candlelight, and I saw Mr. Mephistopheles lying on the double bed. He yawned in response to my gaze. Nunes covered the can with some paper and fastened it with a piece of string, then turned to me.
âIâm all right,â I said.
âOne of the things I got in the army was a bit of medical training,â said Nunes, with a small smile. âLet me look at you.â
I sat on the couch and he peered into my eyes, took my pulse, then opened my shirt and studied my chest. His hands moved swiftly and gently.
âWhat happened to you?â he asked.
I told him everything I could remember, and when I was through he said, âYou took a chance you shouldnât have taken. I thank you for doing it, but I hope youâll stop chasing prowlers into dark places.â
âWe got some benefit out of it,â I said. âI learned some things that might be useful.â
âThatâs true,â he said, thoughtfully. âYou learned that the prowler has at least one partner and that they have an employer whoâs paying them for their work. You also know that for the moment at least theyâre not willing to use fatal force, although they said they might in the future if they get paid for it. And you know that they didnât use their advantage to rob you or inflict additional injury upon you.â
âOn the downside,â I said, âthey seem to be getting more violent, to the point of poisoning your cat, if Iâm right about this can of food. Iâll have a friend send the can to a lab to check that out. I donât know how big a step it is between killing cats and killing people.â
âAnd they know who you are,â said Nunes.
I nodded. âThereâs that, but I have the prowler on film and your sister says that may be enough to identify him. If so, that might end your troubles.â
Nunes nodded. âLetâs hope that sheâs right. Meanwhile I thank you again for what youâve done but now I want you to go home and put this job behind you. Youâve done what my sister asked, so your task is completed.â
âI think I should hang around for the rest of the night, at least.â
He smiled. âThereâs no need for that. Iâve lived alone here for a long time. Iâll be fine.â
âYou havenât had a stalker before. Iâll spend the night up under the oak tree and leave in the morning.â
He pressed his palms together. âIf you wish.â He went to a shelf and brought back a blanket. âBut at least take this with you.â He picked up the can of cat food. âIâll put this where Mr. Mephistopheles canât get at it. In the morning Iâll trade it to you for the blanket.â
I left him and walked back to the oak tree. The camera and binoculars were where Iâd left them. The faint light in the cabin window went out and the night seemed darker than before. I swept the meadow with the glasses and saw no movement. I leaned my back against the oak thinking he was a trusty tree, and wrapped the blanket around me.
I woke before the coming of the sun, full of guilt for having slept. My chest was sore. I watched the brightening eastern sky, then saw two deer down by the mill pond. They were unalarmed. The woods came alive with the cheeps and chirps of wakening birds.
A little after dawn I carried my gear to the house. Nunes was up and had soup and tea already prepared. We sat outside, on the sunny side of the house, and ate breakfast.
âA lovely morning,â said Nunes.
âYes.â Another beautiful day on the beautiful island of Marthaâs Vineyard. I wondered if the prowlers and their boss were awake to see it.
When I left, he thanked me yet again and told me Iâd done my duty and should go back to my normal life.
âIâll see your sister and return her equipment,â I said, âand Iâll give this can to my friend to have it