MYVISITOR
THEREaresomeeventsofwhicheachcircumstanceandsurroundingdetailseemstobegravenonthememoryinsuchfashionthatwecannotforgetit，andsoitiswiththescenethatIamabouttodescribe。Itrisesasclearlybeforemymindatthismomentasthoughithadhappenedyesterday。
ItwasinthisverymonthsomethingovertwentyyearsagothatI，LudwigHoraceHolly，wassittingonenightinmyroomsatCambridge，grindingawayatsomemathematicalwork，Iforgetwhat。Iwastogoupformyfellowshipwithinaweek，andwasexpectedbymytutorandmycollegegenerallytodistinguishmyself。
Atlast，weariedout，Iflungmybookdown，and，goingtothemantelpiece，tookdownapipeandfilledit。
Therewasacandleburningonthemantelpiece，andalong，narrowglassatthebackofit;andasIwasintheactoflightingthepipeIcaughtsightofmyowncountenanceintheglassandpausedtoreflect。Thelightedmatchburnedawaytillitscorchedmyfingersforcingmetodropit;butstillstoodandIstaredatmyselfintheandreflected。
“Well，“Isaidaloud，atlast，“itistobehopedthatIshallbeabletodosomethingwiththeinsideofmyhead，forIshallcertainlyneverdoanythingbythehelpoftheoutside。”
Thisremarkwilldoubtlessstrikeanybodywhoreadsitasbeingslightlyobscure，butIwasinrealityalludingtomyphysicaldeficiencies。Mostmenoftwenty-twoareendowedatanyratewithsomeshareofthecomelinessofyouth，buttomeeventhiswasdenied。Short，thick-set，anddeep-chestedalmosttodeformity，withlong，sinewyarms，heavyfeatures，deep-setgrayeyes，alowbrowhalfovergrownwithamopofthickblackhair，likeadesertedclearingonwhichtheforesthadoncemorebeguntoencroach;suchwasmyappearancenearlyaquarterofacenturyago，andsuch，withsomemodification，isittothisday。
LikeCain，Iwasbranded——brandedbynaturewiththestampofabnormalugliness，asIwasgiftedbynaturewithironandabnormalstrengthandconsiderableintellectualpowers。SouglywasIthatthespruceyoungmenofmycollege，thoughtheywereproudenoughofmyfeatsofenduranceandphysicalprowess，didnotevencaretobeseenwalkingwithme。WasitwonderfulthatIwasmisanthropicandsullen？WasitwonderfulthatIbroodedandworkedalone，andhadnofriends——
atleast，onlyone？IwassetapartbyNaturetolivealone，anddrawcomfortfromherbreast，andhersonly。Womenhatedthesightofme。OnlyaweekbeforeIhadheardonecallmea“monster“whenshethoughtI
wasoutofhearing，andsaythatIhadconvertedhertothemonkeytheory。Once，indeed，awomanpretendedtocareforme，andIlavishedallthepent-upaffectionofmynatureuponher。Thenmoneythatwastohavecometomewentelsewhere，andshediscardedme。IpleadedwithherasIhaveneverpleadedwithanylivingcreaturebeforeorsince，forIwascaughtbyhersweetface，andlovedher;andintheendbywayofanswershetookmetotheglass，andstoodsidebysidewithme，andlookedintoit。
“Now，“shesaid，“ifIamBeauty，whoareyou？”ThatwaswhenIwasonlytwenty。
AndsoIstoodandstared，andfeltasortofgrimsatisfactioninthesenseofmyownloneliness;forI
hadneitherfather，normother，norbrother;andasI
didsotherecameaknockatmydoor。
IlistenedbeforeIwenttoopenit，foritwasnearlytwelveo’clockatnight，andIwasinnomoodtoadmitanystranger。Ihadbutonefriendinthecollege，or，indeed，intheworld-perhapsitwashe。
Justthenthepersonoutsidethedoorcoughed，andI
hastenedtoopenit，forIknewthecough。
Atallmanofaboutthirty，withtheremainsofgreatpersonalbeauty，camehurryingin，staggeringbeneaththeweightofamassiveironboxwhichhecarriedbyahandlewithhisrighthand。Heplacedtheboxuponthetable，andthenfellintoanawfulfit。ofcoughing。
Hecoughedandcoughedtillhisfacebecamequitepurple，andatlasthesankintoachairandbegantospitupblood。Ipouredoutsomewhiskeyintoatumbler，andgaveittohim。Hedrankit，andseemedbetter;thoughhisbetterwasverybadindeed。
“Whydidyoukeepmestandingthereinthecold？”heasked，pettishly。“Youknowthedraughtsaredeathtome。”
“Ididnotknowwhoitwas，“Ianswered。“Youarealatevisitor。”
“Yes;andIverilybelieveitismylastvisit，“heanswered，withaghastlyattemptatasmile。“Iamdonefor，Holly，Iamdonefor。IdonotbelievethatIshallseeto-morrow！”
“Nonsense！”Isaid。“Letmegoforadoctor。”
Hewavedmebackimperiouslywithhishand。“Itissobersense;butIwantnodoctors。Ihavestudiedmedicine，andIknowallaboutit。Nodoctorscanhelpme。Mylasthourhascome！ForayearpastIhaveonlylivedbyamiracle。Nowlistentomeasyouneverlistenedtoanybodybefore;foryouwillnothavetheopportunityofgettingmetorepeatmywords。Wehavebeenfriendsfortwoyears;nowtellmehowmuchdoyouknowaboutme？”
“Iknowthatyouarerich，andhavehadafancytocometocollegelongaftertheagethatmostmenleaveit。Iknowthatyouhavebeenmarried，andthatyourwifedied;andthatyouhavebeenthebest，indeedalmosttheonlyfriendIeverhad。”
“DidyouknowthatIhaveason？”
“No。”
“Ihave。Heisfiveyearsold。Hecostmehismother’slife，andIhaveneverbeenabletobeartolookuponhisfaceinconsequence。Holly，ifyouwillacceptthetrust，Iamgoingtoleaveyouthatboy’ssoleguardian。”
Isprangalmostoutofmychair。
“Me！”Isaid。
“Yes，you。Ihavenotstudiedyoufortwoyearsfornothing。IhaveknownforsometimethatIcouldnotlast，andsinceIrealizedthefactIhavebeensearchingforsomeonetowhomIcouldconfidetheboyandthis，“andhetappedtheironbox。“Youaretheman，Holly;for，likearuggedtree，youarehardandsoundatcore。Listen;theboywillbetheonlyrepresentativeofoneofthemostancientfamiliesintheworld，thatis，sofarasfamiliescanbetraced。
YouwilllaughatmewhenIsayit，butonedayitwillbeprovedtoyoubeyondadoubt，thatmysixty-
fifthorsixty-sixthlinealancestorwasanEgyptianpriestofIsis，thoughhewashimselfofGrecianextraction，andwascalledKallikrates。HisfatherwasoneoftheGreekmercenariesraisedbyHak-Hor，aMendesianPharaohofthetwenty-ninthdynasty，andhisgrandfather，Ibelieve，wasthatveryKallikratesmentionedbyHerodotus。Inorabouttheyear339
beforeChrist，justatthetimeofthefinalfallofthePharaohs，thisKallikratesthepriestbrokehisvowsofcelibacyandfledfromEgyptwithaprincessofroyalbloodwhohadfalleninlovewithhim，andwasfinallywreckeduponthecoastofAfrica，somewhere，asIbelieve，intheneighbourhoodofwhereDelagoaBaynowis，orrathertothenorthofit，heandhiswifebeingsaved，andalltheremainderoftheircompanydestroyedinonewayoranother。Heretheyenduredgreathardships，butwereatlastentertainedbythemightyqueenofasavagepeople，awhitewomanofpeculiarloveliness，who，undercircumstanceswhichIcannotenterinto，butwhichyouwillonedaylearntifyoulive，fromthecontentsofthebox，finallymurderedmyancestor，Kallikrates。
