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Inimmediateechothecryarose，"They’reoff！They’reoff！"andneckswerestrainedtocatchaglimpseofthefirstthatshouldappearwherethecoursetookaslightturn。
Inafewsecondsthetwoleadinghorsesareseen，theriderslowovertheirnecks，andbehindthem，almosthiddenbythedust，thecrowdofyelling，waving，shootinghorsemen。
TheDemonisleading，theSwallowcloseonhisflank。AstheycomewithinclearviewtheexperiencedeyesofthecrowdseethatwhiletheDemon，thoughasyetuntouchedbywhiporspur，isdoingallthatisinhim，theSwallowisholdinghimeasily。Onallsidesthemenofthewestraiseapaeanofvictory，"TheSwallow！TheSwallow！
Goodboy，Kiddie！Lethergo！Lethergo！""You’vegothimstanding！""Bullyboy！"
FiftyyardsfromthewinningpostTheKidleansoverhismare’sneckandshakesouthisflutteringreins。LikethebirdwhosenameshebearstheSwallowdartstothefront，alengthahead。InvaintheCaptaincallstotheDemon，plyingfiercelywhipandspur。Withnostrilsdistendedandblood—red，witheyesstartingfromtheirsockets，andmouthfoamingbloodyfroth，thenobleanimalrespondsandessayshisfinalattempt。
Itisamagnificenteffort。SlowlyhecreepsuptotheSwallow’sflank，butbeyondthathecannotmakeaninch，andsotheyremaintothewinningpost。
Downthestreetbehindtheleaders，yellingwildoaths，shootingofftheirguns，flinginghatsintheair，andallenvelopedinacloudofdust，thundersthepursuingcavalcade。
JustastheSwallowshootstothefront，outfromthecloudofdustbehind，withhiscowboyhathighinonehandandhisreinsflutteringlooselyintheother，IkeemergesonhisbelovedSlipper。
Ateveryboundthebuckskingainsupontherunnersinfront，butwhenlevelwiththeDemon，Ikesteadieshimdown，forhewouldnotbeguiltyofthebadtasteof"shovinghisnoseintoanotherman’sfight，"norwouldhedeprivethelittlemare，whocarriedthefortunesofthemenofthewest，ofthegloryofhervictory。
Theriotthatfollowstheracepassesdescription。Themenfromthewestgomad。AboutTheKidandhislittlemaretheysurgeinawaveoffranticenthusiasm。IntotheRanchers’Roosttheycarrytheridertowashdownthedust，whileasmanyascanfindroomforahandgetvigorouslytoworkupontheSwallow。
Aftertheriothadsomewhatsubsidedandthestreethadbecomepartiallyclear，sidebyside，threadingtheirwaythroughthecrowd，appearedthetwocompetitorsfortheCup。Onallsidestheyweregreetedwithrenewedcheers，andundertheexcitementofthehourtheyabandonedthecustomaryreserveofthecowboy，andbeganperformingwhatseemedtoShockimpossiblefeatsofhorsemanship。
"IbetyouI’llrideherintotheRoost，Captain，"criedTheKiddie。
"Done，forthedrinks！"repliedtheCaptain。
Theboycanteredhismareacrossthestreet。
"Outofthewaythere！"hecried。"Outoftheway，youfellows！I’mcoming！"
AshespokeheputthelittlemarestraightattheflightofstepsleadinguptothedooroftheRoost。Thecrowdpartedhastily，buttheSwallowbalkedandswerved，andbutforthefinehorsemanshipoftheriderhewouldhavebeenthrown。
Withanoath，theKidtookholdofhishorseagain，andridingcarelessly，facedheroncemoreatthesteps。Butagainsheplunged，reared，swunground，andsetoffatarundownthestreet。
Theladrodehereasilyback，broughtheruptothestepsatawalk，quietedherwithvoiceandhand，andthen，canteringacrossthestreet，camebackagainataneasylopetothesteps。Themaremadeasiftobalkagain。
