &,#le o. el#&#on5 0Ho)eve$( )e "ad !o .lee.$o, "e$7 and &o )e %a,e !o /'%e$ne500T"a! )a& )o$&! o. all(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!( a$%"#n+ "e$ del#%a!eeyeb$o)&7 0#! )a& .'ll o. love$&50T"e &ole,n b'!le$ "ad *la%ed a *a#$ o. obd'$a!e b#$d& be.o$eRa#n"a,( )"#%" en+$o&&ed "#,7 *$e&en!ly "e loo2ed '*( $e,a$2#n+

'#e!ly0D#d yo' &ee !"e Sylve&!e$&>00A" ye&; )e &a) !"e Sylve&!e$&7 )e )al2ed )#!" !"e Sylve&!e$&7 )ed$an2 !ea )#!" !"e Sylve&!e$&7 )e ,ade ,'&#% )#!" !"e Sylve&!e$&7 )e)en! on !"e la2e )#!" !"e Sylve&!e$&5 T"a! "and&o,e a$!#&!( M$5/#+"!,a$2( #& #! no!( Ma$y> )a& !"e$e( ,a2#n+ !"e $'nn#n+ )#!" M#&&Eve5 T"e ,a$$#a+e &ee,& !o be a$$an+ed50S"e &"$'++ed "e$ &"o'lde$&7 !"e *$e%#&e &"ade o. ,ean#n+ #n !"e+e&!'$e e&%a*ed Ra#n"a,7 "e loo2ed ove$ !o Ma$y #n '#$#n+ly5



0T"ey &ee, ve$y ,'%" a!!a%"ed !o ea%" o!"e$(0 &"e $e,a$2ed50O"( !"ey )e$e #,be%#le;0 added /ady ?a$ne!!7 0!$y !"e Mo&elle( ,ydea$( and leave !"a! !e$$#ble &)ee! &!'.. !o Ma$y5 Ye&( )a& +lad!o %o,e a)ay .$o, /'%e$ne5 Eve$y!"#n+ #& ve$y bad no) e %e*! ,yCon&!an!4& @vol6a'6ven!@( )"#%" yo' don4! &ee, !o "ave !$#ed7 b'!

love$& a$e !"e )o$&! o. all5 T"o'+" l#2e !"a! yo'n+ ,an(/#+"!,a$27 "e #& a !y*e !"a! #n!e$e&!& ,e7 "e &ee,&66660S"e loo2ed $o'nd !"e $oo, va+'ely( a& #. !"e a**$o*$#a!e )o$d ,#+"!

be l'$2#n+ #n &o,e an+le o. !"e a*a$!,en!7 .#nally( !"e e*#!"e! *$ov#n+ d#..#%'l!( &"e abandoned !"e &ea$%"50@ l #$a lo#n@;0 &"e &a#d !e$&ely7 0"e .la!!e$& ,e d#&%$ee!ly( a& !"eyd#d )"en )a& yo'n+( be.o$e !"e Re*'bl#%50T"e &#len!( )ell6!$a#ned ,an "anded $o'nd %av#a$e and ol#ve&7 Ma$y!$#.led )#!" &o,e +$a*e&( "e$ b$o) 2n#!!ed a l#!!le( !"o'+"!.'lly5/ady ?a$ne!! *o'$ed "e$&el. a +la&& o. ,a$a&%"#no5 W"en !"ey )e$ele.! alone( !"e +#$l $e,a$2ed ab$'*!ly

0 a, no! &'$e )"e!"e$ '#!e l#2e M$5 /#+"!,a$27 "e doe& no! &ee,!o ,e &#n%e$e50/ady ?a$ne!! l#.!ed '* "e$ "and&50W"y &"o'ld "e be( ,y dea$> &#n%e$#!y #& ve$y !$y#n+5 A de%en!"y*o%$#&y #& !"e &e%$e! o. +ood &o%#e!y5 Yo'$ +ood( .$an2 *eo*le a$eve$y $'de5 . a, a )#%2ed old )o,an( #! #& nobody4& b'&#ne&& !o!ell ,e &o b'! ,y d#$e%!o$4&50Ma$y "ad $#&en( and "ad %o,e ove$ !o !"e old lady4& &#de50 '! !"en( yo' a$e no! a )#%2ed old )o,an( ,y a'n!(0 &"e ob&e$ved+en!ly50A";0 &"e !"$e) ba%2( 0"o) do yo' -'d+e> Do ,e !"e -'&!#%e !o

bel#eve( @%"e$#e@( !"a!( #. !ell yo' a +ood deal( !"e$e #& a +ooddeal( "a**#ly( )"#%" don4! !ell yo'50S"e *'&"ed a bo o. %#+a$e!!e&( )"#%" !"e ,an "ad *la%ed on !"e!able( !o)a$d Ra#n"a,5 He !oo2 one and l#! #! &#len!ly( ab&en!ly()#!"o'! "#& a%%'&!o,ed *$o!e&!&7 !"e +#$l loo2ed '* &,#l#n+50T"a! ,ean& !"a! yo' )an! yo'$ @!e!e6a6!e!e@( A'n! Ma$%elle> 2no)!"e &#+nal5 Well( )#ll leave yo'5 )an! !o !$y ove$ !"a! ne),a$%" o. /#& !4&7 and e *e%!( by !"e !#,e "ave +$a**led )#!" #!(yo' )#ll be %o,#n+ '* .o$ yo'$ %o..ee500Yo' a$e a +ood +#$l(0 an&)e$ed !"e elde$ lady( &!$o2#n+ "e$ "and50Ye&( $'n a)ay and ,a2e ,'&#%; W"en P"#l#* and "ave "ad eno'+"&%andal and .$#vol#!y( )e )#ll %o,e and .#nd yo'7 and yo' &"all *lay'& a l#!!le o. !"a! &!$an+e *e$&on Wa+ne$( )"o .a&%#na!e& ,e( !"o'+"yo' ,ay no! bel#eve #!50

! )a& a "ab#! o. !"e "o'&e( on o%%a&#on o. !"e&e !$#an+'la$ d#nne$6*a$!#e&( !"a! /ady ?a$ne!! &"o'ld $e,a#n )#!" Ra#n"a, #n !"e#n!e$val )"#%" %'&!o, )o'ld "ave ,ade "#, &*end &ol#!a$y ove$ "#&)#ne5 ! )a& a "ab#! )"#%" Ma$y &a%$edly $e&*e%!ed( al!"o'+" #!o.!en a,'&ed "e$7 and &"e 2ne) #! )a& one )"#%" "e$ a'n! val'ed5



And( #ndeed( !"o'+" !"e !)o ,ade no ,ove,en!( and .o$ a )"#le &a#dno!"#n+( !"e$e )a& an a#$ o. #n%$ea&ed #n!#,a%y( #. #! )e$e only #n!"e#$ &#len%e( )"en !"e doo$ "ad %lo&ed on !"e +#$l and le.! !"e,!o+e!"e$5 P$e&en!ly /ady ?a$ne!! be+an "old#n+ '* "e$ l#!!le +la&&o. %$y&!al ,a$a&%"#no !"a! v#ed #n !"e l#+"! o. !"e %andelab$a )#!"

!"e d#a,ond& on "e$ .#n+e$&50 "ad a %onve$&a!#on )#!" !"a! )ea$#&o,e yo'n+ ,an C"a$le&Sylve&!e$ a! /'%e$ne( P"#l#*7 "e !$#ed !o &o'nd ,e a& !o Ma$y4&

*$o&*e%!& and !"e &!a!e o. "e$ a..e%!#on&50Ra#n"a, loo2ed '* )#!" '#e! &'$*$#&e50Do yo' ,ean !o &ay6666>0 "e 'e$#ed50 ! #& ve$y obv#o'&(0 &"e an&)e$ed '#%2ly7 0 &a) #! lon+ a+o5 '!don4! #,a+#ne !"a! "e +o! ,'%" o'! o. ,e5 )a& a& dee* a& a )ell5

'! )"a! do yo' !"#n2 o. #!>00 "o*e !"ey )#ll be "a**y(0 "e an&)e$ed ab&en!ly5 S"e a$%"ed "e$ e *$e&&#ve b$o)&( and "e %olo'$ed( $e%olle%!ed "#,&el.5 0 be+ yo'$

*a$don(0 "e &a#d "a&!#ly7 0 %on.e&& )a& !"#n2#n+ o. &o,e!"#n+el&e5 Yo' )e$e !al2#n+ o. Ma$y7 )"y &"o'ld #! no! do> Doe& &"e %a$eabo'! "#,>0H#& %o,*an#on la'+"ed( and "e$ la'+" "ad ,o$e !"an #!& )on!ed&'++e&!#on o. #$ony50My dea$ P"#l#*( .o$ a %leve$ ,an yo' %an be &#n+'la$ly den&e; Ca$e.o$ "#,; o. %o'$&e &"e doe& no!500S"e ,#+"! do )o$&e(0 "e &a#d7 0Sylve&!e$ #& no! ve$y b$#+"!( b'! "e)o$2& "a$d( and )#ll &'%%eed a.!e$ a .a&"#on5 H#& l#,#!a!#on&dove!a#l %onven#en!ly )#!" "#& %a*a%#!#e&5 W"a! do yo' #n!end !odo>00Do eve$ #n!e$.e$e #n !"e&e !"#n+&> My dea$( yo' a$e $e,a$2ablyd'll !o6n#+"!5 neve$ ,a2e ,a$$#a+e&( no$ *$even! !"e,5 W#!" all ,y.a'l!&( ,a!%"6,a2#n+ #& no! one o. !"e,5 !"#n2 !oo #ll o. l#.e !o!$y and a$$an+e #!5 Yo' ,'&! ad,#!(0 &"e added( 0!"a!( lon+ a& "ave 2no)n yo'( "ave neve$ !$#ed !o ,a$$y yo'>00A"( !"a! )o'ld "ave been !oo .a!'o'&;0 "e $e,a$2ed l#+"!ly5T"ey )e$e bo!" &#len! .o$ a )"#le( $e+a$d#n+ ea%" o!"e$ d#&#n!e$e&!edly7 !"ey a**ea$ed !o be .ollo)#n+ a !$a#n o. !"o'+"!)"#%" led no )"#!"e$7 *$e&en!ly /ady ?a$ne!! a&2ed0A$e yo' +o#n+ ab$oad !"#& yea$>00Ye&(0 "e &a#d( 0a& &oon a& %an66abo'! !"e ,#ddle o. O%!obe$7 !oMen!one o$ o$d#+"e$a( &'**o&e500Do yo' .#nd !"e, #n!e$e&!#n+> Do !"ey do yo' ,'%" +ood>0He &,#led $a!"e$ l#&!le&&ly( #+no$#n+ "e$ &e%ond 'e&!#on50 %on.e&&(0 "e &a#d( 0#! be%o,e& $a!"e$ a bo$e5 '!( &'**o&e( a!,y !#,e o. l#.e one .#nd& no!"#n+ ve$y #n!e$e&!#n+5 T"e ,e$e a%! o. l#v#n+ be%o,e& $a!"e$ a bo$e a.!e$ a !#,e500 )onde$ )"a! yo' a$e !"#n2#n+ abo'!( P"#l#*>0 &"e a&2ed,ed#!a!#vely7 0&o,e!"#n+ "a& annoyed yo' !o6n#+"!7 )onde$ #. yo'



a$e +o#n+ !o !ell ,e50He la'+"ed50Do )e eve$ !ell ea%" o!"e$ o'$ annoyan%e&> !"#n2 )e &#! and loo2 a! ea%" o!"e$( and d#&%ove$ !"e,5 T"a! #& ,'%" ,o$e a**$o*$#a!e500Yo' !a2e !"#n+& !oo &e$#o'&ly(0 &"e )en! on7 0,y dea$( !"ey a$e

$eally no! )o$!" #!5 T"a! #& ,y &e!!led %onv#%!#on50S"e &a! and &#**ed "e$ l# 'e'$ a**$e%#a!#vely( &,#l#n++ood6"',o'$edly( and P"#l#* %o'ld no! "el* $e+a$d#n+ "e$ )#!" a%e$!a#n ad,#$a!#on5 He$ &,all( &"a$*( &'b!#le .a%e( benea!" #!& ,a&2 o. &,#l#n+ #nd#..e$en%e( loo2ed *o&#!#vely yo'!".'l #n !"e -'d#%#o'&%andle6l#+"!7 only !"e l#!!le( b#$d6l#2e( )#!"e$ed "and& bo$e !"e&!#+,a!a o. a+e5 And "e %o'ld no! %on%e#ve "e$ %"an+#n+7 !o !"ela&!( !"o&e !ell6!ale "and& a*a$!( &"e )o'ld be %o,ely and %yn#%al(and )o'ld d#e a& &"e "ad l#ved( &e%'$e 0#n !"e "#+" *la%e& o. la'+"!e$066a la'+"!e$ !"a!( .o$ all #!& +en#al#!y( &!$'%2 "#, a!!#,e& a& $#%"ly &a$don#%66#n !"e de%en! d$a*e$y o. "e$ .#%!#!#o'&

yo'!"7 #n a de%o$o'& *#e!y( ye! a l#!!le %o,*l#%a!ed( #n !"e ve$y$e%e*!#on o. !"e la&! $#!e&( by !"e a,#able a$%"#n+ o. "e$ e *$e&&#ve eyeb$o)&50Yo' a$e )onde$.'l(0 "e e %la#,ed( a.!e$ an #n!e$val( 0)onde$.'l7!"a! )a& )"a! )a& !"#n2#n+50S"e &,#led d#&#n!e$e&!edly50 e%a'&e yo' don4! 'nde$&!and ,e> My dea$( no!"#n+ #& &o ea&y a&,y&!#.#%a!#on7 !"a! #& )"y don4! $e!'$n !"e %o,*l#,en!5 Yo'$&el.(yo' 2no)( a$e no! ve$y #n!ell#+#ble !o6n#+"!50He loo2ed a)ay .$o)n#n+( b'! )#!"o'! e,ba$$a&&,en!7 *$e&en!ly!"$o)#n+ '* "#& "and& )#!" a l#!!le ,o%2 +e&!'$e o. de&*a#$( "e$e,a$2ed0 &"o'ld be del#+"!ed !o e *la#n ,y&el.( b'! %an4!5 a,'n#n!ell#+#ble !o ,y&el. al&o7 )e ,'&! +#ve #! '*( and +o and .#ndMa$y500A" no; le! '& +#ve #! '*( by all ,ean&7 b'! )e )#ll no! -o#n Ma$yye!7 &,o2e ano!"e$ %#+a$e!!e50He !oo2 one and l#! #!( ab&en!ly( #n !"e bl'e .la,e o. !"e&*#$#!6la,*( and &"e )a!%"ed "#, %lo&ely )#!" "e$ b$#+"!( %'$#o'&eye&50Yo' 2no) !"#& M$5 /#+"!,a$2 ve$y )ell( don4! yo'( P"#l#*>00 n!#,a!ely(0 "e an&)e$ed( nodd#n+50Yo' ,'&! be *lea&ed(0 &"e &a#d5 0 ! #& a +$ea! ,a!%" .o$ "#,( a&!$'++l#n+ a$!#&!5 Can "e *a#n!( by !"e )ay>00He "a& +$ea! !alen!50 He "eld "#& %#+a$e!!e a)ay .$o, "#,(%on&#de$ed !"e a&" %$#!#%ally5 0Ye&( "e %an %e$!a#nly *a#n!5 &'**o&e #! #& a +ood !"#n+66and .o$ Eve( !oo5 W"y &"o'ld #! no! be>00He #& a %"a$,#n+ yo'n+ ,an066&"e &*o2e -'d#%#ally660%"a$,#n+; '!#n e..e%! Ma$y )a& '#!e $#+"!7 &"e +ene$ally #&66"e #& no!&#n%e$e50



0 !"#n2 yo' a$e )$on+(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, a.!e$ a ,o,en!5 0 &"o'ld be&o$$y !o bel#eve yo' )e$e no!( .o$ !"e l#!!le +#$l4& &a2e5 And "ave 2no)n "#, a lon+ !#,e7 "e #& a +ood .ello) a! bo!!o,500A";0 %$#ed /ady ?a$ne!! )#!" a l#!!le( '#%2 +e&!'$e o. "e$ $#+"!"and( 0!"a! #& *$e%#&ely )"a! "e #& no!5 He e a++e$a!e&7 "e ,'&! be

ve$y &e%$e!7 no one eve$ )a& &o .$an2 a& "e &ee,& !o be500W"y a$e yo' &ay#n+ all !"#& !o ,e>0 !"e o!"e$ a&2ed a.!e$ a ,o,en!50Yo' 2no) &"o'ld be ve$y &o$$y7 b'! )"a! %an do> #!4& a$$an+ed500 !"#n2 yo' ,#+"! "ave *$even!ed #!( #. yo' "ad %a$ed7 b'!( a& yo'&ay( #! #& !oo la!e no)500T"e$e )a& no )ay *o&&#ble #n )"#%" %o'ld "ave *$even!ed #!(0 "e&a#d &lo)ly( a.!e$ an #n!e$val )"#%" &ee,ed !o &!$#2e !"e, bo!" a&

*onde$o'&50T"a! )a& an ad,#&&#on )an!ed(0 &"e .la&"ed ba%25 0Yo' @)o'ld@ "ave

*$even!ed #!66yo' )o'ld "ave +#ven )o$ld& !o "ave *$even!ed #!50H#& $e!o$! %a,e a& '#%2ly( a%%en!ed by a &,#le

0No! a "al.*enny5 ,a2e no ad,#&&#on&7 and "ave no! !"e .a#n!e&!#dea o. )"a! yo' a$e d$#v#n+ a!5 a, a *'$e &*e%!a!o$5 To 'o!eyo'$&el.( don4! ,a2e ,a$$#a+e&( no$ ,a$ !"e,7 !"#n2 !oo #ll o. l#.e500A" no;0 &"e &a#d7 0#! #& !"a! yo' a$e !oo #ndolen!7 yo' d#&a**o#n!,e500 ! #& yo'( dea$ lady( )"o a$e #n%on&#&!en!(0 "e %$#ed( la'+"#n+50No( yo' d#&a**o#n! ,e(0 &"e $e&',ed7 0&e$#o'&ly( ,y dea$( a,d#&&a!#&.#ed )#!" yo'5 Yo' )#ll no! a&&e$! yo'$&el.7 yo' do no!"#n+7yo' "ave done no!"#n+5 T"e$e neve$ )a& a ,an )"o ,ade le&& o. "#&l#.e50He *$o!e&!ed la'+"#n+ly0 "ave "ad no !#,e7 "ave been loo2#n+ a.!e$ ,y l'n+&500A"( yo' a$e #n%o$$#+#ble(0 &"e e %la#,ed( $#&#n+7 0le! '& +o and.#nd Ma$y5 +#ve yo' '*7 o$( $a!"e$( +#ve ,y&el. '*( a& anadv#&e$5 Fo$( a.!e$ all( yo' a$e $#+"!66!"e$e #& no!"#n+ )o$!" do#n+#n !"#& bad )o$ld e %e*! loo2#n+ a.!e$ one4& l'n+( o$ )"a!eve$ #!,ay be500Pe$"a*& no! even !"a!(0 &a#d P"#l#*( a& "e .ollo)ed "e$ .$o, !"e$oo,7 0even !"a!( a.!e$ a !#,e( be%o,e& ,ono!ono'&50

CHAPTER I B

! o%%'$$ed !o /#+"!,a$2 one even#n+( a& "e +$o*ed !"$o'+" !"e +loo,o. "#& &!'d#o( on "#& )ay !o bed( a.!e$ a&&#&!#n+ a! a ve$y %"a$,#n+&o%#al +a!"e$#n+ a! !"e Sylve&!e$&4( !"a! a& &oon a& "e )a& ,a$$#ed"e )o'ld "ave !o %'! $odono)&2#4&5 T"e $ea&on& "e +ave "#,&el. )e$e

*la'&#ble eno'+"( and( #ndeed( "e )o'ld "ave .o'nd "#,&el. !"e onlyened#%! a,on+ !"#& "o$de o. )#ld ba%"elo$&5 T"e #n.o$,al %#$%le )a&

o. &'%" $e%en! a&&o%#a!#on !"a!( &o .a$( no *$e%eden! .o$ ,a!$#,ony



"ad o%%'$$ed( and #! )a& ,o$e !"an do'b!.'l "o) !"e e *e$#,en! ,#+"! be $e%e#ved5 n any %a&e( "e !old "#,&el.( "e %o'ld no! be e *e%!ed!o #n!$od'%e *eo*le l#2e O&)yn and M%All#&!e$ !o "#& )#.e66o$($a!"e$( !o M$&5 Sylve&!e$4& da'+"!e$5 O&)yn )a& *la#nly #,*o&&#ble(and M%All#&!e$4& devo!#on !o !oba%%o &o #no$d#na!e !"a! #! "ad %o,e

!o be a ,a!!e$ o. %o,,on bel#e. !"a! "e &,o2ed &"o$! *#*e& #n "#&&lee*5T"en "e "ad d#&,#&&ed !"e &'b-e%!7 !"e lon+( *lea&an! "ol#day #nS)#! e$land #n!e$vened( and #! )a& only on "#& $e!'$n( la!e #n !"ea'!',n( !"a! !"e 'e&!#on a+a#n *$e&en!ed #!&el.( a& "e !'$ned .$o,!"e !"$e&"old o. !"e "o'&e #n Pa$2 S!$ee!( )"e$e "e "ad been d#n#n+(and "al. 'n%on&%#o'&ly !oo2 !"e .a,#l#a$ &"o$! %'! !o)a$d& T'$2 S!$ee!5 He *a'&ed .o$ a del#be$a!e #n&!an! )"en "e "ad "a#led !"e.#$&! *a&&#n+ "an&o,( and !"en !old !"e ,an !o d$#ve !o P#%%ad#llyC#$%'&50 @,'&!@ +o !"e$e a .e) !#,e& ,o$e( #. only !o b$ea2 #! o.. +en!ly(0

"e $e.le%!ed( 0and )an! !o &ee old Ra#n"a,5 ! #& &!'*#d o. ,e no!!o "ave )$#!!en !o "#,66ye&( &!'*#d; Wonde$ #. "e "a& "ea$d> ,'&!n4! +#ve @"#,@ '*( a! any $a!e5 We4ll66)e4ll a&2 "#, !o d#nne$(and all !"a! &o$! o. !"#n+5 And )"a! !"e de'%e a, +o#n+ !o &end !o!"e A%ade,y> T"an2 +oodne&&( "ave eno'+" S)#&& &2e!%"e& !o )o$2 '*.o$ !"e o!"e$ +alle$#e& !o la&! ,e .o$ yea$&5 '! !"e A%ade,y66660T"en "e lo&! "#,&el. #n %on!e,*la!#ve en-oy,en! o. !"e .a,#l#a$ v#&!a o. Re+en! S!$ee!( !"e %'$ved( do!!ed l#ne& o. %$o%'&6%olo'$edla,*&( .ad#n+ #n !"e even#n+ .o+( !"e .l#!!#n+( $'by6eyed %ab&( and!"e %al,( )"#!e a$%6l#+"!&( &e! #$$e+'la$ly abo'! !"e %#$%'&(d'll#n+ !"e +$o&&e$ +a&5 He o)ned !o "#,&el. !"a! "e "ad &e%$e!lyyea$ned .o$ /ondon7 !"a! "#& &a!#&.a%!#on on leav#n+ !"e va&! %#!y)a& neve$ &o +$ea! a& "#& -oy on a+a#n &e!!#n+ .oo! '*on "e$

*ave,en!&5T"e a!,o&*"e$e o. !"e lon+( lo) $oo,( )#!" #!& ano,alo'& da$2 %e#l#n+ and +$o!e& 'ely6de%o$a!ed )all&( )a& "eav#ly laden )#!" !"e#n%en&e o. !oba%%o and a ,o$e &'b!#le odo'$( )"#%" n',be$ed a,on+#!& .a%!o$& )"#&2y and ab&#n!"e5 T"e &l#**e$ed( %lo&e6%$o**ed)a#!e$( )"o( by *o*'la$ $e*o$!( %o'ld &*ea2 .#ve lan+'a+e&( and'&'ally e,*loyed a ,# !'$e o. !)o o$ !"$ee( )a& &!#ll %lea$#n+ a)ay!"e deb$#& o. *$o!$a%!ed d#nne$&7 and a .e) ,en &a! abo'!( #n#n.o$,al +$o'*&( *lay#n+ do,#noe&( %"a!!#n+( o$ en+$o&&ed #n !"e#$ E !$a S*e%#al&5 T"e .#$e &"one %"ee$.'lly benea!" !"e "#+" ,an!el(and !"e *lea&an! la,*l#+"! len! a ,ello) +lo)( )"#%" )a& va+'ely&'++e&!#ve o. D'!%" #n!e$#o$&( a& #! .l#%2e$ed on !"e da$2 )ooden.loo$( and +lan%ed .$o, !"e a$$ay o. %"#na on !"e d$e&&e$ #n !"e%o$ne$5W"en /#+"!,a$2 en!e$ed( %lo&#n+ !"e doo$ b$#&2ly on !"e .o++y( %"#llO%!obe$ n#+"!( "e )a& +$ee!ed )a$,ly and de,on&!$a!#vely5 T"e.$a!e$n#!y )"#%" ,ade $odono)&2#4& #!& "ead6 'a$!e$& +ene$o'&ly



ad,#$ed "#& +en#'&( and( .o$ !"e ,o&! *a$!( .$an2ly env#ed "#&+ood6.o$!'ne5 T"e yo'n+e$ ,en $e&*e%!ed "#, a& a ,an )"o "ad &eenl#.e7 and !"e na$$a!#ve& )#!" )"#%" "e o%%a&#onally .avo'$ed !"e,

*$od'%ed #n &'%" o. "#& "ea$e$& .eel#n+& ve$y d#..e$en! !o !"o&e)"#%" olde$ ,en( l#2e O&)yn( e *$e&&ed by a !'$n o. !"e eyeb$o) o$ a

&"$'+5 T"ey )e$e al)ay& $eady eno'+" !o )el%o,e "#,( !o +a!"e$ $o'nd"#,( and !o d$#n2 )#!" "#,7 and !"#&( *e$"a*&( e *$e&&e& !"e l#,#!&o. !"e#$ $ela!#on50/#+"!,a$2( by :ove;0 %$#ed one o. !"e,( )av#n+ "#& *#*e #n !"e a#$(a& !"e ne)6%o,e$ "al!ed #n !"e lo) doo$)ay( &,#l#n+ #n a $a!"e$

be)#lde$ed ,anne$ a& "e 'nb'!!oned "#& ove$%oa!5 0Wel%o,e !o !"e+'e$#lla %a,*; And a d$e&& &'#!; T"e&e )all& "aven4! en%lo&ed &'%" a!"#n+ &#n%e yo' )en! a)ay5 T"#& #& #ndeed an o%%a&#on;0/#+"!,a$2 *a&&ed .$o, +$o'* !o +$o'*( de.!ly *a$$y#n+( and $e!'$n#n+!"e %"o$'& o. .$#endly !"$'&!&( and &"a2#n+ "and& )#!" !"ea..ab#l#!y )"#%" )a& &o %"a$a%!e$#&!#% a .ea!'$e o. "#& a!!#!'de

!o)a$d !"e,5 T"e ,an "e loo2ed .o$( !"e .$#end )"o, "e #n!ended !o"ono'$ )#!" a &o,e)"a! !a$dy %on.#den%e o. "#& "a**#ne&&( )a& no!!"e$e5 W"en "e a&2ed .o$ Ra#n"a,( "e )a& !old !"a! 0!"e d$y6do%2e$(0a& !"e&e .l#**an! yo'n+&!e$& .a,#l#a$ly de&#+na!ed !"e &#len! ,an()"o, !"ey &e%$e!ly $eve$ed( "ad +one .o$ an a.!e$6d#nne$ &!$oll( o$

*e$%"an%e !o !"e !"ea!$e( )#!" O&)yn50W#!" O&)yn>0 'e$#ed /#+"!,a$2( )#!" !"e &"ado) o. a .$o)n50O"( O&)yn and "e a$e +e!!#n+ ve$y !"#%2;0 &a#d Co*al5 0T"ey a$eal,o&! a& #n&e*a$able a& yo' !)o '&ed !o be5 4, a.$a#d yo' )#ll.#nd yo'$&el. %'! o'!5 T"$ee #& an a)2)a$d n',be$( yo' 2no)5 '!)"en d#d yo' %o,e ba%2> W"en a$e yo' +o#n+ !o &"o) '& yo'$ &2e!%"e&>And "o) lon+ d#d yo' &!ay #n Pa$#&>555 Yo' @d#dn4!@ &!o* #n Pa$#&>T"#& )on4! do( yo' 2no)5 &ay( D'*'#&( "e$e4& a ,an )"o d#dn4! &!o*#n Pa$#&; A&2 "#, #. "e )an!& !o #n&'l! yo'500A"( ,on %"e$;0 e *o&!'la!ed !"e F$en%",an( loo2#n+ '* .$o, "#& +a,eo. do,#noe&( 0 )o'ld no! &!o* #n /ondon #. %o'ld "el* #!500O"( &"'! '*( Co*al;0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2 +ood6"',o'$edly5 0 )a& )#!"lad#e&66D'*'#& )#ll &y,*a!"# e )#!" ,e !"e$e( e"( @,on v#e' @>66and!"ey )an!ed !o &!ay a! /'%e$ne 'n!#l !"e la&! ,#n'!e5 So )e %a,e&!$a#+"! !"$o'+"500T"en yo' "aven4! &een Sa$a" #n 4Cleo*a!$a(4 and )e )e$e $ely#n+ onyo' .o$ an 'nva$n#&"ed a%%o'n!5 /ad#e&( !oo; See "e$e( ,y boy( yo')on4! +e! any +ood o'! o. !o'$#n+ abo'! !"e Con!#nen! )#!" lad#e&5Han+ #! all; bel#eve #!4ll %o,e !$'e( a.!e$ all>00Be$y l#2ely66)"a!>00O"( )ell( !"ey &a#d66 d#dn4! bel#eve #!( b'! !"ey &a#d !"a! yo')e$e +o#n+ !o de&e$! !"e %a,*( and *$an%e abo'! )#!" %o$*'len!R5A54& #n Hanove$ S 'a$e500And &o )o'ld )e all( #. )e +o! !"e %"an%e(0 &a#d M%All#&!e$ %yn#%ally5



And a.!e$ !"e +ene$al o'!%$y )"#%" .ollo)ed !"#& &'++e&!#on( !"e%onve$&a!#on d$#.!ed ba%2 !o !"e old d#&%'&&#on o. !"e a'!',n &"o)&(!"e *a&!el& a! !"e ?$o&veno$( and !"e ,o&! $e%en! add#!#on& !o !"e

Na!#onal ?alle$y5W"en a! la&! Ra#n"a, %a,e #n!o !"e $oo,( .ollo)#n+( )#!" "#&

"ab#!'al "al.6!#,#d a#$( !"e &"a,bl#n+ .#+'$e o. !"e *a#n!e$ O&)yn(#! &!$'%2 /#+"!,a$2 !"a! "e "ad +$o)n olde$( and !"a! "e "ad( a& #!)e$e( a&&#,#la!ed &o,e o. !"e #n!#,a!e d#&$e*'!ab#l#!y o. !"e *la%e#! )o'ld no lon+e$ "ave been *o&&#ble !o &#n+le "#, o'! a& a .o$e#+n'n#! #n !"e %#$%le( o$ !o de!e%! #n "#& ,en!al a!!#!'de any o. !"e%'$#o&#!y o. !"e %a&'al &ee2e$ a.!e$ ne) #,*$e&&#on&( !"e P"#l#&!#ne#n o"e,#a5 T"e$e )a& no!"#n+ b'! *lea&'$e #n !"e &l#+"!,an#.e&!a!#on o. &'$*$#&e )"#%" *$e%eded "#& .$an2 +$ee!#n+ o. /#+"!,a$2( a +$ee!#n+ !"o$o'+"ly En+l#&" #n #!& ,a!!e$6o.6.a%! )an!o. de,on&!$a!#vene&&( and !"e avo#dan%e o. any!"#n+ l#2ely !oa!!$a%! !"e a!!en!#on o. o!"e$&5

O&)yn &ee,ed le&& a! "#& ea&e7 !"e$e )a& an e !$a da&" o. ne$vo'& b$'& 'ene&& #n !"e &a$%a&!#% )el%o,e )"#%" "e o..e$ed !o !"ene)6%o,e$7 and al!"o'+" !"e$e )a& a va%an! &ea! #n !"e l#!!le%#$%le( o. )"#%" Co*al and /#+"!,a$2 .o$,ed !"e n'%le'&( and !o)"#%" Ra#n"a, "ad -o#ned "#,&el.( "e &"'..led o.. !o "#& .avo'$#!e%o$ne$( and b'$#ed "#,&el. #n 0?#l la&0 and an abno$,ally !"#%2 %lo'd o. !oba%%o6&,o2e5Ra#n"a, +a ed a.!e$ "#, .o$ a ,o,en! o$ !)o )#!" a *' lede *$e&&#on50A,#able a& eve$;0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2( )#!" a la'+"5 0Poo$ old be++a$;Have a %#+a$e!!e> Yo' o'+"! !o +#ve '* *#*e&5 Haven4! yo' been !old!"a! %#+a$e!!e& a$e66)"a! #& #!>664!"e *e$.e%! !y*e6666>400O"( %"e&!n'!&;0 #n!e$*o&ed Co*al( 0!"a!4& a! lea&! &# ,on!"& old5And #!4& $o!( !oo; Do yo' 2no) )"a! M%All#&!e$ %all& !"e,> S*#!!leand !#&&'e5 $'!al( b'! e *$e&&#ve5 '! &ay( old ,an( )on4! M$&5T"#n+',y d$o* on yo' .o$ &,o2#n+ #n yo'$ d$e&&6%oa!> O$66o$6666 No(

b$ea2 #! !o ,e +en!ly5 Yo' don4! ,ean !o &ay !"a! yo' *o&&e&& @!)o@> $eally .eel *$o'd o. "av#n+ ,y &!'d#o ne ! doo$ !o yo'50

0Co*al #& be%o,#n+ '#!e an "',o$#&!(0 /#+"!,a$2 &'++e&!ed #n an#,*a$!#al ,anne$5 0W"a! a )a+ #! #&; Kee* #! '*( ,y boy5 y !"e )ay(M$&5 ?$',b#! "a& been !al2#n+ abo'! yo'$ 4+o#n+& on(4 a& &"e %all&!"e, &"e4& a**a$en!ly ve$y ,'%" e e$%#&ed #n "e$ ,#nd a& !o !"e&!a!e o. yo'$ ,o$al&5 S"e !old ,e &"e "ad !o !a2e yo' #n )#!" !"e,a!'!#nal ,#l2 !"$ee !#,e& la&! )ee25 S"e )an!& ,e !o !al2 !o yo'l#2e a .a!"e$5 ! )on4! do( yo' 2no)500 &"o'ld l#2e !o "ea$ yo'( D#%2(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, la #ly5 0F#$e a)ay;

'! )"o #& M$&5 ?$',b#!>00O"( &"e4& o'$ "o'&e2ee*e$66!"e lady )"o d'&!& !"e &!'d#o( yo' 2no)(and +#ve& !"e ,odel& !ea and +ood adv#%e5 S"e4& ve$y *a$!#%'la$ a&!o !"e ,odel& &"e )on4! le! '& *a#n! .$o, any )"o don4! %o,e '* !o



"e$ &!anda$d o. *$o*$#e!y5 And !"e )o$&! o. #! #& !"a! !"e *$o*e$e&!+#$l& a$e al)ay& !"e '+l#e&!5 don4! 2no)666600 e.o$e yo' *$o%eed )#!" !"#& "#+"ly o$#+#nal d#& '#&#!#on(0#n!e$$'*!ed Co*al( 0 !"#n2 yo' o'+"! !o be )a$ned !"a! )e "ave$e%en!ly .o$,ed a So%#e!y .o$ !"e P$o!e%!#on o. Re*'!a!#on&( ,odel&4

and a%!$e&&e&4 #n *a$!#%'la$5 ! )a& M%All#&!e$4& #dea5 Yo' no) "ave!"e "ono'$ o. be#n+ #n !"e "ead 'a$!e$&( !"e %o,,#!!ee6$oo, o. !"e&o%#e!y( and any!"#n+ l#2e &lande$( o$ even !$'!"( )#ll be ,ade ane a,*le o.500Don4! yo' .#nd #! $a!"e$ d#..#%'l! !o &*$ead yo'$ &"el!e$#n+ )#n+&ove$ )"a! doe&n4! e #&!>0 "a a$ded /#+"!,a$2 a,'&edly50A"( 2ne) yo' )o'ld &ay !"a!; Yo' &ee( !"a!4& -'&! )"e$e )e %o,e#n5 We !al2 abo'! !"e#$ ,o$al& and $e*'!a!#on& 'n!#l !"ey be+#n !o#,a+#ne !"ey "ave &o,e( and !"ey 'n%on&%#o'&ly +e! #nd'%ed !o l#ve'* !o !"e,5 See> !4& $a!"e$ ,# ed( b'! #! )o$2& bea'!#.'lly5 A&2 !"e v#%e6*$e&#den!; Ra#n"a, "old& !"a! *$o'd o..#%e5 ,ay $e,a$2

!"a! a, !$ea&'$e$( and !"e &'b&%$#*!#on #& "al. a +'#nea( )"#%"+oe& !o)a$d& !"e e *en&e& o. *$ov#d#n+ l#+"! $e.$e&",en!& .o$ !"e(66!"e bene.#%#a$#e&500T"#& #& $eally ve$y #n!e$e&!#n+; Ra#n"a, v#%e6*$e&#den!( !oo; !"o'+"! "e loo2ed $a!"e$66$a!"e$ )o$n by !"e %a$e& o. !"e o..#%e5Yo' ,'&! ,a2e ,e a ,e,be$ a! on%e5 '! )"o4& *$e&#den!>00P$e&#den!> W"o @#&@ *$e&#den!( M%All#&!e$> $eally .o$+e!5 Yo' &ee()"eneve$ !"e *$e&#den! #& %a'+"! &*ea2#n+ !oo %and#dly o. any o. o'$ %l#en!&4 %"a$a%!e$&( )e *a&& a vo!e o. %en&'$e( and de*o&e "#,( and"e "a& !o &!and d$#n2&5 T"e %o,*e!#!#on #&n4! &o 2een a& #! '&ed !o

be5 . yo' )o'ld l#2e !o &!and66.o$ !"e o..#%e( ,ean66 da$e &ay!"e$e )#ll be an o*en#n+ &oon5555 Well( ,'&! be o.. 4, a.$a#do. M$&5 ?$',b#!( and66ye&( by :ove;66 4ve .o$+o!!en ,y la!%"2eya+a#n; O. %o'$&e yo'4$e no! %o,#n+ ye!( D#%2> Co,e and b$ea2.a&!)#!" ,e !o6,o$$o)5 ?ood6n#+"!( yo' .ello)&;00Co*al "a& been #n +$ea! .o$, !o6n#+"!(0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2( a.!e$ !"edoo$ "ad %lo&ed on "#,( +e!!#n+ '* and &!$e!%"#n+ "#,&el.5 0W"a!doe& #! ,ean> :oy a! ,y $e!'$n> Fa!!ed %al.>00No do'b!( ,y boy( no do'b!(0 +$o)led M%All#&!e$ "',o$o'&ly( on "#&)ay !o !"e doo$5 0 '! yo' ,'&! bea$ #n ,#nd( !oo( !"e %#$%',&!an%e!"a! !"e ladd#e4& -'&! &old a *#%!'$e500?ood b'&#ne&&;0 e-a%'la!ed /#+"!,a$2( a& "e $e.le%!ed !o "#,&el. !"a! *e$"a*& !"a! de&*a#$ed6o. .#ve$ )o'ld be $e*a#d a.!e$ all5Abo'! ,#dn#+"! ,o&! o. !"e ,en le.!5 Ra#n"a, $e,a#ned( and/#+"!,a$2( )"o *$o.e&&ed "#,&el. !oo la y !o ,ove5 Ra#n"a, la*&ed#n!o "#& .a,#l#a$ &!a!e o. "al.6ab&!$a%!#on( )"#le "#& .$#end%$o&&6e a,#ned a yo'n+ &%'l*!o$ .$e&" .$o, Ro,e5A! !"e ne ! !able O&)yn )a& "old#n+ .o$!"( )#!" ea+e$ +e&!#%'la!#on&and !"e e %#!e,en! o. !"e "o'$ #n "#& eye&( on !"e &'b-e%! o. a

*#%!'$e )"#%" "e %on!e,*la!ed *a#n!#n+ #n o#l& .o$ e "#b#!#on a! !"e



Salon ne ! yea$5 Ra#n"a, "ad "ea$d #! all be.o$e7 &!#ll( "e l#&!ened)#!" a 2een a**$e%#a!#on o. !"e )onde$.'l !o'%" )#!" )"#%" !"el#!!le( d#&"evelled a$!#&! enla$+ed on !"e %a*ab#l#!#e& o. "#&%"o#%e( !"e *o&&#b#l#!#e& o. %olo'$ and !$ea!,en!5 T"e *#%!'$e )a&!o be *a#n!ed a! !"e do%2( and !"e *a#n!e$ "ad al$eady a%"#eved a

da$#n+ly &'++e&!#ve #,*$e&&#on #n *a&!el& o. !"e .a,#l#a$ n#+"!6&%ene)"#%" "e no) de&%$#bed !"e &!$ea,#n+( v#v#d !o$%"e&( !"e#$ $ay&&!$'++l#n+ and d$o)n#n+ #n !"e ,'$2y )a!e$( +l#,,e$#n+ .a#n!ly#n !"e )#ndo)& o. !"e bla%2 )a$e"o'&e ba$ely &'++e&!ed a! !"e &#de7!"e ale$!( &)a$,#n+ &a#lo$&( b'&y )#!" $o*e& and !a%2le7 and #n !"e,#ddle !"e da$2( &!ee* lev#a!"an( .$e&" .$o, !"e &ea6&!o$,&(+$o)#n+( a& #! )e$e( o'! o. !"e #,*ene!$able %"ao& o. !"e .o++y

ba%2+$o'nd( #n )"#%" !"e $#ve$6l#+"!& +lea,ed l#2e o*al& &e! #n d'llebony5W"en !"e !#de o. #n&*#$a!#on .a#led !"e &*ea2e$( a& #! &oon d#d(/#+"!,a$2 %on!#n'ed !o loo2 a! "#, a&2an%e( )#!" an a#$ o. ab&en!

%on&#de$a!#on !'$n#n+ !o 'nea&#ne&&5 T"e$e )a& a +ene$al &#len%e( b$o2en only by !"e o%%a&#onal &!$#2#n+ o. a ,a!%" and !"e 2no%2#n+o. *#*e a+a#n&! boo!6"eel5 Soon !"e yo'n+ &%'l*!o$ d#&%ove$ed !"a!"e "ad ,#&&ed "#& la&! !$a#n( and .led #n%on!#nen!ly5 O&)yn &e!!led"#,&el. ba%2 #n "#& %"a#$( a& one )"o "a& no $e+a$d .o$ !#,e( and$olled a %#+a$e!!e( !"e an#,a!#on )#!" )"#%" "e "ad &*o2en no) only

*e$%e*!#ble #n !"e *o#n!& o. %olo'$ #n e#!"e$ %"ee25 Ra#n"a, and/#+"!,a$2 le.! "#, a .e) ,#n'!e& la!e$( !"e la&! o. !"e $evelle$&(d$a)#n+ !"e %a! )#!" !"e %"a$$ed end o. a ,a!%" on !"e ba%2 o. anenvelo*e( and !oo dee*ly en+$o&&ed !o no!#%e !"e#$ de*a$!'$e5T"e .o+ "ad van#&"ed( and !"e ,oon &"one &o.!ly( !"$o'+" a )"#!e)$ea!" o. %lo'd&( ove$ !"e &!$a++l#n+ l#ne o. "o'&e6!o*&5 T"ena$$o)( & 'al#d( l#!!le &!$ee! )a& de&e$!ed( and !"e &o'nd o. )"eel&#n !"e b'&#e$ !"o$o'+".a$e a! !"e end )a& ve$y #n!e$,#!!en!5/#+"!,a$2 b'!!oned "#& +love& del#be$a!ely( and d$e) a lon+ b$ea!"o. !"e n#+"! a#$ be.o$e "e b$o2e !"e &#len%e50 !4& on o%%a&#on& l#2e !"#& !"a! )#&" loo,&b'$y and Ken&#n+!onlay #n !"e &a,e d#$e%!#on66.$o, "e$e( yo' 2no)7 )e &"o'ld &ave a.o$!'ne #n %ab6.a$e&5555 '!66b'! !"a! )a&n4! )"a! )an!ed !o &ay5P"#l#*( ,y dea$ .ello)( %on+$a!'la!e ,e50He *a'&ed .o$ a ,#n'!e loo2#n+ a! !"e o!"e$ %'$#o'&ly( )#!"&o,e!"#n+ o. a ,elod$a,a!#% *o&e5 Ra#n"a, "ad "#& .a%e !'$ned $a!"e$ a)ay( and )a& +a #n+ a! !"e *ale $e.le%!#on o. !"e ,oonl#+"! #n oneo. !"e o**o&#!e )#ndo)&50 2no)(0 "e &a#d &#,*ly5 0 @do@ %on+$a!'la!e yo'66.$o, !"e bo!!o,o. ,y "ea$!5 And "o*e yo' )#ll ,a2e "e$ "a**y50 T"en "e !'$ned andloo2ed /#+"!,a$2 #n !"e .a%e5 0 &'**o&e yo' @do@ love "e$( D#%2>00 &'**o&e do5 '! "o) !"e de'%e d#d yo' 2no) any!"#n+ abo'! #!> "ave been bla,#n+ ,y&el.( needle&&ly #! a**ea$&( .o$ no! le!!#n+ yo'"ea$ o. #!5 Ha& #!66"a& #! been #n !"e *a*e$&>0



Ra#n"a, la'+"ed #n &*#!e o. "#,&el.50A**$oa%"#n+ ,a$$#a+e o. a %eleb$a!ed a$!#&!> No( D#%2( don4!!"#n2 #! "a&5 /ady ?a$ne!! !old ,e ,o$e !"an a )ee2 a+o500O"(0 &a#d D#%2 blan2ly5 0 66 4, ,'%" obl#+ed !o "e$5 !"o'+"!

*e$"a*& #! )a& !"e Colonel7 )$o!e !o "#,( yo' 2no)( and !"o'+"!

"e )a& a d#&%$ee! old b#$d5 '! "o) d#d /ady ?a$ne!! 2no)>00S"e &ee,ed !o !"#n2 #! )a& no &e%$e!(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( )#!" a&'++e&!#on o. a*olo+y #n "#& !one7 0and( o. %o'$&e( &"e 2no)& !"a! a,666600My be&! .$#end(0 #n!e$*o&ed !"e o!"e$ #,*'l&#vely5 0So yo' a$e5 And

o'+"! !o "ave !old yo'7 )a& a b$'!e5 And .eel l#2e !"e dev#labo'! #!5555 Well( #! %an4! be "el*ed5 W#ll yo' "ave !"#& %ab( o$ &"all >0Ra#n"a, d$e) ba%2 )#!" a +e&!'$e o. abne+a!#on( a& !"e d$#ve$ $e#ned!"e "o$&e ba%2 '*on #!& "a'n%"e& )#!" a %la!!e$50 4, +o#n+ !o )al2( !"#n25 Only '* !o loo,&b'$y( yo' 2no)5

?ood6n#+"!( D#%25 "o*e yo'4ll be ve$y "a**y( bo!" o. yo'50W"en !"e %ab d$ove o..( Ra#n"a, &!ood &!#ll .o$ a ,#n'!e and )a!%"ed#! o'! o. &#+"!5 T"en "e &!a$!ed and &ee,ed !o *'ll "#,&el. !o+e!"e$50 )#&" 2ne);0 "e &a#d alo'd !o "#,&el.( a& "e &!e**ed $a*#dly!o)a$d& !"e Ea&!5 0Well( )e4ll be o.. !o o$d#+"e$a no)( @,on v#e' @5We4ve lo&! D#%2( !"#n2( and )e4ve lo&!66660T"e &ol#lo 'y d#ed a)ay #n a &#+" and a *a!"e!#% &"$'+5

CHAPTER IB

A day o$ !)o la!e$( )"en Ra#n"a, %alled #n !"e a.!e$noon a! !"eKen&#n+!on &!'d#o !o anno'n%e "#& a**$oa%"#n+ .l#+"! .$o, En+land("e .o'nd M$&5 Sylve&!e$ and Eve #n o%%'*a!#on( and a &#!!#n+ #n

*$o+$e&&5 H#& +$ee!#n+ o. Eve )a& &o,e)"a! %on&!$a#ned5 He &ee,ed !o&!',ble ove$ !"e %on+$a!'la!#on&( !"e '!!e$an%e o. )"#%" '&a+e andold a% 'a#n!an%e de,anded7 and "e )a& ,o$e a! "#& ea&e )"en !"e #%e)a& .a#$ly b$o2en50 e *e%!ed !o .#nd yo' "e$e(0 "e &a#d( add$e&&#n+ M$&5 Sylve&!e$50 "ave been !o yo'$ "o'&e( and !"ey !old ,e yo' )o'ld *$obably bea! !"e &!'d#o66@!"e@ &!'d#o66&o %a,e on500?ood boy( +ood boy;0 &a#d /#+"!,a$2( )#!" a& ,'%" a**$oba!#on #n"#& vo#%e a& !"e *$e&en%e o. !"e &!#%2 o. a *a#n!6b$'&" be!)een "#&!ee!" )o'ld allo)5 0Yo'4ll e %'&e o'$ +o#n+ on a l#!!le lon+e$()on4! yo'> !4ll be !oo da$2 #n a .e) ,#n'!e&500Yo' don4! loo2 )ell( P"#l#*(0 $e,a$2ed M$&5 Sylve&!e$ *$e&en!ly()#!" a )ell6a&&',ed a#$ o. &ol#%#!'de5 0Yo' o'+"! !o "ave %o,e !o/'%e$ne )#!" '&( #n&!ead o. &*end#n+ all !"e &',,e$ #n !o)n500Ye&7 )"y @d#dn4!@ yo'( P"#l#*>0 %$#ed Eve $e*$oa%".'lly5 0 ! )o'ld"ave been &o n#%e66o"( 4, &o &o$$y( D#%2( d#dn4! ,ean !o



,ove66yo' $eally o'+"! !o "ave %o,e500Well( !"e$e )a& !"e do%2( yo' &ee( and b'&#ne&& and all !"a! &o$!o. !"#n+5 %an4! al)ay& ne+le%! b'&#ne&&( yo' 2no)50/#+"!,a$2 a&&e$!ed e,*"a!#%ally !"a! "e @d#dn4!@ 2no)( )"#le( on !"eo!"e$ "and( M$&5 Sylve&!e$ )a& 'nde$&!ood !o $e,a$2( )#!" a %e$!a#n

a#$ o. ,y&!e$y( !"a! &"e %o'ld '#!e 'nde$&!and )"a! 2e*! P"#l#* #n!o)n50Don4! yo' !"#n2 ,#+"! "ave been $a!"e$66$a!"e$ a .#.!" )"eel>0&'++e&!ed Ra#n"a, .eebly( en!#$ely #+no$#n+ M$&5 Sylve&!e$4& $e,a$2(!o )"#%"( #ndeed( "e a!!a%"ed no &*e%#al ,ean#n+50S*a$e o'$ bl'&"e&( old ,an(0 e *o&!'la!ed D#%25 0 ! )o'ld "ave beena).'lly -olly5 Yo' )o'ld "ave been &'%" a %o,*an#on .o$ C"a$le&( yo'2no)(0 "e added( )#!" a ,al#%#o'& +lan%e ove$ "#& &"o'lde$5 0O"dea$; .o+ a+a#n5 !"#n2 ,'&! $elea&e yo' no)( Eve5 Tell ,e )"a!yo' !"#n2 o. !"e *o$!$a#!( no) !"a! 4ve )o$2ed #n !"e ba%2+$o'nd(P"#l#*5 M$&5 Sylve&!e$( no) don4! yo' !"#n2 )a& $#+"! abo'! !"e

.lo)e$&>0T"e$e )a&( #n .a%!( a %"a$,#n+( al,o&! v#$+#nal del#%a%y and

.$e&"ne&& o. a#$ and !one abo'! !"e *#%!'$e5 T"e +#$l4& &#,*le()"#!e d$e&&( )#!" only66!"e *a#n!e$ "ad &o .a$ *$eva#led ove$ !"e,#ll#ne$(66only a &'++e&!#on o. b$#+"! $#band& a! !"$oa! and )a#&!7!"e 'a#n! %"#**endale %"a#$( !"e &o,b$e S*an#&" lea!"e$ &%$een()"#%" .o$,ed !"e ba%2+$o'nd( and !"e *o! o. %o**e$6%olo'$ed%"$y&an!"e,',&( %o'n!e$*a$!& o. !"e l#!!le %l'&!e$ )"#%" Eve )o$e #n!"e bo&o, o. "e$ +o)n( on a ,any6%o$ne$ed T'$2#&" !able a! !"e &#de#! "ad all !"e +ay $eal#&, o. ,ode$n Pa$#& )#!"o'! lo&#n+ !"e *oe!$yo. !"e old &%"ool( o$ a!!a#n#n+ !"e "a$dne&& o. !"e ne)5Ra#n"a, loo2ed a! #! a!!en!#vely( %lo&ely( .o$ a lon+ !#,e5 T"en "e&a#d &#,*ly0 !4& !"e be&! !"#n+ yo' "ave done( D#%25 ! )#ll be one o. !"e be&!

*o$!$a#!& #n !"e A%ade,y( and yo' o'+"! !o +e! a +ood *la%e on !"el#ne500 4, &o +lad;0 %$#ed Eve $a*!'$o'&ly( %la&*#n+ "e$ "and&5 0On !"el#ne; '!(0 and "e$ vo#%e .ell( 0#! #&n4! !o +o !o !"e A%ade,y5Ma,,a "a& *$o,#&ed S#$66D#%2 #& +o#n+ !o &end #! !o !"e ?$o&veno$5

'! #!4& *$e!!y ,'%" !"e &a,e( #&n4! #!> O"( no) &"o) P"#l#* !"e&2e!%" yo' "ave ,ade .o$ yo'$ A%ade,y *#%!'$e(0 &"e added( *o#n!#n+!o a boa$d )"#%" &!ood on ano!"e$ ea&el( )#!" a *$o!e%!#n+ ve#l ove$ !"e *a*e$ )"#%" )a& &!$e!%"ed '*on #!5 0Yo' 2no) @"e@ %an !ell '& #. #!4& l#2e !"e $eal !"#n+500 . #!4& !"e R#v#e$a( o$66o$ d$y do%2&(0 added Ra#n"a, ,ode&!ly5

'! /#+"!,a$2 &!e**ed .o$)a$d "a&!#ly( a.!e$ a ,o,en!4& "e&#!a!#on(and *'! "#& "and on !"e d$a)#n+ -'&! a& Eve )a& *$e*a$#n+ )#!" d'e%e$e,ony !o 'nve#l #!50E %'&e ,e( don4! )an! !o &"o) #! !o Ra#n"a, ye!5 66 )an! !oa&!on#&" "#,( yo' 2no)50



&,#l#n+ 0A' $evo#$( P"#l#*(0 "e &"oo2 "#& "ead $a!"e$ &adly50 4, a.$a#d #! ,'&! be +ood6bye66.o$ &o,e !#,e( a! lea&!5 %a,e !o!ell yo' !"a! a, on !"e )#n+ a+a#n5 Do%!o$4& o$de$&( yo' 2no)5 &"all be #n o$d#+"e$a on F$#day( e *e%!500And !o6day4& T'e&day(0 %o,*la#ned Eve5

0And )a& -'&! +o#n+ !o a&2 yo' !o d#ne )#!" '&( one day &oon(0e *o&!'la!ed "e$ ,o!"e$50Yo' ,'&! %o,e ove$ a! C"$#&!,a&( old ,an(0 &a#d D#%2 %"ee$.'lly50Fo$ !"e )edd#n+( yo' 2no)5 Yo'4ve +o! !o +#ve ,e a)ay( and be

b$#de&,a#d( and all !"a! &o$! o. !"#n+50Ra#n"a, &"oo2 "#& "ead a+a#n50 4, a.$a#d no!5 Yo' don4! 2no) ,y do%!o$5 He )o'ldn4! "ea$ o. #!5

No( yo' )on4! &ee ,e #n !o)n a+a#n be.o$e May( 'nle&& !"e$e4& a$ad#%al $e.o$, #n !"e %l#,a!e500Co'ldn4!66%o'ldn4! )e *'! #! o.. !#ll May>0 &'++e&!ed Eve na#vely5

'! !"e &'++e&!#on )a& no! $e%e#ved )#!" any!"#n+ a**$oa%"#n+

en!"'&#a&,50?ood6bye( P"#l#*(0 &a#d Eve a+a#n( )"en "e$ love$ )a& "and#n+ M$&5Sylve&!e$ #n!o !"e l#!!le b$o'+"a,5 0M#nd yo' !a2e +$ea! %a$e o. yo'$&el.50Ra#n"a, $e!'$ned !"e .$an2 *$e&&'$e o. "e$ "and50?ood6bye(0 "e &a#d5

CHAPTER IB

A.!e$ all( P"#l#* Ra#n"a, lo#!e$ed on "#& )ay So'!"5 He &*en! a )ee2 #n Pa$#&( and *a&&#n+ on by )ay o. !"e Mon! Cen#&( l#n+e$ed #nT'$#n( a %#!y )#!" a !$ea%"e$o'& %l#,a!e and '+ly $e%!an+'la$ &!$ee!&( )"#%" "e de!e&!ed( o'! o. &"ee$ #dlene&&( .o$ !"$ee day&5On !"e .o'$!"( )a2#n+ !o .#nd )#n!e$ '*on "#, &'ddenly( and !"e+$o'nd al$eady da l#n+ .$o, a n#+"!4& &no)( "e )a& &e# ed )#!"

*an#%66an an%#en! "o$$o$ o. .all#n+ #ll #n &!$an+e *la%e& $e!'$n#n+!o "#, )#!" .$e&" .o$%e( a& "e .el! al$eady !"e %"#ll o. !"e blea2

*la#n& o. P#ed,on! #n "#& bone&5 ! &en! "#, "'$$y#n+ !o "#&de&!#na!#on( o$d#+"e$a( by !"e .#$&! !$a#n7 and #! )a& no! !oo&oon !"e ,#&'&ed l'n+ a&&e$!ed #!&el. #n a "ae,o$$"a+e( and by !"e!#,e "e $ea%"ed !"e .a#$ l#!!le !o)n $'nn#n+ o'! &o %o 'e!!#&"ly(a,#d #!& ol#ve ya$d& and *al,6!$ee&( #n!o !"e bl'e Med#!e$$anean( "e)a& #n no *$o*e$ !e,*e$ !o &ol#lo '# e on #!& %"a$,&5T"e do%!o$ "ad a )#ll#n+ &lave #n "#, .o$ !"$ee )ee2&7 !"en "e$evol!ed( and .o'nd "#,&el. &'..#%#en!ly %'$ed !o &#! )"en !"e &'n&"one66and &o,e!#,e& )"en #! d#d no!66%ove$ed #n a +$ay &"a)l(&,o2#n+ #nn',e$able %#+a$e!!e& on a +$een( bl#&!e$ed &ea! #n !"e+a$den o. "#& "o!el5 He $e*l#ed !o !"e $e,on&!$a!#n+ !"a! "e "ad

been #ll be.o$e !"#& bo'!( and )o'ld &'$ely be #ll a+a#n( b'! !"a!!e,*o$a$#ly "e )a& a )ell ,an5 ! )a& only )"en "e )a& alone !"a! "e



%o'ld a..o$d !o ad,#! "o) &ava+e a $e,#nde$ o. "#& d#&ab#l#!#e& "e"ad $e%e#ved5 And( #ndeed( "#& day& o. %a*!#v#!y "ad le.! !"e#$ ,a$2 on "#,66!"e #n%$ea&ed +a'n!ne&& o. "#& .#+'$e a*a$!66#n a %e$!a#n#$$#!a!#on and ne$ve d#&!$e&&( )"#%" #n%l#ned "#, .o$ on%e !o $e+$e!!"e ,'l!#!'de o. a% 'a#n!an%e !"a! "#& lon+ "ab#! o. &o-o'$n#n+

!"e$e "ad ob!a#ned5 T"e %la!!e$ o. En+l#&" !on+'e& a! @!able d4"o!e@ be+an !o )ea$y "#,7 !"e "ea!ed %on!$ove$&y )"#%" )a+ed ove$ !"e+a,bl#n+6!able& o. !"e l#!!le *$#n%#*al#!y a%$o&& !"e bay le.! "#,a$#d and !#$ed7 and !"e +o&&#* o. !"e *la%e &!$'%2 "#, a& even ,o$e!ed#o'& and 'n*$o.#!able !"an o. old5 He %o'ld no lon+e$ .e#+n ade%en! #n!e$e&! #n !"e .l#$!a!#on& o. !"e !"$ee M#&& S,#!"&( a& !"ey)e$e $e%o'n!ed !o "#, n#+"!ly by M$&5 En+el( !"e &y,*a!"e!#% )#do))"o &a! ne ! !o "#,( and )"o&e &y,*a!"y "e be+an( #n !"eenl#+"!en,en! o. "#& #nd#&*o&#!#on( !o d#&!$'&!5T"e $el#e. )#!" )"#%" "e "a#led !"e a$$#val o. !"e *o&! and a b'd+e!o. le!!e$& .$o, En+land &'$*$#&ed "#,&el.5 ! &!$'%2 "#, !"a! !"e$e

)a& &o,e!"#n+ .eve$#&" and &!$an+e #n !"#& )a#!#n+ .o$ ne)&5 Even !o"#,&el. "e d#d no! da$e !o de.#ne "#& #n!e$e&!( %on.e&&#n+ "o)+$ea!ly "e %a$ed5/#+"!,a$24& e*#&!le& -'&! !"en )e$e .$e 'en! and b$#e.5 T"e ,a$$#a+e)a& de.#n#!ely .# ed7 !"e Colonel( "#& 'n%le( "ad been l#be$al

beyond "#& "o*e& a "o'&e #n ?$ove Road o. &o,e &*lendo'$ "ad been!a2en .o$ !"e yo'n+ %o'*le( )"o )e$e !o #n&!all !"e,&elve& !"e$e)"en !"e "oney,oon( #nvolv#n+ a &o-o'$n #n Pa$#& and a de&%en! #n!o

!aly( )a& done5 H#n!& o. a v#&#! !o Ra#n"a, .ollo)ed( )"#%" a!.#$&! "e #+no$ed7 $e*ea!ed #n &'b&e 'en! e*#&!le& )#!" a +$ea!e$ d#$e%!ne&&( !"e#$ *$o&*e%! .#lled "#, )#!" a *lea&'$e &o &!$an+ely,# ed )#!" *a#n !"a! "#& *$#de !oo2 ala$,5 He !"o'+"! #! ne%e&&a$y!o d#&*a$a+e !"e &%"e,e #n a le!!e$ !o /#+"!,a$2( o. a %oldne&&)"#%" d#&+'&!ed "#,&el.5 Re,o$&e &e# ed "#, )"en #! "ad beende&*a!%"ed( and "e %"e$#&"ed a "o*e !"a! #! ,#+"! .a#l o. #!& a#,5T"#&( "o)eve$( &ee,ed #,*$obable( )"en a .o$!n#+"! "ad ela*&ed and#! "ad el#%#!ed no $e*ly5 F$o, /ady ?a$ne!!( a! !"e !a#l o. one o. !"o&e lon+( )#!!y( $a#l#n+ le!!e$&( #n )"#%" !"e old lady e %elled("e "ea$d !"a! !"e ,a$$#a+e )a& an a%%o,*l#&"ed .a%!( and !"e b#$d&"ad .lo)n5 M$&5 /#+"!,a$2; !"e *"$a&e !$#**ed ea&#ly .$o, "#& !on+'e)"en "e ,en!#oned #! a! d#nne$ !o "#& ne#+"bo'$( M$&5 En+el( !o )"o,!"e *e$&on& )e$e 2no)n5 /a!e$ #n "#& $oo,( .a%e !o .a%e )#!" !"e.a%!& )"#%" #! &#+n#.#ed( "e "ad an #n!ole$able "o'$5 He "ade !#n+'#&"ed "#& %andle( and &a!( *a$!#ally 'nd$e&&ed( #n a ,ood o. &#n+'la$ blan2ne&& by !"e .#$e o. +na$led ol#ve lo+&( )"#%" "ad&,o'lde$ed do)n #n!o one d'll( $ed ,a&&7 and Eve4& .a%e )a& #,a+ed!"e$e !o "#& &#%2 .an%y a& "e "ad &een #! la&! #n D#%24& &!'d#o #n!"e va+'e l#+"! o. an O%!obe$ even#n+( and ye! )#!" a %e$!a#n ne)&"ado)( "al. &ad and "al. $e*$oa%".'l( #n !"e bea'!#.'l eye&5 A.!e$ all( "ad "e done "#& be&! .o$ !"e %"#ld> No) !"a! !"#& !"#n+ )a&



#$$evo%able and %o,*le!e( a "o&! o. old ,#&+#v#n+& and do'b!&( )"#%""e "ad bel#eved lon+ a+o ban#&"ed( b$o2e #n '*on "#,5 He "ad onlya&2ed !"a! &"e &"o'ld be "a**y66a! lea&!( "e &a#d( #! "ad neve$

been a 'e&!#on o. "#,&el.5 He %e$!a#nly 2ne) no!"#n+ !o /#+"!,a$24&d#&%$ed#!( no!"#n+ )"#%" %o'ld "ave -'&!#.#ed "#, #n #n!e$.e$#n+(

even #. #n!e$.e$en%e %o'ld "ave *$eva#led5 T"e !)o "ad .allen #nlove )#!" one ano!"e$( and( !"e ,an no! be#n+ v#&#bly bad( !"e,a$$#a+e "ad %o,e abo'!7 )a& !"e$e ,o$e !o &ay> And ye! Ra#n"a,4&#ll6de.#ned 'nea&#ne&& &!#ll 'e&!#oned and e *lo$ed5 A "'nd$edl#!!le e*#&ode& #n "#& .$#end&"#* )#!" !"e b$#ll#an! yo'n+ *a#n!e$(d#&,#&&ed a& o. no #,*o$! a! !"e !#,e( $e!'$ned !o "#,66#n&!an%e&(a& #! &ee,ed no) !o "#& ,o$b#d #,a+#na!#on( #n )"#%" !"a! %"a$a%!e$(&o .$an2 and &o en#+,a!#%( $an+ &%a$%ely !$'e5 And &'ddenly !"e!$a+#%al &!o$y o. K#!!y C$#%"!on #n!$'ded #!&el. be.o$e "#,( )#!"all #!& &"a,e.'l *o&&#b#l#!#e&5 Co'ld /#+"!,a$2 "ave l#ed !o "#,>Had no! "#& &'dden a% '#e&%en%e #n !"e *a#n!e$4& $ende$#n+ o. !"e

!"#n+ #,*l#ed a la%2 o. %o'$a+e66been one o. !"o&e 'nd'e #ndolen%e&(!o )"#%" "e )a& &o *$one( $a!"e$ !"an any $eal !e&!#,ony o. "#&e&!ee,> Wo'ld no! a ,o$e $#+o$o'& #n '#$y( a l#!!le *a!#en!#nve&!#+a!#on #n!o &o %'$#o'& a %o#n%#den%e( "ave been !"e ,o$e&ee,ly *a$!( a& ,'%" .o$ "#& .$#end4& &a2e a& .o$ Eve4&( &o !"a!!"#& "a'n!#n+( #n!ole$able do'b! ,#+"! "ave been .o$ eve$ *'!a)ay66a& &'$ely #! )o'ld "ave been> T"e %on!$a$y #&&'e )a& !oo"o$$#ble .o$ &'**o&#!#on5 And "e ended by ,o%2#n+ a! "#,&el. )#!" a"al.6&#+" .o$ %a$$y#n+ .a&!#d#o'&ne&& &o .a$( $e%o+n#&#n+ !"e,'ndane .#!ne&& o. !"e ,a!%"( and !"a! "e$o#% love$&( &'%" a& "#&!ende$ne&& .o$ !"e da,&el )o'ld "ave "ad( a$e( a.!e$ all( $a$e(

*e$"a*& "a$dly e #&!#n+ o'! o. v#&#on& #n a &o,e)"a! +$o&& )o$ld()"e$e !"e .#ne&! o$e #& no! )#!"o'! #!& %on&#de$able alloy5T)o day& la!e$( a& "e &a! '*on "#& )on!ed &ea!( #n la y en-oy,en! o. !"e ,#dday &'n( a @ve!!'$#no@( "e$alded .a$ do)n !"e $oad by !"e

-#n+le o. "#& "o$&e4& bell&( de*o&#!ed a %o'*le a! !"e doo$ )"o&e.a%e& )e$e .a,#l#a$5 A! @!able d4"o!e@( !"o'+" "e )a& &e*a$a!ed .$o,!"e ne)6%o,e$& by "al. a do en %ove$&( "e "ad le#&'$e !o #den!#.y!"e, a& !"e Dollond&7 and by6and6by !"e $ov#n+( #,*a$!#al +a e o. !"e A%ade,#%#an4& )#.e en%o'n!e$#n+ "#,( "e %o'ld a&&'$e "#,&el. !"a! !"e $e%o+n#!#on )a& ,'!'al5 T"ey %a,e !o+e!"e$ a! !"e end o.

