Well，evenso；hewouldhaveacompetitionoftestimonybeforehim：
heknewClausel，heknewme，andIwassurehewoulddecideforhonour。AtthesametimetheimageofFlorashotupinmymind”seyewithsucharadiancyasfairlyoverwhelmedallotherconsiderations；thebloodsprangtoeverycornerofmybody，andI
vowedIwouldseeandwinher，ifitcostmyneck。”Veryannoying，nodoubt”saidI，asIreturnedthepapertoMr。
Romaine。”Isannoyingyourwordforit？”saidhe。”Exasperating，ifyoulike”Iadmitted。”Andtrue？”heinquired。”Well，trueinasense”saidI。”ButperhapsIhadbetteranswerthatquestionbyputtingyouinpossessionofthefacts？””Ithinkso，indeed”saidhe。
Inarratedtohimasmuchasseemednecessaryofthequarrel，theduel，thedeathofGoguelat，andthecharacterofClausel。Heheardmethroughinaforbiddingsilence，nordidheatallbetraythenatureofhissentiments，exceptthat，attheepisodeofthescissors，Icouldobservehismulberryfacetoturnthreeshadespaler。”IsupposeImaybelieveyou？”saidhe，whenIhaddone。”Orelseconcludethisinterview”saidI。”Canyounotunderstandthatweareherediscussingmattersofthegravestimport？CanyounotunderstandthatIfeelmyselfweighedwithaloadofresponsibilityonyouraccount-thatyoushouldtakethisoccasiontoairyourfire-eatingmannersagainstyourownattorney？Thereareserioushoursinlife，Mr。Anne”hesaidseverely。”Acapitalcharge，andthatofaverybrutalcharacterandwithsingularlyunpleasantdetails；thepresenceofthemanClausel，whoaccordingtoyouraccountofitisactuatedbysentimentsofrealmalignity，andpreparedtoswearblackwhite；
alltheotherwitnessesscatteredandperhapsdrownedatsea；thenaturalprejudiceagainstaFrenchmanandarunawayprisoner：thismakesaserioustotalforyourlawyertoconsider，andisbynomeanslessenedbytheincurablefollyandlevityofyourowndisposition。””Ibegyourpardon！”saidI。”Oh，myexpressionshavebeenselectedwithscrupulousaccuracy”
hereplied。”HowdidIfindyou，sir，whenIcametoannouncethiscatastrophe？Youweresittingonthehearthrugplaying，likeasillybaby，withaservant，wereyounot，andthefloorallscatteredwithgoldandbankpaper？Therewasatableauforyou！
ItwasIwhocame，andyouwereluckyinthat。Itmighthavebeenanyone-yourcousinaswellasanother。””Youhavemethere，sir”Iadmitted。”Ihadneglectedallprecautions，andyoudorighttobeangry。APROPOS，Mr。Romaine，howdidyoucomeyourself，andhowlonghaveyoubeeninthehouse？”Iadded，surprised，ontheretrospect，nottohaveheardhimarrive。”Idroveupinachaiseandpair”hereturned。”Anyonemighthaveheardme。Butyouwerenotlistening，Isuppose？beingsoextremelyatyoureaseintheveryhouseofyourenemy，andunderacapitalcharge！AndIhavebeenlongenoughheretodoyourbusinessforyou。Ah，yes，Ididit，Godforgiveme！-diditbeforeIsomuchasaskedyoutheexplanationoftheparagraph。
Forsometimebackthewillhasbeenprepared；nowitissigned；
andyourunclehasheardnothingofyourrecentpieceofactivity。
Why？Well，Ihadnofancytobotherhimonhisdeath-bed：youmightbeinnocent；andatbottomIpreferredthemurderertothespy。”
Nodoubtofitbutthemanplayedafriendlypart；nodoubtalsothat，inhisill-temperandanxiety，heexpressedhimselfunpalatably。”Youwillperhapsfindmeoverdelicate”saidI。”Thereisawordyouemployed-””Iemploythewordsofmybrief，sir”hecried，strikingwithhishandonthenewspaper。”Itisthereinsixletters。Anddonotbesocertain-youhavenotstoodyourtrialyet。Itisanuglyaffair，afishybusiness。Itishighlydisagreeable。Iwouldgivemyhandoff-ImeanIwouldgiveahundredpounddown，tohavenothingtodowithit。And，situatedasweare，wemustatoncetakeaction。Thereisherenochoice。Youmustatoncequitthiscountry，andgettoFrance，orHolland，or，indeed，toMadagascar。””Theremaybetwowordstothat”saidI。”Notsomuchasonesyllable！”heretorted。”Hereisnoroomforargument。Thecaseisnakedlyplain。Inthedisgustingpositioninwhichyouhavefoundmeanstoplaceyourself，allthatistobehopedforisdelay。Atimemaycomewhenweshallbeabletodobetter。Itcannotbenow：nowitwouldbethegibbet。””Youlabourunderafalseimpression，Mr。Romaine”saidI。”I
havenoimpatiencetofigureinthedock。Iamevenasanxiousasyourselftopostponemyfirstappearancethere。Ontheotherhand，Ihavenottheslightestintentionofleavingthiscountry，whereI
pleasemyselfextremely。Ihaveagoodaddress，areadytongue，anEnglishaccentthatpasses，and，thankstothegenerosityofmyuncle，asmuchmoneyasIwant。Itwouldbehardindeedif，withalltheseadvantages，Mr。St。Ivesshouldnotbeabletolivequietlyinaprivatelodging，whiletheauthoritiesamusethemselvesbylookingforChampdivers。Youforget，thereisnoconnectionbetweenthesetwopersonages。””Andyouforgetyourcousin”retortedRomaine。”Thereisthelink。Thereisthetongueofthebuckle。HeknowsyouareChampdivers。”Heputuphishandasiftolisten。”And，forawager，hereheishimself！”heexclaimed。
Aswhenatailortakesapieceofgoodsuponhiscounter，andrendsitacross，therecametoourearsfromtheavenuethelongtearingsoundofachaiseandfourapproachingatthetopspeedofthehorses。And，lookingoutbetweenthecurtains，webeheldthelampsskimmingonthesmoothascent。”Ay”saidRomaine，wipingthewindow-panethathemightseemoreclearly。”Ay，thatishebythedriving！Sohesquandersmoneyalongtheking”shighway，thetripleidiot！gorgingeverymanhemeetswithgoldforthepleasureofarriving-where？Ah，yes，wherebutadebtor”sjail，ifnotacriminalprison！””Ishethatkindofaman？”Isaid，staringontheselampsasthoughIcoulddecipherinthemthesecretofmycousin”scharacter。”Youwillfindhimadangerouskind”answeredthelawyer。”Foryou，thesearethelightsonaleeshore！IfindIfallinamusewhenIconsiderofhim；whataformidablebeingheoncewas，andwhatapersonable！andhownearhedrawstothemomentthatmustbreakhimutterly！wenoneofuslikehimhere；wehatehim，rather；andyetIhaveasense-Idon”tthinkatmytimeoflifeitcanbepity-butareluctancerather，tobreakanythingsobigandfigurative，asthoughhewereabigporcelainpotorabigpictureofhighprice。Ay，thereiswhatIwaswaitingfor！”hecried，asthelightsofasecondchaiseswaminsight。”Itishebeyondadoubt。Thefirstwasthesignatureandthenexttheflourish。Twochaises，thesecondfollowingwiththebaggage，whichisalwayscopiousandponderous，andoneofhisvalets：hecannotgoastepwithoutavalet。””Ihearyourepeatthewordbig”saidI。”Butitcannotbethatheisanythingoutofthewayinstature。””No”saidtheattorney。”Aboutyourheight，asIguessedforthetailors，andIseenothingwrongwiththeresult。But，somehow，hecommandsanatmosphere；hehasaspaciousmanner；andhehaskeptup，allthroughlife，suchavolumeofracketabouthispersonality，withhischaisesandhisracersandhisdicings，andI
