“The Repairer of Reputations” is a short story published by Robert W. Chambers in the collection The King in Yellow in 1895. The story is an example of Chambers’ horror fiction and is one of the stories in the collection that contains the motif of the Yellow Sign and the King in Yellow.
This series though later adopted into the Cthulhu mythos is one of my favorites in the expanded mythos and on its own as great horror fiction. The different stories within have excellent themes and the Repairer of Reputations has an awesome use of the unreliable narrator troupe.
An excellent story and I hope to do the other stories in the King in Yellow soon.
Image credit to (Villians wiki) for the depiction of Hastur the King in Yellow.
The King in Yellow by Robert W Chambers Red by Red Bad Andy along the shore the cloud waves break the twin Suns sink behind the lake the Shadows lengthen in carosa strangers the night where black stars rise and strange Moons Circle through the skies but stranger still is lost
Carosa songs that the hiades shall sing where flap the tatters of the king must die unheard in dim carosa song of my soul my voice is Dead die thou unsung as tears unshed shall dry and die and lost carosa cassilda’s song in The King and yell yellow act 1 scene
Two the repairer of reputations one NE Lea lra V toward the end of the year 1920 the government of the United States had practically completed the program adopted during the last months of president winthrop’s Administration the country was apparently tranquil everybody knows how the Tariff and labor questions were
Settled the war with Germany incident on the country’s seizure of the Samoan Islands had left no visible scars upon the Republic and the temporary occupation of Norfolk by the invading Army had been forgotten in the joy over repeated Naval victories and the subsequent ridiculous plate of General
Von gartland’s forces in the state of New Jersey the Cuban and Hawaiian Investments had paid off 100% And the territory of Samoa well worth its cost as a coing station the country was in a superb state of Defense every coast city had been well supplied with land fortifications the Army under the
Parental eye of the general staff organized according to the Prussian system had been increased to 300,000 men with a territorial reserve of a million and six magnificent squadrons of Cruisers and battleships patrolled the six Stations of the navigable Seas leaving a steam Reserve amply fitted to control home Waters the gentleman from
The West had at last been constrained to acknowledge that a college for the training of diplomats was as necessary as law schools are for the training of barristers consequently we were no longer represented abroad by incompetent Patriots the nation was prosperous Chicago for a moment paralyzed after a
Second great fire had risen from from its ruins white and Imperial more beautiful than the White City which had been built for its play thing in 1893 everywhere good architecture was replacing bad and even in New York a sudden craving for decency had Swept Away a great portion of the existing
Horrors streets had been widened properly paved and lighted trees had been planted squares laid out elevated structures demolished and underground roads built to replace them the new government buildings and Barracks were fine bits of architecture and the long system of stone CS which completely surrounded the island had been turned
Into Parks which proved a godsent to the population the subsidizing of the State Theater and state Opera brought its own reward the United States National Academy of Design was much like European in situations of the same kind nobody envied the Secretary of Fine Arts either his cabinet position or his portfolio
The Secretary of Forestry and game uh preservation had a much easier time thanks to the new system of NA national Mounted Police we had profited well by the latest treaties with France and England the exclusion of foreign born Jews as a measure of national self-preservation the settlement of the
New independent negro state of swans and checking of immigration the new laws concerning naturalization and the gradual centralization of power in the executive all contributed to the National calm and prosperity when the government solved the Indian problem and squadrons of Indian cavalry Scouts in Native costume were substituted for the
Pitiable organizations tacked on the tale of skeletonized regiments by a former Secretary of War the nation drew a long sigh of relief when after the Colossal Congress of religions bigotry and intolerance were laid in their graves and kindness and charity began to draw new Waring sex together many
Thought the Millennium had arrived at least in the new world which after all is a world by itself but self-preservation is the first law and the United States had to look on and help us sorrow as Germany Italy Spain and Belgium rised in the throws of Anarchy while Russia watching from the
Caucasus stooped and bound them one by one in the city of New York the summer of 1899 was signalized by the dismantling of the elevated railroads the summer of 1900 will live in the memories of New York people for many a cycle the Dodge statue was removed in
That year and the following winter began that agitation for repeal of laws prohibiting suicide which bore its final fruit in the month of April 1920 when the first government lethal chamber was opened on Washington Square I had walked down that day from Dr Archer’s house on
Madison Avenue where I had been as a mere formality ever since that fall from my horse four years before I had been troubled at times with pains in the back of my head and neck but now for months they had been absent and the doctor sent
Me away the day saying that there was nothing more to be cured in me it was hardly worth his fee to be told that I knew it myself still I did not Grudge him the money what I minded was the mistake which he made at first when they
Picked me up from the pavement where I lay unconscious and somebody had mercifully sent a bullet through my horse’s head I was carried to Dr Archer and he pronouncing my brain affected placed me in his private Asylum where I was obliged to endure treatment for Insanity at last he decided that I was
Well and I knowing that my mind has always been a sound as his if not Sounder paid my tuition as he jokingly called it and left I told him smiling that I would get even with him for his mistake and he laughed heartily and
Asked me to call once in a while I did so hoping for a chance to even up accounts but he gave me none and I told him I would wait the fall from my horse had fortunately left no evil results on the contrary it had changed my whole character for the
Better from a lazy young man about town I had become active energetic temperate and above all oh Above All Else ambitious there was only one thing which troubled me I laughed at my own uneasiness and yet it troubled me during my convalescence I had bought and read
For the First Time The King in Yellow I remember after finishing the First Act that it occurred to me that I had better stop I started up and flung the book into the fireplace the volume struck the barard great and fell open in the hear
In the Fire Light I had not caught a glimpse of the opening words in the second act I should never have finished it but as I stooped to pick it up my eyes became riveted to the open page and with a cry of Terror perhaps it
Was of Joy so poignant that I suffered in every nerve I snatched the thing out of the coals and crept shaking to my bedroom where I read it and reread it and wept and laughed and trembled with a horror which at times assails me yet
This is the thing that troubles me for I cannot forget carosa where black stars hang in the heavens where the shadows of men’s thoughts lengthen in the afternoon where the twin Suns sink into the lake of Hali and my mind will bear forever the memory of the palid Mask I pray God
Will curse the writer as the writer has cursed the world with this beautiful stupendous creation terrible in its Simplicity irresistible in its truth a world which now trembles before theing and yellow when the French government seized the translated copies which had just arrived in Paris London of course
