第8章

CHAPTERI。

IHADnotbeensettledmuchmorethansixweeksinmycountrypracticewhenIwassentfortoaneighboringtown，toconsultwiththeresidentmedicalmanthereonacaseofverydangerousillness。

Myhorsehadcomedownwithmeattheendofalongridethenightbefore，andhadhurthimself，luckily，muchmorethanhehadhurthismaster。Beingdeprivedoftheanimal’sservices，I

startedformydestinationbythecoach（therewerenorailwaysatthattime），andIhopedtogetbackagain，towardtheafternoon，inthesameway。

Aftertheconsultationwasover，Iwenttotheprincipalinnofthetowntowaitforthecoach。Whenitcameupitwasfullinsideandout。TherewasnoresourceleftmebuttogethomeascheaplyasIcouldbyhiringagig。Thepriceaskedforthisaccommodationstruckmeasbeingsoextortionate，thatI

determinedtolookoutforaninnofinferiorpretensions，andtotryifIcouldnotmakeabetterbargainwithalessprosperousestablishment。

Isoonfoundalikely—lookinghouse，dingyandquiet，withanold—fashionedsign，thathadevidentlynotbeenrepaintedformanyyearspast。Thelandlord，inthiscase，wasnotabovemakingasmallprofit，andassoonaswecametotermsherangtheyard—belltoorderthegig。

"HasRobertnotcomebackfromthaterrand？"askedthelandlord，appealingtothewaiterwhoansweredthebell。

"No，sir，hehasn’t。"

"Well，then，youmustwakeupIsaac。"

"WakeupIsaac！"Irepeated；"thatsoundsratherodd。Doyourhostlersgotobedinthedaytime？"

"Thisonedoes，"saidthelandlord，smilingtohimselfinratherastrangeway。

"Anddreamstoo，"addedthewaiter；"Ishan’tforgettheturnitgavemethefirsttimeIheardhim。"

"Neveryoumindaboutthat，"retortedtheproprietor；"yougoandrouseIsaacup。Thegentleman’swaitingforhisgig。"

Thelandlord’smannerandthewaiter’smannerexpressedagreatdealmorethantheyeitherofthemsaid。IbegantosuspectthatImightbeonthetraceofsomethingprofessionallyinterestingtomeasamedicalman，andIthoughtIshouldliketolookatthehostlerbeforethewaiterawakenedhim。

"Stopaminute，"Iinterposed；"Ihaveratherafancyforseeingthismanbeforeyouwakehimup。I’madoctor；andifthisqueersleepinganddreamingofhiscomesfromanythingwronginhisbrain，Imaybeabletotellyouwhattodowithhim。"

"Iratherthinkyouwillfindhiscomplaintpastalldoctoring，sir，"saidthelandlord；"but，ifyouwouldliketoseehim，you’rewelcome，I’msure。"

Heledthewayacrossayardanddownapassagetothestables，openedoneofthedoors，and，waitingoutsidehimself，toldmetolookin。

Ifoundmyselfinatwo—stallstable。Inoneofthestallsahorsewasmunchinghiscorn；intheotheranoldmanwaslyingasleeponthelitter。

Istoopedandlookedathimattentively。Itwasawithered，woe—begoneface。Theeyebrowswerepainfullycontracted；themouthwasfastset，anddrawndownatthecorners。

Thehollowwrinkledcheeks，andthescantygrizzledhair，toldtheirowntaleofsomepastsorroworsuffering。HewasdrawinghisbreathconvulsivelywhenIfirstlookedathim，andinamomentmorehebegantotalkinhissleep。

"Wakeup！"Iheardhimsay，inaquickwhisper，throughhisclinchedteeth。"Wakeupthere！Murder！"

Hemovedoneleanarmslowlytillitrestedoverhisthroat，shudderedalittle，andturnedonhisstraw。Thenthearmlefthisthroat，thehandstretcheditselfout，andclutchedatthesidetowardwhichhehadturned，asifhefanciedhimselftobegraspingattheedgeofsomething。Isawhislipsmove，andbentloweroverhim。Hewasstilltalkinginhissleep。

"Lightgrayeyes，"hemurmured，"andadroopinthelefteyelid；

flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit——allright，mother——fairwhitearms，withadownonthem——littlelady’shand，withareddishlookunderthefingernails。Theknife——alwaysthecursedknife——firstononeside，thenontheother。Aha！youshe—devil，where’stheknife？"

