第4章

JoeyLadle’seyefollowedtheflyingmorselofpaperdrearily。

"I’mgladtoseeyoutakeiteasy，sir，"hesaid。"Whateverhappens，itwillbealwaysacomforttoyoutorememberthatyoutookiteasyatfirst。Sometimesonemistakeleadstoanother。A

mandropsabitoforange—peelonthepavementbymistake，andanothermantreadsonitbymistake，andthere’sajobatthehospital，andapartycrippledforlife。I’mgladyoutakeiteasy，sir。InPebblesonNephew’stimeweshouldn’thavetakeniteasytillwehadseentheendofit。Withoutdesiringtocrowoverthehouse，youngMr。Vendale，Iwishyouwellthroughit。Nooffence，sir，"saidtheCellarman，openingthedoortogoout，andlookinginagainominouslybeforeheshutit。"I’mmuddledandmolloncolly，I

grantyou。ButI’manoldservantofPebblesonNephew，andIwishyouwellthroughthemsixcasesofredwine。"

Leftbyhimself，Vendalelaughed，andtookuphispen。"ImayaswellsendalinetoDefresnierandCompany，"hethought，"beforeI

forgetit。"Hewroteatonceintheseterms：

"DearSirs。Wearetakingstock，andatriflingmistakehasbeendiscoveredinthelastconsignmentofchampagnesentbyyourhousetoours。Sixofthecasescontainredwine——whichweherebyreturntoyou。Themattercaneasilybesetright，eitherbyyoursendingussixcasesofthechampagne，iftheycanbeproduced，or，ifnot，byyourcreditinguswiththevalueofsixcasesontheamountlastpaid（fivehundredpounds）byourfirmtoyours。Yourfaithfulservants，"WILDINGANDCO。"

Thisletterdespatchedtothepost，thesubjectdroppedatonceoutofVendale’smind。Hehadotherandfarmoreinterestingmatterstothinkof。LaterinthedayhepaidthevisittoObenreizerwhichhadbeenagreedonbetweenthem。CertaineveningsintheweekweresetapartwhichhewasprivilegedtospendwithMarguerite——always，however，inthepresenceofathirdperson。OnthisstipulationObenreizerpolitelybutpositivelyinsisted。TheoneconcessionhemadewastogiveVendalehischoiceofwhothethirdpersonshouldbe。Confidinginpastexperience，hischoicefellunhesitatinglyupontheexcellentwomanwhomendedObenreizer’sstockings。Onhearingoftheresponsibilityentrustedtoher，MadameDor’sintellectualnatureburstsuddenlyintoanewstageofdevelopment。

ShewaitedtillObenreizer’seyewasoffher——andthenshelookedatVendale，anddimlywinked。

Thetimepassed——thehappyeveningswithMargueritecameandwent。

ItwasthetenthmorningsinceVendalehadwrittentotheSwissfirm，whentheanswerappeared，onhisdesk，withtheotherlettersoftheday：

"DearSirs。Webegtoofferourexcusesforthelittlemistakewhichhashappened。Atthesametime，weregrettoaddthatthestatementofourerror，withwhichyouhavefavouredus，hasledtoaveryunexpecteddiscovery。Theaffairisamostseriousoneforyouandforus。Theparticularsareasfollows：

"Havingnomorechampagneofthevintagelastsenttoyou，wemadearrangementstocredityourfirmtothevalueofsixcases，assuggestedbyyourself。Ontakingthisstep，certainformsobservedinourmodeofdoingbusinessnecessitatedareferencetoourbankers’book，aswellastoourledger。Theresultisamoralcertaintythatnosuchremittanceasyoumentioncanhavereachedourhouse，andaliteralcertaintythatnosuchremittancehasbeenpaidtoouraccountatthebank。

"Itisneedless，atthisstageoftheproceedings，totroubleyouwithdetails。Themoneyhasunquestionablybeenstoleninthecourseofitstransitfromyoutous。Certainpeculiaritieswhichweobserve，relatingtothemannerinwhichthefraudhasbeenperpetrated，leadustoconcludethatthethiefmayhavecalculatedonbeingabletopaythemissingsumtoourbankers，beforeaninevitablediscoveryfollowedtheannualstrikingofourbalance。

Thiswouldnothavehappened，intheusualcourse，foranotherthreemonths。Duringthatperiod，butforyourletter，wemighthaveremainedperfectlyunconsciousoftherobberythathasbeencommitted。

"Wementionthislastcircumstance，asitmayhelptoshowyouthatwehavetodo，inthiscase，withnoordinarythief。Thusfarwehavenotevenasuspicionofwhothatthiefis。Butwebelieveyouwillassistusinmakingsomeadvancetowardsdiscovery，byexaminingthereceipt（forged，ofcourse）whichhasnodoubtpurportedtocometoyoufromourhouse。Bepleasedtolookandseewhetheritisareceiptentirelyinmanuscript，orwhetheritisanumberedandprintedformwhichmerelyrequiresthefillinginoftheamount。Thesettlementofthisapparentlytrivialquestionis，weassureyou，amatterofvitalimportance。Anxiouslyawaitingyourreply，weremain，withhighesteemandconsideration，"DEFRESNIER&CIE。"

Vendalehadtheletteronhisdesk，andwaitedamomenttosteadyhismindundertheshockthathadfallenonit。Atthetimeofallotherswhenitwasmostimportanttohimtoincreasethevalueofhisbusiness，thatbusinesswasthreatenedwithalossoffivehundredpounds。HethoughtofMarguerite，ashetookthekeyfromhispocketandopenedtheironchamberinthewallinwhichthebooksandpapersofthefirmwerekept。

Hewasstillinthechamber，searchingfortheforgedreceipt，whenhewasstartledbyavoicespeakingclosebehindhim。

"Athousandpardons，"saidthevoice;"IamafraidIdisturbyou。"

Heturned，andfoundhimselffacetofacewithMarguerite’sguardian。

"Ihavecalled，"pursuedObenreizer，"toknowifIcanbeofanyuse。BusinessofmyowntakesmeawayforsomedaystoManchesterandLiverpool。CanIcombineanybusinessofyourswithit？Iamentirelyatyourdisposal，inthecharacterofcommercialtravellerforthefirmofWildingandCo。"

"Excusemeforonemoment，"saidVendale;"Iwillspeaktoyoudirectly。"Heturnedroundagain，andcontinuedhissearchamongthepapers。"Youcomeatatimewhenfriendlyoffersaremorethanusuallyprecioustome，"heresumed。"IhavehadverybadnewsthismorningfromNeuchatel。"

"Badnews，"exclaimedObenreizer。"FromDefresnierandCompany？"

"Yes。Aremittancewesenttothemhasbeenstolen。Iamthreatenedwithalossoffivehundredpounds。What’sthat？"

Turningsharply，andlookingintotheroomforthesecondtime，Vendalediscoveredhisenvelopecaseoverthrownonthefloor，andObenreizeronhiskneespickingupthecontents。

"Allmyawkwardness，"saidObenreizer。"Thisdreadfulnewsofyoursstartledme;Isteppedback——"Hebecametoodeeplyinterestedincollectingthescatteredenvelopestofinishthesentence。

"Don’ttroubleyourself，"saidVendale。"Theclerkwillpickthethingsup。"

"Thisdreadfulnews！"repeatedObenreizer，persistingincollectingtheenvelopes。"Thisdreadfulnews！"

"Ifyouwillreadtheletter，"saidVendale，"youwillfindIhaveexaggeratednothing。Thereitis，openonmydesk。"

