TheLadyoftheShroud

By

BramStoker

BOOKI:THEWILLOFROGERMELTON

TheReadingoftheWillofRogerMeltonandallthatFollowed

Recordmade byErnest RogerHalbardMelton, law-student of the InnerTemple, eldest son of Ernest HalbardMelton, eldest son of ErnestMelton,elderbrotherofthesaidRogerMeltonandhisnextofkin.

I consider it at least useful—perhapsnecessary—tohavea complete andaccurate record of all pertaining to theWill of my late grand-uncle RogerMelton.

Towhichendletmeputdownthevariousmembersofhisfamily,andexplainsomeoftheiroccupationsandidiosyncrasies.Myfather,ErnestHalbardMelton,wastheonlysonofErnestMelton,eldestsonofSirGeoffreyHalbardMeltonofHumcroft,intheshireofSalop,aJusticeofthePeace,andatonetimeSheriff.Mygreat-grandfather,SirGeoffrey,hadinheritedasmallestatefromhisfather,RogerMelton.Inhistime,bytheway,thenamewasspelledMilton;butmygreat-great-grandfatherchangedthespellingtothelaterform,ashewasapracticalmannotgiventosentiment,andfearedlestheshouldinthepubliceyebeconfusedwithothersbelongingtothefamilyofaRadicalpersoncalledMilton,whowrotepoetryandwassomesortofofficialinthetimeofCromwell,whilstweareConservatives.Thesamepracticalspiritwhichoriginatedthechangeinthespellingofthefamilynameinclinedhimtogointobusiness.Sohebecame,whilststillyoung,atannerandleather-dresser.Heutilizedforthepurposethepondsandstreams,andalsotheoak-woodsonhisestate—TorrabyinSuffolk.Hemadeafinebusiness,andaccumulatedaconsiderablefortune,withapartofwhichhepurchasedtheShropshireestate,whichheentailed,andtowhichIamthereforeheir-apparent.

SirGeoffreyhad,inadditiontomygrandfather,threesonsandadaughter,thelatterbeingborntwentyyearsafterheryoungestbrother.Thesesonswere:Geoffrey,whodiedwithoutissue,havingbeenkilledintheIndianMutinyatMeerutin1857,atwhichhetookupasword,thoughacivilian,tofightforhislife;Roger(towhomIshallreferpresently);andJohn—thelatter,likeGeoffrey,dyingunmarried.OutofSirGeoffrey’sfamilyoffive,therefore,onlythreehavetobeconsidered:Mygrandfather,whohadthreechildren,twoofwhom,asonandadaughter,diedyoung,leavingonlymyfather,RogerandPatience.Patience,whowasbornin1858,marriedanIrishmanofthenameofSellenger—whichwastheusualwayofpronouncingthenameofSt.Leger,or,astheyspelledit,SentLeger—restoredbylatergenerationstothestillolder

form.Hewasareckless,dare-devilsortoffellow,thenaCaptainintheLancers,amannotwithoutthequalityofbravery—hewontheVictoriaCrossattheBattleofAmoafulintheAshanteeCampaign.ButIfearhelackedtheseriousnessandsteadfaststrenuouspurposewhichmyfatheralwayssaysmarksthecharacterofourownfamily.Heranthroughnearlyallofhispatrimony—neveraverylargeone;andhaditnotbeenformygrand-aunt’slittlefortune,hisdays,hadhelived,musthaveendedincomparativepoverty.Comparative,notactual;fortheMeltons,whoarepersonsofconsiderablepride,wouldnothavetoleratedapoverty-strickenbranchofthefamily.Wedon’tthinkmuchofthatlot—anyofus.

Fortunately,mygreat-auntPatiencehadonlyonechild,andtheprematuredeceaseofCaptainSt.Leger(asIprefertocallthename)didnotallowofthepossibilityofherhavingmore.Shedidnotmarryagain,thoughmygrandmothertriedseveraltimestoarrangeanallianceforher.Shewas,Iamtold,alwaysastiff,uppishperson,whowouldnotyieldherselftothewisdomofhersuperiors.Herownchildwasason,whoseemedtotakehischaracterratherfromhisfather’sfamilythanfrommyown.Hewasawastrelandarollingstone,alwaysinscrapesatschool,andalwayswantingtodoridiculousthings.Myfather,asHeadoftheHouseandhisownseniorbyeighteenyears,triedoftentoadmonishhim;buthisperversityofspiritandhistruculenceweresuchthathehadtodesist.Indeed,Ihaveheardmyfathersaythathesometimesthreatenedhislife.Adesperatecharacterhewas,andalmostdevoidofreverence.Noone,notevenmyfather,hadanyinfluence—goodinfluence,ofcourse,Imean—overhim,excepthismother,whowasofmyfamily;andalsoawomanwholivedwithher—asortofgoverness—aunt,hecalledher.Thewayofitwasthis:CaptainSt.Legerhadayoungerbrother,whomadeanimprovidentmarriagewithaScotchgirlwhentheywerebothveryyoung.TheyhadnothingtoliveonexceptwhattherecklessLancergavethem,forhehadnexttonothinghimself,andshewas“bare”—whichis,Iunderstand,theindelicateScottishwayofexpressinglackoffortune.Shewas,however,Iunderstand,ofanoldandsomewhatgoodfamily,thoughbrokeninfortune—touseanexpressionwhich,however,couldhardlybeusedpreciselyinregardtoafamilyorapersonwhoneverhadfortunetobebrokenin!ItwassofarwellthattheMacKelpies—thatwasthemaidennameofMrs.St.Leger—werereputable—sofarasfightingwasconcerned.Itwouldhavebeentoohumiliatingtohavealliedtoourfamily,evenonthedistaffside,afamilybothpoorandofnoaccount.Fightingalonedoesnotmakeafamily,Ithink.Soldiersarenoteverything,thoughtheythinktheyare.Wehavehadinourfamilymenwhofought;butIneverheardofanyofthemwhofoughtbecausetheywantedto.Mrs.St.Legerhadasister;fortunatelytherewereonlythosetwochildreninthefamily,orelsetheywouldallhavehadtobesupportedbythemoneyofmyfamily.

Mr.St.Leger,whowasonlyasubaltern,waskilledatMaiwand;andhiswifewasleftabeggar.Fortunately,however,shedied—hersisterspreadastorythatitwasfromtheshockandgrief—beforethechildwhichsheexpectedwasborn.Thisallhappenedwhenmycousin—or,rather,myfather’scousin,myfirst-cousin-once-removed,tobeaccurate—wasstillaverysmallchild.HismotherthensentforMissMacKelpie,herbrother-in-law’ssister-in-law,tocomeandlivewithher,whichshedid—beggarscan’tbechoosers;andshehelpedtobringupyoungSt.Leger.

Irememberoncemyfathergivingmeasovereignformakingawittyremarkabouther.Iwasquiteaboythen,notmorethanthirteen;butourfamilywerealwayscleverfromtheverybeginningoflife,andfatherwastellingmeabouttheSt.Legerfamily.Myfamilyhadn’t,ofcourse,seenanythingofthemsinceCaptainSt.Legerdied—thecircletowhichwebelongdon’tcareforpoorrelations—andwasexplainingwhereMissMacKelpiecamein.Shemusthavebeenasortofnurserygoverness,forMrs.St.Legeroncetoldhimthatshehelpedhertoeducatethechild.

“Then,father,”Isaid,“ifshehelpedtoeducatethechildsheoughttohavebeencalledMissMacSkelpie!”

Whenmyfirst-cousin-once-removed,Rupert,wastwelveyearsold,hismotherdied,andhewasinthedolefulsaboutitformorethanayear.MissMacKelpiekeptonlivingwithhimallthesame.Catchherquitting!Thatsortdon’tgointothepoor-housewhentheycankeepout!Myfather,beingHeadoftheFamily,was,ofcourse,oneofthetrustees,andhisuncleRoger,brotherofthetestator,another.ThethirdwasGeneralMacKelpie,apoverty-strickenScotchlairdwhohadalotofvaluelesslandatCroom,inRoss-shire.Irememberfathergavemeanewten-poundnotewhenIinterruptedhimwhilsthewastellingmeoftheincidentofyoungSt.Leger’simprovidencebyremarkingthathewasinerrorastotheland.FromwhatIhadheardofMacKelpie’sestate,itwasproductiveofonething;whenheaskedme“What?”Ianswered“Mortgages!”Father,Iknew,hadbought,notlongbefore,alotofthematwhatacollegefriendofminefromChicagousedtocall“cut-throat”price.WhenIremonstratedwithmyfatherforbuyingthematall,andsoinjuringthefamilyestatewhichIwastoinherit,hegavemeananswer,theastutenessofwhichIhaveneverforgotten.

“IdiditsothatImightkeepmyhandontheboldGeneral,incaseheshouldeverprovetroublesome.Andiftheworstshouldevercometotheworst,Croomisagoodcountryforgrouseandstags!”Myfathercanseeasfarasmostmen!

Whenmycousin—Ishallcallhimcousinhenceforthinthisrecord,lestitmightseemtoanyunkindpersonwhomighthereafterreaditthatIwishedto

tauntRupertSt.Legerwithhissomewhatobscureposition,inreiteratinghisrealdistanceinkinshipwithmyfamily—whenmycousin,RupertSt.Leger,wishedtocommitacertainidioticactoffinancialfolly,heapproachedmyfatheronthesubject,arrivingatourestate,Humcroft,ataninconvenienttime,withoutpermission,nothavinghadeventhedecentcourtesytosayhewascoming.Iwasthenalittlechapofsixyearsold,butIcouldnothelpnoticinghismeanappearance.Hewasalldustyanddishevelled.Whenmyfathersawhim—Icameintothestudywithhim—hesaidinahorrifiedvoice:

“GoodGod!”Hewasfurthershockedwhentheboybrusquelyacknowledged,inreplytomyfather’sgreeting,thathehadtravelledthirdclass.Ofcourse,noneofmyfamilyevergoanythingbutfirstclass;eventheservantsgosecond.Myfatherwasreallyangrywhenhesaidhehadwalkedupfromthestation.

“Anicespectacleformytenantsandmytradesmen!Toseemy—my—akinsmanofmyhouse,howsoeverremote,trudginglikeatrampontheroadtomyestate!Why,myavenueistwomilesandaperch!Nowonderyouarefilthyandinsolent!”Rupert—really,Icannotcallhimcousinhere—wasexceedinglyimpertinenttomyfather.

“Iwalked,sir,becauseIhadnomoney;butIassureyouIdidnotmeantobeinsolent.IsimplycameherebecauseIwishedtoaskyouradviceandassistance,notbecauseyouareanimportantperson,andhavealongavenue—asIknowtomycost—butsimplybecauseyouareoneofmytrustees.”

“Yourtrustees,sirrah!”saidmyfather,interruptinghim.“Yourtrustees?”

“Ibegyourpardon,sir,”hesaid,quitequietly.“Imeantthetrusteesofmydearmother’swill.”

“Andwhat,mayIaskyou,”saidfather,“doyouwantinthewayofadvicefromoneofthetrusteesofyourdearmother’swill?”Rupertgotveryred,andwasgoingtosaysomethingrude—Iknewitfromhislook—buthestopped,andsaidinthesamegentleway:

“Iwantyouradvice,sir,astothebestwayofdoingsomethingwhichIwishtodo,and,asIamunderage,cannotdomyself.Itmustbedonethroughthetrusteesofmymother’swill.”

“Andtheassistanceforwhichyouwish?”saidfather,puttinghishandinhispocket.IknowwhatthatactionmeanswhenIamtalkingtohim.

“TheassistanceIwant,”saidRupert,gettingredderthanever,“isfrommy—thetrusteealso.TocarryoutwhatIwanttodo.”

“Andwhatmaythatbe?”askedmyfather.“Iwouldlike,sir,tomakeovertomyAuntJanet—”Myfatherinterruptedhimbyasking—hehadevidently

rememberedmyjest:

“MissMacSkelpie?”Rupertgotstillredder,andIturnedaway;Ididn’tquitewishthatheshouldseemelaughing.Hewentonquietly:

“MacKelpie,sir!MissJanetMacKelpie,myaunt,whohasalwaysbeensokindtome,andwhommymotherloved—Iwanttohavemadeovertoherthemoneywhichmydearmotherlefttome.”Fatherdoubtlesswishedtohavethemattertakealessseriousturn,forRupert’seyeswereallshinywithtearswhichhadnotfallen;soafteralittlepausehesaid,withindignation,whichIknewwassimulated:

“Haveyouforgottenyourmothersosoon,Rupert,thatyouwishtogiveawaytheverylastgiftwhichshebestowedonyou?”Rupertwassitting,buthejumpedupandstoodoppositemyfatherwithhisfistclenched.Hewasquitepalenow,andhiseyeslookedsofiercethatIthoughthewoulddomyfatheraninjury.Hespokeinavoicewhichdidnotseemlikehisown,itwassostronganddeep.

“Sir!”heroaredout.Isuppose,ifIwasawriter,which,thankGod,Iamnot—Ihavenoneedtofollowamenialoccupation—Iwouldcallit“thundered.”“Thundered”isalongerwordthan“roared,”andwould,ofcourse,helptogainthepennywhichawritergetsforaline.Fathergotpaletoo,andstoodquitestill.Rupertlookedathimsteadilyforquitehalfaminute—itseemedlongeratthetime—andsuddenlysmiledandsaid,ashesatdownagain:

“Sorry.But,ofcourse,youdon’tunderstandsuchthings.”Thenhewentontalkingbeforefatherhadtimetosayaword.

“Letusgetbacktobusiness.Asyoudonotseemtofollowme,letmeexplainthatitisbecauseIdonotforgetthatIwishtodothis.Iremembermydearmother’swishtomakeAuntJanethappy,andwouldliketodoasshedid.”

“AuntJanet?”saidfather,veryproperlysneeringathisignorance.“Sheisnotyouraunt.Why,evenhersister,whowasmarriedtoyouruncle,wasonlyyourauntbycourtesy.”IcouldnothelpfeelingthatRupertmeanttoberudetomyfather,thoughhiswordswerequitepolite.IfIhadbeenasmuchbiggerthanhimashewasthanme,Ishouldhaveflownathim;buthewasaverybigboyforhisage.Iammyselfratherthin.Mothersaysthinnessisan“appanageofbirth.”

“MyAuntJanet,sir,isanauntbylove.Courtesyisasmallwordtouseinconnectionwithsuchdevotionasshehasgiventous.ButIneedn’ttroubleyouwithsuchthings,sir.Itakeitthatmyrelationsonthesideofmyownhousedonotaffectyou.IamaSentLeger!”Fatherlookedquitetakenaback.

Hesatquitestillbeforehespoke.

“Well,Mr.St.Leger,Ishallthinkoverthematterforawhile,andshallpresentlyletyouknowmydecision.Inthemeantime,wouldyoulikesomethingtoeat?Itakeitthatasyoumusthavestartedveryearly,youhavenothadanybreakfast?”Rupertsmiledquitegenially:

“Thatistrue,sir.Ihaven’tbrokenbreadsincedinnerlastnight,andIamravenouslyhungry.”Fatherrangthebell,andtoldthefootmanwhoansweredittosendthehousekeeper.Whenshecame,fathersaidtoher:

“Mrs.Martindale,takethisboytoyourroomandgivehimsomebreakfast.”Rupertstoodverystillforsomeseconds.Hisfacehadgotredagainafterhispaleness.Thenhebowedtomyfather,andfollowedMrs.Martindale,whohadmovedtothedoor.

Nearlyanhourafterwardsmyfathersentaservanttotellhimtocometothestudy.Mymotherwasthere,too,andIhadgonebackwithher.Themancamebackandsaid:

“Mrs.Martindale,sir,wishestoknow,withherrespectfulservice,ifshemayhaveawordwithyou.”Beforefathercouldreplymothertoldhimtobringher.Thehousekeepercouldnothavebeenfaroff—thatkindaregenerallynearakeyhole—forshecameatonce.Whenshecamein,shestoodatthedoorcurtseyingandlookingpale.Fathersaid:

“Well?”

“Ithought,sirandma’am,thatIhadbettercomeandtellyouaboutMasterSentLeger.Iwouldhavecomeatonce,butIfearedtodisturbyou.”

“Well?”Fatherhadasternwaywithservants.WhenI’mheadofthefamilyI’lltreadthemundermyfeet.That’sthewaytogetrealdevotionfromservants!

“Ifyouplease,sir,Itooktheyounggentlemanintomyroomandorderedanicebreakfastforhim,forIcouldseehewashalffamished—agrowingboylikehim,andsotall!Presentlyitcamealong.Itwasagoodbreakfast,too!Theverysmellofitmadeevenmehungry.Therewereeggsandfrizzledham,andgrilledkidneys,andcoffee,andbutteredtoast,andbloater-paste—”

“Thatwilldoastothemenu,”saidmother.“Goon!”

“Whenitwasallready,andthemaidhadgone,Iputachairtothetableandsaid,‘Now,sir,yourbreakfastisready!’Hestoodupandsaid,‘Thankyou,madam;youareverykind!’andhebowedtomequitenicely,justasifIwasalady,ma’am!”

“Goon,”saidmother.

“Then,sir,heheldouthishandandsaid,‘Good-bye,andthankyou,’andhetookuphiscap.

“‘Butaren’tyougoingtohaveanybreakfast,sir?’Isays.

“‘No,thankyou,madam,’hesaid;‘Icouldn’teathere...inthishouse,Imean!’Well,ma’am,helookedsolonelythatIfeltmyheartmelting,andIventuredtoaskhimiftherewasanymortalthingIcoulddoforhim.‘Dotellme,dear,’Iventuredtosay.‘Iamanoldwoman,andyou,sir,areonlyaboy,thoughit’safinemanyouwillbe—likeyourdear,splendidfather,whichIremembersowell,andgentlelikeyourpoordearmother.’

“‘You’readear!’hesays;andwiththatItookuphishandandkissedit,forIrememberhispoordearmothersowell,thatwasdeadonlyayear.Well,withthatheturnedhisheadaway,andwhenItookhimbytheshouldersandturnedhimround—heisonlyayoungboy,ma’am,forallheissobig—Isawthatthetearswererollingdownhischeeks.WiththatIlaidhisheadonmybreast—I’vehadchildrenofmyown,ma’am,asyouknow,thoughthey’reallgone.Hecamewillingenough,andsobbedforalittlebit.Thenhestraightenedhimselfup,andIstoodrespectfullybesidehim.

“‘TellMr.Melton,’hesaid,‘thatIshallnot troublehimaboutthetrusteebusiness.’

“‘Butwon’tyoutellhimyourself,sir,whenyouseehim?’Isays.

“‘Ishallnotseehimagain,’hesays;‘Iamgoingbacknow!’

“Well,ma’am,Iknewhe’dhadnobreakfast,thoughhewashungry,andthathewouldwalkashecome,soIventuredtosay:‘Ifyouwon’ttakeitaliberty,sir,mayIdoanythingtomakeyourgoingeasier?Haveyousufficientmoney,sir?Ifnot,mayIgive,orlend,yousome?Ishallbeveryproudifyouwillallowmeto.’

“‘Yes,’hesaysquitehearty.‘Ifyouwill,youmightlendmeashilling,asIhavenomoney.Ishallnotforgetit.’Hesaid,ashetookthecoin:‘Ishallreturntheamount,thoughInevercanthekindness.Ishallkeepthecoin.’Hetooktheshilling,sir—hewouldn’ttakeanymore—andthenhesaidgood-bye.Atthedoorheturnedandwalkedbacktome,andputhisarmsroundmelikearealboydoes,andgavemeahug,andsayshe:

“‘Thankyouathousandtimes,Mrs.Martindale,foryourgoodnesstome,foryoursympathy,andforthewayyouhavespokenofmyfatherandmother.Youhaveseenmecry,Mrs.Martindale,’hesaid;‘Idon’toftencry:thelasttimewaswhenIcamebacktothelonelyhouseaftermypoordearwaslaidtorest.Butyounoranyothershalleverseeatearofmineagain.’Andwiththathestraightenedouthisbigbackandhelduphisfineproudhead,andwalked

out.Isawhimfromthewindowstridingdowntheavenue.My!butheisaproudboy,sir—anhonourtoyourfamily,sir,sayIrespectfully.Andthere,theproudchildhasgoneawayhungry,andhewon’t,Iknow,everusethatshillingtobuyfood!”

Fatherwasnotgoingtohavethat,youknow,sohesaidtoher:

“Hedoesnotbelongtomyfamily,Iwouldhaveyoutoknow.True,heisalliedtousthroughthefemaleside;butwedonotcounthimorhisinmyfamily.”Heturnedawayandbegantoreadabook.Itwasadecidedsnubtoher.

ButmotherhadawordtosaybeforeMrs.Martindalewasdonewith.Motherhasaprideofherown,anddoesn’tbrookinsolencefrominferiors;andthehousekeeper’sconductseemedtoberatherpresuming.Mother,ofcourse,isn’tquiteourclass,thoughherfolkarequiteworthyandenormouslyrich.SheisoneoftheDalmallingtons,thesaltpeople,oneofwhomgotapeeragewhentheConservativeswentout.Shesaidtothehousekeeper:

“Ithink,Mrs.Martindale,thatIshallnotrequireyourservicesafterthisdaymonth!AndasIdon’tkeepservantsinmyemploymentwhenIdismissthem,hereisyourmonth’swagesdueonthe25thofthismonth,andanothermonthinlieuofnotice.Signthisreceipt.”Shewaswritingareceiptasshespoke.Theothersigneditwithoutaword,andhandedittoher.Sheseemedquiteflabbergasted.Mothergotupandsailed—thatisthewaythatmothermoveswhensheisinawax—outoftheroom.

LestIshouldforgetit,letmesayherethatthedismissedhousekeeperwasengagedtheverynextdaybytheCountessofSalop.ImaysayinexplanationthattheEarlofSalop,K.G.,whoisLord-LieutenantoftheCounty,isjealousoffather’spositionandhisgrowinginfluence.FatherisgoingtocontestthenextelectionontheConservativeside,andissuretobemadeaBaronetbeforelong.

LetterfromMajor-GeneralSirColinAlexanderMacKelpie,V.C.,K.C.B.,of Croom, Ross, N.B., to Rupert Sent Leger, Esq., 14, Newland Park,Dulwich,London,S.E.

July4,1892.

MyDearGodson,

IamtrulysorryIamunabletoagreewithyourrequestthatIshouldacquiesceinyourdesiretotransfertoMissJanetMacKelpiethepropertybequeathedtoyoubyyourmother,ofwhichpropertyIamatrustee.Letmesayatoncethat,haditbeenpossibletometodoso,Ishouldhavehelditaprivilegetofurthersuchawish—notbecausethebeneficiarewhomyouwould

createisanearkinswomanofmyown.That,intruth,ismyrealdifficulty.Ihaveundertakenatrustmadebyanhonourableladyonbehalfofheronlyson—sonofamanofstainlesshonour,andadearfriendofmyown,andwhosesonhasarichheritageofhonourfrombothparents,andwhowill,Iamsure,liketolookbackonhiswholelifeasworthyofhisparents,andofthosewhomhisparentstrusted.Youwillsee,Iamsure,thatwhatsoeverImightgrantregardinganyoneelse,myhandsaretiedinthismatter.

Andnowletmesay,mydearboy,thatyourletterhasgivenmethemostintensepleasure.Itisanunspeakabledelighttometofindinthesonofyourfather—amanwhomIloved,andaboywhomIlove—thesamegenerosityofspiritwhichendearedyourfathertoallhiscomrades,oldaswellasyoung.Comewhatmay,Ishallalwaysbeproudofyou;andiftheswordofanoldsoldier—itisallIhave—caneverserveyouinanyway,itanditsmaster’slifeare,andshallbe,whilstliferemainstohim,yours.

ItgrievesmetothinkthatJanetcannot,throughmyact,begiventhateaseandtranquillityofspiritwhichcomefromcompetence.But,mydearRupert,youwillbeoffullageinsevenyearsmore.Then,ifyouareinthesamemind—andIamsureyouwillnotchange—you,beingyourownmaster,candofreelyasyouwill.Inthemeantime,tosecure,sofarasIcan,mydearJanetagainstanymalignstrokeoffortune,Ihavegivenorderstomyfactortoremitsemi-annuallytoJanetonefullhalfofsuchincomeasmaybederivedinanyformfrommyestateofCroom.Itis,Iamsorrytosay,heavilymortgaged;butofsuchasis—ormaybe,freefromsuchchargeasthemortgageentails—somethingatleastwill,Itrust,remaintoher.And,mydearboy,IcanfranklysaythatitistomearealpleasurethatyouandIcanbelinkedinonemorebondinthisassociationofpurpose.Ihavealwaysheldyouinmyheartasthoughyouweremyownson.LetmetellyounowthatyouhaveactedasIshouldhavelikedasonofmyown,hadIbeenblessedwithone,tohaveacted.Godblessyou,mydear.

Yoursever,

ColinAlex.Mackelpie.

Letter from RogerMelton, of OpenshawGrange, to Rupert Sent Leger,Esq.,14,NewlandPark,Dulwich,London,S.E.

July1,1892.

MydearNephew,

Yourletterofthe30thult.received.Havecarefullyconsideredmatterstated,andhavecometotheconclusionthatmydutyasatrusteewouldnotallowmetogivefullconsent,asyouwish.Letmeexplain.Thetestator,inmakingherwill,intendedthatsuchfortuneasshehadatdisposalshouldbe

usedtosupplytoyouhersonsuchbenefitsasitsannualproductshouldprocure.Tothisend,andtoprovideagainstwastefulnessorfoolishnessonyourpart,or,indeed,againstanygenerosity,howsoeverworthy,whichmightimpoverishyouandsodefeatherbenevolentintentionsregardingyoureducation,comfort,andfuturegood,shedidnotplacetheestatedirectlyinyourhands,leavingyoutodoasyoumightfeelinclinedaboutit.But,onthecontrary,sheentrustedthecorpusofitinthehandsofmenwhomshebelievedshouldberesoluteenoughandstrongenoughtocarryoutherintent,evenagainstanycajolementsorpressurewhichmightbeemployedtothecontrary.Itbeingherintention,then,thatsuchtrusteesassheappointedwoulduseforyourbenefittheinterestaccruingannuallyfromthecapitalatcommand,andthatonly(asspecificallydirectedinthewill),sothatonyourarrivingatfullagethecapitalentrustedtousshouldbehandedovertoyouintact,Ifindahard-and-fastdutyinthematterofadheringexactlytothedirectionsgiven.Ihavenodoubtthatmyco-trusteesregardthematterinexactlythesamelight.Underthecircumstances,therefore,we,thetrustees,havenotonlyasingleanduniteddutytowardsyouastheobjectofthetestator’swishes,buttowardseachotherasregardsthemannerofthecarryingoutofthatduty.Itakeit,therefore,thatitwouldnotbeconsonantwiththespiritofthetrustorofourownideasinacceptingitthatanyofusshouldtakeacoursepleasanttohimselfwhichwouldormightinvolveasternoppositiononthepartofotheroftheco-trustees.Wehaveeachofustodotheunpleasantpartofthisdutywithoutfearorfavour.Youunderstand,ofcourse,thatthetimewhichmustelapsebeforeyoucomeintoabsolutepossessionofyourestateisalimitedone.Asbythetermsofthewillwearetohandoverourtrustwhenyouhavereachedtheageoftwenty-one,thereareonlysevenyearstoexpire.Buttillthen,thoughIshouldgladlymeetyourwishesifIcould,ImustadheretothedutywhichIhaveundertaken.Attheexpirationofthatperiodyouwillbequitefreetodivestyourselfofyourestatewithoutprotestorcommentofanyman.

HavingnowexpressedasclearlyasIcanthelimitationsbywhichIamboundwithregardtothecorpusofyourestate,letmesaythatinanyotherwaywhichisinmypowerordiscretionIshallbemosthappytoseeyourwishescarriedoutsofarasrestswithme.Indeed,IshallundertaketousewhatinfluenceImaypossesswithmyco-trusteestoinducethemtotakeasimilarviewofyourwishes.Inmyownthinkingyouarequitefreetouseyourownpropertyinyourownway.Butas,untilyoushallhaveattainedyourmajority,youhaveonlylife-userinyourmother’sbequest,youareonlyatlibertytodealwiththeannualincrement.Onourpartastrusteeswehaveafirstchargeonthatincrementtobeusedforpurposesofyourmaintenance,clothes,andeducation.Astowhatmayremainovereachhalf-year,youwillbefreetodealwithitasyouchoose.Onreceivingfromyouawritten

authorizationtoyourtrustees,ifyoudesirethewholesumoranypartofittobepaidovertoMissJanetMacKelpie,Ishallseethatitiseffected.Believeme,thatourdutyistoprotectthecorpusoftheestate,andtothisendwemaynotactonanyinstructiontoimperilit.Butthereourwarrantystops.Wecandealduringourtrusteeshipwiththecorpusonly.Further,lestthereshouldariseanyerroronyourpart,wecandealwithanygeneralinstructionforonlysolongasitmayremainunrevoked.Youare,andmustbe,freetoalteryourinstructionsorauthorizationsatanytime.Thusyourlatestdocumentmustbeusedforourguidance.

AstothegeneralprincipleinvolvedinyourwishImakenocomment.Youareatlibertytodealwithyourownhowyouwill.Iquiteunderstandthatyourimpulseisagenerousone,andIfullybelievethatitisinconsonancewithwhathadalwaysbeenthewishesofmysister.Hadshebeenhappilyaliveandhadtogivejudgmentofyourintent,Iamconvincedthatshewouldhaveapproved.Therefore,mydearnephew,shouldyousowish,Ishallbehappyforhersakeaswellasyourowntopayoveronyouraccount(asaconfidentialmatterbetweenyouandme),butfrommyownpocket,asumequaltothatwhichyouwishtransferredtoMissJanetMacKelpie.OnhearingfromyouIshallknowhowtoactinthematter.Withallgoodwishes,

Believemetobe,

Youraffectionateuncle,

RogerMelton.

ToRupertSentLeger,Esq.

LetterfromRupertSentLegertoRogerMelton,

July5,1892.

MyDearUncle,

Thankyouheartilyforyourkindletter.Iquiteunderstand,andnowseethatIshouldnothaveaskedyouasatrustee,suchathing.Iseeyourdutyclearly,andagreewithyourviewofit.Ienclosealetterdirectedtomytrustees,askingthemtopayoverannuallytillfurtherdirectiontoMissJanetMacKelpieatthisaddresswhateversummayremainoverfromtheinterestofmymother’sbequestafterdeductionofsuchexpensesasyoumaydeemfitformymaintenance,clothing,andeducation,togetherwithasumofonepoundsterlingpermonth,whichwastheamountmydearmotheralwaysgavemeformypersonaluse—“pocket-money,”shecalledit.

WithregardtoyourmostkindandgenerousoffertogivetomydearAuntJanetthesumwhichIwouldhavegivenmyself,hadsuchbeeninmypower,Ithankyoumosttrulyandsincerely,bothformydearaunt(towhom,ofcourse,

Ishallnotmentionthematterunlessyouspeciallyauthorizeme)andmyself.But,indeed,Ithinkitwillbebetternottoofferit.AuntJanetisveryproud,andwouldnotacceptanybenefit.Withme,ofcourse,itisdifferent,forsinceIwasaweechildshehasbeenlikeanothermothertome,andIloveherverymuch.Sincemymotherdied—andshe,ofcourse,wasall-in-alltome—therehasbeennoother.Andinsuchaloveasourspridehasnoplace.Thankyouagain,dearuncle,andGodblessyou.

Yourlovingnephew,

RupertSentLeger.

ERNESTROGERHALBARDMELTON’SRECORD—Continued.

AndnowretheremainingoneofSirGeoffrey’schildren,Roger.Hewasthethirdchildandthirdson,theonlydaughter,Patience,havingbeenborntwentyyearsafterthelastofthefoursons.ConcerningRoger,IshallputdownallIhaveheardofhimfrommyfatherandgrandfather.Frommygrand-auntIheardnothing,Iwasaverysmallkidwhenshedied;butIrememberseeingher,butonlyonce.Averytall,handsomewomanofalittleoverthirty,withverydarkhairandlight-colouredeyes.Ithinktheywereeithergreyorblue,butIcan’trememberwhich.Shelookedveryproudandhaughty,butIamboundtosaythatshewasverynicetome.IrememberfeelingveryjealousofRupertbecausehismotherlookedsodistinguished.Rupertwaseightyearsolderthanme,andIwasafraidhewouldbeatmeifIsaidanythinghedidnotlike.SoIwassilentexceptwhenIforgottobe,andRupertsaidveryunkindly,andIthinkveryunfairly,thatIwas“Asulkylittlebeast.”Ihaven’tforgotthat,andIdon’tmeanto.However,itdoesn’tmattermuchwhathesaidorthought.Thereheis—ifheisatall—wherenoonecanfindhim,withnomoneyornothing,forwhatlittlehehadhesettledwhenhecameofage,ontheMacSkelpie.Hewantedtogiveittoherwhenhismotherdied,butfather,whowasatrustee,refused;andUncleRoger,asIcallhim,whoisanother,thoughtthetrusteeshadnopowertoallowRuperttothrowawayhismatrimony,asIcalledit,makingajoketofatherwhenhecalleditpatrimony.OldSirColinMacSkelpie,whoisthethird,saidhecouldn’ttakeanypartinsuchapermission,astheMacSkelpiewashisniece.Heisarudeoldman,that.Irememberwhen,notrememberinghisrelationship,IspokeoftheMacSkelpie,hecaughtmeaclipontheearthatsentmeacrosstheroom.HisScotchisverybroad.Icanhearhimsay,“HaesomeattemptatevenSoothernmanners,anddinnamisca’yerbetters,yeyoungpuddock,orI’llwringyersnoot!”Fatherwas,Icouldsee,verymuchoffended,buthedidn’tsayanything.Heremembered,Ithink,thattheGeneralisaV.C.man,andwasfondoffightingduels.Buttoshowthatthefaultwasnothis,hewrungmyear—andthesameeartoo!Isupposehethoughtthatwasjustice!Butit’sonlyrighttosaythathemadeupforitafterwards.WhentheGeneralhad

gonehegavemeafive-poundnote.

Idon’tthinkUncleRogerwasverypleasedwiththewayRupertbehavedaboutthelegacy,forIdon’tthinkheeversawhimfromthatdaytothis.Perhaps,ofcourse,itwasbecauseRupertranawayshortlyafterwards;butIshalltellaboutthatwhenIcometohim.Afterall,whyshouldmyunclebotherabouthim?HeisnotaMeltonatall,andIamtobeHeadoftheHouse—ofcourse,whentheLordthinksrighttotakefathertoHimself!UncleRogerhastonsofmoney,andhenevermarried,soifhewantstoleaveitintherightdirectionheneedn’thaveanytrouble.Hemadehismoneyinwhathecalls“theEasternTrade.”This,sofarasIcangather,takesintheLevantandalleastofit.Iknowhehaswhattheycallintrade“houses”inallsortsofplaces—Turkey,andGreece,andallroundthem,Morocco,Egypt,andSouthernRussia,andtheHolyLand;thenontoPersia,India,andallroundit;theChersonese,China,Japan,andthePacificIslands.Itisnottobeexpectedthatwelandownerscanknowmuchabouttrade,butmyunclecovers—oralas!Imustsay“covered”—alotofground,Icantellyou.UncleRogerwasaverygrimsortofman,andonlythatIwasbroughtuptotryandbekindtohimIshouldn’teverhavedaredtospeaktohim.Butwhenwasachildfatherandmother—especiallymother—forcedmetogoandseehimandbeaffectionatetohim.Hewasn’teverevenciviltome,thatIcanremember—grumpyoldbear!But,then,heneversawRupertatall,sothatItakeitMasterR---isoutoftherunningaltogetherfortestamentaryhonours.ThelasttimeIsawhimmyselfhewasdistinctlyrude.Hetreatedmeasaboy,thoughIwasgettingonforeighteenyearsofage.Icameintohisofficewithoutknocking;andwithoutlookingupfromhisdesk,wherehewaswriting,hesaid:“Getout!WhydoyouventuretodisturbmewhenI’mbusy?Getout,andbedamnedtoyou!”IwaitedwhereIwas,readytotransfixhimwithmyeyewhenheshouldlookup,forIcannotforgetthatwhenmyfatherdiesIshallbeHeadofmyHouse.Butwhenhedidtherewasnotransfixingpossible.Hesaidquitecoolly:

“Oh,it’syou,isit?Ithoughtitwasoneofmyofficeboys.Sitdown,ifyouwanttoseeme,andwaittillIamready.”SoIsatdownandwaited.FatheralwayssaidthatIshouldtrytoconciliateandpleasemyuncle.Fatherisaveryshrewdman,andUncleRogerisaveryrichone.

ButIdon’tthinkUncleR---isasshrewdashethinksheis.Hesometimesmakesawfulmistakesinbusiness.Forinstance,someyearsagoheboughtanenormousestateontheAdriatic,inthecountrytheycallthe“LandofBlueMountains.”Atleast,hesaysheboughtit.Hetoldfathersoinconfidence.Buthedidn’tshowanytitle-deeds,andI’mgreatlyafraidhewas“had.”Abadjobformethathewas,forfatherbelieveshepaidanenormoussumforit,andasIamhisnaturalheir,itreduceshisavailableestatetosomuchless.

AndnowaboutRupert.AsIhavesaid,heranawaywhenhewasaboutfourteen,andwedidnothearabouthimforyears.Whenwe—or,rather,myfather—didhearofhim,itwasnogoodthatheheard.Hehadgoneasacabin-boyonasailingshiproundtheHorn.ThenhejoinedanexploringpartythroughthecentreofPatagonia,andthenanotherupinAlaska,andathirdtotheAleutianIslands.AfterthathewentthroughCentralAmerica,andthentoWesternAfrica,thePacificIslands,India,andalotofplaces.Weallknowthewisdomoftheadagethat“Arollingstonegathersnomoss”;andcertainly,iftherebeanyvalueinmoss,CousinRupertwilldieapoorman.Indeed,nothingwillstandhisidiotic,boastfulwastefulness.Lookatthewayinwhich,whenhecameofage,hemadeoverallhismother’slittlefortunetotheMacSkelpie!Iamsurethat,thoughUncleRogermadenocommenttomyfather,who,asHeadofourHouse,should,ofcourse,havebeeninformed,hewasnotpleased.Mymother,whohasagoodfortuneinherownright,andhashadthesensetokeepitinherowncontrol—asIamtoinheritit,anditisnotintheentail,Iamthereforequiteimpartial—Icanapproveofherspiritedconductinthematter.WeneverdidthinkmuchofRupert,anyhow;butnow,sinceheisinthewaytobeapauper,andthereforeadangerousnuisance,welookonhimasquiteanoutsider.Weknowwhathereallyis.Formyownpart,Iloatheanddespisehim.Justnowweareirritatedwithhim,forweareallkeptontenterhooksregardingmydearUncleRoger’sWill.ForMr.Trent,theattorneywhoregulatedmydearuncle’saffairsandhaspossessionoftheWill,saysitisnecessarytoknowwhereeverypossiblebeneficiaryistobefoundbeforemakingtheWillpublic,soweallhavetowait.Itisespeciallyhardonme,whoamthenaturalheir.ItisverythoughtlessindeedofRuperttokeepawaylikethat.IwrotetooldMacSkelpieaboutit,buthedidn’tseemtounderstandortobeatallanxious—heisnottheheir!HesaidthatprobablyRupertSentLeger—he,too,keepstotheoldspelling—didnotknowofhisuncle’sdeath,orhewouldhavetakenstepstorelieveouranxiety.Ouranxiety,forsooth!Wearenotanxious;weonlywishtoknow.Andifwe—andespeciallyme—whohavealltheannoyanceofthinkingofthedetestableandunfairdeath-duties,areanxious,weshouldbeso.Well,anyhow,he’llgetaproperlybitterdisappointmentandsetdownwhenhedoesturnupanddiscoversthatheisapauperwithouthope!

***

Todaywe(fatherandI)hadlettersfromMr.Trent,tellingusthatthewhereaboutsof“Mr.RupertSentLeger”hadbeendiscovered,andthataletterdisclosingthefactofpoorUncleRoger’sdeathhadbeensenttohim.HewasatTiticacawhenlastheardof.Sogoodnessonlyknowswhenhemaygettheletter,which“askshimtocomehomeatonce,butonlygivestohimsuchinformationabouttheWillashasalreadybeengiventoeverymemberofthetestator’sfamily.”Andthatisnil.Idaresayweshallbekeptwaitingfor

monthsbeforewegetholdoftheestatewhichisours.Itistoobad!

LetterfromEdwardBinghamTrenttoErnestRogerHalbardMelton.

176,Lincoln’sInnFields,

December28,1906.

DearSir,

IamgladtobeabletoinformyouthatIhavejustheardbyletterfromMr.RupertSt.LegerthatheintendedleavingRiodeJaneirobytheS.S.Amazon,oftheRoyalMailCompany,onDecember15.HefurtherstatedthathewouldcablejustbeforeleavingRiodeJaneiro,tosayonwhatdaytheshipwasexpectedtoarriveinLondon.AsalltheotherspossiblyinterestedintheWillofthelateRogerMelton,andwhosenamesaregiventomeinhisinstructionsregardingthereadingoftheWill,havebeenadvised,andhaveexpressedtheirintentionofbeingpresentatthateventonbeingapprisedofthetimeandplace,InowbegtoinformyouthatbycablemessagereceivedthedatescheduledforarrivalatthePortofLondonwasJanuary1prox.Ithereforebegtonotifyyou,subjecttopostponementduetothenon-arrivaloftheAmazon,thereadingoftheWillofthelateRogerMelton,Esq.,willtakeplaceinmyofficeonThursday,January3prox.,ateleveno’clocka.m.

Ihavethehonourtobe,sir,

Yoursfaithfully,

EdwardBinghamTrent.

ToErnestRogerHalbardMelton,Esq.,

Humcroft,

Salop.

Cable:RupertSentLegertoEdwardBinghamTrent.

AmazonarrivesLondonJanuary1.SentLeger.

Telegram(perLloyd’s):RupertSentLegertoEdwardBinghamTrent.

TheLizard,

December31.

AmazonarrivesLondonto-morrowmorning.Allwell.—Leger.

Telegram:EdwardBinghamTrenttoErnestRogerHalbardMellon.

RupertSentLegerarrived.ReadingWilltakesplaceasarranged.—Trent.

ERNESTROGERHALBARDMELTON’SRECORD.

January4,1907.

ThereadingofUncleRoger’sWillisover.FathergotaduplicateofMr.Trent’slettertome,andofthecableandtwotelegramspastedintothisRecord.Webothwaitedpatientlytillthethird—thatis,wedidnotsayanything.Theonlyimpatientmemberofourfamilywasmymother.Shedidsaythings,andifoldTrenthadbeenherehisearswouldhavebeenred.ShesaidwhatridiculousnonsenseitwasdelayingthereadingoftheWill,andkeepingtheHeirwaitingforthearrivalofanobscurepersonwhowasn’tevenamemberofthefamily,inasmuchashedidn’tbearthename.Idon’tthinkit’squiterespectfultoonewhoissomedaytobeHeadoftheHouse!Ithoughtfatherwasweakeninginhispatiencewhenhesaid:“True,mydear—true!”andgotupandlefttheroom.SometimeafterwardswhenIpassedthelibraryIheardhimwalkingupanddown.

FatherandIwentuptotownontheafternoonofWednesday,January2.Westayed,ofcourse,atClaridge’s,wherewealwaysstaywhenwegototown.Motherwantedtocome,too,butfatherthoughtitbetternot.Shewouldnotagreetostayathometillwebothpromisedtosendherseparatetelegramsafterthereading.

AtfiveminutestoelevenweenteredMr.Trent’soffice.Fatherwouldnotgoamomentearlier,ashesaiditwasbadformtoseemeageratanytime,butmostofallatthereadingofawill.Itwasarottengrind,forwehadtobewalkingallovertheneighbourhoodforhalfanhourbeforeitwastime,nottobetooearly.

WhenwewentintotheroomwefoundthereGeneralSirColinMacKelpieandabigman,verybronzed,whomItooktobeRupertSt.Leger—notaverycreditableconnectiontolookat,Ithought!HeandoldMacKelpietookcaretobeintime!Ratherlow,Ithoughtit.Mr.St.Legerwasreadingaletter.Hehadevidentlycomeinbutlately,forthoughheseemedtobeeageraboutit,hewasonlyatthefirstpage,andIcouldseethatthereweremanysheets.Hedidnotlookupwhenwecamein,ortillhehadfinishedtheletter;andyoumaybesurethatneitherInormyfather(who,asHeadoftheHouse,shouldhavehadmorerespectfromhim)tookthetroubletogotohim.Afterall,heisapauperandawastrel,andhehasnotthehonourofbearingourName.TheGeneral,however,cameforwardandgreetedusbothcordially.Heevidentlyhadforgotten—orpretendedtohave—thediscourteouswayheoncetreatedme,forhespoketomequiteinafriendlyway—Ithoughtmorewarmlythanhedidtofather.Iwaspleasedtobespokentosonicely,for,afterall,whateverhismannersmaybe,heisadistinguishedman—haswontheV.C.andaBaronetcy.Hegotthelatternotlongago,aftertheFrontierWarinIndia.Iwasnot,however,ledawayintocordialitymyself.Ihadnotforgottenhisrudeness,andIthoughtthathemightbesuckinguptome.IknewthatwhenI

hadmydearUncleRoger’smanymillionsIshouldbearatherimportantperson;and,ofcourse,heknewittoo.SoIgotevenwithhimforhisformerimpudence.WhenheheldouthishandIputonefingerinit,andsaid,“Howdo?”Hegotveryredandturnedaway.Fatherandhehadendedbyglaringateachother,soneitherofuswassorrytobedonewithhim.AllthetimeMr.St.Legerdidnotseemtoseeorhearanything,butwentonreadinghisletter.IthoughttheoldMacSkelpiewasgoingtobringhimintothematterbetweenus,forasheturnedawayIheardhimsaysomethingunderhisbreath.Itsoundedlike“Help!”butMr.S---didnothear.Hecertainlynonoticeofit.

AstheMacS---andMr.S---satquitesilent,neitherlookingatus,andasfatherwassittingontheothersideoftheroomwithhischininhishand,andas I wanted to show that I was indifferent to the two S’s, I took out thisnotebook,andwentonwiththeRecord,bringingituptothismoment.

THERECORD—Continued.

WhenIhadfinishedwritingIlookedoveratRupert.

Whenhesawus,hejumpedupandwentovertofatherandshookhishandquitewarmly.Fathertookhimverycoolly.Rupert,however,didnotseemtoseeit,butcametowardsmeheartily.Ihappenedtobedoingsomethingelseatthemoment,andatfirstIdidnotseehishand;butjustasIwaslookingatittheclockstruckeleven.WhilstitwasstrikingMr.Trentcameintotheroom.Closebehindhimcamehisclerk,carryingalockedtinbox.Thereweretwoothermenalso.Hebowedtousallinturn,beginningwithme.Iwasstandingoppositethedoor;theotherswerescatteredabout.Fathersatstill,butSirColinandMr.St.Legerrose.Mr.Trentnotdidshakehandswithanyofus—notevenme.Nothingbuthisrespectfulbow.Thatistheetiquetteforanattorney,Iunderstand,onsuchformaloccasions.

Hesatdownattheendofthebigtableinthecentreoftheroom,andaskedustositround.Father,ofcourse,asHeadoftheFamily,tooktheseatathisrighthand.SirColinandSt.Legerwenttotheotherside,theformertakingtheseatnexttotheattorney.TheGeneralknows,ofcourse,thataBaronettakesprecedenceataceremony.ImaybeaBaronetsomedaymyself,andhavetoknowthesethings.

Theclerktookthekeywhichhismasterhandedtohim,openedthetinbox,andtookfromitabundleofpaperstiedwithredtape.Thisheplacedbeforetheattorney,andputtheemptyboxbehindhimonthefloor.Thenheandtheothermansatatthefarendofthetable;thelattertookoutabignotebookandseveralpencils,andputthembeforehim.Hewasevidentlyashorthand-writer.Mr.Trentremovedthetapefromthebundleofpapers,whichheplacedalittledistanceinfrontofhim.Hetookasealedenvelopefromthetop,broketheseal,openedtheenvelope,andfromittookaparchment,inthefoldsof

whichweresomesealedenvelopes,whichhelaidinaheapinfrontoftheotherpaper.Thenheunfoldedtheparchment,andlaiditbeforehimwiththeoutsidepageup.Hefixedhisglasses,andsaid:

“Gentlemen,thesealedenvelopewhichyouhaveseenmeopenisendorsed‘MyLastWillandTestament—RogerMelton,June,1906.’Thisdocument”—holdingitup—“isasfollows:

“‘IRogerMeltonofOpenshawGrangeintheCountyofDorset;ofnumberonehundredandtwenty-threeBerkeleySquareLondon;andof theCastleofVissarion in theLandof theBlueMountains,beingofsoundminddomakethismyLastWillandTestamentonthisdayMondaytheeleventhdayofthemonthofJuneintheyearofOurLordonethousandninehundredandsixatthe office ofmyold friend andAttorneyEdwardBinghamTrent in numberonehundredandseventy-sixLincoln’sInnFieldsLondonherebyrevokingallotherwillsthatImayhaveformerlymadeandgivingthisasmysoleandlastWillmakingdispositionsofmypropertyasfollows:

“‘1.TomykinsmanandnephewErnestHalbardMeltonEsquire,justiceofthePeace,HumcrofttheCountyofSalop,forhissoleuseandbenefitthesumoftwentythousandpoundssterlingfreeofallDutiesTaxesandchargeswhatevertobepaidoutofmyFivepercentumBondsoftheCityofMontreal,Canada.

“‘2.Tomyrespectedfriendandcolleagueasco-trusteetotheWillofmylatesisterPatiencelatewidowofthelateCaptainRupertSentLegerwhopredeceasedher,Major-GeneralSirColinAlexanderMacKelpie,Baronet,holderoftheVictoriaCross,KnightCommanderoftheOrderoftheBath,ofCroominthecountyofRossScotlandasumofTwentythousandpoundssterlingfreeofallTaxesandchargeswhatsoever;tobepaidoutofmyFivepercentumBondsoftheCityofToronto,Canada.

“‘3.ToMissJanetMacKelpiepresentlyresidingatCroomintheCountyofRossScotlandthesumofTwentythousandpoundssterlingfreeofallDutiesTaxesandChargeswhatsoever,tobepaidoutofmyFivepercentumBondsoftheLondonCountyCouncil.

“‘4.TothevariouspersonscharitiesandTrusteesnamedinthescheduleattachedtothisWillandmarkedA.thevarioussumsmentionedtherein,allfreeofDutiesandTaxesandchargeswhatsoever.’”

HereMr.Trentreadoutthelistherefollowing,andannouncedforourimmediateunderstandingofthesituationthetotalamountastwohundredandfiftythousandpounds.Manyofthebeneficiarieswereoldfriends,comrades,dependents,andservants,someofthembeingleftquitelargesumsofmoneyandspecificobjects,suchascuriosandpictures.

“‘5.TomykinsmanandnephewErnestRogerHalbardMeltonpresentlylivinginthehouseofhisfatheratHumcroftSalopthesumofTenthousandpoundssterling.

“‘6.TomyoldandvaluedfriendEdwardBinghamTrentofonehundredandseventy-sixLincoln’sInnFieldssumofTwentythousandpoundssterlingfreefromallDutiesTaxesandChargeswhatsoevertobepaidoutofmyFivepercentumBondsofthecityofManchesterEngland.

“‘7.TomydearnephewRupertSentLegeronlysonofmydearsisterPatienceMeltonbyhermarriagewithCaptainRupertSentLegerthesumofonethousandpoundssterling.IalsobequeathtothesaidRupertSentLegerafurthersumconditionaluponhisacceptanceofthetermsofaletteraddressedtohimmarkedB,andleftinthecustodyoftheaboveEdwardBinghamTrentandwhichletterisanintegralpartofthismyWill.Incaseofthenon-acceptanceoftheconditionsofsuchletter,IdeviseandbequeaththewholeofthesumsandpropertiesreservedthereintotheexecutorshereinappointedColinAlexanderMacKelpieandEdwardBinghamTrentintrusttodistributethesameinaccordancewiththetermsoftheletterinthepresentcustodyofEdwardBinghamTrentmarkedC,andnowdepositedsealedwithmysealinthesealedenvelopecontainingmylastWilltobekeptinthecustodyofthesaidEdwardBinghamTrentandwhichsaidletterCisalsoanintegralpartofmyWill.Andincaseanydoubtshouldariseastomyultimateintentionastothedisposalofmypropertytheabove-mentionedExecutorsaretohavefullpowertoarrangeanddisposeallsuchmattersasmayseembesttothemwithoutfurtherappeal.AndifanybeneficiaryunderthisWillshallchallengethesameoranypartofit,ordisputethevaliditythereof,heshallforfeittothegeneralestatethebequestmadehereintohim,andanysuchbequestshallceaseandbevoidtoallintentsandpurposeswhatsoever.

“‘8.ForpropercompliancewithlawsanddutiesconnectedwithtestamentaryproceedingsandtokeepmysecrettrustssecretIdirectmyExecutorstopayallDeath,Estate,Settlement,Legacy,Succession,orotherdutieschargesimpositionsandassessmentswhateverontheresidueofmyestatebeyondthebequestsalreadynamed,atthescalechargedinthecaseofmostdistantrelativesorstrangersinblood.

“‘9.IherebyappointasmyExecutorsMajor-GeneralSirColinAlexanderMacKelpie,Baronet,ofCroomintheCountyofRoss,andEdwardBinghamTrentAttorneyatLawofonehundredandseventy-sixLincoln’sInnFieldsLondonWestCentralwithfullpowertoexercisetheirdiscretioninanycircumstancewhichmayariseinthecarryingoutmywishesasexpressedinthisWill.AsrewardfortheirservicesinthiscapacityasExecutorstheyaretoreceiveeachoutofthegeneralestateasumofonehundredthousandpoundssterlingfreeofallDutiesandimpositionswhatsoever.

“12.ThetwoMemorandacontainedinthelettersmarkedBandCareIntegralPartsofthismyLastWillareultimatelyattheProbateoftheWilltobetakenasClauses10and11ofit.TheenvelopesaremarkedBandConbothenvelopeandcontentsandthecontentsofeachisheadedthus:BtobereadasClause10ofmyWillandtheotherCtobereadasClause11ofmyWill.

“13.Shouldeitheroftheabove-mentionedExecutorsdiebeforethecompletionoftheaboveyearandahalffromthedateoftheReadingofmyWillorbeforetheConditionsrehearsedinLetterCtheremainingExecutorshallhaveallandseveraltheRightsandDutiesentrustedbymyWilltoboth.AndifbothExecutorsshoulddiethenthematterofinterpretationandexecutionofallmattersinconnectionwiththismyLastWillshallrestwiththeLordChancellorofEnglandforthetimebeingorwithwhomsoeverhemayappointforthepurpose.

“‘ThismyLastWillisgivenbymeonthefirstdayofJanuaryintheyearofOurLordonethousandninehundredandseven.

“‘RogerMelton.

“WeAndrewRossiterandJohnColsonhereinthepresenceofeachotherandoftheTestatorhaveseentheTestatorRogerMeltonsignandsealthisdocument.Inwitnessthereofweherebysetournames

“‘AndrewRossiterclerkof9PrimroseAvenueLondonW.C.

“‘John Colson caretaker of 176 Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Verger of St.Tabitha’sChurchClerkenwellLondon.’”

WhenMr.Trenthadfinishedthereadingheputallthepaperstogether,andtiedthemupinabundleagainwiththeredtape.Holdingthebundleinhishand,hestoodup,sayingashedidso:

“Thatisall,gentlemen,unlessanyofyouwishtoaskmeanyquestions;inwhichcaseIshallanswer,ofcourse,tothebestofmypower.Ishallaskyou,SirColin,toremainwithme,aswehavetodealwithsomematters,ortoarrangeatimewhenwemaymeettodoso.Andyoualso,Mr.SentLeger,asthereisthislettertosubmittoyou.Itisnecessarythatyoushouldopenitinthepresenceoftheexecutors,butthereisnonecessitythatanyoneelseshouldbepresent.”

Thefirsttospeakwasmyfather.Ofcourse,asacountygentlemanofpositionandestate,whoissometimesaskedtotakethechairatSessions—ofcourse,whenthereisnotanyonewithatitlepresent—hefoundhimselfunderthedutyofexpressinghimselffirst.OldMacKelpiehassuperiorrank;butthiswasafamilyaffair,inwhichmyfatherisHeadoftheHouse,whilstold

MacKelpieisonlyanoutsiderbroughtintoit—andthenonlytothedistaffside,bythewifeofayoungerbrotherofthemanwhomarriedintoourfamily.FatherspokewiththesamelookonhisfaceaswhenheasksimportantquestionsofwitnessesatQuarterSessions.

“Ishouldlikesomepointselucidated.”Theattorneybowed(hegetshis120thou’,anyway,sohecanaffordtobeoily—suave,Isupposehewouldcallit);sofatherlookedataslipofpaperinhishandandasked:

“Howmuchistheamountofthewholeestate?”

Theattorneyansweredquickly,andIthoughtratherrudely.Hewasredintheface,anddidn’tbowthistime;Isupposeamanofhisclasshasn’tmorethanaverylimitedstockofmanners:

“That,sir,Iamnotatlibertytotellyou.AndImaysaythatIwouldnotifIcould.”

“Isitamillion?”saidfatheragain.Hewasangrythistime,andevenredderthantheoldattorney.Theattorneysaidinanswer,veryquietlythistime:

“Ah,that’scross-examining.Letmesay,sir,thatnoonecanknowthatuntiltheaccountantstobeappointedforthepurposehaveexaminedtheaffairsofthetestatoruptodate.”

Mr.RupertSt.Leger,whowaslookingallthistimeangrierthaneventheattorneyormyfather—thoughatwhathehadtobeangryaboutIcan’timagine—struckhisfistonthetableandroseupasiftospeak,butashecaughtsightofbotholdMacKelpieandtheattorneyhesatdownagain.Mem.—Thosethreeseemtoagreetoowell.Imustkeepasharpeyeonthem.Ididn’tthinkofthispartanymoreatthetime,forfatheraskedanotherquestionwhichinterestedmemuch:

“MayIaskwhytheothermattersoftheWillarenotshowntous?”Theattorneywipedhisspectaclescarefullywithabigsilkbandannahandkerchiefbeforeheanswered:

“Simplybecauseeachofthetwolettersmarked‘B’and‘C’isenclosedwithinstructionsregardingtheiropeningandthekeepingsecretoftheircontents.Ishallcallyourattentiontothefactthatbothenvelopesaresealed,andthatthetestatorandbothwitnesseshavesignedtheirnamesacrosstheflapofeachenvelope.Ishallreadthem.Thelettermarked‘B,’directedto‘RupertSentLeger,’isthusendorsed:

“‘ThisletteristobegiventoRupertSentLegerbytheTrusteesandistobeopenedbyhimintheirpresence.Heistotakesuchcopyormakesuchnotesashemaywishandisthentohandtheletterwithenvelopetothe

Executorswhoareatoncetoreadit,eachofthembeingentitledtomakecopyornotesifdesirousofsodoing.TheletteristhentobereplacedinitsenvelopeandletterandenvelopearetobeplacedinanotherenvelopetobeendorsedonoutsideastoitscontentsandtobesignedacrosstheflapbyboththeExecutorsandbythesaidRupertSentLeger.

“‘(Signed)RogerMelton1/6/’06.

“The letter marked ‘C,’ directed to ‘Edward Bingham Trent,’ is thusendorsed:

“‘ThisletterdirectedtoEdwardBinghamTrentistobekeptbyhimunopenedforatermoftwoyearsafterthereadingofmyLastWillunlesssaidperiodisearlierterminatedbyeithertheacceptanceorrefusalofRupertSentLegertoaccepttheconditionsmentionedinmylettertohimmarked‘B’whichheistoreceiveandreadinthepresenceofmyExecutorsatthesamemeetingasbutsubsequenttotheReadingoftheclauses(exceptthosetobeultimatelynumberstenandeleven)ofmyLastWill.ThislettercontainsinstructionsastowhatboththeExecutorsandthesaidRupertSentLegeraretodowhensuchacceptanceorrefusalofthesaidRupertSentLegerhasbeenmadeknown,orifheomitorrefusetomakeanysuchacceptanceorrefusal,attheendoftwoyearsnextaftermydecease.

“‘(Signed)RogerMelton1/6/’06.’”

Whentheattorneyhadfinishedreadingthelastletterheputitcarefullyinhispocket.Thenhetooktheotherletterinhishand,andstoodup.“Mr.RupertSentLeger,”hesaid,“pleasetoopenthisletter,andinsuchawaythatallpresentmayseethatthememorandumattopofthecontentsisgivenas—

“‘B.TobereadasclausetenofmyWill.’”

St.Legerrolleduphissleevesandcuffsjustasifhewasgoingtoperformsomesortofprestidigitation—itwasverytheatricalandridiculous—then,hiswristsbeingquitebare,heopenedtheenvelopeandtookouttheletter.Weallsawitquitewell.Itwasfoldedwiththefirstpageoutward,andonthetopwaswrittenalinejustastheattorneysaid.Inobediencetoarequestfromtheattorney,helaidbothletterandenvelopeonthetableinfrontofhim.Theclerkthenroseup,and,afterhandingapieceofpapertotheattorney,wentbacktohisseat.Mr.Trent,havingwrittensomethingonthepaper,askedusallwhowerepresent,eventheclerkandtheshorthandman,tolookatthememorandumontheletterandwhatwaswrittenontheenvelope,andtosignthepaper,whichran:

“WethesignatoriesofthispaperherebydeclarethatwehaveseenthesealedlettermarkedBandenclosedintheWillofRogerMeltonopenedinthepresenceofusallincludingMr.EdwardBinghamTrentandSirColin

AlexanderMacKelpieandwedeclarethatthepaperthereincontainedwasheaded‘B.TobereadasclausetenofmyWill’andthattherewerenoothercontentsintheenvelope.Inattestationofwhichweinthepresenceofeachotherappendoursignatures.”

Theattorneymotionedtomyfathertobegin.Fatherisacautiousman,andheaskedforamagnifying-glass,whichwasshortlybroughttohimbyaclerkforwhomtheclerkintheroomcalled.Fatherexaminedtheenvelopealloververycarefully,andalsothememorandumattopofthepaper.Then,withoutaword,hesignedthepaper.Fatherisajustman.Thenweallsigned.Theattorneyfoldedthepaperandputitinanenvelope.Beforeclosingithepasseditround,andweallsawthatithadnotbeentamperedwith.Fathertookitoutandreadit,andthenputitback.Thentheattorneyaskedusalltosignitacrosstheflap,whichwedid.Thenheputthesealing-waxonitandaskedfathertosealitwithhisownseal.Hedidso.ThenheandMacKelpiesealeditalsowiththeirownseals,Thenheputitinanotherenvelope,whichhesealedhimself,andheandMacKelpiesigneditacrosstheflap.

Thenfatherstoodup,andsodidI.Sodidthetwomen—theclerkandtheshorthandwriter.Fatherdidnotsayawordtillwegotoutintothestreet.Wewalkedalong,andpresentlywepassedanopengateintothefields.Heturnedback,sayingtome:

“Comeinhere.Thereisnooneabout,andwecanbequiet.Iwanttospeaktoyou.”Whenwesatdownonaseatwithnoneothernearit,fathersaid:

“Youareastudentofthelaw.Whatdoesallthatmean?”Ithoughtitagoodoccasionforanepigram,soIsaidoneword:

“Bilk!”

“H’m!”saidfather;“thatissofarasyouandIareconcerned.Youwithabeggarlytenthousand,andIwithtwenty.Butwhatis,orwillbe,theeffectofthosesecrettrusts?”

“Oh,that,”Isaid,“will,Idaresay,beallright.UncleRogerevidentlydidnotintendtheoldergenerationtobenefittoomuchbyhisdeath.ButheonlygaveRupertSt.Legeronethousandpounds,whilsthegavemeten.Thatlooksasifhehadmoreregardforthedirectline.Ofcourse—”Fatherinterruptedme:

“Butwhatwasthemeaningofafurthersum?”

“Idon’tknow,father.Therewasevidentlysomeconditionwhichhewastofulfil;butheevidentlydidn’texpectthathewould.Why,otherwise,didheleaveasecondtrusttoMr.Trent?”

“True!”saidfather.Thenhewenton:“IwonderwhyheleftthoseenormoussumstoTrentandoldMacKelpie.Theyseemoutofallproportionasexecutors’fees,unless—”

“Unlesswhat,father?”

“Unlessthefortunehehasleftisanenormousone.ThatiswhyIasked.”

“Andthat,”Ilaughed,“iswhyherefusedtoanswer.”

“Why,Ernest,itmustrunintobigfigures.”

“Right-ho,father.Thedeath-dutieswillbeannoying.Whatabeastlyswindlethedeath-dutiesare!Why,Ishallsufferevenonyourownlittleestate...”

“Thatwilldo!”hesaidcurtly.Fatherissoridiculouslytouchy.Onewouldthinkheexpectstoliveforever.Presentlyhespokeagain:

“Iwonderwhataretheconditionsofthattrust.Theyareasimportant—almost—astheamountofthebequest—whateveritis.Bytheway,thereseemstobenomentioninthewillofaresiduarylegatee.Ernest,myboy,wemayhavetofightoverthat.”

“Howdoyoumakethatout,father?”Iasked.Hehadbeenveryrudeoverthematterofthedeath-dutiesofhisownestate,thoughitisentailedandImustinherit.SoIdeterminedtolethimseethatIknowagooddealmorethanhedoes—oflaw,atanyrate.“Ifearthatwhenwecometolookintoitcloselythatdogwon’tfight.Inthefirstplace,thatmaybeallarrangedinthelettertoSt.Leger,whichisapartoftheWill.Andifthatlettershouldbeinoperativebyhisrefusaloftheconditions(whatevertheymaybe),thenthelettertotheattorneybeginstowork.Whatitiswedon’tknow,andperhapsevenhedoesn’t—IlookedatitaswellasIcould—andwelawmenaretrainedtoobservation.ButeveniftheinstructionsmentionedasbeinginLetterCfail,thenthecorpusoftheWillgivesfullpowertoTrenttoactjustashedarnpleases.Hecangivethewholethingtohimselfifhelikes,andnoonecansayaword.Infact,heishimselfthefinalcourtofappeal.”

“H’m!”saidfathertohimself.“Itisaqueerkindofwill,Itakeit,thatcanoverridetheCourtofChancery.Weshallperhapshavetotryitbeforewearedonewiththis!”Withthatherose,andwewalkedhometogether—withoutsayinganotherword.

Mymotherwasveryinquisitiveaboutthewholething—womenalwaysare.FatherandIbetweenustoldherallitwasnecessaryforhertoknow.Ithinkwewerebothafraidthat,woman-like,shewouldmaketroubleforusbysayingordoingsomethinginjudicious.Indeed,shemanifestedsuchhostilitytowardsRupertSt.Legerthatitisquiteonthecardsthatshemaytrytoinjure

himinsomeway.Sowhenfathersaidthathewouldhavetogooutshortlyagain,ashewishedtoconsulthissolicitor,IjumpedupandsaidIwouldgowithhim,asI,too,shouldtakeadviceastohowIstoodinthematter.

TheContentsofLettermarked“B”attachedasanIntegralParttotheLastWillofRogerMelton.

June11,1907.

“ThisletteranintegralpartofmyLastWillregardstheentireresidueofmyestatebeyondthespecificbequestsmadeinthebodyofmyWill.ItistoappointasResiduaryLegateeofsuchWill—incasehemayacceptindueformtheConditionshereinlaiddown—mydearNephewRupertSentLegeronlysonofmysisterPatienceMeltonnowdeceasedbyhermarriagewithCaptainRupertSentLegeralsonowdeceased.OnhisacceptanceoftheConditionsandthefulfilmentofthefirstofthemtheEntireresidueofmyestateafterpaymentsofallspecificLegaciesandofallmydebtsandotherobligationsistobecomehisabsolutepropertytobedealtwithordisposedofashemaydesire.Thefollowingaretheconditions.

“1.HeistoacceptprovisionallybyletteraddressedtomyExecutorsasumofninehundredandninety-ninethousandpoundssterlingfreeofallDutiesTaxesorotherimposts.ThishewillholdforaperiodofsixmonthsfromthedateoftheReadingofmyLastWillandhaveuseroftheaccruementstheretocalculatedattherateoftenpercentumperannumwhichamountheshallundernocircumstancesberequiredtoreplace.AttheendofsaidsixmonthshemustexpressinwritingdirectedtotheExecutorsofmyWillhisacceptanceorrefusaloftheotherconditionshereintofollow.ButifhemaysochooseheshallbefreetodeclareinwritingtotheExecutorswithinoneweekfromthetimeoftheReadingoftheWillhiswishtoacceptortowithdrawaltogetherfromtheresponsibilityofthisTrust.Incaseofwithdrawalheistoretainabsolutelyandforhisownusetheabove-mentionedsumofninehundredandninety-ninethousandpoundssterlingfreeofallDutiesTaxesandimpostswhatsoevermakingwiththespecificbequestofonethousandpoundsaclearsumofonemillionpoundssterlingfreeofallimposts.Andhewillfromthemomentofthedeliveryofsuchwrittenwithdrawalceasetohaveanyrightorinterestwhatsoeverinthefurtherdispositionofmyestateunderthisinstrument.ShouldsuchwrittenwithdrawalbereceivedbymyExecutorstheyshallhavepossessionofsuchresidueofmyestateasshallremainafterthepaymentoftheabovesumofninehundredandninety-ninethousandpoundssterlingandthepaymentofallDutiesTaxesassessmentsorImpostsasmaybeentailedbylawbyitsconveyancetothesaidRupertSentLegerandthesemyExecutorsshallholdthesameforthefurtherdisposalofitaccordingtotheinstructionsgiveninthelettermarkedCandwhichisalsoanintegralpartofmyLastWillandTestament.

“2.Ifatorbeforetheexpirationofthesixmonthsabove-mentionedthesaidRupertSentLegershallhaveacceptedthefurtherconditionshereinstated,heistohaveuseroftheentireincomeproducedbysuchresidueofmyestatethesaidincomebeingpaidtohimQuarterlyontheusualQuarterDaysbytheaforesaidExecutorstowitMajorGeneralSirColinAlexanderMacKelpieBart.andEdwardBinghamTrenttobeusedbyhiminaccordancewiththetermsandconditionshereinaftermentioned.

“3.ThesaidRupertSentLegeristoresideforaperiodofatleastsixmonthstobeginnotlaterthanthreemonthsfromthereadingofmyWillintheCastleofVissarionintheLandoftheBlueMountains.AndifhefulfiltheConditionsimposedonhimandshalltherebybecomepossessedoftheresidueofmyestateheistocontinuetoresidethereinpartforaperiodofoneyear.HeisnottochangehisBritishNationalityexceptbyaformalconsentofthePrivyCouncilofGreatBritain.

“AttheendofayearandahalffromtheReadingofmyWillheistoreportinpersontomyExecutorsoftheexpenditureofamountspaidorduebyhiminthecarryingoutoftheTrustandiftheyaresatisfiedthatsameareingeneralaccordwiththeconditionsnamedinabove-mentionedlettermarkedCandwhichisanintegralpartofmyWilltheyaretorecordtheirapprovalonsuchWillwhichcanthengoforfinalProbateandTaxation.OntheCompletionofwhichthesaidRupertSentLegershallbecomepossessedabsolutelyandwithoutfurtheractorneedoftheentireresidueofmyestate.Inwitnesswhereof,etc.

“(Signed)RogerMelton.”

ThisdocumentisattestedbythewitnessestotheWillonthesamedate.

(PersonalandConfidential.)

MemorandamadebyEdwardBinghamTrentinConnectionwiththeWillofRogerMelton.

January3,1907.

TheinterestsandissuesofallconcernedintheWillandestateofthelateRogerMeltonofOpenshawGrangearesovastthatincaseanylitigationshouldtakeplaceregardingthesame,I,asthesolicitor,havingthecarriageofthetestator’swishes,thinkitwelltomakecertainmemorandaofevents,conversations,etc.,notcoveredbydocumentaryevidence.Imakethefirstmemorandumimmediatelyaftertheevent,whilsteverydetailofactandconversationisstillfreshinmymind.Ishallalsotrytomakesuchcommentsthereonasmayservetorefreshmymemoryhereafter,andwhichincaseofmydeathmayperhapsaffordasopinionscontemporaneouslyrecordedsomeguidinglighttootherorotherswhomaylateronhavetocontinueand

completethetasksentrustedtome.

I.

ConcerningtheReadingoftheWillofRogerMelton.

When,beginningat11o’clocka.m.onthistheforenoonofThursday,the3rd day of January, 1907, I opened theWill and read it in full, except theclauses contained in the lettersmarked “B” and “C”; there were present inadditiontomyself,thefollowing:

1.ErnestHalbardMelton,J.P,nephewofthetestator.

2.ErnestRogerHalbardMelton,sonoftheabove.

3.RupertSentLeger,nephewofthetestator.

4.Major-GeneralSirColinAlexanderMacKelpie,Bart.,co-executorwithmyselfoftheWill.

5.AndrewRossiter,myclerk,oneofthewitnessesofthetestator’sWill.

6.AlfredNugent,stenographer(ofMessrs.Castle’soffice,21,Bream’sBuildings,W.C.).

WhentheWillhadbeenread,Mr.E.H.Meltonaskedthevalueoftheestateleftbythetestator,whichqueryIdidnotfeelempoweredorotherwiseabletoanswer;andafurtherquery,astowhythosepresentwerenotshownthesecretclausesoftheWill.Iansweredbyreadingtheinstructionsendorsedontheenvelopesofthetwolettersmarked“B”and“C,”whichweresufficientlyexplanatory.

But,lestanyquestionshouldhereafterariseastothefactthatthememorandainlettersmarked“B”and“C,”whichweretobereadasclauses10and11oftheWill,IcausedRupertSentLegertoopentheenvelopemarked“B”inthepresenceofallintheroom.TheseallsignedapaperwhichIhadalreadyprepared,totheeffectthattheyhadseentheenvelopeopened,andthatthememorandummarked“B.TobereadasclausetenofmyWill,”wascontainedintheenvelope,ofwhichitwastobethesolecontents.Mr.ErnestHalbardMelton,J.P.,beforesigning,carefullyexaminedwithamagnifying-glass,forwhichhehadasked,boththeenvelopeandtheheadingofthememorandumenclosedintheletter.Hewasabouttoturnthefoldedpaperwhichwaslyingonthetableover,bywhichhemighthavebeenabletoreadthematterofthememorandumhadhesodesired.Iatonceadvisedhimthatthememorandumhewastosigndealtonlywiththeheadingofthepage,andnotwiththematter.Helookedveryangry,butsaidnothing,andafterasecondscrutinysigned.Iputthememoranduminanenvelope,whichweallsignedacrosstheflap.Beforesigning,MrErnestHalbardMeltontookoutthepaperandverifiedit.Ithenaskedhimtocloseit,whichhedid,andwhenthe

sealing-waxwasonithesealeditwithhisownseal.SirColinA.MacKelpieandIalsoappendedourownseals.Iputtheenvelopeinanother,whichIsealedwithmyownseal,andmyco-executorandIsigneditacrosstheflapandaddedthedate.Itookchargeofthis.Whentheotherspresenthadtakentheirdeparture,myco-executorandI,togetherwithMr.RupertSentLeger,whohadremainedatmyrequest,wentintomyprivateroom.

HereMr.RupertSentLegerreadthememorandummarked“B,”whichistobereadasclause10oftheWill.Heisevidentlyamanofconsiderablenerve,forhisfacewasquiteimpassiveashereadthedocument,whichconveyedtohim(subjecttotheconditionslaiddown)afortunewhichhasnoequalinamountinEurope,even,sofarasIknow,amongstthecrownedheads.Whenhehadreaditoverasecondtimehestoodupandsaid:

“IwishIhadknownmyunclebetter.Hemusthavehadtheheartofaking.Ineverheardofsuchgenerosityashehasshownme.Mr.Trent,Isee,fromtheconditionsofthismemorandum,orcodicil,orwhateveritis,thatIamtodeclarewithinaweekastowhetherIaccepttheconditionsimposedonme.Now,Iwantyoutotellmethis:mustIwaitaweektodeclare?”Inanswer,Itoldhimthatthetestator’sintentionwasmanifestlytoseethathehadfulltimetoconsiderfullyeverypointbeforemakingformaldecisionanddeclaration.But,inanswertothespecificquestion,Icouldanswerthathemightmakedeclarationwhenhewould,provideditwaswithin,orrathernotafter,theweeknamed.Iadded:

“ButIstronglyadviseyounottoacthurriedly.Soenormousasumisinvolvedthatyoumaybesurethatallpossibleeffortswillbemadebysomeoneorothertodispossessyouofyourinheritance,anditwillbewellthateverythingshallbedone,notonlyinperfectorder,butwithsuchmanifestcareanddeliberationthattherecanbenoquestionastoyourintention.”

“Thankyou,sir,”heanswered;“Ishalldoasyoushallkindlyadvisemeinthisasinotherthings.ButImaytellyounow—andyou,too,mydearSirColin—thatInotonlyacceptmyUncleRoger’sconditionsinthis,butthatwhenthetimecomesintheothermattersIshallaccepteveryconditionthathehadinhismind—andthatImayknowof—ineverything.”Helookedexceedinglyinearnest,anditgavememuchpleasuretoseeandhearhim.Itwasjustwhatayoungmanshoulddowhohadseensogenerouslytreated.Asthetimehadnowcome,Igavehimthebulkyletteraddressedtohim,marked“D”whichIhadinmysafe.AsIfulfilledmyobligationinthematter,Isaid:

“Youneednotreadtheletterhere.Youcantakeitawaywithyou,andreaditbyyourselfatleisure.Itisyourownproperty,withoutanyobligationwhateverattachedtoit.Bytheway,perhapsitwouldbewellifyouknew.Ihaveacopysealedupinanenvelope,andendorsed,‘Tobeopenedifoccasion

shouldarise,’butnototherwise.Willyouseemeto-morrow,or,betterstill,dinewithmealonehereto-night?Ishouldliketohaveatalkwithyou,andyoumaywishtoaskmesomequestions.”Heansweredmecordially.Iactuallyfelttouchedbythewayhesaidgood-byebeforehewentaway.SirColinMacKelpiewentwithhim,asSentLegerwastodrophimattheReform.

LetterfromRogerMeltontoRupertSentLeger,endorsed“D.reRupertSentLeger.TobegiventohimbyEdwardBinghamTrentifandassoonashehasdeclared(formallyorinformally)hisintentionofacceptingtheconditionsnamedinLetterB.,formingClause10inmyWill.R.M.,1/1/’07.

“Mem.—Copy (sealed) left in custody of E. B. Trent, to be opened ifnecessary,asdirected.”

June11,1906.

MyDearNephew,

When(ifever)youreceivethisyouwillknowthat(withtheexceptionofsomedefinitebequests)Ihavelefttoyou,undercertainconditions,theentirebulkofmyfortune—afortunesogreatthatbyitsaidasahelp,amanofcourageandabilitymaycarveoutforhimselfanameandplaceinhistory.ThespecificconditionscontainedinClause10ofmyWillhavetobeobserved,forsuchIdeemtobeofservicetoyourownfortune;buthereinIgivemyadvice,whichyouareatlibertytofollowornotasyouwill,andmywishes,whichIshalltrytoexplainfullyandclearly,sothatyoumaybeinpossessionofmyviewsincaseyoushoulddesiretocarrythemout,or,atleast,tosoendeavourthattheresultsIhopeformaybeultimatelyachieved.Firstletmeexplain—foryourunderstandingandyourguidance—thatthepower,orperhapsithadbetterbecalledthepressure,behindtheaccumulationofmyfortunehasbeenambition.Inobediencetoitscompulsion,ItoiledearlyandlateuntilIhadsoarrangedmattersthat,subjecttobroadsupervision,myideascouldbecarriedoutbymenwhomIhadselectedandtested,andnotfoundwanting.Thiswasforyearstothesatisfaction,andultimatelytotheaccumulationbythesemenoffortunecommensurateinsomemeasuretotheirownworthandtheirimportancetomydesigns.ThusIhadaccumulated,whilststillayoungman,aconsiderablefortune.ThisIhaveforoverfortyyearsusedsparinglyasregardsmypersonalneeds,daringlywithregardtospeculativeinvestments.WiththelatterItooksuchverygreatcare,studyingtheconditionssurroundingthemsothoroughly,thatevennowmyscheduleofbaddebtsorunsuccessfulinvestmentsisalmostablank.Perhapsbysuchmeansthingsflourishedwithme,andwealthpiledinsofastthatattimesIcouldhardlyuseittoadvantage.Thiswasalldoneastheforerunnerofambition,butIwasoverfiftyyearsofagewhenthehorizonofambitionitselfopeneduptome.Ispeakthusfreely,mydearRupert,aswhenyoureaditI

shallhavepassedaway,andnotambitionnorthefearofmisunderstanding,norevenofscorncantouchme.MyventuresincommerceandfinancecoverednotonlytheFarEast,buteveryfootofthewaytoit,sothattheMediterraneanandallitsopeningseaswerefamiliartome.InmyjourneyingsupanddowntheAdriaticIwasalwaysstruckbythegreatbeautyandseemingrichness—nativerichness—oftheLandoftheBlueMountains.AtlastChancetookmeintothatdelectableregion.Whenthe“BalkanStruggle”of’90wason,oneofthegreatVoivodescametomeinsecrettoarrangealargeloanfornationalpurposes.ItwasknowninfinancialcirclesofbothEuropeandAsiathatItookanactivepartinthehautepolitiqueofnationaltreasuries,andtheVoivodeVissarioncametomeastooneableandwillingtocarryouthiswishes.Afterconfidentialpour-parlers,heexplainedtomethathisnationwasinthethroesofagreatcrisis.Asyouperhapsknow,thegallantlittleNationintheLandoftheBlueMountainshashadastrangehistory.Formorethanathousandyears—eversinceitssettlementafterthedisasterofRossoro—ithadmaintaineditsnationalindependenceunderseveralformsofGovernment.AtfirstithadaKingwhosesuccessorsbecamesodespoticthattheyweredethroned.ThenitwasgovernedbyitsVoivodes,withthecombininginfluenceofaVladikasomewhatsimilarinpowerandfunctiontothePrince-BishopsofMontenegro;afterwardsbyaPrince;or,asatpresent,byanirregularelectiveCouncil,influencedinamodifiedformbytheVladika,whowasthensupposedtoexerciseapurelyspiritualfunction.SuchaCouncilinasmall,poornationdidnothavesufficientfundsforarmaments,whichwerenotimmediatelyandimperativelynecessary;andthereforetheVoivodeVissarion,whohadvastestatesinhisownpossession,andwhowasthepresentrepresentativeafamilywhichofoldhadbeenleadersintheland,founditadutytodoonhisownaccountthatwhichtheStatecouldnotdo.Forsecurityastotheloanwhichhewishedtoget,andwhichwasindeedavastone,heofferedtosellmehiswholeestateifIwouldsecuretohimarighttorepurchaseitwithinagiventime(atimewhichImaysayhassometimeagoexpired).Hemadeitaconditionthatthesaleandagreementshouldremainastrictsecretbetweenus,asawidespreadknowledgethathisestatehadchangedhandswouldinallprobabilityresultinmydeathandhisownatthehandsofthemountaineers,whoarebeyondeverythingloyal,andwerejealoustothelastdegree.AnattackbyTurkeywasfeared,andnewarmamentswererequired;andthepatrioticVoivodewassacrificinghisowngreatfortuneforthepublicgood.Whatasacrificethiswashewellknew,forinalldiscussionsregardingapossiblechangeintheConstitutionoftheBlueMountainsitwasalwaystakenforgrantedthatiftheprinciplesoftheConstitutionshouldchangetoamorepersonalrule,hisownfamilyshouldberegardedastheMostNoble.Ithadeverbeenonthesideoffreedominoldentime;beforetheestablishmentoftheCouncil,orevenduringtheruleofthe

Voivodes,theVissarionhadeverynowandagainstoodoutagainsttheKingorchallengedthePrincedom.Theverynamestoodforfreedom,fornationality,againstforeignoppression;andtheboldmountaineersweredevotedtoit,asinotherfreecountriesmenfollowtheflag.

Suchloyaltywasapowerandahelpintheland,foritknewdangerineveryform;andanythingwhichaidedthecohesionofitsintegerswasanaturalasset.Oneverysideotherpowers,greatandsmall,pressedtheland,anxioustoacquireitssuzeraintybyanymeans—fraudorforce.Greece,Turkey,Austria,Russia,Italy,France,hadalltriedinvain.Russia,oftenhurledback,waswaitinganopportunitytoattack.AustriaandGreece,althoughunitedbynocommonpurposeordesign,werereadytothrowintheirforceswithwhomsoevermightseemmostlikelytobevictor.OtherBalkanStates,too,werenotlackingindesiretoaddthelittleterritoryoftheBlueMountainstotheirmoreamplepossessions.Albania,Dalmatia,Herzegovina,Servia,Bulgaria,lookedwithlustfuleyesontheland,whichwasinitselfavastnaturalfortress,havingcloseunderitsshelterperhapsthefinestharbourbetweenGibraltarandtheDardanelles.

Butthefierce,hardymountaineerswereunconquerable.Forcenturiestheyhadfought,withafervourandfurythatnothingcouldwithstandorabate,attacksontheirindependence.Timeaftertime,centuryaftercentury,theyhadopposedwithdauntlessfrontinvadingarmiessentagainstthem.Thisunquenchablefireoffreedomhadhaditseffect.Oneandall,thegreatPowersknewthattoconquerthatlittlenationwouldbenomeantask,butratherthatofatirelessgiant.Overandoveragainhadtheyfoughtwithunitsagainsthundreds,neverceasinguntiltheyhadeitherwipedouttheirfoesentirelyorseenthemretreatacrossthefrontierindiminishednumbers.

For many years past, however, the Land of the Blue Mountains hadremainedunassailable,forallthePowersandStateshadfearedlesttheothersshoulduniteagainsttheonewhoshouldbegintheattack.

AtthetimeIspeakoftherewasafeelingthroughouttheBlueMountains—and,indeed,elsewhere—thatTurkeywaspreparingforawarofoffence.Theobjectiveofherattackwasnotknownanywhere,butheretherewasevidencethattheTurkish“BureauofSpies”wasinactiveexercisetowardstheirsturdylittleneighbour.Toprepareforthis,theVoivodePeterVissarionapproachedmeinordertoobtainthenecessary“sinewsofwar.”

