walkacrossthehills，toask"whatthedayoftheweekwas？"Theyhadlostcount，andthemanhadattendedtohisworkonadaywhichthedameaverredtobetheSabbath。HedeniedthatitWAStheSabbath，andIbelievethatitturnedouttobeaTuesday。ThislittleincidentgivessomeideaofthedelightfulabsenceofpopulationinGlenAline。Butnowordscanpainttheutterloneliness，whichcouldactuallybefelt——theemptymoors，theemptysky。Theheapsofstonesbyaburnside，hereandthere，showedthatacottagehadonceexistedwherenowwasnohabitation。
　　Onesuchspotwasrathertobeshunnedbythesuperstitious，forhere，about1698，acottarfamilyhadbeenevictedbyendlessunaccountabledisturbancesinthehouse。Stoneswerethrownbyinvisiblehands——thoughoccasionally，bytheway，awhitehand，withnoapparentbodyattachedtoit，WASviewedbythecuriouswhocametothespot。Heavyobjectsofallsortsfloatedintheair；
　　rappingsandvoiceswereheard；theendwallwaspulleddownbyanunknownagency。Thestoryisextantinapiousoldpamphletcalled"SadduceesDefeated，"andagreatdealmoretothesameeffect——amasterpiecebytheparishminister，signedandattestedbytheotherministersoftheGlenKens。TheEdinburgheditionofthepamphletisrare；theLondoneditionmaybeprocuredwithoutmuchdifficulty。
　　Thesiteofthisruinedcottage，however，hadnoterrorsfortheneighbours，orratherfortheneighbour，myshepherd。Infact，heseemedtohaveforgottenthelegendtillIremindedhimofit，forIhadcomeacrossthetaleinmyresearchesintotheUnexplained。
　　Theshepherdandhisfamily，indeed，werequitedevoidofsuperstition，andinthisrespectveryunlikethenorthernHighlanders。However，thefallencottagehadnothingtodowithmyownlittleadventureinGlenAline，andImentionitmerelyasthemostnotableofthetinyruinswhichattestthepresence，inthepast，ofalargerpopulation。Onecannotmarvelthatthepeople"flitted"fromthemoorsandmorassesofGlenAlineintolessmelancholyneighbourhoods。Theverysheepseemedscarcerherethanelsewhere；grouse-diseasehaddevastatedthemoors，sportsmenconsequentlydidnotvisitthem；andonlyafewbarrenpairs，withcrow-pickedskeletonsofdeadbirdsintheheathernowandthen，showedthattheshootingshadonceperhapsbeenmarketable。Myshepherd'scottagewasfourmilesfromthelittle-travelledroadtoDalmellington；longbadmilestheywere，acrossbogandheather。
　　ConsequentlyIseldomsawanyfaceofman，exceptinoraboutthecottage。Myworkwentonrapidlyenoughinsuchanundisturbedlife。Empiresmightfall，partiesmightbreaklikeburstingshells，andbanksmightbreakalso:Iploddedonwithmylabour，andwenta-fishingwhenthedaypromisedwell。TherewasahilllochLochNanaboutfivemilesaway，whichIfavouredagooddeal。Thetroutwerelargeandfairofflesh，andinproperweathertheyroseprettyfreely，andcouldbetakenbyananglerwadingfromtheshore。Therewasnoboat。Thewading，however，wasdifficultanddangerous，owingtotheboggynatureofthebottom，whichquakedlikeaquicksandinsomeplaces。Theblackwater，neverstirredbyduckormoorhen，thedryrustlingreeds，thenoisomesmellofdecayingvegetable-matterwhenyoustirreditupinwading，theoccasionalpresenceofadeadsheepbythesullenmarginofthetarn，wereallopposedtocheerfulness。Still，thefishwerethere，andthe"lane，"whichsulkilyglidedfromthelochtowardsthedistantriver，containedsomemonsters，whichtookwormafteraflood。Onemistymorning，asIhadjusttoppedthelowridgefromwhichthelochbecamevisible，Isawamanfishingfrommyfavouritebench。NeverhadInoticedahumanbeingtherebefore，andIwasnotwellpleasedtothinkthatsomeemissaryofMr。WatsonLyallwasmakingexperimentsinLochNan，andwoulddescribeitin"TheSportsman'sGuide。"Themistblewwhiteandthickforaminuteortwooverthelochside，asitoftendoesatLochSkene；sowhiteandthickandsuddenthatthebewilderedanglerthereisapttolosehisway，andfallovertheprecipiceoftheGreyMare'sTail。Whenthecurtainofcloudroseagain，thelochwaslonely:theanglerhaddisappeared。Iwentonrejoicing，andmadeaprettygoodbasket，astheweatherimprovedandgrewwarmer——achangewhichgivesanappetitetotroutinsomehilllochs。AmongthesandsbetweenthestonesonthefartherbankI
　　foundtracesoftheangler'sfootsteps；hewasnotaphantom，atallevents，forphantomsdonotwearheavilynailedboots，asheevidentlydid。Thetraces，whichweresoonlost，ofcourse，inclinedmetothinkthathehadretreatedupanarrowgreenburnside，withratherhighbanks，throughwhich，inrainyweather，asmallfeederfellintotheloch。Iguessedthathehadbeenfrightenedawaybythedescentofthemist，whichusually"putsdown"thetroutandpreventsthemfromfeeding。Inthatcasehisalarmwaspremature。Imarchedhomewards，happywiththeunaccustomedweightofmybasket，thecontentsofwhichwereawelcomechangefromtheusualporridgeandpotatoes，teawithoutmilk，jam，andsconesoftheshepherd'stable。But，asIreachedtheheightabovethelochonmywestwardpath，andlookedbacktoseeifrisingfishweredimplingthestillwaters，allflushedastheywerewithsunset，behold，therewastheOtherManatworkagain!
