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ind storm was coming up the Pass : • Boom, boom, I asked himself, would he like this man to be rich ? room. Beat him, beat him, beat him.' Like my No. He had more power than enough over Marnother enraged, - if she was my mother."

guerite as it was, and wealth might invest him with “If she was ?" said Vendale, gradually changing more. Would be like this man to be Marguerite's Es attitude to a sitting one. “If she was ? Why guardian, and yet proved to stand in no degree of o you say if'?”

relationship towards her, however disconnected and - What do I know?” replied the other negligent- distant ? No. But these were not considerations ly throwing up his hands and letting them fall as to come between him and fidelity to the dead. Let they would. “What you would have ? I am so him see to it that they passed him with no other obscurely born, that how can I say? I was very notice than the knowledge that they had passed yoing, and all the rest of the family were men and him, and left hiin bent on the discharge of a solemn wonen, and my so-called parents were old. Any-duty. And he did see to it, so soon that he followed thing is possible of a case like that?"

his companion with ungrudging eyes, while he still "Did you ever doubt - ?”

paced the room ; that companion, whom he supposed * told you once, I doubt the marriage of those to be moodily reflecting on his own birth, and not two,' he replied, throwing up his hands again, as if on another man's - least of all what man's — viobe were throwing the unprofitable subject away. lent Death. * But here I am in Creation. I come of no fine. The road in advance from Basle to Neuchâtel family. What does it matter ?”

was better than had been represented. The latest * A: least you are Swiss,” said Vendale, after fol- weather had done it good. Drivers, both of horses lowing him with his eyes to and fro.

and mules, had come in that evening after dark, * How do I know?” he retorted, abruptly, and and had reported nothing more difficult to be overstopping to look back over his shoulder. "I say to come than trials of patience, harness, wheels, axles, you, at least you are English. How do you and whipcord. A bargain was soon struck for a know?"

carriage and horses, to take them on in the morning, ** By what I have been told from infancy." and to start before daylight. * Ah! I know of myself that way.”

“Do you lock your door at night when travelAnd," added Vendale, pursuing the thought ling?" asked Obenreizer, standing warming his that he could not drive back, “ by my earliest rec- hands by the wood fire in Vendale's chamber, beollections."

fore going to his own. "I also. I know of myself that way, — if that 1 “Not I. I sleep too soundly." may satisfies.”

You are so sound a sleeper ?” he retorted, with « Does it not satisfy you ?”

an admiring look. “What a blessing!” “It must. There is nothing like it must' in “ Anything but a blessing to the rest of the this little world. It must. Two short words those, house," rejoined Vendale, “ if I had to be knocked but stronger than long proof or reasoning."

up in the morning from the outside of my bedroom * You and poor Wilding were born in the same door." year. You were nearly of an age,” said Vendale, “I too,” said Obenreizer, " leave open my room. again thoughtfully looking after him as he resumed But let me advise you, as a Swiss who knows: albis pacing up and down.

ways, when you travel in my country, put your Yes. Very nearly."

papers — and, of course, your money - under your Could Obenreizer be the missing man? In the pillow. Always the same place.” unknown associations of things, was there a subtler “ You are not complimentary to your countrymeaning than he himself thought, in that theory so men,” laughed Vendale. often on his lips about the smallness of the world ? | “My countrymen,” said Obenreizer, with that Had the Swiss letter presenting him, followed so light touch of his friend's elbows by way of good close on Mrs. Goldstraw's revelation concerning the night and benediction, “I suppose, are like the mainfant who had been taken away to Switzerland, jority of men. And the majority of men will take because he was that infant grown a man? In a what they can get. Adieu ! At four in the mornworld where so many depths lie unsounded, iting." zegbt be. The chances, or the laws, - call them “Adieu! At four." ether, that had wrought out the revival of Ven- Left to himself, Vendale raked the logs together, dale's own acquaintance with Obenreizer, and had sprinkled over them the white wood-ashes lying on

pened it into intimacy, and had brought them the hearth, and sat down to compose his thoughts. here together this present winter night, were hard- But they still ran high on their latest theme, and y less curious; while read by such a light, they the running of the river tended to agitate rather rere seen to cohere towards the furtherance of a than to quiet them. As he sat thinking, what little continuous and an intelligible purpose.

