\"I’mhere，\"pipedupMrs。Lot。\"ButI’mnotthatkindofasalt。\"
\"Iampresent，\"saidMrs。Noah。\"ThoughwhyIevercameIdon’tknow，forIvowedtheminuteIsetmyfootonAraratthatdrylandwasgoodenoughforme，andthatI’dneverstepaboardanotherboataslongasIlived。If，however，nowthatIamhere，Icangiveyouthebenefitofmynauticalexperience，youareallperfectlywelcometoit。\"
\"I’msurewe’reverymuchobligedfortheoffer，\"saidPortia，\"butintheemergencywhichhasarisenwecannotsayhowmuchobligedweareuntilweknowwhatyourexperienceamountedto。Beforerelyinguponyouweoughttoknowhowfarthatreliancecango——notthatI
lackconfidenceinyou，mydearmadam，butthatinanhourofperilonemusttakecare，torelyupontheoak，notuponthereed。\"
\"Thepointisproperlytaken，\"saidElizabeth，\"andIwishtosayherethatIameasierinmymindwhenIrealizethatwehavewithussolevel—headedapersonastheladywhohasjustspoken。Shehasspokentrulyandtothepoint。IfIweretobecomequeenagain，I
shouldmakehermyattorney—general。Wemustnotgoaheadimpulsively，butlookatallthingsinacalm，judicialmanner。\"
\"Whichisprettyhardworkwithasealikethison，\"remarkedOphelia，faintly，forshewasgettingatriflesallow，asindeedshemight，fortheHouse—boatwasbeginningtorolltremendouslywithnoalleviationsaveanoccasionalpitch，whichwasanalleviationonlyinthesensethatitgavevarietytotheirdiscomfort。\"Idon’tbelieveachief—justicecouldlookatthingscalmlyandinajudicialmannerifhefeltasIdo。\"
\"Poordear!\"saidthematronlyMrs。Noah，sympathetically。\"Iknowexactlyhowyoufeel。Ihavebeentheremyself。ThefourthdayoutIandmywholefamilywereinthesamecondition，exceptthatNoah，myhusband，wassoveryfargonethatIcouldnotaffordtoyield。I
nursedhimforsixdaysbeforehegothissea—legson，andthensuccumbedmyself。\"
\"But，\"gaspedOphelia，\"thatdoesn’thelpme—
\"Itdidmyhusband，\"saidMrs。Noah。
\"Whenheheardthattheboyswereseasicktoo，heactuallylaughedandbegantogetbetterrightaway。Thereisreallyonlyonecureforthemaldemer，andthatisthefunofknowingthatsomebodyelseissufferingtoo。Ifsomeofyouladieswouldkindlyyieldtotheseductionsofthesea，Ithinkwecouldgetthispoorgirlonherfeetinaninstant。\"
UnfortunatelyforpoorOphelia，therewasnoimmediateresponsetothisappeal，andtheunhappyyoungwomanwasforcedtosufferinsolitude。
\"Wehavenotimeforuntimelydiversionsofthissort，\"snappedXanthippe，withascornfulglanceatthesufferingOphelia，who，havingretiredtoacomfortableloungeatanendoftheroom，wasevidentlyimproving。\"Ihavenosympathywiththishabitsomeofmysexseemtohaveacquiredofsuccumbingtoanimmediatesensationofthisnature。\"
\"Ihopetobepardonedforinterrupting，\"saidMrs。Noah，withagreatdealoffirmness，\"butIwishMrs。Socratestounderstandthatitisratherearlyinthevoyageforhertolaydownanysuchbroadprincipleasthat，andforherownsaketo—morrow，Ithinkitwouldbewellifshewithdrewthesentiment。Therearecertainthingsaboutasea—voyagethataremoreorlessbeyondthecontrolofmanorwoman，andanyonewhochidesthatpoorsufferingchildonyondersofaoughttobemoreconfidentthanMrs。Socratescanpossiblybethatwithinanhourshewillnotbeasbadlyoff。Peoplewholiveinglasshousesshouldnotthrowdice。\"
\"Ishallneveryieldtoanythingsoundignifiedasseasickness，letmetellyouthat，\"retortedXanthippe。\"Furthermore，theproverbisnotastheladyhasquotedit。’Peoplewholiveinglasshousesshouldnotthrowstones’istheproperversion。\"
\"Iwasnotquoting，\"returnedMrs。Noah，calmly。\"WhenIsaidthatpeoplewholiveinglasshousesshouldnotthrowdice，ImeantpreciselywhatIsaid。Peoplewholiveinglasshousesshouldnottakechances。Inassumingwithsuchvaingloriouspositivenessthatshewillnotbeseasick，theladywhohasjustspokenisgivingtremendousodds，astheboysusedtosayontheArkwhenwegatheredaboutthetableatnightandbegantomakesmallwagersontheday’srun。\"
\"Ithinkwehadbettersuspendthisdiscussion，\"suggestedCleopatra。
\"ItisofnoimmediateinteresttoanyonebutOphelia，andIfancyshedoesnotcaretodwelluponitatanygreatlength。Itismoreimportantthatweshoulddecideuponourfuturecourseofaction。Inthefirstplace，thequestioniswhothesepeopleupondeckare。Iftheyarethemembersoftheclub，weareallright。Theywillgiveusourscare，andlandussafelyagainatthepier。Inthateventitisourwomanlydutytomanifestnoconcern，andtoseemtobeawareofnothingunusualintheproceeding。Itwouldneverdotoletthemthinkthattheirjokehasbeenagoodone。If，ontheotherhand，asIfear，wearethevictimsofsomehordeofruffians，whohavepounceduponusunawares，andaregoingintothebusinessofabductiononawholesalebasis，wemustmeettreacherywithtreachery，strategywithstrategy。I，forone，amperfectlywillingtomakeeverymanonboardwalktheplank；havingconfidenceintheseawomanshipofMrs。Noahandherabilitytosteerusintoport。\"
\"Iamquiteinaccordwiththeseviews，\"putinMadameRecamier，\"andImoveyou，Mrs。President，thatweorganizeaseriesofsub—
committees——oneontreachery，withLucretiaBorgiaandDelilahasmembers；oneonstrategy，consistingofPortiaandQueenElizabeth；
oneonnavigation，headedbyMrs。Noah；withafinalsub—committeeonreconnoitre，withCassandratolookforward，andMrs。Lottolookaft——allofthesesubordinatedtoacentralcommitteeofsafetyheadedbyCleopatraandCalpurnia。Therestofuscanthencommitourselvesandourinterestsunreservedlytotheseladies，andproceedtoenjoyourselveswithoutthoughtofthemorrow。\"
\"Isecondthemotion，\"saidOphelia，\"withtheamendmentthatMadameRecamierbeappointedchair—ladyofanothersub—committee，onentertainment。\"
Theamendmentwasaccepted，andthemotionput。Itwascarriedwithanenthusiasticaye，andtheorganizationwascomplete。
Thevariouscommitteesretiredtotheseveralcornersoftheroomtodiscusstheirindividuallinesofaction，whenashadowwasobservedtoobscurethemoonlightwhichhadbeenstreaminginthroughthewindow。ThefacesofCalpurniaandCleopatrablanchedforaninstant，as，immediatelyfollowinguponthisapparition，alargebundlewashurledthroughtheopenportintothemiddleoftheroom，andtheshadowvanished。
\"Isitabomb？\"criedseveraloftheladiesatonce。
\"Nonsense!\"saidMadameRecamier，jumpinglightlyforward。\"Amandoesn’tmindblowingawomanup，buthe’llneverblowhimselfup。
We’resafeenoughinthatrespect。Thethinglookstomelikeabundleofillustratedpapers。\"
