AsJonathangazedhebeheldathinredstreamtrickleoutfromthepartedandgrinninglips；hebeheldtheeyesturninward；hebeheldtheeyelidscontract；hebeheldthefigurestretchitself；
hebehelditbecomestillindeath。
IV。TheMomentousAdventurewiththeStrangerwiththeSilverEar—ringsSoourherostoodstunnedandbedazed，gazingdownuponhisvictim，likeamanturnedintoastone。Hisbrainappearedtohimtoexpandlikeabubble，thebloodsurgedandbummedinhisearswitheverygiganticbeatofhisheart，hisvisionswam，andhistremblinghandswerebedewedwithacoldandrepugnantsweat。Thedeadfigureuponthefloorathisfeetgazedathimwithawide，glassystare，andintheconfusionofhisminditappearedtoJonathanthathewas，indeed，amurderer。
Whatmonstrousthingwasthisthathadbefallenhimwho，butamomentbefore，hadbeensoentirelyinnocentoftheguiltofblood？Whatwashenowtodoinsuchanextremityasthis，withhisvictimlyingdeadathisfeet，aponiardinhisheart？Whowouldbelievehimtobeguiltlessofcrimewithsuchadreadfulevidenceasthispresentedagainsthim？Howwashe，astrangerinaforeignland，tototallydefendhimselfagainstanaccusingofmistakenjustice？Atthesethoughtsadevelopedterrorgrippedathisvitalsandasweatascoldasicebedewedhisentirebody。
No，hemusttarryfornoexplanationordefense！Hemustimmediatelyflyfromthisterribleplace，orelse，shouldhebediscovered，hisdoomwouldcertainlybesealed！
Atthatmoment，andintheveryextremityofhisapprehensions，therefellofasuddenaknockuponthedoor，soundingsoloudandsostartlinguponthesilenceoftheroomthateveryshatterednerveinourhero’sframetingledandthrilledinanswertoit。Hestoodpetrified，scarcelysomuchasdaringtobreathe；andthen，observingthathismouthwasagape，hemoistenedhisdryandparchinglips，anddrewhisjawstogetherwithasnap。
Againtherefellthesameloud，insistentknockuponthepanel，followedbytheimperativewords：\"Openwithin！\"
ThewretchedJonathanflungabouthimaglanceatonceofterrorandofdespair，buttherewasforhimnopossibleescape。Hewasshuttightintheroomwithhisdeadvictim，likearatinatrap。Nothingremainedforhimbuttoobeythesummonsfromwithout。Indeed，intheveryextremityofhisdistraction，hepossessedreasonenoughtoperceivethatthelongerhedelayedopeningthedoorthelessinnocenthemighthopetoappearintheeyesofwhoeverstoodwithout。
Withtheuncertainandspasmodicmovementsofanill—constructedautomaton，hecrossedtheroom，andsteppingverycarefullyovertheprostratebodyuponthefloor，andwithahesitatingreluctancethathecouldinnodegreemaster，heunlocked，unbolted，andopenedthedoor。
Thefigurethatoutlineditselfinthelightofthecandle，againsttheblacknessofthepassagewaywithoutwasofsuchasingularandforeignaspectastofitextremelywellintotheextraordinarytragedyofwhichJonathanwasatoncethevictimandthecause。
Itwasthatofalean，tallmanwithathin，yellowcountenance，embellishedwithalong，blackmustache，andhavingapairofforbidding，deeplyset，andextremelyrestlessblackeyes。A
crimsonhandkerchiefbeneathalacecockedhatwastiedtightlyaroundthehead，andapairofsilverearrings，whichcaughtthelightofthecandle，gleamedandtwinkledagainsttheinkydarknessofthepassagewaybeyond。
Thisextraordinarybeing，withoutfavoringourherowithanywordofapologyforhisintrusion，immediatelythrusthimselfforwardintotheroom，andstretchinghislong，lean，bird—likenecksoastodirecthisgazeovertheinterveningtable，fixedagapingandconcentratedstareuponthefigurelyingstillandmotionlessinthecentreoftheroom。
\"Vatyoudodare，\"saidhe，withagutturalandforeignaccent，andthereupon，withoutwaitingforareply，cameforwardandkneltdownbesidethedeadman。Afterthrustinghishandintothesilentandshrunkenbosom，hepresentlylookedupandfixedhispenetratingeyesuponourhero’scountenance，who，benumbedandbedazedwithhisdespair，stillstoodlikeoneenchainedinthebondsofanightmare。\"Hevasdead！\"saidthestranger，andJonathannoddedhisheadinreply。
