the great god pan book utf-8

8/2/2019 The Great God Pan Book UTF-8

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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofTheGreatGodPan,byArthurMachen

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.net

Title:TheGreatGodPan

Author:ArthurMachen

PostingDate:August12,2008[EBook#389]ReleaseDate:January,1996

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEGREATGODPAN***

ProducedbyBrandiWeed.HTMLversionbyAlHaines.

THEGREATGODPAN

by

ARTHURMACHEN

CONTENTS

ITHEEXPERIMENTIIMR.CLARKE'SMEMOIRSIIITHECITYOFRESURRECTIONSIVTHEDISCOVERYINPAULSTREETVTHELETTEROFADVICEVITHESUICIDESVIITHEENCOUNTERINSOHO

VIIITHEFRAGMENTS

I

THEEXPERIMENT

"Iamgladyoucame,Clarke;verygladindeed.Iwasnotsureyou


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couldsparethetime."

"Iwasabletomakearrangementsforafewdays;thingsarenotverylivelyjustnow.Buthaveyounomisgivings,Raymond?Isitabsolutelysafe?"

ThetwomenwereslowlypacingtheterraceinfrontofDr.Raymond'shouse.Thesunstillhungabovethewesternmountain-line,butitshonewithadullredglowthatcastnoshadows,andalltheairwasquiet;asweetbreathcamefromthegreatwoodonthehillsideabove,andwithit,atintervals,thesoftmurmuringcallofthewilddoves.Below,inthelonglovelyvalley,theriverwoundinandoutbetweenthelonelyhills,and,asthesunhoveredandvanishedintothewest,afaintmist,purewhite,begantorisefromthehills.Dr.Raymondturnedsharplytohisfriend.

"Safe?Ofcourseitis.Initselftheoperationisaperfectlysimpleone;anysurgeoncoulddoit."

"Andthereisnodangeratanyotherstage?"

"None;absolutelynophysicaldangerwhatsoever,Igiveyoumyword.Youarealwaystimid,Clarke,always;butyouknowmyhistory.Ihavedevotedmyselftotranscendentalmedicineforthelasttwentyyears.I

haveheardmyselfcalledquackandcharlatanandimpostor,butallthewhileIknewIwasontherightpath.FiveyearsagoIreachedthegoal,andsincetheneverydayhasbeenapreparationforwhatweshalldotonight."

"Ishouldliketobelieveitisalltrue."Clarkeknithisbrows,andlookeddoubtfullyatDr.Raymond."Areyouperfectlysure,Raymond,thatyourtheoryisnotaphantasmagoria--asplendidvision,certainly,butamerevisionafterall?"

Dr.Raymondstoppedinhiswalkandturnedsharply.Hewasamiddle-agedman,gauntandthin,ofapaleyellowcomplexion,butasheansweredClarkeandfacedhim,therewasaflushonhischeek.

"Lookaboutyou,Clarke.Youseethemountain,andhillfollowingafterhill,aswaveonwave,youseethewoodsandorchard,thefieldsofripecorn,andthemeadowsreachingtothereed-bedsbytheriver.Youseemestandingherebesideyou,andhearmyvoice;butItellyouthatallthesethings--yes,fromthatstarthathasjustshoneoutintheskytothesolidgroundbeneathourfeet--Isaythatallthesearebutdreamsandshadows;theshadowsthathidetherealworldfromoureyes.Thereisarealworld,butitisbeyondthisglamourandthisvision,beyondthese'chasesinArras,dreamsinacareer,'beyondthemallasbeyondaveil.Idonotknowwhetheranyhumanbeinghaseverliftedthatveil;butIdoknow,Clarke,thatyouandIshallseeitliftedthisverynightfrombeforeanother'seyes.Youmaythinkthis

allstrangenonsense;itmaybestrange,butitistrue,andtheancientsknewwhatliftingtheveilmeans.TheycalleditseeingthegodPan."

Clarkeshivered;thewhitemistgatheringovertheriverwaschilly.

"Itiswonderfulindeed,"hesaid."Wearestandingonthebrinkofastrangeworld,Raymond,ifwhatyousayistrue.Isupposetheknifeisabsolutelynecessary?"


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"Yes;aslightlesioninthegreymatter,thatisall;atriflingrearrangementofcertaincells,amicroscopicalalterationthatwouldescapetheattentionofninety-ninebrainspecialistsoutofahundred.Idon'twanttobotheryouwith'shop,'Clarke;Imightgiveyouamassoftechnicaldetailwhichwouldsoundveryimposing,andwouldleaveyouasenlightenedasyouarenow.ButIsupposeyouhaveread,casually,inout-of-the-waycornersofyourpaper,thatimmensestrideshavebeenmaderecentlyinthephysiologyofthebrain.IsawaparagraphtheotherdayaboutDigby'stheory,andBrowneFaber'sdiscoveries.Theoriesanddiscoveries!Wheretheyarestandingnow,Istoodfifteenyearsago,andIneednottellyouthatIhavenotbeenstandingstillforthelastfifteenyears.ItwillbeenoughifIsaythatfiveyearsagoImadethediscoverythatIalludedtowhenIsaidthattenyearsagoIreachedthegoal.Afteryearsoflabour,afteryearsoftoilingandgropinginthedark,afterdaysandnightsofdisappointmentsandsometimesofdespair,inwhichIusednowandthentotrembleandgrowcoldwiththethoughtthatperhapstherewereothersseekingforwhatIsought,atlast,aftersolong,apangofsuddenjoythrilledmysoul,andIknewthelongjourneywasatanend.Bywhatseemedthenandstillseemsachance,thesuggestionofamoment'sidlethoughtfollowedupuponfamiliarlinesandpathsthatIhadtrackedahundredtimesalready,thegreattruthburstuponme,andIsaw,mappedoutinlinesofsight,awholeworld,asphereunknown;continentsandislands,andgreatoceansinwhichnoshiphassailed

(tomybelief)sinceaManfirstlifteduphiseyesandbeheldthesun,andthestarsofheaven,andthequietearthbeneath.Youwillthinkthisallhigh-flownlanguage,Clarke,butitishardtobeliteral.Andyet;IdonotknowwhetherwhatIamhintingatcannotbesetforthinplainandlonelyterms.Forinstance,thisworldofoursisprettywellgirdednowwiththetelegraphwiresandcables;thought,withsomethinglessthanthespeedofthought,flashesfromsunrisetosunset,fromnorthtosouth,acrossthefloodsandthedesertplaces.Supposethatanelectricianoftodayweresuddenlytoperceivethatheandhisfriendshavemerelybeenplayingwithpebblesandmistakingthemforthefoundationsoftheworld;supposethatsuchamansawuttermostspacelieopenbeforethecurrent,andwordsofmenflashforthtothesunandbeyondthesunintothesystemsbeyond,andthe

voiceofarticulate-speakingmenechointhewastevoidthatboundsourthought.Asanalogiesgo,thatisaprettygoodanalogyofwhatIhavedone;youcanunderstandnowalittleofwhatIfeltasIstoodhereoneevening;itwasasummerevening,andthevalleylookedmuchasitdoesnow;Istoodhere,andsawbeforemetheunutterable,theunthinkablegulfthatyawnsprofoundbetweentwoworlds,theworldofmatterandtheworldofspirit;Isawthegreatemptydeepstretchdimbeforeme,andinthatinstantabridgeoflightleaptfromtheearthtotheunknownshore,andtheabysswasspanned.YoumaylookinBrowneFaber'sbook,ifyoulike,andyouwillfindthattothepresentdaymenofscienceareunabletoaccountforthepresence,ortospecifythefunctionsofacertaingroupofnerve-cellsinthebrain.Thatgroupis,asitwere,landtolet,amerewasteplaceforfanciful

theories.IamnotinthepositionofBrowneFaberandthespecialists,Iamperfectlyinstructedastothepossiblefunctionsofthosenerve-centersintheschemeofthings.WithatouchIcanbringthemintoplay,withatouch,Isay,Icansetfreethecurrent,withatouchIcancompletethecommunicationbetweenthisworldofsenseand--weshallbeabletofinishthesentencelateron.Yes,theknifeisnecessary;butthinkwhatthatknifewilleffect.Itwilllevelutterlythesolidwallofsense,andprobably,forthefirsttimesincemanwasmade,aspiritwillgazeonaspirit-world.Clarke,MarywillseethegodPan!"


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"Butyourememberwhatyouwrotetome?Ithoughtitwouldberequisitethatshe--"

Hewhisperedtherestintothedoctor'sear.

"Notatall,notatall.Thatisnonsense.Iassureyou.Indeed,itisbetterasitis;Iamquitecertainofthat."

"Considerthematterwell,Raymond.It'sagreatresponsibility.Somethingmightgowrong;youwouldbeamiserablemanfortherestofyourdays."

"No,Ithinknot,eveniftheworsthappened.Asyouknow,IrescuedMaryfromthegutter,andfromalmostcertainstarvation,whenshewasachild;Ithinkherlifeismine,touseasIseefit.Come,it'sgettinglate;wehadbettergoin."

Dr.Raymondledthewayintothehouse,throughthehall,anddownalongdarkpassage.Hetookakeyfromhispocketandopenedaheavydoor,andmotionedClarkeintohislaboratory.Ithadoncebeenabilliard-room,andwaslightedbyaglassdomeinthecentreoftheceiling,whencetherestillshoneasadgreylightonthefigureofthedoctorashelitalampwithaheavyshadeandplaceditonatablein

themiddleoftheroom.

Clarkelookedabouthim.Scarcelyafootofwallremainedbare;therewereshelvesallaroundladenwithbottlesandphialsofallshapesandcolours,andatoneendstoodalittleChippendalebook-case.Raymondpointedtothis.

"YouseethatparchmentOswaldCrollius?Hewasoneofthefirsttoshowmetheway,thoughIdon'tthinkheeverfoundithimself.Thatisastrangesayingofhis:'Ineverygrainofwheattherelieshiddenthesoulofastar.'"

Therewasnotmuchfurnitureinthelaboratory.Thetableinthe

centre,astoneslabwithadraininonecorner,thetwoarmchairsonwhichRaymondandClarkeweresitting;thatwasall,exceptanodd-lookingchairatthefurthestendoftheroom.Clarkelookedatit,andraisedhiseyebrows.

"Yes,thatisthechair,"saidRaymond."Wemayaswellplaceitinposition."Hegotupandwheeledthechairtothelight,andbeganraisingandloweringit,lettingdowntheseat,settingthebackatvariousangles,andadjustingthefoot-rest.Itlookedcomfortableenough,andClarkepassedhishandoverthesoftgreenvelvet,asthedoctormanipulatedthelevers.

"Now,Clarke,makeyourselfquitecomfortable.Ihaveacouplehours'

workbeforeme;Iwasobligedtoleavecertainmatterstothelast."

Raymondwenttothestoneslab,andClarkewatchedhimdrearilyashebentoverarowofphialsandlittheflameunderthecrucible.Thedoctorhadasmallhand-lamp,shadedasthelargerone,onaledgeabovehisapparatus,andClarke,whosatintheshadows,lookeddownatthegreatshadowyroom,wonderingatthebizarreeffectsofbrilliantlightandundefineddarknesscontrastingwithoneanother.Soonhebecameconsciousofanoddodour,atfirstthemerestsuggestionofodour,intheroom,andasitgrewmoredecidedhefeltsurprisedthat


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hewasnotremindedofthechemist'sshoporthesurgery.Clarkefoundhimselfidlyendeavouringtoanalysethesensation,andhalfconscious,hebegantothinkofaday,fifteenyearsago,thathehadspentroamingthroughthewoodsandmeadowsnearhisownhome.ItwasaburningdayatthebeginningofAugust,theheathaddimmedtheoutlinesofallthingsandalldistanceswithafaintmist,andpeoplewhoobservedthethermometerspokeofanabnormalregister,ofatemperaturethatwasalmosttropical.StrangelythatwonderfulhotdayofthefiftiesroseupagaininClarke'simagination;thesenseofdazzlingall-pervadingsunlightseemedtoblotouttheshadowsandthelightsofthelaboratory,andhefeltagaintheheatedairbeatingingustsabouthisface,sawtheshimmerrisingfromtheturf,andheardthemyriadmurmurofthesummer.

"Ihopethesmelldoesn'tannoyyou,Clarke;there'snothingunwholesomeaboutit.Itmaymakeyouabitsleepy,that'sall."

Clarkeheardthewordsquitedistinctly,andknewthatRaymondwasspeakingtohim,butforthelifeofhimhecouldnotrousehimselffromhislethargy.Hecouldonlythinkofthelonelywalkhehadtakenfifteenyearsago;itwashislastlookatthefieldsandwoodshehadknownsincehewasachild,andnowitallstoodoutinbrilliantlight,asapicture,beforehim.Abovealltherecametohisnostrilsthescentofsummer,thesmellofflowersmingled,andtheodourofthe

woods,ofcoolshadedplaces,deepinthegreendepths,drawnforthbythesun'sheat;andthescentofthegoodearth,lyingasitwerewitharmsstretchedforth,andsmilinglips,overpoweredall.Hisfanciesmadehimwander,ashehadwanderedlongago,fromthefieldsintothewood,trackingalittlepathbetweentheshiningundergrowthofbeech-trees;andthetrickleofwaterdroppingfromthelimestonerocksoundedasaclearmelodyinthedream.Thoughtsbegantogoastrayandtominglewithotherthoughts;thebeechalleywastransformedtoapathbetweenilex-trees,andhereandthereavineclimbedfromboughtobough,andsentupwavingtendrilsanddroopedwithpurplegrapes,andthesparsegrey-greenleavesofawildolive-treestoodoutagainstthedarkshadowsoftheilex.Clarke,inthedeepfoldsofdream,wasconsciousthatthepathfromhisfather'shousehadledhimintoan

undiscoveredcountry,andhewaswonderingatthestrangenessofitall,whensuddenly,inplaceofthehumandmurmurofthesummer,aninfinitesilenceseemedtofallonallthings,andthewoodwashushed,andforamomentintimehestoodfacetofacetherewithapresence,thatwasneithermannorbeast,neitherthelivingnorthedead,butallthingsmingled,theformofallthingsbutdevoidofallform.Andinthatmoment,thesacramentofbodyandsoulwasdissolved,andavoiceseemedtocry"Letusgohence,"andthenthedarknessofdarknessbeyondthestars,thedarknessofeverlasting.

