第6章

Monicastruggledtowardthelightedvault，butaroundherEverettthrewhisarm。

"Comeaway！"hebegged。

Monicafoughtagainsttheterrorofsomethingunknown。Shecouldnotunderstand。TheyhadcomeonlytopreventameetingbetweenherbrotherandPeabody；andnowthattheyhadmet，Everettwasendeavoringtoescape。

Itwasincomprehensible。

Andthemoneyinthevault，theyellowbillshangingfromacobwebofstrings；whyshouldtheyterrifyher；whatdidtheythreaten？Dully，andfromadistance，MonicaheardthevoiceofPeabody。

"No，"heanswered；"Ihavecaughtyou！AndI\'vehadahellofatimedoingit！"

Monicatriedtocallout，toassureherbrotherofherpresence。

But，asthoughinanightmare，shecouldmakenosound。Fingersoffeargrippedatherthroat。Tostrugglewasnolongerpossible。

ThevoiceofPeabodycontinued：

"SixmonthsagowetracedthesebillstoNewOrleans。SoweguessedtheplantwasinCentralAmerica。Weknewonlyonemanwhocouldmakethem。WhenIfoundyouwereinAmapalaandtheysaidyouhadstruck\'buriedtreasure\'——therestwaseasy。"

Monicaheardthevoiceofherbrotheranswerwithalaugh。

"Easy？"hemocked。"There\'snoextradition。Youcan\'ttouchme。

You\'reluckyifyougetoutofherealive。I\'veonlytoraisemyvoice——"

"And，I\'llkillyou！"

ThiswasdangerMonicacouldunderstand。

Freedfromthenightmareofdoubt，withacrysheranforward。

ShesawPeabody，hisbackagainstawall，alevelledautomaticinhishand；herbrotherattheentrancetoatunnelliketheonefromwhichshehadjustappeared。Hisarmswereraisedabovehishead。

Athisfeetlayarevolver。Foraninstant，withdisbelief，hestaredatMonica，andthen，asthoughassuredthatitwasshe，hiseyesdilated。Inthemwerefearandhorror。SogenuinewastheagonyinthefaceofthecounterfeiterthatEverett，whohadfollowed，turnedhisownaway。Buttheeyesofthebrotherandsisterremainedfixeduponeachother，hers，appealingly；his，withdespair。Hetriedtospeak，butthewordsdidnotcome。Whenhedidbreakthesilencehistonewassingularlywistful，mosttenderlykind。

"Didyouhear？"heasked。

Monicaslowlybowedherhead。Withthesamenoteofgentlenessherbrotherpersisted：

"Didyouunderstand？"

Betweenthemstretchedthecobwebofstringshungwithyellowcertificates；eachcallingforfivehundreddollars，payableingold。

Stirredbythenightairfromtheopentunnels，theyflutteredandflaunted。

Againstthesightofthem，Monicaclosedhereyes。Heavily，asthoughwithagreatphysicaleffort，againshebowedherhead。

Theeyesofherbrothersearchedabouthimwildly。Theyrestedonthemouthofthetunnel。

Withhisloweredarmhepointed。

"Whoisthat？"hecried。

Instinctivelytheothersturned。

Itwasforaninstant。Theinstantsufficed。

Monicasawherbrotherthrowhimselfuponthefloor，feltherselfflungasideasEverettandthedetectiveleapeduponhim；sawherbrotherpresshishandsagainsthisheart，thetwomendraggingathisarms。

Thecavelikeroomwasshakenwithareport，anacridsmokeassailedhernostrils。Themenceasedstruggling。Herbrotherlaystill。

Monicasprangtowardthebody，butablackwaveroseandsubmergedher。Asshefainted，tosaveherselfshethrewoutherarms，andasshefellshedraggeddownwithhertheburiedtreasureofCobre。

Stretcheduponthestonefloorbesideherbrother，shelaymotionless。

Beneathher，andwrappedaboutandcoveringher，astheleavescoveredthebabesinthewood，wasavastcobwebofyellowbills，eachforfivehundreddollars，payableingold。

AmonthlatertheharborofPortoCortezinHonduraswasshakenwiththeroarofcannon。Incomparison，theroaringofallthecannonofalltherevolutionsthatthatdistressfulcountryeverhadknown，werelikefire-crackersunderabarrel。

Faithfultohisitinerary，theSecretaryofStateoftheUnitedStateswaspayinghisformalvisittoHonduras，andthePresidentofthatrepublic，waitingupontheFruitCompany\'swharftogreethim，wasreceivingthesaluteoftheAmericanbattle-ships。Backofhim，onthewharf，hisownbarefootedartillerymenintheirturnweresaluting，excitedlyandspasmodically，thedistinguishedvisitor。Asanhonorhehadatlastlearnedtoacceptwithoutputtingafingerineachear，theSecretaryofStatesmiledwithgraciouscalm。LesscalmwasthePresidentofHonduras。HeknewsomethingtheSecretarydidnotknow。Heknewthatatanymomentagunofhissalutingbatterymightturnturtle，orblowintotheharborhimself，hiscabinet，andthelargerpartofhisstandingarmy。

MadefasttothewharfonthesideoppositetotheoneatwhichtheSecretaryhadlandedwasoneoftheFruitCompany\'ssteamers。

Shewasonherwaynorth，andPortoCortezwasaportofcall。

Thatherpassengersmightnotintrudeupontheceremonies，hersideofthewharfwasropedoffandguardedbythestandingarmy。

Butfromherdecksandfrombehindtheropesthepassengers，withabatteryofcameras，wereperpetuatingthehistoricscene。

Amongthem，closetotheropes，viewingtheceremonywiththecynicaleyeofonewhoinEuropehadseenkingsandemperorsmeetupontheFieldoftheClothofGold，wasEverett。Hemadenoefforttobringhimselftotheattentionofhisformerchief。Butwhentheintroductionswereover，theSecretaryofStateturnedhiseyestohisfellowcountrymencrowdingtherailsoftheAmericansteamer。Theygreetedhimwithcheers。Thegreatmanraisedhishat，andhiseyesfelluponEverett。TheSecretaryadvancedquickly，hishandextended，brushingtoonesidethestandingarmy。

"Whatareyoudoinghere？"hedemanded。

"Onmywayhome，sir，"saidEverett。"Icouldn\'tleavesooner；therewere——personalreasons。ButIcabledthedepartmentmyresignationthedayMendozagavememywalking-papers。Youmayremember，"

Everettaddeddryly，"thedepartmentacceptedbycable。"

Thegreatmanshowedembarrassment。

"Itwasmostunfortunate，"hesympathized。"Wewantedthattreaty，andwhile，nodoubt，youmadeeveryeffort——"

HebecameawareofthefactthatEverett\'sattentionwasnotexclusivelyhisown。Followingthedirectionoftheyoungman\'seyestheSecretarysawonthedeckjustabovethem，leaningupontherail，agirlindeepmourning。

Shewasverybeautiful。Herfacewasaslovelyasavioletandasshy。

TotheSecretaryabeautifulwomanwasalwaysabeautifulwoman。

Buthehadreadthepapers。Whohadnot？Hewassuretheremustbesomemistake。Thiscouldnotbethesisterofacriminal；thewomanforwhomEveretthadsmashedhiscareer。

TheSecretarymaskedhisastonishment，butnothisadmiration。

"Mrs。Everett？"heasked。Hisverytoneconveyedcongratulations。

"Yes，"saidtheex-diplomat。"SomedayIshallbegladtopresentyou。"

TheSecretarydidnotwaitforanintroduction。Raisinghiseyestotheship\'srail，hemadeadeepandcourtlybow。Withagestureworthyofd\'Artagnan，hishighhatsweptthewharf。Themembersofhisstaff，theofficersfromthewar-ships，thePresidentofHondurasandthemembersofhisstaffendeavoredtoimitatehisactofhomage，andinconfusionMrs。Everettblushedbecomingly。

