HewasknownonboardasCubaTom；notbecausehewasCubanhowever；hewasindeedthebesttypeofagenuineBritishtarofthattime，andaman-of-war\'smanforyears。Hecamebythenameonaccountofsomewonderfuladventureshehadinthatislandinhisyoungdays，adventureswhichwerethefavouritesubjectoftheyarnshewasinthehabitofspinningtohisshipmatesofaneveningontheforecastlehead。Hewasintelligent，verystrong，andofprovedcourage。Incidentallywearetold，soexactisournarrator，thatTomhadthefinestpigtailforthicknessandlengthofanymanintheNavy。Thisappendage，muchcaredforandsheathedtightlyinaporpoiseskin，hunghalfwaydownhisbroadbacktothegreatadmirationofallbeholdersandtothegreatenvyofsome。
OuryoungofficerdwellsonthemanlyqualitiesofCubaTomwithsomethinglikeaffection。Thissortofrelationbetweenofficerandmanwasnotthenveryrare。Ayoungsteronjoiningtheservicewasputunderthechargeofatrustworthyseaman，whoslunghisfirsthammockforhimandoftenlateronbecameasortofhumblefriendtothejuniorofficer。Thenarratoronjoiningthesloophadfoundthismanonboardaftersomeyearsofseparation。Thereissomethingtouchinginthewarmpleasureheremembersandrecordsatthismeetingwiththeprofessionalmentorofhisboyhood。
Wediscoverthenthat，noSpaniardbeingforthcomingfortheservice，thisworthyseamanwiththeuniquepigtailandaveryhighcharacterforcourageandsteadinesshadbeenselectedasmessengerforoneofthesemissionsinlandwhichhavebeenmentioned。Hispreparationswerenotelaborate。Onegloomyautumnmorningthesloopranclosetoashallowcovewherealandingcouldbemadeonthatiron-boundshore。Aboatwaslowered，andpulledinwithTomCorbin(CubaTom)perchedinthebow，andouryoungman(Mr。EdgarByrnewashisnameonthisearthwhichknowshimnomore)sittinginthesternsheets。
Afewinhabitantsofahamlet，whosegreystonehousescouldbeseenahundredyardsorsoupadeepravine，hadcomedowntotheshoreandwatchedtheapproachoftheboat。ThetwoEnglishmenleapedashore。Eitherfromdullnessorastonishmentthepeasantsgavenogreeting，andonlyfellbackinsilence。
Mr。ByrnehadmadeuphismindtoseeTomCorbinstartedfairlyonhisway。Helookedroundattheheavysurprisedfaces。
\"Thereisn\'tmuchtogetoutofthem，\"hesaid。\"Letuswalkuptothevillage。Therewillbeawineshopforsurewherewemayfindsomebodymorepromisingtotalktoandgetsomeinformationfrom。\"
\"Aye，aye，sir，\"saidTomfallingintostepbehindhisofficer。\"A
bitofpalaverastocoursesanddistancescandonoharm；I
crossedthebroadestpartofCubabythehelpofmytonguetho\'
knowingfarlessSpanishthanIdonow。Astheysaythemselvesitwas\'fourwordsandnomore\'withme，thattimewhenIgotleftbehindonshorebytheBlanche，frigate。\"
Hemadelightofwhatwasbeforehim，whichwasbutaday\'sjourneyintothemountains。Itistruethattherewasafullday\'sjourneybeforestrikingthemountainpath，butthatwasnothingforamanwhohadcrossedtheislandofCubaonhistwolegs，andwithnomorethanfourwordsofthelanguagetobeginwith。
Theofficerandthemanwerewalkingnowonathicksoddenbedofdeadleaves，whichthepeasantsthereaboutsaccumulateinthestreetsoftheirvillagestorotduringthewinterforfieldmanure。TurninghisheadMr。Byrneperceivedthatthewholemalepopulationofthehamletwasfollowingthemonthenoiselessspringycarpet。Womenstaredfromthedoorsofthehousesandthechildrenhadapparentlygoneintohiding。Thevillageknewtheshipbysight，afaroff，butnostrangerhadlandedonthatspotperhapsforahundredyearsormore。ThecockedhatofMr。Byrne，thebushywhiskersandtheenormouspigtailofthesailor，filledthemwithmutewonder。TheypressedbehindthetwoEnglishmenstaringlikethoseislandersdiscoveredbyCaptainCookintheSouthSeas。
ItwasthenthatByrnehadhisfirstglimpseofthelittlecloakedmaninayellowhat。Fadedanddingyasitwas，thiscoveringforhisheadmadehimnoticeable。
Theentrancetothewineshopwaslikearoughholeinawallofflints。Theownerwastheonlypersonwhowasnotinthestreet，forhecameoutfromthedarknessatthebackwheretheinflatedformsofwineskinshungonnailscouldbevaguelydistinguished。
Hewasatall，one-eyedAsturianwithscrubby，hollowcheeks；agraveexpressionofcountenancecontrastedenigmaticallywiththeroamingrestlessnessofhissolitaryeye。OnlearningthatthematterinhandwasthesendingonhiswayofthatEnglishmarinertowardacertainGonzalesinthemountains，heclosedhisgoodeyeforamomentasifinmeditation。Thenopenedit，verylivelyagain。
\"Possibly，possibly。Itcouldbedone。\"
AfriendlymurmuraroseinthegroupinthedoorwayatthenameofGonzales，thelocalleaderagainsttheFrench。InquiringastothesafetyoftheroadByrnewasgladtolearnthatnotroopsofthatnationhadbeenseenintheneighbourhoodformonths。NotthesmallestlittledetachmentoftheseimpiousPOLIZONES。Whilegivingtheseanswerstheownerofthewine-shopbusiedhimselfindrawingintoanearthenwarejugsomewinewhichhesetbeforethehereticEnglish，pocketingwithgraveabstractionthesmallpieceofmoneytheofficerthrewuponthetableinrecognitionoftheunwrittenlawthatnonemayenterawine-shopwithoutbuyingdrink。
Hiseyewasinconstantmotionasifitweretryingtodotheworkofthetwo；butwhenByrnemadeinquiriesastothepossibilityofhiringamule，itbecameimmovablyfixedinthedirectionofthedoorwhichwascloselybesiegedbythecurious。Infrontofthem，justwithinthethreshold，thelittlemaninthelargecloakandyellowhathadtakenhisstand。Hewasadiminutiveperson，amerehomunculus，Byrnedescribeshim，inaridiculouslymysterious，yetassertiveattitude，acornerofhiscloakthrowncavalierlyoverhisleftshoulder，mufflinghischinandmouth；whilethebroad-
brimmedyellowhathungonacornerofhissquarelittlehead。Hestoodtheretakingsnuff，repeatedly。
\"Amule，\"repeatedthewine-seller，hiseyesfixedonthatquaintandsnuffyfigure……\"No，senorofficer!Decidedlynomuleistobegotinthispoorplace。\"