ThesituationwascomplicatedbythefactthattheElectiveCouncilwasatpresentlargelyheldtogetherbytheoldGreekChurch,whichwasthereligionofthepeople,andwhichhadhadsincethebeginningitsdestinieslinkedinalargedegreewiththeirs.Thusitwaspossiblethatifawarshouldbreakout,itmighteasilybecome—whatevermighthavebeenitscauseorbeginnings—a

warofcreeds.ThisintheBalkansmustbelargelyoneofraces,theendofwhichnomindcoulddiagnoseorevenguessat.

Ihadnowforsometimehadknowledgeofthecountryanditspeople,andhadcometolovethemboth.ThenobilityofVissarion’sself-sacrificeatonceappealedtome,andIfeltthatI,too,shouldliketohaveahandintheupholdingofsuchalandandsuchapeople.Theybothdeservedfreedom.WhenVissarionhandedmethecompleteddeedofsaleIwasgoingtotearitup;buthesomehowrecognizedmyintention,andforestalledit.Hehelduphishandarrestinglyashesaid:

“Irecognizeyourpurpose,and,believeme,Ihonouryouforitfromtheverydepthsofmysoul.But,myfriend,itmustnotbe.Ourmountaineersareproudbeyondbelief.Thoughtheywouldallowme—whoamoneofthemselves,andwhosefathershavebeeninsomewayleadersandspokesmenamongstthemformanycenturies—todoallthatisinmypowertodo—andwhat,eachandall,theywouldbegladtodowerethecalltothem—theywouldnotacceptaidfromoneoutsidethemselves.Mygoodfriend,theywouldresentit,andmightshowtoyou,whowishusallsowell,activehostility,whichmightendindanger,orevendeath.Thatwaswhy,myfriend,Iaskedtoputaclauseinouragreement,thatImighthaverighttorepurchasemyestate,regardingwhichyouwouldfainactsogenerously.”

Thusitis,mydearnephewRupert,onlysonofmydearsister,thatIherebychargeyousolemnlyasyouvalueme—asyouvalueyourself—asyouvaluehonour,that,shoulditeverbecomeknownthatthatnobleVoivode,PeterVissarion,imperilledhimselfforhiscountry’sgood,andifitbeofdangerorevilreputetohimthatevenforsuchapurposehesoldhisheritage,youshallatonceandtotheknowledgeofthemountaineers—thoughnotnecessarilytoothers—reconveytohimorhisheirsthefreeholdthathewaswillingtopartwith—andthathehasdefactopartedwithbytheeffluxionofthetimeduringwhichhisrightofrepurchaseexisted.Thisisasecrettrustanddutywhichisbetweentheeandmealoneinthefirstinstance;adutywhichIhaveundertakenonbehalfofmyheirs,andwhichmustbecarriedout,atwhatsoevercostmayensue.YoumustnottakeitthatitisfromanymistrustofyouorbeliefthatyouwillfailthatIhavetakenanothermeasuretoinsurethatthismycherishedideaisborneout.Indeed,itisthatthelawmay,incaseofneed—fornomancanknowwhatmayhappenafterhisownhandbetakenfromtheplough—becompliedwith,thatIhaveinanotherletterwrittenfortheguidanceofothers,directedthatincaseofanyfailuretocarryoutthistrust—deathorother—thedirectionbecomeaclauseorcodiciltomyWill.ButinthemeantimeIwishthatthisbekeptasecretbetweenustwo.Toshowyouthefullextentofmyconfidence,letmeheretellyouthattheletteralludedtoaboveismarked“C,”anddirectedtomysolicitorandco-executor,Edward

BinghamTrent,whichisfinallytoberegardedasclauseelevenofmyWill.Towhichendhehasmyinstructionsandalsoacopyofthisletter,whichis,incaseofneed,andthatonly,tobeopened,andistobeaguidetomywishesastothecarryingoutbyyouoftheconditionsonwhichyouinherit.

Andnow,mydearnephew,letmechangetoanothersubjectmoredeartome—yourself.WhenyoureadthisIshallhavepassedaway,sothatIneednotbehamperednowbythatreservewhichIfeelhasgrownuponmethroughalongandself-containedlife.Yourmotherwasverydeartome.Asyouknow,shewastwentyyearsyoungerthanheryoungestbrother,whowastwoyearsyoungerthanme.Sowewereallyoungmenwhenshewasababy,and,Ineednotsay,apetamongstus—almostlikeourownchildtoeachofus,aswellasoursister.Youknewhersweetnessandhighquality,soIneedsaynothingofthese;butIshouldlikeyoutounderstandthatshewasverydeartome.WhensheandyourfathercametoknowandloveeachotherIwasfaraway,openingupanewbranchofbusinessintheinteriorofChina,anditwasnotforseveralmonthsthatIgothomenews.WhenIfirstheardofhimtheyhadalreadybeenmarried.Iwasdelightedtofindthattheywereveryhappy.TheyneedednothingthatIcouldgive.WhenhediedsosuddenlyItriedtocomforther,andallIhadwasatherdisposal,didshewantit.Shewasaproudwoman—thoughnotwithme.Shehadcometounderstandthat,thoughIseemedcoldandhard(andperhapswassogenerally),Iwasnotsotoher.Butshewouldnothavehelpofanykind.WhenIpressedher,shetoldmethatshehadenoughforyourkeepandeducationandherownsustenanceforthetimeshemuststilllive;thatyourfatherandshehadagreedthatyoushouldbebroughtuptoahealthyandstrenuousliferatherthantooneofluxury;andshethoughtthatitwouldbebetterforthedevelopmentofyourcharacterthatyoushouldlearntobeself-reliantandtobecontentwithwhatyourdearfatherhadleftyou.Shehadalwaysbeenawiseandthoughtfulgirl,andnowallherwisdomandthoughtwereforyou,yourfather’sandherchild.Whenshespokeofyouandyourfuture,shesaidmanythingswhichIthoughtmemorable.OneofthemIremembertothisday.Itwasaproposofmysayingthatthereisadangerofitsownkindinextremepoverty.Ayoungmanmightknowtoomuchwant.Sheansweredme:“True!Thatisso!Butthereisadangerthatoverridesit;”andafteratimewenton:

“Itisbetternottoknowwantsthannottoknowwant!”Itellyou,boy,thatisagreattruth,andIhopeyouwillrememberitforyourselfaswellasapartofthewisdomofyourmother.Andhereletmesaysomethingelsewhichisasortofcorollaryofthatwiseutterance:

IdaresayyouthoughtmeveryhardandunsympatheticthattimeIwouldnot,asoneofyourtrustees,agreetoyourtransferringyourlittlefortunetoMissMacKelpie.Idaresayyoubearagrudgetowardsmeaboutituptothis

day.Well,ifyouhaveanyofthatremaining,putitasidewhenyouknowthetruth.Thatrequestofyourswasanunspeakabledelighttome.Itwaslikeyourmothercomingbackfromthedead.ThatlittleletterofyoursmademewishforthefirsttimethatIhadason—andthatheshouldbelikeyou.Ifellintoasortofreverie,thinkingifIwereyettoooldtomarry,sothatasonmightbewithmeinmydecliningyears—ifsuchweretoeverbeforme.ButIconcludedthatthismightnotbe.TherewasnowomanwhomIkneworhadevermetwiththatIcouldloveasyourmotherlovedyourfatherandashelovedher.SoIresignedmyselftomyfate.Imustgomylonelyroadontotheend.Andthencamearayoflightintomydarkness:therewasyou.Thoughyoumightnotfeellikeasontome—Icouldnotexpectitwhenthememoryofthatsweetrelationshipwasmoreworthilyfilled.ButIcouldfeellikeafathertoyou.Nothingcouldpreventthatorinterferewithit,forIwouldkeepitasmysecretintheveryholyofholiesofmyheart,wherehadbeenforthirtyyearstheimageofasweetlittlechild—yourmother.Myboy,wheninyourfuturelifeyoushallhavehappinessandhonourandpower,Ihopeyouwillsometimesgiveathoughttothelonelyoldmanwhoselateryearsyourveryexistenceseemedtobrighten.

Thethoughtofyourmotherrecalledmetomyduty.Ihadundertakenforherasacredtask:tocarryoutherwishesregardingherson.Iknewhowshewouldhaveacted.Itmight—would—havebeentoherastruggleofinclinationandduty;anddutywouldhavewon.AndsoIcarriedoutmyduty,thoughItellyouitwasaharshandbittertasktomeatthetime.ButImaytellyouthatIhavesincebeengladwhenIthinkoftheresult.Itried,asyoumayperhapsremember,tocarryoutyourwishesinanotherway,butyourletterputthedifficultyofdoingsosoclearlybeforemethatIhadtogiveitup.Andletmetellyouthatthatletterendearedyoutomemorethanever.

IneednottellyouthatthenceforthIfollowedyourlifeveryclosely.Whenyouranawaytosea,Iusedinsecreteverypartofthemechanismofcommercetofindoutwhathadbecomeofyou.Then,untilyouhadreachedyourmajority,Ihadaconstantwatchkeptuponyou—nottointerferewithyouinanyway,butsothatImightbeabletofindyoushouldneedarise.WheninduecourseIheardofyourfirstactoncomingofageIwassatisfied.IhadtoknowofthecarryingoutofyouroriginalintentiontowardsJanetMacKelpie,forthesecuritieshadtobetransferred.

FromthattimeonIwatched—ofcoursethroughothereyes—yourchiefdoings.Itwouldhavebeenapleasuretometohavebeenabletohelpincarryingoutanyhopeorambitionofyours,butIrealizedthatintheyearsinterveningbetweenyourcomingofageandthepresentmomentyouwerefulfillingyourideasandambitionsinyourownway,and,asIshalltrytoexplaintoyoupresently,myambitionsalso.Youwereofsoadventurousa

naturethatevenmyownwidely-spreadmachineryofacquiringinformation—whatImaycallmyprivate“intelligencedepartment”—wasinadequate.MymachinerywasfairlyadequatefortheEast—ingreatpart,atallevents.ButyouwentNorthandSouth,andWestalso,and,inaddition,youessayedrealmswherecommerceandpurelyrealaffairshavenofoothold—worldsofthought,ofspiritualimport,ofpsychicphenomena—speakinggenerally,ofmysteries.AsnowandagainIwasbaffledinmyinquiries,Ihadtoenlargemymechanism,andtothisendstarted—notinmyownname,ofcourse—somenewmagazinesdevotedtocertainbranchesofinquiryandadventure.Shouldyouevercaretoknowmoreofthesethings,Mr.Trent,inwhosenamethestockisleft,willbedelightedtogiveyoualldetails.Indeed,thesestocks,likeallelseIhave,shallbeyourswhenthetimecomes,ifyoucaretoaskforthem.BymeansofTheJournalofAdventure,TheMagazineofMystery,Occultism,BalloonandAeroplane,TheSubmarine,JungleandPampas,TheGhostWorld,TheExplorer,ForestandIsland,OceanandCreek,IwasoftenkeptinformedwhenIshouldotherwisehavebeenignorantofyourwhereaboutsanddesigns.Forinstance,whenyouhaddisappearedintotheForestoftheIncas,IgotthefirstwhisperofyourstrangeadventuresanddiscoveriesintheburiedcitiesofEudorifromacorrespondentofTheJournalofAdventurelongbeforethedetailsgiveninTheTimesoftherock-templeoftheprimevalsavages,whereonlyremainedthelittledragonserpents,whosegiantancestorswererudelysculpturedonthesacrificialaltar.IwellrememberhowIthrilledateventhatmeagreaccountofyourgoinginaloneintothatveritablehell.ItwasfromOccultismthatIlearnedhowyouhadmadeastayaloneinthehauntedcatacombsofElora,inthefarrecessesoftheHimalayas,andofthefearfulexperienceswhich,whenyoucameoutshudderingandghastly,overcametoalmostepilepticfearthosewhohadbandedthemselvestogethertogoasfarastherock-cutapproachtothehiddentemple.

AllsuchthingsIreadwithrejoicing.Youwereshapingyourselfforawiderandloftieradventure,whichwouldcrownmoreworthilyyourmaturedmanhood.WhenIreadofyouinadescriptionofMihask,inMadagascar,andthedevil-worshipthererarelyheld,IfeltIhadonlytowaitforyourhome-cominginordertobroachtheenterpriseIhadsolongcontemplated.ThiswaswhatIread:

“Heisamantowhomnoadventureistoowildortoodaring.Hisrecklessbraveryisabywordamongstmanysavagepeoplesandamongstmanyothersnotsavages,whosefearsarenotofmaterialthings,butoftheworldofmysteriesinandbeyondthegrave.Hedaresnotonlywildanimalsandsavagemen;buthastackledAfricanmagicandIndianmysticism.ThePsychicalResearchSocietyhaslongexploitedhisdeedsofvaliance,andlookeduponhimasperhapstheirmosttrustedagentorsourceofdiscovery.Heisintheveryprimeoflife,ofalmostgiantstatureandstrength,trainedtotheuseofall

armsofallcountries,inuredtoeverykindofhardship,subtle-mindedandresourceful,understandinghumannaturefromitselementalformup.Tosaythatheisfearlesswouldbeinadequate.Inaword,heisamanwhosestrengthanddaringfithimforanyenterpriseofanykind.Hewoulddareanddoanythingintheworldoroutofit,ontheearthorunderit,intheseaor—intheair,fearingnothingmaterialorunseen,notmanorghost,norGodnorDevil.”

Ifyouevercaretothinkofit,Icarriedthatcuttinginmypocket-bookfromthathourIreadittillnow.

Remember,again,Isay,thatIneverinterferedintheslightestwayinanyofyouradventures.Iwantedyouto“dreeyourownweird,”astheScotchsay;andIwantedtoknowofit—thatwasall.Now,asIholdyoufullyequippedforgreaterenterprise,Iwanttosetyourfeetontheroadandtoprovideyouwiththemostpotentweapon—beyondpersonalqualities—forthewinningofgreathonour—again,mydearnephew,which,Iamrightsure,doesandwillappealtoyouasithaseverdonetome.Ihaveworkedforitformorethanfiftyyears;butnowthatthetimehascomewhenthetorchisslippingfrommyoldhands,Ilooktoyou,mydearestkinsman,toliftitandcarryiton.

ThelittlenationoftheBlueMountainshasfromthefirstappealedtome.Itispoorandproudandbrave.Itspeoplearewellworthwinning,andIwouldadviseyoutothrowinyourlotwiththem.Youmayfindthemhardtowin,forwhenpeoples,likeindividuals,arepoorandproud,thesequalitiesareapttoreactoneachothertoanendlessdegree.Thesemenareuntamable,andnoonecaneversucceedwiththemunlessheiswiththeminall-in-all,andisaleaderrecognized.Butifyoucanwinthemtheyareloyaltodeath.Ifyouareambitious—andIknowyouare—theremaybeafieldforyouinsuchacountry.Withyourqualifications,fortifiedbythefortunewhichIamhappyenoughtobeabletoleaveyou,youmaydaremuchandgofar.ShouldIbealivewhenyoureturnfromyourexplorationinNorthernSouthAmerica,Imayhavethehappinessofhelpingyoutothisoranyotherambition,andIshalldeemitaprivilegetoshareitwithyou;buttimeisgoingon.Iaminmyseventy-secondyear...theyearsofmanarethree-scoreandten—Isupposeyouunderstand;Ido...Letmepointoutthis:Forambitiousprojectsthegreatnationalitiesareimpossibletoastranger—andinourownwearelimitedbyloyalty(andcommon-sense).Itisonlyinasmallnationthatgreatambitionscanbeachieved.Ifyousharemyownviewsandwishes,theBlueMountainsisyourground.IhopedatonetimethatImightyetbecomeaVoivode—evenagreatone.Butagehasdulledmypersonalambitionsasithascrampedmypowers.Inolongerdreamofsuchhonourformyself,thoughIdolookonitasapossibilityforyouifyoucareforit.ThroughmyWillyouwillhaveagreatpositionandagreatestate,andthoughyoumayhavetoyieldupthelatterinaccordancewithmywish,asalreadyexpressedinthisletter,thevery

doingsowillgiveyouanevengreaterholdthanthispossessionintheheartsofthemountaineers,shouldtheyevercometoknowit.ShoulditbethatatthetimeyouinheritfrommetheVoivodeVissarionshouldnotbealive,itmayserveoraidyoutoknowthatinsuchcaseyouwouldbeabsolvedfromanyconditionsofmine,thoughItrustyouwouldinthat,asinallothermatters,holdobligationenforcedbyyourownhonourastomywishes.Thereforethematterstandsthus:IfVissarionlives,youwillrelinquishtheestates.Shouldsuchnotbethecase,youwillactasyoubelievethatIwouldwishyouto.IneithercasethemountaineersshouldnotknowfromyouinanywayofthesecretcontractsbetweenVissarionandmyself.Enlightenmentofthemanyshould(ifever)comefromothersthanyourself.Andunlesssuchtakeplace,youwouldleavetheestateswithoutanyquidproquowhatever.Thisyouneednotmind,forthefortuneyouwillinheritwillleaveyoufreeandabletopurchaseotherestatesintheBlueMountainsorelsewherethatyoumayselectintheworld.

Ifothersattack,attackthem,andquickerandharderthantheycan,ifsuchbeapossibility.ShoulditeverbethatyouinherittheCastleofVissarionontheSpearofIvan,rememberthatIhaditsecretlyfortifiedandarmedagainstattack.Therearenotonlymassivegrilles,butdoorsofchilledbronzewheresuchbeneeded.MyadherentRooke,whohasfaithfullyservedmefornearlyfortyyears,andhasgoneonmybehalfonmanyperilousexpeditions,will,Itrust,serveyouinthesameway.Treathimwellformysake,ifnotforyourown.Ihavelefthimprovisionforalifeofease;buthewouldrathertakeapartindangerousenterprises.Heissilentasthegraveandasboldasalion.Heknowseverydetailofthefortificationandofthesecretmeansofdefence.Awordinyourear—hewasonceapirate.Hewastheninhisextremeyouth,andlongsincechangedhiswaysinthisrespect;butfromthisfactyoucanunderstandhisnature.Youwillfindhimusefulshouldoccasioneverarise.Shouldyouaccepttheconditionsofmyletter,youaretomaketheBlueMountains—inpart,atleast—yourhome,livingthereapartoftheyear,ifonlyforaweek,asinEnglandmenofmanyestatessharethetimeamongstthem.Tothisyouarenotbound,andnooneshallhavepowertocompelyouorinterferewithyou.Ionlyexpressahope.ButonethingIdomorethanhope—Idesire,ifyouwillhonourmywishes,that,comewhatmay,youaretokeepyourBritishnationality,unlessbyspecialarrangementwithandconsentofthePrivyCouncil.Sucharrangementtobeformallymadebymyfriend,EdwardBinghamTrent,orwhomsoeverhemayappointbydeedorwilltoactinthematter,andmadeinsuchawaythatnoactsavethataloneofParliamentinallitsestates,andendorsedbytheKing,mayorcanprevailagainstit.

Mylastwordtoyouis,Beboldandhonest,andfearnot.Mostthings—evenkingship—somewheremaynowandagainbewonbythesword.Abraveheartandastrongarmmaygofar.Butwhateverissowoncannotbe

heldmerelybythesword.Justicealonecanholdinthelongrun.Wherementrusttheywillfollow,andtherankandfileofpeoplewanttofollow,nottolead.Ifitbeyourfortunetolead,bebold.Bewary,ifyouwill;exerciseanyotherfacultiesthatmayaidorguard.Shrinkfromnothing.Avoidnothingthatishonourableinitself.Takeresponsibilitywhensuchpresentsitself.Whatothersshrinkfrom,accept.Thatistobegreatinwhatworld,littleorbig,youmove.Fearnothing,nomatterofwhatkinddangermaybeorwhenceitcome.Theonlyrealwaytomeetdangeristodespiseit—exceptwithyourbrains.Meetitinthegate,notthehall.

Mykinsman,thenameofmyraceandyourown,worthilymingledinyourownperson,nowrestswithyou!

LetterfromRupertSentLeger,32BodminStreet,Victoria,S.W.,toMissJanetMacKelpie,Croom,Ross-shire.

January3,1907.

MydearestAuntJanet,

Youwill,Iknow,berejoicedtohearofthegreatgood-fortunewhichhascometomethroughtheWillofUncleRoger.PerhapsSirColinwillhavewrittentoyou,asheisoneoftheexecutors,andthereisabequesttoyou,soImustnotspoilhispleasureoftellingyouofthatparthimself.Unfortunately,Iamnotfreetospeakfullyofmyownlegacyyet,butIwantyoutoknowthatatworstIamtoreceiveanamountmanytimesmorethanIeverdreamtofpossessingthroughanypossiblestrokeoffortune.SosoonasIcanleaveLondon—where,ofcourse,Imustremainuntilthingsaresettled—IamcominguptoCroomtoseeyou,andIhopeIshallbythenbeabletoletyouknowsomuchthatyouwillbeabletoguessattheextraordinarychangethathascometomycircumstances.Itisalllikeanimpossibledream:thereisnothinglikeitinthe“ArabianNights.”However,thedetailsmustwait,Iampledgedtosecrecyforthepresent.Andyoumustbepledgedtoo.Youwon’tmind,dear,willyou?WhatIwanttodoatpresentismerelytotellyouofmyowngood-fortune,andthatIshallbegoingpresentlytoliveforawhileatVissarion.Won’tyoucomewithme,AuntJanet?WeshalltalkmoreofthiswhenIcometoCroom;butIwantyoutokeepthesubjectinyourmind.

Yourloving

Rupert.

FromRupertSentLeger’sJournal.

January4,1907.

ThingshavebeenhummingaboutmesofastthatIhavehadhardlytimetothink.Butsomeofthethingshavebeensoimportant,andhavesochanged

myentireoutlookonlife,thatitmaybewelltokeepsomepersonalrecordofthem.Imaysomedaywanttoremembersomedetail—perhapsthesequenceofevents,orsomethinglikethat—anditmaybeuseful.Itoughttobe,ifthereisanyjusticeinthings,foritwillbeanawfulswottowriteitwhenIhavesomanythingstothinkofnow.AuntJanet,Isuppose,willliketokeepitlockedupforme,asshedoeswithallmyjournalsandpapers.ThatisonegoodthingaboutAuntJanetamongstmany:shehasnocuriosity,orelseshehassomeotherqualitywhichkeepsherfrompryingasotherwomenwould.Itwouldseemthatshehasnotsomuchasopenedthecoverofoneofmyjournalseverinherlife,andthatshewouldnotwithoutmypermission.Sothiscanintimegotoheralso.

IdinedlastnightwithMr.Trent,byhisspecialdesire.Thedinnerwasinhisownrooms.Dinnersentinfromthehotel.Hewouldnothaveanywaitersatall,butmadethemsendinthedinnerallatonce,andwehelpedourselves.Aswewerequitealone,wecouldtalkfreely,andwegotoveralotofgroundwhileweweredining.HebegantotellmeaboutUncleRoger.Iwasgladofthat,for,ofcourse,IwantedtoknowallIcouldofhim,andthefactwasIhadseenverylittleofhim.Ofcourse,whenIwasasmallkidhewasofteninourhouse,forhewasveryfondofmother,andsheofhim.ButIfancythatasmallboywasratheranuisancetohim.AndthenIwasatschool,andhewasawayintheEast.AndthenpoormotherdiedwhilehewaslivingintheBlueMountains,andIneversawhimagain.WhenIwrotetohimaboutAuntJanetheansweredmeverykindlybuthewassoveryjustinthematterthatIgotafraidofhim.AndafterthatIranaway,andhavebeenroamingeversince;sotherewasneverachanceofourmeeting.Butthatletterofhishasopenedmyeyes.Tothinkofhimfollowingmethatwayallovertheworld,waitingtoholdoutahelpinghandifIshouldwantit,IonlywishIhadknown,orevensuspected,thesortofmanhewas,andhowhecaredforme,andIwouldsometimeshavecomebacktoseehim,ifIhadtocomehalfroundtheworld.Well,allIcandonowistocarryouthiswishes;thatwillbemyexpiationformyneglect.Heknewwhathewantedexactly,andIsupposeIshallcomeintimetoknowitallandunderstandit,too.

IwasthinkingsomethinglikethiswhenMr.Trentbegantotalk,sothatallhesaidfittedexactlyintomyownthought.Thetwomenwereevidentlygreatfriends—Ishouldhavegatheredthat,anyhow,fromtheWill—andtheletters—soIwasnotsurprisedwhenMr.Trenttoldmethattheyhadbeentoschooltogether,UncleRogerbeingaseniorwhenhewasajunior;andhadthenandeveraftersharedeachother’sconfidence.Mr.Trent,Igathered,hadfromtheveryfirstbeeninlovewithmymother,evenwhenshewasalittlegirl;buthewaspoorandshy,anddidnotliketospeak.Whenhehadmadeuphismindtodoso,hefoundthatshehadbythenmetmyfather,andcouldnothelpseeingthattheylovedeachother.Sohewassilent.Hetoldmehehadnever

saidawordaboutittoanyone—noteventomyUncleRoger,thoughheknewfromonethingandanother,thoughheneverspokeofit,thathewouldlikeit.Icouldnothelpseeingthatthedearoldmanregardedmeinasortofparentalway—Ihaveheardofsuchromanticattachmentsbeingtransferredtothelatergeneration.Iwasnotdispleasedwithit;onthecontrary,Ilikedhimbetterforit.Ilovemymothersomuch—Ialwaysthinkofherinthepresent—thatIcannotthinkofherasdead.Thereisatiebetweenanyoneelsewholovedherandmyself.ItriedtoletMr.TrentseethatIlikedhim,anditpleasedhimsomuchthatIcouldseehislikingformegrowinggreater.Beforewepartedhetoldmethathewasgoingtogiveupbusiness.HemusthaveunderstoodhowdisappointedIwas—forhowcouldIevergetalongatallwithouthim?—forhesaid,ashelaidahandquiteaffectionately,Ithought—onmyshoulder:

“Ishallhaveoneclient,though,whosebusinessIalwayshopetokeep,andforwhomIshallbealwayswhilstIlivegladtoact—ifhewillhaveme.”IdidnotcaretospeakasItookhishand.Hesqueezedmine,too,andsaidveryearnestly:

“Iservedyouruncle’sintereststotheverybestofmyabilityfornearlyfiftyyears.Hehadfullconfidenceinme,andIwasproudofhistrust.Icanhonestlysay,Rupert—youwon’tmindmeusingthatfamiliarity,willyou?—that,thoughtheinterestswhichIguardedweresovastthatwithoutabusingmytrustIcouldoftenhaveusedmyknowledgetomypersonaladvantage,Ineveronce,inlittlemattersorbig,abusedthattrust—no,notevenrubbedthebloomoffit.AndnowthathehasrememberedmeinhisWillsogenerouslythatIneedworknomore,itwillbeaverygenuinepleasureandpridetometocarryoutaswellasIcanthewishesthatIpartlyknew,andnowrealizemorefullytowardsyou,hisnephew.”

Inthelongchatwhichwehad,andwhichlastedtillmidnight,hetoldmemanyveryinterestingthingsaboutUncleRoger.When,inthecourseofconversation,hementionedthatthefortuneUncleRogerleftmustbewelloverahundredmillions,IwassosurprisedthatIsaidoutloud—Ididnotmeantoaskaquestion:

“Howonearthcouldamanbeginningwithnothingrealizesuchagiganticfortune?”

“Byallhonestways,”heanswered,“andhiscleverhumaninsight.Heknewonehalfoftheworld,andsokeptabreastofallpublicandnationalmovementsthatheknewthecriticalmomenttoadvancemoneyrequired.Hewasalwaysgenerous,andalwaysonthesideoffreedom.Therearenationsatthismomentonlynowenteringontheconsolidationoftheirliberty,whoowealltohim,whoknewwhenandhowtohelp.Nowonderthatinsomelandstheywilldrinktohismemoryongreatoccasionsastheyusedtodrinkhis

health.”

“AsyouandIshalldonow,sir!”Isaid,asIfilledmyglassandstoodup.Wedrankitinbumpers.Wedidnotsayaword,eitherofus;buttheoldgentlemanheldouthishand,andItookit.Andso,holdinghands,wedrankinsilence.Itmademefeelquitechoky;andIcouldseethathe,too,wasmoved.

FromE.B.Trent’sMemoranda.

January4,1907.

IaskedMr.RupertSentLegertodinewithmeatmyofficealone,asIwishedtohaveachatwithhim.To-morrowSirColinandIwillhaveaformalmeetingwithhimforthesettlementofaffairs,butIthoughtitbesttohaveaninformaltalkwithhimalonefirst,asIwishedtotellhimcertainmatterswhichwillmakeourmeetingto-morrowmoreproductiveofutility,ashecannowhavemorefullunderstandingofthesubjectswhichwehavetodiscuss.SirColinisallthatcanbeinmanhood,andIcouldwishnobettercolleagueintheexecutorshipofthisphenomenalWill;buthehasnothadtheprivilegeofalifelongfriendshipwiththetestatorasIhavehad.AndasRupertSentLegerhadtolearnintimatedetailsregardinghisuncle,Icouldbestmakemyconfidencesalone.To-morrowweshallhaveplentyofformality.IwasdelightedwithRupert.HeisjustwhatIcouldhavewishedhismother’sboytobe—orasonofmyowntobe,hadIhadthegood-fortunetohavebeenafather.Butthisisnotforme.Irememberlong,longagoreadingapassageinLamb’sEssayswhichhangsinmymind:“ThechildrenofAlicecallBartrumfather.”Someofmyoldfriendswouldlaughtoseemewritethis,butthesememorandaareformyeyesalone,andnooneshallseethemtillaftermydeath,unlessbymyownpermission.Theboytakessomequalitiesafterhisfather;hehasadaringthatisdisturbingtoanolddryasdustlawyerlikeme.ButsomehowIlikehimmorethanIeverlikedanyone—anyman—inmylife—moreeventhanhisuncle,myoldfriend,RogerMelton;andLordknowsIhadmuchcausetolikehim.Ihavemorethanevernow.Itwasquitedelightfultoseethewaytheyoungadventurerwastouchedbyhisuncle’sthoughtofhim.Heisatrulygallantfellow,butventuresomeexploitshavenotaffectedthegoodnessofheart.ItisapleasuretometothinkthatRogerandColincametogetheraproposoftheboy’sthoughtfulgenerositytowardsMissMacKelpie.Theoldsoldierwillbeagoodfriendtohim,orIammuchmistaken.Withanoldlawyerlikeme,andanoldsoldierlikehim,andarealoldgentlewomanlikeMissMacKelpie,wholovestheverygroundhewalkson,tolookafterhim,togetherwithallhisownfinequalitiesandhismarvellousexperienceoftheworld,andthegiganticwealththatwillsurelybehis,thatyoungmanwillgofar.

LetterfromRupertSentLegertoMissJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

January5,1907.

MydearestAuntJanet,

Itisallover—thefirststageofit;andthatisasfarasIcangetatpresent.Ishallhavetowaitforafewdays—oritmaybeweeks—inLondonforthedoingofcertainthingsnownecessitatedbymyacceptanceofUncleRoger’sbequest.ButassoonasIcan,dear,IshallcomedowntoCroomandspendwithyouasmanydaysaspossible.IshallthentellyouallIamatlibertytotell,andIshallthankyoupersonallyforyourconsenttocomewithmetoVissarion.Oh,howIwishmydearmotherhadlivedtobewithus!Itwouldhavemadeherhappy,Iknow,tohavecome;andthenwethreewhosharedtogethertheolddear,harddayswouldhavesharedinthesamewaythenewsplendour.Iwouldtrytoshowallmyloveandgratitudetoyouboth...Youmusttakethewholeburdenofitnow,dear,foryouandIarealone.No,notalone,asweusedtobe,forIhavenowtwooldfriendswhoarealreadydeartome.Oneissotoyoualready.SirColinissimplysplendid,andso,inhisownway,isMr.Trent.Iamlucky,AuntJanet,tohavetwosuchmentothinkofaffairsforme.AmInot?IshallsendyouawireassoonaseverIcanseemywaytogetthroughmywork;andIwantyoutothinkoverallthethingsyoueverwishedforinyourlife,sothatImay—ifthereisanymortalwayofdoingso—getthemforyou.Youwillnotstandinthewayofmyhavingthisgreatpleasure,willyou,dear?Good-bye.

Yourloving

Rupert.

E.B.Trent’sMemoranda.

January6,1907.

TheformalmeetingofSirColinandmyselfwithRupertSentLegerwentoffquitesatisfactorily.Fromwhathehadsaidyesterday,andagainlastnight,IhadalmostcometoexpectanunreservedacceptanceofeverythingstatedorimpliedinRogerMelton’sWill;butwhenwehadsatroundthetable—thisappeared,bytheway,tobeaformalityforwhichwewereallprepared,forwesatdownasifbyinstinct—theveryfirstwordshesaidwere:

“AsIsupposeImustgothroughthisformality,ImayaswellsayatoncethatIaccepteverypossibleconditionwhichwasinthemindofUncleRoger;andtothisendIampreparedtosign,seal,anddeliver—orwhateveristheritual—whateverdocumentyou,sir”—turningtome—“maythinknecessaryoradvisable,andofwhichyoubothapprove.”Hestoodupandwalkedabouttheroomforafewmoments,SirColinandIsittingquitestill,silent.Hecamebacktohisseat,andafterafewsecondsofnervousness—ararethingwithhim,Ifancy—said:“Ihopeyoubothunderstand—ofcourse,Iknowyoudo;I

onlyspeakbecausethisisanoccasionforformality—thatIamwillingtoaccept,andatonce!Idoso,believeme,nottogetpossessionofthisvastfortune,butbecauseofhimwhohasgivenit.Themanwhowasfondofme,andwhotrustedme,andyethadstrengthtokeephisownfeelingsincheck—whofollowedmeinspirittofarlandsanddesperateadventures,andwho,thoughhemightbeacrosstheworldfromme,wasreadytoputoutahandtosaveorhelpme,wasnocommonman;andhiscareofmymother’ssonmeantnocommonloveformydearmother.AndsosheandItogetheraccepthistrust,comeofitwhatmay.Ihavebeenthinkingitoverallnight,andallthetimeIcouldnotgetoutoftheideathatmotherwassomewherenearme.TheonlythoughtthatcoulddebarmefromdoingasIwishedtodo—andintendtodo—wouldbethatshewouldnotapprove.NowthatIamsatisfiedshewouldapprove,Iaccept.Whatevermayresultorhappen,Ishallgoonfollowingthecoursethathehassetforme.Sohelpme,God!”SirColinstoodup,andImustsayamoremartialfigureIneversaw.Hewasinfulluniform,forhewasgoingontotheKing’sleveeafterourbusiness.HedrewhisswordfromthescabbardandlaiditnakedonthetablebeforeRupert,andsaid:

“Youaregoing,sir,intoastrangeanddangercountry—Ihavebeenreadingaboutitsincewemet—andyouwillbelargelyaloneamongstfiercemountaineerswhoresenttheverypresenceofastranger,andtowhomyouare,andmustbe,one.Ifyoushouldeverbeinanytroubleandwantamantostandbacktobackwithyou,Ihopeyouwillgivemethehonour!”Ashesaidthispointedtohissword.RupertandIwerealsostandingnow—onecannotsitdowninthepresenceofsuchanactasthat.“Youare,Iamproudtosay,alliedwithmyfamily:andIonlywishtoGoditwasclosertomyself.”Ruperttookhimbythehandandbenthisheadbeforehimasanswered:

“Thehonourismine,SirColin;andnogreatercancometoanymanthanthatwhichyouhavejustdoneme.ThebestwayIcanshowhowIvalueitwillbetocallonyouifIameverinsuchatightplace.ByJove,sir,thisishistoryrepeatingitself.AuntJanetusedtotellmewhenIwasayoungsterhowMacKelpieofCroomlaidhisswordbeforePrinceCharlie.IhopeImaytellherofthis;itwouldmakehersoproudandhappy.Don’timagine,sir,thatIamthinkingmyselfaCharlesEdward.ItisonlythatAuntJanetissogoodtomethatImightwellthinkIwas.”

SirColinbowedgrandly:

“RupertSentLeger,mydearnieceisawomanofgreatdiscretionanddiscernment.And,moreover,IamthinkingshehasinhersomeofthegiftofSecondSightthathasbeenaheritageofourblood.AndIamonewithmyniece—ineverything!”Thewholethingwasquiteregalinmanner;itseemedtotakemebacktothedaysofthePretender.

Itwasnot,however,atimeforsentiment,butforaction—wehadmetregardingthefuture,notthepast;soIproducedtheshortdocumentIhadalreadyprepared.OnthestrengthofhissteadfastdeclarationthathewouldacceptthetermsoftheWillandthesecretletters,Ihadgotreadyaformalacceptance.WhenIhadonceagainformallyaskedMr.SentLeger’swishes,andhehaddeclaredhiswishtoaccept,Igotinacoupleofmyclerksaswitnesses.

Then,havingagainaskedhimintheirpresenceifitwashiswishtodeclareacceptance of the conditions, the document was signed and witnessed, SirColinandIbothappendingoursignaturestotheAttestation.

AndsothefirststageofRupertSentLeger’sinheritanceiscompleted.ThenextstepwillnothavetobeundertakenonmypartuntiltheexpirationofsixmonthsfromhisentryonhisestateatVissarion.Asheannounceshisintentionofgoingwithinafortnight,thiswillmeanpracticallyalittleoversixmonthsfromnow.

BOOKII:VISSARION

LetterfromRupertSentLeger,CastleofVissarion,theSpearofIvan,Landof theBlueMountains, toMiss JanetMacKelpie,CroomCastle,Ross-shire,N.B.

January23,1907.

MydearestAuntJanet,

Asyousee,Iamhereatlast.Havinggotmyformaldutydone,asyoumademepromise—mylettersreportingarrivaltoSirColinandMr.Trentarelyingsealedinfrontofmereadytopost(fornothingshallgobeforeyours)—Iamfreetospeaktoyou.

Thisisamostlovelyplace,andIhopeyouwilllikeit.Iamquitesureyouwill.WepasseditinthesteamercomingfromTriestetoDurazzo.Iknewthelocalityfromthechart,anditwaspointedouttomebyoneoftheofficerswithwhomIhadbecomequitefriendly,andwhokindlyshowedmeinterestingplaceswheneverwegotwithinsightofshore.TheSpearofIvan,onwhichtheCastlestands,isaheadlandrunningwelloutintothesea.Itisquiteapeculiarplace—asortofheadlandonaheadland,juttingoutintoadeep,widebay,sothat,thoughitisapromontory,itisasfarawayfromthetrafficofcoastlifeasanythingyoucanconceive.Themainpromontoryistheendofarangeofmountains,andloomsupvast,toweringovereverything,amassofsapphireblue.Icanwellunderstandhowthecountrycametobecalledthe

“LandoftheBlueMountains,”foritisallmountains,andtheyareallblue!Thecoast-lineismagnificent—whatiscalled“iron-bound”—beingallrocky;sometimesgreatfrowningprecipices;sometimesjuttingspursofrock;againlittlerockyislets,nowandagaincladwithtreesandverdure,atotherplacesstarkandbare.Elsewherearelittlerockybaysandindentations—alwaysrock,andoftenwithlong,interestingcaves.Someoftheshoresofthebaysaresandy,orelseridgesofbeautifulpebbles,wherethewavesmakeendlessmurmur.

ButofalltheplacesIhaveseen—inthislandoranyother—themostabsolutelybeautifulisVissarion.Itstandsattheultimatepointofthepromontory—Imeanthelittle,or,rather,lesserpromontory—thatcontinuesonthespurofthemountainrange.Forthelesserpromontoryorextensionofthemountainisinrealityvast;thelowestbitofcliffalongthesea-frontisnotlessthanacoupleofhundredfeethigh.Thatpointofrockisreallyverypeculiar.IthinkDameNaturemust,intheearlydaysofherhousekeeping—or,rather,house-building—haveintendedtogiveherlittlechild,man,arudimentarylessoninself-protection.ItisjustanaturalbastionsuchasatitanicVaubanmighthavedesignedinprimevaltimes.SofarastheCastleisconcerned,itisalonevisiblefromthesea.Anyenemyapproachingcouldseeonlythatfrowningwallofblackrock,ofvastheightandperpendicularsteepness.Eventheoldfortificationswhichcrownitarenotbuilt,butcutinthesolidrock.Alongnarrowcreekofverydeepwater,walledinbyhigh,steepcliffs,runsinbehindtheCastle,bendingnorthandwest,makingsafeandsecretanchorage.Intothecreekfallsoveraprecipiceamountain-stream,whichneverfailsinvolumeofwater.OnthewesternshoreofthatcreekistheCastle,ahugepileofbuildingsofeverystyleofarchitecture,fromtheTwelfthcenturytowheresuchthingsseemedtostopinthisdearold-worldland—aboutthetimeofQueenElizabeth.Soitisprettypicturesque.Icantellyou.Whenwegotthefirstglimpseoftheplacefromthesteamertheofficer,withwhomIwasonthebridge,pointedtowardsitandsaid:

“Thatiswherewesawthedeadwomanfloatinginacoffin.”Thatwasratherinteresting,soIaskedhimallaboutit.Hetookfromhispocket-bookacuttingfromanItalianpaper,whichhehandedtome.AsIcanreadandspeakItalianfairlywell,itwasallright;butasyou,mydearAuntJanet,arenotskilledinlanguages,andasIdoubtifthereisanyassistanceofthekindtobehadatCroom,Idonotsendit.ButasIhaveheardthattheitemhasbeenproducedinthelastnumberofTheJournalofOccultism,youwillbeeasilyabletogetit.Ashehandedmethecuttinghesaid:“IamDestilia!”HisstorywassostrangethatIaskedhimagoodmanyquestionsaboutit.Heansweredmequitefranklyoneverypoint,butalwaysadheringstoutlytothemainpoint—namely,thatitwasnophantomormirage,nodreamorimperfectvisioninafog.“Wewerefourinallwhosawit,”hesaid—“threefromthebridgeand

theEnglishman,Caulfield—fromthebows—whoseaccountexactlyagreedwithwhatwesaw.CaptainMirolaniandFalamanoandIwereallawakeandingoodtrim.Welookedwithournight-glasses,whicharemorethanusuallypowerful.Youknow,weneedgoodglassesfortheeastshoreoftheAdriaticandforamongtheislandstothesouth.Therewasafullmoonandabrilliantlight.Ofcoursewewerealittlewayoff,forthoughtheSpearofIvanisindeepwater,onehastobecarefulofcurrents,foritisinjustsuchplacesthatthedangerouscurrentsrun.”TheagentofLloyd’stoldmeonlyafewweeksagothatitwasonlyafteraprolongedinvestigationofthetidalandseacurrentsthatthehousedecidedtoexceptfromordinaryseariskslossesduetoatooclosecoursebytheSpearofIvan.WhenItriedtogetalittlemoredefiniteaccountofthecoffin-boatandthedeadladythatisgiveninTheJournalofOccultismhesimplyshruggedhisshoulders.“Signor,itisall,”hesaid.“ThatEnglishmanwroteeverythingafterendlessquestioning.”

Soyousee,mydear,thatournewhomeisnotwithoutsuperstitiousinterestsofitsown.Itisratheraniceidea,isitnot,tohaveadeadwomancruisingroundourpromontoryinacoffin?IdoubtifevenatCroomyoucanbeatthat.“Makestheplacekindofhomey,”asanAmericanwouldsay.Whenyoucome,AuntJanet,youwillnotfeellonesome,atanyrate,anditwillsaveusthetroubleofimportingsomeofyourHighlandghoststomakeyoufeelathomeinthenewland.Idon’tknow,butwemightaskthestifftocometoteawithus.Ofcourse,itwouldbealatetea.Somewherebetweenmidnightandcock-crowwouldbeabouttheetiquetteofthething,Ifancy!

ButImusttellyoualltherealitiesoftheCastleandaroundit.SoIwillwriteagainwithinadayortwo,andtrytoletyouknowenoughtoprepareyouforcominghere.Tillthenadieu,mydear.

Yourloving

Rupert.

FromRupertSentLeger,Vissarion,toJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

January25,1907.

IhopeIdidnotfrightenyou,dearAuntJanet,bytheyarnoftheladyinthecoffin.ButIknowyouarenotafraid;youhavetoldmetoomanyweirdstoriesformetodreadthat.Besides,youhaveSecondSight—latent,atallevents.However,therewon’tbeanymoreghosts,oraboutghosts,inthisletter.Iwanttotellyouallaboutournewhome.Iamsogladyouarecomingoutsosoon;Iambeginningtofeelsolonesome—Iwalkaboutsometimesaimlessly,andfindmythoughtsdriftinginsuchanoddway.IfIdidn’tknowbetter,ImightbegintothinkIwasinlove!Thereisnooneheretobeinlovewith;somakeyourmindeasy,AuntJanet.Notthatyouwouldbeunhappy,I

know,dear,ifIdidfallinlove.IsupposeImustmarrysomeday.Itisadutynow,Iknow,whenthereissuchanestateasUncleRogerhasleftme.AndIknowthis:IshallnevermarryanywomanunlessIloveher.AndIamrightsurethatifIdoloveheryouwillloveher,too,AuntJanet!Won’tyou,dear?Itwouldn’tbehalfadelightifyoudidn’t.Itwon’tifyoudon’t.There,now!

ButbeforeIbegintodescribeVissarionIshallthrowasoptoyouasachatelaine;thatmaygiveyoupatiencetoreadtherest.TheCastleneedsalotofthingstomakeitcomfortable—asyouwouldconsiderit.Infact,itisabsolutelydestituteofeverythingofadomesticnature.UncleRogerhaditvettedonthedefenceside,andsofaritcouldstandasiege.Butitcouldn’tcookadinnerorgothroughaspring-cleaning!Asyouknow,Iamnotmuchupindomesticmatters,andsoIcannotgiveyoudetails;butyoumaytakeitthatitwantseverything.Idon’tmeanfurniture,orsilver,orevengold-plate,orworksofart,foritisfullofthemostmagnificentoldthingsthatyoucanimagine.IthinkUncleRogermusthavebeenacollector,andgatheredalotofgoodthingsinallsortsofplaces,storedthemforyears,andthensentthemhere.Butastoglass,china,delft,allsortsofcrockery,linen,householdappliancesandmachinery,cookingutensils—exceptofthesimplest—therearenone.Idon’tthinkUncleRogercouldhavelivedheremorethanonatemporarypicnic.SofarasIonlyamconcerned,Iamallright;agridironandasaucepanareallIwant—andIcanusethemmyself.But,dearAuntJanet,Idon’twantyoutopigit.Iwouldlikeyoutohaveeverythingyoucanimagine,andalloftheverybest.Costdoesn’tcountnowforus,thankstoUncleRoger;andsoIwantyoutoorderall.Iknowyou,dear—beingawoman—won’tobjecttoshopping.Butitwillhavetobewholesale.Thisisanenormousplace,andwillswallowupallyoucanbuy—likeaquicksand.Doasyoulikeaboutchoosing,butgetallthehelpyoucan.Don’tbeafraidofgettingtoomuch.Youcan’t,orofbeingidlewhenyouarehere.Iassureyouthatwhenyoucometherewillbesomuchtodoandsomanythingstothinkofthatyouwillwanttogetawayfromitall.And,besides,AuntJanet,Ihopeyouwon’tbetoolong.Indeed,Idon’twishtobeselfish,butyourboyislonely,andwantsyou.AndwhenyougethereyouwillbeanEmpress.Idon’taltogetherlikedoingso,lestIshouldoffendamillionairesslikeyou;butitmayfacilitatematters,andtheway’sofcommercearestrict,thoughdevious.SoIsendyouachequefor£1,000forthelittlethings:andalettertothebanktohonouryourownchequesforanyamountIhavegot.

Ithink,bytheway,Ishould,ifIwereyou,takeorsendoutafewservants—nottoomanyatfirst,onlyjustenoughtoattendonourtwoselves.Youcanarrangetosendforanymoreyoumaywantlater.Engagethem,andarrangefortheirbeingpaid—whentheyareinourservicewemusttreatthemwell—andthentheycanbeatourcallasyoufindthatwewantthem.Ithinkyoushouldsecure,say,fiftyorahundred—’tisanawfu’bigplace,AuntJanet!

Andinthesamewaywillyousecure—and,ofcourse,arrangeforpaysimilarly—ahundredmen,exclusiveofanyservantsyouthinkitwelltohave.IshouldliketheGeneral,ifhecangivethetime,tochooseorpassthem.IwantclansmenthatIcandependon,ifneedbe.Wearegoingtoliveinacountrywhichisatpresentstrangetous,anditiswelltolookthingsintheface.IknowSirColinwillonlyhavemenwhoareacredittoScotlandandtoRossandtoCroom—menwhowillimpresstheBlueMountaineers.Iknowtheywilltakethemtotheirhearts—certainlyifanyofthemarebachelorsthegirlswill!Forgiveme!Butifwearetosettlehere,ourfollowerswillprobablywanttosettlealso.Moreover,theBlueMountaineersmaywantfollowersalso!Andwillwantthemtosettle,too,andhavesuccessors!

Nowforthedescriptionoftheplace.Well,Isimplycan’tjustnow.Itisallsowonderfulandsobeautiful.TheCastle—IhavewrittensomuchalreadyaboutotherthingsthatIreallymustkeeptheCastleforanotherletter!LovetoSirColinifheisatCroom.Andoh,dearAuntJanet,howIwishthatmydearmotherwascomingout!Itallseemssodarkandemptywithouther.Howshewouldhaveenjoyedit!Howproudshewouldhavebeen!And,mydear,ifshecouldbewithusagain,howgratefulshewouldhavebeentoyouforallyouhavedoneforherboy!AsIam,believeme,mosttrulyandsincerelyandaffectionatelygrateful.

Yourloving

Rupert.

RupertSentLeger,Vissarion,toJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

January26,1907.

MydearAuntJanet,

PleasereadthisasifitwasapartoftheletterIwroteyesterday.

TheCastleitselfissovastthatIreallycan’tdescribeitindetail.SoIamwaitingtillyoucome;andthenyouandIwillgooverittogetherandlearnallthatwecanaboutit.WeshalltakeRookewithus,and,asheissupposedtoknoweverypartofit,fromthekeeptothetorture-chamber,wecanspendafewdaysoverit.Ofcourse,Ihavebeenovermostofit,sinceIcame—that,is,Iwentatvarioustimestoseedifferentportions—thebattlements,thebastions,theoldguard-room,thehall,thechapel,thewalls,theroof.AndIhavebeenthroughsomeofthenetworkofrockpassages.UncleRogermusthavespentamintofmoneyonit,sofarasIcansee;andthoughIamnotasoldier,IhavebeeninsomanyplacesfortifiedindifferentwaysthatIamnotentirelyignorantofthesubject.Hehasrestoreditinsuchanup-to-datewaythatitispracticallyimpregnabletoanythingunderbiggunsorasiege-train.Hehasgonesofarastohavecertainoutworksandthekeepcoveredwith

armouredplatingofwhatlookslikeharveyizedsteel.Youwillwonderwhenyouseeit.ButasyetIreallyknowonlyafewrooms,andamfamiliarwithonlyone—myownroom.Thedrawing-room—notthegreathall,whichisavastplace;thelibrary—amagnificentone,butinsaddisorder—wemustgetalibrariansomedaytoputitintrim;andthedrawing-roomandboudoirandbedroomsuitewhichIhaveselectedforyou,areallfine.Butmyownroomiswhatsuitsmebest,thoughIdonotthinkyouwouldcareforitforyourself.Ifyoudo,youshallhaveit.ItwasUncleRoger’sownroomwhenhestayedhere;livinginitforafewdaysservedtogivememoreinsighttohischaracter—orrathertohismind—thanIcouldhaveotherwisehad.ItisjustthekindofplaceIlikemyself;so,naturally,Iunderstandtheotherchapwholikedittoo.Itisafinebigroom,notquitewithintheCastle,butanoutlyingpartofit.Itisnotdetached,oranythingofthatsort,butisasortofgarden-roombuiltontoit.Thereseemstohavebeenalwayssomesortofplacewhereitis,forthepassagesandopeningsinsideseemtoacceptorrecognizeit.Itcanbeshutoffifnecessary—itwouldbeincaseofattack—byagreatslabofsteel,justlikethedoorofasafe,whichslidesfrominsidethewall,andcanbeoperatedfromeitherinsideoroutside—ifyouknowhow.Thatisfrommyroomorfromwithinthekeep.Themechanismisasecret,andnoonebutRookeandIknowit.TheroomopensoutthroughagreatFrenchwindow—theFrenchwindowismodern,Itakeit,andwasarrangedbyorforUncleRoger;Ithinktheremusthavebeenalwaysalargeopeningthere,forcenturiesatleast—whichopensonawideterraceorbalconyofwhitemarble,extendingrightandleft.Fromthisawhitemarblestairliesstraightinfrontofthewindow,andleadsdowntothegarden.Thebalconyandstaircasearequiteancient—ofoldItalianwork,beautifullycarved,and,ofcourse,weather-wornthroughcenturies.Thereisjustthatlittletingingofgreenhereandtherewhichmakesalloutdoormarblesocharming.Itishardtobelieveattimesthatitisapartofafortifiedcastle,itissoelegantandfreeandopen.Thefirstglanceofitwouldmakeaburglar’sheartglad.Hewouldsaytohimself:“HereisthesortofcribIlikewhenI’monthejob.Youcanjustwalkinandoutasyouchoose.”But,AuntJanet,oldRogerwascuterthananyburglar.Hehadtheplacesoguardedthattheburglarwouldhavebeenabaffledburglar.Therearetwosteelshieldswhichcanslideoutfromthewallandlockintotheothersiderightacrossthewholebigwindow.Oneisagrilleofsteelbandsthatopenoutintodiamond-shapedlozenges.Nothingbiggerthanakittencouldgetthrough;andyetyoucanseethegardenandthemountainsandthewholeview—muchthesameasyouladiescanseethroughyourveils.Theotherisagreatsheetofsteel,whichslidesoutinasimilarwayindifferentgrooves.Itisnot,ofcourse,soheavyandstrongasthesafe-doorwhichcoversthelittleopeninginthemainwall,butRooketellsmeitisproofagainsttheheaviestrifle-hall.

Havingtoldyouthis,Imusttellyou,too,AuntJanet,lestyoushouldbemadeanxiousbythearrière-penséeofallthesewarlikemeasuresofdefence,thatIalwayssleepatnightwithoneoftheseironscreensacrossthewindow.Ofcourse,whenIamawakeIleaveitopen.AsyetIhavetriedonly,butnotused,thegrille;andIdon’tthinkIshalleveruseanythingelse,foritisaperfectguard.Ifitshouldbetamperedwithfromoutsideitwouldsoundanalarmattheheadofthebed,andthepressingofabuttonwouldrolloutthesolidsteelscreeninfrontofit.Asamatteroffact,IhavebeensousedtotheopenthatIdon’tfeelcomfortableshutin.Ionlyclosewindowsagainstcoldorrain.Theweatherhereisdelightful—asyet,atallevents—buttheytellmethattherainyseasonwillbeonusbeforeverylong.

Ithinkyouwilllikemyden,auntydear,thoughitwilldoubtlessbeaworrytoyoutoseeitsountidy.Butthatcan’tbehelped.Imustbeuntidysomewhere;anditisbestinmyownden!

AgainIfindmylettersolongthatImustcutitoffnowandgoonagainto-night.Sothismustgoasitstands.IshallnotcauseyoutowaittohearallIcantellyouaboutournewhome.

Yourloving

Rupert.

FromRupertSentLeger,Vissarion,toJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

January29,1907.

MydearAuntJanet,

Mydenlooksout,asItoldyouinmylastletter,onthegarden,or,tospeakmoreaccurately,ononeofthegardens,forthereareacresofthem.Thisistheoldone,whichmustbealmostasoldastheCastleitself,foritwaswithinthedefencesintheolddaysofbows.Thewallthatsurroundstheinnerportionofithaslongagobeenlevelled,butsufficientremainsateitherendwhereitjoinedtheouterdefencestoshowthelongcasematesforthebowmentoshootthroughandtheraisedstonegallerywheretheystood.Itisjustthesamekindofbuildingasthestone-workofthesentry’swalkontheroofandofthegreatoldguard-roomunderit.

Butwhateverthegardenmayhavebeen,andnomatterhowitwasguarded,itisamostlovelyplace.Therearewholesectionsofgardenhereofvariousstyles—Greek,Italian,French,German,Dutch,British,Spanish,African,Moorish—alltheoldernationalities.Iamgoingtohaveanewonelaidoutforyou—aJapanesegarden.IhavesenttothegreatgardenerofJapan,Minaro,tomaketheplansforit,andtocomeoverwithworkmentocarryitout.Heistobringtreesandshrubsandflowersandstone-work,and

everythingthatcanberequired;andyoushallsuperintendthefinishing,ifnotthedoing,ofityourself.Wehavesuchafineheadofwaterhere,andtheclimateis,theytellme,usuallysolovelythatwecandoanythinginthegardeningway.Ifitshouldeverturnoutthattheclimatedoesnotsuit,weshallputagreathighglassroofoverit,andmakeasuitableclimate.

ThisgardeninfrontofmyroomistheoldItaliangarden.Itmusthavebeendonewithextraordinarytasteandcare,forthereisnotabitofitwhichisnotrarelybeautiful.SirThomasBrownehimself,forallhisQuincunx,wouldhavebeendelightedwithit,andhavefoundmaterialforanother“GardenofCyrus.”Itissobigthatthereareendless“episodes”ofgardenbeautyIthinkallItalymusthavebeenransackedinoldtimesforgardenstone-workofexceptionalbeauty;andthesetreasureshavebeenputtogetherbysomemaster-hand.Eventheformalbordersofthewalksareofoldporousstone,whichtakestheweather-stainingsobeautifully,andarecarvedinendlessvariety.Nowthatthegardenshavebeensolongneglectedorleftinabeyance,thegreenstaininghasbecomeperfect.Thoughthestone-workisitselfintact,ithasallthepicturesqueeffectofthewearandruinwroughtbymanycenturies.Iamhavingitkeptforyoujustasitis,exceptthatIhavehadtheweedsandundergrowthclearedawaysothatitsbeautiesmightbevisible.

Butitisnotmerelythearchitectworkofthegardenthatissobeautiful,noristheassemblingthereofthemanifoldwealthoffloralbeauty—thereisthebeautythatNaturecreatesbythehandofherservant,Time.Yousee,AuntJanet,howthebeautifulgardeninspiresadanger-hardenedoldtramplikemetohigh-gradesentimentsofpoeticfancy!Notonlyhavelimestoneandsandstone,andevenmarble,growngreenintime,buteventheshrubsplantedandthenneglectedhavedevelopednewkindsofbeautyoftheirown.Insomefar-distanttimesomemaster-gardeneroftheVissarionshastriedtorealizeanidea—thatoftinyplantsthatwouldgrowjustalittlehigherthantheflowers,sothattheeffectofanunevenfloralsurfacewouldbeachievedwithoutanyhidingofanythinginthegardenseenfromanywhere.Thisisonlymyreadingofwhathasbeenfromtheeffectofwhatis!Inthelongperiodofneglecttheshrubshaveoutlivedtheflowers.Naturehasbeendoingherownworkallthetimeinenforcingthesurvivalofthefittest.Theshrubshavegrownandgrown,andhaveovertoppedflowerandweed,accordingtotheirinherentvarietiesofstature;totheeffectthatnowyouseeirregularlyscatteredthroughthegardenquiteanumber—foritisabigplace—ofvegetableproductswhichfromalandscapestandpointhavesomethingofthegeneraleffectofstatueswithoutthecrampingfeelingofdetail.Whoeveritwasthatlaidoutthatpartofthegardenormadethechoiceofitems,musthavetakenpainstogetstrangespecimens,forallthosetallershrubsareinspecialcolours,mostlyyelloworwhite—whitecypress,whiteholly,yellowyew,grey-goldenbox,silverjuniper,variegatedmaple,spiraea,andnumbersofdwarfshrubswhosenames

Idon’tknow.Ionlyknowthatwhenthemoonshines—andthis,mydearAuntJanet,istheverylandofmoonlightitself!—theyalllookghastlypale.Theeffectisweirdtothelastdegree,andIamsurethatyouwillenjoyit.Formyself,asyouknow,uncannythingsholdnofear.IsupposeitisthatIhavebeenupagainstsomanydifferentkindsoffears,or,rather,ofthingswhichformostpeoplehaveterrorsoftheirown,thatIhavecometohaveacontempt—notanactivecontempt,youknow,butatolerativecontempt—forthewholefamilyofthem.Andyou,too,willenjoyyourselfherefamously,Iknow.You’llhavetocollectallthestoriesofsuchmattersinournewworldandmakeanewbookoffactsforthePsychicalResearchSociety.Itwillbenicetoseeyourownnameonatitle-page,won’tit,AuntJanet?

FromRupertSentLeger,Vissarion,toJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

January30,1907.

MydearAuntJanet,

Istoppedwritinglastnight—doyouknowwhy?BecauseIwantedtowritemore!Thissoundsaparadox,butitistrue.Thefactisthat,asIgoontellingyouofthisdelightfulplace,Ikeepfindingoutnewbeautiesmyself.Broadlyspeaking,itisallbeautiful.Inthelongvieworthelittleview—asthetelescopeorthemicroscopedirects—itisallthesame.Youreyecanturnonnothingthatdoesnotentranceyou.IwasyesterdayroamingabouttheupperpartoftimeCastle,andcameacrosssomedelightfulnooks,whichatonceIbecamefondof,andalreadylikethemasifIhadknownthemallmylife.IfeltatfirstasenseofgreedinesswhenIhadappropriatedtomyselfseveralroomsindifferentplaces—IwhohaveneverinmylifehadmorethanoneroomwhichIcouldcallmyown—andthatonlyforatime!ButwhenIsleptonitthefeelingchanged,anditsaspectisnownothalfbad.Itisnowunderanotherclassification—underamuchmoreimportantlabel—proprietorship.IfIwerewritingphilosophy,Ishouldhereputinacynicalremark:

“Selfishnessisanappanageofpoverty.Itmightappearinthestud-bookasby‘Morals’outof‘Wants.’”

Ihavenowthreebedroomsarrangedasmyownparticulardens.OneoftheothertwowasalsoachoiceofUncleRoger’s.Itisatthetopofoneofthetowerstotheextremeeast,andfromitIcancatchthefirstrayoflightoverthemountains.Isleptinitlastnight,andwhenIwoke,asinmytravellingIwasaccustomedtodo,atdawn,Isawfrommybedthroughanopenwindow—asmallwindow,foritisinafortresstower—thewholegreatexpansetotheeast.Notfaroff,andspringingfromthesummitofagreatruin,wherelongagoaseedhadfallen,roseagreatsilver-birch,andthehalf-transparent,droopingbranchesandhangingclustersofleafbroketheoutlineofthegreyhillsbeyond,forthehillswere,forawonder,greyinsteadofblue.Therewas

amackerelsky,withthecloudsdroppingonthemountain-topstillyoucouldhardlysaywhichwaswhich.Itwasamackerelskyofaveryboldandextraordinarykind—notadishofmackerel,butaworldofmackerel!Themountainsarecertainlymostlovely.Inthisclearairtheyusuallyseemcloseathand.Itwasonlythismorning,withthefaintglimpseofthedawnwhilstthenightcloudswerestillunpiercedbythesunlight,thatIseemedtorealizetheirgreatness.Ihaveseenthesameenlighteningeffectofaerialperspectiveafewtimesbefore—inColorado,inUpperIndia,inThibet,andintheuplandsamongsttheAndes.

Thereiscertainlysomethinginlookingatthingsfromabovewhichtendstoraiseone’sownself-esteem.Fromtheheight,inequalitiessimplydisappear.ThisIhaveoftenfeltonabigscalewhenballooning,or,betterstill,fromanaeroplane.Evenherefromthetowertheoutlookissomehowquitedifferentfrombelow.Onerealizestheplaceandallaroundit,notindetail,butasawhole.Ishallcertainlysleepuphereoccasionally,whenyouhavecomeandwehavesettleddowntoourlifeasitistobe.Ishallliveinmyownroomdownstairs,whereIcanhavetheintimacyofthegarden.ButIshallappreciateitallthemorefromnowandagainlosingthesenseofintimacyforawhile,andsurveyingitwithoutthesenseofone’sownself-importance.

Ihopeyouhavestartedonthatmatteroftheservants.Formyself,Idon’tcareabuttonwhetherornotthereareanyservantsatall;butIknowwellthatyouwon’tcometillyouhavemadeyourarrangementsregardingthem!Anotherthing,AuntJanet.Youmustnotbekilledwithworkhere,anditisallsovast...Whycan’tyougetsomesortofsecretarywhowillwriteyourlettersanddoallthatsortofthingforyou?Iknowyouwon’thaveamansecretary;buttherearelotsofwomennowwhocanwriteshorthandandtypewrite.Youcoulddoubtlessgetoneintheclan—someonewithadesiretobetterherself.Iknowyouwouldmakeherhappyhere.Ifsheisnottooyoung,allthebetter;shewillhavelearnedtoholdhertongueandmindherownbusiness,andnotbetooinquisitive.Thatwouldbeanuisancewhenwearefindingourwayaboutinanewcountryandtryingtoreconcileallsortsofoppositesinawholenewcountrywithnewpeople,whomatfirstweshan’tunderstand,andwhocertainlywon’tunderstandus;whereeverymancarriesagunwithaslittlethoughtofitashehasofbuttons!Good-byeforawhile.

Yourloving

Rupert.

FromRupertSentLeger,Vissarion,toJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

February3,1907.

Iambackinmyownroomagain.Alreadyitseemstomethattogethere

againislikecominghome.Ihavebeengoingaboutforthelastfewdaysamongstthemountaineersandtryingtomaketheiracquaintance.Itisatoughjob;andIcanseethattherewillbenothingbuttosticktoit.TheyareinrealitythemostprimitivepeopleIevermet—themostfixedtotheirownideas,whichbelongtocenturiesback.IcanunderstandnowwhatpeoplewerelikeinEngland—notinQueenElizabeth’stime,forthatwascivilizedtime,butinthetimeofCoeur-de-Lion,orevenearlier—andallthetimewiththemostabsolutemasteryofweaponsofprecision.Everymancarriesarifle—andknowshowtouseit,too.Idobelievetheywouldrathergowithouttheirclothesthantheirgunsiftheyhadtochoosebetweenthem.Theyalsocarryahandjar,whichusedtobetheirnationalweapon.Itisasortofheavy,straightcutlass,andtheyaresoexpertwithitaswellassostrongthatitisasfacileinthehandsofaBlueMountaineerasisafoilinthehandsofaPersianmaîtred’armes.Theyaresoproudandreservedthattheymakeonefeelquitesmall,andan“outsider”aswell.Icanseequitewellthattheyratherresentmybeinghereatall.Itisnotpersonal,forwhenalonewithmetheyaregenial,almostbrotherly;butthemomentafewofthemgettogethertheyarelikeasortofjury,withmeasthecriminalbeforethem.Itisanoddsituation,andquitenewtome.Iamprettywellaccustomedtoallsortsofpeople,fromcannibalstoMahatmas,butI’mblessedifIeverstrucksuchatypeasthis—soproud,sohaughty,soreserved,sodistant,soabsolutelyfearless,sohonourable,sohospitable.UncleRoger’sheadwaslevelwhenhechosethemoutasapeopletoliveamongst.Doyouknow,AuntJanet,Ican’thelpfeelingthattheyareverymuchlikeyourownHighlanders—onlymoreso.I’msureofonething:thatintheendweshallgetoncapitallytogether.Butitwillbeaslowjob,andwillneedalotofpatience.Ihaveafeelinginmybonesthatwhentheyknowmebettertheywillbeveryloyalandverytrue;andIamnotahair’s-breadthafraidofthemoranythingtheyshallormightdo.Thatis,ofcourse,ifIlivelongenoughforthemtohavetimetoknowme.Anythingmayhappenwithsuchanindomitable,proudpeopletowhomprideismorethanvictuals.Afterall,itonlyneedsonemanoutofacrowdtohaveawrongideaortomakeamistakeastoone’smotive—andthereyouare.Butitwillbeallrightthatway,Iamsure.Iamcomeheretostay,asUncleRogerwished.AndstayIshallevenifithastobeinalittlebedofmyownbeyondthegarden—sevenfeetoddlong,andnottoonarrow—orelseastone-boxofequalproportionsinthevaultsofSt.Sava’sChurchacrosstheCreek—theoldburial-placeoftheVissarionsandothernoblepeopleforagoodmanycenturiesback...

Ihavebeenreadingoverthisletter,dearAuntJanet,andIamafraidtherecordisratheranalarmingone.Butdon’tyougobuildingupsuperstitioushorrorsorfearsonit.Honestly,Iamonlyjokingaboutdeath—athingtowhichIhavebeenratherproneforagoodmanyyearsback.Notinverygood

taste,Isuppose,butcertainlyveryusefulwhentheoldmanwiththeblackwingsgoesflyingaboutyoudayandnightinstrangeplaces,sometimesvisibleandatothersinvisible.Butyoucanalwayshearwings,especiallyinthedark,whenyoucannotseethem.Youknowthat,AuntJanet,whocomeofaraceofwarriors,andwhohavespecialsightbehindorthroughtheblackcurtain.

Honestly,IaminnowhitafraidoftheBlueMountaineers,norhaveIadoubtofthem.Ilovethemalreadyfortheirsplendidqualities,andIampreparedtolovethemforthemselves.Ifeel,too,thattheywillloveme(andincidentallytheyaresuretoloveyou).Ihaveasortofundercurrentofthoughtthatthereissomethingintheirmindsconcerningme—somethingnotpainful,butdisturbing;somethingthathasabaseinthepast;somethingthathashopeinitandpossiblepride,andnotalittlerespect.AsyettheycanhavehadnoopportunityofformingsuchimpressionfromseeingmeorfromanythingIhavedone.Ofcourse,itmaybethat,althoughtheyarefine,tall,stalwartmen,IamstillaheadandshouldersoverthetallestofthemthatIhaveyetseen.Icatchtheireyeslookingupatmeasthoughtheyweremeasuringme,evenwhentheyarekeepingawayfromme,or,rather,keepingmefromthematarm’slength.IsupposeIshallunderstandwhatitallmeanssomeday.Inthemeantimethereisnothingtodobuttogoonmyownway—whichisUncleRoger’s—andwaitandbepatientandjust.Ihavelearnedthevalueofthat,anyway,inmylifeamongststrangepeoples.Good-night.

Yourloving

Rupert.

FromRupertSentLeger,Vissarion,toJanetMacKelpie,Croom.

February24,1907.

MydearAuntJanet,

Iammorethanrejoicedtohearthatyouarecomingheresosoon.Thisisolationis,Ithink,gettingonmynerves.IthoughtforawhilelastnightthatIwasgettingon,butthereactioncamealltoosoon.Iwasinmyroomintheeastturret,theroomonthecorbeille,andsawhereandtheremenpassingsilentlyandswiftlybetweenthetreesasthoughinsecret.By-and-byIlocatedtheirmeeting-place,whichwasinahollowinthemidstofthewoodjustoutsidethe“natural”garden,asthemaporplanofthecastlecallsit.IstalkedthatplaceforallIwasworth,andsuddenlywalkedstraightintothemidstofthem.Therewereperhapstwoorthreehundredgathered,abouttheveryfinestlotofmenIeversawinmylife.Itwasinitswayquiteanexperience,andonenotlikelytoberepeated,for,asItoldyou,inthiscountryeverymancarriesarifle,andknowshowtouseit.IdonotthinkIhaveseenasingle

man(ormarriedmaneither)withouthisriflesinceIcamehere.Iwonderiftheytakethemwiththemtobed!Well,theinstantafterIstoodamongstthemeveryrifleintheplacewasaimedstraightatme.Don’tbealarmed,AuntJanet;theydidnotfireatme.IftheyhadIshouldnotbewritingtoyounow.Ishouldbeinthatlittlebitofrealestateorthestonebox,andaboutasfullofleadasIcouldhold.Ordinarily,Itakeit,theywouldhavefiredontheinstant;thatistheetiquettehere.Butthistimethey—allseparatelybutalltogether—madeanewrule.Noonesaidawordor,sofarasIcouldsee,madeamovement.Herecameinmyownexperience.Ihadbeenmorethanonceinatightplaceofsomethingofthesamekind,soIsimplybehavedinthemostnaturalwayIcould.Ifeltconscious—itwasallinaflash,remember—thatifIshowedfearorcauseforfear,orevenacknowledgeddangerbysomuchasevenholdingupmyhands,Ishouldhavedrawnallthefire.Theyallremainedstock-still,asthoughtheyhadbeenturnedintostone,forseveralseconds.Thenaqueerkindoflookflashedroundthemlikewindovercorn—somethinglikethesurpriseoneshowsunconsciouslyonwakinginastrangeplace.Asecondaftertheyeachdroppedtherifletothehollowofhisarmandstoodreadyforanything.ItwasallasregularandquickandsimultaneousasasaluteatSt.James’sPalace.

HappilyIhadnoarmsofanykindwithme,sothattherecouldbenocomplication.Iamratheraquickhandmyselfwhenthereisanyshootingtobedone.However,therewasnotroublehere,butthecontrary;theBlueMountaineers—itsoundslikeanewsortofBondStreetband,doesn’tit?—treatedmeinquiteadifferentwaythantheydidwhenIfirstmetthem.Theywereamazinglycivil,almostdeferential.But,alltimesame,theyweremoredistantthanever,andallthetimeIwasthereIcouldgetnotawhitclosertothem.Theyseemedinasortofwaytobeafraidorinaweofme.Nodoubtthatwillsoonpassaway,andwhenweknowoneanotherbetterweshallbecomeclosefriends.Theyaretoofinefellowsnottobeworthalittlewaitingfor.(Thatsentence,bytheway,isaprettybadsentence!Inolddaysyouwouldhaveslipperedmeforit!)Yourjourneyisallarranged,andIhopeyouwillbecomfortable.RookewillmeetyouatLiverpoolStreetandlookaftereverything.

Ishan’twriteagain,butwhenwemeetatFiumeIshallbegintotellyoualltherest.Tillthen,good-bye.Agoodjourneytoyou,andahappymeetingtousboth.

Rupert.

Letter from JanetMacKelpie,Vissarion, to SirColinMacKelpie,UnitedServiceClub,London.

February28,1907.

DearestUncle,

IhadaverycomfortablejourneyallacrossEurope.RupertwrotetomesometimeagotosaythatwhenIgottoVissarionIshouldbeanEmpress,andhecertainlytookcarethatonthewayhereIshouldbetreatedlikeone.Rooke,whoseemsawonderfuloldman,wasinthenextcompartmenttothatreservedforme.AtHarwichhehadeverythingarrangedperfectly,andsorightontoFiume.Everywheretherewereattentiveofficialswaiting.Ihadacarriagealltomyself,whichIjoinedatAntwerp—awholecarriagewithasuiteofrooms,dining-room,drawing-room,bedroom,evenbath-room.Therewasacookwithakitchenofhisownonboard,arealcheflikeaFrenchnoblemanindisguise.Therewerealsoawaiterandaservant-maid.MyownmaidMaggiewasquiteawedatfirst.WewereasfarasColognebeforeshesummonedupcouragetoorderthemabout.WheneverwestoppedRookewasontheplatformwithlocalofficials,andkeptthedoorofmycarriagelikeasentryonduty.

AtFiume,whenthetrainsloweddown,IsawRupertwaitingontheplatform.Helookedmagnificent,toweringovereverybodytherelikeagiant.Heisinperfecthealth,andseemedgladtoseeme.Hetookmeoffatonceonanautomobiletoaquaywhereanelectriclaunchwaswaiting.Thistookusonboardabeautifulbigsteam-yacht,whichwaswaitingwithfullsteamupand—howhegotthereIdon’tknow—Rookewaitingatthegangway.

Ihadanothersuitealltomyself.RupertandIhaddinnertogether—IthinkthefinestdinnerIeversatdownto.ThiswasveryniceofRupert,foritwasallforme.Hehimselfonlyateapieceofsteakanddrankaglassofwater.Iwenttobedearly,for,despitetheluxuryofthejourney,Iwasverytired.

Iawokeinthegreyofthemorning,andcameondeck.Wewereclosetothecoast.RupertwasonthebridgewiththeCaptain,andRookewasactingaspilot.WhenRupertsawme,herandowntheladderandtookmeuponthebridge.HeleftmetherewhileherandownagainandbroughtmeupalovelyfurcloakwhichIhadneverseen.Heputitonmeandkissedme.Heisthetenderest-heartedboyintheworld,aswellasthebestandbravest!HemademetakehisarmwhilsthepointedoutVissarion,towardswhichweweresteering.ItisthemostlovelyplaceIeversaw.Iwon’tstoptodescribeitnow,foritwillbebetterthatyouseeitforyourselfandenjoyitallfreshasIdid.

TheCastleisanimmenseplace.Youhadbettershipoff,assoonasallisreadyhereandyoucanarrangeit,theservantswhomIengaged;andIamnotsurethatweshallnotwantasmanymore.Therehashardlybeenamoporbroomontheplaceforcenturies,andIdoubtifiteverhadathoroughgoodcleaningalloversinceitwasbuilt.And,doyouknow,Uncle,thatitmightbe

welltodoublethatlittlearmyofyoursthatyouarearrangingforRupert?Indeed,theboytoldmehimselfthathewasgoingtowritetoyouaboutit.IthinkoldLachlanandhiswife,Sandy’sMary,hadbetterbeinchargeofthemaidswhentheycomeover.Alotoflassieslikeyonwillbeillertokeeptogetherthanaflockofsheep.Soitwillbewisetohaveauthorityoverthem,especiallyasnoneofthemspeaksawordofforeigntongues.Rooke—yousawhimatthestationatLiverpoolStreet—will,ifhebeavailable,goovertobringthewholebodyhere.HehasofferedtodoitifIshouldwish.And,bytheway,Ithinkitwillbewell,whenthetimecomesfortheirdeparture,ifnotonlythelassies,butLachlanandSandy’sMary,too,willcallhimMisterRooke.Heisaveryimportantpersonindeedhere.Heis,infact,asortofMasteroftheCastle,andthoughheisveryself-suppressing,isamanofrarelyfinequalities.Alsoitwillbewelltokeepauthority.Whenyourclansmencomeover,hewillhavechargeofthem,too.Dearme!IfindIhavewrittensuchalongletter,Imuststopandgettowork.Ishallwriteagain.

Yourveryaffectionate

Janet.

FromtheSametotheSame.

March3,1907.

DearestUncle,

Allgoeswellhere,andasthereisnonews,Ionlywritebecauseyouareadear,andIwanttothankyouforallthetroubleyouhavetakenforme—andforRupert.Ithinkwehadbetterwaitawhilebeforebringingouttheservants.RookeisawayonsomebusinessforRupert,andwillnotbebackforsometime;Rupertthinksitmaybeacoupleofmonths.Thereisnooneelsethathecouldsendtotakechargeofthepartyfromhome,andIdon’tliketheideaofallthoselassiescomingoutwithoutanescort.EvenLachlanandSandy’sMaryareignorantofforeignlanguagesandforeignways.ButassoonasRookereturnswecanhavethemallout.Idaresayyouwillhavesomeofyourclansmenreadybythen,andIthinkthepoorgirls,whomayfeelabitstrangeinanewcountrylikethis,wherethewaysaresodifferentfromours,willfeeleasierwhentheyknowthattherearesomeoftheirownmankindnearthem.Perhapsitmightbewellthatthoseofthemwhoareengagedtoeachother—Iknowtherearesome—shouldmarrybeforetheycomeouthere.Itwillbemoreconvenientinmanyways,andwillsavelodgment,and,besides,theseBlueMountaineersareveryhandsomemen.Good-night.

Janet.

SirColinMacKelpie,Croom,toJanetMacKelpie,Vissarion.

March9,1907.

MyDearJanet,

Ihavedulyreceivedbothyourletters,andamdelightedtofindyouaresowellpleasedwithyournewhome.Itmustcertainlybeaverylovelyanduniqueplace,andIammyselflongingtoseeit.Icameupherethreedaysago,andam,asusual,feelingallthebetterforabreathofmynativeair.Timegoeson,mydear,andIambeginningtofeelnotsoyoungasIwas.TellRupertthatthemenareallfit,andlongingtogetouttohim.Theyarecertainlyafinelotofmen.Idon’tthinkIeversawafiner.Ihavehadthemdrilledandtrainedassoldiers,and,inaddition,havehadthemtaughtalotoftradesjustastheyselectedthemselves.Soheshallhavenighhimmenwhocanturntheirhandstoanything—not,ofcourse,thattheyallknoweverytrade,butamongstthemthereissomeonewhocandowhatevermayberequired.Thereareblacksmiths,carpenters,farriers,saddle-makers,gardeners,plumbers,cutlers,gunsmiths,so,astheyallarefarmersbyoriginandsportsmenbypractice,theywillmakeararehouseholdbodyofmen.Theyarenearlyallfirst-classshots,andIamhavingthempractisewithrevolvers.Theyarebeingtaughtfencingandbroadswordandju-jitsu;Ihaveorganizedtheminmilitaryform,withtheirownsergeantsandcorporals.ThismorningIhadaninspection,andIassureyou,mydear,theycouldgivepointstotheHouseholdtroopinmattersofdrill.ItellyouIamproudofmyclansmen!

Ithinkyouarequitewiseaboutwaitingtobringoutthelassies,andwiserstillaboutthemarrying.Idaresaytherewillbemoremarryingwhentheyallgetsettledinaforeigncountry.Ishallbegladofit,forasRupertisgoingtosettlethere,itwillbegoodforhimtohaveroundhimalittlecolonyofhisownpeople.Anditwillbegoodforthem,too,forIknowhewillbegoodtothem—asyouwill,mydear.Thehillsarebarrenhere,andlifeishard,andeachyearthereismoreandmoredemandforcrofts,andsoonerorlaterourpeoplemustthinout.AndmayhapourlittlesettlementofMacKelpieclanawaybeyondthefrontiersoftheEmpiremaybesomeservicetothenationandtheKing.Butthisisadream!IseethathereIambeginningtorealiseinmyselfonepartofIsaiah’sprophecy:

“Youryoungmenshallseevisions,andyouroldmenshalldreamdreams.”

Bytheway,mydear,talkingaboutdreams,Iamsendingyououtsomeboxesofbookswhichwereinyourrooms.Theyarenearlyallonoddsubjectsthatweunderstand—SecondSight,Ghosts,Dreams(thatwaswhatbroughtthemattertomymindjustnow),superstitions,Vampires,Wehr-Wolves,andallsuchuncannyfolkandthings.Ilookedoversomeofthesebooks,andfoundyourmarksandunderliningandcomments,soIfancyyouwillmiss

theminyournewhome.Youwill,Iamsure,feelmoreateasewithsucholdfriendsclosetoyou.IhavetakenthenamesandsentthelisttoLondon,sothatwhenyoupaymeavisitagainyouwillbeathomeinallways.Ifyoucometomealtogether,youwillbemorewelcomestill—ifpossible.ButIamsurethatRupert,whoIknowlovesyouverymuch,willtrytomakeyousohappythatyouwillnotwanttoleavehim.SoIwillhavetocomeoutoftentoseeyouboth,evenatthecostofleavingCroomforsolong.Strange,isitnot?thatnow,when,throughRogerMelton’smorethankindremembranceofme,IamabletogowhereIwillanddowhatIwill,Iwantmoreandmoretoremainathomebymyowningle.Idon’tthinkthatanyonebutyouorRupertcouldgetmeawayfromit.Iamworkingveryhardatmylittleregiment,asIcallit.Theyaresimplyfine,andwill,Iamsure,douscredit.Theuniformsareallmade,andwellmade,too.Thereisnotamanofthemthatdoesnotlooklikeanofficer.Itellyou,Janet,thatwhenweturnouttheVissarionGuardweshallfeelproudofthem.Idaresaythatacoupleofmonthswilldoallthatcanbedonehere.Ishallcomeoutwiththemmyself.Rupertwritesmethathethinksitwillbemorecomfortabletocomeoutdirectinashipofourown.SowhenIgouptoLondoninafewweeks’timeIshallseeaboutcharteringasuitablevessel.Itwillcertainlysavealotoftroubletousandanxietytoourpeople.WoulditnotbewellwhenIamgettingtheship,ifIcharteronebigenoughtotakeoutallyourlassies,too?Itisnotasiftheywerestrangers.Afterall,mydear,soldiersaresoldiersandlassiesarelassies.Buttheseareallkinsfolk,aswellasclansmenandclanswomen,andI,theirChief,shallbethere.Letmeknowyourviewsandwishesinthisrespect.Mr.Trent,whomIsawbeforeleavingLondon,askedmeto“conveytoyouhismostrespectfulremembrances”—thesewerehisverywords,andheretheyare.Trentisanicefellow,andIlikehim.Hehaspromisedtopaymeavisitherebeforethemonthisup,andIlookforwardtoourbothenjoyingourselves.

Good-bye,mydear,andtheLordwatchoveryouandourdearboy.

YouraffectionateUncle,

ColinAlexanderMacKelpie.

BOOKIII:THECOMINGOFTHELADY

RupertSentLeger’sJournal.

April3,1907.

Ihavewaitedtillnow—wellintomidday—beforebeginningtosetdown

thedetailsofthestrangeepisodeoflastnight.IhavespokenwithpersonswhomIknowtobeofnormaltype.Ihavebreakfasted,asusualheartily,andhaveeveryreasontoconsidermyselfinperfecthealthandsanity.Sothattherecordfollowingmayberegardedasnotonlytrueinsubstance,butexactastodetails.IhaveinvestigatedandreportedontoomanycasesforthePsychicalResearchSocietytobeignorantofthenecessityforabsoluteaccuracyinsuchmattersofeventheminutestdetail.

