H fFv orinJ pips

wen F glyns OvD mF nOts n rekPdz v H /Sxlok hOmz kEsis bitwIn H jCz '82 n '90, F Am fEst bF sO menI wic prizent strEnJ n intDestiN fIcDz HAt it iz nO IzI mAtD t nO wic t cMz n wic t lIv. sum, hQevD, hAv YlredI gEnd publisitI TrM H pEpDz, n uHDz hAv not ofDd a fIld fP HOz pikVlID kwolitIz wic mF frend pazest in sO hF a digrI, n wic it iz H obJekt v HIz pEpDz t ilastrEt. sum, tM, hAv bafald hiz Analitikal skil, n wUd bI, Az nArativz, biginiNz wiHQt an endiN, wFl uHDz hAv bIn but pRSalI klCd up, n hAv HX eksplanESanz fQndid ryHD apon kanJekSD n sDmFz HAn on HAt AbsalMt loJikal prMf wic woz sO klC t him. HX iz, hQevD, wun v HIz lyst wic wic woz sO rimRkabal in its dItElz n sO stRtliN in its rizults HAt F Am temptid t giv sum akQnt v it in spFt v H fAkt HAt HX R pqnts in kanekSan wiH it wic hAv nevD bIn, n probablI nevD wil bI, intFDlI klCd up.

H jC '87 fxniSt uz wiH a loN sCIz v kEsiz v grEtD P les intDest, v wic F ritEn H rekPdz. amuN mF hediNz undD His wun twelv munTs F fFnd an alQnt v H advemcD v H /pAradol /cEmbD, v H /AmatD /mendIant /sasFatI, hM held a lugZUDIas klub in H lOD volt v a fxnicD wXhQs, v H fAkts kanektid wiH H los v H /britiS bRk /sOfI /AndDsan, v H siNgjalD advencDz v H /grFs /pAtDsanz in H Fland v /ufa, n fFnalI v H /kAmbDwel pqzaniN kEs. in H lAtD, Az mE bI rimembDd, /Sxlok /hOmz woz Ebal, bF wFndiN up H ded mAn'z woc, t prMv HAt it hAd bIn wQnd up tM QDz bifP, n HAt HXfP H disIst hAd gon t bed wiHin HAt tFm - a didukSan wic woz v H grEtist impPtans in klCiN up H kEs. Yl HIz F mE skec Qt At sum fVcD dEt, but nun b Hem prizent suc siNkjalD fIcDz Az H strEnJ trEn v sxkamstAnsiz wic F hAv nQ tEkan up mF pen t diskrFb.

it woz in H lAtD dEz v septembD, n H ekwinoktal gElz hAd set in wiH iksepSanal vFalans. Yl dE H wind hAd skrImd n H rEn hAd bItan agenst H windOz, sO HAt Ivan hC in H hRt v grEt, hAnd-mEd /lundan wI wx fPst t rEz QD mFndz fP H instant from H rMtIn v lFf, n t rekagnFz H prezans v HOz grEt elamental fPsiz wic SrIk At mAnkFnd TrM H bRz v hiz sivalFzESan, lFk untEmd bIsts in a kEJ. Az IvniN drM in, H stPm grM hFD n lQdD, n H wind krFd n sobd lFk a cFld in H cimnI. /Sxlok /hOmz sAt mMdilI At wun sFd v H fFDplEs kros-indeksiN hiz rekPdz v krFm, wFl F At H uHD woz dIp in wun v /klRk /rusal'z fFn sI-stPIz until H hQl v H gEl from wiHQt sImd t blend wiH H tekst, n H splAS v H rEn t leNTan Qt intM H loN swoS v H sI wEvz/ mF wFf woz on a vizit t hx muHD'z, n fP a fV dEz F woz a dwelD wuns mP in mF Old kPtDz At /bEkD /strIt.

"wF," sed F, glynsiN At mF kampAnjan, "HAt woz SUDlI H bel. hM kUd kum tanFt? sum frend v jPz, pDhAps?"

"iksept jPself F hAv nun," hI ynsDd. "F dM not inkuriJ vizitDz."

"a klFant Hen?"

"if sO, a sCIas kEs. nuTiN les wUd briN a mAn Qt on suc a dE n At suc an QD. but F tEk it HAt it iz mP lFklI t bI sum krOnI v H lAndlEdI'z."

/Sxlok /hOmz woz roN in hiz kanJekSD, hQevD, fP HX kEm a step in H pAsiJ n a tApiN At H dP. hI strect Qt hiz loN Rm t txn H lAmp awE from himself n tawPdz H vEkant cX apon wic a nVkumD must sit. "kum in!" sed hI.

H mAn hM entDd woz juN, sum tM-n-twentI At H QtsFd, wel-grMmd n trimlI klAd, wiH sumTiN v rifFnmant n delikasI in hiz bXiN. H strImiN umbrela wic hI held in hiz hAnd, n hiz loN SFniN wYtDprMf tOld v H fCs weHD TrM wic hI hAd kum. hI lUkt abQt him ANkSaslI in H glX v H lAmp, n F kUd sI HAt hiz fEs woz pEl v hiz Fz hevI, lFk HOz v a mAn hM iz wEd dQn wiH sum grEt ANzFatI.

"F O V an apolaJI," hI sed, rEziN hiz gOldan pAns-nE t hiz Fz. "F trust HAt F Am not intrMdiN. F fC HAt F hAv brYt sum trEsiz v H stPm n rEn intM jP snug cEmbD."

"giv mI jP kOt m umbrela," sed /hOmz. "HE mE rest hC on H hUk n wil bI drF prezantlI. V hAv kum up from H sQT-west, F sI."

"jes, from /hPSam."

"HAt klE n cYk mikscD wic F sI apon jP tO kAps iz kwFt distiNktiv."

"F hAv kum fP advFs."

"HAt iz IzilI got."

"n help."

"HAt iz not YlwEz sO IzI."

"F hAv hxd v V, mr /hOmz. F hxd from /mEJD /prendDgAst hQ V sEvd him in H /tANkDvil /klub skAndal."

"y, v kPs. hI woz roNfalI akVzd v cItiN At kRdz."