Thecoxswain，whostoodbywiththetruesailor\'sairofunconcerninstrangesurroundings，struckinquietly-
\"IfyourhonourwillbelievemeShank\'spony\'sthebestforthisjob。Iwouldhavetoleavethebeastsomewhere，anyhow，sincethecaptainhastoldmethathalfmywaywillbealongpathsfitonlyforgoats。\"
Thediminutivemanmadeastepforward，andspeakingthroughthefoldsofthecloakwhichseemedtomuffleasarcasticintention-
\"Si，senor。Theyaretoohonestinthisvillagetohaveasinglemuleamongstthemforyourworship\'sservice。TothatIcanbeartestimony。Inthesetimesit\'sonlyroguesorveryclevermenwhocanmanagetohavemulesoranyotherfour-footedbeastsandthewherewithaltokeepthem。Butwhatthisvaliantmarinerwantsisaguide；andhere，senor，beholdmybrother-in-law，Bernardino，wine-
seller，andalcadeofthismostChristianandhospitablevillage，whowillfindyouone。\"
This，Mr。Byrnesaysinhisrelation，wastheonlythingtodo。A
youthinaraggedcoatandgoat-skinbreecheswasproducedaftersomemoretalk。TheEnglishofficerstoodtreattothewholevillage，andwhilethepeasantsdrankheandCubaTomtooktheirdepartureaccompaniedbytheguide。Thediminutivemaninthecloakhaddisappeared。
Byrnewentalongwiththecoxswainoutofthevillage。Hewantedtoseehimfairlyonhisway；andhewouldhavegoneagreaterdistance，iftheseamanhadnotsuggestedrespectfullytheadvisabilityofreturnsoasnottokeeptheshipamomentlongerthannecessarysocloseinwiththeshoreonsuchanunpromisinglookingmorning。Awildgloomyskyhungovertheirheadswhentheytookleaveofeachother，andtheirsurroundingsofrankbushesandstonyfieldsweredreary。
\"Infourdays\'time，\"wereByrne\'slastwords，\"theshipwillstandinandsendaboatonshoreiftheweatherpermits。Ifnotyou\'llhavetomakeitoutonshorethebestyoucantillwecomealongtotakeyouoff。\"
\"Rightyouare，sir，\"answeredTom，andstrodeon。Byrnewatchedhimstepoutonanarrowpath。Inathickpea-jacketwithapairofpistolsinhisbelt，acutlassbyhisside，andastoutcudgelinhishand，helookedasturdyfigureandwellabletotakecareofhimself。Heturnedroundforamomenttowavehishand，givingtoByrneonemoreviewofhishonestbronzedfacewithbushywhiskers。Theladingoatskinbreecheslooking，Byrnesays，likeafaunorayoungsatyrleapingahead，stoppedtowaitforhim，andthenwentoffatabound。Bothdisappeared。
Byrneturnedback。Thehamletwashiddeninafoldoftheground，andthespotseemedthemostlonelycorneroftheearthandasifaccursedinitsuninhabiteddesolatebarrenness。Beforehehadwalkedmanyyards，thereappearedverysuddenlyfrombehindabushthemuffledupdiminutiveSpaniard。NaturallyByrnestoppedshort。
Theothermadeamysteriousgesturewithatinyhandpeepingfromunderhiscloak。Hishathungverymuchatthesideofhishead。
\"Senor，\"hesaidwithoutanypreliminaries。\"Caution!Itisapositivefactthatone-eyedBernardino，mybrother-in-law，hasatthismomentamuleinhisstable。Andwhyhewhoisnotcleverhasamulethere？Becauseheisarogue；amanwithoutconscience。
BecauseIhadtogiveuptheMACHOtohimtosecureformyselfarooftosleepunderandamouthfulofOLLAtokeepmysoulinthisinsignificantbodyofmine。Yet，senor，itcontainsaheartmanytimesbiggerthanthemeanthingwhichbeatsinthebreastofthatbruteconnectionofmineofwhichIamashamed，thoughIopposedthatmarriagewithallmypower。Well，themisguidedwomansufferedenough。Shehadherpurgatoryonthisearth-Godresthersoul。\"
Byrnesayshewassoastonishedbythesuddenappearanceofthatsprite-likebeing，andbythesardonicbitternessofthespeech，thathewasunabletodisentanglethesignificantfactfromwhatseemedbutapieceoffamilyhistoryfiredoutathimwithoutrhymeorreason。Notatfirst。Hewasconfoundedandatthesametimehewasimpressedbytherapidforcibledelivery，quitedifferentfromthefrothyexcitedloquacityofanItalian。Sohestaredwhilethehomunculuslettinghiscloakfallabouthim，aspiredanimmensequantityofsnuffoutofthehollowofhispalm。
\"Amule，\"exclaimedByrneseizingatlasttherealaspectofthediscourse。\"Yousayhehasgotamule？That\'squeer!Whydidherefusetoletmehaveit？\"
ThediminutiveSpaniardmuffledhimselfupagainwithgreatdignity。
\"QUIENSABE，\"hesaidcoldly，withashrugofhisdrapedshoulders。
\"HeisagreatPOLITICOineverythinghedoes。Butonethingyourworshipmaybecertainof-thathisintentionsarealwaysrascally。ThishusbandofmyDEFUNTAsisteroughttohavebeenmarriedalongtimeagotothewidowwiththewoodenlegs。\"(1)
\"Isee。Butrememberthat；whateveryourmotives，yourworshipcountenancedhiminthislie。\"
ThebrightunhappyeyesoneachsideofapredatorynoseconfrontedByrnewithoutwincing，whilewiththattestinesswhichlurkssooftenatthebottomofSpanishdignity-
\"NodoubtthesenorofficerwouldnotloseanounceofbloodifI
werestuckunderthefifthrib，\"heretorted。\"Butwhatofthispoorsinnerhere？\"Thenchanginghistone。\"Senor，bythenecessitiesofthetimesIlivehereinexile，aCastilianandanoldChristian，existingmiserablyinthemidstofthesebruteAsturians，anddependentontheworstofthemall，whohaslessconscienceandscruplesthanawolf。AndbeingamanofintelligenceIgovernmyselfaccordingly。YetIcanhardlycontainmyscorn。YouhaveheardthewayIspoke。Acaballeroofpartslikeyourworshipmighthaveguessedthattherewasacatinthere。\"
\"Whatcat？\"saidByrneuneasily。\"Oh，Isee。Somethingsuspicious。No，senor。Iguessednothing。Mynationarenotgoodguessersatthatsortofthing；and，therefore，Iaskyouplainlywhetherthatwine-sellerhasspokenthetruthinotherparticulars？\"
\"TherearecertainlynoFrenchmenanywhereabout，\"saidthelittlemanwithareturntohisindifferentmanner。
\"Orrobbers-LADRONES？\"
\"LADRONESENGRANDE-no!Assuredlynot，\"wastheanswerinacoldphilosophicaltone。\"WhatisthereleftforthemtodoaftertheFrench？Andnobodytravelsinthesetimes。Butwhocansay!