"WhenIreturntoWashington，"saidtheSecretaryhastily，"comeandseeme。Youaretoovaluabletolose。Yourcareer——"

AgainEverettwaslookingathiswife。Herdistressathavingbeensosuddenlydrawnintothelime-lightamusedhim，andhewassmiling。Then，asthoughawareoftheSecretary\'smeaning，helaughed。

"Mydearsir！"heprotested。Histonesuggestedhewasabouttoadd"mindyourownbusiness，"or"gotothedevil。"

Insteadhesaid："I\'mnotworryingaboutmycareer。Mycareerhasjustbegun。"

THEBOYSCOUT

AruleoftheBoyScoutsiseverydaytodosomeoneagoodturn。

Notbecausethecopybookstellyouitdeservesanother，butinspiteofthatpleasingpossibility。Ifyouareatruescout，untilyouhaveperformedyouractofkindnessyourdayisdark。Youareasunhappyasisthegrown-upwhohasbegunhisdaywithoutshavingorreadingtheNewYorkSun。Butassoonasyouhaveprovedyourselfyoumay，withaclearconscience，looktheworldinthefaceanduntietheknotinyourkerchief。

JimmieReederuntiedtheaccusingknotinhisscarfatjusttenminutespasteightonahotAugustmorningafterhehadgivenonedimetohissisterSadie。Withthatshecouldeitherwitnessthefirst-runfilmsatthePalace，orbydividingherfortunepatronizetwoofthenickelshowsonLenoxAvenue。ThechoiceJimmielefttoher。HewassettingoutfortheannualencampmentoftheBoyScoutsatHunter\'sIsland，andintheexcitementofthatadventureeventhemoviesceasedtothrill。ButSadiealsocouldbeunselfish。Withaheroismofacamp-firemaidenshemadeagesturewhichmighthavebeeninterpretedtomeanshewasreturningthemoney。

"Ican\'t，Jimmie！"shegasped。"Ican\'ttakeitoffyou。Yousavedit，andyououghttogetthefunofit。"

"Ihaven\'tsavedityet，"saidJimmie。"I\'mgoingtocutitoutoftherailroadfare。I\'mgoingtogetoffatCityIslandinsteadofatPelhamManorandwalkthedifference。That\'stencentscheaper。"

Sadieexclaimedwithadmiration：

"An\'youcarryin\'thatheavygrip！"

"Aw，that\'snothin\'，"saidthemanofthefamily。

"Good-by，mother。Solong，Sadie。"

TowardofffurtherexpressionsofgratitudehehurriedlyadvisedSadietotakein"TheCurseofCain"ratherthan"TheMohawk\'sLastStand，"andfleddownthefrontsteps。

Heworehiskhakiuniform。Onhisshoulderswashisknapsack，fromhishandsswunghissuit-case，andbetweenhisheavystockingsandhis"shorts"hiskneecaps，unkissedbythesun，asyetunscathedbyblackberryvines，showedaswhiteandfragileasthewristsofagirl。

Ashemovedtowardthe"L"stationatthecorner，Sadieandhismotherwavedtohim；inthestreet，boystoosmalltobescoutshailedhimenviously；eventhepolicemanglancingoverthenewspapersonthenews-standnoddedapproval。

"Youascout，Jimmie？"heasked。

"No，"retortedJimmie，forwasnothealsoinuniform？"I\'mSantaClausoutfillingChristmasstockings。"

Thepatrolmanalsopossessedareadywit。

"Thengetyourselfapair，"headvised。"Ifadogwastoseeyourlegs——"

JimmieescapedtheinsultbyfleeingupthestepsoftheElevated。

Anhourlater，withhisvaliseinonehandandstaffintheother，hewastrampinguptheBostonPostRoadandbreathingheavily。

Thedaywascruellyhot。Beforehiseyes，overaninterminablestretchofasphalt，theheatwavesdancedandflickered。AlreadytheknapsackonhisshoulderspresseduponhimlikeanOldManoftheSea；thelineninthevalisehadturnedtopigiron，hispipe-

stemlegswerewabbling，hiseyessmartedwithsaltsweat，andthefingerssupportingthevalisebelongedtosomeotherboy，andweregivingthatboymuchpain。Butasthemotor-carsflashedpastwithraucouswarnings，or，thatthosewhorodemightbetterseetheboywithbareknees，passedat"halfspeed，"Jimmiestiffenedhisshouldersandsteppedjauntilyforward。Evenwhenthejoy-ridersmockedwith"Oh，youscout！"hesmiledatthem。Hewaswillingtoadmittothosewhorodethatthelaughwasontheonewhowalked。Andheregretted——

oh，sobitterly——havingleftthetrain。Hewasindignantthatforhis"onegoodturnaday"hehadnotselectedonelessstrenuous——that，forinstance，hehadnotassistedafrightenedoldladythroughthetraffic。Torefusethedimeshemighthaveoffered，asalltruescoutsrefusealltips，wouldhavebeeneasierthantoearnitbywalkingfivemiles，withthesunatninety-ninedegrees，andcarryingexcessbaggage。

TwentytimesJamesshiftedthevalisetotheotherhand，twentytimesheletitdropandsatuponit。

Andthen，asagainhetookuphisburden，thegoodSamaritandrewnear。Hedrewnearinalowgrayracing-carattherateoffortymilesanhour，andwithinahundredfeetofJimmiesuddenlystoppedandbackedtowardhim。ThegoodSamaritanwasayoungmanwithwhitehair。Heworeasuitofblue，agolfcap；thehandsthatheldthewheelweredisguisedinlargeyellowgloves。Hebroughtthecartoahaltandsurveyedthedrippingfigureintheroadwithtiredanduncuriouseyes。

"YouaBoyScout？"heasked。

Withalacrityforthetwenty-firsttimeJimmiedroppedthevalise，forcedhiscrampedfingersintostraightlines，andsaluted。

Theyoungmaninthecarnoddedtowardtheseatbesidehim。

"Getin，"hecommanded。

WhenJamessatpantinghappilyathiselbowtheoldyoungman，toJimmie\'sdisappointment，didnotcontinuetoshatterthespeedlimit。

Instead，heseemedinclinedforconversation，andthecar，growlingindignantly，crawled。

"IneversawaBoyScoutbefore，"announcedtheoldyoungman。

"Tellmeaboutit。First，tellmewhatyoudowhenyou\'renotscouting。"

Jimmieexplainedvolubly。Whennotinuniformhewasanofficeboy，andfrompeddlersandbeggarsguardedthegatesofCarrollandHastings，stock-brokers。Hespokethenamesofhisemployerswithawe。Itwasafirmdistinguished，conservative，andlongestablished。Thewhite-hairedyoungmanseemedtonodinassent。

"Doyouknowthem？"demandedJimmiesuspiciously。"Areyouacustomerofours？"

"Iknowthem，"saidtheyoungman。"Theyarecustomersofmine。"

JimmiewonderedinwhatwayCarrollandHastingswerecustomersofthewhite-hairedyoungman。Judginghimbyhisoutergarments，JimmieguessedhewasaFifthAvenuetailor；hemightbeevenahaberdasher。Jimmiecontinued。Helived，heexplained，withhismotheratOneHundredandForty-sixthStreet；Sadie，hissister，attendedthepublicschool；hehelpedsupportthemboth，andhenowwasabouttoenjoyawell-earnedvacationcampingoutonHunter\'sIsland，wherehewouldcookhisownmeals，and，ifthemosquitoespermitted，sleepinatent。

"Andyoulikethat？"demandedtheyoungman。"Youcallthatfun？"

"Sure！"protestedJimmie。"Don\'tyougocampingout？"

"Igocampingout，"saidthegoodSamaritan，"wheneverIleaveNewYork。"

