\"Youaremightysureofyourself，\"heretorted。
\"That’swhyImadetheproposition，\"Ireplied。
\"Gettingreligion，eh？\"hesneered。
\"No，\"wasmyanswer。\"ItmerelyhappensthatIpossessmorelifethanyoucaneverreachtheendof。Makeitahundreddaysifyouwant，andI’llsmileatyouwhenit’sover。\"
\"Iguesstendayswillmorethandoyou，Standing。\"
\"That’syouropinion，\"Isaid。\"Haveyougotfaithinit？Ifyouhaveyouwon’tevenlosethepriceofthetwofive-centssacksoftobacco。Anyway，whathaveyougottobeafraidof？\"
\"FortwocentsI’dkickthefaceoffofyourightnow，\"hesnarled。
\"Don’tletmestopyou。\"Iwasimpudentlysuave。\"Kickashardasyouplease，andI’llstillhaveenoughfaceleftwithwhichtosmile。Inthemeantime，whileyouarehesitating，supposeyouacceptmyoriginalproposition。\"
Amanmustbeterriblyweakandprofoundlydesperatetobeable，undersuchcircumstances，tobeardtheWardeninsolitary。Orhemaybeboth，and，inaddition，hemayhavefaith。IknownowthatI
hadthefaithandsoactedonit。IbelievedwhatMorrellhadtoldme。Ibelievedinthelordshipofthemindoverthebody。I
believedthatnotevenahundreddaysinthejacketcouldkillme。
CaptainJamiemusthavesensedthisfaiththatinformedme，forhesaid:
\"IrememberaSwedethatwentcrazytwentyyearsago。Thatwasbeforeyourtime，Warden。He’dkilledamaninaquarrelovertwenty-fivecentsandgotlifeforit。Hewasacook。Hegotreligion。Hesaidthatagoldenchariotwascomingtotakehimtoheaven，andhesatdownontopthered-hotrangeandsanghymnsandhosannahswhilehecooked。Theydraggedhimoff，buthecroakedtwodaysafterwardinhospital。Hewascookedtothebone。Andtotheendhesworehe’dneverfelttheheat。Couldn’tgetasquealoutofhim。\"
\"We’llmakeStandingsqueal，\"saidtheWarden。
\"Sinceyouaresosureofit，whydon’tyouacceptmyproposition？\"
Ichallenged。
TheWardenwassoangrythatitwouldhavebeenludicroustomehadInotbeeninsodesperateplight。Hisfacewasconvulsed。Heclenchedhishands，and，foramoment，itseemedthathewasabouttofalluponmeandgivemeabeating。Then，withaneffort，hecontrolledhimself。
\"Allright，Standing，\"hesnarled。\"I’llgoyou。Butyoubetyoursweetlifeyou’llhavetogosometosmiletendaysfromnow。Rollhimover，boys，andcinchhimtillyouhearhisribscrack。
Hutchins，showhimyouknowhowtodoit。\"
AndtheyrolledmeoverandlacedmeasIhadneverbeenlacedbefore。Theheadtrustycertainlydemonstratedhisability。I
triedtostealwhatlittlespaceIcould。Littleitwas，forIhadlongsinceshedmyflesh，whilemymuscleswereattenuatedtomerestrings。Ihadneitherthestrengthnorbulktostealmorethanalittle，andthelittleIstoleIswearImanagedbysheerexpansionatthejointsofthebonesofmyframe。AndofthislittleIwasrobbedbyHutchins，who，intheolddaysbeforehewasmadeheadtrusty，hadlearnedallthetricksofthejacketfromtheinsideofthejacket。
Yousee，Hutchinswasacuratheart，oracreaturewhohadoncebeenaman，butwhohadbeenbrokenonthewheel。Hepossessedtenortwelvethousanddollars，andhisfreedomwasinsightifheobeyedorders。Later，Ilearnedthattherewasagirlwhohadremainedtruetohim，andwhowaseventhenwaitingforhim。Thewomanfactorexplainsmanythingsofmen。
Ifeveramandeliberatelycommittedmurder，AlHutchinsdidthatmorninginsolitaryattheWarden’sbidding。HerobbedmeofthelittlespaceIstole。And，havingrobbedmeofthat，mybodywasdefenceless，and，withhisfootinmybackwhilehedrewthelacinglight，heconstrictedmeasnomanhadeverbeforesucceededindoing。SoseverewasthisconstrictionofmyfrailframeuponmyvitalorgansthatIfelt，thereandthen，immediately，thatdeathwasuponme。Andstillthemiracleoffaithwasmine。IdidnotbelievethatIwasgoingtodie。Iknew——IsayIKNEW——thatIwasnotgoingtodie。Myheadwasswimming，andmyheartwaspoundingfrommytoenailstothehair-rootsinmyscalp。
\"That’sprettytight，\"CaptainJamieurgedreluctantly。
\"Thehellitis，\"saidDoctorJackson。\"Itellyounothingcanhurthim。He’sawooz。Heoughttohavebeendeadlongago。\"
WardenAtherton，afterahardstruggle，managedtoinserthisforefingerbetweenthelacingandmyback。Hebroughthisfoottobearuponme，withtheweightofhisbodyaddedtohisfoot，andpulled，butfailedtogetanyfractionofaninchofslack。
\"Itakemyhatofftoyou，Hutchins，\"hesaid。\"Youknowyourjob。
Nowrollhimoverandlet’slookathim。\"
Theyrolledmeoveronmyback。Istaredupatthemwithbulgingeyes。ThisIknow:HadtheylacedmeinsuchfashionthefirsttimeIwentintothejacket，Iwouldsurelyhavediedinthefirsttenminutes。ButIwaswelltrained。Ihadbehindmethethousandsofhoursinthejacket，and，plusthat，IhadfaithinwhatMorrellhadtoldme。
\"Now，laugh，damnyou，laugh，\"saidtheWardentome。\"Startthatsmileyou’vebeenbraggingabout。
So，whilemylungspantedforalittleair，whilemyheartthreatenedtoburst，whilemymindreeled，neverthelessIwasabletosmileupintotheWarden’sface。
CHAPTERXI
Thedoorclanged，shuttingoutallbutalittlelight，andIwasleftaloneonmyback。BythetricksIhadlongsincelearnedinthejacket，Imanagedtowrithemyselfacrosstheflooraninchatatimeuntiltheedgeofthesoleofmyrightshoetouchedthedoor。
Therewasanimmensecheerinthis。Iwasnotutterlyalone。Iftheneedarose，IcouldatleastrapknuckletalktoMorrell。
ButWardenAthertonmusthaveleftstrictinjunctionsontheguards，for，thoughImanagedtocallMorrellandtellhimIintendedtryingtheexperiment，hewaspreventedbytheguardsfromreplying。Metheycouldonlycurse，for，insofarasIwasinthejacketforatendays’bout，Iwasbeyondallthreatofpunishment。
Irememberremarkingatthetimemyserenityofmind。Thecustomarypainofthejacketwasinmybody，butmymindwassopassivethatI
wasnomoreawareofthepainthanwasIawareofthefloorbeneathmeorthewallsaroundme。Neverwasamaninbettermentalandspiritualconditionforsuchanexperiment。Ofcourse，thiswaslargelyduetomyextremeweakness。Buttherewasmoretoit。I
hadlongschooledmyselftobeoblivioustopain。Ihadneitherdoubtsnorfears。Allthecontentofmymindseemedtobeanabsolutefaithintheover-lordshipofthemind。Thispassivitywasalmostdream-like，andyet，initsway，itwaspositivealmosttoapitchofexaltation。
Ibeganmyconcentrationofwill。Eventhenmybodywasnumbingandpricklingthroughthelossofcirculation。Idirectedmywilltothelittletoeofmyrightfoot，andIwilledthattoetoceasetobealiveinmyconsciousness。Iwilledthattoetodie——todiesofarasI，itslord，andadifferentthingentirelyfromit，wasconcerned。Therewasthehardstruggle。Morrellhadwarnedmethatitwouldbeso。Buttherewasnoflickerofdoubttodisturbmyfaith。Iknewthatthattoewoulddie，andIknewwhenitwasdead。
Jointbyjointithaddiedunderthecompulsionofmywill。
Therestwaseasy，butslow，Iwilladmit。Jointbyjoint，toebytoe，allthetoesofbothmyfeetceasedtobe。Andjointbyjoint，theprocesswenton。Camethetimewhenmyfleshbelowtheankleshadceased。Camethetimewhenallbelowmykneeshadceased。
