第10章

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。

Hefoundconfrontinghimatallandbeautifulyoungwoman。ItwasnottheAlineProctorheknew。Itwasnotthewell-poised，gracious，anddistinguishedbeautyhehadseenglidingamongthetablesatSherry\'sorthrowingsmilesoverthefootlights。ThisAlineProctorwasaveryindignantyoungperson，withflashingeyes，tossinghead，andastampingfoot。Extendedfromheratarm\'slength，sheheldaphotographofherselfinaheavysilverframe；and，asthoughitwereaweapon，shewasbrandishingitinthefaceofChesterGriswold。

AsCochran，inamazement，haltedinthedoorwayshewasexclaiming：

"ItoldyouIdidn\'tknowCharlesCochran！Itellyousonow！Ifyoucan\'tbelieveme-"

OutofthecornerofherflashingeyestheangryladycaughtsightofCochraninthedoorway。Sheturnedupontheintruderasthoughshemeantforciblytoejecthim。

"Whoareyou？"shedemanded。Hermannerandtoneseemedtoadd：

"Andwhatthedeuceareyoudoinghere？"

Charlesansweredhertone。

"IamCharlesCochran，"hesaid。"Ilivehere。Thisismyhouse！"

ThesewordshadnoothereffectuponMissProctorthantoswitchherindignationdownanothertrack。ShenowturneduponCharles。

"Then，ifthisisyourhouse，"criedthatangryyoungperson，"whyhaveyoufilleditwithphotographsofmethatbelongtosomeoneelse？"

Charlessawthathishourhadcome。Hissinhadfoundhimout。Hefeltthattoprevaricatewouldbeonlystupid。

Griswoldhadtrieddeviousmethods——andlookwherehisdeviousmethodshaddumpedhim！Griswoldcertainlywasinwrong。Charlesquicklydeterminedtoadoptacoursedirectlyopposite。GriswoldhadshownanutterlackofconfidenceinAline。Charlesdecidedthathewouldgiveherhisentireconfidence，wouldthrowhimselfuponthemercyofthecourt。

"Ihavethosephotographsinmyhouse，MissProctor，"hesaid，"becauseIhaveadmiredyoualongtime。TheyweremorelikeyouthanthoseIcouldbuy。Havingthemherehashelpedmealot，andithasn\'tdoneyouanyharm。Youknowverywellyouhaveanonymousadmirersalloverthiscountry。I\'monlyoneofthem。IfIhaveoffended，Ihaveoffendedwithmany，manythousands。"

AlreadyithasbeenrelatedthatCochranwasverygoodtolookupon。Atthepresentmoment，ashespokeinrespectful，evensoulfulaccents，meeklyandpenitentlyproclaiminghislong-concealedadmiration，MissProctorfoundherindignationmeltinglikeanicicleinthesun。

Still，shedidnotholdherselfcheaply。Shewasaccustomedtosuchopenflattery。Shewouldnotatoncecapitulate。

"Butthesepictures，"sheprotested，"IgavetoamanIknew。Youhavenorighttothem。TheyarenotatallthesortofpictureI

wouldgivetoanutterstranger！"Withanxietythelovelyladypausedforareply。Shehopedthatthereplythetallyoungmanwithappealingeyeswouldmakewouldbesuchastomakeitpossibleforhertoforgivehim。

Hewasnotgiventimetoreply。WithamockingsnortGriswoldinterrupted。AlineandCharleshadentirelyforgottenhim。

"Anutterstranger！"mimickedGriswold。"Oh，yes；he\'sanutterstranger！You\'reprettygoodactors，bothofyou；butyoucan\'tkeepthatuplong，andyou\'dbetterstopitnow。"

"Stopwhat？"askedMissProctor。Hertonewascoldandcalm，butinhereyeswasastrangelight。ItshouldhavewarnedGriswoldthathewouldhavebeensaferunderthebed。

"Stoppretending！"criedGriswold。"Iwon\'thaveit！"

"Idon\'tunderstand，"saidMissProctor。Shespokeinthesamecoldvoice，onlynowithaddroppedseveraldegreesnearerfreezing。

"Idon\'tthinkyouunderstandyourself。Youwon\'thavewhat？"

Griswoldnowwasfrightened，andthatmadehimreckless。Insteadofwithdrawingheplungeddeeper。

"Iwon\'thaveyoutwopretendingyoudon\'tknoweachother，"heblustered。"Iwon\'tstandbeingfooled！Ifyou\'regoingtodeceivemebeforewe\'remarried，whatwillyoudoafterwe\'remarried？"

Charlesemittedahowl。Itwasmadeupofdisgust，amazement，andrage。FiercelyheturneduponMissProctor。

"Letmehavehim！"hebegged。

"No！"almostshoutedMissProctor。Hertonewasnolongercold——itwasvolcanic。Hereyes，flashingbeautifully，werefixeduponGriswold。

ShemadeagestureasthoughtosweepCharlesoutoftheroom。

"Pleasego！"shedemanded。"Thisdoesnotconcernyou。"