Opportunitymakestherobber。Stillthatmarinerofyourshasafierceaspect，andwiththesonofacatratswillhavenoplay。
Butthereisasaying，too，thatwherehoneyistherewillsoonbeflies。\"
ThisoraculardiscourseexasperatedByrne。\"InthenameofGod，\"
hecried，\"tellmeplainlyifyouthinkmymanisreasonablysafeonhisjourney。\"
Thehomunculus，undergoingoneofhisrapidchanges，seizedtheofficer\'sarm。Thegripofhislittlehandwasastonishing。
\"Senor!Bernardinohadtakennoticeofhim。Whatmoredoyouwant？Andlisten-menhavedisappearedonthisroad-onacertainportionofthisroad，whenBernardinokeptaMESON，aninn，andI，hisbrother-in-law，hadcoachesandmulesforhire。Nowtherearenotravellers，nocoaches。TheFrenchhaveruinedme。
Bernardinohasretiredhereforreasonsofhisownaftermysisterdied。Theywerethreetotormentthelifeoutofher，heandErminiaandLucilla，twoauntsofhis-allaffiliatedtothedevil。Andnowhehasrobbedmeofmylastmule。Youareanarmedman。DemandtheMACHOfromhim，withapistoltohishead，senor-
itisnothis，Itellyou-andrideafteryourmanwhoissoprecioustoyou。Andthenyoushallbothbesafe，fornotwotravellershavebeeneverknowntodisappeartogetherinthosedays。Astothebeast，I，itsowner，Iconfideittoyourhonour。\"
Theywerestaringhardateachother，andByrnenearlyburstintoalaughattheingenuityandtransparencyofthelittleman\'splottoregainpossessionofhismule。Buthehadnodifficultytokeepastraightfacebecausehefeltdeepwithinhimselfastrangeinclinationtodothatveryextraordinarything。Hedidnotlaugh，buthislipquivered；atwhichthediminutiveSpaniard，detachinghisblackglitteringeyesfromByrne\'sface，turnedhisbackonhimbrusquelywithagestureandaflingofthecloakwhichsomehowexpressedcontempt，bitterness，anddiscouragementallatonce。Heturnedawayandstoodstill，hishataslant，muffleduptotheears。ButhewasnotoffendedtothepointofrefusingthesilverDUROwhichByrneofferedhimwithanon-committalspeechasifnothingextraordinaryhadpassedbetweenthem。
\"Imustmakehasteonboardnow，\"saidByrne，then。
\"VAYAUSTEDCONDIOS，\"mutteredthegnome。Andthisinterviewendedwithasarcasticlowsweepofthehatwhichwasreplacedatthesameperilousangleasbefore。
Directlytheboathadbeenhoistedtheship\'ssailswerefilledontheoff-shoretack，andByrneimpartedthewholestorytohiscaptain，whowasbutaveryfewyearsolderthanhimself。Therewassomeamusedindignationatit-butwhiletheylaughedtheylookedgravelyateachother。ASpanishdwarftryingtobeguileanofficerofhismajesty\'snavyintostealingamuleforhim-thatwastoofunny，tooridiculous，tooincredible。Thoseweretheexclamationsofthecaptain。Hecouldn\'tgetoverthegrotesquenessofit。
\"Incredible。That\'sjustit，\"murmuredByrneatlastinasignificanttone。
Theyexchangedalongstare。\"It\'sasclearasdaylight，\"affirmedthecaptainimpatiently，becauseinhishearthewasnotcertain。
AndTomthebestseamanintheshipforone，thegood-humouredlydeferentialfriendofhisboyhoodfortheother，wasbecomingendowedwithacompellingfascination，likeasymbolicfigureofloyaltyappealingtotheirfeelingsandtheirconscience，sothattheycouldnotdetachtheirthoughtsfromhissafety。Severaltimestheywentupondeck，onlytolookatthecoast，asifitcouldtellthemsomethingofhisfate。Itstretchedaway，lengtheninginthedistance，mute，naked，andsavage，veilednowandthenbytheslantingcoldshaftsofrain。Thewesterlyswellrolleditsinterminableangrylinesoffoamandbigdarkcloudsflewovertheshipinasinisterprocession。
\"Iwishtogoodnessyouhaddonewhatyourlittlefriendintheyellowhatwantedyoutodo，\"saidthecommanderoftheslooplateintheafternoonwithvisibleexasperation。
\"Doyou，sir？\"answeredByrne，bitterwithpositiveanguish。\"I
wonderwhatyouwouldhavesaidafterwards？Why!ImighthavebeenkickedoutoftheserviceforlootingamulefromanationinalliancewithHisMajesty。OrImighthavebeenbatteredtoapulpwithflailsandpitch-forks-aprettytaletogetabroadaboutoneofyourofficers-whiletryingtostealamule。Orchasedignominiouslytotheboat-foryouwouldnothaveexpectedmetoshootdownunoffendingpeopleforthesakeofamangymule……Andyet，\"headdedinalowvoice，\"IalmostwishmyselfIhaddoneit。\"
Beforedarkthosetwoyoungmenhadworkedthemselvesupintoahighlycomplexpsychologicalstateofscornfulscepticismandalarmedcredulity。Ittormentedthemexceedingly；andthethoughtthatitwouldhavetolastforsixdaysatleast，andpossiblybeprolongedfurtherforanindefinitetime，wasnottobeborne。Theshipwasthereforeputontheinshoretackatdark。Allthroughthegustydarknightshewenttowardsthelandtolookforherman，attimeslyingoverintheheavypuffs，atothersrollingidleintheswell，nearlystationary，asifshetoohadamindofherowntoswingperplexedbetweencoolreasonandwarmimpulse。
Thenjustatdaybreakaboatputofffromherandwentontossedbytheseastowardstheshallowcovewhere，withconsiderabledifficulty，anofficerinathickcoatandaroundhatmanagedtolandonastripofshingle。