Suchwasthepitchofmyperfectexaltation，thatIknewnottheslightestprodofrejoicingatmysuccess。IknewnothingsavethatIwasmakingmybodydie。AllthatwasIwasdevotedtothatsoletask。Iperformedtheworkasthoroughlyasanymasonlayingbricks，andIregardedtheworkasjustaboutascommonplaceaswouldabrick-masonregardhiswork。
Attheendofanhourmybodywasdeadtothehips，andfromthehipsup，jointbyjoint，Icontinuedtowilltheascendingdeath。
ItwaswhenIreachedthelevelofmyheartthatthefirstblurringanddizzyingofmyconsciousness’occurred。ForfearthatIshouldloseconsciousness，IwilledtoholdthedeathIhadgained，andshiftedmyconcentrationtomyfingers。Mybrainclearedagain，andthedeathofmyarmstotheshoulderswasmostrapidlyaccomplished。
Atthisstagemybodywasalldead，sofarasIwasconcerned，savemyheadandalittlepatchofmychest。Nolongerdidthepoundandsmashofmycompressedheartechoinmybrain。Myheartwasbeatingsteadilybutfeebly。Thejoyofit，hadIdaredjoyatsuchamoment，wouldhavebeenthecessationofsensations。
AtthispointmyexperiencediffersfromMorrell’s。Stillwillingautomatically，Ibegantogrowdreamy，asonedoesinthatborderlandbetweensleepingandwaking。Also，itseemedasifaprodigiousenlargementofmybrainwastakingplacewithintheskullitselfthatdidnotenlarge。TherewereoccasionalglintingsandflashingsoflightasifevenI，theoverlord，hadceasedforamomentandthenextmomentwasagainmyself，stillthetenantofthefleshlytenementthatIwasmakingtodie。
Mostperplexingwastheseemingenlargementofbrain。Withouthavingpassedthroughthewallofskull，neverthelessitseemedtomethattheperipheryofmybrainwasalreadyoutsidemyskullandstillexpanding。AlongwiththiswasoneofthemostremarkablesensationsorexperiencesthatIhaveeverencountered。Timeandspace，insofarastheywerethestuffofmyconsciousness，underwentanenormousextension。Thus，withoutopeningmyeyestoverify，Iknewthatthewallsofmynarrowcellhadrecededuntilitwaslikeavastaudience-chamber。AndwhileIcontemplatedthematter，Iknewthattheycontinuedtorecede。Thewhimstruckmeforamomentthatifasimilarexpansionweretakingplacewiththewholeprison，thentheouterwallsofSanQuentinmustbefaroutinthePacificOceanononesideandontheothersidemustbeencroachingontheNevadadesert。Acompanionwhimwasthatsincemattercouldpermeatematter，thenthewallsofmycellmightwellpermeatetheprisonwalls，passthroughtheprisonwalls，andthusputmycelloutsidetheprisonandputmeatliberty。Ofcourse，thiswaspurefantasticwhim，andIknewitatthetimeforwhatitwas。
Theextensionoftimewasequallyremarkable。Onlyatlongintervalsdidmyheartbeat。Againawhimcametome，andIcountedtheseconds，slowandsure，betweenmyheart-beats。Atfirst，asI
clearlynoted，overahundredsecondsintervenedbetweenbeats。ButasIcontinuedtocounttheintervalsextendedsothatIwasmadewearyofcounting。
Andwhilethisillusionoftheextensionoftimeandspacepersistedandgrew，Ifoundmyselfdreamilyconsideringanewandprofoundproblem。Morrellhadtoldmethathehadwonfreedomfromhisbodybykillinghisbody——orbyeliminatinghisbodyfromhisconsciousness，which，ofcourse，wasineffectthesamething。Now，mybodywassoneartobeingentirelydeadthatIknewinallabsolutenessthatbyaquickconcentrationofwillontheyet-alivepatchofmytorsoit，too，wouldceasetobe。But——andherewastheproblem，andMorrellhadnotwarnedme:shouldIalsowillmyheadtobedead？IfIdidso，nomatterwhatbefellthespiritofDarrellStanding，wouldnotthebodyofDarrellStandingbeforeverdead？
Ichancedthechestandtheslow-beatingheart。Thequickcompulsionofmywillwasrewarded。Inolongerhadchestnorheart。Iwasonlyamind，asoul，aconsciousness——callitwhatyouwill——incorporateinanebulousbrainthat，whileitstillcentredinsidemyskull，wasexpanded，andwascontinuingtoexpand，beyondmyskull。
Andthen，withflashingsoflight，Iwasoffandaway。AtaboundI
hadvaultedprisonroofandCaliforniasky，andwasamongthestars。Isay\"stars\"advisedly。Iwalkedamongthestars。Iwasachild。Iwascladinfrail，fleece-like，delicate-colouredrobesthatshimmeredinthecoolstarlight。Theserobes，ofcourse，werebaseduponmyboyhoodobservanceofcircusactorsandmyboyhoodconceptionofthegarbofyoungangels。
Nevertheless，thusclad，Itrodinterstellarspace，exaltedbytheknowledgethatIwasboundonvastadventure，where，attheend，I
wouldfindallthecosmicformulaeandhavemadecleartometheultimatesecretoftheuniverse。InmyhandIcarriedalongglasswand。ItwasborneinuponmethatwiththetipofthiswandImusttoucheachstarinpassing。AndIknew，inallabsoluteness，thatdidIbutmissonestarIshouldbeprecipitatedintosomeunplummetedabyssofunthinkableandeternalpunishmentandguilt。
LongIpursuedmystarryquest。WhenIsay\"long，\"youmustbearinmindtheenormousextensionoftimethathadoccurredinmybrain。
ForcenturiesItrodspace，withthetipofmywandandwithunerringeyeandhandtappingeachstarIpassed。Everthewaygrewbrighter。Evertheineffablegoalofinfinitewisdomgrewnearer。
AndyetImadenomistake。Thiswasnootherselfofmine。Thiswasnoexperiencethathadoncebeenmine。IwasawareallthetimethatitwasI，DarrellStanding，whowalkedamongthestarsandtappedthemwithawandofglass。Inshort，Iknewthatherewasnothingreal，nothingthathadeverbeennorcouldeverbe。Iknewthatitwasnothingelsethanaridiculousorgyoftheimagination，suchasmenenjoyindrugdreams，indelirium，orinmereordinaryslumber。
Andthen，asallwentmerryandwellwithmeonmycelestialquest，thetipofmywandmissedastar，andontheinstantIknewIhadbeenguiltyofagreatcrime。Andontheinstantaknock，vastandcompulsive，inexorableandmandatoryasthestampoftheironhoofofdoom，smotemeandreverberatedacrosstheuniverse。Thewholesiderealsystemcoruscated，reeledandfellinflame。
Iwastornbyanexquisiteanddisruptiveagony。AndontheinstantIwasDarrellStanding，thelife-convict，lyinginhisstrait-jacketinsolitary。AndIknewtheimmediatecauseofthatsummons。ItwasarapoftheknucklebyEdMorrell，inCellFive，beginningthespellingofsomemessage。
Andnow，togivesomecomprehensionoftheextensionoftimeandspacethatIwasexperiencing。ManydaysafterwardsIaskedMorrellwhathehadtriedtoconveytome。Itwasasimplemessage，namely:
\"Standing，areyouthere？\"Hehadtappeditrapidly，whiletheguardwasatthefarendofthecorridorintowhichthesolitarycellsopened。AsIsay，hehadtappedthemessageveryrapidly。
Andnowbehold！BetweenthefirsttapandthesecondIwasoffandawayamongthestars，cladinfleecygarments，touchingeachstarasIpassedinmypursuitoftheformulaethatwouldexplainthelastmysteryoflife。And，asbefore，Ipursuedthequestforcenturies。