disposition he had had to sleep, departed. He felt Vendale's awakened thoughts ran high while his it hopeless to lie down yet, and sat dressed by the eyes musingly followed Obenreizer pacing up and fire. "Marguerite, Wilding, Obenreizer, the business

down the room, the river ever running to the tune : he was then upon, and a thousand hopes and doubts "- Where shall I rob him, if I can? Where shall I that had nothing to do with it, occupied his mind at

sader him, if I must?” The secret of his dead once. Everything seemed to have power over him,

friend was in no hazard from Vendale's lips ; but but slumber. The departed disposition to sleep .. st as his friend had died of its weight, so did he kept far away.

's lighter succession feel the burden of the trust, He had sat for a long time thinking, on the ut the obligation to follow any clew, however ob- hearth, when his candle burned down, and its care He rapidly asked himself, would he like light went out. It was of little moment ; there

s man to be the real Wilding ? No, Argue was light enough in the fire. He changed his down his mistrust as he might, he was unwilling to attitude, and, leaning his arm on the chair-back, put such a substitute in the place of his late guile- and his chin upon that hand, sat thinking still. <s, outspoken, childlike partner. He rapidly | But he sat between the fire and the bed, and, as the fire flickered in the play of air from the fast-| “And armed, too,” said Vendale, glancing at his flowing river, bis enlarged shadow fluttered on the girdle. white wall by the bedside. His attitude gave it an “ A traveller's dagger, that I always carry on tle air, half of mourning, and half of bending over road," he answered, carelessly, balf drawing it fron the bed imploring. His eyes were observant of it, its sheath with his left band, and putting it back when he became troubled by the disagreeable fancy again. “Do you carry no such thing?" that it was like Wilding's shadow, and not his own. * Nothing of the kind."

A slight change of place would cause it to disap- “No pistols ? " said Obenreizer, glancing at tie pear. He made the change, and the apparition of table, and from it to the untouched pillow. his disturbed faney vanished. lle now sat in the “Nothing of the sort." sbade of a little nook beside the fire, and the door | "You Englishmen are so confident! You wish of the room was before him.

to sleep?" It had a long cumbrous iron latch. He saw the "I hare wished to sleep this long time, but I latch slowly and softly rise. The door opened a can't do it?" very little, and came to again: as though only the “I neither, after the bad dream. My fire has air had moved it. But he saw that the latch was gone the way of your candle. Alay I come and sit out of the hasp.

| by yours? Two o'clock! It will so soon be four, The door opened again very slowly, until it that it is not worth the trouble to go to bed again." opened wide enough to admit some one. It after “I shall not take the trouble to go to bed at all, warus remained still for a while, as though cautions- now," said Vendale; “sit here and keep me comly held open on the other side. The figure of a pany, and welcome." man then entered, with its face turned towards the Going back to his room to arrange his dress, bed, and stood quiet just within the door. Until it Obenreizer soon returned in a loose cloak and slipe said, in a low balf-whisper, at the same time taking pers, and they sat down on opposite sides of the one step forward, “ Vendale !"

hearth. In the interval, Vendale had replenished “What now?” he answered, springing from his the fire from the wood-basket in his room, and seat ; " who is it?"

Obenreizer had put upon the table a flask and oup It was Obenreizer, and he uttered a cry of sur from his. prise as Vendale came upon himn from that unex-l "Common cabaret brandy, I am afraid," he said, peeted direction. "Not in bed ? " be said, catching pouring out; "bought upon the road, and not like him by both shoulders with an instinctive tendency yours from Cripple Corner. But yours is exbaustto a struggle, " Then something is wrong!"

ed; so much the worse. A cold night, a cold time What do you mean?” said Vendale, releasing of night, a cold country, and a cold house. This himself

may be better than nothing ; try it." * First tell me ; you are not ill?"