@de-e'ne$@( and *$e&en!ly( a! M$&5 Dollond4& #n&!#+a!#on( &!a$!ed .o$ a &!$oll !"$o'+" !"e ol#ve& !o)a$d& !"e old !o)n50A$e yo' )#n!e$#n+ "e$e>0 "e a&2ed a.!e$ a ,o,en!( .eel#n+ !"a! ana..#$,a!#ve an&)e$ )o'ld "a$dly be !o "#& !a&!e5

'! M$&5 Dollond( )#!" an '*)a$d #n%l#na!#on o. "e$ v#va%#o'&&"o'lde$&( $e*'d#a!ed !"e no!#on5 A )"#, o. "e$ o)n( &"e e *la#ned!o Ra#n"a, %on.#den!#ally( a& !"ey %a,e ab$ea&! #n !"e na$$o)#n+

*a!"( )"#le M$5 Dollond &!$olled a l#!!le be"#nd( %'!!#n+ do)nva+$an! )eed& ab&en!ly )#!" "#& "eavy oa2 &!#%25



0H'+" )an!ed a ,on!"4& "ol#day7 and )an!ed066&"e d$o**ed "e$ vo#%e( +lan%#n+ ove$ "e$ &"o'lde$ )#!" an a#$ o. ,o%2 ,y&!e$y660ye&(M$5 Ra#n"a,( yo' ,'&! no! be &"o%2ed( b'! )an!ed a .o$!n#+"! a!Mon!e Ca$lo7 and &o ,ay a& )ell !ell yo' !"a! o'$ de&!#na!#on #&!"e$e5 We %a,e .$o, San Re,o !"#& ,o$n#n+( ,ean#n+ !o d$#ve ove$

$#+"! a)ay7 b'! !"#& *la%e )a& &o *$e!!y !"a! H'+" #n&#&!ed on&!ay#n+50Ra#n"a, "el*ed "e$ '* a d#..#%'l! !e$$a%e( and $e,a$2ed '$banely!"a! "e )a& #n .o$!'ne4& )ay5S"e !"$e) "#, a b$#ll#an! &,#le50A"( M$5 Ra#n"a,( #. )e "ad only 2no)n !"a! yo' )e$e "e$e; !"en )e,#+"! "ave a$$an+ed d#..e$en!ly7 )e %o'ld "ave &!ayed "e$e

*a&!o$ally( and d$#ven '* !o !"a! del#+"!.'l l#!!le *la%e on !"e"#ll5 Tell ,e( "o) #& #! %alled>0S"e *o#n!ed )#!" "e$ &%a$le! *a$a&ol66!"ey "ad e,e$+ed no) on !o !"e,a#n $oad66a! a l#!!le( !'$$e!ed !o)n *e$%"ed .a$ above !"e, on !"e

b$o) o. an ol#ve6%$e&!ed "#ll50 ! #& Sa&&o(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,5 0 &"o'ld "ave been del#+"!ed !o %o,e)#!" yo'( b'! a, a.$a#d #! #& o'! o. !"e $ea%" o. %a$$#a+e&( ando. #nval#d&5 Yo' ,#+"! +o !"e$e on a ,'le500O" no;0 &"e la'+"ed7 0 !"#n2 on !"e )"ole )e &"all be ,o$e%o,.o$!able a! !"e Ho!el de Pa$#&5 Can4! )e #nd'%e yo' !o %o,e )#!"'& no)>0Ra#n"a, l#.!ed "#& eyeb$o)&( &,#l#n+ a l#!!le and +$o*#n+ va+'ely.o$ an e %'&e( )"#le M$&5 Dollond !'$ned !o "e$ "'&band )#!" a loo2 )"#%" de,anded %o$$obo$a!#on o. "e$ &*ee%"50Ye&( M$5 Ra#n"a,( do %o,e( #. yo' *o&&#bly %an(0 &'**le,en!ed M$5Dollond( %o,#n+ .o$)a$d #n b'$le& 'e obed#en%e5 0We a$e bo$#n+ ea%"o!"e$ "o$$#bly66 %an an&)e$ .o$ ,y&el.66and #! )o'ld be an a%! o. $eal %"a$#!y500Well( H'+"( a, a&"a,ed o. yo'; Yo' $eally o'+"! no! !o &ay &'%"!"#n+&5 . yo' %an4! be"ave be!!e$ !"an !"a!( yo' ,ay +o on,al!$ea!#n+ !"o&e !"#&!le&5 de%la$e )e "ave le.! a $e+'la$ !$a#lo. "ead& #n o'$ )a2e(66l#2e !"e Revol'!#on( o$ :'d+e :e..$ey&500 loody :e..$ey&;0 &'++e&!ed M$5 Dollond ,#ldly5H#& )#.e !'$ned !o Ra#n"a, )#!" !"e l#!!le de&*a#$#n+ +e&!'$e )"#%"&"e $e%2oned one o. "e$ ,o&! e..e%!#ve ,anne$#&,&50 & no! "e d$ead.'l> '! yo' @)#ll@ %o,e( M$5 Ra#n"a,> a, &'$e yo'2no) all abo'! &y&!e,&( and66and !"#n+&5 Yo' 2no) #n&#&! on)#nn#n+7 &o ,'&! "ave a &y&!e,( ,'&!n4! >00A"( M$&5 Dollond(0 &a#d "e$ %o,*an#on "',o$o'&ly( 0yo' $e,#nd ,e!"a! !"e only &y&!e, "ave #& a ve$y bad one5 a, a.$a#d ,y do%!o$ )o'ld no! !$'&! ,e )#!" #! a! Mona%o500O";0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond $e.le%!#vely7 0b'! yo' need no! +a,ble( yo'2no); Yo' %an "el* ,e( and &ee !"a! don4! +e! %"ea!ed5 H'+" and )#ll &ee yo'$ do%!o$( and *$o,#&e !o !a2e %a$e o. yo'5 H'+" &"all



%a$$y yo'$ &"a)l66"e l#2e& %a$$y#n+ &"a)l&500He #& +e!!#n+ '&ed !o #!(0 #n!e$*o&ed "e$ "'&band d$yly50A"( )ell( !"a! #& &e!!led(0 %on!#n'ed !"e lady +a#ly( leav#n+ "e$ v#%!#, no !#,e !o .o$,'la!e ,o$e !"an !"e la,e&! o. *$o!e&!&5

y !"#& !#,e !"ey "ad $ea%"ed !"e ,#ddle o. !"e %a*e( and !"ey &!ood

.o$ a ,o,en! by !"e la y .o'n!a#n loo2#n+ do)n a! !"e Ma$#na&!$a++l#n+ belo) !"e *al,&7 and beyond( a! !"e o'!l#ne o. !"e F$en%"%oa&!( )#!" )"#!e Men!one &e! #n #!( *$e%#&ely( l#2e a -e)el50T"e dea$ l#!!le *la%e;0 %$#ed M$&5 Dollond #n a $a*!'$e7 0 &'**o&eMona%o #& be"#nd !"a! %a*e5 )#&" )e %o'ld &ee #!5 And #! )o'ld no!loo2 a b#! )#%2ed .$o, "e$e5 de%la$e( &"o'ld l#2e !o l#ve!"e$e;00 4ve no do'b! yo' )o'ld( ,y dea$;0 &a#d "e$ "'&band7 0b'! yo'&"a4n4!( &o lon+ a& "ave any vo#%e #n !"e ,a!!e$5 don4! +e! &o,'%" .o$ ,y *#%!'$e& !"a! %an a..o$d !o %on!$#b'!e !o M5 lan%4&&'**o$!50

Ra#n"a, .ollo)ed !"e d#$e%!#on o. "e$ eye& ab&en!ly5 0 "ave "al. a,#nd !o +o )#!" yo' a.!e$ all(0 "e &a#d50O. %o'$&e(0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond7 0#! )#ll do yo' )o$ld& o. +ood7 )e)#ll d$#ve yo' ove$ )#!" '& !o6,o$$o)5 And no)( M$5 Ra#n"a,( #. yo'don4! ,#nd( !"#n2 )e )#ll &#! do)n5 %an &ee !"a! H'+" #& +e!!#n+o'! "#& &2e!%"6boo250S"e &an2 do)n a& &"e &*o2e '*on one o. !"e $o'+" &!one &ea!& )"#%"a$e &%a!!e$ed abo'! !"e %a*e5 M$5 Dollond "ad en&%on%ed "#,&el.

be"#nd !"e,( and )a& *"le+,a!#%ally &!a$!#n+ on a $o'+" &!'dy o. !"eold !o)n( )"#%" $o&e #n a $a++ed( %o,*a%! ,a&& a "'nd$ed ya$d& a)ay()#!" #!& ba%2+$o'nd o. &ad ol#ve& and &a**"#$e &2y5Ra#n"a, .ollo)ed !"e lady4& e a,*le( !#$ed "#,&el. by !"e#$ &%$a,ble'nde$ !"e "o! &'n( and %on!en!ed "#,&el. .o$ a )"#le by !'$n#n+ adea. ea$ and *ol#!e( l#!!le ,e%"an#%al +e&!'$e& !o "e$ *e$enn#al.lo) o. #n%on&e 'en! %"a!!e$( )"#%" &ee,ed '#!e #,*e$v#o'& !o.a!#+'e( )"#le "e $e&!ed "#& eye& on !"e %"a$,#n+ *$o&*e%! a! !"e#$ .ee!7 !"e $a++ed de&%en! o. $ed $o%2&( b$o2en "e$e and !"e$e by

*a!%"e& o. b'$n! +$a&& and *#n2 ,allo)&( !"e l#!!le &ea6+#$! %"a*elo. S!5 A,*el#o( and !"e )a&!e o. v#ole! &ea5 H#& #na!!en!#ve ea$ )a&%a'+"! a! la&! by !"e na,e o. /#+"!,a$2 o%%'$$#n+( $e%'$$#n+( #n !"el#+"! eddy o. "#& %o,*an#on4& &*ee%"( and "e !'$ned !o "e$ )#!" ana#$ o. a*olo+e!#% #n '#$y50Ye&(0 M$&5 Dollond )a& ob&e$v#n+( 0#! )a& '#!e a +$and)edd#n+7 $a!"e$ *$e!en!#o'&( yo' 2no)( )e !"o'+"! #!( .o$ !"eSylve&!e$&66b'!( o"( a +$ea! a..a#$; We &!ayed #n /ondon .o$ #!(al!"o'+" H'+" )an!ed !o !a2e a "ol#day5 %o'ld !ell yo' all abo'!!"e b$#de&,a#d&4 d$e&&e&( and M$&5 /#+"!,a$24&( b'! &'**o&e yo')o'ld no! %a$e5 S"e loo2ed ve$y %"a$,#n+;00Ye&>0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( )#!" a %'$#o'& l#+"! #n "#& ave$!ed eye&5 T"en"e added( &o,e)"a! ab$'*!ly( 0 $#de& al)ay& do( &'**o&e>0



0O. %o'$&e( #. !"ey "ave a +ood d$e&&,a2e$5 And !"e *$e&en!&66!"e$e)a& '#!e a &"o)5 Yo'$ *ea$l ne%2la%e66"o) env#ed "e$ !"a!; '!(a.!e$ all( )edd#n+& a$e &o ,'%" al#2e500 "ave neve$ been !o one(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$ ab&en!ly50A"( !"en yo' o'+"!( #. only !o +e! a l#!!le e *e$#en%e be.o$e yo'$

o)n !#,e %o,e&( yo' 2no)5 Ye&( yo' $eally o'+"! !o "ave been !"e$e5! )a& '#!e a .o$e+one %on%l'&#on !"a! yo' )o'ld be be&! ,an5 !)a& &o .'nny !o &ee Colonel /#+"!,a$2 #n !"a! @$ole@( )#!" !"a! yo'n+M$5 Sylve&!e$ +#v#n+ a)ay !"e b$#de5 ! )o'ld "ave been &o ,'%"

be!!e$ #. !"ey %o'ld "ave %"an+ed *a$!&500 a, &o$$y !o #n!e$$'*! yo'(0 &a#d M$5 Dollond( +e!!#n+ '* and

*'!!#n+ a)ay "#& &2e!%"6boo27 0 %an4! &2e!%"7 !"e *la%e #& .'ll o. lo%'&!&( and !"ey a$e +e!!#n+ #n!o ,y boo!&50M$&5 Dollond &!a$!ed '*( &"a2#n+ "e$ &2#$!& a**$e"en&#vely( )#!" ana..e%!a!#on o. "o$$o$50Ho) do "a!e -',*#n+ !"#n+&; And( any"o)( &'**o&e )e o'+"! !o be

+e!!#n+ ba%2 !o o'$ "o!el( o$ )e &"all be la!e .o$ d#nne$5 Yo' don4!2no) )"a! H'+" %an be l#2e )"en one #& la!e .o$ d#nne$5 He #&%a*able o. be+#nn#n+ )#!"o'! ,e50Ra#n"a, "ad $#&en )#!" a $eady $e&*on&e !o "e$ )o$d&( bo$de$#n+al,o&! on !"e l'd#%$o'&7 and "al. an "o'$ la!e$ "e )a& %on+$a!'la!#n+"#,&el. !"a! a! lea&! &# &ea!& #n!e$vened be!)een "#& *la%e and!"a! o. M$&5 Dollond a! !"e d#nne$6!able5And ye! on !"e ,o$$o) "e .o'nd "#,&el.( and no! )#!"o'! a %e$!a#n$el#e.( &#!!#n+ be&#de !"e ,'ndane( l#!!le lady( and !'$n#n+ !o "e$ #n%e&&an! $#**le o. &*ee%" &o,e!"#n+ o. !"e *"#lo&o*"#% #nd#..e$en%e!o )"#%" "e$ "'&band "ad a!!a#ned( )"#le a &!'$dy *a#$ o. +a#ly6%a*a$#&oned "o$&e&( )"o&e bell& ,ade a %on&!an! a%%o,*an#,en!(no! 'n*lea&#n+ #n #!& *$e%#&ene&&( !o !"e va+'ene&& o. Ra#n"a,4&!"o'+"!( "'$$#ed !"e, ove$ !"e d'&!y &'$.a%e o. !"e Co$n#%e5Ce$!a#nly !"e e %'$&#on #n!o )"#%" "e "ad been #nve#+led( $a!"e$ .$o, #ndolen%e !"an .$o, any .$ea2 o. "#& #n%l#na!#on( a..o$ded "#,(no) !"a! #! )a& 'nde$!a2en( a %e$!a#n de&'l!o$y *lea&'$e !o )"#%" "e"ad lon+ been a &!$an+e$5 n!o !"e l#!!le &"$'+( %o,#% andvaled#%!o$y( o. M$&5 Dollond4& &"o'lde$&( a& !"ey *a&&ed !"e @O%!$o#@(a +e&!'$e d#&%$ee!ly ,o%2#n+ o. !"e %ond#!#on& !"ey "ad le.!( "e%o'ld en!e$ )#!" &o,e "',o'$( !"e a**$e%#a!#on o. a $e&#den! )"o&!#ll *e$,#!!ed "#,&el. a! !#,e& !"e l#%en%e o. a %a&'al v#&#!o$ on"#& do,a#n50Tell ,e(0 M$&5 Dollond "ad a&2ed( a& !"ey $a!!led o'! o. !"e.'$!"e$ +a!e o. Ben!#,#+l#a( 0)"y d#d !"e e %ellen! lady )"o !$#ed!o ,ono*ol# e %onve$&a!#on #n !"e @&alon@ la&! n#+"! a**ea$ &o&%andal# ed )"en !old "e$ )"e$e )e )e$e +o#n+> Wa& 66&'$ely no)(M$5 Ra#n"a,( )a& no! #nd#&%$ee!>00A"( M$&5 Dollond(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, "',o$o'&ly( 0yo' 2no) #! )a& adel#%a!e &'b-e%!5 A! o'$ "o!el )e don4! $e%o+n#&e Mon!e Ca$lo5 We



a$e d#v#ded '*on !"e o!"e$ !o*#%& #n )"#%" )e a$e #n!e$e&!ed !"e#n!$#+'e& o. !"e la)n !enn#& %l'b( and !"e o$!"odo y o. !"e En+l#&"%"a*la#n5 '! )e a$e all o$!"odo abo'! Mon!e Ca$lo( and M$&5 En+el#& !"e *#lla$ o. o'$ .a#!"5 We !"#n2 #!4&666600T"e dev#l>0 #n!e$$'*!ed M$5 Dollond( bend#n+ .o$)a$d a l#!!le( )#!"

"#& bland &,#le50P$e%#&ely(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,7 0!"a! #& )"a! M$&5 En+el )o'ld &ay5 O"no( M$&5 Dollond( )e don4! d$#ve ove$ !o Mon!e Ca$lo .$o,

o$d#+"e$a5 A! Men!one #! #& ,o$e $e+'la$7 yo' &ee( yo' %an +e!!"e$e .$o, Men!one *$e!!y ,'%" by a%%#den!5 '! .$o, o$d#+"e$a #!"a& !oo ,'%" !"e a**ea$an%e o. be#n+ a *$e%on%e$!ed !"#n+500 ! )a& *a$!#%'la$ly *$e%on%e$!ed "e$e(0 *'! #n !"e A%ade,#%#an )#!"a ya)n( and M$&5 Dollond $e,a$2ed #nno%en!ly !"a! *eo*le )"o)#n!e$ed #n !"e&e *la%e& ,'&! "ave ve$y &#n+'la$ #dea&5T"e *$o&*e%! )a& #n%$ea&#n+ #n bea'!y a& !"ey )o'nd !"e#$ )ay alon+!"e "#&!o$#%al $oad( no) $ende$ed ob&%'$e by !"e !"#%2 +$ove& o.

ol#ve& on e#!"e$ &#de( no) va$#ed by l#!!le +l#,*&e& o. !"e &ea()"#%" a+a#n !"ey &2#$!ed .$o, !#,e !o !#,e( and &o nea$ly !"a!( a&M$&5 Dollond $e,a$2ed( #! )a& l#2e d$#v#n+ alon+ !"e &and&5 Ra#n"a,#den!#.#ed &*o!& .o$ !"e, a& !"e *$o&*e%! )#dened( na,#n+ &ea6+#$!Mo$!ola )#!" #!& &n'+ %"a!ea'( Men!one ly#n+ *la%#dly )#!" #!& !)o

bay& #n !"e )e&!e$#n+ &'n( and( no) and a+a#n( no!o$#o'& *ea2& o. !"e Al*e& Ma$#!#,e& )"#%" bo'nded !"e "o$# on beyond5 A! !"e.$on!#e$ b$#d+e o. S!5 /o'#&( )"e$e !"ey al#+"!ed !o ,ee! !"e$e '#$e,en!& o. !"e Do'ane( even M$&5 Dollond4& .$#vol#!y )a&%"an+ed #n!o &#len! ad,#$a!#on o. !"e &ava+e bea'!y o. !"e +o$+e5T"ey &!ood .o$ a )"#le lean#n+ '*on !"e de&ola!e b$#d+e( !'$n#n+$el'%!an!ly .$o, !"e +$ea! bee!l#n+ $o%2& o. !"e $av#ne above !o+a e )#!" &!$an+e 'al,& #n!o !"e ya)n#n+ *$e%#*#%e benea!"5 Ra#n"a,

*o#n!ed o'! !"e l#!!le !"$ead o. )"#!e )"#%" )a& !"e one dan+e$o'& *a!")ay do)n !"e +o$+e( %on.e&&#n+ "#& &y,*a!"y )#!" !"e .a!al.a&%#na!#on )#!" )"#%" #! "ad .#lled &o ,any66"e ,en!#oned !"e na,eo. a yo'n+ En+l#&",an &!ay#n+ a! Men!one !"e yea$ be.o$e a,on+&! !"en',be$66a! !"e 'l!#,a!e %o&! o. !"e#$ l#ve&50Ho$$#ble;0 e %la#,ed M$&5 Dollond( $e!$ea!#n+ !o !"e %a$$#a+e()"#%" a)a#!ed !"e, on !"e F$en%" &#de o. !"e b$#d+e5 0 &"all d$ea,o. #! !o6n#+"!500 "ave d$ea,! o. #!(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, &#,*ly5 0W"en )a& a boy '&ed!o d$ea, o. %l#,b#n+ !o !"e ed+e o. !"e )o$ld and .all#n+ ove$5

No)aday&( d$ea, o. d$o**#n+ ove$ !"e Pon! S!5 /o'#& !"e &en&a!#on#& ,'%" !"e &a,e500A ve$y d#&a+$eeable one( &"o'ld !"#n2(0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond(&e!!l#n+ "e$&el. #n "e$ )$a*& )#!" a l#!!le &"'dde$50No(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( )#!" a &,#le5 0 !"#n2( M$&5 Dollond( #! )a&$a!"e$ n#%e #! )a& !"e )a2#n+ '* )"#%" )a& d#&a+$eeable50T"ey ,ade !"e#$ b$ea2.a&!66a ve$y la!e one66a! Men!one( and da)dled



0Don4! be den&e( H'+"; ! #& '#!e no!o$#o'&;0M$5 Dollond la'+"ed "#& b$oad( !ole$an! la'+"50Well(0 "e &a#d( 0 &"o'ld neve$ "ave !"o'+"! #!50Ra#n"a,( $ea%"#n+ "#& "o!el !"e &a,e a.!e$noon( ,e! M$&5 En+el #n!"e "all7 "e$ .o$,al bo)( #n )"#%" .$o&!y d#&a**$oval o. !"e &#n(

and a )#do)4& !ende$ne&& .o$ !"e ,#ddle6a+ed &#nne$( #. $e*en!an!()e$e d#&%$ee!ly ,#n+led( a,'&ed #. #! &%a$%ely .la!!e$ed "#,5 He )a&&!#ll &,#l#n+ a! "#& $e%olle%!#on o. !"e #n!e$v#e) )"en !"e S)#&&

*o$!e$( a%%o&!#n+ "#, #n elabo$a!ely bad En+l#&"( #n.o$,ed "#, !"a!a lady and +en!le,an( )"o "ad le.! on !"e *$ev#o'& even#n+( "ad ,ade

*a$!#%'la$ #n '#$#e& a.!e$ "#,5 T"e na,e( "e %on.e&&ed( e&%a*ed "#,( b'! #. Mon&#e'$ *lea&ed6666 He *$od'%ed !"e v#&#!o$&4 boo2( #n )"#%"Ra#n"a, $ead( &%a$%ely no) )#!" &'$*$#&e( !"e b$#e. #n&%$#*!#on(0M$5 and M$&5 /#+"!,a$2( .$o, Canne&50

CHAPTER IB

T"e$e )a& a %ea&ele&& "', o. vo#%e& #n !"e laby$#n!" o. b$#ll#an!$oo,&( )#!" !"e#$ a!,o&*"e$e o. !$an&#en! &*$#n+ &'n&"#ne and

*e$,ea!#n+( .a#n! odo'$ o. .$e&" *a#n!5 Fe) *eo*le %a,e !o &ee !"e *#%!'$e&( )"#%" %ove$ed !"e )all& )#!" a %$'de *a!%")o$2 o. &ea& and+odde&&e&( *o$!$a#!& and land&%a*e& all !"a! by *o*'la$ $e*'!e )e$e)o$!" &ee#n+ "ad been e "#b#!ed al$eady !o !"e *eo*le )"o )e$e no)#nv#!ed !o v#e) !"e,(66a! !"e &!'d#o& on S"o) S'nday( and on !"eO'!&#de$&4 Day5 One en!e$ed !"e +loo,y +a!e& o. '$l#n+!on Ho'&e on!"e yea$ly o%%a&#on o. !"e P$#va!e B#e) be%a'&e #! )a&( &o%#ally( a+$ea! *'bl#% .'n%!#on( #n o$de$ !o &ee !"e %eleb$#!#e&( )"o )e$e&'$e !o be !"e$e( .$o, !"e la!e&! a%!$e&& !o !"e ne)e&! b#&"o*5 none %o$ne$ a bela!ed %$#!#% endeavo'$ed !o &%$a!%" "a&!y #,*$e&&#on&on "#& &"#$!6%'.. o$ !"e ,a$+#n o. a l#!!le & 'a$e %a!alo+'e7 #nano!"e$ an #n!e$e&!ed deale$ '&ed "#& be&! endeavo'$& !o $#ve! a

*a!$on4& a!!en!#on on !"e ,e$#!& o. "#& &*e%'la!#ve *'$%"a&e5 T"e *$ov#de$& o. !"e .ea&! )e$e no! &o ,'%" #n ev#den%e a& !"e#$ )#ve&and da'+"!e$&7 !"e a$!#&! o.!en a..e%!& !o de&*#&e !"e o%%a&#on( and%on!en!& "#,&el. )#!" a +ene$al &'$vey66.$e 'en!ly l#,#!ed !o "#&o)n *#%!'$e&66on Ba$n#&"#n+ Day5T"e Han+#n+ Co,,#!!ee "ad deal! 2#ndly )#!" /#+"!,a$24& A%ade,y

*#%!'$e5 W"en #! )a& *a&&ed #n $ev#e) be.o$e !"e&e ve!e$an&( a.!e$ alon+ *$o%e&&#on o. #nanely &,#l#n+ *o$!$a#!&( labo'$ed( )oodenland&%a*e&( and *$e!e$na!'$ally develo*ed "e$oe&( !"e e *$e&&#on o. &a!#a!ed bo$edo, and da,na!#on o. d$a'+"!&( )"#%" va$#o'&ly *e$vaded!"e l#!!le $o) o. a$b#!$a!o$&( )a& .o$ a ,o,en! d#&&#*a!ed5 T"e$e)a& a ,ove,en! o. %"a#$&( .ollo)ed by an e %"an+e o. %o,*l#,en!a$y,'$,'$&7 and !"e *#%!'$e )a& .#nally n#%"ed #n!o a &*a%e )"#%""a**ened !o .#! #! be!)een !)o l#.e6&# e *o$!$a#!& on !"e l#ne #none o. !"e &,alle$ $oo,&5



On !"e .a&"#onable a.!e$noon /#+"!,a$24& )o$2 )a& neve$ )#!"o'! !"el#!!le ad,#$#n+ %$o)d )"#%" deno!e& a *#%!'$e o. ,o$e !"an '&'al#n!e$e&!5 T"e %anva&( )"#%" "ad loo,ed &o la$+e #n !"e ne) &!'d#o #n?$ove Road( )a& &,alle$ !"an ,any o. #!& ne#+"bo'$&( b'! #!& &o,b$e&!$en+!" o. %olo'$( $el#eved by !"e *ale( &#lve$y +old o. #!& )#de

.$a,e( and !"e )"#!e d$e&&e& o. !"e lad#e& *o$!$ayed #n !"e *#%!'$e&on e#!"e$ &#de( ,ade #! a! on%e no!#%eable5T"e %$#!#%& ne ! day $e.e$$ed !o #! a& a no%!'$ne #n bla%2 and +old(and ,o$e !"an one o. !"e da#ly -o'$nal& %on!a#ned an en!"'&#a&!#%de&%$#*!#on o. !"e &'b-e%!66an o%ean6&!ea,e$ en!e$#n+ a T"a,e&+$av#n+6do%2 a! n#+"!6!#,e( )#!" !o$%"6l#+"! e..e%!&7 and a ,#&! on!"e $#ve$5Eve .l'!!e$ed del#+"!edly .$o, $oo, !o $oo, )#!" "e$ ,o!"e$($e%'$$#n+ al)ay& !o !"e ne#+"bo'$"ood o. "e$ "'&band4& *#%!'$e( and$e%e#v#n+ %on+$a!'la!#on& by !"e &%o$e5 ! "ad been a d#&a**o#n!,en!!o "e$ )"en "e$ "'&band( a! !"e eleven!" "o'$( e *$e&&ed "#&

#nab#l#!y !o be *$e&en!7 b'! even M$&5 Sylve&!e$4& $e,on&!$an%e& "ad.a#led !o ,ove "#,( and !"e !)o lad#e& "ad %o,e 'nde$ !"e Colonel4&e&%o$!50 d#dn4! 2no) yo'$ "'&band )a& &o ne$vo'&(0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond&%e*!#%ally5 0 & !"#& !"e e..e%! o. ,a!$#,ony>555 O"( M$&5/#+"!,a$2( do loo2 a! !"a! %$ea!'$e #n *ea%o%2 bl'e; D#d yo' eve$ &ee &'%" a +o)n> Have yo' &een ,y "'&band4& *#%!'$e&> He4& +o! one#n eve$y $oo,( nea$ly5 e!)een yo' and ,e( !"ey4$e all o. !"e,

*$e!!y bad7 b'! &o lon+ a& *eo*le don4! 2no) any be!!e$( and b'y!"e,( )"a! doe& #! ,a!!e$> A"( Colonel /#+"!,a$2( "o) do yo' do> O. %o'$&e 4ve &een yo'$ ne*"e)4& *#%!'$e5 4ve been &ay#n+ all &o$!&o. n#%e !"#n+& abo'! #! !o M$&5 /#+"!,a$2500 !4& *$e!!y +ood( &'**o&e(0 &'++e&!ed !"e Colonel $ad#an!ly50Have yo' &een !"e @O'!%$y@ !"#& )ee2> T"e$e4& no end o. a +ood no!#%eabo'! #!( and abo'! yo'$ "'&band4& *#%!'$e&( !oo500Really> )onde$ )"o )$o!e #!5 ,'&! a&2 "#, !o d#nne$( #. "e4&$e&*e%!able5 We neve$ $ead %$#!# 'e& no)aday&5 T"ey4$e &o d$ead.'lly$'de !o A%ade,#%#an&( yo' 2no)66al)ay& !al2#n+ abo'! 4*o!6bo#le$&(4and &'++e&!#n+ !"a! !"ey o'+"! !o $e!#$e on !"e#$ la'$el&5 A& #. la'$el& )e$e any +ood; One %an4! 2ee* a %a$$#a+e on la'$el&500No( by :ove; #! )o'ldn4! be +ood .o$ !"e "o$&e&5 &ay( !"o'+"(M$&5 Dollond( #& one &'**o&ed !o +o !"$o'+" all !"e $oo,&>00O" ye&(0 $e*l#ed !"e lady %o,*o&edly7 0all e %e*! !"e)a!e$6%olo'$&( and &%'l*!'$e( and a$%"#!e%!'$e5 One only +oe& !"e$e!o .l#$!( a& a $'le5 Pe$&onally( al)ay& +e! '* !"e *#%!'$e& .$o,4A%ade,y No!e&(4 )"en "aven4! &een !"e, a! !"e &!'d#o&( yo' 2no)5Ye&7 &"o'ld l#2e &o,e !ea( *lea&e( &#n%e M$&5 /#+"!,a$2 "a&de&e$!ed yo'5 & !"a! /ady ?a$ne!! )#!" "e$> W"a! lovely )"#!e "a#$;

)onde$ )"e$e &"e +e!& #!50/ady ?a$ne!! &"$'++ed "e$ &"o'lde$& a l#!!le *e!'lan!ly a.!e$ &"e



"ad ,ade !"e +"o&! o. a $e!'$n !o M$&5 Dollond4& a#$y +$ee!#n+50My dea$(0 &"e &a#d( !'$n#n+ !o Eve %on.#den!#ally( 0,ay %on.e&&!o yo' !"a! a, no! al!o+e!"e$ !oo .ond o. !"a! )o,an> & &"e a+$ea! .$#end o. yo'$&( o$ don4! yo' 2no) "e$ )ell eno'+" !o ab'&e"e$> l#2e !"e "'&band7 "e a,'&e& ,e( !"o'+" "e #& $a!"e$ a bea$5

O!"e$)#&e( &"o'ld no! &ee ve$y ,'%" o. M$&5 Dollond( *$o,#&eyo'50Eve &,#led a! !"e !"o'+"! o. M$5 Dollond4& e%%en!$#%#!#e&( and !"en"e$ .a%e +$e) $a!"e$ +$ave50S"all )e +o #n!o !"e le%!'$e6$oo,>0 &"e &'++e&!ed5 0 ! #& %oole$ !"e$e a,on+ !"e &!a!'e&( and *e$"a*& )e &"all be able !o &#! do)n50T"e old lady a&&en!ed )#!" ala%$#!y50Ye&(0 &"e &a#d7 0by all ,ean& le! '& leave !"e&e *a#n!y *#%!'$e&(and )e )#ll "ave a %"a!7 yo' &"all !ell ,e o. yo'$ )ande$#n+&5A*$o*o&( d#d yo' &ee any!"#n+ o. o'$ .$#end P"#l#*> H#& la&!le!!e$66a lon+ !#,e a+o7 "e #& be%o,#n+ a bad %o$$e&*onden!66&!$'%2

,e a& $a!"e$ @!$#&!e@( even .o$ "#,5 4, a.$a#d "e #& no! )ell500Ye&(0 &a#d Eve &lo)ly7 0)e )en! ove$ !o o$d#+"e$a one day )"#le )e)e$e a! Canne&( and )e &!ayed a n#+"! a! !"e "o!el( b'! )e d#dn4!&ee M$5 Ra#n"a,5 He "ad +one ove$ !o Mon!e Ca$lo500A"( *oo$ .ello)( )"a! an #dea; )onde$ )"a! d$a++ed "#, !"e$e50Eve loo2ed a! !"e old lady 'e&!#on#n+ly .o$ a ,#n'!e50 !"#n2 "e )en! )#!" !"e Dollond&(0 &"e an&)e$ed +$avely50A"( ,y dea$( no )onde$ "#& le!!e$ )a& d'll; T"en yo' d#dn4! &ee"#,> Well( &'**o&e "e )#ll %o,e ba%2 &oon5 Yo' ,'&!n4! be -ealo'&o. "#,( yo' 2no)5 He #& ve$y ,'%" @l#e@ )#!" yo'$ "'&band( #&n4! "e>00 don4! &'**o&e "e )#ll &ee '#!e &o ,'%" o. "#, no)50T"e$e &ee,ed !o be a !$a%e o. )ea$#ne&& #n !"e +#$l4& vo#%e a& &"ean&)e$ed( and /ady ?a$ne!! +lan%ed a! "e$ &"a$*ly be.o$e &"e le! "e$ eye& %on!#n'e !"e#$ !a&2 o. )ande$#n+ #n a 2#nd o. ab&en! &%$'!#nyo. !"e &%'l*!'$ed e "#b#!& #n !"e $oo,50 '! o. %o'$&e no!5555 Ho) !e$$#ble all !"e&e +$ea! *la&!e$ .#+'$e&a$e( and !"e b'&!&( !oo; T"ey a$e &o d$ea$y( !"ey "ave !"e a#$ o.

be#n+ ,ade .o$ a %e,e!e$y5 Don4! !"ey ,a2e yo' !"#n2 o. !o,b&!one&and ,a'&ole',&>0Eve loo2ed a! "e$ a l#!!le )onde$#n+ly50A$e !"ey ve$y bad> Do yo' 2no)( $a!"e$ l#2e !"e,5 No! &o ,'%" a&!"e *#%!'$e&( o. %o'$&e7 b'! &!#ll !"#n2 &o,e o. !"e, a$e%"a$,#n+( !"o'+" a, $a!"e$ +lad D#%2 #&n4! a &%'l*!o$5 Don4! yo'l#2e !"a!> W"a! #& #!66 a%%"'& on a *an!"e$>00My dea$( yo' a$e '#!e $#+"!(0 &a#d !"e old lady de%#&#vely(d$o**#n+ "e$ !o$!o#&e6&"ell lo$+non #n!o "e$ la*( and &'**$e&&#n+ aya)n5 0Only( #! #& yo' )"o a$e %"a$,#n+; ,'&! +o !o !"e ?$o&veno$ a& &oon a& #! o*en& !o &ee #. yo'$ %leve$ "'&band( )"o &ee,& !o beable !o *a#n! eve$y!"#n+ and eve$ybody( "a& done yo' -'&!#%e5555 '!yo' ,'&!n4! &#! !al2#n+ !o an old +$',ble$ l#2e ,e any lon+e$5 ?o



ba%2 !o yo'$ *#%!'$e7 M$5 Dollond )#ll *#lo! yo'5 And #. yo'en%o'n!e$ Ma$y on !"e )ay( !ell "e$ !"a! a %e$!a#n d#&%on!en!ed oldlady o. "e$ a% 'a#n!an%e )an!& !o be !a2en "o,e5 A' $evo#$50Abo'! .#ve ,#n'!e& la!e$ Ma$y Ma&!e$& .o'nd "e$ a'n! "al. a&lee*5T"e *a#n! "ad ,ade "e$ &!'*#d( &"e &a#d5 S"e %o'ld 'nde$&!and no)

)"y *a#n!e$& d#d no! #,*$ove a& !"ey +$e) olde$7 #! )a& !"e &,ell o. !"e *a#n!50A"(0 &"e &a#d( a& !"ey *a&&ed o'! #n!o !"e b'&y )"#$l o. P#%%ad#lly( 0"o) +lad &"all be !o +e! ba%2 !o ,y Ma&on& andCo$o!&5 T"o'+" l#2e !"a! *$e!!y l#!!le M$&5 /#+"!,a$25555 Poo$ P"#l#*; No) !ell ,e )"o, yo' &a)5 C"a$le& Sylve&!e$( o. %o'$&e> '!no( a, !oo &lee*y no)7 yo' &"all !ell ,e all abo'! #! a.!e$ d#nne$50

! )a& &# o4%lo%2 be.o$e !"e Colonel )a& able !o de*o&#! "#& b'l2y(,#l#!a$y *e$&on $a!"e$ &!#..ly on a %'&"#oned &ea!( and !o $e,ove"#& #,,a%'la!e &#l2 "a!( )#!" an e *$e&&#on o. )ea$y &a!#&.a%!#on5

He "ad devo!ed all !"e &'nny &*$#n+ a.!e$noon( <)"en "e ,#+"! "ave been a! H'$l#n+"a,( o$ *lay#n+ )"#&! a! !"e 0Ra+0=( !o ,a2#n+ "#&)ay( labo$#o'&ly and a*olo+e!#%ally( .$o, $oo, !o $oo, #n &ea$%" o. .$#end& and a% 'a#n!an%e&( )"o,( )"en .o'nd( "e )o'ld %onvoy&!$a!e+#%ally #n!o !"e #,,ed#a!e v#%#n#!y o. No5 3G #n !"e F#$&!Roo,50My ne*"e)4& *#%!'$e(0 "e e *la#ned7 0n#%e !"#n+; don4! 2no) ,'%"abo'! *a#n!#n+0 <"e %alled #! *a#n!#n4= 0and a$!( and all !"a! &o$!o. !"#n+( b'! bel#eve #!4& abo'! a& +ood a& !"ey ,a2e !"e,50He "ad a%%e*!ed all !"e #n%on&#&!en!( ,'$,'$ed %$#!#%#&, al,o&! a& a

*e$&onal !$#b'!e7 and .o$ !"e +$ea!e$ *a$! a! lea&! o. !"e a.!e$noon"#& bea,#n+ .a%e "ad %o,*le!ely bel#ed !"e d#&%o,.o$! o%%a&#oned by"#& &eve$e .$o%26%oa! and !#+"!ly6.#!!#n+ *a!en!6lea!"e$ boo!&7 and"#& yea$n#n+ .o$ a %o,.o$!able %"a#$( )#!" a bo o. %#+a$& and a)"#&2y6and6&el! e$ a! "#& elbo)( "ad been &'**$e&&ed( $#+#dly and"e$o#%ally50 &'**o&e #!4& dev#l#&" +ood(0 "e !"o'+"!( a& "e &a! )a#!#n+ .o$ !"e $e&! o. "#& *a$!y5 0Peo*le &ee, !o ad,#$e !"o&e &*la&"e& o. yello) and bla%2( and all !"o&e d#$!y %olo'$&5 Pe$&onally( !"#n2

*$e.e$ !"e +#$l #n )"#!e ne ! doo$5 H'llo( !"e$e4& Eve;00Don4! +e! '*( Colonel(0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$7 0)e )an! !o &#! "e$e.o$ a l#!!le and "ea$ )"a! *eo*le &ay abo'! R#%"a$d4& *#%!'$e5 T"ey,a2e &'%" a,'&#n+ $e,a$2& &o,e!#,e&; No! al)ay& %o,*l#,en!a$y7 b'!(!"en( !"ey o.!en don4! 2no) any!"#n+ abo'! a$!500Ye&(0 &a#d Eve( &ea!#n+ "e$&el.( )#!" a del#%a!e %on&#de$a!#on .o$ !"e ne) d$e&&( )"#%" !"e o%%a&#on "ad de,anded( be!)een !"e Coloneland "e$ ,o!"e$7 0)e "ea$d &o,eone &ay !"a! !"e .le&" #n !"a! b#+Ro,an *#%!'$e )#!" !"e !e,*le( yo' 2no)66 %an4! *$ono'n%e !"ena,e66)a& l#2e %o!!on )ool66*#n2 %o!!on )ool; O"( and !"a! !"e +#$l#n bla%2( )#!" !"e yello) .an( )"o&e *o$!$a#! #& #n !"e b#+ $oo,(



,'&! be a! lea&! e#+"! .ee! "#+";00No)( "o) !"e d#%2en& %o'ld "e !ell !"a!;0 #n!e$*o&ed !"e Colonel50O"( "e )a& !al2#n+ ve$y lea$nedly( abo'! "ead& and !"#n+&5 Ho)

*$ovo2#n+ o. !"a! old +en!le,an #n !"e +old &*e%!a%le&; S!and#n+ -'&! #n .$on! o. D#%24& *#%!'$e )#!" "#& ba%2 !o #!5 He loo2& -'&!

e a%!ly l#2e a ,#ll#ona#$e( and "e )on4! loo2( and "e4& *$even!#n+o!"e$ *eo*le .$o, loo2#n+; Do !'$n "#, $o'nd( 'n%le( o$ ,ove "#, on(o$ &o,e!"#n+;00Do yo' &ee !"a! ,an !"e$e>0 )"#&*e$ed M$&5 Sylve&!e$ *$e&en!ly(0!"e !all ,an )#!" !"e &andy "a#$ and bea$d> !"#n2 "e4& a *a#n!e$5He &a#d -'&! no) !"a! R#%"a$d4& *#%!'$e )a& a,a #n+ly +ood( and !"a!"e !"o'+"! "e 2ne) )"e$e "e +o! !"e #dea .$o,500W"y( o. %o'$&e(0 &a#d !"e Colonel %a$ele&&ly7 0D#%2 +o! !"e #dea.$o, !"a! be++a$ )"a!4&6"#&6na,e4& do%266and a !"'nde$#n+ +ood #dea!oo; )onde$ )"a! !#,e !"ey %lo&e> Pe$"a*&666600Ye&(0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$( b'!!on#n+ "e$ +love&( 0 &'**o&e )e "ad

be!!e$ +o50T"e $oo, )a& nea$ly e,*!y )"en M%All#&!e$ *a&&ed be.o$e "#& .$#end4& *#%!'$e a+a#n( a.!e$ a &a!#&.a%!o$y #n!e$v#e) )#!" a +en!le,an .$o,

ond S!$ee! on !"e &'b-e%! o. one o. "#& o)n5 M%All#&!e$( )"o&e%$#!#%#&, M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "ad ove$"ea$d and $e*o$!ed( "ad $e%en!ly

been ele%!ed A&&o%#a!e( o)#n+ !"e "ono'$( a%%o$d#n+ !o &o,e,al#%#o'& *eo*le( ,o$e !o "#& na!#onal#!y !"an !o "#& ,e$#! a& a

*a#n!e$ o. %a!!le and land&%a*e&5 T"e @O'!%$y@( #ndeed( )#!" $e.e$en%e!o !"#& *$o,o!#on( and !"e %on!#n'ed ne+le%! o. olde$ a$!#&!& o. +$ea!e$ *'bl#% $e*'!e( "ad &'++e&!ed( )#!" #!& '&'al #,*e$!#nen%e(!"a! !"e ,o!!o o. @/a&%#a!e o+n# &*e$an a@( )"#%" )a& $e*o$!ed #n%e$!a#n %#$%le& !o be al,o&! v#&#bly #n&%$#bed ove$ !"e doo$ o. !"eA%ade,#%#an&4 Co,,#!!ee6$oo,( &"o'ld be &'**le,en!ed by !"e le+end(0No En+l#&" need a**ly500 !4& +ood(0 "e &a#d $e.le%!#vely( a& "e &!o**ed #n .$on! o. !"e

*#%!'$e( )#!" &o,e!"#n+ l#2e a %"'%2le on "#& l#*&( and a !)#n2le #n"#& &"$e)d( +$ay eye&5 0Mo$e !"an +ood5 Yo' %an &ee !"e %leve$ F$en%" !$#%2 #n eve$y l#ne o. #!( and !"ey4ll %all #! one o. !"e

*#%!'$e& o. !"e yea$5 So #! #&( !"o'+" !"e$e a$e do en& #n !"eva'l!& do)n&!a#$& )o$!" !)o o. #!5 '! !"o'+"! !"#& )a& O&)yn4&&'b-e%!> He )a& al)ay& !al2#n+ abo'! #!5 Well( &"o'ld l#2e !o &ee)"a! "e )o'ld "ave ,ade o. #!;0

CHAPTER IB

A& !"e %lo%2 &!$'%2 .#ve Ra#n"a, loo2ed '* )#!" an a#$ o. $el#e.(.l#**#n+ ne+l#+en!ly a%$o&& !"e !able !"e "ea* o. *a*e$& )"#%" "ado%%'*#ed "#, &#n%e l'n%"6!#,e50We ,'&! +o #n!o !"#& &o,e o!"e$ !#,e( 'llen(0 "e $e,a$2ed )#!" a%e$!a#n *e!'lan%e5 0 %on.e&& !"#n+& loo2 $a!"e$ bad7 b'! &'**o&e



!"ey %an "old ove$ !#ll !o6,o$$o)>0T"e .o$e,an a&&en!ed d'b#o'&ly( +a!"e$#n+ !o+e!"e$ !"e de&*#&ed&"ee!&( and *$e*a$#n+ .o$ de*a$!'$e50 4ve done ,y be&!( &#$(0 "e &a#d a l#!!le &'llenly7 0b'! #! #&d#..#%'l! .o$ !"#n+& !o +o &,oo!"ly )"en !"e ,a&!e$ #& al)ay& a)ay7

and yo' neve$ )#ll !a2e no no!#%e o. b'&#ne&& le!!e$&( yo' 2no)(&#$500Ye&( ye&(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, )ea$#ly7 0 a, &'$e yo' "ave( 'llen5 . +o #n!o !"e an2$'*!%y Co'$!( a& yo' &o .$e 'en!ly *$o*"e&y( #! )#ll

be en!#$ely ,y o)n .a'l!5 n !"e ,ean!#,e yo' ,#+"! !ell yo'$ )#.e!o &end ,e '* &o,e !ea66.o$ !)o( 'llen( *lea&e5 M$5 O&)yn )#ll be'* *$e&en!ly50T"e ,an $e!#$ed( &"'!!#n+ !"e doo$ )#!" &o,e a$do'$5 Ra#n"a, $o&e(and( )#!" !"e l#!!le( e *an&#ve &"$'+ )#!" )"#%" "e '&'allyd#&%a$ded "#& %o,,e$%#al )o$$#e&( )ande$ed !o)a$d& !"e )#ndo)5 T"edo%2 )a& e,*!y and de&ola!e !"e $a#n( )"#%" "ad *$eva#led )#!" a

*e$&#&!en! d$ea$#ne&& &#n%e !"e ,o$n#n+( b'#l! ,o$a&&e& a! $e+'la$ #n!e$val& alon+ !"e do%26&#de( &*la&"ed 'n%ea&#n+ly #n!o !"e&!a+nan! +$een )a!e$ )"#%" %olle%!ed #n &la%2 &ea&on& )#!"#n !"edo%26+a!e&5 T"e do%2,an &!ood( one d#&%on&ola!e .#+'$e #n !"e+ene$al blan2ne&&( )#!" "#& "#+" boo!& and o#l&2#n&( &,o2#n+ a &"o$!%lay *#*e by !"e doo$ o. !"e en+#ne6$oo,7 and .'$!"e$ o'!( 'nde$ !"ed$#**#n+ do,e o. an ',b$ella( &a! O&)yn #n a +$ea! *ea6-a%2e!(&,o2#n+( *a#n!#n+ !"e ,#&!( !"e $a#n( !"e )"#!e $#ve$ )#!" #!& .e)

bl'$$ed ba$+e& and #!& ba%2+$o'nd o. d$ea$y )a$e"o'&e&( #n a &'*$e,ed#&$e+a$d o. !"e dan2 d#&%o,.o$! o. "#& &'$$o'nd#n+&5Ra#n"a, "ad !a**ed !"$ee !#,e& a+a#n&! !"e &!$ea,#n+ *ane be.o$e "e&'%%eeded #n a!!$a%!#n+ "#& a!!en!#on( and !"en !"e *a#n!e$ only$e&*onded !o !"e )on!ed &#+nal by an #,*a!#en!( de*$e%a!#n+ .lo'$#&"o. !"e "and )"#%" "eld !"e *ale!!e5 T"e !ea )a& al$eady &#,,e$#n+ on!"e $#%2e!y !able #n !"e bo)6)#ndo)( )"en O&)yn( &!a++e$#n+ 'nde$ "#& #,*ed#,en!a( %l#,bed !"e &!a#$%a&e( and &"o'lde$ed "#& )ay.a,#l#a$ly #n!o !"e $oo,50Ho) .ea$.'lly )e! yo' ,'&! be;0 &a#d "#& "o&! la #ly .$o, !"ede*!"& o. an a$,6%"a#$5 0Hel* yo'$&el. !o a *a#$ o. &l#**e$& and ad$y %oa!( and "ave &o,e !ea5 !4& &!$on+ eno'+" even .o$ yo' by !"#&!#,e50T"e o!"e$ "ad d#&e,ba$$a&&ed "#,&el. o. "#& d$#**#n+ -a%2e! andove$all&( and no) 2#%2ed o.. "#& &"oe&( )#!" a &"o$! la'+"5 He )a&neve$ a +$ea! !al2e$ #n !"e day!#,e( and !"e d$ea$y %"a$, o. !"e$#ve$ )o$ld o'!&#de )a& &!#ll '*on "#,5 He d$o**ed !"e &2e!%" '*on)"#%" "e "ad been )o$2#n+ $a!"e$ %on!e,*!'o'&ly a+a#n&! !"e )all()"e$e Ra#n"a, %o'ld &ee #!( and &ele%!ed a *a#$ o. &l#**e$& .$o,

'#!e a &,all "ea* #n !"e %o$ne$ by !"e .#$e*la%e50 don4! ,#nd @yo'$@ &ee#n+ ,y )o$2( be%a'&e yo' don4! !al2 abo'! #!(0"e &a#d( +lan%#n+ a! Ra#n"a, '#%2ly5 0 "a!e *eo*le )"o !$y !o &ay



%o,*l#,en!a$y !"#n+&7 !"ey don4! o.!en ,ean !"e,( and )"en !"ey do!"ey !al2 ab&ol'!e $o!500Ye&(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$ &y,*a!"e!#%ally5 0S"all *'! a &l#%e o. le,on#n yo'$ !ea> &'**o&e ,'&! l#ve '* !o ,y $e*'!a!#on and &ayno!"#n+ abo'! yo'$ &2e!%"5 '! ,'&! "ave #! )"en #!4& .#n#&"ed;

!4& al)ay& ,o&! e,ba$$a&&#n+ !o "ave !o *ay *e$&onal %o,*l#,en!&(!"o'+" &'**o&e &o,e *eo*le l#2e !"e,50T"e *a#n!e$ +$'n!ed #na$!#%'la!ely be!)een !)o &#*& o. !ea50/#2e !"e,; Don4! yo'$ &o%#e!y a$!#&!& and a'!"o$& &#,*ly )allo) #n!"e,> Have yo' +o! any %#+a$e!!e&( o$ *a*e$&> d$o**ed ,#ne #n!o a

*'ddle5 A"( !"an2&5555 T"a!4& a *$e!!y .a%e5 W"o&e #& #!>0T"e %#+a$e!!e %a&e( )"#%" Ra#n"a, "anded !o "#& +'e&!( )a& a)ell6)o$n lea!"e$ one( a &o,e)"a! ladyl#2e a$!#%le( )#!" a

*"o!o+$a*" .#!!ed #n!o !"e d#v#d#n+ .la* #n&#de5 e.o$e an&)e$#n+!"e 'e&!#on "e loo2ed a! !"e *"o!o+$a*" ab&en!ly .o$ a ,o,en!( )"en!"e %a&e "ad been $e!'$ned !o "#,5

0 !4& no! a ve$y +ood *"o!o+$a*"5 !4& ,ean! .o$66.o$ M$&5/#+"!,a$2( )"en &"e )a& a l#!!le +#$l5 S"e +ave ,e !"e %a&e )#!" !"e *o$!$a#! yea$& a+o( #n Flo$en%e50O&)yn +lan%ed a! "#, %'$#o'&ly and &"$e)dly !"$o'+" a !"#n "a e o.

bl'e &,o2e( )a!%"#n+ "#, $e&!o$e !"e .aded( l#!!le $e%e*!a%le al,o&!$eve$en!#ally !o !"e b$ea&!6*o%2e! o. "#& %oa!50Have yo' been !o !"e C"a,be$ o. Ho$$o$&>0 "e a&2ed &'ddenly( a.!e$ a &#len! *a'&e( b$o2en only by !"e %ea&ele&& la&"#n+ o. !"e )#ndo)

by !"e $a#nd$o*&5Ra#n"a, loo2ed '* )#!" a &!a$!( "al. *' led( &ee2#n+ and .#nd#n+ ane *lana!#on #n !"e .a#n!( %on&%#o'& "',o'$ )"#%" loo&ened !"e l#ne&abo'! !"e &*ea2e$4& ,o'!"50T"e C"a,be$ o.6666 Do yo' ,ean !"e R5A5> Yo' do( yo' ,o&!#$$eve$en! o. ,o$!al&; No( "ave no! been ye!5 W#ll yo' +o )#!",e>00Heaven .o$b#d; "ave been on%e500Yo' "ave> And !"ey d#dn4! &%al* yo'>00 d#dn4! &!ay lon+ eno'+"( &'**o&e5 only )en! !o &ee one

*#%!'$e66/#+"!,a$24&500A"( !"a!4& -'&! )"a! )an! !o &ee; And yo' 2no) &!#ll "ave a)ea2ne&& .o$ !"e &"o)5 e *e%! yo' )o'ld l#2e !"e ne) Salon

be!!e$500T"e$e a$e +ood !"#n+& !"e$e(0 &a#d O&)yn !e$&ely( 0and a +$ea! ,anyabo,#na!#on& a& )ell5 )a& ove$ #n Pa$#& la&! )ee250Ra#n"a, +lan%ed a! "#, ove$ "#& %'* )#!" a %e$!a#n &'$*$#&e50 d#dn4! 2no) yo' eve$ )en! !"e$e no)(0 "e $e,a$2ed50No( neve$ +o #. %an "el* #!5 "a!e Pa$#&7 #! #& @!$#&!e@ a& a)ell( and .'ll o. +"o&!&5 ?"o&!&; !4& a %#!y o. !"e dead5 '! "ada *#%!'$e !"e$e !"#& !#,e( and )en! !o loo2 a! #!500 n !"e ne) Salon>0



bo#&!e$o'& 2no%2 a! !"e doo$( and D#%2 en!e$ed e..'&#vely50Well( @,on v#e' @( "o) +oe& #!> W"y( yo'4$e all #n !"e da$2; T"eyd#dn4! !ell ,e yo' )e$e en+a+ed5555 O"( #& !"a! yo'( O&)yn> Ho) doyo' do>00 '#!e an 'ne *e%!ed *lea&'$e>0 &'++e&!ed O&)yn &a$don#%ally(

nodd#n+ ove$ "#& &"o'lde$ a! !"e ne)6%o,e$ .$o, "#& &ea! by !"e.#$e5Ra#n"a,4& +$ee!#n+ "ad been .a$ ,o$e %o$d#al( and "e &!#ll "eld "#&.$#end4& "and be!)een "#& o)n( +a #n+ #n '#$#n+ly #n!o "#& .a%e a&#. "e )#&"ed !o $ead &o,e!"#n+ !"e$e50Ye&( a, ba%2( yo' &ee(0 "e &a#d *$e&en!ly( )"en D#%2 "ad .o'nd"#,&el. a %"a#$5 0 "ave been "e$e !)o day&( and )a& -'&!

be+#nn#n+ !o !"#n2 o. loo2#n+ yo' '*5 )a& ve$y &o$$y !o ,#&& yo'a! o$d#+"e$a5 Ho) #& Eve> !4& ve$y +ood o. yo' !o %o,e all !"#&)ay !o &ee ,e7 yo' ,'&! be *$e!!y b'&y500O"( Eve #& !$e,endo'&ly )ell; T"an2&( no( )on4! "ave any !ea( b'!

yo' ,#+"! +#ve ,e a )"#&2y6and6&oda5 "ad !o %o,e do)n #n!o !"e&e)#ld& !o loo2 a! a ya%"! )"#%" )e !"#n2 o. !a2#n+ .o$ !"e &',,e$5'#!e a &,all one(0 "e added "al. a*olo+e!#%ally( a& "e de!e%!ed !"e

.a#n!( a,'&ed &'$*$#&e #n !"e o!"e$4& e *$e&&#on7 0and a& .o'nd,y&el. "e$e( )#!" a .e) ,#n'!e& !o &*a$e be.o$e ,y !$a#n +oe&( !"o'+"! )o'ld loo2 #n on !"e o.. %"an%e o. .#nd#n+ yo'5 Ho) #&

b'&#ne&& -'&! no)> T"e do%2 d#dn4! &!$#2e ,e a& loo2#n+ ,'%" l#2e)o$2 a& %a,e #n5 P$e!!y &!a+nan!( e">0Ra#n"a, &"oo2 "#& "ead50O"( #!4& ,'%" a& '&'al66*e$"a*& a l#!!le ,o$e &o; 'llen %on!#n'e&!o !"$ea!en ,e )#!" ban2$'*!%y( b'! a, +e!!#n+ '&ed !o #!5T"$ea!ened ,en l#ve lon+( yo' 2no)500O"( yo'4$e all $#+"!;0 an&)e$ed D#%2 +en#ally5 0A& lon+ a& 'llenloo2& a.!e$ yo'( yo' )on4! %o,e !o +$#e.50W"#le !"e !)o )e$e !"'& o%%'*#ed #n $e'n#!#n+ !"e %"a#n o. olda&&o%#a!#on&( O&)yn "ad been &#len!ly( al,o&! &'$$e*!#!#o'&ly(

*$e*a$#n+ .o$ de*a$!'$e7 and "e no) %a,e .o$)a$d a)2)a$dly( )#!" "#&"a! #n one "and and !"e !ool& o. "#& !$ade 'nde$ "#& a$,50May leave &o,e o. !"e&e !"#n+&( "e$e( o$ )#ll !"ey be #n yo'$ )ay>00 '! yo'4$e no! +o#n+>0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( $#&#n+ .$o, "#& &ea! )#!" a%on&!$a#n#n+ +e&!'$e7 0)"y( don4! yo' $e,e,be$ )e )e$e +o#n+ !o d#ne!o+e!"e$> D#%2 )#ll &!ay !oo( @n4e&! %e *a&@> ! )#ll be l#2e old!#,e&5 M$&5 'llen "a& been *$e*a$#n+ '#!e a .ea&!( a&&'$e yo';0O&)yn *a'&ed #$$e&ol'!ely50Don4! le! ,e d$#ve yo' a)ay(0 &a#d D#%25 0 n any %a&e 4, +o#n+,y&el. #n a .e) ,#n'!e&5 Ye&(0 "e added( !'$n#n+ !o Ra#n"a,( 0 4,ve$y &o$$y( b'! 4ve +o! !o !a2e ,y )#.e o'! !o d#nne$( and &"all"ave !o %a!%" a !$a#n #n( le! ,e &ee( abo'! !en ,#n'!e&500Really> Well( !"en( %lea$ly yo' ,'&! &#! do)n a+a#n( O&)yn7 )on4!



be le.! alone a! any *$#%e5 T"a!4& $#+"!5 No)( D#%2( !ell ,e )"a!yo' "ave been do#n+( and e&*e%#ally all abo'! yo'$ A%ade,y *#%!'$e7

"aven4! &een even a %$#!# 'e o. #!5 O. %o'$&e #!4& a &'%%e&&> Haveyo' &old #!>00O"( &*a$e ,y ,ode&!y;0 *$o!e&!ed /#+"!,a$2 &o,e)"a! %l',&#ly( )#!"

a '#%2 +lan%e a! O&)yn5 0 !4& all $#+"!( b'! )e ,'&!n4! !al2 &"o*500Ye&( .o$ ?od4& &a2e &*a$e "#& ,ode&!y;0 &'**le,en!ed !"e o!"e$ *a#n!e$ al,o&! b$'!ally5 0/oo2 a! "#& bl'&"e&5 ! #&n4! &o bad a&all !"a!( /#+"!,a$2500 don4! even 2no) !"e &'b-e%!(0 *'$&'ed Ra#n"a,5 0Yo' ,#+"! a!lea&! !ell ,e )"a! #! )a&5 Wa& #! !"e %anva& )"#%" yo' )o'ldn4! &"o),e( -'&! be.o$e )en! a)ay66a! !"e &!'d#o> T"e one abo'! )"#%" yo',ade &'%" a ,y&!e$y6666>00O" bo&"( old ,an;0 #n!e$$'*!ed D#%2 "'$$#edly( 0 neve$ ,ade any,y&!e$y5 !66#! )a&n4! !"a!5 !4& '#!e an o$d#na$y &'b-e%!( one o. !"e $#ve$ &%ene& )"#%" &2e!%"ed "e$e5 Yo' "ad be!!e$ +o and &ee

#!5 And %o,e and &ee '&5 Yo' 2no) !"e add$e&&5 ,'&! be o..;00Wa#! a ,#n'!e(0 #n!e$*o&ed O&)yn( )#!" a %aden%e #n "#& vo#%e )"#%"&!$'%2 Ra#n"a, a& !"e &#+nal o. &o,e!"#n+ &'$*a&&#n+ "#& )on!ede%%en!$#%#!y5 0Don4! +o ye!5 &a#d -'&! no)( Ra#n"a,( !"a! )o'ldn4! !ell yo' )"y "ad *a#n!ed o'! !"a! *#%!'$e( !"e *#%!'$e)"#%" "ad been .ool eno'+" !o !al2 abo'! &o ,'%"( )"#%" "ad#n!ended !o ,a2e a ,a&!e$*#e%e5 Well( "ave %"an+ed ,y ,#nd5 !"#n2 yo' o'+"! !o 2no)5 Pe$"a*& yo' )o'ld *$e.e$ !o !ell "#,>0 "eadded( !'$n#n+ &ava+ely !o /#+"!,a$2( and &*ea2#n+ .a&! and lo'd)#!" !"e %'$#o'& ,'&%'la$ !$e,o$ )"#%" be!o2en& d#..#%'l! $e&!$a#n!50No> O. %o'$&e yo' )#ll "ave !"e #,*'den%e !o *$e!end !"a! !"e%on%e*!#on )a& yo'$&5 Ye&( %'$&e yo'; yo' a$e '#!e %a*able o. &)ea$#n+ !"a! #! )a& all yo'$&66&'b-e%! and !$ea!,en! !oo5555 '!yo' %an4! deny !"a! yo' "ea$d ,e !al2#n+ o. !"e !"#n+ n#+"! a.!e$ n#+"! a! !"e %l'b( )"en "ave no do'b! yo' "adn4! even be+'n onyo'$ ba&!a$d #,#!a!#on5 One o. !"e *#%!'$e& o. !"e yea$ a& !"ey %all#!( a& yo' and yo'$ da,ned %$e) o. .la!!e$e$& and %$#!#%& %all #!55550He &!o**ed .o$ b$ea!"( %l'!%"#n+ a! !"e !able )#!" one "and andle!!#n+ !"e o!"e$( )"#%" "ad been '*$a#&ed #n den'n%#a!#on( .all a!"#& &#de5 He "ad ,ean! !o be %al,( !o l#,#! "#,&el. &!$#%!ly !o ane *lana!#on7 b'! #n !"e .a%e o. "#& )$on+ and !"e )$on+6doe$ !"e,an4& *a&&#ona!e na!'$e "ad b$o2en loo&e5 No)( )"en "e al$eady "al. $e*en!ed o. !"e v#olen%e )#!" )"#%" "e "ad *$o.aned !"e "o'&e o. "#&.$#end( "#& eye& .ell '*on Ra#n"a,( and "e .el! aba&"ed be.o$e !"ee *$e&&#on o. *a#n )"#%" "e "ad %alled #n!o !"e o!"e$4& .a%e50 don4! 2no) )"a! all !"#& ,ean&(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, )ea$#ly( !'$n#n+.$o, O&)yn !o D#%2 a& "e &*o2e7 0b'! &'$ely #! #& all )$on+> e

'#e!( D#%27 yo' needn4! &ay any!"#n+5 . O&)yn #& a%%'&#n+ yo' o. *la+#a$#&,( o. &!eal#n+ "#& #dea&( %an4! bel#eve #!5 %an4! bel#eve yo' ,ean! !o )$on+ "#,5 T"e &a,e !"#n+ ,'&! "ave o%%'$$ed !o



bo!" o. yo'5 W"y( O&)yn( &'$ely yo' &ee !"a!> Yo' "ave bo!" been *a#n!#n+ "e$e( and yo' )e$e bo!" &!$'%2 #n !"e &a,e )ay5 No!"#n+%o'ld be &#,*le$50

No) /#+"!,a$2 &ee,ed !o a&&',e a ,o$e %on.#den! a!!#!'de( !o be%o,e,o$e l#2e "#,&el.7 and "e )a& abo'! !o b$ea2 !"e %"a#n o. &#len%e(

)"#%" "ad "eld "#, al,o&! vo#%ele&& !"$o'+"o'! O&)yn4& a!!a%2( )"enRa#n"a, a+a#n #n!e$$'*!ed "#,50 a, &'$e yo' needn4! &ay any!"#n+( D#%25 We all 2no) O&)yn7 "e66"e)a&n4! &e$#o'&5 ?o and %a!%" yo'$ !$a#n( and .o$+e! all abo'! #!50T"e .#$&! )o$d& )"#%" Ra#n"a, &*o2e $e%alled !o O&)yn !"e *o)e$.'l$ea&on )"#%" "ad de!e$,#ned "#, !o *$e&e$ve "#& old ne'!$al#!y( and!o ,a2e an o..e$#n+ o. &#len%e '*on !"e al!a$ o. "#& $e+a$d .o$ !"eonly ,an )#!" )"o, "e %o'ld .eel !"a! "e "ad &o,e!"#n+ #n %o,,on5 . "#& ven+ean%e %o'ld "ave ven!ed #!&el. '*on a &#n+le v#%!#,( #!)o'ld "ave .allen( &!$on+ and &'$e7 b'! #! )a& %lea$ !o "#& %al,e$ &el. !"a! !"#& %o'ld no! be7 !"e %on&e 'en%e& )o'ld be !oo

.a$6$ea%"#n+( and ,#+"! even $e%o#l '*on "#,&el.5 A.!e$ all( )"a!d#d #! ,a!!e$> T"e$e )a& a %e$!a#n l' '$y #n &'b,#&&#on !o#n-'&!#%e( a *lea&'$e #n )a!%"#n+ !"e bol! o. Ne,e&#& de&%end )"en"#& "and& )e$e +'#l!le&& o. !"e la'n%"#n+5 And a& "e &!$'++led )#!""#,&el.( "'n!#n+ #n $e!$o&*e%! .o$ &o,e e %'&e .o$ )"a! "#& *a&&#on$a#led a! a& )ea2ne&&( a la&! &!$a) .ell #n!o !"e &%ale( .o$ "e!"o'+"! o. !"e .aded *o$!$a#! #n !"e %#+a$e!!e6%a&e5

CHAPTER I I

0My dea$(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!( a%%e*!#n+ a %'* o. !ea .$o, !"e "and&o. "e$ n#e%e( and $e+a$d#n+ "e$ a! !"e &a,e !#,e( .$o, "e$ lo)%'&"#oned %"a#$( )#!" a %e$!a#n d$olle$y( 0do yo' 2no) !"a! #! #&e a%!ly one )ee2 &#n%e M$5 Sylve&!e$ %alled>0Ma$y Ma&!e$&4 "ead )a& ben! a l#!!le ove$ "e$ lon+ @S'ede@ +love&66!"ey "ad -'&! $e!'$ned .$o, !"e#$ a.!e$noon d$#ve #n !"ePa$266and &"e *a'&ed !o $e,ove "e$ "a! and ve#l be.o$e &"e $e*l#ed50And #! #& a! lea&! !"$ee )ee2& &#n%e M$5 Ra#n"a, )a& "e$e500A"( *oo$ P"#l#*;0 $e,a$2ed !"e old lady( 0"e #& al)ay& #$$e+'la$7"e ,ay %o,e( o$ "e ,ay no!5 ,'&! a&2 "#, !o d#nne$( by !"e )ay(&oon5 '! )a& !al2#n+ o. M$5 Sylve&!e$( )"o #& a ,odel o.

