第3章

ThisthawinhisdivinitysentArmstrong\'sheartgoingfaster。SomightanArcticexplorerthrillathisfirstkenofgreenfieldsandliquescentwaters。Theywereonalowerplaneofearthandlifeandweresuccumbingtoitspeculiar，subtleinfluence。Theausterityofthehillsnolongerthinnedtheairtheybreathed。Aboutthemwasthebreathoffruitandcornandbuildedhomes，thecomfortablesmellofsmokeandwarmearthandtheconsolationsmanhasplacedbetweenhimselfandthedustofhisbrotherearthfromwhichhesprung。Whiletraversingthoseawfulmountains，Mile。Giraudhadseemedtobewrappedintheirspiritofreverentreserve。

Wasthisthatsamewoman——nowpalpitating，warm，eager，throbbingwithconsciouslifeandcharm，femininetoherfinger-tips？Ponderingoverthis，Armstrongfeltcertainmisgivingsintrudeuponhisthoughts。Hewishedhecouldstoptherewiththischangingcreature，descendingnofarther。Herewastheelevationandenvironmenttowhichhernatureseemedtorespondwithitsbest。Hefearedtogodownupontheman-dominatedlevels。Wouldherspirit-notyieldstillfurtherinthatartificialzonetowhichtheyweredescending？

Nowfromalittleplateautheysawtheseaflashattheedgeofthegreenlowlands。Mile。Giraudgavealittle，catchingsigh。

"Oh!look，Mr。Armstrong，thereisthesea!Isn\'titlovely？I\'msotiredofmountains。"Sheheavedaprettyshoulderinagestureofrepugnance。"ThosehorridIndians!JustthinkofwhatIsuffered!AlthoughIsupposeIattainedmyambitionofbecomingastellarattraction，Iwouldn\'tcaretorepeattheengagement。Itwasveryniceofyoutobringmeaway。Tellme，Mr。

Armstrong——honestly，now——doIlooksuchanawful，awfulfright？Ihaven\'tlookedintoamirror，youknow，formonths。"

Armstrongmadeansweraccordingtohischangedmoods。Alsohelaidhishanduponhersasitresteduponthehornofhersaddle。Luiswasattheheadofthepacktrainandcouldnotsee。Sheallowedittoremainthere，andhereyessmiledfranklyintohis。

Thenatsundowntheydroppeduponthecoastlevelunderthepalmsandlemonsamongthevividgreensandsearletsandochresofthetierracaliente。TheyrodeintoMacuto，andsawthelineofvolatilebathersfrolick-

inginthesurf。Themountainswereveryfaraway。

Mlle。Giraud\'seyeswereshiningwithajoythatcouldnothaveexistedunderthechaperonageofthemountain-

tops。Therewereotherspiritscallingtoher——nymphsoftheorangegroves，pixiesfromthechatteringsurf，imps，bornofthemusic，theperfumes，coloursandtheinsinuatingpresenceofhumanity。Shelaughedaloud，musically，atasuddenthought。

"Won\'ttherebeasensation？"shecalledtoArmstrong。

"Don\'tIwishIhadanengagementjustnow，though!

Whatapicnicthepressagentwouldhave!\'HeldaprisonerbyabandofsavageIndianssubduedbythespellofherwonderfulvoice\'——wouldn\'tthatmakegreatstuff？ButIguessIquitthegamewinner，anyhow——

thereoughttobeacoupleofthousanddollarsinthatsackofgolddustIcollectedasencores，don\'tyouthink？"

HeleftheratthedoorofthelittleHoteldeBuenDescansar，whereshehadstoppedbefore。Twohourslaterhereturnedtothehotel。Heglancedinattheopendoorofthelittlecombinedreceptionroomandcafe。

HalfadozenofMacuto\'srepresentativesocialandofficialcaballerosweredistributedabouttheroom。

SefiorVillablanca，thewealthyrubberconcessionist，reposedhisfatfigureontwochairs，withanemollientsmilebeaminguponhischocolate-colouredface。Guil-

bert，theFrenchminingengineer，leeredthroughhispolishednose-glasses。ColonelMendez，oftheregulararmy，ingold-laceduniformandfatuousgrin，wasbusilyextractingcorksfromchampagnebottles。Otherpat-

ternsofMacutiangallantryandfashionprancedandposed。Theairwashazywithcigarettesmoke。Winedrippeduponthefloor。

PercheduponatableinthecentreoftheroominanattitudeofeasypreeminencewasMlle。Giraud。A

chiccostumeofwhitelawnandcherryribbonssupplantedhertravellinggarb。Therewasasuggestionoflace，andafrillortwo，withadiscreet，smallimplicationofhand-

embroideredpinkhosiery。Uponherlaprestedaguitar。

Inherfacewasthelightofresurrection，thepeaceofelysiumattainedthroughfireandsuffering。Shewassingingtoalivelyaccompanimentalittlesong:

"WhenyouseedebigroundmoonComin\'uplikeaballoon，DisniggerskipsfurtokissdelipsObhisstylish，black-facedcoon。"

ThesingercaughtsightofArmstrong。

"Hi!there，Johnny，"shecalled；"I\'vebeenexpectingyouforanhour。Whatkeptyou？Gee!butthesesmokedguysaretheslowestyoueversaw。Theyain\'ton，atall。Comealongin，andI\'llmakethiscoffee-

colouredoldsportwiththegoldepaulettesopenoneforyourightofftheice。"

"Thankyou，"saidArmstrong；"notjustnow，I

believe。I\'veseveralthingstoattendto。"

Hewalkedoutanddownthestreet，andmetRuckercomingupfromtheConsulate。

"Playyouagameofbilliards，"saidArmstrong。"I

wantsomethingtotakethetasteofthesealeveloutofmymouth。"

"GIRL"

INGILTlettersonthegroundglassofthedoorofroomNo。962werethewords:"Robbins&Hartley，Brokers。"Theclerkshadgone。Itwaspastfive，andwiththesolidtrampofadroveofprizePercherons，scrub-

womenwereinvadingthecloud-cappedtwenty-storyofficebuilding。Apuffofred-hotairflavouredwithlemonpeelings，soft-coalsmokeandtrainoilcameinthroughthehalf-openwindows。

Robbins，fifty，somethingofanoverweightbeau，andaddictedtofirstnightsandhotelpalm-rooms，pretendedtobeenviousofhispartner\'scommuter\'sjoys。

"Goingtobesomethingdoinginthehumiditylineto-night，"hesaid。"Youout-of-townchapswillbethepeople，withyourkatydidsandmoonlightandlongdrinksandthingsoutonthefrontporch。"

Hartley，twenty-nine，serious，thin，good-looking，ner-

vous，sighedandfrownedalittle。

"Yes，"saidhe，"wealwayshavecoolnightsinFloral-

hurst，especiallyinthewinter。"