Thencamethesummons，thestampofthehoofofdoom，theexquisitedisruptiveagony，andagainIwasbackinmycellinSanQuentin。
ItwasthesecondtapofEdMorrell’sknuckle。Theintervalbetweenitandthefirsttapcouldhavebeennomorethanafifthofasecond。Andyet，sounthinkablyenormouswastheextensionoftimetome，thatinthecourseofthatfifthofasecondIhadbeenawaystar-rovingforlongages。
NowIknow，myreader，thattheforegoingseemsallafarrago。I
agreewithyou。Itisfarrago。Itwasexperience，however。Itwasjustasrealtomeasisthesnakebeheldbyamanindeliriumtremens。
Possibly，bythemostliberalestimate，itmayhavetakenEdMorrelltwominutestotaphisquestion。Yet，tome，aeonselapsedbetweenthefirsttapofhisknuckleandthelast。NolongercouldItreadmystarrypathwiththatineffablepristinejoy，formywaywasbesetwithdreadoftheinevitablesummonsthatwouldripandtearmeasitjerkedmebacktomystraitjackethell。Thusmyaeonsofstar-wanderingwereaeonsofdread。
AndallthetimeIknewitwasEdMorrell’sknucklethatthuscruellyheldmeearth-bound。Itriedtospeaktohim，toaskhimtocease。ButsothoroughlyhadIeliminatedmybodyfrommyconsciousnessthatIwasunabletoresurrectit。Mybodylaydeadinthejacket，thoughIstillinhabitedtheskull。InvainIstrovetowillmyfoottotapmymessagetoMorrell。IreasonedIhadafoot。Andyet，sothoroughlyhadIcarriedouttheexperiment，I
hadnofoot。
Next——andIknownowthatitwasbecauseMorrellhadspelledhismessagequiteout——Ipursuedmywayamongthestarsandwasnotcalledback。Afterthat，andinthecourseofit，Iwasaware，drowsily，thatIwasfallingasleep，andthatitwasdelicioussleep。Fromtimetotime，drowsily，Istirred——please，myreader，don’tmissthatverb——ISTIRRED。Imovedmylegs，myarms。Iwasawareofclean，softbedlinenagainstmyskin。Iwasawareofbodilywell-being。Oh，itwasdelicious！Asthirstingmenonthedesertdreamofsplashingfountainsandflowingwells，sodreamedI
ofeasementfromtheconstrictionofthejacket，ofcleanlinessintheplaceoffilth，ofsmoothvelvetyskinofhealthinplaceofmypoorparchment-crinkledhide。ButIdreamedwithadifference，asyoushallsee。
Iawoke。Oh，broadandwideawakeIwas，althoughIdidnotopenmyeyes。AndpleaseknowthatinallthatfollowsIknewnosurprisewhatever。Everythingwasthenaturalandtheexpected。IwasI，besureofthat。BUTIWASNOTDARRELLSTANDING。DarrellStandinghadnomoretodowiththebeingIwasthandidDarrellStanding’sparchment-crinkledskinhaveaughttodowiththecool，softskinthatwasmine。NorwasIawareofanyDarrellStanding——asIcouldnotwellbe，consideringthatDarrellStandingwasasyetunbornandwouldnotbebornforcenturies。Butyoushallsee。
Ilaywithclosedeyes，lazilylistening。Fromwithoutcametheclackingofmanyhoofsmovingorderlyonstoneflags。Fromtheaccompanyingjingleofmetalbitsofman-harnessandsteed-harnessI
knewsomecavalcadewaspassingbyonthestreetbeneathmywindows。
Also，Iwonderedidlywhoitwas。Fromsomewhere——andIknewwhere，forIknewitwasfromtheinnyard——cametheringandstampofhoofsandanimpatientneighthatIrecognizedasbelongingtomywaitinghorse。
Camestepsandmovements——stepsopenlyadvertisedassuppressedwiththeintentofsilenceandthatyetweredeliberatelynoisywiththesecretintentofrousingmeifIstillslept。Ismiledinwardlyattherascal’strick。
\"Pons，\"Iordered，withoutopeningmyeyes，\"water，coldwater，quick，adeluge。Idrankoverlonglastnight，andnowmygulletscorches。\"
\"Andsleptoverlongto-day，\"hescolded，ashepassedmethewater，readyinhishand。
Isatup，openedmyeyes，andcarriedthetankardtomylipswithbothmyhands。AndasIdrankIlookedatPons。
Nownotetwothings。IspokeinFrench；IwasnotconsciousthatI
spokeinFrench。Notuntilafterward，backinsolitary，whenI
rememberedwhatIamnarrating，didIknowthatIhadspokeninFrench——ay，andspokenwell。Asforme，DarrellStanding，atpresentwritingtheselinesinMurderers’RowofFolsomPrison，why，IknowonlyhighschoolFrenchsufficienttoenablemetoreadthelanguage。Asformyspeakingit——impossible。Icanscarcelyintelligiblypronouncemywaythroughamenu。
Buttoreturn。Ponswasalittlewitheredoldman。Hewasborninourhouse——Iknow，foritchancedthatmentionwasmadeofitthisverydayIamdescribing。Ponswasallofsixtyyears。Hewasmostlytoothless，and，despiteapronouncedlimpthatcompelledhimtogoslippity-hop，hewasveryalertandspryinallhismovements。
Also，hewasimpudentlyfamiliar。Thiswasbecausehehadbeeninmyhousesixtyyears。Hehadbeenmyfather’sservantbeforeI
couldtoddle，andaftermyfather’sdeathPonsandItalkedofitthisdayhebecamemyservant。ThelimphehadacquiredonastrickenfieldinItaly，whenthehorsemenchargedacross。Hehadjustdraggedmyfatherclearofthehoofswhenhewaslancedthroughthethigh，overthrown，andtrampled。Myfather，consciousbuthelplessfromhisownwounds，witnesseditall。Andso，asIsay，Ponshadearnedsucharighttoimpudentfamiliaritythatatleasttherewasnogainsayinghimbymyfather’sson。
PonsshookhisheadasIdrainedthehugedraught。
\"Didyouhearitboil？\"Ilaughed，asIhandedbacktheemptytankard。
\"Likeyourfather，\"hesaidhopelessly。\"Butyourfatherlivedtolearnbetter，whichIdoubtyouwilldo。\"
\"Hegotastomachaffliction，\"Idevilled，\"sothatonemouthfulofspiritsturneditoutsidein。Itwerewisdomnottodrinkwhenone’stankwillnotholdthedrink。\"
WhilewetalkedPonswasgatheringtomybedsidemyclothesfortheday。
\"Drinkon，mymaster，\"heanswered。\"Itwon’thurtyou。You’lldiewithasoundstomach。\"
\"Youmeanmineisaniron-linedstomach？\"Iwilfullymisunderstoodhim。
\"Imean——\"hebeganwithaquickpeevishness，thenbrokeoffasherealizedmyteasingandwithapoutofhiswitheredlipsdrapedmynewsablecloakuponachair-back。\"Eighthundredducats，\"hesneered。\"Athousandgoatsandahundredfatoxeninacoattokeepyouwarm。Ascoreoffarmsonmygentleman’sfineback。\"
\"Andinthatahundredfinefarms，withacastleortwothrownin，tosaynothing，perhaps，ofapalace，\"Isaid，reachingoutmyhandandtouchingtherapierwhichhewasjustintheactofdepositingonthechair。
\"Soyourfatherwonwithhisgoodrightarm，\"Ponsretorted。\"Butwhatyourfatherwonheheld。\"
HerePonspausedtoholduptoscornmynewscarletsatindoublet——awondrousthingofwhichIhadbeenextravagant。
\"Sixtyducatsforthat，\"Ponsindicted。\"Yourfather’dhaveseenallthetailorsandJewsofChristendomroastinginhellbeforehe’da-paidsuchaprice。\"
Andwhilewedressed——thatis，whilePonshelpedmetodress——I
continuedtoquipwithhim。
\"Itisquiteclear，Pons，thatyouhavenotheardthenews，\"Isaidslyly。
Whereatupprickedhisearsliketheoldgossiphewas。
\"Latenews？\"hequeried。\"MayhapfromtheEnglishCourt？\"
