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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.
    â€œI’m all right,” I said.
    â€œOne of the things I got in the army was a bit of medical training,” said Nunes, with a small smile. “Let me look at you.”
    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.
    â€œWhat happened to you?” he asked.
    I told him everything I could remember, and when I was through he said, “You took a chance you shouldn’t have taken. I thank you for doing it, but I hope you’ll stop chasing prowlers into dark places.”
    â€œWe got some benefit out of it,” I said. “I learned some things that might be useful.”
    â€œThat’s true,” he said, thoughtfully. “You learned that the prowler has at least one partner and that they have an employer who’s paying them for their work. You also know that for the moment at least they’re 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 didn’t use their advantage to rob you or inflict additional injury upon you.”
    â€œOn the downside,” I said, “they seem to be getting more violent, to the point of poisoning your cat, if I’m right about this can of food. I’ll have a friend send the can to a lab to check that out. I don’t know how big a step it is between killing cats and killing people.”
    â€œAnd they know who you are,” said Nunes.
    I nodded. “There’s 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.”
    Nunes nodded. “Let’s hope that she’s right. Meanwhile I thank you again for what you’ve done but now I want you to go home and put this job behind you. You’ve done what my sister asked, so your task is completed.”
    â€œI think I should hang around for the rest of the night, at least.”
    He smiled. “There’s no need for that. I’ve lived alone here for a long time. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œYou haven’t had a stalker before. I’ll spend the night up under the oak tree and leave in the morning.”
    He pressed his palms together. “If you wish.” He went to a shelf and brought back a blanket. “But at least take this with you.” He picked up the can of cat food. “I’ll put this where Mr. Mephistopheles can’t get at it. In the morning I’ll trade it to you for the blanket.”
    I left him and walked back to the oak tree. The camera and binoculars were where I’d 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.
    â€œA lovely morning,” said Nunes.
    â€œYes.” Another beautiful day on the beautiful island of Martha’s 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 I’d done my duty and should go back to my normal life.
    â€œI’ll see your sister and return her equipment,” I said, “and I’ll give this can to my friend to have it