"Up，girl！"criedtheboy，liftingherwiththerein;andthen，assherose，touchingherwiththespur，Likeacatthelittlemareclamberedupthesteps，andbeforeshecouldchangehermindshefoundherselfthroughthedoor，standinginthebar—roomwithherrideronherback。
Throughtheouterentrancethrongedthecrowdofmen，givingventtotheiradmirationinyellsandoaths，andliningupatthebarwaitedforthepaymentofthebet。
Shock，whohadbeensingularlyattractedbythehandsome，boyishfaceoftherider，walkeduptothedoorandstoodlookingin，hisgreatformtoweringabovethecrowdofmenthatswayedandjostled，chaffingandswearing，inside。Ashestoodlookingattheboy，sittinghishorsewithsuchcarelessgrace，andlisteningwithpleasedandsmilingfacetothevariedandpicturesqueprofanityinwhichthecrowdwereexpressingtheiradmiration，thewordsofhisConvenercametohismind，"Theymaynotwantyou，buttheyneedyou。"
"Yes，"hemutteredtohimself，"theyneedme，or，someonebetter。"
Agreatpityfortheladfilledhisheartandoverflowedfromhiseyes。
Theboycaughtthelook。Withagaylaughhecried，"Iwoulddrinktoyourverygoodhealth，sir！"hishigh，clearvoicepenetratingthedinandbringingthecrowdtosilence。"Butwhycarrysograveafaceatsuchajoyousmoment？"HeliftedhisglassoverhisheadandbowedlowtoShock。
Arrestedbyhiswords，thecrowdturnedtheireyestowardthemanthatstoodinthedoor，waitinginsilenceforhisreply。
AquickflushrosetoShock’sface，butwithoutmovinghiseyesfromthegay，laughingfaceoftheboy，hesaidinaclear，steadyvoice，"Ithankyou，sir，foryourcourtesy，andIaskyourpardonifmyfacewasgrave。Iwasthinkingofyourmother。"
Asifsomeonehadstrickenhimtheboyswayedoverhishorse’sneck，butinamomentrecoveringhimselfhesatupstraight，andliftinghighhisglass，hesaidreverently，asifhehadbeentoastingtheQueen:"Gentlemen，mymother！Godblessher！"
"Godblessher！"echoedthemen。
Drinkingofftheglasshedismountedand，followedbythecheersofthecrowd，ledhishorseoutoftheroomanddownthesteps，androdeaway。
MeantimeShockwentinsearchofthedoctor。InacorneroftheInternationalbarhefoundhiminsdrunkensleep。Aftervaineffortstowakehim，withoutmoreadoShockliftedhiminhisarms，carriedhimouttothebuckboardanddroveaway，followedbythejibesandcomplimentsoftheastonishedcrowd。
Butwhattodowithhimwasthequestion。Therewasnoroomforhimself，muchlessforhischarge，inanyofthehotelsorstoppingplaces。
"Mayaswellbeginnow，"Shocksaidtohimself，anddroveouttoalittlebluffofpoplarsattheriverbanknearthetown，andpreparedtocamp。
Hedisposedofthedoctorbylayinghiminthebackofhisbuckboard，coveredwiththebuffalo。Heunhitchedandtetheredthepony，and，accordingtohiscrudenotionsofwhatacampshouldbe，begantomakehispreparations。Withveryconsiderabledifficulty，hefirstofallstartedafire。
"Hello！Ratherchillyforcampin’outyit？"
HelookedupandsawIke。
"Iguessyouaintlivedmuchoutofdoors，"continuedhisvisitor，glancingattheapologyforafire，andnoticingtheabsenceofeverythingincamp—makingthatdistinguishestheexperiencedcamper。
"No，thisismyfirstcamp，"saidShock。"ButIsupposeeverymanmustmakeabeginning。"
"Yes，"agreedIke，"whenhe’sgotto。ButIhavealingerin’
suspicionthatyou’dbebetterinsideto—night。Itaintgoin’tobepleasant。"
"Oh，I’llbeallright，"repliedShockcheerfully。
"Ihaveasmalltent，acoupleofcoats，apairofblankets，andmyponyhasgothisoats。"
