TheGovernorstraightenedhisback。\"Giveear，Opeople!\"hecried。\"ImakeanewLaw!\"
Thevillagersclosedin。Hecalled:——
\"HenceforwardIwillgiveonedollartothemanonwhoselandAbuHusseinisfound。Andanotherdollar\"——heheldupthecoin——\"tothemanonwhoselandthesedogsshallkillhim。ButtothemanonwhoselandAbuHusseinshallrunintoaholesuchasisthishole，Iwillgivenotdollars，butamostunmeasurablebeating。
Isitunderstood？\"
\"OurExcellency，\"amansteppedforth，\"onmylandAbuHusseinwasfoundthismorning。Isitnotso，brothers？\"
Nonedenied。TheGovernortossedhimoverfourdollarswithoutaword。
\"Onmylandtheyallwentintotheirholes，\"criedanother。
\"ThereforeImustbebeaten。\"
\"Notso。Thelandismine，andminearethebeatings。\"
Thissecondspeakerthrustforwardhisshouldersalreadybared，andthevillagersshouted。
\"Hullo!Twomenanxioustobelicked？Theremustbesomeswindleabouttheland，\"saidtheGovernor。Theninthelocalvernacular:
\"Whatareyourrightstothebeating？\"
Asariver-reachchangesbeneathaslantofthesun，thatwhichhadbeenascatteredmobchangedtoacourtofmostancientjustice。ThehoundstoreandsobbedatAbuHussein\'shearthstone，allunnoticedamongthelegsofthewitnesses，andGihon，alsoaccustomedtolaws，purredapproval。
\"YouwillnotwaittilltheJudgescomeuptherivertosettlethedispute？\"saidtheGovernoratlast。
\"No!\"shoutedallthevillagesavethemanwhohadfirstaskedtobebeaten。\"WewillabidebyOurExcellency\'sdecision。LetOurExcellencyturnoutthecreaturesoftheEmirswhostoleourlandinthedaysoftheOppression。\"
\"Andthousayest？\"theGovernorturnedtothemanwhohadfirstaskedtobebeaten。
\"Isay1willwaittillthewiseJudgescomedowninthesteamer。
ThenIwillbringmymanywitnesses，\"hereplied。
\"Heisrich。Hewillbringmanywitnesses，\"thevillageSheikhmuttered。
\"Noneed。Thyownmouthcondemnsthee!\"theGovernorcried。\"Nomanlawfullyentitledtohislandwouldwaitonehourbeforeenteringuponit。Standaside!\"Theman，fellback，andthevillagejeeredhim。
Thesecondclaimantstoopedquicklybeneaththeliftedhunting-crop。Thevillagerejoiced。
\"Oh，Suchanone；Sonofsuchanone，\"saidtheGovernor，promptedbytheSheikh，\"learn，fromthedaywhenIsendtheorder，toblockupalltheholeswhereAbuHusseinmayhideon——thy——land!\"
Thelightflicksended。Themanstooduptriumphant。BythataccoladehadtheSupremeGovernmentacknowledgedhistitlebeforeallmen。
WhilethevillagepraisedtheperspicacityoftheGovernor，anaked，pock-markedchildstrodeforwardtotheearth，andstoodononeleg，unconcernedasayoungstork。
\"Hal\"hesaid，handsbehindhisback。\"Thisshouldbeblockedupwithbundlesofdhurrastalks——or，better，bundlesofthorns。\"
\"Betterthorns，\"saidtheGovernor。\"Thickendsinnermost。\"
Thechildnoddedgravelyandsquattedonthesand。
\"Anevildayforthee，AbuHussein，\"heshrilledintothemouthoftheearth。\"Adayofobstaclestothyflagitiousreturnsinthemorning。\"
\"Whoisit？\"theGovernoraskedtheSheikh。\"Itthinks。\"
\"FaragtheFatherless。HispeoplewereslaininthedaysoftheOppression。ThemantowhomOurExcellencyhasawardedthelandis，asitwere，hismaternaluncle。\"
\"Willitcomewithmeandfeedthebigdogs？\"saidtheGovernor。
Theotherpeeringchildrendrewback。\"Run!\"theycried。\"OurExcellencywillfeedFaragtothebigdogs。\"
\"Iwillcome，\"saidFarag。\"AndIwillnevergo。\"HethrewhisarmroundRoyal\'sneck，andthewisebeastlickedhisface。
\"Binjamin，byJove!\"theInspectorcried。
\"No!\"saidtheGovernor。\"IbelievehehasthemakingsofaJamesPigg!\"
Faragwavedhishandtohisuncle，andledRoyalontothebarge。
Therestofthepackfollowed。
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Gihon，thathadseenmanysports，learnedtoknowtheHuntbargewell。HemetherroundinghisbendsongreyDecemberdawnstomusicwildandlamentableasthealmostforgottenthrobofDervishdrums，when，highaboveRoyal\'stenorbell，sharpereventhanlyingBeagle-boy\'sfalsettobreak，FaragchanteddeathlesswaragainstAbuHusseinandallhisseed。Atsunrisetheriverwouldshoulderhercarefullyintoherplace，andlistentotherushandscutterofthepackfleeingupthegang-plank，andthetrampoftheGovernor\'sArabbehindthem。TheywouldpassoverthebrowintothedewlesscropswhereGihon，lowandshrunken，couldonlyguesswhattheywereaboutwhenAbuHusseinflewdownthebanktoscratchatastoppedearth，andflewbackintothebarleyagain。AsFaraghadforetold，itwasevildaysforAbuHusseinerehelearnedtotakethenecessarystepsandtogetawaycrisply。SometimesGihonsawthewholeprocessionoftheHuntsilhouettedagainstthemorning-blue，bearinghimcompanyformanymerrymiles。Ateveryhalfmilethehorsesandthedonkeysjumpedthewater-channels——up，on，changeyourleg，andoffagainlikefiguresinazoetrope，tilltheygrewsmallalongthelineofwaterwheels。
ThenGibonwaitedtheirrustlingreturnthroughthecrops，andtookthemtorestonhisbosomatteno\'clock。Whilethehorsesate，andFaragsleptwithhisheadonRoyal\'sflank，theGovernorandhisInspectorworkedforthegoodoftheHuntandhisProvince。
Afteralittletimetherewasnoneedtobeatanymanforneglectinghisearths。Thesteamer\'sdestinationwastelegraphedfromwaterwheeltowaterwheel，andthevillagersstoppedoutandputtoaccording。Ifanearthwereoverlooked，itmeantsomedisputeastotheownershipoftheland，andthenandtheretheHuntcheckedandsettleditinthiswise:TheGovernorandtheInspectorsidebyside，butthelatterhalfahorse\'slengthtotherear；bothbare-shoulderedclaimantswellinfront；thevillagershalf-moonedbehindthem，andFaragwiththepack，whoquiteunderstoodtheperformance，sittingdownontheleft。
Twentyminuteswereenoughtosettlethemostcomplicatedcase，for，astheGovernorsaidtoajudgeonthesteamer，\"Onegetsatthetruthinahunting-fieldaheapquickerthaninyourlawcourts。\"
\"Butwhentheevidenceisconflicting？\"theJudgesuggested。
\"Watchthefield。They\'llthrowtonguefastenoughifyou\'rerunningawrongscent。You\'veneverhadanappealfromoneofmydecisionsyet。\"
TheSheikhsonhorseback——thelesserfolkoncleverdonkeys——thechildrensodespisedbyFaragsoonunderstoodthatvillageswhichrepairedtheirwaterwheelsandchannelsstoodhighestintheGovernor\'sfavour。Heboughttheirbarley，forhishorses。
\"Channels，\"hesaid，\"arenecessarythatwemayalljumpthem。
Theyarenecessary，moreover，forthecrops。Lettherebemanywheelsandsoundchannels——andmuchgoodbarley。\"
\"Withoutmoney，\"repliedanagedSheikh，\"therearenowaterwheels。\"
\"Iwilllendthemoney，\"saidtheGovernor。
