Add files from ibiblio as of 2025-03-08 19:27:02HEADmain

1 files changed, 5095 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/40848-0.txt b/40848-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54f5283
--- /dev/null
+++ b/40848-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,5095 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40848 ***
+
+Transcriber's Note: The use of [oe] is a representation of the oe
+ligature.
+
+
+
+
+     THE GULLY OF BLUEMANSDYKE,
+     AND OTHER STORIES.
+
+
+     A small Edition of this Book was published
+     in 1889, under the Title of "Mysteries and
+     Adventures."
+
+
+     THE GULLY OF
+
+     BLUEMANSDYKE,
+
+     AND OTHER STORIES.
+
+
+     By A. CONAN DOYLE,
+
+
+     _Author of "Micah Clarke," "The White Company,"
+     "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," &c._
+
+
+     LONDON:
+     WALTER SCOTT, LTD., 24 WARWICK LANE,
+     PATERNOSTER ROW
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+                                          PAGE
+
+     THE GULLY OF BLUEMANSDYKE               7
+
+     THE PARSON OF JACKMAN'S GULCH          50
+
+     MY FRIEND THE MURDERER                 79
+
+     THE SILVER HATCHET                    114
+
+     THE MAN FROM ARCHANGEL                144
+
+     THAT LITTLE SQUARE BOX                188
+
+     A NIGHT AMONG THE NIHILISTS           226
+
+
+
+
+_THE GULLY OF BLUEMANSDYKE._
+
+A TRUE COLONIAL STORY.
+
+
+Broadhurst's store was closed, but the little back room looked very
+comfortable that night. The fire cast a ruddy glow on ceiling and walls,
+reflecting itself cheerily on the polished flasks and shot-guns which
+adorned them. Yet a gloom rested on the two men who sat at either side
+of the hearth, which neither the fire nor the black bottle upon the
+table could alleviate.
+
+"Twelve o'clock," said old Tom, the storeman glancing up at the wooden
+timepiece which had come out with him in '42. "It's a queer thing,
+George, they haven't come."
+
+"It's a dirty night," said his companion, reaching out his arm for a
+plug of tobacco. "The Wawirra's in flood, maybe; or maybe their horses
+is broke down; or they've put it off, perhaps. Great Lord, how it
+thunders! Pass us over a coal, Tom."
+
+He spoke in a tone which was meant to appear easy, but with a painful
+thrill in it which was not lost upon his mate. He glanced uneasily at
+him from under his grizzled eyebrows.
+
+"You think it's all right, George?" he said, after a pause.
+
+"Think what's all right?"
+
+"Why, that the lads are safe."
+
+"Safe! Of course they're safe. What the devil is to harm them?"
+
+"Oh, nothing; nothing, to be sure," said old Tom. "You see, George,
+since the old woman died, Maurice has been all to me; and it makes me
+kinder anxious. It's a week since they started from the mine, and you'd
+ha' thought they'd be here now. But it's nothing unusual, I s'pose;
+nothing at all. Just my darned folly."
+
+"What's to harm them?" repeated George Hutton again, arguing to convince
+himself rather than his comrade. "It's a straight road from the diggin's
+to Rathurst, and then through the hills past Bluemansdyke, and over the
+Wawirra by the ford, and so down to Trafalgar by the bush track.
+There's nothin' deadly in all that, is there? My son Allan's as dear to
+me as Maurice can be to you, mate," he continued; "but they know the
+ford well, and there's no other bad place. They'll be here to-morrow
+night, certain."
+
+"Please God they may!" said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into
+silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire, and
+pulling at their short clays.
+
+It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night. The wind was howling
+down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and
+eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in
+the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed
+the roofs. The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers
+from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and
+staggered home through the wind and rain towards their own cabins.
+
+The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at
+ease.
+
+"Say, George," he said, "what's become of Josiah Mapleton?"
+
+"Went to the diggin's."
+
+"Ay; but he sent word he was coming back."
+
+"But he never came."
+
+"An' what's become of Jos Humphrey?" he resumed, after a pause.
+
+"He went diggin', too."
+
+"Well, did he come back?"
+
+"Drop it, Broadhurst; drop it, I say," said Hutton, springing to his
+feet and pacing up and down the narrow room. "You're trying to make a
+coward of me! You know the men must have gone up country prospectin' or
+farmin', maybe. What is it to us where they went? You don't think I have
+a register of every man in the colony, as Inspector Burton has of the
+lags."
+
+"Sit down, George, and listen," said old Tom. "There's something queer
+about that road; something I don't understand, and don't like. Maybe you
+remember how Maloney, the one-eyed scoundrel, made his money in the
+early mining days. He'd a half-way drinking shanty on the main road up
+on a kind of bluff, where the Lena comes down from the hills. You've
+heard, George, how they found a sort of wooden slide from his little
+back room down to the river; an' how it came out that man after man had
+had his drink doctored, and been shot down that into eternity, like a
+bale of goods. No one will ever know how many were done away with there.
+_They_ were all supposed to be farmin' and prospectin', and the like,
+till their bodies were picked out of the rapids. It's no use mincing
+matters, George; we'll have the troopers along to the diggin's if those
+lads don't turn up by to-morrow night."
+
+"As you like, Tom," said Hutton.
+
+"By the way, talking of Maloney--it's a strange thing," said Broadhurst,
+"that Jack Haldane swears he saw a man as like Maloney with ten years
+added to him as could be. It was in the bush on Monday morning. Chance,
+I suppose; but you'd hardly think there could be two pair of shoulders
+in the world carrying such villainous mugs on the top of them."
+
+"Jack Haldane's a fool," growled Hutton, throwing open the door and
+peering anxiously out into the darkness, while the wind played with his
+long grizzled beard, and sent a train of glowing sparks from his pipe
+down the street.
+
+"A terrible night!" he said, as he turned back towards the fire.
+
+Yes, a wild, tempestuous night; a night for birds of darkness and for
+beasts of prey. A strange night for seven men to lie out in the gully at
+Bluemansdyke, with revolvers in their hands, and the devil in their
+hearts.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The sun was rising after the storm. A thick, heavy steam reeked up from
+the saturated ground, and hung like a pall over the flourishing little
+town of Trafalgar. A bluish mist lay in wreaths over the wide track of
+bushland around, out of which the western mountains loomed like great
+islands in a sea of vapour.
+
+Something was wrong in the town. The most casual glance would have
+detected that. There was a shouting and a hurrying of feet. Doors were
+slammed and rude windows thrown open. A trooper of police came
+clattering down with his carbine unslung. It was past the time for Joe
+Buchan's saw-mill to commence work, but the great wheel was motionless,
+for the hands had not appeared.
+
+There was a surging, pushing crowd in the main street before old Tom
+Broadhurst's house, and a mighty clattering of tongues. "What was it?"
+demanded the new-comers, panting and breathless. "Broadhurst has shot
+his mate." "He has cut his own throat." "He has struck gold in the clay
+floor of his kitchen." "No; it was his son Maurice who had come home
+rich." "Who had not come back at all." "Whose horse had come back
+without him." At last the truth had come out; and there was the old
+sorrel horse in question whinnying and rubbing his neck against the
+familiar door of the stable, as if entreating entrance; while two
+haggard, grey-haired men held him by either bridle, and gazed blankly at
+his reeking sides.
+
+"God help me," said old Tom Broadhurst; "it is as I feared!"
+
+"Cheer up, mate," said Hutton, drawing his rough straw hat down over his
+brow. "There's hope yet."
+
+A sympathetic and encouraging murmur ran through the crowd.
+
+"Horse ran away, likely."
+
+"Or been stolen."
+
+"Or he's swum the Wawirra an' been washed off," suggested one Job's
+comforter.
+
+"He ain't got no marks of bruising," said another, more hopeful.
+
+"Rider fallen off drunk, maybe," said a bluff old sheep-farmer. "I kin
+remember," he continued, "coming into town 'bout this hour myself, with
+my head in my holster, an' thinking I was a six-chambered
+revolver--mighty drunk I was."
+
+"Maurice had a good seat; he'd never be washed off."
+
+"Not he."
+
+"The horse has a weal on its off fore-quarter," remarked another, more
+observant than the rest.
+
+"A blow from a whip, maybe."
+
+"It would be a darned hard one."
+
+"Where's Chicago Bill?" said someone; "he'll know."
+
+Thus invoked, a strange, gaunt figure stepped out in front of the crowd.
+He was an extremely tall and powerful man, with the red shirt and high
+boots of a miner. The shirt was thrown open, showing the sinewy throat
+and massive chest. His face was seamed and scarred with many a conflict,
+both with Nature and his brother man; yet beneath his ruffianly exterior
+there lay something of the quiet dignity of the gentleman. This man was
+a veteran gold-hunter; a real old Californian 'forty-niner, who had left
+the fields in disgust when private enterprise began to dwindle before
+the formation of huge incorporated companies with their ponderous
+machinery. But the red clay with the little shining points had become to
+him as the very breath of his nostrils, and he had come half-way round
+the world to seek it once again.
+
+"Here's Chicago Bill," he said; "what is it?"
+
+Bill was naturally regarded as an oracle, in virtue of his prowess and
+varied experience. Every eye was turned on him as Braxton, the young
+Irish trooper of constabulary, said, "What do you make of the horse,
+Bill?"
+
+The Yankee was in no hurry to commit himself. He surveyed the animal for
+some time with his shrewd little grey eye. He bent and examined the
+girths; then he felt the mane carefully. He stooped once more and
+examined the hoofs and then the quarters. His eye rested on the blue
+wheal already mentioned. This seemed to put him on a scent, for he gave
+a long, low whistle, and proceeded at once to examine the hair on either
+side of the saddle. He saw something conclusive apparently, for, with a
+sidelong glance under his shaggy eyebrows at the two old men beside him,
+he turned and fell back among the crowd.
+
+"Well, what d'ye think?" cried a dozen voices.
+
+"A job for you," said Bill, looking up at the young Irish trooper.
+
+"Why, what is it? What's become of young Broadhurst?"
+
+"He's done what better men has done afore. He has sunk a shaft for gold
+and panned out a coffin."
+
+"Speak out, man! what have you seen?" cried a husky voice.
+
+"I've seen the graze of a bushranger's bullet on the horse's quarter,
+an' I've seen a drop of the rider's blood on the edge of the
+saddle--Here, hold the old man up, boys; don't let him drop. Give him a
+swig of brandy an' lead him inside. Say," he continued, in a whisper,
+gripping the trooper by the wrist, "mind, I'm in it. You an' I play this
+hand together. I'm dead on sich varmin. We'll do as they do in Nevada,
+strike while the iron is hot. Get any men you can together. I s'pose
+you're game to come yourself?"
+
+"Yes, I'll come," said young Braxton, with a quiet smile.
+
+The American looked at him approvingly. He had learned in his wanderings
+that an Irishman who grows quieter when deeply stirred is a very
+dangerous specimen of the genus _homo_.
+
+"Good lad!" he muttered; and the two went down the street together
+towards the station-house, followed by half-a-dozen of the more resolute
+of the crowd.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+One word before we proceed with our story, or our chronicle rather, as
+every word of it is based upon fact. The colonial trooper of fifteen or
+twenty years ago was a very different man from his representative of
+to-day. Not that I would imply any slur upon the courage of the latter;
+but for reckless dare-devilry and knight-errantry the old constabulary
+has never been equalled. The reason is a simple one. Men of gentle
+blood, younger sons and wild rakes who had outrun the constable, were
+sent off to Australia with some wild idea of making their fortunes. On
+arriving they found Melbourne by no means the El Dorado they expected;
+they were unfit for any employment, their money was soon dissipated, and
+they unerringly gravitated into the mounted police. Thus a sort of
+colonial "Maison Rouge" became formed, where the lowest private had as
+much pride of birth and education as his officers. They were men who
+might have swayed the fate of empires, yet who squandered away their
+lives in many a lone wild fight with native and bushranger, where
+nothing but a mouldering blue-ragged skeleton was left to tell the tale.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a glorious sunset. The whole western sky was a blaze of flame,
+throwing a purple tint upon the mountains, and gilding the sombre edges
+of the great forest which spreads between Trafalgar and the river
+Wawirra. It stretched out, a primeval, unbroken wilderness, save at the
+one point where a rough track had been formed by the miners and their
+numerous camp-followers. This wound amid the great trunks in a zigzag
+direction, occasionally making a long detour to avoid some marshy hollow
+or especially dense clump of vegetation. Often it could be hardly
+discerned from the ground around save by the scattered hoof-marks and an
+occasional rut.
+
+About fifteen miles from Trafalgar there stands a little knoll, well
+sheltered and overlooking the road. On this knoll a man was lying as the
+sun went down that Friday evening. He appeared to shun observation, for
+he had chosen that part in which the foliage was thickest; yet he seemed
+decidedly at his ease, as he lolled upon his back with his pipe between
+his teeth, and a broad hat down over his face. It was a face that it was
+well to cover in the presence of so peaceful a scene--a face pitted with
+the scars of an immaterial smallpox. The forehead was broad and low; one
+eye had apparently been gouged out, leaving a ghastly cavity; the other
+was deep-set, cunning, and vindictive. The mouth was hard and cruel; a
+rough beard covered the chin. It was the cut of face which, seen in a
+lonely street, would instinctively make one shift the grasp of one's
+stick from the knob end to the ferrule--the face of a bold and
+unscrupulous man.
+
+Some unpleasing thought seemed to occur to him, for he rose with a curse
+and knocked the ashes out of his pipe. "A darned fine thing," he
+muttered, "that I should have to lie out like this! It was Barrett's
+fault the job wasn't a clean one, an' now he picks me out to get the
+swamp-fever. If he'd shot the horse as I did the man, we wouldn't need a
+watch on this side of the Wawirra. He always was a poor white-livered
+cuss. Well," he continued, picking up a gun which lay in the grass
+behind him, "there's no use my waiting longer; they wouldn't start
+during the night. Maybe the horse never got home, maybe they gave them
+up as drowned; anyhow it's another man's turn to-morrow, so I'll just
+give them five minutes and then make tracks." He sat down on the stump
+of a tree as he spoke and hummed the verse of a song. A sudden thought
+seemed to strike him, for he plunged his hand into his pocket, and after
+some searching extracted a pack of playing cards wrapped in a piece of
+dirty brown paper. He gazed earnestly at their greasy faces for some
+time. Then he took a pin from his sleeve and pricked a small hole in the
+corner of each ace and knave. He chuckled as he shuffled them up, and
+replaced them in his pocket. "I'll have my share of the swag," he
+growled. "They're sharp, but they'll not spot that when the liquor is in
+them. By the Lord, here they are!"
+
+He had sprung to his feet and was bending to the ground, holding his
+breath as he listened. To the unpractised ear all was as still as
+before--the hum of a passing insect, the chirp of a bird, the rustle of
+the leaves; but the bushranger rose with the air of a man who has
+satisfied himself. "Good-bye to Bluemansdyke," said he; "I reckon it
+will be too hot to hold us for a time. That thundering idiot! he's
+spoilt as nice a lay as ever was, an' risked our necks into the bargain.
+I'll see their number an' who they are, though," he continued; and,
+choosing a point where a rough thicket formed an effectual screen, he
+coiled himself up, and lay like some venomous snake, occasionally
+raising his head and peering between the trunks at the reddish streak
+which marked the Trafalgar Road.
+
+There could be no question now as to the approach of a body of horsemen.
+By the time our friend was fairly ensconced in his hiding-place the
+sound of voices and the clatter of hoofs was distinctly audible, and in
+another moment a troop of mounted men came sweeping round the curve of
+the road. They were eleven all told, armed to the teeth, and evidently
+well on the alert. Two rode in front with rifles unslung, leisurely
+scanning every bush which might shelter an enemy. The main body kept
+about fifty yards behind them, while a solitary horseman brought up the
+rear. The ranger scanned them narrowly as they passed. He seemed to
+recognise most of them. Some were his natural enemies the troopers; the
+majority were miners who had volunteered to get rid of an evil which
+affected their interests so closely. They were a fine bronzed set of
+men, with a deliberate air about them, as if they had come for a purpose
+and meant to attain it. As the last rider passed before his hiding-place
+the solitary watcher started and growled a curse in his beard. "I know
+his darned face," he said; "it's Bill Hanker, the man who got the drop
+on Long Nat Smeaton in Silver City in '53; what the thunder brought him
+here? I must be off by the back track, though, an' let the boys know."
+So saying, he picked up his gun, and with a scowl after the distant
+party, he crouched down and passed rapidly and silently out of sight
+into the very thickest part of the bush.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The expedition had started from Trafalgar on the afternoon of the same
+day that Maurice Broadhurst's horse, foam-flecked and frightened, had
+galloped up to the old stable-door. Burton, the inspector of
+constabulary, an energetic and able man, as all who knew him can
+testify, was in command. He had detached Braxton, the young Irishman,
+and Thompson, another trooper, as a vanguard. He himself rode with the
+main body, grey-whiskered and lean, but as straight in the back as when
+he and I built a shanty in '39 in what is now Burke Street, Melbourne.
+With him were McGillivray, Foley, and Anson of the Trafalgar force,
+Hartley the sheep-farmer, Murdoch and Summerville, who had made their
+pile at the mines, and Dan Murphy, who was cleaned out when the clay of
+the "Orient" turned to gravel, and had been yearning for a solid square
+fight ever since. Chicago Bill formed the rear-guard, and the whole
+party presented an appearance which, though far from military, was
+decidedly warlike.
+
+They camped out that night seventeen miles from Trafalgar, and next day
+pushed on as far as where the Stirling Road runs across. The third
+morning brought them to the northern bank of the Wawirra, which they
+forded. Here a council of war was held, for they were entering what
+they regarded as enemy's country. The bush track, though wild, was
+occasionally traversed both by shepherds and sportsmen. It would hardly
+be the home of a gang of desperate bushrangers. But beyond the Wawirra
+the great rugged range of the Tápu mountains towered up to the clouds,
+and across a wild spur of these the mining track passed up to
+Bluemansdyke. It was here they decided at the council that the scene of
+the late drama lay. The question now was what means were to be taken to
+attack the murderers; for that murder had been done no man doubted.
+
+All were of one mind as to what the main line of action should be. To go
+for them straight, shoot as many as possible on sight, and hang the
+balance in Trafalgar: that was plain sailing. But how to get at them was
+the subject of much debate. The troopers were for pushing on at once,
+and trusting to Fortune to put the rangers in their way. The miners
+proposed rather to gain some neighbouring peak, from which a good view
+of the country could be obtained, and some idea gained of their
+whereabouts. Chicago Bill took rather a gloomy view of things. "Nary
+one will we see," said he; "they've dusted out of the district 'fore
+this. They'd know the horse would go home, and likely as not they've had
+a watch on the road to warn them. I guess, boys, we'd best move on an'
+do our best." There was some discussion, but Chicago's opinion carried
+the day, and the expedition pushed on in a body.
+
+After passing the second upland station the scenery becomes more and
+more grand and rugged. Great peaks two and three thousand feet high rose
+sheer up at each side of the narrow track. The heavy wind and rain of
+the storm had brought down much _débris_, and the road was almost
+impassable in places. They were frequently compelled to dismount and to
+lead the horses. "We haven't far now, boys," said the inspector
+cheerily, as they struggled on; and he pointed to a great dark cleft
+which yawned in front of them between two almost perpendicular cliffs.
+"They are there," he said, "or nowhere." A little higher the road became
+better and their progress was more rapid. A halt was called, guns were
+unslung, and their pistols loosened in their belts, for the great gully
+of Bluemansdyke--the wildest part of the whole Tápu range--was gaping
+before them. But not a thing was to be seen; all was as still as the
+grave. The horses were picketed in a quiet little ravine, and the whole
+party crept on on foot. The Southern sun glared down hot and clear on
+the yellow bracken and banks of fern which lined the narrow winding
+track. Still not a sign of life. Then came a clear low whistle from the
+two advanced troopers, announcing that something had been discovered,
+and the main body hurried up. It was a spot for deeds of blood. On one
+side of the road there lowered a black gnarled precipice, on the other
+was the sullen mouth of the rugged gully. The road took a sharp turn at
+this spot. Just at the angle several large boulders were scattered,
+lining and overlooking the track. It was at this angle that a little bed
+of mud and trampled red clay betokened a recent struggle. There could be
+no question that they were at the scene of the murder of the two young
+miners. The outline of a horse could still be seen in the soft ground,
+and the prints of its hoofs as it kicked out in its death-agony were
+plainly marked. Behind one of the rocks were the tracks of several feet,
+and some pistol wadding was found in a tuft of ferns. The whole tragedy
+lay unclosed before them. Two men, careless in the pride of their youth
+and their strength, had swept round that fatal curve. Then a crash, a
+groan, a brutal laugh, the galloping of a frightened horse, and all was
+over.
+
+What was to be done now? The rocks around were explored, but nothing
+fresh discovered. Some six days had elapsed, and the birds were
+apparently flown. The party separated and hunted about among the
+boulders. Then the American, who could follow a trail like a bloodhound,
+found tracks leading towards a rugged pile of rocks on the north side of
+the gully. In a crevice here the remains of three horses were found.
+Close to them the rim of an old straw hat projected through the loose
+loam. Hartley, the sheep-farmer, sprang over to pick it up; he started
+back in the act of stooping, and said in an awe-struck whisper to his
+friend Murphy, "There's a head under it, Dan!" A few strokes of a spade
+disclosed a face familiar to most of the group--that of a poor
+travelling photographer well known in the colony by the _sobriquet_ of
+"Stooping Johnny," who had disappeared some time before. It was now in
+an advanced stage of putrefaction. Close to him another body was
+discovered, and another beside that. In all, thirteen victims of these
+English Thugs were lying under the shadow of the great north wall of the
+Bluemansdyke gully. It was there, standing in silent awe round the
+remains of these poor fellows, hurried into eternity and buried like
+dogs, that the search-party registered a vow to sacrifice all interests
+and comforts for the space of one month to the single consideration of
+revenge. The inspector uncovered his grizzled head as he solemnly swore
+it, and his comrades followed his example. The bodies were then, with a
+brief prayer, consigned to a deeper grave, a rough cairn was erected
+over them, and the eleven men set forth upon their mission of stern
+justice.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Three weeks had passed--three weeks and two days. The sun was sinking
+over the great waste of bushland, unexplored and unknown, which
+stretches away from the eastern slope of the Tápu mountains. Save some
+eccentric sportsman or bold prospector, no colonist had ever ventured
+into that desolate land; yet on this autumn evening two men were
+standing in a little glade in the very heart of it. They were engaged
+tying up their horses, and apparently making preparations for camping
+out for the night. Though haggard, unkempt, and worn, one still might
+recognise two of our former acquaintances--the young Irish trooper and
+the American Chicago Bill.
+
+This was the last effort of the avenging party. They had traversed the
+mountain gorges, they had explored every gully and ravine, and now they
+had split into several small bands, and, having named a trysting-place,
+they were scouring the country in the hope of hitting upon some trace of
+the murderers. Foley and Anson had remained among the hills, Murdoch and
+Dan Murphy were exploring towards Rathurst, Summerville and the
+inspector had ascended along the Wawirra, while the others in three
+parties were wandering through the eastern bushland.
+
+Both the trooper and the miner seemed dejected and weary. The one had
+set out with visions of glory, and hopes of a short cut to the coveted
+stripes which would put him above his fellows; the other had obeyed a
+rough wild sense of justice; and each was alike disappointed. The horses
+were picketed, and the men threw themselves heavily upon the ground.
+There was no need to light a fire; a few dampers and some rusty bacon
+were their whole provisions. Braxton produced them, and handed his share
+to his comrade. They ate their rough meal without a word. Braxton was
+the first to break the silence.
+
+"We're playing our last card," he said.
+
+"And a darned poor one at that," replied his comrade.
+
+"Why, mate," he continued, "if we did knock up agin these all-fired
+varmin, ye don't suppose you and I would go for them? I guess I'd up an'
+shove for Trafalgar first."
+
+Braxton smiled. Chicago's reckless courage was too well known in the
+colony for any words of his to throw a doubt upon it. Miners still tell
+how, during the first great rush in '52, a blustering ruffian, relying
+upon some similar remark of the pioneer's, had tried to establish a
+reputation by an unprovoked assault upon him; and the narrators then
+glide imperceptibly into an account of Bill's handsome conduct towards
+the widow--how he had given her his week's clean-up to start her in a
+drinking shanty. Braxton thought of this as he smiled at Chicago's
+remarks, and glanced at the massive limbs and weather-beaten face.
+
+"We'd best see where we are before it grows darker," he said; and
+rising, he stacked his gun against the trunk of a blue gum-tree, and
+seizing some of the creepers which hung down from it, began rapidly and
+silently to ascend it.
+
+"His soul's too big for his body," growled the American, as he watched
+the dark lithe figure standing out against the pale-blue evening sky.
+
+"What d'ye see, Jack?" he shouted; for the trooper had reached the
+topmost branch by this time, and was taking a survey of the country.
+
+"Bush, bush; nothing but bush," said the voice among the leaves. "Wait a
+bit, though; there's a kind of hill about three miles off away to the
+nor'-east. I see it above the trees right over there. Not much good to
+us, though," he continued, after a pause, "for it seems a barren, stony
+sort of place."
+
+Chicago paced about at the bottom of the tree.
+
+"He seems an almighty long time prospectin' it," he muttered, after ten
+minutes had elapsed. "Ah, here he is!" and the trooper came swinging
+down and landed panting just in front of him.
+
+"Why, what's come over him? What's the matter, Jack?"
+
+Something was the matter. That was very evident. There was a light in
+Braxton's blue eyes, and a flush on the pale cheek.
+
+"Bill," he said, putting his hand on his comrade's shoulder, "it's about
+time you made tracks for the settlements."
+
+"What d'ye mean?" said Chicago.
+
+"Why, I mean that the murderers are within a league of us, and that I
+intend going for them. There, don't be huffed, old man," he added; "of
+course I knew you were only joking. But they are there, Bill; I saw
+smoke on the top of that hill, and it wasn't good, honest smoke, mind
+you; it was dry-wood smoke, and meant to be hid. I thought it was mist
+at first; but no, it was smoke. I'll swear it. It could only be them:
+who else would camp on the summit of a desolate hill? We've got them,
+Bill; we have them as sure as Fate."
+
+"Or they've got us," growled the American. "But here, lad, here's my
+glass; run up and have a look at them."
+
+"It's too dark now," said Braxton; "we'll camp out to-night. No fear of
+them stirring. They're lying by there until the whole thing blows over,
+depend upon it; so we'll make sure of them in the morning."
+
+The miner looked plaintively up at the tree, and then down at his
+fourteen stone of solid muscle.
+
+"I guess I must take your word for it," he grumbled; "but you are
+bushman enough to tell smoke from mist, and a dry-wood fire from an open
+one. We can't do anything to-night till we feel our way, so I allow we'd
+best water the horses an' have a good night's rest."
+
+Braxton seemed to be of the same mind; so after a few minutes'
+preparation the two men wrapped themselves in their cloaks, and lay, two
+little dark spots, on the great green carpet of the primeval bush.
+
+With the first grey light of dawn Chicago sat up and roused his comrade.
+A heavy mist bung over the bushland. They could hardly see the loom of
+the trees across the little glade. Their clothes glistened with the
+little shining beads of moisture. They brushed each other down, and
+squatted in bush fashion over their rough breakfast. The haze seemed to
+be lifting a little now; they could see fifty yards in every direction.
+The miner paced up and down in silence, ruminating over a plug of
+"Barrett's twist." Braxton sat on a fallen tree sponging and oiling his
+revolver. Suddenly a single beam of sunshine played over the great blue
+gum. It widened and spread, and then in a moment the mist melted away,
+and the yellow leaves glowed like flakes of copper in the glare of the
+morning sun. Braxton cheerily snapped the lock of the pistol, loaded it,
+and replaced it in his belt. Chicago began to whistle, and stopped in
+the middle of his walk.
+
+"Now, young un," he said, "here's the glass."
+
+Braxton slung it round his neck, and ascended the tree as he had done
+the night before. It was child's-play to the trooper--a splendid
+climber, as I can testify; for I saw him two years later swarming up the
+topmost backstay of the _Hector_ frigate in a gale of wind for a bet of
+a bottle of wine. He soon reached the summit, and shuffling along a
+naked branch two hundred feet from the ground, he gained a point where
+no leaves could obstruct his view. Here he sat straddle-legged; and,
+unslinging the glass, he proceeded to examine the hill, bush by bush and
+stone by stone.
+
+An hour passed without his moving. Another had almost elapsed before he
+descended. His face was grave and thoughtful.
+
+"Are they there?" was the eager query.
+
+"Yes; they are there."
+
+"How many?"
+
+"I've only seen five; but there may be more. Wait till I think it out,
+Bill."
+
+The miner gazed at him with all the reverence matter has towards mind.
+Thinking things out was not his strong point.
+
+"Blamed if I can help you," he said apologetically. "It kinder don't
+come nat'ral to me to be plottin' and plannin'. Want o' eddication,
+likely. My father was allowed to be the hardest-headed man in the
+States. Judge Jeffers let on as how the old man wanted to hand in his
+checks; so he down an' put his head on the line when the first engine as
+ran from Vermont was comin' up. They fined him a hundred dollars for
+upsettin' that 'ere locomotive; an' the old man got the cussedest
+headache as ever was."
+
+Braxton hardly seemed to hear this family anecdote; he was deep in
+thought.
+
+"Look here, old man," said he; "sit down by me on the trunk and listen
+to what I say. Remember that you are here as a volunteer, Bill--you've
+no call to come; now, I am here in the course of duty. Your name is
+known through the settlement; you were a marked man when I was in the
+nursery. Now, Bill, it's a big thing I am going to ask you. If you and I
+go in and take these men, it will be another feather in your cap, and in
+yours only. What do men know of Jack Braxton, the private of police?
