第2章

Standishhadfollowedhiscareerwithanadmirationandajoythatwaswithouttaintofenvyordetraction。HegloriedinAintree，hedelightedtoknowthearmyheldsuchaman。HewasgratefultoAintreeforupholdingthetraditionsofaprofessiontowhichhehimselfgaveallthedevotionofafanatic。Hemadeagodofhim。ThiswastheattitudeofmindtowardAintreebeforehecametotheIsthmus。Uptothattimehehadneverseenhisidol。Aintreehadbeenonlyanamesignedtobrilliantarticlesintheservicemagazines，amanofwhomthosewhohadservedwithhimorunderhim，whenaskedconcerninghim，spokewithloyaltyandawe，themanthenewspaperscalled"theheroofBatangas。"

Andwhenatlasthesawhishero，hebelievedhisworshipwasjustified。ForAintreelookedthepart。Hewasbuiltlikeagreyhoundwiththeshouldersofastevedore。Hischinwasasprojecting，andashard，asthepointedendofaflat-iron。Hiseverymovementshowedphysicalfitness，andhiseveryglanceandtoneaconfidenceinhimselfthatapproachedinsolence。Hewasthirty-

eight，twelveyearsolderthantheyouthwhohadfailedtomakehiscommission，andwho，asAintreestrodepast，lookedafterhimwithwistful，hero-worshippingeyes。Therevulsion，whenitcame，wasextreme。Thehero-worshipgavewaytocontempt，toindignantcondemnation，inwhichtherewasnopity，noexcuse。Thatoneuponwhomsomuchhadbeenlavished，whoforhimselfhadaccomplishedsuchgoodthings，shouldbringdisgraceuponhisprofession，shouldbyhisexampledemoralizehismen，shouldrisklosingallhehadattained，allthathadbeengiven，wasintolerable。WhenStandishlearnedhisherowasadrunkard，whendayafterdayAintreefurnishedvisibleevidencesofthatfact，StandishfeltAintreehadbetrayedhimandthearmyandthegovernmentthathadeducated，trained，clothed，andfedhim。HeregardedAintreeasworsethanBenedictArnold，becauseArnoldhadturnedtraitorforpowerandmoney；Aintreewasatraitorthroughmereweakness，becausehecouldnotsay"no"toabottle。

OnlyinsecretStandishrailedagainstAintree。Whenhisbrotherpolicemengossipedandjestedabouthim，outofloyaltytothearmyheremainedsilent。Butinhishearthecouldnotforgive。

Themanhehadsogenerouslyenvied，themanafterwhosecareerhehadwishedtomodelhisown，hadvoluntarilysteppedfromhispedestalandmadeaswineofhimself。Andnotonlycouldhenotforgive，butasdayafterdayAintreefurnishedfreshfoodforhisindignationhefeltafiercedesiretopunish。

Meanwhile，oftheconductofAintree，menolderandwiser，iflessintolerantthanStandish，werebeginningtotakenotice。ItwasafteradinneronAnconHill，andthewomenhadleftthementothemselves。TheywerethemenwhowereplacingthePanamaCanalonthemap。Theywereofficersofthearmywhoforfiveyearshadnotwornauniform。Butforfiveyearstheyhadbeenatwarwithanenemythatneverslept。Dailytheyhadengagedinbattlewithmountains，rivers，swamps，twooceans，anddisease。WhereAintreecommandedfivehundredsoldiers，theycommandedabodyofmenbetterdrilled，betterdisciplined，andinnumberhalfasmanyasthosewhoformedtheentirearmyoftheUnitedStates。Themindofeachwasoccupiedwithaworldproblem。Theythoughtandtalkedinmillions——ofmillionsofcubicyardsofdirt，ofmillionsofbarrelsofcement，ofmillionsoftonsofsteel，ofhundredsofmillionsofdollars，ofwhichlattereachreceivedenoughtokeephimselfandhisfamilyjustbeyondthereachofnecessity。Tothesemenwiththeworldwaitingupontheoutcomeoftheirendeavor，withresponsibilitiesthatneverrelaxed，Aintree\'sbehaviorwasanincident，anannoyanceoflessimportancethananoverturneddirttrainthatforfiveminutesdaredtoblockthecompletionoftheirwork。Buttheywerehumanandloyaltothearmy，andinsuchaninfrequentmomentasthis，overthecoffeeandcigars，theycouldaffordtorememberthejuniorofficer，tofeelsorryforhim，forthesakeofthearmy，tosavehimfromhimself。

"HetakeshisordersdirectfromtheWarDepartment，"saidthechief。"I\'venoauthorityoverhim。Ifhe\'dbeenoneofmyworkmenI\'dhaveshippedhimnorththreemonthsago。"

"That\'sit，"saidthesurgeon，"he\'snotaworkman。Hehasnothingtodo，andidlenessisthecurseofthearmy。Andinthisclimate——"

"Nothingtodo！"snortedtheciviladministrator。"Keepinghismeninhandiswhathehastodo！They\'rerunningamuckalloverPanama，gettingintofightswiththeSpiggotypolice，bringingtheuniformintocontempt。Asfortheclimate，it\'sthesameclimateforallofus。LookatButler\'smarinesandBarber\'sZonepolice。Theclimatehasn\'thurtthem。They\'reassmartmenaseverworekhaki。It\'snottheclimateorlackofworkthatailstheThirty-third，it\'stheircommandingofficer。\'Sothecolonel，sotheregiment。\'That\'sasoldasthehills。UntilAintreetakesabrace，hismenwon\'t。Someoneoughttotalktohim。It\'sashametoseeafinefellowlikethatgoingtothedogsbecausenoonehasthecouragetotellhimthetruth。"

Thechiefsmiledmockingly。

"Thenwhydon\'tyou？"heasked。

"I\'macivilian，"protestedtheadministrator。"IfItoldhimhewasgoingtothedogshe\'dtellmetogotothedevil。No，oneofyouarmymenmustdoit。He\'lllistentoyou。"

YoungCaptainHaldaneofthecavalrywasatthetable；hewasvisitingPanamaonleaveasatourist。Thechiefturnedtohim。

"Haldane\'stheman，"hesaid。"You\'rehisfriendandyou\'rehisjuniorinrank，sowhatyousaywon\'tsoundofficial。Tellhimpeoplearetalking；tellhimitwon\'tbelongbeforethey\'llbetalkinginWashington。Scarehim！"

Thecaptainofcavalrysmileddubiously。

"Aintree\'sahardmantoscare，"hesaid。"Butifit\'sasbadasyouallseemtothink，I\'llriskit。But，whyisit，"hecomplained，"thatwheneveramanhastobetoldanythingparticularlyunpleasanttheyalwayspickonhisbestfriendtotellhim？Itmakesthembothmiserable。Whynotlethisbitterestenemytryit？Theenemyatleastwouldhaveafinetime。"

"Because，"saidthechief，"Aintreehasn\'tanenemyintheworld-

exceptAintree。"

Thenextmorning，ashehadpromised，Haldanecalleduponhisfriend。WhenhearrivedatLasPalmas，althoughthemorningwaswelladvancedtowardnoon，hefoundAintreestillunderhismosquitobarsandawakeonlytocommandadrink。ThesituationfurnishedHaldanewithhistext。Heexpressedhisopinionofanyindividual，friendornofriend，officerorcivilian，whoontheZone，whereallmenbeginworkatsunrise，couldbefoundatnoonstillinhispajamasandpreparingtofacethedutiesofthedayonanabsinthcocktail。HesaidfurtherthatsincehehadarrivedontheisthmushehadheardonlyofAintree\'smisconduct，thatsoontheWarDepartmentwouldhearofit，thatAintreewouldlosehiscommission，wouldbreakthebackboneofasplendidcareer。

"It\'safriendtalking，"continuedHaldane，"andyouknowit！It\'sbecauseIamyourfriendthatI\'veriskedlosingyourfriendship！

And，whetheryoulikeitornot，it\'sthetruth。You\'regoingdown-hill，goingfast，goinglikeamotor-busrunningaway，andunlessyouputonthebrakesyou\'llsmash！"

