"Shesaysshe’dnevergonearacrabagain，notifit’severso。"
　　"Youaresure？"saidtheProphet，eagerly。"Youarepositiveshesaidthat？"
　　"I’dstakemyDavy，andIwouldn’tdothatoneverything。Thereain’tamanlivingas’llevergethertogowithinfiftymilesofacrabthissideofJudgment。"
　　AtthispointinthecolloquythecuriosityofMadameovercameher，andsheprotrudedherheadsuddenlybeyondtheedgeofthedoorway。
　　"Ulloh！"exclaimedthevoice。"Why，what’s’a’yougotthere？"
　　Madamehastilywithdrew，andthevoicecontinued，——
　　"Blessedifitain’tafemale！"
　　"Ibegyourpardon！"saidtheProphet，tremblingwithpropriety。"I——
　　I——thereisnofemalehere！"
　　"Yesthereis！"criedthevoice，withachuckle。"There’safemalecreepingandcrawlingaboutbehindthattheredoor。"
　　TheProphet’ssenseofchivalrywasnowfullyaroused。
　　"Youaremistaken，"hesaidfirmly。"Therearenofemalescreepingand——andcrawlingaboutinthis——thisrespectablehouse。"
　　"Respectable！"ejaculatedthevoice，"respectable！Isaythereisafemale。You’reaniceone，youare！’Ponmyword，I’veagoodmindtorunyouinforMormonism，Ihave。Wherever’sshegotto？"
　　Onthelastwordsasuddenblazeoflightshotintothepantry，andatthesamemomenttherewasthesoundofwheelsrapidlyapproachinginthesquare。
　　"Hulloh！"saidthevoice，"someonea—comin’。"
　　Thelightdiedoutasrapidlyasithadflashedin，thewheelsdrewcloseandstopped，andabellpealedforthinthesilenthouse。
　　"MercifulHeavens！"criedtheProphet，pressinghishandstohisthrobbingbrow。"MercifulHeavens！whocanthatbe？"
　　Therewasnoanswer，andthebellpealedagain。
　　"Granniewillbedisturbed！"exclaimedtheProphet，addressinghimself，passionatelytothedarkness。"Granniewillbekilledbyallthisuproar。"
　　Thebellpealedagain。
　　"Thismustcease，"criedtheProphet。"Thismustandshallcease。I
　　willbringitalltoanendonceandforever！"
　　And，withsuddendesperatedecision，heshutthewindow，burstoutofthepantryandcameuponMadame，whowasstandinginasomewhatfurtivemannerbythedoorthatopenedintothecellarsofthemansion。
　　"Mr。Vivian，"shebegan，inarathersubduedvoice，"thatisn’tacomet，that’sacopper！"
　　Thebellrangagain。
　　"D’youthink——d’youthinkthatcanbemyhusband？"continuedMadame，stillseemingsubdued。"Ishouldlikehim——Doyouthinkit’shim？"
　　"What？"
　　"Thebell。"
　　"Iwillverysoonsee，"repliedtheProphet，inamostdeterminedmanner。
　　"ButMr。Viv——"
　　"Don’tholdme，ifyouplease。Kindlyletmepass！"
　　And，breakingfromthelady’sanxiousgrasp，theProphetrushedintothehalljustasGustavusappeared，descendingthefrontstairsfromthelandingbeforeMrs。Merillia’sdoor，wherehehadbeenincloseconferencewithMrs。Fancy。
　　"Standback，Gustavus，"saidtheProphet。
　　"Sir！"
　　"Standback！"
　　"But，sir，thereissomeone——"
　　"Iknowthereis。Iamabouttoanswerthedoormyself。"
　　"Ifyouplease，sir，Mrs。Merilliaisgreatlyalarmedbytheconstantringing，andMrs。Fancythinks——"
　　"Gustavus，"saidtheProphetinanawfulvoice，"youmayretire，butfirstletmetellyouonething。"
　　"Certainly，sir，"saidthefootman，beginningtotremble。
　　"Thecircumstancesthathaverenderedahithertopeacefulhouseholdmoredisorderedthananabodeofmadmenareabouttobebroughttoanendforever。Thereisapointatwhichagentlemanmusteitherceasetobeagentlemanorceasetobeaman。Ihavereachedthatpoint，Gustavus，andIamabouttoceasetobeagentleman。"