Atthelastwordhisvoicerose，andhegrewrestlessonasudden。Isawhimshudderonthestraw；hiswitheredfacebecamedistorted，andhethrewupbothhishandswithaquickhystericalgasp。Theystruckagainstthebottomofthemangerunderwhichhelay，andtheblowawakenedhim。Ihadjusttimetoslipthroughthedoorandcloseitbeforehiseyeswerefairlyopen，andhissenseshisownagain。

"Doyouknowanythingaboutthatman’spastlife？"Isaidtothelandlord。

"Yes，sir，Iknowprettywellallaboutit，"wastheanswer，"andanuncommonqueerstoryitis。Mostpeopledon’tbelieveit。It’strue，though，forallthat。Why，justlookathim，"continuedthelandlord，openingthestabledooragain。"Poordevil！he’ssowornoutwithhisrestlessnightsthathe’sdroppedbackintohissleepalready。"

"Don’twakehim，"Isaid；"I’minnohurryforthegig。Waittilltheothermancomesbackfromhiserrand；and，inthemeantime，supposeIhavesomelunchandabottleofsherry，andsupposeyoucomeandhelpmetogetthroughit？"

Theheartofminehost，asIhadanticipated，warmedtomeoverhisownwine。Hesoonbecamecommunicativeonthesubjectofthemanasleepinthestable，andbylittleandlittleIdrewthewholestoryoutofhim。Extravagantandincredibleastheeventsmustappeartoeverybody，theyarerelatedherejustasIheardthemandjustastheyhappened。

CHAPTERII。

SOMEyearsagotherelivedinthesuburbsofalargeseaporttownonthewestcoastofEnglandamaninhumblecircumstances，bynameIsaacScatchard。Hismeansofsubsistencewerederivedfromanyemploymentthathecouldgetasanhostler，andoccasionally，whentimeswentwellwithhim，fromtemporaryengagementsinserviceasstable—helperinprivatehouses。Thoughafaithful，steady，andhonestman，hegotonbadlyinhiscalling。Hisillluckwasproverbialamonghisneighbors。Hewasalwaysmissinggoodopportunitiesbynofaultofhisown，andalwayslivinglongestinservicewithamiablepeoplewhowerenotpunctualpayersofwages。"UnluckyIsaac"washisnicknameinhisownneighborhood，andnoonecouldsaythathedidnotrichlydeserveit。

Withfarmorethanoneman’sfairshareofadversitytoendure，Isaachadbutoneconsolationtosupporthim，andthatwasofthedreariestandmostnegativekind。Hehadnowifeandchildrentoincreasehisanxietiesandaddtothebitternessofhisvariousfailuresinlife。Itmighthavebeenfrommereinsensibility，oritmighthavebeenfromgenerousunwillingnesstoinvolveanotherinhisownunluckydestiny，butthefactundoubtedlywas，thathehadarrivedatthemiddletermoflifewithoutmarrying，and，whatismuchmoreremarkable，withoutonceexposinghimself，fromeighteentoeight—and—thirty，tothegenialimputationofeverhavinghadasweetheart。

Whenhewasoutofservicehelivedalonewithhiswidowedmother。Mrs。Scatchardwasawomanabovetheaverageinherlowlystationastocapacityandmanners。Shehadseenbetterdays，asthephraseis，butsheneverreferredtotheminthepresenceofcuriousvisitors；and，thoughperfectlypolitetoeveryonewhoapproachedher，nevercultivatedanyintimaciesamongherneighbors。Shecontrivedtoprovide，hardlyenough，forhersimplewantsbydoingroughworkforthetailors，andalwaysmanagedtokeepadecenthomeforhersontoreturntowheneverhisillluckdrovehimouthelplessintotheworld。

OnebleakautumnwhenIsaacwasgettingonfasttowardfortyandwhenhewasasusualoutofplacethroughnofaultofhisown，hesetforth，fromhismother’scottageonalongwalkinlandtoagentleman’sseatwherehehadheardthatastable—helperwasrequired。

Itwantedthenbuttwodaysofhisbirthday；andMrs。Scatchard，withherusualfondness，madehimpromise，beforehestarted，thathewouldbebackintimetokeepthatanniversarywithher，inasfestiveawayastheirpoormeanswouldallow。Itwaseasyforhimtocomplywiththisrequest，evensupposinghesleptanighteachwayontheroad。

HewastostartfromhomeonMondaymorning，and，whetherhegotthenewplaceornot，hewastobebackforhisbirthdaydinneronWednesdayattwoo’clock。