"hI sed HAt V kUd solv enITiN."

"hI sed tM muc."

"HAt V R nevD bItan."

"F hAv bIn bItan fP tFmz - TrI tFmz bF men, n wuns bF a wUman."

"but wot iz HAt kanpXd wiH H numbD b jP saksesiz?"

"it iz trM HAt F hAv bIn JenDalI saksesfal."

"Hen V mE bI sO wiH mI."

"F beg HAt V wil drY jP cX up t H fFD n fEvD mI wiH sum dItElz Az t jP kEs."

"it iz nO PdinerI wun."

"nun v HOz wic kum t mI R. F Am H lyst kPt v apIl."

"n jet F kwescan, sx, weHD, in Yl jP ikspCIans, V hAv evD lisand t a mP mistCIas n inikspikabal cEn v ivents HAn HOz wic hAv hApand in mF On fAmalI."

"V fil mI wiH intDest," sed /hOmz. "prE giv us H isenSal fAkts from H kamensmant, n F kAn yftDwDdz kwescan V Az t HOz dItElz wic sIm t mI t bI mOst impPtant."

H juN mAn pUld hiz cX up n pUSt hiz wet fIt Qt tawPdz H blEz.

"mF nEm," sed hI, "iz /Jon /OpanSY, but mF On afXz hAv, Az fR Az F kAn undDstAnd, lital t dM wiH His Yfal biznis. it iz a hDeditDI mAtD; sO in PdD t giv V an FdIa v H fAkts, F must gO bAk t H kamensmant v H afX.

"V must nO HAt mF grAndfyHD hAd tM sunz - mF uNkal /elIAs n mF fyHD /JOzif. mF fyHD hAd a smYl fAktDI At /kovantrI, wic hI inlRJd At H tFm v H invenSan v bFsikliN. hI woz a pEtantI v H /OpanSY unbrEkabal tFD, n hiz biznis met wiH suc sakses HAt hI woz Ebal t sel it n t ritFD apon a hAnsam kompatans.

"mF uNkal /elIAs emigrEtid t /amerika wen hI woz a juN mAn n bikEm a plyntD in /florida, wX hI woz ripPtid t hAv dun verI wel. At H tFm v H wP hI fYt in /JAksan'z RmI, n yftDwDdz undD /hUd, wX hI rOz t bI a kxnal. wen hI lEd dQn hiz Rmz mF uNkal ritxnd t hiz plyntESan, wX hI rimEnd fP TrI P fP jCz. abQt 1869 P 1870 hI kEm bAk t /jUDap n tUk a smYl istEt in /susaks, nC /hPSam. hI hAd mEd a verI kansidDabal fPcMn in H /stEts, n hiz rIzan fP lIviN Hem woz hiz avxZan t H nIgrOz, n hiz dislFk v H /ripublikan polasI in ikstendiN H frAncFz t Hem. hI woz a siNgjalD mAn, fCs n kwik-tempDd, verI fQl-mQHd wen hI woz ANgrI, n v a mOst ritFDiN dispaziSan. djUDiN Yl H jCz HAt hI livd At /hPSam, F dQt if evD hI set fUt in H tQn. hI hAd a gRdan n tM P TrI fIldz rQnd hiz hQs, n HX hI wUd tEk hiz eksDsFz, HO verI ofan fP wIks on end hI wUd nevD lIv hiz rMm. hI drANk a grEt dIl v brAndI n smOkt verI hevilI, but hI wUd sI nO sasFatI n did not wont enI frendz, not Ivan hiz On bruHD.

"hI didant mFnd mI; in fAkt hI tUk a fAnsI t mI, fP At H tFm wen hI sY mI fxst F woz a juNstD v twelv P sO. His wUd bI in H jC 1878, yftD hI hAd bIn Et P nFn jCz in /iNgland. hI begd mF fyHD t let mI liv wiH him, n hI woz verI kFnd t mI in hiz wE. wen hI woz sObD hI Vst t bI fond v plEiN bAkgAman n dryfts wiH mI, n hI wUD mEk mI hiz reprazentativ bOT wiH H sxvants n wiH H trEdzpIpal, sO HAt bF H tFm F woz sikstIN F woz kwFt mystD v H hQs. F kept Yl H kIz n kUd gO wX F lFkt n dM wot F lFkt, sO loN Az F did not distxb him in hiz privasI. HX woz wun siNgjalD iksepSan, hQevD, fP hI hAd a siNgal rMm, a lumbD-rMm up amuN H Atiks, wic woz invXIablI lokt, n wic hI wUd nevD pDmit FHD mI P enIwun els t entD. wiH a bq'z kjUDIositI F hAv pIpt TrM H kIhOl, but F woz nevD Ebal t sI mP HAn suc a kalekSan v Old truNks n bundalz Az wUd bI ikspektid in suc a rMm.

"wun dE - it woz in mRc, 1883 - a letD wiH a foran stAmp lE apon H tEbal in frunt v H kxnal'z plEt. it woz not a koman TiN fP him t risIv letDz, fP hiz bilz wx Yl pEd in redI munI, n hI hAd nO frendz v enI sPt. 'fron /indIa!' sed hI Az hI tUk it up, '/pondicerI pOstmRk! wot kAn His bI?' OpaniN it hurIdI, Qt Jumpt fFv lital drFd orinJ pips, wic pAtDd dQn apon hiz plEt. F bigAn t lyf At His, but H lyf woz struk from mF lips At H sFt v hiz fEs. hiz lip hAd fYlan, hiz Fz wx pratrMdiN, hiz skin H kulD v putI, n hI glXd At H onvalOp wic hI stil held in hiz trembliN hAnd, 'K K K!' hI SrIkt, n Hen, 'mF god, mF god, mF sinz hAv OvDtEkan mI!'

"'wot iz it, uNkal?' F krFd.

"'deT', sed hI, n rFziN from H tEbal hI ritFDd t hiz rMm, lIviN mI pAlpatEtiN wiH horD. F tUk up H onvalOp n sY skrYld in red iNk apon H inD flAp, Just abuv H gum, H letD 'k' TrI tFmz ripItid. HX woz nuTiN els sEv H fFv drFv pips. wot kUd bI H rIzan v hiz OvDpQDiN terD? F left H brekfast-tEbal, n Az F asendid H stX F met him kumiN dQN wiH an Old rustI kI, wic must hAv biloNd t H Atik, in wun hAnd, n a smYl brys boks, lFk a kASboks, in H uHD.