Became eager to read it it is well known how the book spread like an infectious disease from City to City from continent to continent barred out there confiscated there denounced by press and Pulpit censured even by the most advanced of literary anarchists no definite principles had been violated in those Wicked Pages no
Doctrine pregated no convictions outraged it could not be judged by any known standard yet although it was acknowledged that the Supreme note of art had been struck in the king of yellow all felt the human nature could not bear The Strain nor thrive on words in which the essence of purest poison
Lurked the very banality and innocence of the First Act only allowed the blow to fall afterward with more awful effect it was I remember the 13th day of April 1920 that was the first government lethal chamber was established on the south side of Washington Square between wster Street and South fth Avenue the
Block which had formerly consisted of a lot of shabby old buildings used as cafes and restaurants for foreigners have been acquired by the government in the winter of 1898 the French and Italian cafes and restaurants were torn down the whole block was enclosed by a gilded iron railing and converted into a lovely
Garden with Lawns flowers and fountains in the center of the garden stood a small white building severely classical in architecture and surrounded by thickets of flowers six ionic columns supported the roof and for the single door was of bronze a splendid marble group of the Fates stood before
The door the work of a young American sculpter Boris yain who had died in Paris when he was only 23 years old the inauguration ceremonies were in progress as I crossed University Place and entered the square I threaded my way through the silent throngs of spectators
But was stopped at 4th Street by a cordon of police a regiment of United State Lancers were drawn up in a hollow square around the lethal chamber on a raised Tribune facing Washington Park stood the governor of New York and behind him were a group to the mayor of
Greater New York and Brooklin the Inspector General of police the commandant of the state troops Colonel Livingston military aid of the president of the United States General Blount Commander at Governor’s Island Major General Hamilton commanding The Garrison of of New York and Brooklyn Admiral Buffy of the fleet in the North River
Sergeon General lanceford the staff of the national free hospital Senator Weiss of and Franklin of New York and the commissioner of Public Works the Tribune was surrounded by a squadron of hirs of the National Guard the governor was finishing his reply to the short speech of the Surgeon
General I heard him say the laws prohibiting suicide and providing punishment for any attempt at self-destruction have been repeated healed the government has seen fit to acknowledge the right of man to end an existence which may have become intolerable to him through physical suffering or mental despair It is
Believed that the community will be uh benefited by the removal of such people from their midst since the passage of this law the number of suicides in the United States has not increased now the government has determined to establish a lethal chamber in every city town and
Village in the country it remains to be seen whether or not that class of human creatures from whose desponding ranks knew victims of self-destruction ction fall daily will accept the relief thus provided he paused and turned to the white lethal chamber the silence in the street was absolute there a painless
Death awaits him who can no longer bear the Sorrows of this life if death is welcome let him seek it there then quickly turning to the military aid of the president’s household he said I declare the lethal chamber open and again facing the vast crowd he cried in
A clear voice citizens of New York and of the United States of America through me the government declares the lethal chamber to be open solemn hush was broken by a sharp Cry of command the Squadron of husars uh filed after the governor’s Carriage the Lancers wheeled and formed along Fifth Avenue to wait
For the commandant of the Garrison and the Mounted Police followed them I left the crowd to gape and stare at the white marble death chamber and Crossing South Fifth Avenue walked along the western side of the thoroughfare to bleer Street then I turned to the right and stooped
Before a dingy shop which bore the sign hobber armorer I glanced in at the doorway and saw hobber busy in his little shop at the end of the hall he looked up and catching sight of me cried in his deep hearty Voice come in Mr casine constant
His daughter Rose to meet me as I crossed the threshold and held out her pretty hand but I saw the blush of disappointment on her cheeks and knew that it was another castain she had expected my cousin Lewis I smiled at her confusion complimented her on the banner which she was
Embroidering from a colored plate old hobber SAT riveting the worn Greaves of some ancient suit of armor and The Ting Ting Ting of his little Hammer sounded pleasantly in the quate shop presently he dropped his hammer and fussed about for a moment with a tiny wrench the soft clash of the maale sent
A thrill of pleasure through me I loved to hear the music of Steel brushing against steel the Mellow shock of the Mallet on thigh pieces and the jingle of chain armor that was the only reason I went to see halber he never interested me personally nor did Constance except
For the fact of her being in love with ls this did occupy my attention and sometimes even kept me awake at night but I knew in my heart that all would come right and that I should arrange their future as I expected to arrange that of my kind Doctor John
Archer however I should never have troubled myself about visiting them just then had it not been as I say that the music of the tinkling Hammer had for me the strong fascination I would sit for hours listening and listening when a stray Sunbeam struck the inlaid steel the sensation it gave
Me was almost too Keen to endure my eyes would become fixed dilating with pleasure that stretched every nerve almost to Breaking until some movement of the old armor cut off the ray of sunlight then still thrilling secretly I leaned back and listened again to the sound of the polishing rag swish swish
Rubbing rust from the rivets constant worked with the embroidery over her knees now and then pausing to examine more more closely the pattern and the color plate from the Metropolitan Museum who’s this for I asked hobber explained that in addition to the treasures of armor in the Metropolitan
Museum of which he had been appointed armor he had also charge of several collections belonging to Rich amateurs this was the missing grieve of a famous suit which a client of his had traced to a little shop in Paris on the koray he hobber had negotiated for and
Secured the grieve and now the suit was complete he laid down his hammer and read me the history of the suit traced since 1450 from owner to owner until it had been acquired by Thomas stain bridge when his superb collection was sold this client of HKS bought the suit and since
Then the search for the missing grieve had been pushed until it was almost by accident located in Paris did you continue this search so persistently without any certainty of the grieve being still in existence I demanded of course he replied cool then for the first time I took personal
Interest in hobber it was worth something to you I ventured no he replied laughing my pleasure in finding it was my reward have you no ambition to be rich I asked smiling my one ambition is to be the best armor in the world he answered Gravely constant asked me if I
Had seen the ceremonies at the lethal chamber she herself had noticed Cavalry passing up Broadway that morning and had wished to see the inauguration but her father wanted the banner finished and she had stayed at his request did you see your cousin Mr castain there she asked with the slightest Tremor in her
Soft eyelashes no I replied carelessly Lewis’s regimen is maneuvering out in Westchester County I Rose and picked up my hat and my cane are you going upstairs to see the lunatic again laughed old H if H knew how I loathe the word lunatic he would never use it in my presence it Rouses