ArrivingathisdestinationtoolateontheMondaynighttomakeapplicationforthestablehelper’splace，hesleptatthevillageinn，andingoodtimeontheTuesdaymorningpresentedhimselfatthegentleman’shousetofillthevacantsituation。Hereagainhisillluckpursuedhimasinexorablyasever。Theexcellentwrittentestimonialstohischaracterwhichhewasabletoproduceavailedhimnothing；hislongwalkhadbeentakeninvain：onlythedaybeforethestable—helper’splacehadbeengiventoanotherman。

Isaacacceptedthisnewdisappointmentresignedlyandasamatterofcourse。Naturallyslowincapacity，hehadthebluntnessofsensibilityandphlegmaticpatienceofdispositionwhichfrequentlydistinguishmenwithsluggishly—workingmentalpowers。

Hethankedthegentleman’sstewardwithhisusualquietcivilityforgrantinghimaninterview，andtookhisdeparturewithnoappearanceofunusualdepressioninhisfaceormanner。

Beforestartingonhishomewardwalkhemadesomeinquiriesattheinn，andascertainedthathemightsaveafewmilesonhisreturnbyfollowingthenewroad。Furnishedwithfullinstructions，severaltimesrepeated，astothevariousturningshewastotake，hesetforthonhishomewardjourneyandwalkedonalldaywithonlyonestoppageforbreadandcheese。Justasitwasgettingtowarddark，theraincameonandthewindbegantorise，andhefoundhimself，tomakemattersworse，inapartofthecountrywithwhichhewasentirelyunacquainted，thoughheknewhimselftobesomefifteenmilesfromhome。Thefirsthousehefoundtoinquireatwasalonelyroadsideinn，standingontheoutskirtsofathickwood。Solitaryastheplacelooked，itwaswelcometoalostmanwhowasalsohungry，thirsty，footsoreandwet。Thelandlordwascivilandrespectable—looking，andthepriceheaskedforabedwasreasonableenough。Isaacthereforedecidedonstoppingcomfortablyattheinnforthatnight。

Hewasconstitutionallyatemperateman。

Hissupperconsistedoftworashersofbacon，asliceofhome—madebreadandapintofale。Hedidnotgotobedimmediatelyafterthismoderatemeal，butsatupwiththelandlord，talkingabouthisbadprospectsandhislongrunofill—luck，anddivergingfromthesetopicstothesubjectsofhorse—fleshandracing。Nothingwassaideitherbyhimself，hishost，orthefewlaborerswhostrayedintothetap—room，whichcould，intheslightestdegree，excitetheverysmallandverydullimaginativefacultywhichIsaacScatchardpossessed。

Atalittleaftereleventhehousewasclosed。Isaacwentroundwiththelandlordandheldthecandlewhilethedoorsandlowerwindowswerebeingsecured。Henoticedwithsurprisethestrengthoftheboltsandbars，andiron—sheathedshutters。

"Yousee，weareratherlonelyhere，"saidthelandlord。"Weneverhavehadanyattemptsmadetobreakinyet，butit’salwaysaswelltobeonthesafeside。Whennobodyissleepinghere，I

amtheonlymaninthehouse。Mywifeanddaughteraretimid，andtheservant—girltakesafterhermissuses。Anotherglassofalebeforeyouturnin？No！Well，howsuchasobermanasyoucomestobeoutofplaceismorethanIcanmakeout，forone。Here’swhereyou’retosleep。You’reouronlylodgerto—night，andI

thinkyou’llsaymymissushasdoneherbesttomakeyoucomfortable。You’requitesureyouwon’thaveanotherglassofale？Verywell。Good—night。"

Itwashalf—pastelevenbytheclockinthepassageastheywentupstairstothebedroom，thewindowofwhichlookedontothewoodatthebackofthehouse。

Isaaclockedthedoor，sethiscandleonthechestofdrawers，andwearilygotreadyforbed。

Thebleakautumnwindwasstillblowing，andthesolemn，monotonous，surgingmoanofitinthewoodwasdrearyandawfultohearthroughthenight—silence。Isaacfeltstrangelywakeful。

Heresolved，ashelaydowninbed，tokeepthecandlealightuntilhebegantogrowsleepy，fortherewassomethingunendurablydepressinginthebareideaoflyingawakeinthedarkness，listeningtothedismal，ceaselessmoaningofthewindinthewood。