Hiswife，however，escaped，howIknownot，toAthens，bearingachildwithher，whomshenamedTisisthenes，ortheMightyAvenger。FivehundredyearsormoreafterwardsthefamilymigratedtoRomeundercircumstancesofwhichnotraceremains，andhere，probablywiththeideaofpreservingtheideaofvengeancewhichwefindsetoutinthenameofTisisthenes，theyappeartohaveprettyregularlyassumedthecognomenofVindex，orAvenger。Here，too，theyremainedforanotherfivecenturiesormore，tillabout770A。D。whenCharlemagneinvadedLombardy，wheretheywerethensettled，whereontheheadofthefamilyseemstohaveattachedhimselftothegreatEmperor，andtohavereturnedwithhimacrosstheAlps，andfinallytohavesettledinBrittany。EightgenerationslaterhislinealrepresentativecrossedtoEnglandinthereignofEdwardtheConfessor，andinthetimeofWilliamtheConquerorwasadvancedtogreathonorandpower。FromthattimetillthepresentdayIcantracemydescentwithoutabreak。NotthattheVinceys——forthatwasthefinalcorruptionofthenameafteritsbearerstookrootinEnglishsoil——havebeenparticularlydistinguished——theynevercamemuchtothefore。Sometimestheyweresoldiers，sometimesmerchants，butonthewholetheyhavepreservedadeadlevelofrespectability，andastilldeaderlevelofmediocrity。FromthetimeofCharlesII。tillthebeginningofthepresentcenturytheyweremerchants。
About1790mygrandfathermadeaconsiderablefortuneoutofbrewing，andretired。In1821hedied，andmyfathersucceededhim，anddissipatedmostofthemoney。Tenyearsagohediedalso，leavingmeanetincomeofabouttwothousandayear。ThenitwasthatIundertookanexpeditioninconnectionwiththat，“
andhepointedtotheironchest，“whichendeddisastrouslyenough。OnmywaybackItraveledintheSouthofEurope，andfinallyreachedAthens。ThereI
metmybelovedwife，whomightwellalsohavebeencalledthe’Beautiful’，likemyoldGreekancestor。
ThereImarriedher，andthere，ayearafterwards，whenmyboywasborn，shedied。”
Hepausedawhile，hisheadsankuponhishand，andthencontinued，“MymarriagehaddivertedmefromaprojectwhichI
cannotenterintonow。Ihavenotime，Holly——Ihavenotime！Oneday，ifyouacceptmytrust，youwilllearnallaboutit。Aftermywife’sdeathIturnedmymindtoitagain。Butfirstitwasnecessary，or，atleast，Iconceivedthatitwasnecessary，thatI
shouldattaintoaperfectknowledgeofEasterndialects，especiallyArabic。ItwastofacilitatemystudiesthatIcamehere。Verysoon，however，mydiseasedevelopeditself，andnowthereisanendofme。”And，asthoughtoemphasizehiswords，heburstintoanotherterriblefitofcoughing。
Igavehimsomemorewhiskey，andafterrestinghewenton，“Ihaveneverseenmyboy，Leo，sincehewasatinybaby。Inevercouldbeartoseehim，buttheytellmethatheisaquickandhandsomechild。Inthisenvelope，“andheproducedaletterfromhispocketaddressedtomyself，“IhavejotteddownthecourseI
wishfollowedintheboy’seducation。Itisasomewhatpeculiarone。Atanyrate，Icouldnotintrustittoastranger。Oncemore，willyouundertakeit？”
“ImustfirstknowwhatIamtoundertake，“I
answered。
“Youaretoundertaketohavetheboy，Leo，tolivewithyoutillheistwenty-fiveyearsofage——nottosendhimtoschool，remember。Onhistwenty-fifthbirthdayyourguardianshipwillend，andyouwillthen，withthekeysthatIgiveyounow“andheplacedthemonthetable，“opentheironbox，andlethimseeandreadthecontents，andsaywhetherornotheiswillingtoundertakethequest。Thereisnoobligationonhimtodoso。Now，asregardsterms。Mypresentincomeistwothousandtwohundredayear。
HalfofthatincomeIhavesecuredtoyoubywillforlifecontingentlyonyourundertakingtheguardianship——thatis，onethousandayearremunerationtoyourself，foryouwillhavetogiveupyourlifetoit，andonehundredayeartopayfortheboardoftheboy。TherestistoaccumulatetillLeoistwenty-five，sothattheremaybeasuminhandshouldhewishtoundertakethequestofwhichI
spoke。”
“AndsupposeIweretodie？”Iasked。
“ThentheboymustbecomeawardofChanceryandtakehischance。Onlybecarefulthattheironchestispassedontohimbyyourwill。Listen，Holly，don’trefuseme。Believeme，thisistoyouradvantage。Youarenotfittomixwiththeworld——itwouldonlyembitteryou。InafewweeksyouwillbecomeaFellowofyourCollege，andtheincomethatyouwillderivefromthatcombinedwithwhatIhaveleftyouwillenableyoutolivealifeoflearnedleisure，alternatedwiththesportofwhichyouaresofond，suchaswillexactlysuityou。”
Hepausedandlookedatmeanxiously，butIstillhesitated。Thechargeseemedsoverystrange。
“Formysake，Holly。Wehavebeengoodfriends，andI
havenotimetomakeotherarrangements。”
“Verywell，“Isaid，“Iwilldoit，providedthereisnothinginthispapertomakemechangemymind，“andItouchedtheenvelopehehadputuponthetablebythekeys。
“Thankyou，Holly，thankyou。Thereisnothingatall。
SweartomebyGodthatyouwillbeafathertotheboy，andfollowmydirectionstotheletter。”
“Iswearit，“Ianswered，solemnly。
“Verywell，rememberthatperhapsonedayIshallaskfortheaccountofyouroath，forthoughIamdeadandforgotten，yetshallIlive。Thereisnosuchthingasdeath，Holly，onlyachange，and，asyoumayperhapslearnintimetocome，Ibelievethatevenherethatchangecouldundercertaincircumstancesbeindefinitelypostponed，“andagainhebrokeintooneofhisdreadfulfitsofcoughing。
“There，“hesaid，“Imustgo;youhavethechest，andmywillwillbefoundamongmypapers，undertheauthorityofwhichthechildwillbehandedovertoyou。Youwillbewellpaid，Holly，andIknowthatyouarehonest，butifyoubetraymytrust，byHeaven，I
willhauntyou！”
Isaidnothing，being，indeed，toobewilderedtospeak。
Heheldupthecandle，andlookedathisownfaceintheglass，Ithadbeenabeautifulface，butdiseasehadwreckedit。“Foodfortheworms，“hesaid。
“CurioustothinkthatinafewhoursIshallbestiffandcold——thejourneydone，thelittlegameplayedout。Ahme，Holly！lifeisnotworththetroubleoflife，exceptwhenoneisinlove——atleast，minehasnotbeen;buttheboyLeo’smaybeifhehasthecourageandthefaith。Good-bye，myfriend！”andwithasuddenexcessoftendernessheflunghisarmaboutmeandkissedmeontheforehead，andthenturnedtogo：
“Lookhere，Vincey，“Isaid，“ifyouareasillasyouthink，youhadbetterletmefetchadoctor。”
“No，no，“hesaid，earnestly。“Promisemethatyouwon’t。Iamgoingtodie，and，likeapoisonedrat，I
wishtodiealone。”
“Idon’tbelievethatyouaregoingtodoanythingofthesort，“Ianswered。Hesmiled，and，withtheword“Remember“onhislips，wasgone。Asformyself，Isatdownandrubbedmyeyes，wonderingifIhadbeenasleep。Asthissuppositionwouldnotbearinvestigation，Igaveitup，andbegantothinkthatVinceymusthavebeendrinking。Iknewthathewas，andhadbeen，veryill，butstillitseemedimpossiblethathecouldbeinsuchaconditionastobeabletoknowforcertainthathewouldnotoutlivethenight。
Hadhebeensoneardissolutionsurelyhewouldscarcelyhavebeenabletowalk，andcarryaheavyironboxwithhim。Thewholestory，onreflection，seemedtomeutterlyincredible，forIwasnotthenoldenoughtobeawarehowmanythingshappeninthisworldthatthecommonsenseoftheaveragemanwouldsetdownassoimprobableastobeabsolutelyimpossible。ThisisafactthatIhaveonlyrecentlymastered。Wasitlikelythatamanwouldhaveasonfiveyearsofagewhomhehadneverseensincehewasatinyinfant？No。Wasitlikelythathecouldforetellhisowndeathsoaccurately？No。WasitlikelythathecouldtracehispedigreeformorethanthreecenturiesbeforeChristorthathewouldsuddenlyconfidetheabsoluteguardianshipofhischild，andleavehalfhisfortune，toacollegefriend？Mostcertainlynot。ClearlyVinceywaseitherdrunkormad。Thatbeingso，whatdiditmean？andwhatwasinthesealedironchest？
ThewholethingbaffledandpuzzledmetosuchanextentthatatlastIcouldstanditnolonger，anddeterminedtosleepoverit，SoIjumpedup，andhavingputthekeysandtheletterthatVinceyhadleftawayintomydespatch-box，andstowedtheironchestinalargeportmanteau，Iturnedin，andwassoonfastasleep。
