IMRAYhadachievedtheimpossibleWithoutwarning，fornoconceivablemotive，inhisyouthandatthethresholdofhiscareerhehadchosentodisappearfromtheworld-whichistosay，thelittleIndianstationwherehelivedUponadayhewasalive，well，happy，andingreatevidenceathisclub，amongthebilliard-tables。
　　Uponamorninghewasnot，andnomannerofsearchcouldmakesurewherehemightbeHehadsteppedoutofhisplace；hebadnotappearedathisofficeatthepropertime，andhisdog-cartwasnotuponthepublicroadsForthesereasonsandbecausehewashamperinginamicroscopicaldegreetheadministrationoftheIndianEmpire，theIndianEmpirepausedforonemicroscopicalmomenttomakeinquiryintothefateofImrayPondsweredragged，wellswereplumbed，telegramsweredispatcheddownthelinesofrailwaysandtothenearestseaporttown-1，200milesaway-butImraywasnotattheendofthedrag-ropesnorthetelegramsHewasgone，andhisplaceknewhimnomoreThentheworkofthegreatIndianEmpiresweptforward，becauseitcouldnotbedelayed，andImray，frombeingaman，becameamystery-suchathingasmentalkoverattheirtablesintheclubforamonthandthe，forgetutterlyHisguns，horses，andcartsweresoldtothehighestbidderHissuperiorofficerwroteanabsurdlettertohismother，sayingthatImrayhadunaccountablydisappearedandhisbungalowstoodemptyontheroad。
　　Afterthreeorfourmonthsofthescorchinghotweatherhadgoneby，myfriendStrickland，ofthepoliceforce，sawfittorentthebungalowfromthenativelandlordThiswasbeforehewasengagedtoMissYoughal-anaffairwhichhasbeendescribedinanotherplace-andwhilehewaspursuinghisinvestigationsintonativelifeHisownlifewassufficientlypeculiar，andmencomplainedofhismannersandcustomsTherewasalwaysfoodinhishouse，huttherewerenoregular-timesformealsHeeat，standingupandwalkingabout，whateverhemightfindonthesideboard，andthisisnotgoodforthein-sidesofhumanbeings。
　　Hisdomesticequipmentwaslimitedtosixrifles，threeshotguns，fivesaddles，andacollectionofstiff-jointedmasheerrods，biggerandstrongerthanthelargestsalmonrodsThesethingsoccupiedonehalfofhisbungalow，andtheotherhalfwasgivenuptoStricklandandhisdogTietjens-anenormousRampurslut，whosungwhenshewasordered，anddevoureddailytherationsoftwomenShespoketoStricklandinalanguageofherown，andwhenever，inherwalksabroadshesawthingscalculatedtodestroythepeaceofHerMajestytheQueenEmpress，shereturnedtohermasterandgavehiminformationStricklandwouldtakestepsatonce，andtheendofhislaborswastroubleandfineandimprisonmentforotherpeopleThenativesbelievedthatTietjenswasafamiliarspirit，andtreatedherwiththegreatreverencethatisbornofhateandfearOneroominthebungalowwassetapartforherspecialuseSheownedabedstead，ablanket，andadrinking-trough，andifanyonecameintoStrickland’sroomatnight，hercustomwastoknockdowntheinvaderandgivetonguetillsomeonecamewithalightStricklandoweshislifetoher。
　　WhenhewasonthefrontierinsearchofthelocalmurdererwhocameinthegreydawntosendStricklandmuchfurtherthantheAndamanIslands，TietjenscaughthimashewascrawlingintoStrickland’stentwithadaggerbetweenhisteeth，andafterhisrecordofiniquitywasestablishedintheeyesofthelaw，hewashangedFromthatdateTietjensworeacollarofroughsilverandemployedamonogramonhernightblanket，andtheblanketwasdouble-wovenKashmircloth，forshewasadelicatedog。