+He'd hardly be mentioned in the matter. Now, I want to make my name this
+day. We'll have to secure these men by a surprise after dusk, and it
+will be as easy for one resolute man to do it as for two; perhaps
+easier, for there is less chance of detection. Bill, I want you to stay
+with the horses, and let me go alone."
+
+Chicago sprang to his feet with a snarl of indignation, and paced up and
+down in front of the fallen trees. Then he seemed to master himself, for
+he sat down again.
+
+"They'd chaw you up, lad," he said, putting his hand on Braxton's
+shoulder. "It wouldn't wash."
+
+"Not they," said the trooper. "I'd take your pistol as well as my own,
+and I'd need a deal of chawing."
+
+"My character would be ruined," said Bill.
+
+"It's beyond the reach of calumny. You can afford to give me one fair
+chance."
+
+Bill buried his face in his hands, and thought a little.
+
+"Well, lad," he said, looking up, "I'll look after the horses."
+
+Braxton wrung him by the hand. "There are few men would have done it,
+Bill; you are a friend worth having. Now, we'll spend our day as best we
+can, old man, and lie close till evening; for I won't start till an hour
+after dusk; so we have plenty of time on our hands."
+
+The day passed slowly. The trooper lay among the mosses below the great
+blue gum in earnest thought. Once or twice he imagined he heard the
+subterranean chuckle and slap of the thigh which usually denoted
+amusement on the part of the miner; but on glancing up at that
+individual, the expression of his face was so solemn, not to say
+funereal, that it was evidently an illusion. They partook of their
+scanty dinner and supper cheerfully and with hearty appetites. The
+former listlessness had given place to briskness and activity, now that
+their object was in view. Chicago blossomed out into many strange
+experiences and racy reminiscences of Western life. The hours passed
+rapidly and cheerily. The trooper produced a venerable pack of cards
+from his holster and proposed euchre; but their gregariousness, and the
+general difficulty of distinguishing the king of clubs from the ace of
+hearts, exercised a depressing influence upon the players. Gradually the
+sun went down on the great wilderness. The shadow fell on the little
+glade, while the distant hill was still tipped with gold; then that too
+became purplish, a star twinkled over the Tápu range, and night crept
+over the scene.
+
+"Good-bye, old man," said Braxton. "I won't take my carbine; it would
+only be in the way. I can't thank you enough for letting me have this
+chance. If they wipe me out, Bill, you'll not lose sight of them, I
+know; and you'll say I died like a man. I've got no friends and no
+message, and nothing in the world but this pack of cards. Keep them,
+Bill; they were a fine pack in '51. If you see a smoke on the hill in
+the morning you'll know all's well, and you'll bring up the horses at
+once. If you don't, you'll ride to Fallen Pine, where we were to
+meet,--ride day and night, Bill,--tell Inspector Burton that you know
+where the rangers are, that Private Braxton is dead, and that he said
+he was to bring up his men, else he'd come back from the grave and lead
+them up himself. Do that, Bill. Good-bye."
+
+A great quiet rested over the heart of that desolate woodland. The croak
+of a frog, the gurgle of a little streamlet half hidden in the long
+grass--no other sound. Then a wakeful jay gave a shrill chatter, another
+joined, and another; a bluefinch screamed; a wombat rushed past to gain
+its burrow. Something had disturbed them; yet all was apparently as
+peaceful as before. Had you been by the jay's nest, however, and peered
+downwards, you would have seen something gliding like a serpent through
+the brushwood, and caught a glimpse, perhaps, of a pale, resolute face,
+and the glint of a pocket-compass pointing north-by-east.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a long and weary night for Trooper Braxton. Any moment he might
+come on an outpost of the rangers, so every step had to be taken slowly
+and with care. But he was an experienced woodman, and hardly a twig
+snapped as he crawled along. A morass barred his progress, and he was
+compelled to make a long detour. Then he found himself in thick
+brushwood, and once more had to go out of his way. It was very dark here
+in the depth of the forest. There was a heavy smell, and a dense steam
+laden with miasma rose from the ground. In the dim light he saw strange
+creeping things around him. A bushmaster writhed across the path in
+front of him, a cold, dank lizard crawled over his hand as he crouched
+down; but the trooper thought only of the human reptiles in front, and
+made steadily for his goal. Once he seemed to be pursued by some animal;
+he heard a creaking behind him, but it ceased when he stopped and
+listened, so he continued his way.
+
+It was when he reached the base of the hill which he had seen from the
+distance that the real difficulty of his undertaking began. It was
+almost conical in shape, and very steep. The sides were covered with
+loose stones and an occasional large boulder. One false step here would
+send a shower of these tell-tale fragments clattering down the hill. The
+trooper stripped off his high leather boots and turned up his trousers;
+then he began cautiously to climb, cowering down behind every boulder.
+
+There was a little patch of light far away on the horizon, a very
+little grey patch, but it caused the figure of a man who was moving upon
+the crest of the hill to loom out dim and large. He was a sentry
+apparently, for he carried a gun under his arm. The top of the hill was
+formed by a little plateau about a hundred yards in circumference. Along
+the edge of this the man was pacing, occasionally stopping to peer down
+into the great dusky sea beneath him. From this raised edge the plateau
+curved down from every side, so as to form a crater-like depression. In
+the centre of this hollow stood a large white tent. Several horses were
+picketed around it, and the ground was littered with bundles of dried
+grass and harness. You could see these details now from the edge of the
+plateau, for the grey patch in the east had become white, and was
+getting longer and wider. You could see the sentry's face, too, as he
+paced round and round. A handsome, weak-minded face, with more of the
+fool than the devil impressed on it. He seemed cheerful, for the birds
+were beginning to sing, and their thousand voices rose from the bush
+below. He forgot the forged note, I think, and the dreary voyage, and
+the wild escape, and the dark gully away beyond the Tápu range; for his
+eye glistened, and he hummed a quaint little Yorkshire country air. He
+was back again in the West Riding village, and the rough boulder in
+front shaped itself into the hill behind which Nelly lived before he
+broke her heart, and he saw the ivied church that crowned it. He would
+have seen something else had he looked again--something which was not in
+his picture: a white passionless face which glared at him over the
+boulder, as he turned upon his heel, still singing, and unconscious that
+the bloodhounds of justice were close at his heels.
+
+The trooper's time for action had come. He had reached the last boulder;
+nothing lay between the plateau and himself but a few loose stones. He
+could hear the song of the sentry dying away in the distance; he drew
+his regulation sword, and, with his Adams in his left, he rose and
+sprang like a tiger over the ridge and down into the hollow.
+
+The sentry was startled from his dream of the past by a clatter and a
+rattling of stones. He sprang round and cocked his gun. No wonder that
+he gasped, and that a change passed over his bronzed face. A painter
+would need a dash of ultramarine in his flesh-tints to represent it
+now. No wonder, I say; for that dark active figure with the bare feet
+and the brass buttons meant disgrace and the gallows to him. He saw him
+spring across to the tent; he saw the gleam of a sword, and heard a
+crash as the tent-pole was severed, and the canvas came down with a run
+upon the heads of the sleepers. And then above oaths and shouts he heard
+a mellow Irish voice--"I've twelve shots in my hands. I have ye, every
+mother's son. Up with your arms! up, I say, before there is blood upon
+my soul. One move, and ye stand before the throne." Braxton had stooped
+and parted the doorway of the fallen tent, and was now standing over six
+ruffians who occupied it. They lay as they had wakened, but with their
+hands above their heads, for there was no resisting that quiet voice,
+backed up by the two black muzzles. They imagined they were surrounded
+and hopelessly outmatched. Not one of them dreamed that the whole
+attacking force stood before them. It was the sentry who first began to
+realise the true state of the case. There was no sound or sign of any
+reinforcement. He looked to see that the cap was pressed well down on
+the nipple, and crept towards the tent. He was a good shot, as many a
+keeper on Braidagarth and the Yorkshire fells could testify. He raised
+his gun to his shoulder. Braxton heard the click, but dared not remove
+his eye or his weapon from his six prisoners. The sentry looked along
+the sights. He knew his life depended upon that shot. There was more of
+the devil than the fool in his face now. He paused a moment to make sure
+of his aim, and then came a crash and the thud of a falling body.
+Braxton was still standing over the prisoners, but the sentry's gun was
+unfired, and he himself was writhing on the ground with a bullet through
+his lungs. "Ye see," said Chicago, as he rose from behind a rock with
+his gun still smoking in his hand, "it seemed a powerful mean thing to
+leave you, Jack; so I thought as I'd kinder drop around promiscus, and
+wade in if needed, which I was, as you can't deny. No, ye don't," he
+added, as the sentry stretched out his hand to grasp his fallen gun;
+"leave the wepin alone, young man; it ain't in your way as it lies
+there."
+
+"I'm a dead man!" groaned the ranger.
+
+"Then lie quiet like a respectable corpse," said the miner, "an' don't
+go a-squirmin' towards yer gun. That's ornary uneddicated conduct."
+
+"Come here, Bill," cried Braxton, "and bring the ropes those horses are
+picketed with. Now," he continued, as the American, having abstracted
+the sentry's gun, appeared with an armful of ropes, "you tie these
+fellows up, and I'll kill any man who moves."
+
+"A pleasant division of labour, eh, old Blatherskite," said Chicago,
+playfully tapping the one-eyed villain Maloney on the head. "Come on;
+the ugliest first!" So saying, he began upon him and fastened him
+securely.
+
+One after another the rangers were tied up; all except the wounded man,
+who was too helpless to need securing. Then Chicago went down and
+brought up the horses, while Braxton remained on guard; and by mid-day
+the cavalcade was in full march through the forest _en route_ for Fallen
+Pine, the rendezvous of the search-party. The wounded man was tied on to
+a horse in front, the other rangers followed on foot for safety, while
+the trooper and Chicago brought up the rear.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+There was a sad assemblage at Fallen Pine. One by one they had dropped
+in, tanned with the sun, torn by briers, weakened by the poisonous
+miasma of the marshlands, all with the same tale of privation and
+failure. Summerville and the inspector had fallen in with blacks above
+the upper ford, and had barely escaped with their lives. Troopers Foley
+and Anson were well, though somewhat gaunt from privation. Hartley had
+lost his horse from the bite of a bushmaster. Murdoch and Murphy had
+scoured the bush as far as Rathurst, but without success. All were
+dejected and weary. They only waited the arrival of two of their number
+to set out on their return to Trafalgar.
+
+It was mid-day, and the sun was beating down with a pitiless glare on
+the little clearing. The men were lying about on the shady side of the
+trunks, some smoking, some with their hats over their faces and half
+asleep. The horses were tethered here and there, looking as listless as
+their masters. Only the inspector's old charger seemed superior to the
+weather--a shrewd, _blasé_ old horse, that had seen the world, and was
+nearly as deeply versed in woodcraft as his master. As Chicago said,
+"Short of climbin' a tree, there weren't nothin' that horse couldn't
+do; an' it would make a darned good try at that if it was pushed." Old
+"Sawback" seemed ill at ease this afternoon. Twice he had pricked up his
+ears, and once he had raised his head as if to neigh, but paused before
+committing himself. The inspector looked at him curiously and put his
+meerschaum back into its case. Meerschaums were always a weakness of
+poor Jim Burton's. "Demme it, sir," I have heard him say, "a gentleman
+is known by his pipe. When he comes down in the world his pipe has most
+vitality." He put the case inside his uniform and went over to the
+horse. The ears were still twitching.
+
+"He hears something," said the inspector. "By Jove, so do I! Here, boys,
+jump up; there's a body of men coming!" Every man sprang to his horse's
+head. "I hear hoofs, and I hear the tramp of men on foot. They must be a
+large party. They're heading straight for us. Get under cover, boys, and
+have your guns loose." The men wheeled right and left, and in a very few
+moments the glade was deserted. Only the brown barrel of a gun here and
+there among the long grass and the ferns showed where they were
+crouching. "Steady, boys!" said Burton; "if they are enemies, don't fire
+till I give the word. Then one by one aim low, and let the smoke clear.
+Rangers, by Jove!" he added, as a horseman broke into the clearing some
+way down, with his head hanging down over his horse's neck. "More," he
+growled, as several men emerged from the bush at the same point. "By the
+living powers, they are taken! I see the ropes. Hurrah!" And next moment
+Braxton and Chicago were mobbed by nine shouting, dancing men, who
+pulled them and tugged at them, and slapped them on the back, and
+dragged them about in such a way, that Maloney whispered with a scowl--
+
+"If we'd had the grit to do as much, we'd have been free men this day!"
+
+And now our story is nearly done. We have chronicled a fact which we
+think is worthy of a wider circulation than the colonial drinking-bar
+and the sheep-farmer's fireside, for Trooper Braxton and his capture of
+the Bluemansdyke murderers have long been household words among our
+brothers in the England of the Southern seas.
+
+We need not detail that joyful ride to Trafalgar, nor the welcome, nor
+the attempt at lynching; nor how Maloney, the arch criminal, turned
+Queen's evidence, and so writhed away from the gallows. All that may be
+read in the colonial press more graphically than I can tell it. My
+friend Jack Braxton is an officer now, as his father was before him, and
+still in the Trafalgar force. Bill I saw last in '61, when he came over
+to London in charge of the barque of the _Wellingtonia_ for the
+International Exhibition. He is laying on flesh, I fear, since he took
+to sheep-farming; for he was barely brought up by seventeen stone, and
+his fighting weight used to be fourteen; but he looks well and hearty.
+Maloney was lynched in Placerville--at least so I heard. I had a letter
+last mail from the old inspector; he has left the police, and has a farm
+at Rathurst. I think, stout-hearted as he is, he must give a little bit
+of a shudder when he rides down to Trafalgar for the Thursday market,
+and comes round that sharp turn of the road where the boulders lie, and
+the furze looks so yellow against the red clay.
+
+
+
+
+_THE PARSON OF JACKMAN'S GULCH._
+
+
+He was known in the Gulch as the Reverend Elias B. Hopkins, but it was
+generally understood that the title was an honorary one, extorted by his
+many eminent qualities, and not borne out by any legal claim which he
+could adduce. "The Parson" was another of his _sobriquets_, which was
+sufficiently distinctive in a land where the flock was scattered and the
+shepherds few. To do him justice, he never pretended to have received
+any preliminary training for the ministry or any orthodox qualification
+to practise it. "We're all working in the claim of the Lord," he
+remarked one day, "and it don't matter a cent whether we're hired for
+the job or whether we waltzes in on our own account," a piece of rough
+imagery which appealed directly to the instincts of Jackman's Gulch. It
+is quite certain that during the first few months his presence had a
+marked effect in diminishing the excessive use both of strong drinks
+and of stronger adjectives which had been characteristic of the little
+mining settlement. Under his tuition, men began to understand that the
+resources of their native language were less limited than they had
+supposed, and that it was possible to convey their impressions with
+accuracy without the aid of a gaudy halo of profanity.
+
+We were certainly in need of a regenerator at Jackman's Gulch about the
+beginning of '53. Times were flush then over the whole colony, but
+nowhere flusher than there. Our material prosperity had had a bad effect
+upon our morals. The camp was a small one, lying rather better than a
+hundred and twenty miles to the south of Ballarat, at a spot where a
+mountain torrent finds its way down a rugged ravine on its way to join
+the Arrowsmith River. History does not relate who the original Jackman
+may have been, but at the time I speak of the camp it contained a
+hundred or so adults, many of whom were men who had sought an asylum
+there after making more civilised mining centres too hot to hold them.
+They were a rough, murderous crew, hardly leavened by the few
+respectable members of society who were scattered among them.
+
+Communication between Jackman's Gulch and the outside world was
+difficult and uncertain. A portion of the bush between it and Ballarat
+was infested by a redoubtable outlaw named Conky Jim, who, with a small
+gang as desperate as himself, made travelling a dangerous matter. It was
+customary, therefore, at the Gulch, to store up the dust and nuggets
+obtained from the mines in a special store, each man's share being
+placed in a separate bag on which his name was marked. A trusty man,
+named Woburn, was deputed to watch over this primitive bank. When the
+amount deposited became considerable, a waggon was hired, and the whole
+treasure was conveyed to Ballarat, guarded by the police and by a
+certain number of miners, who took it in turn to perform the office.
+Once in Ballarat, it was forwarded on to Melbourne by the regular gold
+waggons. By this plan, the gold was often kept for months in the Gulch
+before being despatched, but Conky Jim was effectually checkmated, as
+the escort party were far too strong for him and his gang. He appeared,
+at the time of which I write, to have forsaken his haunts in disgust,
+and the road could be traversed by small parties with impunity.
+
+Comparative order used to reign during the daytime at Jackman's Gulch,
+for the majority of the inhabitants were out with crowbar and pick among
+the quartz ledges, or washing clay and sand in their cradles by the
+banks of the little stream. As the sun sank down, however, the claims
+were gradually deserted, and their unkempt owners, clay-bespattered and
+shaggy, came lounging into camp, ripe for any form of mischief. Their
+first visit was to Woburn's gold store, where their clean-up of the day
+was duly deposited, the amount being entered in the store-keeper's book,
+and each miner retaining enough to cover his evening's expenses. After
+that all restraint was at an end, and each set to work to get rid of his
+surplus dust with the greatest rapidity possible. The focus of
+dissipation was the rough bar, formed by a couple of hogsheads spanned
+by planks, which was dignified by the name of the "Britannia drinking
+saloon." Here, Nat Adams, the burly bar-keeper, dispensed bad whisky at
+the rate of two shillings a noggin, or a guinea a bottle, while his
+brother Ben acted as croupier in a rude wooden shanty behind, which had
+been converted into a gambling hell, and was crowded every night. There
+had been a third brother, but an unfortunate misunderstanding with a
+customer had shortened his existence. "He was too soft to live long,"
+his brother Nathaniel feelingly observed on the occasion of his funeral.
+"Many's the time I've said to him, 'If you're arguin' a pint with a
+stranger, you should always draw first, then argue, and then shoot, if
+you judge that he's on the shoot.' Bill was too purlite. He must needs
+argue first and draw after, when he might just as well have kivered his
+man before talkin' it over with him." This amiable weakness of the
+deceased Bill was a blow to the firm of Adams, which became so
+short-handed that the concern could hardly be worked without the
+admission of a partner, which would mean a considerable decrease in the
+profits.
+
+Nat Adams had had a roadside shanty in the Gulch before the discovery of
+gold, and might, therefore, claim to be the oldest inhabitant. These
+keepers of shanties were a peculiar race, and, at the cost of a
+digression, it may be interesting to explain how they managed to amass
+considerable sums of money in a land where travellers were few and far
+between. It was the custom of the "bushmen," _i.e._ bullock drivers,
+sheep tenders, and the other white hands who worked on the sheep-runs up
+country, to sign articles by which they agreed to serve their master for
+one, two, or three years at so much per year and certain daily rations.
+Liquor was never included in this agreement, and the men remained, per
+force, total abstainers during the whole time. The money was paid in a
+lump sum at the end of the engagement. When that day came round, Jimmy,
+the stockman, would come slouching into his master's office,
+cabbage-tree hat in hand.
+
+"Morning, master!" Jimmy would say. "My time's up. I guess I'll draw my
+cheque and ride down to town."
+
+"You'll come back, Jimmy."
+
+"Yes, I'll come back. Maybe I'll be away three weeks, maybe a month. I
+want some clothes, master, and my bloomin' boots are well-nigh off my
+feet."
+
+"How much, Jimmy?" asks his master, taking up his pen.
+
+"There's sixty pound screw," Jimmy answers thoughtfully; "and you mind,
+master, last March, when the brindled bull broke out o' the paddock.
+Two pound you promised me then. And a pound at the dipping. And a pound
+when Millar's sheep got mixed with ourn;" and so he goes on, for bushmen
+can seldom write, but they have memories which nothing escapes.
+
+His master writes the cheque and hands it across the table. "Don't get
+on the drink, Jimmy," he says.
+
+"No fear of that, master," and the stockman slips the cheque into his
+leather pouch, and within an hour he is ambling off upon his long-limbed
+horse on his hundred mile journey to town.
+
+Now Jimmy has to pass some six or eight of the above-mentioned roadside
+shanties in his day's ride, and experience has taught him that if he
+once breaks his accustomed total abstinence, the unwonted stimulant has
+an overpowering effect upon his brain. Jimmy shakes his head warily as
+he determines that no earthly consideration will induce him to partake
+of any liquor until his business is over. His only chance is to avoid
+temptation; so, knowing that there is the first of these houses some
+half mile ahead, he plunges into a by-path through the bush which will
+lead him out at the other side.
+
+Jimmy is riding resolutely along this narrow path, congratulating
+himself upon a danger escaped, when he becomes aware of a sunburned,
+black-bearded man who is leaning unconcernedly against a tree beside the
+track. This is none other than the shanty-keeper, who, having observed
+Jimmy's man[oe]uvre in the distance, has taken a short cut through the
+bush in order to intercept him.
+
+"Morning, Jimmy!" he cries, as the horseman comes up to him.
+
+"Morning, mate; morning!"
+
+"Where are ye off to to-day then?"
+
+"Off to town," says Jimmy sturdily.
+
+"No, now--are you though? You'll have bully times down there for a bit.
+Come round and have a drink at my place. Just by way of luck."
+
+"No," says Jimmy, "I don't want a drink."
+
+"Just a little damp."
+
+"I tell ye I don't want one," says the stockman angrily.
+
+"Well, ye needn't be so darned short about it. It's nothin' to me
+whether you drinks or not. Good mornin'."
+
+"Good mornin'," says Jimmy, and has ridden on about twenty yards when
+he hears the other calling on him to stop.
+
+"See here, Jimmy!" he says, overtaking him again. "If you'll do me a
+kindness when you're up in town I'd be obliged."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"It's a letter, Jim, as I wants posted. It's an important one too, an' I
+wouldn't trust it with every one; but I knows you, and if you'll take
+charge on it it'll be a powerful weight off my mind."
+
+"Give it here," Jimmy says laconically.
+
+"I hain't got it here. It's round in my caboose. Come round for it with
+me. It ain't more'n quarter of a mile."
+
+Jimmy consents reluctantly. When they reach the tumble-down hut the
+keeper asks him cheerily to dismount and to come in.
+
+"Give me the letter," says Jimmy.
+
+"It ain't altogether wrote yet, but you sit down here for a minute and
+it'll be right," and so the stockman is beguiled into the shanty.
+
+At last the letter is ready and handed over. "Now, Jimmy," says the
+keeper, "one drink at my expense before you go."
+
+"Not a taste," says Jimmy.
+
+"Oh, that's it, is it?" the other says in an aggrieved tone. "You're too
+damned proud to drink with a poor cove like me. Here--give us back that
+letter. I'm cursed if I'll accept a favour from a man whose too almighty
+big to have a drink with me."
+
+"Well, well, mate, don't turn rusty," says Jim. "Give us one drink an'
+I'm off."
+
+The keeper pours out about half a pannikin of raw rum and hands it to
+the bushman. The moment he smells the old familiar smell his longing for
+it returns, and he swigs it off at a gulp. His eyes shine more brightly,
+and his face becomes flushed. The keeper watches him narrowly. "You can
+go now, Jim," he says.
+
+"Steady, mate, steady," says the bushman. "I'm as good a man as you. If
+you stand a drink, I can stand one too, I suppose." So the pannikin is
+replenished, and Jimmy's eyes shine brighter still.
+
+"Now, Jimmy, one last drink for the good of the house," says the keeper,
+"and then it's time you were off." The stockman has a third gulp from
+the pannikin, and with it all his scruples and good resolutions vanish
+for ever.
+
+"Look here," he says somewhat huskily, taking his cheque out of his
+pouch. "You take this, mate. Whoever comes along this road, ask 'em what
+they'll have, and tell them it's my shout. Let me know when the money's
+done."
+
+So Jimmy abandons the idea of ever getting to town, and for three weeks
+or a month he lies about the shanty in a state of extreme drunkenness,
+and reduces every wayfarer upon the road to the same condition. At last
+one fine morning the keeper comes to him. "The coin's done, Jimmy," he
+says; "it's about time you made some more." So Jimmy has a good wash to
+sober him, straps his blanket and his billy to his back, and rides off
+through the bush to the sheep-run, where he has another year of
+sobriety, terminating in another month of intoxication.
+
+All this, though typical of the happy-go-lucky manners of the
+inhabitants, has no direct bearing upon Jackman's Gulch, so we must
+return to that Arcadian settlement. Additions to the population there
+were not numerous, and such as came about the time of which I speak were
+even rougher and fiercer than the original inhabitants. In particular,
+there came a brace of ruffians named Phillips and Maule, who rode into
+camp one day and started a claim upon the other side of the stream.
+They outgulched the Gulch in the virulence and fluency of their
+blasphemy, in the truculence of their speech and manner, and in their
+reckless disregard of all social laws. They claimed to have come from
+Bendigo, and there were some amongst us who wished that the redoubted
+Conky Jim was on the track once more, as long as he would close it to
+such visitors as these. After their arrival the nightly proceedings at
+the "Britannia Bar" and at the gambling hell behind became more riotous
+than ever. Violent quarrels, frequently ending in bloodshed, were of
+constant occurrence. The more peaceable frequenters of the bar began to
+talk seriously of lynching the two strangers who were the principal
+promoters of disorder. Things were in this unsatisfactory condition when
+our evangelist, Elias B. Hopkins, came limping into the camp,
+travel-stained and footsore, with his spade strapped across his back and
+his Bible in the pocket of his moleskin jacket.
+
+His presence was hardly noticed at first, so insignificant was the man.
+His manner was quiet and unobtrusive, his face pale, and his figure
+fragile. On better acquaintance, however, there was a squareness and
+firmness about his clean-shaven lower jaw, and an intelligence in his
+widely-opened blue eyes, which marked him as a man of character. He
+erected a small hut for himself, and started a claim close to that
+occupied by the two strangers who had preceded him. This claim was
+chosen with a ludicrous disregard for all practical laws of mining, and
+at once stamped the new-comer as being a green hand at his work. It was
+piteous to observe him every morning as we passed to our work, digging
+and delving with the greatest industry, but, as we knew well, without
+the smallest possibility of any result. He would pause for a moment as
+we went by, wipe his pale face with his bandanna handkerchief, and shout
+out to us a cordial morning greeting, and then fall to again with
+redoubled energy. By degrees we got into the way of making a
+half-pitying, half-contemptuous inquiry as to how he got on. "I hain't
+struck it yet, boys," he would answer cheerily, leaning on his spade,
+"but the bed-rock lies deep just hereabouts, and I reckon we'll get
+among the pay gravel to-day." Day after day he returned the same reply
+with unvarying confidence and cheerfulness.
+
+It was not long before he began to show us the stuff that was in him.
+One night the proceedings were unusually violent at the drinking saloon.
+A rich pocket had been struck during the day, and the striker was
+standing treat in a lavish and promiscuous fashion, which had reduced
+three parts of the settlement to a state of wild intoxication. A crowd
+of drunken idlers stood or lay about the bar, cursing, swearing,
+shouting, dancing, and here and there firing their pistols into the air
+out of pure wantonness. From the interior of the shanty behind there
+came a similar chorus. Maule, Phillips, and the roughs who followed them
+were in the ascendant, and all order and decency was swept away.
+
+Suddenly, amid this tumult of oaths and drunken cries, men became
+conscious of a quiet monotone which underlay all other sounds and
+obtruded itself at every pause in the uproar. Gradually first one man
+and then another paused to listen, until there was a general cessation
+of the hubbub, and every eye was turned in the direction whence this
+quiet stream of words flowed. There, mounted upon a barrel, was Elias B.
+Hopkins, the newest of the inhabitants of Jackman's Gulch, with a
+good-humoured smile upon his resolute face. He held an open Bible in his
+hand, and was reading aloud a passage taken at random--an extract from
+the Apocalypse, if I remember right. The words were entirely irrelevant,
+and without the smallest bearing upon the scene before him; but he
+plodded on with great unction, waving his left hand slowly to the
+cadence of his words.
+
+There was a general shout of laughter and applause at this apparition,
+and Jackman's Gulch gathered round the barrel approvingly, under the
+impression that this was some ornate joke, and that they were about to
+be treated to some mock sermon or parody of the chapter read. When,
+however, the reader, having finished the chapter, placidly commenced
+another, and having finished that rippled on into another one, the
+revellers came to the conclusion that the joke was somewhat too
+long-winded. The commencement of yet another chapter confirmed this
+opinion, and an angry chorus of shouts and cries, with suggestions as to
+gagging the reader, or knocking him off the barrel, rose from every
+side. In spite of roars and hoots, however, Elias B. Hopkins plodded
+away at the Apocalypse with the same serene countenance, looking as
+ineffably contented as though the babel around him were the most
+gratifying applause. Before long an occasional boot pattered against the
+barrel, or whistled past our parson's head; but here some of the more
+orderly of the inhabitants interfered in favour of peace and order,
+aided curiously enough by the afore-mentioned Maule and Phillips, who
+warmly espoused the cause of the little Scripture-reader. "The little
+cuss has got grit in him," the latter explained, rearing his bulky
+red-shirted form between the crowd and the object of its anger. "His
+ways ain't our ways, and we're all welcome to our opinions, and to sling
+them round from barrels or otherwise, if so minded. What I says, and
+Bill says, is, that when it comes to slingin' boots instead o' words
+it's too steep by half; an' if this man's wronged we'll chip in an' see
+him righted." This oratorical effort had the effect of checking the more
+active signs of disapproval, and the party of disorder attempted to
+settle down once more to their carouse, and to ignore the shower of
+Scripture which was poured upon them. The attempt was hopeless. The
+drunken portion fell asleep under the drowsy refrain, and the others,
+with many a sullen glance at the imperturbable reader, slouched off to
+their huts, leaving him still perched upon the barrel. Finding himself
+alone with the more orderly of the spectators, the little man rose,
+closed his book, after methodically marking with a lead pencil the exact
+spot at which he stopped, and descended from his perch. "To-morrow
+night, boys," he remarked in his quiet voice, "the reading will commence
+at the 9th verse of the 15th chapter of the Apocalypse," with which
+piece of information, disregarding our congratulations, he walked away
+with the air of a man who has performed an obvious duty.