"'HE mE dM wot HE lFk, but F'l cekmEt Hem stil,' sed hI wiH an OT. 'tel /mXI HAt F SAl wont a fFD in mF rMm tadE, n send dQn t /fPdam, H /hPSam lqD.'

"F did Az hI PdDd, n wen H lqD DFvd F woz yskt t step up t H rMm. H fFD woz bxniN brFtlI, n in H grEt HX woz a mAs v blAk, flufI ASiz, Az v bxnd pEpD, wFl H brys boks stUd Opan n emptI bisFd H trebal 'k' wic F hAd red in H mPniN apon H onvalOp.

"'F wiS V, /Jon,' sed mF uNkal, 't witnas mF wil. F lIv mF istEt, wiH Yl its advyntaJiz n Yl its disadvyntaJiz, t mF bruHD, jP fyHD, wens it wil, nO dQt, disend t V. if V kAn inJq it in pIs, wel n gUd! if V fFnd V kAnot, tEk mF advFs, mF bq, n lIv it t jP dedlIist emamI. F Am sorI t giv V suc a tM-eJd TiN, but F kynt sE wot txn TiNz R gOiN t tEk. kFndlI sFn H pEpD wX mr /fPdam SOz V.'

"F sFnd H pEpD Az dDektid, n H lqD tUk it awE wiH him. H siNkjalD insadant mEd, Az V mE TiNk, H dIpist impreSan apon mI, n F pondDd OvD it n txnd it evrI wE in mF mFnd wiHQt bIiN Ebal t mEk enITiN v it. jet F kUd not SEk of H vEg fIliN v dred wic it left bihFnd, HO H sensESan grM les kIn Az H wIks pyst, n nuTiN hApand t distxb H VZMal rMtIn v QD lFvz. F kUd sI a cEnJ in mF uNkal, hQevD. hI drAnk mP HAn evD, n hI woz les inklFnd fP enI sPt v sasFatI. mOst v hiz tFm hI wUd spend in hiz rMm, wiH H dP lokt apon H insFd, but sumtFmz hI wUd imxJ in a sPt v druNkan frenzI n wUd bxst Qt v H hQs n tX avQt H gRdan wiH a rivolvD in hiz hAnd, skrImiN Qt HAt hI woz afrEd v nO mAn, n HAt hI woz not t bI kMpt up, lFk a SIp in a pen, bF mAn P deval. wen HIz hot fits wx OvD, hQevD, hI wUd ruS tVmultVaslI in At H dP n lok n bR it bihFnd him, lFk a mAn hM kAn brEzan it Qt nO loNgD agenst H terD wic lFz At H rMts v hiz sOl. At suc tFmz F hAv sIn hiz fEs, Ivan on a kOld dE, glisan wiH mqscD, Az HO it wx nV rEzd from a bEsan.

"wel, t kum t an end v H mAtD, mr /hOmz, n not t abVz jP pESans, HX kEm a nFt wen hI mEd wun v HOz druNkan sAlIz from wic hI nevD kEm bAk. wI fQnd him, wen wI went t sxc fP him, fEs dQnwDd in a lital grIn-skumd pMl, wic lE At H fUt v H gRdan. HX woz nO sFn v enI vFalans, n H wYtD woz but tM fIt dIp, sO HAt H JUDI, hAviN rigRd t hiz nOn eksentrisitI, brYt in a vxdikt v 'sMisFd'. but F hM nV hQ hI winst from H verI TYt v deT, hAd muc adM t pDswEd mFself HAt hI hAd gon Qt v hiz wE t mIt it. H mAtD pyst, hQevD, n mF fyHD entDd intM pazeSan v H istEt, n v sum £14,000, wic lE t hiz kredit At H bANk."

"wun mOmant," /hOmz intDruptid, "jP stEtmant iz, F fPsI, wun v H mOst rimRkabal t wic F hAv evD lisand. let mI hAv H dEt v H risepSan bF jP uNkal v H letD, n H dEt v hiz sapOzd sMisFd."

"H letD DFvd on mRc 10, 1883. hiz deT woz sevan wIks lEtD, apon H nFt v mE 2nd."

"TANk V. prE prOsId."

"wen mF fyHD tUk OvD H /hPSam propDtI, hI, At mF rikwest, mEd a kXfal igzAminESan v H Atik, wic hAd YlwEz bIn lokt up. wI fQnd H brys boks HX, YlHO its kontents hAd bIn distrqd. on H insFd v H kuvD woz a pEpD lEbal, wiH H iniSalz v K K K ripItid apon it, n 'letDz, memDAnda, risIts, n a reJistD' ritan binIT. HIz, wI prizVm, indikEtid H nEcD v H pEpDz n nOt-bUks bXiN apon mF uNkal'z lFf in /amerika. sum v Hem wx v H wP tFm n SOd HAt hI hAd dun hiz dVtI wel n hAd bPn H ripVt v a brEv sOlJD. uHDz wx v a dEt djUDiN H rIkanstrukSan v H suHDn stEts, n wx mOstlI kansxnd wiH polatiks, fP hI hAd evidantlI tEkan a stroN pRt in apOziN H kRpit-bAg polatiSanz hM hAd bIn sent dQn from H /nPT.

"wel, it woz H biginiN v '84 wen mF fyHD kEM t liv At /hPSam, n Yl went Az wel Az posabal wiH us until H JAnVerI v '85. on H fPT dE yftD H nV jC F hxd mF fyHD giv a SRp krF v sDprFz Az wI sAt tageHD At H brekfast-tEbal. HX hI woz, sitiN wiH a nVlI Opand onvalOp in wun hAnd n fFv drFd orinJ pips in H Qtstrect pym v H uHD wun. hI hAd YlwEz lyft At wot hI kYld mF kok-n-bUl stPI abQt H kxnal, but hI lUkt verI skXd n puzald nQ HAt H sEm TiN hAd kum apon himself.