Aintreewasnotevenannoyed。

"That\'sgoodadvicefortherightman，"hegranted，"butwhywasteitonme？Icandothingsothermencan\'t。Icanstopdrinkingthisminute，anditwillmeansolittletomethatIwon\'tknowI\'vestopped。"

"Thenstop，"saidHaldane。

"Why？"demandedAintree。"Ilikeit。WhyshouldIstopanythingIlike？Becausealotofoldwomenaregossiping？Becauseoldmenwhocan\'tdrinkgreenmintwithoutdancingturkey-trotsthinkI\'mgoingtothedevilbecauseIcandrinkwhiskey？I\'mnotafraidofwhiskey，"helaughedtolerantly。"Itamusesme，that\'sallitdoestome；itamusesme。"Hepulledbackthecoatofhispajamasandshowedhisgiantchestandshoulder。Withhisfisthestruckhisbarefleshanditglowedinstantlyahealthy，splendidpink。

"Seethat！"commandedAintree。"Ifthere\'samanontheisthmusinanybetterphysicalshapethanIam，I\'ll——"Heinterruptedhimselftobeginagaineagerly。"I\'llmakeyouasportingproposition，"

heannounced"I\'llfightanymanontheisthmustenrounds——

nomatterwhoheis，awoplaborer，shovelman，Barbadiannigger，marine，anybody——andifhecanknockmeoutI\'llstopdrinking。Yousee，"heexplainedpatiently，"I\'mnomollycoddleorjelly-fish。Icanaffordaheadache。Andbesides，it\'smyownhead。IfIdon\'tgiveanybodyelseaheadache，Idon\'tseethatit\'sanybodyelse\'sdamnedbusiness。"

"Butyoudo，"retortedHaldanesteadily。"You\'regivingyourownmenworsethanaheadache，you\'resettingthemarottenexample，you\'regivingtheThirty-thirdabadname-"

Aintreevaultedoffhiscotandshookhisfistathisfriend。

"Youcan\'tsaythattome，"hecried。

"Idosayit，"protestedHaldane。"WhenyouwereinManilayourmenweremodels；herethey\'reunshaven，sloppy，undisciplined。

Theylooklikebell-hops。Andit\'syourfault。Andeverybodythinksso。"

SlowlyandcarefullyAintreesnappedhisfingers。

"Andyoucantelleverybody，fromme，"hecried，"that\'sallIcarewhattheythink！Andnow，"hecontinued，smilinghospitably，"letmecongratulateyouonyoursuccessasamissionary，and，toshowyouthere\'snotatraceofhardfeeling，wewillhaveadrink。"

InformallyHaldanereportedbacktothecommission，andthewifeofoneofthemmusthavetalked，foritwassoonknownthatabrotherofficerhadappealedtoAintreetoreform，andAintreehadrefusedtolisten。

Whensheheardthis，GraceCarter，thewifeofMajorCarter，oneofthesurgeonsattheAnconHospital，wasgreatlyperturbed。

AintreewasengagedtobemarriedtoHelenScott，whowasherbestfriendandwhowasarrivingbythenextsteamertospendthewinter。WhenshehadHelensafelyunderherroof，Mrs。Carterhadplannedtomarryofftheyoungcoupleoutofhandontheisthmus。

Butshehadbeguntowonderifitwouldnotbebettertheyshoulddelay，orbestthattheyshouldnevermarry。

"TheawakeningisgoingtobeaterribleblowtoHelen，"shesaidtoherhusband。"Sheissoproudofhim。"

"Onthecontrary，"heprotested，"itwillbetheawakeningofAintree——ifHelenwillstandforthewayhe\'sacting，sheisnotthegirlIknow。Andwhenhefindsshewon\'t，andthathemayloseher，he\'llpullupshort。He\'stalkedHelentomenightafternightuntilhe\'sboredmesoIcouldstranglehim。Hecaresmoreforherthanhedoesforanything，forthearmy，orforhimself，andthat\'ssayingagreatdeal。Onewordfromherwillbeenough。"

Helenspokethewordthreeweeksaftershearrived。Ithadnotbeennecessarytotellherofthemannerinwhichherloverwasmisconductinghimself。Atvariousdinnersgivenintheirhonorhehadmadeanuisanceofhimself；onanotheroccasion，whileinuniform，hehadcreatedasceneinthedining-roomoftheTivoliunderthepryingeyesofthreehundredseeing-the-Canaltourists；

andonenighthehadsobadlybeatenupacabmanwhohadlaughedathisconditionthatthemanwenttothehospital。MajorCarter，largelywithmoney，hadhealedtheinjuriesofthecabman，butHelen，whohadwitnessedtheassault，hadsufferedaninjurythatmoneycouldnotheal。

ShesentforAintree，andatthehomeofherfrienddeliveredherultimatum。

"Ihithimbecausehewasoffensivetoyou，"saidAintree。"That\'swhyIhithim。IfI\'dnothadadrinkinayear，I\'dhavehithimjustasquickandjustashard。"

"Can\'tyousee，"saidthegirl，"thatinbeingnotyourselfwhenIwasinyourcareyouweremuchmoreinsultingtomethananycabmancouldpossiblybe？Whenyouarelikethatyouhavenorespectforme，orforyourself。Partofmyprideinyouisthatyouaresostrong，thatyoucontrolyourself，thatcommonpleasuresnevergetaholdonyou。Ifyoucouldn\'tcontrolyourtemperIwouldn\'tblameyou，becauseyou\'veavillainoustemperandyouwerebornwithit。Butyouweren\'tbornwithatasteforliquor。Noneofyourpeopledrank。Youneverdrankuntilyouwentintothearmy。IfIwereaman，"declaredthegirl，"I\'dbeashamedtoadmitanythingwasstrongerthanIwas。Youneverletpainbeatyou。I\'veseenyouplaypolowithabrokenarm，butinthisyougivepaintoothers，youshameandhumiliatetheoneyoupretendtolove，justbecauseyouareweak，justbecauseyoucan\'tsay\'no。\'"

Aintreelaughedangrily。

"Drinkhasnoholdonme，"heprotested。"Itaffectsmeasmuchasthelightsandthemusicaffectagirlatherfirstdance，andnomore。But，ifyouaskmetostop——"

"Idonot！"saidthegirl。"Ifyoustop，you\'llstopnotbecauseIhaveanyinfluenceoveryou，butbecauseyoudon\'tneedmyinfluence。Ifit\'swrong，ifit\'shurtingyou，ifit\'stakingawayyourusefulnessandyourpowerforgood，that\'swhyyou\'llstop。

Notbecauseagirlbegsyou。Oryou\'renotthemanIthinkyou。"

Aintreeretortedwarmly。"I\'menoughofamanforthis，"heprotested："I\'menoughofamannottoconfessIcan\'tdrinkwithoutmakingabeastofmyself。It\'seasynottodrinkatall。

Buttostopaltogetherisaconfessionofweakness。I\'dlookonmydoingthatascowardly。Igiveyoumyword——notthatI\'llswearoff，thatI\'llneverdo——butIpromiseyouyou\'llhavenofurtherreasontobewhatyoucallhumiliated，orashamed。Youhavemywordforit。"

AweeklaterAintreerodehisponyintoarailwaycuttingandrolledwithittothetracksbelow，and，ifatthetimehehadnotbeenextremelydrunk，wouldhavebeenkilled。Thepony，beingquitesober，brokealegandwasdestroyed。

WhenwordofthiscametoHelenshewastoosickathearttoseeAintree，andbyothersitwasmadeknowntohimthatonthefirststeamerMissScottwouldreturnNorth。Aintreeknewwhyshewasgoing，knewshehadlostfaithandpatience，knewthewomanhelovedhadbrokenwithhimandputhimoutofherlife。Appalledatthiscalamity，heproceededtogetdrunkinearnest。

Thenightwasveryhotandthehumidityveryheavy，andatLasPalmasinsidethebungalowthatservedasapolice-stationthelampsoneithersideofthelieutenant\'sdeskburnedliketinyfurnaces。Betweenthem，pantinginthemoistheatandwiththesweatfromhisforeheadandhanddrippinguponanotherwiseimmaculatereport，satStandish。Twoweeksbefore，thechiefhadmadehimoneofhissixlieutenants。Withtheforcethepromotionhadbeenmostpopular。