+
+We found that his parting words were no empty threat. Hardly had the
+crowd begun to assemble next night before he appeared once more upon the
+barrel and began to read with the same monotonous vigour, tripping over
+words, muddling up sentences, but still boring along through chapter
+after chapter. Laughter, threats, chaff--every weapon short of actual
+violence--was used to deter him, but all with the same want of success.
+Soon it was found that there was a method in his proceedings. When
+silence reigned, or when the conversation was of an innocent nature, the
+reading ceased. A single word of blasphemy, however, set it going again,
+and it would ramble on for a quarter of an hour or so, when it stopped,
+only to be renewed upon similar provocation. The reading was pretty
+continuous during that second night, for the language of the opposition
+was still considerably free. At least it was an improvement upon the
+night before.
+
+For more than a month Elias B. Hopkins carried on this campaign. There
+he would sit, night after night, with the open book upon his knee, and
+at the slightest provocation off he would go, like a musical box when
+the spring is touched. The monotonous drawl became unendurable, but it
+could only be avoided by conforming to the parson's code. A chronic
+swearer came to be looked upon with disfavour by the community, since
+the punishment of his transgression fell upon all. At the end of a
+fortnight the reader was silent more than half the time, and at the end
+of the month his position was a sinecure.
+
+Never was a moral revolution brought about more rapidly and more
+completely. Our parson carried his principle into private life. I have
+seen him, on hearing an unguarded word from some worker in the gulches,
+rush across, Bible in hand, and perching himself upon the heap of red
+clay which surmounted the offender's claim, drawl through the
+genealogical tree at the commencement of the New Testament in a most
+earnest and impressive manner, as though it were especially appropriate
+to the occasion. In time an oath became a rare thing amongst us.
+Drunkenness was on the wane too. Casual travellers passing through the
+Gulch used to marvel at our state of grace, and rumours of it went as
+far as Ballarat, and excited much comment therein.
+
+There were points about our evangelist which made him especially fitted
+for the work which he had undertaken. A man entirely without redeeming
+vices would have had no common basis on which to work, and no means of
+gaining the sympathy of his flock. As we came to know Elias B. Hopkins
+better, we discovered that in spite of his piety there was a leaven of
+old Adam in him, and that he had certainly known unregenerate days. He
+was no teetotaler. On the contrary, he could choose his liquor with
+discrimination, and lower it in an able manner. He played a masterly
+hand at poker, and there were few who could touch him at "cut-throat
+euchre." He and the two ex-ruffians, Phillips and Maule, used to play
+for hours in perfect harmony, except when the fall of the cards elicited
+an oath from one of his companions. At the first of these offences the
+parson would put on a pained smile and gaze reproachfully at the
+culprit. At the second he would reach for his Bible, and the game was
+over for the evening. He showed us he was a good revolver shot too, for
+when we were practising at an empty brandy bottle outside Adams' bar, he
+took up a friend's pistol and hit it plumb in the centre at twenty-four
+paces. There were few things he took up that he could not make a show at
+apparently, except gold-digging, and at that he was the veriest duffer
+alive. It was pitiful to see the little canvas bag, with his name
+printed across it, lying placid and empty upon the shelf at Woburn's
+store, while all the other bags were increasing daily, and some had
+assumed quite a portly rotundity of form, for the weeks were slipping
+by, and it was almost time for the gold-train to start off for Ballarat.
+We reckoned that the amount which we had stored at the time represented
+the greatest sum which had ever been taken by a single convoy out of
+Jackman's Gulch.
+
+Although Elias B. Hopkins appeared to derive a certain quiet
+satisfaction from the wonderful change which he had effected in the
+camp, his joy was not yet rounded and complete. There was one thing for
+which he still yearned. He opened his heart to us about it one evening.
+
+"We'd have a blessing on the camp, boys," he said, "if we only had a
+service o' some sort on the Lord's day. It's a temptin' o' Providence to
+go on in this way without takin' any notice of it, except that maybe
+there's more whisky drunk and more card-playin' than on any other day."
+
+"We hain't got no parson," objected one of the crowd.
+
+"Ye fool!" growled another, "hain't we got a man as is worth any three
+parsons, and can splash texts around like clay out o' a cradle? What
+more d'ye want?"
+
+"We hain't got no church!" urged the same dissentient.
+
+"Have it in the open air," one suggested.
+
+"Or in Woburn's store," said another.
+
+"Or in Adams' saloon."
+
+The last proposal was received with a buzz of approval, which showed
+that it was considered the most appropriate locality.
+
+Adams' saloon was a substantial wooden building in the rear of the bar,
+which was used partly for storing liquor and partly for a gambling
+saloon. It was strongly built of rough-hewn logs, the proprietor rightly
+judging, in the unregenerate days of Jackman's Gulch, that hogsheads of
+brandy and rum were commodities which had best be secured under lock and
+key. A strong door opened into each end of the saloon, and the interior
+was spacious enough, when the table and lumber were cleared away, to
+accommodate the whole population. The spirit barrels were heaped
+together at one end by their owner, so as to make a very fair imitation
+of a pulpit.
+
+At first the Gulch took but a mild interest in the proceedings, but when
+it became known that Elias B. Hopkins intended, after reading the
+service, to address the audience, the settlement began to warm up to the
+occasion. A real sermon was a novelty to all of them, and one coming
+from their own parson was additionally so. Rumour announced that it
+would be interspersed with local hits, and that the moral would be
+pointed by pungent personalities. Men began to fear that they would be
+unable to gain seats, and many applications were made to the brothers
+Adams. It was only when conclusively shown that the saloon could contain
+them all with a margin that the camp settled down into calm expectancy.
+
+It was as well that the building was of such a size, for the assembly
+upon the Sunday morning was the largest which had ever occurred in the
+annals of Jackman's Gulch. At first it was thought that the whole
+population was present, but a little reflection showed that this was not
+so. Maule and Phillips had gone on a prospecting journey among the
+hills, and had not returned as yet; and Woburn, the gold-keeper, was
+unable to leave his store. Having a very large quantity of the precious
+metal under his charge, he stuck to his post, feeling that the
+responsibility was too great to trifle with. With these three exceptions
+the whole of the Gulch, with clean red shirts, and such other additions
+to their toilet as the occasion demanded, sauntered in a straggling line
+along the clayey pathway which led up to the saloon.
+
+The interior of the building had been provided with rough benches; and
+the parson, with his quiet, good-humoured smile, was standing at the
+door to welcome them. "Good morning, boys," he cried cheerily, as each
+group came lounging up. "Pass in! pass in. You'll find this is as good a
+morning's work as any you've done. Leave your pistols in this barrel
+outside the door as you pass; you can pick them out as you come out
+again; but it isn't the thing to carry weapons into the house of peace."
+His request was good-humouredly complied with, and before the last of
+the congregation filed in there was a strange assortment of knives and
+firearms in this depository. When all had assembled the doors were shut
+and the service began--the first and the last which was ever performed
+at Jackman's Gulch.
+
+The weather was sultry and the room close, yet the miners listened with
+exemplary patience. There was a sense of novelty in the situation which
+had its attractions. To some it was entirely new, others were wafted
+back by it to another land and other days. Beyond a disposition which
+was exhibited by the uninitiated to applaud at the end of certain
+prayers, by way of showing that they sympathised with the sentiments
+expressed, no audience could have behaved better. There was a murmur of
+interest, however, when Elias B. Hopkins, looking down on the
+congregation from his rostrum of casks, began his address.
+
+He had attired himself with care in honour of the occasion. He wore a
+velveteen tunic, girt round the waist with a sash of china silk, a pair
+of moleskin trousers, and held his cabbage-tree hat in his left hand. He
+began speaking in a low tone, and it was noticed at the time that he
+frequently glanced through the small aperture which served for a window,
+which was placed above the heads of those who sat beneath him.
+
+"I've put you straight now," he said, in the course of his address;
+"I've got you in the right rut, if you will but stick in it." Here he
+looked very hard out of the window for some seconds. "You've learned
+soberness and industry, and with those things you can always make up any
+loss you may sustain. I guess there isn't one of ye that won't remember
+my visit to this camp." He paused for a moment, and three revolver shots
+rang out upon the quiet summer air. "Keep your seats, damn ye!" roared
+our preacher, as his audience rose in excitement. "If a man of ye
+moves, down he goes! The door's locked on the outside, so ye can't get
+out anyhow. Your seats, ye canting, chuckle-headed fools! Down with ye,
+ye dogs, or I'll fire among ye!"
+
+Astonishment and fear brought us back into our seats, and we sat staring
+blankly at our pastor and each other. Elias B. Hopkins, whose whole face
+and even figure appeared to have undergone an extraordinary alteration,
+looked fiercely down on us from his commanding position with a
+contemptuous smile on his stern face.
+
+"I have your lives in my hands," he remarked; and we noticed as he spoke
+that he held a heavy revolver in his hand, and that the butt of another
+one protruded from his sash. "I am armed and you are not. If one of you
+moves or speaks, he is a dead man. If not, I shall not harm you. You must
+wait here for an hour. Why, you _fools_" (this with a hiss of contempt
+which rang in our ears for many a long day), "do you know who it is that
+has stuck you up? Do you know who it is that has been playing it upon you
+for months as a parson and a saint? Conky Jim, the bushranger, ye apes!
+And Phillips and Maule were my two right-hand men. They're off into the
+hills with your gold---- Ha! would ye?" This to some restive member of
+the audience, who quieted down instantly before the fierce eye and the
+ready weapon of the bushranger. "In an hour they will be clear of any
+pursuit, and I advise you to make the best of it and not to follow, or
+you may lose more than your money. My horse is tethered outside this door
+behind me. When the time is up I shall pass through it, lock it on the
+outside, and be off. Then you may break your way out as best you can. I
+have no more to say to you, except that ye are the most cursed set of
+asses that ever trod in boot-leather."
+
+We had time to endorse mentally this outspoken opinion during the long
+sixty minutes which followed; we were powerless before the resolute
+desperado. It is true that if we made a simultaneous rush we might bear
+him down at the cost of eight or ten of our number. But how could such a
+rush be organised without speaking, and who would attempt it without a
+previous agreement that he would be supported? There was nothing for it
+but submission. It seemed three hours at the least before the ranger
+snapped up his watch, stepped down from the barrel, walked backwards,
+still covering us with his weapon, to the door behind him, and then
+passed rapidly through it. We heard the creaking of the rusty lock, and
+the clatter of his horse's hoofs as he galloped away.
+
+It has been remarked that an oath had for the last few weeks been a rare
+thing in the camp. We made up for our temporary abstention during the
+next half-hour. Never was heard such symmetrical and heartfelt
+blasphemy. When at last we succeeded in getting the door off its hinges
+all sight of both rangers and treasure had disappeared, nor have we ever
+caught sight of either the one or the other since. Poor Woburn, true to
+his trust, lay shot through the head across the threshold of his empty
+store. The villains, Maule and Phillips, had descended upon the camp the
+instant that we had been enticed into the trap, murdered the keeper,
+loaded up a small cart with the booty, and got safe away to some wild
+fastness among the mountains, where they were joined by their wily
+leader.
+
+Jackman's Gulch recovered from this blow, and is now a flourishing
+township. Social reformers are not in request there, however, and
+morality is at a discount. It is said that an inquest has been held
+lately upon an unoffending stranger who chanced to remark that in so
+large a place it would be advisable to have some form of Sunday service.
+The memory of their one and only pastor is still green among the
+inhabitants, and will be for many a long year to come.
+
+
+
+
+_MY FRIEND THE MURDERER._
+
+
+"Number 43 is no better, Doctor," said the head-warder in a slightly
+reproachful accent, looking in round the corner of my door.
+
+"Confound 43!" I responded from behind the pages of the _Australian
+Sketcher_.
+
+"And 61 says his tubes are paining him. Couldn't you do anything for
+him?"
+
+"He's a walking drug shop," said I. "He has the whole British
+pharmacop[oe]ia inside him. I believe his tubes are as sound as yours
+are."
+
+"Then there's 7 and 108, they are chronic," continued the warder,
+glancing down a blue slip of paper. "And 28 knocked off work
+yesterday--said lifting things gave him a stitch in the side. I want you
+to have a look at him, if you don't mind, Doctor. There's 31, too--him
+that killed John Adamson in the _Corinthian_ brig--he's been carrying on
+awful in the night, shrieking and yelling, he has, and no stopping him
+neither."
+
+"All right, I'll have a look at him afterwards," I said, tossing my
+paper carelessly aside, and pouring myself out a cup of coffee. "Nothing
+else to report, I suppose, warder?"
+
+The official protruded his head a little further into the room. "Beg
+pardon, Doctor," he said, in a confidential tone, "but I notice as 82
+has a bit of a cold, and it would be a good excuse for you to visit him
+and have a chat, maybe."
+
+The cup of coffee was arrested half-way to my lips as I stared in
+amazement at the man's serious face.
+
+"An excuse?" I said. "An excuse? What the deuce are you talking about,
+McPherson? You see me trudging about all day at my practice, when I'm
+not looking after the prisoners, and coming back every night as tired as
+a dog, and you talk about finding an excuse for doing more work."
+
+"You'd like it, Doctor," said Warder McPherson, insinuating one of his
+shoulders into the room. "That man's story's worth listening to if you
+could get him to tell it, though he's not what you'd call free in his
+speech. Maybe you don't know who 82 is?"
+
+"No, I don't, and I don't care either," I answered, in the conviction
+that some local ruffian was about to be foisted upon me as a celebrity.
+
+"He's Maloney," said the warder, "him that turned Queen's evidence after
+the murders at Bluemansdyke."
+
+"You don't say so?" I ejaculated, laying down my cup in astonishment. I
+had heard of this ghastly series of murders, and read an account of them
+in a London magazine long before setting foot in the colony. I
+remembered that the atrocities committed had thrown the Burke and Hare
+crimes completely into the shade, and that one of the most villainous of
+the gang had saved his own skin by betraying his companions. "Are you
+sure?" I asked.
+
+"Oh yes, it's him right enough. Just you draw him out a bit, and he'll
+astonish you. He's a man to know, is Maloney; that's to say, in
+moderation;" and the head grinned, bobbed, and disappeared, leaving me
+to finish my breakfast and ruminate over what I had heard.
+
+The surgeonship of an Australian prison is not an enviable position. It
+may be endurable in Melbourne or Sydney, but the little town of Perth
+has few attractions to recommend it, and those few had been long
+exhausted. The climate was detestable, and the society far from
+congenial. Sheep and cattle were the staple support of the community;
+and their prices, breeding, and diseases the principal topic of
+conversation. Now as I, being an outsider, possessed neither the one nor
+the other, and was utterly callous to the new "dip" and the "rot" and
+other kindred topics, I found myself in a state of mental isolation, and
+was ready to hail anything which might relieve the monotony of my
+existence. Maloney, the murderer, had at least some distinctiveness and
+individuality in his character, and might act as a tonic to a mind sick
+of the commonplaces of existence. I determined that I should follow the
+warder's advice, and take the excuse for making his acquaintance. When,
+therefore, I went upon my usual matutinal round, I turned the lock of
+the door which bore the convict's number upon it, and walked into the
+cell.
+
+The man was lying in a heap upon his rough bed as I entered, but,
+uncoiling his long limbs, he started up and stared at me with an
+insolent look of defiance on his face which augured badly for our
+interview. He had a pale set face, with sandy hair and a steelly-blue
+eye, with something feline in its expression. His frame was tall and
+muscular, though there was a curious bend in his shoulders, which almost
+amounted to a deformity. An ordinary observer meeting him in the street
+might have put him down as a well-developed man, fairly handsome, and of
+studious habits--even in the hideous uniform of the rottenest convict
+establishment he imparted a certain refinement to his carriage which
+marked him out among the inferior ruffians around him.
+
+"I'm not on the sick-list," he said gruffly. There was something in the
+hard, rasping voice which dispelled all softer allusions, and made me
+realise that I was face to face with the man of the Lena Valley and
+Bluemansdyke, the bloodiest bushranger that ever stuck up a farm or cut
+the throats of its occupants.
+
+"I know you're not," I answered. "Warder McPherson told me you had a
+cold, though, and I thought I'd look in and see you."
+
+"Blast Warder McPherson, and blast you, too!" yelled the convict, in a
+paroxysm of rage. "Oh, that's right," he added, in a quieter voice;
+"hurry away; report me to the governor, do! Get me another six months
+or so--that's your game."
+
+"I'm not going to report you," I said.
+
+"Eight square feet of ground," he went on, disregarding my protest, and
+evidently working himself into a fury again. "Eight square feet, and I
+can't have that without being talked to and stared at, and--oh, blast
+the whole crew of you!" and he raised his two clenched hands above his
+head and shook them in passionate invective.
+
+"You've got a curious idea of hospitality," I remarked, determined not
+to lose my temper, and saying almost the first thing that came to my
+tongue.
+
+To my surprise the words had an extraordinary effect upon him. He seemed
+completely staggered at my assuming the proposition for which he had
+been so fiercely contending--namely, that the room in which we stood was
+his own.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he said; "I didn't mean to be rude. Won't you take
+a seat?" and he motioned towards a rough trestle, which formed the
+headpiece of his couch.
+
+I sat down rather astonished at the sudden change. I don't know that I
+liked Maloney better under his new aspect. The murderer had, it is
+true, disappeared for the nonce, but there was something in the smooth
+tones and obsequious manner which powerfully suggested the witness of
+the Queen, who had stood up and sworn away the lives of his companions
+in crime.
+
+"How's your chest?" I asked, putting on my professional air.
+
+"Come, drop it, Doctor, drop it!" he answered, showing a row of white
+teeth as he resumed his seat upon the side of the bed. "It wasn't
+anxiety after my precious health that brought you along here; that story
+won't wash at all. You came to have a look at Wolf Tone Maloney, forger,
+murderer, Sydney-slider, ranger, and Government peach. That's about my
+figure, ain't it? There it is, plain and straight; there's nothing mean
+about me."
+
+He paused as if he expected me to say something; but as I remained
+silent, he repeated once or twice, "There's nothing mean about me."
+
+"And why shouldn't I?" he suddenly yelled, his eyes gleaming and his
+whole satanic nature reasserting itself. "We were bound to swing, one
+and all, and they were none the worse if I saved myself by turning
+against them. Every man for himself, say I, and the devil take the
+luckiest. You haven't a plug of tobacco, Doctor, have you?"
+
+He tore at the piece of "Barrett's" which I handed him as ravenously as
+a wild beast. It seemed to have the effect of soothing his nerves, for
+he settled himself down in the bed, and reassumed his former deprecating
+manner.
+
+"You wouldn't like it yourself, you know, Doctor," he said; "it's enough
+to make any man a little queer in his temper. I'm in for six months this
+time for assault, and very sorry I shall be to go out again, I can tell
+you. My mind's at ease in here; but when I'm outside, what with the
+Government, and what with Tattooed Tom of Hawkesbury, there's no chance
+of a quiet life."
+
+"Who is he?" I asked.
+
+"He's the brother of John Grimthorpe; the same that was condemned on my
+evidence, and an infernal scamp he was too! Spawn of the devil, both of
+them! This tattooed one is a murderous ruffian, and he swore to have my
+blood after that trial. It's seven year ago, and he's following me yet;
+I know he is, though he lies low and keeps dark. He came up to me in
+Ballarat in '75; you can see on the back of my hand here where the
+bullet clipped me. He tried again in '76, at Port Philip, but I got the
+drop on him and wounded him badly. He knifed me in '79 though, in a bar
+at Adelaide, and that made our account about level. He's loafing round
+again now, and he'll let daylight into me--unless--unless by some
+extraordinary chance some one does as much for him." And Maloney gave a
+very ugly smile.
+
+"I don't complain of _him_ so much," he continued. "Looking at it in his
+way, no doubt it is a sort of family matter that can hardly be
+neglected. It's the Government that fetches me. When I think of what
+I've done for this country, and then of what this country has done for
+me, it makes me fairly wild--clean drives me off my head. There's no
+gratitude nor common decency left, Doctor!"
+
+He brooded over his wrongs for a few minutes, and then proceeded to lay
+them before me in detail.
+
+"Here's nine men," he said, "they've been murdering and killing for a
+matter of three years, and maybe a life a week wouldn't more than
+average the work that they've done. The Government catches them and the
+Government tries them, but they can't convict; and why?--because the
+witnesses have all had their throats cut, and the whole job's been very
+neatly done. What happens then? Up comes a citizen called Wolf Tone
+Maloney; he says, 'The country needs me, and here I am.' And with that
+he gives his evidence, convicts the lot, and enables the beaks to hang
+them. That's what I did. There's nothing mean about me! And now what
+does the country do in return? Dogs me, sir, spies on me, watches me
+night and day, turns against the very man that worked so hard for it.
+There's something mean about that, anyway. I didn't expect them to
+knight me, nor to make me Colonial Secretary; but, damn it, I did expect
+that they would let me alone!"
+
+"Well," I remonstrated, "if you choose to break laws and assault people,
+you can't expect it to be looked over on account of former services."
+
+"I don't refer to my present imprisonment, sir," said Maloney, with
+dignity. "It's the life I've been leading since that cursed trial that
+takes the soul out of me. Just you sit there on that trestle, and I'll
+tell you all about it; and then look me in the face and tell me that
+I've been treated fair by the police."
+
+I shall endeavour to transcribe the experiences of the convict in his
+own words, as far as I can remember them, preserving his curious
+perversions of right and wrong. I can answer for the truth of his facts,
+whatever may be said for his deductions from them. Months afterwards,
+Inspector H. W. Hann, formerly governor of the gaol at Dunedin, showed
+me entries in his ledger which corroborated every statement. Maloney
+reeled the story off in a dull, monotonous voice, with his head sunk
+upon his breast and his hands between his knees. The glitter of his
+serpent-like eyes was the only sign of the emotions which were stirred
+up by the recollection of the events which he narrated.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+You've read of Bluemansdyke (he began, with some pride in his tone). We
+made it hot while it lasted; but they ran us to earth at last, and a
+trap called Braxton, with a damned Yankee, took the lot of us. That was
+in New Zealand, of course, and they took us down to Dunedin, and there
+they were convicted and hanged. One and all they put up their hands in
+the dock, and cursed me till your blood would have run cold to hear
+them, which was scurvy treatment, seeing that we had all been pals
+together; but they were a blackguard lot, and thought only of
+themselves. I think it is as well that they were hung.
+
+They took me back to Dunedin gaol, and clapped me into the old cell. The
+only difference they made was, that I had no work to do, and was well
+fed. I stood this for a week or two, until one day the governor was
+making his round, and I put the matter to him.
+
+"How's this?" I said. "My conditions were a free pardon, and you're
+keeping me here against the law."
+
+He gave a sort of a smile. "Should you like very much to go out?" he
+asked.
+
+"So much," said I, "that, unless you open that door, I'll have an action
+against you for illegal detention."
+
+He seemed a bit astonished by my resolution. "You're very anxious to
+meet your death," he said.
+
+"What d'ye mean?" I asked.
+
+"Come here, and you'll know what I mean," he answered. And he led me
+down the passage to a window that overlooked the door of the prison.
+"Look at that!" said he.
+
+I looked out, and there were a dozen or so rough-looking fellows
+standing outside in the street, some of them smoking, some playing cards
+on the pavement. When they saw me they gave a yell, and crowded round
+the door, shaking their fists and hooting.
+
+"They wait for you, watch and watch about," said the governor. "They're
+the executive of the vigilance committee. However, since you are
+determined to go, I can't stop you."
+
+"D'ye call this a civilised land," I cried, "and let a man be murdered
+in cold blood in open daylight?"
+
+When I said this the governor and the warder and every fool in the place
+grinned, as if a man's life was a rare good joke.
+
+"You've got the law on your side," says the governor; "so we won't
+detain you any longer. Show him out, warder."
+
+He'd have done it too, the black-hearted villain, if I hadn't begged and
+prayed and offered to pay for my board and lodging, which is more than
+any prisoner ever did before me. He let me stay on those conditions; and
+for three months I was caged up there with every larrikin in the
+township clamouring at the other side of the wall. That was pretty
+treatment for a man that had served his country!
+
+At last, one morning, up came the governor again.
+
+"Well, Maloney," he said, "how long are you going to honour us with your
+society?"
+
+I could have put a knife into his cursed body, and would, too, if we had
+been alone in the bush; but I had to smile, and smooth him and flatter,
+for I feared that he might have me sent out.
+
+"You're an infernal rascal," he said; those were his very words to a man
+that had helped him all he knew how. "I don't want any rough justice
+here, though; and I think I see my way to getting you out of Dunedin."
+
+"I'll never forget you, governor," said I; and, by God, I never will.
+
+"I don't want your thanks nor your gratitude," he answered; "it's not
+for your sake that I do it, but simply to keep order in the town.
+There's a steamer starts from the West Quay to Melbourne to-morrow, and
+we'll get you aboard it. She is advertised at five in the morning, so
+have yourself in readiness."
+
+I packed up the few things I had, and was smuggled out by a back door
+just before daybreak. I hurried down, took my ticket, under the name of
+Isaac Smith, and got safely aboard the Melbourne boat. I remember
+hearing her screw grinding into the water as the warps were cast loose,
+and looking back at the lights of Dunedin, as I leaned upon the
+bulwarks, with the pleasant thought that I was leaving them behind me
+for ever. It seemed to me that a new world was before me, and that all
+my troubles had been cast off. I went down below and had some coffee,
+and came up again feeling better than I had done since the morning that
+I woke to find that cursed Irishman that took me standing over me with a
+six-shooter.
+
+Day had dawned by that time, and we were steaming along by the coast,
+well out of sight of Dunedin. I loafed about for a couple of hours, and
+when the sun got well up some of the other passengers came on deck and
+joined me. One of them, a little perky sort of fellow, took a good long
+look at me, and then came over and began talking.
+
+"Mining, I suppose?" says he.
+
+"Yes," I says.
+
+"Made your pile?" he asks.
+
+"Pretty fair," says I.
+
+"I was at it myself," he says; "I worked at the Nelson fields for three
+months, and spent all I made in buying a salted claim which busted up
+the second day. I went at it again, though, and struck it rich; but when
+the gold waggon was going down to the settlements, it was stuck up by
+those cursed rangers, and not a red cent left."
+
+"That was a bad job," I says.
+
+"Broke me--ruined me clean. Never mind, I've seen them all hanged for
+it; that makes it easier to bear. There's only one left--the villain
+that gave the evidence. I'd die happy if I could come across him. There
+are two things I have to do if I meet him."
+
+"What's that?" says I carelessly.
+
+"I've got to ask him where the money lies--they never had time to make
+away with it, and it's _cachéd_ somewhere in the mountains--and then
+I've got to stretch his neck for him, and send his soul down to join the
+men that he betrayed."
+
+It seemed to me that I knew something about that _caché_, and I felt
+like laughing; but he was watching me, and it struck me that he had a
+nasty, vindictive kind of mind.
+
+"I'm going up on the bridge," I said, for he was not a man whose
+acquaintance I cared much about making.
+
+He wouldn't hear of my leaving him, though. "We're both miners," he
+says, "and we're pals for the voyage. Come down to the bar. I'm not too
+poor to shout."
+
+I couldn't refuse him well, and we went down together; and that was the
+beginning of the trouble. What harm was I doing any one on the ship? All
+I asked for was a quiet life, leaving others alone, and getting left
+alone myself. No man could ask fairer than that. And now just you listen
+to what came of it.
+
+We were passing the front of the ladies' cabins, on our way to
+the saloon, when out comes a servant lass--a freckled currency
+she-devil--with a baby in her arms. We were brushing past her, when she
+gave a scream like a railway whistle, and nearly dropped the kid. My
+nerves gave a sort of a jump when I heard that scream, but I turned and
+begged her pardon, letting on that I thought I might have trod on her
+foot. I knew the game was up though, when I saw her white face, and her
+leaning against the door and pointing.
+
+"It's him!" she cried; "it's him! I saw him in the court-house. Oh,
+don't let him hurt the baby!"
+
+"Who is it?" asks the steward and half-a-dozen others in a breath.
+
+"It's him--Maloney--Maloney, the murderer--oh, take him away--take him
+away!"
+
+I don't rightly remember what happened just at that moment. The
+furniture and me seemed to get kind of mixed, and there was cursing, and
+smashing, and some one shouting for his gold, and a general stamp round.
+When I got steadied a bit, I found somebody's hand in my mouth. From
+what I gathered afterwards, I conclude that it belonged to that same
+little man with the vicious way of talking. He got some of it out again,
+but that was because the others were choking me. A poor chap can get no
+fair-play in this world when once he is down--still I think he will
+remember me till the day of his death--longer, I hope.
+
+They dragged me out into the poop and held a damned court-martial--on
+_me_, mind you; _me_, that had thrown over my pals in order to serve
+them. What were they to do with me? Some said this, some said that; but
+it ended by the captain deciding to send me ashore. The ship stopped,
+they lowered a boat, and I was hoisted in, the whole gang of them
+hooting at me from over the bulwarks. I saw the man I spoke of tying up
+his hand though, and I felt that things might be worse.
