walkacrossthehills，toask\"whatthedayoftheweekwas？\"Theyhadlostcount，andthemanhadattendedtohisworkonadaywhichthedameaverredtobetheSabbath。HedeniedthatitWAStheSabbath，andIbelievethatitturnedouttobeaTuesday。ThislittleincidentgivessomeideaofthedelightfulabsenceofpopulationinGlenAline。Butnowordscanpainttheutterloneliness，whichcouldactuallybefelt——theemptymoors，theemptysky。Theheapsofstonesbyaburnside，hereandthere，showedthatacottagehadonceexistedwherenowwasnohabitation。
Onesuchspotwasrathertobeshunnedbythesuperstitious，forhere，about1698，acottarfamilyhadbeenevictedbyendlessunaccountabledisturbancesinthehouse。Stoneswerethrownbyinvisiblehands——thoughoccasionally，bytheway，awhitehand，withnoapparentbodyattachedtoit，WASviewedbythecuriouswhocametothespot。Heavyobjectsofallsortsfloatedintheair；
rappingsandvoiceswereheard；theendwallwaspulleddownbyanunknownagency。Thestoryisextantinapiousoldpamphletcalled\"SadduceesDefeated，\"andagreatdealmoretothesameeffect——amasterpiecebytheparishminister，signedandattestedbytheotherministersoftheGlenKens。TheEdinburgheditionofthepamphletisrare；theLondoneditionmaybeprocuredwithoutmuchdifficulty。
Thesiteofthisruinedcottage，however，hadnoterrorsfortheneighbours，orratherfortheneighbour，myshepherd。Infact，heseemedtohaveforgottenthelegendtillIremindedhimofit，forIhadcomeacrossthetaleinmyresearchesintotheUnexplained。
Theshepherdandhisfamily，indeed，werequitedevoidofsuperstition，andinthisrespectveryunlikethenorthernHighlanders。However，thefallencottagehadnothingtodowithmyownlittleadventureinGlenAline，andImentionitmerelyasthemostnotableofthetinyruinswhichattestthepresence，inthepast，ofalargerpopulation。Onecannotmarvelthatthepeople\"flitted\"fromthemoorsandmorassesofGlenAlineintolessmelancholyneighbourhoods。Theverysheepseemedscarcerherethanelsewhere；grouse-diseasehaddevastatedthemoors，sportsmenconsequentlydidnotvisitthem；andonlyafewbarrenpairs，withcrow-pickedskeletonsofdeadbirdsintheheathernowandthen，showedthattheshootingshadonceperhapsbeenmarketable。Myshepherd\'scottagewasfourmilesfromthelittle-travelledroadtoDalmellington；longbadmilestheywere，acrossbogandheather。
ConsequentlyIseldomsawanyfaceofman，exceptinoraboutthecottage。Myworkwentonrapidlyenoughinsuchanundisturbedlife。Empiresmightfall，partiesmightbreaklikeburstingshells，andbanksmightbreakalso:Iploddedonwithmylabour，andwenta-fishingwhenthedaypromisedwell。Therewasahillloch(LochNan)aboutfivemilesaway，whichIfavouredagooddeal。Thetroutwerelargeandfairofflesh，andinproperweathertheyroseprettyfreely，andcouldbetakenbyananglerwadingfromtheshore。Therewasnoboat。Thewading，however，wasdifficultanddangerous，owingtotheboggynatureofthebottom，whichquakedlikeaquicksandinsomeplaces。Theblackwater，neverstirredbyduckormoorhen，thedryrustlingreeds，thenoisomesmellofdecayingvegetable-matterwhenyoustirreditupinwading，theoccasionalpresenceofadeadsheepbythesullenmarginofthetarn，wereallopposedtocheerfulness。Still，thefishwerethere，andthe\"lane，\"whichsulkilyglidedfromthelochtowardsthedistantriver，containedsomemonsters，whichtookwormafteraflood。Onemistymorning，asIhadjusttoppedthelowridgefromwhichthelochbecamevisible，Isawamanfishingfrommyfavouritebench。NeverhadInoticedahumanbeingtherebefore，andIwasnotwellpleasedtothinkthatsomeemissaryofMr。WatsonLyallwasmakingexperimentsinLochNan，andwoulddescribeitin\"TheSportsman\'sGuide。\"Themistblewwhiteandthickforaminuteortwooverthelochside，asitoftendoesatLochSkene；sowhiteandthickandsuddenthatthebewilderedanglerthereisapttolosehisway，andfallovertheprecipiceoftheGreyMare\'sTail。Whenthecurtainofcloudroseagain，thelochwaslonely:theanglerhaddisappeared。Iwentonrejoicing，andmadeaprettygoodbasket，astheweatherimprovedandgrewwarmer——achangewhichgivesanappetitetotroutinsomehilllochs。AmongthesandsbetweenthestonesonthefartherbankI
foundtracesoftheangler\'sfootsteps；hewasnotaphantom，atallevents，forphantomsdonotwearheavilynailedboots，asheevidentlydid。Thetraces，whichweresoonlost，ofcourse，inclinedmetothinkthathehadretreatedupanarrowgreenburnside，withratherhighbanks，throughwhich，inrainyweather，asmallfeederfellintotheloch。Iguessedthathehadbeenfrightenedawaybythedescentofthemist，whichusually\"putsdown\"thetroutandpreventsthemfromfeeding。Inthatcasehisalarmwaspremature。Imarchedhomewards，happywiththeunaccustomedweightofmybasket，thecontentsofwhichwereawelcomechangefromtheusualporridgeandpotatoes，tea(withoutmilk)，jam，andsconesoftheshepherd\'stable。But，asIreachedtheheightabovethelochonmywestwardpath，andlookedbacktoseeifrisingfishweredimplingthestillwaters，allflushedastheywerewithsunset，behold，therewastheOtherManatworkagain!