\"Atwhatinterest，OOurExcellency？\"
\"TakeyoutwoofMayQueen\'spuppiestobringupinyourvillageinsuchamannerthattheydonoteatfilth，norlosetheirhair，norcatchfeverfromlyinginthesun，butbecomewisehounds。\"
\"LikeRay-yal——notlikeBigglebai？\"(AlreadyitwasaninsultalongtheRivertocompareamantotheshiftyanthropophagousblue-mottledharrier。)
\"Certainly，likeRay-yal——notintheleastlikeBigglebai。Thatshallbetheinterestontheloan。Letthepuppiesthriveandthewaterwheelbebuilt，andIshallbecontent，\"saidtheGovernor。
\"Thewheelshallbebuilt，but，OOurExcellency，ifbyGod\'sfavourthepupsgrowtobewell-smelters，notfilth-eaters，notunaccustomedtotheirnames，notlawless，whowilldothemandmejusticeatthetimeofjudgingtheyoungdogs？\"
\"Hounds，man，hounds!Ha-wands，OSheikh，wecallthemintheirmanhood。\"
\"Theha-wandswhentheyarejudgedattheSha-ho。IhaveunfriendsdowntherivertowhomOurExcellencyhasalsoentrustedha-wandstobringup。\"
\"Puppies，man!Pah-peazwecallthem，OSheikh，intheirchildhood。\"
\"Pah-peat。Myenemiesmayjudgemypah-peazunjustlyattheSha-ho。Thismustbethoughtof。\"
\"Iseetheobstacle。Hearnow!Ifthenewwaterwheelisbuiltinamonthwithoutoppression，thou，OSheikh，shaltbenamedoneofthejudgestojudgethepah-peazattheSha-ho。Isitunderstood？\"
\"Understood。Wewillbuildthewheel。Iandmyseedareresponsiblefortherepaymentoftheloan。Wherearemypah-peaz？
Iftheyeatfowls，musttheyonanyaccounteatthefeathers？\"
\"Onnoaccountmusttheyeatthefeathers。Faraginthebargewilltelltheehowtheyaretolive。\"
ThereisnoinstanceofanydefaultontheGovernor\'spersonalandunauthorizedloans，forwhichtheycalledhimtheFatherofWaterwheels。Butthefirstpuppyshowatthecapitalneededenormoustactandthepresenceofablackbattalionostentatiouslydrillinginthebarracksquaretopreventtroubleaftertheprize-giving。
ButwhocanchroniclethegloriesoftheGihonHunt——ortheirshames？Whoremembersthekillinthemarket-place，whentheGovernorbadetheassembledsheikhsandwarriorsobservehowthehoundswouldinstantlydevourthebodyofAbuHussein；buthow，whenhehadscientificallybrokenitup，thewearypackturnedfromitinloathing，andFaragweptbecausehesaidtheworld\'sfacehadbeenblackened？Whatmenwhohavenotyetriddenbeyondthesoundofanyhornrecallthemidnightrunwhichended——Beagleboyleading——amongtombs；thehastywhip-off，andtheoath，takenAboebones，toforgettheworry？Thedesertrun，whenAbuHusseinforsookthecultivation，andmadeasix-milepointtoearthinadesolatekhor——whenstrangearmedridersoncamelsswoopedoutofaravine，andinsteadofgivingbattle，offeredtotakethetiredhoundshomeontheirbeasts。Whichtheydid，andvanished。
Aboveall，whoremembersthedeathofRoyal，whenacertainSheikhweptabovethebodyofthestainlesshoundasitmighthavebeenhisson\'s——andthatdaytheHuntrodenomore？Thebadly-keptlog-booksayslittleofthis，butattheendoftheirsecondseason(forty-ninebrace)appearsthedarkentry:\"Newbloodbadlywanted。Theyarebeginningtolistentobeagle-boy。\"
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TheInspectorattendedtothematterwhenhisleavefelldue。
\"Remember，\"saidtheGovernor，\"youmustgetusthebestbloodinEngland——real，daintyhounds——expensenoobject，butdon\'ttrustyourownjudgment。Presentmylettersofintroduction，andtakewhattheygiveyou。
TheInspectorpresentedhislettersinasocietywheretheymakemuchofhorses，moreofhounds，andaretolerablyciviltomenwhocanride。Theypassedhimfromhousetohouse，mountedhimaccordingtohismerits，andfedhim，afterfiveyearsofgoatchopandWorcestersauce，perhapsathoughttoorichly。
Theseatorcastlewherehemadehisgreatcoupdoesnotmuchmatter。FourMastersofFoxhoundswereattable，andinamellowhourtheInspectortoldthemstoriesoftheGihonHunt。Heended:
\"BensaidIwasn\'ttotrustmyownjudgmentabouthounds，butI
thinkthereoughttobeaspecialtariffforEmpire-makers。\"
Assoonashishostscouldspeak，theyreassuredhimonthispoint。
\"Andnowtellusaboutyourfirstpuppy-showalloveragain，\"
saidone。
\"Andabouttheearth-stoppin\'。WasthatallBen\'sowninvention？\"
saidanother。
\"Waitamoment，\"saidalarge，clean-shavenman——notanM。F。H——attheendofthetable。\"AreyourvillagershabituallybeatenbyyourGovernorwhentheyfailtostopfoxes\'holes？\"
Thetoneandthephrasewereenoughevenif，astheInspectorconfessedafterwards，thebig，bluedouble-chinnedmanhadnotlookedsolikeBeagle-boy。HetookhimonforthehonourofEthiopia。
\"Weonlyhunttwiceaweek——sometimesthreetimes。I\'veneverknownamanchastisedmorethanfourtimesaweekunlessthere\'sabye。\"
Thelargeloose-lippedmanflunghisnapkindown，cameroundthetable，casthimselfintothechairnexttheInspector，andleanedforwardearnestly，sothathebreathedintheInspector\'sface。
\"Chastisedwithwhat？\"hesaid。
\"Withthekourbash——onthefeet。Akourbashisastripofoldhippo-hidewithasortofkeelonit，likethecuttingedgeofaboar\'stusk。Butweusetheroundedsideforafirstoffender。\"
\"Anddoanyconsequencesfollowthissortofthing？Forthevictim，Imean——notforyou？\"
Ve-ryrarely。Letmebefair。I\'veneverseenamandieunderthelash，butgangrenemaysetupifthekourbashhasbeenpickled。\"
\"Pickledinwhat？\"Allthetablewasstillandinterested。
\"Incopperas，ofcourse。Didn\'tyouknowthat\"saidtheInspector。
\"ThankGodIdidn\'t。\"Thelargemansputteredvisibly。
TheInspectorwipedhisfaceandgrewbolder。
\"Youmustn\'tthinkwe\'recarelessaboutourearthstoppers。We\'veaHuntfundforhottar。Tar\'sasplendiddressingifthetoe-nailsaren\'tbeatenoff。Buthuntin\'aslargeacountryaswedo，wemayn\'tbebackatthatvillageforamonth，andifthedressingsain\'trenewed，andgangrenesetsin，oftenasnotyoufindyourmanpeggingaboutonhisstumps。We\'veawell-knownlocalnamefor\'emdowntheriver。Wecall\'emtheMudir\'sCranes。Yousee，IpersuadedtheGovernoronlytobastinadoononefoot。\"
\"Ononefoot？TheMudir\'sCranes!\"Thelargemanturnedpurpletothetopofhisbaldhead。\"WouldyoumindgivingmethelocalwordforMudir\'sCranes？\"
Fromatoowell-stockedmemorytheInspectordrewoneshortadhesivewordwhichsurprisesbyitselfevenunblushingEthiopia。
Hespeltitout，sawthelargemanwriteitdownonhiscuffandwithdraw。ThentheInspectortranslatedafewofitssignificationsandimplicationstothefourMastersofFoxhounds。
HeleftthreedayslaterwitheightcoupleofthebesthoundsinEngland——afreeandafriendlyandanamplegiftfromfourpackstotheGihonHunt。Hehadhonestlymeanttoundeceivethelargebluemottledman，butsomehowforgotaboutit。