WhenClarkewokeupwithastarthesawRaymondpouringafewdropsofsomeoilyfluidintoagreenphial,whichhestopperedtightly.

"Youhavebeendozing,"hesaid;"thejourneymusthavetiredyouout.Itisdonenow.IamgoingtofetchMary;Ishallbebackintenminutes."

Clarkelaybackinhischairandwondered.Itseemedasifhehadbutpassedfromonedreamintoanother.Hehalfexpectedtoseethewallsofthelaboratorymeltanddisappear,andtoawakeinLondon,shudderingathisownsleepingfancies.Butatlastthedooropened,andthedoctorreturned,andbehindhimcameagirlofaboutseventeen,dressedallinwhite.ShewassobeautifulthatClarkedidnotwonder


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Mr.Clarke,thegentlemanchosenbyDr.RaymondtowitnessthestrangeexperimentofthegodPan,wasapersoninwhosecharactercautionandcuriositywereoddlymingled;inhissobermomentshethoughtoftheunusualandeccentricwithundisguisedaversion,andyet,deepinhisheart,therewasawide-eyedinquisitivenesswithrespecttoallthemorereconditeandesotericelementsinthenatureofmen.ThelattertendencyhadprevailedwhenheacceptedRaymond'sinvitation,forthoughhisconsideredjudgmenthadalwaysrepudiatedthedoctor'stheoriesasthewildestnonsense,yethesecretlyhuggedabeliefinfantasy,andwouldhaverejoicedtoseethatbeliefconfirmed.Thehorrorsthathewitnessedinthedrearylaboratoryweretoacertainextentsalutary;hewasconsciousofbeinginvolvedinanaffairnotaltogetherreputable,andformanyyearsafterwardsheclungbravelytothecommonplace,andrejectedalloccasionsofoccultinvestigation.Indeed,onsomehomeopathicprinciple,heforsometimeattendedtheseancesofdistinguishedmediums,hopingthattheclumsytricksofthesegentlemenwouldmakehimaltogetherdisgustedwithmysticismofeverykind,buttheremedy,thoughcaustic,wasnotefficacious.Clarkeknewthathestillpinedfortheunseen,andlittlebylittle,theoldpassionbegantoreassertitself,asthefaceofMary,shudderingandconvulsedwithanunknownterror,fadedslowlyfromhismemory.Occupiedalldayinpursuitsbothseriousandlucrative,thetemptationtorelaxintheeveningwastoogreat,especiallyinthewintermonths,whenthefirecastawarmglowoverhissnugbachelorapartment,anda

bottleofsomechoiceclaretstoodreadybyhiselbow.Hisdinnerdigested,hewouldmakeabriefpretenceofreadingtheeveningpaper,butthemerecatalogueofnewssoonpalleduponhim,andClarkewouldfindhimselfcastingglancesofwarmdesireinthedirectionofanoldJapanesebureau,whichstoodatapleasantdistancefromthehearth.Likeaboybeforeajam-closet,forafewminuteshewouldhoverindecisive,butlustalwaysprevailed,andClarkeendedbydrawinguphischair,lightingacandle,andsittingdownbeforethebureau.Itspigeon-holesanddrawersteemedwithdocumentsonthemostmorbidsubjects,andinthewellreposedalargemanuscriptvolume,inwhichhehadpainfullyenteredhegemsofhiscollection.Clarkehadafinecontemptforpublishedliterature;themostghostlystoryceasedtointeresthimifithappenedtobeprinted;hissolepleasurewasinthe

reading,compiling,andrearrangingwhathecalledhis"MemoirstoprovetheExistenceoftheDevil,"andengagedinthispursuittheeveningseemedtoflyandthenightappearedtooshort.

Ononeparticularevening,anuglyDecembernight,blackwithfog,andrawwithfrost,Clarkehurriedoverhisdinner,andscarcelydeignedtoobservehiscustomaryritualoftakingupthepaperandlayingitdownagain.Hepacedtwoorthreetimesupanddowntheroom,andopenedthebureau,stoodstillamoment,andsatdown.Heleantback,absorbedinoneofthosedreamstowhichhewassubject,andatlengthdrewouthisbook,andopeneditatthelastentry.TherewerethreeorfourpagesdenselycoveredwithClarke'sround,setpenmanship,andatthebeginninghehadwritteninasomewhatlargerhand:

SingularNarrativetoldmebymyFriend,Dr.Phillips.HeassuresmethatallthefactsrelatedthereinarestrictlyandwhollyTrue,butrefusestogiveeithertheSurnamesofthePersonsConcerned,orthePlacewheretheseExtraordinaryEventsoccurred.

Mr.Clarkebegantoreadovertheaccountforthetenthtime,glancingnowandthenatthepencilnoteshehadmadewhenitwastoldhimby


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hisfriend.Itwasoneofhishumourstopridehimselfonacertainliteraryability;hethoughtwellofhisstyle,andtookpainsinarrangingthecircumstancesindramaticorder.Hereadthefollowingstory:--

ThepersonsconcernedinthisstatementareHelenV.,who,ifsheisstillalive,mustnowbeawomanoftwenty-three,RachelM.,sincedeceased,whowasayearyoungerthantheabove,andTrevorW.,animbecile,agedeighteen.ThesepersonswereattheperiodofthestoryinhabitantsofavillageonthebordersofWales,aplaceofsomeimportanceinthetimeoftheRomanoccupation,butnowascatteredhamlet,ofnotmorethanfivehundredsouls.Itissituatedonrisingground,aboutsixmilesfromthesea,andisshelteredbyalargeandpicturesqueforest.

Someelevenyearsago,HelenV.cametothevillageunderratherpeculiarcircumstances.Itisunderstoodthatshe,beinganorphan,wasadoptedinherinfancybyadistantrelative,whobroughtherupinhisownhouseuntilshewastwelveyearsold.Thinking,however,thatitwouldbebetterforthechildtohaveplaymatesofherownage,headvertisedinseverallocalpapersforagoodhomeinacomfortablefarmhouseforagirloftwelve,andthisadvertisementwasansweredbyMr.R.,awell-to-dofarmerintheabove-mentionedvillage.His

referencesprovingsatisfactory,thegentlemansenthisadopteddaughtertoMr.R.,withaletter,inwhichhestipulatedthatthegirlshouldhavearoomtoherself,andstatedthatherguardiansneedbeatnotroubleinthematterofeducation,asshewasalreadysufficientlyeducatedforthepositioninlifewhichshewouldoccupy.Infact,Mr.R.wasgiventounderstandthatthegirlbeallowedtofindherownoccupationsandtospendhertimealmostassheliked.Mr.R.dulymetherattheneareststation,atownsevenmilesawayfromhishouse,andseemstohaveremarkednothingextraordinaryaboutthechildexceptthatshewasreticentastoherformerlifeandheradoptedfather.Shewas,however,ofaverydifferenttypefromtheinhabitantsofthevillage;herskinwasapale,clearolive,andherfeatureswerestronglymarked,andofasomewhatforeigncharacter.Sheappearsto

havesettleddowneasilyenoughintofarmhouselife,andbecameafavouritewiththechildren,whosometimeswentwithheronherramblesintheforest,forthiswasheramusement.Mr.R.statesthathehasknownhertogooutbyherselfdirectlyaftertheirearlybreakfast,andnotreturntillafterdusk,andthat,feelinguneasyatayounggirlbeingoutaloneforsomanyhours,hecommunicatedwithheradoptedfather,whorepliedinabriefnotethatHelenmustdoasshechose.Inthewinter,whentheforestpathsareimpassable,shespentmostofhertimeinherbedroom,whereshesleptalone,accordingtotheinstructionsofherrelative.Itwasononeoftheseexpeditionstotheforestthatthefirstofthesingularincidentswithwhichthisgirlisconnectedoccurred,thedatebeingaboutayearafterherarrivalatthevillage.Theprecedingwinterhadbeenremarkably

severe,thesnowdriftingtoagreatdepth,andthefrostcontinuingforanunexampledperiod,andthesummerfollowingwasasnoteworthyforitsextremeheat.Ononeoftheveryhottestdaysinthissummer,HelenV.leftthefarmhouseforoneofherlongramblesintheforest,takingwithher,asusual,somebreadandmeatforlunch.ShewasseenbysomemeninthefieldsmakingfortheoldRomanRoad,agreencausewaywhichtraversesthehighestpartofthewood,andtheywereastonishedtoobservethatthegirlhadtakenoffherhat,thoughtheheatofthesunwasalreadytropical.Asithappened,alabourer,JosephW.byname,wasworkingintheforestneartheRomanRoad,and


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attwelveo'clockhislittleson,Trevor,broughtthemanhisdinnerofbreadandcheese.Afterthemeal,theboy,whowasaboutsevenyearsoldatthetime,lefthisfatheratwork,and,ashesaid,wenttolookforflowersinthewood,andtheman,whocouldhearhimshoutingwithdelightathisdiscoveries,feltnouneasiness.Suddenly,however,hewashorrifiedathearingthemostdreadfulscreams,evidentlytheresultofgreatterror,proceedingfromthedirectioninwhichhissonhadgone,andhehastilythrewdownhistoolsandrantoseewhathadhappened.Tracinghispathbythesound,hemetthelittleboy,whowasrunningheadlong,andwasevidentlyterriblyfrightened,andonquestioninghimthemanelicitedthatafterpickingaposyofflowershefelttired,andlaydownonthegrassandfellasleep.Hewassuddenlyawakened,ashestated,byapeculiarnoise,asortofsinginghecalledit,andonpeepingthroughthebrancheshesawHelenV.playingonthegrasswitha"strangenakedman,"whoheseemedunabletodescribemorefully.Hesaidhefeltdreadfullyfrightenedandranawaycryingforhisfather.JosephW.proceededinthedirectionindicatedbyhisson,andfoundHelenV.sittingonthegrassinthemiddleofagladeoropenspaceleftbycharcoalburners.Heangrilychargedherwithfrighteninghislittleboy,butsheentirelydeniedtheaccusationandlaughedatthechild'sstoryofa"strangeman,"towhichhehimselfdidnotattachmuchcredence.JosephW.cametotheconclusionthattheboyhadwokeupwithasuddenfright,aschildrensometimesdo,butTrevorpersistedinhisstory,andcontinuedinsuch

evidentdistressthatatlasthisfathertookhimhome,hopingthathismotherwouldbeabletosoothehim.Formanyweeks,however,theboygavehisparentsmuchanxiety;hebecamenervousandstrangeinhismanner,refusingtoleavethecottagebyhimself,andconstantlyalarmingthehouseholdbywakinginthenightwithcriesof"Themaninthewood!father!father!"

Incourseoftime,however,theimpressionseemedtohavewornoff,andaboutthreemonthslaterheaccompaniedhisfathertothehomeofagentlemanintheneighborhood,forwhomJosephW.occasionallydidwork.Themanwasshownintothestudy,andthelittleboywasleftsittinginthehall,andafewminuteslater,whilethegentlemanwasgivingW.hisinstructions,theywerebothhorrifiedbyapiercing

shriekandthesoundofafall,andrushingouttheyfoundthechildlyingsenselessonthefloor,hisfacecontortedwithterror.Thedoctorwasimmediatelysummoned,andaftersomeexaminationhepronouncedthechildtobesufferingformakindoffit,apparentlyproducedbyasuddenshock.Theboywastakentooneofthebedrooms,andaftersometimerecoveredconsciousness,butonlytopassintoaconditiondescribedbythemedicalmanasoneofviolenthysteria.Thedoctorexhibitedastrongsedative,andinthecourseoftwohourspronouncedhimfittowalkhome,butinpassingthroughthehalltheparoxysmsoffrightreturnedandwithadditionalviolence.Thefatherperceivedthatthechildwaspointingatsomeobject,andheardtheoldcry,"Themaninthewood,"andlookinginthedirectionindicatedsawastoneheadofgrotesqueappearance,whichhadbeenbuiltintothe

wallaboveoneofthedoors.Itseemstheownerofthehousehadrecentlymadealterationsinhispremises,andondiggingthefoundationsforsomeoffices,themenhadfoundacurioushead,evidentlyoftheRomanperiod,whichhadbeenplacedinthemannerdescribed.Theheadispronouncedbythemostexperiencedarchaeologistsofthedistricttobethatofafaunorsatyr.[Dr.Phillipstellsmethathehasseentheheadinquestion,andassuresmethathehasneverreceivedsuchavividpresentmentofintenseevil.]

Fromwhatevercausearising,thissecondshockseemedtooseverefor


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theboyTrevor,andatthepresentdatehesuffersfromaweaknessofintellect,whichgivesbutlittlepromiseofamending.Themattercausedagooddealofsensationatthetime,andthegirlHelenwascloselyquestionedbyMr.R.,buttonopurpose,shesteadfastlydenyingthatshehadfrightenedorinanywaymolestedTrevor.

Thesecondeventwithwhichthisgirl'snameisconnectedtookplaceaboutsixyearsago,andisofastillmoreextraordinarycharacter.

