下载辰思小说免费APP
Afavouritedodgetogetyourstoryreadbythepublicistoassertthatitistrue，andthenaddthatTruthisstrangerthanFiction。IdonotknowiftheyarnI
amanxiousforyoutoreadistrue；buttheSpanishpurserofthefruitsteamerElCarrerosworetomebytheshrineofSantaGuadalupethathehadthefactsfromtheU。S。
vice-consulatLaPaz-apersonwhocouldnotpossiblyhavebeencognizantofhalfofthem。
Asfortheadagequotedabove，Itakepleasureinpunc-
turingitbyaffirmingthatIreadinapurelyfictionalstorytheotherdaytheline:"\'Beitso，\'saidthepolice-
man。"NothingsostrangehasyetcroppedoutinTruth。
WhenH。FergusonHedges，millionairepromoter，investorandman-about-New-York，turnedhisthoughtsuponmattersconvivial，andwordofitwent"downtheline，"bouncerstookaprecautionaryturnattheIndianclubs，waitersputironstonechinaonhisfavouritetables，cabdriverscrowdedclosetothecurbstoneinfrontofall-nightcaf閟，andcarefulcashiersinhisregularhauntschargedupafewbottlestohisaccountbywayofprefaceandintroduction。
Asamoneypoweraone-millionaireisofsmallaccountinacitywherethemanwhocutsyoursliceofbeefbehindthefree-lunchcounterridestoworkinhisownautomobile。
ButHedgesspenthismoneyaslavishly，loudlyandshowilyasthoughhewereonlyaclerksquanderingaweek\'swages。And，afterall，thebartendertakesnointerestinyourreservefund。HewouldratherlookyouuponhiscashregisterthaninBradstreet。
Ontheeveningthatthematerialallegationoffactsbegins，Hedgeswasbiddingdullcarebegoneinthecom-
panyoffiveorsixgoodfellows——acquaintancesandfriendswhohadgatheredinhiswake。
Amongthemweretwoyoungermen——RalphMerriam，abroker，andWade，hisfriend。
Twodeep-seacabmenwerechartered。AtColumbusCircletheyhovetolongenoughtorevilethestatueofthegreatnavigator，unpatrioticallyrebukinghimforhavingvoyagedinsearchoflandinsteadofliquids。Midnightovertookthepartymaroonedintherearofacheapcaf？faruptown。
Hedgeswasarrogant，overridingandquarrelsome。
Hewasburlyandtough，iron-graybutvigorous，"good"
fortherestofthenight。Therewasadispute——aboutnothingthatmatters——andthefive-fingeredwordswerepassed——thewordsthatrepresenttheglovecastintothelists。Merriamplayedther鬺eoftheverbalHotspur。
Hedgesrosequickly，seizedhischair，swungitonceandsmashedwildlydowpatMerriam\'shead。Merriamdodged，drewasmallrevolverandshotHedgesinthechest。Theleadingroystererstumbled，fellinawryheap，andlaystill。
Wade，acommuter，hadformedthathabitofprompt-
ness。HejuggledMerriamoutasidedoor，walkedhimtothecorner，ranhimablockandcaughtahansom。Theyrodefiveminutesandthengotoutonadarkcorneranddismissedthecab。Acrossthestreetthelightsofasmallsaloonbetrayeditshectichospitality。
"Gointhebackroomofthatsaloon，"saidWade，"andwait。I\'llgofindoutwhat\'sdoingandletyouknow。
YoumaytaketwodrinkswhileIamgone-nomore。"
Attenminutestooneo\'clockWadereturned。
"Braceup，oldchap，"hesaid。"TheambulancegottherejustasIdid。Thedoctorsayshe\'sdead。Youmayhaveonemoredrink。Youletmerunthisthingforyou。You\'vegottoskip。Idon\'tbelieveachairislegallyadeadlyweapon。You\'vegottomaketracks，that\'sallthereistoit。"
Merriamcomplainedofthecoldquerulously，andaskedforanotherdrink。"Didyounoticewhatbigveinshehadonthebackofhishands？"hesaid。"I
nevercouldstand——Inevercould——"
"Takeonemore，"saidWade，"andthencomeon。
I\'llseeyouthrough。"
Wadekepthispromisesowellthatateleveno\'clockthenextmorningMerriam，withanewsuitcasefullofnewclothesandhair-brushes，steppedquietlyonboardalittle500-tonfruitsteameratanEastRiverpier。Thevesselhadbroughttheseason\'sfirstcargooflimesfromPortLimon，andwashomewardbound。Merriamhadhisbankbalanceof$2，800inhispocketinlargebills，andbriefinstructionstopileupasmuchwaterashecouldbetweenhimselfandNewYork。Therewasnotimeforanythingmore。
FromPortLimonMerriamworkeddownthecoastbyschoonerandslooptoColon，thenceacrosstheisthmustoPanama，wherehecaughtatrampboundforCallaoandsuchintermediateportsasmighttemptthediscursiveskipperfromhiscourse。
ItwasatLaPazthatMerriamdecidedtoland——LaPaztheBeautiful，alittleharbourlesstownsmotheredinalivinggreenribbonthatbandedthefootofacloud-
piercingmountain。Herethelittlesteamerstoppedtotreadwaterwhilethecaptain\'sdorytookhimashorethathemightfeelthepulseofthecocoanutmarket。Merriamwenttoo，withhissuitcase，andremained。
Kalb，thevice-consul，aGr鎐o-ArmeniancitizenoftheUnitedStates，borninHessen-Darmstadt，andedu-
catedinCincinnatiwardprimaries，consideredallAmeri-
canshisbrothersandbankers。HeattachedhimselftoMerriam\'selbow，introducedhimtoeveryoneinLaPazwhoworeshoes，borrowedtendollarsandwentbacktohishammock。
Therewasalittlewoodenhotelintheedgeofabananagrove，facingthesea，thatcateredtothetastesofthefewforeignersthathaddroppedoutoftheworldintothet，ri，qtePeruviantown。AtKalb\'sintroductory:"Shakehandswith——，"hehadobedientlyexchangedmanualsalutationswithaGermandoctor，oneFrenchandtwoItalianmerchants，andthreeorfourAmericanswhowerespokenofasgoldmen，rubbermen，mahoganymen——anythingbutmenoflivingtissue。
AfterdinnerMerriamsatinacornerofthebroadfrontgaleriawithBibb，aVermonterinterestedinhydraulicmining，andsmokedanddrankScotch"smoke。"Themoonlitsea，spreadinginfinitelybeforehim，seemedtoseparatehimbeyondallapprehensionfromhisoldlife。
Thehorridtragedyinwhichhehadplayedsuchadisas-
trouspartnowbegan，forthefirsttimesincehestoleonboardthefruiter，awretchedfugitive，toloseitssharperoutlines。Distancelentassuagementtohisview。Bibbhadopenedtheflood-gatesofastreamoflong-dammeddiscourse，overjoyedtohavecapturedanaudiencethathadnotsufferedunderahundredrepetitionsofhisviewsandtheories。
"Oneyearmore，"saidBibb，"andI\'llgobacktoGod\'scountry。Oh，Iknowit\'sprettyhere，andyougetdolcefarnientebandedtoyouinchunks，butthiscountrywasn\'tmadeforawhitemantolivein。You\'vegottohavetoplugthroughsnownowandthen，andseeagameofbaseballandwearastiffcollarandhaveapolicemancussyou。Still，LaPazisagoodsortofapipe-dreamyoldhole。AndMrs。Conantishere。Whenanyofusfeelsparticularlylikejumpingintotheseawerusharoundtoherhouseandpropose。It\'snicertoberejectedbyMrs。Conantthanitistobedrowned。Andtheysaydrowningisadelightfulsensation。"
"Manylikeherhere？"askedMerriam。
"Notanywhere，"saidBibb，withacomfortablesigh。
She\'stheonlywhitewomaninLaPaz。Therestrangefromadappledduntothecolourofab-flatpianokey。She\'sbeenhereayear。Comesfrom——well，youknowhowawomancantalk——ask\'emtosay\'string\'
andthey\'llsay\'crow\'sfoot\'or\'cat\'scradle。\'Some-
timesyou\'dthinkshewasfromOshkosh，andagainfromJacksonville，Florida，andthenextdayfromCapeCod。"
"Mystery？"venturedMerriam。
"M——well，shelooksit；buthertalk\'stranslucentenough。Butthat\'sawoman。IsupposeiftheSphinxweretobegintalkingshe\'dmerelysay:\'Goodnessme!