ThenewdraftmarksanewchapterintheHunt\'shistory。Fromanisolatedphenomenoninabargeitbecameapermanentinstitutionwithbrick-builtkennelsashore，andaninfluencesocial，political，andadministrative，co-terminouswiththeboundariesoftheprovince。Ben，theGovernor，departedtoEngland，wherehekeptapackofrealdaintyhounds，butneverceasedtolongfortheoldlawlesslot。Hissuccessorswereex-officioMastersoftheGihonHunt，asallInspectorswereWhips。Foronereason；
Farag，thekennelhuntsman，inkhakiandputtees，wouldobeynothingundertherankofanExcellency，andthehoundswouldobeynoonebutFarag；foranother，thebestwayofestimatingcropreturnsandrevenuewasbyridingstraighttohounds；forathird，thoughJudgesdowntheriverissuedsignedandsealedland-titlestoalllawfulowners，yetpublicopinionalongtheriverneverheldanysuchtitlevalidtillithadbeenconfirmed，accordingtoprecedent，bytheGovernor\'shuntingcropinthehuntingfield，abovethewilfullyneglectedearth。True，theceremonyhadbeencutdowntothreemeretapsontheshoulder，butGovernorswhotriedtoevadethatmuchfoundthemselvesandtheirofficecompassedaboutwithagreatcloudofwitnesseswhotookuptheirtimewithlawsuitsand，worsestill，neglectedthepuppies。
Theoldersheikhs，indeed，stoodoutfortheunmeasurablebeatingsoftheolddays——thesharperthepunishment，theyargued，thesurerthetitle；butherethehandofmodernprogresswasagainstthem，andtheycontentedthemselveswithtellingtalesofBenthefirstGovernor，whomtheycalledtheFatherofWaterwheels，andofthatheroicagewhenmen，horses，andhoundswereworthfollowing。
ThissameModernProgresswhichbroughtdogbiscuitandbrasswater-tapstothekennelswasatworkallovertheworld。Forces，Activities，andMovementssprangintobeing，agitatedthemselves，coalesced，and，inonepoliticalavalanche，overwhelmedabewildered，andnotintheleastintendingit，England。TheechoesoftheNewErawereborneintotheProvinceonthewingsofinexplicablecables。TheGihonHuntreadspeechesandsentiments，andpolicieswhichamazedthem，andtheythankedGod，prematurely，thattheirProvincewastoofaroff，toohot，andtoohardworkedtobereachedbythosespeakersortheirpolicies。Butthey，withothers，under-estimatedthescopeandpurposeoftheNewEra。
Onebyone，theProvincesoftheEmpirewerehauledupandbaited，hitandheld，lashedunderthebelly，andforcedbackontheirhaunchesfortheamusementoftheirnewmastersintheparishofWestminster。Onebyonetheyfellaway，soreandangry，tocomparestripeswitheachotherattheendsoftheuneasyearth。EvensotheGihonHunt，likeAbuHusseinintheolddays，didnotunderstand。ThenitreachedthemthroughthePressthattheyhabituallyfloggedtodeathgoodrevenue-payingcultivatorswhoneglectedtostopearths；butthatthefew，theveryfewwhodidnotdieunderhippohidewhipssoakedincopperas，walkedaboutontheirgangrenousankle-bones，andwereknowninderisionastheMudir\'sCranes。ThechargeswerevouchedforintheHouseofCommonsbyaMr。LethabieGroombride，whohadformedaCommittee，andwasdisseminatingliterature:TheProvincegroaned；theInspector——nowanInspectorofInspectors——whistled。
Hehadforgottenthegentlemanwhosputteredinpeople\'sfaces。
\"Heshouldn\'thavelookedsolikeBeagle-boy!\"washissoledefencewhenhemettheGovernoratbreakfastonthesteamerafterameet。
\"Youshouldn\'thavejokedwithananimalofthatclass，\"saidPetertheGovernor。\"LookwhatFaraghasbroughtme!\"
Itwasapamphlet，signedonbehalfofaCommitteebyaladysecretary，butcomposedbysomepersonwhothoroughlyunderstoodthelanguageoftheProvince。Aftertellingthetaleofthebeatings，itrecommendedallthebeatentoinstitutecriminalproceedingsagainsttheirGovernor，and，assoonasmightbe，toriseagainstEnglishoppressionandtyranny。SuchdocumentswerenewinEthiopiainthosedays。
TheInspectorreadthelasthalfpage。\"But——but，\"hestammered，\"thisisimpossible。Whitemendon\'twritethissortofstuff。\"
\"Don\'tthey，just？\"saidtheGovernor。\"TheygetmadeCabinetMinistersfordoingittoo。Iwenthomelastyear。Iknow。\"
\"It\'llblowover，\"saidtheInspectorweakly。
\"Notit。Groombrideiscomingdownheretoinvestigatethematterinafewdays。\"
\"Forhimself？\"
\"TheImperialGovernment\'sbehindhim。Perhapsyou\'dliketolooktmyorders。\"TheGovernorlaiddownanuncodedcable。Thewhiplashtoitran:\"YouwillaffordMr。Groombrideeveryfacilityforhisinquiry，andwillbeheldresponsiblethatnoobstaclesareputinhiswaytothefullestpossibleexaminationofanywitnesseswhichhemayconsidernecessary。Hewillbeaccompaniedbyhisowninterpreter，whomustnotbetamperedwith。\"
\"That\'stome——GovernoroftheProvince!\"saidPetertheGovernor。
\"Itseemsaboutenough，\"theInspectoranswered。
Farag，kennel-huntsman，enteredthesaloon，aswashisprivilege。
\"Myuncle，whowasbeatenbytheFatherofWaterwheels，wouldapproach，OExcellency，\"hesaid，\"andthereareothersonthebank。\"
\"Admit，\"saidtheGovernor。
Theretrampedaboardsheikhsandvillagerstothenumberofseventeen。Ineachman\'shandwasacopyofthepamphlet；ineachman\'seyeterroranduneasinessofthesortthatGovernorsspendandarespenttoclearaway。Farag\'suncle，nowSheikhofthevillage，spoke:\"Itiswritteninthisbook，Excellency，thatthebeatingswherebyweholdourlandsareallvalueless。ItiswrittenthateverymanwhoreceivedsuchabeatingfromtheFatherofWaterwheelswhoslowtheEmirs，shouldinstantlybeginalawsuit，becausethetitletohislandisnotvalid。\"
\"Itissowritten。Wedonotwishlawsuits。WewishtoholdthelandasitwasgiventousafterthedaysoftheOppression，\"
theycried。
TheGovernorglancedattheInspector。Thiswasserious。Tocastdoubtontheownershipoflandmeans，inEthiopia，thelettinginofwaters，andthegettingoutoftroops。
\"Yourtitlesaregood，\"saidtheGovernor。TheInspectorconfirmedwithanod。
\"ThenwhatisthemeaningofthesewritingswhichcamefromdowntheriverwheretheJudgesare？\"Farag\'sunclewavedhiscopy。
\"Bywhoseorderareweorderedtoslayyou，OExcellencyOurGovernor？\"
\"Itisnotwrittenthatyouaretoslayme。\"
\"Notinthoseverywords，butifweleaveanearthunstopped，itisthesameasthoughwewishedtosaveAbuHusseinfromthehounds。Thesewritingssay:\'Abolishyourrulers。\'Howcanweabolishexceptwekill？Wehearrumoursofonewhocomesfromdowntheriversoontoleadustokill。\"
\"Fools!\"saidtheGovernor。\"Yourtitlesaregood。Thisismadness!\"
\"Itissowritten，\"theyansweredlikeapack。
