’Lastnight，sir，afteryouwereasleep，’wasthereply。
’It’smostextraordinary，’saidMr。Nicholson。’Doyoumeantosayyouhavebeenoutallnight？’
’Allnight，asyousay，sir。Ihavebeentothetelegraphandthepoliceoffice，andMr。Macewen’s。Oh，Ihadmyhandsfull，’saidAlexander。
’Veryirregular，’saidthefather。’Youthinkofnoonebutyourself。’
’IdonotseethatIhavemuchtogaininbringingbackmyelderbrother，’returnedAlexander，shrewdly。
Theanswerpleasedtheoldman;hesmiled。’Well，well，I
willgointothisafterbreakfast，’saidhe。
’I’msorryaboutthetable，’saidtheson。
’Thetableisasmallmatter;Ithinknothingofthat，’saidthefather。
’It’sanotherexample，’continuedtheson，’oftheawkwardnessofamanhavingnomoneyofhisown。IfIhadaproperallowance，likeotherfellowsofmyage，thiswouldhavebeenquiteunnecessary。’
’Aproperallowance！’repeatedhisfather，intonesofblightingsarcasm，fortheexpressionwasnotnewtohim。’I
havenevergrudgedyoumoneyforanyproperpurpose。’
’Nodoubt，nodoubt，’saidAlexander，’butthenyouseeyouaren’talwaysonthespottohavethethingexplainedtoyou。
Lastnight，forinstance—’
’Youcouldhavewakenedmelastnight，’interruptedhisfather。
’WasitnotsomesimilaraffairthatfirstgotJohnintoamess？’askedtheson，skilfullyevadingthepoint。
Butthefatherwasnotlessadroit。’Andpray，sir，howdidyoucomeandgooutofthehouse？’heasked。
’Iforgottolockthedoor，itseems，’repliedAlexander。
’Ihavehadcausetocomplainofthattoooften，’saidMr。
Nicholson。’ButstillIdonotunderstand。Didyoukeeptheservantsup？’
’Iproposetogointoallthatatlengthafterbreakfast，’
returnedAlexander。’Thereisthehalf—hourgoing;wemustnotkeepMissMackenziewaiting。’
Andgreatlydaring，heopenedthedoor。
EvenAlexander，who，itmusthavebeenperceivedwasontermsofcomparativefreedomwithhisparent—evenAlexanderhadneverbeforedaredtocutshortaninterviewinthishigh—
handedfashion。Butthetruthis，theverymassofhisson’sdelinquenciesdauntedtheoldgentleman。Hewaslikethemanwiththecartofapples—thiswasbeyondhim！ThatAlexandershouldhavespoiledhistable，takenhismoney，stayedoutallnight，andthencoollyacknowledgedall，wassomethingundreamedofintheNicholsonianphilosophy，andtranscendedcomment。Thereturnofthechange，whichtheoldgentlemanstillcarriedinhishand，hadbeenafeatureofimposingimpudence;ithaddealthimastaggeringblow。ThentherewasthereferencetoJohn’soriginalflight—asubjectwhichhealwayskeptresolutelycurtainedinhisownmind;
forhewasamanwholovedtohavemadenomistakes，andwhenhefearedhemighthavemadeonekeptthepaperssealed。Inviewofallthesesurprisesandreminders，andofhisson’scomposedandmasterfuldemeanour，therebegantocreeponMr。
Nicholsonasicklymisgiving。Heseemedbeyondhisdepth;ifhedidorsaidanything，hemightcometoregretit。Theyoungman，besides，ashehadpointedouthimself，wasplayingagenerouspart。Andifwronghadbeendone—anddonetoonewhowas，after，andinspiteof，all，aNicholson—itshouldcertainlyberighted。
Allthingsconsidered，monstrousasitwastobecutshortinhisinquiries，theoldgentlemansubmitted，pocketedthechange，andfollowedhissonintothedining—room。Duringthesefewstepsheoncemorementallyrevolted，andoncemore，andthistimefinally，laiddownhisarms：astill，smallvoiceinhisbosomhavinginformedhimauthenticallyofapieceofnews;thathewasafraidofAlexander。Thestrangethingwasthathewaspleasedtobeafraidofhim。
Hewasproudofhisson;hemightbeproudofhim;theboyhadcharacterandgrit，andknewwhathewasdoing。
Thesewerehisreflectionsasheturnedthecornerofthedining—roomdoor。MissMackenziewasintheplaceofhonour，conjuringwithatea—potandacosy;and，behold！therewasanotherpersonpresent，alarge，portly，whiskeredmanofaverycomfortableandrespectableair，whonowrosefromhisseatandcameforward，holdingouthishand。
’Good—morning，father，’saidhe。
OfthecontentionoffeelingthatranhighinMr。Nicholson’sstarchedbosom，nooutwardsignwasvisible;nordidhedelaylongtomakeachoiceofconduct。Yetinthatintervalhehadreviewedagreatfieldofpossibilitiesbothpastandfuture;whetheritwaspossiblehehadnotbeenperfectlywiseinhistreatmentofJohn;whetheritwaspossiblethatJohnwasinnocent;whether，ifheturnedJohnoutasecondtime，ashisoutragedauthoritysuggested，itwaspossibletoavoidascandal;andwhether，ifhewenttothatextremity，itwaspossiblethatAlexandermightrebel。
’Hum！’saidMr。Nicholson，andputhishand，limpanddead，intoJohn’s。
Andthen，inanembarrassedsilence，alltooktheirplaces;
andeventhepaper—fromwhichitwastheoldgentleman’shabittosuckmortificationdaily，ashemarkedthedeclineofourinstitutions—eventhepaperlayfurledbyhisside。
ButpresentlyFloracametotherescue。Sheslidintothesilencewithatechnicality，askingifJohnstilltookhisoldinordinateamountofsugar。Thenceitwasbutasteptotheburningquestionoftheday;andintonesalittleshaken，shecommentedontheintervalsinceshehadlastmadeteafortheprodigal，andcongratulatedhimonhisreturn。
AndthenaddressingMr。Nicholson，shecongratulatedhimalsoinamannerthatdefiedhisill—humour;andfromthatlaunchedintothetaleofJohn’smisadventures，notwithoutsomesuitablesuppressions。
GraduallyAlexanderjoined;betweenthem，whetherhewouldorno，theyforcedawordortwofromJohn;andthesefellsotremulously，andspokesoeloquentlyofamindoppressedwithdread，thatMr。Nicholsonrelented。Atlengthevenhecontributedaquestion：andbeforethemealwasatanendallfourweretalkingevenfreely。
Prayersfollowed，withtheservantsgapingatthisnew—comerwhomnoonehadadmitted;andafterprayerstherecamethatmomentontheclockwhichwasthesignalforMr。Nicholson’sdeparture。
’John，’saidhe，’ofcourseyouwillstayhere。BeverycarefulnottoexciteMaria，ifMissMackenziethinksitdesirablethatyoushouldseeher。Alexander，Iwishtospeakwithyoualone。’Andthen，whentheywerebothinthebackroom：’Youneednotcometotheofficeto—day，’saidhe;
’youcanstayandamuseyourbrother，andIthinkitwouldberespectfultocallonUncleGreig。Andbythebye’（thisspokenwithacertain—darewesay？—bashfulness），’Iagreetoconcedetheprincipleofanallowance;andIwillconsultwithDoctorDurie，whoisquiteamanoftheworldandhassonsofhisown，astotheamount。And，myfinefellow，youmayconsideryourselfinluck！’headded，withasmile。
’Thankyou，’saidAlexander。
