JoeyLadle’seyefollowedtheflyingmorselofpaperdrearily。
\"I’mgladtoseeyoutakeiteasy，sir，\"hesaid。\"Whateverhappens，itwillbealwaysacomforttoyoutorememberthatyoutookiteasyatfirst。Sometimesonemistakeleadstoanother。A
mandropsabitoforange—peelonthepavementbymistake，andanothermantreadsonitbymistake，andthere’sajobatthehospital，andapartycrippledforlife。I’mgladyoutakeiteasy，sir。InPebblesonNephew’stimeweshouldn’thavetakeniteasytillwehadseentheendofit。Withoutdesiringtocrowoverthehouse，youngMr。Vendale，Iwishyouwellthroughit。Nooffence，sir，\"saidtheCellarman，openingthedoortogoout，andlookinginagainominouslybeforeheshutit。\"I’mmuddledandmolloncolly，I
grantyou。ButI’manoldservantofPebblesonNephew，andIwishyouwellthroughthemsixcasesofredwine。\"
Leftbyhimself，Vendalelaughed，andtookuphispen。\"ImayaswellsendalinetoDefresnierandCompany，\"hethought，\"beforeI
forgetit。\"Hewroteatonceintheseterms：
\"DearSirs。Wearetakingstock，andatriflingmistakehasbeendiscoveredinthelastconsignmentofchampagnesentbyyourhousetoours。Sixofthecasescontainredwine——whichweherebyreturntoyou。Themattercaneasilybesetright，eitherbyyoursendingussixcasesofthechampagne，iftheycanbeproduced，or，ifnot，byyourcreditinguswiththevalueofsixcasesontheamountlastpaid（fivehundredpounds）byourfirmtoyours。Yourfaithfulservants，\"WILDINGANDCO。\"
Thisletterdespatchedtothepost，thesubjectdroppedatonceoutofVendale’smind。Hehadotherandfarmoreinterestingmatterstothinkof。LaterinthedayhepaidthevisittoObenreizerwhichhadbeenagreedonbetweenthem。CertaineveningsintheweekweresetapartwhichhewasprivilegedtospendwithMarguerite——always，however，inthepresenceofathirdperson。OnthisstipulationObenreizerpolitelybutpositivelyinsisted。TheoneconcessionhemadewastogiveVendalehischoiceofwhothethirdpersonshouldbe。Confidinginpastexperience，hischoicefellunhesitatinglyupontheexcellentwomanwhomendedObenreizer’sstockings。Onhearingoftheresponsibilityentrustedtoher，MadameDor’sintellectualnatureburstsuddenlyintoanewstageofdevelopment。
ShewaitedtillObenreizer’seyewasoffher——andthenshelookedatVendale，anddimlywinked。
Thetimepassed——thehappyeveningswithMargueritecameandwent。
ItwasthetenthmorningsinceVendalehadwrittentotheSwissfirm，whentheanswerappeared，onhisdesk，withtheotherlettersoftheday：
\"DearSirs。Webegtoofferourexcusesforthelittlemistakewhichhashappened。Atthesametime，weregrettoaddthatthestatementofourerror，withwhichyouhavefavouredus，hasledtoaveryunexpecteddiscovery。Theaffairisamostseriousoneforyouandforus。Theparticularsareasfollows：
\"Havingnomorechampagneofthevintagelastsenttoyou，wemadearrangementstocredityourfirmtothevalueofsixcases，assuggestedbyyourself。Ontakingthisstep，certainformsobservedinourmodeofdoingbusinessnecessitatedareferencetoourbankers’book，aswellastoourledger。Theresultisamoralcertaintythatnosuchremittanceasyoumentioncanhavereachedourhouse，andaliteralcertaintythatnosuchremittancehasbeenpaidtoouraccountatthebank。
\"Itisneedless，atthisstageoftheproceedings，totroubleyouwithdetails。Themoneyhasunquestionablybeenstoleninthecourseofitstransitfromyoutous。Certainpeculiaritieswhichweobserve，relatingtothemannerinwhichthefraudhasbeenperpetrated，leadustoconcludethatthethiefmayhavecalculatedonbeingabletopaythemissingsumtoourbankers，beforeaninevitablediscoveryfollowedtheannualstrikingofourbalance。
Thiswouldnothavehappened，intheusualcourse，foranotherthreemonths。Duringthatperiod，butforyourletter，wemighthaveremainedperfectlyunconsciousoftherobberythathasbeencommitted。
\"Wementionthislastcircumstance，asitmayhelptoshowyouthatwehavetodo，inthiscase，withnoordinarythief。Thusfarwehavenotevenasuspicionofwhothatthiefis。Butwebelieveyouwillassistusinmakingsomeadvancetowardsdiscovery，byexaminingthereceipt（forged，ofcourse）whichhasnodoubtpurportedtocometoyoufromourhouse。Bepleasedtolookandseewhetheritisareceiptentirelyinmanuscript，orwhetheritisanumberedandprintedformwhichmerelyrequiresthefillinginoftheamount。Thesettlementofthisapparentlytrivialquestionis，weassureyou，amatterofvitalimportance。Anxiouslyawaitingyourreply，weremain，withhighesteemandconsideration，\"DEFRESNIER&CIE。\"
Vendalehadtheletteronhisdesk，andwaitedamomenttosteadyhismindundertheshockthathadfallenonit。Atthetimeofallotherswhenitwasmostimportanttohimtoincreasethevalueofhisbusiness，thatbusinesswasthreatenedwithalossoffivehundredpounds。HethoughtofMarguerite，ashetookthekeyfromhispocketandopenedtheironchamberinthewallinwhichthebooksandpapersofthefirmwerekept。
Hewasstillinthechamber，searchingfortheforgedreceipt，whenhewasstartledbyavoicespeakingclosebehindhim。
\"Athousandpardons，\"saidthevoice;\"IamafraidIdisturbyou。\"
Heturned，andfoundhimselffacetofacewithMarguerite’sguardian。
\"Ihavecalled，\"pursuedObenreizer，\"toknowifIcanbeofanyuse。BusinessofmyowntakesmeawayforsomedaystoManchesterandLiverpool。CanIcombineanybusinessofyourswithit？Iamentirelyatyourdisposal，inthecharacterofcommercialtravellerforthefirmofWildingandCo。\"
\"Excusemeforonemoment，\"saidVendale;\"Iwillspeaktoyoudirectly。\"Heturnedroundagain，andcontinuedhissearchamongthepapers。\"Youcomeatatimewhenfriendlyoffersaremorethanusuallyprecioustome，\"heresumed。\"IhavehadverybadnewsthismorningfromNeuchatel。\"
\"Badnews，\"exclaimedObenreizer。\"FromDefresnierandCompany？\"
\"Yes。Aremittancewesenttothemhasbeenstolen。Iamthreatenedwithalossoffivehundredpounds。What’sthat？\"
Turningsharply，andlookingintotheroomforthesecondtime，Vendalediscoveredhisenvelopecaseoverthrownonthefloor，andObenreizeronhiskneespickingupthecontents。
\"Allmyawkwardness，\"saidObenreizer。\"Thisdreadfulnewsofyoursstartledme;Isteppedback——\"Hebecametoodeeplyinterestedincollectingthescatteredenvelopestofinishthesentence。
\"Don’ttroubleyourself，\"saidVendale。\"Theclerkwillpickthethingsup。\"
\"Thisdreadfulnews！\"repeatedObenreizer，persistingincollectingtheenvelopes。\"Thisdreadfulnews！\"
\"Ifyouwillreadtheletter，\"saidVendale，\"youwillfindIhaveexaggeratednothing。Thereitis，openonmydesk。\"