\"Itwasmywish，\"writesMr。Byrne，\"awishofwhichmycaptainapproved，tolandsecretlyifpossible。Ididnotwanttobeseeneitherbymyaggrievedfriendintheyellowhat，whosemotiveswerenotclear，orbytheone-eyedwine-seller，whomayormaynothavebeenaffiliatedtothedevil，orindeedbyanyotherdwellerinthatprimitivevillage。Butunfortunatelythecovewastheonlypossiblelandingplaceformiles；andfromthesteepnessoftheravineIcouldn\'tmakeacircuittoavoidthehouses。\"
\"Fortunately，\"hegoeson，\"allthepeoplewereyetintheirbeds。
ItwasbarelydaylightwhenIfoundmyselfwalkingonthethicklayerofsoddenleavesfillingtheonlystreet。Nosoulwasstirringabroad，nodogbarked。Thesilencewasprofound，andI
hadconcludedwithsomewonderthatapparentlynodogswerekeptinthehamlet，whenIheardalowsnarl，andfromanoisomealleybetweentwohovelsemergedavilecurwithitstailbetweenitslegs。Heslunkoffsilentlyshowingmehisteethasheranbeforeme，andhedisappearedsosuddenlythathemighthavebeentheuncleanincarnationoftheEvilOne。Therewas，too，somethingsoweirdinthemannerofitscomingandvanishing，thatmyspirits，alreadybynomeansveryhigh，becamefurtherdepressedbytherevoltingsightofthiscreatureasifbyanunluckypresage。\"
Hegotawayfromthecoastunobserved，asfarasheknew，thenstruggledmanfullytothewestagainstwindandrain，onabarrendarkupland，underaskyofashes。Farawaytheharshanddesolatemountainsraisingtheirscarpedanddenudedridgesseemedtowaitforhimmenacingly。Theeveningfoundhimfairlyneartothem，but，insailorlanguage，uncertainofhisposition，hungry，wet，andtiredoutbyadayofsteadytrampingoverbrokengroundduringwhichhehadseenveryfewpeople，andhadbeenunabletoobtaintheslightestintelligenceofTomCorbin\'spassage。\"On!on!I
mustpushon，\"hehadbeensayingtohimselfthroughthehoursofsolitaryeffort，spurredmorebyincertitudethanbyanydefinitefearordefinitehope。
Theloweringdaylightdiedoutquickly，leavinghimfacedbyabrokenbridge。Hedescendedintotheravine，fordedanarrowstreambythelastgleamofrapidwater，andclamberingoutontheothersidewasmetbythenightwhichfenlikeabandageoverhiseyes。Thewindsweepinginthedarknessthebroadsideofthesierraworriedhisearsbyacontinuousroaringnoiseasofamaddenedsea。Hesuspectedthathehadlosttheroad。Evenindaylight，withitsrutsandmud-holesandledgesofoutcroppingstone，itwasdifficulttodistinguishfromthedrearywasteofthemoorinterspersedwithbouldersandclumpsofnakedbushes。But，ashesays，\"hesteeredhiscoursebythefeelofthewind，\"hishatrammedlowonhisbrow，hisheaddown，stoppingnowandagainfrommerewearinessofmindratherthanofbody-asifnothisstrengthbuthisresolutionwerebeingovertaxedbythestrainofendeavourhalfsuspectedtobevain，andbytheunrestofhisfeelings。
Inoneofthesepausesborneinthewindfaintlyasiffromveryfarawayheheardasoundofknocking，justknockingonwood。Henoticedthatthewindhadlulledsuddenly。
Hisheartstartedbeatingtumultuouslybecauseinhimselfhecarriedtheimpressionofthedesertsolitudeshehadbeentraversingforthelastsixhours-theoppressivesenseofanuninhabitedworld。Whenheraisedhisheadagleamoflight，illusoryasitoftenhappensindensedarkness，swambeforehiseyes。Whilehepeered，thesoundoffeebleknockingwasrepeated-
andsuddenlyhefeltratherthansawtheexistenceofamassiveobstacleinhispath。Whatwasit？Thespurofahill？Orwasitahouse!Yes。Itwasahouserightclose，asthoughithadrisenfromthegroundorhadcomeglidingtomeethim，dumbandpallid；
fromsomedarkrecessofthenight。Ittoweredloftily。Hehadcomeupunderitslee；anotherthreestepsandhecouldhavetouchedthewallwithhishand。ItwasnodoubtaPOSADAandsomeothertravellerwastryingforadmittance。Heheardagainthesoundofcautiousknocking。
Nextmomentabroadbandoflightfellintothenightthroughtheopeneddoor。Byrnesteppedeagerlyintoit，whereuponthepersonoutsideleapedwithastifledcryawayintothenight。Anexclamationofsurprisewasheardtoo，fromwithin。Byrne，flinginghimselfagainstthehalfcloseddoor，forcedhiswayinagainstsomeconsiderableresistance。
Amiserablecandle，amererushlight，burnedattheendofalongdealtable。AndinitslightByrnesaw，staggeringyet，thegirlhehaddrivenfromthedoor。Shehadashortblackskirt，anorangeshawl，adarkcomplexion-andtheescapedsinglehairsfromthemass，sombreandthicklikeaforestandheldupbyacomb，madeablackmistaboutherlowforehead。Ashrilllamentablehowlof:\"Misericordia!\"cameintwovoicesfromthefurtherendofthelongroom，wherethefire-lightofanopenhearthplayedbetweenheavyshadows。Thegirlrecoveringherselfdrewahissingbreaththroughhersetteeth。
Itisunnecessarytoreportthelongprocessofquestionsandanswersbywhichhesoothedthefearsoftwooldwomenwhosatoneachsideofthefire，onwhichstoodalargeearthenwarepot。
Byrnethoughtatonceoftwowitcheswatchingthebrewingofsomedeadlypotion。Butallthesame，whenoneofthemraisingforwardpainfullyherbrokenformliftedthecoverofthepot，theescapingsteamhadanappetisingsmell。Theotherdidnotbudge，butsathunchedup，herheadtremblingallthetime。
