第8章

Andastherewerealwaysgroundedsnaggsinthechannelwhichitwouldbeimpossibletomakeout，DavidsonveryprudentlyturnedtheSissieround，andwithonlyenoughsteamontheboilerstogiveheratouchaheadifnecessary，letherdriftupsternfirstwiththetide，silentandinvisibleintheimpenetrabledarknessandinthedumbstillness。

"Itwasalongjob，andwhenattheendoftwohoursDavidsonthoughthemustbeuptotheclearing，thesettlementsleptalready，thewholelandofforestsandriverswasasleep。

"Davidson，seeingasolitarylightinthemasseddarknessoftheshore，knewthatitwasburninginBamtz\'shouse。Thiswasunexpectedatthistimeofthenight，butconvenientasaguide。

ByaturnofthescrewandatouchofthehelmhesheeredtheSissiealongsideBamtz\'swharf-amiserablestructureofadozenpilesandafewplanks，ofwhichtheex-vagabondwasveryproud。A

coupleofKalashesjumpeddownonit，tookaturnwiththeropesthrowntothemroundtheposts，andtheSissiecametorestwithoutasingleloudwordortheslightestnoise。Andjustintimetoo，forthetideturnedevenbeforeshewasproperlymoored。

"Davidsonhadsomethingtoeat，andthen，comingondeckforalastlookround，noticedthatthelightwasstillburninginthehouse。

"Thiswasveryunusual，butsincetheywereawakesolate，Davidsonthoughtthathewouldgouptosaythathewasinahurrytobeoffandtoaskthatwhatrattanstherewereinstoreshouldbesentonboardwiththefirstsignofdawn。

"Hesteppedcarefullyovertheshakyplanks，notbeinganxioustogetasprainedankle，andpickedhiswayacrossthewastegroundtothefootofthehouseladder。Thehousewasbutaglorifiedhutonpiles，unfencedandlonely。

"Likemanyastoutman，Davidsonisverylightfooted。Heclimbedthesevenstepsorso，steppedacrossthebambooplatformquietly，butwhathesawthroughthedoorwaystoppedhimshort。

"Fourmenweresittingbythelightofasolitarycandle。Therewasabottle，ajugandglassesonthetable，buttheywerenotengagedindrinking。Twopacksofcardswerelyingtheretoo，buttheywerenotpreparingtoplay。Theyweretalkingtogetherinwhispers，andremainedquiteunawareofhim。Hehimselfwastooastonishedtomakeasoundforsometime。Theworldwasstill，exceptforthesibilationofthewhisperingheadsbunchedtogetheroverthetable。

"AndDavidson，asIhavequotedhimtoyoubefore，didn\'tlikeit。

Hedidn\'tlikeitatall。

"Thesituationendedwithascreamproceedingfromthedark，interiorpartoftheroom。\'ODavy!you\'vegivenmeaturn。\'

"DavidsonmadeoutbeyondthetableAnne\'sverypaleface。Shelaughedalittlehysterically，outofthedeepshadowsbetweenthegloomymatwalls。\'Ha!ha!ha!\'

"Thefourheadssprangapartatthefirstsound，andfourpairsofeyesbecamefixedstonilyonDavidson。Thewomancameforward，havinglittlemoreonherthanaloosechintzwrapperandstrawslippersonherbarefeet。HerheadwastiedupMalayfashioninaredhandkerchief，withamassofloosehairhangingunderitbehind。Herprofessional，gay，Europeanfeathershadliterallydroppedoffherinthecourseofthesetwoyears，butalongnecklaceofamberbeadshungroundheruncoveredneck。Itwastheonlyornamentshehadleft；Bamtzhadsoldallherpoor-enoughtrinketsduringtheflightfromSaigon-whentheirassociationbegan。

"Shecameforward，pastthetable，intothelight，withherusualgropinggestureofextendedarms，asthoughhersoul，poorthing!

hadgoneblindlongago，herwhitecheekshollow，hereyesdarklywild，distracted，asDavidsonthought。Shecameonswiftly，grabbedhimbythearm，draggedhimin。\'It\'sheavenitselfthatsendsyouto-night。MyTony\'ssobad-comeandseehim。Comealong-do!\'

"Davidsonsubmitted。TheonlyoneofthementomovewasBamtz，whomadeasiftogetupbutdroppedbackinhischairagain。

Davidsoninpassingheardhimmutterconfusedlysomethingthatsoundedlike\'poorlittlebeggar。\'

"Thechild，lyingveryflushedinamiserablecotknockedupoutofgin-cases，staredatDavidsonwithwide，drowsyeyes。Itwasabadboutoffeverclearly。ButwhileDavidsonwaspromisingtogoonboardandfetchsomemedicines，andgenerallytryingtosayreassuringthings，hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbytheextraordinarymannerofthewomanstandingbyhisside。Gazingwithdespairingexpressiondownatthecot，shewouldsuddenlythrowaquick，startledglanceatDavidsonandthentowardstheotherroom。

"\'Yes，mypoorgirl，\'hewhispered，interpretingherdistractioninhisownway，thoughhehadnothingpreciseinhismind。\'I\'mafraidthisbodesnogoodtoyou。Howisittheyarehere？\'

"Sheseizedhisforearmandbreathedoutforcibly:\'Nogoodtome!