Heresumedhissearch，andinamomentmorediscoveredtheforgedreceipt。Itwasonthenumberedandprintedform，describedbytheSwissfirm。Vendalemadeamemorandumofthenumberandthedate。
Havingreplacedthereceiptandlockeduptheironchamber，hehadleisuretonoticeObenreizer，readingtheletterintherecessofawindowatthefarendoftheroom。
\"Cometothefire，\"saidVendale。\"Youlookperishedwiththecoldoutthere。Iwillringforsomemorecoals。\"
Obenreizerrose，andcameslowlybacktothedesk。\"MargueritewillbeassorrytohearofthisasIam，\"hesaid，kindly。\"Whatdoyoumeantodo？\"
\"IaminthehandsofDefresnierandCompany，\"answeredVendale。
\"Inmytotalignoranceofthecircumstances，Icanonlydowhattheyrecommend。ThereceiptwhichIhavejustfound，turnsouttobethenumberedandprintedform。Theyseemtoattachsomespecialimportancetoitsdiscovery。Youhavehadexperience，whenyouwereintheSwisshouse，oftheirwayofdoingbusiness。Canyouguesswhatobjecttheyhaveinview？\"
Obenreizerofferedasuggestion。
\"SupposeIexaminethereceipt？\"hesaid。
\"Areyouill？\"askedVendale，startledbythechangeinhisface，whichnowshoweditselfplainlyforthefirsttime。\"Praygotothefire。Youseemtobeshivering——Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobeill？\"
\"NotI！\"saidObenreizer。\"PerhapsIhavecaughtcold。YourEnglishclimatemighthavesparedanadmirerofyourEnglishinstitutions。Letmelookatthereceipt。\"
Vendaleopenedtheironchamber。Obenreizertookachair，anddrewitclosetothefire。Heheldbothhandsovertheflames。\"Letmelookatthereceipt，\"herepeated，eagerly，asVendalereappearedwiththepaperinhishand。Atthesamemomentaporterenteredtheroomwithafreshsupplyofcoals。Vendaletoldhimtomakeagoodfire。Themanobeyedtheorderwithadisastrousalacrity。Ashesteppedforwardandraisedthescuttle，hisfootcaughtinafoldoftherug，andhedischargedhisentirecargoofcoalsintothegrate。
Theresultwasaninstantsmotheringoftheflame，andtheproductionofastreamofyellowsmoke，withoutavisiblemorseloffiretoaccountforit。
\"Imbecile！\"whisperedObenreizertohimself，withalookatthemanwhichthemanrememberedformanyalongdayafterwards。
\"Willyoucomeintotheclerks’room？\"askedVendale。\"Theyhaveastovethere。\"
\"No，no。Nomatter。\"
Vendalehandedhimthereceipt。Obenreizer’sinterestinexaminingitappearedtohavebeenquenchedassuddenlyandaseffectuallyasthefireitself。Hejustglancedoverthedocument，andsaid，\"No;
Idon’tunderstandit！Iamsorrytobeofnouse。\"
\"IwillwritetoNeuchatelbyto—night’spost，\"saidVendale，puttingawaythereceiptforthesecondtime。\"Wemustwait，andseewhatcomesofit。\"
\"Byto—night’spost，\"repeatedObenreizer。\"Letmesee。Youwillgettheanswerineightorninedays’time。Ishallbebackbeforethat。IfIcanbeofanyservice，ascommercialtraveller，perhapsyouwillletmeknowbetweenthisandthen。Youwillsendmewritteninstructions？Mybestthanks。IshallbemostanxiousforyouranswerfromNeuchatel。Whoknows？Itmaybeamistake，mydearfriend，afterall。Courage！courage！courage！\"Hehadenteredtheroomwithnoappearanceofbeingpressedfortime。Henowsnatcheduphishat，andtookhisleavewiththeairofamanwhohadnotanothermomenttolose。
Leftbyhimself，Vendaletookaturnthoughtfullyintheroom。
HispreviousimpressionofObenreizerwasshakenbywhathehadheardandseenattheinterviewwhichhadjusttakenplace。Hewasdisposed，forthefirsttime，todoubtwhether，inthiscase，hehadnotbeenalittlehastyandhardinhisjudgmentonanotherman。
Obenreizer’ssurpriseandregret，onhearingthenewsfromNeuchatel，boretheplainestmarksofbeinghonestlyfelt——notpolitelyassumedfortheoccasion。Withtroublesofhisowntoencounter，suffering，toallappearance，fromthefirstinsidiousattackofaseriousillness，hehadlookedandspokenlikeamanwhoreallydeploredthedisasterthathadfallenonhisfriend。
HithertoVendalehadtriedvainlytoalterhisfirstopinionofMarguerite’sguardian，forMarguerite’ssake。Allthegenerousinstinctsinhisnaturenowcombinedtogetherandshooktheevidencewhichhadseemedunanswerableuptothistime。\"Whoknows？\"hethought。\"Imayhavereadthatman’sfacewrongly，afterall。\"
Thetimepassed——thehappyeveningswithMargueritecameandwent。
ItwasagainthetenthmorningsinceVendalehadwrittentotheSwissfirm;andagaintheanswerappearedonhisdeskwiththeotherlettersoftheday\"DearSir。Myseniorpartner，M。Defresnier，hasbeencalledaway，byurgentbusiness，toMilan。Inhisabsence（andwithhisfullconcurrenceandauthority），Inowwritetoyouagainonthesubjectofthemissingfivehundredpounds。
\"Yourdiscoverythattheforgedreceiptisexecutedupononeofournumberedandprintedformshascausedinexpressiblesurpriseanddistresstomypartnerandtomyself。Atthetimewhenyourremittancewasstolen，butthreekeyswereinexistenceopeningthestrong—boxinwhichourreceipt—formsareinvariablykept。Mypartnerhadonekey;Ihadtheother。Thethirdwasinthepossessionofagentlemanwho，atthatperiod，occupiedapositionoftrustinourhouse。Weshouldassoonhavethoughtofsuspectingoneofourselvesasofsuspectingthisperson。Suspicionnowpointsathim，nevertheless。Icannotprevailonmyselftoinformyouwhothepersonis，solongasthereistheshadowofachancethathemaycomeinnocentlyoutoftheinquirywhichmustnowbeinstituted。
Forgivemysilence;themotiveofitisgood。
\"Theformourinvestigationmustnowtakeissimpleenough。Thehandwritingofyourreceiptmustbecompared，bycompetentpersonswhomwehaveatourdisposal，withcertainspecimensofhandwritinginourpossession。Icannotsendyouthespecimensforbusinessreasons，which，whenyouhearthem，youaresuretoapprove。ImustbegyoutosendmethereceipttoNeuchatel——and，inmakingthisrequest，Imustaccompanyitbyawordofnecessarywarning。
\"Iftheperson，atwhomsuspicionnowpoints，reallyprovestobethepersonwhohascommittedthisforgerandtheft，Ihavereasontofearthatcircumstancesmayhavealreadyputhimonhisguard。Theonlyevidenceagainsthimistheevidenceinyourhands，andhewillmoveheavenandearthtoobtainanddestroyit。Istronglyurgeyounottotrustthereceipttothepost。Sendittome，withoutlossoftime，byaprivatehand，andchoosenobodyforyourmessengerbutapersonlongestablishedinyourownemployment，accustomedtotravelling，capableofspeakingFrench;amanofcourage，amanofhonesty，and，aboveallthings，amanwhocanbetrustedtoletnostrangerscrapeacquaintancewithhimontheroute。Tellnoone——
