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there for a while and flashed my light around. My wallet was spilled open by my side and I got hold of it and collected its scattered contents. Nothing seemed to be missing. I stuffed it into my pocket.
    I rose slowly to my feet and stood there until I was sure I wasn’t going to fall over, then walked south down the path toward the Edgartown–West Tisbury Road, following the circle of light from my flashlight. My chest hurt and I was weak as a baby. I didn’t think my attackers were still around, but as the fishermen say, “If you don’t go, you don’t know.”
    When I got to the paved road there was no one in sight, nor was there any vehicle of any kind. Probably just as well. I flashed my light along the side of the road but saw nothing interesting. A car came from the west, its headlights splashing over me before it passed. I wondered what its driver thought of a lone man standing there in the middle of the night. Whatever his thoughts, I hadn’t been offered a ride.
    I turned and walked back north along the dark path, feeling a bit better and a bit clearer-headed as I went. I was conscious of the babbling brook beside me and the billion stars above. A large bird crossed over the trail on silent wings. One of nature’s hunters looking for prey. Unlike me, though, this hunter would not become the prey of his prey.
    When I passed out of the trees into the meadow and found my oak tree, I was glad to see that the camera and binoculars were still there. I wished I had that blanket Nunes had offered me, but maybe it was for the best because I wanted to stay awake on the unlikely chance that the prowlers would come back.
    I found my backpack and sat down, leaning against the tree. I drank some water and chewed some dried fruit and felt stronger. It had not been smart, Kemo Sabe, to chase the prowler into darkness like that. If he and his partner had used a normal gun instead of a stun gun I could be dead now.
    I thought some more, then suddenly remembered what I’d seen before my chase had begun. I jumped to my feet, flicked on my flashlight, and ran toward the house, hoping I wasn’t too late.
    It took me only a moment to spot the flat can that the prowler had placed on the ground. I snatched it up and looked at the contents. It seemed untouched. I swept the light around the area and saw nothing dead or alive. I felt a rush of relief, then heard a slight sound behind me, whirled, and found myself facing the Monk, who had just stepped out of his door. He held a hand up in front of his eyes to protect them from the light.
    â€œMr. Jackson. I startled you. I apologize.”
    I lowered my light. “You startled me all right. Sorry to wake you.”
    â€œI’ve been awake since I heard you shout earlier. What have you there?”
    I lifted the can. “Cat food.”
    â€œFor Mr. Mephistopheles? How kind. He’s inside.”
    â€œNot kind at all. It’s a gift from the prowler.”
    Nunes was silent for a moment, and then said, “The guy has a light foot. I didn’t hear him.”
    â€œA light foot and a fast one. Do you have something to cover this can? I want to have its contents tested.”
    His voice never lost its gentle tone. “Do you think the food is poisoned?”
    â€œI don’t know, but I want to find out.” The idea of poisoning a cat filled me with rue and anger.
    â€œWhen I heard your voice earlier,” said Nunes quietly. “I came to the door and saw your light down near the pond. Were you chasing the man who left this can of food?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou will forgive me, I hope, for observing that that was probably not a wise decision. Did you catch him?”
    â€œNot exactly.” Without thinking, I put my hand to my sore chest.
    â€œYou’re hurt.” He peered at me then said, “Come inside. We’ll cover that can and have a look at you.”
    Inside the cabin there was