　　IshouldhavethoughtnomoreabouthimhadInottwiceafterwardsseenhimatadistance，fishingupa"lane"aheadofme，intheloneliestregions，andthereby，ofcourse，spoilingmysport。I
　　knewhimbyhispeculiarstoop，whichseemednotunfamiliartome，andbyhishat，whichwasoftheclericalpatternonceknown，perhapsstillknown，as"aBible-reader's"——alow，soft，slouchedblackfelt。ThesecondtimethatIfoundhimthusanticipatingme，Ileftofffishingandwalkedratherbrisklytowardshim，tosatisfymycuriosity，andasktheusualquestions，"Whatsport？"
　　and"Whatflies？"Butassoonasheobservedmecominghestrodeoffacrosstheheather。Uncourteousasitseems，IfeltsoinquisitivethatIfollowedhim。Buthewalkedsorapidly，andwassomanifestlyanxioustoshakemeoff，thatIgaveupthepursuit。
　　Evenifhewereapoacherwhoseconsciencesmotehimforusingsalmon-roe，Iwasnot"mybrother'skeeper，"noranybody'skeeper。
　　Hemight"otter"theloch，buthowcouldIpreventhim？
　　Itwasnoaffairofmine，andyet——wherehadIseenhimbefore？
　　Hisgait，hisstoop，thecarriageofhishead，allseemedfamiliar——
　　butashort-sightedmanisaccustomedtothiskindofpuzzle:heisalwaysrecognisingthewrongperson，whenhedoesnotfailtorecognisetherightone。
　　Iamrathershort-sighted，butsciencehasitsresources。Twoorthreedaysaftermyencounterwiththisveryshysportsman，IwentagaintoLochNan。ButthistimeItookwithmeastrongfield-
　　glass。AsInearedthecrestofthelowheatheryslopeimmediatelyabovetheloch，whencethewaterfirstcomesintoview，Ilaydownonthegroundandcrawledlikeadeer-stalkertotheskyline。
　　ThenIgotouttheglassandreconnoitred。Therewasmyfriend，sureenough；moreover，hewasplayingaveryrespectabletrout。
　　Buthewasfishingonthenearsideoftheloch，andthoughIhadquiteadistinctviewofhisback，andindeedofallhisattenuatedform，Iwasasfaraseverfromrecognisinghim，orguessingwhere，ifanywhere，Ihadseenhimbefore。Inowdeterminedtostalkhim；
　　butthiswasnottooeasy，asthereisliterallynocoveronthehillsideexceptalongmarchdykeoftheusualloosestones，whichrandowntotheloch-side，andindeedthreeorfourfeetintotheloch，reachingitatashortdistancetotherightoftheangler。
　　BehindthisIskulked，inaneagerlyundignifiedmanner，andwasjustabouttoclimbthewallunobserved，whentwogrousegotup，withtheirwild"cluckcluck"ofalarm，andflewdownpasttheanglerandovertheloch。Hedidnotevenlookround，butjerkedhislineoutofthewater，reeleditup，andsetoffwalkingalongtheloch-side。Hewasmaking，nodoubt，forthelittleglenupwhichIfanciedthathemusthaveretreatedonthefirstoccasionwhensawhim。Isetoffwalkingroundthetarnonmyownside——theleftside——expectingtoanticipatehim，andthathemustpassmeonhiswayupthelittleburnside。ButIhadmiscalculatedthedistance，orthepace。Hewasfirstattheburnside；andnowI
　　castcourtesyandeverythingbutcuriositytothewinds，anddeliberatelyfollowedhim。Hewasafewscoreofyardsaheadofme，walkingrapidly，whenhesuddenlyclimbedtheburnsidetotheleft，andwaslosttomyeyesforafewmoments。Ireachedtheplace，ascendedthesteepgreendeclivityandfoundmyselfontheopenundulatingmoor，withnohumanbeinginsight!
　　Thegrassandheatherwereshort。Isawnobush，nohollow，wherehecouldbyanypossibilityhavehiddenhimself。HadhemetaBoojumhecouldnothavemore"softlyandsuddenlyvanishedaway。"
　　Imakenopretenceofbeingmorecourageousthanmyneighbours，and，inthisjuncture，perhapsIwaslessso。ThelongdaysoflonelinessinwasteGlenAline，andtoomanysolitarycigarettes，hadprobablyinjuredmynerve。So，whenIsuddenlyheardasighandthehalf-smotheredsoundofaconvulsivecough-hollow，ifeveracoughwashollow——hardbyme，atmysideasitwere，andyetcouldbeholdnoman，noranyplacewhereamanmightconcealhimself——nothingbutmoorandskyandtuftsofrushes——thenI
　　turnedaway，andwalkeddowntheglen:notslowly。IshallnotdenythatIoftenlookedovermyshoulderasIwent，andthat，whenIreachedtheloch，Ididnotanglewithoutmanyabackwardglance。
　　Suchanappearanceanddisappearanceasthis，Iremembered，wereintheexperienceofSirWalterScott。Lockhartdoesnottelltheanecdote，whichisinalittleanonymousvolume，"RecollectionsofSirWalterScott，"publishedbeforeLockhart'sbook。SirWalterreportsthathewasonceridingacrossthemoortoAshiesteil，intheclearbrownsummertwilight，aftersunset。Hesawamanalittlewayaheadofhim，but，justbeforehereachedthespot，themandisappeared。Scottrodeaboutandabout，searchingthelowheatherasIhaddone，buttonopurpose。Herodeon，and，glancingback，sawthesamemanatthesameplace。Heturnedhishorse，gallopedtothespot，andagain——nothing!"Then，"saysSirWalter，"neitherthemarenorIcaredtowaitanylonger。"NeitherhadIcaredtowait，andifthereisanyshameintheconfession，onmyheadbeit!