Sleepstoleonhimbeforehewasawareofit。Hiseyesclosed，andhefelloffinsensiblytorestwithouthavingsomuchasthoughtofextinguishingthecandle。

Thefirstsensationofwhichhewasconsciousaftersinkingintoslumberwasastrangeshiveringthatranthroughhimsuddenlyfromheadtofoot，andadreadfulsinkingpainattheheart，suchashehadneverfeltbefore。Theshiveringonlydisturbedhisslumbers；thepainwokehiminstantly。Inonemomenthepassedfromastateofsleeptoastateofwakefulness——hiseyeswideopen——hismentalperceptionsclearedonasudden，asifbyamiracle。

Thecandlehadburneddownnearlytothelastmorseloftallow，butthetopoftheunsnuffedwickhadjustfallenoff，andthelightinthelittleroomwas，forthemoment，fairandfull。

Betweenthefootofhisbedandthecloseddoortherestoodawomanwithaknifeinherhand，lookingathim。

Hewasstrickenspeechlesswithterror，buthedidnotlosethepreternaturalclearnessofhisfaculties，andhenevertookhiseyesoffthewoman。Shesaidnotawordastheystaredeachotherintheface，butshebegantomoveslowlytowardtheleft—handsideofthebed。

Hiseyesfollowedher。Shewasafair，finewoman，withyellowishflaxenhairandlightgrayeyes，withadroopinthelefteyelid。

Henoticedthosethingsandfixedthemonhismindbeforeshewasroundatthesideofthebed。Speechless，withnoexpressioninherface，withnonoisefollowingherfootfall，shecamecloserandcloser——stopped——andslowlyraisedtheknife。Helaidhisrightarmoverhisthroattosaveit；but，ashesawtheknifecomingdown，threwhishandacrossthebedtotherightside，andjerkedhisbodyoverthatwayjustastheknifedescendedonthemattresswithinaninchofhisshoulder。

Hiseyesfixedonherarmandhandassheslowlydrewherknifeoutofthebed：awhite，well—shapedarm，withaprettydownlyinglightlyoverthefairskin——adelicatelady’shand，withthecrowningbeautyofapinkflushunderandroundthefinger—nails。

Shedrewtheknifeout，andpassedbackagainslowlytothefootofthebed；stoppedthereforamomentlookingathim；thencameon——stillspeechless，stillwithnoexpressionontheblank，beautifulface，stillwithnosoundfollowingthestealthyfootfalls——cameontotherightsideofthebed，wherehenowlay。

Assheapproached，sheraisedtheknifeagain，andhedrewhimselfawaytotheleftside。Shestruck，asbefore，rightintothemattress，withadeliberate，perpendicularlydownwardactionofthearm。Thistimehiseyeswanderedfromhertotheknife。Itwaslikethelargeclasp—kniveswhichhehadoftenseenlaboringmenusetocuttheirbreadandbaconwith。Herdelicatelittlefingersdidnotconcealmorethantwo—thirdsofthehandle：henoticedthatitwasmadeofbuck—horn，cleanandshiningasthebladewas，andlookinglikenew。

Forthesecondtimeshedrewtheknifeout，concealeditinthewidesleeveofhergown，thenstoppedbythebedside，watchinghim。Foraninstanthesawherstandinginthatposition，thenthewickofthespentcandlefelloverintothesocket；theflamediminishedtoalittlebluepoint，andtheroomgrewdark。

Amoment，orless，ifpossible，passedso，andthenthewickflamedup，smokingly，forthelasttime。Hiseyeswerestilllookingeagerlyovertheright—handsideofthebedwhenthefinalflashoflightcame，buttheydiscoverednothing。Thefairwomanwiththeknifewasgone。

Theconvictionthathewasaloneagainweakenedtheholdoftheterrorthathadstruckhimdumbuptothistime。Thepreternaturalsharpnesswhichtheveryintensityofhispanichadmysteriouslyimpartedtohisfacultiesleftthemsuddenly。Hisbraingrewconfused——hisheartbeatwildly——hisearsopenedforthefirsttimesincetheappearanceofthewomantoasenseofthewoefulceaselessmoaningofthewindamongthetrees。Withthedreadfulconvictionoftherealityofwhathehadseenstillstrongwithinhim，heleapedoutofbed，andscreaming"Murder！