knownotwhat-thatsomehowheimposes！Itseems，whenthefarceisdone，andhelockedinFleetprison-andnobodyleftbutBuonaparteandLordWellingtonandtheHetmanPlatofftomakeaworkabout-theworldwillbeinacomparisonquitetranquil。Butthisisbesidethemark”headded，withaneffort，turningagainfromthewindow。”Wearenowunderfire，Mr。Anne，asyousoldierswouldsay，anditishightimeweshouldpreparetogointoaction。
Hemustnotseeyou；thatwouldbefatal。Allthatheknowsatpresentisthatyouresemblehim，andthatismuchmorethanenough。Ifitwerepossible，itwouldbewellheshouldnotknowyouwereinthehouse。””Quiteimpossible，dependuponit”saidI。”Someoftheservantsaredirectlyinhisinterests，perhapsinhispay：Dawson，foranexample。””Myownidea！”criedRomaine。”Andatleast”headded，asthefirstofthechaisesdrewupwithadashinfrontoftheportico，”itisnowtoolate。Hereheis。”
Westoodlistening，withastrangeanxiety，tothevariousnoisesthatawokeinthesilenthouse：thesoundofdoorsopeningandclosing，thesoundoffeetnearathandandfartheroff。Itwasplainthearrivalofmycousinwasamatterofmoment，almostofparade，tothehousehold。Andsuddenly，outofthisconfusedanddistantbustle，arapidandlighttreadbecamedistinguishable。Wehearditcomeupstairs，drawnearalongthecorridor，pauseatthedoor，andastealthyandhastyrappingsucceeded。”Mr。Anne-Mr。Anne，sir！Letmein！”saidthevoiceofRowley。
Weadmittedthelad，andlockedthedooragainbehindhim。”It”sHIM，sir”hepanted。”He”vecome。””YoumeantheViscount？”saidI。”Sowesupposed。Butcome，Rowley-outwiththerestofit！Youhavemoretotellus，oryourfacebeliesyou！””Mr。Anne，Ido”hesaid。”Mr。Romaine，sir，you”reafriendofhis，ain”tyou？””Yes，George，Iamafriendofhis”saidRomaine，and，tomygreatsurprise，laidhishanduponmyshoulder。”Well，it”sthisway”saidRowley-”Mr。Powlhavebeenatme！
It”stoplaythespy！Ithoughthewasatitfromthefirst！FromthefirstIseewhathewasafter-comingroundandround，andhintingthings！Butto-nightheoutswithitplump！I”mtolethimhearallwhatyou”retodobeforehand，hesays；andhegavemethisforanarnest”-holdinguphalfaguinea；”andItookit，soIdid！Strikemesky-bluescarlet？”sayshe，adducingthewordsofthemockoath；andhelookedaskanceatmeashedidso。
Isawthathehadforgottenhimself，andthatheknewit。Theexpressionofhiseyechangedalmostinthepassingoftheglancefromthesignificanttotheappealing-fromthelookofanaccomplicetothatofaculprit；andfromthatmomenthebecamethemodelofawell-drilledvalet。”Sky-bluescarlet？”repeatedthelawyer。”Isthefooldelirious？””No”saidI；”heisonlyremindingmeofsomething。””Well-andIbelievethefellowwillbefaithful”saidRomaine。”SoyouareafriendofMr。Anne”s”too？”headdedtoRowley。”Ifyouplease，sir”saidRowley。””Tissomethingsudden”observedRomaine；”butitmaybegenuineenough。Ibelievehimtobehonest。Hecomesofhonestpeople。
Well，GeorgeRowley，youmightembracesomeearlyopportunitytoearnthathalf-guinea，bytellingMr。Powlthatyourmasterwillnotleaveheretillnoonto-morrow，ifhegoeventhen。Tellhimthereareahundredthingstobedonehere，andahundredmorethatcanonlybedoneproperlyatmyofficeinHolborn。Cometothinkofit-wehadbetterseetothatfirstofall”hewenton，unlockingthedoor。”GetholdofPowl，andsee。Andbequickback，andclearmeupthismess。”
Mr。Rowleywasnosoonergonethanthelawyertookapinchofsnuff，andregardedmewithsomewhatofamoregenialexpression。”Sir”saidhe，”itisveryfortunateforyouthatyourfaceissostrongaletterofrecommendation。HereamI，atougholdpractitioner，mixingmyselfupwithyourverydistressingbusiness；
andhereisthisfarmer”slad，whohasthewittotakeabribeandtheloyaltytocomeandtellyouofit-all，Itakeit，onthestrengthofyourappearance。IwishIcouldimaginehowitwouldimpressajury！”sayshe。”Andhowitwouldaffectthehangman，sir？”Iasked”ABSITOMEN！”saidMr。Romainedevoutly。
Wewerejustsofarinourtalk，whenIheardasoundthatbroughtmyheartintomymouth：thesoundofsomeoneslylytryingthehandleofthedoor。Ithadbeenprecededbynoaudiblefootstep。
SincethedepartureofRowleyourwingofthehousehadbeenentirelysilent。Andwehadeveryrighttosupposeourselvesalone，andtoconcludethatthenew-comer，whoeverhemightbe，wascomeonaclandestine，ifnotahostile，errand。”Whoisthere？”askedRomaine。”It”sonlyme，sir”saidthesoftvoiceofDawson。”It”stheViscount，sir。Heisverydesiroustospeakwithyouonbusiness。””TellhimIshallcomeshortly，Dawson”saidthelawyer。”Iamatpresentengaged。””Thankyou，sir！”saidDawson。
Andweheardhisfeetdrawoffslowlyalongthecorridor。”Yes”saidMr。Romaine，speakinglow，andmaintainingtheattitudeofoneintentlylistening，”thereisanotherfoot。Icannotbedeceived！””Ithinktherewasindeed！”saidI。”Andwhattroublesme-Iamnotsurethattheotherhasgoneentirelyaway。Bythetimeitgotthelengthoftheheadofthestairthetreadwasplainlysingle。””Ahem-blockaded？”askedthelawyer。”AsiegeENREGLE！”Iexclaimed。”Letuscomefartherfromthedoor”saidRomaine，”andreconsiderthisdamnableposition。Withoutdoubt，Alainwasthismomentatthedoor。Hehopedtoenterandgetaviewofyou，asifbyaccident。Baffledinthis，hashestayedhimself，orhasheplantedDawsonherebywayofsentinel？””Himself，beyondadoubt”saidI。”Andyettowhatend？Hecannotthinktopassthenightthere！””Ifitwereonlypossibletopaynoheed！”saidMr。Romaine。”Butthisistheaccurseddrawbackofyourposition。Wecandonothingopenly。Imustsmuggleyououtofthisroomandoutofthishouselikeseizablegoods；andhowamItosetaboutitwithasentinelplantedatyourverydoor？””Thereisnogoodinbeingagitated”saidI。”Noneatall”heacquiesced。”And，cometothinkofit，itisdrollenoughthatIshouldhavebeenthatverymomentcommentingonyourpersonalappearance，whenyourcousincameuponthismission。
Iwassaying，ifyouremember，thatyourfacewasasgoodorbetterthanaletterofrecommendation。IwonderifM。Alainwouldbeliketherestofus-Iwonderwhathewouldthinkofit？”
Mr。Romainewassittinginachairbythefirewithhisbacktothewindows，andIwasmyselfkneelingonthehearthrugandbeginningmechanicallytopickupthescatteredbills，whenahoneyedvoicejoinedsuddenlyinourconversation。”Hethinkswellofit，Mr。Romaine。Hebegstojoinhimselftothatcircleofadmirerswhichyouindicatetoexistalready。”
CHAPTERXIX-THEDEVILANDALLATAMERSHAMPLACE