Atthebeginningofthesummerof1882,HelencontractedafriendshipofapeculiarlyintimatecharacterwithRachelM.,thedaughterofaprosperousfarmerintheneighbourhood.Thisgirl,whowasayearyoungerthanHelen,wasconsideredbymostpeopletobetheprettierofthetwo,thoughHelen'sfeatureshadtoagreatextentsoftenedasshebecameolder.Thetwogirls,whoweretogetheroneveryavailableopportunity,presentedasingularcontrast,theonewithherclear,oliveskinandalmostItalianappearance,andtheotheroftheproverbialredandwhiteofourruraldistricts.ItmustbestatedthatthepaymentsmadetoMr.R.forthemaintenanceofHelenwereknowninthevillagefortheirexcessiveliberality,andtheimpressionwasgeneralthatshewouldonedayinheritalargesumofmoneyfromherrelative.TheparentsofRachelwerethereforenotaversefromtheirdaughter'sfriendshipwiththegirl,andevenencouragedtheintimacy,thoughtheynowbitterlyregrethavingdoneso.Helenstill

retainedherextraordinaryfondnessfortheforest,andonseveraloccasionsRachelaccompaniedher,thetwofriendssettingoutearlyinthemorning,andremaininginthewooduntildusk.OnceortwiceaftertheseexcursionsMrs.M.thoughtherdaughter'smannerratherpeculiar;sheseemedlanguidanddreamy,andasithasbeenexpressed,"differentfromherself,"butthesepeculiaritiesseemtohavebeenthoughttootriflingforremark.Oneevening,however,afterRachelhadcomehome,hermotherheardanoisewhichsoundedlikesuppressedweepinginthegirl'sroom,andongoinginfoundherlying,halfundressed,uponthebed,evidentlyinthegreatestdistress.Assoonasshesawhermother,sheexclaimed,"Ah,mother,mother,whydidyouletmegototheforestwithHelen?"Mrs.M.wasastonishedatsostrangeaquestion,andproceededtomakeinquiries.Racheltoldherawild

story.Shesaid--

Clarkeclosedthebookwithasnap,andturnedhischairtowardsthefire.Whenhisfriendsatoneeveninginthatverychair,andtoldhisstory,Clarkehadinterruptedhimatapointalittlesubsequenttothis,hadcutshorthiswordsinaparoxysmofhorror."MyGod!"hehadexclaimed,"think,thinkwhatyouaresaying.Itistooincredible,toomonstrous;suchthingscanneverbeinthisquietworld,wheremenandwomenliveanddie,andstruggle,andconquer,ormaybefail,andfalldownundersorrow,andgrieveandsufferstrangefortunesformanyayear;butnotthis,Phillips,notsuchthingsasthis.Theremustbesomeexplanation,somewayoutoftheterror.Why,man,ifsuchacasewerepossible,ourearthwouldbeanightmare."

ButPhillipshadtoldhisstorytotheend,concluding:

"Herflightremainsamysterytothisday;shevanishedinbroadsunlight;theysawherwalkinginameadow,andafewmomentslatershewasnotthere."

Clarketriedtoconceivethethingagain,ashesatbythefire,andagainhismindshudderedandshrankback,appalledbeforethesightofsuchawful,unspeakableelementsenthronedasitwere,andtriumphant


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inhumanflesh.Beforehimstretchedthelongdimvistaofthegreencausewayintheforest,ashisfriendhaddescribedit;hesawtheswayingleavesandthequiveringshadowsonthegrass,hesawthesunlightandtheflowers,andfaraway,farinthelongdistance,thetwofiguremovedtowardhim.OnewasRachel,buttheother?

Clarkehadtriedhisbesttodisbelieveitall,butattheendoftheaccount,ashehadwrittenitinhisbook,hehadplacedtheinscription:

ETDIABOLUSINCARNATEEST.ETHOMOFACTUSEST.

III

THECITYOFRESURRECTIONS

"Herbert!GoodGod!Isitpossible?"

"Yes,myname'sHerbert.IthinkIknowyourface,too,butIdon'trememberyourname.Mymemoryisveryqueer."

"Don'tyourecollectVilliersofWadham?"

"Soitis,soitis.Ibegyourpardon,Villiers,Ididn'tthinkIwasbeggingofanoldcollegefriend.Good-night."

"Mydearfellow,thishasteisunnecessary.Myroomsarecloseby,butwewon'tgotherejustyet.SupposewewalkupShaftesburyAvenuealittleway?Buthowinheaven'snamehaveyoucometothispass,Herbert?"

"It'salongstory,Villiers,andastrangeonetoo,butyoucanhearitifyoulike."

"Comeon,then.Takemyarm,youdon'tseemverystrong."

Theill-assortedpairmovedslowlyupRupertStreet;theoneindirty,evil-lookingrags,andtheotherattiredintheregulationuniformofamanabouttown,trim,glossy,andeminentlywell-to-do.Villiershademergedfromhisrestaurantafteranexcellentdinnerofmanycourses,assistedbyaningratiatinglittleflaskofChianti,and,inthatframeofmindwhichwaswithhimalmostchronic,haddelayedamomentbythedoor,peeringroundinthedimly-lightedstreetinsearchofthosemysteriousincidentsandpersonswithwhichthestreetsofLondonteemineveryquarterandeveryhour.VillierspridedhimselfasapractisedexplorerofsuchobscuremazesandbywaysofLondonlife,andinthisunprofitablepursuithedisplayedanassiduitywhichwasworthyofmoreseriousemployment.Thushestoodbythelamp-postsurveying

thepassers-bywithundisguisedcuriosity,andwiththatgravityknownonlytothesystematicdiner,hadjustenunciatedinhismindtheformula:"Londonhasbeencalledthecityofencounters;itismorethanthat,itisthecityofResurrections,"whenthesereflectionsweresuddenlyinterruptedbyapiteouswhineathiselbow,andadeplorableappealforalms.Helookedaroundinsomeirritation,andwithasuddenshockfoundhimselfconfrontedwiththeembodiedproofofhissomewhatstiltedfancies.There,closebesidehim,hisfacealteredanddisfiguredbypovertyanddisgrace,hisbodybarelycoveredbygreasyill-fittingrags,stoodhisoldfriendCharlesHerbert,who


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hadmatriculatedonthesamedayashimself,withwhomhehadbeenmerryandwisefortwelverevolvingterms.Differentoccupationsandvaryinginterestshadinterruptedthefriendship,anditwassixyearssinceVilliershadseenHerbert;andnowhelookeduponthiswreckofamanwithgriefanddismay,mingledwithacertaininquisitivenessastowhatdrearychainofcircumstanceshaddraggedhimdowntosuchadolefulpass.Villiersfelttogetherwithcompassionalltherelishoftheamateurinmysteries,andcongratulatedhimselfonhisleisurelyspeculationsoutsidetherestaurant.

Theywalkedoninsilenceforsometime,andmorethanonepasser-bystaredinastonishmentattheunaccustomedspectacleofawell-dressedmanwithanunmistakablebeggarhangingontohisarm,and,observingthis,VilliersledthewaytoanobscurestreetinSoho.Hereherepeatedhisquestion.

"Howonearthhasithappened,Herbert?IalwaysunderstoodyouwouldsucceedtoanexcellentpositioninDorsetshire.Didyourfatherdisinherityou?Surelynot?"

"No,Villiers;Icameintoallthepropertyatmypoorfather'sdeath;hediedayearafterIleftOxford.Hewasaverygoodfathertome,andImournedhisdeathsincerelyenough.Butyouknowwhatyoungmenare;afewmonthslaterIcameuptotownandwentagooddealinto

society.OfcourseIhadexcellentintroductions,andImanagedtoenjoymyselfverymuchinaharmlesssortofway.Iplayedalittle,certainly,butneverforheavystakes,andthefewbetsImadeonracesbroughtmeinmoney--onlyafewpounds,youknow,butenoughtopayforcigarsandsuchpettypleasures.Itwasinmysecondseasonthatthetideturned.Ofcourseyouhaveheardofmymarriage?"

"No,Ineverheardanythingaboutit."

"Yes,Imarried,Villiers.Imetagirl,agirlofthemostwonderfulandmoststrangebeauty,atthehouseofsomepeoplewhomIknew.Icannottellyouherage;Ineverknewit,but,sofarasIcanguess,IshouldthinkshemusthavebeenaboutnineteenwhenImadeher

acquaintance.MyfriendshadcometoknowheratFlorence;shetoldthemshewasanorphan,thechildofanEnglishfatherandanItalianmother,andshecharmedthemasshecharmedme.ThefirsttimeIsawherwasataneveningparty.Iwasstandingbythedoortalkingtoafriend,whensuddenlyabovethehumandbabbleofconversationIheardavoicewhichseemedtothrilltomyheart.ShewassinginganItaliansong.Iwasintroducedtoherthatevening,andinthreemonthsImarriedHelen.Villiers,thatwoman,ifIcancallherwoman,corruptedmysoul.ThenightoftheweddingIfoundmyselfsittinginherbedroominthehotel,listeningtohertalk.Shewassittingupinbed,andIlistenedtoherasshespokeinherbeautifulvoice,spokeofthingswhichevennowIwouldnotdarewhisperintheblackestnight,thoughIstoodinthemidstofawilderness.You,Villiers,

youmaythinkyouknowlife,andLondon,andwhatgoesondayandnightinthisdreadfulcity;forallIcansayyoumayhaveheardthetalkofthevilest,butItellyouyoucanhavenoconceptionofwhatIknow,notinyourmostfantastic,hideousdreamscanyouhaveimagedforththefaintestshadowofwhatIhaveheard--andseen.Yes,seen.Ihaveseentheincredible,suchhorrorsthatevenImyselfsometimesstopinthemiddleofthestreetandaskwhetheritispossibleforamantobeholdsuchthingsandlive.Inayear,Villiers,Iwasaruinedman,inbodyandsoul--inbodyandsoul."


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"Butyourproperty,Herbert?YouhadlandinDorset."

"Isolditall;thefieldsandwoods,thedearoldhouse--everything."

"Andthemoney?"

"Shetookitallfromme."

"Andthenleftyou?"

"Yes;shedisappearedonenight.Idon'tknowwhereshewent,butIamsureifIsawheragainitwouldkillme.Therestofmystoryisofnointerest;sordidmisery,thatisall.Youmaythink,Villiers,thatIhaveexaggeratedandtalkedforeffect;butIhavenottoldyouhalf.Icouldtellyoucertainthingswhichwouldconvinceyou,butyouwouldneverknowahappydayagain.Youwouldpasstherestofyourlife,asIpassmine,ahauntedman,amanwhohasseenhell."

Villierstooktheunfortunatemantohisrooms,andgavehimameal.Herbertcouldeatlittle,andscarcelytouchedtheglassofwinesetbeforehim.Hesatmoodyandsilentbythefire,andseemedrelievedwhenVillierssenthimawaywithasmallpresentofmoney.

"Bytheway,Herbert,"saidVilliers,astheypartedatthedoor,"what

wasyourwife'sname?YousaidHelen,Ithink?Helenwhat?"

"ThenameshepassedunderwhenImetherwasHelenVaughan,butwhatherrealnamewasIcan'tsay.Idon'tthinkshehadaname.No,no,notinthatsense.Onlyhumanbeingshavenames,Villiers;Ican'tsayanymore.Good-bye;yes,IwillnotfailtocallifIseeanywayinwhichyoucanhelpme.Good-night."

Themanwentoutintothebitternight,andVilliersreturnedtohisfireside.TherewassomethingaboutHerbertwhichshockedhiminexpressibly;nothispoorragsnorthemarkswhichpovertyhadsetuponhisface,butratheranindefiniteterrorwhichhungabouthimlikeamist.Hehadacknowledgedthathehimselfwasnotdevoidof

blame;thewoman,hehadavowed,hadcorruptedhimbodyandsoul,andVilliersfeltthatthisman,oncehisfriend,hadbeenanactorinscenesevilbeyondthepowerofwords.Hisstoryneedednoconfirmation:hehimselfwastheembodiedproofofit.Villiersmusedcuriouslyoverthestoryhehadheard,andwonderedwhetherhehadheardboththefirstandthelastofit."No,"hethought,"certainlynotthelast,probablyonlythebeginning.AcaselikethisislikeanestofChineseboxes;youopenoneaftertheotherandfindaquainterworkmanshipineverybox.MostlikelypoorHerbertismerelyoneoftheoutsideboxes;therearestrangeronestofollow."

VillierscouldnottakehismindawayfromHerbertandhisstory,whichseemedtogrowwilderasthenightworeon.Thefireseemedtoburn

low,andthechillyairofthemorningcreptintotheroom;Villiersgotupwithaglanceoverhisshoulder,and,shiveringslightly,wenttobed.

Afewdayslaterhesawathisclubagentlemanofhisacquaintance,namedAustin,whowasfamousforhisintimateknowledgeofLondonlife,bothinitstenebrousandluminousphases.Villiers,stillfullofhisencounterinSohoanditsconsequences,thoughtAustinmightpossiblybeabletoshedsomelightonHerbert'shistory,andsoaftersomecasualtalkhesuddenlyputthequestion:


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"DoyouhappentoknowanythingofamannamedHerbert--CharlesHerbert?"

AustinturnedroundsharplyandstaredatVillierswithsomeastonishment.

"CharlesHerbert?Weren'tyouintownthreeyearsago?No;thenyouhavenotheardofthePaulStreetcase?Itcausedagooddealofsensationatthetime."

"Whatwasthecase?"