BeforenoonadetectivehadrestoredtoJohnhismoney，andbroughtnews，sadenoughintruth，butperhapstheleastsadpossible。AlanhadbeenfoundinhisownhouseinRegentTerrace，undercareoftheterrifiedbutler。Hewasquitemad，andinsteadofgoingtoprison，hadgonetoMorningsideAsylum。Themurderedman，itappeared，wasanevictedtenantwhohadfornearlyayearpursuedhislatelandlordwiththreatsandinsults;andbeyondthis，thecauseanddetailsofthetragedywerelost。
WhenMr。Nicholsonreturnedfromdinnertheywereabletoputadespatchintohishands：’JohnV。Nicholson，RandolphCrescent，Edinburgh。—Kirkhamhasdisappeared;policelookingforhim。Allunderstood。Keepmindquiteeasy。—
Austin。’Havinghadthisexplainedtohim，theoldgentlemantookdownthecellarkeyanddepartedfortwobottlesofthe1820port。UncleGreigdinedtherethatday，andCousinRobina，and，byanoddchance，Mr。Macewen;andthepresenceofthesestrangersrelievedwhatmighthavebeenotherwiseasomewhatstrainedrelation。Eretheydeparted，thefamilywasweldedoncemoreintoafairsemblanceofunity。
IntheendofAprilJohnledFlora—or，asmoredescriptive，FloraledJohn—tothealtar，ifaltarthatmaybecalledwhichwasindeedthedrawing—roommantel—pieceinMr。
Nicholson’shouse，withtheReverendDr。DuriepostedonthehearthrugintheguiseofHymen’spriest。
ThelastIsawofthem，onarecentvisittothenorth，wasatadinner—partyinthehouseofmyoldfriendGellatlyMacbride;andafterwehad，inclassicphrase，’rejoinedtheladies，’IhadanopportunitytooverhearFloraconversingwithanothermarriedwomanonthemuchcanvassedmatterofahusband’stobacco。
’Ohyes！’saidshe;’IonlyallowMr。Nicholsonfourcigarsaday。Threehesmokesatfixedtimes—afterameal，youknow，mydear;andthefourthhecantakewhenhelikeswithanyfriend。’
’Bravo！’thoughtItomyself;’thisisthewifeformyfriendJohn！’
THEBODY—SNATCHER
EVERYnightintheyear，fourofussatinthesmallparlouroftheGeorgeatDebenham—theundertaker，andthelandlord，andFettes，andmyself。Sometimestherewouldbemore;butblowhigh，blowlow，comerainorsnoworfrost，wefourwouldbeeachplantedinhisownparticulararm—chair。
FetteswasanolddrunkenScotchman，amanofeducationobviously，andamanofsomeproperty，sincehelivedinidleness。HehadcometoDebenhamyearsago，whilestillyoung，andbyamerecontinuanceoflivinghadgrowntobeanadoptedtownsman。Hisbluecamletcloakwasalocalantiquity，likethechurch—spire。HisplaceintheparlourattheGeorge，hisabsencefromchurch，hisold，crapulous，disreputablevices，wereallthingsofcourseinDebenham。
HehadsomevagueRadicalopinionsandsomefleetinginfidelities，whichhewouldnowandagainsetforthandemphasisewithtotteringslapsuponthetable。Hedrankrum—fiveglassesregularlyeveryevening;andforthegreaterportionofhisnightlyvisittotheGeorgesat，withhisglassinhisrighthand，inastateofmelancholyalcoholicsaturation。WecalledhimtheDoctor，forhewassupposedtohavesomespecialknowledgeofmedicine，andhadbeenknown，uponapinch，tosetafractureorreduceadislocation;butbeyondtheseslightparticulars，wehadnoknowledgeofhischaracterandantecedents。
Onedarkwinternight—ithadstruckninesometimebeforethelandlordjoinedus—therewasasickmanintheGeorge，agreatneighbouringproprietorsuddenlystruckdownwithapoplexyonhiswaytoParliament;andthegreatman’sstillgreaterLondondoctorhadbeentelegraphedtohisbedside。
ItwasthefirsttimethatsuchathinghadhappenedinDebenham，fortherailwaywasbutnewlyopen，andwewereallproportionatelymovedbytheoccurrence。
’He’scome，’saidthelandlord，afterhehadfilledandlightedhispipe。
’He？’saidI。’Who？—notthedoctor？’
’Himself，’repliedourhost。
’Whatishisname？’
’DoctorMacfarlane，’saidthelandlord。
Fetteswasfarthroughhisthirdtumbler，stupidlyfuddled，nownoddingover，nowstaringmazilyaroundhim;butatthelastwordheseemedtoawaken，andrepeatedthename’Macfarlane’twice，quietlyenoughthefirsttime，butwithsuddenemotionatthesecond。
’Yes，’saidthelandlord，’that’shisname，DoctorWolfeMacfarlane。’
Fettesbecameinstantlysober;hiseyesawoke，hisvoicebecameclear，loud，andsteady，hislanguageforcibleandearnest。Wewereallstartledbythetransformation，asifamanhadrisenfromthedead。
’Ibegyourpardon，’hesaid，’IamafraidIhavenotbeenpayingmuchattentiontoyourtalk。WhoisthisWolfeMacfarlane？’Andthen，whenhehadheardthelandlordout，’Itcannotbe，itcannotbe，’headded;’andyetIwouldlikewelltoseehimfacetoface。’
’Doyouknowhim，Doctor？’askedtheundertaker，withagasp。
’Godforbid！’wasthereply。’Andyetthenameisastrangeone;itweretoomuchtofancytwo。Tellme，landlord，isheold？’
’Well，’saidthehost，’he’snotayoungman，tobesure，andhishairiswhite;buthelooksyoungerthanyou。’
’Heisolder，though;yearsolder。But，’withaslapuponthetable，’it’stherumyouseeinmyface—rumandsin。
Thisman，perhaps，mayhaveaneasyconscienceandagooddigestion。Conscience！Hearmespeak。YouwouldthinkI
wassomegood，old，decentChristian，wouldyounot？Butno，notI;Inevercanted。Voltairemighthavecantedifhe’dstoodinmyshoes;butthebrains’—witharattlingfilliponhisbaldhead—’thebrainswereclearandactive，andI
sawandmadenodeductions。’
’Ifyouknowthisdoctor，’Iventuredtoremark，afterasomewhatawfulpause，’Ishouldgatherthatyoudonotsharethelandlord’sgoodopinion。’
Fettespaidnoregardtome。
’Yes，’hesaid，withsuddendecision，’Imustseehimfacetoface。’
Therewasanotherpause，andthenadoorwasclosedrathersharplyonthefirstfloor，andastepwashearduponthestair。
’That’sthedoctor，’criedthelandlord。’Looksharp，andyoucancatchhim。’
ItwasbuttwostepsfromthesmallparlourtothedooroftheoldGeorgeInn;thewideoakstaircaselandedalmostinthestreet;therewasroomforaTurkeyrugandnothingmorebetweenthethresholdandthelastroundofthedescent;butthislittlespacewaseveryeveningbrilliantlylitup，notonlybythelightuponthestairandthegreatsignal—lampbelowthesign，butbythewarmradianceofthebar—roomwindow。TheGeorgethusbrightlyadvertiseditselftopassers—byinthecoldstreet。Fetteswalkedsteadilytothespot，andwe，whowerehangingbehind，beheldthetwomenmeet，asoneofthemhadphrasedit，facetoface。Dr。
Macfarlanewasalertandvigorous。Hiswhitehairsetoffhispaleandplacid，althoughenergetic，countenance。Hewasrichlydressedinthefinestofbroadclothandthewhitestoflinen，withagreatgoldwatch—chain，andstudsandspectaclesofthesamepreciousmaterial。Heworeabroad—
foldedtie，whiteandspeckledwithlilac，andhecarriedonhisarmacomfortabledriving—coatoffur。Therewasnodoubtbuthebecamehisyears，breathing，ashedid，ofwealthandconsideration;anditwasasurprisingcontrasttoseeourparloursot—bald，dirty，pimpled，androbedinhisoldcamletcloak—confronthimatthebottomofthestairs。