JimmiehadnotforthreeyearslivedinWallStreetnottounderstandthattheyoungmanspokeinmetaphor。

"Youdon\'tlook，"objectedtheyoungmancritically，"asthoughyouwerebuiltforthestrenuouslife。"

Jimmieglancedguiltilyathiswhiteknees。

"Yououghtterseemetwoweeksfromnow，"heprotested。"Igetallsunburntandhard——

hardasanything！"

Theyoungmanwasincredulous。

"YouwereneargettingsunstruckwhenIpickedyouup，"helaughed。"Ifyou\'regoingtoHunter\'sIsland，whydidn\'tyougotoPelhamManor？"

"That\'sright！"assentedJimmieeagerly。"ButIwantedtosavethetencentsso\'stosendSadietothemovies。SoIwalked。"

Theyoungmanlookedhisembarrassment。

"Ibegyourpardon，"hemurmured。

ButJimmiedidnothearhim。Fromthebackofthecarhewasdraggingexcitedlyatthehatedsuit-case。

"Stop！"hecommanded。"Igottergetout。Igotterwalk。"

Theyoungmanshowedhissurprise。

"Walk！"heexclaimed。"Whatisit——abet？"

Jimmiedroppedthevaliseandfolloweditintotheroadway。Ittooksometimetoexplaintotheyoungman。First，hehadtobetoldaboutthescoutlawandtheonegoodturnaday，andthatitmustinvolvesomepersonalsacrifice。And，asJimmiepointedout，changingfromaslowsuburbantraintoaracing-carcouldnotbelistedasasacrifice。Hehadnotearnedthemoney，Jimmieargued；

hehadonlyavoidedpayingittotherailroad。IfhedidnotwalkhewouldbeobtainingthegratitudeofSadiebyafalsehood。

Therefore，hemustwalk。

"Notatall，"protestedtheyoungman。"You\'vegotitwrong。Whatgoodwillitdoyoursistertohaveyousunstruck？Ithinkyouaresunstruck。You\'recrazywiththeheat。Yougetinhere，andwe\'lltalkitoveraswegoalong。"

HastilyJimmiebackedaway。"I\'dratherwalk，"hesaid。

Theyoungmanshiftedhislegsirritably。

"Thenhow\'llthissuityou？"hecalled。"We\'lldeclarethatfirst\'onegoodturn\'afailureandstartafresh。Domeagoodturn。"

Jimmiehaltedinhistracksandlookedbacksuspiciously。

"I\'mgoingtoHunter\'sIslandInn，"calledtheyoungman，"andI\'velostmyway。Yougetinhereandguideme。That\'llbedoingmeagoodturn。"

Oneithersideoftheroad，blottingoutthelandscape，gianthandspickedoutinelectric-lightbulbspointedthewaytoHunter\'sIslandInn。Jimmiegrinnedandnoddedtowardthem。

"Muchobliged，"hecalled。"Igotterwalk。"Turninghisbackupontemptation，hewaddledforwardintotheflickeringheatwaves。

Theyoungmandidnotattempttopursue。Atthesideoftheroad，undertheshadeofagiantelm，hehadbroughtthecartoahaltandwithhisarmscrosseduponthewheelsatmotionless，followingwithfrowningeyestheretreatingfigureofJimmie。Butthenarrow-chestedandknock-kneedboystaggeringoverthesun-bakedasphaltnolongerconcernedhim。ItwasnotJimmie，butthecodepreachedbyJimmie，andnotonlypreachedbutbeforehiseyesputintopractice，thatinterestedhim。Theyoungmanwithwhitehairhadbeenrunningawayfromtemptation。Atfortymilesanhourhehadbeenrunningawayfromthetemptationtodoafellowmortal"agoodturn。"Thatmorning，totheappealofadrowningCaesarto"Helpme，Cassius，orIsink，"hehadanswered："Sink！"Thatanswerhehadnowishtoreconsider。Thathemightnotreconsiderhehadsoughttoescape。

Itwashisexperiencethatasixty-horse-powerracing-machineisajealousmistress。Forretrospective，sentimental，orphilanthropicthoughtsshegrantsnoleaveofabsence。Buthehadnotescaped。

Jimmiehadhaltedhim，trippedhimbytheheels，andsethimagaintothinking。Withinthehalf-hourthatfollowedthosewhorolledpastsawatthesideoftheroadacarwithherenginerunning，andleaninguponthewheel，asunconsciousofhissurroundingsasthoughhesatathisownfireplace，ayoungmanwhofrownedandstaredatnothing。Thehalf-hourpassedandtheyoungmanswunghiscarbacktowardthecity。Butatthefirstroad-housethatshowedablue-and-whitetelephonesignheleftit，andintotheironboxattheendofthebardroppedanickel。HewishedtocommunicatewithMr。Carroll，ofCarrollandHastings；andwhenhelearnedMr。Carrollhadjustissuedordersthathemustnotbedisturbed，theyoungmangavehisname。

Theeffectuponthebarkeeperwasinstantaneous。Withtheaggrievedairofonewhofeelsheisthevictimofajesthelaughedscornfully。

"Whatareyouputtingover？"hedemanded。

Theyoungmansmiledreassuringly。Hehadbeguntospeakand，thoughapparentlyengagedwiththebeer-glasshewaspolishing，thebarkeeperlistened。

DowninWallStreettheseniormemberofCarrollandHastingsalsolistened。Hewasaloneinthemostprivateofallhisprivateoffices，andwheninterruptedhadbeenengagedinwhat，ofallundertakings，isthemostmomentous。Onthedeskbeforehimlayletterstohislawyer，tothecoroner，tohiswife；andhiddenbyamassofpapers，butwithinreachofhishand，wasanautomaticpistol。Thepromiseitofferedofswiftreleasehadmadethewritingoftheletterssimple，hadgivenhimafeelingofcompletedetachment，hadreleasedhim，atleastinthought，fromallresponsibilities。Andwhenathiselbowthetelephonecougheddiscreetly，itwasasthoughsomeonehadcalledhimfromaworldfromwhichalreadyhehadmadehisexit。

Mechanically，throughmerehabit，heliftedthereceiver。

Thevoiceoverthetelephonecameinbrisk，staccatosentences。

"ThatletterIsentthismorning？Forgetit。Tearitup。I\'vebeenthinkingandI\'mgoingtotakeachance。I\'vedecidedtobackyouboys，andIknowyou\'llmakegood。I\'mspeakingfromaroad-houseintheBronx；goingstraightfromheretothebank。Soyoucanbegintodrawagainstuswithinanhour。And——hello！——willthreemillionsseeyouthrough？"

FromWallStreettherecamenoanswer，butfromthehandsofthebarkeeperaglasscrashedtothefloor。

Theyoungmanregardedthebarkeeperwithpuzzledeyes。

"Hedoesn\'tanswer，"heexclaimed。"Hemusthavehungup。"

"Hemusthavefainted！"saidthebarkeeper。

Thewhite-hairedonepushedabillacrossthecounter。"Topayforbreakage，"hesaid，anddisappeareddownPelhamParkway。

Throughouttheday，withthebill，forevidence，pastedagainstthemirror，thebarkeepertoldandretoldthewondroustale。

"Hestoodjustwhereyou\'restandingnow，"herelated，"blowinginmillion-dollarbillslikeyou\'dblowsudsoffabeer。IfI\'dknoweditwashim，I\'dhavehithimonceandhidhiminthecellarforthereward。Who\'dIthinkhewas？Ithoughthewasawire-tapper，workingacongame！"

Mr。Carrollhadnot"hungup，"butwhenintheBronxthebeer-glasscrashed，inWallStreetthereceiverhadslippedfromthehandofthemanwhoheldit，andthemanhimselfhadfallenforward。Hisdeskhithiminthefaceandwokehim——wokehimtothewonderfulfactthathestilllived；thatatfortyhehadbeenbornagain；thatbeforehimstretchedmanymoreyearsinwhich，astheyoungmanwiththewhitehairhadpointedout，hestillcouldmakegood。