Heresumedhissearch，andinamomentmorediscoveredtheforgedreceipt。Itwasonthenumberedandprintedform，describedbytheSwissfirm。Vendalemadeamemorandumofthenumberandthedate。

Havingreplacedthereceiptandlockeduptheironchamber，hehadleisuretonoticeObenreizer，readingtheletterintherecessofawindowatthefarendoftheroom。

"Cometothefire，"saidVendale。"Youlookperishedwiththecoldoutthere。Iwillringforsomemorecoals。"

Obenreizerrose，andcameslowlybacktothedesk。"MargueritewillbeassorrytohearofthisasIam，"hesaid，kindly。"Whatdoyoumeantodo？"

"IaminthehandsofDefresnierandCompany，"answeredVendale。

"Inmytotalignoranceofthecircumstances，Icanonlydowhattheyrecommend。ThereceiptwhichIhavejustfound，turnsouttobethenumberedandprintedform。Theyseemtoattachsomespecialimportancetoitsdiscovery。Youhavehadexperience，whenyouwereintheSwisshouse，oftheirwayofdoingbusiness。Canyouguesswhatobjecttheyhaveinview？"

Obenreizerofferedasuggestion。

"SupposeIexaminethereceipt？"hesaid。

"Areyouill？"askedVendale，startledbythechangeinhisface，whichnowshoweditselfplainlyforthefirsttime。"Praygotothefire。Youseemtobeshivering——Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobeill？"

"NotI！"saidObenreizer。"PerhapsIhavecaughtcold。YourEnglishclimatemighthavesparedanadmirerofyourEnglishinstitutions。Letmelookatthereceipt。"

Vendaleopenedtheironchamber。Obenreizertookachair，anddrewitclosetothefire。Heheldbothhandsovertheflames。"Letmelookatthereceipt，"herepeated，eagerly，asVendalereappearedwiththepaperinhishand。Atthesamemomentaporterenteredtheroomwithafreshsupplyofcoals。Vendaletoldhimtomakeagoodfire。Themanobeyedtheorderwithadisastrousalacrity。Ashesteppedforwardandraisedthescuttle，hisfootcaughtinafoldoftherug，andhedischargedhisentirecargoofcoalsintothegrate。

Theresultwasaninstantsmotheringoftheflame，andtheproductionofastreamofyellowsmoke，withoutavisiblemorseloffiretoaccountforit。

"Imbecile！"whisperedObenreizertohimself，withalookatthemanwhichthemanrememberedformanyalongdayafterwards。

"Willyoucomeintotheclerks’room？"askedVendale。"Theyhaveastovethere。"

"No，no。Nomatter。"

Vendalehandedhimthereceipt。Obenreizer’sinterestinexaminingitappearedtohavebeenquenchedassuddenlyandaseffectuallyasthefireitself。Hejustglancedoverthedocument，andsaid，"No;

Idon’tunderstandit！Iamsorrytobeofnouse。"

"IwillwritetoNeuchatelbyto—night’spost，"saidVendale，puttingawaythereceiptforthesecondtime。"Wemustwait，andseewhatcomesofit。"

"Byto—night’spost，"repeatedObenreizer。"Letmesee。Youwillgettheanswerineightorninedays’time。Ishallbebackbeforethat。IfIcanbeofanyservice，ascommercialtraveller，perhapsyouwillletmeknowbetweenthisandthen。Youwillsendmewritteninstructions？Mybestthanks。IshallbemostanxiousforyouranswerfromNeuchatel。Whoknows？Itmaybeamistake，mydearfriend，afterall。Courage！courage！courage！"Hehadenteredtheroomwithnoappearanceofbeingpressedfortime。Henowsnatcheduphishat，andtookhisleavewiththeairofamanwhohadnotanothermomenttolose。

Leftbyhimself，Vendaletookaturnthoughtfullyintheroom。

HispreviousimpressionofObenreizerwasshakenbywhathehadheardandseenattheinterviewwhichhadjusttakenplace。Hewasdisposed，forthefirsttime，todoubtwhether，inthiscase，hehadnotbeenalittlehastyandhardinhisjudgmentonanotherman。

Obenreizer’ssurpriseandregret，onhearingthenewsfromNeuchatel，boretheplainestmarksofbeinghonestlyfelt——notpolitelyassumedfortheoccasion。Withtroublesofhisowntoencounter，suffering，toallappearance，fromthefirstinsidiousattackofaseriousillness，hehadlookedandspokenlikeamanwhoreallydeploredthedisasterthathadfallenonhisfriend。

HithertoVendalehadtriedvainlytoalterhisfirstopinionofMarguerite’sguardian，forMarguerite’ssake。Allthegenerousinstinctsinhisnaturenowcombinedtogetherandshooktheevidencewhichhadseemedunanswerableuptothistime。"Whoknows？"hethought。"Imayhavereadthatman’sfacewrongly，afterall。"

Thetimepassed——thehappyeveningswithMargueritecameandwent。

ItwasagainthetenthmorningsinceVendalehadwrittentotheSwissfirm;andagaintheanswerappearedonhisdeskwiththeotherlettersoftheday"DearSir。Myseniorpartner，M。Defresnier，hasbeencalledaway，byurgentbusiness，toMilan。Inhisabsence（andwithhisfullconcurrenceandauthority），Inowwritetoyouagainonthesubjectofthemissingfivehundredpounds。

"Yourdiscoverythattheforgedreceiptisexecutedupononeofournumberedandprintedformshascausedinexpressiblesurpriseanddistresstomypartnerandtomyself。Atthetimewhenyourremittancewasstolen，butthreekeyswereinexistenceopeningthestrong—boxinwhichourreceipt—formsareinvariablykept。Mypartnerhadonekey;Ihadtheother。Thethirdwasinthepossessionofagentlemanwho，atthatperiod，occupiedapositionoftrustinourhouse。Weshouldassoonhavethoughtofsuspectingoneofourselvesasofsuspectingthisperson。Suspicionnowpointsathim，nevertheless。Icannotprevailonmyselftoinformyouwhothepersonis，solongasthereistheshadowofachancethathemaycomeinnocentlyoutoftheinquirywhichmustnowbeinstituted。

Forgivemysilence;themotiveofitisgood。

"Theformourinvestigationmustnowtakeissimpleenough。Thehandwritingofyourreceiptmustbecompared，bycompetentpersonswhomwehaveatourdisposal，withcertainspecimensofhandwritinginourpossession。Icannotsendyouthespecimensforbusinessreasons，which，whenyouhearthem，youaresuretoapprove。ImustbegyoutosendmethereceipttoNeuchatel——and，inmakingthisrequest，Imustaccompanyitbyawordofnecessarywarning。

"Iftheperson，atwhomsuspicionnowpoints，reallyprovestobethepersonwhohascommittedthisforgerandtheft，Ihavereasontofearthatcircumstancesmayhavealreadyputhimonhisguard。Theonlyevidenceagainsthimistheevidenceinyourhands，andhewillmoveheavenandearthtoobtainanddestroyit。Istronglyurgeyounottotrustthereceipttothepost。Sendittome，withoutlossoftime，byaprivatehand，andchoosenobodyforyourmessengerbutapersonlongestablishedinyourownemployment，accustomedtotravelling，capableofspeakingFrench;amanofcourage，amanofhonesty，and，aboveallthings，amanwhocanbetrustedtoletnostrangerscrapeacquaintancewithhimontheroute。Tellnoone——

absolutelynoone——butyourmessengeroftheturnthismatterhasnowtaken。ThesafetransitofthereceiptmaydependonyourinterpretingLITERALLYtheadvicewhichIgiveyouattheendofthisletter。