\"That’swhatitis，\"saidCleopatrawhohadbeeninvestigating。
\"It’sratheradiscourteousbitofcourtesy，tossingtheminthroughthewindowthatway，Ithink，butIpresumetheymeanwell。Dearme，\"sheadded，as，havinguntiedthebundle，sheheldoneoftheopenpapersupbeforeher，\"howinteresting!AllthelatestParisfashions。Humph!Lookatthosesleeves，Elizabeth。Whatanimpregnablefortressyouwouldhavebeenwiththosesleevesaddedtoyourruffs!\"
\"Ishouldthinkthey’dbeverybecoming，\"putinCassandra，standingonhertip—toesandlookingoverCleopatra’sshoulder。\"ThatWatteauisn’tbad，either，isit，now？\"
\"No，\"remarkedCalpurnia。\"IwonderhowaWatteaubacklikethatwouldgoonmybluealpaca？\"
\"Verynicely，\"saidElizabeth。\"Howmanygoreshasit？\"
\"Five，\"observedCalpurnia。\"OnemorethanCaesar’stoga。Wehadtohaveourcostumesdistinctinsomeway。\"
\"Aremarkablehat，that，\"noddedMrs。Lot，hereyecatchingsightofaVirotcreationatthetopofthepage。
\"RemindsmeofEve’sdescriptionofanautumnsceneinthegarden，\"
smiledMrs。Noah。\"Gorgeousinitsfoliage，beautifulthing；thoughIshouldn’thavedaredwearoneintheArk，withallthosehungryanimalsbrowsingabouttheupperandlowerdecks。\"
\"Iwonder，\"remarkedCleopatra，asshecockedherheadtoonesidetotakeinthefulleffectofanattractivesummergown——\"Iwonderhowthatwaistwouldmakeupinbluecrepon，withayokeoflaceandastylishlycontrastingstockofsatinribbon？\"
\"Itwoulddependuponhowyoufinishedthesleeves，\"remarkedMadameRecamier。\"Ifyouhadafewpuffsofrichbrocadedsatinsetinwithdeeplyfoldedpleatsitwouldn’tbebad。\"
\"Ithinkitwouldbeveryeffective，\"observedMrs。Noah，\"butatrifletoolightforgeneralwear。Ishouldwantsomekindofawrapwithit。\"
\"Itdoesneedthat，\"assentedElizabeth。\"Awrapmadeofpassementerieandjet，withamousselinedesoierucheabouttheneckheldbyachou，wouldmakeitfascinating。\"
\"Thecommitteeontreacheryisreadytoreport，\"saidDelilah，risingfromhercorner，wheresheandLucretiaBorgiahadbeenhavingsoanimatedadiscussionthattheyhadfailedtoobservetheotherscrowdingaboutCleopatraandthepapers。
\"Alittlesombre，\"saidCleopatra。\"Thecorsageiseffective，butI
don’tlikethosebasqueterminations。I’veneverapprovedofthosefullgodets——\"
\"Thecommitteeontreachery，\"remarkedDelilahagain，raisinghervoice，\"hasasuggestiontomake。\"
\"Ican’tgetoverthosesleeves，though，\"laughedHelenofTroy。
\"Whatistheuseofthem？\"
\"TheymightbeusedtogetGreeksintoTroy，\"suggestedMadameRecamier。
\"Thecommitteeontreachery，\"roaredDelilah，thoroughlyangeredbytheabsorptionofthechairmanandothers，\"hasasuggestiontomake。
Thisisthethirdandlastcall。\"
\"Oh，Ibegpardon，\"criedCleopatra，rappingfororder。\"Ihadforgottenallaboutourcommittees。Excuseme，Delilah。I——ah——wasabsorbedinothermatters。Willyoukindlylayyourpattern——I
shouldsayyourplan——beforeus？\"
\"Itisbrieflythis，\"saidDelilah。\"Ithasbeensuggestedthatweinvitethecrewofthisvesseltoachafing—dishparty，underthesupervisionofLucretiaBorgia，andthatshe——\"
Thebalanceoftheplanwasnotoutlined，foratthispointthespeakerwasinterruptedbyaloudknockingatthedoor，itsinstantopening，andtheappearanceinthedoorwayofthatill—visagedruffianCaptainKidd。
\"Ladies，\"hebegan，\"Ihavecomeheretoexplaintoyouthesituationinwhichyoufindyourselves。HaveIyourpermissiontospeak？\"
Theladiesstartedback，butthechairmanwasequaltotheoccasion。
\"Goon，\"saidCleopatra，withqueenlydignity，turningtotheinterloper；andthepirateproceededtotakethesecondstepinthenefariousplanuponwhichheandhisbrotherruffianshadagreed，ofwhichthetossinginthroughthewindowofthebundleoffashionpaperswasthefirst。
CHAPTERVII：THE\"GEHENNA\"ISCHARTERED
Itwasabouttwenty—fourhoursaftertheeventsnarratedintheprecedingchaptersthatMr。SherlockHolmesassumedcommandoftheGehenna，whichwasnothingmorenorlessthantheshadowoftheill—
starredoceansteamshipCityofChicago，whichtriedsomeyearsagotoreachLiverpoolbytakingtheoverlandroutethroughIreland，fortunatelywithoutdetrimenttoherpassengersandcrew，whohadthepleasureoftheexperienceofshipwreckwithoutanyofthediscomfortsofdrowning。Aswillberemembered，theobstructionistnatureoftheIrishsoilpreventedtheCityofChicagofromproceedingfartherinlandthanwasnecessarytokeepherwellbalancedamidshipsuponaconvenientandnottoostonybed；andthatafterabriefsojournontherocksshewasfinallydisposedoftotheStyxNavigationCompany，underwhichtitleCharonhadhadhimselfincorporated，isamatterofnauticalhistory。ThechangeofnametotheGehennawastheactofCharonhimself，andwasprompted，nodoubt，byadesiretosoftenthejealousprejudicesoftheresidentsoftheStygiancapitalagainsttheflourishingandever—growingmetropolisofIllinois。
TheAssociatedShadeshadhadsometroubleingettingthiscraft。
Charon，throughhisconstantassociationwithlifeonbothsidesofthedarkriver，hadgainedaknowledge，moreorlessintimate，ofmodernbusinessmethods，andwhileasjanitoroftheclubhewassubjecttothewilloftheHouse—boatCommittee，andsympathizeddeeplywiththemembersoftheassociationintheirtrouble，aspresidentoftheStyxNavigationCompanyhewasboundupincertainnewlyattainedcommercialideaswhichwereembarrassingtothosemembersoftheassociationtowhosehandsthecharteringofavesselhadbeencommitted。
\"Seehere，Charon，\"SirWalterRaleighhadsaid，afterCharonhadexpressedhimselfasdeeplysympathetic，butunabletoshavethetermsuponwhichthevesselcouldbehad，\"youareaninfernaloldhypocrite。Yougoaboutwringingyourhandsoverourmisfortunesuntilthey’vegotasdryandflabbyasapairofkidgloves，andyetwhenweaskyouforashipofsuitablesizeandspeedtogooutafterthosepirates，youbecomeasortoftwinbrothertoShylock，withouthisexcuse。Hisinstinctsareaccidentsofbirth。Yoursarecultivated，andyouknowit。\"
\"Youareverymuchmistaken，SirWalter，\"Charonhadansweredtothis。\"Youdon’tunderstandmyposition。Itisaveryhardone。AsjanitorofyourclubIamreallyprostratedovertheeventsofthepasttwenty—fourhours。Myoccupationisgone，andmydespairoveryourlossiscorrespondinglygreater，forIhavetimeonmyhandstobroodoverit。Iwashystericalasawomanyesterdayafternoon——sohystericalthatIcamenearupsettingoneoftheFurieswhoengagedmetorowherdowntoMadameMedusa’svillalastevening；andrightatthesluiceofthevitriolreservoiratthat。\"