Oh，no!Butwhataboutyou!Theyareafterthedollarsyouhaveonboard。\'

"Davidsonletoutanastonished\'Howdotheyknowthereareanydollars？\'

"Sheclappedherhandslightly，indistress。\'Soit\'strue!Youhavethemonboard？Thenlookoutforyourself。\'

"Theystoodgazingdownattheboyinthecot，awarethattheymightbeobservedfromtheotherroom。

"\'Wemustgethimtoperspireassoonaspossible，\'saidDavidsoninhisordinaryvoice。\'You\'llhavetogivehimhotdrinkofsomekind。Iwillgoonboardandbringyouaspirit-kettleamongstotherthings。\'Andheaddedunderhisbreath:\'Dotheyactuallymeanmurder？\'

"Shemadenosign，shehadreturnedtoherdesolatecontemplationoftheboy。Davidsonthoughtshehadnotheardhimeven，whenwithanunchangedexpressionshespokeunderherbreath。

"\'TheFrenchmanwould，inaminute。Theothersshirkit-unlessyouresist。He\'sadevil。Hekeepsthemgoing。Withouthimtheywouldhavedonenothingbuttalk。I\'vegotchummywithhim。WhatcanyoudowhenyouarewithamanlikethefellowIamwithnow。

Bamtzisterrifiedofthem，andtheyknowit。He\'sinitfromfunk。Oh，Davy!takeyourshipaway-quick!\'

"\'Toolate，\'saidDavidson。\'She\'sonthemudalready。\'

"Ifthekidhadn\'tbeeninthisstateIwouldhaverunoffwithhim-toyou-intothewoods-anywhere。Oh，Davy!willhedie？\'shecriedaloudsuddenly。

"Davidsonmetthreemeninthedoorway。Theymadewayforhimwithoutactuallydaringtofacehisglance。ButBamtzwastheonlyonewholookeddownwithanairofguilt。ThebigFrenchmanhadremainedlollinginhischair；hekepthisstumpsinhispocketsandaddressedDavidson。

"\'Isn\'titunfortunateaboutthatchild!Thedistressofthatwomanthereupsetsme，butIamofnouseintheworld。Icouldn\'tsmooththesickpillowofmydearestfriend。Ihavenohands。

Wouldyoumindstickingoneofthosecigarettesthereintothemouthofapoor，harmlesscripple？Mynerveswantsoothing-uponmyhonour，theydo。\'

"Davidsoncompliedwithhisnaturallykindsmile。Ashisoutwardplaciditybecomesonlymorepronounced，ifpossible，themorereasonthereisforexcitement；andasDavidson\'seyes，whenhiswitsarehardatwork，getverystillandasifsleepy，thehugeFrenchmanmighthavebeenjustifiedinconcludingthatthemantherewasameresheep-asheepreadyforslaughter。Witha\'MERCIBIEN\'heupliftedhishugecarcasetoreachthelightofthecandlewithhiscigarette，andDavidsonleftthehouse。

"Goingdowntotheshipandreturning，hehadtimetoconsiderhisposition。Atfirsthewasinclinedtobelievethatthesemen(Niclaus-thewhiteNakhoda-wastheonlyoneheknewbysightbefore，besidesBamtz)werenotofthestamptoproceedtoextremities。Thiswaspartlythereasonwhyheneverattemptedtotakeanymeasuresonboard。HispacificKalasheswerenottobethoughtofasagainstwhitemen。Hiswretchedengineerwouldhavehadafitfromfrightatthemereideaofanysortofcombat。

Davidsonknewthathewouldhavetodependonhimselfinthisaffairifitevercameoff。

"DavidsonunderestimatednaturallythedrivingpoweroftheFrenchman\'scharacterandtheforceoftheactuatingmotive。Tothatmansohopelesslycrippledthesedollarswereanenormousopportunity。WithhisshareoftherobberyhewouldopenanothershopinVladivostok，Haiphong，Manila-somewherefaraway。

"NeitherdiditoccurtoDavidson，whoisamanofcourage，ifevertherewasone，thathispsychologywasnotknowntotheworldatlarge，andthattothisparticularlotofruffians，whojudgedhimbyhisappearance，heappearedanunsuspicious，inoffensive，softcreature，ashepassedagainthroughtheroom，hishandsfullofvariousobjectsandparcelsdestinedforthesickboy。

"Allthefourweresittingagainroundthetable。Bamtznothavingtheplucktoopenhismouth，itwasNiclauswho，asacollectivevoice，calledouttohimthicklytocomeoutsoonandjoininadrink。