"Ihaveonlytoaddthateverypossiblesavingoftimeisnowofthelastimportance。Morethanoneofourreceipt—formsismissing——anditisimpossibletosaywhatnewfraudsmaynotbecommittedifwefailtolayourhandsonthethief。

YourfaithfulservantROLLAND，（SigningforDefresnierandCie。）

Whowasthesuspectedman？InVendale’sposition，itseemeduselesstoinquire。

WhowastobesenttoNeuchatelwiththereceipt？MenofcourageandmenofhonestyweretobehadatCrippleCornerfortheasking。

Butwherewasthemanwhowasaccustomedtoforeigntravelling，whocouldspeaktheFrenchlanguage，andwhocouldbereallyreliedontoletnostrangerscrapeacquaintancewithhimonhisroute？Therewasbutonemanathandwhocombinedallthoserequisitesinhisownperson，andthatmanwasVendalehimself。

Itwasasacrificetoleavehisbusiness;itwasagreatersacrificetoleaveMarguerite。Butamatteroffivehundredpoundswasinvolvedinthependinginquiry;andaliteralinterpretationofM。

Rolland’sadvicewasinsistedonintermswhichtherewasnotriflingwith。ThemoreVendalethoughtofit，themoreplainlythenecessityfacedhim，andsaid，"Go！"

Ashelockeduptheletterwiththereceipt，theassociationofideasremindedhimofObenreizer。Aguessattheidentityofthesuspectedmanlookedmorepossiblenow。Obenreizermightknow。

Thethoughthadbarelypassedthroughhismind，whenthedooropened，andObenreizerenteredtheroom。

"TheytoldmeatSohoSquareyouwereexpectedbacklastnight，"

saidVendale，greetinghim。"Haveyoudonewellinthecountry？

Areyoubetter？"

Athousandthanks。Obenreizerhaddoneadmirablywell;Obenreizerwasinfinitelybetter。Andnow，whatnews？AnyletterfromNeuchatel？

"Averystrangeletter，"answeredVendale。"Thematterhastakenanewturn，andtheletterinsists——withoutexceptinganybody——onmykeepingournextproceedingsaprofoundsecret。"

"Withoutexceptinganybody？"repeatedObenreizer。Ashesaidthewords，hewalkedawayagain，thoughtfully，tothewindowattheotherendoftheroom，lookedoutforamoment，andsuddenlycamebacktoVendale。"Surelytheymusthaveforgotten？"heresumed，"ortheywouldhaveexceptedme？"

"ItisMonsieurRollandwhowrites，"saidVendale。"And，asyousay，hemustcertainlyhaveforgotten。Thatviewofthematterquiteescapedme。IwasjustwishingIhadyoutoconsult，whenyoucameintotheroom。AndhereIamtriedbyaformalprohibition，whichcannotpossiblyhavebeenintendedtoincludeyou。Howveryannoying！"

Obenreizer’sfilmyeyesfixedonVendaleattentively。

"Perhapsitismorethanannoying！"hesaid。"Icamethismorningnotonlytohearthenews，buttooffermyselfasmessenger，negotiator——whatyouwill。Wouldyoubelieveit？IhaveletterswhichobligemetogotoSwitzerlandimmediately。Messages，documents，anything——IcouldhavetakenthemalltoDefresnierandRollandforyou。"

"YouaretheverymanIwanted，"returnedVendale。"Ihaddecided，mostunwillingly，ongoingtoNeuchatelmyself，notfiveminutessince，becauseIcouldfindnooneherecapableoftakingmyplace。

Letmelookattheletteragain。"

Heopenedthestrongroomtogetattheletter。Obenreizer，afterfirstglancingroundhimtomakesurethattheywerealone，followedasteportwoandwaited，measuringVendalewithhiseye。Vendalewasthetallestman，andunmistakablythestrongestmanalsoofthetwo。Obenreizerturnedaway，andwarmedhimselfatthefire。

Meanwhile，Vendalereadthelastparagraphintheletterforthethirdtime。Therewastheplainwarning——therewastheclosingsentence，whichinsistedonaliteralinterpretationofit。Thehand，whichwasleadingVendaleinthedark，ledhimonthatconditiononly。Alargesumwasatstake：aterriblesuspicionremainedtobeverified。Ifheactedonhisownresponsibility，andifanythinghappenedtodefeattheobjectinview，whowouldbeblamed？Asamanofbusiness，Vendalehadbutonecoursetofollow。

Helockedtheletterupagain。

"Itismostannoying，"hesaidtoObenreizer——"itisapieceofforgetfulnessonMonsieurRolland’spartwhichputsmetoseriousinconvenience，andplacesmeinanabsurdlyfalsepositiontowardsyou。WhatamItodo？Iamactinginaveryseriousmatter，andactingentirelyinthedark。Ihavenochoicebuttobeguided，notbythespirit，butbytheletterofmyinstructions。Youunderstandme，Iamsure？Youknow，ifIhadnotbeenfetteredinthisway，howgladlyIshouldhaveacceptedyourservices？"

"Saynomore！"returnedObenreizer。"InyourplaceIshouldhavedonethesame。Mygoodfriend，Itakenooffence。Ithankyouforyourcompliment。Weshallbetravellingcompanions，atanyrate，"

addedObenreizer。"Yougo，asIgo，atonce？"

"Atonce。ImustspeaktoMargueritefirst，ofcourse！"

"Surely！surely！Speaktoherthisevening。Come，andpickmeuponthewaytothestation。Wegotogetherbythemailtrainto—

night？"

"Bythemailtrainto—night。"

ItwaslaterthanVendalehadanticipatedwhenhedroveuptothehouseinSohoSquare。Businessdifficulties，occasionedbyhissuddendeparture，hadpresentedthemselvesbydozens。AcruellylargeshareofthetimewhichhehadhopedtodevotetoMargueritehadbeenclaimedbydutiesathisofficewhichitwasimpossibletoneglect。

Tohissurpriseanddelight，shewasaloneinthedrawing—roomwhenheenteredit。

"Wehaveonlyafewminutes，George，"shesaid。"ButMadameDorhasbeengoodtome——andwecanhavethosefewminutesalone。"Shethrewherarmsroundhisneck，andwhisperedeagerly，"HaveyoudoneanythingtooffendMr。Obenreizer？"

"I！"exclaimedVendale，inamazement。

"Hush！"shesaid，"Iwanttowhisperit。YouknowthelittlephotographIhavegotofyou。Thisafternoonithappenedtobeonthechimney—piece。Hetookitupandlookedatit——andIsawhisfaceintheglass。Iknowyouhaveoffendedhim！Heismerciless;

heisrevengeful;heisassecretasthegrave。Don’tgowithhim，George——don’tgowithhim！"

"Myownlove，"returnedVendale，"youarelettingyourfancyfrightenyou！ObenreizerandIwereneverbetterfriendsthanweareatthismoment。"

Beforeawordmorecouldbesaid，thesuddenmovementofsomeponderousbodyshookthefloorofthenextroom。TheshockwasfollowedbytheappearanceofMadameDor。"Obenreizer"exclaimedthisexcellentpersoninawhisper，andplumpeddowninstantlyinherregularplacebythestove。

Obenreizercameinwithacourier’sbigstrappedoverhisshoulder。

"Areyouready？"heasked，addressingVendale。"CanItakeanythingforyou？Youhavenotravelling—bag。Ihavegotone。Hereisthecompartmentforpapers，openatyourservice。"