　　Therecameaweekofblazingsummerweather；trampingovermoorstolochslikesheetsofburnishedsteelwasoutofthequestion，andI
　　workedatmybook，whichnowwasallbutfinished。AtlengthI
　　wroteTHEEND，and"olebonouff!quejepoussais，"asFlaubertsaysaboutoneofhisownlaboriousconclusions。Theweatherbroke，wehadadeluge，andthencameasoftcloudyday，withawarmsouthernwindsuggestingafinalmarchonLochNan。Ipackedsomesconesandmarmaladeintomycreel，filledmyflaskwithwhiskey，mycigarette-casewithcigarettes，andstartedonthefamiliartrackwiththehappiestanticipations。TheLoneFisherwasquiteoutofmymind；thedaywasexhilarating——oneofthosetruefishing-dayswhenyoufeelthepresenceofthesunwithoutseeinghim。Still，Ilookedrathercautiouslyovertheedgeoftheslopeabovetheloch，and，byJove!therehewas，fishingthenearside，andwadingdeepamongthereeds!Ididnotstalkhimthistime，butsetoffrunningdownthehillsidebehindhim，asquicklyasmybasket，withitsloadofwadersandboots，wouldpermit。I
　　waswithinfortyyardsofhim，whenhegaveawildstagger，triedtorecoverhimself，failed，and，thistime，disappearedinaperfectlylegitimateandaccountablemanner。Thetreacherouspeatybottomhadgivenway，andhisfloatinghat，withasplashonthesurface，andafewblackbubbles，wereallthattestifiedtohisexistence。Therewasabrokenoldpalinghardby；Itoreoffalongplank，wadedinasnearasIdared，and，byhelpoftheplank，afteragooddealofslipping，whichinvolvedanexemplarydrenching，Isucceededingettinghimontodryland。Hewasadistressingspectacle——hisbodyandfaceallblackenedwiththeslimypeat-mud；andhefellhalf-faintingonthegrass，convulsedbyaterriblecough。Myfirstcarewastogivehimwhiskey，byperhapsamistakenimpulseofhumanity；mynext，ashelay，exhausted，wastobringwaterinmyhat，andremovetheblackmudfromhisface。
　　ThenIsawPercyAllen——AllenofSt。Jude's!Hisfacewaswasted，histhinlongbeardhehadnotwornabeardofold，cloggedasitwaswithpeat-stains，showedflecksofgrey。
　　"Allen——Percy!"Isaid；"whatwindblewYOUhere？"
　　Buthedidnotanswer；and，ashecoughed，itwastooplainthattheshockofhisaccidenthadbrokensomevesselinthelungs。I
　　tendedhimaswellasIknewhowtodoit。Isatbesidehim，givinghimwhatcomfortImight，andallthetimemymemoryflewbacktocollegedays，andtoourstrangeandmostunhappylastmeeting，andhissubsequentinevitabledisgrace。Farawayfromhere——LochNanandthevacantmoors——mymemorywandered。
　　ItwasatBlocksby'sauction-room，inastreetneartheStrand，ontheeveofagreatbook-salethreeyearsbefore，thatwehadmet，foralmostthelasttime，asIbelieved，thoughitistruethatwehadnotspokenonthatoccasion。ItisnecessarythatIshouldexplainwhatoccurred，orwhatIandthreeothercrediblewitnessesbelievedtohaveoccurred；for，uponmyword，themoreIseeandhearofhumanevidenceofanyevent，thelessdoIregarditasestablishinganythingbetterthananexcessivelyprobablehypothesis。
　　Tomakealongstoryasshortasmaybe，IshouldsaythatAllenandIhadbeenacquaintedwhenwewereundergraduates；that，whenfellowsofourrespectivecolleges，ouracquaintancehadbecomeintimate；thatwehadoncesharedalittlebitoffishingontheTest；andthatwewerebothbook-collectors。Iwasacomparativelysanebibliomaniac，buttoAllenthetimecamewhenhegrudgedeverypennythathedidnotspendonrarebooks，andwhenheactuallygaveuphisshareofthewaterweusedtotaketogether，thathiscontributiontotherentmightgoforrareeditionsandbindings。
　　Afterthisdeplorablechangeofcharacterwenaturallysaweachotherless，butwewerestillfriendly。Iwentuptotowntoscribble；AllenstayedonatOxford。OnedayIchancedtogointoBlocksby'srooms；itwasaFriday，Iremember——therewastobeagreatsaleontheMonday。ThereImetAlleninecstasiesoveroneofthebooksdisplayedinthelittlesideroomontherighthandofthesale-room。Hehadtakenoutofaglasscaseandwasgloatingoverabookwhich，itseems，hadlongbeentheBlueRoseofhisfancyasacollector。HewascrazedaboutLongepierre，theoldFrenchamateur，whosevolumes，youmayremember，werealwaysboundinbluemorocco，andtooled，onthecentreandatthecorners，withhisbadge，theGoldenFleece。NowthetomewhichsofascinatedAllenwasaTheocritus，publishedatRomebyCaliergus——aTheocritusonbluepaper，ifyouplease，boundinLongepierre'smoroccolivery，doublewithredmorocco，and，ohecstasy!withacopyofLongepierre'sversionofoneIdyllontheflyleaf，signedwiththetranslator'sinitials，andheaded"aMonRoy。"ItisknowntothecuriousthatLouisXIV。particularlyadmiredandpraisedthislittlepoem，callingit"amodelofhonourablegallantry。"Clearlythegratefulauthorhadpresentedhisowncopytotheking；andhereitwas，whenkingandcrownhadgonedownintodust。
　　Allenshowedmethebook；hecouldhardlyletitleavehishands。
　　"Hereisapearl，"hehadsaid，"agembeyondprice!"