TheafternoonwasfaradvancedwhenthestaffofCarrollandHastingswereallowedtodepart，and，evenlateaswasthehour，twoofthemwereaskedtoremain。IntothemostprivateoftheprivateofficesCarrollinvitedGaskell，theheadclerk；inthemainofficeHastingshadaskedyoungThorne，thebondclerk，tobeseated。

UntiltheseniorpartnerhasfinishedwithGaskellyoungThornemustremainseated。

"Gaskell，"saidMr。Carroll，"ifwehadlistenedtoyou，ifwe\'drunthisplaceasitwaswhenfatherwasalive，thisneverwouldhavehappened。Ithasn\'thappened，butwe\'vehadourlesson。Andafterthiswe\'regoingslowandgoingstraight。Andwedon\'tneedyoutotellushowtodothat。Wewantyoutogoaway——onamonth\'svacation。WhenIthoughtweweregoingunderIplannedtosendthechildrenonaseavoyagewiththegoverness——sotheywouldn\'tseethenewspapers。ButnowthatIcanlookthemintheeyeagain，Ineedthem，Ican\'tletthemgo。So，ifyou\'dliketotakeyourwifeonanoceantriptoNovaScotiaandQuebec，herearethecabinsIreservedforthekids。Theycallittheroyalsuite——whateverthatis——andthetriplastsamonth。Theboatsailsto-morrowmorning。Don\'tsleeptoolateoryoumaymissher。"

Theheadclerkwassecretingtheticketsintheinsidepocketofhiswaistcoat。Hisfingerstrembled，andwhenhelaughedhisvoicetrembled。

"Misstheboat！"theheadclerkexclaimed。"IfshegetsawayfromMillieandmeshe\'sgottostartnow。We\'llgoonboardto-night！"

Ahalf-hourlaterMilliewasonherkneespackingatrunk，andherhusbandwastelephoningtothedrug-storeforasponge-bagandacureforseasickness。

Owingtothejoyinherheartandtothefactthatshewasonherknees，Milliewasalternatelyweepingintothetrunk-trayandofferingupincoherentprayersofthanksgiving。Suddenlyshesankbackuponthefloor。

"John！"shecried，"doesn\'titseemsinfultosailawayina\'royalsuite\'andleavethisbeautifulflatempty？"

OverthetelephoneJohnwashavingtroublewiththedrugclerk。

"No！"heexplained，"I\'mnotseasicknow。ThemedicineIwantistobetakenlater。IknowI\'mspeakingfromthePavonia；butthePavoniaisn\'taship；it\'sanapartment-house。"

HeturnedtoMillie。"Wecan\'tbeintwoplacesatthesametime，"hesuggested。

"But，think，"insistedMillie，"ofallthepoorpeoplestiflingto-nightinthisheat，tryingtosleepontheroofsandfire-escapes；

andourflatsocoolandbigandpretty——andnooneinit。"

Johnnoddedhisheadproudly。

"Iknowit\'sbig，"hesaid，"butitisn\'tbigenoughtoholdallthepeoplewhoaresleepingto-nightontheroofsandintheparks。"

"Iwasthinkingofyourbrother——andGrace，"saidMillie。"They\'vebeenmarriedonlytwoweeksnow，andthey\'reinastuffyhallbedroomandeatingwithalltheotherboarders。Thinkwhatourflatwouldmeantothem；tobebythemselves，witheightroomsandtheirownkitchenandbath，andournewrefrigeratorandthegramophone！Itwouldbeheaven！Itwouldbearealhoneymoon！"

Abandoningthedrugclerk，JohnliftedMillieinhisarmsandkissedher，for，nexttohiswife，nearesthisheartwastheyoungerbrother。

TheyoungerbrotherandGraceweresittingonthestoopoftheboarding-house。Ontheuppersteps，intheirshirt-sleeves，weretheotherboarders；sothebrideandbridegroomspokeinwhispers。

Theairofthecrossstreetwasstaleandstagnant；fromitroseexhalationsofrottingfruit，thegasesofanopensubway，thesmokeofpassingtaxicabs。Butbetweenthestreetandthehallbedroom，withitsodorsofagas-stoveandakitchen，thechoicewasdifficult。

"We\'vegottocooloffsomehow，"theyounghusbandwassaying，"oryouwon\'tsleep。Shallwetreatourselvestoice-creamsodasoratripontheWeehawkenferry-boat？"

"Theferry-boat！"beggedthegirl，"wherewecangetawayfromallthesepeople。"

Ataxicabwithatrunkinfrontwhirledintothestreet，kickeditselftoastop，andtheheadclerkandMilliespilledoutuponthepavement。Theytalkedsofast，andtheyoungerbrotherandGracetalkedsofast，thattheboarders，althoughtheylistenedintently，couldmakenothingofit。

Theydistinguishedonlytheconcludingsentences：

"Whydon\'tyoudrivedowntothewharfwithus，"theyheardtheelderbrotherask，"andseeourroyalsuite？"

Buttheyoungerbrotherlaughedhimtoscorn。

"What\'syourroyalsuite，"hemocked，"toourroyalpalace？"

Anhourlater，hadtheboarderslistenedoutsidetheflatoftheheadclerk，theywouldhaveheardissuingfromhisbathroomthecoolingmurmurofrunningwaterandfromhisgramophonethejubilantnotesof"Alexander\'sRag-timeBand。"

WheninhisprivateofficeCarrollwasmakingapresentoftheroyalsuitetotheheadclerk，inthemainofficeHastings，thejuniorpartner，wasaddressing"Champ"Thorne，thebondclerk。

Headdressedhimfamiliarlyandaffectionatelyas"Champ。"Thiswasduepartlytothefactthattwenty-sixyearsbeforeThornehadbeenchristenedChampneysandtothecoincidencethathehadcaptainedthefootballelevenofoneoftheBigThreetothechampionship。

"Champ，"saidMr。Hastings，"lastmonth，whenyouaskedmetoraiseyoursalary，thereasonIdidn\'tdoitwasnotbecauseyoudidn\'tdeserveit，butbecauseIbelievedifwegaveyouaraiseyou\'dimmediatelygetmarried。"

Theshouldersoftheex-footballcaptainroseaggressively；hesnortedwithindignation。

"AndwhyshouldInotgetmarried？"hedemanded。"You\'reafineonetotalk！You\'rethemostoffensivelyhappymarriedmanIevermet。"

"PerhapsIknowIamhappybetterthanyoudo，"reprovedthejuniorpartner；"butIknowalsothatittakesmoneytosupportawife。"

"Youraisemetoahundredaweek，"urgedChamp，"andI\'llmakeitsupportawifewhetheritsupportsmeornot。"

"Amonthago，"continuedHastings，"wecouldhavepromisedyouahundred，butwedidn\'tknowhowlongwecouldpayit。Wedidn\'twantyoutorushoffandmarrysomefinegirl——"

"Somefinegirl！"mutteredMr。Thorne。"Thefinestgirl！"

"Thefinerthegirl，"Hastingspointedout，"theharderitwouldhavebeenforyouifwehadfailedandyouhadlostyourjob。"

Theeyesoftheyoungmanopenedwithsympathyandconcern。

"Isitasbadasthat？"hemurmured。

Hastingssighedhappily。

"Itwas，"hesaid，"butthismorningtheYoungManofWallStreetdidusagoodturn——savedus——savedourcreditors，savedourhomes，savedourhonor。We\'regoingtostartfreshandpayourdebts，andweagreedthefirstdebtwepaidwouldbethesmalloneweoweyou。