SincehispromotionStandishhadbeeninchargeofthepolice-

stationatLasPalmasanddailyhadseenAintreeas，onhiswaydownthehillfromthebarrackstotherailroad，theheroofBatangaspassedthedoorofthestation-house。Also，onthemorningAintreehadjumpedhishorseovertheembankment，Standishhadseenhimcarriedupthehillonastretcher。Atthesightthelieutenantofpolicehadtakenfromhispocketanotebook，andonaflyleafmadeacross。Ontheflyleafweremanyotherdatesandoppositeeachacross。ItwasAintree\'srecordandasthenumberofblackcrossesgrew，thegreaterhadgrowntheresentmentofStandish，themoregreatlyithadincreasedhisangeragainstthemanwhohadputthisaffrontuponthearmy，thegreaterbecamehisdesiretopunish。

Inpolicecirclesthenighthadbeenquiet，thecellsintheyardwereempty，thetelephoneathiselbowhadremainedsilent，andStandish，aloneinthestation-house，hademployedhimselfincramming"Moss\'sManualforSubalterns。"Hefounditafascinatingexercise。Thehopethatsoonhemighthimselfbeasubalternalwaysburnedbrightly，andtobepreparedseemedtomakethecomingofthatdaymorecertain。Itwasteno\'clockandLasPalmaslaysunkinslumber，andafterthedowntrainwhichwasnowduehadpassed，therewasnothinglikelytodisturbherslumberuntilatsunrisethegreatarmyofdirt-diggerswithshrieksofwhistles，withroarsofdynamite，withtherumblingofdirt-trainsandsteam-shovels，againsprangtotheattack。Downthehill，ahundredyardsbelowStandish，thenighttrainhaltedatthestation，withcreakingsandgroaningscontinuedtowardColon，andagainLasPalmasreturnedtosleep。

And，then，quicklyandviciously，likethecrackofamule-whip，camethereportsofapistol；andoncemorethehotanddrippingsilence。

Onpostattherailroad-station，whencetheshotscame，wasMeehan，oneoftheZonepolice，anex-sergeantofmarines。Ontopofthehill，outsidetheinfantrybarracks，wasanotherpoliceman，Bullard，onceacowboy。

StandishrantotheverandaandheardthepebblesscatteringasBullardleapeddownthehill，andwhen，inthelightfromtheopendoor，hepassed，thelieutenantshoutedathimtofindMeehanandreportback。Thenthedesktelephonerang，andStandishreturnedtohischair。

"ThisisMeehan，"saidavoice。"ThoseshotsjustnowwerefiredbyMajorAintree。Hecamedownonthenighttrainandjumpedoffafterthetrainwaspullingoutandstumbledintoanegro，andfell。He\'sbeendrinkingandhesworetheniggerpushedhim；andthemancalledAintreealiar。Aintreepulledhisgunandtheniggerran。Aintreefiredtwice；thenIgottohimandknockedthegunoutofhishandwithmynightstick。"

Therewasapause。Untilhewassurehisvoicewouldbesteadyandofficial，theboylieutenantdidnotspeak。

"Didhehitthenegro？"heasked。

"Idon\'tknow，"Meehananswered。"Themanjumpedforthedarkestspothecouldfind。"ThevoiceofMeehanlostitsprofessionalcalmandbecamepersonalandaggrieved。

"Aintree\'sonhiswaytoseeyounow，lieutenant。He\'sgoingtoreportme。"

"Forwhat？"

Thevoiceoverthetelephoneroseindignantly。

"Forknockingthegunoutofhishand。Hesaysit\'sanassault。

He\'sgoingtobreakme！"

Standishmadenocomment。

"Reporthere，"heordered。

HeheardBullardhurryingupthehillandmethimatthefootofthesteps。

"There\'sanigger，"beganBullard，"lyingundersomebushes——"

"Hush！"commandedStandish。

Fromthepathbelowcamethesoundoffootstepsapproachingunsteadily，andthevoiceofamanswearingandmutteringtohimself。Standishpulledtheex-cowboyintotheshadowofthedarknessandspokeineagerwhispers。

"Youunderstand，"heconcluded，"youwillnotreportuntilyouseemepickupacigarfromthedeskandlightit。Youwillwaitouthereinthedarkness。Whenyouseemelightthecigar，youwillcomeinandreport。"

Thecowboypolicemannodded，butwithoutenthusiasm。"I

understand，lieutenant，"hesaid，"but，"heshookhisheaddoubtfully，"itsizesuptomelikewhatthosepoliceupinNewYorkcalla\'frame-up。\'"

Standishexclaimedimpatiently。

"It\'snotmyframe-up！"hesaid。"Theman\'sframedhimselfup。

AllI\'mgoingtodoistonailhimtothewall！"

StandishhadonlytimetoreturntohisdeskwhenAintreestumbledupthepathandintothestation-house。Hewas"fightingdrunk，"

ugly，offensive，allbutincoherentwithanger。

"Youincharge？"hedemanded。Hedidnotwaitforananswer。

"I\'vebeen\'saulted！"heshouted。"\'Saultedbyoneofyourdamnedpolicemen。Hestruckme——struckmewhenIwasprotectingmyself。

Hehadaniggerwithhim。Firsttheniggertrippedme；then，whenItriedtoprotectmyself，thisthugofyourshitsme，clubsme，youunnerstan\'，clubsme！Iwanthim——"

HewasinterruptedbytheentranceofMeehan，whomovedintothelightfromthelampsandsalutedhislieutenant。

"That\'stheman！"roaredAintree。ThesightofMeehanwhippedhimintogreaterfury。

"Iwantthatmanbroke。Iwanttoseeyoustriphisshieldoffhim——now，youunnerstan\'，now——for\'saultingme，for\'saultinganofficerintheUnitedStatesarmy。And，ifyoudon\'t，"hethrewhimselfintoapositionoftheprize-ring，"I\'llbeathimupandyou，too。"Throughwantofbreath，hestopped，andpanted。Againhisvoicebrokeforthhysterically。"I\'mnotafraidofyourdamnednight-sticks，"hetaunted。"Igotfivehundredmenontopthishill，allI\'vegottodoistosaytheword，andthey\'llrough-housethisplaceandthrowitintothecut——andyouwithit。"

Standishrosetohisfeet，andacrossthedesklookedsteadilyatAintree。ToAintreethesteadinessofhiseyesandthequietnessofhisvoicewereanaddedaggravation。

"Supposeyoudid，"saidStandish，"thatwouldnotsaveyou。"

"Fromwhat？"roaredAintree。"ThinkI\'mafraidofyournight-

sticks？"

"Fromarrest！"

"Arrestme！"yelledAintree。"Doyouknowwho\'stalkingtoyou？

DoyouknowwhoIam？I\'mMajorAintree，damnyou，commandingtheinfantry。An\'I\'mheretochargethatthug——"

"Youareherebecauseyouareunderarrest，"saidStandish。"Youarearrestedforthreateningthepolice，drunkenness，andassaultingacitizenwithintenttokill——"Thevoiceoftheyoungmanturnedshrillandrasping。"Andifthemanshoulddie——"

Aintreeburstintoabellowofmockinglaughter。

Standishstruckthedeskwithhisopenpalm。

"Silence！"hecommanded。

"Silencetome！"roaredAintree，"youimpertinentpup！"Heflunghimselfforward，shakinghisfist。"I\'mMajorAintree。I\'myoursuperiorofficer。I\'manofficeran\'agentleman——"

"Youarenot！"repliedStandish。"Youareadrunkenloafer！"

Aintreecouldnotbreakthesilence。Amazement，rage，stupefactionheldhiminincredulouswonder。EvenMeehanmoveduneasily。

Betweentheofficercommandingtheinfantryandanofficerofpolice，hefearedthelieutenantwouldnotsurvive。

Butheheardthevoiceofhislieutenantcontinuing，evenly，coldly，likethevoiceofajudgedeliveringsentence。

"Youareadrunkenloafer，"repeatedtheboy。"Andyouknowit。

AndImeanthatto-morrowmorningeveryoneontheZoneshallknowit。AndImeanto-morrownighteveryoneintheStatesshallknowit。You\'vekilledaman，ortriedto，andI\'mgoingtobreakyou。"

