 Part 6 Chapter 7 of the Manxman. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings were in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain. Part 6 Chapter 7. While the deemster was stepping up to the dais, the people in the court were rising to receive him. A poor, bedraggled wayfarer was toiling through the country towards the town. It was a woman. She must have walked far. Her step was so slow and so heavy. From time to time she rested, not sitting, but standing by the gates of the fields as she came to them, and holding by the topmost bar. When she emerged from the dark lanes into the lamplit streets, her pace quickened for a moment. Then it slackened, and then it quickened again. She walked close to the houses as if trying to escape observation. Where there was a short cut through an ill-lighted thoroughfare, she took it. Anyone following her would have seen that she was familiar with every corner of the town. It would be hard to imagine a woman of more miserable appearance. Not that her clothes were so mean, though they were poor and worn, but that an air of humiliation sat upon her, such as a dog has when it is lost and the children are chasing it. Her dress was that of an old woman, the long mank's cloak of blue homespun fastened by a great hook close under the chin and having a hood which is drawn over the head. But in spite of this old-fashioned garment and the uncertainty of her step, she gave the impression of a young woman. Where the white frill of the old country woman's cap should have shown itself under the flange of the hood, there was a veil which seemed to be suspended from a hat. The oddity and incongruity of her attire attracted attention. Women came out of their houses and crossed through the doors of neighbours to look after her. Even the boys playing at the corners looked up as she went by. She was not greatly observed for all that. An unusual interest agitated the town. A wave of commotion flowed down the streets. The traffic went in one direction. That direction was the courthouse. The courthouse square was thronged on three of its sides by people who were gathered both on the pavement and on the green inside the railings. Its fourth side was the dark lane at the back going by the door to the prisoner's yard and the deemster's entrance. The windows were lit up and partly open. Some of the people had edged the walls as if to listen and a few had clambered to the sills as if to see. Around the wide doorway there was a close crowd that seemed to cling to it like a burr. The woman had reached the first angle of the square when the upper half of the courthouse door broke into light over the heads of the crowd. A man had come out. He surged through the crowd and came down to the gate with a tale of people trailing after him and asking questions. Wonderful he was saying. The deemster's spaking. Oh, Daniel, come to judgment, sir. Pity for Tom, though. The man'll get time. I'm sorry for an old friend, but the lords will be done. Let not the ties of affection be a snare to our feet. It'll be five years if it's a day. And God willing, he'll never live to see the end of it. It was Caesar. He crossed the street to the mitre. The woman trembled and turned towards the lane at the back. She walked quicker than ever now and stumbling over the irregular cobbles of the paved way, she stopped suddenly at the sound of a voice. By this time she was at the door to the prisoner's yard and it was standing open. The door of the corridor leading by the deemster's chamber to the courthouse was also a jar, as if it had been open to relieve the heat of the crowded room within. Be just and fear not, said the voice. Remember whatever unconscious misrepresentations have been made this day, whatever deliberate false swearing and God and the consciences of the guilty ones know well there have been both, truth is mighty and in the end it will prevail. The poor bedraggle wayfarer stood in the darkness and trembled. Her hands clutched at the breast of the cloak. Her head dropped into her breast and a half smothered moan escaped from her. She knew the voice. It had once been very sweet and dear to her. She had heard it at her ear in tones of love. It was the voice of the deemster. He was speaking from the judge's seat. The people were hanging on his lips. And he was standing in the shadow of the dark lane under the prisoner's wall. The woman was Kate. It was true that she had been to London. It was false that she had lived the life of shame there. In six months she had descended to the depths of poverty and provations. One day she had encountered Ross. He was fresh from the Isle of Man and he told her of the child's illness. The same night she turned her face towards home. It was three weeks since she had returned to the island and she was then low in health, in heart and in pocket. The snow was falling. It was a bitter night growing dizzy with the drifting whiteness and numb of the piercing cold. She had crept up to a lonely house and asked Shelter until the storm should cease. The house was the home of three old people. Two old brothers and an old sister who had always lived together. In this household Kate had spent three weeks of sickness and the mank's cloak on her back was a parting gift which the old woman had hung over her thinly-clad shoulders. Back in the roads Kate had time to tell herself how foolish was her journey. She was like a sailor who has the alarming news of home in some foreign port and he has nothing afterwards until he comes to harbour. A month had passed so many things might have happened. The child might be better. He might be dead and buried. Nevertheless she pushed on. When she left London she had been full of bitterness towards Philip. It was his fault that she had ever been parted from her baby. She would go back. If she brought shame upon him let him bear it. On coming near to home this feeling of vengeance died. Nothing was left but a great longing to be with a little one and a sense of her own degradation. Every face she recognised seemed to remind her of the change that had been wrought in herself since she had looked on at last. She dare not ask. She dare not speak. She dare not reveal herself. While she stood in the shadow of the prisoner's yard listening to Philip's voice and held by it as by a spell there was a low hiss and then a sort of white silence as when a rocket breaks in the air. The deemster had finished. The people in the court were breathing audibly and moving in their seats. A minute later she was standing by her old home. Hers no longer and haunted in her mind by many bitter memories. It was dark and cheerless. Her candle had been burning in the parlour but it was now spluttering in the fat at the socket. As she looked into the room it blinked and went out. During the last mile of her journey she had made up her mind what she would do. She would creep up to the house and listen for the sound of a child's voice. If she heard it and the voice was that of a child that was well she would be content. She would go away. And if she did not hear it, if the child was gone if there was no longer any child there if it was in heaven she would go away just the same. Only God knew how. God knew where. The road was quiet. With trembling fingers she raised the latch of the gate and stepped two paces into the garden. There was no sound from within. She took two steps more and listened intently. Nothing was audible. Her heart fell yet lower. She told herself that when a child lived in a house the very air breathed of its presence and its little voice was everywhere. Then she remembered that it was late, that it was night that even if the child were well it would now be bathed and in bed. How foolish she thought and she took a few steps more. She had meant to reach the hall window and look in but before she could do so something came scutting along the path in her direction. It was the dog and he was barking furiously. All at once he stopped and began to caper about her. Then he broke into barking again this time with a note of recognition and delight shot into the house and came back still barking and making a circle of joyful salutation in the darkness round her. Quaking with fear of instant discovery she crept under the old tree and waited. Nobody came from the house. There's no one at home she told herself and at that thought the certainty that the child was gone fell on her as an oppression of distress. Nevertheless she stepped up to the porch and listened again. There was no sound within except the ticking of the clock. Making a call on her courage she pushed the door open with the tips of her fingers. It made a rustle as the bottom brushed over the rushes. At that she uttered a faint cry and crept back trembling but all was silence again in an instant. The fire gave out a strong red glow which spread over the walls and the ceiling. Her mind took in the impression that the place was almost empty but she had no time for such observations. With slow and stiff motions she slid into the house. Then she heard a sleepy whimper and it thrilled her. In an instant she had seen the thing she looked for the cradle with its hood towards the door and its foot to the fire. At the next moment she was on her knees beside it doubled over it and crying softly to the baby looking so different smelling of milk and of sleep. My darling, my darling. That was the moment when Pete was coming up the path. The dog was frisking and barking about him. She's dead he was saying. The man lied. She's dead. With that word on his lips he heaved heavily into the house. As he did so he became aware that someone was there already. Before his eye had carried the news to his brain his ear had told him. He heard a voice which he knew well though it seemed to be a memory of no waking moment but to come out of the darkness and the hours of sleep. It was a soft and mellow voice saying my beautiful darling, my beautiful rosy darling, my darling, my darling. He saw a woman kneeling by the cradle with both arms buried in it as though they encircled the sleeping child. Her hood was thrown back and her head was bare. The firelight fell on her face and he knew it. He passed his hand across his eyes as if trying to wipe out the apparition but it remained. He tried to speak but his tongue was stiff. He stood motionless instead. He could not remove his eyes. Kate heard the door thrown open and she lifted her head in terror. Pete was before her with a violent expression on his face. The expression changed and he looked at her as if she had been a spirit. Then in a voice of war he said Who art thou? Don't you know me? She answered timidly. It seemed as if he did not hear. Then it's true he muttered to himself. The man did not lie. She felt her knees trembling under her. I haven't come to stay, she faltered. They told me the child was ill and I couldn't help coming. Still he did not speak to her. As he looked his face grew awful. The dew of fear broke out on her forehead. Don't you know me, Pete? She said in a helpless way. Still he stood looking down at her and fixedly, almost threateningly. I'm Catherine, she said, with a downcast look. Catherine is dead, he answered, vacantly. Oh, oh! She is in her grave, he said again. Oh, that she were in her grave indeed said Kate and she covered her face with her hands. She is dead and buried and gone from this house forever, said Pete. He did not intend to cast her off. He was only muttering vague words in the first spasm of his pain but she mistook them for commands to her to go. There was a moment's silence and then she uncovered her face and said, I understand, yes, I will go away. I oughtn't to have come back at all. I know that, but I will go now. I won't trouble you any more. I will never come again. She kissed the child passionately. It rubbed its little face with the back of its hand but it did not awake. She pulled the hood onto her head and fell over her face. Then she lifted herself feebly to her feet, stood a moment looking about her, made a faint pathetic cry and slid out at the door. When she was gone, Pete, without uttering a word or a sound, stumbled into a chair before the fire, put one hand on the cradle and fell to rock in it. After some time he looked over his shoulder like a man who was coming out of unconsciousness and said, hey? The soul has room for only one great emotion at once and he had begun to say to himself, she's alive, she's here. The air of the house seemed to be soft with her presence. Hush! He got onto his feet. Kate, he called softly, very softly, as if she were near and had only just crossed the threshold. Kate, he called again more loudly. Then he went out at the porch and floundered along the path, crying again and again in a voice of boundless emotion. Kate, Kate, Kate! But Kate did not hear him. He was tugging at the gate to open it when something seemed to give way inside his head and a horse groan came from his throat. She's better dead, he thought, and then reel back to the house like a drunken man. The fire looked black as if it