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with a clang of iron！
He had not pursued me。 He had run away。 Northmour； whom I knew
for the most implacable and daring of men； had run away！ I could
scarce believe my reason； and yet in this strange business； where
all was incredible； there was nothing to make a work about in an
incredibility more or less。 For why was the pavilion secretly
prepared？ Why had Northmour landed with his guests at dead of
night； in half a gale of wind； and with the floe scarce covered？
Why had he sought to kill me？ Had he not recognized my voice？ I
wondered。 And； above all； how had he come to have a dagger ready
in his hand？ A dagger； or even a sharp knife； seemed out of
keeping with the age in which we lived； and a gentleman landing
from his yacht on the shore of his own estate； even although it was
at night and with some mysterious circumstances； does not usually；
as a matter of fact； walk thus prepared for deadly onslaught。 The
more I reflected； the further I felt at sea。 I recapitulated the
elements of mystery； counting them on my fingers： the pavilion
secretly prepared for guests； the guests landed at the risk of
their lives and to the imminent peril of the yacht； the guests； or
at least one of them； in undisguised and seemingly causeless
terror； Northmour with a naked weapon； Northmour stabbing his most
intimate acquaintance at a word； last； and not least strange；
Northmour fleeing from the man whom he had sought to murder； and
barricading himself； like a hunted creature； behind the door of the
pavilion。 Here were at least six separate causes for extreme
surprise； each part and parcel with the others； and forming all
together one consistent story。 I felt almost ashamed to believe my
own senses。
As I thus stood； transfixed with wonder； I began to grow painfully
conscious of the injuries I had received in the scuffle； skulked
round among the sand hills； and； by a devious path； regained the
shelter of the wood。 On the way； the old nurse passed again within
several yards of me； still carrying her lantern； on the return
journey to the mansion house of Graden。 This made a seventh
suspicious feature in the case。 Northmour and his guests； it
appeared； were to cook and do the cleaning for themselves； while
the old woman continued to inhabit the big empty barrack among the
policies。 There must surely be great cause for secrecy； when so
many inconveniences were confronted to preserve it。
So thinking； I made my way to the den。 For greater security； I
trod out the embers of the fire； and lighted my lantern to examine
the wound upon my shoulder。 It was a trifling hurt； although it
bled somewhat freely； and I dressed it as well as I could （for its
position made it difficult to reach） with some rag and cold water
from the spring。 While I was thus busied； I mentally declared war
against Northmour and his mystery。 I am not an angry man by
nature； and I believe there was more curiosity than resentment in
my heart。 But war I certainly declared； and； by way of
preparation； I got out my revolver； and； having drawn the charges；
cleaned and reloaded it with scrupulous care。 Next I became
preoccupied about my horse。 It might break loose； or fall to
neighing； and so betray my camp in the Sea…Wood。 I determined to
rid myself of its neighborhood； and long before dawn I was leading
it over the links in the direction of the fisher village。
III
For two days I skulked round the pavilion； profiting by the uneven
surface of the links。 I became an adept in the necessary tactics。
These low hillocks and shallow dells； running one into another；
became a kind of cloak of darkness for my inthralling； but perhaps
dishonorable； pursuit。
Yet； in spite of this advantage； I could learn but little of
Northmour or his guests。
Fresh provisions were brought under cover of darkness by the old
woman from the mansion house。 Northmour； and the young lady；
sometimes together； but more often singly； would walk for an hour
or two at a time on the beach beside the quicksand。 I could not
but conclude that this promenade was chosen with an eye to secrecy；
for the spot was open only to seaward。 But it suited me not less
excellently； the highest and most accidented of the sand hills
immediately adjoined； and from these； lying flat in a hollow； I
could overlook Northmour or the young lady as they walked。
The tall man seemed to have disappeared。 Not only did he never
cross the threshold； but he never so much as showed face at a
window； or； at least； not so far as I could see； for I dared not
creep forward beyond a certain distance in the day； since the upper
floors commanded the bottoms of the links； and at night； when I
could venture further； the lower windows were barricaded as if to
stand a siege。 Sometimes I thought the tall man must be confined
to bed； for I remembered the feebleness of his gait； and sometimes
I thought he must have gone clear away； and that Northmour and the
young lady remained alone together in the pavilion。 The idea； even
then； displeased me。
Whether or not this pair were man and wife； I had seen abundant
reason to doubt the friendliness of their relation。 Although I
could hear nothing of what they said； and rarely so much as glean a
decided expression on the face of either； there was a distance；
almost a stiffness； in their bearing which showed them to be either
unfamiliar or at enmity。 The girl walked faster when she was with
Northmour than when she was alone； and I conceived that any
inclination between a man and a woman would rather delay than
accelerate the step。 Moreover； she kept a good yard free of him；
and trailed her umbrella； as if it were a barrier； on the side
between them。 Northmour kept sidling closer； and； as the girl
retired from his advance； their course lay at a sort of diagonal
across the beach； and would have landed them in the surf had it
been long enough continued。 But； when this was imminent； the girl
would unostentatiously change sides and put Northmour between her
and the sea。 I watched these maneuvers； for my part； with high
enjoyment and approval； and chuckled to myself at every move。
On the morning of the third day； she walked alone for some time；
and I perceived； to my great concern； that she was more than once
in tears。 You will see that my heart was already interested more
than I supposed。 She had a firm yet airy motion of the body； and
carried her head with unimaginable grace； every step was a thing to
look at； and she seemed in my eyes to breathe sweetness and
distinction。
The day was so agreeable； being calm and sunshiny； with a tranquil
sea； and yet with a healthful piquancy and vigor in the air； that；
contrary to custom； she was tempted forth a second time to walk。
On this occasion she was accompanied by Northmour； and they had
been but a short while on the beach； when I saw him take forcible
possession of her hand。 She strugg