　　And，withthisterriblestatement，theProphetadvancedwithasortofappallingdeliberationandthrewthefrontdoorwideopen。
　　UponthedoorstepstoodLadyEnidwrappedinapinkoperacloakandSirTiglathButtshroudedintheInverness。TheProphetfacedthemwithamarbledemeanour。
　　"Ithoughtyou’dbehere，Mr。Vivian，"beganLadyEnidinabrightmanner。
　　"Iamhere，"saidtheProphet，speakinginavoicethatmightwellhaveissuedfromastatue。
　　"Whereishe？"roaredSirTiglath。"Whereishe？Oh—h—h—h！"
　　"SirTiglathmeansMalkiel，"explainedLadyEnid。"Heismostanxioustomeethim。"
　　"Why？"saidtheProphet，stillinthesameinhumanvoice。
　　"Well，weshallseewhentheydomeet，"saidLadyEnid，throwingalookofkeencuriosityattheastronomer。"Iratherthink——"heresheloweredhervoiceandwhisperedintheProphet’sear——"IratherthinkSirTiglathwishestotryifhecanmurderMalkiel。Doyoubelievehecouldbringitoff？"
　　"I’msureIdon’tknow，"answeredtheProphet，withstonyindifference。
　　"Good—nighttoyou！"
　　"Butwewanttocomein，"criedLadyEnid。
　　"Youngman，"roaredSirTiglath，"theoldastronomerwillnotleavethishousetillhehassearcheditfromattictocellar。"
　　"Iamsorry，"repliedtheProphet，"butIcannotpermitmygrandmother’sservantsorwinetobedisturbedatsuchanhour。IfyouwishtomurderMalkieltheSecond，Ishallnotpreventyou，butheisnothere。"
　　"Thenwhereishe？"criedLadyEnid。
　　"Idon’tknow。Andnow——"
　　TheProphetsteppedbackintothehall，andwasabouttoclosethedoorunceremoniously——having，asheintended，ceasedtobeagentleman——whenLadyEnidcaughtsightoftheroundandfixedeyesofGustavusglaringoutintothenightfrombehindhismaster。Theappallingfeminineinstinct，whichmakeswomanthemistressofcreation，suddenlywokewithinher，andshecriedoutinapiercingvoice，——
　　"Malkiel’sinthehouse，andGustavusknowsit！"
　　ShespokethesewordswithsuchconvictionthattheProphetspunround，top—wise，andstaredattheunfortunateflunkey，whoinstantlyfelluponhisknee—breechesandstammeredout，——
　　"Oh，sir，forgiveme！It’sDr。Carterdoneit，sir，itisindeed。It’sDr。Carterdoneit！"
　　"Dr。Carter！"ejaculatedtheProphet。
　　"Thelibrary，sir。Heofferedmethelibraryeighttimesover，sir！"
　　"Whoofferedyouthelibrary？"
　　"Thegent，sir，inMr。Ferdinand’strouserings，whatwasatdinner，sir。Heonlywantedtochange’em，sir，andhesaystome，hesays，’Letme，’hesays，’butremovethesetrouserings，’hesays，’beforeI
　　makeofftoJava，’hesays——"
　　"Towhere？"roaredSirTiglath。
　　"ToJava，sir，wherethejellyandthesparrowsismanufactured，sir，thatisborn，sir。’And，’hesays，’hereisahundredpounds，’hesays。"
　　"Thenheisinthehouse？"saidtheProphet，sternly。
　　"Well，sir，hewas，sir。And，asIain’tseenhimgo，sir，Iexpectashe’ssomewhereaboutchangingof’em，sir。Oh，sir，ifyou’llonlylookitoversir，It’sallthethirst，sir，it’sallthethirst——"
　　"What？Youhavebeendrinking？"criedtheProphet，inanoutragedmanner。
　　"No，sir，thethirstforknowledge，sir，ashasbroughtmetothis。Oh，sir，ifonlyyou’ll——"
　　"Hush！"saidtheProphetfiercely。"SirTiglath，"headded，turningtowardsthepuffingastronomer，"youcanenter。Mygrandmothermusthavebeenright。"
　　"Yourgrandmother？"saidLadyEnid，witheagerinquisitiveness。