AmanwithanairofmysterycameinthedoorandwentuptoHartley。

"I\'vefoundwhereshelives，"heannouncedintheportentoushalf-whisperthatmakesthedetectiveatworkamarkedbeingtohisfellowmen。

Hartleyscowledhimintoastateofdramaticsilenceandquietude。ButbythattimeRobbinshadgothiscaneandsethistiepintohisliking，andwithadebonairnodwentouttohismetropolitanamusements。

"Hereistheaddress，"saidthedetectiveinanaturaltone，beingdeprivedofanaudiencetofoil。

Hartleytooktheleaftornoutofthesleuth\'sdingymemorandumbook。Onitwerepencilledthewords"VivienneArlington，No。341East——thStreet，careofMrs。McComus。"

"Movedthereaweekago，"saidthedetective。"Now，ifyouwantanyshadowingdone，Mr。Hartley，Icandoyouasfineajobinthatlineasanybodyinthecity。Itwillbeonly$7adayandexpenses。Cansendinadailytypewrittenreport，covering——"

"Youneedn\'tgoon，"interruptedthebroker。"Itisn\'tacaseofthatkind。Imerelywantedtheaddress。

HowmuchshallIpayyou？"

"Oneday\'swork，"saidthesleuth。"Atennerwillcoverit。"

Hartleypaidthemananddismissedhim。ThenhelefttheofficeandboardedaBroadwaycar。Atthefirstlargecrosstownarteryoftravelhetookaneastboundcarthatdepositedhiminadecayingavenue，whoseancientstructuresonceshelteredtheprideandgloryofthetown。

Walkingafewsquares，hecametothebuildingthathesought。Itwasanewflathouse，bearingcarveduponitscheapstoneportalitssonorousname，"TheVallambrosa。"

Fire-escapeszigzaggeddownitsfront——theseladenwithhouseholdgoods，dryingclothes，andsquallingchildrenevictedbythemidsummerheat。Hereandthereapalerubberplantpeepedfromthemiscellaneousmass，asifwonderingtowhatkingdomitbelonged——

vegetable，animalorartificial。

Hartleypressedthe"McComus"button。Thedoorlatchclickedspasmodically——nowhospitably，nowdoubt-

fully，asthoughinanxietywhetheritmightbeadmittingfriendsorduns。Hartleyenteredandbegantoclimbthestairsafterthemannerofthosewhoseektheirfriendsincityflat-houses——whichisthemannerofaboywhoclimbsanapple-tree，stoppingwhenhecomesuponwhathewants。

OnthefourthfloorhesawViviennestandinginanopendoor。Sheinvitedhiminside，withanodandabright，genuinesmile。Sheplacedachairforhimnearawindow，andpoisedherselfgracefullyupontheedgeofoneofthoseJekyll-and-Hydepiecesoffurniturethataremaskedandmysteriouslyhooded，unguessablebulksbydayandinquisitorialracksoftorturebynight。

Hartleycastaquick，critical，appreciativeglanceatherbeforespeaking，andtoldhimselfthathistasteinchoosinghadbeenflawless。

Viviennewasabouttwenty-one。ShewasofthepurestSaxontype。Herhairwasaruddygolden，eachfilamentoftheneatlygatheredmassshiningwithitsownlustreanddelicategraduationofcolour。Inperfectharmonywereherivory-clearcomplexionanddeepsea-blueeyesthatlookedupontheworldwiththeingenuouscalmnessofamermaidorthepixieofanundiscoveredmountainstream。Herframewasstrongandyetpossessedthegraceofabsolutenaturalness。AndyetwithallherNorth-

ernclearnessandfranknessoflineandcolouring，thereseemedtobesomethingofthetropicsinher——somethingoflanguorinthedroopofherpose，ofloveofeaseinheringeniouscomplacencyofsatisfactionandcomfortinthemereactofbreathing——somethingthatseemedtoclaimforherarightasaperfectworkofnaturetoexistandbeadmiredequallywitharareflowerorsomebeauti-

ful，milk-whitedoveamongitssober-huedcompanions。

Shewasdressedinawhitewaistanddarkskirt-thatdiscreetmasqueradeofgoose-girlandduchess。

"Vivienne，"saidHartley，lookingatherpleadingly，"youdidnotanswermylastletter。Itwasonlybynearlyaweek\'ssearchthatIfoundwhereyouhadmovedto。

WhyhaveyoukeptmeinsuspensewhenyouknewhowanxiouslyIwaswaitingtoseeyouandhearfromyou？"

Thegirllookedoutthewindowdreamily。

"Mr。Hartley，"shesaidhesitatingly，"Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou。Irealizealltheadvantagesofyouroffer，andsometimesIfeelsurethatIcouldbecontentedwithyou。But，again，Iamdoubtful。Iwasbornacitygirl，andIamafraidtobindmyselftoaquietsub-

urbanlife。"

"Mydeargirl，"saidHartley，ardently，"haveInottoldyouthatyoushallhaveeverythingthatyourheartcandesirethatisinmypowertogiveyou？Youshallcometothecityforthetheatres，forshoppingandtovisityourfriendsasoftenasyoucareto。Youcantrustme，canyounot？"

"Tothefullest，"shesaid，turningherfrankeyesuponhimwithasmile。"Iknowyouarethekindestofmen，andthatthegirlyougetwillbealuckyone。IlearnedallaboutyouwhenIwasattheMontgomerys\'。"

"Ah!"exclaimedHartley，withatender，reminiscentlightinhiseye；"IrememberwelltheeveningIfirstsawyouattheMontgomerys\'。Mrs。Montgomerywassound-

ingyourpraisestomealltheevening。Andshehardlydidyoujustice。Ishallneverforgetthatsupper。Come，Vivienne，promiseme。Iwantyou。You\'llneverregretcomingwithme。Nooneelsewillevergiveyouaspleasantahome。"

Thegirlsighedandlookeddownatherfoldedhands。

AsuddenjealoussuspicionseizedHartley。

"Tellme，Vivienne，"heasked，regardingherkeenly，"isthereanother——istheresomeoneelse？"

Arosyflushcreptslowlyoverherfaircheeksandneck。

"Youshouldn\'taskthat，Mr。Hartley，"shesaid，insomeconfusion。"ButIwilltellyou。Thereisoneother——buthehasnoright——Ihavepromisedhimnothing。"

"Hisname？"demandedHartley，sternly。

"Townsend。"

"RaffordTownsend!"exclaimedHartley，withagrimtighteningofhisjaw。"Howdidthatmancometoknowyou？AfterallI\'vedoneforhim——"

"Hisautohasjuststoppedbelow，"saidVivienne，bendingoverthewindow-sill。"He\'scomingforhisanswer。OhIdon\'tknowwhattodo!"