morevisitorscomingfordinner，andnothingtoeatbutthesandwhichishere。\'Butyouwon\'tthinkaboutthatwhenyoumeether，Merriam。You\'llproposetohertoo。"
Tomakeahardstorysoft，Merriamdidmeetherandproposetoher。Hefoundhertobeawomaninblackwithhairthecolourofabronzeturkey\'swings，andmysterious，rememberingeyesthat-well，thatlookedasifshemighthavebeenatrainednurselookingonwhenEvewascreated。Herwordsandmanner，though，weretranslucent，asBibbhadsaid。Shespoke，vaguely，offriendsinCaliforniaandsomeofthelowerparishesinLouisiana。Thetropicalclimateandindolentlifesuitedher；shehadthoughtofbuyinganorangegrovelateron；
LaPaz。allinall，charmedher。
Merriam\'scourtshipoftheSphinxlastedthreemonths，althoughbedidnotknowthathewascourtingher。Hewasusingherasanantidoteforremorse，untilhefound，toolate，thathehadacquiredthehabit。Duringthattimehehadreceivednonewsfromhome。Wadedidnotknowwherehewas；andhewasnotsureofWade\'sexactaddress，andwasafraidtowrite。Hethoughthehadbetterletmattersrestastheywereforawhile。
OneafternoonheandMrs。Conanthiredtwoponiesandrodeoutalongthemountaintrailasfarasthelittlecoldriverthatcametumblingdownthefoothills。Theretheystoppedforadrink，andMerriamspokehispiece——
heproposed，asBibbhadprophesied。
Mrs。Conantgavehimoneglanceofbrillianttenderness，andthenherfacetookonsuchastrange，haggardlookthatMerriamwasshakenoutofhisintoxicationandbacktohissenses。
"Ibegyourpardon，Florence，"hesaid，releasingherhand；"butI\'llhavetohedgeonpartofwhatIsaid。I
can\'taskyoutomarryme，ofcourse。IkilledamaninNewYork——amanwhowasmyfriend-shothimdown——inquiteacowardlymanner，Iunderstand。Ofcourse，thedrinkingdidn\'texcuseit。Well，Icouldn\'tresisthavingmysay；andI\'llalwaysmeanit。I\'mhereasafugitivefromjustice，and——Isupposethatendsouracquaintance。"
Mrs。Conantpluckedlittleleavesassiduouslyfromthelow-hangingbranchofalimetree。
"Isupposeso，"shesaid，inlowandoddlyuneventones；"butthatdependsuponyou。I\'llbeashonestasyouwere。Ipoisonedmyhusband。Iamaself-madewidow。Amancannotloveamurderess。SoIsupposethatendsouracquaintance。"
Shelookedupathimslowly。Hisfaceturnedalittlepale，andhestaredatherblankly，likeadeaf-and-dumbmanwhowaswonderingwhatitwasallabout。
Shetookaswiftsteptowardhim，withstiffenedarmsandeyesblazing。
"Don\'tlookatmelikethat!"shecried，asthoughshewereinacutepain。"Curseme，orturnyourbackonme，butdon\'tlookthatway。AmIawomantobebeaten？IfIcouldshowyou——hereonmyarms，andonmybackarescars——andithasbeenmorethanayear——scarsthathemadeinhisbrutalrages。Aholynunwouldhaverisenandstruckthefienddown。Yes，I
killedhim。ThefoulandhorriblewordsthathehurledatmethatlastdayarerepeatedinmyearseverynightwhenIsleep。Andthencamehisblows，andtheendofmyendurance。Igotthepoisonthatafternoon。Itwashiscustomtodrinkeverynightinthelibrarybeforegoingtobedahotpunchmadeofrumandwine。Onlyfrommyfairhandswouldhereceiveit——becauseheknewthefumesofspiritsalwayssickenedme。ThatnightwhenthemaidbroughtittomeIsentherdownstairsonanerrand。BeforetakinghimhisdrinkIwenttomylittleprivatecabinetandpouredintoitmorethanatea-
spoonfuloftinctureofaconite——enoughtokillthreemen，soIhadlearned。Ihaddrawn$6，000thatIhadinbank，andwiththatandafewthingsinasatchelIleftthehousewithoutanyoneseeingme。AsIpassedthelibraryIheardhimstaggerupandfallheavilyonacouch。ItookanighttrainforNewOrleans，andfromthereIsailedtotheBermudas。IfinallycastanchorinLaPaz。Andnowwhathaveyoutosay？Canyouopenyourmouth？"
Merriamcamebacktolife。
"Florence，"hesaidearnestly，"Iwantyou。Idon\'tcarewhatyou\'vedone。Iftheworld——"
"Ralph，"sheinterrupted，almostwithascream，"bemyworld!"