　　"Sheinformedmethattheruffianwasinthehouseandhadattemptedtomakeawaywithher——"
　　"Dearme！thisismostinteresting！"interposedLadyEnid。
　　"ButIsupposedshehadhadthenightmare。ItseemsthatIwaswrong。
　　Ifyouwillstepin，youcansearchthehouseatonce。Andifyoudiscoverthisnamelesscreaturechanginghis——thatisMr。Ferdinand’strouserings——trousers，thatis，——inanypartofthebuilding，asfarasIamconcernedyoucanmurderhimforthwith。"
　　TheProphetspokequitecalmly，inasoftandlevelvoice。YettherewassomethingsofrightfulinhistoneandmannerthatevenSirTiglathseemedslightlyawe—stricken。Atanyrate，heacceptedtheProphet’sinvitationinsilence，andsteppedalmostfurtivelyintothehall，onwhosefloorGustavuswasstillposedintheconventionalattitudeoftheChristianmartyr。LadyEnideagerlyfollowed，andtheProphetwasjustabouttoclosethedoor，whenadark，hoveringfigurethatwaspausingatashortdistanceoffuponthepavementattractedhisattention。Hestoppedshort，and，perceivingthatitwasapoliceman，beckonedtoit。Thefigureapproached。
　　"What’supnow？"itsaidfamiliarly，emphasisingthequestionwithasharpcontractionofthelefteyelid。"You’rehavinganicegameto—night，andnomistake。"
　　"Game！"repliedtheProphet，sternly。"Thisisnogame。Standthere，bytheareagate，andifanyoneshouldrunout，knockhimdownwithyourtruncheon。Doyouhearme？"
　　Withtheseimpressivewordsheenteredthehouseandshutthedoor，leavingthepolicemantowhistleinquiringlytothestarsthatwerewatchingoverthishouse，oncepeaceful，butnowtheabodeofviolenceandtragedy。
　　InthehallhefoundGustavusstillonhiskneesbetweenLadyEnidandSirTiglath。
　　"LadyEnid，"hesaid，eveninthishourmindfuloftheproprieties，"youhaveheardwhatthisvillainisdoinghere，andmustbesensiblethatyoucantakenopartinthissearch。"
　　"Oh，butIparticularlywant——"beganLadyEnid，hastily。
　　"Pardonme，"saidtheProphet，withmorefirmnessthanNapoleonevershowedtohismarshals。"Youmustretire。Pleasecomethisway。Mrs。
　　Fancywilllookafteryou。"
　　"Oh，butreally，Mr。Vivian，I——"
　　"Kindlyfollowme。"
　　LadyEnidhesitatedforamoment，buttheProphet’smannerwastoomuchforher，andwhenhestepped，likeaclockworkautomatonwithasteelinterior，towardsthestaircase，shecreptmildlyinhiswake。
　　"Can’tIreally——？"shewhisperedinhisear。
　　"Certainlynot。Ifyouwereamarriedwoman，possibly——"
　　"Well，butIamengaged，"shemurmured。
　　TheProphetstoppedshort。
　　"Engaged！"hesaid。"Towhom？"
　　"SirTiglath。"
　　"EngagedtoSirTiglath！"
　　"Yes。Heproposedtometo—nightatZoologicalHouse。"
　　"Why？"
　　Shemightwellhaveresentedthequestion，butperhapsshedivinedthedistraughtandalmostmaniacalconditionofmindthattheProphetmaskedbeneathhisimpassivedemeanour。Atanyratesheansweredfrankly，——
　　"Becausehedidn’tfindoutI’mMissMinerva，andinthemidstofMrs。
　　Bridgeman’ssillyworldIstoodrightoutastheonlysensiblecreatureliving。Isn’titfun？"
　　"Fun！"
　　"Yes。Ialwaysmeanthimtoproposetome。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecauseIalwaysthoughtitwouldbesupremelyidioticofmetoaccepthim。"
　　TheProphetfeltthatifhelistenedtoanotherremarkofsuchanaturehisbrainwouldsnapandhewouldinstantlybetakenwithatearingfitofhysterics。Hethereforeturnedroundandslowlyascendedtothefirstfloor。