IshouldhavethoughtnomoreabouthimhadInottwiceafterwardsseenhimatadistance，fishingupa\"lane\"aheadofme，intheloneliestregions，andthereby，ofcourse，spoilingmysport。I
knewhimbyhispeculiarstoop，whichseemednotunfamiliartome，andbyhishat，whichwasoftheclericalpatternonceknown，perhapsstillknown，as\"aBible-reader\'s\"——alow，soft，slouchedblackfelt。ThesecondtimethatIfoundhimthusanticipatingme，Ileftofffishingandwalkedratherbrisklytowardshim，tosatisfymycuriosity，andasktheusualquestions，\"Whatsport？\"
and\"Whatflies？\"Butassoonasheobservedmecominghestrodeoffacrosstheheather。Uncourteousasitseems，IfeltsoinquisitivethatIfollowedhim。Buthewalkedsorapidly，andwassomanifestlyanxioustoshakemeoff，thatIgaveupthepursuit。
Evenifhewereapoacherwhoseconsciencesmotehimforusingsalmon-roe，Iwasnot\"mybrother\'skeeper，\"noranybody\'skeeper。
Hemight\"otter\"theloch，buthowcouldIpreventhim？
Itwasnoaffairofmine，andyet——wherehadIseenhimbefore？
Hisgait，hisstoop，thecarriageofhishead，allseemedfamiliar——
butashort-sightedmanisaccustomedtothiskindofpuzzle:heisalwaysrecognisingthewrongperson，whenhedoesnotfailtorecognisetherightone。
Iamrathershort-sighted，butsciencehasitsresources。Twoorthreedaysaftermyencounterwiththisveryshysportsman，IwentagaintoLochNan。ButthistimeItookwithmeastrongfield-
glass。AsInearedthecrestofthelowheatheryslopeimmediatelyabovetheloch，whencethewaterfirstcomesintoview，Ilaydownonthegroundandcrawledlikeadeer-stalkertotheskyline。
ThenIgotouttheglassandreconnoitred。Therewasmyfriend，sureenough；moreover，hewasplayingaveryrespectabletrout。
Buthewasfishingonthenearsideoftheloch，andthoughIhadquiteadistinctviewofhisback，andindeedofallhisattenuatedform，Iwasasfaraseverfromrecognisinghim，orguessingwhere，ifanywhere，Ihadseenhimbefore。Inowdeterminedtostalkhim；
butthiswasnottooeasy，asthereisliterallynocoveronthehillsideexceptalongmarchdykeoftheusualloosestones，whichrandowntotheloch-side，andindeedthreeorfourfeetintotheloch，reachingitatashortdistancetotherightoftheangler。
BehindthisIskulked，inaneagerlyundignifiedmanner，andwasjustabouttoclimbthewallunobserved，whentwogrousegotup，withtheirwild\"cluckcluck\"ofalarm，andflewdownpasttheanglerandovertheloch。Hedidnotevenlookround，butjerkedhislineoutofthewater，reeleditup，andsetoffwalkingalongtheloch-side。Hewasmaking，nodoubt，forthelittleglenupwhichIfanciedthathemusthaveretreatedonthefirstoccasionwhensawhim。Isetoffwalkingroundthetarnonmyownside——theleftside——expectingtoanticipatehim，andthathemustpassmeonhiswayupthelittleburnside。ButIhadmiscalculatedthedistance，orthepace。Hewasfirstattheburnside；andnowI
castcourtesyandeverythingbutcuriositytothewinds，anddeliberatelyfollowedhim。Hewasafewscoreofyardsaheadofme，walkingrapidly，whenhesuddenlyclimbedtheburnsidetotheleft，andwaslosttomyeyesforafewmoments。Ireachedtheplace，ascendedthesteepgreendeclivityandfoundmyselfontheopenundulatingmoor，withnohumanbeinginsight!
Thegrassandheatherwereshort。Isawnobush，nohollow，wherehecouldbyanypossibilityhavehiddenhimself。HadhemetaBoojumhecouldnothavemore\"softlyandsuddenlyvanishedaway。\"
Imakenopretenceofbeingmorecourageousthanmyneighbours，and，inthisjuncture，perhapsIwaslessso。ThelongdaysoflonelinessinwasteGlenAline，andtoomanysolitarycigarettes，hadprobablyinjuredmynerve。So，whenIsuddenlyheardasighandthehalf-smotheredsoundofaconvulsivecough-hollow，ifeveracoughwashollow——hardbyme，atmysideasitwere，andyetcouldbeholdnoman，noranyplacewhereamanmightconcealhimself——nothingbutmoorandskyandtuftsofrushes——thenI
turnedaway，andwalkeddowntheglen:notslowly。IshallnotdenythatIoftenlookedovermyshoulderasIwent，andthat，whenIreachedtheloch，Ididnotanglewithoutmanyabackwardglance。
Suchanappearanceanddisappearanceasthis，Iremembered，wereintheexperienceofSirWalterScott。Lockhartdoesnottelltheanecdote，whichisinalittleanonymousvolume，\"RecollectionsofSirWalterScott，\"publishedbeforeLockhart\'sbook。SirWalterreportsthathewasonceridingacrossthemoortoAshiesteil，intheclearbrownsummertwilight，aftersunset。Hesawamanalittlewayaheadofhim，but，justbeforehereachedthespot，themandisappeared。Scottrodeaboutandabout，searchingthelowheatherasIhaddone，buttonopurpose。Herodeon，and，glancingback，sawthesamemanatthesameplace。Heturnedhishorse，gallopedtothespot，andagain——nothing!\"Then，\"saysSirWalter，\"neitherthemarenorIcaredtowaitanylonger。\"NeitherhadIcaredtowait，andifthereisanyshameintheconfession，onmyheadbeit!