"'wF, wot on xT duz His mIn, /Jon?' hI stAmDd.

"mF hRt hAd txnd t led. 'it iz K K K,' sed F.

"hI lUkt insFd H onvalOp. 'sO it iz,' hI krFd. 'hC R H verI letDz. but wot iz His ritan abub Hem?'

"'pUt H pEpDz on H sundFal,' F red, pIpiN OvD hiz SOldD.

"'wot pEpDz? wot sundFal?' hI yskt.

"'H sundFal in H gRdan. HX iz nO uHD,' sed F; 'but H pEpDz must bI HOz HAt R distrqd.'

"'pfu!' sed hI, gripiN hRd At hiz kuriJ. 'wI R in a sivalFzd lAnd hC, n wI kynt hAv tomfMlDI v His kFnd. wX duz His TiN kum from?'

"'from /dundI,' F ynsDd, glynsiN At H pOstmRk.

"'sum pripostDas prAktikal JOk,' sed hI. 'wot hAv F t dM wiH sundFalz n pEpDz? F SAl tEk nO nOtis v suc nonsans.'

"'F SUd sxtanlI spIk t H palIs,' F sed.

"'n bI lyft At fP mF pEnz. nuTiN v H sPt.'

"'Hen let mI dM sO?'

"'nO, F fDbid V. F wOnt hAv a fus mEd abQt suc nonsans.'

"it woz in vEn t RgV wiH him, fP hI woz a verI obstanat mAn. F went abQt, hQevD, wiH a hRt wic woz fUl v fPbOdiNz.

"on H Txd dE yftD H kumiN v H letD mF fyHD went from hOm t vizit n Old frend v hiz, /mEJD /frIbodI, hM iz in kamynd v wun v H fPts apon /pPtsdQn /hil. F woz glAd HAt hI SUd gO, fP it sImd t mI HAt hI woz fxHD from dEnJD wen hI woz awE from hOm. in HAt, hQevD, F woz in erD. apon H sekand dE v hiz Absans F risIvd a telagrAm from H mEJD, implPiN mI t kum At wuns. mF fyHD hAd fYlan OvD wun v H dIp cYk-pits wic avQnd in H nEbDhUd, n woz lFiN senslas, wiH a SAtDd skul. F hurId t him, but hI pyst awE wiHQt hAviN evD rikuvDd hiz konSasnas. hI hAd, Az it apCz, bIn ritxniN from /fXam in H twFlFt, n Az H kuntrI woz unnOn t him, n H cYk-pit unfenst, H /JUDI hAd nO hezitESan in briNiN in a vxdikt v 'deT from Aksidental kYziz.' kXfalI Az F igzAmind evrI fAkt kanektid wiH hiz deT, F woz unEbal t fFnd enITiN wic kUd saJest H FdIa v mxdD. HX wx nO sFnz v vFalans, nO fUtmRks, nO robDI, nO rekPd v strEnJDz hAviN bIn sIn apon H rOdz. n jet F nId not tel V HAt mF mFnd woz fR from At Iz, n HAt F woz wel-nF sxtan HAt sum fQl plot hAd bIn wOvan rQnd him.

"in His sinistD wE F kEm intM mF inheritans. V wil ysk mI wF F did not dispOz v it? F ynsD, bikoz F woz wel kanvinst HAt QD trubalz wx in sum wE dipendant apon an insidant in mF uNkal'z lFf, n HAt H dEnJD wUd bI Az presiN in wun hQs Az in anuHD.

"it woz in /JAnVerI, '85, HAt mF pP fyHD met hiz end, n tM jCz n Et munTs hAv ilApst sins Hen. djUDiN HAt tFm F hAv livd hApalI At /hPSam, n F hAd bigun t hOp HAt His kxs hAd pyst awE from H fAmalI, n HAt it hAd endid wiH H lyst JenDESan. F hAd bigun t tEk kumfDt tM sMn, hQevD; jestDdE mPniN H blO fel in H verI SEp in wic it hAd kum dQn apon mF fyHD."

H juN mAn tUk from hiz wEstkOt a krumpald onvalOp, n txniN t H tEbal hI SUk Qt apon it fFv lital drFd orinJ pips.

"His iz H onvalOp," hI kantinVd. "H pOstmRk iz /lundan - IstDd diviZan. wiHin R H verI wxdz wic wx apon mF fyHD'z lyst mesiJ: 'K K K.'; n Hen 'pUt H pEpDz on H sundFal."

"wot hAv V dun?" yskt /hOmz.

"nuTiN."

"nuTiN?"

"t tel H trMT" - hI sANk hiz fEs intM hiz Tin, wFt hAndz - "F hAv felt helplas. F hAv felt lFk wun v HOz pP rAbits wen H snEk iz rFHiN tawPdz it. F sIm t bI in H grysp v sum rizistlas, ineksDabal Ival, wic nO fPsFt n nO prikYSanz kAn gRd agenst."

"tut tut!" krFd /Sxlok /hOmz. "V must Akt, mAn, P V R lost. nuTiN but enDJI kAn sEv V. His iz nO tFm fP dispX."

"F hAv sIn H palIs."

"y!"

"but HE lisand t mF stPI wiH a smFl. F Am kanvinst HAt H inspektD hAz fPmd H apinjan HAt H letDz R Yl prAktikal JOks, n HAt H deTs v mF rilESanz wx rIalI aksidants, Az H JUDI stEtid, n wx not t bI kanektid wiH H wPniNz."

/hOmz SUk hiz klenct fists in H X. "inkrebibal imbasilatI!" hI krFd.

"HE hAv, hQevD, alQd mI a palIsman, hM mE rimEn in H hQs wiH mI."

"hAz hI kum wiH V tanFt?"

"nO. hiz PdDz wx t stE in H hQs."

agen /hOmz rEvd in H X.

"wF did V kum t mI," hI krFd, "n, abuv Yl, wF did V not kum At wuns?"

"F did not nO. it woz OnlI tadE HAt F spOk t /mEJD /prendDgAst abQt mF trubalz n woz advFzd bF him t kum t V."