　　UndernocircumstanceswouldshebeseparatedfromStrickland，andwhenhewasillwithfevershemadegreattroubleforthedoctorsbecauseshedidnotknowhowtohelphermasterandwouldnotallowanothercreaturetoattemptaidMacarnaght，oftheIndianMedicalService，beatherovertheheadwithagun，beforeshecouldunderstandthatshemustgiveroomforthosewhocouldgivequinine。
　　AshorttimeafterStricklandhadtakenImray’sbungalow，mybusinesstookmethroughthatstation，andnaturally，theclubquartersbeingfull，IquarteredmyselfuponStricklandItwasadesirablebungalow，eight-roomed，andheavilythatchedagainstanychanceofleakagefromrainUnderthepitchoftheroofranaceilingcloth，whichlookedjustasniceasawhitewashedceiling。
　　ThelandlordhadrepainteditwhenStricklandtookthebungalow，andunlessyouknewhowIndianbungalowswerebuiltyouwouldneverhavesuspectedthatabovetheclothlaythedark，three-corneredcavernoftheroof，wherethebeamsandtheundersideofthethatchharboredallmannerofrats，hats，ants，andotherthings。
　　TietjensmetmeintheverandawithabayliketheboomofthebellsofStPaul’s，andputherpawsonmyshouldersandsaidshewasgladtoseemeStricklandhadcontrivedtoputtogetherthatsortofmealwhichhecalledlunch，andimmediatelyafteritwasfinishedwentoutabouthisbusinessIwasleftalonewithTietjensandmyownaffairsTheheatofthesummerhadbrokenupandgivenplacetothewarmdampoftherainsTherewasnomotionintheheatedair，buttherainfelllikebayonetrodsontheearth，andflungupabluemistwhereitsplashedbackagainThebamboosandthecustardapples，thepoinsettiasandthemango-treesinthegardenstoodstillwhilethewarmwaterlashedthroughthem，andthefrogsbegantosingamongthealoehedgesAlittlebeforethelightfailed，andwhentherainwasatitsworst，Isatinthebackverandaandbeardthewaterroarfromtheeaves，andscratchedmyselfbecauseIwascoveredwiththethingtheycalledpricklyheatTietjenscameoutwithmeandputherheadinmylap，andwasverysorrowful，soIgaveherbiscuitswhenteawasready，andItookteainthebackverandaonaccountofthelittlecoolnessI
　　foundthereTheroomsofthehouseweredarkbehindmeIcouldsmellStrickland’ssaddleryandtheoilonhisguns，andIdidnottheleastdesiretositamongthesethingsMyownservantcametomeinthetwilight，themuslinofhisclothesclingingtightlytohisdrenchedbody，andtoldmethatagentlemanhadcalledandwishedtoseesomeoneVerymuchagainstmywill，andbecauseofthedarknessoftherooms，Iwentintothenakeddrawing-room，tellingmymantobringthelightsTheremightormightnothavebeenacallerintheroom-itseemstomethatIsawafigurebyoneofthewindows，butwhenthelightscametherewasnothingsavethespikesoftherainwithoutandthesmellofthedrinkingearthinmynostrilsIexplainedtomymanthathewasnowiserthanheoughttobe，andwentbacktotheverandatotalktoTietjensShehadgoneoutintothewetandIcouldhardlycoaxherbacktome-evenwithbiscuitswithsugarontopStricklandrodeback，drippingwet，justbeforedinner，andthefirstthinghesaidwas：
　　Hasanyonecalled？”
　　Iexplained，withapologies，thatmyservanthadcalledmeintothedrawing-roomonafalsealarm；orthatsomeloaferbadtriedtocallonStrickland，and，thinkingbetterofit，fledaftergivinghisnameStricklandordereddinnerwithoutcomment，andsinceitwasarealdinner，withwhitetableclothattached，wesatdown。