　　"I'mafraidyou'llfinditso，"Isaid；"thatisforaPailletorRothschild，notforyou，myboy。"
　　"Ifearso，"hehadanswered；"ifIweretosellmywholelibraryto-morrow，Icouldhardlyraisethemoney；"forhewaspoor，anditwasrumouredthathismaniahadalreadymadehimacquaintedwiththeJews。
　　Weparted。Iwenthometochambers；AllenstayedadoringtheunexampledLongepierre。ThatnightIdinedout，andhappenedtositnextayoungladywhopossessedagreatdealoftaste，thoughthatwastheleastofhercharms。Thefashionforbook-collectingwasamongherinnocentpleasures；shehadseenAllen'sbooksatOxford，andItoldherofhislongingsfortheTheocritus。MissBretonatoncewaseagertoseethebook，andtheotherbooks，andIobtainedleavetogowithherandMrs。Bretontotheauction-
　　roomsnextday。Thelittleside-roomwherethetreasuresweredisplayedwasempty，exceptforanattendant，whenwewentin；welookedatthethingsandmadelearnedremarks，butIadmitthatI
　　wasmoreconcernedtolookatMissBretonthanatanyworkinleatherbyDeromeorBauzonnet。Wewerethusagooddealoccupied，perhaps，witheachother；peoplecameandwent，whileourheadswerebentoveracaseofvolumesunderthewindow。WhenweDID
　　leave，ontheappealofMrs。Breton，weboth——bothIandKate——MissBreton，Imean——sawAllen——atleastIsawhim，andbelievedSHE
　　did——absorbedingazingattheLongepierreTheocritus。Hehelditrathernearhisface；thegas，whichhadbeenlit，fellontheshiningGoldenFleecesofthecover，onhislongthinhandsandeagerstudiousfeatures。Itwouldhavebeenapitytodisturbhiminhisecstasy。IlookedatMissBreton；webothsmiled，and，ofcourse，Ipresumedwesmiledforthesamereason。
　　Ihappentoknow，andunluckilydidithappen，theveryminuteofthehourwhenweleftBlocksby's。Itwasaquartertofouro'clock——achurch-towerwaschimingthethree-quartersintheStrand，andIlookedhalfmechanicallyatmyownwatch，whichwasfiveminutesfast。OnSundayIwentdowntoOxford，andhappenedtowalkintoAllen'srooms。Hewaslyingonasofareadingthe"Spectator。"Afterchattingalittle，Isaid，"Youtooknonoticeofme，noroftheBretonsyesterday，Allen，atBlocksby's。"
　　"Ididn'tseeyou，"hesaid；andashewasspeakingtherecameaknockatthedoor。
　　"Comein!"criedAllen，andamanenteredwhowasastrangertome。
　　Youwouldnothavecalledhimagentlemanperhaps。However，I
　　admitthatIampossiblynogreatjudgeofagentleman。
　　Allenlookedup。
　　"Hullo，Mr。Thomas，"hesaid，"haveyoucomeuptoseeMr。Mortby？"
　　mentioningawell-knownOxfordbibliophile。"Wharton，"hewenton，addressingme，"thisisMr。ThomasfromBlocksby's。"Ibowed。Mr。
　　Thomasseemedembarrassed。"CanIhaveawordalonewithyou，sir？"hemurmuredtoAllen。
　　"Certainly，"answeredAllen，lookingrathersurprised。"You'llexcusemeamoment，Wharton，"hesaidtome。"Stopandlunch，won'tyou？There'stheold"Spectator"foryou；"andheledMr。
　　Thomasintoasmalldenwhereheusedtohearhispupilsreadtheiressays，andsoforth。
　　Inafewminuteshecameout，lookingratherpale，andtookanembarrassedfarewellofMr。Thomas。
　　"Lookhere，Wharton，"hesaidtome，"hereisacuriousbusiness。
　　ThatfellowfromBlocksby'stellsmethattheLongepierreTheocritusdisappearedyesterdayafternoon；thatIwasthelastpersoninwhosehanditwasseen，andthatnotonlythemanwhoalwaysattendsintheroombutLordTarrasandMr。Wentworth，sawitinMYhandsjustbeforeitwasmissed。"
　　"Whatanuisance!"Ianswered。"YouwerelookingatitwhenMissBretonandIsawyou，andyoudidn'tnoticeus；DoesThomasknowWHEN——Imeanaboutwhato'clock——thebookwasfirstmissed？"
　　"That'stheluckypartofthewholeworry，"saidAllen。"Ilefttheroomsatthreeexactly，anditwasmissedabouttenminutestofour；dozensofpeoplemusthavehandleditinthatintervaloftime。Sointerestingabook!"
　　"But，"Isaid，andpaused——"areyousureyourwatchwasright？"
　　"Quitecertain；besides，Ilookedatachurchclock。Whyonearthdoyouask？"
　　"Because——Iamawfullysorry——thereissomeunluckymuddle；butitwasexactlyaquarter，orperhapsseventeenminutes，tofourwhenbothMissBretonandIsawyouabsorbedintheLongepierre。"
　　"Oh，it'squiteIMPOSSIBLE，"Allenanswered；"IwasfarenoughawayfromBlocksby'sataquartertofour。"
　　"That'sallright，"Isaid。"Ofcourseyoucanprovethat；ifitisnecessary；thoughIdaresaythebookhasfallenbehindarowofothers，andhasbeenfoundbythistime。Wherewereyouataquartertofour？"
　　"Ireallydon'tfeelobligedtostandacross-examinationbeforemytime，"answeredAllen，flushingalittle。ThenIrememberedthatI
　　wasengagedtolunchatAllSouls'，whichwastrueenough；
　　convenienttoo，forIdonotquiteseehowtheconversationcouldhavebeencarriedonpleasantlymuchfurther。ForIHADseenhim——
　　notadoubtaboutit。Buttherewasonecuriousthing。NexttimeImetMissBretonItoldherthestory，andsaid，"YourememberhowwesawAllen，atBlocksby's，justasweweregoingaway？"
　　"No，"shesaid，"Ididnotseehim；wherewashe？"
　　"Thenwhydidyousmile——don'tyouremember？Ilookedathimandatyou，andIthoughtyousmiled!"