had gone out. He sat down in the darkness and put his hand into his teeth to keep himself from crying out. End of Part 6, Chapter 7 Part 6, Chapter 8 of The Manxman This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6, Chapter 8 The deemster in the half-lit courthouse was passing sentence. Prisoner, he said, you have been found guilty by the jury of your countrymen of one of the cruelest of the crimes of imposture. You have deceived the ignorant, betrayed the unwary, lied to the simple and robbed the poor. You have built your life upon a lie, and in your old age it brings you to confusion. In ruder times than ours your offence would have worn another complexion. It would have been called witchcraft, not imposture, and your doom would have been death. The sentence of the court is that it was handed to the castle russian for the term of one year. Black Tom, who had stood during the deemster's sentence with his bald head bent, wiping his eyes on his sleeve and leaving marks on his face, recovered his self-conceit as he was being hustled out of the court. You're right, Dempster, he cried. Witchcraft isn't worth nothing now. Religion's the only roguery that's going these days. Your friend Caesar was wise, sir. He respects to him, Dempster, and may you live up to your own text yourself, too. If my industry and integrity set a solemn voice at the door, and what's it saying in scripture? If any provide not for his own house he is worse than an infertile. But the Lord is my shield. What for shall I defend myself? I'm a worm and no man set the Psalms. The Psalms is about right then, Caesar, shouted Black Tom from between through constables. In the commotion that followed on the prisoner's noisy removal, the clerk of the court was heard to speak to the Dempster. There was another case just come in, attempted suicide. Woman tried to fling herself into the harbour, being prevented. Would his honour take it now or let it stand over for the high bailiff's court? We'll take it now, said the Dempster. We may dismiss her in a moment, poor creature. The woman was brought in. She was less like a human creature than like a heap of half-drenched clothes. The cloak which looked black with the water that soaked it at the hood covered her body and head. Her face seemed to be black also for a veil which she wore was wet and clung to her features like a glove. Some of the people in court recognised her figure even in the uncertain candlelight. She was the woman who had been seen to come into the town during the hour of the court's adjournment. Half helped, half dragged by constables, she entered the prisoner's dock. There she clutched the bar before her as if to keep herself from falling. Her head was bent down between her shrinking shoulders as if she were going through the agony of shame and degradation. The woman shouldn't have been brought here like this. Quick, be quick, said the Dempster. The evidence was brief. One of the constables being on duty in the marketplace had heard screams from the key. On reaching the place he had found her carrying a woman up the key steps. Mr. Quarry, coming out of the harbour office, had seen a woman go by like the wind. A moment afterwards he had heard a cry and had run to the second steps. The woman had been caught by a boat-hook in attempting to get into the water. She was struggling to drown herself. The Dempster watched the prisoner intently. Is anything known about her, he asked. The clerk answered that she appeared to be a stranger but she would give no information. Then the sergeant of police stepped up to the dock. In emphatic tones, the big little person asked the woman various questions. What was her name? No answer. Where did she come from? No answer. What was she doing in Ramsey? Still no answer. Your honour, said the sergeant. Doubtless this is one of the human wrecks that come drifting to our shores in the summer season. The poorest of them are often unable to get away when the season is over and so wander over the island a pest and a burden to every place they set foot in. Then turning back to the figure crouching in the dock he said, Woman, are you a street-walker? The woman gave a piteous cry let go her hold of the bar sank back to the seat behind her brushed up the wet black veil and covered her face with her hands. Sit down this instant Mr. Gorn said the Dempster hotly and there was a murmur of approval from behind. We must not keep this woman a moment longer. He rose, leaned across to the rail in front, clasped his hands before him looked down at the woman in the dock and said in a low tone that would have been barely loud enough to reach her ears but for the silence as of a tomb in the court. My poor woman, is there anybody who can answer for you? The prisoner stooped her head lower and began to cry. When a woman is so unhappy as to try to take her life it sometimes occurs only too sadly that another is partly to blame for the condition that tempts her to the crime. The Dempster's voice was as soft as a caress if there is such a one in this case we ought to learn it you ought to stand by your side it is only right, it is only just is there anybody here who knows you? The prisoner was now crying piteously ah, we mean no harm to anyone it is in the nature of woman however low she may sink, however deep her misfortunes to shield her dearest enemy that is the brave impulse of the weakest among women and all good men respected but the law has its duty and in this instance it is one of mercy the woman moaned audibly don't be afraid my poor girl, nobody shall harm you here take courage and look around is there anybody in court who can speak for you? who can tell us how you came to the place where you are now standing? the woman let fall her hands raised her head and looked up at the Dempster face to face and eye to eye yes she said there is one the Dempster's countenance became pale his eyes glistened his look wandered his lips trembled he was biting them, they were bleeding let her be well cared for there was a tumult in a moment everybody had recognised the prisoner as she was being taken out though shame and probation had so altered her Peter Quilliam's wife Caesar Cregine's daughter where's the man himself then it's truth they're telling it's not dead she is at all but worse Laura Massey what a trouble for the Dempster when Kate was gone the court ought to have adjourned instantly yet the Dempster remained in his seat there was a mist before his eyes which dazzled him he had a look at once wild and timid his limbs pained although they were swelling to enormous size he felt as if a heavy invisible hand had been laid on the top of his head the clerk caught his eye and then he rose with an apologetic air took hold of the rail and made an effort to cross the dais at the next moment the servant, Gemma Lord had leapt up to his side but he made an impatient gesture as if declining help there are three steps going down to the floor of the court and a handrail on one side of them coming to these steps he stumbled muttered some confused words and fell forward onto his face the people were on their feet by this time and there was a rush to the place stand back he's only fainted cried Gemma Lord worse than that said the sergeant get him to bed and send for Dr. Milkreist instantly where can we take him said somebody they keep a room for him at Elm Cottage said somebody else no not there said Gemma Lord it's nearest and there's no time to lose said the sergeant then they lifted Philip and carried him as he lay in his wig and gown as deemster to the house of Pete End of Part 6 Chapter 8 Part 6 Chapter 9 of The Manxman this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings were in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 9 there was a kind of mental shock which like an earthquake under a prison bursts open every cell and lets the inmates escape after a time Pete remembered that he was sitting in the dark and he got up to light a candle looking for candle stick and matches he went from table to dresser from dresser to table and from table back to dresser doing the same thing over and over again and not perceiving that he was going round and round when at length the candle was lighted he took it in his hand and went into the parlour like a sleepwalker he set it on the mantelpiece and sat down on the stool in his blurred vision confused forms floated about him with the tools he thought and picked up the mallet and two of the chisels he was sitting with these in his hands when his eyes fell on the other candle stick the one in which the candle had gone out I meant to light a candle he thought and he got up and took the empty candle stick into the hall when he came back with another lighted candle he perceived that there were two I'm going stupid he thought and he blew out the first one a moment afterwards he forgot that he had done so and seeing the second still burning he blew that out also so dull were his senses that he did not realise that anything was amiss his eyes were seeing objects everywhere about they were growing to awful size and threatening him his ears were hearing noises they were making a fearful tumult inside his head the room was not entirely dark a shaft of bleared moonlight came and went at intervals going through an angry sky sometimes appearing sometimes disappearing Pete returned to the stool and then he was in the light but the nameless stone leaning against the wall was in the shade he took up the mallet and chisels again intending to work how she said as he began the clamour in his brain was so loud that he thought someone was making a noise in the house this task was sacred he always worked at it in silence pat-pat how long he worked he never knew there are moments which are not to be measured as time in the uncertain handling of the chisel and the irregular beat of the mallet something gave way there was a harsh sound like a groan a crack like a flash of forked lightning had shot across the face of the stone he had split it in half its great pieces fell to the floor on either side of him then he remembered that the stone had been useless it doesn't matter now he thought nothing mattered with the mallet hanging from his hand he continued to sit in the drifting moonlight feeling as if everything in the world had been shivered to atoms his two idols had been scattered at one blow his wife and his friend the golden threads that had bound him to life were broken when poverty had come he had met it without repining when death had seemed to come he had borne up against it bravely but wifeless friendless, deceived where he had loved betrayed where he had worshiped he was bankrupt he was broken and a boundless despair took hold of him when hope is entirely gone anguish will sometimes turn a man into a monster there was a fretful cry from the cradle and still in the stupa of his despair he went out to rock it the fire which had only slid and smoldered was now struggling into flame and the child looked up at him with Philip's eyes a knife seemed to enter his heart at that moment he was more desolate than he had thought hush my child, hush he said without thinking his child? he had none that solace was gone anger came to save his reason not to have felt anger he must have been less than a man or more he remembered what the child had been to him he remembered what it was when it came and again when he thought his mother was dead he remembered what it was when death frowned on it and what it had been since death passed it by flesh of his flesh blood of his blood bone of his bone heart of his heart not his merely but himself a lie, a mockery, a delusion a deception this did oh she had hidden her secret she had thought it was safe but the child itself had betrayed it the secret had spoken from the child's own face yet I've seen her kneel by the cot and pray God bless my baby and its father and its mother why had he not killed her? a wild vision rose before him of killing Kate and then going to the deemster and saying take me I have murdered her because you have dishonoured her condemn me to death yet remember God lives and he will condemn you to damnation but the pity of it the pity of it by a quick revolt of tenderness he recalled Kate as he had just seen her crouching at the back of the cradle like a hunted hare with uplifted paws uttering its last pitiful cry he remembered her altered face so pale even in the far light so thin so worn and his anger began to smoke against Philip the flower that he would have been proud to wear on his breast Philip had buried in the dark curse him, curse him she had given up all for that man husband, child, father, mother her friends, her good name the very light of heaven how she must have loved him yet he had been ashamed of her had hidden her away had been in fear lest the very air should whisper of her whereabouts curse him, curse him curse him, curse him in the heat of his great anger Pete thought of himself also jealousy was far beneath him but like all great souls this simple man had known something of the