Hertonewasonenotlightlytobedisregarded。Charlesdisregardedit。

"Itdoesconcernme，"hesaidbriskly。"Nobodycaninsultawomaninmyhouse——you，leastofall！"HeturneduponthegreatestcatchinAmerica。"Griswold，"hesaid，"InevermetthisladyuntilI

cameintothisroom；butIknowher，understandher，valueherbetterthanyou\'dunderstandherifyouknewherathousandyears！"

Griswoldallowedhimtogonofarther。

"Iknowthismuch，"heroared："shewasinlovewiththemanwhotookthosephotographs，andthatmanwasinlovewithher！Andyou\'rethatman！"

"WhatifIam！"roaredbackCharles。"Menalwayshavelovedher；

menalwayswill——becauseshe\'safine，big，wonderfulwoman！Youcan\'tseethat，andyouneverwill。Youinsultedher！NowI\'llgiveyoutimetoapologizeforthat，andthenI\'llorderyououtofthishouse！AndifMissProctoristhesortofgirlIthinksheis，she\'llorderyououtofit，too！"

BothmenswungtowardMissProctor。Hereyeswerenowsmilingexcitedly。ShefirstturnedthemuponCharles，blushingmostbecomingly。

"MissProctor，"shesaid，"hopessheisthesortofgirlMr。Cochranthinkssheis。"ShethenturneduponthegreatestcatchinAmerica。"Youneedn\'twait，Chester，"shesaid，"noteventoapologize。"

ChesterGriswold，aloneinhiscar，wasdrivenbacktoNewYork。

Onthewayheinventedastorytoexplainwhy，attheeleventhhour，hehadjiltedAlineProctor；butwhenhisthoughtsrevertedtotheyoungmanhehadseenworkingwithhissleevesrolleduphedecideditwouldbesafertoletMissProctortellofthebrokenengagementinherownway。

CharleswouldnotconsenttodrivehisfairguestbacktoNewYorkuntilshehadfirsthonoredhimwithherpresenceatluncheon。Itwasservedfortwo，onhisveranda，undertheclimbinghoneysuckles。Duringtheluncheonhetoldherall。

MissProctor，inthelightofhisfiveyearsofdevotion，magnanimouslyforgavehim。

"Suchaprettyhouse！"sheexclaimedastheydroveawayfromit。

"WhenGriswoldselecteditforourhoneymoonheshowedhisfirstappreciationofwhatIreallylike。"

"Itisstillatyourservice！"saidCharles。

MissProctor\'seyessmiledwithastrangelight，butshedidnotspeak。Itwasahappyride；butwhenCharlesleftheratthedoorofherapartment-househeregardedsadlyandwithregretthebundleofretrievedphotographsthatshecarriedaway。

"Whatisit？"sheaskedkindly。

"I\'mthinkingofgoingbacktothoseemptyframes，"saidCharles，andblusheddeeply。MissProctorblushedalso。Withdelightedandguiltyeyesshehastilyscannedthephotographs。Snatchingonefromthecollection，shegaveittohimandthenranupthesteps。

InthelightofthespringsunsettheeyesofCharlesdevouredthephotographofwhich，atlast，hewastherightfulowner。Onitwaswritten："Aslongasthisrocklasts！"

AsCharleswalkedtohiscarhisexpressionwasdistinctlythoughtful。

THEMENOFZANZIBAR

WhenhishuntingtripinUgandawasover，HemingwayshippedhisspecimensandweaponsdirectfromMombasatoNewYork，buthehimselfjourneyedsouthoverthefewmilesthatstretchedtoZanzibar。

Ontheoutwardtripthesteamerhadtouchedthere，andthelittlehesawoftheplacehadsocharmedhimthatallthetimehewasonsafarihepromisedhimselfhewouldnotreturnhomewithoutrevisitingit。OnthemorninghearrivedhehadcalleduponHarris，hisconsul，toinquireaboutthehotel；andthateveningHarrishadreturnedhiscallandintroducedhimattheclub。

OneofthementhereaskedHemingwaywhatbroughthimtoAfrica，andwhenheansweredsimplyandtruthfullythathehadcometoshootbiggame，itwasasthoughhehadsaidsomethingclever，andeveryonesmiled。Onthewaybacktothehotel，astheyfelttheirwaythroughthenarrowslitsinthewallthatservedasstreets，heaskedtheconsulwhyeveryonehadsmiled。

Theconsullaughedevasively。

"It\'salocaljoke，"heexplained。"Alotofmencomehereforreasonsbestkepttothemselves，andtheyallsaywhatyousaid，thatthey\'vecometoshootbiggame。It\'sgrowntobeapolitewayoftellingamanitisnoneofhisbusiness。"

"ButIdidn\'tmeanitthatway，"protestedHemingway。"Ireallyhavebeenafterbiggameforthelasteightmonths。"