\"Nay，\"Ishookmyhead。\"Butnewsperhapstoyou，butoldnewsforallofthat。Haveyounotheard？ThephilosophersofGreecewerewhisperingitnightwothousandyearsago。ItisbecauseofthatnewsthatIputtwentyfatfarmsonmyback，liveatCourt，andambecomeadandy。Yousee，Pons，theworldisamostevilplace，lifeismostsad，allmendie，and，beingdead……well，aredead。
Wherefore，toescapetheevilandthesadness，meninthesedays，likeme，seekamazement，insensibility，andthemadnessesofdalliance。\"
\"Butthenews，master？Whatdidthephilosopherswhisperaboutsolongago？\"
\"ThatGodwasdead，Pons，\"Irepliedsolemnly。\"Didn’tyouknowthat？Godisdead，andIsoonshallbe，andIweartwentyfatfarmsonmyback。\"
\"Godlives，\"Ponsassertedfervently。\"Godlives，andhiskingdomisathand。Itellyou，master，itisathand。Itmaybenolaterthanto-morrowthattheearthshallpassaway。\"
\"SosaidtheyinoldRome，Pons，whenNeromadetorchesofthemtolighthissports。\"
Ponsregardedmepityingly。
\"Toomuchlearningisasickness，\"hecomplained。\"Iwasalwaysopposedtoit。Butyoumusthaveyourwillanddragmyoldbodyaboutwithyou——a-studyingastronomyandnumbersinVenice，poetryandalltheItalianFOL-DE-ROLSinFlorence，andastrologyinPisa，andGodknowswhatinthatmadmancountryofGermany。Pishforthephilosophers！Itellyou，master，I，Pons，yourservant，apooroldmanwhoknowsnotaletterfromapike-staff——ItellyouGodlives，andthetimeyoushallappearbeforehimisshort。\"Hepausedwithsuddenrecollection，andadded:\"Heishere，thepriestyouspokeof。\"
OntheinstantIrememberedmyengagement。
\"Whydidyounottellmebefore？\"Idemandedangrily。
\"Whatdiditmatter？\"Ponsshruggedhisshoulders。\"Hashenotbeenwaitingtwohoursasitis？\"
\"Whydidn’tyoucallme？\"
Heregardedmewithathoughtful，censoriouseye。
\"Andyourollingtobedandshoutinglikechanticleer，’Singcucu，singcucu，cucununucucu，singcucu，singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。’\"
Hemockedmewiththesenselessrefraininanear-janglingfalsetto。
WithoutdoubtIhadbawledthenonsenseoutonmywaytobed。
\"Youhaveagoodmemory，\"Icommenteddrily，asIessayedamomenttodrapemyshoulderswiththenewsablecloakereItossedittoPonstoputaside。Heshookhisheadsourly。
\"Noneedofmemorywhenyouroareditoverandoverforthethousandthtimetillhalftheinnwasa-knockatthedoortospityouforthesleep-killeryouwere。AndwhenIhadyoudecentlyinthebed，didyounotcallmetoyouandcommand，ifthedevilcalled，totellhimmyladyslept？Anddidyounotcallmebackagain，and，withagriponmyarmthatleavesitbruisedandblackthisday，commandme，asIlovedlife，fatmeat，andthewarmfire，tocallyounotofthemorningsaveforonething？\"
\"Whichwas？\"Iprompted，unableforthelifeofmetoguesswhatI
couldhavesaid。
\"Whichwastheheartofone，ablackbuzzard，yousaid，bynameMartinelli——whoeverhemaybe——fortheheartofMartinellismokingonagoldplatter。Theplattermustbegold，yousaid；andyousaidImustcallyoubysinging，’Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。’
Whereatyoubegantoteachmehowtosing，’Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。’\"
AndwhenPonshadsaidthename，Iknewitatonceforthepriest，Martinelli，whohadbeenknockinghisheelstwomortalhoursintheroomwithout。
WhenMartinelliwaspermittedtoenterandashesalutedmebytitleandname，Iknewatoncemynameandallofit。IwasCountGuillaumedeSainte-Maure。Yousee，onlycouldIknowthen，andrememberafterward，whatwasinmyconsciousmind。
ThepriestwasItalian，darkandsmall，leanaswithfastingorwithawastinghungernotofthisworld，andhishandswereassmallandslenderasawoman’s。Buthiseyes！Theywerecunningandtrustless，narrow-slittedandheavy-lidded，atoneandthesametimeassharpasaferret’sandasindolentasabaskinglizard’s。
\"Therehasbeenmuchdelay，CountdeSainte-Maure，\"hebeganpromptly，whenPonshadlefttheroomataglancefromme。\"HewhomIservegrowsimpatient。\"
\"Changeyourtune，priest，\"Ibrokeinangrily。\"Remember，youarenotnowinRome。\"
\"Myaugustmaster——\"hebegan。
\"RulesaugustlyinRome，mayhap，\"Iagaininterrupted。\"ThisisFrance。\"
Martinellishruggedhisshouldersmeeklyandpatiently，buthiseyes，gleaminglikeabasilisk’s，gavehisshouldersthelie。
\"MyaugustmasterhassomeconcernwiththedoingsofFrance，\"hesaidquietly。\"Theladyisnotforyou。Mymasterhasotherplans……\"Hemoistenedhisthinlipswithhistongue。\"Otherplansforthelady……andforyou。\"
Ofcourse，bytheladyIknewhereferredtothegreatDuchessPhilippa，widowofGeoffrey，lastDukeofAquitaine。Butgreatduchess，widow，andall，Philippawasawoman，andyoung，andgay，andbeautiful，and，bymyfaith，fashionedforme。
\"Whatarehisplans？\"Idemandedbluntly。
\"Theyaredeepandwide，CountSainte-Maure——toodeepandwideformetopresumetoimagine，muchlessknowordiscusswithyouoranyman。\"
\"Oh，Iknowbigthingsareafootandslimywormssquirmingunderground，\"Isaid。
\"Theytoldmeyouwerestubborn-necked，butIhaveobeyedcommands。\"
Martinelliarosetoleave，andIarosewithhim。
\"Isaiditwasuseless，\"hewenton。\"Butthelastchancetochangeyourmindwasaccordedyou。Myaugustmasterdealsmorefairlythanfair。\"
\"Oh，well，I’llthinkthematterover，\"Isaidairily，asIbowedthepriesttothedoor。
Hestoppedabruptlyatthethreshold。
\"Thetimeforthinkingispast，\"hesaid。\"ItisdecisionIcamefor。\"
\"Iwillthinkthematterover，\"Irepeated，thenadded，asafterthought:\"Ifthelady’splansdonotaccordwithmine，thenmayhaptheplansofyourmastermayfruitashedesires。Forremember，priest，heisnomasterofmine。\"
\"Youdonotknowmymaster，\"hesaidsolemnly。
\"NordoIwishtoknowhim，\"Iretorted。
AndIlistenedtothelithe，lightstepofthelittleintriguingpriestgodownthecreakingstairs。
DidIgointotheminutiaeofdetailofallthatIsawthishalfadayandhalfanightthatIwasCountGuillaumedeSainte-Maure，nottenbooksthesizeofthisIamwritingcouldcontainthetotalityofthematter。MuchIshallskip；infact，Ishallskipalmostall；
forneveryethaveIheardofacondemnedmanbeingreprievedinorderthathemightcompletehismemoirs——atleast，notinCalifornia。
WhenIrodeoutinParisthatdayitwastheParisofcenturiesagone。Thenarrowstreetswereanunsanitaryscandaloffilthandslime。ButImustskip。AndskipIshall，alloftheafternoon’sevents，alloftherideoutsidethewalls，ofthegrandfetegivenbyHughdeMeung，ofthefeastingandthedrinkinginwhichItooklittlepart。OnlyoftheendoftheadventurewillIwrite，whichbeginswithwhereIstoodjestingwithPhilippaherself——ah，dearGod，shewaswondrousbeautiful。Agreatlady——ay，butbeforethat，andafterthat，andalways，awoman。
Welaughedandjestedlightlyenough，asaboutusjostledthemerrythrong；butunderourjestingwasthedeepearnestnessofmanandwomanwelladvancedacrossthethresholdofloveandyetnottoosureeachoftheother。Ishallnotdescribeher。Shewassmall，exquisitelyslender——butthere，Iamdescribingher。Inbrief，shewastheonewomanintheworldforme，andlittleIreckedthelongarmofthatgrayoldmaninRomecouldreachouthalfacrossEuropebetweenmywomanandme。
