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My rest was disturbed。 I awoke twice； without any sensation of
uneasiness。 The third time； that horrid shivering of the night at
the lonely inn； that awful sinking pain at the heart； came back
again； and roused me in an instant。 My eyes turned to the left…
hand side of the bed。 And there stood； looking at me
The Dream Woman again？ No！ My wife。 The living woman； with the
face of the Dreamin the attitude of the Dreamthe fair arm up；
the knife clasped in the delicate white hand。
I sprang upon her on the instant； but not quickly enough to stop
her from hiding the knife。 Without a word from me； without a cry
from her； I pinioned her in a chair。 With one hand I felt up her
sleeve； and there； where the Dream Woman had hidden the knife； my
wife had hidden itthe knife with the buckhorn handle； that looked
like new。
What I felt when I made that discovery I could not realize at the
time； and I can't describe now。 I took one steady look at her with
the knife in my hand。 〃You meant to kill me？〃 I said。
〃Yes；〃 she answered； 〃I meant to kill you。〃 She crossed her arms
over her bosom； and stared me coolly in the face。 〃I shall do it
yet；〃 she said。 〃With that knife。〃
I don't know what possessed meI swear to you I am no coward； and
yet I acted like a coward。 The horrors got hold of me。 I couldn't
look at herI couldn't speak to her。 I left her （with the knife
in my hand）； and went out into the night。
There was a bleak wind abroad； and the smell of rain was in the
air。 The church clocks chimed the quarter as I walked beyond the
last house in the town。 I asked the first policeman I met what
hour that was； of which the quarter past had just struck。
The man looked at his watch； and answered； 〃Two o'clock。〃 Two in
the morning。 What day of the month was this day that had just
begun？ I reckoned it up from the date of my mother's funeral。 The
horrid parallel between the dream and the reality was completeit
was my birthday！
Had I escaped the mortal peril which the dream foretold？ or had I
only received a second warning？ As that doubt crossed my mind I
stopped on my way out of the town。 The air had revived meI felt
in some degree like my own self again。 After a little thinking； I
began to see plainly the mistake I had made in leaving my wife free
to go where she liked and to do as she pleased。
I turned instantly； and made my way back to the house。 It was
still dark。 I had left the candle burning in the bedchamber。 When
I looked up to the window of the room now； there was no light in
it。 I advanced to the house door。 On going away； I remembered to
have closed it； on trying it now； I found it open。
I waited outside； never losing sight of the house till daylight。
Then I ventured indoorslistened； and heard nothinglooked into
the kitchen； scullery； parlor； and found nothingwent up at last
into the bedroom。 It was empty。
A picklock lay on the floor； which told me how she had gained
entrance in the night。 And that was the one trace I could find of
the Dream Woman。
XIII
I waited in the house till the town was astir for the day； and then
I went to consult a lawyer。 In the confused state of my mind at
the time； I had one clear notion of what I meant to do： I was
determined to sell my house and leave the neighborhood。 There were
obstacles in the way which I had not counted on。 I was told I had
creditors to satisfy before I could leaveI； who had given my wife
the money to pay my bills regularly every week！ Inquiry showed
that she had embezzled every farthing of the money I had intrusted
to her。 I had no choice but to pay over again。
Placed in this awkward position； my first duty was to set things
right； with the help of my lawyer。 During my forced sojourn in the
town I did two foolish things。 And； as a consequence that
followed； I heard once more； and heard for the last time； of my
wife。
In the first place； having got possession of the knife； I was rash
enough to keep it in my pocket。 In the second place； having
something of importance to say to my lawyer； at a late hour of the
evening； I went to his house after darkalone and on foot。 I got
there safely enough。 Returning； I was seized on from behind by two
men； dragged down a passage and robbednot only of the little
money I had about me； but also of the knife。 It was the lawyer's
opinion （as it was mine） that the thieves were among the
disreputable acquaintances formed by my wife； and that they； had
attacked me at her instigation。 To confirm this view I received a
letter the next day； without date or address； written in Alicia's
hand。 The first line informed me that the knife was back again in
her possession。 The second line reminded me of the day when I
struck her。 The third line warned me that she would wash out the
stain of that blow in my blood； and repeated the words； 〃I shall do
it with the knife！〃
These things happened a year ago。 The law laid hands on the men
who had robbed me； but from that time to this； the law has failed
completely to find a trace of my wife。
My story is told。 When I had paid the creditors and paid the legal
expenses； I had barely five pounds left out of the sale of my
house； and I had the world to begin over again。 Some months since
drifting here and thereI found my way to Underbridge。 The
landlord of the inn had known something of my father's family in
times past。 He gave me （all he had to give） my food； and shelter
in the yard。 Except on market days； there is nothing to do。 In
the coming winter the inn is to be shut up； and I shall have to
shift for myself。 My old master would help me if I applied to him
but I don't like to apply： he has done more for me already than I
deserve。 Besides； in another year who knows but my troubles may
all be at an end？ Next winter will bring me nigh to my next
birthday； and my next birthday may be the day of my death。 Yes！
it's true I sat up all last night； and I heard two in the morning
strike： and nothing happened。 Still； allowing for that； the time
to come is a time I don't trust。 My wife has got the knifemy
wife is looking for me。 I am above superstition； mind！ I don't
say I believe in dreams； I only say； Alicia Warlock is looking for
me。 It is possible I may be wrong。 It is possible I may be right。
Who can tell？
THE THIRD NARRATIVE
THE STORY CONTINUED BY PERCY FAIRBANK
XIV
We took leave of Francis Raven at the door of Farleigh Hall； with
the understanding that he might expect to hear from us again。
The same night Mrs。 Fairbank and I had a discussion in the
sanctuary of our own room。 The topic was 〃The Hostler's Story〃；
and the question in dispute between us turned on the measure of
charitable duty that we owed to the hostler himself。
The view I took of the man's narrative was of the purely matter…of…
fact kind。 Francis Raven had；