+
+I changed my opinion before we got to the land. I had reckoned on the
+shore being deserted, and that I might make my way inland; but the ship
+had stopped too near the Heads, and a dozen beach-combers and such like
+had come down to the water's edge, and were staring at us, wondering
+what the boat was after. When we got to the edge of the surf the
+coxswain hailed them, and after singing out who I was, he and his men
+threw me into the water. You may well look surprised--neck and crop into
+ten feet of water, with shark as thick as green parrots in the bush, and
+I heard them laughing as I floundered to the shore.
+
+I soon saw it was a worse job than ever. As I came scrambling out
+through the weeds, I was collared by a big chap with a velveteen coat,
+and half-a-dozen others got round me and held me fast. Most of them
+looked simple fellows enough, and I was not afraid of them; but there
+was one in a cabbage-tree hat that had a very nasty expression on his
+face, and the big man seemed to be chummy with him.
+
+They dragged me up the beach, and then they let go their hold of me and
+stood round in a circle.
+
+"Well, mate," says the man with the hat, "we've been looking out for you
+some time in these parts."
+
+"And very good of you too," I answers.
+
+"None of your jaw," says he. "Come, boys, what shall it be--hanging,
+drowning, or shooting? Look sharp!"
+
+This looked a bit too like business. "No you don't!" I said. "I've got
+Government protection, and it'll be murder."
+
+"That's what they call it," answered the one in the velveteen coat as
+cheery as a piping crow.
+
+"And you're going to murder me for being a ranger?"
+
+"Ranger be damned!" said the man. "We're going to hang you for peaching
+against your pals; and that's an end of the palaver."
+
+They slung a rope round my neck and dragged me up to the edge of the
+bush. There were some big she-oaks and blue-gums, and they pitched on
+one of these for the wicked deed. They ran the rope over a branch, tied
+my hands, and told me to say my prayers. It seemed as if it was all up;
+but Providence interfered to save me. It sounds nice enough sitting here
+and telling about it, sir; but it was sick work to stand with nothing
+but the beach in front of you, and the long white line of surf, with the
+steamer in the distance, and a set of bloody-minded villains round you
+thirsting for your life.
+
+I never thought I'd owe anything good to the police; but they saved me
+that time. A troop of them were riding from Hawkes Point Station to
+Dunedin, and hearing that something was up, they came down through the
+bush, and interrupted the proceedings. I've heard some bands in my time,
+Doctor, but I never heard music like the jingle of those traps' spurs
+and harness as they galloped out on to the open. They tried to hang me
+even then, but the police were too quick for them; and the man with the
+hat got one over the head with the flat of a sword. I was clapped on to
+a horse, and before evening I found myself in my old quarters in the
+city gaol.
+
+The governor wasn't to be done, though. He was determined to get rid of
+me, and I was equally anxious to see the last of him. He waited a week
+or so until the excitement had begun to die away, and then he smuggled
+me aboard a three-masted schooner bound to Sydney with tallow and hides.
+
+We got fair away to sea without a hitch, and things began to look a bit
+more rosy. I made sure that I had seen the last of the prison, anyway.
+The crew had a sort of an idea who I was, and if there'd been any rough
+weather, they'd have hove me overboard like enough; for they were a
+rough, ignorant lot, and had a notion that I brought bad luck to the
+ship. We had a good passage, however, and I was landed safe and sound
+upon Sydney Quay.
+
+Now just you listen to what happened next. You'd have thought they would
+have been sick of ill-using me and following me by this time--wouldn't
+you, now? Well, just you listen. It seems that a cursed steamer started
+from Dunedin to Sydney on the very day we left, and got in before us,
+bringing news that I was coming. Blessed if they hadn't called a
+meeting--a regular mass meeting--at the docks to discuss about it, and I
+marched right into it when I landed. They didn't take long about
+arresting me, and I listened to all the speeches and resolutions. If I'd
+been a prince there couldn't have been more excitement. The end of it
+all was that they agreed that it wasn't right that New Zealand should be
+allowed to foist her criminals upon her neighbours, and that I was to be
+sent back again by the next boat. So they posted me off again as if I
+was a damned parcel; and after another eight hundred mile journey I
+found myself back for the third time moving in the place that I started
+from.
+
+By this time I had begun to think that I was going to spend the rest of
+my existence travelling about from one port to another. Every man's hand
+seemed turned against me, and there was no peace or quiet in any
+direction. I was about sick of it by the time I had come back; and if I
+could have taken to the bush I'd have done it, and chanced it with my
+old pals. They were too quick for me, though, and kept me under lock and
+key; but I managed, in spite of them, to negotiate that _caché_ I told
+you of, and sewed the gold up in my belt. I spent another month in
+gaol, and then they slipped me aboard a barque that was bound for
+England.
+
+This time the crew never knew who I was, but the captain had a pretty
+good idea, though he didn't let on to me that he had any suspicions. I
+guessed from the first that the man was a villain. We had a fair
+passage, except a gale or two off the Cape; and I began to feel like a
+free man when I saw the blue loom of the old country, and the saucy
+little pilot-boat from Falmouth dancing towards us over the waves. We
+ran down the Channel, and before we reached Gravesend I had agreed with
+the pilot that he should take me ashore with him when he left. It was at
+this time that the captain showed me that I was right in thinking him a
+meddling, disagreeable man. I got my things packed, such as they were,
+and left him talking earnestly to the pilot, while I went below for my
+breakfast. When I came up again we were fairly into the mouth of the
+river, and the boat in which I was to have gone ashore had left us. The
+skipper said the pilot had forgotten me; but that was too thin, and I
+began to fear that all my old troubles were going to commence once
+more.
+
+It was not long before my suspicions were confirmed. A boat darted out
+from the side of the river, and a tall cove with a long black beard came
+aboard. I heard him ask the mate whether they didn't need a mud-pilot to
+take them up the reaches, but it seemed to me that he was a man who
+would know a deal more about handcuffs than he did about steering, so I
+kept away from him. He came across the deck, however, and made some
+remark to me, taking a good look at me the while. I don't like
+inquisitive people at any time, but an inquisitive stranger with glue
+about the roots of his beard is the worst of all to stand, especially
+under the circumstances. I began to feel that it was time for me to go.
+
+I soon got a chance, and made good use of it. A big collier came athwart
+the bows of our steamer, and we had to slacken down to dead slow. There
+was a barge astern, and I slipped down by a rope and was into the barge
+before any one had missed me. Of course I had to leave my luggage behind
+me, but I had the belt with the nuggets round my waist, and the chance
+of shaking the police off my track was worth more than a couple of
+boxes. It was clear to me now that the pilot had been a traitor, as
+well as the captain, and had set the detectives after me. I often wish I
+could drop across those two men again.
+
+I hung about the barge all day as she drifted down the stream. There was
+one man in her, but she was a big, ugly craft, and his hands were too
+full for much looking about. Towards evening, when it got a bit dusky, I
+struck out for the shore, and found myself in a sort of marsh place, a
+good many miles to the east of London. I was soaking wet and half dead
+with hunger, but I trudged into the town, got a new rig-out at a
+slop-shop, and after having some supper, engaged a bed at the quietest
+lodgings I could find.
+
+I woke pretty early--a habit you pick up in the bush--and lucky for me
+that I did so. The very first thing I saw when I took a look through a
+chink in the shutter was one of these infernal policemen standing right
+opposite, and staring up at the windows. He hadn't epaulettes nor a
+sword, like our traps, but for all that there was a sort of family
+likeness, and the same busybody expression. Whether they'd followed me
+all the time, or whether the woman that let me the bed didn't like the
+looks of me, is more than I have ever been able to find out. He came
+across as I was watching him, and noted down the address of the house in
+a book. I was afraid that he was going to ring at the bell, but I
+suppose his orders were simply to keep an eye on me, for after another
+good look at the windows he moved on down the street.
+
+I saw that my only chance was to act at once. I threw on my clothes,
+opened the window softly, and, after making sure that there was nobody
+about, dropped out on to the ground and made off as hard as I could run.
+I travelled a matter of two or three miles, when my wind gave out; and
+as I saw a big building with people going in and out, I went in too, and
+found that it was a railway station. A train was just going off for
+Dover to meet the French boat, so I took a ticket and jumped into a
+third-class carriage.
+
+There were a couple of other chaps in the carriage, innocent-looking
+young beggars, both of them. They began speaking about this and that,
+while I sat quiet in the corner and listened. Then they started on
+England and foreign countries, and such like. Look ye now, Doctor, this
+is a fact. One of them begins jawing about the justice of England's
+laws. "It's all fair and above-board," says he; "there ain't any secret
+police, nor spying, like they have abroad," and a lot more of the same
+sort of wash. Rather rough on me, wasn't it, listening to the damned
+young fool, with the police following me about like my shadow?
+
+I got to Paris right enough, and there I changed some of my gold, and
+for a few days I imagined I'd shaken them off, and began to think of
+settling down for a bit of a rest. I needed it by that time, for I was
+looking more like a ghost than a man. You've never had the police after
+you, I suppose? Well, you needn't look offended, I didn't mean any harm.
+If ever you had you'd know that it wastes a man away like a sheep with
+the rot.
+
+I went to the opera one night and took a box, for I was very flush. I
+was coming out between the acts when I met a fellow lounging along in
+the passage. The light fell on his face, and I saw that it was the
+mud-pilot that had boarded us in the Thames. His beard was gone, but I
+recognised the man at a glance, for I've a good memory for faces.
+
+I tell you, Doctor, I felt desperate for a moment. I could have knifed
+him if we had been alone, but he knew me well enough never to give me
+the chance. It was more than I could stand any longer, so I went right
+up to him and drew him aside, where we'd be free from all the loungers
+and theatre-goers.
+
+"How long are you going to keep it up?" I asked him.
+
+He seemed a bit flustered for a moment, but then he saw there was no use
+beating about the bush, so he answered straight--
+
+"Until you go back to Australia," he said.
+
+"Don't you know," I said, "that I have served the Government and got a
+free pardon?"
+
+He grinned all over his ugly face when I said this.
+
+"We know all about you, Maloney," he answered. "If you want a quiet
+life, just you go back where you came from. If you stay here, you're a
+marked man; and when you are found tripping it'll be a lifer for you, at
+the least. Free trade's a fine thing, but the market's too full of men
+like you for us to need to import any!"
+
+It seemed to me that there was something in what he said, though he had
+a nasty way of putting it. For some days back I'd been feeling a sort
+of home-sick. The ways of the people weren't my ways. They stared at me
+in the street; and if I dropped into a bar, they'd stop talking and edge
+away a bit, as if I was a wild beast. I'd sooner have had a pint of old
+Stringybark, too, than a bucketful of their rotgut liquors. There was
+too much damned propriety. What was the use of having money if you
+couldn't dress as you liked, nor bust it properly? There was no sympathy
+for a man if he shot about a little when he was half-over. I've seen a
+man dropped at Nelson many a time with less row than they'd make over a
+broken window-pane. The thing was slow, and I was sick of it.
+
+"You want me to go back?" I said.
+
+"I've my orders to stick fast to you until you do," he answered.
+
+"Well," I said, "I don't care if I do. All I bargain is that you keep
+your mouth shut, and don't let on who I am, so that I may have a fair
+start when I get there."
+
+He agreed to this, and we went over to Southampton the very next day,
+where he saw me safely off once more. I took a passage round to
+Adelaide, where no one was likely to know me; and there I settled,
+right under the nose of the police. I've been there ever since, leading
+a quiet life, but for little difficulties like the one I'm in for now,
+and for that devil, Tattooed Tom of Hawkesbury. I don't know what made
+me tell you all this, Doctor, unless it is that being kind of lonely
+makes a man inclined to jaw when he gets a chance. Just you take warning
+from me, though. Never put yourself out to serve your country; for your
+country will do precious little for you. Just you let them look after
+their own affairs; and if they find a difficulty in hanging a set of
+scoundrels, never mind chipping in, but let them alone to do as best
+they can. Maybe they'll remember how they treated me after I'm dead, and
+be sorry for neglecting me. I was rude to you when you came in, and
+swore a trifle promiscuous; but don't you mind me, it's only my way.
+You'll allow, though, that I have cause to be a bit touchy now and again
+when I think of all that's passed. You're not going, are you? Well, if
+you must, you must; but I hope you will look me up at odd times when you
+are going your round. Oh, I say, you've left the balance of that cake of
+tobacco behind you, haven't you? No; it's in your pocket--that's all
+right. Thank ye, Doctor, you're a good sort, and as quick at a hint as
+any man I've met.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+A couple of months after narrating his experiences, Wolf Tone Maloney
+finished his term, and was released. For a long time I neither saw him
+nor heard of him; and he had almost slipped from my memory, until I was
+reminded, in a somewhat tragic manner, of his existence. I had been
+attending a patient some distance off in the country, and was riding
+back, guiding my tired horse among the boulders which strewed the
+pathway, and endeavouring to see my way through the gathering darkness,
+when I came suddenly upon a little wayside inn. As I walked my horse up
+towards the door, intending to make sure of my bearings before
+proceeding further, I heard the sound of a violent altercation within
+the little bar. There seemed to be a chorus of expostulation or
+remonstrance, above which two powerful voices rang out loud and angry.
+As I listened, there was a momentary hush, two pistol shots sounded
+almost simultaneously, and, with a crash, the door burst open, and a
+pair of dark figures staggered out into the moonlight. They struggled
+for a moment in a deadly wrestle, and then went down together among the
+loose stones. I had sprung off my horse, and, with the help of
+half-a-dozen rough fellows from the bar, dragged them away from one
+another.
+
+A glance was sufficient to convince me that one of them was dying fast.
+He was a thick-set, burly fellow, with a determined cast of countenance.
+The blood was welling from a deep stab in his throat, and it was evident
+that an important artery had been divided. I turned away from him in
+despair, and walked over to where his antagonist was lying. He was shot
+through the lungs, but managed to raise himself upon his hand as I
+approached, and peered anxiously up into my face. To my surprise I saw
+before me the haggard features and flaxen hair of my prison
+acquaintance, Maloney.
+
+"Ah, Doctor!" he said, recognising me. "How is he? Will he die?"
+
+He asked the question so earnestly that I imagined he had softened at
+the last moment, and feared to leave the world with another homicide
+upon his conscience. Truth, however, compelled me to shake my head
+mournfully, and to intimate that the wound would prove a mortal one.
+
+Maloney gave a wild cry of triumph, which brought the blood welling out
+from between his lips. "Here, boys," he gasped to the little group
+around him. "There's money in my inside pocket. Damn the expense! Drinks
+round. There's nothing mean about me. I'd drink with you, but I'm going.
+Give the Doc. my share, for he's as good----" Here his head fell back
+with a thud, his eye glazed, and the soul of Wolf Tone Maloney, forger,
+convict, ranger, murderer, and Government peach, drifted away into the
+Great Unknown.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+I cannot conclude without borrowing the account of the fatal quarrel
+which appeared in the columns of the _West Australian Sentinel_. The
+curious will find it in the issue of the 4th of October 1881:--
+
+"Fatal Affray.--W. T. Maloney, a well-known citizen of New Montrose, and
+proprietor of the Yellow Boy gambling saloon, has met with his death
+under rather painful circumstances. Mr. Maloney was a man who had led a
+chequered existence, and whose past history is replete with interest.
+Some of our readers may recall the Lena Valley murders, in which he
+figured as the principal criminal. It is conjectured that, during the
+seven months that he owned a bar in that region, from twenty to thirty
+travellers were hocussed and made away with. He succeeded, however, in
+evading the vigilance of the officers of the law, and allied himself
+with the bushrangers of Bluemansdyke, whose heroic capture and
+subsequent execution are matters of history. Maloney extricated himself
+from the fate which awaited him by turning Queen's evidence. He
+afterwards visited Europe, but returned to West Australia, where he has
+long played a prominent part in local matters. On Friday evening he
+encountered an old enemy, Thomas Grimthorpe, commonly known as Tattooed
+Tom of Hawkesbury. Shots were exchanged, and both men were badly
+wounded, only surviving a few minutes. Mr. Maloney had the reputation of
+being, not only the most wholesale murderer that ever lived, but also of
+having a finish and attention to detail in matters of evidence which has
+been unapproached by any European criminal. _Sic transit gloriâ
+mundi!_"
+
+
+
+
+_THE SILVER HATCHET._
+
+
+On the 3rd of December 1861, Dr. Otto von Hopstein, Regius Professor of
+Comparative Anatomy of the University of Buda-Pesth, and Curator of the
+Academical Museum, was foully and brutally murdered within a stone-throw
+of the entrance to the college quadrangle.
+
+Besides the eminent position of the victim and his popularity amongst
+both students and townsfolk, there were other circumstances which
+excited public interest very strongly, and drew general attention
+throughout Austria and Hungary to this murder. The _Pesther Abendblatt_
+of the following day had an article upon it, which may still be
+consulted by the curious, and from which I translate a few passages
+giving a succinct account of the circumstances under which the crime was
+committed, and the peculiar features in the case which puzzled the
+Hungarian police.
+
+"It appears," said that very excellent paper, "that Professor von
+Hopstein left the University about half-past four in the afternoon, in
+order to meet the train which is due from Vienna at three minutes after
+five. He was accompanied by his old and dear friend, Herr Wilhelm
+Schlessinger, sub-Curator of the Museum and Privat-docent of Chemistry.
+The object of these two gentlemen in meeting this particular train was
+to receive the legacy bequeathed by Graf von Schulling to the University
+of Buda-Pesth. It is well known that this unfortunate nobleman, whose
+tragic fate is still fresh in the recollection of the public, left his
+unique collection of mediæval weapons, as well as several priceless
+black-letter editions, to enrich the already celebrated museum of his
+Alma Mater. The worthy Professor was too much of an enthusiast in such
+matters to intrust the reception or care of this valuable legacy to any
+subordinate; and, with the assistance of Herr Schlessinger, he succeeded
+in removing the whole collection from the train, and stowing it away in
+a light cart which had been sent by the University authorities. Most of
+the books and more fragile articles were packed in cases of pine-wood,
+but many of the weapons were simply done round with straw, so that
+considerable labour was involved in moving them all. The Professor was
+so nervous, however, lest any of them should be injured, that he refused
+to allow any of the railway employés (_Eisenbahn-diener_) to assist.
+Every article was carried across the platform by Herr Schlessinger, and
+handed to Professor von Hopstein in the cart, who packed it away. When
+everything was in, the two gentlemen, still faithful to their charge,
+drove back to the University, the Professor being in excellent spirits,
+and not a little proud of the physical exertion which he had shown
+himself capable of. He made some joking allusion to it to Reinmaul, the
+janitor, who, with his friend Schiffer, a Bohemian Jew, met the cart on
+its return and unloaded the contents. Leaving his curiosities safe in
+the store-room, and locking the door, the Professor handed the key to
+his sub-curator, and, bidding every one good evening, departed in the
+direction of his lodgings. Schlessinger took a last look to reassure
+himself that all was right, and also went off, leaving Reinmaul and his
+friend Schiffer smoking in the janitor's lodge.
+
+"At eleven o'clock, about an hour and a half after Von Hopstein's
+departure, a soldier of the 14th regiment of Jäger, passing the front of
+the University on his way to barracks, came upon the lifeless body of
+the Professor lying a little way from the side of the road. He had
+fallen upon his face, with both hands stretched out. His head was
+literally split in two halves by a tremendous blow, which, it is
+conjectured, must have been struck from behind, there remaining a
+peaceful smile upon the old man's face, as if he had been still dwelling
+upon his new archæological acquisition when death had overtaken him.
+There is no other mark of violence upon the body, except a bruise over
+the left patella, caused probably by the fall. The most mysterious part
+of the affair is that the Professor's purse, containing forty-three
+gulden, and his valuable watch have been untouched. Robbery cannot,
+therefore, have been the incentive to the deed, unless the assassins
+were disturbed before they could complete their work.
+
+"This idea is negatived by the fact that the body must have lain at
+least an hour before any one discovered it. The whole affair is wrapped
+in mystery. Dr. Langemann, the eminent medico-jurist, has pronounced
+that the wound is such as might have been inflicted by a heavy
+sword-bayonet wielded by a powerful arm. The police are extremely
+reticent upon the subject, and it is suspected that they are in
+possession of a clue which may lead to important results."
+
+Thus far the _Pesther Abendblatt_. The researches of the police failed,
+however, to throw the least glimmer of light upon the matter. There was
+absolutely no trace of the murderer, nor could any amount of ingenuity
+invent any reason which could have induced any one to commit the
+dreadful deed. The deceased Professor was a man so wrapped in his own
+studies and pursuits that he lived apart from the world, and had
+certainly never raised the slightest animosity in any human breast. It
+must have been some fiend, some savage, who loved blood for its own
+sake, who struck that merciless blow.
+
+Though the officials were unable to come to any conclusions upon the
+matter, popular suspicion was not long in pitching upon a scapegoat. In
+the first published accounts of the murder the name of one Schiffer had
+been mentioned as having remained with the janitor after the Professor's
+departure. This man was a Jew, and Jews have never been popular in
+Hungary. A cry was at once raised for Schiffer's arrest; but as there
+was not the slightest grain of evidence against him, the authorities
+very properly refused to consent to so arbitrary a proceeding. Reinmaul,
+who was an old and most respected citizen, declared solemnly that
+Schiffer was with him until the startled cry of the soldier had caused
+them both to run out to the scene of the tragedy. No one ever dreamed of
+implicating Reinmaul in such a matter; but still, it was rumoured that
+his ancient and well-known friendship for Schiffer might have induced
+him to tell a falsehood in order to screen him. Popular feeling ran very
+high upon the subject, and there seemed a danger of Schiffer's being
+mobbed in the street, when an incident occurred which threw a very
+different light upon the matter.
+
+On the morning of the 12th of December, just nine days after the
+mysterious murder of the Professor, Schiffer the Bohemian Jew was found
+lying in the north-western corner of the Grand Platz stone dead, and so
+mutilated that he was hardly recognisable. His head was cloven open in
+very much the same way as that of Von Hopstein, and his body exhibited
+numerous deep gashes, as if the murderer had been so carried away and
+transported with fury that he had continued to hack the lifeless body.
+Snow had fallen heavily the day before, and was lying at least a foot
+deep all over the square; some had fallen during the night, too, as was
+evidenced by a thin layer lying like a winding-sheet over the murdered
+man. It was hoped at first that this circumstance might assist in giving
+a clue by enabling the footsteps of the assassin to be traced; but the
+crime had been committed, unfortunately, in a place much frequented
+during the day, and there were innumerable tracks in every direction.
+Besides, the newly-fallen snow had blurred the footsteps to such an
+extent that it would have been impossible to draw trustworthy evidence
+from them.
+
+In this case there was exactly the same impenetrable mystery and absence
+of motive which had characterised the murder of Professor von Hopstein.
+In the dead man's pocket there was found a note-book containing a
+considerable sum in gold and several very valuable bills, but no attempt
+had been made to rifle him. Supposing that any one to whom he had lent
+money (and this was the first idea which occurred to the police) had
+taken this means of evading his debt, it was hardly conceivable that he
+would have left such a valuable spoil untouched. Schiffer lodged with a
+widow named Gruga, at 49 Marie Theresa Strasse, and the evidence of his
+landlady and her children showed that he had remained shut up in his
+room the whole of the preceding day in a state of deep dejection, caused
+by the suspicion which the populace had fastened upon him. She had heard
+him go out about eleven o'clock at night for his last and fatal walk,
+and as he had a latch-key she had gone to bed without waiting for him.
+His object in choosing such a late hour for a ramble obviously was that
+he did not consider himself safe if recognised in the streets.
+
+The occurrence of this second murder so shortly after the first threw
+not only the town of Buda-Pesth, but the whole of Hungary, into a
+terrible state of excitement, and even of terror. Vague dangers seemed
+to hang over the head of every man. The only parallel to this intense
+feeling was to be found in our own country at the time of the Williams
+murders described by De Quincey. There were so many resemblances between
+the cases of Von Hopstein and of Schiffer that no one could doubt that
+there existed a connection between the two. The absence of object and of
+robbery, the utter want of any clue to the assassin, and, lastly, the
+ghastly nature of the wounds, evidently inflicted by the same or a
+similar weapon, all pointed in one direction. Things were in this state
+when the incidents which I am now about to relate occurred, and in order
+to make them intelligible I must lead up to them from a fresh point of
+departure.
+
+Otto von Schlegel was a younger son of the old Silesian family of that
+name. His father had originally destined him for the army, but at the
+advice of his teachers, who saw the surprising talent of the youth, had
+sent him to the University of Buda-Pesth to be educated in medicine.
+Here young Schlegel carried everything before him, and promised to be
+one of the most brilliant graduates turned out for many a year. Though a
+hard reader, he was no bookworm, but an active, powerful young fellow,
+full of animal spirits and vivacity, and extremely popular among his
+fellow-students.
+
+The New Year examinations were at hand, and Schlegel was working
+hard--so hard that even the strange murders in the town, and the general
+excitement in men's minds, failed to turn his thoughts from his studies.
+Upon Christmas Eve, when every house was illuminated, and the roar of
+drinking songs came from the Bierkeller in the Student-quartier, he
+refused the many invitations to roystering suppers which were showered
+upon him, and went off with his books under his arm to the rooms of
+Leopold Strauss, to work with him into the small hours of the morning.
+
+Strauss and Schlegel were bosom friends. They were both Silesians, and
+had known each other from boyhood. Their affection had become proverbial
+in the University. Strauss was almost as distinguished a student as
+Schlegel, and there had been many a tough struggle for academic honours
+between the two fellow-countrymen, which had only served to strengthen
+their friendship by a bond of mutual respect. Schlegel admired the
+dogged pluck and never-failing good temper of his old playmate; while
+the latter considered Schlegel, with his many talents and brilliant
+versatility, the most accomplished of mortals.
+
+The friends were still working together, the one reading from a volume
+on anatomy, the other holding a skull and marking off the various parts
+mentioned in the text, when the deep-toned bell of St. Gregory's church
+struck the hour of midnight.
+
+"Hark to that!" said Schlegel, snapping up the book and stretching out
+his long legs towards the cheery fire. "Why, it's Christmas morning, old
+friend! May it not be the last that we spend together!"
+
+"May we have passed all these confounded examinations before another one
+comes!" answered Strauss. "But see here, Otto, one bottle of wine will
+not be amiss. I have laid one up on purpose;" and with a smile on his
+honest South German face, he pulled out a long-necked bottle of Rhenish
+from amongst a pile of books and bones in the corner.
+
+"It is a night to be comfortable indoors," said Otto von Schlegel,
+looking out at the snowy landscape, "for 'tis bleak and bitter enough
+outside. Good health, Leopold!"
+
+"_Lebe hoch!_" replied his companion. "It is a comfort indeed to forget
+sphenoid bones and ethmoid bones, if it be but for a moment. And what
+is the news of the corps, Otto? Has Graube fought the Swabian?"
+
+"They fight to-morrow," said Von Schlegel. "I fear that our man will
+lose his beauty, for he is short in the arm. Yet activity and skill may
+do much for him. They say his hanging guard is perfection."
+
+"And what else is the news amongst the students?" asked Strauss.
+
+"They talk, I believe, of nothing but the murders. But I have worked
+hard of late, as you know, and hear little of the gossip."
+
+"Have you had time," inquired Strauss, "to look over the books and the
+weapons which our dear old Professor was so concerned about the very day
+he met his death? They say they are well worth a visit."
+
+"I saw them to-day," said Schlegel, lighting his pipe. "Reinmaul, the
+janitor, showed me over the store-room, and I helped to label many of
+them from the original catalogue of Graf Schulling's museum. As far as
+we can see, there is but one article missing of all the collection."
+
+"One missing!" exclaimed Strauss. "That would grieve old Von Hopstein's
+ghost. Is it anything of value?"
+
+"It is described as an antique hatchet, with a head of steel and a
+handle of chased silver. We have applied to the railway company, and no
+doubt it will be found."
+
+"I trust so," echoed Strauss; and the conversation drifted off into
+other channels. The fire was burning low and the bottle of Rhenish was
+empty before the two friends rose from their chairs, and Von Schlegel
+prepared to depart.
+
+"Ugh! It's a bitter night!" he said, standing on the doorstep and
+folding his cloak round him. "Why, Leopold, you have your cap on. You
+are not going out, are you?"
+
+"Yes, I am coming with you," said Strauss, shutting the door behind him.
+"I feel heavy," he continued, taking his friend's arm, and walking down
+the street with him. "I think a walk as far as your lodgings, in the
+crisp frosty air, is just the thing to set me right."
+
+The two students went down Stephen Strasse together and across Julien
+Platz, talking on a variety of topics. As they passed the corner of the
+Grand Platz, however, where Schiffer had been found dead, the
+conversation turned naturally upon the murder.
+
+"That's where they found him," remarked Von Schlegel, pointing to the
+fatal spot.
+
+"Perhaps the murderer is near us now," said Strauss. "Let us hasten on."
+
+They both turned to go, when Von Schlegel gave a sudden cry of pain and
+stooped down.
+
+"Something has cut through my boot!" he cried; and feeling about with
+his hand in the snow, he pulled out a small glistening battle-axe, made
+apparently entirely of metal. It had been lying with the blade turned
+slightly upwards, so as to cut the foot of the student when he trod upon
+it.
+
+"The weapon of the murderer!" he ejaculated.
+
+"The silver hatchet from the museum!" cried Strauss in the same breath.
