牛津书虫系列1-6级 双语 4A-04.The Thirty-Nine Steps(三十九级台阶)

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THETHIRTY-NINE

STEPS

JOHNBUCHAN

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TOTHOMASARTHURNELSON

(LOTHIANANDBORDERHORSE)

MyDearTommy,

YouandIhavelongcherishedanaffectionforthatelementaltypeoftalewhichAmericanscallthe'dimenovel'andwhichweknowasthe'shocker'-theromancewheretheincidentsdefytheprobabilities,andmarchjustinsidethebordersofthepossible.DuringanillnesslastwinterIexhaustedmystoreofthoseaidstocheerfulness,andwasdriventowriteoneformyself.Thislittlevolumeistheresult,andIshouldliketoputyournameonitinmemoryofourlongfriendship,inthedayswhenthewildestfictionsaresomuchlessimprobablethanthefacts.

J.B.

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CHAPTERONETheManWho

Died

IreturnedfromtheCityaboutthreeo'clockonthatMayafternoonprettywelldisgustedwithlife.IhadbeenthreemonthsintheOldCountry,andwasfedupwithit.IfanyonehadtoldmeayearagothatIwouldhavebeenfeelinglikethatIshouldhavelaughedathim;buttherewasthefact.Theweathermademeliverish,thetalkoftheordinaryEnglishmanmademesick,Icouldn'tgetenoughexercise,andtheamusementsofLondonseemedasflatassoda-waterthathasbeenstandinginthesun.'RichardHannay,'Ikepttellingmyself,'youhavegotintothewrongditch,myfriend,andyouhadbetterclimbout.'ItmademebitemylipstothinkoftheplansIhadbeenbuildingupthoselastyearsinBulawayo.Ihadgotmypile-notoneofthebigones,butgoodenoughforme;andIhadfiguredoutallkindsofwaysofenjoyingmyself.MyfatherhadbroughtmeoutfromScotlandattheageofsix,andIhadneverbeenhomesince;soEnglandwasasortofArabianNightstome,andIcountedonstoppingtherefortherestofmydays.

ButfromthefirstIwasdisappointedwithit.InaboutaweekIwastiredofseeingsights,andinlessthanamonthIhadhadenoughofrestaurantsandtheatresandrace-meetings.Ihadnorealpaltogoaboutwith,whichprobablyexplainsthings.Plentyofpeopleinvitedmetotheirhouses,buttheydidn'tseemmuchinterestedinme.TheywouldflingmeaquestionortwoaboutSouthAfrica,andthengetontheirownaffairs.AlotofImperialistladiesaskedmetoteatomeetschoolmastersfromNewZealandandeditorsfromVancouver,andthatwasthedismalestbusinessofall.HerewasI,thirty-sevenyearsold,soundinwindandlimb,withenoughmoneytohaveagoodtime,yawningmyheadoffallday.Ihadjustaboutsettledtoclearoutandgetbacktotheveld,forIwasthebestboredmanintheUnitedKingdom.

ThatafternoonIhadbeenworryingmybrokersaboutinvestmentstogivemymindsomethingtoworkon,andonmywayhomeIturnedintomyclub-ratherapot-house,whichtookinColonialmembers.Ihada

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longdrink,andreadtheeveningpapers.TheywerefulloftherowintheNearEast,andtherewasanarticleaboutKarolides,theGreekPremier.Iratherfanciedthechap.Fromallaccountsheseemedtheonebigmanintheshow;andheplayedastraightgametoo,whichwasmorethancouldbesaidformostofthem.IgatheredthattheyhatedhimprettyblacklyinBerlinandVienna,butthatweweregoingtostickbyhim,andonepapersaidthathewastheonlybarrierbetweenEuropeandArmageddon.IrememberwonderingifIcouldgetajobinthoseparts.ItstruckmethatAlbaniawasthesortofplacethatmightkeepamanfromyawning.