"Thankyou，"saidVendale。"Ihaveonlyonepaperofimportancewithme;andthatpaperIamboundtotakechargeofmyself。Hereitis，"headded，touchingthebreast—pocketofhiscoat，"andhereitmustremaintillwegettoNeuchatel。"

Ashesaidthosewords，Marguerite’shandcaughthis，andpresseditsignificantly。ShewaslookingtowardsObenreizer。BeforeVendalecouldlook，inhisturn，Obenreizerhadwheeledround，andwastakingleaveofMadameDor。

"Adieu，mycharmingniece！"hesaid，turningtoMargueritenext。

"Enroute，myfriend，forNeuchatel！"HetappedVendalelightlyoverthebreast—pocketofhiscoatandledthewaytothedoor。

Vendale’slastlookwasforMarguerite。Marguerite’slastwordstohimwere，"Don’tgo！"

ACTIII——INTHEVALLEY

ItwasaboutthemiddleofthemonthofFebruarywhenVendaleandObenreizersetforthontheirexpedition。Thewinterbeingahardone，thetimewasbadfortravellers。Sobadwasitthatthesetwotravellers，comingtoStrasbourg，founditsgreatinnsalmostempty。

Andeventhefewpeopletheydidencounterinthatcity，whohadstartedfromEnglandorfromParisonbusinessjourneystowardstheinteriorofSwitzerland，wereturningback。

ManyoftherailroadsinSwitzerlandthattouristspasseasilyenoughnow，werealmostorquiteimpracticablethen。Somewerenotbegun;morewerenotcompleted。Onsuchaswereopen，therewerestilllargegapsofoldroadwherecommunicationinthewinterseasonwasoftenstopped;onothers，therewereweakpointswherethenewworkwasnotsafe，eitherunderconditionsofseverefrost，orofrapidthaw。Therunningoftrainsonthislastclasswasnottobecountedonintheworsttimeoftheyear，wascontingentuponweather，orwaswhollyabandonedthroughthemonthsconsideredthemostdangerous。

AtStrasbourgthereweremoretravellers’storiesafloat，respectingthedifficultiesofthewayfurtheron，thanthereweretravellerstorelatethem。Manyofthesetaleswereaswildasusual;butthemoremodestlymarvellousdidderivesomecolourfromthecircumstancethatpeoplewereindisputablyturningback。However，astheroadtoBaslewasopen，Vendale’sresolutiontopushonwasinnowisedisturbed。Obenreizer’sresolutionwasnecessarilyVendale’s，seeingthathestoodatbaythusdesperately：Hemustberuined，ormustdestroytheevidencethatVendalecarriedabouthim，evenifhedestroyedVendalewithit。

Thestateofmindofeachofthesetwofellow—travellerstowardstheotherwasthis。Obenreizer，encircledbyimpendingruinthroughVendale’squicknessofaction，andseeingthecirclenarrowedeveryhourbyVendale’senergy，hatedhimwiththeanimosityofafiercecunningloweranimal。Hehadalwayshadinstinctivemovementsinhisbreastagainsthim;perhaps，becauseofthatoldsoreofgentlemanandpeasant;perhaps，becauseoftheopennessofhisnature，perhaps，becauseofhisbetterlooks;perhaps，becauseofhissuccesswithMarguerite;perhaps，onallthosegrounds，thetwolastnottheleast。Andnowhesawinhim，besides，thehunterwhowastrackinghimdown。Vendale，ontheotherhand，alwayscontendinggenerouslyagainsthisfirstvaguemistrust，nowfeltboundtocontendagainstitmorethanever：remindinghimself，"HeisMarguerite’sguardian。Weareonperfectlyfriendlyterms;heismycompanionofhisownproposal，andcanhavenointerestedmotiveinsharingthisundesirablejourney。"TowhichpleasinbehalfofObenreizer，chanceaddedoneconsiderationmore，whentheycametoBasleafterajourneyofmorethantwicetheaverageduration。

Theyhadhadalatedinner，andwerealoneinaninnroomthere，overhangingtheRhine：atthatplacerapidanddeep，swollenandloud。Vendaleloungeduponacouch，andObenreizerwalkedtoandfro：now，stoppingatthewindow，lookingatthecrookedreflectionofthetownlightsinthedarkwater（andperadventurethinking，"IfIcouldflinghimintoit！"）;now，resuminghiswalkwithhiseyesuponthefloor。

"WhereshallIrobhim，ifIcan？WhereshallImurderhim，ifI

must？"So，ashepacedtheroom，rantheriver，rantheriver，rantheriver。

Theburdenseemedtohim，atlast，tobegrowingsoplain，thathestopped;thinkingitaswelltosuggestanotherburdentohiscompanion。

"TheRhinesoundsto—night，"hesaidwithasmile，"liketheoldwaterfallathome。Thatwaterfallwhichmymothershowedtotravellers（Itoldyouofitonce）。Thesoundofitchangedwiththeweather，asdoesthesoundofallfallingwatersandflowingwaters。WhenIwaspupilofthewatchmaker，Iremembereditassometimessayingtomeforwholedays，’Whoareyou，mylittlewretch？Whoareyou，mylittlewretch？’Iremembereditassaying，othertimes，whenitssoundwashollow，andstormwascomingupthePass：’Boom，boom，boom。Beathim，beathim，beathim。’Likemymotherenraged——ifshewasmymother。"

"Ifshewas？"saidVendale，graduallychanginghisattitudetoasittingone。"Ifshewas？Whydoyousay’if’？"

"WhatdoIknow？"repliedtheothernegligently，throwinguphishandsandlettingthemfallastheywould。"Whatwouldyouhave？I

amsoobscurelyborn，thathowcanIsay？Iwasveryyoung，andalltherestofthefamilyweremenandwomen，andmyso—calledparentswereold。Anythingispossibleofacaselikethat。"

"Didyoueverdoubt——"

"Itoldyouonce，Idoubtthemarriageofthosetwo，"hereplied，throwinguphishandsagain，asifhewerethrowingtheunprofitablesubjectaway。"ButhereIaminCreation。Icomeofnofinefamily。Whatdoesitmatter？"

"AtleastyouareSwiss，"saidVendale，afterfollowinghimwithhiseyestoandfro。

"HowdoIknow？"heretortedabruptly，andstoppingtolookbackoverhisshoulder。"Isaytoyou，atleastyouareEnglish。Howdoyouknow？"

"BywhatIhavebeentoldfrominfancy。"

"Ah！Iknowofmyselfthatway。"

"And，"addedVendale，pursuingthethoughtthathecouldnotdriveback，"bymyearliestrecollections。"

"Ialso。Iknowofmyselfthatway——ifthatwaysatisfies。"

"Doesitnotsatisfyyou？"

"Itmust。Thereisnothinglike’itmust’inthislittleworld。Itmust。Twoshortwordsthose，butstrongerthanlongprooforreasoning。"

"YouandpoorWildingwereborninthesameyear。Youwerenearlyofanage，"saidVendale，againthoughtfullylookingafterhimasheresumedhispacingupanddown。

"Yes。Verynearly。"

CouldObenreizerbethemissingman？Intheunknownassociationsofthings，wasthereasubtlermeaningthanhehimselfthought，inthattheorysooftenonhislipsaboutthesmallnessoftheworld？HadtheSwissletterpresentinghimfollowedsocloseonMrs。