Thebellintheflatkitchenwhirred。Viviennehurriedtopressthelatchbutton。

"Stayhere，"saidHartley。"Iwillmeethiminthehall。"

Townsend，lookinglikeaSpanishgrandeeinhislighttweeds，Panamahatandcurlingblackmustache，cameupthestairsthreeatatime。HestoppedatsightofHartleyandlookedfoolish。

"Goback，"saidHartley，firmly，pointingdownstairswithhisforefinger。

"Hullo!"saidTownsend，feigningsurprise。"What\'sup？Whatareyoudoinghere，oldman？"

"Goback，"repeatedHartley，inflexibly。"TheLawoftheJungle。DoyouwantthePacktotearyouinpieces？Thekillismine。"

"Icameheretoseeaplumberaboutthebathroomconnections，"saidTownsend，bravely。

"Allright，"saidHartley。"Youshallhavethatlyingplastertostickuponyourtraitoroussoul。But，goback。"

Townsendwentdownstairs，leavingabitterwordtobewaftedupthedraughtofthestaircase。Hartleywentbacktohiswooing。

"Vivienne，"saidhe，masterfully。"Ihavegottohaveyou。Iwilltakenomorerefusalsordilly-dallying。"

"Whendoyouwantme？"sheasked。

"Now。Assoonasyoucangetready。"

Shestoodcalmlybeforehimandlookedhimintheeye。

"Doyouthinkforonemoment，"shesaid，"thatIwouldenteryourhomewhileH閘oiseisthere？"

Hartleycringedasiffromanunexpectedblow。Hefoldedhisarmsandpacedthecarpetonceortwice。

"Sheshallgo，"hedeclaredgrimly。Dropsstooduponhisbrow。"WhyshouldIletthatwomanmakemylifemiserable？NeverhaveIseenonedayoffreedomfromtroublesinceIhaveknownher。Youareright，Vivienne。H閘oisemustbesentawaybeforeIcantakeyouhome。Butsheshallgo。Ihavedecided。Iwillturnherfrommydoors。"

"Whenwillyoudothis？"askedthegirl。

Hartleyclinchedhisteethandbenthisbrowstogether。

"To-night，"hesaid，resolutely。"Iwillsendherawayto-night。"

"Then，"saidVivienne，"myansweris\'yes。\'Comeformewhenyouwill。"

Shelookedintohiseyeswithasweet，sincerelightinherown。Hartleycouldscarcelybelievethathersur-

renderwastrue，itwassoswiftandcomplete。

"Promiseme，"hesaidfeelingly，"onyourwordandhonour。"

"Onmywordandhonour，"repeatedVivienne，softly。

Atthedoorheturnedandgazedatherhappily，butyetasonewhoscarcelytruststhefoundationsofhisjoy。

"To-morrow，"hesaid，withaforefingerofreminderuplifted。

"To-morrow，"sherepeatedwithasmileoftruthandcandour。

InanhourandfortyminutesHartleysteppedoffthetrainatFloralhurst。Abriskwalkoftenminutesbroughthimtothegateofahandsometwo-storycottagesetuponawideandwell-tendedlawn。Halfwaytothehousehewasmetbyawomanwithjet-blackbraidedhairandflowingwhitesummergown，whohalfstrangledhimwithoutapparentcause。

Whentheysteppedintothehallshesaid:

"Mamma\'shere。Theautoiscomingforherinhalfanhour。Shecametodinner，butthere\'snodinner。"

"I\'vesomethingtotellyou，"saidHartley。"Ithoughttobreakittoyougently，butsinceyourmotherisherewemayaswelloutwithit。"

Hestoopedandwhisperedsomethingatherear。

Hiswifescreamed。Hermothercamerunningintothehall。Thedark-hairedwomanscreamedagain-

thejoyfulscreamofawell-belovedandpettedwoman。

"Oh，mamma!"shecriedecstatically，"whatdoyouthink？Vivienneiscomingtocookforus!SheistheonethatstayedwiththeMontgomerysawholeyear。

Andnow，Billy，dear，"sheconcluded，"youmustgorightdownintothekitchenanddischargeH閘oise。Shehasbeendrunkagainthewholedaylong。"

SOCIOLOGYINSERGEANDSTRAW

Theseasonofirresponsibilityisathand。Come，letustwineroundourbrowswreathsofpoisonivy(thatisforidiocy)，andwanderhandinhandwithsociologyinthesummerfields。

Likelyasnottheworldisflat。Thewisemenhavetriedtoprovethatitisround，withindifferentsuccess。

Theypointedouttousashipgoingtosea，andbadeusobservethat，atlength，theconvexityoftheearthhidfromourviewallbutthevessel\'stopmast。Butwepickedupatelescopeandlooked，andsawthedecksandhullagain。Thenthewisemensaid:"Oh，pshaw!

anyhow，thevariationoftheintersectionoftheequatorandtheeclipticprovesit。"Wecouldnotseethisthroughourtelescope，soweremainedsilent。Butitstandstoreasonthat，iftheworldwereround，thequeuesofChina-

Menwouldstandstraightupfromtheirheadsinsteadofhangingdowntheirbacks，astravellersassureustheydo。

Anotherhot-weathercorroborationoftheflattheoryisthefactthatalloflife，asweknowit，movesinlittle，unavailingcircles。Morejustlythantoanythingelse，itcanbelikenedtothegameofbaseball。Crack!wehittheball，andawaywego。Ifweearnarun(inlifewecallitsuccess)wegetbacktothehomeplateandsituponabench。Ifwearethrownout，wewalkbacktothehomeplate——andsituponabench。

Thecircumnavigatorsoftheallegedglobemayhavesailedtherimofawaterycirclebacktothesameportagain。Thetrulygreatreturnatthehightideoftheirattainmentstothesimplicityofachild。Thebillionairesitsdownathismahoganytohisbowlofbreadandmilk。Whenyoureachtheendofyourcareer，justtakedownthesign"Goal"andlookattheothersideofit。Youwillfind"BeginningPoint"there。Ithasbeenreversedwhileyouweregoingaroundthetrack。

Butthisishumour，andmustbestopped。LetusgetbacktotheseriousquestionsthatarisewheneverSociologyturnssummerboarder。Youareinvitedtoconsiderthesceneofthestory-wild，Atlanticwaves，thunderingagainstawoodedandrock-boundshore——

intheGreaterCityofNewYork。

ThetownofFishampton，onthesouthshoreofLongIsland，isnotedforitsclamfrittersandthesummerresidenceoftheVanPlushvelts。

TheVanPlushveltshaveahundredmilliondollars，andtheirnameisahouseholdwordwithtradesmenandphotographers。

OnthefifteenthofJunetheVanPlushveltsboardedupthefrontdooroftheircityhouse，carefullydepositedtheircatonthesidewalk，instructedthecaretakernottoallowittoeatanyoftheivyonthewalls，andwhizzedawayina40-horse-powertoFishamptontostrayalonetheshade——Amaryllisnotbeingintheirclass。IfasubscribertotheToadies\'Magazine，youhaveoften——Yousayyouarenot？Well，youbuyitatanews-stand，thinkingthatthenewsdealerisnotwisetoyou。Butheknowsaboutitall。HEknows——HE

knows!IsaythatyouhaveoftenseenintheToadies\'