　　"Kindlystepintothedrawing—room，"hesaid，havingfirst，byarapidglance，assuredhimselfthatMalkielwasnotchangingMr。Ferdinand’strousersthere。"IwillsendMrs。Fancytochaperonyou。"
　　LadyEnidsteppedinobediently，andtheProphet，whocoulddistinctlyhearMrs。Fancysobbingonthelandingabove，proceededthither，tookherhandandguidedherdowntothedrawing—room。
　　"Oh，mypoor，poormissis！"gulpedthedevotedcreature。"Oh，my——"
　　"Precisely，"rejoinedtheProphet，withpassionlessequanimity。"Pleasegointhereandremaintoguardthisyounglady。"
　　HeassistedMrs。Fancytofallinaheapuponthenearestsociable，andthen，stillmovingwithaspeciesoffrozendeliberation，betookhimselfoncemoretothehall。TheastronomerandGustavuswerestandingthereinsilence。
　　"SirTiglath，"saidtheProphet，inaveryformalmanner，"youcannowbegintosearchforthisruffian。"
　　SirTiglathclearedhisthroat，andcontinuedtostandstill。
　　"Ihopeyouwillfindhim，"continuedtheProphet。
　　SirTiglathclearedhisthroatagainandadded，——
　　"Why？"
　　"Why？BecauseIthinkitquitetimethathewasmurdered，"answeredtheProphet，unemotionally。"Well！whydon’tyousearch？"
　　Theastronomer，whosefacebegantolooklessredthanusual，rolledhisglassyeyesroundupontheshadowyhall，thedimstaircaseandthegloomy—lookingcloseddoorsthatconfrontedthem。
　　"Whereistheoldastronomertosearch？"heasked，inalowvoice。
　　"Oh—h—h—h！"
　　Thefinalexclamationsoundedremarkablytremulous。
　　"Anywhere——exceptinmygrandmother’sbedroom。Thatofcourseissacred。Well，whydon’tyoubegin？"
　　SirTiglatheyedtheProphetfurtively。
　　"I’m——I’mgoingto，"hemurmuredhoarsely。"Theoldastronomerdoesnotknowthemeaningoftheword——fear。"
　　Exactlyasheutteredtheseinspiringwordsthehallclockgrowled，likeaverylargedog，andstrucktwo。SirTiglathstartedandcaughtholdofGustavus，whostartedinhisturnandshrankaway。TheProphetalonestooduptotheclock，whichfinisheditsremarkwithaclick，andresumeditshabitualoccupationofticking。
　　"Praybegin，SirTiglath，"saidtheProphet。
　　"Theoldastronomer——musthavea——a——a——candle。"
　　"Hereisone，"saidtheProphet，handingthedesiredarticle。
　　"Alightedcandle。"
　　"Whylighted？Oh，sothatyoucanseetomurderhim！Gustavus，lightthecandle。"
　　Gustavus，whowastremblingagooddealmorethananautumnleaf，compliedafteraboutfifteenunavailingattempts。
　　"There，SirTiglath，"saidtheProphet。"Nowyoucanbegin。"Andheseatedhimselfuponasettee，leanedbackandcrossedhislegs。
　　"Youwillnotaccompanytheoldastronomer？Oh—h—h"
　　"No。Iwillresthere。Whenyouhavefoundtheruffianandmurderedhim，Ishallbegladtohearyournews。"
　　And，sosaying，theProphetsettledhimselfcomfortablywithacushionbehindhisback，andcalmlyclosedhiseyes。ThecandlestickclatteredinSirTiglath’sgoutyhand。TheProphetheardit，heardheavyfeetshufflingveryslowlyandcautiouslyoverthefloorofthehall，finallyheardthedoorleadingtotheservants’quartersswingonitshinges。Stillhedidnotopenhiseyes。Hefeltthatifheweretodosojustthenhewouldprobablybegintoshriek，rave，foamatthemouth，andinallknownwayscomporthimselfasdotheinhabitantsofBedlam。Adelicatesilencefellinthehall。HowlongitlastedtheProphetneverknew。Itmighthavebeenfiveminutesorfiveyearsasfarashewasconcerned。