"it iz rIalI tM dEz sins V hAd H letD. wI SUd hAv aktid bifP His. V hAv nO fxHD evidans, F sapOz, HAn HAt wic V hAv plEst bifP us - nO saJestiv dItEl wic mFt help us?"

"HX iz wun TiN," sed /Jon /OpanSY. hI rumaJd in hiz kOt pokit, n, drYiN Qt a pIs v diskulDd, blM-tintid pEpD, hI lEd it Qt apon H tEbal. "F hAv sum rimembDans," sed hI, "HAt on H dE wen mF uNkal bxnd H pEpDz F abzxvd HAt H smYl, unbxnd mRJinz wic lE amid H ASiz wx v His pDtikjalD kulD. F fQnd His siNgal SIt apon H flP v hiz rMm, n F Am inklFnd t TiNk HAt it mE bI wun v H pEpDz wic hAz, pDhAps, flutDd Qt from amuN H uHDz, n in HAt wE hAz iskEpt distrukSan. bijond H menSan v pips, F dM not sI HAt it helps us muc. F TiNk mFself HAt it iz a pEJ from sum prFvat dFDI. H rFtiN iz undQtadlI mF uNkal'z."

/hOmz mMvd H lAmp, n wI bOT bent OvD H SIt v pEpD, wic SOd bF its rAgid eJ HAt it hAd indId bIn tPn from a bUk. it woz hedid, "mRc, 1869," n binIT wx H folOiN enigmAtikal nOtisiz:

4T /hudsan kEm. sEm Old plAtfPm.

7T set H pips on /makYlI, /pAramP, n /Jon /swEn, f /st /agustin.

9T /makYlI klCd.

10T /Jon /swEn klCd.

12T vizatid /pAramP. Yl wel.

"TANk V!" sed /hOmz, fOldiN up H pEpD n ritxniN it t QD vizitD. "n nQ V must on nO akQnt lMz anuHD instant. wI kAnot spX tFm Ivan t diskus wot V hAv tOld mI. V must get hOm instantlI n Akt."

"wot SAl F dM?"

"HX iz but wun TiN t dM. it must bI dun At wuns. V must pUt His pIs v pEpD wic V hAv SOn us intM H brys boks wic V hAv diskrFbd. V must YlsO pUt in a nOt t sE HAt Yl H uHD pEpDz wx bxnd bF jP uNkal, n His iz H OnlI wun wic rimEnz. V must asxt HAt in suc wxdz Az wil kArI kanvikSan wiH Hem. hAviN dun His, V must At wuns pUt H boks Qt apon H sundFal, Az dFrektid. dM V undDstAnd?"

"intFDlI."

"dM not TiNk v rivenJ, P enITiN v H sPt, At prezant. F TiNk HAt wI mE gEn HAt bF mInz v H lY; but wI hAv QD web t wIv, wFl HXz iz YlredI wOvan. H fxst kansidDESan iz t rimMv H presiN dEnJD wic Tretanz V. H sekand iz t klC up H mistDI n puniS H giltI pRtIz."

"F TANk V," sed H juN mAn, rFziN n pUliN on hiz OvDkOt. "V hAv givan mI freS lFf n hOp. F SAl sxtanlI dM Az V advFz."

"dM not lMz an instant. n, abuv Yl, tEk kX v jPself in H mInwFl, fP F dM not TiNk HAt HX kAn bI a dQt HAt V R Tretand bF a verI rIl n iminant dEnJD. hQ dM V gO bAk?"

"bF trEn from /wYtDlM."

"it iz not jet nFn. H strIts wil bI krQdid, sO F trust HAt V mE bI in sEftI. n jet V kAnot gRd jPself tM klOslI."

"F Am Rmd."

"HAt iz wel. tamorO F SAl set t wxk apon jP kEs."

"F SAl sI V At /hPSam, Hen?"

"nO, jP sIkrat lFz in /lundan. it iz HX HAt F SAl sIk it."

"Hen F SAl kYl apon V in a dE, P in tM dEz, wiH nVz Az t H boks n H pEpDz. F SAl tEk jP advFs in evrI pDtikjalD." hI SUk hAndz wiH us n tUk hiz lIv. QtsFd H wind stil skrImd n H rEn splASt n petDd agenst H windOz. His strEnJ, wFld stPI sImd t hAv kum t us from amid H mAd elamants - blOn in apon us lFk a SIt v sI-wId in a gEl - n nQ t hAb bIn rIabzPbd bF Hem wuns mP.

/Sxlok /hOmz sAt fP sum tFm in sFlans, wiH hiz hed suNk fPwDd n hiz Fz bent apon H red glO v H fFD. Hen hI lit hiz pFp, n lIniN bAk in hiz cX hI woct H blM smOk-riNz Az HE cEst Ic uHD up t H sIliN.

"F TiNk, /wotsan," hI rimRkt At lyst, "HAt v Yl QD kEsiz wI hAv hAd nun mP fAntAstik HAn His."

"sEv, pDhAps, H sFn v fP."

"wel, jes. sEv, pDhAps, HAt. n jet His /Jon /OpanSY sImz t mI t bI wYkiN amid Ivan grEtD peralz HAn did H /SoltOz."

"but hAv V," F yskt, "fPmd enI defanat kansepSan Az t wot HIz peralz R?"

"HX kAn bI nO kwescan Az t HX nEcD," hI ynsDd.

"Hen wot R HE? hM iz His K K K, n wF duz hI pDsV His unhApI fAmalI?"