Asitseemedtome，IhadonlybeenasleepforafewminuteswhenIwasawakenedbysomebodycallingme。I
satupandrubbedmyeyes;itwasbroaddaylight——
eighto’clock，infact。
“Why，whatisthematterwithyou，John？”IaskedofthegypwhowaitedonVinceyandmyself。“Youlookasthoughyouhadseenaghost！”’
“Yes，sir，andsoIhave，“heanswered，“leastwaysI’veseenacorpse，whichisworse。I’vebeenintocallMr。Vincey，asusual，andthereheliesstarkanddead！”
CHAPTERII——
THEYEARSROLLBY
OFcourse，poorVincey’ssuddendeathcreatedagreatstirinthecollege;but，ashewasknowntobeveryill，andasatisfactorydoctor’scertificatewasforthcoming，therewasnoinquest。Theywerenotsoparticularaboutinquestsinthosedaysastheyarenow;indeed，theyweregenerallydisliked，ascausingascandal。Underallthesecircumstances，asIwasaskednoquestions，IdidnotfeelcalledupontovolunteeranyinformationaboutourinterviewofthenightofVincey’sdecease，beyondsayingthathehadcomeintomyroomstoseeme，asheoftendid。OnthedayofthefuneralalawyercamedownfromLondonandfollowedmypoorfriend’sremainstothegrave，andthenwentbackwithhispapersandeffects，except，ofcourse，theironchestwhichhadbeenleftinmykeeping。ForaweekafterthisIheardnomoreofthematter，and，indeed，myattentionwasamplyoccupiedinotherways，forIwasupformyFellowship，afactthathadpreventedmefromattendingthefuneralorseeingthelawyer。Atlast，however，theexaminationwasover，andIcamebacktomyroomsandsankintoaneasy-chairwithahappyconsciousnessthatIhadgotthroughitveryfairly。
Soon，however，mythoughts，relievedofthepressurethathadcrushedthemintoasinglegrooveduringthelastfewdays，turnedtotheeventsofthenightofpoorVincey’sdeath，andagainIaskedmyselfwhatitallmeant，andwonderedifIshouldhearanythingmoreofthematter，andifIdidnot，whatitwouldbemydutytodowiththecuriousironchest。IsatthereandthoughtandthoughttillIbegantogrowquitedisturbedoverthewholeoccurrence：themysteriousmidnightvisit，theprophecyofdeathsoshortlytobefulfilled，thesolemnoaththatIhadtaken，andwhichVinceyhadcalledonmetoanswertoinanotherworldthanthis。Hadthemancommittedsuicide？Itlookedlikeit。Andwhatwasthequestofwhichhespoke？Thecircumstanceswerealmostuncanny，somuchsothat，thoughIambynomeansnervous，orapttobealarmedatanythingthatmayseemtocrosstheboundsofthenatural，Igrewafraid，andbegantowishIhadhadnothingtodowithit。HowmuchmoredoIwishitnow，overtwentyyearsafterwards！
AsIsatandthought，therewasaknockatthedoor，andaletter，inabigblueenvelope，wasbroughtintome。Isawataglancethatitwasalawyer’sletter，andaninstincttoldmethatitwasconnectedwithmytrust。Theletter，which，Istillhave，runsthus：
“Sir，——Ourclient，thelateM。L。Vincey，Esq。whodiedonthe9thinstantin——College，Cambridge，hasleftbehindhimawill，ofwhichyouwillpleasefindcopyenclosed，andofwhichwearetheexecutors。Bythiswillyouwillperceivethatyoutakealife-
interestinabouthalfofthelateMr。Vincey’sproperty，nowinvestedinconsols，subjecttoyouracceptanceoftheguardianshipofhisonlyson，LeoVincey，atpresentaninfant，agedfive。HadwenotourselvesdrawnupthedocumentinquestioninobediencetoMr。Vincey’sclearandpreciseinstructions，bothpersonalandwritten，andhadhenotthenassuredusthathehadverygoodreasonsforwhathewasdoing，weareboundtotellyouthatitsprovisionsseemtousofsounusualanaturethatweshouldhavefeltboundtocalltheattentionoftheCourtofChancerytothem，inorderthatsuchstepsmightbetakenasseemeddesirabletoit，eitherbycontestingthecapacityofthetestatororotherwise，tosafeguardtheinterestsoftheinfant。Asitis，knowingthatthetestatorwasagentlemanofthehighestintelligenceandacumen，andthathehasabsolutelynorelationslivingtowhomhecouldhaveconfidedtheguardianshipofthechild，wedonotfeeljustifiedintakingthiscourse。
“Awaitingsuchinstructionsasyoupleasetosendusasregardsthedeliveryoftheinfantandthepaymentoftheproportionofthedividendsduetoyou，“Weremain，sir，faithfullyyours，“GEOFFREY&JORDAN。”
Iputdowntheletter，andranmyeyethroughthewill，whichappeared，fromitsutterunintelligibility，tohavebeendrawnonthestrictestlegalprinciples。SofarasIcoulddiscover，however，itexactlyboreoutwhatmyfriendhadtoldmeonthenightofhisdeath。Soitwastrueafterall。Imusttaketheboy。SuddenlyIrememberedtheletterwhichhehadleftwiththechest。Ifetcheditandopenedit。ItonlycontainedsuchdirectionsashehadalreadygiventomeastoopeningthechestonLeo’stwenty-fifthbirthday，andlaiddowntheoutlinesoftheboy’seducation，whichwastoincludeGreek，thehighermathematics，andArabic。Atthebottomtherewasapostscripttotheeffectthatiftheboydiedundertheageoftwenty-five，which，however，hedidnotbelievewouldbethecase，Iwastoopenthechest，andactontheinformationIobtainedifIsawfit。IfIdidnotseefit，Iwastodestroyallthecontents。Onnoaccountpassthemontoastranger。
Asthisletteraddednothingmaterialtomyknowledge，andcertainlyraisednofurtherobjectioninmymindtoundertakingthetaskIhadpromisedmydeadfriendtoundertake，therewasonlyonecourseopentome——
namely，towritetoMessrs。Geoffrey&Jordan，andexpressmyreadinesstoenteronthetrust，statingthatIshouldbewillingtocommencemyguardianshipofLeointendays’time。ThisdoneIproceededtotheauthoritiesofmycollege，and，havingtoldthemasmuchofthestoryasIconsidereddesirable，whichwasnotverymuch，afterconsiderabledifficultysucceededinpersuadingthemtostretchapoint，and，intheeventofmyhavingobtainedafellowship，whichIwasprettycertainIhaddone，allowmetohavethechildtolivewithme。Theirconsent，however，wasonlygrantedontheconditionthatIvacatedmyroomsincollegeandtooklodgings。ThisIdid，andwithsomedifficultysucceededinobtainingverygoodapartmentsquiteclosetothecollegegates。Thenextthingwastofindanurse。AndonthispointIcametoadetermination。Iwouldhavenowomantolorditovermeaboutthechild，andstealhisaffectionsfromme。
Theboywasoldenoughtodowithoutfemaleassistance，soIsettoworktohuntupasuitablemaleattendant。WithsomedifficultyIsucceededinhiringamostrespectableround-facedyoungman，whohadbeenahelperinahunting-stable，butwhosaidthathewasoneofafamilyofseventeenandwellaccustomedtothewaysofchildren，andprofessedhimselfquitewillingtoundertakethechargeofMasterLeowhenhearrived。Then，havingtakentheironboxtotown，andwithmyownhandsdepositeditatmybanker’s，Iboughtsomebooksuponthehealthandmanagementofchildren，andreadthem，firsttomyself，andthenaloudtoJob——thatwastheyoungman’sname——andwaited。
Atlengththechildarrivedinthechargeofanelderlyperson，whoweptbitterlyatpartingwithhim，andabeautifulboyhewas。Indeed，IdonotthinkthatIeversawsuchaperfectchildbeforeorsince。
Hiseyesweregray，hisforeheadbroad，andhisface，evenatthatearlyage，cleancutasacameo，withoutbeingpinchedorthin。Butperhapshismostattractivepointwashishair，whichwaspuregoldincolorandtightlycurledoverhisshapelyhead。Hecriedalittlewhenhisnursefinallytoreherselfawayandlefthimwithus。NevershallIforgetthescene。