"Well,agentleman,amanofverygoodposition,wasfounddead,starkdead,intheareaofacertainhouseinPaulStreet,offTottenhamCourtRoad.Ofcoursethepolicedidnotmakethediscovery;ifyouhappentobesittingupallnightandhavealightinyourwindow,theconstablewillringthebell,butifyouhappentobelyingdeadinsomebody'sarea,youwillbeleftalone.Inthisinstance,asinmanyothers,thealarmwasraisedbysomekindofvagabond;Idon'tmeanacommontramp,orapublic-houseloafer,butagentleman,whosebusinessorpleasure,orboth,madehimaspectatoroftheLondonstreetsatfiveo'clockinthemorning.Thisindividualwas,ashesaid,'goinghome,'itdidnotappearwhenceorwhither,andhadoccasiontopass

throughPaulStreetbetweenfourandfivea.m.SomethingorothercaughthiseyeatNumber20;hesaid,absurdlyenough,thatthehousehadthemostunpleasantphysiognomyhehadeverobserved,but,atanyrate,heglanceddowntheareaandwasagooddealastonishedtoseeamanlyingonthestones,hislimbsallhuddledtogether,andhisfaceturnedup.Ourgentlemanthoughthisfacelookedpeculiarlyghastly,andsosetoffataruninsearchofthenearestpoliceman.Theconstablewasatfirstinclinedtotreatthematterlightly,suspectingcommondrunkenness;however,hecame,andafterlookingattheman'sface,changedhistone,quicklyenough.Theearlybird,whohadpickedupthisfineworm,wassentoffforadoctor,andthepolicemanrangandknockedatthedoortillaslatternlyservantgirlcamedownlookingmorethanhalfasleep.Theconstablepointedoutthecontents

oftheareatothemaid,whoscreamedloudlyenoughtowakeupthestreet,butsheknewnothingoftheman;hadneverseenhimatthehouse,andsoforth.Meanwhile,theoriginaldiscovererhadcomebackwithamedicalman,andthenextthingwastogetintothearea.Thegatewasopen,sothewholequartetstumpeddownthesteps.Thedoctorhardlyneededamoment'sexamination;hesaidthepoorfellowhadbeendeadforseveralhours,anditwasthenthecasebegantogetinteresting.Thedeadmanhadnotbeenrobbed,andinoneofhispocketswerepapersidentifyinghimas--well,asamanofgoodfamilyandmeans,afavouriteinsociety,andnobody'senemy,asfarascouldbeknown.Idon'tgivehisname,Villiers,becauseithasnothingtodowiththestory,andbecauseit'snogoodrakinguptheseaffairsaboutthedeadwhentherearenorelationsliving.Thenextcurious

pointwasthatthemedicalmencouldn'tagreeastohowhemethisdeath.Thereweresomeslightbruisesonhisshoulders,buttheyweresoslightthatitlookedasifhehadbeenpushedroughlyoutofthekitchendoor,andnotthrownovertherailingsfromthestreetorevendraggeddownthesteps.Buttherewerepositivelynoothermarksofviolenceabouthim,certainlynonethatwouldaccountforhisdeath;andwhentheycametotheautopsytherewasn'tatraceofpoisonofanykind.OfcoursethepolicewantedtoknowallaboutthepeopleatNumber20,andhereagain,soIhaveheardfromprivatesources,oneortwootherverycuriouspointscameout.Itappearsthattheoccupants


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ofthehousewereaMr.andMrs.CharlesHerbert;hewassaidtobealandedproprietor,thoughitstruckmostpeoplethatPaulStreetwasnotexactlytheplacetolookforcountrygentry.AsforMrs.Herbert,nobodyseemedtoknowwhoorwhatshewas,and,betweenourselves,Ifancythediversafterherhistoryfoundthemselvesinratherstrangewaters.Ofcoursetheybothdeniedknowinganythingaboutthedeceased,andindefaultofanyevidenceagainstthemtheyweredischarged.Butsomeveryoddthingscameoutaboutthem.Thoughitwasbetweenfiveandsixinthemorningwhenthedeadmanwasremoved,alargecrowdhadcollected,andseveraloftheneighboursrantoseewhatwasgoingon.Theywereprettyfreewiththeircomments,byallaccounts,andfromtheseitappearedthatNumber20wasinverybadodourinPaulStreet.Thedetectivestriedtotracedowntheserumourstosomesolidfoundationoffact,butcouldnotgetholdofanything.PeopleshooktheirheadsandraisedtheireyebrowsandthoughttheHerbertsrather'queer,''wouldrathernotbeseengoingintotheirhouse,'andsoon,buttherewasnothingtangible.Theauthoritiesweremorallycertainthemanmethisdeathinsomewayoranotherinthehouseandwasthrownoutbythekitchendoor,buttheycouldn'tproveit,andtheabsenceofanyindicationsofviolenceorpoisoningleftthemhelpless.Anoddcase,wasn'tit?Butcuriouslyenough,there'ssomethingmorethatIhaven'ttoldyou.Ihappenedtoknowoneofthedoctorswhowasconsultedastothecauseofdeath,andsometimeaftertheinquestImethim,andaskedhimaboutit.'Doyou

reallymeantotellme,'Isaid,'thatyouwerebaffledbythecase,thatyouactuallydon'tknowwhatthemandiedof?''Pardonme,'hereplied,'Iknowperfectlywellwhatcauseddeath.Blankdiedoffright,ofsheer,awfulterror;Ineversawfeaturessohideouslycontortedintheentirecourseofmypractice,andIhaveseenthefacesofawholehostofdead.'Thedoctorwasusuallyacoolcustomerenough,andacertainvehemenceinhismannerstruckme,butIcouldn'tgetanythingmoreoutofhim.IsupposetheTreasurydidn'tseetheirwaytoprosecutingtheHerbertsforfrighteningamantodeath;atanyrate,nothingwasdone,andthecasedroppedoutofmen'sminds.DoyouhappentoknowanythingofHerbert?"

"Well,"repliedVilliers,"hewasanoldcollegefriendofmine."

"Youdon'tsayso?Haveyoueverseenhiswife?"

"No,Ihaven't.IhavelostsightofHerbertformanyyears."

"It'squeer,isn'tit,partingwithamanatthecollegegateoratPaddington,seeingnothingofhimforyears,andthenfindinghimpopuphisheadinsuchanoddplace.ButIshouldliketohaveseenMrs.Herbert;peoplesaidextraordinarythingsabouther."

"Whatsortofthings?"

"Well,Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou.Everyonewhosawheratthe

policecourtsaidshewasatoncethemostbeautifulwomanandthemostrepulsivetheyhadeverseteyeson.Ihavespokentoamanwhosawher,andIassureyouhepositivelyshudderedashetriedtodescribethewoman,buthecouldn'ttellwhy.Sheseemstohavebeenasortofenigma;andIexpectifthatonedeadmancouldhavetoldtales,hewouldhavetoldsomeuncommonlyqueerones.Andthereyouareagaininanotherpuzzle;whatcouldarespectablecountrygentlemanlikeMr.Blank(we'llcallhimthatifyoudon'tmind)wantinsuchaveryqueerhouseasNumber20?It'saltogetheraveryoddcase,isn'tit?"


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"Itisindeed,Austin;anextraordinarycase.Ididn'tthink,whenIaskedyouaboutmyoldfriend,Ishouldstrikeonsuchstrangemetal.Well,Imustbeoff;good-day."

Villierswentaway,thinkingofhisownconceitoftheChineseboxes;herewasquaintworkmanshipindeed.

IV

THEDISCOVERYINPAULSTREET

AfewmonthsafterVilliers'meetingwithHerbert,Mr.Clarkewassitting,asusual,byhisafter-dinnerhearth,resolutelyguardinghisfanciesfromwanderinginthedirectionofthebureau.Formorethanaweekhehadsucceededinkeepingawayfromthe"Memoirs,"andhecherishedhopesofacompleteself-reformation;but,inspiteofhisendeavours,hecouldnothushthewonderandthestrangecuriositythatthelastcasehehadwrittendownhadexcitedwithinhim.Hehadputthecase,orrathertheoutlineofit,conjecturallytoascientificfriend,whoshookhishead,andthoughtClarkegettingqueer,andonthisparticulareveningClarkewasmakinganefforttorationalizethestory,whenasuddenknockatthedoorrousedhimfromhismeditations.

"Mr.Villierstoseeyousir."

"Dearme,Villiers,itisverykindofyoutolookmeup;Ihavenotseenyouformanymonths;Ishouldthinknearlyayear.Comein,comein.Andhowareyou,Villiers?Wantanyadviceaboutinvestments?"

"No,thanks,IfancyeverythingIhaveinthatwayisprettysafe.No,Clarke,Ihavereallycometoconsultyouaboutarathercuriousmatterthathasbeenbroughtundermynoticeoflate.IamafraidyouwillthinkitallratherabsurdwhenItellmytale.Isometimesthinksomyself,andthat'sjustwhatImadeupmymindtocometoyou,asIknowyou'reapracticalman."

Mr.Villierswasignorantofthe"MemoirstoprovetheExistenceoftheDevil."

"Well,Villiers,Ishallbehappytogiveyoumyadvice,tothebestofmyability.Whatisthenatureofthecase?"

"It'sanextraordinarythingaltogether.Youknowmyways;Ialwayskeepmyeyesopeninthestreets,andinmytimeIhavechanceduponsomequeercustomers,andqueercasestoo,butthis,Ithink,beatsall.Iwascomingoutofarestaurantonenastywinternightaboutthreemonthsago;IhadhadacapitaldinnerandagoodbottleofChianti,andIstoodforamomentonthepavement,thinkingwhata

mysterythereisaboutLondonstreetsandthecompaniesthatpassalongthem.Abottleofredwineencouragesthesefancies,Clarke,andIdaresayIshouldhavethoughtapageofsmalltype,butIwascutshortbyabeggarwhohadcomebehindme,andwasmakingtheusualappeals.OfcourseIlookedround,andthisbeggarturnedouttobewhatwasleftofanoldfriendofmine,amannamedHerbert.Iaskedhimhowhehadcometosuchawretchedpass,andhetoldme.WewalkedupanddownoneofthoselonganddarkSohostreets,andthereIlistenedtohisstory.Hesaidhehadmarriedabeautifulgirl,someyearsyoungerthanhimself,and,asheputit,shehadcorruptedhim


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bodyandsoul.Hewouldn'tgointodetails;hesaidhedarenot,thatwhathehadseenandheardhauntedhimbynightandday,andwhenIlookedinhisfaceIknewhewasspeakingthetruth.Therewassomethingaboutthemanthatmademeshiver.Idon'tknowwhy,butitwasthere.Igavehimalittlemoneyandsenthimaway,andIassureyouthatwhenhewasgoneIgaspedforbreath.Hispresenceseemedtochillone'sblood."

"Isn'tthisalljustalittlefanciful,Villiers?Isupposethepoorfellowhadmadeanimprudentmarriage,and,inplainEnglish,gonetothebad."

"Well,listentothis."VillierstoldClarkethestoryhehadheardfromAustin.

"Yousee,"heconcluded,"therecanbebutlittledoubtthatthisMr.Blank,whoeverhewas,diedofsheerterror;hesawsomethingsoawful,soterrible,thatitcutshorthislife.Andwhathesaw,hemostcertainlysawinthathouse,which,somehoworother,hadgotabadnameintheneighbourhood.Ihadthecuriositytogoandlookattheplaceformyself.It'sasaddeningkindofstreet;thehousesareoldenoughtobemeananddreary,butnotoldenoughtobequaint.AsfarasIcouldseemostofthemareletinlodgings,furnishedandunfurnished,andalmosteverydoorhasthreebellstoit.Hereand

therethegroundfloorshavebeenmadeintoshopsofthecommonestkind;it'sadismalstreetineveryway.IfoundNumber20wastolet,andIwenttotheagent'sandgotthekey.OfcourseIshouldhaveheardnothingoftheHerbertsinthatquarter,butIaskedtheman,fairandsquare,howlongtheyhadleftthehouseandwhethertherehadbeenothertenantsinthemeanwhile.Helookedatmequeerlyforaminute,andtoldmetheHerbertshadleftimmediatelyaftertheunpleasantness,ashecalledit,andsincethenthehousehadbeenempty."

Mr.Villierspausedforamoment.

"Ihavealwaysbeenratherfondofgoingoveremptyhouses;there'sa

sortoffascinationaboutthedesolateemptyrooms,withthenailsstickinginthewalls,andthedustthickuponthewindow-sills.ButIdidn'tenjoygoingoverNumber20,PaulStreet.IhadhardlyputmyfootinsidethepassagewhenInoticedaqueer,heavyfeelingabouttheairofthehouse.Ofcourseallemptyhousesarestuffy,andsoforth,butthiswassomethingquitedifferent;Ican'tdescribeittoyou,butitseemedtostopthebreath.Iwentintothefrontroomandthebackroom,andthekitchensdownstairs;theywerealldirtyanddustyenough,asyouwouldexpect,buttherewassomethingstrangeaboutthemall.Icouldn'tdefineittoyou,IonlyknowIfeltqueer.Itwasoneoftheroomsonthefirstfloor,though,thatwastheworst.Itwasalargishroom,andonceonatimethepapermusthavebeencheerfulenough,butwhenIsawit,paint,paper,andeverythingwere

mostdoleful.Buttheroomwasfullofhorror;IfeltmyteethgrindingasIputmyhandonthedoor,andwhenIwentin,IthoughtIshouldhavefallenfaintingtothefloor.However,Ipulledmyselftogether,andstoodagainsttheendwall,wonderingwhatonearththerecouldbeabouttheroomtomakemylimbstremble,andmyheartbeatasifIwereatthehourofdeath.Inonecornertherewasapileofnewspaperslitteredonthefloor,andIbeganlookingatthem;theywerepapersofthreeorfouryearsago,someofthemhalftorn,andsomecrumpledasiftheyhadbeenusedforpacking.Iturnedthewholepileover,andamongstthemIfoundacuriousdrawing;Iwillshowit


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toyoupresently.ButIcouldn'tstayintheroom;Ifeltitwasoverpoweringme.Iwasthankfultocomeout,safeandsound,intotheopenair.PeoplestaredatmeasIwalkedalongthestreet,andonemansaidIwasdrunk.Iwasstaggeringaboutfromonesideofthepavementtotheother,anditwasasmuchasIcoulddototakethekeybacktotheagentandgethome.Iwasinbedforaweek,sufferingfromwhatmydoctorcallednervousshockandexhaustion.OneofthosedaysIwasreadingtheeveningpaper,andhappenedtonoticeaparagraphheaded:'StarvedtoDeath.'Itwastheusualstyleofthing;amodellodging-houseinMarylebone,adoorlockedforseveraldays,andadeadmaninhischairwhentheybrokein.'Thedeceased,'saidtheparagraph,'wasknownasCharlesHerbert,andisbelievedtohavebeenonceaprosperouscountrygentleman.HisnamewasfamiliartothepublicthreeyearsagoinconnectionwiththemysteriousdeathinPaulStreet,TottenhamCourtRoad,thedeceasedbeingthetenantofthehouseNumber20,intheareaofwhichagentlemanofgoodpositionwasfounddeadundercircumstancesnotdevoidofsuspicion.'Atragicending,wasn'tit?Butafterall,ifwhathetoldmeweretrue,whichIamsureitwas,theman'slifewasallatragedy,andatragedyofastrangersortthantheyputontheboards."