Aboutsixo'clockIwenthome,dressed,dinedattheCafeRoyal,andturnedintoamusic-hall.Itwasasillyshow,allcaperingwomenandmonkey-facedmen,andIdidnotstaylong.ThenightwasfineandclearasIwalkedbacktotheflatIhadhirednearPortlandPlace.Thecrowdsurgedpastmeonthepavements,busyandchattering,andIenviedthepeopleforhavingsomethingtodo.Theseshop-girlsandclerksanddandiesandpolicemenhadsomeinterestinlifethatkeptthemgoing.Igavehalf-a-crowntoabeggarbecauseIsawhimyawn;hewasafellow-sufferer.AtOxfordCircusIlookedupintothespringskyandImadeavow.IwouldgivetheOldCountryanotherdaytofitmeintosomething;ifnothinghappened,IwouldtakethenextboatfortheCape.

MyflatwasthefirstfloorinanewblockbehindLanghamPlace.Therewasacommonstaircase,withaporterandaliftmanattheentrance,buttherewasnorestaurantoranythingofthatsort,andeachflatwasquiteshutofffromtheothers.Ihateservantsonthepremises,soIhadafellowtolookaftermewhocameinbytheday.Hearrivedbeforeeighto'clockeverymorningandusedtodepartatseven,forIneverdinedathome.

IwasjustfittingmykeyintothedoorwhenInoticedamanatmyelbow.Ihadnotseenhimapproach,andthesuddenappearancemademestart.Hewasaslimman,withashortbrownbeardandsmall,gimletyblueeyes.Irecognizedhimastheoccupantofaflatonthetopfloor,withwhomIhadpassedthetimeofdayonthestairs.

'CanIspeaktoyou?'hesaid.'MayIcomeinforaminute?'Hewassteadyinghisvoicewithaneffort,andhishandwaspawingmyarm.

Igotmydooropenandmotionedhimin.Nosoonerwasheoverthe

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thresholdthanhemadeadashformybackroom,whereIusedtosmokeandwritemyletters.Thenheboltedback.

'Isthedoorlocked?'heaskedfeverishly,andhefastenedthechainwithhisownhand.

'I'mverysorry,'hesaidhumbly.'It'samightyliberty,butyoulookedthekindofmanwhowouldunderstand.I'vehadyouinmymindallthisweekwhenthingsgottroublesome.Say,willyoudomeagoodturn?'

'I'lllistentoyou,'Isaid.'That'sallI'llpromise.'Iwasgettingworriedbytheanticsofthisnervouslittlechap.

Therewasatrayofdrinksonatablebesidehim,fromwhichhefilledhimselfastiffwhisky-and-soda.Hedrankitoffinthreegulps,andcrackedtheglassashesetitdown.

'Pardon,'hesaid,'I'mabitrattledtonight.Yousee,Ihappenatthismomenttobedead.'

Isatdowninanarmchairandlitmypipe.

'Whatdoesitfeellike?'Iasked.IwasprettycertainthatIhadtodealwithamadman.

Asmileflickeredoverhisdrawnface.'I'mnotmad-yet.Say,Sir,I'vebeenwatchingyou,andIreckonyou'reacoolcustomer.Ireckon,too,you'reanhonestman,andnotafraidofplayingaboldhand.I'mgoingtoconfideinyou.Ineedhelpworsethananymaneverneededit,andIwanttoknowifIcancountyouin.'

'Getonwithyouryarn,'Isaid,'andI'lltellyou.'

Heseemedtobracehimselfforagreateffort,andthenstartedonthequeerestrigmarole.Ididn'tgetholdofitatfirst,andIhadtostopandaskhimquestions.Buthereisthegistofit:

HewasanAmerican,fromKentucky,andaftercollege,beingprettywelloff,hehadstartedouttoseetheworld.Hewroteabit,andactedaswarcorrespondentforaChicagopaper,andspentayearortwoinSouth-EasternEurope.Igatheredthathewasafinelinguist,andhadgottoknowprettywellthesocietyinthoseparts.HespokefamiliarlyofmanynamesthatIrememberedtohaveseeninthenewspapers.

Hehadplayedaboutwithpolitics,hetoldme,atfirstfortheinterestofthem,andthenbecausehecouldn'thelphimself.Ireadhimasasharp,

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restlessfellow,whoalwayswantedtogetdowntotherootsofthings.Hegotalittlefurtherdownthanhewanted.