Inthetoneoneusestoquietadrunkenmanorachild，theconsulansweredsoothingly。

"Ofcourse，"heassented——"ofcourseyouhave。"Buttoshowhewasnothopelesslycredulous，andtokeepHemingwayfrominvolvinghimselfdeeper，hehintedtactfully："Maybetheynoticedyoucameashorewithonlyonesteamertrunkandnogun-cases。"

"Oh，that\'seasilyexplained，"laughedHemingway。"Myheavyluggage——"

Theconsulhadreachedhishouseandhis"boy"waspoundinguponitwithhisheavystaff。

"Pleasedon\'texplaintome，"hebegged。"It\'squiteunnecessary。

Downherewe\'resodarnedgladtoseeanywhitemanthatwedon\'taskanythingofhimexceptthathewon\'thurryaway。Wejudgethemastheybehavethemselveshere；wedon\'tcarewhattheyareathomeorwhytheyleftit。"

Hemingwaywashighlyamused。Tofindthathe，arespectable，sport-lovingHemingwayofMassachusetts，shouldbemistakenforagun-runner，slave-dealer，orescapingcashiergreatlydelightedhim。

"Allright！"heexclaimed。"I\'llpromisenottoboreyouwithmypast，andIagreetobejudgedbyZanzibarstandards。IonlyhopeIcanliveuptothem，forIseeIamgoingtoliketheplaceverymuch。"

Hemingwaykepthispromise。Heborednoonewithconfidencesastohisancestors。Ofhispasthemadeapointnevertospeak。Hepreferredthatthelittlecommunityintowhichhehaddroppedshouldremainunenlightened，shouldtakehimastheyfoundhim。

Ofthefactthatacollegewasnamedafterhisgrandfatherandthatonhisfather\'srailroadhecouldtravelthroughmanyStates，hewasdiscreetlysilent。

ThemenofZanzibaraskednoquestions。ThatHemingwaycouldplayastiffgameoftennis，astiffergameofpoker，and，onthepiano，songsfromhomewastothemsufficientrecommendation。InaweekhehadbecomeoneofthemostpopularmembersofZanzibarsociety。Itwasasthoughhehadlivedtherealways。Hemingwayfoundhimselfreachingouttograspthewarmthoftheplaceasaflowerturnstothesun。Hediscoveredthatforthirtyyearssomethinginhimhadbeencheated。

Forthirtyyearshehadbelievedthatcompletelytosatisfyhissoulallheneededwasthegraystonewallsandthegray-shingledcabinsunderthegrayskiesofNewEngland，thatwhatinnaturehemostlovedwasthepineforestsandthefieldsofgoldenrodontherock-boundcoastoftheNorthShore。Butnow，likeamanescapedfromprison，heleapedanddancedintheglaringsunlightoftheequator，herevelledintherecklessgenerosityofnature，inthegloriousconfusionofcolors，inthe"bloomingblue"oftheIndianOcean，intheArabiannightsspentuponthehousetopsunderthepurplesky，andbeneathsilverstarssonearthathecouldtouchthemwithhishand。

Hefounditlikebeingperpetuallyinacomicoperaandplayingapartinone。Foronlythescenicartistwoulddaretopainthousesinsuchyellow，pink，andcobalt-blue；onlya"producer"whohadneverventuredfartherfromBroadwaythantheAtlanticCityboardwalkwouldhaveconceivedcostumessomadandsomagnificent。InstinctivelyhecastthepeopleofZanzibarintheconventionalrolesofmusicalcomedy。

Hischoruseswerealreadyinwaiting。TherewastheSultan\'sbody-guardingold-lacedturbans，themerchantsofthebazaarsinredfezzesandgownsofflowingsilk，theMalaysailorsinblue，theblacknativepoliceinscarlet，theladiesoftheharemscloselyveiledandcloaked，themarketwomeninasinglegarmentoforange，orscarlet，orpurple，orofallthree，andthehappy，hilariousZanzibariboysinthecolorGodgavethem。

Forhourshewouldsitundertheyellow-and-greenawningoftheGreekhotelandwatchtheprocessionpass，orhewouldlieunderanumbrellaonthebeachandlaughastheboatmenliftedtheirpassengerstotheirshouldersandwiththemsplashthroughthebreakers，orinthebazaarsforhourshewouldbargainwiththeIndianmerchants，orinthegreatmahoganyhalloftheIvoryHouse，tothewhisperofapunkaandthetinkleoficeinatallglass，listentotalesofArabraids，ofelephantpoachers，ofthetradeinwhiteandblackivory，ofthegreatexplorerswhohadsatinthatsameroom——ofEminPasha，ofLivingstone，ofStanley。Hiscomicoperalackedonlyaheroineandtheloveinterest。

WhenhemetMrs。Adairhefoundboth。PollyAdair，aseveryonewhodaredtodosopreferredtocallher，was，likehimself，anAmericanand，thoughabsurdlyyoung，awidow。IntheStatesshewouldhavebeencalledanextremelyprettygirl。Inacommunitywherethefewdozenwhitewomenhadwiltedandfadedinthefiercesunoftheequator，andwheretherestofthewomenwerejetblackexcepttheirteeth，whichweredyedanalluringpurple，PollyAdairwasasbeautifulasaJunemorning。Atleast，soHemingwaythoughtthefirsttimehesawher，andeachsucceedingtimehethoughthermorebeautiful，morelovely，moretobeloved。