\"Thenwhythedeucedon’tyoudosomethingtohelpus？\"pleadedHamlet。
\"HowcanIdoanymorethanIhavedone？I’veofferedyoutheGehenna，\"retortedCharon。
\"Butonwhatterms？\"expostulatedRaleigh。\"IfwehadallthewealthoftheIndieswe’dhavedifficultyinpayingyouthesumsyoudemand。\"
\"ButIamonlypresidentofthecompany，\"explainedCharon。\"I’dlike，aspresident，toshowyousomecourtesy，andI’mperfectlywillingtodoso；butwhenitcomesdowntogivingyouavessellikethat，I’mboundbymyofficialoathtoconsidertheinterestofthestockholders。Itisn’tasitusedtobewhenIhadboatstohireinmyownbehalfalone。InthosedaysIhadnobody’sinterestbutmyowntolookafter。NowtheshipsallbelongtotheStyxNavigationCompany。Can’tyouseethedifference？\"
\"Youownallthestock，don’tyou？\"insistedRaleigh。
\"Idon’tknow，\"Charonanswered，blandly。\"Ihaven’tseenthetransfer—bookslately。’’
\"Butyouknowthatyoudidowneveryshareofit，andthatyouhaven’tsoldany，don’tyou？\"putinHamlet。
Charonwaspuzzledforamoment，butshortlyhisfacecleared，andSirWalter’sheartsank，foritwasevidentthattheoldfellowcouldnotbecornered。
\"Well，it’sthisway，SirWalter，andyourHighness，\"hesaid，\"I——I
can’tsaywhetheranyofthatstockhasbeentransferredornot。Thefactis，I’vebeenspeculatingalittleonmargin，andI’veputupthatstockassecurity，and，forallIknow，Imayhavebeensoldoutbymybrokers。I’vebeensoupsetbythisunfortunateoccurrencethatIhaven’tseenthemarketreportsfortwodays。Reallyyou’llhavetobecontentwithmyofferorgowithouttheGehenna。There’stoomuchsuspicionattachedtohighcorporateofficialslatelyformetoyieldajotinthepositionIhavetaken。Itwouldneverdotogetyouallreadytostart，andthenhaveaninjunctionclappedonyoubysomeunforeseenstockholderwhowasnotsatisfiedwiththetermsofferedyou；norcanIeverletitbesaidofmethattoretainmypositionasjanitorofyourorganizationIsacrificedatrustcommittedtomycharge。I’llgladlylendyoumyprivatelaunch，thoughIdon’tthinkitwillaidyoumuch，becausethenaphtha—tankhasexploded，andthescrewslippedoffandwenttothebottomtwoweeksago。Still，itisatyourservice，andI’venodoubtthateitherPhidiasorBenvenutoCelliniwillcarveoutapaddleforyouifyouaskhimto。\"
\"Bah!\"retortedRaleigh。\"Youmightaswellofferusapairofskates。\"
\"Iwould，ifIthoughttheriver’dfreeze，\"retortedCharon，blandly。
RaleighandHamletturnedawayimpatientlyandleftCharontohisowndevices，whichforthetimebeingconsistedlargelyofwinkinghisothereyequietlyandoutwardlymakingagreatshowofgrief。
\"He’stoocannyforus，Iamafraid，\"saidSirWalter。\"We’llhavetopayhimhismoney。\"
\"LetusfirstconsultSherlockHolmes，\"suggestedHamlet，andthistheyproceededatoncetodo。
\"Thereisbutonethingtobedone，\"observedtheastutedetectiveafterhehadheardSirWalter’sstatementofthecase。\"Itisanoldsayingthatoneshouldfightfirewithfire。Wemustmeetmodernbusinessmethodswithmoderncommercialideas。Charterhisvesselathisownprice。\"
\"Butwe’dneverbeabletopay，\"saidHamlet。
\"Ha—ha!\"laughedHolmes。\"Itisevidentthatyouknownothingofthelawsoftradenowadays。Don’tpay!\"
\"Buthowcanwe？\"askedRaleigh。
\"Themethodissimple。Youhaven’tanythingtopaywith，\"returnedHolmes。\"Lethimsue。Supposehegetsaverdict。Youhaven’tanythinghecanattach——ifyouhave，makeitovertoyourwivesoryourfiancees\"
\"Isthathonest？\"askedHamlet，shakinghisheaddoubtfully。
\"It’sbusiness，\"saidHolmes。
\"Butsupposehewantsanadvancepayment？\"queriedHamlet。
\"Givehimacheckdrawntohisownorder。He’llhavetoendorseitwhenhedepositsit，andthatwillmakehimresponsible，\"laughedHolmes。
\"Whatasimplethingwhenyouunderstandit!\"commentedRaleigh。
\"Very，\"saidHolmes。\"Businessisgettingbyslowdegreestobeanexactscience。ItremindsmeoftheBrightonmystery，inwhichI
playedamodestpartsometenyearsago，whenIfirsttookupferretingasaprofession。IwassittingonenightinmyroomatoneoftheBrightonhotels，whichshallbenameless。InevergivethenameofanyofthehotelsatwhichIstop，becauseitmightgiveoffencetotheproprietorsofotherhotels，withtheresultthatmybookswouldbeexcludedfromsaletherein。SufficeittosaythatI
wasspendinganearlysummerSundayatBrightonwithmyfriendWatson。Wehaddinedwell，andwereenjoyingoureveningsmoketogetheruponasmallbalconyoverlookingthewater，whentherecameatimidknockonthedoorofmyroom。
\"’Watson，’saidI，’herecomessomeoneforadvice。Doyouwishtowagerasmallbottleuponit？’
\"’Yes，’heanswered，withasmile。’IamthirstyandI’dlikeasmallbottle；andwhileIdonotexpecttowin，I’lltakethebet。I
shouldliketoknow，though，howyouknow。’
\"’Itisquitesimple，’saidI。’Thetimidityoftheknockshowsthatmyvisitorisoneoftwoclassesofpersons——anautograph—hunteroraclient，oneofthetwo。YouseeIgiveyouachancetowin。Itmaybeanautograph—hunter，butIthinkitisaclient。Ifitwereacreditor，hewouldknockboldly，evenostentatiously；ifitwerethemaid，shewouldnotknockatall；ifitwerethehall—boy，hewouldnotcomeuntilIhadrungfivetimesforhim。Noneofthesethingshasoccurred；theknockisthehalf—heartedknockwhichbetokenseitherthatthepersonwhoknockedisintrouble，orisuncertainastohisreception。Iamwilling，however，consideringtheheatandmydesiretoquenchmythirst，towagerthatitisaclient。’
\"’Done，’saidWatson；andIimmediatelyremarked，’Comein。’
\"Thedooropened，andamanofaboutthirty—fiveyearsofage，inabathing—suit，enteredtheroom，andIsawataglancewhathadhappened。
\"’YournameisBurgess，’Isaid。’YoucameherefromLondonthismorning，expectingtoreturnto—night。Youbroughtnoluggagewithyou。Afterluncheonyouwentbathing。YouhadmachineNo。35，andwhenyoucameoutofthewateryoufoundthatNo。35haddisappeared，withyourclothesandthesilverwatchyourunclegaveyouonthedayyousucceededtohisbusiness。’
\"Ofcourse，gentlemen，\"observedthedetective，withasmileatSirWalterandHamlet——\"ofcoursethemanfairlygasped，andIcontinued：
’Youhavebeenlyingfacedownwardinthesandeversince，waitingfornightfall，sothatyoucouldcometomeforassistance，notconsideringitgoodformtomakeanafternooncalluponastrangerathishotel，cladinabathing—suit。AmIcorrect？’
\"’Sir，’hereplied，withalookofwonder，’youhavenarratedmystoryexactlyasithappened，andIfindIhavemadenomistakeincomingtoyou。Wouldyoumindtellingmewhatisyourcourseofreasoning？’