You\'vebroughtusmorethanwe\'vegiven，andifyou\'llstaywithuswe\'regoingto\'see\'yourfiftyandraiseitahundred。Whatdoyousay？"

YoungMr。Thorneleapedtohisfeet。Whathesaidwas："Where\'nhell\'smyhat？"

Butbythetimehehadfoundthehatandthedoorhemendedhismanners。

"Isay，\'Thankyouathousandtimes，"\'heshoutedoverhisshoulder。"Excuseme，butI\'vegottogo。I\'vegottobreakthenewsto——"

Hedidnotexplaintowhomhewasgoingtobreakthenews；butHastingsmusthaveguessed，foragainhesighedhappilyandthen，alittlehystericallylaughedaloud。Severalmonthshadpassedsincehehadlaughedaloud。

InhisanxietytobreakthenewsChampThornealmostbrokehisneck。Inhisexcitementhecouldnotrememberwhethertheredflashmeanttheelevatorwasgoingdownorcomingup，andsoonerthanwaittofindouthestartedtoracedowneighteenflightsofstairswhenfortunatelytheelevator-doorswungopen。

"Yougetfivedollars，"heannouncedtotheelevatorman，"ifyoudroptothestreetwithoutastop。Beatthespeedlimit！Actlikethebuildingisonfireandyou\'retryingtosavemebeforetherooffalls。"

SenatorBarnesandhisentirefamily，whichwashisdaughterBarbara，wereattheRitz-Carlton。TheywereintowninAugustbecausetherewasameetingofthedirectorsoftheBrazilandCuyabaRubberCompany，ofwhichcompanySenatorBarneswaspresident。Itwasasecretmeeting。Thosedirectorswhowerekeepingcoolattheedgeoftheoceanhadbeensummonedbytelegraph；thosewhoweresteamingacrosstheocean，bywireless。

Upfromtheequatorhaddriftedthethreatofascandal，sickening，grim，terrible。Asyetitburnedbeneaththesurface，givingoutonlyanodor，butanodorasrankasburningrubberitself。Atanymomentitmightbreakintoflame。Forthedirectors，wasitthebetterwisdomtoletthescandalsmoulder，andtakeachance，ortobethefirsttogivethealarm，thefirsttoleadthewaytothehorrorandstampitout？

Itwastodecidethisthat，intheheatofAugust，thedirectorsandthepresidenthadforegathered。

ChampThorneknewnothingofthis；heknewonlythatbyamiracleBarbaraBarneswasintown；thatatlasthewasinapositiontoaskhertomarryhim；thatshewouldcertainlysayshewould。Thatwasallhecaredtoknow。

Ayearbeforehehadissuedhisdeclarationofindependence。

Beforehecouldmarry，hetoldher，hemustbeabletosupportawifeonwhatheearned，withoutherhavingtoacceptmoneyfromherfather，anduntilhereceived"aminimumwage"offivethousanddollarstheymustwait。

"Whatisthematterwithmyfather\'smoney？"Barbarahaddemanded。

Thornehadevadedthedirectquestion。

"Thereistoomuchofit，"hesaid。

"Doyouobjecttothewayhemakesit？"insistedBarbara。"Becauserubberismostuseful。Youputitingolfballsandautotiresandgaloshes。Thereisnothingsoperfectlyrespectableasgaloshes。

Andwhatisthere\'tainted\'aboutaraincoat？"

Thorneshookhisheadunhappily。

"It\'snotthefinishedproducttowhichIrefer，"hestammered；"it\'sthewaytheygettherawmaterial。"

"Theygetitoutoftrees，"saidBarbara。Thensheexclaimedwithenlightenment——"Oh！"shecried，"youarethinkingoftheCongo。

Thereitisterrible！Thatisslavery。ButtherearenoslavesontheAmazon。Thenativesarefreeandtheworkiseasy。TheyjusttapthetreesthewaythefarmersgathersugarinVermont。Fatherhastoldmeaboutitoften。"

Thornehadmadenocomment。Hecouldabuseafriend，ifthefriendwereamongthosepresent，butdenouncinganyonehedislikedasheartilyashedislikedSenatorBarneswasapublicservicehepreferredtoleavetoothers。Andheknewbesidesthatifthefathershelovedandthemansheloveddistrustedeachother，Barbarawouldnotrestuntilshelearnedthereasonwhy。

Oneday，inanewspaper，BarbarareadofthePujuMayoatrocities，oftheIndianslavesinthejunglesandbackwatersoftheAmazon，whoareofferedupassacrificesto"redrubber。"Shecarriedthepapertoherfather。Whatitsaid，herfathertoldher，wasuntrue，andifitweretrueitwasthefirsthehadheardofit。

SenatorBarneslovedthegoodthingsoflife，butthethinghelovedmostwashisdaughter；thethinghevaluedthehighestwashergoodopinion。Sowhenforthefirsttimeshelookedathimindoubt，heassuredherheatoncewouldorderaninvestigation。

"But，ofcourse，"headded，"itwillbemanymonthsbeforeouragentscanreport。OntheAmazonnewstravelsveryslowly。"

Intheeyesofhisdaughterthedoubtstilllingered。

"Iamafraid，"shesaid，"thatthatistrue。"

ThatwassixmonthsbeforethedirectorsoftheBrazilandCuyabaRubberCompanyweresummonedtomeettheirpresidentathisroomsintheRitz-Carlton。Theywereduetoarriveinhalfanhour，andwhileSenatorBarnesawaitedtheircomingBarbaracametohim。Inhereyeswasalightthathelpedtotellthegreatnews。Itgavehimasharp，jealouspang。Hewantedatoncetoplayapartinherhappiness，tomakehergratefultohim，notalonetothisstrangerwhowastakingheraway。Sofearfulwashethatshewouldshuthimoutofherlifethathadsheaskedforhalfhiskingdomhewouldhavepartedwithit。

"Andbesidesgivingmyconsent，"saidtherubberking，"forwhichnooneseemstohaveasked，whatcanIgivemylittlegirltomakeherrememberheroldfather？Somediamondstoputonherhead，orpearlstohangaroundherneck，ordoesshewantavacantlotonFifthAvenue？"

ThelovelyhandsofBarbararesteduponhisshoulders；herlovelyfacewasraisedtohis；herlovelyeyeswereappealing，andalittlefrightened。

"Whatwouldoneofthosethingscost？"askedBarbara。

Thequestionwaseminentlypractical。Itcamewithinthescopeofthesenator\'sunderstanding。Afterall，hewasnottobecastintoouterdarkness。Hissmilewascomplacent。Heansweredairily：

"Anythingyoulike，"hesaid；"amilliondollars？"

Thefingerscloseduponhisshoulders。Theeyes，stillfrightened，stillsearchedhisinappeal。

"Then，formywedding-present，"saidthegirl，"IwantyoutotakethatmilliondollarsandsendanexpeditiontotheAmazon。AndI

willchoosethemen。Menunafraid；mennotafraidoffeverorsuddendeath；notafraidtotellthetruth——eventoyou。Andalltheworldwillknow。Andthey——Imeanyou——willsetthosepeoplefree！"

SenatorBarnesreceivedthedirectorswithanembarrassmentwhichheconcealedunderamannerofjustindignation。

"Mymindismadeup，"hetoldthem。"Existingconditionscannotcontinue。Andtothatend，atmyownexpense，IamsendinganexpeditionacrossSouthAmerica。Itwillinvestigate，punish，andestablishreforms。Isuggest，onaccountofthisdamnedheat，wedonowadjourn。"

Thatnight，overonLongIsland，Carrolltoldhiswifeall，ornearlyall。Hedidnottellherabouttheautomaticpistol。Andtogetherontiptoetheycrepttothenurseryandlookeddownattheirsleepingchildren。Whensherosefromherkneesthemothersaid："ButhowcanIthankhim？"