　　Atnineo’clockStricklandwantedtogotobed，andIwastiredtoo。
　　Tietjens，whohadbeenlyingunderneaththetable，roseupandwentintotheleastexposedverandaassoonashermastermovedtohisownroom，whichwasncxttothestatelychambersetapartforTietjensIfamerewifehadwishedtosleepout-of-doorsinthatpeltingrain，itwouldnothavemattered，butTietjenswasadog，andthereforethebetteranimal。
　　IlookedatStrickland，expectingtoseehimflogherwithawhipHesmiledqueerly，asamanwouldsmileaftertellingsomehideousdomestictragedy“ShehasdonethiseversinceImovedinhere。”
　　ThedogwasStrickland’sdog，soIsaidnothing，butIfeltallthatStricklandfeltinbeingmadelightofTietjensencampedoutsidemybedroomwindow，andstormafterstormcameup，thunderedonthethatch，anddiedawayThelightningspatteredtheskyasathrowneggspatteredabarndoor，butthelightwaspaleblue，notyellow；andlookingthroughmyslitbambooblinds，Icouldseethegreatdogstanding，notsleeping，intheveranda，thehacklesaliftonherback，andherfeetplantedastenselyasthedrawnwireropeofasuspensionbridgeIntheveryshortpausesofthethunderI
　　triedtosleep，butitseemedthatsomeonewantedmeverybadly。
　　He，whoeverhewas，wastryingtocallmebyname，buthisvoicewasnomorethanahuskywhisperThenthethunderceasedandTietjenswentintothegardenandhowledatthelowmoon。
　　Somebodytriedtoopenmydoor，andwalkedaboutandthroughthehouse，andstoodbreathingheavilyintheverandas，andjustwhenIwasfallingasleepIfanciedthatIheardawildhammeringandclamoringabovemyheadoronthedoor。
　　IranintoStrickland’sroomandaskedhimwhetherhewasillandhadbeencallingformeHewaslyingonthebedhalf-dressed，withapipeinhismouth“Ithoughtyou’dcome。”hesaid“HaveIbeenwalkingaroundthehouseatall？”
　　Iexplainedthathehadbeeninthedining-roomandthesmoking-roomandtwoorthreeotherplaces；andhelaughedandtoldmetogobacktobedIwentbacktobedandslepttillthemorning，butinallmydreamsIwassureIwasdoingsomeoneaninjusticeinnotattendingtohiswantsWhatthosewantswereI
　　couldnottell，butafluttering，whispering，bolt-fumbling，luring，loiteringsomeonewasreproachingmeformyslackness，andthroughallthedreamsIheardthehowlingofTietjensinthegardenandthethrashingoftherain。
　　Iwasinthathousefortwodays，andStricklandwenttohisofficedaily，leavingmealoneforeightortenhoursaday，withTietjensformyonlycompanionAslongasthefulllightlastedIwascomfortable，andsowasTietjens；butinthetwilightsheandI
　　movedintothebackverandaandcuddledeachotherforcompany。
　　Wewerealoneinthehouse，butforallthatitwasfullyoccupiedbyatenantwithwhomIhadnodesiretointerfereIneversawhim，butIcouldseethecurtainsbetweentheroomsquiveringwherehehadjustpassedthrough；Icouldhearthechairscreakingasthebamboossprungunderaweightthathadjustquittedthem；
　　andIcouldfeelwhenIwenttogetabookfromthedining-roomthatsomebodywaswaitingintheshadowsofthefrontverandatillIshouldhavegoneawayTietjensmadethetwilightmoreinterestingbyglaringintothedarkenedrooms，witheveryhairerect，andfollowingthemotionsofsomethingthatIcouldnotseeSheneverenteredtherooms，buthereyesmoved，andthatwasquitesufficientOnlywhenmyservantcametotrimthelampsandmakealllightandhabitable，shewouldcomeinwithmeandspendhertimesittingonherhauncheswatchinganinvisibleextramanashemovedaboutbehindmyshoulderDogsarecheerfulcompanions。