"Andthatisthestory,isit?"saidClarkemusingly.

"Yes,thatisthestory."

"Well,really,Villiers,Iscarcelyknowwhattosayaboutit.Thereare,nodoubt,circumstancesinthecasewhichseempeculiar,thefindingofthedeadmanintheareaofHerbert'shouse,forinstance,andtheextraordinaryopinionofthephysicianastothecauseofdeath;but,afterall,itisconceivablethatthefactsmaybeexplainedinastraightforwardmanner.Astoyourownsensations,whenyouwenttoseethehouse,Iwouldsuggestthattheywereduetoavividimagination;youmusthavebeenbrooding,inasemi-consciousway,overwhatyouhadheard.Idon'texactlyseewhatmorecanbesaidordoneinthematter;youevidentlythinkthereisamysteryofsomekind,butHerbertisdead;wherethendoyouproposetolook?"

"Iproposetolookforthewoman;thewomanwhomhemarried.Sheisthemystery."

Thetwomensatsilentbythefireside;Clarkesecretlycongratulatinghimselfonhavingsuccessfullykeptupthecharacterofadvocateofthecommonplace,andVillierswrappedinhisgloomyfancies.

"IthinkIwillhaveacigarette,"hesaidatlast,andputhishandinhispockettofeelforthecigarette-case.

"Ah!"hesaid,startingslightly,"IforgotIhadsomethingtoshowyou.YouremembermysayingthatIhadfoundarathercurioussketchamongstthepileofoldnewspapersatthehouseinPaulStreet?Here

itis."

Villiersdrewoutasmallthinparcelfromhispocket.Itwascoveredwithbrownpaper,andsecuredwithstring,andtheknotsweretroublesome.InspiteofhimselfClarkefeltinquisitive;hebentforwardonhischairasVillierspainfullyundidthestring,andunfoldedtheoutercovering.Insidewasasecondwrappingoftissue,andVillierstookitoffandhandedthesmallpieceofpapertoClarkewithoutaword.


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Therewasdeadsilenceintheroomforfiveminutesormore;thetwomansatsostillthattheycouldhearthetickingofthetallold-fashionedclockthatstoodoutsideinthehall,andinthemindofoneofthemtheslowmonotonyofsoundwokeupafar,farmemory.Hewaslookingintentlyatthesmallpen-and-inksketchofthewoman'shead;ithadevidentlybeendrawnwithgreatcare,andbyatrueartist,forthewoman'ssoullookedoutoftheeyes,andthelipswerepartedwithastrangesmile.Clarkegazedstillattheface;itbroughttohismemoryonesummerevening,longago;hesawagainthelonglovelyvalley,theriverwindingbetweenthehills,themeadowsandthecornfields,thedullredsun,andthecoldwhitemistrisingfromthewater.Heheardavoicespeakingtohimacrossthewavesofmanyyears,andsaying"Clarke,MarywillseethegodPan!"andthenhewasstandinginthegrimroombesidethedoctor,listeningtotheheavytickingoftheclock,waitingandwatching,watchingthefigurelyingonthegreencharbeneaththelamplight.Maryroseup,andhelookedintohereyes,andhisheartgrewcoldwithinhim.

"Whoisthiswoman?"hesaidatlast.Hisvoicewasdryandhoarse.

"ThatisthewomanwhoHerbertmarried."

Clarkelookedagainatthesketch;itwasnotMaryafterall.TherecertainlywasMary'sface,buttherewassomethingelse,somethinghe

hadnotseenonMary'sfeatureswhenthewhite-cladgirlenteredthelaboratorywiththedoctor,noratherterribleawakening,norwhenshelaygrinningonthebed.Whateveritwas,theglancethatcamefromthoseeyes,thesmileonthefulllips,ortheexpressionofthewholeface,Clarkeshudderedbeforeitathisinmostsoul,andthought,unconsciously,ofDr.Phillip'swords,"themostvividpresentmentofevilIhaveeverseen."Heturnedthepaperovermechanicallyinhishandandglancedattheback.

"GoodGod!Clarke,whatisthematter?Youareaswhiteasdeath."

Villiershadstartedwildlyfromhischair,asClarkefellbackwithagroan,andletthepaperdropfromhishands.

"Idon'tfeelverywell,Villiers,Iamsubjecttotheseattacks.Pourmeoutalittlewine;thanks,thatwilldo.Ishallfeelbetterinafewminutes."

VillierspickedupthefallensketchandturneditoverasClarkehaddone.

"Yousawthat?"hesaid."That'showIidentifieditasbeingaportraitofHerbert'swife,orIshouldsayhiswidow.Howdoyoufeelnow?"

"Better,thanks,itwasonlyapassingfaintness.Idon'tthinkI

quitecatchyourmeaning.Whatdidyousayenabledyoutoidentifythepicture?"

"Thisword--'Helen'--waswrittenontheback.Didn'tItellyouhernamewasHelen?Yes;HelenVaughan."

Clarkegroaned;therecouldbenoshadowofdoubt.

"Now,don'tyouagreewithme,"saidVilliers,"thatinthestoryIhavetoldyouto-night,andinthepartthiswomanplaysinit,there


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aresomeverystrangepoints?"

"Yes,Villiers,"Clarkemuttered,"itisastrangestoryindeed;astrangestoryindeed.Youmustgivemetimetothinkitover;ImaybeabletohelpyouorImaynot.Mustyoubegoingnow?Well,good-night,Villiers,good-night.Comeandseemeinthecourseofaweek."

V

THELETTEROFADVICE

"Doyouknow,Austin,"saidVilliers,asthetwofriendswerepacingsedatelyalongPiccadillyonepleasantmorninginMay,"doyouknowIamconvincedthatwhatyoutoldmeaboutPaulStreetandtheHerbertsisamereepisodeinanextraordinaryhistory?ImayaswellconfesstoyouthatwhenIaskedyouaboutHerbertafewmonthsagoIhadjustseenhim."

"Youhadseenhim?Where?"

"Hebeggedofmeinthestreetonenight.Hewasinthemostpitiable

plight,butIrecognizedtheman,andIgothimtotellmehishistory,oratleasttheoutlineofit.Inbrief,itamountedtothis--hehadbeenruinedbyhiswife."

"Inwhatmanner?"

"Hewouldnottellme;hewouldonlysaythatshehaddestroyedhim,bodyandsoul.Themanisdeadnow."

"Andwhathasbecomeofhiswife?"

"Ah,that'swhatIshouldliketoknow,andImeantofindhersoonerorlater.IknowamannamedClarke,adryfellow,infactamanof

business,butshrewdenough.Youunderstandmymeaning;notshrewdinthemerebusinesssenseoftheword,butamanwhoreallyknowssomethingaboutmenandlife.Well,Ilaidthecasebeforehim,andhewasevidentlyimpressed.Hesaiditneededconsideration,andaskedmetocomeagaininthecourseofaweek.AfewdayslaterIreceivedthisextraordinaryletter."

Austintooktheenvelope,drewouttheletter,andreaditcuriously.Itranasfollows:--

"MYDEARVILLIERS,--Ihavethoughtoverthematteronwhichyouconsultedmetheothernight,andmyadvicetoyouisthis.Throwtheportraitintothefire,blotoutthestoryfromyourmind.Nevergive

itanotherthought,Villiers,oryouwillbesorry.Youwillthink,nodoubt,thatIaminpossessionofsomesecretinformation,andtoacertainextentthatisthecase.ButIonlyknowalittle;Iamlikeatravellerwhohaspeeredoveranabyss,andhasdrawnbackinterror.WhatIknowisstrangeenoughandhorribleenough,butbeyondmyknowledgetherearedepthsandhorrorsmorefrightfulstill,moreincrediblethananytaletoldofwinternightsaboutthefire.Ihaveresolved,andnothingshallshakethatresolve,toexplorenowhitfarther,andifyouvalueyourhappinessyouwillmakethesamedetermination.


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"Comeandseemebyallmeans;butwewilltalkonmorecheerfultopicsthanthis."

Austinfoldedthelettermethodically,andreturnedittoVilliers.

"Itiscertainlyanextraordinaryletter,"hesaid,"whatdoeshemeanbytheportrait?"

"Ah!IforgottotellyouIhavebeentoPaulStreetandhavemadeadiscovery."

VillierstoldhisstoryashehadtoldittoClarke,andAustinlistenedinsilence.Heseemedpuzzled.

"Howverycuriousthatyoushouldexperiencesuchanunpleasantsensationinthatroom!"hesaidatlength."Ihardlygatherthatitwasamerematteroftheimagination;afeelingofrepulsion,inshort."

"No,itwasmorephysicalthanmental.ItwasasifIwereinhalingateverybreathsomedeadlyfume,whichseemedtopenetratetoeverynerveandboneandsinewofmybody.Ifeltrackedfromheadtofoot,myeyesbegantogrowdim;itwasliketheentranceofdeath."

"Yes,yes,verystrangecertainly.Yousee,yourfriendconfessesthatthereissomeveryblackstoryconnectedwiththiswoman.Didyounoticeanyparticularemotioninhimwhenyouweretellingyourtale?"

"Yes,Idid.Hebecameveryfaint,butheassuredmethatitwasamerepassingattacktowhichhewassubject."

"Didyoubelievehim?"

"Ididatthetime,butIdon'tnow.HeheardwhatIhadtosaywithagooddealofindifference,tillIshowedhimtheportrait.ItwasthenthathewasseizedwiththeattackofwhichIspoke.Helookedghastly,Iassureyou."

"Thenhemusthaveseenthewomanbefore.Buttheremightbeanotherexplanation;itmighthavebeenthename,andnottheface,whichwasfamiliartohim.Whatdoyouthink?"

"Icouldn'tsay.Tothebestofmybeliefitwasafterturningtheportraitinhishandsthathenearlydroppedfromthechair.Thename,youknow,waswrittenontheback."

"Quiteso.Afterall,itisimpossibletocometoanyresolutioninacaselikethis.Ihatemelodrama,andnothingstrikesmeasmorecommonplaceandtediousthantheordinaryghoststoryofcommerce;butreally,Villiers,itlooksasifthereweresomethingveryqueeratthe

bottomofallthis."

Thetwomenhad,withoutnoticingit,turnedupAshleyStreet,leadingnorthwardfromPiccadilly.Itwasalongstreet,andratheragloomyone,buthereandthereabrightertastehadilluminatedthedarkhouseswithflowers,andgaycurtains,andacheerfulpaintonthedoors.VilliersglancedupasAustinstoppedspeaking,andlookedatoneofthesehouses;geraniums,redandwhite,droopedfromeverysill,anddaffodil-colouredcurtainsweredrapedbackfromeachwindow.


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"Itlookscheerful,doesn'tit?"hesaid.

"Yes,andtheinsideisstillmorecheery.Oneofthepleasantesthousesoftheseason,soIhaveheard.Ihaven'tbeentheremyself,butI'vemetseveralmenwhohave,andtheytellmeit'suncommonlyjovial."

"Whosehouseisit?"

"AMrs.Beaumont's."

"Andwhoisshe?"

"Icouldn'ttellyou.IhaveheardshecomesfromSouthAmerica,butafterall,whosheisisoflittleconsequence.Sheisaverywealthywoman,there'snodoubtofthat,andsomeofthebestpeoplehavetakenherup.Ihearshehassomewonderfulclaret,reallymarvellouswine,whichmusthavecostafabuloussum.LordArgentinewastellingmeaboutit;hewastherelastSundayevening.Heassuresmehehasnevertastedsuchawine,andArgentine,asyouknow,isanexpert.Bytheway,thatremindsme,shemustbeanoddishsortofwoman,thisMrs.Beaumont.Argentineaskedherhowoldthewinewas,andwhatdoyouthinkshesaid?'Aboutathousandyears,Ibelieve.'LordArgentinethoughtshewaschaffinghim,youknow,butwhenhelaughedshesaid

shewasspeakingquiteseriouslyandofferedtoshowhimthejar.Ofcourse,hecouldn'tsayanythingmoreafterthat;butitseemsratherantiquatedforabeverage,doesn'tit?Why,hereweareatmyrooms.Comein,won'tyou?"

"Thanks,IthinkIwill.Ihaven'tseenthecuriosity-shopforawhile."

Itwasaroomfurnishedrichly,yetoddly,whereeveryjarandbookcaseandtable,andeveryrugandjarandornamentseemedtobeathingapart,preservingeachitsownindividuality.

"Anythingfreshlately?"saidVilliersafterawhile.