YesterdaywasTuesday,theseconddayofApril,1907.Ipassedadayofinterest,withitsfairamountofworkofvaryingkinds.AuntJanetandIlunchedtogether,hadastrollroundthegardensaftertea—especiallyexaminingthesiteforthenewJapanesegarden,whichweshallcall“Janet’sGarden.”Wewentinmackintoshes,fortherainyseasonisinitsfull,theonlysignofitsnotbeingarepetitionoftheDelugebeingthatbreaksinthecontinuancearebeginning.Theyareshortatpresentbutwilldoubtlessenlargethemselvesastheseasoncomestowardsanend.Wedinedtogetheratseven.AfterdinnerIhadacigar,andthenjoinedAuntJanetforanhourinherdrawing-room.Ileftherathalf-pastten,whenIwenttomyownroomandwrotesomeletters.AttenminutespastelevenIwoundmywatch,soIknowthetimeaccurately.Havingpreparedforbed,Idrewbacktheheavycurtaininfrontofmywindow,whichopensonthemarblestepsintotheItaliangarden.Ihadputoutmylightbeforedrawingbackthecurtain,forIwantedtohavealookatthescenebeforeturningin.AuntJanethasalwayshadanold-fashionedideaoftheneed(orpropriety,Ihardlyknowwhich)ofkeepingwindowsclosedandcurtainsdrawn.Iamgraduallygettinghertoleavemyroomaloneinthisrespect,butatpresentthechangeisinitsfitfulstage,andofcourseImustnothurrymattersorbetoopersistent,asitwouldhurtherfeelings.Thisnightwasoneofthoseundertheoldrégime.Itwasadelighttolookout,forthescenewasperfectofitsownkind.Thelongspellofrain—theceaselessdownpourwhichhadforthetimefloodedeverywhere—hadpassed,andwaterinabnormalplacesrathertrickledthanran.Wewerenowbeginningtobeinthesloppyratherthanthedelugedstage.Therewasplentyoflighttoseeby,forthemoonhadbeguntoshowoutfitfullythroughthemassesofflyingclouds.Theuncertainlightmadeweirdshadowswiththeshrubsandstatuesinthegarden.ThelongstraightwalkwhichleadsfromthemarblestepsisstrewnwithfinesandwhitefromthequartzstrandinthenooktothesouthoftheCastle.Tallshrubsofwhiteholly,yew,juniper,cypress,andvariegatedmapleandspiraea,whichstoodatintervalsalongthewalkanditsbranches,appearedghost-likeinthefitfulmoonlight.Themanyvasesandstatuesandurns,alwayslikephantomsinahalf-light,weremorethaneverweird.Lastnightthemoonlightwasunusuallyeffective,andshowednotonlythegardensdowntothedefendingwall,butthedeepgloomofthegreatforest-treesbeyond;andbeyondthat,again,towherethemountainchain

began,theforestrunninguptheirsilveredslopesflamelikeinform,deviatedhereandtherebygreatcragsandtheoutcroppingrockysinewsofthevastmountains.

WhilstIwaslookingatthislovelyprospect,IthoughtIsawsomethingwhiteflit,likeamodifiedwhiteflash,atoddmomentsfromonetoanotheroftheshrubsorstatues—anythingwhichwouldaffordcoverfromobservation.AtfirstIwasnotsurewhetherIreallysawanythingordidnot.Thiswasinitselfalittledisturbingtome,forIhavebeensolongtrainedtominuteobservationoffactssurroundingme,onwhichoftendependnotonlymyownlife,butthelivesofothers,thatIhavebecomeaccustomedtotrustmyeyes;andanythingcreatingthefaintestdoubtinthisrespectisacauseofmoreorlessanxietytome.Now,however,thatmyattentionwascalledtomyself,Ilookedmorekeenly,andinaveryshorttimewassatisfiedthatsomethingwasmoving—somethingcladinwhite.Itwasnaturalenoughthatmythoughtsshouldtendtowardssomethinguncanny—thebeliefthatthisplaceishaunted,conveyedinathousandwaysofspeechandinference.AuntJanet’seeriebeliefs,fortifiedbyherbooksonoccultsubjects—andoflate,inourisolationfromtherestoftheworld,thesubjectofdailyconversations—helpedtothisend.Nowonder,then,that,fullyawakeandwithsensesallonedge,Iwaitedforsomefurthermanifestationfromthisghostlyvisitor—asinmymindItookittobe.Itmustsurelybeaghostorspiritualmanifestationofsomekindwhichmovedinthissilentway.Inordertoseeandhearbetter,Isoftlymovedbackthefoldinggrille,openedtheFrenchwindow,andsteppedout,bare-footedandpyjama-cladasIwas,onthemarbleterrace.Howcoldthewetmarblewas!Howheavysmelledtherain-ladengarden!Itwasasthoughthenightandthedamp,andeventhemoonlight,weredrawingthearomafromalltheflowersthatblossomed.Thewholenightseemedtoexhaleheavy,half-intoxicatingodours!Istoodattheheadofthemarblesteps,andallimmediatelybeforemewasghostlyintheextreme—thewhitemarbleterraceandsteps,thewhitewalksofquartz-sandglisteningunderthefitfulmoonlight;theshrubsofwhiteorpalegreenoryellow,—alllookingdimandghostlyintheglamorouslight;thewhitestatuesandvases.Andamongstthem,stillflittingnoiselessly,thatmysteriouselusivefigurewhichIcouldnotsaywasbasedonfactorimagination.Iheldmybreath,listeningintentlyforeverysound;butsoundtherewasnone,savethoseofthenightanditsdenizens.Owlshootedintheforest;bats,takingadvantageofthecessationoftherain,flittedaboutsilently,likeshadowsintheair.Buttherewasnomoresignofmovingghostorphantom,orwhateverIhadseenmighthavebeen—if,indeed,therehadbeenanythingexceptimagination.

So,afterwaitingawhile,Ireturnedtomyroom,closedthewindow,drewthegrilleacrossagain,anddraggedtheheavycurtainbeforetheopening;then,havingextinguishedmycandles,wenttobedinthedark.InafewminutesI

musthavebeenasleep.

“Whatwasthat?”IalmostheardthewordsofmyownthoughtasIsatupinbedwideawake.Tomemoryratherthanpresenthearingthedisturbingsoundhadseemedlikethefainttappingatthewindow.ForsomesecondsIlistened,mechanicallybutintently,withbatedbreathandthatquickbeatingoftheheartwhichinatimorouspersonspeaksforfear,andforexpectationinanother.Inthestillnessthesoundcameagain—thistimeavery,veryfaintbutunmistakabletappingattheglassdoor.

Ijumpedup,drewbackthecurtain,andforamomentstoodappalled.

There,outsideonthebalcony,inthenowbrilliantmoonlight,stoodawoman,wrappedinwhitegrave-clothessaturatedwithwater,whichdrippedonthemarblefloor,makingapoolwhichtrickledslowlydownthewetsteps.Attitudeanddressandcircumstanceallconveyedtheideathat,thoughshemovedandspoke,shewasnotquick,butdead.Shewasyoungandverybeautiful,butpale,likethegreypallorofdeath.Throughthestillwhiteofherface,whichmadeherlookascoldasthewetmarbleshestoodon,herdarkeyesseemedtogleamwithastrangebutenticinglustre.Evenintheunsearchingmoonlight,whichisafterallratherdeceptivethanilluminative,Icouldnotbutnoticeonerarequalityofhereyes.Eachhadsomequalityofrefractionwhichmadeitlookasthoughitcontainedastar.Ateverymovementshemade,thestarsexhibitednewbeauties,ofmorerareandradiantforce.Shelookedatmeimploringlyastheheavycurtainrolledback,andineloquentgesturesimploredmetoadmither.InstinctivelyIobeyed;Irolledbackthesteelgrille,andthrewopentheFrenchwindow.Inoticedthatsheshiveredandtrembledastheglassdoorfellopen.Indeed,sheseemedsoovercomewithcoldastoseemalmostunabletomove.Inthesenseofherhelplessnessallideaofthestrangenessofthesituationentirelydisappeared.Itwasnotasifmyfirstideaofdeathtakenfromhercerementswasnegatived.ItwassimplythatIdidnotthinkofitatall;Iwascontenttoacceptthingsastheywere—shewasawoman,andinsomedreadfultrouble;thatwasenough.

Iamthusparticularaboutmyownemotions,asImayhavetorefertothemagaininmattersofcomprehensionorcomparison.Thewholethingissovastlystrangeandabnormalthattheleastthingmayafterwardsgivesomeguidinglightorcluetosomethingotherwisenotunderstandable.Ihavealwaysfoundthatinreconditemattersfirstimpressionsareofmorerealvaluethanlaterconclusions.Wehumansplacefartoolittlerelianceoninstinctasagainstreason;andyetinstinctisthegreatgiftofNaturetoallanimalsfortheirprotectionandthefulfilmentoftheirfunctionsgenerally.

WhenIsteppedoutonthebalcony,notthinkingofmycostume,Ifoundthatthewomanwasbenumbedandhardlyabletomove.EvenwhenIasked

hertoenter,andsupplementedmywordswithgesturesincasesheshouldnotunderstandmylanguage,shestoodstock-still,onlyrockingslightlytoandfroasthoughshehadjuststrengthenoughlefttobalanceherselfonherfeet.Iwasafraid,fromtheconditioninwhichshewas,thatshemightdropdowndeadatanymoment.SoItookherbythehandtoleadherin.Butsheseemedtooweaktoevenmaketheattempt.WhenIpulledherslightlyforward,thinkingtohelpher,shetottered,andwouldhavefallenhadInotcaughtherinmyarms.Then,halfliftingher,Imovedherforwards.Herfeet,relievedofherweight,nowseemedabletomakethenecessaryeffort;andso,Ialmostcarryingher,wemovedintotheroom.Shewasattheveryendofherstrength;Ihadtoliftheroverthesill.Inobediencetohermotion,IclosedtheFrenchwindowandboltedit.Isupposedthewarmthoftheroom—thoughcool,itwaswarmerthanthedampairwithout—affectedherquickly,forontheinstantsheseemedtobegintorecoverherself.Inafewseconds,asthoughshehadreacquiredherstrength,sheherselfpulledtheheavycurtainacrossthewindow.Thisleftusindarkness,throughwhichIheardhersayinEnglish:

“Light.Getalight!”

Ifoundmatches,andatoncelitacandle.Asthewickflared,shemovedovertothedooroftheroom,andtriedifthelockandboltwerefastened.Satisfiedastothis,shemovedtowardsme,herwetshroudleavingatrailofmoistureonthegreencarpet.Bythistimethewaxofthecandlehadmeltedsufficientlytoletmeseeherclearly.Shewasshakingandquiveringasthoughinanague;shedrewthewetshroudaroundherpiteously.InstinctivelyIspoke:

“CanIdoanythingforyou?”

Sheanswered,still inEnglish,andinavoiceofthrilling,almostpiercingsweetness,whichseemedsomehowtogostraighttomyheart,andaffectedmestrangely:“Givemewarmth.”

Ihurriedtothefireplace.Itwasempty;therewasnofirelaid.Iturnedtoher,andsaid:

“Waitjustafewminuteshere.Ishallcallsomeone,andgethelp—andfire.”

Hervoiceseemedtoringwithintensityassheansweredwithoutapause:

“No,no!RatherwouldIbe”—hereshehesitatedforaninstant,butasshecaughtsightofhercerementswentonhurriedly—“asIam.Itrustyou—notothers;andyoumustnotbetraymytrust.”Almostinstantlyshefellintoafrightfulfitofshivering,drawingagainherdeath-clothesclosetoher,sopiteouslythatitwrungmyheart.IsupposeIamapracticalman.Atanyrate,Iamaccustomedtoaction.ItookfromitsplacebesidemybedathickJaeger

dressing-gownofdarkbrown—itwas,ofcourse,ofextralength—andhelditouttoherasIsaid:

“Putthaton.Itistheonlywarmthingherewhichwouldbesuitable.Stay;youmustremovethatwet—wet”—Istumbledaboutforawordthatwouldnotbeoffensive—“thatfrock—dress—costume—whateveritis.”Ipointedtowhere,inthecorneroftheroom,stoodachintz-coveredfolding-screenwhichfencesinmycoldspongebath,whichislaidreadyformeovernight,asIamanearlyriser.

Shebowedgravely,andtakingthedressing-gowninalong,white,finely-shapedhand,boreitbehindthescreen.Therewasaslightrustle,andthenahollow“flop”asthewetgarmentfellonthefloor;morerustlingandrubbing,andaminutelatersheemergedwrappedfromheadtofootinthelongJaegergarment,whichtrailedonthefloorbehindher,thoughshewasatallwoman.Shewasstillshiveringpainfully,however.Itookaflaskofbrandyandaglassfromacupboard,andofferedhersome;butwithamotionofherhandsherefusedit,thoughshemoanedgrievously.

“Oh,Iamsocold—socold!”Herteethwerechattering.Iwaspainedathersadcondition,andsaiddespairingly,forIwasatmywits’endtoknowwhattodo:

“TellmeanythingthatIcandotohelpyou,andIwilldoit.Imaynotcallhelp;thereisnofire—nothingtomakeitwith;youwillnottakesomebrandy.WhatonearthcanIdotogiveyouwarmth?”

Heranswercertainlysurprisedmewhenitcame,thoughitwaspracticalenough—sopracticalthatIshouldnothavedaredtosayit.Shelookedmestraightinthefaceforafewsecondsbeforespeaking.Then,withanairofgirlishinnocencewhichdisarmedsuspicionandconvincedmeatonceofhersimplefaith,shesaidinavoicethatatoncethrilledmeandevokedallmypity:

“Letmerestforawhile,andcovermeupwithrugs.Thatmaygivemewarmth.Iamdyingofcold.AndIhaveadeadlyfearuponme—adeadlyfear.Sitbyme,andletmeholdyourhand.Youarebigandstrong,andyoulookbrave.Itwillreassureme.Iamnotmyselfacoward,butto-nightfearhasgotmebythethroat.Icanhardlybreathe.DoletmestaytillIamwarm.IfyouonlyknewwhatIhavegonethrough,andhavetogothroughstill,Iamsureyouwouldpitymeandhelpme.”

TosaythatIwasastonishedwouldbeamilddescriptionofmyfeelings.Iwasnotshocked.ThelifewhichIhaveledwasnotonewhichmakesforprudery.Totravelinstrangeplacesamongststrangepeopleswithstrangeviewsoftheirownistohaveoddexperiencesandpeculiaradventuresnow

andagain;amanwithouthumanpassionsisnotthetypenecessaryforanadventurouslife,suchasImyselfhavehad.Butevenamanofpassionsandexperiencescan,whenherespectsawoman,beshocked—evenprudish—wherehisownopinionofherisconcerned.Suchmustbringtoherguardinganygenerositywhichhehas,andanyself-restraintalso.Evenshouldsheplaceherselfinadoubtfulposition,herhonourcallstohishonour.Thisisacallwhichmaynotbe—mustnotbe—unanswered.Evenpassionmustpauseforatleastawhileatsoundofsuchatrumpet-call.

ThiswomanIdidrespect—muchrespect.Heryouthandbeauty;hermanifestignoranceofevil;hersuperbdisdainofconvention,whichcouldonlycomethroughhereditarydignity;herterriblefearandsuffering—fortheremustbemoreinherunhappyconditionthanmeetstheeye—wouldalldemandrespect,evenifonedidnothastentoyieldit.Nevertheless,Ithoughtitnecessarytoenteraprotestagainstherembarrassingsuggestion.Icertainlydidfeelafoolwhenmakingit,alsoacad.Icantrulysayitwasmadeonlyforhergood,andoutofthebestofme,suchasIam.Ifeltimpossiblyawkward;andstutteredandstumbledbeforeIspoke:

“Butsurely—theconvenances!Yourbeingherealoneatnight!Mrs.Grundy—convention—the—”

Sheinterruptedmewithanincomparabledignity—adignitywhichhadtheeffectofshuttingmeuplikeaclasp-knifeandmakingmefeeladecidedinferior—andapoorshowatthat.Therewassuchagracioussimplicityandhonestyinit,too,suchself-respectingknowledgeofherselfandherposition,thatIcouldbeneitherangrynorhurt.Icouldonlyfeelashamedofmyself,andofmyownlittlenessofmindandmorals.Sheseemedinhericycoldness—nowspiritualaswellasbodily—likeanincarnatefigureofPrideassheanswered:

“Whatareconvenancesorconventionstome!IfyouonlyknewwhereIhavecomefrom—theexistence(ifitcanbecalledso)whichIhavehad—theloneliness—thehorror!Andbesides,itisformetomakeconventions,nottoyieldmypersonalfreedomofactiontothem.EvenasIam—evenhereandinthisgarb—Iamaboveconvention.Convenancesdonottroublemeorhamperme.That,atleast,IhavewonbywhatIhavegonethrough,evenifithadnevercometomethroughanyotherway.Letmestay.”Shesaidthelastwords,inspiteofallherpride,appealingly.Butstill,therewasanoteofhighprideinallthis—inallshesaidanddid,inherattitudeandmovement,inthetonesofhervoice,intheloftinessofhercarriageandthesteadfastlookofheropen,starliteyes.Altogether,therewassomethingsorarelyloftyinherselfandallthatcladherthat,facetofacewithitandwithher,myfeebleattemptatmoralprecautionseemedpuny,ridiculous,andoutofplace.Withoutawordinthedoing,Itookfromanoldchiffonierchestanarmfulofblankets,several

ofwhichIthrewoverherasshelay,forinthemeantime,havingreplacedthecoverlet,shehadlaindownatlengthonthebed.Itookachair,andsatdownbesideher.Whenshestretchedoutherhandfrombeneaththepileofwraps,Itookitinmine,saying:

“Getwarmandrest.Sleepifyoucan.Youneednotfear;Ishallguardyouwithmylife.”

Shelookedatmegratefully,herstarryeyestakinganewlightmorefullofilluminationthanwasaffordedbythewaxcandle,whichwasshadedfromherbymybody...Shewashorriblycold,andherteethchatteredsoviolentlythatIfearedlestsheshouldhaveincurredsomedangerousevilfromherwettingandthecoldthatfollowedit.Ifelt,however,soawkwardthatIcouldfindnowordstoexpressmyfears;moreover,Ihardlydaredsayanythingatallregardingherselfafterthehaughtywayinwhichshehadreceivedmywell-meantprotest.ManifestlyIwasbuttoherasasortofrefugeandproviderofheat,altogetherimpersonal,andnottoberegardedinanydegreeasanindividual.InthesehumiliatingcircumstanceswhatcouldIdobutsitquiet—andwaitdevelopments?

Littlebylittlethefiercechatteringofherteethbegantoabateasthewarmthofhersurroundingsstolethroughher.Ialsofelt,eveninthisstrangelyawakeningposition,theinfluenceofthequiet;andsleepbegantostealoverme.SeveraltimesItriedtofenditoff,but,asIcouldnotmakeanyovertmovementwithoutalarmingmystrangeandbeautifulcompanion,Ihadtoyieldmyselftodrowsiness.IwasstillinsuchanoverwhelmingstuporofsurprisethatIcouldnoteventhinkfreely.Therewasnothingformebuttocontrolmyselfandwait.BeforeIcouldwellfixmythoughtsIwasasleep.

Iwasrecalledtoconsciousnessbyhearing,eventhroughthepallofsleepthatboundme,thecrowingofacockinsomeoftheout-officesofthecastle.Atthesameinstantthefigure,lyingdeathlystillbutforthegentleheavingofherbosom,begantostrugglewildly.Thesoundhadwonthroughthegatesofhersleepalso.Withaswift,glidingmotionsheslippedfromthebedtothefloor,sayinginafiercewhisperasshepulledherselfuptoherfullheight:

“Letmeout!Imustgo!Imustgo!”

BythistimeIwasfullyawake,andthewholepositionofthingscametomeinaninstantwhichIshallnever—cannever—forget:thedimlightofthecandle,nownearlyburneddowntothesocket,allthedimmerfromthefactthatthefirstgreygleamofmorningwasstealinginroundtheedgesoftheheavycurtain;thetall,slimfigureinthebrowndressing-gownwhoseover-lengthtrailedonthefloor,theblackhairshowingglossyinthelight,andincreasingbycontrastthemarblewhitenessoftheface,inwhichtheblackeyessentthroughtheirstarsfierygleams.Sheappearedquiteinafrenzyof

haste;hereagernesswassimplyirresistible.

Iwassostupefiedwithamazement,aswellaswithsleep,thatIdidnotattempttostopher,butbeganinstinctivelytohelpherbyfurtheringherwishes.Assheranbehindthescreen,and,asfarassoundcouldinformme,—beganfranticallytodisrobeherselfofthewarmdressing-gownandtodonagaintheice-coldwetshroud,Ipulledbackthecurtainfromthewindow,anddrewtheboltoftheglassdoor.AsIdidsoshewasalreadybehindme,shivering.AsIthrewopenthedoorsheglidedoutwithaswiftsilentmovement,buttremblinginanagonizedway.Asshepassedme,shemurmuredinalowvoice,whichwasalmostlostinthechatteringofherteeth:

“Oh,thankyou—thankyouathousandtimes!ButImustgo.Imust!Imust!Ishallcomeagain,andtrytoshowmygratitude.Donotcondemnmeasungrateful—tillthen.”Andshewasgone.

Iwatchedherpassthelengthofthewhitepath,flittingfromshrubtoshruborstatueasshehadcome.Inthecoldgreylightoftheundevelopeddawnsheseemedevenmoreghostlythanshehaddoneintheblackshadowofthenight.

Whenshedisappearedfromsightintheshadowofthewood,Istoodontheterraceforalongtimewatching,incaseIshouldbeaffordedanotherglimpseofher,fortherewasnownodoubtinmymindthatshehadformesomestrangeattraction.IfelteventhenthatthelookinthosegloriousstarryeyeswouldbewithmealwayssolongasImightlive.Therewassomefascinationwhichwentdeeperthanmyeyesormyfleshormyheart—downdeepintotheverydepthsofmysoul.Mymindwasallinawhirl,sothatIcouldhardlythinkcoherently.Itallwaslikeadream;therealityseemedfaraway.Itwasnotpossibletodoubtthatthephantomfigurewhichhadbeensoclosetomeduringthedarkhoursofthenightwasactualfleshandblood.Yetshewassocold,socold!AltogetherIcouldnotfixmymindtoeitherproposition:thatitwasalivingwomanwhohadheldmyhand,oradeadbodyreanimatedforthetimeortheoccasioninsomestrangemanner.

Thedifficultywastoogreatformetomakeupmyminduponit,evenhadIwantedto.But,inanycase,Ididnotwantto.Thiswould,nodoubt,comeintime.ButtillthenIwishedtodreamon,asanyonedoesinadreamwhichcanstillbeblissfulthoughtherebepausesofpain,orghastliness,ordoubt,orterror.

SoIclosedthewindowanddrewthecurtainagain,feelingforthefirsttimethecoldinwhichIhadstoodonthewetmarbleflooroftheterracewhenmybarefeetbegantogetwarmonthesoftcarpet.TogetridofthechillfeelingIgotintothebedonwhichshehadlain,andasthewarmthrestoredmetriedtothinkcoherently.ForashortwhileIwasgoingoverthefactsofthenight—orwhatseemedasfactstomyremembrance.ButasIcontinuedto

think,thepossibilitiesofanyresultseemedtogetless,andIfoundmyselfvainlytryingtoreconcilewiththelogicoflifethegrimepisodeofthenight.Theeffortprovedtobetoomuchforsuchconcentrationaswaslefttome;moreover,interruptedsleepwasclamant,andwouldnotbedenied.WhatIdreamtof—ifIdreamtatall—Iknownot.IonlyknowthatIwasreadyforwakingwhenthetimecame.Itcamewithaviolentknockingatmydoor.Isprangfrombed,fullyawakeinasecond,drewthebolt,andslippedbacktobed.Withahurried“MayIcomein?”AuntJanetentered.Sheseemedrelievedwhenshesawme,andgavewithoutmyaskinganexplanationofherperturbation:

“Oh,laddie,Ihaebeensouneasyabootyeallthenicht.Ihaehaddreamsan’veesionsan’a’sortso’uncannyfancies.Ifearthat—”Shewasbynowdrawingbackthecurtain,andashereyestookinthemarksofwetalloverthefloorthecurrentofherthoughtschanged:

“Why,laddie,whativerhaeyebeendoin’wi’yerbaith?Oh,themessyehaemade!’Tissinfultogiesictroublean’waste...”Andsoshewenton.Iwasgladtohearthetirade,whichwasonlywhatagoodhousewife,outragedinhersentimentsoforder,wouldhavemade.Ilistenedinpatience—withpleasurewhenIthoughtofwhatshewouldhavethought(andsaid)hadsheknowntherealfacts.Iwaswellpleasedtohavegotoffsoeasily.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

April10,1907.

ForsomedaysafterwhatIcall“theepisode”Iwasinastrangeconditionofmind.Ididnottakeanyone—notevenAuntJanet—intoconfidence.Evenshedear,andopen-heartedandliberal-mindedassheis,mightnothaveunderstoodwellenoughtobejustandtolerant;andIdidnotcaretohearanyadversecommentonmystrangevisitor.SomehowIcouldnotbearthethoughtofanyonefindingfaultwithherorinher,though,strangelyenough,Iwaseternallydefendinghertomyself;for,despitemywishes,embarrassingthoughtswouldcomeagainandagain,andagaininallsortsandvariantsofqueriesdifficulttoanswer.Ifoundmyselfdefendingher,sometimesasawomanhardpressedbyspiritualfearandphysicalsuffering,sometimesasnotbeingamenabletolawsthatgoverntheLiving.Indeed,IcouldnotmakeupmymindwhetherIlookedonherasalivinghumanbeingorasonewithsomestrangeexistenceinanotherworld,andhavingonlyachancefootholdinourown.Insuchdoubtimaginationbegantowork,andthoughtsofevil,ofdanger,ofdoubt,evenoffear,begantocrowdonmewithsuchpersistenceandinsuchvariedformsthatIfoundmyinstinctofreticencegrowingintoasettledpurpose.ThevalueofthisinstinctiveprecautionwaspromptlyshownbyAuntJanet’sstateofmind,withconsequentrevelationofit.Shebecame

fullofgloomyprognosticationsandwhatIthoughtweremorbidfears.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIdiscoveredthatAuntJanethadnerves!Ihadlonghadasecretbeliefthatshewasgifted,tosomedegreeatanyrate,withSecondSight,whichquality,orwhateveritis,skilledinthepowersifnottheloreofsuperstition,managestokeepatstretchnotonlythemindofitsimmediatepathic,butofothersrelevanttoit.PerhapsthisnaturalqualityhadreceivedafreshimpetusfromthearrivalofsomecasesofherbookssentonbySirColin.Sheappearedtoreadandrereadtheseworks,whichwerechieflyonoccultsubjects,dayandnight,exceptwhenshewasimpartingtomechoiceexcerptsofthemostbalefulandfearsomekind.Indeed,beforeaweekwasoverIfoundmyselftobeanexpertinthehistoryofthecult,aswellasinitsmanifestations,whichlatterIhadbeenversedinforagoodmanyyears.

Theresultofallthiswasthatitsetmebrooding.Such,atleast,IgatheredwasthefactwhenAuntJanettookmetotaskforit.Shealwaysspeaksoutaccordingtoherconvictions,sothatherthinkingIbroodedwastomeaproofthatIdid;andafterapersonalexaminationIcame—reluctantly—totheconclusionthatshewasright,sofar,atanyrate,asmyouterconductwasconcerned.ThestateofmindIwasin,however,keptmefrommakinganyacknowledgmentofit—therealcauseofmykeepingsomuchtomyselfandofbeingsodistrait.AndsoIwenton,torturingmyselfasbeforewithintrospectivequestioning;andshe,withhermindsetonmyactions,andendeavouringtofindacauseforthem,continuedandexpoundedherbeliefsandfears.

Hernightlychatswithmewhenwewerealoneafterdinner—forIhadcometoavoidherquestioningatothertimes—keptmyimaginationathighpressure.Despitemyself,Icouldnotbutfindnewcauseforconcernintheperennialfountsofhersuperstition.Ihadthought,yearsago,thatIhadthensoundedthedepthsofthisbranchofpsychicism;butthisnewphaseofthought,foundedonthereallydeepholdwhichtheexistenceofmybeautifulvisitorandhersadanddreadfulcircumstanceshadtakenuponme,broughtmeanewconcerninthematterofself-importance.IcametothinkthatImustreconstructmyself-values,andbeginafreshunderstandingofethicalbeliefs.DowhatIwould,mymindwouldkeepturningontheuncannysubjectsbroughtbeforeit.Ibegantoapplythemonebyonetomyownlateexperience,andunconsciouslytotrytofittheminturntothepresentcase.

TheeffectofthisbroodingwasthatIwas,despitemyownwill,struckbythesimilarityofcircumstancesbearingonmyvisitor,andtheconditionsapportionedbytraditionandsuperstitiontosuchstrangesurvivalsfromearlieragesasthesepartialexistenceswhichareratherUndeadthanLiving—stillwalkingtheearth,thoughclaimedbytheworldoftheDead.AmongstthemaretheVampire,ortheWehr-Wolf.Tothisclassalsomightbelongina

measuretheDoppelgänger—oneofwhosedualexistencescommonlybelongstotheactualworldaroundit.So,too,thedenizensoftheworldofAstralism.Inanyofthesenamedworldsthereisamaterialpresence—whichmustbecreated,ifonlyforasingleorperiodicpurpose.Itmattersnotwhetheramaterialpresencealreadycreatedcanbereceptiveofadisembodiedsoul,orasoulunattachedcanhaveabodybuiltupforitoraroundit;or,again,whetherthebodyofadeadpersoncanbemadeseemingquickthroughsomediabolicinfluencemanifestedinthepresent,oraninheritanceorresultofsomebalefuluseofmaleficpowerinthepast.Theresultisthesameineachcase,thoughthewaysbewidelydifferent:asoulandabodywhicharenotinunitybutbroughttogetherforstrangepurposesthroughstrangermeansandbypowersstillmorestrange.

Throughmuchthoughtandaprocessofexclusionstheeerieformwhichseemedtobemostincorrespondencewithmyadventure,andmostsuitabletomyfascinatingvisitor,appearedtobetheVampire.Doppelgänger,Astralcreations,andallsuch-like,didnotcomplywiththeconditionsofmynightexperience.TheWehr-WolfisbutavariantoftheVampire,andsoneedednottobeclassedorexaminedatall.Thenitwasthat,thusfocussed,theLadyoftheShroud(forsoIcametoholdherinmymind)begantoassumeanewforce.AuntJanet’slibraryaffordedmeclueswhichIfollowedwithavidity.InmysecretheartIhatedthequest,anddidnotwishtogoonwithit.ButinthisIwasnotmyownmaster.DowhatIwould—brushawaydoubtsneversooften,newdoubtsandimaginingscameintheirstead.ThecircumstancealmostrepeatedtheparableoftheSevenDevilswhotooktheplaceoftheexorcisedone.DoubtsIcouldstand.ImaginingsIcouldstand.ButdoubtsandimaginingstogethermadeaforcesofellthatIwasdriventoacceptanyreadingofthemysterywhichmightpresumablyaffordafootholdforsatisfyingthought.AndsoIcametoaccepttentativelytheVampiretheory—acceptit,atleast,sofarastoexamineitasjudiciallyaswasgivenmetodo.Asthedaysworeon,sotheconvictiongrew.ThemoreIreadonthesubject,themoredirectlytheevidencespointedtowardsthisview.ThemoreIthought,themoreobstinatebecametheconviction.IransackedAuntJanet’svolumesagainandagaintofindanythingtothecontrary;butinvain.Again,nomatterhowobstinateweremyconvictionsatanygiventime,unsettlementcamewithfreshthinkingovertheargument,sothatIwaskeptinaharassingstateofuncertainty.

Briefly,theevidenceinfavourofaccordbetweenthefactsofthecaseandtheVampiretheorywere:

Hercomingwasatnight—thetimetheVampireisaccordingtothetheory,freetomoveatwill.

Sheworehershroud—anecessityofcomingfreshfromgraveortomb;for

there is nothingoccult about clothingwhich is not subject to astral or otherinfluences.

Shehad tobehelped intomy room—in strict accordancewithwhatonescepticalcriticofoccultismhascalled“theVampireetiquette.”

Shemadeviolenthasteingettingawayatcock-crow.

She seemed preternaturally cold; her sleep was almost abnormal inintensity,andyetthesoundofthecock-crowingcamethroughit.

Thesethingsshowedhertobesubjecttosomelaws,thoughnotinexactaccordwithinthosewhichgovernhumanbeings.Underthestressofsuchcircumstancesasshemusthavegonethrough,hervitalityseemedmorethanhuman—thequalityofvitalitywhichcouldoutliveordinaryburial.Again,suchpurposeasshehadshownindonning,understressofsomecompellingdirection,herice-coldwetshroud,and,wraptinit,goingoutagainintothenight,washardlynormalforawoman.

Butifso,andifshewasindeedaVampire,mightnotwhateveritmaybethatholdssuchbeingsinthrallbebysomemeansorotherexorcised?Tofindthemeansmustbemynexttask.Iamactuallypiningtoseeheragain.NeverbeforehaveIbeenstirredtomydepthsbyanyone.ComeitfromHeavenorHell,fromtheEarthortheGrave,itdoesnotmatter;Ishallmakeitmytasktowinherbacktolifeandpeace.IfshebeindeedaVampire,thetaskmaybehardandlong;ifshebenotso,andifitbemerelythatcircumstanceshavesogatheredroundherastoproducethatimpression,thetaskmaybesimplerandtheresultmoresweet.No,notmoresweet;forwhatcanbemoresweetthantorestorethelostorseeminglylostsoulofthewomanyoulove!There,thetruthisoutatlast!IsupposethatIhavefalleninlovewithher.Ifso,itistoolateformetofightagainstit.IcanonlywaitwithwhatpatienceIcantillIseeheragain.ButtothatendIcandonothing.Iknowabsolutelynothingabouther—notevenhername.Patience!

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

April16,1907.

TheonlyreliefIhavehadfromthehauntinganxietyregardingtheLadyoftheShroudhasbeeninthetroubledstateofmyadoptedcountry.TherehasevidentlybeensomethingupwhichIhavenotbeenallowedtoknow.Themountaineersaretroubledandrestless;arewanderingabout,singlyandinparties,andholdingmeetingsinstrangeplaces.ThisiswhatIgatherusedtobeinolddayswhenintrigueswereonfootwithTurks,Greeks,Austrians,Italians,Russians.Thisconcernsmevitally,formymindhaslongbeenmadeuptosharethefortunesoftheLandoftheBlueMountains.ForgoodorillImeantostayhere:J’ysuis,j’yreste.IsharehenceforththelotoftheBlue

Mountaineers;andnotTurkey,norGreece,norAustria,norItaly,norRussia—no,notFrancenorGermanyeither;notmannorGodnorDevilshalldrivemefrommypurpose.WiththesepatriotsIthrowinmylot!Myonlydifficultyseemedatfirsttobewiththementhemselves.TheyaresoproudthatatthebeginningIfearedtheywouldnotevenaccordmethehonourofbeingoneofthem!However,thingsalwaysmoveonsomehow,nomatterwhatdifficultiestherebeatthebeginning.Nevermind!Whenonelooksbackatanaccomplishedfactthebeginningisnottobeseen—andifitwereitwouldnotmatter.Itisnotofanyaccount,anyhow.

Iheardthattherewasgoingtobeagreatmeetingnearhereyesterdayafternoon,andIattendedit.Ithinkitwasasuccess.Ifsuchisanyproof,IfeltelatedaswellassatisfiedwhenIcameaway.AuntJanet’sSecondSightonthesubjectwascomforting,thoughgrim,andinameasuredisconcerting.WhenIwassayinggood-nightsheaskedmetobenddownmyhead.AsIdidso,shelaidherhandsonitandpassedthemalloverit.Iheardhersaytoherself:

“Strange!There’snothingthere;yetIcouldhaveswornIsawit!”Iaskedhertoexplain,butshewouldnot.Foronceshewasalittleobstinate,andrefusedpointblanktoeventalkofthesubject.Shewasnotworriednorunhappy;soIhadnocauseforconcern.Isaidnothing,butIshallwaitandsee.Mostmysteriesbecomeplainordisappearaltogetherintime.Butaboutthemeeting—lestIforget!

WhenIjoinedthemountaineerswhohadassembled,Ireallythinktheyweregladtoseeme;thoughsomeofthemseemedadverse,andothersdidnotseemoverwellsatisfied.However,absoluteunityisveryseldomtobefound.Indeed,itisalmostimpossible;andinafreecommunityisnotaltogethertobedesired.Whenitisapparent,thegatheringlacksthatsenseofindividualfeelingwhichmakesfortherealconsensusofopinion—whichistherealunityofpurpose.Themeetingwasatfirst,therefore,alittlecoldanddistant.Butpresentlyitbegantothaw,andaftersomefieryharanguesIwasaskedtospeak.Happily,IhadbeguntolearntheBalkanlanguageassoonaseverUncleRoger’swisheshadbeenmadeknowntome,andasIhavesomefacilityoftonguesandagreatdealofexperience,Isoonbegantoknowsomethingofit.Indeed,whenIhadbeenhereafewweeks,withopportunityofspeakingdailywiththepeoplethemselves,andlearnedtounderstandtheintonationsandvocalinflexions,Ifeltquiteeasyinspeakingit.Iunderstoodeverywordwhichhaduptothenbeenspokenatthemeeting,andwhenIspokemyselfIfeltthattheyunderstood.Thatisanexperiencewhicheveryspeakerhasinacertainwayanduptoacertainpoint.Heknowsbysomekindofinstinctifhishearersarewithhim;iftheyrespond,theymustcertainlyhaveunderstood.Lastnightthiswasmarked.IfeltiteveryinstantIwastalking

andwhenIcametorealizethatthemenwereinstrictaccordwithmygeneralviews,Itookthemintoconfidencewithregardtomyownpersonalpurpose.Itwasthebeginningofamutualtrust;soforperorationItoldthemthatIhadcometotheconclusionthatwhattheywantedmostfortheirownprotectionandthesecurityandconsolidationoftheirnationwasarms—armsoftheverylatestpattern.Heretheyinterruptedmewithwildcheers,whichsostrungmeupthatIwentfartherthanIintended,andmadeadaringventure.“Ay,”Irepeated,“thesecurityandconsolidationofyourcountry—ofourcountry,forIhavecometoliveamongstyou.HereismyhomewhilstIlive.Iamwithyouheartandsoul.Ishalllivewithyou,fightshouldertoshoulderwithyou,and,ifneedbe,shalldiewithyou!”Heretheshoutingwasterrific,andtheyoungermenraisedtheirgunstofireasaluteinBlueMountainfashion.ButontheinstanttheVladika[1]helduphishandsandmotionedthemtodesist.Intheimmediatesilencehespoke,sharplyatfirst,butlaterascendingtoahighpitchofsingle-minded,loftyeloquence.Hiswordsranginmyearslongafterthemeetingwasoverandotherthoughtshadcomebetweenthemandthepresent.

“Silence!”hethundered.“Makenoechoesintheforestorthroughthehillsatthisdiretimeofstressandthreateneddangertoourland.Bethinkyeofthismeeting,heldhereandinsecret,inorderthatnowhisperofitmaybeheardafar.Haveyeall,bravemenoftheBlueMountains,comehitherthroughtheforestlikeshadowsthatsomeofyou,thoughtless,mayenlightenyourenemiesastooursecretpurpose?Thethunderofyourgunswoulddoubtlesssoundwellintheearsofthosewhowishusillandtrytoworkuswrong.Fellow-countrymen,knowyenotthattheTurkisawakeoncemoreforourharming?TheBureauofSpieshasrisenfromthetorporwhichcameonitwhenthepurposeagainstourTeutarousedourmountainstosuchangerthatthefrontiersblazedwithpassion,andweresweptwithfireandsword.Moreover,thereisatraitorsomewhereintheland,orelseincautiouscarelessnesshasservedthesamebasepurpose.Somethingofourneeds—ourdoing,whosesecretwehavetriedtohide,hasgoneout.ThemyrmidonsoftheTurkarecloseonourborders,anditmaybethatsomeofthemhavepassedourguardsandareamidstusunknown.Soitbehovesusdoublytobediscreet.BelievemethatIsharewithyou,mybrothers,ourloveforthegallantEnglishmanwhohascomeamongstustoshareoursorrowsandambitions—andItrustitmaybeourjoys.Weareallunitedinthewishtodohimhonour—thoughnotinthewaybywhichdangermightbecarriedonthewingsoflove.Mybrothers,ournewestbrothercomestousfromtheGreatNationwhichamongstthenationshasbeenouronlyfriend,andwhichhaserenowhelpedusinourdirestneed—thatmightyBritainwhosehandhaseverbeenraisedinthecauseoffreedom.WeoftheBlueMountainsknowherbestasshestandswithswordinhandfacetofacewithourfoes.Andthis,herson

andnowourbrother,bringsfurthertoourneedthehandofagiantandtheheartofalion.Lateron,whendangerdoesnotringusround,whensilenceisnolongerourouterguard;weshallbidhimwelcomeintruefashionofourland.Buttillthenhewillbelieve—forheisgreat-hearted—thatourloveandthanksandwelcomearenottobemeasuredbysound.Whenthetimecomes,thenshallbesoundinhishonour—notofriflesalone,butbellsandcannonandthemightyvoiceofafreepeopleshoutingasone.Butnowwemustbewiseandsilent,fortheTurkisonceagainatourgates.Alas!thecauseofhisformercomingmaynotbe,forshewhosebeautyandnobilityandwhoseplaceinournationandinourheartstemptedhimtofraudandviolenceisnotwithustoshareevenouranxiety.”

Herehisvoicebroke,andtherearosefromalladeepwailingsound,whichroseandrosetillthewoodsaroundusseemedbrokenbyamightyandlong-sustainedsob.Theoratorsawthathispurposewasaccomplished,andwithashortsentencefinishedhisharangue:“Buttheneedofournationstillremains!”Then,withaneloquentgesturetometoproceed,hemergedinthecrowdanddisappeared.

HowcouldIevenattempttofollowsuchaspeakerwithanyhopeofsuccess?IsimplytoldthemwhatIhadalreadydoneinthewayofhelp,saying:

“Asyouneededarms,Ihavegotthem.Myagentsendsmewordthroughthecodebetweenusthathehasprocuredforme—forus—fiftythousandofthenewest-patternrifles,theFrenchIngis-Malbron,whichhassurpassedallothers,andsufficientammunitiontolastforayearofwar.Thefirstsectionisinhand,andwillsoonbereadyforconsignment.Thereareotherwarmaterials,too,which,whentheyarrive,willenableeverymanandwoman—eventhechildren—ofourlandtotakeapartinitsdefenceshouldsuchbeneeded.Mybrothers,Iamwithyouinallthings,forgoodorill!”

Itmademeveryproudtohearthemightyshoutwhicharose.Ihadfeltexaltedbefore,butnowthispersonaldevelopmentalmostunmannedme.Iwasgladofthelong-sustainedapplausetorecovermyself-control.

Iwasquitesatisfiedthatthemeetingdidnotwanttohearanyotherspeaker,fortheybegantomeltawaywithoutanyformalnotificationhavingbeengiven.Idoubtiftherewillbeanothermeetingsoonagain.Theweatherhasbeguntobreak,andweareinforanotherspellofrain.Itisdisagreeable,ofcourse;butithasitsowncharm.ItwasduringaspellofwetweatherthattheLadyoftheShroudcametome.Perhapstherainmaybringheragain.Ihopeso,withallmysoul.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

April23,1907.

Therainhascontinuedforfourwholedaysandnights,andthelow-lyinggroundislikeaquagmireinplaces.Inthesunlightthewholemountainsglistenwithrunningstreamsandfallingwater.Ifeelastrangekindofelation,butfromnovisiblecause.AuntJanetratherqueereditbytellingme,asshesaidgood-night,tobeverycarefulofmyself,asshehadseeninadreamlastnightafigureinashroud.IfearshewasnotpleasedthatIdidnottakeitwithalltheseriousnessthatshedid.IwouldnotwoundherfortheworldifIcouldhelpit,buttheideaofashroudgetstoonearthebonetobesafe,andIhadtofendheroffatallhazards.SowhenIdoubtediftheFatesregardedthevisionaryshroudasofnecessityappertainingtome,shesaid,inawaythatwas,forher,almostsharp:

“Takecare,laddie.’Tisilljestingwi’thepowerso’timeUnknown.”

Perhapsitwasthathertalkputthesubjectinmymind.Thewomanneedednosuchaid;shewasalwaysthere;butwhenIlockedmyselfintomyroomthatnight,Ihalfexpectedtofindherintheroom.Iwasnotsleepy,soItookabookofAuntJanet’sandbegantoread.Thetitlewas“OnthePowersandQualitiesofDisembodiedSpirits.”“Yourgrammar,”saidItotheauthor,“ishardlyattractive,butImaylearnsomethingwhichmightapplytoher.Ishallreadyourbook.”Beforesettlingdowntoit,however,IthoughtIwouldhavealookatthegarden.Sincethenightofthevisitthegardenseemedtohaveanewattractivenessforme:anightseldompassedwithoutmyhavingalastlookatitbeforeturningin.SoIdrewthegreatcurtainandlookedout.

Thescenewasbeautiful,butalmostentirelydesolate.Allwasghastlyintheraw,hardgleamsofmoonlightcomingfitfullythroughthemassesofflyingcloud.Thewindwasrising,andtheairwasdampandcold.Ilookedroundtheroominstinctively,andnoticedthatthefirewaslaidreadyforlighting,andthatthereweresmall-cutlogsofwoodpiledbesidethehearth.EversincethatnightIhavehadafirelaidready.Iwastemptedtolightit,butasIneverhaveafireunlessIsleepintheopen,Ihesitatedtobegin.Iwentbacktothewindow,and,openingthecatch,steppedoutontheterrace.AsIlookeddownthewhitewalkandletmyeyesrangeovertheexpanseofthegarden,whereeverythingglistenedasthemoonlightcaughtthewet,Ihalfexpectedtoseesomewhitefigureflittingamongsttheshrubsandstatues.ThewholesceneoftheformervisitcamebacktomesovividlythatIcouldhardlybelievethatanytimehadpassedsincethen.Itwasthesamescene,andagainlateintheevening.LifeinVissarionwasprimitive,andearlyhoursprevailed—thoughnotsolateasonthatnight.

AsIlookedIthoughtIcaughtaglimpseofsomethingwhitefaraway.Itwasonlyarayofmoonlightcomingthroughtheruggededgeofacloud.But

allthesameitsetmeinastrangestateofperturbation.SomehowIseemedtolosesightofmyownidentity.ItwasasthoughIwashypnotizedbythesituationorbymemory,orperhapsbysomeoccultforce.WithoutthinkingofwhatIwasdoing,orbeingconsciousofanyreasonforit,Icrossedtheroomandsetlighttothefire.ThenIblewoutthecandleandcametothewindowagain.Ineverthoughtitmightbeafoolishthingtodo—tostandatawindowwithalightbehindmeinthiscountry,whereeverymancarriesagunwithhimalways.Iwasinmyeveningclothes,too,withmybreastwellmarkedbyawhiteshirt.Iopenedthewindowandsteppedoutontheterrace.ThereIstoodformanyminutes,thinking.Allthetimemyeyeskeptrangingoverthegarden.OnceIthoughtIsawawhitefiguremoving,butitwasnotfollowedup,so,becomingconsciousthatitwasagainbeginningtorain,Isteppedbackintotheroom,shutthewindow,anddrewthecurtain.ThenIrealizedthecomfortingappearanceofthefire,andwentoverandstoodbeforeit.

Hark!Oncemoretherewasagentletappingatthewindow.Irushedovertoitanddrewthecurtain.

There,outontherain-beatenterrace,stoodthewhiteshroudedfigure,moredesolate-appearingthanever.Ghastlypaleshelooked,asbefore,buthereyeshadaneagerlookwhichwasnew.Itookitthatshewasattractedbythefire,whichwasbynowwellablaze,andwasthrowingupjetsofflameasthedrylogscrackled.Theleapingflamesthrewfitfullightacrosstheroom,andeverygleamthrewthewhite-cladfigureintoprominence,showingthegleamoftheblackeyes,andfixingthestarsthatlayinthem.

Without a word I threw open the window, and, taking the white handextendedtome,drewintotheroomtheLadyoftheShroud.

Assheenteredandfeltthewarmthoftheblazingfire,agladlookspreadoverherface.Shemadeamovementasiftoruntoit.Butshedrewbackaninstantafter,lookingroundwithinstinctivecaution.Sheclosedthewindowandboltedit,touchedtheleverwhichspreadthegrilleacrosstheopening,andpulledclosethecurtainbehindit.Thenshewentswiftlytothedoorandtriedifitwaslocked.Satisfiedastothis,shecamequicklyovertothefire,and,kneelingbeforeit,stretchedouthernumbedhandstotheblaze.Almostontheinstantherwetshroudbegantosteam.Istoodwondering.Theprecautionsofsecrecyinthemidstofhersuffering—forthatshedidsufferwasonlytoopainfullymanifest—musthavepresupposedsomedanger.ThenandtheremymindwasmadeupthatthereshouldnoharmassailherthatIbyanymeanscouldfendoff.Still,thepresentmustbeattendedto;pneumoniaandotherillsstalkedbehindsuchachillasmustinfalliblycomeonherunlessprecautionsweretaken.Itookagainthedressing-gownwhichshehadwornbeforeandhandedittoher,motioningasIdidsotowardsthescreenwhichhadmadeadressing-roomforherontheformeroccasion.Tomysurpriseshehesitated.I

waited.Shewaited,too,andthenlaiddownthedressing-gownontheedgeofthestonefender.SoIspoke:

“Won’tyouchangeasyoudidbefore?Your—yourfrockcanthenbedried.Do!Itwillbesomuchsaferforyoutobedrycladwhenyouresumeyourowndress.”

“HowcanIwhilstyouarehere?”

Herwordsmademestare,sodifferentweretheyfromheractsoftheothervisit.Isimplybowed—speechonsuchasubjectwouldbeatleastinadequate—andwalkedovertothewindow.Passingbehindthecurtain,Iopenedthewindow.Beforesteppingoutontotheterrace,Ilookedintotheroomandsaid:

“Takeyourowntime.Thereisnohurry.Idaresayyouwillfindthereallyoumaywant.Ishallremainontheterraceuntilyousummonme.”WiththatIwentoutontheterrace,drawingclosetheglassdoorbehindme.

Istoodlookingoutonthedrearysceneforwhatseemedaveryshorttime,mymindinawhirl.Therecamearustlefromwithin,andIsawadarkbrownfigurestealroundtheedgeofthecurtain.Awhitehandwasraised,andbeckonedmetocomein.Ientered,boltingthewindowbehindme.Shehadpassedacrosstheroom,andwasagainkneelingbeforethefirewithherhandsoutstretched.Theshroudwaslaidinpartiallyopenedfoldsononesideofthehearth,andwassteamingheavily.Ibroughtoversomecushionsandpillows,andmadealittlepileofthembesideher.

“Sitthere,”Isaid,“andrestquietlyintheheat.”Itmayhavebeentheeffectoftheglowingheat,buttherewasarichcolourinherfaceasshelookedatmewithshiningeyes.Withoutaword,butwithacourteouslittlebow,shesatdownatonce.Iputathickrugacrosshershoulders,andsatdownmyselfonastoolacoupleoffeetaway.

Forfullyfiveorsixminuteswesatinsilence.Atlast,turningherheadtowardsmeshesaidinasweet,lowvoice:

“Ihadintendedcomingearlieronpurposetothankyouforyourverysweetandgraciouscourtesytome,butcircumstancesweresuchthatIcouldnotleavemy—my”—shehesitatedbeforesaying—“myabode.Iamnotfree,asyouandothersare,todowhatIwill.Myexistenceissadlycoldandstern,andfullofhorrorsthatappal.ButIdothankyou.FormyselfIamnotsorryforthedelay,foreveryhourshowsmemoreclearlyhowgoodandunderstandingandsympatheticyouhavebeentome.Ionlyhopethatsomedayyoumayrealizehowkindyouhavebeen,andhowmuchIappreciateit.”

“Iamonlytoogladtobeofanyservice,”Isaid,feeblyIfelt,asIheldout

myhand.Shedidnotseemtoseeit.Hereyeswerenowonthefire,andawarmblushdyedforeheadandcheekandneck.Thereproofwassogentlethatnoonecouldhavebeenoffended.Itwasevidentthatshewassomethingcoyandreticent,andwouldnotallowmetocomeatpresentmoreclosetoher,eventothetouchingofherhand.Butthatherheartwasnotinthedenialwasalsoevidentintheglancefromhergloriousdarkstarryeyes.Theseglances—veritablelightningflashescomingthroughherpronouncedreserve—finishedentirelyanywaveringtheremightbeinmyownpurpose.Iwasawarenowtothefullthatmyheartwasquitesubjugated.IknewthatIwasinlove—veritablysomuchinloveastofeelthatwithoutthiswoman,beshewhatshemight,bymysidemyfuturemustbeabsolutelybarren.

Itwaspresentlyapparentthatshedidnotmeantostayaslongonthisoccasionasonthelast.Whenthecastleclockstruckmidnightshesuddenlysprangtoherfeetwithabound,saying:

“Imustgo!Thereismidnight!”Iroseatonce,theintensityofherspeechhavinginstantlyobliteratedthesleepwhich,undertheinfluenceofrestandwarmth,wascreepinguponme.Oncemoreshewasinafrenzyofhaste,soIhurriedtowardsthewindow,butasIlookedbacksawher,despiteherhaste,stillstanding.Imotionedtowardsthescreen,andslippingbehindthecurtain,openedthewindowandwentoutontheterrace.AsIwasdisappearingbehindthecurtainIsawherwiththetailofmyeyeliftingtheshroud,nowdry,fromthehearth.

Shewasoutthroughthewindowinanincrediblyshorttime,nowclothedoncemoreinthatdreadfulwrapping.Asshespedpastmebarefootedonthewet,chillymarblewhichmadehershudder,shewhispered:

“Thankyouagain.Youaregoodtome.Youcanunderstand.”

OnceagainIstoodontheterrace,sawhermeltlikeashadowdownthesteps,anddisappearbehindthenearestshrub.Thencesheflittedawayfrompointtopointwithexceedinghaste.Themoonlighthadnowdisappearedbehindheavybanksofcloud,sotherewaslittlelighttoseeby.Icouldjustdistinguishapalegleamhereandthereasshewendedhersecretway.

ForalongtimeIstoodtherealonethinking,asIwatchedthecourseshehadtaken,andwonderingwheremightbeherultimatedestination.Asshehadspokenofher“abode,”Iknewtherewassomedefinitiveobjectiveofherflight.

Itwasnousewondering.IwassoentirelyignorantofhersurroundingsthatIhadnotevenastarting-placeforspeculation.SoIwentin,leavingthewindowopen.Itseemedthatthisbeingsomadeonebarrierthelessbetweenus.Igatheredthecushionsandrugsfrombeforethefire,whichwasnolonger

leaping,butburningwithasteadyglow,andputthembackintheirplaces.AuntJanetmightcomeinthemorning,asshehaddonebefore,andIdidnotwishtosetherthinking.Sheismuchtoocleverapersontohavetreadingontheheelsofamystery—especiallyoneinwhichmyownaffectionsareengaged.Iwonderwhatshewouldhavesaidhadsheseenmekissthecushiononwhichmybeautifulguest’sheadhadrested?

WhenIwasinbed,andinthedarksaveforthefadingglowofthefire,mythoughtsbecamefixedthatwhethershecamefromEarthorHeavenorHell,mylovelyvisitorwasalreadymoretomethanaughtelseintheworld.Thistimeshehad,ongoing,saidnowordofreturning.Ihadbeensomuchtakenupwithherpresence,andsoupsetbyherabruptdeparture,thatIhadomittedtoaskher.AndsoIamdriven,asbefore,toacceptthechanceofherreturning—achancewhichIfearIamormaybeunabletocontrol.

SurelyenoughAuntJanetdidcomeinthemorning,early.Iwasstillasleepwhensheknockedatmydoor.WiththatpurelyphysicalsubconsciousnesswhichcomeswithhabitImusthaverealizedthecauseofthesound,forIwokefullyconsciousofthefactthatAuntJanethadknockedandwaswaitingtocomein.Ijumpedfrombed,andbackagainwhenIhadunlockedthedoor.WhenAuntJanetcameinshenoticedthecoldoftheroom.

“Saveus,laddie,butye’llgetyourdeatho’coldinthisroom.”Then,asshelookedroundandnoticedtheashesoftheextinctfireinthegrate:

“Eh,butye’renothatdaftaftera’;ye’vehadthesensetolightyerfire.GladIamthatwehadthefirelaidandawheeno’drylogsreadytoyerhand.”Sheevidentlyfeltthecoldaircomingfromthewindow,forshewentoveranddrewthecurtain.Whenshesawtheopenwindow,sheraisedherhandsinasortofdismay,whichtome,knowinghowlittlebaseforconcerncouldbewithinherknowledge,wascomic.Hurriedlysheshutthewindow,andthen,comingcloseovertomybed,said:

“Yonhasbeenafearsomenichtagain,laddie,foryerpoorauldaunty.”

“Dreamingagain,AuntJanet?”Iasked—ratherflippantlyasitseemedtome.Sheshookherhead:

“Notso,Rupert,unlessitbethattheLordgiesusindreamswhatweinourspiritualdarknessthinkareveesions.”Irousedupatthis.WhenAuntJanetcallsmeRupert,asshealwaysusedtodoinmydearmother’stime,thingsareseriouswithher.AsIwasbackinchildhoodnow,recalledbyherword,IthoughtthebestthingIcoulddotocheerherwouldbetobringherbacktheretoo—ifIcould.SoIpattedtheedgeofthebedasIusedtodowhenIwasaweekiddieandwantedhertocomfortme,andsaid:

“Sitdown,AuntJanet,andtellme.”Sheyieldedatonce,andthelookofthehappyolddaysgrewoverherfaceasthoughtherehadcomeagleamofsunshine.Shesatdown,andIputoutmyhandsasIusedtodo,andtookherhandbetweenthem.Therewasatearinhereyeassheraisedmyhandandkisseditasinoldtimes.Butfortheinfinitepathosofit,itwouldhavebeencomic:

AuntJanet,oldandgrey-haired,butstill retaininghergirlishslimnessoffigure,petite,daintyasaDresdenfigure,herfacelinedwiththecareofyears,butsoftenedandennobledbytheunselfishnessofthoseyears,holdingupmybighand,whichwouldoutweighherwholearm;sittingdaintyasaprettyoldfairybesidearecumbentgiant—formybulkneverseemssogreataswhenIamnearthisreallittlegoodfairyofmylife—sevenfeetbesidefourfeetseven.

So shebeganasofold, as though shewere about to soothea frightenedchildwithafairytale:

“’Twasaveesion,Ithink,thoughadreamitmayhaebeen.Butwhicheverorwhateveritwas,itconcernedmylittleboy,whohasgrowntobeabiggiant,somuchthatIwokeallofatremble.Laddiedear,IthoughtthatIsawyebeingmarried.”Thisgavemeanopening,thoughasmallone,forcomfortingher,soItookitatonce:

“Why,dear,thereisn’tanythingtoalarmyouinthat,isthere?Itwasonlytheotherdaywhenyouspoketomeabouttheneedofmygettingmarried,ifitwasonlythatyoumighthavechildrenofyourboyplayingaroundyourkneesastheirfatherusedtodowhenhewasahelplessweechildhimself.”

“Thatisso,laddie,”sheansweredgravely.“Butyourweddin’wasnonesomerryasIfainwouldsee.True,youseemedtolo’eherwi’allyerhairt.Yereyesshonethatbrightthatyemightha’setherafire,forallherblacklocksandherwinsomeface.But,laddie,thatwasnotall—no,notthoughherblackeen,thathadthelichto’allthestarso’nichtinthem,shoneinyoursasthoughahairto’lovean’passion,too,dweltinthem.Isawyejoinhands,an’heardastrangevoicethattalkedstrangerstill,butIsawnoneither.Youreyesan’hereyes,an’yourhandan’hers,wereallIsaw.Forallelsewasdim,andthedarknesswasclosearoundyetwa.Andwhenthebenisonwasspoken—Iknewthatbythevoicesthatsang,andbythegladnessofhereen,aswellasbytheprideandgloryofyours—thelichtbegantoglowaweemore,an’Icouldseeyerbride.Shewasinaveilo’wondrousfinelace.Andtherewereorange-flowersinherhair,thoughthereweretwigs,too,andtherewasacrowno’flowersonheadwi’agoldenbandroundit.Andtheheathencandlesthatstoodonthetablewi’theBookhadsomestrangeeffect,forthereflexo’ithungintheairo’erherheadliketheshadowofacrown.Therewasagoldringonherfingerandasilveroneonyours.”Hereshepausedandtrembled,

sothat,hopingtodispelherfears,Isaid,aslikeasIcouldtothewayIusedtowhenIwasachild:

“Goon,AuntJanet.”

Shedidnotseemtorecognizeconsciously the likenessbetweenpastandpresent;buttheeffectwasthere,forshewentonmorelikeheroldself,thoughtherewasapropheticgravityinhervoice,moremarkedthanIhadeverheardfromher:

“AllthisI’vetoldyewaswell;but,oh,laddie,therewasadreadfullacko’livin’joysuchasIshouldexpectfromthewomanwhommyboyhadchosenforhiswife—andatthemarriagecoupling,too!Andnowonder,whenallissaid;forthoughthemarriageveilo’lovewasfine,an’thegarlando’flowerswasfresh-gathered,underneaththema’wasnaneitherthanaghastlyshroud.AsIlookedinmyveesion—ormaybedream—Iexpectittoseethewormscrawlroundtheflagstaneatherfeet.If’twasnotDeath,laddiedear,thatstoodbyye,itwastheshadowo’Deaththatmadethedarknessroundye,thatneitherthelighto’candlesnorthesmokeo’heathenincensecouldpierce.Oh,laddie,laddie,waeismethatIhaeseensicaveesion—wakingorsleeping,itmattersnot!Iwassairdistressed—sosairthatIwokewi’ashriekonmylipsandbathedincoldsweat.Iwouldhaecomedoontoyetoseeifyouwereheartyorno—oreventolistenatyourdoorforanysoundo’yerbeingquick,butthatIfearedtoalarmyetillmornshouldcome.I’vecountedthehoursandtheminutessincemidnight,whenIsawtheveesion,tillIcamehitherjustthenow.”

“Quiteright,AuntJanet,”Isaid,“andIthankyouforyourkindthoughtformeinthematter,nowandalways.”ThenIwenton,forIwantedtotakeprecautionsagainstthepossibilityofherdiscoveryofmysecret.Icouldnotbeartothinkthatshemightrunmyprecioussecrettoearthinanywell-meantpieceofbungling.Thatwouldbetomedisasterunbearable.Shemightfrightenawayaltogethermybeautifulvisitor,evenwhosenameororiginIdidnotknow,andImightneverseeheragain:

“Youmustneverdothat,AuntJanet.YouandIaretoogoodfriendstohavesenseofdistrustorannoyancecomebetweenus—whichwouldsurelyhappenifIhadtokeepthinkingthatyouoranyoneelsemightbewatchingme.”

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

April27,1907.

AfteraspelloflonelinesswhichhasseemedendlessIhavesomethingtowrite.WhenthevoidinmyheartwasbecomingthereceptacleformanydevilsofsuspicionanddistrustIsetmyselfataskwhichmight,Ithought,

keepmythoughtsinpart,atanyrate,occupied—toexploreminutelytheneighbourhoodroundtheCastle.Thismight,Ihoped,serveasananodynetomypainofloneliness,whichgrewmoreacuteasthedays,thehours,woreon,evenifitshouldnotultimatelyaffordmesomecluetothewhereaboutsofthewomanwhomIhadnowgrowntolovesomadly.

Myexplorationsoontookasystematicform,asIintendedthatitshouldbeexhaustive.IwouldtakeeverydayaseparatelineofadvancefromtheCastle,beginningatthesouthandworkingroundbytheeasttothenorth.Thefirstdayonlytookmetotheedgeofthecreek,whichIcrossedinaboat,andlandedatthebaseofthecliffopposite.Ifoundthecliffsaloneworthavisit.HereandtherewereopeningstocaveswhichImadeupmymindtoexplorelater.Imanagedtoclimbupthecliffataspotlessbeetlingthantherest,andcontinuedmyjourney.Itwas,thoughverybeautiful,notaspeciallyinterestingplace.IexploredthatspokeofthewheelofwhichVissarionwasthehub,andgotbackjustintimefordinner.

ThenextdayItookacourseslightlymoretotheeastward.Ihadnodifficultyinkeepingastraightpath,for,onceIhadrowedacrossthecreek,theoldchurchofSt.Savarosebeforemeinstatelygloom.ThiswasthespotwheremanygenerationsofthenoblestoftheLandoftheBlueMountainshadfromtimeimmemorialbeenlaidtorest,amongstthemtheVissarions.Again,Ifoundtheoppositecliffspiercedhereandtherewithcaves,somewithwideopenings,—otherstheopeningsofwhichwerepartlyaboveandpartlybelowwater.Icould,however,findnomeansofclimbingthecliffatthispart,andhadtomakealongdetour,followingupthelineofthecreektillfurtheronIfoundapieceofbeachfromwhichascentwaspossible.HereIascended,andfoundthatIwasonalinebetweentheCastleandthesouthernsideofthemountains.IsawthechurchofSt.Savaawaytomyright,andnotfarfromtheedgeofthecliff.Imademywaytoitatonce,forasyetIhadneverbeennearit.HithertomyexcursionshadbeenlimitedtotheCastleanditsmanygardensandsurroundings.ItwasofastylewithwhichIwasnotfamiliar—withfourwingstothepointsofthecompass.Thegreatdoorway,setinamagnificentfrontageofcarvedstoneofmanifestlyancientdate,facedwest,sothat,whenoneentered,hewenteast.Tomysurprise—forsomehowIexpectedthecontrary—Ifoundthedooropen.Notwideopen,butwhatiscalledajar—manifestlynotlockedorbarred,butnotsufficientlyopenforonetolookin.Ientered,andafterpassingthroughawidevestibule,morelikeasectionofacorridorthananostensibleentrance,mademywaythroughaspaciousdoorwayintothebodyofthechurch.Thechurchitselfwasalmostcircular,theopeningsofthefournavesbeingspaciousenoughtogivetheappearanceoftheinteriorasawhole,beingahugecross.Itwasstrangelydim,forthewindowopeningsweresmallandhigh-set,andwere,moreover,filledwithgreenorblueglass,eachwindowhavingacolourtoitself.The

glasswasveryold,beingofthethirteenthorfourteenthcentury.Suchappointmentsastherewere—forithadageneralairofdesolation—wereofgreatbeautyandrichness,—especiallysotobeinaplace—evenachurch—wherethedoorlayopen,andnoonewastobeseen.Itwasstrangelysilentevenforanoldchurchonalonesomeheadland.Therereignedadismalsolemnitywhichseemedtochillme,accustomedasIhavebeentostrangeandweirdplaces.Itseemedabandoned,thoughithadnotthatairofhavingbeenneglectedwhichissooftentobenoticedinoldchurches.Therewasnoneoftheeverlastingaccumulationofdustwhichprevailsinplacesofhighercultivationandlargerandmorestrenuouswork.

InthechurchitselforitsappendingchambersIcouldfindnoclueorsuggestionwhichcouldguidemeinanywayinmysearchfortheLadyoftheShroud.Monumentstherewereinprofusion—statues,tablets,andallthecustomarymemorialsofthedead.Thefamiliesanddatesrepresentedweresimplybewildering.OftenthenameofVissarionwasgiven,andtheinscriptionwhichitheldIreadthroughcarefully,lookingtofindsomeenlightenmentofanykind.Butallinvain:therewasnothingtoseeinthechurchitself.SoIdeterminedtovisitthecrypt.Ihadnolanternorcandlewithme,sohadtogobacktotheCastletosecureone.

Itwasstrange,cominginfromthesunlight,hereoverwhelmingtoonesorecentlyaccustomedtonorthernskies,tonotetheslendergleamofthelanternwhichIcarried,andwhichIhadlitinsidethedoor.Atmyfirstentrytothechurchmymindhadbeensomuchtakenupwiththestrangenessoftheplace,togetherwiththeintensityofwishforsomesortofclue,thatIhadreallynoopportunityofexaminingdetail.Butnowdetailbecamenecessary,asIhadtofindtheentrancetothecrypt.Mypunylightcouldnotdissipatethesemi-Cimmeriangloomofthevastedifice;Ihadtothrowthefeeblegleamintooneafteranotherofthedarkcorners.

AtlastIfound,behindthegreatscreen,anarrowstonestaircasewhichseemedtowinddownintotherock.Itwasnotinanywaysecret,butbeinginthenarrowspacebehindthegreatscreen,wasnotvisibleexceptwhenclosetoit.IknewIwasnowclosetomyobjective,andbegantodescend.AccustomedthoughIhavebeentoallsortsofmysteriesanddangers,IfeltawedandalmostoverwhelmedbyasenseoflonelinessanddesolationasIdescendedtheancientwindingsteps.Theseweremanyinnumber,roughlyhewnofoldinthesolidrockonwhichthechurchwasbuilt.

Imetafreshsurpriseinfindingthatthedoorofthecryptwasopen.Afterall,thiswasdifferentfromthechurch-doorbeingopen;forinmanyplacesitisacustomtoallowallcomersatalltimestofindrestandcomfortinthesacredplace.ButIdidexpectthatatleastthefinalresting-placeofthehistoricdeadwouldbeheldsafeagainstcasualintrusion.EvenI,onaquestwhichwas

verynearmyheart,pausedwithanalmostoverwhelmingsenseofdecorumbeforepassingthroughthatopendoor.Thecryptwasahugeplace,strangelyloftyforavault.Fromitsformation,however,Isooncametotheconclusionthatitwasoriginallyanaturalcavernalteredtoitspresentpurposebythehandofman.Icouldhearsomewherenearthesoundofrunningwater,butIcouldnotlocateit.Nowandagainatirregularintervalstherewasaprolongedbooming,whichcouldonlycomefromawavebreakinginaconfinedplace.Therecollectionthencametomeoftheproximityofthechurchtothetopofthebeetlingcliff,andofthehalf-sunkcavernentranceswhichpiercedit.

Withthegleamofmylamptoguideme,Iwentthroughandroundthewholeplace.Thereweremanymassivetombs,mostlyrough-hewnfromgreatslabsorblocksofstone.Someofthemweremarble,andthecuttingofallwasancient.Solargeandheavyweresomeofthemthatitwasawondertomehowtheycouldeverhavebeenbroughttothisplace,towhichtheonlyentrancewasseeminglythenarrow,tortuousstairwaybywhichIhadcome.AtlastIsawnearoneendofthecryptagreatchainhanging.Turningthelightupward,Ifoundthatitdependedfromaringsetoverawideopening,evidentlymadeartificially.Itmusthavebeenthroughthisopeningthatthegreatsarcophagihadbeenlowered.

Directlyunderneaththehangingchain,whichdidnotcomeclosertothegroundthansomeeightortenfeet,wasahugetombintheshapeofarectangularcofferorsarcophagus.Itwasopen,saveforahugesheetofthickglasswhichrestedaboveitontwothickbalksofdarkoak,cuttoexceedingsmoothness,whichlayacrossit,oneateitherend.OnthefarsidefromwhereIstoodeachofthesewasjoinedtoanotheroakplank,alsocutsmooth,whichslopedgentlytotherockyfloor.Shoulditbenecessarytoopenthetomb,theglasscouldbemadetoslidealongthesupportsanddescendbytheslopingplanks.

Naturallycurioustoknowwhatmightbewithinsuchastrangereceptacle,Iraisedthelantern,depressingitslenssothatthelightmightfallwithin.

ThenIstartedbackwithacry,thelanternslippingfrommynervelesshandandfallingwitharingingsoundonthegreatsheetofthickglass.

Within,pillowedonsoftcushions,andcoveredwithamantlewovenofwhitenaturalfleecespriggedwithtinyspraysofpinewroughtingold,laythebodyofawoman—noneotherthanmybeautifulvisitor.Shewasmarblewhite,andherlongblackeyelasheslayonherwhitecheeksasthoughsheslept.

Withoutawordorasound,savethesoundsmadebymyhurryingfeetonthestoneflooring,Ifledupthesteepsteps,andthroughthedimexpanseofthechurch,outintothebrightsunlight.IfoundthatIhadmechanicallyraisedthe

fallenlamp,andhadtakenitwithmeinmyflight.

Myfeetnaturallyturnedtowardshome.Itwasallinstinctive.Thenewhorrorhad—forthetime,atanyrate—drownedmymindinitsmystery,deeperthanthedeepestdepthsofthoughtorimagination.

BOOKIV:UNDERTHEFLAGSTAFF

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May1,1907.

ForsomedaysafterthelastadventureIwasintruthinahalf-dazedcondition,unabletothinksensibly,hardlycoherently.Indeed,itwasasmuchasIcoulddotopreservesomethingofmyhabitualappearanceandmanner.However,myfirsttesthappilycamesoon,andwhenIwasoncethroughitIreacquiredsufficientself-confidencetogothroughwithmypurpose.Graduallytheoriginalphaseofstupefactionpassed,andIwasabletolookthesituationintheface.Iknewtheworstnow,atanyrate;andwhenthelowestpointhasbeenreachedthingsmustbegintomend.Still,IwaswofullysensitiveregardinganythingwhichmightaffectmyLadyoftheShroud,orevenmyopinionofher.IevenbegantodreadAuntJanet’sSecond-Sightvisionsordreams.Thesehadafatalhabitofcomingsoneartofactthattheyalwaysmadeforadangerofdiscovery.IhadtorealizenowthattheLadyoftheShroudmightindeedbeaVampire—oneofthathorridracethatsurvivesdeathandcarriesonalife-in-deathexistenceeternallyandonlyforevil.Indeed,IbegantoexpectthatAuntJanetwoulderelonghavesomepropheticinsighttothematter.Shehadbeensowonderfullycorrectinherpropheticsurmiseswithregardtoboththevisitstomyroomthatitwashardlypossiblethatshecouldfailtotakecognizanceofthislastdevelopment.

Butmydreadwasnotjustified;atanyrate,Ihadnoreasontosuspectthatbyanyforceorexerciseofheroccultgiftshemightcausemeconcernbythediscoveryofmysecret.OnlyoncedidIfeelthatactualdangerinthatrespectwasclosetome.Thatwaswhenshecameearlyonemorningandrappedatmydoor.WhenIcalledout,“Whoisthat?Whatisit?”shesaidinanagitatedway:

“ThankGod,laddie,youareallright!Gotosleepagain.”

Lateron,whenwemetatbreakfast,sheexplainedthatshehadhadanightmareinthegreyofthemorning.Shethoughtshehadseenmeinthecryptofagreatchurchclosebesideastonecoffin;and,knowingthatsuchwasanominoussubjecttodreamabout,cameassoonasshedaredtoseeifIwas

allright.Hermindwasevidentlysetondeathandburial,forshewenton:

“Bytheway,Rupert,IamtoldthatthegreatchurchontimetopofthecliffacrossthecreekisSt.Sava’s,wherethegreatpeopleofthecountryusedtobeburied.Iwantyoutotakemetheresomeday.Weshallgooverit,andlookatthetombsandmonumentstogether.IreallythinkIshouldbeafraidtogoalone,butitwillbeallrightifyouarewithme.”Thiswasgettingreallydangerous,soIturneditaside:

“Really,AuntJanet,I’mafraiditwon’tdo.Ifyougoofftoweirdoldchurches,andfillyourselfupwithafreshsupplyofhorrors,Idon’tknowwhatwillhappen.You’llbedreamingdreadfulthingsaboutmeeverynightandneitheryounorIshallgetanysleep.”Itwenttomyhearttoopposeherinanywish;andalsothiskindofchaffyoppositionmightpainher.ButIhadnoalternative;thematterwastooserioustobeallowedtoproceed.ShouldAuntJanetgotothechurch,shewouldsurelywanttovisitthecrypt.Shouldshedoso,andtherenoticetheglass-coveredtomb—asshecouldnothelpdoing—theLordonlyknewwhatwouldhappen.ShehadalreadySecond-Sightedawomanbeingmarriedtome,andbeforeImyselfknewthatIhadsuchahope.Whatmightshenotrevealdidsheknowwherethewomancamefrom?ItmayhavebeenthatherpowerofSecondSighthadtorestonsomebasisofknowledgeorbelief,andthathervisionwasbutsomeintuitiveperceptionofmyownsubjectivethought.Butwhateveritwasitshouldbestopped—atallhazards.

Thiswholeepisodesetmethinkingintrospectively,andledmegraduallybutimperativelytoself-analysis—notofpowers,butofmotives.Ifoundmyselfbeforelongexaminingmyselfastowhatweremyrealintentions.Ithoughtatfirstthatthisintellectualprocesswasanexerciseofpurereason;butsoondiscardedthisasinadequate—evenimpossible.Reasonisacoldmanifestation;thisfeelingwhichswayedanddominatedmeisnoneotherthanpassion,whichisquick,hot,andinsistent.

Asformyself,theself-analysiscouldleadtobutoneresult—theexpressiontomyselfoftherealityanddefinitenessofanalready-formedthoughunconsciousintention.Iwishedtodothewomangood—toserveherinsomeway—tosecurehersomebenefitbyanymeans,nomatterhowdifficult,whichmightbewithinmypower.IknewthatIlovedher—lovedhermosttrulyandfervently;therewasnoneedforself-analysistotellmethat.And,moreover,noself-analysis,oranyothermentalprocessthatIknewof,couldhelpmyonedoubt:whethershewasanordinarywoman(oranextraordinarywoman,forthematterofthat)insomesoreandterriblestraits;orelseonewholayundersomedreadfulcondition,onlypartiallyalive,andnotmistressofherselforheracts.Whicheverherconditionmightbe,therewasinmyownfeelingasuperfluityofaffectionforher.Theself-analysis

taughtmeonething,atanyrate—thatIhadforher,tostartwith,aninfinitepitywhichhadsoftenedtowardshermywholebeing,andhadalreadymasteredmerelyselfishdesire.OutofitIbegantofindexcusesforhereveryact.InthedoingsoIknewnow,thoughperhapsIdidnotatthetimetheprocesswasgoingon,thatmyviewinitstrueinwardnesswasofherasalivingwoman—thewomanIloved.

Intheformingofourideastherearedifferentmethodsofwork,asthoughtheanalogywithmateriallifeholdsgood.Inthebuildingofahouse,forinstance,therearemanypersonsemployed;menofdifferenttradesandoccupations—architect,builder,masons,carpenters,plumbers,andahostofothers—andallthesewiththeofficialsofeachguildortrade.Sointheworldofthoughtandfeelings:knowledgeandunderstandingcomethroughvariousagents,eachcompetenttoitstask.

HowfarpityreactedwithloveIknewnot;Ionlyknewthatwhateverherstatemightbe,wereshelivingordead,IcouldfindinmyheartnoblamefortheLadyoftheShroud.Itcouldnotbethatshewasdeadintherealconventionalway;for,afterall,theDeaddonotwalktheearthincorporalsubstance,eveniftherebespiritswhichtakethecorporalform.Thiswomanwasofactualformandweight.HowcouldIdoubtthat,atallevents—I,whohadheldherinmyarms?Mightitnotbethatshewasnotquitedead,andthatithadbeengiventometorestorehertolifeagain?Ah!thatwouldbe,indeed,aprivilegewellworththegivingmylifetoaccomplish.Thatsuchathingmaybeispossible.Surelytheoldmythswerenotabsoluteinventions;theymusthavehadabasissomewhereinfact.Maynottheworld-oldstoryofOrpheusandEurydicehavebeenbasedonsomedeep-lyingprincipleorpowerofhumannature?Thereisnotoneofusbuthaswishedatsometimetobringbackthedead.Ay,andwhohasnotfeltthatinhimselforherselfwaspowerinthedeeploveforourdeadtomakethemquickagain,didwebutknowthesecretofhowitwastobedone?

Formyself,IhaveseensuchmysteriesthatIamopentoconvictionregardingthingsnotyetexplained.Thesehavebeen,ofcourse,amongstsavagesorthoseold-worldpeoplewhohavebroughtuncheckedtraditionsandbeliefs—ay,andpowerstoo—downtheagesfromthedimdayswhentheworldwasyoung;whenforceswereelemental,andNature’shandiworkwasexperimentalratherthancompleted.Someofthesewondersmayhavebeenolderstillthantheacceptedperiodofourownperiodofcreation.Maywenothaveto-dayotherwonders,differentonlyinmethod,butnotmoresusceptibleofbelief?Obi-ismandFantee-ismhavebeenexercisedinmyownpresence,andtheirresultsprovedbytheevidenceofmyowneyesandothersenses.So,too,havestrangerrites,withthesameobjectandthesamesuccess,inthefarPacificIslands.So,too,inIndiaandChina,inThibetandintheGolden

Chersonese.Onallandeachoftheseoccasionstherewas,onmyownpart,enoughbelieftosetinmotionthepowersofunderstanding;andtherewerenomoralscruplestostandinthewayofrealization.ThosewhoselivesaresospentthattheyachievethereputationofnotfearingmanorGodordevilarenotdeterredintheirdoingorthwartedfromasetpurposebythingswhichmightdeterothersnotsoequippedforadventure.Whatevermaybebeforethem—pleasantorpainful,bitterorsweet,arduousorfacile,enjoyableorterrible,humorousorfullofaweandhorror—theymustaccept,takingthemintheonwardcourseasagoodathletetakeshurdlesinhisstride.Andtheremustbenohesitating,nolookingback.Iftheexplorerortheadventurerhasscruples,hehadbettergiveupthatspecialbranchofeffortandcomehimselftoamorelevelwalkinlife.Neithermustthereberegrets.Thereisnoneedforsuch;savagelifehasthisadvantage:itbegetsacertaintolerationnottobefoundinconventionalexistence.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May2,1907.

IhadheardlongagothatSecondSightisaterriblegift,eventoitspossessor.Iamnowinclinednotonlytobelieve,buttounderstandit.AuntJanethasmadesuchapracticeofitoflatethatIgoinconstantdreadofdiscoveryofmysecret.Sheseemstoparallelmeallthetime,whateverImaydo.Itislikeasortofdualexistencetoher;forsheisherdearoldselfallthetime,andyetsomeotherpersonwithasortofintellectualkitoftelescopeandnotebook,whichareeternallyusedonme.Iknowtheyareforme,too—forwhatsheconsidersmygood.Butallthesameitmakesanembarrassment.HappilySecondSightcannotspeakasclearlyasitsees,or,rather,asitunderstands.Forthetranslationofthevaguebeliefswhichitinculcatesisbothnebulousanduncertain—asortofDelphicoraclewhichalwayssaysthingswhichnoonecanmakeoutatthetime,butwhichcanbeafterwardsreadinanyoneofseveralways.Thisisallright,forinmycaseitisakindofsafety;but,then,AuntJanetisaverycleverwoman,andsometimesheherselfmaybeabletounderstand.Thenshemaybegintoputtwoandtwotogether.Whenshedoesthat,itwillnotbelongbeforesheknowsmorethanIdoofthefactsofthewholeaffair.AndherreadingofthemandoftheLadyoftheShroud,roundwhomtheycircle,maynotbethesameasmine.Well,thatwillbeallrighttoo.AuntJanetlovesme—GodknowsIhavegoodreasontoknowthatallthroughtheseyears—andwhateverviewshemaytake,heractswillbeallIcouldwish.ButIshallcomeinforagoodlotofscolding,Iamsure.Bytheway,Ioughttothinkofthat;ifAuntJanetscoldsme,itisaprettygoodproofthatIoughttobescolded.IwonderifIdaretellherall.No!Itistoostrange.Sheisonlyawoman,afterall:andifsheknewIloved...IwishIknewhername,andthought—asImightmyselfdo,onlythatIresistit—that

sheisnotaliveatall.Well,whatshewouldeitherthinkordobeatsme.IsupposeshewouldwanttoslippermeassheusedtodowhenIwasaweekiddie—inadifferentway,ofcourse.

May3,1907.

Ireallycouldnotgoonseriouslylastnight.TheideaofAuntJanetgivingmealickingasinthedearolddaysmademelaughsomuchthatnothingintheworldseemedseriousthen.Oh,AuntJanetisallrightwhatevercomes.ThatIamsureof,soIneedn’tworryoverit.Agoodthingtoo;therewillbeplentytoworryaboutwithoutthat.Ishallnotcheckhertellingmeofhervisions,however;Imaylearnsomethingfromthem.

Forthelastfour-and-twentyhoursIhave,whilstawake,beenlookingoverAuntJanet’sbooks,ofwhichIbroughtawheendownhere.Geewhizz!Nowondertheolddearissuperstitious,whensheisfilleduptothebackteethwiththatsortofstuff!Theremaybesometruthinsomeofthoseyarns;thosewhowrotethemmaybelieveinthem,orsomeofthem,atallevents.Butastocoherenceorlogic,oranysortofreasonableorinstructivededuction,theymightaswellhavebeenwrittenbysomanyhens!Theseoccultbook-makersseemtogatheronlyalotofbare,baldfacts,whichtheyputdowninthemostuninterestingwaypossible.Theygobyquantityonly.Onestoryofthekind,wellexaminedandwithlogicalcomments,wouldbemoreconvincingtoathirdpartythanawholehecatombofthem.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May4,1907.

Thereisevidentlysomethingupinthecountry.Themountaineersaremoreuneasythantheyhavebeenasyet.Thereisconstantgoingtoandfroamongstthem,mostlyatnightandinthegreyofthemorning.Ispendmanyhoursinmyroomintheeasterntower,fromwhichIcanwatchthewoods,andgatherfromsignsthepassingtoandfro.Butwithallthisactivitynoonehassaidtomeawordonthesubject.Itisundoubtedlyadisappointmenttome.Ihadhopedthatthemountaineershadcometotrustme;thatgatheringatwhichtheywantedtofiretheirgunsformegavemestronghopes.Butnowitisapparentthattheydonottrustmeinfull—asyet,atallevents.Well,Imustnotcomplain.Itisallonlyrightandjust.AsyetIhavedonenothingtoprovetothemtheloveanddevotionthatIfeeltothecountry.IknowthatsuchindividualsasIhavemettrustme,andIbelievelikeme.Butthetrustofanationisdifferent.Thathastobewonandtested;hewhowouldwinitmustjustify,andinawaythatonlytroubloustimescanallow.Nonationwill—can—givefullmeedofhonourtoastrangerintimesofpeace.Whyshouldit?ImustnotforgetthatIamhereastrangerintheland,andthattothegreatmassofpeopleevenmynameisunknown.Perhapstheywillknowmebetterwhen

Rookecomesbackwiththatstoreofarmsandammunitionthathehasbought,andthelittlewarshiphehasgotfromSouthAmerica.WhentheyseethatIhandoverthewholelottothenationwithoutastringonthem,theymaybegintobelieve.InthemeantimeallIcandoistowait.Itwillallcomerightintime,Ihavenodoubt.Andifitdoesn’tcomeright,well,wecanonlydieonce!

Isthatso?WhataboutmyLadyoftheShroud?Imustnotthinkofthatorofherinthisgallery.Loveandwarareseparate,andmaynotmix—cannotmix,ifitcomestothat.Imustbewiseinthematter;andifIhavegotthehumpinanydegreewhatever,mustnotshowit.

Butonethingiscertain:somethingisup,anditmustbetheTurks.FromwhattheVladikasaidatthatmeetingtheyhavesomeintentionofanattackontheBlueMountains.Ifthatbeso,wemustbeready;andperhapsIcanhelpthere.Theforcesmustbeorganized;wemusthavesomemethodofcommunication.Inthiscountry,whereareneitherroadsnorrailwaysnortelegraphs,wemustestablishasignallingsystemofsomesort.ThatIcanbeginatonce.Icanmakeacode,oradaptonethatIhaveusedelsewherealready.IshallrigupasemaphoreonthetopoftheCastlewhichcanbeseenforanenormousdistancearound.Ishalltrainanumberofmentobefacileinsignalling.Andthen,shouldneedcome,ImaybeabletoshowthemountaineersthatIamfittoliveintheirhearts...

