第1章

ThelateMrWatertonhaving，sometimeago，expressedhisopinionthatravensaregraduallybecomingextinctinEngland，Iofferedthefewfollowingwordsaboutmyexperienceofthesebirds。

Theraveninthisstoryisacompoundoftwogreatoriginals，ofwhomIwas，atdifferenttimes，theproudpossessor。Thefirstwasinthebloomofhisyouth，whenhewasdiscoveredinamodestretirementinLondon，byafriendofmine，andgiventome。Hehadfromthefirst，asSirHughEvanssaysofAnnePage，’goodgifts’，whichheimprovedbystudyandattentioninamostexemplarymanner。Hesleptinastable——generallyonhorseback——andsoterrifiedaNewfoundlanddogbyhispreternaturalsagacity，thathehasbeenknown，bythemeresuperiorityofhisgenius，towalkoffunmolestedwiththedog’sdinner，frombeforehisface。Hewasrapidlyrisinginacquirementsandvirtues，when，inanevilhour，hisstablewasnewlypainted。Heobservedtheworkmenclosely，sawthattheywerecarefulofthepaint，andimmediatelyburnedtopossessit。Ontheirgoingtodinner，heateupalltheyhadleftbehind，consistingofapoundortwoofwhitelead;andthisyouthfulindiscretionterminatedindeath。

WhileIwasyetinconsolableforhisloss，anotherfriendofmineinYorkshirediscoveredanolderandmoregiftedravenatavillagepublic-house，whichheprevaileduponthelandlordtopartwithforaconsideration，andsentuptome。ThefirstactofthisSage，was，toadministertotheeffectsofhispredecessor，bydisinterringallthecheeseandhalfpencehehadburiedinthegarden——aworkofimmenselabourandresearch，towhichhedevotedalltheenergiesofhismind。Whenhehadachievedthistask，heappliedhimselftotheacquisitionofstablelanguage，inwhichhesoonbecamesuchanadept，thathewouldperchoutsidemywindowanddriveimaginaryhorseswithgreatskill，allday。PerhapsevenIneversawhimathisbest，forhisformermastersenthisdutywithhim，’andifIwishedthebirdtocomeoutverystrong，wouldIbesogoodastoshowhimadrunkenman’——whichIneverdid，having(unfortunately)nonebutsoberpeopleathand。

ButIcouldhardlyhaverespectedhimmore，whateverthestimulatinginfluencesofthissightmighthavebeen。Hehadnottheleastrespect，Iamsorrytosay，formeinreturn，orforanybodybutthecook;towhomhewasattached——butonly，Ifear，asaPolicemanmighthavebeen。Once，Imethimunexpectedly，abouthalf-a-milefrommyhouse，walkingdownthemiddleofapublicstreet，attendedbyaprettylargecrowd，andspontaneouslyexhibitingthewholeofhisaccomplishments。Hisgravityunderthosetryingcircumstances，Icanneverforget，northeextraordinarygallantrywithwhich，refusingtobebroughthome，hedefendedhimselfbehindapump，untiloverpoweredbynumbers。Itmayhavebeenthathewastoobrightageniustolivelong，oritmayhavebeenthathetooksomepernicioussubstanceintohisbill，andthenceintohismaw——whichisnotimprobable，seeingthathenew-pointedthegreaterpartofthegarden-wallbydiggingoutthemortar，brokecountlesssquaresofglassbyscrapingawaytheputtyallroundtheframes，andtoreupandswallowed，insplinters，thegreaterpartofawoodenstaircaseofsixstepsandalanding——butaftersomethreeyearshetoowastakenill，anddiedbeforethekitchenfire。Hekepthiseyetothelastuponthemeatasitroasted，andsuddenly。turnedoveronhisbackwithasepulchralcryof’Cuckoo！’SincethenIhavebeenravenless。

NoaccountoftheGordonRiotshavingbeentomyknowledgeintroducedintoanyWorkofFiction，andthesubjectpresentingveryextraordinaryandremarkablefeatures，IwasledtoprojectthisTale。

Itisunnecessarytosay，thatthoseshamefultumults，whiletheyreflectindelibledisgraceuponthetimeinwhichtheyoccurred，andallwhohadactorpartinthem，teachagoodlesson。Thatwhatwefalselycallareligiouscryiseasilyraisedbymenwhohavenoreligion，andwhointheirdailypracticesetatnoughtthecommonestprinciplesofrightandwrong;thatitisbegottenofintoleranceandpersecution;thatitissenseless，besotted，inveterateandunmerciful;allHistoryteachesus。Butperhapswedonotknowitinourheartstoowell，toprofitbyevensohumbleanexampleasthe’NoPopery’riotsofSeventeenHundredandEighty。

Howeverimperfectlythosedisturbancesaresetforthinthefollowingpages，theyareimpartiallypaintedbyonewhohasnosympathywiththeRomishChurch，thoughheacknowledges，asmostmendo，someesteemedfriendsamongthefollowersofitscreed。

Inthedescriptionoftheprincipaloutrages，referencehasbeenhadtothebestauthoritiesofthattime，suchastheyare;theaccountgiveninthisTale，ofallthemainfeaturesoftheRiots，issubstantiallycorrect。

MrDennis’sallusionstotheflourishingconditionofhistradeinthosedays，havetheirfoundationinTruth，andnotintheAuthor’sfancy。AnyfileofoldNewspapers，oroddvolumeoftheAnnualRegister，willprovethiswithterribleease。

EventhecaseofMaryJones，dweltuponwithsomuchpleasurebythesamecharacter，isnoeffortofinvention。Thefactswerestated，exactlyastheyarestatedhere，intheHouseofCommons。

Whethertheyaffordedasmuchentertainmenttothemerrygentlemenassembledthere，assomeothermostaffectingcircumstancesofasimilarnaturementionedbySirSamuelRomilly，isnotrecorded。

ThatthecaseofMaryJonesmayspeakthemoreemphaticallyforitself，Isubjoinit，asrelatedbySIRWILLIAMMEREDITHinaspeechinParliament，’onFrequentExecutions’，madein1777。

’Underthisact，’theShop-liftingAct，’oneMaryJoneswasexecuted，whosecaseIshalljustmention;itwasatthetimewhenpresswarrantswereissued，onthealarmaboutFalklandIslands。

Thewoman’shusbandwaspressed，theirgoodsseizedforsomedebtsofhis，andshe，withtwosmallchildren，turnedintothestreetsa-begging。Itisacircumstancenottobeforgotten，thatshewasveryyoung(undernineteen)，andmostremarkablyhandsome。Shewenttoalinen-draper’sshop，tooksomecoarselinenoffthecounter，andslippeditunderhercloak;theshopmansawher，andshelaiditdown:forthisshewashanged。Herdefencewas(Ihavethetrialinmypocket)，“thatshehadlivedincredit，andwantedfornothing，tillapress-gangcameandstoleherhusbandfromher;

butsincethen，shehadnobedtolieon;nothingtogiveherchildrentoeat;andtheywerealmostnaked;andperhapsshemighthavedonesomethingwrong，forshehardlyknewwhatshedid。”Theparishofficerstestifiedthetruthofthisstory;butitseems，therehadbeenagooddealofshop-liftingaboutLudgate;anexamplewasthoughtnecessary;andthiswomanwashangedforthecomfortandsatisfactionofshopkeepersinLudgateStreet。Whenbroughttoreceivesentence，shebehavedinsuchafranticmanner，asprovedhermindtoheinadistractedanddespondingstate;andthechildwassuckingatherbreastwhenshesetoutforTyburn。’

Chapter1

Intheyear1775，therestooduponthebordersofEppingForest，atadistanceofabouttwelvemilesfromLondon——measuringfromtheStandardinCornhill，’orratherfromthespotonorneartowhichtheStandardusedtobeindaysofyore——ahouseofpublicentertainmentcalledtheMaypole;whichfactwasdemonstratedtoallsuchtravellersascouldneitherreadnorwrite(andatthattimeavastnumberbothoftravellersandstay-at-homeswereinthiscondition)bytheemblemrearedontheroadsideoveragainstthehouse，which，ifnotofthosegoodlyproportionsthatMaypoleswerewonttopresentinoldentimes，wasafairyoungash，thirtyfeetinheight，andstraightasanyarrowthateverEnglishyeomandrew。