\"Listen，\"saidtheInspectorsmoothly。\"Iknowwhocausedthewritingstobewrittenandsent。Heisamanofablue-mottledjowl，inaspectlikeBigglebaiwhoateuncleanmatters。Hewillcomeuptheriverandwillgivetongueaboutthebeatings。\"
\"Willheimpeachourland-titles？Anevildayforhim!\"
\"Goslow，Baker，\"theGovernorwhispered。\"They\'llkillhimiftheygetscaredabouttheirland。\"
\"Itellaparable。\"TheInspectorlitacigarette。\"DeclarewhichofyoutooktowalkthechildrenofMilkmaid？\"
\"Melik-meidFirstorSecond？\"saidFaragquickly。
\"Thesecond——theonewhichwaslamedbythethorn。\"
\"No——no。Melik-meidtheSecondstrainedhershoulderleapingmywater-channel，\"asheikhcried。\"Melik-meidtheFirstwaslamedbythethornsonthedaywhenOurExcellencyfellthrice。\"
\"True——true。ThesecondMelik-meid\'smatewasMalvolio，thepiedhound，\"saidtheInspector。
\"IhadtwoofthesecondMelik-meid\'spups，\"saidFarag\'suncle。
\"Theydiedofthemadnessintheirninthmonth。\"
\"Andhowdidtheydobeforetheydied？\"saidtheInspector。
\"Theyranaboutinthesun，andslaveredatthemouthtilltheydied。\"
\"Wherefore？\"
\"Godknows。Hesentthemadness。Itwasnofaultofmine。\"
\"Thyownmouthhathansweredthee。\"TheInspectorlaughed。\"Itiswithmenasitiswithdogs。Godafflictssomewithamadness。Itisnofaultofoursifsuchmenrunaboutinthesunandfrothatthemouth。Themanwhoiscomingwillemitsprayfromhismouthinspeaking，andwillalwaysedgeandpushintowardshishearers。WhenyeseeandhearhimyewillunderstandthatheisafflictedofGod:beingmad。HeisinGod\'shands。\"
\"Butourtitles——areourtitlestoourlandsgood？\"thecrowdrepeated。
\"Yourtitlesareinmyhands——theyaregood，\"saidtheGovernor。
\"AndhewhowrotethewritingsisanafflictedofGod？\"saidFarag\'suncle。
\"TheInspectorhathsaidit，\"criedtheGovernor。\"Yewillseewhenthemancomes。Osheikhsandmen，haveweriddentogetherandwalkedpuppiestogether，andboughtandsoldbarleyforthehorsesthataftertheseyearsweshouldrunriotonthescentofamadman——anafflictedofGod？\"
\"ButtheHuntpaysustokillmadjackals，\"saidFarag\'suncle。
\"Andhewhoquestionsmytitlestomyland\"
\"Aahh!\'Wareriot!\"TheGovernor\'shunting-cropcrackedlikeathree-pounder。\"ByAllah，\"hethundered，\"iftheafflictedofGodcometoanyharmatyourhands，Imyselfwillshooteveryhoundandeverypuppy，andtheHuntshallridenomore。Onyourheadsbeit。Goinpeace，andtelltheothers。\"
\"TheHuntshallridenomore，\"saidFarag\'suncle。\"Thenhowcanthelandbegoverned？No——no，OExcellencyOurGovernor，wewillnotharmahairontheheadoftheafflictedofGod。HeshallbetousasisAbuHussein\'swifeinthebreedingseason。\"
WhentheyweregonetheGovernormoppedhisforehead。
\"WemustputafewsoldiersineveryvillagethisGroombridevisits，Baker。Tell\'emtokeepoutofsight，andhaveaneyeonthevillagers。He\'strying\'emratherhigh。\"
\"OExcellency，\"saidthesmoothvoiceofFarag，layingtheFieldandCountryLifesquareonthetable，\"istheafflictedofGodwhoresemblesBigglebaionewiththemanwhomtheInspectormetinthegreathouseinEngland，andtowhomhetoldthetaleoftheMudir\'sCranes？\"
\"Thesameman，Farag，\"saidtheInspector。
\"IhaveoftenheardtheInspectortellthetaleto，OurExcellencyatfeeding-timeinthekennels；butsinceIamintheGovernmentserviceIhavenevertoldittomypeople。MayIloosethattaleamongthevillages？\"
*****
TheGovernornodded。\"Noharm，\"saidhe。
ThedetailsofMr。Groombride\'sarrival，withhisinterpreter，whomheproposedshouldeatwithhimattheGovernor\'stable，hisallocutiontotheGovernorontheNewMovement，andthesinsofImperialism，Ipurposelyomit。AtthreeintheafternoonMr。
Groombridesaid:\"Iwillgooutnowandaddressyourvictimsinthisvillage。\"
\"Won\'tyoufinditratherhot？\"saidtheGovernor。\"Theygenerallytake\'anaptillsunsetatthistimeofyear。\"
Mr。Groombride\'slarge，looselipsset。\"That，\"herepliedpointedly，\"wouldbeenoughtodecideme。Ifearyouhavenotquitemasteredyourinstructions。MayIaskyoutosendformyinterpreter？Ihopehehasnotbeentamperedwithbyyoursubordinates。\"
HewasayellowishboycalledAbdul，whohadwelleatenanddrunkwithFarag。TheInspector，bytheway，wasnotpresentatthemeal。
\"Atwhateverrisk，Ishallgounattended，\"saidMr。Groombride。
\"Yourpresencewouldcowthem-fromgivingevidence。Abdul，mygoodfriend，wouldyouverykindlyopentheumbrella？\"
Hepassedupthegang-planktothevillage，andwithnomorepreludethanaSalvationArmypicketinaPortsmouthslum，cried:
\"Oh，mybrothers!\"
Hedidnotguesshowhispathhadbeenprepared。Thevillagewaswidelyawake。Farag，inloose，flowinggarments，quiteunlikeakennelhuntsman\'skhakiandputtees，leanedagainstthewallofhisuncle\'shouse。\"ComeandseetheafflictedofGod，。\"hecriedmusically，\"whoseface，indeed，resemblesthatofBigglebai。\"
Thevillagecame，anddecidedthatonthewholeFaragwasright。
\"Ican\'tquitecatchwhattheyaresaying，\"saidMr。Groombride。
\"Theysayingtheyverymuchpleasedtoseeyou，Sar，\"Adbulinterpreted。
\"ThenIdothinktheymighthavesentadeputationtothesteamer；butIsupposetheywerefrightenedoftheofficials。
Tellthemnottobefrightened，Abdul。\"
\"Hesaysyouarenottobefrightened，\"Abdulexplained。Achildheresputteredwithlaughter。\"Refrainfrommirth，\"Faragcried。
\"TheafflictedofGodistheguestofTheExcellencyOurGovernor。Weareresponsibleforeveryhairofhishead。\"
\"Hehasnone，\"avoicespoke。\"Hehasthewhiteandtheshiningmange。\"
\"NowtellthemwhatIhavecomefor，Abdul，andpleasekeeptheumbrellawellup。IthinkIshallreservemyselfformylittlevernacularspeechattheend。\"
\"Approach!Look!Listen!\"Abdulchanted。\"TheafflictedofGodwillnowmakesport。Presentlyhewillspeakinyourtongue，andwillconsumeyouwithmirth。Ihavebeenhisservantforthreeweeks。Iwilltellyouabouthisundergarmentsandhisperfumesforhishead。\"
Hetoldthematlength。
\"Anddidstthoutakeanyofhisperfumebottles？\"saidFaragattheend。
\"Iamhisservant。Itooktwo，\"Abdulreplied。
\"Askhim，\"saidFarag\'suncle，\"whatheknowsaboutourland-titles。Yeyoungmenareallalike。\"Hewavedapamphlet。
Mr。GroombridesmiledtoseehowtheseedsowninLondonhadbornefruitbyGihon。Lo!Alltheseniorsheldcopiesofthepamphlet。
\"Heknowslessthanabuffalo。HetoldmeonthesteamerthathewasdrivenoutofhisownlandbyDemah-Keraziwhichisadevilinhabitingcrowdsandassemblies，\"saidAbdul。
\"Allahbetweenusandevil!\"awomancackledfromthedarknessofahut。\"Comein，children，hemayhavetheEvilEye。\"
\"No，myaunt，\"saidFarag。\"NoafflictedofGodhasanevileye。
Waittillyehearhismirth-provokingspeechwhichhewilldeliver。IhaveheardittwicefromAbdul。\"
