Doubtlessmanyweregoingaswellascoming，butthemassseemednevertogetless。Eachbirdseemedtosoundsomenoteoffearorangerorseeking，andthewhirringofwingsneverceasednorlessened。Theairwasfullofamutteredthrob。Nowindoworbarriercouldshutoutthesound，tilltheearsofanylistenerbecamedulledbytheceaselessmurmur。Somonotonousitwas，socheerless，sodisheartening，somelancholy，thatalllonged，butinvain，foranyvariety，nomatterhowterribleitmightbe。
Thesecondmorningthereportsfromallthedistrictsroundweremorealarmingthanever。Farmersbegantodreadthecomingofwinterastheysawthedwindlingofthetimelyfruitfulnessoftheearth。Andasyetitwasonlyawarningofevil，nottheevilaccomplished;thegroundbegantolookbarewheneversomepassingsoundtemporarilyfrightenedthebirds。
EdgarCaswalltorturedhisbrainforalongtimeunavailingly，tothinkofsomemeansofgettingridofwhathe，aswellashisneighbours，hadcometoregardasaplagueofbirds。Atlastherecalledacircumstancewhichpromisedasolutionofthedifficulty。
TheexperiencewasofsomeyearsagoinChina，farup—country，towardsthehead—watersoftheYang—tze—kiang，wherethesmallertributariesspreadoutinasortofnaturalirrigationschemetosupplythewildernessofpaddy—fields。Itwasatthetimeoftheripeningrice，andthemyriadsofbirdswhichcametofeedonthecomingcropwasaseriousmenace，notonlytothedistrict，buttothecountryatlarge。Thefarmers，whoweremoreorlessafflictedwiththesametroubleeveryseason，knewhowtodealwithit。Theymadeavastkite，whichtheycausedtobeflownoverthecentrespotoftheincursion。Thekitewasshapedlikeagreathawk;andthemomentitroseintotheairthebirdsbegantocowerandseekprotection——andthentodisappear。Solongasthatkitewasflyingoverheadthebirdslaylowandthecropwassaved。AccordinglyCaswallorderedhismentoconstructanimmensekite，adheringaswellastheycouldtothelinesofahawk。Thenheandhismen，withasufficiencyofcord，begantoflyithighoverhead。TheexperienceofChinawasrepeated。Themomentthekiterose，thebirdshidorsoughtshelter。Thefollowingmorning，thekitewasstillflyinghigh，nobirdwastobeseenasfarastheeyecouldreachfromCastraRegis。Buttherefollowedinturnwhatprovedevenaworseevil。Allthebirdswerecowed;theirsoundsstopped。
Neithersongnorchirpwasheard——silenceseemedtohavetakentheplaceofthenormalvoicesofbirdlife。Butthatwasnotall。Thesilencespreadtoallanimals。
Thefearandrestraintwhichbroodedamongstthedenizensoftheairbegantoaffectalllife。Notonlydidthebirdsceasesongorchirp，butthelowingofthecattleceasedinthefieldsandthevariedsoundsoflifediedaway。Inplaceofthesethingswasonlyasoundlessgloom，moredreadful，moredisheartening，moresoul—
killingthananyconcourseofsounds，nomatterhowfulloffearanddread。Piousindividualsputupconstantprayersforrelieffromtheintolerablesolitude。Afteralittlethereweresignsofuniversaldepressionwhichthosewhoranmightread。Oneandall，thefacesofmenandwomenseemedbereftofvitality，ofinterest，ofthought，and，mostofall，ofhope。Menseemedtohavelostthepowerofexpressionoftheirthoughts。Thesoundlessairseemedtohavethesameeffectastheuniversaldarknesswhenmengnawedtheirtongueswithpain。
Fromthisinflictionofsilencetherewasnorelief。Everythingwasaffected;gloomwasthepredominantnote。Joyappearedtohavepassedawayasafactoroflife，andthiscreativeimpulsehadnothingtotakeitsplace。Thatgiantspotinhighairwasaplagueofevilinfluence。Itseemedlikeanewmisanthropicbeliefwhichhadfallenonhumanbeings，carryingwithitthenegationofallhope。
Afterafewdays，menbegantogrowdesperate;theirverywordsaswellastheirsensesseemedtobeinchains。EdgarCaswallagaintorturedhisbraintofindanyantidoteorpalliativeofthisgreaterevilthanbefore。Hewouldgladlyhavedestroyedthekite，orcauseditsflyingtocease;buttheinstantitwaspulleddown，thebirdsroseupinevengreaternumbers;allthosewhodependedinanywayonagriculturesentpitifulproteststoCastraRegis。
Itwasstrangeindeedwhatinfluencethatweirdkiteseemedtoexercise。Evenhumanbeingswereaffectedbyit，asifbothitandtheywererealities。AsforthepeopleatMercyFarm，itwaslikeatasteofactualdeath。Lillafeltitmost。Ifshehadbeenindeedarealdove，witharealkitehangingoverherintheair，shecouldnothavebeenmorefrightenedormoreaffectedbytheterrorthiscreated。
Ofcourse，someofthosealreadydrawnintothevortexnoticedtheeffectonindividuals。Thosewhowereinterestedtookcaretocomparetheirinformation。Strangelyenough，asitseemedtotheothers，thepersonwhotooktheghastlysilenceleasttoheartwasthenegro。Bynaturehewasnotsensitiveto，orafflictedby，nerves。Thisalonewouldnothaveproducedtheseemingindifference，sotheysettheirmindstodiscovertherealcause。
Adamcamequicklytotheconclusionthattherewasforhimsomecompensationthattheothersdidnotshare;andhesoonbelievedthatthatcompensationwasinoneformoranothertheenjoymentofthesufferingsofothers。Thustheblackhadanever—failingsourceofamusement。
LadyArabella’scoldnaturerenderedherimmunetoanythinginthewayofpainortroubleconcerningothers。EdgarCaswallwasfartoohaughtyaperson，andtoosternofnature，toconcernhimselfaboutpoororhelplesspeople，muchlessthelowerorderofmereanimals。
Mr。Watford，Mr。Salton，andSirNathanielwereallconcernedintheissue，partlyfromkindnessofheart——fornoneofthemcouldseesuffering，evenofwildbirds，unmoved——andpartlyonaccountoftheirproperty，whichhadtobeprotected，orruinwouldstaretheminthefacebeforelong。
Lillasufferedacutely。Astimewenton，herfacebecamepinched，andhereyesdullwithwatchingandcrying。Mimisufferedtooonaccountofhercousin’ssuffering。Butasshecoulddonothing，sheresolutelymadeuphermindtoself—restraintandpatience。Adam’sfrequentvisitscomfortedher。
CHAPTERXI——MESMER’SCHEST
Afteracoupleofweekshadpassed，thekiteseemedtogiveEdgarCaswallanewzestforlife。Hewasnevertiredoflookingatitsmovements。Hehadacomfortablearmchairputoutonthetower，whereinhesatsometimesalldaylong，watchingasthoughthekitewasanewtoyandheachildlatelycomeintopossessionofit。HedidnotseemtohavelostinterestinLilla，forhestillpaidanoccasionalvisitatMercyFarm。