Theywerehorrible。Therewassomethinggrotesqueintheirdecrepitude。Theirtoothlessmouths，theirhookednoses，themeagrenessoftheactiveone，andthehangingyellowcheeksoftheother(thestillone，whoseheadtrembled)wouldhavebeenlaughableifthesightoftheirdreadfulphysicaldegradationhadnotbeenappallingtoone\'seyes，hadnotgrippedone\'sheartwithpoignantamazementattheunspeakablemiseryofage，attheawfulpersistencyoflifebecomingatlastanobjectofdisgustanddread。
TogetoveritByrnebegantotalk，sayingthathewasanEnglishman，andthathewasinsearchofacountrymanwhooughttohavepassedthisway。DirectlyhehadspokentherecollectionofhispartingwithTomcameupinhismindwithamazingvividness:
thesilentvillagers，theangrygnome，theone-eyedwine-seller，Bernardino。Why!Thesetwounspeakablefrightsmustbethatman\'saunts-affiliatedtothedevil。
Whatevertheyhadbeenonceitwasimpossibletoimaginewhatusesuchfeeblecreaturescouldbetothedevil，now，intheworldoftheliving。WhichwasLucillaandwhichwasErminia？Theywerenowthingswithoutaname。AmomentofsuspendedanimationfollowedByrne\'swords。Thesorceresswiththespoonceasedstirringthemessintheironpot，theverytremblingoftheother\'sheadstoppedforthespaceofbreath。InthisinfinitesimalfractionofasecondByrnehadthesenseofbeingreallyonhisquest，ofhavingreachedtheturnofthepath，almostwithinhailofTom。
\"Theyhaveseenhim，\"hethoughtwithconviction。Herewasatlastsomebodywhohadseenhim。HemadesuretheywoulddenyallknowledgeoftheIngles；butonthecontrarytheywereeagertotellhimthathehadeatenandsleptthenightinthehouse。Theybothstartedtalkingtogether，describinghisappearanceandbehaviour。Anexcitementquitefierceinitsfeeblenesspossessedthem。Thedoubled-upsorceressflourishedaloftherwoodenspoon，thepuffymonstergotoffherstoolandscreeched，steppingfromonefoottotheother，whilethetremblingofherheadwasacceleratedtopositivevibration。Byrnewasquitedisconcertedbytheirexcitedbehaviour……Yes!Thebig，fierceIngleswentawayinthemorning，aftereatingapieceofbreadanddrinkingsomewine。Andifthecaballerowishedtofollowthesamepathnothingcouldbeeasier-inthemorning。
\"Youwillgivemesomebodytoshowmetheway？\"saidByrne。
\"Si，senor。Aproperyouth。Themanthecaballerosawgoingout。\"
\"Buthewasknockingatthedoor，\"protestedByrne。\"Heonlyboltedwhenhesawme。Hewascomingin。\"
\"No!No!\"thetwohorridwitchesscreamedouttogether。\"Goingout。Goingout!\"
Afterallitmayhavebeentrue。Thesoundofknockinghadbeenfaint，elusive，reflectedByrne。Perhapsonlytheeffectofhisfancy。Heasked-
\"Whoisthatman？\"
\"HerNOVIO。\"Theyscreamedpointingtothegirl。\"Heisgonehometoavillagefarawayfromhere。Buthewillreturninthemorning。HerNOVIO!Andsheisanorphan-thechildofpoorChristianpeople。SheliveswithusfortheloveofGod，fortheloveofGod。\"
TheorphancrouchingonthecornerofthehearthhadbeenlookingatByrne。HethoughtthatshewasmorelikeachildofSatankepttherebythesetwoweirdharridansfortheloveoftheDevil。Hereyeswerealittleoblique，hermouthratherthick，butadmirablyformed；herdarkfacehadawildbeauty，voluptuousanduntamed。
Astothecharacterofhersteadfastgazeattacheduponhimwithasensuouslysavageattention，\"toknowwhatitwaslike，\"saysMr。
Byrne，\"youhaveonlytoobserveahungrycatwatchingabirdinacageoramouseinsideatrap。\"
Itwasshewhoservedhimthefood，ofwhichhewasglad；thoughwiththosebigslantingblackeyesexamininghimatcloserange，asifhehadsomethingcuriouswrittenonhisface，shegavehimanuncomfortablesensation。Butanythingwasbetterthanbeingapproachedbytheseblear-eyednightmarishwitches。Hisapprehensionssomehowhadbeensoothed；perhapsbythesensationofwarmthaftersevereexposureandtheeaseofrestingaftertheexertionoffightingthegaleinchbyinchalltheway。HehadnodoubtofTom\'ssafety。HewasnowsleepinginthemountaincamphavingbeenmetbyGonzales\'men。
Byrnerose，filledatingobletwithwineoutofaskinhangingonthewall，andsatdownagain。Thewitchwiththemummyfacebegantotalktohim，ramblinglyofoldtimes；sheboastedoftheinn\'sfameinthosebetterdays。Greatpeopleintheirowncoachesstoppedthere。AnarchbishopsleptonceintheCASA，along，longtimeago。
Thewitchwiththepuffyfaceseemedtobelisteningfromherstool，motionless，exceptforthetremblingofherhead。Thegirl(Byrnewascertainshewasacasualgipsyadmittedthereforsomereasonorother)satonthehearthstoneintheglowoftheembers。
Shehummedatunetoherself，rattlingapairofcastanetsslightlynowandthen。AtthementionofthearchbishopshechuckledimpiouslyandturnedherheadtolookatByrne，sothattheredglowofthefireflashedinherblackeyesandonherwhiteteethunderthedarkcowloftheenormousovermantel。Andhesmiledather。
Herestednowintheeaseofsecurity。Hisadventnothavingbeenexpectedtherecouldbenoplotagainsthiminexistence。
Drowsinessstoleuponhissenses。Heenjoyedit，butkeepingahold，sohethoughtatleast，onhiswits；buthemusthavebeengonefurtherthanhethoughtbecausehewasstartledbeyondmeasurebyafiendishuproar。Hehadneverheardanythingsopitilesslystridentinhislife。Thewitcheshadstartedafiercequarrelaboutsomethingorother。Whateveritsorigintheywerenowonlyabusingeachotherviolently，withoutarguments；theirsenilescreamsexpressednothingbutwickedangerandferociousdismay。