\"Theyseemveryquicktograspthepoint。Howfarhaveyougot，Abdul？\"
\"Allaboutthebeatings，sar。Theyarehighlyinterested。\"
\"Don\'tforgetaboutthelocalself-government，andpleaseholdtheumbrellaoverme。Itishopelesstodestroyunlessonefirstbuildsup。\"
\"HemaynothavetheEvilEye，\"Farag\'sunclegrunted，\"buthisdevilledhimtoocertainlytoquestionmyland-title。Askhimwhetherhestilldoubtsmyland-title？\"
\"Ormine，ormine？\"criedtheelders。
\"Whatodds？HeisanafflictedofGod，\"Faragcalled。\"RememberthetaleItoldyou。\"
\"Yes，butheisanEnglishman，anddoubtlessofinfluence，orOurExcellencywouldnotentertainhim。Bidthedown-countryjackassaskhim。\"
\"Sar，\"saidAbdul，\"thesepeople，muchfearingtheymaybeturnedoutoftheirlandinconsequenceofyourremarks。Thereforetheyaskyoutomakepromisenobadconsequencesfollowingyourvisit。\"
Mr。Groombrideheldhisbreathandturnedpurple。Thenhestampedhisfoot。
\"Tellthem，\"hecried，\"thatifahairofanyoneoftheirheadsistouchedbyanyofficialonanyaccountwhatever，allEnglandshallringwithit。GoodGod!Whatcallousoppression!Thedarkplacesoftheeartharefullofcruelty。\"Hewipedhisface，andthrowingouthisarmscried:\"Tellthem，oh!tellthepoor，serfsnottobeafraidofme。TellthemIcometoredresstheirwrongs——not，heavenknows，toaddtotheirburden。\"
Thelong-drawngurgleofthepractisedpublicspeakerpleasedthemmuch。
\"Thatishowthenewwater-taprunsoutinthekennel，\"saidFarag。\"TheExcellencyOurGovernorentertainshimthathemaymakesport。Makehimsaythemirth-movingspeech。\"
\"Whatdidhesayaboutmyland-titles？\"Farag\'sunclewasnottobeturned。
\"Hesays，\"Faraginterpreted，\"thathedesires，nothingbetterthanthatyoushouldliveonyourlandsinpeace。HetalksasthoughhebelievedhimselftobeGovernor。\"
\"Well。Wehereareallwitnessestowhathehassaid。Nowgoforwardwiththesport。\"Farag\'sunclesmoothedhisgarments。
\"HowdiverselyhathAllahmadeHiscreatures!OnoneHebestowsstrengthtoslayEmirs；anotherHecausestogomadandwanderinthesun，liketheafflictedsonsofMelik-meid。\"
\"Yes，andtoemitsprayfromthemouth，astheInspectortoldus。
AllwillhappenastheInspectorforetold，\"saidFarag。\"IhaveneveryetseentheInspectorthrownoutduringanyrun。\"
\"Ithink，\"AbdulpluckedatMr。Groombride\'ssleeves，\"Ithinkperhapsitisbetternow，Sar，ifyougiveyourfinelittlenativespeech。TheynotunderstandingEnglish，butmuchpleasedatyourcondescensions。\"
\"Condescensions？\"Mr。Groombridespunround。\"IftheyonlyknewhowIfelttowardstheminmyheart!IfIcouldexpressatitheofmyfeelings!Imuststayhereandlearnthelanguage。Holduptheumbrella，AbdullIthinkmylittlespeechwillshowthemI
knowsomethingoftheirvieintime。\"
Itwasashort，simple；carefullylearnedaddress，andtheaccent，supervisedbyAbdulonthesteamer，allowedthehearerstoguessitsmeaning，whichwasarequesttoseeoneoftheMudir\'sCranes；sincethedesireofthespeaker\'slife，theobjecttowhichhewouldconsecratehisdays，wastoimprovetheconditionoftheMudir\'sCranes。Butfirsthemustbeholdthemwithhisowneyes。Would，then，hisbrethren，whomheloved，showhimaMudir\'sCranewhomhedesiredtolove？
Once，twice，andagaininhisperorationherepeatedhisdemand，usingalways——thattheymightseehewasacquaintedwiththeirlocalargot——usingalways，Isay，thewordwhichtheInspectorhadgivenhiminEnglandlongago——theshort，adhesivewordwhich，byitself，surprisesevenunblushingEthiopia。
Therearelimitstothesublimepolitenessofanancientpeople。
Abulky，blue-chinnedmaninwhiteclothes，hisnamered-letteredacrosshislowershirtfront，splutteringfromunderagreen-linedumbrellaalmosttearfulappealstobeintroducedtotheUnintroducible；namingloudlytheUnnameable；dancing，asitseemed，inperversejoyatmerementionoftheUnmentionable——foundthoselimits。Therewasamoment\'shush，andthensuchmirthasGihonthroughhiscenturieshadneverheard——aroarliketotheroarofhisowncataractsinflood。Childrencastthemselvesontheground，androlledbackandforthcheeringandwhooping；strongmen，theirfaceshiddenintheirclothes，swayedinsilence，tilltheagonybecameinsupportable，andtheythrewuptheirheadsandbayedatthesun；women，mothersandvirgins，shrilledshriekuponmountingshriek，andslappedtheirthighsasitmighthavebeentherollofmusketry。Whentheytriedtodrawbreath，somehalf-strangledvoicewouldquackouttheword，andtheriotbeganafresh。Lasttofallwasthecity-trainedAbdul。Heheldontotheedgeofapoplexy，thencollapsed，throwingtheumbrellafromhim。
Mr。Groombrideshouldnotbejudgedtooharshly。Exerciseandstrongemotionunderahotsun，theshockofpublicingratitude，forthemomentruedhisspirit。Hefurledtheumbrella，andwithtbeattheprostrateAbdul，cryingthathehadbeenbetrayed。InwhichposturetheInspector，onhorseback，followedbytheGovernor，suddenlyfoundhim。
*****
\"That\'sallverywell，\"saidtheInspector，whenhehadtakenAbdul\'sdramaticallydyingdepositionsonthesteamer，\"butyoucan\'thammeranativemerelybecausehelaughsatyou。Iseenothingforitbutthelawtotakeitscourse。\"
\"Youmightreducethechargeto——er——tamperingwithaninterpreter，\"saidtheGovernor。Mr。Groombridewastoofargonetobecomforted。
\"It\'sthepublicitythatIfear，\"hewailed。\"Istherenopossiblemeansofhushinguptheaffair？Youdon\'tknowwhataquestion——asinglequestionintheHousemeanstoamanofmyposition——theruinofmypoliticalcareer，Iassureyou。\"
\"Ishouldn\'thaveimaginedit，\"saidtheGovernorthoughtfully。
\"And，thoughperhapsIoughtnottosayit，Iamnotwithouthonourinmyowncountry——orinfluence。Awordinseason，asyouknow，YourExcellency。Itmightcarryanofficialfar。\"
TheGovernorshuddered。
\"Yes，thathadtocometoo，\"hesaidtohimself。\"Well，lookhere。IfItellthismanofyourstowithdrawthechargeagainstyou，youcangotoGehennaforaughtIcare。TheonlyconditionI
makeisthatifyouwrite——Isupposethat\'spartofyourbusinessaboutyourtravels，youdon\'tpraiseme!\"
SofarMr。Groombridehasloyallyadheredtothisunderstanding。
GALLIO\'SSONG
Alldaylongtothejudgment-seatThecrazedProvincialsdrew——
Alldaylongattheirruler\'sfeetHowledforthebloodoftheJew。
InsurrectionwithoneaccordBandeditselfandwoke:
AndPaulwasabouttoopenhismouthWhenAchaia\'sDeputyspoke\"WhethertheGoddescendfromaboveOrthemanascenduponhigh，WhetherthismakeroftentsbeJoveOrayoungerdeity——
IwillbenojudgebetweenyourgodsAndyourgodlessbickerings，Lictor，drivethemhencewithrods——
Icarefornoneofthesethings!