/Sxlok /hOmz klOzd hiz Fz n plEst hiz elbOz apon H Rmz v hiz cX, wiH hiz fiNgD-tips tageHD. "H FdIal rIzanD," hI rimRkt, "wUd, wen hI hAd wuns bIn SOn a siNgal fAkt in Yl its bXiNz, didVs from it not OnlI Yl H cEn v ivents wic led up t it but YlsO Yl H rizults wic wUd folO from it. Az /kVvIE kUd kDektlI diskrFb a hOl Animal bF H kontalplESan v a siNgal bOn, sO H abzxvD hM hAz TuralI undDstUd wun liNk in a sCIz v insadants SUd bI Ebal t AkjDatlI stEt Yl H uHD wunz, bOT bifP n yftD. wI hAv not jet gryspt H rizults wic H rIzan alOn kAn atEn t. problamz mE bI solvd in H studI wic hAv bAfald Yl HOz hM hAv sYt a salMSan bF H Ed v HX sensiz. t kArI H Rt, hQevD, t its hFist pic, it iz nesaserI HAt H rIzanD SUd bI Ebal t VtalFz Yl H fAkts wic hAv kum t hiz noliJ; n His in itself implFz, Az V wil redalI sI, a pazeSan v Yl noliJ, wic, Ivan in HIz dEz v frI eJakESan n insFklapIdIaz, iz a sumwot rX akumpliSmant. it iz not sO imposabal, hQevD, HAt a mAn SUd pazes Yl noliJ wic iz lFklI t bI VsfUl t him in hiz wxk, n His F hAv indevDd in mF kEs t dM. if F rimembD rFtlI, V on wun akEZan, in H xlI dEz v QD frendSip, difFnd mF limits in a verI prisFs fASan."

"jes," F ynsDd, lyfiN. "it woz a siNgjalD dokjamant. filosafI, AstronamI, n polatiks wx mRkt At zCO, F rimembD. botanI vXIabal, JIolaJI prafQnd Az rigRdz H mud-stEnz from enI rIJan wiHin fiftI mFlz v tQn, kemistrI iksentrik, anAtamI unsistamAtik, sensESanal litDacD n krFm rekPdz VnIk, vFalin-plED, boksD, sPdzman, lqD, n self-pqzanD bF kOkEn n tabAkO. HOz, F TiNk, wx H mEn pqnts v mF anAlasis."

/hOmz grind At H lyst Ftam. "wel," hI sed, "F sE nQ, Az F sed Hen, HAt a mAn SUd kIp hiz lital brEn-Atik stokt wiH Yl H fxnicD HAt hI iz lFklI t Vz, n H rest hI kAn pUt awE in H lumbD-rMm v hiz lFbrerI, wX hI kAn get it if hI wonts it. nQ, fP suc a kEs Az H wun wic hAz bIn sabmitid t us tanFt, wI nId sxtanlI t mustD Yl QD rizPsiz. kFndlI hAnd mI dQn H letD 'k' v H /amerikan /insFklapIdIa wic stAndz apon H Self bisFd V. TANk V. nQ let us kansidD H sicMESan n sI wot mE bI didVst from it. in H fxst plEs, wI mE stRt wiH a stroN prizumpSan HAt /kxnal /OpanSY hAd sum verI stroN rIzan fP lIviN /amerika. men At hiz tFm v lFf dM not cEnJ Yl HX hAbits n ikscEnJ wiliNlI H cRmiN klFmat v /florida fP H lOnlI lFf v an iNgliS pravinSal tQn. hiz ikstrIm luv v solatVd in /iNgland saJests H FdIa HAt hI woz in fC v sumwun P sumTiN, sO wI mE asVm Az a wxkiN hFpoTasis HAt it woz fC v sumwun P sumTiN wic drOv him from /amerika. Az t wot it woz hI fCd, wI kAn OnlI didVs HAt bF kansidDiN H fPmidabal letDz wic wx risIvd bF himself n hiz saksesDz. did V rimRk H pOstmRks v HOz letDz?"

"H fxst woz /pondicerI, H sekand from /dundI, n H Txd from /lundan."

"from /Ist /lundan. wot dM V didVs from HAt?"

"HE R Yl sIpPts. HAt H rFtD woz on bPd v a Sip."

"eksalant. wI hAv YlredI a klM. HX kAn bI nO dQt HAt H probabilatI - H stroN probabilatI - iz HAt H rFtD woz on bPd v a Sip. n nQ let us kansidD anuHD pqnt. in H kEs v /pondicerI, sevan wIks ilApst bitwIn H Tret n its falfilmant, in /dundI it woz OnlI sum TrI P fP dEz. duz HAt saJest enITiN?"

"a grEtD distans t trAval."

"but H letD hAd YlsO a grEtD distans t kum."

"Hen F dM not sI H pqnt."

"HX iz At lIst a prazumpSan HAt H vesal in wic H mAn P men R iz a sEliN-Sip. it lUks Az if HE YlwEz sent HX siNkjalD wPniN P tOkan bifP Hem wen stRtiN apon HX miSan. V sI hQ kwiklI H dId folOd H sFn wen it kEm from dundI. if HE hAd not kum from pondicerI in a stImD HE wUd hAv DFvd YlmOst Az sMn Az HX letD. but, Az a mAtD v fAkt, sevan wIks ilApst. F TiNk HAt HOz sevan wIks reprazentid H difDans bitwIn H mEl-bOt wic brYt H letD n H sEliN vesal wic brYt H rFtD."

"it iz posabal."

"mP HAn HAt. it iz probabal. n nQ V sI H dedlI xJansI v His nV kEs, n wF F xJd juN /OpanSY t kYSan. H blO hAz YlwEz fYlan At H end v H tFm wic it wUd tEk H sendDz t trAval H distans. but His wun kumz from /lundan, n HXfP wI kAnot kQnt apon dilE."

"gUd god!" F krFd. "wot kAn it mIn, His ralentlas pxsakVSan?"

"H pEpDz wic /OpanSY kArId R obvIaslI v vFtal impPtans t H pxsan P pxsanz in H sEliN-Sip. F TiNk HAt it iz kwFt klC HAt HX must bI mP HAn wun v Hem. a siNgal mAn kUd not hAv kArId Qt tM deTs in suc a wE Az t disIv a koranD'z JUDI. HX must hAv bIn sevDal in it, n HE must hAv bIn men v rizPs n ditxminESan. HX pEpDz HE mIn t hAv, bI H hOldD v Hem hM it mE. in His wE V sI K K K kEsiz t bI H iniSalz v an indiviJMal n bikumz H bAJ v a sasFatI."

"but v wot sasFatI?"

"hAv V nevD-" sed /Sxlok /hOmz, bendiN fPwDd n siNkiN hiz vqs - "hAv V nevD hxd v H /kM /kluks /klAn?"

"F nevD hAv."