By"him"shemeanttheYoungManofWallStreet。

"Younevercanthankhim，"saidCarroll；"that\'stheworstofit。"

Butafteralongsilencethemothersaid："Iwillsendhimaphotographofthechildren。Doyouthinkhewillunderstand？"

DownatSeabright，Hastingsandhiswifewalkedinthesunkengarden。Themoonwassobrightthattherosesstillheldtheircolor。

"Iwouldliketothankhim，"saidtheyoungwife。ShemeanttheYoungManofWallStreet。"Butforhimwewouldhavelostthis。"

Hereyescaressedthegarden，thefruit-trees，thehousewithwide，hospitableverandas。"To-morrowIwillsendhimsomeoftheseroses，"saidtheyoungwife。"Willheunderstandthattheymeanourhome？"

Atascandalouslylatehour，inascandalousspiritofindependence，ChampThorneandBarbaraweredrivingaroundCentralParkinataxicab。

"HowstrangelytheLordmoves，hiswonderstoperform，"misquotedBarbara。"HadnottheYoungManofWallStreetsavedMr。Hastings，Mr。Hastingscouldnothaveraisedyoursalary；youwouldnothaveaskedmetomarryyou，andhadyounotaskedmetomarryyou，fatherwouldnothavegivenmeawedding-present，and——"

"And，"saidChamp，takingupthetale，"thousandsofslaveswouldstillbeburiedinthejungles，hiddenawayfromtheirwivesandchildrenandthelightofthesunandtheirfellowmen。Theystillwouldbedyingoffever，starvation，tortures。"

Hetookherhandinbothofhisandheldherfinger-tipsagainsthislips。

"Andtheywillneverknow，"hewhispered，"whentheirfreedomcomes，thattheyoweitalltoyou。"

OnHunter\'sIsland，JimmieReederandhisbunkie，SamSturges，eachonhiscanvascot，tossedandtwisted。Theheat，themoonlight，andthemosquitoeswouldnotletthemeventhinkofsleep。

"Thatwasbully，"saidJimmie，"whatyoudidto-dayaboutsavingthatdog。Ifithadn\'tbeenforyouhe\'dha\'drownded。"

"Hewouldnot！"saidSammywithpunctiliousregardforthetruth；

"itwasn\'tdeepenough。"

"Well，thescout-masteroughttoknow，"arguedJimmie；"hesaiditwasthebest\'onegoodturn\'oftheday！"

ModestlySamshiftedthelime-lightsothatitfelluponhisbunkie。

"I\'llbet，"hedeclaredloyally，"your\'onegoodturn\'wasabetterone！"

Jimmieyawned，andthenlaughedscornfully。

"Me！"hescoffed。"Ididn\'tdonothing。Isentmysistertothemovies。"

"SOMEWHEREINFRANCE"

MarieGessler，knownasMarieChaumontel，Jeanned\'Avrechy，theCountessd\'Aurillac，wasGerman。Herfather，whoservedthroughtheFranco-PrussianWar，wasaGermanspy。ItwasfromhermothershelearnedtospeakFrenchsufficientlywelltosatisfyevenanAcademicianand，amongParisians，topassasone。Bothherparentsweredead。Beforetheydeparted，knowingtheycouldleavetheirdaughternothingsavetheirdebts，theyhadhadhertrainedasanurse。Butwhentheyweregone，MarieintheBerlinhospitalsplayedpolitics，intrigued，indiscriminatelymisusedtheappealing，violeteyes。Therewasascandal；severalscandals。Attheageoftwenty-fiveshewasdismissedfromtheMunicipalHospital，andasnow-saveforthevioleteyes——shewaswithoutresources，asacompagnondevoyagewithaGermandoctorshetravelledtoMonteCarlo。TheresheabandonedthedoctorforHenriRavignac，acaptainintheFrenchAviationCorps，who，whenhisleaveended，escortedhertoParis。

ThedutiesofCaptainRavignackepthiminbarracksneartheaviationfield，butMarieheestablishedinhisapartmentsontheBoulevardHaussmann。Onedayhebroughtfromthebarracksarollofblue-prints，andashewaslockingtheminadrawer，said：

"TheGermanswouldpaythroughthenoseforthose！"Theremarkwasindiscreet，butthenMariehadtoldhimshewasFrench，andanyonewouldhavebelievedher。

ThenextmorningthesamespiritofadventurethathadexiledherfromtheBerlinhospitalscarriedherwiththeblue-printstotheGermanembassy。There，greatlyshocked，theyfirstwrotedownhernameandaddress，andthen，indignantatherproposition，orderedherout。ButthedayfollowingastrangeyoungGermanwhowasnotatallindignant，but，onthecontrary，quitecharming，calleduponMarie。Fortheblue-printsheofferedheraverylargesum，andthatsamehourwiththemandMariedepartedforBerlin。Mariedidnotneedthemoney。Nordidtheargumentthatshewasservinghercountrygreatlyimpressher。Itwasratherthatshelovedintrigue。

Andsoshebecameaspy。

HenriRavignac，themanshehadrobbedoftheblue-prints，wastriedbycourt-martial。Thechargewastreason，butCharlesRavignac，hisyoungerbrother，promisedtoprovethattheguiltyonewasthegirl，andtothatendobtainedleaveofabsenceandspentmuchtimeandmoney。AtthetrialhewasabletoshowtherecordofMarieinBerlinandMonteCarlo；thatshewasthedaughterofaGermansecretagent；thatontheafternoontheprintsdisappearedMarie，withanagentoftheGermanembassy，hadleftParisforBerlin。

Inconsequenceofthisthechargeofsellingmilitarysecretswasalteredtooneof"grossneglect，"andHenriRavignacwassentencedtotwoyearsinthemilitaryprisonatTours。Buthewasofanancientandnoblefamily，andwhentheycametotakehimfromhiscellintheCherche-Midi，hewasdead。Charles，hisbrother，disappeared。Itwassaidhealsohadkilledhimself；thathehadbeenappointedamilitaryattacheinSouthAmerica；thattorevengehisbrotherhehadenteredthesecretservice；butwhateverbecameofhimnooneknew。Allthatwascertainwasthat，thankstotheactofMarieGessler，ontherollsoftheFrencharmytheancientandnoblenameofRavignacnolongerappeared。

InherchosenprofessionMarieGesslerfoundnothingdiscreditable。

Ofherselfheropinionwasnothigh，andheropinionofmenwaslower。Forhersmilesshehadwatchedseveralsacrificehonor，duty，loyalty；andsheheldthemandtheirkindincontempt。Tolie，tocajole，torobmenofsecretstheythoughtimportant，andofsecretstheimportanceofwhichtheydidnotevenguess，wastohermerelyanintricateandexcitinggame。

Sheplayeditverywell。Sowellthatintheserviceheradvancewasrapid。OnimportantmissionsshewassenttoRussia，throughtheBalkans；eventotheUnitedStates。There，withcredentialsasanarmynurse，sheinspectedourmilitaryhospitalsandunobtrusivelyaskedmanyinnocentquestions。

WhenshebeggedtobeallowedtoworkinherbelovedParis，"they"toldherwhenwarcame"they"intendedtoplantherinsidethatcity，andthat，untilthen，thelessParisknewofherthebetter。

Butjustbeforethegreatwarbroke，toreportonwhichwayItalymightjump，shewassenttoRome，anditwasnotuntilSeptembershewasrecalled。ThetelegraminformedherthatherAuntElizabethwasill，andthatatonceshemustreturntoBerlin。

This，shelearnedfromthecodebookwrappedunderthecoverofherthermosbottle，meantthatshewastoreporttothegeneralcommandingtheGermanforcesatSoissons。