\"Vyyoukeelzeman？\"inquiredhisinterlocutor。
\"Indeed，\"criedJonathan，findingavoiceatlast，butonesohoarsethathecouldhardlyrecognizeitforhisown，\"Iknownotwhattomakeoftheaffair！But，indeed，Idoassurethee，friend，thatIamentirelyinnocentofwhatthouseest。\"
Thestrangerstillkepthispiercinggazefixeduponourhero’scountenance，andJonathan，feelingthatsomethingfurtherwasdemandedofhim，continued：\"Iam，indeed，avictimofamostextravagantandextraordinaryadventure。Thisevening，cominganentirestrangertothiscountry，Iwasintroducedintothehouseofabeautifulfemale，whobestoweduponmeachargethatappearedtometobeatonceinsignificantandabsurd。Beholdthislittleivoryball，\"saidhe，drawingtheglobefromhispocket，anddisplayingitbetweenhisthumbandfinger。\"Itisthisthatappearstohavebroughtallthisdisasteruponme；for，comingfromthehouseoftheyoungwoman，themanwhomthounowbeholdestlyingdeaduponthefloorinducedmetocometothisplace。Havinginveigledmehither，hedemandedofmetogivehimatoncethisinsignificanttrifle。Uponmyrefusingtodoso，heassaultedmewitheveryappearanceofamadandfuriousinclinationtodeprivemeofmylife！\"
Atthesightoftheivoryballthestrangerquicklyarosefromhiskneelingpostureandfixeduponourheroagazethemostextraordinarythathehadeverencountered。Hiseyesdilatedlikethoseofacat，thebreathexpelleditselffromhisbosominsodeepandprofoundanexpirationthatitappearedasthoughitmightneverreturnagain。NorwasituntilJonathanhadreplacedtheballinhispocketthatheappearedtoawakenfromthetrancethatthesightoftheobjecthadsenthiminto。Butnosoonerhadthecauseofthisstrangedemeanordisappearedintoourhero’sbreeches—pocketthanhearoseaswithanelectricshock。Inaninstanthebecametransformedasbythetouchofmagic。Asuddenandbalefullightflamedintohiseyes，hisfacegrewasredasblood，andheclappedhishandtohispocketwithasuddenandviolentmotion。\"Zeball！\"hecried，inahoarseandstridentvoice。\"Zeball！Givemezeball！\"Anduponthenextinstantourherobeheldtheroundandshiningnozzleofapistolpointeddirectlyagainsthisforehead。
Foramomenthestoodasthoughtransfixed；theninthemortalperilthatfacedhim，heutteredaroarthatsoundedinhisownearsliketheoutcryofawildbeast，andthereuponflunghimselfbodilyupontheotherwiththeviolenceandthefuryofamadman。
Thestrangerdrewthetrigger，andthepowderflashedinthepan。
Hedroppedtheweapon，clattering，andinaninstanttriedtodrawanotherfromhisotherpocket。Beforehecoulddirecthisaim，however，ourherohadcaughthimbybothwrists，and，bendinghishandbackward，preventedthechanceofanyshotfromtakingimmediateeffectuponhisperson。Thenfollowedastruggleofextraordinaryferocityandfrenzy——thestrangerendeavoringtofreehishand，andJonathanstrivingwithalltheenergyofdespairtopreventhimfromeffectinghismurderouspurpose。
Inthestruggleourherobecamethrustagainsttheedgeofthetable。Hefeltasthoughhisbackwerebreaking，andbecameconsciousthatinsuchasituationhecouldhopetodefendhimselfonlyafewmomentslonger。Thestranger’sfacewaspressedclosetohisown。Hishotbreath，strongwiththeodorofgarlic，fannedourhero’scheek，whilehislips，distendedintoaferociousandferinegrin，displayedhissharpteethshininginthecandlelight。
\"Givemezeball！\"hesaid，inaharshandfuriouswhisper。
AtthemomentthereranginJonathan’searsthesuddenandastoundingdetonationofapistol—shot，andforamomenthewonderedwhetherhehadreceivedamortalwoundwithoutbeingawareofit。Thensuddenlyhebeheldanextraordinaryanddreadfultransformationtakeplaceinthecountenancethrustsoclosetohisown；theeyeswinkedseveraltimeswithincrediblerapidity，andthenrolledupwardandinward；thejawsgapedintoadreadfulandcavernousyawn；thepistolfellwithaclattertothefloor，andthenextmomentthemuscles，sorigidbutaninstantbefore，relaxedintoalimpandlistlessflaccidity。Thejointscollapsed，andtheentiremanfellintoanindistinguishableheapuponandacrossthedeadfigurestretchedoutuponthefloor，whileatthesametimeapungentandblindingcloudofgunpowdersmokefilledtheapartment。Forafewmomentsthehandstwitchedconvulsively；theneckstretcheditselftoanabominablelength；thelong，leanlegsslowlyandgraduallyrelaxed，andeveryfibreofthebodygraduallycollapsedintothelassitudeofdeath。Aspotofbloodappearedandgrewuponthecollaratthethroat，andinthesamedegreethecolorebbedfromthefaceleavingitofadullandleadenpallor。