"\'IthinkI\'llhavetostaysomelittletimeinthere，tohelpherlookaftertheboy，\'Davidsonansweredwithoutstopping。

"Thiswasagoodthingtosaytoallayapossiblesuspicion。And，asitwas，Davidsonfelthemustnotstayverylong。

"Hesatdownonanoldemptynail-kegneartheimprovisedcotandlookedatthechild；whileLaughingAnne，movingtoandfro，preparingthehotdrink，givingittotheboyinspoonfuls，orstoppingtogazemotionlessattheflushedface，whispereddisjointedbitsofinformation。ShehadsucceededinmakingfriendswiththatFrenchdevil。Davywouldunderstandthatsheknewhowtomakeherselfpleasanttoaman。

"AndDavidsonnoddedwithoutlookingather。

"Thebigbeasthadgottobequiteconfidentialwithher。Sheheldhiscardsforhimwhentheywerehavingagame。Bamtz!Oh!BamtzinhisfunkwasonlytoogladtoseetheFrenchmanhumoured。AndtheFrenchmanhadcometobelievethatshewasawomanwhodidn\'tcarewhatshedid。That\'showitcameabouttheygottotalkbeforeheropenly。Foralongtimeshecouldnotmakeoutwhatgametheywereupto。Thenewarrivals，notexpectingtofindawomanwithBamtz，hadbeenverystartledandannoyedatfirst，sheexplained。

"Shebusiedherselfinattendingtotheboy；andnobodylookingintothatroomwouldhaveseenanythingsuspiciousinthosetwopeopleexchangingmurmursbythesick-bedside。

"\'ButnowtheythinkIamabettermanthanBamtzeverwas，\'shesaidwithafaintlaugh。

"Thechildmoaned。Shewentdownonherknees，and，bendinglow，contemplatedhimmournfully。Thenraisingherhead，sheaskedDavidsonwhetherhethoughtthechildwouldgetbetter。Davidsonwassureofit。Shemurmuredsadly:\'Poorkid。There\'snothinginlifeforsuchashe。Notadog\'schance。ButIcouldn\'tlethimgo，Davy!Icouldn\'t。\'

"Davidsonfeltaprofoundpityforthechild。ShelaidherhandonhiskneeandwhisperedanearnestwarningagainsttheFrenchman。

Davymustneverlethimcometoclosequarters。NaturallyDavidsonwantedtoknowthereason，foramanwithouthandsdidnotstrikehimasveryformidableunderanycircumstances。

"\'Mindyoudon\'tlethim-that\'sall，\'sheinsistedanxiously，hesitated，andthenconfessedthattheFrenchmanhadgotherawayfromtheothersthatafternoonandhadorderedhertotieaseven-

poundironweight(outofthesetofweightsBamtzusedinbusiness)tohisrightstump。Shehadtodoitforhim。Shehadbeenafraidofhissavagetemper。Bamtzwassuchacraven，andneitheroftheothermenwouldhavecaredwhathappenedtoher。

TheFrenchman，however，withmanyawfulthreatshadwarnedhernottolettheothersknowwhatshehaddoneforhim。Afterwardshehadbeentryingtocajoleher。HehadpromisedherthatifshestoodbyhimfaithfullyinthisbusinesshewouldtakeherwithhimtoHaiphongorsomeotherplace。Apoorcrippleneededsomebodytotakecareofhim-always。

"Davidsonaskedheragainiftheyreallymeantmischief。Itwas，hetoldme，thehardestthingtobelievehehadrunupagainst，asyet，inhislife。Annenodded。TheFrenchman\'sheartwassetonthisrobbery。Davymightexpectthem，aboutmidnight，creepingonboardhisship，tostealanyhow-tomurder，perhaps。Hervoicesoundedweary，andhereyesremainedfastenedonherchild。

"AndstillDavidsoncouldnotacceptitsomehow；hiscontemptforthesemenwastoogreat。

"\'Lookhere，Davy，\'shesaid。\'I\'llgooutsidewiththemwhentheystart，anditwillbehardluckifIdon\'tfindsomethingtolaughat。Theyareusedtothatfromme。Laughorcry-what\'stheodds。Youwillbeabletohearmeonboardonthisquietnight。

Darkitistoo。Oh!it\'sdark，Davy!-it\'sdark!\'

"\'Don\'tyourunanyrisks，\'saidDavidson。Presentlyhecalledherattentiontotheboy，who，lessflushednow，haddroppedintoasoundsleep。\'Look。He\'llbeallright。\'

"Shemadeasiftosnatchthechilduptoherbreast，butrestrainedherself。Davidsonpreparedtogo。Shewhisperedhurriedly:

"\'Mind，Davy!I\'vetoldthemthatyougenerallysleepaftinthehammockundertheawningoverthecabin。Theyhavebeenaskingmeaboutyourwaysandaboutyourship，too。ItoldthemallIknew。