\"’Itisplainasday，’saidI。’IamthepersonwiththeredbeardwithwhomyoucamedownthirdclassfromLondonthismorning，andyoutoldmeyournamewasBurgessandthatyouwereabutcher。Whenyoulookedtoseethetime，Iremarkedupontheoddnessofyourwatch，whichledtoyourtellingmethatitwasthegiftofyouruncle。’
\"’True，’saidBurgess，’butIdidnottellyouIhadnoluggage。’
\"’No，’saidI，’butthatyouhadn’tisplain；forifyouhadbroughtanyotherclothingbesidesthatyouhadonwithyou，youwouldhaveputitontocomehere。ThatyouhavebeenrobbedIdeducealsofromyourcostume。’
\"’Butthenumberofthemachine？’askedWatson。
\"’Isonthetagonthekeyhangingabouthisneck，’saidI。
\"’Onemorequestion，’queriedBurgess。’HowdoyouknowIhavebeenlyingfacedownwardonthebeacheversince？’
\"’Bythesandinyoureyebrows，’Ireplied；andWatsonorderedupthesmallbottle。\"
\"Ifailtoseewhatitwasinourconversation，however，\"observedHamlet，somewhatimpatientoverthedelaycausedbythenarrationofthistale，\"thatsuggestedthistrainofthoughttoyou。\"
\"Thesequelwillshow，\"returnedHolmes。
\"Oh，Lord!\"putinRaleigh。\"Can’tweputoffthesequeluntilalaterissue？Remember，Mr。Holmes，thatweareconstantlylosingtime。\"
\"Thesequelisbrief，andIcannarrateitonourwaytotheofficeoftheNavigationCompany，\"observedthedetective。\"WhenthebottlecameIinvitedMr。Burgesstojoinus，whichhedid，andasthehourwaslatewhenwecametoseparate，Iofferedhimtheuseofmyparlorovernight。Thisheaccepted，andweretired。
\"ThenextmorningwhenIarosetodress，themysterywascleared。\"
\"Youhaddreameditssolution？\"askedRaleigh。
\"No，\"repliedHolmes。\"Burgesshaddisappearedwithallmyclothing，myfalse—beard，mysuit—case，andmywatch。Theonlythinghehadleftmewasthebathing—suitandafewemptysmallbottles。\"
\"Andwhy，mayIask，\"putinHamlet，astheydrewneartoCharon’soffice——\"whydoesthatcaseremindyouofbusinessasitisconductedto—day？\"
\"Inthis，thatitisagoodthingtostayoutofunlessyouknowitall，\"explainedHolmes。\"IomittedinthecaseofBurgesstoobserveonethingabouthim。HadIobservedthathisnosewasrectilinear，incurved，andwithaliftedbase，andthathisauriculartemporalanglewasbetween96and97degrees，IshouldhaveknownatoncethathewasanimpostorVideOttolenghuion’EarsandNosesIHaveMet，’
pp。631—640。\"
\"Doyoumeantosaythatyoucantellacriminalbyhisears？\"
demandedHamlet。
\"Ifhehasany——yes；butIdidnotknowthatatthetimeoftheBrightonmystery。ThereforeIshouldhavestayedoutofthecase。
Buthereweare。Good—morning，Charon。\"
BythistimethetriohadenteredtheprivateofficeofthepresidentoftheStyxNavigationCompany，andinafewmomentsthevesselwascharteredatafabulousprice。
Onthereturntothewharf，SirWaltersomewhatnervouslyaskedHolmesifhethoughttheplantheyhadsettleduponwouldwork。
\"Charonisaveryshrewdoldfellow，\"saidhe。\"Hemayoutwitusyet。\"
\"Thechancesarejusttwoandone—eighthdegreesinyourfavor，\"
observedHolmes，quietly，withaglanceatRaleigh’sears。\"Thetemporalangleofyourearsis93。125degrees，whereasCharon’sstandoutat91，bymyotometer。Tothatextentyourcriminalinstinctsaresuperiortohis。Ifcriminologyisanexactscience，reasoningbyyourrespectiveears，yououghttobeathimoutbyaperceptiblethoughpossiblynarrowmargin。\"
WithwhichassuranceRaleighwentaheadwithhispreparations，andwithintwelvehourstheGehennawasunderway，carryingafullcomplementofcrewandofficers，witheverystate—roomonboardoccupiedbysomespiritofthemoreillustriouskind。
EvenShylockwasonboard，thoughnooneknewit，forinthedeadofnighthehadstolenquietlyupthegang—plankandhadhiddenhimselfinanemptywater—caskintheforecastle。
\"’Tisn’tVenice，\"hesaid，ashesatdownandbreathedheavilythroughthebungofthebarrel，\"butit’smustyanddampenough，and，consideringthecost，Ican’tcomplain。Youcan’tgetsomethingfornothing，eveninHades。\"
CHAPTERVIII：ONBOARDTHE\"GEHENNA\"
WhentheGehennahadpasseddowntheStyxandoutthroughthebeautifulCimmerianHarborintothebroadwatersoftheocean，andeverythingwascomparativelysafeforawhileatleast，SherlockHolmescamedownfromthebridge，wherehehadtakenhisplaceasthecommanderoftheexpeditionatthemomentofdeparture。Hisbrowwasfurrowedwithanxiety，andthroughhismassiveforeheadhisbraincouldbeseentobethrobbingviolently，andthecorrugationsofhisgraymatterwerenotpleasanttowitnessashetriedvainlytosqueezeanideaoutofthem。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedDemosthenes，anxiously。\"Wearenotinanydanger，arewe？\"
\"No，\"repliedHolmes。\"ButIamsomewhatpuzzledatthebubblesonthesurfaceoftheocean，andtherippleswhichwepassedoveranhourortwoago，barelyperceptiblethroughthemostpowerfulmicroscope，indicatetomymindthatforsomereasonatpresentunknowntometheHouse—boathaschangedhercourse。Takethatbubblefloatingby。ItisthelastexpiringbitofaerialagitationoftheHouse—boat’swake。Observewhenceitcomes。NotfromtheAzoresquarter，butasifinsteadofsteeringastraightcoursethithertheHouse—boathadtakenasharpturntothenorth—east，andwasmakingforHavre；or，inotherwords，ParisinsteadofLondonseemstohavebecometheirdestination。\"
DemostheneslookedatHolmeswithblankamazement，and，tokeepfromstammeringouttheexclamationofwonderthatrosetohislips，heopenedhisbonbonniereandswallowedapebble。
\"Youdon’thappentohaveacocainetabletinyourbox，doyou？\"
queriedHolmes。
\"No，\"returnedtheGreek。\"Cocainemakesmeflightyandnervous，butthesepebblessortofballastmeandholdmedown。HowonearthdoyouknowthatthatbubblecomesfromthewakeoftheHouse—boat？\"
\"Bymychemicalknowledge，merely，\"repliedHolmes。\"Amerelyworldlyvesselleavesaphosphorescentbubbleinitswake。Thatonewehavejustdiscoveredisnotso，butsulphurescent，ifImaycoinawordwhichitseemstometheEnglishlanguageisverymuchinneedof。Itproves，then，thatthebubbleisaportionofthewakeofaStygiancraft，andtheonlyStygiancraftthathasclearedtheCimmerianHarborforyearsistheHouse—boat——Q。E。D。\"
\"Wecangobackuntilwefindtherippleagain，andfollowthat，I
presume，\"sneeredLeCoq，whodidnottakemuchstockinthetheoriesofhisgreatrival，largelybecausehewasadetectivebyintuitionratherthanbystudyofthescience。
\"Youcanifyouwantto，butitisbetternotto，\"rejoinedHolmes，simply，asthoughnotobservingthesneer，\"becausetheripplerepresentstheouterlinesoftheangleofdisturbanceinthewater；