Wakeup，there！wakeup！"dashedheadlongthroughthedarknesstothedoor。

Itwasfastlocked，exactlyashehadleftitongoingtobed。

Hiscriesonstartinguphadalarmedthehouse。Heheardtheterrified，confusedexclamationsofwomen；hesawthemasterofthehouseapproachingalongthepassagewithhisburningrush—candleinonehandandhisgunintheother。

"Whatisit？"askedthelandlord，breathlessly。Isaaccouldonlyanswerinawhisper。"Awoman，withaknifeinherhand，"hegaspedout。"Inmyroom——afair，yellow—hairedwoman；shejobbedatmewiththeknifetwiceover。"

Thelandlord’spalecheeksgrewpaler。HelookedatIsaaceagerlybytheflickeringlightofhiscandle，andhisfacebegantogetredagain；hisvoicealtered，too，aswellashiscomplexion。

"Sheseemstohavemissedyoutwice，"hesaid。

"Idodgedtheknifeasitcamedown，"Isaacwenton，inthesamescaredwhisper。"Itstruckthebedeachtime。"

Thelandlordtookhiscandleintothebedroomimmediately。Inlessthanaminutehecameoutagainintothepassageinaviolentpassion。

"Thedevilflyawaywithyouandyourwomanwiththeknife！Thereisn’tamarkinthebedclothesanywhere。Whatdoyoumeanbycomingintoaman’splaceandfrighteninghisfamilyoutoftheirwitsaboutadream？"

"I’llleaveyourhouse，"saidIsaac，faintly。"Betteroutontheroad，inrainanddark，onmyroadhome，thanbackagaininthatroom，afterwhatI’veseeninit。Lendmealighttogetmyclothesby，andtellmewhatI’mtopay。"

"Pay！"criedthelandlord，leadingthewaywithhislightsulkilyintothebedroom。"You’llfindyourscoreontheslatewhenyougodownstairs。Iwouldn’thavetakenyouinforallthemoneyyou’vegotaboutyouifI’dknownyourdreaming，screechingwaysbeforehand。Lookatthebed。Where’sthecutofaknifeinit？

Lookatthewindow——isthelockbursted？Lookatthedoor（whichIheardyoufastenyourself）——isitbrokein？Amurderingwomanwithaknifeinmyhouse！Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！"

Isaacanswerednotaword。Hehuddledonhisclothes，andthentheywentdownstairstogether。

"Nighontwentyminutespasttwo！"saidthelandlord，astheypassedtheclock。"Anicetimeinthemorningtofrightenhonestpeopleoutoftheirwits！"

Isaacpaidhisbill，andthelandlordlethimoutatthefrontdoor，asking，withagrinofcontempt，asheundidthestrongfastenings，whether"themurderingwomangotinthatway。"

Theypartedwithoutawordoneitherside。Therainhadceased，butthenightwasdark，andthewindbleakerthanever。Littledidthedarkness，orthecold，ortheuncertaintyaboutthewayhomemattertoIsaac。Ifhehadbeenturnedoutintoawildernessinathunder—stormitwouldhavebeenareliefafterwhathehadsufferedinthebedroomoftheinn。

Whatwasthefairwomanwiththeknife？Thecreatureofadream，orthatothercreaturefromtheunknownworldcalledamongmenbythenameofghost？Hecouldmakenothingofthemystery——hadmadenothingofit，evenwhenitwasmiddayonWednesday，andwhenhestood，atlast，aftermanytimesmissinghisroad，oncemoreonthedoorstepofhome。

CHAPTERIII。

Hismothercameouteagerlytoreceivehim。

Hisfacetoldherinamomentthatsomethingwaswrong。

"I’velosttheplace；butthat’smyluck。Idreamedanilldreamlastnight，mother——ormaybeIsawaghost。Takeiteitherway，itscaredmeoutofmysenses，andI’mnotmyownmanagainyet。"

"Isaac，yourfacefrightensme。Comeintothefire——comein，andtellmotherallaboutit。"

Hewasasanxioustotellasshewastohear；forithadbeenhishope，allthewayhome，thathismother，withherquickercapacityandsuperiorknowledge，mightbeabletothrowsomelightonthemysterywhichhecouldnotclearupforhimself。Hismemoryofthedreamwasstillmechanicallyvivid，thoughhisthoughtswereentirelyconfusedbyit。

Hismother’sfacegrewpalerandpalerashewenton。Sheneverinterruptedhimbysomuchasasingleword；butwhenhehaddone，shemovedherchairclosetohis，putherarmroundhisneck，andsaidtohim：