TheMaypole——bywhichtermfromhenceforthismeantthehouse，andnotitssign——theMaypolewasanoldbuilding，withmoregableendsthanalazymanwouldcaretocountonasunnyday;hugezig-zagchimneys，outofwhichitseemedasthoughevensmokecouldnotchoosebutcomeinmorethannaturallyfantasticshapes，impartedtoitinitstortuousprogress;andvaststables，gloomy，ruinous，andempty。TheplacewassaidtohavebeenbuiltinthedaysofKingHenrytheEighth;andtherewasalegend，notonlythatQueenElizabethhadsleptthereonenightwhileuponahuntingexcursion，towit，inacertainoak-panelledroomwithadeepbaywindow，butthatnextmorning，whilestandingonamountingblockbeforethedoorwithonefootinthestirrup，thevirginmonarchhadthenandthereboxedandcuffedanunluckypageforsomeneglectofduty。

Thematter-of-factanddoubtfulfolks，ofwhomtherewereafewamongtheMaypolecustomers，asunluckilytherealwaysareineverylittlecommunity，wereinclinedtolookuponthistraditionasratherapocryphal;but，wheneverthelandlordofthatancienthostelryappealedtothemountingblockitselfasevidence，andtriumphantlypointedoutthatthereitstoodinthesameplacetothatveryday，thedoubtersneverfailedtobeputdownbyalargemajority，andalltruebelieversexultedasinavictory。

Whetherthese，andmanyotherstoriesofthelikenature，weretrueoruntrue，theMaypolewasreallyanoldhouse，averyoldhouse，perhapsasoldasitclaimedtobe，andperhapsolder，whichwillsometimeshappenwithhousesofanuncertain，aswithladiesofacertain，age。Itswindowswereolddiamond-panelattices，itsfloorsweresunkenanduneven，itsceilingsblackenedbythehandoftime，andheavywithmassivebeams。Overthedoorwaywasanancientporch，quaintlyandgrotesquelycarved;andhereonsummereveningsthemorefavouredcustomerssmokedanddrank——ay，andsangmanyagoodsongtoo，sometimes——reposingontwogrim-lookinghigh-backedsettles，which，likethetwindragonsofsomefairytale，guardedtheentrancetothemansion。

Inthechimneysofthedisusedrooms，swallowshadbuilttheirnestsformanyalongyear，andfromearliestspringtolatestautumnwholecoloniesofsparrowschirpedandtwitteredintheeaves。Thereweremorepigeonsaboutthedrearystable-yardandout-buildingsthananybodybutthelandlordcouldreckonup。Thewheelingandcirclingflightsofrunts，fantails，tumblers，andpouters，wereperhapsnotquiteconsistentwiththegraveandsobercharacterofthebuilding，butthemonotonouscooing，whichneverceasedtoberaisedbysomeamongthemalldaylong，suiteditexactly，andseemedtolullittorest。Withitsoverhangingstories，drowsylittlepanesofglass，andfrontbulgingoutandprojectingoverthepathway，theoldhouselookedasifitwerenoddinginitssleep。Indeed，itneedednoverygreatstretchoffancytodetectinitotherresemblancestohumanity。Thebricksofwhichitwasbuilthadoriginallybeenadeepdarkred，buthadgrownyellowanddiscolouredlikeanoldman’sskin;thesturdytimbershaddecayedliketeeth;andhereandtheretheivy，likeawarmgarmenttocomfortitinitsage，wraptitsgreenleavescloselyroundthetime-wornwalls。

Itwasahaleandheartyagethough，still:andinthesummerorautumnevenings，whentheglowofthesettingsunfellupontheoakandchestnuttreesoftheadjacentforest，theoldhouse，partakingofitslustre，seemedtheirfitcompanion，andtohavemanygoodyearsoflifeinhimyet。

Theeveningwithwhichwehavetodo，wasneitherasummernoranautumnone，butthetwilightofadayinMarch，whenthewindhowleddismallyamongthebarebranchesofthetrees，andrumblinginthewidechimneysanddrivingtherainagainstthewindowsoftheMaypoleInn，gavesuchofitsfrequentersaschancedtobethereatthemomentanundeniablereasonforprolongingtheirstay，andcausedthelandlordtoprophesythatthenightwouldcertainlyclearateleveno’clockprecisely，——whichbyaremarkablecoincidencewasthehouratwhichhealwaysclosedhishouse。

ThenameofhimuponwhomthespiritofprophecythusdescendedwasJohnWillet，aburly，large-headedmanwithafatface，whichbetokenedprofoundobstinacyandslownessofapprehension，combinedwithaverystrongrelianceuponhisownmerits。ItwasJohnWillet’sordinaryboastinhismoreplacidmoodsthatifhewereslowhewassure;whichassertioncould，inonesenseatleast，bebynomeansgainsaid，seeingthathewasineverythingunquestionablythereverseoffast，andwithaloneofthemostdoggedandpositivefellowsinexistence——alwayssurethatwhathethoughtorsaidordidwasright，andholdingitasathingquitesettledandordainedbythelawsofnatureandProvidence，thatanybodywhosaidordidorthoughtotherwisemustbeinevitablyandofnecessitywrong。

MrWilletwalkedslowlyuptothewindow，flattenedhisfatnoseagainstthecoldglass，andshadinghiseyesthathissightmightnotbeaffectedbytheruddyglowofthefire，lookedabroad。Thenhewalkedslowlybacktohisoldseatinthechimney-corner，and，composinghimselfinitwithaslightshiver，suchasamanmightgivewaytoandsoacquireanadditionalrelishforthewarmblaze，said，lookingrounduponhisguests:

’It’llclearateleveno’clock。Nosoonerandnolater。Notbeforeandnotarterwards。’

’Howdoyoumakeoutthat？’saidalittlemanintheoppositecorner。’Themoonispastthefull，andsherisesatnine。’

Johnlookedsedatelyandsolemnlyathisquestioneruntilhehadbroughthismindtobearuponthewholeofhisobservation，andthenmadeanswer，inatonewhichseemedtoimplythatthemoonwaspeculiarlyhisbusinessandnobodyelse’s:

’Neveryoumindaboutthemoon。Don’tyoutroubleyourselfabouther。Youletthemoonalone，andI’llletyoualone。’

’NooffenceIhope？’saidthelittleman。

AgainJohnwaitedleisurelyuntiltheobservationhadthoroughlypenetratedtohisbrain，andthenreplying，’NooffenceasYET，’

appliedalighttohispipeandsmokedinplacidsilence;nowandthencastingasidelonglookatamanwrappedinalooseriding-

coatwithhugecuffsornamentedwithtarnishedsilverlaceandlargemetalbuttons，whosatapartfromtheregularfrequentersofthehouse，andwearingahatflappedoverhisface，whichwasstillfurthershadedbythehandonwhichhisforeheadrested，lookedunsociableenough。

Therewasanotherguest，whosat，bootedandspurred，atsomedistancefromthefirealso，andwhosethoughts——tojudgefromhisfoldedarmsandknittedbrows，andfromtheuntastedliquorbeforehim——wereoccupiedwithothermattersthanthetopicsunderdiscussionorthepersonswhodiscussedthem。Thiswasayoungmanofabouteight-and-twenty，ratherabovethemiddleheight，andthoughofsomewhatslightfigure，gracefullyandstronglymade。Heworehisowndarkhair，andwasaccoutredinaridingdress，whichtogetherwithhislargeboots(resemblinginshapeandfashionthosewornbyourLifeGuardsmenatthepresentday)，showedindisputabletracesofthebadconditionoftheroads。Buttravel-

stainedthoughhewas，hewaswellandevenrichlyattired，andwithoutbeingoverdressedlookedagallantgentleman。