WithhisarmhepointedtoMeehan。"Breakthatman？"hedemanded。

"Fordoinghisduty，fortryingtostopamurder？Striphimofhisshield？"Theboylaughedsavagely。"It\'syouIamgoingtostrip，Aintree，"hecried，"you\'heroofBatangas\'；I\'mgoingtostripyounaked。I\'mgoingto\'cutthebuttonsoffyourcoat，andtearthestripesaway。\'I\'mgoingtodegradeyouanddisgraceyou，anddriveyououtofthearmy！"Hethrewhisnote-bookonthetable。"There\'syourdossier，Aintree，"hesaid。"Forthreemonthsyou\'vebeendrunk，andthere\'syourrecord。Thepolicegotitforme；it\'swrittentherewithdatesandthenamesofwitnesses。I\'llsweartoit。I\'vebeenafteryoutogetyou，andI\'vegotyou。

Withthatbook，withwhatyoudidto-night，you\'llleavethearmy。Youmayresign，youmaybecourt-martialled，youmaybehung。Idon\'tgiveadamnwhattheydotoyou，butyouwillleavethearmy！"

HeturnedtoMeehan，andwithajerkofthehandsignifiedAintree。

"Puthiminacell，"hesaid。"Ifheresists——"

Aintreegavenosignofresisting。Hestoodmotionless，hisarmshanginglimp，hiseyesprotruding。Theliquorhaddiedinhim，andhisangerhadturnedchill。Hetriedtomoistenhislipstospeak，buthisthroatwasbaked，andnosoundissued。Hetriedtofocushiseyesuponthemenacinglittlefigurebehindthedesk，butbetweenthetwolampsitswayed，andshrankandswelled。Ofonethingonlywashesure，thatsomegravedisasterhadovertakenhim，somethingthatwhenhecamefullytohissensesstillwouldoverwhelmhim，somethinghecouldnotconquerwithhisfists。

Hisbrain，evenbefuddledasitwas，toldhimhehadbeencaughtbytheheels，thathewasinatrap，thatsmashingthisboywhothreatenedhimcouldnotsethimfree。Herecognized，anditwasthisknowledgethatstirredhimwithalarm，thatthiswasnoordinaryofficerofjustice，butapersonalenemy，anavengingspiritwho，forsomeunknownreason，hadspreadatrap；who，forsomeprivatepurposeofrevenge，woulddraghimdown。

Frowningpainfully，hewavedMeehanfromhim。

"Wait，"hecommanded。"Idon\'unnerstan\'。Whatgood\'sitgoin\'todoyoutolockmeupan\'disgraceme？WhatharmhaveIdoneyou？

Whoaskedyoutorunthearmy，anyway？Whoareyou？"

"MynameisStandish，"saidthelieutenant。"MyfatherwascoloneloftheThirty-thirdwhenyoufirstjoineditfromtheAcademy。"

Aintreeexclaimedwithsurpriseandenlightenment。Hebrokeintohurriedspeech，butStandishcuthimshort。

"AndGeneralStandishoftheMexicanWar，"hecontinued，"wasmygrandfather。SinceWashingtonallmypeoplehavebeenofficersoftheregulararmy，andI\'dbeenone，too，ifI\'dbeenbrightenough。

That\'swhyIrespectthearmy。That\'swhyI\'mgoingtothrowyououtofit。You\'vedoneharmfiftymenasgoodasyoucan\'tundo。

You\'vemadedrunkardsofawholebattalion。You\'vetaughtboyswholookeduptoyou，asIlookeduptoyouonce，tolaughatdiscipline，tomakeswineofthemselves。You\'vesetthemanexample。

I\'mgoingtomakeanexampleofyou。That\'sallthereistothis。I\'vegotnogrudgeagainstyou。I\'mnotvindictive；I\'msorryforyou。But，"

hepausedandpointedhishandatAintreeasthoughitheldagun，"youaregoingtoleavethearmy！"

Likeamancomingoutofanuglydream，Aintreeopenedandshuthiseyes，shivered，andstretchedhisgreatmuscles。Theywatchedhimwithaneffortofthewillforcehimselfbacktoconsciousness。

Whenagainhespoke，histonewassane。

"Seehere，Standish，"hebegan，"I\'llnotbegofyouoranyman。

Ionlyaskyoutothinkwhatyou\'redoing。Thismeansmyfinish。

Ifyouforcethisthroughto-nightitmeanscourt-martial，itmeansIlosemycommission，Ilose——losethingsyouknownothingabout。

And，ifI\'vegotarecordfordrinking，I\'vegotarecordforotherthings，too。Don\'tforgetthat！"

Standishshookhishead。"Ididn\'tforgetit，"hesaid。

"Well，supposeIdid，"demandedAintree。"SupposeIdidgoontheloose，justtopassthetime，justbecauseI\'msickofthisdamnedditch？Isitfairtowipeoutallthatwentbefore，forthat？I\'mtheyoungestmajorinthearmy，Iservedinthreecampaigns，I\'mamedal-of-honorman，I\'vegotacareeraheadofme，and——andI\'mgoingtobemarried。Ifyougivemeachance-"

Standishstruckthetablewithhisfist。

"Iwillgiveyouachance，"hecried。"Ifyou\'llgiveyourwordtothismanandtome，that，sohelpyouGod，you\'llneverdrinkagain——I\'llletyougo。"

IfwhatStandishproposedhadbeensomethingbase，Aintreecouldnothaveaccepteditwithmorecontempt。

"I\'llseeyouinhellfirst，"hesaid。

Asthoughtheinterviewwasatanend，Standishdroppedintohischairandleaningforward，fromthetablepickedupacigar。Ashelitit，hemotionedMeehantowardhisprisoner，butbeforethepolicemancouldadvancethesoundoffootstepshaltedhim。

Bullard，hiseyesfilledwithconcern，leapedupthesteps，andrantothedesk。

"Lieutenant！"hestammered，"thatman——theniggerthatofficershot——he\'sdead！"

Aintreegaveagaspthatwaspartlyagroan，partlyacryofprotest，andBullard，asthoughforthefirsttimeawareofhispresence，sprangbacktotheopendoorandplacedhimselfbetweenitandAintree。

"It\'smurder！"hesaid。

Noneofthethreemenspoke；andwhenMeehancrossedtowhereAintreestood，staringfearfullyatnothing，hehadonlytotouchhissleeve，andAintree，stillstaring，fellintostepbesidehim。

FromtheyardoutsideStandishheardtheirondoorofthecellswingshut，heardthekeygrateinthelock，andthefootstepsofMeehanreturning。

Meehanlaidthekeyuponthedesk，andwithBullardstoodatattention，waiting。

"Givehimtime，"whisperedStandish。"Letitsinkin！"

AttheendofhalfanhourStandishheardAintreecalling，and，withMeehancarryingalantern，steppedintotheyardandstoppedatthecelldoor。

Aintreewasquitesober。Hisfacewassetandwhite，hisvoicewasdullwithsuffering。Hestooderect，claspingthebarsinhishands。

"Standish，"hesaid，"yougavemeachanceawhileago，andI

refusedit。Iwasroughaboutit。I\'msorry。ItmademehotbecauseIthoughtyouwereforcingmyhand，blackmailingmeintodoingsomethingIoughttodoasafreeagent。Now，Iamafreeagent。Youcouldn\'tgivemeachancenow，youcouldn\'tletmegonow，notifIsworeonathousandBibles。Idon\'tknowwhatthey\'llgiveme——Leavenworthforlife，orhanging，orjustdismissal。

But，you\'vegotwhatyouwanted——I\'mleavingthearmy！"BetweenthebarshestretchedouthisarmsandheldahandtowardMeehanandStandish。Inthesamedull，numbedvoicehecontinued。

"So，now，"hewenton，"thatI\'venothingtogainbyit，Iwanttosweartoyouandtothismanhere，thatwhetherIhang，orgotojail，oramturnedloose，Iwillnever，sohelpmeGod，takeanotherdrink。"

Standishwasholdingthehandofthemanwhooncehadbeenhishero。Heclutchedittight。

"Aintree，"hecried，"supposeIcouldworkamiracle；supposeI\'veplayedatrickonyou，toshowyouyourdanger，toshowyouwhatmightcometoyouanyday——doesthatoathstillstand？"