andasanyoneofthesidestoanangleisgreaterthantheperpendicularfromthehypothenusetotheapex，you’dmerelybegoingthelongway。ThisisespeciallyimportantwhenyouconsidertheformationofthebowoftheHouse—boat，whichisroundedlikethesternofmostvessels，andcomesneartomakingapairofripplesatanangleofninetydegrees。\"
\"Then，\"observedSirWalter，withasighofdisappointment，\"wemustchangeourcourseandsailforParis？\"
\"Iamafraidso，\"saidHolmes；\"butofcourseit’sbynomeanscertainasyet。IthinkifColumbuswouldgoupintothemizzentopandlookabouthim，hemightdiscoversomethingeitherinconfirmationorrefutationofthetheory。\"
\"Hecouldn’tdiscoveranything，\"putinPinzon。\"Heneverdid。\"
\"Well，Ilikethat!\"retortedColumbus。\"I’dliketoknowwhodiscoveredAmerica。\"
\"SoshouldI，\"observedLeifEricson，withawinkatVespucci。
\"Tut!\"retortedColumbus。\"Ididit，andtheworldknowsit，whetheryouclaimitornot。\"
\"Yes，justasNoahdiscoveredArarat，\"repliedPinzon。\"Yousatuponthedeckuntilweranplumbintoanisland，afterfloatingaboutforthreemonths，andthenyoucouldn’ttellitfromacontinent，evenwhenyouhaditrightbeforeyoureyes。NoahmightjustaswellhavetoldhisfamilythathediscoveredaroofgardenasforyoutogobacktoSpaintelling’emallthatSanSalvadorwastheUnitedStates。\"
\"Well，Idon’tcare，\"saidColumbus，withashortlaugh。\"I’mtheonetheycelebrate，sowhat’stheodds？I’dratherstaydownhereinthesmoking—roomenjoyingasmallgame，anyhow，thanclimbupthatmastandstrainmyeyesfortenoradozenhourslookingforevidencetoproveordisprovethecorrectnessofanotherman’stheory。I
wouldn’tknowevidencewhenIsawit，anyhow。SendJudgeBlackstone。\"
\"Idrawthelineatthemizzentop，\"observedBlackstone。\"Thedignityofthebenchmustandshallbepreserved，andI’llneverconsenttoclimbupthatrigging，gettingpitchandpaintonmyermine，nomatterwhoasksmetogo。\"
\"WhomsoeverItelltogo，shallgo，\"putinHolmes，firmly。\"Iamcommanderofthisship。Itwillpayyoutorememberthat，JudgeBlackstone。\"
\"AndIamtheCourtofAppeals，\"retortedBlackstone，hotly。\"Bearthatinmind，captain，whenyoutrytosendmeup。I’llissueawritofhabeascorpusonmyownbody，andcommityouforcontempt。\"
\"There’snouseofsendingtheJudge，anyhow，\"saidRaleigh，fearingbytheglitterthatcameintotheeyeofthecommanderthattroublemightensueunlesspacificatorymeasureswereresortedto。\"He’saccustomedtoweighingeverythingcarefully，andcannotberushedintoadecision。Ifhesawanyevidence，he’dhavetositonitaweekbeforereachingaconclusion。Whatweneedheremorethananythingelseisanexpertseaman，alookout，andInominateShem。
Hehassailedunderhisfather，andIhaveitongoodauthoritythatheisanauticalexpert。\"
Holmeshesitatedforaninstant。HewasconsideringthenecessityofdiscipliningtherecalcitrantBlackstone，buthefinallyyielded。
\"Verywell，\"hesaid。\"Shembeit。Bo’sun，pipeShemondeck，andtellhimthatgeneralordernumberonerequireshimtoreportatthemizzentoprightaway，andthatimmediatelyheseesanythingheshallcomebelowandmakeitknowntome。Asfortherestofus，havingaveryconsiderableappetite，Idonowdecreethatitisdinner—time。
Shallwegobelow？\"
\"Idon’tthinkIcareforany，thankyou，\"saidRaleigh。\"Factis——
ah——Idinedlastweek，andamnothungry。\"
Noahlaughed。\"Oh，comebelowandwatchuseat，then，\"hesaid。
\"It’lldoyougood。\"
Buttherewasnoreply。Raleighhadplungedheadfirstintohisstate—room，whichfortunatelyhappenedtobeontheupperdeck。Therestofthespiritsrepairedbelowtothesaloon，wheretheyweresoonengagedinananimateddiscussionofsuchviandsasthelarderprovided。
\"This，\"saidDr。Johnson，fromtheheadofthetable，\"iswhatIcallcomfort。Idon’tknowthatIamsoanxioustorecovertheHouse—
boat，afterall。\"
\"NorI，\"saidSocrates，\"withashiplikethistogooffcruisingon，andwithsuchalarder。Lookatthethicknessofthatpuree，Doctor—
—\"
\"Excuseme，\"saidBoswell，faintly，\"butI——I’veleftmynote——bub——
bookupstairs，Doctor，andI’dliketogoupandgetit。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidDr。Johnson。\"Ijudgefromyourcolor，whichishighlysuggestiveofamodernmagazineposter，thatitmightbewelltooifyoustayedondeckforalittlewhileandmadeafewentriesinyourcommonplacebook。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidBoswell，gratefully。\"Shallyousayanythingcleverduringdinner，sir？Ifso，ImightbeputtingitdownwhileI’mup——\"
\"Getout!\"roaredtheDoctor。\"Getupashighasyoucan——getupwithShemonthemizzentop——\"
\"Verygood，sir，\"repliedBoswell，andhewasoff。
\"Yououghttobemorelenientwithhim，Doctor，\"saidBonaparte；\"hemeanswell。\"
\"Iknowit，\"observedJohnson；\"buthe’ssoveryprevious。Lastwinter，atChaucer’sdinnertoBurns，Imadeaspeech，whichBoswellprintedaweekbeforeitwasdelivered，withthewords’laughter’and’uproariousapplause’interspersedthroughit。Itplacedmeinafalseposition。\"
\"Howdidheknowwhatyouweregoingtosay？\"queriedDemosthenes。
\"Don’tknow，\"repliedJohnson。\"Kindofmind—reader，Ifancy，\"headded，blushingatrifle。\"But，CaptainHolmes，whatdoyoudeducefromyourobservationofthewakeoftheHouse—boat？Ifshe’sgoingtoParis，whythechange？\"
\"Ihavetwotheories，\"repliedthedetective。
\"Whichisalwayssafe，\"saidLeCoq。
\"Always；itdoublesyourchancesofsuccess，\"acquiescedHolmes。
\"Anyhow，itgivesyouachoice，whichmakesitmoreinteresting。ThechangeofhercoursefromLondonwardtoPariswardprovestomeeitherthatKiddisnotsatisfiedwiththeextentoftherevengehehasalreadytaken，andwishestoruinyougentlemenfinanciallybyturningyourwives，daughters，andsisterslooseontheParisianshops，orthatthepirateshavethemselvesbeenoverthrownbytheladies，whohavedecidedtoprolongtheircruiseandgetsomefunoutoftheirmisfortune。\"
\"AndwhereelsethantoPariswouldanyoneinsearchofpleasurego？\"askedBonaparte。
\"IhadmorefunafewmilesoutsideofBrussels，\"saidWellington，withaslywinkatWashington。
\"Oh，letuponthat!\"retortedBonaparte。\"Itwasn’tyoubeatmeatWaterloo。Youcouldn’thavebeatenmeataplainordinarygameofold—maidwithastackedpackofcards，muchlessinthegameofwar，ifyouhadn’thadtheelementswithyou。\"
\"Tut!\"snappedWellington。\"Itwasclearsciencelaidyouout，Boney。\"
\"Taisey—voo!\"shoutedtheirateCorsican。\"Clearsciencebehanged!