\"WereitaquestionoflawfuldueOralabourer\'shiredenied，ReasonwouldIshouldbearwithyouAndorderitwelltobetriedButthisisaquestionofwordsandnamesAndIknowthestrifeitbrings，Iwillnotpassuponanyyourclaims。
Icarefornoneofthesethings。
\"OnethingonlyIseemostclear，AsIprayyoualsosee。
ClaudiusCaesarhathsetmehereRome\'sDeputytobe。
ItisHerpeacethatyegotobreakNotmine，noranyking\'s，But，touchingyourclamourof\'consciencesake，\'
Icarefornoneofthesethings!\"
THEHOUSESURGEON
OnaneveningafterEasterDay，Isatatatableinahomewardboundsteamer\'ssmoking-room，wherehalfadozenofustoldghoststories。Asourpartybrokeupaman，playingPatienceinthenextalcove，saidtome:\"Ididn\'tquitecatchtheendofthatlaststoryabouttheCurseonthefamily\'sfirst-born。\"
\"Itturnedouttobedrains，\"Iexplained。\"AssoonasnewoneswereputintothehousetheCursewaslifted，Ibelieve。Ineverknewthepeoplemyself。\"
\"Ah!I\'vehadmydrainsuptwice；I\'mongraveltoo。\"
\"Youdon\'tmeantosayyou\'veaghostinyourhouse？Whydidn\'tyoujoinourparty？\"
\"Anymoreorders，gentlemen，beforethebarcloses？\"thestewardinterrupted。
\"Sitdownagain，andhaveonewithme，\"saidthePatienceplayer。
\"No，itisn\'taghost。Ourtroubleismoredepressionthananythingelse。\"
\"Howinteresting？Thenit\'snothinganyonecansee？\"
\"It\'s——it\'snothingworsethanalittledepression。Andtheoddpartisthattherehasn\'tbeenadeathinthehousesinceitwasbuilt——in1863。Thelawyersaidso。Thatdecidedme——mygoodlady，ratherandhemademepayanextrathousandforit。\"
\"Howcurious。Unusual，too!\"Isaid。
\"Yes；ain\'tit？Itwasbuiltforthreesisters——Moultriewasthename——threeoldmaids。Theyalllivedtogether；theeldestownedit。Iboughtitfromherlawyerafewyearsago，andifI\'vespentapoundontheplacefirstandlast，Imusthavespentfivethousand。Electriclight，newservants\'wing，garden——allthatsortofthing。Amanandhisfamilyoughttobehappyaftersomuchexpense，ain\'tit？\"Helookedatmethroughthebottomofhisglass。
\"Doesitaffectyourfamilymuch？\"
\"Mygoodlady——she\'saGreek，bytheway——andmyselfaremiddle-aged。Wecanbearupagainstdepression；butit\'shardonmylittlegirl。Isaylittle；butshe\'stwenty。Wesendhervisitingtoescapeit。Shealmostlivedathotelsandhydros，lastyear，butthatisn\'tpleasantforher。Sheusedtobeacanary——aperfectcanary——alwayssinging。Yououghttohearher。
Shedoesn\'tsingnow。Thatsortofthing\'sunwholesomefortheyoung，ain\'tit？\"
\"Can\'tyougetridoftheplace？\"Isuggested。
\"Notexceptatasacrifice，andwearefondofit。Justsuitsusthree。We\'dloveitifwewereallowed。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbynotbeingallowed？\"
\"Imeanbecauseofthedepression。Itspoilseverything。\"
\"What\'sitlikeexactly？\"
\"Icouldn\'tverywellexplain。Itmustbeseentobeappreciated，astheauctioneerssay。Now，Iwasmuchimpressedbythestoryyouweretellingjustnow。\"
\"Itwasn\'ttrue，\"Isaid。
\"Mytaleistrue。Ifyouwoulddomethepleasuretocomedownandspendanightatmylittleplace，you\'dlearnmorethanyouwouldifItalkedtillmorning。Verylikely\'twouldn\'ttouchyourgoodselfatall。Youmightbe——immune，ain\'tit？Ontheotherhand，ifthisinfluenza，——influencedoeshappentoaffectyou，why，Ithinkitwillbeanexperience。\"
Whilehetalkedhegavemehiscard，andIreadhisnamewasL。
MaxwellM\'Leod，Esq。，ofHolmescroft。ACityaddresswastuckedawayinacorner。
\"Mybusiness，\"headded，\"usedtobefurs。Ifyouareinterestedinfurs——I\'vegiventhirtyyearsofmylifeto\'em。\"
\"You\'reverykind，\"Imurmured。
\"Farfromit，Iassureyou。IcanmeetyounextSaturdayafternoonanywhereinLondonyouchoosetoname，andI\'llbeonlytoohappytomotoryoudown。Itoughttobeadelightfulrunatthistimeofyeartherhododendronswillbeout。Imeanit。Youdon\'tknowhowtrulyImeanit。Veryprobably——itwon\'taffectyouatall。And——IthinkImaysayIhavethefinestcollectionofnarwhaltusksintheworld。AllthebestskinsandhornshavetogothroughLondon，andL。MaxwellM\'Leod，heknowswheretheycomefrom，andwheretheygoto。That\'shisbusiness。\"
Fortherestofthevoyageup-channelMr。M\'Leodtalkedtomeoftheassembling，preparation，andsaleoftherarerfurs；andtoldmethingsaboutthemanufactureoffur-linedcoatswhichquiteshockedme。Somehoworother，whenwelandedonWednesday，I
foundmyselfpledgedtospendthatweek-endwithhimatHolmescroft。
OnSaturdayhemetmewithawell-groomedmotor，andranmeout，inanhourandahalf，toanexclusiveresidentialdistrictofdustlessroadsandelegantlydesignedcountryvillas，eachstandinginfromthreetofiveacresofperfectlyappointedland。
Hetoldmelandwassellingateighthundredpoundstheacre，andthenewgolflinks，whoseQueenAnnepavilionwepassed，hadcostnearlytwenty-fourthousandpoundstocreate。
Holmescroftwasalarge，two-storied，low，creeper-coveredresidence。Averandahatthesouthsidegaveontoagardenandtwotenniscourts，separatedbyatastefulironfencefromamostpark-likemeadowoffiveorsixacres，wheretwoJerseycowsgrazed。Teawasreadyintheshadeofapromisingcopperbeech，andIcouldseegroupsonthelawnofyoungmenandmaidensappropriatelyclothed，playinglawntennisinthesunshine。
\"Aprettyscene，ain\'tit？\"saidMr。M\'Leod。\"Mygoodlady\'ssittingunderthetree，andthat\'smylittlegirlinpinkonthefarcourt。ButI\'lltakeyoutoyourroom，andyoucansee\'emalllater。\"
Heledmethroughawideparquet-flooredhallfurnishedinpalelemon，withhugeCloisonneevases，anebonizedandgoldgrandpiano，andbanksofpotflowersinBenaresbrassbowls，upapaleoakstaircasetoaspaciouslanding，wheretherewasagreenvelvetsetteetrimmedwithsilver。Theblindsweredown，andthelightlayinparallellinesonthefloors。
Heshowedmemyroom，sayingcheerfully:\"Youmaybealittletired。Oneofteniswithoutknowingitafterarunthroughtraffic。Don\'tcomedowntillyoufeelquiterestored。Weshallallbeinthegarden。\"