Therecameaweekofblazingsummerweather；trampingovermoorstolochslikesheetsofburnishedsteelwasoutofthequestion，andI
workedatmybook，whichnowwasallbutfinished。AtlengthI
wroteTHEEND，and\"olebonouff!quejepoussais，\"asFlaubertsaysaboutoneofhisownlaboriousconclusions。Theweatherbroke，wehadadeluge，andthencameasoftcloudyday，withawarmsouthernwindsuggestingafinalmarchonLochNan。Ipackedsomesconesandmarmaladeintomycreel，filledmyflaskwithwhiskey，mycigarette-casewithcigarettes，andstartedonthefamiliartrackwiththehappiestanticipations。TheLoneFisherwasquiteoutofmymind；thedaywasexhilarating——oneofthosetruefishing-dayswhenyoufeelthepresenceofthesunwithoutseeinghim。Still，Ilookedrathercautiouslyovertheedgeoftheslopeabovetheloch，and，byJove!therehewas，fishingthenearside，andwadingdeepamongthereeds!Ididnotstalkhimthistime，butsetoffrunningdownthehillsidebehindhim，asquicklyasmybasket，withitsloadofwadersandboots，wouldpermit。I
waswithinfortyyardsofhim，whenhegaveawildstagger，triedtorecoverhimself，failed，and，thistime，disappearedinaperfectlylegitimateandaccountablemanner。Thetreacherouspeatybottomhadgivenway，andhisfloatinghat，withasplashonthesurface，andafewblackbubbles，wereallthattestifiedtohisexistence。Therewasabrokenoldpalinghardby；Itoreoffalongplank，wadedinasnearasIdared，and，byhelpoftheplank，afteragooddealofslipping，whichinvolvedanexemplarydrenching，Isucceededingettinghimontodryland。Hewasadistressingspectacle——hisbodyandfaceallblackenedwiththeslimypeat-mud；andhefellhalf-faintingonthegrass，convulsedbyaterriblecough。Myfirstcarewastogivehimwhiskey，byperhapsamistakenimpulseofhumanity；mynext，ashelay，exhausted，wastobringwaterinmyhat，andremovetheblackmudfromhisface。
ThenIsawPercyAllen——AllenofSt。Jude\'s!Hisfacewaswasted，histhinlongbeard(hehadnotwornabeardofold)，cloggedasitwaswithpeat-stains，showedflecksofgrey。
\"Allen——Percy!\"Isaid；\"whatwindblewYOUhere？\"
Buthedidnotanswer；and，ashecoughed，itwastooplainthattheshockofhisaccidenthadbrokensomevesselinthelungs。I
tendedhimaswellasIknewhowtodoit。Isatbesidehim，givinghimwhatcomfortImight，andallthetimemymemoryflewbacktocollegedays，andtoourstrangeandmostunhappylastmeeting，andhissubsequentinevitabledisgrace。Farawayfromhere——LochNanandthevacantmoors——mymemorywandered。
ItwasatBlocksby\'sauction-room，inastreetneartheStrand，ontheeveofagreatbook-salethreeyearsbefore，thatwehadmet，foralmostthelasttime，asIbelieved，thoughitistruethatwehadnotspokenonthatoccasion。ItisnecessarythatIshouldexplainwhatoccurred，orwhatIandthreeothercrediblewitnessesbelievedtohaveoccurred；for，uponmyword，themoreIseeandhearofhumanevidenceofanyevent，thelessdoIregarditasestablishinganythingbetterthananexcessivelyprobablehypothesis。
Tomakealongstoryasshortasmaybe，IshouldsaythatAllenandIhadbeenacquaintedwhenwewereundergraduates；that，whenfellowsofourrespectivecolleges，ouracquaintancehadbecomeintimate；thatwehadoncesharedalittlebitoffishingontheTest；andthatwewerebothbook-collectors。Iwasacomparativelysanebibliomaniac，buttoAllenthetimecamewhenhegrudgedeverypennythathedidnotspendonrarebooks，andwhenheactuallygaveuphisshareofthewaterweusedtotaketogether，thathiscontributiontotherentmightgoforrareeditionsandbindings。
Afterthisdeplorablechangeofcharacterwenaturallysaweachotherless，butwewerestillfriendly。Iwentuptotowntoscribble；AllenstayedonatOxford。OnedayIchancedtogointoBlocksby\'srooms；itwasaFriday，Iremember——therewastobeagreatsaleontheMonday。ThereImetAlleninecstasiesoveroneofthebooksdisplayedinthelittlesideroomontherighthandofthesale-room。Hehadtakenoutofaglasscaseandwasgloatingoverabookwhich，itseems，hadlongbeentheBlueRoseofhisfancyasacollector。HewascrazedaboutLongepierre，theoldFrenchamateur，whosevolumes，youmayremember，werealwaysboundinbluemorocco，andtooled，onthecentreandatthecorners，withhisbadge，theGoldenFleece。NowthetomewhichsofascinatedAllenwasaTheocritus，publishedatRomebyCaliergus——aTheocritusonbluepaper，ifyouplease，boundinLongepierre\'smoroccolivery，doublewithredmorocco，and，ohecstasy!withacopyofLongepierre\'sversionofoneIdyllontheflyleaf，signedwiththetranslator\'sinitials，andheaded\"aMonRoy。\"ItisknowntothecuriousthatLouisXIV。particularlyadmiredandpraisedthislittlepoem，callingit\"amodelofhonourablegallantry。\"Clearlythegratefulauthorhadpresentedhisowncopytotheking；andhereitwas，whenkingandcrownhadgonedownintodust。