NEVERdidtwohumancreaturesgettotheirfeetwithmorealacritythanthelawyerandmyself。Wehadlockedandbarredthemaingatesofthecitadel；butunhappilywehadleftopenthebath-roomsally-port；andherewefoundthevoiceofthehostiletrumpetssoundingfromwithin，andallourdefencestakeninreverse。I
tookbutthetimetowhisperMr。Romaineintheear：”Hereisanothertableauforyou！”atwhichhelookedatmeamomentwithakindofpathos，aswhoshouldsay，”Don”thitamanwhenhe”sdown。”ThenItransferredmyeyestomyenemy。
Hehadhishaton，alittleononeside：itwasaverytallhat，rakedextremely，andhadanarrowcurlingbrim。HishairwasallcurledoutinmasseslikeanItalianmountebank-amostunpardonablefashion。Hesportedahugetippetedovercoatoffrieze，suchaswatchmenwear，onlytheinsidewaslinedwithcostlyfurs，andhekeptithalfopentodisplaytheexquisitelinen，themany-colouredwaistcoat，andtheprofusejewelleryofwatch-chainsandbroochesunderneath。Thelegandtheanklewereturnedtoamiracle。ItisoutofthequestionthatIshoulddenytheresemblancealtogether，sinceithasbeenremarkedbysomanydifferentpersonswhomIcannotreasonablyaccuseofaconspiracy。
Asamatteroffact，Isawlittleofitandconfessedtonothing。
Certainlyhewaswhatsomemightcallhandsome，ofapictorial，exuberantstyleofbeauty，allattitude，profile，andimpudence：amanwhomIcouldseeinfancyparadeonthegrandstandatarace-
meetingorswaggerinPiccadilly，staringdownthewomen，andstaredathimselfwithadmirationbythecoal-porters。Ofhisframeofmindatthatmomenthisfaceofferedalivelyifanunconsciouspicture。Hewaslividlypale，andhislipwascaughtupinasmilethatcouldalmostbecalledasnarl，ofasheer，aridmalignitythatappalledmeandyetputmeonmymettlefortheencounter。Helookedmeupanddown，thenbowedandtookoffhishattome。”Mycousin，Ipresume？”hesaid。”IunderstandIhavethathonour”Ireplied。”Thehonourismine”saidhe，andhisvoiceshookashesaidit。”Ishouldmakeyouwelcome，Ibelieve”saidI。”Why？”heinquired。”ThispoorhousehasbeenmyhomeforlongerthanIcaretoclaim。Thatyoushouldalreadytakeuponyourselfthedutiesofhosthereistobeatunnecessarypains。Believeme，thatpartwouldbemorebecominglymine。And，bytheway，Imustnotfailtoofferyoumylittlecompliment。Itisagratifyingsurprisetomeetyouinthedressofagentleman，andtosee”-
withacircularlookuponthescatteredbills-”thatyournecessitieshavealreadybeensoliberallyrelieved。”
Ibowedwithasmilethatwasperhapsnolesshatefulthanhisown。”Therearesomanynecessitiesinthisworld”saidI。”Charityhastochoose。Onegetsrelieved，andsomeother，nolessindigent，perhapsindebted，mustgowanting。””Maliceisanengagingtrait”saidhe。”Andenvy，Ithink？”wasmyreply。
Hemusthavefeltthathewasnotgettingwhollythebetterofthispassageatarms；perhapsevenfearedthatheshouldlosecommandofhistemper，whichhereinedinthroughouttheinterviewaswithared-hotcurb，forheflungawayfrommeattheword，andaddressedthelawyerwithinsultingarrogance。”Mr。Romaine”hesaid，”sincewhenhaveyoupresumedtogiveordersinthishouse？””IamnotpreparedtoadmitthatIhavegivenany”repliedRomaine；”certainlynonethatdidnotfallinthesphereofmyresponsibilities。””Bywhoseorders，then，amIdeniedentrancetomyuncle”sroom？”
saidmycousin。”Bythedoctor”s，sir”repliedRomaine；”andIthinkevenyouwilladmithisfacultytogivethem。””Haveacare，sir”criedAlain。”Donotbepuffedupwithyourposition。Itisnonesosecure，MasterAttorney。Ishouldnotwonderintheleastifyouwerestruckofftherollsforthisnight”swork，andthenextIshouldseeofyouwerewhenIflungyoualmsatapothousedoortomendyourraggedelbows。Thedoctor”sorders？ButIbelieveIamnotmistaken！Youhaveto-
nighttransactedbusinesswiththeCount；andthisneedyyounggentlemanhasenjoyedtheprivilegeofstillanotherinterview，inwhichasIampleasedtoseehisdignityhasnotpreventedhisdoingverywellforhimself。Iwonderthatyoushouldcaretoprevaricatewithmesoidly。””Iwillconfesssomuch”saidMr。Romaine，”ifyoucallitprevarication。TheorderinquestionemanatedfromtheCounthimself。Hedoesnotwishtoseeyou。””ForwhichImusttakethewordofMr。DanielRomaine？”askedAlain。”Indefaultofanybetter”saidRomaine。
Therewasaninstantaneousconvulsioninmycousin”sface，andI
distinctlyheardhimgnashhisteethatthisreply；but，tomysurprise，heresumedintonesofalmostgoodhumour：”Come，Mr。Romaine，donotletusbepetty！”Hedrewinachairandsatdown。”Understandyouhavestolenamarchuponme。YouhaveintroducedyoursoldierofNapoleon，andhow，Icannotconceivehehasbeenapparentlyacceptedwithfavour。IasknobetterproofthanthefundswithwhichIfindhimliterallysurrounded-Ipresumeinconsequenceofsomeextravaganceofjoyatthefirstsightofsomuchmoney。Theoddsaresofarinyourfavour，butthematchisnotyetwon。Questionswillariseofundueinfluence，ofsequestration，andthelike：Ihavemywitnessesready。Itellityoucynically，foryoucannotprofitbytheknowledge；and，iftheworstcometotheworst，Ihavegoodhopesofrecoveringmyownandofruiningyou。””Youdowhatyouplease”answeredRomaine；”butIgiveityouforapieceofgoodadvice，youhadbestdonothinginthematter。Youwillonlymakeyourselfridiculous；youwillonlysquandermoney，ofwhichyouhavenonetoomuch，andreappublicmortification。””Ah，butthereyoumakethecommonmistake，Mr。Romaine！”returnedAlain。”Youdespiseyouradversary。Consider，ifyouplease，howverydisagreeableIcouldmakemyself，ifIchose。ConsiderthepositionofyourPROTEGE-anescapedprisoner！ButIplayagreatgame。Icondemnsuchpettyopportunities。”
AtthisRomaineandIexchangedaglanceoftriumph。ItseemedmanifestthatAlainhadasyetreceivednowordofClausel”srecaptureanddenunciation。Atthesamemomentthelawyer，thusrelievedoftheinstancyofhisfear，changedhistactics。Withagreatairofunconcern，hesecuredthenewspaper，whichstilllayopenbeforehimonthetable。”Ithink，MonsieurAlain，thatyoulabourundersomeillusion”
saidhe。”Believeme，thisisallbesidethemark。Youseemtobepointingtosomecompromise。Nothingisfurtherfrommyviews。
Yoususpectmeofaninclinationtotriflewithyou，toconcealhowthingsaregoing。Icannot，ontheotherhand，betooearlyortooexplicitingivingyouinformationwhichconcernsyouImustsay
capitally。Yourgreat-unclehasto-nightcancelledhiswill，andmadeanewoneinfavourofyourcousinAnne。Nay，andyoushallhearitfromhisownlips，ifyouchoose！Iwilltakesomuchuponme”saidthelawyer，rising。”Followme，ifyouplease，gentlemen。”