Certain feelings within me which I do not care to explain however I answered him quietly I think I shall drop in and see Mr wild for a moment or two poor fellow said Constance with a shake of her head must be hard to live alone year after year poor crippled and almost
Demented it’s very good of you Mr castain to visit him as often as you do I think he is vicious observed hobber beginning again with the Hammer I listened to the golden tinkle of the grieve plates when he had finished I replied no he is not vicious nor is he
In the least demented his mind is a Wonder Chamber from which he can extract Treasures that you and I would give years of our life to acquire H laughed I continued a little impatiently he knows history as no one else could know it nothing however trivial escapes his search and his
Memory is so absolute so precise in details that were it known in New York that that such a man existed the people could not honor him enough nonsense muttered halber searching on the floor for a fallen rivet is it nonsense I asked managing to suppress what I felt is it nonsense when
He says that the tassets and cards of the enameled suit of armor commonly known as the princes emblazened can be found among a mass of Rusty theatrical properties broken stoves and ragpickers refu and a Garrett in pel Street H’s Hammer felt to the ground but he picked
It up and asked with a great deal of calm how he knew that the tassets and left card were missing from the princess emblazened I did not know until Mr wild mentioned it to me the other day he said that they were in the Garrett of 998 pel
Street nonsense he cried but I noticed his hand trembling under his leather apron is this nonsense too I asked pleasantly is it nonsense when Mr wild continually speaks of you as the mark of avenshire and of Miss constant I did not finish for Constance had started to her
Feet with Terror written on every feature H looked at me and slowly smoothed his leather apron that is impossible he observed Mr wild may know a great many things about armor for instance and the princes emblazened I interposed smiling yes he continued slowly about armor also maybe but he is
Wrong in regard to the Marcus of aena who as you know killed his wife’s uh traducer years ago went to Australia where he did not long survive his wife Mr wild is wrong murmured constant her lips were blanched but her voice was sweet and calm let us agree if you
Please that in this one circumstance Mr wild is wrong I said two I climbed the three dilapidated flights of stairs which I had so often climbed before and and knocked at a small door at the end of the corridor Mr wild opened the door and I walked in
When he had double locked the door and pushed a heavy chest against it he came and sat down beside me peering up into my face with his little light colored eyes half a dozen new scratches covered his nose and cheeks and the silver wires which had supported his artificial ears had become
Displaced I thought I had never seen him so hideously fascinating he had no ears the artificial ones which now stood out at an angle from the flying wire were his one weakness they were made of wax and painted a shell pink but the rest of his face was yellow he might better have
Reveled in the luxury of some artificial fingers for his left hand which was absolutely fingerless but it seems to cause him no inconvenience and he was satisfied with his wax ears he was very small scarcely higher than a child of 10 but his arms were magnificently developed and his
Thighs as thick as any athletes still the most remarkable thing about Mr wild was that a man of his marvelous intelligence and knowledge should have such a head it was flat and pointed like the head of many of those unfortunates who people imprisoned in asylums for the weak-minded many called
Him insane but I knew him to be as sane as I was I could not deny that he was eccentric the Mania he had for keeping that cat and teasing her until she flewed his face like a demon was certainly eccentric I never could understand why he kept creature nor what
Pleasure he found in shutting himself up in his room with this Surly vicious Beast I remember once glancing up from the manuscript I was studying by the light of some Tallow dips and seeing Mr wild squatting motionless on his high chair his eyes fairly blazing with excitement while the cat which had risen
Up from her place before the stove came creeping across the floor right at him I could barely move before she flattened her belly to the ground crouched trembled and sprang into his face howling and foaming they rolled over and over on the floor scratching and clawing until the cat screamed and
Fled out the cabinet Mr wild turned over on his back his limbs Contracting and curling up like the legs of a Dying spider he was eccentric Mr wild had climbed into his high chair and after studying my face picked up a dogeared ledger and opened it Henry B Matthews he read
Bookkeeper with weot weot and Company dealer and church ornaments called April 3rd reputation damaged on the racetrack known as a welcher reputation to be repaired by August 1st retainer $5 he turned the page and ran his fingerless Knuckles down the closely written columns P Green debery minister
Of the Gospel Fair Beach New Jersey reputation damaged in the Bowery to be repaired as soon as possible retainer $100 he coughed and added called April 6th then you are not in need of money Mr wild I inquired listen he coughed again Mrs C Hamilton Chester Chester Park New York City
Called April 7th reputation damaged at D France to be repaired by October 1st retainer $500 note C Hamilton Chester Captain you Avalanche ordered home from South Seas Squadron October 1st well I said the profession of a repair of reputation as lucrative his colorless eyes sought mine
I only wanted to demonstrate that I was correct you said it was impossible to succeed as a repair of reputations that even if I did succeed in certain cases it would cost me more than I would gain by it today I have 500 men in my employ
Who are poorly paid but who pursue the the work with an enthusiasm which possibly may be born of fear these men enter every shade and grade of society some are even pillars in the most exclusive social temples others are the prop and pride of the financial world still others hold Undisputed sway among
The fancy and of the talent I chose them at my leisure from those who reply to my advertisements it is easy enough they are all cowards I could triple the number in 20 days if I wished so you see those who have in their keeping the reputations of
Their fellow citizens I have in my pay they may turn on you I suggested he rubbed his thumb over his cropped ears and adjusted the wax substitutes I think not he murmured thoughtfully I seld them have to apply the Whip and then only once besides they like their
Wages how do you apply the whip I demanded his face for a moment was awful to look upon as eyes dwindled to a pair of green Sparks I invite them to come and have a little chat with me he said in a soft voice a knock at the door
Interrupted him and his face resumed uh its amiable expression who is it he inquired Mr salet was the answer come tomorrow replied Mr wild impossible began the other but he was silenced by a sort of bark from Mr wild come tomorrow he repeated heard somebody move away from
The door and turn the corner by the stairway who is that I asked Arnold stet owner and editor and chief of the great New York daily he drummed on The Ledger with his fingerless hand adding I pay him very badly but he thinks it’s a good bargain Arnold stet I repeated amazed
Yes said Mr wild with a self-satisfied cough the cat which had entered the room as he spoke hesitated looked up at him and snarled he climbed down from the chair and squatting on the floor took the creature into his arms and caressed her the cat ceased snarling presently
Began loud purring which seemed to increase in Timber as he stroked her what are the notes I asked he pointed to the table for the hundredth time I picked up the bundle of manuscript entitled The Imperial Dynasty of America one by one I studied the well-worn pages worn only by my own
