IMRAYhadachievedtheimpossibleWithoutwarning，fornoconceivablemotive，inhisyouthandatthethresholdofhiscareerhehadchosentodisappearfromtheworld-whichistosay，thelittleIndianstationwherehelivedUponadayhewasalive，well，happy，andingreatevidenceathisclub，amongthebilliard-tables。
Uponamorninghewasnot，andnomannerofsearchcouldmakesurewherehemightbeHehadsteppedoutofhisplace；hebadnotappearedathisofficeatthepropertime，andhisdog-cartwasnotuponthepublicroadsForthesereasonsandbecausehewashamperinginamicroscopicaldegreetheadministrationoftheIndianEmpire，theIndianEmpirepausedforonemicroscopicalmomenttomakeinquiryintothefateofImrayPondsweredragged，wellswereplumbed，telegramsweredispatcheddownthelinesofrailwaysandtothenearestseaporttown-1，200milesaway-butImraywasnotattheendofthedrag-ropesnorthetelegramsHewasgone，andhisplaceknewhimnomoreThentheworkofthegreatIndianEmpiresweptforward，becauseitcouldnotbedelayed，andImray，frombeingaman，becameamystery-suchathingasmentalkoverattheirtablesintheclubforamonthandthe，forgetutterlyHisguns，horses，andcartsweresoldtothehighestbidderHissuperiorofficerwroteanabsurdlettertohismother，sayingthatImrayhadunaccountablydisappearedandhisbungalowstoodemptyontheroad。
Afterthreeorfourmonthsofthescorchinghotweatherhadgoneby，myfriendStrickland，ofthepoliceforce，sawfittorentthebungalowfromthenativelandlordThiswasbeforehewasengagedtoMissYoughal-anaffairwhichhasbeendescribedinanotherplace-andwhilehewaspursuinghisinvestigationsintonativelifeHisownlifewassufficientlypeculiar，andmencomplainedofhismannersandcustomsTherewasalwaysfoodinhishouse，huttherewerenoregular-timesformealsHeeat，standingupandwalkingabout，whateverhemightfindonthesideboard，andthisisnotgoodforthein-sidesofhumanbeings。
Hisdomesticequipmentwaslimitedtosixrifles，threeshotguns，fivesaddles，andacollectionofstiff-jointedmasheerrods，biggerandstrongerthanthelargestsalmonrodsThesethingsoccupiedonehalfofhisbungalow，andtheotherhalfwasgivenuptoStricklandandhisdogTietjens-anenormousRampurslut，whosungwhenshewasordered，anddevoureddailytherationsoftwomenShespoketoStricklandinalanguageofherown，andwhenever，inherwalksabroadshesawthingscalculatedtodestroythepeaceofHerMajestytheQueenEmpress，shereturnedtohermasterandgavehiminformationStricklandwouldtakestepsatonce，andtheendofhislaborswastroubleandfineandimprisonmentforotherpeopleThenativesbelievedthatTietjenswasafamiliarspirit，andtreatedherwiththegreatreverencethatisbornofhateandfearOneroominthebungalowwassetapartforherspecialuseSheownedabedstead，ablanket，andadrinking-trough，andifanyonecameintoStrickland’sroomatnight，hercustomwastoknockdowntheinvaderandgivetonguetillsomeonecamewithalightStricklandoweshislifetoher。
WhenhewasonthefrontierinsearchofthelocalmurdererwhocameinthegreydawntosendStricklandmuchfurtherthantheAndamanIslands，TietjenscaughthimashewascrawlingintoStrickland’stentwithadaggerbetweenhisteeth，andafterhisrecordofiniquitywasestablishedintheeyesofthelaw，hewashangedFromthatdateTietjensworeacollarofroughsilverandemployedamonogramonhernightblanket，andtheblanketwasdouble-wovenKashmircloth，forshewasadelicatedog。
UndernocircumstanceswouldshebeseparatedfromStrickland，andwhenhewasillwithfevershemadegreattroubleforthedoctorsbecauseshedidnotknowhowtohelphermasterandwouldnotallowanothercreaturetoattemptaidMacarnaght，oftheIndianMedicalService，beatherovertheheadwithagun，beforeshecouldunderstandthatshemustgiveroomforthosewhocouldgivequinine。
AshorttimeafterStricklandhadtakenImray’sbungalow，mybusinesstookmethroughthatstation，andnaturally，theclubquartersbeingfull，IquarteredmyselfuponStricklandItwasadesirablebungalow，eight-roomed，andheavilythatchedagainstanychanceofleakagefromrainUnderthepitchoftheroofranaceilingcloth，whichlookedjustasniceasawhitewashedceiling。
ThelandlordhadrepainteditwhenStricklandtookthebungalow，andunlessyouknewhowIndianbungalowswerebuiltyouwouldneverhavesuspectedthatabovetheclothlaythedark，three-corneredcavernoftheroof，wherethebeamsandtheundersideofthethatchharboredallmannerofrats，hats，ants，andotherthings。