+
+There could be no doubt that it was both the one and the other. There
+could not be two such curious weapons, and the character of the wounds
+was just such as would be inflicted by a similar instrument. The
+murderer had evidently thrown it aside after committing the dreadful
+deed, and it had lain concealed in the snow some twenty mètres from the
+spot ever since. It was extraordinary that of all the people who had
+passed and repassed none had discovered it; but the snow was deep, and
+it was a little off the beaten track.
+
+"What are we to do with it?" said Von Schlegel, holding it in his hand.
+He shuddered as he noticed by the light of the moon that the head of it
+was all dabbled with dark-brown stains.
+
+"Take it to the Commissary of Police," suggested Strauss.
+
+"He'll be in bed now. Still, I think you are right. But it is nearly
+four o'clock. I will wait until morning, and take it round before
+breakfast. Meanwhile, I must carry it with me to my lodgings."
+
+"That is the best plan," said his friend; and the two walked on together
+talking of the remarkable find which they had made. When they came to
+Schlegel's door, Strauss said good-bye, refusing an invitation to go in,
+and walked briskly down the street in the direction of his own lodgings.
+
+Schlegel was stooping down putting the key into the lock, when a strange
+change came over him. He trembled violently, and dropped the key from
+his quivering fingers. His right hand closed convulsively round the
+handle of the silver hatchet, and his eye followed the retreating
+figure of his friend with a vindictive glare. In spite of the coldness
+of the night the perspiration streamed down his face. For a moment he
+seemed to struggle with himself, holding his hand up to his throat as if
+he were suffocating. Then, with crouching body and rapid, noiseless
+steps, he crept after his late companion.
+
+Strauss was plodding sturdily along through the snow, humming snatches
+of a student song, and little dreaming of the dark figure which pursued
+him. At the Grand Platz it was forty yards behind him; at the Julien
+Platz it was but twenty; in Stephen Strasse it was ten, and gaining on
+him with panther-like rapidity. Already it was almost within arm's
+length of the unsuspecting man, and the hatchet glittered coldly in the
+moonlight, when some slight noise must have reached Strauss's ears, for
+he faced suddenly round upon his pursuer. He started and uttered an
+exclamation as his eye met the white set face, with flashing eyes and
+clenched teeth, which seemed to be suspended in the air behind him.
+
+"What, Otto!" he exclaimed, recognising his friend. "Art thou ill? You
+look pale. Come with me to my---- Ah! hold, you madman, hold! Drop that
+axe! Drop it, I say, or by heaven I'll choke you!"
+
+Von Schlegel had thrown himself upon him with a wild cry and uplifted
+weapon; but the student was stout-hearted and resolute. He rushed inside
+the sweep of the hatchet and caught his assailant round the waist,
+narrowly escaping a blow which would have cloven his head. The two
+staggered for a moment in a deadly wrestle, Schlegel endeavouring to
+shorten his weapon; but Strauss with a desperate wrench managed to bring
+him to the ground, and they rolled together in the snow, Strauss
+clinging to the other's right arm and shouting frantically for
+assistance. It was as well that he did so, for Schlegel would certainly
+have succeeded in freeing his arm had it not been for the arrival of two
+stalwart gendarmes, attracted by the uproar. Even then the three of them
+found it difficult to overcome the maniacal strength of Schlegel, and
+they were utterly unable to wrench the silver hatchet from his grasp.
+One of the gendarmes, however, had a coil of rope round his waist, with
+which he rapidly secured the student's arms to his sides. In this way,
+half pushed, half dragged, he was conveyed, in spite of furious cries
+and frenzied struggles, to the central police station.
+
+Strauss assisted in coercing his former friend, and accompanied the
+police to the station; protesting loudly at the same time against any
+unnecessary violence, and giving it as his opinion that a lunatic asylum
+would be a more fitting place for the prisoner. The events of the last
+half-hour had been so sudden and inexplicable that he felt quite dazed
+himself. What did it all mean? It was certain that his old friend from
+boyhood had attempted to murder him, and had nearly succeeded. Was Von
+Schlegel then the murderer of Professor von Hopstein and of the Bohemian
+Jew? Strauss felt that it was impossible, for the Jew was not even known
+to him, and the Professor had been his especial favourite. He followed
+mechanically to the police station, lost in grief and amazement.
+
+Inspector Baumgarten, one of the most energetic and best known of the
+police officials, was on duty in the absence of the Commissary. He was a
+wiry little active man, quiet and retiring in his habits, but possessed
+of great sagacity and a vigilance which never relaxed. Now, though he
+had had a six hours' vigil, he sat as erect as ever, with his pen behind
+his ear, at his official desk, while his friend, Sub-inspector Winkel,
+snored in a chair at the side of the stove. Even the inspector's usually
+immovable features betrayed surprise, however, when the door was flung
+open and Von Schlegel was dragged in with pale face and disordered
+clothes, the silver hatchet still grasped firmly in his hand. Still more
+surprised was he when Strauss and the gendarmes gave their account,
+which was duly entered in the official register.
+
+"Young man, young man," said Inspector Baumgarten, laying down his pen
+and fixing his eyes sternly upon the prisoner, "this is pretty work for
+Christmas morning; why have you done this thing?"
+
+"God knows!" cried Von Schlegel, covering his face with his hands and
+dropping the hatchet. A change had come over him, his fury and
+excitement were gone, and he seemed utterly prostrated with grief.
+
+"You have rendered yourself liable to a strong suspicion of having
+committed the other murders which have disgraced our city."
+
+"No, no, indeed!" said Von Schlegel earnestly. "God forbid!"
+
+"At least you are guilty of attempting the life of Herr Leopold
+Strauss."
+
+"The dearest friend I have in the world," groaned the student. "Oh, how
+could I! How could I!"
+
+"His being your friend makes your crime ten times more heinous," said
+the inspector severely. "Remove him for the remainder of the night to
+the---- But steady! Who comes here?"
+
+The door was pushed open, and a man came into the room, so haggard and
+careworn that he looked more like a ghost than a human being. He
+tottered as he walked, and had to clutch at the backs of the chairs as
+he approached the inspector's desk. It was hard to recognise in this
+miserable-looking object the once cheerful and rubicund sub-curator of
+the museum and privat-docent of chemistry, Herr Wilhelm Schlessinger.
+The practised eye of Baumgarten, however, was not to be baffled by any
+change.
+
+"Good morning, mein herr," he said; "you are up early. No doubt the
+reason is that you have heard that one of your students, Von Schlegel,
+is arrested for attempting the life of Leopold Strauss?"
+
+"No; I have come for myself," said Schlessinger, speaking huskily, and
+putting his hand up to his throat. "I have come to ease my soul of the
+weight of a great sin, though, God knows, an unmeditated one. It was I
+who---- But, merciful heavens! there it is--the horrid thing! Oh, that I
+had never seen it!"
+
+He shrank back in a paroxysm of terror, glaring at the silver hatchet
+where it lay upon the floor, and pointing at it with his emaciated hand.
+
+"There it lies!" he yelled. "Look at it! It has come to condemn me. See
+that brown rust on it! Do you know what that is? That is the blood of my
+dearest, best friend, Professor von Hopstein. I saw it gush over the
+very handle as I drove the blade through his brain. Mein Gott, I see it
+now!"
+
+"Sub-inspector Winkel," said Baumgarten, endeavouring to preserve his
+official austerity, "you will arrest this man, charged on his own
+confession with the murder of the late Professor. I also deliver into
+your hands Von Schlegel here, charged with a murderous assault upon
+Herr Strauss. You will also keep this hatchet"--here he picked it from
+the floor--"which has apparently been used for both crimes."
+
+Wilhelm Schlessinger had been leaning against the table, with a face of
+ashy paleness. As the inspector ceased speaking, he looked up excitedly.
+
+"What did you say?" he cried. "Von Schlegel attack Strauss! The two
+dearest friends in the college! I slay my old master! It is magic, I
+say; it is a charm! There is a spell upon us! It is--Ah, I have it! It
+is that hatchet--that thrice accursed hatchet!" and he pointed
+convulsively at the weapon which Inspector Baumgarten still held in his
+hand.
+
+The inspector smiled contemptuously.
+
+"Restrain yourself, mein herr," he said. "You do but make your case
+worse by such wild excuses for the wicked deed you confess to. Magic and
+charms are not known in the legal vocabulary, as my friend Winkel will
+assure you."
+
+"I know not," remarked his sub-inspector, shrugging his broad shoulders.
+"There are many strange things in the world. Who knows but that----"
+
+"What!" roared Inspector Baumgarten furiously. "You would undertake to
+contradict me! You would set up your opinion! You would be the champion
+of these accursed murderers! Fool, miserable fool, your hour has come!"
+and rushing at the astounded Winkel, he dealt a blow at him with the
+silver hatchet which would certainly have justified his last assertion
+had it not been that, in his fury, he overlooked the lowness of the
+rafters above his head. The blade of the hatchet struck one of these,
+and remained there quivering, while the handle was splintered into a
+thousand pieces.
+
+"What have I done?" gasped Baumgarten, falling back into his chair.
+"What have I done?"
+
+"You have proved Herr Schlessinger's words to be correct," said Von
+Schlegel, stepping forward, for the astonished policemen had let go
+their grasp of him. "That is what you have done. Against reason,
+science, and everything else though it be, there is a charm at work.
+There must be! Strauss, old boy, you know I would not, in my right
+senses, hurt one hair of your head. And you, Schlessinger, we both know
+you loved the old man who is dead. And you, Inspector Baumgarten, you
+would not willingly have struck your friend the sub-inspector?"
+
+"Not for the whole world," groaned the inspector, covering his face with
+his hands.
+
+"Then is it not clear? But now, thank Heaven, the accursed thing is
+broken, and can never do harm again. But see, what is that?"
+
+Right in the centre of the room was lying a thin brown cylinder of
+parchment. One glance at the fragments of the handle of the weapon
+showed that it had been hollow. This roll of paper had apparently been
+hidden away inside the metal case thus formed, having been introduced
+through a small hole, which had been afterwards soldered up. Von
+Schlegel opened the document. The writing upon it was almost illegible
+from age; but as far as they could make out it stood thus, in mediæval
+German--
+
+"Diese Waffe benutzte Max von Erlichingen um Joanna Bodeck zu ermorden,
+deshalb beschuldige Ich, Johann Bodeck, mittelst der macht welche mir
+als mitglied des Concils des rothen Kreuzes verliehan wurde, dieselbe
+mit dieser unthat. Mag sie anderen denselben schmerz verursachen den sie
+mir verursacht hat. Mag Jede hand die sie ergreift mit dem blut eines
+freundes geröthet sein.
+
+     "'Immer übel--niemals gut,
+       Geröthet mit des freundes blut.'"
+
+Which may be roughly translated--
+
+"This weapon was used by Max von Erlichingen for the murder of Joanna
+Bodeck. Therefore do I, Johann Bodeck, accurse it by the power which has
+been bequeathed to me as one of the Council of the Rosy Cross. May it
+deal to others the grief which it has dealt to me! May every hand that
+grasps it be reddened in the blood of a friend!
+
+     "'Ever evil, never good,
+       Reddened with a loved one's blood.'"
+
+There was a dead silence in the room when Von Schlegel had finished
+spelling out this strange document. As he put it down Strauss laid his
+hand affectionately upon his arm.
+
+"No such proof is needed by me, old friend," he said. "At the very
+moment that you struck at me I forgave you in my heart. I well know that
+if the poor Professor were in the room he would say as much to Herr
+Wilhelm Schlessinger."
+
+"Gentlemen," remarked the inspector, standing up and resuming his
+official tones, "this affair, strange as it is, must be treated
+according to rule and precedent. Sub-inspector Winkel, as your superior
+officer, I command you to arrest me upon a charge of murderously
+assaulting you. You will commit me to prison for the night, together
+with Herr von Schlegel and Herr Wilhelm Schlessinger. We shall take our
+trial at the coming sitting of the judges. In the meantime take care of
+that piece of evidence"--pointing to the piece of parchment--"and, while
+I am away, devote your time and energy to utilising the clue you have
+obtained in discovering who it was who slew Herr Schiffer, the Bohemian
+Jew."
+
+The one missing link in the chain of evidence was soon supplied. On the
+28th of December the wife of Reinmaul the janitor, coming into the
+bedroom after a short absence, found her husband hanging lifeless from a
+hook in the wall. He had tied a long bolster-case round his neck and
+stood upon a chair in order to commit the fatal deed. On the table was a
+note in which he confessed to the murder of Schiffer the Jew, adding
+that the deceased had been his oldest friend, and that he had slain him
+without premeditation, in obedience to some incontrollable impulse.
+Remorse and grief, he said, had driven him to self-destruction; and he
+wound up his confession by commending his soul to the mercy of Heaven.
+
+The trial which ensued was one of the strangest which ever occurred in
+the whole history of jurisprudence. It was in vain that the prosecuting
+council urged the improbability of the explanation offered by the
+prisoners, and deprecated the introduction of such an element as magic
+into a nineteenth-century law-court. The chain of facts was too strong,
+and the prisoners were unanimously acquitted. "This silver hatchet,"
+remarked the judge in his summing up, "has hung untouched upon the wall
+in the mansion of the Graf von Schulling for nearly two hundred years.
+The shocking manner in which he met his death at the hands of his
+favourite house steward is still fresh in your recollection. It has come
+out in evidence that, a few days before the murder, the steward had
+overhauled the old weapons and cleaned them. In doing this he must have
+touched the handle of this hatchet. Immediately afterwards he slew his
+master, whom he had served faithfully for twenty years. The weapon then
+came, in conformity with the Count's will, to Buda-Pesth, where, at the
+station, Herr Wilhelm Schlessinger grasped it, and, within two hours,
+used it against the person of the deceased Professor. The next man whom
+we find touching it is the janitor Reinmaul, who helped to remove the
+weapons from the cart to the store-room. At the first opportunity he
+buried it in the body of his friend Schiffer. We then have the attempted
+murder of Strauss by Schlegel, and of Winkel by Inspector Baumgarten,
+all immediately following the taking of the hatchet into the hand.
+Lastly, comes the providential discovery of the extraordinary document
+which has been read to you by the clerk of the court. I invite your most
+careful consideration, gentlemen of the jury, to this chain of facts,
+knowing that you will find a verdict according to your consciences
+without fear and without favour."
+
+Perhaps the most interesting piece of evidence to the English reader,
+though it found few supporters among the Hungarian audience, was that of
+Dr. Langemann, the eminent medico-jurist, who has written text-books
+upon metallurgy and toxicology. He said--
+
+"I am not so sure, gentlemen, that there is need to fall back upon
+necromancy or the black art for an explanation of what has occurred. What
+I say is merely a hypothesis, without proof of any sort, but in a case
+so extraordinary every suggestion may be of value. The Rosicrucians, to
+whom allusion is made in this paper, were the most profound chemists of
+the early Middle Ages, and included the principal alchemists whose names
+have descended to us. Much as chemistry has advanced, there are some
+points in which the ancients were ahead of us, and in none more so than
+in the manufacture of poisons of subtle and deadly action. This man
+Bodeck, as one of the elders of the Rosicrucians, possessed, no doubt,
+the recipe of many such mixtures, some of which, like the _aqua tofana_
+of the Medicis, would poison by penetrating through the pores of the
+skin. It is conceivable that the handle of this silver hatchet has been
+anointed by some preparation which is a diffusible poison, having the
+effect upon the human body of bringing on sudden and acute attacks of
+homicidal mania. In such attacks it is well known that the madman's rage
+is turned against those whom he loved best when sane. I have, as I
+remarked before, no proof to support me in my theory, and simply put it
+forward for what it is worth."
+
+With this extract from the speech of the learned and ingenious
+professor, we may close the account of this famous trial.
+
+The broken pieces of the silver hatchet were thrown into a deep pond, a
+clever poodle being employed to carry them in his mouth, as no one would
+touch them for fear some of the infection might still hang about them.
+The piece of parchment was preserved in the museum of the University. As
+to Strauss and Schlegel, Winkel and Baumgarten, they continued the best
+of friends, and are so still for all I know to the contrary.
+Schlessinger became surgeon of a cavalry regiment; and was shot at the
+battle of Sadowa five years later, while rescuing the wounded under a
+heavy fire. By his last injunctions his little patrimony was to be sold
+to erect a marble obelisk over the grave of Professor von Hopstein.
+
+
+
+
+_THE MAN FROM ARCHANGEL._
+
+
+On the fourth day of March, in the year 1867, I being at that time in my
+five-and-twentieth year, I wrote the following words in my note-book,
+the result of much mental perturbation and conflict:--
+
+"The solar system, amidst a countless number of other systems as large
+as itself, rolls ever silently through space in the direction of the
+constellation of Hercules. The great spheres of which it is composed
+spin and spin through the eternal void ceaselessly and noiselessly. Of
+these one of the smallest and most insignificant is that conglomeration
+of solid and of liquid particles which we have named the earth. It
+whirls onwards now as it has done before my birth, and will do after my
+death--a revolving mystery, coming none know whence, and going none know
+whither. Upon the outer crust of this moving mass crawl many mites, of
+whom I, John McVittie, am one, helpless, impotent, being dragged
+aimlessly through space. Yet such is the state of things amongst us
+that the little energy and glimmering of reason which I possess is
+entirely taken up with the labours which are necessary in order to
+procure certain metallic disks, wherewith I may purchase the chemical
+elements necessary to build up my ever-wasting tissues, and keep a roof
+over me to shelter me from the inclemency of the weather. I thus have no
+thought to expend upon the vital questions which surround me on every
+side. Yet, miserable entity as I am, I can still at times feel some
+degree of happiness, and am even--save the mark!--puffed up occasionally
+with a sense of my own importance."
+
+These words, as I have said, I wrote down in my note-book, and they
+reflected accurately the thoughts which I found rooted far down in my
+soul, ever present and unaffected by the passing emotions of the hour.
+Every day for seven months I read over my words, and every day when I had
+finished them I said to myself, "Well done, John McVittie; you have said
+the thought which was in you. You have reduced things to their least
+common measure!" At last came a time when my uncle, McVittie of
+Glencairn, died--the same who was at one time chairman of committees of
+the House of Commons. He divided his great wealth among his many nephews,
+and I found myself with sufficient to provide amply for my wants during
+the remainder of my life, and became at the same time owner of a bleak
+tract of land upon the coast of Caithness, which I think the old man must
+have bestowed upon me in derision, for it was sandy and valueless, and he
+had ever a grim sense of humour. Up to this time I had been an attorney
+in a midland town in England. Now I saw that I could put my thoughts into
+effect, and, leaving all petty and sordid aims, could elevate my mind by
+the study of the secrets of nature. My departure from my English home was
+somewhat accelerated by the fact that I had nearly slain a man in a
+quarrel, for my temper was fiery, and I was apt to forget my own strength
+when enraged. There was no legal action taken in the matter, but the
+papers yelped at me, and folk looked askance when I met them. It ended by
+my cursing them and their vile, smoke-polluted town, and hurrying to my
+northern possession, where I might at last find peace and an opportunity
+for solitary study and contemplation. I borrowed from my capital before
+I went, and so was able to take with me a choice collection of the most
+modern philosophical instruments and books, together with chemicals and
+such other things as I might need in my retirement.
+
+The land which I had inherited was a narrow strip, consisting mostly of
+sand, and extending for rather over two miles round the coast of Mansie
+Bay, in Caithness. Upon this strip there had been a rambling, grey-stone
+building--when erected or wherefore none could tell me--and this I had
+repaired, so that it made a dwelling quite good enough for one of my
+simple tastes. One room was my laboratory, another my sitting-room, and
+in a third, just under the sloping roof, I slung the hammock in which I
+always slept. There were three other rooms, but I left them vacant,
+except one which was given over to the old crone who kept house for me.
+Save the Youngs and the McLeods, who were fisher-folk living round at
+the other side of Fergus Ness, there were no other people for many miles
+in each direction. In front of the house was the great bay, behind it
+were two long barren hills, capped by other loftier ones beyond. There
+was a glen between the hills, and when the wind was from the land it
+used to sweep down this with a melancholy sough and whisper among the
+branches of the fir trees beneath my attic window.
+
+I dislike my fellow-mortals. Justice compels me to add that they appear
+for the most part to dislike me. I hate their little crawling ways,
+their conventionalities, their deceits, their narrow rights and wrongs.
+They take offence at my brusque outspokenness, my disregard for their
+social laws, my impatience of all constraint. Among my books and my
+drugs in my lonely den at Mansie I could let the great drove of the
+human race pass onwards with their politics and inventions and
+tittle-tattle, and I remained behind stagnant and happy. Not stagnant
+either, for I was working in my own little groove, and making progress.
+I have reason to believe that Dalton's atomic theory is founded upon
+error, and I know that mercury is not an element.
+
+During the day I was busy with my distillations and analyses. Often I
+forgot my meals, and when old Madge summoned me to my tea I found my
+dinner lying untouched upon the table. At night I read Bacon, Descartes,
+Spinoza, Kant--all those who have pried into what is unknowable. They
+are all fruitless and empty, barren of result, but prodigal of
+polysyllables, reminding me of men who while digging for gold have
+turned up many worms, and then exhibit them exultantly as being what
+they sought. At times a restless spirit would come upon me, and I would
+walk thirty and forty miles without rest or breaking fast. On these
+occasions, when I used to stalk through the country villages, gaunt,
+unshaven, and dishevelled, the mothers would rush into the road and drag
+their children indoors, and the rustics would swarm out of their
+pot-houses to gaze at me. I believe that I was known far and wide as the
+"mad laird o' Mansie." It was rarely, however, that I made these raids
+into the country, for I usually took my exercise upon my own beach,
+where I soothed my spirit with strong black tobacco, and made the ocean
+my friend and my confidant.
+
+What companion is there like the great restless, throbbing sea? What
+human mood is there which it does not match and sympathise with? There
+are none so gay but that they may feel gayer when they listen to its
+merry turmoil, and see the long green surges racing in, with the glint
+of the sunbeams in their sparkling crests. But when the grey waves toss
+their heads in anger, and the wind screams above them, goading them on
+to madder and more tumultuous efforts, then the darkest-minded of men
+feels that there is a melancholy principle in Nature which is as gloomy
+as his own thoughts. When it was calm in the Bay of Mansie the surface
+would be as clear and bright as a sheet of silver, broken only at one
+spot some little way from the shore, where a long black line projected
+out of the water looking like the jagged back of some sleeping monster.
+This was the top of the dangerous ridge of rocks known to the fishermen
+as the "ragged reef o' Mansie." When the wind blew from the east the
+waves would break upon it like thunder, and the spray would be tossed
+far over my house and up to the hills behind. The bay itself was a bold
+and noble one, but too much exposed to the northern and eastern gales,
+and too much dreaded for its reef, to be much used by mariners. There
+was something of romance about this lonely spot. I have lain in my boat
+upon a calm day, and, peering over the edge, I have seen far down the
+flickering ghostly forms of great fish--fish, as it seemed to me, such
+as naturalists never knew, and which my imagination transformed into the
+genii of that desolate bay. Once, as I stood by the brink of the waters
+upon a quiet night, a great cry, as of a woman in hopeless grief, rose
+from the bosom of the deep, and swelled out upon the still air, now
+sinking and now rising, for a space of thirty seconds. This I heard with
+my own ears.
+
+In this strange spot, with the eternal hills behind me and the eternal
+sea in front, I worked and brooded for more than two years unpestered by
+my fellow-men. By degrees I had trained my old servant into habits of
+silence, so that she now rarely opened her lips, though I doubt not that
+when twice a year she visited her relations in Wick, her tongue during
+those few days made up for its enforced rest. I had come almost to
+forget that I was a member of the human family, and to live entirely
+with the dead whose books I pored over, when a sudden incident occurred
+which threw all my thoughts into a new channel.
+
+Three rough days in June had been succeeded by one calm and peaceful
+one. There was not a breath of air that evening. The sun sank down in
+the west behind a line of purple clouds, and the smooth surface of the
+bay was gashed with scarlet streaks. Along the beach the pools left by
+the tide showed up like gouts of blood against the yellow sand, as if
+some wounded giant had toilfully passed that way, and had left these red
+traces of his grievous hurt behind him. As the darkness closed in,
+certain ragged clouds which had lain low on the eastern horizon
+coalesced and formed a great irregular cumulus. The glass was still low,
+and I knew that there was mischief brewing. About nine o'clock a dull
+moaning sound came up from the sea, as from a creature who, much
+harassed, learns that the hour of suffering has come round again. At ten
+a sharp breeze sprang up from the eastward. At eleven it had increased
+to a gale, and by midnight the most furious storm was raging which I
+ever remember upon that weather-beaten coast.
+
+As I went to bed the shingle and sea-weed was pattering up against my
+attic-window, and the wind was screaming as though every gust were a
+lost soul. By that time the sounds of the tempest had become a lullaby
+to me. I knew that the grey walls of the old house would buffet it out,
+and for what occurred in the world outside I had small concern. Old
+Madge was usually as callous to such things as I was myself. It was a
+surprise to me when, about three in the morning, I was awoke by the
+sound of a great knocking at my door and excited cries in the wheezy
+voice of my housekeeper. I sprang out of my hammock, and roughly
+demanded of her what was the matter.
+
+"Eh, maister, maister!" she screamed in her hateful dialect. "Come doun,
+mun; come doun! There's a muckle ship gaun ashore on the reef, and the
+puir folks are a' yammerin' and ca'in' for help--and I doobt they'll a'
+be drooned. Oh, Maister McVittie, come doun!"
+
+"Hold your tongue, you hag!" I shouted back in a passion. "What is it to
+you whether they are drowned or not? Get back to your bed and leave me
+alone." I turned in again, and drew the blankets over me. "Those men out
+there," I said to myself, "have already gone through half the horrors of
+death. If they be saved they will but have to go through the same once
+more in the space of a few brief years. It is best, therefore, that they
+should pass away now, since they have suffered that anticipation which
+is more than the pain of dissolution." With this thought in my mind I
+endeavoured to compose myself to sleep once more, for that philosophy
+which had taught me to consider death as a small and trivial incident in
+man's eternal and ever-changing career, had also broken me of much
+curiosity concerning worldly matters. On this occasion I found, however,
+that the old leaven still fermented strongly in my soul. I tossed from
+side to side for some minutes endeavouring to beat down the impulses of
+the moment by the rules of conduct which I had framed during months of
+thought. Then I heard a dull roar amid the wild shriek of the gale, and I
+knew that it was the sound of a signal-gun. Driven by an uncontrollable
+impulse, I rose, dressed, and, having lit my pipe, walked out on to the
+beach.
+
+It was pitch dark when I came outside, and the wind blew with such
+violence that I had to put my shoulder against it and push my way along
+the shingle. My face pringled and smarted with the sting of the gravel
+which was blown against it, and the red ashes of my pipe streamed away
+behind me dancing fantastically through the darkness. I went down to
+where the great waves were thundering in, and, shading my eyes with my
+hand to keep off the salt spray, I peered out to sea. I could
+distinguish nothing, and yet it seemed to me that shouts and great
+inarticulate cries were borne to me by the blasts. Suddenly as I gazed I
+made out the glint of a light, and then the whole bay and the beach were
+lit up in a moment by a vivid blue glare. They were burning a coloured
+signal-light on board of the vessel. There she lay on her beam ends
+right in the centre of the jagged reef, hurled over to such an angle
+that I could see all the planking of her deck. She was a large,
+two-masted schooner, of foreign rig, and lay perhaps a hundred and
+eighty or two hundred yards from the shore. Every spar and rope and
+writhing piece of cordage showed up hard and clear under the livid light
+which sputtered and flickered from the highest portion of the
+forecastle. Beyond the doomed ship out of the great darkness came the
+long rolling lines of black waves, never ending, never tiring, with a
+petulant tuft of foam here and there upon their crests. Each as it
+reached the broad circle of unnatural light appeared to gather strength
+and volume, and to hurry on more impetuously until, with a roar and a
+jarring crash, it sprang upon its victim. Clinging to the weather
+shrouds I could distinctly see some ten or twelve frightened seamen,
+who, when their light revealed my presence, turned their white faces
+towards me and waved their hands imploringly. I felt my gorge rise
+against these poor cowering worms. Why should they presume to shirk the
+narrow pathway along which all that is great and noble among mankind has
+travelled? There was one there who interested me more than they. He was
+a tall man who stood apart from the others, balancing himself upon the
+swaying wreck as though he disdained to cling to rope or bulwark. His
+hands were clasped behind his back, and his head was sunk upon his
+breast; but even in that despondent attitude there was a litheness and
+decision in his pose and in every motion which marked him as a man
+little likely to yield to despair. Indeed, I could see by his occasional
+rapid glances up and down and all around him that he was weighing every
+chance of safety; but though he often gazed across the raging surf to
+where he could see my dark figure upon the beach, his self-respect, or
+some other reason, forbade him from imploring my help in any way. He
+stood, dark, silent, and inscrutable, looking down on the black sea, and
+waiting for whatever fortune Fate might send him.
+
+It seemed to me that that problem would very soon be settled. As I
+looked, an enormous billow, topping all the others, and coming after
+them, like a driver following a flock, swept over the vessel. Her
+foremast snapped short off, and the men who clung to the shrouds were
+brushed away like a swarm of flies. With a rending, riving sound the
+ship began to split in two, where the sharp back of the Mansie reef was
+sawing into her keel. The solitary man upon the forecastle ran rapidly
+across the deck and seized hold of a white bundle which I had already
+observed, but failed to make out. As he lifted it up the light fell upon
+it, and I saw that the object was a woman, with a spar lashed across her
+body and under her arms in such a way that her head should always rise
+above water. He bore her tenderly to the side and seemed to speak for a
+minute or so to her, as though explaining the impossibility of remaining
+upon the ship. Her answer was a singular one. I saw her deliberately
+raise her hand and strike him across the face with it. He appeared to be
+silenced for a moment or so by this; but he addressed her again,
+directing her, as far as I could gather from his motions, how she should
+behave when in the water. She shrank away from him, but he caught her in
+his arms. He stooped over her for a moment and seemed to press his lips
+against her forehead. Then a great wave came welling up against the side
+of the breaking vessel, and, leaning over, he placed her upon the summit
+of it as gently as a child might be committed to its cradle. I saw her
+white dress flickering among the foam on the crest of the dark billow,
+and then the light sank gradually lower, and the riven ship and its
+lonely occupant were hidden from my eyes.