Vendale took the cup, and did so. « III ? No."

* How do you find it?" * I have had a bad dream about you. How is it “ It has a coarse after-flavor," said Vendale, givthat I see you up and dressed ? "

ing back the cup with a slight shudder, "and I ** My good fellow, I may as well ask you how is it don't like it." that I see you up and undressed."

* You are right," said Obenreizer, tasting, and "I have told you why. I have had a bad dream smacking his lips; "it has a coarse after-flavor, and about you. I tried to rest after it, but it was im- I don't like it. Booh! it burns, though!" He possible. I could not make up my mind to stay had flung what remained in the cup, upon the fire. where I was, without knowing you were safe ; and Each of them leaned an elbow on the table, reYet I coulil not make up my mind to come in here. clined his head upon his hand, and sat looking at the I have been minutes hesitating at the door. It is flaring logs. Obenreizer remained watchful and so easy to laugh at a dream that you have not still; but Vendale, after certain nervous twitebes dreamed. Where is your candle ? "

and starts, in one of which he rose to his feet and " Burnt out."

looked wildly about him, fell into the strangest con* I have a whole one in my room. Shall I fetch fusion of dreams. He carried his papers in a leather

case or pocket-book, in an inner breast-pocket of liis * Do so."

buttoned travelling coat; and whatever he dreained llis room was very near, and he was absent for of, in the lethargy that got possession of him, sounebut a few seconds. Coming back with the candle thing importunate in these papers called him out of in his hand, he kneeled down on the hearth and that dream, though be could not wake from it. lighted it. As he blew with his breatly a charred! He was belated on the steppes of Russia (some billet into flame for the purpose, Vendale, looking shadowy person gave that name to the place) with down at lain, saw that his lips were white and not Marguerite, and yet the sensation of a hanıl at his easy of control.

breast, sofuly feeling the outline of the pocket-book Yes!" sul Obenreizer, setting the lighted as he lay asleep before the fire, was present to him. canille on the table, “it was a bad dream. Only Ile was shipwrecked in an open boat at sea, and louk it wie !

having lost his clothes, had no other covering than This feet were bare ; his re l-lannel shirt was an old sail; and yet a creeping hand, tracing out thrown back at the throat, and its sleeves were side all the other pockets of the dress be actually rulled above the elbows; his only other garment, a wore, for papers, and finding none answer its touch, puur of uncler pantaloons or drawers, reaching i warned him to rouse himselt lle was in the ancient ibe ankles, Gitteil him close and tight. A certain vault at Cripple Corner, to which was transferred hathe and savage appearance was on his figure, and the very bed substantial and present in that very bas eves were very bright.

room at Basle ; and Willing (not dead, as he had * If there hal been a wrestle with a robber, as I supposel, and yet he did not wonder much) shok dreamed," said Obenreizer, " you see, I was stripped hiru, and whispered, “ Look at that man! Don't for it."

| you sve he has risen, and is turning the pillow ? Vhy should be tarn the pillow, if not to seek those Vendale, and then smoked heavily, looked up the ppen that are in your breast? Awake!" And road, looked down the road, looked down at the st be slept, and wanderul off into other dreams. stones in the road at bis feet.

Watchful and still, with his elbow on the table “ I bave a very serious matter in charge," said and his head upon that band, bis companion at | Vendale; “ more of these missing forms may be length said: “ Vendale! We are called. Past turned to as bad account, or worse; I am urged to Frir!" Then, opening bis eyes, be saw, turned lose no time in helping the House to take the thief; sideways on him, the filmy face of Obenreizer.. and nothing shall turn me back.”

• You have been in a heavy sleep," he said. “ No ? " cried Obenreizer, taking out bis cigar to - The fatigue of constant travelling and the cold !" smile, and giving his band to his fellow-traveller.