Therehestood，withthesunlightfromthewindowplayinguponhisgoldencurls，hisfistscrewedinoneeye，whilehetookusinwiththeother。Iwasseatedinachair，andstretchedoutmyhandtohimtoinducehimtocometome，whileJob，inthecorner，wasmakingasortofcluckingnoise，which，arguingfromhispreviousexperience，orfromtheanalogyofthehen，hejudgedwouldhaveasoothingeffect，andinspireconfidenceintheyouthfulmind，andrunningawoodenhorseofpeculiarhideousnessbackwardandforwardinawaythatwaslittleshortofinane。Thiswentonforsomeminutes，andthenallofasuddentheladstretchedoutbothhislittlearmsandrantome。
“Ilikeyou，“hesaid;“youisugly，butyouisgood。”
Tenminutesafterwardshewaseatinglargeslicesofbread-and-butter，witheverysignofsatisfaction;Jobwantedtoputjamontothem，butIsternlyremindedhimoftheexcellentworkswehadread，andforbadeit。
Inaverylittlewhilefor，asIexpected，Igotmyfellowshiptheboybecamethefavoriteofthewholecollege——where，allordersandregulationstothecontrarynotwithstanding，hewascontinuallyinandout——asortofcharteredlibertine，inwhosefavorallruleswererelaxed。Theofferingsmadeathisshrineweresimplywithoutnumber，andIhadaseriousdifferenceofopinionwithoneoldresidentFellow，nowlongdead，whowasusuallysupposedtobethecrustiestmanintheuniversity，andtoabhorthesightofachild。AndyetIdiscovered，whenafrequentlyrecurringfitofsicknesshadforcedJobtokeepastrictlookout，thatthisunprincipledoldmanwasinthehabitofenticingtheboytohisroomsandtherefeedinghimuponunlimitedquantitiesofbrandy-
balls，andmakinghimpromisetosaynothingaboutit。
Jobtoldhimthatheoughttobeashamedofhimself，“athisage，too，whenhemighthavebeenagrandfatherifhehaddonewhatwasright，“bywhichJobunderstoodhadgotmarried，andthencearosetherow。
ButIhavenospacetodwelluponthosedelightfulyears，aroundwhichmemorystillfondlyhovers。Onebyonetheywentby，andastheypassedwetwogrewdearerandyetmoredeartoeachother。FewsonshavebeenlovedasIloveLeo，andfewfathersknowthedeepandcontinuousaffectionthatLeobearstome。
Thechildgrewintotheboy，andtheboyintotheyoungman，asonebyonetheremorselessyearsflewby，andashegrewandincreased，sodidhisbeautyandthebeautyofhismindgrowwithhim。WhenhewasaboutfifteentheyusedtocallhimBeautyaboutthecollege，andmetheynicknamedtheBeast。BeautyandtheBeastwaswhattheycalleduswhenwewentoutwalkingtogether，asweusedtodoeveryday。OnceLeoattackedagreatstrappingbutcher’sman，twicehissize，becausehesangitoutafterus，andthrashedhim，too——thrashedhimfairly。Iwalkedonandpretendednottosee，tillthecombatgottooexciting，whenIturnedroundandcheeredhimontovictory。Itwasthechaffofthecollegeatthetime，butIcouldnothelpit。Thenwhenhewasalittleoldertheundergraduatesgotfreshnamesforus。TheycalledmeCharonandLeotheGreekgod！IwillpassovermyownappellationwiththehumbleremarkthatI
wasneverhandsome，anddidnotgrowmoresoasIgrewolder。Asforhis，therewasnodoubtaboutitsfitness。Leoattwenty-onemighthavestoodforastatueoftheyouthfulApollo。Ineversawanybodytotouchhiminlooks，oranybodysoabsolutelyunconsciousofthem。Asforhismind，hewasbrilliantandkeenwitted，butnotascholar。Hehadnotthedullnessnecessaryforthatresult。Wefollowedouthisfather’sinstructionsasregardshiseducationstrictlyenough，andonthewholetheresults，especiallysofarastheGreekandArabicwent，weresatisfactory。Ilearnedthelatterlanguageinordertohelptoteachittohim，butafterfiveyearsofitheknewitaswellasIdid——almostaswellastheprofessorwhoinstructedusboth。Ialwayswasagreatsportsman——itismyonepassion——andeveryautumnwewentawaysomewhereshootingorfishing，sometimestoScotland，sometimestoNorway，onceeventoRussia。I
amagoodshot，buteveninthishelearnedtoexcelme。
WhenLeowaseighteenImovedbackintomyrooms，andenteredhimatmyowncollege，andattwenty-onehetookhisdegree——arespectabledegree，butnotaveryhighone。ThenitwasthatI，forthefirsttime，toldhimsomethingofhisownstory，andofthemysterythatloomedahead。Ofcoursehewasverycuriousaboutit，andofcourseIexplainedtohimthathiscuriositycouldnotbegratifiedatpresent。Afterthat，topassthetimeaway，Isuggestedthatheshouldgethimselfcalledtothebar;andthishedid，readingatCambridge，andonlygoinguptoLondontoeathisdinners。
Ihadonlyonetroubleabouthim，andthatwasthateveryyoungwomanwhocameacrosshim，or，ifnoteveryone，nearlyso，wouldinsistonfallinginlovewithhim。HencearosedifficultieswhichIneednotenterintohere，thoughtheyweretroublesomeenoughatthetime。Onthewhole，hebehavedfairlywell;I
cannotsaymorethanthat。
Andsothetimewentbytillatlasthereachedhistwenty-fifthbirthday，atwhichdatethisstrangeand，insomeways，awfulhistoryreallybegins。
CHAPTERIII——
THESHERDOFAMENARTAS
ONthedayprecedingLeo’stwenty-fifthbirthdaywebothproceededtoLondon，andextractedthemysteriouschestfromthebankwhereIhaddepositedittwentyyearsbefore。Itwas，Iremember，broughtupbythesameclerkwhohadtakenitdown。Heperfectlyrememberedhavinghiddenitaway。Hadhenotdoneso，hesaid，heshouldhavehaddifficultyinfindingit，itwassocoveredupwithcobwebs。
IntheeveningwereturnedwithourpreciousburdentoCambridge，andIthinkthatwemightbothofushavegivenawayallthesleepwegotthatnightandnothavebeenmuchthepoorer。AtdaybreakLeoarrivedinmyroominadressing-gown，andsuggestedthatweshouldatonceproceedtobusiness。Iscoutedtheideaasshowinganunworthycuriosity。Thechesthadwaitedtwentyyears，Isaid，soitcouldverywellcontinuetowaituntilafterbreakfast。Accordinglyatnine——anunusuallysharpnine——webreakfasted;andsooccupiedwasIwithmyownthoughtsthatIregrettostatethatIputapieceofbaconintoLeo’steainmistakeforalumpofsugar。Job，too，towhomthecontagionofexcitementhad，ofcourse，spread，managedtobreakthehandleoffmySe`vreschinatea-cup，theidenticaloneIbelievethatMarathadbeendrinkingfromjustbeforehewasstabbedinhisbath。
Atlast，however，breakfastwasclearedaway，andJob，atmyrequest，fetchedthechest，andplacedituponthetableinasomewhatgingerlyfashion，asthoughhemistrustedit。Thenhepreparedtoleavetheroom。
“Stopamoment，Job，“Isaid。“IfMr。Leohasnoobjection，Ishouldprefertohaveanindependentwitnesstothisbusiness，whocanbereliedupontoholdhistongueunlessheisaskedtospeak。”
“Certainly，UncleHorace，“answeredLeo;forIhadbroughthimuptocallmeuncle——thoughhevariedtheappellationsomewhatdisrespectfullybycallingme“oldfellow，“oreven“myavuncularrelative。”
Jobtouchedhishead，nothavingahaton。
“Lockthedoor，Job，“Isaid，“andbringmemydespatch-box。”
Heobeyed，andfromtheboxItookthekeysthatpoorVincey，Leo’sfather，hadgivenmeonthenightofhisdeath。Therewerethreeofthem;thelargestacomparativelymodernkey，thesecondanexceedinglyancientone，andthethirdentirelyunlikeanythingofthesortthatwehadeverseenbefore，beingfashionedapparentlyfromastripofsolidsilver，withabarplacedacrosstoserveasahandle，andsomenickscutintheedgeofthebar。Itwasmorelikeamodelofsomeantediluvianrailwaykeythananythingelse。