*'n%!'al#!y5 <?#ve ,e a *#e%e o. @baba@ .o$ Me.#&!o.ele( *lea&e;= M$5Sylve&!e$ )a& "e$e la&! Sa!'$day( and !"e Sa!'$day be.o$e !"a!5 !"#n2 #! #& "#+"ly *$obable( Ma$y( !"a! )e &"all be "ono'$ed )#!" av#&#! .$o, M$5 Sylve&!e$ !o6day500 "o*e no!;0 &a#d !"e +#$l )#!" &o,e ene$+y5 0 "ave a %o'*le o. &on+& !"a! ,'&! *o&#!#vely !$y ove$ be.o$e !o6n#+"!5 S'$ely( #! #&a l#!!le la!e !oo( even .o$ M$5 Sylve&!e$500 ! #& ba$ely "al.6*a&! .#ve(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!( la #ly .eed#n+ "e$

*'+( 0and "e 2no)& !"a! )e do no! d#ne !#ll e#+"!5 Re&#+n yo'$&el.(



@%"e$#e@7 "e )#ll %e$!a#nly %o,e50S"e +lan%ed a%$o&& a! !"e yo'n+ +#$l( *o#n!#n+( )#!" "e$ 2een +a e()o$d& )"#%" &ee,ed !$#v#al eno'+"5 And Ma$y( "e$ %al, .o$e"ead

*'%2e$ed )#!" a %e$!a#n va+'e annoyan%e )"#%" &"e d#&da#ned !oanaly&e( 'nde$&!ood *e$.e%!ly all !"a! !"e elde$ lady )a& !oo

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o!"e$&5 And( ,#nd( )e )#ll "ave no $e.o$,&66'nle&& yo' l#2e !o !$yyo'$ "and on !"e %l#,a!e5 '! no!"#n+ el&e; Yo' a$e &o .ond o. $e.o$,#n+( yo' En+l#&"66even !"e ,o&! Con&e$va!#ve o. yo'66!"a! l#ve #n %on&!an! .ea$ o. be#n+ $e.o$,ed a)ay5 "o*e( M$5 Sylve&!e$(yo' a$e ,o$e Con&e$va!#ve !"an !"a!50C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ .l'&"ed a l#!!le7 "e %lea$ed "#& !"$oa!elabo$a!ely be.o$e "e $e*l#ed0 .ea$ "ave .a#led !o ,a2e ,y&el. 'nde$&!ood( /ady ?a$ne!!7 #n no&en&e do %all ,y&el. a Con&e$va!#ve( !"o'+" a, *$e*a$ed !o vo!e)#!" !"e *a$!y on !"e $#&" 'e&!#on5 a, a /#be$al Un#on#&!( /ady?a$ne!!5 ,ay al,o&! %all ,y&el. a Rad#%al Un#on#&!5 My v#e)& on!"e e,an%#*a!#on o. labo'$( .o$ #n&!an%e( a$e '#!e advan%ed5 a,

*$e*a$ed66660Ma$y #n!e$$'*!ed "#,( ab&en!ly( de,'$ely( )#!" a l#!!le &*ee%" !"a!a**ea$ed !o be a 'o!a!#on50/abo'$ #& a *$e!!y bea&! #n #!& %a+e !o !"e *"#lan!"$o*#% v#&#!o$ )#!" b'n&7 #!& !e,*e$ #& be!!e$ 'nde$&!ood o. !"e *$o.e&&#onal2ee*e$50/ady ?a$ne!! a$%"ed "e$ eyeb$o)& *en&#vely7 C"a$le& loo2ed&'$*$#&ed( d#&*lea&ed7 Ma$y "a&!ened !o e *la#n( bl'&"#n+ a l#!!le0 be+ yo'$ *a$don; !"e *"$a&e #& M$5 Ra#n"a,4&5 bel#eve #! #& !"eonly *ol#!#%al *$#n%#*le "e "a&50C"a$le&4& d#&*lea&'$e a! !"e ,a #, %ooled !o lo.!y d#&da#n o. #!&a'!"o$50A"( ye&;66*$e!!y( b'! %yn#%al( a& &"o'ld &ay ,o&! o. M$5Ra#n"a,4& *$#n%#*le& )e$e50/ady ?a$ne!! )a& a$o'&ed o'! o. "e$ &!a!e o. va%an! bo$edo, .o$ !"e.#$&! !#,e #n!o a %e$!a#n #n!e$e&!5 Ma$y &a!( "e$ "and& %la&*ed #n"e$ la*( !"e .l'&" -'&! dy#n+ a)ay o'! o. "e$ *ale %"ee2&( )"#le M$5Sylve&!e$ e,ba$2ed '*on an elabo$a!e d#& '#&#!#on o. "#& *$#n%#*le&



and "#& *$o+$a,,e66#! ,#+"! "ave been an e *an&#on o. "#&Pa$l#a,en!a$y add$e&&66)"#%" !"e elde$ lady( )"o, a %"an%e *"$a&e"ad &!a$!ed '*on a ne) l#ne o. !"o'+"!( &%a$%ely %on&#de$ed5Doe& "e 2no)> &"e a&2ed "e$&el.5 Ha& !"#& $a!"e$ &!'*#d yo'n+ ,an+$o)n &'ddenly a%'!e eno'+" !o be -ealo'&> Ce$!a#nly !"e$e "ad been

a .la&"( a !$a%e o. %'$#o'& $an%o'$ #n "#& b$#e. ,en!#on o. Ra#n"a,4& na,e( .o$ )"#%" #! )a& &%a$%ely ea&y !o a%%o'n!5 T"a! !"e!)o ,en( #n &*#!e o. !"e#$ lon+ -' !a*o&#!#on( "ad neve$ been ,o$e!"an a% 'a#n!an%e&( "ad neve$ been #n !"e lea&! de+$ee .$#end&( &"e)a& *e$.e%!ly )ell a)a$e7 #! )a& no! #n !"e na!'$e o. e#!"e$ o. !"e,!o be ,o$e #n!#,a!ely all#ed5Ra#n"a,4& #ndolen! "',o'$ and .an!a&!#% ,elan%"oly( "#& +en#ald#&$e+a$d o. *o*'la$#!y o$ &'%%e&&( %o'ld no! b'! be d#&*lea&#n+ !oa ,an &o *$e%#&e and *$a%!#%al a& !"e ba$$#&!e$5 Only no) &"e "ad&%en!ed( "ad d#,ly *e$%e#ved benea!" "#& &*ee%"( &o,e!"#n+ ,o$e !"an!"e #nde.#nable ave$&#on o. #n%o,*a!#ble !e,*e$&( a ve$y *e$&onal

and *$e&en! d#&l#2e5 Had !"#n+& *a&&ed be!)een !"e,( !"#n+& o. )"#%"&"e )a& #+no$an!> Wa& !"e &en!#,en!( !"en( $e%#*$o%al> S"e "a$dly bel#eved #! Ra#n"a,4& *la%#d !e,*e$ +ave !o "#& la$+e&! "o&!#l#!#e&!"e %"a$a%!e$ ,e$ely o. lan+'#d %on!e,*!7 #! )a& no! )o$!" !"e!$o'ble !o "a!e anyone( "e "ad &a#d !o "e$ &o o.!en66ne#!"e$ !o "a!eno$ !o love5 S"e %o'ld #,a+#ne "#, )#!" #n.#del#!#e& on o%%a&#on !o!"e la&! *a$! o. "#& $'le7 ye&( &"e %o'ld #,a+#ne !"a!66b'! .o$ "a!$ed( no; "e "ad &a#d $#+"!ly "e )a& !oo #ndolen! .o$ !"a!5 !,'&! be all on one &#de( !"en( a& "a**en& &o .$e 'en!ly #n l#.e )#!"love and "a!e( and !"e $e&!66all on one &#de5 And !"e ba$$#&!e$ "ad$#&en !o !a2e "#& leave be.o$e "e$ $e.le%!#on& "ad b$o'+"! "e$ .'$!"e$ !"an !"#&5

CHAPTER II

! ,'&! be ad,#!!ed !"a! )"en /ady ?a$ne!! #n&#n'a!ed( .o$ !"e bene.#! o. "e$ "al.6#n%$ed'lo'& #n)a$d %o'n&ello$( !"a! C"a$le&Sylve&!e$( #n &*#!e o. "#& al,o&! a++$e&&#ve *ano*ly o. &el.6a&&'$an%e( "ad been &,#!!en by !"e .eve$ o. -ealo'&y( &"e .'lly&'&!a#ned "e$ $e*'!a!#on .o$ *e$&*#%a%#!y5 He$ %on%l'&#on& )e$e&eldo, )$on+( and( #ndeed( !"e ba$$#&!e$( al!"o'+" "e "ad

*$o.e&&#onal ,o!#ve& .o$ endeavo'$#n+ !o %loa2 "#,&el. )#!"&o,e!"#n+ o. !"e )#&do, o. !"e &e$*en!( )a& %"a$a%!e$# ed .a$ ,o$e

by !"e &o,e)"a! &!ol#d #nno%en%e o. !"a! *$ove$b#ally ,o$al( b'!le&& #n!e$e&!#n+ %$ea!'$e( !"e dove7 and #! )a& an ea&y !a&2 .o$ a2een ob&e$ve$( &'%" a& "e$ lady&"#* 'ndo'b!edly )a&( !o $ead "#,l#ne '*on l#ne( l#2e !"e ,o&! %lea$ly *$#n!ed o. boo2&5 A& #n !"e%a&e o. a boo2( )"a! one $ead )a& no! al)ay& #n!ell#+#ble( and #!,#+"! even on o%%a&#on be ne%e&&a$y !o $ead be!)een !"e obv#o'&l#ne&7 b'! #n !"#& *a$!#%'la$ #n&!an%e !"e *a+e %on!a#ned no



%$y*!o+$a,( and !"e a&!'!e old lady "ad $ead #! )#!"o'! "e$ &*e%!a%le&5C"a$le& )a& -ealo'&7 "e "ad no! #n&'l!ed "#,&el. by ad,#!!#n+ #!even .o$ an #n&!an!( b'! "e )a& -ealo'&7 and "#& -ealo'&y )a& ,o$e!"an !"e $ov#n+ .eve$ o. all love$&( #n !"a! #! "ad a de.#n#!e(

!an+#ble ob-e%!5! )o'ld "ave been %on!$a$y !o "#& na!'$e !o allo) e#!"e$ "#& loveo$ !"e en&'#n+ *a&&#on !o #n!e$.e$e #n any )ay )#!" "#& *$o.e&&#onald'!#e& o$ #n&!#n%!&7 "e )a& a la)ye$( and an e,b$yo Me,be$ o. Pa$l#a,en! .#$&!( a ,an a.!e$)a$d&7 and #! )a& no! 'n!#l la!e #n !"ea.!e$noon o. !"e day )"#%" .ollo)ed "#& la&! $e%o$ded #n!e$v#e) )#!"/ady ?a$ne!! and "e$ n#e%e !"a! "e d#&,#&&ed .$o, "#& b$a#n !"e%o,*le #!#e& o. 0 $o)n and ano!"e$ @ve$&'&@ :o"n&on(0 and d$e) .$o, ano$de$ly ,en!al *#+eon6"ole !"e b'ndle o. *a*e$& bea$#n+ !"e nea!endo$&e,en!( 0@Re@ M#&& Ma&!e$&50 W"en( !o !"e e%&!a!#% -oy o. "#&%le$2( "e "ad )#!"d$a)n "#,&el. .$o, "#& %"a,be$& #n Pa*e$

'#ld#n+&( and )a& )al2#n+ b$#&2ly alon+ !"e d'&!y E,ban2,en! #n !"ed#$e%!#on o. "#& %l'b( "e .o'nd "#,&el.( by a &e 'en%e )"#%" )a&na!'$al( !"o'+" "e )o'ld "ave been !"e la&! !o o)n #!( al$eady!"#n2#n+ o. Ra#n"a,( and )onde$#n+( )#!" a !$a%e o. d#+n#.#ed&el.6$e*$oa%"( )"e!"e$ "e "ad no! been +'#l!y o. &o,e $e,#&&ne&& #n!"e *e$.o$,an%e o. "#& d'!y !o)a$d& &o%#e!y( #n !"e ,a!!e$ o. !"a!$e*$e"en&#ble #nd#v#d'al and "#& abe$$a!#on& .$o, !"e *a!"& o. v#$!'e5 He d#d no! &!o* !o 'e&!#on "#,&el. !oo &!$#%!ly a& !o !"e%onne%!#on be!)een "#& ,a!$#,on#al a&*#$a!#on& and Ra#n"a,4&

*e%%ad#lloe&7 b'! "e )a& able !o a&&'$e "#,&el. !"a! !"e a&&e$!#ono. "#& *$#n%#*le& de,anded a %lo&e$ #nve&!#+a!#on( a ,o$e %$'%#alanaly&#& o. %e$!a#n a,b#+'o'& e*#&ode&50S'**o&#n+(0 "e a$+'ed( 0&'**o&#n+ Ra#n"a, "ad +#ven &#+n& o. ade&#$e !o ,a$$y ,y &#&!e$( o$ ,y %o'&#n( o$ any o!"e$ +#$l #n )"o, )a& #n!e$e&!ed( o$( #n &"o$!( )"o, 2ne)( #! )o'ld obv#o'&ly "ave

been ,y d'!y( be.o$e +#v#n+ ,y %on&en! o$ a**$oval( !o .#nd o'! allabo'! "#& $ela!#on& )#!" !"a! +#$l( !"a! *e$&on )"o, &a) )#!" "#,#n !"e *a$266a"( ye&; K#!!y( !"a! )a& "e$ na,e5 And( #n a )ay( don4!

o)e .a$ ,o$e !o &o%#e!y #n +ene$al !"an do !o any o. ,y #,,ed#a!e.$#end& #n *a$!#%'la$> Well( !"en o'+"! !o 2no) ,o$e abo'!K#!!y( &o a& !o be *$e*a$ed #n %a&e66!"a! #&( .o$ e,e$+en%#e&5555W"y( .o$ all 2no)( ,ay "ave been &'&*e%!#n+ Ra#n"a, all !"#&!#,e '#!e 'n-'&!ly5 4, &'$e "o*e &o50 He$e "e &"oo2 "#& "ead&o$$o).'lly5 0 '! 4, a.$a#d !"e$e4& no! ,'%" %"an%e o. !"a!5 T"e

'e&!#on $e,a#n&( "o) a, !o .#nd o'! any!"#n+> !4& no +ood a&2#n+Ra#n"a,7 !"a! +oe& )#!"o'! &ay#n+5 ! )o'ld be e 'ally '&ele&& !o!$y /#+"!,a$2 !"ey4$e a& !"#%2 a& !"#eve&( and "e4& no! !"e &o$! o. ,an !o be *',*ed ve$y ea&#ly5 And ye!( #. Ra#n"a,4& .$#end& a$e o'!o. !"e 'e&!#on( )"a!4& !o be done> He "a&n4! +o! any ene,#e&66!"a!&o$! o. ,an neve$ "a&( e %e*! "#,&el.5 Ho) %an +e! "old o. !"e



b$o2e !"e &#len%e !"e$e )a& a "a$de$ !one #n "#& vo#%e( and "e $o&e.$o, "#& %"a#$ a! !"e &a,e !#,e50 don4! &ee "o) !"#& %an %on%e$n ,e( o$ yo'( e#!"e$5 Yo' ,'&!

*a$don ,e #. &ay !"a! d#&l#2e ,eddl#n+( and *eo*le )"o ,eddle50Sylve&!e$ bl'&"ed "o!ly5

0Yo' don4! &'**o&e )an! !o do "#, any!"#n+ b'! +ood(0 "e &a#dd#*lo,a!#%ally( !$y#n+ !o %onv#n%e "#,&el. !"a! "e )a& no! da,a+#n+!"e $e*'!a!#on .o$ *e$.e%! %ando'$ )"#%" "e "o*ed !"a! "e en-oyed50 !4& no! a *lea&an! !a&2( b'! !"e$e a$e %#$%',&!an%e& #n )"#%" one"a& !o &a%$#.#%e one4& &%$'*le&66one4& .eel#n+&50O&)yn +lan%ed a! "#, a+a#n( )#!" &o,e %on!e,*! #n !"e l#ne& o. "#&)o$n .a%e50E %'&e ,e #. $e.$a#n .$o, &o'nd#n+ yo'$ ,o!#ve&50T"en "e *a'&ed( .#n+e$#n+ "#& &o.! .el! "a!5 S'ddenly "#& .a%e )a&#ll',#ned by a $e,a$2ably +$#, &,#le( and #! be%a,e ev#den! !o !"e,an )"o )a& )a!%"#n+ "#, &o an #o'&ly !"a! !"e$e "ad o%%'$$ed &o,e

%"an+e #n "#& ,en!al *e$&*e%!#ve50 don4! '#!e 'nde$&!and )"y yo' b$o'+"! ,e #n!o !"#&(0 "e added(!"e &,#le &!#ll "ove$#n+ ve$y l#+"!ly on "#& l#*&5 0Ho)eve$( 'nde$ !"e %#$%',&!an%e&( !"#n2 %an4! do ,'%" "a$, by *'!!#n+ yo' #n!"e )ay o. .#nd#n+ M$&5 C$#%"!on5 /e! ,e $e%o,,end yo' !o #n '#$e.o$ "e$ a! !"e o..#%e o. !"e @O'!%$y@( !"e ne)&*a*e$66&"e '&ed !o )o$2 .o$ #!( bel#eve66#n Too24& Co'$!5 T"ey )#ll 2no) "e$ add$e&&!"e$e5 Too24& Co'$!66#!4& only a .e) ,#n'!e&4 )al2 .$o, "e$e5T"an2&( %an .#nd ,y )ay o'!555500 &'**o&e !"a! )a& $a!"e$ a &!'*#d !"#n+ !o do(0 "e &a#d$e+$e!.'lly( a& "e &!o**ed #n !"e doo$)ay belo) !o l#+"! a%#+a$e!!e( 0!"o'+" no! &'%" a @be!#&e@ a& "#&( @,on d#e'@;555 '! %o'ldn4! $e&#&! !"e !e,*!a!#on5 No)( )onde$ #. "e4& %leve$ eno'+"!o .#nd o'! !"e !$'!">0

CHAPTER II

T"e n#+"! )a& da$2 and &!#ll66&o da$2 !"a! above !"e !$ee6!o*& all)a& a &o.!( aby&,al blan2( &o &!#ll !"a! !"e :a*ane&e lan!e$n&&%a$%ely &)'n+ on !"e#$ &!$#n+& a,on+ !"e a**le6!$ee&( and !"eleave& al,o&! .o$+o! !o $'&!le5 F$o, !"e !en! #n !"e %o$ne$ o. !"el#!!le +a$den <l#!!le( b'! la$+e .o$ a +a$den #n /ondon= !"e 'a#n!($a*!'$o'& ,'&#% o. !"e H'n+a$#an band .loa!ed #n .#!.'le !$ava+an%e( no) )#ldly do,#na!#n+( no) +$a%#o'&ly a%%o,*any#n+ !"e,'$,'$ o. ,any vo#%e&( !"e ,#n+led *a%e o. .ee!( and !"e l#n+e$#n+&)ee* o. &#l2en &2#$!& '*on !"e &"ado)ed +$a&&5 T"e l#+"! &!$ea,ed#n b$oad( ele%!$#% $ay& .$o, !"e o*en )#ndo)& o. !"e lo)( )#de"o'&e( and .$o, !"e !all do'ble doo$& o. !"e &!'d#o( )"#%" "ad beenadded a! !"e &#de( b$o2en %on!#n'ally by !"e &#l"o'e!!e& o. +'e&!&)"o en!e$ed !"e $oo,& o$ &o'+"! !"e %oole$ a#$ o'!&#de( and d'll#n+



!o !"e '#e! +lo) o. old &!a#ned +la&& !"e $#%" $ad#an%e o. !"e.an!a&!#% %olo'$ed lan!e$n&5

! )a& one o. !"e &e$#e& o. &',,e$ even#n+& on )"#%"( a%%o$d#n+ !o!"e %a$d& )"#%" "ad been &o )#dely %#$%'la!ed( M$5 and M$&5/#+"!,a$2 )e$e 0a! "o,e0 !o !"e#$ .$#end& and !o !"e#$ .$#end&4

.$#end&7 and Ra#n"a,( )"o )a& a la!e a$$#val a! !"e elabo$a!e "o'&e#n ?$ove Road( )a& able a.!e$ a !#,e !o $e%o+n#&e ,any .a,#l#a$

.a%e&( &o,e o. !"e, al,o&! .o$+o!!en( a,on+ !"o&e )"o "ad ele%!ed !o be *$e&en!5 T"e $oo,&( #n &*#!e o. !"e o'!le! a..o$ded by !"e+a$den( )e$e all &'$*$#&#n+ly .'ll7 and a.!e$ a "'$$#ed e %"an+e o. +$ee!#n+&( )"#%" Eve4& d'!#e& a& "o&!e&& "ad %o,*elled "e$ !o%'$!a#l( "e "ad *a&&ed !"$o'+" a -'n+le o. b$#ll#an! !o#le!!e& and'n.a,#l#a$ .#+'$e& #n!o !"e ne)ly6b'#l!( b$#+"! &!'d#o( )"e$e "e "ad

been !old !"a! "e )o'ld .#nd "#& .$#end5 He "ad ab'ndan! le#&'$e !o%o$$obo$a!e !"e .#$&! #,*$e&&#on o. a &*lendo'$ .o$ )"#%" "e )a&"a$dly *$e*a$ed( )"#%" "ad &e# ed "#, )"en "e en!e$ed !"e "all and

&'$$ende$ed "#& %oa! !o a %o'$!eo'& &e$van! #n l#ve$y( be.o$e/#+"!,a$2( $ad#an! and .l'&"ed )#!" &'%%e&&( &#n+led "#, o'! #n !"e%o$ne$ !o )"#%" "e "ad $e!$ea!ed #n lonel#ne&&50So +lad !o &ee yo'( old ,an; )e )e$e "o*#n+ yo' )o'ld !'$n '*5

e!!e$ la!e !"an neve$5 &n4! #! a %$'&"> a&&'$e yo' o'$ even#n+&a$e be%o,#n+ '#!e an #n&!#!'!#on5 Yo' )#ll .#nd &%o$e& o. *eo*leyo' 2no) "e$e5 E %'&e ,y leav#n+ yo'5 No! ,'%" l#2e !"e old&!'d#o day&( e"> A.!e$noon !ea )#!" Co*al4& %'*& and &a'%e$&( andM$&5 T"#n+',y4& !ea6%a2e&5 Yo'$ .$#end /ady ?a$ne!! #& "e$e&o,e)"e$e66 4ll be &"o! #. 2no) )"e$e5 T$y !"e +a$den7 yo' %an+e! o'! !"#& )ay5 See yo' a+a#n la!e$500All $#+"!( D#%2(0 "e an&)e$ed )#!" e 'an#,#!y( &,#l#n+ )#!" al#!!le #n)a$d a,'&e,en!7 0yo' loo2 a.!e$ yo'$ *eo*le5 )#ll .#nd ,y)ay abo'!50A& "e ,ade "#& )ay d#&%$ee!ly a,on+ !"e l#!!le +$o'*& o. *eo*le )"o&!$olled *$o%e&&#onally alon+ !"e +$avel )al2& and benea!" !"e!$ee&( o$ d#&*o&ed !"e,&elve& #n ba&2e! %"a#$& '*on !"e la)n(.eel#n+ "#,&el. va+'ely e "#la$a!ed by !"e no! !oo ab&!$'&e ,'&#% o. !"e *o&!'$#n+ .#ddle$&( "#& eye& %a$e&&ed by !"e &o.! +lo) o. !"e:a*ane&e lan!e$n&( &!$'n+ l#2e an!# 'e -e)elled ne%2le!& a+a#n&! !"eal,o&! !an+#ble bla%2ne&& o. !"e n#+"!( "e .o'nd "#,&el. l#&!en#n+)#!" an "al.6,al#%#o'& a,'&e,en! !o !"e %o,,on*la%e o. !"e%onve$&a!#onal .o$,'lae a..e%!ed by !"e yo'n+ )o$ld o. &o%#e!y( !"e)ell6)o$n( *a!%"ed6'* 'e&!#on&( !"e an!#%#*a!ed an&)e$&5 ! )a&ve$y l#!!le %"an+ed &#n%e !"e !#,e )"en "e "ad no! ye! e,an%#*a!ed"#,&el. .$o, !"e d$ea$y bonda+e o. &'%" .'n%!#on&5 ! )a& %$o 'e!!"en( la)n6!enn#& no)7 .o$ !"e $e&! only !"e na,e& )e$e d#..e$en!5P$e&en!ly "e en%o'n!e$ed M%All#&!e$( a &ol#!a$y )ande$e$ l#2e"#,&el.( and !"ey .o'nd !"e,&elve& &ea!& be.o$e lon+ #n !"e da$2e&!%o$ne$ o. !"e +a$den( )"e$e a .e) %"a#$& "ad been *la%ed( o'!&#de



!"e $ad#'& o. !"e lan!e$n&( 'nde$nea!" a )ee*#n+ )#llo)50And !"ey &ay *a#n!#n+ doe&n4! *ay(0 &a#d !"e S%o!%",an( e !end#n+"#& lon+ "and& %o,*$e"en&#vely( )#!" a '#e! %"'%2le5 0And 4, no!&ay#n+ !"a! #! doe&( ,#nd yo'( )"en a ,an "a& no!#on& l#2e !"a!

'ee$( %an!an2e$o'& dev#l O&)yn5 He )o'ldn4! ,a2e any!"#n+ *ay #n

!"#& )o$ld5 '! #. a ,an4& %leve$ and %anny( and "a& !"e &en&e !o&ee on )"#%" &#de "#& b$ead4& b'!!e$ed 555 )"y( #!4& -'&! ea&#e$ !"an no!"#n+5 And !o !"#n2 !"a! !"e ladd#e #&n4! even an A&&o%#a!e500Ye&5 &'**o&e "e4& +e!!#n+ on *$e!!y )ell(0 &'++e&!ed Ra#n"a,()#!" a la y en-oy,en! o. !"#& .$an2 )o$ldl#ne&&50?e!!#n+ on; Doe&n4! #! loo2 l#2e #!> &n4! "e en!e$!a#n#n+ "#&.$#end& l#2e66l#2e a Ro!"&%"#ld> Yo' 2no)( o. %o'$&e( !"a! "e "a&&old "#& A%ade,y *#%!'$e( and ne ! yea$4& a& )ell66and .o'$ .#+'$e&.o$ ea%" o. !"e,>00Ye&7 and "e4& %o,,#&&#oned !o *a#n! a l#.e6&# e *o$!$a#! o. !"eHe$ed#!a$y ?$and6D'%"e&& o. Obe$&%"n#! el&!e#n)'$&!66an 'nde$!a2#n+(

by !"e )ay( .o$ )"#%" don4! envy "#,5 O"( D#%24& all $#+"!; W"a!"ave yo' +o! #n !"e A%ade,y !"#& yea$( by !"e )ay> 4, a&"a,ed !o&ay "aven4! been !"e$e ye!500Yo' "aven4!; '! yo' "ave &een /#+"!,a$24& *#%!'$e> No> Well( #!4&a .#ne !"#n+( and -'&! a& %leve$ a&6666 '!( ,#nd yo'( 4, no!

*$e*a$ed !o &ay !"a! O&)yn )o'ldn4! "ave ,ade &o,e!"#n+ be!!e$ o'!o. #!500Ye&(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, &lo)ly( )#!" !"e %"#ll o. !"e old ,#&+#v#n+abo'! "#& "ea$!( a& "e $e,e,be$ed !"e &!o$,y en%o'n!e$ a! !"e do%2()#!" !"e "a'n!#n+ &"ado) o. do'b! #n "#& ,#nd( labo$#o'&ly d#&,#&&eda& an o..en%e a+a#n&! "#& loyal!y5 0 ! &ee,& !o ,e !"a! O&)yn "a&,o$e $eal +en#'& #n "#& l#!!le .#n+e$ !"an D#%2 "a& #n "#& )"ole

body7 a, &'$e o. #!5 ! )a& a *#!y !"a! !"ey &"o'ld bo!" "ave%"o&en !"e &a,e &'b-e%!( e&*e%#ally a& !"e#$ #dea&( a& !o %olo'$ and!$ea!,en! and &o on( a$e &o ,'%" !"e &a,e5 '!( o. %o'$&e( D#%2 "ada *e$.e%! $#+"! !o .#n#&" and e "#b#! "#& *#%!'$e( even #. "e 2ne)!"a! O&)yn )a& !"#n2#n+ o. !"e &a,e !"#n+50M%All#&!e$ a&&en!ed "a&!#ly50No do'b!( no do'b!7 !"o'+" O&)yn )a& -'&! )#ld abo'! #!66yo' 2no)"#& 'n%#v#l# ed )ay&66and ,'&! ad,#! )a& a b#! a&!on#&"ed,y&el.( a! .#$&!( )"en &a) !"e *#%!'$e a! '$l#n+!on Ho'&e )#!"/#+"!,a$24& &#+na!'$e !o #!5 '! !"en d#dn4! 2no) any!"#n+ o. !"e$#+"!& o. !"e %a&e5 He4& a 'ee$( %an!an2e$o'& dev#l( and "e4&al)ay& be#n+ )$on+ed( a%%o$d#n+ !o "#& o)n a%%o'n!&( and no! only by!"e %$#!#%&5 No one *ay& ,'%" a!!en!#on !o )"a! "e &ay& no)aday&5

!4& -'&! !"a! ab&#n!"e and !"e %#+a$e!!e& !"a! a$e !"e $'#n o. "#,(day and n#+"!5 Poo$ dev#l; )"y %an4! "e &!#%2 !o )"#&2y and a *#*e(l#2e a de%en! C"$#&!#an;00H#& 'ee$ne&& #& all on !"e &'$.a%e(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, +$avely5 0Yo'"ave !o d#+ *$e!!y dee* !o .#nd o'! )"a! "e4& $eally )o$!"50



:'&! !"en Eve "'$$#ed !o)a$d& !"e, !"$o'+" !"e !$ee&( loo2#n+ abo'!"e$ )#!" an a#$ o. "e&#!a!#on( %a$$y#n+ !"e !$a#n o. "e$ *ale6+$ay

b$o%ade d$e&& ove$ one ba$e( +#$l#&" a$,50 & !"a! yo'( M$5 M%All#&!e$>0 &"e a&2ed( $e%o+n#&#n+ .#$&! #n !"eda$2ne&& !"e +a'n! .#+'$e and !a)ny bea$d o. !"e S%o!%",an5 0O"( and

M$5 Ra#n"a, !oo; T"#& #& $eally ve$y )$on+ o. yo'( ,ono*ol# #n+ ea%"o!"e$ #n !"#& )ay5 And don4! yo' 2no)(0 &"e added la'+"#n+ly( 0!"a!!"#& %o$ne$ #& e&*e%#ally ded#%a!ed !o .l#$!a!#on&> Yo' ,'&! $eally%o,e and do yo'$ d'!y5 M$5 M%All#&!e$( )on4! yo' !a2e M#&& Men #e&#n !o "ave &o,e &'**e$> Yo' 2no) "e$( !"#n266a %o,*a!$#o!( #&n4!&"e> Yo' )#ll .#nd "e$ %lo&e !o !"e !en!5 And yo'(0 &"e *'$&'ed(!'$n#n+ !o Ra#n"a,( 0yo' ,'&! !a2e &o,e one #n( yo' 2no)5 W#ll yo'%o,e !"#& )ay( *lea&e( and )#ll #n!$od'%e yo' !o &o,ebody5 a, &o&o$$y )a& no! a! "o,e )"en yo' %alled !"e o!"e$ day(0 &"e &a#d%onven!#onally( a& !"ey ed+ed !"e#$ )ay by de+$ee& !o)a$d& !"e"o'&e5

0Ye&7 &ee, !o "ave an 'n.o$!'na!e %a*a%#!y .o$ ,#&&#n+ yo'no)aday&5 A! o$d#+"e$a( .o$ #n&!an%e5 "ave %e$!a#nly "ad no l'%2 a! all la!ely5 "aven4! even "ad an o**o$!'n#!y o. !ell#n+ yo' "o)%"a$,#n+ .#nd yo'$ "o'&e500A";0 &a#d Eve va+'ely( "e$ eye& )ande$#n+ ove$ !"e *eo*le )"o )e$e+$o'*ed '*on !"e +$avel )al2 and 'nde$ !"e ve$anda o'!&#de !"e)#ndo)& o. !"e &'**e$6$oo,( 0)e $eally &ee, !o &ee no!"#n+ o. yo'no)5 O"( le! ,e #n!$od'%e yo' !o M$&5 ?#b&on66M$&5 Eve$e!! P5?#b&on5 S"e4& A,e$#%an7 yo'4ll .#nd "e$ ve$y a,'&#n+50Ra#n"a, .ollo)ed "e$ obed#en!ly( !"#n2#n+( )#!" a '#%2ly $e*$e&&ed

*a&&#on o. $e+$e!( o. !"e %"#ld )"o )o'ld "ave %on.#ded !o "#, "e$ la!e&! #,*$e&&#on& o. &o$$o)( o. -oy7 .#nd#n+ &o,e!"#n+( )"#%""a$dly e,ana!ed .$o, "#,&el.( )"#%" ,ade #! &ee, d#..#%'l! .o$ "#,!o +a!"e$ '* !"e !"$ead& o. !"e old( %"a$,#n+ #n!#,a%y )#!" !"#& ne)Eve66!"#& )o,an( )#!" "e$ *$e!!y( d#+n#.#ed bea$#n+( and&el.6*o&&e&&ed( al,o&! %old a!!#!'de5 T"e #n!$od'%!#on )a& d'lye..e%!ed( and .o$ !"e ne ! "al.6"o'$ Ra#n"a, devo!ed "#,&el. "e$o#%ally !o !"e ,en!al and *"y&#%al en!e$!a#n,en! <"e )a& no!obl#+ed !o do ,'%" !al2#n+= o. !"e A,e$#%an lady( )"o "a#led .$o,!"e Fa$ We&!( and le%!'$ed "#, vol'bly( )#!" an e o$b#!an! a%%en!and a ,ono!ony o. del#ve$y( )"#%" be+an !o !ell on "#& ne$ve& !o anala$,#n+ de+$ee( on "e$ #,*$e&&#on& o. E'$o*e( and e&*e%#allyEn+land7 !"e #,,en&e &'*e$#o$#!y o. +a& a& a %oo2#n+ and "ea!#n+a+en!7 !"e *"eno,enal a!!a#n,en!& o. "e$ %"#ld$en7 and !"ean!# '#!#e& o. M#nnea*ol#&5A.!e$ &'**e$ "e .o'nd "#,&el. l#&!en#n+ !o !"e band #n !"e +a$den)#!" a &en!#,en!al yo'n+ lady( )"o ,ade "#, .'lly %onve$&an! )#!""e$ ado$a!#on o. ,oonl#! n#+"!&( )al! #n+( !"e la!e&! !eno$( and !"e&%ene$y o. S)#! e$land5

! )a& al$eady +$o)#n+ la!e( and *eo*le "ad be+'n !o leave( )"en #!



&!$'%2 "#, !"a!( !"$o'+" no a%!#ve .a'l! o. "#& o)n( o!"e$ !"an a%e$!a#n %o,*la#&an! #ndolen%e( "e "ad a& ye! e %"an+ed only !"e

b$#e.e&! o. +$ee!#n+& )#!" /ady ?a$ne!!( )"#le o. M#&& Ma&!e$& onlya +l#,*&e "ad been vo'%"&a.ed !o "#,( a! !"e .'$!"e$ end o. !"e%$o)ded &'**e$6$oo,5 He )ande$ed #n!o !"e &!'d#o( )"e$e a l#!!le(

#n!#,a!e *a$!y "ad a&&e,bled a$o'nd an ea&el( and "e )a& .o$!'na!eeno'+" #n a .e) ,#n'!e& !o .#nd "#,&el. #nv#!ed !o !a2e *o&&e&&#ono. a va%an! &ea! *$e%#&ely by Ma$y4& &#de50O"( yo' )#%2ed *e$&on;0 &a#d Ma$y $e*$oa%".'lly5 0W"y do yo' neve$ %o,e !o &ee '&> and )"e$e "ave yo' been "#d#n+ yo'$&el. all !"eeven#n+>0Ra#n"a, la'+"ed +en!ly50 .eel $a!"e$ +'#l!y( o)n7 b'! yo' 2no) !"e$e #& an e e%$able

*$ove$b )"#%" &ay&( 4D'!y .#$&!( and *lea&'$e a.!e$)a$d&54 "ave been l#v#n+ '* !o #!( !"a!4& all5 . yo' only 2ne) "o) "ave beenlon+#n+ !o !al2 !o &o,ebody )"o )o'ldn4! a&2 ,e )"e!"e$ !"e ,'&#%

d#dn4! .#ll ,e )#!" a *a&&#ona!e de&#$e !o dan%e; And "o) +ood #! #&!o be )#!" a *e$&on )"o doe&n4! a&2 yo' )"e!"e$ yo' *lay ,'%"la)n6!enn#&( o$ )"e!"e$ yo' *$e.e$ /ondon !o !"e %o'n!$y on !"e)"ole5 A"( Ma$y; %on&#de$ ,y&el. a ,odel o. &el.6den#al7 b'! a,$e)a$ded no)500T"a!4& $a!"e$ *$e!!y .o$ yo'(0 an&)e$ed !"e +#$l a**$ov#n+ly7 0andyo' a$e .o$+#ven( !"o'+" yo' "ave &!#ll !o ,a2e yo'$ *ea%e )#!" A'n!Ma$%elle5 Tell ,e )"a! yo' "ave been do#n+( and )"a! yo' "ave been$ead#n+55550T"e %onve$&a!#on d$#.!ed on( no) and a+a#n be%o,#n+ +ene$al( and#n%l'd#n+ !"e $e&! o. !"e %#$%le( b'! al)ay& $e%'$$#n+ and na$$o)#n+#n!o !"e dee*e$ &!$ea, o. !"e#$ old #n!#,a%y50Yo' a$e !"e only $eally &a!#&.a%!o$y *eo*le 2no)(0 "e &a#d

*$e&en!ly660!"e only *eo*le )"o 2no) "o) !o en-oy l#.e( &o .a$ a& #!#& !o be en-oyed500Yo' ,'&!n4! +#ve ,e any %$ed#! .o$ #!7 #!4& all A'n! Ma$%elle4&do#n+5 '! don4! !"#n2 2no) )"a! yo' ,ean e a%!ly5 Pe$"a*& )eo'+"!n4! !o .eel .la!!e$ed>00 ,ean( yo' a$e !"e only *eo*le )"o 'nde$&!and !"a! "a**#ne&&doe&n4! de*end on )"a! one doe& o$ doe&n4! do66!"a! #! all de*end&on !"e *o#n! o. v#e)500T"e )ay o. loo2#n+ a! l#.e +ene$ally>0 &"e "a a$ded50P$e%#&ely5 T$'e *"#lo&o*"y only ad,#!& one *o#n! o. v#e)66.$o,o'!&#de5 A$en4! )e al)ay& be#n+ !old !"a! l#.e #& only a *lay> Well()e %leve$ *eo*le a$e !"e &*e%!a!o$&( !"e a'd#en%e5 We loo2 a! !"e

*lay .$o, a %o,.o$!able &ea! #n !"e &!all&7 and )"en !"e %'$!a#nd$o*& a! !"e end( )e +o "o,e '#e!ly and66&lee*50Ma$y loo2ed a! "#, .o$ a ,o,en! &#len!ly50 4, no! a! all &'$e !"a! )e o'+"! !o .eel .la!!e$ed; Yo' %on&#de$ !"a! yo' and and "e$ lady&"#* a$e &*e%!a!o$&( !"en5 &n4! #! ve$y



0Ye&7 #!4& only ano!"e$ .o$, o. d#&&#*a!#on500 4, no! &'$e !"a! #! #&n4! be!!e$ !o "ave !oo ,'%" o. o!"e$

*eo*le4& &o%#e!y !"an !oo ,'%" o. one4& o)n500 don4! !"#n2 eve$ $e+a$ded "#, .$o, a66a &o%#e!y *o#n! o. v#e)5Yo' 2no) )"a! ,ean66l#2e Colonel /#+"!,a$2( .o$ #n&!an%e5 W"en

)a& a %"#ld al)ay& !"o'+"! o. "#, a& a &o$! o. .a#$y +od,o!"e$66a *e$&on )"o )a& al)ay& d$o**#n+ .$o, !"e %lo'd& !o !a2e one .o$ d$#ve& #n !"e %o'n!$y( o$ )#!" a bo .o$ !"e *an!o,#,e50Eve la'+"ed a! "e$&el.( and !"en &#+"ed5 Ma$y loo2ed a! "e$ %'$#o'&ly .o$ a ,o,en!( .#nd#n+ &o,e!"#n+ %old( a !$a%e o. )ea$#ne&&o$ d#&da#n #n !"e %lea$ vo#%e and !"e *$e!!y( %"#ld#&" .a%e50P"#l#* )a& al)ay& l#2e !"a!( !"e 2#nde&!6666 He "a& al)ay& been

'#!e a "e$o .o$ ,e66a 2#nd o. Colonel Ne)%o,e50 T"en &"e b$o2e o.. $a!"e$ &'ddenly( .#nd#n+ Eve #n !'$n loo2#n+ a! "e$ #n '#$#n+ly50 &n4! #! %'$#o'& !"a! )e &"o'ld bo!" "ave 2no)n "#, &o lon+ )#!"o'!2no)#n+ ea%" o!"e$>0

0 &'**o&e #! )a& be%a'&e )e all l#ved &o ,'%" ab$oad5 And don4!!"#n2 P"#l#* !al2& abo'! "#& .$#end& ve$y ,'%"55550/ady ?a$ne!! #n!e$$'*!ed !"e @!e!e6a6!e!e@ %onve$&a!#on a! !"#& *o#n!(and )"en "e$ l#!!le b$o'+"a, "ad $olled a)ay( and a .e) o!"e$ la!e+'e&!& "ad le.! Eve alone )#!" "e$ "'&band( &"e &a! .o$ a .e),#n'!e& #n !"e de&e$!ed d$a)#n+6$oo,( a,on+ a )#lde$ne&& o. e,*!y%"a#$&( ,ed#!a!#n+( )#!" "e$ %"#n $e&!#n+ on one "and( and "e$ eye&ab&en!ly %on!e,*la!#n+ !"e &%a!!e$ed *e!al& o. a %o**e$6%olo'$ed$o&e( )"#%" "ad .allen .$o, &o,e d$e&& o$ bo' 'e! '*on one o. !"eO$#en!al $'+& )"#%" *a$!ly %ove$ed !"e *a$ 'e! .loo$50D#%2(0 &"e &a#d *$e&en!ly !o "e$ "'&band( )"o )a& lean#n+ a+a#n&!!"e $a#l& o. !"e ve$anda( la #ly en-oy#n+ a .#nal %#+a$e!!e( 0d#d #!eve$ &!$#2e yo' !"a! P"#l#* Ra#n"a, )a& #n love )#!" anybody>0/#+"!,a$2 !'$ned and +a ed a! "e$ !"$o'+" !"e o*en )#ndo))onde$#n+ly( al,o&! &'&*#%#o'&ly( and !"en b$o2e #n!o a la'+"50O$ !"a! anyone )a& #n love )#!" "#,>0 &"e *'$&'ed +$avely50 don4! !"#n2 eve$ no!#%ed #!(0 "e an&)e$ed( )#!" ano!"e$ d#&*layo. ,#$!"5 0W"a! "ave yo' d#&%ove$ed no)( l#!!le ,a!%",a2e$>00No! ,'%"5 )a& only !"#n2#n+5555 W"a! a *#!y C"a$le& )a&n4! "e$e!o6n#+"!;00O"( yo' l#!!le en#+,a; & #! !"a! dea$ C"a$le& )"o #& !o be *#!#ed(o$ )"o> We( .o$ #n&!an%e>0

'! Eve a&&',ed a &'*e$#o$ a#$( and /#+"!,a$2( )"o "a!ed $#ddle&(d#&,#&&ed !"e &'b-e%! and !"e end o. "#& %#+a$e!!e &#,'l!aneo'&ly5

CHAPTER II

One a.!e$noon( !"$ee ,on!"& la!e$( Ra#n"a,( .#nd#n+ "#,&el. #n !"ene#+"bo'$"ood o. Pa$!on S!$ee!( !oo2 !"e o%%a&#on o. 2no%2#n+ a!/ady ?a$ne!!4& doo$( and .o'nd( &o,e)"a! !o "#& &'$*$#&e( !"a! !"e



!)o lad#e& )e$e $e!'$ned5 n!$od'%ed #n!o !"e#$ *$e&en%e66!"ey )e$e&#!!#n+ #n !"e l#b$a$y( #n %lo&e *$o #,#!y !o a %on&#de$able.#$e66"e lea$n! !"a! !"e#$ &',,e$ )ande$#n+& !"a! yea$ "ad been o. no e !en&#ve na!'$e( and !"a! !"ey "ad %o,e #n!o $e&#den%e a )ee2 a+o5

T"ey "ad &*en! a ,on!" #n a %o'n!$y "o'&e #n e$2&"#$e( !"e old lady!old "#, *$e&en!ly( add#n+( )#!" an e *lana!o$y +$#,a%e( !"a! #! )a&a "o'&e )"#%" belon+ed !o a $ela!#on66!"e &o$! o. *la%e )"e$e one"ad !o v#&#! no) and a+a#n7 )"e$e a ,on!" )en! a ve$y lon+ )ay7)"e$e one "ad !o d$a) la$+ely on one4& %o'$!e&y66on one4& "y*o%$#&y<#. "e *$e.e$$ed !"e )o$d=( no! !o !"$o) '* !"e %a$d& a! on%e( and$e!#$e a.!e$ !"e .#$&! )ee25Ra#n"a, +a!"e$ed .$o, "e$ $e&#+ned an#,adve$&#on& !"a! !"e $ela!#on&,'&! be by ,a$$#a+e only !"e$e )a& no ?all#% 'al#!y #n !"ea!,o&*"e$e &"e de&%$#bed5

! )a& a ve$y n#%e "o'&e66:a%obean( &"e bel#eved66o$( $a!"e$( #!

)o'ld "ave been n#%e #. !"ey "ad "ad #! !o !"e,&elve&5 Un.o$!'na!ely(#! )a& ve$y .'ll !"e$e )e$e a +$ea! ,any &!'*#d ,en )"o &"o! allday( and a& ,any &!'*#d )o,en )"o !al2ed &%andal and )en! !o&lee* a.!e$ d#nne$7 al&o !"e$e )e$e &eve$al *a#$&66o$ d#d one &ay0b$a%e0>66o. yo'n+ *eo*le )"o .l#$!ed( b'! !"ey l#ved #n !"e%on&e$va!o$#e&5 W"en one d#d no! +o !o &lee* a.!e$ d#nne$( one

*layed $o'nd +a,e&( o$ ba%%a$a!5 S"e "e$&el. "ad $e.'&ed !o *lay(al!"o'+" !"ey "ad )#&"ed !o ,a2e "e$7 *e$&onally( &"e *$e.e$$ed !o+o !o &lee*( o$ !o l#&!en !o Ma$y4& ,'&#%5 Ye&( Ma$y )a& ,o$e.o$!'na!e !"ey "ad a ve$y +ood *#ano( and an o$+an5 Ma$y4& ,'&#%)a& a +$ea! &'%%e&&( al!"o'+" "e$ ad,#$e$& )e$e a*! !o %on.'&eO..enba%" )#!" C"o*#n7 and &o,e o. !"e )o,en a**ea$ed !o !"#n2 #!)a& no! '#!e ladyl#2e !o *lay &o )ell( )#!" &'%" a *$o.e&&#onal,anne$5 S!#ll( Ma$y4& ,'&#% )a& a &'%%e&&( and !"a! )a& ,o$e !"an%o'ld be &a#d o. "e$ o)n %onve$&a!#on5 T"a! "ad been a d#&!#n%!.a#l'$e; T"ey &ee,ed !o !"#n2 &"e )#&"ed !o ,a2e .'n o. !"#n+&66o. &a%$ed !"#n+&( !"e +a,e la)&( and a+$#%'l!'$e( and !"e E&!abl#&"edC"'$%"5 O. %o'$&e( &"e "ad no &'%" #n!en!#on #! )a& only !"a! &"e)#&"ed .o$ #n.o$,a!#on( .o$ #n&!$'%!#on #n !"e&e d#..#%'l! na!#onal#n&!#!'!#on&( )"#%"( lon+ a& &"e "ad ,ade "e$ "o,e #n En+land( &"e.ea$ed &"e )o'ld neve$ !"o$o'+"ly %o,*$e"end5Ma$y "ad &a! &#len!ly( )#!" "e$ "and& %la&*ed a%$o&& "e$ 2nee&()"#le "e$ a'n! *la%#dly *o'$ed .o$!" !"e&e and &#,#la$ %o,,en!&<)"#%" )e$e #n!e$&*e$&ed by 'e&!#on& and &y,*a!"e!#% ,ono&yllable&.$o, Ra#n"a,=( no! &o ,'%" a%$#,on#o'&ly( a& #n !"e !one o. !"e"',o$o'& $e*o$!e$( )"o #& !oo #nd#..e$en! !o be a%!'a!ed by a &en&eo. #n-'$y5T"e +#$l &!$'%2 "#, a& "av#n+ +$o)n !#$ed and l#&!le&&66,o$el#&!le&& !"an a ,e$ely *"y&#%al .a!#+'e )o'ld )a$$an!5 He#n!e$$'*!ed no) !o a&2 "e$ )#!" a !o'%" o. %o,*a&&#on #. &"e !oo "ad



been ve$y ,'%" bo$ed5He$ .#ne eye& )e$e ave$!ed a& &"e an&)e$ed "#,( &,#l#n+ a l#!!le0 a, $a!"e$ +lad !o be ba%25 ! )a& a *$e!!y *la%e( and !"e +a$den&)e$e %"a$,#n+( )"en #! d#d no! $a#n50/ady ?a$ne!! )a& ove$"ea$d !o ,'$,'$ #n!o !"e bla%2 ea$ o.

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ba%%a$a!( and M$5 Sylve&!e$ $e,on&!$a!ed5 ! )a& &'bl#,e; ! )a& !"eone ,o,en! o. a,'&e,en! vo'%"&a.ed ,e50Ma$y .l'&"ed( lo%2#n+ "e$ "and& !o+e!"e$ ne$vo'&ly( )#!" a !$a%e o.

*a&&#on50 ! )a& $#d#%'lo'&; #n!ole$able; He "ad no $#+"!6666;0/ady ?a$ne!! ben! .o$)a$d( !a2#n+ "e$ "and50Fo$+#ve ,e( @%"e$#e@; d#d no! ,ean !o annoy yo'5555 Yo' %an #,a+#ne"o) +lad )e )e$e !o &ee yo'(0 &"e added( )#!" a &'dden !'$n !oRa#n"a,5 0 ! )a& %"a$,#n+ o. yo' !o %all &o &oon7 yo' %o'ld "a$dly"ave e *e%!ed !o .#nd '&500Yo' ,'&! no! +#ve ,e !oo ,'%" %$ed#!5 "a**ened !o be '#!e nea$(#n Ha$ley S!$ee!5 %o'ld no! *a&& )#!"o'! #n '#$#n+500A"( )ell(0 &"e &a#d( 0&#n%e yo' a$e "e$e66660S"e )a& loo2#n+ ab&en!ly a)ay .$o, "#, #n!o an an!# 'e( &#lve$

ba&2e! )"#%" lay on !"e l#!!le !able by "e$ &#de( #n )"#%" )e$e,#&%ellaneo'& !$#.le&( odd *#e%e& o. la%e( !"#,ble& )"#%" &"e neve$ '&ed( a b$o2en .an( a bo o. %"o%ola!e&50Ma$y( ,y dea$(0 &"e &a#d '#%2ly( 0 a, &o &!'*#d; T"e old

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!"a! "e &*o2e !o dea. ea$&5 T"e old lady .o$ on%e )a& #na!!en!#ve&"e "ad &a! &%$een#n+ "e$ .a%e .$o, !"e .#$e )#!" a la$+e *al, .an)"#le "e 'nb'$dened "#,&el.( and &"e be+an no) )#!" a %e$!a#n"e&#!a!#on0My *$e!e !( P"#l#*; W"en &a#d !"a! ,ade #! .o$ yo' #! )a&

only "al. !$'e5 n e..e%!( ,y dea$( "ad &o,e!"#n+ !o !ellyo'66&o,e!"#n+ d#&a+$eeable500Con%e$n#n+ ,e>0 "e a&2ed50Ce$!a#nly(0 &"e &a#d660&o,e!"#n+ "ave "ea$d50He loo2ed va+'ely a%$o&& a! "e$( .#nd#n+ "e$ ob&%'$#!y a l#!!le&!$a#ned( )a#!#n+ .o$ "e$ !o &*ea25 T"e &#len%e !"a! #n!e$vened )a&

be+#nn#n+ !o "a$a&& "#,( )"en &"e &a#d &'ddenly0 )#ll be '#!e *la#n5 !"#n2 yo' o'+"! !o 2no)5 T"e$e #& a&%andal ab$oad abo'! yo'66abo'! yo' and &o,e )o,an500So,e )o,an;0 "e $e*ea!ed blan2ly5 0W"a! )o,an>0 He lean! ba%2 #n"#& %"a#$( la'+"#n+ "#& *lea&an!( lo) la'+"5 0 a, &o$$y(0 "e &a#d(

0 %an4! be a& &e$#o'&ly annoyed a& o'+"!7 #! #& !oo .ool#&"5 My%on&%#en%e $eally doe& no! "el* ,e !o d#&%ove$ "e$66!"#& )o,an5 Doyo' 2no) any ,o$e>0S"e &"oo2 "e$ "ead50 ! #& no! a n#%e &!o$y(0 &"e &a#d5 0No( "ave "ea$d no na,e7 only!"e &!o$y #& %'$$en!5 "ave "ea$d #! .$o, !"$ee &o'$%e&5 !"o'+"!yo' "ad be!!e$ 2no) o. #!500T"an2 yo'(0 "e an&)e$ed( $#&#n+ !o +o5 0Ye&( #! #& a !"#n+ one ,aya& )ell 2no)5 ! #& ve$y 2#nd o. !"e,( !"e&e *eo*le( !o !a2e &'%"!$o'ble( !o be &'..#%#en!ly #n!e$e&!ed5 U*on ,y "ono'$( do no!2no) !"a! ve$y ,'%" %a$e5 A.!e$ all( )"a! doe& #! ,a!!e$>00No!"#n+ !o ,e(0 &a#d /ady ?a$ne!!( )#!" a l#!!le &"$'+ o. d#&da#n660no!"#n+( @D#e' ,e *a$donne@; even #. #! )e$e !$'e500Well( +ood6bye(0 "e &a#d5A& "e "eld "e$ "and .o$ a ,o,en! be!)een "#& o)n "e !"o'+"! #!!$e,bled &l#+"!ly50A"( no;0 &"e &a#d '#%2ly7 0#! #& a *"$a&e de%l#ne5 Co,e and &ee,e &oon5 a, an old )o,an( ,y .$#end( and "ave o'!l#ved ,y+ene$a!#on5 "ave &a#d !oo ,any +ood6bye& #n ,y !#,e5 ! #& @a'$evo#$@500W#!" all ,y "ea$!(0 "e &a#d( &,#l#n+5 0@A' $evo#$@50He$ 'a#n! #n!#,a!#on66!"a! )a& !"e ,anne$ #n )"#%" "e %"a$a%!e$# ed#!66)a& al$eady d#&,#&&ed .$o, "#& ,#nd )"en "e e,e$+ed #n!o !"e&!$ee!5He "ad !oo ,any +$ave$ *$eo%%'*a!#on& !o be +$ea!ly !$o'bled by !"#&+$o!e& 'e &lande$5 ?o#n+ on "#& )ay( "o)eve$66a !e,*o$a$y %e&&a!#ono. !"e &o.!( *e$&#&!en! $a#n )"#%" "ad been .all#n+ .o$ ,o&! o. !"eday &'++e&!ed a )al266a %"an%e $e%olle%!#on b$o'+"! "#, !o a &'dden&!o*( %"an+#n+ "#& #nd#..e$en%e .o$ a ,o,en! #n!o !"e &"ado) o. *ale#nd#+na!#on5 Ho) d'll o. "#, no! !o "ave +'e&&ed a! on%e; #! ,'&! be



!"a! 'n.o$!'na!e +#$l( K#!!y C$#%"!on( )#!" )"o, b'&ybod#e& )e$ea&&o%#a!#n+ "#& na,e5 He )onde$ed "o) !"ey "ad d#&%ove$ed "e$( and

by )"o, !"e &!'*#d &!o$y "ad been &e! a.loa!5 T"e ba&ele&&ne&& o. !"e &%andal( %on-o#ned )#!" "#& #,,en&e a*a!"y -'&! !"en a& !oany!"#n+ ,o$e !"a! !"e ,al#%e o. ,en %o'ld do( #n%l#ned "#, !o

a,'&e,en!( !"e ,o$e &o a& "e $e.le%!ed "o) ,any ,on!"& #! )a& &#n%e!"e +#$l and "e$ )$e!%"ed "#&!o$y "ad *a&&ed .$o, "#& 2en5 He "ad.o'nd "e$ +one on "#& $e!'$n .$o, !aly #n !"e &*$#n+( leav#n+ noadd$e&& and b'! !"e b$#e.e&! a%2no)led+,en! o. "#& +ood6)#ll #n ano!e( )"#%" &!a!ed !"a! &"e "ad no lon+e$ any e %'&e .o$ #,*o&#n+ on"#& 2#ndne&&66"ad .o'nd .$#end&5 T"e le!!e$ %lo&ed( a& "e #,a+#ned(a *a#n.'l "#&!o$y( )"#%"( &#n%e "#& &e$v#%e "ad been( a.!e$ all( &o.$'#!le&&( "e %o'ld &ee ended )#!" $el#e.5 To "#& #n!e$*$e!a!#on(!"e +#$l "ad $e%ove$ed "e$ &%o'nd$el -o'$nal#&!( o$ a! lea&!%o,*elled "#, !o %on!$#b'!e !o "e$ &'**o$!7 and a.!e$ all( a& #!&ee,ed( "e "ad no! done )#!" "e$ ye!( !"o'+" !"e .a&"#on o. "e$

$e!'$n )a& +"o&!ly and #,,a!e$#al eno'+"5 T"e &'b-e%! +alled "#,7!"e$e )e$e al)ay& d#, *o&&#b#l#!#e& l'$2#n+ #n !"e ba%2+$o'nd o. #!)"#%" "e $e.'&ed !o %on!e,*la!e7 "e d#&,#&&ed #!5 H#& ,ed#!a!#on "ad%a$$#ed "#, !"$o'+" !"e b'&!le o. O .o$d S!$ee! !o !"e Ma$ble A$%"(and( !"e )ea!"e$ &!#ll en%o'$a+#n+ "#,( "e de%#ded !o !'$n #n!o !"ePa$25 Many $a#ny day& "ad ,ade !"e a#$ e %eed#n+ly &o.!( and #n "#&en-oy,en! o. !"#& 'n'&'al 'al#!y( and o. !"e &!$an+ely &)ee! odo'$ o. !"e )e! ea$!" and ,#lde)#n+ leave&( "e .o$+o! .o$ a )"#le a%e$!a#n ,o,en!o'& &en!en%e o. S#$ E+be$! Ro,e4&( )"#%" "ad -#n+led#n "#& "ead all !"a! a.!e$noon5 P$e&en!ly #! !$#**ed "#, '* a+a#n(l#2e !"e +$o&& ,elody o. a ,'&#%6"all &on+( and %a'&ed "#, !o d$o*ab&en!ly '*on !"e .#$&! &ea!( '#!e 'n%on&%#o'& !"a! #! )a& #n an'n)"ole&o,e %ond#!#on o. ,o#&!'$e5 He "ad !'$ned "#& ba%2 on !"e

b$#ll#an! *a!%"e& o. yello) and %o**e$6%olo'$ed %"$y&an!"e,',& on!"e .lo)e$6*lo!& .a%#n+ Pa$2 /ane( and "e loo2ed )e&!)a$d& ove$ a)#de$ e *an&e o. +$a&& and !$ee& !"e +$a&& be&!$e)ed )#!" b$#+"!a'!',nal leave&( !"e !$ee& ob&%'$ed and .o$,le&&( #n a $#&#n+ )"#!e,#&!( !"$o'+" )"#%" a *ale &'n &!$'++led and )a& van '#&"ed5 He "adneve$ been #n a .#!!e$ ,ood !o a**$e%#a!e !"e de%ay o. !"e yea$( and&'ddenly "e )a& &e# ed( #n !"e ,#d&! o. "#& de*$e&&#on( )#!" an#,,en&e !"$#ll( al,o&! %a'&#n+ "#, !o !"$o) o'! "#& a$,& )#!" ane,b$a%#n+ +e&!'$e !o !"e a'!',n( !"e ve$y *e$&onal %"a$,( !"e,y&!e$#o'& and *#!#.'l .a&%#na!#on o. !"e &ea&on )"o&e v#&#ble

bea'!y &ee,& !o #n%l'de all &*#$#!'al !"#n+&5 ! %a&! a &*ell ove$ "#, o. a lon+ ,en!al &#len%e( a& one ,#+"! &ay( #n )"#%" allde.#n#!e !"o'+"! e *#$ed( .$o, )"#%" "e a$o'&ed "#,&el. a! la&! )#!"a &"$'+ o. &el.6%on!e,*!( !o .#nd #ne *l#%able !ea$& #n "#& eye&5And -'&! !"en an #n!e$$'*!#on %a,e( no! al!o+e!"e$ 'n)el%o,e( #n !"e+$ee!#n+ o. a .a,#l#a$ vo#%e5 ! )a& /#+"!,a$2( )"o "ad d#&%ove$ed"#, #n !"e %o'$&e o. a $a*#d )al2 do)n !"e Ro)( and "ad %$o&&ed ove$