Thehandthatheldhisgroundthebonestogether。

"I\'vegivenmyword！"criedAintree。"FortheloveofGod，don\'ttortureme。Isthemanalive？"

AsStandishswungopenthecelldoor，theheroofBatangas，hewhocouldthrashanymanontheisthmus，crumpleduplikeachilduponhisshoulder。

AndMeehan，asheranforwater，shoutedjoyfully。

"Thatnigger，"hecalledtoBullard，"cangohomenow。Thelieutenantdon\'twanthimnomore。

"

EVILTOHIMWHOEVILTHINKS

Asarule，theinstanttheseasonclosedAlineProctorsailedonthefirststeamerforLondon，whereawaitedhermanyfriends，bothEnglishandAmerican——andtoParis，wheresheselectedthosegownsthatonandoffthestagehelpedtomakeherfamous。ButthisparticularsummershehadspentwiththeEndicottsatBarHarbor，anditwasattheirhouseHerbertNelsonmether。AfterHerbertmetherveryfewothermenenjoyedthatprivilege。Thiswasherwishaswellashis。

Theybehaveddisgracefully。Everymorningafterbreakfasttheydisappearedandspentthedayatoppositeendsofacanoe。She，knowingnothingofacanoe，washappyinstabbingthewaterswithherpaddlewhilehetoldherhowhelovedherandatthesametime，withanxiouseyesonhisownpaddle，skilfullyfrustratedhereffortstodrownthemboth。Whiletheaffairlasteditwasidealandbeautiful，butunfortunatelyitlastedonlytwomonths。

ThenLordAlbany，temporarilyinAmericaashonoraryattachetotheBritishembassy，hisadoringglances，hisaccent，andthewayhebrushedhishair，provedtoomuchforthesusceptibleheartofAline，andshechuckedHerbertandaskedherselfhowawomanofheragecouldhaveseriouslyconsideredmarryingayouthjustoutofHarvard！Atthattimeshewasawomanofnineteen；but，asshehadbeenbeforethepubliceversinceshewaseleven，thewomendeclaredshewasnotadayundertwenty-six；andthemenknewshecouldnotpossiblybeoversixteen！

Aline\'sownideaofherselfwasthatwithoutsomeoneinlovewithhershecouldnotexist——that，unlesssheknewsomemancaredforherandforheralone，shewouldwitheranddie。Asamatteroffact，whetheranyonelovedherornotdidnotintheleastinteresther。Therewereseveraldozenmenwhocouldtestifytothat。Theyknew！Whatshereallywantedwastobeheadoverearsinlove——toadoresomeone，toworshiphim，toimagineherselfstarvingforhimandmakingsacrificehitsforhim；butwhenthemomentcametomakethesacrificehitandmarrytheman，sheinvariablyfoundthatagreater，truerlovehadarisen——forsomeoneelse。

Thisgreaterandtruerlovealwaysmadeherbehaveabominablytotheyouthshehadjustjilted。Shewastednotimeonpost-mortems。

Shewassoeagertoshowherabsoluteloyaltytothenewmonarchthatshegrudgedeverythoughtsheeverhadgiventheoneshehadcastintoexile。Sheresentedhimbitterly。Shecouldnotforgivehimforhavingallowedhertobedesperatelyinlovewithhim。Heshouldhaveknownhewasnotworthyofsuchaloveashers。Heshouldhaveknownthattherealprincewaswaitingonlyjustroundthecorner。

Asaruletherejectedonesbehavedwell。EachdecidedAlinewasmuchtoowonderfulacreatureforhim，andcontinuedtolovehercautiouslyandfromadistance。Noneofthemeverspokeorthoughtillofherandwouldgladlyhavepunchedanyonewhodid。ItwasonlythewomenwhoseyoungmenAlinehadtemporarilyconfiscated，andthenreturnedsaddenedandchastened，whowerespiteful。AndtheydaredsaynomorethanthatAlinewouldprobablyhaveknownhermindbetterifshehadhadamothertolookafterher。This，comingtotheearsofAline，causedhertoreplythatagirlwhocouldnotkeepstraightherself，butneededamothertohelpher，wouldnotkeepstraighthadsheadozenmothers。Assheputitcheerfully，agirlwhogoeswrongandthenpleads"nomothertoguideher"islikeajockeywhopullsaraceandthenblamesthehorse。

EachoftheyoungmenAlinerejectedmarriedsomeoneelseand，exceptwhenthenameofAlineProctorinthetheatricaladvertisementsorinelectriclightsonBroadwaygavehimastart，forgotthatforamonthhernameandhisownhadbeenlinkedtogetherfromPortlandtoSanFrancisco。Butthegirlhemarrieddidnotforget。SheneverunderstoodwhatthepublicsawinAlineProctor。ThatAlinewasthequeenofmusicalcomedysheattributedtothefactthatAlineknewtherightpeopleandgotherselfwrittenaboutintherightway。Butthatshecouldsing，dance，act；thatshepossessedcompellingcharm；thatshe"gotacross"notonlytothetiredbusinessman，thewineagent，thecollegeboy，butalsotothechildrenandtheoldladies，wastoherneverapparent。

JustasAlinecouldnotforgivetherejectedsuitorforallowinghertolovehim，sothegirlhemarriedneverforgaveAlineforhavinglovedherhusband。LeastofallcouldSallyWinthrop，whotwoyearsafterthesummeratBarHarbormarriedHerbertNelson，forgiveher。AndsheletHerbertknowit。HerbertwasproperlyinlovewithSallyWinthrop，buthelikedtothinkthathisengagementtoAline，thoughbriefandabruptlyterminated，hadprovedhimtobeamanfatallyattractivetoallwomen。AndthoughhewashypnotizinghimselfintobelievingthathisfeelingforAlinehadbeenthegrandpassion，thetruthwasthatallthatkeptherinhisthoughtswashisownvanity。Hewasnotdiscontentedwithhislot——hislotbeingSallyWinthrop，hermillions，andherestateofthreehundredacresnearWestbury。

NorwashestilllongingforAline。Itwasonlythathisvanitywasflatteredbytherecollectionthatoneoftheyoungwomenmostbelovedbythepublichadoncelovedhim。

"IoncewasakinginBabylon，"heusedtomisquotetohimself，"andshewasaChristianslave。"

Hewasasyoungasthat。

Hadhebeencontentinsecrettoassurehimselfthatheoncehadbeenareigningmonarch，hisvanitywouldhaveharmednoone；

but，unfortunately，hepossessedcertaindocumentaryevidencetothatfact。Andhewassufficientlyfoolishnottowishtodestroyit。TheevidenceconsistedofadozenphotographshehadsnappedofAlineduringthehappydaysatBarHarbor，andonwhichshehadwrittenphrasessomewhatexuberantandsentimental。

FromthesephotographsNelsonwasloathtopart——especiallywithonethatshowedAlineseatedonarockthatranintothewatersoftheharbor，andonwhichshehadwritten："Aslongasthisrocklasts！"EachtimeshewasinloveAlinebelieveditwouldlast。

Thatinthepastitneverhadlasteddidnotdiscourageher。

WhattodowiththesephotographsthatsovividlyrecalledthemosttumultuousperiodofhislifeNelsoncouldnotdecide。IfhehidthemawayandSallyfoundthem，heknewshewouldmakehislifemiserable。IfhediedandSallythenfoundthem，whenhenolongerwasabletoexplainthattheymeantnothingtohim，shewouldbelievehealwayshadlovedtheotherwoman，anditwouldmakehermiserable。Hefelthecouldnotsafelykeeptheminhisownhouse；hisvanitydidnotpermithimtoburnthem，and，accordingly，hedecidedtounloadthemonsomeoneelse。

TheyoungmantowhomheconfidedhiscollectionwasCharlesCochran。CochranwasacharmingpersonfromtheWest。HehadstudiedintheBeauxArtsandonfoothadtravelledoverEnglandandEurope，preparinghimselftotryhisfortuneinNewYorkasanarchitect。HewasnowintheofficeofthearchitectsPost&

Constant，andlivedaloneinatinyfarmhousehehadmadeoverforhimselfnearHerbertNelson，atWestbury，LongIsland。