’Macfarlane！’hesaidsomewhatloudly，morelikeaheraldthanafriend。
Thegreatdoctorpulledupshortonthefourthstep，asthoughthefamiliarityoftheaddresssurprisedandsomewhatshockedhisdignity。
’ToddyMacfarlane！’repeatedFettes。
TheLondonmanalmoststaggered。Hestaredfortheswiftestofsecondsatthemanbeforehim，glancedbehindhimwithasortofscare，andtheninastartledwhisper，’Fettes！’hesaid，’You！’
’Ay，’saidtheother，’me！DidyouthinkIwasdeadtoo？Wearenotsoeasyshutofouracquaintance。’
’Hush，hush！’exclaimedthedoctor。’Hush，hush！thismeetingissounexpected—Icanseeyouareunmanned。I
hardlyknewyou，Iconfess，atfirst;butIamoverjoyed—
overjoyedtohavethisopportunity。Forthepresentitmustbehow—d’ye—doandgood—byeinone，formyflyiswaiting，andImustnotfailthetrain;butyoushall—letmesee—
yes—youshallgivemeyouraddress，andyoucancountonearlynewsofme。Wemustdosomethingforyou，Fettes。I
fearyouareoutatelbows;butwemustseetothatforauldlangsyne，asoncewesangatsuppers。’
’Money！’criedFettes;’moneyfromyou！ThemoneythatIhadfromyouislyingwhereIcastitintherain。’
Dr。Macfarlanehadtalkedhimselfintosomemeasureofsuperiorityandconfidence，buttheuncommonenergyofthisrefusalcasthimbackintohisfirstconfusion。
Ahorrible，uglylookcameandwentacrosshisalmostvenerablecountenance。’Mydearfellow，’hesaid，’beitasyouplease;mylastthoughtistooffendyou。Iwouldintrudeonnone。Iwillleaveyoumyaddress，however—’
’Idonotwishit—Idonotwishtoknowtheroofthatsheltersyou，’interruptedtheother。’Iheardyourname;I
feareditmightbeyou;Iwishedtoknowif，afterall，therewereaGod;Iknownowthatthereisnone。Begone！’
Hestillstoodinthemiddleoftherug，betweenthestairanddoorway;andthegreatLondonphysician，inordertoescape，wouldbeforcedtosteptooneside。Itwasplainthathehesitatedbeforethethoughtofthishumiliation。
Whiteashewas，therewasadangerousglitterinhisspectacles;butwhilehestillpauseduncertain，hebecameawarethatthedriverofhisflywaspeeringinfromthestreetatthisunusualsceneandcaughtaglimpseatthesametimeofourlittlebodyfromtheparlour，huddledbythecornerofthebar。Thepresenceofsomanywitnessesdecidedhimatoncetoflee。Hecrouchedtogether，brushingonthewainscot，andmadeadartlikeaserpent，strikingforthedoor。Buthistribulationwasnotyetentirelyatanend，forevenashewaspassingFettesclutchedhimbythearmandthesewordscameinawhisper，andyetpainfullydistinct，’Haveyouseenitagain？’
ThegreatrichLondondoctorcriedoutaloudwithasharp，throttlingcry;hedashedhisquestioneracrosstheopenspace，and，withhishandsoverhishead，fledoutofthedoorlikeadetectedthief。Beforeithadoccurredtooneofustomakeamovementtheflywasalreadyrattlingtowardthestation。Thescenewasoverlikeadream，butthedreamhadleftproofsandtracesofitspassage。Nextdaytheservantfoundthefinegoldspectaclesbrokenonthethreshold，andthatverynightwewereallstandingbreathlessbythebar—
roomwindow，andFettesatourside，sober，pale，andresoluteinlook。
’Godprotectus，Mr。Fettes！’saidthelandlord，comingfirstintopossessionofhiscustomarysenses。’Whatintheuniverseisallthis？Thesearestrangethingsyouhavebeensaying。’
Fettesturnedtowardus;helookeduseachinsuccessionintheface。’Seeifyoucanholdyourtongues，’saidhe。
’ThatmanMacfarlaneisnotsafetocross;thosethathavedonesoalreadyhaverepentedittoolate。’
Andthen，withoutsomuchasfinishinghisthirdglass，farlesswaitingfortheothertwo，hebadeusgood—byeandwentforth，underthelampofthehotel，intotheblacknight。
Wethreeturnedtoourplacesintheparlour，withthebigredfireandfourclearcandles;andaswerecapitulatedwhathadpassed，thefirstchillofoursurprisesoonchangedintoaglowofcuriosity。Wesatlate;itwasthelatestsessionIhaveknownintheoldGeorge。Eachman，beforeweparted，hadhistheorythathewasboundtoprove;andnoneofushadanynearerbusinessinthisworldthantotrackoutthepastofourcondemnedcompanion，andsurprisethesecretthathesharedwiththegreatLondondoctor。Itisnogreatboast，butIbelieveIwasabetterhandatwormingoutastorythaneitherofmyfellowsattheGeorge;andperhapsthereisnownoothermanalivewhocouldnarratetoyouthefollowingfoulandunnaturalevents。
InhisyoungdaysFettesstudiedmedicineintheschoolsofEdinburgh。Hehadtalentofakind，thetalentthatpicksupswiftlywhatithearsandreadilyretailsitforitsown。Heworkedlittleathome;buthewascivil，attentive，andintelligentinthepresenceofhismasters。Theysoonpickedhimoutasaladwholistenedcloselyandrememberedwell;
nay，strangeasitseemedtomewhenIfirstheardit，hewasinthosedayswellfavoured，andpleasedbyhisexterior。
Therewas，atthatperiod，acertainextramuralteacherofanatomy，whomIshallheredesignatebytheletterK。Hisnamewassubsequentlytoowellknown。ThemanwhoboreitskulkedthroughthestreetsofEdinburghindisguise，whilethemobthatapplaudedattheexecutionofBurkecalledloudlyforthebloodofhisemployer。ButMr。K—wasthenatthetopofhisvogue;heenjoyedapopularityduepartlytohisowntalentandaddress，partlytotheincapacityofhisrival，theuniversityprofessor。Thestudents，atleast，sworebyhisname，andFettesbelievedhimself，andwasbelievedbyothers，tohavelaidthefoundationsofsuccesswhenhehadacquiredthefavourofthismeteoricallyfamousman。Mr。K—wasaBONVIVANTaswellasanaccomplishedteacher;helikedaslyillusionnolessthanacarefulpreparation。InbothcapacitiesFettesenjoyedanddeservedhisnotice，andbythesecondyearofhisattendanceheheldthehalf—regularpositionofseconddemonstratororsub—
assistantinhisclass。
Inthiscapacitythechargeofthetheatreandlecture—roomdevolvedinparticularuponhisshoulders。Hehadtoanswerforthecleanlinessofthepremisesandtheconductoftheotherstudents，anditwasapartofhisdutytosupply，receive，anddividethevarioussubjects。Itwaswithaviewtothislast—atthattimeverydelicate—affairthathewaslodgedbyMr。K—inthesamewynd，andatlastinthesamebuilding，withthedissecting—rooms。Here，afteranightofturbulentpleasures，hishandstilltottering，hissightstillmistyandconfused，hewouldbecalledoutofbedintheblackhoursbeforethewinterdawnbytheuncleananddesperateinterloperswhosuppliedthetable。Hewouldopenthedoortothesemen，sinceinfamousthroughouttheland。
Hewouldhelpthemwiththeirtragicburden，paythemtheirsordidprice，andremainalone，whentheyweregone，withtheunfriendlyrelicsofhumanity。Fromsuchascenehewouldreturntosnatchanotherhourortwoofslumber，torepairtheabusesofthenight，andrefreshhimselfforthelaboursoftheday。