Indeed，hisfeelingtowardsher，whateverithadbeenatfirst，hadnowsofarchangedthatithadbecomeadistinctaffectionofapurelyanimalkind。Indeed，itseemedasthoughtheman’snaturehadbecomecorrupted，andthatallthebaserandmoreselfishandmorerecklessqualitieshadbecomemoreconspicuous。Therewasnotsomuchsternnessapparentinhisnature，becausetherewaslessself—restraint。Determinationhadbecomeindifference。
ThevisiblechangeinEdgarwasthathegrewmorbid，sad，silent;
theneighboursthoughthewasgoingmad。Hebecameabsorbedinthekite，andwatcheditnotonlybyday，butoftenallnightlong。Itbecameanobsessiontohim。
Caswalltookapersonalinterestinthekeepingofthegreatkiteflying。Hehadavastcoilofcordefficientforthepurpose，whichworkedonarollerfixedontheparapetofthetower。Therewasawinchforthepullinginoftheslack;theoutgoinglinebeingcontrolledbyaracket。Therewasinvariablyonemanatleast，dayandnight，onthetowertoattendtoit。Atsuchanelevationtherewasalwaysastrongwind，andattimesthekiterosetoanenormousheight，aswellastravellingforgreatdistanceslaterally。Infact，thekitebecame，inashorttime，oneofthecuriositiesofCastraRegisandallaroundit。Edgarbegantoattributetoit，inhisownmind，almosthumanqualities。Itbecametohimaseparateentity，withamindandasoulofitsown。Beingidle—handedallday，hebegantoapplytowhatheconsideredtheserviceofthekitesomeofhissparetime，andfoundanewpleasure——anewobjectinlife——intheoldschoolboygameofsendingup"runners"tothekite。
Thewaythisisdoneistogetroundpiecesofpapersocutthatthereisaholeinthecentre，throughwhichthestringofthekitepasses。Thenaturalactionofthewind—pressuretakesthepaperalongthestring，andsouptothekiteitself，nomatterhowhighorhowfaritmayhavegone。
IntheearlydaysofthisamusementEdgarCaswallspenthours。
Hundredsofsuchmessengersflewalongthestring，untilsoonhebethoughthimofwritingmessagesonthesepaperssothathecouldmakeknownhisideastothekite。Itmaybethathisbraingavewayundertheopportunitiesgivenbyhisillusionoftheentityofthetoyanditspowerofseparatethought。Fromsendingmessageshecametomakingdirectspeechtothekite——without，however，ceasingtosendtherunners。Doubtless，theheightofthetower，seatedasitwasonthehill—top，therushingoftheceaselesswind，thehypnoticeffectoftheloftyaltitudeofthespeckintheskyatwhichhegazed，andtherushingofthepapermessengersupthestringtillsightofthemwaslostindistance，allhelpedtofurtheraffecthisbrain，undoubtedlygivingwayunderthestrainofbeliefsandcircumstanceswhichwereatoncestimulatingtotheimagination，occupativeofhismind，andabsorbing。
Thenextstepofintellectualdeclinewastobringtobearonthemainideaoftheconsciousidentityofthekiteallsortsofsubjectswhichhadimaginativeforceortendencyoftheirown。Hehad，inCastraRegis，alargecollectionofcuriousandinterestingthingsformedinthepastbyhisforebears，ofsimilartastestohisown。Therewereallsortsofstrangeanthropologicalspecimens，botholdandnew，whichhadbeencollectedthroughvarioustravelsinstrangeplaces：ancientEgyptianrelicsfromtombsandmummies;
curiosfromAustralia，NewZealand，andtheSouthSeas;idolsandimages——fromTartarikonstoancientEgyptian，Persian，andIndianobjectsofworship;objectsofdeathandtortureofAmericanIndians;and，aboveall，avastcollectionoflethalweaponsofeverykindandfromeveryplace——Chinese"highpinders，"doubleknives，Afghandouble—edgedscimitarsmadetocutabodyintwo，heavyknivesfromalltheEasterncountries，ghostdaggersfromThibet，theterriblekukrioftheGhourkaandotherhilltribesofIndia，assassins’weaponsfromItalyandSpain，eventheknifewhichwasformerlycarriedbytheslave—driversoftheMississippiregion。
Deathandpainofeverykindwerefullyrepresentedinthatgruesomecollection。
ThatithadafascinationforOolangagoeswithoutsaying。Hewasnevertiredofvisitingthemuseuminthetower，andspentendlesshoursininspectingtheexhibits，tillhewasthoroughlyfamiliarwitheverydetailofallofthem。Heaskedpermissiontocleanandpolishandsharpenthem——afavourwhichwasreadilygranted。Inadditiontotheaboveobjects，thereweremanythingsofakindtoawakenhumanfear。Stuffedserpentsofthemostobjectionableandhorridkind;giantinsectsfromthetropics，fearsomeineverydetail;fishesandcrustaceanscoveredwithweirdspikes;driedoctopusesofgreatsize。Otherthings，too，therewere，notlessdeadlythoughseeminglyinnocuous——driedfungi，trapsintendedforbirds，beasts，fishes，reptiles，andinsects;machineswhichcouldproducepainofanykindanddegree，andtheonlymercyofwhichwasthepowerofproducingspeedydeath。
Caswall，whohadneverbeforeseenanyofthesethings，exceptthosewhichhehadcollectedhimself，foundaconstantamusementandinterestinthem。Hestudiedthem，theiruses，theirmechanism——
wheretherewassuch——andtheirplacesoforigin，untilhehadanampleandrealknowledgeofallconcerningthem。Manyweresecretandintricate，butheneverrestedtillhefoundoutallthesecrets。Whenoncehehadbecomeinterestedinstrangeobjects，andthewaytousethem，hebegantoexplorevariouslikelyplacesforsimilarfinds。Hebegantoinquireofhishouseholdwherestrangelumberwaskept。SeveralofthemenspokeofoldSimonChesterasonewhokneweverythinginandaboutthehouse。Accordingly，hesentfortheoldman，whocameatonce。Hewasveryold，nearlyninetyyearsofage，andveryinfirm。HehadbeenbornintheCastle，andhadserveditssuccessionofmasters——presentorabsent—
—eversince。WhenEdgarbegantoquestionhimonthesubjectregardingwhichhehadsentforhim，oldSimonexhibitedmuchperturbation。Infact，hebecamesofrightenedthathismaster，fullybelievingthathewasconcealingsomething，orderedhimtotellatoncewhatremainedunseen，andwhereitwashiddenaway。
Facetofacewithdiscoveryofhissecret，theoldman，inapitiablestateofconcern，spokeoutevenmorefullythanMr。