Wetsciencewaswhatdidit。Ifithadn’tbeenfortherain，mylittleDuke，IshouldhavebeeninLondonwithinaweek，mygrenadierswouldhavebeencampinginyourRuePeekadeely，andtheOldGuardallovereverywhereelse。\"
\"Youmusthavehadagayarmy，then，\"laughedCaesar。\"WhatareFrenchsoldiersmadeof，thattheycan’tstandthewet——unshrunklinenorflannel？\"
\"Bah!\"observedNapoleon，shrugginghisshouldersandwalkingafewpacesaway。\"YoudonotunderstandtheFrench。TheFrenchmanisnotapell—mellsoldierlikeyouRomans；heisthepoetofarms；hedoesnotgoinforgloryattheexpenseofhisdignity；style，form，isdearertohimthanhonor，andhehasnouseforfightinginthewetandcomingoutofthefightconspicuousasavictorwiththecurloutofhisfeathersandhisepauletsrustedwiththedamp。Thereisnogloryinwater。Butifwehadhadumbrellasandmackintoshes，aseveryEnglishmanwhocomestotheContinentalwayshas，andabath—
tubforeverybody，thenwouldyourWaterloohavebeendifferentagain，andthegreatdemocracyofEuropewithaBonaparteforemperorwouldhavebeenfoundedforwhattheAmericanscallthekeeps；andasforyourlittleGreatBritain，ha!shewouldhavebecometheBlackwell’sIslandoftheGreaterFrance。\"
\"You’realmostasfunnyasPunchisn’t，\"drawledWellington，withanangrygestureatBonaparte。\"Youweren’twithintelephoningdistanceofvictoryallday。Wesimplyplayedwithyou，myboy。Itwasaregulargameofgolfforus。Weletyoukeepupprettycloseandwinafewholes，butonthehomedrivewehadyoubeateninonestroke。
Goto，mydearBonaparte，andstoptalkingabouttheflood。\"
\"It’saluckythingforusthatNoahwasn’taFrenchman，eh？\"saidFredericktheGreat。\"Howthatrainwouldhavefazedhimifhehadbeen!Thehumanracewouldhavebeenwipedout。\"
\"Oh，pshaw!\"ejaculatedNoah，deprecatingtheunseemlinessofthequarrel，andputtinghisarmaffectionatelyaboutBonaparte’sshoulder。\"Whenyoucomedowntothat，IwasFrench——asFrenchasonecouldbeinthosedays——andtheseGallicsubjectsofmyfriendherewere，everyoneof’em，mylinealdescendants，andtheirhatredofrainwasinheriteddirectlyfromme，theirancestor。\"
\"ArenotweEnglishasmuchyourdescendants？\"queriedWellington，archinghiseyebrows。
\"Youare，\"saidNoah，\"butyoutakeafterMrs。Noahmorethanafterme。Waterneverfazesawoman，andyourdelightintubsisanessentiallyfemininetrait。ThefirstthingMrs。Noahcarriedaboardwasalaundryoutfit，andthenshewentbackforrugsandcoatsandallsortsofhand—baggage。Gad，itmakesmelaughtothisdaywhenI
thinkofit!ShelookedforalltheworldlikeanEnglishmantravellingontheContinentasshewalkedupthegang—plankbehindtheelephants，eachelephantwithaGladstonebaginhistrunkandahat—boxtiedtohistail。\"Herethevenerableoldweather—prophetwinkedatMunchausen，andthelittlequarrelwhichhadbeenimminentpassedoffinagenerallaugh。
\"Where’sBoswell？Heoughttogetthatanecdote，\"saidJohnson。
\"I’velockedhimupinthelibrary，\"saidHolmes。\"He’sinchargeofthelog，andasIhaveaprettygoodgeneralideaastowhatisabouttohappen，Ihavemappedoutaskeletonoftheplotandsethimtoworkwritingitup。\"Herethedetectivegaveasuddenstart，placedhishandtohisear，listenedintentlyforaninstant，and，takingouthiswatchandglancingatit，added，quietly，\"InthreeminutesShemwillbeinheretoannounceadiscovery，andoneofgreatimportance，Ijudge，fromthesqueak。\"
TheassemblagegazedearnestlyatHolmesforamoment。
\"Thesqueak？\"queriedRaleigh。
\"Precisely，\"saidHolmes。\"ThesqueakiswhatIsaid，andasI
alwayssaywhatImean，itfollowslogicallythatImeantwhatI
said。\"
\"Iheardnosqueak，\"observedDr。Johnson；\"and，furthermore，Ifailtoseehowasqueak，ifIhadheardit，wouldhaveportendedadiscoveryofimportance。\"
\"Itwouldnot——toyou，\"saidHolmes；\"butwithmeitisdifferent。
Myhearingisunusuallyacute。Icanhearthedroppingofapinthroughastonewalltenfeetthick；anysoundwithinamileofmyeardrumvibratesthereonwithanintensitywhichwouldsurpriseyou，anditisbytheuseofcocainethatIhaveacquiredthiswonderfullyacutesense。Apropertywhichdullsthesensesofmostpeoplerendersminedoublyapprehensive；therefore，gentlemen，whiletoyoutherewasnoauriculardisturbance，tometherewas。IheardShemslidingdownthemastaminutesince。Thefactthathesliddownthemastinsteadofclimbingdowntheriggingshowedthathewasingreathaste，thereforehemusthavesomethingtocommunicateofgreatimportance。\"
\"Whyisn’theherealready，then？Itwouldn’ttakehimtwominutestogetfromthedeckhere，\"askedtheever—auspiciousLeCoq。
\"Itissimple，\"returnedHolmes，calmly。\"Ifyouwillgoyourselfandslidedownthatmastyouwillsee。Shemhasstoppedforalittlewitch—hazeltosoothehisburns。Itisnocoolmatterslidingdownamasttwohundredfeetinheight。\"
AsSherlockHolmesspokethedoorburstopenandShemrushedin。
\"Asignalofdistress，captain!\"hecried。
\"Fromwhatquarter——tolarboard？\"askedHolmes。
\"No，\"returnedShem，breathless。
\"Thenitmustbedeadahead，\"saidHolmes。
\"Whynottostarboard？\"askedLeCoq，dryly。
\"Because，\"answeredHolmes，confidently，\"itneverhappensso。Ifyouhadeverreadatrulyexcitingsea—tale，mydearLeCoq，youwouldhaveknownthatinterestingthings，andparticularlysignalsofdistress，areneverseenexcepttolarboardordeadahead。\"
Amurmurofapplausegreetedthisretort，andLeCoqsubsided。
\"Thenatureofthesignal？\"demandedHolmes。
\"Ablackflag，skullandcross—bonesdown，athalf—mast!\"criedShem，\"andonarock—boundcoast!\"
\"They’remarooned，byheavens!\"shoutedHolmes，springingtohisfeetandrushingtothedeck，wherehewasjoinedimmediatelybySirWalter，Dr。Johnson，Bonaparte，andtheothers。
\"Isn’theadaisy？\"whisperedDemosthenestoDiogenesastheyclimbedthestairs。
\"Heismorethanthat；he’sabloomingorchid，\"saidDiogenes，withintenseenthusiasm。\"IthinkI’llgetmyX—raylanternandseeifhe’shonest。\"
CHAPTERIX：CAPTAINKIDDMEETSWITHANOBSTACLE
\"Excuseme，yourMajesty，\"remarkedHelenofTroyasCleopatraaccordedpermissiontoCaptainKiddtospeak，\"Ihavenotbeenintroducedtothisgentlemannorhashebeenpresentedtome，andI
reallycannotconsenttoanyproceedingsoirregularasthis。IdonotspeaktogentlemenIhavenotmet，nordoIpermitthemtoaddressme。\"
\"Hear，hear!\"criedXanthippe。\"IquiteagreewiththeprincipleofmyyoungfriendfromTroy。Itmaybethatwhenweclaimedforourselvesalltherightsofmenthattherighttospeakandbespokentobyothermenwithoutanintroductionwillincludedinthelist，butIforonehavenodesiretoavailmyselfoftheprivilege，especiallywhenit’sahorrid—lookingmanlikethis。\"
Kiddbowedpolitely，andsmiledsoterriblythatseveraloftheladiesfainted。
\"Iwillwithdraw，\"hesaid，turningtoCleopatra；anditmustbesaidthathissuggestionwaspromptedbyhisheartfeltwish，fornowthathefoundhimselfthusconspicuouslybroughtbeforesomanywomen，withfalsehoodonhislips，hiscouragebegantoooze。
\"Notyet，please，\"answeredthechairlady。\"Iimaginewecangetaboutthisdifficultywithoutmuchtrouble。\"
\"Ithinkitaperfectlyproperobjectiontoo，\"observedDelilah，rising。\"Ifweeverneededetiquetteweneeditnow。ButIhaveaplanwhichwillobviateanyfurtherdifficulty。Ifthereisnooneamonguswhoissufficientlywellacquaintedwiththegentlemantopresenthimformallytous，Iwillforthetimebeingtakeuponmyselftheofficeofship’sbarberandcuthishair。Iunderstandthatitisquitetheproperthingforbarberstotalk，whilecuttingtheirhair，topersonstowhomtheyhavenotbeenintroduced。And，besides，hereallyneedsahair—cutbadly。ThusIshallestablishanacquaintancewiththecaptain，afterwhichIcanwithproprietyintroducehimtotherestofyou。\"