Hereyesmelted；sherelaxedmagnificentlvandswayedtowardMerriamsosuddenlythathehadtojumptocatchher。
Dearme!insuchsceneshowthetalkrunsintoartificialprose。Butitcan\'tbehelped。It\'sthesubconscioussmellofthefootlights\'smokethat\'sinallofus。Stirthedepthsofyourcook\'ssoulsufficientlyandshewilldiscourseinBulwer-Lyttonese。
MerriamandMrs。Conantwereveryhappy。HeannouncedtheirengagementattheHotelOrilladelMar。
EightforeignersandfournativeAstorspoundedhisbackandshoutedinsincerecongratulationsathim。Pedrito，theCastilian-manneredbarkeep，wasgoadedtoextradutyuntilhisagilitywouldhaveturnedaBostoncherry-
phosphateclerkapalelilacwithenvy。
Theywerebothveryhappy。Accordingtothestrangemathematicsofthegodofmutualaffinity，theshadowsthatcloudedtheirpastswhenunitedbecameonlyhalfasdenseinsteadofdarker。Theyshuttheworldoutandboltedthedoors。Eachwastheother\'sworld。Mrs。
Conantlivedagain。TherememberinglooklefthereyesMerriamwaswithhereverymomentthatwaspossible。
Onalittleplateauunderagroveofpalmsandcalabashtreestheyweregoingtobuildafairybungalow。Theyweretobemarriedintwomonths。Manyhoursofthedaytheyhadtheirheadstogetheroverthehouseplans。
Theirjointcapitalwouldsetupabusinessinfruitorwoodsthatwouldyieldacomfortablesupport。"Goodnight，myworld，"wouldsayMrs。ConanteveryeveningwhenMerriamleftherforhishotel。Theywereveryhappy。Theirlovehad，circumstantially，thatelementofmelancholyinitthatitseemstorequiretoattainitssupremestelevation。Anditseemedthattheirmutualgreatmisfortuneorsinwasabondthatnothingcouldsever。
Onedayasteamerhoveintheoffing。Bare-leggedandbare-shoulderedLaPazscampereddowntothebeach，forthearrivalofasteamerwastheirloop-the-loop，circus，EmancipationDayandfour-o\'clocktea。
Whenthesteamerwasnearenough，wiseonespro-
claimedthatshewasthePajaro，boundup-coastfromCallaotoPanama。
ThePaiaroputonbrakesamileoffshore。Soonaboatcamebobbingshoreward。Merriamstrolleddownonthebeachtolookon。IntheshallowwatertheCaribsailorssprangoutanddraggedtheboatwithamightyrushtothefirmshingle。Outclimbedthepurser，thecaptainandtwopassengers，ploughingtheirwaythroughthedeepsandtowardthehotel。Merriamglancedtowardthemwiththemildinterestduetostrangers。Therewassomethingfamiliartohiminthewalkofoneofthepas-
sengers。Helookedagain，andhisbloodseemedtoturntostrawberryicecreaminhisveins。Burly，arrogant，debonairasever，H。FergusonHedges，themanhehadkilled，wascomingtowardhimtenfeetaway。
WhenHedgessawMerriamhisfaceflushedadarkred。Thenheshoutedinhisold，bluffway:"Hello，Merriam。Gladtoseeyou。Didn\'texpecttofindyououthere。Quinby，thisismyoldfriendMerriam，ofNewYork——Merriam，Mr。Quinby。"
MerriamgaveHedgesandthenQuinbyanice-coldhand。
"Br-r-r-r!"saidHedges。"Butyou\'vegotafrapp閐
flipper!Man，you\'renotwell。You\'reasyellowasaChinaman。Malarialhere？Steerustoabarifthereissuchathing，andlet\'stakeaprophylactic。"
Merriam，stillhalfcomatose，ledthemtowardtheHotelOrilladelMar。
"QuinbyandI"explainedHedges，puffingthroughtheslipperysand，"arelookingoutalongthecoastforsomeinvestments。We\'vejustcomeupfromConcepci髇
andValparaisoandLima。Thecaptainofthissub-
sidizedferryboattoldustherewassomegoodpickingaroundhereinsilvermines。Sowegotoff。Now，whereisthatcaf？Merriam？Oh，inthisportablesodawaterpavilion？"
LeavingQuinbyatthebar，HedgesdrewMerriamside。
"Now，whatdoesthismean？"hesaid，withgruffkindness。"Areyousulkingaboutthatfoolrowwehad？"
"Ithought，"stammeredMerriam——"Iheard——theytoldmeyouwere——thatIhad"
"Well，youdidn\'t，andI\'mnot，"saidHedges。"ThatfoolyoungambulancesurgeontoldWadeIwasacan-
didateforacoffinjustbecauseI\'dgottiredandquitbreathing。Ilaidupinaprivatehospitalforamonth；
buthereIam，kickingashardasever。WadeandI
triedtofindyou，butcouldn\'t。Now，Merriam，shakehandsandforgetitall。Iwasasmuchtoblameasyouwere；andtheshotreallydidmegood——Icameoutofthehospitalashealthyandfitasacabhorse。Comeon；
thatdrink\'swaiting。"
"Oldman，"saidMerriam，brokenly，"Idon\'tknowhowtothankyou——I——well，youknow——"
"Oh，forgetit，"boomedHedges。"Quinby\'lldieofthirstifwedon\'tjoinhim。"
Bibbwassittingontheshadysideofthegallerywaitingfortheeleven-o\'clockbreakfast。PresentlyMerriamcameoutandjoinedhim。Hiseyewasstrangelybright。
"Bibb，myboy，"saidhe，slowlywavinghishand，"doyouseethosemountainsandthatseaandskyandsun-
shine？——they\'remine，Bibbsy——allmine。"
"Yougoin，"saidBibb，"andtakeeightgrainsofquinine，rightaway。Itwon\'tdointhisclimateforamantogettothinkinghe\'sRockefeller，orJamesO\'Neilleither。
Inside，thepurserwasuntyingagreatrollofnewspapers，manyofthemweeksold，gatheredinthelowerportsbythePajarotobedistributedatcasualstopping-places。
Thusdothebeneficentvoyagersscatternewsandenter-
tainmentamongtheprisonersofseaandmountains。
TioPancho，thehotelproprietor，sethisgreatsilver-
rimmedaiteojosuponhisnoseanddividedthepapersintoanumberofsmallerrolls。Abarefootedmuchachodashedin，desiringthepostofmessenger。
"Bienvenido，"saidTioPancho。"ThistoSe駉raConant；thattoelDoctorS-S-Schlegel——Dios!whatanametosay!-thattoSe駉rDavis——oneforDonAlberto。ThesetwofortheCasadeHuespedes，Numero6，enlacalledelasBuenasGracias。Andsaytothemall，muchacho，thatthePajarosailsforPanamaatthreethisafternoon。Ifanyhaveletterstosendbythepost，letthemcomequickly，thattheymayfirstpassthroughthecorreo。"
Mrs。Conantreceivedherrollofnewspapersatfouro\'clock。Theboywaslateindeliveringthem，becausehehadbeendeflectedfromhisdutybyaniguanathatcrossedhispathandtowhichheimmediatelygavechase。
Butitmadenohardship，forshehadnoletterstosend。
Shewasidlinginahammockinthepatioofthehousethatsheoccupied，halfawake，halfhappilydreamingoftheparadisethatsheandMerriamhadcreatedoutofthewrecksoftheirpasts。Shewascontentnowforthehorizonofthatshimmeringseatobethehorizonofherlife。Theyhadshutouttheworldandclosedthedoor。
Merriamwascomingtoherhouseatseven，afterhisdinneratthehotel。Shewouldputonawhitedressandanapricot-colouredlacemantilla，andtheywouldwalkanhourunderthecocoanutpalmsbythelagoon。Shesmiledcontentedly，andchoseapaperatrandomfromtherolltheboyhadbrought。
AtfirstthewordsofacertainheadlineofaSundaynewspapermeantnothingtoher；theyconveyedonlyavisualizedsenseoffamiliarity。Thelargesttyperanthus:"LloydB。Conantsecuresdivorce。"Andthenthesubheadings:"Well-knownSaintLouispaintmanufac-
turerwinssuit，pleadingoneyear\'sabsenceofwife。"
"Hermysteriousdisappearancerecalled。""Nothinghasbeenheardofhersince。"
Twistingherselfquicklyoutofthehammock，Mrs。
Conant\'seyesoontraversedthehalf-columnofthe"Recall。"Itendedthus:"ItwillberememberedthatMrs。ConantdisappearedoneeveninginMarchoflastyear。ItwasfreelyrumouredthathermarriagewithLloydB。Conantresultedinmuchunhappiness。Storieswerenotwantingtotheeffectthathiscrueltytowardhiswifehadmorethanoncetakentheformofphysicalabuse。Afterherdepartureafullbottleoftinctureofaconite，adeadlypoison，wasfoundinasmallmedicinecabinetinherbedroom。Thismighthavebeenanindicationthatshemeditatedsuicide。Itissupposedabandonedsuchanintentionifshepossessedit，andleftherhomeinstead。"
Mrs。Conantslowlydroppedthepaper，andsatonachair，claspingherhandstightly。
"Letmethink——OGod!——letmethink，"shewhis-
pered。"Itookthebottlewithme……Ithrewitoutofthewindowofthetrain……I……
therewasanotherbottleinthecabinet……thereweretwo，sidebyside——theaconite——andthevalerianthatItookwhenIcouldnotsleep……Iftheyfoundtheaconitebottlefull，why——but，heisalive，ofcourse——Igavehimonlyaharmlessdoseofvalerian……Iamnotamurderessinfact……Ralph，I——
0God，don\'tletthisbeadream!"