Caswallhadexpected。
"Indeed，indeed，sir，everythingishereinthetowerthathaseverbeenputawayinmytimeexcept——except——"herehebegantoshakeandtrembleit——"exceptthechestwhichMr。Edgar——hewhowasMr。
EdgarwhenIfirsttookservice——broughtbackfromFrance，afterhehadbeenwithDr。Mesmer。Thetrunkhasbeenkeptinmyroomforsafety;butIshallsenditdownherenow。"
"Whatisinit？"askedEdgarsharply。
"ThatIdonotknow。Moreover，itisapeculiartrunk，withoutanyvisiblemeansofopening。"
"Istherenolock？"
"Isupposeso，sir;butIdonotknow。Thereisnokeyhole。"
"Sendithere;andthencometomeyourself。"
Thetrunk，aheavyonewithsteelbandsroundit，butnolockorkeyhole，wascarriedinbytwomen。ShortlyafterwardsoldSimonattendedhismaster。Whenhecameintotheroom，Mr。Caswallhimselfwentandclosedthedoor;thenheasked：
"Howdoyouopenit？"
"Idonotknow，sir。"
"Doyoumeantosaythatyouneveropenedit？"
"MostcertainlyIsayso，yourhonour。HowcouldI？Itwasentrustedtomewiththeotherthingsbymymaster。Toopenitwouldhavebeenabreachoftrust。"
Caswallsneered。
"Quiteremarkable！Leaveitwithme。Closethedoorbehindyou。
Stay——didnooneevertellyouaboutit——sayanythingregardingit——
makeanyremark？"
OldSimonturnedpale，andputhistremblinghandstogether。
"Oh，sir，Ientreatyounottotouchit。ThattrunkprobablycontainssecretswhichDr。Mesmertoldmymaster。Toldthemtohisruin！"
"Howdoyoumean？Whatruin？"
"Sir，heitwaswho，mensaid，soldhissoultotheEvilOne;Ihadthoughtthatthattimeandtheevilofithadallpassedaway。"
"Thatwilldo。Goaway;butremaininyourownroom，orwithincall。Imaywantyou。"
Theoldmanboweddeeplyandwentouttrembling，butwithoutspeakingaword。
CHAPTERXII——THECHESTOPENED
Leftaloneintheturret—room，EdgarCaswallcarefullylockedthedoorandhungahandkerchiefoverthekeyhole。Next，heinspectedthewindows，andsawthattheywerenotoverlookedfromanyangleofthemainbuilding。Thenhecarefullyexaminedthetrunk，goingoveritwithamagnifyingglass。Hefounditintact：thesteelbandswereflawless;thewholetrunkwascompact。Aftersittingoppositetoitforsometime，andtheshadesofeveningbeginningtomeltintodarkness，hegaveupthetaskandwenttohisbedroom，afterlockingthedooroftheturret—roombehindhimandtakingawaythekey。
Hewokeinthemorningatdaylight，andresumedhispatientbutunavailingstudyofthemetaltrunk。Thishecontinuedduringthewholedaywiththesameresult——humiliatingdisappointment，whichoverwroughthisnervesandmadehisheadache。Theresultofthelongstrainwasseenlaterintheafternoon，whenhesatlockedwithintheturret—roombeforethestillbafflingtrunk，distrait，listlessandyetagitated，sunkinasettledgloom。Astheduskwasfallinghetoldthestewardtosendhimtwomen，strongones。Theseheorderedtotakethetrunktohisbedroom。Inthatroomhethensatonintothenight，withoutpausingeventotakeanyfood。Hismindwasinawhirl，afeverofexcitement。Theresultwasthatwhen，lateinthenight，helockedhimselfinhisroomhisbrainwasfullofoddfancies;hewasonthehighroadtomentaldisturbance。
Helaydownonhisbedinthedark，stillbroodingoverthemysteryoftheclosedtrunk。
Graduallyheyieldedtotheinfluencesofsilenceanddarkness。
Afterlyingtherequietlyforsometime，hismindbecameactiveagain。Butthistimetherewereroundhimnodisturbinginfluences;
hisbrainwasactiveandabletoworkfreelyandtodealwithmemory。Athousandforgotten——oronlyhalf—known——incidents，fragmentsofconversationsortheorieslongagoguessedatandlongforgotten，crowdedonhismind。Heseemedtohearagainaroundhimthelegionsofwhirringwingstowhichhehadbeensolatelyaccustomed。Eventohimselfheknewthatthatwasaneffortofimaginationfoundedonimperfectmemory。Buthewascontentthatimaginationshouldwork，foroutofitmightcomesomesolutionofthemysterywhichsurroundedhim。Andinthisframeofmind，sleepmadeanotherandmoresuccessfulessay。Thistimeheenjoyedpeacefulslumber，restfulaliketohisweariedbodyandhisoverwroughtbrain。
Inhissleephearose，and，asifinobediencetosomeinfluencebeyondandgreaterthanhimself，liftedthegreattrunkandsetitonastrongtableatonesideoftheroom，fromwhichhehadpreviouslyremovedaquantityofbooks。Todothis，hehadtouseanamountofstrengthwhichwas，heknew，farbeyondhiminhisnormalstate。Asitwas，itseemedeasyenough;everythingyieldedbeforehistouch。Thenhebecameconsciousthatsomehow——how，henevercouldremember——thechestwasopen。Heunlockedhisdoor，and，takingthechestonhisshoulder，carriedituptotheturret—
room，thedoorofwhichalsoheunlocked。Evenatthetimehewasamazedathisownstrength，andwonderedwhenceithadcome。Hismind，lostinconjecture，wastoofarofftorealisemoreimmediatethings。Heknewthatthechestwasenormouslyheavy。Heseemed，inasortofvisionwhichlituptheabsoluteblacknessaround，toseethetwosturdyservantmenstaggeringunderitsgreatweight。Helockedhimselfagainintheturret—room，andlaidtheopenedchestonatable，andinthedarknessbegantounpackit，layingoutthecontents，whichweremainlyofmetalandglass——greatpiecesinstrangeforms——onanothertable。Hewasconsciousofbeingstillasleep，andofactingratherinobediencetosomeunseenandunknowncommandthaninaccordancewithanyreasonableplan，tobefollowedbyresultswhichheunderstood。Thisphasecompleted，heproceededtoarrangeinorderthecomponentpartsofsomelargeinstruments，formedmostlyofglass。Hisfingersseemedtohaveacquiredanewandexquisitesubtletyandevenavolitionoftheirown。Thenwearinessofbraincameuponhim;hisheadsankdownonhisbreast，andlittlebylittleeverythingbecamewrappedingloom。
Heawokeintheearlymorninginhisbedroom，andlookedaroundhim，nowclear—headed，inamazement。Initsusualplaceonthestrongtablestoodthegreatsteel—hoopedchestwithoutlockorkey。Butitwasnowlocked。Hearosequietlyandstoletotheturret—room。
Thereeverythingwasasithadbeenonthepreviousevening。Helookedoutofthewindowwherehighinairflew，asusual，thegiantkite。Heunlockedthewicketgateoftheturretstairandwentoutontheroof。Closetohimwasthegreatcoilofcordonitsreel。