"I am broad awake now," cried Vendale, spring. Then nothing 'sball turn me back. Ho, driver! ing up, but with an unsteady footing. " Have n't Despatch. Quick there! Let us push on!” you slept at all ?”

They travelled through the night. There had "I may have dozed, but I seem to have been pa- been snow, and there was a partial thaw, and they Dently looking at the fire. Whether or no, we must mostly travelled at a foot-pace, and always with

ach, and breakfast, and turn out. Past four, Ven- many stoppages to breathe the splashed and floundale; past four!”

dering horses. After an hour's broad daylight, It was said in a tone to rouge him, for already he they drew rein at the inn-door at Neuchâtel, having vas balf asleep again. In his preparation for the been some eight-and-twenty hours in conquering day, too, and at his breakfast, be was often virtually some eighty English miles. sleep while in mechanical action. It was not un- When they bad hurriedly refreshed and changed, 3 the cold dark day was closing in, that he had any they went together to the house of business of De

tincter impressions of the ride than jingling bells, fregnier and Company. There they found the let bitter weather, slipping horses, frowning willsides, ter which the wine-carrier had described, enclosing Bleak woods, and a stoppage at some wayside the tests and comparisons of hand-writing essential house of entertainment, wbere they had passed to the discovery of the Forger. Vendale's deterDroogh a cowhouse to reach the travellers' room mination to press forward, without resting, being above He had been conscious of little more, ex- already taken, the only question to delay them was cept of Obenreizer sitting thoughtful at his side all by what Pass could they cross the Alps? Respecte 27, and eying bim much.

ing the state of the two Passes of the St. Gotthard Bat when be shook off bis stupor, Obenreizer and the Simplon, the guides and mule-drivers To pot at his side. The carriage was stopping to differed greatly; and both Passes were still far bait at another wayside house; and a line of long enough off, to prevent the travellers from having the marrow carts, laden with casks of wine, and drawn benefit of any recent experience of either. Besides by borses with a quantity of blue collar and heall which, they well knew that a fall of snow might al pear, were baiting too. These came from the di- together change the described conditions in a single section in which the travellers were going, and hour, even if they were correctly stated. But, on Obenreizer (not thoughtful now, but cheerful and the whole, the Simplon appearing to be the hopealert) was talking with the foremost driver. As fuller route, Vendale decided to take it. ObenreiVenilale stretched his limbs, circulated his blood, and zer bore little or no part in the discussion, and deared of the lees of his lethargy, with a sharp run scarcely spoke.

and fro in the bracing air, the line of carts moved To Geneva, to Lausanne, along the level margin D: the drivers all saluting Obenreizer as they of the lake to Vevay, so into the winding valley bejassel him.

tween the spurs of the mountains, and into the valley - Tho are those ?” asked Vendale.

of the Rhone. The sound of the carriage-wheels, as - They are our carriers, - Defresnier and Com- they rattled on, through the day, through the night, punya replied Obenreizer. “Those are our casks became as the wheels of a great clock, recording -f wine." He was singing to himself, and lighting the hours. No change of weather varied the jour

ney, after it had bardened into a sullen frost. In a I have been drearily dull company to-day," said sombre-yellow sky, they saw the Alpine ranges; and Taniale. “I don't know what has bcen the mat they saw cnough of snow on nearer and much z with me."

lower bill-tops and billsides, to sully, by contrast, Yoa bad no sleep last night; and a kind of the purity of lake, torrent, and waterfall, and make ini congestion frequently comes, at first, of such the villages look discolored and dirty. But no snow m2 kl Obenreizer. “ í bave seen it often. After rell, nor was there any snow-drift on the road. The u re shall have our journcy for nothing, it seems." stalking along the valley of more or less of white Ho for nothing?"