AndtheItalian，Fortini，leanedtomyshoulderandwhispered:
\"Onewhodesirestospeak。\"
\"Onewhomustwaitmypleasure，\"Iansweredshortly。
\"Iwaitnoman’spleasure，\"washisequallyshortreply。
And，whilemybloodboiled，Irememberedthepriest，Martinelli，andthegrayoldmanatRome。Thethingwasclear。Itwasdeliberate。
Itwasthelongarm。FortinismiledlazilyatmewhileIthuspausedforthemomenttodebate，butinhissmilewastheessenceofallinsolence。
This，ofalltimes，wasthetimeIshouldhavebeencool。Buttheoldredangerbegantokindleinme。Thiswastheworkofthepriest。ThiswastheFortini，poverishedofallsavelineage，reckonedthebestswordcomeupoutofItalyinhalfascoreofyears。To-nightitwasFortini。Ifhefailedthegrayoldman’scommandto-morrowitwouldbeanothersword，thenextdayanother。
And，perchancestillfailing，thenmightIexpectthecommonbravo’ssteelinmybackorthecommonpoisoner’sphilterinmywine，mymeat，orbread。
\"Iambusy，\"Isaid。\"Begone。\"
\"Mybusinesswithyoupresses，\"washisreply。
Insensiblyourvoiceshadslightlyrisen，sothatPhilippaheard。
\"Begone，youItalianhound，\"Isaid。\"Takeyourhowlingfrommydoor。Ishallattendtoyoupresently。\"
\"Themoonisup，\"hesaid。\"Thegrassisdryandexcellent。Thereisnodew。Beyondthefish-pond，anarrow’sflighttotheleft，isanopenspace，quietandprivate。\"
\"Presentlyyoushallhaveyourdesire，\"Imutteredimpatiently。
Butstillhepersistedinwaitingatmyshoulder。
\"Presently，\"Isaid。\"PresentlyIshallattendtoyou。\"
ThenspokePhilippa，inallthedaringspiritandtheironofher。
\"Satisfythegentleman’sdesire，Sainte-Maure。Attendtohimnow。
Andgoodfortunegowithyou。\"Shepausedtobeckontoherheruncle，JeandeJoinville，whowaspassing——uncleonhermother’sside，ofthedeJoinvillesofAnjou。\"Goodfortunegowithyou，\"
sherepeated，andthenleanedtomesothatshecouldwhisper:\"Andmyheartgoeswithyou，Sainte-Maure。Donotbelong。Ishallawaityouinthebighall。\"
Iwasintheseventhheaven。Itrodonair。Itwasthefirstfrankadmittanceofherlove。AndwithsuchbenedictionIwasmadesostrongthatIknewIcouldkillascoreofFortinisandsnapmyfingersatascoreofgrayoldmeninRome。
JeandeJoinvilleborePhilippaawayinthepress，andFortiniandI
settledourarrangementsinatrice。Weseparated——hetofindafriendorso，andItofindafriendorso，andalltomeetattheappointedplacebeyondthefish-pond。
FirstIfoundRobertLanfranc，and，next，HenryBohemond。ButbeforeIfoundthemIencounteredawindlestrawwhichshowedwhichwayblewthewindandgavepromiseofaverygale。Iknewthewindlestraw，GuydeVillehardouin，arawyoungprovincial，comeupthefirsttimetoCourt，butafierylittlecockerelforallofthat。Hewasred-haired。Hisblueeyes，smallandpinchedclosetoether，werelikewisered，atleastinthewhitesofthem；andhisskin，ofthesortthatgoeswithsuchtypes，wasredandfreckled。
Hehadquiteaparboiledappearance。
AsIpassedhimbyasuddenmovementhejostledme。Oh，ofcourse，thethingwasdeliberate。Andheflamedatmewhilehishanddroppedtohisrapier。
\"Faith，\"thoughtI，\"thegrayoldmanhasmanyandstrangetools，\"
whiletothecockerelIbowedandmurmured，\"Yourpardonformyclumsiness。Thefaultwasmine。Yourpardon，Villehardouin。\"
Buthewasnottobeappeasedthuseasily。AndwhilehefumedandstruttedIglimpsedRobertLanfranc，beckonedhimtous，andexplainedthehappening。
\"Sainte-Maurehasaccordedyousatisfaction，\"washisjudgment。\"Hehasprayedyourpardon。\"
\"Intruth，yes，\"Iinterruptedinmysuavesttones。\"AndIprayyourpardonagain，Villehardouin，formyverygreatclumsiness。I
prayyourpardonathousandtimes。Thefaultwasmine，thoughunintentioned。InmyhastetoanengagementIwasclumsy，mostwofulclumsy，butwithoutintention。\"
WhatcouldthedoltdobutgrudginglyaccepttheamendsIsofreelyprofferedhim？YetIknew，asLanfrancandIhastenedon，thateremanydays，orhours，theflame-headedyouthwouldseetoitthatwemeasuredsteeltogetheronthegrass。
IexplainednomoretoLanfrancthanmyneedofhim，andhewaslittleinterestedtoprydeeperintothematter。Hewashimselfalivelyyoungsterofnomorethantwenty，buthehadbeentrainedtoarms，hadfoughtinSpain，andhadanhonourablerecordonthegrass。Merelyhisblackeyesflashedwhenhelearnedwhatwastoward，andsuchwashiseagernessthatitwashewhogatheredHenryBohemondintoournumber。
Whenthethreeofusarrivedintheopenspacebeyondthefish-pondFortiniandtwofriendswerealreadywaitingus。OnewasFelixPasquini，nephewtotheCardinalofthatname，andascloseinhisuncle’sconfidenceaswashisunclecloseintheconfidenceofthegrayoldman。TheotherwasRaouldeGoncourt，whosepresencesurprisedme，hebeingtoogoodandnobleamanforthecompanyhekept。
Wesalutedproperly，andproperlywentaboutthebusiness。Itwasnothingnewtoanyofus。Thefootingwasgood，aspromised。Therewasnodew。Themoonshonefair，andFortini’sbladeandminewereoutandatearnestplay。
ThisIknew:goodswordsmanastheyreckonedmeinFrance，Fortiniwasabetter。This，too，Iknew:thatIcarriedmylady’sheartwithmethisnight，andthatthisnight，becauseofme，therewouldbeoneItalianlessintheworld。IsayIknewit。Inmymindtheissuecouldnotbeindoubt。AndasourrapiersplayedIponderedthemannerIshouldkillhim。Iwasnotmindedforalongcontest。
Quickandbrillianthadalwaysbeenmyway。Andfurther，whatofmypastgaymonthsofcarousalandofsinging\"Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu，\"atungodlyhours，IknewIwasnotconditionedforalongcontest。Quickandbrilliantwasmydecision。
ButquickandbrilliantwasadifficultmatterwithsoconsummateaswordsmanasFortiniopposedtome。Besides，asluckwouldhaveit，Fortini，alwaysthecoldone，alwaysthetireless-wristed，alwayssureandlong，asreporthadit，ingoingaboutsuchbusiness，onthisnightelected，too，thequickandbrilliant。
Itwasnervous，tinglingwork，forassurelyasIsensedhisintentionofbriefness，justassurelyhadhesensedmine。IdoubtthatIcouldhavedonethetrickhaditbeenbroaddayinsteadofmoonlight。Thedimlightaidedme。AlsowasIaidedbydivining，themomentinadvance，whathehadinmind。Itwasthetimeattack，acommonbutperiloustrickthateverynoviceknows，thathaslaidonhisbackmanyagoodmanwhoattemptedit，andthatissofraughtwithdangertotheperpetratorthatswordsmenarenotenamouredofit。
Wehadbeenatworkbarelyaminute，whenIknewunderallhisdarting，flashingshowofoffencethatFortinimeditatedthisverytimeattack。Hedesiredofmeathrustandlunge，notthathemightparryitbutthathemighttimeitanddeflectitbythecustomaryslightturnofthewrist，hisrapierpointdirectedtomeetmeasmybodyfollowedinthelunge。Aticklishthing——ay，aticklishthinginthebestoflight。Didhedeflectafractionofasecondtooearly，Ishouldbewarnedandsaved。Didhedeflectafractionofasecondtoolate，mythrustwouldgohometohim。