+
+As I watched those things my manhood overcame my philosophy, and I felt
+a frantic impulse to be up and doing. I threw my cynicism to one side as
+a garment which I might don again at leisure, and I rushed wildly to my
+boat and my sculls. She was a leaky tub, but what then? Was I, who had
+cast many a wistful, doubtful glance at my opium bottle, to begin now to
+weigh chances and to cavil at danger? I dragged her down to the sea
+with the strength of a maniac, and sprang in. For a moment or two it was
+a question whether she could live among the boiling surge, but a dozen
+frantic strokes took me through it, half-full of water but still afloat.
+I was out on the unbroken waves now, at one time climbing, climbing up
+the broad black breast of one, then sinking down, down on the other
+side, until looking up I could see the gleam of the foam all around me
+against the dark heavens. Far behind me I could hear the wild wailings
+of old Madge, who, seeing me start, thought no doubt that my madness had
+come to a climax. As I rowed I peered over my shoulder, until at last on
+the belly of a great wave which was sweeping towards me I distinguished
+the vague white outline of the woman. Stooping over I seized her as she
+swept by me, and with an effort lifted her, all sodden with water, into
+the boat. There was no need to row back, for the next billow carried us
+in and threw us upon the beach. I dragged the boat out of danger, and
+then lifting up the woman I carried her to the house, followed by my
+housekeeper, loud with congratulation and praise.
+
+Now that I had done this thing a reaction set in upon me. I felt that my
+burden lived, for I heard the faint beat of her heart as I pressed my
+ear against her side in carrying her. Knowing this, I threw her down
+beside the fire which Madge had lit, with as little sympathy as though
+she had been a bundle of faggots. I never glanced at her to see if she
+were fair or no. For many years I had cared little for the face of a
+woman. As I lay in my hammock upstairs, however, I heard the old woman,
+as she chafed the warmth back into her, crooning a chorus of "Eh, the
+puir lassie! Eh, the bonnie lassie!" from which I gathered that this
+piece of jetsam was both young and comely.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The morning after the gale was peaceful and sunny. As I walked along the
+long sweep of sand I could hear the panting of the sea. It was heaving
+and swirling about the reef, but along the shore it rippled in gently
+enough. There was no sign of the schooner, nor was there any wreckage
+upon the beach, which did not surprise me, as I knew there was a great
+undertow in those waters. A couple of broad-winged gulls were hovering
+and skimming over the scene of the shipwreck, as though many strange
+things were visible to them beneath the waves. At times I could hear
+their raucous voices as they spoke to one another of what they saw.
+
+When I came back from my walk the woman was waiting at the door for me.
+I began to wish when I saw her that I had never saved her, for here was
+an end of my privacy. She was very young--at the most nineteen, with a
+pale, somewhat refined face, yellow hair, merry blue eyes, and shining
+teeth. Her beauty was of an ethereal type. She looked so white and light
+and fragile that she might have been the spirit of that storm-foam from
+out of which I plucked her. She had wreathed some of Madge's garments
+round her in a way which was quaint and not unbecoming. As I strode
+heavily up the pathway she put out her hands with a pretty childlike
+gesture, and ran down towards me, meaning, as I surmise, to thank me for
+having saved her, but I put her aside with a wave of my hand and passed
+her. At this she seemed somewhat hurt, and the tears sprang into her
+eyes; but she followed me into the sitting-room and watched me
+wistfully. "What country do you come from?" I asked her suddenly.
+
+She smiled when I spoke, but shook her head.
+
+"Francais?" I asked. "Deutsch?" "Espagnol?"--each time she shook her
+head, and then she rippled off into a long statement in some tongue of
+which I could not understand one word.
+
+After breakfast was over, however, I got a clue to her nationality.
+Passing along the beach once more, I saw that in a cleft of the ridge a
+piece of wood had been jammed. I rowed out to it in my boat and brought
+it ashore. It was part of the sternpost of a boat, and on it, or rather
+on the piece of wood attached to it, was the word "Archangel," painted
+in strange, quaint lettering. "So," I thought, as I paddled slowly back,
+"this pale damsel is a Russian. A fit subject for the White Czar, and a
+proper dweller on the shores of the White Sea!" It seemed to me strange
+that one of her apparent refinement should perform so long a journey in
+so frail a craft. When I came back into the house I pronounced the word
+"Archangel" several times in different intonations, but she did not
+appear to recognise it.
+
+I shut myself up in the laboratory all the morning, continuing a
+research which I was making upon the nature of the allotropic forms of
+carbon and of sulphur. When I came out at mid-day for some food, she was
+sitting by the table with a needle and thread mending some rents in her
+clothes, which were now dry. I resented her continued presence, but I
+could not turn her out on the beach to shift for herself. Presently she
+presented a new phase of her character. Pointing to herself and then to
+the scene of the shipwreck, she held up one finger, by which I
+understood her to be asking whether she was the only one saved. I nodded
+my head to indicate that she was. On this she sprang out of the chair,
+with a cry of great joy, and holding the garment which she was mending
+over her head, and swaying it from side to side with the motion of her
+body, she danced as lightly as a feather all round the room, and then
+out through the open door into the sunshine. As she whirled round she
+sang in a plaintive, shrill voice some uncouth, barbarous chant,
+expressive of exultation. I called out to her, "Come in, you young
+fiend; come in, and be silent!" but she went on with her dance. Then she
+suddenly ran towards me, and catching my hand before I could pluck it
+away, she kissed it. While we were at dinner she spied one of my
+pencils, and taking it up she wrote the two words "Sophie Ramusine" upon
+a piece of paper, and then pointed to herself as a sign that that was
+her name. She handed the pencil to me, evidently expecting that I would
+be equally communicative, but I put it in my pocket as a sign that I
+wished to hold no intercourse with her.
+
+Every moment of my life now I regretted the unguarded precipitancy with
+which I had saved this woman. What was it to me whether she had lived or
+died? I was no young hot-headed youth to do such things. It was bad
+enough to be compelled to have Madge in the house, but she was old and
+ugly, and could be ignored. This one was young and lively, and so
+fashioned as to divert attention from graver things. Where could I send
+her, and what could I do with her? If I sent information to Wick it
+would mean that officials and others would come to me, and pry, and
+peep, and chatter--a hateful thought. It was better to endure her
+presence than that.
+
+I soon found that there were fresh troubles in store for me. There is no
+place safe from the swarming, restless race of which I am a member. In
+the evening, when the sun was dipping down behind the hills, casting
+them into dark shadow, but gilding the sands and casting a great glory
+over the sea, I went, as is my custom, for a stroll along the beach.
+Sometimes on these occasions I took my book with me. I did so on this
+night, and stretching myself upon a sand-dune I composed myself to read.
+As I lay there I suddenly became aware of a shadow which interposed
+itself between the sun and myself. Looking round, I saw, to my great
+surprise, a very tall, powerful man, who was standing a few yards off,
+and who, instead of looking at me, was ignoring my existence completely,
+and was gazing over my head with a stern set face at the bay and the
+black line of the Mansie reef. His complexion was dark, with black hair
+and short curling beard, a hawk-like nose, and golden earrings in his
+ears--the general effect being wild and somewhat noble. He wore a faded
+velveteen jacket, a red flannel shirt, and high sea-boots, coming
+half-way up his thighs. I recognised him at a glance as being the same
+man who had been left on the wreck the night before.
+
+"Hullo!" I said, in an aggrieved voice. "You got ashore all right,
+then?"
+
+"Yes," he answered, in good English. "It was no doing of mine. The waves
+threw me up. I wish to God I had been allowed to drown!" There was a
+slight foreign lisp in his accent which was rather pleasing. "Two good
+fishermen, who live round yonder point, pulled me out and cared for
+me--yet I could not honestly thank them for it."
+
+"Ho! ho!" thought I, "here is a man of my own kidney. Why do you wish to
+be drowned?" I asked.
+
+"Because," he cried, throwing out his long arms with a passionate,
+despairing gesture, "there--there in that blue smiling bay lies my soul,
+my treasure--everything that I loved and lived for."
+
+"Well, well," I said. "People are ruined every day, but there's no use
+making a fuss about it. Let me inform you that this ground on which you
+walk is my ground, and that the sooner you take yourself off it the
+better pleased I shall be. One of you is quite trouble enough."
+
+"One of us?" he gasped.
+
+"Yes--if you could take her off with you I should be still more
+grateful."
+
+He gazed at me for a moment as if hardly able to realise what I said,
+and then, with a wild cry, he ran away from me with prodigious speed
+and raced along the sands towards my house. Never before or since have I
+seen a human being run so fast. I followed as rapidly as I could,
+furious at this threatened invasion, but long before I reached the house
+he had disappeared through the open door. I heard a great scream from
+the inside, and, as I came nearer, the sound of the man's bass voice
+speaking rapidly and loudly. When I looked in, the girl Sophie Ramusine
+was crouching in a corner, cowering away, with fear and loathing
+expressed on her averted face and in every line of her shrinking form.
+The other, with his dark eyes flashing, and his outstretched hands
+quivering with emotion, was pouring forth a torrent of passionate,
+pleading words. He made a step forward to her as I entered, but she
+writhed still further away, and uttered a sharp cry like that of a
+rabbit when the weazel has him by the throat.
+
+"Here!" I said, pulling him back from her. "This is a pretty to-do! What
+do you mean? Do you think this is a wayside inn or place of public
+accommodation?"
+
+"Oh, sir," he said, "excuse me. This woman is my wife, and I feared
+that she was drowned. You have brought me back to life."
+
+"Who are you?" I asked roughly.
+
+"I am a man from Archangel," he said simply: "a Russian man."
+
+"What is your name?"
+
+"Ourganeff."
+
+"Ourganeff!--and hers is Sophie Ramusine. She is no wife of yours. She
+has no ring."
+
+"We are man and wife in the sight of Heaven," he said solemnly, looking
+upwards. "We are bound by higher laws than those of earth." As he spoke
+the girl slipped behind me and caught me by the other hand, pressing it
+as though beseeching my protection. "Give me up my wife, sir," he went
+on. "Let me take her away from here."
+
+"Look here, you--whatever your name is," I said sternly, "I don't want
+this wench here. I wish I had never seen her. If she died it would be no
+grief to me. But as to handing her over to you, when it is clear she
+fears and hates you, I won't do it. So now just clear your great body
+out of this, and leave me to my books. I hope I may never look upon your
+face again."
+
+"You won't give her up to me?" he said hoarsely.
+
+"I'll see you damned first!" I answered.
+
+"Suppose I take her," he cried, his dark face growing darker.
+
+All my tigerish blood flushed up in a moment. I picked up a billet of
+wood from beside the fireplace. "Go," I said, in a low voice; "go quick,
+or I may do you an injury." He looked at me irresolutely for a moment,
+and then he left the house. He came back again in a moment, however, and
+stood in the doorway looking in at us.
+
+"Have a heed what you do," he said. "The woman is mine, and I shall have
+her. When it comes to blows, a Russian is as good a man as a Scotchman."
+
+"We shall see that," I cried, springing forward, but he was already
+gone, and I could see his tall form moving away through the gathering
+darkness.
+
+For a month or more after this things went smoothly with us. I never
+spoke to the Russian girl, nor did she ever address me. Sometimes when I
+was at work at my laboratory she would slip inside the door and sit
+silently there watching me with her great eyes. At first this intrusion
+annoyed me, but by degrees, finding that she made no attempt to distract
+my attention, I suffered her to remain. Encouraged by this concession,
+she gradually came to move the stool on which she sat nearer and nearer
+to my table, until, after gaining a little every day during some weeks,
+she at last worked her way right up to me, and used to perch herself
+beside me whenever I worked. In this position she used, still without
+ever obtruding her presence in any way, to make herself very useful by
+holding my pens, test-tubes, bottles, etc., and handing me whatever I
+wanted, with never-failing sagacity. By ignoring the fact of her being a
+human being, and looking upon her as a useful automatic machine, I
+accustomed myself to her presence so far as to miss her on the few
+occasions when she was not at her post. I have a habit of talking aloud
+to myself at times when I work, so as to fix my results better in my
+mind. The girl must have had a surprising memory for sounds, for she
+could always repeat the words which I let fall in this way, without, of
+course, understanding in the least what they meant. I have often been
+amused at hearing her discharge a volley of chemical equations and
+algebraic symbols at old Madge, and then burst into a ringing laugh when
+the crone would shake her head, under the impression, no doubt, that she
+was being addressed in Russian.
+
+She never went more than a few yards from the house, and indeed never
+put her foot over the threshold without looking carefully out of each
+window, in order to be sure that there was nobody about. By this I knew
+that she suspected that her fellow-countryman was still in the
+neighbourhood, and feared that he might attempt to carry her off. She
+did something else which was significant. I had an old revolver with
+some cartridges, which had been thrown away among the rubbish. She found
+this one day, and at once proceeded to clean it and oil it. She hung it
+up near the door, with the cartridges in a little bag beside it, and
+whenever I went for a walk she would take it down and insist upon my
+carrying it with me. In my absence she would always bolt the door. Apart
+from her apprehensions she seemed fairly happy, busying herself in
+helping Madge when she was not attending upon me. She was wonderfully
+nimble-fingered and natty in all domestic duties.
+
+It was not long before I discovered that her suspicions were well
+founded, and that this man from Archangel was still lurking in the
+vicinity. Being restless one night, I rose and peered out of the window.
+The weather was somewhat cloudy, and I could barely make out the line of
+the sea and the loom of my boat upon the beach. As I gazed, however, and
+my eyes became accustomed to the obscurity, I became aware that there
+was some other dark blur upon the sands, and that in front of my very
+door, where certainly there had been nothing of the sort the preceding
+night. As I stood at my diamond-paned lattice still peering and peeping
+to make out what this might be, a great bank of clouds rolled slowly
+away from the face of the moon, and a flood of cold, clear light was
+poured down upon the silent bay and the long sweep of its desolate
+shores. Then I saw what this was which haunted my doorstep. It was he,
+the Russian. He squatted there like a gigantic toad, with his legs
+doubled under him in strange Mongolian fashion, and his eyes fixed
+apparently upon the window of the room in which the young girl and the
+housekeeper slept. The light fell upon his upturned face, and I saw once
+more the hawk-like grace of his countenance, with the single
+deeply-indented line of care upon his brow, and the protruding beard
+which marks the passionate nature. My first impulse was to shoot him as
+a trespasser, but as I gazed my resentment changed into pity and
+contempt. "Poor fool," I said to myself, "is it then possible that you,
+whom I have seen looking open-eyed at present death, should have your
+whole thoughts and ambition centred upon this wretched slip of a girl--a
+girl, too, who flies from you and hates you! Most women would love
+you--were it but for that dark face and great handsome body of
+yours--and yet you must needs hanker after the one in a thousand who
+will have no traffic with you." As I returned to my bed I chuckled much
+to myself over this thought. I knew that my bars were strong and my
+bolts thick. It mattered little to me whether this strange man spent his
+night at my door or a hundred leagues off, so long as he was gone by the
+morning. As I expected, when I rose and went out there was no sign of
+him, nor had he left any trace of his midnight vigil.
+
+It was not long, however, before I saw him again. I had been out for a
+row one morning, for my head was aching, partly from prolonged stooping
+and partly from the effects of a noxious drug which I had inhaled the
+night before. I pulled along the coast some miles, and then, feeling
+thirsty, I landed at a place where I knew that a fresh water stream
+trickled down into the sea. This rivulet passed through my land, but the
+mouth of it, where I found myself that day, was beyond my boundary line.
+I felt somewhat taken aback when, rising from the stream at which I had
+slaked my thirst, I found myself face to face with the Russian. I was as
+much a trespasser now as he was, and I could see at a glance that he
+knew it.
+
+"I wish to speak a few words to you," he said gravely.
+
+"Hurry up, then!" I answered, glancing at my watch. "I have no time to
+listen to chatter."
+
+"Chatter!" he repeated angrily. "Ah, but there! You Scotch people are
+strange men. Your face is hard and your words rough, but so are those of
+the good fishermen with whom I stay, yet I find that beneath it all
+there lies kind, honest natures. No doubt you are kind and good too, in
+spite of your roughness."
+
+"In the name of the devil," I said, "say your say, and go your way. I am
+weary of the sight of you."
+
+"Can I not soften you in any way?" he cried. "Ah, see--see here"--he
+produced a small Grecian cross from inside his velvet jacket. "Look at
+this. Our religions may differ in form, but at least we have some common
+thoughts and feelings when we see this emblem."
+
+"I am not so sure of that," I answered.
+
+He looked at me thoughtfully.
+
+"You are a very strange man," he said at last. "I cannot understand you.
+You still stand between me and Sophie. It is a dangerous position to
+take, sir. Oh, believe me, before it is too late. If you did but know
+what I have done to gain that woman--how I have risked my body, how I
+have lost my soul. You are a small obstacle to some which I have
+surmounted--you, whom a rip with a knife, or a blow from a stone, would
+put out of my way for ever. But God preserve me from that," he cried
+wildly. "I am deep--too deep--already. Anything rather than that."
+
+"You would do better to go back to your country," I said, "than to
+skulk about these sand-hills and disturb my leisure. When I have proof
+that you have gone away, I shall hand this woman over to the protection
+of the Russian Consul at Edinburgh. Until then, I shall guard her
+myself, and not you, nor any Muscovite that ever breathed, shall take
+her from me."
+
+"And what is your object in keeping me from Sophie?" he asked. "Do you
+imagine that I would injure her? Why, man, I would give my life freely
+to save her from the slightest harm. Why do you do this thing?"
+
+"I do it because it is my good pleasure to act so," I answered. "I give
+no man reasons for my conduct."
+
+"Look here!" he cried, suddenly blazing into fury, and advancing towards
+me with his shaggy mane bristling and his brown hands clenched. "If I
+thought you had one dishonest thought towards this girl--if for a moment
+I had reason to believe that you had any base motive for detaining
+her--as sure as there is a God in Heaven I should drag the heart out of
+your bosom with my hands." The very idea seemed to have put the man in a
+frenzy, for his face was all distorted and his hands opened and shut
+convulsively. I thought that he was about to spring at my throat.
+
+"Stand off!" I said, putting my hand on my pistol. "If you lay a finger
+on me I shall kill you."
+
+He put his hand into his pocket, and for a moment I thought that he was
+about to produce a weapon too, but instead of that he whipped out a
+cigarette and lit it, breathing the smoke rapidly into his lungs. No
+doubt he had found by experience that this was the most effectual way of
+curbing his passions.
+
+"I told you," he said in a quieter voice, "that my name is
+Ourganeff--Alexis Ourganeff. I am a Finn by birth, but I have spent my
+life in every part of the world. I was one who could never be still, nor
+settle down to a quiet existence. After I came to own my own ship there
+is hardly a port from Archangel to Australia which I have not entered. I
+was rough and wild and free, but there was one at home, sir, who was
+prim and white-handed and soft-tongued, skilful in little fancies and
+conceits which women love. This youth by his wiles and tricks stole from
+me the love of the girl whom I had ever marked as my own, and who up to
+that time had seemed in some sort inclined to return my passion. I had
+been on a voyage to Hammerfest for ivory, and coming back unexpectedly,
+I learned that my pride and treasure was to be married to this
+soft-skinned boy, and that the party had actually gone to the church. In
+such moments, sir, something gives way in my head, and I hardly know
+what I do. I landed with a boat's crew--all men who had sailed with me
+for years, and who were as true as steel. We went up to the church. They
+were standing, she and he, before the priest, but the thing had not been
+done. I dashed between them and caught her round the waist. My men beat
+back the frightened bridegroom and the lookers-on. We bore her down to
+the boat and aboard our vessel, and then getting up anchor, we sailed
+away across the White Sea until the spires of Archangel sank down behind
+the horizon. She had my cabin, my room, every comfort. I slept among the
+men in the forecastle. I hoped that in time her aversion to me would
+wear away, and that she would consent to marry me in England or in
+France. For days and days we sailed. We saw the North Cape die away
+behind us, and we skirted the grey Norwegian coast, but still, in spite
+of every attention, she would not forgive me for tearing her from that
+pale-faced lover of hers. Then came this cursed storm which shattered
+both my ship and my hopes, and has deprived me even of the sight of the
+woman for whom I have risked so much. Perhaps she may learn to love me
+yet. You, sir," he said wistfully, "look like one who has seen much of
+the world. Do you not think that she may come to forget this man and to
+love me?" "I am tired of your story," I said, turning away. "For my
+part, I think you are a great fool. If you imagine that this love of
+yours will pass away, you had best amuse yourself as best you can until
+it does. If, on the other hand, it is a fixed thing, you cannot do
+better than cut your throat, for that is the shortest way out of it. I
+have no more time to waste on the matter." With this I hurried away and
+walked down to the boat. I never looked round, but I heard the dull
+sound of his feet upon the sands as he followed me.
+
+"I have told you the beginning of my story," he said, "and you shall
+know the end some day. You would do well to let the girl go."
+
+I never answered him, but pushed the boat off. When I had rowed some
+distance out I looked back and saw his tall figure upon the yellow sand
+as he stood gazing thoughtfully after me. When I looked again, some
+minutes later, he had disappeared.
+
+For a long time after this my life was as regular and as monotonous as
+it had been before the shipwreck. At times I hoped that the man from
+Archangel had gone away altogether, but certain footsteps which I saw
+upon the sand, and more particularly a little pile of cigarette ash
+which I found one day behind a hillock from which a view of the house
+might be obtained, warned me that, though invisible, he was still in the
+vicinity. My relations with the Russian girl remained the same as
+before. Old Madge had been somewhat jealous of her presence at first,
+and seemed to fear that what little authority she had would be taken
+away from her. By degrees, however, as she came to realise my utter
+indifference, she became reconciled to the situation, and, as I have
+said before, profited by it, as our visitor performed much of the
+domestic work.
+
+And now I am coming near the end of this narrative of mine, which I have
+written a great deal more for my own amusement than for that of any one
+else. The termination of the strange episode in which these two Russians
+had played a part was as wild and as sudden as the commencement. The
+events of one single night freed me from all my troubles, and left me
+once more alone with my books and my studies, as I had been before their
+intrusion. Let me endeavour to describe how this came about.
+
+I had had a long day of heavy and wearying work, so that in the evening
+I determined upon taking a long walk. When I emerged from the house my
+attention was attracted by the appearance of the sea. It lay like a
+sheet of glass, so that never a ripple disturbed its surface. Yet the
+air was filled with that indescribable moaning sound which I have
+alluded to before--a sound as though the spirits of all those who lay
+beneath those treacherous waters were sending a sad warning of coming
+troubles to their brethren in the flesh. The fishermen's wives along
+that coast know the eerie sound, and look anxiously across the waters
+for the brown sails making for the land. When I heard it I stepped back
+into the house and looked at the glass. It was down below 29°. Then I
+knew that a wild night was coming upon us.
+
+Underneath the hills where I walked that evening it was dull and chill,
+but their summits were rosy-red and the sea was brightened by the
+sinking sun. There were no clouds of importance in the sky, yet the dull
+groaning of the sea grew louder and stronger. I saw, far to the
+eastward, a brig beating up for Wick, with a reef in her topsails. It
+was evident that her captain had read the signs of nature as I had done.
+Behind her a long, lurid haze lay low upon the water, concealing the
+horizon. "I had better push on," I thought to myself, "or the wind may
+rise before I get back."
+
+I suppose I must have been at least half a mile from the house when I
+suddenly stopped and listened breathlessly. My ears were so accustomed
+to the noises of nature, the sighing of the breeze and the sob of the
+waves, that any other sound made itself heard at a great distance. I
+waited, listening with all my ears. Yes, there it was again--a
+long-drawn, shrill cry of despair, ringing over the sands and echoed
+back from the hills behind me--a piteous appeal for aid. It came from
+the direction of my house. I turned and ran back homewards at the top
+of my speed, ploughing through the sand, racing over the shingle. In my
+mind there was a great dim perception of what had occurred.
+
+About a quarter of a mile from the house there is a high sandhill, from
+which the whole country round is visible. When I reached the top of this
+I paused for a moment. There was the old grey building--there the boat.
+Everything seemed to be as I had left it. Even as I gazed, however, the
+shrill scream was repeated, louder than before, and the next moment a
+tall figure emerged from my door--the figure of the Russian sailor. Over
+his shoulder was the white form of the young girl, and even in his haste
+he seemed to bear her tenderly and with gentle reverence. I could hear
+her wild cries and see her desperate struggles to break away from him.
+Behind the couple came my old housekeeper, staunch and true, as the aged
+dog, who can no longer bite, still snarls with toothless gums at the
+intruder. She staggered feebly along at the heels of the ravisher,
+waving her long, thin arms, and hurling, no doubt, volleys of Scotch
+curses and imprecations at his head. I saw at a glance that he was
+making for the boat. A sudden hope sprang up in my soul that I might be
+in time to intercept him. I ran for the beach at the top of my speed. As
+I ran I slipped a cartridge into my revolver. This I determined should
+be the last of these invasions.
+
+I was too late. By the time I reached the water's edge he was a hundred
+yards away, making the boat spring with every stroke of his powerful
+arms. I uttered a wild cry of impotent anger, and stamped up and down
+the sands like a maniac. He turned and saw me. Rising from his seat he
+made me a graceful bow, and waved his hand to me. It was not a
+triumphant or a derisive gesture. Even my furious and distempered mind
+recognised it as being a solemn and courteous leave-taking. Then he
+settled down to his oars once more, and the little skiff shot away out
+over the bay. The sun had gone down now, leaving a single dull, red
+streak upon the water, which stretched away until it blended with the
+purple haze on the horizon. Gradually the skiff grew smaller and smaller
+as it sped across this lurid band, until the shades of night gathered
+round it and it became a mere blur upon the lonely sea. Then this vague
+loom died away also, and darkness settled over it--a darkness which
+should never more be raised.
+
+And why did I pace the solitary shore, hot and wrathful as a wolf whose
+whelp has been torn from it? Was it that I loved this Muscovite girl?
+No--a thousand times no. I am not one who, for the sake of a white skin
+or a blue eye, would belie my own life, and change the whole tenor of my
+thoughts and existence. My heart was untouched. But my pride--ah, there
+I had been cruelly wounded. To think that I had been unable to afford
+protection to the helpless one who craved it of me, and who relied on
+me! It was that which made my heart sick and sent the blood buzzing
+through my ears.
+
+That night a great wind rose up from the sea, and the wild waves
+shrieked upon the shore as though they would tear it back with them into
+the ocean. The turmoil and the uproar were congenial to my vexed spirit.
+All night I wandered up and down, wet with spray and rain, watching the
+gleam of the white breakers, and listening to the outcry of the storm.
+My heart was bitter against the Russian. I joined my feeble pipe to the
+screaming of the gale. "If he would but come back again!" I cried, with
+clenched hands; "if he would but come back!"
+
+He came back. When the grey light of morning spread over the eastern sky
+and lit up the great waste of yellow, tossing waters, with the brown
+clouds drifting swiftly over them, then I saw him once again. A few
+hundred yards off along the sand there lay a long dark object, cast up
+by the fury of the waves. It was my boat, much shattered and splintered.
+A little farther on, a vague, shapeless something was washing to and fro
+in the shallow water, all mixed with shingle and with sea-weed. I saw at
+a glance that it was the Russian, face downwards and dead. I rushed into
+the water and dragged him up on to the beach. It was only when I turned
+him over that I discovered that she was beneath him, his dead arms
+encircling her, his mangled body still intervening between her and the
+fury of the storm. It seemed that the fierce German Sea might beat the
+life from him, but with all its strength it was unable to tear this
+one-idea'd man from the woman whom he loved. There were signs which led
+me to believe that during that awful night the woman's fickle mind had
+come at last to learn the worth of the true heart and strong arm which
+struggled for her and guarded her so tenderly. Why else should her
+little head be nestling so lovingly on his broad breast, while her
+yellow hair entwined itself with his flowing beard? Why, too, should
+there be that bright smile of ineffable happiness and triumph, which
+death itself had not had power to banish from his dusky face? I fancy
+that death had been brighter to him than life had ever been.
+
+Madge and I buried them there on the shores of the desolate northern
+sea. They lie in one grave deep down beneath the yellow sand. Strange
+things may happen in the world around them. Empires may rise and may
+fall, dynasties may perish, great wars may come and go, but, heedless of
+it all, those two shall embrace each other for ever and aye in their
+lonely shrine by the side of the sounding ocean. I sometimes have
+thought that their spirits flit like shadowy sea-mews over the wild
+waters of the bay. No cross or symbol marks their resting-place, but old
+Madge puts wild flowers upon it at times; and when I pass on my daily
+walk, and see the fresh blossoms scattered over the sand, I think of the
+strange couple who came from afar and broke for a little space the dull
+tenor of my sombre life.
+
+
+
+
+_THAT LITTLE SQUARE BOX._
+
+
+"All aboard?" said the captain.
+
+"All aboard, sir!" said the mate.
+
+"Then stand by to let her go."
+
+It was nine o'clock on a Wednesday morning. The good ship _Spartan_ was
+lying off Boston Quay with her cargo under hatches, her passengers
+shipped, and everything prepared for a start. The warning whistle had
+been sounded twice, the final bell had been rung. Her bowsprit was
+turned towards England, and the hiss of escaping steam showed that all
+was ready for her run of three thousand miles. She strained at the warps
+that held her like a greyhound at its leash.