MagazinepicturesoftheVanPlushvelts\'summerhome；

soitwillnotbedescribedhere。OurbusinessiswithyoungHaywoodVanPlushvelt，sixteenyearsold，heirtothecenturyofmillions，darlingofthefinancialgodsandgreatgrandsonofPeterVanPlushvelt，formerownerofaparticularlyfinecabbagepatchthathasbeenruinedbyanintrusivelotofdowntownskyscrapers。

OneafternoonyoungHaywoodVanPlushveltstrolledoutbetweenthegranitegatepostsof"DolcefarNiente"——

that\'swhattheycalledtheplace；anditwasanimprove-

mentondolceFarRockaway，Icantellyou。

Haywoodwalkeddownintothevillage。Hewashuman，afterall，andhisprospectivemillionsweigheduponhim。Wealthhadwreakeduponhimitsdirefullest。

Hewastheproductofprivatetutors。Evenunderhisfirsthobby-horsehadtanbarkbeenstrewn。Hehadbeenbornwithagoldspoon，lobsterforkandfish-setinhismouth。ForwhichIhope，later，tosubmitjustification，Imustaskyourconsiderationofhishaberdasheryandtailoring。

YoungFortunatuswasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneat，whitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，ofthewell-known"immaculate"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarriedaslender，neat，bamboocane。

DownPersimmonStreet(there\'snevertreenorthofHagerstown，Md。)camefromthevillage"Smoky"

Dodson，fifteenandahalf，worstboyinFishampton。

"Smoky"wasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe"serviceable"brand。Dust，clingingtothemois-

tureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。"Smoky"carriedabaseballbat，andaleagueballthatadvertiseditselfintherotundityofhistrouserspocket。Haywoodstoppedandpassedthetimeofday。

"Goingtoplayball？"heasked。

"Smoky\'s"eyesandcountenanceconfrontedhimwithafrankblue-and-freckledscrutiny。

"Me？"hesaid，withdeadlymildness；"surenot。

Can\'tyouseeI\'vegotadivin\'suiton？I\'mgoin\'upinasubmarineballoontocatchbutterflieswithatwo-inchauger。

"Excuseme，"saidHaywood，withtheinsultingpolite——

nessofhiscaste，"formistakingyouforagentleman。I

mighthaveknownbetter。"

"HowmightyouhaveknownbetterifyouthoughtI

wasone？"said"Smoky，"unconsciouslyalogician。

"Byyourappearances，"saidHaywood。"Nogentle-

manisdirty，raggedandaliar。"

"Smoky"hootedoncelikeaferry-boat，spatonhishand，gotafirmgriponhisbaseballbatandthendroppeditagainstthefence。

"Say，"saidhe，"Iknowsyou。You\'rethepupthatbelongsinthatswellprivatesummersanitariumforcity-

guysoverthere。Iseenyoucomeoutofthegate。Youcan\'tbluffnobodybecauseyou\'rerich。Andbecauseyougotonswellclothes。Arabella!Yah!"

"Ragamuffin!"saidHay-wood。

"Smoky"pickedupafence-railsplinterandlaiditonhisshoulder。

"Dareyoutoknockitoff，"hechallenged。

"Iwouldn\'tsoilmyhandswithyou，"saidthearistocrat。

"\'Fraid，"said"Smoky"concisely。"Yousecity-

ducksain\'tgottheIsand。Ikinlickyouwithone-

hand。"

"Idon\'twishtohaveanytroublewithyou，"saidHaywood。"Iaskedyouacivilquestion；andyoureplied，likea——likea——acad。"

"Wot\'sacad？"asked"Smoky。"

"Acadisadisagreeableperson，"answeredHaywood，"wholacksmannersanddoesn\'tknowhisplace。They，sometimesplaybaseball。"

"Icantellyouwhatamollycoddleis，"said"Smoky。"

"It\'samonkeydressedupbyitsmotherandsentouttoopickdaisiesonthelawn。"

"Whenyouhavethehonourtorefertothemembersofmyfamily，"saidHaywood，withsomedimideasofacodeinhismind，"you\'dbetterleavetheladiesoutofyourremarks。"

"Ho!ladies!"mockedtherudeone。"Isayladies!

Iknowwhatthemrichwomeninthecitydoes。They，drinkcocktailsandswearandgivepartiestogorillas。

Thepaperssaysso。"

ThenHaywoodknewthatitmustbe。Hetookoffhiscoat，foldeditneatlyandlaiditontheroadsidegrass，placedhishatuponitandbegantounknothisbluesilktie。

"Hadn\'tyerbetterringferyermaid，Arabella？"

taunted"Smoky。""Wotyergoingtodo——gotobed？"

"I\'mgoingtogiveyouagoodtrouncing，"saidthehero。Hedidnothesitate，althoughtheenemywasfarbeneathhimsocially。Herememberedthathisfatheroncethrashedacabman，andthepapersgaveittwocol-

umns，firstpage。AndtheToadies\'MagazinehadaspecialarticleonUpperCutsbytheUpperClasses，andrannewpicturesoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat，atFishampton。

"Wot\'strouncing？"asked"Smoky，"suspiciously。

"Idon\'twantyouroldclothes。I\'mno——oh，youmeantoscrap!My，my!Iwon\'tdoathingtomamma\'spet。

Criminy!I\'dhatetobeahand-launderedthinglikeyou。

"Smoky"waitedwithsomeawkwardnessforhisadversarytoprepareforbattle。Hisowndeckswerealwaysclearforaction。Whenheshouldspituponthepalmofhisterriblerightitwasequivalentto"Youmayfirenow，Gridley。"

Thehatedpatricianadvanced，withhisshirtsleevesneatlyrolledup。"Smoky"waited，inanattitudeofease，expectingtheaffairtobeconductedaccordingtoFishampton\'srulesofwar。Theseallowedcombattobeprefacedbystigma，recrimination，epithet，abuseandinsultgraduallyincreasinginemphasisanddegree。

Afteraroundofthese"you\'reanothers"wouldcomethechipknockedfromtheshoulder，ortheadvanceacrossthe"dare"linedrawnwithatoeontheground。Nextlighttapsgivenandtaken，thesealsoincreasinginforceuntilfinallythebloodwasupandfistsgoingattheirbest。

ButHaywooddidnotknowFishampton\'srules。

Noblesseobligekeptafaintsmileonhisfaceashewalkedslowlyupto"Smoky"andsaid:

"Goingtoplayball？"

"Smoky"quicklyunderstoodthistobeaputtingofthepreviousquestion，givinghimthechancetomakepracticalapologybyansweringitwithcivilityandrelevance。

"Listenthistime，\'saidhe。"I\'mgoin\'skatin\'ontheriver。Don\'tyouseemeautomobilewithChineselanternsonitstandin\'andwaitin\'forme？"