Fewladscouldhavebeenmoreinsensibletotheimpressionsofalifethuspassedamongtheensignsofmortality。Hismindwasclosedagainstallgeneralconsiderations。Hewasincapableofinterestinthefateandfortunesofanother，theslaveofhisowndesiresandlowambitions。Cold，light，andselfishinthelastresort，hehadthatmodicumofprudence，miscalledmorality，whichkeepsamanfrominconvenientdrunkennessorpunishabletheft。Hecoveted，besides，ameasureofconsiderationfromhismastersandhisfellow—pupils，andhehadnodesiretofailconspicuouslyintheexternalpartsoflife。Thushemadeithispleasuretogainsomedistinctioninhisstudies，anddayafterdayrenderedunimpeachableeye—servicetohisemployer，Mr。K—。
Forhisdayofworkheindemnifiedhimselfbynightsofroaring，blackguardlyenjoyment;andwhenthatbalancehadbeenstruck，theorganthathecalledhisconsciencedeclareditselfcontent。
Thesupplyofsubjectswasacontinualtroubletohimaswellastohismaster。Inthatlargeandbusyclass，therawmaterialoftheanatomistskeptperpetuallyrunningout;andthebusinessthusrenderednecessarywasnotonlyunpleasantinitself，butthreateneddangerousconsequencestoallwhowereconcerned。ItwasthepolicyofMr。K—toasknoquestionsinhisdealingswiththetrade。’Theybringthebody，andwepaytheprice，’heusedtosay，dwellingonthealliteration—’QUIDPROQUO。’And，again，andsomewhatprofanely，’Asknoquestions，’hewouldtellhisassistants，’forconscience’sake。’Therewasnounderstandingthatthesubjectswereprovidedbythecrimeofmurder。Hadthatideabeenbroachedtohiminwords，hewouldhaverecoiledinhorror;butthelightnessofhisspeechuponsograveamatterwas，initself，anoffenceagainstgoodmanners，andatemptationtothemenwithwhomhedealt。Fettes，forinstance，hadoftenremarkedtohimselfuponthesingularfreshnessofthebodies。Hehadbeenstruckagainandagainbythehang—dog，abominablelooksoftheruffianswhocametohimbeforethedawn;andputtingthingstogetherclearlyinhisprivatethoughts，heperhapsattributedameaningtooimmoralandtoocategoricaltotheunguardedcounselsofhismaster。Heunderstoodhisduty，inshort，tohavethreebranches：totakewhatwasbrought，topaytheprice，andtoaverttheeyefromanyevidenceofcrime。
OneNovembermorningthispolicyofsilencewasputsharplytothetest。Hehadbeenawakeallnightwitharackingtoothache—pacinghisroomlikeacagedbeastorthrowinghimselfinfuryonhisbed—andhadfallenatlastintothatprofound，uneasyslumberthatsooftenfollowsonanightofpain，whenhewasawakenedbythethirdorfourthangryrepetitionoftheconcertedsignal。Therewasathin，brightmoonshine;itwasbittercold，windy，andfrosty;thetownhadnotyetawakened，butanindefinablestiralreadypreludedthenoiseandbusinessoftheday。Theghoulshadcomelaterthanusual，andtheyseemedmorethanusuallyeagertobegone。Fettes，sickwithsleep，lightedthemupstairs。HeheardtheirgrumblingIrishvoicesthroughadream;andastheystrippedthesackfromtheirsadmerchandiseheleaneddozing，withhisshoulderproppedagainstthewall;hehadtoshakehimselftofindthementheirmoney。Ashedidsohiseyeslightedonthedeadface。
Hestarted;hetooktwostepsnearer，withthecandleraised。
’GodAlmighty！’hecried。’ThatisJaneGalbraith！’
Themenanswerednothing，buttheyshufflednearerthedoor。
’Iknowher，Itellyou，’hecontinued。’Shewasaliveandheartyyesterday。It’simpossibleshecanbedead;it’simpossibleyoushouldhavegotthisbodyfairly。’
’Sure，sir，you’remistakenentirely，’saidoneofthemen。
ButtheotherlookedFettesdarklyintheeyes，anddemandedthemoneyonthespot。
Itwasimpossibletomisconceivethethreatortoexaggeratethedanger。Thelad’sheartfailedhim。Hestammeredsomeexcuses，countedoutthesum，andsawhishatefulvisitorsdepart。Nosoonerweretheygonethanhehastenedtoconfirmhisdoubts。Byadozenunquestionablemarksheidentifiedthegirlhehadjestedwiththedaybefore。Hesaw，withhorror，marksuponherbodythatmightwellbetokenviolence。
Apanicseizedhim，andhetookrefugeinhisroom。Therehereflectedatlengthoverthediscoverythathehadmade;
consideredsoberlythebearingofMr。K—’sinstructionsandthedangertohimselfofinterferenceinsoseriousabusiness，andatlast，insoreperplexity，determinedtowaitfortheadviceofhisimmediatesuperior，theclassassistant。
Thiswasayoungdoctor，WolfeMacfarlane，ahighfavouriteamongalltherecklessstudents，clever，dissipated，andunscrupuloustothelastdegree。Hehadtravelledandstudiedabroad。Hismannerswereagreeableandalittleforward。Hewasanauthorityonthestage，skilfulontheiceorthelinkswithskateorgolf—club;hedressedwithniceaudacity，and，toputthefinishingtouchuponhisglory，hekeptagigandastrongtrotting—horse。WithFetteshewasontermsofintimacy;indeed，theirrelativepositionscalledforsomecommunityoflife;andwhensubjectswerescarcethepairwoulddrivefarintothecountryinMacfarlane’sgig，visitanddesecratesomelonelygraveyard，andreturnbeforedawnwiththeirbootytothedoorofthedissecting—room。
OnthatparticularmorningMacfarlanearrivedsomewhatearlierthanhiswont。Fettesheardhim，andmethimonthestairs，toldhimhisstory，andshowedhimthecauseofhisalarm。Macfarlaneexaminedthemarksonherbody。
’Yes，’hesaidwithanod，’itlooksfishy。’
’Well，whatshouldIdo？’askedFettes。
’Do？’repeatedtheother。’Doyouwanttodoanything？
Leastsaidsoonestmended，Ishouldsay。’
’Someoneelsemightrecogniseher，’objectedFettes。’ShewasaswellknownastheCastleRock。’
’We’llhopenot，’saidMacfarlane，’andifanybodydoes—
well，youdidn’t，don’tyousee，andthere’sanend。Thefactis，thishasbeengoingontoolong。Stirupthemud，andyou’llgetK—intothemostunholytrouble;you’llbeinashockingboxyourself。SowillI，ifyoucometothat。I
shouldliketoknowhowanyoneofuswouldlook，orwhatthedevilweshouldhavetosayforourselves，inanyChristianwitness—box。Forme，youknowthere’sonethingcertain—
that，practicallyspeaking，alloursubjectshavebeenmurdered。’
’Macfarlane！’criedFettes。
’Comenow！’sneeredtheother。’Asifyouhadn’tsuspectedityourself！’
’Suspectingisonething—’
’Andproofanother。Yes，Iknow;andI’massorryasyouarethisshouldhavecomehere，’tappingthebodywithhiscane。
’Thenextbestthingformeisnottorecogniseit;and，’headdedcoolly，’Idon’t。Youmay，ifyouplease。Idon’tdictate，butIthinkamanoftheworldwoulddoasIdo;andImayadd，IfancythatiswhatK—wouldlookforatourhands。Thequestionis，Whydidhechooseustwoforhisassistants？AndIanswer，becausehedidn’twantoldwives。’
ThiswasthetoneofallotherstoaffectthemindofaladlikeFettes。HeagreedtoimitateMacfarlane。Thebodyoftheunfortunategirlwasdulydissected，andnooneremarkedorappearedtorecogniseher。