absolutelynoone——butyourmessengeroftheturnthismatterhasnowtaken。ThesafetransitofthereceiptmaydependonyourinterpretingLITERALLYtheadvicewhichIgiveyouattheendofthisletter。
\"Ihaveonlytoaddthateverypossiblesavingoftimeisnowofthelastimportance。Morethanoneofourreceipt—formsismissing——anditisimpossibletosaywhatnewfraudsmaynotbecommittedifwefailtolayourhandsonthethief。
YourfaithfulservantROLLAND，（SigningforDefresnierandCie。）
Whowasthesuspectedman？InVendale’sposition，itseemeduselesstoinquire。
WhowastobesenttoNeuchatelwiththereceipt？MenofcourageandmenofhonestyweretobehadatCrippleCornerfortheasking。
Butwherewasthemanwhowasaccustomedtoforeigntravelling，whocouldspeaktheFrenchlanguage，andwhocouldbereallyreliedontoletnostrangerscrapeacquaintancewithhimonhisroute？Therewasbutonemanathandwhocombinedallthoserequisitesinhisownperson，andthatmanwasVendalehimself。
Itwasasacrificetoleavehisbusiness;itwasagreatersacrificetoleaveMarguerite。Butamatteroffivehundredpoundswasinvolvedinthependinginquiry;andaliteralinterpretationofM。
Rolland’sadvicewasinsistedonintermswhichtherewasnotriflingwith。ThemoreVendalethoughtofit，themoreplainlythenecessityfacedhim，andsaid，\"Go！\"
Ashelockeduptheletterwiththereceipt，theassociationofideasremindedhimofObenreizer。Aguessattheidentityofthesuspectedmanlookedmorepossiblenow。Obenreizermightknow。
Thethoughthadbarelypassedthroughhismind，whenthedooropened，andObenreizerenteredtheroom。
\"TheytoldmeatSohoSquareyouwereexpectedbacklastnight，\"
saidVendale，greetinghim。\"Haveyoudonewellinthecountry？
Areyoubetter？\"
Athousandthanks。Obenreizerhaddoneadmirablywell;Obenreizerwasinfinitelybetter。Andnow，whatnews？AnyletterfromNeuchatel？
\"Averystrangeletter，\"answeredVendale。\"Thematterhastakenanewturn，andtheletterinsists——withoutexceptinganybody——onmykeepingournextproceedingsaprofoundsecret。\"
\"Withoutexceptinganybody？\"repeatedObenreizer。Ashesaidthewords，hewalkedawayagain，thoughtfully，tothewindowattheotherendoftheroom，lookedoutforamoment，andsuddenlycamebacktoVendale。\"Surelytheymusthaveforgotten？\"heresumed，\"ortheywouldhaveexceptedme？\"
\"ItisMonsieurRollandwhowrites，\"saidVendale。\"And，asyousay，hemustcertainlyhaveforgotten。Thatviewofthematterquiteescapedme。IwasjustwishingIhadyoutoconsult，whenyoucameintotheroom。AndhereIamtriedbyaformalprohibition，whichcannotpossiblyhavebeenintendedtoincludeyou。Howveryannoying！\"
Obenreizer’sfilmyeyesfixedonVendaleattentively。
\"Perhapsitismorethanannoying！\"hesaid。\"Icamethismorningnotonlytohearthenews，buttooffermyselfasmessenger，negotiator——whatyouwill。Wouldyoubelieveit？IhaveletterswhichobligemetogotoSwitzerlandimmediately。Messages，documents，anything——IcouldhavetakenthemalltoDefresnierandRollandforyou。\"
\"YouaretheverymanIwanted，\"returnedVendale。\"Ihaddecided，mostunwillingly，ongoingtoNeuchatelmyself，notfiveminutessince，becauseIcouldfindnooneherecapableoftakingmyplace。
Letmelookattheletteragain。\"
Heopenedthestrongroomtogetattheletter。Obenreizer，afterfirstglancingroundhimtomakesurethattheywerealone，followedasteportwoandwaited，measuringVendalewithhiseye。Vendalewasthetallestman，andunmistakablythestrongestmanalsoofthetwo。Obenreizerturnedaway，andwarmedhimselfatthefire。
Meanwhile，Vendalereadthelastparagraphintheletterforthethirdtime。Therewastheplainwarning——therewastheclosingsentence，whichinsistedonaliteralinterpretationofit。Thehand，whichwasleadingVendaleinthedark，ledhimonthatconditiononly。Alargesumwasatstake：aterriblesuspicionremainedtobeverified。Ifheactedonhisownresponsibility，andifanythinghappenedtodefeattheobjectinview，whowouldbeblamed？Asamanofbusiness，Vendalehadbutonecoursetofollow。
Helockedtheletterupagain。
\"Itismostannoying，\"hesaidtoObenreizer——\"itisapieceofforgetfulnessonMonsieurRolland’spartwhichputsmetoseriousinconvenience，andplacesmeinanabsurdlyfalsepositiontowardsyou。WhatamItodo？Iamactinginaveryseriousmatter，andactingentirelyinthedark。Ihavenochoicebuttobeguided，notbythespirit，butbytheletterofmyinstructions。Youunderstandme，Iamsure？Youknow，ifIhadnotbeenfetteredinthisway，howgladlyIshouldhaveacceptedyourservices？\"
\"Saynomore！\"returnedObenreizer。\"InyourplaceIshouldhavedonethesame。Mygoodfriend，Itakenooffence。Ithankyouforyourcompliment。Weshallbetravellingcompanions，atanyrate，\"
addedObenreizer。\"Yougo，asIgo，atonce？\"
\"Atonce。ImustspeaktoMargueritefirst，ofcourse！\"
\"Surely！surely！Speaktoherthisevening。Come，andpickmeuponthewaytothestation。Wegotogetherbythemailtrainto—
night？\"
\"Bythemailtrainto—night。\"
ItwaslaterthanVendalehadanticipatedwhenhedroveuptothehouseinSohoSquare。Businessdifficulties，occasionedbyhissuddendeparture，hadpresentedthemselvesbydozens。AcruellylargeshareofthetimewhichhehadhopedtodevotetoMargueritehadbeenclaimedbydutiesathisofficewhichitwasimpossibletoneglect。
Tohissurpriseanddelight，shewasaloneinthedrawing—roomwhenheenteredit。
\"Wehaveonlyafewminutes，George，\"shesaid。\"ButMadameDorhasbeengoodtome——andwecanhavethosefewminutesalone。\"Shethrewherarmsroundhisneck，andwhisperedeagerly，\"HaveyoudoneanythingtooffendMr。Obenreizer？\"
\"I！\"exclaimedVendale，inamazement。
\"Hush！\"shesaid，\"Iwanttowhisperit。YouknowthelittlephotographIhavegotofyou。Thisafternoonithappenedtobeonthechimney—piece。Hetookitupandlookedatit——andIsawhisfaceintheglass。Iknowyouhaveoffendedhim！Heismerciless;
heisrevengeful;heisassecretasthegrave。Don’tgowithhim，George——don’tgowithhim！\"
\"Myownlove，\"returnedVendale，\"youarelettingyourfancyfrightenyou！ObenreizerandIwereneverbetterfriendsthanweareatthismoment。\"
Beforeawordmorecouldbesaid，thesuddenmovementofsomeponderousbodyshookthefloorofthenextroom。TheshockwasfollowedbytheappearanceofMadameDor。\"Obenreizer\"exclaimedthisexcellentpersoninawhisper，andplumpeddowninstantlyinherregularplacebythestove。
Obenreizercameinwithacourier’sbigstrappedoverhisshoulder。