Haywoodknockedhimdown。

"Smoky"feltwronged。Tothusdeprivehimofpreliminarywrangleandobjurgationwastosendanarmouredknightfulltiltagainstacrashinglancewithoutpermittinghimfirsttocaracolearoundthelisttotheflourishoftrumpets。Buthescrambledupandfelluponhisfoe，head，feetandfists。

Thefightlastedoneroundofanhourandtenminutes。

Itwaslengtheneduntilitwasmorelikeawarorafamilyfeudthanafight。Haywoodhadlearnedsomeofthescienceofboxingandwrestlingfromhistutors，butthesehediscardedforthemoreinstinctivemethodsofbattlehandeddownbythecave-dwellingVanPlushvelts。

So，whenhefoundhimself，duringthem阬閑，seateduponthekickingandroaring"Smoky\'s"chest，heimprovedtheopportunitybyvigorouslykneadinghand-

fulsofsandandsoilintohisadversary\'sears，eyesandmouth，andwhen"Smoky"gottheproperlegholdand"turned"him，hefastenedbothhandsinthePlushvelthairandpoundedthePlushveltheadagainstthelapofmotherearth。Ofcourse，thestrifewasnotincessantlyactive。Therewereseasonswhenonesatupontheother，holdinghimdown，whileeachblewlikeagrampus，spatoutthemoreinconvenientlylargesectionsofgravelandandstrovetosubduethespiritofhisopponentwithafrightfulandsoul-paralyzingglare。

Atlast，itseemedthatinthelanguageofthering，theireffortslackedsteam。Theybrokeaway，andeachdisappearedinacloudashebrushedawaythedustoftheconflict。Assoonashisbreathpermitted，Haywoodwalkedcloseto"Smoky"andsaid:

"Goingtoplayball？"

"Smoky"lookedpensivelyatthesky，athisbatlyingontheground，andatthe"leaguer"roundinghispocket。

"Sure，"hesaid，offhandedly。"The\'Yellowjackets\'"

playsthe\'LongIslands。\'I\'mcap\'nofthe\'LongIslands。\'

"IguessIdidn\'tmeantosayyouwereragged，"saidHaywood。"Butyouaredirty，youknow。"

"Sure，"said"Smoky。""Yergetthatwayknockin\'

around。Say，Idon\'tbelievethemNewYorkpapersaboutladiesdrinkin\'andhavin\'monkeysdinin\'atthetablewith\'em。Iguessthey\'relies，liketheyprintaboutpeopleeatin\'outofsilverplates，andownin\'dogsthatcost$100。"

"Certainly，"saidHaywood。"Whatdoyouplayonyourteam？"

"Ketcher。Everplayany？"

"Neverinmylife，"saidHaywood。"I\'veneverknownanyfellowsexceptoneortwoofmycousins。"

"Jerliketolearn？We\'regoin\'tohaveapractice-

gamebeforethematch。Wantercomealong？I\'llputyerinleft-field，andyerwon\'tbelongketchin\'on。"

"I\'dlikeitbully，"saidHaywood。"I\'vealway-

wantedtoplaybaseball。"

Theladies\'maidsofNewYorkandthefamiliesofWesternmineownerswithsocialambitionswillrememberwellthesensationthatwascreatedbythereportthattheyoungmulti-millionaire，HaywoodVanPlushvelt，wasplayingballwiththevillageyouthsofFishampton。Itwasconcededthatthemillenniumofdemocracyhadcome。Reportersandphotographersswarmedtotheisland。Thepapersprintedhalf-pagepicturesofhimasshort-stopstoppingahotgrounder。TheToadies\'

MagazinegotoutaBatandBallnumberthatcoveredthesubjecthistorically，beginningwiththevampirebatandendingwiththePatriarchs\'ball——illustratedwithinteriorviewsoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat。

Ministers，educatorsandsociologistseverywherehailedtheeventasthetocsincallthatproclaimedtheuniversalbrotherhoodofman。

OneafternoonIwasrecliningunderthetreesneartheshoreatFishamptonintheesteemedcompanyofaneminent，bald-headedyoungsociologist。Bywayofnoteitmaybeinsertedthatallsociologistsaremoreorlessbald，andexactlythirty-two。Look\'emover。

ThesociologistwascitingtheVanPlushveltcaseasthemostimportant"uplift"symptomofageneration，andasanexcuseforhisownexistence。

Immediatelybeforeuswerethevillagebaseballgrounds。

AndnowcamethesportiveyouthofFishamptonanddistributedthemselves，shouting，aboutthediamond。

"There，"saidthesociologist，pointing，"thereisyoungVanPlushvelt。"

Iraisedmyself(sofaracosycophantwithMaryAnn)

andgazed。

YoungVanPlushveltsatupontheground。Hewasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-

worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe"ser-

viceable"brand。Dustclingingtothemoistureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。

"Thatishe，"repeatedthesociologist。Ifhehadsaid"him"Icouldhavebeenlessvindictive。

Onabench，withanair，sattheyoungmillionaire\'schum。

Hewasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneatwhitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，linenofthewell-known"immaculate"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarrieda-slender，neatbamboocane。

Ilaughedloudlyandvulgarly。

"Whatyouwanttodo，"saidItothesociologist，"istoestablishareformatoryfortheLogicalViciousCircle。

OrelseI\'vegotwheels。Itlookstomeasifthingsarerunningroundandroundincirclesinsteadofgettinganywhere。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthemanofprogress。

"Why，lookwhathehasdoneto"Smoky，"Ireplied。

"Youwillalwaysbeafool，"saidmyfriend，thesociolo-

gist，gettingupandwalkingaway。

THERANSOMOFREDCHIEF

ITLOOKEDlikeagoodthing:butwaittillItellyou。

WeweredownSouth，inAlabama——BillDriscollandmyself——whenthiskidnappingideastruckus。Itwas，asBillafterwardexpressedit，"duringamomentoftemporarymentalapparition"；butwedidn\'tfindthatouttilllater。

Therewasatowndownthere，asflatasaflannel-cake，andcalledSummit，ofcourse。ItcontainedinhabitantsOfasundeleteriousandself-satisfiedaclassofpeasantryaseverclusteredaroundaMaypole。

Billandmehadajointcapitalofaboutsixhundreddollars，andweneededjusttwothousanddollarsmoretopulloffafraudulenttown-lotschemeinWesternIllinoiswith。Wetalkeditoveronthefrontstepsofthehotel。Philoprogenitiveness，sayswe，isstronginsemi-

ruralcommunities；thereforeandforotherreasons，akidnappingprojectoughttodobettertherethanintheradiusofnewspapersthatsendreportersoutinplainclothestostiruptalkaboutsuchthings。WeknewthatSummitcouldn\'tgetafteruswithanythingstrongerthanconstablesandmaybesomelackadaisicalblood-

houndsandadiatribeortwointheWeeklyFarmers\'