Mr。Romaineledthewayoutoftheroomsobriskly，andwassobrisklyfollowedbyAlain，thatIhadhardadotogettheremainderofthemoneyreplacedandthedespatch-boxlocked，andtoovertakethem，evenbyrunningeretheyshouldbelostinthatmazeofcorridors，myuncle”shouse。Asitwas，Iwentwithaheartdivided；andthethoughtofmytreasurethusleftunprotected，savebyapaltrylidandlockthatanyonemightbreakorpickopen，putmeinaperspirationwheneverIhadthetimetorememberit。Thelawyerbroughtustoaroom，beggedustobeseatedwhileheshouldholdaconsultationwiththedoctor，and，slippingoutofanotherdoor，leftAlainandmyselfclosetedtogether。
Trulyhehaddonenothingtoingratiatehimself；hiseverywordhadbeensteepedinunfriendliness，envy，andthatcontemptwhichasitisbornofangeritispossibletosupportwithouthumiliation。
Onmypart，Ihadbeenlittlemoreconciliating；andyetIbegantobesorryforthisman，hiredspyasIknewhimtobe。Itseemedtomelessthandecentthatheshouldhavebeenbroughtupintheexpectationofthisgreatinheritance，andnow，attheeleventhhour，betumbledforthoutofthehousedoorandlefttohimself，hispovertyandhisdebts-thosedebtsofwhichIhadsoungallantlyremindedhimsoshortatimebefore。AndwewerescarceleftaloneereImadehastetohangoutaflagoftruce。”Mycousin”saidI，”trustme，youwillnotfindmeinclinedtobeyourenemy。”
Hepausedinfrontofme-forhehadnotacceptedthelawyer”sinvitationtobeseated，butwalkedtoandfrointheapartment-
tookapinchofsnuff，andlookedatmewhilehewastakingitwithanairofmuchcuriosity。”Isitevenso？”saidhe。”AmIsofarfavouredbyfortuneastohaveyourpity？Infinitelyobliged，mycousinAnne！Butthesesentimentsarenotalwaysreciprocal，andIwarnyouthatthedaywhenIsetmyfootonyourneck，thespineshallbreak。Areyouacquaintedwiththepropertiesofthespine？”heaskedwithaninsolencebeyondqualification。
Itwastoomuch。”Iamacquaintedalsowiththepropertiesofapairofpistols”saidI，toisinghim。”No，no，no！”sayshe，holdinguphisfinger。”IwilltakemyrevengehowandwhenIplease。Weareenoughofthesamefamilytounderstandeachother，perhaps；andthereasonwhyIhavenothadyouarrestedonyourarrival，whyIhadnotapicketofsoldiersinthefirstclumpofevergreens，toawaitandpreventyourcoming-
I，whoknewall，beforewhomthatpettifogger，Romaine，hasbeenconspiringinbroaddaylighttosupplantme-issimplythis：thatIhadnotmadeupmymindhowIwastotakemyrevenge。”
Atthatmomenthewasinterruptedbythetollingofabell。Aswestoodsurprisedandlistening，itwassucceededbythesoundofmanyfeettroopingupthestairsandshufflingbythedoorofourroom。Both，Ibelieve，hadagreatcuriositytosetitopen，whicheach，owingtothepresenceoftheother，resisted；andwewaitedinsteadinsilence，andwithoutmoving，untilRomainereturnedandbadeustomyuncle”spresence。
Heledthewaybyalittlecrookedpassage，whichbroughtusoutinthesick-room，andbehindthebed。IbelieveIhaveforgottentoremarkthattheCount”schamberwasofconsiderabledimensions。Webehelditnowcrowdedwiththeservantsanddependantsofthehouse，fromthedoctorandthepriesttoMr。Dawsonandthehousekeeper，fromDawsondowntoRowleyandthelastfootmaninwhitecalves，thelastplumpchambermaidinhercleangownandcap，andthelastostlerinastablewaiscoat。ThislargecongregationofpersonsandIwassurprisedtoseehowlargeitwashadtheappearance，forthemostpart，ofbeingillateaseandheartilybewildered，standingononefoot，gapinglikezanies，andthosewhowereinthecornersnudgingeachotherandgrinningaside。Myuncle，ontheotherhand，whowasraisedhigherthanIhadyetseenhimonhispillows，woreanairofreallyimposinggravity。Nosoonerhadweappearedbehindhim，thanheliftedhisvoicetoagoodloudness，andaddressedtheassemblage。”Itakeyoualltowitness-canyouhearme？-ItakeyoualltowitnessthatIrecogniseasmyheirandrepresentativethisgentleman，whommostofyouseeforthefirsttime，theViscountAnnedeSt-Yves，mynephewoftheyoungerline。AndItakeyoutowitnessatthesametimethat，forverygoodreasonsknowntomyself，Ihavediscardedanddisinheritedthisothergentlemanwhomyouallknow，theViscountdeSt-Yves。IhavealsotoexplaintheunusualtroubletowhichIhaveputyouall-and，sinceyoursupperwasnotover，IfearImayevensayannoyance。IthaspleasedM。Alaintomakesomethreatsofdisputingmywill，andtopretendthatthereareamongyournumbercertainestimablepersonswhomaybetrustedtoswearasheshalldirectthem。Itpleasesmethustoputitoutofhispowerandtostopthemouthsofhisfalsewitnesses。Iaminfinitelyobligedbyyourpoliteness，andIhavethehonourtowishyouallaverygoodevening。”
Astheservants，stillgreatlymystified，crowdedoutofthesickroomdoor，curtseying，pullingtheforelock，scrapingwiththefoot，andsoon，accordingtotheirdegree，Iturnedandstolealookatmycousin。Hehadbornethiscrushingpublicrebukewithoutchangeofcountenance。Hestood，now，veryupright，withfoldedarms，andlookinginscrutablyattheroofoftheapartment。
Icouldnotrefusehimatthatmomentthetributeofmyadmiration。
Stillmoresowhen，thelastofthedomesticshavingfiledthroughthedoorwayandleftusalonewithmygreat-uncleandthelawyer，hetookonestepforwardtowardsthebed，madeadignifiedreverence，andaddressedthemanwhohadjustcondemnedhimtoruin。”Mylord”saidhe，”youarepleasedtotreatmeinamannerwhichmygratitude，andyourstate，equallyforbidmetocallinquestion。ItwillbeonlynecessaryformetocallyourattentiontothelengthoftimeinwhichIhavebeentaughttoregardmyselfasyourheir。Inthatposition，Ijudgeditonlyloyaltopermitmyselfacertainscaleofexpenditure。IfIamnowtobecutoffwithashillingastherewardoftwentyyearsofservice，Ishallbeleftnotonlyabeggar，butabankrupt。”
Whetherfromthefatigueofhisrecentexertion，orbyawell-
inspiredingenuityofhate，myunclehadoncemoreclosedhiseyes；
nordidheopenthemnow。”Notwithashilling”hecontentedhimselfwithreplying；andtherestole，ashesaidit，asortofsmileoverhisface，thatflickeredthereconspicuouslyfortheleastmomentoftime，andthenfadedandleftbehindtheoldimpenetrablemaskofyears，cunning，andfatigue。Therecouldbenomistake：myuncleenjoyedthesituationashehadenjoyedfewthingsinthelastquarterofacentury。Thefiresoflifescarcesurvivedinthatfrailbody；buthatred，likesomeimmortalquality，wasstillerectandunabated。
Neverthelessmycousinpersevered。”Ispeakatadisadvantage”heresumed。”Mysupplanter，withperhapsmorewisdomthandelicacy，remainsintheroom”andhecastaglanceatmethatmighthavewitheredanoaktree。
Iwasonlytoowillingtowithdraw，andRomaineshowedasmuchalacritytomakewayformydeparture。Butmyunclewasnottobemoved。Inthesamebreathofavoice，andstillwithoutopeninghiseyes，hebademeremain。”Itiswell”saidAlain。”IcannotthengoontoremindyouofthetwentyyearsthathavepassedoverourheadsinEngland，andtheservicesImayhaverenderedyouinthattime。Itwouldbeapositiontooodious。YourlordshipknowsmetoowelltosupposeI