/hOmz txnd OvD H lIvz v H bUk apon hiz nI. "hC it iz," sed hI prezantlI:

"/kM /kluks /klAn. a nEm dirFvd from H fAnsifal rizemblans t H sQnd pradVst bF kokiN a rFfal. His terabal sIkrat sasFatI woz fPmd bF sum eks-kanfedDat sOlJDz in H suHDn stEts yftD H /sival /wP, n it rApidlI fPmd lOkal brynciz in difDant pRts v H kuntrI, nOtablI in /tenasI, /lMIzIAna, H /kAralFnaz, /JPJa, n /florida. its pQD woz Vzd fP palitikal pxpasiz, prinsipalI fP H terDFziN v H nIgrO vOts n H mxdDiN n drFviN from H kuntrI v HOz hM wx apOzd t its vVz. its QtrEJiz wx VZMalI prisIdid bF a wPniN sent bF a wPniN sent t H mRkt mAn in sum fAntAstik but JenDalI rekagnFzd SEp - a sprig v Ok-lIvz in sum pRts, melan sIdz P orinJ pips in uHDz. on risIviN His H viktim mFt OpanlI abJUD hiz fPmD wEz, P mFt flF fP H kuntrI. if hI brEvd H mAtD Qt, deT wUd unfEliNlI kum apon him, n VZMalI in sum strEnJ n unfPsIn mAnD. sO pxfekt woz H PganFzESan v H sasFatI, n sO sistamAtik its meTadz, HAt HX iz hRdlI a kEs apon rekPd wX enI mAn saksIdid in brEviN it wiH impVnitI, P in wic enI v its QtrEJiz wx trEst hOm t H pxpatrEtDz. fP sum jCz H PganFzESan fluriSt in spFt v H efDts v H /VnFtid /stEts guvDmant n v H betD klysiz v H kamVnitI in H sQT. ivencalI, in H jC 1869, H mMvmant ryHD sudanlI kalApst, YlHO HX hAv bIn spDAdik QtbrEks v H sEm sPt sins HAt dEt.

"V wil abzxv," sed /hOmz, lEiN dQn H volVm, "HAt H sudan brEkiN up v H sasFatI woz kOinsFdant wiH H disapCans v /OpanSY from /amerika wiH HX pEpDz. it mE wel hAv bIn kYz n ifekt. it iz nO wundD HAt hI n hiz fAmalI hAv sum v H mP implAkabal spirits apon HX trAk. V kAn undDstAnd HAt His reJistD n dFDI mE implikEt sum v H fxst men in H sQT, n HAt HX mE bI menI hM wil not slIp IzI At nFt until it iz rikuvDd."

"Hen H pEJ wI hAv sIn-"

"iz suc Az wI mFt ikspekt. it rAn, if F rimembD rFt, 'sent H pips t A, B, n C' - HAt iz, sent H sasFatI'z wPniN t Hem. Hen HX R saksesiv entrIz HAt A n B klCd, P left H kuntrI, n fFnalI HAt C woz vizatid, wiH, F fC, a sinistD rizult fP C. wel, F TiNk, doktD, HAt wI mE let sum lFt intM His dRk plEs, n F bilIv HAt H OnlI cyns juN /OpanSY hAz in H mIntFm iz t dM wot F hAv tOld him. HX iz nuTiN mP t bI sed P t bI dun tanFt, sO hAnd mI OvD mF vFalin n let us trF t fDget fP hyf an QD H mizDabal weHD n H stil mP mizDabal wEz v QD felOmen."

it hAd klCd in H mPniN, n H sun woz SFniN wiH a sabdVd brFtnas TrM H dim vEl wic hANz OvD H grEt sitI. /Sxlok /hOmz woz YlredI At brekfast wen F kEm dQn.

"V wil ikskVz mI fP not wEtiN fP V," sed hI; "F hAv, F fPsI, a verI bizI dE bifP mI in lUkiN intM His kEs v juN /OpanSY'z."

"wot steps wil V tEk?" F yskt.

"it wil verI muc dipend apon H rizults v mF fxst inkwFDIz. F mE hAv t gO dQn t /hPSam, yftD Yl."

"V wil not gO HX fxst?"

"nO, F SAl kamens wiH H sitI. Just riN H bel n H mEd wil briN up jP kofI."
Az F wEtid, F liftid H unOpand nVzpEpD from H tEbal n glynst mF F OvD it. it restid apon a hediN wic sent a cil t mF hRt.

"/hOmz," F krFd, "V R tM lEt."

"y!" sed hI, lFiN dQn hiz kup, "F fCd Az muc. hQ woz it dun?" hI spOk kymlI, but F kUd sI HAt hI woz dIplI mMvd.

"mF F kYt H nEm v /OpanSY, n H hediN 'trAJadI nC wYtD /wYtDlM /briJ.' hC iz H akQnt:

'bitwIn nFn n ten lyst nFt /palIs-konstabal /kUk, v H H daviZan, on dVtI nC /wYtDlM /briJ, hxd a krF fP help n a splAS in H wYtD. H nFt, hQevD, woz ikstrImlI dRk n stPmI, sO HAt, in spFt v H help v sevDal pysDz-bF, it woz kwFt imposabal t afekt a reskV. H alRm, hQevD, woz givan, n, bF H Ed v H wYtD-palIs, H bofI woz ivencMalI rikuvDd. it prMvd t bI HAt v a juN Jentalman hMz nEm, Az it apCz from an onvalOp wic woz fQnd in hiz pokit, woz /Jon /OpanSY, n hMz rezadans iz nC /hPSam. it iz kanJekSDd HAt hI mE hAv bIn hurIiN dQn t kAc H lyst trEn from /wYtDlM stESan, n HAt in hiz hEst n H ikstrIm dRknas hI mist hiz pyT n wYkt OvD H eJ v wun v H smYl lAndiN-plEsiz fP rivD stIm-bOts. H bodI igzibatid nO trEsiz v vFalans, n HX kAn bI nO dQt HAt H disIst hAd bIn H viktim v an unfPcanat Aksidant, wic SUd hAv hAd H ifekt v kYliN H atenSan v H YToratIz t H kandiSan v H rivDsFd lAndiN-stEJiz."

wI sAt in sFlans fP sum minits, /hOmz mP diprest n SEkan HAn F hAd evD sIn him.