grandeur of friendship two streams running into them and taking heaven into their bosom but Philip had kept him apart had banked him off and yet drained him to the dregs he had uncovered his nakedness the nakedness of his soul itself bit by bit Pete pieced together the history of the past months he remembered the night of Kate's disappearance when he had gone to Belour and shouted up at the lighted window I've sent her to England thinking to hide her fault at that moment Philip had known all where she was for it was where he had sent her why she was gone and that she was gone forever curse him, curse him the letters, the first one that he had put into Philip's hand the second that he had read to him the third that Philip had written to his dictation the little forgeries to keep her poor name sweet the little inventions to make his story plausible the little lies of love the little jests of a breaking heart and then the messages the presence to the child the reference to the deemster himself and the deemster had sat there and seen through it all one sees through glass yet he had given no sign he had never spoken he had held a quivering naked heart in his hand while his own lay within as cold as a stone curse him, oh God, curse him Pete remembered the night when Philip came to tell him that Kate was dead and how he had comforted himself with the thought that he was not altogether alone in his great trouble because his friend was with him he remembered the journey to the grave the grave itself another's grave how he knelt at the foot of it and prayed aloud in Philip's hearing forgive me, my poor girl how shall I kill him, thought Pete deemster too first deemster now and held high in honour worshipped for his justice beloved for his mercy oh God, oh God there are passions so over mastering that they stifle speech to the animal with an inarticulate shout Pete went to the parlour and caught up the mallet a frantic thought had flashed on him of killing Philip as he sat on the bench which he had disgraced administering the law which he had outraged the wild justice of this idea made the blood to bubble in his ears he saw himself holding the deemster by the throat and crying aloud to the people you think this man is a just judge he is a whited sepulcher you think he is as true as the sun he is as false as the sea he has robbed me of wife and child at the very gates of heaven he has lied to me like hell the hour of justice has struck and thus I pay him and thus and thus but the power of words was lost in the drunkenness of his rage with a dismal roar he flung the mallet away and it rolled on the ground in narrowing circles my hands, my hands he thought he would strangle Philip and then he would kill everybody in his way merely for the lust of killing why not? the fatal line was passed nothing sacred remained the world was a howling wilderness of boundless license with the savage growl of a caged beast this wild man flung himself on the door tore it open and bound it on to the path then he stopped suddenly there was a thunderous noise outside such as the waves make in a cave a company of people were coming in at the gate some were walking with the heavy step of men who carry a corpse others were bearing lanterns and a few held high over their heads the torches which fishermen use when they are hauling the white nets at night who's there cried Pete in a voice that was like a howl your friend said somebody my friend I have no friend cried Pete on raw deed he's gone seemingly said a voice out of the dark Pete did not hear seeing the crowd and the lights but only as darkness veined with fire he thought Philip was coming again as he had so often seen him come in his glory in his greatness in his triumph where is he he roared he's here they answered and then Philip was brought up the path in the arms of four bearers his head hanging aside and shaking his face white as the wig above it and he's gown trailing along the earth there was a sudden calm and Pete dropped back in awe and horror a bolt out of heaven seemed to have fallen at his feet and he trembled as if lightning had blinded him dead his anger had ebbed his fury had dashed itself against a rock his towering rage had shrunk to nothing in the face of this awful presence the dark spirit had gone before him and snatched his victim out of his hands he had come out to kill this man and here he met him being brought home dead dead then his sin was dead also God forgive him God forgive him where he was gone presumptuous man stand back almighty and merciful death death the liberator the deliverer the partner the peacemaker even the shadow of thy face quenched the fires of revenge even the gathering of thy wings can deaden the clamour of madness and turn hatred into love and curses into prayers End of Part 6 Chapter 9 Part 6 Chapter 10 of The Manxman This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings were in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 10 In that stripped and naked house there was one room still untouched it was the room that had been kept for the deemster Philip lay on the bed motionless and apparently lifeless Gemma Lord stood beating his hands at the foot Pete sat on a low stool at the side with his face doubled onto his knees Nancy now back from Solby was blowing into the bars of the great Kindle of Fire a little group of men stood huddled like sheep near the door someone said the deemster's harp was beating they brought from another room a little ivory hand-glass and held it over the mouth when they raised it the face of the mirror was faintly blurred that little cloud on the glass seemed more bright than the shining tread of an angel on the sea Gemma Lord took a sponge and began to moisten the coal forehead one by one the people behind produced their old wife's wisdom somebody remembered that his grandmother went to the nostrils of a person seemingly dead somebody else remembered that when on the very day of old iron Christian's death his father had been thrown by a colt and laid twelve hours unconscious the farrier had bled him and he had opened his eyes instantly the doctor had been half an hour gone to Belor and a man had been put on a horse and sent after him but it was a twelve miles journey the night was dark they touched Pete on the shoulder and suggested something eh? he answered vacantly days they told themselves the poor man could not give a wise like answer he had had a shock and there was worse before him they talked in low voices of Kate and of Ross Christian they were sorry for Pete they were still more sorry for the deemster the deemster's wig had been taken off and tossed onto the dressing table like an old woman's nightcap his hair had dragged after it on the pillow the black gown had not been removed but it was torn open at the neck so that the throat might be free one of Philip's arms had dropped over the side of the bed and the long thin hand was cold and green and ethereal as marble Pete was crouching on his low stool beside this hand he needed no softening to touch it now the chill fingers were in his palm and his hot tears were falling on them remembering the crime that he had so nearly committed he was holding himself in horror his friend his lifelong friend his only friend the deemster no longer but only the man not the man either but the child the cruel years had rolled back with all their burden of trouble forgotten days were coming again days long buried under the debris of memory they were boys together again a little sunny fellow in velvet and a bigger lad in a stocking cap the little one talking always talking the big one listening always listening the little one proposing the big one agreeing the little one leading the big one following the little one looking up and yet a little down the big one looking down and yet a little up all the happy happy times before anger and jealousy and rage and the mad impulse of murder and their sunshine the memories that brought the tenderness throb to Pete as he sat there fingering the lifeless hand were of the great deeds that he had done for Philip how he had fought for him and been licked for him and taken bloody noses for him and got thrashed for it by black Tom but there were others only less tender Philip was leaving home for King Williams and Pete was cuddling his dull head what to give him for a parting gift the decision was the more difficult because he had nothing to give at length he had hit on making a whistle the only thing his clumsy fingers had ever been deafed at with his clasped knife he had cut a wondrous big one from the bow of a willow he had peered it he had turned it it blew a blast like a foghorn the morning was frosty and his feet were bare but he didn't mind the cold he couldn't feel it no, not a apath waiting for the coach that was to take up Philip and passing the time by polishing the whistle on the leg of his shining britches and testing its tone with just one more blow then up came Crow and out came Philip in his new peaked cap and leadings whoop gee up away off they went without ever seeing him without once looking back and he was left in the prickly hedge with his blue feet on the frost a look of dejection about his mouth and the top of the foolish whistle peeping out of his jacket pocket the thick sob that came of these memories was interrupted by a faint sound from the bed it was a murmur of delirium as soft as the hum of bees yet Pete heard it cover me up, Pete cover me up, said Philip, dreaming aloud Philip was a living man thank God thank God a whisper goes farther than a shout the people behind whisper the news to the passage the passage to the stairs the stairs to the hall and the hall to the garden where a crowd had gathered in the darkness to look up at the house over which the angel of death was hovering in a moment the room was croaking like a frog pond praise the Lord, cried one his mercy and duress forever cried another what's the saying, said a third rambling in his head poor things, said a fourth Pete turned them out all except Gemma Lord he was still moistening the deemsters face and opening his hands which were now twitching and tightening out of this out you go cried Pete hoarsely no use taking the anger with him the man's tried they muttered and away they went Gemma was loath to see them go he was afraid to be left alone with Pete afraid that the deemster should be at the mercy of this wild creature with the flaming eyes and now that Philip was a living man Pete began to feel afraid of himself at sight of life in Philip's face his gnawing misery returned he thought his hatred had been overcome but he was wrestling in the throes of forgiveness again he was the man who had robbed him of wife and child and home in another moment he might have held him in the grip of his just wroth it is an inscrutable and awful fact that just at that moment when a man's good angel has conquered but is spent his evil angel is sure to get the advantage of chance Philip's delirium set in strong and the brute beast in Pete going through its final struggle stood over the bed and watched him in his violence Philip tore at his breast and dragged something from beneath his shirt a moment later it fell from his graspless fingers to the floor it was a lock of dark hair Pete knew whose hair it was and he put his foot on it and in that instant the mad impulse came again to take Philip by the throat and choke him again and again it came he had to tread it down even amid his sobs and his tears but love cannot be killed in an instant it does not drop down dead there was a sort of tenderness in the thought that this was the man for whom Kate had given up all the world Pete began to feel gently towards Philip because Kate loved him he began to see something of Kate in Philip's face as he caught the words of Philip's delirium he thought he ought to leave the room but he could not tear himself away crouching down on the stool he clasped his hands behind his head and tightened his arms over his ears it was useless he could not help but listen only disjointed sentences odd pages torn from the book of life some of them blurred with tears but they were like a cool hand on a fevered brow to him that heard it I was a child Philip didn't know what love was then coming home by Ramsay Steamer tell the simple truth Philip say we tried to be faithful and loyal and could not because we loved each other and there was no help for tell Kiri, yes Aunty I have read Father's letters that picture is cracked this in the voice of one who speaks in his sleep and then in a hushed hot whisper haven't I a right to you yes I have a right then the storm is coming I'll never let you go don't you remember? can you ever forget? my husband Pete lifted his head as he listened he had been thinking that Philip had robbed him of Kate was it he who had robbed Kate of Philip? I can't live any longer in this house Philip the walls are crushing me the ceiling is falling on me the air is stifling me I'll be free tomorrow in the council chamber at Douglas I'm not a bad woman Philip Christian there