!"e &,all *a!%" o. #n!e$ven#n+ +$a&& !o ,a2e "#& &al'!a!#on&50 2ne) yo' by yo'$ ba%2(0 "e $e,a$2ed( a.!e$ !"ey "ad &"a2en"and&660!"e #ne..able lan+'o$ o. #!7 and( be&#de&( )"o el&e b'! yo')o'ld &#! .o$ %"o#%e on an O%!obe$ even#n+ #n &'%" a )$e!%"ed

*la%e>0

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loo2#n+ *a$!#%'la$ly .#!7 )"a! "ave yo' done )#!" yo'$&el.>00O"( a, .#! eno'+"(0 &a#d Ra#n"a, l#+"!ly7 0 "ave been #n /ondon(yo' &ee500Well( %an4! le! yo' +o no) yo' a$e "e$e5 Won4! yo' d#ne )#!" '&>O$ $a!"e$66no( bel#eve )e d#ne o'!5 Co,e ba%2 and "ave &o,e !ea7Eve )#ll be en%"an!ed5 $eally de%l#ne !o &#! #n !"a! *'ddle50Ra#n"a, $o&e &lo)ly50Pe$"a*& )#ll(0 "e &a#d5 0 )o'ld "ave %alled be.o$e( #. "ad!"o'+"! !"e$e )a& !"e lea&! %"an%e o. .#nd#n+ yo'5 And "o) do !"#n+&+o>0A& !"ey &!$olled alon+ !"$o'+" !"e de&e$!ed Pa$2( and /#+"!,a$2 en!e$!a#ned "#& .$#end )#!" an e !$ava+an! na$$a!#on o. !"e#$ ,#&e$#e& on !"e @/'%#.e$@( !"e %"$on#% &ea6&#%2ne&& o. !"e lad#e&( !"e#n%a*a%#!y and #n!o #%a!#on o. !"e &!e)a$d( and !"e d#&%on!en! o. eve$ybody on boa$d66"e &*o2e a& #. !"ey "ad en!e$!a#ned a%on&#de$able *a$!y66Ra#n"a,4& #n!e$e&!ed eye& "ad le#&'$e !o no!e a%"an+e #n "#,( no! al!o+e!"e$ 'ne *e%!ed5 He *$e&en!ed !"e &a,e"and&o,e( )ell6d$e&&ed( *$o&*e$o'& .#+'$e7 and ye! *$o&*e$#!y "ad#n &o,e de+$ee %oa$&ened "#,5 T"e old %"a$, o. "#& boy#&"%a$ele&&ne&& "ad been &'%%eeded by a %e$!a#n "a$d a&&'$an%e( an a#$ o. ,'ndane( #. no! al,o&! %o,,e$%#al &"$e)dne&&( )"#%" +ave "#, le&&!"e no!e o. an a$!#&! !"an o. a &'%%e&&.'l ,an o. b'&#ne&&5 And)"e$e !"e old /#+"!,a$2( !"e /#+"!,a$2 o. !"e Ca.e ?$e%%o day&(

b$o2e o'! a! !#,e&( #! )a& le&& *lea&an!ly !"an o. old( #n a %'$#o'&$e%2le&&ne&&( a !enden%y( )"#%" -a$$ed on Ra#n"a,4& &'&%e*!#blene$ve&( !o d#la!e )#!" a van#!y )"#%" )o'ld "ave been v'l+a$( "ad #!no! been al,o&! %"#ld#&"( on "#& lav#&" l#v#n+( !"e ,a+n#!'de o. "#&e *end#!'$e50Yo' ,'&! .#nd !"a! &o$! o. !"#n+ $a!"e$ a !a >0 "e a&2ed!en!a!#vely( a.!e$ a de&%$#*!#on )"#%" &!$'%2 "#, a& 'nne%e&&a$#ly



e 'be$an! o. a "o&*#!al#!y #n !"e &',,e$50O"( #! *ay& #n !"e lon+ $'n(0 $e,a$2ed !"e o!"e$ ea&#ly( 0!o 2ee*o*en "o'&e and +o eve$y)"e$e5 T"an2 Heaven( !"e 'n%le #& l#be$al; ad,#! )e "ave been +o#n+ a! $a!"e$ a *a%e la!ely5 '!( !"en( %an2no%2 o.. a %o'*le o. *#%!'$e& a& &oon a& "ave a l#!!le !#,e(

)"#%" )#ll $a#&e !"e )#nd a+a#n5 2no) )"a! !"e *'bl#% )an!&( ble&&#!;0Ra#n"a, &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$& $a!"e$ )ea$#ly50Poo$ *'bl#%; . #! )an!& a$! ,ade #n !"a! &*#$#!( #! #& )o$&e !"an

bel#eved50/#+"!,a$2 loo2ed a&2an%e a! "#,( .$o)n#n+ a l#!!le( *'ll#n+ a! "#&lon+ ,o'&!a%"e5 He )a& ab&o$bed .o$ &o,e !#,e66!"ey "ad !'$ned #n!o!"e Ed+)a$e Road( and !"e &o.! $a#n "ad be+'n a+a#n66#n #ne..e%!'al

*'$&'#! o. %ab&5 W"en a! la&! "e "ad %a'+"! a d$#ve$4& eye( and !"ey"ad &e!!led !"e,&elve& on !"e %'&"#on& o. a "an&o,( "e !'$nedab$'*!ly !o "#& %o,*an#on !o a&2 "#, #. "e "ad &een !"e A%ade,y

be.o$e #! %lo&ed50Yo' $e%o+n#&ed yo'$ do,a#n>0 "e a&2ed l#+"!ly( )"en !"e o!"e$ "ad$e&*onded #n !"e a..#$,a!#ve660#n ,y *#%!'$e( ,ean>0He &*o2e '#%2ly( #n "#& a%%'&!o,ed bl#!"e "ab#!7 #! ,#+"! "ave been,e$ely a ,o$b#d .an%y o. Ra#n"a,4& )"#%" !$a%ed a no!e o. an #e!y(o. %on%ealed 'nea&#ne&&( #n "#& a%%en!( !"a! !"e ba$e 'e&!#on&%a$%ely -'&!#.#ed5Ra#n"a, *a'&ed a ,o,en! #! )a& no! only a *a&&#n+ !"o'+"! o. O&)yn4& a%$#,ony( and o. !"e d#..#%'l! ,#n'!e& d'$#n+ )"#%" "e "ad

been !"$o)n a%$o&& /#+"!,a$2 a! !"e Do%2( !"a! %on&!$a#ned "#,7 #!)a& $a!"e$ !"e $e%olle%!#on o. "#& o)n %a$e.'l &%$'!#ny o. !"ed#&*'!ed %anva&( )"en "e "ad a! la&! d$a++ed "#,&el. )#!" ad#&a+$eeable &en&e o. ,o$al $e&*on&#b#l#!y #n!o '$l#n+!on Ho'&e(and "ad %o,e a)ay a! la&! &!$an+ely d#&&a!#&.#ed5 A% '#!!#n+ D#%2 o. any %on&%#o'& *la+#a$#&,( o. a b$ea%" o. %o,,on "one&!y( "e )a&d#&a+$eeably .#lled )#!" a &en&e o. !"e )o$24& #,,ea&'$able#n.e$#o$#!y !o O&)yn4& $'#ned ,a&!e$*#e%e5 ! )a& %leve$( anda'da%#o'&( and &!$#2#n+7 #! "ad "ad !"e .o$!'ne !o be &*lend#dly"'n+( and !"a! )a& all( .o$ all "#& +ood)#ll( "e %o'ld &ay5 And&#n%e( a.!e$ all( !"a! )a& &o l#!!le( )o'ld &!$#2e "#& .$#end a& b'!a %old !$#b'!e a.!e$ !"e *ane+y$#%& o. !"e ,o$n#n+ *a*e$&( "e

*$e.e$$ed !o &ay no!"#n+( de.!ly d$o**#n+ !"e &'b-e%!( and$e&*ond#n+ !o !"e .#$&! "al. o. "#& .$#end4& 'e&!#on alone50My do,a#n( D#%2> A"( .o$+o!7 yo' %an "a$dly "ave "ea$d !"a! #! #&,y do,a#n no lon+e$66o$ %ea&e& !o be ve$y &"o$!ly5 T"a! "a& %o,e !oan end7 "ave &old #!50/#+"!,a$2 )"#&!led &o.!ly50Well( yo' &'$*$#&e ,e; O. %o'$&e a, +lad7 )e )#ll be +lad !oo5 We&"all &ee ,o$e o. yo' no)( &'**o&e> o$ )#ll yo' l#ve ab$oad>00Ab$oad>0 e%"oed Ra#n"a, ab&en!ly5 0O"( ye&( ve$y *$obably5 '! !ell



,e( "o) #&66Eve>00A& )e &ee, !o be a$$#v#n+( !"#n2 )#ll le! "e$ !ell yo'"e$&el.50T"ey de&%ended( and Ra#n"a, )a#!ed &#len!ly )"#le "#& .$#endd#&%"a$+ed !"e %ab,an( and le! "#, #n )#!" "#& la!%"62ey #n!o !"e

b$#+"!( &*a%#o'& "all5 T"en( a.!e$ +lan%#n+ #n!o !"e e,*!yd$a)#n+6$oo,( /#+"!,a$2 *$e%eded "#, '* !"e !"#%2 %a$*e!ed &!a#$&(on )"#%" !"e#$ .oo!&!e*& &%a$%ely &o'nded( and &!o**ed a! !"e doo$ o. Eve4& bo'do#$( !"$o'+" )"#%" a )o,an4& vo#%e( &*ea2#n+ $a!"e$ $a*#dly( and( a& #! &!$'%2 "#,( #n a 2ey o. a+#!a!#on( .ell '*onRa#n"a,4& ea$ )#!" a %e$!a#n .a,#l#a$#!y( !"o'+" "e )a& &'$e #! )a&no! Eve4&( and %o'ld no! $e,e,be$ )"en o$ )"e$e "e ,#+"! "ave "ea$d#!5 A.!e$ a ,o,en! !"ey )en! #n5

CHAPTER II

T"e$e a$e o%%a&#on& )"en !"o'+"! #& !e$$#bly and %o,*$e"en&#vely&'dden !"e $'d#,en!a$y *$o%e&&e& o. $ea&on#n+( by analo+y and&yllo+#&,( &o &lo) and &o labo$#o'&( !'$n !o d#v#na!#on5 We "ave ano%%'l! v#&#on( #,,ed#a!e and %o,*le!e( #n!o !"e ob&%'$e ,anne$ o. l#.e( and %$o)d an #n.#n#!y o. d#&%ove$y #n!o a ve$y .e) &e%ond&5 !)a& &o )#!" P"#l#* Ra#n"a, no)5 /#+"!,a$2 "ad &%a$%ely %lo&ed !"edoo$( a+a#n&! )"#%" "e no) &!ood #n a bla%2 &#len%e( )#!" !"e a#$ o. a ,an !'$ned !o &!one7 Ra#n"a,4& eye& "ad only .allen on%e '*on !"e!)o .#+'$e& on !"e &o.a66Eve %$'&"ed #n a %o$ne$( a &o$$o).'l(da#n!y &"a*e #n !"e &#l2 and la%e o. "e$ *$e!!y !ea6+o)n( )#!" !"e)"#!e d$a)n .a%e o. a &%a$ed %"#ld7 K#!!y C$#%"!on( #n "e$ %loa2 and"a!( bend#n+ .o$)a$d a l#!!le( !"e "e%!#% .l'&" o. &!$on+ e %#!e,en!%olo'$#n+ "e$ %"e%2&( !"a! )e$e al$eady b$anded by "e$ ,alady66)"en"e 'nde$)en! a ,o$al $evol'!#on5 He "ad no ,o$e !o lea$n5 He +lan%eda! /#+"!,a$2 %'$#o'&ly( al,o&! #,*a$!#ally( "#& loa!"#n+ &!$an+ely!e,*e$ed by a &o$! o. &el.6%on!e,*!( !"a! "e &"o'ld "ave been &odel'ded5 T"e %l',&y l#e& )"#%" !"#& ,an "ad !old "#,( and )"#%" "e#n "#& #ndolen! %"a$#!y "ad bel#eved; All a! on%e( and .#nally( #n a.la&" o. b$'!al #ll',#na!#on( "e &a) /#+"!,a$2( )"o "ad on%e been"#& .$#end( a& "e $eally )a&( na2ed and 'n%lean5 ! &!$#**ed "#, o. all "#& &'*e$.#%#al 'al#!#e&7 !"e ,a&2 o. +en#al +ood6na!'$e( !"ea#$ o. +ood6.ello)&"#*( 'nde$ )"#%" "#& +$o&& e+o#&, lay %on%ealed!"a! #! ,#+"! be ,o$e &e%'$ely ,#&%"#evo'& )"en #! )en! loo&e5 H#&a,#ab#l#!y )a& an #,*o&!'$e( a dan+e$o'& "a$le '#nade7 !"e ,an )a&

bad5 ! )a& a *la'&#ble &%o'nd$el( a v'l+a$ *$o.l#+a!e )#!" a"and&o,e .a%e and a .e) %"ea* !alen!&66"ad "e no! been $ed'%ed !o&!eal#n+ !"e *#%!'$e o. "#& .$#end>66)"o, !"e&e !)o )o,en "ad loved(!o )"o, one o. !"e, )a& ,a$$#ed5 A"( !"e &!#n+ o. #! lay !"e$e; ?oodo$ bad( "e )a& Eve4& "'&band( and &"e )a& "#& )#.e( bo'nd !o "#,'n!#l !"e end5 And !"en( .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( &ee#n+ "e$ !"e$e(



"el*le&& and !e$$#.#ed( #n "e$ .o$lo$n *$e!!#ne&&( "e de%e#ved"#,&el. no lon+e$( )$a**ed '* "#& !ende$ne&& .o$ !"e )o,an( "#&an+$y *#!y .o$ "e$ ,#&e$y !"a! )a& %o,#n+( #n no .al&e !e$,&5 S'%"&el.6de%e*!#on( "one&! a& #! "ad been( )a& no lon+e$ *o&&#ble5 He2ne) no) !"a! "e loved "e$( and all !"a! "#& love "ad been66!"e ve$y

&al! and &avo'$ o. l#.e !o "#,( !"e one del#%#o'& and ado$able *a#n$el#ev#n+ !"e +$ay @enn'#@ o. !"e $e&! o. #!( !o $e,a#n )#!" "#,al)ay& <even( a& #! &ee,ed no)( #n !"e ve$y a$!#%le o. dea!"= a& a$e,#nde$ o. !"e #n!ole$able &)ee!ne&& )"#%" l#.e( 'nde$ o!"e$ %ond#!#on&( ,#+"! "ave %on!a#ned5 And #ne *l#%ably( #n !"e ,#d&! o. "#& de&ola!#on( "#& "ea$! &an+ a &o$! o. .#e$%e *aean a& a )o,an(del#ve$ed o. a ,an6%"#ld( +oe& !$#',*"#n+ !o ,ee! !"e &o$d#dne&& o. dea!"( &o )a& !"e$e #n Ra#n"a,4& $a*#d a%%e*!an%e o. "#& .$'#!le&&and #ne..e%!'al love a d#&!#n%! &en&e o. v#%!o$y( #n )"#%" *a#ne *#$ed66v#%!o$y ove$ !"e ,eanne&& and !$#v#al#!y o. ,ode$n l#.e()"#%" %o'ld neve$ &ee, '#!e ,ean and !$#v#al a+a#n( &#n%e "e "ad

*$oved #! !o be %a*able o. &'%" ,o,en!&7 "ad loo2ed on%e66and %o'ld&o &#n+ "#& 0N'n% D#,#!!#&066'*on !"e .a%e o. love5 And #! all"a**ened #n a &e%ond( and #n a .'$!"e$ &e%ond66.o$ "#& !"o'+"!(

'#%2ened by !"e e,e$+en%y( &!#ll lea*! .o$)a$d )#!" #n%$ed#ble&)#.!ne&&66a +$ea! a'da%#!y &e# ed P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( !o &ave !"e

beloved )o,an *a#n5 T"e dev#l )o'ld be a! "#, la!e$( )o'ld be&e!"#,( "a$a&& "#,( ,adden "#, )#!" "#n! and o**o$!'n#!y o. *$o.#!#n+

by /#+"!,a$24& .o$.e#!'$e5 '! !"e dev#l4& !'$n )a& no! ye!7 "e )a&.#lled only )#!" "#& +$ea! and $eve$en! love( "#& &'bl#,e *#!y .o$ !"e l#!!le !$a+#%al .#+'$e #n .$on! o. "#,( )"o&e "o'&e o. *a#n!ed%a$d& !',bled5 Well; "e ,#+"! &ave #! .o$ "e$ .o$ a l#!!lelon+e$66a! lea&!( !"e$e )a& one de&*e$a!e %"an%e )"#%" "e )o'ld !$y5He "ad l#ved !oo lon+( 'n%on&%#o'&ly( #n !"e "ab#! o. &ee2#n+ "e$ "a**#ne&&( !"a! #! &"o'ld .a#l "#, no) #n "e$ ev#l "o'$( #n !"e.#$&! .l'&" o. "#& ne) %on&%#o'&ne&& <a"( ye&( !"e$e )a& bea'!y #n!"a!( and v#%!o$y;=( .o$ any ba&e *e$&onal !"o'+"! o$ an#,o&#!ya+a#n&! !"e ,an5 He )o'ld "ave +#ven "e$ &o ea&#ly "#& l#.e7 &"o'ld"e +$'d+e "e$ "#& $e*'!a!#on> T"e $e*'!a!#on o. a ,an )#!" one .oo!#n !"e +$ave66)"a! d#d #! ,a!!e$> And #! all %a,e abo'! #n a .e)&e%ond&5

e.o$e any one o. !"a! &!$an+e %o,*any "ad .o'nd !#,e !o &*ea2(Ra#n"a, "ad +$a&*ed !"e &#!'a!#on( 2ne) "#,&el. a! la&! and !"eo!"e$&( and )a& *$e*a$ed( &%a$%ely %o'n!#n+ !"e %o&!( )#!" "#&&*lend#d l#e5 He ,ade a &!e* .o$)a$d( !"en &!o**ed &'ddenly( a& #. "e )e$e b$a%#n+ "#,&el. .o$ a ,o$al %on.l#%!5 H#& .a%e )a& ve$y)"#!e and $#+#d( "#& ,o'!" &e! .#$,ly7 and !"e o!"e$ !"$ee )a!%"ed"#, )#!" a &!$an+e e *e%!an%y de*#%!ed on all !"e#$ %o'n!enan%e&(a,#d&! !"e va$#o'& e,o!#on& *$o*e$ !o ea%" o. !"e,7 .o$ "e alone "ad!"e a#$ o. be#n+ ,a&!e$ o. !"e &#!'a!#on5 And "#& $e&olve "ad need!o be ve$y 2een( .o$ -'&! !"en Eve d#d a !"#n+ )"#%" ,#+"! "ave



)$e%2ed #!5 S"e $o&e and %a,e &!$a#+"! !o)a$d& "#,7 "e$ *$e!!y(d#&!$e&&ed .a%e )a& $a#&ed !o "#&( &!#ll( #n &*#!e o. #!& )o,anlyan+'#&"( )#!" &o,e o. !"e *lead#n+ o. a .$#+"!ened %"#ld( )"o $'n&#n&!#n%!#vely #n #!& e !$e,#!y !o !"e *e$&on )"o, #! 2no)& be&!7 and&"e +ave "#, "e$ !)o l#!!le !$e,bl#n+ "and&( )"#%" "e "eld .o$ a

,o,en! &#len!ly50P"#l#*(0 &"e &a#d( #n a lo)( %on&!$a#ned vo#%e660P"#l#*( "ave2no)n yo' all ,y l#.e66lon+e$ !"an anyone5 Yo' )e$e al)ay& +ood !o,e5 Tell ,e )"e!"e$ #!4& !$'e o$ no! )"a! !"#& )o,an "a& !old ,e5P"#l#*( &"all d#e #. !"#& be !$'e;0He ben! "#& "ead .o$ a ,o,en!5 He "ad a )#ld lon+#n+ !o +#ve '*(&#,*ly !o %la&* "e$ #n "#& a$,& and %on&ole "e$ )#!" 2#&&e& and#n%o"e$en! )o$d& o. !ende$ne&&( a& "e "ad done yea$& a+o( )"en &"e)a& a ve$y &,all %"#ld( and $an !o "#, )#!" "e$ !ea$6&!a#ned %"ee2&(a.!e$ a d#..#%'l!y )#!" "e$ +ove$ne&&5 '! "e only *'! "e$ a)ay .$o,"#, ve$y '#e!ly and &adly5

0 ! #& no! !$'e(0 "e &a#d '#e!ly( 0#. #! #& any!"#n+ a+a#n&! yo'$ "'&band50T"e +#$l on !"e &o.a( K#!!y C$#%"!on( $o&e7 &"e ,ade a &!e* .o$)a$d#$$e&ol'!ely( &ee,ed on !"e *o#n! o. &*ea2#n+( b'! &o,e!"#n+ #nRa#n"a,4& eye& %oe$%ed "e$( and Eve )a& %$y#n+5 He %on!#n'ed ve$y.a&! and lo)( a& !"o'+" "e !old )#!" d#..#%'l!y &o,e &"a,e.'l &!o$y(lea$n! by $o!e50 !ell yo' #! #& no! !$'e5 /#+"!,a$2(0 "e added &!e$nly( 0!"e$e "a&

been a ,#&!a2e66yo' &ee !"a!66.o$ )"#%" a*olo+# e5 Wa2e '*( .o$ ?od4& &a2e; Co,e and &ee a.!e$ yo'$ )#.e7 &o,e &lande$ "a& '*&e!"e$5 T"#& )o,an #&66,#ne7 )#ll !a2e "e$ a)ay50T"e +#$l !$e,bled v#olen!ly7 &"e a**ea$ed .a&%#na!ed( !e$$#.#ed #n!oa *a&&#ve obed#en%e by Ra#n"a,4& #,*e$#o'& eye&( )"#%" b'$n! #n "#&)"#!e .a%e l#2e !"e eye& o. a dy#n+ ,an5 S"e .ollo)ed( "al. 'n%on&%#o'&ly( "#& be%2on#n+ "and5 '! Eve %on.$on!ed "e$ be.o$e &"e$ea%"ed !"e doo$50W"o, a, !o bel#eve>0 &"e %$#ed &%o$n.'lly5 0W"y d#d yo' &ay #!>W"a! )a& !"e +ood o. #!66a l#e l#2e !"a!> ! #& a l#e( &'**o&e>00Ye&( ye&;0 &a#d !"e +#$l "y&!e$#%ally( 0#! &ee,& &o5 O"( le! ,e +o(,ada,; 4, &o$$y !old yo'5 4ll !$o'ble nobody ,'%" lon+e$5 Call#! a l#e50S"e !"$e) o'! "e$ "and& "el*le&&ly7 &"e )o'ld "ave .allen( b'!Ra#n"a, %a'+"! "e$ )$#&!( d$e) "e$ !o)a$d "#,( &'**o$!#n+ "e$ )#!"an a$,50Co,e(0 "e &a#d .#$,ly( 0!"#& #& no *la%e .o$ '&50Eve $e+a$ded !"e, all &!$an+ely( va+'ely( !"e !e$$o$ +$ad'ally dy#n+o'! o. "e$ eye&66/#+"!,a$2 e *$e&&#onle&& and &#len!( a& "e "ad beenall !"$o'+" !"e #n!e$v#e)7 !"e )o,an !$e,bl#n+ on Ra#n"a,4& a$,( )"o&!ood be&#de "e$ )#!" "#& do)n%a&! eye&( !"e *#%!'$e o. %on&%#o'&+'#l!5 A %'$#o'& an+'#&" !oo *ale !o be #nd#+na!#on *l'%2ed a! "e$



"ea$!6&!$#n+&66an+'#&" #n )"#%"( 'na%%o'n!ably( !"e .al&e %"a$+ea+a#n&! "e$ "'&band )a& &%a$%ely %on&#de$ed7 !"a! "ad be%o,eal!o+e!"e$ $e,o!e and 'n$eal( &o,e!"#n+ ba$ely "#&!o$#%al( .ad#n+al$eady a)ay #n !"e d#, &"ado)& o. !"e *a&!5 W"a! "'$! "e$( )#!" ad'll *a#n )"#%" &"e %o'ld no! analy&e( )a& !"e &'dden !a$n#&"#n+ o.

a &%a$%ely6ad,#!!ed #deal by Ra#n"a,4& del#be$a!e %on.e&&#on( ,a2#n+l#.e a**ea$ .o$ !"e ,o,en! #n!ole$ably &o$d#d and ,ean5 Wo'ld &"e"ave o)ned !o "e$&el. !"a!( )#!" an al,o&! 'n%on&%#o'& #n&!#n%!( &"e"ad -'d+ed !"e&e !)o ,en all alon+ by a d#..e$en! &!anda$d> Ha$dly&"e loved "e$ "'&band( and "e$ ,a$$#a+e "ad no! ye! d#&&#*a!ed !"e,e,o$y o. !"o&e +olden day& o. #ll'&#on *$e%ed#n+ #!( #n )"#%" "e$ love "ad been o. a .#ne$ 2#nd5 Only !"a! !#,e( #n )"#%" #! )o'ld"ave been #,*o&&#ble .o$ "e$ !o -'d+e "#,( #n )"#%" "e %o'ld only do$#+"! #n "e$ eye&( )a& +one5 O%%a&#on& "ad a$$#ved )"en !"ey "ad#nev#!ably !o d#..e$( on )"#%" !"e +#$l "ad +en!ly a% '#e&%ed66#. no! )#!"o'! a !o'%" o. &%o$n66#n "#& a%!#on( b'! "ad no! .el!

obl#+ed !o a%%e*! "#& *o#n! o. v#e)5 T"e$e "ad been !#,e& )"en "e$ *$#de "ad &'..e$ed66.o$ 'nde$nea!" "e$ %"#ld#&" e !e$#o$( "e$ a#$ o. be#n+ -'&! a da#n!y l#!!le .#+'$e o. Wa!!ea'( &"e "ad a ve$y&en&#!#ve and del#%a!e *$#de o. "e$ o)n66and !"en( #. &"e "ad&'%%eeded #n .o$+#v#n+ /#+"!,a$2( #! "ad no! been )#!"o'! an e..o$!)"#%" "ad ,ade #! d#..#%'l! .o$ "e$ !o *a$don "e$&el.5 So,e!#,e&(!"o'+" &"e )o'ld &%a$%ely "ave %on.e&&ed #!( "e$ "'&band4& ,e$ea**$oba!#vene&& "ad al,o&! &"o%2ed "e$5 ! )a& +ood( no do'b!( !o be

*o*'la$( "a$,le&& even( !o %a$e .o$ *o*'la$#!y66a! lea&!( one4&!$ad#!#on& de%la$ed no!"#n+ !o !"e %on!$a$y7 b'! !o %a$e &oe o$b#!an!ly a& /#+"!,a$2 a**ea$ed !o do( !o &a%$#.#%e &o ,'%" !oone4& en!"'&#a&, .o$ *lea&#n+ #n.e$#o$ *eo*le66*eo*le )"o,( be"#nd!"e#$ ba%2&( one )a& '#!e $eady !o !ea$ !o *#e%e&( allo)#n+ !"e,ne#!"e$ #n!ell#+en%e no$ v#$!'e66#n -'&! !"a! !"e$e &ee,ed !o "e$ &o,e .la) o. !a&!e !"a! )a& al,o&! l#2e a %on.e&&#on o. .a#l'$e5S'$ely &"e loved "#,( and )a& $eady !o .o$+#ve "#, ,'%" no! .o$ )o$ld& )o'ld &"e "ave %on.e&&ed !o d#&#ll'&#on5 And ye!( no) anda+a#n( )"en !"e $'&" and o&!en!a!#on o. !"e#$ ne) l#.e( )#!" #!&,ono!ony o. d#nne$& and dan%e&66&o l#!!le l#2e !"a! )"#%" &"e "adan!#%#*a!ed a& !"e .'!'$e lo! o. a *a#n!e$4& )#.e66"ad le.! "e$ $a!"e$ )ea$y( a !$#.le &ad( &"e "ad !"o'+"! &'ddenly o. "e$ old.$#end P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( and !"e !"o'+"! "ad &ola%ed "e$5 T"e$e #& a&o$! o. *lea&'$e( even )"en one #& ,a$$#ed !o !"e ,o&! a,#able o. "'&band&( and #& +e!!#n+ '#!e old66ve$y nea$ly !)en!y66#n !'$n#n+.$o, !#,e !o !#,e !o a *e$&on )"o "a& 2no)n one #n !"e ve$y &"o$!e&!o. .$o%2&( and )"o&e #n!#,a!e %onne%!#on )#!" %"o%ola!e& and0!$ea!&0 #& a,on+ one4& ea$l#e&! !$ad#!#on&5 S"e ,ade no %on!$a&!&7and ye! )"en o%%a&#onally on one o. !"o&e a.!e$noon&66!"e$e &ee,ed!o be &o ,any o. !"e,66)"en &"e )a& 0a! "o,e(0 )"en "e$ b$#+"!(la$+e d$a)#n+6$oo, )a& .'lle&!( and &"e )a& d#&!$a%!ed !o .#nd



"e$&el. %on.'&#n+( a,#d&! !"e %la!!e$ o. !ea%'*&( dea$ M$&5Hende$&on( )"o *a#n!ed )#ld6.lo)e$& &o %leve$ly( )#!" dea$ /ady/o$#,e$( )"o )a& +o#n+ on !"e &!a+e( &"e loo2ed '* and &a) Ra#n"a,"ove$#n+ #n !"e nea$ d#&!an%e( o$ &#!!#n+ )#!" "#& !ea%'* balan%ed#n one lon+ )"#!e "and a& "e !'$ned a *ol#!ely !ole$an! ea$ !o !"e

&,all !al2 o. a ne#+"bo'$( &"e .el! &!$an+ely $e&!ed5 T$o'ble o$ %on.'&#on ,#+"! %o,e( &"e !old "e$&el.( and "o) &'ddenly all !"e&e%"a$,#n+ *eo*le( )"o )e$e &o &'$*$#&#n+ly al#2e( and )"o&e na,e&)e$e &o e a&*e$a!#n+ly d#..e$en!( )o'ld d#&a**ea$5 Dea$ M$&5Hende$&on and dea$ /ady /o$#,e$( and !"a! od#o'& M$&5 Dollond66)"a!)a& &"e &ay#n+ !o D#%2 no) )"#%" "ad !o be &*o2en )#!" an a#$ o. &'%" e a++e$a!ed #n!#,a%y #n &o d#&%$ee! an 'nde$!one>66"o) &)#.!ly!"ey )o'ld all be +one( l#2e !"e &no)& o. la&! yea$; Only P"#l#*Ra#n"a,( &"e )a& &'$e( )o'ld be !"e$e &!#ll( a l#!!le olde$(

*e$"a*&( )#!" !"e a#$ o. be#n+ a l#!!le ,o$e !#$ed o. !"#n+&( b'!#n)a$dly !"e &a,e( 'nal!e$ably loyal and %e$!a#n5 T"e *$o&*e%! )a&

%'$#o'&ly &'&!a#n#n+( !"e ,o$e #n !"a! &"e "ad no !an+#ble %a'&e o. 'nea&#ne&&( )a& an e !$e,ely "a**y )o,an66#! )a& &o !"a! &"e )o'ld"ave ,o&! .$e 'en!ly de&%$#bed "e$&el.66only +$o)#n+ a! !#,e& al#!!le )ea$y o. !"e .a&"#onable !$ead6,#ll( and !"e da#ly $o'!#ne o. no! *a$!#%'la$ly noble #n!e$e&!& )"#%" #! #nvolved5 Ca!%"#n+ "#&eye& &o,e!#,e&( a& "e &a! !"e$e( loo2#n+ o'! #dly( #nd#..e$en!ly('*on #! all66!"#& &'%%e&& )"#%" )a& !"e b$ea!" o. l#.e !oD#%266&"e .o'nd "#, &o,e)"a! ad,#$able7 d#&da#n.'l( .a&!#d#o'&($e&e$ved66benea!" "#& &'$.a%e +ood6"',o'$( "#& %on&!an! 2#ndne&&( "e%o'ld &%a$%ely be a "a**y ,an5 n .la&"e& o. &'dden +$a!#!'de( &"e)o'ld "ave been +lad o.!en !o "ave done &o,e!"#n+ .o$ "#,( "ad !"e$e

been any!"#n+ #n !"e )o$ld !o do5 And !"en &"e la'+"ed a! "e$&el. .o$ &'%" a va#n #,a+#na!#on5 Had #! no! been "#& *$o*e$ %"a$, allalon+ !"a! "e )a& a ,an .o$ )"o, one %o'ld do no!"#n+> *$e%#&ely(

be%a'&e "e )an!ed no!"#n+( )a& &o +en'#nely #nd#..e$en! !o any!"#n+!"a! l#.e %o'ld o..e$> And no) all !"a! )a& a! an end7 by "#& o)n%on.e&&#on "e "ad .#n#&"ed #!( ad,#!!#n+ "#,&el.( )#!" a .$an2ne&&al,o&! b$'!al( a ,an l#2e o!"e$ ,en( only )#!" *a&&#on& ,o$e &o$d#d(and a !e,*e$ ,o$e 'n&%$'*'lo'&( #n !"a! "e "ad $'#ned !"#& )$e!%"ed)o,an( )"o&e %o,#n+ !"e$e "ad le.! a !$a#l o. v#lene&& ove$ "e$ o)nl#.e50A"( ye&( +o;0 &"e &a#d( a.!e$ a )"#le( an&)e$#n+ Ra#n"a,4&e %la,a!#on5 0Fo$ *#!y4& &a2e( +o;0Ra#n"a, bo)ed "#& "ead( obeyed "e$7 a& !"e doo$ %lo&ed be"#nd !"e,"e %o'ld "ea$ !"a! &"e %$#ed &o.!ly( and !"a! /#+"!,a$2( "#& &#len%ea! la&! b$o2en( %on&oled "e$ )#!" #na'd#ble )o$d&5

CHAPTER II B

Ra#n"a, !'$ned a! $ando, o'! o. ?$ove Road( )al2#n+ a#,le&&ly( and



ve$y .a&!( )#!"o'! %on&#de$#n+ d#$e%!#on5 He "ad *a&&ed !"e +#$l4&a$, !"$o'+" "#& o)n a& !"ey le.! !"e "o'&e7 and #n a &o$! o. &!'*e.#ed obed#en%e &"e "ad &'b,#!!ed5 To "e$( !oo( one )ay )a& !"e&a,e a& ano!"e$( a& d$ea$y and a& va#n5 W#!" Ra#n"a,( #ndeed( a.!e$ !"e !en&#on o. !"e la&! .e) ,#n'!e&( #n!o )"#%" "e "ad %$o)ded &'%"

a )eal!" o. &'..e$#n+ and o. #ll',#na!#on( a %'$#o'& &!'*o$ "ad&'%%eeded5 Fo$ !"e ,o,en! "e ne#!"e$ !"o'+"! no$ &'..e$ed &#,*ly(#! )a& +ood !o be o'! !"e$e( #n !"e da$2ne&&66!"e da$2ne&& o. /ondon66a.!e$ !"a! #,,en&e *l'n+e( )"#%" )a& &!#ll !oo nea$ "#,(!"a! "e &"o'ld a!!e,*! !o a**$e%#a!e #! #n all #!& $ela!#on&5

y6and6by )o'ld be !"e &ea&on o. $e%2on#n+( !"e -'&! and del#%a!eanaly&#&( by n#%ely %$#!#%al na!'$e( o. all !"a! "e "ad del#be$a!elylo&!( )"en "e ,#+"! $'n de&*e$a!ely be.o$e !"e )"#*& o. "#& o)n!"o'+"!7 no) "e .el! only !"e le!"a$+y )"#%" &'%%eed& &!$en'o'&a%!#on( !"a! "a& been( #n a ,ea&'$e( v#%!o$#o'&7 !"e *"y&#%al)ell6be#n+ o. )al2#n+ $a*#dly( va+'ely( !"$o'+" !"e %o,.o$!able

&"ado)&( allo)#n+ !"e %old $a#n !o *el! $e.$e&"#n+ly '*on "#& .a%eand a%"#n+ !e,*le&5 And #! )a& no! 'n!#l !"ey "ad +one &o !"$o'+"&eve$al &!$ee!&( )"o&e na,e& )e$e a blan2 !o "#,( !"a! Ra#n"a,

be!"o'+"! "#,( )#!" a !o'%" o. &el.6$e*$oa%"( o. "#& %o,*an#on( and"o) #ll "e$ !"#n +a$,en!& and &lende$ .#+'$e )e$e %al%'la!ed !o&'..e$ !"e do)n*o'$( )"#%" "e only .o'nd %on&ol#n+5 He d$e) "e$ #n!o!"e &"el!e$ o. a doo$)ay( &#+nalled !o a *a&&#n+ %ab7 and -'&! !"en(!"e l#+"! o. an ad-a%en! &!$ee! la,* .all#n+ '*on "e$ .a%e( "e$eal# ed .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e #n #!& &'n2en o'!l#ne !"e *$o+$e&& o. "e$ ,alady50 be+ yo'$ *a$don(0 "e &a#d +en!ly7 0 d#d no! 'nde$&!and !"a! yo')e$e #ll5 Yo' ,'&! !ell ,e )"e$e yo' a$e lod+#n+( and )#ll !a2eyo' ba%250 T"en( a& !"o'+" "e an!#%#*a!ed "e$ "e&#!a!#on( a !$#b'!e!o "e$ old a,b#+'#!y( be%o,e &o '&ele&&( "e added d$yly 0Yo' %an!ell ,e yo'$ add$e&&7 yo' "ave no $ea&on !o "#de yo'$&el. no)50S"e +lan%ed '* a! "#, .'$!#vely( &"$#n2#n+ ba%2 a l#!!le a& !"o'+"&"e .ea$ed "#& #$ony50 l#ve #n C"a$lo!!e S!$ee!( No5 665 '! *$ay le! ,e +o alone( &#$;

! )#ll no! be yo'$ )ay500 "ave $oo,& #n loo,&b'$y(0 "e an&)e$ed5 0 ! )#ll be en!#$ely on,y )ay50And !"e +#$l ,ade no .'$!"e$ *$o!e&!( )"en "e "anded "e$ #n!o !"e%ab( an #n%onven#en! .o'$6)"eele$ )"#%" "ad $e&*onded !o "#& &#+nal(and( a.!e$ +#v#n+ !"e d$#ve$ !"e add$e&& )"#%" &"e "ad #nd#%a!ed(!oo2 "#& *la%e &#len!ly be&#de "e$5 Pe$"a*& &o,e!"#n+ o. Ra#n"a,4&o)n le!"a$+y "ad #n.e%!ed "e$( a.!e$ a &%ene &o .eve$#&"7 o$ *e$"a*&&"e %o'ld no! b'! .eel d#,ly( and #n a ,anne$ no! !o be analy&ed("o) !"a!( d#&!an! and a*a$! a& !"ey !)o &ee,ed( ye! )#!"#n !"e la&!"o'$( by Ra#n"a,4& a%!#on( be!)een "e$ l#.e and "#& a &'b!#le(#nv#&#ble %"o$d "ad been &!$e!%"ed( &o !"a! !"e o$de$ o. "e$ +o#n+



,#+"! )ell $e&! )#!" "#,5S"e %a&! .'$!#ve +lan%e& a! "#, .$o, !#,e !o !#,e a& "e &a! ba%2(ob&%'$e #n "#& %o$ne$( +a #n+ o'! )#!" eye& )"#%" &a) no!"#n+ a! !"e

bl'$$ed +a&6la,*&( and !"e $ed .la&"e& o. !"e ,o$e $a*#d ve"#%le&)"#%" o'!&!$#**ed !"e,5 And no) !"a! !"e .#$&! &!'*e.y#n+ e..e%! o.

"#& #n!e$ven!#on )a& )ea$#n+ a)ay66#! &ee,ed l#2e a ,ad &%ene #n a!"ea!$e( o$ &o,e ,on&!$o'& d$ea,( &o &'$*$#&#n+ and 'n$eal66"e$ *$#,#!#ve %on&%#o'&ne&& a)o2e( and &e! "e$ )onde$#n+( #n '#$#n+()#!" be)#lde$,en! !"a! )a& a2#n !o !e$$o$( #n!o !"e ,o!#ve& and

bea$#n+ o. !"e#$ -o#n! %ond'%!5 ! "ad &ee,ed !o "e$ na!'$al eno'+"!"en( a& do !"e ,o&! +$o!e& 'e o. o'$ &lee*#n+ v#&#on& )"en !"ey a$e

*a&&#n+7 b'! no) !"a! &"e )a& a)a2e( $el#eved .$o, !"e %oe$%#on o. "#& eye&( &"e )a& $o'ndly a,a ed a! "e$ o)n %o,*l#%#!y #n &o&!'*endo'& a .#%!#on5 W"a! "ad "e ,ade "e$ do> W"y "ad "e !a2en !"#&&#n o. ano!"e$4& on "#& o)n &"o'lde$&> Eve4& *#!eo'& %$y o. 0P"#l#*;0 a! "#& en!$y $e%'$$ed !o "e$66!"e #n!#,a!e na!'$e o. "e$

a**eal5 T"e &%en! )a& *$o,#&#n+7 b'! #! o*ened o'! v#&!a& o. aloyal!y !oo .an!a&!#% and +ene$o'& !o be !$'e5 He$ ,a!'$e %yn#%#&,o. a +#$l o. !"e *eo*le( d#&#ll'&#oned and ab'&ed( .lo'!ed !"e #dea5D#d &"e no! 2no) 0+en!le,en0 and !"e na!'$e o. !"e#$ love> T"e +#$l)a& "a$dened by #ll6'&a+e( b#!!e$ .$o, lon+ b$ood#n+ ove$ "e$ &"a,e5 S"e )a& +lad )"en "e !'$ned !o "e$ a! la&!( b$ea2#n+ a&#len%e )"#%" !"e &'llen $oa$ o. /ondon o'!&#de and beyond !"e,( !"ed$ea$y $a!!l#n+ o. !"e %ab( &ee,ed only !o "e#+"!en( )#!" a &'dden+e&!'$e o. de&*a#$50 . "ad only 2no)n; . yo' "ad only !old ,e !)o yea$& a+o;0T"e &'**$e&&ed *a&&#on #n "#& vo#%e( "#& a#$( !e$$#.#ed !"e +#$l5S"e ben! .o$)a$d !$e,bl#n+50A"; )"a! "ave done( )"a! "ave done>0 &"e ,oaned5 0Ho) d#d 2no) !"a! #! )o'ld all %o,e l#2e !"#&> ,ean! no "a$,( &#$5 He

*e$&'aded ,e !o de%e#ve yo' a.!e$ "ad .o'nd o'! )"o "e $eally )a&(!o *'! yo' o.. !"e &%en!( 2ee*#n+ "#& na,e a &e%$e!5 He &a#d "e "ada $#+"! !o a&2 !"a!5 He !old ,e "e )a& ,a$$#ed( !"o'+" "e )a&n4!!"en5 And a.!e$)a$d& "e ,ade ,e ,ove( )"en yo' )e$e ab$oad "e)an!ed ,y add$e&& no! !o be 2no)n5 T"a! )a& !"e %ond#!#on "e ,ade o. "#& &ee#n+ a.!e$ !"e %"#ld7 "e &)o$e "e )o'ld *$ov#de .o$ "e$ !"en(and b$#n+ "e$ '* l#2e a lady5 And "e &en! ,e !"e ,oney .o$ a b#!

*$e!!y $e+'la$5 O"( #! )a& only .o$ "e$ &a2e( *$o,#&e yo' !"a!; )o'ldn4! "ave !o'%"ed a b$a&& .a$!"#n+ .o$ ,y&el.5 '!( a.!e$ all(&"e @)a&@ "#& %"#ld5 And !"en( &o,e"o) o$ o!"e$( !"e ,oney d#dn4!%o,e5 He )en! a)ay66"e )a& a)ay all !"e &',,e$66and "e &a#d "e "ad&o ,any %all& on "#,( &'%" e *en&e&500A"( !"e &%o'nd$el;0 %$#ed Ra#n"a,( be!)een "#& &e! !ee!"5T"e +#$l !oo2 "#, '*( "a$dly )#!" an e%"o o. "#& o)n $e&en!,en!($a!"e$ )#!" a &o$! o. %$'&"ed d#$e%!ne&&( a& one )"o a%2no)led+ed a

ba$e .a%!( ,a2#n+ no %o,,en!( ,e$ely ad,#!!#n+ !"e ob&%'$e



d$ea$#ne&& o. !"#n+&50Ye&7 "e )a& a &%o'nd$el5 He )a& bad all alon+5 !"#n2 "e "a& no"ea$!5 And "e "a& ,ade ,e bad !oo5 )a& a +ood eno'+" +#$l o. old(

be.o$e 2ne) "#,5 Only &o,e!"#n+ %a,e ove$ ,e !o6n#+"! )"en .o'nd @"e$@ !"e$e( )#!" !"a! b#+ "o'&e and !"e &e$van!&( and all !"a!

l' '$y( and !"o'+"! "o) "e %o'ldn4! &*a$e a .e) *o'nd& !o b$#n+ "#&o)n %"#ld '* de%en!5 O"( )a& v#le !o6n#+"!5 .$#+"!ened "e$5Pe$"a*& #! )a& be&! a& #! "a**ened5 ! da ed "e$5 S"e4ll $e,e,be$ le&&5 S"e4ll only $e,e,be$ yo'$ *a$! o. #!( &#$50S"e +lan%ed a%$o&& a! "#, )#!" !#,#d eye&( )"#%" a&2ed "#, !o be &o+ood a& !o e *la#n all !"a! "ad %on.'&ed "e$ &o50 don4! 'nde$&!and(0 &"e ,'$,'$ed "el*le&&ly660 don4! 'nde$&!and50He #+no$ed !"e #n!e$$o+a!#on #n "e$ eye& )#!" a l#!!le +e&!'$e( "al. #$$#!able and "al. en!$ea!#n+( )"#%" %oe$%ed "e$50Ho) d#d yo' %o,e !"e$e>0 "e a&2ed5 0W"a! )a& !"e +ood66660H#& 'e&!#on lan+'#&"ed &'ddenly( and "e le! bo!" "and& .all &lo)ly

'*on "#& 2nee&5 n e..e%!( !"e '&ele&&ne&& o. all a$+',en!( !"e.'!#l#!y o. any $e%$#,#na!#on #n !"e .a%e o. )"a! "ad beena%%o,*l#&"ed( )a& &'ddenly bo$ne #n '*on "#, )#!" #$$e&#&!#ble.o$%e and "#& ,o,en!a$y #$$#!a!#on a+a#n&! !"e ,al#%e o. %#$%',&!an%e( !"e ba&ene&& o. !"e ,an( )a& &)allo)ed '* #n a $#&#n+la&&#!'de )"#%" &#,*ly +ave '*5T"e +#$l %on!#n'ed a.!e$ a )"#le( #n a lo)( $a*#d vo#%e( "e$ eye&.# ed #n!en!ly '*on !"e o*al #n an an!# 'e $#n+ )"#%" &"one .a#n!ly'*on one o. Ra#n"a,4& '#e! "and&( a& !"o'+" #!& &!eady $ad#an%e"el*ed "e$ &*ee%"0 ! )a& all an a%%#den!66an a%%#den!5 )a& &#%2 and !#$ed o. )a#!#n+ and )$#!#n+( and +e!!#n+ neve$ a )o$d #n $e*ly5 My "eal!")en! !oo( la&! )#n!e$( and eve$ &#n%e "ave been +e!!#n+ )ea2e$ and)o$&e5 2ne) )"a! !"a! ,ean! ,y ,o!"e$ d#ed o. a de%l#ne66ye&( &"e#& dead( !"an2 ?od; !"#& !en yea$&66and #! )a& !"en( )"en 2ne) )o'ldn4! +e! any be!!e$( and !"e$e )a& !"e %"#ld !o !"#n2 o.( !"a! )an!ed !o &ee "#, on%e ,o$e5 T"e$e )a& a +en!le,an( !oo( )"o%a,e66660S"e b$o2e o.. .o$ a ,o,en!( %la&*#n+ "e$ !"#n "and& !o+e!"e$( )"#%"!$e,bled a& !"o'+" !"e ,e,o$y o. &o,e *a&!( .an!a&!#% !e$$o$ "ad$e%'$$ed50 ! doe&n4! ,a!!e$(0 &"e )en! on *$e&en!ly5 0He .$#+"!ened ,e( !"a!)a& all5 He "ad &'%" a &!e$n( &,oo!"6&*o2en )ay )#!" "#,7 and "e&ee,ed !o 2no) &o ,'%"5 He &a#d !"a! "e "ad "ea$d o. ,e and ,y&!o$y( and )o'ld be.$#end ,e #. )o'ld !ell "#, !"e na,e o. !"e ,an)"o $'#ned ,e5 Ye&( "e )o'ld be.$#end ,e( "el* ,e !o lead a$e&*e%!able l#.e50He$ &'n2en eye& .la&"ed .o$ a ,o,en!( and "e$ l#* )a& &%o$n.'lly%'$led50?od 2no)&;0 &"e %$#ed( )#!" a %e$!a#n $'de d#+n#!y( 0 )a& al)ay&



0O"( .o$ "e$; W"a! doe& #! ,a!!e$ &#n%e #! #& done> Say !"a! #! )a&an a%%#den!66a .olly66!"a! a, &o$$y !oo500No(0 &a#d !"e +#$l &o.!ly7 0yo' a$e +lad50He &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$& )#!" #n%$ea&#n+ )ea$#ne&&( an #,,en&ede&#$e !o "ave !"e &'b-e%! ended and *'! a)ay )#!" .o$+o!!en !"#n+&5

0 a, +lad( !"en5 Have #! a& yo' l#2e50'! &"e $e&',ed )#!" a *e$!#na%#!y )"#%" "#& #$$#!a!ed ne$ve& .o'nd,al#+nan!50 . #! )a& !"a!(0 &"e &a#d a,b#+'o'&ly( 0yo' "ad be!!e$ "ave "eldyo'$ !on+'e5 Yo' "ad only !o +a#n6666 A"( )"y d#d yo' do #!> W"a!)a& !"e +ood>0He ,ade ano!"e$ +e&!'$e o. la&&#!'de7 !"en( $o'&#n+ "#,&el.( "e$e,a$2ed0 ! )a& a %al%'la!#on( !"en( a *#e%e o. &#,*le a$#!",e!#%5 . #!+#ve& "e$ a l#!!le *ea%e a l#!!le lon+e$( )"y &"o'ld !"$ee *e$&on&&'..e$66be &a%$#.#%ed66)"en !)o ,#+"! &e$ve>0

0O"( "#,;0 %$#ed !"e +#$l &%o$n.'lly7 0"e %an4! &'..e$66"e "a&n4! a"ea$!;0Ra#n"a, loo2ed '* a! "e$ a! la&!5 H#& .#n+e$& %ea&ed *lay#n+ )#!""#& $#n+50O"( le! ,e %o'n! .o$ a l#!!le(0 "e ,'$,'$ed( )#!" a l#!!le( +"a&!lyla'+"5T"e +#$l4& eye& loo2ed .'ll #n!o "#&( and #n a ,o,en! !"ey &"one o'!o. "e$ .a%e( )"#%" )a& &'..'&ed )#!" a $o&y .l'&" !"a! ,ade "e$ al,o&! bea'!#.'l( )#!" !"e #ll',#na!#on o. &o,e !$an&%enden! #dea50A"( yo' @a$e@ a +en!le,an;0 &"e %$#ed5

n !"e !en&#on o. !"e#$ ne$ve& !"ey )e$e ne#!"e$ a)a$e !"a! !"e %ab"ad %o,e !o a &!and&!#ll( and be.o$e "e %o'ld *$even! "e$( &"e "ad&!oo*ed &)#.!ly do)n and %a'+"! "#& "and *a&&#ona!ely !o "e$ l#*&50Heaven .o$+#ve ,e; Ho) 'n"a**y yo' ,'&! be;0 &"e &a#d5

CHAPTER IIB

A.!e$ all( !"#n+& )e$e no! &o %o,*l#%a!ed a& !"ey &ee,ed5 Fo$ K#!!y)a& nea$ly a! !"e end o. "e$ !$o'ble&7 "e$ !$#v#al l#!!le l#.e( )#!"#!& %o,,on*la%e !ale o. %a$ele&& )$on+ and &"o$!6l#ved #$ony o. &'..e$#n+( !ell#n+ )#!" !"e ,o$e e..e%! on a na!'$e a! on%e &o l#+"!and &o )an!#n+ #n b'oyan%y( )a& &oon !o be "'$$#ed a)ay and.o$+o!!en( a,#d !"e %"ao& o. !"#n+& b$o2en and $'#ned50 don4! )an! !o d#e(0 &"e &a#d( day a.!e$ day( !o !"e &!e$nly%"ee$.'l n'$&e )"o "ad "e$ #n %"a$+e a! !"e '#e!( &'nny "o&*#!al #n!"e &'b'$b&( )"e$e Ra#n"a, "ad +a#ned ad,#&&#on .o$ "e$ a&#n6*a!#en!5 0 '! don4! 2no) !"a! )an! !o l#ve( e#!"e$50And &o #! "ad been .$o, !"e be+#nn#n+( *oo$ &o'l( *oo$ )ave$#n+.a!al#&!; )#!" a na!'$e !oo #nna!ely )ea2 !o ,a2e an #n%e*!#one#!"e$ o. +ood o$ ev#l( !"e *$ede&!#ned *$ey o. %#$%',&!an%e5



A& &"e lay #n !"e lon+( )"#!e $oo, ded#%a!ed !o !"o&e &!$#%2en( l#2e"e$&el.( )#!" !"e d#&ea&e !"a! .eed& on yo'!"( "e$ &!$en+!" ebb#n+a)ay '#!e *a#nle&&ly( &"e o.!en en!e$ed '*on !"e *a!"le&& l#!!le!$a%2 o. #n!$o&*e%!#on( a *a!"e!#%( #llo+#%al &',,#n+ '* o. !"e%ond'%! o. "e$ l#.e( )"#%" al)ay& led &o '#%2ly !o !"e &a,e b$oad

end o. $ea&&'$an%e( .ollo)ed by 'n$ea&oned %onde,na!#on66!"e%onven!#onal -'d+e,en! on "e$ ve$y #nab#l#!y !o d#&%ove$ )"e$e &"e"ad &o +$avely &#nned( "o) and )"en &"e "ad ea$ned !"e e !$e,e

*enal!y o. $e*$oba!#on and o. dea!"5 S"e )a& !oo )#%2ed( &"e%on%l'ded "o*ele&&ly( va+'ely &!$'++l#n+ )#!" !"e ,e,o$#e& o. !"e!ea%"#n+ o. "e$ S'nday6&%"ool( !oo )#%2ed !o .#nd o'! )"e$e#n "e$ e %eed#n+ )#%2edne&& lay5One %o,.o$! &"e !oo2 !o "e$ &ad "ea$!( !"a! Ra#n"a, "ad no!%onde,ned "e$7 !"a! "e "ad only *#!#ed "e$( )"#le "e $e&e$ved "#&da,na!#on .o$ !"e #$on6bo'nd( Sabba!a$#an )o$ld )"#%" "ad $'#ned and&*'$ned ano!"e$ "el*le&& v#%!#,5 Ra#n"a, &"e bel#eved #,*l#%#!ly(

obeyed 'n 'e&!#on#n+ly( )#!" a &en&e o. +$a!#!'de )"#%" "ad beenla$+ely ,#n+led )#!" &el.6$e*$oa%"( 'n!#l "e "ad !old "e$ !"a!( &o.a$ a& "e )a& %on%e$ned( &"e "ad no!"#n+ !o $e*$oa%" "e$&el. )#!"5

! neve$ o%%'$$ed !o "e$ .o$ a ,o,en! no) !o 'e&!#on o$ !o $e&en!!"e *a$! "e "ad ,ade "e$ *lay on !"a! !$a+#%al a.!e$noon #n ?$oveRoad5 W"y &"o'ld &"e> T"e #,*'!a!#on o. a l#e( )"a! )a& !"a! !o "e$>Had "e no! !a2en #! all( all "e$ ,#&e$y '*on "#,&el.> Had "e no!.ed( and %lo!"ed( and lod+ed "e$ l#2e !"e ,o&! *en#!en! o.

*$od#+al&( al!"o'+" &"e "ad no %la#, '*on "#, 'n!#l "e %"o&e !o +#ve#! !o "e$> He$ bene.a%!o$ %o'ld do no )$on+( !"a! )a& "e$ %$eed7 and#! ,ade !"#n+& )onde$.'lly &,oo!"( !"e .'!'$e on a &'dden &!$an+ely&#,*le5 S"e "ad l#ed !o "#, a! !"e b#dd#n+ o. !"e o!"e$( and "e "adno! $e&en!ed #! )"en "e %a,e !o 2no) !"e !$'!" &"e "ad b$o'+"!&"a,e on "#,( and "e "ad no! $e*$oa%"ed "e$5 A ,an l#2e !"#& )a&o'!&#de "e$ e *e$#en%e7 &"e $e+a$ded "#, )#!" a 2#nd o. +$a!e.'la,a e,en!66a )onde$#n+ vene$a!#on( )"#%" &o,e!#,e& "eld "e$ d',b #n"#& *$e&en%e5

. &"e "ad .el! 'n"a**y a! .#$&! abo'! !"e .'!'$e o. "e$ %"#ld66and!"e$e "ad been ,o,en!& )"en !"#& !"o'+"! "ad been ,o$e b#!!e$ !"anall !"e $e&! o. "e$ l#.e !o+e!"e$66!"#& %a$e )a& !a2en .$o, "e$ )"enRa#n"a, *$o,#&ed !o ado*! !"e l#!!le +#$l( o$( be!!e$ &!#ll( !o#nd'%e M$&5 'llen !o o*en "e$ ,o!"e$ly "ea$! !o "e$5 0T"ey4ll beonly !oo +lad !o +e! "e$(0 "e "ad &a#d de%#&#vely( #n!e$$'*!#n+ "e$ a)2)a$d l#!!le &*ee%" o. !"an2&5 0T"a! )#ll be all $#+"!5 M$&5

'llen "a&n4! 2no)n )"a! !o do )#!" "e$&el. &#n%e "e$ &on )en! !o&ea7 &"e )an!& a %"#ld !o %a$e .o$5 Yo' needn4! )o$$y yo'$&el. abo'!!"a!50

! )a& a.!e$ !"#& !"a! K#!!y "ad o)ned !o !"e n'$&e !"a! &"e "ad node&#$e !o l#ve7 and !"o'+" !"e &"#.!#n+ o. !"#& b'$den enabled "e$ !o %a$$y "e$ l#.e .o$ a !#,e le&& )ea$#ly( !"e end )a& no! .a$7 and



!"e ne)& o. "e$ dea!" %a,e !o Ra#n"a, -'&! a.!e$ !"e .#$&! &no).all(#n !"e ,#ddle o. a d$ea$y( %$'el De%e,be$5T"e )#n!e$ )o$e on( and &!#ll Ra#n"a, )a& !o be &een al,o&! n#+"!ly#n "#& no) .a,#l#a$ %o$ne$ by !"e .#$e&#de a! $odono)&2#4&( #n !"e&ea! ne ! !"a! )"#%" "ad be%o,e O&)yn4& by $#+"! o. al,o&!