"HAt hxts mF prFd, /wotsan," hI sed At lyst. "it iz a petI fIliN, nO dQt, but it hxts mF prFd. it bikumz a pxsanal mAtD wiH mI nQ, n, if god sendz mI helT, F SAl set mF hAnd apon His gAN. HAt hI SUd kum t mI fP help, n HAt F SUd send him awE t hiz deT - !" hI sprAN from hiz cX n pEst abQt H rMm in unkantrOlabal AJitESan, wiH a fluS apon hiz sAlO cIks n a nxvas klyspiN n unklyspiN v hiz loN Tin hAndz.

"HE must bI kuniN devalz," hI iksklEmd At lyst. "hQ kUd HE hAv dIkqd him dQn HX? H /imbANkmant iz not on H dFrekt lFn t H stESan. H briJ, nO dQt, woz tM krQdid, Ivan on suc a nFt, fP HX pxpas. wel, /wotsan, wI SAl sI hM wil win in H loN run. F Am gOiN Qt nQ!"

"t H palIs?"

"nO; F SAl bI mF On palIs. wen F hAv spun H web HE mE tEk H flFz, but not bifP."

Yl dE F woz ingEJd in mF prafeSanal wxk, n it woz lEt in H IvniN bifP F ritxnd t /bEkD /strIt. /Sxlok /hOmz hAd not kum bAk jet. it woz nClI ten a'klok bifP hI entDd, lUkiN pEl n wPn. hI wYkt up t H sFdbPd, n tXiN a pIs from H lOf hI divQDd it vDESaslI, woSiN it dQn wiH a loN dryft v wYtD.

"V R huNgrI," F rimRkt.

"stRviN. it hAd iskEpt mF memDI. F hAv hAd nuTiN sins brekfast."

"nuTiN?"

"not a bFt. F hAd nO tFm t TiNk v it."

"n nQ V hAv saksIdid?"

"wel."

"V hAv a klM?"

"F hAv Hem in H holO v mF hAnd. juN /OpanSY SAl not loN rimEn unavenJd. wF, /wotsan; let us pUt HX On devaliS trEd-mRk apon Hem. it iz wel TYt v!"

"wot dM V mIn?"

hI tUk an orinJ from H kubDd, n tXiN it t pIsiz hI skwIzd Qt H pips apon H tEval. v HIz hI tUk fFv n Trust Hem intM an onvalOp. on H insFd v H flAp hI rOt "S. H. fP J. O." Hen hI sIld it n adrest it t "/kAptin /JEmz /kAlhMn, bRk /lOn /stR, /savAna, /JPJa."

"HAt wil awEt him wen hI entDz pPt," sed hI, cukliN. "it mE giv him a slIplas nFt. hI wil fFnd it Az a SP prIkxsD v hiz fEt Az /OpanSY did bifP him."

"n hM iz His /kAptin /kAlhMn?"

"H lIdD v H gAN. F SAl hAv H uHDz, but hI fxst."

"hQ did V trEs it, Hen?"

hI tUk a lRJ SIt v pEpD from hiz pokit, Yl kuvDd wiH dEts n nEmz.

"F hAv spent H hOl dE," sed hI, "OvD /lqd'z reJistDz n fFlz v H Old pEpDz, folOiN H fVcD kDC v evrI vesal wic tuct At /pondicerI in JAnVerI n febVerI in '83. HX wx TxtI-siks Sips v fX tuniJ wic wx ripPtid HX djUDiN HOz munTs. v HIz, wun, H /lOn /stR, instantlI atrAktid atenSan, sins, YlHO it woz ripPtid Az hAviN klCd from /lundan, H nEm iz HAt wic iz givan t wun v H stEts v H Vnjan."

"/teksas, F TiNk."

"F woz not n Am not SP wic; but F nV HAt H Sip must hAv an amerikan oraJin."

"wot Hen?"

"F sxct H /dundI relPdz, n wen F fQnd HAt H bRk /lOn /stR woz HX in JAnVerI, '85, mF saspiSan bikEm a sxtantI. F Hen inkwFDd Az t H vesalz wic lE At prezant in H pPt v /lundan."

"jes?"

"H /lOn /stR hAd DFvd hC lyst wIk. F went dQn t H /AlbDt /dok n fQnd HAt SI hAd bIn tEkan dQn H rivD bF H xlI tFd His mPniN, hOmwDd bQnd t /savAna. F wFDd t /grEvzend n lxnd HAt SI hAd pyst sum tFm agO, n Az H wind iz IstDlI F hAv nO dQt HAt SI iz nQ pyst H /gUdwinz n not verI fR from H /Fl /v /wFt.

"wot wil V dM, Hen?"

"O, F hAv mF hAnd apon him. hI n H tM mEts, R, Az F lxn, H OnlI nEtiv-bPn /amerikanz in H Sip. H uHDz R /finz n /Jxmanz. F nO, YlsO, HAt HE wx Yl TrI awE from H Sip lyst nFt. F hAd it from H stIvdP hM hAz bIn lOdiN HX kRgO. bF H tFm HAt HX sEliN-Sip rIciz /savAna H mEl-bOt wil hAv kArId His letD, n H kEbal wil hAv infPmd H palIs v /savAna HAt HIz TrI Jentalman R bAdlI wontid hC apon a cRJ v mxdD."

HX iz evD a flY, hQevD, in H best lEd v hVman plAnz, n H mxdDDz v /Jon /OpanSY wx nevD t risIv H orinJ pips wic wUd SO Hem HAt anuHD, Az kuniN n rezalMt Az Hemselvz, woz apon HX trAk. verI loN n verI savC wx H ekwinoktIal gElz HAt jC. wI wEtid loN fP nVz v H /lOn /stR v /savAna, but nun evD rIct us. wI did At lyst hC HAt sumwX fR Qt in H /atlAntik a SAtDd stxn-pOst v H bOt woz sIn swiNiN in H trof v a wEv, wiH H letDz "L. S." kRvd apon it, n HAt iz Yl wI SAl evD nO v H fEt v H /lOn /stR.