is something you have never guessed and I have never told you is it the child Kate? did you say the child? you are sure you are not deceiving yourself? all this in a tone of deep and treaty and then with quick coming breath Jimmy get the carriage at Simmons and drive at yourself if there is any attempt at Ramsay to take the horse out between the chapel and the cottage the moment the lady joins you you are right Kate you cannot live here any longer this life of deception must end that's the cheering of the night jar going up to Belua Glen Gemma Lord who was beating out the pillow dropped it in his fumbling half over the deemsters face and looked at Pete in terror would this cruel delirium never break? where was the doctor? would he not come at all? Pete had risen to his feet and was gazing down with a look of stupor he had been thinking that Philip had robbed him of the child was it he who had robbed Philip? yes Pete is telling the same story he is writing letters to himself such simple things poor old Pete you mean so harm? he never dreams that every word is burning Jimmy leave out more brandy tonight the decanter is empty Pete leaned over the pillow all at once he started back Philip's eyes were open and shining up at him it was hard to believe that Philip was not speaking to him eye to eye but there was a veil between them the veil of the hand of God I know Philip I know said the unconscious man in a quick whisper he was breathing fast and loud tell him I'm dead yes yes that's it that's it cruel no but kind poor girl he'll say once but she's gone I'll do it I'll do it then in tones of fear it's madness to paint faces on the darkness to hear voices in the air is madness and then solemnly with a chill thick utterance there there that one by the wall big drops of sweat broke out on Pete's forehead he had been thinking that Philip had tortured him it was he who had been torturing Philip the messages the presence these have been the whips and scorpions in his hand every innocent word every look every sign had been as thongs in the instrument of torture Pete began to feel a great pity for Philip he had suffered plenty thought Pete he has carried this cross about far enough good night boatman I went too far yes I'm back again thank God these words brightly cheerily hopefully then in the deepest tones goodbye Philip it's all my fault I've broken the heart of one man and I'm destroying the soul of another I'm leaving this lock of hair it is all I have to leave goodbye I ought to have gone long ago you will not hate me now the last words frayed off broken the throat and stopped then quickly with panting breath came Kate Kate Kate again and again repeated beginning in a loud beseeching cry and dying down to a long wail as if shouted over a gloomy waste wherein the voice was lost Gemma Lord had been beating round towards the door ringing his white hands like a woman and praying to God that the deemster might never come out of his unconsciousness he has told him everything thought Gem the man will take his life I came between them thought Pete she was not for me she was not mine she was Philip's it was God's doings the bitterness of Pete's heart had passed away but I wish what's the good of wishing though God help us all he muttered in a breaking voice and then he crouched down on the stool as before and covered his face with his hands Philip had lifted his head and risen on one elbow he was looking out on the empty air with his glassy eyes and stood up before them yes no yes don't tell me that Kate it's a mistake that's not Kate that white face those hollow eyes that miserable woman besides Kate is dead she must be dead what's to do with the lamps they are going out in the dock too and before me she there and I hear she the prisoner I the judge all this with violent emotion and with one arm outstretched over Pete's crouching head if I could hear her voice though perhaps her voice now I'm going to fall it's Kate it's Kate oh oh Philip had paused for several seconds as if trying to listen and then with a loud cry of agony he had closed his eyes and rolled back onto the pillow God has meant me to hear all this thought Pete he should follow the phases of this drama of a naked heart he was sobbing but his sobs were like growls what's he doing now thought Gemma Lord craning his neck at the door shall I call for somebody Pete had picked up from the floor the lock of hair that had been lying under his foot and he was putting it back into Philip's breast nothing but me between them he thought nothing but me sit down sir quite the unconscious man it was only the last outbreak of Philip's delirium but Pete trembled and shrank back then Philip groaned and his blue lips quivered he opened his eyes they wandered about the room for a moment and afterwards fixed themselves on Pete in a long and haggard gaze Pete's own eyes were too full of tears to be full of sight but he could see that the change had come he panted with expectation and looked down at Philip with dog-like delight there was a moment's silence and then in a murmur as faint as a breath Philip murmured what's, where's, is it Pete? at that Pete uttered a shout of joy he's himself, he's himself thank God eh? said Philip helplessly don't you be bothering yourself now cried Pete lie quiet boy you're in your own room and as nice as nice but said Philip will you not kindly not another word Phil it's nothing you're all serene and about as right as ninepence your honor has been delirious said Gemma Lord Trude said Pete behind his hand and then with another joyful shout is it a beef steak you'll be having Phil or a dish of Tay and Herring Philip looked perplexed but could you not help me he faltered you fainted in the courthouse sir said Gemma Lord ah it had all come back hold your wish you goby whispered Pete and he made a furtive kick at Gemma's shins Pete was laughing and crying in one breath in the joyful reflux from evil passions the great fellow was like a boy he poked the fire into a blaze snuffed the candle with his fingers sang out my goch when he burnt them and then hopped about the floor and cut as many capers as swallow after a shower of rain Philip looked at him and relapsed into silence it seemed as if he had been on a journey and something had happened in his absence the secret which he had struggled so long to confess had somehow been revealed Gemma Lord was beating out his pillows does he know said Philip yes whispered Gemma everything? everything you have been delirious delirious said Philip with alarm then he struggled to rise help me up let me go away why did you bring me here I couldn't help it sir I tried to prevent I cannot face him said Philip I'm afraid help me help me you are too weak sir lie still no one shall harm you the doctor is coming Philip sat back with a look of fear water he cried feebly here it is said Gemma Lord lifting from the dressing table the jug out of which he had moistened the sponge Tut cried Pete and he tipped the jug so that half the water spilled brandy for a man when he's in bed you goosey gander hold hard boy have a taste of the royal stuff in the cupboard half a minute mate a drop will be doing no harm at all and away he went down the stairs like a flood almost sweeping over Nancy who had come creeping up in her stockings of the sound of voices the child had awakened in its cradle and with one dumpy leg over its little quilt it was holding quiet converse with its toes hello young pucker laurum is it there you are shouted Pete at the next moment with a noggin bottle of brandy in his fist he was leaping upstairs three steps at a time meanwhile Gemma Lord had edged up to the deemstone whispered with looks of fear and mystery don't take it sir what said Philip vacantly the brandy said Gem it will be began Gem but Pete's step was thundering up the stairs with a big opening of the mouth rather than an audible utterance of the tongue he added poisoned Philip could not comprehend and Pete came shouting where's your water now old snuff the wind while Pete was pouring the brandy into a glass and adding the water Gemma caught up a scrap of newspaper that was lying about rummaged for a pencil wrote some words on the margin tore the piece off and smuggled it into the deemsters hand afraid of Pete thought Philip it is monstrous monstrous at that moment there was the sound of a horse's hooves on the road the doctor cried Gemma Lord the doctor at last wait sir wait and he ran downstairs here you are cried Pete coming to the bedside glass in hand drink it up boy it'll stiffen you my faith but it's a winner oh God it's good though he's all that he's good tremendous Pete was laughing he was crying he was tasting a new sweetness the sweetness of being a good man again Philip was holding Gemma Lord's paper before his eyes and trying to read it what's this that Gemma has given me he said read it Pete my eyes are dazed Pete took the paper in his left hand still holding the glass in his right to get the light onto the writing he went down on his knees by the bed head and leaned over towards the fire then like a schoolboy repeating his task he read in a sing-song voice the words that Gemma Lord had written don't drink the brandy Pete is trying to kill you Pete made a grating laugh that's a pretty thing now he began but he could not finish his laughter ceased his eyes opened wide his tongue seemed to hang out of his mouth and he turned his head and looked back with an agony of doubt into Philip's face Philip struggled up give me the brandy Pete he took the glass out of Pete's hand and without a second thought with only a smile of faith and confidence he raised it to his lips and drank when the doctor entered the room a moment afterwards Pete was sobbing into the bed clothes and Philip's hand was resting on his head End of Part 6 Chapter 10 Part 6 Chapter 11 of the Manxman this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings were in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 11 Early the next morning Pete visited Kate in prison he had something to say to her something to ask but he intended to keep back his own feelings to bear himself bravely to sustain the poor girl's courage the light was cold and ashen within the prison walls and as he followed the sergeant into the cell he could not help but think of Kate as he had first known her so bright so merry so full of life and gaiety he found her now doubled up on a settle by a newly kindled fire in the sergeant's own apartment she lifted her head with a terrified look as he entered and she saw his hollow cheeks and deep eyes and ragged beard I'm not coming to trouble you he said I've forgiven him and I'm forgiving you too you are very good she answered nervously good he gave a crack of bitter laughter I meant to kill him that's how good I am and it's the same as if all the devils out of hell had been at me the night through to do it still maybe I hadn't much to forgive I'm like a bat in the light I'm not knowing where I am exactly dare say the people will laugh at me when they're getting to know wouldn't trust but they'll think me a poor spirited cur anyway let them there's never much pity for the dog that's licked his voice shook although so hard and so husky that's not what I came to say though you'll be leaving this place soon and I'm wanting to ask I'm wanting to know she had covered her face and now she said through her hands do as you like with me Pete you're my husband and I must obey he looked down at her for a moment but you cannot love me I have deceived you and whatever you tell me to do I will do it but you cannot love me I'll be a good wife for the future Pete I will indeed indeed I will but you cannot love me she began to cry that's enough he said I'll not force you you are very good she said again he laughed more bitterly than before do you think I'm wanting your body while another man has your heart that's a game I've played about long enough I'm thinking good not me missus his eyes which have been fixed on the fire wandered to his wife and then his lips quivered and his manner changed I'm hard I'll cut it short fact is I've determined to do something but I have a question to ask first you've suffered since you left me Kate he has dragged you down a dale but tell me do you love him still she shuddered and crept closer to the wall don't be frightened it's a woman's way to love the man that's done wrong by her being good to her is nothing service is nothing kindness is nothing maybe there's someones that cry shame on her for that but not me giving herself body and soul and thinking nothing what she gets for it that's the glory of a woman when she cares for anybody speak up Kate the answer came in a whisper that was like a breath yes that'll do said Pete he pressed his hand against the place of his old wound I might have known you could never care for me I might have known that he said with difficulty but don't think I can't stand my rack ups as the saying is I know my course now I know my job she was sobbing into her hands and he was breathing fast and loud one