Budget。So，itlookedgood。

WeselectedforourvictimtheonlychildofaprominentcitizennamedEbenezerDorset。Thefatherwasrespect-

ableandtight，amortgagefancierandastern，uprightcollection-platepasserandforecloser。Thekidwasaboyoften，withbas-relieffreckles，andhairthecolourofthecoverofthemagazineyoubuyatthenews-standwhenyouwanttocatchatrain。BillandmefiguredthatEbenezerwouldmeltdownforaransomoftwothousanddollarstoacent。ButwaittillItellyou。

AbouttwomilesfromSummitwasalittlemountain，coveredwithadensecedarbrake。Ontherearelevationofthismountainwasacave。Therewestoredprovisions。

Oneeveningaftersundown，wedroveinabuggypastoldDorset\'shouse。Thekidwasinthestreet，throw-

ingrocksatakittenontheoppositefence。

"Hey，littleboy!"saysBill，"wouldyouliketohaveabagofcandyandaniceride？"

TheboycatchesBillneatlyintheeyewithapieceofbrick。

"Thatwillcosttheoldmananextrafivehundreddollars，"saysBill，climbingoverthewheel。

Thatboyputupafightlikeawelter-weightcinnamonbear；but，atlast，wegothimdowninthebottomofthebuggyanddroveaway。WetookhimuptothecaveandIhitchedthehorseinthecedarbrake。AfterdarkI

drovethebuggytothelittlevillage，threemilesaway，wherewehadhiredit，andwalkedbacktothemoun-

tain。

Billwaspastingcourt-plasteroverthescratchesandbruisesonhisfeatures。Therewasaburningbehindthebigrockattheentranceofthecave，andtheboywaswatchingapotofboilingcoffee，withtwobuzzardtail-

feathersstuckinhisredhair。HepointsastickatmewhenIcomeup，andsays:

"Ha!cursedpaleface，doyoudaretoenterthecampofRedChief，theterroroftheplains？

"He\'sallrightnow，"saysBill，rollinguphistrousersandexaminingsomebruisesonhisshins。"We\'replayingIndian。We\'remakingBuffaloBill\'sshowlooklikemagic-lanternviewsofPalestineinthetownhall。

I\'mOldHank，theTrapper，RedChief\'scaptive，andI\'mtobescalpedatdaybreak。ByGeronimo!thatkidcankickhard。"

Yes，sir，thatboyseemedtobehavingthetimeofhislife。Thefunofcampingoutinacavehadmadehimforgetthathewasacaptive，himself。HeimmediatelychristenedmeSnake-eye，theSpy，andannouncedthat，whenhisbravesreturnedfromthewarpath，Iwastobebroiledatthestakeattherisingofthesun。

Thenwehadsupper；andhefilledhismouthfullofbaconandbreadandgravy，andbegantotalk。Hemadeaduring-dinnerspeechsomethinglikethis:

"Ilikethisfine。Inevercampedoutbefore；butI

hadapet\'possumonce，andIwasninelastbirthday。

Ihatetogotoschool。RatsateupsixteenofJimmyTalbot\'saunt\'sspeckledhen\'seggs。ArethereanyrealIndiansinthesewoods？Iwantsomemoregravy。

Doesthetreesmovingmakethewindblow？Wehadfivepuppies。Whatmakesyournosesored，Hank？

Myfatherhaslotsofmoney。Arethestarshot？I

whippedEdWalkertwice，Saturday。Idon\'tlikegirls。

Youdassentcatchtoadsunlesswithastring。Dooxenmakeanynoise？Whyareorangesround？Haveyougotbedstosleeponinthiscave？AmosMurrayhasgotSixtoes。Aparrotcantalk，butamonkeyorafishcan\'t。

Howmanydoesittaketomaketwelve？"

Everyfewminuteshewouldrememberthathewasapeskyredskin，andpickuphisstickrifleandtiptoetothemouthofthecavetorubberforthescoutsofthehatedpaleface。Nowandthenhewouldletoutawar-

whoopthatmadeOldHanktheTrappershiver。ThatboyhadBillterrorizedfromthestart。

"RedChief，"saysItothekid，"wouldyouliketogohome？"

"Aw，whatfor？"sayshe。"Idon\'thaveanyfunathome。Ihatetogotoschool。Iliketocampout。Youwon\'ttakemebackhomeagain，Snake-eye，willyou？"

"Notrightaway，"saysI。"We\'llstayhereinthecaveawhile。"

"Allright!"sayshe。"That\'llbefine。Ineverhadsuchfuninallmylife。"

Wewenttobedabouteleveno\'clock。WespreaddownsomewideblanketsandquiltsandputRedChiefbetweenus。Weweren\'tafraidhe\'drunaway。Hekeptusawakeforthreehours，jumpingupandreachingforhisrifleandscreeching:"Hist!pard，"inmineandBill\'sears，asthefanciedcrackleofatwigortherustleofaleafrevealedtohisyoungimaginationthestealthyapproachoftheoutlawband。Atlast，Ifellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamedthatIhadbeenkidnappedandchainedtoatreebyaferociouspiratewithredhair。

Justatdaybreak，IwasawakenedbyaseriesofawfulscreamsfromBill。Theyweren\'tyells，orhowls，orshouts，orwhoops，oryalps，suchasyou\'dexpectfromamanlysetofvocalorgans——theyweresimplyindecent，terrifying，humiliatingscreams，suchaswomenemitwhentheyseeghostsorcaterpillars。It\'sanawfulthingtohearastrong，desperate，fatmanscreamincontinentlyinacaveatdaybreak。

Ijumpeduptoseewhatthematterwas。RedChiefwassittingonBill\'schest，withonehandtwinedinBill\'shair。Intheotherhehadthesharpcase-knifeweusedforslicing，bacon；andhewasindustriouslyandrealisticallytryingtotakeBill\'sscalp，accordingtothesentencethathadbeenpronounceduponhimtheeveningbefore。

Igottheknifeawayfromthekidandmadehimliedownagain。But，fromthatmoment，Bill\'sspiritwasbroken。Helaiddownonhissideofthebed，butheneverclosedaneyeagaininsleepaslongasthatboywaswithus。

Idozedoffforawhile，butalongtowardsun-upIremem-

beredthatRedChiefhadsaidIwastobeburnedatthestakeattherisingofthesun。Iwasn\'tnervousorafraid；

butIsatupandlitmypipeandleanedagainstarock。

"Whatyougettingupsosoonfor，Sam？"askedBill。

"Me？"saysI。"Oh，Igotakindofapaininmyshoulder。Ithoughtsittingupwouldrestit。"

"You\'realiar!"saysBill。"You\'reafraid。Youwastobeburnedatsunrise，andyouwasafraidhe\'ddoit。Andhewould，too，ifhecouldfindamatch。