#,,e,o$#al o%%'*a!#on5 H#& ne+o!#a!#on& )#!" !"e %o,*any )"o )e$e !o b'y "#, o'! o. "#& an%e&!$al do%2 )e$e &!#ll #n%o,*le!e( and no) "e.el! a &!$an+e $el'%!an%e !o "'$$y ,a!!e$&( !o "a&!en !"e day on)"#%" "e &"o'ld be .o$%ed !o leave !"e l#!!le $oo, loo2#n+ o'! '*on!"e 'n*$o.#!able $#ve$ )"#%" "e loved5T"e !)o ,en )o'ld &#! !o+e!"e$( &o,e!#,e& !al2#n+( b'! .a$ ,o$eo.!en no!( 'n!#l a ve$y la!e "o'$7 and )"en !"e doo$& )e$e %lo&ed'*on !"e, !"ey o.!en )ande$ed a#,le&&ly #n !"e e,*!y &!$ee!&(d#&,#&&#n+ !"e#$ %a$e& #n %on!e,*la!#on o. +$ea! ,oonl#! b'#ld#n+&(o$ !"e &!$on+( &#len! $#ve$( &l#d#n+ 'nde$ !"e &ole,n b$#d+e&7'n#!ed .$o, day !o day ,o$e %lo&ely by !"e $a$e &y,*a!"y )"#%" a&2&

no 'e&!#on& and .#nd& #!& %"#e. e *$e&&#on #n &#len%e5 One !"#n+!"ey bo!" "a!ed66!o be alone7 b'! lonel#ne&& .o$ !"e, )a& no! )"a!,o&! ,o$!al& 'nde$&!and by !"e na,e5 T"e$e )a& %o,*any .o$ !"e, #n#nan#,a!e !"#n+&66#n boo2&( #n *#%!'$e&( and even #n ob-e%!& le&&e *$e&&#ve7 !"ey )e$e ,en )"o d#d no! .ea$ !"e#$ !"o'+"!&( )"oloo2ed !o !"e *a&! .o$ !"e#$ +$ea!e&! *lea&'$e&5 And no) .o$ Ra#n"a,!"e )"ole o. l#.e )a& a !"#n+ &o e&&en!#ally )ea$y and .lavo'$le&&!"a! !"e @enn'#@ o. l#!!le !"#n+& &ee,ed "a$dly )o$!" %on&#de$a!#on5He )a& d',bly %on!en! !o le! de&!#ny lead "#, )"#!"e$ #! )o'ld()#!"o'! a**$e"en&#on( )#!"o'! e *e%!a!#on5 O&)yn "ad a&2ed "#,( oneeven#n+( -'&! be.o$e !"ey *a$!ed on !"e doo$&!e* o. !"e %l'b( )#!" a%e$!a#n ab$'*!ne&& )"#%" !"e o!"e$ "ad lon+ &#n%e lea$n! !o'nde$&!and( )"y "e )a& #n /ondon #n&!ead o. be#n+ a! o$d#+"e$a5Ra#n"a, &#+"ed( e%"o#n+ !"e 'e&!#on a& #. !"e #dea &'++e&!ed )a&en!#$ely novel50W"y( be%a'&e6666 Well( .o$ one !"#n+( be%a'&e yo' a$e #n /ondon and!"e Dollond& a$e a! o$d#+"e$a5 Yo' don4! 2no) M$&5 Dollond>0 "eadded( &ee#n+ !"a! !"e o!"e$ loo2ed a! "#, )#!" a %e$!a#n a#$ o. )#&!.'l d#&!$'&!( a ,o,en!a$#ly v#&#ble de&#$e !o &ee be"#nd &oobv#o'& a ve#l50No( !"an2 ?od;0 &a#d O&)yn devo'!ly( &"$'++#n+ "#& ben! &"o'lde$&(and !'$n#n+ a)ay )#!" a $ela*&e #n!o "#& 'n)on!ed #,*a&&#vene&&50 '! yo' "ave a**a$en!ly "ea$d o. "e$(0 %on!#n'ed Ra#n"a,( )#!" ane..o$! !o)a$d "',o'$5 0And a, a.$a#d *eo*le "ave been &lande$#n+"e$5 S"e #& a ve$y e %ellen! *e$&on( !"e &o'l o. +ood6na!'$e( and a&a,'&#n+ a&66a& an A,e$#%an %o,#% *a*e$; '! #n ,y *$e&en! &!a!e o. "eal!" 4, a.$a#d &"e )o'ld be a l#!!le !oo ,'%" .o$ ,e5 %an &!and"e$ #n "o,eo*a!"#% do&e&( b'! !"e R#v#e$a #&n4! nea$ly b#+ eno'+".o$ !"e !)o o. '& a& *e$,anen%#e&5 No( !"#n2 &"all )a#! 'n!#lne ! )#n!e$ no)50



O&)yn &"o! a '#%2 +lan%e a! "#,( and !"en loo2ed a)ay a& &'ddenly(and a.!e$ a b$#e. &#len%e !"ey *a$!ed5Ra#n"a, )a& al$eady be+#nn#n+ !o %on&#de$ "#,&el. &e%'$e .$o, !"e#n%onven#en! all'&#on& !o /#+"!,a$2 and !"e#$ al!e$ed $ela!#on&()"#%" "e "ad a! .#$&! ne$vo'&ly an!#%#*a!ed5 O&)yn $a$ely ,en!#oned

!"e o!"e$ *a#n!e$4& na,e( and a%%e*!ed( )#!"o'! &'$*$#&e o$ !"e.a#n!e&! a**ea$an%e o. a de&#$e .o$ e *lana!#on( !"e &el.6ev#den!.a%! o. !"e b$ea%" be!)een !"e !)o 'onda, all#e&7 $e+a$d#n+ #! a&#n !"e na!'$al %o'$&e o. even!&( and a& an add#!#onal l#n2 #n !"e%"a#n o. !"e#$ #n!#,a%y5 ndeed( /#+"!,a$2 "ad lon+ %ea&ed !o be a%o,*onen! ele,en! o. !"e a!,o&*"e$e o. $odono)&2#4& "e no lon+e$

b$o'+"! !"e &'n&"#ne o. "#& e *an&#ve( elabo$a!e *$e&en%e #n!o !"el#,#!& o. !"e d#n+y l#!!le *la%e7 no$ d#d #!& %leve$( &"abby%on&!#!'en!&( )#!" !"e#$ b$#+"!6eyed %on!e,*! .o$ !"e *o*'la$ &lave& o. a .a!'o'& *'bl#%( %a$e !o &)ell !"e &'%%e&&.'l !"$on+ )"o)o$&"#**ed !"e $#&#n+ +en#'& #n "#& ne) !e,*le #n ?$ove Road5 T"e

.a%! !"a! #n !"o&e day& Ra#n"a, avo#ded /#+"!,a$24& na,e( on%e &oo.!en 'o!ed7 "#& de,eano'$( )"en !"e ,o$e #+no$an! o$ le&& !a%!#%alo. !"e#$ ,'!'al a% 'a#n!an%e& *$e&&ed "#, )#!" #n '#$#e& a& !o !"e)ell6be#n+ and )o$2 o. "#& .o$,e$ .$#end( "ad no! .a#led !o &'++e&!!o !"e #n!#,a!e %#$%le !"a! !"e$e "ad been a $'*!'$e( a %"an+e(&o,e!"#n+ .a$ ,o$e &#+n#.#%an! !"an !"e +ene$al &eve$an%e )"#%" "ad+$ad'ally been e..e%!ed be!)een !"e,( !"e 'n$e%la#,ed %"#ld$en o. !"e de&e$!( and R#%"a$d /#+"!,a$2( !"e b$#ll#an! &o%#e!y *a#n!e$7&o,e!"#n+ a& !o )"#%" #! &ee,ed !"a! e *lana!#on )o'ld no! be.o$!"%o,#n+( a& !o )"#%" 'e&!#on& )e$e 'nde&#$able5 T"e *e$%e*!#ono. !"#& d#d no! de,and ,'%" &'b!le!y( and( #n a%%o$dan%e )#!" !"e#n&!#n%!& o. !"e#$ %$a.!( Ra#n"a,4& $e!#%en%e )a& $e&*e%!ed50 ! )a& %'$#o'&( )"en yo' %o,e !o !"#n2 o. #!(0 Co*al &a#d$e.le%!#vely one even#n+ a.!e$ "#& $e!'$n .$o, a la!e a'!',nal$a,ble #n F#n#&!e$e( and )"#le !"e &#!'a!#on )a& &!#ll ne) !o "#,(0ve$y %'$#o'&5 Ra#n"a, and /#+"!,a$2 )e$e #n&e*a$able7 &o )e$eRa#n"a, and O&)yn5 And all !"e !#,e /#+"!,a$2 and O&)yn )e$e abo'!a& .$#endly a& !"e !oad and !"e "a$$o)5 So'nd& l#2e E'%l#d( doe&n4!#!> T"#n+& e 'al !o !"e &a,e !"#n+( and '#!e 'ne 'al !o oneano!"e$500Ye&(0 a&&en!ed M%All#&!e$( !"o'+"!.'lly &!$o2#n+ "#& $edd#&" bea$d50And !"e$e )a& a !#,e66no! &o ve$y lon+ a+o( e#!"e$66)"en /#+"!,a$2 and O&)yn )e$e on *$e!!y +ood !e$,& !oo;00A"( )ell7 ,o&! *eo*le 'a$$el )#!" old O&)yn &oone$ o$ la!e$5 '!#! %e$!a#nly doe& loo2 a l#!!le a& #.66a& #. /#+"!,a$2 "ad done&o,e!"#n+ and !"e o!"e$ !)o "ad .o'nd #! o'!66O&)yn .#$&!5 Ho)eve$(#!4& no b'&#ne&& o. o'$&5 &'**o&e "e4& &a.e !o be ele%!ed ne !)ee2(66!"o'+" "e #&n4! a S%o!%",an( e"( Sandy old ,an>00 '#!e(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$ la%on#%ally5And !"en !"e#$ %onve$&a!#on )a& ,od'la!ed #n!o a le&& *e$&onal 2ey



a& !"ey $e&',ed !"e#$ d#&%'&&#on o. !"e %olony o. A,e$#%an @*le#na#$#&!e&@ )#!" )"o, Ra!"bone "ad .o$e+a!"e$ed a! Pon!aven( ando. !"e 0*a#n!ab#l#!y0 o. .#eld& o. @&a$$a&#n@ and *o*la$&5Ra#n"a, .o'nd #! $a!"e$ d#..#%'l! !o &a!#&.y "#& #nne$ &el. a& !o"#& $eal( .'nda,en!al ,o!#ve .o$ )#n!e$#n+ #n En+land5 S#$ E+be$!4&

o$de$&> T"ey "ad no!( a.!e$ all( a,o'n!ed !o ,'%" ,o$e !"an ane *$e&&#on o. o*#n#on( and #! )a& &o,e)"a! la!e .o$ "#, !o be+#n !oobey "#& do%!o$&5 T"e !$an&.e$ o. "#& b'&#ne&&> T"a! %o'ld "ave been%a$$#ed o'! -'&! a& )ell #n "#& ab&en%e by "#& &ol#%#!o$&5Fo$ &o,e !#,e a.!e$ K#!!y4& dea!"66and "e$ #llne&& "ad %e$!a#nly a!.#$&! de!a#ned "#,66"e )a& able !o a&&'$e "#,&el. !"a! "e )a&)a#!#n+ 'n!#l l#!!le Ma$+o! <&o "e %alled !"e %"#ld= &"o'ld "ave&e%'$ed a .#$, .oo!"old #n !"e a..e%!#on& o. "#& .o$e,an4& .a,#ly7!"e .a%! !"a! !"e 'llen& )e$e &o &oon !o leave "#, &ee,ed !o $ende$ !"#& all ,o$e ne%e&&a$y5 '! no)( #n !"e .a%e o. 'llen4& &o,e)"a!de.e$en!#al devo!#on and "#& )#.e4& vo%#.e$o'& $a*!'$e&( !"e$e

"a$dly &ee,ed !o be $oo, .o$ do'b! on !"#& &%o$e5 Fo$ !"e *$e&en!(a! lea&!( !"e %"#ld $an no $#&2 +$ea!e$ !"an !"a! o. be#n+ !oo ,'%" *e!!ed5And a! la&! "e )a& obl#+ed !o o)n !"a! "#& #nab#l#!y !o .ollo) "#&e&!abl#&"ed *$e%eden! )a& d'e !o &o,e ,o$al de.#%#en%y( a &*e%#e& o. %o)a$d#%e )"#%" "e %o'ld only va+'ely analy&e( b'! )"#%" )a& %lo&ely%onne%!ed )#!" "#& $el'%!an%e !o #&ola!e "#,&el. a,on+ !"elo 'a%#o'& "e$d o. !"o&e )"o &o'+"! .o$ "eal!" o$ *lea&'$e5 . O&)yn)o'ld "ave a%%o,*an#ed "#, !o !"e R#v#e$a "e )o'ld "ave +one7 b'!O&)yn )a& no! !o be #nd'%ed !o .o$&a2e "#& beloved %#!y( and &o "e&!ayed( !ell#n+ "#,&el. !"a! ea%" )ee2 )a& !o be !"e la&!5On a b$#+"! day( )"en &*$#n+ &ee,ed !o be )#!"#n ,ea&'$able d#&!an%e#n &*#!e o. !"e %old( "e ,ade an e *ed#!#on )#!" Ma$+o! !oKen&#n+!on ?a$den&7 and !"ey *a&&ed( on !"e#$ )ay !"$o'+" !"e Pa$2(!"e &ea! on )"#%" "e "ad $e&!ed a.!e$ "#& #n!e$v#e) )#!" /ady?a$ne!! on !"a! .a$6a)ay O%!obe$ even#n+66!"e ,e,o$y &!$'%2 "#, no)a& o. ano!"e$ l#.e5 ! )a& .$o&!y !o6day( and !"e &ea! $a#&ed #!&el. .o$lo$nly .$o, '#!e a ,o'nd o. &no)5 And )"en !"ey le.! !"e ?a$den&"e "a#led a %ab( and( be.o$e !"ey "ad $ea%"ed !"e C#$%'& on !"e#$ "o,e)a$d -o'$ney( bade !"e ,an !'$n and d$#ve no$!")a$d( '* O$%"a$dS!$ee! and #n!o ?$ove Road5

! )a& d'&2 no)( and !"e$e )e$e b$#+"! !o'%"e& o. l#+"! #n !"e)#ndo)& o. !"e lo)( )"#!e "o'&e( )"#%" "e +lan%ed a! al,o&!&'$$e*!#!#o'&ly a& !"ey *a&&ed( and !)o %a$$#a+e& )a#!ed be.o$e !"eo'!e$ doo$50My dea$ %"#ld(0 "e $e,a$2ed &'ddenly !o !"e l#!!le +#$l( )"o )a&+$o)#n+ al,o&! .$#+"!ened by "#& .$o)n#n+ &#len%e( 0yo' &"o'ldal)ay&( al)ay& $e,e,be$ !"a! )"en a ,an "a& ,ade a .ool o. "#,&el.(!"e be&! !"#n+ "e %an do #& !o %lea$ o'!( and no! $e!'$n !o "#&.olly l#2e !"e *$ove$b#al do+;0



Ma$+o! loo2ed &ole,nly *' led .o$ a ,o,en!( and !"en la'+"ed(de%#d#n+ boldly !"a! !"#& )a& a ne) and elabo$a!e +a,e66a -o2e(

*e$"a*&66)"#%" &"e )a& !oo l#!!le !o 'nde$&!and( b'! )"#%" *ol#!ene&& and +ood6.ello)&"#* al#2e $e '#$ed "e$ a! lea&! !oa**ea$ !o a**$e%#a!e5 T"ey )e$e +$ea! .$#end& al$eady( !"e&e !)o5

C"#ld$en al)ay& $e%o+n#&ed an ally #n !"e ,an )"o ,ade &o .e).$#end& a,on+ "#& *ee$&( and .o$ %"#ld$en66e&*e%#ally .o$ *$e!!y%"#ld$en o. a *$e!!#ne&& )"#%" a%%o$ded )#!" "#& o)n *$#va!ev#e)&66Ra#n"a, "ad an 'nden#able )ea2ne&&5On &la%2 day&66and !"ey )e$e al)ay& &la%2 no)66lo'n+e$& abo'! !"e

*$e%#n%!& o. !"e do%2 o.!en %a'+"! a +l#,*&e o. !"e %"#ld4& .a#$ "a#$ above !"e lo) level o. !"e da$2 bo)6)#ndo) )"#%" leanedo'!)a$d& .$o, Ra#n"a,4& $oo,7 and !"e .o$e,an "ad even +one &o .a$ a& !o &'++e&! !"a! "#& ,a&!e$ )a& b$#n+#n+ "e$ '* !o !"e b'&#ne&&50Pay& '& .o$ loo2#n+ a.!e$ "e$(0 "e %on.#ded !o "#& )#.e( 0and loo2&a.!e$ "e$ "#,&el.;0

M$&5 'llen la'+"ed and !"en &#+"ed( be#n+ a &o.!6"ea$!ed )o,an(and #n%l#ned !o +$#eve ove$ !"e#$ #,*end#n+ de&e$!#on o. !"e#$ 'nb'&#ne&&l#2e ,a&!e$50M$5 P"#l#* %o'ldn4! do ,o$e .o$ "e$ #. "e )a& "e$ o)n .a!"e$(0 &"ea%2no)led+ed a**$e%#a!#vely5W"e$ea! 'llen "ad &,#led )#!" !"e &'*e$#o$ a#$ o. one )"o 2ne)66o. one )"o "ad been do)n !o !"e &ea #n &"#*&( and )a& ve$&ed #n !"e,y&!e$#e& o. !"e +$ea! )o$ld( o. .a!"e$& and o. %"#ld$en50R#+"! yo' a$e( old )o,an(0 "e %"'%2led( 0no ,o$e "e %o'ld5 le&&ed#. "e %o'ld; And !"e$e4& no ,#&!a2e abo'! !"a!5 And )"en yo' and ,e+o No$!" #n !"e &*$#n+( )"y( #! &!$#2e& ,e !"a! )e &"all "ave !oleave ,#&&#e be"#nd5 Ye&( !"a! )e &"all !"o'+" 4d !a2e "e$( +ladeno'+"( )#!"o'! !"e ,oney50

. a! .#$&! "#& a&&o%#a!#on )#!" Ma$+o! $e,#nded Ra#n"a, o. ano!"e$ l#!!le +#$l )"o, "e "ad loved( and )"o&e *la%e &"e %o'ld neve$ evena**$o #,a!ely .#ll( !"e ,e,o$y )a& no! a b#!!e$ one( and "e )a& &oonable !o l#&!en !o "e$ %"#ld#&" 'e&!#on#n+ )#!"o'! ,o$e !"an a+en!le *an+5 n !#,e( "e even .o'nd a d$ea$y !$an&#en! *lea&'$e #n%lo&#n+ "#& eye& on !"e dan2 d'n $eal#!y o. la%2*ool( )"#le !"e%"#ld d#&%o'$&ed !o "e$ doll #n !"e noo2 o. !"e bo)6)#ndo)( and "#&.an%y )ande$ed #n ano!"e$ &'nn#e$( la$+e$ $oo,( )#!" o*en )#ndo)&(and !"e "', o. a &o.!e$ lan+'a+e $#&#n+ #n .$e 'en! &na!%"e& .$o,!"e &!ee* &!$ee! o'!&#de7 )#!" a .a#n! *e$.',e o. )ood .#$e& #n !"e

bal,y( &"#,,e$#n+ a#$( a ,e$$y %la!!e$ and -#n+le o. "oo.&( and bell&( and "a$ne&&7 and ano!"e$ da#n!#e$ %"#ld vo#%e $#n+#n+ 'a#n!(%ollo '#al !al#an #n "#& ea$&5 T"e a)a2en#n+ )a& %e$!a#nly %$'el(&o,e!#,e& )#!" al,o&! !"e &"o%2 o. a &'dden &ava+e blo)( b'! !"ed$ea, la&!ed and $e%'$$ed "e "ad al)ay& been a d$ea,e$( and eve$yday .o'nd "#, ,o$e .o$+e!.'l o. !"e *$e&en!( ,o$e .a,#l#a$ )#!" !"e

*a&!5



U*on "#& $e!'$n( $a!"e$ la!e( !o !"e do%2( "e $e%o+n#&ed( )#!" a!"$#ll o. *lea&'$e !#n+ed )#!" &o,e!"#n+ o. &el.6$e*$oa%"( a,on+ !"el#!!le *#le o. b'&#ne&& le!!e$& )"#%" M$&5 'llen b$o'+"! !o "#,)#!" "#& !ea6!$ay( !"e del#%a!e an+'la$ "and)$#!#n+ o. /ady ?a$ne!!(and "e ,ade "a&!e !o *o&&e&& "#,&el. o. !"e &e%$e! o. !"e na$$o)

envelo*e( o. a by6+one .a&"#on( &e%'$ed )#!" a %a$e.'l &eal5

0MY DEAR0 <&o &"e )$o!e= 0T"#& #& ve$y ab&'$d7 ye&( a! !"e $#&2 o. o..end#n+ yo'( ,'&! !ell yo' !"a! #! #& no! %leve$ o. yo' !o !a2e!"#n+& &o ve$y ,'%" @a' &e$#e' @5 2no) ,o$e !"an yo' !"#n2( P"#l#*5M$&5 Sylve&!e$( )"o ,ean& )ell( do'b!le&&66b'!( @,on D#e'@( )"a! a)o,an;66M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "a& been "e$e7 &"e "a& &*o2en !o ,e( and a,a.$a#d "ave &%andal# ed "e$5 4Yo' don4! &'**o&e "e "a& ,a$$#ed"e$(4 &a#d( %on.e&& no! al!o+e!"e$ d#&#n+en'o'&ly( and "o),y&!#.#ed &"e loo2ed; Yo' )#ll &ay !"a! M$&5 Sylve&!e$ o'+"! !o ,#nd"e$ o)n a..a#$&( and yo' )#ll even .#nd ,e a !$#.le #,*e$!#nen!(

*e$"a*&5 '! %la#, ,y *$#v#le+e5 A, no! yo'$ +od,o!"e$> S!#ll( a, $a!"e$ #n!$#+'ed( o)n5 don4! )an! !o a&2 )"a! yo' "ave done(o$ )"y7 )"a!eve$ #! #&( a**$ove o. #!5 W"a! .#nd .a'l! )#!" #&)"a! yo' a$e do#n+( !"e *a$! yo' a$e *lay#n+5 Yo' ,'&! no! +#ve ,e!"e %"a+$#n o. &ee#n+ M$&5 Sylve&!e$ and !"e ad,#$able C"a$le&!$#',*"an! a! yo'$ e *en&e( P"#l#*5 Yo' ,'&! &"o) yo'$&el. yo' ,'&!%o,e and &ee ,e7 yo' ,'&! %o,e !o d#nne$ .o$!")#!"( o$ &"all "ave!o ,a2e yo' a v#&#! a! yo'$ do%25 ,'&! !al2 !o yo'( ,on %"e$; a,!$o'bled abo'! yo'( and &o #& Ma$y5 Co,e !o '&( and Ma$y &"all *lay!o yo' and e o$%#&e yo'$ de,on&5 e&#de&( a, bo$ed66"o$$#bly

bo$ed5 Ye&( even Ma$y bo$e& ,e &o,e!#,e&( and "e$( do'b!le&&7 and)e )an! yo'5 We )#ll o)n !"a! )e a$e &el.#&"( a.!e$ all( b'! yo','&! %o,e;0

T"en !"e$e )a& a *o&!&%$#*! 0Ma$y &'++e&!& !"a! *o&&#bly yo' a$eno! &o #n%o,*$e"en&#ble a& !"#n27 *e$"a*& yo' a$e a! o$d#+"e$a>

'! yo' o'+"! !o le! '& 2no)50

Ra#n"a, &a! )#!" !"e le!!e$ be.o$e "#, 'n!#l Ma$+o! %a,e !o b#d "#,+ood6n#+"!5 And !"en "e de%#ded !o !a2e advan!a+e o. !"e &'++e&!#ono. !"e *o&!&%$#*! &'$ely( #. "e d#d no! an&)e$ !"e dea$ old lady4&le!!e$( &"e )o'ld %on%l'de !"a! "e )a& #ndeed '*on "#& !$avel&5

CHAPTER IIB

. Eve %o'ld "ave ,ended "e$ #dol d#&%$ee!ly and *e$,anen!ly( &o!"a! .o$ !"e o'!)a$d )o$ld #! )o'ld &!#ll *$e&en! !"e &a,e'n%o,*$o,#&#n+ &'$.a%e( &o !"a! no #n '#&#!#ve o$ b'n+l#n+ !o'%"%o'ld b$#n+ !o l#+"! !"e +$#,( d#&.#+'$#n+ .$a%!'$e )"#%" #! "ad&'&!a#ned( #! #& *$obable !"a! &"e )o'ld "ave %"o&en !"#& *a$!( and



"#dden !"e +$#e. o. "e$ l#.e .$o, !"e eye& o. all &ave !"o&e )"o)e$e &o #n&e*a$ably %onne%!ed )#!" !"e !$a+edy o. !"a! a'!',nala.!e$noon5 '! #! )a& &o %o,*le!ely &"a!!e$ed( !"e *#e%e& )e$e &o,any7 and( )o$&! o. all( &o,e o. !"e, )e$e lo&!5 To .o$+e!; W"a! a)o$ld o. b#!!e$ #$ony )a& #n !"e )o$d; And &"e %o'ld no! even b'$y

"e$ #ll'&#on& '#e!ly and 'nob&e$ved o. 'n%"a$#!able eye&7 !"e$e )a&!"e &o$d#d ne%e&&#!y o. e *lana!#on !o be .a%ed( !"e la,e *$e!e !&!o be .a&"#oned( and !"e "al.6!$'!"& !o be '!!e$ed( )"#%" bo$e an#n!e$*$e!a!#on &o .a$ ,o$e da,n#n+ !"an !"e .'ll ,ea&'$e )"#%" #!&ee,ed &o "a$d !o +#ve5M$&5 Sylve&!e$( )"o&e -ealo'& ,a!e$nal #n&!#n%!& %on!#n'ed !o be on!"e ale$! "a$dly le&& 2eenly a.!e$ "e$ da'+"!e$4& ,a$$#a+e !"an

be.o$e( "ad &oon de!e%!ed &o,e!"#n+ o. o**$e&&#on #n !"e a!,o&*"e$e7an e *lana!#on "ad been de,anded( and !"e &!o$y( ,a+n#.#ed &o,e)"a!#n #!& lea&! a!!$a%!#ve .ea!'$e& by Eve4& na!'$al $e!#%en%e( "ad+one !o &)ell !"e vol',e o. &#,#la$ e *e$#en%e& $e%o$ded #n M$&5

Sylve&!e$4& b$a#n5 T"a! &"e .el! a +en'#ne &o$$o) .o$ Ra#n"a, #&%e$!a#n( .o$ !"e +$a#n o. "e$ na!'$e )a& 2#ndly eno'+" benea!" #!&venee$ o. )o$ldly %leve$ne&&7 b'! "e$ +$#e. )a& ,o$e !"an !e,*e$ed

by a &en&e o. &el.6%on+$a!'la!#on( o. 'nl#,#!ed a**$oval o. !"e *$'den%e )"#%" "ad enabled "e$ !o ,a$$y "e$ da'+"!e$ &o#$$e*$oa%"ably be.o$e !"e b'bble b'$&!5 ndeed( !"e l#!!le +lo) o.

*$#de )"#%" ,#n+led '#!e "a$,on#o'&ly )#!" "e$ neve$!"ele&& *e$.e%!ly &#n%e$e $e+$e!( )a& an al,o&! v#&#ble ele,en! #n "e$ ,o$ala!,o&*"e$e( a& &"e e,e$+ed .$o, !"e doo$ o. "e$ da'+"!e$4& "o'&ea.!e$ !"#& ,o,en!o'& #n!e$v#e)( d$a)#n+ "e$ .'$& abo'! "e$ )#!" al#!!le &"#ve$ be.o$e &"e &!e**ed #n!o "e$ )ell6a**o#n!ed b$o'+"a,5S"e "ad !"e a#$ o. &ay#n+ !o "e$&el.( 0Dea$ ,e( dea$( dea$; #!4&ve$y &ad( #!4& ve$y !e$$#ble7 b'! ; "o) %leve$ "ave been( and "o)

bea'!#.'lly be"aved;0 T"e$e )a& no!"#n+ *a$!#%'la$ly novel .$o,"e$ *o#n! o. v#e) #n !"e &!o$y )"#%" &"e "ad -'&! e !$a%!ed .$o, "e$ $el'%!an! da'+"!e$7 !"e &#!'a!#on %alled .o$ an ed#.y#n+(%o,.o$!able &o$$o)( b'! by no ,ean& .o$ &'$*$#&e5 ! )a& )"a! ,#+"!"ave been e *e%!ed66!"o'+" !"#& <)"#%" )a& &o,e)"a! "a$d= d#d no!$ende$ !"e e*#&ode any !"e le&& $e*$e"en&#ble5And #! )a& !"#& .eel#n+ )"#%" "ad *$edo,#na!ed d'$#n+ !"e lady4&"o,e)a$d d$#ve( and !"e "al. "o'$4& @!e!e6a6!e!e@( be.o$e d#nne$()"#%" &"e "ad '!#l# ed .o$ an e %"an+e o. %on.#den%e& )#!" "e$ &on50 d#dn4! 2no) !"a! !"e$e "ad been an66an e *o&'$e(0 "e &a#d( a& "e&!ood( a &!#..( 'n%o,*$o,#&#n+ .#+'$e( be.o$e !"e .#$e #n !"e l#!!led$a)#n+6$oo,5 0 '! "ad an #dea !"a! #! )a& #nev#!able .$o,66.$o,%e$!a#n #n.o$,a!#on )"#%" "ave $e%e#ved5 n .a%!( "ave been$a!"e$ *' led5 Yo' ,'&! do ,e !"e -'&!#%e !o $e,e,be$ !"a! neve$ l#2ed !"e ,an66!"o'+" "e "ad "#& +ood *o#n!&(0 "e added a l#!!lea)2)a$dly( a& #n%onven#en! ,e,o$#e& o. !"e ,any 2#ndne&&e& )"#%" "e"ad $e%e#ved a! Ra#n"a,4& "and& !"$'&! !"e,&elve& '*on "#,5 0 '! 4,



a.$a#d "e4& "a$dly !"e &o$! o. *e$&on one o'+"! !o be #n!#,a!e )#!"5E&*e%#ally yo'( and Eve5 O. %o'$&e( .o$ "e$ #!4& o'! o. !"e

'e&!#on500O"( o. %o'$&e(0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$ de%#&#vely7 0and !"ey "aven4!&een "#, &#n%e( need "a$dly &ay5 n .a%!( !"ey "aven4! even "ea$d

o. "#,5 T"ey "aven4! !old a &o'l e %e*! ,e( and o. %o'$&e &"a4n4!!ell anybody(0 !"e lady %on%l'ded )#!" a &#+"( a& &"e $e,e,be$ed "o)d#..#%'l! &"e "ad .o'nd #! !o d$#ve &!$a#+"! "o,e )#!"o'! b$ea2#n+!"e vo) o. &e%$e%y )"#%" "e$ da'+"!e$ "ad e a%!ed .$o, "e$5W"a!eve$ M$&5 Sylve&!e$ ,ay "ave !"o'+"!( #! #& %e$!a#n !"a! !"e#n!e$v#e)( .$o, )"#%" &"e en-oyed !"e #,*$e&&#on o. "av#n+ e,e$+ed&o !$#',*"an!ly( "ad b$o'+"! any!"#n+ b'! %on&ola!#on !o "e$ da'+"!e$( )"o&e .#$&! #,*'l&e )a& !o bla,e "e$&el. '#!e an+$#ly .o$ "av#n+ ad,#!!ed !o "e$ &e%$e! *la%e&( a.!e$ all &o na!'$al a%on.#dan!e5

No$ "ad Eve $e*en!ed o. !"#& .eel#n+5 A& !#,e )en! on &"e .o'nd "e$

,o!"e$4& &o,e)"a! !oo obv#o'&ly %o,*la%en! a!!#!'de ,o$e and ,o$ee a&*e$a!#n+( and &"e %o,*a$ed "e$ )an! o. $e&e$ve ve$y 'n.avo'$ably)#!" "e$ "'&band4& de,eano'$ <#! ,'&! be o)ned !"a! "e "ad "#&$ea&on& .o$ a %e$!a#n $e!#%en%e=5 A+a#n&! Colonel /#+"!,a$2( al&o(&"e %"e$#&"ed &o,e!"#n+ o. $e&en!,en!( .o$ "e( !oo( ,o$e e&*e%#ally#n %ollabo$a!#on )#!" "e$ ,o!"e$( )a& )on! !o #nd'l+e #n elde$ly(,o$al $e.le%!#on&( )"#%"( al!"o'+" .o$ !"e ,o&! *a$! no na,e& )e$e,en!#oned( )e$e ev#den!ly no! d#$e%!ed +ene$ally and a! "a a$da+a#n&! !"e &o%#e!y o. )"#%" !"e Colonel and M$&5 Sylve&!e$ .o$,edo$na,en!& &o d#&!#n+'#&"ed5U*on one a.!e$noon( )"en C"$#&!,a& )a& al$eady a !"#n+ o. !"e *a&!(and !"e day& )e$e +$o)#n+ lon+e$( #! )a& )#!" %on&#de$able $el#e. !"a! Eve "ea$d !"e o'!e$ doo$ %lo&e '*on "e$ ,o!"e$( leav#n+"e$ alone #n !"e !)#l#+"! o. !"e &,alle$ *o$!#on o. !"e do'bled$a)#n+6$oo,5 S"e )a& alone( .o$ M$&5 Sylve&!e$ "ad been !"e la&!!o de*a$! o. a &,all %$o)d o. a.!e$noon %alle$&( and D#%2 )a&#n!e$v#e)#n+ &o,ebody66a .$a,e6,a2e$( a ,odel( o$ a deale$66#n!"e &!'d#o5 S"e &a! )#!" a boo2 'no*ened #n "e$ "and( +a #n+#n!en!ly #n!o !"e .#$e( )"#%" %a&! $e&*on&#ve .l#%2e$& ove$ "e$ .a%e( +#v#n+ a &"ado)ed e,*"a&#& !o !"e .a#n! l#ne )"#%" "ad be+'n!o d#&*lay #!&el.( no! 'na!!$a%!#vely( be!)een "e$ eyeb$o)& and !"e#$$e+'la$ %'$ve o. "e$ b$o)n "a#$5 S"e )a& +$o)#n+ ve$y )ea$y o. #!all( !"e d#&!$a%!#on )"#%" &"e "ad &o'+"!( !"e .o$+e!.'lne&& o. &el. )"#%" &"e "ad "o*ed !o a%"#eve( by l#v#n+ *e$*e!'ally #n a %$o)d5

ndeed( !o &'%" a *o#n! "ad &"e %a$$#ed "e$ endeavo'$&( !"a! M$&5/#+"!,a$24& bea'!y )a& al$eady be%o,#n+ a ,a!!e$ o. al,o&! *'bl#%#n!e$e&!5 S"e )a& a *e$&on !o be $e%o+n#&ed and $e%o$ded by&"a$*6eyed -o'$nal#&!& a! !"e *lay6"o'&e& on 0.#$&! n#+"!&07 "e$ %a$$#a+e6"o$&e& *e$.o$,ed e !en&#ve n#+"!ly *#l+$#,a+e& #n !"e$e+#on& o. Ken&#n+!on and May.a#$7 and &"e "ad ,ade a $e*'!a!#on .o$



"e$ d$e&&,a2e$5 And al$eady &"e $eal# ed !"a! "e$ e..o$!& !o l#veo'!&#de "e$&el. )e$e .'!#le7 ,o,en!& l#2e !"e&e ,'&! %o,e( and !"e2no)led+e !"a!( #n &*#!e o. "e$ %o'n!le&& .$#end& and vol',#no'&v#&#!#n+ l#&!( &"e )a& alone5He$ ,o!"e$> D#%2> A.!e$ all( !"ey )e$e only #n !"e *o&#!#on o.

o%%'*y#n+ &o,e)"a! e %e*!#onally *$o,#nen! *la%e& on !"ev#&#!#n+6l#&!5A& .o$ "e$ "'&band( a.!e$ all !"e&e lon+ ,on!"& o. ,a$$#ed l#.e( &"e%o'ld no! &ay !"a! &"e 2ne) "#,5 S"e $e+a$ded "#, )#!" a 2#nd o. ad,#$a!#on o. "#& *e$&onal( &o%#al a!!$a%!#on&( #n )"#%" &"e$e%o+n#&ed "#, a& .'lly "e$ e 'al( )#!" a 2#nd o. envy o. !"e+en#'&( )"#%" &"e %o'ld no! en!#$ely %o,*$e"end( b'! )"#%" &ee,ed !o,a2e "#, &o va&!ly "e$ &'*e$#o$5 And ye! !"e$e )a& a &"ado) o. do'b!abo'! #! all !"e$e "ad been &#n#&!e$ .la&"e&( #ll',#n#n+( d#,lyeno'+"( de*!"& )"#%" !"e ,a$#!al #n!#,a%y &!#ll le.! 'n.a!"o,ed(,a2#n+ "e$ )onde$ )"e!"e$ "e$ "'&band4& %ando'$ ,#+"! no! ,a&2

&o,e!"#n+ ,o$e !e$$#ble !"an .o$+o!!en .oll#e&( &o,e!"#n+ !"a! ,#+"! *$ove a ,o$e $eal and #$$e,ovable ba$$#e$ be!)een !"e, !"an even!"a! #nde.#nable )an! o. a ,'!'al "o$# on( o. %o,,on +$o'nd '*on)"#%" !"e#$ !$ad#!#on& %o'ld 'n#!e !"e,&elve&5So lon+ a& D#%2 "ad $e,a#ned %"ee$.'lly ,a&!e$.'l( and *#%!'$e& 'ely

@.la,boyan!@( )#!"o'! even an o%%a&#onal be!$ayal o. !"e b#!!e$ne&&)"#%" ,a2e& !"e one a!!$#b'!e &avo'$ o. #n&olen%e( and !"e o!"e$ o. o**$e&&#on( "#& )#.e "ad $e+a$ded "#, a& e a%!ly .'l.#ll#n+ !"e *a$!.o$ )"#%" "e "ad obv#o'&ly been %a&!66o. a +ood6"',o'$ed(o$na,en!al( do,e&!#% !y$an!( !o be o*enly obeyed and %ove$!ly%oe$%ed5 A "'&band )"o a&&#&!ed "e$ a% '#&#!#on o. &o%#al la'$el&7)"o +ave "e$ ,o$e ,oney !"an &"e a&2ed .o$7 )"o de&#+ned .o$ "e$ !"e,o&! elabo$a!e and env#able d$e&&e&66ye&( "e$ ,o!"e$ %e$!a#nly "ad$ea&on& .o$ de%la$#n+ "#, a *a$a+on; '! &!#ll Eve )a& va+'ely%on&%#o'& o. a de.e%!( a &"o$!%o,#n+5 ! )a& all ve$y )ell &o .a$ a&#! )en!( b'! !"e *$o&*e%! )a& by no ,ean& 'nbo'nded5 And( !"en( "ad"e no! al&o de&#+ned +o)n& .o$ M$&5 Dollond( and &'%%eeded <!"e$e)a& a &!#n+ #n !"#&= )"e$e &'%%e&& )a& &o,e)"a! ,o$e d#..#%'l! o. a%"#eve,en!>

No)( ,o$eove$( "e "ad be+'n !o %a$$y an a++$#eved a#$66an a#$ )"#%"&'++e&!ed !"a! "e *#!#ed "#,&el.( !"a! "e %on&#de$ed !"a! "e "ad

been 'n.a#$ly deal! )#!"( !"a! "e )a& en!#!led !o a&&',e !"ea!!#!'de o. an #nno%en!( #n-'$ed v#%!#, o. &o,e bl#ndly6deal!$e!$#b'!#on5 W"a! d#d !"a! ,ean> T"e only e *lana!#on )"#%" "#& )#.e%o'ld .#nd .o$ !"#& &y,*!o,a!#% ,an#.e&!a!#on "ad #!& o$#+#n #n !"e'n"a**y e*#&ode o. )"#%" !"e ,e,o$y )a& al)ay& on !"e !"$e&"old o. "e$ &ol#!a$y !"o'+"!&( and( *e$"a*&( o. "#&5 S"e be+an !o .eel( )#!"a %e$!a#n %o,*'n%!#on( !"a! D#%2 ,'&! $e&en! !"e %#$%',&!an%e& )"#%"obl#+ed "#, *$a%!#%ally !o &eve$ "#& a% 'a#n!an%e )#!" a ,an )"o "ad#nd#&*'!ably .#+'$ed .o$ &o ,any yea$& a& "#& nea$e&! .$#end7 and



&"e a&2ed "e$&el. &o,e!#,e& )"e!"e$ !"e %#$%',&!an%e& #n 'e&!#ond#d no!( #n e..e%!( %en!$e #n "e$&el.5Al!"o'+" !"e )o$ld )a& a& ye! .a$ .$o, be#n+ an o*en boo2 .o$ "e$(#! )a& %on%e#vable !"a! P"#l#* Ra#n"a, <even #. one -'d+ed bya**ea$an%e&= "ad done no!"#n+ )"#%" need ne%e&&a$#ly %a&! "#, beyond

!"e *ale o. !"e 'n$e+ene$a!e &o%#e!y o. ba%"elo$do,5 ! neve$ o%%'$$ed !o "e$ !"a!( &o .a$ a& &"e "e$&el. )a& %on%e$ned( a $ene)alo. !"e old $ela!#on )a& a,on+ *o&&#ble !"#n+& #. &"e "ad ,e! P"#l#*#n *'bl#% &"e )o'ld "ave ,ade #! %lea$ !o "#, !"a! "e )a& no lon+e$ on !"e &a,e *lane )#!" "e$7 !"a!( .$o, "e$ *o#n! o. v#e)( "e "ad

*$a%!#%ally %ea&ed !o e #&!5! )a& only )"en &"e )a& alone( and *lea&an!( b#!!e$ ,e,o$#e& o. !"e

old day& $e%'$$ed( !"a! &"e o)ned !o "e$&el. "o) "a$d #! )a& !o!"#n2 o. !"#& #n!#,a%y a& &eve$ed by a $'le o. ,o$al %ond'%! no le&&#ne o$able( and even ,o$e %$'el( !"an dea!"5 And ye! !"e$e )e$e,o,en!&66and !"#& )a& one o. !"e,66)"en "e$ "'&band4& bea$#n+ &ee,ed

,o$e *o$!en!o'&( )"en !"e e *lana!#on &"e "ad .o'nd *o&&#ble &ee,edno lon+e$ *$obable( and 'n%o,.o$!able do'b!& a& !o !"e $eal ,ean#n+o. "#& 'nea&#ne&& a&&a#led "e$ ,#nd5A .$a+,en! o. b'$n#n+ %oal .ell )#!" a %la!!e$ #n!o !"e +$a!e &"e)el%o,ed !"e #n!e$$'*!#on( and .o$ !"e ,o,en! abandoned "e$ !"o'+"!&( only( "o)eve$( !o en!e$ '*on !"e, a+a#n by a d#..e$en!

*a!"50 )onde$ )"y don4! "a!e "#,>0 &"e a&2ed "e$&el.( al,o&!)#&!.'lly5 <S"e )a& no! no) !"#n2#n+ o. "e$ "'&band5= 0 o'+"! !o"a!e "#,( &'**o&e( and !o *#!y "e$5 '! *#!y "#,( !"#n2( and "a!e66"e$50T"e .#$e &!#ll %$a%2led %"ee$.'lly( and &"e be+an !o .eel #!& "ea!o**$e&&#ve7 &"e le! "e$ "and& .all )#!" a +e&!'$e "al. o. %on!e,*!("al. o. de&*a#$( and !"en $o&e ab$'*!ly( and )al2ed #n!o !"eda$2ne&& o. !"e la$+e$ $oo,( .$o, !"e 'n&"'!!e$ed )#ndo)& o. )"#%"&"e %o'ld &ee !"e da$2 b'l2 o. "e$ "'&band4& &!'d#o loo,#n+ a+a#n&!!"e +$ay( &,o2e6%olo'$ed &2y5W"#le &"e &!ood( lean#n+ )#!" &o,e!"#n+ o. a .o$)a$d !#l! o. "e$ +$a%#le .#+'$e( '*on !"e led+e o. !"e lo)( & 'a$e )#ndo)( !"e &#dedoo$ o. !"e &!'d#o o*ened( le!!#n+ a .lood o. l#+"! o'! '*on !"ela)n( and )#!" ab&en! eye& &"e &a) !"a! "e$ "'&band4& v#&#!o$ )a&!a2#n+ "#& leave5 P$e&en!ly !"e doo$ %lo&ed7 !"e b$oad $ay& )"#%""ad &"one %oldly .$o, !"e &2yl#+"! o. !"e b'#ld#n+ d#ed o'!( &oab$'*!ly !"a! !"e %"an+e &ee,ed al,o&! a'd#ble7 and &#,'l!aneo'&ly&"e "ea$d "e$ "'&band4& %a$ele&& &!e* #n !"e lon+ +la ed *a&&a+e("al. %on&e$va!o$y( "al. %o$$#do$( )"#%" led .$o, "e$ do,a#n !o "#&5He %a,e #n( &o.!ly "',,#n+ an a#$ .$o, a %o,#% o*e$a( and !"en

*a'&ed( *ee$#n+ #n!o !"e da$2ne&& .o$ an #n&!an! be.o$e "ed#&!#n+'#&"ed "#& )#.e4& &"a*e #n d'&2y $el#e. a+a#n&! !"e *ale& 'a$e o. )#ndo)5



0Don4! l#+"! !"e $oo,;0 &"e &a#d '#%2ly( a& &"e &a) "#, &!$e!%" "#&"and !o)a$d& !"e l#!!le b'!!on )"#%" %on!$olled !"e ele%!$#% l#+"!70)e %an !al2 #n !"e da$250He &!o**ed )#!" "#& "and on !"e *o$%ela#n 2nob( b$ea2#n+ o.. "#&d#!!y #n !"e ,#ddle o. a ba$5

0 y all ,ean&( #. yo' l#2e(0 "e &a#d( 0!"o'+" &"o'ld *$e.e$ !o &eeyo'( yo' 2no)50T"en "e d$o**ed l' '$#o'&ly #n!o an ea&y6%"a#$ by !"e &#de o. !"e.#$e( )"#%" %on!#n'ed !o e "#b#! a %o,.o$!able( +lo)#n+ $edne&&5

'! ve$y &oon /#+"!,a$2 be%a,e a)a$e o. a %e$!a#n )e#+"! o. a**$e"en&#on( )"#%" !oo2 .$o, "#, !"e *o)e$ !o en-oy !"e&e ,a!e$#al%o,.o$!&7 'na!!$a%!#ve *o&&#b#l#!#e& &ee,ed !o "ove$ #n !"e &#len!da$2ne&&( and "#& ,o$e &'b!#le &en&e& )e$e $o'&ed( and b$o'+"! !o a&!a!e o. '#ve$#n+ !en&#on( )"#%" )a& al,o&! #n&'**o$!able5 H#& )#.e,oved( and "e .el! !"a! &"e "ad d#$e%!ed "e$ eye& !o)a$d& "#,(!"o'+" "e %o'ld no! &ee "e$7 and "e )#n%ed #n&!#n%!#vely( &ee2#n+ !o

be .#$&! !o b$ea2 !"e &#len%e( b'! 'nable !o .#nd a !#,ely )o$d !o&ay5 T"e blo) .ell( and even )"#le &"e &*o2e "e .el! a '#%2 ad,#$a!#on .o$ !"e #n&!#n%! )"#%" "ad enabled "#, !o an!#%#*a!e "e$ !"o'+"!50D#%2(0 &"e &a#d '#e!ly( )#!"o'! ,ov#n+ .$o, "e$ *la%e by !"e)#ndo)( 0"ave yo' &een @"#,@ &#n%e6666>0T"e$e )a& no need o. na,e&7 "e d#d no! even no!#%e !"e o,#&&#on5Co'ld &"e &ee "#& .a%e( "e )onde$ed( #n !"e .#$el#+"!>0No;0 "e &#+"ed( 0no;0S"e %a,e nea$e$ !o "#,( &o nea$ !"a! "e %o'ld "ea$ "e$ b$ea!"#n+(!"e !o'%" o. "e$ .#n+e$& '*on !"e ba%2 o. a %"a#$7 and *$e&en!ly &"e&*o2e a+a#n0Yo' !"#n2 !"e$e )a& no e %'&e .o$ "#,>00A"66.o$ e %'&e; S"e )a& *$e!!y( yo' 2no);0He +o! '*( and &!ood .a%#n+ "e$ .o$ a ,o,en! #n !"e da$2ne&&( and!"en( )"#le &"e a**ea$ed !o %on&#de$( +lan%ed a! "#& )a!%"( and ,adea &'++e&!#on o. ,ove,en! !o)a$d& !"e doo$50Only a ,#n'!e( D#%2(0 &"e &a#d( #n !"e &a,e &e! vo#%e5 0Yo' )#ll do,e !"e -'&!#%e !o ad,#! !"a! "aven4! all'ded !o !"#& be.o$e5 '! "ave been !"#n2#n+66 %an4! "el* #!66and )an! !o 2no)666600To 2no)>0 "e e%"oed #,*a!#en!ly50To 2no) yo'$ *o&#!#on66o'$ *o&#!#on7 )"a! yo' "ad !o do )#!" #!all500W"a! #& !"e +ood> W"a! d#..e$en%e %an #! ,a2e>00 !4& !"e do'b!(0 &"e &a#d660!"e do'b!5 !"o'+"! yo' ,#+"! l#2e !oe *la#n500To e *la#n> ?ood /o$d; )"a! "ave !o e *la#n> & #! no! all&e!!led( all %lea$> My dea$ %"#ld( le! '& be $ea&onable( le! '&.o$+e!7 #!4& !"e only )ay50T"e$e )a& le&& o. an+e$ #n "#& vo#%e( b'! #. Eve %o'ld "ave &een "#&



eye& #n !"e .#$el#+"!( &"e ,#+"! "ave no!#%ed !"a! !"ey )e$e ve$y b$#+"!( and !"e#$ *'*#l& )e$e %on!$a%!ed !o "a$d( #$#de&%en! *o#n!&50Ho) %an #! be &e!!led(0 &"e a&2ed )ea$#ly( 0)"#le !"e$e #& !"#&&"ado) o. do'b!> And !o .o$+e!66Heaven 2no)& "ave !$#ed;0D#%2 &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$& !ole$an!ly5

0W"a! do yo' )an! ,e !o &ay>66!o e *la#n>00Co'ld yo' no! "ave )a$ned "#,( D#%2> D#d yo' no! &ee #! %o,#n+>S"e( !"a! )o,an( )a& &"e no! yo'$ ,odel> D#d "e no! ,ee! "e$ a! yo'$ &!'d#o> Wa& no! !"a! !"e be+#nn#n+ o. #! all> A"( %an yo' &ay !"a!yo' )e$e no! !o bla,e>0S"e &*o2e .a&!( .ollo)#n+ 'e&!#on )#!" 'e&!#on( a& #. &"ean!#%#*a!ed !"e an&)e$ )#!" ,#n+led .eel#n+& o. "o*e and .ea$( and!"e$e )a& ,o$e o. en!$ea!y !"an o. den'n%#a!#on #n "e$ la&! )o$d&50 !4& &'%" an old &!o$y(0 "e $e-o#ned( )#!" an a#$ o. .eeble

*$o!e&!5 0Ho) %o'ld .o$e&ee )"a! )o'ld "a**en> And(0 "e added("a$den#n+ "#,&el.( 0!"ey d#d no! ,ee! .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e a! ,y

&!'d#o7 on !"e %on!$a$y( #! )a& "e )"o b$o'+"! "e$ !o ,e( and &'&*e%!ed no!"#n+5 W"a! ,o$e %an &ay> S'$ely #! #& all *la#neno'+";0Eve &#+"ed5 ! &ee,ed !o "e$ "'&band !"a! &"e )a& on !"e )"oled#&a**o#n!ed( and "e .el! !"a!( )"#le "e )a& abo'! #!( "e ,#+"! "ave+#ven "#,&el. a .$ee$ "and( and ,ade "#,&el. e,e$+e( no! only)#!"o'! a &!a#n '*on "#& %"a$a%!e$66!"e e *$e&&#on o%%'$$ed !o "#,)#!" a 2#nd o. .a,#l#a$ ,o%2e$y66b'! )#!" bea!en d$',& and .ly#n+%olo'$&5He $e.le%!ed !"a! !"#& )a& ano!"e$ e a,*le o. !"e .olly o. a!!e,*!#n+ !o e%ono,# e5 A! !"e &a,e !#,e "e )a& +en!ly !"$#lled by)"a! "e o)ned !o "#,&el. )a& a no! #+noble e,o!#on !"a! &#+" &ee,ed!o &*ea2 &o na!'$ally and *a!"e!#%ally o. d#&#ll'&#on,en!( #! )a&&'%" a &#,*le l#!!le %on.e&&#on o. a da,a+ed #deal5 ! d#d no! o%%'$ !o "#, !o &'&*e%! !"a! !"e %"a$a%!e$ o. )"#%" "#& )#.e "ad .o$,ed!oo *$o'dly "#+" an e&!#,a!e )a& "#& o)n50Don4! yo' !"#n2 yo' ,#+"! !$'&! ,e>0 "e &a#d *$e&en!ly #n a ,#lde$(al,o&! *a!e$nal !one( ,a+nan#,o'&ly *$e*a$ed .o$ a %"a$,#n+ d#&*layo. *en#!en%e( )"#%" #! )o'ld be "#& d'!y $a!"e$ !o en%o'$a+e !"an !ode*$e%a!e50To !$'&! yo'>0 $e*l#ed Eve '#%2ly5 0Haven4! !"e a**ea$an%e o. !$'&!#n+ yo'> Don4! a%%e*! yo'$ e *lana!#on&>0

! )a& /#+"!,a$24& !'$n !o &#+"5 H#& )#.e ,oved a)ay( )#!" an a#$ o. d#&,#&&#n+ !"e &'b-e%!50 ! #& '#!e da$27 #! ,'&! be !#,e !o d$e&& .o$ d#nne$5 Plea&e !'$non !"e l#+"!50 T"en &"e added a& &"e le.! !"e $oo,( )#!"o'! )a#!#n+.o$ an an&)e$ 0And yo'( do yo' .#nd #! &o ea&y !o .o$+e!>0W"en /#+"!,a$2 )a& alone( "e &!ood .o$ a .e) ,#n'!e& be.o$e !"e .#$e#n ,ed#!a!#on7 !"en "e %len%"ed "#& .#&! v#%#o'&ly50Con.o'nd !"e +#$l( and "#,( !oo; No( *oo$ dev#l; "e ,ean! )ell5 !



)a& -'&! !"e &en&ele&&( '# o!#% &o$! o. !"#n+ one )o'ld "avee *e%!ed o. "#,5 '! don4! 2no) !"a! #! "a& done ,'%" +ood5 ! "a&,ade ,e .eel a &nea2( !"o'+" 4ve only been ly#n+ !o ba%2 "#, '*5W"y %o'ldn4! "e le! #! alone> T"e$e )o'ld "ave been a &!o$,( o. %o'$&e( b'! #! )o'ld &oon "ave blo)n ove$( and no one el&e need "ave

2no)n50He &!o**ed #n .$on! o. a ,#$$o$66"e "ad been *a%#n+ '* and do)n !"e$oo,66and .o'nd "#,&el. loo2#n+ $a!"e$ *ale #n !"e &o.!( b$#ll#an!+lo) o. !"e #n%ande&%en! la,*&5 Mo$eove$( !"e %lo%2 *o#n!ed !o an"o'$ ve$y nea$ !"a! .o$ )"#%" !"e %a$$#a+e "ad been o$de$ed5W"#le "e )a& d$e&&#n+ .o$ d#nne$( #! o%%'$$ed !o "#,66#! )a& no!.o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e66!"a!( a.!e$ all( #! )o'ld !a2e ve$y l#!!le !o$ende$ Ra#n"a,4& b'n+l#n+ devo!#on( and "#& o)n ,e$#!o$#o'&abe$$a!#on& .$o, !"e *a!" o. !$'!"( )o$&e !"an n'+a!o$y5 Fo$ )"a! #. K#!!y &"o'ld &*l#!>66&o "e ele+an!ly e *$e&&ed "#& .ea$&66)"a! #. !"e +#$l( o. )"o, "e "ad "ea$d no!"#n+ &#n%e !"e day o. !"a!

de*lo$able &%ene( &"o'ld b$ea2 loo&e( and !"$o) '* !"e *a$! )"#%"&"e "ad 'nde$!a2en '*on &'%" ve$y &"o$! no!#%e>De%#dedly( "e .el! !"a! "e )a& ab'ndan!ly -'&!#.#ed #n $e&en!#n+ !"e.al&e *o&#!#on #n!o )"#%" "e "ad been !"$'&!7 !"e #,*o&!'$e )a& !oo+la$#n+5 Wo'ld #! no! even no) be )ell !o $e,odel !"e &#!'a!#on )#!"a +$ea!e$ &e,blan%e o. ad"e$en%e !o .a%!&66!o ,a2e a %lean b$ea&! o. #!> T"e %$'d#!y o. !"e #dea o..ended "#,7 !"e *$o%e&& )o'ldne%e&&a$#ly be )an!#n+ #n a$!5 '! *o&&#bly #! )a& no! ye! !oo la!e!o &'b&!#!'!e a &!o$y )"#%"( #. #! %a'&ed "#, !e,*o$a$y d#&%o,.o$!()o'ld a! lea&! leave "#, ,o$e %e$!a#n o. !"e .'!'$e( !"e ,a&!e$ o. an ea&#e$( a le&& v#olen!ly o'!$a+ed %on&%#en%e5A! d#nne$ !"e !a%#!'$n#!y( bo$de$#n+ on ,o$o&ene&&( o. a !al2e$ '&'ally &o b$#ll#an! led "#& "o&! !o &'$,#&e !"a! /#+"!,a$2 "ad$'#ned a *#%!'$e( "#& "o&!e&& !o %on%l'de !"a! "e "ad 'a$$elled)#!" "#& )#.e5 He %a,e "o,e ea$ly( and o%%'*#ed !"e &,all "o'$& o. !"e ,o$n#n+ #n .o$,#n+ an a,ended *lan o. %a,*a#+n( o. )"#%" !"e.#$&! ,ove !oo2 !"e &"a*e o. a &o,e)"a! vol',#no'& le!!e$( add$e&&ed!o P"#l#* Ra#n"a,5

CHAPTER IIB

C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ )a& a ,an o. a &o,e)"a! a'&!e$e *'n%!'al#!y( and!"e$e )e$e .e) o. "#& "ab#!& #n )"#%" "e !oo2 a -'&!e$ *$#de !"an #n!"e #,,e,o$#al $e+'la$#!y )#!" )"#%" "e d#&!$#b'!ed !"e .#$&! .e)"o'$& o. "#& day5 To $#&e a! "al.6*a&! &even( )"a!eve$ ,#+"! be !"e&!a!e o. !"e !e,*e$a!'$e o$ !"e %ond#!#on o. !"e a#$7 !o $ea%" !"e

b$ea2.a&!6$oo, on !"e &!$o2e o. e#+"!( and !o devo!e "al. an "o'$ !o!"e *e$'&al o. !"e @T#,e&@ and o. "#& ,o$e #n!#,a!e %o$$e&*onden%e66o. %o'$&e( !"e$e )e$e %e$!a#n le!!e$& )"#%" "e $e&e$ved 'n!#l "#&a$$#val #n %"a,be$&66)"#le "e d#&%'&&ed a ,ode$a!e b$ea2.a&! )"#%"



&eldo, va$#ed7 !o $#de #n !"e Ro) .o$ ano!"e$ "al.6"o'$7 and.#nally( "av#n+ del#ve$ed "#& "o$&e !o a +$oo,( )"o ,e! "#, a! !"e%o$ne$ o. Pa$2 /ane( !o en!e$ !"e *$e%#n%!& o. !"e Te,*le( a.!e$ a

b$#&2 )al2 !"$o'+" P#%%ad#lly and !"e S!$and( &"o$!ly a.!e$ !en66!"e&e )e$e #n.all#ble a$!#%le& #n "#& &o,e)"a! $#+#d %$eed5

M$&5 Sylve&!e$( !"e$e.o$e( )a& &!$'%2 )#!" all !"e &'$*$#&e )"#%"$e&'l!& .$o, an 'n*$e%eden!ed b$ea%" o. %'&!o, )"en( de&%end#n+ !o b$ea2.a&! a! "e$ o)n la e$ "o'$ one da$2 ,o$n#n+ #n Feb$'a$y( &"e.o'nd "e$ &on &!#ll *$e&#d#n+ a! !"e !able( ab&o$bed #n "#& le!!e$&5He *'&"ed a&#de !"e&e and a *a%2e! o. !ele+$a, .o$,& a& &"e en!e$ed(and( $#&#n+ !o a%%e*! "e$ d#&%$ee! 2#&&( $e&*onded !o "e$ #,*l#%#!#n '#$y a& !o )"e!"e$ any!"#n+ )a& )$on+66"e$ eye& "ad &!$ayed#nvol'n!a$#ly !o !"e %lo%266by *o#n!#n+ "e$ a!!en!#on !o a *a$a+$a*"#n !"e ,o$n#n+ *a*e$5 H#& ,anne$ )a& ,o$e &ole,n !"an '&'al7 #!

be!$ayed an 'nde$%'$$en! o. &'**$e&&ed e %#!e,en!50T"#& #& 'n'&'al(0 "e $e,a$2ed7 0b'!( yo' &ee( "ave an e %'&e50

S"e .ollo)ed !"e d#$e%!#on o. "#& .#n+e$ 0Dea!" o. !"e Me,be$ .o$ No$!" Mallo)50 T"e %$ea, o. !"e ne)& )a& %on!a#ned .o$ "e$ #n !"e"ead#n+( and &o &"e d#d no! $ead !"e $e&! o. !"e no!#%e( )"#%" )a& a&"o$! one5

No)( No$!" Mallo) )a& !"e $e&*e%!able %on&!#!'en%y #n )"#%" a%oal#!#on o. !)o *a$!#e& "ad &ele%!ed M$5 Sylve&!e$ !o be !"e#$ %and#da!e a! !"e ne ! ele%!#on( )"#%" !"#& dea!" "ad !$an&.e$$ed#n!o !"e #,,ed#a!e *$e&en!50My dea$ boy;0 &a#d M$&5 Sylve&!e$ &y,*a!"e!#%ally5T"en &"e %"e%2ed "e$&el.( $e%o+n#&#n+ !"a! a !oo o*en &a!#&.a%!#on#n !"e even!66o**o$!'ne a& #! ,#+"! be66)o'ld be "a$dly de%en!50O. %o'$&e( #! #& ve$y &ad .o$ "#,( *oo$ ,an;0 &"e $e,a$2ed5 0 '! %anno! "el* .eel#n+ +lad !"a! yo' &"o'ld be #n !"e Ho'&e( and &o,'%" &oone$ !"an )e e *e%!ed50He #n!e$$'*!ed "e$ )#!" ano!"e$ d#&%$ee! e,b$a%e50My dea$ boy;0 &"e &a#d a+a#n va+'ely( %on!en!edly( a& &"e *o'$ed"e$&el. a %'* o. !ea50He "a& been #n bad "eal!" .o$ &o,e !#,e(0 %on!#n'ed C"a$le&5 0Hed#ed !)o day& a+o a! Canne&5 ! #& a&!on#&"#n+ !"a! d#d no! "ea$ !"e ne)& be.o$e5 "ave )#$ed !o H'!%"#n&( ,y ele%!#on a+en!( and #.

%an ,ana+e #!( &"all $'n do)n !o Mallo)5 O. %o'$&e one #& &o$$y( b'! &#n%e #! "a& been o$de$ed &o( a.!e$ all( one "a& !o !"#n2 o. !"e *a$!y500A" ye&( !"e *a$!y(0 ,'$,'$ed M$&5 Sylve&!e$ &y,*a!"e!#%ally7 0o. %o'$&e !"a! #& !"e +$ea! !"#n+5 a, &'$e yo' )#ll d#&!#n+'#&"yo'$&el.5 &'**o&e !"e$e #& no dan+e$ o. a de.ea!>00O"( #! #& a &a.e &ea!; '! one "a& al)ay& !o %anva&&7 !"e$e #&al)ay& a %e$!a#n $#&25 &o,e!#,e& )#&"66660 He &!o**ed &"o$!(

*'lled ne$vo'&ly a! "#& %olla$( .#nd#n+ #! a l#!!le d#..#%'l! !oe *$e&& "#& ,ean#n+5 0 !"#n2(0 "e )en! on a! la&! )#!" a v#&#ble



e..o$!( .l'&"#n+ &o,e)"a!( 0!"a! ,'&! ,a$$y5 An #n!ell#+en! )o,andevo!ed !o ,y #n!e$e&!& )o'ld be o. +$ea! &e$v#%e !o ,e no)50M$&5 Sylve&!e$ allo)ed "e$ eye& !o $e,a#n #n d#&%$ee! ob&e$va!#on o. !"e !able%lo!"50 "ave o.!en !"o'+"! &o(0 &"e &a#d a! la&! '#e!ly5

0 ndeed;0 "e $e,a$2ed *ol#!ely5 0Ye&7 #! #& a ,a!!e$( *e$"a*&( )"#%" &"o'ld "ave d#&%'&&ed )#!" yo' be.o$e5 a, .'lly a)a$e o. !"e$#+"! yo' "ave6666 )o'ld no!( ,ean( "ave .a#led666600O"( ,y &on;0 &"e *$o!e&!ed( 0 a, &'$e yo' "ave al)ay& been ,o&!%o$$e%!500 "ave !$#ed !o be(0 "e &a#d &#,*ly5 0 . "ave &a#d no!"#n+ !oyo'( #! "a& been be%a'&e )#&"ed !o be %a'!#o'&( no! !o %o,,#!,y&el.( !o be ve$y &'$e666600O. !"e lady4& a..e%!#on( do yo' ,ean>00A"( %an one eve$ be &'$e o. !"a!> No7 ,ean $a!"e$ o. ,y o)na!!#!'de( o. ,y o)n &#!'a!#on5 ! "a& al)ay& &ee,ed !o ,e !"a!