Alltheseterribleandformidablechangesofaspectourherostoodwatchingwithamotionlessandrivetedattention，andasthoughtheyweretohimmattersoftheutmostconsequenceandimportance；andonlywhenthelastflickeroflifehaddepartedfromhissecondvictimdidhelifthisgazefromthisterriblesceneofdissolutiontostareabouthim，thiswayandthat，hiseyesblinded，andhisbreathstifledbythethickcloudofsulphuroussmokethatobscuredtheobjectsabouthiminapungentcloud。
V。TheUnexpectedEncounterwiththeSea—captainwiththeBrokenNoseIfourherohadbeendistractedandbedazedbythefirstcatastrophethathadbefallen，thissecondandevenmoredreadfulandviolentoccurrenceappearedtotakeawayfromhim，forthemoment，everypowerofthoughtandofsensation。Allthatperturbationofemotionthathadbeforeconvulsedhimhediscoveredtohavedisappeared，andinitssteadabenumbedandblindedintelligencealoneremainedtohim。Ashestoodinthepresenceofthisseconddeath，ofwhichhehadbeenasinnocentandasunwillinganinstrumentashehadofthefirst，hecouldobservenosignseitherofremorseorofhorrorwithinhim。Hepickeduphishat，whichhadfallenuponthefloorinthefirstencounter，and，brushingawaythedustwiththecuffofhiscoatsleevewithextraordinarycare，adjustedthebeaveruponhisheadwiththeutmostnicety。Thenturning，stillstupefiedaswiththefumesofsomepowerfuldrug，hepreparedtoquitthesceneoftragicterrorsthathadthusunexpectedlyaccumulateduponhim。
Buterehecouldputhisdesignintoexecutionhisearswerestartledbythesoundofloudandhurriedfootstepswhich，comingfrombelow，ascendedthestairswithaprodigiousclatterandbustleofspeed。Atthelandingthesefootstepspausedforawhile，andthenapproached，morecautiousanddeliberate，towardtheroomwherethedoubletragedyhadbeenenacted，andwhereourheroyetstoodsilentandinert。
AllthiswhileJonathanmadenoendeavortoescape，butstoodpassiveandsubmissivetowhatmightoccur。Hefelthimselfthevictimofcircumstancesoverwhichhehimselfhadnocontrol。
Gazingatthepartlyopeneddoor，heawaitedforwhateveradventuremightnextbefallhim。Onceagainthefootstepspaused，thistimeattheverythreshold，andthenthedoorwasslowlypushedopenfromwithout。
Asourherogazedattheaperturetherepresentlybecamedisclosedtohisviewthestrongandrobustfigureofonewhowasevidentlyofaseafaringhabit。Fromthegoldbraiduponhishat，thesealsdanglingfromtheribbonathisfob，andacertainparticularityofcustom，hewasevidentlyoneofnosmallconsiderationinhisprofession。Hewasofastrongandpowerfulbuild，withaheadsetclosetohisshoulders，anduponaround，shortbullneck。Heworeablackcravat，looselytiedintoaknot，andaredwaistcoatelaboratelytrimmedwithgoldbraid；aleatherbeltwithabrassbuckleandhanger，andhugesea—bootscompletedacostumesingularlysuggestiveofhisoccupationinlife。Hisfacewasroundandbroad，likethatofacat，andacomplexionstained，byconstantexposuretothesunandwind，toacolorofnewlypolishedmahogany。Butacountenancewhichotherwisemighthavebeenhumorous，inthiscasewasrenderedsingularlyrepulsivebythefactthathisnosehadbeenbrokensoflattohisfacethatallthatremainedtodistinguishthatfeatureweretwocircularorificeswherethenostrilsshouldhavebeen。Hiseyeswerebynomeanssosinisterastherestofhisvisage，beingofalight—graycolorandexceedinglyvivacious——evengood—naturedinthemerryrestlessnessoftheirglance——albeittheywerewell—nighhiddenbeneathablackbushofoverhangingeyebrows。Whenhespoke，hisvoicewassodeepandresonantthatitwasasthoughitissuedfromabarrelratherthanfromthebreastofahumanbeing。
