The Silver Bullet

peevishly. "I can't go a step further," and

ew himself down beside his companion and continued grumbling. "You have tobacco, a fine nigh

is cigarettes, "we have been trudging it since eight in the

ar-stretching as the plain of Shinar. In the luminous summer twilight, the eye could see for a moderate distance, but

ite, would have appealed on ordinary occasions to the poetical and superstitious side of Robin's nature. But at the moment, his nerves were uppermost. He was worn-out, fractious as a child, and in his helplessness could have cried like one.

dish stretch to you. However we are within hail of civilization, and in England. A few miles further w

I am no Hercules like you Jim," he protested sullenly; "all your finer feelings have been blunted by beef and beer. You can't feel things as I do. A

t its enjoyment as a whole would give you. It was jolly enough last week sauntering through th

l another. "It was no lark which took me up Jim. The lette

want of food make me savage. We'll rest here for a time, and t

his elbow, Herrick, cross-legged like a fakir, gave himself up to the enjoyment of a disreputabl

which searches for sorrow, as a more joyous nature hunts for pleasure. The blow of Mrs. Joyce's death had fallen unexpectedly, but it brought home to Robin, the knowledge--strange as it may sound--that a mental pleasure can be plucked from misfortune. He locked himself in his room, wept much, and ate little; neglected his bus

y. As it was, he merely saw that Robin yielded to an unrestrained grief detrimental to his health, and insisted upon carrying him off for a spell in the open air. With less trouble than he anticipated, Robin's con

power dominated the feebler muscular force, and that the man would go on like a blood-horse until he dropped from shee

o London," said Herrick pursui

or mother's property. In my sorrow, I had neglected to look after it, but at Southberry Junct

usiness took some time to settle; but it resulted in the knowledge that Joyce found himself possessed of five hundred a year in Consols. "Also the flat and t

ewly-filled pipe. "Did

ght at the Hull Hotel, a small house in one of the Stran

you are as to detail Robin. Well, Southberry is a goodish way b

ur, I shall make the attempt to reach Sax

wake the landlord, I calcula

he way Jim, what did yo

Herrick chuckled. "Fe

no time about

; dark hair, creamy skin, sea-blue eye

upted Joyce, "blue eyes, black hair, that

rate, who did not deserve such a companion.

riety of tones then J

me with a single hair, therefore I thrilled responsive. Love at first

yce, springing to his f

peration. "Wonderful man. One minute you are dying, the next skipping l

rishly, "I feel that I have to walk them, and

orted the doctor unstrapping his knapsack.

an ever in the faint light of the match; but his great black eyes flamed like wind-blown torches. The contrast of Herrick's sun-tanned Saxon looks, struck him as almost ludicrous. Joyce needed no mirror to assure him

rick, the knapsack again on his broad back. "F

ry tale on their travels. But in this case it was the giant who did all the work. Joyce was a pampered, lazy, irresponsible child, in t

but plain and mist. At the end of two miles a dark bulk like a thunder-cloud, lo

moor is fringed with pine-woods: remember

lands by night. The fairies are about and goblins of the worst.

then Robin," said Herrick and stared at the w

began to chant the gruesome rhymes of the sisterhood, as Mac

the heart of the pines. The aerial light vanished behind the leafy sc

r if you like Robin, we can skirt round

I want a bed and a meal as soon as possible. Th

h. We'll follow it to the light. That comes f

ian gloom suggestive of the underworld. No wind swung the heavy pine-boughs; the wild creatures of the wood gave no sign, made no stir: yet the explorers heard a low persistent swish-swurr-swish, like the murmur of a dying breeze. It came from no particular direction, but droned on all sides without pause, without change of note. Herrick heard Robin's hysterical sob, as the insis

an outhouse. One would think that this was an inferior Aladdin's palace dropped here by som

as his companion. "H'm! Queer thing to find Versailles in

and mullioned windows, terraces and flights of shallow steps: the whole weather-worn and grey in the moonlight, over-grown with ivy, and distinctly ruinous. The dilapidated state of the house, contrasted in a rather sinister manner with the perfectly-kept lawn. Also another curious contrast, was

"or it may be that the tower is an inland pharos, to guide trav

ked Dr. Jim as the

xplain. But to my mind, there is something sinister in this

in. Hullo! the door is open," and in the strong

ed in red velvet: also statues of Greek gods and goddesses, holding aloft opaque globes, radiant with light. A vast marble staircase with wide and shallow steps, sloped upwards, and on either side of this, from the height of the landing fell scarlet velvet curtains,

he awe-struck Robin. "Who can say romance is dea

no one, hearing nothing, he touched an ivory button, that glimmered a white spot beside the door. Immediately a silvery succession of

er a few minutes had passed. "Has a Borgian banquet taken place he

octor roughly squeezing the little

the house. Passing through the crimson curtains, they found themselves in a wide corridor enamelled green, with velvet carpet and more light-bearing statues. On ei

ase in the centre was filled with flowers, but these drooped, withered and brown. The bread also was stale, the fruits were shrivelled from their early freshness. Magnificently furnished and draped, the room glowe

of the silver dishes, "it has stood here for hours, if not for day

loved Beauty, since you call him a creature

g many different vintages. Passing over these he selected a pint bottle of champagne. "W

th a staccato sound in the silence. "How

lied the doctor brimming a goblet, "however the whole adventure

way to further explorations. Adjacent to the dining-room, they discovered a small kitchen, white-tiled and completely furnished. "Our hermit

plendid furniture, silver knick-knacks, costly china, and Eastern hangings of great price. There was a library stored with books in magnificent

he lacquer work, and stiff embroideries of Yeddo and Yokahama; a shooting gallery; a bowling alley; a music room, containing a magnificent Erard. Finally a dozen bedrooms furnished with taste and luxury. To crown all they discovered a gymnasium fitted up completely even to foils a

ng, they found nothing but darkness and dirt, squalor and coldness. The hermit's attention to his mansion stopped short at

ieves! Crammed with treasures, brilliant with light, uninhabited, deserted. Was there ever anything so wonderful? He had to pinch himself to m

th unusual common sense, "It is the only place we have left

d have heard the bell. However c

locked however, and having knocked without receiving a reply he opened it. Joyce at his heels peeped over his shoulder and beheld a small square room with windows on all four sides, and a large central globe burning in the ceiling. In contrast

tral feature, the body of a man lying face downwards, near the bed. J

im asked himself as he

scrutinising eye of Dr. Herrick. A lean evil face, with a hook nose, scanty grey hair cut short and a long moustache carefully trimmed. The

d Joyce not daring to

de apparently. Dead over twenty-four hours. Shot through the heart. A steady hand to do that. H'm, left-han

t time to spring forward when Joyce lunged into his arms. Th