,a$$#a+e #& a ve$y +$ea! 'nde$!a2#n+( a !"#n+ !o be #,,en&ely%on&#de$ed( no! !o be e,ba$2ed on $a&"ly500Yo' v#e) eve$y!"#n+ &o -'&!ly;0 &"e e %la#,ed5 0Have yo'66a, !o'nde$&!and !"a! yo' "ave a *a$!#%'la$ *e$&on #n v#e)>0He )aved a&#de !"e %o,*l#,en! )#!" a bland +e&!'$e( )"#%" a&&e$!ed!"a! only "#& ,a+nan#,#!y *$even!ed "#, .$o, a%2no)led+#n+ #!&!$'!"50S'$ely( &'$ely;0 "e &a#d5 0Yo' a$e *e$"a*& a)a$e "o) #,,en&ely

ad,#$e M#&& Ma&!e$&7 !"a! "ave *a#d "e$ ve$y +$ea!a!!en!#on66,a$2ed a!!en!#on( ,ay &ay>00 ob&e$ved &o,e!"#n+ o. !"e 2#nd a! /'%e$ne5 d#d no! 2no) #. #!"ad %on!#n'ed7 &o,e!#,e& !"o'+"! &o5 Have yo' *$o*o&ed !o "e$>00No(0 "e &a#d &lo)ly7 0 "ave no! ye! *$o*o&ed !o "e$5 Na!'$ally( )#&"ed !o %on&'l! yo' .#$&!500 a, &'$e( C"a$le&(0 &a#d "#& ,o!"e$ %"ee$.'lly( 0!"a! &"all bee !$e,ely *lea&ed5 S"e #& a ve$y n#%e +#$l5 S"e #& a +$ea!6n#e%e o. /o$d Ha elb'$y( and %onne%!ed )#!" !"e Ma$&"e&( and 2no) &"e )#ll"ave a! lea&! &# !y !"o'&and *o'nd&50He +lan%ed a%$o&& a! "e$( .$o)n#n+ a l#!!le( )#!" a %e$!a#n#$$#!a!#on50 &"all no! ,a$$y "e$ .o$ "e$ ,oney(0 "e &a#d50My dea$ boy(0 &"e $e!al#a!ed( 0 d#d no! &'**o&e yo' )o'ld be,e$%ena$y7 only( a l#!!le ,oney #& ve$y de&#$able7 and /ady ?a$ne!!"a& a +$ea! deal( and Ma$y )#ll %e$!a#nly +e! "e$ &"a$e o. #!500A"( don4! l#2e "e$(0 *'! #n C"a$le& #n%on&e 'en!ly7 0&"e #& a

*$o.ane old )o,an500Ne#!"e$ do 7 b'! one ,'&! a%%e*! "e$5 And Ma$y( a.!e$ all( #& only"e$ n#e%e500S"e "a& a bea'!#.'l %"a$a%!e$(0 "e %on!#n'ed &lo)ly5 <T"#& !#,e "e)a& no! &*ea2#n+ o. /ady ?a$ne!!5= 0 ad,#$e #! ,o$e !"an %an &ay7



#! "a& ve$y +$ea! de*!"&50H#& ,o!"e$ loo2ed '* a! "#, '#%2ly( &!$'%2 by "#& &!$en'o'& a%%en!(.o$ )"#%" &"e )a& &%a$%ely *$e*a$ed5 S"e "ad a "#+" no!#on o. "#&%"a$a%!e$( o. "#& ab#l#!y( and )a& *lea&ed( ,o$e *lea&ed !"an &"e%a$ed !o ad,#!( a! !"e &'#!ab#l#!y o. !"e ,a!%"5 He "ad al)ay& been

an e %ellen!( even a &y,*a!"e!#% &on7 and #! "ad been *a$! o. "#&e %ellen%e !"a! )"eneve$ "e &"o'ld ,a$$y( &"e "ad been '#!e %e$!a#n!"a! "e )o'ld ,a$$y l#2e !"#&( &ele%!#n+ )#!" d#+n#!y a yo'n+ )o,an)"o, one %o'ld e,*"a!#%ally a**$ove66a !e&!#,ony !o "#& %on&!an%y #n%e$!a#n de.#n#!e !$ad#!#on& #n )"#%" "e "ad been $ea$ed( !$ad#!#on&(#! ,ay be &a#d( )"#%" "e ad"e$ed !o )#!" a !ena%#!y !"a! evene %eeded "e$ o)n5

! "ad neve$ en!e$ed #n!o "e$ %al%'la!#on&( "o)eve$( !o loo2 '*on"#, a& an a$den! love$( and ye! #! )a& a& an a$den! love$ !"a! "e"ad -'&! &*o2en5 S"e $e%o+n#&ed !"e !one5And( &!$an+ely eno'+"( .o$ !"e ,o,en! #! "a**ened !o !o'%" "e$( !o

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bo' 'e! #n "e$ "a&!e !o *$even! "#& &*ee%"5 He *#%2ed #! '* '#%2lyand $e*la%ed #! #n "e$ "and&50No( don4! +o( M#&& Ma&!e$&(0 "e #n&#&!ed5 0 &'$ely "ave a $#+"! !o

be "ea$d5 A.!e$ all( do no! $e '#$e !en ,#n'!e&( no$ .#ve5 Only %a,e !o &ay666600A"( don4! &ay #!( M$5 Sylve&!e$(0 &"e *leaded5 0W"a! #& !"e +ood>00 ,ean !"a! love yo'; )an! yo' #,,en&ely !o be ,y )#.e50S"e ben! "e$ "ead ove$ "e$ .lo)e$&( &o !"a! "e$ eye& )e$e '#!e"#dden( and "e %o'ld no! &ee !"a! !"ey )e$e .'ll o. !ea$&7 and .o$ a



lon+ !#,e !"e$e )a& &#len%e( #n )"#%" Sylve&!e$4& .oo! 2e*! !#,ene$vo'&ly )#!" !"e ,'&#%5 T"e +#$l b#!!e$ly $e*$oa%"ed "e$ !#$edne&&( )"#%" "ad d'lled a**$e"en&#on &o .a$ !"a! &"e "ad no!$eal# ed a! on%e !"e dan+e$ o. !"e &#!'a!#on( no$ $e!$ea!ed )"#le!"e$e )a& ye! !#,e5 S"e "ad al)ay& d$eaded !"#&7 and no) !"a! #! )a&

a%%o,*l#&"ed( an #ll#,#!able v#&!a o. !"e d#&a+$eeable %on&e 'en%e& b$oadened o'! be.o$e "e$5 T"e #%e be#n+ on%e b$o2en( "o)eve$ &"e,#+"! an&)e$ "#, no)( a $e*e!#!#on( *e$"a*& even &eve$al( %o'ld&%a$%ely be avo#ded7 &"e .o$e&a) !"a! "#& *e$&#&!en%e )o'ld be#,,en&e( &o !"a! )#!" )"a!&oeve$ .#nal#!y &"e ,#+"! $e.'&e "#,( #!)o'ld all be !o +o ove$ a+a#n5 And )#!" #! all )a& -o#ned "e$ na!'$al $el'%!an%e !o +#ve an "one&! +en!le,an *a#n( only "e#+"!ened

by "e$ &en&e !"a!( .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e #n "e$ 2no)led+e o. !"e ,an(!"e ev#den! &#n%e$#!y o. "#& *'$*o&e "ad +#ven &#,*l#%#!y !o "#&&*ee%"5 He .o$ on%e "ad been ne#!"e$ .o$,al no$ ab&'$d( and !"e'n# 'ene&& o. !"e .a%!( !a2en #n %on-'n%!#on )#!" "e$ &"a$e #n #!(

&ee,ed !o "ave +#ven "#, a %la#, on "e$ %on&#de$a!#on5 He "ad %a&!a&#de !"e a$,o'$ o. &el.6%on%e#! a! )"#%" &"e %o'ld "ave !"$o)n ada$! )#!"o'! $e,o$&e( and !"e ,an &ee,#n+ &o de.en%ele&&( &"e "ad ade&#$e !o deal +en!ly )#!" "#,50M$5 Sylve&!e$(0 &"e &a#d a! la&!( loo2#n+ '* a! "#,( 0 a, &o&o$$y( b'! *lea&e do no! &*ea2 o. !"#& any ,o$e5 el#eve ,e( #! #&

'#!e #,*o&&#ble5 a, &en&#ble o. !"e "ono'$ yo' do ,e( dee*ly&en&#ble( only #! #& #,*o&&#ble5 /e! '& .o$+e! !"#&66!"#& ,#&!a2e(and be be!!e$ .$#end& !"an )e "ave eve$ been be.o$e500A"( Ma$y(0 "e b$o2e o'!( 0yo' ,'&! no! an&)e$ ,e l#2e !"a!( )#!"o'!%on&#de$a!#on5 W"y &"o'ld #! be #,*o&&#ble>00Fo$+#ve ,e(0 &"e &a#d +en!ly7 0only a, !#$ed no)5 And%on&#de$a!#on )o'ld no! al!e$ #!5 /e! ,e +o50He *'! one "and o'! de!a#n#n+ "e$( and &"e &an2 ba%2 a+a#n )ea$#lyon "e$ %"a#$50 . yo' a$e !#$ed( &o ,'%" !"e ,o$e $ea&on !"a! yo' &"o'ld "ea$ ,e5Yo' )#ll no! be !#$ed #. yo' ,a$$y ,e5 . yo' a$e !#$ed( #! #&

be%a'&e yo'$ l#.e "a& no +$ea! #n!e$e&!& #!4& .$#volo'&7 #! #&d$#bbled a)ay on l#!!le !"#n+&5 Yo' don4! $eally %a$e .o$ #!66yo'a$e !oo +ood .o$ #!66!"e &o$! o. l#.e yo' lead500T"e &o$! o. l#.e lead>00T"e #deal& o. yo'$ &e!( o. !"e *eo*le )"o &'$$o'nd yo'$ a'n!( o. yo'$ a'n! "e$&el.5 T"e )"ole !"#n+ #& ba$$en500A$e )e ,o$e .$#volo'& !"an !"e $e&!>0 &"e a&2ed &'ddenly50Yo' a$e be!!e$ !"an !"e $e&!(0 "e &a#d *$o,*!ly5 0T"a! #& )"y )an! yo' !o ,a$$y ,e5 Yo' )e$e ,ade .o$ +$ea! #n!e$e&!&66.o$ a la$+e&%ene500W"a! a$e !"ey66yo'$ +$ea! #n!e$e&!&( yo'$ #deal&>0 &"e a&2ed

*$e&en!ly5 0Ho) a$e !"ey &o ,'%" be!!e$ !"an o'$&>66!"o'+" don4!2no) )"a! o'$& ,ay be50



0 . yo' ,a$$y ,e( yo' )#ll .#nd o'!(0 "e &a#d5 0O"( yo' &"all "ave!"e,( *$o,#&e yo' !"a!; )an! yo' #,,en&ely( Ma$y; a, -'&!+o#n+ #n!o *'bl#% l#.e( ,ean !o +o .a$66and #. "ave yo'$ &'**o$!( yo'$ &y,*a!"y( #. yo' be%o,e ,y )#.e( &"all +o ,'%".a$!"e$5 And )an! !o !a2e yo' a)ay .$o, all !"#& l#!!lene&&( and

*'! yo' )"e$e yo' %an be .el!( )"e$e yo'$ %"a$a%!e$66 %an4! &ay "o) ad,#$e #!66,ay "ave &%o*e500 a, &o$$y(0 &"e &a#d a+a#n7 0yo' a$e ve$y +ood( and yo' do ,e+$ea! "ono'$ b'! %an only an&)e$ a& be.o$e66#! #& no! *o&&#ble500A"( b'! yo' +#ve no $ea&on;0 "e %$#ed5 0T"e$e #& no $ea&on500 & #! no! a +ood eno'+" one !"a! do no! love yo'>0 &a#d !"e +#$l50Only ,a$$y ,e(0 "e *e$&#&!ed( 0and !"a! )#ll %o,e5 don4! )an! !o"'$$y yo'( yo' 2no)5 )o'ld $a!"e$ yo' )o'ld !a2e !#,e and%on&#de$7 +#ve ,e yo'$ an&)e$ #n a )ee2 o$ !)o4& !#,e50T"ey )e$e &#len! .o$ a l#!!le7 Sylve&!e$ )a& no) *e$.e%!ly %o,*o&ed"#& o)n a+#!a!#on &ee,ed !o "ave %o,,'n#%a!ed #!&el. !o !"e +#$l(

)"o, "e )a!%"ed #n!en!ly( )#!" "#& bland( #,*a$!#al +a e5 S"e "ad%lo&ed "e$ eye&( )a& $e&!#n+ "e$ %"#n on "e$ bo' 'e!( and a**ea$ed!o be dee*ly ,ed#!a!#n+ "#& )o$d&5 S"e loo2ed '* a! la&! )#!" al#!!le &"#ve$50 a, ve$y !#$ed(0 &"e &a#d5 0 . *$o,#&e !o !"#n2 ove$ )"a! yo'"ave &a#d !o6n#+"! and !o +#ve yo' ,y an&)e$ #n a ,on!"4& !#,e( )#llyo' !$y and .#nd /ady ?a$ne!! .o$ ,e no)>00A"( M#&& Ma&!e$&66Ma$y;0 "e &a#d( 0!"a! #& all )an!500And #n !"e ,ean!#,e(0 &"e *'$&'ed +en!ly( 0!o allo) !"e &'b-e%! !od$o*>00Yo' ,'&! ,a2e yo'$ o)n !e$,&(0 "e &a#d7 0b'! &'$ely ,ay %o,e and&ee yo'>00Be$y )ell(0 &"e %on&en!ed( a.!e$ a ,o,en!7 0#. #! +#ve& yo' any

*lea&'$e( yo' ,ay %o,e50A! )"#%" C"a$le& &#,*ly !oo2 "e$ %old( #$$e&*on&#ve "and #n "#& o)n()#!" a &#len! *$e&&'$e5 $$e&*on&#ve a& #! )a&( "o)eve$( "e $e,#nded"#,&el.( &"e "ad ,ade no e..e%!#ve *$o!e&! a+a#n&! !"e +e&!'$e5

CHAPTER IIB

A! /ady Day( )"en !"e ne+o!#a!#on& .o$ !"e &ale o. "#& 'n*$o.#!able$#ve$&#de do,a#n )e$e .#nally %on%l'ded( Ra#n"a, &%a$%ely $e+$e!!ed!o .#nd !"a! an a,*le ,a$+#n "ad been le.! be.o$e !"e ne) %o,*any!oo2 *o&&e&&#on7 and "e "ad &!#ll &eve$al ,on!"&( d'$#n+ )"#%" "e,#+"! $e,a#n #n o%%'*a!#on o. "#& old "ab#!a!#on( and a$$an+ele#&'$ely .o$ !"e &'b&e 'en! d#&*o&#!#on o. "#& boo2& and ,o$e#n!#,a!e *e$&onal %"a!!el&5 T"e d#la*#da!ed old "o'&e )a& !o be

*'lled do)n by !"e ne) o)ne$& <!"e *lan& .o$ an e !en&#ve )a$e"o'&e(!o be e$e%!ed on !"e &#!e o. #!( )e$e al$eady #n !"e "and& o. !"e

b'#lde$&=( and !"#& al&o )a& a .a%! .$o, )"#%" Ra#n"a, de$#ved a



%e$!a#n &a!#&.a%!#on5n&en&#bly( !"e &*o! "ad d#&%ove$ed a %"a$, .o$ "#, !"e .e) $oo,&(

)"#%" "ad been "#& .o$ &o lon+( al!"o'+"( a%!'ally( &o &,all a *$o*o$!#on o. "#& day& "ad been &*en! #n !"e,( "ad +$ad'ally !a2en!"e #,*$e&& o. "#& *e$&onal#!y66!"e .aded %a$*e!&( !"e .a,#l#a$

+$o'*#n+ o. *#%!'$e& and boo2&( !"e ve$y &"a*e o. !"e a*a$!,en!( and!"e d#&%olo'$ed *a*e$ on !"e )all&( e *$e&&ed "#, #n a )ay !"a!%e$!a#nly no o!"e$ ab#d#n+ *la%e( )"#%" ,#+"! %on%e#vably a)a#! "#,(%o'ld eve$ do5 And "e !oo2 a d$ea$y *lea&'$e #n !"e %on&#de$a!#on!"a!( a.!e$ "e "ad +one( !"e $oo,& )o'ld 2no) no o!"e$ o%%'*an!7!"a! .$o, !"e +la ed and ba$$ed )#ndo)& o. !"e d$ea$y b'#ld#n+()"#%" )a& !o !a2e !"e *la%e o. !"e 'a#n! old "o'&e( )"en #! )a&levelled !o !"e +$o'nd( no *e$&on )o'ld eve$ +a e o'!( e a%!ly a& "e"ad done( a! !"e )"#!e and ,elan%"oly $#ve$7 #n )"#%"( a& "e &a#d !o"#,&el. .an!a&!#%ally( "e "ad %a&!( one by one( a& !"e day&len+!"ened( "#& #n!e$e&!&( "#& *a&&#on&( "#& de&#$e&5

Yea$& be.o$e( by an a%%#den! o. #n"e$#!an%e( "e "ad %o,e #n!o !"e *$o*e$!y )#!" an #,,en&e an!#*a!"y 66a )"#!e ele*"an! !"a! )o'ld b$#n+ "#, ne#!"e$ *$o.#! no$ "ono'$( b'! )"#%" !"e ,ode&! %o,*e!en%e!"a! "e "ad *$ev#o'&ly en-oyed d#d no! allo) "#, !o $e.'&e5 ! "adal!e$ed !"e !eno$ o. "#& e #&!en%e( de&!$oyed "#& yo'!" and "#&a,b#!#on&( and $e*$e&en!ed .o$ ,any yea$&( ,o$e %o,*le!ely !"anany!"#n+ el&e( !"e ele,en! o. .a#l'$e )"#%" "ad $'n !"$o'+" "#&l#.e5And( a.!e$ all( no) !"a! del#ve$an%e )a& a! "and( "e )a& by no ,ean&

-'b#lan!5 n e&%a*#n+ .$o, !"#& !"$aldo, o. &o ,any yea$&( "e .el!&o,e!"#n+ o. !"e %"a+$#n )#!" )"#%" a ,an )#!ne&&e& !"e $e,oval o. &o,e lon+6%"e$#&"ed and #nve!e$a!e +$#evan%e7 !"e ,o$e &o( #n !"a!"e %o'ld no) $e,#nd "#,&el. #,*a$!#ally "o) &,all #! "ad been( "o)l#!!le( a.!e$ all( "e "ad allo)ed #! !o )e#+" '*on "#,5 n e..e%!("ad "e no! al)ay& done ve$y ,'%" a& "e l#2ed( l#ved "al. "#& !#,eab$oad #n "#& *$e.e$$ed *la%e&( %"o&en "#& o)n .$#end&( and .ollo)ed"#& o)n !a&!e& )#!"o'! +$ea!ly %on&#de$#n+ "#& #n"e$#!ed o%%'*a!#on>He ,'&! loo2 dee*e$ !"an !"a!( "e $e.le%!ed( )#!"#n "#,&el.( o$ #n!o!"e na!'$e o. !"#n+& !"e,&elve&( a%!'ally !o &e# e and de.#ne !"a!%'$#o'& .la) )"#%" "ad ,ade l#.e &ee, !o "#, a! la&! <.$o, )"a!)ea$#ed *&y%"olo+#&!( $ead lon+ a+o and "al. .o$+o!!en( d#d "e %'ll!"e *"$a&e>= 0a lon+ d#&ea&e o. !"e &*#$#!50Fo$ a**$e%#a!#on& o. !"#& 2#nd( "e "ad( no)aday&( a,*le le#&'$e7 and'n*$o.#!able a& #! a**ea$ed <"e d#d no! even *$e!end !o "#,&el. !"a!#! )o'ld lead any)"e$e( &#n%e )"a! .a#n! #ll',#na!#on "e ,#+"!&!$#2e .$o, #! %o'ld only $e.e$ !o !"e *a&!=( "e )a& &eldo, !#$ed o. &ea$%"#n+ .o$ !"e,5A "a$d Ma$%"( %#!ed +ene$ally a& !"e %olde&! )#!"#n !"e ,e,o$y o. a+ene$a!#on( .ollo)#n+ a )#n!e$ o. .o+ and $a#n( "ad ,ade "#, an#nve!e$a!e *$#&one$ )#!"#n !"e .o'$ )all& o. "#& a*a$!,en!5 He "ad(



#ndeed( !"e $'n o. o!"e$& a! !"#& !#,e( .o$ !"e 'llen& "ad le.! "#,<a! !"e la&! !"e$e "ad been no 'e&!#on o. l#!!le Ma$+o!4&a**$o*$#a!#on7 Ra#n"a, "ad !a2en #! &o &e$enely .o$ +$an!ed !"a! &"e)o'ld $e,a#n )#!" "#,=( b'! !"#& )a& a *$#v#le+e o. )"#%" "e d#d no!ava#l "#,&el.5 And !"e *la%e( &!$#**ed o. all #!& %o,,e$%#al

a!!$#b'!e&( "ad .allen #n!o an #,,en&e de&'e!'de( !o )"#%" !"e %"a$,o. &#len%e( and o. a dee*e$ &ol#!'de !"an #! "ad eve$ *o&&e&&ed be.o$e( )a& a!!a%"ed5T"e do%2 +a!e& )e$e .#nally %lo&ed7 a "a$d .$o&! o. ,any day&4d'$a!#on "ad al,o&! "e$,e!#%ally &ealed !"e,( and !"e d$#* o. T"a,e&)a!e$ !"$o'+" !"e &l'#%e& .o$,ed #,,ed#a!ely #n!o lon+( .an!a&!#%&!ala%!#!e& o. %lea$ #%e5 Ra#n"a, .o'nd #! d#..#%'l! !o bel#eve( a!!#,e&( !"a! !"e b'&!le o. !"e )"a$ve&( !"e $oa$ o. ,a$#!#,e /ondon(&!#ll )en! on a! "#& elbo)&( !"e de&e$!ed ya$d %a&! &'%" a *ano*lyo. &#len%e $o'nd "#,5 ! )a& a& !"o'+" "e "ad .allen &'ddenly .$o,!"e ,#d&! o. ,en #n!o &o,e )"olly abandoned $e+#on( a land o.

*e$*e!'al &no)&5 ! &y,bol# ed )ell .o$ "#, !"e .an!a&!#% &e*a$a!#on)"#%" "e "ad &'..e$ed .$o, !"e $e&! o. !"e )o$ld7 &o !"a!( b'! .o$ !"e *a#n!e$ O&)yn( )"o )a& a %on&!an! v#&#!o$( and "ad( #ndeed(&#n%e !"e de*a$!'$e o. !"e 'llen&( a $oo, &e! a*a$! .o$ "#, #n !"e"o'&e( "e ,#+"! "ave been al$eady dead and b'$#ed( and "#& old l#.e)o'ld no! "ave &ee,ed ,o$e $e,o!e5 And #. "e .o'nd !"e a!,o&*"e$e o.

la%2*ool( ,o$e o.!en !"an no!( !o be o. &oo!"#n+ 'al#!y( o$ a!lea&! a "a$,on#o'& &e!!#n+ !o !"e lon+ and a#,le&& %o'$&e o. #n!$o&*e%!#on on )"#%" "e "ad e,ba$2ed( !"e$e )e$e al&o !#,e& )"en#! "ad a %e$!a#n !e$$o$ .o$ "#,5

! %a,e '*on "#, #n !"e even#n+( a& a $'le( )"en Ma$+o! "ad been%a$$#ed a)ay !o bed by !"e "a$d6.ea!'$ed old )o,an )"o "ad &'%%eededM$&5 'llen #n !"e &'*e$#n!enden%e o. "#& "o'&e"old7 .o$ !"e %"#ld()#!" "e$ &)ee!( &"$#ll vo#%e and "e$ #n.an!#le %"a!!e$( "ad %o,e !o&ee, !o "#, .a$ ,o$e even !"an O&)yn( abo'! )"o, !"e$e )o'ld al)ay&l'$2 &o,e!"#n+ &"ado)y and 'n$eal( a la&! l#n2 )#!" !"e l#v#n+7 )"en!"e !#de )a& nea$ly o'!( &o !"a! !"e &!#llne&& )a& no! even b$o2en

by !"e lon+( l'+'b$#o'& &y$en o. a *a&&#n+ &!ea,e$( "#& #&ola!#on)a& bo$ne #n '*on "#, )#!" &o,e!"#n+ o. !"e &!#n+ o. &"a$*( *"y&#%al

*a#n5T"e da$2 old $oo,( )#!" #!& ,#lde)#n+ )a#n&%o!( be%a,e .'ll o. +"o&!&7 and "e %o'ld .an%y !"a! !"e &*#$#!& o. "#& an%e&!o$& )e$e$e!'$ned .$o, !"e o!"e$ &#de o. S!y !o .#n+e$ !"e *a+e& o. by+oneled+e$&( and !o ,o%2 .$o, be!)een !"e &"ado)& o. "#& #n%on+$'o'&

boo2&"elve&( a! !"e#$ de+ene$a!e de&%endan!5 And !"e&e d#d b'! +#ve *la%e( a,#d &!$an+e %$ea2#n+ and %on!o$!#on& o. !"e de%ay#n+ )all&(!o &*e%!$e& ,o$e #n!#,a!e( )"o&e $e*$oba!#on ,oved "#, ,o$e !"e.a%e& o. ,any *e$&on& )"o, "e "ad 2no)n .o$,#n+ !"e,&elve&( )#!"e !$ao$d#na$y v#v#dne&&( o'! o. !"e da$2ne&&( and #n !"e $ed e,be$&o. !"e .#$e( and ea%" add#n+ #!& #!e, o. *a$!#%'la$ &%o$n !o !"e



$o'nd a%%'&a!#on o. .'!#l#!y b$o'+"! by !"e $e&!5 T"ey )e$e *a$! o. "#& #n!$o&*e%!#on( all !"o&e66"e )a& no! &#%2 eno'+" !o "old !"e,$eal66b'! neve$!"ele&& !"ey +ave "#, .ood .o$ ,'%" v#+#lan! !"o'+"!()"#%" %a,e ba%2 al)ay& !o !"e +$ea! #n!e$e&! o. "#& l#.e5 F'!#l#!y;D#d &"e !oo( !"e beloved )o,an( *o#n! an a%%'&#n+ .#n+e$( %a&!#n+

ba%2 a! "#, a &a%$#.#%e )"#%"( %e$!a#nly( #n "#& !"en d#&ab#l#!y&ee,ed !o "#, va#n eno'+"> Fo$ all "#& +ood)#ll( "ad "e +a#ned any,o$e .o$ "e$ !"an a &"o$! $e&*#!e( !"e !e,*o$al $e%on&!$'%!#on o. a.ad#n+ #ll'&#on>66and a! )"a! a *$#%e; T"e #$ony o. !"#n+& )a& -'&!!"en &o *$e&en! !o "#, !"a! "e %o'ld $ead#ly bel#eve "e "ad done no,o$e !"an !"a!66eno'+" ,e$ely !o e,b#!!e$ "e$ 2no)led+e )"en #!&"o'ld .#nally %o,e5 And an old &ay#n+ o. /ady ?a$ne!!4& $e!'$ned !o"#,( )"#%"( a! !"e !#,e( "e "ad d#&*'!ed7 b'! )"#%" &!$'%2 "#, no))#!" !"e &"a$* &!ab o. an #n!#,a!e !$'!"5 0Yo' %o'ld "ave *$even!ed#!( "ad yo' )#&"ed50 Ye&( "e ,#+"! "ave *$even!ed #!( #. only "e "ad.o$e&een7 !"e )#&e old )o,an "ad no! ,ade a ,#&!a2e5 And ye! "e "ad

)#&"ed !o *$even! #!( #n a ,anne$( only "#& %olde$ &e%ond!"o'+"!&66"e ,ade no allo)an%e no) .o$ !"e#$ +ene$o'& #n!en!#on66"ad.o'nd *$o*$#e!y #n !"e ,a!%"( and "#& lon+ "ab#! o. &*e%!a!o$&"#*"ad ,ade !"e *e$&onal e..o$!( )"#%" #n!e$.e$en%e )o'ld "ave#nvolved( #,*o&&#ble5Ha$2#n+ ba%2 &%$'*'lo'&ly !o !"e $e,o!e day& o. Eve4& +#$l"ood( "#&,o$b#d $e%olle%!#on %olle%!ed a va$#e!y o. &%a!!e$ed !"$ead&( o. d#&*e$&ed &#+n& and !o2en&( )"#%" led "#, !o a&2 a! la&!( )#!" a+a!"e$#n+ d$ead( )"e!"e$ "e "ad no! ,ade a ,#&!a2e( ,'&! no! *lead+'#l!y !o a %"a$+e o. ,al#n+e$#n+( o$( a! lea&!( o. #n!elle%!'al%o)a$d#%e #n a% '#e&%#n+ &o &'*#nely #n de.ea!>Wa& #! !$'e( !"en( !"a! a ,an .o'nd #n l#.e ve$y ,'%" )"a! "e

b$o'+"! !o !"e &ea$%">Ce$!a#nly( !"e )o$ld )a& .'ll o. *e$&on& )"o "ad been b$o2en on !"e)"eel .o$ !"e#$ *$o*e$ a'da%#!y( be%a'&e !"ey "ad &o'+"! &o ,'%",o$e !"an )a& !o be .o'nd7 b'! ,#+"! #! no! be e 'ally !$'e !"a! one%o'ld e$$ on !"e o!"e$ &#de( e *e%!( de&#$e !oo l#!!le( le&& even!"an )a& !"e$e( and &o $ea* .#nally( a& "e "ad done( #n an #,,en&ela&&#!'de and d#&+'&! o. all !"#n+&( bo$n ne#!"e$ o. &a!#e!y no$ o. d#&a**o#n!,en!( !"e .'ll ,ea&'$e o. one4& $e)a$d> Pe$"a*& &'%%e&& #n!"e d#..#%'l! a$! o. l#.e de*ended( al,o&! a& ,'%" a& #n !"e *la&!#%a$!&( '*on %onv#%!#on( '*on !"e *e$&onal en!"'&#a&, )"#%" one

b$o'+"! !o bea$ '*on #!& %ond'%!( and )a& neve$ $eally %o,*a!#ble)#!" !"a! a!!#!'de o. "al.6d#&da#n.'l !ole$a!#on )"#%" "e "ad &oea$ly a% '#$ed5Ye! !"a! )a& a %on.e&&#on o. .a#l'$e "e )a& loa!" !o ,a2e( o$ ad,#!!"a! "e "ad been !oo ,'%" a.$a#d o. "#+" *a&&#on& and +$ea! a..a#$&("ad been .a&!#d#o'& and $e&e$ved only !o d#&&#*a!e "#& l#.e on )"#,&and &,all #n!e$e&!&66!"o&e &ee,ed !o "#, no) !oo +$ea! $e.'&al& !o

be %on!e,*la!ed )#!"o'! $e+$e!5 H#& de*$e&&#on "ad $ea%"ed #!&



lo)e&! *#!%" )"en "e "ad a&2ed "#,&el. )"e!"e$ #n love( a& #n l#.e("#& e$$o$ ,#+"! no! "ave been !"e &a,e7 and "#& *a&&#on( l#2e !"e$e&!( a !"#n+ )#!"o'! %onv#%!#on( and !"e$eby .o$edoo,ed !o .a#l5And #! )a& a &en&#ble allev#a!#on o. "#& ,ood )"en "e %o'ld an&)e$ !"#& 'e&!#on .#nally )#!" a .#$, ne+a!#ve5

Ce$!a#nly( "#& va#n de&#$e .o$ "e$ *e$&onal *$e&en%e( .o$ !"e%on&ola!#on o. "e$ vo#%e and eye&( )a& )#!" "#, al)ay&( l#2e !"ea%"e o. *"y&#%al "'n+e$ o$ !"#$&!66!"e one !"#n+ $eal #n a )o$ld o. &"ado)&5Rea%"#n+ !"#& *o#n! one n#+"!( and $ela*&#n+( a& )a& "#& )on!( #n!oa va+'e$ ,ood o. $e,#n#&%en%e( no! )"olly 'n*lea&an!( )"#%" !"eda$2ne&& o. !"e '#e! $oo,( l#! only by !"e .#$e o. lo+&( !'$ned a!la&! #n!o d$o)&#ne&&( "e loo2ed '* *$e&en!ly( )#!" a &'dden &!a$!(!o .#nd O&)yn &!and#n+ ove$ "#,50 a, &o$$y(0 &a#d !"e *a#n!e$7 0 a, a.$a#d "ave a)a2ed yo'5 T"e$oo, )a& &o da$2 !"a! #,a+#ned yo' "ad +one !o bed5 %a,e !o )a$,

,y&el. be.o$e !'$n#n+ #n50Ra#n"a, &"#.!ed "#& %"a#$ a l#!!le( and )a!%"ed !"e o!"e$ a& "ee !ended "#& !"#n( ne$vo'& "and& !o !"e +lo)50Don4! a*olo+# e(0 "e &a#d7 0 "aven4! &o ,any v#&#!o$& !"a! %ana..o$d !o ,#&& !"e be&! o. !"e,5 e&#de&( )a& only "al. a&lee*( o$ "al. a)a2e( a& yo' l#2e !o loo2 a! #!500O"( loo2 a! #!;0 %$#ed O&)yn5 0My dea$ .ello)( don4!( and )on4!50He *o#n!ed "#& )o$d&( )"#%" Ra#n"a, .o'nd ,ean#n+le&& eno'+"( )#!"an #,*a!#en! d#+ o. "#& $'&!y boo! a+a#n&! !"e .$a+$an! )ood( and"#& .$#end %on&#de$ed "#, %'$#o'&ly #n !"e l#+"! o. !"e bla e )"#%""#& +e&!'$e "ad *$ovo2ed50 & !"e$e any!"#n+ )$on+>0 "e a&2ed5 0Mo$e )$on+ !"an '&'al( ,ean500A& yo' l#2e !o loo2 a! #!(0 e%"oed !"e o!"e$7 0a ,a$e4& ne&!66ad#&%ove$y o. !"e ble&&ed *'bl#%66o"( b'! a d#&%ove$y; T)o o$ !"$ee%leve$ yo'n+ ne)&*a*e$ ,en( )#!" a !#* .$o, Pa$#& !o "el* !"e,( "ave,ade a d#&%ove$y7 !"ey "ave 'nea$!"ed a d#&$e*'!able *a#n!#n++en#'&( one O&)yn( and .o'nd !"e #nev#!able :e) o. %'l!'$e66yo' 2no)!"e !y*e( all no&e and &"e2el&66!o .#nan%e !"e#$ boo,5 O"( #!4&+en'#ne; "ave Mo&en!"al4& le!!e$ #n ,y *o%2e!66#! )a& "anded ,e byM%All#&!e$66o..e$#n+ "#& +alle$y( !"e *#%2 o. ond S!$ee!5 O&)yn4&E "#b#!#on( )#!" e *'$+a!#on& and $e&e$va!#on&( o. %o'$&e( b'! ane "#b#!#on; Don4! yo' %on+$a!'la!e ,e>0Ra#n"a, +lan%ed '* a! "#,( &,#l#n+7 a! la&! "e &a#d )"#,&#%ally0 . yo' don4! )an! ,e !o( o. %o'$&e )on4!5 '! @a*$e&@( )"e$e4& !"e"a$,>00A"( !"ey don4! 'nde$&!and(0 %$#ed !"e o!"e$ '#%2ly( a%$#dly5 0T"eydon4! 'nde$&!and50He "ad d$a)n "#& %"a#$ be&#de Ra#n"a,( and &a! )#!" "#& la$+e('n%o'!" "ead *$o**ed on one "and( and !"e la!!e$ %o'ld *e$%e#ve !"a!



"#& ,o'!" )a& !)#&!ed )#!" va+'e #$ony and &o,e &'b!#le e,o!#on)"#%" el'ded "#,50Yo' a$e !"e +$ea! *a$ado ;0 "e &#+"ed a! la&!5 0Fo$ Heaven4& &a2e(

be $ea&onable; ! #& a %"an%e( )"oeve$ ,a2e& #!( and yo' ,'&!n4!,#&& #!( .o$ !"e &a2e o. a .e)66!"e -'&!( !"e *'$e( !"e d#&%$ee!(

)"o do 2no) +ood )o$266a& )ell a& .o$ yo'$ o)n5 A.!e$ all( )e a$eno! all +$o&&( and .a!'o'&( and v'l+a$7 !"e$e a$e &o,e o. '& )"o2no)( )"o %a$e( )"o ,a2e .#ne d#&!#n%!#on&5 Con&#de$ '&;00Con&#de$ yo'>0 %$#ed !"e o!"e$ '#%2ly5 0A"( @,on +$o&@( don4!

66,o$e !"an any!"#n+>0T"en "e %on!#n'ed #n a l#+"!e$ 2ey0Ho)eve$( don4! $e.'&e7 yo' !a2e ,e !oo l#!e$ally5 ! )a& !"e la&!

b#!!e$ %$y o. ,y &*leen5 "ave *'! ,y&el. #n Mo&en!"al4& "and&74ve &old "#, !)o *#%!'$e&50

0 n !"a! %a&e( !"en( )"y a, no! !o be +lad>00O"( #!4& &'%%e&&;0 &a#d O&)yn5 He +lan%ed %on!e,*!'o'&ly a! "#&

.$ayed &"#$!6%'..( )#!" !"e b$oad &!a#n& o. *a#n! '*on #!5 0 e +lad(#. yo' l#2e7 a, +lad #n a )ay5 ?od 2no)&( "ave a$$ea$& !o ,a2e'* )#!" !"e .le&"6*o!& o. E+y*!5 And "ave *a#d ,y *$#%e .o$ #!5O"( "ave da,nably *a#d ,y *$#%e;0Ra#n"a, &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$& ab&en!ly50Ye&( one *ay&(0 "e a+$eed660one *ay&( &o,e !#,e o$ o!"e$( !o !"ela&! *enny50H#& .$#end $o&e( *'&"ed "#& %"a#$ ba%2 #,*a!#en!ly "e "ad !"e a#$ o. &'**$e&&#n+ &o,e .#e$%e e,o!#on( o. an #o'&ly &ee2#n+&el.6%on!$ol5 A! la&! "e ,oved ove$ !o !"e bla%2 & 'a$e o. )#ndo)(and &!ood )#!" "#& "and& #n "#& *o%2e!&( loo2#n+ o'! a! no!"#n+( a!!"e .$o&!y .an!a&#e& )"#%" "ad %olle%!ed on !"e +la&&50 . #! "ad %o,e !en yea$& a+o(0 "e &a#d #n a lo)( %on&!$a#ned vo#%e(0!en yea$& a+o( #n Pa$#&5555 O"( ,an( ,an;0 "e )en! on b#!!e$ly( 0#. yo' %o'ld 2no)( #. yo' %o'ld d#,ly #,a+#ne !"e "o$$o$&( !"e ,ad(.'$#o'& "o$$o$&( !"e !"#n+& "ave &een and &'..e$ed( &#n%e !"en50He *'lled "#,&el. '* &"a$*ly( and %on%l'ded )#!" a l#!!le ,#$!"le&&la'+"( a& !"o'+" "e )e$e a&"a,ed o. "#& o'!b'$&!50Yo' )o'ld %on&',e a +$ea! deal o. $a) &*#$#!( !o !a2e !"e !a&!e o'!o. yo'$ ,o'!"5 And ,y 4Med'&a4 #& !o "an+ .o$ !"e .'!'$e #n M$5Mo&en!"al4& d#n#n+6$oo,; W#ll "e 'nde$&!and "e$( do yo' !"#n2>0Ra#n"a, )a& &#len!( )onde$#n+ a! "#& .$#end4& de*a$!'$e .$o, "#&)on!ed $e!#%en%e( )"#%"( "o)eve$( &%a$%ely &'$*$#&ed "#,5 He "adneve$ &o'+"! !o *ene!$a!e !"e da$2 ba%2+$o'nd( a+a#n&! )"#%" !"e

*a#n!e$4& &ol#!a$y .#+'$e &!ood5 He )a& %on!en! !o a%%e*! "#, a& "e)a&( a&2#n+ no 'e&!#on&( and "a$dly .o$,#n+( even #n "#& o)n ,#nd(%on-e%!'$e& a& !o )"a! "#& *$ev#o'& "#&!o$y and $ela!#on& ,#+"! "ave

been5 He )a& no! #+no$an!( #ndeed( !"a! "e )a& a ,an )"o "ad been #nda$2 *la%e&7 #! "ad al)ay& &ee,ed *o&&#ble !o a%%o'n! .o$ "#, on !"e!"eo$y !"a! "e l#ved on !"e ,e,o$y o. an #ne !#n+'#&"able &o$$o)5



And no) !"#& *o&&#b#l#!y "ad $e%e#ved %o$$obo$a!#on .$o, "#& o)n)o$d&( &"edd#n+ a ne) l#+"!( #n )"#%" bo!" "#& %"a$a%!e$ and "#&+en#'& be%a,e ,o$e #n!ell#+#ble5 He "ad only &!ood o'! o. !"e&"ado)& )"#%" ob&%'$ed "#, .o$ one #n&!an!7 b'! !"a! #n&!an! "ad

been eno'+"5

And Ra#n"a, d#d no! .#nd !"e o%%a&#on le&& val'able( no$ !"e#,*$e&&#on )"#%" "e "ad $e%e#ved le&& *#!#.'l( be%a'&e "e bel#eved#! !o be 'l!#,a!e and 'n# 'e7 "#& .$#end )o'ld ,a2e no va#n(elabo$a!e %on.#den%e&7 "e )o'ld &#,*ly &!e* ba%2 #n!o "#& oldob&%'$#!y( leav#n+ Ra#n"a, )#!" !"e ,e,o$y o. !"a! #n&!$'%!#ve %$y)"#%" "ad been )$'n+ .$o, "#, by !"e #$ony o. !a$dy $e%o+n#!#on()"en "e "ad &een "#, l'$#dly &!and#n+ ove$ !"e )$e%2 o. "#& "ono'$ and o. "#& l#.e5 And )#!" "#& *#!y !"e$e %a,e !o "#, a .$e&" &en&eo. !"e +$ea!ne&& o. !"e *a#n!e$4& )o$25 H#& +en#'&( &o .'ll o. &'..e$#n+( and o. !"e &en&e o. an al,o&! .#end#&" %$'el!y #n !"#n+&()a&( &#,*ly( "#& l#.e( "#& e *e$#en%e( "#& $e,o$&e5

W#!" !"e "and o. a ,a&!e$( )#!" !"e .#ne&! !e%"n# 'e( )"#%" ,ade "#&)o$2 ad,#$able even !o *e$&on& )"o ,#&#n!e$*$e!ed o$ )e$e $evol!ed by #!& %on%e*!#on( "e $ende$ed !"e !"#n+& "e "ad 2no)n( &o !"a! "#&a$! )a& no!"#n+ &o ,'%" a& an e *$e&&#on o. "#& *e$&onal *a#n #nl#.e5

n !"e l#+"! o. !"#& v#&#on #n!o !"e bo!!o, o. O&)yn4& &o'l(Ra#n"a,4& o)n *a#n &ee,ed &'ddenly &"allo) and $e,o!e7 "e "ad +a ed.o$ a ,o,en! '*on a bla%2e$ de&ola!#on !"an any )"#%" "e %o'ld 2no)5He .el! a ne)( a !ole$an! &y,*a!"y !o)a$d& "#& .$#end( and #! &!$'%2 "#,( no! .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( b'! )#!" an #n%$ea&ed .o$%e( a& "e$e,#nded "#,&el. "o) "#& day& )e$e bo'nded( !"a! !"ey "ad ,any!"#n+& )"#%" !"ey "ad &!#ll !o &ay( !"#n+& )"#%" ,'&! %e$!a#nly be&a#d5

CHAPTER II I

n !"e &a,e $oo, one a.!e$noon a .o$!n#+"! la!e$( O&)yn &a!(ab&en!ly %o$$e%!#n+ !"e d$a.! %a!alo+'e o. "#& e "#b#!#on( )"en "e$e%e#ved an #n!#,a!#on( )"#%" .o$ &o,e day& "e "ad e *e%!ed66"#&.$#end .el! &!$on+ eno'+" !o &ee "#,5 He *'! do)n "#& *en( +lan%#n+'* #n '#$#n+ly a! !"e bea$e$ o. !"#& ,e&&a+e( a yo'n+ )o,an #n !"enea!( de*$e&&#n+ +a$b o. a *$o.e&&#onal n'$&e7 b'! .o$ an&)e$ &"e&l#+"!ly &"oo2 "e$ "ead )#!" !"e d#&#n!e$e&!ed %o,*la%en%y o. !"e)o,an '&ed !o &#%2ne&&( )"o )o'ld en%o'$a+e no .al&e no!#on&50 ! #& only !e,*o$a$y(0 &"e &a#d )#!" del#be$a!#on5 0 .ea$ !"e$e"a& been no $eal #,*$ove,en!7 !"e *a!#en! #& &!ead#ly lo&#n+&!$en+!"5 Only "e #n&#&!& on &ee#n+ yo'7 and )"en !"ey a$e l#2e!"a!( one ,'&! +#ve !"e, )"a! !"ey )an!5 ,'&! be+ yo' !o e %#!e"#, a& l#!!le a& *o&&#ble50O&)yn bo)ed a d$ea$y a&&en!( and .ollo)ed "e$ '* !"e ob&%'$e



&!a#$%a&e( )"#%" %$ea2ed &'llenly benea!" "#& !$ead5 And "e &!ood.o$ a .e) ,o,en!& #n &#len%e( 'n!#l "#& eye& )e$e a%%'&!o,ed !o !"eda$2ened $oo,( )"en !"e n'$&e "ad +en!ly %lo&ed !"e doo$ be"#nd "#,(leav#n+ "#, alone )#!" "#& .$#end5He al,o&! bel#eved( a! .#$&!( !"a! Ra#n"a, ,'&! be &lee*#n+( "e lay

ba%2 )#!" &'%" e !$e,e '#e!ne&& #n !"e la$+e old6.a&"#oned bed5 And&ee#n+ "#, !"e$e #n !"a! ne) "el*le&&ne&&( "e $eal# ed( al,o&! .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( "o) l#!!le !"e$e )a& !o &ay o$ !o "o*e5He "ad neve$( #ndeed( been #+no$an! !"a! "#& .$#end4& "old on l#.e)a& *$e%a$#o'&7 &o,e &'%" &%ene a& !"#& "ad o.!en been #n "#& ,#nd

be.o$e7 only( #n&en&#bly( Ra#n"a,4& o)n -e&!#n+ a!!#!'de !o)a$d& "#&d#&ab#l#!#e& "ad "al. #,*o&ed on "#,( and ,ade !"a! *o&&#b#l#!ya**ea$ #n!an+#ble and $e,o!e5 '! no)( #n v#e) o. !"e %"an+e )"#%"!"e la&! .o$!n#+"! "ad )$o'+"! #n "#,( "e %o'ld %"e$#&" no#ll'&#on&7 !"e )o$&! !"a! )a& *o&&#ble )a& all no) !"a! one %o'lde *e%!5 He )a& a %"a$,#n+( +ene$o'&( %leve$ .ello)( and "e )a&

dy#n+7 !"a! )a& a !"#n+ one %o'ld no! +e! ove$5He ,oved a%$o&& !o !"e bed&#de( and Ra#n"a,4& eye& &'ddenly o*ened5T"ey )e$e #,,en&ely la$+e( &!$an+ely b$#ll#an!7 "#& .a%e "ad .allen#n( )a& &o )"#!e and lon+ and lean( !"a! !"e&e !$e,endo'& eye&&ee,ed al,o&! all o. !"e ,an !"a! )a& &!#ll !o be a%%o'n!ed5O&)yn de$#ved !"e #,*$e&&#on .$o, !"e, !"a!( )"#le "#& .$#end4& body"ad been .a#l#n+( "#& ,#nd "ad neve$ been ,o$e v#+o$o'&7 !"a!(d'$#n+ !"e&e lon+ n#+"!& and day&( )"en "e "ad la#n &o ,o!#onle&&(#n &o %on!#n'ed a &#len%e( #! "ad only been be%a'&e "e )a& !"#n2#n+)#!" $edo'bled #n!en&#!y5P$e&en!ly( a& Ra#n"a,4& l#*& ,oved &l#+"!ly( "e d$e) nea$e$( and

ben! "#& "ead ove$ "#,50Don4! !al2(0 "e &a#d ne$vo'&ly( a& Ra#n"a, a**ea$ed !o &!$'++le)#!" !"e d#..#%'l!y o. '!!e$an%e7 0don4! !#$e yo'$&el.5 4ve only%o,e !o loo2 a! yo'5 Wa#! 'n!#l yo' a$e a l#!!le &!$on+e$50Ra#n"a, $a#&ed "#& "and #,*a!#en!ly50 ! )on4! !#$e ,e( and !#$ed o$ no! !"e$e a$e !"#n+& ,'&! &*ea2 o.5 & &"e #n !"e $oo,66!"e n'$&e>0He &*o2e &lo)ly( and )#!" a v#&#ble e..o$!7 b'! "#& vo#%e( al!"o'+"#! &%a$%ely $o&e above a )"#&*e$( and &ee,ed &"ado)y and .a$ a)ay()a& del#be$a!e and d#&!#n%!5 O&)yn &"oo2 "#& "ead50S"e "a& +#ven ,e "al. an "o'$7 yo' ,'&! no! ab'&e #!5 "ave

*$o,#&ed !o 2ee* yo' '#e!5 $eally bel#eve yo' a$e a l#!!le be!!e$500 a, )ell eno'+" .o$ )"a! )an!66!o !al2 !o yo'5 A.!e$ !"a!( )#ll be a& '#e! a& yo' l#2e( .o$ a& lon+ a& yo' l#2e5 Only "ave

been 2ee*#n+ ,y&el. .o$ !"#& all !"e&e la&! .e) day& !"a! "avela#n "e$e l#2e a lo+( l#&!en#n+ !o !"e !#%2#n+ o. !"a! ,e$%#le&&%lo%25 T"ey !"o'+"! )a& &lee*#n+( 'n%on&%#o'&( ve$y l#2ely5 "ave

been %olle%!#n+ ,y&el.( !"#n2#n+ #,,en&ely( )a#!#n+ .o$ !"#&50



0 "ave al)ay& been "e$e(0 &a#d !"e o!"e$ &#,*ly( 0#n %a&e yo'&"o'ld &end .o$ ,e5 "ave been *a#n!#n+ Ma$+o!5 S"e #& a dea$ l#!!le &o'l7 &"e ,#&&e& yo' &adly500 ! #& o. "e$ *a$!ly !"a! ,'&! &*ea25 "ave le.! all %an !o"e$5 . yo' )#ll &o,e!#,e& +#ve "e$ a !"o'+"!7 &"e #& ab&ol'!ely

)#!"o'! belon+#n+&5 don4! )#&" !o ,a2e #! a %"a$+e on yo'( a b'$den( only &o,e!#,e& #! "a& &!$'%2 ,e la!ely !"a! yo' )e$e#n!e$e&!ed #n !"e %"#ld( !"a! yo' l#2ed "e$( and "ave !a2en !"el#be$!y o. ,a2#n+ yo' a &o$! o. +'a$d#an5 S"e %o'ld l#ve )#!" !"e

'llen&666600O"( l#2e "e$66 l#2e "e$;0 %$#ed O&)yn( )#!" a &"o$! la'+"5 T"en"e )en! on ,o$e &e$#o'&ly( "al.6a*olo+e!#%ally( a& !"o'+" !"e o!"e$ ,#+"! "ave .o'nd "#& ,#$!" #ll6!#,ed 0My dea$ .$#end( #! #& a +$ea!"ono'$( a +$ea! *lea&'$e( yo' +#ve ,e5 ( !oo( "ave no belon+#n+&(no #n!e$e&!&7 !"#& ,#+"! be a +$ea! one5 neve$ !"o'+"! o. #!

be.o$e( ,'&! ad,#!7 b'! )#ll ado*! "e$5 S"e &"all l#ve )#!" ,e(

#. #!4& ne%e&&a$y5 Only( a"; le! '& "o*e &!#ll !"a! !"#& ,ay no! bene%e&&a$y( !"a! #! #& *$e,a!'$e50T"e o!"e$ "eld '* a !"#n "and de*$e%a!#n+ly50A"( don4! le! '& .en%e )#!" !"e !$'!"5 "ave al)ay& &een #!%o,#n+( and )"y &"o'ld l#e abo'! #!( no) !"a! #! #& %o,e> W"en one#& a& !#$ed a& a,( !"e$e #& only one o!"e$ !"#n+ )"#%""a**en&66one d#e&5 Yo' don4! &'**o&e &"o'ld "ave &en! .o$ yo' l#2e!"#& #. #! "adn4! been &o>0He lay ve$y &!#ll .o$ a ,o,en! o$ !)o )#!" "#& eye& %lo&ed( a& #. !"e e..o$! )"#%" &*ee%" %o&! "#, )a& %on&#de$able5 A! la&! "e &a#dab$'*!ly0T"e$e a$e !"#n+& yo' &"o'ld 2no)7 &"e #& /#+"!,a$24& %"#ld50O&)yn "ad &ea!ed "#,&el. on a lo) %"a#$ by !"e bed7 "e 2e*! "#& "eadave$!ed( a& doe& a *$#e&! )"o "ea$& %on.e&&#on&7 and "e +a ed )#!"ab&en! eye& a! !"e .#$e )"#%" b'$ned &'l2#ly( a! !"e $o) o. ,ed#%#ne6bo!!le& on !"e ,an!el*#e%e( a! all !"e d$ea$y *a$a*"e$nal#ao. a &#%26$oo,50Ye&( &"e #& /#+"!,a$24& %"#ld(0 %on!#n'ed Ra#n"a,7 0and !"e ,o!"e$ )a& !"a! +#$l )"o, )e .o'nd !)o yea$& a+o66do yo' $e,e,be$>66!"en#+"! o. yo'$ .#$&! v#&#! "e$e o'!&#de !"e +a!e&5 S"e %alled "e$&el. M$&5 C$#%"!on5 !4& a ,#&e$able &!o$y7 only d#&%ove$ed #! '#!e$e%en!ly50O&)yn d$e) #n a dee* b$ea!"( )"#%" &o'nded l#2e a &#+" #n !"e&!$an+ely &!#ll $oo,5

! d#d no! &o ,'%" &'++e&! &'$*$#&e a& !"e #nde.#nable $el#e. )"#%"a ,an .eel& )"en a%%#den! *e$,#!& "#, !o e *$e&& %o+n# an%e o. &o,e.a%! o. )"#%" "e "a& lon+ been #n)a$dly a&&'$ed50 2ne) !"a! lon+ a+o(0 "e &a#d a! la&!5 0 &'&*e%!ed #! )"en .#$&! &a) !"e +#$l7 b'! &a#d no!"#n+ !o yo' a! !"e !#,e7 *e$"a*& )a& )$on+5 A.!e$)a$d&( )"en )e 2ne) ea%" o!"e$ be!!e$( !"e$e &ee,ed



no o%%a&#on7 "ad al,o&! .o$+o!!en !"e e*#&ode500Ye&(0 )en! on !"e o!"e$ .a#n!ly7 0)e "ave all ,ade ,#&!a2e&66 ,o$e!"an ,o&! .ol2( *e$"a*&50T"en "e a&2ed &'ddenly0Had yo' any ,o!#ve( any $ea&on .o$ yo'$ &'&*#%#on>0

0 ! )a& !"e na,e C$#%"!on66!"e ,an4& *&e'dony, on !"e @O'!%$y@5 !.la&"ed a%$o&& ,e !"en !"a! &"e )a& a.!e$ /#+"!,a$25 He )a& -'&!&eve$#n+ "#& %onne%!#on )#!" !"e *a*e$5 He "ad al)ay& 2e*! #! ve$y%lo&e( and da$e &ay )a& one o. !"e .e) *e$&on& )"o )e$e #n !"e&e%$e!5 T"a! #& )"y( a! !"e bo!!o, o. "#& "ea$!( "e #& a.$a#d o. ,e66a.$a#d !"a! &"all b$#n+ #! '*5 !4& !"e one !"#n+ "e #&a&"a,ed o.500 &ee( &ee(0 %$#ed Ra#n"a, )ea$#ly7 0!"e )$e!%"ed .ello);00Dea$ ,an( )"y &"o'ld )e !"#n2 o. "#,>0 b$o2e #n O&)yn7 0"e #&n4!)o$!" #!5 No) o. all &ea&on& %an4! )e .#nd a !o*#% le&& 'n&avo'$y>00Yo' don4! 'nde$&!and(0 %on!#n'ed Ra#n"a,( a.!e$ a &l#+"! *a'&e #n

"#& !"#n( .a$6a)ay vo#%e5 0 a, no! !"#n2#n+ o. "#,( o$ only#nd#$e%!ly5 "ave .o'nd "#, o'!( and &"o'ld be %on!en! eno'+" !o.o$+e! "#, #. #! )e$e *o&&#ble5 Only( 'n.o$!'na!ely( "e "a**en& !o

be #ne !$#%ably en!an+led )#!" all !"a! #& ,o&! &a%$ed( ,o&!#,*o$!an! !o ,e5 ! #& o. "#& )#.e66M$&5 /#+"!,a$2 do yo' 2no)"e$>66!"a! !"#n250O&)yn &"oo2 "#& "ead50 2no) "e$ only by &#+"!( a& )e all do7 &"e #& ve$y bea'!#.'l500 don4! ,#nd !ell#n+ yo' !"a! "ave %on&#de$ed "e$ a +$ea!deal66ye&( #,,en&ely5 &"o'ld no! &*ea2 o. #!66o. "e$66'nle&& )e$e dy#n+7 b'!( a.!e$ all( )"en one #& dy#n+( !"e$e a$e !"#n+& one,ay &ay5 "ave "eld ,y *ea%e &o lon+5 And &#n%e "ave been ly#n+"e$e "ave "ad !#,e !o *onde$ #!( !o "ave !"o'+"! #! all o'!5 !&ee,& !o ,e !"a! &#,*ly .o$ "e$ &a2e &o,eone &"o'ld 2no)

be.o$e66be.o$e !"e o%%a&#on *a&&e&66-'&! !"e *la#n !$'!"5 O. %o'$&e(Sylve&!e$ by $#+"!& o'+"! !o be !"e ,an( only %an4! a&2 "#, !o%o,e !o ,e66!"e$e a$e $ea&on&7 and( be&#de&( "e #& an a&&500Ye&( "e #& an a&&(0 ad,#!!ed O&)yn &#,*ly7 0!"a! #& $ea&on eno'+"50And -'&! !"en !"e$e .la&"ed #n!o "#& ,#nd !"e one no!able o%%a&#onon )"#%" !"e ba$$#&!e$ "ad $'n a%$o&& "#,( "#& #n!$#+'#n+ le!!e$ and!"e #ne..e%!'al v#&#! )"#%" "ad .ollo)ed #!66#ne..e%!'al a& "e "ad&'**o&ed( b'! )"#%" ,#+"! neve$!"ele&&( "e $e.le%!ed no)( "ave "ad#!& $e&'l!&( #$on#%al and #no**o$!'ne eno'+"5 ! )a& a ,e,o$y o. no#,*o$!an%e( and ye! #! &ee,ed -'&! !"en !o be !"e la&! o. a lon+!$a#n o. &,all l#+"!& !"a! led !o a )"ole !o$%" o. #ll',#na!#on( #n)"#%" !"e e #&!en%e o. l#!!le Ma$+o! and "e$ 'a#n! -' !a*o&#!#on)#!" "#& .$#end( )"#%" #n "#& +ene$al ea&y a!!#!'de !o)a$d& !"e.an!a&!#% "e "ad no! !$o'bled !o #nve&!#+a!e( )a& a,*ly and+ene$o'&ly -'&!#.#ed5 He !'$ned $o'nd &'ddenly( %a'+"! "#& .$#end4&!"#n "and( )"#%" "e "eld5



0A"( don4! !$o'ble !o e *la#n( !o ,a2e ,e 'nde$&!and(0 "e ,'$,'$ed50 !4& eno'+" !"a! 'nde$&!and yo' "ave done &o,e!"#n+ ve$y .#ne(!"a! yo' a$e !"e ,o&! +ene$o'& o. ,en50Ra#n"a, )a& &#len! .o$ a ,o,en! "e "ad no lon+e$ !"e *"y&#%al%a*a%#!y o. &,#l#n+7 b'! !"e$e )a& a +lea, o. !"e old "',o'$ #n "#&

eye&( a& "e $e*l#ed0Only !"e ,o&! .o$!'na!e66#n ,y .$#end&7 !"ey a$e &o %leve$( !"ey&ee !"#n+& &o '#%2ly5 Yo' ,a2e !"#& ve$y ea&y50O&)yn d#d no! &"#.! .o$ a )"#le .$o, "#& *o&#!#on "e )a& !o'%"ed(,oved ,o$e dee*ly !"an "e &"o)ed7 and !"e$e )a& a !$a%e o. e,o!#on#n "#& vo#%e66o. &o,e!"#n+ )"#%" $e&e,bled envy50T"e "a**y )o,an; ! #& &"e )"o o'+"! !o 2no)( !o 'nde$&!and500 ! #& .o$ !"a! )#&"ed !o !ell yo'(0 )en! on Ra#n"a, .a#n!ly(0!"a! &"e ,#+"! 2no) &o,e day( !"a! !"e$e ,#+"! be -'&! one *e$&on)"o %o'ld +#ve "e$ !"e !$'!" #n #!& &ea&on5 Ye&; )an!ed "e$ !o beal)ay& #n #+no$an%e o. )"a! &"e "ad ,ade o. "e$ l#.e( o. !"e 2#nd o.

,an &"e "a& ,a$$#ed5 S"e )a& &'%" a %"#ld7 #! &ee,ed !oo *#!#.'l5 !)a& .o$ !"a! d#d #!( da,ned ,y&el. #n "e$ eye&( !o +#ve "e$ al#!!le lon+e$66a &o$! o. $e&*#!e5 Be$y l#2ely ,ade a ,#&!a2e;T"o&e !"#n+& %an4! be %on%ealed .o$ eve$( and !"e lon+e$ !"e#ll'&#on la&!&( !"e ,o$e b#!!e$ !"e a)a2en#n+5 Only #. #! ,#+"!&e$ve "e$ la!e$( #n "e$ da$2e&! "o'$( a& a &o$! o. a.!e$6!"o'+"!( #!)on4! "ave been '#!e va#n5 T"a! #& "o) &ee #! no) )an! "e$ !o2no) #,,en&ely66!o 2no) !"a! &"e "a& al)ay& been 'n&*ea2ably dea$ !o,e5 A"( don4! ,#&!a2e ,e; !4& no! .o$ ,y&el.( #!4& no! ye!7 &"all"ave done )#!" l#.e( done )#!" love( by !"a! !#,e5 W"en one #& a&!#$ed a& a,( dea!" &ee,& ve$y +ood7 only #! "a&n4! !"o&e !"#n+&5

No!"#n+ %an ,a2e any d#..e$en%e !o ,e7 a, !"#n2#n+ o. "e$( !"a!&o,e day o$ o!"e$ #! )#ll be .o$ "e$ bene.#! !o 'nde$&!and( !o$e,e,be$666600To $e,e,be$>00Ye&( !o $e,e,be$(0 $e*ea!ed Ra#n"a, '#e!ly( 0!"a! "e$ 'n"a**#ne&&"a& #!& %o,*en&a!#on7 #. &"e "a& been b#!!e$ly )$on+ed( &"e "a& al&o

been .e$ven!ly loved50T"e o!"e$ &a#d no!"#n+ .o$ a lon+ !#,e( &#,*ly %on&#de$ed !"e&#!'a!#on )"#%" Ra#n"a,4& )o$d&( and &!#ll ,o$e even !"an any!"#n+!"a! "e "ad &a#d( !"e !"#n+& !"a! "e "ad no! &a#d( "ad &!$#2#n+ly$evealed !o "#,( leav#n+ "#,( a! !"e la&!( #n a &!a!e o. ,#n+lede,o!#on& ove$ )"#%"( *e$"a*&( a)e *$edo,#na!ed5A! la&! "e $e,a$2ed ab$'*!ly0 ! @#&@ yo' )"o a$e .o$!'na!e7 yo' a$e &o nea$ly done )#!" #! all7yo'4ve &'%" a lon+ $e&! be.o$e yo'50 T"en "e added )#!" a ne)&ole,n#!y 0Yo' ,ay !$'&! ,e( Ra#n"a,5 W"en #! #& &ea&onable( M$&5/#+"!,a$2 &"all 2no) !"e !$'!"5 Pe$"a*& &"e )#ll %o,e !o ,e .o$ #!66Heaven 2no)&;66&!$an+e$ !"#n+& "ave "a**ened5 Yo' "ave ,y "and '*on#!7 !"#n2 yo' a$e $#+"!50



0R#+"!> Yo' ,ean !"a! #! )a&n4! a ,#&!a2e( a @be!#&e@>00@Fel# %'l*a@; . #! )a& a ,#&!a2e #! )a& a ve$y .#ne one500A"; don4! $e+$e! #!(0 &a#d Ra#n"a,( 0only666600Only #! )a& a ,#&!a2e !o &'**o&e !"a! l#.e )a& !o be a$$an+ed5 T"a!)a& all ,ean!5 Ye&7 don4! bel#eve #n ,'%"( b'! bel#eve #n

ne%e&&#!y5 Yo' %an4! +e! ove$ #! yo'$&el.( and yo' %an4!66no( no!.o$ all yo'$ +ood)#ll( yo'$ +ene$o&#!y66+e! ove$ #! .o$ ano!"e$5T"e$e a$e &#,*ly #nev#!able $e&'l!& o. #$$evo%able %a'&e&( and no

*la%e .o$ $e*en!an%e o$ $e&!#!'!#on5 And ye! yo' "el* "e$( no! a&yo' ,ean! !o( and no! no)7 b'! a"( yo' "el* "e$;00So lon+ a& do !"a!66660 ,'$,'$ed Ra#n"a,( )#!" a dee* #n"ala!#on(%lo&#n+ "#& eye& )ea$#ly( #n a ,anne$ )"#%" $evealed "o) &eve$ely!"e #n!#,a!e &!$a#n o. %onve$&a!#on "ad !old '*on "#,5O&)yn )a#!ed a l#!!le lon+e$( #n "al. e *e%!a!#on o. "#& .'$!"e$ '!!e$an%e7 b'! Ra#n"a, ,ade no &#+n( lay '#!e ,o!#onle&& and"'&"ed( "#& "and& %la&*ed o'!&#de o. !"e %o'n!e$*ane a& #. al$eady

#n !"e #,#!a!#on o. dea!"7 !"en !"e o!"e$ $o&e and ,ade a '#e!e #!( #,a+#n#n+ !"a! "#& .$#end &le*!( o$ )o'ld &oon &lee*5And ye! a%!'ally( #n &*#!e o. !"e e !$e,e *"y&#%al )ea$#ne&& )"#%""ad +$ad'ally &!olen ove$ "#,( d'll#n+ "#& &en&e&( &o !"a! "e )a&"a$dly %on&%#o'& o. O&)yn4& de*a$!'$e( o$ o. !"e &'bd'ed en!$an%e o. !"e n'$&e( )"o "ad been d#&%$ee!ly )a#!#n+ .o$ #!( Ra#n"a,4& ,#nd)a& &!#ll 2eenly v#+#lan!7 and #! )a& #n !"e $el#e. o. a %e$!a#n ne)l'%#d#!y( an al,o&! "#e$a!#% %al,( !"a! "e $ev#e)ed !"a! $e%en!#n!e$v#e)( #n )"#%" "e "ad &o del#be$a!ely 'nb'$dened "#,&el.5 !&ee,ed a& #.( #n "#& +$ea! )ea2ne&&( !"e a%"e o. "#& old de&#$e( "#&.eve$ o. lon+#n+( bad &'ddenly le.! "#,( +#v#n+ *la%e <a& !"o'+" !"el#!e$al )a&!#n+ a)ay o. "#& body "ad $eally +#ven .$ee$ a%%e&& !o!"a! *'$e &*#$#!( #!& *$#&one$=( !o a love no) al!o+e!"e$ *'$+ed o.