\"Quickandbrilliantisit？\"wasmythought。\"Verywell，myItalianfriend，quickandbrilliantshallitbe，andespeciallyshallitbequick。\"
Inaway，itwastimeattackagainsttimeattack，butIwouldfoolhimonthetimebybeingover-quick。AndIwasquick。AsIsaid，wehadbeenatworkscarcelyaminutewhenithappened。Quick？
Thatthrustandlungeofminewereone。Asnapofactionitwas，anexplosion，aninstantaneousness。Iswearmythrustandlungewereafractionofasecondquickerthananymanissupposedtothrustandlunge。Iwonthefractionofasecond。BythatfractionofasecondtoolateFortiniattemptedtodeflectmybladeandimpalemeonhis。Butitwashisbladethatwasdeflected。Itflashedpastmybreast，andIwasin——insidehisweapon，whichextendedfulllengthintheemptyairbehindme——andmybladewasinsideofhim，andthroughhim，heart-high，fromrightsideofhimtoleftsideofhimandoutsideofhimbeyond。
Itisastrangethingtodo，tospitalivemanonalengthofsteel。Isithereinmycell，andceasefromwritingaspace，whileIconsiderthematter。AndIhaveconsidereditoften，thatmoonlightnightinFranceoflongago，whenItaughttheItalianhoundquickandbrilliant。Itwassoeasyathing，thatperforationofatorso。Onewouldhaveexpectedmoreresistance。Therewouldhavebeenresistancehadmyrapierpointtouchedbone。Asitwas，itencounteredonlythesoftnessofflesh。Stillitperforatedsoeasily。Ihavethesensationofitnow，inmyhand，mybrain，asI
write。Awoman’shat-pincouldgothroughaplumpuddingnotmoreeasilythandidmybladegothroughtheItalian。Oh，therewasnothingamazingaboutitatthetimetoGuillaumedeSainte-Maure，butamazingitistome，DarrellStanding，asIrecollectandponderitacrossthecenturies。Itiseasy，mosteasy，tokillastrong，live，breathingmanwithsocrudeaweaponasapieceofsteel。
Why，menarelikesoft-shellcrabs，sotender，frail，andvulnerablearethey。
Buttoreturntothemoonlightonthegrass。Mythrustmadehome，therewasaperceptiblepause。NotatoncedidFortinifall。NotatoncedidIwithdrawtheblade。Forafullsecondwestoodinpause——I，withlegsspread，andarchedandtense，bodythrownforward，rightarmhorizontalandstraightout；Fortini，hisbladebeyondmesofarthathiltandhandjustrestedlightlyagainstmyleftbreast，hisbodyrigid，hiseyesopenandshining。
SostatuesquewereweforthatsecondthatIswearthoseaboutuswerenotimmediatelyawareofwhathadhappened。ThenFortinigaspedandcoughedslightly。Therigidityofhisposeslackened。
Thehiltandhandagainstmybreastwavered，thenthearmdroopedtohissidetilltherapierpointrestedonthelawn。BythistimePasquinianddeGoncourthadsprungtohimandhewassinkingintotheirarms。Infaith，itwasharderformetowithdrawthesteelthantodriveitin。Hisfleshclungaboutitasifjealoustoletitdepart。Oh，believeme，itrequiredadistinctphysicalefforttogetclearofwhatIhaddone。
Butthepangofthewithdrawalmusthavestunghimbacktolifeandpurpose，forheshookoffhisfriends，straightenedhimself，andliftedhisrapierintoposition。I，too，tookposition，marvellingthatitwaspossibleIhadspittedhimheart-highandyetmissedanyvitalspot。Then，andbeforehisfriendscouldcatchhim，hislegscrumpledunderhimandhewentheavilytograss。Theylaidhimonhisback，buthewasalreadydead，hisfaceghastlystillunderthemoon，hisrighthandstilla-clutchoftherapier。
Yes；itisindeedamarvellouseasythingtokillaman。
Wesalutedhisfriendsandwereabouttodepart，whenFelixPasquinidetainedme。
\"Pardonme，\"Isaid。\"Letitbeto-morrow。\"
\"Wehavebuttomoveastepaside，\"heurged，\"wherethegrassisstilldry。\"
\"Letmethenwetitforyou，Sainte-Maure，\"Lanfrancaskedofme，eagerhimselftodoforanItalian。
Ishookmyhead。
\"Pasquiniismine，\"Ianswered。\"Heshallbefirstto-morrow。\"
\"Arethereothers？\"Lanfrancdemanded。
\"AskdeGoncourt，\"Igrinned。\"Iimagineheisalreadylayingclaimtothehonourofbeingthethird。\"
Atthis，deGoncourtshoweddistressedacquiescence。Lanfranclookedinquiryathim，anddeGoncourtnodded。
\"AndafterhimIdoubtnotcomesthecockerel，\"Iwenton。
AndevenasIspokethered-hairedGuydeVillehardouin，alone，strodetousacrossthemoonlitgrass。
\"AtleastIshallhavehim，\"Lanfranccried，hisvoicealmostwheedling，sogreatwashisdesire。
\"Askhim，\"Ilaughed，thenturnedtoPasquini。\"To-morrow，\"Isaid。
\"Doyounametimeandplace，andIshallbethere。\"
\"Thegrassismostexcellent，\"heteased，\"theplaceismostexcellent，andIammindedthatFortinihasyouforcompanythisnight。\"
\"’Twerebetterhewereaccompaniedbyafriend，\"Iquipped。\"Andnowyourpardon，forImustgo。\"
Butheblockedmypath。
\"Whoeveritbe，\"hesaid，\"letitbenow。\"
Forthefirsttime，withhim，myangerbegantorise。
\"Youserveyourmasterwell，\"Isneered。
\"Iservebutmypleasure，\"washisanswer。\"MasterIhavenone。\"
\"PardonmeifIpresumetotellyouthetruth，\"Isaid。
\"Whichis？\"hequeriedsoftly。
\"Thatyouarealiar，Pasquini，aliarlikeallItalians。\"
HeturnedimmediatelytoLanfrancandBohemond。
\"Youheard，\"hesaid。\"Andafterthatyoucannotdenymehim。\"
Theyhesitatedandlookedtomeforcounselofmywishes。ButPasquinididnotwait。
\"Andifyoustillhaveanyscruples，\"hehurriedon，\"thenallowmetoremovethem……thus。\"
Andhespatinthegrassatmyfeet。Thenmyangerseizedmeandwasbeyondme。TheredwrathIcallit——anoverwhelming，all-
masteringdesiretokillanddestroy。IforgotthatPhilippawaitedformeinthegreathall。AllIknewwasmywrongs——theunpardonableinterferenceinmyaffairsbythegrayoldman，theerrandofthepriest，theinsolenceofFortini，theimpudenceofVillehardouin，andherePasquinistandinginmywayandspittinginthegrass。Isawred。Ithoughtred。Ilookeduponallthesecreaturesasrankandnoisomegrowthsthatmustbehewnoutofmypath，outoftheworld。Asanettedlionmayrageagainstthemeshes，soragedIagainstthesecreatures。Theywereallaboutme。
Intruth，Iwasinthetrap。Theonewayoutwastocutthemdown，tocrushthemintotheearthandstampuponthem。
\"Verywell，\"Isaid，calmlyenough，althoughmypassionwassuchthatmyframeshook。\"Youfirst，Pasquini。Andyounext，deGoncourt？Andattheend，deVillehardouin？\"
EachnoddedinturnandPasquiniandIpreparedtostepaside。
\"Sinceyouareinhaste，\"HenryBohemondproposedtome，\"andsincetherearethreeofthemandthreeofus，whynotsettleitattheonetime？\"
\"Yes，yes，\"wasLanfranc’seagercry。\"DoyoutakedeGoncourt。DeVillehardouinformine。\"
ButIwavedmygoodfriendsback。
\"Theyareherebycommand，\"Iexplained。\"ItisItheydesiresostronglythatbymyfaithIhavecaughtthecontagionoftheirdesire，sothatnowIwantthemandwillhavethemformyself。\"