Hemether，threedaysafterhisarrival，attheresidenceoftheBritishagentandconsul-general，whereLadyFirthwasgivingteatothesixnursesfromtheEnglishhospitalandtoalltheotherrespectablemembersofZanzibarsociety。

"Myhusband\'stypist，"saidherladyshipasshehelpedHemingwaytotea，"isacopatriotofyours。She\'ssuchanicegell；notabitlikeanAmerican。Idon\'tknowwhatI\'ddointhisawfulplacewithouther。

Promiseme，"shebeggedtragically，"youwillnotaskhertomarryyou。"

Unconsciousofhisfate，Hemingwaypromised。

"Becauseallthemendo，"sighedLadyFirth，"andIneverknowwhatmorningoneofthewretcheswon\'tcarryherofftoahomeofherown。Andthenwhatwouldbecomeofme？Menaresoselfish！

Ifyoumustfallinlove，"suggestedherladyship，"promisemeyouwillfallinlovewith"——shepausedinnocentlyandraisedbaby-blueeyes，inababy-likestare——"withsomeoneelse。"

AgainHemingwaypromised。Hebowedgallantly。"Thatwillbequiteeasy，"hesaid。

Herladyshipsmiled，butHemingwaydidnotseethesmile。Hewaslookingpastheratagirlfromhome，whocameacrosstheterracecarryinginherhandastenographer\'snote-book。

LadyFirthfollowedthedirectionofhiseyesandsawthelookinthem。Sheexclaimedwithdismay：

"Already！Alreadyhedesertsme，evenbeforetheinkisdryonthepaper。"

Shedrewthenote-bookfromMrs。Adair\'sfingersanddroppeditunderthetea-table。

"Lettersmustwait，mychild，"shedeclared。

"ButSirGeorge——"protestedthegirl。

"SirGeorgemustwait，too，"continuedhiswife；"theForeignOfficemustwait，theBritishEmpiremustwaituntilyouhavehadyourtea。"

Thegirllaughedhelplessly。Asthoughassuredherfellowcountrymanwouldcomprehend，sheturnedtohim。

"They\'resoexactlylikewhatyouwantthemtobe，"shesaid——"I

meanabouttheirtea！"

HemingwaysmiledbackwithsuchintimateunderstandingthatLadyFirthglancedupinquiringly。

"HaveyoumetMrs。Adairalready？"sheasked。

"No，"saidHemingway，"butIhavebeentryingtomeetherforthirtyyears。"

Perplexed，theEnglishwomanfrowned，andthen，withdelightatherownperspicuity，laughedaloud。

"Iknow，"shecried，"inyourcountryyouarewhattheycalla\'hustler\'！Isthatright？"Shewavedthemaway。"TakeMrs。Adairoverthere，"shecommanded，"andtellherallthenewsfromhome。

Tellherabouttherailroadaccidentsand\'washouts\'andthelatestthinginlynching。"

Theyoungpeoplestretchedoutinlongwickerchairsintheshadeofatreecoveredwithpurpleflowers。Onaperchatonesideofthemanorang-outanginasteelbeltwascombingthewhiskersofherinfantdaughter；attheirfeetwhatlookedliketwochowpuppies，butwhichhappenedtobeLadyFirth\'spetlions，werechewingeachother\'stoothlessgums；andintheimmediateforegroundthehospitalnursesweredefyingthesunattenniswhiletheSultan\'sbandplayedselectionsfromaGaietysuccessofmanyyearsinthepast。Withthesesurroundingsitwasdifficulttotalkofhome。Noronanylateroccasions，exceptthroughinadvertence，didtheytalkofhome。

Forthereasonsalreadystated，itamusedHemingwaytovolunteernoconfidences。OnaccountofwhatthatsameeveningHarristoldhimofMrs。Adair，heaskednone。

Harrishimselfwasayoungmaninnowayinclinedtowithholdconfidences。Heenjoyedgivingoutinformation。Heenjoyedtalkingabouthimself，hisduties，theotherconsuls，theZanzibaris，andhisnativeStateofIowa。Solongashewaspermittedtotalk，thelistenercouldselectthesubject。But，combinedwithhisloquacity，Hemingwayhadfoundhimkind-hearted，intelligent，observing，andthecallofacommoncountryhadgotthemquicklytogether。

Hemingwaywasquiteconsciousthatthegirlhehadseenbutoncehadimpressedhimoutofallproportiontowhatheknewofher。

Sheseemedtoogoodtobetrue。Andhetriedtopersuadehimselfthataftereightmonthsinthehinterlandamonghipposandzebrasanyreasonablyattractivegirlwouldhaveprovedequallydisturbing。