\"Areyouready？\"heasked，addressingVendale。\"CanItakeanythingforyou？Youhavenotravelling—bag。Ihavegotone。Hereisthecompartmentforpapers，openatyourservice。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidVendale。\"Ihaveonlyonepaperofimportancewithme;andthatpaperIamboundtotakechargeofmyself。Hereitis，\"headded，touchingthebreast—pocketofhiscoat，\"andhereitmustremaintillwegettoNeuchatel。\"
Ashesaidthosewords，Marguerite’shandcaughthis，andpresseditsignificantly。ShewaslookingtowardsObenreizer。BeforeVendalecouldlook，inhisturn，Obenreizerhadwheeledround，andwastakingleaveofMadameDor。
\"Adieu，mycharmingniece！\"hesaid，turningtoMargueritenext。
\"Enroute，myfriend，forNeuchatel！\"HetappedVendalelightlyoverthebreast—pocketofhiscoatandledthewaytothedoor。
Vendale’slastlookwasforMarguerite。Marguerite’slastwordstohimwere，\"Don’tgo！\"
ACTIII——INTHEVALLEY
ItwasaboutthemiddleofthemonthofFebruarywhenVendaleandObenreizersetforthontheirexpedition。Thewinterbeingahardone，thetimewasbadfortravellers。Sobadwasitthatthesetwotravellers，comingtoStrasbourg，founditsgreatinnsalmostempty。
Andeventhefewpeopletheydidencounterinthatcity，whohadstartedfromEnglandorfromParisonbusinessjourneystowardstheinteriorofSwitzerland，wereturningback。
ManyoftherailroadsinSwitzerlandthattouristspasseasilyenoughnow，werealmostorquiteimpracticablethen。Somewerenotbegun;morewerenotcompleted。Onsuchaswereopen，therewerestilllargegapsofoldroadwherecommunicationinthewinterseasonwasoftenstopped;onothers，therewereweakpointswherethenewworkwasnotsafe，eitherunderconditionsofseverefrost，orofrapidthaw。Therunningoftrainsonthislastclasswasnottobecountedonintheworsttimeoftheyear，wascontingentuponweather，orwaswhollyabandonedthroughthemonthsconsideredthemostdangerous。
AtStrasbourgthereweremoretravellers’storiesafloat，respectingthedifficultiesofthewayfurtheron，thanthereweretravellerstorelatethem。Manyofthesetaleswereaswildasusual;butthemoremodestlymarvellousdidderivesomecolourfromthecircumstancethatpeoplewereindisputablyturningback。However，astheroadtoBaslewasopen，Vendale’sresolutiontopushonwasinnowisedisturbed。Obenreizer’sresolutionwasnecessarilyVendale’s，seeingthathestoodatbaythusdesperately：Hemustberuined，ormustdestroytheevidencethatVendalecarriedabouthim，evenifhedestroyedVendalewithit。
Thestateofmindofeachofthesetwofellow—travellerstowardstheotherwasthis。Obenreizer，encircledbyimpendingruinthroughVendale’squicknessofaction，andseeingthecirclenarrowedeveryhourbyVendale’senergy，hatedhimwiththeanimosityofafiercecunningloweranimal。Hehadalwayshadinstinctivemovementsinhisbreastagainsthim;perhaps，becauseofthatoldsoreofgentlemanandpeasant;perhaps，becauseoftheopennessofhisnature，perhaps，becauseofhisbetterlooks;perhaps，becauseofhissuccesswithMarguerite;perhaps，onallthosegrounds，thetwolastnottheleast。Andnowhesawinhim，besides，thehunterwhowastrackinghimdown。Vendale，ontheotherhand，alwayscontendinggenerouslyagainsthisfirstvaguemistrust，nowfeltboundtocontendagainstitmorethanever：remindinghimself，\"HeisMarguerite’sguardian。Weareonperfectlyfriendlyterms;heismycompanionofhisownproposal，andcanhavenointerestedmotiveinsharingthisundesirablejourney。\"TowhichpleasinbehalfofObenreizer，chanceaddedoneconsiderationmore，whentheycametoBasleafterajourneyofmorethantwicetheaverageduration。
Theyhadhadalatedinner，andwerealoneinaninnroomthere，overhangingtheRhine：atthatplacerapidanddeep，swollenandloud。Vendaleloungeduponacouch，andObenreizerwalkedtoandfro：now，stoppingatthewindow，lookingatthecrookedreflectionofthetownlightsinthedarkwater（andperadventurethinking，\"IfIcouldflinghimintoit！\"）;now，resuminghiswalkwithhiseyesuponthefloor。
\"WhereshallIrobhim，ifIcan？WhereshallImurderhim，ifI
must？\"So，ashepacedtheroom，rantheriver，rantheriver，rantheriver。
Theburdenseemedtohim，atlast，tobegrowingsoplain，thathestopped;thinkingitaswelltosuggestanotherburdentohiscompanion。
\"TheRhinesoundsto—night，\"hesaidwithasmile，\"liketheoldwaterfallathome。Thatwaterfallwhichmymothershowedtotravellers（Itoldyouofitonce）。Thesoundofitchangedwiththeweather，asdoesthesoundofallfallingwatersandflowingwaters。WhenIwaspupilofthewatchmaker，Iremembereditassometimessayingtomeforwholedays，’Whoareyou，mylittlewretch？Whoareyou，mylittlewretch？’Iremembereditassaying，othertimes，whenitssoundwashollow，andstormwascomingupthePass：’Boom，boom，boom。Beathim，beathim，beathim。’Likemymotherenraged——ifshewasmymother。\"
\"Ifshewas？\"saidVendale，graduallychanginghisattitudetoasittingone。\"Ifshewas？Whydoyousay’if’？\"
\"WhatdoIknow？\"repliedtheothernegligently，throwinguphishandsandlettingthemfallastheywould。\"Whatwouldyouhave？I
amsoobscurelyborn，thathowcanIsay？Iwasveryyoung，andalltherestofthefamilyweremenandwomen，andmyso—calledparentswereold。Anythingispossibleofacaselikethat。\"
\"Didyoueverdoubt——\"
\"Itoldyouonce，Idoubtthemarriageofthosetwo，\"hereplied，throwinguphishandsagain，asifhewerethrowingtheunprofitablesubjectaway。\"ButhereIaminCreation。Icomeofnofinefamily。Whatdoesitmatter？\"
\"AtleastyouareSwiss，\"saidVendale，afterfollowinghimwithhiseyestoandfro。
\"HowdoIknow？\"heretortedabruptly，andstoppingtolookbackoverhisshoulder。\"Isaytoyou，atleastyouareEnglish。Howdoyouknow？\"
\"BywhatIhavebeentoldfrominfancy。\"
\"Ah！Iknowofmyselfthatway。\"
\"And，\"addedVendale，pursuingthethoughtthathecouldnotdriveback，\"bymyearliestrecollections。\"
\"Ialso。Iknowofmyselfthatway——ifthatwaysatisfies。\"
\"Doesitnotsatisfyyou？\"
\"Itmust。Thereisnothinglike’itmust’inthislittleworld。Itmust。Twoshortwordsthose，butstrongerthanlongprooforreasoning。\"
\"YouandpoorWildingwereborninthesameyear。Youwerenearlyofanage，\"saidVendale，againthoughtfullylookingafterhimasheresumedhispacingupanddown。
\"Yes。Verynearly。\"
CouldObenreizerbethemissingman？Intheunknownassociationsofthings，wasthereasubtlermeaningthanhehimselfthought，inthattheorysooftenonhislipsaboutthesmallnessoftheworld？HadtheSwissletterpresentinghimfollowedsocloseonMrs。