couldstooptosuchignominy。Imustleaveoutallmydefence-
yourlordshipwillsitso！Idonotknowwhataremyfaults；I
knowonlymypunishment，anditisgreaterthanIhavethecouragetoface。Myuncle，Iimploreyourpity：pardonmesofar；donotsendmeforlifeintoadebtors”jail-apauperdebtor。””CHATETVIEUX，PARDONNEZ？”saidmyuncle，quotingfromLaFontaine；andthen，openingapale-blueeyefullonAlain，hedeliveredwithsomeemphasis：”Lajeunesseseflatteetcroittoutobtenir；
Lavieillesseestimpitoyable。”
ThebloodleapeddarklyintoAlain”sface。HeturnedtoRomaineandme，andhiseyesflashed。”Itisyourturnnow”hesaid。”Atleastitshallbeprisonforprisonwiththetwoviscounts。””Notso，Mr。Alain，byyourleave”saidRomaine。”Thereareafewformalitiestobeconsideredfirst。”
ButAlainwasalreadystridingtowardsthedoor。”Stopamoment，stopamoment！”criedRomaine。”Rememberyourowncounselnottodespiseanadversary。”
Alainturned。”IfIdonotdespiseIhateyou！”hecried，givingaloosetohispassion。”Bewarnedofthat，bothofyou。””IunderstandyoutothreatenMonsieurleVicomteAnne”saidthelawyer。”Doyouknow，Iwouldnotdothat。Iamafraid，Iamverymuchafraid，ifyouweretodoasyoupropose，youmightdrivemeintoextremes。””Youhavemademeabeggarandabankrupt”saidAlain。Whatextremeisleft？””Iscarceliketoputanameuponitinthiscompany”repliedRomaine。”Butthereareworsethingsthanevenbankruptcy，andworseplacesthanadebtors”jail。”
ThewordsweresosignificantlysaidthattherewentavisiblethrillthroughAlain；suddenasasword-stroke，hefellpaleagain。”Idonotunderstandyou”saidhe。”Oyes，youdo”returnedRomaine。”Ibelieveyouunderstandmeverywell。Youmustnotsupposethatallthistime，whileyouweresoverybusy，otherswereentirelyidle。Youmustnotfancy，becauseIamanEnglishman，thatIhavenottheintelligencetopursueaninquiry。Greatasismyregardforthehonourofyourhouse，M。AlaindeSt-Yves，ifIhearofyoumovingdirectlyorindirectlyinthismatter，Ishalldomyduty，letitcostwhatitwill：thatis，IshallcommunicatetherealnameoftheBuonapartistspywhosignshislettersRUEGREGOIREDETOURS。”
Iconfessmyheartwasalreadyalmostaltogetheronthesideofmyinsultedandunhappycousin；andifithadnotbeenbefore，itmusthavebeensonow，sohorridwastheshockwithwhichheheardhisinfamyexposed。Speechwasdeniedhim；hecarriedhishandtohisneckcloth；hestaggered；Ithoughthemusthavefallen。Irantohelphim，andatthatherevived，recoiledbeforeme，andstoodtherewitharmsstretchedforthasiftopreservehimselffromtheoutrageofmytouch。”Handsoff！”hesomehowmanagedtoarticulate。”Youwillnow，Ihope”pursuedthelawyer，withoutanychangeofvoice，”understandthepositioninwhichyouareplaced，andhowdelicatelyitbehovesyoutoconductyourself。Yourarresthangs，ifImaysoexpressmyself，byahair；andasyouwillbeundertheperpetualvigilanceofmyselfandmyagents，youmustlooktoitnarrowlythatyouwalkstraight。Upontheleastdubiety，Iwilltakeaction。”Hesnuffed，lookingcriticallyatthetorturedman。”Andnowletmeremindyouthatyourchaiseisatthedoor。Thisinterviewisagitatingtohislordship-itcannotbeagreeableforyou-andIsuggestthatitneednotbefurtherdrawnout。Itdoesnotenterintotheviewsofyouruncle，theCount，thatyoushouldagainsleepunderthisroof。”
AsAlainturnedandpassedwithoutawordorasignfromtheapartment，Iinstantlyfollowed。IsupposeImustbeatbottompossessedofsomehumanity；atleast，thisaccumulatedtorture，thisslowbutcheryofamanasbyquartersofrock，hadwhollychangedmysympathies。AtthatmomentIloathedbothmyuncleandthelawyerfortheircoldbloodedcruelty。
Leaningoverthebanisters，Iwasbutintimetohearhishastyfootstepsinthathallthathadbeencrowdedwithservantstohonourhiscoming，andwasnowleftemptyagainsthisfriendlessdeparture。Amomentlater，andtheechoesrang，andtheairwhistledinmyears，asheslammedthedooronhisdepartingfootsteps。Thefuryoftheconcussiongavemehadonebeenstillwantedameasureoftheturmoilofhispassions。Inasense，I
feltwithhim；Ifelthowhewouldhavegloriedtoslamthatdooronmyuncle，thelawyer，myself，andthewholecrowdofthosewhohadbeenwitnessestohishumiliation。
CHAPTERXX-AFTERTHESTORM
NOsoonerwasthehouseclearofmycousinthanIbegantoreckonup，ruefullyenough，theprobableresultsofwhathadpassed。Herewereanumberofpotsbroken，anditlookedtomeasifIshouldhavetopayforall！Herehadbeenthisproud，madbeastgoadedandbaitedbothpubliclyandprivately，tillhecouldneitherhearnorseenorreason；whereuponthegatehadbeensetopen，andhehadbeenleftfreetogoandcontrivewhatevervengeancehemightfindpossible。Icouldnothelpthinkingitwasapitythat，wheneverImyselfwasinclinedtobeuponmygoodbehaviour，somefriendsofmineshouldalwaysdeterminetoplayapieceofheroicsandcastmeforthehero-orthevictim-whichisverymuchthesame。Thefirstdutyofheroicsistobeofyourownchoosing。
Whentheyarenotthat，theyarenothing。AndIassureyou，asI
walkedbacktomyownroom，Iwasinnoverycomplaisanthumour：
thoughtmyuncleandMr。Romainetohaveplayedknuckle-boneswithmylifeandprospects；cursedthemforitroundly；hadnowishmoreurgentthantoavoidthepairofthem；andwasquiteknockedoutoftime，astheysayinthering，tofindmyselfconfrontedwiththelawyer。
Hestoodonmyhearthrug，leaningonthechimney-piece，withagloomy，thoughtfulbrow，asIwaspleasedtosee，andnotintheleastasthoughhewerevainofthelateproceedings。”Well？”saidI。”Youhavedoneitnow！””Ishegone？”heasked。”Heisgone”saidI。”Weshallhavethedeviltopaywithhimwhenhecomesback。””Youareright”saidthelawyer，”andverylittletopayhimwithbutflamsandfabrications，liketo-night”s。””To-night”s？”Irepeated。”Ay，to-night”s！”saidhe。”To-night”sWHAT？”Icried。”To-night”sflamsandfabrications。””Godbegoodtome，sir”saidI，”haveIsomethingmoretoadmireinyourconductthaneverIhadsuspected？Youcannotthinkhowyouinterestme！Thatitwassevere，Iknew；Ihadalreadychuckledoverthat。Butthatitshouldbefalsealso！Inwhatsense，dearsir？”
IbelieveIwasextremelyoffensiveasIputthequestion，butthelawyerpaidnoheed。”Falseinallsensesoftheword”herepliedseriously。”Falseinthesensethattheywerenottrue，andfalseinthesensethattheywerenotreal；falseinthesensethatIboasted，andinthesensethatIlied。HowcanIarresthim？Youruncleburnedthepapers！
Itoldyouso-butdoubtlessyouhaveforgotten-thedayIfirstsawyouinEdinburghCastle。Itwasanactofgenerosity；Ihaveseenmanyoftheseacts，andalwaysregretted-alwaysregretted！