word more only one about the child little Catherine have I a right to her she gasped audibly but did not answer and he tried a second time does she belong to me Kate her confusion increased he tried a third time speaking more gently than before if I should lay the island Kate could I must I may I take the child along with me at that her fear got the better of her shame and she cried don't take her away don't don't ah he pressed his hand hard at his side again but maybe that's only mother's love and what mother he broke off and then began once more in a voice so low that it was scarcely to be heard tell me when the time comes and it will come Kate have no fear about that he was breaking down he was struggling hard when the time comes for himself and you to be together will you be afraid to have the little one with you will it seem wrong Kate you too and little Catherine one household one family no no no that's enough the word seemed to come out of the depths of his throat I've nothing more to think about he must think of all the rest and you Pete what matter about me do you think there's anything worse coming do you think I'm caring what I ate and what I drink and what becomes of me he was laughing again and her sobs broke out of fresh God is good he said more quietly he'll take care of the likes of me his motionless eyes were on the crackling fire and he stood in the light that flashed from it with a face like stone I've no child now he muttered as though speaking to himself she slid to her knees at his feet took the hand that hung by his side and began to cover it with kisses forgive me she said I have been very weak and very guilty what's the use of talking like that he answered what's past is past and he drew his hand away no child now no child now he muttered again as though his despair cried out to God he was feeling like a man wrecked in mid ocean a spar came floating towards him it was all he could lay hold of from the foundering ship in which he had sailed and sung and laughed and slept he had thought to save his life by it but another man was clinging to it and he had to drop it and go down she could not look into his face again she could not touch his hand she could not ask for his forgiveness he stood over her for a moment without speaking and then with his hollowed cheeks and eyes and ragged beard he went away in the morning sunlight End of part 6 Chapter 11 Part 6 Chapter 12 of The Manxman This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings were in the public domain For more information order volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 12 Philip fell into a deep sleep when he awoke he saw as in a mirror a solution to the tumultuous drama of his life it was a glorious solution a liberating and redeeming end an end bringing freedom from the bonds which had beset him what matter if it was hard if it was difficult if it was bitter as Mara and steeper's Calvary he was ready he was eager oh blessed sleep oh wise and soothing sleep it had rent the dark cloud of his past and given the flash of light that illumined the path before him he opened his eyes and saw Aunty Nan seated by his side reading a volume of sermons at the change in his breathing the old dove looked round dropped the book and began to flutter about hush dearest hush she whispered there was a heavy monotonous sound like the beating of a distant drum or the throb of an engine under the earth Aunty yes dearest what day is it? Sunday oh you've had a long long sleep Philip you slept all day yesterday is that the church bell ringing? yes dear and a fine morning too so soft and spring light I'll open the window then my hearing must be injured ah they muffled the bell that's it the church is so near they said it might trouble him a carriage was coming down the road it rattled on the paved way then the rattling ceased and there was a dull rumble as of a cart sliding on to a wooden bridge that horse has fallen said Philip trying to rise it's only the straw on the street said Aunty Nan the people brought it from all parts we must deaden the traffic by the house they said or you couldn't think how good they've been yesterday was market day but there was no business done couldn't have been they were coming and going the whole day long and how's he now it was fit to make you cry I believe in my heart Philip nobody in Ramsay went to bed the first night at all everybody waiting and waiting to see if there wasn't something to fetch and the kettle kept boiling in every kitchen round about but hush dearest hush not so much talking all at once hush now where is Peter's Philip his face to the wall oiling the hinges of the door dearest he was laying carpets on the stairs all day yesterday but never the sound of a hammer the man's wonderful he must have hands like iron his heart soft enough though but then everybody is so kind everybody everybody the doctor and the vicar and the newspapers oh it's beautiful it's just as Pete was saying what was Pete saying Aunty he was saying the angels must think there's somebody sick in every house in the island the sound of singing came through the open window above the whisper of young leaves and the twitter of birds it was the sound that was being sung in church blessed is the man that considereth the poor and needy the Lord shall deliver him in time of trouble listen Philip that must be a special sound I'm sure they're singing it for you how sweet are them but we are talking too much dear the doctor will scold I must leave you now Philip only for a little though I'll go back to Belour and I'll send up Cottier yes, send up Cottier said Philip my darling said the old soul looking down as she tied her bonnet strings you'll lie quiet now you're sure you'll lie quiet well, goodbye, goodbye as Philip lay alone the sore and swirl of the psalm filled the room oh the irony of it all the frantic hideous awful irony he was lying there with the whole island watching at his bedside pitying him, sorrowing from him holding its breath until he should breathe and she, his partner his victim, his innocent victim was in jail, in disgrace in a degradation more deep than death still the psalm soared and swelled he tried to bury his head in the pillows that he might not hear Gemma Lord came inherently and Philip beckoned him close where is she he whispered he moved her to Castle Ruche in late last night your honor said Gemma softly right immediately to the clark of the roll said Philip say she must be lodged on the debtor's side and have patience, diet and every comfort my Kate, my Kate he kept saying it shall not be for long, not for long my love not for long the convalescence was slow and Philip was impatient I feel better today doctor he would say don't you think I may get out of bed trade allure time enough deemster the doctor would answer let us see what a few more days will do I have a great task before me doctor he would say again I must begin immediately you have a life's work before you deemster and you must begin soon but not just yet I have something particular to do doctor he said at last I must lose no time you must lose no time indeed that's why you must stay where you are little longer one morning his impatience overcame him and he got out of bed but being on his feet his head reeled his limbs trembled he clutched at the bed post and had the clamber back oh god bear me witness this delay is not my fault he murmured throughout the day he longed for the night that he might close his eyes in the darkness and think of Kate he tried to think of her as she used to be bright, happy, winsome happy of love, of passion dangling her feet from the apple tree or tripping along the tree trunk in the glen teasing him tempting him it was impossible he could only think of her in the gloom of the prison that filled his mind with terrors sometimes in the dark hours his enfeeble body beset his brain with fantastic hallucinations calling for paper and pens he would make show of writing a letter producing no words or intelligible signs but only a mass of scrolls and blotches this he would fold and refold with great elaboration and give to Gemma Lord with an air of gravity and mystery saying in a whisper, for her thus night brought no solace and the dawn found him waiting for the day that he might open his eyes in the sunlight and think she is better where she is God will comfort her a fortnight went by and he saw nothing of Pete he made a call on his courage and said Aunty, why does Pete never come? he does dearest only when you are asleep though he stands there in the doorway in his stockings I nod to him and he comes in and looks down at you then he goes away without a word what is he doing now? going to Douglas a good deal seemingly indeed they are saying but then people are so fond of talking what are the people saying Aunty? it's about a divorce dearest Philip groaned and turned away his face he opened his eyes one day from a doze and saw the plain face of Nancy Jove framed in a red print handkerchief the simple creature was talking with Aunty Nan holding counsel and making common cause with the dainty old lady as unmarried women and old maids both of them why don't you keep your word true, says I wasn't you saying you'd take her back, says I whatever she'd done was so help your god, says I isn't she shamed enough already poor thing without you going shaming her more have you no bowels at all are you only another of the gutted herrings on a stick, says I why don't you keep your word true because, says he I want to be even with the other one, says he and then away he went wandering down by the tide it's un-christian Nancy said Aunty Nan but it's human for although he forgives the woman he can hardly be expected to forgive the man and he can't punish one without punishing both much good it'll do to punish either, says I what for should he put up his fins now the hooks in his gizzard but that's the way with the men still talking and talking of love and love but when trouble is coming no better than a churn of sour milk on a thundery day we're best off that never had no truck with them, I don't know what you think it's un-christian ma'am they may talk about having no chances I don't mind if they do, do you I had chance enough once though I don't know what you've had ma'am I had one sweet-art anyway a sort of a sweet-art as you might say but he was sweeter on the money than on me always asking how much I had got saved in the stocking and when he heard I had three new dresses done Nancy says he we had better be putting a sight up on the pahs and now they're all worn out at you the governor who was still in London wrote a letter full of tender solicitude and graceful compliment the clerk of the rolls had arranged from the first that two telegrams should be sent to him daily giving accounts of Philip's condition at last the clerk came in person and threw Aunty Nan into tremors of nervousness by his noise and robustness he roared as he came along the path roared himself through the hall the stairs and into the bedroom roared again as he set eyes on Philip protesting that the sick man was worth five hundred dead men yet and vowing with an oath and a tear trickling down his nose that he would like to give time to the fools who frightened good people with bad reports then he cleared the room for a private consultation out you go Katia look slippy man Aunty Nan fled in terror when she had summoned resolution to invade afresh the place of the bear that had possession of her lamb the clerk of the rolls was rising from the foot of the bed and saying we'll leave it at that then Christian these damn things will happen but don't you bother your head about it I'll make it all serene besides it's nothing, nothing in a lifetime I'll have to send you the summons though you needn't trouble about that just toss it into the fire Philip's head was down his eyes were on the counter pain and a faint tinge of colour overspread his wasted face ah you're back Miss Christian I must be going though goodbye all fellow, take care of yourself good men are scarce goodbye Miss Christian goodbye all, goodbye Phil God bless you with that he went roaring down the stairs but came thundering up again in a moment put his head round the doorpost and said Lord bless my soul if I wasn't forgetting an important bit of news very important news too it hasn't got into the papers yet but I've had the official wrinkle what do you think? the governor has resigned true as gospel sent in his resignation to the home office the night before last I saw it coming he hasn't been at home since Tynwald look sharp and get better now, goodbye Philip got up for the first time the day following the weather was soft and full of whispers of spring the window was open Philip sat with his face in the direction of the sea Auntie Nan was knitting by his side and running on with homely gossip the familiar and genial talk was floating over the surface of his mind as a sea bird floats over the surface of the sea sometimes reflected in it sometimes skimming it sometimes dipping into it and