Goldstraw’srevelationconcerningtheinfantwhohadbeentakenawaytoSwitzerland，becausehewasthatinfantgrownaman？Inaworldwheresomanydepthslieunsounded，itmightbe。Thechances，orthelaws——callthemeither——thathadwroughtouttherevivalofVendale’sownacquaintancewithObenreizer，andhadripeneditintointimacy，andhadbroughtthemheretogetherthispresentwinternight，werehardlylesscurious;whilereadbysuchalight，theywereseentocoheretowardsthefurtheranceofacontinuousandanintelligiblepurpose。
Vendale’sawakenedthoughtsranhighwhilehiseyesmusinglyfollowedObenreizerpacingupanddowntheroom，therivereverrunningtothetune：\"WhereshallIrobhim，ifIcan？WhereshallImurderhim，ifImust？\"ThesecretofhisdeadfriendwasinnohazardfromVendale’slips;butjustashisfriendhaddiedofitsweight，sodidheinhislightersuccessionfeeltheburdenofthetrust，andtheobligationtofollowanyclue，howeverobscure。Herapidlyaskedhimself，wouldhelikethismantobetherealWilding？No。Arguedownhismistrustashemight，hewasunwillingtoputsuchasubstituteintheplaceofhislateguileless，outspokenchildlikepartner。Herapidlyaskedhimself，wouldhelikethismantoberich？No。HehadmorepowerthanenoughoverMargueriteasitwas，andwealthmightinvesthimwithmore。WouldhelikethismantobeMarguerite’sGuardian，andyetprovedtostandinnodegreeofrelationshiptowardsher，howeverdisconnectedanddistant？No。Butthesewerenotconsiderationstocomebetweenhimandfidelitytothedead。LethimseetoitthattheypassedhimwithnoothernoticethantheknowledgethattheyHADpassedhim，andlefthimbentonthedischargeofasolemnduty。Andhedidseetoit，sosoonthathefollowedhiscompanionwithungrudgingeyes，whilehestillpacedtheroom;thatcompanion，whomhesupposedtobemoodilyreflectingonhisownbirth，andnotonanotherman’s——leastofallwhatman’s——violentDeath。
TheroadinadvancefromBasletoNeuchatelwasbetterthanhadbeenrepresented。Thelatestweatherhaddoneitgood。Drivers，bothofhorsesandmules，hadcomeinthateveningafterdark，andhadreportednothingmoredifficulttobeovercomethantrialsofpatience，harness，wheels，axles，andwhipcord。Abargainwassoonstruckforacarriageandhorses，totakethemoninthemorning，andtostartbeforedaylight。
\"Doyoulockyourdooratnightwhentravelling？\"askedObenreizer，standingwarminghishandsbythewoodfireinVendale’schamber，beforegoingtohisown。
\"NotI。Isleeptoosoundly。\"
\"Youaresosoundasleeper？\"heretorted，withanadmiringlook。
\"Whatablessing！\"
\"Anythingbutablessingtotherestofthehouse，\"rejoinedVendale，\"ifIhadtobeknockedupinthemorningfromtheoutsideofmybedroomdoor。\"
\"I，too，\"saidObenreizer，\"leaveopenmyroom。Butletmeadviseyou，asaSwisswhoknows：always，whenyoutravelinmycountry，putyourpapers——and，ofcourse，yourmoney——underyourpillow。
Alwaysthesameplace。\"
\"Youarenotcomplimentarytoyourcountrymen，\"laughedVendale。
\"Mycountrymen，\"saidObenreizer，withthatlighttouchofhisfriend’selbowsbywayofGood—Nightandbenediction，\"Isupposearelikethemajorityofmen。Andthemajorityofmenwilltakewhattheycanget。Adieu！Atfourinthemorning。\"
\"Adieu！Atfour。\"
Lefttohimself，Vendalerakedthelogstogether，sprinkledoverthemthewhitewood—asheslyingonthehearth，andsatdowntocomposehisthoughts。Buttheystillranhighontheirlatesttheme，andtherunningoftherivertendedtoagitateratherthantoquietthem。Ashesatthinking，whatlittledispositionhehadhadtosleepdeparted。Hefeltithopelesstoliedownyet，andsatdressedbythefire。Marguerite，Wilding，Obenreizer，thebusinesshewasthenupon，andathousandhopesanddoubtsthathadnothingtodowithit，occupiedhismindatonce。Everythingseemedtohavepoweroverhimbutslumber。Thedeparteddispositiontosleepkeptfaraway。
Hehadsatforalongtimethinking，onthehearth，whenhiscandleburneddownanditslightwentout。Itwasoflittlemoment;therewaslightenoughinthefire。Hechangedhisattitude，and，leaninghisarmonthechair—back，andhischinuponthathand，satthinkingstill。
Buthesatbetweenthefireandthebed，and，asthefireflickeredintheplayofairfromthefast—flowingriver，hisenlargedshadowflutteredonthewhitewallbythebedside。Hisattitudegaveitanair，halfofmourningandhalfofbendingoverthebedimploring。
Hiseyeswereobservantofit，whenhebecametroubledbythedisagreeablefancythatitwaslikeWilding’sshadow，andnothisown。
Aslightchangeofplacewouldcauseittodisappear。Hemadethechange，andtheapparitionofhisdisturbedfancyvanished。Henowsatintheshadeofalittlenookbesidethefire，andthedooroftheroomwasbeforehim。
Ithadalongcumbrousironlatch。Hesawthelatchslowlyandsoftlyrise。Thedooropenedaverylittle，andcametoagain，asthoughonlytheairhadmovedit。Buthesawthatthelatchwasoutofthehasp。
Thedooropenedagainveryslowly，untilitopenedwideenoughtoadmitsomeone。Itafterwardsremainedstillforawhile，asthoughcautiouslyheldopenontheotherside。Thefigureofamanthenentered，withitsfaceturnedtowardsthebed，andstoodquietjustwithinthedoor。Untilitsaid，inalowhalf—whisper，atthesametimetakingonestopforward：\"Vendale！\"
\"Whatnow？\"heanswered，springingfromhisseat;\"whoisit？\"
ItwasObenreizer，andheutteredacryofsurpriseasVendalecameuponhimfromthatunexpecteddirection。\"Notinbed？\"hesaid，catchinghimbybothshoulderswithaninstinctivetendencytoastruggle。\"ThensomethingISwrong！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidVendale，releasinghimself。
\"Firsttellme;youarenotill？\"
\"Ill？No。\"
\"Ihavehadabaddreamaboutyou。HowisitthatIseeyouupanddressed？\"
\"Mygoodfellow，ImayaswellaskyouhowitisthatIseeYOUupandundressed？\"
\"Ihavetoldyouwhy。Ihavehadabaddreamaboutyou。Itriedtorestafterit，butitwasimpossible。IcouldnotmakeupmymindtostaywhereIwaswithoutknowingyouweresafe;andyetIcouldnotmakeupmymindtocomeinhere。Ihavebeenminuteshesitatingatthedoor。Itissoeasytolaughatadreamthatyouhavenotdreamed。Whereisyourcandle？\"
\"Burntout。\"
\"Ihaveawholeoneinmyroom。ShallIfetchit？\"
\"Doso。\"
Hisroomwasverynear，andhewasabsentforbutafewseconds。
Comingbackwiththecandleinhishand，hekneeleddownonthehearthandlightedit。Asheblewwithhisbreathacharredbilletintoflameforthepurpose，Vendale，lookingdownathim，sawthathislipswerewhiteandnoteasyofcontrol。
\"Yes！\"saidObenreizer，settingthelightedcandleonthetable，\"itwasabaddream。Onlylookatme！\"