Ihadtokeepinwiththem。AndBamtzwouldhavetoldthemifI

hadn\'t-youunderstand？\'

"Hemadeafriendlysignandwentout。Themenaboutthetable(exceptBamtz)lookedathim。ThistimeitwasFectorwhospoke。

\'Won\'tyoujoinusinaquietgame，Captain？\'

"Davidsonsaidthatnowthechildwasbetterhethoughthewouldgoonboardandturnin。Fectorwastheonlyoneofthefourwhomhehad，sotospeak，neverseen，forhehadhadagoodlookattheFrenchmanalready。HeobservedFector\'smuddyeyes，hismean，bittermouth。Davidson\'scontemptforthosemenroseinhisgorge，whilehisplacidsmile，hisgentletonesandgeneralairofinnocenceputheartintothem。Theyexchangedmeaningglances。

"\'Weshallbesittinglateoverthecards，\'Fectorsaidinhisharsh，lowvoice。

"\'Don\'tmakemorenoisethanyoucanhelp。\'

"\'Oh!weareaquietlot。Andiftheinvalidshouldn\'tbesowell，shewillbesuretosendoneofusdowntocallyou，sothatyoumayplaythedoctoragain。Sodon\'tshootatsight。\'

"\'Heisn\'tashootingman，\'struckinNiclaus。

"\'Inevershootbeforemakingsurethere\'sareasonforit-atanyrate，\'saidDavidson。

"Bamtzletoutasicklysnigger。TheFrenchmanalonegotuptomakeabowtoDavidson\'scarelessnod。Hisstumpswerestuckimmovablyinhispockets。Davidsonunderstoodnowthereason。

"Hewentdowntotheship。Hiswitswereworkingactively，andhewasthoroughlyangry。Hesmiled，hesays(itmusthavebeenthefirstgrimsmileofhislife)，atthethoughtoftheseven-poundweightlashedtotheendoftheFrenchman\'sstump。Theruffianhadtakenthatprecautionincaseofaquarrelthatmightariseoverthedivisionofthespoil。Amanwithanunsuspectedpowertodealkillingblowscouldtakehisownpartinasuddenscrimmageroundaheapofmoney，evenagainstadversariesarmedwithrevolvers，especiallyifhehimselfstartedtherow。

"\'He\'sreadytofaceanyofhisfriendswiththatthing。Buthewillhavenouseforit。Therewillbenooccasiontoquarrelaboutthesedollarshere，\'thoughtDavidson，gettingonboardquietly。Heneverpausedtolookiftherewasanybodyaboutthedecks。Asamatteroffact，mostofhiscrewwereonshore，andtherestslept，stowedawayindarkcorners。

"Hehadhisplan，andhewenttoworkmethodically。

"Hefetchedalotofclothingfrombelowanddisposeditinhishammockinsuchawayastodistendittotheshapeofahumanbody；thenhethrewoverallthelightcottonsheetheusedtodrawoverhimselfwhensleepingondeck。Havingdonethis，heloadedhistworevolversandclamberedintooneoftheboatstheSissiecarriedrightaft，swungoutontheirdavits。Thenhewaited。

"Andagainthedoubtofsuchathinghappeningtohimcreptintohismind。Hewasalmostashamedofthisridiculousvigilinaboat。Hebecamebored。Andthenhebecamedrowsy。Thestillnessoftheblackuniverseweariedhim。Therewasnoteventhelappingofthewatertokeephimcompany，forthetidewasoutandtheSissiewaslyingonsoftmud。Suddenlyinthebreathless，soundless，hotnightanarguspheasantscreamedinthewoodsacrossthestream。Davidsonstartedviolently，allhissensesonthealertatonce。

"Thecandlewasstillburninginthehouse。Everythingwasquietagain，butDavidsonfeltdrowsynolonger。Anuneasypremonitionofeviloppressedhim。

"\'SurelyIamnotafraid，\'hearguedwithhimself。

"Thesilencewaslikeasealonhisears，andhisnervousinwardimpatiencegrewintolerable。Hecommandedhimselftokeepstill。

Butallthesamehewasjustgoingtojumpoutoftheboatwhenafaintrippleontheimmensityofsilence，ameretremorintheair，theghostofasilverylaugh，reachedhisears。

"Illusion!

"Hekeptverystill。Hehadnodifficultynowinemulatingthestillnessofthemouse-agrimlydeterminedmouse。Buthecouldnotshakeoffthatpremonitionofevilunrelatedtothemeredangerofthesituation。Nothinghappened。Ithadbeenanillusion!

"Acuriositycametohimtolearnhowtheywouldgotowork。Hewonderedandwondered，tillthewholethingseemedmoreabsurdthanever。

"Hehadleftthehanginglampinthecabinburningasusual。Itwaspartofhisplanthateverythingshouldbeasusual。Suddenlyinthedimglowoftheskylightpanesabulkyshadowcameuptheladderwithoutasound，madetwostepstowardsthehammock(ithungrightovertheskylight)，andstoodmotionless。TheFrenchman!