Oneafternoon，whenhisday’sworkwasover，FettesdroppedintoapopulartavernandfoundMacfarlanesittingwithastranger。Thiswasasmallman，verypaleanddark，withcoal—blackeyes。Thecutofhisfeaturesgaveapromiseofintellectandrefinementwhichwasbutfeeblyrealisedinhismanners，forheproved，uponaneareracquaintance，coarse，vulgar，andstupid。Heexercised，however，averyremarkablecontroloverMacfarlane;issuedordersliketheGreatBashaw;
becameinflamedattheleastdiscussionordelay，andcommentedrudelyontheservilitywithwhichhewasobeyed。
ThismostoffensivepersontookafancytoFettesonthespot，pliedhimwithdrinks，andhonouredhimwithunusualconfidencesonhispastcareer。Ifatenthpartofwhatheconfessedweretrue，hewasaveryloathsomerogue;andthelad’svanitywastickledbytheattentionofsoexperiencedaman。
’I’maprettybadfellowmyself，’thestrangerremarked，’butMacfarlaneistheboy—ToddyMacfarlaneIcallhim。Toddy，orderyourfriendanotherglass。’Oritmightbe，’Toddy，youjumpupandshutthedoor。’’Toddyhatesme，’hesaidagain。’Ohyes，Toddy，youdo！’
’Don’tyoucallmethatconfoundedname，’growledMacfarlane。
’Hearhim！Didyoueverseetheladsplayknife？Hewouldliketodothatallovermybody，’remarkedthestranger。
’Wemedicalshaveabetterwaythanthat，’saidFettes。
’Whenwedislikeadeadfriendofours，wedissecthim。’
Macfarlanelookedupsharply，asthoughthisjestwerescarcelytohismind。
Theafternoonpassed。Gray，forthatwasthestranger’sname，invitedFettestojointhematdinner，orderedafeastsosumptuousthatthetavernwasthrownintocommotion，andwhenallwasdonecommandedMacfarlanetosettlethebill。
Itwaslatebeforetheyseparated;themanGraywasincapablydrunk。Macfarlane，soberedbyhisfury，chewedthecudofthemoneyhehadbeenforcedtosquanderandtheslightshehadbeenobligedtoswallow。Fettes，withvariousliquorssinginginhishead，returnedhomewithdeviousfootstepsandamindentirelyinabeyance。NextdayMacfarlanewasabsentfromtheclass，andFettessmiledtohimselfasheimaginedhimstillsquiringtheintolerableGrayfromtaverntotavern。Assoonasthehouroflibertyhadstruckhepostedfromplacetoplaceinquestofhislastnight’scompanions。
Hecouldfindthem，however，nowhere;soreturnedearlytohisrooms，wentearlytobed，andsleptthesleepofthejust。
Atfourinthemorninghewasawakenedbythewell—knownsignal。Descendingtothedoor，hewasfilledwithastonishmenttofindMacfarlanewithhisgig，andinthegigoneofthoselongandghastlypackageswithwhichhewassowellacquainted。
’What？’hecried。’Haveyoubeenoutalone？Howdidyoumanage？’
ButMacfarlanesilencedhimroughly，biddinghimturntobusiness。Whentheyhadgotthebodyupstairsandlaiditonthetable，Macfarlanemadeatfirstasifheweregoingaway。
Thenhepausedandseemedtohesitate;andthen，’Youhadbetterlookattheface，’saidhe，intonesofsomeconstraint。’Youhadbetter，’herepeated，asFettesonlystaredathiminwonder。
’Butwhere，andhow，andwhendidyoucomebyit？’criedtheother。
’Lookattheface，’wastheonlyanswer。
Fetteswasstaggered;strangedoubtsassailedhim。Helookedfromtheyoungdoctortothebody，andthenbackagain。Atlast，withastart，hedidashewasbidden。Hehadalmostexpectedthesightthatmethiseyes，andyettheshockwascruel。Tosee，fixedintherigidityofdeathandnakedonthatcoarselayerofsackcloth，themanwhomhehadleftwellcladandfullofmeatandsinuponthethresholdofatavern，awoke，eveninthethoughtlessFettes，someoftheterrorsoftheconscience。ItwasaCRASTIBIwhichre—echoedinhissoul，thattwowhomhehadknownshouldhavecometolieupontheseicytables。Yetthesewereonlysecondarythoughts。
HisfirstconcernregardedWolfe。Unpreparedforachallengesomomentous，heknewnothowtolookhiscomradeintheface。Hedurstnotmeethiseye，andhehadneitherwordsnorvoiceathiscommand。
ItwasMacfarlanehimselfwhomadethefirstadvance。Hecameupquietlybehindandlaidhishandgentlybutfirmlyontheother’sshoulder。
’Richardson，’saidhe，’mayhavethehead。’
NowRichardsonwasastudentwhohadlongbeenanxiousforthatportionofthehumansubjecttodissect。Therewasnoanswer，andthemurdererresumed：’Talkingofbusiness，youmustpayme;youraccounts，yousee，musttally。’
Fettesfoundavoice，theghostofhisown：’Payyou！’hecried。’Payyouforthat？’
’Why，yes，ofcourseyoumust。Byallmeansandoneverypossibleaccount，youmust，’returnedtheother。’Idarenotgiveitfornothing，youdarenottakeitfornothing;itwouldcompromiseusboth。ThisisanothercaselikeJaneGalbraith’s。Themorethingsarewrongthemorewemustactasifallwereright。WheredoesoldK—keephismoney？’
’There，’answeredFetteshoarsely，pointingtoacupboardinthecorner。
’Givemethekey，then，’saidtheother，calmly，holdingouthishand。
Therewasaninstant’shesitation，andthediewascast。
Macfarlanecouldnotsuppressanervoustwitch，theinfinitesimalmarkofanimmenserelief，ashefeltthekeybetweenhisfingers。Heopenedthecupboard，broughtoutpenandinkandapaper—bookthatstoodinonecompartment，andseparatedfromthefundsinadrawerasumsuitabletotheoccasion。
’Now，lookhere，’hesaid，’thereisthepaymentmade—firstproofofyourgoodfaith：firststeptoyoursecurity。Youhavenowtoclinchitbyasecond。Enterthepaymentinyourbook，andthenyouforyourpartmaydefythedevil。’
ThenextfewsecondswereforFettesanagonyofthought;butinbalancinghisterrorsitwasthemostimmediatethattriumphed。AnyfuturedifficultyseemedalmostwelcomeifhecouldavoidapresentquarrelwithMacfarlane。Hesetdownthecandlewhichhehadbeencarryingallthistime，andwithasteadyhandenteredthedate，thenature，andtheamountofthetransaction。
’Andnow，’saidMacfarlane，’it’sonlyfairthatyoushouldpocketthelucre。I’vehadmysharealready。Bythebye，whenamanoftheworldfallsintoabitofluck，hasafewshillingsextrainhispocket—I’mashamedtospeakofit，butthere’saruleofconductinthecase。Notreating，nopurchaseofexpensiveclass—books，nosquaringofolddebts;
borrow，don’tlend。’
’Macfarlane，’beganFettes，stillsomewhathoarsely，’Ihaveputmyneckinahaltertoobligeyou。’
’Toobligeme？’criedWolfe。’Oh，come！Youdid，asnearasIcanseethematter，whatyoudownrighthadtodoinself—
defence。SupposeIgotintotrouble，wherewouldyoube？
Thissecondlittlematterflowsclearlyfromthefirst。Mr。
GrayisthecontinuationofMissGalbraith。Youcan’tbeginandthenstop。Ifyoubegin，youmustkeeponbeginning;
that’sthetruth。Norestforthewicked。’
Ahorriblesenseofblacknessandthetreacheryoffateseizedholduponthesouloftheunhappystudent。