mist, changing on their hair and dress into icicles, • The House is at Milan. You know, we are a was the only variety between them and the gloomy Tae House at Neuchâtel, and a Silk House at sky. And still by day, and still by night, the wheels. Bala? Well, Silk happening to press of a sudden, And still they rolled, in the hearing of one of thein,

are than Winc, Detresnier was summoned to to the burden, altered from the burden of the Rhine: SEs Rolland, the other partner, has been taken - The time is gone for robbing him alive, and I must il sme bis departure, and the doctors will allow him muriler him." = no one. A letter awaits you at Neuchâtel! They came, at length, to the poor little town

you so. I have it from our chief carrier of Brieg, at the foot of the Simplon. They came whom you saw me talking with. Ile was surprised there after dark, but yet could see how dwarfed

we ne, and said he had that word for you if men's works and men became with the immense se met you. What do you do? Go back?" mountains towering over them. Here they must * 0n," said Vendale.

lie for the night; and here was warmth of fire, and

lamp, and dinner, and wine, and alter-conference ? Yes. Across the Alps, and down to Milan." resounding, with guides and drivers: No human Obenreizer stopped in his sinoking to look at I creature had come across the Pass for four days. The snow above the snow-line was too soft for rent; tremendous mountains arose in every vista. wheeled carriage, and not hard enough for sledge. The gigantic landscape, uncheered by a touch of There was snow in the sky. There had been snow changing light or a solitary ray of sun, was yet terin the sky for days past, and the marvel was that it ribly distinct in its ferocity. The hearts of two had not fallen, and the certainty was that it must lonely men might shrink a little, if they had to vin fall. No vehicle could cross. The journey might be their way for miles and hours among a legion of tried on mules, or it might be tried on foot; but the silent and motionless men,- mere men like thembest guides must be paid danger-price in either selves, — all looking at them with fixed and frowncase, and that, too, whether they succeeded in taking ing front. But how much more, when the legion is the two travellers across, or turned for safety and of Nature's mightiest works, and the frown may turn brought them back.

to fury in an instant ! In this discussion, Obenreizer bore no part what As they ascended the road became gradually more ever. He sat silently smoking by the fire until the rugged and difficult. But the spirits of Vendale room was cleared and Vendale referred to him. rose as they mounted higher, leaving so much more

“Bah! I am weary of these poor devils and of the road behind them conquered. Obenreizer their trade," he said, in reply. “Always the same spoke little, and held on with a determined purpose. story. It is the story of their trade to-day, as it Both, in respect of agility and endurance, were well was the story of their trade when I was a ragged qualified for the expedition. Whatever the born boy. What do you and I want? We want a mountaineer read in the weather-tokens, tbat was knapsack each, and, a mountain-staff each. We illegible to the other, he kept to himself. want no guide; we should guide him; he would not “Shall we get across to-day?" asked Vendale. guide us. We leave our portmanteaus here, and “No," replied the other. “You see how much we cross together. We have been on the moun- deeper the snow lies here than it lay half a league tains together before now, and I am mountain-born, lower. The higher we mount, the deeper the snow and I know this Pass — Pass ! — rather High Road! will lie. Walking is half wading even now. And

- by heart. We will leave these poor devils, in pity, the days are so short! If we get as high as the fifth to trade with others; but they must not delay to Refuge, and lie to-night at the Hospice, we shall do make a pretence of earning money. Which is all well." they mean."

" Is there no danger of the weather rising in the Vendale, glad to be quit of the dispute, and to night," asked Vendale, anxiously, “and snowing us cut the knot, active, adventurous, bent on getting up ?'

no forward, and, therefore, very susceptible to the last " There is danger enough about us," said Obenhint, readily assented. Within two hours they had reizer, with a cautious glance onward and upward, purchased what they wanted for the expedition, ".to render silence our best policy. You have heard had packed their knapsacks, and lay down to of the Bridge of the Ganther?” sleep.

“I have crossed it once." At break of day they found half the town col-| “In the summer ?” lected in the narrow street to see them depart. “Yes; in the travelling season." The people talked together in groups; the guides * Yes, but it is another thing at this season"; and drivers whispered apart, and looked up at the with a sneer, as though he were out of temper. sky; no one wished them a good journey.