　　"Because——well，IsupposebecauseYOUsmiled，"shesaid。Andthesubjectoftheconversationwaschanged。
　　Itwasanexcessivelyawkwardaffair。Itdidnotcome"beforethepublic，"except，ofcourse，intheagreeablymythicalgossipofaneveningpaper。Therewasnomorepublicscandalthanthat。Allenwasmerelyruined。ThematterwasintroducedtothenoticeoftheWardensandtheotherFellowsofSt。Jude's。WhatLordTarrassaw，whatMr。Wentworthsaw，whatIsaw，clearlyprovedthatAllenwasintheauction-rooms，andhadtheconfoundedbookinhishand，atanhourwhen，asHEasserted，hehadlefttheplaceforsometime。
　　Itwasadmittedbyoneofthepeopleemployedatthesale-roomsthatAllenhadbeennoticedhewaswellknownthereleavingthehouseatthree。Buthemusthavecomebackagain，ofcourse，asatleastfourpeoplecouldhavesworntohispresenceintheshow-roomataquartertofouro'clock。Whenhewasaskedinaprivateinterview，bytheHeadofhisCollege，tosaywherehewentafterleavingBlocksby'sAllenrefusedtoanswer。Hemerelysaidthathecouldnotprovethefacts；thathisownwordwouldnotbetakenagainstthatofsomanyunprejudicedandevenfriendlywitnesses。
　　Hesimplythrewupthegame。Heresignedhisfellowship；hetookhisnameoffthebooks；hedisappeared。
　　Therewasagooddealoftalk；peoplespokeabouttheunscrupulousnessofcollectors，andrepeatedoldanecdotesonthatsubject。Thenthebusinesswasforgotten。Next，inayear'stimeorso，thebook——theconfoundedLongepierre'sTheocritus——wasfoundinapawnbroker'sshop。Thehistoryofitsadventureswastracedbeyondashadowofdoubt。Ithadbeenveryadroitlystolen，anddisposedof，byanotoriousbook-thief，agentlemanbybirth——nowdead，butwellremembered。AskMr。Quaritch!
　　Allen'sabsoluteinnocencewasthusdemonstratedbeyondcavil，thoughnobodypaidanyparticularattentiontothedemonstration。
　　AsforAllen，hehadvanished；hewasheardofnomore。
　　HewasHERE；dyinghere，besidetheblackwaveofloneLochNan。
　　Allthis，solonginthetelling，Ihadtimeenoughtothinkover，asIsatandwatchedhim，andwipedhislipswithwaterfromtheburn，clearerandsweeterthanthewateroftheloch。
　　Atlasthisfitofcoughingceased，andakindofpeacecameintohisface。
　　"Allen，mydearoldboy，"Isaid——Idon'toftenusethelanguageofaffection——"didyouneverhearthatallthatstupidstorywasclearedup；thateveryoneknowsyouareinnocent？"
　　Heonlyshookhishead；hedidnotdaretospeak，buthelookedhappier，andheputhishandinmine。
　　Isatholdinghishand，strokingit。Idon'tknowhowlongIsatthere；Ihadputmycoatandwaterproofunderhim。Hewas"wetthrough，"ofcourse；therewaslittleuseinwhatIdid。WhatcouldIdowithhim？howbringhimtoawarmanddryplace？
　　Theideaseemedtostrikehim，forhehalfroseandpointedtothelittleburnside，acrosstheloch。Aplanoccurredtome；Itorealeaffrommysketch-book，putthepaperwithpencilinhishand，andsaid，"Wheredoyoulive？Don'tspeak。Write。"
　　Hewroteinafaintscrawl，"Helpmetothatburnside。ThenIcanguideyou。"
　　IhardlyknowhowIgothimthere，for，lightashewas，IamnoHercules。However，withmanyarest，wereachedthelittledell；
　　andthenIcarriedhimupitsgreenside，andlaidhimontheheatherofthemoor。
　　Hewroteagain:
　　"Gotothatclumpofrushes——thethirdfromthelittlehillock。
　　Thenlook，butbecareful。Thenliftthebiggrasstussock。"
　　ThespotwhichAllenindicatedwasonthesideofarathersteepgrassyslope。Iapproachedit，draggedatthetussockofgrass，whichcameawayeasilyenough，andrevealedtheentrancetonomoreromantichiding-placethananoldsecretwhiskey"still。"Privatestills，notuncommoninSutherlandandsomeothernorthernshires，areextinctinGalloway。Allenhadprobablyfoundthisonebyaccidentinhiswanderings，andinhishalf-insanebitternessagainstmankindhadmadeit，forsometimeatleast，hishome。Thesmoke-blackenedwalls，therecesseswheretheworm-tubandthestillnowstood，allplainlyenoughbetrayedtheoriginaluserofthehiding-place。Therewasalowbedstead，ashelfortwo，whereonlayafewbooks——aShakespeare，aHomer，aWalton，Plutarch's"Lives"；verylittleelseoutofalibraryoncesorich。
　　Therewasatubofoatmeal，aheapofdrypeat，twoorthreeeggsinaplate，somebottles，akegofwhiskey，somesardine-tins，aboxwithclothes——thatwasnearlyallthe"plenishing"ofthishermitage。Itwasneverlikelytobediscovered，exceptbythesmoke，whentheinmatelitafire。Thelocalshepherdknewit，ofcourse，butAllenhadboughthissilence，notthatthereweremanyneighboursfortheshepherdtotattlewith。