ShewentintothepartofthehousethatsherentedfromtheoldPeruvianmanandhiswife，shutthedoor，andwalkedupanddownherroomswiftlyandfeverishlyforhalfanhour。Merriam\'sphotographstoodinaframeonatable。Shepickeditup，lookedatitwithasmileofexquisitetenderness，and——droppedfourtearsonit。
AndMerriamonlytwentyrodsaway!Thenshestoodstillfortenminutes，lookingintospace。Shelookedintospacethroughaslowlyopeningdoor。OnhersideofthedoorwasthebuildingmaterialforacastleofRomance——
love，anArcadyofwavingpalms，alullabyofwavesontheshoreofahavenofrest，respite，peace，alotuslandofdreamyeaseandsecurity——alifeofpoetryandheart\'seaseandrefuge。Romanticist，willyoutellmewhatMrs。Conantsawontheothersideofthedoor？Youcannot？——thatis，youwillnot？Verywell；thenlisten。
Shesawherselfgointoadepartmentstoreandbuyfivespoolsofsilkthreadandthreeyardsofginghamtomakeanapronforthecook。"ShallIchargeit，ma\'am？"
askedtheclerk。Asshewalkedoutaladywhomshemetgreetedhercordially。"Oh，wheredidyougetthepatternforthosesleeves，dearMrs。Conant？"shesaid。Atthecornerapolicemanhelpedheracrossthestreetandtouchedhishelmet。"Anycallers？"sheaskedthemaidwhenshereachedhome。"Mrs。Waldron，"answeredthemaid，andthetqvoMissesJenkinson。""Verywell，"shesaid。
Youmaybringmeacupoftea，Maggie。"
Mrs。ConantwenttothedoorandcalledAngela，theoldPeruvianwoman。"IfMateoistheresendhimtome。"
Mateo，ahalf-breed，shufflingandoldbutefficient，came。
"Isthereasteameroravesselofanykindleavingthiscoastto-nightorto-morrowthatIcangetpassageon？"sheasked。
Mateoconsidered。
"AtPuntaReina，thirtymilesdownthecoast，se駉ra，"
heanswered，"thereisasmallsteamerloadingwithcinchonaanddyewoods。ShesailsforSanFranciscoto-morrowatsunrise。Sosaysmybrother，whoarrivedinhissloopto-day，passingbyPuntaReina。"
"Youmusttakemeinthatslooptothatsteamerto-night。Willyoudothat？"
"Perhaps——"Mateoshruggedasuggestiveshoul-
der。Mrs。Conanttookahandfulofmoneyfromadrawerandgaveittohim。
"Getthesloopreadybehindthelittlepointoflandbelowthetown，"sheordered。"Getsailors，andbereadytosailatsixo\'clock。Inhalfanhourbringacartpartlyfilledwithstrawintothepatiohere，andtakemytrunktothesloop。Thereismoremoneyyet。Now，hurry。"
ForonetimeMateowalkedawaywithoutshufflinghisfeet。
"Angela，"criedMrs。Conant，almostfiercely，"comeandhelpmepack。Iamgoingaway。Outwiththistrunk。Myclothesfirst。Stiryourself。Thosedarkdressesfirst。Hurry。"
Fromthefirstshedidnotwaverfromherdecision。
Herviewwasclearandfinal。Herdoorhadopenedandlettheworldin。HerloveforMerriamwasnotlessened；butitnowappearedahopelessandunrealizablething。Thevisionsoftheirfuturethathadseemedsoblissfulandcompletehadvanished。Shetriedtoassureherselfthatherrenunciationwasratherforhissakethanforherown。Nowthatshewasclearedofherburden——
atleast，technically——wouldnothisownweightooheavilyuponhim？Ifsheshouldclingtohim，wouldnotthedifferenceforeversilentlymarandcorrodetheirhappiness？
Thusshereasoned；buttherewereathousandlittlevoicescallingtoherthatshecouldfeelratherthanhear，likethehumofdistant，powerfulmachinery——thelittlevoicesoftheworld，that，whenraisedinunison，cansendtheirinsistentcallthroughthethickestdoor。
Oncewhilepacking，abriefshadowofthelotusdreamcamebacktoher。SheheldMerriam\'spicturetoherheartwithonehand，whileshethrewapairofshoesintothetrunkwithherother。
Atsixo\'clockMateoreturnedandreportedthesloopready。Heandhisbrotherliftedthetrunkintothecart，covereditwithstrawandconveyedittothepointofembarkation。Fromtheretheytransferreditonboardinthesloop\'sdory。ThenMateoreturnedforadditionalorders。
Mrs。Conantwasready。ShehadsettledallbusinessmatterswithAngela，andwasimpatientlywaiting。Sheworealong，looseblack-silkdusterthatsheoftenwalkedaboutinwhentheevenino\'swerechilly。Onherheadwasasmallroundhat，andoverittheapricot-colouredlacemantilla。
Duskhadquicklyfollowedtheshorttwilight。Mateoledherbydarkandgrass-grownstreetstowardthepointbehindwhichthesloopwasanchored。OnturningacornertheybeheldtheHotelOrilladelMarthreestreetsaway，nebulouslyaglowwithitsarrayofkerosenelamps。
Mrs。Conantpaused，withstreamineyes。"Imust，ImustseehimoncebeforeIgo，"shemurmuredinanguish。Buteventhenshedidnotfalterinherdecision。
Quicklysheinventedaplanbywhichshemightspeaktohim，andyetmakeherdeparturewithouthisknowing。
Shewouldwalkpastthehotel，asksomeonetocallhimoutandtalkafewmomentsonsometrivialexcuse，leavinghimexpectingtoseeheratherhomeatseven。
SheunpinnedherhatandgaveittoMateo。"Keepthis，andwaitheretillIcome，"sheordered。Thenshedrapedthemantillaoverherheadassheusuallydidwhenwalkingaftersunset，andwentstraighttotheOrilladelMar。
Shewasgladtoseethebulky，white-cladfigureofTioPanchostandingaloneonthegallery。
"TioPancho，"shesaid，withacharmingsmile，"mayItroubleyoutoaskMr。MerriamtocomeoutforjustafewmomentsthatImayspeakwithhim？"
TioPanchobowedasanelephantbows。
"Buenastardes，Se駉raConant，"hesaid，asacavaliertalks。Andthenhewenton，lessathisease:
"Butdoesnotthese駉raknowthatSe駉rMerriamsailedonthePajaroforPanamaatthreeo\'clockofthisafternoon？"
THETHEORYANDTHEHOUND
NOTmanydaysagomyoldfriendfromthetropics，J。P。Bridger，UnitedStatesconsulontheislandofRatona，wasinthecity。WehadwassailandjubileeandsawtheFlatironbuilding，andmissedseeingtheBronxlessmenageriebyaboutacoupleofnights。Andthen，attheebbtide，wewerewalkingupastreetthatparallelsandparodiesBroadway。
Awomanwithacomelyandmundanecountenancepassedus，holdinginleashawheezing，vicious，waddling，bruteofayellowpug。ThedogentangledhimselfwithBridger\'slegsandmumbledhisanklesinasnarling，peevish，sulkybite。Bridger，withahappysmile，kickedthebreathoutofthebrute；thewomanshowereduswithaquickrainofwell-conceivedadjectivesthatleftusinnodoubtastoourplaceinheropinion，andwepassedon。Tenyardsfartheranoldwomanwithdis-
orderedwhitehairandherbankbooktuckedwellhiddenbeneathhertatteredshawlbegged。Bridgerstoppedanddisinterredforheraquarterfromhisholidaywaist-
coat。
Onthenextcorneraquarterofatonofwell-clothedmanwitharice-powdered，fat，whitejowl，stoodholdingthechainofadevil-bornbulldogwhoseforelegswerestrangersbythelengthofadachshund。Alittlewomaninalast-season\'shatconfrontedhimandwept，whichwasplainlyallshecoulddo，whilehecursedherinlowsweet，practisedtones。
Bridgersmiledagain——strictlytohimself——andthistimehetookoutalittlememorandumbookandmadeanoteofit。Thishehadnorighttodowithoutdueexplanation，andIsaidso。
"It\'sanewtheory，"saidBridger，"thatIpickedupdowninRatona。I\'vebeengatheringsupportforitasI
knockabout。Theworldisn\'tripeforityet，but——wellI\'lltellyou；andthenyourunyourmindbackalongthepeopleyou\'veknownandseewhatyoumakeofit。"
AndsoIcorneredBridgerinaplacewheretheyhaveartificialpalmsandwine；andhetoldmethestorywhichishereinmywordsandonhisresponsibility。
Oneafternoonatthreeo\'clock，ontheislandofRatona，aboyracedalongthebeachscreaming，"Pajaro，ahoy!"
Thushemadeknownthekeennessofhishearingandthejusticeofhisdiscriminationinpitch。
Hewhofirstheardandmadeoralproclamationcon-
cerningthetootofanapproachingsteamer\'swhistle，andcorrectlynamedthesteamer，wasasmallheroinRatona-untilthe\'nextsteamercame。Wherefore，therewasrivalryamongthebarefootyouthofRatona，andmanyfellvictimstothesoftlyblownconchshellsofsloopswhich，astheyenterharbour，soundsurprisinglylikeadistantsteamer\'ssignal。Andsomecouldnameyouthevesselwhenitscall，inyourdullerears，soundednolouderthanthesighofthewindthroughthebranchesofthecocoa-
nutpalms。
Butto-dayhewhoproclaimedthePajarogainedhishonours。Ratonabentitseartolisten；andsoonthedeep-tonguedblastgrewlouderandnearer，andatlengthRatonasawabovethelineofpalmsonthelow"joint"
thetwoblackfunnelsofthefruiterslowlycreepingtowardthemouthoftheharbour。
YoumustknowthatRatonaisanislandtwentymilesoffthesouthofaSouthAmericanrepublic。Itisaportofthatrepublic；anditsleepssweetlyinasmilingsea，toilingnotnorspinning；fedbytheabundanttropicswhereallthings"ripen，ceaseandfalltowardthegrave。"
Eighthundredpeopledreamlifeawayinagreen-
emboweredvillagethatfollowsthehorseshoecurveofitsbijouharbour。TheyaremostlySpanishandIndianmestizos，withashadingofSanDomingoNegroes，alighteningofpure-bloodSpanishofficialsandaslightleaveningofthefrothofthreeorfourpioneeringwhiteraces。NosteamerstouchatRatonasavethefruitsteamerswhichtakeontheirbananainspectorsthereontheirwaytothecoast。TheyleaveSundaynewspapers，ice，quinine，bacon，watermelonsandvaccinematterattheislandandthatisaboutallthetouchRatonagetswiththeworld。
ThePajaropausedatthemouthoftheharbour，rollingheavilyintheswellthatsentthewhitecapsracingbeyondthesmoothwaterinside。Alreadytwodoriesfromthevillage——oneconveyingfruitinspectors，theothergoingforwhatitcouldget——werehalfwayouttothesteamer。
Theinspectors\'dorywastakenonboardwiththem，andthePajarosteamedawayforthemainlandforitsloadoffruit。
TheotherboatreturnedtoRatonabearingacontri-
butionfromthePajaro\'sstoreofice，theusualrollofnewspapersandonepassenger——TaylorPlunkett，sheriffofChathamCounty，Kentucky。
Bridger，theUnitedStatesconsulatRatona，wasclean-
inghisrifleintheofficialshantyunderabread-fruittreetwentyyardsfromthewateroftheharbour。Theconsuloccupiedaplacesomewhatnearthetailofhispoliticalparty\'sprocession。Themusicofthebandwagonsoundedveryfaintlytohiminthedistance。Theplumsofofficewenttoothers。Bridger\'sshareofthespoils——
theconsulshipatRatona——waslittlemorethanaprune——adriedprunefromtheboarding-housedepartmentofthepubliccrib。But$900yearlywasopulenceinRatona。Besides，Bridgerhadcontractedapassionforshootingalligatorsinthelagoonsnearhisconsulate，andwasnotunhappy。
Helookedupfromacarefulinspectionofhisriflelockabroadmanfillinghisdoorway。Abroad，noiseless，slow-movingman，sunburnedalmosttotheVandyke。Amanofforty-five，neatlyclothedinhomespun，withscantylighthair，aclose-clippedbrown-
and-graybeardandpale-blueeyesexpressingmildnessimplicity。