Allenshowedmethebook；hecouldhardlyletitleavehishands。
\"Hereisapearl，\"hehadsaid，\"agembeyondprice!\"
\"I\'mafraidyou\'llfinditso，\"Isaid；\"thatisforaPailletorRothschild，notforyou，myboy。\"
\"Ifearso，\"hehadanswered；\"ifIweretosellmywholelibraryto-morrow，Icouldhardlyraisethemoney；\"forhewaspoor，anditwasrumouredthathismaniahadalreadymadehimacquaintedwiththeJews。
Weparted。Iwenthometochambers；AllenstayedadoringtheunexampledLongepierre。ThatnightIdinedout，andhappenedtositnextayoungladywhopossessedagreatdealoftaste，thoughthatwastheleastofhercharms。Thefashionforbook-collectingwasamongherinnocentpleasures；shehadseenAllen\'sbooksatOxford，andItoldherofhislongingsfortheTheocritus。MissBretonatoncewaseagertoseethebook，andtheotherbooks，andIobtainedleavetogowithherandMrs。Bretontotheauction-
roomsnextday。Thelittleside-roomwherethetreasuresweredisplayedwasempty，exceptforanattendant，whenwewentin；welookedatthethingsandmadelearnedremarks，butIadmitthatI
wasmoreconcernedtolookatMissBretonthanatanyworkinleatherbyDeromeorBauzonnet。Wewerethusagooddealoccupied，perhaps，witheachother；peoplecameandwent，whileourheadswerebentoveracaseofvolumesunderthewindow。WhenweDID
leave，ontheappealofMrs。Breton，weboth——bothIandKate——MissBreton，Imean——sawAllen——atleastIsawhim，andbelievedSHE
did——absorbedingazingattheLongepierreTheocritus。Hehelditrathernearhisface；thegas，whichhadbeenlit，fellontheshiningGoldenFleecesofthecover，onhislongthinhandsandeagerstudiousfeatures。Itwouldhavebeenapitytodisturbhiminhisecstasy。IlookedatMissBreton；webothsmiled，and，ofcourse，Ipresumedwesmiledforthesamereason。
Ihappentoknow，andunluckilydidithappen，theveryminuteofthehourwhenweleftBlocksby\'s。Itwasaquartertofouro\'clock——achurch-towerwaschimingthethree-quartersintheStrand，andIlookedhalfmechanicallyatmyownwatch，whichwasfiveminutesfast。OnSundayIwentdowntoOxford，andhappenedtowalkintoAllen\'srooms。Hewaslyingonasofareadingthe\"Spectator。\"Afterchattingalittle，Isaid，\"Youtooknonoticeofme，noroftheBretonsyesterday，Allen，atBlocksby\'s。\"
\"Ididn\'tseeyou，\"hesaid；andashewasspeakingtherecameaknockatthedoor。
\"Comein!\"criedAllen，andamanenteredwhowasastrangertome。
Youwouldnothavecalledhimagentlemanperhaps。However，I
admitthatIampossiblynogreatjudgeofagentleman。
Allenlookedup。
\"Hullo，Mr。Thomas，\"hesaid，\"haveyoucomeuptoseeMr。Mortby？\"
mentioningawell-knownOxfordbibliophile。\"Wharton，\"hewenton，addressingme，\"thisisMr。ThomasfromBlocksby\'s。\"Ibowed。Mr。
Thomasseemedembarrassed。\"CanIhaveawordalonewithyou，sir？\"hemurmuredtoAllen。
\"Certainly，\"answeredAllen，lookingrathersurprised。\"You\'llexcusemeamoment，Wharton，\"hesaidtome。\"Stopandlunch，won\'tyou？There\'stheold\"Spectator\"foryou；\"andheledMr。
Thomasintoasmalldenwhereheusedtohearhispupilsreadtheiressays，andsoforth。
Inafewminuteshecameout，lookingratherpale，andtookanembarrassedfarewellofMr。Thomas。
\"Lookhere，Wharton，\"hesaidtome，\"hereisacuriousbusiness。
ThatfellowfromBlocksby\'stellsmethattheLongepierreTheocritusdisappearedyesterdayafternoon；thatIwasthelastpersoninwhosehanditwasseen，andthatnotonlythemanwhoalwaysattendsintheroombutLordTarrasandMr。Wentworth，sawitinMYhandsjustbeforeitwasmissed。\"
\"Whatanuisance!\"Ianswered。\"YouwerelookingatitwhenMissBretonandIsawyou，andyoudidn\'tnoticeus；DoesThomasknowWHEN——Imeanaboutwhato\'clock——thebookwasfirstmissed？\"
\"That\'stheluckypartofthewholeworry，\"saidAllen。\"Ilefttheroomsatthreeexactly，anditwasmissedabouttenminutestofour；dozensofpeoplemusthavehandleditinthatintervaloftime。Sointerestingabook!\"
\"But，\"Isaid，andpaused——\"areyousureyourwatchwasright？\"
\"Quitecertain；besides，Ilookedatachurchclock。Whyonearthdoyouask？\"
\"Because——Iamawfullysorry——thereissomeunluckymuddle；butitwasexactlyaquarter，orperhapsseventeenminutes，tofourwhenbothMissBretonandIsawyouabsorbedintheLongepierre。\"
\"Oh，it\'squiteIMPOSSIBLE，\"Allenanswered；\"IwasfarenoughawayfromBlocksby\'sataquartertofour。\"
\"That\'sallright，\"Isaid。\"Ofcourseyoucanprovethat；ifitisnecessary；thoughIdaresaythebookhasfallenbehindarowofothers，andhasbeenfoundbythistime。Wherewereyouataquartertofour？\"
\"Ireallydon\'tfeelobligedtostandacross-examinationbeforemytime，\"answeredAllen，flushingalittle。ThenIrememberedthatI