Post&ConstantwereafashionablefirmandwereresponsibleformanyoftheFrenchchateauxandEnglishcountryhousesthatwererisingnearWestbury，Hempstead，andRoslyn；anditwasCochran\'sdutytodriveoverthatterritoryinhisrunabout，keepaneyeonthecontractors，anddissuadeclientsfromgraftingmansardroofsonItalianvillas。HehadbuiltthesummerhomeoftheHerbertNelsons，andHerbertandCharleswereverywarmfriends。CharleswasofthesamelackofyearsaswasHerbert，ofanenthusiasticandsentimentalnature；and，likemanyotheryoungmen，thestoryofhislifealsowasthelovelyandmuch-desiredAlineProctor。

ItwasthiscoincidencethathadmadethemfriendsandthathadledHerberttoselectCharlesasthecustodianofhistreasure。

AsacustodianandconfidantCharlesespeciallyappealedtohisnewfriend，because，exceptuponthestageandinrestaurants，CharleshadneverseenAlineProctor，didnotknowher——andconsideredhersofarabovehim，sounattainable，thathehadnowishtoseekherout。Unknown，hepreferredtoworshipatadistance。InthisdeterminationHerbertstronglyencouragedhim。

WhenheturnedoverthepicturestoCharles，Herbertcouldnotresistshowingthemtohim。Theywereinmanywayscharming。

Theypresentedthequeenofmusicalcomedyinseveralnewroles。

Inoneshewasinasailorsuit，givinganimitationofagirlpaddlingacanoe。Inanothershewasinariding-habitmounteduponaponyofwhichsheseemedverymuchafraid。

Insomeshesatlikeasirenamongtherockswiththewavesandseaweedsnatchingatherfeet，andinanothershecrouchedbeneaththewheelofHerbert\'stouringcar。Allofthephotographswereunprofessionalandintimate，andthelegendsscrawledacrossthemwereevenmoreintimate。

"\'Aslongasthisrocklasts！\'"readHerbert。Atarm\'slengthheheldthepictureforCochrantosee，andlaughedbitterlyandunmirthfullyashehadheardleadingmenlaughinproblemplays。

"Thatiswhatshewrote，"hemocked——"buthowlongdiditlast？

Untilshesawthatlittlered-headedAlbanyplayingpolo。Thatlasteduntilhismotherheardofit。Shethoughtherpreciouslambwasintheclutchesofadesigningactress，andmadetheForeignOfficecablehimhome。ThenAlinetookuponeofthosearmyaviators，andchuckedhimforthatfellowwhopaintedherportrait，andthrewhimoverforthelawn-tennischampion。Nowshe\'sengagedtoChesterGriswold，andHeavenpityher！Ofcoursehe\'sthegreatestcatchinAmerica；buthe\'saprigandasnob，andhe\'ssogenerouswithhismoneythathe\'llgiveyoufivepenniesforanickelanytimeyouaskhim。He\'sgotaheartlikethemetreofataxicab，andhe\'sjealousasacat。AlinewillhaveafinetimewithChester！IknewhimatSt。Paul\'sandatHarvard，andhe\'sgotasmuchredbloodinhimasaneel！"

Cochransprangtothedefenseoftheladyofhisdreams。

"Theremustbesomegoodintheman，"heprotested，"orMissProctor-"

"Oh，thosesolemnsnobs，"declaredHerbert，"impresswomenbyjustkeepingstill。Griswoldpretendsthereasonhedoesn\'tspeaktoyouisbecausehe\'stoosuperior，buttherealreasonisthatheknowswheneverheopenshismouthheshowsheisanass。"

ReluctantlyHerbertturnedovertoCharlesthepreciouspictures。

"Itwouldbeasintodestroythem，wouldn\'tit？"heprompted。

Cochranagreedheartily。

"Youmighteven，"suggestedHerbert，"leaveoneortwoofthemabout。YouhavesomanyofAlinealreadythatonemorewouldn\'tbenoticed。ThenwhenIdropinIcouldseeit。"Hesmiledingratiatingly。

"ButthoseIhaveIbought，"Cochranpointedout。"Anybodycanbuythem，butyoursarepersonal。Andthey\'resigned。"

"Noonewillnoticethatbutme，"protestedHerbert。"Justoneortwo，"hecoaxed-"stuckroundamongtheothers。They\'dgivemeaheapofmelancholypleasure。"

Charlesshookhisheaddoubtfully。

"Yourwifeoftencomesherewithyou，"hesaid。"Idon\'tbelievethey\'dgivehermelancholypleasure。Thequestionis，areyoumarriedtoSallyortoAlineProctor？"

"Oh，ofcourse，"exclaimedHerbert——"ifyourefuse！"

WithsuspicioushasteCharlessurrendered。

"Idon\'trefuse，"heexplained；"Ionlyaskifit\'swise。SallyknowsyouwereonceveryfondofMissProctor——knowsyouwereengagedtoher。"

"But，"protestedHerbert，"SallyseesyourphotographsofAline。

Whatdifferencecanafewmoremake？Aftershe\'sseenadozenshegetsusedtothem。"

NosoonerhadHerbertlefthimthanthecustodianofthetreasurehimselfselectedthephotographshewoulddisplay。Inthemtheyoungwomanhehad——fromthefrontrowoftheorchestra——soardentlyadmiredappearedinanewlight。ToCochrantheyseemedatoncetorenderhermorekindly，moreapproachable；toshowherasshereallywas，thesortofgirlanyyouthwouldfinditextremelydifficultnottolove。Cochranfounditextremelyeasy。Thephotographsgavehisimaginationalltheroomitwanted。Hebelievedtheyalsogavehimaninsightintoherrealcharacterthatwasdeniedtoanybodyelse。

Hehadalwayscreditedherwithallthevirtues；henowendowedherwitheverycharmofmindandbody。InaweektothetwophotographshehadselectedfromtheloancollectionforpurposesofdisplayandtogiveHerbertmelancholypleasurehehadaddedthreemore。Intwoweekstherewerehalfadozen。Inamonth，noblyframedinsilver，inleatherofred，green，andblue，theentirecollectionsmileduponhimfromeverypartofhisbedroom。Forhenowkeptthemwherenoonebuthimselfcouldseethem。Nolongerwasheofamindtosharehisborrowedtreasurewithothers——notevenwiththerightfulowner。

ChesterGriswold，spurredonbyAlineProctor，whowantedtobuildasummerhomeonLongIsland，wasmotoringwithPost，ofPost&Constant，intheneighborhoodofWestbury。Posthadpointedoutseveralhousesdesignedbyhisfirm，whichhehopedmightassistGriswoldinmakinguphismindastothekindofhousehewanted；butnonetheyhadseenhadsatisfiedhisclient。

"WhatIwantisacheaphouse，"explainedtheyoungmillionaire。

"Idon\'treallywantahouseatall，"hecomplained。"It\'sMissProctor\'sidea。WhenwearemarriedIintendtomoveintomymother\'stownhouse，butMissProctorwantsoneforherselfinthecountry。I\'veagreedtothat；butitmustbesmallanditmustbecheap。"

"Cheap"wasawordthattheclientsofPost&Constantneverused；butPostknewtheweaknessesofsomeofthetrulyrich，andheknewalsothatnohouseeverbuiltcostonlywhatthearchitectsaiditwouldcost。

"Iknowtheveryhouseyouwant！"heexclaimed。"Oneofouryoungmenownsit。Hemadeitoverfromanoldfarmhouse。It\'sverywellarranged；we\'veusedhisground-planseveraltimesanditworksoutsplendidly。Ifhe\'snotathome，I\'11showyouovertheplacemyself。Andifyoulikethehousehe\'sthemantobuildyouone。"

WhentheyreachedCochran\'shomehewasatGardenCityplayinggolf，buttheservantknewMr。Post，andtohimandhisclientthrewopeneveryroominthehouse。

"Now，this，"exclaimedthearchitectenthusiastically，"isthemaster\'sbedroom。Inyourcaseitwouldprobablybeyourwife\'sroomandyouwouldoccupytheoneadjoining，whichCochrannowusesasaguest-room。Asyousee，theyareentirelycutofffrom-"