Lyinguponthetablebesidehim，ashehadcarelesslythrownthemdown，wereaheavyriding-whipandaslouchedhat，thelatterwornnodoubtasbeingbestsuitedtotheinclemencyoftheweather。

There，too，wereapairofpistolsinaholster-case，andashortriding-cloak。Littleofhisfacewasvisible，exceptthelongdarklasheswhichconcealedhisdowncasteyes，butanairofcarelesseaseandnaturalgracefulnessofdemeanourpervadedthefigure，andseemedtocomprehendeventhoseslightaccessories，whichwereallhandsome，andingoodkeeping。

TowardsthisyounggentlemantheeyesofMrWilletwanderedbutonce，andthenasifinmuteinquirywhetherhehadobservedhissilentneighbour。ItwasplainthatJohnandtheyounggentlemanhadoftenmetbefore。Findingthathislookwasnotreturned，orindeedobservedbythepersontowhomitwasaddressed，Johngraduallyconcentratedthewholepowerofhiseyesintoonefocus，andbroughtittobearuponthemanintheflappedhat，atwhomhecametostareincourseoftimewithanintensitysoremarkable，thatitaffectedhisfiresidecronies，whoall，aswithoneaccord，tooktheirpipesfromtheirlips，andstaredwithopenmouthsatthestrangerlikewise。

Thesturdylandlordhadalargepairofdullfish-likeeyes，andthelittlemanwhohadhazardedtheremarkaboutthemoon(andwhowastheparish-clerkandbell-ringerofChigwell，avillagehardby)hadlittleroundblackshinyeyeslikebeads;moreoverthislittlemanworeatthekneesofhisrustyblackbreeches，andonhisrustyblackcoat，andalldownhislongflappedwaistcoat，littlequeerbuttonslikenothingexcepthiseyes;butsolikethem，thatastheytwinkledandglistenedinthelightofthefire，whichshonetooinhisbrightshoe-buckles，heseemedalleyesfromheadtofoot，andtobegazingwitheveryoneofthemattheunknowncustomer。Nowonderthatamanshouldgrowrestlessundersuchaninspectionasthis，tosaynothingoftheeyesbelongingtoshortTomCobbthegeneralchandlerandpost-officekeeper，andlongPhilParkestheranger，bothofwhom，infectedbytheexampleoftheircompanions，regardedhimoftheflappedhatnolessattentively。

Thestrangerbecamerestless;perhapsfrombeingexposedtothisrakingfireofeyes，perhapsfromthenatureofhispreviousmeditations——mostprobablyfromthelattercause，forashechangedhispositionandlookedhastilyround，hestartedtofindhimselftheobjectofsuchkeenregard，anddartedanangryandsuspiciousglanceatthefiresidegroup。Ithadtheeffectofimmediatelydivertingalleyestothechimney，exceptthoseofJohnWillet，whofindinghimselfasitwere，caughtinthefact，andnotbeing(ashasbeenalreadyobserved)ofaveryreadynature，remainedstaringathisguestinaparticularlyawkwardanddisconcertedmanner。

’Well？’saidthestranger。

Well。Therewasnotmuchinwell。Itwasnotalongspeech。’I

thoughtyougaveanorder，’saidthelandlord，afterapauseoftwoorthreeminutesforconsideration。

Thestrangertookoffhishat，anddisclosedthehardfeaturesofamanofsixtyorthereabouts，muchweatherbeatenandwornbytime，andthenaturallyharshexpressionofwhichwasnotimprovedbyadarkhandkerchiefwhichwasboundtightlyroundhishead，and，whileitservedthepurposeofawig，shadedhisforehead，andalmosthidhiseyebrows。Ifitwereintendedtoconcealordivertattentionfromadeepgash，nowhealedintoanuglyseam，whichwhenitwasfirstinflictedmusthavelaidbarehischeekbone，theobjectwasbutindifferentlyattained，foritcouldscarcelyfailtobenotedataglance。Hiscomplexionwasofacadaveroushue，andhehadagrizzlyjaggedbeardofsomethreeweeks’date。Suchwasthefigure(verymeanlyandpoorlyclad)thatnowrosefromtheseat，andstalkingacrosstheroomsatdowninacornerofthechimney，whichthepolitenessorfearsofthelittleclerkveryreadilyassignedtohim。

’Ahighwayman！’whisperedTomCobbtoParkestheranger。

’Doyousupposehighwaymendon’tdresshandsomerthanthat？’

repliedParkes。’It’sabetterbusinessthanyouthinkfor，Tom，andhighwaymendon’tneedorusetobeshabby，takemywordforit。’

Meanwhilethesubjectoftheirspeculationshaddoneduehonourtothehousebycallingforsomedrink，whichwaspromptlysuppliedbythelandlord’ssonJoe，abroad-shoulderedstrappingyoungfellowoftwenty，whomitpleasedhisfatherstilltoconsideralittleboy，andtotreataccordingly。Stretchingouthishandstowarmthembytheblazingfire，themanturnedhisheadtowardsthecompany，andafterrunninghiseyesharplyoverthem，saidinavoicewellsuitedtohisappearance:

’Whathouseisthatwhichstandsamileorsofromhere？’

’Public-house？’saidthelandlord，withhisusualdeliberation。

’Public-house，father！’exclaimedJoe，’where’sthepublic-housewithinamileorsooftheMaypole？Hemeansthegreathouse——theWarren——naturallyandofcourse。Theoldredbrickhouse，sir，thatstandsinitsowngrounds——？’

’Aye，’saidthestranger。

’Andthatfifteenortwentyyearsagostoodinaparkfivetimesasbroad，whichwithotherandricherpropertyhasbitbybitchangedhandsanddwindledaway——more’sthepity！’pursuedtheyoungman。

’Maybe，’wasthereply。’Butmyquestionrelatedtotheowner。

WhatithasbeenIdon’tcaretoknow，andwhatitisIcanseeformyself。’

Theheir-apparenttotheMaypolepressedhisfingeronhislips，andglancingattheyounggentlemanalreadynoticed，whohadchangedhisattitudewhenthehousewasfirstmentioned，repliedinalowertone:

’Theowner’snameisHaredale，MrGeoffreyHaredale，and’——againheglancedinthesamedirectionasbefore——’andaworthygentlemantoo——hem！’

Payingaslittleregardtothisadmonitorycough，astothesignificantgesturethathadprecededit，thestrangerpursuedhisquestioning。

’Iturnedoutofmywaycominghere，andtookthefootpaththatcrossesthegrounds。WhowastheyoungladythatIsawenteringacarriage？Hisdaughter？’

’Why，howshouldIknow，honestman？’repliedJoe，contrivinginthecourseofsomearrangementsaboutthehearth，toadvanceclosetohisquestionerandpluckhimbythesleeve，’Ididn’tseetheyounglady，youknow。Whew！There’sthewindagain——ANDrain——

wellitISanight！’

Roughweatherindeed！’observedthestrangeman。

’You’reusedtoit？’saidJoe，catchingatanythingwhichseemedtopromiseadiversionofthesubject。

’Prettywell，’returnedtheother。’Abouttheyounglady——hasMrHaredaleadaughter？’

’No，no，’saidtheyoungfellowfretfully，’he’sasinglegentleman——he’s——bequiet，can’tyou，man？Don’tyouseethistalkisnotrelishedyonder？’

Regardlessofthiswhisperedremonstrance，andaffectingnottohearit，histormentorprovokinglycontinued:

’Singlemenhavehaddaughtersbeforenow。Perhapsshemaybehisdaughter，thoughheisnotmarried。’

’Whatdoyoumean？’saidJoe，addinginanundertoneasheapproachedhimagain，’You’llcomeinforitpresently，Iknowyouwill！’

’Imeannoharm’——returnedthetravellerboldly，’andhavesaidnonethatIknowof。Iaskafewquestions——asanystrangermay，andnotunnaturally——abouttheinmatesofaremarkablehouseinaneighbourhoodwhichisnewtome，andyouareasaghastanddisturbedasifIweretalkingtreasonagainstKingGeorge。