Itwasbrokenatlengthbythefollowingsymphonyofsounds——anelderlyman’svoiceroaring，awoman’svoiceutteringaconsiderablenumberofverypowerfulscreamsonaratherlowbutstillresoundingnote，aloudthump，acrashofglass，aprodigiousclattering，asofutensilsmadeinsomenoisymaterialfallingfromaheightandrollingvigorouslyininnumerabledirections，twoorthreebangsofdoors，andthepeculiarpatterofratherlargeandflatfeet，unaccustomedtoanyrapidexercise，movingoverboards，oilclothandcarpet。Thentheswingdoorsang，andtheProphet，openinghiseyes，perceivedMadameMalkielmovingforwardwithconsiderablevivacity，andscreamingasshemoved，herbonnetdependingdownherbackandtherabbit—skinsflowingfromherampleshoulders。Immediatelybehindherranherspouse，holdinginonehandasilverpeppercastor，andintheotherasmallandverybeautifullyfinishedbronzeteapotoftheWilliamofOrangeperiod。Theworthycouplefleetedby，andtheProphetturnedhisexpressionlesseyestowardstheswingdoorexpectingimmediatelytoperceiveSirTiglathButtinvaliantpursuit。Asnosuchfigurepresenteditself，andastheMalkielswerenowbeginningtomountthestairswithcontinuallyincreasingvelocity，theProphetslowlyuncrossedhislegs，andwasthinkingofgettinguponhisfeetwhentherecamealoudknockuponthehalldoor。
　　"Gustavus！"saidtheProphet，glancinground。
　　Heperceivedthefootmanlyinginadeadfaintneartheumbrellastand。
　　"Oh！"hesaid，speakingtohimselfaloud。"Oh！ThenImustgomyself。"
　　Actinguponhisconceptionofhisduty，heaccordinglywalkedtothefrontdoor，openedit，andfoundthepolicemanoutsidesupportingthesenselessformofSirTiglathButtinonehandandholdingabrokentruncheonintheother。
　　"Well？"saidtheProphet，calmly。"Well？"
　　"Iknockedhimdownashewasmakingabolt，"saidthepoliceman。
　　TheProphetfoundhimselfwonderingwhysoindustriousandevenusefulanoccupationshouldbeinterferedwithinsuchamanner。However，heonlyreplied，——
　　"Indeed！"
　　"Ah，"saidthepoliceman，steppingintothehallandlayingtheastronomeroutacrossachair，"what’sup？"
　　"Theyarebothup，"answeredtheProphet，pointingwithalethargicfingertowardsthestaircase，fromwhich，atthismoment，aroseaperfecthubbubofvoices。
　　"Comeon！"criedthepoliceman。
　　"Why？"askedtheProphet。
　　"Why！you’reaniceun，youare！Why！Andnab’em，ofcourse！"
　　"Youthinkitwouldbewiseto——whatwastheword——nabthem？"inquiredtheProphet。"Youreallythinkso？"
　　"Well，whatamIhereforthen？"saidthepoliceman，withangryirony。
　　"Oh，ifyouprefer，"rejoinedtheProphet，civilly。"Nabthembyallmeans。Ishallnotpreventyou。"
　　Thepoliceman，whowasanactiveandindustriousfellowdeservingofpraise，waitedfornofurtherpermission，butimmediatelydartedupthestairs，andinlessthanaminutereturnedwithMrs。Merillia——attiredinablacksilkgown，abonnet，andanIndianshawlpresentedtoheronhermarriagebyaverygreatpersonage——inclosecustody。
　　"Here’soneof’em！"heshouted。"Here，youlayholdofherwhileI
　　fetchtherest！"
　　AndwiththesewordshethrusttheProphet’sgrandmotherintooneofhishands，thebrokentruncheonintotheother，andturningsmartlyround，againboundedupthestairs。