IhadobservedthatPasquinifrettedatmydelayofspeech-making，andIresolvedtofrethimfurther。
\"You，Pasquini，\"Iannounced，\"Ishallsettlewithinshortaccount。
IwouldnotthatyoutarriedwhileFortiniwaitsyourcompanionship。
You，RaouldeGoncourt，Ishallpunishasyoudeserveforbeinginsuchbadcompany。Youaregettingfatandwheezy。Ishalltakemytimewithyouuntilyourfatmeltsandyourlungspantandwheezelikeleakybellows。You，deVillehardouin，IhavenotdecidedinwhatmannerIshallkill。\"
AndthenIsalutedPasquini，andwewereatit。Oh，Iwasmindedtoberarelydevilishthisnight。Quickandbrilliant——thatwasthething。NorwasIunmindfulofthatdeceptivemoonlight。AswithFortiniwouldIsettlewithhimifhedaredthetimeattack。Ifhedidnot，andquickly，thenIwoulddareit。
DespitethefretIhadputhimin，hewascautious。NeverthelessI
compelledtheplaytoberapid，andinthedimlight，dependinglessthanusualonsightandmorethanusualonfeel，ourbladeswereincontinualtouch。
BarelywasthefirstminuteofplaypastwhenIdidthetrick。I
feignedaslightslipofthefoot，and，intherecovery，feignedlossoftouchwithPasquini’sblade。Hethrusttentatively，andagainIfeigned，thistimemakinganeedlesslywideparry。TheconsequentexposureofmyselfwasthebaitIhadpurposelydangledtodrawhimon。AnddrawhimonIdid。Likeaflashhetookadvantageofwhathedeemedaninvoluntaryexposure。Straightandtruewashisthrust，andallhiswillandbodywereheartilyintheweightofthelungehemade。AndallhadbeenfeignedonmypartandIwasreadyforhim。Justlightlydidmysteelmeethisasourbladesslithered。Andjustfirmlyenoughandnomoredidmywristtwistanddeflecthisbladeonmybaskethilt。Oh，suchaslightdeflection，amatterofinches，justbarelysufficienttosendhispointpastmesothatitpiercedafoldofmysatindoubletinpassing。Ofcourse，hisbodyfollowedhisrapierinthelunge，while，heart-high，rightside，myrapierpointmethisbody。Andmyoutstretchedarmwasstiffandstraightasthesteelintowhichitelongated，andbehindthearmandthesteelmybodywasbracedandsolid。
Heart-high，Isay，myrapierenteredPasquini’ssideontheright，butitdidnotemerge，ontheleft，for，well-nighthroughhim，itmetariboh，man-killingisbutcher’swork！withsuchawillthattheforcingoverbalancedhim，sothathefellpartbackwardandpartsidewisetotheground。Andevenashefell，anderehestruck，withjerkandwrenchIclearedmyweaponofhim。
DeGoncourtwastohim，buthewaveddeGoncourttoattendonme。
NotsoswiftlyasFortinididPasquinipass。Hecoughedandspat，and，helpedbydeVillehardouin，proppedhiselbowunderhim，restedhisheadonhand，andcoughedandspatagain。
\"Apleasantjourney，Pasquini，\"Ilaughedtohiminmyredanger。
\"Prayhasten，forthegrasswhereyoulieisbecomesuddenlywetandifyoulingeryouwillcatchyourdeathofcold。\"
WhenImadeimmediatelytobeginwithdeGoncourt，BohemondprotestedthatIshouldrestaspace。
\"Nay，\"Isaid。\"Ihavenotproperlywarmedup。\"AndtodeGoncourt，\"Nowwillwehaveyoudanceandwheeze——Salute！\"
DeGoncourt’sheartwasnotinthework。Itwaspatentthathefoughtunderthecompulsionofcommand。Hisplaywasold-fashioned，asanymiddle-agedman’sisapttobe，buthewasnotanindifferentswordsman。Hewascool，determined，dogged。Buthewasnotbrilliant，andhewasoppressedwithforeknowledgeofdefeat。A
scoreoftimes，byquickandbrilliant，hewasmine。ButI
refrained。IhavesaidthatIwasdevilish-minded。IndeedIwas。
Iworehimdown。IbackedhimawayfromthemoonsothathecouldseelittleofmebecauseIfoughtinmyownshadow。AndwhileI
worehimdownuntilhebegantowheezeasIhadpredicted，Pasquini，headonhandandwatching，coughedandspatouthislife。
\"Now，deGoncourt，\"Iannouncedfinally。\"YouseeIhaveyouquitehelpless。Youaremineinanyofadozenways。Beready，braceyourself，forthisisthewayIwill。\"
And，sosaying，Imerelywentfromcartetotierce，andasherecoveredwildlyandparriedwidelyIreturnedtocarte，tooktheopening，anddrovehomeheart-highandthroughandthrough。AndatsightoftheconclusionPasquiniletgohisholdonlife，buriedhisfaceinthegrass，quiveredamoment，andlaystill。
\"Yourmasterwillbefourservantsshortthisnight，\"IassureddeVillehardouin，inthemomentjustereweengaged。
Andsuchanengagement！Theboywasridiculous。Inwhatbucolicschooloffencehehadbeentaughtwasbeyondimagining。Hewasdownrightclownish。\"Shortworkandsimple\"wasmyjudgment，whilehisredhairseemeda-bristlewithveryrageandwhilehepressedmelikeamadman。
Alas！Itwashisclownishnessthatundidme。WhenIhadplayedwithhimandlaughedathimforahandfulofsecondsfortheclumsyboorhewas，hebecamesoangeredthatheforgottheworsethanlittlefenceheknew。Withanarm-widesweepofhisrapier，asthoughitboreheftandacuttingedge，hewhistleditthroughtheairandrappeditdownonmycrown。Iwasinamaze。Neverhadsoabsurdathinghappenedtome。Hewaswideopen，andIcouldhaverunhimthroughforthright。But，asIsaid，Iwasinamaze，andthenextIknewwasthepangoftheenteringsteelasthisclumsyprovincialranmethroughandchargedforward，bull-like，tillhishiltbruisedmysideandIwasbornebackward。
AsIfellIcouldseetheconcernonthefacesofLanfrancandBohemondandtheglutofsatisfactioninthefaceofdeVillehardouinashepressedme。
Iwasfalling，butIneverreachedthegrass。Cameablurrofflashinglights，athunderinmyears，adarkness，aglimmeringofdimlightslowlydawning，awrenching，rackingpainbeyondalldescribing，andthenIheardthevoiceofonewhosaid:
\"Ican’tfeelanything。\"
Iknewthevoice。ItwasWardenAtherton’s。AndIknewmyselfforDarrellStanding，justreturnedacrossthecenturiestothejackethellofSanQuentin。AndIknewthetouchoffinger-tipsonmyneckwasWardenAtherton’s。AndIknewthefinger-tipsthatdisplacedhiswereDoctorJackson’s。AnditwasDoctorJackson’svoicethatsaid:
\"Youdon’tknowhowtotakeaman’spulsefromtheneck。There——
rightthere——putyourfingerswheremineare。D’yegetit？Ah，I
thoughtso。Heartweak，butsteadyasachronometer。\"
\"It’sonlytwenty-fourhours，\"CaptainJamiesaid，\"andhewasneverinlikeconditionbefore。\"
\"Puttingiton，that’swhathe’sdoing，andyoucanstackonthat，\"
AlHutchins，theheadtrusty，interjected。
\"Idon’tknow，\"CaptainJamieinsisted。\"Whenaman’spulseisthatlowittakesanexperttofindit——\"
\"Aw，Iservedmyapprenticeshipinthejacket，\"AlHutchinssneered。
\"AndI’vemadeyouunlaceme，Captain，whenyouthoughtIwascroaking，anditwasallIcoulddotokeepfromsnickeringinyourface。\"
\"Whatdoyouthink，Doc？\"WardenAthertonasked。
\"Itellyoutheheartactionissplendid，\"wastheanswer。\"Ofcourseitisweak。Thatisonlytobeexpected。ItellyouHutchinsisright。Themanisfeigning。\"
Withhisthumbheturneduponeofmyeyelids，whereatIopenedmyothereyeandgazedupatthegroupbendingoverme。