\"Perhapsthegentlemanhimselfmightobjecttothat，\"putinQueenElizabeth。\"IfIrememberrightly，yourlastcustomerwasverymuchdissatisfiedwiththetrimyougavehim。\"
\"ItwillbeunnecessarytodowhatDelilahproposes，\"saidMrs。Noah，withakindlysmile，assheroseupfromthecornerinwhichshehadbeensitting，aninterestedlistener。\"Icanintroducethegentlemantoyouallwithperfectpropriety。He’samemberofmyfamily。Hisgrandfatherwasthegreat—grandsonathousandandeighttimesremovedofmysonShem’sgreat—grandnephewonhisfather’sside。Hisrelationshiptomeisthereforeobvious，thoughfromwhatIknowofhisreputationIthinkhetakesmoreaftermyhusband’sancestorsthanmyown。Willie，dear，theseladiesarefriendsofmine。
Ladies，thisyoungmanisoneofmymostfamousdescendants。Hehasbeenamanofmanyadventures，andhehasbeenhangedonce，which，farfrommakinghimundesirableasanacquaintance，hasservedmerelytorenderhimharmless，andthereforeasafepersontoknow。Now，myson，goaheadandspeakyourpiece。\"
Thegoodoldspiritsatdown，andthescruplesoftheobjectorshavingthusbeensatisfied，CaptainKiddbegan。
\"NowthatIknowyouall，\"heremarked，aspleasantlyashecouldunderthecircumstances，\"IfeelthatIcanspeakmorefreely，andcertainlywithagreatdeallessembarrassmentthanifIwereaddressingagatheringofentirestrangers。Iamnotmuchofahandatspeaking，andhavealwaysfeltsomewhatnonplussedatfindingmyselfinapositionofthisnature。InmywholecareerIneverexperiencedbutoneirresistibleimpulsetomakeapublicaddressofanylength，andthatwasuponthatunhappyoccasiontowhichthegreatestandgrandestofmygreat—grandmothershasalluded，andthatonlyasthechainbywhichIwassuspendedinmid—airtightenedaboutmyvocalchords。AtthatmomentIcouldhavetalkedimpromptuforayear，sofastandnumerouslydidthoughtsoftheuttermostimportsurgeupwardintomybrain；butcircumstancesoverwhichIhadnocontrolpreventedtheutteranceofthosethoughts，andthatspeechisthereforelosttotheworld。\"
\"Hehasthegiftofcontinuity，\"observedMadameRecamier。
\"OughttobeintheUnitedStatesSenate，\"smiledElizabeth。
\"IwishIcouldmakeupmymindastowhetherheisoutrageouslyhandsomeordesperatelyugly，\"remarkedHelenofTroy。\"Hefascinatesme，butwhetheritisthefascinationoflikingorofhorrorIcan’ttell，andit’squiteimportant。\"
\"Ladies，\"resumedthecaptain，hisuneasinessincreasingashecametothepoint，\"Iambuttheagentofyourrespectivehusbands，fiances，andothermasculineguardians。Thegentlemenwhowerepreviouslythetenantsofthisclub—househavedelegatedtometheimportant，andImayaddhighlyagreeable，taskofshowingyoutheworld。Theyhavenotedoflateyearsthegrowthofthatfeelingofunrestwhichisbecomingeverydaymoreandmoreconspicuousinfemininecirclesinallpartsoftheuniverse——ontheearth，wherewomenareclamoringtovote，andtobeallowedtogooutlateatnightwithoutanescort，inHades，where，asyouarenodoubtaware，themanagementofthegovernmenthasfallenalmostwhollyintothehandsoftheFuries；andeveninthehallsofJupiterhimself，where，Iamcrediblyinformed，Junohasbeentakingprivatelessonsintheartofhurlingthunderbolts——informationwhichtheextraordinaryqualityofrecentelectricalstormsontheearthwouldseemtoconfirm。Thunderboltsoflateyearshavebeencasthitherandyoninamosterraticfashion，strikingwheretheywereleastexpected，asthoseofyouwhokeepintouchwiththeouterworldmustbefullyaware。Now，actuatedbytheirusualbroadandliberalmotives，themenofHadeswishtomeettheviewsofyouladiestojustthatextentthatyourviewsarebaseduponawiseselection，inturnbaseduponexperience，andtheyhavecometomeandinsomanywordshavesaid，’Mr。Kidd，wewishthewomenofHadestoseetheworld。Wewantthemtobesatisfied。Wedonotlikethisconstantlyincreasingspiritofunrest。We，whohaveseenallthelifethatwecaretosee，donotourselvesfeelequaltothetaskofshowingthemabout。WewillpayyouliberallyifyouwilltakeourHouse—boat，whichtheyhavealwaysbeenanxioustoenter，andpersonallyconductourbelovedonestoParis，London，andelsewhere。Letthemseeasmuchoflifeastheycanstand。Accordthemeveryprivilege。Sparenoexpense；onlybringthembackagaintoussafeandsound。’Theseweretheirwords，ladies。Iaskedthemwhytheydidn’tcomealongthemselves，sayingthateveniftheyweretiredofitall，theyshouldmakesomepersonalsacrificetoyourcomfort；andtheyanswered，reasonablyandwell，thattheywouldbeonlytoogladtodoso，butthattheyfearedtheymightunconsciouslyseemtoexertarepressinginfluenceuponyou。’Wewantthemtofeelabsolutelyfree，CaptainKidd，’saidthey，’andifwearealongtheymaynotfeelso。’Theanswerwasconvincing，ladies，andIacceptedthecommission。\"
\"Butweknewnothingofallthis，\"interposedElizabeth。\"Thesubjectwasnotbroachedtousbyourhusbands，brothers，fiances，orfathers。Mybrother，SirWalterRaleigh——\"
Cleopatrachuckled。\"Brother!Brother’sgood，\"shesaid。
\"Well，that’swhatheis，\"retortedElizabeth，quickly。\"Ipromisedtobeasistertohim，andI’mgoingtokeepmyword。That’sthekindofaqueenIam。Iwasabouttoremark，\"Elizabethadded，turningtothecaptain，\"thatmybrother，SirWalterRaleigh，neverevenhintedatanysuchplan，andusuallyheaskedmyadviceinmattersofsogreatimportance。\"
\"Thatiseasilyaccountedfor，madame，\"retortedKidd。\"SirWalterintendedthisasalittlesurpriseforyou，thatisall。Thearrangementswereallplacedinhishands，anditwashewhoboundusalltosecrecy。Noneoftheladiesweretobeinformedofit。\"
\"Itdoesnotsoundaltogetherplausible，\"interposedPortia。\"Ifyouladiesdonotobject，Ishouldliketocross—examinethis——ah——
gentleman。\"
Kiddpaledvisibly。Hewasnotpreparedforanysuchtrial；however，heputasgoodafaceonthematterashecould，andannouncedhiswillingnesstoansweranyquestionsthathemightbeasked。
\"Shallweputhimunderoath？\"askedCleopatra。
\"Asyouplease，ladies，\"saidthepirate。\"Apirate’swordisasgoodashisbond；butI’lltakeanoathifyouchoose——ahalf—dozenof’em，ifneedbe。\"
\"Ifancywecangetalongwithoutthat，\"saidPortia。\"Now，CaptainKidd，whofirstproposedthisplan？\"
\"Socrates，\"saidKidd，unblushinglywithaslyglanceatXanthippe。
\"What？\"criedXanthippe。\"Myhusbandproposeanythingthatwouldcontributetomypleasureorintellectualadvancement？Bah!Yourstoryistransparentlyfalseattheoutset。\"
\"Nevertheless，\"saidKidd，\"theschemewasproposedbySocrates。HesaidatripofthatkindforXanthippewouldbeveryrestfulandhealth—giving。\"
\"Forme？\"criedXanthippe，sceptically。
\"No，madame，forhim，\"retortedKidd。
\"Ah——ho—ho!That’sthewayofit，eh？\"saidXanthippe，flushingtotherootsofherhair。\"Verylikely。You——ah——youwillexcusemydoubtingyourword，CaptainKidd，amomentsince。Iwithdrawmyremark，andinordertomakefullestreparation，IbegtoassuretheseladiesthatIamnowperfectlyconvincedthatyouaretellingthetruth。Thatlastobservationisjustlikemyhusband，andwhenI
getbackhomeagain，ifIeverdo，well——ha，ha!——we’llhaveamerrytime，that’sall。\"
\"Andwhatwas——ah——Bassanio’sconnectionwiththisaffair？\"addedPortia，hesitatingly。