Andallthisworkmayproveananodynetopainofanotherkind.Itwillhelp,atanyrate,tokeepmymindoccupiedwhilstIamwaitingforanothervisitfrommyLadyoftheShroud.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May18,1907.

Thetwoweeksthathavepassedhavebeenbusy,andmay,astimegoeson,proveeventful.IreallythinktheyhaveplacedmeinadifferentpositionwiththeBlueMountaineers—certainlysofarasthoseinthispartofthecountryareconcerned.Theyarenolongersuspiciousofme—whichismuch;thoughtheyhavenotyetreceivedmeintotheirconfidence.Isupposethiswillcomeintime,butImustnottrytohustlethem.Alreadytheyarewilling,sofarasIcansee,tousemetotheirownends.Theyacceptedthesignallingideaveryreadily,andarequitewillingtodrillasmuchasIlike.Thiscanbe(andIthinkis,initsway)apleasuretothem.Theyarebornsoldiers,everymanofthem;andpracticetogetherisonlyarealizationoftheirownwishesandafurtherdevelopmentoftheirpowers.IthinkIcanunderstandthetrendoftheirthoughts,andwhatideasofpublicpolicyliebehindthem.Inallthatwehaveattemptedtogetherasyettheyarethemselvesinabsolutepower.ItrestswiththemtocarryoutanyideasImaysuggest,sotheydonotfearany

assumptionofpowerorgovernanceonmypart.Thus,solongastheykeepsecretfrommeboththeirideasofhighpolicyandtheirimmediateintentions,Iampowerlesstodothemill,andImaybeofserviceshouldoccasionarise.Well,alltold,thisismuch.Alreadytheyacceptmeasanindividual,notmerelyoneofthemass.Iamprettysurethattheyaresatisfiedofmypersonalbonafides.Itispolicyandnotmistrustthathedgesmein.Well,policyisamatteroftime.Theyareasplendidpeople,butiftheyknewalittlemorethantheydotheywouldunderstandthatthewisestofallpoliciesistrust—whenitcanbegiven.Imustholdmyselfincheck,andneverbebetrayedintoaharshthoughttowardsthem.Poorsouls!withathousandyearsbehindthemofTurkishaggression,strenuouslyattemptedbybothforceandfraud,nowondertheyaresuspicious.Likewiseeveryothernationwithwhomtheyhaveevercomeincontact—exceptone,myown—hasdeceivedorbetrayedthem.Anyhow,theyarefinesoldiers,andbeforelongweshallhaveanarmythatcannotbeignored.IfIcangetsothattheytrustme,IshallaskSirColintocomeouthere.Hewouldbeasplendidheadfortheirarmy.Hisgreatmilitaryknowledgeandtacticalskillwouldcomeinwell.Itmakesmeglowtothinkofwhatanarmyhewouldturnoutofthissplendidmaterial,andoneespeciallyadaptedforthestyleoffightingwhichwouldbenecessaryinthiscountry.

Ifamereamateurlikemyself,whohasonlyhadexperienceoforganizingthewildestkindofsavages,hasbeenabletoadvanceorcompacttheirindividualstyleoffightingintosystematiceffort,agreatsoldierlikeMacKelpiewillbringthemtoperfectionasafightingmachine.OurHighlanders,whentheycomeout,willforegatherwiththem,asmountaineersalwaysdowitheachother.Thenweshallhaveaforcewhichcanholditsownagainstanyodds.IonlyhopethatRookewillbereturningsoon.IwanttoseethoseIngis-MalbronrifleseithersafelystoredintheCastleor,whatisbetter,dividedupamongstthemountaineers—athingwhichwillbedoneattheveryearliestmomentthatIcanaccomplishit.Ihaveaconvictionthatwhenthesemenhavereceivedtheirarmsandammunitionfrommetheywillunderstandmebetter,andnotkeepanysecretsfromme.

AllthisfortnightwhenIwasnotdrillingorgoingaboutamongstthemountaineers,andteachingthemthecodewhichIhavenowgotperfected,Iwasexploringthesideofthemountainnearesttohere.Icouldnotbeartobestill.ItistorturetometobeidleinmypresentconditionofmindregardingmyLadyoftheShroud...StrangeIdonotmindmentioningthewordtomyselfnow.Iusedtoatfirst;butthatbitternesshasallgoneaway.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May19,1907.

IwassorestlessearlythismorningthatbeforedaylightIwasoutexploringonthemountain-side.BychanceIcameacrossasecretplacejustasthedaywasbreaking.Indeed,itwasbythechangeoflightasthefirstsun-raysseemedtofalldownthemountain-sidethatmyattentionwascalledtoanopeningshownbyalightbehindit.Itwas,indeed,asecretplace—sosecretthatIthoughtatfirstIshouldkeepittomyself.Insuchaplaceasthiseithertohideinortobeabletopreventanyoneelsehidinginmightonoccasionbeanassetofsafety.

When,however,Isawindicationsratherthantracesthatsomeonehadalreadyusedittocampin,Ichangedmymind,andthoughtthatwheneverIshouldgetanopportunityIwouldtelltheVladikaofit,asheisamanonwhosediscretionIcanrely.Ifweeverhaveawarhereoranysortofinvasion,itisjustsuchplacesthatmaybedangerous.EveninmyowncaseitismuchtooneartheCastletobeneglected.

Theindicationsweremeagre—onlywhereafirehadbeenonalittleshelfofrock;anditwasnotpossible,throughtheresultsofburningvegetationorscorchedgrass,totellhowlongbeforethefirehadbeenalight.Icouldonlyguess.PerhapsthemountaineersmightbeabletotelloreventoguessbetterthanIcould.ButIamnotsosureofthis.Iamamountaineermyself,andwithlargerandmorevariedexperiencethananyofthem.Formyself,thoughIcouldnotbecertain,Icametotheconclusionthatwhoeverhadusedtheplacehaddonesonotmanydaysbefore.Itcouldnothavebeenquiterecently;butitmaynothavebeenverylongago.Whoeverhadusedithadcovereduphistrackswell.Eventheasheshadbeencarefullyremoved,andtheplacewheretheyhadlainwascleanedorsweptinsomeway,sothattherewasnotraceonthespot.IappliedsomeofmyWestAfricanexperience,andlookedontheroughbarkofthetreestoleeward,towheretheagitatedair,howeverdirected,musthavecome,unlessitwaswantedtocallattentiontotheplacebythescatteredwood-ashes,howeverfine.Ifoundtracesofit,buttheywerefaint.Therehadnotbeenrainforseveraldays;sothedustmusthavebeenblowntheresincetherainhadfallen,foritwasstilldry.

Theplacewasatinygorge,withbutoneentrance,whichwashiddenbehindabarrenspurofrock—justasortoflongfissure,jaggedandcurving,intherock,likeafaultinthestratification.Icouldjuststrugglethroughitwithconsiderableeffort,holdingmybreathhereandthere,soastoreducemydepthofchest.Withinitwastree-clad,andfullofpossibilitiesofconcealment.

AsIcameawayImarkedwellitsdirectionandapproaches,notinganyguidingmarkwhichmightaidinfindingitbydayornight.Iexploredeveryfootofgroundaroundit—infront,oneachside,andabove.ButfromnowherecouldIseeanindicationofitsexistence.Itwasaveritablesecret

chamberwroughtbythehandofNatureitself.IdidnotreturnhometillIwasfamiliarwitheverydetailnearandaroundit.Thisnewknowledgeaddeddistinctlytomysenseofsecurity.

Later in the day I tried to find the Vladika or any mountaineer ofimportance, for I thought that such a hiding-place which had been used sorecentlymightbedangerous,andespeciallyatatimewhen,asIhadlearnedatthemeetingwheretheydidnotfiretheirgunsthattheremayhavebeenspiesaboutoratraitorintheland.

EvenbeforeIcametomyownroomto-nightIhadfullymadeupmymindtogooutearlyinthemorningandfindsomeproperpersontowhomtoimparttheinformation,sothatawatchmightbekeptontheplace.Itisnowgettingonformidnight,andwhenIhavehadmyusuallastlookatthegardenIshallturnin.AuntJanetwasuneasyallday,andespeciallysothisevening.Ithinkitmusthavebeenmyabsenceattheusualbreakfast-hourwhichgotonhernerves;andthatunsatisfiedmentalorpsychicalirritationincreasedasthedayworeon.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May20,1907.

Theclockonthemantelpieceinmyroom,whichchimesonthenotesoftheclockatSt.James’sPalace,wasstrikingmidnightwhenIopenedtheglassdoorontheterrace.IhadputoutmylightsbeforeIdrewthecurtain,asIwishedtoseethefulleffectofthemoonlight.Nowthattherainyseasonisover,themoonisquiteasbeautifulasitwasinthewet,andagreatdealmorecomfortable.Iwasineveningdress,withasmoking-jacketinlieuofacoat,andIfelttheairmildandmellowonthewarmside,asIstoodontheterrace.

Buteveninthatbrightmoonlightthefurthercornersofthegreatgardenwerefullofmysteriousshadows.IpeeredintothemaswellasIcould—andmyeyesareprettygoodnaturally,andarewelltrained.Therewasnottheleastmovement.Theairwasasstillasdeath,thefoliageasstillasthoughwroughtinstone.

IlookedforquitealongtimeinthehopeofseeingsomethingofmyLady.Thequarterschimedseveraltimes,butIstoodonunheeding.AtlastIthoughtIsawfaroffintheverycorneroftheolddefendingwallaflickerofwhite.Itwasbutmomentary,andcouldhardlyhaveaccountedinitselfforthewaymyheartbeat.Icontrolledmyself,andstoodasthoughI,too,wereagravenimage.Iwasrewardedbyseeingpresentlyanothergleamofwhite.AndthenanunspeakablerapturestoleovermeasIrealizedthatmyLadywascomingasshehadcomebefore.Iwouldhavehurriedouttomeether,butthatIknewwellthatthiswouldnotbeinaccordwithherwishes.So,thinkingtoplease

her,Idrewbackintotheroom.IwasgladIhaddonesowhen,fromthedarkcornerwhereIstood,Isawherstealupthemarblestepsandstandtimidlylookinginatthedoor.Then,afteralongpause,cameawhisperasfaintandsweetasthemusicofadistantÆolianharp:

“Areyouthere?MayIcomein?Answerme!Iamlonelyandinfear!”ForanswerIemergedfrommydimcornersoswiftlythatshewasstartled.Icouldhearfromthequiveringintakeofherbreaththatshewasstriving—happilywithsuccess—tosuppressashriek.

“Comein,”Isaidquietly.“Iwaswaitingforyou,forIfeltthatyouwouldcome.IonlycameinfromtheterracewhenIsawyoucoming,lestyoumightfearthatanyonemightseeus.Thatisnotpossible,butIthoughtyouwishedthatIshouldbecareful.”

“Idid—Ido,”sheansweredinalow,sweetvoice,butveryfirmly.“Butneveravoidprecaution.Thereisnothingthatmaynothappenhere.Theremaybeeyeswhereweleastexpect—orsuspectthem.”Asshespokethelastwordssolemnlyandinalowwhisper,shewasenteringtheroom.Iclosedtheglassdoorandboltedit,rolledbackthesteelgrille,andpulledtheheavycurtain.Then,whenIhadlitacandle,Iwentoverandputalighttothefire.Inafewsecondsthedrywoodhadcaught,andtheflameswerebeginningtoriseandcrackle.Shehadnotobjectedtomyclosingthewindowanddrawingthecurtain;neitherdidshemakeanycommentonmylightingthefire.Shesimplyacquiescedinit,asthoughitwasnowamatterofcourse.WhenImadethepileofcushionsbeforeitasontheoccasionofherlastvisit,shesankdownonthem,andheldoutherwhite,tremblinghandstothewarmth.

Shewasdifferentto-nightfromwhatshehadbeenoneitherofthetwoformervisits.FromherpresentbearingIarrivedatsomegaugeofherself-concern,herself-respect.Nowthatshewasdry,andnotovermasteredbywetandcold,asweetandgraciousdignityseemedtoshinefromher,enwrappingher,asitwere,withaluminousveil.Itwasnotthatshewasbythismadeorshownascoldordistant,orinanywayharshorforbidding.Onthecontrary,protectedbythisdignity,sheseemedmuchmoresweetandgenialthanbefore.Itwasasthoughshefeltthatshecouldaffordtostoopnowthatherloftinesswasrealized—thatherpositionwasrecognizedandsecure.Ifherinherentdignitymadeanimpenetrablenimbusroundher,thiswasagainstothers;sheherselfwasnotboundbyit,ortobebound.Somarkedwasthis,soentirelyandsweetlywomanlydidsheappear,thatIcaughtmyselfwonderinginflashesofthought,whichcameassharpperiodsofdoubtingjudgmentbetweenspellsofunconsciousfascination,howIhadevercometothinkshewasaughtbutperfectwoman.Assherested,halfsittingandhalflyingonthepileofcushions,shewasallgrace,andbeauty,andcharm,andsweetness—theveritableperfectwomanofthedreamsofaman,beheyoungorold.Tohave

suchawomansitbyhishearthandholdherholyofholiesinhisheartmightwellbearapturetoanyman.Evenanhourofsuchentrancingjoymightbewellwonbyalifetimeofpain,bythebalanceofalonglifesacrificed,bytheextinctionoflifeitself.Quickbehindtherecordofsuchthoughtscametheanswertothedoubttheychallenged:ifitshouldturnoutthatshewasnotlivingatall,butoneofthedoomedandpitifulUn-Dead,thensomuchmoreonaccountofherverysweetnessandbeautywouldbethewinningofherbacktoLifeandHeaven—evenwereitthatshemightfindhappinessintheheartandinthearmsofanotherman.

Once,whenIleanedoverthehearthtoputfreshlogsonthefire,myfacewassoclosetohersthatIfeltherbreathonmycheek.Itthrilledmetofeeleventhesuggestionofthatineffablecontact.Herbreathwassweet—sweetasthebreathofacalf,sweetasthewhiffofasummerbreezeacrossbedsofmignonette.Howcouldanyonebelieveforamomentthatsuchsweetbreathcouldcomefromthelipsofthedead—thedeadinesseorinposse—thatcorruptioncouldsendforthfragrancesosweetandpure?Itwaswithsatisfiedhappinessthat,asIlookedatherfrommystool,Isawthedancingoftheflamesfromthebeech-logsreflectedinhergloriousblackeyes,andthestarsthatwerehiddeninthemshineoutwithnewcoloursandnewlustreastheygleamed,risingandfallinglikehopesandfears.Asthelightleaped,sodidsmilesofquiethappinessflitoverherbeautifulface,themerrimentofthejoyousflamesbeingreflectedinever-changingdimples.

AtfirstIwasalittledisconcertedwhenevermyeyestooknoteofhershroud,andtherecameamomentaryregretthattheweatherhadnotbeenagainbad,sothattheremighthavebeencompulsionforherputtingonanothergarment—anythinglackingtheloathsomenessofthatpitifulwrapping.Littlebylittle,however,thisfeelingdisappeared,andIfoundnomatterforevendissatisfactioninherwrapping.Indeed,mythoughtsfoundinwardvoicebeforethesubjectwasdismissedfrommymind:

“Onebecomesaccustomedtoanything—evenashroud!”Butthethoughtwasfollowedbyasubmergingwaveofpitythatsheshouldhavehadsuchadreadfulexperience.

By-and-byweseemedbothtoforgeteverything—IknowIdid—exceptthatweweremanandwoman,andclosetogether.Thestrangenessofthesituationandthecircumstancesdidnotseemofmoment—notworthevenapassingthought.Westillsatapartandsaidlittle,ifanything.Icannotrecallasinglewordthateitherofusspokewhilstwesatbeforethefire,butotherlanguagethanspeechcameintoplay;theeyestoldtheirownstory,aseyescando,andmoreeloquentlythanlipswhilstexercisingtheirfunctionofspeech.Questionandanswerfollowedeachotherinthissatisfyinglanguage,andwithanunspeakableraptureIbegantorealizethatmyaffectionwasreturned.

Underthesecircumstancesitwasunrealizablethatthereshouldbeanyincongruityinthewholeaffair.Iwasnotmyselfinthemoodofquestioning.Iwasdiffidentwiththatdiffidencewhichcomesalonefromtruelove,asthoughitwereanecessaryemanationfromthatdelightfulandoverwhelmingandcommandingpassion.Inherpresencethereseemedtosurgeupwithinmethatwhichforbadespeech.Speechunderpresentconditionswouldhaveseemedtomeunnecessary,imperfect,andevenvulgarlyovert.She,too,wassilent.ButnowthatIamalone,andmemoryisalonewithme,Iamconvincedthatshealsohadbeenhappy.No,notthatexactly.“Happiness”isnotthewordtodescribeeitherherfeelingormyown.Happinessismoreactive,amoreconsciousenjoyment.Wehadbeencontent.Thatexpressesourconditionperfectly;andnowthatIcananalyzemyownfeeling,andunderstandwhatthewordimplies,Iamsatisfiedofitsaccuracy.“Content”hasbothapositiveandnegativemeaningorantecedentcondition.Itimpliesanabsenceofdisturbingconditionsaswellasofwants;alsoitimpliessomethingpositivewhichhasbeenwonorachieved,orwhichhasaccrued.Inourstateofmind—forthoughitmaybepresumptiononmypart,Iamsatisfiedthatourideasweremutual—itmeantthatwehadreachedanunderstandingwhenceallthatmightcomemustbeforgood.Godgrantthatitmaybeso!

Aswesatsilent,lookingintoeachother’seyes,andwhilstthestarsinherswere now full of latent fire, perhaps from the reflection of the flames, shesuddenly sprang to her feet, instinctively drawing the horrible shroud roundherassherosetoherfullheightinavoicefulloflingeringemotion,asofonewhoisactingunderspiritualcompulsionratherthanpersonalwill,shesaidinawhisper:

“Imustgoatonce.Ifeelthemorningdrawingnigh.Imustbeinmyplacewhenthelightofdaycomes.”

ShewassoearnestthatIfeltImustnotopposeherwish;soI,too,sprangtomyfeetandrantowardsthewindow.Ipulledthecurtainasidesufficientlyfarformetopressbackthegrilleandreachtheglassdoor,thelatchofwhichIopened.Ipassedbehindthecurtainagain,andheldtheedgeofitbacksothatshecouldgothrough.Foraninstantshestoppedasshebrokethelongsilence:

“Youareatruegentleman,andmyfriend.YouunderstandallIwish.OutofthedepthofmyheartIthankyou.”Sheheldoutherbeautifulhigh-bredhand.ItookitinbothmineasIfellonmyknees,andraisedittomylips.Itstouchmademequiver.She,too,trembledasshelookeddownatmewithaglancewhichseemedtosearchmyverysoul.Thestarsinhereyes,nowthatthefirelightwasnolongeronthem,hadgonebacktotheirownmysterioussilver.Thenshedrewherhandfromminevery,verygently,asthoughitwouldfainlinger;andshepassedoutbehindthecurtainwithagentle,sweet,

dignifiedlittlebowwhichleftmeonmyknees.

WhenIheardtheglassdoorpulled-togentlybehindher,Irosefrommykneesandhurriedwithoutthecurtain,justintimetowatchherpassdownthesteps.IwantedtoseeheraslongasIcould.Thegreyofmorningwasjustbeginningtowarwiththenightgloom,andbythefaintuncertainlightIcouldseedimlythewhitefigureflitbetweenshrubandstatuetillfinallyitmergedinthefardarkness.

Istoodforalongtimeontheterrace,sometimeslookingintothedarknessinfrontofme,incaseImightbeblessedwithanotherglimpseofher;sometimeswithmyeyesclosed,sothatImightrecallandholdinmymindherpassagedownthesteps.ForthefirsttimesinceIhadmethershehadthrownbackatmeaglanceasshesteppedonthewhitepathbelowtheterrace.Withtheglamourovermeofthatlook,whichwasallloveandenticement,Icouldhavedaredallthepowersthatbe.

WhenthegreydawnwasbecomingapparentthroughthelighteningoftheskyIreturnedtomyroom.Inadazedcondition—halfhypnotizedbylove—Iwenttobed,andindreamscontinuedtothink,allhappily,ofmyLadyoftheShroud.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

May27,1907.

AwholeweekhasgonesinceIsawmyLove!Thereitis;nodoubtwhateverisleftinmymindaboutitnow!SinceIsawhermypassionhasgrownandgrownbyleapsandbounds,asnovelistsputit.Ithasnowbecomesovastastooverwhelmme,towipeoutallthoughtofdoubtordifficulty.Isupposeitmustbewhatmensuffered—sufferingneednotmeanpain—underenchantmentsinoldtimes.Iambutasastrawwhirledintheresistlesseddiesofawhirlpool.IfeelthatImustseeheragain,evenifitbebutinhertombinthecrypt.Imust,Isuppose,preparemyselffortheventure,formanythingshavetobethoughtof.Thevisitmustnotbeatnight,forinsuchcaseImightmissher,didshecometomeagainhere...

Themorningcameandwent,butmywishandintentionstillremained;andsointhefulltideofnoon,withthesuninallitsfieryforce,IsetoutfortheoldchurchofSt.Sava.Icarriedwithmealanternwithpowerfullens.Ihadwrappeditupsecretly,forIhadafeelingthatIshouldnotlikeanyonetoknowthatIhadsuchathingwithme.

OnthisoccasionIhadnomisgivings.OntheformervisitIhadforamomentbeenoverwhelmedattheunexpectedsightofthebodyofthewomanIthoughtIloved—Iknewitnow—lyinginhertomb.ButnowIknewall,anditwastoseethiswoman,thoughinhertomb,thatIcame.

WhenIhadlitmylantern,whichIdidassoonasIhadpushedopenthegreatdoor,whichwasonceagainunlocked,Iturnedmystepstothestepsofthecrypt,whichlaybehindtherichlycarvenwoodscreen.ThisIcouldsee,withthebetterlight,wasanoblepieceofworkofpricelessbeautyandworth.ItriedtokeepmyheartinfullcouragewiththoughtsofmyLady,andofthesweetnessanddignityofourlastmeeting;but,despiteall,itsankdown,down,andturnedtowaterasIpassedwithuncertainfeetdownthenarrow,tortuoussteps.Myconcern,Iamnowconvinced,wasnotformyself,butthatshewhomIadoredshouldhavetoenduresuchafearfulplace.AsanodynetomyownpainIthoughtwhatitwouldbe,andhowIshouldfeel,whenIshouldhavewonforherawayoutofthathorror,atanyrate.Thisthoughtreassuredmesomewhat,andrestoredmycourage.ItwasinsomethingofthesamefashionwhichhashithertocarriedmeoutoftightplacesaswellasintothemthatatlastIpushedopenthelow,narrowdooratthefootoftherock-hewnstaircaseandenteredthecrypt.

WithoutdelayImademywaytotheglass-coveredtombsetbeneaththehangingchain.Icouldseebytheflashingofthelightaroundmethatmyhandwhichheldthelanterntrembled.WithagreateffortIsteadiedmyself,andraisingthelantern,turneditslightdownintothesarcophagus.

Onceagainthefallenlanternrangonthetinglingglass,andIstoodaloneinthedarkness,foraninstantalmostparalyzedwithsurpriseddisappointment.

Thetombwasempty!Eventhetrappingsofthedeadhadbeenremoved.

IknewnotwhathappenedtillIfoundmyselfgropingmywayupthewindingstair.Here,incomparisonwiththesoliddarknessofthecrypt,itseemedalmostlight.Thedimexpanseofthechurchsentafewstragglingraysdownthevaultedsteps,andasIcouldsee,beitneversodimly,IfeltIwasnotinabsolutedarkness.Withthelightcameasenseofpowerandfreshcourage,andIgropedmywaybackintothecryptagain.There,bynowandagainlightingmatches,Ifoundmywaytothetombandrecoveredmylantern.ThenItookmywayslowly—forIwishedtoprove,ifnotmyowncourage,atleastsuchvestigesofself-respectastheventurehadleftme—throughthechurch,whereIextinguishedmylantern,andoutthroughthegreatdoorintotheopensunlight.Iseemedtohaveheard,bothinthedarknessofthecryptandthroughthedimnessofthechurch,mysterioussoundsasofwhispersandsuppressedbreathing;butthememoryofthesedidnotcountformuchwhenonceIwasfree.IwasonlysatisfiedofmyownconsciousnessandidentitywhenIfoundmyselfonthebroadrockterraceinfrontofthechurch,withthefiercesunlightbeatingonmyupturnedface,and,lookingdownward,sawfarbelowmetherippledblueoftheopensea.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

June3,1907.

Anotherweekhaselapsed—aweekfullofmovementofmanykindsandinmanyways—butasyetIhavehadnotaleortidingsofmyLadyoftheShroud.IhavenothadanopportunityofgoingagainindaylighttoSt.Sava’sasIshouldhavelikedtohavedone.IfeltthatImustnotgoatnight.Thenightishertimeoffreedom,anditmustbekeptforher—orelseImaymissher,orperhapsneverseeheragain.

Thedayshavebeenfullofnationalmovement.Themountaineershaveevidentlybeenorganizingthemselves,forsomereasonwhichIcannotquiteunderstand,andwhichtheyhavehesitatedtomakeknowntome.Ihavetakencarenottomanifestanycuriosity,whateverImayhavefelt.Thiswouldcertainlyarousesuspicion,andmightultimatelycausedisastertomyhopesofaidingthenationintheirstruggletopreservetheirfreedom.

Thesefiercemountaineersarestrangely—almostunduly—suspicious,andtheonlywaytowintheirconfidenceistobeginthetrusting.AyoungAmericanattachéoftheEmbassyatVienna,whohadmadeajourneythroughtheLandoftheBlueMountains,onceputittomeinthisform:

“Keepyourheadshut,andthey’llopentheirs.Ifyoudon’t,they’llopenitforyou—downtothechine!”

Itwasquiteapparenttomethattheywerecompletingsomefresharrangementsforsignallingwithacodeoftheirown.Thiswasnaturalenough,andinnowayinconsistentwiththemeasureoffriendlinessalreadyshowntome.Wherethereareneithertelegraphs,railways,norroads,anyeffectiveformofcommunicationmust—canonlybepurelypersonal.Andso,iftheywishtokeepanysecretamongstthemselves,theymustpreservethesecretoftheircode.Ishouldhavedearlylikedtolearntheirnewcodeandtheirmannerofusingit,butasIwanttobeahelpfulfriendtothem—andasthisimpliesnotonlytrust,buttheappearanceofit—Ihadtoschoolmyselftopatience.

Thisattitudesofarwontheirconfidencethatbeforewepartedatourlastmeeting,aftermostsolemnvowsoffaithandsecrecy,theytookmeintothesecret.Thiswas,however,onlytotheextentofteachingmethecodeandmethod;theystillwithheldfrommerigidlythefactorpoliticalsecret,orwhateveritwasthatwasthemainspringoftheirunitedaction.

WhenIgothomeIwrotedown,whilstitwasfreshinmymemory,alltheytoldme.ThisscriptIstudieduntilIhaditsothoroughlybyheartthatIcouldnotforgetit.ThenIburnedthepaper.However,thereisnowonegainatleast:withmysemaphoreIcansendthroughtheBlueMountainsfromsidetoside,withexpedition,secrecy,andexactness,amessagecomprehensibletoall.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

June6,1907.

LastnightIhadanewexperienceofmyLadyoftheShroud—insofarasformwasconcerned,atanyrate.Iwasinbed,andjustfallingasleep,whenIheardaqueerkindofscratchingattheglassdooroftheterrace.Ilistenedacutely,myheartbeatinghard.Thesoundseemedtocomefromlowdown,closetothefloor.Ijumpedoutofbed,rantothewindow,and,pullingasidetheheavycurtains,lookedout.

Thegardenlooked,asusual,ghostlyinthemoonlight,buttherewasnotthefaintestsignofmovementanywhere,andnoonewasonorneartheterrace.Ilookedeagerlydowntowherethesoundhadseemedtocomefrom.

There,justinsidetheglassdoor,asthoughithadbeenpushedunderthedoor,layapapercloselyfoldedinseverallaps.Ipickeditupandopenedit.Iwasallinatumult,formyhearttoldmewhenceitcame.InsidewaswritteninEnglish,inalarge,sprawlinghand,suchasmightbefromanEnglishchildofsevenoreight:

“MeetmeattheFlagstaffontheRock!”

Iknewtheplace,ofcourse.OnthefarthermostpointoftherockonwhichtheCastlestandsissetahighflagstaff,whereoninoldtimethebanneroftheVissarionfamilyflew.Atsomefar-offtime,whentheCastlehadbeenliabletoattack,thispointhadbeenstronglyfortified.Indeed,inthedayswhenthebowwasamartialweaponitmusthavebeenquiteimpregnable.

Acoveredgallery,withloopholesforarrows,hadbeencutinthesolidrock,runningrightroundthepoint,quitesurroundingtheflagstaffandthegreatbossofrockonwhosecentreitwasreared.Anarrowdrawbridgeofimmensestrengthhadconnected—inpeacefultimes,andstillremained—theouterpointofrockwithanentranceformedintheouterwall,andguardedwithflankingtowersandaportcullis.Itsusewasmanifestlytoguardagainstsurprise.Fromthispointonlycouldbeseenthelineoftherocksallroundthepoint.Thus,anysecretattackbyboatscouldbemadeimpossible.

Havinghurriedlydressedmyself,andtakingwithmebothhunting-knifeandrevolver,Iwentoutontheterrace,takingtheprecaution,unusualtome,ofdrawingthegrillebehindmeandlockingit.MattersaroundtheCastleareinfartoodisturbedaconditiontoallowthetakingofanyfoolishchances,eitherinthewayofbeingunarmedorofleavingtheprivateentrancetotheCastleopen.Ifoundmywaythroughtherockypassage,andclimbedbytheJacob’sladderfixedontherock—adeviceofconvenienceintimeofpeace—tothefootoftheflagstaff.

Iwasallonfirewithexpectation,andthetimeofgoingseemedexceedinglong;soIwasadditionallydisappointedbythecontrastwhenIdidnotseemyLadytherewhenIarrived.However,myheartbeatfreelyagain—perhapsmorefreelythanever—whenIsawhercrouchingintheshadowoftheCastlewall.FromwhereshewasshecouldnotbeseenfromanypointsavethatalonewhichIoccupied;evenfromthereitwasonlyherwhiteshroudthatwasconspicuousthroughthedeepgloomoftheshadow.Themoonlightwassobrightthattheshadowswerealmostunnaturallyblack.

Irushedovertowardsher,andwhenclosewasabouttosayimpulsively,“Whydidyouleaveyourtomb?”whenitsuddenlystruckmethatthequestionwouldbemalaproposandembarrassinginmanyways.So,betterjudgmentprevailing,Isaidinstead:

“IthasbeensolongsinceIsawyou!Ithasseemedaneternitytome!”HeranswercameasquicklyasevenIcouldhavewished;shespokeimpulsivelyandwithoutthought:

“Ithasbeenlongtometoo!Oh,solong!solong!IhaveaskedyoutocomeoutherebecauseIwantedtoseeyousomuchthatIcouldnotwaitanylonger.Ihavebeenheart-hungryforasightofyou!”

Herwords,hereagerattitude,theineffablesomethingwhichconveysthemessagesoftheheart,thelongingexpressioninhereyesasthefullmoonlightfellonherface,showingthestarsaslivinggold—forinhereagernessshehadsteppedouttowardsmefromtheshadow—allsetmeonfire.Withoutathoughtoraword—foritwasNaturespeakinginthelanguageofLove,whichisasilenttongue—Isteppedtowardsherandtookherinmyarms.SheyieldedwiththatsweetunconsciousnesswhichistheperfectionofLove,asifitwasinobediencetosomecommandutteredbeforethebeginningoftheworld.Probablywithoutanyconsciouseffortoneitherside—Iknowtherewasnoneonmine—ourmouthsmetinthefirstkissoflove.

Atthetimenothinginthemeetingstruckmeasoutofthecommon.Butlaterinthenight,whenIwasaloneandindarkness,wheneverIthoughtofitall—itsstrangenessanditsstrangerrapture—Icouldnotbutbesensibleofthebizarreconditionsforalovemeeting.Theplacelonely,thetimenight,themanyoungandstrong,andfulloflifeandhopeandambition;thewoman,beautifulandardentthoughshewas,awomanseeminglydead,clothedintheshroudinwhichshehadbeenwrappedwhenlyinginhertombinthecryptoftheoldchurch.

Whilstweweretogether,anyhow,therewaslittlethoughtofthekind;noreasoningofanykindonmypart.Lovehasitsownlawsanditsownlogic.Undertheflagstaff,wheretheVissarionbannerwaswonttoflapinthebreeze,shewasinmyarms;hersweetbreathwasonmyface;herheartwasbeating

againstmyown.Whatneedwasthereforreasonatall?Interarmasilentleges—thevoiceofreasonissilentinthestressofpassion.Deadshemaybe,orUn-dead—aVampirewithonefootinHellandoneonearth.ButIloveher;andcomewhatmay,hereorhereafter,sheismine.Asmymate,weshallfarealongtogether,whatsoevertheendmaybe,orwheresoeverourpathmaylead.IfsheisindeedtobewonfromthenethermostHell,thenbeminethetask!

Buttogobacktotherecord.WhenIhadoncestartedspeakingtoherinwordsofpassionIcouldnotstop.Ididnotwantto—ifIcould;andshedidnotappeartowishiteither.Cantherebeawoman—aliveordead—whowouldnotwanttoheartheraptureofherloverexpressedtoherwhilstsheisenclosedinhisarms?

Therewasnoattemptatreticenceonmypartnow;ItookitforgrantedthatsheknewallthatIsurmised,and,asshemadeneitherprotestnorcomment,thatsheacceptedmybeliefastoherindeterminateexistence.Sometimeshereyeswouldbeclosed,buteventhentheraptureofherfacewasalmostbeyondbelief.Then,whenthebeautifuleyeswouldopenandgazeonme,thestarsthatwereinthemwouldshineandscintillateasthoughtheywereformedoflivingfire.Shesaidlittle,verylittle;butthoughthewordswerefew,everysyllablewasfraughtwithlove,andwentstraighttotheverycoreofmyheart.

By-and-by,whenourtransporthadcalmedtojoy,IaskedwhenImightnextseeher,andhowandwhereImightfindherwhenIshouldwantto.Shedidnotreplydirectly,but,holdingmecloseinherarms,whisperedinmyearwiththatbreathlesssoftnesswhichisalover’sraptureofspeech:

“Ihavecomehereunderterribledifficulties,notonlybecauseIloveyou—and thatwouldbe enough—butbecause, aswell as the joyof seeingyou, Iwantedtowarnyou.”

“Towarnme!Why?”Iqueried.Herreplycamewithabashfulhesitation,withsomethingofastruggleinit,asofonewhoforsomeulteriorreasonhadtopickherwords:

“Therearedifficultiesanddangersaheadofyou.Youarebesetwiththem;andtheyareallthegreaterbecausetheyare,ofgrimnecessity,hiddenfromyou.Youcannotgoanywhere,lookinanydirection,doanything,sayanything,butitmaybeasignalfordanger.Mydear,itlurkseverywhere—inthelightaswellasinthedarkness;intheopenaswellasinthesecretplaces;fromfriendsaswellasfoes;whenyouareleastprepared;whenyoumayleastexpectit.Oh,Iknowit,andwhatitistoendure;forIshareitforyou—foryourdearsake!”

“Mydarling!”wasallIcouldsay,asIdrewheragainclosertomeand

kissedher.Afterabitshewascalmer;seeingthis,Icamebacktothesubjectthatshehad—inpart,atallevents—cometometospeakabout:

“Butifdifficultyanddangerhedgemeinsoeverlastingly,andifIamtohavenoindicationwhateverofitskindorpurpose,whatcanIdo?GodknowsIwouldwillinglyguardmyself—notonmyownaccount,butforyourdearsake.Ihavenowacausetoliveandbestrong,andtokeepallmyfaculties,sinceitmaymeanmuchtoyou.Ifyoumaynottellmedetails,mayyounotindicatetomesomelineofconduct,ofaction,thatwouldbemostinaccordwithyourwishes—or,rather,withyourideaofwhatwouldbebest?”

Shelookedatmefixedlybeforespeaking—along,purposeful,lovinglookwhichnomanbornofwomancouldmisunderstand.Thenshespokeslowly,deliberately,emphatically:

“Bebold,andfearnot.Betruetoyourself,tome—itisthesamething.Thesearethebestguardsyoucanuse.Yoursafetydoesnotrestwithme.Ah,Iwishitdid!IwishtoGoditdid!”Inmyinnerheartitthrilledmenotmerelytoheartheexpressionofherwish,buttohearherusethenameofGodasshedid.Iunderstandnow,inthecalmofthisplaceandwiththesunlightbeforeme,thatmybeliefastoherbeingallwoman—livingwoman—wasnotquitedead:butthoughatthemomentmyheartdidnotrecognizethedoubt,mybraindid.AndImadeupmymindthatweshouldnotpartthistimeuntilsheknewthatIhadseenher,andwhere;but,despitemyownthoughts,myouterearslistenedgreedilyasshewenton.

“Asforme,youmaynotfindme,butIshallfindyou,besure!Andnowwemustsay‘Good-night,’mydear,mydear!Tellmeonceagainthatyouloveme,foritisasweetnessthatonedoesnotwishtoforego—evenonewhowearssuchagarmentasthis—andrestswhereImustrest.”Asshespokeshehelduppartofhercerementsformetosee.WhatcouldIdobuttakeheronceagaininmyarmsandholdherclose,close.Godknowsitwasallinlove;butitwaspassionatelovewhichsurgedthroughmyeveryveinasIstrainedherdearbodytomine.Butyetthisembracewasnotselfish;itwasnotallanexpressionofmyownpassion.Itwasbasedonpity—thepitywhichistwin-bornwithtruelove.Breathlessfromourkisses,whenpresentlywereleasedeachother,shestoodinagloriousrapture,likeawhitespiritinthemoonlight,andasherlovely,starliteyesseemedtodevourme,shespokeinalanguorousecstasy:

“Oh,howyouloveme!howyouloveme!ItisworthallIhavegonethroughforthis,eventowearingthisterribledrapery.”Andagainshepointedtohershroud.

HerewasmychancetospeakofwhatIknew,andItookit.“Iknow,Iknow.Moreover,Iknowthatawfulresting-place.”

Iwasinterrupted,cutshortinthemidstofmysentence,notbyanyword,butbythefrightenedlookinhereyesandthefear-masteredwayinwhichsheshrankawayfromme.Isupposeinrealityshecouldnotbepalerthanshelookedwhenthecolour-absorbingmoonlightfellonher;butontheinstantallsemblanceoflivingseemedtoshrinkandfallaway,andshelookedwitheyesofdreadasifinIsomeawfulwayheldinthrall.Butforthemovementofthepitifulglance,shewouldhaveseemedofsoullessmarble,sodeadlycolddidshelook.

ThemomentsthatdraggedthemselvesoutwhilstIwaitedforhertospeakseemedendless.Atlengthherwordscameinanawedwhisper,sofaintthateveninthatstillynightIcouldhardlyhearit:

“Youknow—youknowmyresting-place!How—whenwasthat?”Therewasnothingtodonowbuttospeakoutthetruth:

“IwasinthecryptofSt.Sava.Itwasallbyaccident.IwasexploringallaroundtheCastle,andIwentthereinmycourse.Ifoundthewindingstairintherockbehindthescreen,andwentdown.Dear,Ilovedyouwellbeforethatawfulmoment,butthen,evenasthelanternfelltinglingontheglass,mylovemultiplieditself,withpityasafactor.”Shewassilentforafewseconds.Whenshespoke,therewasanewtoneinhervoice:

“Butwereyounotshocked?”

“OfcourseIwas,”Iansweredonthespurofthemoment,andInowthinkwisely.“Shockedishardlytheword.Iwashorrifiedbeyondanythingthatwordscanconveythatyou—youshouldhavetosoendure!Ididnotliketoreturn,forIfearedlestmydoingsomightsetsomebarrierbetweenus.ButinduetimeIdidreturnonanotherday.”

“Well?”Hervoicewaslikesweetmusic.

“Ihadanothershockthattime,worsethanbefore,foryouwerenotthere.ThenindeeditwasthatIknewtomyselfhowdearyouwere—howdearyouaretome.WhilstIlive,you—livingordead—shallalwaysbeinmyheart.”Shebreathedhard.Theelationinhereyesmadethemoutshinethemoonlight,butshesaidnoword.Iwenton:

“Mydear,Ihadcomeintothecryptfullofcourageandhope,thoughIknewwhatdreadfulsightshouldsearmyeyesonceagain.Butwelittleknowwhatmaybeinstoreforus,nomatterwhatweexpect.Iwentoutwithaheartlikewaterfromthatdreadfuldesolation.”

“Oh,howyouloveme,dear!”Cheeredbyherwords,andevenmorebyhertone,Iwentonwithrenewedcourage.Therewasnohalting,nofalteringinmyintentionnow:

“YouandI,mydear,wereordainedforeachother.IcannothelpitthatyouhadalreadysufferedbeforeIknewyou.ItmaybethattheremaybeforyoustillsufferingthatImaynotprevent,endurancethatImaynotshorten;butwhatamancandoisyours.NotHellitselfwillstopme,ifitbepossiblethatImaywinthroughitstormentswithyouinmyarms!”

“Willnothingstopyou,then?”HerquestionwasbreathedassoftlyasthestrainofanÆolianharp.

“Nothing!”Isaid,andIheardmyownteethsnaptogether.TherewassomethingspeakingwithinmestrongerthanIhadeverknownmyselftobe.Againcameaquery,trembling,quavering,quivering,asthoughtheissuewasofmorethanlifeordeath:

“Notthis?”Sheheldupacorneroftheshroud,andasshesawmyfaceandrealizedtheanswerbeforeIspoke,wenton:“Withallitimplies?”

“Notifitwerewroughtofthecereclothsofthedamned!”Therewasalongpause.Hervoicewasmoreresolutewhenshespokeagain.Itrang.Moreover,therewasinitajoyousnote,asofonewhofeelsnewhope:

“Butdoyouknowwhatmensay?Someofthem,thatIamdeadandburied;others,thatIamnotonlydeadandburied,butthatIamoneofthoseunhappybeingsthatmaynotdiethecommondeathofman.Wholiveonafearfullife-in-death,wherebytheyareharmfultoall.ThoseunhappyUn-deadwhommencallVampires—wholiveonthebloodoftheliving,andbringeternaldamnationaswellasdeathwiththepoisonoftheirdreadfulkisses!

“Iknowwhatmensaysometimes,”Ianswered.“ButIknowalsowhatmyownheartsays;andIratherchoosetoobeyitscallingthanallthevoicesofthelivingorthedead.Comewhatmay,Iampledgedtoyou.IfitbethatyouroldlifehastoberewonforyououtoftheveryjawsofDeathandHell,IshallkeepthefaithIhavepledged,andthathereIpledgeagain!”AsIfinishedspeakingIsankonmykneesatherfeet,and,puttingmyarmsroundher,drewherclosetome.Hertearsraineddownonmyfaceasshestrokedmyhairwithhersoft,stronghandandwhisperedtome:

“Thisisindeedtobeone.WhatmoreholymarriagecanGodgivetoanyofHiscreatures?”Wewerebothsilentforatime.

IthinkIwasthefirsttorecovermysenses.ThatIdidsowasmanifestbymyaskingher:“Whenmaywemeetagain?”—athingIhadneverremembereddoingatanyofourformerpartings.Sheansweredwitharisingandfallingofthevoicethatwasjustaboveawhisper,assoftandcooingasthevoiceofapigeon:

“Thatwillbesoon—assoonasIcanmanageit,besure.Mydear,my

dear!”Thelastfourwordsofendearmentshespokeinalowbutprolongedandpiercingtonewhichmademethrillwithdelight.

“Givemesometoken,”Isaid,“thatImayhavealwaysclosetometoeasemyachinghearttillwemeetagain,andeverafter,forlove’ssake!”Hermindseemedtoleaptounderstanding,andwithapurposeallherown.Stoopingforaninstant,shetoreoffwithswift,strongfingersafragmentofhershroud.This,havingkissedit,shehandedtome,whispering:

“Itistimethatwepart.Youmustleavemenow.Takethis,andkeepitforever.IshallbelessunhappyinmyterriblelonelinesswhilstitlastsifIknowthatthismygift,whichforgoodorillisapartofmeasyouknowme,isclosetoyou.Itmaybe,myverydear,thatsomedayyoumaybegladandevenproudofthishour,asIam.”ShekissedmeasItookit.

“Forlifeordeath,Icarenotwhich,solongasIamwithyou!”Isaid,asImovedoff.DescendingtheJacob’sladder,Imademywaydowntherock-hewnpassage.

ThelastthingIsawwasthebeautifulfaceofmyLadyoftheShroudassheleanedovertheedgeoftheopening.Hereyeswerelikeglowingstarsasherlooksfollowedme.Thatlookshallneverfadefrommymemory.

AfterafewagitatingmomentsofthoughtIhalfmechanicallytookmywaydowntothegarden.Openingthegrille,Ienteredmylonelyroom,whichlookedallthemorelonelyforthememoryoftherapturousmomentsundertheFlagstaff.Iwenttobedasoneinadream.ThereIlaytillsunrise—awakeandthinking.

BOOKV:ARITUALATMIDNIGHT

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

June20,1907.

ThetimehasgoneasquicklyasworkcaneffectsinceIsawmyLady.AsItoldthemountaineers,Rooke,whomIhadsentontheservice,hadmadeacontractforfiftythousandIngis-Malbronrifles,andasmanytonsofammunitionastheFrenchexpertscalculatedtobeafullsupplyforayearofwarfare.Iheardfromhimbyoursecrettelegraphcodethattheorderhadbeencompleted,andthatthegoodswerealreadyontheway.ThemorningafterthemeetingattheFlagstaffIhadwordthatatnightthevessel—onecharteredbyRookeforthepurpose—wouldarriveatVissarionduringthenight.Wewereallexpectation.IhadalwaysnowintheCastleasignallingparty,thesignals

beingrenewedasfastasthemenweresufficientlyexperttoproceedwiththeirpracticealoneoringroups.Wehopedthateveryfighting-maninthecountrywouldintimebecomeanexpertsignaller.Beyondthese,again,wehavealwaysafewpriests.TheChurchofthecountryisamilitantChurch;itspriestsaresoldiers,itsBishopscommanders.Buttheyallservewhereverthebattlemostneedsthem.Naturallythey,asmenofbrains,arequickeratlearningthantheaveragemountaineers;withtheresultthattheylearntthecodeandthesignallingalmostbyinstinct.Wehavenowatleastonesuchexpertineachcommunityofthem,andshortlythepriestsalonewillbeabletosignal,ifneedbe,forthenation;thusreleasingforactiveservicethemerelyfighting-man.ThemenatpresentwithmeItookintoconfidenceastothevessel’sarrival,andwewereallreadyforworkwhenthemanonthelookoutattheFlagstaffsentwordthatavesselwithoutlightswascreepingintowardsshore.Weallassembledontherockyedgeofthecreek,andsawherstealupthecreekandgaintheshelteroftheharbour.Whenthishadbeeneffected,weranouttheboomwhichprotectstheopening,andafterthatthegreatarmouredsliding-gateswhichUncleRogerhadhimselfhadmadesoastoprotecttheharbourincaseofneed.

Wethencamewithinandassistedinwarpingthesteamertothesideofthedock.

Rookelookedfit,andwasfulloffireandvigour.Hisresponsibilityandthemerethoughtofwarlikeactionseemedtohaverenewedhisyouth.

Whenwehadarrangedfortheunloadingofthecasesofarmsandammunition,ItookRookeintotheroomwhichwecallmy“office,”wherehegavemeanaccountofhisdoings.Hehadnotonlysecuredtheriflesandtheammunitionforthem,buthehadpurchasedfromoneofthesmallAmericanRepublicsanarmouredyachtwhichhadbeenespeciallybuiltforwarservice.Hegrewquiteenthusiastic,evenexcited,ashetoldmeofher:

“Sheisthelastwordinnavalconstruction—atorpedoyacht.Asmallcruiser,withturbinesuptodate,oil-fuelled,andfullyarmedwiththelatestandmostperfectweaponsandexplosivesofallkinds.Thefastestboatafloatto-day.BuiltbyThorneycroft,enginedbyParsons,armouredbyArmstrong,armedbyCrupp.Ifsheevercomesintoaction,itwillbebadforheropponent,forsheneednotfeartotackleanythinglessthanaDreadnought.”

HealsotoldmethatfromthesameGovernment,whosenationhadjustestablishedanunlooked-forpeace,hehadalsopurchasedawholeparkofartilleryoftheverylatestpatterns,andthatforrangeandaccuracythegunswereheldtobesupreme.Thesewouldfollowbeforelong,andwiththemtheirproperammunition,withashiploadofthesametofollowshortlyafter.

Whenhehadtoldmealltherestofhisnews,andhandedmetheaccounts,

wewentouttothedocktoseethedebarkationofthewarmaterial.Knowingthatitwasarriving,Ihadsentwordintheafternoontothemountaineerstotellthemtocomeandremoveit.Theyhadansweredthecall,anditreallyseemedtomethatthewholeofthelandmustthatnighthavebeeninmotion.

Theycameasindividuals,groupingthemselvesastheycamewithinthedefencesoftheCastle;somehadgatheredatfixedpointsontheway.Theywentsecretlyandinsilence,stealingthroughtheforestslikeghosts,eachpartywhenitgroupedtakingtheplaceofthatwhichhadgoneononeoftheroutesradiatingroundVissarion.Theircomingandgoingwasmorethanghostly.Itwas,indeed,theoutwardmanifestationofaninwardspirit—awholenationdominatedbyonecommonpurpose.

Themeninthesteamerwerenearlyallengineers,mostlyBritish,wellconducted,andtobedependedupon.Rookehadpickedthemseparately,andinthedoinghadusedwellhisgreatexperienceofbothmenandadventurouslife.Thesemenweretoformpartofthearmouredyacht’screwwhensheshouldcomeintotheMediterraneanwaters.Theyandthepriestsandfighting-menintheCastleworkedwelltogether,andwithazealthatwasbeyondpraise.Theheavycasesseemedalmostoftheirownaccordtoleavetheholds,sofastcametheprocessionofthemalongthegangwaysfromdecktodock-wall.Itwasapartofmydesignthatthearmsshouldbeplacedincentresreadyforlocaldistribution.Insuchacountryasthis,withoutrailwaysorevenroads,thedistributionofwarmaterialinanyquantityisagreatlabour,forithastobedoneindividually,oratleastfromcentres.

Butofthisworkthegreatnumberofmountaineerswhowerearrivingmadelittleaccount.Asfastastheship’scompany,withtheassistanceofthepriestsandfighting-men,placedthecasesonthequay,theengineersopenedthemandlaidthecontentsreadyforportage.Themountaineersseemedtocomeinacontinuousstream;eachinturnshoulderedhisburdenandpassedout,thecaptainofhissectiongivinghimashepassedhisinstructionwheretogoandinwhatroute.Themethodhadbeenalreadypreparedinmyofficereadyforsuchadistributionwhenthearmsshouldarrive,anddescriptionsandquantitieshadbeennotedbythecaptains.Thewholeaffairwastreatedbyallasamatteroftheutmostsecrecy.Hardlyawordwasspokenbeyondthenecessarydirections,andtheseweregiveninwhispers.Allnightlongthestreamofmenwentandcame,andtowardsdawnthebulkoftheimportedmaterialwaslessenedbyhalf.Onthefollowingnighttheremainderwasremoved,aftermyownmenhadstoredintheCastletheriflesandammunitionreservedforitsdefenceifnecessary.Itwasadvisabletokeepareservesupplyincaseitshouldeverberequired.ThefollowingnightRookewentawaysecretlyinthecharteredvessel.Hehadtobringbackwithhimthepurchasedcannonandheavyammunition,whichhadbeeninthemeantimestoredonone

oftheGreekislands.Thesecondmorning,havinghadsecretwordthatthesteamerwasontheway,Ihadgiventhesignalfortheassemblingofthemountaineers.

Alittleafterdarkthevessel,showingnolight,stoleintothecreek.Thebarriergateswereonceagainclosed,andwhenasufficientnumberofmenhadarrivedtohandletheguns,webegantounload.Theactualdeportationwaseasyenough,forthedockhadallnecessaryappliancesquiteuptodate,includingapairofshearsforgun-liftingwhichcouldberaisedintopositioninaveryshorttime.

Thegunswerewellfurnishedwithtackleofallsorts,andbeforemanyhourshadpassedalittleprocessionofthemdisappearedintothewoodsinghostlysilence.Anumberofmensurroundedeach,andtheymovedaswellasifproperlysuppliedwithhorses.

Inthemeantime,andforaweekafterthearrivaloftheguns,thedrillingwentonwithoutpause.Thegun-drillwaswonderful.Inthearduousworknecessaryforitthegreatstrengthandstaminaofthemountaineersshowedoutwonderfully.Theydidnotseemtoknowfatigueanymorethantheyknewfear.

Foraweekthiswenton,tillaperfectdisciplineandmanagementwasobtained.Theydidnotpractisetheshooting,forthiswouldhavemadesecrecyimpossible.ItwasreportedallalongtheTurkishfrontierthattheSultan’stroopswerebeingmassed,andthoughthiswasnotonawarfooting,themovementwasmoreorlessdangerous.Thereportsofourownspies,althoughvagueastothepurposeandextentofthemovement,weredefiniteastosomethingbeingonfoot.AndTurkeydoesnotdosomethingwithoutapurposethatbodesilltosomeone.Certainlythesoundofcannon,whichisafar-reachingsound,wouldhavegiventhemwarningofourpreparations,andwouldsohavesadlyminimizedtheireffectiveness.

Whenthecannonhadallbeendisposedof—except,ofcourse,thosedestinedfordefenceoftheCastleortobestoredthere—Rookewentawaywiththeshipandcrew.Theshiphewastoreturntotheowners;themenwouldbeshippedonthewar-yacht,ofwhosecrewtheywouldformapart.TherestofthemhadbeencarefullyselectedbyRookehimself,andwerekeptinsecrecyatCattaro,readyforservicethemomentrequired.Theywereallgoodmen,andquitecapableofwhateverworktheymightbesetto.SoRooketoldme,andheoughttoknow.Theexperienceofhisyoungdaysasaprivatemadehimanexpertinsuchajob.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

June24,1907.

LastnightIgotfrommyLadyasimilarmessagetothelast,anddeliveredinasimilarway.Thistime,however,ourmeetingwastobeontheleadsoftheKeep.

Idressedmyselfverycarefullybeforegoingonthisadventure,lestbyanychance of household concern, any of the servants should seeme; for if thisshouldhappen,AuntJanetwouldbesuretohearofit,whichwouldgiverisetoendlesssurmisesandquestionings—athingIwasfarfromdesiring.

IconfessthatinthinkingthematteroverduringthetimeIwasmakingmyhurriedpreparationsIwasatalosstounderstandhowanyhumanbody,eventhoughitbeofthedead,couldgoorbeconveyedtosuchaplacewithoutsomesortofassistance,or,atleast,collusion,onthepartofsomeoftheinmates.AtthevisittotheFlagstaffcircumstancesweredifferent.ThisspotwasactuallyoutsidetheCastle,andinordertoreachitImyselfhadtoleavetheCastleprivately,andfromthegardenascendtotheramparts.Butherewasnosuchpossibility.TheKeepwasanimperiuminimperio.ItstoodwithintheCastle,thoughseparatedfromit,andithaditsowndefencesagainstintrusion.Theroofofitwas,sofarasIknew,aslittleapproachableasthemagazine.

Thedifficultydidnot,however,troublemebeyondamerepassingthought.Inthejoyofthecomingmeetingandthelongingraptureatthemerethoughtofit,alldifficultiesdisappeared.Lovemakesitsownfaith,andIneverdoubtedthatmyLadywouldbewaitingformeattheplacedesignated.WhenIhadpassedthroughthelittlearchedpassages,andupthedoubly-gratedstairwayscontrivedinthemassivenessofthewalls,Iletmyselfoutontheleads.Itwaswellthatasyetthetimesweresufficientlypeacefulnottonecessitateguardsorsentriesatallsuchpoints.

There,inadimcornerwherethemoonlightandthepassingcloudsthrewdeepshadows,Isawher,clothedaseverinhershroud.Why,Iknownot.Ifeltsomehowthatthesituationwasevenmoreseriousthanever.ButIwassteeledtowhatevermightcome.Mymindhadbeenalreadymadeup.TocarryoutmyresolvetowinthewomanIlovedIwasreadytofacedeath.Butnow,afterwehadforafewbriefmomentsheldeachotherinourarms,Iwaswillingtoacceptdeath—ormorethandeath.Now,morethanbefore,wasshesweetanddeartome.Whateverqualmstheremighthavebeenatthebeginningofourlove-making,orduringtheprogressofit,didnotnowexist.Wehadexchangedvowsandconfidences,andacknowledgedourloves.What,then,couldtherebeofdistrust,orevendoubt,thatthepresentmightnotsetatnaught?Butevenhadtherebeensuchdoubtsorqualms,theymusthavedisappearedintheardourofourmutualembrace.Iwasbynowmadforher,andwascontenttobesomad.Whenshehadbreathtospeakafterthestrictnessofourembrace,shesaid:

“Ihavecometowarnyoutobemorethanevercareful.”Itwas,Iconfess,apangtome,whothoughtonlyoflove,tohearthatanythingelseshouldhavebeentheinitiativepowerofhercoming,eventhoughithadbeenherconcernformyownsafety.IcouldnotbutnoticethebitternoteofchagrininmyvoiceasIanswered:

“Itwasforlove’ssakethatIcame.”She,too,evidentlyfelttheundercurrentofpain,forshesaidquickly:

“Ah,dearest,I,too,cameforlove’ssake.ItisbecauseIloveyouthatIamsoanxiousaboutyou.Whatwouldtheworld—ay,orheaven—betomewithoutyou?”

Therewassuchearnesttruthinhertonethatthesenseandrealizationofmyownharshnesssmoteme.Inthepresenceofsuchloveasthisevenalover’sselfishnessmustbecomeabashed.Icouldnotexpressmyselfinwords,sosimplyraisedherslimhandinmineandkissedit.AsitlaywarminmyownIcouldnotbutnotice,aswellasitsfineness,itsstrengthandthefirmnessofitsclasp.Itswarmthandfervourstruckintomyheart—andmybrain.ThereuponIpouredouttoheroncemoremyloveforher,shelisteningallafire.Whenpassionhadhaditssay,thecalmeremotionshadopportunityofexpression.WhenIwassatisfiedafreshofheraffection,Ibegantovaluehercareformysafety,andsoIwentbacktothesubject.Herveryinsistence,basedonpersonalaffection,gavememoresolidgroundforfear.InthemomentoflovetransportsIhadforgotten,ordidnotthink,ofwhatwonderfulpowerorknowledgeshemusthavetobeabletomoveinsuchstrangewaysasshedid.Why,atthisverymomentshewaswithinmyowngates.Locksandbars,eventheverysealofdeathitself,seemedunabletomakeforheraprison-house.Withsuchfreedomofactionandmovement,goingwhenshewouldintosecretplaces,whatmightshenotknowthatwasknowntoothers?Howcouldanyonekeepsecretfromsuchanoneevenanillintent?Suchthoughts,suchsurmises,hadoftenflashedthroughmymindinmomentsofexcitementratherthanofreflection,butneverlongenoughtobecomefixedintobelief.Butyettheconsequences,theconvictions,ofthemwerewithme,thoughunconsciously,thoughthethoughtsthemselveswereperhapsforgottenorwitheredbeforedevelopment.

“Andyou?”Iaskedherearnestly.“Whataboutdangertoyou?”Shesmiled,herlittlepearl-whiteteethgleaminginthemoonlight,asshespoke:

“Thereisnodangerforme.Iamsafe.Iamthesafestperson,perhapstheonlysafeperson,inallthisland.”Thefullsignificanceofherwordsdidnotseemtocometomeallatonce.Somebaseforunderstandingsuchanassertionseemedtobewanting.ItwasnotthatIdidnottrustorbelieveher,butthatIthoughtshemightbemistaken.Iwantedtoreassuremyself,soin

mydistressIaskedunthinkingly:

“Howthesafest?Whatisyourprotection?”Forseveralmomentsthatspunthemselvesoutendlesslyshelookedmestraightintheface,thestarsinhereyesseemingtoglowlikefire;then,loweringherhead,shetookafoldofhershroudandheldituptome.

“This!”

Themeaningwascompleteandunderstandablenow.Icouldnotspeakatonceforthewaveofemotionwhichchokedme.Idroppedonmyknees,andtakingherinmyarms,heldherclosetome.ShesawthatIwasmoved,andtenderlystrokedmyhair,andwithdelicatetouchpresseddownmyheadonherbosom,asamothermighthavedonetocomfortafrightenedchild.

Presentlywegotbacktotherealitiesoflifeagain.Imurmured:

“Yoursafety,yourlife,yourhappinessareall-in-alltome.Whenwillyouletthembemycare?”Shetrembledinmyarms,nestlingevenclosertome.Herownarmsseemedtoquiverwithdelightasshesaid:

“Wouldyouindeedlikemetobealwayswithyou?Tomeitwouldbeahappinessunspeakable;andtoyou,whatwoulditbe?”

Ithoughtthatshewishedtohearmespeakmylovetoher,andthat,woman-like,shehadledmetotheutterance,andsoIspokeagainofthepassionthatnowragedinme,shelisteningeagerlyaswestrainedeachothertightinourarms.Atlasttherecameapause,along,longpause,andourheartsbeatconsciouslyinunisonaswestoodtogether.Presentlyshesaidinasweet,low,intensewhisper,assoftasthesighingofsummerwind:

“Itshallbeasyouwish;butoh,mydear,youwillhavetofirstgothroughanordealwhichmaytryyouterribly!Donotaskmeanything!Youmustnotask,becauseImaynotanswer,anditwouldbepaintometodenyyouanything.MarriagewithsuchanoneasIamhasitsownritual,whichmaynotbeforegone.Itmay...”Ibrokepassionatelyintoherspeaking:

“ThereisnoritualthatIfear,solongasitbethatitisforyourgood,andyourlastinghappiness.AndiftheendofitbethatImaycallyoumine,thereisnohorrorinlifeordeaththatIshallnotgladlyface.Dear,Iaskyounothing.Iamcontenttoleavemyselfinyourhands.Youshalladvisemewhenthetimecomes,andIshallbesatisfied,contenttoobey.Content!ItisbutapoorwordtoexpresswhatIlongfor!Ishallshirknothingwhichmaycometomefromthisoranyotherworld,solongasitistomakeyoumine!”Onceagainhermurmuredhappinesswasmusictomyears:

“Oh,howyouloveme!howyouloveme,dear,dear!”Shetookmeinherarms,andforafewsecondswehungtogether.Suddenlyshetoreherselfapart

fromme,andstooddrawnuptothefullheight,withadignityIcannotdescribeorexpress.Hervoicehadanewdominance,aswithfirmutteranceandinstaccatomannershesaid:

“RupertSentLeger,beforewegoastepfurtherImustsaysomethingtoyou,askyousomething,andIchargeyou,onyourmostsacredhonourandbelief,toanswermetruly.Doyoubelievemetobeoneofthoseunhappybeingswhomaynotdie,buthavetoliveinshamefulexistencebetweenearthandthenetherworld,andwhosehellishmissionistodestroy,bodyandsoul,thosewholovethemtilltheyfalltotheirlevel?Youareagentleman,andabraveone.Ihavefoundyoufearless.Answermeinsternesttruth,nomatterwhattheissuemaybe!”

Shestoodthereintheglamorousmoonlightwithacommandingdignitywhichseemedmorethanhuman.Inthatmysticlightherwhiteshroudseemeddiaphanous,andsheappearedlikeaspiritofpower.WhatwasItosay?HowcouldIadmittosuchabeingthatIhadactuallyhadatmoments,ifnotabelief,apassingdoubt?ItwasaconvictionwithmethatifIspokewronglyIshouldloseherforever.Iwasinadesperatestrait.Insuchacasethereisbutonesolidgroundwhichonemayreston—theTruth.

IreallyfeltIwasbetweenthedevilandthedeepsea.Therewasnoavoidingtheissue,andso,outofthisall-embracing,all-compellingconvictionoftruth,Ispoke.

ForafleetingmomentIfeltthatmytonewastruculent,andalmosthesitated;butasIsawnoangerorindignationonmyLady’sface,butratheraneagerapproval,Iwasreassured.Awoman,afterall,isgladtoseeamanstrong,forallbeliefinhimmustbebasedonthat.

“Ishallspeakthetruth.RememberthatIhavenowishtohurtyourfeelings,butasyouconjuremebymyhonour,youmustforgivemeifIpain.ItistruethatIhadatfirst—ay,andlater,whenIcametothinkmattersoverafteryouhadgone,whenreasoncametotheaidofimpression—apassingbeliefthatyouareaVampire.HowcanIfailtohave,evennow,thoughIloveyouwithallmysoul,thoughIhaveheldyouinmyarmsandkissedyouonthemouth,adoubt,whenalltheevidencesseemtopointtoonething?RememberthatIhaveonlyseenyouatnight,exceptthatbittermomentwhen,inthebroadnoondayoftheupperworld,Isawyou,cladaseverinashroud,lyingseeminglydeadinatombinthecryptofSt.Sava’sChurch...Butletthatpass.SuchbeliefasIhaveisallinyou.BeyouwomanorVampire,itisallthesametome.ItisyouwhomIlove!Shoulditbethatyouare—youarenotwoman,whichIcannotbelieve,thenitwillbemyglorytobreakyourfetters,toopenyourprison,andsetyoufree.TothatIconsecratemylife.”ForafewsecondsIstoodsilent,vibratingwiththepassionwhichhadbeenawakenedin

me.Shehadbynowlostthemeasureofherhaughtyisolation,andhadsoftenedintowomanhoodagain.ItwasreallylikearealizationoftheoldthemeofPygmalion’sstatue.Itwaswithratherapleadingthanacommandingvoicethatshesaid:

“Andshallyoualwaysbetruetome?”

“Always—sohelpme,God!”Ianswered,andIfeltthattherecouldbenolackofconvictioninmyvoice.

Indeed,therewasnocauseforsuchlack.Shealsostoodforalittlewhilestone-still,andIwasbeginningtoexpandtotherapturewhichwasinstoreformewhensheshouldtakemeagaininherarms.

Buttherewasnosuchmomentofsoftness.Allatonceshestartedasifshehadsuddenlywakenedfromadream,andonthespurofthemomentsaid:

“Nowgo,go!”Ifelttheconvictionofnecessitytoobey,andturnedatonce.AsImovedtowardsthedoorbywhichIhadentered,Iasked:

“WhenshallIseeyouagain?”

“Soon!”cameheranswer.“Ishallletyouknowsoon—whenandwhere.Oh,go,go!”Shealmostpushedmefromher.

WhenIhadpassedthroughthelowdoorwayandlockedandbarreditbehindme,IfeltapangthatIshouldhavehadtoshutheroutlikethat;butIfearedlestthereshouldarisesomeembarrassingsuspicionifthedoorshouldbefoundopen.Latercamethecomfortingthoughtthat,asshehadgottotheroofthoughthedoorhadbeenshut,shewouldbeabletogetawaybythesamemeans.ShehadevidentlyknowledgeofsomesecretwayintotheCastle.Thealternativewasthatshemusthavesomesupernaturalqualityorfacultywhichgaveherstrangepowers.Ididnotwishtopursuethattrainofthought,andso,afteraneffort,shutitoutfrommymind.

WhenIgotbacktomyroomIlockedthedoorbehindme,andwenttosleepinthedark.Ididnotwantlightjustthen—couldnotbearit.

ThismorningIwoke,alittlelaterthanusual,withakindofapprehensionwhichIcouldnotatonceunderstand.Presently,however,whenmyfacultiesbecamefullyawakeandinworkingorder,IrealizedthatIfeared,halfexpected,thatAuntJanetwouldcometomeinaworsestateofalarmthaneveraproposofsomenewSecond-Sightexperienceofmorethanusualferocity.

But,strangetosay,Ihadnosuchvisit.Lateroninthemorning,when,afterbreakfast,wewalkedtogetherthroughthegarden,Iaskedherhowshehadslept,andifshehaddreamt.Sheansweredmethatshehadsleptwithoutwaking,andifshehadhadanydreams,theymusthavebeenpleasantones,for

shedidnotrememberthem.“Andyouknow,Rupert,”sheadded,“thatiftherebeanythingbadorfearsomeorwarningindreams,Ialwaysrememberthem.”

Laterstill,whenIwasbymyselfonthecliffbeyondthecreek,IcouldnothelpcommentingontheabsenceofherpowerofSecondSightontheoccasion.Surely,ifevertherewasatimewhenshemighthavehadcauseofapprehension,itmightwellhavebeenwhenIaskedtheLadywhomshedidnotknowtomarryme—theLadyofwhoseidentityIknewnothing,evenwhosenameIdidnotknow—whomIlovedwithallmyheartandsoul—myLadyoftheShroud.

IhavelostfaithinSecondSight.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

July1,1907.

Anotherweekgone.Ihavewaitedpatiently,andIamatlastrewardedbyanotherletter.Iwaspreparingforbedalittlewhileago,whenIheardthesamemysterioussoundatthedoorasonthelasttwooccasions.Ihurriedtotheglassdoor,andtherefoundanotherclose-foldedletter.ButIcouldseenosignofmyLady,orofanyotherlivingbeing.Theletter,whichwaswithoutdirection,ranasfollows:

“Ifyouarestillofthesamemind,andfeelnomisgivings,meetmeattheChurchofSt.SavabeyondtheCreekto-morrownightataquarterbeforemidnight.Ifyoucome,comeinsecret,and,ofcourse,alone.Donotcomeatallunlessyouarepreparedforaterribleordeal.Butifyouloveme,andhaveneitherdoubtsnorfears,come.Come!”

Needlesstosay,Ididnotsleeplastnight.Itriedto,butwithoutsuccess.Itwasnomorbidhappinessthatkeptmeawake,nodoubting,nofear.IwassimplyoverwhelmedwiththeideaofthecomingrapturewhenIshouldcallmyLadymyvery,veryown.Inthisseaofhappyexpectationalllesserthingsweresubmerged.Evensleep,whichisanimperativeforcewithme,failedinitsusualeffectiveness,andIlaystill,calm,content.

Withthecomingofthemorning,however,restlessnessbegan.Ididnotknowwhattodo,howtorestrainmyself,wheretolookforananodyne.HappilythelattercameintheshapeofRooke,whoturnedupshortlyafterbreakfast.Hehadasatisfactorytaletotellmeofthearmouredyacht,whichhadlainoffCattaroonthepreviousnight,andtowhichhehadbroughthiscontingentofcrewwhichhadwaitedforhercoming.Hedidnotliketotaketheriskofgoingintoanyportwithsuchavessel,lesthemightbedetainedorotherwisehamperedbyforms,andhadgoneoutupontheopenseabeforedaylight.Therewasonboardtheyachtatinytorpedo-boat,forwhich

provisionwasmadebothforhoistingondeckandhousingthere.Thislastwouldrunintothecreekatteno’clockthatevening,atwhichtimeitwouldbedark.TheyachtwouldthenruntonearOtranto,towhichshewouldsendaboattogetanymessageImightsend.Thiswastobeinacode,whichwearranged,andwouldconveyinstructionsastowhatnightandapproximatehourtheyachtwouldcometothecreek.

Thedaywaswellonbeforewehadmadecertainarrangementsforthefuture;andnottillthendidIfeelagainthepressureofmypersonalrestlessness.Rooke,likeawisecommander,tookrestwhilsthecould.Wellheknewthatforacoupleofdaysandnightsatleasttherewouldbelittle,ifany,sleepforhim.

Formyself,thehabitofself-controlstoodtome,andImanagedtogetthroughthedaysomehowwithoutexcitingtheattentionofanyoneelse.Thearrivalofthetorpedo-boatandthedepartureofRookemadeformeawelcomebreakinmyuneasiness.AnhouragoIsaidgood-nighttoAuntJanet,andshutmyselfupalonehere.Mywatchisonthetablebeforeme,sothatImaymakesureofstartingtothemoment.IhaveallowedmyselfhalfanhourtoreachSt.Sava.Myskiffiswaiting,mooredatthefootofthecliffonthehitherside,wherethezigzagcomesclosetothewater.Itisnowtenminutespasteleven.

Ishalladdtheoddfiveminutestothetimeformyjourneysoastomakesafe.Igounarmedandwithoutalight.

Ishallshownodistrustofanyoneoranythingthisnight.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

July2,1907.

WhenIwasoutsidethechurch,Ilookedatmywatchinthebrightmoonlight,andfoundIhadoneminutetowait.SoIstoodintheshadowofthedoorwayandlookedoutatthescenebeforeme.Notasignoflifewasvisiblearoundme,eitheronlandorsea.Onthebroadplateauonwhichthechurchstandstherewasnomovementofanykind.Thewind,whichhadbeenpleasantinthenoontide,hadfallencompletely,andnotaleafwasstirring.IcouldseeacrossthecreekandnotethehardlinewherethebattlementsoftheCastlecutthesky,andwherethekeeptoweredabovethelineofblackrock,whichintheshadowofthelandmadeanebonframeforthepicture.WhenIhadseenthesameviewonformeroccasions,thelinewheretherockrosefromtheseawasafringeofwhitefoam.Butthen,inthedaylight,theseawassapphireblue;nowitwasanexpanseofdarkblue—sodarkastoseemalmostblack.Ithadnoteventhereliefofwavesorripples—simplyadark,cold,lifelessexpanse,withnogleamoflightanywhere,oflighthouseorship;neitherwasthereanyspecialsoundtobeheardthatonecoulddistinguish—

nothingbutthedistanthumofthemyriadvoicesofthedarkminglinginoneceaselessinarticulatesound.ItwaswellIhadnottimetodwellonit,orImighthavereachedsomespiritually-disturbingmelancholy.

LetmesayherethateversinceIhadreceivedmyLady’smessageconcerningthisvisittoSt.Sava’sIhadbeenallonfire—not,perhaps,ateverymomentconsciouslyoractuallyso,butalways,asitwere,preparedtobreakoutintoflame.DidIwantasimile,Imightcomparemyselftoawell-bankedfurnace,whosepresentfunctionitistocontainheatratherthantocreateit;whosecrustcanatanymomentbebrokenbyaforceexternaltoitself,andburstintoraging,all-compellingheat.Nothoughtoffearreallyenteredmymind.Everyotheremotiontherewas,comingandgoingasoccasionexcitedorlulled,butnotfear.WellIknewinthedepthsofmyheartthepurposewhichthatsecretquestwastoserve.IknewnotonlyfrommyLady’swords,butfromtheteachingsofmyownsensesandexperiences,thatsomedreadfulordealmusttakeplacebeforehappinessofanykindcouldbewon.Andthatordeal,thoughmethodordetailwasunknowntome,Iwaspreparedtoundertake.Thiswasoneofthoseoccasionswhenamanmustundertake,blindfold,waysthatmayleadtotortureordeath,orunknownterrorsbeyond.But,then,aman—if,indeed,hehavetheheartofaman—canalwaysundertake;hecanatleastmakethefirststep,thoughitmayturnoutthatthroughtheweaknessofmortalityhemaybeunabletofulfilhisownintent,orjustifyhisbeliefinhisownpowers.Such,Itakeit,wastheintellectualattitudeofthebravesoulswhoofoldfacedthetorturesoftheInquisition.

Butthoughtherewasnoimmediatefear,therewasacertaindoubt.Fordoubtisoneofthosementalconditionswhosecallingwecannotcontrol.Theendofthedoubtingmaynotbearealitytous,orbeacceptedasapossibility.Thesethingscannotforegotheexistenceofthedoubt.“Forevenifaman,”saysVictorCousin,“doubteverythingelse,atleasthecannotdoubtthathedoubts.”ThedoubthadattimesbeenonmethatmyLadyoftheShroudwasaVampire.Muchthathadhappenedseemedtopointthatway,andhere,ontheverythresholdoftheUnknown,when,throughthedoorwhichIwaspushingopen,myeyesmetonlyanexpanseofabsoluteblackness,alldoubtswhichhadeverbeenseemedtosurroundmeinalegion.Ihaveheardthat,whenamanisdrowning,therecomesatimewhenhiswholelifepassesinreviewduringthespaceoftimewhichcannotbecomputedasevenapartofasecond.Soitwastomeinthemomentofmybodypassingintothechurch.Inthatmomentcametomymindallthathadbeen,whichboreontheknowledgeofmyLady;andthegeneraltendencywastoproveorconvincethatshewasindeedaVampire.Muchthathadhappened,orbecomeknowntome,seemedtojustifytheresolvingofdoubtintobelief.EvenmyownreadingofthebooksinAuntJanet’slittlelibrary,andthedearlady’scommentsonthem,mingledwithherownuncannybeliefs,leftlittleopeningfordoubt.My

havingtohelpmyLadyoverthethresholdofmyhouseonherfirstentrywasinaccordwithVampiretradition;so,too,herflyingatcock-crowfromthewarmthinwhichsherevelledonthatstrangefirstnightofourmeeting;so,too,herswiftdepartureatmidnightonthesecond.IntothesamecategorycamethefactsofherconstantwearingofherShroud,evenherpledgingherself,andmealso,onthefragmenttornfromit,whichshehadgiventomeasasouvenir;herlyingstillintheglass-coveredtomb;hercomingalonetothemostsecretplacesinafortifiedCastlewhereeveryaperturewassecuredbyunopenedlocksandbolts;herverymovements,thoughallofgrace,assheflittednoiselesslythroughthegloomofnight.

Allthesethings,andathousandothersoflesserimport,seemed,forthemoment,tohaveconsolidatedaninitialbelief.Butthencamethesupremerecollectionsofhowshehadlaininmyarms;ofherkissesonmylips;ofthebeatingofherheartagainstmyown;ofhersweetwordsofbeliefandfaithbreathedinmyearinintoxicatingwhispers;of...Ipaused.No!Icouldnotacceptbeliefastoherbeingotherthanalivingwomanofsoulandsense,offleshandblood,ofallthesweetandpassionateinstinctsoftrueandperfectwomanhood.

And so, in spite of all—in spite of all beliefs, fixed or transitory,with amindwhirlingamidcontestingforcesandcompellingbeliefs—Isteppedintothechurchoverwhelmedwiththatmostreceptiveofatmospheres—doubt.

InonethingonlywasIfixed:hereatleastwasnodoubtormisgivingwhatever.IintendedtogothroughwhatIhadundertaken.Moreover,IfeltthatIwasstrongenoughtocarryoutmyintention,whatevermightbeoftheUnknown—howeverhorrible,howeverterrible.

WhenIhadenteredthechurchandclosedtheheavydoorbehindme,thesenseofdarknessandlonelinessinalltheirhorrorenfoldedmeround.Thegreatchurchseemedalivingmystery,andservedasanalmostterriblebackgroundtothoughtsandremembrancesofunutterablegloom.Myadventurouslifehashaditsownschoolingtoenduranceandupholdingone’scourageintryingtimes;butithasitscontrainfulnessofmemory.

Ifeltmywayforwardwithbothhandsandfeet.Everysecondseemedasifithadbroughtmeatlasttoadarknesswhichwasactuallytangible.Allatonce,andwithnoheedofsequenceororder,Iwasconsciousofallaroundme,theknowledgeorperceptionofwhich—orevenspeculationonthesubject—hadneverenteredmymind.TheyfurnishedthedarknesswithwhichIwasencompassedwithallthecrowdedphasesofadream.Iknewthatallaroundmewerememorialsofthedead—thatintheCryptdeep-wroughtintherockbelowmyfeetlaythedeadthemselves.Someofthem,perhaps—oneofthemIknew—hadevenpassedthegrimportalsoftimeUnknown,andhad,by

somemysteriouspoweroragency,comebackagaintomaterialearth.Therewasnoresting-placeforthoughtwhenIknewthattheveryairwhichIbreathedmightbefullofdenizensofthespirit-world.Inthatimpenetrableblacknesswasaworldofimaginingwhosepossibilitiesofhorrorwereendless.

IalmostfanciedthatIcouldseewithmortaleyesdownthroughthatrockyfloortowhere,inthelonelyCrypt,lay,inhertombofmassivestoneandunderthatbewilderingcoverletofglass,thewomanwhomIlove.Icouldseeherbeautifulface,herlongblacklashes,hersweetmouth—whichIhadkissed—relaxedinthesleepofdeath.Icouldnotethevoluminousshroud—apieceofwhichasaprecioussouvenirlayeventhensoclosetomyheart—thesnowywoollencoverletwroughtoveringoldwithsprigsofpine,thesoftdentinthecushiononwhichherheadmustforsolonghavelain.Icouldseemyself—withinmyeyesthememoryofthatfirstvisit—comingonceagainwithgladsteptorenewthatdearsight—dear,thoughitscorchedmyeyesandharrowedmyheart—andfindingthegreatersorrow,thegreaterdesolationoftheemptytomb!

There!IfeltthatImustthinknomoreofthatlestthethoughtshouldunnervemewhenIshouldmostwantallmycourage.Thatwaymadnesslay!Thedarknesshadalreadysufficientterrorsofitsownwithoutbringingtoitsuchgrimremembrancesandimaginings...AndIhadyettogothroughsomeordealwhich,eventoherwhohadpassedandrepassedtheportalsofdeath,wasfulloffear.

Itwasamercifulrelieftomewhen,ingropingmywayforwardsthroughthedarkness,Istruckagainstsomeportionofthefurnishingofthechurch.FortunatelyIwasallstrunguptotension,elseIshouldneverhavebeenabletocontrolinstinctively,asIdid,theshriekwhichwasrisingtomylips.

Iwouldhavegivenanythingtohavebeenabletolightevenamatch.Asinglesecondoflightwould,Ifelt,havemadememyownmanagain.ButIknewthatthiswouldbeagainsttheimpliedconditionofmybeingthereatall,andmighthavehaddisastrousconsequencestoherwhomIhadcometosave.Itmightevenfrustratemyscheme,andaltogetherdestroymyopportunity.Atthatmomentitwasborneuponmemorestronglythaneverthatthiswasnotamerefightformyselformyownselfishpurposes—notmerelyanadventureorastruggleforonlylifeanddeathagainstunknowndifficultiesanddangers.ItwasafightonbehalfofherIloved,notmerelyforherlife,butperhapsevenforhersoul.

Andyetthisverythinking—understanding—createdanewformofterror.Forinthatgrim,shroudingdarknesscamememoriesofothermomentsofterriblestress.

Ofwild,mysticritesheldinthedeepgloomofAfricanforests,when,amidscenes of revolting horror, Obi and the devils of his kind seemed to revealthemselvestorecklessworshippers,surfeitedwithhorror,whoselivescountedfor naught;when even human sacrificewas an episode, and the reek of olddeviltriesandrecentcarnagetaintedtheair,tillevenI,whowas,attheriskofmylife,aprivilegedspectatorwhohadcomethroughdangerswithoutendtobeholdthescene,roseandfledinhorror.

Ofscenesofmysteryenacted in rock-cut templesbeyond theHimalayas,whosefanaticpriests,coldasdeathandasremorseless,inthereactionoftheirphrenzyofpassion,foamedatthemouthandthensankintomarblequiet,aswithinnereyestheybeheldthevisionsofthehellishpowerswhichtheyhadinvoked.

Ofwild, fantasticdancesof theDevil-worshippersofMadagascar,whereeventheverysemblanceofhumanitydisappearedinthefantasticexcessesoftheirorgies.

Ofstrangedoingsofgloomandmystery in therock-perchedmonasteriesofThibet.

Ofawfulsacrifices,alltomysticends,intheinnermostrecessesofCathay.

Ofweirdmovementswithmasses of poisonous snakes by themedicine-men of the Zuni and Mochi Indians in the far south-west of the Rockies,beyondthegreatplains.

Of secretgatherings invast templesofoldMexico,andbydimaltarsofforgottencitiesintheheartofgreatforestsinSouthAmerica.

OfritesofinconceivablehorrorinthefastnessesofPatagonia.

Of...HereIoncemorepulledmyselfup.SuchthoughtswerenokindofproperpreparationforwhatImighthavetoendure.Myworkthatnightwastobebasedonlove,onhope,onself-sacrificeforthewomanwhoinalltheworldwastheclosesttomyheart,whosefutureIwastoshare,whetherthatsharingmightleadmetoHellorHeaven.Thehandwhichundertooksuchataskmusthavenotrembling.

Still,thosehorriblememorieshad,Iamboundtosay,ausefulpartinmypreparationfortheordeal.TheywereoffactwhichIhadseen,ofwhichIhadmyselfbeeninpartasharer,andwhichIhadsurvived.Withsuchexperiencesbehindme,couldtherebeaughtbeforememoredreadful?...

Moreover,if thecomingordealwasofsupernaturalorsuperhumanorder,could it transcend in living horror the vilest andmost desperate acts of thebasestmen?...

WithrenewedcourageIfeltmywaybeforeme,tillmysenseoftouchtold

methatIwasatthescreenbehindwhichlaythestairtotheCrypt.

ThereIwaited,silent,still.

Myownpartwasdone,sofarasIknewhowtodoit.Beyondthis,whatwastocomewas,sofarasIknew,beyondmyowncontrol.IhaddonewhatIcould;therestmustcomefromothers.Ihadexactlyobeyedmyinstructions,fulfilledmywarrantytotheutmostinmyknowledgeandpower.Therewas,therefore,leftformeinthepresentnothingbuttowait.

Itisapeculiarityofabsolutedarknessthatitcreatesitsownreaction.Theeye,weariedoftheblackness,beginstoimagineformsoflight.HowfarthisiseffectedbyimaginationpureandsimpleIknownot.Itmaybethatnerveshavetheirownsensesthatbringthoughttothedepositorycommontoallthehumanfunctions,but,whatevermaybethemechanismortheobjective,thedarknessseemstopeopleitselfwithluminousentities.

SowasitwithmeasIstoodlonelyinthedark,silentchurch.Hereandthereseemedtoflashtinypointsoflight.

Inthesamewaythesilencebegantobebrokennowandagainbystrangemuffledsounds—thesuggestionofsoundsratherthanactualvibrations.Thesewereallatfirstoftheminorimportanceofmovement—rustlings,creakings,faintstirrings,fainterbreathings.Presently,whenIhadsomewhatrecoveredfromthesortofhypnotictrancetowhichthedarknessandstillnesshadduringthetimeofwaitingreducedme,Ilookedaroundinwonder.

Thephantomsoflightandsoundseemedtohavebecomereal.Thereweremostcertainlyactuallittlepointsoflightinplaces—notenoughtoseedetailsby,butquitesufficienttorelievetheuttergloom.Ithought—thoughitmayhavebeenaminglingofrecollectionandimagination—thatIcoulddistinguishtheoutlinesofthechurch;certainlythegreataltar-screenwasdimlyvisible.InstinctivelyIlookedup—andthrilled.There,hunghighaboveme,was,surelyenough,agreatGreekCross,outlinedbytinypointsoflight.