’MyGod！’hecried，’butwhathaveIdone？andwhendidI
begin？Tobemadeaclassassistant—inthenameofreason，where’stheharminthat？Servicewantedtheposition;
Servicemighthavegotit。WouldHEhavebeenwhereIamnow？’
’Mydearfellow，’saidMacfarlane，’whataboyyouare！WhatharmHAScometoyou？WhatharmCANcometoyouifyouholdyourtongue？Why，man，doyouknowwhatthislifeis？Therearetwosquadsofus—thelionsandthelambs。Ifyou’realamb，you’llcometolieuponthesetableslikeGrayorJaneGalbraith;ifyou’realion，you’llliveanddriveahorselikeme，likeK—，likealltheworldwithanywitorcourage。
You’restaggeredatthefirst。ButlookatK—！Mydearfellow，you’reclever，youhavepluck。Ilikeyou，andK—
likesyou。Youwereborntoleadthehunt;andItellyou，onmyhonourandmyexperienceoflife，threedaysfromnowyou’lllaughatallthesescarecrowslikeaHighSchoolboyatafarce。’
AndwiththatMacfarlanetookhisdepartureanddroveoffupthewyndinhisgigtogetundercoverbeforedaylight。
Fetteswasthusleftalonewithhisregrets。Hesawthemiserableperilinwhichhestoodinvolved。Hesaw，withinexpressibledismay，thattherewasnolimittohisweakness，andthat，fromconcessiontoconcession，hehadfallenfromthearbiterofMacfarlane’sdestinytohispaidandhelplessaccomplice。Hewouldhavegiventheworldtohavebeenalittlebraveratthetime，butitdidnotoccurtohimthathemightstillbebrave。ThesecretofJaneGalbraithandthecursedentryintheday—bookclosedhismouth。
Hourspassed;theclassbegantoarrive;themembersoftheunhappyGrayweredealtouttooneandtoanother，andreceivedwithoutremark。Richardsonwasmadehappywiththehead;andbeforethehouroffreedomrangFettestrembledwithexultationtoperceivehowfartheyhadalreadygonetowardsafety。
Fortwodayshecontinuedtowatch，withincreasingjoy，thedreadfulprocessofdisguise。
OnthethirddayMacfarlanemadehisappearance。Hehadbeenill，hesaid;buthemadeupforlosttimebytheenergywithwhichhedirectedthestudents。ToRichardsoninparticularheextendedthemostvaluableassistanceandadvice，andthatstudent，encouragedbythepraiseofthedemonstrator，burnedhighwithambitioushopes，andsawthemedalalreadyinhisgrasp。
BeforetheweekwasoutMacfarlane’sprophecyhadbeenfulfilled。Fetteshadoutlivedhisterrorsandhadforgottenhisbaseness。Hebegantoplumehimselfuponhiscourage，andhadsoarrangedthestoryinhismindthathecouldlookbackontheseeventswithanunhealthypride。Ofhisaccomplicehesawbutlittle。Theymet，ofcourse，inthebusinessoftheclass;theyreceivedtheirorderstogetherfromMr。K—。Attimestheyhadawordortwoinprivate，andMacfarlanewasfromfirsttolastparticularlykindandjovial。Butitwasplainthatheavoidedanyreferencetotheircommonsecret;andevenwhenFetteswhisperedtohimthathehadcastinhislotwiththelionsandforeswornthelambs，heonlysignedtohimsmilinglytoholdhispeace。
Atlengthanoccasionarosewhichthrewthepaironcemoreintoacloserunion。Mr。K—wasagainshortofsubjects;
pupilswereeager，anditwasapartofthisteacher’spretensionstobealwayswellsupplied。AtthesametimetherecamethenewsofaburialintherusticgraveyardofGlencorse。Timehaslittlechangedtheplaceinquestion。
Itstoodthen，asnow，uponacrossroad，outofcallofhumanhabitations，andburiedfathomdeepinthefoliageofsixcedartrees。Thecriesofthesheepupontheneighbouringhills，thestreamletsuponeitherhand，oneloudlysingingamongpebbles，theotherdrippingfurtivelyfrompondtopond，thestirofthewindinmountainousoldfloweringchestnuts，andonceinsevendaysthevoiceofthebellandtheoldtunesoftheprecentor，weretheonlysoundsthatdisturbedthesilencearoundtheruralchurch。TheResurrectionMan—touseabynameoftheperiod—wasnottobedeterredbyanyofthesanctitiesofcustomarypiety。Itwaspartofhistradetodespiseanddesecratethescrollsandtrumpetsofoldtombs，thepathswornbythefeetofworshippersandmourners，andtheofferingsandtheinscriptionsofbereavedaffection。Torusticneighbourhoods，whereloveismorethancommonlytenacious，andwheresomebondsofbloodorfellowshipunitetheentiresocietyofaparish，thebody—snatcher，farfrombeingrepelledbynaturalrespect，wasattractedbytheeaseandsafetyofthetask。Tobodiesthathadbeenlaidinearth，injoyfulexpectationofafardifferentawakening，therecamethathasty，lamp—lit，terror—hauntedresurrectionofthespadeandmattock。Thecoffinwasforced，thecerementstorn，andthemelancholyrelics，cladinsackcloth，afterbeingrattledforhoursonmoonlessbyways，wereatlengthexposedtouttermostindignitiesbeforeaclassofgapingboys。
Somewhatastwovulturesmayswoopuponadyinglamb，FettesandMacfarlaneweretobeletlooseuponagraveinthatgreenandquietresting—place。Thewifeofafarmer，awomanwhohadlivedforsixtyyears，andbeenknownfornothingbutgoodbutterandagodlyconversation，wastoberootedfromhergraveatmidnightandcarried，deadandnaked，tothatfar—awaycitythatshehadalwayshonouredwithherSunday’sbest;theplacebesideherfamilywastobeemptytillthecrackofdoom;herinnocentandalmostvenerablememberstobeexposedtothatlastcuriosityoftheanatomist。
Lateoneafternoonthepairsetforth，wellwrappedincloaksandfurnishedwithaformidablebottle。Itrainedwithoutremission—acold，dense，lashingrain。Nowandagainthereblewapuffofwind，butthesesheetsoffallingwaterkeptitdown。Bottleandall，itwasasadandsilentdriveasfarasPenicuik，wheretheyweretospendtheevening。Theystoppedonce，tohidetheirimplementsinathickbushnotfarfromthechurchyard，andonceagainattheFisher’sTryst，tohaveatoastbeforethekitchenfireandvarytheirnipsofwhiskywithaglassofale。Whentheyreachedtheirjourney’sendthegigwashoused，thehorsewasfedandcomforted，andthetwoyoungdoctorsinaprivateroomsatdowntothebestdinnerandthebestwinethehouseafforded。
Thelights，thefire，thebeatingrainuponthewindow，thecold，incongruousworkthatlaybeforethem，addedzesttotheirenjoymentofthemeal。Witheveryglasstheircordialityincreased。SoonMacfarlanehandedalittlepileofgoldtohiscompanion。
’Acompliment，’hesaid。’Betweenfriendstheselittled—daccommodationsoughttoflylikepipe—lights。’
Fettespocketedthemoney，andapplaudedthesentimenttotheecho。’Youareaphilosopher，’hecried。’IwasanasstillIknewyou。YouandK—betweenyou，bytheLordHarry！butyou’llmakeamanofme。’
’Ofcourseweshall，’applaudedMacfarlane。’Aman？Itellyou，itrequiredamantobackmeuptheothermorning。
Therearesomebig，brawling，forty—year—oldcowardswhowouldhaveturnedsickatthelookofthed—dthing;butnotyou—youkeptyourhead。Iwatchedyou。’