\"Hewasnotinformedofit，\"saidKidd，archly。\"IamnotacquaintedwithBassanio，mylady，butIoverheardSirWalterenjoiningupontheotherstheabsolutenecessityofkeepingthewholeaffairfromBassanio，becausehewasafraidhewouldnotconsenttoit。
’Bassaniohasamostbeautifulwife，gentlemen，’saidSirWalter，’andhewouldn’tthinkofpartingwithherunderanycircumstances；
thereforeletuskeepourintentionsasecretfromhim。’Ididnothearwhomthegentlemanmarried，madame；buttheothers，PrinceHamlet，theDukeofBuckingham，andLouistheFourteenth，allagreedthatMrs。Bassaniowastoobeautifulapersontobeseparatedfrom，andthatitwasbetter，therefore，tokeepBassaniointhedarkastotheirlittleenterpriseuntilitwastoolateforhimtointerfere。\"
Apinkglowofpleasuresuffusedthelovelycountenanceofthecross—
examiner，anditdidnotrequireaverysharpeyetoseethatthewilyKiddhadcompletelywonherovertohisside。Ontheotherhand，Elizabeth’sbrowbecameascorrugatedasherruff，andthespiritofthepirateshiveredtothecoreasheturnedandgazeduponthatgloweringface。
\"SirWalteragreedtothat，didhe？\"snappedElizabeth。\"Andyethewaswillingtopartwith——ah——hissister。\"
\"Well，yourMajesty，\"beganKidd，hesitatingly，\"youseeitwasthisway：SirWalter——er——didsaythat，but——ah——he——ah——butheaddedthatheofcoursemerelyjudged——er——thismanBassanio’sfeelingsbyhisowninpartingfromhissister——\"
\"Didhesaysister？\"criedElizabeth。
\"Well——no——notinthosewords，\"shuffledKidd，perceivingquicklywhereinhiserrorlay，\"but——ah——Ijumpedattheconclusion，seeinghisintenseenthusiasmforthelady’sbeautyand——er——intellectualqualities，thathereferredtoyou，anditisfromyourselfthatI
havegainedmyknowledgeastothefraternal，nottosaysororal，relationshipthatexistsbetweenyou。\"
\"Thatman’sadiplomatfromDiplomaville!\"mutteredSirHenryMorgan，who，withAbeuchapetaandConrad，waslisteningattheportwithout。
\"Heisthat，\"saidAbeuchapeta，\"buthecan’tlastmuchlonger。He’sperspiringlikeapitcherofice—wateronahotday，andaspiritofhissizeandvolatilenaturecan’tstandmuchofthatwithoutevaporating。Ifyouwillobservehimcloselyyouwillseethathisleftarmalreadyhasvanishedintothinair。\"
\"ByJove!\"whisperedConrad，\"that’safact!Iftheydon’tletuponhimhe’llvanish。He’sgettingexcessivelytenuousaboutthetopofhishead。\"
Allofwhichwasonlytootrue。Subjectedtoascrutinywhichhehadlittleexpected，thedeceitfulambassadorofthethievingbandwasrapidlydissipating，and，asthosewithouthadsofearsomelynoted，wasinimminentdangerofcompletesublimation，which，inthecaseofonepossessedofsolittleelementarypurity，meantnothingshortofannihilation。FortunatelyforKidd，however，hiswonderfultacthadstemmedthetideofsuspicion。Elizabethwassatisfiedwithhisexplanation，andinthemindsofatleastthreeofthemostinfluentialladiesonboard，Portia，Xanthippe，andElizabeth，hehadbecomeacreatureworthyofcredence，whichmeantthathehadnothingmoretofear。
\"Iamprepared，yourMajesty，\"saidElizabeth，addressingCleopatra，\"toacceptfromthistimeonthegentleman’sword。Thelittlethathehasalreadytoldusishall—markedwithtruth。Ishouldliketoask，however，onemorequestion，andthatishowourgentlemanfriendsexpectedtoembarkusuponthisvoyagewithoutlettingusintothesecret？\"
\"Oh，asforthat，\"repliedKidd，withadeep—drawnsighofrelief，forhetoohadnoticedthegradualevaporationofhisarmandtheincipientetherizationofhiscranium——\"asforthat，itwassimpleenough。Therewastohavebeenadaysetapartforladies’dayattheclub，andwhenyouwereallonboardwewerequietlytoweighanchorandstart。Thefactthatyouhadanticipatedtheday，ofyourownvolition，wastelephonedbymyscoutstomeatmyheadquarters，andthatnewswasbymetransmittedbymessengertoSirWalteratCharon’sGlenIsland，wherethelong—talked—offightbetweenSamsonandGoliathwastakingplace。Raleighimmediatelyreplied，’Good!
Startatonce。Parisfirst。Unlimitedcredit。LovetoElizabeth。’
Wherefore，ladies，\"headded，risingfromhischairandwalkingtothedoor——\"whereforeyouarehereandinmycare。Makeyourselvescomfortable，andwiththeaidofthefashionpaperswhichyouhavealreadyreceivedprepareyourselvesforthejoysthatawaityou。
WiththeaidofMadameRecamierandBaedeker’sParis，whichyouwillfindinthelibrary，itwillbeyourownfaultifwhenyouarrivethereyouresembleagreatmanylessfortunatewomenwhodon’tknowwhattheywant。\"
WiththesewordsKidddisappearedthroughthedoor，andfaintedinthearmsofSirHenryMorgan。Thestrainuponhimhadbeentoogreat。
\"Acharmingfellow，\"saidPortia，asthepiratedisappeared。
\"Mostattractive，\"saidElizabeth。
\"Handsome，too，don’tyouthink？\"askedHelenofTroy。
\"Andtruthfulbeyondperadventure，\"observedXanthippe，asshereflecteduponthewordsthecaptainhadattributedtoSocrates。\"I
didn’tbelievehimatfirst，butwhenhetoldmewhatmysweet—
temperedphilosopherhadsaid，Iwasconvinced。\"
\"He’sasweetchild，\"interposedMrs。Noah，fondly。\"Oneofmyfavoritegrandchildren。\"
\"Whichmakesitembarrassingformetosay，\"criedCassandra，startingupangrily，\"thatheisabasecaitiff!\"
Hadabombbeendroppedinthemiddleoftheroom，itcouldnothavecreatedagreatersensationthanthewordsofCassandra。
\"What？\"criedseveralvoicesatonce。\"Acaitiff？\"
\"AcaitiffwithacapitalK，\"retortedCassandra。\"Iknowthat，becausewhilehewastellinghisstoryIwaslisteningtoitwithoneearandlookingforwardintothemiddleofnextweekwiththeother——
Imeantheothereye——andIsaw——\"
\"Yes，yousaw？\"criedCleopatra。
\"Isawthathewasdeceivingus。Markmywords，ladies，heisabasecaitiff，\"repliedCassandra——\"abasecaitiff。\"
\"Whatdidyousee？\"criedElizabeth，excitedly。
\"This，\"saidCassandra，andshebegananarrationoffutureeventswhichImustdefertothenextchapter。MeanwhilehisassociateswereendeavoringtorestoretheevaporatedportionsoftheprostratedKidd’sspiritanatomybytheuseofasteam—atomizer，butwithindifferentsuccess。Kidd’straininghadnotfittedhimforanintellectualcombatwithsuperiorwomen，andhesufferedaccordingly。
CHAPTERX：AWARNINGACCEPTED
\"ItiswithnodesiretointerruptmyfriendCassandraunnecessarily，\"saidMrs。Noah，astheprophetesswasabouttonarrateherstory，\"thatIrisetobeghertorememberthat，asanancestressofCaptainKidd，Ihopeshewillspareagrandmother’sfeelings，ifanythinginthestorysheisabouttotellisimpropertobeplacedbeforetheyoung。Ihavebeensoshockedbythestoriesofperfidyandbasenessgenerallythathavebeenpublishedoflateyears，thatIwouldinterposeaprotestwhilethereisyettimeifthereisalineinCassandra’sstorywhichoughttobewithheldfromthepublic；aprotestbaseduponmyaffectionforposterity，andintheinterestsofmoralityeverywhere。\"
\"Youmayresteasyuponthatscore，mydearMrs。Noah，\"saidtheprophetess。\"WhatIhavetosaywouldcommenditself，Iamsure，eventotheearsofaBritishmatron；andwhileitisascompleteademonstrationofman’sperfidyaseverwas，itisnonethelessasharmlessalittletaleastheDottieDimplebooksoranyothermorerecentstudyofNewEnglandcharacter。\"
\"Thankyoufortheloadyourwordshaveliftedfrommymind，\"saidMrs。Noah，settlingbackinherchair，asatisfiedexpressionuponhergentlecountenance。\"IhopeyouwillunderstandwhyIspoke，andwithalwhymodernliteraturegenerallyhasbeensodistressfultome。