Itwashumminginthemorningbreeze，andwhenhetouchedthestringitsentaquickthrillthroughhandandarm。Therewasnosignanywherethattherehadbeenanydisturbanceordisplacementofanythingduringthenight。
Utterlybewildered，hesatdowninhisroomtothink。NowforthefirsttimeheFELTthathewasasleepanddreaming。Presentlyhefellasleepagain，andsleptforalongtime。Heawokehungryandmadeaheartymeal。Thentowardsevening，havinglockedhimselfin，hefellasleepagain。Whenhewokehewasindarkness，andwasquiteatseaastohiswhereabouts。Hebeganfeelingaboutthedarkroom，andwasrecalledtotheconsequencesofhispositionbythebreakingofalargepieceofglass。Havingobtainedalight，hediscoveredthistobeaglasswheel，partofanelaboratepieceofmechanismwhichhemustinhissleephavetakenfromthechest，whichwasnowopened。Hehadonceagainopeneditwhilstasleep，buthehadnorecollectionofthecircumstances。
Caswallcametotheconclusionthattherehadbeensomesortofdualactionofhismind，whichmightleadtosomecatastropheorsomediscoveryofhissecretplans;soheresolvedtoforgoforawhilethepleasureofmakingdiscoveriesregardingthechest。Tothisend，heappliedhimselftoquiteanothermatter——aninvestigationoftheothertreasuresandrareobjectsinhiscollections。Hewentamongsttheminsimple，idlecuriosity，hismainobjectbeingtodiscoversomestrangeitemwhichhemightuseforexperimentwiththekite。Hehadalreadyresolvedtotrysomerunnersotherthanthosemadeofpaper。Hehadavagueideathatwithsuchaforceasthegreatkitestrainingatitsleash，thismightbeusedtolifttothealtitudeofthekiteitselfheavierarticles。Hisfirstexperimentwitharticlesoflittlebutincreasingweightwaseminentlysuccessful。Soheaddedbydegreesmoreandmoreweight，untilhefoundoutthattheliftingpowerofthekitewasconsiderable。Hethendeterminedtotakeastepfurther，andsendtothekitesomeofthearticleswhichlayinthesteel—hoopedchest。Thelasttimehehadopeneditinsleep，ithadnotbeenshutagain，andhehadinsertedawedgesothathecouldopenitatwill。Hemadeexaminationofthecontents，butcametotheconclusionthattheglassobjectswereunsuitable。Theyweretoolightfortestingweight，andtheyweresofrailastobedangeroustosendtosuchaheight。
Sohelookedaroundforsomethingmoresolidwithwhichtoexperiment。Hiseyecaughtsightofanobjectwhichatonceattractedhim。ThiswasasmallcopyofoneoftheancientEgyptiangods——thatofBes，whorepresentedthedestructivepowerofnature。
Itwassobizarreandmysteriousastocommenditselftohismadhumour。Inliftingitfromthecabinet，hewasstruckbyitsgreatweightinproportiontoitssize。Hemadeaccurateexaminationofitbytheaidofsomeinstruments，andcametotheconclusionthatitwascarvedfromalumpoflodestone。HerememberedthathehadreadsomewhereofanancientEgyptiangodcutfromasimilarsubstance，and，thinkingitover，hecametotheconclusionthathemusthavereaditinSirThomasBrown’sPOPULARERRORS，abookoftheseventeenthcentury。Hegotthebookfromthelibrary，andlookedoutthepassage：
"AgreatexamplewehavefromtheobservationofourlearnedfriendMr。Graves，inanAEgyptianidolcutoutofLoadstoneandfoundamongtheMummies;whichstillretainsitsattraction，thoughprobablytakenoutofthemineabouttwothousandyearsago。"
Thestrangenessofthefigure，anditsbeingsocloseakintohisownnature，attractedhim。Hemadefromthinwoodalargecircularrunner，andinfrontofitplacedtheweightygod，sendingituptotheflyingkitealongthethrobbingcord。
CHAPTERXIII——OOLANGA’SHALLUCINATIONS
DuringthelastfewdaysLadyArabellahadbeengettingexceedinglyimpatient。Herdebts，alwayspressing，weregrowingtoanembarrassingamount。Theonlyhopeshehadofcomfortinlifewasagoodmarriage;butthegoodmarriageonwhichshehadfixedhereyedidnotseemtomovequicklyenough——indeed，itdidnotseemtomoveatall——intherightdirection。EdgarCaswallwasnotanardentwooer。FromtheveryfirstheseemedDIFFICILE，buthehadbeenkeepingtohisownroomeversincehisstrugglewithMimiWatford。
OnthatoccasionLadyArabellahadshownhiminanunmistakablewaywhatherfeelingswere;indeed，shehadmadeitknowntohim，inamoreovertwaythanprideshouldallow，thatshewishedtohelpandsupporthim。Themomentwhenshehadgoneacrosstheroomtostandbesidehiminhismesmericstruggle，hadbeentheverylimitofhervoluntaryaction。Itwasquitebitterenough，shefelt，thathedidnotcometoher，butnowthatshehadmadethatadvance，shefeltthatanywithdrawalonhispartwould，toawomanofherclass，benothinglessthanaflaminginsult。Hadshenotclassedherselfwithhisniggerservant，anunreformedsavage？Hadshenotshownherpreferenceforhimatthefestivalofhishome—coming？Hadshenot……LadyArabellawascold—blooded，andshewaspreparedtogothroughallthatmightbenecessaryofindifference，andeveninsult，tobecomechatelaineofCastraRegis。Inthemeantime，shewouldshownohurry——shemustwait。Shemight，inanunostentatiousway，cometohimagain。Sheknewhimnow，andcouldmakeakeenguessathisdesireswithregardtoLillaWatford。Withthatsecretinherpossession，shecouldbringpressuretobearonCaswallwhichwouldmakeitnoeasymatterforhimtoevadeher。Thegreatdifficultywashowtogetnearhim。HewasshutupwithinhisCastle，andguardedbyadefenceofconventionwhichshecouldnotpasswithoutdangerofillreputetoherself。Overthisquestionshethoughtandthoughtfordaysandnights。AtlastshedecidedthattheonlywaywouldbetogotohimopenlyatCastraRegis。Herrankandpositionwouldmakesuchathingpossible，ifcarefullydone。Shecouldexplainmattersafterwardsifnecessary。Thenwhentheywerealone，shewoulduseherartsandherexperiencetomakehimcommithimself。Afterall，hewasonlyaman，withaman’sdislikeofdifficultorawkwardsituations。Shefeltquitesufficientconfidenceinherownwomanhoodtocarryherthroughanydifficultywhichmightarise。