Hisfeetwerebare;hisred—flannelshirtwasthrownbackatthethroat，anditssleeveswererolledabovetheelbows;hisonlyothergarment，apairofunderpantaloonsordrawers，reachingtotheankles，fittedhimcloseandtight。Acertainlitheandsavageappearancewasonhisfigure，andhiseyeswereverybright。
\"Iftherehadbeenawrestlewitharobber，asIdreamed，\"saidObenreizer，\"yousee，Iwasstrippedforit。\"
\"Andarmedtoo，\"saidVendale，glancingathisgirdle。
\"Atraveller’sdagger，thatIalwayscarryontheroad，\"heansweredcarelessly，halfdrawingitfromitssheathwithhislefthand，andputtingitbackagain。\"Doyoucarrynosuchthing？\"
\"Nothingofthekind。\"
\"Nopistols？\"saidObenreizer，glancingatthetable，andfromittotheuntouchedpillow。
\"Nothingofthesort。\"
\"YouEnglishmenaresoconfident！Youwishtosleep？\"
\"Ihavewishedtosleepthislongtime，butIcan’tdoit。\"
\"Ineither，afterthebaddream。Myfirehasgonethewayofyourcandle。MayIcomeandsitbyyours？Twoo’clock！Itwillsosoonbefour，thatitisnotworththetroubletogotobedagain。\"
\"Ishallnottakethetroubletogotobedatall，now，\"saidVendale;\"sithereandkeepmecompany，andwelcome。\"
Goingbacktohisroomtoarrangehisdress，Obenreizersoonreturnedinaloosecloakandslippers，andtheysatdownonoppositesidesofthehearth。IntheintervalVendalehadreplenishedthefirefromthewood—basketinhisroom，andObenreizerhadputuponthetableaflaskandcupfromhis。
\"Commoncabaretbrandy，Iamafraid，\"hesaid，pouringout;\"boughtupontheroad，andnotlikeyoursfromCrippleCorner。Butyoursisexhausted;somuchtheworse。Acoldnight，acoldtimeofnight，acoldcountry，andacoldhouse。Thismaybebetterthannothing;
tryit。\"
Vendaletookthecup，anddidso。
\"Howdoyoufindit？\"
\"Ithasacoarseafter—flavour，\"saidVendale，givingbackthecupwithaslightshudder，\"andIdon’tlikeit。\"
\"Youareright，\"saidObenreizer，tasting，andsmackinghislips;
\"itHASacoarseafter—flavour，andIdon’tlikeit。Booh！Itburns，though！\"Hehadflungwhatremainedinthecupuponthefire。
Eachofthemleanedanelbowonthetable，reclinedhisheaduponhishand，andsatlookingattheflaringlogs。Obenreizerremainedwatchfulandstill;butVendale，aftercertainnervoustwitchesandstarts，inoneofwhichherosetohisfeetandlookedwildlyabouthim，fellintothestrangestconfusionofdreams。Hecarriedhispapersinaleathercaseorpocket—book，inaninnerbreast—pocketofhisbuttonedtravelling—coat;andwhateverhedreamedof，inthelethargythatgotpossessionofhim，somethingimportunateinthosepaperscalledhimoutofthatdream，thoughhecouldnotwakefromit。HewasberatedonthesteppesofRussia（someshadowypersongavethatnametotheplace）withMarguerite;andyetthesensationofahandathisbreast，softlyfeelingtheoutlineofthepacket—
bookashelayasleepbeforethefire，waspresenttohim。Hewasship—wreckedinanopenboatatsea，andhavinglosthisclothes，hadnoothercoveringthananoldsail;andyetacreepinghand，tracingoutsidealltheotherpocketsofthedressheactuallywore，forpapers，andfindingnoneansweritstouch，warnedhimtorousehimself。HewasintheancientvaultatCrippleCorner，towhichwastransferredtheverybedsubstantialandpresentinthatveryroomatBasle;andWilding（notdead，ashehadsupposed，andyethedidnotwondermuch）shookhim，andwhispered，\"Lookatthatman！
Don’tyouseehehasrisen，andisturningthepillow？Whyshouldheturnthepillow，ifnottoseekthosepapersthatareinyourbreast？Awake！\"Andyetheslept，andwanderedoffintootherdreams。
Watchfulandstill，withhiselbowonthetable，andhisheaduponthathand，hiscompanionatlengthsaid：\"Vendale！Wearecalled。
PastFour！\"Then，openinghiseyes，hesaw，turnedsidewaysonhim，thefilmyfaceofObenreizer。
\"Youhavebeeninaheavysleep，\"hesaid。\"Thefatigueofconstanttravellingandthecold！\"
\"Iambroadawakenow，\"criedVendale，springingup，butwithanunsteadyfooting。\"Haven’tyousleptatall？\"
\"Imayhavedozed，butIseemtohavebeenpatientlylookingatthefire。Whetherorno，wemustwash，andbreakfast，andturnout。
Pastfour，Vendale;pastfour！\"
Itwassaidinatonetorousehim，foralreadyhewashalfasleepagain。Inhispreparationfortheday，too，andathisbreakfast，hewasoftenvirtuallyasleepwhileinmechanicalaction。Itwasnotuntilthecolddarkdaywasclosingin，thathehadanydistincterimpressionsoftheridethanjinglingbells，bitterweather，slippinghorses，frowninghill—sides，bleakwoods，andastoppageatsomewaysidehouseofentertainment，wheretheyhadpassedthroughacow—housetoreachthetravellers’roomabove。Hehadbeenconsciousoflittlemore，exceptofObenreizersittingthoughtfulathissideallday，andeyeinghimmuch。
Butwhenheshookoffhisstupor，Obenreizerwasnotathisside。
Thecarriagewasstoppingtobaitatanotherwaysidehouse;andalineoflongnarrowcarts，ladenwithcasksofwine，anddrawnbyhorseswithaquantityofbluecollarandhead—gear，werebaitingtoo。Thesecamefromthedirectioninwhichthetravellersweregoing，andObenreizer（notthoughtfulnow，butcheerfulandalert）
wastalkingwiththeforemostdriver。AsVendalestretchedhislimbs，circulatedhisblood，andclearedofftheleesofhislethargy，withasharpruntoandfrointhebracingair，thelineofcartsmovedon：thedriversallsalutingObenreizerastheypassedhim。
\"Whoarethose？\"askedVendale。
\"Theyareourcarriers——DefresnierandCompany’s，\"repliedObenreizer。\"Thoseareourcasksofwine。\"Hewassingingtohimself，andlightingacigar。
\"Ihavebeendrearilydullcompanyto—day，\"saidVendale。\"Idon’tknowwhathasbeenthematterwithme。\"
\"Youhadnosleeplastnight;andakindofbrain—congestionfrequentlycomes，atfirst，ofsuchcold，\"saidObenreizer。\"Ihaveseenitoften。Afterall，weshallhaveourjourneyfornothing，itseems。\"
\"Howfornothing？\"
\"TheHouseisatMilan。Youknow，weareaWineHouseatNeuchatel，andaSilkHouseatMilan？Well，Silkhappeningtopressofasudden，morethanWine，DefresnierwassummonedtoMilan。Rolland，theotherpartner，hasbeentakenillsincehisdeparture，andthedoctorswillallowhimtoseenoone。AletterawaitsyouatNeuchateltotellyouso。Ihaveitfromourchiefcarrierwhomyousawmetalkingwith。Hewassurprisedtoseeme，andsaidhehadthatwordforyouifhemetyou。Whatdoyoudo？Goback？\"
\"Goon，\"saidVendale。
\"On？\"
\"On？Yes。AcrosstheAlps，anddowntoMilan。\"
ObenreizerstoppedinhissmokingtolookatVendale，andthensmokedheavily，lookeduptheroad，lookeddowntheroad，lookeddownatthestonesintheroadathisfeet。