FromItalyshepassedthroughSwitzerland，and，afterleavingBasle，onmilitarytrainswasrushednorthtoLuxemburg，andthenwesttoLaon。Shewasaccompaniedbyhercompanion，Bertha，anelderlyandrespectable，evendistinguished-lookingfemale。Inthesecretservicehernumberwas528。TheirpassesfromthewarofficedescribedthemasnursesoftheGermanRedCross。OnlytheIntelligenceDepartmentknewtheirrealmission。Withher，also，asherchauffeur，wasayoungItaliansoldieroffortune，PaulAnfossi。HehadservedintheBelgianCongo，intheFrenchForeignLegioninAlgiers，andspokealltheEuropeanlanguages。

InRome，whereasawirelessoperatorhewasservingacommercialcompany，insellingMariecopiesofmessageshehadmemorized，Mariehadfoundhimuseful，andwhenwarcamesheobtainedforhim，fromtheWilhelmstrasse，thenumber292。FromLaon，inoneoftheautomobilesoftheGeneralStaff，thethreespiesweredrivenfirsttoSoissons，andthenalongtheroadtoMeauxandParis，tothevillageofNeufchelles。Theyarrivedatmidnight，andinachateauofoneoftheChampagneprinces，foundthecolonelcommandingtheIntelligenceBureau。Heacceptedtheircredentials，destroyedthem，andreplacedthemwithalaissez-

passersignedbythemayorofLaon。Thatdignitary，thecolonelexplained，tocitizensofLaonfleeingtoParisandthecoasthadissuedmanypasses。ButasnowbetweenLaonandParistherewerethreeGermanarmies，therefugeeshadbeenturnedbackandtheirpassesconfiscated。

"Fromamongthem，"saidtheofficer，"wehaveselectedoneforyou。ItisissuedtothewifeofCountd\'Aurillac，acaptainofreserves，andheraunt，MadameBenet。Itasksforthoseladiesandtheirchauffeur，Briand，asafe-conductthroughtheFrenchmilitarylines。IfitgetsyouintoParisyouwilldestroyitandassumeanothername。TheCountd\'Aurillacisnowwithhisregimentinthatcity。Ifhelearnedofthepresencethereofhiswife，hewouldseekher，andthatwouldnotbegoodforyou。So，ifyoureachParis，youwillbecomeaBelgianrefugee。Youarehigh-bornandrich。Yourchateauhasbeendestroyed。Butyouhavemoney。YouwillgiveliberallytotheRedCross。Youwillvolunteertonurseinthehospitals。Withyoursadstoryofilltreatmentbyus，withyourhighbirth，andyourknowledgeofnursing，whichyouacquired，ofcourse，onlyasanamateur，youshouldnotfinditdifficulttojointheLadiesofFrance，ortheAmericanAmbulance。WhatyoulearnfromthewoundedEnglishandFrenchofficersandtheFrenchdoctorsyouwillsendusthroughtheusualchannels。"

"WhendoIstart？"askedthewoman。

"Forafewdays，"explainedtheofficer，"youremaininthischateau。

Youwillkeepusinformedofwhatisgoingforwardafterwewithdraw。"

"Withdraw？"Itwasmoreofanexclamationthanaquestion。Mariewastoowelltrainedtoaskquestions。

"Wearetakingupanewposition，"saidtheofficer，"ontheAisne。"

Thewoman，incredulous，stared。

"AndwedonotenterParis？"

"Youdo，"returnedtheofficer。"Thatisallthatconcernsyou。

Wewilljoinyoulater——inthespring。Meanwhile，forthewinterweintrenchourselvesalongtheAisne。Inachimneyofthischateauwehavesetupawirelessoutfit。Weareleavingitintact。

ThechauffeurBriand——who，youmustexplaintotheFrench，youbroughtwithyoufromLaon，andwhohasbeenlonginyourservice——willtransmitwhateveryoudiscover。Wewishespeciallytoknowofanymovementtowardourleft。IftheyattackinfrontfromSoissons，weareprepared；butofanyattempttocrosstheOiseandtakeusinflankyoumustwarnus。"

Theofficerroseandhunguponhimselfhisfield-glasses，map-cases，andside-arms。

"Weleaveyounow，"hesaid。"WhentheFrencharriveyouwilltellthemyourreasonforhaltingatthischateauwasthattheowner，MonsieurIverney，andhisfamilyarefriendsofyourhusband。Youfoundushere，andwedetainedyou。Andsolongasyoucanusethewireless，makeexcusestoremain。IftheyoffertosendyouontoParis，tellthemyourauntistooilltotravel。"

"Buttheywillfindthewireless，"saidthewoman。"Theyaresuretousethetowersforobservation，andtheywillfindit。"

"Inthatcase，"saidtheofficer，"youwillsuggesttothemthatwefledinsuchhastewehadnotimetodismantleit。Ofcourse，youhadnoknowledgethatitexisted，or，asaloyalFrenchwoman，youwouldhaveatoncetoldthem。"Toemphasizehisnextwordstheofficerpointedather："Undernocircumstances，"hecontinued，"mustyoubesuspected。IftheyshouldtakeBriandintheact，shouldtheyhaveeventheleastdoubtconcerninghim，youmustrepudiatehimentirely。Ifnecessary，tokeepyourownskirtsclear，itwouldbeyourdutyyourselftodenouncehimasaspy。"

"Yourfirstorders，"saidthewoman，"weretotellthemBriandhadbeenlonginmyservice；thatIbroughthimfrommyhomeinLaon。"

"Hemightbeinyourserviceforyears，"returnedthecolonel，"andyounotknowhewasaGermanagent。"

"IftosavemyselfIinformuponhim，"saidMarie，"ofcourseyouknowyouwilllosehim。"

Theofficershruggedhisshoulders。"Awirelessoperator，"heretorted，"wecanreplace。Butforyou，andfortheserviceyouaretorenderinParis，wehavenosubstitute。Youmustnotbefoundout。Youareinvaluable。"

Thespyinclinedherhead。"Ithankyou，"shesaid。

Theofficersputteredindignantly。

"Itisnotacompliment，"heexclaimed；"itisanorder。Youmustnotbefoundout！"

WithdrawnsometwohundredyardsfromtheParisroad，thechateaustooduponawoodedhill。Exceptdirectlyinfront，treesofgreatheightsurroundedit。Thetipsoftheirbranchesbrushedthewindows；interlacing，theycontinueduntiltheyoverhungthewalloftheestate。Whereitranwiththeroadthewallgavewaytoaloftygateandironfence，throughwhichthosepassingcouldseeastretchofnobleturf，aswideasapolo-field，bordersofflowersdisappearingundertheshadowsofthetrees；

andthechateauitself，withitsterrace，itsmanywindows，itshigh-pitched，slopingroof，brokenbytowersandturrets。

Throughtheremainderofthenighttherecamefromtheroadtothoseinthechateautheroarandrumblingofthearmyinretreat。

Itmovedwithoutpanic，disorder，orhaste，butunceasingly。Notforaninstantwasthereabreathing-spell。Andwhenthesunrose，thethreespies——thetwowomenandthechauffeur——whointhegreatchateauwerenowalone，couldseeaswellashearthegraycolumnofsteelrollingpastbelowthem。

ThespiesknewthatthegraycolumnhadreachedClaye，hadstoodwithinfifteenmilesofParis，andthenuponParishadturneditsback。TheyknewalsothatthereverberationsfromthedirectionofMeaux，thateachmomentgrewmoreloudandsavage，weretheFrench"seventy-fives"whippingthegraycolumnforward。OfwhattheyfelttheGermansdidnotspeak。Insilencetheylookedateachother，andintheeyesofMariewasbitternessandresolve。

TowardnoonMariemetAnfossiinthegreatdrawing-roomthatstretchedthelengthoftheterraceandfromthewindowsofwhich，throughtheparkgates，theycouldseetheParisroad。