Perhapsyoucantellmewhy，sir，for(asIsay)Iamastranger，andthisisGreektome？’

ThelatterobservationwasaddressedtotheobviouscauseofJoeWillet’sdiscomposure，whohadrisenandwasadjustinghisriding-

cloakpreparatorytosallyingabroad。Brieflyreplyingthathecouldgivehimnoinformation，theyoungmanbeckonedtoJoe，andhandinghimapieceofmoneyinpaymentofhisreckoning，hurriedoutattendedbyyoungWillethimself，whotakingupacandlefollowedtolighthimtothehouse-door。

WhileJoewasabsentonthiserrand，theelderWilletandhisthreecompanionscontinuedtosmokewithprofoundgravity，andinadeepsilence，eachhavinghiseyesfixedonahugecopperboilerthatwassuspendedoverthefire。AftersometimeJohnWilletslowlyshookhishead，andthereuponhisfriendsslowlyshooktheirs;butnomanwithdrewhiseyesfromtheboiler，oralteredthesolemnexpressionofhiscountenanceintheslightestdegree。

AtlengthJoereturned——verytalkativeandconciliatory，asthoughwithastrongpresentimentthathewasgoingtobefoundfaultwith。

’Suchathingasloveis！’hesaid，drawingachairnearthefire，andlookingroundforsympathy。’HehassetofftowalktoLondon，——allthewaytoLondon。Hisnaggonelameinridingoutherethisblessedafternoon，andcomfortablylittereddowninourstableatthisminute;andhegivingupagoodhotsupperandourbestbed，becauseMissHaredalehasgonetoamasqueradeupintown，andhehassethisheartuponseeingher！Idon’tthinkI

couldpersuademyselftodothat，beautifulassheis，——butthenI’mnotinlove(atleastIdon’tthinkIam)andthat’sthewholedifference。’

’Heisinlovethen？’saidthestranger。

’Rather，’repliedJoe。’He’llneverbemoreinlove，andmayveryeasilybeless。’

’Silence，sir！’criedhisfather。

’Whatachapyouare，Joe！’saidLongParkes。

’Suchainconsideratelad！’murmuredTomCobb。

’Puttinghimselfforwardandwringingtheverynoseoffhisownfather’sface！’exclaimedtheparish-clerk，metaphorically。

’WhatHAVEIdone？’reasonedpoorJoe。

’Silence，sir！’returnedhisfather，’whatdoyoumeanbytalking，whenyouseepeoplethataremorethantwoorthreetimesyourage，sittingstillandsilentandnotdreamingofsayingaword？’

’Whythat’sthepropertimeformetotalk，isn’tit？’saidJoerebelliously。

’Thepropertime，sir！’retortedhisfather，’thepropertime’snotime。’

’Ahtobesure！’mutteredParkes，noddinggravelytotheothertwowhonoddedlikewise，observingundertheirbreathsthatthatwasthepoint。

’Thepropertime’snotime，sir，’repeatedJohnWillet;’whenIwasyourageInevertalked，Ineverwantedtotalk。Ilistenedandimprovedmyselfthat’swhatIdid。’

’Andyou’dfindyourfatherratheratoughcustomerinargeyment，Joe，ifanybodywastotryandtacklehim，’saidParkes。

’Forthemattero’that，Phil！’observedMrWillet，blowingalong，thin，spiralcloudofsmokeoutofthecornerofhismouth，andstaringatitabstractedlyasitfloatedaway;’Forthemattero’

that，Phil，argeymentisagiftofNatur。IfNaturhasgiftedamanwithpowersofargeyment，amanhasarighttomakethebestof’em，andhasnotarighttostandonfalsedelicacy，anddenythatheissogifted;forthatisaturningofhisbackonNatur，afloutingofher，aslightingofherpreciouscaskets，andaprovingofone’sselftobeaswinethatisn’tworthherscatteringpearlsbefore。’

Thelandlordpausinghereforaverylongtime，MrParkesnaturallyconcludedthathehadbroughthisdiscoursetoanend;andtherefore，turningtotheyoungmanwithsomeausterity，exclaimed:

’Youhearwhatyourfathersays，Joe？Youwouldn’tmuchliketotacklehiminargeyment，I’mthinking，sir。’

’IF，’saidJohnWillet，turninghiseyesfromtheceilingtothefaceofhisinterrupter，andutteringthemonosyllableincapitals，toapprisehimthathehadputinhisoar，asthevulgarsay，withunbecomingandirreverenthaste;’IF，sir，Naturhasfixeduponmethegiftofargeyment，whyshouldInotowntoit，andrathergloryinthesame？Yes，sir，IAMatoughcustomerthatway。Youareright，sir。Mytoughnesshasbeenproved，sir，inthisroommanyandmanyatime，asIthinkyouknow;andifyoudon’tknow，’addedJohn，puttinghispipeinhismouthagain，’somuchthebetter，forIan’tproudandamnotgoingtotellyou。’

Ageneralmurmurfromhisthreecronies，andageneralshakingofheadsatthecopperboiler，assuredJohnWilletthattheyhadhadgoodexperienceofhispowersandneedednofurtherevidencetoassurethemofhissuperiority。Johnsmokedwithalittlemoredignityandsurveyedtheminsilence。

’It’sallveryfinetalking，’mutteredJoe，whohadbeenfidgetinginhischairwithdiversuneasygestures。’ButifyoumeantotellmethatI’mnevertoopenmylips——’

’Silence，sir！’roaredhisfather。’No，youneverare。Whenyouropinion’swanted，yougiveit。Whenyou’respoketo，youspeak。

Whenyouropinion’snotwantedandyou’renotspoketo，don’tyougiveanopinionanddon’tyouspeak。Theworld’sundergoneanicealterationsincemytime，certainly。Mybeliefisthattherean’tanyboysleft——thatthereisn’tsuchathingasaboy——thatthere’snothingnowbetweenamalebabyandaman——andthatalltheboyswentoutwithhisblessedMajestyKingGeorgetheSecond。’

’That’saverytrueobservation，alwaysexceptingtheyoungprinces，’saidtheparish-clerk，who，astherepresentativeofchurchandstateinthatcompany，heldhimselfboundtothenicestloyalty。’Ifit’sgodlyandrighteousforboys，beingoftheagesofboys，tobehavethemselveslikeboys，thentheyoungprincesmustbeboysandcannotbeotherwise。’

’Didyoueverheartellofmermaids，sir？’saidMrWillet。

’CertainlyIhave，’repliedtheclerk。

’Verygood，’saidMrWillet。’Accordingtotheconstitutionofmermaids，somuchofamermaidasisnotawomanmustbeafish。

Accordingtotheconstitutionofyoungprinces，somuchofayoungprince(ifanything)asisnotactuallyanangel，mustbegodlyandrighteous。Thereforeifit’sbecomingandgodlyandrighteousintheyoungprinces(asitisattheirages)thattheyshouldbeboys，theyareandmustbeboys，andcannotbypossibilitybeanythingelse。’

ThiselucidationofaknottypointbeingreceivedwithsuchmarksofapprovalastoputJohnWilletintoagoodhumour，hecontentedhimselfwithrepeatingtohissonhiscommandofsilence，andaddressingthestranger，said:

’Ifyouhadaskedyourquestionsofagrown-upperson——ofmeoranyofthesegentlemen——you’dhavehadsomesatisfaction，andwouldn’thavewastedbreath。MissHaredaleisMrGeoffreyHaredale’sniece。’

’Isherfatheralive？’saidtheman，carelessly。

’No，’rejoinedthelandlord，’heisnotalive，andheisnotdead——’

’Notdead！’criedtheother。

’Notdeadinacommonsortofway，’saidthelandlord。

Thecroniesnoddedtoeachother，andMrParkesremarkedinanundertone，shakinghisheadmeanwhileaswhoshouldsay，’letnomancontradictme，forIwon’tbelievehim，’thatJohnWilletwasinamazingforceto-night，andfittotackleaChiefJustice。