Ilostmyselfinwonder,andstoodstill,inapurelyreceptivemood,unantagonistictoaught,willingforwhatevermightcome,readyforallthings,inratheranegativethanapositivemood—amoodwhichhasanaspectofspiritualmeekness.Thisisthetruespiritoftheneophyte,and,thoughIdidnotthinkofitatthetime,theproperattitudeforwhatiscalledbytheChurchinwhosetempleIstooda“neo-nymph.”

Asthelightgrewalittleinpower,thoughneverincreasingenoughfordistinctness,Isawdimlybeforemeatableonwhichrestedagreatopenbook,whereonwerelaidtworings—oneofsliver,theotherofgold—andtwocrownswroughtofflowers,boundatthejoiningoftheirstemswithtissue—oneofgold,theotherofsilver.Idonotknowmuchoftheritualoftheold

GreekChurch,whichisthereligionoftheBlueMountains,butthethingswhichIsawbeforemecouldbenoneotherthanenlighteningsymbols.InstinctivelyIknewthatIhadbeenbroughthither,thoughinthisgrimway,tobemarried.Theveryideaofitthrilledmetotheheart’score.IthoughtthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetostayquitestill,andnotshowsurpriseatanythingthatmighthappen;butbesureIwasalleyesandears.

Ipeeredanxiouslyaroundmeineverydirection,butIcouldseenosignofherwhomIhadcometomeet.

Incidentally,however,Inoticedthatinthelighting,suchasitwas,therewasnoflame,no“living”light.Whateverlighttherewascamemuffled,asthoughthroughsomegreentranslucentstone.Thewholeeffectwasterriblyweirdanddisconcerting.

PresentlyIstarted,as,seeminglyoutofthedarknessbesideme,aman’shandstretchedoutandtookmine.Turning,Ifoundclosetomeatallmanwithshiningblackeyesandlongblackhairandbeard.Hewascladinsomekindofgorgeousrobeofclothofgold,richwithvarietyofadornment.Hisheadwascoveredwithahigh,over-hanginghatdrapedcloselywithablackscarf,theendsofwhichformedalong,hangingveiloneitherside.Theseveils,fallingoverthemagnificentrobesofclothofgold,hadanextraordinarilysolemneffect.

Iyieldedmyselftotheguidinghand,andshortlyfoundmyself,sofarasIcouldsee,atonesideofthesanctuary.

Inthefloorclosetomyfeetwasayawningchasm,intowhich,fromsohighovermyheadthatintheuncertainlightIcouldnotdistinguishitsorigin,hungachain.Atthesightastrangewaveofmemorysweptoverme.Icouldnotbutrememberthechainwhichhungovertheglass-coveredtombintheCrypt,andIhadaninstinctivefeelingthatthegrimchasminthefloorofthesanctuarywasbuttheothersideoftheopeningintheroofofthecryptfromwhichthechainoverthesarcophagusdepended.

Therewasacreakingsound—thegroaningofawindlassandtheclankingofachain.Therewasheavybreathingclosetomesomewhere.IwassointentonwhatwasgoingonthatIdidnotseethatonebyone,seemingtogrowoutofthesurroundingdarkness,severalblackfiguresinmonkishgarbappearedwiththesilenceofghosts.Theirfaceswereshroudedinblackcowls,whereinwereholesthroughwhichIcouldseedarkgleamingeyes.Myguideheldmetightlybythehand.Thisgavemeafeelingofsecurityinthetouchwhichhelpedtoretainwithinmybreastsomesemblanceofcalm.

Thestrainofthecreakingwindlassandtheclankingchaincontinuedforsolongthatthesuspensebecamealmostunendurable.Atlasttherecameinto

sightanironring,fromwhichasacentredependedfourlesserchainsspreadingwide.InafewsecondsmoreIcouldseethatthesewerefixedtothecornersofthegreatstonetombwiththecoveringofglass,whichwasbeingdraggedupward.Asitaroseitfilledcloselythewholeaperture.Whenitsbottomhadreachedtheleveloftheflooritstopped,andremainedrigid.Therewasnoroomforoscillation.Itwasatoncesurroundedbyanumberofblackfigures,whoraisedtheglasscoveringandboreitawayintothedarkness.Thentheresteppedforwardaverytallman,black-bearded,andwithhead-gearlikemyguide,butmadeintripletiers,healsowasgorgeouslyarrayedinflowingrobesofclothofgoldrichlyembroidered.Heraisedhishand,andforthwitheightotherblack-cladfiguressteppedforward,andbendingoverthestonecoffin,raisedfromittherigidformofmyLady,stillcladinherShroud,andlaiditgentlyonthefloorofthesanctuary.

Ifeltitagracethatatthatinstantthedimlightsseemedtogrowless,andfinallytodisappear—allsavethetinypointsthatmarkedtheoutlineofthegreatCrosshighoverhead.Theseonlygavelightenoughtoaccentuatethegloom.Thehandthatheldminenowreleasedit,andwithasighIrealizedthatIwasalone.Afterafewmomentsmoreofthegroaningofthewinchandclankingofthechaintherewasasharpsoundofstonemeetingstone;thentherewassilence.Ilistenedacutely,butcouldnothearnearmetheslightestsound.Eventhecautious,restrainedbreathingaroundme,ofwhichuptothenIhadbeenconscious,hadceased.Notknowing,inthehelplessnessofmyignorance,whatIshoulddo,IremainedasIwas,stillandsilent,foratimethatseemedendless.Atlast,overcomebysomeemotionwhichIcouldnotatthemomentunderstand,Islowlysanktomykneesandbowedmyhead.Coveringmyfacewithmyhands,Itriedtorecalltheprayersofmyyouth.Itwasnot,Iamcertain,thatfearinanyformhadcomeuponme,orthatIhesitatedorfalteredinmyintention.ThatmuchIknownow;Iknewiteventhen.Itwas,Ibelieve,thattheprolongedimpressivegloomandmysteryhadatlasttouchedmetothequick.ThebendingofthekneeswasbutsymbolicalofthebowingofthespirittoahigherPower.WhenIhadrealizedthatmuch,IfeltmorecontentthanIhaddonesinceIhadenteredthechurch,andwiththerenewedconsciousnessofcourage,tookmyhandsfrommyface,andliftedagainmybowedhead.

ImpulsivelyIsprangtomyfeetandstooderect—waiting.AllseemedtohavechangedsinceIhaddroppedonmyknees.Thepointsoflightabouttimechurch,whichhadbeeneclipsed,hadcomeagain,andweregrowinginpowertoapartialrevealingofthedimexpanse.Beforemewasthetablewiththeopenbook,onwhichwerelaidthegoldandsilverringsandthetwocrownsofflowers.Therewerealsotwotallcandles,withtiniestflamesofblue—theonlylivinglighttobeseen.

Outofthedarknesssteppedthesametallfigureinthegorgeousrobesandthetriplehat.HeledbythehandmyLady,stillcladinherShroud;butoverit,descendingfromthecrownofherhead,wasaveilofveryoldandmagnificentlaceofastonishingfineness.EveninthatdimlightIcouldnotetheexquisitebeautyofthefabric.Theveilwasfastenedwithabunchoftinyspraysoforange-blossommingledwithcypressandlaurel—astrangecombination.Inherhandshecarriedagreatbouquetofthesame.Itssweetintoxicatingodourfloateduptomynostrils.Itandthesentimentwhichitsverypresenceevokedmademequiver.

Yieldingtotheguidingofthehandwhichheldhers,shestoodatmyleftsidebeforethetable.Herguidethentookhisplacebehindher.Ateitherendofthetable,torightandleftofus,stoodalong-beardedpriestinsplendidrobes,andwearingthehatwithdependingveilofblack.Oneofthem,whoseemedtobethemoreimportantofthetwo,andtooktheinitiative,signedtoustoputourrighthandsontheopenbook.MyLady,ofcourse,understoodtheritual,andknewthewordswhichthepriestwasspeaking,andofherownaccordputoutherhand.Myguideatthesamemomentdirectedmyhandtothesameend.ItthrilledmetotouchmyLady’shand,evenundersuchmysteriousconditions.

AfterthepriesthadsigneduseachthriceontheforeheadwiththesignoftheCross,hegavetoeachofusatinylightedtaperbroughttohimforthepurpose.Thelightswerewelcome,notsomuchforthesolaceoftheaddedlight,greatasthatwas,butbecauseitallowedustoseealittlemoreofeachother’sfaces.ItwasrapturetometoseethefaceofmyBride;andfromtheexpressionofherfaceIwasassuredthatshefeltasIdid.Itgavemeaninexpressiblepleasurewhen,ashereyesrestedonme,theregrewafaintblushoverthegreypallorofhercheeks.

Thepriestthenputinsolemnvoicetoeachofusinturn,beginningwithme,thequestionsofconsentwhicharecommontoallsuchrituals.IansweredaswellasIcould,followingthemurmuredwordsofmyguide.MyLadyansweredoutproudlyinavoicewhich,thoughgivensoftly,seemedtoring.Itwasaconcern—evenagrief—tomethatIcouldnot,inthepriest’squestioning,catchhername,ofwhich,strangelyenough,—Iwasignorant.But,asIdidnotknowthelanguage,andasthephraseswerenotinaccordliterallywithourownritual,Icouldnotmakeoutwhichwordwasthename.

Aftersomeprayersandblessings,rhythmicallyspokenorsungbyaninvisiblechoir,thepriesttooktheringsfromtheopenbook,and,aftersigningmyforeheadthricewiththegoldoneasherepeatedtheblessingineachcase,placeditonmyrighthand;thenhegavemyLadythesilverone,withthesameritualthricerepeated.Isupposeitwastheblessingwhichistheeffectivepointinmakingtwointoone.

After this, thosewho stoodbehindus exchangedour rings thrice, takingthemfromonefingerandplacingthemontheother,sothatattheendmywifeworethegoldringandIthesilverone.

Thencameachant,duringwhichthepriestswungthecenserhimself,andmywifeandIheldourtapers.Afterthatheblessedus,theresponsescomingfromthevoicesoftheunseensingersinthedarkness.

Afteralongritualofprayerandblessing,sungintriplicate,thepriesttookthecrownsofflowers,andputoneontheheadofeach,crowningmefirst,andwiththecrowntiedwithgold.Thenhesignedandblesseduseachthrice.Theguides,whostoodbehindus,exchangedourcrownsthrice,astheyhadexchangedtherings;sothatatthelast,asIwasgladtosee,mywifeworethecrownofgold,andIthatofsilver.

Thentherecame,ifitispossibletodescribesuchathing,ahushovereventhatstillness,asthoughsomeformofaddedsolemnityweretobegonethrough.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whenthepriesttookinhishandsthegreatgoldenchalice.Kneeling,mywifeandIpartooktogetherthrice.

Whenwehadrisenfromourkneesandstoodforalittlewhile,thepriesttookmylefthandinhisright,andI,bydirectionofmyguide,gavemyrighthandtomywife.Andsoinaline,thepriestleading,wecircledroundthetableinrhythmicmeasure.Thosewhosupportedusmovedbehindus,holdingthecrownsoverourheads,andreplacingthemwhenwestopped.

Afterahymn,sungthroughthedarkness,thepriesttookoffourcrowns.Thiswasevidentlytheconclusionoftheritual,forthepriestplacedusineachother’sarmstoembraceeachother.Thenheblessedus,whowerenowmanandwife!

Thelightswentoutatonce,someasifextinguished,othersslowlyfadingdowntoblackness.

Leftinthedark,mywifeandIsoughteachother’sarmsagain,andstoodtogether for a fewmoments heart to heart, tightly clasping each other, andkissedeachotherfervently.

Instinctivelyweturnedtothedoorofthechurch,whichwasslightlyopen,sothatwecouldseethemoonlightstealinginthroughtheaperture.Withevensteps,sheholdingmetightlybytheleftarm—whichisthewife’sarm,wepassedthroughtheoldchurchandoutintothefreeair.

Despiteallthatthegloomhadbroughtme,itwassweettobeintheopenairandtogether—thisquiteapartfromournewrelationstoeachother.Themoonrodehigh,andthefulllight,comingafterthedimnessordarknessinthechurch,seemedasbrightasday.Icouldnow,forthefirsttime,seemywife’s

faceproperly.Theglamourofthemoonlightmayhaveservedtoenhanceitsetherealbeauty,butneithermoonlightnorsunlightcoulddojusticetothatbeautyinitslivinghumansplendour.AsIgloriedinherstarryeyesIcouldthinkofnothingelse;butwhenforamomentmyeyes,rovingroundforthepurposeofprotection,caughtsightofherwholefigure,therewasapangtomyheart.Thebrilliantmoonlightshowedeverydetailinterribleeffect,andIcouldseethatsheworeonlyherShroud.Inthemomentofdarkness,afterthelastbenediction,beforeshereturnedtomyarms,shemusthaveremovedherbridalveil.Thismay,ofcourse,havebeeninaccordancewiththeestablishedritualofherchurch;but,allthesame,myheartwassore.Theglamourofcallinghermyveryownwassomewhatobscuredbythebridaladornmentbeingshorn.Butitmadenodifferenceinhersweetnesstome.Togetherwewentalongthepaththroughthewood,shekeepingequalstepwithmeinwifelyway.

Whenwehadcome through the treesnear enough to see the roofof theCastle,nowgildedwith themoonlight, she stopped,and lookingatmewitheyesfulloflove,said:

“HereImustleaveyou!”

“What?”Iwasallaghast,andIfeltthatmychagrinwasexpressedinthetoneofhorrifiedsurpriseinmyvoice.Shewentonquickly:

“Alas!ItisimpossiblethatIshouldgofarther—atpresent!”

“Butwhatistopreventyou?”Iqueried.“Youarenowmywife.Thisisourwedding-night;andsurelyyourplaceiswithme!”Thewailinhervoiceassheansweredtouchedmetothequick:

“Oh,Iknow,Iknow!Thereisnodearerwishinmyheart—therecanbenone—thantosharemyhusband’shome.Oh,mydear,mydear,ifyouonlyknewwhatitwouldbetometobewithyoualways!ButindeedImaynot—notyet!Iamnotfree!Ifyoubutknewhowmuchthatwhichhashappenedto-nighthascostme—orhowmuchcosttoothersaswellastomyselfmaybeyettocome—youwouldunderstand.Rupert”—itwasthefirsttimeshehadeveraddressedmebyname,andnaturallyitthrilledmethroughandthrough—“Rupert,myhusband,onlythatItrustyouwithallthefaithwhichisinperfectlove—mutuallove,IdarenothavedonewhatIhavedonethisnight.But,dear,Iknowthatyouwillbearmeout;thatyourwife’shonourisyourhonour,evenasyourhonourismine.Myhonourisgiventothis;andyoucanhelpme—theonlyhelpIcanhaveatpresent—bytrustingme.Bepatient,mybeloved,bepatient!Oh,bepatientforalittlelonger!Itshallnotbeforlong.SosoonasevermysoulisfreedIshallcometoyou,myhusband;andweshallneverpartagain.Becontentforawhile!BelievemethatIloveyouwithmyverysoul;andtokeepawayfromyourdearsideismorebitterforme

thanevenitcanbeforyou!Think,mydearone,Iamnotasotherwomenare,assomedayyoushallclearlyunderstand.Iamatthepresent,andshallbeforalittlelonger,constrainedbydutiesandobligationsputuponmebyothers,andforothers,andtowhichIampledgedbythemostsacredpromises—givennotonlybymyself,butbyothers—andwhichImustnotforgo.TheseforbidmetodoasIwish.Oh,trustme,mybeloved—myhusband!”

Sheheldoutherhandsappealingly.Themoonlight,fallingthroughthethinningforest,showedherwhitecerements.Thentherecollectionofallshemusthavesuffered—theawfullonelinessinthatgrimtombintheCrypt,thedespairingagonyofonewhoishelplessagainsttheunknown—sweptovermeinawaveofpity.WhatcouldIdobutsaveherfromfurtherpain?Andthiscouldonlybebyshowinghermyfaithandtrust.Ifshewastogobacktothatdreadfulcharnel-house,shewouldatleasttakewithhertheremembrancethatonewholovedherandwhomsheloved—towhomshehadbeenlatelyboundinthemysteryofmarriage—trustedhertothefull.Ilovedhermorethanmyself—morethanmyownsoul;andIwasmovedbypitysogreatthatallpossibleselfishnesswasmergedinitsdepths.Ibowedmyheadbeforeher—myLadyandmyWife—asIsaid:

“Sobeit,mybeloved.Itrustyoutothefull,evenasyoutrustme.Andthathasbeenproventhisnight,eventomyowndoubtingheart.Ishallwait;andasIknowyouwishit,IshallwaitaspatientlyasIcan.Buttillyoucometomeforgoodandall,letmeseeyouorhearfromyouwhenyoucan.Thetime,dearwife,mustgoheavilywithmeasIthinkofyousufferingandlonely.Sobegoodtome,andletnottoolongatimeelapsebetweenmyglimpsesofhope.And,sweetheart,whenyoudocometome,itshallbeforever!”Therewassomethingintheintonationofthelastsentence—Ifeltitssinceritymyself—someimpliedyearningforapromise,thatmadeherbeautifuleyesswim.Thegloriousstarsinthemwereblurredassheansweredwithafervourwhichseemedtomeasmorethanearthly:

“Forever!Iswearit!”

Withonelongkiss,andastrainingineachothersarms,whichleftmetinglingforlongafterwehadlostsightofeachother,weparted.Istoodandwatchedherasherwhitefigure,glidingthroughthedeepeninggloom,fadedastheforestthickened.Itsurelywasnoopticaldelusionoraphantomofthemindthathershroudedarmwasraisedasthoughinblessingorfarewellbeforethedarknessswallowedherup.

BOOKVI:THEPURSUITINTHEFOREST

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

July3,1907.

Thereisnoanodynebutworktopainoftheheart;andmypainisalloftheheart.IsometimesfeelthatitisratherhardthatwithsomuchtomakemehappyIcannotknowhappiness.HowcanIbehappywhenmywife,whomIfondlylove,andwhoIknowlovesme,issufferinginhorrorandlonelinessofakindwhichisalmostbeyondhumanbelief?However,whatismylossismycountry’sgain,fortheLandoftheBlueMountainsismycountrynow,despitethefactthatIamstillaloyalsubjectofgoodKingEdward.UncleRogertookcareofthatwhenhesaidIshouldhavetheconsentofthePrivyCouncilbeforeImightbenaturalizedanywhereelse.

WhenIgothomeyesterdaymorningInaturallycouldnotsleep.Theeventsofthenightandthebitterdisappointmentthatfollowedmyexcitingjoymadesuchathingimpossible.WhenIdrewthecurtainoverthewindow,thereflectionofthesunrisewasjustbeginningtotingethehigh-sailingcloudsinfrontofme.Ilaiddownandtriedtorest,butwithoutavail.However,Ischooledmyselftoliestill,andatlast,ifIdidnotsleep,wasatleastquiescent.

Disturbedbyagentletapatthedoor,Isprangupatonceandthrewonadressinggown.Outside,whenIopenedthedoor,wasAuntJanet.Shewasholdingalightedcandleinherhand,forthoughitwasgettinglightintheopen,thepassageswerestilldark.Whenshesawmesheseemedtobreathemorefreely,andaskedifshemightcomein.

Whilst shesaton theedgeofmybed, inherold-timeway, shesaid inahushedvoice:

“Oh,laddie,laddie,Itrustyerburdenisnotooheavytobear.”

“Myburden!Whatonearthdoyoumean,AuntJanet?”Isaidinreply.Ididnotwishtocommitmyselfbyadefiniteanswer,foritwasevidentthatshehadbeendreamingorSecondSightingagain.Sherepliedwiththegrimseriousnessusualtoherwhenshetouchedonoccultmatters:

“Isawyourhairtbleeding,laddie.Ikentitwasyours,thoughhowIkentitIdon’tknow.Itlayonastonefloorinthedark,saveforadimbluelightsuchascorpse-lightsare.Onitwasplacedagreatbook,andclosearoundwerescatteredmanystrangethings,amongstthemtwocrownso’flowers—theoneboundwi’silver,theotherwi’gold.Therewasalsoagoldencup,likeachalice,o’erturned.Theredwinetrickledfromitan’mingledwi’yerhairt’sbluid;foronthegreatbookwassomevastdimweightwrappedupinblack,andonitsteppedinturnmanymenallswathedinblack.An’astheweightofeachcameonitthebluidgushedoutafresh.Andoh,yerpuirhairt,myladdie,wasquickandleaping,sothatateverybeatitraisedtheblack-cladweight!

An’yetthatwasnotall,forhardbystoodatallimperialshapeo’awoman,allarrayedinwhite,wi’agreatveilo’finestlaceworno’erashrood.An’shewaswhiterthanthesnow,an’fairerthanthemornforbeauty;thoughadarkwomanshewas,wi’hairliketheraven,an’eyesblackastheseaatnicht,an’therewasstarsinthem.An’ateachbeato’yerpuirbleedinghairtshewrungherwhitehands,an’themanin’o’hersweetvoicerentmyhairtintwain.Oh,laddie,laddie!whatdoesitmean?”

Imanagedtomurmur:“I’msureIdon’tknow,AuntJanet.Isupposeitwasalladream!”

“Adreamitwas,mydear.Adreamoraveesion,whilkamattersnane,fora’sucharewarnin’ssentfraeGod...”Suddenlyshesaidinadifferentvoice:

“Laddie,haeyebeenfausetoanylassie?I’mnoblamin’ye.Foryemenaredifferentfraeuswomen,an’yerregardonrechtandwrangdiffersfromoors.Butoh,laddie,awoman’stearsfa’heavywhenherhairtisforsairwi’theyieldin’tofausewords.’Tisaheavyburdenforonymantocarrywi’himashegoes,an’maywellcausepaintoithersthathefainwouldspare.”Shestopped,andindeadsilencewaitedformetospeak.Ithoughtitwouldbebesttosetherpoorlovingheartatrest,andasIcouldnotdivulgemyspecialsecret,spokeingeneralterms:

“AuntJanet,Iamaman,andhaveledaman’slife,suchasitis.ButIcantellyou,whohavealwayslovedmeandtaughtmetobetrue,thatinalltheworldthereisnowomanwhomustweepforanyfalsityofmine.Ifclosetherebeanywho,sleepingorwaking,indreamsorvisionsorinreality,weepsbecauseofme,itissurelynotformydoing,butbecauseofsomethingoutsideme.ItmaybethatherheartissorebecauseImustsuffer,asallmenmustinsomedegree;butshedoesnotweepfororthroughanyactofmine.”

Shesighedhappilyatmyassurance,andlookedupthroughhertears,forshewasmuchmoved;andaftertenderlykissingmyforeheadandblessingme,stoleaway.ShewasmoresweetandtenderthanIhavewordstosay,andtheonlyregretthatIhaveinallthatisgoneisthatIhavenotbeenabletobringmywifetoher,andlethershareintheloveshehasforme.Butthat,too,willcome,pleaseGod!

In themorning I sentamessage toRookeatOtranto, instructinghimbycodetobringtheyachttoVissarioninthecomingnight.

AlldayIspentingoingaboutamongstthemountaineers,drillingthemandlookingaftertheirarms.Icouldnotstaystill.Myonlychanceofpeacewastowork,myonlychanceofsleeptotiremyselfout.Unhappily,Iamverystrong,soevenwhenIcamehomeatdarkIwasquitefresh.However,IfoundacablemessagefromRookethattheyachtwouldarriveatmidnight.

Therewasnoneedtosummonthemountaineers,asthemenintheCastlewouldbesufficienttomakepreparationsfortheyacht’scoming.

Later.

Theyachthascome.Athalf-pasteleventhelookoutsignalledthatasteamerwithoutlightswascreepingintowardstheCreek.IranouttotheFlagstaff,andsawherstealinlikeaghost.Sheispaintedasteelyblue-grey,anditisalmostimpossibletoseeheratanydistance.Shecertainlygoeswonderfully.Althoughtherewasnotenoughthrobfromtheenginestomartheabsolutestillness,shecameonatafinespeed,andwithinafewminuteswasclosetotheboom.Ihadonlytimetorundowntogiveorderstodrawbacktheboomwhensheglidedinandstoppeddeadattheharbourwall.Rookesteeredherhimself,andhesaysheneverwasonaboatthatsowellorsoquicklyansweredherhelm.Sheiscertainlyabeauty,andsofarasIcanseeatnightperfectineverydetail.Ipromisemyselfafewpleasanthoursoverherinthedaylight.Themenseemasplendidlot.

ButIdonotfeelsleepy;Idespairofsleepto-night.ButworkdemandsthatIbefitforwhatevermaycome,andsoIshalltrytosleep—torest,atanyrate.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL.—Continued.

July4,1907.

Iwasupwiththefirstrayofsunrise,sobythetimeIhadmybathandwasdressedtherewasamplelight.Iwentdowntothedockatonce,andspentthemorninglookingoverthevessel,whichfullyjustifiesRooke’senthusiasmabouther.Sheisbuiltonlovelylines,andIcanquiteunderstandthatsheisenormouslyfast.HerarmourIcanonlytakeonthespecifications,butherarmamentisreallywonderful.Andtherearenotonlyalltheverynewestdevicesofaggressivewarfare—indeed,shehasthenewestup-to-datetorpedoesandtorpedo-guns—butalsotheold-fashionedrocket-tubes,whichincertainoccasionsaresouseful.ShehaselectricgunsandthelatestMassillonwater-guns,andReinhardtelectro-pneumatic“deliverers”forpyroxilineshells.Sheisevenequippedwithwar-balloonseasyofexpansion,andwithcompressibleKitsonaeroplanes.Idon’tsupposethatthereisanythingquitelikeherintheworld.

Thecrewareworthyofher.Ican’timaginewhereRookepickedupsuchasplendidlotofmen.Theyarenearlyallman-of-warsmen;ofvariousnationalities,butmostlyBritish.Allyoungmen—theoldestofthemhasn’tgotintotheforties—and,sofarasIcanlearn,allexpertsofonekindoranotherinsomespecialsubjectofwarfare.Itwillgohardwithme,butIshallkeepthemtogether.

HowIgotthroughtherestofthedayIknownot.Itriedhardnottocreateanydomestictroublebymymanner,lestAuntJanetshould,afterherluriddreamorvisionoflastnight,attachsomenewimportancetoit.IthinkIsucceeded,forshedidnot,sofarasIcouldtell,takeanyspecialnoticeofme.Wepartedasusualathalf-pastten,andIcamehereandmadethisentryinmyjournal.Iammorerestlessthaneverto-night,andnowonder.IwouldgiveanythingtobeabletopayavisittoSt.Sava’s,andseemywifeagain—ifitwereonlysleepinginhertomb.ButIdarenotdoeventhat,lestsheshouldcometoseemehere,andIshouldmissher.SoIhavedonewhatIcan.TheglassdoortotheTerraceisopen,sothatshecanenteratonceifshecomes.Thefireislit,andtheroomiswarm.Thereisfoodreadyincasesheshouldcareforit.Ihaveplentyoflightintheroom,sothatthroughtheaperturewhereIhavenotfullydrawnthecurtaintheremaybelighttoguideher.

Oh,howthetimedrags!Theclockhasstruckmidnight.One,two!Thankgoodness,itwillshortlybedawn,andtheactivityofthedaymaybegin!Workmayagainprove,inaway,tobeananodyne.InthemeantimeImustwriteon,lestdespairoverwhelmme.

OnceduringthenightIthoughtIheardafootstepoutside.Irushedtothewindowandlookedout,buttherewasnothingtosee,nosoundtohear.Thatwasalittleafteroneo’clock.Ifearedtogooutside,lestthatshouldalarmher;soIcamebacktomytable.Icouldnotwrite,butIsatasifwritingforawhile.ButIcouldnotstandit,soroseandwalkedabouttheroom.AsIwalkedIfeltthatmyLady—itgivesmeapangeverytimeIrememberthatIdonotknowevenhername—wasnotquitesofarawayfromme.Itmademyheartbeattothinkthatitmightmeanthatshewascomingtome.CouldnotIaswellasAuntJanethavealittleSecondSight!Iwenttowardsthewindow,and,standingbehindthecurtain,listened.FarawayIthoughtIheardacry,andranoutontheTerrace;buttherewasnosoundtobeheard,andnosignofanylivingthinganywhere;soItookitforgrantedthatitwasthecryofsomenightbird,andcamebacktomyroom,andwroteatmyjournaltillIwascalm.Ithinkmynervesmustbegettingoutoforder,wheneverysoundofthenightseemstohaveaspecialmeaningforme.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

July7,1907

Whenthegreyofthemorningcame,Igaveuphopeofmywifeappearing,andmadeupmymindthat,sosoonasIcouldgetawaywithoutexcitingAuntJanet’sattention,IwouldgotoSt.Sava’s.Ialwayseatagoodbreakfast,anddidIforgoitaltogether,itwouldbesuretoexcitehercuriosity—athingIdonotwishatpresent.Astherewasstilltimetowait,IlaydownonmybedasIwas,and—suchisthewayofFate—shortlyfellasleep.

Iwasawakenedbyaterrificclatteringatmydoor.WhenIopeneditIfoundalittlegroupofservants,veryapologeticatawakingmewithoutinstructions.ThechiefofthemexplainedthatayoungpriesthadcomefromtheVladikawithamessagesourgentthatheinsistedonseeingmeimmediatelyatallhazards.Icameoutatonce,andfoundhiminthehalloftheCastle,standingbeforethegreatfire,whichwasalwayslitintheearlymorning.Hehadaletterinhishand,butbeforegivingittomehesaid:

“IamsentbytheVladika,whopressedonmethatIwasnottoloseasingleinstantinseeingyou;thattimeisofgoldenprice—nay,beyondprice.Thisletter,amongstotherthings,vouchesforme.Aterriblemisfortunehasoccurred.Thedaughterofourleaderhasdisappearedduringlastnight—thesame,hecommandedmetoremindyou,thathespokeofatthemeetingwhenhewouldnotletthemountaineersfiretheirguns.Nosignofhercanbefound,anditisbelievedthatshehasbeencarriedoffbytheemissariesoftheSultanofTurkey,whooncebeforebroughtournationstothevergeofwarbydemandingherasawife.IwasalsotosaythattheVladikaPlamenacwouldhavecomehimself,butthatitwasnecessarythatheshouldatonceconsultwiththeArchbishop,StevanPalealogue,astowhatstepisbesttotakeinthisdirecalamity.Hehassentoutasearch-partyundertheArchimandriteofSpazac,PetrofVlastimir,whoistocomeonherewithanynewshecanget,asyouhavecommandofthesignalling,andcanbestspreadthenews.Heknowsthatyou,Gospodar,areinyourgreatheartoneofourcompatriots,andthatyouhavealreadyprovedyourfriendshipbymanyeffortstostrengthenourhandsforwar.Andasagreatcompatriot,hecallsonyoutoaidusinourneed.”Hethenhandedmetheletter,andstoodbyrespectfullywhilstIbrokethesealandreadit.Itwaswritteningreathaste,andsignedbytheVladika.

“Comewithusnowinournation’speril.Helpustorescuewhatwemostadore,andhenceforthweshallholdyouinourhearts.YoushalllearnhowthemenoftheBlueMountainscanlovefaithandvalour.Come!”

Thiswasataskindeed—adutyworthyofanyman.ItthrilledmetothecoretoknowthatthemenoftheBlueMountainshadcalledonmeintheirdireneed.ItwokeallthefightinginstinctofmyVikingforbears,andIvowedinmyheartthattheyshouldbesatisfiedwithmywork.Icalledtomethecorpsofsignallerswhowereinthehouse,andledthemtotheCastleroof,takingwithmetheyoungmessenger-priest.

“Come with me,” I said to him, “and see how I answer the Vladika’scommand.”

TheNationalflagwasrunup—theestablishedsignalthatthenationwasinneed.Instantlyoneverysummitnearandfarwasseentheflutterofanansweringflag.Quicklyfollowedthesignalthatcommandedthecalltoarms.

OnebyoneIgavethesignallersordersinquicksuccession,fortheplanofsearchunfoldeditselftomeasIwenton.Thearmsofthesemaphorewhirledinawaythatmadetheyoungprieststare.Onebyone,astheytooktheirorders,thesignallersseemedtocatchfire.Instinctivelytheyunderstoodtheplan,andworkedlikedemigods.Theyknewthatsowidespreadamovementhaditsbestchanceinrapidityandinunityofaction.

FromtheforestwhichlayinsightoftheCastlecameawildcheering,whichseemedtointerprettheformerstillnessofthehills.Itwasgoodtofeelthatthosewhosawthesignals—typesofmany—wereready.Isawthelookofexpectationonthefaceofthemessenger-priest,andrejoicedattheglowthatcameasIturnedtohimtospeak.Ofcourse,hewantedtoknowsomethingofwhatwasgoingon.IsawtheflashingofmyowneyesreflectedinhisasIspoke:

“TelltheVladikathatwithinaminuteofhismessagebeingreadtheLandoftheBlueMountainswasawake.Themountaineersarealreadymarching,andbeforethesunishightherewillbealineofguardswithinhailofeachotherroundthewholefrontier—fromAngusatoIlsin;fromIlsintoBajana;fromBajanatoIspazar;fromIspazartoVolok;fromVoloktoTatra;fromTatratoDomitan;fromDomitantoGravaja;andfromGravajabacktoAngusa.Thelineisdouble.Theoldmenkeepguardontheline,andtheyoungmenadvance.Thesewillcloseinattheadvancingline,sothatnothingcanescapethem.Theywillcovermountain-topandforestdepth,andwillcloseinfinallyontheCastlehere,whichtheycanbeholdfromafar.Myownyachtishere,andwillsweepthecoastfromendtoend.Itisthefastestboatafloat,andarmedagainstasquadron.Herewillallsignalscome.Inanhourwherewestandwillbeasignalbureau,wheretrainedeyeswillwatchnightanddaytillthelostonehasbeenfoundandtheoutragehasbeenavenged.Therobbersareevennowwithinaringofsteel,andcannotescape.”

Theyoungpriest,allonfire,sprangonthebattlementsandshoutedtothecrowd,whichwasmassingroundtheCastleinthegardensfarbelow.Theforestwasgivingupitsunitstilltheyseemedlikethenucleusofanarmy.Themencheeredlustily,tillthesoundswunghighuptousliketheroaringofawintersea.Withbaredheadstheywerecrying:

“GodandtheBlueMountains!GodandtheBlueMountains!”

IrandowntothemasquicklyasIcould,andbegantoissuetheirinstructions.Withinatimetobecomputedbyminutesthewholenumber,organizedbysections,hadstartedtoscourtheneighbouringmountains.Atfirsttheyhadonlyunderstoodthecalltoarmsforgeneralsafety.Butwhentheylearnedthatthedaughterofachiefhadbeencaptured,theysimplywentmad.Fromsomethingwhichthemessengerfirstsaid,butwhichIcouldnot

catchordidnotunderstand,theblowseemedtohaveforthemsomesortofpersonalsignificancewhichwroughtthemtoafrenzy.

Whenthebulkofthemenhaddisappeared,ItookwithmeafewofmyownmenandseveralofthemountaineerswhomIhadaskedtoremain,andtogetherwewenttothehiddenravinewhichIknew.Wefoundtheplaceempty;buttherewereunmistakablesignsthatapartyofmenhadbeenencampedthereforseveraldays.Someofourmen,whowereskilledinwoodcraftandinsignsgenerally,agreedthattheremusthavebeensometwentyofthem.Astheycouldnotfindanytraileithercomingtoorgoingfromtheplace,theycametotheconclusionthattheymusthavecomeseparatelyfromdifferentdirectionsandgatheredthere,andthattheymusthavedepartedinsomethingofthesamemysteriousway.

However,thiswas,atanyrate,somesortofabeginning,andthemenseparated,havingagreedamongstthemselvestomakeawidecastroundtheplaceinthesearchfortracks.Whoevershouldfindatrailwastofollowwithatleastonecomrade,andwhentherewasanydefinitenews,itwastobesignalledtotheCastle.

Imyselfreturnedatonce,andsetthesignallerstoworktospreadamongstourownpeoplesuchnewsaswehad.

WhenpresentlysuchdiscoveriesashadbeenmadeweresignalledwithflagstotheCastle,itwasfoundthatthemaraudershad,intheirflight,followedastrangelyzigzagcourse.Itwasevidentthat,intryingtobafflepursuit,theyhadtriedtoavoidplaceswhichtheythoughtmightbedangeroustothem.Thismayhavebeensimplyamethodtodisconcertpursuit.Ifso,itwas,inameasure,excellent,fornoneofthoseimmediatelyfollowingcouldpossiblytellinwhatdirectiontheywereheading.Itwasonlywhenweworkedthecourseonthegreatmapinthesignaller’sroom(whichwastheoldguardroomoftheCastle)thatwecouldgetaninklingofthegeneraldirectionoftheirflight.Thisgaveaddedtroubletothepursuit;forthemenwhofollowed,beingignorantoftheirgeneralintent,couldnotevertakechancetoheadthemoff,buthadtobereadytofollowinanyoreverydirection.Inthismannerthepursuitwasaltogetherasternchase,andthereforeboundtobealongone.

Asatpresentwecouldnotdoanythingtilltheintendedroutewasmoremarked,Ileftthesignallingcorpstothetaskofreceivingandgivinginformationtothemovingbands,sothat,ifoccasionserved,theymightheadoffthemarauders.ImyselftookRooke,ascaptainoftheyacht,andsweptoutofthecreek.WeranupnorthtoDalairi,thendownsouthtoOlesso,andcamebacktoVissarion.Wesawnothingsuspiciousexcept,farofftotheextremesouthward,onewarshipwhichflewnoflag.Rooke,however,whoseemedto

knowshipsbyinstinct,saidshewasaTurk;soonourreturnwesignalledalongthewholeshoretowatchher.RookeheldTheLady—whichwasthenameIhadgiventhearmouredyacht—inreadinesstodartoutincaseanythingsuspiciouswasreported.Hewasnottostandonanyceremony,butifnecessarytoattack.Wedidnotintendtoloseapointinthisdesperatestrugglewhichwehadundertaken.Wehadplacedindifferentlikelyspotsacoupleofourownmentolookafterthesignalling.

WhenIgotbackIfoundthattherouteofthefugitives,whohadnowjoinedintooneparty,hadbeendefinitelyascertained.Theyhadgonesouth,butmanifestlytakingalarmfromtheadvancinglineofguards,hadheadedupagaintothenorth-east,wherethecountrywasbroaderandthemountainswilderandlessinhabited.

Forthwith,leavingthesignallingaltogetherinthehandsofthefightingpriests,Itookasmallchosenbandofthemountaineersofourowndistrict,andmade,withallthespeedwecould,tocutacrossthetrackofthefugitivesalittleaheadofthem.TheArchimandrite(Abbot)ofSpazac,whohadjustarrived,camewithus.Heisasplendidman—arealfighteraswellasaholycleric,asgoodwithhishandjaraswithhisBible,andarunnertobeattheband.Themaraudersweregoingatafearfulpace,consideringthattheywereallafoot;sowehadtogofastalso!Amongstthesemountainsthereisnoothermeansofprogressing.OurownmenweresoaflamewithardourthatIcouldnotbutnoticethatthey,morethananyoftheotherswhomIhadseen,hadsomespecialcauseforconcern.

When I mentioned it to the Archimandrite, who moved by my side, heanswered:

“Allnaturalenough;theyarenotonlyfightingfortheircountry,butfortheirown!”Ididnotquiteunderstandhisanswer,andsobegantoaskhimsomequestions,totheeffectthatIsoonbegantounderstandagooddealmorethanhedid.

LetterfromArchbishopStevanPalealogue,HeadoftheEasternChurchoftheBlueMountains,totheLadyJanetMacKelpie,Vissarion.

WrittenJuly9,1907.

HonouredLady,

AsyouwishforanunderstandingregardingthelatelamentableoccurrenceinwhichsomuchdangerwasincurredtothisourLandoftheBlueMountains,and one dear to us, I send thesewords by request of theGospodar Rupert,belovedofourmountaineers.

WhentheVoivodePeterVissarionmadehisjourneytothegreatnationto

whomwelookedinourhourofneed,itwasnecessarythatheshouldgoinsecret.TheTurkwasatourgates,andfullofthemaliceofbaffledgreed.AlreadyhehadtriedtoarrangeamarriagewiththeVoivodin,sothatintimetocomehe,asherhusband,mighthaveestablishedaclaimtotheinheritanceoftheland.Wellheknew,asdoallmen,thattheBlueMountaineersoweallegiancetononethattheythemselvesdonotappointtorulership.Thishasbeenthehistoryinthepast.Butnowandagainanindividualhasarisenorcometothefrontadaptedpersonallyforsuchgovernmentasthislandrequires.AndsotheLadyTeuta,VoivodinoftheBlueMountains,wasputforherproperguardinginthechargeofmyselfasHeadoftheEasternChurchintheLandoftheBlueMountains,stepsbeingtakeninsuchwisethatnocaptureofhercouldbeeffectedbyunscrupulousenemiesofthisourLand.Thistaskandguardianshipwasgladlyheldasanhonourbyallconcerned.FortheVoivodinTeutaofVissarionmustbetakenasrepresentinginherownpersonthegloryoftheoldSerbrace,inasmuchasbeingtheonlychildoftheVoivodeVissarion,lastmaleofhisprincelyrace—theracewhichever,duringthetencenturiesofourhistory,unflinchinglygavelifeandalltheyheldfortheprotection,safety,andwell-beingoftheLandoftheBlueMountains.Neverduringthosecenturieshadanyoneoftheracebeenknowntofailinpatriotism,ortodrawbackfromanylossorhardshipenjoinedbyhighdutyorstressofneed.Moreover,thiswastheraceofthatfirstVoivodeVissarion,ofwhom,inlegend,itwasprophesiedthathe—onceknownas“TheSwordofFreedom,”agiantamongstmen—wouldsomeday,whenthenationhadneedofhim,comeforthfromhiswater-tombinthelostLakeofReo,andleadoncemorethemenoftheBlueMountainstolastingvictory.Thisnoblerace,then,hadcometobeknownasthelasthopeoftheLand.SothatwhentheVoivodewasawayonhiscountry’sservice,hisdaughtershouldbecloselyguarded.SoonaftertheVoivodehadgone,itwasreportedthathemightbelongdelayedinhisdiplomacies,andalsoinstudyingthesystemofConstitutionalMonarchy,forwhichithadbeenhopedtoexchangeourimperfectpoliticalsystem.Imaysayinteraliathathewasmentionedastobethefirstkingwhenthenewconstitutionshouldhavebeenarranged.

Thenagreatmisfortunecameonus;aterriblegriefovershadowedtheland.Afterashortillness,theVoivodinTeutaVissariondiedmysteriouslyofamysteriousailment.ThegriefofthemountaineerswassogreatthatitbecamenecessaryforthegoverningCounciltowarnthemnottoallowtheirsorrowtobeseen.Itwasimperativelynecessarythatthefactofherdeathshouldbekeptsecret.Forthereweredangersanddifficultiesofseveralkinds.Inthefirstplaceitwasadvisablethatevenherfathershouldbekeptinignoranceofhisterribleloss.Itwaswellknownthatheheldherastheverycoreofhisheartandthatifheshouldhearofherdeath,hewouldbetoomuchprostratedtobeabletodotheintricateanddelicateworkwhichhehadundertaken.Nay,

more:hewouldneverremainafaroff,underthesadcircumstances,butwouldstraightwayreturn,soastobeinthelandwhereshelay.Thensuspicionswouldcropup,andthetruthmustshortlybeknownafield,withtheinevitableresultthattheLandwouldbecometheverycentreofawarofmanynations.

Inthesecondplace,iftheTurksweretoknowthattheraceofVissarionwasbecomingextinct,thiswouldencouragethemtofurtheraggression,whichwouldbecomeimmediateshouldtheyfindoutthattheVoivodewashimselfaway.Itwaswellknownthattheywerealreadyonlysuspendinghostilitiesuntilafittingopportunityshouldarise.Theirdesireforaggressionhadbecomeacuteaftertherefusalofthenation,andofthegirlherself,thatsheshouldbecomeawifeoftheSultan.

ThedeadgirlhadbeenburiedintheCryptofthechurchofSt.Sava,anddayafterdayandnightafternight,singlyandinparties,thesorrowingmountaineershadcometopaydevotionandreverenceathertomb.SomanyhadwishedtohavealastglimpseofherfacethattheVladikahad,withmyownconsentasArchbishop,arrangedforaglasscovertobeputoverthestonecoffinwhereinherbodylay.

Afteralittletime,however,therecameabelieftoallconcernedintheguardingofthebody—these,ofcourse,beingthepriestsofvariousdegreesofdignityappointedtothetask—thattheVoivodinwasnotreallydead,butonlyinastrangely-prolongedtrance.Thereuponanewcomplicationarose.Ourmountaineersare,asperhapsyouknow,bynaturedeeplysuspicious—acharacteristicofallbraveandself-sacrificingpeoplewhoarejealousoftheirnobleheritage.Having,astheybelieved,seenthegirldead,theymightnotbewillingtoacceptthefactofherbeingalive.Theymightevenimaginethattherewasonfootsomedeep,darkplotwhichwas,ormightbe,amenace,noworhereafter,totheirindependence.Inanycase,therewouldbecertaintobetwopartiesonthesubject,adangerousanddeplorablethinginthepresentconditionofaffairs.

Asthetrance,orcatalepsy,whateveritwas,continuedformanydays,therehadbeenampletimefortheleadersoftheCouncil,theVladika,thepriesthoodrepresentedbytheArchimandriteofSpazac,myselfasArchbishopandguardianoftheVoivodininherfather’sabsence,toconsultastoapolicytobeobservedincaseofthegirlawaking.Forinsuchcasethedifficultyofthesituationwouldbemultipliedindefinitely.InthesecretchambersofSt.Sava’swehadmanysecretmeetings,andwerefinallyconvergingonagreementwhentheendofthetrancecame.

Thegirlawoke!

Shewas,ofcourse,terriblyfrightenedwhenshefoundherselfinatombintheCrypt.Itwastrulyfortunatethatthegreatcandlesaroundhertombhad

beenkeptlighted,fortheirlightmitigatedthehorroroftheplace.Hadshewakedindarkness,herreasonmighthavebecomeunseated.

Shewas,however,averynoblegirl;brave,withextraordinarywill,andresolution,andself-command,andpowerofendurance.Whenshehadbeentakenintooneofthesecretchambersofthechurch,whereshewaswarmedandcaredfor,ahurriedmeetingwasheldbytheVladika,myself,andthechiefsoftheNationalCouncil.Wordhadbeenatoncesenttomeofthejoyfulnewsofherrecovery;andwiththeutmosthasteIcame,arrivingintimetotakeapartintheCouncil.

AtthemeetingtheVoivodinwasherselfpresent,andfullconfidenceofthesituationwasmadetoher.Sheherselfproposedthatthebeliefinherdeathshouldbeallowedtoprevailuntilthereturnofherfather,whenallcouldbeeffectivelymadeclear.Tothisendsheundertooktosubmittotheterrificstrainwhichsuchaproceedingwouldinvolve.Atfirstwemencouldnotbelievethatanywomancouldgothroughwithsuchatask,andsomeofusdidnothesitatetovoiceourdoubts—ourdisbelief.Butshestoodtoherguns,andactuallydown-facedus.Atthelastwe,rememberingthingsthathadbeendone,thoughlongagesago,byothersofherrace,cametobelievenotmerelyinherself-beliefandintention,buteveninthefeasibilityofherplan.Shetookthemostsolemnoathsnottobetraythesecretunderanypossiblestress.

ThepriesthoodundertookthroughtheVladikaandmyselftofurtheraghostlybeliefamongstthemountaineerswhichwouldtendtopreventatoocloseortoopersistentobservation.TheVampirelegendwasspreadasaprotectionagainstpartialdiscoverybyanymischance,andotherweirdbeliefsweresetafootandfostered.ArrangementsweremadethatonlyoncertaindayswerethemountaineerstobeadmittedtotheCrypt,sheagreeingthatfortheseoccasionsshewastotakeopiatesorcarryoutanyotheraidtothepreservationofthesecret.Shewaswilling,sheimpresseduponus,tomakeanypersonalsacrificewhichmightbedeemednecessaryforthecarryingoutherfather’staskforthegoodofthenation.

Ofcourse,shehadatfirstterriblefrightslyingaloneinthehorroroftheCrypt.Butafteratimetheterrorsofthesituation,iftheydidnotcease,weremitigated.TherearesecretcavernsofftheCrypt,whereinintroubloustimesthepriestsandothersofhighplacehavefoundsaferetreat.OneofthesewaspreparedfortheVoivodin,andtheresheremained,exceptforsuchtimesasshewasonshow—andcertainothertimesofwhichIshalltellyou.Provisionwasmadeforthepossibilityofanyaccidentalvisittothechurch.Atsuchtimes,warnedbyanautomaticsignalfromtheopeningdoor,shewastotakeherplaceinthetomb.Themechanismwassoarrangedthatthemeanstoreplacetheglasscover,andtotaketheopiate,weretherereadytoherhand.Therewastobealwaysawatchofpriestsatnightinthechurch,toguardher

fromghostlyfearsaswellasfrommorephysicaldangers;andifshewasactuallyinhertomb,itwastobevisitedatcertainintervals.Eventhedraperieswhichcoveredherinthesarcophaguswererestedonabridgeplacedfromsidetosidejustaboveher,soastohidetherisingandfallingofherbosomasshesleptunderthenarcotic.

Afterawhiletheprolongedstrainbegantotellsomuchonherthatitwasdecidedthatsheshouldtakenowandagainexerciseoutofdoors.Thiswasnotdifficult,forwhentheVampirestorywhichwehadspreadbegantobewidelyknown,herbeingseenwouldbeacceptedasaproofofitstruth.Still,astherewasacertaindangerinherbeingseenatall,wethoughtitnecessarytoexactfromherasolemnoaththatsolongashersadtasklastedsheshouldundernocircumstanceseverwearanydressbuthershroud—thisbeingtheonlywaytoinsuresecrecyandtoprevailagainstaccident.

ThereisasecretwayfromtheCrypttoaseacavern,whoseentranceisathigh-tideunderthewater-lineatthebaseofthecliffonwhichthechurchisbuilt.Aboat,shapedlikeacoffin,wasprovidedforher;andinthisshewasaccustomedtopassacrossthecreekwhenevershewishedtomakeexcursion.Itwasanexcellentdevice,andmostefficaciousindisseminatingtheVampirebelief.

This state of things had now lasted from before the time when theGospodar Rupert came to Vissarion up to the day of the arrival of thearmouredyacht.

Thatnightthepriestonduty,ongoinghisroundoftheCryptjustbeforedawn,foundthetombempty.Hecalledtheothers,andtheymadefullsearch.Theboatwasgonefromthecavern,butonmakingsearchtheyfounditonthefarthersideofthecreek,closetothegardenstairs.Beyondthistheycoulddiscovernothing.Sheseemedtohavedisappearedwithoutleavingatrace.

StraightwaytheywenttotheVladika,andsignalledtomebythefire-signalatthemonasteryatAstrag,whereIthenwas.Itookabandofmountaineerswithme,andsetouttoscourthecountry.ButbeforegoingIsentanurgentmessagetotheGospodarRupert,askinghim,whoshowedsomuchinterestandlovetoourLand,tohelpusinourtrouble.He,ofcourse,knewnothingthenofallhavenowtoldyou.Nevertheless,hedevotedhimselfwhole-heartedlytoourneeds—asdoubtlessyouknow.

ButthetimehadnowcomeclosewhentheVoivodeVissarionwasabouttoreturnfromhismission;andweofthecouncilofhisdaughter’sguardianshipwerebeginningtoarrangematterssothatathisreturnthegoodnewsofherbeingstillalivecouldbemadepublic.Withherfatherpresenttovouchforher,noquestionastotruthcouldarise.

ButbysomemeanstheTurkish“BureauofSpies”musthavegotknowledgeofthefactalready.Tostealadeadbodyforthepurposeoflaterestablishingafictitiousclaimwouldhavebeenanenterpriseevenmoredesperatethanthatalreadyundertaken.Weinferredfrommanysigns,madeknowntousinaninvestigation,thatadaringpartyoftheSultan’semissarieshadmadeasecretincursionwiththeobjectofkidnappingtheVoivodin.TheymusthavebeenboldofheartandstrongofresourcetoentertheLandoftheBlueMountainsonanyerrand,letalonesuchadesperateoneasthis.ForcenturieswehavebeenteachingtheTurkthroughbitterlessonsthatitisneitherasafetasknoraneasyonetomakeincursionhere.

Howtheydiditweknownot—atpresent;butentertheydid,and,afterwaitinginsomesecrethiding-placeforafavourableopportunity,securedtheirprey.WeknownotevennowwhethertheyhadfoundentrancetotheCryptandstole,astheythought,thedeadbody,orwhether,bysomediremischance,theyfoundherabroad—underherdisguiseasaghost.Atanyrate,theyhadcapturedher,andthroughdeviouswaysamongstthemountainswerebearingherbacktoTurkey.ItwasmanifestthatwhenshewasonTurkishsoiltheSultanwouldforceamarriageonhersoaseventuallytosecureforhimselforhissuccessorsasagainstallothernationsaclaimforthesuzeraintyorguardianshipoftheBlueMountains.

SuchwasthestateofaffairswhentheGospodarRupertthrewhimselfintothe pursuitwith fiery zeal and theBerserk passionwhich he inherited fromVikingancestors,whenceofoldcame“TheSwordofFreedom”himself.

ButatthatverytimewasanotherpossibilitywhichtheGospodarwashimselfthefirsttorealize.FailingthegettingtheVoivodinsafetoTurkishsoil,theravishersmightkillher!ThiswouldbeentirelyinaccordwiththebasetraditionsandhistoryoftheMoslems.So,too,itwouldaccordwithTurkishcustomsandtheSultan’spresentdesires.Itwould,initsway,benefittheultimatestrategeticendsofTurkey.ForwereoncetheVissarionraceatanend,thesubjectionoftheLandoftheBlueMountainsmight,intheirview,beaneasiertaskthanithadyetbeenfoundtobe.

Such, illustrious lady, were the conditions of affairs when theGospodarRupert first drewhis handjar for theBlueMountains andwhat it heldmostdear.

Palealogue,

ArchbishopoftheEasternChurch,intheLandoftheBlueMountains.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

July8,1907.

Iwonderifeverinthelong,strangehistoryoftheworldhadtherecometoanyothersuchgladtidingsascametome—andeventhenratherinferentiallythandirectly—fromtheArchimandrite’sanswerstomyquestioning.HappilyIwasabletorestrainmyself,orIshouldhavecreatedsomestrangeconfusionwhichmighthaveevokeddistrust,andwouldcertainlyhavehamperedusinourpursuit.ForalittleIcouldhardlyacceptthetruthwhichwoveitselfthroughmybrainasthetrueinwardnessofeachfactcamehometomeandtookitsplaceinthewholefabric.Buteventhemostwelcometruthhastobeacceptedsometimebyevenadoubtingheart.Myheart,whateveritmayhavebeen,wasnotthenadoubtingheart,butavery,verygratefulone.Itwasonlythesplendidmagnitudeofthetruthwhichforbadeitsimmediateacceptance.Icouldhaveshoutedforjoy,andonlystilledmyselfbykeepingmythoughtsfixedonthedangerwhichmywifewasin.Mywife!Mywife!NotaVampire;notapoorharassedcreaturedoomedtoterriblewoe,butasplendidwoman,bravebeyondbelief,patrioticinawaywhichhasbutfewpeerseveninthewidehistoryofbravery!Ibegantounderstandthetruemeaningofthestrangeoccurrencesthathavecomeintomylife.Eventheoriginandpurposeofthatfirststrangevisittomyroombecameclear.NowonderthatthegirlcouldmoveabouttheCastleinsomysteriousamanner.Shehadlivedthereallherlife,andwasfamiliarwiththesecretwaysofentranceandexit.Ihadalwaysbelievedthattheplacemusthavebeenhoneycombedwithsecretpassages.Nowonderthatshecouldfindawaytothebattlements,mysterioustoeverybodyelse.NowonderthatshecouldmeetmeattheFlagstaffwhenshesodesired.

TosaythatIwasinatumultwouldbetobutfaintlyexpressmycondition.Iwasraptintoaheavenofdelightwhichhadnomeasureinallmyadventurouslife—theliftingoftheveilwhichshowedthatmywife—mine—woninallsincerityintheveryteethofappallingdifficultiesanddangers—wasnoVampire,nocorpse,noghostorphantom,butarealwomanoffleshandblood,ofaffection,andlove,andpassion.Nowatlastwouldmylovebecrownedindeedwhen,havingrescuedherfromthemarauders,Ishouldbearhertomyownhome,whereshewouldliveandreigninpeaceandcomfortandhonour,andinloveandwifelyhappinessifIcouldachievesuchablessingforher—andformyself.

Buthereadreadfulthoughtflashedacrossme,whichinaninstantturnedmyjoytodespair,mythrobbinghearttoice:

“Assheisarealwoman,sheisingreaterdangerthaneverinthehandsofTurkishruffians.Tothemawomanisinanycasenomorethanasheep;andiftheycannotbringhertotheharemoftheSultan,theymaydeemitthenextwiseststeptokillher.Inthatway,too,theymightfindabetterchanceofescape.Onceridofherthepartycouldseparate,andtheremightbeachance

ofsomeofthemfindingescapeasindividualsthatwouldnotexistforaparty.Buteveniftheydidnotkillher,toescapewithherwouldbetocondemnhertotheworstfateofalltheharemoftheTurk!Lifelongmiseryanddespair—howeverlongthatlifemightbe—mustbethelotofaChristianwomandoomedtosuchalot.Andtoher,justhappilywedded,andaftershehadservedhercountryinsuchanoblewayasshehaddone,thatdreadfullifeofshamefulslaverywouldbeamiserybeyondbelief.

“Shemustberescued—andquickly!Themaraudersmustbecaughtsoon,andsuddenly,sothattheymayhaveneithertimenoropportunitytoharmher,astheywouldbecertaintodoiftheyhavewarningofimmediatedanger.

“On!on!”

And“on”itwasallthroughthatterriblenightaswellaswecouldthroughtheforest.

Itwasaracebetweenthemountaineersandmyselfastowhoshouldbefirst.Iunderstoodnowthefeelingthatanimatedthem,andwhichsingledthemoutevenfromamongsttheirfierycomrades,whenthedangeroftheVoivodinbecameknown.Thesemenwerenomeancontestantseveninsucharace,and,strongasIam,ittookmyutmostefforttokeepaheadofthem.Theywerekeenasleopards,andasswift.Theirliveshadbeenspentamongthemountains,andtheirheartsandsoulsonwereinthechase.Idoubtnotthatifthedeathofanyoneofuscouldhavethroughanymeanseffectedmywife’srelease,weshould,ifnecessary,havefoughtamongstourselvesforthehonour.

Fromthenatureoftheworkbeforeusourpartyhadtokeeptothetopofthehills.Wehadnotonlytokeepobservationontheflyingpartywhomwefollowed,andtopreventthemmakingdiscoveryofus,butwehadtobealwaysinapositiontoreceiveandanswersignalsmadetousfromtheCastle,orsenttousfromothereminences.

Letter fromPetrofVlastimir,ArchimandriteofSpazac, to theLadyJanetMacKelpie,ofVissarion.

WrittenJuly8,1907.

GreatLady,

IamaskedtowritebytheVladika,andhavepermissionoftheArchbishop.IhavethehonouroftransmittingtoyoutherecordofthepursuitoftheTurkishspieswhocarriedofftheVoivodinTeuta,ofthenobleHouseofVissarion.ThepursuitwasundertakenbytheGospodarRupert,whoaskedthatIwouldcomewithhisparty,sincewhathewassogoodastocallmy“greatknowledgeofthecountryanditspeople”mightservemuch.Itistrue

thatIhavehadmuchknowledgeoftheLandoftheBlueMountainsanditspeople,amongstwhichandwhommywholelifehasbeenpassed.Butinsuchacausenoreasonwasrequired.TherewasnotamanintheBlueMountainswhowouldnothavegivenhislifefortheVoivodinTeuta,andwhentheyheardthatshehadnotbeendead,astheythought,butonlyinatrance,andthatitwasshewhomthemaraudershadcarriedoff,theywereinafrenzy.SowhyshouldI—towhomhasbeengiventhegreattrustoftheMonasteryofSpazac—hesitateatsuchatime?Formyself,Iwantedtohurryon,andtocomeatoncetothefightwithmycountry’sfoes;andwellIknewthattheGospodarRupert,withalion’sheartmeetforhisgiantbody,wouldpressonwithamatchlessspeed.WeoftheBlueMountainsdonotlagwhenourfoesareinfrontofus;mostofalldoweoftheEasternChurchpressonwhentheCrescentwarsagainsttheCross!

Wetookwithusnogearorhamperofanykind;nocoveringsexceptwhatwestoodin;nofood—nothingbutourhandjarsandourrifles,withasufficiencyofammunition.Beforestarting,theGospodargavehurriedordersbysignalfromtheCastletohavefoodandammunitionsenttous(aswemightsignal)bythenearesthamlet.

Itwashighnoonwhenwestarted,onlytenstrong—forourleaderwouldtakenonebutapprovedrunnerswhocouldshootstraightandusethehandjarasitshouldbeused.Soaswewentlight,weexpectedtogofast.BythistimeweknewfromthereportssignalledtoVissarionthattheenemieswerechosenmenofnodespicableprowess.

TheKeeperoftheGreenFlagofIslamiswellserved,andasthoughtheTurkisaninfidelandadog,heissometimesbraveandstrong.Indeed,exceptwhenhepassestheconfinesoftheBlueMountains,hehasbeenknowntodostirringdeeds.Butasnonewhohavedaredtowanderinamongstourhillseverreturntotheirownland,wemaynotknowofhowtheyspeakathomeoftheirbattleshere.Still,thesemenwereevidentlynottobedespised;andourGospodar,whoisawisemanaswellasavaliant,warnedustobeprudent,andnottodespiseourfoesovermuch.Wedidashecounselled,andinproofweonlytooktenmen,aswehadonlytwentyagainstus.Butthentherewasatstakemuchbeyondlife,andwetooknorisks.So,asthegreatclockatVissarionclangedofnoon,theeightfastestrunnersoftheBlueMountains,togetherwiththeGospodarRupertandmyself,sweptoutonourjourney.Ithadbeensignalledtousthatthecoursewhichthemaraudershadasyettakenintheirflightwasazigzagone,runningeccentricallyatallsortsofanglesinallsortsofdirections.Butourleaderhadmarkedoutacoursewherewemightinterceptourfoesacrossthemainlineoftheirflight;andtillwehadreachedthatregionwepausednotasecond,butwentasfastaswecouldallnightlong.Indeed,itwasamongstusaraceaswastheOlympicraceofoldGreece,each

onevyingwithhisfellows,thoughnotinjealousemulation,butinhighspirit,tobestservehiscountryandtheVoivodinTeuta.ForemostamongstuswenttheGospodar,bearinghimselfasaPaladinofold,hismightyformpausingfornoobstacle.Perpetuallydidheurgeuson.Hewouldnotstoporpauseforamoment,butoftenasheandIrantogether—for,lady,inmyyouthIwasthefleetestofallintherace,andeventhatnowcanheadabattalionwhendutycalls—hewouldaskmecertainquestionsastotheLadyTeutaandofthestrangemannerofherreputeddeath,asitwasgraduallyunfoldedinmyanswerstohisquestioning.Andaseachnewphaseofknowledgecametohim,hewouldrushonasonepossessedoffiends:whereatourmountaineers,whoseemtorespectevenfiendsfortheirthoroughness,wouldstrivetokeeppacewithhimtilltheytooseemedworkedintodiabolicpossession.AndImyself,leftaloneinthecalmnessofsacerdotaloffice,forgoteventhat.Withsurgingearsandeyesthatsawblood,Irushedalongwithbestofthem.

ThentrulythespiritofagreatcaptainshoweditselfintheGospodar,forwhenotherswerechargedwithfuryhebegantoforcehimselfintocalm,sothatoutofhispresentself-commandandthememoryofhisexaltedpositioncameaworthystrategyandthoughtforeverycontingencythatmightarise.Sothatwhensomenewdirectionwasrequiredforourguidance,therewasnohesitationinitscoming.We,ninemenofvaryingkinds,allfeltthatwehadamaster;andso,beingwillingtolimitourselvestostrictobedience,wewerefreetousesuchthoughtsaswellassuchpowersaswehadtothebestadvantageofthedoing.

Wecameacrossthetrailoftheflyingmaraudersonthesecondmorningaftertheabduction,alittlebeforenoon.Itwaseasyenoughtosee,forbythistimethemiscreantswerealltogether,andourpeople,whowerewoodlanders,wereabletotellmuchofthepartythatpassed.Thesewereevidentlyinaterrifiedhurry,fortheyhadtakennoprecautionssuchasarenecessarybafflepursuit,andallofwhichtaketime.Ourforesterssaidthattwowentaheadandtwobehind.Inthecentrewentthemass,movingclosetogether,asthoughsurroundingtheirprisoner.Wecaughtnotevenasingleglimpseher—couldnothave,theyencompassedhersoclosely.Butourforesterssawotherthanthemass;thegroundthathadbeenpassedwasbeforethem.Theyknewthattheprisonerhadgoneunwillingly—nay,more:oneofthemsaidasherosefromhisknees,wherehehadbeenexaminingoftheground:

“Themisbegottendogshavebeenurgingheronwiththeiryataghans!Therearedropsofblood,thoughtherearenoblood-marksonherfeet.”

WhereupontheGospodarflamedwithpassion.Histeethgroundtogether,andwithadeep-breathed“On,on!”hesprangoffagain,handjarinhand,onthetrack.

Beforelongwesawthepartyinthedistance.Theythiswerefarbelowusinadeepvalley,althoughthetrackoftheirgoingpassedawaytotherighthand.Theyweremakingforthebaseofthegreatcliff,whichrosebeforeusall.Theirreasonwastwofold,aswesoonknew.Faroffdownthevalleywhichtheywerecrossingwesawsignsofpersonscominginhaste,whomustbeofthesearchpartycomingfromthenorth.Thoughthetreeshidthem,wecouldnotmistakethesigns.Iwasmyselfforesterenoughtohavenodoubt.Again,itwasevidentthattheyoungVoivodincouldtravelnolongeratthedreadfulpaceatwhichtheyhadbeengoing.Thoseblood-markstoldtheirowntale!Theymeanttomakealaststandhereincasetheyshouldbediscovered.

Thenitwasthathe,whoamongstusallhadbeenmostfierceandmostbentonrapidpursuit,becamethemostthecalm.Raisinghishandforsilence—though,Godknows,wewereandhadbeensilentenoughduringthatlongrushthroughtheforest—hesaid,inalow,keenwhisperwhichcutthesilencelikeaknife:

“Myfriends,thetimeiscomeforaction.Godbethanked,whohasnowbroughtusfacetofacewithourfoes!Butwemustbecarefulhere—notonourownaccount,forwewishnothingmorethantorushonandconquerordie—butforthesakeofherwhomyoulove,andwhomI,too,love.Sheisindangerfromanythingwhichmaygivewarningtothosefiends.Iftheyknoworevensuspectforaninstantthatwearenear,theywillmurderher...”

Herehisvoicebrokeforaninstantwiththeextremityofhispassionorthedepthofhisfeeling—Ihardlyknowwhich;Ithinkbothactedonhim.

“Weknowfromthoseblood-markswhattheycando—eventoher.”Histeethgroundtogetheragain,buthewentonwithoutstoppingfurther:

“Letusarrangethebattle.Thoughwearebutlittledistancefromthemasthecrowflies,thewayisfartotravel.Thereis,Icansee,butonepathdowntothevalleyfromthisside.Thattheyhavegoneby,andthattheywillsuretoguard—towatch,atanyrate.Letusdivide,astosurroundthem.Theclifftowardswhichtheymakerunsfartotheleftwithoutabreak.Thattotherightwecannotseefromthisspot;butfromthenatureofthegrounditisnotunlikelythatitturnsroundinthisdirection,makingthehitherendofthevalleylikeavastpocketoramphitheatre.Astheyhavestudiedthegroundinotherplaces,theymayhavedonesointhis,andhavecomehitherastoaknownrefuge.Letoneman,amarksman,stayhere.”

Ashespokeamansteppedtothefront.Hewas,Iknew,anexcellentshot.

“Lettwoothersgototheleftandtrytofindawaydownthecliffbeforeus.Whentheyhavedescendedtothelevelofthevalley—pathornopath—let

themadvancecautiouslyandsecretly,keepingtheirgunsinreadiness.Buttheymustnotfiretillneed.Remember,mybrothers,”said,turningtothosewhosteppedoutapaceortwototheleft,“thatthefirstshotgivesthewarningwhichwillbethesignalfortheVoivodin’sdeath.Thesemenwillnothesitate.Youmustjudgeyourselvesofthetimetoshoot.Theothersofuswillmovetotherightandtrytofindapathonthatside.Ifthevalleybeindeedapocketbetweenthecliffs,wemustfindawaydownthatisnotapath!”

Ashespokethustherewasablazeinhiseyesthatbetokenednogoodtoaughtthatmightstandinhisway.Iranbyhissideaswemovedtotheright.

Itwasashesurmisedaboutthecliff.Whenwegotalittleonourwaywesawhowtherockyformationtrendedtoourright,till,finally,withawidecurve,itcameroundtotheotherside.

Itwasafearfulvalleythat,withitsnarrowgirthanditstoweringwallsthatseemedtotoppleover.Onthefarthersidefromusthegreattreesthatclothedtheslopeofthemountainoveritgrewdowntotheveryedgeoftherock,sothattheirspreadingbrancheshungfaroverthechasm.And,sofaraswecouldunderstand,thesameconditionexistedonourownside.Belowusthevalleywasdarkeveninthedaylight.Wecouldbesttellthemovementoftheflyingmaraudersbytheflashesofthewhiteshroudoftheircaptiveinthemidstofthem.

Fromwhereweweregrouped,amidthegreattree-trunksontheverybrowofthecliff,wecould,whenoureyeswereaccustomedtotheshadow,seethemquitewell.Ingreathaste,andhalfdragging,halfcarryingtheVoivodin,theycrossedtheopenspaceandtookrefugeinalittlegrassyalcovesurrounded,saveforitstortuousentrance,byundergrowth.Fromthevalleylevelitwasmanifestlyimpossibletoseethem,thoughwefromouraltitudecouldseeoverthestuntedundergrowth.Whenwithintheglade,theytooktheirhandsfromher.She,shudderinginstinctively,withdrewtoaremotecornerofthedell.

Andthen,oh,shameontheirmanhood!—Turksandheathensthoughtheywere—wecould see that theyhad submittedher to the indignityofgaggingherandbindingherhands!

OurVoivodinTeutabound!Tooneandallofusitwaslikelashingusacrosstheface.IheardtheGospodar’steethgrindagain.Butoncemoreheschooledhimselftocalmnesserehesaid:

“Itis,perhaps,aswell,greatthoughtheindignitybe.Theyareseekingtheirowndoom,whichiscomingquickly...Moreover,theyarethwartingtheirownbaseplans.Nowthatsheisboundtheywilltrusttotheirbinding,sothattheywilldelaytheirmurderousalternativetotheverylastmoment.Suchisourchanceofrescuingheralive!”

Forafewmomentshestoodasstillasastone,asthoughrevolvingsomethinginhismindwhilsthewatched.Icouldseethatsomegrimresolutionwasforminginhismind,forhiseyesrangedtothetopofthetreesabovecliff,anddownagain,veryslowlythistime,asthoughmeasuringandstudyingthedetailofwhatwasinfrontofhim.Thenhespoke:

“Theyareinhopesthattheotherpursuingpartymaynotcomeacrossthem.Toknowthat,theyarewaiting.Ifthoseothersdonotcomeupthevalley,theywillproceedontheirway.Theywillreturnupthepaththewaytheycame.Therewecanwaitthem,chargeintothemiddleofthemwhensheisopposite,andcutdownthosearoundher.Thentheotherswillopenfire,andweshallberidofthem!

Whilst hewas speaking, twoof themenof our party,who I knew tobegood sharpshooters, and who had just before lain on their faces and hadsteadiedtheirriflestoshoot,rosetotheirfeet.

“Commandus,Gospodar!”theysaidsimply,astheystoodtoattention.“Shallwegototheheadoftheravineroadandtheretakehiding?”Hethoughtforperhapsaminute,whilstweallstoodassilentasimages.Icouldhearourheartsbeating.Thenhesaid:

“No,notyet.Thereistimeforthatyet.Theywillnot—cannotstirormakeplansinanywaytilltheyknowwhethertheotherpartyiscomingtowardsthemornot.Fromourheightherewecanseewhatcoursetheothersaretakinglongbeforethosevillainsdo.Thenwecanmakeourplansandbereadyintime.”

Wewaitedmanyminutes,butcouldseenofurthersignstheotherpursuingparty.Thesehadevidentlyadoptedgreatercautionintheirmovementsastheycameclosertowheretheyexpectedtofindtheenemy.Themaraudersbegantogrowanxious.Evenatourdistancewecouldgatherasmuchfromtheirattitudeandmovements.

Presently,whenthesuspenseoftheirignorancegrewtoomuchforthem,theydrewtotheentranceoftheglade,whichwasthefarthestplacetowhich,withoutexposingthemselvestoanyonewhomightcometothevalley,theycouldwithdrawfromtheircaptive.Heretheyconsultedtogether.Wecouldfollowfromtheirgestureswhattheyweresaying,forastheydidnotwishtheirprisonertohear,theirgesticulationwasenlighteningtousastoeachother.Ourpeople,likeallmountaineers,havegoodeyes,andtheGospodarishimselfaneagleinthisasinotherways.Threemenstoodbackfromtherest.Theystackedtheirriflessothattheycouldseizethemeasily.Thentheydrewtheirscimitars,andstoodready,asthoughonguard.

Thesewereevidentlytheappointedmurderers.Welltheyknewtheirwork;

forthoughtheystoodinadesertplacewithnonewithinlongdistanceexceptthepursuingparty,ofwhoseapproachtheywouldhavegoodnotice,theystoodsoclosetotheirprisonerthatnomarksmanintheworld—noworthateverhadbeen;notWilliamTellhimself—couldhaveharmedanyofthemwithoutatleastendangeringher.TwoofthemturnedtheVoivodinroundsothatherfacewastowardstheprecipice—inwhichpositionshecouldnotseewhatwasgoingon—whilsthewhowasevidentlyleaderofthegangexplained,ingesture,thattheothersweregoingtospyuponthepursuingparty.Whentheyhadlocatedthemhe,oroneofhismen,wouldcomeoutoftheopeningofthewoodwhereintheyhadhadevidenceofthem,andholduphishand.

Thatwastobethesignalforthecuttingofthevictim’sthroat—suchbeingthechosenmethod(villainousevenforheathenmurderers)ofherdeath.Therewasnotoneofourmenwhodidnotgrindhisteethwhenwewitnessedthegrimaction,onlytooexpressive,oftheTurkashedrewhisrighthand,clenchedasthoughheheldayataghaninit,acrosshisthroat.

At the opening of the glade all the spying party haltedwhilst the leaderappointedtoeachhisplaceofentryofthewood,thefrontofwhichextendedinanalmoststraightacrossthevalleyfromclifftocliff.

Themen,stoopinglowwhenintheopen,andtakinginstantadvantageofevery little obstacle on the ground, seemed to fade like spectres withincredible swiftness across the level mead, and were swallowed up in thewood.

WhentheyhaddisappearedtheGospodarRupertrevealedtousthedetailsoftheplanofactionwhichhehadrevolvinginhismind.Hemotionedustofollowhim:wethreadedawaybetweenthetree-trunks,keepingallthewhileontheveryedgeofthecliff,sothatthespacebelowwasallvisibletous.Whenwehadgotroundthecurvesufficientlytoseethewholeofthewoodonthevalleylevel,withoutlosingsightoftheVoivodinandherappointedassassins,wehaltedunderhisdirection.Therewasanaddedadvantageofthispointovertheother,forwecouldseedirectlytherisingofthehill-road,upwhichfarthersideranthecontinuationofthemountainpathwhichthemaraudershadfollowed.Itwassomewhereonthatpaththattheotherpursuingpartyhadhopedtointerceptthefugitives.TheGospodarspokequickly,thoughinavoiceofcommandwhichtruesoldierslovetohear:

“Brothers,thetimehascomewhenwecanstrikeablowforTeutaandtheLand.Doyoutwo,marksmen,takepositionherefacingthewood.”Thetwomenherelaydownandgottheirriflesready.“Dividethefrontageofthewoodbetweenyou;arrangebetweenyourselvesthelimitsofyourpositions.Theveryinstantoneofthemaraudersappears,coverhim;drophimbeforehe

emergesfromthewood.Eventhenstillwatchandtreatsimilarlywhoeverelsemaytakehisplace.Dothisiftheycomesinglytillnotamanisleft.Remember,brothers,thatbraveheartsalonewillnotsufficeatthisgrimcrisis.InthishourthebestsafetyoftheVoivodinisinthecalmspiritandthesteadyeye!”Thenheturnedtotherestofus,andspoketome:

“ArchimandriteofPlazac,youwhoareinterpretertoGodoftheprayersofsomanysouls,myownhourhascome.IfIdonotreturn,conveymylovetomyAuntJanet—MissMacKelpie,atVissarion.ThereisbutonethinglefttousifwewishtosavetheVoivodin.Doyou,whenthetimecomes,takethesemenandjointhewatcheratthetopoftheravineroad.Whentheshotsarefired,doyououthandjar,andrushtheravineandacrossthevalley.Brothers,youmaybeintimetoavengetheVoivodin,ifyoucannotsaveher.Formetheremustbeaquickerway,andtoitIgo.Asthereisnot,andwillnotbe,timetotraversethepath,Imusttakeaquickerway.Naturefindsmeapaththatmanhasmadeitnecessaryformetotravel.Seethatgiantbeech-treethattowersabovethegladewheretheVoivodinisheld?Thereismypath!Whenyoufromherehavemarkedthereturnofthespies,givemeasignalwithyourhat—donotuseahandkerchief,asothersmightseeitswhite,andtakewarning.Thenrushthatravine.Ishalltakethatasthesignalformydescentbytheleafyroad.IfIcandonaughtelse,Icancrushthemurdererswithmyfallingweight,evenifIhavetokillhertoo.Atleastweshalldietogether—andfree.LayustogetherinthetombatSt.Sava’s.Farewell,ifitbethelast!”

Hethrewdownthescabbardinwhichhecarriedhishandjar,adjustedthenakedweaponinhisbeltbehindhisback,andwasgone!

Wewhowerenotwatchingthewoodkeptoureyesfixedonthegreatbeech-tree,andwithnewinterestnoticedthelongtrailingbrancheswhichhunglow,andswayedeveninthegentlebreeze.Forafewminutes,whichseemedamazinglylong,wesawnosignofhim.Then,highupononeofthegreatbrancheswhichstoodclearofobscuringleaves,wesawsomethingcrawlingflatagainstthebark.Hewaswelloutonthebranch,hangingfarovertheprecipice.Hewaslookingoveratus,andIwavedmyhandsothatheshouldknowwesawhim.Hewascladingreen—hisusualforestdress—sothattherewasnotanylikelihoodofanyothereyesnoticinghim.Itookoffmyhat,andhelditreadytosignalwithwhenthetimeshouldcome.IglanceddownatthegladeandsawtheVoivodinstanding,stillsafe,withherguardssoclosetoherastotouch.ThenI,too,fixedmyeyesonthewood.

Suddenlythemanstandingbesidemeseizedmyarmandpointed.Icouldjustseethroughthetrees,whichwerelowerthanelsewhereinthefrontofthewood,aTurkmovingstealthily;soIwavedmyhat.Atthesametimearifleunderneathmecracked.Asecondortwolaterthespypitchedforwardonhisfaceandlaystill.Atthesameinstantmyeyessoughtthebeech-tree,andI

sawtheclose-lyingfigureraiseitselfandslideforwardtoajointofthebranch.ThentheGospodar,asherose,hurledhimselfforwardamidthemassofthetrailingbranches.Hedroppedlikeastone,andmyheartsank.

Butaninstantlaterheseemedinpoise.Hehadclutchedthethin,trailingbranchesashefell;andashesankanumberofleaveswhichhismotionhadtornofffloatedoutroundhim.

Againtheriflebelowmecracked,andthenagain,andagain,andagain.Themaraudershadtakenwarning,andwerecomingoutinmass.Butmyowneyeswerefixedonthetree.AlmostasathunderboltfallsfellthegiantbodyoftheGospodar,hissizelostintheimmensityofhissurroundings.Hefellinaseriesofjerks,ashekeptclutchingthetrailingbeech-brancheswhilsttheylasted,andthenotherlesserverduregrowingoutfromthefissuresintherockafterthelengtheningbrancheshadwithalltheirelasticityreachedtheirlastpoint.

Atlength—forthoughthisalltookplaceinaveryfewsecondsthegravityofthecrisisprolongedthemimmeasurably—therecamealargespaceofrocksomethreetimeshisownlength.Hedidnotpause,butswunghimselftooneside,sothatheshouldfallclosetotheVoivodinandherguards.Thesemendidnotseemtonotice,fortheirattentionwasfixedonthewoodwhencetheyexpectedtheirmessengertosignal.Buttheyraisedtheiryataghansinreadiness.Theshotshadalarmedthem;andtheymeanttodothemurdernow—messengerornomessenger

Butthoughthemendidnotseethedangerfromabove,theVoivodindid.Sheraisedhereyesquicklyatthefirstsound,andevenfromwherewewere,beforewebegantoruntowardstheravinepath,IcouldseethetriumphantlookinhergloriouseyeswhensherecognizedtheidentityofthemanwhowasseeminglycomingstraightdownfromHeavenitselftohelpher—as,indeed,she,andwetoo,canverywellimaginethathedid;forifeverheavenhadahandinarescueonearth,itwasnow.

EvenduringthelastdropfromtherockyfoliagetheGospodarkepthishead.Ashefellhepulledhishandjarfree,andalmostashewasfallingitssweeptookofftheheadofoneoftheassassins.Ashetouchedgroundhestumbledforaninstant,butitwastowardshisenemies.Twicewithlightningrapiditythehandjarswepttheair,andateachsweepaheadrolledonthesward.

TheVoivodinhelduphertiedhands.Againthehandjarflashed,thistimedownwards,andtheladywasfree.Withoutaninstant’spausetheGospodartoreoffthegag,andwithhisleftarmroundherandhandjarinrighthand,stoodfacetowardhislivingfoes.TheVoivodinstoopedsuddenly,andthen,raisingtheyataghanwhichhadfallenfromthehandofoneofthedead

marauders,stoodarmedbesidehim.

Therifleswerenowcrackingfast,asthemarauders—thosethatwereleftofthem—camerushingoutintotheopen.Butwellthemarksmenknewtheirwork.WelltheyboreinmindtheGospodar’scommandregardingcalmness.Theykeptpickingofftheforemostmenonly,sothattheonwardrushneverseemedtogetmoreforward.

Aswerusheddowntheravinewecouldseeclearlyallbeforeus.Butnow,justaswewerebeginningtofearlestsomemischancemightallowsomeofthemtoreachtheglade,therewasanothercauseofsurprise—ofrejoicing.

Fromthefaceofthewoodseemedtoburstallatonceabodyofmen,allwearingthenationalcap,soweknewthemasourown.Theywereallarmedwiththehandjaronly,andtheycameliketigers.TheysweptontherushingTurksasthough,foralltheirswiftness,theywerestandingstill—literallywipingthemoutasachildwipesalessonfromitsslate.

Afewsecondslaterthesewerefollowedbyatallfigurewithlonghairandbeardofblackmingledwithgrey.Instinctivelyweall,asdidthoseinthevalley,shoutedwithjoy.ForthiswastheVladikaMiloshPlamenachimself.

Iconfessthat,knowingwhatIknew,Iwasforashortspaceoftimeanxiouslest,intheterrificexcitementinwhichwewerealllapped,someonemightsayordosomethingwhichmightmakefortroublelateron.TheGospodar’ssplendidachievement,whichwasworthyofanyheroofoldromance,hadsetusallonfire.Hehimselfmusthavebeenwroughttoahighpitchofexcitementtodaresuchanact;anditisnotatsuchatimethatdiscretionmustbeexpectedfromanyman.MostofalldidIfeardangerfromthewomanhoodoftheVoivodin.HadInotassistedathermarriage,Imightnothaveunderstoodthenwhatitmusthavebeentohertobesavedfromsuchadoomatsuchatimebysuchaman,whowassomuchtoher,andinsuchaway.ItwouldhavebeenonlynaturalifatsuchamomentofgratitudeandtriumphshehadproclaimedthesecretwhichweoftheCounciloftheNationandherfather’sCommissionershadsoreligiouslykept.ButnoneofusknewtheneithertheVoivodinortheGospodarRupertaswedonow.Itwaswellthattheywereastheyare,forthejealousyandsuspicionofourmountaineersmight,evenatsuchamoment,andevenwhilsttheythrobbedatsuchadeed,havesomanifestedthemselvesastohaveleftalegacyofdistrust.TheVladikaandI,whoofall(savethetwoimmediatelyconcerned)aloneknew,lookedateachotherapprehensively.ButatthatinstanttheVoivodin,withaswiftglanceatherhusband,laidafingeronherlip;andhe,withquickunderstanding,gaveassurancebyasimilarsign.Thenshesankbeforehimononeknee,and,raisinghishandtoherlips,kissedit,andspoke:

“GospodarRupert,Ioweyouallthatawomanmayowe,excepttoGod.

Youhavegivenmelifeandhonour!Icannotthankyouadequatelyforwhatyouhavedone;myfatherwilltrytodosowhenhereturns.ButIamrightsurethatthemenoftheBlueMountains,whosovaluehonour,andfreedom,andliberty,andbravery,willholdyouintheirheartsforever!”

Thiswassosweetlyspoken,withlipsthattrembledandeyesthatswamintears,sotrulywomanlyandsoinaccordwiththecustomofournationregardingthereverencethatwomenowetomen,thattheheartsofourmountaineersweretouchedtothequick.Theirnoblesimplicityfoundexpressionintears.ButifthegallantGospodarcouldhaveforamomentthoughtthatsotoweepwasunmanly,hiserrorwouldhavehadinstantcorrection.WhentheVoivodinhadrisentoherfeet,whichshedidwithqueenlydignity,themenaroundclosedinontheGospodarlikeawaveofthesea,andinasecondheldhimabovetheirheads,tossingontheirliftedhandsasifonstormybreakers.ItwasasthoughtheoldVikingsofwhomwehaveheard,andwhosebloodflowsinRupert’sveins,werechoosingachiefinoldfashion.IwasmyselfgladthatthemenweresotakenupwiththeGospodarthattheydidnotseethegloryofthemomentintheVoivodin’sstarryeyes;forelsetheymighthaveguessedthesecret.IknewfromtheVladika’slookthathesharedmyownsatisfaction,evenashehadsharedmyanxiety.