Handling and although I knew it all by heart from the beginning when from caros the hies hter and albron to castain Lewis to calavados born December 19th 1877 I read it with an eager wrapped attention pausing to repeat parts of it aloud and dwelling especially on hildred
De calot only son of hildred castin and Edith Landis castin first in succession etc etc when I finished Mr wild nodded and coughed speaking of your legitimate ambition he said how do constant and Lewis get along she loves him I simply replied the cat on his knee suddenly turned and struck
At his eyes and he flung her off and climbed onto the chair opposite me and Dr Archer but what’s the matter you can settle any times you wish he added yes I replied Dr Archer can wait but it is time I saw my cousin Lewis it
Is time he repeated then he took another Ledger from the table and ran over the leaves rapidly we are now in communication with 10,000 men he muttered we can count on 100,000 within the first 28 hours and in 48 hours the states will rise in Mass the country
Follows the state and the portion that will not I mean California and the Northwest might better never have been uh inhabited I shall not send them the yellow sign the the blood rushed to my head but I only answered a new broom sweeps clean the ambition of Caesar and of
Napoleon pales before that which could not rest until it had seized the minds of men and controlled even their unborn thoughts said Mr wild you are speaking of the King in Yellow I groaned with a shudder he is King whom Emperors have served I am content to serve him I
Replied Mr wild sat rubbing his ears with his C hand perhaps constant does not love him he suggested I started to reply but with a sudden burst of military music from the street below drowned my voice the 20th droon regiment formerly in Garrison at Mount St Vincent was returning from
The Maneuvers in Westchester County to his new barracks on East Washington Square it was my cousin’s regiment there were a fine lot of fellows in their pale blue tight fitting jackets jaunty bus bees and white riding britches with the double yellow stripe into which their limbs seemed molded every other
Squadron was armed with lances from the metal points of which fluttered yellow and white pennant the band passed playing a regimental March then came the colonel and staff the horses crowding and trampling while their heads bobbed in unison and the pennin fluttered from their Lance points the Troopers who rode
With the beautiful English seat looked down as berries from their bloodless campaigns among the arms of Westchester and the music of their saber rattling against the stups and the jingle of Spurs and carbin was delightful to me I saw Lewis riding with his Squadron he was the handsomest officer as I’ve ever
Seen Mr wild who had mounted a chair by the window saw him too but said nothing Le turned and looked straight at hoberg’s shop as he passed and I could see the flush on his brown cheeks I think Constance must have been at the window when the last Troopers had
Clattered by and the last last pennin vanished into South Fifth Avenue Mr wild clambered out of his chair and dragged the chest away from the door yes he said it is time that you saw your cousin Lewis he unlocked the door and I picked up my hat and stick and stepped into the
Corridor the stairs were dark groping about I set my foot on something soft which snarled and spit I aimed a murderous blow at the cat but my cane shivered to splinters against the ballustrade and the Beast scurried back into Mr Wild’s room passing Rob’s door
Again I saw him still at work on the armor but I did not stop stepping out on bleer street I followed it to wster skirted the grounds of the lethal chamber and Crossing Washington Park went straight to my rooms in the Benedict here I lunched comfortably and
Read The Herald and the meteor finally went to the steel safe in my bedroom and set the time combination the three and 3/4 minutes which it is necessary to wait while a time lock is opening are to me golden moments from the instant I set the combination to the moment where I
Grasp the knobs and swing back the solid steel doors I live in an ecstasy of expectation those moments must be like the moments p in Paradise I know what I am to find at the end of the time limit I know what the massive safe holds
Secure for me for me alone and the Exquisite pleasure of waiting is hardly enhanced when the safe opens and I lift from its velvet Crown a diadem of purest gold blazing with diamonds I do this every day and yet the joy of waiting and at last touching again the diadem only
Seems to increase as the days pass it is a diadem fit for the king among Kings an emperor among Emperors the King in Yellow might scorn it but it shall be warned by his Royal servant I held it in my arms until the alarm in the safe rang
Harshly and then tenderly proudly I replaced it and shut it in the steel doors I walked slowly back into my study which faces Washington Square and leaned on the window sill the afternoon sun poured into my windows and a gentle breeze stirred the branches of the Elms
And Maples in the park now covered with Buds and tender foliage a flock of pigeons circled about the Tower of the Memorial Church sometimes a lighting on the purple tiled roof sometimes Wheeling downward to the lotos fountain in front of the Marble Arch the gardeners were busy with the flower beds around the
Fountain and a freshly turned Earth smelled sweet and spicy a lawn mower drawn by a fat white horse clinked across the green sword and watering carts poured Showers of spray over the asphalt drives around the statue of Peter stuent which in 1897 had replaced the monstrosity supposed to represent uh
Garad Aldi children played in the spring sunshine and nurse girls wielded elaborate baby carriages with a reckless disregard for the pasty-faced occupants which could probably be explained by the presence of half a dozen trim Dron troopers languidly lulling on the benches through the the trees the Washington Memorial Arch glistened like
Silver in the sunshine and Beyond on the Eastern extremity of the square the Greystone Barracks of the dra and the white granite artillery Stables were alive with color in motion I looked at the lethal chamber on the corner of the square opposite a few curious people still lingered about the Gilded iron
Railing but inside the grounds the paths were deserted I watched The Fountains Ripple and Sparkle The Sparrows had already found this new uh bathing Nook and the basins were covered with the dusty FEA little things two or three white peacocks picked their way across the Lawns and a drab colored pigeon sat
So motionless on the arm of one of the Fates that it seemed to be part of the sculpted Stone as I was turning carelessly away a slight commotion in the group of curious loiterers around the gates attracted my attention a young man had entered and was advancing with
Nervous strides along the gravel path which leads to the bronze doors of the lethal chamber he paused a moment before the fates and as he raised his head to those three mysterious faces as the pigeon Rose from its sculpted perch circled about for a moment and wheeled
To the east the young man pressed his hand to his face and then with an undefinable gesture sprang up the marble steps the bronze doors closed behind him and half an hour later the loiterer slouched away the frightened pigeon returned to its perch in the arms of the
Fate I put on my hat and went out into the park for a little walk before dinner as I crossed the central driveway a group of officers paused and one of them called out hello hildred and came back to uh shake hands with me it was my cousin Lewis who stood smiling and
Tapping his spurred heels with his riding whip just back from Westchester he said been doing the buic milk and Kurds you know Dairy maids and sunbonnets who who would say how and I don’t think when you tell them they are pretty I’m nearly dead for a square meal
At Del Moo’s what’s the news there is none I replied pleasantly I saw your regiment coming in this morning did you I didn’t see you where were you in Mr Wild’s window oh hell he began impatiently that man is Stark mad I don’t understand why you he saw how