Thestrangersufferedashortpausetoelapse，andthenaskedabruptly，’Whatdoyoumean？’

’Morethanyouthinkfor，friend，’returnedJohnWillet。’Perhapsthere’smoremeaninginthemwordsthanyoususpect。’

’Perhapsthereis，’saidthestrangeman，gruffly;’butwhatthedevildoyouspeakinsuchmysteriesfor？Youtellme，first，thatamanisnotalive，noryetdead——then，thathe’snotdeadinacommonsortofway——then，thatyoumeanagreatdealmorethanI

thinkfor。Totellyouthetruth，youmaydothateasily;forsofarasIcanmakeout，youmeannothing。WhatDOyoumean，Iaskagain？’

’That，’returnedthelandlord，alittlebroughtdownfromhisdignitybythestranger’ssurliness，’isaMaypolestory，andhasbeenanytimethesefour-and-twentyyears。ThatstoryisSolomonDaisy’sstory。Itbelongstothehouse;andnobodybutSolomonDaisyhasevertolditunderthisroof，orevershall——that’smore。’

Themanglancedattheparish-clerk，whoseairofconsciousnessandimportanceplainlybetokenedhimtobethepersonreferredto，and，observingthathehadtakenhispipefromhislips，afteraverylongwhifftokeepitalight，andwasevidentlyabouttotellhisstorywithoutfurthersolicitation，gatheredhislargecoatabouthim，andshrinkingfurtherbackwasalmostlostinthegloomofthespaciouschimney-corner，exceptwhentheflame，strugglingfromunderagreatfaggot，whoseweightalmostcrusheditforthetime，shotupwardwithastrongandsuddenglare，andillumininghisfigureforamoment，seemedafterwardstocastitintodeeperobscuritythanbefore。

Bythisflickeringlight，whichmadetheoldroom，withitsheavytimbersandpanelledwalls，lookasifitwerebuiltofpolishedebony——thewindroaringandhowlingwithout，nowrattlingthelatchandcreakingthehingesofthestoutoakendoor，andnowdrivingatthecasementasthoughitwouldbeatitin——bythislight，andundercircumstancessoauspicious，SolomonDaisybeganhistale:

’ItwasMrReubenHaredale，MrGeoffrey’selderbrother——’

Herehecametoadeadstop，andmadesolongapausethatevenJohnWilletgrewimpatientandaskedwhyhedidnotproceed。

’Cobb，’saidSolomonDaisy，droppinghisvoiceandappealingtothepost-officekeeper;’whatdayofthemonthisthis？’

’Thenineteenth。’

’OfMarch，’saidtheclerk，bendingforward，’thenineteenthofMarch;that’sverystrange。’

Inalowvoicetheyallacquiesced，andSolomonwenton:

’ItwasMrReubenHaredale，MrGeoffrey’selderbrother，thattwenty-twoyearsagowastheowneroftheWarren，which，asJoehassaid——notthatyourememberit，Joe，foraboylikeyoucan’tdothat，butbecauseyouhaveoftenheardmesayso——wasthenamuchlargerandbetterplace，andamuchmorevaluablepropertythanitisnow。Hisladywaslatelydead，andhewasleftwithonechild——theMissHaredaleyouhavebeeninquiringabout——whowasthenscarcelyayearold。’

Althoughthespeakeraddressedhimselftothemanwhohadshownsomuchcuriosityaboutthissamefamily，andmadeapausehereasifexpectingsomeexclamationofsurpriseorencouragement，thelattermadenoremark，norgaveanyindicationthatheheardorwasinterestedinwhatwassaid。Solomonthereforeturnedtohisoldcompanions，whosenoseswerebrightlyilluminatedbythedeepredglowfromthebowlsoftheirpipes;assured，bylongexperience，oftheirattention，andresolvedtoshowhissenseofsuchindecentbehaviour。

’MrHaredale，’saidSolomon，turninghisbackuponthestrangeman，’leftthisplacewhenhisladydied，feelingitlonelylike，andwentuptoLondon，wherehestoppedsomemonths;butfindingthatplaceaslonelyasthis——asIsupposeandhavealwaysheardsay——hesuddenlycamebackagainwithhislittlegirltotheWarren，bringingwithhimbesides，thatday，onlytwowomenservants，andhissteward，andagardener。’

MrDaisystoppedtotakeawhiffathispipe，whichwasgoingout，andthenproceeded——atfirstinasnufflingtone，occasionedbykeenenjoymentofthetobaccoandstrongpullingatthepipe，andafterwardswithincreasingdistinctness:

’——Bringingwithhimtwowomenservants，andhissteward，andagardener。ThereststoppedbehindupinLondon，andweretofollownextday。Ithappenedthatthatnight，anoldgentlemanwholivedatChigwellRow，andhadlongbeenpoorly，deceased，andanordercametomeathalfaftertwelveo’clockatnighttogoandtollthepassing-bell。’

Therewasamovementinthelittlegroupoflisteners，sufficientlyindicativeofthestrongrepugnanceanyoneofthemwouldhavefelttohaveturnedoutatsuchatimeuponsuchanerrand。Theclerkfeltandunderstoodit，andpursuedhisthemeaccordingly。

’ItWASadrearything，especiallyasthegrave-diggerwaslaidupinhisbed，fromlongworkinginadampsoilandsittingdowntotakehisdinneroncoldtombstones，andIwasconsequentlyunderobligationtogoalone，foritwastoolatetohopetogetanyothercompanion。However，Iwasn’tunpreparedforit;astheoldgentlemanhadoftenmadeitarequestthatthebellshouldbetolledassoonaspossibleafterthebreathwasoutofhisbody，andhehadbeenexpectedtogoforsomedays。IputasgoodafaceuponitasIcould，andmufflingmyselfup(foritwasmortalcold)，startedoutwithalightedlanterninonehandandthekeyofthechurchintheother。’

Atthispointofthenarrative，thedressofthestrangemanrustledasifhehadturnedhimselftohearmoredistinctly。

Slightlypointingoverhisshoulder，SolomonelevatedhiseyebrowsandnoddedasilentinquirytoJoewhetherthiswasthecase。Joeshadedhiseyeswithhishandandpeeredintothecorner，butcouldmakeoutnothing，andsoshookhishead。

’Itwasjustsuchanightasthis;blowingahurricane，rainingheavily，andverydark——Ioftenthinknow，darkerthanIeversawitbeforeorsince;thatmaybemyfancy，butthehouseswereallcloseshutandthefolksindoors，andperhapsthereisonlyoneothermanwhoknowshowdarkitreallywas。Igotintothechurch，chainedthedoorbacksothatitshouldkeepajar——for，totellthetruth，Ididn’tliketobeshutintherealone——andputtingmylanternonthestoneseatinthelittlecornerwherethebell-ropeis，satdownbesideittotrimthecandle。

’Isatdowntotrimthecandle，andwhenIhaddonesoIcouldnotpersuademyselftogetupagain，andgoaboutmywork。Idon’tknowhowitwas，butIthoughtofalltheghoststoriesIhadeverheard，eventhosethatIhadheardwhenIwasaboyatschool，andhadforgottenlongago;andtheydidn’tcomeintomymindoneafteranother，butallcrowdingatonce，like。Irecollectedonestorytherewasinthevillage，howthatonacertainnightintheyear(itmightbethatverynightforanythingIknew)，allthedeadpeoplecameoutofthegroundandsatattheheadsoftheirowngravestillmorning。ThismademethinkhowmanypeopleIhadknown，wereburiedbetweenthechurch-doorandthechurchyardgate，andwhatadreadfulthingitwouldbetohavetopassamongthemandknowthemagain，soearthyandunlikethemselves。Ihadknownallthenichesandarchesinthechurchfromachild;still，I

couldn’tpersuademyselfthatthoseweretheirnaturalshadowswhichIsawonthepavement，butfeltsurethereweresomeuglyfigureshidingamong’emandpeepingout。Thinkingoninthisway，Ibegantothinkoftheoldgentlemanwhowasjustdead，andI

couldhavesworn，asIlookedupthedarkchancel，thatIsawhiminhisusualplace，wrappinghisshroudabouthimandshiveringasifhefeltitcold。AllthistimeIsatlisteningandlistening，andhardlydaredtobreathe。AtlengthIstartedupandtookthebell-ropeinmyhands。Atthatminutethererang——notthatbell，forIhadhardlytouchedtherope——butanother！