\"Hownow，myhearty！\"criedhe，instentoriantones，soloudthattheyseemedtostunthetenselydrawndrumsofourhero’sears。
\"Hownow，myhearty！What’sto—dohere？Whoisshootingpistolsatthishourofthenight？\"Then，catchingsightofthefigureslyinginahuddleuponthefloor，hisgreat，thicklipspartedintoagapeofwonderandhisgrayeyesrolledinhisheadliketwoballs，sothatwhatwithhisflatfaceandtheroundholesofhisnostrilshepresentedanappearancewhich，underothercircumstances，wouldhavebeenatonceludicrousandgrotesque。
\"Bytheblood！\"criedhe，\"tobesureitismurderthathashappenedhere。\"
\"Notmurder！\"criedJonathan，inashrillandpantingvoice。\"Notmurder！Itwasallanaccident，andIamasinnocentasababy。\"
Thenew—comerlookedathimandthenatthetwofiguresuponthefloor，andthenbackathimagainwitheyesatoncequizzicalandcunning。Thenhisfacebrokeintoagrinthatmighthardlybecalledofdrollery。\"Accident！\"quothhe。\"Bytheblood！d’yesee’tisastrangeaccident，indeed，thatlaystwomenbytheheelsandletsthethirdgowithoutascratch！\"Deliveringhimselfthus，hecameforwardintotheroom，and，takingthelastvictimofJonathan’sadventurebythearm，withaslittlecompunctionashewouldhavehandledasackofgrainhedraggedthelimpandhelplessfigurefromwhereitlaytothefloorbesidethefirstvictim。Then，liftingthelightedcandle，hebentoverthetwoprostratebodies，holdingtheilluminationclosetothelineamentsfirstofoneandthenoftheother。Helookedatthemverycarefullyforalongwhile，withtheclosestandmostintentscrutiny，andinperfectsilence。\"Theyarebothasdead，\"sayshe，\"asDavyJones，and，whoeveryoube，IprotestthatyouhavedoneyourbusinessthemostcompletestthatIeversawinallofmylife。\"
Indeed，\"criedJonathan，inthesameshrillandpantingvoice，\"itwasthemselveswhodidit。Firstoneofthemattackedmeandthentheother，andIdidbuttrytokeepthemfrommurderingme。
Thisonefellonhisknife，andthatoneshothimselfinhiseffortstodestroyme。\"
\"That，\"saystheseaman，\"youmayverywelltelltoadry—lander，andmaybehewillbelieveyou；butyoucannotsoeasilypullthewoolovertheeyesofCaptainBennyWillitts。Andwhat，ifImaybesoboldasfortoaskyou，wasthereasonfortheirattackingsoharmlessamanasyouproclaimyourselftobe？\"
\"ThatIknownot，\"criedJonathan；\"butIamentirelywillingtotelltheeallthecircumstances。ThoumustknowthatIamamemberoftheSocietyofFriends。ThisdayIlandedhereinKingston，andmetayoungwomanofverycomelyappearance，whointrustedmewiththislittleivoryball，whichsherequestedmetokeepforherafewdays。Thesightofthisball——inwhichI
candetectnothingthatcouldbelikelytoarouseanyfeelingsofviolence——appearstohavedriventhesetwomenentirelymad，sothattheyinstantlymadethemostferociousandmurderousassaultuponme。See！wouldstthouhavebelievedthatsosmallathingasthiswouldhavecausedsomuchtrouble？\"Andashespokehehelduptothegazeoftheotherthecauseofthedoubletragedythathadbefallen。ButnosoonerhadCaptainWillitts’seyeslightedupontheballthanthemostsingularchangepassedoverhiscountenance。Thecolorappearedtogrowdullandyellowinhisruddycheeks，hisfatlipsdroppedapart，andhiseyesstaredwithafixedandglassyglare。Hearosetohisfeetand，stillwiththeexpressionofastonishmentandwonderuponhisface，gazedfirstatourheroandthenattheivoryballinhishands，asthoughheweredeprivedbothofreasonandofspeech。Atlast，asourheroslippedthetriflebackinhispocketagain，themarinerslowlyrecoveredhimself，thoughwithaprodigiouseffort，anddrewadeepandprofoundbreathastotheverybottomofhislungs。Hewiped，withthecornerofhisblacksilkcravat，hisbrow，uponwhichthesweatappearedtohavegathered。\"Well，messmate，\"sayshe，atlast，withasuddenchangeofvoice，\"youhave，indeed，hadamostwonderfuladventure。\"Thenwithanotherdeepbreath：\"Well，bytheblood！ImaytellyouplainlythatI