"No;Ithinknot;yousawthosequeerjugs,didn'tyou?Ithoughtso.Idon'tthinkIhavecomeacrossanythingforthelastfewweeks."

Austinglancedaroundtheroomfromcupboardtocupboard,fromshelftoshelf,insearchofsomenewoddity.Hiseyesfellatlastonanoddchest,pleasantlyandquaintlycarved,whichstoodinadarkcorneroftheroom.

"Ah,"hesaid,"Iwasforgetting,Ihavegotsomethingtoshowyou."Austinunlockedthechest,drewoutathickquartovolume,laiditonthetable,andresumedthecigarhehadputdown.

"DidyouknowArthurMeyrickthepainter,Villiers?"

"Alittle;Imethimtwoorthreetimesatthehouseofafriendofmine.Whathasbecomeofhim?Ihaven'theardhisnamementionedforsometime."

"He'sdead."

"Youdon'tsayso!Quiteyoung,wasn'the?"


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"Yes;onlythirtywhenhedied."

"Whatdidhedieof?"

"Idon'tknow.Hewasanintimatefriendofmine,andathoroughlygoodfellow.Heusedtocomehereandtalktomeforhours,andhewasoneofthebesttalkersIhavemet.Hecouldeventalkaboutpainting,andthat'smorethancanbesaidofmostpainters.Abouteighteenmonthsagohewasfeelingratheroverworked,andpartlyatmysuggestionhewentoffonasortofrovingexpedition,withnoverydefiniteendoraimaboutit.IbelieveNewYorkwastobehisfirstport,butIneverheardfromhim.ThreemonthsagoIgotthisbook,withaverycivilletterfromanEnglishdoctorpractisingatBuenosAyres,statingthathehadattendedthelateMr.Meyrickduringhisillness,andthatthedeceasedhadexpressedanearnestwishthattheenclosedpacketshouldbesenttomeafterhisdeath.Thatwasall."

"Andhaven'tyouwrittenforfurtherparticulars?"

"Ihavebeenthinkingofdoingso.Youwouldadvisemetowritetothedoctor?"

"Certainly.Andwhataboutthebook?"

"ItwassealedupwhenIgotit.Idon'tthinkthedoctorhadseenit."

"Itissomethingveryrare?Meyrickwasacollector,perhaps?"

"No,Ithinknot,hardlyacollector.Now,whatdoyouthinkoftheseAinujugs?"

"Theyarepeculiar,butIlikethem.Butaren'tyougoingtoshowmepoorMeyrick'slegacy?"

"Yes,yes,tobesure.Thefactis,it'sratherapeculiarsortofthing,andIhaven'tshownittoanyone.Iwouldn'tsayanythingaboutitifIwereyou.Thereitis."

Villierstookthebook,andopeneditathaphazard.

"Itisn'taprintedvolume,then?"hesaid.

"No.ItisacollectionofdrawingsinblackandwhitebymypoorfriendMeyrick."

Villiersturnedtothefirstpage,itwasblank;thesecondboreabriefinscription,whichheread:

Siletperdiemuniversus,necsinehorroresecretusest;lucet

nocturnisignibus,chorusAegipanumundiquepersonatur:audiunturetcantustibiarum,ettinnituscymbalorumperorammaritimam.

OnthethirdpagewasadesignwhichmadeVilliersstartandlookupatAustin;hewasgazingabstractedlyoutofthewindow.Villiersturnedpageafterpage,absorbed,inspiteofhimself,inthefrightfulWalpurgisNightofevil,strangemonstrousevil,thatthedeadartisthadsetforthinhardblackandwhite.ThefiguresofFaunsandSatyrsandAegipansdancedbeforehiseyes,thedarknessofthethicket,the


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danceonthemountain-top,thescenesbylonelyshores,ingreenvineyards,byrocksanddesertplaces,passedbeforehim:aworldbeforewhichthehumansoulseemedtoshrinkbackandshudder.Villierswhirledovertheremainingpages;hehadseenenough,butthepictureonthelastleafcaughthiseye,ashealmostclosedthebook.

"Austin!"

"Well,whatisit?"

"Doyouknowwhothatis?"

Itwasawoman'sface,aloneonthewhitepage.

"Knowwhoitis?No,ofcoursenot."

"Ido."

"Whoisit?"

"ItisMrs.Herbert."

"Areyousure?"

"Iamperfectlysureofit.PoorMeyrick!Heisonemorechapterinherhistory."

"Butwhatdoyouthinkofthedesigns?"

"Theyarefrightful.Lockthebookupagain,Austin.IfIwereyouIwouldburnit;itmustbeaterriblecompanioneventhoughitbeinachest."

"Yes,theyaresingulardrawings.ButIwonderwhatconnectiontherecouldbebetweenMeyrickandMrs.Herbert,orwhatlinkbetweenherandthesedesigns?"

"Ah,whocansay?Itispossiblethatthemattermayendhere,andweshallneverknow,butinmyownopinionthisHelenVaughan,orMrs.Herbert,isonlythebeginning.ShewillcomebacktoLondon,Austin;dependonit,shewillcomeback,andweshallhearmoreaboutherthen.Idoubtitwillbeverypleasantnews."

VI

THESUICIDES

LordArgentinewasagreatfavouriteinLondonSociety.Attwentyhe

hadbeenapoorman,deckedwiththesurnameofanillustriousfamily,butforcedtoearnalivelihoodasbesthecould,andthemostspeculativeofmoney-lenderswouldnothaveentrustedhimwithfiftypoundsonthechanceofhiseverchanginghisnameforatitle,andhispovertyforagreatfortune.Hisfatherhadbeennearenoughtothefountainofgoodthingstosecureoneofthefamilylivings,buttheson,evenifhehadtakenorders,wouldscarcelyhaveobtainedsomuchasthis,andmoreoverfeltnovocationfortheecclesiasticalestate.Thushefrontedtheworldwithnobetterarmourthanthebachelor'sgownandthewitsofayoungerson'sgrandson,withwhichequipmenthe


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contrivedinsomewaytomakeaverytolerablefightofit.Attwenty-fiveMr.CharlesAubernonsawhimselfstillamanofstrugglesandofwarfarewiththeworld,butoutofthesevenwhostoodbeforehimandthehighplacesofhisfamilythreeonlyremained.Thesethree,however,were"goodlives,"butyetnotproofagainsttheZuluassegaisandtyphoidfever,andsoonemorningAubernonwokeupandfoundhimselfLordArgentine,amanofthirtywhohadfacedthedifficultiesofexistence,andhadconquered.Thesituationamusedhimimmensely,andheresolvedthatrichesshouldbeaspleasanttohimaspovertyhadalwaysbeen.Argentine,aftersomelittleconsideration,cametotheconclusionthatdining,regardedasafineart,wasperhapsthemostamusingpursuitopentofallenhumanity,andthushisdinnersbecamefamousinLondon,andaninvitationtohistableathingcovetouslydesired.AftertenyearsoflordshipanddinnersArgentinestilldeclinedtobejaded,stillpersistedinenjoyinglife,andbyakindofinfectionhadbecomerecognizedasthecauseofjoyinothers,inshort,asthebestofcompany.Hissuddenandtragicaldeaththereforecausedawideanddeepsensation.Peoplecouldscarcelybelieveit,eventhoughthenewspaperwasbeforetheireyes,andthecryof"MysteriousDeathofaNobleman"cameringingupfromthestreet.Buttherestoodthebriefparagraph:"LordArgentinewasfounddeadthismorningbyhisvaletunderdistressingcircumstances.Itisstatedthattherecanbenodoubtthathislordshipcommittedsuicide,thoughnomotivecanbeassignedfortheact.Thedeceasednobleman

waswidelyknowninsociety,andmuchlikedforhisgenialmannerandsumptuoushospitality.Heissucceededby,"etc.,etc.

Byslowdegreesthedetailscametolight,butthecasestillremainedamystery.Thechiefwitnessattheinquestwasthedeceased'svalet,whosaidthatthenightbeforehisdeathLordArgentinehaddinedwithaladyofgoodposition,whosenamedwassuppressedinthenewspaperreports.Atabouteleveno'clockLordArgentinehadreturned,andinformedhismanthatheshouldnotrequirehisservicestillthenextmorning.Alittlelaterthevalethadoccasiontocrossthehallandwassomewhatastonishedtoseehismasterquietlylettinghimselfoutatthefrontdoor.Hehadtakenoffhiseveningclothes,andwasdressedinaNorfolkcoatandknickerbockers,andworealowbrownhat.

ThevalethadnoreasontosupposethatLordArgentinehadseenhim,andthoughhismasterrarelykeptlatehours,thoughtlittleoftheoccurrencetillthenextmorning,whenheknockedatthebedroomdoorataquartertonineasusual.Hereceivednoanswer,and,afterknockingtwoorthreetimes,enteredtheroom,andsawLordArgentine'sbodyleaningforwardatananglefromthebottomofthebed.Hefoundthathismasterhadtiedacordsecurelytooneoftheshortbed-posts,and,aftermakingarunningnooseandslippingitroundhisneck,theunfortunatemanmusthaveresolutelyfallenforward,todiebyslowstrangulation.Hewasdressedinthelightsuitinwhichthevalethadseenhimgoout,andthedoctorwhowassummonedpronouncedthatlifehadbeenextinctformorethanfourhours.Allpapers,letters,andsoforthseemedinperfectorder,andnothingwasdiscoveredwhichpointed

inthemostremotewaytoanyscandaleithergreatorsmall.Heretheevidenceended;nothingmorecouldbediscovered.Severalpersonshadbeenpresentatthedinner-partyatwhichLordAugustinehadassisted,andtoalltheseheseemedinhisusualgenialspirits.Thevalet,indeed,saidhethoughthismasterappearedalittleexcitedwhenhecamehome,butconfessedthatthealterationinhismannerwasveryslight,hardlynoticeable,indeed.Itseemedhopelesstoseekforanyclue,andthesuggestionthatLordArgentinehadbeensuddenlyattackedbyacutesuicidalmaniawasgenerallyaccepted.


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Itwasotherwise,however,whenwithinthreeweeks,threemoregentlemen,oneofthemanobleman,andthetwoothersmenofgoodpositionandamplemeans,perishedmiserablyinthealmostpreciselythesamemanner.LordSwanleighwasfoundonemorninginhisdressing-room,hangingfromapegaffixedtothewall,andMr.Collier-StuartandMr.HerrieshadchosentodieasLordArgentine.Therewasnoexplanationineithercase;afewbaldfacts;alivingmanintheevening,andabodywithablackswollenfaceinthemorning.ThepolicehadbeenforcedtoconfessthemselvespowerlesstoarrestortoexplainthesordidmurdersofWhitechapel;butbeforethehorriblesuicidesofPiccadillyandMayfairtheyweredumbfoundered,fornoteventhemereferocitywhichdiddutyasanexplanationofthecrimesoftheEastEnd,couldbeofserviceintheWest.Eachofthesemenwhohadresolvedtodieatorturedshamefuldeathwasrich,prosperous,andtoallappearancesinlovewiththeworld,andnottheacutestresearchshouldferretoutanyshadowofalurkingmotiveineithercase.Therewasahorrorintheair,andmenlookedatoneanother'sfaceswhentheymet,eachwonderingwhethertheotherwastobethevictimofthefifthnamelesstragedy.Journalistssoughtinvainfortheirscrapbooksformaterialswhereoftoconcoctreminiscentarticles;andthemorningpaperwasunfoldedinmanyahousewithafeelingofawe;nomanknewwhenorwherethenextblowwouldlight.

Ashortwhileafterthelastoftheseterribleevents,Austincameto

seeMr.Villiers.HewascurioustoknowwhetherVilliershadsucceededindiscoveringanyfreshtracesofMrs.Herbert,eitherthroughClarkeorbyothersources,andheaskedthequestionsoonafterhehadsatdown.

"No,"saidVilliers,"IwrotetoClarke,butheremainsobdurate,andIhavetriedotherchannels,butwithoutanyresult.Ican'tfindoutwhatbecameofHelenVaughanaftersheleftPaulStreet,butIthinkshemusthavegoneabroad.Buttotellthetruth,Austin,Ihaven'tpaidmuchattentiontothematterforthelastfewweeks;IknewpoorHerriesintimately,andhisterribledeathhasbeenagreatshocktome,agreatshock."

"Icanwellbelieveit,"answeredAustingravely,"youknowArgentinewasafriendofmine.IfIrememberrightly,wewerespeakingofhimthatdayyoucametomyrooms."

"Yes;itwasinconnectionwiththathouseinAshleyStreet,Mrs.Beaumont'shouse.YousaidsomethingaboutArgentine'sdiningthere."

"Quiteso.OfcourseyouknowitwasthereArgentinedinedthenightbefore--beforehisdeath."

"No,Ihadnotheardthat."

"Oh,yes;thenamewaskeptoutofthepaperstospareMrs.Beaumont.

Argentinewasagreatfavouriteofhers,anditissaidshewasinaterriblestateforsometimeafter."

AcuriouslookcameoverVilliers'face;heseemedundecidedwhethertospeakornot.Austinbeganagain.

"IneverexperiencedsuchafeelingofhorroraswhenIreadtheaccountofArgentine'sdeath.Ididn'tunderstanditatthetime,andIdon'tnow.Iknewhimwell,anditcompletelypassesmyunderstandingforwhatpossiblecausehe--oranyoftheothersforthe


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matterofthat--couldhaveresolvedincoldbloodtodieinsuchanawfulmanner.Youknowhowmenbabbleawayeachother'scharactersinLondon,youmaybesureanyburiedscandalorhiddenskeletonwouldhavebeenbroughttolightinsuchacaseasthis;butnothingofthesorthastakenplace.Asforthetheoryofmania,thatisverywell,ofcourse,forthecoroner'sjury,buteverybodyknowsthatit'sallnonsense.Suicidalmaniaisnotsmall-pox."