"Theminutesbegantoslipaway。DavidsonguessedthattheFrenchman\'spart(thepoorcripple)wastowatchhis(Davidson\'s)

slumberswhiletheotherswerenodoubtinthecabinbusyforcingoffthelazarettehatch。

"Whatwasthecoursetheymeanttopursueoncetheygotholdofthesilver(thereweretencases，andeachcouldbecarriedeasilybytwomen)nobodycantellnow。Butsofar，Davidsonwasright。

Theywereinthecabin。Heexpectedtohearthesoundsofbreaking-ineverymoment。Butthefactwasthatoneofthem(perhapsFector，whohadstolenpapersoutofdesksinhistime)

knewhowtopickalock，andapparentlywasprovidedwiththetools。ThuswhileDavidsonexpectedeverymomenttohearthembegindownthere，theyhadthebaroffalreadyandtwocasesactuallyupinthecabinoutofthelazarette。

"InthediffusedfaintglowoftheskylighttheFrenchmanmovednomorethanastatue。Davidsoncouldhaveshothimwiththegreatestease-buthewasnothomicidallyinclined。Moreover，hewantedtomakesurebeforeopeningfirethattheothershadgonetowork。

Nothearingthesoundsheexpectedtohear，hefeltuncertainwhethertheyallwereonboardyet。

"Whilehelistened，theFrenchman，whoseimmobilitymighthavebutcloakedaninternalstruggle；movedforwardapace，thenanother。

Davidson，entranced，watchedhimadvanceoneleg，withdrawhisrightstump，thearmedone，outofhispocket，andswinginghisbodytoputgreaterforceintotheblow，bringtheseven-poundweightdownonthehammockwheretheheadofthesleeperoughttohavebeen。

"Davidsonadmittedtomethathishairstirredattherootsthen。

ButforAnne，hisunsuspectingheadwouldhavebeenthere。TheFrenchman\'ssurprisemusthavebeensimplyoverwhelming。Hestaggeredawayfromthelightlyswinginghammock，andbeforeDavidsoncouldmakeamovementhehadvanished，boundingdowntheladdertowarnandalarmtheotherfellows。

"Davidsonspranginstantlyoutoftheboat，threwuptheskylightflap，andhadaglimpseofthemendowntherecrouchingroundthehatch。Theylookedupscared，andatthatmomenttheFrenchmanoutsidethedoorbellowedout\'TRAHISON-TRAHISON!\'Theyboltedoutofthecabin，fallingovereachotherandswearingawfully。

TheshotDavidsonletoffdowntheskylighthadhitnoone；butherantotheedgeofthecabin-topandatonceopenedfireatthedarkshapesrushingaboutthedeck。Theseshotswerereturned，andarapidfusilladeburstout，reportsandflashes，Davidsondodgingbehindaventilatorandpullingthetriggertillhisrevolverclicked，andthenthrowingitdowntotaketheotherinhisrighthand。

"HehadbeenhearinginthedintheFrenchman\'sinfuriatedyells\'TUEZ-LE!TUEZ-LE!\'abovethefiercecursingoftheothers。Butthoughtheyfiredathimtheywereonlythinkingofclearingout。

IntheflashesofthelastshotsDavidsonsawthemscramblingovertherail。Thathehadhitmorethanonehewascertain。Twodifferentvoiceshadcriedoutinpain。Butapparentlynoneofthemweredisabled。

"Davidsonleanedagainstthebulwarkreloadinghisrevolverwithouthaste。Hehadnottheslightestapprehensionoftheircomingback。

Ontheotherhand，hehadnointentionofpursuingthemonshoreinthedark。Whattheyweredoinghehadnoidea。Lookingtotheirhurtsprobably。NotveryfarfromthebanktheinvisibleFrenchmanwasblasphemingandcursinghisassociates，hisluck，andalltheworld。Heceased；thenwithasudden，vengefulyell，\'It\'sthatwoman!-it\'sthatwomanthathassoldus，\'washeardrunningoffinthenight。

"Davidsoncaughthisbreathinasuddenpangofremorse。HeperceivedwithdismaythatthestratagemofhisdefencehadgivenAnneaway。Hedidnothesitateamoment。Itwasforhimtosavehernow。Heleapedashore。Butevenashelandedonthewharfheheardashrillshriekwhichpiercedhisverysoul。

"Thelightwasstillburninginthehouse。Davidson，revolverinhand，wasmakingforitwhenanothershriek，awaytohisleft，madehimchangehisdirection。

"Hechangedhisdirection-butverysoonhestopped。Itwasthenthathehesitatedincruelperplexity。Heguessedwhathadhappened。Thewomanhadmanagedtoescapefromthehouseinsomeway，andnowwasbeingchasedintheopenbytheinfuriatedFrenchman。Hetrustedshewouldtrytorunonboardforprotection。