being lost poor Pete the good woman here thinks he's hard perhaps he is but I'm sure he is much to be pitted Ross has behaved badly and deserves all that can come to him he's the same to me as you are dear in blood I mean but somehow I can't be sorry ah you're too tender hearted Philip indeed you are you'd find excuses for anybody the doctor says overwork dearest but I say the shock of seeing that poor creature in that awful position and what a shock you gave me too to tell you the truth Philip I thought it was a faint of it no never heard that grandfather fainted on the bench he did though and he didn't recover either how well I remember it word broke over the town like a clap of thunder the deemster has fallen in the courthouse father heard it up at Belour and ran down bare headed grandfather's carriage was at the courthouse door and they brought him up to Balawain I remember I was coming downstairs when I saw the carriage draw up at the gate the next minute your father with his wild eyes and his bare head was lifting something out of the inside poor Tom he had never set foot in the house since grandfather had driven him out of it and little did grandfather think in whose arms he was to travel the last stage of his life's journey Philip had fallen asleep Jammerlord entered with a letter it was in a large envelope and had come by the insular post shall I open it thought Aunty Nan in opening and replying to Philip's letters during the time of his illness but this one bore an official seal and so she hesitated shall I she thought with the knitting needle to her lip I will I may save him some worry she fixed her glasses and drew out the letter it was a summons from the Chancery division of the High Court of Justice a petition for divorce the petitioner's name was Peter Quilliam the respondent as Philip awoke from his doze with the salt breath of the sea in his nostrils and the songs of spring in his ears Aunty Nan was fumbling with the paper to get it back into the envelope her hands trembled and when she spoke her voice quivered Philip saw in a moment what had happened she had stumbled into the pit where the secret of his life lay buried the doctor came in at that instant he looked attentively at Aunty Nan and said significantly you have been nursing too long Miss Christian you must go home for a while I will go home at once she faltered in a feeble inward voice Philip's head was on his breast such was the first step on the calvary he intended to ascend oh God help him God support him God bear up his sinking feet that he might not fall from weakness or fear or shame End of Part 6 Chapter 12 Part 6 Chapter 13 Chapter 13 of the Manxman This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings were in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 13 Caesar visited Kate at Castle Russian he found her lodged in a large and light apartment once the dining room of the Lords of Man indulged with every comfort and short of nothing but her liberty as the turnkey pulled the door behind him Caesar lifted both hands and cried the Lord is my refuge and my strength a very present help in trouble then he inquired if Pete had been there before him and being answered no he said the children of this world are wiser in the generation than the children of light after that he fell to the praise of the deemster who had not only given Kate these mercies comfortable to her carnal body if dangerous to her soul but had striven to lighten the burden of her people at the time when he had circulated the report of her death knowing she was dead indeed dead in trespasses and sins and choosing rather that they should mourn her as one who was already dead in fact and feel shame for her as one that was yet alive in iniquity finally he dropped his handkerchief onto the slate floor went down on one knee by the side of his tall hat and called on her in prayer to cast in her lot of fresh with the people of God may her lightness be rebuked O Lord he cried give her to know that until she repents she hath no place among the children and Lord sucker thy servant in his hour of tribulation let him be well-girt up with Christian armor help him to cry aloud amid his tears in his lamentations though my heart and hers should break thy name shall not be dishonored my Lord and my God rising from his knee and dusting it Caesar took up his tall hat and left Kate as he had found her crouching by the fire inside the wide angle of the old hall covering her face and saying nothing he was in this mood of spiritual exaltation as he descended the steps into the keep and came upon a man in the dress of a prisoner sweeping with a bosom it was black Tom Caesar stopped in front of him moved his lips, lifted his face to the sky shut both eyes then opened them again and said in a voice of deep sorrow oh Thomas, Thomas Quilliam I'm taking grief to see thee man an old friend whose hand has rested in my hand and swilling the floor of a prison well I warned thee often but thou wast ever stony ground Thomas and now thou must see for thyself whether I was right that honesty is the best policy look at thee and look at me the Lord has delivered me and prospered me even in temporal things I have lands and I have houses and what hast thou thyself nothing but thy conscience and thy disgrace even thy very clothes they have taken away from thee and they would take thy hair itself if thou had any black Tom stood with feet flatly planted apart rested himself on the shank of his bosom and said don't be playing come ag shindy with me Mr. Holy Ghoster it isn't honesty that's making the difference between us at all it's luck, you've won and I've lost you've succeeded and I've failed you're wearing your chapel hat and I'm in this bit of a saucepan lid but you're only a regular old Pharisee anyway Caesar waved his hand I can't take the anger with thee Thomas he said backing himself out I thought the devil had been chained but I was wrong seemingly he goeth about still like a raging lion seeking whom he may devour don't be trying to knock me down with your texas said Thomas shouldering his bosom any cock can crow on his own midden you can't help it Thomas said Caesar edging away it isn't my old friend that's blaspheming at all it's the devil that has entered into his heart and is rending him but cast the devil out man or hell will be thy portion I was there last night in my dream Caesar said black Tom following him up oh Lord devil let me in says I where'd ye come from says he the isle of man says I I'm not taking any more from there till my bishop comes says he who's that says I Bishop Caesar the publican who else says he I marvel at thee Thomas said Caesar half through the small door of the portcullis but the sons of Belial have to fight hard for his throne I'll pray for thee though let it be not remembered against thee when God willing there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth that night Caesar visited the deemster at Elm Cottage his eyes glittered and there was a look of frenzy in his face he was still in his mood of spiritual pride and when he spoke it was always with the these and the vows and in the high pitch of the preacher the Balawain is dead you honor he cried they wouldn't have me tell thee before because of thy body's weakness but now they suffer it groanings and moanings and sterics of torment terrible sir terrible took a notion he would have water poured out for him at the last he couldn't wash him clean though and shouting with these dying voice I've sinned though God I've sinned I delivered my soul sir he can clear me of that anyway lay hold of a free salvation says I I've not lived the right life says he truth enough says I you've lived a life of carnal freedom but now is the appointed time say Lord I belive help thou my unbelief too late Mr. Craigine too late says he and the word was scarce out of his mouth when he was key cold in a minute and gone into the night of all flesh that's lost while it was his own son that killed him sir robbed him of every silver six months and ruined him the last mortgage he raised was to keep the young man out of prison for forgery bad sir bad to indulge a child to its own damnation is bad a human infirmity though and I'm feeling for the poor sinner myself being tempted that is to say inclined but thank the Lord for his strengthening arm is he buried us Philip buried enough and a poor funeral too sir said Caesar walking the room with a proud step the legs straightened the toes conspicuously turned out driving rain and sleet sir the wind in the trees the grass wet to your calf and the passing in his white smock under the umbrella nobody there to spake of neither only myself and the tenants mostly where was Ross gone sir without waiting to see his foolish old father pushed under the sod while there was not much to wait for neither the young man has been a bosom of fire and burnt up everything not so much left as would buy a rope to hang him and Balawain is mine sir mine in a way of spaking my son-in-law is anyway and he has given me the right to have and to hold it or sabbath time sir a sabbath time I made up my mind to have it the night the man struck me in my own house in Salby he betrayed my daughter at last sir and took her from her home and then her husband lent six thousand pounds on mortgage do what you like with it said he and I said to myself the man shall starve he shall be a beggar he shall have neither bread to eat nor water to drink nor a roof to cover him and the moment the breath was out of the old man's body I foreclosed Philip was trembling from head to foot do you mean he faltered that that was your reason it is the Lord's hand on a rascal said Caesar and proud am I to be the instrument of his vengeance God moves in a mysterious way sir oh the Lord is opening his word more and more and I have more to tell thee too Ballowayne would belong to thyself sir if everyone had his rights it was thy grandfather's inheritance and it should have been thy father's and it ought to be thine take it sir take it on thy own terms it is worth a matter of twelve thousand but thou shall have it for nine and pay for it when the Lord gives thee substance thou has been good to me and to mine and especially to the poor lost lamb who lies in the castle tonight in her shame and disgrace little did I think I should ever repay thee though but it is the Lord's doings it is marvellous in our eyes deep in unfathomable minds Caesar was pacing the room and speaking in terms of rapture Philip who was sitting at the table rose from it with a look of fear frightful frightful he muttered a mistake a mistake the Lord makes no mistakes sir cried Caesar but what if it was not Ross began Philip Caesar paid no heed what if it was not Ross Caesar glanced over his shoulder what if it was someone else said Philip Caesar stopped in front of him someone you have never thought of someone you have respected and even held in honour who then said Caesar huskily Mr. Craigine said Philip it is hard for me to speak I had not intended to speak yet but I should hold myself in horror if I were silent now you have been living in awful error whatever the cost whatever the consequences you must not remain in that era a moment longer it was not Ross who took away your daughter who was it cried Caesar his voice had the sound of a cracked bell Philip struggled hard he tried to confess his eyes wandered about the walls as you have cherished a mistake in resentment he faltered so you have nourished a mistake in gratitude who who cried Caesar looking fixedly into Philip's face Philip's rigid fingers were crawling over the papers on the table like the claws of crabs they touched the summons from the chance record and he picked it up read this he said and held it out to Caesar Caesar took it but continued to look at Philip with eyes that were threatening in their wildness Philip felt that in a moment their positions had been changed he was the judge no longer but only a criminal of the bar of this old man this grim fanatic half mad already with religious mania the lord of hosts is mighty muttered Caesar and then Philip heard the paper crinkle in his hand Caesar was feeling for his spectacles when he had liberated them from the sheath he put them on the bridge of his nose and he tried to slide down with the two glasses against the wrinkles of his forehead and his eyes still uncovered he held the paper at arm's length and tried to read it then he took out his red print handkerchief to dust the spectacles fumbling spectacles and sheath and handkerchief and paper and his trembling hands together he muttered again an aquavering voice as if to fortify himself against what he was to see the lord of hosts is mighty he read the paper at length he was taking it William vs. William and Christian Philip he laid the summons on the table and returned his spectacles to their sheath his breathing made noises in his nostrils oh chani woe is me he muttered oh chani oh chani then he looked helplessly around and said depart from me for I am a sinful man oh lord the vengeance that