"YouareMr。Bridger，theconsul，"saidthebroadman。"Theydirectedmehere。Canyoutellmewhatthosebigbunchesofthingslikegourdsareinthosetreesthatlooklikefeatherdustersalongtheedgeofthewater？"
"Takethatchair，"saidtheconsul，reoilinghisclean-
ingrag。"No，theotherone——thatbamboothingwon\'tholdyou。Why，they\'recocoanuts——greencocoanuts。
Theshellof\'emisalwaysalightgreenbeforethey\'reripe。"
"Muchobliged，"saidtheotherman，sittingdowncarefully。"Ididn\'tquiteliketotellthefolksathometheywereolivesunlessIwassureaboutit。MynameisPlunkett。I\'msheriffofChathamCounty，Kentucky。
I\'vegotextraditionpapersinmypocketauthorizingthearrestofamanonthisisland。They\'vebeensignedbythePresidentofthiscountry，andthey\'reincorrectshape。
Theman\'snameisWadeWilliams。He\'sinthecocoa-
nutraisingbusiness。Whathe\'swantedforisthemurderofhiswifetwoyearsago。WherecanIfindhim？"
Theconsulsquintedaneyeandlookedthroughhisriflebarrel。
"There\'snobodyontheislandwhocallshimself\'Wil-
liams，\'"heremarked。
"Didn\'tsupposetherewas，"saidPlunkettmildly。
"He\'lldobyanyothername。"
"Besidesmyself，"saidBridger，"thereareonlytwoAmericansonRatona——BobReevesandHenryMorgan。"
"ThemanIwantsellscocoanuts，"suggestedPlunkett。
"Youseethatcocoanutwalkextendinguptothepoint？"saidtheconsul，wavinghishandtowardtheopendoor。"ThatbelongstoBobReeves。HenryMorganownshalfthetreestoloo\'ardontheisland。"
"One，monthago，"saidthesheriff，"WadeWilliamswroteaconfidentiallettertoamaninChathamcounty，tellinghimwherehewasandhowhewasgettingalong。
Theletterwaslost；andthepersonthatfounditgaveitaway。Theysentmeafterhim，andI\'vegotthepapers。
Ireckonhe\'soneofyourcocoanutmenforcertain。"
"You\'vegothispicture，ofcourse，"saidBridger。
"ItmightbeReevesorMorgan，butI\'dhatetothinkit。
They\'rebothasfinefellowsasyou\'dmeetinanall-dayautoride。"
"No，"doubtfullyansweredPlunkett；"therewasn\'tanypictureofWilliamstobehad。AndIneversawhimmyself。I\'vebeensheriffonlyayear。ButI\'vegotaprettyaccuratedescriptionofhim。About5feet11；
dark-hairandeyes；noseinclinedtobeRoman；heavyabouttheshoulders；strong，whiteteeth，withnonemiss-
ing；laughsagooddeal，talkative；drinksconsiderablybutnevertointoxication；looksyousquareintheeyewhentalking；agethirty-five。Whichoneofyourmendoesthatdescriptionfit？"
Theconsulgrinnedbroadly。
"I\'lltellyouwhatyoudo，"hesaid，layingdownhisrifleandslippingonhisdingyblackalpacacoat。"Youcomealong，Mr。Plunkett，——andI\'lltakeyouuptoseetheboys。Ifyoucantellwhichoneof\'emyourdescrip-
tionfitsbetterthanitdoestheotheryouhavetheadvan-
tageofme。"
Bridgerconductedthesheriffoutandalongthehardbeachclosetowhichthetinyhousesofthevillageweredistributed。Immediatelybackofthetownrosesudden，small，thicklywoodedhills。Uponeofthese，bymeansofstepscutinthehardclay，theconsulledPlunkett。
theveryvergeofaneminencewasperched，atwo-
roomwoodencottagewithathatchedroof。ACaribwomanwaswashingclothesoutside。Theconsulusheredthesherifftothedooroftheroomthatover-
lookedtheharbour。
Twomenwereintheroom，abouttositdown，intheirshirtsleeves，toatablespreadfordinner。Theyborelittleresemblanceonetotheotherindetail；butthegeneraldescriptiongivenbyPlunkettcouldhavebeenjustlyappliedtoeither。Inheight，colourofhair，shapeofnose，buildandmannerseachofthemtalliedwithit。
Theywerefairtypesofjovial，ready-witted，broad-
gaugedAmericanswhohadgravitatedtogetherforcom-
panionshipinanalienland。
"Hello，Bridger"theycalledinunisonatsightOftheconsul。"Comeandhavedinnerwithus!"AndthentheynoticedPlunkettathisheels，andcameforwardwithhospitablecuriosity。
"Gentlemen，"saidtheconsul，hisvoicetakingonunaccustomedformality，"thisisMr。Plunkett。Mr。
Plunkett——Mr。ReevesandMr。Morgan。"
Thecocoanutbaronsgreetedthenewcomerjoyously。
ReevesseemedaboutaninchtallerthanMorgan，buthislaughwasnotquiteasloud。Morgan\'seyeswere-
deepbrown；Reeves\'swereblack。ReeveswasthehostandbusiedhimselfwithfetchingotherchairsandcallingtotheCaribwomanforsupplementaltableware。ItwasexplainedthatMorganlivedinabambooshackto。
loo\'ard，butthateverydaythetwofriendsdinedtogether。Plunkettstoodstillduringthepreparations，lookingaboutmildlywithhispale-blueeyes。Bridgerlookedapologeticanduneasy。
Atlengthtwoothercoverswerelaidandthecompany-
wasassignedtoplaces。ReevesandMorganstoodsidebysideacrossthetablefromthevisitors。Reevesnoddedgeniallyasasignalforalltoseatthemselves。AndthensuddenlyPlunkettraisedhishandwithagestureofauthority。HewaslookingstraightbetweenReevesandMorgan。
"WadeWilliams，"hesaidquietly，"youareunderarrestformurder。"
ReevesandMorganinstantlyexchangedaquick，brightglance，thequalityofwhichwasinterrogation，withaseasoningofsurprise。Then，simultaneouslytheyturnedtothespeakerwithapuzzledandfrankdepre-
cationintheirgaze。
"Can\'tsaythatweunderstandyou，Mr。Plunkett，"
saidMorgan，cheerfully。"Didyousay\'Williams\'？"
"What\'sthejoke，Bridgy？"askedReeves，turning，totheconsulwithasmile。
BeforeBridgercouldanswerPlunkettspokeagain。