amnopoorhandatthereadingoffaces。Well，Ithinkyoutobehonest，andIaminclinedtobelieveeverywordyoutellme。Bytheblood！Iamprodigiouslysorryforyou，andaminclinedtohelpyououtofyourscrape。
\"Thefirstthingtodo，\"hecontinued，\"istogetridofthesetwodeadmen，andthatisanaffairIbelieveweshallhavenotroubleinhandling。Oneofthemwewillwrapupinthecarpethere，andt’otherwecanrollintoyonderbed—curtain。YoushallcarrytheoneandItheother，and，theharborbeingatnogreatdistance，wecaneasilybringthemthitherandtumblethemoverboard，andnoonewillbethewiserofwhathashappened。Foryourownsafety，asyoumayeasilysee，youcanhardlygoawayandleavetheseobjectsheretobefoundbythefirst—comer，andtoariseupinevidenceagainstyou。\"
Thisreasoning，inourhero’spresentbewilderedstate，appearedtohimtobesoextremelyjustthatheraisednottheleastobjectiontoit。Accordingly，eachofthetwosilent，voicelessvictimsoftheevening’soccurrenceswerewrappedintoabundlethatfromwithoutappearedtobeneitherportentousnorterribleinappearance。
Thereupon，Jonathanshoulderingtherugcontainingthelittlegentlemaninblack，andthesea—captaindoingthelikefortheother，theypresentlymadetheirwaydownthestairsthroughthedarkness，andsooutintothestreet。Herethesea—captainbecametheconductoroftheexpedition，andleadingthewaydownseveralalleysandalongcertainby—streets——nowandthenstoppingtorest，fortheburdenswerebothheavyandclumsytocarry——theybothcameoutatlasttotheharborfront，withoutanyonehavingquestionedthemorhavingappearedtosuspectthemofanythingwrong。Atthewater—sidewasanopenwharfextendingaprettygooddistanceoutintotheharbor。ThitherthecaptainledthewayandJonathanfollowed。Sotheymadetheirwayoutalongthewharforpier，stumblingnowandthenoverlooseboards，untiltheycameatlasttowherethewaterwasofasufficientdepthfortheirpurpose。Herethecaptain，bendinghisshoulders，shothisburdenoutintothedark，mysteriouswaters，andJonathan，followinghisexample，didthesame。Eachbodysankwithasullenandleadensplashintotheelementwhere，thecasingswhichswathedthembecomingloosened，therugandthecurtainrosetothesurfaceanddriftedslowlyawaywiththetide。
AsJonathanstoodgazingdullyatthedisappearanceoftheselastevidencesofhistwoinadvertentmurders，hewassuddenlyandvehementlyarousedbyfeelingapairofarmsofenormousstrengthflungabouthimfrombehind。Intheirembracehiselbowswereinstantlypinnedtighttohisside，andhestoodforamomenthelplessandastounded，whilethevoiceofthesea—captain，rumblinginhisveryear，exclaimed：\"Yebloody，murtheringQuaker，I’llhavethativoryball，orI’llhaveyourlife！\"
ThesewordsproducedthesameeffectuponJonathanasthoughadoucheofcoldwaterhadsuddenlybeenflungoverhim。Hebeganinstantlytostruggletofreehimself，andthatwithafranticandvehementviolencebegottenatonceofterroranddespair。Soprodigiouswerehiseffortsthatmorethanoncehehadnearlytornhimselffree，butstillthepowerfularmsofhiscaptorheldhimasinaviseofiron。Meantime，ourhero’sassailantmadefrequentthoughineffectualattemptstothrustahandintothebreeches—pocketwheretheivoryballwashidden，swearingthewhileunderhisbreathwithaterrifyingandmonstrousstringofoaths。Atlast，findinghimselffoiledineverysuchattempt，andlosingallpatienceatthestrugglesofhisvictim，heendeavoredtoliftJonathanoffofhisfeet，asthoughtodashhimbodilyupontheground。Inthishewoulddoubtlesshavesucceededhadhenotcaughthisheelinthecrackofalooseboardofthewharf。
Instantlytheybothfell，violentlyprostrate，thecaptainbeneathandJonathanabovehim，thoughstillencircledinhisironembrace。Ourherofeltthebackofhisheadstrikeviolentlyupontheflatfaceoftheother，andheheardthecaptain’sskullsoundwithaterrificcracklikethatofabreakingegguponsomepostorbilletofwood，againstwhichhemusthavestruck。Intheirfranticstrugglestheyhadapproachedextremelyneartheedgeofthewharf，sothatthenextinstant，withanenormousandthunderoussplash，Jonathanfoundhimselfplungedintothewatersoftheharbor，andthearmsofhisassailantloosenedfromabouthisbody。