"Yes，"drawledIke，regardingthecayusewithcontemptuouseyes，"he’sallright。Youcan’tkillthemfellers。But，asIremarked，you’dbebetterinside。"
Hewalkedaroundthebuckboardandhiseyesfelluponthedoctor。
"Whatthe——"Ikecheckedhimself，eitheroutofdeferencetoShock’sprofessionormorelikelyfromsheeramazement。
Heturneddownthebuffalo，gazedatthesleepingfigurewithlongandgraveinterest，thenliftinghisheadheremarkedwithimpressivesolemnity，"Well，Ibechawedandswallered！YouHAVEgothim，eh？Now，howdidyoudoit？"
"Well，"saidShock，"itwasnotdifficult。IfoundhimasleepintheInternational。Icarriedhimout，andthereheis。"
"Say，"saidIke，lookingatShockwithdawningadmirationinhiseyes，"you’reabird！Isthereanythin’elseyouwantinthattown？
Guessnot，elseitwouldbehere。TheGeneralsaidyou’dkidnaphim，andhewasright。Now，whatyougoin’todowhenhecomesto？Thereaintmuchshelterinthisbluff，andwhenhewakeshe’llneedsomeonetosetupwithhim，sure。He’saterror，adog—gonedterror！"
"Oh，we’llmanage，"saidShocklightly。"Imeantostartearlyinthemorning。"
"Beforehegetsup，eh？AsIremarkedbefore，you’reabird！"
ForsomemomentsIkehungaboutthecamp，pokingthefire，evidentlysomewhatdisturbedinhismind。Finallyhesaidinahesitatingtone，"Itaintmuchtoofferanyman，butmyshackkinholdtwomenaswellasone，andIguessthreecouldsqueezein，speciallyifthethirdisintheconditionhe’sin，"noddingtowardthedoctor。"Wekinlayhimonthefloor。Ofcourse，itaintdoneupwithnopictersandhangin’s，butitkeepsoutthebreeze，andthereaintnobugs，youbet。"
Shock’sexperienceofWesternshackshadnotbeensufficientlyvariedandextensivetoenablehimtoappreciatetothefullthislastcommendationofIke’s。
Ike’shesitationinmakingtheofferdeterminedShock。
"Thankyouverymuch，"hesaidcordially。"Ishallbedelightedtogowithyou。"
"Allright，let’sgit，"saidIke，proceedingtohitchupthepony，whileShockgatheredhisstufftogether。Inafewminutestheywerereadytostart。
"Guesshe’llridecomfortablewhereheis，"saidIke。"Youcan’tkilladrunkman。Strange，aintit？"
Itwasgrowingduskastheydrovethroughthetown，butthestreets，thehotelstoops，andbarswerefilledwithmeninvariousstagesofintoxication。AstheycaughtsightofIkeandrecognisedhiscompanion，theyindulgedthemselvesinvariousfacetiousremarks。
"Hello，Ike。Goin’tomeetin’？"
"No，"retortedIkeshortly。"Goin’toschoolfermanners。Wanttocome？"
"Ikey’sgotreligion。Caughtontothefire—escapeyoubet。"
"No，he’sgoin’tolearnthatrasslin’trick。"
"Ikey’sshowin’thestrangerthetown。He’sonforabust，youbet。"
"Blanklotofjaybirds，"saidIkegrimly，inalowtone。"I’llsee’emlater。You’dthinkthey’dneverseenastrangerbefore。"
"Thatisallforme，Isuppose，Ike，"saidShockapologetically。
"Don’tyouworry。Itwon’tgivemeanygreyhair。"Ikeemphasisedhisindifferencebytiltinghishattillitstruckontheextremebackofhishead，andloungingbackinhisseatwithhisfeetonthedashboard。
"Theyallseenyougivin’methath’istthisafternoon，"hecontinued，"andtheycan’tgetoverthatweaintfightin’。And，"headded，hittingthehubofthewheelwithastreamoftobaccojuice，"itisaratherremarkablereminiscence。"
Ikehadafondnessforwordsnotusuallycurrentamongthecowboys，andinconsequencehisEnglishwasmoreorlessreminiscent，andoftenphoneticratherthanetymoligical。