\"Ihaveaveryseriousmatterincharge，\"saidVendale;\"moreofthesemissingformsmaybeturnedtoasbadaccount，orworse：IamurgedtolosenotimeinhelpingtheHousetotakethethief;andnothingshallturnmeback。\"
\"No？\"criedObenreizer，takingouthiscigartosmile，andgivinghishandtohisfellow—traveller。\"ThennothingshallturnMEback。
Ho，driver！Despatch。Quickthere！Letuspushon！\"
Theytravelledthroughthenight。Therehadbeensnow，andtherewasapartialthaw，andtheymostlytravelledatafoot—pace，andalwayswithmanystoppagestobreathethesplashedandflounderinghorses。Afteranhour’sbroaddaylight，theydrewreinattheinn—
dooratNeuchatel，havingbeensomeeight—and—twentyhoursinconqueringsomeeightyEnglishmiles。
Whentheyhadhurriedlyrefreshedandchanged，theywenttogethertothehouseofbusinessofDefresnierandCompany。Theretheyfoundtheletterwhichthewine—carrierhaddescribed，enclosingthetestsandcomparisonsofhand—writingessentialtothediscoveryoftheForger。Vendale’sdeterminationtopressforward，withoutresting，beingalreadytaken，theonlyquestiontodelaythemwasbywhatPasscouldtheycrosstheAlps？RespectingthestateofthetwoPassesoftheSt。GotthardandtheSimplon，theguidesandmule—
driversdifferedgreatly;andbothpasseswerestillfarenoughoff，topreventthetravellersfromhavingthebenefitofanyrecentexperienceofeither。Besideswhich，theywellknewthatafallofsnowmightaltogetherchangethedescribedconditionsinasinglehour，eveniftheywerecorrectlystated。But，onthewhole，theSimplonappearingtobethehopefullerroute，Vendaledecidedtotakeit。Obenreizerborelittleornopartinthediscussion，andscarcelyspoke。
ToGeneva，toLausanne，alongthelevelmarginofthelaketoVevay，sointothewindingvalleybetweenthespursofthemountains，andintothevalleyoftheRhone。Thesoundofthecarriage—wheels，astheyrattledon，throughtheday，throughthenight，becameasthewheelsofagreatclock，recordingthehours。Nochangeofweathervariedthejourney，afterithadhardenedintoasullenfrost。Inasombre—yellowsky，theysawtheAlpineranges;andtheysawenoughofsnowonnearerandmuchlowerhill—topsandhill—sides，tosully，bycontrast，thepurityoflake，torrent，andwaterfall，andmakethevillageslookdiscolouredanddirty。Butnosnowfell，norwasthereanysnow—driftontheroad。Thestalkingalongthevalleyofmoreorlessofwhitemist，changingontheirhairanddressintoicicles，wastheonlyvarietybetweenthemandthegloomysky。Andstillbyday，andstillbynight，thewheels。Andstilltheyrolled，inthehearingofoneofthem，totheburden，alteredfromtheburdenoftheRhine：\"Thetimeisgoneforrobbinghimalive，andImustmurderhim。\"
Theycame，atlength，tothepoorlittletownofBrieg，atthefootoftheSimplon。Theycamethereafterdark，butyetcouldseehowdwarfedmen’sworksandmenbecamewiththeimmensemountainstoweringoverthem。Heretheymustlieforthenight;andherewaswarmthoffire，andlamp，anddinner，andwine，andafter—conferenceresounding，withguidesanddrivers。NohumancreaturehadcomeacrossthePassforfourdays。Thesnowabovethesnow—linewastoosoftforwheeledcarriage，andnothardenoughforsledge。Therewassnowinthesky。Therehadbeensnowintheskyfordayspast，andthemarvelwasthatithadnotfallen，andthecertaintywasthatitmustfall。Novehiclecouldcross。Thejourneymightbetriedonmules，oritmightbetriedonfoot;butthebestguidesmustbepaiddanger—priceineithercase，andthat，too，whethertheysucceededintakingthetwotravellersacross，orturnedforsafetyandbroughtthemback。
Inthisdiscussion，Obenreizerborenopartwhatever。HesatsilentlysmokingbythefireuntiltheroomwasclearedandVendalereferredtohim。
\"Bah！Iamwearyofthesepoordevilsandtheirtrade，\"hesaid，inreply。\"Alwaysthesamestory。Itisthestoryoftheirtradeto—
day，asitwasthestoryoftheirtradewhenIwasaraggedboy。
WhatdoyouandIwant？Wewantaknapsackeach，andamountain—
staffeach。Wewantnoguide;weshouldguidehim;hewouldnotguideus。Weleaveourportmanteaushere，andwecrosstogether。
Wehavebeenonthemountainstogetherbeforenow，andIammountain—born，andIknowthisPass——Pass！——ratherHighRoad！——byheart。Wewillleavethesepoordevils，inpity，totradewithothers;buttheymustnotdelayustomakeapretenceofearningmoney。Whichisalltheymean。\"
Vendale，gladtobequitofthedispute，andtocuttheknot：
active，adventurous，bentongettingforward，andthereforeverysusceptibletothelasthint：readilyassented。Withintwohours，theyhadpurchasedwhattheywantedfortheexpedition，hadpackedtheirknapsacks，andlaydowntosleep。
Atbreakofday，theyfoundhalfthetowncollectedinthenarrowstreettoseethemdepart。Thepeopletalkedtogetheringroups;
theguidesanddriverswhisperedapart，andlookedupatthesky;noonewishedthemagoodjourney。
Astheybegantheascent，agleamofrunshonefromtheotherwiseunalteredsky，andforamomentturnedthetinspiresofthetowntosilver。
\"Agoodomen！\"saidVendale（thoughitdiedoutwhilehespoke）。
\"PerhapsourexamplewillopenthePassonthisside。\"
\"No;weshallnotbefollowed，\"returnedObenreizer，lookingupattheskyandbackatthevalley。\"Weshallbealoneupyonder。\"
ONTHEMOUNTAIN
Theroadwasfairenoughforstoutwalkers，andtheairgrewlighterandeasiertobreatheasthetwoascended。Butthesettledgloomremainedasithadremainedfordaysback。Natureseemedtohavecometoapause。Thesenseofhearing，nolessthanthesenseofsight，wastroubledbyhavingtowaitsolongforthechange，whateveritmightbe，thatimpended。Thesilencewasaspalpableandheavyastheloweringclouds——orrathercloud，forthereseemedtobebutoneinallthesky，andthatonecoveringthewholeofit。
Althoughthelightwasthusdismallyshrouded，theprospectwasnotobscured。DowninthevalleyoftheRhonebehindthem，thestreamcouldbetracedthroughallitsmanywindings，oppressivelysombreandsolemninitsoneleadenhue，acolourlesswaste。Farandhighabovethem，glaciersandsuspendedavalanchesoverhungthespotswheretheymustpass，by—and—by;deepanddarkbelowthemontheirright，wereawfulprecipiceandroaringtorrent;tremendousmountainsaroseineveryvista。Thegiganticlandscape，uncheeredbyatouchofchanginglightorasolitaryrayofsun，wasyetterriblydistinctinitsferocity。Theheartsoftwolonelymenmightshrinkalittle，iftheyhadtowintheirwayformilesandhoursamongalegionofsilentandmotionlessmen——meremenlikethemselves——alllookingatthemwithfixedandfrowningfront。Buthowmuchmore，whenthelegionisofNature’smightiestworks，andthefrownmayturntofuryinaninstant！