"I\'llexplain，"hesaid，quietly。"Oneofyoudon\'tneedanyexplanation，butthisisfortheotherone。OneofyouisWadeWilliamsofChathamCounty，Kentucky。
YoumurderedyourwifeonMay5，twoyearsago，afterill-treatingandabusinghercontinuallyforfiveyears。I
havetheproperpapersinmypocketfortakingyoubackwithme，andyouaregoing。Wewillreturnonthefruitsteamerthatcomesbackbythisislandto-morrowtoleaveitsinspectors。Iacknowledge，gentlemen，thatI\'mnotquitesurewhichoneofyouisWilliams。ButWadeWilliamsgoesbacktoChathamCountyto-morrow。
Iwantyoutounderstandthat。"
AgreatsoundofmerrylaughterfromMorganandReeveswentoutoverthestillharbour。TwoorthreefishermeninthefleetofsloopsanchoredtherelookedupatthehouseofthediablosAmericanosonthehillandwondered。
"MydearMr。Plunkett，"criedMorgan，conqueringhismirth，"thedinnerisgetting，cold。Letussitdownandeat。Iamanxioustogetmyspoonintothatshark-
finsoup。Businessafterward。"
"Sitdown，gentlemen，ifyouplease，"addedReeves，pleasantly。"IamsureMr。Plunkettwillnotobject。
Perhapsalittletimemaybeofadvantagetohiminidenti-
fying——thegentlemenhewishestoarrest。"
"Noobjections，I\'msure，"saidPlunkett，droppingintohischairheavily。"I\'mhungrymyself。Ididn\'twanttoacceptthehospitalityofyoufolkswithoutgivingyounotice；that\'sall。"
Reevessetbottlesandglassesonthetable。
"There\'scognac，"hesaid，"andanisada，andScotch\'smoke，\'andrye。Takeyourchoice。"
Bridgerchoserye，ReevespouredthreefingersofScotchforhimself，Morgantookthesame。Thesheriff，againstmuchprotestation，filledhisglassfromthewaterbottle。
"Here\'stotheappetite，"saidReeves，raisinghisglass，"ofMr。Williams!"Morgan\'slaughandhisdrinkencounteringsenthimintoachokingsplutter。Allbegantopayattentiontothedinner，whichwaswellcookedandpalatable。
"Williams!"calledPlunkett，suddenlyandsharply。
Alllookedupwonderingly。Reevesfoundthesheriff\'smildeyerestinguponhim。Heflushedalittle。
"Seehere，"hesaid，withsomeasperity，"myname\'sReeves，andIdon\'twantyoutoo——"Butthecomedyofthethingcametohisrescue，andheendedwithalaugh。
"Isuppose，Mr。Plunkett，"saidMorgan，carefullyseasoninganalligatorpear，"thatyouareawareofthefactthatyouwillimportagooddealoftroubleforyour-
selfintoKentuckyifyoutakebackthewrongman——
thatis，ofcourse，ifyoutakeanybodyback？"
"Thankyouforthesalt，"saidthesheriff。"Oh，I\'lltakesomebodyback。It\'llbeoneofyoutwogentlemen。
Yes，IknowI\'dgetstuckfordamagesifImakeamis-
take。ButI\'mgoingtotrytogettherightman。"
"I\'lltellyouwhatyoudo，"saidMorgan，leaningfor-
wardwithajollytwinkleinhiseyes。"Youtakeme。
I\'llgowithoutanytrouble。Thecocoanutbusinesshasn\'tpannedoutwellthisyear，andI\'dliketomakesomeextramoneyoutofyourbondsmen。"
"That\'snotfair，"chimedinReeves。"Igotonly$16athousandformylastshipment。Takeme，Mr。
Plunkett。"
"I\'lltakeWadeWilliams，"saidthesheriff，patiently，"orI\'llcomeprettyclosetoit。"
"It\'slikediningwithaghost，"remarkedMorgan，withapretendedshiver。"Theghostofamurderer，too!
WillsomebodypassthetoothpickstotheshadeofthenaughtyMr。Williams？"
PlunkettseemedasunconcernedasifhewerediningathisowntableinChathamCounty。Hewasagallanttrencherman，andthestrangetropicviandstickledhispalate。Heavy，commonplace，almostslothfulinhismovements，heappearedtobedevoidofallthecunningandwatchfulnessofthesleuth。Heevenceasedtoobserve，withanysharpnessorattempteddiscrimination，thetwomen，oneofwhomhehadundertakenwithsur-
prisingself-confidence，todragawayupontheseriouschargeofwife-murder。Here，indeed，wasaproblemsetbeforehimthatifwronglysolvedwouldhaveamountedtohisseriousdiscomfiture，yettherehesatpuzzlinghissoul(toallappearances)overthenovelflavourofabroilediguanacutlet。
Theconsulfeltadecideddiscomfort。ReevesandMorganwerehisfriendsandpals；yetthesherifffromKentuckyhadacertainrighttohisofficialaidandmoralsupport。SoBridgersatthesilentestaroundtheboardandtriedtoestimatethepeculiarsituation。Hiscon-
clusionwasthatbothReevesandMorgan，quickwitted，asheknewthemtobe，hadconceivedatthemomentofPlunkett\'sdisclosureofhismission——andinthebriefspaceofalightningflash——theideathattheothermightbetheguiltyWilliams；andthateachofthemhaddecidedinthatmomentloyallytoprotecthiscomradeagainstthedoomthatthreatenedhim。Thiswastheconsul\'stheory。
andifhehadbeenabookmakerataraceofwitsforlifeandlibertyhewouldhaveofferedheavyoddsagainsttheploddingsherifffromChathamCounty，Kentucky。
WhenthemealwasconcludedtheCaribwomancameandremovedthedishesandcloth。Reevesstrewedthemtablewithexcellentcigars，andPlunkett，withtheothers，lightedoneofthesewithevidentgratification。
"Imaybedull，"saidMorgan，withagrinandawinkatBridger；"butIwanttoknowifIam。Now，IsaythisisallajokeofMr。Plunkett\'s，concoctedtofrighten。
twobabes-in-the-woods。IsthisWilliamsontobetakenseriouslyornot？"
"\'Williams，\'"correctedPlunkettgravely。"Inevergotoffanyjokesinmylife。IknowIwouldn\'ttravel2，000milestogetoffapooroneasthiswouldbeifI
didn\'ttakeWadeWilliamsbackwithme。Gentlemen!"
