Ordeal and Execution

           AshespokeoneofthestrangestlookingmenIeverbeheldenteredthechapelatthedoorthroughwhichCarmillahadmadeherentranceandherexit.Hewastall,narrow-chested,stooping,withhighshoulders,anddressedinblack.Hisfacewasbrownanddriedinwithdeepfurrows;heworeanoddly-shapedhatwithabroadleaf.Hishair,longandgrizzled,hungonhisshoulders.Heworeapairofgoldspectacles,andwalkedslowly,withanoddshamblinggait,withhisfacesometimesturneduptothesky,andsometimesboweddowntowardstheground,seemedtowearaperpetualsmile;hislongthinarmswereswinging,andhislankhands,inoldblackgloveseversomuchtoowideforthem,wavingandgesticulatinginutterabstraction.

           "Theveryman!"exclaimedtheGeneral,advancingwithmanifestdelight."MydearBaron,howhappyIamtoseeyou,Ihadnohopeofmeetingyousosoon."Hesignedtomyfather,whohadbythistimereturned,andleadingthefantasticoldgentleman,whomhecalledtheBarontomeethim.Heintroducedhimformally,andtheyatonceenteredintoearnestconversation.Thestrangertookarollofpaperfromhispocket,andspreaditonthewornsurfaceofatombthatstoodby.Hehadapencilcaseinhisfingers,withwhichhetracedimaginarylinesfrompointtopointonthepaper,whichfromtheiroftenglancingfromit,together,atcertainpointsofthebuilding,Iconcludedtobeaplanofthechapel.