Ike’sshackstoodatthefurthersideofthetown。UponenteringShockdiscoveredthatitneedednoapologyforitsappearance。Theboardwallswereadornedwithillustrationsfrommagazinesandpapers，miscellaneousandwithouttaintofprejudice，theSundayMagazineandthePoliceGazettehavingplacesofequalhonour。Onthewall，too，werenailedheadsofmountainsheepandgoats，ofwapitiandotherdeer，proclaimingIkeahunter。
Everythingintheshackwasconspicuouslyclean，fromthepots，pans，andcookingutensils，whichhungonarowofnailsbehindthestove，tothedish—cloth，whichwasspreadcarefullytodryoverthedishpan。HadShock’sexperienceofbachelors’shacksandbachelors’
dishesbeenlarger，hewouldhavebeenmoreprofoundlyimpressedwiththatcookingoutfit，andespeciallywiththedish—cloth。Asitwas，thedishclothgaveShockasenseofsecurityandcomfort。
Depositingthedoctoruponabuffaloskinonthefloorinthecorner，withapillowunderhishead，theyproceededtotheirduties，Iketopreparetheeveningmeal，andShocktounpackhisstuff，wonderingallthewhilehowthiscowboyhadcometohunthimupandtreathimwithsuchgeneroushospitality。
Thismysterywasexplainedastheysataboutthefireafterthetea—
disheshadbeenmostcarefullywashedandsetaway，IkesmokingandShockmusing。
"Thatoldskunkratherturnedyoudown，Iguess，"remarkedIke，afteralongsilence;"thatoldMacfarren，Imean，"inanswertoShock’slookofenquiry。
"Iwassurprised，Iconfess，"repliedShock。"Yousee，Iwasledtobelievethathewaswaitingforme，andIwasdependinguponhim。
Now，Ireallydonotknowwhattothink。"
"Movin’out，perhaps？"saidIke，castingasharplookathimfromoutofhishalf—closedeyes。
"What？Leavethispost，doyoumean？"saidShock，hisindignantsurpriseshowinginhistone。"No，sir。Atleast，nottillmychiefsaysso。"
AgleamshotoutfromunderIke’sloweredeyelids。
"Theoldfellow’llmakeithotforyou，ifyoudon’tmove。Guessheexpectsyoutomove，"saidIkequietly。
"Move！"criedShockagain，stirredattheremembranceofMacfarren’streatmentthatafternoon。"Wouldyou？"
"Seehimblankedfirst，"saidIkequietly。
"SowillI，"saidShockemphatically。"Imean，"correctinghimselfhastily，"seehimsavedfirst。"
"Eh？Oh——well，guessheneedssome。Heneedsmanners，anyhow。He’llworryyou，Iguess。Yousee，hesurmiseshe’stheentirebunch，butaman’sopinionofhimselfdon’treallyaffectthesizeofhishatband。"
Shockfelttheopportunitytobegoldenforthegatheringofinformationaboutmenandthingsinthecountrywherehisworkwastobedone。HefeltthattoseelifethroughtheeyesofamanlikeIke，whorepresentedalargeandpotentelementinthecommunity，wouldbevaluableindeed。
ItwasdifficulttomakeIketalk，butbycarefulsuggestions，ratherthanbyquestioning，Ikewasfinallyledtotalk，andShockbegantocatchglimpsesofaworldquitenewtohim，andaltogetherwonderful。HemadetheastoundingdiscoverythatthingsthathadallhislifeformedthebasisofhisthinkingweretoIkeandhisfellowsnotsomuchunimportantasirrelevant;andasforthegreatspiritualveritieswhichlayattherootofallShock’smentaland，indeed，physicalactivities，furnishingmotiveanddeterminingdirection，thesetoIkewerequiteremotefromallpracticalliving。