　　InafamouspoemofthelateLordTennysonthereisrelatedadramaticincidentofaladywhosedisinclinationtocry，whensuchemotionwouldhavebeenonlynatural，wasovercomebythepresentationtoherofherchild。AsomewhatsimilareffectwasproduceduponourProphetbytheconstable’spresentationtohimofhishonouredgrandmother。Thesightofherreverenthead，surmountedbythebonnetwhichshehadassumedinreadinesstofleefromthehousewhichshecouldnolongerregardasahome——thetouchofherdelicatehand——theflutterofhersohallowedIndianshawl——thesethingsbrokedownthestrangecalmofherdevotedgrandson。Likesummertempestcamehisemotion，and，whenthepolicemanpresentlyreturnedwithMalkieltheSecondandMadamenabbedbyhisrightandlefthands，andfollowedbyLadyEnidandtheweepingMrs。
　　Fancy，hewasconfrontedbyamostpathetictableau。TheProphetandMrs。Merilliawereweepingineachother’sarm’swhileSirTiglathandGustavus——justreturnedtoconsciousness——wereengagedinexaminingtheproceedingwithpuppydog’seyes。
　　Overtheexplanationsthatensuedaveilmaybepartiallydrawn。Oneliftedcorner，however，allowsustonotethatSirTiglathButt，havingcomeuponMadamehiddenbehindabinofoldportintheProphet’scellar，hadbeenseizedbyadesirenottoalarmaladysoprofoundthatitpromptedhimtohurrytothebutler’spantry，andtoseekconcealmentintheverycupboardwhichalreadycontainedMalkieltheSecond。Onperceivingthatgentlemanperchedupontheloving—cup，andprotectedbycandlesticks，sugarbasins，teapotsandotherweapons，theastronomer’sanxietytobecomeamurdererapparentlyforsookhim。Atanyrate，hepassedthroughtheplate—glassofthewindowratherhastilyintothearea，where，asweknow，hereceivedthesolicitousattentionsofthepolicemanwhohadservedasanintermediarybetweentheLordChancellor’ssecondcook——whosesupperofdressedcrabhadcausedsomuchconfusion——andthesupposedMr。Ferdinand。MalkieltheSecond，findinghimselfdiscovered，tooktotheopenjustasMadamefledforthfromthecellar，tobeovertakenbytheverynaturalmisconceptionthatshewasabouttobecomethevictimofahusbandwhosejealousyhadatlengthcausedhimtoassumehis/togavirilibus/。
　　PerhapsitwasSirTiglath’sthrowingoffofthesaidgarmentwhichcausedLadyEnidtothrowhimover。Atanyrate，sheeventuallymarriedMr。RobertGreenandmadehimaverysensiblewife。
　　TheMalkielsreturnedtotheMouse，wheretheystilllive，andstillcarryonacertainamountofintercoursewitharchitectsandtheirwives。Fromtimetotime，however，theyattendthereceptionsatZoologicalHouse，andarumourrecentlyranthroughthecirclesofthesillytotheeffectthattheyhadbeenlookingatahousenotfarfromtheEarlsCourtStation，withaview——itissurmised——ofremovingtomorecentraldistricts。
　　TheyarenolongerontermswiththeProphet。
　　Hehasretiredfrombusinessandputdownhistelescopeonceandforall，recognisingthatprophecyisadangerousemployment，andonelikelytobringabouttheveryevilsitforeshadows。CalmlyhedwellswithhisbelovedgrandmotherintheBerkeleySquare，whichhasreceivedthemoncemoreintoitsformerfavour。Sometimes，atnight，whentheskyisclear，andthebrightstars，theguardianstars，keepwatchoverhisaristocraticneighbourhood，hedrawsasidethecurtainfromthedrawing—roomwindowandglancesforthatMercuryandUranus，Jupiter，SaturnandVenus。Andwhenhiseyesmeettheirtwinklingeyes，heexchangeswiththem——notaquestionandanswer，notademandforunholyinformationandareluctantreply，butaserene，gentlemanlyandperfectlydecorousgood—night。
　　End