Goldstraw’srevelationconcerningtheinfantwhohadbeentakenawaytoSwitzerland，becausehewasthatinfantgrownaman？Inaworldwheresomanydepthslieunsounded，itmightbe。Thechances，orthelaws——callthemeither——thathadwroughtouttherevivalofVendale’sownacquaintancewithObenreizer，andhadripeneditintointimacy，andhadbroughtthemheretogetherthispresentwinternight，werehardlylesscurious;whilereadbysuchalight，theywereseentocoheretowardsthefurtheranceofacontinuousandanintelligiblepurpose。

Vendale’sawakenedthoughtsranhighwhilehiseyesmusinglyfollowedObenreizerpacingupanddowntheroom，therivereverrunningtothetune："WhereshallIrobhim，ifIcan？WhereshallImurderhim，ifImust？"ThesecretofhisdeadfriendwasinnohazardfromVendale’slips;butjustashisfriendhaddiedofitsweight，sodidheinhislightersuccessionfeeltheburdenofthetrust，andtheobligationtofollowanyclue，howeverobscure。Herapidlyaskedhimself，wouldhelikethismantobetherealWilding？No。Arguedownhismistrustashemight，hewasunwillingtoputsuchasubstituteintheplaceofhislateguileless，outspokenchildlikepartner。Herapidlyaskedhimself，wouldhelikethismantoberich？No。HehadmorepowerthanenoughoverMargueriteasitwas，andwealthmightinvesthimwithmore。WouldhelikethismantobeMarguerite’sGuardian，andyetprovedtostandinnodegreeofrelationshiptowardsher，howeverdisconnectedanddistant？No。Butthesewerenotconsiderationstocomebetweenhimandfidelitytothedead。LethimseetoitthattheypassedhimwithnoothernoticethantheknowledgethattheyHADpassedhim，andlefthimbentonthedischargeofasolemnduty。Andhedidseetoit，sosoonthathefollowedhiscompanionwithungrudgingeyes，whilehestillpacedtheroom;thatcompanion，whomhesupposedtobemoodilyreflectingonhisownbirth，andnotonanotherman’s——leastofallwhatman’s——violentDeath。

TheroadinadvancefromBasletoNeuchatelwasbetterthanhadbeenrepresented。Thelatestweatherhaddoneitgood。Drivers，bothofhorsesandmules，hadcomeinthateveningafterdark，andhadreportednothingmoredifficulttobeovercomethantrialsofpatience，harness，wheels，axles，andwhipcord。Abargainwassoonstruckforacarriageandhorses，totakethemoninthemorning，andtostartbeforedaylight。

"Doyoulockyourdooratnightwhentravelling？"askedObenreizer，standingwarminghishandsbythewoodfireinVendale’schamber，beforegoingtohisown。

"NotI。Isleeptoosoundly。"

"Youaresosoundasleeper？"heretorted，withanadmiringlook。

"Whatablessing！"

"Anythingbutablessingtotherestofthehouse，"rejoinedVendale，"ifIhadtobeknockedupinthemorningfromtheoutsideofmybedroomdoor。"

"I，too，"saidObenreizer，"leaveopenmyroom。Butletmeadviseyou，asaSwisswhoknows：always，whenyoutravelinmycountry，putyourpapers——and，ofcourse，yourmoney——underyourpillow。

Alwaysthesameplace。"

"Youarenotcomplimentarytoyourcountrymen，"laughedVendale。

"Mycountrymen，"saidObenreizer，withthatlighttouchofhisfriend’selbowsbywayofGood—Nightandbenediction，"Isupposearelikethemajorityofmen。Andthemajorityofmenwilltakewhattheycanget。Adieu！Atfourinthemorning。"

"Adieu！Atfour。"

Lefttohimself，Vendalerakedthelogstogether，sprinkledoverthemthewhitewood—asheslyingonthehearth，andsatdowntocomposehisthoughts。Buttheystillranhighontheirlatesttheme，andtherunningoftherivertendedtoagitateratherthantoquietthem。Ashesatthinking，whatlittledispositionhehadhadtosleepdeparted。Hefeltithopelesstoliedownyet，andsatdressedbythefire。Marguerite，Wilding，Obenreizer，thebusinesshewasthenupon，andathousandhopesanddoubtsthathadnothingtodowithit，occupiedhismindatonce。Everythingseemedtohavepoweroverhimbutslumber。Thedeparteddispositiontosleepkeptfaraway。

Hehadsatforalongtimethinking，onthehearth，whenhiscandleburneddownanditslightwentout。Itwasoflittlemoment;therewaslightenoughinthefire。Hechangedhisattitude，and，leaninghisarmonthechair—back，andhischinuponthathand，satthinkingstill。

Buthesatbetweenthefireandthebed，and，asthefireflickeredintheplayofairfromthefast—flowingriver，hisenlargedshadowflutteredonthewhitewallbythebedside。Hisattitudegaveitanair，halfofmourningandhalfofbendingoverthebedimploring。

Hiseyeswereobservantofit，whenhebecametroubledbythedisagreeablefancythatitwaslikeWilding’sshadow，andnothisown。

Aslightchangeofplacewouldcauseittodisappear。Hemadethechange，andtheapparitionofhisdisturbedfancyvanished。Henowsatintheshadeofalittlenookbesidethefire，andthedooroftheroomwasbeforehim。

Ithadalongcumbrousironlatch。Hesawthelatchslowlyandsoftlyrise。Thedooropenedaverylittle，andcametoagain，asthoughonlytheairhadmovedit。Buthesawthatthelatchwasoutofthehasp。

Thedooropenedagainveryslowly，untilitopenedwideenoughtoadmitsomeone。Itafterwardsremainedstillforawhile，asthoughcautiouslyheldopenontheotherside。Thefigureofamanthenentered，withitsfaceturnedtowardsthebed，andstoodquietjustwithinthedoor。Untilitsaid，inalowhalf—whisper，atthesametimetakingonestopforward："Vendale！"

"Whatnow？"heanswered，springingfromhisseat;"whoisit？"

ItwasObenreizer，andheutteredacryofsurpriseasVendalecameuponhimfromthatunexpecteddirection。"Notinbed？"hesaid，catchinghimbybothshoulderswithaninstinctivetendencytoastruggle。"ThensomethingISwrong！"

"Whatdoyoumean？"saidVendale，releasinghimself。

"Firsttellme;youarenotill？"

"Ill？No。"

"Ihavehadabaddreamaboutyou。HowisitthatIseeyouupanddressed？"

"Mygoodfellow，ImayaswellaskyouhowitisthatIseeYOUupandundressed？"

"Ihavetoldyouwhy。Ihavehadabaddreamaboutyou。Itriedtorestafterit，butitwasimpossible。IcouldnotmakeupmymindtostaywhereIwaswithoutknowingyouweresafe;andyetIcouldnotmakeupmymindtocomeinhere。Ihavebeenminuteshesitatingatthedoor。Itissoeasytolaughatadreamthatyouhavenotdreamed。Whereisyourcandle？"

"Burntout。"

"Ihaveawholeoneinmyroom。ShallIfetchit？"

"Doso。"

Hisroomwasverynear，andhewasabsentforbutafewseconds。

Comingbackwiththecandleinhishand，hekneeleddownonthehearthandlightedit。Asheblewwithhisbreathacharredbilletintoflameforthepurpose，Vendale，lookingdownathim，sawthathislipswerewhiteandnoteasyofcontrol。

"Yes！"saidObenreizer，settingthelightedcandleonthetable，"itwasabaddream。Onlylookatme！"