+
+I have the misfortune to be a very nervous man. A sedentary literary
+life has helped to increase the morbid love of solitude which, even in
+my boyhood, was one of my distinguishing characteristics. As I stood
+upon the quarter-deck of the Transatlantic steamer, I bitterly cursed
+the necessity which drove me back to the land of my forefathers. The
+shouts of the sailors, the rattle of the cordage, the farewells of my
+fellow-passengers, and the cheers of the mob, each and all jarred upon
+my sensitive nature. I felt sad too. An indescribable feeling, as of
+some impending calamity, seemed to haunt me. The sea was calm, and the
+breeze light. There was nothing to disturb the equanimity of the most
+confirmed of landsmen, yet I felt as if I stood upon the verge of a
+great though indefinable danger. I have noticed that such presentiments
+occur often in men of my peculiar temperament, and that they are not
+uncommonly fulfilled. There is a theory that it arises from a species of
+second-sight--a subtle spiritual communication with the future. I well
+remember that Herr Raumer, the eminent spiritualist, remarked on one
+occasion that I was the most sensitive subject as regards supernatural
+phenomena that he had ever encountered in the whole of his wide
+experience. Be that as it may, I certainly felt far from happy as I
+threaded my way among the weeping, cheering groups which dotted the
+white decks of the good ship _Spartan_. Had I known the experience which
+awaited me in the course of the next twelve hours, I would even then at
+the last moment have sprung upon the shore, and made my escape from the
+accursed vessel.
+
+"Time's up!" said the captain, closing his chronometer with a snap, and
+replacing it in his pocket. "Time's up!" said the mate. There was a last
+wail from the whistle, a rush of friends and relatives upon the land.
+One warp was loosened, the gangway was being pushed away, when there was
+a shout from the bridge, and two men appeared running rapidly down the
+quay. They were waving their hands and making frantic gestures,
+apparently with the intention of stopping the ship. "Look sharp!"
+shouted the crowd. "Hold hard!" cried the captain. "Ease her! stop her!
+Up with the gangway!" and the two men sprang aboard just as the second
+warp parted, and a convulsive throb of the engine shot us clear of the
+shore. There was a cheer from the deck, another from the quay, a mighty
+fluttering of handkerchiefs, and the great vessel ploughed its way out
+of the harbour, and steamed grandly away across the placid bay.
+
+We were fairly started upon our fortnight's voyage. There was a general
+dive among the passengers in quest of berths and luggage, while a
+popping of corks in the saloon proved that more than one bereaved
+traveller was adopting artificial means for drowning the pangs of
+separation. I glanced round the deck and took a running inventory of my
+_compagnons de voyage_. They presented the usual types met with upon
+these occasions. There was no striking face among them. I speak as a
+connoisseur, for faces are a specialty of mine. I pounce upon a
+characteristic feature as a botanist does on a flower, and bear it away
+with me to analyse at my leisure, and classify and label it in my little
+anthropological museum. There was nothing worthy of me here. Twenty
+types of young America going to "Yurrup," a few respectable middle-aged
+couples as an antidote, a sprinkling of clergymen and professional men,
+young ladies, bagmen, British exclusives, and all the _olla podrida_ of
+an ocean-going steamer. I turned away from them and gazed back at the
+receding shores of America, and, as a cloud of remembrances rose before
+me, my heart warmed towards the land of my adoption. A pile of
+portmanteaus and luggage chanced to be lying on one side of the deck,
+awaiting their turn to be taken below. With my usual love for solitude
+I walked behind these, and sitting on a coil of rope between them and
+the vessel's side, I indulged in a melancholy reverie.
+
+I was aroused from this by a whisper behind me. "Here's a quiet place,"
+said the voice. "Sit down, and we can talk it over in safety."
+
+Glancing through a chink between two colossal chests, I saw that the
+passengers who had joined us at the last moment were standing at the
+other side of the pile. They had evidently failed to see me as I
+crouched in the shadow of the boxes. The one who had spoken was a tall
+and very thin man with a blue-black beard and a colourless face. His
+manner was nervous and excited. His companion was a short, plethoric
+little fellow, with a brisk and resolute air. He had a cigar in his
+mouth, and a large ulster slung over his left arm. They both glanced
+round uneasily, as if to ascertain whether they were alone. "This is
+just the place," I heard the other say. They sat down on a bale of goods
+with their backs turned towards me, and I found myself, much against my
+will, playing the unpleasant part of eavesdropper to their
+conversation.
+
+"Well, Muller," said the taller of the two, "we've got it aboard right
+enough."
+
+"Yes," assented the man whom he had addressed as Muller; "it's safe
+aboard."
+
+"It was rather a near go."
+
+"It was that, Flannigan."
+
+"It wouldn't have done to have missed the ship."
+
+"No; it would have put our plans out."
+
+"Ruined them entirely," said the little man, and puffed furiously at his
+cigar for some minutes.
+
+"I've got it here," he said at last.
+
+"Let me see it."
+
+"Is no one looking?"
+
+"No; they are nearly all below."
+
+"We can't be too careful where so much is at stake," said Muller, as he
+uncoiled the ulster which hung over his arm, and disclosed a dark object
+which he laid upon the deck. One glance at it was enough to cause me to
+spring to my feet with an exclamation of horror. Luckily they were so
+engrossed in the matter on hand that neither of them observed me. Had
+they turned their heads they would infallibly have seen my pale face
+glaring at them over the pile of boxes.
+
+From the first moment of their conversation a horrible misgiving had
+come over me. It seemed more than confirmed as I gazed at what lay
+before me. It was a little square box made of some dark wood, and ribbed
+with brass. I suppose it was about the size of a cubic foot. It reminded
+me of a pistol-case, only it was decidedly higher. There was an
+appendage to it, however, on which my eyes were riveted, and which
+suggested the pistol itself rather than its receptacle. This was a
+trigger-like arrangement upon the lid, to which a coil of string was
+attached. Beside this trigger there was a small square aperture through
+the wood. The tall man, Flannigan, as his companion called him, applied
+his eye to this and peered in for several minutes with an expression of
+intense anxiety upon his face.
+
+"It seems right enough," he said at last.
+
+"I tried not to shake it," said his companion.
+
+"Such delicate things need delicate treatment. Put in some of the
+needful, Muller."
+
+The shorter man fumbled in his pocket for some time, and then produced a
+small paper packet. He opened this, and took out of it half a handful of
+whitish granules, which he poured down through the hole. A curious
+clicking noise followed from the inside of the box, and both the men
+smiled in a satisfied way.
+
+"Nothing much wrong there," said Flannigan.
+
+"Right as a trivet," answered his companion.
+
+"Look out! here's some one coming. Take it down to our berth. It
+wouldn't do to have any one suspecting what our game is, or, worse
+still, have them fumbling with it, and letting it off by mistake."
+
+"Well, it would come to the same, whoever let it off," said Muller.
+
+"They'd be rather astonished if they pulled the trigger," said the
+taller, with a sinister laugh. "Ha, ha! fancy their faces! It's not a
+bad bit of workmanship, I flatter myself."
+
+"No," said Muller. "I hear it is your own design, every bit of it, isn't
+it?"
+
+"Yes, the spring and the sliding shutter are my own."
+
+"We should take out a patent."
+
+And the two men laughed again with a cold, harsh laugh, as they took up
+the little brass-bound package and concealed it in Muller's voluminous
+overcoat.
+
+"Come down, and we'll stow it in our berth," said Flannigan. "We won't
+need it until to-night, and it will be safe there."
+
+His companion assented, and the two went arm-in-arm along the deck and
+disappeared down the hatchway, bearing the mysterious little box away
+with them. The last words I heard were a muttered injunction from
+Flannigan to carry it carefully, and avoid knocking it against the
+bulwarks.
+
+How long I remained sitting on that coil of rope I shall never know. The
+horror of the conversation I had just overheard was aggravated by the
+first sinking qualms of sea-sickness. The long roll of the Atlantic was
+beginning to assert itself over both ship and passengers. I felt
+prostrated in mind and in body, and fell into a state of collapse, from
+which I was finally aroused by the hearty voice of our worthy
+quartermaster.
+
+"Do you mind moving out of that, sir?" he said. "We want to get this
+lumber cleared off the deck."
+
+His bluff manner and ruddy, healthy face seemed to be a positive insult
+to me in my present condition. Had I been a courageous or a muscular man
+I could have struck him. As it was, I treated the honest sailor to a
+melodramatic scowl, which seemed to cause him no small astonishment, and
+strode past him to the other side of the deck. Solitude was what I
+wanted--solitude in which I could brood over the frightful crime which
+was being hatched before my very eyes. One of the quarter-boats was
+hanging rather low down upon the davits. An idea struck me, and,
+climbing on the bulwarks, I stepped into the empty boat and lay down in
+the bottom of it. Stretched on my back, with nothing but the blue sky
+above me, and an occasional view of the mizzen as the vessel rolled, I
+was at least alone with my sickness and my thoughts.
+
+I tried to recall the words which had been spoken in the terrible
+dialogue I had overheard. Would they admit of any construction but the
+one which stared me in the face? My reason forced me to confess that
+they would not. I endeavoured to array the various facts which formed
+the chain of circumstantial evidence, and to find a flaw in it; but no,
+not a link was missing. There was the strange way in which our
+passengers had come aboard, enabling them to evade any examination of
+their luggage. The very name of "Flannigan" smacked of Fenianism, while
+"Muller" suggested nothing but Socialism and murder. Then their
+mysterious manner; their remark that their plans would have been ruined
+had they missed the ship; their fear of being observed; last, but not
+least, the clenching evidence in the production of the little square box
+with the trigger, and their grim joke about the face of the man who
+should let it off by mistake--could these facts lead to any conclusion
+other than that they were the desperate emissaries of some body,
+political or otherwise, and intended to sacrifice themselves, their
+fellow-passengers, and the ship, in one great holocaust? The whitish
+granules which I had seen one of them pour into the box formed no doubt
+a fuse or train for exploding it. I had myself heard a sound come from
+it which might have emanated from some delicate piece of machinery. But
+what did they mean by their allusion to to-night? Could it be that they
+contemplated putting their horrible design into execution on the very
+first evening of our voyage? The mere thought of it sent a cold shudder
+over me, and made me for a moment superior even to the agonies of
+sea-sickness.
+
+I have remarked that I am a physical coward. I am a moral one also. It
+is seldom that the two defects are united to such a degree in the one
+character. I have known many men who were most sensitive to bodily
+danger, and yet were distinguished for the independence and strength of
+their minds. In my own case, however, I regret to say that my quiet and
+retiring habits had fostered a nervous dread of doing anything
+remarkable, or making myself conspicuous, which exceeded, if possible,
+my fear of personal peril. An ordinary mortal placed under the
+circumstances in which I now found myself would have gone at once to the
+captain, confessed his fears, and put the matter into his hands. To me,
+however, constituted as I am, the idea was most repugnant. The thought
+of becoming the observed of all observers, cross-questioned by a
+stranger, and confronted with two desperate conspirators in the
+character of a denouncer, was hateful to me. Might it not by some remote
+possibility prove that I was mistaken? What would be my feelings if
+there should turn out to be no grounds for my accusation? No, I would
+procrastinate; I would keep my eye on the two desperadoes and dog them
+at every turn. Anything was better than the possibility of being wrong.
+
+Then it struck me that even at that moment some new phase of the
+conspiracy might be developing itself. The nervous excitement seemed to
+have driven away my incipient attack of sickness, for I was able to
+stand up and lower myself from the boat without experiencing any return
+of it. I staggered along the deck with the intention of descending into
+the cabin and finding how my acquaintances of the morning were occupying
+themselves. Just as I had my hand on the companion-rail, I was
+astonished by receiving a hearty slap on the back, which nearly shot me
+down the steps with more haste than dignity.
+
+"Is that you, Hammond?" said a voice which I seemed to recognise.
+
+"God bless me," I said as I turned round, "it can't be Dick Merton! Why,
+how are you, old man?"
+
+This was an unexpected piece of luck in the midst of my perplexities.
+Dick was just the man I wanted; kindly and shrewd in his nature, and
+prompt in his actions, I should have no difficulty in telling him my
+suspicions, and could rely upon his sound sense to point out the best
+course to pursue. Since I was a little lad in the second form at Harrow,
+Dick had been my adviser and protector. He saw at a glance that
+something had gone wrong with me.
+
+"Hullo!" he said, in his kindly way, "what's put you about, Hammond? You
+look as white as a sheet. _Mal de mer_, eh?"
+
+"No, not that altogether," said I. "Walk up and down with me, Dick; I
+want to speak to you. Give me your arm."
+
+Supporting myself on Dick's stalwart frame, I tottered along by his
+side; but it was some time before I could muster resolution to speak.
+
+"Have a cigar," said he, breaking the silence.
+
+"No, thanks," said I. "Dick, we shall all be corpses to-night."
+
+"That's no reason against your having a cigar now," said Dick, in his
+cool way, but looking hard at me from under his shaggy eyebrows as he
+spoke. He evidently thought that my intellect was a little gone.
+
+"No," I continued; "it's no laughing matter, and I speak in sober
+earnest, I assure you. I have discovered an infamous conspiracy, Dick,
+to destroy this ship and every soul that is in her;" and I then
+proceeded systematically, and in order, to lay before him the chain of
+evidence which I had collected. "There, Dick," I said, as I concluded,
+"what do you think of that? and, above all, what am I to do?"
+
+To my astonishment he burst into a hearty fit of laughter.
+
+"I'd be frightened," he said, "if any fellow but you had told me as
+much. You always had a way, Hammond, of discovering mares' nests. I like
+to see the old traits breaking out again. Do you remember at school how
+you swore there was a ghost in the long room, and how it turned out to
+be your own reflection in the mirror? Why, man," he continued, "what
+object would any one have in destroying this ship? We have no great
+political guns aboard. On the contrary, the majority of the passengers
+are Americans. Besides, in this sober nineteenth century, the most
+wholesale murderers stop at including themselves among their victims.
+Depend upon it, you have misunderstood them, and have mistaken a
+photographic camera, or something equally innocent, for an infernal
+machine."
+
+"Nothing of the sort, sir," said I, rather touchily. "You will learn to
+your cost, I fear, that I have neither exaggerated nor misinterpreted a
+word. As to the box, I have certainly never before seen one like it. It
+contained delicate machinery; of that I am convinced, from the way in
+which the men handled it and spoke of it."
+
+"You'd make out every packet of perishable goods to be a torpedo," said
+Dick, "if that is to be your only test."
+
+"The man's name was Flannigan," I continued.
+
+"I don't think that would go very far in a court of law," said Dick;
+"but come, I have finished my cigar. Suppose we go down together and
+split a bottle of claret. You can point out these two Orsinis to me if
+they are still in the cabin."
+
+"All right," I answered; "I am determined not to lose sight of them all
+day. Don't look hard at them, though; for I don't want them to think
+that they are being watched."
+
+"Trust me," said Dick; "I'll look as unconscious and guileless as a
+lamb;" and with that we passed down the companion and into the saloon.
+
+A good many passengers were scattered about the great central table,
+some wrestling with refractory carpet-bags and rug-straps, some having
+their luncheon, and a few reading and otherwise amusing themselves. The
+objects of our quest were not there. We passed down the room and peered
+into every berth; but there was no sign of them. "Heavens!" thought I,
+"perhaps at this very moment they are beneath our feet, in the hold or
+engine-room, preparing their diabolical contrivance!" It was better to
+know the worst than to remain in such suspense.
+
+"Steward," said Dick, "are there any other gentlemen about?"
+
+"There's two in the smoking-room, sir," answered the steward.
+
+The smoking-room was a little snuggery, luxuriously fitted up, and
+adjoining the pantry. We pushed the door open and entered. A sigh of
+relief escaped from my bosom. The very first object on which my eye
+rested was the cadaverous face of Flannigan, with its hard-set mouth and
+unwinking eye. His companion sat opposite to him. They were both
+drinking, and a pile of cards lay upon the table. They were engaged in
+playing as we entered. I nudged Dick to show him that we had found our
+quarry, and we sat down beside them with as unconcerned an air as
+possible. The two conspirators seemed to take little notice of our
+presence. I watched them both narrowly. The game at which they were
+playing was "Napoleon." Both were adepts at it; and I could not help
+admiring the consummate nerve of men who, with such a secret at their
+hearts, could devote their minds to the manipulating of a long suit or
+the finessing of a queen. Money changed hands rapidly; but the run of
+luck seemed to be all against the taller of the two players. At last he
+threw down his cards on the table with an oath and refused to go on.
+
+"No, I'm hanged if I do!" he said; "I haven't had more than two of a
+suit for five hands."
+
+"Never mind," said his comrade, as he gathered up his winnings; "a few
+dollars one way or the other won't go very far after to-night's work."
+
+I was astonished at the rascal's audacity, but took care to keep my eyes
+fixed abstractedly upon the ceiling, and drank my wine in as unconscious
+a manner as possible. I felt that Flannigan was looking towards me with
+his wolfish eyes to see if I had noticed the allusion. He whispered
+something to his companion which I failed to catch. It was a caution, I
+suppose, for the other answered rather angrily--
+
+"Nonsense! Why shouldn't I say what I like? Over-caution is just what
+would ruin us."
+
+"I believe you want it not to come off," said Flannigan.
+
+"You believe nothing of the sort," said the other, speaking rapidly and
+loudly. "You know as well as I do that when I play for a stake I like to
+win it. But I won't have my words criticised and cut short by you or any
+other man; I have as much interest in our success as you have--more, I
+hope."
+
+He was quite hot about it, and puffed furiously at his cigar for a few
+minutes. The eyes of the other ruffian wandered alternately from Dick
+Merton to myself. I knew that I was in the presence of a desperate man,
+that a quiver of my lip might be the signal for him to plunge a weapon
+into my heart; but I betrayed more self-command than I should have given
+myself credit for under such trying circumstances. As to Dick, he was as
+immovable and apparently as unconscious as the Egyptian Sphinx.
+
+There was silence for some time in the smoking-room, broken only by the
+crisp rattle of the cards as the man Muller shuffled them up before
+replacing them in his pocket. He still seemed to be somewhat flushed and
+irritable. Throwing the end of his cigar into the spittoon, he glanced
+defiantly at his companion, and turned towards me.
+
+"Can you tell me, sir," he said, "when this ship will be heard of
+again?"
+
+They were both looking at me; but though my face may have turned a
+trifle paler, my voice was as steady as ever as I answered--
+
+"I presume, sir, that it will be heard of first when it enters
+Queenstown Harbour."
+
+"Ha, ha!" laughed the angry little man; "I knew you would say that.
+Don't you kick me under the table, Flannigan; I won't stand it. I know
+what I am doing. You are wrong, sir," he continued, turning to me;
+"utterly wrong."
+
+"Some passing ship, perhaps," suggested Dick.
+
+"No, nor that either."
+
+"The weather is fine," I said; "why should we not be heard of at our
+destination?"
+
+"I didn't say we shouldn't be heard of at our destination. No doubt we
+shall in the course of time; but that is not where we shall be heard of
+first."
+
+"Where then?" asked Dick.
+
+"That you will never know. Suffice it that a rapid and mysterious agency
+will signal our whereabouts, and that before the day is out. Ha, ha!"
+and he chuckled once again.
+
+"Come on deck!" growled his comrade; "you have drunk too much of that
+confounded brandy-and-water. It has loosened your tongue. Come away!"
+and taking him by the arm he half led him, half forced him out of the
+smoking-room, and we heard them stumbling up the companion together, and
+on to the deck.
+
+"Well, what do you think now?" I gasped, as I turned towards Dick. He
+was as imperturbable as ever.
+
+"Think!" he said; "why, I think what his companion thinks--that we have
+been listening to the ravings of a half-drunken man. The fellow stunk of
+brandy."
+
+"Nonsense, Dick! you saw how the other tried to stop his tongue."
+
+"Of course he did. He didn't want his friend to make a fool of himself
+before strangers. Maybe the short one is a lunatic, and the other his
+private keeper. It's quite possible."
+
+"Oh, Dick, Dick," I cried; "how can you be so blind? Don't you see that
+every word confirmed our previous suspicion?"
+
+"Humbug, man!" said Dick; "you're working yourself into a state of
+nervous excitement. Why, what the devil do _you_ make of all that
+nonsense about a mysterious agent which would signal our whereabouts?"
+
+"I'll tell you what he meant, Dick," I said, bending forward and
+grasping my friend's arm. "He meant a sudden glare and a flash seen far
+out at sea by some lonely fisherman off the American coast. That's what
+he meant."
+
+"I didn't think you were such a fool, Hammond," said Dick Merton
+testily. "If you try to fix a literal meaning on the twaddle that every
+drunken man talks, you will come to some queer conclusions. Let us
+follow their example, and go on deck. You need fresh air, I think.
+Depend upon it, your liver is out of order. A sea-voyage will do you a
+world of good."
+
+"If ever I see the end of this one," I groaned, "I'll promise never to
+venture on another. They are laying the cloth, so it's hardly worth
+while my going up. I'll stay below and finish my smoke."
+
+"I hope dinner will find you in a more pleasant state of mind," said
+Dick; and he went out, leaving me to my thoughts until the clang of the
+great gong summoned us to the saloon.
+
+My appetite, I need hardly say, had not been improved by the incidents
+which had occurred during the day. I sat down, however, mechanically at
+the table, and listened to the talk which was going on around me. There
+were nearly a hundred first-class passengers, and as the wine began to
+circulate, their voices combined with the clash of the dishes to form a
+perfect Babel. I found myself seated between a very stout and nervous
+old lady and a prim little clergyman; and as neither made any advances,
+I retired into my shell, and spent my time in observing the appearance
+of my fellow-voyagers. I could see Dick in the dim distance dividing his
+attentions between a jointless fowl in front of him and a self-possessed
+young lady at his side. Captain Dowie was doing the honours at my end,
+while the surgeon of the vessel was seated at the other. I was glad to
+notice that Flannigan was placed almost opposite to me. As long as I had
+him before my eyes I knew that, for the time at least, we were safe. He
+was sitting with what was meant to be a sociable smile on his grim
+face. It did not escape me that he drank largely of wine--so largely
+that even before the dessert appeared his voice had become decidedly
+husky. His friend Muller was seated a few places lower down. He ate
+little, and appeared to be nervous and restless.
+
+"Now, ladies," said our genial captain, "I trust that you will consider
+yourselves at home aboard my vessel. I have no fears for the gentlemen.
+A bottle of champagne, steward. Here's to a fresh breeze and a quick
+passage! I trust our friends in America will hear of our safe arrival in
+twelve days, or a fortnight at the very latest."
+
+I looked up. Quick as was the glance which passed between Flannigan and
+his confederate, I was able to intercept it. There was an evil smile
+upon the former's thin lips.
+
+The conversation rippled on. Politics, the sea, amusements, religion,
+each was in turn discussed. I remained a silent though an interested
+listener. It struck me that no harm could be done by introducing the
+subject which was ever in my mind. It could be managed in an off-hand
+way, and would at least have the effect of turning the captain's
+thoughts in that direction. I could watch, too, what effect it would
+have upon the faces of the conspirators.
+
+There was a sudden lull in the conversation. The ordinary subjects of
+interest appeared to be exhausted. The opportunity was a favourable one.
+
+"May I ask, captain," I said, bending forward, and speaking very
+distinctly, "what you think of Fenian manifestoes?"
+
+The captain's ruddy face became a shade darker from honest indignation.
+
+"They are poor cowardly things," he said, "as silly as they are wicked."
+
+"The impotent threats of a set of anonymous scoundrels," said a
+pompous-looking old gentleman beside him.
+
+"Oh, captain!" said the fat lady at my side, "you don't really think
+they would blow up a ship?"
+
+"I have no doubt they would if they could. But I am very sure they will
+never blow up mine."
+
+"May I ask what precautions are taken against them?" said an elderly man
+at the end of the table.
+
+"All goods sent aboard the ship are strictly examined," said Captain
+Dowie.
+
+"But suppose a man brought explosives aboard with him?" said I.
+
+"They are too cowardly to risk their own lives in that way."
+
+During this conversation Flannigan had not betrayed the slightest
+interest in what was going on. He raised his head now, and looked at the
+captain.
+
+"Don't you think you are rather underrating them?" he said. "Every
+secret society has produced desperate men--why shouldn't the Fenians
+have them too? Many men think it a privilege to die in the service of a
+cause which seems right in their eyes, though others may think it
+wrong."
+
+"Indiscriminate murder cannot be right in anybody's eyes," said the
+little clergyman.
+
+"The bombardment of Paris was nothing else," said Flannigan; "yet the
+whole civilised world agreed to look on with folded arms, and change the
+ugly word 'murder' into the more euphonious one of 'war.' It seemed
+right enough to German eyes; why shouldn't dynamite seem so to the
+Fenian?"
+
+"At any rate their empty vapourings have led to nothing as yet," said
+the captain.
+
+"Excuse me," returned Flannigan, "but is there not some room for doubt
+yet as to the fate of the _Dotterel_? I have met men in America who
+asserted from their own personal knowledge that there was a coal torpedo
+aboard that vessel."
+
+"Then they lied," said the captain. "It was proved conclusively at the
+court-martial to have arisen from an explosion of coal-gas--but we had
+better change the subject, or we may cause the ladies to have a restless
+night;" and the conversation once more drifted back into its original
+channel.
+
+During this little discussion Flannigan had argued his point with a
+gentlemanly deference and a quiet power for which I had not given him
+credit. I could not help admiring a man who, on the eve of a desperate
+enterprise, could courteously argue upon a point which must touch him so
+nearly. He had, as I have already mentioned, partaken of a considerable
+quantity of wine; but though there was a slight flush upon his pale
+cheek, his manner was as reserved as ever. He did not join in the
+conversation again, but seemed to be lost in thought.
+
+A whirl of conflicting ideas was battling in my own mind. What was I to
+do? Should I stand up now and denounce them before both passengers and
+captain? Should I demand a few minutes' conversation with the latter in
+his own cabin, and reveal it all? For an instant I was half resolved to
+do it, but then the old constitutional timidity came back with redoubled
+force. After all there might be some mistake. Dick had heard the
+evidence, and had refused to believe in it. I determined to let things
+go on their course. A strange reckless feeling came over me. Why should
+I help men who were blind to their own danger? Surely it was the duty of
+the officers to protect us, not ours to give warning to them. I drank
+off a couple of glasses of wine, and staggered upon deck with the
+determination of keeping my secret locked in my own bosom.
+
+It was a glorious evening. Even in my excited state of mind I could not
+help leaning against the bulwarks and enjoying the refreshing breeze.
+Away to the westward a solitary sail stood out as a dark speck against
+the great sheet of flame left by the setting sun. I shuddered as I
+looked at it. It seemed like a sea of blood. A single star was twinkling
+faintly above our main-mast, but a thousand seemed to gleam in the water
+below with every stroke of our propeller. The only blot in the fair
+scene was the great trail of smoke which stretched away behind us like a
+black slash upon a crimson curtain. It seemed hard to believe that the
+great peace which hung over all Nature could be marred by a poor
+miserable mortal.
+
+"After all," I thought, as I gazed upon the blue depths beneath me, "if
+the worst comes to the worst, it is better to die here than to linger in
+agony upon a sick-bed on land." A man's life seems a very paltry thing
+amid the great forces of Nature. All my philosophy could not prevent my
+shuddering, however, when I turned my head and saw two shadowy figures
+at the other side of the deck, which I had no difficulty in recognising.
+They seemed to be conversing earnestly, but I had no opportunity of
+overhearing what was said; so I contented myself with pacing up and
+down, and keeping a vigilant watch upon their movements.
+
+It was a relief to me when Dick came on deck. Even an incredulous
+confidant is better than none at all.
+
+"Well, old man," he said, giving me a facetious dig in the ribs, "we've
+not been blown up yet."
+
+"No, not yet," said I; "but that's no proof that we are not going to
+be."
+
+"Nonsense, man!" said Dick; "I can't conceive what has put this
+extraordinary idea into your head. I have been talking to one of your
+supposed assassins, and he seems a pleasant fellow enough; quite a
+sporting character, I should think, from the way he speaks."
+
+"Dick," I said, "I am as certain that those men have an infernal
+machine, and that we are on the verge of eternity, as if I saw them
+putting the match to the fuse."
+
+"Well, if you really think so," said Dick, half awed for the moment by
+the earnestness of my manner, "it is your duty to let the captain know
+of your suspicions."
+
+"You are right," I said; "I will. My absurd timidity has prevented my
+doing so sooner. I believe our lives can only be saved by laying the
+whole matter before him."
+
+"Well, go and do it now," said Dick; "but for goodness' sake don't mix
+me up in the matter."
+
+"I'll speak to him when he comes off the bridge," I answered; "and in
+the meantime I don't mean to lose sight of them."
+
+"Let me know of the result," said my companion; and with a nod he
+strolled away in search, I fancy, of his partner at the dinner-table.
+
+Left to myself, I bethought me of my retreat of the morning, and
+climbing on the bulwark I mounted into the quarter-boat, and lay down
+there. In it I could reconsider my course of action, and by raising my
+head I was able at any time to get a view of my disagreeable neighbours.
+
+An hour passed, and the captain was still on the bridge. He was talking
+to one of the passengers, a retired naval officer, and the two were deep
+in debate concerning some abstruse point in navigation. I could see the
+red tips of their cigars from where I lay. It was dark now--so dark that
+I could hardly make out the figures of Flannigan and his accomplice.