FromDiana’sGrovesheheardeachdaytheluncheon—gongfromCastraRegissound，andknewthehourwhentheservantswouldbeinthebackofthehouse。Shewouldenterthehouseatthathour，and，pretendingthatshecouldnotmakeanyonehearher，wouldseekhiminhisownrooms。Thetowerwas，sheknew，awayfromalltheusualsoundsofthehouse，andmoreoversheknewthattheservantshadstrictordersnottointerrupthimwhenhewasintheturretchamber。Shehadfoundout，partlybytheaidofanopera—glassandpartlybyjudiciousquestioning，thatseveraltimeslatelyaheavychesthadbeencarriedtoandfromhisroom，andthatitrestedintheroomeachnight。Shewas，therefore，confidentthathehadsomeimportantworkonhandwhichwouldkeephimbusyforlongspells。
Meanwhile，anothermemberofthehouseholdatCastraRegishadschemeswhichhethoughtwereworkingtofruition。Amaninthepositionofaservanthasplentyofopportunityofwatchinghisbettersandformingopinionsregardingthem。Oolangawasinhiswayaclever，unscrupulousrogue，andhefeltthatwiththingsmovingroundhiminthisgreathouseholdthereshouldbeopportunitiesofself—advancement。Beingunscrupulousandstealthy——andasavage——helookedtodishonestmeans。HesawplainlyenoughthatLadyArabellawasmakingadeadsetathismaster，andhewaswatchfuloftheslightestsignofanythingwhichmightenhancethisknowledge。Liketheothermeninthehouse，heknewofthecarryingtoandfroofthegreatchest，andhadgotitintohisheadthatthecareexercisedinitsporterageindicatedthatitwasfulloftreasure。
Hewasforeverlurkingaroundtheturret—roomsonthechanceofmakingsomeusefuldiscovery。Buthewasascautiousashewasstealthy，andtookcarethatnooneelsewatchedhim。
ItwasthusthatthenegrobecameawareofLadyArabella’sventureintothehouse，asshethought，unseen。Hetookmorecarethanever，sincehewaswatchinganother，thatthepositionswerenotreversed。Morethaneverhekepthiseyesandearsopenandhismouthshut。SeeingLadyArabellaglidingupthestairstowardshismaster’sroom，hetookitforgrantedthatshewastherefornogood，anddoubledhiswatchingintentnessandcaution。
Oolangawasdisappointed，buthedarednotexhibitanyfeelinglestitshouldbetraythathewashiding。Thereforeheslunkdownstairsagainnoiselessly，andwaitedforamorefavourableopportunityoffurtheringhisplans。Itmustbeborneinmindthathethoughtthattheheavytrunkwasfullofvaluables，andthathebelievedthatLadyArabellahadcometotrytostealit。Hispurposeofusingforhisownadvantagethecombinationofthesetwoideaswasseenlaterintheday。Oolangasecretlyfollowedherhome。Hewasanexpertatthisgame，andsucceededadmirablyonthisoccasion。HewatchedherentertheprivategateofDiana’sGrove，andthen，takingaroundaboutcourseandkeepingoutofhersight，heatlastovertookherinathickpartoftheGrovewherenoonecouldseethemeeting。
LadyArabellawasmuchsurprised。Shehadnotseenthenegroforseveraldays，andhadalmostforgottenhisexistence。Oolangawouldhavebeenstartledhadheknownandbeencapableofunderstandingtherealvalueplacedonhim，hisbeauty，hisworthiness，byotherpersons，andcompareditwiththevalueinthesemattersinwhichheheldhimself。DoubtlessOolangahadhisdreamslikeothermen。Insuchcaseshesawhimselfasayoungsun—god，asbeautifulastheeyeofduskyorevenwhitewomanhoodhadeverdweltupon。Hewouldhavebeenfilledwithallnobleandcaptivatingqualities——orthoseregardedassuchinWestAfrica。Womenwouldhavelovedhim，andwouldhavetoldhimsointheovertandfervidmannerusualinaffairsoftheheartintheshadowydepthsoftheforestoftheGoldCoast。
OolangacameclosebehindLadyArabella，andinahushedvoice，suitabletotheimportanceofhistask，andindeferencetotherespecthehadforherandtheplace，begantounfoldthestoryofhislove。LadyArabellawasnotusuallyahumorousperson，butnomanorwomanofthewhiteracecouldhavecheckedthelaughterwhichrosespontaneouslytoherlips。Thecircumstancesweretoogrotesque，thecontrasttooviolent，forsubduedmirth。Themanadebasedspecimenofoneofthemostprimitiveracesoftheearth，andofanuglinesswhichwassimplydevilish;thewomanofhighdegree，beautiful，accomplished。Shethoughtthatherfirstmoment’sconsiderationoftheoutrage——itwasnothinglessinhereyes——hadgivenherthefullmaterialforthought。Buteveryinstantafterthrewnewandvariedlightsontheaffront。Herindignationwastoogreatforpassion;onlyironyorsatirewouldmeetthesituation。Hercold，cruelnaturehelped，andshedidnotshrinktosubjectthisignorantsavagetothemercilessfire—lashofherscorn。
Oolangawasdimlyconsciousthathewasbeingflouted;buthisangerwasnolesskeenbecauseofthemeasureofhisignorance。Sohegavewaytoit，asdoesatorturedbeast。Hegroundhisgreatteethtogether，raved，stamped，andsworeinbarbaroustonguesandwithbarbarousimagery。EvenLadyArabellafeltthatitwaswellshewaswithinreachofhelp，orhemighthaveofferedherbrutalviolence——
evenhavekilledher。
"AmItounderstand，"shesaidwithcolddisdain，somuchmoreeffectivetowoundthanhotpassion，"thatyouareofferingmeyourlove？Your——love？"
Forreplyhenoddedhishead。Thescornofhervoice，inasortofbalefulhiss，sounded——andfelt——likethelashofawhip。
"Andyoudared！you——asavage——aslave——thebasestthingintheworldofvermin！Takecare！Idon’tvalueyourworthlesslifemorethanIdothatofaratoraspider。Don’tletmeeverseeyourhideousfacehereagain，orIshallridtheearthofyou。"
Asshewasspeaking，shehadtakenoutherrevolverandwaspointingitathim。Intheimmediatepresenceofdeathhisimpudenceforsookhim，andhemadeaweakefforttojustifyhimself。Hisspeechwasshort，consistingofsinglewords。ToLadyArabellaitsoundedmeregibberish，butitwasinhisowndialect，andmeantlove，marriage，wife。Fromtheintonationofthewords，sheguessed，withherwoman’squickintuition，attheirmeaning;butshequitefailedtofollow，when，becomingmorepressing，hecontinuedtourgehissuitinamixtureofthegrossestanimalpassionandridiculousthreats。
Hewarnedherthatheknewshehadtriedtostealhismaster’streasure，andthathehadcaughtherintheact。Butifshewouldbehis，hewouldsharethetreasurewithher，andtheycouldliveinluxuryintheAfricanforests。Butifsherefused，hewouldtellhismaster，whowouldflogandtortureherandthengivehertothepolice，whowouldkillher。
CHAPTERXIV——BATTLERENEWED