Myroomwasratherwarm，andsmeltofperfumedsoap。Ithrewupthewindowatonce，butitopenedsoclosetothefloorandworkedsoclumsilythatIcamewithinanaceofpitchingout，whereIshouldcertainlyhaveruinedaratherlop-sidedlaburnumbelow。AsIsetaboutwashingoffthejourney\'sdust，Ibegantofeelalittletired。But，Ireflected，Ihadnotcomedownhereinthisweatherandamongthesenewsurroundingstobedepressed；
soIbegantowhistle。
AnditwasjustthenthatIwasawareofalittlegreyshadow，asitmighthavebeenasnowflakeseenagainstthelight，floatingatanimmensedistanceinthebackgroundofmybrain。Itannoyedme，andIshookmyheadtogetridofit。Thenmybraintelegraphedthatitwastheforerunnerofaswift-stridinggloomwhichtherewasyettimetoescapeifIwouldforcemythoughtsawayfromit，asamanleapingforlifeforceshisbodyforwardandawayfromthefallofawall。ButthegloomovertookmebeforeIcouldtakeinthemeaningofthemessage。Imovedtowardthebed，everynervealreadyachingwiththeforeknowledgeofthepainthatwastobedealtit，andsatdown，whilemyamazedandangrysouldropped，gulfbygulf，intothathorrorofgreatdarknesswhichisspokenofintheBible，andwhich，asauctioneerssay，mustbeexperiencedtobeappreciated。
Despairupondespair，miseryuponmisery，fearafterfear，eachcausingtheirdistinctandseparatewoe，packedinuponmeforanunrecordedlengthoftime，untilatlasttheyblurredtogether，andIheardaclickinmybrainliketheclickintheearwhenonedescendsinadivingbell，andIknewthatthepressureswereequalisedwithinandwithout，andthat，forthemoment，theworstwasatanend。ButIknewalsothatatanymomentthedarknessmightcomedownanew；andwhile，Idweltonthisspeculationpreciselyasamantormentsaragingtoothwithhistongue，itebbedawayintothelittlegreyshadowonthebrainofitsfirstcoming，andoncemoreIheardmybrain，whichknewwhatwouldrecur，telegraphtoeveryquarterfoxhelp，releaseordiversion。
Thedooropened，andM\'Leodreappeared。Ithankedhimpolitely，sayingIwascharmedwithmyroom，anxioustomeetMrs。M\'Leod，muchrefreshedwithmywash，andsoonandsoforth。Beyondalittlestickinessatthecornersofmymouth，itseemedtomethatIwasmanagingmywordsadmirably；thewhilethatImyselfcoweredatthebottomofunclimbablepits。M\'Leodlaidhishandonmyshoulder，andsaid\"You\'vegotitnowalready，ain\'tit？\"
\"Yes，\"Ianswered。\"It\'smakingmesick!\"
\"Itwillpassoffwhenyoucomeoutside。Igiveyoumyworditwillthenpassoff。Come!\"
Ishambledoutbehindhim，andwipedmyforeheadinthehall。
\"Youmusn\'tmind，\"hesaid。\"Iexpecttheruntiredyou。Mygoodladyissittingthereunderthecopperbeech。\"
Shewasafatwomaninanapricot-colouredgown，withaheavilypowderedface，againstwhichherblacklong-lashedeyesshowedlikecurrantsindough。Iwasintroducedtomanyfineladiesandgentlemenofthoseparts。Magnificentlyappointedlandausandcoveredmotorssweptinandoutofthedrive，andtheairwasgaywiththemerryoutcriesofthetennisplayers。
Astwilightdrewontheyallwentaway，andIwasleftalonewithMr。andMrs。M\'Leod，whiletallmenservantsandmaidservantstookawaythetennisandteathings。MissM\'Leodhadwalkedalittledownthedrivewithalight-hairedyoungman，whoapparentlykneweverythingabouteverySouthAmericanrailwaystock。Hehadtoldmeatteathatthesewerethedaysoffinancialspecialisation。
\"Ithinkitwentoffbeautifully，mydear，\"saidMr。M\'Leodtohiswife；andtome:\"Youfeelallrightnow，ain\'tit？Ofcourseyoudo。\"
Mrs。M\'Leodsurgedacrossthegravel。Herhusbandskippednimblybeforeherintothesouthverandah，turnedaswitch，andallHolmescroftwasfloodedwithlight。
\"Youcandothatfromyourroomalso，\"hesaidastheywentin。
\"Thereissomethinginmoney，ain\'tit？\"
MissM\'Leodcameupbehindmeinthedusk。\"Wehavenotyetbeenintroduced，\"shesaid，\"butIsupposeyouarestayingthenight？\"
\"Yourfatherwaskindenoughtoaskme，\"Ireplied。
Shenodded。\"Yes，Iknow；andyouknowtoo，don\'tyou？Isawyourfacewhenyoucametoshakehandswithmamma。Youfeltthedepressionverysoon。Itissimplyfrightfulinthatbedroomsometimes。Whatdoyouthinkitis——bewitchment？InGreece，whereIwasalittlegirl，itmighthavebeen；butnotinEngland，doyouthink？Ordoyou？\"
\"Cheerup，Thea。Itwillallcomeright，\"heinsisted。
\"No，papa。\"Sheshookherdarkhead。\"Nothingisrightwhileitcomes。\"
\"ItisnothingthatweourselveshaveeverdoneinourlivesthatIwillsweartoyou，\"saidMrs。M\'Leodsuddenly。\"Andwehavechangedourservantsseveraltimes。Soweknowitisnotthem。\"
\"Nevermind。Letusenjoyourselveswhilewecan，\"saidMr。
M\'Leod，openingthechampagne。
Butwedidnotenjoyourselves。Thetalkfailed。Therewerelongsilences。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"Isaid，forIthoughtsomeoneatmyelbowwasabouttospeak。
\"Ah!Thatistheotherthing!\"saidMissM\'Leod。Hermothergroaned。
Weweresilentagain，and，inafewsecondsitmusthavebeen，alivegriefbeyondwords——notghostlydreadorhorror，butaching，helplessgrief——overwhelmedus，each，Ifelt，accordingtohisorhernature，andheldsteadylikethebeamofaburningglass。
BehindthatpainIwasconscioustherewasadesireonsomebody\'sparttoexplainsomethingonwhichsometremendouslyimportantissuehung。
MeantimeIrolledbreadpillsandrememberedmysins；M\'Leodconsideredhisownreflectioninaspoon；hiswifeseemedtobepraying，andthegirlfidgetteddesperatelywithhandsandfeet，tillthedarknesspassedon——asthoughthemalignantraysofaburning-glasshadbeenshiftedfromus。\"
\"There，\"saidMissM\'Leod，halfrising。\"Nowyouseewhatmakesahappyhome。Oh，sellit——sellit，fathermine，andletusgoaway!\"
\"ButI\'vespentthousandsonit。YoushallgotoHarrogatenextweek，Theadear。\"
\"I\'monlyjustbackfromhotels。Iamsotiredofpacking。\"
\"Cheerup，Thea。Itisover。Youknowitdoesnotoftencomeheretwiceinthesamenight。Ithinkweshalldarenowtobecomfortable。\"
Heliftedadish-cover，andhelpedhiswifeanddaughter。Hisfacewaslinedandfallenlikeanoldman\'safterdebauch，buthishanddidnotshake，andhisvoicewasclear。Asheworkedtorestoreusbyspeechandaction，heremindedmeofagrey-muzzledcollieherdingdemoralisedsheep。