Buthewasnotconvinced。Hedidnotwishtobeconvinced。HeassuredhimselfthathadhemetMrs。Adairathomeamonghundredsofothershewouldhaverecognizedherasawomanofexceptionalcharacter，asoneespeciallycharming。Hewantedtojustifythisideaofher；hewantedtotalkofMrs。AdairtoHarris，nottolearnmoreconcerningher，butjustforthepleasureofspeakinghername。

Hewasmuchupsetatthat，andthediscoverythatonmeetingawomanforthefirsttimehestillcouldbesoboyishlyandingenuouslymovedgreatlypleasedhim。Itwasamostdelightfulsecret。Soheactedontheprinciplethatwhenamanimmenselyadmiresawomanandwishestoconcealthatfactfromeveryoneelsehecanbestdosobydeclaringhisadmirationinthefrankestandmostopenmanner。Afterthetea-party，asHarrisandhimselfsatintheconsulate，hesoexpressedhimself。

"Whatanextraordinarynicegirl，"heexclaimed，"isthatMrs。Adair！

Ihadalongtalkwithher。Sheismostcharming。Howeverdidawomanlikethatcometobeinaplacelikethis？"

Judgingfromhismanner，itseemedtoHemingwaythatatthementionofMrs。Adair\'snamehehadfoundHarrismentallyonguard，asthoughtheconsulhadguessedthequestionwouldcomeandhadpreparedforit。

"Shejustdroppedinhereoneday，"saidHarris，"fromnoplaceinparticular。Personally，Ialwayshavethoughtfromheaven。"

"It\'sagoodaddress，"saidHemingway。

"Itseemstosuither，"theconsulagreed。"Anyway，ifshedoesn\'tcomefromthere，that\'swhereshe\'sgoing——justonaccountofthegoodshe\'sdoneuswhileshe\'sbeenhere。Shearrivedfourmonthsagowithatypewriting-machineandletterstomefromourconsulsinCapeTownandDurban。Shehaddonesometypewritingforthem。Itseemsthatafterherhusbanddied，whichwasafewmonthsaftertheyweremarried，shelearnedtomakeherlivingbytypewriting。Sheworkedtoohardandbrokedown，andthedoctorsaidshemustgotohotcountries，the\'hotterthebetter。\'Soshe\'sworkedherwayhalfaroundtheworldtypewriting。SheworkedchieflyforherownconsulsorfortheAmericancommissionhouses。Sometimesshestayedamonth，sometimesonlyoveronesteamerday。ButwhenshegothereLadyFirthtooksuchafancytoherthatshemadeSirGeorgeengageherashisprivatesecretary，andshe\'sbeenhereeversince。"

InacommunitysosmallaswasthatofZanzibarthewhiteresidentssawoneanothereveryday，andwithinaweekHemingwayhadmetMrs。Adairmanytimes。Hemetheratdinner，attheBritishagency；

hemetherinthecountryclub，wherethewhiteexilesgatheredforteaandtennis。Hehiredalaunchandinherhonorgaveapicniconthenorthcoastoftheisland，andonthreegloriousandmemorablenights，afterdifferentdinner-partieshadascendedtotheroof，hesatathersideandacrossthewhitelevelofthehousetopslookeddownintothemoonlitharbor。

Whatinterestthetwoyoungpeoplefeltineachotherwasinnowaydiscouragedbytheirsurroundings。Inthetropicsthetenderemotionsarenotwinterkilled。Hadtheymetathome，theconventions，hisownwork，hersocialdutieswouldhavekepttheprogressoftheirinterestwithinacertainspeedlimit。Buttheywereinaplacefreeofconventions，andtheprecedingeightmonthswhichHemingwayhadspentinthejungleandontheplainhadmadethesocietyofhisfellowman，andofMrs。Adairinparticular，especiallyattractive。

Hemingwayhadnoworktooccupyhistime，andheplaceditunreservedlyatthedispositionofhiscountrywoman。IndoingsoitcouldnotbesaidthatMrs。Adairencouragedhim。Hemingwayhimselfwouldhavebeenthefirsttoacknowledgethis。Fromthedayhemetherhewasconsciousthatalwaystherewasanintangiblebarrierbetweenthem。Evenbeforeshepossiblycouldhaveguessedthathisinterestinherwasmorethanevenshe，attractiveasshewas，hadtherighttoexpect，shehadwrappedaroundherselfaninvisiblemantleofdefense。

Therewerecertainspeechesofhiswhichsheneverheard，certaintonestowhichsheneverresponded。Atmomentswhenhewascomplimentinghimselfthatatlastshewascontenttobeinhiscompany，shewouldsuddenlyriseandjointheothers，andhewouldbeleftwonderinginwhatwayhecouldpossiblyhaveoffended。

Heassuredhimselfthatawoman，youngandattractive，inastrangelandinherdependentpositionmustofnecessitybediscreet，butinhisconducttherecertainlyhadbeennothingthatwasnotconsiderate，courteous，andstraightforward。

