human
I don't understand it myself, he said hopelessly, addressing himself, in the main, to Leighton, whose calm demeanor was less confusing than the badgering of the excitable Doctor.
gpt
All I know is, that when Doctor Miranda went off to make some explorations on his own account, I felt a little nervous at finding myself alone in such a dismal place. Not frightened, you know, but just nervous.
human
Why you not call to me?
gpt
There was really no reason to call for help, you see, as nothing had happened. So, just to pass the time until Doctor Miranda came back, I walked along the edge of the lake, feeling very miserable, I confess, wondering what had become of Mr. Meudon, and wishing that we were all out of this terrible country and back in Rysdale. At first, there was nothing to alarm me particularly; but the more I thought about the disappearance of Mr. Meudon the more nervous I became. And then, just as I was wondering if we would ever find him, and feeling more uneasy at the strange silence of that melancholy lake----
human
Caramba! You would have the lake to talk?
gpt
I--I heard footsteps among the rocks behind me.
human
A sightseer from Bogota, I suppose,
gpt
No, it was not exactly that--at least, I don't think so. But at first I really didn't turn around to see. I just kept on looking at the lake and going over some of the terrible stories I had heard about it.
human
You see, this leetle fellow was quite mad with the fright, interjected Miranda.
gpt
He dream. He hear, he see nothing. Nobody was there. I know.
human
I think, Sir, you are mistaken, protested the schoolmaster.
gpt
I admit I was nervous. But I was perfectly sane--and I was not asleep.
human
Of course you were not asleep, Mr. Parmelee, said Una soothingly.
gpt
As for being nervous--any one would have been nervous.
human
Well?
gpt
Well, Sir, as I was saying, I heard footsteps. They approached me. I made up my mind I had better see who it was. I turned around. And then I saw, a few yards from me, a stranger. How he came there without my having seen him before, I can't imagine. And then, thinking about this, I confess I became quite agitated.
human
But what was he like, what did he say? demanded Leighton.
gpt
It was a man, I suppose?
human
Oh, yes, I am quite sure he was a man--a very tall man, and singularly dressed.
gpt
I thought so, at least. But then, I am not familiar with the fashions of this country. You see, it is very cold on the shores of the lake, and I should think that any one going there would want at least to be warmly clad. But this man had nothing on that I could see, except a long sort of toga, just like the pictures I have studied in Herodotus. It was looped up on one shoulder through what looked like a golden ring----
human
He dream! He dream! this leetle fellow! laughed Miranda.
gpt
He is too good.
human
And this toga fell down to a point just below his knees. It was a purple and white toga--or perhaps I ought to call it a tunic--with a fringe of gold tassels. He had sandals on his bare feet and wore no trousers--at least, I could see none.
gpt
Caramba!
human
Really, Mr. Parmelee, you describe a very singular sort of person for this age and climate, said Leighton coldly.
gpt
Are you sure that your agitated state of mind--you admit you were agitated--did not create a purely imaginary apparition?
human
Did I not say he dream? demanded Miranda triumphantly.
gpt
And the police say he drink. But that is not so--he never drink. I know. I am there.
human
I am very sorry, Sir; I know it sounds ridiculous, protested the distressed Andrew.
gpt
But I am certain that I was not asleep--or anything else that these well-meaning gentlemen say. I am only telling you what I really saw.
human
Well, tell us the whole story. Setting aside this person's remarkable costume, what was he like, what did he say?
gpt
I don't think he said anything. He was an Indian. That is, he was not a white man. I never saw any one just like him, so I may not be right about the race to which he belongs.
human
In this country, remarked Leighton dogmatically,
gpt
Pray, Sir, remember, he expostulated,
human
But what happened?
gpt
He appeared surprised at seeing me. And then he smiled, approached to where I was standing, and waved a sort of salutation to me. I think he may have muttered some words, either of invitation or friendly greeting. But if he did, it was not in English, nor in Spanish.
human
He, at least, was not agitated, it seems! But as you were afflicted with more than the usual amount of timidity, I suppose you avoided him.
gpt
I assure you, Sir, that as soon as I saw this person, I felt no further fear. There was nothing threatening in his manner. And it flashed through my mind that he could give me some information about Mr. Meudon. I observed that he beckoned me to him--and as he did so I followed.
human
Well?
gpt
That was the singular part of it. There was every reason why I should not go with him--at least, not without first notifying Doctor Miranda. But this strange being smiled so pleasantly and seemed so friendly that my feeling of nervousness passed away, and I was eager to go with him. This I did. Apparently he retraced his steps, leading me along the shore of a little inlet to the lake until we reached a high wall of rock that I had not particularly noticed before. Here he stopped and looked at me, still smiling, as if to make sure that I was following him.
human
Do you think you could identify this wall of rock if you were to see it again?
gpt
I am sure I could, said Andrew,
human
Where was it?
gpt
Just next to the cutting that Doctor Miranda had told me was made by the Spaniards to drain the lake.
human
I did not see this wall, expostulated Miranda.
gpt
You are in one dream.
human
Never mind, snapped Leighton;
gpt
I am afraid you will believe me less than ever, said Andrew deprecatingly.
human
But I am only telling what I am certain I saw.
gpt
Go on.
human
As he passed his hand over the surface of the wall he gradually turned to one side until we stood before a narrow cleft in the rocks.
gpt
It is not there, interrupted Miranda contemptuously.
human
I examine all this rock. It has no--what you call?--cleft.
gpt
I am very sorry, Sir, but I know that there is such a cleft. I think that is what you would call it. You might easily have overlooked it, Sir. It was only a narrow opening in the rock, facing away from the lake and reaching up not more than about three feet from the ground.
human
I remember it,
gpt
Pray go on with your story, Mr. Parmelee,
human
There is not much more to tell, although the little that remains is quite the most extraordinary part of it. Pausing an instant before this opening in the rock, my strange guide crouched down until he was able to pass within it, beckoned me to follow him, and then disappeared.