WhathadGodtodowithroundingupcattle，orbroncho—busting，orhorse—trading？True，theelementalvirtuesofjustice，truth，charity，andloyaltywereaspotentoverIkeasoverShock，buttheirmoralstandardsweresowidelydifferentthattheseveryvirtuescouldhardlybeclassifiedinthesamecategories。Truthwassacred，butlyingwasonethingandhorse—swappinganother，andifamanwas"whitetotheback"whatmorewouldyouask，eventhoughatpokerhecouldcleanyououtofyourwholeoutfit？Hitherto，amanwhopaidnorespecttothedecenciesofreligionShockhadregardedas"aheathenmanandapublican，"butwithIkereligion，withallitsgreatcredos，withallitscustoms，hadsimplynobearing。ShockhadnottalkedlongwithIkeuntilhebegantofeelthathemustreadjustnotonlyhiswholesystemoftheology，butevenhismoralstandards，andhebegantowonderhowthefewsermonsandaddresseshehadgarneredfromhisministryinthecitywardswoulddoforIkeandhispeople。Hewasmakingthediscoverythatclimatechangesthecomplexion，notonlyofmen，butofhabitsofthoughtandaction。
AsShockwasfindinghiswaytonewadjustmentsandnewstandardshewasincidentallyfindinghiswayintoanewfeelingofbrotherhoodaswell。Thelinesofcleavagewhichhadhithertodeterminedhisinterestsandaffinitieswerebeingobliterated。Thefictitiousandaccidentalwerefadingoutunderthisnewatmosphere，andthegreatlinesofsheerhumanitywerecomingtostandoutwithstartlingclearness。Uptothistimecreedandclasshadlargelydeterminedbothhisinterestandhisresponsibility，butnow，apartfromclassandcreed，menbecameinteresting，andformenhebegantofeelresponsibility。Herealisedasneverbeforethatamanwasthegreatassetoftheuniverse——nothisclothes，material，socialorreligious。
Itwasthisnewfeelingofinterestandresponsibilitythatmadehimask，"Whowasthatladthatrodethewinninghorseto—day？"
"Thatchap？"repliedIke。"He’smyboss。TheKid，theycallhim。"
Menoflaconicspeechsaymuchbytoneandgesture，andoftenbysilence。InIke’stoneShockreadcontempt，admiration，pity。
"Arancher？"heenquired。
"Well，he’sgotaranch，andhorsesandcattleonit，liketherestof’em。Butranchin’——"Ike’ssilencewasmorethansufficient。
"Well，"saidShock，withadmiringemphasis，"heseemstobeabletoride，anyway。"
"Ride！Ishouldsurmise！Ride！Thatkidcouldrideanythin’fromahe—goattoarampagin’，highpottopotamus。Why，lookhere！"Ikewagedenthusiastic。"He’sbeentwoyearsinthiscountry，andhe’sgotusalllickedgoodandquiet。Why，hecouldgivepointstoanycattle—
maninAlberta。"
"Well，what’sthematterwithhim？"
"Money！"saidIkewrathfully。"Someblamedfooluncleathome——he’sgotnoparents，Iunderstand——keepsa—sendin’himmoney。
Consequently，everyremittancehecutsthingsloose，witheveryoneinsighta—helpin’him。"
"Whatashame！"criedShock。"Hehasaniceface。Ijustliketolookathim。"
"That’sright！"answeredIke，withnowaningofhisenthusiasm。
"He’swhite——buthe’ssoft。Makesmesoblankmad！Hedon’tknowthey’replayin’him，andmakin’himpayforthegame。Theonlyquestionis，willheholdoutlonger’nhismoney。"
"Why！hasn’theanyfriendsherewhowouldremonstratewithhim？"
"Remonstrate！Remonstrate！"Ikerolledthewordunderhistongueasifitfeltgood。"Youtrytoremonstrate，andseehimlookatyou，andthensmile，tillyoufeellikeacluckin’henthathaslosthernest。Notanyforme，thankyou。Butit’sablankpity！He’sawhitekiddie，heis。"
"Andthatfriendofhiswhowasridingwithhim——whoishe？"
"Harricomb——CaptainHalHarricomb，theycallhim。Goodsortoffellow，too，butlazy——andconsiderablemoney。Goin’ataprettygoodlick。Wifepullshimup，Iguess。Goodthingforhim，too。
LivesupbytheGeneral’s——oldgent，youknow，satbywhenyousetmedownoutyonder。Mightyslick，too。Wasn’tontoyou，though。"