"This，thatispassingnow，"saidMarie，"isthelastofourrear-guard。

Gotoyourtower，"sheordered，"andsendwordthatexceptforstragglersandthewoundedourcolumnhasjustpassedthroughNeufchelIes，andthatanymomentweexpecttheFrench。"Sheraisedherhandimpressively。"Fromnow，"shewarned，"wespeakFrench，wethinkFrench，weareFrench！"

Anfossi，orBriand，asnowhecalledhimself，addressedherinthatlanguage。Histonewasbitter。"Pardonmylese-majesty，"hesaid，"butthischiefofyourIntelligenceDepartmentisadummerMensch。Heisthrowingawayavaluablelife。"

Marieexclaimedindismay。Sheplacedherhanduponhisarm，andthevioleteyesfilledwithconcern。

"Notyours！"sheprotested。

"Absolutely！"returnedtheItalian。"Icansendnothingbythisknapsackwirelessthattheywillnotlearnfromothers；fromairmen，Uhlans，thepeasantsinthefields。AndcertainlyIwillbecaught。

DeadIamdead，butaliveandinParistheopportunitiesareunending。

FromtheFrenchLegionEtrangerIhavemyhonorabledischarge。I

amanexpertwirelessoperatorandintheirSignalCorpsIcaneasilyfindaplace。Imagineme，then，ontheEiffelTower。FromtheairI

snatchnewsfromallofFrance，fromtheChannel，theNorthSea。

YouandIcouldworktogether，asinRome。Buthere，betweenthelines，withapassfromavillagesous-prefet，itisridiculous。Iamnotafraidtodie。Buttodiebecausesomeoneelseisstupid，thatishard。"

Marieclaspedhishandinbothofhers。

"Youmustnotspeakofdeath，"shecried；"youknowImustcarryoutmyorders，thatImustforceyoutotakethisrisk。Andyouknowthatthoughtofharmtoyoutorturesme！"

Quicklytheyoungmandisengagedhishand。Thewomanexclaimedwithanger。

"Whydoyoudoubtme？"shecried。

Briandprotestedvehemently。

"Idonotdoubtyou。"

"Myaffection，then？"InawhisperthatcarriedwithitthefeelingofacaressMarieaddedsoftly："Mylove？"

Theyoungmanprotestedmiserably。"Youmakeitveryhard，mademoiselle，"hecried。"Youaremysuperiorofficer，Iamyourservant。WhoamIthatIshouldsharewithothers——"

Thewomaninterruptedeagerly。

"Ah，youarejealous！"shecried。"Isthatwhyyouaresocruel？

ButwhenItellyouIloveyou，andonlyyou，canyounotfeelitisthetruth？"

Theyoungmanfrownedunhappily。

"Myduty，mademoiselle！"hestammered。

WithanexclamationofangerMarielefthim。Asthedoorslammedbehindher，theyoungmandrewadeepbreath。Onhisfacewastheexpressionofineffablerelief。

InthehallMariemetherelderlycompanion，Bertha，nowheraunt，MadameBenet。

"Iheardyouquarrelling，"Berthaprotested。"Itismostindiscreet。

ItisnotinthepartoftheCountessd\'Aurillacthatshemakeslovetoherchauffeur。"

Marielaughednoiselesslyanddrewherfartherdownthehall。"Heisimbecile！"sheexclaimed。"Hewillkillmewithhissolemnfaceandhisconceit。Imakelovetohim——yes——thathemayworkthemorewillingly。Buthewillhavenoneofit。Heisjealousoftheothers。"

MadameBenetfrowned。

"Heresentstheothers，"shecorrected。"Idonotblamehim。Heisagentleman！"

"Andtheothers，"demandedMarie；"weretheynotofthemostnoblefamiliesofRome？"

"IamoldandIamugly，"saidBertha，"buttomeAnfossiisalwaysasconsiderateasheistoyouwhoaresobeautiful。"

"AnItaliangentleman，"returnedMarie，"doesnotserveinBelgianCongounlessitis——thechoiceofthatorthemarblequarries。"

"Idonotknowwhathispastmaybe，"sighedMadameBenet，"nordoIask。Heisonlyanumber，asyouandIareonlynumbers。

AndIbegyoutoletusworkinharmony。Atsuchatimeyourlove-affairsthreatenoursafety。Youmustwait。"

Marielaughedinsolently。"WiththeDuBarry，"sheprotested，"I

canboastthatIwaitfornoman。"

"No，"repliedtheolderwoman；"youpursuehim！"

Mariewouldhaveansweredsharply，butontheinstantherinterestwasdiverted。Foroneweek，bydayandnight，shehadlivedinaworldpeopledonlybyGermansoldiers。Besideherintherailroadcarriage，onthestationplatforms，atthewindowsofthetrainsthatpassedtheoneinwhichsherode，atthegradecrossings，onthebridges，intheroadsthatparalleledthetracks，chokingthestreetsofthevillagesandspreadoverthefieldsofgrain，shehadseenonlythegray-greenuniforms。Evenherprofessionaleyenolongerdistinguishedregimentfromregiment，dragoonfromgrenadier，UhlanfromHussarorLandsturm。

Stripes，insignia，numerals，badgesofrank，hadlosttheirmeaning。

Thosewhoworethemnolongerwereindividuals。Theywerenotevenhuman。Duringthethreelastdaystheautomobile，likeamotor-boatfightingthetide，hadcreptthroughagray-greenriverofmen，stained，asthoughfromthebanks，bymudandyellowclay。Andforhours，whilethecarwasblocked，andinfurytheengineracedandpurred，thegray-greenriverhadrolledpasther，slowlybutasinevitablyaslavadowntheslopeofavolcano，bearingonitssurfacefaceswithstaringeyes，thousandsandthousandsofeyes，somefierceandbloodshot，othersfilledwithweariness，homesickness，pain。Atnightshestillsawthem：

thewhitefacesunderthesweatanddust，theeyesdumb，inarticulate，askingtheanswer。ShehadbeensuffocatedbyGermansoldiers，bythemassofthem，engulfedandsmothered；shehadstifledinalandinhabitedonlybygray-greenghosts。

Andsuddenly，asthoughamiraclehadbeenwrought，shesawuponthelawn，ridingtowardher，amaninscarlet，blue，andsilver。Onemanridingalone。

Approachingwithconfidence，butalert；hisreinsfallen，hishandsnursinghiscarbine，hiseyessearchedtheshadowsofthetrees，theemptywindows，eventhesun-sweptsky。Hiswasthenewfaceatthedoor，thenewsteponthefloor。Andthespyknewhadshebeheldanarmycorpsitwouldhavebeennomoresignificant，nomoremenacing，thanthesolitarychasseurachevalscoutinginadvanceoftheenemy。

"Wearesaved！"exclaimedMarie，withirony。"Goquickly，"shecommanded，"tothebedroomonthesecondfloorthatopensuponthestaircase，sothatyoucanseeallwhopass。Youaretooilltotravel。Theymustfindyouinbed。"

"Andyou？"saidBertha。

"I，"criedMarierapturously，"hastentowelcomeourpreserver！"

Thepreserverwasapeasantlad。Underthewhitedusthischeekswereburnedabrown-red，hiseyes，honestandblue，throughmuchstaringattheskiesandathorizonlines，werepuckeredandencircledwithtinywrinkles。Responsibilityhadmadehimolderthanhisyears，andinspeechbrief。Withthebeautifulladywhowithtearsofjoyrantogreethim，andwhoinanecstasyofhappinesspressedhercheekagainstthenoseofhishorse，hewasunimpressed。Hereturnedtoherherpapersandgravelyechoedheranswerstohisquestions。"Thischateau，"herepeated，"wasoccupiedbytheirGeneralStaff；theyhaveleftnowoundedhere；

yousawthelastofthempassahalf-hoursince。"Hegathereduphisreins。

Marieshriekedinalarm。"Youwillnotleaveus？"shecried。