TietjensmetmeintheverandawithabayliketheboomofthebellsofStPaul’s，andputherpawsonmyshouldersandsaidshewasgladtoseemeStricklandhadcontrivedtoputtogetherthatsortofmealwhichhecalledlunch，andimmediatelyafteritwasfinishedwentoutabouthisbusinessIwasleftalonewithTietjensandmyownaffairsTheheatofthesummerhadbrokenupandgivenplacetothewarmdampoftherainsTherewasnomotionintheheatedair，buttherainfelllikebayonetrodsontheearth，andflungupabluemistwhereitsplashedbackagainThebamboosandthecustardapples，thepoinsettiasandthemango-treesinthegardenstoodstillwhilethewarmwaterlashedthroughthem，andthefrogsbegantosingamongthealoehedgesAlittlebeforethelightfailed，andwhentherainwasatitsworst，Isatinthebackverandaandbeardthewaterroarfromtheeaves，andscratchedmyselfbecauseIwascoveredwiththethingtheycalledpricklyheatTietjenscameoutwithmeandputherheadinmylap，andwasverysorrowful，soIgaveherbiscuitswhenteawasready，andItookteainthebackverandaonaccountofthelittlecoolnessI
foundthereTheroomsofthehouseweredarkbehindmeIcouldsmellStrickland’ssaddleryandtheoilonhisguns，andIdidnottheleastdesiretositamongthesethingsMyownservantcametomeinthetwilight，themuslinofhisclothesclingingtightlytohisdrenchedbody，andtoldmethatagentlemanhadcalledandwishedtoseesomeoneVerymuchagainstmywill，andbecauseofthedarknessoftherooms，Iwentintothenakeddrawing-room，tellingmymantobringthelightsTheremightormightnothavebeenacallerintheroom-itseemstomethatIsawafigurebyoneofthewindows，butwhenthelightscametherewasnothingsavethespikesoftherainwithoutandthesmellofthedrinkingearthinmynostrilsIexplainedtomymanthathewasnowiserthanheoughttobe，andwentbacktotheverandatotalktoTietjensShehadgoneoutintothewetandIcouldhardlycoaxherbacktome-evenwithbiscuitswithsugarontopStricklandrodeback，drippingwet，justbeforedinner，andthefirstthinghesaidwas：
Hasanyonecalled？”
Iexplained，withapologies，thatmyservanthadcalledmeintothedrawing-roomonafalsealarm；orthatsomeloaferbadtriedtocallonStrickland，and，thinkingbetterofit，fledaftergivinghisnameStricklandordereddinnerwithoutcomment，andsinceitwasarealdinner，withwhitetableclothattached，wesatdown。
Atnineo’clockStricklandwantedtogotobed，andIwastiredtoo。
Tietjens，whohadbeenlyingunderneaththetable，roseupandwentintotheleastexposedverandaassoonashermastermovedtohisownroom，whichwasncxttothestatelychambersetapartforTietjensIfamerewifehadwishedtosleepout-of-doorsinthatpeltingrain，itwouldnothavemattered，butTietjenswasadog，andthereforethebetteranimal。
IlookedatStrickland，expectingtoseehimflogherwithawhipHesmiledqueerly，asamanwouldsmileaftertellingsomehideousdomestictragedy“ShehasdonethiseversinceImovedinhere。”
ThedogwasStrickland’sdog，soIsaidnothing，butIfeltallthatStricklandfeltinbeingmadelightofTietjensencampedoutsidemybedroomwindow，andstormafterstormcameup，thunderedonthethatch，anddiedawayThelightningspatteredtheskyasathrowneggspatteredabarndoor，butthelightwaspaleblue，notyellow；andlookingthroughmyslitbambooblinds，Icouldseethegreatdogstanding，notsleeping，intheveranda，thehacklesaliftonherback，andherfeetplantedastenselyasthedrawnwireropeofasuspensionbridgeIntheveryshortpausesofthethunderI
triedtosleep，butitseemedthatsomeonewantedmeverybadly。
He，whoeverhewas，wastryingtocallmebyname，buthisvoicewasnomorethanahuskywhisperThenthethunderceasedandTietjenswentintothegardenandhowledatthelowmoon。
Somebodytriedtoopenmydoor，andwalkedaboutandthroughthehouse，andstoodbreathingheavilyintheverandas，andjustwhenIwasfallingasleepIfanciedthatIheardawildhammeringandclamoringabovemyheadoronthedoor。
IranintoStrickland’sroomandaskedhimwhetherhewasillandhadbeencallingformeHewaslyingonthebedhalf-dressed，withapipeinhismouth“Ithoughtyou’dcome。”hesaid“HaveIbeenwalkingaroundthehouseatall？”
Iexplainedthathehadbeeninthedining-roomandthesmoking-roomandtwoorthreeotherplaces；andhelaughedandtoldmetogobacktobedIwentbacktobedandslepttillthemorning，butinallmydreamsIwassureIwasdoingsomeoneaninjusticeinnotattendingtohiswantsWhatthosewantswereI
couldnottell，butafluttering，whispering，bolt-fumbling，luring，loiteringsomeonewasreproachingmeformyslackness，andthroughallthedreamsIheardthehowlingofTietjensinthegardenandthethrashingoftherain。