“Thatshallbehisinheritance，“hesaid，asthepapersburned；hedidnotmeanthatitshouldhaveprovedsorichaone。Howrich，timewilltell。””Ibegyourpardonahundredthousandtimes，mydearsir，butitstrikesmeyouhavetheimpudence-inthecircumstances，Imaycallittheindecency-toappearcastdown？””Itistrue”saidhe：”Iam。Iamcastdown。Iamliterallycastdown。Ifeelmyselfquitehelplessagainstyourcousin。””Now，really！”Iasked。”Isthisserious？Andisitperhapsthereasonwhyyouhavegorgedthepoordevilwitheveryspeciesofinsult？andwhyyoutooksuchsurprisingpainstosupplymewithwhatIhadsolittleneedof-anotherenemy？Thatyouwerehelplessagainstthem？“Hereismylastmissile，“sayyou；“myammunitionisquiteexhausted：justwaittillIgetthelastin-
itwillirritate，itcannothurthim。There-yousee！-heisfuriousnow，andIamquitehelpless。Onemoreprod，anotherkick：
nowheisamerelunatic！Standbehindme；Iamquitehelpless！“
Mr。Romaine，Iamaskingmyselfastothebackgroundormotiveofthissingularjest，andwhetherthenameofitshouldnotbecalledtreachery？””Icanscarcewonder”saidhe。”Intruthithasbeenasingularbusiness，andweareveryfortunatetobeoutofitsowell。Yetitwasnottreachery：no，no，Mr。Anne，itwasnottreachery；andifyouwilldomethefavourtolistentomefortheinsideofaminute，Ishalldemonstratethesametoyoubeyondcavil。”Heseemedtowakeuptohisordinarybriskness。”Youseethepoint？”
hebegan。”Hehadnotyetreadthenewspaper，butwhocouldtellwhenhemight？Hemighthavehadthatdamnedjournalinhispocket，andhowshouldweknow？Wewere-Imaysay，weare-atthemercyofthemeresttwopennyaccident。””Why，true”saidI：”Ihadnotthoughtofthat。””Iwarrantyou”criedRomaine，”youhadsupposeditwasnothingtobetheheroofaninterestingnoticeinthejournals！Youhadsupposed，aslikeasnot，itwasaformofsecrecy！Butnotsointheleast。ApartofEnglandisalreadybuzzingwiththenameofChampdivers；adayortwomoreandthemailwillhavecarriediteverywhere：sowonderfulamachineisthisofoursfordisseminatingintelligence！Thinkofit！Whenmyfatherwasborn-butthatisanotherstory。Toreturn：wehadheretheelementsofsuchacombustionasIdreadtothinkof-yourcousinandthejournal。Lethimbutglanceaneyeuponthatcolumnofprint，andwherewerewe？Itiseasytoask；notsoeasytoanswer，myyoungfriend。Andletmetellyou，thissheetistheViscount”susualreading。Itismyconvictionhehaditinhispocket。””Ibegyourpardon，sir”saidI。”Ihavebeenunjust。Ididnotappreciatemydanger。””Ithinkyouneverdo”saidhe。”Butyetsurelythatpublicscene-”Ibegan。”Itwasmadness。Iquiteagreewithyou”Mr。Romaineinterrupted。”Butitwasyouruncle”sorders，Mr。Anne，andwhatcouldIdo？
TellhimyouwerethemurdererofGoguelat？Ithinknot。””No，sure！”saidI。”Thatwouldbuthavebeentomakethetroublethicker。Wewerecertainlyinaveryillposture。””Youdonotyetappreciatehowgraveitwas”hereplied。”Itwasnecessaryforyouthatyourcousinshouldgo，andgoatonce。Youyourselfhadtoleaveto-nightundercoverofdarkness，andhowcouldyouhavedonethatwiththeViscountinthenextroom？Hemustgo，then；hemustleavewithoutdelay。Andthatwasthedifficulty。””Pardonme，Mr。Romaine，butcouldnotmyunclehavebiddenhimgo？”Iasked。”Why，IseeImusttellyouthatthisisnotsosimpleasitsounds”hereplied。”Yousaythisisyouruncle”shouse，andsoitis。Buttoalleffectsandpurposesitisyourcousin”salso。
Hehasroomshere；hashadthemcomingonforthirtyyearsnow，andtheyarefilledwithaprodigiousaccumulationoftrash-stays，I
daresay，andpowder-puffs，andsucheffeminateidiocy-towhichnonecoulddisputehistitle，evensupposeanyonewantedto。Wehadaperfectrighttobidhimgo，andhehadaperfectrighttoreply，“Yes，Iwillgo，butnotwithoutmystaysandcravats。I
mustfirstgettogetherthenine-hundred-and-ninety-ninechestsfullofinsufferablerubbish，thatIhavespentthelastthirtyyearscollecting-andmayverywellspendthenextthirtyhoursa-
packingof。”Andwhatshouldwehavesaidtothat？””Bywayofrepartee？”Iasked。”Twotallfootmenandapairofcrabtreecudgels，Isuggest。””TheLorddelivermefromthewisdomoflaymen！”criedRomaine。”Putmyselfinthewrongatthebeginningofalawsuit？No，indeed！Therewasbutonethingtodo，andIdidit，andburnedmylastcartridgeinthedoingofit。Istunnedhim。Anditgaveusthreehours，bywhichweshouldmakehastetoprofit；forifthereisonethingsure，itisthathewillbeuptotimeagainto-morrowinthemorning。””Well”saidI，”Iownmyselfanidiot。Welldotheysay，ANOLD
SOLDIER，ANOLDINNOCENT！ForIguessednothingofallthis。””And，guessingit，haveyouthesameobjectionstoleaveEngland？”
heinquired。”Thesame”saidI。”Itisindispensable”heobjected。”Anditcannotbe”Ireplied。”Reasonhasnothingtosayinthematter；andImustnotletyousquanderanyofyours。Itwillbeenoughtotellyouthisisanaffairoftheheart。””Isitevenso？”quothRomaine，noddinghishead。”AndImighthavebeensureofit。Placetheminahospital，puttheminajailinyellowoveralls，dowhatyouwill，youngJessamyfindsyoungJenny。O，haveityourownway；Iamtoooldahandtoarguewithyounggentlemenwhochoosetofancythemselvesinlove；Ihavetoomuchexperience，thankyou。Only，besurethatyouappreciatewhatyourisk：theprison，thedock，thegallows，andthehalter-
terriblyvulgarcircumstances，myyoungfriend；grim，sordid，earnest；nopoetryinthat！””AndthereIamwarned”Ireturnedgaily。”Nomancouldbewarnedmorefinelyorwithagreatereloquence。AndIamofthesameopinionstill。UntilIhaveagainseenthatlady，nothingshallinducemetoquitGreatBritain。Ihavebesides-”
AndhereIcametoafullstop。Itwasuponmytonguetohavetoldhimthestoryofthedrovers，butatthefirstwordofitmyvoicediedinmythroat。Theremightbealimittothelawyer”stoleration，Ireflected。IhadnotbeensolonginBritainaltogether；forthemostpartofthattimeIhadbeenbytheheelsinlimboinEdinburghCastle；andalreadyIhadconfessedtokillingonemanwithapairofscissors；andnowIwastogoonandpleadguiltytohavingsettledanotherwithahollystick！Awaveofdiscretionwentovermeascoldandasdeepasthesea。”Inshort，sir，thisisamatteroffeeling”Iconcluded，”andnothingwillpreventmygoingtoEdinburgh。”
IfIhadfiredapistolinhisearhecouldnothavebeenmorestartled。”ToEdinburgh？”herepeated。”Edinburgh？wheretheverypaving-