+They were still standing in the position which they had taken up after
+dinner. A few of the passengers were scattered about the deck, but many
+had gone below. A strange stillness seemed to pervade the air. The
+voices of the watch and the rattle of the wheel were the only sounds
+which broke the silence.
+
+Another half-hour passed. The captain was still upon the bridge. It
+seemed as if he would never come down. My nerves were in a state of
+unnatural tension, so much so that the sound of two steps upon the deck
+made me start up in a quiver of excitement. I peered over the side of
+the boat, and saw that our suspicious passengers had crossed from the
+other side and were standing almost directly beneath me. The light of a
+binnacle fell full upon the ghastly face of the ruffian Flannigan. Even
+in that short glance I saw that Muller had the ulster, whose use I knew
+so well, slung loosely over his arm. I sank back with a groan. It seemed
+that my fatal procrastination had sacrificed two hundred innocent lives.
+
+I had read of the fiendish vengeance which awaited a spy. I knew that
+men with their lives in their hands would stick at nothing. All I could
+do was to cower at the bottom of the boat and listen silently to their
+whispered talk below.
+
+"This place will do," said a voice.
+
+"Yes, the leeward side is best."
+
+"I wonder if the trigger will act?"
+
+"I am sure it will."
+
+"We were to let it off at ten, were we not?"
+
+"Yes, at ten sharp. We have eight minutes yet." There was a pause. Then
+the voice began again--
+
+"They'll hear the drop of the trigger, won't they?"
+
+"It doesn't matter. It will be too late for any one to prevent its going
+off."
+
+"That's true. There will be some excitement among those we have left
+behind, won't there?"
+
+"Rather! How long do you reckon it will be before they hear of us?"
+
+"The first news will get in in about twenty-four hours."
+
+"That will be mine."
+
+"No, mine."
+
+"Ha, ha! we'll settle that."
+
+There was a pause here. Then I heard Muller's voice in a ghastly
+whisper, "There's only five minutes more."
+
+How slowly the moments seemed to pass! I could count them by the
+throbbing of my heart.
+
+"It'll make a sensation on land," said a voice.
+
+"Yes, it will make a noise in the newspapers."
+
+I raised my head and peered over the side of the boat. There seemed no
+hope, no help. Death stared me in the face, whether I did or did not
+give the alarm. The captain had at last left the bridge. The deck was
+deserted, save for those two dark figures crouching in the shadow of the
+boat.
+
+Flannigan had a watch lying open in his hand.
+
+"Three minutes more," he said. "Put it down upon the deck."
+
+"No, put it here on the bulwarks."
+
+It was the little square box. I knew by the sound that they had placed
+it near the davit, and almost exactly under my head.
+
+I looked over again. Flannigan was pouring something out of a paper into
+his hand. It was white and granular--the same that I had seen him use in
+the morning. It was meant as a fuse, no doubt, for he shovelled it into
+the little box, and I heard the strange noise which had previously
+arrested my attention.
+
+"A minute and a half more," he said. "Shall you or I pull the string?"
+
+"I will pull it," said Muller.
+
+He was kneeling down and holding the end in his hand. Flannigan stood
+behind with his arms folded, and an air of grim resolution upon his
+face.
+
+I could stand it no longer. My nervous system seemed to give way in a
+moment.
+
+"Stop!" I screamed, springing to my feet. "Stop, misguided and
+unprincipled men!"
+
+They both staggered backwards. I fancy they thought I was a spirit, with
+the moonlight streaming down upon my pale face.
+
+I was brave enough now. I had gone too far to retreat.
+
+"Cain was damned," I cried, "and he slew but one; would you have the
+blood of two hundred upon your souls?"
+
+"He's mad!" said Flannigan. "Time's up! Let it off, Muller."
+
+I sprang down upon the deck.
+
+"You shan't do it!" I said.
+
+"By what right do you prevent us?"
+
+"By every right, human and divine."
+
+"It's no business of yours. Clear out of this!"
+
+"Never!" said I.
+
+"Confound the fellow! There's too much at stake to stand on ceremony.
+I'll hold him, Muller, while you pull the trigger."
+
+Next moment I was struggling in the herculean grasp of the Irishman.
+Resistance was useless; I was a child in his hands.
+
+He pinned me up against the side of the vessel, and held me there.
+
+"Now," he said, "look sharp. He can't prevent us."
+
+I felt that I was standing on the verge of eternity. Half-strangled in
+the arms of the taller ruffian, I saw the other approach the fatal box.
+He stooped over it and seized the string. I breathed one prayer when I
+saw his grasp tighten upon it. Then came a sharp snap, a strange rasping
+noise. The trigger had fallen, the side of the box flew out, and let
+off--_two grey carrier-pigeons_!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Little more need be said. It is not a subject on which I care to dwell.
+The whole thing is too utterly disgusting and absurd. Perhaps the best
+thing I can do is to retire gracefully from the scene, and let the
+sporting correspondent of the _New York Herald_ fill my unworthy place.
+Here is an extract clipped from its columns shortly after our departure
+from America:--
+
+"Pigeon-flying Extraordinary.--A novel match has been brought off, last
+week, between the birds of John H. Flannigan, of Boston, and Jeremiah
+Muller, a well-known citizen of Ashport. Both men have devoted much time
+and attention to an improved breed of bird, and the challenge is an
+old-standing one. The pigeons were backed to a large amount, and there
+was considerable local interest in the result. The start was from the
+deck of the Transatlantic steamship _Spartan_, at ten o'clock on the
+evening of the day of starting, the vessel being then reckoned to be
+about a hundred miles from the land. The bird which reached home first
+was to be declared the winner. Considerable caution had, we believe, to
+be observed, as British captains have a prejudice against the bringing
+off of sporting events aboard their vessels. In spite of some little
+difficulty at the last moment, the trap was sprung almost exactly at ten
+o'clock. Muller's bird arrived in Ashport in an extreme state of
+exhaustion on the following afternoon, while Flannigan's has not been
+heard of. The backers of the latter have the satisfaction of knowing,
+however, that the whole affair has been characterised by extreme
+fairness. The pigeons were confined in a specially invented trap, which
+could only be opened by the spring. It was thus possible to feed them
+through an aperture in the top, but any tampering with their wings was
+quite out of the question. A few such matches would go far towards
+popularising pigeon-flying in America, and form an agreeable variety to
+the morbid exhibitions of human endurance which have assumed such
+proportions during the last few years."
+
+
+
+
+_A NIGHT AMONG THE NIHILISTS._
+
+
+"Robinson, the boss wants you!"
+
+"The dickens he does!" thought I; for Mr. Dickson, Odessa agent of
+Bailey & Co., corn merchants, was a bit of a Tartar, as I had learned to
+my cost. "What's the row now?" I demanded of my fellow-clerk; "has he
+got scent of our Nicolaieff escapade, or what is it?"
+
+"No idea," said Gregory: "the old boy seems in a good enough humour;
+some business matter, probably. But don't keep him waiting." So
+summoning up an air of injured innocence, to be ready for all
+contingencies, I marched into the lion's den.
+
+Mr. Dickson was standing before the fire in a Briton's time-honoured
+attitude, and motioned me into a chair in front of him. "Mr. Robinson,"
+he said, "I have great confidence in your discretion and common sense.
+The follies of youth will break out, but I think that you have a
+sterling foundation to your character underlying any superficial
+levity."
+
+I bowed.
+
+"I believe," he continued, "that you can speak Russian pretty fluently."
+
+I bowed again.
+
+"I have, then," he proceeded, "a mission which I wish you to undertake,
+and on the success of which your promotion may depend. I would not trust
+it to a subordinate, were it not that duty ties me to my post at
+present."
+
+"You may depend upon my doing my best, sir," I replied.
+
+"Right, sir; quite right! What I wish you to do is briefly this: The
+line of railway has just been opened to Solteff, some hundred miles up
+the country. Now, I wish to get the start of the other Odessa firms in
+securing the produce of that district, which I have reason to believe
+may be had at very low prices. You will proceed by rail to Solteff, and
+interview a Mr. Dimidoff, who is the largest landed proprietor in the
+town. Make as favourable terms as you can with him. Both Mr. Dimidoff
+and I wish the whole thing to be done as quietly and secretly as
+possible--in fact, that nothing should be known about the matter until
+the grain appears in Odessa. I desire it for the interests of the firm,
+and Mr. Dimidoff on account of the prejudice his peasantry entertain
+against exportation. You will find yourself expected at the end of your
+journey, and will start to-night. Money shall be ready for your
+expenses. Good-morning, Mr. Robinson; I hope you won't fail to realise
+the good opinion I have of your abilities."
+
+"Gregory," I said, as I strutted into the office, "I'm off on a
+mission--a secret mission, my boy; an affair of thousands of pounds.
+Lend me your little portmanteau--mine's too imposing--and tell Ivan to
+pack it. A Russian millionaire expects me at the end of my journey.
+Don't breathe a word of it to any of Simpkins's people, or the whole
+game will be up. Keep it dark!"
+
+I was so charmed at being, as it were, behind the scenes, that I crept
+about the office all day in a sort of cloak-and-bloody-dagger style,
+with responsibility and brooding care marked upon every feature; and
+when at night I stepped out and stole down to the station, the
+unprejudiced observer would certainly have guessed, from my general
+behaviour, that I had emptied the contents of the strong-box before
+starting into that little valise of Gregory's. It was imprudent of him,
+by the way, to leave English labels pasted all over it. However, I could
+only hope that the "Londons" and "Birminghams" would attract no
+attention, or at least that no rival corn-merchant might deduce from
+them who I was and what my errand might be.
+
+Having paid the necessary roubles and got my ticket, I ensconced myself
+in the corner of a snug Russian car, and pondered over my extraordinary
+good fortune. Dickson was growing old now, and if I could make my mark
+in this matter it might be a great thing for me. Dreams arose of a
+partnership in the firm. The noisy wheels seemed to clank out "Bailey,
+Robinson & Co.," "Bailey, Robinson & Co.," in a monotonous refrain,
+which gradually sank into a hum, and finally ceased as I dropped into a
+deep sleep. Had I known the experience which awaited me at the end of my
+journey it would hardly have been so peaceable.
+
+I awoke with an uneasy feeling that some one was watching me closely;
+nor was I mistaken. A tall dark man had taken up his position on the
+seat opposite, and his black sinister eyes seemed to look through me and
+beyond me, as if he wished to read my very soul. Then I saw him glance
+down at my little trunk.
+
+"Good heavens!" thought I, "here's Simpkins's agent, I suppose. It was
+careless of Gregory to leave those confounded labels on the valise."
+
+I closed my eyes for a time, but on reopening them I again caught the
+stranger's earnest gaze.
+
+"From England, I see," he said in Russian, showing a row of white teeth
+in what was meant to be an amiable smile.
+
+"Yes," I replied, trying to look unconcerned, but painfully aware of my
+failure.
+
+"Travelling for pleasure, perhaps?" said he.
+
+"Yes," I answered eagerly. "Certainly for pleasure; nothing else."
+
+"Of course not," said he, with a shade of irony in his voice.
+"Englishmen always travel for pleasure, don't they? Oh, no; nothing
+else."
+
+His conduct was mysterious, to say the least of it. It was only
+explainable upon two hypotheses--he was either a madman, or he was the
+agent of some firm bound upon the same errand as myself, and determined
+to show me that he guessed my little game. They were about equally
+unpleasant, and, on the whole, I was relieved when the train pulled up
+in the tumble-down shed which does duty for a station in the rising town
+of Solteff--Solteff, whose resources I was about to open out, and whose
+commerce I was to direct into the great world channels. I almost
+expected to see a triumphal arch as I stepped on to the platform.
+
+I was to be expected at the end of my journey, so Mr. Dickson had
+informed me. I looked about among the motley crowd, but saw no Mr.
+Dimidoff. Suddenly a slovenly, unshaved man passed me rapidly, and
+glanced first at me and then at my trunk--that wretched trunk, the cause
+of all my woes. He disappeared in the crowd; but in a little time came
+strolling past me again, and contrived to whisper as he did so, "Follow
+me, but at some distance," immediately setting off out of the station
+and down the street at a rapid pace. Here was mystery with a vengeance!
+I trotted along in his rear with my valise, and on turning the corner
+found a rough droschky waiting for me. My unshaven friend opened the
+door, and I stepped in.
+
+"Is Mr. Dim----" I was beginning.
+
+"Hush!" he cried. "No names, no names; the very walls have ears. You
+will hear all to-night;" and with that assurance he closed the door,
+and, seizing the reins, we drove off at a rapid pace--so rapid that I
+saw my black-eyed acquaintance of the railway carriage gazing after us
+in surprise until we were out of sight.
+
+I thought over the whole matter as we jogged along in that abominable
+springless conveyance.
+
+"They say the nobles are tyrants in Russia," I mused; "but it seems to
+me to be the other way about, for here's this poor Mr. Dimidoff, who
+evidently thinks his ex-serfs will rise and murder him if he raises the
+price of grain in the district by exporting some out of it. Fancy being
+obliged to have recourse to all this mystery and deception in order to
+sell one's own property! Why, it's worse than an Irish landlord. It is
+monstrous! Well, he doesn't seem to live in a very aristocratic quarter
+either," I soliloquised, as I gazed out at the narrow crooked streets
+and the unkempt dirty Muscovites whom we passed. "I wish Gregory or some
+one was with me, for it's a cut-throat-looking shop! By Jove, he's
+pulling up; we must be there!"
+
+We _were_ there, to all appearance; for the droschky stopped, and my
+driver's shaggy head appeared through the aperture.
+
+"It is here, most honoured master," he said, as he helped me to alight.
+
+"Is Mr. Dimi----" I commenced; but he interrupted me again.
+
+"Anything but names," he whispered; "anything but that. You are too used
+to a land that is free. Caution, oh sacred one!" and he ushered me down
+a stone-flagged passage, and up a stair at the end of it. "Sit for a few
+minutes in this room," he said, opening a door, "and a repast will be
+served for you;" and with that he left me to my own reflections.
+
+"Well," thought I, "whatever Mr. Dimidoff's house may be like, his
+servants are undoubtedly well trained. 'Oh sacred one!' and 'revered
+master!' I wonder what he'd call old Dickson himself, if he is so polite
+to the clerk! I suppose it wouldn't be the thing to smoke in this little
+crib; but I could do a pipe nicely. By the way, how confoundedly like a
+cell it looks!"
+
+It certainly did look like a cell. The door was an iron one, and
+enormously strong, while the single window was closely barred. The floor
+was of wood, and sounded hollow and insecure as I strode across it. Both
+floor and walls were thickly splashed with coffee or some other dark
+liquid. On the whole, it was far from being a place where one would be
+likely to become unreasonably festive.
+
+I had hardly concluded my survey when I heard steps approaching down the
+corridor, and the door was opened by my old friend of the droschky. He
+announced that my dinner was ready, and, with many bows and apologies
+for leaving me in what he called the "dismissal room," he led me down
+the passage, and into a large and beautifully furnished apartment. A
+table was spread for two in the centre of it, and by the fire was
+standing a man very little older than myself. He turned as I came in,
+and stepped forward to meet me with every symptom of profound respect.
+
+"So young and yet so honoured!" he exclaimed; and then seeming to
+recollect himself, he continued, "Pray sit at the head of the table.
+You must be fatigued by your long and arduous journey. We dine
+_tête-à-tête_; but the others assemble afterwards."
+
+"Mr. Dimidoff, I presume?" said I.
+
+"No, sir," said he, turning his keen grey eyes upon me. "My name is
+Petrokine; you mistake me perhaps for one of the others. But now, not a
+word of business until the council meets. Try your _chef's_ soup; you
+will find it excellent, I think."
+
+Who Mr. Petrokine or the others might be I could not conceive. Land
+stewards of Dimidoff's, perhaps; though the name did not seem familiar
+to my companion. However, as he appeared to shun any business questions
+at present, I gave in to his humour, and we conversed on social life in
+England--a subject in which he displayed considerable knowledge and
+acuteness. His remarks, too, on Malthus and the laws of population were
+wonderfully good, though savouring somewhat of Radicalism.
+
+"By the way," he remarked, as we smoked a cigar over our wine, "we
+should never have known you but for the English labels on your luggage;
+it was the luckiest thing in the world that Alexander noticed them. We
+had had no personal description of you; indeed we were prepared to
+expect a somewhat older man. You are young indeed, sir, to be entrusted
+with such a mission."
+
+"My employer trusts me," I replied; "and we have learned in our trade
+that youth and shrewdness are not incompatible."
+
+"Your remark is true, sir," returned my newly-made friend; "but I am
+surprised to hear you call our glorious association a trade! Such a term
+is gross indeed to apply to a body of men banded together to supply the
+world with that which it is yearning for, but which, without our
+exertions, it can never hope to attain. A spiritual brotherhood would be
+a more fitting term."
+
+"By Jove!" thought I, "how pleased the boss would be to hear him! He
+must have been in the business himself, whoever he is."
+
+"Now, sir," said Mr. Petrokine, "the clock points to eight, and the
+council must be already sitting. Let us go up together, and I will
+introduce you. I need hardly say that the greatest secrecy is observed,
+and that your appearance is anxiously awaited."
+
+I turned over in my mind as I followed him how I might best fulfil my
+mission and secure the most advantageous terms. They seemed as anxious
+as I was in the matter, and there appeared to be no opposition, so
+perhaps the best thing would be to wait and see what they would propose.
+
+I had hardly come to this conclusion when my guide swung open a large
+door at the end of a passage, and I found myself in a room larger and
+even more gorgeously fitted up than the one in which I had dined. A long
+table, covered with green baize and strewn with papers, ran down the
+middle, and round it were sitting fourteen or fifteen men conversing
+earnestly. The whole scene reminded me forcibly of a gambling hell I had
+visited some time before.
+
+Upon our entrance the company rose and bowed. I could not but remark
+that my companion attracted no attention, while every eye was turned
+upon me with a strange mixture of surprise and almost servile respect. A
+man at the head of the table, who was remarkable for the extreme pallor
+of his face as contrasted with his blue-black hair and moustache, waved
+his hand to a seat beside him, and I sat down.
+
+"I need hardly say," said Mr. Petrokine, "that Gustave Berger, the
+English agent, is now honouring us with his presence. He is young,
+indeed, Alexis," he continued to my pale-faced neighbour, "and yet he is
+of European reputation."
+
+"Come, draw it mild!" thought I, adding aloud, "If you refer to me, sir,
+though I am indeed acting as English agent, my name is not Berger, but
+Robinson--Mr. Tom Robinson, at your service."
+
+A laugh ran round the table.
+
+"So be it, so be it," said the man they called Alexis. "I commend your
+discretion, most honoured sir. One cannot be too careful. Preserve your
+English _sobriquet_ by all means. I regret that any painful duty should
+be performed upon this auspicious evening; but the rules of our
+association must be preserved at any cost to our feelings, and a
+dismissal is inevitable to-night."
+
+"What the deuce is the fellow driving at?" thought I. "What is it to me
+if he does give his servant the sack? This Dimidoff, wherever he is,
+seems to keep a private lunatic asylum."
+
+"_Take out the gag!_" The words fairly shot through me, and I started in
+my chair. It was Petrokine who spoke. For the first time I noticed that
+a burly stout man, sitting at the other end of the table, had his arms
+tied behind his chair and a handkerchief round his mouth. A horrible
+suspicion began to creep into my heart. Where was I? Was I in Mr.
+Dimidoff's? Who were these men, with their strange words?
+
+"Take out the gag!" repeated Petrokine; and the handkerchief was
+removed.
+
+"Now, Paul Ivanovitch," said he, "what have you to say before you go?"
+
+"Not a dismissal, sirs," he pleaded; "not a dismissal: anything but
+that! I will go into some distant land, and my mouth shall be closed for
+ever. I will do anything that the society asks; but pray, pray do not
+dismiss me."
+
+"You know our laws, and you know your crime," said Alexis, in a cold,
+harsh voice. "Who drove us from Odessa by his false tongue and his
+double face? Who wrote the anonymous letter to the Governor? Who cut the
+wire that would have destroyed the arch-tyrant? You did, Paul
+Ivanovitch; and you must die."
+
+I leaned back in my chair and fairly gasped.
+
+"Remove him!" said Petrokine; and the man of the droschky, with two
+others, forced him out.
+
+I heard the footsteps pass down the passage, and then a door open and
+shut. Then came a sound as of a struggle, ended by a heavy, crunching
+blow and a dull thud.
+
+"So perish all who are false to their oath," said Alexis solemnly; and a
+hoarse "Amen" went up from his companions.
+
+"Death alone can dismiss us from our order," said another man further
+down; "but Mr. Berg--Mr. Robinson is pale. The scene has been too much
+for him after his long journey from England."
+
+"Oh, Tom, Tom," thought I, "if ever you get out of this scrape you'll
+turn over a new leaf. You're not fit to die, and that's a fact." It was
+only too evident to me now that by some strange misconception I had got
+in among a gang of cold-blooded Nihilists, who mistook me for one of
+their order. I felt, after what I had witnessed, that my only chance of
+life was to try to play the _rôle_ thus forced upon me until an
+opportunity for escape should present itself; so I tried hard to regain
+my air of self-possession, which had been so rudely shaken.
+
+"I am indeed fatigued," I replied; "but I feel stronger now. Excuse my
+momentary weakness."
+
+"It was but natural," said a man with a thick beard at my right hand.
+"And now, most honoured sir, how goes the cause in England?"
+
+"Remarkably well," I answered.
+
+"Has the great commissioner condescended to send a missive to the
+Solteff branch?" asked Petrokine.
+
+"Nothing in writing," I replied.
+
+"But he has spoken of it?"
+
+"Yes: he said he had watched it with feelings of the liveliest
+satisfaction," I returned.
+
+"'Tis well! 'tis well!" ran round the table.
+
+I felt giddy and sick from the critical nature of my position. Any
+moment a question might be asked which would show me in my true colours.
+I rose and helped myself from a decanter of brandy which stood on a side
+table. The potent liquor flew to my excited brain, and as I sat down I
+felt reckless enough to be half amused at my position, and inclined to
+play with my tormentors. I still, however, had all my wits about me.
+
+"You have been to Birmingham?" asked the man with the beard.
+
+"Many times," said I.
+
+"Then you have of course seen the private workshop and arsenal?"
+
+"I have been over them both more than once."
+
+"It is still, I suppose, entirely unsuspected by the police?" continued
+my interrogator.
+
+"Entirely," I replied.
+
+"Can you tell us how it is that so large a concern is kept so completely
+secret?"
+
+Here was a poser; but my native impudence and the brandy seemed to come
+to my aid.
+
+"That is information," I replied, "which I do not feel justified in
+divulging even here. In withholding it I am acting under the direction
+of the chief commissioner."
+
+"You are right--perfectly right," said my original friend Petrokine.
+"You will no doubt make your report to the central office at Moscow
+before entering into such details."
+
+"Exactly so," I replied, only too happy to get a lift out of my
+difficulty.
+
+"We have heard," said Alexis, "that you were sent to inspect the
+_Livadia_. Can you give us any particulars about it?"
+
+"Anything you ask I will endeavour to answer," I replied, in
+desperation.
+
+"Have any orders been made in Birmingham concerning it?"
+
+"None when I left England."
+
+"Well, well, there's plenty of time yet," said the man with the
+beard--"many months. Will the bottom be of wood or iron?"
+
+"Of wood," I answered at random.
+
+"'Tis well!" said another voice. "And what is the breadth of the Clyde
+below Greenock?"
+
+"It varies much," I replied; "on an average about eighty yards."
+
+"How many men does she carry?" asked an anæmic-looking youth at the
+foot of the table, who seemed more fit for a public school than this den
+of murder.
+
+"About three hundred," said I.
+
+"A floating coffin!" said the young Nihilist, in a sepulchral voice.
+
+"Are the store-rooms on a level with or underneath the state-cabins?"
+asked Petrokine.
+
+"Underneath," said I decisively, though I need hardly say I had not the
+smallest conception.
+
+"And now, most honoured sir," said Alexis, "tell us what was the reply
+of Bauer, the German socialist, to Ravinsky's proclamation."
+
+Here was a deadlock with a vengeance. Whether my cunning would have
+extricated me from it or not was never decided, for Providence hurried
+me from one dilemma into another and a worse one.
+
+A door slammed downstairs, and rapid footsteps were heard approaching.
+Then came a loud tap outside, followed by two smaller ones.
+
+"The sign of the society!" said Petrokine; "and yet we are all present;
+who can it be?"
+
+The door was thrown open, and a man entered, dusty and travel-stained,
+but with an air of authority and power stamped on every feature of his
+harsh but expressive face. He glanced round the table, scanning each
+countenance carefully. There was a start of surprise in the room. He was
+evidently a stranger to them all.
+
+"What means this intrusion, sir?" said my friend with the beard.
+
+"Intrusion!" said the stranger. "I was given to understand that I was
+expected, and had looked forward to a warmer welcome from my
+fellow-associates. I am personally unknown to you, gentlemen, but I am
+proud to think that my name should command some respect among you. I am
+Gustave Berger, the agent from England, bearing letters from the chief
+commissioner to his well-beloved brothers of Solteff."
+
+One of their own bombs could hardly have created greater surprise had it
+been fired in the midst of them. Every eye was fixed alternately on me
+and upon the newly-arrived agent.
+
+"If you are indeed Gustave Berger," said Petrokine, "who is this?"
+
+"That I am Gustave Berger these credentials will show," said the
+stranger, as he threw a packet upon the table. "Who that man may be I
+know not; but if he has intruded himself upon the lodge under false
+pretences, it is clear that he must never carry out of the room what he
+has learned. Speak, sir," he added, addressing me: "who and what are
+you?"
+
+I felt that my time had come. My revolver was in my hip-pocket; but what
+was that against so many desperate men? I grasped the butt of it,
+however, as a drowning man clings to a straw, and I tried to preserve my
+coolness as I glanced round at the cold, vindictive faces turned towards
+me.
+
+"Gentlemen," I said, "the _rôle_ I have played to-night has been a
+purely involuntary one on my part. I am no police spy, as you seem to
+suspect; nor, on the other hand, have I the honour to be a member of
+your association. I am an inoffensive corn-dealer, who by an
+extraordinary mistake has been forced into this unpleasant and awkward
+position."
+
+I paused for a moment. Was it my fancy that there was a peculiar noise
+in the street--a noise as of many feet treading softly? No, it had died
+away; it was but the throbbing of my own heart.
+
+"I need hardly say," I continued, "that anything I may have heard
+to-night will be safe in my keeping. I pledge my solemn honour as a
+gentleman that not one word of it shall transpire through me."
+
+The senses of men in great physical danger become strangely acute, or
+their imagination plays them curious tricks. My back was towards the
+door as I sat, but I could have sworn that I heard heavy breathing
+behind it. Was it the three minions whom I had seen before in the
+performance of their hateful functions, and who, like vultures, had
+sniffed another victim?
+
+I looked round the table. Still the same hard, cruel faces. Not one
+glance of sympathy. I cocked the revolver in my pocket.
+
+There was a painful silence, which was broken by the harsh, grating
+voice of Petrokine.
+
+"Promises are easily made and easily broken," he said. "There is but one
+way of securing eternal silence. It is our lives or yours. Let the
+highest among us speak."
+
+"You are right, sir," said the English agent; "there is but one course
+open. He must be dismissed."
+
+I knew what that meant in their confounded jargon, and sprang to my
+feet.
+
+"By Heaven," I shouted, putting my back against the door, "you shan't
+butcher a free Englishman like a sheep! The first among you who stirs,
+drops!"
+
+A man sprang at me. I saw along the sights of my Derringer the gleam of
+a knife and the demoniacal face of Gustave Berger. Then I pulled the
+trigger, and, with his hoarse scream sounding in my ears, I was felled
+to the ground by a crashing blow from behind. Half unconscious, and
+pressed down by some heavy weight, I heard the noise of shouts and blows
+above me, and then I fainted away.
+
+When I came to myself I was lying among the _débris_ of the door, which
+had been beaten in on the top of me. Opposite were a dozen of the men
+who had lately sat in judgment upon me, tied two and two, and guarded by
+a score of Russian soldiers. Beside me was the corpse of the ill-fated
+English agent, the whole face blown in by the force of the explosion.
+Alexis and Petrokine were both lying on the floor like myself, bleeding
+profusely.
+
+"Well, young fellow, you've had a narrow escape," said a hearty voice in
+my ear.
+
+I looked up, and recognised my black-eyed acquaintance of the railway
+carriage.
+
+"Stand up," he continued: "you're only a bit stunned; no bones broken.
+It's no wonder I mistook you for the Nihilist agent, when the very lodge
+itself was taken in. Well, you're the only stranger who ever came out of
+this den alive. Come downstairs with me. I know who you are, and what
+you are after now; I'll take you to Mr. Dimidoff. Nay, don't go in
+there," he cried, as I walked towards the door of the cell into which I
+had been originally ushered. "Keep out of that: you've seen evil sights
+enough for one day. Come down and have a glass of liquor."
+
+He explained as we walked back to the hotel that the police of Solteff,
+of which he was the chief, had had warning and been on the look-out
+during some time for this Nihilist emissary. My arrival in so
+unfrequented a place, coupled with my air of secrecy and the English
+labels on that confounded portmanteau of Gregory's, had completed the
+business.
+
+I have little more to tell. My Socialistic acquaintances were all either
+transported to Siberia or executed. My mission was performed to the
+satisfaction of my employers. My conduct during the whole business has
+won me promotion, and my prospects for life have been improved since
+that horrible night, the remembrance of which still makes me shiver.
+
+
+_Printed by_ WALTER SCOTT, _Felling, Newcastle-on-Tyne_.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Gully of Bluemansdyke, by A. Conan Doyle
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 40848 ***