Thegipsygirl\'sblackeyesflewfromonetotheother。NeverbeforehadByrnefelthimselfsoremovedfromfellowshipwithhumanbeings。Beforehehadreallytimetounderstandthesubjectofthequarrel，thegirljumpeduprattlinghercastanetsloudly。A
silencefell。Shecameuptothetableandbendingover，hereyesinhis-
\"Senor，\"shesaidwithdecision，\"Youshallsleepinthearchbishop\'sroom。\"
Neitherofthewitchesobjected。Thedried-uponebentdoublewasproppedonastick。Thepuffyfacedonehadnowacrutch。
Byrnegotup，walkedtothedoor，andturningthekeyintheenormouslockputitcoollyinhispocket。Thiswasclearlytheonlyentrance，andhedidnotmeantobetakenunawaresbywhateverdangertheremighthavebeenlurkingoutside。
Whenheturnedfromthedoorhesawthetwowitches\"affiliatedtotheDevil\"andtheSatanicgirllookingathiminsilence。HewonderedifTomCorbintookthesameprecautionlastmight。Andthinkingofhimhehadagainthatqueerimpressionofhisnearness。
Theworldwasperfectlydumb。Andinthisstillnessheheardthebloodbeatinginhisearswithaconfusedrushingnoise，inwhichthereseemedtobeavoiceutteringthewords:\"Mr。Byrne，lookout，sir。\"Tom\'svoice。Heshuddered；forthedelusionsofthesensesofhearingarethemostvividofall，andfromtheirnaturehaveacompellingcharacter。
ItseemedimpossiblethatTomshouldnotbethere。Againaslightchillasofstealthydraughtpenetratedthroughhisveryclothesandpassedoverallhisbody。Heshookofftheimpressionwithaneffort。
Itwasthegirlwhoprecededhimupstairscarryinganironlampfromthenakedflameofwhichascendedathinthreadofsmoke。Hersoiledwhitestockingswerefullofholes。
Withthesamequietresolutionwithwhichhehadlockedthedoorbelow，Byrnethrewopenoneafteranotherthedoorsinthecorridor。Alltheroomswereemptyexceptforsomenondescriptlumberinoneortwo。Andthegirlseeingwhathewouldbeatstoppedeverytime，raisingthesmokylightineachdoorwaypatiently。Meantimesheobservedhimwithsustainedattention。
Thelastdoorofallshethrewopenherself。
\"Yousleephere，senor，\"shemurmuredinavoicelightlikeachild\'sbreath，offeringhimthelamp。
\"BUENOSNOCHES，SENORITA，\"hesaidpolitely，takingitfromher。
Shedidn\'treturnthewishaudibly，thoughherlipsdidmovealittle，whilehergazeblacklikeastarlessnightneverforamomentwaveredbeforehim。Hesteppedin，andasheturnedtoclosethedoorshewasstilltheremotionlessanddisturbing，withhervoluptuousmouthandslantingeyes，withtheexpressionofexpectantsensualferocityofabaffledcat。Hehesitatedforamoment，andinthedumbhouseheheardagainthebloodpulsatingponderouslyinhisears，whileoncemoretheillusionofTom\'svoicespeakingearnestlysomewherenearbywasspeciallyterrifying，becausethistimehecouldnotmakeoutthewords。
Heslammedthedoorinthegirl\'sfaceatlast，leavingherinthedark；andheopeneditagainalmostontheinstant。Nobody。Shehadvanishedwithouttheslightestsound。Heclosedthedoorquicklyandbolteditwithtwoheavybolts。
Aprofoundmistrustpossessedhimsuddenly。Whydidthewitchesquarrelaboutlettinghimsleephere？Andwhatmeantthatstareofthegirlasifshewantedtoimpresshisfeaturesforeverinhermind？Hisownnervousnessalarmedhim。Heseemedtohimselftoberemovedveryfarfrommankind。
Heexaminedhisroom。Itwasnotveryhigh，justhighenoughtotakethebedwhichstoodunderanenormousbaldaquin-likecanopyfromwhichfellheavycurtainsatfootandhead；abedcertainlyworthyofanarchbishop。Therewasaheavytablecarvedallroundtheedges，somearm-chairsofenormousweightlikethespoilsofagrandee\'spalace；atallshallowwardrobeplacedagainstthewallandwithdoubledoors。Hetriedthem。Locked。Asuspicioncameintohismind，andhesnatchedthelamptomakeacloserexamination。No，itwasnotadisguisedentrance。Thatheavy，tallpieceoffurniturestoodclearofthewallbyquiteaninch。
Heglancedattheboltsofhisroomdoor。No!Noonecouldgetathimtreacherouslywhileheslept。Butwouldhebeabletosleep？
heaskedhimselfanxiously。IfonlyhehadTomthere-thetrustyseamanwhohadfoughtathisrighthandinacuttingoutaffairortwo，andhadalwayspreachedtohimthenecessitytotakecareofhimself。\"Forit\'snogreattrick，\"heusedtosay，\"togetyourselfkilledinahotfight。Anyfoolcandothat。TheproperpastimeistofighttheFrenchiesandthenlivetofightanotherday。\"
Byrnefounditahardmatternottofallintolisteningtothesilence。SomehowhehadtheconvictionthatnothingwouldbreakitunlessheheardagainthehauntingsoundofTom\'svoice。Hehadheardittwicebefore。Odd!Andyetnowonder，hearguedwithhimselfreasonably，sincehehadbeenthinkingofthemanforoverthirtyhourscontinuouslyand，what\'smore，inconclusively。ForhisanxietyforTomhadnevertakenadefiniteshape。\"Disappear，\"
wastheonlywordconnectedwiththeideaofTom\'sdanger。Itwasveryvagueandawful。\"Disappear!\"Whatdidthatmean？
Byrneshuddered，andthensaidtohimselfthathemustbealittlefeverish。ButTomhadnotdisappeared。Byrnehadjustheardofhim。Andagaintheyoungmanfeltthebloodbeatinginhisears。
