The Overman

When my brother began speaking again, I was at first hardly conscious of it. "Edward," he said, "I have thought about this--that perhaps my presence would be painful to you. If so, let me go away. Take what tools I have here, and make this place your home--you have knowledge at your command, you can plant and hunt and study, and do what you will. As for me, such things make no difference; I could soon make myself comfortable again, and perhaps "

"Say no more about it," I interrupted quickly; "if anyone must go, let it be me, for I shall have need of occupation."

For long hours after that strange experience I was pacing up and down the stormswept beach of the island. What I had heard had disturbed me more than anything before in my life; the whole surroundings contributed to the effect--the perils I had passed through, the terrible future which stretched before me, the loss of my brother, and the finding of t