"AllwasstillaroundDavidson。Whethershehadrunonboardornot，thissilencemeantthattheFrenchmanhadlostherinthedark。

"Davidson，relieved，butstillveryanxious，turnedtowardstheriver-side。Hehadnotmadetwostepsinthatdirectionwhenanothershriekburstoutbehindhim，againclosetothehouse。

"HethinksthattheFrenchmanhadlostsightofthepoorwomanrightenough。Thencamethatperiodofsilence。Butthehorribleruffianhadnotgivenuphismurderouspurpose。Hereasonedthatshewouldtrytostealbacktoherchild，andwenttolieinwaitforhernearthehouse。

"Itmusthavebeensomethinglikethat。Assheenteredthelightfallingaboutthehouse-ladder，hehadrushedathertoosoon，impatientforvengeance。Shehadletoutthatsecondscreamofmortalfearwhenshecaughtsightofhim，andturnedtorunforlifeagain。

"Thistimeshewasmakingfortheriver，butnotinastraightline。HershriekscircledaboutDavidson。Heturnedonhisheels，followingthehorribletrailofsoundinthedarkness。Hewantedtoshout\'Thisway，Anne!Iamhere!\'buthecouldn\'t。Atthehorrorofthischase，moreghastlyinhisimaginationthanifhecouldhaveseenit，theperspirationbrokeoutonhisforehead，whilehisthroatwasasdryastinder。Alastsupremescreamwascutshortsuddenly。

"Thesilencewhichensuedwasevenmoredreadful。Davidsonfeltsick。Hetorehisfeetfromthespotandwalkedstraightbeforehim，grippingtherevolverandpeeringintotheobscurityfearfully。Suddenlyabulkyshapesprangfromthegroundwithinafewyardsofhimandboundedaway。Instinctivelyhefiredatit，startedtoruninpursuit，andstumbledagainstsomethingsoftwhichthrewhimdownheadlong。

"EvenashepitchedforwardonhisheadheknewitcouldbenothingelsebutLaughingAnne\'sbody。Hepickedhimselfupand，remainingonhisknees，triedtoliftherinhisarms。Hefelthersolimpthathegaveitup。Shewaslyingonherface，herlonghairscatteredontheground。Someofitwaswet。Davidson，feelingaboutherhead，cametoaplacewherethecrushedbonegavewayunderhisfingers。Butevenbeforethatdiscoveryheknewthatshewasdead。ThepursuingFrenchmanhadflungherdownwithakickfrombehind，and，squattingonherback，wasbatteringinherskullwiththeweightsheherselfhadfastenedtohisstump，whenthetotallyunexpectedDavidsonloomedupinthenightandscaredhimaway。

"Davidson，kneelingbythesideofthatwomandonesomiserablytodeath，wasovercomebyremorse。Shehaddiedforhim。Hismanhoodwasasifstunned。Forthefirsttimehefeltafraid。HemighthavebeenpounceduponinthedarkatanymomentbythemurdererofLaughingAnne。Heconfessestotheimpulseofcreepingawayfromthatpitifulcorpseonhishandsandkneestotherefugeoftheship。Heevensaysthatheactuallybegantodoso……

"OnecanhardlypicturetooneselfDavidsoncrawlingawayonallfoursfromthemurderedwoman-Davidsonunmannedandcrushedbytheideathatshehaddiedforhiminasense。Buthecouldnothavegoneveryfar。Whatstoppedhimwasthethoughtoftheboy，LaughingAnne\'schild，that(Davidsonrememberedherverywords)

wouldnothaveadog\'schance。

"ThislifethewomanhadleftbehindherappearedtoDavidson\'sconscienceinthelightofasacredtrust。Heassumedanerectattitudeand，quakinginwardlystill，turnedaboutandwalkedtowardsthehouse。

"Forallhistremorshewasverydetermined；butthatsmashedskullhadaffectedhisimagination，andhefeltverydefencelessinthedarkness，inwhichheseemedtohearfaintlynowhere，nowthere，theprowlingfootstepsofthemurdererwithouthands。Butheneverfalteredinhispurpose。Hegotawaywiththeboysafelyafterall。Thehousehefoundempty。Aprofoundsilenceencompassedhimallthetime，exceptonce，justashegotdowntheladderwithTonyinhisarms，whenafaintgroanreachedhisears。Itseemedtocomefromthepitch-blackspacebetweenthepostsonwhichthehousewasbuilt，buthedidnotstoptoinvestigate。

"It\'snousetellingyouindetailhowDavidsongotonboardwiththeburdenAnne\'smiserablycruelfatehadthrustintohisarms；

hownextmorninghisscaredcrew，afterobservingfromadistancethestateofaffairsonboard，rejoinedwithalacrity；howDavidsonwentashoreand，aidedbyhisengineer(stillhalfdeadwithfright)，rolledupLaughingAnne\'sbodyinacottonsheetandbroughtitonboardforburialatsealater。Whilebusywiththispioustask，Davidson，glancingabout，perceivedahugeheapofwhiteclotheshuddledupagainstthecorner-postofthehouse。