Ain\'titawful，Sam？Doyouthinkanybodywillpayoutmoneytogetalittleimplikethatbackhome？"

"Sure，"saidI。"Arowdykidlikethatisjustthekindthatparentsdoteon。Now，youandtheChiefgetupandcookbreakfast，whileIgouponthetopofthismountainandreconnoitre。"

Iwentuponthepeakofthelittlemountainandranmyeyeoverthecontiguousvicinity。OvertowardSummitI

expectedtoseethesturdyyeomanryofthevillagearmedwithscythesandpitchforksbeatingthecountrysideforthedastardlykidnappers。ButwhatIsawwasapeacefullandscapedottedwithonemanploughingwithadunmule。Nobodywasdraggingthecreek；nocouriersdashedhitherandyon，bringingtidingsofnonewstothedistractedparents。TherewasasylvanattitudeofsomnolentsleepinesspervadingthatsectionoftheexternaloutwardsurfaceofAlabamathatlayexposedtomyview。

"Perhaps，"saysItomyself，"ithasnotyetbeendiscov-

eredthatthewolveshavehomeawaythetenderlambkinfromthefold。Heavenhelpthewolves!"saysI，andI

wentdownthemountaintobreakfast。

WhenIgottothecaveIfoundBillbackedupagainstthesideofit，breathinghard，andtheboythreateningtosmashhimwitharockhalfasbigasacocoanut。

"Heputared-hotboiledpotatodownmyback，"

explainedBill，"andthemasheditwithhisfoot；andIboxedhisears。Haveyougotagunaboutyou，Sam？

Itooktherockawayfromtheboyandkindofpatcheduptheargument。"I\'llfixyou，"saysthekidtoBill。

"NomaneveryetstrucktheRedChiefbutwhathegotpaidforit。Youbetterbeware!"

Afterbreakfastthekidtakesapieceofleatherwithstringswrappedarounditoutofhispocketandgoesout-

sidethecaveunwindingit。

"What\'sheuptonow？"saysBill，anxiously。"Youdon\'tthinkhe\'llrunaway，doyou，Sam？"

"Nofearofit，"saysI。"Hedon\'tseemtobemuchofahomebody。Butwe\'vegottofixupsomeplanabouttheransom。Theredon\'tseemtobemuchexcitementaroundSummitonaccountofhisdisappearance；butmaybetheyhaven\'trealizedyetthathe\'sgone。Hisfolksmaythinkhe\'sspendingthenightwithAuntJaneoroneoftheneighbours。Anyhow，he\'llbemissedto-day。

To-nightwemustgetamessagetohisfatherdemandingthetwothousanddollarsforhisreturn。"

JustthenweheardakindOfwar-whoop，suchasDavidmighthaveemittedwhenheknockedoutthechampionGoliath。ItwasaslingthatRedChiefhadpulledoutofhispocket，andhewaswhirlingitaroundhishead。

Idodged，andheardaheavythudandakindofasighfromBill，likeahorsegivesoutwhenyoutakehissaddleoff。AniggerheadrockthesizeofanegghadcaughtBilljustbehindhisleftear。Heloosenedhimselfalloverandfellinthefireacrossthefryingpanofhotwaterforwashingthedishes。Idraggedhimoutandpouredcoldwateronhisheadforhalfanhour。

Byandby，Billsitsupandfeelsbehindhisearandsays:"Sam，doyouknowwhomyfavouriteBiblicalcharacteris？"

"Takeiteasy，"saysI。"You\'llcometoyoursensespresently。"

"KingHerod，"sayshe。"Youwon\'tgoawayandleavemeherealone，willyou，Sam？"

Iwentoutandcaughtthatboyandshookhimuntilhisfrecklesrattled。

"Ifyoudon\'tbehave，"saysI，"I\'lltakeyoustraighthome。Now，areyougoingtobegood，ornot？"

"Iwasonlyfunning，"sayshesullenly。"Ididn\'tmeantohurtOldHank。Butwhatdidhehitmefor？

"I\'llbehave，Snake-eye，ifyouwon\'tsendmehome，andifyou\'llletmeplaytheBlackScoutto-day。"

"Idon\'tknowthegame，"saysI。"That\'sforyouandMr。Billtodecide。He\'syourplaymatefortheday。

I\'mgoingawayforawhile，onbusiness。Now，youcomeinandmakefriendswithhimandsayyouaresorryforhurtinghim，orhomeyougo，atonce。"

ImadehimandBillshakehands，andthenItookBillasideandtoldhimIwasgoingtoPoplarCove，alittlevillagethreemilesfromthecave，andfindoutwhatI

couldabouthowthekidnappinghadbeenregardedinSummit。Also，IthoughtitbesttosendaperemptorylettertooldmanDorsetthatday，demandingtheransomanddictatinghowitshouldbepaid。

"Youknow，Sam，"saysBill，"I\'vestoodbyyouwith-

outbattinganeyeinearthquakes，fireandflood——inpokergames，dynamiteoutrages，policeraids，trainrobberiesandcyclones。Ineverlostmynerveyettillwekidnappedthattwo-leggedskyrocketofakid。He\'sgotmegoing。Youwon\'tleavemelongwithhim，willyou，Sam？"

"I\'llbebacksometimethisafternoon，"saysI。"YoumustkeeptheboyamusedandquiettillIreturn。Andnowwe\'llwritethelettertooldDorset。"

BillandIgotpaperandpencilandworkedontheletterwhileRedChief，withablanketwrappedaroundhim，struttedupanddown，guardingthemouthofthecave。Billbeggedmetearfullytomaketheransomfifteenhundreddollarsinsteadoftwothousand。"I

ain\'tattempting，"sayshe，"todecrythecelebratedmoralaspectofparentalaffection，butwe\'redealingwithhumans，anditain\'thumanforanybodytogiveuptwothousanddollarsforthatforty-poundchunkoffreckledwildcat。I\'mwillingtotakeachanceatfifteenhundreddollars。Youcanchargethedifferenceuptome。"

So，torelieveBill，Iacceded，andwecollaboratedaletterthatranthisway:

EbenezerDorset，Esq。:

WehaveyourboyconcealedinaplacefarfromSummit。

Itisuselessforyouorthemostskilfuldetectivestoattempttofindhim。Absolutely，theonlytermsonwhichyoucanhavehimrestoredtoyouarethese:Wedemandfifteenhundreddollarsinlargebillsforhisreturn；

themoneytobeleftatmidnightto-nightatthesamespotandinthesameboxasyourreply——ashereinafterdescribed。Ifyouagreetotheseterms，sendyouranswerinwritingbyasolitarymessengerto-nightathalf-pasteighto\'clock。AftercrossingOwlCreek，ontheroadtoPoplarCove，therearethreelargetreesaboutahundredyardsapart，closetothefenceofthewheatfieldontheright-handside。Atthebottomofthefence-post，oppositethethirdtree，willbefoundasmallpasteboardbox。

