III
THE two carrier-pigeons have come to me. Iam glad to say they look very
happy. Though there is still much to be published before we arrive at the
part of the Man-Cover’s adventures with which this last message is concerned,
he informs me of such surprising news that I think it my duty to let the readers
share it atonce. The news is startling. Having received my letter, he threatens
to blow the island into the air, should any vessel approach within three miles,
He informs me of his absolute decision never to leave the place, and never
to allow any one to come within the distance mentioned. Provided he
receives my pledge never to reveal the situation of his new landed pro-
perty, he promises to keep me informed of all his doings. For the sake
of the tale, I have made myself an accomplice of his crimes and follies.
I am ashamed of myself, but curiosity is stronger than shame. The
carrier-pigeons have fled back to him with my word of honour. I was too
anxious to know more about the Man-Cover, and my duty as a reporter has
made me forget the moral ideas painfully inculcated unto me by a life of hard
experience and severely-paid-for mistakes. Scratch the man, you will find the
beast. I must admit this has proved true for me also. It is the last time that
I let my own personality come between the readers and the wickedly mad hero
of history, and I apologise for this intrusion. I now give place to him, and
will publish his notes as I receive them.
The contents of the coffin have not suffered from the
wreck. Here they are all, the books and the skull, the roses
white and red, the picture and the doll. From the seventh and
eighth compartments sprang the same tunes. Truly, the sound
reminded me of some hoarse singer, but the quantity of sea-
water absorbed during the floating journey from ship to land
certainly accounts for it. I shall gather a few lemons and rub
the wood carefully with their juices.
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