“Now，areyoubothready？”Isaid，aspeopledowhentheyaregoingtofireamine。Therewasnoanswer，soItookthebigkey，rubbedsomesaladoilintothewards，andafteroneortwobadshots，formyhandswereshaking，managedtofitit，andshootthelock。
Leobentoverandcaughtthemassivelidinbothhishands，andwithaneffort，forthehingeshadrusted，leaneditback。Itsremovalrevealedanothercasecoveredwithdust。Thisweextractedfromtheironchestwithoutanydifficulty，andremovedtheaccumulatedfilthofyearsfromitwithaclothes-
brush。
Itwas，orappearedtobe，ofebony，orsomesuchclose-grainedblackwood，andwasboundineverydirectionwithflatbandsofiron。Itsantiquitymusthavebeenextreme，forthedense，heavywoodwasactuallyinpartscommencingtocrumbleawayfromage。
“Nowforit，“Isaid，insertingthesecondkey。
JobandLeobentforwardinbreathlesssilence。Thekeyturned，andIflungbackthelid，andutteredanexclamation，asdidtheothers;andnowonder，forinsidetheebonycasewasamagnificentsilvercasket，abouttwelveinchessquarebyeighthigh。ItappearedtobeofEgyptianworkmanship，forthefourlegswereformedofSphinxes，andthedome-shapedcoverwasalsosurmountedbyaSphinx。Thecasketwasofcoursemuchtarnishedanddintedwithage，butotherwiseinfairlysoundcondition。
Idrewitoutandsetitonthetable，andthen，inthemidstofthemostperfectsilence，Iinsertedthestrange-lookingsilverkey，andpressedthiswayandthatuntilatlastthelockyielded，andthecasketstoodopenbeforeus。Itwasfilledtothebrimwithsomebrownshreddedmaterial，morelikevegetablefibrethanpaper，thenatureofwhichIhaveneverbeenabletodiscover。ThisIcarefullyremovedtothedepthofsomethreeinches，whenIcametoaletterenclosedinanordinarymodernlookingenvelope，andaddressedinthehandwritingofmydeadfriendVincey——
“TomysonLeo，shouldhelivetoopenthiscasket。”
IhandedthelettertoLeo，whoglancedattheenvelope，andthenputitdownuponthetable，makingamotiontometogoonemptyingthecasket。
ThenextthingthatIfoundwasaparchmentcarefullyrolledup。Iunrolledit，andseeingthatitwasalsoinVincey’shandwriting，andheaded“TranslationoftheUncialGreekwritingonthePotsherd，“putitdownbytheletter。Thenfollowedanotherancientrollofparchment，thathadbecomeyellowandcrinkledwiththepassageofyears。ThisIalsounrolled。ItwaslikewiseatranslationofthesameGreekoriginal，butintoblack-letterLatinthistime，whichatthefirstglanceappearedtomefromthestyleandcharactertodatefromsomewhereaboutthebeginningofthesixteenthcentury。Immediatelybeneaththisrollwassomethinghardandheavy，wrappedupinyellowlinen，andreposinguponanother。layerofthefibrousmaterial。Slowlyandcarefullyweunrolledthelinen，exposingtoviewaverylargebutundoubtedlyancientpotsherdofadirtyyellowcolor！Thispotsherdhad，inmyjudgment，oncebeenapartofanordinaryamphoraofmediumsize。Fortherest，itmeasuredtenandahalfinchesinlengthbyseveninwidth，wasaboutaquarterofaninchthick，anddenselycoveredontheconvexsidethatlaytowardsthebottomoftheboxwithwritinginthelateruncialGreekcharacter，fadedhereandthere，butforthemostpartperfectlylegible，theinscriptionhavingevidentlybeenexecutedwiththegreatestcare，andbymeansofareedpen，suchastheancientsoftenused。Imustnotforgettomentionthatinsomeremoteagethiswonderfulfragmenthadbeenbrokenintwo，andrejoinedbymeansofcementandeightlongrivets。
Alsotherewerenumerousinscriptionsontheinnerside，butthesewereofthemosterraticcharacter，andhadclearlybeenmadebydifferenthandsandinmanydifferentages，andofthem，togetherwiththewritingsontheparchments，Ishallhavetospeakpresently。
“Isthereanythingmore？”askedLeo，inakindofexcitedwhisper。
Igropedabout，andproducedsomethinghard，doneupinalittlelinenbag。Outofthebagwetookfirstaverybeautifulminiaturedoneuponivory，and，secondly，asmallchocolatecoloredcompositionscarabaeus，markedthus：
[graphicomitted]
symbolswhich，wehavesinceascertained，mean“SutenseRa^，“whichis，beingtranslated，the“RoyalSonofRa^ortheSun。”TheminiaturewasapictureofLeo’sGreekmother，alovely，dark-eyedcreature。OnthebackofitwaswritteninpoorVincey’shandwriting，“Mybelovedwife。”
“Thatisall，“Isaid。
“Verywell，“answeredLeo，puttingdowntheminiature，atwhichhehadbeengazingaffectionately;“andnowletusreadtheletter，“andwithoutfurtheradohebroketheseal，andreadaloudasfollows：
“MYSONLEO——Whenyouopenthis，ifyoueverlivetodoso，youwillhaveattainedtomanhood，andIshallhavebeenlongenoughdeadtobeabsolutelyforgottenbynearlyallwhoknewme。YetinreadingitrememberthatIhavebeen，andforanythingyouknowmaystillbe，andthatinit，throughthislinkofpenandpaper，Istretchoutmyhandtoyouacrossthegulfofdeath，andmyvoicespeakstoyoufromtheunutterablesilenceofthegrave。ThoughIamdead，andnomemoryofmeremainsinyourmind，yetamIwithyouinthishourthatyouread。SinceyourbirthtothisdayI
havescarcelyseenyourface。Forgivemethis。YourlifesupplantedthelifeofonewhomIlovedbetterthanwomenareoftenloved，andthebitternessofitendurethyet。HadIlivedIshouldintimehaveconqueredthisfoolishfeeling，butIamnotdestinedtolive。Mysufferings，physicalandmental，aremorethanIcanbear，andwhensuchsmallarrangementsasI
havetomakeforyourfuturewell-beingarecompleteditismyintentiontoputaperiodtothem。MayGodforgivemeifIdowrong。AtthebestIcouldnotlivemorethananotheryear。”
“Sohekilledhimself，“Iexclaimed。“Ithoughtso。”
“Andnow，“Leowenton，withoutreplying，“enoughofmyself。Whathastobesaidbelongstoyouwholive，nottome，whoamdead，andalmostasmuchforgottenasthoughIhadneverbeen。Holly，myfriendtowhom，ifhewillacceptthetrust，itismyintentiontoconfideyou，willhavetoldyousomethingoftheextraordinaryantiquityofyourrace。Inthecontentsofthiscasketyouwillfindsufficienttoproveit。
Thestrangelegendthatyouwillfindinscribedbyyourremoteancestressuponthepotsherdwascommunicatedtomebymyfatheronhisdeathbed，andtookastrongholdupon-myimagination。WhenIwasonlynineteenyearsofageIdetermined，as，tohismisfortune，didoneofancestorsaboutthetimeofElizabeth，toinvestigateitstruth。IntoallthatbefellmeIcannotenternow。
ButthisIsawwithmyowneyes。OnthecoastofAfrica，inahithertounexploredregion，somedistancetothenorthofwheretheZambesifallsintothesea，thereisaheadland，attheextremityofwhichapeaktowersup，shapedliketheheadofanegro，similartothatofwhichthewritingspeaks。Ilandedthere，andlearnedfromawanderingnative，whohadbeencastoutbyhispeoplebecauseofsomecrimewhichhehadcommitted，thatfarinlandaregreatmountains，shapedlikecups，andcavessurroundedbymeasurelessswamps。
IlearnedalsothatthepeopletherespeakadialectofArabic，andareruledoverbya_i_beautifulwhitewoman_i_whoisseldomseenbythem，butwhoisreportedtohavepoweroverallthingslivinganddead。TwodaysafterIhadascertainedthisthemandiedoffevercontractedincrossingtheswamps，andI
wasforced，bywantofprovisionsandbysymptomsofanillnesswhichafterwardsprostratedme，totaketomydhowagain。