Austinrelapsedintogloomysilence.Villierssatsilent,also,watchinghisfriend.Theexpressionofindecisionstillfleetedacrosshisface;heseemedasifweighinghisthoughtsinthebalance,andtheconsiderationshewasresolvinglefthimstillsilent.AustintriedtoshakeofftheremembranceoftragediesashopelessandperplexedasthelabyrinthofDaedalus,andbegantotalkinanindifferentvoiceofthemorepleasantincidentsandadventuresoftheseason.

"ThatMrs.Beaumont,"hesaid,"ofwhomwewerespeaking,isagreatsuccess;shehastakenLondonalmostbystorm.ImethertheothernightatFulham's;sheisreallyaremarkablewoman."

"YouhavemetMrs.Beaumont?"

"Yes;shehadquiteacourtaroundher.Shewouldbecalledveryhandsome,Isuppose,andyetthereissomethingaboutherfacewhichI

didn'tlike.Thefeaturesareexquisite,buttheexpressionisstrange.AndallthetimeIwaslookingather,andafterwards,whenIwasgoinghome,Ihadacuriousfeelingthatveryexpressionwasinsomewayoranotherfamiliartome."

"YoumusthaveseenherintheRow."

"No,IamsureIneverseteyesonthewomanbefore;itisthatwhichmakesitpuzzling.AndtothebestofmybeliefIhaveneverseenanyonelikeher;whatIfeltwasakindofdimfar-offmemory,vaguebutpersistent.TheonlysensationIcancompareitto,isthatoddfeelingonesometimeshasinadream,whenfantasticcitiesandwondrouslandsandphantompersonagesappearfamiliarandaccustomed."

Villiersnoddedandglancedaimlesslyroundtheroom,possiblyinsearchofsomethingonwhichtoturntheconversation.Hiseyesfellonanoldchestsomewhatlikethatinwhichtheartist'sstrangelegacylayhidbeneathaGothicscutcheon.

"HaveyouwrittentothedoctoraboutpoorMeyrick?"heasked.

"Yes;Iwroteaskingforfullparticularsastohisillnessanddeath.Idon'texpecttohaveananswerforanotherthreeweeksoramonth.IthoughtImightaswellinquirewhetherMeyrickknewanEnglishwomannamedHerbert,andifso,whetherthedoctorcouldgivemeanyinformationabouther.Butit'sverypossiblethatMeyrickfellin

withheratNewYork,orMexico,orSanFrancisco;Ihavenoideaastotheextentordirectionofhistravels."

"Yes,andit'sverypossiblethatthewomanmayhavemorethanonename."

"Exactly.IwishIhadthoughtofaskingyoutolendmetheportraitofherwhichyoupossess.ImighthaveencloseditinmylettertoDr.Matthews."


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"Where,inHeaven'sname,didyouseehim?"

"Notfarfromhere.IsawhiminAshleyStreet.Hewasjustleavingahouse."

"Didyounoticewhathouseitwas?"

"Yes.ItwasMrs.Beaumont's."

"Villiers!Thinkwhatyouaresaying;theremustbesomemistake.HowcouldCrashawbeinMrs.Beaumont'shouseattwoo'clockinthemorning?Surely,surely,youmusthavebeendreaming,Villiers;youwerealwaysratherfanciful."

"No;Iwaswideawakeenough.EvenifIhadbeendreamingasyousay,whatIsawwouldhaverousedmeeffectually."

"Whatyousaw?Whatdidyousee?WasthereanythingstrangeaboutCrashaw?ButIcan'tbelieveit;itisimpossible."

"Well,ifyoulikeIwilltellyouwhatIsaw,orifyouplease,whatIthinkIsaw,andyoucanjudgeforyourself."

"Verygood,Villiers."

Thenoiseandclamourofthestreethaddiedaway,thoughnowandthenthesoundofshoutingstillcamefromthedistance,andthedull,leadensilenceseemedlikethequietafteranearthquakeorastorm.Villiersturnedfromthewindowandbeganspeaking.

"IwasatahousenearRegent'sParklastnight,andwhenIcameawaythefancytookmetowalkhomeinsteadoftakingahansom.Itwasaclearpleasantnightenough,andafterafewminutesIhadthestreetsprettymuchtomyself.It'sacuriousthing,Austin,tobealoneinLondonatnight,thegas-lampsstretchingawayinperspective,andthedeadsilence,andthenperhapstherushandclatterofahansomonthe

stones,andthefirestartingupunderthehorse'shoofs.Iwalkedalongprettybriskly,forIwasfeelingalittletiredofbeingoutinthenight,andastheclockswerestrikingtwoIturneddownAshleyStreet,which,youknow,isonmyway.Itwasquieterthaneverthere,andthelampswerefewer;altogether,itlookedasdarkandgloomyasaforestinwinter.IhaddoneabouthalfthelengthofthestreetwhenIheardadoorclosedverysoftly,andnaturallyIlookeduptoseewhowasabroadlikemyselfatsuchanhour.Asithappens,thereisastreetlampclosetothehouseinquestion,andIsawamanstandingonthestep.Hehadjustshutthedoorandhisfacewastowardsme,andIrecognizedCrashawdirectly.Ineverknewhimtospeakto,butIhadoftenseenhim,andIampositivethatIwasnotmistakeninmyman.Ilookedintohisfaceforamoment,andthen--Iwillconfessthe

truth--Isetoffatagoodrun,andkeptituptillIwaswithinmyowndoor."

"Why?"

"Why?Becauseitmademybloodruncoldtoseethatman'sface.Icouldneverhavesupposedthatsuchaninfernalmedleyofpassionscouldhaveglaredoutofanyhumaneyes;IalmostfaintedasIlooked.IknewIhadlookedintotheeyesofalostsoul,Austin,theman'soutwardformremained,butallhellwaswithinit.Furiouslust,and


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hatethatwaslikefire,andthelossofallhopeandhorrorthatseemedtoshriekaloudtothenight,thoughhisteethwereshut;andtheutterblacknessofdespair.Iamsurethathedidnotseeme;hesawnothingthatyouorIcansee,butwhathesawIhopewenevershall.Idonotknowwhenhedied;Isupposeinanhour,orperhapstwo,butwhenIpasseddownAshleyStreetandheardtheclosingdoor,thatmannolongerbelongedtothisworld;itwasadevil'sfaceIlookedupon."

TherewasanintervalofsilenceintheroomwhenVilliersceasedspeaking.Thelightwasfailing,andallthetumultofanhouragowasquitehushed.Austinhadbenthisheadatthecloseofthestory,andhishandcoveredhiseyes.

"Whatcanitmean?"hesaidatlength.

"Whoknows,Austin,whoknows?It'sablackbusiness,butIthinkwehadbetterkeepittoourselves,forthepresentatanyrate.IwillseeifIcannotlearnanythingaboutthathousethroughprivatechannelsofinformation,andifIdolightuponanythingIwillletyouknow."

VII

THEENCOUNTERINSOHO

ThreeweekslaterAustinreceivedanotefromVilliers,askinghimtocalleitherthatafternoonorthenext.Hechosethenearerdate,andfoundVillierssittingasusualbythewindow,apparentlylostinmeditationonthedrowsytrafficofthestreet.Therewasabambootablebyhisside,afantasticthing,enrichedwithgildingandqueerpaintedscenes,andonitlayalittlepileofpapersarrangedanddocketedasneatlyasanythinginMr.Clarke'soffice.

"Well,Villiers,haveyoumadeanydiscoveriesinthelastthreeweeks?"

"Ithinkso;Ihavehereoneortwomemorandawhichstruckmeassingular,andthereisastatementtowhichIshallcallyourattention."

"AndthesedocumentsrelatetoMrs.Beaumont?ItwasreallyCrashawwhomyousawthatnightstandingonthedoorstepofthehouseinAshleyStreet?"

"Astothatmattermybeliefremainsunchanged,butneithermyinquiriesnortheirresultshaveanyspecialrelationtoCrashaw.Butmyinvestigationshavehadastrangeissue.IhavefoundoutwhoMrs.Beaumontis!"

"Whoisshe?Inwhatwaydoyoumean?"

"ImeanthatyouandIknowherbetterunderanothername."

"Whatnameisthat?"

"Herbert."

"Herbert!"Austinrepeatedtheword,dazedwithastonishment.


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"Yes,Mrs.HerbertofPaulStreet,HelenVaughanofearlieradventuresunknowntome.Youhadreasontorecognizetheexpressionofherface;whenyougohomelookatthefaceinMeyrick'sbookofhorrors,andyouwillknowthesourcesofyourrecollection."

"Andyouhaveproofofthis?"

"Yes,thebestofproof;IhaveseenMrs.Beaumont,orshallwesayMrs.Herbert?"

"Wheredidyouseeher?"

"HardlyinaplacewhereyouwouldexpecttoseealadywholivesinAshleyStreet,Piccadilly.IsawherenteringahouseinoneofthemeanestandmostdisreputablestreetsinSoho.Infact,Ihadmadeanappointment,thoughnotwithher,andshewasprecisetobothtimeandplace."

"Allthisseemsverywonderful,butIcannotcallitincredible.Youmustremember,Villiers,thatIhaveseenthiswoman,intheordinaryadventureofLondonsociety,talkingandlaughing,andsippinghercoffeeinacommonplacedrawing-roomwithcommonplacepeople.Butyouknowwhatyouaresaying."

"Ido;Ihavenotallowedmyselftobeledbysurmisesorfancies.ItwaswithnothoughtoffindingHelenVaughanthatIsearchedforMrs.BeaumontinthedarkwatersofthelifeofLondon,butsuchhasbeentheissue."

"Youmusthavebeeninstrangeplaces,Villiers."

"Yes,Ihavebeeninverystrangeplaces.Itwouldhavebeenuseless,youknow,togotoAshleyStreet,andaskMrs.Beaumonttogivemeashortsketchofherprevioushistory.No;assuming,asIhadtoassume,thatherrecordwasnotofthecleanest,itwouldbeprettycertainthatatsomeprevioustimeshemusthavemovedincirclesnot

quitesorefinedasherpresentones.Ifyouseemudatthetopofastream,youmaybesurethatitwasonceatthebottom.Iwenttothebottom.IhavealwaysbeenfondofdivingintoQueerStreetformyamusement,andIfoundmyknowledgeofthatlocalityanditsinhabitantsveryuseful.Itis,perhaps,needlesstosaythatmyfriendshadneverheardthenameofBeaumont,andasIhadneverseenthelady,andwasquiteunabletodescribeher,Ihadtosettoworkinanindirectway.Thepeoplethereknowme;Ihavebeenabletodosomeofthemaservicenowandagain,sotheymadenodifficultyaboutgivingtheirinformation;theywereawareIhadnocommunicationdirectorindirectwithScotlandYard.Ihadtocastoutagoodmanylines,though,beforeIgotwhatIwanted,andwhenIlandedthefishIdidnotforamomentsupposeitwasmyfish.ButIlistenedtowhatIwas

toldoutofaconstitutionallikingforuselessinformation,andIfoundmyselfinpossessionofaverycuriousstory,though,asIimagined,notthestoryIwaslookingfor.Itwastothiseffect.Somefiveorsixyearsago,awomannamedRaymondsuddenlymadeherappearanceintheneighbourhoodtowhichIamreferring.Shewasdescribedtomeasbeingquiteyoung,probablynotmorethanseventeenoreighteen,veryhandsome,andlookingasifshecamefromthecountry.Ishouldbewronginsayingthatshefoundherlevelingoingtothisparticularquarter,orassociatingwiththesepeople,forfromwhatIwastold,IshouldthinktheworstdeninLondonfartoogood


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forher.ThepersonfromwhomIgotmyinformation,asyoumaysuppose,nogreatPuritan,shudderedandgrewsickintellingmeofthenamelessinfamieswhichwerelaidtohercharge.Afterlivingthereforayear,orperhapsalittlemore,shedisappearedassuddenlyasshecame,andtheysawnothingofhertillaboutthetimeofthePaulStreetcase.Atfirstshecametoheroldhauntsonlyoccasionally,thenmorefrequently,andfinallytookupherabodethereasbefore,andremainedforsixoreightmonths.It'sofnousemygoingintodetailsastothelifethatwomanled;ifyouwantparticularsyoucanlookatMeyrick'slegacy.Thosedesignswerenotdrawnfromhisimagination.Sheagaindisappeared,andthepeopleoftheplacesawnothingofhertillafewmonthsago.Myinformanttoldmethatshehadtakensomeroomsinahousewhichhepointedout,andtheseroomsshewasinthehabitofvisitingtwoorthreetimesaweekandalwaysatteninthemorning.Iwasledtoexpectthatoneofthesevisitswouldbepaidonacertaindayaboutaweekago,andIaccordinglymanagedtobeonthelook-outincompanywithmyciceroneataquartertoten,andthehourandtheladycamewithequalpunctuality.MyfriendandIwerestandingunderanarchway,alittlewaybackfromthestreet,butshesawus,andgavemeaglancethatIshallbelonginforgetting.Thatlookwasquiteenoughforme;IknewMissRaymondtobeMrs.Herbert;asforMrs.Beaumontshehadquitegoneoutofmyhead.Shewentintothehouse,andIwatchedittillfouro'clock,whenshecameout,andthenIfollowedher.Itwasalongchase,andI

hadtobeverycarefultokeepalongwayinthebackground,andyetnotlosesightofthewoman.ShetookmedowntotheStrand,andthentoWestminster,andthenupSt.James'sStreet,andalongPiccadilly.IfeltqueerishwhenIsawherturnupAshleyStreet;thethoughtthatMrs.HerbertwasMrs.Beaumontcameintomymind,butitseemedtooimpossibletobetrue.Iwaitedatthecorner,keepingmyeyeonherallthetime,andItookparticularcaretonotethehouseatwhichshestopped.Itwasthehousewiththegaycurtains,thehomeofflowers,thehouseoutofwhichCrashawcamethenighthehangedhimselfinhisgarden.Iwasjustgoingawaywithmydiscovery,whenIsawanemptycarriagecomeroundanddrawupinfrontofthehouse,andIcametotheconclusionthatMrs.Herbertwasgoingoutforadrive,andIwasright.There,asithappened,ImetamanIknow,andwestoodtalking

togetheralittledistancefromthecarriage-way,towhichIhadmyback.Wehadnotbeentherefortenminuteswhenmyfriendtookoffhishat,andIglancedroundandsawtheladyIhadbeenfollowingallday.'Whoisthat?'Isaid,andhisanswerwas'Mrs.Beaumont;livesinAshleyStreet.'Ofcoursetherecouldbenodoubtafterthat.Idon'tknowwhethershesawme,butIdon'tthinkshedid.Iwenthomeatonce,and,onconsideration,IthoughtthatIhadasufficientlygoodcasewithwhichtogotoClarke."