Mr。Griswolddidnotsee。Uptothatmomenthehadgiveneveryappearanceofbeingbothboredandsulky。Nowhisattentionwasentirelyengaged——butnotupontheadmirablesimplicityofMr。

Cochran\'sground-plan，asMr。Posthadhoped。Instead，theeyesofthegreatestcatchinAmericawereintentlyregardingadisplayofphotographsthatsmiledbackathimfromeverycorneroftheroom。Notonlydidheregardthesephotographswithasavageglare，butheapproachedthemandcarefullystudiedtheinscriptionsscrawledacrossthefaceofeach。

Posthimselfcastaglanceatthenearestphotographs，andthenhastilymanoeuvredhisclientintothehallandclosedthedoor。

"Wewillnow，"heexclaimed，"visitthebutler\'spantry，whichopensuponthedining-roomandkitchen，thussaving——"

ButGriswolddidnothearhim。Withoutgivinganotherglanceatthehousehestampedoutofitand，plumpinghimselfdowninthemotor-car，bangedthedoor。NotuntilPosthaddrivenhimwellintoNewYorkdidhemakeanycomment。

"Whatdidyousay，"hethendemanded，"isthenameofthemanwhoownsthatlasthousewesaw？"

Posttoldhim。

"Ineverheardofhim！"saidGriswoldasthoughheweredeliveringyoungCochran\'sdeathsentence。"Whoishe？"

"He\'sanarchitectinouroffice，"saidPost。"Wethinkalotofhim。He\'llleaveussoon，ofcourse。Thebestonesalwaysdo。Hisworkisverypopular。Soishe。"

"Ineverheardofhim，"repeatedGriswold。Then，withsuddenheat，headdedsavagely："ButImeantoto-night。"

WhenGriswoldhadfirstpersuadedAlineProctortoengageherselftohimhehadsuggestedthat，toavoidembarrassment，sheshouldtellhimthenamesoftheothermentowhomshehadbeenengaged。

"Whatkindofembarrassmentwouldthatavoid？"

"IfIamtalkingtoaman，"saidGriswold，"andheknowsthewomanI\'mgoingtomarrywasengagedtohimandIdon\'tknowthat，hehasmeatadisadvantage。"

"Idon\'tseethathehas，"saidAline。"Ifwesuppose，forthesakeofargument，thattomarrymeisdesirable，IwouldsaythatthemanwhowasgoingtomarrymehadtheadvantageovertheoneIhaddeclinedtomarry。"

"Iwanttoknowwhothosemenare，"explainedGriswold，"becauseIwanttoavoidthem。Idon\'twanttotalktothem。Idon\'twanteventoknowthem。"

"Idon\'tseehowIcanhelpyou，"saidAline。"Ihaven\'ttheslightestobjectiontotellingyouthenamesofthemenIhavecaredfor，ifIcanrememberthem，butIcertainlydonotintendtotellyouthenameofanymanwhocaredformeenoughtoaskmetomarryhim。That\'shissecret，notmine——certainlynotyours。"

Griswoldthoughthewasveryproud。Hereallywasveryvain；andasjealousyisonlyvanityinitsnastiestdevelopmenthewasextremelyjealous。Sohepersisted。

"Willyoudothis？"hedemanded。"IfIeveraskyou，\'Isthatoneofthemenyoucaredfor？\'willyoutellme？"

"Ifyouwishit，"saidAline；"butIcan\'tseeanyhealthinit。

Itwillonlymakeyouuncomfortable。SolongasyouknowIhavegivenyouthegreatestandtruestloveIamcapableof，whyshouldyouconcernyourselfwithmymistakes？"

"SothatIcanavoidmeetingwhatyoucallyourmistakes，"saidGriswold——"andbeingfriendlywiththem。"

"Iassureyou，"laughedAline，"itwouldn\'thurtyouabittobeasfriendlywiththemasthey\'dletyou。Maybetheyweren\'tasproudoftheirfamiliesasyouare，buttheymadeupforthatbybeingadarnedsightprouderofme！"

Later，undismayedbythisandunashamed，ontwooccasionsGriswoldactuallydiddemandofAlineifagenialyouthshehadjustgreetedjoyfullywasoneofthoseforwhomsheoncehadcared。

AndAlinehadrepliedpromptlyandtruthfullythathewas。ButinthecaseofCharlesCochran，GriswolddidnotaskAlineifhewasoneofthoseforwhomsheoncehadcared。HeconsideredtheaffairwithCochransoseriousthat，inregardtothatman，headoptedadifferentcourse。

Indiggingrivalsoutofthepasthisjealousyhadmadehimindefatigable，butinallhisresearchesheneverhadheardthenameofCharlesCochran。ThatfactandtheaddedcircumstancethatAlineherselfneverhadmentionedthemanwasinhiseyessosuspiciousastobealmostadamningevidenceofdeception。AndhearguedthatifinthepastAlinehaddeceivedhimastoCharlesCochranshewouldcontinuetodoso。Accordingly，insteadofaskingherfranklyforthetruthheproceededtolaytrapsforit。AndifthereisonethingTruthcannotabide，itisbeinghuntedbytraps。

ThateveningAlineandhewereinvitedtoasupperinherhonor，andashedroveherfromthetheatretothehomeoftheirhostesshetoldherofhissearchearlierintheday。

TheelectriclightinthelimousineshowedAline\'sfaceasclearlyasthoughitwereheldinaspotlight，andashepreparedhistrapGriswoldregardedherjealously。

"Posttellsme，"hesaid，"hehastheverymanyouwantforyourarchitect。He\'ssureyou\'llfindhimmostunderstandingand——and——

sympathetic。He\'sayoungmanwhoisjustcomingtothefront，andhe\'sverypopular，especiallywithwomen。"

"What\'shisbeingpopularwithwomen，"askedAline，"gottodowithhiscarryingoutmyideasofahouse？"

"That\'sjustit，"saidGriswold——"it\'sthewomanwhogenerallyhasthemosttosayastohowherhouseshallbebuilt，andthismanunderstandswoman。Ihavereasonsforbelievinghewillcertainlyunderstandyou！"

"Ifheunderstandsmewellenoughtogivemeallthelinen-closetsIwant，"saidAline，"hewillbeperfectlysatisfactory。"

BeforedeliveringhisblowGriswoldsankbackintohiscornerofthecar，drewhishatbrimoverhisforehead，andfixedspyingeyesupontheverylovelyfaceofthegirlhehadaskedtomarryhim。

"Hisname，"hesaidinfatefultones，"isCharlesCochran！"

Itwassupposedtobeabodyblow；but，tohisdistress，Alineneitherstartednorturnedpale。Neither，fortryingtotrickher，didsheturnuponhiminreproofandanger。Instead，withalerteyes，shecontinuedtopeeroutofthewindowattheelectric-lightadvertisementsandherbelovedBroadway。

"Well？"demandedGriswold；histonewashoarseandheavywithmeaning。

"Wellwhat？"askedAlinepleasantly。

"How，"demandedGriswold，"doyoulikeCharlesCochranforanarchitect？"

"HowshouldIknow？"askedAline。"I\'venotmethimyet！"

Shehadsaidit！Andshehadsaiditwithoutthewaverofoneofherlovelyeyelashes。Nowonderthepublicalreadyhailedherasafinishedactress！Griswoldfeltthathisworstfearswerejustified。Shehadliedtohim。And，asheknewshehadneverbeforeliedtohim，thatnowshedidsoprovedbeyondhopeofdoubtthatthereasonforitwasvital，imperative，andcompelling。

ButofhissuspicionsGriswoldgavenosign。Hewouldnotatonceexposeher。Hehadtrappedher，butasyetshemustnotknowthat。Hewouldwaituntilhehadstillfurtherentangledher——untilshecouldnotescape；andthen，withcompleteproofofherdeceit，hewouldconfrontandoverwhelmher。

WiththisamiablepurposeinmindhecalledearlythenextmorninguponPost&ConstantandaskedtoseeMr。Cochran。Hewished，hesaid，toconsulthimaboutthenewhouse。Posthadnotyetreachedtheoffice，andofGriswold\'svisitwithPosttohishouseCochranwasstillignorant。HereceivedGriswoldmostcourteously。

Hefeltthatthemanwhowaslovedbythegirlhealsohadlongandhopelesslyworshippedwasdeservingofthehighestconsideration。