’Iheardtheringingofanotherbell，andadeepbelltoo，plainly。

Itwasonlyforaninstant，andeventhenthewindcarriedthesoundaway，butIheardit。Ilistenedforalongtime，butitrangnomore。Ihadheardofcorpsecandles，andatlastI

persuadedmyselfthatthismustbeacorpsebelltollingofitselfatmidnightforthedead。Itolledmybell——how，orhowlong，I

don’tknow——andranhometobedasfastasIcouldtouchtheground。

’Iwasupearlynextmorningafterarestlessnight，andtoldthestorytomyneighbours。Somewereseriousandsomemadelightofit;Idon’tthinkanybodybelieveditreal。But，thatmorning，MrReubenHaredalewasfoundmurderedinhisbedchamber;andinhishandwasapieceofthecordattachedtoanalarm-belloutsidetheroof，whichhunginhisroomandhadbeencutasunder，nodoubtbythemurderer，whenheseizedit。

’ThatwasthebellIheard。

’Abureauwasfoundopened，andacash-box，whichMrHaredalehadbroughtdownthatday，andwassupposedtocontainalargesumofmoney，wasgone。Thestewardandgardenerwerebothmissingandbothsuspectedforalongtime，buttheywereneverfound，thoughhuntedfarandwide。AndfarenoughtheymighthavelookedforpoorMrRudgethesteward，whosebody——scarcelytoberecognisedbyhisclothesandthewatchandringhewore——wasfound，monthsafterwards，atthebottomofapieceofwaterinthegrounds，withadeepgashinthebreastwherehehadbeenstabbedwithaknife。

Hewasonlypartlydressed;andpeopleallagreedthathehadbeensittingupreadinginhisownroom，wherethereweremanytracesofblood，andwassuddenlyfallenuponandkilledbeforehismaster。

Everybodynowknewthatthegardenermustbethemurderer，andthoughhehasneverbeenheardoffromthatdaytothis，hewillbe，markmywords。Thecrimewascommittedthisdaytwo-and-twentyyears——onthenineteenthofMarch，onethousandsevenhundredandfifty-three。OnthenineteenthofMarchinsomeyear——nomatterwhen——Iknowit，Iamsureofit，forwehavealways，insomestrangewayorother，beenbroughtbacktothesubjectonthatdayeversince——onthenineteenthofMarchinsomeyear，soonerorlater，thatmanwillbediscovered。’

Chapter2

’Astrangestory！’saidthemanwhohadbeenthecauseofthenarration——’Strangerstillifitcomesaboutasyoupredict。Isthatall？’

Aquestionsounexpected，nettledSolomonDaisynotalittle。Bydintofrelatingthestoryveryoften，andornamentingit(accordingtovillagereport)withafewflourishessuggestedbythevarioushearersfromtimetotime，hehadcomebydegreestotellitwithgreateffect;and’Isthatall？’aftertheclimax，wasnotwhathewasaccustomedto。

’Isthatall？’herepeated，’yes，that’sall，sir。Andenoughtoo，Ithink。’

’Ithinksotoo。Myhorse，youngman！Heisbutahackhiredfromaroadsidepostinghouse，buthemustcarrymetoLondonto-

night。’

’To-night！’saidJoe。

’To-night，’returnedtheother。’Whatdoyoustareat？Thistavernwouldseemtobeahouseofcallforallthegapingidlersoftheneighbourhood！’

Atthisremark，whichevidentlyhadreferencetothescrutinyhehadundergone，asmentionedintheforegoingchapter，theeyesofJohnWilletandhisfriendsweredivertedwithmarvellousrapiditytothecopperboileragain。NotsowithJoe，who，beingamettlesomefellow，returnedthestranger’sangryglancewithasteadylook，andrejoined:

’Itisnotaveryboldthingtowonderatyourgoingonto-night。

Surelyyouhavebeenaskedsuchaharmlessquestioninaninnbefore，andinbetterweatherthanthis。Ithoughtyoumightn’tknowtheway，asyouseemstrangetothispart。’

’Theway——’repeatedtheother，irritably。

’Yes。DOyouknowit？’

’I’ll——humph！——I’llfindit，’repliedthenian，wavinghishandandturningonhisheel。’Landlord，takethereckoninghere。’

JohnWilletdidashewasdesired;foronthatpointhewasseldomslow，exceptintheparticularsofgivingchange，andtestingthegoodnessofanypieceofcointhatwasprofferedtohim，bytheapplicationofhisteethorhistongue，orsomeothertest，orindoubtfulcases，byalongseriesofteststerminatinginitsrejection。Theguestthenwrappedhisgarmentsabouthimsoastoshelterhimselfaseffectuallyashecouldfromtheroughweather，andwithoutanywordorsignoffarewellbetookhimselftothestableyard。HereJoe(whohadlefttheroomontheconclusionoftheirshortdialogue)wasprotectinghimselfandthehorsefromtherainundertheshelterofanoldpenthouseroof。

’He’sprettymuchofmyopinion，’saidJoe，pattingthehorseupontheneck。’I’llwagerthatyourstoppinghereto-nightwouldpleasehimbetterthanitwouldpleaseme。’

’HeandIareofdifferentopinions，aswehavebeenmorethanonceonourwayhere，’wastheshortreply。

’SoIwasthinkingbeforeyoucameout，forhehasfeltyourspurs，poorbeast。’

Thestrangeradjustedhiscoat-collarabouthisface，andmadenoanswer。

’You’llknowmeagain，Isee，’hesaid，markingtheyoungfellow’searnestgaze，whenhehadsprungintothesaddle。

’Theman’sworthknowing，master，whotravelsaroadhedon’tknow，mountedonajadedhorse，andleavesgoodquarterstodoitonsuchanightasthis。’

’Youhavesharpeyesandasharptongue，Ifind。’

’BothIhopebynature，butthelastgrowsrustysometimesforwantofusing。’

’Usethefirstlesstoo，andkeeptheirsharpnessforyoursweethearts，boy，’saidtheman。

Sosayingheshookhishandfromthebridle，struckhimroughlyontheheadwiththebuttendofhiswhip，andgallopedaway;dashingthroughthemudanddarknesswithaheadlongspeed，whichfewbadlymountedhorsemenwouldhavecaredtoventure，evenhadtheybeenthoroughlyacquaintedwiththecountry;andwhich，toonewhoknewnothingofthewayherode，wasattendedateverystepwithgreathazardanddanger。

Theroads，evenwithintwelvemilesofLondon，wereatthattimeillpaved，seldomrepaired，andverybadlymade。Thewaythisridertraversedhadbeenploughedupbythewheelsofheavywaggons，andrenderedrottenbythefrostsandthawsoftheprecedingwinter，orpossiblyofmanywinters。Greatholesandgapshadbeenwornintothesoil，which，beingnowfilledwithwaterfromthelaterains，werenoteasilydistinguishableevenbyday;andaplungeintoanyoneofthemmighthavebroughtdownasurer-footedhorsethanthepoorbeastnowurgedforwardtotheutmostextentofhispowers。Sharpflintsandstonesrolledfromunderhishoofscontinually;theridercouldscarcelyseebeyondtheanimal’shead，orfartheroneithersidethanhisownarmwouldhaveextended。Atthattime，too，alltheroadsintheneighbourhoodofthemetropoliswereinfestedbyfootpadsorhighwaymen，anditwasanight，ofallothers，inwhichanyevil-

disposedpersonofthisclassmighthavepursuedhisunlawfulcallingwithlittlefearofdetection。