Theshockofthewaterbroughthiminstantlytohissenses，and，beingafairlygoodswimmer，hehadnottheleastdifficultyinreachingandclutchingthecross—pieceofawoodenladderthat，coatedwithslimysea—moss，ledfromthewater—leveltothewharfabove。
Afterreachingthesafetyofthedrylandoncemore，Jonathangazedabouthimasthoughtodiscernwhencethenextattackmightbedelivereduponhim。Buthestoodentirelyaloneuponthedock——notanotherlivingsoulwasinsight。Thesurfaceofthewaterexhibitedsomecommotion，asthoughdisturbedbysomethingstrugglingbeneath；butthesea—captain，whohaddoubtlessbeenstunnedbythetremendouscrackuponhishead，neveraroseagainoutoftheelementthathadengulfedhim。
Themoonlightshonewithapeacefulandresplendentillumination，and，exceptingcertainremotenoisesfromthedistanttownnotasoundbrokethesilenceandthepeacefulnessofthebalmy，tropicalnight。Thelimpidwater，illuminatedbytheresplendentmoonlight，lappedagainstthewharf。Alltheworldwascalm，serene，andenvelopedinaprofoundandentirerepose。
Jonathanlookedupattheroundandbrilliantglobeoflightfloatingintheskyabovehishead，andwonderedwhetheritwere，indeed，possiblethatallthathadbefallenhimwasarealityandnotsometremendoushallucination。Thensuddenlyarousinghimselftoarenewedrealizationofthatwhichhadoccurred，heturnedandranlikeonepossessed，upalongthewharf，andsointothemoonlittownoncemore。
VI。TheConclusionoftheAdventurewiththeLadywiththeSilverVeilNordidhecheckhisprecipitousflightuntilsuddenly，beingledperhapsbysomestrangeinfluenceofwhichhewasnotatallthemaster，hediscoveredhimselftobestandingbeforethegarden—gatewherenotmorethananhourbeforehehadfirstenteredupontheseriesofmonstrousadventuresthathadledtosuchtremendousconclusions。
Peoplewerestillpassingandrepassing，andoneofthesegroups——apartyofyoungladiesandgentlemen——pausedupontheoppositesideofthestreettoobserve，withnosmallcuriosityandamusement，hisdrippingandbedraggledaspect。Butonlyonethoughtandoneintentionpossessedourhero——torelievehimselfasquicklyaspossibleofthattrustwhichhehadtakenupsothoughtlessly，andwithsuchmonstrousresultstohimselfandtohisvictims。Herantothegateofthegardenandbeganbeatingandkickinguponitwithavehemencethathecouldneithermasternorcontrol。Hewasawarethattheentireneighborhoodwasbecomingaroused，forhebeheldlightsmovingandloudvoicesofinquiry；yethegavenottheleastthoughttothedisturbancehewascreating，butcontinuedwithoutintermissionhisuproariouspoundinguponthegate。
Atlength，inanswertothesoundofhisvehementblows，thelittlewicketwasopenedandapairofeyesappearedthereat。Thenextinstantthegatewascastajarveryhastily，andthepock—pittednegressappeared。Shecaughthimbythesleeveofhiscoatanddrewhimquicklyintothegarden。\"Buckra，Buckra！\"shecried。\"Whatyoudoing？Youwakedewholetown！\"Then，observinghisdrippinggarments：\"Youbeenindewater。Youcatchdefeverandshaketillyoudie。\"
\"Thymistress！\"criedJonathan，almostsobbingintheexcessofhisemotion；\"takemetoherupontheinstant，orIcannotanswerformynotgoingentirelymad！\"
Whenourherowasagainintroducedtothelady，hefoundhercladinalooseandanelegantnegligee，infinitelybecomingtohergracefulfigure，andstillcoveredwiththeveilofsilvergauzethathadbeforeenvelopedher。
\"Friend，\"hecried，vehemently，approachingherandholdingouttowardherthelittleivoryball，\"takeagainthiswhichthougavestme！Ithasbroughtdeathtothreemen，andIknownotwhatterriblefatemaybefallmeifIkeepitlongerinmypossession。
\"Whatisityousay？\"criedshe，inapiercingvoice。\"Didyousayithathcausedthedeathofthreemen？Quick！Tellmewhathashappened，forIfeelsomehowapresagethatyoubringmenewsofsafetyandreleasefromallmydangers。\"