IamgivingyouwhathetoldmeaswellasIcouldmakeitout.AwaybehindalltheGovernmentsandthearmiestherewasabigsubterraneanmovementgoingon,engineeredbyverydangerouspeople.Hehadcomeonitbyaccident;itfascinatedhim;hewentfurther,andthenhegotcaught.Igatheredthatmostofthepeopleinitwerethesortofeducatedanarchiststhatmakerevolutions,butthatbesidethemtherewerefinancierswhowereplayingformoney.Aclevermancanmakebigprofitsonafallingmarket,anditsuitedthebookofbothclassestosetEuropebytheears.

Hetoldmesomequeerthingsthatexplainedalotthathadpuzzledme-thingsthathappenedintheBalkanWar,howonestatesuddenlycameoutontop,whyalliancesweremadeandbroken,whycertainmendisappeared,andwherethesinewsofwarcamefrom.TheaimofthewholeconspiracywastogetRussiaandGermanyatloggerheads.

WhenIaskedwhy,hesaidthattheanarchistlotthoughtitwouldgivethemtheirchance.Everythingwouldbeinthemelting-pot,andtheylookedtoseeanewworldemerge.Thecapitalistswouldrakeintheshekels,andmakefortunesbybuyingupwreckage.Capital,hesaid,hadnoconscienceandnofatherland.Besides,theJewwasbehindit,andtheJewhatedRussiaworsethanhell.

'Doyouwonder?'hecried.'Forthreehundredyearstheyhavebeenpersecuted,andthisisthereturnmatchforthepogroms.TheJewiseverywhere,butyouhavetogofardownthebackstairstofindhim.TakeanybigTeutonicbusinessconcern.IfyouhavedealingswithitthefirstmanyoumeetisPrincevonundZuSomething,anelegantyoungmanwhotalksEton-and-HarrowEnglish.Buthecutsnoice.Ifyourbusinessisbig,yougetbehindhimandfindaprognathousWestphalianwitharetreatingbrowandthemannersofahog.HeistheGermanbusinessmanthatgivesyourEnglishpaperstheshakes.Butifyou'reonthebiggestkindofjobandareboundtogettotherealboss,tentooneyouarebroughtupagainstalittlewhite-facedJewinabath-chairwithaneyelikearattlesnake.Yes,Sir,heisthemanwhoisrulingtheworldjustnow,andhehashisknifeintheEmpireoftheTzar,becausehisauntwasoutraged

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andhisfatherfloggedinsomeone-horselocationontheVolga.'

IcouldnothelpsayingthathisJew-anarchistsseemedtohavegotleftbehindalittle.

'Yesandno,'hesaid.'Theywonuptoapoint,buttheystruckabiggerthingthanmoney,athingthatcouldn'tbebought,theoldelementalfightinginstinctsofman.Ifyou'regoingtobekilledyouinventsomekindofflagandcountrytofightfor,andifyousurviveyougettolovethething.Thosefoolishdevilsofsoldiershavefoundsomethingtheycarefor,andthathasupsettheprettyplanlaidinBerlinandVienna.Butmyfriendshaven'tplayedtheirlastcardbyalongsight.They'vegottentheaceuptheirsleeves,andunlessIcankeepaliveforamonththeyaregoingtoplayitandwin.'

'ButIthoughtyouweredead,'Iputin.

'MORSJANUAVITAE,'hesmiled.(Irecognizedthequotation:itwasaboutalltheLatinIknew.)'I'mcomingtothat,butI'vegottoputyouwiseaboutalotofthingsfirst.Ifyoureadyournewspaper,IguessyouknowthenameofConstantineKarolides?'

Isatupatthat,forIhadbeenreadingabouthimthatveryafternoon.

'Heisthemanthathaswreckedalltheirgames.Heistheonebigbraininthewholeshow,andhehappensalsotobeanhonestman.Thereforehehasbeenmarkeddownthesetwelvemonthspast.Ifoundthatout-notthatitwasdifficult,foranyfoolcouldguessasmuch.ButIfoundoutthewaytheyweregoingtogethim,andthatknowledgewasdeadly.That'swhyIhavehadtodecease.'

Hehadanotherdrink,andImixeditforhimmyself,forIwasgettinginterestedinthebeggar.