" This is not a time of year, or a state of things, on As they began the ascent a gleam of sun shone an Alpine Pass, that you gentlemen holiday-travelfrom the otherwise unaltered sky, and for a moment lers know much about." turned the tin spires of the town to silver.

" You are my Guide," said Vendale, good humor* A good omen !” said Vendale (though it died edly. “I trust to you." out while he spoke). “ Perhaps our example will "I am your Guide,” said Obenreizer, "and I will open the Pass on this side."

guide you to your journey's end. There is the * No; we shall not be followed," returned Oben-Bridge before us." reizer, looking up at the sky and back at the valley. They had made a turn into a desolate and dismal “ We shall be alone up yonder."

ravine, where the snow lay deep below them, deep

above them, deep on every side. While speaking, ON THE MOUNTAIN.

Obenreizer stood pointing at the bridge, and obTHE road was fair enough for stout walkers, and serving Vendale's face, with a very singular expresthe air grew lighter and easier to breathe as the two sion, on his own. ascended. But the settled gloom remained as it had "If I, as Guide, had sent you over there, in adremained for days back. Nature seemed to have vance, and encouraged you to give a shout or two, come to a pause. The sense of hearing, no less than you might have brought down upon yourself tons the sense of sight, was troubled by having to wait so and tons and tons of snow, that would not only long for the change, whatever it might be, that im- have struck you dead, but buried you deep at a pended. The silence was as palpable and heavy as blow." the lowering clouds, - or rather cloud, for there " No doubt," said Vendale. seemed to be but one in all the sky, and that one “No doubt. But that is not what I have to do, covering the whole of it.

as Guide. So pass silently. Or, going as we go Although the light was thus dismally shrouded, our indiscretion might else crush and bury me. Let the prospect was not obscured. Down in the valley us go on!" of the Rhone behind them, the stream could be There was a great accumulation of snow on the traced through all its many windings, oppressively Bridge; and such enormous accumulations of snow sombre and solemn in its one leaden bue, a color-overhung them from projecting masses of rock, that less waste. Far and high above them, glaciers and they might have been making their way through a suspended avalanches overhung the spots where they stormy sky of white clouds. Using his staff skilmust pass by and by; deep and dark below them on fully, sounding as he went, and looking upward, their right, were awful precipice and roaring tor with bent shoulders, as it were to resist the mera idea of a fall from above, Obenreizer softly led. first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily. Vendale closely followed. They were yet in the After a little while the fall grew much denser, and midst of their dangerous way, when there came a suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl mighty rush, followed by a sound as of thunder. itself into spiral shapes. Instantly ensuing upon Obenreizer clapped his hand on Vendale's mouth, this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and pointed to the track behind them. Its aspect and every sound and force imprisoned until now was had been wholly changed in a moment. An ava- let loose. lanche had swept over it, and plunged into the tor- One of the dismal galleries through which the rent at the bottom of the gulf below.

road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked Their appearance at the solitary Inn not far beyond out by arches of great strength, was near at hand. this terrible Bridge, elicited many expressions of as- They struggled into it, and the storm raged wildly. tonishment from the people shut up in the house. The noise of the wind, the noise of the water, the " We stay but to rest,” said Obenreizer, shaking the thundering down of displaced masses of rock and snow from his dress at the fire. - This gentleman snow, the awful voices with which not only that has very pressing occasion to get across; tell them, gorge, but every gorge in the whole monstrous range Vendale."

seemed to be suddenly endowed, the darkness as of " Assuredly, I have very pressing occasion. I night, the violent revolving of the snow which beat must cross."

and broke it into spray and blinded them, the mad“You hear, all of you. My friend bas very ness of everything around insatiate for destruction, pressing occasion to get across, and we want no ad- the rapid substitution of furious violence for unnatuvice and no help. I am as good a guide, my fellow- ral calm, and hosts of appalling sounds for silence : countrymen, as any of you. Now, give us to eat | these were things, on the edge of a deep abyss, to and drink.”