Astheyascended，theroadbecamegraduallymoreruggedanddifficult。ButthespiritsofVendaleroseastheymountedhigher，leavingsomuchmoreoftheroadbehindthemconquered。Obenreizerspokelittle，andheldonwithadeterminedpurpose。Both，inrespectofagilityandendurance，werewellqualifiedfortheexpedition。Whateverthebornmountaineerreadintheweather—
tokensthatwasillegibletotheother，hekepttohimself。
\"Shallwegetacrossto—day？\"askedVendale。
\"No，\"repliedtheother。\"Youseehowmuchdeeperthesnowliesherethanitlayhalfaleaguelower。Thehigherwemountthedeeperthesnowwilllie。Walkingishalfwadingevennow。Andthedaysaresoshort！IfwegetashighasthefifthRefuge，andlieto—nightattheHospice，weshalldowell。\"
\"Istherenodangeroftheweatherrisinginthenight，\"askedVendale，anxiously，\"andsnowingusup？\"
\"Thereisdangerenoughaboutus，\"saidObenreizer，withacautiousglanceonwardandupward，\"torendersilenceourbestpolicy。YouhaveheardoftheBridgeoftheGanther？\"
\"Ihavecrosseditonce。\"
\"Inthesummer？\"
\"Yes;inthetravellingseason。\"
\"Yes;butitisanotherthingatthisseason;\"withasneer，asthoughhewereoutoftemper。\"Thisisnotatimeofyear，orastateofthings，onanAlpinePass，thatyougentlemenholiday—
travellersknowmuchabout。\"
\"YouaremyGuide，\"saidVendale，goodhumouredly。\"Itrusttoyou。\"
\"IamyourGuide，\"saidObenreizer，\"andIwillguideyoutoyourjourney’send。ThereistheBridgebeforeus。\"
Theyhadmadeaturnintoadesolateanddismalravine，wherethesnowlaydeepbelowthem，deepabovethem，deeponeveryside。
Whilespeaking，ObenreizerstoodpointingattheBridge，andobservingVendale’sface，withaverysingularexpressiononhisown。
\"IfI，asGuide，hadsentyouoverthere，inadvance，andencouragedyoutogiveashoutortwo，youmighthavebroughtdownuponyourselftonsandtonsandtonsofsnow，thatwouldnotonlyhavestruckyoudead，butburiedyoudeep，atablow。\"
\"Nodoubt，\"saidVendale。
\"Nodoubt。ButthatisnotwhatIhavetodo，asGuide。Sopasssilently。Or，goingaswego，ourindiscretionmightelsecrushandburyME。Letusgeton！\"
TherewasagreataccumulationofsnowontheBridge;andsuchenormousaccumulationsofsnowoverhungthemfromprotectingmassesofrock，thattheymighthavebeenmakingtheirwaythroughastormyskyofwhiteclouds。Usinghisstaffskilfully，soundingashewent，andlookingupward，withbentshoulders，asitweretoresistthemereideaofafallfromabove，Obenreizersoftlyled。Vendalecloselyfollowed。Theywereyetinthemidstoftheirdangerousway，whentherecameamightyrush，followedbyasoundasofthunder。ObenreizerclappedhishandonVendale’smouthandpointedtothetrackbehindthem。Itsaspecthadbeenwhollychangedinamoment。Anavalanchehadsweptoverit，andplungedintothetorrentatthebottomofthegulfbelow。
TheirappearanceatthesolitaryInnnotfarbeyondthisterribleBridge，elicitedmanyexpressionsofastonishmentfromthepeopleshutupinthehouse。\"Westaybuttorest，\"saidObenreizer，shakingthesnowfromhisdressatthefire。\"Thisgentlemanhasverypressingoccasiontogetacross;tellthem，Vendale。\"
\"Assuredly，Ihaveverypressingoccasion。Imustcross。\"
\"Youhear，allofyou。Myfriendhasverypressingoccasiontogetacross，andwewantnoadviceandnohelp。Iamasgoodaguide，myfellow—countrymen，asanyofyou。Now，giveustoeatanddrink。\"
Inexactlythesameway，andinnearlythesamewords，whenitwascomingondarkandtheyhadstruggledthroughthegreatlyincreaseddifficultiesoftheroad，andhadatlastreachedtheirdestinationforthenight，ObenreizersaidtotheastonishedpeopleoftheHospice，gatheringaboutthematthefire，whiletheywereyetintheactofgettingtheirwetshoesoff，andshakingthesnowfromtheirclothes：
\"Itiswelltounderstandoneanother，friendsall。Thisgentleman—
—\"
\"——Has，\"saidVendale，readilytakinghimupwithasmile，\"verypressingoccasiontogetacross。Mustcross。\"
\"Youhear？——hasverypressingoccasiontogetacross，mustcross。
Wewantnoadviceandnohelp。Iammountain—born，andactasGuide。Donotworryusbytalkingaboutit，butletushavesupper，andwine，andbed。\"
Allthroughtheintensecoldofthenight，thesameawfulstillness。
Againatsunrise，nosunnytingetogildorreddenthesnow。Thesameinterminablewasteofdeathlywhite;thesameimmovableair;
thesamemonotonousgloominthesky。
\"Travellers！\"afriendlyvoicecalledtothemfromthedoor，aftertheywereafoot，knapsackonbackandstaffinhand，asyesterday;
\"recollect！Therearefiveplacesofshelter，neartogether，onthedangerousroadbeforeyou;andthereisthewoodencross，andthereisthenextHospice。Donotstrayfromthetrack。IftheTourmentecomeson，takeshelterinstantly！\"
\"Thetradeofthesepoordevils！\"saidObenreizertohisfriend，withacontemptuousbackwardwaveofhishandtowardsthevoice。
\"Howtheysticktotheirtrade！YouEnglishmensayweSwissaremercenary。Truly，itdoeslooklikeit。\"
Theyhaddividedbetweenthetwoknapsackssuchrefreshmentsastheyhadbeenabletoobtainthatmorning，andastheydeemeditprudenttotake。Obenreizercarriedthewineashisshareoftheburden;
Vendale，thebreadandmeatandcheese，andtheflaskofbrandy。
Theyhadforsometimelabouredupwardandonwardthroughthesnow——
whichwasnowabovetheirkneesinthetrack，andofunknowndepthelsewhere——andtheywerestilllabouringupwardandonwardthroughthemostfrightfulpartofthattremendousdesolation，whensnowbegintofall。Atfirst，butafewflakesdescendedslowlyandsteadily。Afteralittlewhilethefallgrewmuchdenser，andsuddenlyitbeganwithoutapparentcausetowhirlitselfintospiralshapes。Instantlyensuinguponthislastchange，anicyblastcameroaringatthem，andeverysoundandforceimprisoneduntilnowwasletloose。
Oneofthedismalgalleriesthroughwhichtheroadiscarriedatthatperilouspoint，acaveekedoutbyarchesofgreatstrength，wasnearathand。Theystruggledintoit，andthestormragedwildly。Thenoiseofthewind，thenoiseofthewater，thethunderingdownofdisplacedmassesofrockandsnow，theawfulvoiceswithwhichnotonlythatgorgebuteverygorgeinthewholemonstrousrangeseemedtobesuddenlyendowed，thedarknessasofnight，theviolentrevolvingofthesnowwhichbeatandbrokeitintosprayandblindedthem，themadnessofeverythingaroundinsatiatefordestruction，therapidsubstitutionoffuriousviolenceforunnaturalcalm，andhostsofappallingsoundsforsilence：thesewerethings，ontheedgeofadeepabyss，tochilltheblood，thoughthefiercewind，madeactuallysolidbyiceandsnow，hadfailedtochillit。