“OftheadventuresthatbefellmeafterthisIneednotnowspeak。IwaswreckeduponthecoastofMadagascar，andrescuedsomemonthsafterwardsbyanEnglishshipthatbroughtmetoAden，whenceIstartedforEngland，intendingtoprosecutemysearchussoonasIhadmadesufficientpreparations。OnmywayI
stoppedinGreece，andthere，for’_i_Omniavincitamor_i_，’Imetyourbelovedmother，andmarriedher，andthereyouwerebornandshedied。Thenitwasthatmylastillnessseizedme，andIreturnedhithertodie。ButstillIhopedagainsthope，andsetmyselftoworktolearnArabic，withtheintention，shouldI
evergetbetter，ofreturningtothecoastofAfrica，andsolvingthemysteryofwhichthetraditionhaslivedsomanycenturiesinourfamily。ButIhavenotgotbetter，and，sofarasIamconcerned，thestoryisatanend。
“Foryou，however，myson，itisnotatanend，andtoyouIhandonthesetheresults，ofmylabor，togetherwiththehereditaryproofsofitsorigin。Itismyintentiontoprovidethattheyshallnotbeputintoyourhandsuntilyouhavereachedanagewhenyouwillbeabletojudgeforyourselfwhetherornotyouwillchoosetoinvestigatewhat，ifitistrue，mustbethegreatestmysteryintheworld，ortoputitbyasanidlefable，originatinginthefirstplaceinawoman’sdisorderedbrain。
“Idonotbelievethatitisafable;Ibelievethatifitcanonlyberediscoveredthereisaspotwherethevitalforcesoftheworldvisiblyexist。Lifeexists;whythereforeshouldnotthemeansofpreservingitindefinitelyexistalso？ButIhavenowishtoprejudiceyourmindaboutthematter。Readandjudgeforyourself。Ifyouareinclinedtoundertakethesearch，Ihavesoprovidedthatyouwillnotlackformeans。If，ontheotherhand，youaresatisfiedthatthewholethingisachimera，then，Iadjureyou，destroythepotsherdandthewritings，andletacauseoftroublingberemovedfromourraceforever。Perhapsthatwillbewisest。Theunknownisgenerallytakentobeterrible，notastheproverbwouldinfer，fromtheinherentsuperstitionofman，butbecameitsooftenisterrible。Hewhowouldtamperwiththevastandsecretforcesthatanimatetheworldmaywellfallavictimtothem。Andiftheendwereattained，ifatlastyouemergedfromthetrialeverbeautifulandeveryoung，defyingtimeandevil，andliftedabovethenaturaldecayoffleshandintellect，whoshallsaythattheawesomechangewouldproveahappyone？
Choose，myson，andmaythePowerwhorulesallthings，andwhosays’thusfarshaltthougo，andthusmuchshaltthoulearn’，directthechoicetoyourownhappinessandthehappinessoftheworld，which，intheeventofyoursuccess，youwouldonedaycertainlyrulebythepureforceofaccumulatedexperience——
Farewell！”
Thustheletter，whichwasunsignedandundated，abruptlyended。
“Whatdoyoumakeofthat，UncleHolly？”saidLeo，withasortofgasp，ashereplaceditonthetable。
“Wehavebeenlookingforamystery，andwecertainlyseemtohavefoundone。”
“WhatdoImakeofit？Why，thatyourpoordearfatherwasoffhishead，ofcourse，“Ianswered，testily。“I
guessedasmuchthatnight，twentyyearsago，whenhecameintomyroom。Youseeheevidentlyhurriedhisownend，poorman。Itisabsolutebalderdash。”
“That’sit，sir！”saidJob，solemnly。Jobwasamostmatter-of-factspecimenofamatter-of-factclass。
“Well，let’sseewhatthepotsherdhastosay，atanyrate，“saidLeo，takingupthetranslationinhisfather’swriting，andcommencingtoread：
’I，Amenartas，oftheRoyalHouseofthePharaohsofEgypt，wifeofKallikratestheBeautifulinStrength，aPriestofIsiswhomthegodscherishandthedemonsobey，beingabouttodie，tomylittlesonTisisthenestheMightyAvenger。IfledwiththyfatherfromEgyptinthedaysofNectanebes，causinghimthroughlovetobreakthevowsthathehadvowed。
Wefledsouthward，acrossthewaters，andwewanderedfortwicetwelvemoonsonthecoastofLibyaAfrica
thatlookstowardstherisingsun，wherebyariverisagreatrockcarvenliketheheadofanEthiopian。
Fourdaysonthewaterfromthemouthofamightyriverwerewecastaway，andsomeweredrownedandsomediedofsickness。Butuswildmentookthroughwastesandmarshes，wherethesea-fowlhidthesky，bearingustendays’journeytillwecametoahollowmountain，whereagreatcityhadbeenandfallen，andwheretherearecavesofwhichnomanhathseentheend;andtheybroughtustotheQueenofthepeoplewhoplacepotsupontheheadsofstrangers，whoisamagicianhavingaknowledgeofallthings，andlifeandlovelinessthatdoesnotdie。Andshecasteyesofloveuponthyfather，Kallikrates，andwouldhaveslainme，andtakenhimtohusband，buthelovedmeandfearedher，andwouldnot。Thendidshetakeus，andleadusbyterribleways，bymeansofdarkmagic，towherethegreatpitis，inthemouthofwhichtheoldphilosopherlaydead，andshowedtoustherollingPillarofLifethatdiesnot，whereofthevoiceisasthevoiceofthunder;andshedidstandintheflames，andcomeforthunharmed，andyetmorebeautiful。Thendidshesweartomakethyfatherundyingevenassheis，ifhewouldbutslayme，andgivehimselftoher，formeshecouldnotslaybecauseofthemagicofmyownpeoplethatIhave，andthatprevailedthusfaragainsther。Andheheldhishandbeforehiseyestohideherbeauty，andwouldnot。Theninherragedidshesmitehimbyhermagic，andhedied;butsheweptoverhim，andborehimthencewithlamentations：andbeingafraid，meshesenttothemouthofthegreatriverwheretheshipscome，andIwascarriedfarawayontheshipswhereIgavetheebirth，andhithertoAthensIcameatlastaftermanywanderings。NowIsaytothee，myson，Tisisthenes，seekoutthewoman，andlearnthesecretofLife，andifthoumayestfindawayslayher，becauseofthyfatherKallikrates;andifthoudostfearorfail，thisIsaytoallofthyseedwhocomeafterthee，tillatlastabravemanbefoundamongthemwhoshallbatheinthefireandsitintheplaceofthePharaohs。Ispeakofthosethings，thatthoughtheybepastbelief，yetIhaveknown，andIlienot。”
“MaytheLordforgiveherforthat，“groanedJob，whohadbeenlisteningtothismarvellouscompositionwithhismouthopen。
Asformyself，Isaidnothing：myfirstideabeingthatmypoorfriend，beingdemented，hadcomposedthewholething，thoughitscarcelyseemedlikelythatsuchastorycouldhavebeeninventedbyanybody。Itwastoooriginal。TosolvemydoubtsItookupthepotsherdandbegantoreadthecloseuncialGreekwritingonit;andverygoodGreekoftheperioditis，consideringthatitcamefromthepenofanEgyptianborn。
Besidestheuncialwritingontheconvexsideofthesherdatthetop，paintedindullred，onwhathadoncebeenthelipoftheamphora，wasthecartouchealreadymentionedasbeingonthe_i_scarabaeus_i_，whichwehadalsofoundinthecasket。Thehieroglyphicsorsymbols，however，werereversed，justasthoughtheyhadbeenpressedonwax。WhetherthiswasthecartoucheoftheoriginalKallikrates，orofsomeprinceorPharaohfromwhomhiswifeAmenartaswasdescended，Iamnotsure，norcanItellifitwasdrawnuponthesherdatthesametimethattheuncialGreekwasinscribed，or，copiedonmorerecentlyfromtheScarabbysomeothermemberofthefamily。Norwasthisall。Atthefootofthewriting，paintedinthesamedullred，wasthefaintoutlineofasomewhatrudedrawingoftheheadandshouldersofasphinxwearingtwofeathers，symbolsofmajesty，which，thoughcommonenoughupontheeffigiesofsacredbullsandgods，Ihaveneverbeforemetwithonasphinx。
Alsoontheright-handsideofthissurfaceofthesherd，paintedobliquelyinredonthespacenotcoveredbytheuncial，andsignedinbluepaint，wasthefollowingquaintinscription：