wasengagedtolunchatAllSouls\'，whichwastrueenough；
convenienttoo，forIdonotquiteseehowtheconversationcouldhavebeencarriedonpleasantlymuchfurther。ForIHADseenhim——
notadoubtaboutit。Buttherewasonecuriousthing。NexttimeImetMissBretonItoldherthestory，andsaid，\"YourememberhowwesawAllen，atBlocksby\'s，justasweweregoingaway？\"
\"No，\"shesaid，\"Ididnotseehim；wherewashe？\"
\"Thenwhydidyousmile——don\'tyouremember？Ilookedathimandatyou，andIthoughtyousmiled!\"
\"Because——well，IsupposebecauseYOUsmiled，\"shesaid。Andthesubjectoftheconversationwaschanged。
Itwasanexcessivelyawkwardaffair。Itdidnotcome\"beforethepublic，\"except，ofcourse，intheagreeablymythicalgossipofaneveningpaper。Therewasnomorepublicscandalthanthat。Allenwasmerelyruined。ThematterwasintroducedtothenoticeoftheWardensandtheotherFellowsofSt。Jude\'s。WhatLordTarrassaw，whatMr。Wentworthsaw，whatIsaw，clearlyprovedthatAllenwasintheauction-rooms，andhadtheconfoundedbookinhishand，atanhourwhen，asHEasserted，hehadlefttheplaceforsometime。
Itwasadmittedbyoneofthepeopleemployedatthesale-roomsthatAllenhadbeennoticed(hewaswellknownthere)leavingthehouseatthree。Buthemusthavecomebackagain，ofcourse，asatleastfourpeoplecouldhavesworntohispresenceintheshow-roomataquartertofouro\'clock。Whenhewasaskedinaprivateinterview，bytheHeadofhisCollege，tosaywherehewentafterleavingBlocksby\'sAllenrefusedtoanswer。Hemerelysaidthathecouldnotprovethefacts；thathisownwordwouldnotbetakenagainstthatofsomanyunprejudicedandevenfriendlywitnesses。
Hesimplythrewupthegame。Heresignedhisfellowship；hetookhisnameoffthebooks；hedisappeared。
Therewasagooddealoftalk；peoplespokeabouttheunscrupulousnessofcollectors，andrepeatedoldanecdotesonthatsubject。Thenthebusinesswasforgotten。Next，inayear\'stimeorso，thebook——theconfoundedLongepierre\'sTheocritus——wasfoundinapawnbroker\'sshop。Thehistoryofitsadventureswastracedbeyondashadowofdoubt。Ithadbeenveryadroitlystolen，anddisposedof，byanotoriousbook-thief，agentlemanbybirth——nowdead，butwellremembered。AskMr。Quaritch!
Allen\'sabsoluteinnocencewasthusdemonstratedbeyondcavil，thoughnobodypaidanyparticularattentiontothedemonstration。
AsforAllen，hehadvanished；hewasheardofnomore。
HewasHERE；dyinghere，besidetheblackwaveofloneLochNan。
Allthis，solonginthetelling，Ihadtimeenoughtothinkover，asIsatandwatchedhim，andwipedhislipswithwaterfromtheburn，clearerandsweeterthanthewateroftheloch。
Atlasthisfitofcoughingceased，andakindofpeacecameintohisface。
\"Allen，mydearoldboy，\"Isaid——Idon\'toftenusethelanguageofaffection——\"didyouneverhearthatallthatstupidstorywasclearedup；thateveryoneknowsyouareinnocent？\"
Heonlyshookhishead；hedidnotdaretospeak，buthelookedhappier，andheputhishandinmine。
Isatholdinghishand，strokingit。Idon\'tknowhowlongIsatthere；Ihadputmycoatandwaterproofunderhim。Hewas\"wetthrough，\"ofcourse；therewaslittleuseinwhatIdid。WhatcouldIdowithhim？howbringhimtoawarmanddryplace？
Theideaseemedtostrikehim，forhehalfroseandpointedtothelittleburnside，acrosstheloch。Aplanoccurredtome；Itorealeaffrommysketch-book，putthepaperwithpencilinhishand，andsaid，\"Wheredoyoulive？Don\'tspeak。Write。\"
Hewroteinafaintscrawl，\"Helpmetothatburnside。ThenIcanguideyou。\"
IhardlyknowhowIgothimthere，for，lightashewas，IamnoHercules。However，withmanyarest，wereachedthelittledell；
andthenIcarriedhimupitsgreenside，andlaidhimontheheatherofthemoor。
Hewroteagain:
\"Gotothatclumpofrushes——thethirdfromthelittlehillock。
Thenlook，butbecareful。Thenliftthebiggrasstussock。\"
ThespotwhichAllenindicatedwasonthesideofarathersteepgrassyslope。Iapproachedit，draggedatthetussockofgrass，whichcameawayeasilyenough，andrevealedtheentrancetonomoreromantichiding-placethananoldsecretwhiskey\"still。\"Privatestills，notuncommoninSutherlandandsomeothernorthernshires，areextinctinGalloway。Allenhadprobablyfoundthisonebyaccidentinhiswanderings，andinhishalf-insanebitternessagainstmankindhadmadeit，forsometimeatleast，hishome。Thesmoke-blackenedwalls，therecesseswheretheworm-tubandthestillnowstood，allplainlyenoughbetrayedtheoriginaluserofthehiding-place。Therewasalowbedstead，ashelfortwo，whereonlayafewbooks——aShakespeare，aHomer，aWalton，Plutarch\'s\"Lives\"；verylittleelseoutofalibraryoncesorich。