stonesknowyou！””Thenisthemurderout！”saidI。”But，Mr。Romaine，istherenotsometimessafetyinboldness？Isitnotacommon-placeofstrategytogetwheretheenemyleastexpectsyou？Andwherewouldheexpectmeless？””Faith，thereissomethinginthat，too！”criedthelawyer。”Ay，certainly，agreatdealinthat。Allthewitnessesdrownedbutone，andhesafeinprison；youyourselfchangedbeyondrecognition-letushope-andwalkingthestreetsoftheverytownyouhaveillustratedbyyour-well，youreccentricity！Itisnotbadlycombined，indeed！””Youapproveit，then？”saidI。”O，approve！”saidhe；”thereisnoquestionofapproval。ThereisonlyonecoursewhichIcouldapprove，andthatweretoescapetoFranceinstanter。””Youdonotwhollydisapprove，atleast？”Isubstituted。”Notwholly；anditwouldnotmatterifIdid”hereplied。”Goyourownway；youarebeyondargument。AndIamnotsurethatyouwillrunmoredangerbythatcoursethanbyanyother。Givetheservantstimetogettobedandfallasleep，thentakeacountrycross-roadandwalk，astherhymehasit，likeblazesallnight。
Inthemorningtakeachaiseortakethemailatpleasure，andcontinueyourjourneywithallthedecorumandreserveofwhichyoushallbefoundcapable。””Iamtakingthepicturein”Isaid。”Givemetime。”TistheTOUTENSEMBLEImustsee：thewholeasopposedtothedetails。””Mountebank！”hemurmured。”Yes，Ihaveitnow；andIseemyselfwithaservant，andthatservantisRowley”saidI。”Soastohaveonemorelinkwithyouruncle？”suggestedthelawyer。”Veryjudicious！””And，pardonme，butthatiswhatitis”Iexclaimed。”Judiciousistheword。Iamnotmakingadeceptionfittolastforthirtyyears；Idonotfoundapalaceinthelivinggraniteforthenight。
Thisisasheltertent-aflyingpicture-seen，admired，andgoneagaininthewinkofaneye。Whatiswanted，inshort，isaTROMPE-L”OEILthatshallbegoodenoughfortwelvehoursataninn：
isitnotso？””Itis，andtheobjectionholds。Rowleyisbutanotherdanger”
saidRomaine。”Rowley”saidI，”willpassasaservantfromadistance-asacreatureseenpoisedonthedickyofabowlingchaise。Hewillpassathandasasmart，civilfellowonemeetsintheinncorridor，andlooksbackat，andasks，andistold，“Gentleman”sservantinNumber4。”Hewillpass，infact，allround，exceptwithhispersonalfriends！Mydearsir，praywhatdoyouexpect？
Ofcourseifwemeetmycousin，orifwemeetanybodywhotookpartinthejudiciousexhibitionofthisevening，wearelost；andwho”sdenyingit？Toeverydisguise，howevergoodandsafe，thereisalwaystheweakpoint；youmustalwaystakeletussay-andtotakeasimilefromyourownwaistcoatpocketasnuffbox-fullofrisk。You”llgetitjustassmallwithRowleyaswithanybodyelse。Andthelongandshortofitis，thelad”shonest，helikesme，Itrusthim；heismyservant，ornobody。””Hemightnotaccept”saidRomaine。”Ibetyouathousandpoundshedoes！”criedI。”Butnomatter；
allyouhavetodoistosendhimoutto-nightonthiscross-
countrybusiness，andleavethethingtome。Itellyou，hewillbemyservant，andItellyou，hewilldowell。”
Ihadcrossedtheroom，andwasalreadyoverhaulingmywardrobeasIspoke。”Well”concludedthelawyer，withashrug，”oneriskwithanother：
AGUERRECOMMEALAGUERRE，asyouwouldsay。Letthebratcomeandbeuseful，atleast。”Andhewasabouttoringthebell，whenhiseyewascaughtbymyresearchesinthewardrobe。”Donotfallinlovewiththesecoats，waistcoats，cravats，andotherpanoplyandaccoutrementsbywhichyouarenowsurrounded。Youmustnotrunthepostasadandy。Itisnotthefashion，even。””Youarepleasedtobefacetious，sir”saidI；”andnotaccordingtoknowledge。Theseclothesaremylife，theyaremydisguise；andsinceIcantakebutfewofthem，IwereafoolindeedifI
selectedhastily！Willyouunderstand，onceandforall，whatIamseeking？Tobeinvisible，isthefirstpoint；thesecond，tobeinvisibleinapost-chaiseandwithaservant。Canyounotperceivethedelicacyofthequest？Nothingmustbetoocoarse，nothingtoofine；RIENDEVOYANT，RIENQUIDELONNE；sothatImayleaveeverywheretheinconspicuousimageofahandsomeyoungmanofagoodfortunetravellinginproperstyle，whomthelandlordwillforgetintwelvehours-andthechambermaidperhapsremember，Godblessher！withasigh。Thisistheveryfineartofdress。””Ihavepractiseditwithsuccessforfiftyyears”saidRomaine，withachuckle。”Ablacksuitandacleanshirtismyinfalliblerecipe。””Yousurpriseme；Ididnotthinkyouwouldbeshallow！”saidI，lingeringbetweentwocoats。”Pray，Mr。Romaine，haveIyourhead？
ordidyoutravelpostandwithasmartishservant？””Neither，Iadmit”saidhe。”Whichchangethewholeproblem”Icontinued。”IhavetodressforasmartishservantandaRussialeatherdespatch-box。”Thatbroughtmetoastand。Icameoverandlookedattheboxwithamoment”shesitation。”Yes”Iresumed。”Yes，andforthedespatch-box！Itlooksmoneyedandlanded；itmeansIhavealawyer。Itisaninvaluableproperty。ButIcouldhavewishedittoholdlessmoney。Theresponsibilityiscrushing。ShouldInotdomorewiselytotakefivehundredpounds，andintrusttheremainderwithyou，Mr。Romaine？””Ifyouaresureyouwillnotwantit”answeredRomaine。”Iamfarfromsureofthat”criedI。”Inthefirstplace，asaphilosopher。ThisisthefirsttimeIhavebeenattheheadofalargesum，anditisconceivable-whoknowshimself？-thatImaymakeitfly。Inthesecondplace，asafugitive。WhoknowswhatI
mayneed？Thewholeofitmaybeinadequate。ButIcanalwayswriteformore。””Youdonotunderstand”hereplied。”Ibreakoffallcommunicationwithyouhereandnow。Youmustgivemeapowerofattorneyereyoustartto-night，andthenbedonewithmetrenchantlyuntilbetterdays。”
IbelieveIofferedsomeobjection。”Thinkalittleforonceofme！”saidRomaine。”Imustnothaveseenyoubeforeto-night。To-nightwearetohavehadouronlyinterview，andyouaretohavegivenmethepower；andto-nightI
amtohavelostsightofyouagain-Iknownotwhither，youwereuponbusiness，itwasnoneofmyaffairstoquestionyou！Andthis，youaretoremark，intheinterestsofyourownsafetymuchmorethanmine。””Iamnoteventowritetoyou？”Isaid，alittlebewildered。”IbelieveIamcuttingthelaststrandthatconnectsyouwithcommonsense”hereplied。”ButthatistheplainEnglishofit。
Youarenoteventowrite；andifyoudid，Iwouldnotanswer。””Aletter，however-”Ibegan。”Listentome”interruptedRomaine。”Sosoonasyourcousinreadstheparagraph，whatwillhedo？Putthepoliceuponlookingintomycorrespondence！Sosoonasyouwritetome，inshort，youwritetoBowStreet；andifyouwilltakemyadvice，youwilldatethatletterfromFrance。””Thedevil！”saidI，forIbegansuddenlytoseethatthismightputmeoutofthewayofmybusiness。”Whatisitnow？”sayshe。”Therewillbemoretobedone，then，beforewecanpart”I
answered。”Igiveyouthewholenight”saidhe。”Solongasyouareofferedaybreak，Iamcontent。””Inshort，Mr。Romaine”saidI，”IhavehadsomuchbenefitofyouradviceandservicesthatIamlothtosevertheconnection，andwouldevenaskasubstitute。IwouldbeobligedforaletterofintroductiontooneofyourownclothinEdinburgh-anoldmanforchoice，veryexperienced，veryrespectable，andverysecret。