'Theycan'tgethiminhisownland,forhehasabodyguardofEpirotesthatwouldskintheirgrandmothers.Butonthe15thdayofJuneheiscomingtothiscity.TheBritishForeignOfficehastakentohavingInternationaltea-parties,andthebiggestofthemisdueonthatdate.NowKarolidesisreckonedtheprincipalguest,andifmyfriendshavetheirwayhewillneverreturntohisadmiringcountrymen.'

'That'ssimpleenough,anyhow,'Isaid.'Youcanwarnhimandkeephimathome.'

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'Andplaytheirgame?'heaskedsharply.'Ifhedoesnotcometheywin,forhe'stheonlymanthatcanstraightenoutthetangle.AndifhisGovernmentarewarnedhewon'tcome,forhedoesnotknowhowbigthestakeswillbeonJunethe15th.'

'WhatabouttheBritishGovernment?'Isaid.'They'renotgoingtolettheirguestsbemurdered.Tipthemthewink,andthey'lltakeextraprecautions.'

'Nogood.Theymightstuffyourcitywithplain-clothesdetectivesanddoublethepoliceandConstantinewouldstillbeadoomedman.Myfriendsarenotplayingthisgameforcandy.Theywantabigoccasionforthetakingoff,withtheeyesofallEuropeonit.He'llbemurderedbyanAustrian,andthere'llbeplentyofevidencetoshowtheconnivanceofthebigfolkinViennaandBerlin.Itwillallbeaninfernallie,ofcourse,butthecasewilllookblackenoughtotheworld.I'mnottalkinghotair,myfriend.Ihappentoknoweverydetailofthehellishcontrivance,andIcantellyouitwillbethemostfinishedpieceofblackguardismsincetheBorgias.Butit'snotgoingtocomeoffifthere'sacertainmanwhoknowsthewheelsofthebusinessaliverighthereinLondononthe15thdayofJune.Andthatmanisgoingtobeyourservant,FranklinP.Scudder.'

Iwasgettingtolikethelittlechap.Hisjawhadshutlikearat-trap,andtherewasthefireofbattleinhisgimletyeyes.Ifhewasspinningmeayarnhecouldactuptoit.

'Wheredidyoufindoutthisstory?'Iasked.

'IgotthefirsthintinaninnontheAchenseeinTyrol.Thatsetmeinquiring,andIcollectedmyothercluesinafur-shopintheGalicianquarterofBuda,inaStrangers'ClubinVienna,andinalittlebookshopofftheRacknitzstrasseinLeipsic.IcompletedmyevidencetendaysagoinParis.Ican'ttellyouthedetailsnow,forit'ssomethingofahistory.WhenIwasquitesureinmyownmindIjudgeditmybusinesstodisappear,andIreachedthiscitybyamightyqueercircuit.IleftParisadandifiedyoungFrench-American,andIsailedfromHamburgaJewdiamondmerchant.InNorwayIwasanEnglishstudentofIbsencollectingmaterialsforlectures,butwhenIleftBergenIwasacinema-manwithspecialskifilms.AndIcameherefromLeithwithalotofpulp-wood

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propositionsinmypockettoputbeforetheLondonnewspapers.TillyesterdayIthoughtIhadmuddiedmytrailsome,andwasfeelingprettyhappy.Then...'

Therecollectionseemedtoupsethim,andhegulpeddownsomemorewhisky.

'ThenIsawamanstandinginthestreetoutsidethisblock.Iusedtostaycloseinmyroomallday,andonlyslipoutafterdarkforanhourortwo.Iwatchedhimforabitfrommywindow,andIthoughtIrecognizedhim...Hecameinandspoketotheporter...WhenIcamebackfrommywalklastnightIfoundacardinmyletter-box.ItborethenameofthemanIwantleasttomeetonGod'searth.'

Ithinkthatthelookinmycompanion'seyes,thesheernakedscareonhisface,completedmyconvictionofhishonesty.MyownvoicesharpenedabitasIaskedhimwhathedidnext.

'IrealizedthatIwasbottledassureasapickledherring,andthattherewasonlyonewayout.Ihadtodie.IfmypursuersknewIwasdeadtheywouldgotosleepagain.'