*a&&#on( and be%o,e &!$an+ely !ole$able and &)ee!5

CHAPTER III

. P"#l#* Ra#n"a,4& na,e( d'$#n+ !"a! lon+( "a$d )#n!e$ and'n+$a%#o'& &*$#n+66nea$ !"e %lo&e o. )"#%" "e !'$ned "#& .a%e( )#!"!"e lea&! l#!!le &#+" o. $e+$e!( !o !"e )all66)a& no! o.!en,en!#oned #n !"e "o'&e #n Pa$!on S!$ee!( a! )"o&e doo$ "e "ad.o$,e$ly 2no%2ed &o o.!en( #! ,'&! no! be &'**o&ed !"a! by #!&o%%'*an!& #! "ad been #n any )ay .o$+o!!en5 He "ad no! %o,,#!!ed !"ed#&%o'$!e&y o. leav#n+ /ady ?a$ne!!4& no!e 'nan&)e$ed7 on !"e%on!$a$y( "e "ad an&)e$ed #! bo!" *$o,*!ly and66a& #! &ee,ed !o"#,66)ell( #n a le!!e$ )"#%" )a& %e$!a#nly d#*lo,a!#%( &'++e&!#n+ a&#! d#d66a! lea&!( !o Ma$y Ma&!e$&( !o )"o, #! "ad been &"o)n66!"a!"e )a& on !"e *o#n! o. an #,,ed#a!e .l#+"! So'!"5W"e!"e$ !"e elde$ lady )a& e 'ally de%e#ved by "#& a,b#+'o'&

*"$a&e&( #! )a& no! &o ea&y !o de%la$e5 S"e "ad( a! !"#& !#,e le&&



!"an eve$( !"e ,ode o. *e$&on& )"o )ea$ !"e#$ "ea$!& '*on !"e#$ &leeve&7 "e$ ,a&2 o. "al.6%yn#%al +ood6"',o'$ )a& %on&!an!ly '*7 and&"e ,e! !"e +#$l4& "#n!ed #n!e$$o+a!#on&66.o$ d#$e%!ly !"e na!'$e o. !"e#$ 'nea&#ne&&( by a &o$! o. !a%#! a+$ee,en!( )a& no! all'ded!o66)#!" !"e &a,e &,#l#n+ #nd#..e$en%e( !"e &a,e a#$ o. bland

$ea&&'$an%e )"#%" &"e b$o'+"! !o !"e d#&%'&&#on o. a &a'%e o$ an @en!$e,e!@ a! one o. !"o&e &ele%! l#!!le d#nne$6*a$!#e& on )"#%" &"e *# 'ed "e$&el.( and )"#%" la!!e$ly "ad been ,o$e #n%e&&an! and ,o$e&ele%! !"an eve$5Only on Ma$y4& &en&#!#ve ea$ &o,e!"#n+ #n !"e elabo$a!ely %"ee$.'l!one #n )"#%" &"e ,en!#oned !"e#$ van#&"ed .$#end )o'ld o%%a&#onally

-a$5 ! )a& !oo *e$.e%!ly )ell done no! !o a**ea$ a l#!!lee a++e$a!ed7 and !"o'+" &"e %o'ld .o$%e a &,#le a! /ady ?a$ne!!4&

*e$&#&!en! *#%!'$e o. !"e $e%al%#!$an! +od&on ba&2#n+( )#!" "#& *$e!e ! o. #ll6"eal!"( on !"e &'nny !e$$a%e& o. Mon!e Ca$lo( &"enone !"e le&& %"e$#&"ed a &'&*#%#on !"a! !"e *#%!'$e )a& a& l#!!le

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*eo*le l#2e K$ono*ol&2# and66and Ra#n"a,5 O"( #! "'$!& ,e( and #,a+#ne "o) d#&!a&!e.'l #! ,'&! be !o yo'( !"a! yo' ,'&! &'..e$ !"e&e *eo*le5 )an! !o !a2e yo' a)ay .$o, #! all50T"e +#$l "ad $#&en( .l'&"#n+ a l#!!le5 S"e $e*l#ed "a'+"!#ly( )#!" av#b$a!#on o. *a&&#on #n "e$ vo#%e0Yo' a$e no! +ene$o'&( M$5 Sylve&!e$5 Yo' a$e no! even -'&!5 W"a!$#+"! "ave eve$ +#ven yo' !o d#%!a!e !o ,e )"o, &"all 2no) o$ $e.'&e !o 2no)> ( !oo( "ave ,y %onv#%!#on&7 and !"#n2 yo'$ v#e)#& na$$o)( and 'n%"a$#!able( and .al&e5 Yo' &ee( )e don4! a+$eeeno'+"5555 A"( le! #! end( M$5 Sylve&!e$;0 S"e )en! on ,o$e +en!ly(

b'! ve$y !#$edly( "e$ *ale .a%e $eveal#n+ "o) !"e #n!e$v#e) "ad&!$a#ned "e$ 0 )#&" yo' all !"e +ood #n !"e )o$ld( b'! %an4!,a$$y yo'5 /e! '& &"a2e "and& on !"a!( and &ay +ood6bye50Sylve&!e$ "ad al&o $#&en !o "#& .ee!( and "e &!ood .a%#n+ "e$ .o$ a



,o,en! #nde%#&#vely( a& !"o'+" "e "a$dly %$ed#!ed !"e .#nal#!y o. "#& $e-e%!#on5T"ey )e$e &!#ll #n !"#& a!!#!'de( and !"e .a%! +ave a %e$!a#n !#n+eo. e,ba$$a&&,en! !o !"e#$ +$ee!#n+&( )"en !"e doo$ o*ened( and M$&5/#+"!,a$2 )a& anno'n%ed5

0 )a& on !"e *o#n! o. +o#n+(0 e *la#ned C"a$le& ne$vo'&ly5 0!"o'+"! yo' )e$e no! %o,#n+( yo' 2no)50Eve ,ade no e..o$! !o de!a#n "#,( "al. &'&*e%!#n+ !"a! &"e "ada**ea$ed a! a &!$en'o'& ,o,en!5 W"en !"e ba$$#&!e$ "ad de*a$!ed<Ma$y "ad -'&! e !ended !o "#, !"e !#*& o. "e$ .$#+#d .#n+e$&=( andEve4& *ol#!e #n '#$#e& a.!e$ /ady ?a$ne!!4& "eal!" "ad been&a!#&.#ed( &"e $e,a$2ed0 $eally only %a,e #n .o$ a %'* o. !ea5 )al2ed a%$o&& .$o, Do$&e!S 'a$e5 "ave &en! !"e %a$$#a+e !o *#%2 '* ,y "'&band a! "#& %l'b#!4& %o,#n+ ba%2 .o$ ,e5 Yo' loo2 !#$ed( Ma$y5 !"#n2 o'+"!n4! !o&!ay5 Yo' loo2 a& #. yo' "ad been "av#n+ a *ol#!#%al a.!e$noon5 Poo$

C"a$le&( &#n%e "e "a& been #n !"e Ho'&e( %an !"#n2 o. no!"#n+ b'! bl'e6boo2&500T#$ed>0 'e$#ed !"e +#$l l#&!le&&ly7 0no( no! *a$!#%'la$ly5

e&#de&( a, al)ay& +lad !o &ee yo'( #! "a**en& &o &eldo,500Ye&7 e %e*! #n a %$o)d5 One "a& neve$ any !#,e5 Have yo' "ea$d( by!"e )ay( !"a! ,y "'&band #& one o. !"e ne) A&&o%#a!e&>0S"e )en! on '#%2ly( *$even!#n+ Ma$y4& ,'$,'$ed %on+$a!'la!#on&0Ye&( !"ey "ave ele%!ed "#,5 &'**o&e #! #& a ve$y +ood !"#n+5 He"a& "#& "and& .'ll o. *o$!$a#!& no)50T"en &"e $e,a$2ed #n%on&e 'en!ly66!"e $a*#d#!y )#!" )"#%" &"e *a&&ed.$o, !o*#% !o !o*#% "al. &'$*$#&ed Ma$y( )"o d#d no! $e,e,be$ !"e!$a#! o. old0We a$e +o#n+ !o !"e !"ea!$e !o6n#+"!66!"a! #& !o &ay( #. ,y "'&band"a& been able !o +e! &ea!&5 !4& !"e .#$&! n#+"! o. a ne) %o,edy5 ,ean! !o a&2 yo' !o %o,e )#!" '&( only #! )a& an 'n%e$!a#n!y5 . !"e

bo #& no! .o$!"%o,#n+( yo' ,'&! %o,e )"en )e do +o5 Only( o. %o'$&e( #! )#ll no! be !"e @*$e,#e$e@500 &"o'ld l#2e !o(0 &a#d Ma$y va+'ely5 0 don4! %a$e &o ,'%" abo'!.#$&! n#+"!&5 l#2e !"e !"ea!$e7 b'! +o &o &eldo,5 A'n! Ma$%elledoe& no! %a$e .o$ En+l#&" *lay&7 &"e &ay& !"ey a$e l#2e &!ale

b$ead6and6b'!!e$5 !ell "e$ !"a! #& no! &o bad500T"e @,o!@( yo' ,ean>00Pa$!ly7 b'! al&o !"e !"#n+5 $ead6and6b'!!e$ #& a %"an+e a.!e$ a+$ea! ,any @*e!#!& .o'$&@50M$&5 /#+"!,a$2 &,#led a l#!!le ab&en!ly a& &"e &a! &,oo!"#n+ !"e%$ea&e& o'! o. "e$ *$e!!y( .a)n6%olo'$ed +love&50O"( !"e @*e!#!& .o'$&@(0 &"e &a#d( 0.o$ %"o#%e5 One %an !a2e ,o$e o. !"e,( and a,'&e one4& &el. lon+e$50T"ey "ea$d a %a$$#a+e d$a) '* &'ddenly #n !"e &!$ee! belo)( and Eve()"o "ad been +lan%#n+ .$o, !#,e !o !#,e e *e%!an!ly a! !"e )#ndo)(



)en! ove$ and loo2ed o'!5 S"e $e%o+n#&ed "e$ l#ve$#e& and !"e !)o"and&o,e bay&50Pe$"a*& "ad be!!e$ no! le! "#, %o,e '*(0 &"e &a#d7 0#! #& la!eal$eady( and yo' )#ll be )an!#n+ !o d$e&&50/#+"!,a$2 "ad -'&! al#+"!ed .$o, !"e %a$$#a+e )"en "#& )#.e -o#ned

"#, #n !"e &!$ee!5 He "eld !"e doo$ .o$ "e$ &#len!ly( and &!o**ed.o$ a ,o,en! !o +#ve !"e d#$e%!#on( 0Ho,e(0 !o !"e %oa%",an be.o$e"e !oo2 !"e *la%e a! "e$ &#de5S"e !'$ned !o "#, a.!e$ a )"#le #n '#$#n+ly( .#nd#n+ &o,e!"#n+ o. 'n)on!ed +$av#!y #n "#& ,anne$50D#d yo' +e! !"e bo >0 &"e a&2ed50T"e bo >0 "e $e*ea!ed blan2ly5 T"en( *'ll#n+ "#,&el. '*( 0No(0 "e&a#d '#%2ly( 0 .o$+o! all abo'! #!5 T"e .a%! #&( "ea$d &o,e!"#n+!"#& a.!e$noon )"#%" *'! #! o'! o. ,y "ead5 a, a.$a#d(0 "e )en!on( )#!" a +$o)#n+ "e&#!a!#on( 0yo' )#ll be $a!"e$ &"o%2ed500A"(0 &"e %$#ed '#%2ly( %a!%"#n+ a! "e$ b$ea!"( 0&o,e!"#n+ "a&

"a**ened5 Tell ,e5 Don4! *$e.a%e #!7 %an bea$ any!"#n+ #. yo' )#llonly !ell ,e &!$a#+"! o'!500 !4& Ra#n"a,(0 "e ,'$,'$ed5 0He d#ed la&! n#+"! a! la%2*ool5 "ea$d #! .$o, M%All#&!e$( a! !"e %l'b50He loo2ed a)ay .$o, "e$ va+'ely o'! o. "#& )#ndo) a! !"e *ale&!$ee!&( )"e$e a .e) la,*& )e$e be+#nn#n+ !o a**ea$( )a#!#n+ #n a.eve$ o. a**$e"en&#on( )"#%" "e va#nly &o'+"! !o -'&!#.y( .o$ &o,e)o$d o$ %o,,en! on !"e *a$! o. "#& )#.e5A& none %a,e( and !"e &#len%e +$e) #n!ole$able( "e ven!'$ed a! la&!!o +lan%e .'$!#vely a%$o&& a! "e$5 He$ .a%e &ee,ed !o "#, a &"ade

*ale$ !"an be.o$e( b'! !"a! ,#+"! be e a++e$a!ed by !"e $el#e. o. "e$ $#%" and &o,b$e .'$&5 He$ eye& )e$e '#!e e *$e&&#onle&& and

blan2( al!"o'+" &"e "ad !"e a#$ o. be#n+ #,,en&ely !"o'+"!.'l7 "e$ ,o'!" )a& #n&%$'!able and 'n,oved5 And "e e *e$#en%ed a &'dden *an+o. "o$$o$ a! !"e an!#%#*a!#on o. a d#nne$ alone )#!" "e$( )#!" !"e+"o&!ly *$e&en%e o. !"#& ne)& d#v#d#n+ !"e,( be.o$e "e $e,#nded"#,&el. !"a! Colonel /#+"!,a$2 )a& !o be o. !"e *a$!y5Fo$( *e$"a*&( !"e .#$&! !#,e #n "#& l#.e !"e *$o&*e%! o. "#& 'n%le4&%o,*any a..o$ded "#, a &en&a!#on o. $el#e.5

CHAPTER III

W"en O&)yn e,e$+ed .$o, !"e na$$o) doo$)ay o. !"e +alle$y #n ondS!$ee!( )"#%" on !"e ,o$$o) )a& !o be .#lled )#!" !"e "e!e$o+eneo'&

*$e&en%e o. !"o&e )"o( .o$ d#..e$en! $ea&on&( a$e "ono'$ed )#!"%a$d& o. #nv#!a!#on !o *$#va!e v#e)&( #! )a& &!#ll dayl#+"!(al!"o'+" !"e la,*& "ad been l#+"!ed7 and !"e ea&! )#nd( )"#%" d'$#n+!"e ea$l#e$ "o'$& o. !"e day "ad ,ade !"e yo'n+ &',,e$ &ee, &'%" a,o%2e$y o. .lo)e$y #ll'&#on&( "ad !a2en a ,o$e +en#al a#$ .$o, !"e&o'!" #n!o all#an%e7 and !"e$e )a& &o,e!"#n+ a! on%e %a$e&&#n+ and



e "#la$a!#n+ #n !"e#$ 'n#!ed !o'%" a& !"ey )ande$ed #n +en!le edd#e&'* !"e %$oo2ed !"o$o'+".a$e5O&)yn *a'&ed '*on !"e *ave,en!( o'!&#de !"e &"o)$oo, )"#%" Mo&en!"al%alled a +alle$y( +a #n+ '* !"e $oad !o)a$d& O .o$d S!$ee!( )#!" a,o,en!a$y a**$e%#a!#on o. !"e &'b!#le ea$ly even#n+ %"a$,( )"#%"

len! &o $eal a bea'!y even !o a v#&!a o. %o,,on*la%e &"o*6.$on!& and%"#,ney6*o!&( &!$a#+"!en#n+ "#& ben! .#+'$e( and )onde$#n+ )"#!"e$ !o be!a2e "#,&el.5He "ad no! allo)ed "#& .$#end4& dea!" !o be an e %'&e .o$ abandon#n+!"e *$o-e%!ed e "#b#!#on7 #ndeed( )"en !"#& even! o%%'$$ed( "e )a&al$eady !oo .a$ %o,*$o,#&ed7 and "e even .o'nd !"e labo'$ #nvolved#n !"e *$e*a$a!#on& .o$ !"e ne) de*a$!'$e a ve$y )el%o,ed#&!$a%!#on66!"e one !"#n+ )"#%" ,ade #! *o&&#ble .o$ !"e de&ola!e,an !o &!ay on #n /ondon( )"#%"( "e a&&'$ed "#,&el. do+,a!#%ally()a& !"e only *la%e on ea$!" )"e$e "e %o'ld .a%e l#.e )#!" an#nd#..e$en%e )"#%" )a& a! lea&! a !ole$able #,#!a!#on o. e 'an#,#!y5

To +e! !o+e!"e$ !"e ,a!e$#al& .o$ even a ,ode&! e "#b#!#on o. !"e2#nd )"#%" "e %on!e,*la!ed( #! be%a,e ne%e&&a$y .o$ "#, !o $an&a%2 old *o$!.ol#o&( and !o bo$$o) .$o, deale$&( and .$o, "#& .e)d#&%$#,#na!#n+ *$#va!e *a!$on&( )o$2& )"#%" "ad b'! $e%en!ly le.!"#& &!'d#o and %o'ld &!#ll be !$a%ed7 !o '!#l# e all !"e "o'$& o. dayl#+"! a%%o$ded !o "#, by a +$'d+#n+ &ea&on .o$ .#n#&"#n+(,o'n!#n+( and $e!o'%"#n+5T"e ,an )"o ,ade .$a,e& .o$ O&)yn 2ne) "#, o. old a& an e a%!#n+%'&!o,e$ and "a$d !o *lea&e( )"o #n&#&!ed on a $#+#d ad"e$en%e !o"#& o)n de&#+n&( and )a& '#%2 !o de!e%! #n.e$#o$ )o$2,an&"#* o$ ,a!e$#al7 b'! d'$#n+ !"e la&! .e) day& "e "ad been d$#ven al,o&! !o$ebell#on by !"e *a#n!e$4& e #+en%#e&7 neve$ "ad &'%" %all& been,ade '*on "#, .o$ .la)le&& +la&&( and del#%a!ely va$#ed &"ade& o. +old and &#lve$7 neve$ "ad a$!#&!4& eye been &o $'!"le&& #n !"e%onde,na!#on o. #,*e$.e%! ,#!$e& and &'*e$.l'o'& *la&!e$5

'! no) !"e )o$2 o. *$e*a$a!#on )a& a! an end !"e %a!alo+'e& "ad been *$#n!ed( and "#& @#,*$e&a$#o@ "ad -'d#%#o'&ly %#$%'la!ed#nv#!a!#on& !o *$e&& and *'bl#% !"e )o$2 )a& done( and !"e )o$2,an.el! only )ea$y and #nd#..e$en!5 . !"e *'bl#% "o)led( )"a! d#d #!,a!!e$> T"e#$ "o&!#l#!y )o'ld be .o$ "#, a %o$$obo$a!#on( .o$ "#&:e) an #nval'able adve$!#&e,en!5 . !"ey .a)ned( &o ,'%" !"e be!!e$#! )o'ld no! "'$! "#,( and Mo&en!"al )o'ld &!#ll "ave "#&adve$!#&e,en!5 . !"ey )e$e #nd#..e$en!( )ell( &o )a& "e5T"e 'e&!#on o. *e%'n#a$y *$o.#! !$o'bled "#, no! a! all <!"o'+""e$e "#& :e) -o#ned #&&'e= )"a! #n !"e )o$ld %o'ld "e do )#!",oney( no)> He %o'ld *a#n! a *#%!'$e #n a ,on!" )"#%" )o'ld 2ee* "#,.o$ &# ( and !"e deale$ )"o bo'+"! #! *$obably .o$ a yea$5Ma$+o! )a& al$eady *$ov#ded .o$( even "and&o,ely #n !"a! $e&*e%!(a! lea&!( "e$ .#$&! ado*!ed .a!"e$ "ad le.! no vo#d .o$ "#&&'%%e&&o$ !o .#ll5



So a+a#n "e &"$'++ed "#& &"o'lde$&5 And '*on !"a! even#n+( .o$ !"e.#$&! !#,e &#n%e Ra#n"a,4& dea!"( "e d#ned( ,o$e &ol#!a$y and ,o$e&#len! !"an eve$( a! "#& .a,#l#a$ !able a! $odono)&2#4&5 He .o'nd!"a!( a.!e$ all( "#& ne$vo'& an!#%#*a!#on o. #n%onven#en!

*$o!e&!a!#on& o. &y,*a!"y )a& no! .'l.#lled7 !"e$e )e$e no! ,any ,en

)"o 2ne) "#, ,o$e !"an by &#+"! a! $odono)&2#4&( and !"e .e) o. "#&old a&&o%#a!e& )"o )e$e !"e$e "ad !"e +ood &en&e !o e "#b#! no!"#n+e !$ao$d#na$y #n !"e#$ de,eano'$ !o)a$d& "#,5 Only !"ey )e$e al#!!le le&& )#ldly "',o$o'& !"an o. old( and ,o$e .o$bea$#n+ #n!"e#$ &all#e&7 !"e %onve$&a!#on d#ed o'! .o$ an #n&!an! a& "e ,ade"#& )ay '#%2ly( )#!" !"e .a#n!e&! &#+n o. $e%o+n#!#on( !"$o'+"!"e#$ ,#d&!66and !"a! )a& all5Ra#n"a,4& dea!" "ad a..e%!ed &o,e o. !"e, .o$ a .e) day& *e$"a*&(

b'! #! "ad no! !"e &"o%2 o. !"e 'ne *e%!ed7 !"ey %"#e.ly )onde$ed!"a! "e "ad d$a++ed "#& l#.e !"$o'+" &o %$'el a )#n!e$5 And "#&%lo&e all#an%e )#!" O&)yn "ad( a& a na!'$al %on&e 'en%e( deba$$ed

"#, .$o, a $eal #n!#,a%y )#!" any o. !"e o!"e$ ,en( )"o( .o$ !"e,o&! *a$! yo'n+e$( %'l!#va!ed d#..e$en! .$#end&"#*& and d#..e$en! *'$&'#!&5T"ey "ad ,#&&ed O&)yn d'$#n+ "#& &e%l'&#on o. !"e la&! .e) )ee2&7 "e)a& &o e&&en!#ally !"e *$e&#d#n+( &#len! +en#'& o. !"e *la%e66a ,an!o be *o#n!ed o'! !o ne)6%o,e$&( "al. #$on#%ally( a& !"e +$ea!e&!(,o&! dee*ly #n-'$ed( o. !"e, all7 !"e *o&&e&&o$ o. a !alen!'na**$oa%"ed and 'na**$e%#a!ed5 T"ey .el! !"a! "#& *$e&en%e len! ad#&!#n%!#on !o !"e d#n+y $e&o$! )"#%" #! o!"e$)#&e .$e 'en!lyla%2ed and "e "ad %o,e !o be &o .a$ $e+a$ded a& a *e$,anen!#n&!#!'!#on( o. an al,o&! o..#%#al na!'$e( !"a! even on !"e %olde&!n#+"!& "#& %"a#$ by !"e .#$e&#de "ad $e,a#ned 'n!enan!ed5W"en !"e ne ! ,o$n#n+ %a,e( O&)yn .el! de&*e$a!ely #n%l#ned !o b$ea2 !"e *$o,#&e )"#%" Mo&en!"al "ad( )#!" &o,e d#..#%'l!y( e a%!ed .$o,"#,( and !o 2ee* .a$ .$o, ond S!$ee! and !"e %$o)d )"o even !"en)e$e a&&e,bl#n+ !o %a&! !"e#$ %a$ele&& +lan%e& and l#+"! )o$d& a!!"e )o$2 o. "#& l#.e7 #! )a& only !"e .ea$ o. !"e !a#n! o. %o)a$d#%e( and a %e$!a#n *e$ve$&#!y( )"#%" #nd'%ed "#, even!'ally !o

*$e&en! "#,&el. )#!"#n !"e +alle$y $a!"e$ la!e #n !"e a.!e$noon5A& "e en!e$ed !"e $oo,( loo2#n+ abo'! "#, )#!" a 2#nd o. %"allen+e(,any eye& )e$e !'$ned '*on "#, <.o$ *eo*le +o !o *$#va!e v#e)& no!!o &ee *#%!'$e&66!"a! #& +ene$ally #,*o&&#ble66b'! !o &ee and be&een o. ,en=( b'! .e) "ad any &'&*#%#on !"a! !"#& &!$an+e ,an( )#!"!"e &"abby( old6.a&"#oned a**a$el( and e *$e&&#on "al. ne$vo'&( "al. de.#an!( )a& !"e *a#n!e$ )"o&e *#%!'$e& !"ey )e$e *$e!end#n+ !o%$#!#%#&e5Be$y .e) o. !"o&e *$e&en!66"a$dly "al. a do en *e$"a*&662ne) "#,even by &#+"!7 and )"#le "#& ev#den! d#&$e+a$d .o$ &o%#al %onven!#on,a$2ed "#,( .o$ !"e d#&%e$n#n+ ob&e$ve$( a& a *e$&on o. *$obablya$!#&!#% d#&!#n%!#on( !"e +ene$al %on-e%!'$e &e! "#, do)n( no! a& a



*a#n!e$66"e d#d no! &ee, !o be o. !"a! !y*e66b'! a& a ,an o. le!!e$&66*$obably a ,a2e$ o. ob&%'$e ve$&e5W"en "e "ad ,a&!e$ed !"e .#$&! )#ld #,*'l&e )"#%" *$o,*!ed "#, !o!ea$ "#& *#%!'$e& do)n( !o !'$n !"e#$ .a%e& !o !"e )all66any!"#n+ !o"#de !"e, .$o, !"#& &,#l#n+( lan+'#d( )ell6d$e&&ed %$o)d66and

$e&#+ned "#,&el. !o ob&e$va!#on( "e &a) !"a! Mo&en!"al )a& bea,#n+a! "#, %o,*la%en!ly( !"$o'+" !"e ,a&&#ve +old &*e%!a%le& )"#%"ado$ned and ,od#.#ed !"e b$#d+e o. "#& %o,*$o,#&#n+ no&e( .$o, "#&&ea! be"#nd !"e !able( )"e$e #n.o$,a!#on a& !o !"e *$#%e& o. !"ee "#b#!& %o'ld be ob!a#ned5T"e$e )e$e e a%!ly .o$!y d$a)#n+& and *a#n!#n+& !o be &een '*on !"e&*a$&ely6%ove$ed )all&( )"#%" "ad been d$a*ed .o$ !"e o%%a&#on )#!"%oa$&ely6)oven l#nen o. a d'll ol#ve6+$een( and abo'! "al. o. !"e&e)e$e d$a)#n+& and &!'d#e&( &,all #n *o#n! o. &# e( e e%'!ed #n %"al2 and *a&!el&5T"e +$ea!e$ *a$! o. !"e&e $e*$e&en!ed o$d#na$y &%ene& o. /ondon

o'!doo$ l#.e66a de&e$!ed %o$ne$ o. Ken&#n+!on ?a$den&( )#!" !all&oo!6bla%2ened !$ee& l#.!#n+ !"e#$ &!a!ely !$a%e$y o. da$2 b$an%"e&#n!o !"e &2y7 a $ea%" o. !"e )#de( ,'ddy $#ve$( )#!" a +a'n! b$#d+eloo,#n+ !"$o'+" !"e .o+7 a +#n6*ala%e a! n#+"! !#,e( )#!" +a$#&"la,*& &"#n#n+ o'! '*on !"e )e! &!$ee!& and %$o'%"#n+ be++a$&5O. !"e $e,a#nde$( )"#%" #n%l'ded a .e) *o$!$a#!& and &o,e#,a+#na!#ve &'b-e%!&( !"e +$ea!e$ n',be$ )e$e *a#n!ed #n o#l&( and!"e la$+e&! %anva& )o'ld no! "ave &ee,ed o'! o. *la%e on !"e )all&o. an o$d#na$y $oo,5O&)yn &,#led +$#,ly a& "e no!#%ed !"a! !"e *o$!$a#! o. Ma$+o!( )"#%""e "ad be+'n .o$ Ra#n"a, and .#n#&"ed .o$ "#,&el.( )a& a%on&#de$able %en!$e o. a!!$a%!#on7 !"e$e )a& '#!e a den&e %$o)d #n!"e v#%#n#!y o. !"#& %anva& <#! #& !$'e( #! )a& nea$ !"e !ea6!able=(and #! #n%l'ded !)o b#&"o*&( a d'2e( and an a%!$e&&( o. )"o, !"ela&!6na,ed )a& %e$!a#nly ,o$e &!a$ed a! !"an !"e *#%!'$e5

! #$$#!a!ed "#,( #n &*#!e o. "#& %on!e,*! .o$ !"e !"$on+( !o &ee *eo*le &!and#n+( %"a!!#n+( )#!" !"e#$ ba%2& !'$ned !o)a$d& "#&%$ea!#on&7 and )"en Mo&en!"al #n.o$,ed "#, #n a !$#',*"an!&!a+e6)"#&*e$( lean#n+ a%$o&& !"e !able l#!!e$ed )#!" %a!alo+'e&(!"a! n#ne o. !"e *#%!'$e& "ad al$eady .o'nd *'$%"a&e$&( "e )a&al,o&! #n%l#ned !o $ebel( !o $e.'&e !o $a!#.y !"e &ale&5T"e only .$#endly .a%e )"#%" "e en%o'n!e$ed d'$#n+ !"e a.!e$noon )a&!"a! o. M%All#&!e$( )"o *$e&en!ly b$o'+"! "#& %on+$a!'la!#on& and%on&*#%'o'& *$e&en%e !o !"e %o$ne$ !o )"#%" O&)yn "ad be!a2en"#,&el.7 and .o$ a !#,e "e .o'nd "#,&el. l#&!en#n+( )"#le !"eS%o!%",an enl#+"!ened "#,( &o,e)"a! a+a#n&! "#& )#ll( a& !o !"ena,e& and %eleb$#!y o. !"e d#&!#n+'#&"ed v#&#!o$& )"o, "e )a&&'**o&ed !o be $e%e#v#n+5He )a& a&&'$ed !"a! !"e *$e&& no!#%e& %o'ld no! .a#l !o be.avo'$able <"e ,en!ally *$o,#&ed "#,&el. !"a! no!"#n+ &"o'ld



#nd'%e "#, !o $ead a ne)&*a*e$ .o$ a! lea&! a .o$!n#+"!=(and !"e .la!!e$#n+ %o,,en!& o. M$5 T"#& and /ady T"a! )e$e"al.6a*olo+e!#%ally $e!a#led .o$ "#& *$e&',ed dele%!a!#on5A& "#& eye& )ande$ed( )#!" "#& a!!en!#on( .'$!#vely $o'nd !"e $oo,(!"ey *$e&en!ly en%o'n!e$ed( #n !"e#$ *a&&a+e .$o, +$o'* !o +$o'*( a

.a%e )"#%" &ee,ed va+'ely .a,#l#a$66!"e .a%e o. a )o,an( )"o, "e%e$!a#nly "ad neve$ 2no)n( b'! )"o&e bea'!y( "e !"o'+"!( )a& no!a**eal#n+ !o "#& ad,#$a!#on .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e5S"e )a& &!and#n+ )#!" "e$ *$o.#le !'$ned !o)a$d& "#,( +a #n+ +$avelya! "#& &!'dy o. a *ale .#+'$e( )#!" bea'!#.'l eye& and an a$,.'l o. )onde$.'lly %olo'$ed *o**#e&( )"#%" "e %alled 0T"ana!o&( !"ePea%e6bea$e$50W"en &"e ,oved( *$e&en!ly( "e$ +a e $e&!ed on "#, .o$ a ,o,en!( )#!"!"e .a#n!e&! no!e o. #n '#$y #n!e$$'*!#n+ !"e &,#le )#!" )"#%" &"e)a& l#&!en#n+ !o !"e &all#e& o. "e$ e&%o$! .o$ !"e !#,e be#n+7 !"e&,#le and +lan%e $evealed "e$ ,o$e *e$.e%!ly !o O&)yn( and "e )a&

*$e*a$ed !o "ea$ M%All#&!e$ +$ee! "e$ a& M$&5 /#+"!,a$2 )"en( a .e),#n'!e& la!e$( &"e *a&&ed !"e, on "e$ )ay $o'nd !"e $oo,5Eve "ad &*en! !"e )ee2 )"#%" .ollo)ed !"e a.!e$noon '*on )"#%" "e$ "'&band "ad &!'nned "e$ )#!" !"e ne)& o. P"#l#* Ra#n"a,4& dea!"al,o&! #n &ol#!'de5/#+"!,a$2 "ad been obl#+ed !o *ay a "a&!y v#&#! !o e$l#n( on

b'&#ne&& %onne%!ed )#!" an n!e$na!#onal A$! Con+$e&&( and "#& )#.ea! !"e la&! ,o,en! de%#ded( &o,e)"a! !o "#& $el#e.( !"a! &"e )o'ldno! a%%o,*any "#,5 A ,an o. na!'$ally '#%2 *e$%e*!#on( and )#!" a%e$!a#n ve#n o. ne$vo'& ale$!ne&& 'nde$ly#n+ "#& o'!e$ %lo!"#n+ o. %a$ele&& %ando'$( "e %o'ld no! "el* .eel#n+ !"a! )"en "e )a& alone)#!" "#& )#.e "e )a& be#n+ )a!%"ed( !"a! !$a*& )e$e &e! .o$ "#,66#n&"o$!( !"a! "e )a& &'&*e%!ed5 And no! only )"en !"ey )e$e alone "ad"e %a'&e .o$ ala$, #n %$o)ded $oo,&( a! ,a,,o!" d#nne$6*a$!#e&(and %olo&&al a&&e,bl#e& "e .$e 'en!ly be%a,e a)a$e( by a &en&e even

'#%2e$ !"an v#&#on( !"a! "#& )#.e4& eye& )e$e d#$e%!ed '*on "#,.$o, !"e .a$!"e$ &#de o. !"e $oo,( !"e o**o&#!e end o. !"ed#nne$6!able( )#!" !"a! )#&!.'l( %"#ld#&" e *$e&&#on #n !"e#$ de*!"&( )"#%"( +$o)#n+ &!e$ne$ and ,o$e %$#!#%al o. la!e( "ad ended

by bo$#n+ "#,5e.o$e Ra#n"a,4& dea!"( Eve( #n "e$ *$#va!e d#&%'&&#on& o. !"e

&#!'a!#on( "ad +ene$ally %on%l'ded by d#&,#&&#n+ !"e &'b-e%! *e!'lan!ly( )#!" a &',,#n+6'* only *a$!#ally %onv#n%#n+( !"a!eve$y!"#n+ )o'ld %o,e $#+"! #n !"e end7 !"a! #n !#,e !"a! ,#&e$able&%ene )o'ld be .o$+o!!en o$ e *la#ned a)ay7 and !"a! !"e old#n!#,a%y( o. )"#%" #! )a& a! on%e &o b#!!e$ and &o *lea&an! !od$ea,( )o'ld be $e&!o$ed5He$ !$a#n#n+66o. )"#%" "e$ ,o!"e$ )a& -'&!ly *$o'd66"ad endo)ed "e$ )#!" a $e&*e%! .o$ &o%#al %onven!#on !oo +$ea! !o allo) "e$ !o !"#n2 o. $ebell#n+ a+a#n&! !"e e #&!#n+ o$de$ o. !"#n+&5 S"e %on&oled



"e$&el. by !"e $e.le%!#on !"a! a! lea&! &"e "ad %o,,#!!ed no .a'l!(and !"a! no a%!#ve d#&%#*l#ne o. *en#!en%e %o'ld -'&!ly be e *e%!edo. "e$5Con%e$n#n+ !"e !$'!" o. Ra#n"a,4& &!o$y &"e %o'ld no! .a#l !o"a$bo'$ do'b!&7 !"a! "e$ "'&band )a& %on%eal#n+ &o,e!"#n+ )a& da#ly

,o$e *la#nly $evealed !o "e$5! )a& "a$d !"a! &"e &"o'ld &'..e$( b'! )"a! %o'ld &"e do> A! !"e bo!!o, o. "e$ "ea$!( #n &*#!e o. !"e .eel#n+ o. $e&en!,en! )"#%"a&&a#led "e$ )"en66a& #! o.!en d#d66!"e #dea o%%'$$ed !o "e$ !"a! "e"ad no! e "#b#!ed !o)a$d& "e$ !"e *e$.e%! .$an2ne&& )"#%" !"e#$ old.$#end&"#* de,anded( &"e *#!#ed Ra#n"a,5 T"e$e )e$e even !#,e&66&'%")a& "e$ &!a!e o. do'b!66)"en &"e *#!#ed "e$ "'&band( and bla,ed"e$&el. .o$ &'&*e%!#n+ "#, o.66&"e "a$dly o)ned )"a!5

'!( ,o&! o. all( &"e *#!#ed "e$&el.5 S"e .el! !"a! #n any %a&e &"e"ad been )$on+ed( )"e!"e$ P"#l#*4& #ll6!old !ale )a& !$'e o$ .al&e5

'! "e$ *$#de enabled "e$ !o 2ee* "e$ do'b!& lo%2ed )#!"#n "e$ o)n

"ea$!( !o *$e&en! a &,#l#n+( #. o%%a&#onally *ale( .a%e !o !"e)o$ld( #n )"o&e do#n+& &"e !oo2 &o la$+e a *a$!( and even !o de%e#veM$&5 Sylve&!e$5And no) P"#l#* )a& dead; T"e &eve$an%e( )"#%" &"e "ad *e$&'aded"e$&el. )a& only !e,*o$a$y( )a& on a &'dden $ende$ed #ne o$ably%o,*le!e and e!e$nal5T"e blo) )a& a %$'el one( and .o$ a !#,e #! &ee,ed !o be &'%%eeded

by a 2#nd o. $ebell#o'& #n&en&#b#l#!y5 Eve .el! de,o$al# ed( and%a$ele&& o. !"e .'!'$e7 "e$ .$a,e o. ,#nd )a& *$e%#&ely !"a! o. !"e,an )"o #& ,a2#n+ "#& .#$&! "a&!y &!e*& alon+ !"e "eadlon+ $oad)"#%" #& *o*'la$ly &*o2en o. a& lead#n+ !o !"e dev#l5/a!e$ &"e be+an !o $e*$oa%" "e$&el.5 S"e $e.le%!ed( )#!" a 2#nd o. &%o$n.'l )onde$ a! "e$ )ea2ne&&( !"a! &"e "ad allo)ed all %"an%e o. e *lana!#on !o e&%a*e7 !"e one ,an )"o, &"e %o'ld !$'&!( )"o )o'ld&'$ely +#ve "e$ a &!$a#+"!.o$)a$d an&)e$ #. &"e a**ealed !o "#, by!"e ,e,o$y o. !"e old day&( )a& beyond !"e $ea%" o. "e$ 'e&!#on&(&#len! !o e!e$n#!y5 He$ .o$,e$ &o$$o) &ee,ed !$#v#al by %o,*a$#&on)#!" !"#&5On "#& $e!'$n( /#+"!,a$2 .o'nd "#& )#.e loo2#n+ &o *ale and !#$ed!"a! "e b$o2e o.. #n !"e ,#ddle o. !"e &!o$y o. "#& .la!!e$#n+$e%e*!#on a! !"e ?e$,an Co'$! !o e *$e&& a &'++e&!#on .o$ "e$

bene.#!( !"a! &"e "ad be!!e$ +o !o $#+"!on o$ &o,e)"e$e !o $e%$'#!5S"e )o'ld neve$ +e! !"$o'+" !"e &ea&on a! !"#& $a!e5 Ye&( &"e ,'&!%e$!a#nly !a2e a "ol#day( d#$e%!ly a.!e$ !"e A%ade,y P$#va!e B#e)5Eve %a'+"! a! !"e #dea( only &"e d#d no! )a#! .o$ !"e A%ade,y !oo*en5 S"e )en! .o$ a .o$!n#+"!( a%%o,*an#ed by an old &e$van! o. !"e.a,#ly( )"o $e+a$ded "e$ ,#&!$e&&4& b#$!" a& '#!e a $e%en! even!(!o M$&5 Sylve&!e$4& %o!!a+e #n No$.ol25W"en M$&5 /#+"!,a$2 %a,e ba%2 !o !o)n "e$ .a%e )a& &!#ll *ale( b'!"e$ b$o) )o$e a &e$ene$ a#$( and "e$ eye& "ad lo&! !"e#$ loo2 o.



a**$e"en&#on5 T"e )o,an "ad a$#&en !$#',*"an! o'! o. !"e a&"e& o. "e$ %"#ld"ood( )#!" a "ea$! de!e$,#ned !o 2no) !"e !$'!"( and !o.a%e #!( "o)eve$ b#!!e$ #! ,#+"! *$ove !o be5 Mean)"#le( &"e )o'ldno! -'d+e "a&!#ly5A& &"e d$ove '* ond S!$ee! one day &oon a.!e$ "e$ $e!'$n !o !o)n(

!"e adve$!#&e,en! o. O&)yn4& e "#b#!#on %a'+"! "e$ eye5 S"e )o'ld *$obably "ave $e,e,be$ed a na,e &o 'n%o,,on #. &"e "ad only "ea$d #!on%e( and( a& #! )a&( &"e "ad "ea$d #! &eve$al !#,e&( and a&&o%#a!ed)#!" #!( ,o$eove$( a %e$!a#n $e!#%en%e )"#%" %o'ld no! .a#l !oa$o'&e a )o,an4& %'$#o&#!y5/a!e$( )"en Mo&en!"al4& %a$d o. #nv#!a!#on .o$ !"e P$#va!e B#e)a$$#ved( &"e no!ed !"e day '*on "e$ l#&! o. en+a+e,en!&5On !"e ,o$n#n+ o. O&)yn4& o$deal( Eve &en! a ,e&&a+e !o "e$ "'&band()"o )a& en+a+ed )#!" a ,odel #n !"e &!'d#o( !o no!#.y !o "#, "e$ #n!en!#on o. !a2#n+ !"e %a$$#a+e #n!o !o)n la!e$ #n !"e a.!e$noon7!o )"#%" "e "ad $e!'$ned a +allan! $e*ly( e *$e&&#n+ a "o*e !"a!( #.

#! )o'ld no! bo$e "e$ !oo ,'%"( &"e )o'ld *#%2 "#, '* &o,e)"e$e andd$#ve "#, "o,e5 W"e$e and )"en %o'ld "e ,ee! "e$> T"e $e*ly( 0A!Mo&en!"al4& a! .#ve o4%lo%2(0 d#d no! &'$*$#&e "#,5 He d#d no!"a**en !o "ave !"e va+'e&! #dea a& !o )"a! )a& !"e a!!$a%!#on o. !"eday a! !"a! *a$!#%'la$ +alle$y5 ! ,#+"! be '$,e&e land&%a*e&( o$

*o$!$a#!& o. *a$$o!&7 #! )a& all one !o "#,5 ! )a& e !$e,elyde%o$o'& #n "#& )#.e !o a..e%! *#%!'$e6+alle$#e&( and Mo&en!"al4&

*la%e )a& %onven#en!ly nea$ !o "#& .avo'$#!e %l'b5A .e) ,#n'!e& be.o$e !"e a**o#n!ed "o'$ "e ,ade "#& )ay( .$o, !"ene) and ala$,#n+ly $evol'!#ona$y %l'b6"o'&e( )"e$e "e "ad been#nd'l+#n+ #n a.!e$noon !ea #n %o,*any )#!" Fel#%#a Dollond( !o !"e+alle$y( o'!&#de )"#%" "#& "o$&e& )e$e al$eady )a#!#n+( and(

*e$%e#v#n+ O&)yn4& na,e on !"e *la%a$d& d#&*o&ed on e#!"e$ &#de o. !"e en!$an%e( "e .el! only a ,o,en!a$y "e&#!a!#on5O&)yn )o'ld *$obably no! be !"e$e7 and( a.!e$ all( )"y &"o'ld "e no!#n&*e%! !"e ,an4& *#%!'$e&>

e.o$e $ea&on& "ad !#,e !o *$e&en! !"e,&elve& "e "ad *a&&ed #n!o !"e$oo,( and "ad been de.e$en!#ally )el%o,ed and *$e&en!ed )#!" a%a!alo+'e by !"e *$o*$#e!o$ #n *e$&on5T"e $oo, )a& &!#ll %$o)ded( and #! )a& o**$e&&#vely )a$,( )#!" ana!,o&*"e$e $edolen! o. )oollen and &#l2en .ab$#%&( l#2e a ,#ll#ne$4&&"o* on !"e day o. a &ale5A! .#$&! "e ,ade no e..o$! !o -o#n "#& )#.e( )"o, "e d#&%e$ned .$o,a.a$ !al2#n+ !o a *#lla$ o. !"e C"'$%" #n +a#!e$& and a

b$oad6b$#,,ed "a!5He loo2ed a! !"e *#%!'$e& )"eneve$ !"e$e )a& a b$ea2 #n !"e &e 'en%eo. bo)& and +$ee!#n+& )"#%" "ad !o be e %"an+ed )#!" !)o6!"#$d& o. !"e *eo*le #n !"e $oo,7 and a& "e loo2ed "e )a& &,#!!en )#!" a '#%2 !"$#ll o. ad,#$a!#on "e )a& &!#ll yo'n+ eno'+" !o $e%o+n#&e !"e"and o. !"e ,a&!e$5 And #n "#& ad,#$a!#on !"e$e )a& a !$a%e o. a



.$an2 envy( a %e$!a#n 'n$e&en!.'l "',#l#a!#on66!"e .eel#n+ )"#%" "e%o'ld $e,e,be$ !o "ave e *e$#en%ed ,any !#,e& #n !"e old day&( )"en"e *'! a&#de !"e &onne! "e "ad -'&! .#n#&"ed .o$ &o,e .a&"#onable,a+a #ne( and !oo2 do)n .$o, "#& l#,#!ed boo2&"el. !"e l#!!le!#,e6)o$n vol',e )"#%" %on!a#ned !"e al,o&! .o$+o!!en )o$2 o. a *oe!

)"o&e na,e )o'ld "ave .allen &!$an+ely on !"e ed#!o$#al ea$5e.o$e lon+ !"e$e )a& a +ene$al de*a$!'$e( and /#+"!,a$2( .l'&"ed)#!" !"e !$#',*"& o. a %onve$&a!#on #n )"#%"( #n !"e ve$y %en!$e o. an ad,#$#n+ +$o'* o. "#& an!a+on#&!4& )o$&"#**e$&( "e "ad&'%%e&&.'lly ,ea&'$ed &)o$d& )#!" a no!o$#o'& )#!( !'$ned !o loo2 .o$ "#& )#.e7 and( .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( ,ee!#n+ O&)yn4& eye("al.6#nvol'n!a$#ly advan%ed !o +$ee! "#,50T"#& #& an 'ne *e%!ed "ono'$(0 &a#d O&)yn %oldly( d#&$e+a$d#n+ !"e

*$o..e$ed "and7 0'ne *e%!ed and 'n)el%o,e;0T"en "e )o'ld "ave !'$ned a)ay( leav#n+ "#& %on!e,*! and "a!$ed'n&*o2en( b'! "#& *a&&#on )a& !oo &!$on+5

0Have yo' %o,e !o &ee2 #dea& .o$ yo'$ ne ! A%ade,y *#%!'$e(0 "e%on!#n'ed '#%2ly( )#!" a &nee$ !$e,bl#n+ on "#& l#*&( 0o$ .o$ !"e @O'!%$y@>0/#+"!,a$2 +$e) a l#!!le *ale( b#!#n+ "#& l#*( and .$o)n#n+ .o$ a,o,en!( be.o$e "e a&&',ed a de&*e$a!e ,a&2 o. +ood6"',o'$50Han+ #!( ,an;0 "e an&)e$ed '#%2ly( 0be $ea&onable; Haven4! yo'.o$+#ven ,e ye!> T"o'+" )"a! yo' "ave !o .o$+#ve6666 only )an! !o%on+$a!'la!e yo'( !o !ell yo' !"a! ad,#$e yo'$ )o$266#,,en&ely500 don4! )an! yo'$ %on+$a!'la!#on&(0 #n!e$$'*!ed !"e o!"e$ "oa$&ely50 ,#+"! .o$+e! !"e )$on+ )"#%"( a& yo' )ell 2no)( yo' "ave done ,e7!"a! #& no!"#n+; '! "ave yo' .o$+o!!en yo'$66yo'$ .$#end( Ra#n"a,>Yo' "ad be!!e$ +o(0 "e added( )#!" a &ava+e +e&!'$e5 0?o; be.o$e deno'n%e yo'( *$o%la#, yo'( yo' *#!#.'l &%o'nd$el;0T"e ,an4& .o$%ed %al, "ad +#ven )ay !o a '#ve$#n+ *a&&#on7 "#& l#*&!$e,bled 'nde$ !"e &!$e&& o. !"e )o$d& )"#%" !"$on+ed !o !"e,7 anda& "e !'$ned on "#& "eel( )#!" a +lan%e elo 'en! o. loa!"#n+( "e d#dno! no!#%e !"a! Eve )a& &!and#n+ %lo&e be"#nd "e$ "'&band( )#!"

*a$!ed l#*&( and #n!en! eye& +lea,#n+ o'! o. a .a%e a& *ale a& "#&o)n5/#+"!,a$2 $e%ove$ed "#,&el. '#%2ly( &"$'++#n+ "#& &"o'lde$& a& &oona& !"e o!"e$ )a& o'! o. ea$&"o!5 He +lan%ed a! "#& )#.e( )"o )a&.ollo)#n+ O&)yn )#!" "e$ eye&7 "e d#d no! da$e !o a&2( o$ even !o!"#n2( )"a! &"e ,#+"! "ave "ea$d50T"e ,an4& ,ad(0 "e &a#d l#+"!ly( 0,adde$ !"an eve$;0

CHAPTER III

! )a& Ma$+o! )"o +ave "#, !"e le!!e$ O&)yn $e,e,be$ed !"a!a.!e$)a$d& )#!" a 2#nd o. &'*e$&!#!#on5 S"e %a,e !o ,ee! "#,()ea$#n+ an a#$ o. #,,en&e #,*o$!an%e( )"en "#& '#%2 &!e* .ell '*on



!"e ba$e )ooden &!a#$)ay )"#%" led !o "#& $oo,&50T"e$e4& a le!!e$ .o$ yo'(0 &"e &a#d( nodd#n+ #,*$e&&#vely( 0a b#+le!!e$( )#!" a &eal on #!7 and M$&5 T"o,a& "ad !o )$#!e &o,e!"#n+ ona *#e%e o. +$een *a*e$ be.o$e !"e *o&!,an )o'ld +#ve #! !o "e$50T"en &"e .ollo)ed "#, #n!o !"e !)#l#+"! o. !"e a!!#% )"#%" )a& "#&

&!'d#o( and )a!%"ed "#, +$avely )"#le "e l#+"!ed !"e +a& and( #nde.e$en%e !o "e$ %'$#o&#!y( b$o2e !"e &eal5T"e envelo*e %on!a#ned a le!!e$( and a %on&#de$able b'ndle o.

*a*e$&( .olded &,all( and nea!ly !#ed !o+e!"e$ )#!" $ed !a*e5W"en "e "ad $ead !"e le!!e$( "e !'$ned !"e *a%2a+e ove$ )#!" a &#+"($e.le%!#vely ey#n+ #! .o$ &o,e ,#n'!e&( and !"en *'! #! a&#de5/a!e$( )"en M$&5 T"o,a&( "#& landlady( "ad %a$$#ed !"e %"#ld a)ay !o

bed( "e !oo2( !"e *a*e$& '* a+a#n( and( a.!e$ &o,e "e&#!a!#on(&lo)ly 'n!#ed !"e !a*e )"#%" en%#$%led !"e,5T"e le!!e$ )a& .$o, Me&&$&5 F'$n#val and Co5( !"e .#$, o. &ol#%#!o$&)"o "ad a%!ed .o$ Ra#n"a,( and )e$e no) $e*$e&en!#n+ O&)yn a& "#&

.$#end4& &ole e e%'!o$5! %on!a#ned a b$#e. #n!#,a!#on !"a! !"e +$an! o. *$oba!e o. !"ela!e M$5 Ra#n"a,4& )#ll "ad been d'ly e !$a%!ed( and ended )#!" a$e 'e&! !"a! !"e e e%'!o$ )o'ld %on&#de$ !"e #n%lo&ed b'ndle o. do%',en!&( )"#%" a**ea$ed !o be o. a *$#va!e na!'$e( and de%#de)"e!"e$ !"ey &"o'ld be *$e&e$ved o$ de&!$oyed5W"en "e "ad $e,oved !"e !a*e( O&)yn no!#%ed !"a! a +$ea! ,any o. !"ele!!e$& "ad !"e a**ea$an%e o. be#n+ #n !"e &a,e "and)$#!#n+7 !"e&e)e$e !#ed '* &e*a$a!ely )#!" a *#e%e o. na$$o) .aded &#l2 $#band(and #! )a& ev#den! !"a! !"ey )e$e a$$an+ed ,o$e o$ le&& #n o$de$ o. da!e7 !"e )$#!#n+ #n !"e %a&e o. !"e ea$l#e&! le!!e$ be#n+ !"a! o. a%"#ld( )"#le !"e ,o&! $e%en!( da!ed le&& !"an a yea$ a+o( )a& a&"o$! no!e( an #nv#!a!#on( )#!" !"e &#+na!'$e 0Eve /#+"!,a$250O&)yn %on!e,*la!ed !"e l#!!le b'ndle )#!" an a#$ o. #nde%#&#on(.all#n+ a! la&! #n!o a lon+ $eve$#e( "#& !"o'+"!& )ande$#n+ .$o, !"ele!!e$& !o !"e %"#ld( !"e )o,an )"o "ad )$#!!en !"e,( !"e )o,an)"o&e na,e "#& .$#end &o $a$ely b$ea!"ed( )"o&e .a%e "e "ad &een .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( *$o'd( and %old( and bea'!#.'l( !"a! ve$y a.!e$noon5D#d &"e( !oo( %a$e> Wo'ld &"e +'a$d "e$ &e%$e! a& -ealo'&ly>S'ddenly "e .$o)ned7 !"e !"o'+"! o. /#+"!,a$24& e..$on!e$y $e%'$$ed(

b$ea2#n+ "#& %on!e,*la!#ve %al, and d#&!'$b#n+ "#& &*e%'la!#on&5 Hela#d !"e *a*e$& a&#de )#!"o'! .'$!"e$ #nve&!#+a!#on( and( a.!e$ +a #n+ .o$ a .e) ,#n'!e& va%an!ly o'! o. !"e 'n%'$!a#ned )#ndo)($olled a .$e&" %#+a$e!!e and )en! o'! #n!o !"e n#+"!5

Ne ! ,o$n#n+ "e ,ade an e *ed#!#on !o /#n%oln4& nn F#eld& !o &eeMe&&$&5 F'$n#val and Co5( !a2#n+ !"e *a%2e! )#!" "#,5 T"e *a$!ne$ )"o "ad !"e ,a!!e$ #n "and )a& en+a+ed( and "e )a& 2e*! )a#!#n+ .o$ nea$ly "al. an "o'$( #n a d'&!y $oo, )#!" an elabo$a!ely ,o'lded%e#l#n+( and a %a$ved )ooden %"#,ney6*#e%e and &%$olled *anell#n+ o. &o,e bea'!y( bo!" d#&.#+'$ed )#!" !"#%2 laye$& o. d#n+y b$o)n *a#n!5



A .#$e "ad -'&! been l#+"!ed( #n de.e$en%e !o !"e 'n&ea&onable%oldne&& o. !"e :'ne day( and !"e $oo, )a& .'ll o. *'n+en! &,o2e5A& "e )a#!ed "#& #$$#!a!#on #n%$ea&ed5 /#+"!,a$24& #,*e$!#nen!#n!$'&#on <&'%" #! a**ea$ed !o "#,= and !"e &%ene )"#%" "ad en&'ed("ad en!#$ely a$o'&ed "#, .$o, !"e &!a!e o. #nd#..e$en%e #n!o )"#%"(

)"en !"e #n%#den! o%%'$$ed( "e )a& be+#nn#n+ !o $ela*&e5 T"e ,an )a&dan+e$o'&7 a ,al#+n *a&&#on( a %$av#n+ .o$ ven+ean%e( &le*! #n "#,( bo$n o. "#& &o'!"e$n blood( and +lan%#n+ o'! no) and a+a#n a! "#&eye&( l#2e !"e .#$e )"#%" da$!& .$o, !"e )#ndo)& o. a b'$n#n+

b'#ld#n+5He )onde$ed no)( a& "e !"o'+"! o. !"e )$on+& "e "ad bo$ne( a& #!&ee,ed !o "#,( &o *a!#en!ly7 #n Ra#n"a,4& l#.e!#,e !"e$e "addo'b!le&& been $ea&on&( b'! )a& "e neve$ !o $e!al#a!e> Had no! "e%on&#de$ed o!"e$ *eo*le eno'+"> H#& .o$bea$an%e &!$'%2 "#, no) a& a2#nd o. )ea2ne&&( a& &o,e!"#n+ al,o&! %on!e,*!#ble( !o be !"o'+"! o. )#!" a .eel#n+ a2#n !o &"a,e5

F#nally "e )a& '&"e$ed '* #n!o M$5 F'$n#val4& $oo,( a *lea&an!a*a$!,en! on !"e .#$&! .loo$( )#!" )#ndo)& loo2#n+ o'! '*on a%"a$,#n+ oa&#& o. +$a&& and !$ee&5 T"e la)ye$ a*olo+# ed .o$ 2ee*#n+"#, )a#!#n+( #n!#,a!ed del#%a!ely !"a! "e "ad a *$e&&#n+ a**o#n!,en!#n .#ve ,#n'!e&4 !#,e( and e *$e&&ed "#& &y,*a!"y )#!" O&)yn4&d#..#%'l!y a& !o !"e le!!e$&50 !4& '#!e a ,a!!e$ .o$ yo' !o de%#de(0 "e &a#d5 0 . yo' l#2e !o!a2e !"e $e&*on&#b#l#!y yo' ,ay b'$n !"e, .o$!")#!"( 'n$ead7 o$ yo',ay +#ve !"e, !o ,e( !o .#le )#!" !"e o!"e$ *a*e$&5 '! &"o'ldadv#&e yo' !o +lan%e !"$o'+" !"e la!e$ le!!e$&( a! all even!&5 May loo2 a! !"e,> T"an2&50O&)yn "ad +#ven "#, !"e *a%2e! o. le!!e$&( and "e &*$ead !"e, o'! on!"e !able a! )"#%" "e )a& &#!!#n+( ,e!"od#%ally( #n l#!!le "ea*&(%lea$#n+ a &*a%e a,on+ !"e *#le& o. d$a.!& and ab&!$a%!& )"#%" lay

be.o$e "#,50 !"#n2 )e ,ay de&!$oy !"e&e(0 &a#d O&)yn( *o#n!#n+ !o !"e l#!!le

b'ndle !#ed '* )#!" $#band5 0 !"#n2 2no) )"a! !"ey a$e500A& yo' l#2e(0 &a#d M$5 F'$n#val7 0!"ey a**ea$ !o be .$o, a lady5Ye&( don4! !"#n2 yo' need $ead !"e,500And !"e&e(0 %on!#n'ed O&)yn5 0T"ey a$e all .$o, /ady ?a$ne!!( and#! #& e !$e,ely 'nl#2ely !"a! !"ey %an "ave any b'&#ne&& $e.e$en%e500T"a! d#&*o&e& o. nea$ly all(0 &a#d !"e la)ye$ %"ee$.'lly5 0 ,ay

*'! !"e, on !"e .#$e( !"en>0O&)yn bo)ed a +$ave a&&en!( and M$5 F'$n#val d$o**ed !"e l#!!le

*a%2e!& '#%2ly #n!o !"e "o!!e&! *a$! o. !"e .#$e50No)( "e$e #& a le!!e$ )#!" a ve$y $e%en! *o&!,a$2(0 "e %on!#n'ed50A ,an4& )$#!#n+( !oo( &"o'ld &ay5 W#ll yo' $ead !"#&( )"#le +o!"$o'+" !"e o!"e$&> ! loo2& l#2e $a!"e$ a lon+ e*#&!le50T"e "and)$#!#n+ &ee,ed .a,#l#a$ !o O&)yn( and "#& "and !$e,bled&l#+"!ly a& "e !'$ned !o !"e &#+na!'$e .o$ %o$$obo$a!#on5 A& "e



+'e&&ed( #! )a& .$o, /#+"!,a$250 !"#n2 "ad be!!e$ $ead !"#&(0 "e &a#d +$#,ly( "al. !o "#,&el.5He +lan%ed '#%2ly !"$o'+" !"e le!!e$( and !"en $ead #! a &e%ond!#,e &lo)ly( and )"#le "e )a& $ead#n+ #! "#& e *$e&&#on )a& &'%" a&!o %on.#$, !"e &ol#%#!o$4& *$ev#o'& o*#n#on( !"a! !"e ,an )a& a

l#!!le b#! ,ad5W"en "e "ad .#n#&"ed "#& *e$'&al <"e !"o'+"! a! !"e !#,e !"a! "e&"o'ld neve$ .o$+e! a &#n+le )o$d o. !"a! d#&+$a%e.'l le!!e$=( O&)yn&a! #n &#len%e .o$ &o,e ,#n'!e&( #n!en!ly )a!%"#n+ M$5 F'$n#val4&&!$'++le& )#!" a la$+e b'ndle o. *a*e$& and a &,all bla%2 ba+5T"e le!!e$ "ad( #. &'%" a !"#n+ )e$e *o&&#ble( #n%$ea&ed "#&%on!e,*! .o$ !"e )$#!e$7 !"a! !"e ,an )a& #n&#n%e$e <O&)yn )o'ld"ave '&ed a .a$ &!$on+e$ !e$,= "e "ad been a)a$e .$o, !"e be+#nn#n+7no) "e 2ne) !"a! "e )a& a %o)a$d( a %$ea!'$e al,o&! 'n)o$!"y o. "#&"a!$ed5A '#%2 !"o'+"! &!$'%2 "#,( and "e &,#led5

0We )on4! b'$n !"#&66a! *$e&en!( a! any $a!e(0 "e &a#d '#e!ly5 0 &!"e$e any!"#n+ el&e .o$ ,e !o $ead>0T"e la)ye$ &"'..led !"e $e,a#n#n+ *a*e$& !o+e!"e$ '#%2ly50 !"#n2 no! !"e&e a$e %"#e.ly b#ll& )"#%" "ave &#n%e been *a#d5W#ll yo' 2ee* !"a! le!!e$( o$ do yo' )#&" '& !o do any!"#n+ abo'!#!>0O&)yn del#be$a!ed .o$ a ,o,en!( )#!" a %'$#o'& e *$e&&#on .l#!!#n+ove$ "#& .a%e( b#!#n+ "#& l#* and .$o)n#n+ &l#+"!ly( a& "e +a ed a!!"e .#$e*la%e( )"e$e Ra#n"a,4& lon+6%"e$#&"ed le!!e$& .$o, Eve and/ady ?a$ne!!4& del#%a!e( )#!!y %o,*o&#!#on& )e$e $e*$e&en!ed by al#!!le "ea* o. )ave$#n+ bla%2 a&"e&5T"e la)ye$ loo2ed a! "#& )a!%" 'nea&#ly50 be+ yo'$ *a$don(0 &a#d O&)yn '#%2ly7 0 needn4! 2ee* yo' anylon+e$5 W#ll yo' le! ,e "ave an envelo*e> da$e &ay !"ey %an +#ve,e M$5 Sylve&!e$4& add$e&& do)n&!a#$&66M$5 C"a$le& Sylve&!e$( !"e

ba$$#&!e$>00T"e ne) ,e,be$( yo' ,ean( o. %o'$&e>0 &a#d !"e la)ye$5 0He "a&%"a,be$& #n Pa*e$ '#ld#n+&( No5 115 Do yo' 2no) "#,>00 a, +o#n+ !o &end "#, !"#& le!!e$(0 &a#d O&)yn b$#e.ly( .old#n+ #!'* and be&!o)#n+ #! #n !"e envelo*e )"#%" M$5 F'$n#val "ad +#ven"#,5 0T"an2&( no( needn4! !$o'ble yo' !o "ave #! *o&!ed *$e.e$ !o leave #! a! M$5 Sylve&!e$4& %"a,be$& ,y&el.500He )a& a +$ea! .$#end o. !"e la!e M$5 Ra#n"a,( a&( o. %o'$&e( yo'2no)(0 &a#d !"e la)ye$( a& !"ey *a$!ed a! !"e doo$5 0M$5 Ra#n"a,#n!$od'%ed "#, !o '& )"en "e )a& '#!e a yo'n+ ,an66&oon a.!e$ "e)a& %alled( #n .a%!( and )e +ave "#, "#& .#$&! b$#e.66!"e .#$&! o. a+ood ,any; He4& been one o. o'$ &!and#n+ %o'n&el .o$ yea$&5?ood6day;0A& "e ,ade "#& )ay !o)a$d& !"e Te,*le( O&)yn &,#led !o "#,&el. $a!"e$ &ava+ely( !a&!#n+ #n an!#%#*a!#on !"e &)ee!& o. lon+6de.e$$ed



$even+e5 T"e .la,e o. "#& an%#en! d#&%on!en! )#!" !"e a%ade,#%al a$!o. !"e day( )"#%" "ad been .ed by "#& *e$&onal "a!$ed o. one

*a$!#%'la$ly &'%%e&&.'l e *onen! o. #!( )a& .anned #n!o .'$y5 And(a! !"e &a,e !#,e( a& "e *$o%eeded( )#!" &"o$!( "a&!y &!e*&( a,*lya$,ed .o$ !"e v#nd#%a!#on o. "#& .$#end( #n "#& +$#, .a!al#&, "e

&ee,ed !o "#,&el. #,,en&ely !"e #n&!$',en! o. de&!#ny( )"#%" "ad &o+#ven "#& ene,y #n!o "#& "and&5He *a'&ed )"en "e $ea%"ed Flee! S!$ee!7 en!e$#n+ !"e .#$&!