"No，"Shockhastenedtosay，"itwasaflukeofcourse。GeneralBrady，youmean。Yes，hewasverykind，indeed。"
"Oh，theGeneral’sagentleman，youbet！Horseranch。Notverybig，butmakesitgo。"
"CouldnotamanliketheGeneral，now，helpthatyoungfellow——whatishisname？"
"Hisname？Well，hegoesby’TheKid。’Hisname’sStanton，Ithink。
Yes，Stanton——VicStanton。Thoughhenevergetsit。"
"Well，couldnottheGeneralhelphim？"repeatedShock。
"HelpTheKid？Nothe，noranyoneelse。Whenahorsewithbloodinhimgetsa—goin’，why，he’sgottogotillhiswindgivesout，unlessyouthrowhimrightdown，andthat’sresky。You’vegottowaithistime。Then’syourchance。Andthatremindsme，"saidIke，risingandknockingthelashesoutofhispipe，"thatI’vegotajobonhand。There’llbedoin’sto—nightthereafterthehappytimeisover。"
Shocklookedmystified。
"They’llgettheladiesoff，youknow，andthenthefun’llbegin。"
"Fun？"
Ikewinkedalong，significantwink。"Yes。Lit’rarySociety，youknow。Alittlegameinthebackroom。"
"Andareyougoingtoplay，Ike？"
"Notto—night，thankyou。Iaintnosaint，butIaintablankfoolaltogether，andto—nightIgottokeeplevel。To—day’stheboss’sremittanceday。He’sgothischeque，I’veheard，andthey’regoin’
torollhim。"
"Rollhim？"
"Yes，cleanhimout。SoIsurmiseit’dbewiseformetobeonhand。"
"Why，whathaveyougottodowithit，Ike？"
Ikepausedforafewmoments，whilehefilledhispipe，preparatorytogoingout。
"Well，that’swhatIdon’trightknow。Itaintanyofmyownbusiness。Coursehe’smyboss，butitaintthat。Somehow，thatKiddiehasgotahitchontomyinnards，andIcan’tlethimgetaway。He’sgotsuchablankslickwaywithhimthathemakesyoufeellikedoin’thethingsyouhatetodo。Why，whenhesmilesatyouthesunbeginstoshine。That’sso。Why，yousawthatracethisafternoon？"
"Yes，thelastheat。"
"Well，didyouobserveSlippercomein？"
"Well，yes，Idid。AndIcouldnotunderstandwhySlipperwasnotrunning。Whydidn’tyourunhim，Ike？"
"Why？"saidIke，"that’swhatIdon’tknow。Thereaintnothin’onfourlegswithhorsehideoninthesehereTerritoriesthatcanmakeSlippertakedust，butthen——well，IknowedhehadmoneyontheSwallow。ButIguessImustbegoin’。"
"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？"
"Oh，I’llfalldownsomewheresandgotosleep。Youseelotsofthingswhenyou’reasleep，providin’youknowhowtoaccomplishit。"
"ShallIgowithyou？"askedShock。
Ikeregardedhimcuriously。
"Guessyouwouldn’tcaretobemixedupinthiskindofthing。Butblameit，ifIdon’tthinkyou’dstaywithitifitwasinyourline，whichitaint。"
"Butsupposeyougetintodifficulty。"
"Well，"saidIke，smilingaslowsmile，"whenIwantyouI’llsendforyou，"andwiththathepassedoutintothenight。
XII
HISKEEPER
TilllongaftermidnightShocksatoverthefireponderingtheeventsoftheday，andtryingtomakerealtohimselfthestrangeseriesofhappeningsthathadmarkedhisintroductiontohisworkinthiscountry。Hislifeforthelastmonthhadbeensounlikeanythinginhispastastoseemquiteunnatural。
Ashesatthusmusingoverthepastandplanningforthefuture，aknockcametothedoor，andalmostimmediatelytherecameinalittleman，shortandsquat，withhumpedshoulders，bushy，grizzledhairandbeard，throughwhichpeeredsharplittleblackeyes。HisheadandfaceandeyesmadeonethinkofalittleScotchterrier。
"Ye’rethemeenister？"hesaidbriefly。
"Yes，"repliedShock，greatlysurprisedathisvisitor，butwarmingtotheScotchvoice。