Hisfeetwerebare;hisred—flannelshirtwasthrownbackatthethroat，anditssleeveswererolledabovetheelbows;hisonlyothergarment，apairofunderpantaloonsordrawers，reachingtotheankles，fittedhimcloseandtight。Acertainlitheandsavageappearancewasonhisfigure，andhiseyeswereverybright。

"Iftherehadbeenawrestlewitharobber，asIdreamed，"saidObenreizer，"yousee，Iwasstrippedforit。"

"Andarmedtoo，"saidVendale，glancingathisgirdle。

"Atraveller’sdagger，thatIalwayscarryontheroad，"heansweredcarelessly，halfdrawingitfromitssheathwithhislefthand，andputtingitbackagain。"Doyoucarrynosuchthing？"

"Nothingofthekind。"

"Nopistols？"saidObenreizer，glancingatthetable，andfromittotheuntouchedpillow。

"Nothingofthesort。"

"YouEnglishmenaresoconfident！Youwishtosleep？"

"Ihavewishedtosleepthislongtime，butIcan’tdoit。"

"Ineither，afterthebaddream。Myfirehasgonethewayofyourcandle。MayIcomeandsitbyyours？Twoo’clock！Itwillsosoonbefour，thatitisnotworththetroubletogotobedagain。"

"Ishallnottakethetroubletogotobedatall，now，"saidVendale;"sithereandkeepmecompany，andwelcome。"

Goingbacktohisroomtoarrangehisdress，Obenreizersoonreturnedinaloosecloakandslippers，andtheysatdownonoppositesidesofthehearth。IntheintervalVendalehadreplenishedthefirefromthewood—basketinhisroom，andObenreizerhadputuponthetableaflaskandcupfromhis。

"Commoncabaretbrandy，Iamafraid，"hesaid，pouringout;"boughtupontheroad，andnotlikeyoursfromCrippleCorner。Butyoursisexhausted;somuchtheworse。Acoldnight，acoldtimeofnight，acoldcountry，andacoldhouse。Thismaybebetterthannothing;

tryit。"

Vendaletookthecup，anddidso。

"Howdoyoufindit？"

"Ithasacoarseafter—flavour，"saidVendale，givingbackthecupwithaslightshudder，"andIdon’tlikeit。"

"Youareright，"saidObenreizer，tasting，andsmackinghislips;

"itHASacoarseafter—flavour，andIdon’tlikeit。Booh！Itburns，though！"Hehadflungwhatremainedinthecupuponthefire。

Eachofthemleanedanelbowonthetable，reclinedhisheaduponhishand，andsatlookingattheflaringlogs。Obenreizerremainedwatchfulandstill;butVendale，aftercertainnervoustwitchesandstarts，inoneofwhichherosetohisfeetandlookedwildlyabouthim，fellintothestrangestconfusionofdreams。Hecarriedhispapersinaleathercaseorpocket—book，inaninnerbreast—pocketofhisbuttonedtravelling—coat;andwhateverhedreamedof，inthelethargythatgotpossessionofhim，somethingimportunateinthosepaperscalledhimoutofthatdream，thoughhecouldnotwakefromit。HewasberatedonthesteppesofRussia（someshadowypersongavethatnametotheplace）withMarguerite;andyetthesensationofahandathisbreast，softlyfeelingtheoutlineofthepacket—

bookashelayasleepbeforethefire，waspresenttohim。Hewasship—wreckedinanopenboatatsea，andhavinglosthisclothes，hadnoothercoveringthananoldsail;andyetacreepinghand，tracingoutsidealltheotherpocketsofthedressheactuallywore，forpapers，andfindingnoneansweritstouch，warnedhimtorousehimself。HewasintheancientvaultatCrippleCorner，towhichwastransferredtheverybedsubstantialandpresentinthatveryroomatBasle;andWilding（notdead，ashehadsupposed，andyethedidnotwondermuch）shookhim，andwhispered，"Lookatthatman！

Don’tyouseehehasrisen，andisturningthepillow？Whyshouldheturnthepillow，ifnottoseekthosepapersthatareinyourbreast？Awake！"Andyetheslept，andwanderedoffintootherdreams。

Watchfulandstill，withhiselbowonthetable，andhisheaduponthathand，hiscompanionatlengthsaid："Vendale！Wearecalled。

PastFour！"Then，openinghiseyes，hesaw，turnedsidewaysonhim，thefilmyfaceofObenreizer。

"Youhavebeeninaheavysleep，"hesaid。"Thefatigueofconstanttravellingandthecold！"

"Iambroadawakenow，"criedVendale，springingup，butwithanunsteadyfooting。"Haven’tyousleptatall？"

"Imayhavedozed，butIseemtohavebeenpatientlylookingatthefire。Whetherorno，wemustwash，andbreakfast，andturnout。

Pastfour，Vendale;pastfour！"

Itwassaidinatonetorousehim，foralreadyhewashalfasleepagain。Inhispreparationfortheday，too，andathisbreakfast，hewasoftenvirtuallyasleepwhileinmechanicalaction。Itwasnotuntilthecolddarkdaywasclosingin，thathehadanydistincterimpressionsoftheridethanjinglingbells，bitterweather，slippinghorses，frowninghill—sides，bleakwoods，andastoppageatsomewaysidehouseofentertainment，wheretheyhadpassedthroughacow—housetoreachthetravellers’roomabove。Hehadbeenconsciousoflittlemore，exceptofObenreizersittingthoughtfulathissideallday，andeyeinghimmuch。

Butwhenheshookoffhisstupor，Obenreizerwasnotathisside。

Thecarriagewasstoppingtobaitatanotherwaysidehouse;andalineoflongnarrowcarts，ladenwithcasksofwine，anddrawnbyhorseswithaquantityofbluecollarandhead—gear，werebaitingtoo。Thesecamefromthedirectioninwhichthetravellersweregoing，andObenreizer（notthoughtfulnow，butcheerfulandalert）

wastalkingwiththeforemostdriver。AsVendalestretchedhislimbs，circulatedhisblood，andclearedofftheleesofhislethargy，withasharpruntoandfrointhebracingair，thelineofcartsmovedon：thedriversallsalutingObenreizerastheypassedhim。

"Whoarethose？"askedVendale。

"Theyareourcarriers——DefresnierandCompany’s，"repliedObenreizer。"Thoseareourcasksofwine。"Hewassingingtohimself，andlightingacigar。

"Ihavebeendrearilydullcompanyto—day，"saidVendale。"Idon’tknowwhathasbeenthematterwithme。"

"Youhadnosleeplastnight;andakindofbrain—congestionfrequentlycomes，atfirst，ofsuchcold，"saidObenreizer。"Ihaveseenitoften。Afterall，weshallhaveourjourneyfornothing，itseems。"

"Howfornothing？"

"TheHouseisatMilan。Youknow，weareaWineHouseatNeuchatel，andaSilkHouseatMilan？Well，Silkhappeningtopressofasudden，morethanWine，DefresnierwassummonedtoMilan。Rolland，theotherpartner，hasbeentakenillsincehisdeparture，andthedoctorswillallowhimtoseenoone。AletterawaitsyouatNeuchateltotellyouso。Ihaveitfromourchiefcarrierwhomyousawmetalkingwith。Hewassurprisedtoseeme，andsaidhehadthatwordforyouifhemetyou。Whatdoyoudo？Goback？"

"Goon，"saidVendale。

"On？"

"On？Yes。AcrosstheAlps，anddowntoMilan。"

ObenreizerstoppedinhissmokingtolookatVendale，andthensmokedheavily，lookeduptheroad，lookeddowntheroad，lookeddownatthestonesintheroadathisfeet。