Couldyoufavourmewithsuchaletter？””Why，no”saidhe。”Certainlynot。Iwilldonosuchthing，indeed。””Itwouldbeagreatfavour，sir”Ipleaded。”Itwouldbeanunpardonableblunder”hereplied。”What？Giveyoualetterofintroduction？andwhenthepolicecome，Isuppose，Imustforgetthecircumstance？No，indeed。Talkofitnomore。””Youseemtobealwaysintheright”saidI。”Theletterwouldbeoutofthequestion，Iquiteseethat。Butthelawyer”snamemightverywellhavedroppedfromyouinthewayofconversation；havingheardhimmentioned，Imightprofitbythecircumstancetointroducemyself；andinthiswaymybusinesswouldbethebetterdone，andyounotintheleastcompromised。””Whatisthisbusiness？”saidRomaine。”IhavenotsaidthatIhadany”Ireplied。”Itmightarise。
ThisisonlyapossibilitythatImustkeepinview。””Well”saidhe，withagestureofthehands，”ImentionMr。
Robbie；andletthatbeanendofit！-Orwait！”headded，”Ihaveit。Hereissomethingthatwillserveyouforanintroduction，andcannotcompromiseme。”AndhewrotehisnameandtheEdinburghlawyer”saddressonapieceofcardandtossedittome。
CHAPTERXXI-IBECOMETHEOWNEROFACLARET-COLOUREDCHAISE
WHATwithpacking，signingpapers，andpartakingofanexcellentcoldsupperinthelawyer”sroom，itwaspasttwointhemorningbeforewewerereadyfortheroad。RomainehimselfletusoutofawindowinapartofthehouseknowntoRowley：itappearsitservedasakindofposterntotheservants”hall，bywhichwhentheywereinthemindforaclandestineeveningtheywouldcomeregularlyinandout；andIrememberverywellthevinegaraspectofthelawyeronthereceiptofthispieceofinformation-howhepursedhislips，juttedhiseyebrows，andkeptrepeating，”Thismustbeseento，indeed！thisshallbebarredto-morrowinthemorning！”Inthispreoccupation，Ibelievehetookleaveofmewithoutobservingit；ourthingswerehandedout；weheardthewindowshutbehindus；andbecameinstantlylostinahorridintricacyofblacknessandtheshadowofwoods。
Alittlewetsnowkeptsleepilyfalling，pausing，andfallingagain；itseemedperpetuallybeginningtosnowandperpetuallyleavingoff；andthedarknesswasintense。Timeandagainwewalkedintotrees；timeandagainfoundourselvesadriftamonggardenbordersorstucklikearaminthethicket。Rowleyhadpossessedhimselfofthematches，andhewasneithertobeterrifiednorsoftened。”No，Iwillnot，Mr。Anne，sir”hewouldreply。”Youknowhetellmetowaittillwewereoverthe”ill。
It”sonlyalittlewaynow。Why，andIthoughtyouwasasoldier，too！”Iwasatleastaverygladsoldierwhenmyvaletconsentedatlasttokindleathieves”match。Fromthis，weeasilylitthelantern；andthenceforward，throughalabyrinthofwoodlandpaths，wereconductedbyitsuneasyglimmer。Bothbootedandgreat-
coated，withtallhatsmuchofashape，andladenwithbootyintheformofadespatch-box，acaseofpistols，andtwoplumpvalises，I
thoughtwehadverymuchthelookofapairofbrothersreturningfromthesackofAmershamPlace。
Weissuedatlastuponacountryby-roadwherewemightwalkabreastandwithoutprecaution。ItwasninemilestoAylesbury，ourimmediatedestination；byawatch，whichformedpartofmynewoutfit，itshouldbeabouthalf-pastthreeinthemorning；andaswedidnotchoosetoarrivebeforedaylight，timecouldnotbesaidtopress。Igavetheordertomarchatease。”Now，Rowley”saidI，”sofarsogood。Youhavecome，inthemostobligingmannerintheworld，tocarrythesevalises。Thequestionis，whatnext？WhatarewetodoatAylesbury？or，moreparticularly，whatareyou？Thence，Igoonajourney。Areyoutoaccompanyme？”
Hegavealittlechuckle。”That”sallsettledalready，Mr。Anne，sir”hereplied。”Why，I”vegotmythingshereinthevalise-ahalfadozenshirtsandwhatnot；I”mallready，sir：justyouleadon：YOU”LLsee。””Thedevilyouhave！”saidI。”Youmadeprettysureofyourwelcome。””Ifyouplease，sir”saidRowley。
Helookedupatme，inthelightofthelantern，withaboyishshynessandtriumphthatawokemyconscience。Icouldneverletthisinnocentinvolvehimselfintheperilsanddifficultiesthatbesetmycourse，withoutsomehintofwarning，whichitwasamatterofextremedelicacytomakeplainenoughandnottooplain。”No，no”saidI；”youmaythinkyouhavemadeachoice，butitwasblindfold，andyoumustmakeitoveragain。TheCount”sserviceisagoodone；whatareyouleavingitfor？Areyounotthrowingawaythesubstancefortheshadow？No，donotanswermeyet。YouimaginethatIamaprosperousnobleman，justdeclaredmyuncle”sheir，onthethresholdofthebestofgoodfortune，and，fromthepointofviewofajudiciousservant，ajewelofamastertoserveandstickto？Well，myboy，Iamnothingofthekind，nothingofthekind。”
AsIsaidthewords，Icametoafullstopandheldupthelanterntohisface。Hestoodbeforeme，brilliantlyilluminatedonthebackgroundofimpenetrablenightandfallingsnow，strickentostonebetweenhisdoubleburdenlikeanassbetweentwopanniers，andgapingatmelikeablunderbuss。Ihadneverseenafacesopredestinedtobeastonished，orsosusceptibleofrenderingtheemotionofsurprise；andittemptedmeasanopenpianotemptsthemusician。”Nothingofthesort，Rowley”Icontinued，inachurchyardvoice。”Theseareappearances，pettyappearances。Iaminperil，homeless，hunted。IcountscarceanyoneinEnglandwhoisnotmyenemy。FromthishourIdropmyname，mytitle；Ibecomenameless；
mynameisproscribed。Myliberty，mylife，hangbyahair。Thedestinywhichyouwillaccept，ifyougoforthwithme，istobetrackedbyspies，tohideyourselfunderafalsename，tofollowthedesperatepretencesandperhapssharethefateofamurdererwithapriceuponhishead。”
Hisfacehadbeenhithertobeyondexpectation，passingfromonedepthtoanotheroftragicastonishment，andreallyworthpayingtosee；butatthisitsuddenlycleared。”Oh，Iain”tafraid！”hesaid；andthen，chokingintolaughter，”why，Iseeitfromthefirst！”
Icouldhavebeatenhim。ButIhadsogrosslyovershotthemarkthatIsupposeittookmetwogoodmilesofroadandhalfanhourofelocutiontopersuadehimIhadbeeninearnest。InthecourseofwhichIbecamesointerestedindemonstratingmypresentdangerthatIforgotallaboutmyfuturesafety，andnotonlytoldhimthestoryofGoguelat，butthrewinthebusinessofthedroversaswell，andendedbyblurtingoutthatIwasasoldierofNapoleon”sandaprisonerofwar。
ThiswasfarfrommyviewswhenIbegan；anditisacommoncomplaintofmethatIhavealongtongue。Ibelieveitisafaultbelovedbyfortune。Whichofyouconsideratefellowswouldhavedoneathingatoncesofoolhardyandsowiseastomakeaconfidantofaboyinhisteens，andpositivelysmellingofthenursery？AndwhenhadIcausetorepentit？Thereisnonesoaptasaboytobetheadviserofanymanindifficultiessuchasmine。