he had built up day by day had fallen in a moment into ruins his hypocrisy was stripped naked I see how it is he said in a horse voice the lord has to save me to punish me it is the public house you cannot serve God and mammon what's gained on the devil's back is lost under his belly I thought I was a child of God but the deceitfulness of riches has choked the word oh chani oh chani he has been like the quails only given with the intent of choking me oh chani his spiritual pride was broken down the Almighty had refused to be made a tool of he took up his hat and rolled his arm over it the wrong way of the nap halfway to the door he paused well I'll be leaving you good day sir he said nodding his head slowly the Lord's been knowing what you were all the time seemingly the use of his knowing he never tells on nobody and I've been calling on sinners to flee from the wrath and he's been letting the devils make a mock at myself oh chani oh chani Philip had slipped back in his chair and his head had fallen forward on the table he heard the old man go out he heard his heavy step drop slowly down the stairs he heard his foot dragging on the path outside oh chani oh chani the word rang in his heart like a knell Gemma Lord who had been out in the town came back in great excitement such news your honor such splendid news what is it said Philip without lifting his head they're signing petitions all over the island asking the Queen to make you governor God in heaven said Philip that would be frightful End of Part 6 Chapter 13 Part 6 Chapter 14 of The Manxman This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings were in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 14 When Philip was fit to go out they brought up a carriage and drove him round the bay the town had awakened from its winter sleep and the harbour was a busy and cheerful scene 100 men had come from their crops in the country and were making their boats ready for the mackerel fishing at Kinsale there was a forest of mass where the flat hulls had been the taffrails and companions were touched up with paint and the newly barked nets were being hauled over the key Good morning Dempster God the Men they all saluted him and some of them after their Manx fashion drew up at the carriage door lifted their caps with their tarry hands and said Taking joy to see you out again Dempster when a man's getting over an attack like that it's middling clear the Lord's got work for him Philip answered with smiles and bows and cheerful words but the kindness oppressed him he was thinking of Kate she was the victim of his success for all that he received she had paid the penalty he thought of her dreams her golden dreams her dreams of going up side by side and hand in hand with the man she loved oh my love my love he murmured only a little longer the doctor was waiting for him when he reached home I have something to say to you Dempster he said with averted face it's about your aunt is she ill said Philip very ill but I've inquired daily by her express desire the truth has been kept back from you the carriage is still at the door began Philip I've never seen anyone sink so rapidly she's all nerve no doubt the nursing exhausted her it's not that I'll go up immediately she was to expect you at five I cannot wait said Philip and in a moment he was on the road oh god he thought how steep is the path I have to tread on getting to Belour he pushed through the hall and stepped upstairs at the door of auntie Nan's bedroom he was met by Martha the housemaid now the nurse she looked surprised and made some nervous show of shutting him out before she could do so he was already in the room the air was heavy with the smell of medicines and vinegar and the odours of sick life hush said Martha with a movement of lips and eyebrows auntie Nan was asleep in a half sitting position on the bed it was a shock to see the change in her a beautiful old face was white and drawn with pain the chin was hanging heavily the eyes were half open there was no cap on her head her hair was straggling loosely and was dull as toe she must be very ill said Philip under his breath very said Martha she wasn't expecting you until five sir has the doctor told her does she know yes sir but she doesn't mind that she knows she's dying and is quite resigned quite and quite cheerful but she fears if you knew hush there was a movement on the bed she'll be shocked if she and she's not ready to receive in here sir whispered Martha and she motioned to the back of a screen that stood between the door and the bed there was a deep sigh a sound as of the moistening of dry lips and then the voice of auntie Nan not her own familiar voice but a sort of vanishing echo of it what is the time Martha twenty minutes wanting fire ma'am so late it wasn't nice of you to let me sleep so long Martha I'm expecting the governor at five what a mercy he hasn't come earlier it wouldn't be right to keep him waiting and then bring me the sponge girl moisten it first now the towel the comb next that's better how lifeless my hair is though all you say I wonder I've never used it in my life but at a time like this well just a little then there that will do bring me a cap the one with the pink bow in it my face is so pale it will give me a little colour that will do you couldn't tell I had been ill could you not very ill anyway now sighed everything away the medicines too put them in the cupboard so many bottles how ill she must have been he would say and now open the drawer on the left Martha the one with the key in it and bring me the paper on the top yes the white paper the folded one with the endorsement endorsement means writing on the back Martha ah I've lived all my life among lawyers lay it on the counter pain the keys lay them beside it yes there lower though deeper still that's right now set a chair so that he can sit beside me this side of the bed no this side then the light will be on him and I will be able to see his face my eyes are not so good as they were you know a little farther back not quite so much neither that will do ah there was a long breath of satisfaction Aunty Nan said I suppose it's what time is it now Martha ten minutes wanting five mom did you tell Jane about the cutlets he likes them with breadcrumbs you know I hope she won't forget to say your excellency I shall hear his voice the moment he comes into the hall my ears are no worse if my eyes are perhaps he won't speak though she's been so ill he'll think Martha I think you had better open the door Jane she's so forgetful she might say things too if he asks how is she today Martha you must answer quite brightly better the day your excellency there was an exclamation of pain oh oh oh oh blessed lord Jesus are you sure you were well enough man hadn't I better tell him no I'll be worse tomorrow and the next day worse still give me a dose of medicine Martha the morning medicine the one that makes me well thank you Martha if I feel the pain when he is here I'll bear it as long as I can and then I'll say I'm finding myself drowsy Philip you had better go and lie down will you understand that Martha yes mom said Martha I'm afraid we must be a little deceitful Martha but we can't help that can we you see he has to be installed yet and that is always a great excitement if he thought I was very ill now very very ill you know yes I really think he would wish to postpone it and I wouldn't have that for worlds and worlds he has always been so fond of his old auntie well it's the way with these boys I dare say people wonder why he has never married being so great and so prosperous that was for my sake he knew I should Philip was breathing heavily auntie Nan listen I'm sure there's somebody in the hall Martha is it yes it's go down to him quick yes mom said Martha making a noise with the screen to cover Philip's escape on tiptoe then she came to him on the landing wiping her eyes with her apron and pretended to lead Philip back to the room I boy my boy cried auntie Nan and she folded him in her arms the transformation was wonderful she had a look of youth now almost a look of gaiety I've heard the great great news she whispered taking his hand that's only a rumor auntie said Philip are you better oh but it will come true yes yes I'm better I'm sure it will come true and dear heart what a triumph I dreamt it all the night before I heard of it you were on top of the tinwold and there was a great crowd but come and sit down and tell me everything so you are better yourself quite strong again dear oh yes anywhere Philip sit anywhere here this chair will do this one by my side ah how will you look she was carried away by her own gaiety leaning back on the pillow but still keeping his hand in hers she said do you know Philip Christian who is the happiest person in the world I'm sure you don't for all you're so clever so I'll tell you perhaps you think it's a beautiful young wife just married to a husband who worships her well you're quite quite wrong sir it's an old old lady very very old and very feeble she's just tottering on and not expecting to live a great while longer but with her sons about her grown up and big and strong and having all the world before them that's the happiest person on earth and I'm the next thing to it for my boy my own boys boy she broke off and then with a far-off look she said I wonder will he think I've done my duty who us Philip your father she answered then she turned and made him said quite gaily you needn't wait Martha his Excellency will call you when I want my medicine won't you your Excellency Philip could not find it in his heart to correct her again the girl left the room Auntie Nan glanced at the closing door then reached over to Philip with an air of great mystery and whispered you mustn't be shocked Philip all surprised or fancy I'm very ill or that I'm going to die but what do you think I've done hey what I've made my will is that very terrible you've done right Auntie said Philip yes the high bailiff has been up and everything is in order every little thing see and she lifted the paper that the maid had laid on the counterpane let me tell you she nodded her head as she ran over the items some little legacies first you know there's Martha such a good girl I've left her my silk dresses then old Mary the housemaid at Ballowain poor old thing she's been down with rheumatism three years and flop beds get so lumpy I've left her my feather one I thought at first I should like you to have my little income do you know your old auntie is quite an old miser I've grown so fond of my little money and it seems so sweet to think but then you don't want it now Philip it would be nothing to you would it I've been thinking though now what do you think I've been thinking what's going with my little fortune Philip stroke the wrinkle fingers with his other hand what's right I'm sure auntie what is it you would never guess no I've been thinking with sudden gravity Philip there's nobody in the world so unhappy as a poor gentlewoman who has slipped and fallen then this one's father he has turned his back on her they're telling me and of course she can't expect anything from her husband I've been thinking now Philip with his eyes down to tell you the truth I've been thinking it would be so nice and then nervously faltering in a quavering voice with many excuses out came the great secret the mighty strategy auntie Nan had willed her fortune to Kate you're an angel auntie said Philip in a thick voice but he saw through her out of this she was talking of Kate but she was thinking of himself she was trying to relieve him of an embarrassment to remove an impediment that lay in his path to liberate his conscience to cover up his fault to conceal everything and then this house dear said auntie Nan it's yours but you'll never want it it's been a dear little harbour of refuge but the storm is over now would you do you see any objection perhaps you might could you not let the poor soul come and live here with the little one after I when all is over I mean and she is a Philip could not speak he took the wrinkled hand and drew it up to his lips the old soul was beside herself with joy then you're sure I've done right quite sure lock it up in the drawer again dearest the top one on the left all the keys dear me yes where are the keys how tiresome I remember now they're at the back of my pillow really cool Martha or perhaps you would yourself will you very artfully you don't mind then yes that's it more this way though a little more ah my boy my boy the old dove's second strategy had succeeded also in fumbling behind her pillow for the keys Philip had to put his arms about her again and she was kissing him on the forehead and on the cheeks then came a spasm of pain it dragged at her features but her smile struggled through it she fetched a difficult breath and said and now dear I'm finding myself a little drowsy how selfish of me your cutlets brown nicely brown breadcrumbs you know Philip fled from the room and summoned Martha he wandered aimlessly about the house for