'Howdidyoumanageit?'

'ItoldthemanthatvaletsmethatIwasfeelingprettybad,andIgotmyselfuptolooklikedeath.Thatwasn'tdifficult,forI'mnoslouchatdisguises.ThenIgotacorpse-youcanalwaysgetabodyinLondonifyouknowwheretogoforit.Ifetcheditbackinatrunkonthetopofafour-wheeler,andIhadtobeassistedupstairstomyroom.YouseeIhadtopileupsomeevidencefortheinquest.Iwenttobedandgotmymantomixmeasleeping-draught,andthentoldhimtoclearout.Hewantedtofetchadoctor,butIsworesomeandsaidIcouldn'tabideleeches.WhenIwasleftaloneIstartedintofakeupthatcorpse.Hewasmysize,andIjudgedhadperishedfromtoomuchalcohol,soIputsomespiritshandyabouttheplace.Thejawwastheweakpointinthelikeness,soIblewitawaywitharevolver.Idaresaytherewillbesomebodytomorrowtosweartohavingheardashot,buttherearenoneighboursonmyfloor,andIguessedIcouldriskit.SoIleftthebodyinbeddressedupinmypyjamas,witharevolverlyingonthebed-clothesandaconsiderablemessaround.ThenIgotintoasuitofclothesIhadkeptwaitingforemergencies.Ididn't

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daretoshaveforfearofleavingtracks,andbesides,itwasn'tanykindofusemytryingtogetintothestreets.Ihadhadyouinmymindallday,andthereseemednothingtodobuttomakeanappealtoyou.IwatchedfrommywindowtillIsawyoucomehome,andthenslippeddownthestairtomeetyou...There,Sir,Iguessyouknowaboutasmuchasmeofthisbusiness.'

Hesatblinkinglikeanowl,flutteringwithnervesandyetdesperatelydetermined.BythistimeIwasprettywellconvincedthathewasgoingstraightwithme.Itwasthewildestsortofnarrative,butIhadheardinmytimemanysteeptaleswhichhadturnedouttobetrue,andIhadmadeapracticeofjudgingthemanratherthanthestory.Ifhehadwantedtogetalocationinmyflat,andthencutmythroat,hewouldhavepitchedamilder

yarn.

'Handmeyourkey,'Isaid,'andI'lltakealookatthecorpse.Excusemycaution,butI'mboundtoverifyabitifIcan.'

Heshookhisheadmournfully.'Ireckonedyou'daskforthat,butIhaven'tgotit.It'sonmychainonthedressing-table.Ihadtoleaveitbehind,forIcouldn'tleaveanycluestobreedsuspicions.Thegentrywhoareaftermeareprettybright-eyedcitizens.You'llhavetotakemeontrustforthenight,andtomorrowyou'llgetproofofthecorpsebusinessrightenough.'

Ithoughtforaninstantortwo.'Right.I'lltrustyouforthenight.I'lllockyouintothisroomandkeepthekey.justoneword,MrScudder.Ibelieveyou'restraight,butifsobeyouarenotIshouldwarnyouthatI'mahandymanwithagun.'

'Sure,'hesaid,jumpingupwithsomebriskness.'Ihaven'ttheprivilegeofyourname,Sir,butletmetellyouthatyou'reawhiteman.I'llthankyoutolendmearazor.'

Itookhimintomybedroomandturnedhimloose.Inhalfanhour'stimeafigurecameoutthatIscarcelyrecognized.Onlyhisgimlety,hungryeyeswerethesame.Hewasshavedclean,hishairwaspartedinthemiddle,andhehadcuthiseyebrows.Further,hecarriedhimselfasifhehadbeendrilled,andwastheverymodel,eventothebrowncomplexion,ofsomeBritishofficerwhohadhadalongspellinIndia.Hehada

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monocle,too,whichhestuckinhiseye,andeverytraceoftheAmericanhadgoneoutofhisspeech.

'Myhat!MrScudder-'Istammered.

'NotMrScudder,'hecorrected;'CaptainTheophilusDigby,ofthe40thGurkhas,presentlyhomeonleave.I'llthankyoutorememberthat,Sir.'