\"Iknownotwhatthoumeanest！\"criedJonathan，stillpantingwithagitation。\"ButthisIdoknow：thatwhenIwentawayfromtheeIdepartedaninnocentman，andnowIcomebacktotheeburdenedwiththeweightofthreelives，which，thoughinnocentI
havebeeninstrumentalintaking。\"
\"Explain！\"exclaimedthelady，tappingthefloorwithherfoot。
\"Explain！explain！explain！\"
\"ThatIwill，\"criedJonathan，\"andassoonasIamable！WhenIlefttheeandwentoutintothestreetIwasaccostedbyalittlegentlemancladinblack。\"
\"Indeed！\"criedthelady；\"andhadhebutoneeye，anddidhecarryagold—headedcane？\"
\"Exactly，\"saidJonathan；\"andheclaimedacquaintancewithfriendJeremiahDoolittle。\"
\"Heneverknewhim！\"criedthelady，vehemently；\"andImusttellyouthathewasavillainnamedHunt，whoatonetimewastheintimateconsortofthepirateKeitt。Heitwaswhoplungedadeadlyknifeintohiscaptain’sbosom，andsomurderedhiminthisveryhouse。Hehimselforhisagents，musthavebeenwatchingmygatewhenyouwentforth。\"
\"Iknownothowthatmaybe，\"saidJonathan，\"buthetookmetohisapartment，andthere，obtainingaknowledgeofthetrustthoudidstburdenmewith，hedemandeditofme，anduponmyrefusingtodeliverittohimhepresentlyfelltoattackingmewithadagger。InmyeffortstoprotectmylifeIinadvertentlycausedhimtoplungetheknifeintohisownbosomandtokillhimself。\"
\"Andwhatthen？\"criedthelady，whoappearedwell—nighdistractedwithheremotions。
\"Then，\"saidJonathan，\"therecameastrangeman——aforeigner——whouponhispartassaultedmewithapistol，witheveryintentionofmurderingmeandthusobtainingpossessionofthatsamelittletrifle。\"
Anddidhe，\"exclaimedthelady，\"havelong，blackmustachios，anddidhehavesilverear—ringsinhisears？\"
\"Yes，\"saidJonathan，\"hedid。\"
\"That，\"criedthelady，couldhavebeennoneotherthanCaptainKeitt’sPortuguesesailing—master，whomusthavebeenspyinguponHunt！Tellmewhathappenednext！\"
\"Hewouldhavetakenmylife，\"saidJonathan，\"butinthestrugglethatfollowedheshothimselfaccidentallywithhisownpistol，anddiedatmyveryfeet。Idonotknowwhatwouldhavehappenedtomeifasea—captainhadnotcomeandprofferedhisassistance。\"
\"Asea—captain！\"sheexclaimed；\"andhadheaflatfaceandabrokennose？\"
\"Indeedhehad，\"repliedJonathan。
\"That，\"saidthelady，\"musthavebeenCaptainKeitt’spiratepartner——CaptainWillitts，ofTheBloodyHand。HewasdoubtlessspyinguponthePortuguese。\"
\"Heinducedme，\"saidJonathan，\"tocarrythetwobodiesdowntothewharf。Havinginveigledmethere——where，Isuppose，hethoughtnoonecouldinterfere——heassaultedme，andendeavoredtotaketheivoryballawayfromme。Inmyeffortstoescapewebothfellintothewater，andhe，strikinghisheadupontheedgeofthewharf，wasfirststunnedandthendrowned。\"
\"ThankGod！\"criedthelady，withatransportoffervor，andclaspingherjewelledhandstogether。\"AtlastIamfreeofthosewhohaveheretoforepersecutedmeandthreatenedmyverylifeitself！Youhaveaskedtobeholdmyface；Iwillnowshowittoyou！HeretoforeIhavebeenobligedtokeepitconcealedlest，recognizingme，myenemiesshouldhaveslainme。\"Asshespokeshedrewasideherveil，anddisclosedtothevisionofourheroacountenanceofthemostextraordinaryandstrikingbeauty。HerluminouseyeswerelikethoseofaJawa，andsetbeneathexquisitelyarchedandpencilledbrows。Herforeheadwaslikelustrousivoryandherlipslikerose—leaves。Herhair，whichwasassoftasthefinestsilk，wasfastenedupinmassesofravishingabundance。\"Iam，\"saidshe，\"thedaughterofthatunfortunateCaptainKeitt，who，thoughweakandapirate，wasnotsowicked，Iwouldhaveyouknow，ashehasbeenpainted。Hewould，doubtless，havebeenanhonestmanhadhenotbeenledastraybythevillainHunt，whosonearlycompassedyourowndestruction。Hereturnedtothisislandbeforehisdeath，andmademethesoleheirofallthatgreatfortunewhichhehadgathered——perhapsnotbythemosthonestmeans——inthewatersoftheIndianOcean。ButthegreatesttreasureofallthatfortunebequeathedtomewasasinglejewelwhichyouyourselfhavejustnowdefendedwithacourageandafidelitythatIcannotsufficientlyextol。ItisthatpricelessgemknownastheRubyofKishmoor。Iwillshowittoyou。\"Hereuponshetookthelittleivoryballinherhand，and，withaturnofherbeautifulwrists，unscrewedalidsonicelyandcunninglyadjustedthatnoeyecouldhavedetectedwhereitwasjoinedtotheparentglobe。