continuedthesheriff，nowlettinghismildeyestravelimpartiallyfromoneofthecompanytoanother，"seeifyoucanfindanyjokeinthiscase。WadeWilliamsislisteningtothewordsIutternow；butoutofpoliteness，Iwillspeakofhimasathirdperson。Forfiveyearshemadehiswifeleadthelifeofadog——No；I\'lltakethatback。NodoginKentuckywasevertreatedasshewas。
Hespentthemoneythatshebroughthim——spentitatraces，atthecardtableandonhorsesandhunting。Hewasagoodfellowtohisfriends，butacold，sullendemonathome。Hewoundupthefiveyearsofneglectbystrik-
ingherwithhisclosedhand——ahandashardasastone——whenshewasillandweakfromsuffering。Shediedthenextday；andheskipped。That\'sallthereistoit。
It\'senough。IneversawWilliams；butIknewhiswife。I\'mnotamantotellhalf。SheandIwerekeep-
ingcompanywhenshemethim。ShewenttoLouisvilleonavisitandsawhimthere。I\'lladmitthathespoiltmychancesinnotime。IlivedthenontheedgeoftheCumberlandmountains。IwaselectedsheriffofChathamCountyayearafterWadeWilliamskilledhiswife。Myofficialdutysendsmeouthereafterhim；butI\'lladmitthatthere\'spersonalfeeling，too。Andhe\'sgoingbackwithme。Mr——er——Reeves，willyoupassmeamatch？
"AwfullyimprudentofWilliams，"saidMorgan，puttinghisfeetupagainstthewall，"tostrikeaKentuckylady。
SeemstomeI\'veheardtheywerescrappers。"
"Bad，badWilliams，"saidReeves，pouringoutmoreScotch。"
Thetwomenspokelightly，buttheconsulsawandfeltthetensionandthecarefulnessintheiractionsandwords。"Goodoldfellows，"hesaidtohimself；"they\'rebothallright。Eachof\'emisstandingbytheotherlikealittlebrickchurch。"
Andthenadogwalkedintotheroomwheretheysat——
ablack-and-tanhound，long-eared，lazy，confidentofwelcome。
Plunkettturnedhisheadandlookedattheanimal，whichhalted，confidently，withinafewfeetofhischair。
Suddenlythesheriff，withadeep-mouthedoath，lefthisseatand，bestoweduponthedogaviciousandheavykick，withhisponderousshoe。
Thehound，heartbroken，astonished，withflappingearsandincurvedtail，utteredapiercingyelpofpainandsurprise。
Reevesandtheconsulremainedintheirchairs，say-
ingnothing，butastonishedattheunexpectedshowofintolerancefromtheeasy-going-manfromChathamcounty。
ButMorgan，withasuddenlypurplingface，leaped，tohisfeetandraisedathreateningarmabovetheguest。
"You——brute!"heshouted，passionately；"whydidyoudothat？"
Quicklytheamenitiesreturned，Plunkettmutteredsomeindistinctapologyandregainedhisseat。Morganwithadecidedeffortcontrolledhisindignationandalsoreturnedtohischair。
AndthenPlunkettwiththespringofatiger，leapedaroundthecornerofthetableandsnappedhandcuffsontheparalyzedMorgan\'swrists。
"Hound-loverandwoman-killer!"hecried；"getreadytomeetyourGod。"
WhenBridgerhadfinishedIaskedhim:
"Didhegettherightman？"
"Hedid，"saidtheConsul。
"Andhowdidheknow？"Iinquired，beinginakindofbewilderment。
"WhenheputMorganinthedory，"answeredBridger，"thenextdaytotakehimaboardthePajaro，thismanPlunkettstoppedtoshakehandswithmeandIaskedhimthesamequestion。"
"\'Mr。Bridger，\'saidhe，\'I\'maKentuckian，andI\'veseenagreatdealofbothmenandanimals。AndIneveryetsawamanthatwasoverfondofhorsesanddogsbutwhatwascrueltowomen。\'"
THEHYPOTHESESOFFAILURE
LAWYERGOOCHbestowedhisundividedattentionupontheengrossingartsofhisprofession。Butoneflightoffancydidheallowhismindtoentertain。Hewasfondoflikeninghissuiteofofficeroomstothebot-
tomofaship。Theroomswerethreeinnumber，withadooropeningfromonetoanother。Thesedoorscouldalsobeclosed。
"Ships，"LawyerGoochwouldsay，"areconstructedforsafety，withseparate，water-tightcompartmentsintheirbottoms。Ifonecompartmentspringsaleakitfillswithwater；butthegoodshipgoesonunhurt。Wereitnotfortheseparatingbulkheadsoneleakwouldsinkthevessel。NowitoftenhappensthatwhileIamoccu-
piedwithclients，otherclientswithconflictinginterestscall。WiththeassistanceofArchibald——anofficeboywithafuture——Icausethedangerousinfluxtobedivertedintoseparatecompartments，whileIsoundwithmylegalplummetthedepthofeach。Ifneces-
sary，theymaybehaledintothehallwayandpermittedtoescapebywayofthestairs，whichwemaytermtheleescuppers。Thusthegoodshipofbusinessiskeptafloat；
whereasiftheelementthatsupportsherwereallowedtominglefreelyinherholdwemightbeswamped——ha，ha，ha!
Thelawisdry。Goodjokesarefew。SurelyitmightbepermittedLawyerGoochtomitigatetheboreofbriefs，thetediumoftortsandtheprosinessofprocesseswithevensolightalevyuponthegoodpropertyofhumour。
LawyerGooch\'spracticeleanedlargelytothesettle-
mentofmaritalinfelicities。Didmatrimonylanguishthroughcomplications，hemediated，soothedandarbi-
trated。Diditsufferfromimplications，hereadjusted，defendedandchampioned。Diditarriveattheextremityofduplications，healwaysgotlightsentencesforhisclients。
ButnotalwayswasLawyerGoochthekeen，armed，wilybelligerent，readywithhistwo-edgedswordtolopofftheshacklesofHymen。Hehadbeenknowntobuildupinsteadofdemolishing，toreuniteinsteadofsevering，toleaderringandfoolishonesbackintothefoldinsteadofscatteringtheflock。Oftenhadhebyhiseloquentandmovingappealssenthusbandandwife，weeping，backintoeachother\'sarms。Frequentlyhehadcoachedchildhoodsosuccessfullythat，atthepsychologicalmoment(andatagivensignal)theplaintivepipeof"Papa，won\'tyouturnhomeadaintomeandmuvver？"
hadwonthedayandupheldthepillarsofatotteringhome。
UnprejudicedpersonsadmittedthatLawyerGoochreceivedasbigfeesfromtheserevokedclientsaswouldhavebeenpaidhimhadthecasesbeencontestedincourt。
Prejudicedonesintimatedthathisfeesweredoubled。
becausethepenitentcouplesalwayscamebacklaterforthedivorce，anyhow。
TherecameaseasoninJunewhenthelegalshipofLawyerGooch(toborrowhisownfigure)wasnearlybecalmed。ThedivorcemillgrindsslowlyinJune。ItisthemonthofCupidandHymen。
LawyerGooch，then，satidleinthemiddleroomofhisclientlesssuite。Asmallanteroomconnected——orratherseparated——thisapartmentfromthehallway。
HerewasstationedArchibald，whowrestedfromvisitorstheircardsororalnomenclaturewhichheboretohismasterwhiletheywaited。
Suddenly，onthisday，therecameagreatknockingattheoutermostdoor。
Archibald，openingit，wasthrustasideassuperfluousbythevisitor，whowithoutduereverenceatoncepene-
tratedtotheofficeofLawyerGoochandthrewhimselfwithgood-naturedinsolenceintoacomfortablechairfacingthatgentlemen。
"YouarePhineasC。Gooch，attorney-at-law？"saidthevisitor，histoneofvoiceandinflectionmakinghiswordsatonceaquestion，anassertionandanaccusation。
Beforecommittinghimselfbyareply，thelawyeresti-
matedhispossibleclientinoneofhisbriefbutshrewdandcalculatingglances。
Themanwasoftheemphatictype——large-sized，active，boldanddebonairindemeanour，vainbeyondadoubt，slightlyswaggering，readyandatease。Hewaswell-
clothed，butwithashadetoomuchornateness。Hewasseekingalawyer；butifthatfactwouldseemtosaddlehimwithtroublestheywerenotpatentinhisbeamingeyeandcourageousair。
"MynameisGooch，"atlengththelawyeradmitted。