　　Allenhadrecoveredstrengthenoughbythistimetoreachhisdenwithlittleassistance。Hemademebeatupthewhiteofoneoftheeggswithalittleturpentine，whichwasprobably，underthecircumstances，thebeststypticforhismaladywithinhisreach。I
　　lithisfireofpeats，undressedhim，puthimtobed，andmadehimascomfortableasmightbeinthedenwhichhehadchosen。ThenI
　　wentbacktotheshepherd's，sentamessengertothenearestdoctor，andprocuredakindofsledge，generallyusedfordraggingpeathome，wherein，withabundanceofblanketsforcovering，I
　　hopedtobringAllenbacktotheshepherd'scottage。
　　Nottodelayoverdetails，thiswasmanagedatlast，andtheunhappyfellowwasunderasubstantialroof。Buthewasveryill；
　　hebecamedeliriousandravedofmanythings——talkedofoldcollegeadventures，bidrecklesslyforimaginarybooks，andpractisedothereccentricitiesoffever。
　　Whenhisfeverlefthimhewasabletoconverseinaway——I
　　talking，andhescrawlingfaintlywithapencilonpaper。Itoldhimhowhischaracterhadbeencleared，howhehadbeenhuntedfor，advertisedfor，vainlyenough。Totheshepherds'cottageswherehehadlivedtillthebeginningofthatsummer，newspapersrarelycame；tohisdenintheoldsecretstill，ofcoursetheynevercameatall。
　　Hisownstoryofwhathehadbeendoingatthefatalhourwhensomanypeoplesawhimattheauction-roomswasbrief。Hehadlefttherooms，ashesaid，atthreeo'clock，ponderinghowhemightraisemoneyforthebookonwhichhisheartwasset。Hisfeethadtakenhim，halfunconsciously，toadismalcourt，PlaceofIsraeliteresort，wheredweltanddealtoneIsaacs，fromwhomhehad，atvarioustimes，borrowedmoneyonusury。ThenameofIsaacswasoverabell，oneofmanyatthedoor，and，whenthebellwasrung，thestreetdoor"openedofhisownaccord，"likethatofthelittletobacco-and-talkclubwhichusedtoexistinanalleyoffPallMall。Allenrangthebell，theouterdooropened，and，ashewasstandingatthedoorofIsaacs'chambers，beforehehadknocked，THATportalalsoopened，andtheoffice-boy，ayoungJew，slunkcautiouslyout。OnseeingAllen，hehadseemedatoncesurprisedandalarmed。Allenaskedifhismasterwasin；theladanswered"No"inahesitatingway；butonsecondthoughts，averredthatIsaacs"wouldbebackimmediately，"andrequestedAllentogoinandwait。Hedidso，butIsaacsnevercame，andAllenfellasleep。
　　Hehadaverydistinctandsingulardream，hesaid，ofbeinginMessrs。Blocksy'srooms，ofhandlingtheLongepierre，andofseeingWentworththere，andLordTarras。Whenhewakenedhewasverycold，and，ofcourse，itwaspitchdark。Hedidnotrememberwherehewas；helitamatchandacandleonthechimney-piece。Thenslowlyhismemorycamebacktohim，andnotonlyhismemory，buthisconsciousnessofwhathehadwhollyforgotten——namely，thatthiswasSaturday，theSabbathoftheJews，andthattherewasnotthefaintestchanceofIsaacs'arrivalathisplaceofbusiness。
　　InthesamemomenttheembarrassmentandconfusionoftheyoungIsraeliteflashedvividlyacrosshismind，andhesawthathewasinaveryawkwardposition。IfthatfairHebrewboyhadbeenrobbing，ortryingtorob，thetill，thenAllen'spositionwasseriousindeed，asherehewas，alone，atanuntimelyhour，intheoffice。Soheblewthecandleout，andwentdownthedingystairsasquietlyaspossible，tookthefirstcabhemet，drovetoPaddington，andwentuptoOxford。
　　ItisprobablethattheyoungchildofIsrael，ifhehadbeenattemptinganymischief，didnotsucceedinit。Hadtherebeenanytrouble，itislikelyenoughthathewouldhaveinvolvedAlleninthegrief。ThenAllenwouldhavebeenina，perhaps，unprecedentedposition。Hecouldhaveestablishedanalibi，asfarastheJew'saffairswent，byprovingthathehadbeenatBlocksby'satthehourwhentheboywouldtruthfullyhaveswornthathehadlethimintoIsaacs'chambers。And，asfarasthechargeagainsthimatBlocksby'swent，theevidenceoftheyoungJewwouldhavegonetoprovethathewasatIsaacs'，wherehehadnobusinesstobe，whenwesawhimatBlocksby's。But，unhappily，eachalibiwouldhavebeenalmostequallycompromising。Thedifficultyneverarose，butthereasonwhyAllenrefusedtogiveanyaccountofwhathehadbeendoing，andwherehehadbeen，atfouro'clockonthatSaturdayafternoon——arefusalthattoldsoheavilyagainsthim——isnowsufficientlyclear。Hisstatementwould，wemaybelieve，neverhavebeencorroboratedbytheyouthfulHebrew，whocertainlyhadhisownexcellentreasonsforsilence，andwhoprobablyhadcarefullyestablishedanalibiofhisownelsewhere。