Whenheappreciatedthathecaredforherseriously，thathewasgloriouslyhappyincaring，andproudofthewayinwhichhecared，thefactthatshepersistentlyheldhimatarm\'slengthpuzzledandhurt。Atfirstwhenhehaddeliberatelysettoworktomakeherlikehimhewasgladtothinkthat，owingtohisreticenceabouthimself，ifshedidlikehimitwouldbeforhimselfaloneandnotforhisworldlygoods。ButwhenheknewherbetterheunderstoodthatifonceMrs。Adairmadeuphermindtotakeasecondhusband，thefactthathewasasocialandfinancialsomebody，andnot，asmanyinZanzibarsupposedHemingwaytobe，asocialoutcast，wouldmakebutlittledifference。

Norwashermannertobeexplainedbythefactthatthemajorityofwomenfoundhimunattractive。Astothat，thepleasantburdenofhisexperiencewastothecontrary。Heatlastwonderediftherewassomeoneelse，ifhehadcomeintoherlifetoolate。

Hesetaboutlookingforthemanandso，hebelieved，hesoonfoundhim。

Ofthelittlecolony，ArthurFearingwasthemanofwhomHemingwayhadseentheleast。ThatwassobecauseFearingwishedit。Likehimself，FearingwasanAmerican，young，andabachelor，but，verymuchunlikeHemingway，ahermitandarecluse。

TwoyearsbeforehehadcometoZanzibarlookingforaninvestmentforhismoney。InZanzibarthereweregentlemenadventurersofeverycountry，whowerewelcometoliveinanycountrysavetheirown。

TothemMr。Fearingseemedaheaven-sentvictim。Buttohimtheiralluringtalesofthefortunesthatweretorisefromburiedtreasures，lostmines，andpearlbedsdidnotappeal。Insteadheconferredwiththeconsuls，theresponsiblemerchants，thepartnersintheprosperoustradinghouses。Afteramonthof"lookingaround"hehadpurchasedoutrightthegoodwillandstockofoneoftheoldestofthecommissionhouses，andsoonshowedhimselftobeamostcapablemanofbusiness。But，exceptasamanofbusiness，nooneknewhim。Fromthedimrecessesofhiswarehousehepassedeachdaytotheseclusionofhisbungalowinthecountry。And，althougheveryonewasfriendlytohim，hemadenofriends。

ItwasonlyafterthearrivalofMrs。Adairthatheconsentedtoshowhimself，anditwassoonnotedthatitwasonlywhenshewasinvitedthathewouldappear，andthatontheseoccasionshedevotedhimselfentirelytoher。Inthepresenceofothers，hestillwasshy，gravelypolite，andspeakingbutlittle，andneverofhimself；butwithMrs。Adairhisshynessseemedtoleavehim，andwhenwithherhewasseentotalkeasilyandeagerly。And，onherpart，towhathesaid，PollyAdairlistenedwithseriousinterest。

LadyFirth，who，athome，wasatrainedandsuccessfulmatch-maker，andwho，inZanzibar，hadfoundbutalimitedfieldforheractivities，decidedthatifhercompanionandprotegeemustmarry，sheshouldmarryFearing。

Fearingwasnogentlemanadventurer，remittance-man，orhumbleclerkservinghisapprenticeshiptoasteamshiplineoranivoryhouse。HewasoneofthepillarsofZanzibarsociety。Thetradinghousehehadpurchasedhadhaditsbeginningsintheslave-trade，andnowunderhisalertdirectionwasmakingaturnoverequaltothatofanyofitsancientrivals。Personally，Fearingwasamostdesirablecatch。Hewaswell-mannered，well-read，ofgoodappearance，steady，and，inalatitudeonlysixdegreesremovedfromtheequator，ofimpeccablemorals。

Itissaidthatitisthepersonwhoisinlovewhoalwaysisthefirsttodiscoverhissuccessfulrival。Itiseitheraninstinctorbecausehisconcernisdeeperthanthatofothers。

Andso，whenHemingwaysoughtfortheinfluencethatseparatedhimfromPollyAdair，thetrailledtoFearing。Tofindthattheobstacleinthepathofhistruelovewasamangreatlyrelievedhim。HehadfearedthatwhatwasinthethoughtsofMrs。Adairwasthememoryofherdeadhusband。Hehadnodesiretocrossswordswithaghost。Buttoalivingrivalhecouldaffordtobegenerous。

ForhewassurenoonecouldcareforPollyAdairashecared，and，likeeveryothermaninlove，hebelievedthathealonehaddiscoveredinherbeautiesofsoulandcharacterthattotherestofmankindwerehidden。Thisknowledge，heassuredhimself，hadarousedinhimadepthofdevotionnooneelsecouldhopetoimitate，andthisdepthofdevotionwouldintimesoimpressher，wouldbecomesonecessarytoherexistence，thatitwouldforceheratlastintothearmsoftheonlymanwhocouldofferit。