Therewasatubofoatmeal，aheapofdrypeat，twoorthreeeggsinaplate，somebottles，akegofwhiskey，somesardine-tins，aboxwithclothes——thatwasnearlyallthe\"plenishing\"ofthishermitage。Itwasneverlikelytobediscovered，exceptbythesmoke，whentheinmatelitafire。Thelocalshepherdknewit，ofcourse，butAllenhadboughthissilence，notthatthereweremanyneighboursfortheshepherdtotattlewith。
Allenhadrecoveredstrengthenoughbythistimetoreachhisdenwithlittleassistance。Hemademebeatupthewhiteofoneoftheeggswithalittleturpentine，whichwasprobably，underthecircumstances，thebeststypticforhismaladywithinhisreach。I
lithisfireofpeats，undressedhim，puthimtobed，andmadehimascomfortableasmightbeinthedenwhichhehadchosen。ThenI
wentbacktotheshepherd\'s，sentamessengertothenearestdoctor，andprocuredakindofsledge，generallyusedfordraggingpeathome，wherein，withabundanceofblanketsforcovering，I
hopedtobringAllenbacktotheshepherd\'scottage。
Nottodelayoverdetails，thiswasmanagedatlast，andtheunhappyfellowwasunderasubstantialroof。Buthewasveryill；
hebecamedeliriousandravedofmanythings——talkedofoldcollegeadventures，bidrecklesslyforimaginarybooks，andpractisedothereccentricitiesoffever。
Whenhisfeverlefthimhewasabletoconverseinaway——I
talking，andhescrawlingfaintlywithapencilonpaper。Itoldhimhowhischaracterhadbeencleared，howhehadbeenhuntedfor，advertisedfor，vainlyenough。Totheshepherds\'cottageswherehehadlivedtillthebeginningofthatsummer，newspapersrarelycame；tohisdenintheoldsecretstill，ofcoursetheynevercameatall。
Hisownstoryofwhathehadbeendoingatthefatalhourwhensomanypeoplesawhimattheauction-roomswasbrief。Hehadlefttherooms，ashesaid，atthreeo\'clock，ponderinghowhemightraisemoneyforthebookonwhichhisheartwasset。Hisfeethadtakenhim，halfunconsciously，toadismalcourt，PlaceofIsraeliteresort，wheredweltanddealtoneIsaacs，fromwhomhehad，atvarioustimes，borrowedmoneyonusury。ThenameofIsaacswasoverabell，oneofmanyatthedoor，and，whenthebellwasrung，thestreetdoor\"openedofhisownaccord，\"likethatofthelittletobacco-and-talkclubwhichusedtoexistinanalleyoffPallMall。Allenrangthebell，theouterdooropened，and，ashewasstandingatthedoorofIsaacs\'chambers，beforehehadknocked，THATportalalsoopened，andtheoffice-boy，ayoungJew，slunkcautiouslyout。OnseeingAllen，hehadseemedatoncesurprisedandalarmed。Allenaskedifhismasterwasin；theladanswered\"No\"inahesitatingway；butonsecondthoughts，averredthatIsaacs\"wouldbebackimmediately，\"andrequestedAllentogoinandwait。Hedidso，butIsaacsnevercame，andAllenfellasleep。
Hehadaverydistinctandsingulardream，hesaid，ofbeinginMessrs。Blocksy\'srooms，ofhandlingtheLongepierre，andofseeingWentworththere，andLordTarras。Whenhewakenedhewasverycold，and，ofcourse，itwaspitchdark。Hedidnotrememberwherehewas；helitamatchandacandleonthechimney-piece。Thenslowlyhismemorycamebacktohim，andnotonlyhismemory，buthisconsciousnessofwhathehadwhollyforgotten——namely，thatthiswasSaturday，theSabbathoftheJews，andthattherewasnotthefaintestchanceofIsaacs\'arrivalathisplaceofbusiness。
InthesamemomenttheembarrassmentandconfusionoftheyoungIsraeliteflashedvividlyacrosshismind，andhesawthathewasinaveryawkwardposition。IfthatfairHebrewboyhadbeenrobbing，ortryingtorob，thetill，thenAllen\'spositionwasseriousindeed，asherehewas，alone，atanuntimelyhour，intheoffice。Soheblewthecandleout，andwentdownthedingystairsasquietlyaspossible，tookthefirstcabhemet，drovetoPaddington，andwentuptoOxford。
ItisprobablethattheyoungchildofIsrael，ifhehadbeenattemptinganymischief，didnotsucceedinit。Hadtherebeenanytrouble，itislikelyenoughthathewouldhaveinvolvedAlleninthegrief。ThenAllenwouldhavebeenina，perhaps，unprecedentedposition。Hecouldhaveestablishedanalibi，asfarastheJew\'saffairswent，byprovingthathehadbeenatBlocksby\'satthehourwhentheboywouldtruthfullyhaveswornthathehadlethimintoIsaacs\'chambers。And，asfarasthechargeagainsthimatBlocksby\'swent，theevidenceoftheyoungJewwouldhavegonetoprovethathewasatIsaacs\'，wherehehadnobusinesstobe，whenwesawhimatBlocksby\'s。But，unhappily，eachalibiwouldhavebeenalmostequallycompromising。Thedifficultyneverarose，butthereasonwhyAllenrefusedtogiveanyaccountofwhathehadbeendoing，andwherehehadbeen，atfouro\'clockonthatSaturdayafternoon——arefusalthattoldsoheavilyagainsthim——isnowsufficientlyclear。Hisstatementwould，wemaybelieve，neverhavebeencorroboratedbytheyouthfulHebrew，whocertainlyhadhisownexcellentreasonsforsilence，andwhoprobablyhadcarefullyestablishedanalibiofhisownelsewhere。