TheconsequencesofthatmeetingintheduskofDiana’sGrovewereacuteandfar—reaching，andnotonlytothetwoengagedinit。FromOolanga，thismighthavebeenexpectedbyanyonewhoknewthecharacterofthetropicalAfricansavage。Tosuch，therearetwopassionsthatareinexhaustibleandinsatiable——vanityandthatwhichtheyarepleasedtocalllove。OolangalefttheGrovewithanabsorbinghatredinhisheart。Hislustandgreedwereafire，whilehisvanityhadbeenwoundedtothecore。LadyArabella’sicynaturewasnotsodeeplystirred，thoughshewasinaseethingpassion。
MorethanevershewassetuponbringingEdgarCaswalltoherfeet。
Theobstaclesshehadencountered，theinsultsshehadendured，wereonlyasfueltothepurposeofrevengewhichconsumedher。
AsshesoughtherownroomsinDiana’sGrove，shewentoverthewholesubjectagainandagain，alwaysfindinginthefaceofLillaWatfordakeytoaproblemwhichpuzzledher——theproblemofawaytoturnCaswall’spowers——hisveryexistence——toaidherpurpose。
Wheninherboudoir，shewroteanote，takingsomuchtroubleoveritthatshedestroyed，andrewrote，tillherdaintywaste—basketwashalf—fulloftornsheetsofnotepaper。Whenquitesatisfied，shecopiedoutthelastsheetafresh，andthencarefullyburnedallthespoiledfragments。Sheputthecopiednoteinanemblazonedenvelope，anddirectedittoEdgarCaswallatCastraRegis。Thisshesentoffbyoneofhergrooms。Theletterran：
"DEARMR。CASWALL，"IwanttohaveachatwithyouonasubjectinwhichIbelieveyouareinterested。Willyoukindlycallformeonedayafterlunch——
sayatthreeorfouro’clock，andwecanwalkalittlewaytogether。
OnlyasfarasMercyFarm，whereIwanttoseeLillaandMimiWatford。WecantakeacupofteaattheFarm。DonotbringyourAfricanservantwithyou，asIamafraidhisfacefrightensthegirls。Afterall，heisnotpretty，ishe？Ihaveanideayouwillbepleasedwithyourvisitthistime。
"Yourssincerely，"ARABELLAMARCH。"
Athalf—pastthreenextday，EdgarCaswallcalledatDiana’sGrove。
LadyArabellamethimontheroadwayoutsidethegate。Shewishedtotaketheservantsintoherconfidenceaslittleaspossible。Sheturnedwhenshesawhimcoming，andwalkedbesidehimtowardsMercyFarm，keepingstepwithhimastheywalked。WhentheygotnearMercy，sheturnedandlookedaroundher，expectingtoseeOolangaorsomesignofhim。Hewas，however，notvisible。Hehadreceivedfromhismasterperemptoryorderstokeepoutofsight——anorderforwhichtheAfricanscoredanewoffenceupagainsther。TheyfoundLillaandMimiathomeandseeminglygladtoseethem，thoughboththegirlsweresurprisedatthevisitcomingsosoonaftertheother。
Theproceedingswerearepetitionofthebattleofsoulsoftheformervisit。Onthisoccasion，however，EdgarCaswallhadonlythepresenceofLadyArabellatosupporthim——Oolangabeingabsent;butMimilackedthesupportofAdamSalton，whichhadbeenofsucheffectiveservicebefore。Thistimethestruggleforsupremacyofwillwaslongerandmoredetermined。Caswallfeltthatifhecouldnotachievesupremacyhehadbettergiveuptheidea，soallhispridewasenlistedagainstMimi。Whentheyhadbeenwaitingforthedoortobeopened，LadyArabella，believinginasuddenattack，hadsaidtohiminalowvoice，whichsomehowcarriedconviction：
"Thistimeyoushouldwin。Mimiis，afterall，onlyawoman。Showhernomercy。Thatisweakness。Fighther，beather，trampleonher——killherifneedbe。Shestandsinyourway，andIhateher。
Nevertakeyoureyesoffher。NevermindLilla——sheisafraidofyou。Youarealreadyhermaster。Mimiwilltrytomakeyoulookathercousin。Thereliesdefeat。LetnothingtakeyourattentionfromMimi，andyouwillwin。Ifsheisovercomingyou，takemyhandandholdithardwhilstyouarelookingintohereyes。Ifsheistoostrongforyou，Ishallinterfere。I’llmakeadiversion，andundercoverofityoumustretireunbeaten，evenifnotvictorious。
Hush！theyarecoming。"
Thetwogirlscametothedoortogether。StrangesoundswerecomingupovertheBrowfromthewest。Itwastherustlingandcracklingofthedryreedsandrushesfromthelowlands。Theseasonhadbeenanunusuallydryone。Alsothestrongeastwindwashelpingforwardenormousflocksofbirds，mostofthempigeonswithwhitecowls。
Notonlyweretheirwingswhirring，buttheircooingwasplainlyaudible。Fromsuchamultitudeofbirdsthemassofsound，individuallysmall，assumedthevolumeofastorm。Surprisedattheinfluxofbirds，towhichtheyhadbeenstrangerssolong，theyalllookedtowardsCastraRegis，fromwhosehightowerthegreatkitehadbeenflyingasusual。Butevenastheylooked，thecordbroke，andthegreatkitefellheadlonginaseriesofsweepingdives。Itsownweight，andtheaerialforceopposedtoit，whichcausedittorise，combinedwiththestrongeasterlybreeze，hadbeentoomuchforthegreatlengthofcordholdingit。
Somehow，themishaptothekitegavenewhopetoMimi。Itwasasthoughthesideissueshadbeenshornaway，sothatthemainstrugglewasthenceforthonsimplerlines。Shehadafeelinginherheart，asthoughsomereligiouschordhadbeennewlytouched。Itmay，ofcourse，havebeenthatwiththerenewalofthebirdvoicesafreshcourage，afreshbeliefinthegoodissueofthestrugglecametoo。Inthemiseryofsilence，fromwhichtheyhadallsufferedforsolong，anynewtrainofthoughtwasalmostboundtobeaboon。Astheinrushofbirdscontinued，theirwingsbeatingagainstthecracklingrushes，LadyArabellagrewpale，andalmostfainted。
"Whatisthat？"sheaskedsuddenly。
ToMimi，bornandbredinSiam，thesoundwasstrangelylikeanexaggerationofthesoundproducedbyasnake—charmer。
EdgarCaswallwasthefirsttorecoverfromtheinterruptionofthefallingkite。AfterafewminutesheseemedtohavequiterecoveredhisSANGFROID，andwasabletousehisbrainstotheendwhichhehadinview。Mimitooquicklyrecoveredherself，butfromadifferentcause。WithheritwasadeepreligiousconvictionthatthestruggleroundherwasofthepowersofGoodandEvil，andthatGoodwastriumphing。Theveryappearanceofthesnowybirds，withthecowlsofSaintColumba，heightenedtheimpression。Withthisconvictionstronguponher，shecontinuedthestrangebattlewithfreshvigour。SheseemedtotoweroverCaswall，andhetogivebackbeforeheroncoming。Onceagainhervigorouspassesdrovehimtothedoor。HewasjustgoingoutbackwardwhenLadyArabella，whohadbeengazingathimwithfixedeyes，caughthishandandtriedtostophismovement。Shewas，however，unabletodoanygood，andso，holdinghands，theypassedouttogether。Astheydidso，thestrangemusicwhichhadsoalarmedLadyArabellasuddenlystopped。