HesatstillexpectingeverymomenttohearthroughthepulsatingstrokesthesoundofTom\'svoice。Hewaitedstraininghisears，butnothingcame。Suddenlythethoughtoccurredtohim:\"Hehasnotdisappeared，buthecannotmakehimselfheard。\"
Hejumpedupfromthearm-chair。Howabsurd!Layinghispistolandhishangeronthetablehetookoffhisbootsand，feelingsuddenlytootiredtostand，flunghimselfonthebedwhichhefoundsoftandcomfortablebeyondhishopes。
Hehadfeltverywakeful，buthemusthavedozedoffafterall，becausethenextthingheknewhewassittingupinbedandtryingtorecollectwhatitwasthatTom\'svoicehadsaid。Oh!Heremembereditnow。Ithadsaid:\"Mr。Byrne!Lookout，sir!\"A
warningthis。Butagainstwhat？
Helandedwithoneleapinthemiddleofthefloor，gaspedonce，thenlookedallroundtheroom。Thewindowwasshutteredandbarredwithanironbar。Againheranhiseyesslowlyallroundthebarewalls，andevenlookedupattheceiling，whichwasratherhigh。Afterwardshewenttothedoortoexaminethefastenings。
Theyconsistedoftwoenormousironboltsslidingintoholesmadeinthewall；andasthecorridoroutsidewastoonarrowtoadmitofanybatteringarrangementoreventopermitanaxetobeswung，nothingcouldburstthedooropen-unlessgunpowder。Butwhilehewasstillmakingsurethatthelowerboltwaspushedwellhome，hereceivedtheimpressionofsomebody\'spresenceintheroom。Itwassostrongthathespunroundquickerthanlightning。Therewasnoone。Whocouldtherebe？Andyet……
Itwasthenthathelostthedecorumandrestraintamankeepsupforhisownsake。Hegotdownonhishandsandknees，withthelamponthefloor，tolookunderthebed，likeasillygirl。Hesawalotofdustandnothingelse。Hegotup，hischeeksburning，andwalkedaboutdiscontentedwithhisownbehaviourandunreasonablyangrywithTomfornotleavinghimalone。Thewords:
\"Mr。Byrne!Lookout，sir，\"keptonrepeatingthemselvesinhisheadinatoneofwarning。
\"Hadn\'tIbetterjustthrowmyselfonthebedandtrytogotosleep，\"heaskedhimself。Buthiseyesfellonthetallwardrobe，andhewenttowardsitfeelingirritatedwithhimselfandyetunabletodesist。Howhecouldexplainto-morrowtheburglariousmisdeedtothetwoodiouswitcheshehadnoidea。Neverthelessheinsertedthepointofhishangerbetweenthetwohalvesofthedoorandtriedtoprizethemopen。Theyresisted。Heswore，stickingnowhotlytohispurpose。Hismutter:\"Ihopeyouwillbesatisfied，confoundyou，\"wasaddressedtotheabsentTom。Justthenthedoorsgavewayandflewopen。
Hewasthere。
He-thetrusty，sagacious，andcourageousTomwasthere，drawnupshadowyandstiff，inaprudentsilence，whichhiswide-openeyesbytheirfixedgleamseemedtocommandByrnetorespect。ButByrnewastoostartledtomakeasound。Amazed，hesteppedbackalittle-andontheinstanttheseamanflunghimselfforwardheadlongasiftoclasphisofficerroundtheneck。InstinctivelyByrneputouthisfalteringarms；hefeltthehorriblerigidityofthebodyandthenthecoldnessofdeathastheirheadsknockedtogetherandtheirfacescameintocontact。Theyreeled，ByrnehuggingTomclosetohisbreastinordernottolethimfallwithacrash。Hehadjuststrengthenoughtolowertheawfulburdengentlytothefloor-thenhisheadswam，hislegsgaveway，andhesankonhisknees，leaningoverthebodywithhishandsrestingonthebreastofthatmanoncefullofgenerouslife，andnowasinsensibleasastone。
\"Dead!mypoorTom，dead，\"herepeatedmentally。Thelightofthelampstandingneartheedgeofthetablefellfromabovestraightonthestonyemptystareoftheseeyeswhichnaturallyhadamobileandmerryexpression。
Byrneturnedhisownawayfromthem。Tom\'sblacksilkneckerchiefwasnotknottedonhisbreast。Itwasgone。Themurderershadalsotakenoffhisshoesandstockings。Andnoticingthisspoliation，theexposedthroat，thebareup-turnedfeet，Byrnefelthiseyesrunfulloftears。Inotherrespectstheseamanwasfullydressed；neitherwashisclothingdisarrangedasitmusthavebeeninaviolentstruggle。Onlyhischeckedshirthadbeenpulledalittleoutthewaistbandinoneplace，justenoughtoascertainwhetherhehadamoneybeltfastenedroundhisbody。Byrnebegantosobintohishandkerchief。
Itwasanervousoutburstwhichpassedoffquickly。Remainingonhiskneeshecontemplatedsadlytheathleticbodyofasfineaseamanaseverhaddrawnacutlass，laidagun，orpassedtheweatherearringinagale，lyingstiffandcold，hischeery，fearlessspiritdeparted-perhapsturningtohim，hisboychum，tohisshipoutthererollingonthegreyseasoffaniron-boundcoast，attheverymomentofitsflight。
HeperceivedthatthesixbrassbuttonsofTom\'sjackethadbeencutoff。Heshudderedatthenotionofthetwomiserableandrepulsivewitchesbusyingthemselvesghoulishlyaboutthedefencelessbodyofhisfriend。Cutoff。Perhapswiththesameknifewhich……Theheadofonetrembled；theotherwasbentdouble，andtheireyeswereredandbleared，theirinfamousclawsunsteady……Itmusthavebeeninthisveryroomtoo，forTomcouldnothavebeenkilledintheopenandbroughtinhereafterwards。OfthatByrnewascertain。Yetthosedevilishcronescouldnothavekilledhimthemselvesevenbytakinghimunawares-
andTomwouldbealwaysonhisguardofcourse。Tomwasaverywideawakewarymanwhenengagedonanyservice……Andinfacthowdidtheymurderhim？Whodid？Inwhatway？