\"WhatdidItellyou？\"wasDoctorJackson’scryoftriumph。
Andthen，althoughitseemedtheeffortmustcrackmyface，I
summonedallthewillofmeandsmiled。
Theyheldwatertomylips，andIdrankgreedily。ItmustberememberedthatallthiswhileIlayhelplessonmyback，myarmspinionedalongwithmybodyinsidethejacket。Whentheyofferedmefood——dryprisonbread——Ishookmyhead。IclosedmyeyesinadvertisementthatIwastiredoftheirpresence。Thepainofmypartialresuscitationwasunbearable。Icouldfeelmybodycomingtolife。Downthecordsofmyneckandintomypatchofchestovertheheartdartingpainsweremakingtheirway。AndinmybrainthememorywasstrongthatPhilippawaitedmeinthebighall，andIwasdesiroustoescapeawaybacktothehalfadayandhalfanightI
hadjustlivedinoldFrance。
Soitwas，evenastheystoodaboutme，thatIstrovetoeliminatetheliveportionofmybodyfrommyconsciousness。Iwasinhastetodepart，butWardenAtherton’svoiceheldmeback。
\"Isthereanythingyouwanttocomplainabout？\"heasked。
NowIhadbutonefear，namely，thattheywouldunlaceme；sothatitmustbeunderstoodthatmyreplywasnotutteredinbraggadociobutwasmeanttoforestallanypossibleunlacing。
\"Youmightmakethejacketalittletighter，\"Iwhispered。\"It’stoolooseforcomfort。Igetlostinit。Hutchinsisstupid。Heisalsoafool。Hedoesn’tknowthefirstthingaboutlacingthejacket。Warden，yououghttoputhiminchargeoftheloom-room。
Heisamoreprofoundmasterofinefficiencythanthepresentincumbent，whoismerelystupidwithoutbeingafoolaswell。Nowgetout，allofyou，unlessyoucanthinkofworsetodotome。Inwhichcase，byallmeansremain。Iinviteyouheartilytoremain，ifyouthinkinyourfeebleimaginingsthatyouhavedevisedfreshtortureforme。\"
\"He’sawooz，atrue-blue，dyed-in-the-woolwooz，\"DoctorJacksonchanted，withthemedico’sdelightinanovelty。
\"Standing，youAREawonder，\"theWardensaid。\"You’vegotanironwill，butI’llbreakitassureasGodmadelittleapples。\"
\"Andyou’vetheheartofarabbit，\"Iretorted。\"One-tenththejacketingIhavereceivedinSanQuentinwouldhavesqueezedyourrabbitheartoutofyourlongears。\"
Oh，itwasatouch，that，fortheWardendidhaveunusualears。
TheywouldhaveinterestedLombroso，Iamsure。
\"Asforme，\"Iwenton，\"Ilaughatyou，andIwishnoworsefatetotheloom-roomthanthatyoushouldtakechargeofityourself。Why，you’vegotmedownandworkedyourwickednessonme，andstillI
liveandlaughinyourface。Inefficient？Youcan’tevenkillme。
Inefficient？Youcouldn’tkillacorneredratwithastickofdynamite——REALdynamite，andnotthesortyouaredeludedintobelievingIhavehiddenaway。\"
\"Anythingmore？\"hedemanded，whenIhadceasedfrommydiatribe。
AndintomymindflashedwhatIhadtoldFortiniwhenhepressedhisinsolenceonme。
\"Begone，youprisoncur，\"Isaid。\"Takeyouryappingfrommydoor。\"
ItmusthavebeenaterriblethingforamanofWardenAtherton’sstripetobethusbeardedbyahelplessprisoner。Hisfacewhitenedwithrageandhisvoiceshookashethreatened:
\"ByGod，Standing，I’lldoforyouyet。\"
\"Thereisonlyonethingyoucando，\"Isaid。\"Youcantightenthisdistressinglyloosejacket。Ifyouwon’t，thengetout。AndI
don’tcareifyoufailtocomebackforaweekorforthewholetendays。\"
AndwhatcaneventheWardenofagreatprisondoinreprisalonaprisoneruponwhomtheultimatereprisalhasalreadybeenwreaked？
ItmaybethatWardenAthertonthoughtofsomepossiblethreat，forhebegantospeak。Butmyvoicehadstrengthenedwiththeexercise，andIbegantosing，\"Singcucu，singcucu，singcucu。\"AndsingI
diduntilmydoorclangedandtheboltsandlockssqueakedandgratedfast。
CHAPTERXII
NowthatIhadlearnedthetrickthewaywaseasy。AndIknewthewaywasboundtobecomeeasierthemoreItravelledit。Onceestablishalineofleastresistance，everysucceedingjourneyalongitwillfindstilllessresistance。Andso，asyoushallsee，myjourneysfromSanQuentinlifeintootherliveswereachievedalmostautomaticallyastimewentby。
AfterWardenAthertonandhiscrewhadleftmeitwasamatterofminutestowilltheresuscitatedportionofmybodybackintothelittledeath。Deathinlifeitwas，butitwasonlythelittledeath，similartothetemporarydeathproducedbyananaesthetic。
Andso，fromallthatwassordidandvile，frombrutalsolitaryandjackethell，fromacquaintedfliesandsweatsofdarknessandtheknuckle-talkofthelivingdead，Iwasawayataboundintotimeandspace。
Camethedurationofdarkness，andtheslow-growingawarenessofotherthingsandofanotherself。Firstofall，inthisawareness，wasdust。Itwasinmynostrils，dryandacrid。Itwasonmylips。
Itcoatedmyface，myhands，andespeciallywasitnoticeableonthefinger-tipswhentouchedbytheballofmythumb。
NextIwasawareofceaselessmovement。Allthatwasaboutmelurchedandoscillated。Therewasjoltandjar，andIheardwhatI
knewasamatterofcoursetobethegrindofwheelsonaxlesandthegrateandclashofirontyresagainstrockandsand。Andtherecametomethejadedvoicesofmen，incurseandsnarlofslow-
plodding，jadedanimals。
Iopenedmyeyes，thatwereinflamedwithdust，andimmediatelyfreshdustbitintothem。OnthecoarseblanketsonwhichIlaythedustwashalfaninchthick。Aboveme，throughsiftingdust，Isawanarchedroofoflurching，swayingcanvas，andmyriadsofdustmotesdescendedheavilyintheshaftsofsunshinethatenteredthroughholesinthecanvas。
Iwasachild，aboyofeightornine，andIwasweary，aswasthewoman，dusty-visagedandhaggard，whosatupbesidemeandsoothedacryingbabeinherarms。Shewasmymother；thatIknewasamatterofcourse，justasIknew，whenIglancedalongthecanvastunnelofthewagon-top，thattheshouldersofthemanonthedriver’sseatweretheshouldersofmyfather。
WhenIstartedtocrawlalongthepackedgearwithwhichthewagonwasladenmymothersaidinatiredandquerulousvoice，\"Can’tyoueverbestillaminute，Jesse？\"
Thatwasmyname，Jesse。Ididnotknowmysurname，thoughIheardmymothercallmyfatherJohn。Ihaveadimrecollectionofhearing，atonetimeoranother，theothermenaddressmyfatherasCaptain。Iknewthathewastheleaderofthiscompany，andthathisorderswereobeyedbyall。
Icrawledoutthroughtheopeninginthecanvasandsatdownbesidemyfatherontheseat。Theairwasstiflingwiththedustthatrosefromthewagonsandthemanyhoofsoftheanimals。Sothickwasthedustthatitwaslikemistorfogintheair，andthelowsunshonethroughitdimlyandwithabloodylight。
Notalonewasthelightofthissettingsunominous，buteverythingaboutmeseemedominous——thelandscape，myfather’sface，thefretofthebabeinmymother’sarmsthatshecouldnotstill，thesixhorsesmyfatherdrovethathadcontinuallytobeurgedandthatwerewithoutanysignofcolour，soheavilyhadthedustsettledonthem。
Thelandscapewasanaching，eye-hurtingdesolation。Lowhillsstretchedendlesslyawayoneveryhand。Hereandthereonlyontheirslopeswereoccasionalscrubgrowthsofheat-parchedbrush。