　　ThetrueaccountofAllen'sappearance，orapparition，atBlocksby's，whenIandTarras，Wentworthandtheattendantrecognisedhim，andMissBretondidNOT，isthuspartoftheHistoryoftheUnexplained。AllenmighthaveappealedtoprecedentsintheannalsofthePsychicalSociety，wheretheyexistinscores，andaretechnicallystyled"collectivehallucinations。"
　　Butneitherajury，norajudge，perhaps，wouldacceptthetestimonyofexpertsinPsychicalResearchifofferedinacriminaltrial，noracquitawraith。
　　Possiblythisscepticismhasneveryetinjuredthecauseofaninnocentman。YetIknow，inmyownpersonalexperience，andhaveheardfromothers，frommenofage，sagacity，andacquaintancewiththegreatestaffairs，instancesinwhichpeoplehavebeendistinctlyseenbysane，healthy，andhonourablewitnesses，inplacesandcircumstanceswhereitwasaswesay"physicallyimpossible"thattheyshouldhavebeen，andwheretheycertainlywerenotthemselvesawareofhavingbeen。Thatiswhyhumantestimonyseemstometoestablishnomore，incertaincircumstances，thanahighlyprobableworkinghypothesis——ahypothesisonwhich，ofcourse，weareboundtoact。
　　Thereislittlemoretotell。Bydintofcarefulnursing，poorAllenwasenabledtotravel；hereachedMentone，andtherethemistralendedhim。Hewasalonelyman，withnokinsfolk；hischaracterwasclearedamongthepeoplewhoknewhimbest；theothershaveforgottenhim。Nobodycanbeinjuredbythisexplanationofhissilencewhencalledontoprovehisinnocence，andofhisunusuallysuccessfulvanishingfromasocietywhichhadnevertriedveryhardtodiscoverhiminhisretreat。Hehaslivedandsufferedanddied，andleftbehindhimlittlebutanincidentintheHistoryoftheUnexplained。
　　THECOMPLETEBUNGLER
　　SCENEI——HAMPSHIRE
　　PISCATORANGLUS。PISCATORSCOTUS
　　Scotus——Well，nowlet'sgotoyoursportofangling。Where，Master，isyourriver？
　　Anglus——Marry，'tishere；markyou，thisisthefamousTest。
　　Scotus——What，Master，thisdryditch？Therebescarcethreeinchesofwaterinit。
　　Anglus——Patience，Scholar，thewaterisinthemeadows，orMasterOakley，themiller，isholdingitup。Nay，letuswaitheresomehourorsotillthewateristurnedon。Orperchance，Scholar，forthematteroffiveshillings，MasterOakleywillevenraisehishatches，anyouhaveacrownaboutyou。
　　Scotus——Ilikenottopartwithmysubstance，but，asneedsmust，here，Master，isthecoin。
　　[ExitANGLUStotheMill。Hereturns。
　　Anglus——Now，Scholar，saidInotso？Thewateristurnedonagain，and，loyou，atthetailofyonderstream，afairtroutisrising。Youshallseeatouchofourcraft。
　　[ANGLUScrawlsonhisbellyintoatuftofnettles，wherehekneelsandflickshisflyforabouttenminutes。
　　Anglus——Alas，hehasceasedrising，andIamgrievouslyentangledinthesenettles。Come，Scholar，butwarily，lestyefrightmyfish，andnow，disentanglemyhook。
　　Scotus——Hereisyourhook，but，marry，myfingerstingleshrewdlywiththenettles；alsoImarkedthefishhastingupstream。
　　Anglus——Nay，come，weshallevenlookforanother。
　　Scotus——Oh，Master，whatisthis？Thatwhichbutnowwasdryditchispresentlysaladbowl!Markyouhowthegreenvegetablescoverthewaters!Weshallhavenosport。
　　Anglus——Patience，Scholar；'tisbutMasterHedgely'smen，cuttingtheweedsabove。Wemayrestussomehourortwo，tilltheygoby。
　　Or，perchance，foramatteroffiveshillings-
　　Scotus——Nay，Master，thisEnglishanglingisovercostly。Therentofyourditchishigh，theexpensesoftravelareburdensome。
　　IncrawlingthroughyournettlesandthistlesIhavescratchedmyface，andtornmyraiment，andIwillnotpaythelabourertoceaselabouringinhisindustry。
　　Anglus——Whythen，pazienza，Scholar，orlistenwhileIsingthatsweetdittyofcountrycontentmentandanangler'slife，writbyworthyMasterHacklelongago。
　　SONG
　　TheAnglerhathajollylifeWhobytherailrunsdown，Andleaveshisbusinessandhiswife，Andallthedinoftown。
　　Thewinddownstreamisblowingstraight，Andnowherecastcanhe；
　　Thenlo，hedothbutsitandwaitInkindlycompany。
　　Orelsementurnthewateroff，Orfolkbecuttingweed，Whilehedothatmisfortunescoff，Fromeverytroublefreed。
　　Orelsehewaitethforarise，Andne'erarisemaysee；
　　Forwhy，therearenotanyfliesTobearhimcompany。
　　Or，ifhemarkarisingtrout，Hestraightwayiscaughtup，Andthenhetakeshisflasketout，Anddrinksarousingcup。
　　Orifatrouthechancetohook，Weededandbrokeishe，AndthenbefindsagoodlybookInstructivecompany。
　　Whatthinkyouofmysong，Scholar？'Tischoicelymusical。What，heisgone!ApestonthoseNortherners；theyhavenomanners。
　　Now，methinksIdorememberatroutcalledGeorge，aheavyfellowthatlieseverunderthearchofyonderbridge，wherethereisshelterfromthewind。HoforGeorge!