Annoyed I felt by this outburst and begged my pardon really old chap he said I don’t mean to run down a man you like but for the life of me I can’t see why the deuce you find in common with Mr wild he’s not well bred to put it
Generously hideously deformed his head is the head of a criminally insane person you know yourself he been in an asylum so have I I interrupted calmly LS looked startled and Confused for a moment but recovered and slapped me hardly on the shoulder you were completely cured he began but I stopped
Him again I suppose you mean that I was simply acknowledged never to have been insane of course that that’s what I meant he laughed I disliked his laugh because I knew it was forced but I nodded gay and asked him where he was going Lewis looked after his uh brother
Officers who had had now almost reached Broadway he had intended to sample a Brunswick cocktail but to tell you the truth I was anxious for an excuse to go and see hobber instead come along I’ll make you an excuse we found old hobber neatly attired in a fresh spring suit
Standing at the doors of his shop and stiffing the air I just decided to take constant for a little stroll before dinner he replied to the impetuous Folly of questions from Lewis we thought of walking on the Park Terrace along the North River at that moment constants appeared and grew pale
And Rosy by turns as Lewis bent over her small gloved fingers I tried to excuse myself alleging an engagement up town but Lewis and constant would not listen and I saw was expected to remain and engage old H’s attention after all it would be just as well if I had kept my
Eye on Lewis I thought and they hail the Spring Street horse car I got in after them and took my seat beside the armor the beautiful line of parks and granite Terraces overlooking the Wares along the north river which were built in 1910 and finished in the Autumn of 1917 had
Become one of the most popular promenades in the Metropolis they extended from the battery to 190th Street overlooking the noble River and affording a fine view of the Jersey Shore and the highlands opposite cafes and restaurants were scattered here and there among the trees and twice a week
Military bands from The Garrison played in the kiosks on the parapets we sat down in the sunshine on the bench at the foot of the esquarian Statue of General Sheridan constant tipped her sun shade to Shield her eyes and she and Lewis began a murmuring conversation which was
Impossible to catch old hobber leaning in on his Ivory headed cane lighted an excellent cigar the mate to which I politely refused and smiled at vacancy the sun hung low above the Staten Island woods and the bay was dyed with golden Hues reflected the sun-warmed sails of the shipping in the harbor Briggs
Schooners Yachts clumsy fairy boats their decks swarming with people railroad transports carrying lines of brown blue and white Freight cars stately sound streamers declass [Â __Â ] streamers coasters dredgers scows and everywhere pervading the entire Bay impudent little tugs puffing and whistling officiously these were the crafts which churned the sunlight Waters as far as
The eye could reach in a calm contrast to the hurrying of sailing vessels and streamer a silent Fleet of white warships lay Motionless In Midstream constant’s merry laugh aroused me from my Ry what do you staring at she inquired nothing the fleet I smiled then LS told
Us of what vessels were pointing out each by its relative position to the Old Red Fort at Governor’s Island that little cigar shaped thing is a torpedo boat he explained there are four more lying close together they are the tarpon the Falcon the Sea Fox and the octopus the gunboats just above are
The Princeton the Champlain the still waterer and the Eerie next to them lie the Cruisers fargot and Los Angeles and above them the battleships of California and Dakota and the Washington which is the flagship those two squatty looking chunks of metal where the anchored there off Castle William are the double
Turreted monitors terrible and magnificent behind them lies the ram Osio constant looked at him with deep approval in her beautiful eyes what loads of things you know for being a soldier she said and we all joined in the laugh which followed presently Lewis Rose with a nod to us and offered his
Arm to constant and they strolled away Along the river wall HCK watched them for a moment and then turned to me Mr wild was right he said I found the missing tassets and left card of princes emblazened in a vile old junk Garrett in pel Street 998 I inquired with a smile
Yes Mr wild is a very intelligent man I observed I want to give him the credit for the most important Discovery continued H and I intend it shall be known that he is entitled to the fame of it he won’t thank you for that I answered sharply please say nothing
About it do you know what it is worth said HCK no $50 Perhaps it is valued at $500 but the owner of the princess em blazen will give $2,000 to the person who completes this suit that reward also belongs to Mr wild he doesn’t want it he refuses it I
Answered angrily what do you know about Mr wild he doesn’t need the money he is Rich or will be richer than any living man except myself what will we care for money then what will we care he and I when when when what demanded Haber astonished you will see I replied on my
Guard again he looked at me narrowly much as Dr Archer used to and they knew he thought I was mentally unsound perhaps it was fortunate for him that he did not use the word lunatic just then no I repli replied to his unspoken thought I am not mentally weak my mind
Is as healthy as Mr Wilds I do not care to explain just yet what I have on hand but it is an investment which will pay more than mere gold silver precious stones it will scare the happiness and prosperity of a continent yes a hemisphere oh said hobber and eventually
I continued more quietly we secure the happiness of the whole world and incidentally your own happiness and prosperity as well as Mr Wilds exactly I smiled but I could have throttled him for taking that tone he looked at me in silence for a while then said very
Gently why don’t you give up your books and studies Mr castin take a [Â __Â ] among the mountains somewhere or other you used to be fond of fishing take a cast or two with the trout and the wrangley I don’t care for fishing anymore I answered without a shade of annoyance in
My voice he used to be fond of everything he continued Athletics yachting shooting riding I have never cared to ride since my fall I said quietly ah yes your fall he repeated looking away from me I thought this nonsense had gone on far enough so I brought the conversation back to Mr wild
But he was scanning my face again in a manner highly offensive to me Mr wild he repeated do you know what he did this afternoon he came downstairs and nailed a sign over the hall door next to mine it read Mr wild repair of reputations 3D B
Do you know what a repair of reputations can be I do I replied suppressing the rage within oh he said again Lewis and constants came strolling by and stopped to ask if we would join them HRI looked at his watch at the same moment a puff of smoke shot from the casemates of
Castle William and the boom of the sunset gun rolled across the water was re-echoed from the highlands opposite the flag came running down from the flag pole the bugle sounded on the white decks of the warships and the first electric light sparked out from the Jersey Shore as I turned into the city
With hobber I heard constant murmuring something to Lewis which I did not understand but Lewis whispered my darling in reply and again walking ahead with hobber through the square I heard a murmur of sweetheart and my own Constance and I knew the time was nearly arrived when I should speak of important
Matters with my cousin Lewis three one morning early in May I stood by before the steel safe in my bedroom trying on the golden jeweled Crown the diamonds flashed fire as I turned to the mirror and the heavy beaten gold burned like a Halo about my head I remembered