ThatitwastheFrenchmanlyingtherehecouldnotdoubt。Takingitinconnectionwiththedismalgroanhehadheardinthenight，DavidsonisprettysurethathisrandomshotgaveamortalhurttothemurdererofpoorAnne。

"Astotheothers，Davidsonneverseteyesonasingleoneofthem。

Whethertheyhadconcealedthemselvesinthescaredsettlement，orboltedintotheforest，orwerehidingonboardNiclaus\'sprau，whichcouldbeseenlyingonthemudahundredyardsorsohigherupthecreek，thefactisthattheyvanished；andDavidsondidnottroublehisheadaboutthem。HelostnotimeingettingoutofthecreekdirectlytheSissiefloated。Aftersteamingsometwentymilesclearofthecoast，he(inhisownwords)\'committedthebodytothedeep。\'Hedideverythinghimself。Heweightedherdownwithafewfire-bars，hereadtheservice，heliftedtheplank，hewastheonlymourner。Andwhilehewasrenderingtheselastservicestothedead，thedesolationofthatlifeandtheatrociouswretchednessofitsendcriedaloudtohiscompassion，whisperedtohimintonesofself-reproach。

"Heoughttohavehandledthewarningshehadgivenhiminanotherway。Hewasconvincednowthatasimpledisplayofwatchfulnesswouldhavebeenenoughtorestrainthatvileandcowardlycrew。

Butthefactwasthathehadnotquitebelievedthatanythingwouldbeattempted。

"ThebodyofLaughingAnnehavingbeen\'committedtothedeep\'sometwentymilesS。S。W。fromCapeSelatan，thetaskbeforeDavidsonwastocommitLaughingAnne\'schildtothecareofhiswife。Andtherepoor，goodDavidsonmadeafatalmove。Hedidn\'twanttotellherthewholeawfulstory，sinceitinvolvedtheknowledgeofthedangerfromwhichhe，Davidson，hadescaped。Andthis，too，afterhehadbeenlaughingatherunreasonablefearsonlyashorttimebefore。

"\'IthoughtthatifItoldhereverything，\'Davidsonexplainedtome，\'shewouldneverhaveamoment\'speacewhileIwasawayonmytrips。\'

"Hesimplystatedthattheboywasanorphan，thechildofsomepeopletowhomhe，Davidson，wasunderthegreatestobligation，andthathefeltmorallyboundtolookafterhim。Somedayhewouldtellhermore，hesaid，andmeantimehetrustedinthegoodnessandwarmthofherheart，inherwoman\'snaturalcompassion。

"Hedidnotknowthatherheartwasaboutthesizeofaparchedpea，andhadtheproportionalamountofwarmth；andthatherfacultyofcompassionwasmainlydirectedtoherself。Hewasonlystartledanddisappointedattheairofcoldsurpriseandthesuspiciouslookwithwhichshereceivedhisimperfecttale。Butshedidnotsaymuch。Sheneverhadmuchtosay。Shewasafoolofthesilent，hopelesskind。

"WhatstoryDavidson\'screwthoughtfittosetafloatinMalaytownisneitherherenorthere。Davidsonhimselftooksomeofhisfriendsintohisconfidence，besidesgivingthefullstoryofficiallytotheHarbourMaster。

"TheHarbourMasterwasconsiderablyastonished。Hedidn\'tthink，however，thataformalcomplaintshouldbemadetotheDutchGovernment。Theywouldprobablydonothingintheend，afteralotoftroubleandcorrespondence。Therobberyhadnotcomeoff，afterall。Thosevagabondscouldbetrustedtogotothedevilintheirownway。Noamountoffusswouldbringthepoorwomantolifeagain，andtheactualmurdererhadbeendonejusticetobyachanceshotfromDavidson。Betterletthematterdrop。

"Thiswasgoodcommonsense。Buthewasimpressed。

"\'Soundsaterribleaffair，CaptainDavidson。\'

"\'Aye，terribleenough，\'agreedtheremorsefulDavidson。Butthemostterriblethingforhim，thoughhedidn\'tknowityetthen，wasthathiswife\'ssillybrainwasslowlycomingtotheconclusionthatTonywasDavidson\'schild，andthathehadinventedthatlamestorytointroducehimintoherpurehomeindefianceofdecency，ofvirtue-ofhermostsacredfeelings。

"Davidsonwasawareofsomeconstraintinhisdomesticrelations。

Butatthebestoftimesshewasnotdemonstrative；andperhapsthatverycoldnesswaspartofhercharmintheplacidDavidson\'seyes。Womenarelovedforallsortsofreasonsandevenforcharacteristicswhichonewouldthinkrepellent。Shewaswatchinghimandnursinghersuspicions。