INEARTHANDSKIEANDSEA
STRANGETHYNGESTHERBE。
HOCFECIT
DOROTHEAVINCEY。
Perfectlybewildered，Iturnedtherelicover。ItwascoveredfromtoptobottomwithnotesandsignaturesinGreek，Latin，andEnglish。ThefirstinUncialGreekwasbyTisisthenes，thesontowhomthewritingwasaddressed。Itwas，“Icouldnotgo。Tisisthenestohisson，Kallikrates。”
ThisKallikratesprobably，intheGreekfashion，sonamedafterhisgrandfatherevidentlymadesomeattempttostartonthequest，forhisentry，writteninveryfaintandalmostillegibleuncial，is，“I
ceasedfrommygoing，thegodsbeingagainstme。
KaIlikratestohisson。”
Betweenthesetwoancientwritings——thesecondofwhichwasinscribedupsidedownandwassofaintandwornthat，haditnotbeenforthetranscriptofitexecutedbyVincey，Ishouldscarcelyhavebeenabletoreadit，since，owingtoitshavingbeenwrittenonthatportionofthetilewhichhad，inthecourseofages，undergonethemosthandling，itwasnearlyrubbedout——wasthebold，modern-lookingsignatureofoneLionelVincey，“AEtatesua17，“whichwaswrittenthereon，Ithink，byLeo’sgrandfather。Totherightofthisweretheinitials“J。B。V。”andbelowcameavarietyofGreeksignatures，inuncialandcursivecharacter，andwhatappearedtobesomecarelesslyexecutedrepetitionsofthesentence“tomyson，“
showingthattherelicwasreligiouslypassedonfromgenerationtogeneration。
ThenextlegiblethingaftertheGreeksignatureswastheword“ROMAE，A。U。C。”showing-thatthefamilyhadnowmigratedtoRome。Unfortunately，however，withtheexceptionofitsterminationcvithedateoftheirsettlementthereisforeverlost，forjustwhereithadbeenplacedapieceofthepotsherdisbrokenaway。
ThenfollowedtwelveLatinsignatures，jottedabouthereandthere，wherevertherewasaspaceuponthetilesuitabletotheirinscription。Thesesignatures，withthreeexceptionsonly，endedwiththename“Vindex“or“theAvenger，“whichseemstohavebeenadoptedbythefamilyafteritsmigrationtoRomeasakindofequivalenttotheGrecian“Tisisthenes，“whichalsomeansanavenger。Ultimately，asmightbeexpected，thisLatincognomenofVindexwastransformedfirstintoDeVincey，andthenintotheplain，modernVincey。Itisverycurioustoobservehowtheideaofrevenge，inspiredbyanEgyptianbeforethetimeofChrist，isthus，asitwere，embalmedinanEnglishfamilyname。
AfewoftheRomannamesinscribeduponthesherdI
haveactuallysincefoundmentionedinhistoryandotherrecords。Theywere，ifIrememberright，MVSSIVS。VINDEX
SEX。VARIVS。MARVLLVS
C。FVFIDIVS。C。F。VINDEX
and，LABERIAPOMPEIANA。CONIVX。MACRINI。VINDICIS
thelastbeing，ofcourse，thenameofaRomanlady。
Thefollowinglist，however，comprisesalltheLatinnamesupon。thesherd：
C。CAECILIVSVINDEX
M。AIMILIVSVINDEX
SEX。VARIVS。MARVLLVS
Q。SOSIVSPRISCVSSENECIOVINDEX
L。VALERIVSCOMINIVSVINDEX
SEX。OTACILIVS。M。F。
LATTIVS。VINDEX
MVSSIVSVINDEX
C。FVFIDIVS。C。F。VINDEX
LICINIVSFAVSTVS
LAVERIAPOMPEIANACONIVXMACRINIVINDICIS
MANILIALVCILLACONIVXMARVLLIVINDICIS
AftertheRomannamesthereisevidentlyagapofverymanycenturies。Nobodywilleverknownowwhatwasthehistoryoftherelicduringthosedarkages，orhowitcametohavebeenpreservedinthefamily。MypoorfriendVinceyhad，itwillberemembered，toldmethathisRomanancestorsfinallysettledinLombardy，and，whenCharlemagneinvadedit，returnedwithhimacrosstheAlps，andmadetheirhomeinBrittany，whencetheycrossedtoEnglandinthereignofEdwardtheConfessor。HowheknewthisIamnotaware，forthereisnoreferencetoLombardyorCharlemagneuponthetile，though，aswillpresentlybeseen，thereisareferencetoBrittany。Tocontinue：thenextentriesonthesherd，ifImayexceptalongsplasheitherofbloodorredcoloringmatterofsomesort，consistoftwocrossesdrawninredpigment，andprobablyrepresentingCrusaders’swords，andaratherneatmonogram“D。V。”inscarletandblue，perhapsexecutedbythatsameDorotheaVinceywhowrote，orratherpainted，thedoggerelcouplet。Totheleftofthis，scribedinfaintblue，weretheinitialsA。V。andafterthemadate，1300。
Thencamewhatwasperhapsascuriousanentryasanythinguponthisextraordinaryrelicofthepast。Itisexecutedinblack-letter，writtenover-thecrossesorCrusaders’swords，anddatedfourteenhundredandforty-five。Asthebestplanwillbetoallowittospeakforitself，Iheregivetheblack-letterfacsimile，togetherwiththeoriginalLatinwithoutthecontractions，fromwhichitwillbeseenthatthewriterwasafairmedievalLatinist。Alsowediscoveredwhatisstillmorecurious，anEnglishversionoftheblack-letterLatin。This，alsowritteninblack-letter，wefoundinscribedonasecondparchmentthatwasinthecoffer，apparentlysomewhatolderindatethanthatonwhichwasinscribedthemediaevalLatintranslationoftheuncialGreek。
ExpandedVersionoftheBlack-LetterInscription。
“ISTAreliquiaestvaldemisticumetmyrificumopus，quodmajoresmeiexArmorica，scilicetBritanniaMinore，secumconvehebant;etquidamsanctusclericussemperpatrimeoinmanuferebatquodpenitusilluddestrueret，affirmansquodessetabipsoSathanaconflatumprestigiosaetdyabolicaarte，quarepatermensconfregitilludinduospartes，quasquidemegoJohannesdeVincetosalvasservavietadaptavisicutapparetdieluneproximopostfestumbeateMarieVirginisannigratieMCCCCXLV。”
ModernizedVersionoftheBlack-LetterTranslation。
“THYSrellikeysaryghtemistycallworkeandamarvaylous，yewhychemyneaunceteresaforetymedydconveighhiderwiththemfromArmorykewhichystoseienBritaineyeLesseandacertayneholyeclerkeshouldallweyesbearemyfadironhondethatheowghteuttirlyfortofrussheyesame，affyrmyngethatytwasfourmedandconflatydofSathanashymselfebyartemagikeanddyvellysshewhereforemyfadirdydtakeyesameandtobrastytyntweye，butI，JohndeVincey，dydsavewhoolyetweyepartestherofandtopeecydthemtogydderagaynesoeasyeese，onthisdayemondayenextfolIowyngeafteryefeesteofSeynteMaryeyeBlessedVyrgyneynyeyeereofSalvaciounfowertenehundrethandfyveandfowerti。”
Thenextand，saveone，lastentrywasElizabethan，anddated1564，“Amoststrangehistorie，andonethatdidcostmyfatherhislife;forinseekyngefortheplaceupontheeastcoastofAfrica，hispinnacewassunkbyaPortuguesegalleonoffLorenzoMarquez，andhehimselfperished——JohnVincey。”
Thencamethelastentry，apparently，tojudgebythestyleofwriting，madebysomerepresentativeofthefamilyinthemiddleoftheeighteenthcentury。Itwasamisquotationofthewell-knownlinesinHamlet，andranthus：“TherearemorethingsinHeavenandearththanaredreamtofinyourphilosophy，Horatio。”
Andnowthereremainedbutonemoredocumenttobeexamined——namely，theancientblack-lettertranslationintomediaevalLatinoftheuncialinscriptiononthesherd。Aswillbeseen，thistranslationwasexecutedandsubscribedintheyear1495，byacertain“learnedman，“EdmundusdePratoEdmundPrattbyname，licentiateinCanonLaw，ofExeterCollege，Oxford，whohadactuallybeenapupilofGrocyn，thefirstscholarwhotaughtGreekinEngland。Nodoubtonthefameofthisnewlearningreachinghisears，theVinceyoftheday，perhapsthatsameJohndeVinceywhoyearsbeforehadsavedtherelicfromdestructionandmadetheblack-letterentryonthesherdin1445