Camila’s agonized scream and the awful words echoing through the dim streets of carosa they were the last lines in the First Act and I dared not think of what followed dared not even in the spring Sunshine there in my own room surrounded with familiar objects reassured by the
Bustle from the street and the voices of the servants in the hallway outside for those poisoned words had dropped slowly into my heart and the death sweet drops upon a bed sheet and as absorbed trembling I put the Diem from my head and wiped my forehead but I thought of
Hter and of my own rightful ambition and I remembered Mr wild as I had last seen him his face all torn and bloody from the claws of that Devil’s creature and what he said ah what he said the alarm Bell in the safe began to wor
Harshly and I knew my time was up but I would not heat it and replacing the flashing circlet upon my head I turned definently to the mirror I stood for a long time absorbed in the changing expression of my own eyes the mirror reflected a face which was like my own
But whiter and so thin that I hardly recognized it and all the time I kept repeating between my clenched teeth the day has come the day has come while the alarm and the safe word and and clamored and the diamond sparkled and flamed above my brow I heard a door open but I
Did not heed it it was only when I saw two faces in the mirror was only when another Face rose over my shoulder and two other eyes met mine I wheeled like a Flash and seized a long knife from my Dressing Table my cousin sprang back very C pale
Crying hildred for God’s sake then as my hand fell he said it is I LS don’t you know me I stood silent I could not have spoken for my life he walked up to me and took the knife from my hand what is all this he inquired in a
Gentle voice are you ill no I replied but I doubt if he heard me come come old fellow he cried take off that brass crown and toddle into the study are you going to a masquerade what’s all this theatrical tinsil anyway I was glad he thought the crown was made of brass and
Paste yet I didn’t like him any the better better for thinking so I let him take it from my hands knowing it was best to humor him he tossed The Splendid di him in the air catching it and turned to me smiling it’s deer at 50 cents he said
What’s it for I did not answer but took the circlet from his hands and placing in the safe shut the massive steel door the alarm ceased its infernal Den at once he watched me curiously but did not seem to notice the sudden ceasing of the alarm he did however speak of the safe
As a biscuit box fearing lest he might examine the combination I led him away from the study Lewis threw himself on the sofa and flicked the flies with his eternal riding whip he wore his fatigue uniform with his braided jacket and jaunty cap I noticed that his riding
Boots were all splashed with red mud where have you been I inquired jumping mud creeks in Jersey he said I haven’t had time to change yet I was rather in a hurry to see you haven’t you got a glass of something I’m dead tired but in a saddle 24 hours
I gave him some Brandy from my medicinal store which he drank with a Grimace damned bad stuff he observed I’ll give you an address where they sell Brandy that is Brandy it’s good enough for my needs I said indifferently I used to rub my chest with it he stared and inflicted another
Fly see there old fellow he began I’ve got something to suggest to you it’s four years now that you’ve shut yourself up here like an owl never going anywhere never taking any healthy exercise never doing a damn thing but pouring over these books up here on The Mantel piece
He glanced along the rows of shelves Napoleon Napoleon Napoleon he read for heaven’s sakes have you nothing but Napoleon there wish they were Bound in Gold I said but wait yes there is another book The King in Yellow I looked at him steadily in the eye have you never read
It I asked I no thank God I don’t wish to be driven crazy I saw he regretted his speech as soon as he had uttered it there’s only one word which I loathe more than I do lunatic and that word is crazy but I controlled myself and asked
Him why he thought the King in Yellow was dangerous oh I don’t know he said hastily I only remember the excitement it created in the denunciations from pulpit and press I believe the author shot himself after bringing forth this monstrosity didn’t he I understand he is still alive I
Answered that’s probably true he muttered bullets couldn’t kill a fiend like that it is a book of great truths I said yes he replied of truths which sent men frantic and blast their lives I don’t care if the thing is as they say the very Supreme essence of art it’s a
Crime to have written it and I one shall never open its pages is that what you’ve come to tell me I asked no he said I came to tell you that I’m going to be married I believe for a moment my heart ceased to beat but I kept my eyes on his
Face yeah yes he continued smiling happily married to the sweetest girl on earth Constance hobber I said mechanically how did you know he cried astonished I didn’t know it myself until that last evening in April when we strolled down the embankment before dinner when is it to be then I asked it
Was to be the next September but an hour ago a dispatch uh came ordering our regiment to the Presidio San Francisco we leave at noon tomorrow tomorrow he repeated just think hildred tomorrow I shall be the happiest fellow that ever Drew breath in this Jolly world for
Constant will go with me I offered him my hand in congratulation and he seized and shook it like the good-natured fool that he was or pretended to be I’m going to get my Squadron as a wedding present he rattled on Captain and Mrs Lewis castain a hildred then he
Told me where it was to be and who was to be there and made me promise to come and be best man I I set my teeth and listened to his boyish chatter without showing what I felt but I was getting to the limit of my endurance and when he
Jumped up and switching his Spurs till he jingled said he must go I did not detain him there’s one thing I wanted to ask you I said quietly how said he it’s promised he laughed I want you to meet me for a quarter of an hour’s talk
Tonight of course if you wish he said somewhat puzzled where anywhere in the park here what time hildred midnight what in the name of he began but checked himself and laughingly ascented I watched him go down the stairs and hurry away his saber banging at every stride he turned into bleer
Street and I knew he was going to see constant I gave him 10 minutes to disappear and Then followed in his footsteps taking with me the jeweled crown and the silken robe embroidered with the yellow sign when I turned into bleer Street and entered the doorway
Which bore the sign Mr wild repairer of reputations three D Bell I saw old hober moving about in his shop and imagined I heard constant’s voice in The Parlor but I avoided them both and hurried up the trembling stairways to Mr Wild’s apartment I knocked and entered without ceremony Mr
Wild lay groaning on the floor his face covered with blood his clothes torn to shreds drops of blood were scattered about over the carpet which had also been ripped and frayed in the evidently recent struggle it’s the cursed cat he said ceasing his groans turning his
Color eyes to meet me she attacked me while I was asleep I believed she was to kill me yet this was too much so I went into the kitchen and seizing a hatchet from the pantry started to find the infernal beast and settle her then and there my search was fruitless and after
A while I gave it up came back to find Mr wild squatting on his high chair by the table he had washed his face and changed his clothes the great furrows which which the cat’s claws had plowed up into his face had filled with collap
Lien and a rag hid the wound in his throat I told him I should kill the cat when I came across her but he only shook his head and turned to the open Ledger before him he read name after name of the people who had come to him in regard
To their reputation and the sums he had amassed were startling I put on the screws now and then he explained one day or another some of these people will assassinate you I insisted do you think so he said rubbing his mutilated ears it was useless to argue with him so I took down