"Isaac，youdreamedyourilldreamonthisWednesdaymorning。

Whattimewasitwhenyousawthefairwomanwiththeknifeinherhand？"Isaacreflectedonwhatthelandlordhadsaidwhentheyhadpassedbytheclockonhisleavingtheinn；allowedasnearlyashecouldforthetimethatmusthaveelapsedbetweentheunlockingofhisbedroomdoorandthepayingofhisbilljustbeforegoingaway，andanswered：

"Somewhereabouttwoo’clockinthemorning。"

Hismothersuddenlyquittedherholdofhisneck，andstruckherhandstogetherwithagestureofdespair。

"ThisWednesdayisyourbirthday，Isaac，andtwoo’clockinthemorningwasthetimewhenyouwereborn。"

Isaac’scapacitieswerenotquickenoughtocatchtheinfectionofhismother’ssuperstitiousdread。Hewasamazed，andalittlestartled，also，whenshesuddenlyrosefromherchair，openedheroldwriting—desk，tookpen，inkandpaper，andthensaidtohim：

"Yourmemoryisbutapoorone，Isaac，and，nowI’manoldwoman，mine’snotmuchbetter。Iwantallaboutthisdreamofyourstobeaswellknowntobothofus，yearshence，asitisnow。Tellmeoveragainallyoutoldmeaminuteago，whenyouspokeofwhatthewomanwiththeknifelookedlike。"

Isaacobeyed，andmarveledmuchashesawhismothercarefullysetdownonpapertheverywordsthathewassaying。

"Lightgrayeyes，"shewrote，astheycametothedescriptivepart，"withadroopinthelefteyelid；flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit；whitearms，withadownuponthem；

littlelady’shand，withareddishlookaboutthefingernails；

clasp—knifewithabuck—hornhandle，thatseemedasgoodasnew。"

TotheseparticularsMrs。Scatchardaddedtheyear，month，dayoftheweek，andtimeinthemorningwhenthewomanofthedreamappearedtoherson。Shethenlockedupthepapercarefullyinherwriting—desk。

Neitheronthatdaynoronanydayaftercouldhersoninducehertoreturntothematterofthedream。Sheobstinatelykeptherthoughtsaboutittoherself，andevenrefusedtoreferagaintothepaperinherwriting—desk。ErelongIsaacgrewwearyofattemptingtomakeherbreakherresolutesilence；andtime，whichsoonerorlaterwearsoutallthings，graduallyworeouttheimpressionproducedonhimbythedream。Hebeganbythinkingofitcarelessly，andheendedbynotthinkingofitatall。

Theresultwasthemoreeasilybroughtaboutbytheadventofsomeimportantchangesforthebetterinhisprospectswhichcommencednotlongafterhisterriblenight’sexperienceattheinn。Hereapedatlasttherewardofhislongandpatientsufferingunderadversitybygettinganexcellentplace，keepingitforsevenyears，andleavingit，onthedeathofhismaster，notonlywithanexcellentcharacter，butalsowithacomfortableannuitybequeathedtohimasarewardforsavinghismistress’slifeinacarriageaccident。ThusithappenedthatIsaacScatchardreturnedtohisoldmother，sevenyearsafterthetimeofthedreamattheinn，withanannualsumofmoneyathisdisposalsufficienttokeepthembothineaseandindependencefortherestoftheirlives。

Themother，whosehealthhadbeenbadoflateyears，profitedsomuchbythecarebestowedonherandbyfreedomfrommoneyanxieties，thatwhenIsaac’sbirthdaycameroundshewasabletositupcomfortablyattableanddinewithhim。

Onthatday，astheeveningdrewon，Mrs。Scatcharddiscoveredthatabottleoftonicmedicinewhichshewasaccustomedtotake，andinwhichshehadfanciedthatadoseormorewasstillleft，happenedtobeempty。Isaacimmediatelyvolunteeredtogotothechemist’sandgetitfilledagain。Itwasasrainyandbleakanautumnnightasonthememorablepastoccasionwhenhelosthiswayandsleptattheroad—sideinn。

Ongoingintothechemist’sshophewaspassedhurriedlybyapoorly—dressedwomancomingoutofit。Theglimpsehehadofherfacestruckhim，andhelookedbackafterherasshedescendedthedoor—steps。

"You’renoticingthatwoman？"saidthechemist’sapprenticebehindthecounter。"It’smyopinionthere’ssomethingwrongwithher。She’sbeenaskingforlaudanumtoputtoabadtooth。