Byrnejumpedup，snatchedthelampoffthetable，andstoopedswiftlyoverthebody。Thelightrevealedontheclothingnostain，notrace，nospotofbloodanywhere。Byrne\'shandsbegantoshakesothathehadtosetthelamponthefloorandturnawayhisheadinordertorecoverfromthisagitation。
Thenhebegantoexplorethatcold，still，andrigidbodyforastab，agunshotwound，forthetraceofsomekillingblow。Hefeltallovertheskullanxiously。Itwaswhole。Heslippedhishandundertheneck。Itwasunbroken。Withterrifiedeyeshepeeredcloseunderthechinandsawnomarksofstrangulationonthethroat。
Therewerenosignsanywhere。Hewasjustdead。
ImpulsivelyByrnegotawayfromthebodyasifthemysteryofanincomprehensibledeathhadchangedhispityintosuspicionanddread。Thelamponthefloorneartheset，stillfaceoftheseamanshoweditstaringattheceilingasifdespairingly。InthecircleoflightByrnesawbytheundisturbedpatchesofthickdustonthefloorthattherehadbeennostruggleinthatroom。\"Hehasdiedoutside，\"hethought。Yes，outsideinthatnarrowcorridor，wheretherewashardlyroomtoturn，themysteriousdeathhadcometohispoordearTom。TheimpulseofsnatchinguphispistolsandrushingoutoftheroomabandonedByrnesuddenly。ForTom，too，hadbeenarmed-withjustsuchpowerlessweaponsashehimselfpossessed-pistols，acutlass!AndTomhaddiedanamelessdeath，byincomprehensiblemeans。
AnewthoughtcametoByrne。Thatstrangerknockingatthedoorandfleeingsoswiftlyathisappearancehadcometheretoremovethebody。Aha!ThatwastheguidethewitheredwitchhadpromisedwouldshowtheEnglishofficertheshortestwayofrejoininghisman。Apromise，hesawitnow，ofdreadfulimport。Hewhohadknockedwouldhavetwobodiestodealwith。Manandofficerwouldgoforthfromthehousetogether。ForByrnewascertainnowthathewouldhavetodiebeforethemorning-andinthesamemysteriousmanner，leavingbehindhimanunmarkedbody。
Thesightofasmashedhead，ofathroatcut，ofagapinggunshotwound，wouldhavebeenaninexpressiblerelief。Itwouldhavesoothedallhisfears。Hissoulcriedwithinhimtothatdeadmanwhomhehadneverfoundwantingindanger。\"Whydon\'tyoutellmewhatIamtolookfor，Tom？Whydon\'tyou？\"Butinrigidimmobility，extendedonhisback，heseemedtopreserveanausteresilence，asifdisdaininginthefinalityofhisawfulknowledgetoholdconversewiththeliving。
SuddenlyByrneflunghimselfonhiskneesbythesideofthebody，anddry-eyed，fierce，openedtheshirtwideonthebreast，asiftotearthesecretforciblyfromthatcoldheartwhichhadbeensoloyaltohiminlife!Nothing!Nothing!Heraisedthelamp，andallthesignvouchsafedtohimbythatfacewhichusedtobesokindlyinexpressionwasasmallbruiseontheforehead-theleastthing，ameremark。Theskinevenwasnotbroken。Hestaredatitalongtimeasiflostinadreadfuldream。ThenheobservedthatTom\'shandswereclenchedasthoughhehadfallenfacingsomebodyinafightwithfists。Hisknuckles，oncloserview，appearedsomewhatabraded。Bothhands。
ThediscoveryoftheseslightsignswasmoreappallingtoByrnethantheabsoluteabsenceofeverymarkwouldhavebeen。SoTomhaddiedstrikingagainstsomethingwhichcouldbehit，andyetcouldkillonewithoutleavingawound-byabreath。
Terror，hotterror，begantoplayaboutByrne\'sheartlikeatongueofflamethattouchesandwithdrawsbeforeitturnsathingtoashes。Hebackedawayfromthebodyasfarashecould，thencameforwardstealthilycastingfearfulglancestostealanotherlookatthebruisedforehead。Therewouldperhapsbesuchafaintbruiseonhisownforehead-beforethemorning。
\"Ican\'tbearit，\"hewhisperedtohimself。Tomwasforhimnowanobjectofhorror，asightatoncetemptingandrevoltingtohisfear。Hecouldn\'tbeartolookathim。
Atlast，desperationgettingthebetterofhisincreasinghorror，hesteppedforwardfromthewallagainstwhichhehadbeenleaning，seizedthecorpseunderthearmpits，andbegantolugitovertothebed。Thebareheelsoftheseamantrailedonthefloornoiselessly。Hewasheavywiththedeadweightofinanimateobjects。WithalasteffortByrnelandedhimfacedownwardsontheedgeofthebed，rolledhimover，snatchedfromunderthisstiffpassivethingasheetwithwhichhecovereditover。Thenhespreadthecurtainsatheadandfootsothatjoiningtogetherasheshooktheirfoldstheyhidthebedaltogetherfromhissight。
Hestumbledtowardsachair，andfellonit。Theperspirationpouredfromhisfaceforamoment，andthenhisveinsseemedtocarryforawhileathinstreamofhalf，frozenblood。Completeterrorhadpossessionofhimnow，anamelessterrorwhichhadturnedhishearttoashes。
Hesatuprightinthestraight-backedchair，thelampburningathisfeet，hispistolsandhishangerathisleftelbowontheendofthetable，hiseyesturningincessantlyintheirsocketsroundthewalls，overtheceiling，overthefloor，intheexpectationofamysteriousandappallingvision。Thethingwhichcoulddealdeathinabreathwasoutsidethatbolteddoor。ButByrnebelievedneitherinwallsnorboltsnow。Unreasoningterrorturningeverythingtoaccount，hisoldtimeboyishadmirationoftheathleticTom，theundauntedTom(hehadseemedtohiminvincible)，helpedtoparalysehisfaculties，addedtohisdespair。