Withinwasafleeceofrawsilkcontaininganobjectwhichshepresentlydisplayedbeforetheastonishedgazeofourhero。Itwasaredstoneofaboutthebignessofaplover’segg，andwhichglowedandflamedwithsuchanexquisiteandruddybrilliancyastodazzleevenJonathan’sinexperiencedeyes。Indeed，hedidnotneedtobeinformedofthepricelessvalueofthetreasure，whichhebeheldintherosypalmextendedtowardhim。Howlonghegazedatthisextraordinaryjewelheknewnot，buthewasarousedfromhiscontemplationbythesoundofthelady’svoiceaddressinghim。\"Thethreevillains，\"saidshe，\"whohavethisdaymettheirdesertsinaviolentandbloodydeath，hadbyanaccidentobtainedknowledgethatthisjewelwasinmypossession。Sincethenmylifehashunguponathread，andeverystepthatIhavetakenhasbeenwatchedbytheseenemies，themostcruelandrelentlessthatitwaseverthelotofanyunfortunatetopossess。Fromthemortaldangersoftheirmachinationsyouhavesavedme，exhibitingacourageandadeterminationthatcannotbesufficientlyapplauded。Inthisyouhaveearnedmydeepestadmirationandregard。Iwouldrather，\"shecried，\"intrustmylifeandmyhappinesstoyouthanintothekeepingofanymanwhomIhaveeverknown！Icannothopetorewardyouinsuchawayastorecompenseyoufortheperilsintowhichmynecessitieshavethrustyou；butyet\"——andhereshehesitated，asthoughseekingforwordsinwhichtoexpressherself——\"butyetifyouarewillingtoacceptofthisjewel，andallofthefortunethatbelongstome，togetherwiththepersonofpoorEvalineKeittherself，notonlythestoneandthewealth，butthewomanalso，areyourstodisposeofasyouseefit！\"
Ourherowassostruckabackatthisunexpectedturnthatheknewnotupontheinstantwhatreplytomake。\"Friend，\"saidhe，atlast，\"Ithanktheeextremelyforthyoffer，and，thoughIwouldnotbeungracious，itisyetborneinuponmetotestifytotheethatastothestoneitselfandthefortune——ofwhichthouspeakest，andofwhichIverywellknowthehistory——Ihavenoinclinationtoreceiveeithertheoneortheother，boththefruitsoftheft，rapine，andmurder。ThejewelIhavemyselfbeheldthreetimesstained，asitwere，withthebloodofmyfellow—man，sothatitnowhassolittlevalueinmysightthatI
wouldnotgiveapeppercorntopossessit。Indeed，thereisnoinducementintheworldthatcouldpersuademetoacceptit，oreventotakeitagainintomyhand。Astotherestofthygenerousoffer，IhaveonlytosaythatIam，fourmonthshence，tobemarriedtoaverycomelyyoungwomanofKensington，inPennsylvania，bynameMarthaDobbs，andthereforeIamnotatallatlibertytoconsidermyinclinationsinanyotherdirection。\"
Havingsodeliveredhimself，Jonathanbowedwithsucheaseashisstiffandawkwardjointsmightcommand，andthereuponwithdrewfromthepresenceofthecharmer，who，withcheekssuffusedwithblushesandwitheyesaverted，madenoendeavortodetainhim。
Soendedtheonlyadventureofmomentthateverhappenedtohiminallhislife。Forthereafterhecontentedhimselfwithsuchexcitementashismercantileprofessionandhisextremelypeacefulexistencemightafford。
EpilogueInconclusionitmaybesaidthatwhentheworthyJonathanRuggwasmarriedtoMarthaDobbs，uponthefollowingJune，somemysteriousfriendpresentedtothebridearopeofpearlsofsuchconsiderablevaluethatwhentheywererealizedintomoneyourherowasenabledtoenterintopartnershipwithhisformerpatrontheworthyJeremiahDoolittle，andthat，havingmadesuchabeginning，heby—and—byarosetobecome，inhisday，oneoftheleadingmerchantsofhisnativetownofPhiladelphia。