The manuscript entitled The Imperial Dynasty of America for the last time I should ever take it down in Mr Wild’s study I read it through thrilling and trembling with pleasure when I had finished Mr wild took the manuscript and turning to the dark passage which leads
From the study to his bed chamber called out in a loud voice vence then for the first time I noticed a man crouching there in the shadow how I had overlooked him during my search for the cat I cannot imagine V come in cried Mr Wild
The figure Rose and crept towards us and I shall never forget the face that uh had we raised to mine as the light from the window illuminated it Vance this is Mr castin said Mr wild before he’ finished speaking the man threw himself on the ground before the table crying
And gasping oh God oh my God help me forgive me oh Mr castain keep that man away from me you can’t you can’t mean it you’re different save me I am broken down I was in a mad house and now when was coming right when I had forgotten
The King The King in Yellow and but I shall go mad again I shall go mad his voice died into a choking rattle for Mr wild had leapt on him and his right hand encircled the man’s throat when Vance fell in a heap on the floor Mr wild
Clamored nimbly into his chair again and rubbing his mangled ears with the stump of his hand turned to me and asked me for The Ledger I reach wrenched down from the shelf and he opened it after a moment searching among the beautifully written Pages he coughed commonplace and pointed
To the name Vance Vance he read aloud OSG good Oswald Vance at the sound of his name the man on the floor raised his head and turned a convulsed face to Mr wild his eyes were injected with blood and his lips tum ified called April 28th continued Mr wild occupation cashier in
The se4th National Bank has served a term of forgery at sing song from when he was transferred to the Asylum for the criminal incense pardoned by the governor of New York and discharged from the Asylum January 19th 1918 reputation damaged at sheep’s head Bay rumors that he lives beyond his
Income reputation can be repaired at once retainer $1,500 note has embezzled sums amounting to 30,000 since March 20th 1919 excellent family and secured present position through uncle’s influence father president of C4 bank I looked at the man on the floor get up Vance said Mr wild in a gentle
Voice Vance Rose as if hypnotized he will do as we suggest now observed Mr wild and opening the manuscript he read the entire history of the Imperial Dynasty of America then in a kind and soothing murmur he ran over the important points with Vance who stood
Like one stunned his eyes were so blank and vacant that I imagined he had become half-witted and remarked it to Mr wild who replied that it was no uh consequence anyway very patiently we pointed out to Vance what his share in the affair would be and he seemed to
Understand after a while Mr wild explained the manuscript using several volumes of heraldry to substantiate the result of his researches he mentioned the establishment of the Dynasty in carosa The Lakes which connected hter alal ran and the Mystery of the hies he spoke of cassilda and Camila and sounded
The Cloudy depths of Demi and the lake of Holly the scalloped tatters of the King in Yellow must hide yil forever he muttered but I do not believe Vance heard him then by degrees he led Vance along the ramifications of the Imperial family to uhat to theil to nataa and the
Phantom Of Truth to alones and then tossing aside his manuscript and notes he began the wonderful story of the last king fascinated and thrilled I watched him he threw up his head his long arms were stretched out in a magnificent gesture of Pride and power and his eyes
Blazed deep in their sockets like two emeralds Vance listened stupified as for me when at last Mr wild had finished and pointing to me cried the cousin of the king my head swam with excitement controlling myself with a superhuman effort I explained to Vance why I alone
Was worthy of the crown and why my cousin must be exiled or die I made him understand that my cousin was never marry even after renouncing all his claims and how that at least of all he should should marry the daughter of the mares of avenshire and bring England
Into the question I showed him a list of thousands of names which Mr wild had drawn up every man whose name was there had received the yellow sign which no living human being dared disregard the city the state the whole land were ready to rise and tremble
Before the pallet mask the time had come the people should know the son of hter and the whole world would bow to the black stars which hang in the sky over carcosa Vance leaned on the table his head buried in his hands Mr wild drew a rough sketch on the margin of yesterday’s
Heral with a bit of lead pencil it was a plan of hk’s rooms then he wrote out the order and I fixed the seal and shaking like a paused man I signed the first R of execution with my name hildred Rex Mr wild clamored to the floor and unlocking
The cabinet took a long square box from the first shelf then he brought it to the table and opened a new knife lay in the tissue paper inside and I picked it up and handed it to Vance along with the order and the plan of H’s apartment then
Mr wild told Vance he could go and he went shambling like an outcast of the slums I sat for a while watching the daylight fade behind the square Tower in the Judson Memorial Church and finally Gathering up the manuscript and notes took my hat and started for the door Mr
Wild watched me in silence when I had stepped into the hall I looked back Mr Wild’s small a were still fixed on me behind him the Shadows gathered in the fading light then I closed the door behind me and went out into the darkening streets I had eaten nothing
Since breakfast but I was not hungry a wretched half starved creature who stood looking across the street to the lethal chamber noticed me and came up to tell me a tale of misery I gave him money I don’t know why and he went away without thanking me an hour later another Outcast approached
And whined his story I had a blank bit of paper in my pocket on which was traced the yellow sign I handed it to him he looked up at it stupidly for a moment and with an uncertain glance at me folded it with what seemed like exaggerated care and placed it in its
Bosom the electric lights were sparkling among the trees and the new moon Shone in the sky above the lethal chamber it was tiresome awaiting in the Square I wandered from The Marble Arch to the artillery stables and back again to the Lotus Fountain the flowers and grass exhaled a fragrance which troubled me
The jet of the fountain played in the Moonlight and the musical splash of falling drops reminded me of the tinkle of chained mail in H’s shop but it was not so fascinating and the dull Sparkle of The Moonlight on the water brought no such sensations of Exquisite pleasure as when the sunshine
Played over the polished steel on the horlet on H’s knee I watched the bats darting and turning above the water plants in the fountain Basin but their rapid jerky flight set my nerves on edge and I went away to walk aimlessly to and fr fro among the trees the artillery
Stables were dark but in the Cavalry Barrack of the officer’s windows were brilliantly lighted and the sally port was constantly uh filled with Troopers and fatigues carrying straw and harness and baskets filled with tin dishes twice the mounted Sentry at the gates was changed while I wandered up and down the
Asphalt walk I looked at my watch and it was nearly time the lights in the barracks went out one by one the bar gate was closed and every minute or two an officer passed into the side Wicked leaving a rattle of acutron and a jingle of Spurs on the night air
The square had become very silent the last homeless loiterer had been driven Away by the gray coated Park policeman the car tracks flung The woster were deserted and the only sound which broke the Stillness was the stamping of the Sentry’s horse and the Ring of a saber against the saddle pommel in the