Griswoldwaslessmagnanimous。Whenhefoundhisrival——forassuchhebeheldhim——wasofcharmingmannersandgallantappearanceheconsideredthatfactanadditionalinjury；butheconcealedhisresentment，forhewasgoingtotrapCochran，too。

Hefoundthearchitectatworkleaningoveradrawing-board，andastheytalkedCochrancontinuedtostand。Hewasinhisshirt-sleeves，whichwererolledtohisshoulders；andthebreadthofthoseshouldersandthemusclesofhissunburnedarmsweremuchinevidence。

Griswoldconsidereditavulgarexhibition。

Forovertenminutestheytalkedsolelyoftheproposedhouse，butnotoncedidGriswoldexposethefactthathehadseenanymoreofitthananyonemightseefromthepublicroad。Whenherosetotakehisleavehesaid：

"HowwoulditdoifImotoredoutSundayandshowedyourhousetoMissProctor？Sundayistheonlydayshehasoff，andifitwouldnotinconvenienceyou——"

ThetenderheartofCochranleapedinwildtumult；hecouldnotconcealhisdelight，nordidheattempttodoso；andhisexpressionmadeitentirelyunnecessaryforhimtoassureGriswoldthatsuchavisitwouldbeentirelywelcomeandthattheymightcountonfindinghimathome。Asthoughitwereanafterthought，Griswoldhaltedatthedoorandsaid：

"IbelieveyouarealreadyacquaintedwithMissProctor。"

Cochran，consciousoffiveyearsofdevotion，foundthathewasblushing，andlongedtostranglehimself。NorwastheblushlostuponGriswold。

"I\'msorry，"saidCochran，"butI\'venothadthathonor。Onthestage，ofcourse——"

Heshruggedthebroadshouldersdeprecatingly，asthoughtosuggestthatnottoknowMissProctorasanartistarguesoneselfunknown。

Griswoldpretendedtobepuzzled。Asthoughendeavoringtorecallapastconversationhefrowned。

"ButAline，"hesaid，"toldmeshehadmetyou-metyouatBarHarbor。"InthefatalphotographsthefamiliarlandfallsofBarHarborhadbeeneasilyrecognized。

Theyoungarchitectshookhishead。

"ItmustbeanotherCochran，"hesuggested。"IhaveneverbeeninBarHarbor。"

Withtheevidenceofthephotographsbeforehimthislaststatementwasaverdictofguilty，andGriswold，notwiththeideaofgivingCochranalastchancetobehonest，buttocausehimtodigthepitstilldeeper，continuedtoleadhimon。"MaybeshemeantYorkHarbor？"

AgainCochranshookhisheadandlaughed。

"Believeme，"hesaid，"ifI\'devermetMissProctoranywhereI

wouldn\'tforgetit！"

TenminuteslaterGriswoldwastalkingtoAlineoverthetelephone。

Heintendedtoforcematters。HewouldshowAlineshecouldneithertriflewithnordeceiveChesterGriswold；butthethoughtthathehadbeendeceivedwasnotwhatmosthurthim。WhathurthimwastothinkthatAlinehadpreferredamanwholookedlikeanadvertisementforready-madeclothesandwhoworkedinhisshirt-sleeves。

Griswoldtookitforgrantedthatanywomanwouldbegladtomarryhim。

Somanyhadbeenwillingtodosothathewasconvinced，whenoneofthemwasnot，itwasnotbecausetherewasanythingwrongwithhim，butbecausethegirlherselflackedtasteandperception。

Thattheothershadbeeninanydegreemovedbyhismanymillionshadneversuggesteditself。Hewasconvincedeachhadlovedhimforhimselfalone；andifAline，aftermeetinghim，wouldstillconsideranyoneelse，itwasevidentsomethingwasverywrongwithAline。Hewasdeterminedthatshemustbechastened——mustbebroughttoaproperappreciationofhergoodfortuneandofhiscondescension。

Onbeingcalledtothetelephoneatteninthemorning，AlinedemandedtoknowwhatcouldexcuseGriswoldforrousingherinthemiddleofthenight！

Griswoldrepliedthat，thoughthedaywasyoung，italsowascharming；thatonSundaytheremightberain；andthatifshedesiredtoseethehouseheandPostthoughtwouldmostsuither，heandhiscarwouldbedelightedtoconveyhertoit。Theycouldmaketheruninanhour，lunchwithfriendsatWestbury，andreturninplentyoftimeforthetheatre。AlinewasdelightedatthesuddeninterestGriswoldwasshowinginthenewhouse。

Withoutamoment\'shesitationshewalkedintothetrap。Shewouldgo，shedeclared，withpleasure。Inanhourheshouldcallforher。

ExactlyanhourlaterPostarrivedathisoffice。HewentdirectlytoCochran。

"Charles，"hesaid，"I\'mafraidIgotyouintotroubleyesterday。

Itookaclienttoseeyourhouse。Youhaveoftenletusdoitbefore；

butsinceIwastherelastyou\'vemadesomechanges。Inyourbedroom——"

Poststopped。

Cochran\'snaivehabitofblushingtoldhimitwasnotnecessarytoproceed。IntonesofrageandmortificationCochransworeexplosively；Postwasrelievedtofindhewasswearingathimself。

"Ioughttobehorsewhipped！"roaredCochran。"I\'llneverforgivemyself！Who，"hedemanded，"sawthepictures？Wasitamanorawoman？"

Postlaughedunhappily。

"ItwasChesterGriswold。"

AremarkablechangecameoverCochran。Insteadofsoberinghim，asPostsupposeditwould，theinformationmadehimevenmoreangry——onlynowhisangerwastransferredfromhimselftoGriswold。

"Theblankety-blankbounder！"yelledCochran。"Thatwaswhathewanted！That\'swhyhecamehere！"

"Here！"demandedPost。

"Notanhourago，"criedCochran。"HeaskedmeaboutBarHarbor。

HesawthosepicturesweretakenatBarHarbor！"

"Ithink，"saidPostsoothingly，"he\'darighttoaskquestions。

Thereweresomanypictures，andtheywerevery——well——very！"

"I\'dhaveansweredhisquestions，"roaredCochran，"ifhe\'daskedthemlikeaman，buthecamesnoopingdownheretospyonme。

Hetriedtotrickme。Heinsultedme！Heinsultedher！"Heemittedahowlofdismay。"AndItoldhimI\'dneverbeentoBarHarbor——

thatI\'dnevermetAlineProctor！"

Cochranseizedhiscoatandhat。Heshoutedtooneoftheofficeboystotelephonethegarageforhiscar。

"Whatareyou——whereareyougoing？"demandedPost。

"I\'mgoinghomefirst，"criedCochran，"toputthosepicturesinasafe，asIshouldhavedonethreemonthsago。AndthenI\'mgoingtofindChesterGriswoldandtellhimhe\'sanassandapuppy！"

"Ifyoudothat，"protestedPost，"you\'relikelytoloseusaveryvaluableclient。"

"Andyourclient，"roaredCharles，"islikelytolosesomeveryvaluableteeth！"

AsCharleswhirledintothecountryroadinwhichstoodhishousehesawdrawnupinfrontofitthelonggraycarinwhich，thatmorning，ChesterGriswoldhadcalledattheoffice。Cochranemittedahowlofanger。Washishomeagaintobeinvaded？Andagainwhilehewasabsent？TowhatextremewouldGriswold\'sjealousynextleadhim？

Hefelloutofhisowncarwhileitstillmoved，andleapedupthegardenwalk。Thefrontroomsofthehousewereempty，butfromhisbedroomheheard，raisedinexcitedtones，thevoiceofGriswold。Theaudacityofthemanwassosurprising，andhisowndelightatcatchinghimred-handedsosatisfying，thatnolongerwasCochranangry。TheLordhaddeliveredhisenemyintohishands！And，asheadvancedtowardhisbedroom，notonlywashecalm，but，atthethoughtofhisrevenge，distinctlyjubilant。Inthepassagewayafrightenedmaidservant，who，athisunexpectedarrival，wasnowevenmorefrightened，endeavoredtogivehimanexplanation；buthewavedherintosilence，and，stridingbeforeher，enteredhisbedroom。