　　[Exitsinging。
　　SCENEII——ABRIDGE
　　EnterANGLUS
　　Anglus——NowtocreeplikeyourIndianofVirginiaontheprey，andangleforGeorge。I'faith，heisalustytrout；manyagoodWickhamhaveIlostinGeorge。
　　[Heensconceshimselfinthemiddleofathornbush。
　　Anglus——Thereheis，Imarkhisbigbackfin。Nowspeedme，St。
　　Peter，patronofallhonestanglers!Butfirsttodrymyfly!
　　[Heflickshisflyfortenminutes。EnterBOYonBridge。ANGLUS
　　makeshiscast，tooshort。BOYheavesagreatstonefromtheBridge。ExitGEORGE。ExitBOY。
　　Anglus——Oh，Mass!verilytheanglerhadneedofpatience!Yonderboyhathspoiledmysport，andwereitnotthatswearingfrightsthefish，Icouldfinditinmyhearttosayanoathortwain。
　　But，ha，herecometheswallows，hawkinglowonthestream。Now，werebutmyScholarhere，Icouldimparttohimmuchhonestloreconcerningtheswallow，andotherbirds。Butwhereshehawks，thereflymustbe，andfishwillrise，and，lookyou，Idomarkthetroutfeedinginyonderfordbelowtheplankbridge。
　　[ANGLUSstealsoff，andgingerlytakesuphisposition。
　　Anglus——Marry，thatisagoodtroutundertheburdock!
　　[Heiscaughtupintheburdock，andbreakshistackle。
　　Anglus——Nowtoknotafreshcast。Marry，buttheyarefeedinggaily!Howkindlyistheangler'slife；heharmethnofishthatswims，yettheSpectatordeemethoursacruelsport。Ah，goodMasterTownsendandlearnedMasterHutton，littleyewotofourcountrycontents。So，Iamreadyagain，andthisWhitchurchdunwillbeguileyonderfish，Idoubtnot。Marry，howthickthefliescome，andhowthefishdorevelinthismercifulprovenderthatHeavensendeth!VerilyIknownotatwhichofthesegreatfellowstomakemyessay。
　　[Entertwenty-fourcallowyoungducks，swimmingupstream。Theduckschevytheflies，takingthemoutoftheverymouthsofthetrout。
　　Anglus——Oh，mercy。Ihavehookedayoungduck!Whereismylanding-net？Nay，Ihaveleftitunderyonderelm!
　　[Hestruggleswiththeyoungduck。BytheconclusionofthefraytheRiseisover。
　　Anglus——Ihavesavedmyfly，butlo，thetrouthaveceasedtofeed，andwillrisenomoretillaftersunset。Well，"amerryheartgoesalltheway!"Andlo，herecomesmyScholar。Ho，runaway，howhaveyousped？
　　Scotus——Notill。Herebemyspoils，greatones；buthowfaint-
　　heartedareyoursoutherntrout!
　　Anglus——Thatfatfellowisagoodthreepoundsbythescales。
　　But，Scholar，withwhatflycaughtyethese，andwhere？
　　Scotus——Marry，Master，inaMill-tail，wherethewaterlaggednot，butranfreeasitdothinbonnyScotland；norwithnoflydidI
　　griphim，butwithanartificialpenk，orminnow。Itwasmadebyahandsomewomanthathadafinehand，andwroughtforMasterBrown，ofAberdeen。Themould，orbodyoftheminnow，isofparchment，methinks，andhehathfinsofcopper，allsocuriouslydissembledthatitwillbeguileanysharp-sightedtroutinaswiftstream。
　　MencallitaPhantom，Master；wiltthounottrymyPhantom？
　　Anglus——Begone，sirrah。Itooktheeforanangler，andthouartbutapoachingknave!
　　Scotus——Knavethyself!Iwillbreakthyhead!
　　Anglus——Softly，Scholar。HerecomesgoodMasterHedgely，whowillseefairplay。Nowliethere，mycoat，andhaveatyou!
　　[Theyfight，SCOTUSisknockeddown。
　　Anglus——Half-minutetime!Timeisup!MasterHedgely，inmydryflyboxthouwiltfindalittlespongeformoisteningofmycastinglines。Wiltthou，ofthycourtesy，throwitupformyScholar？
　　Andnow，Scholar，trustme，thyguardistoolow。Ihopethoubearestnomalice。
　　Scotus——None，Master。But，lo!Iamanhungered；wiltthoutastemycates？HereIhavebreadslicesandmarmaladeofDundee。Thisfishingismarvelloushungrywork。
　　Anglus——GladlywillIfallto，butfirstsaymeagrace——
　　Benedictusbenedicat!Whereisthineusquebaugh？Marry，'tistherightTalisker!
　　Scotus——Andnow，Master，whereforewertthouwrothwithme？Camewenotforthtocatchfish？
　　Anglus——Nay，marry，Scholar，bynomeanstocatchfish，buttofishwiththedryfly。Nowthis，humanlyspeaking，isimpossible；
　　nathelessitisraresport。Butforyourfish，astheywereillcomeby，letusevengivethemtogoodMasterHedgelyhere，andsobemerrytillthesedgescomeoninthelatetwilight。And，trustme，thisistherarestfishing，andthepeacefulest；onlyseethatthoufishnotwiththewetfly，forthatisAnathema。Soshallwehavelightconsciences。
　　Scotus——Andlightbaskets!
　　Anglus——Ay，itmaybeso。
　　Footnotes:
　　{1}Tootrue，alas!
　　{2}Itshouldbeaddedthatlargetrout，uptosixpounds，aresometimestaken。Oneboatmanassuredmethathehadcaughttwothree-poundersatonecast。
　　{3}FrommotivesofdelicacyIsuppressthetruenameoftheriver。
　　{4}Afterthispaperwasinprint，ananglerwasactuallydrownedwhileengagedinplayingasalmon。Thisunfortunatecircumstancefollowed，anddidnotsuggestthecompositionofthestory。
　　End