Still，thetravellerdashedforwardatthesamerecklesspace，regardlessalikeofthedirtandwetwhichflewabouthishead，theprofounddarknessofthenight，andtheprobabilityofencounteringsomedesperatecharactersabroad。Ateveryturnandangle，evenwhereadeviationfromthedirectcoursemighthavebeenleastexpected，andcouldnotpossiblybeseenuntilhewascloseuponit，heguidedthebridlewithanunerringhand，andkeptthemiddleoftheroad。Thushespedonward，raisinghimselfinthestirrups，leaninghisbodyforwarduntilitalmosttouchedthehorse’sneck，andflourishinghisheavywhipabovehisheadwiththefervourofamadman。

Therearetimeswhen，theelementsbeinginunusualcommotion，thosewhoarebentondaringenterprises，oragitatedbygreatthoughts，whetherofgoodorevil，feelamysterioussympathywiththetumultofnature，andarerousedintocorrespondingviolence。

Inthemidstofthunder，lightning，andstorm，manytremendousdeedshavebeencommitted;men，self-possessedbefore，havegivenasuddenloosetopassionstheycouldnolongercontrol。Thedemonsofwrathanddespairhavestriventoemulatethosewhoridethewhirlwindanddirectthestorm;andman，lashedintomadnesswiththeroaringwindsandboilingwaters，hasbecomeforthetimeaswildandmercilessastheelementsthemselves。

Whetherthetravellerwaspossessedbythoughtswhichthefuryofthenighthadheatedandstimulatedintoaquickercurrent，orwasmerelyimpelledbysomestrongmotivetoreachhisjourney’send，onhesweptmorelikeahuntedphantomthanaman，norcheckedhispaceuntil，arrivingatsomecrossroads，oneofwhichledbyalongerroutetotheplacewhencehehadlatelystarted，heboredownsosuddenlyuponavehiclewhichwascomingtowardshim，thatintheefforttoavoidithewell-nighpulledhishorseuponhishaunches，andnarrowlyescapedbeingthrown。

’Yoho！’criedthevoiceofaman。’What’sthat？Whogoesthere？’

’Afriend！’repliedthetraveller。

’Afriend！’repeatedthevoice。’Whocallshimselfafriendandrideslikethat，abusingHeaven’sgiftsintheshapeofhorseflesh，andendangering，notonlyhisownneck(whichmightbenogreatmatter)butthenecksofotherpeople？’

’Youhavealanternthere，Isee，’saidthetravellerdismounting，’lenditmeforamoment。Youhavewoundedmyhorse，Ithink，withyourshaftorwheel。’

’Woundedhim！’criedtheother，’ifIhaven’tkilledhim，it’snofaultofyours。Whatdoyoumeanbygallopingalongtheking’shighwaylikethat，eh？’

’Givemethelight，’returnedthetraveller，snatchingitfromhishand，’anddon’taskidlequestionsofamanwhoisinnomoodfortalking。’

’Ifyouhadsaidyouwereinnomoodfortalkingbefore，Ishouldperhapshavebeeninnomoodforlighting，’saidthevoice。

’Hows’everasit’sthepoorhorsethat’sdamagedandnotyou，oneofyouiswelcometothelightatallevents——butit’snotthecrustyone。’

Thetravellerreturnednoanswertothisspeech，butholdingthelightneartohispantingandreekingbeast，examinedhiminlimbandcarcass。Meanwhile，theothermansatverycomposedlyinhisvehicle，whichwasakindofchaisewithadepositoryforalargebagoftools，andwatchedhisproceedingswithacarefuleye。

Thelooker-onwasaround，red-faced，sturdyyeoman，withadoublechin，andavoicehuskywithgoodliving，goodsleeping，goodhumour，andgoodhealth。Hewaspasttheprimeoflife，butFatherTimeisnotalwaysahardparent，and，thoughhetarriesfornoneofhischildren，oftenlayshishandlightlyuponthosewhohaveusedhimwell;makingthemoldmenandwomeninexorablyenough，butleavingtheirheartsandspiritsyoungandinfullvigour。Withsuchpeoplethegreyheadisbuttheimpressionoftheoldfellow’shandingivingthemhisblessing，andeverywrinklebutanotchinthequietcalendarofawell-spentlife。

Thepersonwhomthetravellerhadsoabruptlyencounteredwasofthiskind:bluff，hale，hearty，andinagreenoldage:atpeacewithhimself，andevidentlydisposedtobesowithalltheworld。

Althoughmuffledupindiverscoatsandhandkerchiefs——oneofwhich，passedoverhiscrown，andtiedinaconvenientcreaseofhisdoublechin，securedhisthree-corneredhatandbob-wigfromblowingoffhishead——therewasnodisguisinghisplumpandcomfortablefigure;neitherdidcertaindirtyfinger-marksuponhisfacegiveitanyotherthananoddandcomicalexpression，throughwhichitsnaturalgoodhumourshonewithundiminishedlustre。

’Heisnothurt，’saidthetravelleratlength，raisinghisheadandthelanterntogether。

’Youhavefoundthatoutatlast，haveyou？’rejoinedtheoldman。

’Myeyeshaveseenmorelightthanyours，butIwouldn’tchangewithyou。’

’Whatdoyoumean？’

’Mean！Icouldhavetoldyouhewasn’thurt，fiveminutesago。

Givemethelight，friend;rideforwardatagentlerpace;andgoodnight。’

Inhandingupthelantern，themannecessarilycastitsraysfullonthespeaker’sface。Theireyesmetattheinstant。Hesuddenlydroppeditandcrusheditwithhisfoot。

’Didyouneverseealocksmithbefore，thatyoustartasifyouhadcomeuponaghost？’criedtheoldmaninthechaise，’oristhis，’

headdedhastily，thrustinghishandintothetoolbasketanddrawingoutahammer，’aschemeforrobbingme？Iknowtheseroads，friend。WhenItravelthem，Icarrynothingbutafewshillings，andnotacrown’sworthofthem。Itellyouplainly，tosaveusbothtrouble，thatthere’snothingtobegotfrommebutaprettystoutarmconsideringmyyears，andthistool，which，mayhapfromlongacquaintancewith，Icanuseprettybriskly。Youshallnothaveitallyourownway，Ipromiseyou，ifyouplayatthatgame。Withthesewordshestooduponthedefensive。

’Iamnotwhatyoutakemefor，GabrielVarden，’repliedtheother。

’Thenwhatandwhoareyou？’returnedthelocksmith。’Youknowmyname，itseems。Letmeknowyours。’

’Ihavenotgainedtheinformationfromanyconfidenceofyours，butfromtheinscriptiononyourcartwhichtellsittoallthetown，’repliedthetraveller。

’Youhavebettereyesforthatthanyouhadforyourhorse，then，’

saidVarden，descendingnimblyfromhischaise;’whoareyou？Letmeseeyourface。’

Whilethelocksmithalighted，thetravellerhadregainedhissaddle，fromwhichhenowconfrontedtheoldman，who，movingasthehorsemovedinchafingunderthetightenedrein，keptclosebesidehim。

’Letmeseeyourface，Isay。’

’Standoff！’

’Nomasqueradingtricks，’saidthelocksmith，’andtalesattheclubto-morrow，howGabrielVardenwasfrightenedbyasurlyvoiceandadarknight。Stand——letmeseeyourface。’

Findingthatfurtherresistancewouldonlyinvolvehiminapersonalstrugglewithanantagonistbynomeanstobedespised，thetravellerthrewbackhiscoat，andstoopingdownlookedsteadilyatthelocksmith。

Perhapstwomenmorepowerfullycontrasted，neveropposedeachotherfacetoface。Theruddyfeaturesofthelocksmithsosetoffandheightenedtheexcessivepalenessofthemanonhorseback，thathelookedlikeabloodlessghost，whilethemoisture，whichhardridinghadbroughtoutuponhisskin，hungthereindarkandheavydrops，likedewsofagonyanddeath。Thecountenanceoftheoldlocksmithlightedupwiththesmileofoneexpectingtodetectinthisunpromisingstrangersomelatentrogueryofeyeorlip，whichshouldrevealafamiliarpersoninthatarchdisguise，andspoilhisjest。Thefaceoftheother，sullenandfierce，butshrinkingtoo，wasthatofamanwhostoodatbay;whilehisfirmlyclosedjaws，hispuckeredmouth，andmorethanallacertainstealthymotionofthehandwithinhisbreast，seemedtoannounceadesperatepurposeveryforeigntoacting，orchild’splay。