chill the blood, though the fierce wind, made actuIn exactly the same way, and in nearly the same ally solid by ice and snow, had failed to chill it. words, when it was coming on dark and they had Obenreizer, walking to and fro in the gallery struggled through the greatly increased difficulties without ceasing, signed to Vendale to help him unof the road, and had at last reached their destina- buckle his knapsaek. They could see each other, tion for the night, Obenreizer said to the astonished but could not have heard each other speak. Venpeople of the Hospice, gathering about them at the dale complying, Obenreizer produced his bottle of fire, while they were yet in the act of getting their wine, and poured some out, motioning Vendale to wet shoes off and shaking the snow from their take that for warmth's sake, and not brandy. Venclothes,

dale again complying, Obenreizer seemed to drink " It is well to understand one another, friends all. after him, and the two walked backwards and forThis gentleman — "

wards, side by side; both well knowing that to rest -" Has," said Vendale, readily taking him upor-sleep would be to die. with a smile," very pressing occasion to get across. The snow came driving heavily into the gallery Must cross.”

by the upper end at which they would pass out of “You hear ? — has very pressing occasion to get it, if they ever passed out; for greater dangers lay across, must cross. We want no advice and no help. on the road behind them than before. The snow I am mountain-born, and act as Guide. Do not soon began to choke the arch. An hour more, and it worry us by talking about it, but let us have supper, lay so high as to block out half of the returning day. and wine, and bed."

light. But it froze hard now, as it fell, and could All through the intense cold of the night, the be clambered through or over. The violence of the same awful stillness. Again at sunrise, no sunny mountain storm was gradually yielding to a steady tinge to gild or redden the snow. The same intermi- snowfall. The wind still raged at intervals, but not nable waste of deathly white; the same immovable incessantly; and when it paused, the snow fell in air; the same monotonous gloom in the sky. heavy flakes.

“ Travellers !” a friendly voice called to them. They might have been two hours in their frightful from the door, after they were afoot, knapsack on prison, when Obenreizer, now crunching into the back and staff in hand, as yesterday; " recollect! | mound, now creeping over it with his head bowed There are five places of shelter, near together, on down and his body touching the top of the arch, the dangerous road before you; and there is the made his way out. Vendale followed close upon wooden cross, and there is the next Hospice. Do him, but followed without clear motive or calculanot stray from the track. If the Tourmente comes tion. For the lethargy of Basle was creeping over on, take shelter instantly!"

him again, and mastering his senses. “ The trade of these poor devils !” said Obenrei- How far he had followed out of the gallery, or zer to his friend, with a contemptuous backward with what obstacles he had since contended, he wave of his hand towards the voice. “How they knew not. He became roused to the knowledge stick to their trade! You Englishmen say we Swiss that Obenreizer had set upon him, and that they are mercenary. Truly, it does look like it."

were struggling desperately in the snow. He beThey had divided between the two knapsacks, came roused to the remembrance of what his assailsuch refreshments as they had been able to obtain ant carried in a girdle. He felt for it, drew it, that morning, and as they deemed it prudent to struck at him, struggled again, struck at him again, take. Obenreizer carried the wine as his share of cast him off, and stood face to face with him. the burden; Vendale, the bread and meat and “I promised to guide you to your journey's end," cheese, and the flask of brandy.

· said Obenreizer, and I have kept my promise. They had for some time labored upward and on- The journey of your life ends here. Nothing can ward through the snow – which was now above prolong it. You are sleeping as you stand.” their knees in the track, and of unknown depth “ You are a villain. What have you done to elsewhere and they were still laboring upward me?" and onward through the most frightful part of that “You are a fool. I have drugged you. You are tramandone dacolarion when ennw honan to fall Aul doublu o fool for I Arnemad van anna hoforo ninon

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