"WhytoClarke?"

"BecauseIamsurethatClarkeisinpossessionoffactsaboutthiswoman,factsofwhichIknownothing."

"Well,whatthen?"

Mr.VilliersleanedbackinhischairandlookedreflectivelyatAustinforamomentbeforeheanswered:

"MyideawasthatClarkeandIshouldcallonMrs.Beaumont."

"Youwouldnevergointosuchahouseasthat?No,no,Villiers,youcannotdoit.Besides,consider;whatresult..."


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"Iwilltellyousoon.ButIwasgoingtosaythatmyinformationdoesnotendhere;ithasbeencompletedinanextraordinarymanner.

"Lookatthisneatlittlepacketofmanuscript;itispaginated,yousee,andIhaveindulgedinthecivilcoquetryofaribbonofredtape.Ithasalmostalegalair,hasn'tit?Runyoureyeoverit,Austin.ItisanaccountoftheentertainmentMrs.Beaumontprovidedforherchoicerguests.Themanwhowrotethisescapedwithhislife,butIdonotthinkhewilllivemanyyears.Thedoctorstellhimhemusthavesustainedsomesevereshocktothenerves."

Austintookthemanuscript,butneverreadit.Openingtheneatpagesathaphazardhiseyewascaughtbyawordandaphrasethatfollowedit;and,sickatheart,withwhitelipsandacoldsweatpouringlikewaterfromhistemples,heflungthepaperdown.

"Takeitaway,Villiers,neverspeakofthisagain.Areyoumadeofstone,man?Why,thedreadandhorrorofdeathitself,thethoughtsofthemanwhostandsinthekeenmorningairontheblackplatform,bound,thebelltollinginhisears,andwaitsfortheharshrattleofthebolt,areasnothingcomparedtothis.Iwillnotreadit;Ishouldneversleepagain."

"Verygood.Icanfancywhatyousaw.Yes;itishorribleenough;butafterall,itisanoldstory,anoldmysteryplayedinourday,andindimLondonstreetsinsteadofamidstthevineyardsandtheolivegardens.WeknowwhathappenedtothosewhochancedtomeettheGreatGodPan,andthosewhoarewiseknowthatallsymbolsaresymbolsofsomething,notofnothing.Itwas,indeed,anexquisitesymbolbeneathwhichmenlongagoveiledtheirknowledgeofthemostawful,mostsecretforceswhichlieattheheartofallthings;forcesbeforewhichthesoulsofmenmustwitheranddieandblacken,astheirbodiesblackenundertheelectriccurrent.Suchforcescannotbenamed,cannotbespoken,cannotbeimaginedexceptunderaveilandasymbol,asymboltothemostofusappearingaquaint,poeticfancy,tosomeafoolishtale.ButyouandI,atallevents,haveknownsomethingofthe

terrorthatmaydwellinthesecretplaceoflife,manifestedunderhumanflesh;thatwhichiswithoutformtakingtoitselfaform.Oh,Austin,howcanitbe?Howisitthattheverysunlightdoesnotturntoblacknessbeforethisthing,thehardearthmeltandboilbeneathsuchaburden?"

Villierswaspacingupanddowntheroom,andthebeadsofsweatstoodoutonhisforehead.Austinsatsilentforawhile,butVillierssawhimmakeasignuponhisbreast.

"Isayagain,Villiers,youwillsurelyneverentersuchahouseasthat?Youwouldneverpassoutalive."

"Yes,Austin,Ishallgooutalive--I,andClarkewithme."

"Whatdoyoumean?Youcannot,youwouldnotdare..."

"Waitamoment.Theairwasverypleasantandfreshthismorning;therewasabreezeblowing,eventhroughthisdullstreet,andIthoughtIwouldtakeawalk.Piccadillystretchedbeforemeaclear,brightvista,andthesunflashedonthecarriagesandonthequiveringleavesinthepark.Itwasajoyousmorning,andmenandwomenlookedattheskyandsmiledastheywentabouttheirworkortheirpleasure,


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andthewindblewasblithelyasuponthemeadowsandthescentedgorse.ButsomehoworotherIgotoutofthebustleandthegaiety,andfoundmyselfwalkingslowlyalongaquiet,dullstreet,wherethereseemedtobenosunshineandnoair,andwherethefewfoot-passengersloiteredastheywalked,andhungindecisivelyaboutcornersandarchways.Iwalkedalong,hardlyknowingwhereIwasgoingorwhatIdidthere,butfeelingimpelled,asonesometimesis,toexplorestillfurther,withavagueideaofreachingsomeunknowngoal.ThusIforgedupthestreet,notingthesmalltrafficofthemilk-shop,andwonderingattheincongruousmedleyofpennypipes,blacktobacco,sweets,newspapers,andcomicsongswhichhereandtherejostledoneanotherintheshortcompassofasinglewindow.IthinkitwasacoldshudderthatsuddenlypassedthroughmethatfirsttoldmethatIhadfoundwhatIwanted.Ilookedupfromthepavementandstoppedbeforeadustyshop,abovewhichtheletteringhadfaded,wheretheredbricksoftwohundredyearsagohadgrimedtoblack;wherethewindowshadgatheredtothemselvesthedustofwintersinnumerable.IsawwhatIrequired;butIthinkitwasfiveminutesbeforeIhadsteadiedmyselfandcouldwalkinandaskforitinacoolvoiceandwithacalmface.Ithinktheremusteventhenhavebeenatremorinmywords,fortheoldmanwhocameoutofthebackparlour,andfumbledslowlyamongsthisgoods,lookedoddlyatmeashetiedtheparcel.Ipaidwhatheasked,andstoodleaningbythecounter,withastrangereluctancetotakeupmygoodsandgo.Iaskedaboutthebusiness,andlearntthat

tradewasbadandtheprofitscutdownsadly;butthenthestreetwasnotwhatitwasbeforetraffichadbeendiverted,butthatwasdonefortyyearsago,'justbeforemyfatherdied,'hesaid.Igotawayatlast,andwalkedalongsharply;itwasadismalstreetindeed,andIwasgladtoreturntothebustleandthenoise.Wouldyouliketoseemypurchase?"

Austinsaidnothing,butnoddedhisheadslightly;hestilllookedwhiteandsick.Villierspulledoutadrawerinthebambootable,andshowedAustinalongcoilofcord,hardandnew;andatoneendwasarunningnoose.

"Itisthebesthempencord,"saidVilliers,"justasitusedtobe

madefortheoldtrade,themantoldme.Notaninchofjutefromendtoend."

Austinsethisteethhard,andstaredatVilliers,growingwhiterashelooked.

"Youwouldnotdoit,"hemurmuredatlast."Youwouldnothavebloodonyourhands.MyGod!"heexclaimed,withsuddenvehemence,"youcannotmeanthis,Villiers,thatyouwillmakeyourselfahangman?"

"No.Ishallofferachoice,andleaveHelenVaughanalonewiththiscordinalockedroomforfifteenminutes.Ifwhenwegoinitisnotdone,Ishallcallthenearestpoliceman.Thatisall."

"Imustgonow.Icannotstayhereanylonger;Icannotbearthis.Good-night."

"Good-night,Austin."

Thedoorshut,butinamomentitwasopenagain,andAustinstood,whiteandghastly,intheentrance.

"Iwasforgetting,"hesaid,"thatItoohavesomethingtotell.I


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havereceivedaletterfromDr.HardingofBuenosAyres.HesaysthatheattendedMeyrickforthreeweeksbeforehisdeath."

"Anddoeshesaywhatcarriedhimoffintheprimeoflife?Itwasnotfever?"

"No,itwasnotfever.Accordingtothedoctor,itwasanuttercollapseofthewholesystem,probablycausedbysomesevereshock.Buthestatesthatthepatientwouldtellhimnothing,andthathewasconsequentlyatsomedisadvantageintreatingthecase."

"Isthereanythingmore?"

"Yes.Dr.Hardingendshisletterbysaying:'IthinkthisisalltheinformationIcangiveyouaboutyourpoorfriend.HehadnotbeenlonginBuenosAyres,andknewscarcelyanyone,withtheexceptionofapersonwhodidnotbearthebestofcharacters,andhassinceleft--aMrs.Vaughan.'"

VIII

THEFRAGMENTS

[Amongstthepapersofthewell-knownphysician,Dr.RobertMatheson,ofAshleyStreet,Piccadilly,whodiedsuddenly,ofapoplecticseizure,atthebeginningof1892,aleafofmanuscriptpaperwasfound,coveredwithpenciljottings.ThesenoteswereinLatin,muchabbreviated,andhadevidentlybeenmadeingreathaste.TheMS.wasonlydecipheredwithdifficulty,andsomewordshaveuptothepresenttimeevadedalltheeffortsoftheexpertemployed.Thedate,"XXVJul.1888,"iswrittenontheright-handcorneroftheMS.ThefollowingisatranslationofDr.Matheson'smanuscript.]

"Whethersciencewouldbenefitbythesebriefnotesiftheycouldbepublished,Idonotknow,butratherdoubt.ButcertainlyIshall

nevertaketheresponsibilityofpublishingordivulgingonewordofwhatisherewritten,notonlyonaccountofmyoathgivenfreelytothosetwopersonswhowerepresent,butalsobecausethedetailsaretooabominable.Itisprobablythat,uponmatureconsideration,andafterweightingthegoodandevil,Ishallonedaydestroythispaper,oratleastleaveitundersealtomyfriendD.,trustinginhisdiscretion,touseitortoburnit,ashemaythinkfit.

"Aswasbefitting,IdidallthatmyknowledgesuggestedtomakesurethatIwassufferingundernodelusion.Atfirstastounded,Icouldhardlythink,butinaminute'stimeIwassurethatmypulsewassteadyandregular,andthatIwasinmyrealandtruesenses.Ithenfixedmyeyesquietlyonwhatwasbeforeme.

"Thoughhorrorandrevoltingnausearoseupwithinme,andanodourofcorruptionchokedmybreath,Iremainedfirm.Iwasthenprivilegedoraccursed,Idarenotsaywhich,toseethatwhichwasonthebed,lyingthereblacklikeink,transformedbeforemyeyes.Theskin,andtheflesh,andthemuscles,andthebones,andthefirmstructureofthehumanbodythatIhadthoughttobeunchangeable,andpermanentasadamant,begantomeltanddissolve.

"Iknowthatthebodymaybeseparatedintoitselementsbyexternal


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agencies,butIshouldhaverefusedtobelievewhatIsaw.Forheretherewassomeinternalforce,ofwhichIknewnothing,thatcauseddissolutionandchange.

"Heretoowasalltheworkbywhichmanhadbeenmaderepeatedbeforemyeyes.Isawtheformwaverfromsextosex,dividingitselffromitself,andthenagainreunited.ThenIsawthebodydescendtothebeastswhenceitascended,andthatwhichwasontheheightsgodowntothedepths,eventotheabyssofallbeing.Theprincipleoflife,whichmakesorganism,alwaysremained,whiletheoutwardformchanged.

"Thelightwithintheroomhadturnedtoblackness,notthedarknessofnight,inwhichobjectsareseendimly,forIcouldseeclearlyandwithoutdifficulty.Butitwasthenegationoflight;objectswerepresentedtomyeyes,ifImaysayso,withoutanymedium,insuchamannerthatiftherehadbeenaprismintheroomIshouldhaveseennocoloursrepresentedinit.

"Iwatched,andatlastIsawnothingbutasubstanceasjelly.Thentheladderwasascendedagain...[heretheMS.isillegible]...foroneinstanceIsawaForm,shapedindimnessbeforeme,whichIwillnotfartherdescribe.Butthesymbolofthisformmaybeseeninancientsculptures,andinpaintingswhichsurvivedbeneaththelava,toofoultobespokenof...asahorribleandunspeakableshape,neithermannor

beast,waschangedintohumanform,therecamefinallydeath.

"Iwhosawallthis,notwithoutgreathorrorandloathingofsoul,herewritemyname,declaringallthatIhavesetonthispapertobetrue.

"ROBERTMATHESON,Med.Dr."

*****

...Such,Raymond,isthestoryofwhatIknowandwhatIhaveseen.Theburdenofitwastooheavyformetobearalone,andyetIcouldtellittononebutyou.Villiers,whowaswithmeatthelast,knows

nothingofthatawfulsecretofthewood,ofhowwhatwebothsawdie,layuponthesmooth,sweetturfamidstthesummerflowers,halfinsunandhalfinshadow,andholdingthegirlRachel'shand,calledandsummonedthosecompanions,andshapedinsolidform,upontheearthwetreadupon,thehorrorwhichwecanbuthintat,whichwecanonlynameunderafigure.IwouldnottellVilliersofthis,norofthatres

the great god pan book utf-8

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