Barracks the officers quarters were still lighted and Military servants passed and repass before the bay windows 12:00 sounded from the new Spire of St Francis Xavier and that the last stroke of the sad toned Bell a figure passed through the wicked beside the port Cullis returned the salute of the Sentry and
Crossing the street entered the square and advanced toward the Benedict apartment house Lewis I called the man pivoted on a spurred heels and came straight toward me is that you hildred yes you are on time I took his offered hand and we stroll toward the lethal chamber he rattled on about his
Wedding in The Graces of constant and their future prospects calling my attention to his Captain’s shoulder straps and the triple gold Arbus on his sleeve and fatigue cap I believe I listened as much to the music of his Spurs and saber as I did to his boyish
Babble and at last we stood under the Elms of the fourth street corner on the Square opposite the lethal chamber then he laughed and asked me what I wanted I motioned him to to have a seat on the bench under the electric light and sat down beside him he looked at me
Curiously with that same searching glance which I hate and I fear so in doctors I felt the insult of his look but he did not know it and I carefully concealed my feelings well old chap he inquired what can I do for you I drew forth from my pocket the
Manuscript and notes of the Imperial Dynasty of America and looking them in the eye said I will tell you on your words as a soldier promise me to read this manuscript from beginning to end without asking me a question promise me to read these notes in the same way and
Promise to listen to what I have to tell later I promise if you wish it he said pleasantly give me the paper hildred he began to read raising his eyebrows with a puzzled iCal air which made me tremble with suppressed anger as he Advanced his eyebrows contracted and
His lips seemed to form the word rubbish then he looked slightly bored but apparently for my sake read with an attempted interest which presently ceased to be an effort he started when in the closely written Pages he came to his own name and when he came to mine he
Lowered the paper and looked sharply at me for a moment but he kept his word and resumed his reading and I let the half formed question die on his lips unanswered when he came to the end and read the signature of Mr wild he folded the paper
Carefully and returned it to me I handed him the notes and he settled back pushing his fatigue cap up on his forehead with a boyish gesture which I remembered so well in school I watched his face as he read and when he finished I took the notes with the manuscript and
Placed them in my pocket then I unfolded a scroll marked with a yellow sign he saw the sign but he did not seem to recognize it and I called his attention to it somewhat sharply what well he said I I see it what is it it is the yellow sign I said
Angrily oh that’s it is it said Lewis in that flattering voice which Dr Archer used to employ with me would probably have employed again had I not settled his affair for him I kept my rage down and answered as steadily as possible listen have you engaged your word I’m
Listening old chap he replied soothingly I began to speak very calmly Dr Archer having by some means become possessed of the secret of the Imperial succession attempted to deprive me of my right alleging that because of a fall from my horse four years ago I had become mentally deficient he presumed to
Place me under restraint in his own house in hopes of either driving me insane or poisoning me I have not forgotten it I visited him last night and the interview was Final Lewis turned quite pale but did not move I resumed triumphantly there are yet three people
To be interviewed in the interests of Mr wild and myself there are my cousin Lewis Mr halber and his daughter constant Lewis sprang to his feet and I also arose and flung The Paper marked with the yellow sign to the ground oh I don’t need to tell you what I have to
Say I cried with a laugh of Triumph you must renounce the crown to me do you hear to me LS looked at me with a startled air but recovering himself said kindly of course I pronounce the what is it I must pronounce the crown I said angrily of of course he answered I
Renounce it come old chap I I’ll walk you back to your rooms with you don’t try any of your doctor’s tricks on me I cried trembling with Fury don’t act as if you think I’m insane what nonsense he replied come it’s getting late hildred no I shouted you must listen you cannot
Marry I forbid it do you hear I forbid it you shall renounce the crown and a reward I grant you Exile but if you refuse you shall die he tried to call me but I was roused at last and drawing my long knife barred his way then I told
Him of how they would find Dr archer in the cellar with his throat open I laughed in his face when I thought of Vance and his knife and the order signed by me ah you are the king I cried but I shall be the king who are you to keep me
From Empire over all the habitable Earth I was born the cousin of the king but I shall be king Lewis stood white and rigid before me suddenly a man came running up Fourth Street and entered the Gate of lethal Temple Traverse the path to the bronze doors at full speed and
Plunged into the depth chamber with a cry of one demented and I laughed until I WEP tears for I had recognized Vance I knew that HCK and his daughter were no longer in my way go I cried to LS you have ceased to be a menace you will
Never marry constant now and if you marry anyone else in you Exile I will visit you as I did my doctor last night Mr wild takes charge of you tomorrow then I turned and darted into South Fifth Avenue with a cry of Terror LS dropped his belt and saber and followed
Me like the wind I heard him close behind me at the corner of bleer Street I dashed into the doorway under H’s sign he cried halt or I fire but when he saw that I flew up the stairs leaving H’s shop below he left me and I heard him
Hammering and shouting at their door as though it were possible to arous the dead Mr Wild’s door was open and I entered crying it is done it is done let the nations rise and look upon their King but I could not find Mr wild so I went to the cabinet and took the
Splendid diadem from its case then I drew on The White Silk robe embroidered with the yellow sign and placed the crown upon my head at last I was King King by my right in hter King because I knew the mystery of the hies and my mind
Was sounded the depths of the lake of Holly I was King the first gray penciling of dawn could raise a tempest which would Shake two hemispheres then as I stood my every nerve pitched to the highest tension faint with the joy and Splendor of my thought without in the
Dark passage a man groan wed I seized the Tallow dip and sprang to the door the cat passed me like a demon and the Tallow dip went out but my long knife flew swifter than she and I heard her Screech and I knew that my knife had
Found her for a moment I listened to her tumblings and thumpings about in the darkness and then when her frenzy ceased I lighted a lamp and raised it over my head Mr wild lay on the floor with his throat torn open at first I thought he
Was dead but as I looked a green Sparkle came into his sunken eyes his mutilated hand trembled and then the spasm stretched his mouth from ear to ear for a moment my Terror and despair gave place to hope but as I bent over him his eyeballs rolled clean around in his head
And he died then while I stood transfixed with rage and despair seeing my crown my Empire every hope and every ambition my very life lying prostrate there with the Dead Master they came seized me from behind and bound me until my veins stood out like cords and my voice failed with
The uh paroxysms of my frenzied screams but I still raged bleeding and infuriated among them more than one policeman felt my sharp teeth then when I could no longer move they came near I saw old hobber and behind him my cousin Lewis’s ghastly face and further away in
The corner a woman constant weeping Softly ah I see it now I shrieked you have seized the throne and the Empire wo woe to you who are crowned with the crown of the king and Y yellow editor’s note Mr castain died yesterday in the Asylum for the criminally insane