InstinctivelytheyalllookedtowardsthetowerofCastraRegis，andsawthattheworkmenhadrefixedthekite，whichhadrisenagainandwasbeginningtofloatouttoitsformerstation。
Astheywerelooking，thedooropenedandMichaelWatfordcameintotheroom。Bythattimeallhadrecoveredtheirself—possession，andtherewasnothingoutofthecommontoattracthisattention。Ashecamein，seeinginquiringlooksallaroundhim，hesaid：
"ThenewinfluxofbirdsisonlytheannualmigrationofpigeonsfromAfrica。Iamtoldthatitwillsoonbeover。"
ThesecondvictoryofMimiWatfordmadeEdgarCaswallmoremoodythanever。Hefeltthrownbackonhimself，andthis，addedtohisabsorbinginterestinthehopeofavictoryofhismesmericpowers，becameadeepandsettledpurposeofrevenge。Thechiefobjectofhisanimositywas，ofcourse，Mimi，whosewillhadovercomehis，butitwasobscuredingreaterorlesserdegreebyallwhohadopposedhim。LillawasnexttoMimiinhishate——Lilla，theharmless，tender—hearted，sweet—naturedgirl，whoseheartwassofullofloveforallthingsthatinitwasnoroomforthepassionsofordinarylife——whosenatureresembledthosedovesofSt。Columba，whosecolourshewore，whoseappearanceshereflected。AdamSaltoncamenext——afteragap;foragainsthimCaswallhadnodirectanimosity。
Heregardedhimasaninterference，adifficultytobegotridofordestroyed。TheyoungAustralianhadbeensodiscreetthatthemosthehadagainsthimwashisknowledgeofwhathadbeen。Caswalldidnotunderstandhim，andtosuchanatureashis，ignorancewasacauseofalarm，ofdread。
Caswallresumedhishabitofwatchingthegreatkitestrainingatitscord，varyinghisvigilsinthiswaybyafurtherexaminationofthemysterioustreasuresofhishouse，especiallyMesmer’schest。
Hesatmuchontheroofofthetower，broodingoverhisthwartedpassion。Thevastextentofhispossessions，visibletohimatthataltitude，might，onewouldhavethought，haverestoredsomeofhiscomplacency。Buttheveryextentofhisownership，thusperpetuallybroughtbeforehim，createdafreshsenseofgrievance。Howwasit，hethought，thatwithsomuchatcommandthatotherswishedfor，hecouldnotachievethedearestwishesofhisheart？
Inthisstateofintellectualandmoraldepravity，hefoundasolaceintherenewalofhisexperimentswiththemechanicalpowersofthekite。ForacoupleofweekshedidnotseeLadyArabella，whowasalwaysonthewatchforachanceofmeetinghim;neitherdidheseetheWatfordgirls，whostudiouslykeptoutofhisway。AdamSaltonsimplymarkedtime，keepingreadytodealwithanythingthatmightaffecthisfriends。HecalledatthefarmandheardfromMimiofthelastbattleofwills，butithadonlyoneconsequence。HegotfromRossseveralmoremongooses，includingasecondking—cobra—
killer，whichhegenerallycarriedwithhiminitsboxwheneverhewalkedout。
Mr。Caswall’sexperimentswiththekitewentonsuccessfully。Eachdayhetriedtheliftingofgreaterweight，anditseemedalmostasifthemachinehadasentienceofitsown，whichwasincreasingwiththeobstaclesplacedbeforeit。Allthistimethekitehungintheskyatanenormousheight。Thewindwassteadilyfromthenorth，sothetrendofthekitewastothesouth。Alldaylong，runnersofincreasingmagnitudeweresentup。Thesewereonlyofpaperorthincardboard，orleather，orotherflexiblematerials。Thegreatheightatwhichthekitehungmadeagreatconcavecurveinthestring，sothatastherunnerswentuptheymadeaflappingsound。
Ifonelaidafingeronthestring，thesoundansweredtotheflappingoftherunnerinasortofhollowintermittentmurmur。
EdgarCaswall，whowasnowwhollyobsessedbythekiteandallbelongingtoit，foundadistinctresemblancebetweenthatintermittentrumbleandthesnake—charmingmusicproducedbythepigeonsflyingthroughthedryreeds。
OnedayhemadeadiscoveryinMesmer’schestwhichhethoughthewouldutilisewithregardtotherunners。Thiswasagreatlengthofwire，"fineashumanhair，"coiledroundafinelymadewheel，whichrantoawondrousdistancefreely，andaslightly。Hetriedthisonrunners，andfounditworkadmirably。Whethertherunnerwasalone，orcarriedsomethingmuchmoreweightythanitself，itworkedequallywell。Alsoitwasstrongenoughandlightenoughtodrawbacktherunnerwithoutunduestrain。Hetriedthisagoodmanytimessuccessfully，butitwasnowgrowingduskandhefoundsomedifficultyinkeepingtherunnerinsight。Sohelookedforsomethingheavyenoughtokeepitstill。HeplacedtheEgyptianimageofBesonthefinewire，whichcrossedthewoodenledgewhichprotectedit。Then，thedarknessgrowing，hewentindoorsandforgotallaboutit。
Hehadastrangefeelingofuneasinessthatnight——notsleeplessness，forheseemedconsciousofbeingasleep。Atdaylightherose，andasusuallookedoutforthekite。Hedidnotseeitinitsusualpositioninthesky，solookedroundthepointsofthecompass。Hewasmorethanastonishedwhenpresentlyhesawthemissingkitestrugglingasusualagainstthecontrollingcord。Butithadgonetothefurthersideofthetower，andnowhungandstrainedAGAINSTTHEWINDtothenorth。Hethoughtitsostrangethathedeterminedtoinvestigatethephenomenon，andtosaynothingaboutitinthemeantime。
Inhismanytravels，EdgarCaswallhadbeenaccustomedtousethesextant，andwasnowanexpertinthematter。Bytheaidofthisandotherinstruments，hewasabletofixthepositionofthekiteandthepointoverwhichithung。Hewasstartledtofindthatexactlyunderit——sofarashecouldascertain——wasDiana’sGrove。
HehadaninclinationtotakeLadyArabellaintohisconfidenceinthematter，buthethoughtbetterofitandwiselyrefrained。Forsomereasonwhichhedidnottrytoexplaintohimself，hewasgladofhissilence，when，onthefollowingmorning，hefound，onlookingout，thatthepointoverwhichthekitethenhoveredwasMercyFarm。