"Ihaveaveryseriousmatterincharge，"saidVendale;"moreofthesemissingformsmaybeturnedtoasbadaccount，orworse：IamurgedtolosenotimeinhelpingtheHousetotakethethief;andnothingshallturnmeback。"

"No？"criedObenreizer，takingouthiscigartosmile，andgivinghishandtohisfellow—traveller。"ThennothingshallturnMEback。

Ho，driver！Despatch。Quickthere！Letuspushon！"

Theytravelledthroughthenight。Therehadbeensnow，andtherewasapartialthaw，andtheymostlytravelledatafoot—pace，andalwayswithmanystoppagestobreathethesplashedandflounderinghorses。Afteranhour’sbroaddaylight，theydrewreinattheinn—

dooratNeuchatel，havingbeensomeeight—and—twentyhoursinconqueringsomeeightyEnglishmiles。

Whentheyhadhurriedlyrefreshedandchanged，theywenttogethertothehouseofbusinessofDefresnierandCompany。Theretheyfoundtheletterwhichthewine—carrierhaddescribed，enclosingthetestsandcomparisonsofhand—writingessentialtothediscoveryoftheForger。Vendale’sdeterminationtopressforward，withoutresting，beingalreadytaken，theonlyquestiontodelaythemwasbywhatPasscouldtheycrosstheAlps？RespectingthestateofthetwoPassesoftheSt。GotthardandtheSimplon，theguidesandmule—

driversdifferedgreatly;andbothpasseswerestillfarenoughoff，topreventthetravellersfromhavingthebenefitofanyrecentexperienceofeither。Besideswhich，theywellknewthatafallofsnowmightaltogetherchangethedescribedconditionsinasinglehour，eveniftheywerecorrectlystated。But，onthewhole，theSimplonappearingtobethehopefullerroute，Vendaledecidedtotakeit。Obenreizerborelittleornopartinthediscussion，andscarcelyspoke。

ToGeneva，toLausanne，alongthelevelmarginofthelaketoVevay，sointothewindingvalleybetweenthespursofthemountains，andintothevalleyoftheRhone。Thesoundofthecarriage—wheels，astheyrattledon，throughtheday，throughthenight，becameasthewheelsofagreatclock，recordingthehours。Nochangeofweathervariedthejourney，afterithadhardenedintoasullenfrost。Inasombre—yellowsky，theysawtheAlpineranges;andtheysawenoughofsnowonnearerandmuchlowerhill—topsandhill—sides，tosully，bycontrast，thepurityoflake，torrent，andwaterfall，andmakethevillageslookdiscolouredanddirty。Butnosnowfell，norwasthereanysnow—driftontheroad。Thestalkingalongthevalleyofmoreorlessofwhitemist，changingontheirhairanddressintoicicles，wastheonlyvarietybetweenthemandthegloomysky。Andstillbyday，andstillbynight，thewheels。Andstilltheyrolled，inthehearingofoneofthem，totheburden，alteredfromtheburdenoftheRhine："Thetimeisgoneforrobbinghimalive，andImustmurderhim。"

Theycame，atlength，tothepoorlittletownofBrieg，atthefootoftheSimplon。Theycamethereafterdark，butyetcouldseehowdwarfedmen’sworksandmenbecamewiththeimmensemountainstoweringoverthem。Heretheymustlieforthenight;andherewaswarmthoffire，andlamp，anddinner，andwine，andafter—conferenceresounding，withguidesanddrivers。NohumancreaturehadcomeacrossthePassforfourdays。Thesnowabovethesnow—linewastoosoftforwheeledcarriage，andnothardenoughforsledge。Therewassnowinthesky。Therehadbeensnowintheskyfordayspast，andthemarvelwasthatithadnotfallen，andthecertaintywasthatitmustfall。Novehiclecouldcross。Thejourneymightbetriedonmules，oritmightbetriedonfoot;butthebestguidesmustbepaiddanger—priceineithercase，andthat，too，whethertheysucceededintakingthetwotravellersacross，orturnedforsafetyandbroughtthemback。

Inthisdiscussion，Obenreizerborenopartwhatever。HesatsilentlysmokingbythefireuntiltheroomwasclearedandVendalereferredtohim。

"Bah！Iamwearyofthesepoordevilsandtheirtrade，"hesaid，inreply。"Alwaysthesamestory。Itisthestoryoftheirtradeto—

day，asitwasthestoryoftheirtradewhenIwasaraggedboy。

WhatdoyouandIwant？Wewantaknapsackeach，andamountain—

staffeach。Wewantnoguide;weshouldguidehim;hewouldnotguideus。Weleaveourportmanteaushere，andwecrosstogether。

Wehavebeenonthemountainstogetherbeforenow，andIammountain—born，andIknowthisPass——Pass！——ratherHighRoad！——byheart。Wewillleavethesepoordevils，inpity，totradewithothers;buttheymustnotdelayustomakeapretenceofearningmoney。Whichisalltheymean。"

Vendale，gladtobequitofthedispute，andtocuttheknot：

active，adventurous，bentongettingforward，andthereforeverysusceptibletothelasthint：readilyassented。Withintwohours，theyhadpurchasedwhattheywantedfortheexpedition，hadpackedtheirknapsacks，andlaydowntosleep。

Atbreakofday，theyfoundhalfthetowncollectedinthenarrowstreettoseethemdepart。Thepeopletalkedtogetheringroups;

theguidesanddriverswhisperedapart，andlookedupatthesky;noonewishedthemagoodjourney。

Astheybegantheascent，agleamofrunshonefromtheotherwiseunalteredsky，andforamomentturnedthetinspiresofthetowntosilver。

"Agoodomen！"saidVendale（thoughitdiedoutwhilehespoke）。

"PerhapsourexamplewillopenthePassonthisside。"

"No;weshallnotbefollowed，"returnedObenreizer，lookingupattheskyandbackatthevalley。"Weshallbealoneupyonder。"

ONTHEMOUNTAIN

Theroadwasfairenoughforstoutwalkers，andtheairgrewlighterandeasiertobreatheasthetwoascended。Butthesettledgloomremainedasithadremainedfordaysback。Natureseemedtohavecometoapause。Thesenseofhearing，nolessthanthesenseofsight，wastroubledbyhavingtowaitsolongforthechange，whateveritmightbe，thatimpended。Thesilencewasaspalpableandheavyastheloweringclouds——orrathercloud，forthereseemedtobebutoneinallthesky，andthatonecoveringthewholeofit。

Althoughthelightwasthusdismallyshrouded，theprospectwasnotobscured。DowninthevalleyoftheRhonebehindthem，thestreamcouldbetracedthroughallitsmanywindings，oppressivelysombreandsolemninitsoneleadenhue，acolourlesswaste。Farandhighabovethem，glaciersandsuspendedavalanchesoverhungthespotswheretheymustpass，by—and—by;deepanddarkbelowthemontheirright，wereawfulprecipiceandroaringtorrent;tremendousmountainsaroseineveryvista。Thegiganticlandscape，uncheeredbyatouchofchanginglightorasolitaryrayofsun，wasyetterriblydistinctinitsferocity。Theheartsoftwolonelymenmightshrinkalittle，iftheyhadtowintheirwayformilesandhoursamongalegionofsilentandmotionlessmen——meremenlikethemselves——alllookingatthemwithfixedandfrowningfront。Buthowmuchmore，whenthelegionisofNature’smightiestworks，andthefrownmayturntofuryinaninstant！