As the Gospodar Rupert was tossed high on the lifted hands of themountaineers,theirshoutsrosetosuchasuddenvolumethataroundus,asfarasIcouldsee,thefrightenedbirdsrosefromtheforest,andtheirnoisyalarmswelledthetumult.

TheGospodar,everthoughtfulforothers,wasthefirsttocalmhimself.

“Come,brothers,”hesaid,“letusgainthehilltop,wherewecansignaltotheCastle.ItisrightthatthewholenationshouldshareinthegladtidingsthattheVoivodinTeutaofVissarionisfree.Butbeforewego,letusremovethearmsandclothingofthesecarrionmarauders.Wemayhaveuseforthemlateron.”

Themountaineerssethimdown,gentlyenough.Andhe,takingtheVoivodinbythehand,andcallingtheVladikaandmyselfclosetothem,ledthewayuptheravinepathwhichthemaraudershaddescended,andthencethroughtheforesttothetopofthehillthatdominatedthevalley.Herewecould,fromanopeningamongstthetrees,catchaglimpsefaroffofthebattlementsofVissarion.ForthwiththeGospodarsignalled;andonthemomentareplyoftheirawaitingwasgiven.ThentheGospodarsignalledthegladnews.Itwasreceivedwithmanifestrejoicing.Wecouldnothearanysoundsofaraway,butwecouldseethemovementofliftedfacesandwavinghands,andknewthatitwaswell.Butaninstantaftercameacalmsodreadthatweknewbeforethesemaphorehadbeguntoworkthattherewasbad

newsinstoreforus.Whenthenewsdidcome,abitterwailingaroseamongstus;forthenewsthatwassignalledran:

“TheVoivodehasbeencapturedbytheTurksonhisreturn,andisheldbythematIlsin.”

Inaninstantthetemperofthemountaineerschanged.Itwasasthoughbyaflashsummerhadchangedtowinter,asthoughtheyellowgloryofthestandingcornhadbeenobliteratedbythedrearywasteofsnow.Nay,more:itwasaswhenonebeholdsthetrackofthewhirlwindwhenthegiantsoftheforestarelevelledwiththesward.Forafewsecondstherewassilence;andthen,withanangryroar,aswhenGodspeaksinthethunder,camethefiercedeterminationofthemenoftheBlueMountains:

“ToIlsin!ToIlsin!”andastampedeinthedirectionofthesouthbegan.For,IllustriousLady,you,perhaps,whohavebeenforsoshortatimeatVissarion,maynotknowthatattheextremesouthernpointoftheLandoftheBlueMountainsliesthelittleportofIlsin,whichlongagowewrestedfromtheTurk.

Thestampedewascheckedbythecommand,“Halt!”spokeninathunderousvoicebytheGospodar.Instinctivelyallstopped.TheGospodarRupertspokeagain:

“Hadwenotbetterknowalittlemorebeforewestartonourjourney?Ishallgetbysemaphorewhatdetailsareknown.Doyouallproceedinsilenceandasswiftlyaspossible.TheVladikaandIwillwaitheretillwehavereceivedthenewsandhavesentsomeinstructions,whenweshallfollow,and,ifwecan,overtakeyou.Onething:beabsolutelysilentonwhathasbeen.Besecretofeverydetail—evenastotherescueoftheVoivodin—exceptwhatIsend.”

Withoutaword—thusshowingimmeasurabletrust—thewholebody—notaverylargeone,itistrue—movedon,andtheGospodarbegansignalling.AsIwasmyselfexpertinthecode,Ididnotrequireanyexplanation,butfollowedquestionandansweroneitherside.ThefirstwordstheGospodarRupertsignalledwere:

“Silence,absoluteandprofound,astoeverythingwhichhasbeen.”ThenheaskedfordetailsofthecaptureoftheVoivode.Theanswerran:

“HewasfollowedfromFlushing,andhisenemiesadvisedbythespiesallalongtheroute.AtRagusaquiteanumberofstrangers—travellersseemingly—wentonboardthepacket.Whenhegotout,thestrangersdebarkedtoo,andevidentlyfollowedhim,though,asyet,wehavenodetails.HedisappearedatIlsinfromtheHotelReo,whitherhehadgone.Allpossiblestepsarebeingtakentotracehismovements,andstrictestsilenceandsecrecyareobserved.”

Hisanswerwas:

“Good!Keepsilentandsecret.Amhurryingback.SignalrequesttoArchbishopandallmembersofNationalCounciltocometoGadaarwithallspeed.Theretheyachtwillmeethim.TellRooketakeyachtallspeedtoGadaar;theremeetArchbishopandCouncil—givehimlistofnames—andreturnfullspeed.Havereadyplentyarms,sixflyingartillery.Twohundredmen,provisionsthreedays.Silence,silence.Alldependsonthat.AlltogoonasusualatCastle,excepttothoseinsecret.”

Whenthereceiptofhismessagehadbeensignalled,wethree—for,ofcourse,theVoivodinwaswithus;shehadrefusedtoleavetheGospodar—setouthot-footafterourcomrades.ButbythetimewehaddescendedthehillitwasevidentthattheVoivodincouldnotkeepuptheterrificpaceatwhichweweregoing.Shestruggledheroically,butthelongjourneyshehadalreadytaken,andthehardshipandanxietyshehadsuffered,hadtoldonher.TheGospodarstopped,andsaidthatitwouldbebetterthatheshouldpresson—itwas,perhaps,herfather’slife—andsaidhewouldcarryher.

“No,no!”sheanswered.“Goon!IshallfollowwiththeVladika.AndthenyoucanhavethingsreadytogetonsoonaftertheArchbishopandCouncilarrive.”Theykissedeachotherafter,onherpart,ashyglanceatme;andhewentonthetrackofourcomradesatagreatpace.Icouldseehimshortlyaftercatchthemup,—thoughthey,too,weregoingfast.Forafewminutestheyrantogether,hespeaking—Icouldnoteitfromthewaytheykeptturningtheirheadstowardshim.Thenhebrokeawayfromthemhurriedly.Hewentlikeastagbreakingcovert,andwassoonoutofsight.Theyhaltedamomentortwo.Thensomefewranon,andalltherestcamebacktowardsus.Quicklytheyimprovisedalitterwithcordsandbranches,andinsistedthattheVoivodinshoulduseit.Inanincrediblyshorttimewewereunderwayagain,andproceedingwithgreatrapiditytowardsVissarion.Thementookitinturnstohelpwiththelitter;Ihadthehonouroftakingahandintheworkmyself.

AboutathirdofthewayoutfromVissarionanumberofourpeoplemetus.Theywerefresh,andastheycarriedthelitter,wewhowererelievedwerefreeforspeed.SowesoonarrivedattheCastle.

Herewefoundallhumminglikeahiveofbees.Theyacht,whichCaptainRookehadkeptfiredeversincethepursuingpartyundertheGospodarhadleftVissarion,wasalreadyaway,andtearingupthecoastatafearfulrate.Theriflesandammunitionwerestackedonthequay.Thefield-guns,too,wereequipped,andthecasesofammunitionreadytoship.Themen,twohundredofthem,wereparadedinfullkit,readytostartatamoment’snotice.Theprovisionforthreedayswasallreadytoputaboard,andbarrelsoffreshwatertotrundleaboardwhentheyachtshouldreturn.Atoneendofthequay,ready

toliftonboard,stoodalsotheGospodar’saeroplane,fullyequipped,andready,ifneedwere,forimmediateflight.

IwasgladtoseethattheVoivodinseemednonetheworseforherterribleexperience.Shestillworehershroud;butnooneseemedtonoticeitasanythingstrange.Thewhisperhadevidentlygoneroundofwhathadbeen.Butdiscretionruledtheday.SheandtheGospodarmetastwowhohadservedandsufferedincommon;butIwasgladtonoticethatbothkeptthemselvesundersuchcontrolthatnoneofthosenotalreadyinthesecretevensuspectedthattherewasanylovebetweenthem,letalonemarriage.

WeallwaitedwithwhatpatiencewecouldtillwordwassignalledfromtheCastle tower that theyachthadappearedover thenorthernhorizon,andwascomingdownfast,keepinginshoreasshecame.

Whenshearrived,weheardtoourjoythatallconcernedhaddonetheirworkwell.TheArchbishopwasaboard,andoftheNationalCouncilnotonewasmissing.TheGospodarhurriedthemallintothegreathalloftheCastle,whichhadinthemeantimebeengotready.I,too,wentwithhim,buttheVoivodinremainedwithout.

Whenallwereseated,heroseandsaid:

“MyLordArchbishop,Vladika,andLordsoftheCouncilall,Ihavedaredtosummonyouinthiswaybecausetimepresses,andthelifeofoneyoualllove—theVoivodeVissarion—isatstake.ThisaudaciousattemptoftheTurkistheoldaggressionunderanewform.Itisanewandmoredaringstepthanevertotrytocaptureyourchiefandhisdaughter,theVoivodin,whomyoulove.Happily,thelatterpartoftheschemeisfrustrated.TheVoivodinissafeandamongstus.ButtheVoivodeisheldprisoner—if,indeed,hebestillalive.HemustbesomewherenearIlsin—butwhereexactlyweknownotasyet.Wehaveanexpeditionreadytostartthemomentwereceiveyoursanction—yourcommands.Weshallobeyyourwisheswithourlives.Butasthematterisinstant,Iwouldventuretoaskonequestion,andoneonly:‘ShallwerescuetheVoivodeatanycostthatmaypresentitself?’Iaskthis,forthematterhasnowbecomeaninternationalone,and,ifourenemiesareasearnestasweare,theissueiswar!”

Havingsospoken,andwithadignityandforcewhichisinexpressible,hewithdrew;andtheCouncil,havingappointedascribe—themonkCristoferos,whomIhadsuggested—beganitswork.

TheArchbishopspoke:

“LordsoftheCounciloftheBlueMountains,IventuretoaskyouthattheanswertotheGospodarRupertbeaninstant‘Yes!’togetherwiththanksandhonourtothatgallantEnglisher,whohasmadeourcausehisown,andwho

hassovaliantlyrescuedourbelovedVoivodinfromtheruthlesshandsofourenemies.”ForthwiththeoldestmemberoftheCouncil—NicolosofVolok—rose,and,afterthrowingasearchinglookroundthefacesofall,andseeinggravenodsofassent—fornotawordwasspoken—saidtohimwhoheldthedoor:“SummontheGospodarRupertforthwith!”WhenRupertentered,hespoketohim:

“GospodarRupert,theCounciloftheBlueMountainshasonlyoneanswertogive:Proceed!RescuetheVoivodeVissarion,whateverthecostmaybe!Youholdhenceforthinyourhandthehandjarofournation,asalready,forwhatyouhavedoneinyourvaliantrescueofourbelovedVoivodin,yourbreastholdstheheartofourpeople.Proceedatonce!Wegiveyou,Ifear,littletime;butweknowthatsuchisyourownwish.Later,weshallissueformalauthorization,sothatifwarmayensue,ouralliesmayunderstandthatyouhaveactedforthenation,andalsosuchletterscredentialasmayberequiredbyyouinthisexceptionalservice.Theseshallfollowyouwithinanhour.Forourenemieswetakenoaccount.See,wedrawthehandjarthatweofferyou.”Asonemanallinthehalldrewtheirhandjars,whichflashedasablazeoflightning.

Theredidnotseemtobeaninstant’sdelay.TheCouncilbrokeup,anditsmembers,minglingwiththepeoplewithout,tookactivepartinthepreparations.Notmanyminuteshadelapsedwhentheyacht,mannedandarmedandstoredasarranged,wasrushingoutofthecreek.Onthebridge,besideCaptainRooke,stoodtheGospodarRupertandthestill-shroudedformoftheVoivodinTeuta.Imyselfwasonthelowerdeckwiththesoldiers,explainingtocertainofthemthespecialdutieswhichtheymightbecalledontofulfil.IheldthelistwhichtheGospodarRuperthadpreparedwhilstwewerewaitingfortheyachttoarrivefromGadaar.

PetrofVlastimir.

FROMRUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

July9,1907.

Wewentataterrificpacedownthecoast,keepingwellinshoresoastoavoid,ifpossible,beingseenfromthesouth.JustnorthofIlsinarockyheadlandjutsout,andthatwasourcover.Onthenorthofthepeninsulaisasmallland-lockedbay,withdeepwater.Itislargeenoughtotaketheyacht,thoughamuchlargervesselcouldnotsafelyenter.Weranin,andanchoredclosetotheshore,whichhasarockyfrontage—anaturalshelfofrock,whichispracticallythesameasaquay.HerewemetthemenwhohadcomefromIlsinandtheneighbourhoodinanswertooursignallingearlierintheday.TheygaveusthelatestinformationregardingthekidnappingoftheVoivode,andinformedusthateverymaninthatsectionofthecountrywassimply

aflameaboutit.Theyassuredusthatwecouldrelyonthem,notmerelytofighttothedeath,buttokeepsilenceabsolutely.Whilsttheseamen,underthedirectionofRooke,tooktheaeroplaneonshoreandfoundasuitableplaceforit,whereitwashiddenfromcasualview,butfromwhichitcouldbeeasilylaunched,theVladikaandI—and,ofcourse,mywife—werehearingsuchdetailsaswereknownofthedisappearanceofherfather.

Itseemsthathetravelledsecretlyinordertoavoidjustsuchapossibilityashashappened.NooneknewofhiscomingtillhecametoFiume,whencehesentaguardedmessagetotheArchbishop,whichthelatteralonewouldunderstand.ButthisTurkishagentswereevidentlyonhistrackallthetime,anddoubtlesstheBureauofSpieswaskeptwelladvised.HelandedatIlsinfromacoastingsteamerfromRagusatotheLevant.

Fortwodaysbeforehiscomingtherehadbeenquiteanunusualnumberofarrivalsatthelittleport,atwhicharrivalsarerare.Anditturnedoutthatthelittlehotel—theonlyfairlygoodoneinIlsin—wasalmostfilledup.Indeed,onlyoneroomwasleft,whichtheVoivodetookforthenight.TheinnkeeperdidnotknowtheVoivodeinhisdisguise,butsuspectedwhoitwasfromthedescription.Hedinedquietly,andwenttobed.Hisroomwasattheback,ontheground-floor,lookingoutonthebankofthelittleRiverSilva,whichhererunsintotheharbour.Nodisturbancewasheardinthenight.Lateinthemorning,whentheelderlystrangerhadnotmadehisappearance,inquirywasmadeathisdoor.Hedidnotanswer,sopresentlythelandlordforcedthedoor,andfoundtheroomempty.Hisluggagewasseeminglyintact,onlytheclotheswhichhehadwornweregone.Astrangethingwasthat,thoughthebedhadbeensleptinandhisclothesweregone,hisnight-clotheswerenottobefound,fromwhichitwasarguedbythelocalauthorities,whentheycametomakeinquiry,thathehadgoneorbeentakenfromtheroominhisnight-gear,andthathisclotheshadbeentakenwithhim.Therewasevidentlysomegrimsuspiciononthepartoftheauthorities,fortheyhadcommandedabsolutesilenceonallinthehouse.Whentheycametomakeinquiryastotheotherguests,itwasfoundthatoneandallhadgoneinthecourseofthemorning,afterpayingtheirbills.Noneofthemhadanyheavyluggage,andtherewasnothingremainingbywhichtheymightbetracedorwhichwouldaffordanycluetotheiridentity.Theauthorities,havingsentaconfidentialreporttotheseatofgovernment,continuedtheirinquiries,andevennowallavailablehandswereatworkontheinvestigation.WhenIhadsignalledtoVissarion,beforemyarrivalthere,wordhadbeensentthroughthepriesthoodtoenlistintheinvestigationtheservicesofallgoodmen,sothateveryfootofgroundinthatsectionoftheBlueMountainswasbeinginvestigated.Theport-masterwasassuredbyhiswatchmenthatnovessel,largeorsmall,hadhefttheharbourduringthenight.Theinference,therefore,wasthattheVoivode’scaptorshadmadeinlandwithhim—if,indeed,theywerenotalreadysecreted

inornearthetown.

Whilstwewerereceivingthevariousreports,ahurriedmessagecamethatitwasnowbelievedthatthewholepartywereintheSilentTower.Thiswasawell-chosenplaceforsuchanenterprise.Itwasamassivetowerofimmensestrength,builtasamemorial—andalsoasa“keep”—afteroneofthemassacresoftheinvadingTurks.

ItstoodonthesummitofarockyknollsometenmilesinlandfromthePortofIlsin.Itwasaplaceshunnedasarule,andthecountryallarounditwassoaridanddesolatethattherewerenoresidentsnearit.Asitwaskeptforstateuse,andmightbeserviceableintimeofwar,itwasclosedwithmassiveirondoors,whichwerekeptlockedexceptuponcertainoccasions.ThekeyswereattheseatofgovernmentatPlazac.If,therefore,ithadbeenpossibletotheTurkishmarauderstogainentranceandexit,itmightbeadifficultaswellasadangeroustasktotrytocuttheVoivodeout.Hispresencewiththemwasadangerousmenacetoanyforceattackingthem,fortheywouldholdhislifeasathreat.

IconsultedwiththeVladikaatonceastowhatwasbesttobedone.Andwedecidedthat,thoughweshouldputacordonofguardsarounditatasafedistancetopreventthemreceivingwarning,weshouldatpresentmakenoattack.

Wemadefurtherinquiryastowhethertherehadbeenanyvesselseenintheneighbourhoodduringthepastfewdays,andwereinformedthatonceortwiceawarshiphadbeenseenonthenearsideofthesouthernhorizon.ThiswasevidentlytheshipwhichRookehadseenonhisrushdownthecoastaftertheabductionoftheVoivodin,andwhichhehadidentifiedasaTurkishvessel.Theglimpsesofherwhichhadbeenhadwereallinfulldaylight—therewasnoproofthatshehadnotstolenupduringthenight-timewithoutlights.ButtheVladikaandIweresatisfiedthattheTurkishvesselwaswatching—wasinleaguewithbothpartiesofmarauders—andwasintendedtotakeoffanyofthestrangers,ortheirprey,whomightreachIlsinundetected.ItwasevidentlywiththisviewthatthekidnappersofTeutahad,inthefirstinstance,madewithallspeedforthesouth.Itwasonlywhendisappointedtherethattheyheadedupnorth,seekingindesperationforsomechanceofcrossingtheborder.Thatringofsteelhadsofarwellserveditspurpose.

IsentforRooke,andputthematterbeforehim.Hehadthoughtitoutforhimselftothesameendaswehad.Hisdeductionwas:

“Letuskeepthecordon,andwatchforanysignalfromtheSilentTower.TheTurkswilltirebeforeweshall.IundertaketowatchtheTurkishwarship.DuringthenightIshallrundownsouth,withoutlights,andhavealookather,evenifIhavetowaittillthegreyofthedawntodoso.Shemayseeus;butif

shedoesIshallcrawlawayatsuchpacethatsheshallnotgetanyideaofourspeed.Shewillcertainlycomenearerbeforeadayisover,forbesurethebureauofspiesiskeptadvised,andtheyknowthatwhenthecountryisawakeeachdayincreasesthehazardofthemandtheirplansbeingdiscovered.FromtheircautionIgatherthattheydonotcourtdiscovery;andfromthatthattheydonotwishforanopendeclarationofwar.Ifthisbeso,whyshouldwenotcomeouttothemandforceanissueifneedbe?”

WhenTeutaandIgotachancetobealone,wediscussedthesituationineveryphase.Thepoorgirlwasinadreadfulstateofanxietyregardingherfather’ssafety.Atfirstshewashardlyabletospeak,oreventothink,coherently.Herutterancewaschoked,andherreasoningpalsiedwithindignation.Butpresentlythefightingbloodofherracerestoredherfaculties,andthenherwoman’squickwitwasworththereasoningofacampfullofmen.Seeingthatshewasallonfirewiththesubject,Isatstillandwaited,takingcarenottointerrupther.Forquitealongtimeshesatstill,whilstthecomingnightthickened.Whenshespoke,thewholeplanofaction,basedonsubtlethinking,hadmappeditselfoutinhermind:

“Wemustactquickly.Everyhourincreasestherisktomyfather.”Herehervoicebrokeforaninstant;butsherecoveredherselfandwenton:

“Ifyougototheship,Imustnotgowithyou.Itwouldnotdoformetobeseen.TheCaptaindoubtlessknowsofbothattempts:thattocarrymeoffaswellasthatagainstmyfather.Asyetheisinignoranceofwhathashappened.Youandyourpartyofbrave,loyalmendidtheirworksowellthatnonewscouldgoforth.Solong,therefore,asthenavalCaptainisignorant,hemustdelaytillthelast.Butifhesawmehewouldknowthatthatbranchoftheventurehadmiscarried.Hewouldgatherfromourbeingherethatwehadnewsofmyfather’scapture,andashewouldknowthatthemarauderswouldfailunlesstheywererelievedbyforce,hewouldorderthecaptivetobeslain.”

“Yes,dear,to-morrowyouhad,perhaps,betterseetheCaptain,butto-nightwemusttrytorescuemyfather.HereIthinkIseeaway.Youhaveyouraeroplane.PleasetakemewithyouintotheSilentTower.”

“Notforaworldofchrysolite!”saidI,horrified.Shetookmyhandandheldittightwhilstshewenton:

“Dear,Iknow,Iknow!Besatisfied.Butitistheonlyway.Youcan,Iknow,getthere,andinthedark.Butifyouweretogoinit,itwouldgivewarningtotheenemies,andbesides,myfatherwouldnotunderstand.Remember,hedoesnotknowyou;hehasneverseenyou,anddoesnot,Isuppose,evenknowasyetofyourexistence.Buthewouldknowmeatonce,andinanydress.YoucanmanagetolowermeintotheTowerbyaropefromtheaeroplane.TheTurksasyetdonotknowofourpursuit,anddoubtless

rely,atalleventsinpart,onthestrengthandsecurityoftheTower.Thereforetheirguardwillbelessactivethanitwouldatfirstorlateron.Ishallpostfatherinalldetails,andweshallbereadyquickly.Now,dear,letusthinkouttheschemetogether.Letyourman’switandexperiencehelpmyignorance,andweshallsavemyfather!”

HowcouldIhaveresistedsuchpleading—evenhaditnotseemedwise?Butwiseitwas;andI,whoknewwhattheaeroplanecoulddoundermyownguidance,sawatoncethepracticalitiesofthescheme.Ofcoursetherewasadreadfulriskincaseanythingshouldgowrong.Butweareatpresentlivinginaworldofrisks—andherfather’slifewasatstake.SoItookmydearwifeinmyarms,andtoldherthatmymindwashersforthis,asmysoulandbodyalreadywere.AndIcheeredherbysayingthatIthoughtitmightbedone.

IsentforRooke,andtoldhimofthenewadventure,andhequiteagreedwithmeinthewisdomofit.IthentoldhimthathewouldhavetogoandinterviewtheCaptainoftheTurkishwarshipinthemorning,ifIdidnotturnup.“IamgoingtoseetheVladika,”Isaid.“HewillleadourowntroopsintheattackontheSilentTower.Butitwillrestwithyoutodealwiththewarship.AsktheCaptaintowhomorwhatnationtheshipbelongs.Heissuretorefusetotell.Insuchcasementiontohimthatifhefliesnonation’sflag,hisvesselisapirateship,andthatyou,whoareincommandofthenavyoftheBlueMountains,willdealwithhimasapirateisdealtwith—noquarter,nomercy.Hewilltemporize,andperhapstryabluff;butwhenthingsgetseriouswithhimhewilllandaforce,ortryto,andmayevenpreparetoshellthetown.Hewillthreatento,atanyrate.Insuchcasedealwithhimasyouthinkbest,orasneartoitasyoucan.”Heanswered:

“Ishallcarryoutyourwisheswithmylife.Itisarighteoustask.Notthatanythingofthatsortwouldeverstandinmyway.Ifheattacksournation,eitherasaTurkorapirate,Ishallwipehimout.Weshallseewhatourownlittlepacketcando.Moreover,anyofthemarauderswhohaveenteredtheBlueMountains,fromseaorotherwise,shallnevergetoutbysea!Itakeitthatweofmycontingentshallcovertheattackingparty.ItwillbeasorrytimeforusallifthathappenswithoutourseeingyouandtheVoivodin;forinsuchcaseweshallunderstandtheworst!”Ironashewas,themantrembled.

“Thatisso,Rooke,”Isaid.“Wearetakingadesperatechance,weknow.Butthecaseisdesperate!Butweallhaveourdutytodo,whateverhappens.Oursandyoursisstern;butwhenwehavedoneit,theresultwillbethatlifewillbeeasierforothers—forthosethatareleft.”

Beforeheleft,IaskedhimtosenduptomethreesuitsoftheMastermanbullet-proofclothesofwhichwehadasupplyontheyacht.

“TwoarefortheVoivodinandmyself,”Isaid;“thethirdisfortheVoivode

toputon.TheVoivodinwilltakeitwithherwhenshedescendsfromtheaeroplaneintotheTower.”

WhilstanydaylightwasleftIwentouttosurveytheground.Mywifewantedtocomewithme,butIwouldnotlether.“No,”saidI;“youwillhaveatthebestafearfultaxonyourstrengthandyournerves.Youwillwanttobeasfreshasispossiblewhenyougetontheaeroplane.”Likeagoodwife,sheobeyed,andlaydowntorestinthelittletentprovidedforher.

Itookwithmealocalmanwhoknewtheground,andwhowastrustedtobesilent.WemadealongdetourwhenwehadgotasneartheSilentToweraswecouldwithoutbeingnoticed.Imadenotesfrommycompassastodirections,andtookgoodnoticeofanythingthatcouldpossiblyserveasalandmark.BythetimewegothomeIwasprettywellsatisfiedthatifallshouldgowellIcouldeasilysailovertheTowerinthedark.ThenIhadatalkwithmywife,andgaveherfullinstructions:

“WhenwearriveovertheTower,”Isaid,“Ishallloweryouwithalongrope.Youwillhaveaparceloffoodandspiritforyourfatherincaseheisfatiguedorfaint;and,ofcourse,thebullet-proofsuit,whichhemustputonatonce.Youwillalsohaveashortropewithabeltateitherend—oneforyourfather,theotherforyou.WhenIturntheaeroplaneandcomebackagain,youwillhavereadytheringwhichliesmidwaybetweenthebelts.Thisyouwillcatchintothehookattheendoftheloweredrope.Whenallissecure,andIhavepulledyoubothupbythewindlasssoastoclearthetop,Ishallthrowoutballastwhichweshallcarryonpurpose,andawaywego!Iamsorryitmustbesouncomfortableforyouboth,butthereisnootherway.WhenwegetwellclearoftheTower,Ishalltakeyoubothupontheplatform.Ifnecessary,Ishalldescendtodoit—andthenweshallsteerforIlsin.”

“Whenallissafe,ourmenwillattacktheTower.Wemustletthemdoit,fortheyexpectit.Afewmenintheclothesandarmswhichwetookfromyourcaptorswillbepursuedbysomeofours.Itisallarranged.TheywillasktheTurkstoadmitthem,andifthelatterhavenotlearnedofyourfather’sescape,perhapstheywilldoso.Oncein,ourmenwilltrytoopenthegate.Thechancesareagainstthem,poorfellows!buttheyareallvolunteers,andwilldiefighting.Iftheywinout,greatglorywillbetheirs.”

“Themoondoesnotriseto-nighttilljustbeforemidnight,sowehaveplentyoftime.Weshallstartfromhereatten.Ifallbewell,IshallplaceyouintheTowerwithyourfatherinlessthanaquarter-hourfromthat.Afewminuteswillsufficetoclothehiminbullet-proofandgetonhisbelt.IshallnotbeawayfromtheTowermorethanaveryfewminutes,and,pleaseGod,longbeforeelevenweshallbesafe.ThentheTowercanbewoninanattackbyourmountaineers.Perhaps,whenthegunsareheardontheshipofwar—

forthereissuretobefiring—theCaptainmaytrytolandashoreparty.ButRookewillstandintheway,andifIknowthemanandTheLady,weshallnotbetroubledwithmanyTurksto-night.BymidnightyouandyourfathercanbeonthewaytoVissarion.IcaninterviewthenavalCaptaininthemorning.”

Mywife’smarvellouscourageandself-possessionstoodtoher.Athalfanhourbeforethetimefixedshewasreadyforouradventure.Shehadimprovedtheschemeinonedetail.Shehadputonherownbeltandcoiledtheroperoundherwaist,sotheonlydelaywouldbeinbringingherfather’sbelt.Shewouldkeepthebullet-proofdressintendedtobehisstrappedinapacketonherback,sothatifoccasionshouldbefavourablehewouldnotwanttoputitontillheandsheshouldhavereachedtheplatformoftheaeroplane.Insuchcase,IshouldnotsteerawayfromtheToweratall,butwouldpassslowlyacrossitandtakeupthecaptiveandhisbravedaughterbeforeleaving.IhadlearnedfromlocalsourcesthattheTowerwasinseveralstories.Entrancewasbythefoot,wherethegreatiron-claddoorwas;thencameliving-roomsandstorage,andanopenspaceatthetop.Thiswouldprobablybethoughtthebestplacefortheprisoner,foritwasdeep-sunkwithinthemassivewalls,whereinwasnoloopholeofanykind.This,ifitshouldsohappen,wouldbethedispositionofthingsbestforourplan.TheguardswouldatthistimebeallinsidetheTower—probablyresting,mostofthem—sothatitwaspossiblethatnoonemightnoticethecomingoftheairship.Iwasafraidtothinkthatallmightturnoutsowell,forinsuchcaseourtaskwouldbeasimpleenoughone,andwouldinallhumanprobabilitybecrownedwithsuccess.

Atteno’clockwestarted.Teutadidnotshowthesmallestsignoffearorevenuneasiness,thoughthiswasthefirsttimeshehadevenseenanaeroplaneatwork.Sheprovedtobeanadmirablepassengerforanairship.Shestayedquitestill,holdingherselfrigidlyinthepositionarranged,bythecordswhichIhadfixedforher.

WhenIhadtruedmycoursebythelandmarksandwiththecompasslitbytheTinymyelectriclightinthedarkbox,Ihadtimetolookaboutme.AllseemedquitedarkwhereverIlooked—toland,orsea,orsky.Butdarknessisrelative,andthougheachquarterandspotlookeddarkinturn,therewasnotsuchabsolutedarknessasawhole.Icouldtellthedifference,forinstance,betweenlandandsea,nomatterhowfaroffwemightbefromeither.Lookingupward,theskywasdark;yettherewaslightenoughtosee,andevendistinguishbroadeffects.IhadnodifficultyindistinguishingtheTowertowardswhichweweremoving,andthat,afterall,wasthemainthing.Wedriftedslowly,veryslowly,astheairwasstill,andIonlyusedtheminimumpressurenecessaryfortheengine.IthinkInowunderstoodforthefirsttimetheextraordinaryvalueoftheenginewithwhichmyKitsonwasequipped.Itwasnoiseless,itwaspracticallyofnoweight,anditallowedthemachineto

progressaseasilyastheold-fashionedballoonusedtodriftbeforeabreeze.Teuta,whohadnaturallyveryfinesight,seemedtoseeevenbetterthanIdid,foraswedrewnearertotheTower,anditsround,opentopbegantoarticulateitself,shecommencedtoprepareforherpartofthetask.Sheitwaswhouncoiledthelongdrag-ropereadyforherlowering.WewereproceedingsogentlythatsheaswellasIhadhopesthatImightbeabletoactuallybalancethemachineonthetopofthecurvingwall—athingmanifestlyimpossibleonastraightsurface,thoughitmighthavebeenpossibleonanangle.

Onwecrept—on,andon!TherewasnosignoflightabouttheTower,andnotthefaintestsoundtobeheardtillwewerealmostclosetothelineoftherisingwall;thenweheardasoundofsomethinglikemirth,butmuffledbydistanceandthickwalls.Fromitwetookfreshheart,forittoldusthatourenemiesweregatheredinthelowerchambers.IfonlytheVoivodeshouldbeontheupperstage,allwouldbewell.

Slowly,almostinchbyinch,andwithasuspensethatwasagonizing,wecrossedsometwentyorthirtyfeetabovethetopofthewall.IcouldseeaswecamenearthejaggedlineofwhitepatcheswheretheheadsofthemassacredTurksplacedthereonspikesinolddaysseemedtogivestilltheirgrimwarning.Seeingthattheymadeinthemselvesadifficultyoflandingonthewall,Ideflectedtheplanesothat,aswecreptoverthewall,wemight,iftheybecamedisplaced,brushthemtotheoutsideofthewall.Afewsecondsmore,andIwasabletobringthemachinetorestwiththefrontoftheplatformjuttingoutbeyondtheTowerwall.HereIanchoredherforeandaftwithclampswhichhadbeenalreadyprepared.

WhilstIwasdoingsoTeutahadleanedovertheinneredgeoftheplatform,andwhisperedassoftlyasthesighofagentlebreeze:

“Hist!hist!”Theanswercameinasimilarsoundfromsometwentyfeetbelowus,andweknewthattheprisonerwasalone.Forthwith,havingfixedthehookoftheropeintheringtowhichwasattachedherbelt,Iloweredmywife.Herfatherevidentlyknewherwhisper,andwasready.ThehollowTower—asmoothcylinderwithin—sentupthevoicesfromitfaintaswerethewhispers:

“Father,itisI—Teuta!”

“Mychild,mybravedaughter!”

“Quick,father;strapthebeltroundyou.Seethatitissecure.Wehavetobeliftedintotheairifnecessary.Holdtogether.ItwillbeeasierforRuperttoliftustotheairship.”

“Rupert?”

“Yes;Ishallexplainlater.Quick,quick!Thereisnotamomenttolose.Heisenormouslystrong,andcanliftustogether;butwemusthelphimbybeingstill,sohewon’thavetousethewindlass,whichmightcreak.”Asshespokeshejerkedslightlyattherope,whichwasourpreconcertedsignalthatIwastolift.Iwasafraidthewindlassmightcreak,andherthoughtfulhintdecidedme.Ibentmybacktothetask,andinafewsecondstheywereontheplatformonwhichthey,atTeuta’ssuggestion,layflat,oneateachsideofmyseat,soastokeepthebestbalancepossible.

Itookofftheclamps,liftedthebagsofballasttothetopofthewall,sothatthereshouldbenosoundoffalling,andstartedtheengine.Themachinemovedforwardafewinches,sothatittiltedtowardstheoutsideofthewall.Ithrewmyweightonthefrontpartoftheplatform,andwecommencedourdownwardfallatasharpangle.Asecondenlargedtheangle,andwithoutfurtheradoweslidawayintothedarkness.Then,ascendingaswewent,whentheenginebegantoworkatitsstrength,weturned,andpresentlymadestraightforIlsin.

Thejourneywasshort—notmanyminutes.Italmostseemedasifnotimewhateverhadelapsedtillwesawbelowusthegleamoflights,andbythemsawagreatbodyofmengatheredinmilitaryarray.Weslackenedanddescended.Thecrowdkeptdeathlysilence,butwhenwewereamongstthemweneedednotellingthatitwasnotduetolackofheartorabsenceofjoy.Thepressureoftheirhandsastheysurroundedus,andthedevotionwithwhichtheykissedthehandsandfeetofboththeVoivodeandhisdaughter,wereevidenceenoughforme,evenhadInothadmyownshareoftheirgratefulrejoicing.

Inthemidstofitallthelow,sternvoiceofRooke,whohadburstawaytothefrontbesidetheVladika,said:

“NowisthetimetoattacktheTower.Forward,brothers,butinsilence.Lettherenotbeasoundtillyouarenearthegate;thenplayyourlittlecomedyoftheescapingmarauders.And’twillbenocomedyforthemintheTower.Theyachtisallreadyforthemorning,Mr.SentLeger,incaseIdonotcomeoutofthescrimmageifthebluejacketsarrive.Insuchcaseyouwillhavetohandleheryourself.Godkeepyou,myLady;andyou,too,Voivode!Forward!”

Inaghostlysilencethegrimlittlearmymovedforwards.RookeandthemenwithhimdisappearedintothedarknessinthedirectionoftheharbourofIlsin.

FROMTHESCRIPTOFTHEVOIVODE,PETERVISSARION,

July7,1907.

Ihadlittleidea,whenIstartedonmyhomewardjourney,thatitwouldhavesuchastrangetermination.EvenI,whoeversincemyboyhoodhavelivedinawhirlofadventure,intrigue,ordiplomacy—whicheveritmaybecalled—statecraft,andwar,hadreasontobesurprised.IcertainlythoughtthatwhenIlockedmyselfintomyroominthehotelatIlsinthatIwouldhaveatlastaspell,howevershort,ofquiet.AllthetimeofmyprolongednegotiationswiththevariousnationalitiesIhadtobeattension;so,too,onmyhomewardjourney,lestsomethingatthelastmomentshouldhappenadverselytomymission.ButwhenIwassafeonmyownLandoftheBlueMountains,andlaidmyheadonmypillow,whereonlyfriendscouldbearoundme,IthoughtImightforgetcare.

Buttowakewitharudehandovermymouth,andtofeelmyselfgraspedtightbysomanyhandsthatIcouldnotmovealimb,wasadreadfulshock.Allafterthatwaslikeadreadfuldream.IwasrolledinagreatrugsotightlythatIcouldhardlybreathe,letalonecryout.Liftedbymanyhandsthroughthewindow,whichIcouldhearwassoftlyopenedandshutforthepurpose,andcarriedtoaboat.Againliftedintosomesortoflitter,onwhichIwasbornealongdistance,butwithconsiderablerapidity.Againliftedoutanddraggedthroughadoorwayopenedonpurpose—Icouldheartheclangasitwasshutbehindme.Thentherugwasremoved,andIfoundmyself,stillinmynight-gear,inthemidstofaringofmen.Thereweretwoscoreofthem,allTurks,allstrong-looking,resolutemen,armedtotheteeth.Myclothes,whichhadbeentakenfrommyroom,werethrowndownbesideme,andIwastoldtodress.AstheTurksweregoingfromtheroom—shapedlikeavault—wherewethenwere,thelastofthem,whoseemedtobesomesortofofficer,said:

“IfyoucryoutormakeanynoisewhateverwhilstyouareinthisTower,youshalldiebeforeyourtime!”Presentlysomefoodandwaterwerebroughtme,andacoupleofblankets.Iwrappedmyselfupandslepttillearlyinthemorning.Breakfastwasbrought,andthesamemenfiledin.Inthepresenceofthemallthesameofficersaid:

“IhavegiveninstructionsthatifyoumakeanynoiseorbetrayyourpresencetoanyoneoutsidethisTower,thenearestmanistorestoreyoutoimmediatequietwithhisyataghan.ItyoupromisemethatyouwillremainquietwhilstyouarewithintheTower,Icanenlargeyourlibertiessomewhat.Doyoupromise?”Ipromisedashewished;therewasnoneedtomakenecessaryanystrictermeasureofconfinement.Anychanceofescapelayinhavingtheutmostfreedomallowedtome.AlthoughIhadbeentakenawaywithsuchsecrecy,Iknewthatbeforelongtherewouldbepursuit.SoIwaitedwithwhatpatienceIcould.Iwasallowedtogoontheupperplatform—aconsiderationdue,Iamconvinced,tomycaptors’wishfortheirowncomfort

ratherthanformine.

Itwasnotverycheering,forduringthedaytimeIhadsatisfiedmyselfthatitwouldbequiteimpossibleforevenayoungerandmoreactivemanthanIamtoclimbthewalls.Theywerebuiltforprisonpurposes,andacatcouldnotfindentryforitsclawsbetweenthestones.IresignedmyselftomyfateaswellasIcould.Wrappingmyblanketroundme,Ilaydownandlookedupatthesky.IwishedtoseeitwhilstIcould.Iwasjustdroppingtosleep—theunutterablesilenceoftheplacebrokenonlynowandagainbysomeremarkbymycaptorsintheroomsbelowme—whentherewasastrangeappearancejustoverme—anappearancesostrangethatIsatup,andgazedwithdistendedeyes.

Acrossthetopofthetower,someheightabove,drifted,slowlyandsilently,agreatplatform.Althoughthenightwasdark,itwassomuchdarkerwhereIwaswithinthehollowoftheTowerthatIcouldactuallyseewhatwasaboveme.Iknewitwasanaeroplane—oneofwhichIhadseeninWashington.Amanwasseatedinthecentre,steering;andbesidehimwasasilentfigureofawomanallwrappedinwhite.Itmademyheartbeattoseeher,forshewasfiguredsomethinglikemyTeuta,butbroader,lessshapely.Sheleanedover,andawhispered“Ssh!”creptdowntome.Iansweredinsimilarway.Whereuponsherose,andthemanloweredherdownintotheTower.ThenIsawthatitwasmydeardaughterwhohadcomeinthiswonderfulwaytosaveme.Withinfinitehasteshehelpedmetofastenroundmywaistabeltattachedtoarope,whichwascoiledroundher;andthentheman,whowasagiantinstrengthaswellasstature,raisedusbothtotheplatformoftheaeroplane,whichhesetinmotionwithoutaninstant’sdelay.

Withinafewseconds,andwithoutanydiscoverybeingmadeofmyescape,wewerespeedingtowardsthesea.ThelightsofIlsinwereinfrontofus.Beforereachingthetown,however,wedescendedinthemidstofalittlearmyofmyownpeople,whoweregatheredreadytoadvanceupontheSilentTower,theretoeffect,ifnecessary,myrescuebyforce.Smallchancewouldtherehavebeenofmylifeincaseofsuchastruggle.Happily,however,thedevotionandcourageofmydeardaughterandofhergallantcompanionpreventedsuchanecessity.Itwasstrangetometofindsuchjoyousreceptionamongstmyfriendsexpressedinsuchawhisperedsilence.Therewasnotimeforcommentorunderstandingortheaskingofquestions—Iwasfaintotakethingsastheystood,andwaitforfullerexplanation.

Thiscamelater,whenmydaughterandIwereabletoconversealone.

WhentheexpeditionwentoutagainsttheSilentTower,TeutaandIwenttohertent,andwithuscamehergiganticcompanion,whoseemednotwearied,butalmostovercomewithsleep.Whenwecameintothetent,overwhichata

littledistanceacordonofourmountaineersstoodonguard,hesaidtome:

“MayIaskyou,sir,topardonmeforatime,andallowtheVoivodintoexplainmatterstoyou?Shewill,Iknow,sofarassistme,forthereissomuchworkstilltobedonebeforewearefreeofthepresentperil.Formyself,Iamalmostovercomewithsleep.ForthreenightsIhavehadnosleep,butallduringthattimemuchlabourandmoreanxiety.Icouldholdonlonger;butatdaybreakImustgoouttotheTurkishwarshipthatliesintheoffing.SheisaTurk,thoughshedoesnotconfesstoit;andsheitiswhohasbroughthitherthemarauderswhocapturedbothyourdaughterandyourself.ItisneedfulthatIgo,forIholdapersonalauthorityfromtheNationalCounciltotakewhateverstepmaybenecessaryforourprotection.AndwhenIgoIshouldbeclear-headed,forwarmayrestonthatmeeting.Ishallbeintheadjoiningtent,andshallcomeatonceifIamsummoned,incaseyouwishformebeforedawn.”Heremydaughterstruckin:

“Father,askhimtoremainhere.Weshallnotdisturbhim,Iamsure,inourtalking.And,moreover,ifyouknewhowmuchIowetohim—tohisownbraveryandhisstrength—youwouldunderstandhowmuchsaferIfeelwhenheisclosetome,thoughwearesurroundedbyanarmyofourbravemountaineers.”

“But,mydaughter,”Isaid,forIwasasyetallinignorance,“thereareconfidencesbetweenfatheranddaughterwhichnoneothermayshare.SomeofwhathasbeenIknow,butIwanttoknowall,anditmightbebetterthatnostranger—howevervalianthemaybe,ornomatterinwhatmeasureweareboundtohim—shouldbepresent.”Tomyastonishment,shewhohadalwaysbeenamenabletomylightestwishactuallyarguedwithme:

“Father,thereareotherconfidenceswhichhavetoberespectedinlikewise.Bearwithme,dear,tillIhavetoldyouall,andIamrightsurethatyouwillagreewithme.Iaskit,father.”

Thatsettledthematter,andasIcouldseethatthegallantgentlemanwhohad rescuedmewas swayingonhis feet as hewaited respectfully, I said tohim:

“Restwithus,sir.Weshallwatchoveryoursleep.”

ThenIhadtohelphim,foralmostontheinstanthesankdown,andIhadtoguidehimtotherugsspreadontheground.Inafewsecondshewasinadeepsleep.AsIstoodlookingathim,tillIhadrealizedthathevasreallyasleep,IcouldnothelpmarvellingatthebountyofNaturethatcouldupholdevensuchamanasthistothelastmomentofworktobedone,andthenallowsoswiftacollapsewhenallwasover,andhecouldrestpeacefully.

Hewascertainlyasplendidfellow.IthinkIneversawsofineaman

physicallyinmylife.Andifthelessonofhisphysiognomybetrue,heisassterlinginwardlyashisexternalisfair.“Now,”saidItoTeuta,“wearetoallintentsquitealone.Tellmeallthathasbeen,sothatImayunderstand.”

Whereuponmydaughter,makingmesitdown,kneltbesideme,andtoldmefromendtoendthemostmarvellousstoryIhadeverheardorreadof.SomethingofitIhadalreadyknownfromtheArchbishopPaleologue’slaterletters,butofallelseIwasignorant.FarawayinthegreatWestbeyondtheAtlantic,andagainonthefringeoftheEasternseas,Ihadbeenthrilledtomyheart’scorebytheheroicdevotionandfortitudeofmydaughterinyieldingherselfforhercountry’ssaketothatfearfulordealoftheCrypt;ofthegriefofthenationatherreporteddeath,newsofwhichwassomercifullyandwiselywithheldfrommeaslongaspossible;ofthesupernaturalrumoursthattookrootsodeep;butnowordorhinthadcometomeofamanwhohadcomeacrosstheorbitofherlife,muchlessofallthathasresultedfromit.NeitherhadIknownofherbeingcarriedoff,orofthethricegallantrescueofherbyRupert.LittlewonderthatIthoughtsohighlyofhimevenatthefirstmomentIhadaclearviewofhimwhenhesankdowntosleepbeforeme.Why,themanmustbeamarvel.Evenourmountaineerscouldnotmatchsuchenduranceashis.Inthecourseofhernarrativemydaughtertoldmeofhow,beingweariedwithherlongwaitinginthetomb,andwakingtofindherselfalonewhenthefloodswereout,andeventheCryptsubmerged,shesoughtsafetyandwarmthelsewhere;andhowshecametotheCastleinthenight,andfoundthestrangemanalone.Isaid:“Thatwasdangerous,daughter,ifnotwrong.Theman,braveanddevotedasheis,mustanswerme—yourfather.”Atthatshewasgreatlyupset,andbeforegoingonwithhernarrative,drewmecloseinherarms,andwhisperedtome:

“Begentletome,father,forIhavehadmuchtobear.Andbegoodtohim,forheholdsmyheartinhisbreast!”Ireassuredherwithagentlepressure—therewasnoneedtospeak.Shethenwentontotellmeabouthermarriage,andhowherhusband,whohadfallenintothebeliefthatshewasaVampire,haddeterminedtogiveevenhissoulforher;andhowshehadonthenightofthemarriagelefthimandgonebacktothetombtoplaytotheendthegrimcomedywhichshehadundertakentoperformtillmyreturn;andhow,onthesecondnightafterhermarriage,asshewasinthegardenoftheCastle—going,assheshylytoldme,toseeifallwaswellwithherhusband—shewasseizedsecretly,muffledup,bound,andcarriedoff.Hereshemadeapauseandadigression.Evidentlysomefearlestherhusbandandmyselfshouldquarrelassailedher,forshesaid:

“Dounderstand,father,thatRupert’smarriagetomewasinallwaysregular,andquiteinaccordwithourcustoms.BeforeweweremarriedItoldtheArchbishopofmywish.He,asyourrepresentativeduringyourabsence,

consentedhimself,andbroughtthemattertothenoticeoftheVladikaandtheArchimandrites.Alltheseconcurred,havingexactedfromme—veryproperly,Ithink—asacredpromisetoadheretomyself-appointedtask.Themarriageitselfwasorthodoxinallways—thoughsofarunusualthatitwasheldatnight,andindarkness,saveforthelightsappointedbytheritual.Astothat,theArchbishophimself,ortheArchimandriteofSpazac,whoassistedhim,ortheVladika,whoactedasParanymph,will,alloranyofthem,giveyoufulldetails.YourrepresentativemadeallinquiriesastoRupertSentLeger,wholivedinVissarion,thoughhedidnotknowwhoIwas,orfromhispointofviewwhoIhadbeen.ButImusttellyouofmyrescue.”

And so she went on to tell me of that unavailing journey south by hercaptors;oftheirbafflementbythecordonwhichRuperthadestablishedatthefirstwordofdangerto“thedaughterofourleader,”thoughhelittleknewwhothe “leader” was, or who was his “daughter”; of how the brutal marauderstorturedhertospeedwiththeirdaggers;andhowherwoundsleftblood-markson the ground as she passed along; then of the halt in the valley,when themarauders came to know that their road north wasmenaced, if not alreadyblocked; of the choosing of themurderers, and their keepingward over herwhilsttheircompanionswenttosurveythesituation;andofhergallantrescueby that noble fellow, her husband—my son I shall call him henceforth, andthankGodthatImayhavethathappinessandthathonour!

ThenmydaughterwentontotellmeoftheracebacktoVissarion,whenRupert went ahead of all—as a leader should do; of the summoning of theArchbishopandtheNationalCouncil;andoftheirplacingthenation’shandjarinRupert’shand;of thejourneytoIlsin,andtheflightofmydaughter—andmyson—ontheaeroplane.

TherestIknew.

Asshefinished,thesleepingmanstirredandwoke—broadawakeinasecond—suresignofamanaccustomedtocampaignandadventure.Ataglanceherecalledeverythingthathadbeen,andsprangtohisfeet.Hestoodrespectfullybeforemeforafewsecondsbeforespeaking.Thenhesaid,withanopen,engagingsmile:

“Isee,sir,youknowall.AmIforgiven—forTeuta’ssakeaswellasmyown?”BythistimeIwasalsoonmyfeet.Amanlikethatwalksstraightintomyheart.Mydaughter,too,hadrisen,andstoodbymyside.Iputoutmyhandandgraspedhis,whichseemedtoleaptomeetme—asonlythehandofaswordsmancando.

“Iamgladyouaremyson!”Isaid.ItwasallIcouldsay,andImeantitandallitimplied.Weshookhandswarmly.Teutawaspleased;shekissedme,andthenstoodholdingmyarmwithonehand,whilstshelinkedherother

handinthearmofherhusband.

Hesummonedoneofthesentrieswithout,andtoldhimtoaskCaptainRooketocometohim.Thelatterhadbeenreadyforacall,andcameatonce.Whenthroughtheopenflapofthetentwesawhimcoming,Rupert—asImustcallhimnow,becauseTeutawishesit;andIliketodoitmyself—said:

“ImustbeofftoboardtheTurkishvesselbeforeitcomesinshore.Good-bye,sir,incasewedonotmeetagain.”HesaidthelastfewwordsinsolowavoicethatIonlycouldhearthem.Thenhekissedhiswife,andtoldherheexpectedtobebackintimeforbreakfast,andwasgone.HemetRooke—IamhardlyaccustomedtocallhimCaptainasyet,though,indeed,hewelldeservesit—attheedgeofthecordonofsentries,andtheywentquicklytogethertowardstheport,wheretheyachtwaslyingwithsteamup.

BOOKVII:THEEMPIREOFTHEAIR

FROM THE REPORT OF CRISTOFEROS, WAR-SCRIBE TO THENATIONALCOUNCIL.

July7,1907.

WhentheGospodarRupertandCaptainRookecamewithinhailingdistanceofthestrangeship,theformerhailedher,usingoneafteranotherthelanguagesofEngland,Germany,France,Russia,Turkey,Greece,Spain,Portugal,andanotherwhichIdidnotknow;IthinkitmusthavebeenAmerican.BythistimethewholelineofthebulwarkwascoveredbyarowofTurkishfaces.When,inTurkish,theGospodaraskedfortheCaptain,thelattercametothegangway,whichhadbeenopened,andstoodthere.HisuniformwasthatoftheTurkishnavy—ofthatIampreparedtoswear—buthemadesignsofnotunderstandingwhathadbeensaid;whereupontheGospodarspokeagain,butinFrenchthistime.Iappendtheexactconversationwhichtookplace,noneotherjoininginit.Itookdowninshorthandthewordsofbothastheywerespoken:

TheGospodar.“AreyoutheCaptainofthisship?”

TheCaptain.“Iam.”

Gospodar.“Towhatnationalitydoyoubelong?”

Captain.“Itmattersnot.IamCaptainofthisship.”

Gospodar.“Ialludedtoyourship.Whatnationalflagissheunder?”

Captain(throwinghiseyeoverthetop-hamper).“Idonotseethatanyflag

isflying.”

Gospodar.“Itakeitthat,ascommander,youcanallowmeonboardwithmytwocompanions?”

Captain.“Ican,uponproperrequestbeingmade!”

Gospodar(takingoffhiscap).“Iaskyourcourtesy,Captain.IamtherepresentativeandaccreditedofficeroftheNationalCounciloftheLandoftheBlueMountains,inwhosewatersyounoware;andontheiraccountIaskforaformalinterviewonurgentmatters.”

TheTurk,whowas,Iamboundtosay,inmannermostcourteousasyet,gave some command to his officers, whereupon the companion-ladders andstagewereloweredandthegangwaymanned,asisusualforthereceptiononashipofwarofanhonouredguest.

Captain.“Youarewelcome,sir—youandyourtwocompanions—asyourequest.”

TheGospodarbowed.Ourcompanion-ladderwasriggedontheinstant,andalaunchlowered.TheGospodarandCaptainRooke—takingmewiththem—entered,androwedtothewarship,wherewewereallhonourablyreceived.Therewereanimmensenumberofmenonboard,soldiersaswellasseamen.Itlookedmorelikeawarlikeexpeditionthanafighting-shipintimeofpeace.Aswesteppedonthedeck,theseamenandmarines,whowereallarmedasatdrill,presentedarms.TheGospodarwentfirsttowardstheCaptain,andCaptainRookeandIfollowedclosebehindhim.TheGospodarspoke:

“IamRupertSentLeger,asubjectofhisBritannicMajesty,presentlyresidingatVissarion,intheLandoftheBlueMountains.IamatpresentempoweredtoactfortheNationalCouncilinallmatters.Hereismycredential!”AshespokehehandedtotheCaptainaletter.Itwaswritteninfivedifferentlanguages—Balkan,Turkish,Greek,English,andFrench.TheCaptainreaditcarefullyallthrough,forgetfulforthemomentthathehadseeminglybeenunabletounderstandtheGospodar’squestionspokenintheTurkishtongue.Thenheanswered:

“Iseethedocumentiscomplete.MayIaskonwhatsubjectyouwishtoseeme?”

Gospodar.“YouarehereinashipofwarinBlueMountainwaters,yetyouflynoflagofanynation.Youhavesentarmedmenashoreinyourboats,thuscommittinganactofwar.TheNationalCounciloftheLandoftheBlueMountainsrequirestoknowwhatnationyouserve,andwhytheobligationsofinternationallawarethusbroken.”

TheCaptainseemedtowaitforfurtherspeech,buttheGospodarremainedsilent;whereupontheformerspoke.

Captain.“Iamresponsibletomyown—chiefs.Irefusetoansweryourquestion.”

TheGospodarspokeatonceinreply.

Gospodar.“Then,sir,you,ascommanderofaship—andespeciallyashipofwar—mustknowthatinthusviolatingnationalandmaritimelawsyou,andallonboardthisship,areguiltyofanactofpiracy.Thisisnotevenpiracyonthehighseas.Youarenotmerelywithinterritorialwaters,butyouhaveinvadedanationalport.Asyourefusetodisclosethenationalityofyourship,Iaccept,asyouseemtodo,yourstatusasthatofapirate,andshallindueseasonactaccordingly.”

Captain(withmanifesthostility).“Iaccepttheresponsibilityofmyownacts.Withoutadmittingyourcontention,ItellyounowthatwhateveractionyoutakeshallbeatyourownperilandthatofyourNationalCouncil.Moreover,Ihavereasontobelievethatmymenwhoweresentashoreonspecialservicehavebeenbeleagueredinatowerwhichcanbeseenfromtheship.Beforedawnthismorningfiringwasheardfromthatdirection,fromwhichIgatherthatattackwasmadeonthem.They,beingonlyasmallparty,mayhavebeenmurdered.Ifsuchbeso,Itellyouthatyouandyourmiserablelittlenation,asyoucallit,shallpaysuchblood-moneyasyouneverthoughtof.Iamresponsibleforthis,and,byAllah!thereshallbeagreatrevenge.Youhavenotinallyournavy—ifnavyyouhaveatall—powertocopewithevenoneshiplikethis,whichisbutoneofmany.MygunsshallbetrainedonIlsin,towhichendIhavecomeinshore.Youandyourcompanionshavefreeconductbacktoport;suchisduetothewhiteflagwhichyoufly.Fifteenminuteswillbringyoubackwhenceyoucame.Go!Andrememberthatwhateveryoumaydoamongstyourmountaindefiles,atseayoucannotevendefendyourselves.”

Gospodar(slowlyandinaringingvoice).“TheLandoftheBlueMountainshasitsowndefencesonseaandland.Itspeopleknowhowtodefendthemselves.”

Captain(takingouthiswatch).“Itisnowcloseonfivebells.Atthefirststrokeofsixbellsourgunsshallopenfire.”

Gospodar(calmly).“Itismylastdutytowarnyou,sir—andtowarnallonthisship—thatmuchmayhappenbeforeeventhefirststrokeofsixbells.Bewarnedintime,andgiveoverthispiraticalattack,theverythreatofwhichmaybethecauseofmuchbloodshed.”

Captain(violently).“Doyoudaretothreatenme,and,moreover,my

ship’scompany?Weareone,Itellyou,inthisship;andthelastmanshallperishlikethefirsterethisenterprisefail.Go!”

Withabow,theGospodarturnedandwentdowntheladder,wefollowinghim.Inacoupleofminutestheyachtwasonherwaytotheport.

FROMRUPERT’SJOURNAL.

July10,1907.

WhenweturnedshorewardaftermystormyinterviewwiththepirateCaptain—Icancallhimnothingelseatpresent,Rookegaveorderstoaquartermasteronthebridge,andTheLadybegantomaketoalittlenorthwardofIlsinport.Rookehimselfwentafttothewheel-house,takingseveralmenwithhim.

Whenwewerequiteneartherocks—thewaterissodeepherethatthereisnodanger—wesloweddown,merelydriftingalongsouthwardstowardstheport.Iwasmyselfonthebridge,andcouldseealloverthedecks.Icouldalsoseepreparationsgoingonuponthewarship.Portswereopened,andthegreatgunsontheturretswereloweredforaction.Whenwewerestarboardbroadsideontothewarship,Isawtheportsideofthesteering-houseopen,andRooke’smenslidingoutwhatlookedlikeahugegreycrab,whichbytacklefromwithinthewheel-housewasloweredsoftlyintothesea.Thepositionoftheyachthidtheoperationfromsightofthewarship.Thedoorswereshutagain,andtheyacht’spacebegantoquicken.Weranintotheport.IhadavagueideathatRookehadsomedesperateprojectonhand.Notfornothinghadhekeptthewheel-houselockedonthatmysteriouscrab.

Allalongthefrontagewasagreatcrowdofeagermen.Buttheyhadconsideratelyleftthelittlemoleatthesouthernentrance,whereonwasalittletower,onwhoseroundtopasignal-gunwasplaced,freeformyownuse.WhenIwaslandedonthispierIwentalongtotheend,and,climbingthenarrowstairwithin,wentoutontheslopingroof.Istoodup,forIwasdeterminedtoshowtheTurksthatIwasnotafraidformyself,astheywouldunderstandwhenthebombardmentshouldbegin.Itwasnowbutaveryfewminutesbeforethefatalhour—sixbells.ButallthesameIwasalmostinastateofdespair.Itwasterribletothinkofallthosepoorsoulsinthetownwhohaddonenothingwrong,andwhoweretobewipedoutinthecomingblood-thirsty,wantonattack.Iraisedmyglassestoseehowpreparationsweregoingonuponthewarship.

AsIlookedIhadamomentaryfearthatmyeyesightwasgivingway.AtonemomentIhadthedeckofthewarshipfocussedwithmyglasses,andcouldseeeverydetailasthegunnerswaitedforthewordtobeginthebombardmentwiththegreatgunsofthebarbettes.ThenextIsawnothingbut

theemptysea.Theninanotherinstanttherewastheshipasbefore,butthedetailswereblurred.Isteadiedmyselfagainstthesignal-gun,andlookedagain.Notmorethantwo,oratthemostthree,secondshadelapsed.Theshipwas,forthemoment,fullinview.AsIlooked,shegaveaqueerkindofquickshiver,prowandstern,andthensideways.Itwasforalltheworldlikearatshakeninthemouthofaskilledterrier.Thensheremainedstill,theoneplacidthingtobeseen,forallaroundhertheseaseemedtoshiverinlittleindependenteddies,aswhenwaterisbrokenwithoutacurrenttoguideit.

Icontinuedtolook,andwhenthedeckwas,orseemed,quitestill—fortheshiveringwaterroundtheshipkeptcatchingmyeyesthroughtheouterraysofthelenses—Inoticedthatnothingwasstirring.Themenwhohadbeenatthegunswerealllyingdown;themeninthefighting-topshadleanedforwardorbackward,andtheirarmshungdownhelplessly.Everywherewasdesolation—insofaraslifewasconcerned.Evenalittlebrownbear,whichhadbeenseatedonthecannonwhichwasbeingputintorangeposition,hadjumpedorfallenondeck,andlaytherestretchedout—andstill.Itwasevidentthatsometerribleshockhadbeengiventothemightywar-vessel.WithoutadoubtorathoughtwhyIdidso,IturnedmyeyestowardswhereTheLadylay,portbroadsidenowtotheinside,intheharbourmouth.IhadthekeynowtothemysteryofRooke’sproceedingswiththegreatgreycrab.

AsIlookedIsawjustoutsidetheharbourathinlineofcleavingwater.Thisbecamemoremarkedeachinstant,tillasteeldiscwithglasseyesthatshoneinthelightofthesunroseabovethewater.Itwasaboutthesizeofabeehive,andwasshapedlikeone.Itmadeastraightlinefortheaftoftheyacht.Atthesamemoment,inobediencetosomecommand,givensoquietlythatIdidnothearit,themenwentbelow—allsavesomefew,whobegantoopenoutdoorsintheportsideofthewheel-house.Thetacklewasrunoutthroughanopenedgangwayonthatside,andamanstoodonthegreathookatthelowerend,balancinghimselfbyhangingonthechain.Inafewsecondshecameupagain.Thechaintightenedandthegreatgreycrabroseovertheedgeofthedeck,andwasdrawnintothewheel-house,thedoorsofwhichwereclosed,shuttinginafewonlyofthemen.

Iwaited,quitequiet.Afteraspaceofafewminutes,CaptainRookeinhisuniformwalkedoutofthewheel-house.Heenteredasmallboat,whichhadbeeninthemeantimeloweredforthepurpose,andwasrowedtothestepsonthemole.Ascendingthese,hecamedirectlytowardsthesignal-tower.Whenhehadascendedandstoodbesideme,hesaluted.

“Well?”Iasked.

“Allwell,sir,”heanswered.“Weshan’thaveanymoretroublewiththatlot,Ithink.Youwarnedthatpirate—Iwishhehadbeenintruthaclean,

honest,straightforwardpirate,insteadofthemeaslyTurkishswabhewas—thatsomethingmightoccurbeforethefirststrokeofsixbells.Well,somethinghasoccurred,andforhimandallhiscrewthatsixbellswillneversound.SotheLordfightsfortheCrossagainsttheCrescent!Bismillah.Amen!”Hesaidthisinamanifestlyformalway,asthoughdeclaimingaritual.Thenextinstanthewentoninthethoroughlypracticalconventionalwaywhichwasusualtohim:

“MayIaskafavour,Mr.SentLeger?”

“Athousand,mydearRooke,”Isaid.“Youcan’taskmeanythingwhichIshallnotfreelygrant.AndIspeakwithinmybrieffromtheNationalCouncil.YouhavesavedIlsinthisday,andtheCouncilwillthankyouforitinduetime.”

“Me,sir?”hesaid,withalookofsurpriseonhisfacewhichseemedquitegenuine.“Ifyouthinkthat,Iamwelloutofit.Iwasafraid,whenIwoke,thatyoumightcourt-martialme!”

“Court-martialyou!Whatfor?”Iasked,surprisedinmyturn.

“Forgoingtosleeponduty,sir!Andthefactis,IwaswornoutintheattackontheSilentTowerlastnight,andwhenyouhadyourinterviewwiththepirate—allgoodpiratesforgivemefortheblasphemy!Amen!—andIknewthateverythingwasgoingsmoothly,Iwentintothewheel-houseandtookfortywinks.”Hesaidallthiswithoutmovingsomuchasaneyelid,fromwhichIgatheredthathewishedabsolutesilencetobeobservedonmypart.WhilstIwasrevolvingthisinmymindhewenton:

“Touchingthatrequest,sir.WhenIhaveleftyouandtheVoivode—andtheVoivodin,ofcourse—atVissarion,togetherwithsuchothersasyoumaychoosetobringtherewithyou,mayIbringtheyachtbackhereforaspell?Iratherthinkthatthereisagooddealofcleaninguptobedone,andthecrewofTheLadywithmyselfarethementodoit.Weshallbebackbynightfallatthecreek.”

“Doasyouthinkbest,AdmiralRooke,”Isaid.

“Admiral?”

“Yes,Admiral.AtpresentIcanonlysaythattentatively,butbyto-morrowIamsuretheNationalCouncilwillhaveconfirmedit.Iamafraid,oldfriend,thatyoursquadronwillbeonlyyourflagshipforthepresent;butlaterwemaydobetter.”

“SolongasIamAdmiral,yourhonour,IshallhavenootherflagshipthanTheLady.Iamnotayoungman,but,youngorold,mypennonshallfloatovernootherdeck.Now,oneotherfavour,Mr.SentLeger?Itisacorollary

ofthefirst,soIdonothesitatetoask.MayIappointLieutenantDesmond,mypresentFirstOfficer,tothecommandofthebattleship?Ofcourse,hewillatfirstonlycommandtheprizecrew;butinsuchcasehewillfairlyexpecttheconfirmationofhisranklater.Ihadbetter,perhaps,tellyou,sir,thatheisaverycapableseaman,learnedinallthesciencesthatpertaintoabattleship,andbredinthefirstnavyintheworld.”

“Byallmeans,Admiral.Yournominationshall,IthinkImaypromiseyou,beconfirmed.”

Notanotherwordwespoke.IreturnedwithhiminhisboattoTheLady,whichwasbroughttothedockwall,wherewewerereceivedwithtumultuouscheering.

IhurriedofftomyWifeandtheVoivode.Rooke,callingDesmondtohim,wentonthebridgeofTheLady,whichturned,andwentoutatterrificspeedtothebattleship,whichwasalreadydriftingupnorthwardonthetide.

FROM THE REPORT OF CRISTOFEROS, SCRIBE OF THENATIONALCOUNCILOFTHELANDOFTHEBLUEMOUNTAINS.

July8,1907.

ThemeetingoftheNationalCouncil,July6,wasbutacontinuationofthatheldbeforetherescueoftheVoivodinVissarion,themembersoftheCouncilhavingbeenduringtheinterveningnighthousedintheCastleofVissarion.When,intheearlymorning,theymet,allwerejubilant;forlateatnightthefire-signalhadflamedupfromIlsinwiththegladnewsthattheVoivodePeterVissarionwassafe,havingbeenrescuedwithgreatdaringonanaeroplanebyhisdaughterandtheGospodarRupert,asthepeoplecallhim—MisterRupertSentLeger,asheisinhisBritishnameanddegree.

WhilsttheCouncilwassitting,wordcamethatagreatperiltothetownofIlsinhadbeenaverted.Awar-vesselacknowledgingtononationality,andthereforetobedeemedapirate,hadthreatenedtobombardthetown;butjustbeforethetimefixedforthefulfilmentofherthreat,shewasshakentosuchanextentbysomesub-aqueousmeansthat,thoughsheherselfwasseeminglyuninjured,nothingwasleftaliveonboard.ThustheLordpreservesHisown!Theconsiderationofthis,aswellastheotherincident,waspostponeduntilthecomingVoivodeandtheGospodarRupert,togetherwithwhowerealreadyontheirwayhither.

THESAME(LATERINTHESAMEDAY).

TheCouncilresumeditssittingatfouro’clock.TheVoivodePeterVissarionandtheVoivodinTeutahadarrivedwiththe“GospodarRupert,”asthemountaineerscallhim(Mr.RupertSentLeger)onthearmouredyachthe

callsTheLady.TheNationalCouncilshowedgreatpleasurewhentheVoivodeenteredthehallinwhichtheCouncilmet.Heseemedmuchgratifiedbythereceptiongiventohim.Mr.RupertSentLeger,bytheexpressdesireoftheCouncil,wasaskedtobepresentatthemeeting.Hetookaseatatthebottomofthehall,andseemedtoprefertoremainthere,thoughaskedbythePresidentoftheCounciltositatthetopofthetablewithhimselfandtheVoivode.

WhentheformalitiesofsuchCouncilshadbeencompleted,theVoivodehandedtothePresidentamemorandumofhisreportonhissecretmissiontoforeignCourtsonbehalfoftheNationalCouncil.Hethenexplainedatlength,forthebenefitofthevariousmembersoftheCouncil,thebroadresultsofhismission.Theresultwas,hesaid,absolutelysatisfactory.Everywherehehadbeenreceivedwithdistinguishedcourtesy,andgivenasympathetichearing.SeveralofthePowersconsultedhadmadedelayingivingfinalanswers,butthis,heexplained,wasnecessarilyduetonewconsiderationsarisingfromtheinternationalcomplicationswhichwereuniversallydealtwiththroughouttheworldas“theBalkanCrisis.”Intime,however(theVoivodewenton),thesemattersbecamesofardeclaredastoallowthewaitingPowerstoformdefinitejudgment—which,ofcourse,theydidnotdeclaretohim—astotheirownultimateaction.Thefinalresult—ifatthisinitialstagesuchtentativesettingforthoftheirownattitudeineachcasecanbesonamed—wasthathereturnedfullofhope(founded,hemightsay,uponajustifiablepersonalbelief)thattheGreatPowersthroughouttheworld—North,South,East,andWest—wereinthoroughsympathywiththeLandoftheBlueMountainsinitsaspirationsforthecontinuanceofitsfreedom.“Ialsoamhonoured,”hecontinued,“tobringtoyou,theGreatCouncilofthenation,theassuranceofprotectionagainstunworthyaggressiononthepartofneighbouringnationsofpresentgreaterstrength.”

Whilsthewasspeaking,theGospodarRupertwaswritingafewwordsonastripofpaper,whichhesentuptothePresident.WhentheVoivodehadfinishedspeaking,therewasaprolongedsilence.ThePresidentrose,andinahushsaidthattheCouncilwouldliketohearMr.RupertSentLeger,whohadacommunicationtomakeregardingcertainrecentevents.

Mr.RupertSentLegerrose,andreportedhow,sincehehadbeenentrustedbytheCouncilwiththerescueoftheVoivodePeterofVissarion,hehad,byaidoftheVoivodin,effectedtheescapeoftheVoivodefromtheSilentTower;alsothat,followingthishappyevent,themountaineers,whohadmadeagreatcordonroundtheTowersosoonasitwasknownthattheVoivodehadbeenimprisonedwithinit,hadstormeditinthenight.Asadeterminedresistancewasofferedbythemarauders,whohaduseditasaplaceofrefuge,noneoftheseescaped.Hethenwentontotellhowhesoughtinterviewwiththe

Captainofthestrangewarship,which,withoutflyinganyflag,invadedourwaters.HeaskedthePresidenttocallonmetoreadthereportofthatmeeting.This,inobediencetohisdirection,Idid.TheacquiescentmurmuringoftheCouncilshowedhowthoroughlytheyendorsedMr.SentLeger’swordsandacts.

WhenIresumedmyseat,Mr.SentLegerdescribedhow,justbeforethetimefixedbythe“pirateCaptain”—sohedesignatedhim,asdideveryspeakerthereafter—thewarshipmetwithsomeunder-seaaccident,whichhadadestructiveeffectonallonboardher.Thenheaddedcertainwords,whichIgiveverbatim,asIamsurethatotherswillsometimewishtorememberthemintheirexactness:

“Bytheway,PresidentandLordsoftheCouncil,ItrustImayaskyoutoconfirmCaptainRooke,ofthearmouredyachtTheLady,tobeAdmiraloftheSquadronoftheLandoftheBlueMountains,andalsoCaptain(tentatively)Desmond,lateFirst-LieutenantofTheLady,tothecommandofthesecondwarshipofourfleet—theasyetunnamedvessel,whoseformerCaptainthreatenedtobombardIlsin.MyLords,AdmiralRookehasdonegreatservicetotheLandoftheBlueMountains,anddeserveswellatyourhands.Youwillhaveinhim,Iamsure,agreatofficial.Onewhowilltillhislastbreathgiveyougoodandloyalservice.”

Hehadsatdown,thePresidentputtotheCouncilresolutions,whichwerepassedbyacclamation.AdmiralRookewasgivencommandofthenavy,andCaptainDesmondconfirmedinhisappointmenttothecaptaincyofthenewship,whichwas,byafurtherresolution,namedTheGospodarRupert.

In thanking the Council for acceding to his request, and for the greathonourdonehiminthenamingoftheship,Mr.SentLegersaid:

“May I ask that the armoured yacht The Lady be accepted by you, theNationalCouncil,onbehalfof thenation,asagiftonbehalfof thecauseoffreedomfromtheVoivodinTeuta?”

InresponsetothemightycheeroftheCouncilwithwhichthesplendidgiftwas accepted the Gospodar Rupert—Mr. Sent Leger—bowed, and wentquietlyoutoftheroom.

Asnoagendaofthemeetinghadbeenprepared,therewasforatime,notsilence,butmuchindividualconversation.InthemidstofittheVoivoderoseup,whereupontherewasastrictsilence.Alllistenedwithanintensityofeagernesswhilsthespoke.

“PresidentandLordsoftheCouncil,Archbishop,andVladika,IshouldbutillshowmyrespectdidIhesitatetotellyouatthisthefirstopportunityIhavehadofcertainmatterspersonalprimarilytomyself,butwhich,inthe

progressofrecentevents,havecometoimpingeontheaffairsofthenation.UntilIhavedoneso,IshallnotfeelthatIhavedoneaduty,longduetoyouoryourpredecessorsinoffice,andwhichIhopeyouwillallowmetosaythatIhaveonlykeptbackforpurposesofstatecraft.MayIaskthatyouwillcomebackwithmeinmemorytotheyear1890,whenourstruggleagainstOttomanaggression,lateronsosuccessfullybroughttoaclose,wasbegun.Weweretheninadesperatecondition.Ourfinanceshadrunsolowthatwecouldnotpurchaseeventhebreadwhichwerequired.Nay,more,wecouldnotprocurethroughtheNationalExchequerwhatwewantedmorethanbread—armsofmoderneffectiveness;formenmayendurehungerandyetfightwell,asthegloriouspastofourcountryhasprovedagainandagainandagain.Butwhenourfoesarebetterarmedthanweare,thepenaltyisdreadfultoanationsmallasourownisinnumber,nomatterhowbravetheirhearts.InthisstraitImyselfhadtosecretlyraiseasufficientsumofmoneytoprocuretheweaponsweneeded.TothisendIsoughttheassistanceofagreatmerchant-prince,towhomournationaswellasmyselfwasknown.Hemetmeinthesamegenerousspiritwhichhehadshowntootherstrugglingnationalitiesthroughoutalongandhonourablecareer.WhenIpledgedtohimassecuritymyownestates,hewishedtotearupthebond,andonlyunderpressurewouldhemeetmywishesinthisrespect.LordsoftheCouncil,itwashismoney,thusgenerouslyadvanced,whichprocuredforusthearmswithwhichwehewedoutourfreedom.

“Notlongagothatnoblemerchant—andhereItrustyouwillpardonmethatIamsomovedastoperhapsappeartosufferinwantofrespecttothisgreatCouncil—thisnoblemerchantpassedtohisaccount—leavingtoanearkinsmanofhisowntheroyalfortunewhichhehadamassed.Onlyafewhoursagothatworthykinsmanofthebenefactorofournationmadeitknowntomethatinhislastwillhehadbequeathedtome,bysecrettrust,thewholeofthoseestateswhichlongagoIhadforfeitedbyeffluxionoftime,inasmuchasIhadbeenunabletofulfilthetermsofmyvoluntarybond.ItgrievesmetothinkthatIhavehadtokeepyousolonginignoranceofthegoodthoughtandwishesandactsofthisgreatman.

“Butitwasbyhiswisecounsel,fortifiedbymyownjudgment,thatIwassilent;for,indeed,Ifeared,ashedid,lestinourtroubloustimessomedoubtingspiritwithoutourboundaries,orevenwithinit,mightmistrustthehonestyofmypurposesforpublicgood,becauseIwasnolongeronewhosewholefortunewasinvestedwithinourconfines.Thisprince-merchant,thegreatEnglishRogerMelton—lethisnamebeforevergravenontheheartsofourpeople!—keptsilentduringhisownlife,andenjoinedonotherstocomeafterhimtokeepsecretfromthemenoftheBlueMountainsthatsecretloanmadetomeontheirbehalf,lestintheireyesI,whohadstriventobetheirfriendandhelper,shouldsufferwrongrepute.But,happily,hehasleftmefree

toclearmyselfinyoureyes.Moreover,byarrangingtohave—undercertaincontingencies,whichhavecometopass—theestateswhichwereoriginallymyownretransferredtome,IhavenolongerthehonourofhavinggivenwhatIcouldtothenationalcause.Allsuchnowbelongstohim;foritwashismoney—andhisonly—whichpurchasedournationalarmament.

“Hisworthykinsmanyoualreadyknow,forhehasnotonlybeenamongstyouformanymonths,buthasalreadydoneyougoodserviceinhisownperson.Heitwaswho,asamightywarrior,answeredthesummonsoftheVladikawhenmisfortunecameuponmyhouseinthecapturebyenemiesofmydeardaughter,theVoivodinTeuta,whomyouholdinyourhearts;who,withachosenbandofourbrothers,pursuedthemarauders,andhimself,byadeedofdaringandprowess,ofwhichpoetsshallhereaftersing,savedher,whenhopeitselfseemedtobedead,fromtheirruthlesshands,andbroughtherbacktous;whoadministeredcondignpunishmenttothemiscreantswhohaddaredtosowrongher.Heitwaswholatertookme,yourservant,outoftheprisonwhereinanotherbandofTurkishmiscreantsheldmecaptive;rescuedme,withthehelpofmydeardaughter,whomhehadalreadyfreed,whilstIhadonmypersonthedocumentsofinternationalsecrecyofwhichIhavealreadyadvisedyou—rescuedmewhilstIhadbeenasyetunsubjectedtotheindignityofsearch.

“BeyondthisyouknownowthatofwhichIwasinpartialignorance:howhehad,throughtheskillanddevotionofyournewAdmiral,wroughtdestructiononahecatombofourmalignantfoes.Youwhohavereceivedforthenationthesplendidgiftofthelittlewarship,whichalreadyrepresentsanewerainnavalarmament,canunderstandthegreat-souledgenerosityofthemanwhohasrestoredthevastpossessionsofmyHouse.OnourwayhitherfromIlsin,RupertSentLegermadeknowntomethetermsofthetrustofhisnobleuncle,RogerMelton,and—believemethathedidsogenerously,withajoythattranscendedmyown—restoredtothelastmaleoftheVissarionracethewholeinheritanceofanobleline.

“Andnow,myLordsoftheCouncil,Icometoanothermatter,inwhichIfindmyselfinsomethingofadifficulty,forIamawarethatincertainwaysyouactuallyknowmoreofitthanevenImyselfdo.ItisregardingthemarriageofmydaughtertoRupertSentLeger.ItisknowntomethatthematterhasbeenbroughtbeforeyoubytheArchbishop,who,asguardianofmydaughterduringmyabsenceontheserviceofthenation,wishedtoobtainyoursanction,astillmyreturnheheldhersafetyintrust.Thiswasso,notfromanymeritofmine,butbecauseshe,inherownperson,hadundertakenfortheserviceofournationataskofalmostincredibledifficulty.MyLords,wereshechildofanotherfather,Ishouldextoltotheskiesherbravery,herself-devotion,herloyaltytothelandsheloves.Why,then,shouldIhesitateto

speakofherdeedsinfittingterms,sinceitismyduty,myglory,toholdtheminhigherhonourthancananyinthisland?Ishallnotshameher—orevenmyself—bybeingsilentwhensuchadutyurgesmetospeak,asVoivode,astrustedenvoyofournation,asfather.AgeshenceloyalmenandwomenofourLandoftheBlueMountainswillsingherdeedsinsongandtelltheminstory.Hername,Teuta,alreadysacredintheseregions,whereitwasheldbyagreatQueen,andhonouredbyallmen,willhereafterbeheldasasymbolandtypeofwoman’sdevotion.Oh,myLords,wepassalongthepathoflife,thebestofusbutalittletimemarchinginthesunlightbetweengloomandgloom,anditisduringthatmarchthatwemustbejudgedforthefuture.ThisbravewomanhaswonknightlyspursaswellasanyPaladinofold.Soisitmeetthatereshemightmatewithoneworthyofheryou,whoholdinyourhandsthesafetyandhonouroftheState,shouldgiveyourapproval.ToyouwasitgiventositinjudgmentontheworthofthisgallantEnglisher,nowmyson.Youjudgedhimthen,beforeyouhadseenhisvalour,hisstrength,andskillexercisedonbehalfofanationalcause.Youjudgedwisely,oh,mybrothers,andoutofagratefulheartIthankyouoneandallforit.Wellhashejustifiedyourtrustbyhislateracts.When,inobediencetothesummonsoftheVladika,heputthenationinablazeandrangedourboundarieswitharingofsteel,hedidsounknowingthatwhatwasdearesttohimintheworldwasatstake.Hesavedmydaughter’shonourandhappiness,andwonhersafetybyanactofvalourthatoutviesanytoldinhistory.HetookmydaughterwithhimtobringmeoutfromtheSilentToweronthewingsoftheair,whenearthhadformenopossibilityoffreedom—I,thathadeventheninmypossessionthedocumentsinvolvingothernationswhichtheSoldanwouldfainhavepurchasedwiththehalfofhisempire.

“Henceforthtome,LordsoftheCouncil,thisbravemanmusteverbeasasonofmyheart,andItrustthatinhisnamegrandsonsofmyownmaykeepinbrighthonourthenamewhichingloriousdaysofoldmyfathersmadeillustrious.DidIknowhowadequatelytothankyouforyourinterestinmychild,Iwouldyielduptoyoumyverysoulinthanks.”

The speech of the Voivode was received with the honour of the BlueMountains—thedrawingandraisingofhandjars.

FROMRUPERT’SJOURNAL.

July14,1907.

FornearlyaweekwewaitedforsomemessagefromConstantinople,fullyexpectingeitheradeclarationofwar,orelsesomeinquirysocouchedastomakewaraninevitableresult.TheNationalCouncilremainedonatVissarionastheguestsoftheVoivode,towhom,inaccordancewithmyuncle’swill,Ihadpreparedtore-transferallhisestates.Hewas,bytheway,unwillingat

firsttoaccept,anditwasonlywhenIshowedhimUncleRoger’sletter,andmadehimreadtheDeedofTransferpreparedinanticipationbyMr.Trent,thatheallowedmetopersuadehim.Finallyhesaid:

“Asyou,mygoodfriends,havesoarranged,Imustaccept,beitonlyinhonourtothewishesofthedead.Butremember,Ionlydosobutforthepresent,reservingtomyselfthefreedomtowithdrawlaterifIsodesire.”

ButConstantinoplewassilent.Thewholenefariousschemewasoneofthe“put-upjobs”whicharepartofthedirtyworkofacertainorderofstatecraft—tobeacceptedifsuccessful;tobedeniedincaseoffailure.

Thematterstoodthus:Turkeyhadthrownthedice—andlost.Hermenweredead;hershipwasforfeit.Itwasonlysometendaysafterthewarshipwasleftderelictwitheverylivingthing—thatis,everythingthathadbeenliving—withitsneckbroken,asRookeinformedme,whenhebroughttheshipdownthecreek,andhouseditinthedockbehindthearmouredgates—thatwesawaniteminTheRomacopiedfromTheConstantinopleJournalofJuly9:

“LOSSOFANOTTOMANIRONCLADWITHALLHANDS.

“NewshasbeenreceivedatConstantinopleofthetotalloss,withallhands,ofoneofthenewestandfinestwarshipsintheTurkishfleet—TheMahmoud,CaptainAliAli—whichfounderedinastormonthenightofJuly5,somedistanceoffCabrera,intheBalearicIsles.Therewerenosurvivors,andnowreckagewasdiscoveredbytheshipswhichwentinrelief—thePeraandtheMustapha—orreportedfromanywherealongtheshoresoftheislands,ofwhichexhaustivesearchwasmade.TheMahmoudwasdouble-manned,asshecarriedafullextracrewsentonaneducationalcruiseonthemostperfectlyscientificallyequippedwarshiponserviceintheMediterraneanwaters.”

WhentheVoivodeandItalkedoverthematter,hesaid:

“Afterall,TurkeyisashrewdPower.Shecertainlyseemstoknowwhensheisbeaten,anddoesnotintendtomakeabadthingseemworseintheeyesoftheworld.”

Well,’tisabadwindthatblowsgoodtonobody.AsTheMahmoudwaslostofftheBalearics,itcannothavebeenherthatputthemaraudersonshoreandtrainedherbiggunsonIlsin.Wetakeit,therefore,thatthelattermusthavebeenapirate,andaswehavetakenherderelictinourwaters,sheisnowoursinallways.Anyhow,sheisours,andisthefirstshipofherclassinthenavyoftheBlueMountains.Iaminclinedtothinkthatevenifshewas—orisstill—aTurkishship,AdmiralRookewouldnotbeinclinedtolethergo.AsforCaptainDesmond,Ithinkhewouldgostraightoutofhismindifsucha

thingwastobeevensuggestedtohim.