’Well，andwhynot？’Fettesthusvauntedhimself。’Itwasnoaffairofmine。Therewasnothingtogainontheonesidebutdisturbance，andontheotherIcouldcountonyourgratitude，don’tyousee？’Andheslappedhispockettillthegoldpiecesrang。
Macfarlanesomehowfeltacertaintouchofalarmattheseunpleasantwords。Hemayhaveregrettedthathehadtaughthisyoungcompanionsosuccessfully，buthehadnotimetointerfere，fortheothernoisilycontinuedinthisboastfulstrain：—
’Thegreatthingisnottobeafraid。Now，betweenyouandme，Idon’twanttohang—that’spractical;butforallcant，Macfarlane，Iwasbornwithacontempt。Hell，God，Devil，right，wrong，sin，crime，andalltheoldgalleryofcuriosities—theymayfrightenboys，butmenoftheworld，likeyouandme，despisethem。Here’stothememoryofGray！’
Itwasbythistimegrowingsomewhatlate。Thegig，accordingtoorder，wasbroughtroundtothedoorwithbothlampsbrightlyshining，andtheyoungmenhadtopaytheirbillandtaketheroad。TheyannouncedthattheywereboundforPeebles，anddroveinthatdirectiontilltheywereclearofthelasthousesofthetown;then，extinguishingthelamps，returnedupontheircourse，andfollowedaby—roadtowardGlencorse。Therewasnosoundbutthatoftheirownpassage，andtheincessant，stridentpouringoftherain。Itwaspitchdark;hereandthereawhitegateorawhitestoneinthewallguidedthemforashortspaceacrossthenight;
butforthemostpartitwasatafootpace，andalmostgroping，thattheypickedtheirwaythroughthatresonantblacknesstotheirsolemnandisolateddestination。Inthesunkenwoodsthattraversetheneighbourhoodoftheburying—
groundthelastglimmerfailedthem，anditbecamenecessarytokindleamatchandre—illumineoneofthelanternsofthegig。Thus，underthedrippingtrees，andenvironedbyhugeandmovingshadows，theyreachedthesceneoftheirunhallowedlabours。
Theywerebothexperiencedinsuchaffairs，andpowerfulwiththespade;andtheyhadscarcebeentwentyminutesattheirtaskbeforetheywererewardedbyadullrattleonthecoffinlid。AtthesamemomentMacfarlane，havinghurthishanduponastone，flungitcarelesslyabovehishead。Thegrave，inwhichtheynowstoodalmosttotheshoulders，wasclosetotheedgeoftheplateauofthegraveyard;andthegiglamphadbeenpropped，thebettertoilluminatetheirlabours，againstatree，andontheimmediatevergeofthesteepbankdescendingtothestream。Chancehadtakenasureaimwiththestone。Thencameaclangofbrokenglass;nightfelluponthem;soundsalternatelydullandringingannouncedtheboundingofthelanterndownthebank，anditsoccasionalcollisionwiththetrees。Astoneortwo，whichithaddislodgedinitsdescent，rattledbehinditintotheprofunditiesoftheglen;andthensilence，likenight，resumeditssway;andtheymightbendtheirhearingtoitsutmostpitch，butnaughtwastobeheardexcepttherain，nowmarchingtothewind，nowsteadilyfallingovermilesofopencountry。
Theyweresonearlyatanendoftheirabhorredtaskthattheyjudgeditwisesttocompleteitinthedark。Thecoffinwasexhumedandbrokenopen;thebodyinsertedinthedrippingsackandcarriedbetweenthemtothegig;onemountedtokeepitinitsplace，andtheother，takingthehorsebythemouth，gropedalongbywallandbushuntiltheyreachedthewiderroadbytheFisher’sTryst。Herewasafaint，diffusedradiancy，whichtheyhailedlikedaylight;bythattheypushedthehorsetoagoodpaceandbegantorattlealongmerrilyinthedirectionofthetown。
Theyhadbothbeenwettedtotheskinduringtheiroperations，andnow，asthegigjumpedamongthedeepruts，thethingthatstoodproppedbetweenthemfellnowupononeandnowupontheother。Ateveryrepetitionofthehorridcontacteachinstinctivelyrepelleditwiththegreaterhaste;andtheprocess，naturalalthoughitwas，begantotelluponthenervesofthecompanions。Macfarlanemadesomeill—favouredjestaboutthefarmer’swife，butitcamehollowlyfromhislips，andwasallowedtodropinsilence。
Stilltheirunnaturalburdenbumpedfromsidetoside;andnowtheheadwouldbelaid，asifinconfidence，upontheirshoulders，andnowthedrenchingsack—clothwouldflapicilyabouttheirfaces。AcreepingchillbegantopossessthesoulofFettes。Hepeeredatthebundle，anditseemedsomehowlargerthanatfirst。Alloverthecountry—side，andfromeverydegreeofdistance，thefarmdogsaccompaniedtheirpassagewithtragicululations;anditgrewandgrewuponhismindthatsomeunnaturalmiraclehadbeenaccomplished，thatsomenamelesschangehadbefallenthedeadbody，andthatitwasinfearoftheirunholyburdenthatthedogswerehowling。
’ForGod’ssake，’saidhe，makingagreatefforttoarriveatspeech，’forGod’ssake，let’shavealight！’
SeeminglyMacfarlanewasaffectedinthesamedirection;for，thoughhemadenoreply，hestoppedthehorse，passedthereinstohiscompanion，gotdown，andproceededtokindletheremaininglamp。Theyhadbythattimegotnofartherthanthecross—roaddowntoAuchenclinny。Therainstillpouredasthoughthedelugewerereturning，anditwasnoeasymattertomakealightinsuchaworldofwetanddarkness。
Whenatlasttheflickeringblueflamehadbeentransferredtothewickandbegantoexpandandclarify，andshedawidecircleofmistybrightnessroundthegig，itbecamepossibleforthetwoyoungmentoseeeachotherandthethingtheyhadalongwiththem。Therainhadmouldedtheroughsackingtotheoutlinesofthebodyunderneath;theheadwasdistinctfromthetrunk，theshouldersplainlymodelled;somethingatoncespectralandhumanrivetedtheireyesupontheghastlycomradeoftheirdrive。
ForsometimeMacfarlanestoodmotionless，holdingupthelamp。Anamelessdreadwasswathed，likeawetsheet，aboutthebody，andtightenedthewhiteskinuponthefaceofFettes;afearthatwasmeaningless，ahorrorofwhatcouldnotbe，keptmountingtohisbrain。Anotherbeatofthewatch，andhehadspoken。Buthiscomradeforestalledhim。
’Thatisnotawoman，’saidMacfarlane，inahushedvoice。
’Itwasawomanwhenweputherin，’whisperedFettes。
’Holdthatlamp，’saidtheother。’Imustseeherface。’
AndasFettestookthelamphiscompanionuntiedthefasteningsofthesackanddrewdownthecoverfromthehead。
Thelightfellveryclearuponthedark，well—mouldedfeaturesandsmooth—shavencheeksofatoofamiliarcountenance，oftenbeheldindreamsofbothoftheseyoungmen。Awildyellrangupintothenight;eachleapedfromhisownsideintotheroadway：thelampfell，broke，andwasextinguished;andthehorse，terrifiedbythisunusualcommotion，boundedandwentofftowardEdinburghatagallop，bearingalongwithit，soleoccupantofthegig，thebodyofthedeadandlong—dissectedGray。
THESTORYOFALIE
CHAPTERI—INTRODUCESTHEADMIRAL
WHENDickNasebywasinParishemadesomeoddacquaintances;