ThetrueaccountofAllen\'sappearance，orapparition，atBlocksby\'s，whenIandTarras，Wentworthandtheattendantrecognisedhim，andMissBretondidNOT，isthuspartoftheHistoryoftheUnexplained。AllenmighthaveappealedtoprecedentsintheannalsofthePsychicalSociety，wheretheyexistinscores，andaretechnicallystyled\"collectivehallucinations。\"
Butneitherajury，norajudge，perhaps，wouldacceptthetestimonyofexpertsinPsychicalResearchifofferedinacriminaltrial，noracquitawraith。
Possiblythisscepticismhasneveryetinjuredthecauseofaninnocentman。YetIknow，inmyownpersonalexperience，andhaveheardfromothers，frommenofage，sagacity，andacquaintancewiththegreatestaffairs，instancesinwhichpeoplehavebeendistinctlyseenbysane，healthy，andhonourablewitnesses，inplacesandcircumstanceswhereitwas(aswesay)\"physicallyimpossible\"thattheyshouldhavebeen，andwheretheycertainlywerenotthemselvesawareofhavingbeen。Thatiswhyhumantestimonyseemstometoestablishnomore，incertaincircumstances，thanahighlyprobableworkinghypothesis——ahypothesisonwhich，ofcourse，weareboundtoact。
Thereislittlemoretotell。Bydintofcarefulnursing，poorAllenwasenabledtotravel；hereachedMentone，andtherethemistralendedhim。Hewasalonelyman，withnokinsfolk；hischaracterwasclearedamongthepeoplewhoknewhimbest；theothershaveforgottenhim。Nobodycanbeinjuredbythisexplanationofhissilencewhencalledontoprovehisinnocence，andofhisunusuallysuccessfulvanishingfromasocietywhichhadnevertriedveryhardtodiscoverhiminhisretreat。Hehaslivedandsufferedanddied，andleftbehindhimlittlebutanincidentintheHistoryoftheUnexplained。
THECOMPLETEBUNGLER
SCENEI——HAMPSHIRE
PISCATORANGLUS。PISCATORSCOTUS
Scotus——Well，nowlet\'sgotoyoursportofangling。Where，Master，isyourriver？
Anglus——Marry，\'tishere；markyou，thisisthefamousTest。
Scotus——What，Master，thisdryditch？Therebescarcethreeinchesofwaterinit。
Anglus——Patience，Scholar，thewaterisinthemeadows，orMasterOakley，themiller，isholdingitup。Nay，letuswaitheresomehourorsotillthewateristurnedon。Orperchance，Scholar，forthematteroffiveshillings，MasterOakleywillevenraisehishatches，anyouhaveacrownaboutyou。
Scotus——Ilikenottopartwithmysubstance，but，asneedsmust，here，Master，isthecoin。
[ExitANGLUStotheMill。Hereturns。
Anglus——Now，Scholar，saidInotso？Thewateristurnedonagain，and，loyou，atthetailofyonderstream，afairtroutisrising。Youshallseeatouchofourcraft。
[ANGLUScrawlsonhisbellyintoatuftofnettles，wherehekneelsandflickshisflyforabouttenminutes。
Anglus——Alas，hehasceasedrising，andIamgrievouslyentangledinthesenettles。Come，Scholar，butwarily，lestyefrightmyfish，andnow，disentanglemyhook。
Scotus——Hereisyourhook，but，marry，myfingerstingleshrewdlywiththenettles；alsoImarkedthefishhastingupstream。
Anglus——Nay，come，weshallevenlookforanother。
Scotus——Oh，Master，whatisthis？Thatwhichbutnowwasdryditchispresentlysaladbowl!Markyouhowthegreenvegetablescoverthewaters!Weshallhavenosport。
Anglus——Patience，Scholar；\'tisbutMasterHedgely\'smen，cuttingtheweedsabove。Wemayrestussomehourortwo，tilltheygoby。
Or，perchance，foramatteroffiveshillings-
Scotus——Nay，Master，thisEnglishanglingisovercostly。Therentofyourditchishigh，theexpensesoftravelareburdensome。
IncrawlingthroughyournettlesandthistlesIhavescratchedmyface，andtornmyraiment，andIwillnotpaythelabourertoceaselabouringinhisindustry。
Anglus——Whythen，pazienza，Scholar，orlistenwhileIsingthatsweetdittyofcountrycontentmentandanangler\'slife，writbyworthyMasterHacklelongago。
SONG
TheAnglerhathajollylifeWhobytherailrunsdown，Andleaveshisbusinessandhiswife，Andallthedinoftown。
Thewinddownstreamisblowingstraight，Andnowherecastcanhe；
Thenlo，hedothbutsitandwaitInkindlycompany。
Orelsementurnthewateroff，Orfolkbecuttingweed，Whilehedothatmisfortunescoff，Fromeverytroublefreed。
Orelsehewaitethforarise，Andne\'erarisemaysee；
Forwhy，therearenotanyfliesTobearhimcompany。
Or，ifhemarkarisingtrout，Hestraightwayiscaughtup，Andthenhetakeshisflasketout，Anddrinksarousingcup。
Orifatrouthechancetohook，Weededandbrokeishe，AndthenbefindsagoodlybookInstructivecompany。
Whatthinkyouofmysong，Scholar？\'Tischoicelymusical。What，heisgone!ApestonthoseNortherners；theyhavenomanners。
Now，methinksIdorememberatroutcalledGeorge，aheavyfellowthatlieseverunderthearchofyonderbridge，wherethereisshelterfromthewind。HoforGeorge!