"Aye。Ye’rewanted。"
"Wanted？Bywhom？"
"Themanthatlivesinthishoose。He’sdeein’，I’mthinkin’。"
"Dying！"saidShock，startingupandseizinghishat。"What！Ike？"
"Aye，Ike。He’sverraill。"
"Goon，then，"saidShock。"Quick！"
"Aye，quickitis。"Andthelittleman，withoutfurtherwords，plungedintothedarkness。Afewminutes’swiftwalkthroughtheblacknightbroughtthemtotheRanchers’Roost。There，inacorneroftheroomatthebackofthebar，hefoundIkelyingalmostunconscious，andapparentlyveryill。
"Why，what’sthematter？"criedShock，droppingonhiskneesbesideIke。ButIkeseemedstupefied，andmumbledafewincoherentwords。
Shockcaughtthewords，"thegang，"and"dope。"
HelookedinanagonyofhelplessnessatthelittleScotchman，whostoodbylookingdownuponthesickmanwithfacequiteunmoved。
"Doyouknowwhathesays？"enquiredShock。
"He’snosayin’much，"saidthelittleScotchmancalmly。
AgainIketriedtospeak，andthistimeShockcaughtthewords，"Theboss——gang’sgothim——SmileySimmons——backroom——fetchhim。"
"Whatdoeshemean？"criedShock。
"It’sha—r—r—dtotellthat，"saidthelittleScotchman。"He’stalkin’aboutsomebossorother。"
"Oh，yes，Iknowwhatthatmeans。Heisreferringtohisboss，youngStanton。"
"Oh，ay！"saidthelittleScotchman，withalightbreakingonhisface。"Isawthebodies。They’vegaeno’ertothecreatureSimmons’。"
"Showmetheway，"saidShock。"Quick！"
"Come，then，"saidthelittleScotchman，leadingoncemoreintothedarkness。
SomedistancedownthestreetstoodSmiley——orassomepreferredtocallhimSlimy——Simmons’generalstore。Atthebackofthestoretherewasasidedoor。
"They’reinyonder，"saidthelittleScotchman，anddisappeared。
Shockknockedatthedoor，buttherewasnoresponse。Heturnedthehandle，openedthedoor，andwalkinginfoundhimselfinthebackofthestore，inaroomdimlylightedbyahanginglantern。Seatedonastoolatahighdesk，evidentlybusywithhisledger，sataman，tall，slender，andwiry。Hehadasharp，thinface，withhighforehead，protrudingnose，andrecedingchin。ThemomenthespokeShockdiscoveredatoncehowitwashecamebyhisnickname。
Hissmilewasthemoststrikingcharacteristicofhismanner。
Indeed，sopermanentandpervasivedidhissmileappear，thatitseemedalmosttobeafixedfeatureofhisface。
HecameforwardtoShock，rubbinghishands。
"Ah，goodevening，"hesaid，inamostinsinuatingvoice。"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？"
"Yes，"saidShock，instinctivelyshrinkingfromhim。"IwanttoseeMr。Stanton。"
"Mr。Stanton——Mr。Stanton？Letmesee。IsawMr。Stantonsomehoursago。Letmethink。WasitattheInternational？Yes，IthinkitwastheInternational。No，intheRoyal。Ihavenodoubtyouwillfindhimthere。Ishallbepleasedtoshowyou，forIseeyouareastranger。Wearealwaysdelightedtoseestrangersandwetrytomakethemwelcometoourtown。"
Hemovedtowardthedoorashespoke。Shockknewatoncehewaslying。
"Mr。StantonisnotattheRoyal。Ihavebeeninformedheisinthisbuildingsomewhere。"
"Inthisbuilding？"murmuredSmiley，inapuzzledtone。"Inthisbuilding？"Heglancedupattheceilingasifexpectingtoseethemissingmanthere。"Strange，"hecontinued。"Now，Ihavebeenhereforsometime，forhours，indeed。Iamabusyman，Mr。——"
"Macgregor，"repliedShock。
"Mr。Macgregor。Ifinditnecessarytopursuemyavocationintothehourswegenerallydevotetoslumber。Andto—daybusinesshasbeenunusuallyinterrupted。ButIhavefailedtonoticeMr。Stantonenter。"