Iwasinthathousefortwodays，andStricklandwenttohisofficedaily，leavingmealoneforeightortenhoursaday，withTietjensformyonlycompanionAslongasthefulllightlastedIwascomfortable，andsowasTietjens；butinthetwilightsheandI
movedintothebackverandaandcuddledeachotherforcompany。
Wewerealoneinthehouse，butforallthatitwasfullyoccupiedbyatenantwithwhomIhadnodesiretointerfereIneversawhim，butIcouldseethecurtainsbetweentheroomsquiveringwherehehadjustpassedthrough；Icouldhearthechairscreakingasthebamboossprungunderaweightthathadjustquittedthem；
andIcouldfeelwhenIwenttogetabookfromthedining-roomthatsomebodywaswaitingintheshadowsofthefrontverandatillIshouldhavegoneawayTietjensmadethetwilightmoreinterestingbyglaringintothedarkenedrooms，witheveryhairerect，andfollowingthemotionsofsomethingthatIcouldnotseeSheneverenteredtherooms，buthereyesmoved，andthatwasquitesufficientOnlywhenmyservantcametotrimthelampsandmakealllightandhabitable，shewouldcomeinwithmeandspendhertimesittingonherhauncheswatchinganinvisibleextramanashemovedaboutbehindmyshoulderDogsarecheerfulcompanions。
IexplainedtoStrickland，gentlyasmightbe，thatIwouldgoovertotheclubandfindformyselfquartersthereIadmiredhishospitality，waspleasedwithhisgunsandrods，butIdidnotmuchcareforhishouseanditsatmosphereHeheardmeouttotheend，andthensmiledverywearily，butwithoutcontempt，forheisamanwhounderstandsthings“Stayon。”hesaid，“andseewhatthisthingmeansAllyouhavetalkedaboutIhaveknownsinceI
tookthebungalowStayonandwaitTietjenshasleftmeAreyougoingtoo？”
Ihadseenhimthroughonelittleaffairconnectedwithanidolthathadbroughtmetothedoorsofalunaticasylum，andIhadnodesiretohelphimthroughfurtherexperiencesHewasamantowhomunpleasantnessesarrivedasdodinnerstoordinarypeople。
ThereforeIexplainedmoreclearlythaneverthatIlikedhimimmensely，andwouldhehappytoseehiminthedaytime，butthatIdidn’tcaretosleepunderhisroofThiswasafterdinner，whenTietjenshadgoneouttolieintheveranda。
“’Ponmysoul，Idon’twonder。”saidStrickland，withhiseyesontheceiling-cloth“Lookatthat’。”
ThetailsoftwosnakeswerehangingbetweentheclothandthecorniceofthewallTheythrewlongshadowsinthelamp-light。
“Ifyouareafraidofsnakes，ofcourse“-saidStrickland“Ihateandfearsnakes，becauseifyoulookintotheeyesofanysnakeyouwillseethatitknowsallandmoreofman’sfall，andthatitfeelsallthecontemptthatthedevilfeltwhenAdamwasevictedfromEden。
Besideswhichitsbiteisgenerallyfatal，anditburstsuptrouserlegs。”
“Yououghttogetyourthatchover-hauled。”Isaid“Givemeamasheerrod，andwe’llpoke’emdown。”
“They’llhideamongtheroofbeams。”saidStrickland“Ican’tstandsnakesoverheadI’mgoingupIfIshake’emdown，standbywithacleaning-rodandbreaktheirbacks。”
IwasnotanxioustoassistStricklandinhiswork，hutItooktheloading-rodandwaitedinthedining-room，whileStricklandbroughtagardener’sladderfromtheverandaandsetitagainstthesideoftheroomThesnaketailsdrewthemselvesupanddisappearedWecouldhearthedryrushingscuttleoflongbodiesrunningoverthebaggyclothStricklandtookalampwithhim，whileItriedtomakeclearthedangerofhuntingroofsnakesbetweenaceilingclothandathatch，apartfromthedeteriorationofpropertycausedbyrippingoutceiling-cloths。
“Nonsense“saidStrickland“They’resuretohidenearthewallsbytheclothThebricksaretoocoldfor’em，andtheheatoftheroomisjustwhattheylike。”HeputhishandstothecorneroftheclothandrippedtherottenstufffromthecorniceItgavegreatsoundoftearing，andStricklandputhisheadthroughtheopeningintothedarkoftheangleoftheroofbeamsIsetmyteethandliftedtheloading-rod，forIhadnottheleastknowledgeofwhatmightdescend。
“H’m。”saidStrickland；andhisvoicerolledandrumbledintheroof“There’sroomforanothersetofroomsuphere，and，byJove！
someoneisoccupyingem。”
“Snakes？”Isaiddownbelow。
“NoIt’sabuffaloHandmeupthetwofirstjointsofamasheerrod，andI’llproditIt’slyingonthemainbeam。”
Ihandeduptherod。
“Whatanestforowlsandserpents！Nowonderthesnakeslivehere。”saidStrickland，climbingfurtherintothe’roofIcouldseehiselbowthrustingwiththerod“Comeoutofthat，whoeveryouare！Lookout！Headsbelowthere！It’stottering。”