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〃Si； Signor；〃 was his reply。
I said it was unusually far north to find one of his compatriots；
at which he shrugged his shoulders； and replied that a man would go
anywhere to find work。 What work he could hope to find at Graden
Wester； I was totally unable to conceive； and the incident struck
so unpleasantly upon my mind； that I asked the landlord； while he
was counting me some change； whether he had ever before seen an
Italian in the village。 He said he had once seen some Norwegians；
who had been shipwrecked on the other side of Graden Ness and
rescued by the lifeboat from Cauldhaven。
〃No！〃 said I； 〃but an Italian； like the man who has just had bread
and cheese。〃
〃What？〃 cried he； 〃yon black…avised fellow wi' the teeth？ Was he
an I…talian？ Weel； yon's the first that ever I saw； an' I dare say
he's like to be the last。〃
Even as he was speaking； I raised my eyes； and； casting a glance
into the street； beheld three men in earnest conversation together；
and not thirty yards away。 One of them was my recent companion in
the tavern parlor； the other two； by their handsome sallow features
and soft hats； should evidently belong to the same race。 A crowd
of village children stood around them； gesticulating and talking
gibberish in imitation。 The trio looked singularly foreign to the
bleak dirty street in which they were standing and the dark gray
heaven that overspread them； and I confess my incredulity received
at that moment a shock from which it never recovered。 I might
reason with myself as I pleased； but I could not argue down the
effect of what I had seen； and I began to share in the Italian
terror。
It was already drawing toward the close of the day before I had
returned the newspapers to the manse； and got well forward on to
the links on my way home。 I shall never forget that walk。 It grew
very cold and boisterous； the wind sung in the short grass about my
feet； thin rain showers came running on the gusts； and an immense
mountain range of clouds began to arise out of the bosom of the
sea。 It would be hard to imagine a more dismal evening； and
whether it was from these external influences； or because my nerves
were already affected by what I had heard and seen； my thoughts
were as gloomy as the weather。
The upper windows of the pavilion commanded a considerable spread
of links in the direction of Graden Wester。 To avoid observation；
it was necessary to hug the beach until I had gained cover from the
higher sand hills on the little headland； when I might strike
across； through the hollows； for the margin of the wood。 The sun
was about setting； the tide was low； and all the quicksands
uncovered； and I was moving along； lost in unpleasant thought； when
I was suddenly thunderstruck to perceive the prints of human feet。
They ran parallel to my own course； but low down upon the beach；
instead of along the border of the turf； and； when I examined them；
I saw at once； by the size and coarseness of the impression； that
it was a stranger to me and to those of the pavilion who had
recently passed that way。 Not only so； but from the recklessness
of the course which he had followed； steering near to the most
formidable portions of the sand； he was evidently a stranger to the
country and to the ill…repute of Graden beach。
Step by step I followed the prints； until； a quarter of a mile
farther； I beheld them die away into the southeastern boundary of
Graden Floe。 There； whoever he was； the miserable man had
perished。 One or two gulls； who had； perhaps； seen him disappear；
wheeled over his sepulcher with their usual melancholy piping。 The
sun had broken through the clouds by a last effort； and colored the
wide level of quicksands with a dusky purple。 I stood for some
time gazing at the spot； chilled and disheartened by my own
reflections； and with a strong and commanding consciousness of
death。 I remember wondering how long the tragedy had taken； and
whether his screams had been audible at the pavilion。 And then；
making a strong resolution； I was about to tear myself away； when a
gust fiercer than usual fell upon this quarter of the beach； and I
saw； now whirling high in air； now skimming lightly across the
surface of the sands； a soft； black； felt hat； somewhat conical in
shape； such as I had remarked already on the heads of the Italians。
I believe； but I am not sure； that I uttered a cry。 The wind was
driving the hat shoreward； and I ran round the border of the floe
to be ready against its arrival。 The gust fell； dropping the hat
for awhile upon the quicksand； and then； once more freshening；
landed it a few yards from where I stood。 I seized it with the
interest you may imagine。 It had seen some service； indeed； it was
rustier than either of those I had seen that day upon the street。
The lining was red； stamped with the name of the maker； which I
have forgotten； and that of the place of manufacture； Venedig。
This （it is not yet forgotten） was the name given by the Austrians
to the beautiful city of Venice； then； and for long after； a part
of their dominions。
The shock was complete。 I saw imaginary Italians upon every side；
and for the first； and； I may say； for the last time in my
experience； became overpowered by what is called a panic terror。 I
knew nothing； that is； to be afraid of； and yet I admit that I was
heartily afraid； and it was with sensible reluctance that I
returned to my exposed and solitary camp in the Sea…Wood。
There I eat some cold porridge which had been left over from the
night before； for I was disinclined to make a fire； and； feeling
strengthened and reassured； dismissed all these fanciful terrors
from my mind； and lay down to sleep with composure。
How long I may have slept it is impossible for me to guess； but I
was awakened at last by a sudden； blinding flash of light into my
face。 It woke me like a blow。 In an instant I was upon my knees。
But the light had gone as suddenly as it came。 The darkness was
intense。 And； as it was blowing great guns from the sea； and
pouring with rain； the noises of the storm effectually concealed
all others。
It was； I dare say； half a minute before I regained my self…
possession。 But for two circumstances； I should have thought I had
been awakened by some new and vivid form of nightmare。 First； the
flap of my tent； which I had shut carefully when I retired； was now
unfastened； and； second； I could still perceive； with a sharpness
that excluded any theory of hallucination； the smell of hot metal
and of burning oil。 The conclusion was obvious。 I had been
awakened by some one flashing a bull's…eye lantern in my face。 It
had been but a flash； and away。 He had seen my face； and then
gone。 I asked myself the object of so strange a proceeding； and
the answer came pat。 The man； whoever he was； had thought to
recognize me； and he had not。 There was another question
unresolved； and to th