Imadehimupabedinmysmoking-roomandsoughtmyowncouch,morecheerfulthanIhadbeenforthepastmonth.Thingsdidhappenoccasionally,eveninthisGod-forgottenmetropolis.

Iwokenextmorningtohearmyman,Paddock,makingthedeuceofarowatthesmoking-roomdoor.PaddockwasafellowIhaddoneagoodturntooutontheSelakwe,andIhadinspannedhimasmyservantassoonasIgottoEngland.Hehadaboutasmuchgiftofthegabasahippopotamus,andwasnotagreathandatvaleting,butIknewIcouldcountonhisloyalty.

'Stopthatrow,Paddock,'Isaid.'There'safriendofmine,Captain-Captain'(Icouldn'trememberthename)'dossingdowninthere.Getbreakfastfortwoandthencomeandspeaktome.'

ItoldPaddockafinestoryabouthowmyfriendwasagreatswell,withhisnervesprettybadfromoverwork,whowantedabsoluterestandstillness.Nobodyhadgottoknowhewashere,orhewouldbebesiegedbycommunicationsfromtheIndiaOfficeandthePrimeMinisterandhiscurewouldberuined.IamboundtosayScudderplayedupsplendidlywhenhecametobreakfast.HefixedPaddockwithhiseyeglass,justlikeaBritishofficer,askedhimabouttheBoerWar,andslungoutatmealotofstuffaboutimaginarypals.Paddockcouldn'tlearntocallme'Sir',buthe'sirred'Scudderasifhislifedependedonit.

Ilefthimwiththenewspaperandaboxofcigars,andwentdowntotheCitytillluncheon.WhenIgotbackthelift-manhadanimportantface.

'Nawstybusiness'erethismorning,Sir.GentinNo.15beenandshot'isself.They'vejusttook'imtothemortiary.Thepoliceareuptherenow.'

IascendedtoNo.15,andfoundacoupleofbobbiesandaninspectorbusymakinganexamination.Iaskedafewidioticquestions,andtheysoonkickedmeout.ThenIfoundthemanthathadvaletedScudder,andpumpedhim,butIcouldseehesuspectednothing.Hewasawhining

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fellowwithachurchyardface,andhalf-a-crownwentfartoconsolehim.

Iattendedtheinquestnextday.Apartnerofsomepublishingfirmgaveevidencethatthedeceasedhadbroughthimwood-pulppropositions,andhadbeen,hebelieved,anagentofanAmericanbusiness.Thejuryfounditacaseofsuicidewhileofunsoundmind,andthefeweffectswerehandedovertotheAmericanConsultodealwith.IgaveScudderafullaccountoftheaffair,anditinterestedhimgreatly.Hesaidhewishedhecouldhaveattendedtheinquest,forhereckoneditwouldbeaboutasspicyastoreadone'sownobituarynotice.

Thefirsttwodayshestayedwithmeinthatbackroomhewasverypeaceful.Hereadandsmokedabit,andmadeaheapofjottingsinanote-book,andeverynightwehadagameofchess,atwhichhebeatmehollow.Ithinkhewasnursinghisnervesbacktohealth,forhehadhadaprettytryingtime.ButonthethirddayIcouldseehewasbeginningtogetrestless.HefixedupalistofthedaystillJune15th,andtickedeachoffwitharedpencil,makingremarksinshorthandagainstthem.Iwouldfindhimsunkinabrownstudy,withhissharpeyesabstracted,andafterthosespellsofmeditationhewasapttobeverydespondent.

ThenIcouldseethathebegantogetedgyagain.Helistenedforlittlenoises,andwasalwaysaskingmeifPaddockcouldbetrusted.Onceortwicehegotverypeevish,andapologizedforit.Ididn'tblamehim.Imadeeveryallowance,forhehadtakenonafairlystiffjob.

Itwasnotthesafetyofhisownskinthattroubledhim,butthesuccessoftheschemehehadplanned.Thatlittlemanwascleangritallthrough,withoutasoftspotinhim.Onenighthewasverysolemn.

'Say,Hannay,'hesaid,'IjudgeIshouldletyouabitdeeperintothisbusiness.Ishouldhatetogooutwithoutleavingsomebodyelsetoputupafight.'AndhebegantotellmeindetailwhatIhadonlyheardfromhimvaguely.