Itwillbeapityifwehaveanymoretrouble,forlifehereisveryhappywithusallnow.TheVoivodeis,Ithink,likeamaninadream.Teutaisideallyhappy,andtherealaffectionwhichsprangupbetweenthemwhensheandAuntJanetmetisajoytothinkof.IhadpostedTeutaabouther,sothatwhentheyshouldmeetmywifemightnot,byanyinadvertence,receiveorcauseanypain.ButthemomentTeutasawhersheranstraightovertoherandliftedherinherstrongyoungarms,and,raisingherupasonewouldliftachild,kissedher.Then,whenshehadputhersittinginthechairfromwhichshehadarisenwhenweenteredtheroom,shekneltdownbeforeher,andputherfacedowninherlap.AuntJanet’sfacewasastudy;Imyselfcouldhardlysaywhetheratthefirstmomentsurpriseorjoypredominated.Buttherecouldbenodoubtaboutittheinstantafter.Sheseemedtobeamwithhappiness.WhenTeutaknelttoher,shecouldonlysay:

“Mydear,mydear,Iamglad!Rupert’swife,youandImustloveeachotherverymuch.”Seeingthattheywerelaughingandcryingineachother’sarms,Ithoughtitbesttocomeawayandleavethemalone.AndIdidn’tfeelabitlonelyeitherwhenIwasoutofsightofthem.Iknewthatwherethosetwodearwomenweretherewasaplaceformyownheart.

WhenIcameback,TeutawassittingonAuntJanet’sknee.Itseemedratherstupendousfortheoldlady,forTeutaissuchasplendidcreaturethatevenwhenshesitsonmyownkneeandIcatchaglimpseofusinsomemirror,Icannotbutnoticewhatanobly-builtgirlsheis.

Mywifewas jumpingupas soonas Iwasseen,butAuntJanetheldhertighttoher,andsaid:

“Don’tstir,dear.Itissuchhappinesstometohaveyouthere.Ruperthasalwaysbeenmy‘littleboy,’and,inspiteofallhisbeingsuchagiant,heissostill.Andsoyou,thatheloves,mustbemylittlegirl—inspiteofallyourbeautyandyourstrength—andsitonmyknee,tillyoucanplacetherealittleonethatshallbedeartousall,andthatshallletmefeelmyyouthagain.WhenfirstIsawyouIwassurprised,for,somehow,thoughIhadneverseenyounorevenheardofyou,Iseemedtoknowyourface.Sitwhereyouare,dear.ItisonlyRupert—andwebothlovehim.”

Teuta looked atme, flushing rosily; but she sat quiet, and drew the oldlady’swhiteheadonheryoungbreast.

JANETMACKELPIE’SNOTES.

July8,1907.

IusedtothinkthatwheneverRupertshouldgetmarriedorstartontheway

toitbygettingengaged—IwouldmeethisfuturewifewithsomethingofthesameaffectionthatIhavealwayshadforhimself.ButIknownowthatwhatwasreallyinmymindwasjealousy,andthatIwasreallyfightingagainstmyowninstincts,andpretendingtomyselfthatIwasnotjealous.HadIeverhadthefaintestideathatshewouldbeanythingtheleastlikeTeuta,thatsortoffeelingshouldneverhavehadevenafoothold.Nowondermydearboyisinlovewithher,for,truthtotell,Iaminlovewithhermyself.Idon’tthinkIevermetacreature—awomancreature,ofcourse,Imean—withsomanysplendidqualities.Ialmostfeartosayit,lestitshouldseemtomyselfwrong;butIthinksheisasgoodasawomanasRupertisasaman.AndwhatmorethanthatcanIsay?IthoughtIlovedherandtrustedher,andknewherallIcould,untilthismorning.

Iwasinmyownroom,asitisstillcalled.For,thoughRuperttellsmeinconfidencethatunderhisuncle’swillthewholeestateofVissarion,Castleandall,reallybelongstotheVoivode,andthoughtheVoivodehasbeenpersuadedtoaccepttheposition,he(theVoivode)willnotallowanythingtobechanged.Hewillnotevenhearawordofmygoing,orchangingmyroom,oranything.AndRupertbackshimupinit,andTeutatoo.SowhatamItodobutletthedearshavetheirway?

Well,thismorning,whenRupertwaswiththeVoivodeatameetingoftheNationalCouncilintheGreatHall,Teutacametome,and(afterclosingthedoorandboltingit,whichsurprisedmealittle)cameandkneltdownbesideme,andputherfaceinmylap.Istrokedherbeautifulblackhair,andsaid:

“Whatisit,Teutadarling?Isthereanytrouble?Andwhydidyouboltthedoor?HasanythinghappenedtoRupert?”WhenshelookedupIsawthatherbeautifulblackeyes,withthestarsinthem,wereoverflowingwithtearsnotyetshed.Butshesmiledthroughthem,andthetearsdidnotfall.WhenIsawhersmilemyheartwaseased,andIsaidwithoutthinking:“ThankGod,darling,Rupertisallright.”

“IthankGod,too,dearAuntJanet!”shesaidsoftly;andItookherinmyarmsandlaidherheadonmybreast.

“Goon,dear,”Isaid;“tellmewhatitisthattroublesyou?”ThistimeIsawthetearsdrop,assheloweredherheadandhidherfacefromme.

“I’mafraidIhavedeceivedyou,AuntJanet,andthatyouwillnot—cannot—forgiveme.”

“Lordsaveyou,child!”Isaid,“there’snothingthatyoucoulddothatIcouldnotandwouldnotforgive.Notthatyouwouldeverdoanythingbase,forthatistheonlythingthatishardtoforgive.Tellmenowwhattroublesyou.”

Shelookedupinmyeyesfearlessly,thistimewithonlythesignsoftearsthathadbeen,andsaidproudly:

“Nothingbase,AuntJanet.Myfather’sdaughterwouldnotwillinglybebase.Idonotthinkshecould.Moreover,hadIeverdoneanythingbaseIshouldnotbehere,for—for—IshouldneverhavebeenRupert’swife!”

“Thenwhatisit?TellyouroldAuntJanet,dearie.”Sheansweredmewithanotherquestion:

“AuntJanet,doyouknowwhoIam,andhowIfirstmetRupert?”

“YouaretheVoivodinTeutaVissarion—thedaughteroftheVoivode—Or,rather,youwere;youarenowMrs.RupertSentLeger.ForheisstillanEnglishman,andagoodsubjectofournobleKing.”

“Yes,AuntJanet,”shesaid,“Iamthat,andproudtobeit—prouderthanIwouldbewereImynamesake,whowasQueenintheolddays.ButhowandwheredidIseeRupertfirst?”Ididnotknow,andfranklytoldherso.Sosheansweredherquestionherself:

“Isawhimfirstinhisownroomatnight.”Iknewinmyheartthatinwhatevershedidhadbeennothingwrong,soIsatsilentwaitingforhertogoon:

“Iwasindanger,andindeadlyfear.IwasafraidImightdie—notthatIfeardeath—andIwantedhelpandwarmth.IwasnotdressedasIamnow!”

OntheinstantitcametomehowIknewherface,eventhefirsttimeIhadseenit.Iwishedtohelpheroutoftheembarrassingpartofherconfidence,soIsaid:

“Dearie,IthinkIknow.Tellme,child,willyouputonthefrock...thedress...costumeyouworethatnight,andletmeseeyouinit?Itisnotmereidlecuriosity,mychild,butsomethingfar,farabovesuchidlefolly.”

“Waitformeaminute,AuntJanet,”shesaid,assheroseup;“Ishallnotbelong.”Thenshelefttheroom.

Inaveryfewminutesshewasback.Herappearancemighthavefrightenedsomepeople,forshewascladonlyinashroud.Herfeetwerebare,andshewalkedacrosstheroomwiththegaitofanempress,andstoodbeforemewithhereyesmodestlycastdown.Butwhenpresentlyshelookedupandcaughtmyeyes,asmilerippledoverherface.Shethrewherselfoncemorebeforemeonherknees,andembracedmeasshesaid:

“IwasafraidImightfrightenyou,dear.”IknewIcouldtruthfullyreassureherastothat,soIproceededtodoso:

“Donotworryyourself,mydear.Iamnotbynaturetimid.Icomeofa

fightingstockwhichhassentoutheroes,andIbelongtoafamilywhereinisthegiftofSecondSight.Whyshouldwefear?Weknow!Moreover,Isawyouinthatdressbefore.Teuta,IsawyouandRupertmarried!”Thistimesheherselfitwasthatseemeddisconcerted.

“Sawusmarried!Howonearthdidyoumanagetobethere?”

“Iwasnotthere.MySeeingwaslongbefore!Tellme,dear,whatday,orratherwhatnight,wasitthatyoufirstsawRupert?”Sheansweredsadly:

“Idonotknow.Alas!IlostcountofthedaysasIlayinthetombinthatdrearyCrypt.”

“Wasyour—yourclothingwetthatnight?”Iasked.

“Yes.IhadtoleavetheCrypt,foragreatfloodwasout,andthechurchwasflooded.Ihadtoseekhelp—warmth—forIfearedImightdie.Oh,Iwasnot,asIhavetoldyou,afraidofdeath.ButIhadundertakenaterribletasktowhichIhadpledgedmyself.Itwasformyfather’ssake,andthesakeoftheLand,andIfeltthatitwasapartofmydutytolive.AndsoIlivedon,whendeathwouldhavebeenrelief.ItwastotellyouallaboutthisthatIcametoyourroomto-day.Buthowdidyouseeme—us—married?”

“Ah,mychild!”Ianswered,“thatwasbeforethemarriagetookplace.Themornafterthenightthatyoucameinthewet,when,havingbeentroubledinuncannydreaming,IcametoseeifRupertwasa’richt,Ilostremembranceo’mydreaming,forthefloorwasallwet,andthattookoffmyattention.Butlater,themornafterRupertusedhisfireinhisroomforthefirsttime,ItoldhimwhatIhaddreamt;for,lassie,mydear,Isawyeasbrideatthatweddin’infinelaceo’eryershrood,andorange-flowersandithersinyerblackhair;an’Isawthestarsinyerbonnyeen—theeenIlove.Butoh,mydear,whenIsawtheshrood,andkentwhatitmightmean,Iexpeckittoseethewormscrawlroundyerfeet.ButdoyeaskyermantotellyewhatItell’thimthatmorn.’Twillinterestyetoknowhowthehairto’mencanlearnbydreams.Hasheevertelltyeaughto’this?”

“No,dear,”shesaidsimply.“Ithinkthatperhapshewasafraidthatoneorotherofus,ifnotboth,mightbeupsetbyitifhedid.Yousee,hedidnottellyouanythingatallofourmeeting,thoughIamsurethathewillbegladwhenheknowsthatwebothknowallaboutit,andhavetoldeachothereverything.”

Thatwasverysweetofher,andverythoughtfulinallways,soIsaidthatwhichIthoughtwouldpleaseherbest—thatis,thetruth:

“Ah,lassie,thatiswhatawifeshouldbe—whatawifeshoulddo.Rupertisblessedandhappytohavehisheartinyourkeeping.”

IknewfromtheaddedwarmthofherkisswhatIhadsaidhadpleasedher.

LetterfromErnestRogerHalbardMelton,Humcroft,Salop,toRupertSentLeger,Vissarion,LandoftheBlueMountains.

July29,1907.

MydearCousinRupert,

WehaveheardsuchglowingaccountsofVissarionthatIamcomingouttoseeyou.Asyouareyourselfnowalandowner,youwillunderstandthatmycomingisnotaltogetherapleasure.Indeed,itisadutyfirst.WhenmyfatherdiesIshallbeheadofthefamily—thefamilyofwhichUncleRoger,towhomwewererelated,wasamember.ItisthereforemeetandfittingthatIshouldknowsomethingofourfamilybranchesandoftheirSeats.Iamnotgivingyoutimeformuchwarning,soamcomingonimmediately—infact,Ishallarrivealmostassoonasthisletter.ButIwanttocatchyouinthemiddleofyourtricks.IhearthattheBlueMountaineergirlsarepeaches,sodon’tsendthemallawaywhenyouhearI’mcoming!

DosendayachtuptoFiumetomeetme.IhearyouhaveallsortsofcraftatVissarion.TheMacSkelpie,Ihear,saidyoureceivedherasaQueen;soIhopeyouwilldothedecentbyoneofyourownfleshandblood,andthefutureHeadoftheHouseatthat.Ishan’tbringmuchofaretinuewithme.Iwasn’tmadeabillionairebyoldRoger,socanonlytakemymodest“manFriday”—whosenameisJenkinson,andaCockneyatthat.Sodon’thavetoomuchgoldlaceanddiamond-hiltedscimitarsabout,likeagoodchap,orelsehe’llwanttheveryworst—hiswygesryzed.ThatoldimageRookethatcameoverforMissMcS.,andwhombychanceIsawattheattorneyman’s,mightpilotmedownfromFiume.Theoldgentleman-by-Act-of-ParliamentMr.BinghamTrent(Isupposehehashypheneditbythistime)toldmethatMissMcS.saidhe“didherproud”whenshewentoverunderhischarge.IshallbeatFiumeontheeveningofWednesday,andshallstayattheEuropa,whichis,Iamtold,theleastindecenthotelintheplace.Soyouknowwheretofindme,oranyofyourattendantdemonscanknow,incaseIamtosuffer“substitutedservice.”

YouraffectionateCousin,

ErnestRogerHalbardMelton.

LetterfromAdmiralRooketotheGospodarRupert.

August1,1907.

Sir,

InobediencetoyourexplicitdirectionthatIshouldmeetMr.ErnestR.H.MeltonatFiume,andreport toyouexactlywhatoccurred,“withoutkeepinganythingback,”—asyouwillrememberyousaid,Ibegtoreport.

Ibroughtthesteam-yachtTrenttoFiume,arrivingthereonthemorningofThursday.At11.30p.m.IwenttomeetthetrainfromSt.Peter,due11.40.Itwassomethinglate,arrivingjustastheclockwasbeginningtostrikemidnight.Mr.Meltonwasonboard,andwithhimhisvaletJenkinson.Iamboundtosaythathedidnotseemverypleasedwithhisjourney,andexpressedmuchdisappointmentatnotseeingYourHonourawaitinghim.Iexplained,asyoudirected,thatyouhadtoattendwiththeVoivodeVissarionandtheVladikatheNationalCouncil,whichmetatPlazac,orthatotherwiseyouwouldhavedoneyourselfthepleasureofcomingtomeethim.Ihad,ofcourse,reservedrooms(thePrinceofWales’ssuite),forhimattheRed’Ungheria,andhadwaitingthecarriagewhichtheproprietorhadprovidedforthePrinceofWaleswhenhestayedthere.Mr.Meltontookhisvaletwithhim(onthebox-seat),andIfollowedinaStadtwagenwiththeluggage.WhenIarrived,Ifoundthemaîtred’hôtelinastuporofconcern.TheEnglishnobleman,hesaid,hadfoundfaultwitheverything,andusedtohimlanguagetowhichhewasnotaccustomed.Iquietedhim,tellinghimthatthestrangerwasprobablyunusedtoforeignways,andassuringhimthatYourHonourhadeveryfaithinhim.Heannouncedhimselfsatisfiedandhappyattheassurance.ButInoticedthathepromptlyputeverythinginthehandsoftheheadwaiter,tellinghimtosatisfythemiloratanycost,andthenwentawaytosomeurgentbusinessinVienna.Cleverman!

ItookMr.Melton’sordersforourjourneyinthemorning,andaskediftherewasanythingforwhichhewished.Hesimplysaidtome:

“Everythingisrotten.Gotohell,andshutthedoorafteryou!”Hisman,whoseemsaverydecentlittlefellow,thoughheisasvainasapeacock,andspeakswithaCockneyaccentwhichissimplyterrible,camedownthepassageafterme,andexplained“onhisown,”asheexpressedit,thathismaster,“Mr.Ernest,”wasupsetbythelongjourney,andthatIwasnottomind.Ididnotwishtomakehimuncomfortable,soIexplainedthatImindednothingexceptwhatYourHonourwished;thatthesteam-yachtwouldbereadyat7a.m.;andthatIshouldbewaitinginthehotelfromthattimeontillMr.Meltoncaredtostart,tobringhimaboard.

InthemorningIwaitedtillthemanJenkinsoncameandtoldmethatMr.Ernestwouldstartatten.Iaskedifhewouldbreakfastonboard;heansweredthathewouldtakehiscafé-completatthehotel,butbreakfastonboard.

Weleftatten,andtooktheelectricpinnaceouttotheTrent,whichlay,withsteamup,intheroads.Breakfastwasservedonboard,byhisorders,andpresentlyhecameuponthebridge,whereIwasincommand.HebroughthismanJenkinsonwithhim.Seeingmethere,andnot(Isuppose)understandingthatIwasincommand,heunceremoniouslyorderedmetogoonthedeck.Indeed,henamedaplacemuchlower.Imadeasignofsilencetothe

quartermasteratthewheel,whohadreleasedthespokes,andwasgoing,Ifeared,tomakesomeimpertinentremark.Jenkinsonjoinedmepresently,andsaid,assomesortofexplanationofhismaster’sdiscourtesy(ofwhichhewasmanifestlyashamed),ifnotasanamende:

“Thegovernorisinahellofawaxthismorning.”

WhenwegotinsightofMeleda,Mr.Meltonsentformeandaskedmewhereweweretoland.Itoldhimthat,unlesshewishedtothecontrary,weweretoruntoVissarion;butthatmyinstructionsweretolandatwhateverporthewished.Whereuponhetoldmethathewishedtostaythenightatsomeplacewherehemightbeabletoseesome“life.”Hewaspleasedtoaddsomething,whichIpresumehethoughtjocular,aboutmybeingableto“coach”himinsuchmatters,asdoubtlesseven“anoldhas-beenlikeyou”hadstillsomesortofaneyeforaprettygirl.ItoldhimasrespectfullyasIcouldthatIhadnoknowledgewhateveronsuchsubjects,whichwerepossiblyofsomeinteresttoyoungermen,butofnonetome.Hesaidnomore;soafterwaitingforfurtherorders,butwithoutreceivingany,Isaid:

“Isuppose,sir,weshallruntoVissarion?”

“Runtothedevil,ifyoulike!”washisreply,asheturnedaway.WhenwearrivedinthecreekatVissarion,heseemedmuchmilder—lessaggressiveinhismanner;butwhenheheardthatyouweredetainedatPlazac,hegotrather“fresh”—IusetheAmericanterm—again.IgreatlyfearedtherewouldbeaseriousmisfortunebeforewegotintotheCastle,foronthedockwasJulia,thewifeofMichael,theMasteroftheWine,whois,asyouknow,verybeautiful.Mr.Meltonseemedmuchtakenwithher;andshe,beingflatteredbytheattentionofastrangegentlemanandYourHonour’skinsman,putasidethestand-offishnessofmostoftheBlueMountainwomen.WhereuponMr.Melton,forgettinghimself,tookherinhisarmsandkissedher.Instantlytherewasahubbub.Themountaineerspresentdrewtheirhandjars,andalmostontheinstantsuddendeathappearedtobeamongstus.HappilythemenwaitedasMichael,whohadjustarrivedonthequay-wallastheoutragetookplace,ranforward,wheelinghishandjarroundhishead,andmanifestlyintendingtodecapitateMr.Melton.Ontheinstant—Iamsorrytosayit,foritcreatedaterriblybadeffect—Mr.Meltondroppedonhiskneesinastateofpanic.Therewasjustthisgooduseinit—thattherewasapauseofafewseconds.DuringthattimethelittleCockneyvalet,whohastheheartofamaninhim,literallybursthiswayforward,andstoodinfrontofhismasterinboxingattitude,callingout:

“’Ere,comeon,the’olelotofye!’Eain’tdoneno’arm.Hehonlykissedthegal,asanymanwould.Ifyewanttocutoffsomebody’s’ed,cutoffmine.Iain’tafride!”Therewassuchgenuinepluckinthis,anditformedsofinea

contrasttotheother’scravenattitude(forgiveme,YourHonour;butyouwantthetruth!),thatIwasgladhewasanEnglishman,too.Themountaineersrecognizedhisspirit,andsalutedwiththeirhandjars,evenMichaelamongstthenumber.Halfturninghishead,thelittlemansaidinafiercewhisper:

“Buckup,guv’nor!Getup,orthey’llsliceye!’Ere’sMr.Rooke;’e’llseeyethroughit.”

Bythistimethemenwereamenabletoreason,andwhenIremindedthemthatMr.MeltonwasYourHonour’scousin,theyputasidetheirhandjarsandwentabouttheirwork.IaskedMr.Meltontofollow,andledthewaytotheCastle.

Whenwegotclosetothegreatentrancewithinthewalledcourtyard,wefoundalargenumberoftheservantsgathered,andwiththemmanyofthemountaineers,whohavekeptanorganizedguardallroundtheCastleeversincetheabductingoftheVoivodin.AsbothYourHonourandtheVoivodewereawayatPlazac,theguardhadforthetimebeendoubled.Whenthestewardcameandstoodinthedoorway,theservantsstoodoffsomewhat,andthemountaineersdrewbacktothefarthersidesandanglesofthecourtyard.TheVoivodinhad,ofcourse,beeninformedoftheguest’s(yourcousin)coming,andcametomeethimintheoldcustomoftheBlueMountains.AsYourHonouronlycametotheBlueMountainsrecently,andasnooccasionhasbeensincethenofillustratingthecustomsincetheVoivodewasaway,andtheVoivodinthenbelievedtobedead,perhapsI,whohavelivedheresolong,mayexplain:

WhentoanoldBlueMountainhouseaguestcomeswhomitiswishedtodohonour,theLady,asinthevernacularthemistressofthehouseiscalled,comesherselftomeettheguestatthedoor—or,rather,outsidethedoor—sothatshecanherselfconducthimwithin.Itisaprettyceremony,anditissaidthatofoldinkinglydaysthemonarchalwayssetmuchstorebyit.Thecustomisthat,whensheapproachesthehonouredguest(heneednotberoyal),shebends—ormoreproperlykneels—beforehimandkisseshishand.Ithasbeenexplainedbyhistoriansthatthesymbolismisthatthewoman,showingobediencetoherhusband,asthemarriedwomanoftheBlueMountainsalwaysdoes,emphasizesthatobediencetoherhusband’sguest.Thecustomisalwaysobservedinitslargestformalitywhenayoungwifereceivesforthefirsttimeaguest,andespeciallyonewhomherhusbandwishestohonour.TheVoivodinwas,ofcourse,awarethatMr.Meltonwasyourkinsman,andnaturallywishedtomaketheceremonyofhonourasmarkedaspossible,soastoshowovertlyhersenseofherhusband’sworth.

Whenwecameintothecourtyard,Iheldback,ofcourse,forthehonourisentirelyindividual,andisneverextendedtoanyother,nomatterhowworthy

hemaybe.NaturallyMr.Meltondidnotknowtheetiquetteofthesituation,andsoforthatisnottobeblamed.Hetookhisvaletwithhimwhen,seeingsomeonecomingtothedoor,hewentforward.Ithoughthewasgoingtorushtohiswelcomer.Such,thoughnotintheritual,wouldhavebeennaturalinayoungkinsmanwishingtodohonourtothebrideofhishost,andwouldtoanyonehavebeenbothunderstandableandforgivable.Itdidnotoccurtomeatthetime,butIhavesincethoughtthatperhapshehadnotthenheardofYourHonour’smarriage,whichItrustyouwill,injusticetotheyounggentleman,bearinmindwhenconsideringthematter.Unhappily,however,hedidnotshowanysucheagerness.Onthecontrary,heseemedtomakeapointofshowingindifference.Itseemedtomemyselfthathe,seeingsomebodywishingtomakemuchofhim,tookwhatheconsideredasafeopportunityofrestoringtohimselfhisowngoodopinion,whichmusthavebeenconsiderablyloweredintheepisodeoftheWineMaster’swife.

TheVoivodin,thinking,doubtless,YourHonour,toaddafreshlustretoherwelcome,haddonnedthecostumewhichallhernationhasnowcometoloveandtoacceptasadressofceremonialhonour.Sheworehershroud.Itmovedtheheartsofallofuswholookedontoseeit,andweappreciateditsbeingwornforsuchacause.ButMr.Meltondidnotseemtocare.Ashehadbeenapproachingshehadbeguntokneel,andwasalreadyonherkneeswhilsthewasseveralyardsaway.Therehestoppedandturnedtospeaktohisvalet,putaglassinhiseye,andlookedallroundhimandupanddown—indeed,everywhereexceptattheGreatLady,whowasonherkneesbeforehim,waitingtobidhimwelcome.Icouldseeintheeyesofsuchofthemountaineersaswerewithinmyrangeofvisionagrowinganimosity;so,hopingtokeepdownanysuchexpression,whichIknewwouldcauseharmtoYourHonourandtheVoivodin,Ilookedallroundthemstraightintheirfaceswithafixedfrown,which,indeed,theyseemedtounderstand,fortheyregained,andforthetimemaintained,theirusualdignifiedcalm.TheVoivodin,mayIsay,borethetrialwonderfully.Nohumanbeingcouldseethatshewasinanydegreepainedorevensurprised.Mr.MeltonstoodlookingroundhimsolongthatIhadfulltimetoregainmyownattitudeofcalm.Atlastheseemedtocomebacktotheknowledgethatsomeonewaswaitingforhim,andsaunteredleisurelyforward.Therewassomuchinsolence—mindyou,notinsolencethatwasintendedtoappearassuch—inhismovementthatthemountaineersbegantostealforward.WhenhewascloseuptotheVoivodin,andsheputoutherhandtotakehis,heputforwardonefinger!Icouldheartheintakeofthebreathofthemen,nowclosearound,forIhadmovedforward,too.Ithoughtitwouldbeaswelltobeclosetoyourguest,lestsomethingshouldhappentohim.TheVoivodinstillkepthersplendidself-control.RaisingthefingerputforwardbytheguestwiththesamedeferenceasthoughithadbeenthehandofaKing,shebentherheaddown

andkissedit.Herdutyofcourtesynowdone,shewaspreparingtorise,whenheputhishandintohispocket,and,pullingoutasovereign,offeredittoher.Hisvaletmovedhishandforward,asiftopullbackhisarm,butitwastoolate.Iamsure,YourHonour,thatnoaffrontwasintended.HedoubtlessthoughtthathewasdoingakindnessofthesortusualinEnglandwhenone“tips”ahousekeeper.Butallthesame,tooneinherposition,itwasanaffront,aninsult,openandunmistakable.Soitwasreceivedbythemountaineers,whosehandjarsflashedoutasone.ForaseconditwassoreceivedevenbytheVoivodin,who,withfaceflushingscarlet,andthestarsinherevesflamingred,sprangtoherfeet.Butinthatsecondshehadregainedherself,andtoallappearancesherrighteousangerpassedaway.Stooping,shetookthehandofherguestandraisedit—youknowhowstrongsheis—and,holdingitinhers,ledhimintothedoorway,saying:

“Youarewelcome,kinsmanofmyhusband,tothehouseofmyfather,whichispresentlymyhusband’salso.Botharegrievedthat,dutyhavingcalledthemawayforthetime,theyareunabletobeheretohelpmetogreetyou.”

Itellyou,YourHonour,thatitwasalessoninself-respectwhichanyonewhosawitcanneverforget.Astome,itmakesmyfleshquiver,oldasIam,withdelight,andmyheartleap.

MayI,asafaithfulservantwhohashadmanyyearsofexperience,suggestthatYourHonourshouldseem—forthepresent,atanyrate—nottoknowanyofthesethingswhichIhavereported,asyouwishedmetodo.BesurethattheVoivodinwilltellyouhergraciousselfaughtthatshewouldwishyoutoknow.Andsuchreticenceonyourpartmustmakeforherhappiness,evenifitdidnotforyourown.

Sothatyoumayknowall,asyoudesired,andthatyoumayhavetimetoschoolyourselftowhateverattitudeyouthinkbesttoadopt,Isendthisofftoyouatoncebyfleetmessenger.Weretheaeroplanehere,Ishouldtakeitmyself.IleavehereshortlytoawaitthearrivalofSirColinatOtranto.

YourHonour’sfaithfulservant,

Rooke.

JANETMACKELPIE’SNOTES.

August9,1907.

TomeitseemsveryprovidentialthatRupertwasnotathomewhenthatdreadfulyoungmanErnestMeltonarrived,thoughitispossiblethatifRuperthadbeenpresenthewouldnothavedaredtoconducthimselfsobadly.Ofcourse,Iheardallaboutitfromthemaids;Teutaneveropenedherlipstome

onthesubject.ItwasbadenoughandstupidenoughforhimtotrytokissadecentyoungwomanlikeJulia,whoisreallyasgoodasgoldandasmodestasoneofourownHighlandlassies;buttothinkofhiminsultingTeuta!Thelittlebeast!OnewouldthinkthatachampionidiotoutofanEquatorialasylumwouldknowbetter!IfMichael,theWineMaster,wantedtokillhim,IwonderwhatmyRupertandherswouldhavedone?Iamtrulythankfulthathewasnotpresent.AndIamthankful,too,thatIwasnotpresenteither,forIshouldhavemadeanexhibitionofmyself,andRupertwouldnothavelikedthat.He—thelittlebeast!mighthaveseenfromtheverydressthatthedeargirlworethattherewassomethingexceptionalabouther.ButononeaccountIshouldhavelikedtoseeher.Theytellmethatshewas,inhertruedignity,likeaQueen,andthatherhumilityinreceivingherhusband’skinsmanwasalessontoeverywomanintheLand.ImustbecarefulnottoletRupertknowthatIhaveheardoftheincident.Lateron,whenitisallblownoverandtheyoungmanhasbeengotsafelyaway,Ishalltellhimofit.Mr.Rooke—LordHighAdmiralRooke,Ishouldsay—mustbeareallywonderfulmantohavesoheldhimselfincheck;for,fromwhatIhaveheardofhim,hemustinhisyoungerdayshavebeenworsethanOldMorganofPanama.Mr.ErnestRogerHalbardMelton,ofHumcroft,Salop,littleknowshownearhewastobeing“clefttothechine”also.

Fortunately,IhadheardofhismeetingwithTeutabeforehecametoseeme,forIdidnotgetbackfrommywalktillafterhehadarrived.Teuta’snobleexamplewasbeforeme,andIdeterminedthatI,too,wouldshowgoodmannersunderanycircumstances.ButIdidn’tknowhowmeanheis.ThinkofhissayingtomethatRupert’spositionheremustbeagreatsourceofpridetome,whohadbeenhisnurserygoverness.Hesaid“nursemaid”first,butthenstumbledinhiswords,seemingtoremembersomething.Ididnotturnahair,Iamgladtosay.ItisamercyUncleColinwasnothere,forIhonestlybelievethat,ifhehadbeen,hewouldhavedonethe“cleavingtothechine”himself.IthasbeenanarrowescapeforMasterErnest,foronlythismorningRuperthadamessage,sentonfromGibraltar,sayingthathewasarrivingwithhisclansmen,andthattheywouldnotbefarbehindhisletter.HewouldcallatOtrantoincasesomeoneshouldcomeacrosstopilothimtoVissarion.UncletoldmeallaboutthatyoungcadhavingofferedhimonefingerinMr.Trent’soffice,though,ofcourse,hedidn’tletthecadseethathenoticedit.Ihavenodoubtthat,whenhedoesarrive,thatyoungman,ifheisherestill,willfindthathewillhavetobehavehimself,ifitbeonlyonSirColin’saccountalone.

THESAME(LATER).

IhadhardlyfinishedwritingwhenthelookoutonthetowerannouncedthattheTeuta,asRupertcallshisaeroplane,wassightedcrossingthe

mountainsfromPlazac.Ihurrieduptoseehimarrive,forIhadnotasyetseenhimonhis“aero.”Mr.ErnestMeltoncameup,too.Teutawas,ofcourse,beforeanyofus.SheseemstoknowbyinstinctwhenRupertiscoming.

Itwascertainlyawonderfulsighttoseethelittleaeroplane,withoutspreadwingslikeabirdinflight,comesailinghighoverthemountains.Therewasahead-wind,andtheywerebeatingagainstit;otherwiseweshouldnothavehadtimetogettothetowerbeforethearrival.

Whenoncethe“aero”hadbeguntodroponthenearsideofthemountains,however,andhadgotameasureofshelterfromthem,herpacewasextraordinary.Wecouldnottell,ofcourse,whatsortofpaceshecameatfromlookingatherself.Butwegatheredsomeideafromtherateatwhichthemountainsandhillsseemedtoslideawayfromunderher.Whenshegotoverthefoot-hills,whichareabouttenmilesaway,shecameonataswiftglidethatseemedtothrowthedistancebehindher.Whenquiteclose,sheroseupalittletillshewassomethinghigherthantheTower,towhichshecameasstraightasanarrowfromthebow,andglidedtohermoorings,stoppingdeadasRupertpulledalever,whichseemedtoturnabarriertothewind.TheVoivodesatbesideRupert,butImustsaythatheseemedtoholdontothebarinfrontofhimevenmorefirmlythanRupertheldtohissteering-gear.

When they had alighted, Rupert greeted his cousin with the utmostkindness,andbadehimwelcometoVissarion.

“Isee,”hesaid,“youhavemetTeuta.Nowyoumaycongratulateme,ifyouwish.”

Mr.Meltonmadealongrodomontadeaboutherbeauty,butpresently,stumblingaboutinhisspeech,saidsomethingregardingitbeingunluckytoappearingrave-clothes.Rupertlaughed,andclappedhimontheshoulderasheanswered:

“ThatpatternoffrockislikelytobecomeanationaldressforloyalwomenoftheBlueMountains.Whenyouknowsomethingofwhatthatdressmeanstousallatpresentyouwillunderstand.Inthemeantime,takeitthatthereisnotasoulinthenationthatdoesnotloveitandhonourherforwearingit.”Towhichthecadreplied:

“Oh,indeed!Ithoughtitwassomepreparationforafancy-dressball.”Rupert’scommentonthisill-naturedspeechwas(forhim)quitegrumpilygiven:

“Ishouldnotadviseyoutothinksuchthingswhilstyouareinthispartoftheworld,Ernest.Theyburymenhereformuchless.”

Thecadseemedstruckwithsomething—eitherwhatRuperthadsaidorhismannerofsayingit—forhewassilentforseveralsecondsbeforehespoke.

“I’mverytiredwiththatlongjourney,Rupert.WouldyouandMrs.SentLegermindifIgotomyownroomandturnin?Mymancanaskforacupofteaandasandwichforme.”

RUPERT’SJOURNAL.

August10,1907.

WhenErnestsaidhewishedtoretireitwasaboutthewisestthinghecouldhavesaidordone,anditsuitedTeutaandmedowntotheground.Icouldseethatthedeargirlwasagitatedaboutsomething,sothoughtitwouldbebestforhertobequiet,andnotworriedwithbeingciviltotheBounder.Thoughheismycousin,Ican’tthinkofhimasanythingelse.TheVoivodeandIhadcertainmatterstoattendtoarisingoutofthemeetingoftheCouncil,andwhenwewerethroughthenightwasclosingin.WhenIsawTeutainourownroomsshesaidatonce:

“Doyoumind,dear,ifIstaywithAuntJanetto-night?Sheisveryupsetandnervous,andwhenIofferedtocometohersheclungtomeandcriedwithrelief.”

Sowhen I hadhad some supper,which I tookwith theVoivode, I camedowntomyoldquartersintheGardenRoom,andturnedinearly.

IwasawakenedalittlebeforedawnbythecomingofthefightingmonkTheophrastos,anotablerunner,whohadanurgentmessageforme.ThiswasthelettertomegiventohimbyRooke.Hehadbeencautionedtogiveitintonootherhand,buttofindmewhereverImightbe,andconveyitpersonally.WhenhehadarrivedatPlazacIhadleftontheaeroplane,sohehadturnedbacktoVissarion.

WhenIreadRooke’sreportofErnestMelton’sabominableconductIwasmoreangrywithhimthanIcansay.Indeed,IdidnotthinkbeforethatthatIcouldbeangrywithhim,forIhavealwaysdespisedhim.Butthiswastoomuch.However,IrealizedthewisdomofRooke’sadvice,andwentawaybymyselftogetovermyangerandreacquiremyself-mastery.TheaeroplaneTeutawasstillhousedonthetower,soIwentupaloneandtookitout.

WhenIhadhadaspinofaboutahundredmilesIfeltbetter.Thebracingofthewindandthequick,exhilaratingmotionrestoredmetomyself,andIfeltabletocopewithMasterErnest,orwhateverelsechagrinablemightcomealong,withoutgivingmyselfaway.AsTeutahadthoughtitbettertokeepsilenceastoErnest’saffront,IfeltImustnotacknowledgeit;but,allthesame,Ideterminedtogetridofhimbeforethedaywasmucholder.

WhenIhadhadmybreakfast Isentword tohimbyaservant that Iwascomingtohisrooms,andfollowednotlongbehindthemessenger.

Hewasinasuitofsilkpyjamas,suchasnotevenSolomoninallhisglorywasarrayedin.IclosedthedoorbehindmebeforeIbegantospeak.Helistened,atfirstamazed,thendisconcerted,thenangry,andthencoweringdownlikeawhippedhound.Ifeltthatitwasacaseforspeakingout.Abumptiousasslikehim,whodeliberatelyinsultedeveryonehecameacross—forifalloranyofhiseffortsinthatwaywereduetomereelementalignorancehewasnotfittolive,butshouldbesilencedonsightasamodernCaliban—deservedneitherpitynormercy.Toextendtohimfinefeeling,tolerance,andsuch-likegentlenesseswouldbetodeprivetheworldofthemwithoutbenefittoany.SowellasIcanremember,whatIsaidwassomethinglikethis:

“Ernest,asyousay,you’vegottogo,andtogoquick,youunderstand.Idaresayyoulookonthisasalandofbarbarians,andthinkthatanyofyourhigh-tonedrefinementsarethrownawayonpeoplehere.Well,perhapsitisso.Undoubtedly,thestructureofthecountryisrough;themountainsmayonlyrepresenttheglacialepoch;butsofarasIcangatherfromsomeofyourexploits—forIhaveonlylearnedasmallpartasyet—yourepresentaperiodagooddealfartherback.YouseemtohavegivenourfolkhereanexhibitionoftheplayfulnessofthehooliganoftheSaurianstageofdevelopment;buttheBlueMountains,roughastheyare,havecomeupoutoftheprimevalslime,andevennowthepeopleaimatbettermanners.Theymayberough,primitive,barbarian,elemental,ifyouwill,buttheyarenotlowdownenoughtotolerateeitheryourethicsoryourtaste.Mydearcousin,yourlifeisnotsafehere!Iamtoldthatyesterday,onlyfortherestraintexercisedbycertainoffendedmountaineersonothergroundsthanyourownworth,youwouldhavebeenabbreviatedbythehead.Anotherdayofyourfascinatingpresencewoulddoawaywiththisrestraint,andthenweshouldhaveascandal.Iamanew-comerheremyself—toonewacomertobeabletoaffordascandalofthatkind—andsoIshallnotdelayyourgoing.Believeme,mydearcousin,ErnestRogerHalbardMelton,ofHumcroft,Salop,thatIaminconsolableaboutyourresolutionofimmediatedeparture,butIcannotshutmyeyestoitswisdom.Atpresentthematterisaltogetheramongstourselves,andwhenyouhavegone—ifitbeimmediately—silencewillbeobservedonallhandsforthesakeofthehousewhereinyouareaguest;butiftherebetimeforscandaltospread,youwillbemade,whetheryoubealiveordead,aEuropeanlaughing-stock.Accordingly,Ihaveanticipatedyourwishes,andhaveorderedafaststeamyachttotakeyoutoAncona,ortowhateverotherportyoumaydesire.TheyachtwillbeunderthecommandofCaptainDesmond,ofoneofourbattleships—amostdeterminedofficer,whowillcarryoutanydirectionswhichmaybegiventohim.ThiswillinsureyoursafetysofarasItalianterritory.Someofhisofficialswillarrangeaspecialcarriageforyouupto

Flushing,andacabinonthesteamertoQueenboro’.Amanofminewilltravelonthetrainandsteamerwithyou,andwillseethatwhateveryoumaywishinthewayoffoodorcomfortwillbeprovided.Ofcourse,youunderstand,mydearcousin,thatyouaremyguestuntilyouarriveinLondon.IhavenotaskedRooketoaccompanyyou,aswhenhewenttomeetyou,itwasamistake.Indeed,theremighthavebeenadangertoyouwhichInevercontemplated—aquiteunnecessarydanger,Iassureyou.ButhappilyAdmiralRooke,thoughamanofstrongpassions,haswonderfulself-control.”

“AdmiralRooke?”hequeried.“Admiral?”

“Admiral,certainly,”Ireplied,“butnotanordinaryAdmiral—oneofmany.HeistheAdmiral—theLordHighAdmiraloftheLandoftheBlueMountains,withsolecontrolofitsexpandingnavy.Whensuchamanistreatedasavalet,theremaybe...Butwhygointothis?Itisallover.IonlymentionitlestanythingofasimilarkindshouldoccurwithCaptainDesmond,whoisayoungerman,andthereforewithprobablylessself-repression.”

Isawthathehadlearnedhislesson,andsosaidnomoreonthesubject.

TherewasanotherreasonforhisgoingwhichIdidnotspeakof.SirColinMacKelpiewascomingwithhisclansmen,andIknewhedidnotlikeErnestMelton.IwellrememberedthatepisodeofhisofferingonefingertotheoldgentlemaninMr.Trent’soffice,and,moreover,IhadmysuspicionsthatAuntJanet’sbeingupsetwasprobablyinsomemeasureduetosomerudenessofhisthatshedidnotwishtospeakabout.Heisreallyanimpossibleyoungman,andisfarbetteroutofthiscountrythaninit.Ifheremainedhere,therewouldbesomesortofatragedyforcertain.

Imust say that itwaswitha feelingofconsiderable relief that I saw theyacht steam out of the creek,withCaptainDesmond on the bridge andmycousinbesidehim.

Quiteotherweremyfeelingswhen,anhourafter,TheLadycameflyingintothecreekwiththeLordHighAdmiralonthebridge,andbesidehim,moresplendidandsoldier-likethanever,SirColinMacKelpie.Mr.BinghamTrentwasalsoonthebridge.

TheGeneralwasfullofenthusiasmregardinghisregiment,forinall,thosehebroughtwithhimandthosefinishingtheirtrainingathome,theforceisnearthenumberofafullregiment.Whenwewerealoneheexplainedtomethatallwasarrangedregardingthenon-commissionedofficers,butthathehadheldoverthequestionofofficersuntilweshouldhavehadasuitableopportunityoftalkingthematterovertogether.Heexplainedtomehisreasons,whichwerecertainlysimpleandcogent.Officers,accordingtohim,areadifferentclass,andaccustomedtoadifferentstandardaltogetheroflife

andliving,ofdutiesandpleasures.Theyarehardertodealwithandmoredifficulttoobtain.“Therewasnouse,”hesaid,“ingettingalotoffailures,withold-crustedwaysoftheirownimportance.Wemusthaveyoungmenforourpurpose—thatis,mennotold,butwithsomeexperience—men,ofcourse,whoknowhowtobehavethemselves,orelse,fromwhatlittleIhaveseenoftheBlueMountaineers,theywouldn’tlastlonghereiftheywentonassomeofthemdoelsewhere.Ishallstartthingshereasyouwishmeto,forIamhere,mydearboy,tostaywithyouandJanet,andweshall,ifitbegiventousbytheAlmighty,helptobuilduptogetheranew‘nation’—anallyofBritain,whowillstandatleastasanoutpostofourownnation,andaguardianofoureasternroad.Whenthingsareorganizedhereonthemilitaryside,andaregoingstrong,Ishall,ifyoucanspareme,runbacktoLondonforafewweeks.WhilstIamthereIshallpickupalotofthesortofofficerswewant.Iknowthatthereareloadsofthemtobehad.Ishallgoslowly,however,andcarefully,too,andeverymanIbringbackwillberecommendedtomebysomeoldsoldierwhomIknow,andwhoknowsthemanherecommends,andhasseenhimwork.Weshallhave,Idaresay,anarmyforitssizesecondtononeintheworld,andthedaymaycomewhenyouroldcountrywillbeproudofyournewone.NowI’mofftoseethatallisreadyformypeople—yourpeoplenow.”

Ihadhadarrangementsmadeforthecomfortoftheclansmenandthewomen,butIknewthatthegoodoldsoldierwouldseeforhimselfthathismenweretobecomfortable.Itwasnotfornothingthathewas—is—lookedonasperhapstheGeneralmostbelovedbyhismeninthewholeBritishArmy.

Whenhehadgone,andIwasalone,Mr.Trent,whohadevidentlybeenwaitingfortheopportunity,cametome.WhenwehadspokenofmymarriageandofTeuta,whoseemstohavemadeanimmenseimpressiononhim,hesaidsuddenly:

“Isupposewearequitealone,andthatweshallnotbeinterrupted?”Isummonedthemanoutside—thereisalwaysasentryonguardoutsidemydoorornearme,whereverImaybe—andgaveordersthatIwasnottobedisturbeduntilIgavefreshorders.“If,”Isaid,“therebeanythingpressingorimportant,lettheVoivodinorMissMacKelpieknow.Ifeitherofthembringsanyonetome,itwillbeallright.”

WhenwewerequitealoneMr.Trenttookaslipofpaperandsomedocumentsfromthebagwhichwasbesidehim.Hethenreadoutitemsfromtheslip,placingashedidsothedocumentssocheckedoverbeforehim.

1.NewWillmadeonmarriage,tobesignedpresently.

2.CopyoftheRe-conveyanceofVissarionestatestoPeterVissarion,asdirectedbyWillofRogerMelton.

3.ReportofCorrespondencewithPrivyCouncil,andproceedingsfollowing.

Takingupthelastnamed,heuntiedtheredtape,and,holdingthebundleinhishand,wenton:

“Asyoumay,lateron,wishtoexaminethedetailsoftheProceedings,Ihavecopiedoutthevariousletters,theoriginalsofwhichareputsafelyawayinmystrong-roomwhere,ofcourse,theyarealwaysavailableincaseyoumaywantthem.ForyourpresentinformationIshallgiveyouaroughsynopsisoftheProceedings,referringwhereadvisabletothispaper.

“OnreceiptofyourletterofinstructionsregardingtheConsentofthePrivyCounciltoyourchangingyournationalityinaccordancewiththetermsofRogerMelton’sWill,IputmyselfincommunicationwiththeClerkofthePrivyCouncil,informinghimofyourwishtobenaturalizedinduetimetotheLandoftheBlueMountains.Aftersomelettersbetweenus,IgotasummonstoattendameetingoftheCouncil.

“Iattended,asrequired,takingwithmeallnecessarydocuments,andsuchasIconceivedmightbeadvisabletoproduce,ifwanted.

“TheLordPresidentinformedmethatthepresentmeetingoftheCouncilwasspeciallysummonedinobediencetothesuggestionoftheKing,whohadbeenconsultedastohispersonalwishesonthesubject—shouldhehaveany.ThePresidentthenproceededtoinformmeofficiallythatallProceedingsofthePrivyCouncilwerealtogetherconfidential,andwerenottobemadepublicunderanycircumstances.Hewasgraciousenoughtoadd:

“‘Thecircumstancesofthiscase,however,areunique;andasyouactforanother,wehavethoughtitadvisabletoenlargeyourpermissioninthematter,soastoallowyoutocommunicatefreelywithyourprincipal.Asthatgentlemanissettlinghimselfinapartoftheworldwhichhasbeeninthepast,andmaybeagain,unitedtothisnationbysomecommoninterest,HisMajestywishesMr.SentLegertofeelassuredofthegood-willofGreatBritaintotheLandoftheBlueMountains,andevenofhisownpersonalsatisfactionthatagentlemanofsodistinguishedalineageandsuchapprovedpersonalcharacterisabouttobe—withinhisownscope—aconnecting-linkbetweenthenations.Towhichendhehasgraciouslyannouncedthat,shouldthePrivyCouncilacquiesceintherequestofDenaturalization,hewillhimselfsignthePatenttherefor.

“‘ThePrivyCouncilhasthereforeheldprivatesession,atwhichthematterhasbeendiscussedinitsmanybearings;anditiscontentthatthechangecandonoharm,butmaybeofsomeservicetothetwonations.Wehave,therefore,agreedtogranttheprayeroftheApplicant;andtheofficialsofthe

CouncilhavethematteroftheformofGrantinhand.Soyou,sir,mayrestsatisfiedthatassoonastheformalities—whichwill,ofcourse,requiretheformalsigningofcertaindocumentsbytheApplicant—canbecompliedwith,theGrantandPatentwillobtain.’”

Havingmadethisstatementinformalstyle,myoldfriendwentoninmorefamiliarway:

“Andso,mydearRupert,allisinhand;andbeforeverylongyouwillhavethe freedom requiredunder theWill, andwill be at liberty to takewhateverstepsmaybenecessarytobenaturalizedinyournewcountry.

“Imaytellyou,bytheway,thatseveralmembersoftheCouncilmadeverycomplimentaryremarksregardingyou.Iamforbiddentogivenames,butImaytellyoufacts.OneoldField-Marshal,whosenameisfamiliartothewholeworld,saidthathehadservedinmanyplaceswithyourfather,whowasaveryvaliantsoldier,andthathewasgladthatGreatBritainwastohaveinthefuturethebenefitofyourfather’ssoninafriendlylandnowbeyondtheoutpostsofourEmpire,butwhichhadbeenonewithherinthepast,andmightbeagain.

“SomuchforthePrivyCouncil.WecandonomoreatpresentuntilyousignandhaveattestedthedocumentswhichIhavebroughtwithme.

“WecannowformallycompletethesettlementoftheVissarionestates,whichmustbedonewhilstyouareaBritishcitizen.So,too,withtheWill,themoreformalandcompletedocument,whichistotaketheplaceofthatshortonewhichyouforwardedtomethedayafteryourmarriage.Itmaybe,perhaps,necessaryoradvisablethat,lateron,whenyouarenaturalizedhere,youshallmakeanewWillinstrictestaccordancewithlocallaw.”

TEUTASENTLEGER’SDIARY.

August19,1907.

Wehadajourneyto-daythatwassimplyglorious.Wehadbeenwaitingtotakeitformorethanaweek.Rupertnotonlywantedtheweathersuitable,buthehadtowaittillthenewaeroplanecamehome.Itismorethantwiceasbigasourbiggestuptonow.NoneoftheotherscouldtakeallthepartywhichRupertwantedtogo.WhenheheardthattheaerowascomingfromWhitby,whereitwassentfromLeeds,hedirectedbycablethatitshouldbeunshippedatOtranto,whencehetookithereallbyhimself.Iwantedtocomewithhim,buthethoughtitbetternot.HesaysthatBrindisiistoobusyaplacetokeepanythingquiet—ifnotsecret—andhewantstobeverydarkindeedaboutthis,asitisworkedbythenewradiumengine.Eversincetheyfoundradiuminourownhillshehasbeenobsessedbytheideaofanaerialnavyforourprotection.Andafterto-day’sexperiencesIthinkheisright.Ashewantedto

surveythewholecountryataglimpse,sothatthegeneralschemeofdefencemightbeputinhand,wehadtohaveanaerobigenoughtotakethepartyaswellasfastenoughtodoitrapidly,andallatonce.Wehad,inadditiontoRupert,myfather,andmyself,SirColinandLordHighAdmiralRooke(Idoliketogivethatsplendidoldfellowhisfulltitle!).Themilitaryandnavalexpertshadwiththemscientificapparatusofvariouskinds,alsocamerasandrange-finders,sothattheycouldmarktheirmapsastheyrequired.Rupert,ofcourse,drove,andIactedashisassistant.Father,whohasnotyetbecomeaccustomedtoaerialtravel,tookaseatinthecentre(whichRuperthadthoughtfullypreparedforhim),wherethereisverylittlemotion.ImustsayIwasamazedtoseethewaythatsplendidoldsoldierSirColinborehimself.Hehadneverbeenonanaeroplanebefore,but,allthesame,hewasascalmasifhewasonarock.Heightormotiondidnottroublehim.Indeed,heseemedtoenjoyhimselfallthetime.TheAdmiralishimselfalmostanexpert,butinanycaseIamsurehewouldhavebeenunconcerned,justashewasintheCrabasRuperthastoldme.

Weleftjustafterdaylight,andrandownsouth.WhenwegottotheeastofIlsin,wekeptslightlywithintheborder-line,andwentnorthoreastasitran,makingoccasionalloopsinlandoverthemountainsandbackagain.Whenwegotuptoourfarthestpointnorth,webegantogomuchslower.SirColinexplainedthatfortherestallwouldbecomparativelyplain-sailinginthewayofdefence;butthatasanyforeignPowerotherthantheTurkmustattackfromseaward,hewouldliketoexaminetheseaboardverycarefullyinconjunctionwiththeAdmiral,whoseadviceastoseadefencewouldbeinvaluable.

Rupertwasfine.Noonecouldhelpadmiringhimashesatworkinghisleverandmakingthegreatmachineobeyeverytouch.Hewaswrappedupinhiswork.Idon’tbelievethatwhilsthewasworkingheeverthoughtofevenme.Heissplendid!

WegotbackjustasthesunwasdroppingdownovertheCalabrianMountains.Itisquitewonderfulhowthehorizonchangeswhenyouaresailingawayuphighonanaeroplane.Rupertisgoingtoteachmehowtomanageoneallbymyself,andwhenIamfithewillgivemeone,whichheistohavespeciallybuiltforme.

IthinkI,too,havedonesomegoodwork—atleast,Ihavegotsomegoodideas—fromourjourneyto-day.Minearenotofwar,butofpeace,andIthinkIseeawaybywhichweshallbeabletodevelopourcountryinawonderfulway.IshalltalktheideaoverwithRupertto-night,whenwearealone.InthemeantimeSirColinandAdmiralRookewillthinktheirplansoverindividually,andto-morrowmorningtogether.Thenthenextdaythey,too,aretogoovertheirideawithRupertandmyfather,andsomethingmaybedecidedthen.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

August21,1907.

OurmeetingonthesubjectofNationalDefence,heldthisafternoon,wentoffwell.Wewerefiveinall,forwithpermissionoftheVoivodeandthetwofighting-men,navalandmilitary,IbroughtTeutawithme.Shesatbesidemequitequietly,andnevermadearemarkofanykindtilltheDefencebusinesshadbeengonethrough.BothSirColinandAdmiralRookewereinperfectagreementastotheimmediatestepstobetakenfordefence.Inthefirstinstance,theseaboardwastobeproperlyfortifiedinthenecessaryplaces,andthenavylargelystrengthened.WhenwehadgotthusfarIaskedRooketotellofthenavyincreasealreadyinhand.Whereuponheexplainedthat,aswehadfoundthesmallbattleshipTheLadyofanexcellenttypeforcoastdefence,actingonlyinhomewaters,andofasizetotakecoverwherenecessaryatmanyplacesonourownshores,wehadorderednineothersofthesamepattern.Ofthesethefirstfourwerealreadyinhand,andwereproceedingwiththegreatestexpedition.TheGeneralthensupplementedthisbysayingthatbiggunscouldbeusedfrompointsjudiciouslychosenontheseaboard,whichwasinallsoshortalengththatnoverygreatquantityofarmamentwouldberequired.

“Wecanhave,”hesaid,“thebiggestgunsofthemostperfectkindyetaccomplished,andusethemfromlandbatteriesofthemostup-to-datepattern.Theoneseriouspropositionwehavetodealwithisthedefenceoftheharbour—asyetquiteundeveloped—whichisknownasthe‘BlueMouth.’SinceouraerialjourneyIhavebeentoitbyseawithAdmiralRookeinTheLady,andthenonlandwiththeVladika,whowasbornonitsshores,andwhoknowseveryinchofit.

“Itisworthfortifying—andfortifyingwell,forasaportitispeerlessinMediterraneanseas.Thenaviesoftheworldmightrideinit,land-locked,andevenhiddenfromviewseawards.Themountainswhichencloseitareinthemselvesabsoluteprotection.Inaddition,thesecanonlybeassailedfromourownterritory.Ofcourse,Voivode,youunderstandwhenIsay‘our’ImeantheLandoftheBlueMountains,forwhosesafetyandwell-beingIamaloneconcerned.AnyshipanchoringintheroadsoftheBlueMouthwouldhaveonlyoneneed—sufficientlengthofcableforitsmagnificentdepth.

“Whenpropergunsareproperlyplacedonthesteepcliffstonorthandsouthoftheentrance,andwhentherockisletbetweenhasbeenarmouredandarmedaswillbenecessary,theMouthwillbeimpregnable.Butweshouldnotdependontheaimingoftheentrancealone.Atcertainsalientpoints—whichIhavemarkeduponthismap—armour-platedsunkenfortswithinearthworksshouldbeestablished.Thereshouldbecoveringfortsonthehillsides,and,of

course,thefinalsummitsprotected.Thuswecouldresistattackonanysideorallsides—fromseaorland.Thatportwillyetmeanthewealthaswellasthestrengthofthisnation,soitwillbewelltohaveitproperlyprotected.Thisshouldbedonesoon,andtheutmostsecrecyobservedinthedoingofit,lestthesodoingshouldbecomeamatterofinternationalconcern.”

HereRookesmotethetablehard.

“ByGod,thatistrue!Ithasbeenthedreamofmyownlifeforthismanyayear.”

Inthesilencewhichfollowedthesweet,gentlevoiceofTeutacameclearasabell:

“MayIsayaword?Iamemboldenedto,asSirColinhasspokensosplendidly,andastheLordHighAdmiralhasnothesitatedtomentionhisdreaming.I,too,havehadadream—aday-dream—whichcameinaflash,butnolessadream,forallthat.ItwaswhenwehungontheaeroplaneovertheBlueMouth.ItseemedtomeinaninstantthatIsawthatbeautifulspotasitwillsometimebe—typical,asSirColinsaid,ofthewealthaswellasthestrengthofthisnation;amartfortheworldwhencewillcomeforbartersomeofthegreatwealthoftheBlueMountains.Thatwealthisasyetundeveloped.Butthedayisathandwhenwemaybegintouseit,andthroughthatveryport.Ourmountainsandtheirvalleysarecladwithtreesofsplendidgrowth,virginforestsofpricelessworth;hardwoodsofallkinds,whichhavenosuperiorthroughouttheworld.Intherocks,thoughhiddenasyet,isvastmineralwealthofmanykinds.IhavebeenlookingthroughthereportsofthegeologicalexportsoftheCommissionofInvestigationwhichmyhusbandorganizedsoonafterhecametolivehere,and,accordingtothem,ourwholemountainrangessimplyteemwithvastquantitiesofminerals,almostmorepreciousforindustrythangoldandsilverareforcommerce—though,indeed,goldisnotaltogetherlackingasamineral.Whenonceourworkontheharbourisdone,andtheplacehasbeenmadesecureagainstanyattemptatforeignaggression,wemusttrytofindawaytobringthiswealthofwoodsandoresdowntothesea.

“Andthen,perhaps,maybeginthegreatprosperityofourLand,ofwhichwehavealldreamt.”

Shestopped,allvibrating,almostchokedwithemotion.Wewereallmoved.Formyself,Iwasthrilledtothecore.Herenthusiasmwasall-sweeping,andunderitsinfluenceIfoundmyownimaginationexpanding.OutofitsexperiencesIspoke:

“Andthereisaway.Icanseeit.WhilstourdearVoivodinwasspeaking,thewayseemedtoclear.IsawatthebackoftheBlueMouth,whereitgoes

deepestintotheheartofthecliffs,theopeningofagreattunnel,whichranupwardoverasteepslopetillitdebouchedonthefirstplateaubeyondtherangeoftheencompassingcliffs.Thithercamebyvariousrailsofsteepgradient,bytimber-shootsandcable-rails,byaerialcablesandprecipitatingtubes,wealthfromovergroundandunderit;forasourLandisallmountains,andasthesetoweruptotheclouds,transporttotheseashallbeeasyandoflittlecostwhenoncethemachineryisestablished.Aseverythingofmuchweightgoesdownward,thecarsofthemaintunneloftheportshallreturnupwardwithoutcost.Wecanhavefromthemountainsaheadofwaterundergoodcontrol,whichwillallowofendlesshydraulicpower,sothatthewholeportandthemechanismofthetowntowhichitwillgrowcanbeworkedbyit.

“Thisworkcanbeputinhandatonce.Sosoonastheplaceshallbeperfectlysurveyedandtheengineeringplansgotready,wecanstartonthemaintunnel,workingfromthesea-levelup,sothatthecostofthetransportofmaterialwillbealmostnil.Thisworkcangoonwhilstthefortsarebuilding;notimeneedbelost.

“Moreover,mayIaddawordonNationalDefence?Weare,thougholdinhonour,ayoungnationastoourplaceamongstGreatPowers.Andsowemustshowthecourageandenergyofayoungnation.TheEmpireoftheAirisnotyetwon.Whyshouldnotwemakeabidforit?Asourmountainsarelofty,soshallwehaveinitialpowerofattackordefence.Wecanhave,inchosenspotsamongsttheclouds,depotsofwaraeroplanes,withwhichwecandescendandsmiteourenemiesquicklyonlandorsea.WeshallhopetoliveforPeace;butwoetothosewhodriveustoWar!”

ThereisnodoubtthattheVissarionsareawarlikerace.AsIspoke,Teutatookoneofmyhandsandheldithard.TheoldVoivode,hiseyesblazing,roseandstoodbesidemeandtooktheother.Thetwooldfighting-menofthelandandtheseastoodupandsaluted.

This was the beginning of what ultimately became “The NationalCommitteeofDefenceandDevelopment.”

Ihadother,andperhapsgreater,plansfor thefuture inmymind;but thetimehadnotcomefortheirutterance.

Tomeitseemsnotonlyadvisable,butnecessary,thattheutmostdiscretionbeobservedbyallourlittlegroup,atalleventsforthepresent.ThereseemstobesomenewuneasinessintheBlueMountains.ThereareconstantmeetingsofmembersoftheCouncil,butnoformalmeetingoftheCouncil,assuch,sincethelastoneatwhichIwaspresent.Thereisconstantcomingandgoingamongstthemountaineers,alwaysingroups,smallorlarge.TeutaandI,whohavebeenaboutverymuchontheaeroplane,havebothnoticedit.Butsomehowwe—thatis,theVoivodeandmyself—areleftoutofeverything;but

wehavenotsaidasyetawordonthesubjecttoanyoftheothers.TheVoivodenotices,buthesaysnothing;soIamsilent,andTeutadoeswhateverIask.SirColindoesnotnoticeanythingexcepttheworkheisengagedon—theplanningthedefencesoftheBlueMouth.Hisoldscientifictrainingasanengineer,andhisenormousexperienceofwarsandsieges—forhewasfornearlyfiftyyearssentasmilitaryrepresentativetoallthegreatwars—seemtohavebecomedirectedonthatpoint.Heiscertainlyplanningitalloutinawonderfulway.HeconsultsRookealmosthourlyonthemaritimesideofthequestion.TheLordHighAdmiralhasbeenawatcherallhislife,andveryfewimportantpointshaveeverescapedhim,sothathecanaddgreatlytothewisdomofthedefensiveconstruction.Henotices,Ithink,thatsomethingisgoingonoutsideourselves;buthekeepsaresolutesilence.

WhatthemovementgoingonisIcannotguess.ItisnotliketheuneasinessthatwentbeforetheabductionofTeutaandtheVoivode,butitisevenmorepronounced.Thatwasanuneasinessfoundedonsomesuspicion.Thisisapositivething,andhasdefinitemeaning—ofsomesort.Weshall,Isuppose,knowallaboutitingoodtime.Inthemeantimewegoonwithourwork.HappilythewholeBlueMouthandthemountainsrounditareonmyownproperty,theportionacquiredlongagobyUncleRoger,exclusiveoftheVissarionestate.IaskedtheVoivodetoallowmetotransferittohim,buthesternlyrefusedandforbademe,quiteperemptorily,toeveropenthesubjecttohimagain.“Youhavedoneenoughalready,”hesaid.“WereItoallowyoutogofurther,Ishouldfeelmean.AndIdonotthinkyouwouldlikeyourwife’sfathertosufferthatfeelingafteralonglife,whichhehastriedtoliveinhonour.”

Ibowed,andsaidnomore.Sotherethematterrests,andIhavetotakemyowncourse.Ihavehadasurveymade,andontheheadofittheTunneltotheharbourisbegun.

BOOKVIII:THEFLASHINGOFTHEHANDJAR

PRIVATE MEMORANDUM OF THE MEETING OF VARIOUSMEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL, HELD AT THE STATEHOUSE OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS AT PLAZAC ON MONDAY,AUGUST26,1907.

(Written by Cristoferos, Scribe of the Council, by instruction of thosepresent.)

WhentheprivatemeetingofvariousMembersoftheNationalCouncilhad

assembled in the Council Hall of the State House at Plazac, it was as apreliminary decided unanimously that now or hereafter no names of thosepresentweretobementioned,andthatofficialsappointedforthepurposesofthis meeting should be designated by office only, the names of all beingwithheld.

Theproceedingsassumedtheshapeofageneralconversation,quiteinformal,andthereforenottoberecorded.Thenettoutcomewastheunanimousexpressionofanopinionthatthetime,longcontemplatedbyverymanypersonsthroughoutthenation,hadnowcomewhentheConstitutionandmachineryoftheStateshouldbechanged;thatthepresentformofrulingbyanIrregularCouncilwasnotsufficient,andthatamethodmoreinaccordwiththespiritofthetimesshouldbeadopted.TothisendConstitutionalMonarchy,suchasthatholdinginGreatBritain,seemedbestadapted.Finally,itwasdecidedthateachMemberoftheCouncilshouldmakeapersonalcanvassofhisdistrict,talkoverthematterwithhiselectors,andbringbacktoanothermeeting—or,rather,asitwasamended,tothismeetingpostponedforaweek,untilSeptember2nd—theopinionsandwishesreceived.Beforeseparating,theindividualtobeappointedKing,incasethenewideashouldprovegratefultothenation,wasdiscussed.TheconsensusofopinionwasentirelytotheeffectthattheVoivodePeterVissarionshould,ifhewouldacceptthehighoffice,beappointed.Itwasurgedthat,ashisdaughter,theVoivodinTeuta,wasnowmarriedtotheEnglishman,RupertSentLeger—calledgenerallybythemountaineers“theGospodarRupert”—asuccessortofollowtheVoivodewhenGodshouldcallhimwouldbeathand—asuccessorworthyineverywaytosucceedtosoillustriousapost.Itwasurgedbyseveralspeakers,withgeneralacquiescence,thatalreadyMr.SentLeger’sservicestotheStateweresuchthathewouldbeinhimselfaworthypersontobeginthenewDynasty;butthat,ashewasnowalliedtotheVoivodePeterVissarion,itwasbecomingthattheelder,bornofthenation,shouldreceivethefirsthonour.

THESAME—Continued.

TheadjournedmeetingofcertainmembersoftheNationalCouncilwasresumedintheHalloftheStateHouseatPlazaconMonday,September2nd,1907.Bymotionthesamechairmanwasappointed,andtheruleregardingtherecordrenewed.

ReportsweremadebythevariousmembersoftheCouncilinturn,accordingtotheStateRoll.Everydistrictwasrepresented.ThereportswereunanimouslyinfavouroftheNewConstitution,anditwasreportedbyeachandalloftheCouncillorsthattheutmostenthusiasmmarkedineverycasethesuggestionoftheVoivodePeterVissarionasthefirstKingtobecrownedunderthenewConstitution,andthatremaindershouldbesettledonthe

GospodarRupert(themountaineerswouldonlyreceivehislawfulnameasanalternative;oneandallsaidthathewouldbe“Rupert”tothemandtothenation—forever).

Theabovematterhavingbeensatisfactorilysettled,itwasdecidedthataformalmeetingoftheNationalCouncilshouldbeheldattheStateHouse,Plazac,inoneweekfromto-day,andthattheVoivodePeterVissarionshouldbeaskedtobeintheStateHouseinreadinesstoattend.ItwasalsodecidedthatinstructionshouldbegiventotheHighCourtofNationalLawtoprepareandhaveready,inskeletonform,arescriptoftheNewConstitutiontobeadopted,thesametobefoundedontheConstitutionandProcedureofGreatBritain,sofarasthesamemaybeapplicabletothetraditionalideasoffreeGovernmentintheLandoftheBlueMountains.

Byunanimousvotethisprivateandirregularmeetingof“VariousNationalCouncillors”wasthendissolved.

RECORDOFTHEFIRSTMEETINGOFTHENATIONALCOUNCILOF THE LAND OF THE BLUEMOUNTAINS, HELD AT PLAZAC ONMONDAY,SEPTEMBER9TH,1907,TOCONSIDERTHEADOPTIONOFANEWCONSTITUTION,ANDTOGIVEPERMANENTEFFECTTOTHESAMEIF,ANDWHEN,DECIDEDUPON.

(KeptbytheMonkCristoferos,ScribetotheNationalCouncil.)

Theadjournedmeetingdulytookplaceasarranged.TherewasafullattendanceofMembersoftheCouncil,togetherwiththeVladika,theArchbishop,theArchimandritesofSpazac,ofIspazar,ofDomitan,andAstrag;theChancellor;theLordoftheExchequer;thePresidentoftheHighCourtofNationalLaw;thePresidentoftheCouncilofJustice;andsuchotherhighofficialsasitiscustomarytosummontomeetingsoftheNationalCouncilonoccasionsofgreatimportance.Thenamesofallpresentwillbefoundinthefullreport,whereinaregiventheipsissimaverbaofthevariousutterancesmadeduringtheconsiderationofthequestionsdiscussed,thesamehavingbeentakendowninshorthandbythehumblescribeofthisprécis,whichhasbeenmadefortheconvenienceofMembersoftheCouncilandothers.

TheVoivodePeterVissarion,obedienttotherequestoftheCouncil,wasinattendanceattheStateHouse,waitinginthe“ChamberoftheHighOfficers”untilsuchtimeasheshouldbeaskedtocomebeforetheCouncil.

ThePresidentputbeforetheNationalCouncilthematterofthenewConstitution,outliningtheheadingsofitasdrawnupbytheHighCourtofNationalLaw,andtheConstitutionhavingbeenformallyacceptednem.con.bytheNationalCouncilonbehalfofthepeople,heproposedthattheCrown

shouldbeofferedtotheVoivodePeterVissarion,withremaindertothe“GospodarRupert”(legally,RupertSentLeger),husbandofhisonlychild,theVoivodinTeuta.Thisalsowasreceivedwithenthusiasm,andpassednem.con.

Thereupon the President of Council, the Archbishop, and the Vladika,actingtogetherasadeputation,wenttopraytheattentionoftheVoivodePeterVassarion.

WhentheVoivodeentered,thewholeCouncilandofficialsstoodup,andforafewsecondswaitedinrespectfulsilencewithheadsboweddown.Then,asifbyacommonimpulse—fornowordwasspokennoranysignalgiven—theyalldrewtheirhandjars,andstoodtoattention—withpointsraisedandedgesofthehandjarstothefront.

TheVoivodestoodverystill.Heseemedmuchmoved,butcontrolledhimselfadmirably.Theonlytimewhenbeseemedtolosehisself-controlwaswhen,onceagainwithastrangesimultaneity,allpresentraisedtheirhandjarsonhigh,andshouted:“Hail,Peter,King!”Thenloweringtheirpointstillthesealmosttouchedtheground,theyonceagainstoodwithbowedheads.

Whenhehadquitemasteredhimself,theVoivodePeterVissarionspoke:

“HowcanI,mybrothers,sufficientlythankyou,and,throughyou,thepeopleoftheBlueMountains,forthehonourdonetomethisday?Inverytruthitisnotpossible,andthereforeIprayyoutoconsideritasdone,measuringmygratitudeinthegreatnessofyourownhearts.Suchhonourasyouoffertomeisnotcontemplatedbyanymaninwhosemindawholesomesanityrules,norisiteventhedreamofferventimagination.Sogreatisit,thatIprayyou,menwithheartsandmindslikemyown,toextendtome,asafurthermeasureofyourgenerosity,alittletimetothinkitover.Ishallnotwantlong,forevenalready,withtheblazeofhonourfreshuponme,IseethecoolshadowofDuty,thoughhissubstanceisyethardlyvisible.Givemebutanhourofsolitude—anhouratmost—ifitdonotprolongthisyoursessionunduly.Itmaybethatalessertimewillserve,butinanycaseIpromiseyouthat,whenIcanseeajustandfittingissuetomythought,Ishallatoncereturn.”

ThePresidentof theCouncil lookedaroundhim,and,seeingeverywherethebowingheadsofacquiescence,spokewithareverentgravity:

“Weshallwaitinpatiencewhatsoevertimeyouwill,andmaytheGodwhorulesallworthyheartsguideyoutoHisWill!”

AndsoinsilencetheVoivodepassedoutofthehall.

FrommyseatnearawindowIcouldwatchhimgo,aswithmeasuredsteps

hepassedupthehillwhichrisesbehindtheStateHouse,anddisappearedintotheshadowoftheforest.Thenmyworkclaimedme,forIwishedtorecordtheproceedingssofarwhilstallwasfreshinmymind.Insilence,asofthedead,theCouncilwaited,nomanchallengingopinionofhisneighbourevenbyaglance.

AlmostafullhourhadelapsedwhentheVoivodecameagaintotheCouncil,movingwithslowandstatelygravity,ashasalwaysbeenhiswontsinceagebegantohamperthemovementwhichinyouthhadbeensonotable.TheMembersoftheCouncilallstoodupuncovered,andsoremainedwhilehemadeannouncementofhisconclusion.Hespokeslowly;andashisanswerwastobeavaluedrecordofthisLandanditsRace,Iwrotedowneverywordasuttered,leavinghereandtherespacefordescriptionorcomment,whichspacesIhavesincethenfilledin.

“LordsoftheNationalCouncil,Archbishop,Vladika,LordsoftheCouncilofJusticeandofNationalLaw,Archimandrites,andmybrothersall,Ihave,sinceIleftyou,heldinthesolitudeoftheforestcounselwithmyself—andwithGod;andHe,inHisgraciouswisdom,hasledmythinkingtothatconclusionwhichwasfromthefirstmomentofknowledgeofyourintentpresagedinmyheart.Brothers,youknow—orelsealonglifehasbeenspentinvain—thatmyheartandmindareallforthenation—myexperience,mylife,myhandjar.Andwhenallisforher,whyshouldIshrinktoexerciseonherbehalfmyriperjudgmentthoughthesameshouldhavetocombatmyownambition?Fortencenturiesmyracehasnotfailedinitsduty.AgesagothemenofthattimetrustedinthehandsofmyancestorstheKingship,evenasnowyou,theirchildren,trustme.Buttomeitwouldbebasetobetraythattrust,evenbythesmallesttittle.ThatwouldIdowereItotakethehonourofthecrownwhichyouhavetenderedtome,solongasthereisanothermoreworthytowearit.Weretherenoneother,Ishouldplacemyselfinyourhands,andyieldmyselfovertoblindobedienceofyourdesires.Butsuchanonethereis;deartoyoualreadybyhisowndeeds,nowdoublydeartome,sinceheismysonbymydaughter’slove.Heisyoung,whereasIamold.Heisstrongandbraveandtrue;butmydaysoftheusefulnessofstrengthandbraveryareover.Formyself,Ihavelongcontemplatedasthecrownofmylateryearsaquietlifeinoneofourmonasteries,whereIcanstillwatchthewhirloftheworldaroundusonyourbehalf,andbeacounsellorofyoungermenofmoreactiveminds.Brothers,weareenteringonstirringtimes.Icanseethesignsoftheircomingallaroundus.NorthandSouth—theOldOrderandtheNew,areabouttoclash,andweliebetweentheopposingforces.TrueitisthattheTurk,afterwarringforathousandyears,isfadingintoinsignificance.ButfromtheNorthwhereconquestsspring,havecrepttowardsourBalkansthemenofamightiercompositePower.Theirmarchhasbeensteady;andastheycame,theyfortifiedeverystepoftheway.Nowthey

areharduponus,andarealreadybeginningtoswallowuptheregionsthatwehavehelpedtowinfromthedominionofMahound.TheAustrianisatourverygates.BeatenbackbytheIrredentistsofItaly,shehassoenmeshedherselfwiththeGreatPowersofEuropethatsheseemsforthemomenttobeimpregnabletoafoeofourstature.Thereisbutonehopeforus—theunitingoftheBalkanforcestoturnamasterlyfronttoNorthandWestaswellastoSouthandEast.Isthatataskforoldhandstoundertake?No;thehandsmustbeyoungandsupple;andthebrainsubtle,aswellastheheartbestrong,ofwhomsoeverwoulddaresuchanaccomplishment.ShouldIacceptthecrown,itwouldonlypostponethedoingofthatwhichmustultimatelybedone.Whatavailwoulditbeif,whenthedarknessclosesoverme,mydaughtershouldbeQueenConsorttothefirstKingofanewdynasty?Youknowthisman,andfromyourrecordIlearnthatyouarealreadywillingtohavehimasKingtofollowme.Whynotbeginwithhim?Hecomesofagreatnation,whereintheprincipleoffreedomisavitalprinciplethatquickensallthings.Thatnationhasmorethanonceshowntousitsfriendliness;anddoubtlesstheveryfactthatanEnglishmanwouldbecomeourKing,andcouldcarryintoourGovernmentthespiritandcustomswhichhavemadehisowncountrygreat,woulddomuchtorestoretheoldfriendship,andeventocreateanewone,whichwouldintimesoftroublebringBritishfleetstoourwaters,andBritishbayonetstosupportourownhandjars.Itiswithinmyownknowledge,thoughasyetunannouncedtoyou,thatRupertSentLegerhasalreadyobtainedapatent,signedbytheKingofEnglandhimself,allowinghimtobedenaturalizedinEngland,sothathecanatonceapplyfornaturalizationhere.Iknowalsothathehasbroughthitheravastfortune,byaidofwhichheisbeginningtostrengthenourhandsforwar,incasethatsadeventualityshouldarise.WitnesshislateorderingtobebuiltnineotherwarshipsoftheclassthathasalreadydonesucheffectiveserviceinoverthrowingtheTurk—orthepirate,whicheverhemayhavebeen.HehasundertakenthedefenceoftheBlueMouthathisowncostinawaywhichwillmakeitstrongerthanGibraltar,andsecureusagainstwhateverusetowhichtheAustrianmayapplythevastforcesalreadygatheredintheBocchediCattaro.Heisalreadyfoundingaerialstationsonourhighestpeaksforuseofthewaraeroplaneswhicharebeingbuiltforhim.Itissuchamanasthiswhomakesanationgreat;andrightsureIamthatinhishandsthissplendidlandandournoble,freedom-lovingpeoplewillflourishandbecomeapowerintheworld.Then,brothers,letme,asonetowhomthisnationanditshistoryanditsfuturearedear,askyoutogivetothehusbandofmydaughterthehonourwhichyouwouldconferonme.ForherIcanspeakaswellasformyself.Sheshallsuffernothingindignityeither.WereIindeedKing,she,asmydaughter,wouldbeaPrincessoftheworld.Asitwillbe,sheshallbecompanionandQueenofagreatKing,andherrace,whichismine,shallflourishinallthe

lustreofthenewDynasty.

“Thereforeonallaccounts,mybrothers,forthesakeofourdearLandoftheBlueMountains,maketheGospodarRupert,whohassoprovedhimself,yourKing.Andmakemehappyinmyretirementtothecloister.”

WhentheVoivodeceasedtospeak,allstillremainedsilentandstanding.Buttherewasnomistakingtheiracquiescenceinhismostgenerousprayer.ThePresidentoftheCouncilwellinterpretedthegeneralwishwhenhesaid:

“Lords of the National Council, Archbishop, Vladika, Lords of theCouncils of Justice and National Law, Archimandrites, and all who arepresent, is it agreed thatweprepare at leisure a fitting reply to theVoivodePeterofthehistoricHouseofVissarion,statingouragreementwithhiswish?”

Towhichtherewasaunanimousanswer:

“Itis.”Hewenton:

“Further.ShallweasktheGospodarRupertoftheHouseofSentLeger,alliedthroughhismarriagetotheVoivodinTeuta,daughterandonlychildoftheVoivodePeterofVissarion,tocomehitherto-morrow?Andthat,whenheisamongstus,weconferonhimtheCrownandKingshipoftheLandoftheBlueMountains?”

Againcametheanswer:“Itis.”

But this time it rang out like the sound of a gigantic trumpet, and thehandjarsflashed.

Whereuponthesessionwasadjournedforthespaceofaday.

THESAME—Continued.

September10,1907.

WhentheNationalCouncilmetto-daytheVoivodePeterVissarionsatwiththem,butwellback,sothatatfirsthispresencewashardlynoticeable.Afterthenecessarypreliminarieshadbeengonethrough,theyrequestedthepresenceoftheGospodarRupert—Mr.RupertSentLeger—whowasreportedaswaitinginthe“ChamberoftheHighOfficers.”HeatonceaccompaniedbacktotheHallthedeputationsenttoconducthim.AshemadehisappearanceinthedoorwaytheCouncillorsstoodup.Therewasaburstofenthusiasm,andthehandjarsflashed.Foraninstanthestoodsilent,withliftedhand,asthoughindicatingthathewishedtospeak.Sosoonasthiswasrecognized,silencefellontheassembly,andhespoke:

“Iprayyou,maytheVoivodinTeutaofVissarion,whohasaccompaniedmehither,appearwithmetohearyourwishes?”Therewasanimmediateandenthusiasticacquiescence,and,afterbowinghisthanks,heretiredtoconduct

her.

HerappearancewasreceivedwithanovationsimilartothatgiventoGospodarRupert,towhichshebowedwithdignifiedsweetness.She,withherhusband,wasconductedtothetopoftheHallbythePresident,whocamedowntoescortthem.InthemeantimeanotherchairhadbeenplacedbesidethatpreparedfortheGospodar,andthesetwosat.

ThePresidentthenmadetheformalstatementconveyingtothe“GospodarRupert”thewishesoftheCouncil,onbehalfofthenation,tooffertohimtheCrownandKingshipoftheLandoftheBlueMountains.ThemessagewascouchedinalmostthesamewordsashadbeenusedthepreviousdayinmakingtheoffertotheVoivodePeterVissarion,onlydifferingtomeetthespecialcircumstances.TheGospodarRupertlistenedingravesilence.Thewholethingwasmanifestlyquitenewtohim,buthepreservedaself-controlwonderfulunderthecircumstances.When,havingbeenmadeawareofthepreviousoffertotheVoivodeandthedeclaredwishofthelatter,herosetospeak,therewasstillnessintheHall.Hecommencedwithafewbrokenwordsofthanks;thenhegrewsuddenlyandstrangelycalmashewenton:

“ButbeforeIcanevenattempttomakeafittingreply,IshouldknowifitiscontemplatedtojoinwithmeinthisgreathonourmydearwifetheVoivodinTeutaofVissarion,whohassosplendidlyprovedherworthinesstoholdanyplaceinthegovernmentoftheLand.Ifainwould...”

He was interrupted by the Voivodin, who, standing up beside him andholdinghisleftarm,said:

“Donot,President,andLordsall,thinkmewantinginthatrespectofawifeforhusbandwhichintheBlueMountainsweholdsodear,ifIventuretointerruptmylord.Iamhere,notmerelyasawife,butasVoivodinofVissarion,andbythememoryofallthenoblewomenofthatnoblelineIfeelconstrainedtoagreatduty.WewomenofVissarion,inallthehistoryofcenturies,haveneverputourselvesforwardinrivalryofourlords.WellIknowthatmyowndearlordwillforgivemeaswifeifIerr;butIspeaktoyou,theCouncilofthenation,fromanothergroundandwithanothertongue.Mylorddoesnot,Ifear,knowasyoudo,andasIdotoo,thatofold,inthehistoryofthisLand,whenKingshipwasexistent,thatitwasruledbythatlawofmasculinesupremacywhich,centuriesafter,becameknownastheLexSalica.LordsoftheCounciloftheBlueMountains,IamawifeoftheBlueMountains—asawifeyoungasyet,butwiththebloodoffortygenerationsofloyalwomeninmyveins.Anditwouldillbecomeme,whommyhusbandhonours—wifetothemanwhomyouwouldhonour—totakeapartinchangingtheancientcustomwhichhasbeenheldinhonourforallthethousandyears,whichisthegloryofBlueMountainwomanhood.Whatan

examplesuchwouldbeinanagewhenself-seekingwomenofothernationsseektoforgettheirwomanhoodinthestruggletovieinequalitywithmen!MenoftheBlueMountains,IspeakforourwomenwhenIsaythatweholdofgreatestpricethegloryofourmen.Tobetheircompanionsisourhappiness;tobetheirwivesisthecompletionofourlives;tobemothersoftheirchildrenisourshareoftheglorythatistheirs.

“Therefore,Iprayyou,menoftheBlueMountains,letmebutbeasanyotherwifeinourland,equaltothemindomestichappiness,whichisourwoman’ssphere;andifthatpricelesshonourmaybevouchsafedtome,andIbeworthyandabletobearit,anexemplarofwoman’srectitude.”Withalow,modest,gracefulbow,shesatdown.

TherewasnodoubtastothereceptionofherrenunciationofQueenlydignity.Therewasmorehonourtoherinthequick,fierceshoutwhicharose,andtheunanimousupwardswingofthehandjars,thaninthewearingofanycrownwhichcouldadorntheheadofwoman.

ThespontaneousactionoftheGospodarRupertwasanothersourceofjoytoall—afittingcorollarytowhathadgonebefore.Herosetohisfeet,and,takinghiswifeinhisarms,kissedherbeforeall.Thentheysatdown,withtheirchairsclose,bashfullyholdinghandslikeapairoflovers.

ThenRupertarose—heisRupertnow;nolessernameisonthelipsofhispeoplehenceforth.Withanintenseearnestnesswhichseemedtoglowinhisface,hesaidsimply:

“WhatcanIsayexceptthatIaminallways,nowandforever,obedienttoyourwishes?”Then,raisinghishandjarandholdingitbeforehim,hekissedthehilt,saying:

“HerebyIsweartobehonestandjust—tobe,Godhelpingme,suchaKingasyouwouldwish—insofarasthestrengthisgivenme.Amen.”

ThisendedthebusinessoftheSession,andtheCouncilshowedunmeasureddelight.Againandagainthehandjarsflashed,asthecheersrose“threetimesthree”inBritishfashion.

WhenRupert—IamtoldImustnotwritehimdownas“KingRupert”untilaftertheformalcrowning,whichisordainedforWednesday,October16th,—andTeutahadwithdrawn,theVoivodePeterVissarion,thePresidentandCouncilconferredincommitteewiththePresidentsoftheHighCourtsofNationalLawandofJusticeastotheformalitiestobeobservedinthecrowningoftheKing,andoftheformalnotificationtobegiventoforeignPowers.Theseproceedingskeptthemfarintothenight.

FROM“TheLondonMessenger.”

CoronationFestivitiesoftheBlueMountains.

(FromourSpecialCorrespondent.)