Whenhehadverifiedthiswithhisinstruments，hesatbeforethewindowofthetower，lookingoutandthinking。Thenewlocalitywasmoretohislikingthantheother;butthewhyofitpuzzledhim，allthesame。Hespenttherestofthedayintheturret—room，whichhedidnotleaveallday。Itseemedtohimthathewasnowdrawnbyforceswhichhecouldnotcontrol——ofwhich，indeed，hehadnoknowledge——indirectionswhichhedidnotunderstand，andwhichwerewithouthisownvolition。Insheerhelplessinabilitytothinktheproblemoutsatisfactorily，hecalledupaservantandtoldhimtotellOolangathathewantedtoseehimatonceintheturret—
room。TheanswercamebackthattheAfricanhadnotbeenseensincethepreviousevening。
Caswallwasnowsoirritablethateventhissmallthingupsethim。
Ashewasdistraitandwantedtotalktosomebody，hesentforSimonChester，whocameatonce，breathlesswithhurryingandupsetbytheunexpectedsummons。Caswallbadehimsitdown，andwhentheoldmanwasinalessuneasyframeofmind，heagainaskedhimifhehadeverseenwhatwasinMesmer’schestorhearditspokenabout。
Chesteradmittedthathehadonce，inthetimeof"thethenMr。
Edgar，"seenthechestopen，which，knowingsomethingofitshistoryandguessingmore，soupsethimthathehadfainted。Whenherecovered，thechestwasclosed。FromthattimethethenMr。Edgarhadneverspokenaboutitagain。
WhenCaswallaskedhimtodescribewhathehadseenwhenthechestwasopen，hegotveryagitated，and，despiteallhiseffortstoremaincalm，hesuddenlywentoffintoafaint。Caswallsummonedservants，whoappliedtheusualremedies。Stilltheoldmandidnotrecover。Afterthelapseofaconsiderabletime，thedoctorwhohadbeensummonedmadehisappearance。Aglancewassufficientforhimtomakeuphismind。Still，hekneltdownbytheoldman，andmadeacarefulexamination。Thenherosetohisfeet，andinahushedvoicesaid：
"Igrievetosay，sir，thathehaspassedaway。"
CHAPTERXV——ONTHETRACK
ThosewhohadseenEdgarCaswallfamiliarlysincehisarrival，andhadalreadyestimatedhiscold—bloodednatureatsomethingofitstruevalue，weresurprisedthathetooksotoheartthedeathofoldChester。Thefactwasthatnotoneofthemhadguessedcorrectlyathischaracter。Theythought，naturallyenough，thattheconcernwhichhefeltwasthatofamasterforafaithfuloldservantofhisfamily。Theylittlethoughtthatitwasmerelytheselfishexpressionofhisdisappointment，thathehadthuslosttheonlyremainingcluetoaninterestingpieceoffamilyhistory——onewhichwasnowandwouldbeforeverwrappedinmystery。CaswallknewenoughaboutthelifeofhisancestorinParistowishtoknowmorefullyandmorethoroughlyallthathadbeen。Theperiodcoveredbythatancestor’slifeinPariswasoneinvitingeveryformofcuriosity。
LadyArabella，whohadherowngametoplay，sawintheMETIERofsympatheticfriend，aseriesofmeetingswiththemanshewantedtosecure。ShemadethefirstuseoftheopportunitythedayafteroldChester’sdeath;indeed，assoonasthenewshadfilteredinthroughthebackdoorofDiana’sGrove。Atthatmeeting，sheplayedherpartsowellthatevenCaswall’scoldnaturewasimpressed。
Oolangawastheonlyonewhodidnotcreditherwithatleastsomesenseoffinefeelinginthematter。Inemotional，asinothermatters，Oolangawasdistinctlyautilitarian，andashecouldnotunderstandanyonefeelinggriefexceptforhisownsuffering，pain，orforthelossofmoney，hecouldnotunderstandanyonesimulatingsuchanemotionexceptforshowintendedtodeceive。HethoughtthatshehadcometoCastraRegisagainfortheopportunityofstealingsomething，andwasdeterminedthatonthisoccasionthechanceofpressinghisadvantageoverhershouldnotpass。Hefelt，therefore，thattheoccasionwasoneforextracarefulnessinthewatchingofallthatwenton。EversincehehadcometotheconclusionthatLadyArabellawastryingtostealthetreasure—
chest，hesuspectednearlyeveryoneofthesamedesign，andmadeitapointtowatchallsuspiciouspersonsandplaces。AsAdamwasengagedonhisownresearchesregardingLadyArabella，itwasonlynaturalthatthereshouldbesomecrossingofeachother’stracks。
Thisiswhatdidactuallyhappen。
Adamhadgoneforanearlymorningsurveyoftheplaceinwhichhewasinterested，takingwithhimthemongooseinitsbox。HearrivedatthegateofDiana’sGrovejustasLadyArabellawaspreparingtosetoutforCastraRegisonwhatsheconsideredhermissionofcomfort。SeeingAdamfromherwindowgoingthroughtheshadowsofthetreesroundthegate，shethoughtthathemustbeengagedonsomepurposesimilartoherown。So，quicklymakinghertoilet，shequietlyleftthehouse，and，takingadvantageofeveryshadowandsubstancewhichcouldhideher，followedhimonhiswalk。
Oolanga，theexperiencedtracker，followedher，butsucceededinhidinghismovementsbetterthanshedid。HesawthatAdamhadonhisshoulderamysteriousbox，whichhetooktocontainsomethingvaluable。SeeingthatLadyArabellawassecretlyfollowingAdam，hewasconfirmedinthisidea。Hismind——suchasitwas——wasfixedonhertryingtosteal，andhecreditedheratoncewithmakinguseofthisnewopportunity。
Inhiswalk，AdamwentintothegroundsofCastraRegis，andOolangasawherfollowhimwithgreatsecrecy。Hefearedtogocloser，asnowonbothsidesofhimwereenemieswhomightmakediscovery。
WhenherealisedthatLadyArabellawasboundfortheCastle，hedevotedhimselftofollowingherwithsinglenessofpurpose。HethereforemissedseeingthatAdambranchedoffthetrackandreturnedtothehighroad。
ThatnightEdgarCaswallhadsleptbadly。Thetragicoccurrenceofthedaywasonhismind，andhekeptwakingandthinkingofit。
Afteranearlybreakfast，hesatattheopenwindowwatchingthekiteandthinkingofmanythings。Fromhisroomhecouldseeallroundtheneighbourhood，butthetwoplacesthatinterestedhimmostwereMercyFarmandDiana’sGrove。Atfirstthemovementsaboutthosespotswereofahumblekind——thosethatbelongtodomesticserviceoragriculturalneeds——theopeningofdoorsandwindows，thesweepingandbrushing，andgenerallytherestorationofhabitualorder。
Fromhishighwindow——whoseheightmadeitascreenfromtheobservationofothers——hesawthechainofwatchersmoveintohisowngrounds，andthenpresentlybreakup——AdamSaltongoingoneway，andLadyArabella，followedbythenigger，another。ThenOolangadisappearedamongstthetrees;butCaswallcouldseethathewasstillwatching。LadyArabella，afterlookingaroundher，slippedinbytheopendoor，andhecould，ofcourse，seehernolonger。