forhewasoneofthosewhohaveearstohear，andcanusetheireyesnolessthantheirintelligence。HemadeasmanythoughtsasStuartMill;buthisphilosophyconcernedfleshandblood，andwasexperimentalastoitsmethod。Hewasatype—hunteramongmankind。Hedespisedsmallgameandinsignificantpersonalities，whetherintheshapeofdukesorbagmen，lettingthemgobylikesea—weed;butshowhimarefinedorpowerfulface，lethimhearaplangentorapenetratingvoice，fishforhimwithalivinglookinsomeone’seye，apassionategesture，ameaningandambiguoussmile，andhismindwasinstantaneouslyawakened。’Therewasaman，therewasawoman，’heseemedtosay，andhestooduptothetaskofcomprehensionwiththedelightofanartistinhisart。
Andindeed，rightlyconsidered，thisinterestofhiswasanartisticinterest。Thereisnoscienceinthepersonalstudyofhumannature。Allcomprehensioniscreation;thewomanI
loveissomewhatofmyhandiwork;andthegreatlover，likethegreatpainter，ishethatcansoembellishhissubjectastomakehermorethanhuman，whilstyetbyacunningarthehassobasedhisapotheosisonthenatureofthecasethatthewomancangoonbeingatruewoman，andgivehercharacterfreeplay，andshowlittleness，orcherishspite，orbegreedyofcommonpleasures，andhecontinuetoworshipwithoutathoughtofincongruity。Toloveacharacterisonlytheheroicwayofunderstandingit。Whenwelove，bysomenoblemethodofourownorsomenobilityofmienornatureintheother，weapprehendthelovedonebywhatisnoblestinourselves。Whenwearemerelystudyinganeccentricity，themethodofourstudyisbutaseriesofallowances。Tobegintounderstandistobegintosympathise;forcomprehensioncomesonlywhenwehavestatedanother’sfaultsandvirtuesintermsofourown。Hencetheproverbialtolerationofartistsfortheirownevilcreations。Hence，too，itcameaboutthatDickNaseby，ahigh—mindedcreature，andasscrupulousandbraveagentlemanasyouwouldwanttomeet，heldinasortofaffectionthevarioushumancreepingthingswhomhehadmetandstudied。
OneofthesewasMr。PeterVanTromp，anEnglish—speaking，two—leggedanimaloftheinternationalgenus，andbyprofessionofgeneralandmorethanequivocalutility。Yearsbeforehehadbeenapainterofsomestandinginacolony，andportraitssigned’VanTromp’hadcelebratedthegreatnessofcolonialgovernorsandjudges。Inthosedayshehadbeenmarried，anddrivenhiswifeandinfantdaughterinaponytrap。Whatwerethestepsofhisdeclension？Nooneexactlyknew。Herehewasatleast，andhadbeenanytimethesepasttenyears，asortofdismalparasiteupontheforeignerinParis。
Itwouldbehazardoustospecifyhisexactindustry。
Coarselyfollowed，itwouldhavemeritedanamegrownsomewhatunfamiliartoourears。Followedashefollowedit，withaskilfulreticence，inakindofsocialchiaroscuro，itwasstillpossibleforthepolitetocallhimaprofessionalpainter。HislairwasintheGrandHotelandthegaudiestcafes。Therehemightbeseenjottingoffasketchwithanairofsomeinspiration;andhewasalwaysaffable，andoneoftheeasiestofmentofallintalkwithal。Aconversationusuallyripenedintoapeculiarsortofintimacy，anditwasextraordinaryhowmanylittleservicesVanTrompcontrivedtorenderinthecourseofsix—and—thirtyhours。Heoccupiedapositionbetweenafriendandacourier，whichmadehimworsethanembarrassingtorepay。Butthosewhomheobligedcouldalwaysbuyoneofhisvillainouslittlepictures，or，wherethefavourshadbeenprolongedandmorethanusuallydelicate，mightorderandpayforalargecanvas，withperfectcertaintythattheywouldhearnomoreofthetransaction。
Amongresidentartistsheenjoyedcelebrityofanon—
professionalsort。Hehadspentmoremoney—nolessthanthreeindividualfortunes，itwaswhispered—thananyofhisassociatescouldeverhopetogain。Apartfromhiscolonialcareer，hehadbeentoGreeceinabrigantinewithfourbrasscarronades;hehadtravelledEuropeinachaiseandfour，drawingbridleatthepalace—doorsofGermanprinces;queensofsonganddancehadfollowedhimlikesheepandpaidhistailor’sbills。Andtobeholdhimnow，seekingsmallloanswithplaintivecondescension，spongingforbreakfastonanart—studentofnineteen，afallenDonJuanwhohadneglectedtodieatthepropitioushour，hadacolourofromanceforyoungimaginations。Hisnameandhisbrightpast，seenthroughtheprismofwhisperedgossip，hadgainedhimthenicknameofTHEADMIRAL。
Dickfoundhimonedayatthereceiptofcustom，rapidlypaintingapairofhensandacockinalittlewater—coloursketchingbox，andnowandthenglancingattheceilinglikeamanwhoshouldseekinspirationfromthemuse。Dickthoughtitremarkablethatapaintershouldchoosetoworkoveranabsintheinapubliccafe，andlookedthemanover。
Theagedrakishnessofhisappearancewassetoffbyayouthfulcostume;hehaddisreputablegreyhairandadisreputablesore，rednose;butthecoatandthegesture，theoutworksoftheman，werestilldesignedforshow。Dickcameuptohistableandinquiredifhemightlookatwhatthegentlemanwasdoing。NoonewassodelightedastheAdmiral。
’Abitofathing，’saidhe。’Ijustdashthemofflikethat。I—Idashthemoff，’headdedwithagesture。
’Quiteso，’saidDick，whowasappalledbythefeeblenessoftheproduction。
’Understandme，’continuedVanTromp;’Iamamanoftheworld。Andyet—onceanartistalwaysanartist。Allofasuddenathoughttakesmeinthestreet;Ibecomeitsprey：
it’slikeaprettywoman;nousetostruggle;Imust—dashitoff。’
’Isee，’saidDick。
’Yes，’pursuedthepainter;’itallcomeseasily，easilytome;itisnotmybusiness;it’sapleasure。Lifeismybusiness—life—thisgreatcity，Paris—Parisafterdark—
itslights，itsgardens，itsoddcorners。Aha！’hecried，’tobeyoungagain！Theheartisyoung，buttheheelsareleaden。Apoor，meanbusiness，togrowold！NothingremainsbuttheCOUPD’OEIL，thecontemplativeman’senjoyment，Mr。—
，’andhepausedforthename。
’Naseby，’returnedDick。
Theothertreatedhimatoncetoanexcitingbeverage，andexpatiatedonthepleasureofmeetingacompatriotinaforeignland;tohearhim，youwouldhavethoughttheyhadencounteredinCentralAfrica。Dickhadneverfoundanyonetakeafancytohimsoreadily，norshowitinaneasierorlessoffensivemanner。Heseemedtickledwithhimasanelderlyfellowabouttownmightbetickledbyapleasantandwittylad;heindicatedthathewasnoprecision，butinhiswildesttimeshadneverbeensuchabladeashethoughtDick。
Dickprotested，butinvain。Thismannerofcarryinganintimacyatthebayonet’spointwasVanTromp’sstock—in—
trade。Withanoldermanheinsinuatedhimself;withyouthheimposedhimself，andinthesamebreathimposedanidealonhisvictim，whosawthathemustworkuptoitorlosetheesteemofthisoldandviciouspatron。Andwhatyoungmancanbeartoloseacharacterforvice？
Atlast，asitgrewtowardsdinner—time，’DoyouknowParis？’
askedVanTromp。