hurriedofftoOxfordtoseeifperchanceitmightavailtosolvethesecretofthemysteriousinscription。Norwashedisappointed，forthelearnedEdmunduswasequaltothetask。
ExpandedVersionoftheMediaevalLatinTranslation。
AMENARTAS，egenereregioEgyptii，uxorCallicratis，sacerdotisIsidis，quamdeifoventdemoniaattendunt，filiolosuoTisisthenijammoribundaitarnandat：
EffugiquondamexEgypto，regnanteNectanebo，curepatretuo，proptermeiamorempejerato。FugientesautemversusNotumtransmare，etvigintiquatuormensesperlitoraLibyeversusOrientemerrantes，ubiestpetraquedammagnasculptainstarEthiopiscapitis，deindediesquatuorabostiofluminismagniejectipartimsubmersisumuspartimmorbomortuisumus：infineautemaferishominibusportabamurperpaludesetvada，ubiaviummultitudocelumobumbrat，diesdecem，donecadvenimusadcavumquendammontem，ubiolimmagnaurbserat，cavernequoqueimmense;
duxeruntautemnosadreginamAdvenaslasaniscoronantium，quemagica^utebaturetperitiaomniumrerum，etsaltempulcritudineetvigoreinsenescibiliserat。Hecmagnopatristuiamoreperculsa，primumquidemeiconnubiummichimortemparabat;posteavero，recusanteCallicrate，amoremeiettimoreregineaffectonospermagicamabduxitperviashorribilesubiestputeusilleprofundus，cujusjuxtaaditumjacebatseniorisphilosophicadaver，etadvenientibusmonstravitflammamViteerectam，instarcolumnevolutantis，vocesemittentemquasitonitrus：
tuncperignemimpetunocivoexperstransiitetjamipsaseseformosiorvisaest。
Quibusfactisjuravitsepatremtuumquoqueimmortalemostensuramesse，simepriusoccisareginecontuberniummallet;nequeenimipsameocciderevaluit，propternostratummagicamcujusegometpartemhabeo。Illevetonichilhujusgenerismalebat，manibusanteoculospassis，nemulierisformositatenaadspiceret：posteaillummagicapercussitarte，atmortuumefferebatindecumfletibusetvagitibus，atmepertimoremexpulitadostiummagnifluminis，velivoli，porroinnave，inquatepeperi，vixpostdieshucAthenasvectasum。Attu，OTisisthenes，nequidquorummandonaucifac：necesseenimestmulieremexquireresiquaVitemysteriumimpetresetvindicare，quantuminteest，patremtuumCallicrateminreginemorte。Sintimoresenaliquacausaremrelinquisinfectam，hocipsumomnibusposterismando，dumbonusquisinveniaturquiignislavacrumnonperhorrescet，etpotentiadignusdominabiturhominum。
Taliadicoincredibiliaquidematminimefictaderebusmichicognitis。
HecGrecescriptaLatinereddiditvirdoctusEdmundusdePrato，inDecretisLicenciatus，eCollegioExoniensiOxoniensidoctissimiGrocyniquondamepupillis，IdibusAprillsAnnoDominiMCCCCLXXXXV。
“Well，“Isaid，whenatlengthIhadreadoutandcarefullyexaminedthesewritingsandparagraphs，atleastthoseofthemthatwerestilleasilylegible，“thatistheconclusionofthewholematter，Leo，andnowyoucanformyourownopiniononit。Ihavealreadyformedmine。”
“Andwhatis？”heasked，inhisquickway。
“Itisthis。Ibelievethatpotsherdtobeperfectlygenuine，andthat，wonderfulasitmayseem，ithascomedowninyourfamilyfromsincethefourthcenturybeforeChrist。Theentriesabsolutelyproveit，andtherefore，howeverimprobableitmayseem，itmustbeaccepted。ButthereIstop。Thatyourremoteancestress，theEgyptianprincess，orsomescribeunderherdirection，wrotethatwhichweseeonthesherdIhavenodoubt，norhaveItheslightestdoubtbutthathersufferingsandthelossofherhusbandhadturnedherhead，andthatshewasnotrightinhermindwhenshedidwriteit。”
“Howdoyouaccountforwhatmyfathersawandheardthere？”askedLeo。
“Coincidence。NodoubttherearebluffsonthecoastofAfricathatlooksomethinglikeaman’shead，andplentyofpeoplewhospeakbastardArabic。Also，I
believethattherearelotsofswamps。Anotherthingis，Leo，andIamsorrytosayit，butIdonotbelievethatyourpoorfatherwasquiterightwhenhewrotethatletter。Hehadmetwithagreattrouble，andalsohehadallowedthisstorytopreyonhisimagination，andhewasaveryimaginativeman。
Anyway，Ibelievethatthewholethingisthemostunmitigatedrubbish。Iknowthattherearecuriousthingsandforcesinnaturewhichwerarelymeetwith，and，whenwedomeetthem，cannotunderstand。ButuntilIseeitwithmyowneyes，whichIamnotlikelyto，Ineverwillbelievethatthereisanymeansofavoidingdeath，evenforatime，orthatthereisorwasawhitesorceresslivingintheheartofanAfricanswamp！Itisbosh，myboy，allbosh！——Whatdoyousay，Job？”
“Isay，sir，thatitisalie，and，ifitistrue，I
hopeMr。Leowon’tmeddlewithnosuchthings，fornogoodcan’tcomeofit。”
“Perhapsyouarebothright，“saidLeo，veryquietly。
“Iexpressnoopinion。ButIsaythis。Iamgoingtosetthematteratrestonceandforall，andifyouwon’tcomewithmeIwillgobymyself。”
Ilookedattheyoungman，andsawthathemeantwhathesaid。WhenLeomeanswhathesayshealwaysputsonacuriouslookaboutthemouth。Ithasbeenatrickofhisfromachild。Now，asamatteroffact，IhadnointentionofallowingLeotogoanywherebyhimself，formyownsake，ifnotforhis。Iwasfartoomuchattachedtohimforthat。Iamnotamanofmanytiesoraffections。Circumstanceshavebeenagainstmeinthisrespect，andmenandwomenshrinkfromme，or，atleast，Ifancytheydo，whichcomestothesamething，thinking，perhaps，thatmysomewhatforbiddingexteriorisakeytomycharacter。Ratherthanendurethis，Ihave，toagreatextent，secludedmyselffromtheworld，andcutmyselfofffromthoseopportunitieswhichwithmostmenresultintheformationofrelationsmoreorlessintimate。ThereforeLeowasalltheworldtome——brother，child，andfriend——anduntilheweariedofme，wherehewentthereIshouldgotoo。
But，ofcourse，itwouldnotdotolethimseehowgreataholdhehadoverme;soIcastaboutforsomemeanswherebyImightletmyselfdowneasy。
“Yes，Ishallgo，uncle;andifIdon’tfindthe’rollingPillarofLife，’atanyrateIshallgetsomefirst-classshooting。”
Herewasmyopportunity，andItookit。
“Shooting？”Isaid。“Ah！yes;Ineverthoughtofthat。
Itmustbeaverywildstretchofcountry，andfullofbiggame。IhavealwayswantedtokillabuffalobeforeIdie。Doyouknow，myboy，Idon’tbelieveinthequest，butIdobelieveinbiggame，andreally，onthewhole，if，afterthinkingitover，youmakeupyourmindtogo，Iwilltakeaholiday，andcomewithyou。”
“Ah，“saidLeo，“Ithoughtthatyouwouldnotlosesuchachance。Buthowaboutmoney？Weshallwantagoodlot。”
“Youneednottroubleaboutthat，“Ianswered。“Thereisallyourincomethathasbeenaccumulatingforyears，andbesidesthatIhavesavedtwothirdsofwhatyourfatherleftme，asIconsider，intrustforyou。Thereisplentyofcash。”
“Verywell，then，wemayaswellstowthesethingsawayandgouptotowntoseeaboutourguns。Bytheway，Job，areyoucomingtoo？It’stimeyoubegantoseetheworld。”
“Well，sir，“answeredJob，stolidly，“Idon’tholdmuchwithforeignparts，butifbothyougentlemenaregoingyouwillwantsomebodytolookafteryou，andI
amnotthemantostopbehindafterservingyoufortwentyyears。”
“That’sright，Job，“saidI。“Youwon’tfindoutanythingwonderful，butyouwillgetsomegoodshooting。Andnowlookhere，bothofyou。Iwon’thaveawordsaidtoalivingsoulaboutthisnonsense，“andIpointedtothepotsherd。“Ifitgotout，andanythinghappenedtome，mynextofkinwoulddisputemywillonthegroundofinsanity，andIshouldbecomethelaughing-stockofCambridge。”
Thatdaythreemonthswewereontheocean，boundforZanzibar。