Havingsatisfiedhimselfinthisfashion，hecontinuedcheerfullyonhisway，andthepresenceofarivalinnowaydiscouragedhim。ItonlywasPollyAdairwhodiscouragedhim。Andthis，inspiteofthefactthateveryhourofthedayhetriedtobringhimselfpleasantlytohernotice。Allthatanidleyoungmaninlove，aidedandabettedbyimaginationandanunlimitedletterofcredit，coulddo，Hemingwaydid。Buttonoend。

Thetreasureshedugoutofthebazaarsandpresentedtoher，underfalsepretensesastrinketshehappenedatthatmomenttofindinhispockets，wereadmiredbyherattheirowngreatvalue，andreturnedalsounderfalsepretenses，ashavingbeenofferedheronlytoexamine。

"Itisforyoursisterathome，Isuppose，"sheprompted。"It\'squitelovely。Thankyouforlettingmeseeit。"

Afterhavingbeenseveraltimesseverelysnubbedinthisfashion，Hemingwayremarkedgrimlyasheputablackpearlbackintohispocket：

"AtthisratesisterwillbemightygladtoseemewhenIgethome。ItseemsalmostapityIhaven\'tgotasister。"

Thegirlansweredthisonlywithagravesmile。

OnanotheroccasionsheadmiredapoloponythathadbeenimportedforthestableoftheboySultan。ButnextmorningHemingway，aftermuchdiplomacy，becametheownerofitandproudlyrodeittotheagency。LadyFirthandPollyAdairwalkedouttomeethimarminarm，butatsightoftheponytherecameintotheeyesofthesecretaryalookthatcausedHemingwaytowishhimselfandhismountmanymilesinthejungle。Hesawthatbeforeithadbeenproffered，hisgift-horsehadbeenrejected。

Heactedpromptly。

"LadyFirth，"hesaid，"you\'vebeensoawfullykindtome，madethisplacesolikeahometome，thatIwantyoutoputthismareinyourstable。TheSultanwantedher，butwhenhelearnedImeanttoturnherovertoyou，helethergo。Webothhopeyou\'llaccept。"

LadyFirthhadnoscruples。Infiveminutesshehadaccepted，hadclappedaside-saddleonherrichgift，andwascanteringjoyouslydownthePearlRoad。

PollyAdairlookedafterherwithanexpressionthatwasdistinctlywistful。Thusencouraged，Hemingwaysaid：

"I\'mgladyouaresorry。Ihopeeverytimeyouseethatponyyou\'llbesorry。"

"WhyshouldIbesorry？"askedthegirl。

"Becauseyouhavebeenunkind，"saidHemingway，"anditisnotyourcharactertobeunkind。Andthatyouhaveshownlackofcharacteroughttomakeyousorry。"

"Butyouknowperfectlywell，"saidMrs。Adair，"thatifIweretotakeanyoneofthesewonderfulthingsyoubringme，Iwouldn\'thaveanycharacterleft。"

Shesmiledathimreassuringly。"Andyouknow，"sheadded，"thatthatisnotwhyIdonottakethem。Itisn\'tbecauseIcan\'taffordto，orbecauseIdon\'twantthem，becauseIdo；butit\'sbecauseIdon\'tdeservethem，becauseIcangiveyounothinginreturn。"

"Asthecopy-booksays，"returnedHemingway，"\'thepleasureisinthegiving。\'Ifthecopy-bookdon\'tsaythat，Ido。Andtopretendthatyougivemenothing，thatisridiculous！"

Itwassoridiculousthatherushedonvehemently。"Why，everyminuteyougivemesomething，"heexclaimed。"Justtoseeyou，justtoknowyouarealive，justtobecertainwhenIturninatnightthatwhentheworldwakesupagainyouwillstillbeapartofit；thatiswhatyougiveme。Anditsnameis——Happiness！"

Hehadbegunquiteinnocently；hehadhadnoideathatitwouldcome。Buthehadsaidit。Asclearlyasthoughhehaddroppedupononeknee，laidhishandoverhisheartandexclaimed："Mostbeautifulofyoursex，Iloveyou！Willyoumarryme？"Hiseyesandthetoneofhisvoicehadsaidit。Andheknewthathehadsaidit，andthatsheknew。

Hereyeswerefilledwithsuddentears，andsowonderfulwasthelightinthemthatforonemadmomentHemingwaythoughttheyweretearsofhappiness。Butthelightdied，andwhathadbeentearsbecameonlywetdropsofwater，andhesawtohisdismaythatshewasmostmiserable。

Thegirlmovedaheadofhimtothecliffonwhichtheagencystood，andwhichoverhungtheharborandtheIndianOcean。Hereyeswerefilledwithtrouble。Assheraisedthemtohistheybeggedofhimtobekind。

"Iamgladyoutoldme，"shesaid。"Ihavebeenafraiditwascoming。ButuntilyoutoldmeIcouldnotsayanything。Itriedtostopyou。Iwasrudeandunkind——"