hours that night at one moment he found himself in the blue room Aunty Nan's work room so full of her familiar things the spinning wheel the frame of the sampler the old fashioned piano the scent of lavender all the little evidences of her presence so deity so orderly so sweet a lamp was burning for the convenience of the doctor but there was no fire the doctor came again towards 10 o'clock there was nothing to be done nothing to be hoped still she might live until morning if at midnight Philip crept noiselessly to the bedroom the condition was unaltered he was going to lie down and if there was any change it was long before he dropped off and he seemed to have slept only a moment when there was a knocking at his door he heard it while he was still sleeping the dawn had broken the streamers of the sun were rising out of the sea a sparrow in the garden was hacking the air with its monotonous chirp Aunty Nan was far spent yet the dragging expression of pain was gone and a serenity almost angelic when she recognized Philip she felt for his hand guided it to her heart and kept it there only a few words did she speak for her breath was short she commended her soul to God then with a look of pallid sunshine she beckoned to Philip he stooped his ear to her lips and she whispered never tell anyone for nobody ever knew ever dreamt the dear old dove had delivered herself of her last great secret Philip put his lips to her cheek iced already over the damps and chools of death then the eyes closed the sweet old head slid back the lips changed their color but still they opened as with a smile thus died Aunty Nan peacefully, hopefully, trustfully almost joyfully in the fullness of her love and of her pride oh God, thought Philip let me go on with my task give me strength to withstand the temptation of love like this her love had tempted him all his life his father had been 20 years dead but she had kept his spirit alive his aims, his ambitions, his fears and the lessons of his life there lay the beginnings of his ruin his degradation and the first cause of his deep duplicity he had recovered everything that had been lost he had gained all that his little world could give and what was the worth of it what was the price he had paid for it what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul Philip put his lips to the cold forehead sweet soul, forgive me God strengthen me, let me not fail at this last moment End of Part 6 Chapter 14 Part 6, Chapter 15 of The Manxman This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings were in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6, Chapter 15 Philip did not go back to Elm Cottage he buried Aunty Nan at the foot of his father's grave there was no room at either side his mother's sunken grave being on the left and the rail tomb of his grandfather on the right he had to remove a willow two feet nearer to the path when all was over he returned home alone and spent the afternoon in gathering up Aunty Nan's personal belongings labelling some of them and locking them up in the blue room the weather had been troubled for some days spots had been seen on the sun there were magnetic disturbances and on the night before the aurora had pulsed in the northern sky when the sun was near to sinking there was a brilliant snow at sky to the west with a bank of rolling cloud above it like a thick thatch roof and a shaft of golden light dipping down into the sea as if an angel had opened a door in heaven after the sun had gone a fiery red bar stretched across the sky and there were low rumblings of thunder pausing in his work to look out on the beach Philip saw a man riding hard on horseback it was a messenger from government offices coming up at the gate a moment later the messenger was in Philip's room handing him a letter if anybody had seen the deemster as he took that letter he must have thought it his death warrant a deadly pallor came to his face when he broke the seal of the envelope and drew out the contents it was a commission from the home office Philip was appointed governor of the isle of man my punishment my punishment he thought the higher he rose the lower he had to fall it was a cruel kindness a painful distinction an awful penalty truly the steps of this calvary were steep would he ever ascend it the messenger was bowing and smirking before him thousand congratulations your excellency thank you my lad go downstairs they'll give you something to eat a moment later Gemma Lord came into the room on some pretense and hopped about like a bird yes your excellency know your excellency quite so your excellency Martha came next and met Philip on the landing with a courageous smile and a curtsy and the whole house lately so dark and sad seemed to lighten and to laugh as went after a sleepless night you look and lo the daylight is on the blind you listen and the birds are twittering in their cages below the stairs she will hear it too thought Philip he wrote her two lines of a letter first that he had penned since his illness keep up heart dear I will be with you soon this without signature or superscription he put into an envelope and addressed then he went out and posted it himself there was lightning as he returned he felt as if he would like to wander away down to Port Moor and round by the caves and under the cliffs where the seabirds scream end of part six chapter 15 part 6 chapter 16 of the Manksman this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings were in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the Manksman by Sir Hall Cain part 6 chapter 16 the night had fallen and he was sitting in his room when there was a clamour of loud voices in the hall someone was calling for the deemster it was Nancy Jo she was newly returned from Sulby something had happened to Caesar nobody could control him go to him your honor she cried from the doorway it's only yourself that has power with him and we don't know in the world what's doing on the man he's got a ram's horn at him and he's going blowing round the house like the mischief calling on the lord to bring it down and saying it's the walls of Jericho Philip sent for a carriage and set off for Sulby immediately the storm had increased by this time loud peels of thunder echoed in the hills forks of lightning licked the trunks of the trees and ran like serpents along the branches as they were going by the church at Lausère the coachman reached over from the box and said there's something going down over yonder sir see a bright gleam lit up the dark sky in the direction they were taking at the turn of the road by the ginger somebody passed them running what's yonder called the coachman and the voice out of the darkness answered him the theory is struck by lightning and Caesar's gone mad it was the fact while Caesar and his mania had been blowing his ram's horn around his public house under the delusion that it was Jericho the lightning had struck it the fire was past all hope of subduing a great hole had been burnt into the roof and the flames were leaping through it as through a funnel all Sulby seemed to be on the spot some were dragging furniture out of the burning house others were running with buckets to the river and throwing water on the blazing thatch but encircling everything was the figure of a man going round and round with great plunging strides over the road across the river and through the middle pond behind blowing a horn in fierce unearthly blasts and crying in a voice of triumph and mockery first to this worker and then to that no use I tell thee thou can never put it out it's fire from heaven didn't I say I'd bring it down it was Caesar his eyes glittered his mouth worked convulsively and his cheeks were as black with the flying soot as the collie of the pot when he saw Philip he came up to him with a terrible smile on his fierce black face and pointing to the house he cried above the babble of voices the roar of the thunder and crackle of the fire an unclean spirit lived in it sir it has been tormenting me these ten years he seemed to listen and to hear something that's it roaring he cried and then he laughed with wild delight compose yourself Mr. Craigine said Philip and he tried to take him by the arm but Caesar broke away blew a terrific blast on his ram's horn and went striding round the house again when he came back the next time there was a deep roll of thunder in the air and he said it's the ballerwain he had the stone five years and he used to groan so again Philip entreated him to compose himself it was useless round and round the burning house he went blowing his horn and calling on the workers to stop their ungodly labour for the Lord had told him to blow down the walls of Jericho and he had burnt them down instead the people began to be afraid of his frenzy the castle said one or have him chained up in an outhouse said another they kept the Kirk Morgall lunatic 15 years on the straw in the gable loft and his children in the house grew up to be men and women it's the girl that's doing on Caesar shame on the daughters that bring ruin to their old fathers still Caesar went careering round the fire blowing his ram's horn and crying no use it's the Lord God the more the fire blazed the more it resisted the efforts of the people to subdue it the more fierce and unearthly were Caesar's blasts and the more triumphant his cries at last Granny stepped out and stopped him come home father she whimpered he looked at her with bewildered eyes then he looked at the burning house and he seemed to recover himself in a moment come home Bach said Granny tenderly I've got no home said Caesar in a helpless way and I've got no money the fire has taken all no matter father said Granny we had nothing when we began we'll begin again then Caesar fell to mumbling texts of Scripture and Granny to soothing him after her simple fashion my soul is passing through deep waters I'm feeble and sore broken save me oh God for the waters that come in under my soul I sink in deep mire where there is no standing oh no Caesar we're on the road now it's dry enough here anyway many bulls have compassed me great bulls of bastion have beset me round save me from the lion's mouth for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorn never mind the lion and the unicorn father but come and we'll change thy wet trousers purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean wash me and I shall be whiter than snow oh yes we'll wash thee enough when we get the ramsey come then Bach he had dropped his ram's horn somewhere and she took him by the hand then he suffered himself to be led away and the two old children went off into the darkness End of Part 6 Chapter 16 Part 6 Chapter 17 of the Manxman This was a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings were in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Manxman by Sir Hall Cain Part 6 Chapter 17 There was a letter waiting for Philip at home It was from the Clark of the Rolls Only a few lines scribble on the back of a draught deposition telling him the petition for divorce had been heard that day within closed doors The application had been granted and all was settled and comfortable I don't want to hurt you already much wounded feelings Christian wrote the Clark of the Rolls or to add anything to your responsibility when you come to make provision for the woman but I must say she has given up for your sake a dused good honest fellow I know it said Philip aloud When I told him that all was over and that his earring wife would trouble him no more I thought he was going to burst out crying But Philip had no time yet to think of Pete All his heart was with Kate She would receive the official intimation of the divorce and it would fall on her in her prison like a blow She would think of herself with all the world against her and of him with all the world at his feet He wanted to run to her to pluck her up in his arms to kiss her on the lips and say Mine, mine at last His wife, her husband all forgiven, all forgotten Philip spent the rest of the night in writing a letter to Kate He told her he could not live without her that now for the first time she was his and he was hers and they were one that their love was reborn and that he would spend the future in atoning for the wrongs he had inflicted upon her in the past Then he dropped to the sheer babble of affection and poured out his heart to her All the babydom of love the foolish prattle, the tender nonsense What matter that he was governor now and the first man in the island He forgot all about it What matter that he was writing to a fallen woman in prison He only remembered it to forget himself the more Just a little longer, my love Just a little longer I'm coming to you, I'm coming Older perhaps, perhaps sadder and a boy no more but hopeful still and ready to face whatever fate befall with her I love beside me Next day I took this letter to Castle Rusian and brought back an answer It was one line only My darling, at last, at last Oh Philip, Philip But what about our child End of Part 6 Chapter 17