　　IexplainedtoStrickland，gentlyasmightbe，thatIwouldgoovertotheclubandfindformyselfquartersthereIadmiredhishospitality，waspleasedwithhisgunsandrods，butIdidnotmuchcareforhishouseanditsatmosphereHeheardmeouttotheend，andthensmiledverywearily，butwithoutcontempt，forheisamanwhounderstandsthings“Stayon。”hesaid，“andseewhatthisthingmeansAllyouhavetalkedaboutIhaveknownsinceI
　　tookthebungalowStayonandwaitTietjenshasleftmeAreyougoingtoo？”
　　Ihadseenhimthroughonelittleaffairconnectedwithanidolthathadbroughtmetothedoorsofalunaticasylum，andIhadnodesiretohelphimthroughfurtherexperiencesHewasamantowhomunpleasantnessesarrivedasdodinnerstoordinarypeople。
　　ThereforeIexplainedmoreclearlythaneverthatIlikedhimimmensely，andwouldhehappytoseehiminthedaytime，butthatIdidn’tcaretosleepunderhisroofThiswasafterdinner，whenTietjenshadgoneouttolieintheveranda。
　　“’Ponmysoul，Idon’twonder。”saidStrickland，withhiseyesontheceiling-cloth“Lookatthat’。”
　　ThetailsoftwosnakeswerehangingbetweentheclothandthecorniceofthewallTheythrewlongshadowsinthelamp-light。
　　“Ifyouareafraidofsnakes，ofcourse“-saidStrickland“Ihateandfearsnakes，becauseifyoulookintotheeyesofanysnakeyouwillseethatitknowsallandmoreofman’sfall，andthatitfeelsallthecontemptthatthedevilfeltwhenAdamwasevictedfromEden。
　　Besideswhichitsbiteisgenerallyfatal，anditburstsuptrouserlegs。”
　　“Yououghttogetyourthatchover-hauled。”Isaid“Givemeamasheerrod，andwe’llpoke’emdown。”
　　“They’llhideamongtheroofbeams。”saidStrickland“Ican’tstandsnakesoverheadI’mgoingupIfIshake’emdown，standbywithacleaning-rodandbreaktheirbacks。”
　　IwasnotanxioustoassistStricklandinhiswork，hutItooktheloading-rodandwaitedinthedining-room，whileStricklandbroughtagardener’sladderfromtheverandaandsetitagainstthesideoftheroomThesnaketailsdrewthemselvesupanddisappearedWecouldhearthedryrushingscuttleoflongbodiesrunningoverthebaggyclothStricklandtookalampwithhim，whileItriedtomakeclearthedangerofhuntingroofsnakesbetweenaceilingclothandathatch，apartfromthedeteriorationofpropertycausedbyrippingoutceiling-cloths。
　　“Nonsense“saidStrickland“They’resuretohidenearthewallsbytheclothThebricksaretoocoldfor’em，andtheheatoftheroomisjustwhattheylike。”HeputhishandstothecorneroftheclothandrippedtherottenstufffromthecorniceItgavegreatsoundoftearing，andStricklandputhisheadthroughtheopeningintothedarkoftheangleoftheroofbeamsIsetmyteethandliftedtheloading-rod，forIhadnottheleastknowledgeofwhatmightdescend。
　　“H’m。”saidStrickland；andhisvoicerolledandrumbledintheroof“There’sroomforanothersetofroomsuphere，and，byJove！
　　someoneisoccupyingem。”
　　“Snakes？”Isaiddownbelow。
　　“NoIt’sabuffaloHandmeupthetwofirstjointsofamasheerrod，andI’llproditIt’slyingonthemainbeam。”
　　Ihandeduptherod。
　　“Whatanestforowlsandserpents！Nowonderthesnakeslivehere。”saidStrickland，climbingfurtherintothe’roofIcouldseehiselbowthrustingwiththerod“Comeoutofthat，whoeveryouare！Lookout！Headsbelowthere！It’stottering。”