Ididnotgivehimverycloseattention.Thefactis,Iwasmoreinterestedinhisownadventuresthaninhishighpolitics.IreckonedthatKarolidesandhisaffairswerenotmybusiness,leavingallthattohim.Soalotthathesaidslippedcleanoutofmymemory.IrememberthathewasveryclearthatthedangertoKarolideswouldnotbegintillhehadgotto

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London,andwouldcomefromtheveryhighestquarters,wheretherewouldbenothoughtofsuspicion.Hementionedthenameofawoman-JuliaCzechenyi-ashavingsomethingtodowiththedanger.Shewouldbethedecoy,Igathered,togetKarolidesoutofthecareofhisguards.Hetalked,too,aboutaBlackStoneandamanthatlispedinhisspeech,andhedescribedveryparticularlysomebodythatheneverreferredtowithoutashudder-anoldmanwithayoungvoicewhocouldhoodhiseyeslikeahawk.

Hespokeagooddealaboutdeath,too.Hewasmortallyanxiousaboutwinningthroughwithhisjob,buthedidn'tcarearushforhislife.'Ireckonit'slikegoingtosleepwhenyouareprettywelltiredout,andwakingtofindasummerdaywiththescentofhaycominginatthewindow.IusedtothankGodforsuchmorningswaybackintheBlue-Grasscountry,andIguessI'llthankHimwhenIwakeupontheothersideofJordan.'

Nextdayhewasmuchmorecheerful,andreadthelifeofStonewallJacksonmuchofthetime.IwentouttodinnerwithaminingengineerIhadgottoseeonbusiness,andcamebackabouthalf-pasttenintimeforourgameofchessbeforeturningin.

Ihadacigarinmymouth,Iremember,asIpushedopenthesmoking-roomdoor.Thelightswerenotlit,whichstruckmeasodd.IwonderedifScudderhadturnedinalready.

Isnappedtheswitch,buttherewasnobodythere.ThenIsawsomethinginthefarcornerwhichmademedropmycigarandfallintoacoldsweat.

Myguestwaslyingsprawledonhisback.Therewasalongknifethroughhisheartwhichskeweredhimtothefloor.

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CHAPTERTWOTheMilkman

SetsOutonhisTravels

Isatdowninanarmchairandfeltverysick.Thatlastedformaybefiveminutes,andwassucceededbyafitofthehorrors.ThepoorstaringwhitefaceonthefloorwasmorethanIcouldbear,andImanagedtogetatable-clothandcoverit.ThenIstaggeredtoacupboard,foundthebrandyandswallowedseveralmouthfuls.Ihadseenmendieviolentlybefore;indeedIhadkilledafewmyselfintheMatabeleWar;butthiscold-bloodedindoorbusinesswasdifferent.StillImanagedtopullmyselftogether.Ilookedatmywatch,andsawthatitwashalf-pastten.

Anideaseizedme,andIwentovertheflatwithasmall-toothcomb.Therewasnobodythere,noranytraceofanybody,butIshutteredandboltedallthewindowsandputthechainonthedoor.Bythistimemywitswerecomingbacktome,andIcouldthinkagain.Ittookmeaboutanhourtofigurethethingout,andIdidnothurry,for,unlessthemurderercameback,Ihadtillaboutsixo'clockinthemorningformycogitations.

Iwasinthesoup-thatwasprettyclear.AnyshadowofadoubtImighthavehadaboutthetruthofScudder'stalewasnowgone.Theproofofitwaslyingunderthetable-cloth.Themenwhoknewthatheknewwhatheknewhadfoundhim,andhadtakenthebestwaytomakecertainofhissilence.Yes;buthehadbeeninmyroomsfourdays,andhisenemiesmusthavereckonedthathehadconfidedinme.SoIwouldbethenexttogo.Itmightbethatverynight,ornextday,orthedayafter,butmynumberwasupallright.ThensuddenlyIthoughtofanotherprobability.SupposingIwentoutnowandcalledinthepolice,orwenttobedandletPaddockfindthebodyandcalltheminthemorning.WhatkindofastorywasItotellaboutScudder?IhadliedtoPadd