"Then，oneday，Monkey-facedRitchiecalledonthatsweet，shyMrs。

Davidson。Shehadcomeoutunderhiscare，andheconsideredhimselfaprivilegedperson-heroldestfriendinthetropics。Heposedforagreatadmirerofhers。Hewasalwaysagreatchatterer。Hehadgotholdofthestoryrathervaguely，andhestartedchatteringonthatsubject，thinkingsheknewallaboutit。

AndinduecourseheletoutsomethingaboutLaughingAnne。

"\'LaughingAnne，\'saysMrs。Davidsonwithastart。\'What\'sthat？\'

Ritchieplungedintocircumlocutionatonce，butsheverysoonstoppedhim。\'Isthatcreaturedead？\'sheasks。

"\'Ibelieveso，\'stammeredRitchie。\'Yourhusbandsaysso。\'

"\'Butyoudon\'tknowforcertain？\'

"\'No!HowcouldI，Mrs。Davidson!\'

"\'That\'sallwantedtoknow，\'saysshe，andgoesoutoftheroom。

"WhenDavidsoncamehomeshewasreadytogoforhim，notwithcommonvolubleindignation，butasiftricklingastreamofcoldclearwaterdownhisback。Shetalkedofhisbaseintriguewithavilewoman，ofbeingmadeafoolof，oftheinsulttoherdignity。

"Davidsonbeggedhertolistentohimandtoldherallthestory，thinkingthatitwouldmoveaheartofstone。Hetriedtomakeherunderstandhisremorse。Sheheardhimtotheend，said\'Indeed!\'

andturnedherbackonhim。

"\'Don\'tyoubelieveme？\'heasked，appalled。

"Shedidn\'tsayyesorno。Allshesaidwas，\'Sendthatbratawayatonce。\'

"\'Ican\'tthrowhimoutintothestreet，\'criedDavidson。\'Youdon\'tmeanit。\'

"\'Idon\'tcare。Therearecharitableinstitutionsforsuchchildren，Isuppose。\'

"\'ThatIwillneverdo，\'saidDavidson。

"\'Verywell。That\'senoughforme。\'

"Davidson\'shomeafterthiswaslikeasilent，frozenhellforhim。

Astupidwomanwithasenseofgrievanceisworsethananunchaineddevil。HesenttheboytotheWhiteFathersinMalacca。Thiswasnotaveryexpensivesortofeducation，butshecouldnotforgivehimfornotcastingtheoffensivechildawayutterly。Sheworkeduphersenseofherwifelywrongsandofherinjuredpuritytosuchapitchthatoneday，whenpoorDavidsonwaspleadingwithhertobereasonableandnottomakeanimpossibleexistenceforthemboth，sheturnedonhiminachillpassionandtoldhimthathisverysightwasodioustoher。

"Davidson，withhisscrupulousdelicacyoffeeling，wasnotthemantoasserthisrightsoverawomanwhocouldnotbearthesightofhim。Hebowedhishead；andshortlyafterwardsarrangedforhertogobacktoherparents。Thatwasexactlywhatshewantedinheroutrageddignity。AndthenshehadalwaysdislikedthetropicsandhaddetestedsecretlythepeopleshehadtoliveamongstasDavidson\'swife。Shetookherpure，sensitive，meanlittlesoulawaytoFremantleorsomewhereinthatdirection。Andofcoursethelittlegirlwentawaywithhertoo。WhatcouldpoorDavidsonhavedonewithalittlegirlonhishands，evenifshehadconsentedtoleaveherwithhim-whichisunthinkable。

"ThisisthestorythathasspoiledDavidson\'ssmileforhim-

whichperhapsitwouldn\'thavedonesothoroughlyhadhebeenlessofagoodfellow。"

Hollisceased。ButbeforewerosefromthetableIaskedhimifheknewwhathadbecomeofLaughingAnne\'sboy。

HecountedcarefullythechangehandedhimbytheChinamanwaiter，andraisedhishead。

"Oh!that\'sthefinishingtouch。Hewasabright，takinglittlechap，asyouknow，andtheFatherstookveryspecialpainsinhisbringingup。Davidsonexpectedinhishearttohavesomecomfortoutofhim。Inhisplacidwayhe\'samanwhoneedsaffection。

Well，Tonyhasgrownintoafineyouth-butthereyouare!Hewantstobeapriest；hisonedreamistobeamissionary。TheFathersassureDavidsonthatitisaseriousvocation。Theytellhimhehasaspecialdispositionformissionwork，too。SoLaughingAnne\'sboywillleadasaintlylifeinChinasomewhere；hemayevenbecomeamartyr；butpoorDavidsonisleftoutinthecold。Hewillhavetogodownhillwithoutasinglehumanaffectionnearhimbecauseoftheseolddollars。"

Jan。1914

Footnotes:

(1)Thegallows，supposedtobewidowedofthelastexecutedcriminalandwaitingforanother。