ThemessengerwillplacetheanswerinthisboxandreturnimmediatelytoSummit。

Ifyouattemptanytreacheryorfailtocomplywithourdemandasstated，youwillneverseeyourboyagain。

Ifyoupaythemoneyasdemanded，hewillbereturnedtoyousafeandwellwithinthreehours。Thesetermsarefinal，andifyoudonotaccedetothemnofurthercoin-

municationwillbeattempted。

TWODESPERATEMEN。

IaddressedthislettertoDorset，andputitinmypocket。

AsIwasabouttostart，thekidcomesuptomeandsays:

"Aw，Snake-eye，yousaidIcouldplaytheBlackScoutwhileyouwasgone。"

"Playit，ofcourse，"saysI。"Mr。Billwillplaywithyou。Whatkindofagameisit？"

"I\'mtheBlackScout，"saysRedChief，"andI

havetoridetothestockadetowarnthesettlersthattheIndiansarecoming。I\'mtiredofplayingIndianmyself。

IwanttobetheBlackScout。"

"Allright，"saysI。"Itsoundsharmlesstome。

IguessMr。Billwillhelpyoufoilthepeskysavages。"

"WhatamItodo？"asksBill，lookingatthekidsuspiciously。

"Youarethehoss，"saysBlackScout。"Getdownonyourhandsandknees。HowcanIridetothestockadewithoutahoss？"

"You\'dbetterkeephiminterested，"saidI，"tillwegettheschemegoing。Loosenup。"

Billgetsdownonhisallfours，andalookcomesinhiseyelikearabbit\'swhenyoucatchitinatrap。

"Howfarisittothestockade，kid？"heasks，inahuskymannerofvoice。

"Ninetymiles，"saystheBlackScout。"Andyouhavetohumpyourselftogetthereontime。Whoa，now!"

TheBlackScoutjumpsonBill\'sbackanddigshisheelsinhisside。

"ForHeaven\'ssake，"saysBill，"hurryback，Sam，assoonasyoucan。Iwishwehadn\'tmadetheransommorethanathousand。Say，youquitkickingmeorI\'llgetupandwarmyougood。"

IwalkedovertoPoplarCoveandsataroundthepost-

officeandstore，talkingwiththechawbaconsthatcameintotrade。OnewhiskerandosaysthathehearsSummitisallupsetonaccountofElderEbenezerDorset\'sboyhavingbeenlostorstolen。ThatwasallIwantedtoknow。

Iboughtsomesmokingtobacco，referredcasuallytothepriceofblack-eyedpeas，postedmylettersurreptitiouslyandcameaway。Thepostmastersaidthemail-carrierwouldcomebyinanhourtotakethemailontoSummit。

WhenIgotbacktothecaveBillandtheboywerenottobefound。Iexploredthevicinityofthecave，andriskedayodelortwo，buttherewasnoresponse。

SoIlightedmypipeandsatdownonamossybanktoawaitdevelopments。

InabouthalfanhourIheardthebushesrustle，andBillwabbledoutintothelittlegladeinfrontofthecave。

Behindhimwasthekid，steppingsoftlylikeascout，withabroadgrinonhisface。Billstopped，tookoffhishatandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。Thekidstoppedabouteightfeetbehindhim。

"Sam，"saysBill，"Isupposeyou\'llthinkI\'marene-

gade，butIcouldn\'thelpit。I\'magrownpersonwithmasculineproclivitiesandhabitsofself-defense，butthereisatimewhenallsystemsofegotismandpredominancefail。Theboyisgone。Ihavesenthimhome。Allisoff。Therewasmartyrsinoldtimes，"goesonBill，"thatsuffereddeathratherthangiveuptheparticulargrafttheyenjoyed。Noneof\'emeverwassubjugatedtosuchsupernaturaltorturesasIhavebeen。Itriedtobefaithfultoourarticlesofdepredation；buttherecamealimit。"

"What\'sthetrouble，Bill？"Iaskshim。

"Iwasrode，"saysBill，"theninetymilestothestockade，notbarringaninch。Then，whenthesettlerswasrescued，Iwasgivenoats。Sandain\'tapalatablesubstitute。

Andthen，foranhourIhadtotrytoexplaintohimwhytherewasnothin\'inholes，howaroadcanrunbothwaysandwhatmakesthegrassgreen。Itellyou，Sam，ahumancanonlystandsomuch。Itakeshimbytheneckofhisclothesanddragshimdownthemountain。

Onthewayhekicksmylegsblack-and-bluefromthekneesdown；andI\'vegottohavetwoorthreebitesonmythumbandhandcauterized。

"Buthe\'sgone"——continuesBill——"gonehome。

IshowedhimtheroadtoSummitandkickedhimabouteightfeetnearerthereatonekick。I\'msorrywelosetheransom；butitwaseitherthatorBillDriscolltothemadhouse。"

Billispuffingandblowing，butthereisalookofineffablepeaceandgrowingcontentonhisrose-pinkfeatures。

"Bill，"saysI，"thereisn\'tanyheartdiseaseinyourfamily，isthere？

"No，"saysBill，"nothingchronicexceptmalariaandaccidents。Why？"

"Thenyoumightturnaround，"saysI，"andhaveatookbehindyou。"

Billturnsandseestheboy，andloseshiscomplexionandsitsdownplumpontheroundandbeginstopluckaimlesslyatgrassandlittlesticks。ForanhourIwasafraidforhismind。AndthenItoldhimthatmyschemewastoputthewholejobthroughimmediatelyandthatwewouldgettheransomandbeoffwithitbymidnightifoldDorsetfellinwithourproposition。SoBillbracedupenoughtogivethekidaweaksortofasmileandapromisetoplaytheRussianinaJapanesewarwithhimissoonashefeltalittlebetter。

Ihadaschemeforcollectingthatransomwithoutdangerofbeingcaughtbycounterplotsthatoughttocommenditselftoprofessionalkidnappers。Thetreeunderwhichtheanswerwastobeleft——andthemoneylateron——wasclosetotheroadfencewithbig，barefieldsonallsides。Ifagangofconstablesshouldbewatchingforanyonetocomeforthenotetheycouldseehimalongwayoffcrossingthefieldsorintheroad。Butno，sirree!Athalf-pasteightIwasupinthattreeaswellhiddenasatreetoad，waitingforthemessengertoarrive。

Exactlyontime，ahalf-grownboyridesuptheroadonabicycle，locatesthepasteboardboxatthefootofthefence-post，slipsafoldedpieceofpaperintoitandpedalsawayagainbacktowardSummit。

Iwaitedanhourandthenconcludedthethingwassquare。Isliddownthetree，gotthenote，slippedalongthefencetillIstruckthewoods，andwasbackatthecaveinanotherhalfanhour。Iopenedthenote，gotnearthelanternandreadittoBill。Itwaswrittenwithapeninacrabbedhand，andthesumandsubstanceofitwasthis:

TwoDesperateMen。