Astheyascended，theroadbecamegraduallymoreruggedanddifficult。ButthespiritsofVendaleroseastheymountedhigher，leavingsomuchmoreoftheroadbehindthemconquered。Obenreizerspokelittle，andheldonwithadeterminedpurpose。Both，inrespectofagilityandendurance，werewellqualifiedfortheexpedition。Whateverthebornmountaineerreadintheweather—

tokensthatwasillegibletotheother，hekepttohimself。

"Shallwegetacrossto—day？"askedVendale。

"No，"repliedtheother。"Youseehowmuchdeeperthesnowliesherethanitlayhalfaleaguelower。Thehigherwemountthedeeperthesnowwilllie。Walkingishalfwadingevennow。Andthedaysaresoshort！IfwegetashighasthefifthRefuge，andlieto—nightattheHospice，weshalldowell。"

"Istherenodangeroftheweatherrisinginthenight，"askedVendale，anxiously，"andsnowingusup？"

"Thereisdangerenoughaboutus，"saidObenreizer，withacautiousglanceonwardandupward，"torendersilenceourbestpolicy。YouhaveheardoftheBridgeoftheGanther？"

"Ihavecrosseditonce。"

"Inthesummer？"

"Yes;inthetravellingseason。"

"Yes;butitisanotherthingatthisseason;"withasneer，asthoughhewereoutoftemper。"Thisisnotatimeofyear，orastateofthings，onanAlpinePass，thatyougentlemenholiday—

travellersknowmuchabout。"

"YouaremyGuide，"saidVendale，goodhumouredly。"Itrusttoyou。"

"IamyourGuide，"saidObenreizer，"andIwillguideyoutoyourjourney’send。ThereistheBridgebeforeus。"

Theyhadmadeaturnintoadesolateanddismalravine，wherethesnowlaydeepbelowthem，deepabovethem，deeponeveryside。

Whilespeaking，ObenreizerstoodpointingattheBridge，andobservingVendale’sface，withaverysingularexpressiononhisown。

"IfI，asGuide，hadsentyouoverthere，inadvance，andencouragedyoutogiveashoutortwo，youmighthavebroughtdownuponyourselftonsandtonsandtonsofsnow，thatwouldnotonlyhavestruckyoudead，butburiedyoudeep，atablow。"

"Nodoubt，"saidVendale。

"Nodoubt。ButthatisnotwhatIhavetodo，asGuide。Sopasssilently。Or，goingaswego，ourindiscretionmightelsecrushandburyME。Letusgeton！"

TherewasagreataccumulationofsnowontheBridge;andsuchenormousaccumulationsofsnowoverhungthemfromprotectingmassesofrock，thattheymighthavebeenmakingtheirwaythroughastormyskyofwhiteclouds。Usinghisstaffskilfully，soundingashewent，andlookingupward，withbentshoulders，asitweretoresistthemereideaofafallfromabove，Obenreizersoftlyled。Vendalecloselyfollowed。Theywereyetinthemidstoftheirdangerousway，whentherecameamightyrush，followedbyasoundasofthunder。ObenreizerclappedhishandonVendale’smouthandpointedtothetrackbehindthem。Itsaspecthadbeenwhollychangedinamoment。Anavalanchehadsweptoverit，andplungedintothetorrentatthebottomofthegulfbelow。

TheirappearanceatthesolitaryInnnotfarbeyondthisterribleBridge，elicitedmanyexpressionsofastonishmentfromthepeopleshutupinthehouse。"Westaybuttorest，"saidObenreizer，shakingthesnowfromhisdressatthefire。"Thisgentlemanhasverypressingoccasiontogetacross;tellthem，Vendale。"

"Assuredly，Ihaveverypressingoccasion。Imustcross。"

"Youhear，allofyou。Myfriendhasverypressingoccasiontogetacross，andwewantnoadviceandnohelp。Iamasgoodaguide，myfellow—countrymen，asanyofyou。Now，giveustoeatanddrink。"

Inexactlythesameway，andinnearlythesamewords，whenitwascomingondarkandtheyhadstruggledthroughthegreatlyincreaseddifficultiesoftheroad，andhadatlastreachedtheirdestinationforthenight，ObenreizersaidtotheastonishedpeopleoftheHospice，gatheringaboutthematthefire，whiletheywereyetintheactofgettingtheirwetshoesoff，andshakingthesnowfromtheirclothes：

"Itiswelltounderstandoneanother，friendsall。Thisgentleman—

—"

"——Has，"saidVendale，readilytakinghimupwithasmile，"verypressingoccasiontogetacross。Mustcross。"

"Youhear？——hasverypressingoccasiontogetacross，mustcross。

Wewantnoadviceandnohelp。Iammountain—born，andactasGuide。Donotworryusbytalkingaboutit，butletushavesupper，andwine，andbed。"

Allthroughtheintensecoldofthenight，thesameawfulstillness。

Againatsunrise，nosunnytingetogildorreddenthesnow。Thesameinterminablewasteofdeathlywhite;thesameimmovableair;

thesamemonotonousgloominthesky。

"Travellers！"afriendlyvoicecalledtothemfromthedoor，aftertheywereafoot，knapsackonbackandstaffinhand，asyesterday;

"recollect！Therearefiveplacesofshelter，neartogether，onthedangerousroadbeforeyou;andthereisthewoodencross，andthereisthenextHospice。Donotstrayfromthetrack。IftheTourmentecomeson，takeshelterinstantly！"

"Thetradeofthesepoordevils！"saidObenreizertohisfriend，withacontemptuousbackwardwaveofhishandtowardsthevoice。

"Howtheysticktotheirtrade！YouEnglishmensayweSwissaremercenary。Truly，itdoeslooklikeit。"

Theyhaddividedbetweenthetwoknapsackssuchrefreshmentsastheyhadbeenabletoobtainthatmorning，andastheydeemeditprudenttotake。Obenreizercarriedthewineashisshareoftheburden;

Vendale，thebreadandmeatandcheese，andtheflaskofbrandy。

Theyhadforsometimelabouredupwardandonwardthroughthesnow——

whichwasnowabovetheirkneesinthetrack，andofunknowndepthelsewhere——andtheywerestilllabouringupwardandonwardthroughthemostfrightfulpartofthattremendousdesolation，whensnowbegintofall。Atfirst，butafewflakesdescendedslowlyandsteadily。Afteralittlewhilethefallgrewmuchdenser，andsuddenlyitbeganwithoutapparentcausetowhirlitselfintospiralshapes。Instantlyensuinguponthislastchange，anicyblastcameroaringatthem，andeverysoundandforceimprisoneduntilnowwasletloose。

Oneofthedismalgalleriesthroughwhichtheroadiscarriedatthatperilouspoint，acaveekedoutbyarchesofgreatstrength，wasnearathand。Theystruggledintoit，andthestormragedwildly。Thenoiseofthewind，thenoiseofthewater，thethunderingdownofdisplacedmassesofrockandsnow，theawfulvoiceswithwhichnotonlythatgorgebuteverygorgeinthewholemonstrousrangeseemedtobesuddenlyendowed，thedarknessasofnight，theviolentrevolvingofthesnowwhichbeatandbrokeitintosprayandblindedthem，themadnessofeverythingaroundinsatiatefordestruction，therapidsubstitutionoffuriousviolenceforunnaturalcalm，andhostsofappallingsoundsforsilence：thesewerethings，ontheedgeofadeepabyss，tochilltheblood，thoughthefiercewind，madeactuallysolidbyiceandsnow，hadfailedtochillit。