Afterdinnerwesatroundthedining-roomfirethedrawing-roommighthavebeenundertheShadowforaughtweknewtalkingwiththeintimacyofgipsiesbythewayside，orofwoundedcomparingnotesafteraskirmish。Byeleveno\'clockthethreebetweenthemhadgivenmeeverynameanddetailtheycouldrecallthatinanywayboreonthehouse，andwhattheyknewofitshistory。
Wewenttobedinafortifyingblazeofelectriclight。Myonefearwasthattheblastinggustofdepressionwouldreturn——thesurestway，ofcourse，tobringit。Ilayawaketilldawn，breathingquicklyandsweatinglightly，beneathwhatDeQuinceyinadequatelydescribesas\"theoppressionofinexpiableguilt。\"
Nowassoonasthelovelydaywasbroken，Ifellintothemostterribleofalldreams——thatjoyousoneinwhichallpastevilhasnotonlybeenwipedoutofourlives，buthasneverbeencommitted；andintheveryblissofourassuredinnocence，beforeourlovesshriekandchangecountenance，wewaketothedaywehaveearned。
Itwasacoolishmorning，butwepreferredtobreakfastinthesouthverandah。Theforenoonwespentinthegarden，pretendingtoplaygamesthatcomeoutofboxes，suchascroquetandclockgolf。Butmostofthetimewedrewtogetherandtalked。TheyoungmanwhoknewallaboutSouthAmericanrailwaystookMissM\'Leodforawalkintheafternoon，andatfiveM\'Leodthoughtfullywhirledusalluptodineintown。
\"Now，don\'tsayyouwilltellthePsychologicalSociety，andthatyouwillcomeagain，\"saidMissM\'Leod，asweparted。\"BecauseI
knowyouwillnot。\"
\"Youshouldnotsaythat，\"saidhermother。\"Youshouldsay，\'Goodbye，Mr。Perseus。Comeagain。\'\"
\"Nothim!\"thegirlcried。\"HehasseentheMedusa\'shead!\"
Lookingatmyselfintherestaurant\'smirrors，itseemedtomethatIhadnotmuchbenefitedbymyweek-end。NextmorningI
wroteoutallmyHolmescroftnotesatfullestlength，inthehopethatbysodoingIcouldputitallbehindme。Buttheexperienceworkedonmymind，astheysaycertainimperfectlyunderstoodraysworkonthebody。
IamlesscalculatedtomakeaSherlockHolmesthananymanI
know，forIlackbothmethodandpatience，yettheideaoffollowingupthetroubletoitssourcefascinatedme。Ihadnotheorytogoon，exceptavagueideathatIhadcomebetweentwopolesofadischarge，andhadtakenashockmeantforsomeoneelse。Thiswasfollowedbyafeelingofintenseirritation。I
waitedcautiouslyonmyself，expectingtobeovertakenbyhorrorofthesupernatural，butmyselfpersistedinbeinghumanlyindignant，exactlyasthoughithadbeenthevictimofapracticaljoke。Itwasingreatpainsandupheavals——thatIfeltineveryfibrebutitsdominantidea，toputitcoarsely，wastogetbackabitofitsown。BythisIknewthatImightgoforwardifIcouldfindtheway。
AfterafewdaysitoccurredtometogototheofficeofMr。
J。M。M。Baxter——thesolicitorwhohadsoldHolmescrofttoM\'Leod。
IexplainedIhadsomenotionofbuyingtheplace。Wouldheactformeinthematter？
Mr。Baxter，alarge，greyish，throaty-voicedman，showednoenthusiasm。\"IsoldittoMr。M\'Leod，\"hesaid。\"It\'udscarcelydoformetostartontherunning-downtacknow。ButIcanrecommend——\"
\"Iknowhe\'saskinganawfulprice，\"Iinterrupted，\"andatopofithewantsanextrathousandforwhathecallsyourcleanbillofhealth。\"
Mr。Baxtersatupinhischair。Ihadallhisattention。
\"Yourguaranteewiththehouse。Don\'tyourememberit？\"
\"Yes，yes。Thatnodeathhadtakenplaceinthehousesinceitwasbuilt:Irememberperfectly。\"
Hedidnotgulpasuntrainedmendowhentheylie，buthisjawsmovedstickily，andhiseyes，turningtowardsthedeedboxesonthewall，dulled。Icountedseconds，one，two，three——one，two，threeuptoten。Aman，Iknew，canlivethroughagesofmentaldepressioninthattime。
\"Irememberperfectly。\"Hismouthopenedalittleasthoughithadtastedoldbitterness。
\"Ofcoursethatsortofthingdoesn\'tappealtome。\"Iwenton。
\"Idon\'texpecttobuyahousefreefromdeath。\"
\"Certainlynot。Noonedoes。ButitwasMr。M\'Leod\'sfancy——hiswife\'srather，Ibelieve；andsincewecouldmeetit——itwasmydutytomyclientsatwhatevercosttomyownfeelings——tomakehimpay。\"
\"That\'sreallywhyIcametoyou。Iunderstoodfromhimyouknewtheplacewell。\"
\"Oh，yes。Alwaysdid。Itoriginallybelongedtosomeconnectionsofmine。\"
\"TheMissesMoultrie，Isuppose。Howinteresting!Theymusthavelovedtheplacebeforethecountryroundaboutwasbuiltup。\"
\"Theywereveryfondofitindeed。\"
\"Idon\'twonder。Sorestfulandsunny。Idon\'tseehowtheycouldhavebroughtthemselvestopartwithit。\"
NowitisoneofthemostconstantpeculiaritiesoftheEnglishthatinpoliteconversation——andIhadstriventobepolite——nooneeverdoesorsellsanythingformeremoney\'ssake。
\"MissAgnes——theyoungest——fellill\"(hespacedhiswordsalittle)，\"and，astheywereverymuchattachedtoeachother，thatbrokeupthehome。\"
\"Naturally。Ifancieditmusthavebeensomethingofthatkind。
Onedoesn\'tassociatetheStaffordshireMoultries\"(myDemonofIrresponsibilityatthatinstantcreated\'em)，\"with——withbeinghardup。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhetherwe\'rerelatedtothem，\"heansweredimportantly。\"Wemaybe，forourbranchofthefamilycomesfromtheMidlands。\"
Igivethistalkatlength，becauseIamsoproudofmyfirstattemptatdetectivework。WhenIlefthim，twentyminuteslater，withinstructionstomoveagainsttheownerofHolmescroft，withaviewtopurchase，IwasmorebewilderedthananyDoctorWatsonattheopeningofastory。
Whyshouldamiddle-agedsolicitorturnplovers\'eggcolouranddrophisjawwhenremindedofsoinnocentandfestalamatterasthatnodeathhadeveroccurredinahousethathehadsold？IfI
knewmyEnglishvocabularyatall，thetoneinwhichhesaidtheyoungestsister\"fellill\"meantthatshehadgoneoutofhermind。Thatmightexplainhischangeofcountenance，anditwasjustpossiblethatherdementedinfluencestillhungaboutHolmescroft；buttherestwasbeyondme。
IwasrelievedwhenIreachedM\'Leod\'sCityoffice，andcouldtellhimwhatIhaddone——notwhatIthought。
M\'Leodwasquitewillingtoenterintothegameofthepretendedpurchase，butdidnotseehowitwouldhelpifIknewBaxter。