[Exitsinging。
SCENEII——ABRIDGE
EnterANGLUS
Anglus——NowtocreeplikeyourIndianofVirginiaontheprey，andangleforGeorge。I\'faith，heisalustytrout；manyagoodWickhamhaveIlostinGeorge。
[Heensconceshimselfinthemiddleofathornbush。
Anglus——Thereheis，Imarkhisbigbackfin。Nowspeedme，St。
Peter，patronofallhonestanglers!Butfirsttodrymyfly!
[Heflickshisflyfortenminutes。EnterBOYonBridge。ANGLUS
makeshiscast，tooshort。BOYheavesagreatstonefromtheBridge。ExitGEORGE。ExitBOY。
Anglus——Oh，Mass!verilytheanglerhadneedofpatience!Yonderboyhathspoiledmysport，andwereitnotthatswearingfrightsthefish，Icouldfinditinmyhearttosayanoathortwain。
But，ha，herecometheswallows，hawkinglowonthestream。Now，werebutmyScholarhere，Icouldimparttohimmuchhonestloreconcerningtheswallow，andotherbirds。Butwhereshehawks，thereflymustbe，andfishwillrise，and，lookyou，Idomarkthetroutfeedinginyonderfordbelowtheplankbridge。
[ANGLUSstealsoff，andgingerlytakesuphisposition。
Anglus——Marry，thatisagoodtroutundertheburdock!
[Heiscaughtupintheburdock，andbreakshistackle。
Anglus——Nowtoknotafreshcast。Marry，buttheyarefeedinggaily!Howkindlyistheangler\'slife；heharmethnofishthatswims，yettheSpectatordeemethoursacruelsport。Ah，goodMasterTownsendandlearnedMasterHutton，littleyewotofourcountrycontents。So，Iamreadyagain，andthisWhitchurchdunwillbeguileyonderfish，Idoubtnot。Marry，howthickthefliescome，andhowthefishdorevelinthismercifulprovenderthatHeavensendeth!VerilyIknownotatwhichofthesegreatfellowstomakemyessay。
[Entertwenty-fourcallowyoungducks，swimmingupstream。Theduckschevytheflies，takingthemoutoftheverymouthsofthetrout。
Anglus——Oh，mercy。Ihavehookedayoungduck!Whereismylanding-net？Nay，Ihaveleftitunderyonderelm!
[Hestruggleswiththeyoungduck。BytheconclusionofthefraytheRiseisover。
Anglus——Ihavesavedmyfly，butlo，thetrouthaveceasedtofeed，andwillrisenomoretillaftersunset。Well，\"amerryheartgoesalltheway!\"Andlo，herecomesmyScholar。Ho，runaway，howhaveyousped？
Scotus——Notill。Herebemyspoils，greatones；buthowfaint-
heartedareyoursoutherntrout!
Anglus——Thatfatfellowisagoodthreepoundsbythescales。
But，Scholar，withwhatflycaughtyethese，andwhere？
Scotus——Marry，Master，inaMill-tail，wherethewaterlaggednot，butranfreeasitdothinbonnyScotland；norwithnoflydidI
griphim，butwithanartificialpenk，orminnow。Itwasmadebyahandsomewomanthathadafinehand，andwroughtforMasterBrown，ofAberdeen。Themould，orbodyoftheminnow，isofparchment，methinks，andhehathfinsofcopper，allsocuriouslydissembledthatitwillbeguileanysharp-sightedtroutinaswiftstream。
MencallitaPhantom，Master；wiltthounottrymyPhantom？
Anglus——Begone，sirrah。Itooktheeforanangler，andthouartbutapoachingknave!
Scotus——Knavethyself!Iwillbreakthyhead!
Anglus——Softly，Scholar。HerecomesgoodMasterHedgely，whowillseefairplay。Nowliethere，mycoat，andhaveatyou!
[Theyfight，SCOTUSisknockeddown。
Anglus——Half-minutetime!Timeisup!MasterHedgely，inmydryflyboxthouwiltfindalittlespongeformoisteningofmycastinglines。Wiltthou，ofthycourtesy，throwitupformyScholar？
Andnow，Scholar，trustme，thyguardistoolow。Ihopethoubearestnomalice。
Scotus——None，Master。But，lo!Iamanhungered；wiltthoutastemycates？HereIhavebreadslicesandmarmaladeofDundee。Thisfishingismarvelloushungrywork。
Anglus——GladlywillIfallto，butfirstsaymeagrace——
Benedictusbenedicat!Whereisthineusquebaugh？Marry，\'tistherightTalisker!
Scotus——Andnow，Master，whereforewertthouwrothwithme？Camewenotforthtocatchfish？
Anglus——Nay，marry，Scholar，bynomeanstocatchfish，buttofishwiththedryfly。Nowthis，humanlyspeaking，isimpossible；
nathelessitisraresport。Butforyourfish，astheywereillcomeby，letusevengivethemtogoodMasterHedgelyhere，andsobemerrytillthesedgescomeoninthelatetwilight。And，trustme，thisistherarestfishing，andthepeacefulest；onlyseethatthoufishnotwiththewetfly，forthatisAnathema。Soshallwehavelightconsciences。
Scotus——Andlightbaskets!
Anglus——Ay，itmaybeso。
Footnotes:
{1}Tootrue，alas!
{2}Itshouldbeaddedthatlargetrout，uptosixpounds，aresometimestaken。Oneboatmanassuredmethathehadcaughttwothree-poundersatonecast。
{3}FrommotivesofdelicacyIsuppressthetruenameoftheriver。
{4}Afterthispaperwasinprint，ananglerwasactuallydrownedwhileengagedinplayingasalmon。Thisunfortunatecircumstancefollowed，anddidnotsuggestthecompositionofthestory。
End