*'bl#%6"o'&e( a! "a*"a a$d( !o o$de$ &# *enny)o$!" o. b$andy( )"#%""e d$an2 nea! a%$o&& !"e %o'n!e$( )#!" &lo)( a**$e%#a!#ve &#*&( a&"e $e,#nded "#,&el. !"a!( !"e e %ellen%e o. "#& a,,'n#!#onno!)#!"&!and#n+( "e )a& &!#ll )#!"o'! any de.#n#!e *lan o. %a,*a#+n5Wo'ld "#& l'%2 de&e$! "#, a+a#n> Wo'ld Sylve&!e$ be a)ay( o$ $e.'&e!o &ee "#,> o$( )"#le $e%e#v#n+ "#,( %on!$#ve by &o,e &#n'o'& le+aldev#%e( ad$o#!ly !o d#ve$! "#& a!!a%2> T"e ,e$e %on!e,*la!#on o. any&'%" .$'&!$a!#on d'lled "#, &!$an+ely5

He %alled .o$ "#& +la&& !o be $e*len#&"ed( and e,*!#ed #! &"a$*lyand #,,ed#a!ely !"e +ene$o'& &*#$#! ,oved "#& *'l&e( $eb'2ed "#, .o$ "#& de*$e&&#on( &en! "#, b$#&2ly on on "#& )ay5A& "e l#.!ed !"e *onde$o'& 2no%2e$ '*on Sylve&!e$4& doo$( "e$e,e,be$ed v#v#dly !"e only o!"e$ o%%a&#on '*on )"#%" "e "ad v#&#!ed!"o&e %"a,be$&5 W#!" !"e ,e,be$ .o$ Mallo)( !oo( #nd#&%$ee! b'&ybody!"a! "e )a&( "ad "e no! a $e%2on#n+ !o &e!!le> T"e %"o#%e o. "#, a&an #n&!$',en! o. "#& *'n#&",en!( )"#%"( #. #! )a& *$#,a$#ly d#$e%!eda+a#n&! ano!"e$( &"o'ld no! leave "#, )"olly 'n&%a!"ed( +ave a e&!!o "#& ,al#%e( and #n%$ea&ed .#$,ne&& !o "#& ,anne$( a& "e %'$!lyo$de$ed !"e %le$2 !o !a2e #n "#& %a$d50 & #! an a**o#n!,en!>0 !"#& yo'!" "ad a&2ed d'b#o'&ly( 0be%a'&e #. #! #&n4!666600M$5 Sylve&!e$ )#ll &ee ,e(0 &a#d O&)yn )#!" #$$#!a!#on( 0#. yo')#ll "ave !"e +oodne&& !o do a& yo' a$e !old( and +#ve "#, ,y na,e50A! )"#%" !"e yo'!" "ad &,#led lo.!#ly and $e!#$ed( only !o $e!'$n.#ve ,#n'!e& la!e$ )#!" an a#$ o. +$ea!e$ "',#l#!y and #n.o$,a!#on!"a! !"e le+#&la!o$ )a& d#&en+a+ed5C"a$le& loo2ed '* a! "#, .$o, !"e !able a! )"#%" "e )a& &#!!#n+()#!" an o*en vol',e o. Han&a$d be.o$e "#,( %oldly )av#n+ "#, !o a%"a#$66an o..e$ )"#%" O&)yn( ,en!ally da,n#n+ "#& &'*e$%#l#o'&ne&&(#+no$ed50My b'&#ne&& #& ve$y b$#e.(0 "e &a#d '#%2ly7 0 %an e *la#n #!&!and#n+500 'nde$&!and !"a! #! #& '$+en!( M$566M$5 O&)yn5 O!"e$)#&e( yo'2no)( a, a b'&y ,an500Yo' ,ean !"a! ,y %all #& #n%onven#en!> %an '#!e #,a+#ne #!5 &"o'ld "a$dly "ave !$o'bled yo' #. yo' "ad no! on%e !a2en !"e!$o'ble !o &end .o$ ,e66yo'( *e$"a*&( "ave .o$+o!!en !"e o%%'$$en%e7!"a! &ee,ed !o +#ve ,e a &o$! o. $#+"!( a %la#, on yo'$ a!!en!#on50



0 $e%o+n#&ed #!(0 &a#d C"a$le& +$avely( #n a !one )"#%" #,*l#ed!"a!( "ad "e no! +#ven !"#& n#%e!y !"e bene.#! o. "#& l#be$al%on&#de$a!#on( !"e #n!$'de$ )o'ld neve$ "ave *ene!$a!ed &o .a$50S#n%e !"a! #& a+$eed( ,ay a&2 yo' !o e *la#n yo'$ b'&#ne&& a&e *ed#!#o'&ly a& *o&&#ble>0

O&)yn &,#led )#!" &o,e #$ony7 and Sylve&!e$ &'**$e&&ed a l#!!le&"'dde$( $e.le%!#n+ !"a! !"e ,an4& 'n%o'!"ne&& al,o&! !$an&+$e&&ed!"e bo'nd& o. de%en%y50 %an 'o!e yo'$ o)n )o$d& on a *$ev#o'& o%%a&#on #! %on%e$n& !"e"ono'$ o. a .$#end66!"e "ono'$ o. yo'$ .a,#ly( #. yo' l#2e #!

be!!e$50Sylve&!e$ &"'! "#& vol',e &"a$*ly( +lan%ed '* a! !"e o!"e$ )#!"&'**$e&&ed #$$#!a!#on50T"a! #& no! a ,a!!e$ %an d#&%'&& )#!" yo'(0 "e &a#d a! la&!50 &#,*ly #n!end yo' !o $ead(0 )en! on O&)yn %al,ly( 0a le!!e$ )"#%"yo'$ b$o!"e$6#n6la) )$o!e !o ,y .$#end( P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( a .e) )ee2&

be.o$e "#& dea!"50C"a$le& $o&e .$o, "#& %"a#$ '#%2ly( avo#d#n+ !"e o!"e$4& .a%e50 $e+$e! !"a! %an4! a&&#&! yo'(0 "e &a#d "a'+"!#ly7 0 "ave no#n!e$e&! )"a!eve$ #n !"e a..a#$& o. !"e la!e M$5 Ra#n"a,( and ,'&!de%l#ne !o $ead yo'$ le!!e$50He +lan%ed &#+n#.#%an!ly a! !"e doo$( no! &'**$e&&#n+ a &l#+"! ya)n7#! )a& #n%$ed#ble "o) !"#& $e*'l&#ve l#!!le a$!#&!( )#!" "#&#ndel#%a!e *$o*o&#!#on&( bo$ed "#,5

'! O&)yn #+no$ed "#& +e&!'$e7 &#,*ly la#d !"e ,#&&#ve #n 'e&!#onon !"e !able7 !"en "e +lan%ed %a&'ally a! "#& )a!%"50 %an4! %o,*el yo' !o $ead !"#& le!!e$(0 "e &a#d #n !"e &a,e&!'d#o'&ly %al, vo#%e5 0 )a$n yo' !"a! yo'$ "ono'$ #& +$avely#n!e$e&!ed #n #!& %on!en!&( and )#ll +#ve yo' .#ve ,#n'!e& #n)"#%" !o de%#de5 . yo' &!#ll *e$&#&! #n yo'$ de!e$,#na!#on( "aveno %o'$&e le.! b'! !o &end %o*#e& o. #! !o &o,e o. Ra#n"a,4& ,o&!#n!#,a!e .$#end&( and !o yo'$ &#&!e$( M$&5 /#+"!,a$250He "ad "#& )a!%" #n one "and( b'! "#& +a e( %'$#o'&ly #$on#%al(.ollo)ed !"e d#$e%!#on o. C"a$le&4& #$$e&ol'!e eye&( and !"e .#ve,#n'!e& "ad no! ela*&ed be.o$e "e $eal# ed66and a !o'%" o. !$#',*",#n+led )#!" "#& #,,en&e %on!e,*! o. !"e ,an and "#& *o,*o'&'n$eal#!y66!"a! C"a$le&4& $e&ol'!#on "ad &'%%',bed5He &!$e!%"ed o'! "#& "and .o$ !"e le!!e$( 'n.olded #! del#be$a!ely(and $ead #! on%e( !)#%e( !"$ee !#,e&( )#!" a -'d#%#al &lo)ne&&()"#%" !"e o!"e$( )"o )a& no) %'$#o'&ly ,oved( .o'nd e a&*e$a!#n+5W"en a! la&! "e loo2ed '* a! O&)yn "e &"aded "#& eye& )#!" one "and(

b'! "#& .a%e $e,a#ned .o$ !"e $e&! #,*e$!'$bable and e *$e&&#onle&&5T"e *a#n!e$ &a) !"a! "#& d#&%$e!#on )a& la$+e$ !"an "e "ad #,a+#ned5

. !"e $ead#n+ "ad been d#&a+$eeably #ll',#na!#ve66and O&)yn bel#eved !"a! 'nde$ "#& &'$.a%e %o,*o&'$e "e %on%ealed( a! lea&!( a!e$$#ble )o'nd !o "#& *$#de66"e )a& no! +o#n+ !o allo) !"#&



#,*$e&&#on !o a**ea$50 ,#+"! &'++e&! !"a! !"#& do%',en! #& a .o$+e$y(0 "e &a#d a.!e$ a,o,en!5O&)yn #nd'l+ed #n a l#!!le( "a$&" la'+"( &"$'++#n+ "#& &"o'lde$&50T"a! )o'ld be !oo .a!'o'&( M$5 Sylve&!e$50

0 ,#+"! &'++e&! #!(0 )en! on C"a$le& &lo)ly5 0Pe$"a*&( !"en( yo')#ll be &'$*$#&ed )"en !ell yo' !"a! bel#eve #! !o be +en'#ne5May a&2( M$5 O&)yn( )"y yo' ,ove #n !"#& ,a!!e$>00A& Ra#n"a,4& .$#end(0 &a#d O&)yn '#%2ly( 0 #n!end !o e *o&e !"e,#&e$able %al',ny )"#%" %lo'ded "#& la&! day&500A *'bl#% &%andal )o'ld be +$ea!ly !o be de*lo$ed(0 C"a$le& "a a$ded#n%on&e 'en!ly( #n !"e !one o. a ,an )"o a$+'ed )#!" "#,&el.5O&)yn ,ade a& #. "e )o'ld "ave !a2en '* !"e le!!e$ )#!" a +e&!'$e o. &'dden #,*a!#en%e7 b'! C"a$le& #n!e$%e*!ed "#, '#%2ly( and "#&vo#%e "ad a +$ave &#,*l#%#!y #n #! )"#%" a$$e&!ed !"e o!"e$4&a!!en!#on5

0Don4! ,#&!a2e ,e( M$5 O&)yn7 "ave no! !"e lea&! de&#$e o$ #n!en!#on !o &'**$e&& !"#& do%',en!5 ,'&! e *e%! yo' !o -'d+e ,e"a$&"ly7 b'! yo' )#ll &'$ely &ee !"a! ,y "ono'$ #& a& dee*ly%on%e$ned #n !"e $ed$e&&#n+ o. M$5 Ra#n"a,4& $e*'!a!#on a& anyone4&%an be( only a, na!'$ally de&#$o'& o. &*a$#n+ ,y66o. &*a$#n+ !"e#nno%en! *e$&on& )"o a$e 'n.o$!'na!ely ,# ed '* #n !"e a..a#$ 'nne%e&&a$y *a#n( !"e &%andal o. *'bl#%#!y500T"e$e a$e %e$!a#n *e$&on& )"o ,'&! ab&ol'!ely 2no) !"e !$'!"(0 &a#dO&)yn bl'n!ly50 . *led+e yo' ,y )o$d !"a! !"e *e$&on& )"o, yo' ,ean &"all be#,,ed#a!ely enl#+"!ened( )#ll yo' leave ,e !o a%! alone>0T"e o!"e$ )a& &#len! .o$ a ,o,en! $evolv#n+ !"e *$o*o&#!#on( "al. &'$*$#&ed a! !"e 'n)on!ed "',#l#!y o. !"e ba$$#&!e$4& ea+e$ne&&5 A!la&! "e &a#d( )#!" a &"o$!( a,b#+'o'& la'+"0 )#ll leave #! #n yo'$ "and&( M$5 Sylve&!e$50He 'nde$)en! a ,o,en!a$y $e*en!an%e o. "#& o)n $ead#ne&& )"en "e )a&#n !"e &!$ee!( and "ad !'$ned "#& .a%e !o So"o a+a#n7 #! &ee,edal,o&! %"#ld#&"ly !$'&!#n+5 '! *$e&en!ly( $e,e,be$#n+ "e 2ne) no!)"a! &"ade o. %'$#o'& &!e$nne&& #n Sylve&!e$4& ,anne$( "e de%#ded!"a! "e "ad done )#&ely66#! )a& on &o,e &'%" $e&'l! a& !"#& !"a! "e"ad %o'n!ed #n "#& %o,#n+66and !"a! !"e &%o$e( &!'*endo'& a& #! )a&()o'ld be a%%'$a!ely &e!!led5Fo$ a lon+ )"#le( a.!e$ "#& 'n)el%o,e v#&#!o$ "ad de*a$!ed( C"a$le&&a! &#len! and b'$#ed #n dee* !"o'+"!5F$o, !#,e !o !#,e "e +lan%ed va+'ely a! !"e le!!e$ )"#%" O&)yn "adabandoned( and "e )onde$ed66b'! '#!e #n%on&e 'en!ly( and )#!" no"ea$! !o ,a2e !"e e *e$#,en!66)"e!"e$ any .'$!"e$ *e$'&al o. !"o&ed#&+$a%e.'l l#ne& %o'ld e *la#n o$ *all#a!e !"e bl'n! oblo 'y o. !"e)$#!e$4& %ond'%!5 H#& %on%#&e( le+al "ab#! o. ,#nd .o$bade "#, !o%"e$#&" any .al&e #ll'&#on&5



/#+"!,a$2( )$#!#n+ #n an "o'$ o. #n!#,a!e e %#!e,en!( )"en !"e b'$den o. "#& .$#end4& &a%$#.#%e &ee,ed .o$ a .lee!#n+ ,o,en! ,o$e#n!ole$able !"an !"e )$en%" o. e *lana!#on )#!" "#& )#.e( "ad !ooe..e%!'ally %o,*$o,#&ed "#,&el.5 He "ad %$#n+ed( *$o%$a&!#na!ed(

*$o,#&ed7 "ad been ab-e%!( "y*o%$#!#%al( e *l#%#!5

! &ee,ed !o Sylve&!e$( #n !"e .#$&! .l'&" o. "#& "ono'$abled#&+'&!( !"a! !"e$e )a& no +ene$o'& $e&!#!'!#on )"#%" !"e ,an "adno! *$o,#&ed( no %$aven ,eanne&& !o )"#%" "e "ad no! a,*ly%on.e&&ed5He d$o**ed "#& %o$$e%! "ead '*on "#& "and& )#!" &o,e!"#n+ l#2e a,oan( a& "e %on!$a&!ed !"e #$on#%al &#len%e )"#%" "ad been Ra#n"a,4&only an&)e$ !o !"#& e..'&#on66a &#len%e )"#%" "ad &#n%e been#$$evo%ably &ealed5 He "ad neve$ be.o$e been &o d#&"ea$!ened( "adneve$ &ee,ed &o #n!#,a!ely a&&o%#a!ed )#!" d#&+$a%e5Even !"e abo$!#ve end#n+ o. "#& *a&&#on66"e 2ne) !"a! !"#& )a&dee*6&ea!ed and +en'#ne( al!"o'+" #!& o'!)a$d e *$e&&#on "ad been

.o$,al and %old66&ee,ed a !ole$able e *e$#en%e #n %o,*a$#&on5'! !"#& )a& d#&"ono'$ ab&ol'!e( and d#&"ono'$ )"#%" %o'ld neve$ be *e$.e%!ly a!oned5Had no! "e #n "#& *e$&onal an!#*a!"y !o P"#l#* Ra#n"a,66!"e !#de o. !"a! an%#en! "o&!#l#!y &'$+ed ove$ "#, a+a#n even )"#le "e vo)ed&!e$nly !o ,a2e !"e .'lle&! a,end&66"ad "e no! &e# ed )#!" #nde%en!ea+e$ne&& '*on any *$e!e ! o$ o%%a&#on !o -'&!#.y "#& d#&l#2e>He "ad( a! lea&!( a&&#&!ed 'n-'&!ly !o de&!$oy Ra#n"a,4& $e*'!a!#on(+#v#n+ "#& ad"e$en%e !o !"e va#ne&! o. va#n l#e&7 and "o)eve$

ealo'& "e ,#+"! be #n de&!$oy#n+ !"#& elabo$a!e &!$'%!'$e )"#%" "e"ad "el*ed !o b'#ld( "o)eve$ &'%%e&&.'l !"e d#&a+$eeable !a&2 o. enl#+"!en#n+ "#& &#&!e$ and !"e ,al#+ned ,an4& ,o&! #n!e$e&!ed.$#end& ,#+"! *$ove( !"e $e*$oa%" '*on "#& o)n .o$e&#+"! )o'ld$e,a#n5

! )a& no!able !"a!( #n !"e &o,e)"a! "a$d #n!e+$#!y o. "#&%"a$a%!e$( "e d#d no! .o$ a ,o,en! &ee2 !o *e$&'ade "#,&el.( a& a,an o. +$ea!e$ &y,*a!"y ,#+"! "ave done( !"a! Eve )a& a *e$&on !o)"o, !"e !$'!" %o'ld le+#!#,a!ely be &*a$ed5Ho) &"e )o'ld &'..e$ #!( and )"#!"e$ "e$ #nd#+na!#on ,#+"! lead "e$("e d#d no! %a$e !o #n '#$e7 !"e&e )e$e ,a!!e$& )#!" )"#%" "en%e.o$!""e &"o'ld de%l#ne !o ,eddle5 H#& *a$! )o'ld be done )"en "e "ad+#ven "e$ !"e &#,*le #n.o$,a!#on !"a! )a& "e$ d'e66!"a! !"ey "ad,ade a +$ea! ,#&!a2e7 !"a! "e$ "'&band )a& no! !o be !$'&!ed5He !$#ed !o *$e*a$e !"e .e) &e! *"$a&e& #n )"#%" !"e #n!ell#+en%e)o'ld be %o'%"ed( b'! .o'nd none !"a! )e$e &a!#&.a%!o$y5 T"e e..o$!a**ea$ed ,o$e and ,o$e &!'*endo'& a& !"e a.!e$noon advan%ed( 'n!#la! la&!( )#!" a&!on#&",en! a! "#& )ea2ne&& )"#%" $e.'&ed !o beanaly&ed( "e $e%o+n#&ed !"a!( a.!e$ all( #! )a& no! *o&&#ble5 ! )a&ne)& )"#%" "e %o'ld no! +#ve !o "#& &#&!e$ )#!" "#& o)n l#*&5Ma$y Ma&!e$& a& a *o&&#ble ,ed#a!o$ &'ddenly o%%'$$ed !o "#,5 He



$e%o+n#&ed by &o,e o%%'l! #n&!#n%! !"a! &"e )a& one o. !"e *e$&on&.o$ )"o, O&)yn "ad &!#*'la!ed( !o )"o, $e&!#!'!#on )a& d'e( and a!on%e "e $e&olved !o a**eal !o "e$5He $e,#nded "#,&el. !"a! !"e /#+"!,a$2& )e$e en!e$!a#n#n+ !"a!even#n+ on a &%ale o. '#!e e %e*!#onal +$ande'$( !"a! "e "ad a %a$d

.o$ !"e#$ .an%y6d$e&& ball( .$o, )"#%" /ady ?a$ne!! and "e$ n#e%e)o'ld "a$dly be ab&en!ee&5 . "e %o'ld &ee !"e +#$l be.o$e"and( &"e)o'ld do'b!le&& .#nd !"e !#,e and o%%a&#on !o &ay )"a! )a&ne%e&&a$y5He "ad $e%ove$ed "#& %o,*o&'$e )"en( a! no %on&#de$able #n!e$vala.!e$ !"e .o$,a!#on o. !"#& $e&olve( "e )a& '&"e$ed #n!o /ady?a$ne!!4& d$a)#n+6$oo,5 ! )a& "#& .#$&! a**ea$an%e !"e$e &#n%e !"e$e-e%!#on o. "#& &'#! <"e "ad no! "ad !"e %o'$a+e !o $ene) #!(al!"o'+" "e )a& by no ,ean& *$e*a$ed !o ad,#! !"a! #! )a& "o*ele&&=(and #n !"e &l#+"! e,ba$$a&&,en! )"#%" !"#& $e%olle%!#on %a'&ed "#,"e "a$dly $e+$e!!ed !"e *$e&en%e o. a &e%ond v#&#!o$( al!"o'+" "#&

#den!#.#%a!#on a& a %e$!a#n /o$d Ove$&!o%2( )"o, "e bel#eved !o beo**o&ed !o "#, #n ,o$e )ay& !"an #n "#& *ol#!#%al v#e)& <"e )a& ano!o$#o'& To$y=( )a& no! ,ade )#!"o'! a -ealo'& *an+5 He +$ee!edMa$y( "o)eve$( )#!"o'! 'nd'e .o$,al#!y( and )en! ove$ !o /ady?a$ne!!5T"e old lady +lan%ed '* a! "#, $a!"e$ l#&!le&&ly5 S"e )a& +$o)#n+dea.( o$ .e#+ned dea.ne&&5 He &a#d !o "#,&el. !"a! *e$"a*& &"e )a&,'%" olde$ !"an !"ey 2ne)66)a& +$o)#n+ !#$ed5 He$ @*e$&#.la+e@( )"#%"C"a$le& "ad neve$ ,'%" a**$e%#a!ed( )a& le&& .$e 'en! !"an o. old(and &"e no lon+e$ *o'$ed o'! "e$ )#!!#%#&,& )#!" !"e *la%#d&)ee!ne&& o. a *e$&on o..e$#n+ yo' @bonbon&@5 T"e$e )e$e &en!en%e& #n"e$ !al266#! )a& )"en &"e &*o2e o. !"e %o'*le o**o&#!e !"e,( )"o)e$e %onven#en!ly o'! o. ea$6&"o!66)"#%" !"e ba$$#&!e$ .o'nddel#be$a!ely ,al#+nan!50Yo' ,ean !"a! #! #& &e!!led>0 &"e a&2ed( a..e%!#n+ !o ,#&'nde$&!and&o,e !$#v#al $e,a$25 0A"( no( b'! #! )#ll a$$an+e #!&el.66#! #&%o,#n+5 Yo' !"#n2 &"e )#ll ,a2e an ad,#$able d'%"e&&> S"e "a&&o,e!#,e& '#!e !"e +$and a#$5 Have yo' no! .o'nd !"a! o'!> Yo' 2no)"#& .a!"e$ #& ve$y old7 "e %anno! #n $ea&on l#ve ,'%" lon+e$5 And&'%" e&!a!e&; Pe$&onally( !oo( !"e n#%e&! o. boy&( and a& *$o*e$ a&#. "e "ad &o,e!"#n+ !o +a#n by #!5 And ye!( #n En+land( a D'2e %ando al,o&! any!"#n+ and be $e&*e%!ed5 A"( M$5 Sylve&!e$( yo' d#d no!'&e yo'$ o**o$!'n#!y;00 )an! one no)(0 "e &a#d $a!"e$ %oldly( 0o. &ay#n+ !)o )o$d& !oM#&& Ma&!e$&50S"e -'&! $a#&ed "e$ del#%a!e eyeb$o)&50W#ll #! be ve$y '&e.'l>0C"a$le& .l'&"ed &l#+"!ly( !"en "e .$o)ned50 ! "a& no!"#n+ !o do )#!" ,y&el.5 "ave &o,e ne)& &"e &"o'ld "ea$5Pe$"a*& yo' yo'$&el.66660



S"e #n!e$$'*!ed "#, )#!" a l#!!le ,#$!"le&& la'+"50 )#ll no! "ea$ any!"#n+ &e$#o'&( and yo' loo2 !o ,e ve$y &e$#o'&5

a, old eno'+" !o "ave *$o,#&ed neve$ a+a#n !o be &e$#o'& #n ,yl#.e50S"e &'b,#!!ed( "o)eve$( !o l#&!en !o "#,( &ee#n+ !"a! "#& )e#+"!y

%on.#den%e& )o'ld no! be b$oo2ed7 and )"en "e "ad .#n#&"ed66"e &a#d)"a! "e "ad !o &ay #n ve$y .e) )o$d&66&"e +lan%ed '* a! "#, )#!" !"e&a,e a#$ o. #,*ene!$able #nd#..e$en%e50Co,e;0 &"e &a#d( 0)"a! doe& #! ,a!!e$ !o ,e !"a! yo' a%!ed #ne %eed#n+ly bad !a&!e( and $e*en! #!> ! ,ade no d#..e$en%e !o ,e66a, no! !"e @*ol#%e de& ,oe'$&@5 . )e$e yo'( )o'ld "old ,y !on+'e50T"en &"e added( a& "e +lan%ed a! "e$ )#!" ev#den! ,y&!#.#%a!#on(&"$'++#n+ "e$ &"o'lde$&0W"en one #& dead( M$5 Sylve&!e$( )"a! doe& #! ,a!!e$>0He !'$ned a)ay $a!"e$ #,*a!#en!ly( "#& eye& .ollo)#n+ !"e .#ne l#ne&o. Ma$y4& .a%e( )"#%" "e &a) #n *$o.#le5

He no!#%ed !"a! &"e !al2ed )#!" an#,a!#on( and !"a! /o$d Ove$&!o%24&e *$e&&#on )a& .$an2ly ad,#$#n+5 A! la&! !"e old lady &a#d0 '!( ye&7 yo' ,'&! !ell Ma$y66by all ,ean&5 To "e$ #! )#ll ,ean,'%"5 See( !"e Ma$ '#& #& +o#n+7 #. yo' )#&" )#ll leave yo' alone!o+e!"e$50

CHAPTER III

0No)( #&n4! #! a *$e!!y dan%e>0 ,'$,'$ed M$&5 Dollond $a*!'$o'&ly(a& &"e &an2 #n!o a lo) %"a#$ #n a %o$ne$ &e%'$e .$o, !"e !$a..#% o. !"e 2ale#do&%o*#% %$o)d )"#%" "ad #nvaded M$&5 /#+"!,a$24&d$a)#n+6$oo,( and o*ened "e$ *a#n!ed .an )#!" a l#!!le &#+" #n!ended!o e *$e&& "e$ bea!#!'de5Colonel /#+"!,a$2( !o )"o, M$&5 Dollond add$e&&ed !"#& %o,*l#,en!a$y

'e$y <)"#%"( a.!e$ all( )a& ,o$e o. an a&&e$!#on o$ %"allen+e( #n!"a! #! !oo2 #!& an&)e$ .o$ +$an!ed=( )a& a$$ayed #n !"e b$#ll#an!&%a$le! and &#lve$ o. !"e $e+#,en! )"#%" "ad on%e !"e "ono'$ o. %all#n+ "#, Colonel7 "#& !'n#% )a& &o !#+"! !"a! &#!!#n+ do)n )a&al,o&! an #,*o&&#b#l#!y .o$ "#,( and M$&5 Dollond( )"o loo2ed%"a$,#n+ #n "e$ *o)de$ and b$o%ade( %o'ld no! "el* )onde$#n+ )"e!"e$ any ,o$!al b'!!on& %o'ld &!and !"e &!$a#n7 and( on !"e o!"e$ "and(!"e d#,en&#on& o. "#& *a!en! lea!"e$ boo!& )e$e &'%" !"a! &!and#n+(.o$ a ,an o. "#& )e#+"!( #nvolved a !o$!'$e )"#%" #! )a& "a$d !o%on%eal5 And ye! !"e ve!e$an )a& "a**y66"e )a& *o&#!#vely $ad#an!5He .el! !"a! "#& ne*"e)4& &'%%e&& #n !"e )o$ld o. A$! and o. So%#e!y%on&#de$ably en"an%ed "#& o)n #,*o$!an%e7 "e )a& no! a&"a,ed !o o)ea *o$!#on o. "#& b$#ll#an%e !o bo$$o)ed l#+"!66and !on#+"! one %o'ldno! %o'n! !"e %eleb$#!#e& on !"e .#n+e$& o. bo!" "and&5T"e old "e$o6)o$&"#**e$ +a ed %o,*la%en!ly a! !"e l#!!leeve$6&"#.!#n+ %$o)d )"#%" &'$$o'nded "#& ne*"e) and "#& n#e%e <&o "e



%alled "e$= a! !"e#$ *o&! nea$ !"e doo$)ay( and "e l#&!ened !o M$&5Dollond4& &*a$2l#n+ &all#e& )#!" a bl#&&.'l #+no$an%e o. "e$ &e%$e!a,b#!#on #n !"e d#$e%!#on o. a *a$!ne$ )"o )o'ld ,a2e "e$ dan%e( and.o$ )"o&e ed#.#%a!#on &"e )o'ld be able !o l#2en !"e Colonel4&)a$l#2e .#+'$e !o a ne)ly6bo#led lob&!e$( o$ a $#*e !o,a!o5

0Re+'la$ .lo)e$6&"o)( #&n4! #!>0 "e &'++e&!ed( na#vely $e#n.o$%#n+"#& &#,#le5 0 don4! 2no) )"a! !"e d#%2en& !"ey4$e all ,ean!.o$( b'! a +ood ,any o. !"e, &ee, !o "ave e&%a*ed .$o, !"e/y%e',66:'l#e!&( and Po$!#a&( and S"ylo%2&( and &o .o$!"500Ye&(0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond5 0 !"#n2 !"e S"ylo%2& ,'&! be

*#%!'$e6deale$&( yo' 2no)5 '! !"e#$ %onve$&a!#on #&n4! ve$yS"a2e&*ea$#an( #& #!> "ea$d Ha,le! &ay( -'&! no)( !"a! !"e .loo$ )a& !oo *e$.e%! .o$ any!"#n+( and O*"el#a66&"e )a& dan%#n+ )#!" aP#e$$o! @#n%$oyable@66!old "e$ *a$!ne$ !"a! &"e ado$ed )al! #n+ !o a&!$#n+ band;0T"ey bo!" la'+"ed( !"e Colonel &"o$!ly and bo#&!e$o'&ly( M$&5

Dollond #n a ,anne$ )"#%" &'++e&!ed %a$e.'l &!'dy be.o$e aloo2#n+6+la&&( )#!" an e..e%! o. d#,*le& and o. .la&"#n+ !ee!"50W"a! )#%2ed !"#n+& yo' &ay( Colonel /#+"!,a$2(0 &"e added de,'$ely50W"o #& !"a! &!a!ely *e$&on #n !"e da$2 .#+'$ed &#l2( )#!" a%#n 'e6%en!o $'..> &n4! #! /ady ?a$ne!!4& n#e%e>00Ye&( !"a!4& M#&& Ma&!e$&(0 &a#d !"e Colonel( 0and &'**o&e !"a!4&/ady ?a$ne!! )#!" "e$5 don4! !"#n2 4ve eve$ ,e! /ady ?a$ne!!(!"o'+" 4ve o.!en "ea$d o. "e$5 W"a! #& "e$ d$e&&66)"o, #& &"e#n!ended !o $e*$e&en!> don4! &ee "o) !"e d#%2en& one4& e *e%!ed !o2no)( b'! yo'4$e &o %leve$500O"( &"e4& d$e&&ed a&66a& /ady ?a$ne!!; W"a! a lo! o. *eo*le66@$eal@

*eo*le( yo' 2no)66!"e$e a$e "e$e !o6n#+"!; Dea$ ,e( !"e$e4& !"e,'&#% a+a#n al$eady5 bel#eve 4ve +o! !o dan%e !"#& !#,e5 do"o*e ,y *a$!ne$4& d$e&& )on4! %la&" )#!" ,#ne !oo a).'lly5 T"a!4&!"e )o$&! o. .an%y d$e&& ball&7 !"ey $eally o'+"! !o be&!a+e6,ana+ed by a *a#n!e$( and !"e *e$#od o'+"! !o be l#,#!ed5One4& neve$ &a.e5 O'$ dan%e( M$5 Co*al> N',be$ &# > Ye&( !"#n2 #!,'&! be; A *ol2a> T"en )e4ll )al! ;0And !"e Colonel( )"o )a& no! a dan%#n+ ,an( )a& le.! #n no!'n)el%o,e &ol#!'de !o $e.le%! &o,e)"a! *onde$o'&ly on !"e advan!a+e&o. *o&&e&&#n+ a ne*"e) and n#e%e yo'n+ eno'+"( b$#ll#an! eno'+"( and$#%" eno'+"66!"o'+" !"a! )a& *a$!ly @"#&@ a..a#$66!o %'l!#va!e !"eve$y *#n2 and *e$.e%!#on o. &,a$! &o%#e!y5 He $e+a$ded D#%2 #n !"el#+"! o. a *$o.#!able #nve&!,en!5W"en !"e yo'n+ *eo*le( &o !o &*ea2( %a,e !o !"e $e&%'e o. !"eav'n%'la$ "'l2( #! )a& al$eady be+#nn#n+ !o d$#.! #n!o !"e %o$ne$ o. !"e "a$bo'$ devo!ed !o de$el#%!&5T"e .$#end& )"o "ad develo*ed abo'! "#& *a!" #n &'%" .la!!e$#n+n',be$& )"en "e %a,e "o,e .$o, nd#a( and $e!#$ed( )#!" ane)ly6a% '#$ed .o$!'ne and a va+'e "alo o. ,#l#!a$y d#&!#n%!#on



abo'! "#& *e$&on( #n!o !"e $an2& o. !"e "al.6*a#d( )e$e be+#nn#n+ !o.#nd "#, $a!"e$ old and( .$an2ly( a %on&#de$able bo$e7 b'! !"e!#,ely benevolen%e )"#%" "e "ad e !ended !o "#& ne*"e) )a&( #!a**ea$ed( !o "ave #!& $e)a$d #n !"#& )o$ld #n !"e &"a*e o. a 2#nd o. $e.le%!ed $e-'vene&%en%e( a !e,*o$a$y $e&*#!e .$o, !"e l#,bo o. <"o)

"e "a!ed !"e )o$d;= .o+eydo,5W"en D#%2 ,a$$#ed( "#& 'n%le )a& al$eady &e!!l#n+ do)n #n a na$$o)+$oove a,on+ !"e *eo*le o. ye&!e$day7 no) "e .el! !"a! "e "ad on%e,o$e e&!abl#&"ed "#& .oo!"old a,on+ !"e *eo*le o. !o6day5P$e&en!ly "e no!#%ed !"a! /ady D'l,#n&!e$ "ad a$$#ved( and "e ,ade"#& )ay a%$o&& !"e $oo, !o ,ee! "e$ )#!" a '#!e yo'!".'l

ba&".'lne&&( %annon#n+ a*olo+e!#%ally a+a#n&! Ro,eo& andMa$+'e$#!e&( "o*#n+ !"a! &"e )o'ld l#2e "#& 'n#.o$,5T"e$e )a& one *e$&on( a! lea&!( #n !"e $oo, )"o ,ade no a!!e,*! !oa&&'$e "e$&el. !"a! &"e )a& en-oy#n+ !"e v#v#d +a#e!y o. !"e&e

*a$!#6%olo'$ed $evel&5

Ma$y Ma&!e$&( )"en &"e "ad !#,e .o$ &ol#!a$y !"o'+"!( .o'nd !"a! !"ea!,o&*"e$e o. !"e %"a$,#n+ $oo, )a& .'ll o. ,o%2e$y5 Fo$ "e$( !"e *a&&#ona!e v#b$a!#on& o. !"e &!$a#ned( #n%e&&an! &!$#n+& &ee,ed !o b$ea!"e !"e )#ld %o,*la#n! o. lo&! &o'l&7 !"e ,'l!#!'d#no'& !$ead o. +l#d#n+ .ee!( !"e l#n+e$#n+ &)ee* o. &#l2en &2#$!&( !"e .a#n!( &)ee!

*e$.',e o. e o!#% .lo)e$&( all "ad a ne) and &!$an+e &#+n#.#%an%e7!"e e..e%! o. an o$%"e&!$al .'+'e )ea$#ly $e*ea!#n+ !"e e *$e&&#ono. a .$en #ed "ea$!le&&ne&&( a +$ea! 'n$e&!5T"e +#$l )a& %o,*le!ely 'n&!$'n+5 S#n%e C"a$le& "ad b$o'+"! "e$ ne)&( )"#%"( a.!e$ all( "ad been ,e$ely a %o$$obo$a!#on( "e$ ne$ve&"ad *layed "e$ .al&e7 !"e balan%e o. "e$ ,#nd )a& !"$o)n o'! o.

*o#&e7 and !"e .a%! !"a! &"e )a& !"e$e a! all &ee,ed only a *a$! o. "e$ .a#l#n+( an add#!#onal *$oo. o. "e$ ,o$al %olla*&e5Sea!ed on a lo) o!!o,an( #n a l#!!le $e%e&& a,on+ !"e !all *al,& and!$ee6.e$n&( )"#%" l#ned !"e *a&&a+e lead#n+ .$o, !"e ball6$oo, !o!"e &!'d#o( &"e )a& &!a$!led *$e&en!ly .$o, "e$ $eve$#e by M$&5/#+"!,a$2( )"o %on.$on!ed "e$( a da#n!y .#+'$e #n !"e *ale $o&e%olo'$ and a**le6+$een o. one o. Wa!!ea'4& ,o&! 'n*$a%!#%al&"e*"e$de&&e&50No! dan%#n+( Ma$y;0 &"e *$o!e&!ed( &,#l#n+ a l#!!le lan+'#dly50W"a! doe& #! ,ean> W"y a$e yo' &#!!#n+ #n &!a!ely &ol#!'de )#!"&'%" an ev#den! %on!e,*! .o$ o'$ .$#vol#!y>00F$#vol#!y;0 e%"oed M#&& Ma&!e$&5 0 @"ave@ been dan%#n+( !"#& la&!)al! ( )#!" /o$d Ove$&!o%25 "ave &en! "#, !o .#nd ,y .an5 !old"#, e a%!ly )"e$e !o loo2( b'! &'**o&e "e %an4! d#&%ove$ #!5 He4&no! ve$y %leve$( yo' 2no);00Poo$ /o$d Ove$&!o%2; "o*e "e )on4! .#nd #! -'&! ye! and %o,e !o!'$n ,e o'! o. "#& &ea!5 4, @&o@ !#$ed o. &!and#n+( o. #n!$od'%#n+,en )"o&e na,e& neve$ 2ne) !o +#$l& )"o&e na,e& "ave .o$+o!!en(and o. !$y#n+ !o avo#d #n!$od'%#n+ !"e &a,e *eo*le !)#%e ove$5 !4&



&o d#..#%'l! !o $e%o+n# e *eo*le #n !"e#$ *o)de$ and *a!%"e&;00Ye&(0 &a#d Ma$y &lo)ly( )#!" a 2#nd o. #n)a$d $e&en!,en! )"#%" &"e%o'ld no! &'bd'e( al!"o'+" &"e .el! !"a! #! )a& 'n$ea&onable( 0al,o&! )onde$ !"a! yo' $e%o+n#&ed ,e50Eve +lan%ed a! "e$( &!$'%2 by "e$ !one( !$y#n+ !o $ead "e$

e *$e&&#on #n !"e d#, l#+"!( a &"ado) o. be)#lde$,en! *a&&#n+ ove$ "e$ o)n .a%e and .o$ a ,o,en! lo)e$#n+ !"e b$#ll#an%y o. "e$ eye&5T"en &"e &,#led a+a#n( d#&,#&&#n+ "e$ !"o'+"! )#!" a l#!!le la'+")"#%" b$o2e o.. ab$'*!ly50One &o &oon .o$+e!&;0 !"e o!"e$ added( )#!" an #n!en!#on #n "e$ vo#%e( an #nvol'n!a$y be!$ayal )"#%" &"e al,o&! #,,ed#a!ely$e+$e!!ed50Fo$+e!&;0Eve %a'+"! '* !"e )o$d ea+e$ly( al,o&! *a&&#ona!ely( "e$ vo#%e.all#n+ #n!o a lo)e$ 2ey50Fo$+e!; Fo$+#ve and .o$+e!;0 $e*ea!ed Ma$y '#%2ly and $e%2le&&ly(

le!!#n+ "e$ eye& )ande$ .$o, "e$ o)n %la&*ed "and& !o Eve4& bo' 'e!o. del#%a!e( &%en!le&& .$#!#lla$#e&( )"#%" lay ne+le%!ed )"e$e #!"ad .allen on !"e .loo$ be!)een !"e#$ .ee!5 0Ho) ea&y #! &o'nd&;66#&

*e$"a*&66and ye!66 "ave no! &o ,'%" !o .o$+e!66o$ !o be .o$+#ven;0T"e la&! )o$d& )e$e al,o&! )"#&*e$ed( b'! .o$ Eve4& #,a+#na!#on(

*o#&ed on !#*!oe l#2e a "'n!ed %$ea!'$e bl#ndly l#&!en#n+ .o$ !"ea**$oa%" o. !"e P'$&'e$( !"ey )e$e .'ll o. &'++e&!#on( o. den'n%#a!#on5S"e $e,e,be$ed no)( )#!" a &)#.!ly ban#&"ed *an+ o. -ealo'&y( !"a!!"#& +#$l "ad loved "#,5He$ !"o'+"! &*ed ba%2 !o a &',,e$ even#n+ nea$ly a yea$ a+o( )"en #!"ad &ee,ed !o "e$ !"a! &"e "ad &'$*$#&ed "e$ .$#end4& &e%$e!50W"a! do yo' ,ean( Ma$y>0 &"e de,anded %o'$a+eo'&ly5 0W"a! "ave !o

be .o$+#ven> Don4! de&*#&e ,e7 don4!( .o$ Heaven4& &a2e( don4! *lay)#!" ,e; a, all #n !"e da$2; A$e yo' a%%'&#n+ ,e> Do yo' !"#n2

be%a'&e &ay no!"#n+ !"a! "ave .o$+o!!en66!"a! %an .o$+e!> &#! &o,e!"#n+ abo'!66"#,>0Ma$y %a&! a $a*#d +lan%e a! "e$50A$e yo' a.$a#d o. "#& na,e( !"en>0Eve d$o**ed "e$ "and& de&*a#$#n+ly50A"( yo' do; Yo' @a$e@ *lay#n+ )#!" ,e; Abo'! P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( !"en;Fo$ Heaven4& &a2e &*ea2; Do yo' 2no) )"a! only +'e&&66!"a! "e )a&#nno%en!> Fo$ ?od4& &a2e &ay #!;0

! )a& Ma$y4& !'$n !o loo2 be)#lde$ed( !o .eel *en#!en!5 S"e be+an!o $e%o+n#&e !"a! !"e$e )e$e +$ea!e$ de*!"& #n Eve4& na!'$e !"an &"e"ad &'&*e%!ed( !"a! "e$ #nd#..e$en%e ,#+"!( a.!e$ all( *$ove !o "ave

been ,e$ely a ,a&250Yo' +'e&&66#nno%en!66don4! yo' 2no)( !"en>00No!"#n+( no!"#n+; only &'&*e%!66bel#eve; "ave been +$o*#n+alone #n !"e da$2ne&&66and ye! @do@ 2no); He )a& #nno%en!66"e *layed



a *a$!>00Ye&(0 &a#d Ma$y +en!ly7 0"e &a%$#.#%ed "#,&el.( .o$ ano!"e$;00He &a%$#.#%ed "#,&el.66.o$ ,e5 A"( &ay #!; &ay #!;0Ma$y )a& +$ea!ly *' led and a! !"e &a,e !#,e ,oved66.#lled )#!" a&'*$e,e %o,*a&&#on .o$ !"#& )o,an )"o )a& ye! &'%" a %"#ld( &o

da#n!y and .$a#l a !"#n+ !o %on.$on! !"e deadly 2no)led+e !"a! &"e"ad ,ade a &"#*)$e%2 o. a l#.e( o. l#ve&5And ye!( )a& !"e$e no! al&o a $#n+ o. e 'l!a!#on( a %"allen+e #n "e$ la&! )o$d&>A! lea&!( "e$ &o$$o) )a& ennobled5 S"e )a& #nve&!ed )#!" a &o,b$e+lo$y( a& one )"o "ad #n&*#$ed a $a$e and *e$.e%! devo!#on5And( a.!e$ all( "ad &"e no! al$eady been %on&#de$ed eno'+">A &#len%e en&'ed( d'$#n+ )"#%" Eve &ee,ed !o be )$a**ed #n &!ead.a&!!"o'+"!5S"e +$e) %al,e$( *#%2#n+ '* "e$ bo' 'e!( and &ed'lo'&ly a$$an+#n+#!& d#&o$de$ed .ol#a+e7 )"#le /o$d Ove$&!o%2( )"o "ad a$$#ved )#!"

Ma$y4& .an( *o'$ed .o$!" elabo$a!e a*olo+#e&( *$o!e&!#n+ !"a! &"e,'&! +#ve "#, ano!"e$ dan%e66!"e &e%ond e !$a66!o ,a2e '* .o$ !"e!#,e "e "ad lo&!5Al$eady !"e ,'&#% )a& be+#nn#n+ .o$ !"e ne ! dan%e( and *eo*le

*a&&ed #n %o'*le&( la'+"#n+ and !al2#n+ +a#ly( a ,o!ley *$o%e&&#on(on !"e#$ )ay #n!o !"e ball6$oo,50 !"o'+"! yo'$ b$o!"e$ )o'ld "ave !old yo'(0 &a#d Ma$y &o.!ly(

bend#n+ ove$ "e$ *$o+$a,,e and +a!"e$#n+ "e$ &2#$!& !o+e!"e$ )#!" a&'++e&!#on o. de*a$!'$e50C"a$le&> He )a& al)ay& *$e-'d#%ed a+a#n&! "#,66al)ay& "#& ene,y;00T"a! #& )"y7 "e #& ve$y -'&!( ve$y %on&%#en!#o'&5 He !old ,e !"#&a.!e$noon50Ma$y4& vo#%e &an2 a l#!!le lo)e$5 S"e )a& &!and#n+ no)5 S"e %o'ld&ee "e$ *$o&*e%!#ve *a$!ne$ loo2#n+ .o$ "e$5 S"e )onde$ed va+'ely)"e!"e$ Eve a%%e*!ed !"e al!e$na!#ve( )"e!"e$ &"e $eal# ed !"a!( !o

*$ove P"#l#* #nno%en!( )a& !o e&!abl#&" "e$ "'&band4& +'#l!( "#&o$#+#nal )$on+6do#n+( and &'b&e 'en! %o)a$d#%e50 '!66C"a$le&; Ho) d#d "e 2no)> Doe& "e bel#eve #!> W"o !old "#,>0Ma$y "ad +en!ly d#&en+a+ed "e$ a$, .$o, Eve4& $e&!$a#n#n+ "and5 S"e&!e**ed ba%2 .o$ an #n&!an!( e %'&#n+ "e$&el. !o "e$ e *e%!an!%aval#e$50One o. P"#l#*4& .$#end& !old "#, !o6day66*$oved #! !o "#,( "e &ay&5

! )a& a M$5 O&)yn50A ,#n'!e la!e$ Ma$y .o'nd "e$&el. #n !"e ball6$oo,( ,a2#n+ "e$o#%e..o$!& !o d#v#de "e$ en!#$e a!!en!#on #,*a$!#ally be!)een !"e&!$a#n& o. !"e band and !"e $e,a$2& o. "e$ *a$!ne$5S"e )a& a.$a#d !o *a&& #n $ev#e) !"e %ond'%! o. !"o&e .e) ,#n'!e&)"#%" "ad &ee,ed &o lon+5 Had #! $eally all o%%'$$ed #n !"e #n!e$val

be!)een !)o )al! e&>Fo$ !"e *$e&en! &"e d$e) a ,en!al %'$!a#n ove$ !"e &%ene5 S"e la%2ed



!"e %o'$a+e !o +a e '*on "e$ "and#)o$2( al!"o'+" &"e )a& no! )#!"o'!a "o*e.'l #n&!#n%! !"a!( )"en &"e %$#!#%#&ed #! #n &obe$ dayl#+"!(&"e )o'ld even a**$ove o. )"a! &"e "ad done5 He$ de!e$,#na!#on d#dno!( "o)eve$( %a$$y "e$ .'$!"e$ !"an !"e ,#ddle o. !"e dan%e5T"e $oo, )a& no) %$o)ded !o $e*le!#on( and &"e $ead#ly .ell #n )#!"

"e$ *a$!ne$4& &'++e&!#on !"a! !"ey &"o'ld !a2e a !'$n #n !"e %oole$ a!,o&*"e$e o. !"e +a$den7 and a& &"e *a&&ed !"e !"$e&"old( a $a*#d($e!$o&*e%!#ve +lan%e #n.o$,ed "e$ !"a! Eve )a& on%e ,o$e *lay#n+ "e$ a$d'o'& *a$! o. "o&!e&&5

Neve$ "ad a%!$e&& ,o$e an #o'&ly a)a#!ed !"e .all o. !"e %'$!a#n'*on "e$ &%ene5 He$ "'&band( #n !"e +allan! $'&&e! o. a .al%one$()a& dan%#n+ no) )#!" M$&5 Dollond &"e %o'ld "ea$ "#& .$e 'en!la'+"!e$( and( !"o'+" &"e !'$ned "e$ eye& a)ay( &ee "#, bend#n+ ove$ "#& *a$!ne$ !o %a!%" !"e )o$d&( !$#v#al eno'+" no do'b!( )"#%" &"e&ee,ed !o )"#&*e$ )#!" &'%" an a#$ o. %on.#den%e5 '!( !"o'+" &"e"ad "ea$d "#, add$e&& M$&5 Dollond by "e$ C"$#&!#an na,e( &"e d#d

no! *ay "#, !"e %o,*l#,en! o. be#n+ -ealo'& !"e !#,e .o$ !"a! "ad *a&&ed5 T"e a%%o'n! )"#%" &"e "ad !o de,and o. "#, $ela!ed !o a,a!!e$ .a$ ,o$e &e$#o'& !"an !"e ,o&! .la+$an! o. .l#$!a!#on&66&"eonly lon+ed !o %on.$on! "#,( !o !ea$ .$o, "#, a %on.e&&#on( no! &o,'%" )#!" a v#e) !o "',#l#a!e "#, a& !o enl#+"!en "e$&el.( and !o.o$%e "#, !o ,a2e !"e only $e*a$a!#on #n "#& *o)e$5W"en !"e ,'&#% "ad %ea&ed( and !"e ,ea&'$ed !$ead o. .ee! la*&ed#n!o !"e %on.'&#on o. #nde*enden! )ande$#n+&( Eve !'$ned !o .#nd "e$ "'&band %lo&e be"#nd "e$( and M$&5 Dollond .#$#n+ o.. a nea! l#!!le&*ee%" o. %on+$a!'la!#on( *an!#n+ a l#!!le( and ,a2#n+ *lay )#!" "e$ elabo$a!e .an5S"e )a& '#%2 !o &e# e !"e o**o$!'n#!y .o$ )"#%" &"e "ad )a#!ed &oea+e$ly7 )#!" a .e) )o$d& o. &,#l#n+ a*olo+y !o M$&5 Dollond and !"eo!"e$& )"o )e$e +a!"e$ed $o'nd "e$( &"e #n!#,a!ed !o "e$ "'&band!"a! &"e )#&"ed "#, !o %o,e )#!" "e$( !o a!!end !o &o,e!"#n+ &"ea&&',ed a *lay.'l a#$ o. ,y&!e$y50O"( yo' ,'&! +o;0 &a#d M$&5 Dollond( 0yo'$ )#.e #& *lann#n+ &o,edel#+"!.'l &'$*$#&e .o$ '& %an &ee #! #n "e$ eye&; T"o'+"( )"a!one %o'ld )an! ,o$e66660T"e ,'&#% be+an a+a#n( and !"e %o'*le& !oo2 !"e#$ *la%e& .o$ !"e/an%e$& !"e$e )a& !o be a S"a2e&*ea$#an &e!( and ano!"e$ o. Wave$ley no!ab#l#!#e&5Unde$ %ove$ o. !"e d#&%'&&#on and %on.'&#on )"#%" !"#& &%"e,e#nvolved( Eve )#!"d$e)( lead#n+ !"e )ay #n!o !"e $oo, )"#%" !"ey%alled !"e l#b$a$y( and )"#%" )a& .'ll o. &'*e$.l'o'& .'$n#!'$e($e,oved .$o, !"e d$a)#n+6$oo, !o ,a2e &*a%e .o$ !"e dan%e$&5 He$ "'&band .ollo)ed( l#.!#n+ "#& eyeb$o)&( )#!" a %"#val$o'& b'! no!)"olly &'%%e&&.'l a!!e,*! !o d#&+'#&e "#& #,*a!#en%e5W"en "e "ad %lo&ed !"e doo$( Eve !'$ned &'ddenly and %on.$on!ed "#,(#n!e$$'*!#n+ !"e 'e&!#on )"#%" )a& on "#& l#*&5 He no!#%ed( )#!" a



'#%2 a**$e"en&#on( !"a! &"e )a& ve$y *ale( !"a! !"e &,#le )"#%" &"e"ad )o$n .o$ "e$ +'e&!& "ad +#ven *la%e !o an e *$e&&#on even ,o$eo,#no'& !"an "e$ *allo$ and !"e !$e,bl#n+ o. "e$ l#*&50W"y "ave b$o'+"! yo' "e$e>0 &"e e%"oed5 0 don4! 2no)( ,#+"!"ave a&2ed yo' be.o$e !"e, all66*e$"a*& yo' )o'ld "ave *$e.e$$ed

!"a!; '! )on4! 2ee* yo' lon+5 T"e !$'!"; T"a! #& all )an!;0He .$o)ned( )#!" a v#%#o'& ,ove,en! o. "#& l#*& !"en ,ee!#n+ "e$ +a e( ,ade an a)2)a$d e..o$! !o &ee, a! ea&e50My dea$ %"#ld;0 "e &a#d( &!e**#n+ ba%2 and lean#n+ "#& ba%2 a+a#n&!!"e doo$( 0)"a! ,elod$a,a; T"e !$'!"; )"a! !$'!">00Ho) o.!en yo' ,'&! "ave )#!""eld #! .$o, ,e( !o a&2 l#2e !"a!; T"e!$'!" abo'! P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( and !"a! )o,an !"a! #& )"a! a&2;0/#+"!,a$2 e %la#,ed *e!'lan!ly a! !"#&0Haven4! )e d#&%'&&ed #! all be.o$e> Haven4! yo' 'e&!#oned ,e

beyond all l#,#!&> Haven4! yo' &a#d !"a! yo' bel#eved ,e> And )"a! a!#,e66660

0Ye&( "ave a&2ed yo' be.o$e5 & #! ,y .a'l! !"a! yo' "ave l#ed> &#! ,y .a'l! !"a! yo' "ave ,ade #! *o&&#ble .o$66.o$ &o,eone el&e !o *$ove !o ,e( !o6n#+"!( !"a! yo' "ave de%e#ved ,e> T"e !#,e #& no! o. ,y ,a2#n+5 '! no)( ,'&! "ave !"e !$'!"7 #! #& !"e only$e*a$a!#on( !"e la&! !"#n+ &"all a&2 o. yo';00Yo' ,'&! be ,ad;0 "e &!a,,e$ed( "#& &el.6*o&&e&&#on de&e$!#n+ "#,70yo' don4! 2no)66yo' "ave no $#+"! !o &*ea2 !o ,e l#2e !"#&5 Yo'don4! 'nde$&!and !"e&e !"#n+&7 yo' ,'&! le! ,e -'d+e .o$ yo'666600T"e only !"#n+ 'nde$&!and %lea$ly #& !"a! yo' "ave bla%2enedano!"e$ ,an4&66yo'$ .$#end4&66,e,o$y5 &n4! !"a! eno'+"> Can yo'deny !"a! yo' "ave allo)ed "#, !o bea$ yo'$ &"a,e> 2no) no) !"a!"e )a& #nno%en!7 #n&#&! !"a! yo' &"all !ell ,e !"e $e&!;00T"e $e&!;0 "e $e*ea!ed #,*a!#en!ly( &"#.!#n+ "#& a!!#!'de5 0 )on4!&'b,#! !o !"#& %$o&&6e a,#na!#on; "ave e *la#ned #! all be.o$e7 de%l#ne !o &ay any ,o$e;00T"en yo' %l#n+ !o yo'$ l#e>00/#e> P$ay( don4! be &o &en&a!#onal7 yo' !al2 l#2e !"e "e$o#ne o. a.#.!"6$a!e d$a,a; W"o "a& *'! &'%" a ,ad #dea #n!o yo'$ "ead> /e! ,e)a$n yo' !"a! !"e$e a$e l#,#!& !o ,y *a!#en%e;00 )#ll !ell yo'( #. yo' )#ll %o,e )#!" ,e and deny #! !o "#&.a%e66#. yo' )#ll $e.'!e "#& *$oo.&500P$oo.&; Yo' "ave no $#+"! !o a&2 &'%" a !"#n+; !ell yo'( "avea%!ed .o$ !"e be&!5 W"y &"o'ld yo' bel#eve !"e .#$&! %o,e$ $a!"e$ !"an ,e>00W"y> Yo' %an a&2 )"y;0 &"e #n!e$*o&ed50/e! ,e be+ o. yo' !o %o,e ba%2 )#!" ,e !o o'$ +'e&!&7 )e &"all be,#&&ed66*eo*le )#ll !al2;0Eve &"$'++ed "e$ &"o'lde$& de.#an!ly( #$on#%ally50Yo' *$eva$#%a!e7 yo' )on4!( yo' %an4! be %and#d; T"e$e #& only oneo!"e$ ,an )"o %an !ell ,e !"e !$'!"66yo' ,a2e #! ne%e&&a$y( ,'&!



+o !o "#,50/#+"!,a$2 %len%"ed "#& "and v#%#o'&ly '*on !"e "andle o. !"e doo$50 de%l#ne !o d#&%'&& !"#& da,nable .olly any lon+e$7 #. yo' )on4!%o,e )#!" ,e &"all +o alone7 &"all &ay !"a! yo' a$e #ll66$eally(

!"#n2 yo' ,'&! be;0

0?o by all ,ean&;0 &"e $e*l#ed #nd#..e$en!ly( 0b'! !ell ,e .#$&!()"e$e %an .#nd M$5 O&)yn>0He *a'&ed( +a #n+ a! "e$ blan2ly50O&)yn>00Ye&5 T"e ,an )"o #& no! a.$a#d !o deno'n%e yo'5 . yo' )on4!enl#+"!en ,e( #. yo' )on4! %lea$ yo'$66yo'$ .$#end4& ,e,o$y66#! ,ay

be a! !"e e *en&e o. yo'$ o)n66*e$"a*& "e )#ll500O&)yn;0 "e &!a,,e$ed( 0O&)yn;00H#& add$e&&;0 &"e de,anded '#%2ly5 0Plea&e 'nde$&!and !"a! .o$ !"e.'!'$e a, #nde*enden!7 )#ll +o !o "#, a! on%e; . yo' )on4! +#ve,e "#& add$e&&( #.6666 Wo'ld yo' *$e.e$ !"a! &"o'ld a&2 ,y b$o!"e$

.o$ #!> T"a! #& ,y al!e$na!#ve;0/#+"!,a$2 .o'nd &o,e!"#n+ ve$y d#&%on%e$!#n+ #n "#& )#.e4& &!ead.a&!+a e( #n !"e 'n%o,*$o,#&#n+ %al,( !"e '#e! *a&&#on o. "e$ de,eano'$7 "#& one de&#$e )a& !o *'! an end !o !"#& &%ene( )"#%"o**$e&&ed "#, a& a n#+"!,a$e( be.o$e "e &"o'ld en!#$ely lo&e all

*o)e$ o. &el.6%on!$ol5He .el! "#,&el. al,o&! #n%a*able o. !"o'+"!( 'nable !o )e#+" !"e,ean#n+ o. "e$ )o$d&( "e$ !"$ea!&7 !"e $ead#ne&& o. $e&o'$%e )"#%"&e$ved "#, &o de.!ly #n l#!!le !"#n+& "ad de&e$!ed "#, no)( a& #!#nva$#ably d#d #n !"e .a%e o. a $eal e,e$+en%y5

. "e %o'ld !e,*o$# e( "e ,#+"! be able !o a$$#ve a! &o,e!"#n+ ,o$el#2e a *lan o. a%!#on( !o %on%en!$a!e "#& e..o$!& #n one d#$e%!#on5He $eal# ed !"a! #. "#& )#.e .'l.#lled "e$ !"$ea!( )"#%" )a& !"e,o$e ala$,#n+ #n !"a! #! )a& no! an an+$y one( b'! "ad eve$ya**ea$an%e o. be#n+ ba%2ed by del#be$a!e #n!en!#on66#. &"e a**ealed!o "e$ b$o!"e$( )"o&e ,o$al *$#n%#*le& "e e&!#,a!ed ,o$e "#+"ly !"an"#& !a%! o$ )o$ldly )#&do,66!"e$e a**ea$ed !o be eve$y *$o&*e%! o. an a++$ava!ed &%andal5 Fo$ #. C"a$le& Sylve&!e$ <)"o )a&'n.o$!'na!ely a,on+ !"e $evelle$&= de%l#ned !o .'$n#&" "#& &#&!e$ )#!" O&)yn4& add$e&&( )a& #! no! %e$!a#n !"a! &"e )o'ld a**lyel&e)"e$e> And( a.!e$ all( ,#+"! no! O&)yn ad"e$e !o !"e &#len%e)"#%" "e "ad &o lon+ ,a#n!a#ned>He $ea&oned '#%2ly and #nde!e$,#na!ely( va+'ely &2#,,#n+ !"e&'$.a%e o. ,any o,#no'& *$obab#l#!#e& and .#nd#n+ no "o*e.'l$e&!#n+6*la%e .o$ %on-e%!'$e( .#nally allo)#n+ a l#!!le de&*e$a!e+e&!'$e !o e&%a*e "#,5T"e ,'&#% "ad &!o**ed a,#d !"e de&'l!o$y %la**#n+ o. "and&( and "e%o'ld "ea$ *eo*le *a&&#n+ o'!&#de on !"e#$ )ay #n!o !"e +a$den5 He!'$ned !"e "andle &lo)ly )#!"o'! o*en#n+ !"e doo$50 e $ea&onable;0 "e a**ealed5 0T"e$e #& &!#ll !#,e7 le! '& +o #n!o



!"e ball$oo,7 le! '& .o$+e! !"#& .olly;00Yo' ,ay +o(0 &"e $e*l#ed %on!e,*!'o'&ly7 0 "ave no )#&" !o de!a#nyo'66.a$ .$o, #!5 '! #. yo' leave ,e )#!"o'! +#v#n+ ,e M$5 O&)yn4&add$e&& &"all a&2 C"a$le& .o$ #!( and #. C"a$le&66660He$ "'&band #n!e$$'*!ed "e$ &ava+ely5

0O"( #. yo' a$e ben! on ,a2#n+ a .ool o. yo'$&el.( &'**o&e %an4! *$even! yo'5 T"e ,an l#ve& a! J1( F$#!" S!$ee!5 No) yo' "ave #!5 )a&" ,y "and& o. !"e )"ole a..a#$50He o*ened !"e doo$( and &"e *a&&ed o'! +$avely be.o$e "#,( "old#n+"e$ bo' 'e! !o "e$ do)n6!'$ned .a%e7 and !"en !"ey *a$!ed !a%#!ly(!"e "'&band !'$n#n+ !o)a$d& !"e doo$ )"#%" led #n!o !"e +a$den( !"e)#.e ,a2#n+ "e$ )ay #n!o !"e ball6$oo,( and !"en%e !o)a$d& !"e&!'d#o5

CHAPTER III B

n !"e e,*!y &!'d#o( .$o, )"#%"( .o$ one n#+"!( ,o&! o. "e$ "'&band4& #,*ed#,en!a "ad been $e,oved !o allo) *la%e .o$ !"e lon+&'**e$6!able( )"#%" +l#&!ened .a#n!ly #n !"e *ale ele%!$#% l#+"!(&"e *a'&ed only lon+ eno'+" !o )$a* "e$ .an!a&!#% *e$&on #n !"e da$2 %loa2 )"#%" &"e "ad %a'+"! '* on "e$ )ay5T"en &"e le! "e$&el. o'! '#e!ly by !"e *$#va!e doo$ #n!o !"e $oad5And &"e &!ood &!#ll a ,o,en!( blo!!ed a+a#n&! !"e &"ado)&("e&#!a!#n+( va+'ely %on&#de$#n+ "e$ ne ! &!e*5T"e "oney6%olo'$ed ,oon( %a&!#n+ #!& &!$an+e( &#l2en +la,o'$ ove$ !"e )"#!e "o'&e( ove$ !"e bla%2 o'!l#ne o. !"e !$ee& #n !"e +a$den(&*an+led "e$e and !"e$e )#!" :a*ane&e lan!e$n&( +ave an a#$ o. #,,en&e 'n$eal#!y !o !"e &%ene7 and !"e !$e,'lo'& no!e& o. !"ev#ol#n&( )"#%" .loa!ed .a#n!ly do)n !o "e$ .$o, !"e "al.6o*ened)#ndo)& o. !"e ball6$oo,( only "e#+"!ened !"#& e..e%!( &ee,#n+ -'&!!"en !o be no ,o$e !"an !"e ,'&#% o. ,oonbea,& !o )"#%" !"e .a#$#e&dan%e5Fo$ a ,o,en! a &'dden )ea2ne&& and !#,#d#!y ove$%a,e "e$5 n a )o$ld&o !$an&%enden!ly 'n$eal66"ad no! &"e -'&! &een "e$ "a**#ne&& be%o,e!"e ve$y d$ea, o. a &"ado)>66)a& #! no! !"e ,e$e&! .'!#l#!y !o !a2ea &!e* &o de.#n#!e( !o be *a&&#ona!e o$ #n!en&e> e!!e$ $a!"e$ !o$e&! .o$ a l#!!le #n !"#& va+'e )o$ld o. "al.6l#+"!& #n!o )"#%" &"e"ad &!e**ed( 'nde$ !"e %ool#n+ &!a$&( and !"en !o $e!'$n and !a2e '*one4& old *la%e #n !"e ,a& 'e5

'! "e$ .an!a&y *a&&ed5 n !"e d#&!an%e !)o +lo)#n+ o$b& o. a "an&o,%a,e &lo)ly !o)a$d& "e$( and "e$ *'$*o&e +$e) &'ddenly ve$y &!$on+5T"e ,an $e#ned #n "#& "o$&e )#!" an #n '#$#n+ +lan%e a! !"e "ooded.#+'$e on !"e *ave,en!( &ee2#n+ a .a$e5 And #! )a& )#!"o'!"e&#!a!#on !"a! &"e en+a+ed "#,( +#v#n+ "#, !"e n',be$ o. O&)yn4&"o'&e #n F$#!" S!$ee!( So"o( #n "e$ %al,( )ell6b$ed vo#%e( and

b#dd#n+ "#, be '#%25



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A& !"ey $a!!led alon+ %on.'&edly !"$o'+" !"e %$o)ded &!$ee!& &"e%a'+"! .$o, !#,e !o !#,e !"e $e.le%!#on o. "e$ o)n .a%e #n !"e !)ol#!!le ,#$$o$& a! ea%" &#de( and )onde$ed !o .#nd "e$&el. !"e &a,e5Fo$ &"e d#d no! de%e#ve "e$&el.( no$ 'nde$val'e !"e %$'&"#n+ .o$%eo. !"e blo) )"#%" &"e "ad $e%e#ved5To "e$ "'&band( )"en &"e !'$ned &%o$n.'lly .$o, "#& %l',&yeva&#on&66.o$ a ,o,en!( *e$"a*&( !o "e$&el.66&"e "ad -'&!#.#ed !"e&#n+'la$ %o'$&e &"e )a& !a2#n+ by an ove$)"el,#n+ ne%e&&#!y o. #,,ed#a!ely .a%#n+ !"e !$'!"( #n )"#%"( *e$"a*&( !"e$e &!#ll l'$2ed!"e d#, *o&&#b#l#!y o. e *lana!#on )"e$eby "e$ "'&band4& v#lene&&,#+"! .#nd !"e &"ado) o. an e %'&e5

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!"e *lay( !"e ,a& 'e7 be $eady )#!" yo'$ %'e&5 !4& all ,a&2& anddo,#noe&7 )"a! doe& !"e .o$, o$ %olo'$ o. #! ,a!!e$> Unde$nea!" #!all yo' a$e yo'$&el.( )#!" yo'$ bea'!#.'l &o$$o)( yo'$ ,e,o$#e&(yo'$ !$an&%enden! "a**#ne&&66no!"#n+ %an !o'%" !"a!7 )"a! doe& #!,a!!e$>00Ha**#ne&&;0 &"e e-a%'la!ed( $a!"e$ #n )onde$ !"an #n &%o$n( .o$ #n&*#!e o. "e$ +$ea! )ea$#ne&& &"e "ad been &!$'%2 by !"e +en'#nea%%en! &!$'++l#n+ !"$o'+" "#& "al. #$on#%al &*ee%"50Mo&! "a**y(0 "e &a#d( )#!" a dee* #n"ala!#on5 0Haven4! yo' an #deal)"#%" l#.e( )#!" #!& %$'el!#e&( #!& +$o&&ne&&( %an neve$ !o'%">0T"en "e added '#%2ly( #n )o$d& o. P"#l#* Ra#n"a,( )"#%" "ad .la&"ed)#!" &'dden a**o&#!ene&& a%$o&& "#& ,#nd50Yo'$ ,#&e$y "a& #!& %o,*en&a!#on7 yo' "ave been )$on+ed( b'! yo'"ave al&o been loved500A"( ,y .$#end;0 &"e %$#ed( !'$n#n+ !o)a$d !"e *#%!'$e )#!" a ne)and ,o$e bea'!#.'l #ll',#na!#on #n "e$ eye&( 0)a& #! .o$ !"#& !"a!yo' d#d #!>0O&)yn &a#d no!"#n+( and Eve ,oved !o)a$d& !"e doo$( d#&%ove$#n+ .o$ !"e .#$&! !#,e( on "e$ )ay( !"e &lee*#n+ %"#ld5 S"e &!o**ed .o$ a,o,en!( and !"e o!"e$ )a!%"ed "e$ )#!" b$ea!"le&& %'$#o&#!y('n%e$!a#n "o) .a$ "e$ 2no)led+e ,#+"! e !end5And a& &"e &!ood !"e$e( )onde$#n+( a +$ea! )ave o. %olo'$ &'..'&ed"e$ )"#!e .a%e7 !"e ne ! ,o,en! &"e )a& +one( b'! #n !"e l#+"! o. !"a! *'$e bl'&" O&)yn &ee,ed !o "ave d#&%ove$ed !"a! "e$ !$a+#%alenl#+"!en,en! )a& %o,*le!e5W"en &"e !'$ned on%e ,o$e #n!o !"e &!$ee!( &"e "ad al$eady &e!"e$&el. +$avely( )#!" a &!$an+e and .a%!#!#o'& %o,*o&'$e( !o .a%e"e$ l#.e5 ! &!$e!%"ed #!&el. o'! be.o$e "e$ l#2e a +$ea!( +$ay

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&'%" *"$a&e a& !"a! !"a! !"e l#.e )"#%" be+an !"en .o$ "e$ ,'&! bee *$e&&ed66 o$ "e$( and *e$"a*&( &"e $e le%!ed &adly( o$ o!"e$&(

a comedy of masks -- e. dowson

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