Plazac,

October14,1907.

AsIsatdowntoapoorly-equippedluncheon-tableonboardtheAustro-OrientlinerFranzJoseph,Imournedinmyheart(andImaysayincidentallyinotherportionsofmyinternaleconomy)thecomfortandgastronomicluxuryoftheKingandEmperorHotelatTrieste.Abriefcomparisonbetweenthemenusofto-day’slunchandyesterday’swillaffordtothereaderastrikingobject-lesson:

Trieste.

Steamer.

Eggsàlacocotte.

Scrambledeggsontoast.

Stewedchicken,withpaprika.

Coldchicken.

DevilledslicesofWestphalianham(boiledinwine).

Coldham.

Tunnyfish,pickled.

Bismarckherrings.

Rice,burstincream.

Stewedapples.

Guavajelly.

Swisscheese.

Consequence:YesterdayIwaswellandhappy,andlookedforwardtoagoodnight’ssleep,whichcameoff.To-dayIamdullandheavy,alsorestless,andIamconvincedthatatsleeping-timemyliverwillhaveitallitsownway.

ThejourneytoRagusa,andthencetoPlazac,iswritlargewithapigmentofmiseryonatleastonehumanheart.Letasilencefalluponit!InsuchwiseonlycanJusticeandMercyjoinhands.

Plazacisamiserableplace.Thereisnotadecenthotelinit.ItwasperhapsonthisaccountthatthenewKing,Rupert,haderectedfortheallegedconvenienceofhisguestsofthePressaseriesoflargetemporaryhotels,such

aswereinevidenceattheSt.LouisExposition.Hereeachguestwasgivenaroomtohimself,somewhatafterthenatureofthecribsinaRowtonhouse.FrommyfirstnightinitIamabletospeakfromexperienceofthesufferingsofaprisonerofthethirdclass.Iam,however,boundtosaythatthediningandreceptionroomswere,thoughuncomfortablyplain,adequatefortemporaryuse.Happilyweshallnothavetoenduremanymoremealshere,asto-morrowwealldinewiththeKingintheStateHouse;andasthecuisineisunderthecontrolofthatcordonbleu,GastondeFauxPas,whosolongcontrolledthegastronomic(wemightalmostsayGastonomic)destiniesoftheRoisdesDiamantsinthePlaceVendôme,wemay,Ithink,lookforwardtonotgoingtobedhungry.Indeed,theanticipationsformedfromasurveyofourmeagresleepingaccommodationwerenotrealizedatdinnertimeto-night.Toourintenseastonishment,anexcellentdinnerwasserved,though,tobesure,thecolddishespredominated(athingIalwaysfindbadforone’sliver).Justaswewerefinishing,theKing(nominated)cameamongstusinquiteaninformalway,and,havingbiddenusaheartywelcome,askedthatweshoulddrinkaglassofwinetogether.Thiswedidinanexcellent(ifrathersweet)glassofCliquot’93.KingRupert(nominated)thenaskedustoresumeourseats.Hewalkedbetweenthetables,nowandagainrecognizingsomejournalisticfriendwhomhehadmetearlyinlifeinhisdaysofadventure.Themenspokentoseemedvastlypleased—withthemselvesprobably.Prettybadformofthem,Icallit!Formyself,IwasgladIhadnotpreviouslymethiminthesamecasualway,asitsavedmefromwhatIshouldhavefeltahumiliation—thebeingpatronizedinthatpublicwaybyaprospectiveKingwhohadnot(inaCourtsense)beenborn.Thewriter,whoisbyprofessionabarrister-at-law,issatisfiedatbeinghimselfacountygentlemanandheirtoanhistoricestateintheancientcountyofSalop,whichcanboastalargerpopulationthantheLandoftheBlueMountains.

EditorialNote.—Wemustaskourreaderstopardonthereportinyesterday’spapersentfromPlazac.Thewriterwasnotonourregularstaff,butaskedtobeallowedtowritethereport,ashewasakinsmanofKingRupertoftheBlueMountains,andwouldthereforebeinapositiontoobtainspecialinformationandfacilitiesofdescription“frominside,”asheputsit.Onreadingthepaper,wecabledhisrecall;wecabledalso,incasehedidnotobey,tohavehisejectmenteffectedforthwith.

WehavealsocabledMr.MordredBooth,thewell-knowncorrespondent,whowas,toourknowledge,inPlazacforhisownpurposes,tosendusfull(andproper)details.Wetakeitourreaderswillpreferagraphicaccountoftheceremonytoafarragoofcheapmenus,commentsonhisownliver,andabelittlingofanEnglishmanofsuchnoblecharacterandachievementsthatarisingnationhaschosenhimfortheirKing,andonewhomourownnationlovestohonour.Weshallnot,ofcourse,mentionourabortivecorrespondent’s

name,unlesscompelledtheretobyanyfutureutteranceofhis.

FROM“TheLondonMessenger.”

TheCoronationofKingRupertoftheBlueMountains.

(ByourSpecialCorrespondent,MordredBooth.)

Plazac,

October17,1907.

Plazacdoesnotboastofacathedraloranychurchofsufficientdimensionsforacoronationceremonyonanadequatescale.ItwasthereforedecidedbytheNationalCouncil,withtheconsentoftheKing,thatitshouldbeheldattheoldchurchofSt.SavaatVissarion—theformerhomeoftheQueen.Accordingly,arrangementshadbeenmadetobringthitheronthewarshipsonthemorningofthecoronationthewholeofthenation’sguests.InSt.Sava’sthereligiousceremonywouldtakeplace,afterwhichtherewouldbeabanquetintheCastleofVissarion.TheguestswouldthenreturnonthewarshipstoPlazac,wherewouldbeheldwhatiscalledherethe“NationalCoronation.”

IntheLandoftheBlueMountainsitwascustomaryintheolddays,whentherewereKings,tohavetwoceremonies—onecarriedoutbytheofficialheadofthenationalChurch,theGreekChurch;theotherbythepeopleinaritualadoptedbythemselves,onmuchthesamebasisastheGermanicFolk-Moot.TheBlueMountainsisanationofstrangelyloyaltendencies.Whatwasathousandyearsagoistobeto-day—sofar,ofcourse,asispossibleunderthealteredconditionofthings.

ThechurchofSt.Savaisveryoldandverybeautiful,builtinthemannerofoldGreekchurches,fullofmonumentsofbygoneworthiesoftheBlueMountains.But,ofcourse,neitheritnortheceremonyheldinitto-daycancompareinsplendourwithcertainotherceremonials—forinstance,thecoronationofthepenultimateCzarinMoscow,ofAlfonsoXII.inMadrid,ofCarlosI.inLisbon.

ThechurchwasarrangedmuchafterthefashionofWestminsterAbbeyforthecoronationofKingEdwardVII.,though,ofcourse,notsomanypersonspresent,norsomuchindividualsplendour.Indeed,thenumberofthosepresent,outsidethoseofficiallyconcernedandthePressoftheworld,wasveryfew.

Themoststrikingfigurepresent—nexttoKingRupert,whoissevenfeethighandamagnificentman—wastheQueenConsort,Teuta.Shesatinfrontofasmallgalleryerectedforthepurposejustoppositethethrone.Sheisastrikinglybeautifulwoman,tallandfinely-formed,withjet-blackhairandeyeslikeblackdiamonds,butwiththeuniquequalitythattherearestarsin

themwhichseemtotakevariedcolouraccordingtoeachstrongemotion.Butitwasnotevenherbeautyorthestarsinhereyeswhichdrewthefirstglanceofall.Thesedetailsshowedonscrutiny,butfromafarofftheattractivepointwasherdress.Surelyneverbeforedidwoman,besheQueenorpeasant,wearsuchacostumeonafestiveoccasion.

ShewasdressedinawhiteShroud,andinthatonly.Ihadheardsomethingofthestorywhichgoesbehindthatstrangecostume,andshalllateronsendittoyou.[2]

Whentheprocessionenteredthechurchthroughthegreatwesterndoor,thenationalsongoftheBlueMountains,“Guideourfeetthroughdarkness,OJehovah,”wassungbyanunseenchoir,inwhichtheorgan,supplementedbymartialinstruments,joined.TheArchbishopwasrobedinreadinessbeforethealtar,andclosearoundhimstoodtheArchimandritesofthefourgreatmonasteries.TheVladikastoodinfrontoftheMembersoftheNationalCouncil.Alittletoonesideofthisbodywasagroupofhighofficials,PresidentsoftheCouncilsofNationalLawandJustice,theChancellor,etc.—allinsplendidrobesofgreatantiquity—theHighMarshalloftheForcesandtheLordhighAdmiral.

Whenallwasreadyfortheceremonialactofcoronation,theArchbishopraisedhishand,whereuponthemusicceased.Turningaround,sothathefacedtheQueen,whothereonstoodup,theKingdrewhishandjarandsalutedherinBlueMountainfashion—thepointraisedashighpossible,andthendroppeddowntillitalmosttouchestheground.Everymaninthechurch,ecclesiasticsandall,wearthehandjar,and,followingtheKingbytheintervalofasecond,theirweaponsflashedout.Therewassomethingsymbolic,aswellastouching,inthistrulyroyalsalute,ledbytheKing.Hishandjarisamightyblade,andheldhighinthehandsofamanofhisstature,itovertoweredeverythinginthechurch.Itwasaninspiritingsight.Noonewhosawwilleverforgetthatnobleflashingofbladesinthethousand-year-oldsalute...

Thecoronationwasshort,simple,andimpressive.RupertkneltwhilsttheArchbishop,afterashort,ferventprayer,placedonhisheadthebronzecrownofthefirstKingoftheBlueMountains,Peter.ThiswashandedtohimbytheVladika,towhomitwasbroughtfromtheNationalTreasurybyaprocessionofthehighofficers.AblessingofthenewKingandhisQueenTeutaconcludedtheceremony.Rupert’sfirstactonrisingfromhiskneeswastodrawhishandjarandsalutehispeople.

AftertheceremonyinSt.Sava,theprocessionwasreformed,andtookitswaytotheCastleofVissarion,whichissomedistanceoffacrossapicturesquecreek,boundedoneithersidebynoblecliffsofvastheight.TheKingledthe

way,theQueenwalkingwithhimandholdinghishand...TheCastleofVissarionisofgreatantiquity,andpicturesquebeyondbelief.Iamsendinglateron,asaspecialarticle,adescriptionofit...

The“CoronationFeast,”asitwascalledonthemenu,washeldintheGreatHall,whichisofnobleproportions.Ienclosecopyofthemenu,asourreadersmaywishtoknowsomethingofthedetailsofsuchafeastinthispartoftheworld.

Onefeatureofthebanquetwasspeciallynoticeable.AstheNationalOfficialswereguestsoftheKingandQueen,theywerewaitedonandservedbytheKingandQueeninperson.Therestoftheguests,includingusofthePress,wereservedbytheKing’shousehold,nottheservants—noneofthatcultwerevisible—butbytheladiesandgentlemenoftheCourt.

Therewasonlyonetoast,andthatwasgivenbytheKing,allstanding:“TheLandoftheBlueMountains,andmaywealldoourdutytotheLandwelove!”Beforedrinking,hismightyhandjarflashedoutagain,andinaninstanteverytableatwhichtheBlueMountaineerssatwasringedwithflashingsteel.Imayaddparentheticallythatthehandjarisessentiallythenationalweapon.IdonotknowiftheBlueMountaineerstakeittobedwiththem,buttheycertainlyweariteverywhereelse.Itsdrawingseemstoemphasizeeverythinginnationallife...

Weembarkedagainonthewarships—oneahuge,steel-platedDreadnought,uptodateineveryparticular,theotheranarmouredyachtmostcompleteineveryway,andofuniquespeed.TheKingandQueen,theLordsoftheCouncil,togetherwiththevarioushighecclesiasticsandgreatofficials,wentontheyacht,whichtheLordHighAdmiral,amanofremarkablymasterfulphysiognomy,himselfsteered.TherestofthosepresentattheCoronationcameonthewarship.Thelatterwentfast,buttheyachtshowedherheelsalltheway.However,theKing’spartywaitedinthedockintheBlueMouth.Fromthisanewcable-linetookusalltotheStateHouseatPlazac.Heretheprocessionwasreformed,andwounditswaytoabarehillintheimmediatevicinity.TheKingandQueen—theKingstillwearingtheancientbronzecrownwithwhichtheArchbishophadinvestedhimatSt.Sava’s—theArchbishop,theVladika,andthefourArchimandritesstoodtogetheratthetopofthehill,theKingandQueenbeing,ofcourse,inthefront.Acourteousyounggentleman,towhomIhadbeenaccreditedatthebeginningoftheday—allguestsweresoattended—explainedtomethat,asthiswasthenationalasopposedtothereligiousceremony,theVladika,whoistheofficialrepresentativeofthelaity,tookcommandhere.Theecclesiasticswereputprominentlyforward,simplyoutofcourtesy,inobediencetothewishofthepeople,bywhomtheywereallgreatlybeloved.

Thencommencedanotheruniqueceremony,which,indeed,mightwellfindaplaceinourWesterncountries.Asfaraseverwecouldseeweremassesofmenroughlygrouped,notinanyuniform,butallinnationalcostume,andarmedonlywiththehandjar.InthefrontofeachofthesegroupsorbodiesstoodtheNationalCouncillorforthatdistrict,distinguishablebyhisofficialrobeandchain.Therewereinallseventeenofthesebodies.Thesewereunequalinnumbers,someofthempredominatingenormouslyoverothers,as,indeed,mightbeexpectedinsomountainousacountry.Inalltherewerepresent,Iwastold,overahundredthousandmen.SofarasIcanjudgefromlongexperienceoflookingatgreatbodiesofmen,theestimatewasajustone.Iwasalittlesurprisedtoseesomany,forthepopulationoftheBlueMountainsisneveraccreditedinbooksofgeographyasalargeone.WhenImadeinquiryastohowthefrontierguardwasbeingforthetimemaintained,Iwastold:

“Bythewomenmainly.But,allthesame,wehavealsoamaleguardwhichcoversthewholefrontierexceptthattoseaward.Eachmanhaswithhimsixwomen,sothatthewholelineisunbroken.Moreover,sir,youmustbearinmindthatintheBlueMountainsourwomenaretrainedtoarmsaswellasourmen—ay,andtheycouldgiveagoodaccountofthemselves,too,againstanyfoethatshouldassailus.Ourhistoryshowswhatwomencandoindefence.Itellyou,theTurkishpopulationwouldbebiggerto-daybutforthewomenwhoonourfrontierfoughtofoldfordefenceoftheirhomes!”

“Nowonderthisnationhaskeptherfreedomforathousandyears!”Isaid.

AtasignalgivenbythePresidentoftheNationalCounciloneoftheDivisionsmovedforwards.Itwasnotanordinarymovement,butanintenserushmadewithalltheelanandvigourofhardyandhighly-trainedmen.Theycameon,notmerelyatthedouble,butasifdeliveringanattack.Handjarinhand,theyrushedforward.Icanonlycomparetheirrushtoanartillerychargeortoanattackofmassedcavalrybattalions.ItwasmyfortunetoseetheformeratMagentaandthelatteratSadowa,sothatIknowwhatsuchillustrationmeans.ImayalsosaythatIsawthereliefcolumnwhichRobertsorganizedrushthroughatownonitswaytorelieveMafeking;andnoonewhohadthedelightofseeingthatinspiringprogressofaflyingarmyontheirwaytorelievetheircomradesneedstobetoldwhatarushofarmedmencanbe.Withspeedwhichwassimplydesperatetheyranupthehill,and,circlingtotheleft,madearingroundthetopmostplateau,wherestoodtheKing.Whentheringwascomplete,thestreamwentonlappingroundandroundtillthewholetallywasexhausted.InthemeantimeanotherDivisionhadfollowed,itsleaderjoiningclosebehindtheendofthefirst.Thencameanotherandanother.Anunbrokenlinecircledandcircledroundthehillinseemingendlessarray,tillthewholeslopesweremassedwithmovingmen,darkin

colour,andwithcountlessglitteringpointseverywhere.WhenthewholeoftheDivisionshadthussurroundedtheKing,therewasamoment’shush—asilencesostillthatitalmostseemedasifNaturestoodstillalso.Wewholookedonwerealmostafraidtobreathe.

Then suddenly,without, so far as I could see, any fugleman orword ofcommand,thehandjarsofallthatmightyarrayofmenflashedupwardasone,andlikethunderpealedtheNationalcry:

“TheBlueMountainsandDuty!”

Afterthecrytherewasastrangesubsidencewhichmadetheonlookerrubhiseyes.Itseemedasthoughthewholemassoffightingmenhadpartiallysunkintotheground.Thenthesplendidtruthburstuponus—thewholenationwaskneelingatthefeetoftheirchosenKing,whostoodupright.

Anothermomentofsilence,asKingRupert, takingoffhiscrown,held itupinhislefthand,and,holdinghisgreathandjarhighinhisright,criedinavoicesostrongthatitcameringingoverthatserriedmasslikeatrumpet:

“ToFreedomofourNation,andtoFreedomwithinit,Idedicatetheseandmyself.Iswear!”

Sosaying,he,too,sankonhisknees,whilstweallinstinctivelyuncovered.

Thesilencewhichfollowedlastedseveralseconds;then,withoutasign,asthoughoneandallactedinstinctively,thewholebodystoodup.Thereuponwasexecutedamovementwhich,withallmyexperienceofsoldiersandwar,Ineversawequalled—notwiththeRussianRoyalGuardsalutingtheCzarathisCoronation,notwithanimpiofCetewayo’sZuluswhirlingthroughtheopeningofakraal.

Forasecondortwothewholemassseemedtowritheorshudder,andthen,lo! the whole District Divisions were massed again in completeness, itsCouncillorsnexttheKing,andtheDivisionsradiatingoutwardsdownthehilllikewedges.

Thiscompletedtheceremony,andeverythingbrokeupintounits.Later,IwastoldbymyofficialfriendthattheKing’slastmovement—theoathashesanktohisknees—wasaninnovationofhisown.AllIcansayis,if,inthefuture,andforalltime,itisnottakenforaprecedent,andmadeanimportantpartofthePatrioticCoronationceremony,theBlueMountaineerswillprovethemselvestobeamuchmorestupidpeoplethantheyseematpresenttobe.

TheconclusionoftheCoronationfestivitieswasatimeofunalloyedjoy.ItwasthebanquetgiventotheKingandQueenbythenation;theguestsofthenationwereincludedintheroyalparty.Itwasauniqueceremony.Fancyapicnic-partyofahundredthousandpersons,nearlyallmen.Theremusthave

beenmadebeforehandvastandelaboratepreparations,ramifyingthroughthewholenation.Eachsectionhadbroughtprovisionssufficientfortheirownconsumptioninadditiontoseveralspecialdishesfortheguest-tables;butthecontributionofeachsectionwasnotconsumedbyitsownmembers.

Itwasevidentlyapartoftheschemethatallshouldderivefromacommonstock, so that the feeling of brotherhood and common property should bepreservedinthismonumentalfashion.

Theguest-tablesweretheonlytablestobeseen.Thebulkofthefeasterssatontheground.Thetableswerebroughtforwardbythementhemselves—nosuchthingasdomesticservicewasknownonthisday—fromawoodcloseathand,wheretheyandthechairshadbeenplacedinreadiness.Thelinenandcrockeryusedhadbeensentforthepurposefromthehouseholdsofeverytownandvillage.Theflowerswerepluckedinthemountainsearlythatmorningbythechildren,andthegoldandsilverplateusedforadornmentweresuppliedfromthechurches.Eachdishattheguest-tableswasservedbythemenofeachsectioninturn.

Overthewholearrayseemedtobespreadanatmosphereofjoyousness,ofpeace,ofbrotherhood.Itwouldbeimpossibletoadequatelydescribethatamazingscene,awholenationofsplendidmensurroundingtheirnewKingandQueen,lovingtohonourandservethem.Scatteredaboutthroughthatvastcrowdweregroupsofmusicians,chosenfromamongstthemselves.Thespacecoveredbythistitanicpicnicwassovastthattherewerefewspotsfromwhichyoucouldhearmusicproceedingfromdifferentquarters.

Afterdinnerweallsatandsmoked;themusicbecamerathervocalthaninstrumental—indeed,presentlywedidnothearthesoundofanyinstrumentatall.OnlyknowingafewwordsofBalkan,Icouldnotfollowthemeaningsofthesongs,butIgatheredthattheywerealllegendaryorhistorical.Tothosewhocouldunderstand,asIwasinformedbymytutelaryyoungfriend,whostayedbesidemethewholeofthismemorableday,wewerelisteningtothehistoryoftheLandoftheBlueMountainsinballadform.Somewhereorotherthroughoutthatvastconcourseeachnotablerecordoftencenturieswasbeingtoldtoeagerears.

Itwasnowlateintheday.SlowlythesunhadbeendroppingdownovertheCalabrianMountains,andtheglamoroustwilightwasstealingovertheimmediatescene.Nooneseemedtonoticethecomingofthedark,whichstoledownonuswithanunspeakablemystery.Forlongwesatstill,theclatterofmanytonguesbecomingstilledintothewitcheryofthescene.Lowerthesunsank,tillonlytheruddinessoftheafterglowlittheexpansewithrosylight;thenthisfailedinturn,andthenightshutdownquickly.

Atlast,whenwecouldjustdiscernthefacesclosetous,asimultaneous

movementbegan.Lightsbegantoflashoutinplacesalloverthehillside.Atfirsttheseseemedastinyasglow-wormsseeninasummerwood,butbydegreestheygrewtillthespacewassetwithlittlecirclesoflight.Theseinturngrewandgrewinbothnumberandstrength.Flamesbegantoleapoutfrompilesofwood,torcheswerelightedandheldhigh.Thenthemusicbeganagain,softlyatfirst,butthenlouderasthemusiciansbegantogathertothecentre,wheresattheKingandQueen.Themusicwaswildandsemi-barbaric,butfullofsweetmelody.Itsomehowseemedtobringbeforeusadistantpast;oneandall,accordingtothestrengthofourimaginationandthevolumeofourknowledge,sawepisodesandphasesofbygonehistorycomebeforeus.Therewasawonderfulrhythmic,almostchoric,forceinthetimekept,whichmadeitalmostimpossibletositstill.ItwasaninvitationtothedancesuchasIhadneverbeforeheardinanynationoratanytime.Thenthelightsbegantogatherround.Oncemorethemountaineerstooksomethingofthesameformationasatthecrowning.Wheretheroyalpartysatwasalevelmead,withcrisp,shortgrass,androunditwhatonemightwellcalltheRingoftheNationwasformed.

Themusicgrewlouder.Eachmountaineerwhohadnotalittorchalreadylightedone,andthewholerisinghillsidewasagloryoflight.TheQueenrose,andtheKinganinstantafter.Astheyrosemensteppedforwardandcarriedawaytheirchairs,orratherthrones.TheQueengavetheKingherhand—thisis,itseems,theprivilegeofthewifeasdistinguishedfromanyotherwoman.Theirfeettookthetimeofthemusic,andtheymovedintothecentreofthering.

Thatdancewasanotherthingtoremember,wonfromthehauntingmemoriesofthatstrangeday.AtfirsttheKingandQueendancedallalone.Theybeganwithstatelymovement,butasthemusicquickenedtheirfeetkepttime,andtheswingoftheirbodieswithmovementskeptgrowingmoreandmoreecstaticateverybeattill,intrueBalkanfashion,thedancebecameaveryagonyofpassionatemovement.

Atthispointthemusicsloweddownagain,andthemountaineersbegantojoininthedance.Atfirstslowly,onebyone,theyjoinedin,theVladikaandthehigherpriestsleading;theneverywherethewholevastcrowdbegantodance,tilltheeartharoundusseemedtoshake.Thelightsquivered,flickered,blazedoutagain,androseandfellasthathundredthousandmen,eachholdingatorch,roseandfellwiththerhythmofthedance.Quicker,quickergrewthemusic,fastergrewtherushingandpoundingofthefeet,tillthewholenationseemednowinanecstasy.

IstoodneartheVladika,andinthemidstofthisfinalwildnessIsawhimdrawfromhisbeltashort,thinflute;thenheputittohislipsandblewasinglenote—afierce,sharpnote,whichpiercedthevolumeofsoundmoresurely

thanwouldthethunderofacannon-shot.Ontheinstanteverywhereeachmanputhistorchunderhisfoot.

Therewascompleteandimmediatedarkness,forthefires,whichhadbynowfallenlow,hadevidentlybeentroddenoutinthemeasureofthedance.Themusicstillkeptinitsrhythmicbeat,butslowerthanithadyetbeen.Littlebylittlethisbeatwaspointedandemphasizedbytheclappingofhands—atfirstonlyafew,butspreadingtilleveryonepresentwasbeatinghandstotheslowmusicinthedarkness.Thislastedalittlewhile,duringwhich,lookinground,Inoticedafaintlightbeginningtostealupbehindthehills.Themoonwasrising.

AgaintherecameanotefromtheVladika’sflute—asinglenote,sweetandsubtle,whichIcanonlycomparewithanotefromanightingale,vastlyincreasedinpowers.It,too,wonthroughthethunderofthehand-claps,andonthesecondthesoundceased.Thesuddenstillness,togetherwiththedarkness,wassoimpressivethatwecouldalmosthearourheartsbeating.Andthencamethroughthedarknessthemostbeautifulandimpressivesoundheardyet.Thatmightyconcourse,withoutfuglemanofanysort,began,inlow,ferventvoice,tosingtheNationalAnthem.Atfirstitwasofsolowtoneastoconveytheideaofamightyassemblyofviolinistsplayingwiththemuteson.Butitgraduallyrosetilltheairaboveusseemedtothrobandquiver.Eachsyllable—eachword—spokeninunisonbythevastthrongwasasclearlyenunciatedasthoughspokenbyasinglevoice:

“Guideourfeetthroughdarkness,OJehovah.”

Thisanthem,sungoutoffullhearts,remainsonourmindsasthelastperfectionofaperfectday.Formyself,Iamnotashamedtoownthatitmademeweeplikeachild.Indeed,IcannotwriteofitnowasIwould;itunmansmeso!

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Intheearlymorning,whilstthemountainswerestillrathergreythanblue,thecable-linetookustotheBlueMouth,whereweembarkedintheKing’syacht,TheLady,whichtookusacrosstheAdriaticatapacewhichIhadhithertoconsideredimpossible.TheKingandQueencametothelandingtoseeusoff.Theystoodtogetherattheright-handsideofthered-carpetedgangway,andshookhandswitheachguestashewentonboard.Theinstantthelastpassengerhadsteppedondeckthegangwaywaswithdrawn.TheLordHighAdmiral,whostoodonthebridge,raisedhishand,andweswepttowardsthemouthofthegulf.Ofcourse,allhatswereoff,andwecheeredfrantically.IcantrulysaythatifKingRupertandQueenTeutashouldeverwishtofoundintheBlueMountainsacolonyofdiplomatistsandjournalists,thosewhoweretheirguestsonthisgreatoccasionwillvolunteertoaman.Ithinkold

Hempetch,whoisthedoyenofEnglish-speakingjournalists,voicedoursentimentswhenhesaid:

“MayGodblessthemandtheirswitheverygraceandhappiness,andsendprosperitytotheLandandtherule!”IthinktheKingandQueenhearduscheer,theyturnedtolookatourflyingshipagain.

BOOKIX:BALKA

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued(LongeIntervallo).

February10,1908.

ItissolongsinceIeventhoughtofthisjournalthatIhardlyknowwheretobegin.Ialwaysheardthatamarriedmanisaprettybusyman;butsinceIbecameone,thoughitisanewlifetome,andofahappinessundreamtof,Iknowwhatthatlifeis.ButIhadnoideathatthisKingbusinesswasanythinglikewhatitis.Why,itneverleavesmeamomentatalltomyself—or,whatisworse,toTeuta.IfpeoplewhocondemnKingshadonlyasinglemonthofmylifeinthatcapacity,theywouldformanopiniondifferentfromthatwhichtheyhold.ItmightbeusefultohaveaProfessorofKingshipintheAnarchists’College—wheneveritisfounded!

Everythinghasgoneonwellwithus,Iamgladtosay.Teutaisinsplendidhealth,thoughshehas—butonlyverylately—practicallygivenupgoingonherownaeroplane.Itwas,Iknow,agreatsacrificetomake,justasshehadbecomeanexpertatit.TheysayherethatsheisoneofthebestdriversintheBlueMountains—andthatisintheworld,forwehavemadethatformofmovementourown.Eversincewefoundthepitch-blendepocketsintheGreatTunnel,anddiscoveredthesimpleprocessofextractingtheradiumfromit,wehavegoneonbyleapsandbounds.WhenfirstTeutatoldmeshewould“aero”nomoreforawhile,Ithoughtshewaswise,andbackedherupinit:fordrivinganaeroplaneistryingworkandhardonthenerves.Ionlylearnedthenthereasonforhercaution—theusualoneofayoungwife.Thatwasthreemonthsago,andonlythismorningshetoldmeshewouldnotgosailingintheair,evenwithme,tillshecoulddoso“withoutrisk”—shedidnotmeanrisktoherself.AuntJanetknewwhatshemeant,andcounselledherstronglytosticktoherresolution.SoforthenextfewmonthsIamtodomyair-sailingalone.

ThepublicworkswhichwebeganimmediatelyaftertheCoronationaregoingstrong.Webeganattheverybeginningonanelaboratesystem.ThefirstthingwastoadequatelyfortifytheBlueMouth.Whilstthefortifications

werebeingconstructedwekeptallthewarshipsinthegulf.Butwhenthepointofsafetywasreached,wemadetheshipsdosentry-goalongthecoast,whilstwetrainedmenforserviceatsea.Itisourplantotakebydegreesalltheyoungmenandteachthemthiswise,sothatattheendthewholepopulationshallbetrainedforseaaswellasforland.Andasweareteachingthemtheairshipservice,too,theywillbeathomeinalltheelements—exceptfire,ofcourse,thoughifthatshouldbecomeanecessity,weshalltackleittoo!

WestartedtheGreatTunnelatthefarthestinlandpointoftheBlueMouth,andranitdueeastatanangleof45degrees,sothat,whencomplete,itwouldgorightthroughthefirstlineofhills,comingoutontheplateauPlazac.Theplateauisnotverywide—halfamileatmost—andthesecondtunnelbeginsontheeasternsideofit.Thisnewtunnelisatasmallerangle,asithastopiercethesecondhill—amountainthistime.Whenitcomesoutontheeastsideofthat,itwilltaptherealproductivebelt.Hereitisthatourhardwood-treesarefinest,andwherethegreatestmineraldepositsarefound.Thisplateauisofenormouslength,andrunsnortharidsouthroundthegreatbulkofthecentralmountain,sothatintime,whenweputupacircularrailway,wecanbring,atamerelynominalcost,allsortsofmaterialupordown.Itisonthislevelthatwehavebuiltthegreatfactoriesforwarmaterial.Wearetunnellingintothemountains,wherearethegreatdepositsofcoal.Werunthetrucksinandoutonthelevel,andcangetperfectventilationwithlittlecostorlabour.Alreadyweareminingallthecoalwhichweconsumewithinourownconfines,andwecan,ifwewish,withinayearexportlargely.Thegreatslopesofthesetunnelsgiveusthenecessaryaidofspecificgravity,andaswecarryanendlesswater-supplyingreattubesthatwayalso,wecandowhateverwewishbyhydraulicpower.AsonebyonetheEuropeanandAsiaticnationsbegantoreducetheirwarpreparations,wetookovertheirdisbandedworkmenthoughouragents,sothatalreadywehaveaproductivestaffofskilledworkmenlargerthananywhereelseintheworld.Ithinkmyselfthatwewerefortunateinbeingabletogetaheadsofastwithourpreparationsforwarmanufacture,forifsomeofthe“GreatPowers,”astheycallthemselves,knewthemeasureofourpresentproduction,theywouldimmediatelytrytotakeactivemeasuresagainstus.Insuchcaseweshouldhavetofightthem,whichwoulddelayus.Butifwecanhaveanotheryearuntroubled,weshall,sofaraswarmaterialisconcerned,beabletodefyanynationintheworld.Andifthetimemayonlycomepeacefullytillwehaveourbuildingsandmachinerycomplete,wecanpreparewar-storesandimplementsforthewholeBalkannations.Andthen—Butthatisadream.Weshallknowingoodtime.

Inthemeantimeallgoeswell.Thecannonfoundriesarebuiltandactive.Wearealreadybeginningtoturnoutfinishedwork.Ofcourse,ourfirstgunsarenotverylarge,buttheyaregood.Thebigguns,andespeciallysiege-guns,willcomelater.Andwhenthegreatextensionsarecomplete,andtheboring

andwire-windingmachinesareinworkingorder,wecangomerrilyon.Isupposethatbythattimethewholeoftheupperplateauwillbelikeamanufacturingtown—atanyrate,wehaveplentyofrawmaterialtohand.Thehaematiteminesseemtobeinexhaustible,andastheraisingoftheoreischeapandeasybymeansofourextraordinarywater-power,andascoalcomesdowntotheplateaubyitsowngravityonthecable-line,wehavenaturaladvantageswhichexisthardlyanywhereelseintheworld—certainlynotalltogether,ashere.Thatbird’seyeviewoftheBlueMouthwhichwehadfromtheaeroplanewhenTeutasawthatvisionofthefuturehasnotbeeninvain.Theaeroplaneworksarehavingasplendidoutput.Theaeroplaneisalargeandvisibleproduct;thereisnomistakingwhenitisthere!Wehavealreadyalargeandrespectableaerialfleet.Thefactoriesforexplosivesare,ofcourse,farawayinbarevalleys,whereaccidentaleffectsareminimized.So,too,aretheradiumworks,whereinunknowndangersmaylurk.Theturbinesinthetunnelgiveusallthepowerwewantatpresent,and,lateron,whenthenewtunnel,whichwecallthe“watertunnel,”whichisalreadybegun,iscomplete,theavailablepowerwillbeimmense.Alltheseworksarebringingupourshipping,andweareingreathopesforthefuture.

Somuchforourmaterialprosperity.Butwithitcomesalargerlifeandgreaterhopes.Thestressoforganizingandfoundingthesegreatworksispracticallyover.Astheyarenotonlyself-supporting,butlargelyproductive,allanxietyinthewayofnationalexpenditureisminimized.And,morethanall,Iamabletogivemyunhamperedattentiontothosemattersofevenmorethannationalimportanceonwhichtheultimatedevelopment,ifnottheimmediatestrength,ofourcountrymustdepend.

IamwellintothesubjectofagreatBalkanFederation.This,itturnsout,hasforlongbeenthedreamofTeuta’slife,asalsothatofthepresentArchimandriteofPlazac,herfather,who,sinceIlasttouchedthisjournal,havingtakenonhimselfaHolyLife,was,bywilloftheChurch,theMonks,andthePeople,appointedtothatgreatofficeontheretirementofPetrofVlastimir.

SuchaFederationhadlongbeenintheair.Formyself,Ihadseenitsinevitablenessfromthefirst.ThemodernaggressionsoftheDualNation,interpretedbyherpasthistorywithregardtoItaly,pointedtowardsthenecessityofsuchaprotectivemeasure.Andnow,whenServiaandBulgariawereusedasblindstocoverherrealmovementstoincorporatewithherselfasestablishedtheprovinces,onceTurkish,whichhadbeenentrustedtohertemporaryprotectionbytheTreatyofBerlin;whenitwouldseemthatMontenegrowastobedeprivedforalltimeofthehopeofregainingtheBocchediCattaro,whichshehadacenturyagowon,andheldatthepointofthesword,untilaGreatPowerhad,underawrongconviction,handeditover

toherneighbouringGoliath;whentheSandjackofNovi-BazarwasthreatenedwiththefatewhichseemedtohavealreadyovertakenBosniaandHerzegovina;whengallantlittleMontenegrowasalreadyshutoutfromtheseabytheoctopus-likegripofDalmatiacrouchingalongherwesternshore;whenTurkeywasdwindlingdowntoalmostineptitude;whenGreecewasalmostabyword,andwhenAlbaniaasanation—thoughstillnominallysubject—wasofsuchunimpairedvirilitythatthereweregreatpossibilitiesofherfuture,itwasimperativethatsomethingmusthappeniftheBalkanracewasnottobedevouredpiecemealbyhernorthernneighbours.TotheendofultimateprotectionIfoundmostofthemwillingtomakedefensivealliance.

Andasthetruedefenceconsistsinjudiciousattack,Ihavenodoubtthatanalliancesobasedmustultimatelybecomeoneforallpurposes.Albaniawasthemostdifficulttowintothescheme,asherowncomplicationswithhersuzerain,combinedwiththeprideandsuspiciousnessofherpeople,madeapproachamatterofextremecaution.ItwasonlypossiblewhenIcouldinduceherrulerstoseethat,nomatterhowgreatherprideandvalour,themagnitudeofnorthernadvance,ifunchecked,mustultimatelyoverwhelmher.

Iownthatthismap-makingwasnervouswork,forIcouldnotshutmyeyestothefactthatGermanlustofenlargementlaybehindAustria’sadvance.AtandbeforethattimeexpansionwasthedominantideaofthethreeGreatPowersofCentralEurope.Russiawenteastward,hopingtogathertoherselftherichnorth-easternprovincesofChina,tillultimatelysheshoulddominatethewholeofNorthernEuropeandAsiafromtheGulfofFinlandtotheYellowSea.GermanywishedtolinktheNorthSeatotheMediterraneanbyherownterritory,andthusstandasaflawlessbarrieracrossEuropefromnorthtosouth.

WhenNatureshouldhaveterminatedtheheadshipoftheEmpire-Kingdom,she,asnaturalheir,wouldcreepsouthwardthroughtheGerman-speakingprovinces.ThusAustria,ofcoursekeptinignoranceofherneighbour’sultimateaims,hadtoextendtowardsthesouth.ShehadbeenbarredinherwesternmovementbytheriseoftheIrredentistpartyinItaly,andconsequentlyhadtowithdrawbehindthefrontiersofCarinthia,Carniola,andIstria.

Myowndreamofthenewmapwastomake“Balka”—theBalkanFederation—takeinultimatelyallsouthofalinedrawnfromtheIsleofSerpentstoAquileia.Therewould—must—bedifficultiesinthecarryingoutofsuchascheme.Ofcourse,itinvolvedAustriagivingupDalmatia,Istria,andSclavonia,aswellasapartofCroatiaandtheHungarianBanat.Onthecontrary,shemightlookforcenturiesofpeaceinthesouth.ButitwouldmakeforpeacesostronglythateachoftheStatesimpingingonitwouldfinditworthwhiletomakeaconsiderablesacrificetohaveiteffected.Toitsown

integersitwouldofferalastingsettlementofinterestswhichatpresentconflicted,andashareinanewworld-power.Eachoftheseintegerswouldbeabsolutelyself-governingandindependent,beingonlyunitedforpurposesofmutualgood.IdidnotdespairthatevenTurkeyandGreece,recognizingthatbenefitandsafetywouldensuewithoutthedestructionorevenminimizingofindividuality,would,soonerorlater,comeintotheFederation.ThematterisalreadysofaradvancedthatwithinamonththevariousrulersoftheStatesinvolvedaretohaveasecretandinformalmeeting.Doubtlesssomelargerplanandfurtheractionwillbethenevolved.Itwillbeananxioustimeforallinthiszone—andoutsideit—tillthismatterisallsettled.Inanycase,themanufactureofwarmaterialwillgoonuntilitissettled,onewayoranother.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

March6,1908.

Ibreathemorefreely.ThemeetinghastakenplacehereatVissarion.Nominalcauseofmeeting:ahunting-partyintheBlueMountains.Notanyformalaffair.NotaChancellororSecretaryofStateorDiplomatistofanysortpresent.Allheadquarters.Itwas,afterall,arealhunting-party.Goodsportsmen,plentyofgame,lotsofbeaters,everythingorganizedproperly,andaneffectivetallyofresults.Ithinkweallenjoyedourselvesinthematterofsport;andasthepoliticalresultwasabsoluteunanimityofpurposeandintention,therecouldbenopossiblecauseofcomplaint.

Soitisalldecided.Everythingispacific.Thereisnotasuggestionevenofwar,revolt,orconflictingpurposeofanykind.Weallgoonexactlyaswearedoingforanotheryear,pursuingourownindividualobjects,justasatpresent.Butwearealltoseethatinourownhouseholdsorderprevails.Allthatissupposedtobeeffectiveistobekeptingoodworkingorder,andwhateveris,atpresent,notadequatetopossibilitiesistobemadeso.Thisisallsimplyprotectiveanddefensive.Weunderstandeachother.Butifanyhulkingstrangershouldundertaketointerfereinourdomesticconcerns,weshallalluniteontheinstanttokeepthingsaswewishthemtoremain.Weshallbeready.Alfred’smaximofPeaceshallbeoncemoreexemplified.Inthemeantimethefactoriesshallworkovertimeinourownmountains,andtheoutputshallbeforthegeneralgoodofourspecialcommunity—thebilltobesettledafterwardsamicably.Therecanhardlybeanydifferenceofopinionaboutthat,astheotherswillbetheconsumersofoursurplusproducts.Wearetheproducers,whoproduceforourselvesfirst,andthenforthelimitedmarketofthosewithintheRing.Asweundertaketoguardourownfrontiers—seaandland—andareabletodoso,thegoodsaretobewarehousedintheBlueMountainsuntilrequired—ifatall—forparticipationinthemarketsoftheworld,andespeciallyintheEuropeanmarket.Ifallgoeswellandthemarketsareinactive,thegoodsshallbedulydeliveredtothepurchasersasarranged.

Somuchforthepurelymercantileaspect.

THEVOIVODINJANETMACKELPIE’SNOTES.

May21,1908.

AsRupertbegantoneglecthisJournalwhenhewasmadeaKing,so,too,Ifindinmyselfatendencytoleavewritingtootherpeople.ButonethingIshallnotbecontenttoleavetoothers—littleRupert.ThebabyofRupertandTeutaismuchtoopreciousathingtobespokenofexceptwithlove,quiteindependentofthefactthathewillbe,innaturalcourse,aKing!SoIhavepromisedTeutathatwhatevershallbeputintothisrecordofthefirstKingoftheSentLegerDynastyrelatingtoHisRoyalHighnesstheCrownPrinceshallonlyappearineitherherhandormyown.Andshehasdeputedthemattertome.

OurdearlittlePrincearrivedpunctuallyandinperfectcondition.Theangelsthatcarriedhimevidentlytookthegreatestcareofhim,andbeforetheylefthimtheygavehimdowerofalltheirbest.Heisadear!Likebothhisfatherandhismother,andthatsayseverything.MyownprivateopinionisthatheisabornKing!Hedoesnotknowwhatfearis,andhethinksmoreofeveryoneelsethanhedoesofhisdearlittleself.Andifthosethingsdonotshowatrulyroyalnature,Idonotknowwhatdoes...

Teutahasreadthis.Sheheldupawarningfinger,andsaid:

“AuntJanetdear,thatisalltrue.Heisadear,andaKing,andanangel!Butwemustn’thavetoomuchabouthimjustyet.ThisbookistobeaboutRupert.Soourlittlemancanonlybewhatweshallcallacorollary.”Andsoitis.

IshouldmentionherethatthebookisTeuta’sidea.BeforelittleRupertcameshecontrolledherselfwonderfully,doingonlywhatwasthoughtbestforherunderthecircumstances.AsIcouldseethatitwouldbeahelpforhertohavesomequietoccupationwhichwouldinterestherwithouttiringher,Ilookedup(withhispermission,ofcourse)allRupert’soldlettersanddiaries,andjournalsandreports—allthatIhadkeptforhimduringhisabsencesonhisadventures.AtfirstIwasalittleafraidtheymightharmher,forattimesshegotsoexcitedoversomethingsthatIhadtocautionher.Hereagaincameinherwonderfulself-control.IthinkthemostsoothingargumentIusedwithherwastopointoutthatthedearboyhadcomethroughallthedangerssafely,andwasactuallywithus,strongerandnoblerthanever.

Afterwehadreadovertogetherthewholematterseveraltimes—foritwaspracticallynewtometoo,andIgotnearlyasexcitedasshewas,thoughIhaveknownhimsomuchlonger—wecametotheconclusionthatthisparticularvolumewouldhavetobeofselectedmatter.Thereisenoughof

Rupert’sworktomakealotofvolumesandwehaveanambitiousliteraryprojectofsomedaypublishinganeditiondeluxeofhiswholecollectedworks.ItwillbearareshowingamongsttheworksofKings.Butthisistobeallabouthimself,sothatinthefutureitmayserveasasortofbackboneofhispersonalhistory.

By-and-bywecametoapartwhenwehadtoaskhimquestions;andhewassointerestedinTeuta’swork—heisreallyboundupbodyandsoulinhisbeautifulwife,andnowonder—thatwehadtotakehimintofullconfidence.Hepromisedhewouldhelpusallhecouldbygivingustheuseofhislaterjournals,andsuchlettersandpapersashehadkeptprivately.Hesaidhewouldmakeonecondition—Iusehisownwords:“Asyoutwodearwomenaretobemyeditors,youmustpromisetoputineverythingexactlyasIwroteit.Itwillnotdotohaveanyfakeaboutthis.Idonotwishanythingfoolishoregotisticaltoneddownoutofaffectionforme.Itwasallwritteninsincerity,andifIhadfaults,theymustnotbehidden.Ifitistobehistory,itmustbetruehistory,evenifitgivesyouandmeoranyofusaway.”

Sowepromised.

Healsosaidthat,asSirEdwardBinghamTrent,Bart.—asheisnow—wassuretohavesomematterwhichweshouldlike,hewouldwriteandaskhimtosendsuchtous.HealsosaidthatMr.ErnestRogerHalbardMelton,ofHumcroft,Salop(healwaysgivesthisnameandaddressinfull,whichishiswayofshowingcontempt),wouldbesuretohavesomerelevantmatter,andthathewouldhavehimwrittentoonthesubject.Thishedid.TheChancellorwrotehiminhismostgrandiloquentstyle.Mr.E.R.H.Melton,ofH.,S.,repliedbyreturnpost.Hisletterisadocumentwhichspeaksforitself:

Humcroft,Salop,

May30,1908.

MydearcousinKingRupert,

IamhonouredbytherequestmadeonyourbehalfbytheLordHighChancellorofyourkingdomthatIshouldmakealiterarycontributiontothevolumewhichmycousin,QueenTeuta,is,withthehelpofyourformergoverness,MissMacKelpie,compiling.Iamwillingtodoso,asyounaturallywishtohaveinthatworksomecontemporaryrecordmadebytheHeadoftheHouseofMelton,withwhichyouareconnected,thoughonlyonthedistaffside.Itisanaturalambitionenough,evenonthepartofabarbarian—orperhapssemi-barbarian—King,andfarbeitfromme,asHeadoftheHouse,todenyyousuchacovetedprivilege.PerhapsyoumaynotknowthatIamnowHeadoftheHouse;myfatherdiedthreedaysago.IofferedmymothertheuseoftheDowerHouse—totheincumbencyofwhich,indeed,she

isentitledbyhermarriagesettlement.Butshepreferredtogotoliveatherseat,Carfax,inKent.Shewentthismorningafterthefuneral.InlettingyouhavetheuseofmymanuscriptImakeonlyonestipulation,butthatIexpecttoberigidlyadheredto.ItisthatallthatIhavewrittenbeputinthebookinextenso.Idonotwishanyrecordofminetobegarbledtosuitotherendsthanthoseostensible,orwhatevermaybetothehonourofmyselformyHousetobeburked.Idaresayyouhavenoticed,mydearRupert,thatthecompilersoffamilyhistoriesoften,throughjealousy,altermatterthattheyareallowedtousesoastosuittheirownpurposeorministertotheirownvanity.IthinkitrighttotellyouthatIhavehadacertifiedcopymadebyPetterandGalpin,thelawstationers,sothatIshallbeabletoverifywhethermystipulationhasbeenhonourablyobserved.Iamhavingthebook,whichisnaturallyvaluable,carefullypacked,andshallhaveitforwardedtoSirEdwardBinghamTrent,Baronet(whichhenowis—Heavensavethemark!),theAttorney.Pleaseseethathereturnsittome,andinproperorder.Heisnottopublishforhimselfanythinginitabouthim.Amanofthatclassisapttoadvertisethefactofanyoneofdistinctiontakinganynoticeofhim.IwouldbringouttheMS.toyoumyself,andstayforawhilewithyouforsomesport,onlyyourlot—subjectsIsupposeyoucallthem!—aresuchboundersthatagentleman’slifeishardlysafeamongstthem.Inevermetanyonewhohadsopooranappreciationofajokeastheyhave.Bytheway,howisTeuta?Sheisoneofthem.Iheardallaboutthehatchingbusiness.Ihopethekidisallright.Thisisonlyawordinyourear,sodon’tgetcocky,oldson.Iamopentoagodfathership.Thinkofthat,Hedda!Ofcourse,iftheothergodfatherandthegodmotherareuptothemark;Idon’twanttohavetoboostupthewholelot!Savvy?KissTeutaandthekidforme.Imusthavetheboyoverhereforabitlateron—whenheispresentable,andhaslearnednottobeanuisance.Itwillbegoodforhimtoseesomethingofarealfirst-classEnglishcountryhouselikeHumcroft.Toapersononlyaccustomedtoroughwaysandmeagrelivingitsluxurywillmakeamemorywhichwillserveintimeasanexampletobeaimedat.Ishallwriteagainsoon.Don’thesitatetoaskanyfavourwhichImaybeabletoconferonyou.Solong!

Youraffectionatecousin,

ErnestRogerHalbardMelton.

Extract fromLetter fromE. BinghamTrent toQueen Teuta of the BlueMountains.

...SoIthoughtthebestwaytoservethatappallingcadwouldbetotakehimathisword,andputinhisliterarycontributioninfull.Ihavehadmadeandattestedacopyofhis“Record,”ashecallsit,soastosaveyoutrouble.ButIsendthebookitself,becauseIamafraidthatunlessyouseehiswordsinhisownwriting,youwillnotbelievethatheoranyoneelseeverpenned

seriouslyadocumentsoincriminating.Iamsurehemusthaveforgottenwhathehadwritten,forevensuchadulldogasheiscouldneverhavemadepublicsuchathingknowingly...Suchanaturehasitsrevengesonitself.Inthiscasetheofficersofrevengearehisipsissimaverba.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

February1,1909.

Allisnowwellintrain.WhentheCzarofRussia,onbeingaskedbytheSclavs(aswasmeet)tobetherefereeinthe“BalkanSettlement,”declinedonthegroundthathewashimselfbyinferenceaninterestedparty,itwasunanimouslyagreedbytheBalkanrulersthattheWesternKingshouldbeaskedtoarbitrate,asallconcernedhadperfectconfidenceinhiswisdom,aswellashisjustice.Totheirwishhegraciouslyassented.Thematterhasnowbeenformorethansixmonthsinhishands,andhehastakenendlesstroubletoobtainfullinformation.HehasnowinformedusthroughhisChancellorthathisdecisionisalmostready,andwillbecommunicatedassoonaspossible.

Wehaveanotherhunting-partyatVissarionnextweek.Teutaislookingforwardtoitwithextraordinaryinterest.ShehopesthentopresenttoourbrothersoftheBalkansourlittleson,andsheiseagertoknowiftheyendorsehermother-approvalofhim.

RUPERT’SJOURNAL—Continued.

April15,1909.

Thearbitrator’sdecisionhasbeencommunicatedtousthroughtheChancelloroftheWesternKing,whobroughtittoushimselfasaspecialactoffriendliness.Itmetwiththeenthusiasticapprovalofall.ThePremierremainedwithusduringtheprogressofthehunting-party,whichwasoneofthemostjoyousoccasionseverknown.Weareallofgoodheart,forthefutureoftheBalkanracesisnowassured.Thestrife—internalandexternal—ofathousandyearshasceased,andwelookwithhopeforalongandhappytime.TheChancellorbroughtmessagesofgraceandcourtlinessandfriendlinesstoall.AndwhenI,asspokesmanoftheparty,askedhimifwemightconveyarequestofHisMajestythathewouldhonourusbyattendingtheceremonyofmakingknownformallytheBalkanSettlement,heansweredthattheKinghadauthorizedhimtosaythathewould,ifsuchwerewishedbyus,gladlycome;andthatifheshouldcome,hewouldattendwithafleetasanescort.TheChancelloralsotoldmefromhimselfthatitmightbepossibletohaveothernationalitiesrepresentedonsuchagreatoccasionbyAmbassadorsandevenfleets,thoughthemonarchsthemselvesmightnotbeabletoattend.HehintedthatitmightbewellifIputthematterintrain.(Heevidentlytookitfor

grantedthat,thoughIwasonlyoneofseveral,thematterrestedwithme—possiblyhechosemeastheonetowhomtomaketheconfidence,asIwasbornastranger.)Aswetalkeditover,hegrewmoreenthusiastic,andfinallysaidthat,astheKingwastakingthelead,doubtlessallthenationsoftheearthfriendlytohimwouldliketotakeapartintheceremony.Soitislikelytoturnoutpracticallyaninternationalceremonyofauniquekind.Teutawillloveit,andweshallalldowhatwecan.

JANETMACKELPIE’SNOTES.

June1,1909.

OurdearTeutaisfulloftheforthcomingcelebrationoftheBalkanFederation,whichistotakeplacethisdaymonth,althoughImustsay,formyself,thattheceremonyisattainingtosuchdimensionsthatIambeginningtohaveasortofvaguefearofsomekind.Italmostseemsuncanny.Rupertisworkingunceasingly—hasbeenforsometime.Forweekspastheseemstohavebeenoutdayandnightonhisaeroplane,goingthroughandroundoverthecountryarrangingmatters,andseeingforhimselfthatwhathasbeenarrangedisbeingdone.UncleColinisalwaysabout,too,andsoisAdmiralRooke.ButnowTeutaisbeginningtogowithRupert.Thatgirlissimplyfearless—justlikeRupert.AndtheybothseemanxiousthatlittleRupertshallbethesame.Indeed,heisthesame.AfewmorningsagoRupertandTeutawereabouttostartjustafterdawnfromthetopoftheCastle.LittleRupertwasthere—heisalwaysawakeearlyandasbrightasabee.Iwasholdinghiminmyarms,andwhenhismotherleantovertokisshimgood-bye,heheldouthisarmstoherinawaythatsaidasplainlyasifhehadspoken,“Takemewithyou.”

ShelookedappealinglyatRupert,whonodded,andsaid:“Allright.Takehim,darling.Hewillhavetolearnsomeday,andthesoonerthebetter.”Thebaby,lookingeagerlyfromonetotheotherwiththesamequestioninginhiseyesasthereissometimesintheeyesofakittenorapuppy—but,ofcourse,withaneagersoulbehindit—sawthathewasgoing,andalmostleapedintohismother’sarms.Ithinkshehadexpectedhimtocome,forshetookalittleleatherdressfromMargareta,hisnurse,and,flushingwithpride,begantowraphiminit.WhenTeuta,holdinghiminherarms,steppedontheaeroplane,andtookherplaceinthecentrebehindRupert,theyoungmenoftheCrownPrince’sGuardraisedacheer,amidwhichRupertpulledthelevers,andtheyglidedoffintothedawn.

TheCrownPrince’sGuardwasestablishedbythemountaineersthemselvesthedayofhisbirth.Tenofthebiggestandmostpowerfulandcleverestyoungmenofthenationwerechosen,andweresworninwithaveryimpressiveceremonytoguardtheyoungPrince.Theyweretosoarrangeand

orderthemselvesandmattersgenerallythattwoatleastofthemshouldalwayshavehim,ortheplaceinwhichhewas,withintheirsight.Theyallvowedthatthelastoftheirlivesshouldgobeforeharmcametohim.Ofcourse,Teutaunderstood,andsodidRupert.AndtheseyoungmenarethepersonsmostprivilegedinthewholeCastle.Theyaredearboys,everyoneofthem,andweareallfondofthemandrespectthem.Theysimplyidolizethebaby.

EversincethatmorninglittleRuperthas,unlessitisatatimeappointedforhissleeping,goneinhismother’sarms.IthinkinanyotherplacetherewouldbesomeStateremonstranceatthewholeroyalfamilybeingatonceandtogetherinadangerousposition,butintheBlueMountainsdangerandfeararenotthoughtof—indeed,theycanhardlybeintheirterminology.AndIreallythinkthechildenjoysitevenmorethanhisparents.Heisjustlikealittlebirdthathasfoundtheuseofhiswings.Blesshim!

IfindthatevenIhavetostudyCourtritualalittle.Somanynationalitiesaretoberepresentedattheceremonyofthe“BalkanSettlement,”andsomanyKingsandPrincesandnotabilitiesofallkindsarecoming,thatwemustalltakecarenottomakeanymistakes.ThePressalonewoulddriveanyonesilly.RupertandTeutacomeandsitwithmesometimesintheeveningwhenwearealltootiredtowork,andtheyrestthemselvesbytalkingmattersover.Rupertsaysthattherewillbeoverfivehundredreporters,andthattheapplicationsforpermissionarecominginsofastthattheremaybeathousandwhenthedaycomes.Lastnighthestoppedinthemiddleofspeakingofit,andsaid:

“Ihaveaninspiration!Fancyathousandjournalists,—eachwantingtogetaheadoftherest,andallwillingtoinvokethePowersofEvilforexclusiveinformation!TheonlymantolookafterthisdepartmentisRooke.Heknowshowtodealwithmen,andaswehavealreadyalargestafftolookafterthejournalisticguests,hecanbeatthehead,andappointhisowndeputiestoactforhim.Somewhereandsometimethekeepingthepeacewillbeamatterofnerveandresolution,andRookeisthemanforthejob.”

Wewereallconcernedaboutonething,naturallyimportantintheeyesofawoman:WhatrobeswasTeutatowear?Intheolddays,whentherewereKingsandQueens,theydoubtlessworesomethinggorgeousorimpressive;butwhateveritwasthattheyworehasgonetodustcenturiesago,andtherewerenoillustratedpapersinthoseprimitivedays.Teutawastalkingtomeeagerly,withherdearbeautifulbrowsallwrinkled,whenRupertwhowasreadingabulkydocumentofsomekind,lookedupandsaid:

“Ofcourse,darling,youwillwearyourShroud?”

“Capital!”shesaid,clappingherhandslikeajoyouschild.“Theverything,andourpeoplewilllikeit.”

IownthatforamomentIwasdismayed.Itwasahorribletestofawoman’sloveanddevotion.AtatimewhenshewasentertainingKingsandnotabilitiesinherownhouse—andbesuretheywouldallbedeckedintheirfinery—tohavetoappearinsuchagarment!Aplainthingwithnothingevenpretty,letalonegorgeous,aboutit!IexpressedmyviewstoRupert,forIfearedthatTeutamightbedisappointed,thoughshemightnotcaretosayso;butbeforehecouldsayawordTeutaanswered:

“Oh,thankyousomuch,dear!Ishouldlovethataboveeverything,butIdidnotliketosuggestit,lestyoushouldthinkmearrogantorpresuming;for,indeed,Rupert,Iamveryproudofit,andofthewayourpeoplelookonit.”

“Whynot?”saidRupert,inhisdirectway.“Itisathingforusalltobeproudof;thenationhasalreadyadopteditasanationalemblem—ouremblemofcourageanddevotionandpatriotism,whichwillalways,Ihope,betreasuredbeyondpricebythemenandwomenofourDynasty,theNation,thatis—oftheNationthatistobe.”

Lateronintheeveningwehadastrangeendorsementofthenationalwill.A“People’sDeputation”ofmountaineers,withoutanyofficialnoticeorintroduction,arrivedattheCastlelateintheeveninginthemannerestablishedbyRupert’s“ProclamationofFreedom,”whereinallcitizenswereentitledtosendadeputationtotheKing,atwillandinprivate,onanysubjectofStateimportance.Thisdeputationwascomposedofseventeenmen,oneselectedfromeachpoliticalsection,sothatthebodyasawholerepresentedtheentirenation.Theywereofallsortsofsocialrankandalldegreesoffortune,buttheyweremainly“ofthepeople.”Theyspokehesitatingly—possiblybecauseTeuta,orevenbecauseI,waspresent—butwithamanifestearnestness.Theymadebutonerequest—thattheQueenshould,onthegreatoccasionoftheBalkanFederation,wearasrobesofStatetheShroudthattheylovedtoseeherin.Thespokesman,addressingtheQueen,saidintonesofruggedeloquence:

“Thisisamatter,YourMajesty,thatthewomennaturallyhaveasayin,sowehave,ofcourse,consultedthem.Theyhavediscussedthematterbythemselves,andthenwithus,andtheyareagreedwithoutaflawthatitwillbegoodfortheNationandforWomankindthatyoudothisthing.Youhaveshowntothem,andtotheworldatlarge,whatwomenshoulddo,whattheycando,andtheywanttomake,inmemoryofyourgreatact,theShroudagarmentofprideandhonourforwomenwhohavedeservedwelloftheircountry.Inthefutureitcanbeagarmenttobewornonlybyprivilegedwomenwhohaveearnedtheright.Buttheyhope,andwehopewiththem,thatonthisoccasionofourNationtakingtheleadbeforetheeyesoftheworld,allourwomenmaywearitonthatdayasameansofshowingovertlytheirwillingnesstodotheirduty,eventothedeath.Andso”—hereheturnedtotheKing—“Rupert,wetrustthatHerMajestyQueenTeutawillunderstand

thatindoingasthewomenoftheBlueMountainswish,shewillbindafreshtotheQueentheloyaldevotionwhichshewonfromthemasVoivodin.HenceforthandforalltimetheShroudshallbeadressofhonourinourLand.”

Teutalookedallablazewithloveandprideanddevotion.Starsinhereyesshonelikewhitefireassheassuredthemofthegrantingoftheirrequest.Shefinishedherlittlespeech:

“I feared that if I carried outmy ownwish, it might look arrogant, butRuperthasexpressedthesamewish,andnowIfeelthatIamfreetowearthatdresswhichbroughtmetoyouandtoRupert”—hereshebeamedonhim,andtookhishand—“fortifiedasIambyyourwishesandthecommandofmylordtheKing.”

Ruperttookherinhisarmsandkissedherfondlybeforethemall,saying:

“Tellyourwives,mybrothers,andtherestoftheBlueMountainwomen,thatthatistheanswerofthehusbandwholovesandhonourshiswife.AlltheworldshallseeattheceremonyoftheFederationofBalkathatwemenloveandhonourthewomenwhoareloyalandcandieforduty.And,menoftheBlueMountains,somedaybeforelongweshallorganizethatgreatidea,andmakeitapermanentthing—thattheOrderoftheShroudisthehighestguerdonthatanoble-heartedwomancanwear.”

Teutadisappearedforafewmoments,andcamebackwiththeCrownPrinceinherarms.Everyonepresentaskedtobeallowedtokisshim,whichtheydidkneeling.

THEFEDERATIONBALKA.

BytheCorrespondentsof“FreeAmerica.”

TheEditorsofFreeAmericahavethoughtitwelltoputinconsecutiveorderthereportsanddescriptionsoftheirSpecialCorrespondents,ofwhomtherewerepresentnolessthaneight.Notawordtheywroteisomitted,butthevariouspartsoftheirreportsareplacedindifferentorder,sothat,whilstnothingwhichanyofthemrecordedisleftout,thereadermaybeabletofollowtheproceedingsfromthevariouspointsofviewofthewriterswhohadthemostfavourableopportunityofmoment.Insolargeanassemblageofjournalists—therewerepresentoverathousand—theycouldnotallbepresentinoneplace;soourmen,inconsultationamongstthemselves,arrangedtoscatter,soastocoverthewholeproceedingfromthevarious“coignsofvantage,”usingtheirskillandexperienceinselectingthesepoints.Onewassituatedonthesummitofthesteel-cladtowerintheentrancetotheBlueMouth;anotheronthe“Press-boat,”whichwasmooredalongsideKingRupert’sarmouredyacht,TheLady,whereonweregatheredthevariousKingsandrulersoftheBalkanStates,allofwhomwereintheFederation;another

wasinaswifttorpedo-boat,witharovingcommissiontocruiseroundtheharbourasdesired;anothertookhisplaceonthetopofthegreatmountainwhichoverlooksPlazac,andsohadabird’s-eyeviewofthewholesceneofoperations;twootherswereonthefortstorightandleftoftheBlueMouth;anotherwaspostedattheentrancetotheGreatTunnelwhichrunsfromthewaterlevelrightupthroughthemountainstotheplateau,wheretheminesandfactoriesaresituate;anotherhadtheprivilegeofaplaceonanaeroplane,whichwenteverywhereandsaweverything.ThisaeroplanewasdrivenbyanoldSpecialCorrespondentofFreeAmerica,whohadbeenachumofourSpecialintheJapaneseandRussianWar,andwhohastakenserviceontheBlueMountainOfficialGazette.

Plazac,

June30,1909.

TwodaysbeforethetimeappointedfortheceremonytheguestsoftheLandoftheBlueMountainsbegantoarrive.Theearliercomersweremostlythejournalistswhohadcomefromalmostoverthewholeinhabitedworld.KingRupert,whodoesthingswell,hadmadeacampfortheirexclusiveuse.Therewasaseparatetentforeach—ofcourse,asmallone,astherewereoverathousandjournalists—buttherewerebigtentsforgeneralusescatteredabout—refectories,readingandwritingrooms,alibrary,idleroomsforrest,etc.Intheroomsforreadingandwriting,whichwerethework-roomsforgeneraluse,werenewspapers,thelatestattainablefromallovertheworld,Blue-Books,guides,directories,andallsuchaidstoworkasforethoughtcouldarrange.Therewasforthisspecialserviceabodyofsomehundredsofcapableservantsinspecialdressandbearingidentificationnumbers—infact,KingRupert“didusfine,”touseaslangphraseofpregnantmeaning.

Therewereothercampsforspecialservice,allofthemwellarranged,andwithplentyoffacilityfortransport.EachoftheFederatingMonarchshadacampofhisown,inwhichhehaderectedamagnificentpavilion.FortheWesternKing,whohadactedasArbitratorinthematteroftheFederation,averitablepalacehadbeenbuiltbyKingRupert—asortofAladdin’spalaceitmusthavebeen,foronlyafewweeksagotheplaceitoccupiedwas,Iwastold,onlyprimevalwilderness.KingRupertandhisQueen,Teuta,hadapavilionliketherestoftheFederatorsofBalka,butinfinitelymoremodest,bothinsizeandadornments.

EverywherewereguardsoftheBlueMountains,armedonlywiththe“handjar,”whichisthenationalweapon.Theyworethenationaldress,butsoarrangedincolourandaccoutrementthatthegeneralairofuniformitytooktheplaceofarigiduniform.Theremusthavebeenatleastseventyoreightythousandofthem.

Thefirstdaywasoneofinvestigationofdetailsbythevisitors.DuringtheseconddaytheretinuesofthegreatFederatorscame.Someoftheseretinueswerevast.Forinstance,theSoldan(thoughonlyjustbecomeaFederator)sentofonekindoranothermorethanathousandmen.Abraveshowtheymade,fortheyarefinemen,anddrilledtoperfection.Astheyswaggeredalong,singlyorinmass,withtheirgayjacketsandbaggytrousers,theirhelmetssurmountedbythegoldencrescent,theylookedafoenottobedespised.LandreckMartin,theNestorofjournalists,saidtome,aswestoodtogetherlookingatthem:

“To-daywewitnessanewdepartureinBlueMountainhistory.ThisisthefirstoccasionforathousandyearsthatsolargeaTurkishbodyhasenteredtheBlueMountainswithareasonableprospectofevergettingoutagain.”

July1,1909.

To-day,thedayappointedfortheceremony,wasauspiciouslyfine,evenfortheBlueMountains,whereatthistimeofyeartheweatherisnearlyalwaysfine.TheyareearlyfolkintheBlueMountains,butto-daythingsbegantohumbeforedaybreak.Therewerebugle-callsallovertheplace—everythinghereisarrangedbycallsofmusicalinstruments—trumpets,orbugles,ordrums(if,indeed,thedrumcanbecalledamusicalinstrument)—orbylights,ifitbeafterdark.Wejournalistswereallready;coffeeandbread-and-butterhadbeenthoughtfullyservedearlyinoursleeping-tents,andanelaboratebreakfastwasgoingonallthetimeintherefectorypavilions.Wehadapreliminarylookround,andthentherewasasortofgeneralpauseforbreakfast.Wetookadvantageofit,andattackedthesumptuous—indeed,memorable—mealwhichwasservedforus.

Theceremonywastocommenceatnoon,butatteno’clockthewholeplacewasastir—notmerelybeginningtomove,butactuallymoving;everybodytakingtheirplacesforthegreatceremony.Asnoondrewnear,theexcitementwasintenseandprolonged.OnebyonethevarioussignatoriestotheFederationbegantoassemble.Theyallcamebysea;suchofthemashadsea-boardsoftheirownhavingtheirfleetsaroundthem.SuchashadnofleetsoftheirownwereattendedbyatleastoneoftheBlueMountainironclads.AndIamboundtosaythatIneverinmylifesawmoredangerouscraftthantheselittlewarshipsofKingRupertoftheBlueMountains.AstheyenteredtheBlueMoutheachshiptookherappointedstation,thosewhichcarriedthesignatoriesbeingclosetogetherinanisolatedgroupinalittlebayalmostsurroundedbyhighcliffsinthefarthestrecessesofthemightyharbour.KingRupert’sarmouredyachtallthetimelaycloseinshore,hardbythemouthoftheGreatTunnelwhichrunsstraightintothemountainfromawideplateau,partlynaturalrock,partlybuiltupwithmightyblocksofstone.Hereitis,Iamtold,thattheinlandproductsarebroughtdowntothemoderntownof

Plazac.Justastheclockswerechimingthehalf-hourbeforenoonthisyachtglidedoutintotheexpanseofthe“Mouth.”Behindhercametwelvegreatbarges,royallydecked,anddrapedeachinthecolourofthesignatorynation.Oneachofthesetherulerenteredwithhisguard,andwascarriedtoRupert’syacht,hegoingonthebridge,whilsthissuiteremainedonthelowerdeck.Inthemeantimewholefleetshadbeenappearingonthesouthernhorizon;thenationsweresendingtheirmaritimequotatothechristeningof“Balka”!Insuchwonderfulorderascanonlybeseenwithsquadronsoffightingships,themightythrongsweptintotheBlueMouth,andtookuptheirstationsingroups.TheonlyarmamentofaGreatPowernowmissingwasthatoftheWesternKing.Buttherewastime.Indeed,asthecrowdeverywherebegantolookattheirwatchesalonglineofshipsbegantospreadupnorthwardfromtheItaliancoast.Theycameatgreatspeed—nearlytwentyknots.Itwasareallywonderfulsight—fiftyofthefinestshipsintheworld;theverylatestexpressionofnavalgiants,eachseeminglytypicalofitsclass—Dreadnoughts,cruisers,destroyers.Theycameinawedge,withtheKing’syachtflyingtheRoyalStandardtheapex.Everyshipofthesquadronborearedensignlongenoughtofloatfromthemastheadtothewater.Fromthearmouredtowerinthewaterwayonecouldseethemyriadoffaces—whitestarsonbothlandandsea—forthegreatharbourwasnowalivewithshipsandeachandallofthemalivewithmen.

Suddenly,withoutanydirectcause,thewhitemassesbecameeclipsed—everyonehadturnedround,andwaslookingtheotherway.Ilookedacrossthebayandupthemountainbehind—amightymountain,whoseslopesrunuptotheverysky,ridgeafterridgeseeminglikeitselfamountain.FarawayontheverytopthestandardoftheBlueMountainswasrunuponamightyFlagstaffwhichseemedlikeashaftoflight.Itwastwohundredfeethigh,andpaintedwhite,andasatthedistancethesteelstayswereinvisible,ittoweredupinlonelygrandeur.Atitsfootwasadarkmassgroupedbehindawhitespace,whichIcouldnotmakeouttillIusedmyfield-glasses.

ThenIknewitwasKingRupertandtheQueeninthemidstofagroupofmountaineers.Theywereontheaerostationbehindtheplatformoftheaero,whichseemedtoshine—shine,notglitter—asthoughitwereoverlaidwithplatesofgold.

Againthefaceslookedwest.TheWesternSquadronwasdrawingneartotheentranceoftheBlueMouth.OnthebridgeoftheyachtstoodtheWesternKinginuniformofanAdmiral,andbyhimhisQueeninadressofroyalpurple,splendidwithgold.Anotherglanceatthemountain-topshowedthatithadseemedtobecomealive.Awholeparkofartilleryseemedtohavesuddenlysprungtolife,roundeachitscrewreadyforaction.AmongstthegroupatthefootoftheFlagstaffwecoulddistinguishKingRupert;hisvast

heightandbulkstoodoutfromandaboveallroundhim.Closetohimwasapatchofwhite,whichweunderstoodtobeQueenTeuta,whomtheBlueMountaineerssimplyadore.

By this time the armoured yacht, bearing all the signatories to “Balka”(exceptingKingRupert),hadmovedouttowardstheentrance,andlaystillandsilent, waiting the coming of the Royal Arbitrator, whose whole squadronsimultaneouslysloweddown,andhardlydriftedintheseethingwateroftheirbackingengines.

Whentheflagwhichwasintheyacht’sprowwasalmostoppositethearmouredfort,theWesternKinghelduparollofvellumhandedtohimbyoneofhisofficers.Weonlookersheldourbreath,forinaninstantwassuchasceneaswecanneverhopetoseeagain.

AttheraisingoftheWesternKing’shand,agunwasfiredawayonthetopofthemountainwhererosethemightyFlagstaffwiththestandardoftheBlueMountains.Thencamethethunderofsalutefromtheguns,brightflashesandreports,whichechoeddownthehillsidesinnever-endingsequence.Atthefirstgun,bysometrickofsignalling,theflagoftheFederated“Balka”floatedoutfromthetopoftheFlagstaff,whichhadbeenmysteriouslyraised,andflewabovethatoftheBlueMountains.

AtthesamemomentthefiguresofRupertandTeutasank;theyweretakingtheirplacesontheaeroplane.Aninstantafter,likeagreatgoldenbird,itseemedtoshootoutintotheair,andthen,dippingitshead,droppeddownwardatanobtuseangle.WecouldseetheKingandQueenfromtimewaistupwards—theKinginBlueMountaindressofgreen;theQueen,wrappedinherwhiteShroud,holdingherbabyonherbreast.Whenfaroutfromthemountain-topandovertheBlueMouth,thewingsandtailofthegreatbird-likemachinewentup,andtheaerodroppedlikeastone,tillitwasonlysomefewhundredfeetoverthewater.Thenthewingsandtailwentdown,butwithdiminishingspeed.BelowtheexpanseoftheplanetheKingandQueenwerenowseenseatedtogetheronthetinysteeringplatform,whichseemedtohavebeenlowered;shesatbehindherhusband,afterthemannerofmatronsoftheBlueMountains.Thatcomingofthataeroplanewasthemoststrikingepisodeofallthiswonderfulday.

Afterfloatingforafewseconds,theenginesbegantowork,whilsttheplanesmovedbacktotheirnormalwithbeautifulsimultaneity.Therewasagoldenaerofindingitssafetyinglidingmovement.Atthesametimethesteeringplatformwasrising,sothatoncemoretheoccupantswerenotfarbelow,butabovetheplane.Theywerenowonlyaboutahundredfeetabovethewater,movingfromthefarendoftheBlueMouthtowardstheentranceintheopenspacebetweenthetwolinesofthefightingshipsofthevarious

nationalities,allofwhichhadbynowtheiryardsmanned—amanoeuvrewhichhadbegunatthefiringofthefirstgunonthemountain-top.Astheaeropassedalong,alltheseamenbegantocheer—acheeringwhichtheykeptuptilltheKingandQueenhadcomesoclosetotheWesternKing’svesselthatthetwoKingsandQueenscouldgreeteachother.Thewindwasnowbeginningtoblowwestwardfromthemountain-top,andittookthesoundstowardsthearmouredfort,sothatatmomentswecoulddistinguishthecheersofthevariousnationalities,amongstwhich,morekeenthantheothers,camethesoft“BanZai!”oftheJapanese.

KingRupert,holdinghissteeringlevers,satlikeamanofmarble.Behindhimhisbeautifulwife,cladinherShroud,andholdinginherarmstheyoungCrownPrince,seemedlikeaveritablestatue.

Theaero,guidedbyRupert’sunerringhand,litsoftlyontheafter-deckoftheWesternKing’syacht;andKingRupert,steppingondeck,liftedfromherseatQueenTeutawithherbabyinherarms.ItwasonlywhentheBlueMountainKingstoodamongstothermenthatonecouldrealizehisenormousstature.Hestoodliterallyheadandshouldersovereveryothermanpresent.

Whilsttheaeroplanewasgivingupitsburden,theWesternKingandhisQueenweredescendingfromthebridge.Thehostandhostess,handinhand—aftertheirusualfashion,asitseems—hurriedforwardtogreettheirguests.Themeetingwastouchinginitssimplicity.Thetwomonarchsshookhands,andtheirconsorts,representativesoftheforemosttypesofnationalbeautyoftheNorthandSouth,instinctivelydrewcloseandkissedeachother.ThenthehostessQueen,movingtowardstheWesternKing,kneeledbeforehimwiththegraciousobeisanceofaBlueMountainhostess,andkissedhishand.

Herwordsofgreetingwere:

“Youarewelcome,sire,totheBlueMountains.WearegratefultoyouforallyouhavedoneforBalka,andtoyouandHerMajestyforgivingusthehonourofyourpresence.”

TheKingseemedmoved.Accustomedashewastotheritualofgreatoccasions,thewarmthandsincerity,togetherwiththegracioushumilityofthisoldEasterncustom,touchedhim,monarchthoughhewasofagreatlandandmanyracesintheFarEast.ImpulsivelyhebrokethroughCourtritual,anddidathingwhich,Ihavesincebeentold,wonforhimforeveraholyplaceinthewarmheartsoftheBlueMountaineers.Sinkingonhiskneebeforethebeautifulshroud-cladQueen,heraisedherhandandkissedit.TheactwasseenbyallinandaroundtheBlueMouth,andamightycheeringrose,whichseemedtoriseandswellasitranfarandwideupthehillsides,tillitfadedawayonthefar-offmountain-top,whererosemajesticallythemightyFlagstaffbearingthestandardoftheBalkanFederation.

Formyself,Icanneverforgetthatwonderfulsceneofanation’senthusiasm,andthecoreofitisengravenonmymemory.Thatspotlessdeck,typicalofallthatisperfectinnavaluse;theKingandQueenofthegreatestnationoftheearth[3]receivedbythenewestKingandQueen—aKingandQueenwhowonempireforthemselves,sothattheformersubjectofanotherKingreceivedhimasabrother-monarchonahistory-makingoccasion,whenanewworld-powerwas,underhistutelage,springingintoexistence.ThefairNorthernQueeninthearmsofthedarkSouthernQueenwiththestarryeyes.ThesimplesplendourofNortherndressarrayedagainstthatofalmostpeasantplainnessofthegiantKingoftheSouth.Butallwereeclipsed—eventhethousandyearsofroyallineageoftheWesternKing,Rupert’snaturaldowerofstature,andtheotherQueen’sbearingofroyaldignityandsweetness—bytheelementalsimplicityofTeuta’sShroud.Notoneofallthatmightythrongbutknewsomethingofherwonderfulstory;andnotonebutfeltgladandproudthatsuchanoblewomanhadwonanempirethroughherownbravery,eveninthejawsofthegrave.

Thearmouredyacht,withtheremainderofthesignatoriestotheBalkanFederation,drewclose,andtherulerssteppedonboardtogreettheWesternKing,theArbitrator,Rupertleavinghistaskaspersonalhostandjoiningthem.Hetookhispartmodestlyintherearofthegroup,andmadeafreshobeisanceinhisnewcapacity.

Presentlyanotherwarship,TheBalka,drewclose.ItcontainedtheambassadorsofForeignPowers,andtheChancellorsandhighofficialsoftheBalkannations.Itwasfollowedbyafleetofwarships,eachonerepresentingaBalkanPower.ThegreatWesternfleetlayattheirmoorings,butwiththeexceptionofmanningtheiryards,tooknoimmediatepartintheproceedings.

Onthedeckofthenew-comertheBalkanmonarchstooktheirplaces,theofficialsofeachStategradingthemselvesbehindtheirmonarch.TheAmbassadorsformedaforemostgroupbythemselves.

LastcametheWesternKing,quitealone(saveforthetwoQueens),bearinginhishandthevellumscroll,therecordofhisarbitration.Thisheproceededtoread,apolyglotcopyofithavingbeenalreadysuppliedtoeveryMonarch,Ambassador,andofficialpresent.Itwasalongstatement,buttheoccasionwassostupendous—sointense—thatthetimeflewbyquickly.ThecheeringhadceasedthemomenttheArbitratoropenedthescroll,andaveritablesilenceofthegraveabounded.

WhenthereadingwasconcludedRupertraisedhishand,andontheinstantcameaterrificsalvoofcannon-shotsfromnotonlytheshipsintheport,butseeminglyallupandoverthehillsidesawaytotheverysummit.

Whenthecheeringwhichfollowedthesalutehadsomewhattoneddown,

thoseonboardtalkedtogether,andpresentationsweremade.Thenthebargestookthewholecompanytothearmour-cladfortintheentrance-waytotheBlueMouth.Here,infront,hadbeenarrangedfortheoccasion,platformsforthestartingofaeroplanes.BehindthemwerethevariousthronesofstatefortheWesternKingandQueen,andthevariousrulersof“Balka”—asthenewandcompletedBalkanFederationhadbecome—dejureaswellasdefacto.Behindwereseatsfortherestofthecompany.Allwasablazeofcrimsonandgold.WeofthePresswereallexpectant,forsomeceremonyhadmanifestlybeenarranged,butofalldetailsofitwehadbeenkeptinignorance.SofarasIcouldtellfromthefaces,thosepresentwereatbestbutpartiallyinformed.Theywerecertainlyignorantofalldetails,andevenoftheentireprogrammeoftheday.Thereisacertainkindofexpectationwhichisnotconcernedinthemereexecutionoffore-orderedthings.

TheaeroonwhichtheKingandQueenhadcomedownfromthemountainnowarrivedontheplatforminthechargeofatallyoungmountaineer,whosteppedfromthesteering-platformatonce.KingRupert,havinghandedhisQueen(whostillcarriedherbaby)intoherseat,tookhisplace,andpulledalever.Theaerowentforward,andseemedtofallheadforemostoffthefort.Itwasbutadip,however,suchasaskilfuldivertakesfromaheightintoshallowwater,fortheplanemadeanupwardcurve,andinafewsecondswasskimmingupwardstowardstheFlagstaff.Despitethewind,itarrivedthereinanincrediblyshorttime.Immediatelyafterhisflightanotheraero,abigonethistime,glidedtotheplatform.Tothisimmediatelysteppedabodyoftentall,fine-lookingyoungmen.Thedriverpulledhislevers,andtheplaneglidedoutonthetrackoftheKing.TheWesternKing,whowasnoticing,saidtotheLordHighAdmiral,whohadbeenhimselfincommandoftheshipofwar,andnowstoodclosebehindhim:

“Whoarethosemen,Admiral?”

“TheGuardoftheCrownPrince,YourMajesty.TheyareappointedbytheNation.”

“Tellme,Admiral,havetheyanyspecialduties?”

“Yes,YourMajesty,”cametheanswer:“todie, ifneedbe, for theyoungPrince!”

“Quiteright!Thatisfineservice.Buthowifanyofthemshoulddie?”

“YourMajesty,ifoneofthemshoulddie,therearetenthousandeagertotakehisplace.”

“Fine,fine!Itisgoodtohaveevenonemaneagertogivehislifeforduty.Buttenthousand!Thatiswhatmakesanation!”

WhenKingRupertreachedtheplatformbytheFlagstaff,theRoyalStandardoftheBlueMountainswashauledupunderit.Rupertstoodupandraisedhishand.Inasecondacannonbesidehimwasfired;then,quickasthought,otherswerefiredinsequence,asthoughbyoneprolongedlightning-flash.Theroarwasincessant,butgettinglessindetonatingsoundasthedistanceandthehillssubduedit.Butinthegeneralsilencewhichprevailedrounduswecouldhearthesoundasthoughpassinginadistantcircle,tillfinallythelinewhichhadgonenorthwardcamebackbythesouth,stoppingatthelastguntosouth’ardoftheFlagstaff.

“What was that wonderful circle?” asked the King of the Lord HighAdmiral.

“That,YourMajesty,isthelineofthefrontieroftheBlueMountains.Ruperthastenthousandcannoninline.”

“Andwhofiresthem?Ithoughtallthearmymustbehere.”

“Thewomen,YourMajesty.Theyareonfrontierdutyto-day,sothatthemencancomehere.”

JustatthatmomentoneoftheCrownPrince’sGuardsbroughttothesideoftheKing’saerosomethinglikearubberballontheendofastring.TheQueenhelditouttothebabyinherarms,whograbbedatit.Theguarddrewback.Pressingthatballmusthavegivensomesignal,forontheinstantacannon,elevatedtoperpendicular,wasfired.Ashellwentstraightupanenormousdistance.Theshellburst,andsentoutbothalightsobrightthatitcouldbeseeninthedaylight,andaredsmoke,whichmighthavebeenseenfromtheheightsoftheCalabrianMountainsoverinItaly.

As the shellburst, theKing’saero seemedoncemore to spring from theplatform out into mid-air, dipped as before, and glided out over the BlueMouthwitharapiditywhich,tolookat,tookone’sbreathaway.

Asitcame,followedbytheaerooftheCrownPrince’sGuardandagroupofotheraeros,thewholemountain-sidesseemedtobecomealive.Fromeverywhere,rightawayuptothefarthestvisiblemountain-tops,dartedaeroplanes,tillahostofthemwererushingwithdreadfulspeedinthewakeoftheKing.TheKingturnedtoQueenTeuta,andevidentlysaidsomething,forshebeckonedtotheCaptainoftheCrownPrince’sGuard,whowassteeringtheplane.Heswervedawaytotheright,andinsteadoffollowingabovetheopentrackbetweenthelinesofwarships,wenthighovertheouterline.Oneofthoseonboardbegantodropsomething,which,flutteringdown,landedoneveryoccasiononthebridgeoftheshiphighoverwhichtheythenwere.

The Western King said again to the Gospodar Rooke (the Lord HighAdmiral):

“Itmustneedsomeskilltodropaletterwithsuchaccuracy.”

WithimperturbablefacetheAdmiralreplied:

“Itiseasiertodropbombs,YourMajesty.”

Theflightofaeroplaneswasamemorablesight.Ithelpedtomakehistory.Henceforthnonationwithaneyeforeitherdefenceorattackcanhopeforsuccesswithoutthemasteryoftheair.

In the meantime—and after that time, too—God help the nation thatattacks“Balka”oranypartofit,solongasRupertandTeutaliveintheheartsofthatpeople,andbindthemintoanirresistibleunity.

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