Thustheyregardedeachotherforsometime，insilence。

’Humph！’hesaidwhenhehadscannedhisfeatures;’Idon’tknowyou。’

’Don’tdesireto？’——returnedtheother，mufflinghimselfasbefore。

’Idon’t，’saidGabriel;’tobeplainwithyou，friend，youdon’tcarryinyourcountenancealetterofrecommendation。’

’It’snotmywish，’saidthetraveller。’Myhumouristobeavoided。’

’Well，’saidthelocksmithbluntly，’Ithinkyou’llhaveyourhumour。’

’Iwill，atanycost，’rejoinedthetraveller。’Inproofofit，laythistoheart——thatyouwereneverinsuchperilofyourlifeasyouhavebeenwithinthesefewmoments;whenyouarewithinfiveminutesofbreathingyourlast，youwillnotbenearerdeaththanyouhavebeento-night！’

’Aye！’saidthesturdylocksmith。

’Aye！andaviolentdeath。’

’Fromwhosehand？’

’Frommine，’repliedthetraveller。

Withthatheputspurstohishorse，androdeaway;atfirstplashingheavilythroughthemireatasmarttrot，butgraduallyincreasinginspeeduntilthelastsoundofhishorse’shoofsdiedawayuponthewind;whenhewasagainhurryingonatthesamefuriousgallop，whichhadbeenhispacewhenthelocksmithfirstencounteredhim。

GabrielVardenremainedstandingintheroadwiththebrokenlanterninhishand，listeninginstupefiedsilenceuntilnosoundreachedhisearbutthemoaningofthewind，andthefast-fallingrain;whenhestruckhimselfoneortwosmartblowsinthebreastbywayofrousinghimself，andbrokeintoanexclamationofsurprise。

’Whatinthenameofwondercanthisfellowbe！amadman？ahighwayman？acut-throat？Ifhehadnotscouredoffsofast，we’dhaveseenwhowasinmostdanger，heorI。InevernearerdeaththanIhavebeento-night！IhopeImaybenonearertoitforascoreofyearstocome——ifso，I’llbecontenttobenofartherfromit。Mystars！——aprettybragthistoastoutman——pooh，pooh！’

Gabrielresumedhisseat，andlookedwistfullyuptheroadbywhichthetravellerhadcome;murmuringinahalfwhisper:

’TheMaypole——twomilestotheMaypole。IcametheotherroadfromtheWarrenafteralongday’sworkatlocksandbells，onpurposethatIshouldnotcomebytheMaypoleandbreakmypromisetoMarthabylookingin——there’sresolution！ItwouldbedangeroustogoontoLondonwithoutalight;andit’sfourmiles，andagoodhalfmilebesides，totheHalfway-House;andbetweenthisandthatistheveryplacewhereoneneedsalightmost。TwomilestotheMaypole！ItoldMarthaIwouldn’t;IsaidIwouldn’t，andI

didn’t——there’sresolution！’

Repeatingthesetwolastwordsveryoften，asiftocompensateforthelittleresolutionhewasgoingtoshowbypiquinghimselfonthegreatresolutionhehadshown，GabrielVardenquietlyturnedback，determiningtogetalightattheMaypole，andtotakenothingbutalight。

WhenhegottotheMaypole，however，andJoe，respondingtohiswell-knownhail，camerunningouttothehorse’shead，leavingthedooropenbehindhim，anddisclosingadeliciousperspectiveofwarmthandbrightness——whentheruddygleamofthefire，streamingthroughtheoldredcurtainsofthecommonroom，seemedtobringwithit，aspartofitself，apleasanthumofvoices，andafragrantodourofsteaminggrogandraretobacco，allsteepedasitwereinthecheerfulglow——whentheshadows，flittingacrossthecurtain，showedthatthoseinsidehadrisenfromtheirsnugseats，andweremakingroominthesnuggestcorner(howwellheknewthatcorner！)forthehonestlocksmith，andabroadglare，suddenlystreamingup，bespokethegoodnessofthecracklinglogfromwhichabrillianttrainofsparkswasdoubtlessatthatmomentwhirlingupthechimneyinhonourofhiscoming——when，superaddedtotheseenticements，therestoleuponhimfromthedistantkitchenagentlesoundoffrying，withamusicalclatterofplatesanddishes，andasavourysmellthatmadeeventheboisterouswindaperfume——Gabrielfelthisfirmnessoozingrapidlyaway。Hetriedtolookstoicallyatthetavern，buthisfeatureswouldrelaxintoalookoffondness。Heturnedhisheadtheotherway，andthecoldblackcountryseemedtofrownhimoff，anddrivehimforarefugeintoitshospitablearms。

’Themercifulman，Joe，’saidthelocksmith，’ismercifultohisbeast。I’llgetoutforalittlewhile。’

Andhownaturalitwastogetout！Andhowunnaturalitseemedforasobermantobeploddingwearilyalongthroughmiryroads，encounteringtherudebuffetsofthewindandpeltingoftherain，whentherewasacleanfloorcoveredwithcrispwhitesand，awellswepthearth，ablazingfire，atabledecoratedwithwhitecloth，brightpewterflagons，andothertemptingpreparationsforawell-

cookedmeal——whentherewerethesethings，andcompanydisposedtomakethemostofthem，allreadytohishand，andentreatinghimtoenjoyment！

Chapter3

Suchwerethelocksmith’sthoughtswhenfirstseatedinthesnugcorner，andslowlyrecoveringfromapleasantdefectofvision——

pleasant，becauseoccasionedbythewindblowinginhiseyes——whichmadeitamatterofsoundpolicyanddutytohimself，thatheshouldtakerefugefromtheweather，andtemptedhim，forthesamereason，toaggravateaslightcough，anddeclarehefeltbutpoorly。Suchwerestillhisthoughtsmorethanafullhourafterwards，when，supperover，hestillsatwithshiningjovialfaceinthesamewarmnook，listeningtothecricket-likechirrupoflittleSolomonDaisy，andbearingnounimportantorslightlyrespectedpartinthesocialgossiproundtheMaypolefire。

’Iwishhemaybeanhonestman，that’sall，’saidSolomon，windingupavarietyofspeculationsrelativetothestranger，concerningwhomGabrielhadcomparednoteswiththecompany，andsoraisedagravediscussion;’Iwishhemaybeanhonestman。’

’Sowealldo，Isuppose，don’twe？’observedthelocksmith。

’Idon’t，’saidJoe。

’No！’criedGabriel。

’No。Hestruckmewithhiswhip，thecoward，whenhewasmountedandIafoot，andIshouldbebetterpleasedthatheturnedoutwhatIthinkhim。’

’Andwhatmaythatbe，Joe？’

’Nogood，MrVarden。Youmayshakeyourhead，father，butIsaynogood，andwillsaynogood，andIwouldsaynogoodahundredtimesover，ifthatwouldbringhimbacktohavethedrubbinghedeserves。’

’Holdyourtongue，sir，’saidJohnWillet。

’Iwon’t，father。It’sallalongofyouthatheventuredtodowhathedid。Seeingmetreatedlikeachild，andputdownlikeafool，HEplucksupaheartandhasaflingatafellowthathethinks——andmaywellthinktoo——hasn’tagrainofspirit。Buthe’smistaken，asI’llshowhim，andasI’llshowallofyoubeforelong。’

’Doestheboyknowwhathe’sasayingof！’criedtheastonishedJohnWillet。

’Father，’returnedJoe，’IknowwhatIsayandmean，well——betterthanyoudowhenyouhearme。Icanbearwithyou，butIcannotbearthecontemptthatyourtreatingmeinthewayyoudo，bringsuponmefromotherseveryday。Lookatotheryoungmenofmyage。