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，andpulledinwithTomCorbinCubaTomperchedinthebow，andouryoungmanMr。EdgarByrnewashisnameonthisearthwhichknowshimnomoresittinginthesternsheets。
　　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，andthehangingyellowcheeksoftheotherthestillone，whoseheadtrembledwouldhavebeenlaughableifthesightoftheirdreadfulphysicaldegradationhadnotbeenappallingtoone'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。ThegirlByrnewascertainshewasacasualgipsyadmittedthereforsomereasonorothersatonthehearthstoneintheglowoftheembers。
　　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，theundauntedTomhehadseemedtohiminvincible，helpedtoparalysehisfaculties，addedtohisdespair。