"Youcertainlywere，"Hemingwayagreedcheerfully。"Andthemoreyouwouldhavenothingtodowithme，themoreIadmiredyou。AndthenIlearnedtoadmireyoumore，andthentoloveyou。ItseemsnowasthoughIhadalwaysknownandalwayslovedyou。Andnowthisiswhatwearegoingtodo。"

Hewouldn\'tletherspeak；herushedonprecipitately。

"Wearefirstgoinguptothehousetogetyourtypewriting-machine，andwewillbringitbackhereandhurlitasfaraswecanoffthiscliff。

Iwanttoseethesplash！Iwanttohearitsmashwhenithitsthatrock。

Ithasbeenmyworstenemy，becauseithelpedyoutobeindependentofme，becauseitkeptyoufromme。Timeaftertime，ontheveranda，whenIwaspretendingtolistentoLadyFirth，Iwaslisteningtothatdamnedmachinebangingandcomplainingandtiringyourprettyfingersandyourdeareyes。Sofirstithasgottogo。Youhavebeenitsslave，nowIamgoingtobeyourslave。Youhaveonlytorubthelampandthingswillhappen。AndbecauseI\'vetoldyounothingaboutmyself，youmustn\'tthinkthatthemoneythathelpstomakethemhappenis\'tainted。\'Itisn\'t。NoramI，normyfather，normyfather\'sfather。Iamaskingyoutomarryaperfectlyrespectableyoungman。And，whenyoudo——"

Againhegavehernoopportunitytointerrupt，butrushedonimpetuously："Wewillsailawayacrossthatoceantowhereveryouwilltakeme。ToCeylonandTokioandSanFrancisco，toNaplesandNewYork，toGreeceandAthens。Theyareallnear。Theyareallyours。Willyouacceptthemandme？"Hesmiledappealingly，butmostmiserably。Forthoughhehadspokenlightlyandwithconfidence，itwastoconcealthefactthathewasnotatallconfident。

Ashehadreadinhereyesherrefusalofhispony，hehadread，evenashespoke，herrefusalofhimself。Whenheceasedspeakingthegirlanswered：

"IfIsaythatwhatyoutellmemakesmeproud，Iamsayingtoolittle。"

Sheshookherheadfirmly，withanairoffinalitythatfrightenedHemingway。"Butwhatyouask——whatyousuggestisimpossible。"

"Youdon\'tlikeme？"saidHemingway。

"Ilikeyouverymuch，"returnedthegirl，"and，ifIdon\'tseemunhappythatitcan\'tbe，itisbecauseIalwayshaveknownitcan\'tbe——"

"Whycan\'titbe？"rebelledHemingway。"Idon\'tmeanthatIcan\'tunderstandyournotwantingtomarryme，butifIknewyourobjection，maybe，Icouldbeatitdown。"

Again，withthesameairoffinality，thegirlmovedherheadslowly，asthoughconsideringeachword；shebegancautiously。

"Icannottellyouthereason，"shesaid，"becauseitdoesnotconcernonlymyself。"

"Ifyoumeanyoucareforsomeoneelse，"pleadedHemingway，"thatdoesnotfrightenmeatall。"Itdidfrightenhimextremely，but，believingthatafaintheartneverwonanything，hepretendedtobebrave。

"Foryou，"heboasted，"Iwouldgodownintothegraveasdeepasanyman。Hethathathmorelethimgive。IknowwhatIoffer。I

knowIloveyouasnootherman——"

Thegirlbackedawayfromhimasthoughhehadstruckher。"Youmustnotsaythat，"shecommanded。

Forthefirsttimehesawthatshewasmoved，thatthefingersshelacedandunlacedweretrembling。"Itisfinal！"exclaimedthegirl。"Icannotmarry——you，oranyone。I——Ihavepromised。

Iamnotfree。"

"Nothingintheworldisfinal，"returnedHemingwaysharply，"exceptdeath。"Heraisedhishatand，asthoughtoleaveher，movedaway。Notbecauseheadmitteddefeat，butbecausehefeltthatforthepresenttocontinuemightlosehimthechancetofightagain。But，todeliveranultimatum，heturnedback。

"Aslongasyouarealive，andIamalive，"hetoldher，"allthingsarepossible。Idon\'tgiveuphope。Idon\'tgiveupyou。"

Thegirlexclaimedwithagestureofdespair。"Hewon\'tunderstand！"

shecried。

Hemingwayadvancedeagerly。

"Helpmetounderstand，"hebegged。

"Youwon\'tunderstand，"explainedthegirl，"thatIamspeakingthetruth。Youarerightthatthingscanchangeinthefuture，butnothingcanchangethepast。Can\'tyouunderstandthat？"

"WhatdoIcareforthepast？"criedtheyoungmanscornfully。"I

knowyouaswellasthoughIhadknownyouforathousandyearsandIloveyou。"

Thegirlflushedcrimson。

"Notmypast，"shegasped。"Imeant——"

"Idon\'tcarewhatyoumeant，"saidHemingway。"I\'mnotpryingintoyourlittlesecrets。Iknowonlyonething——twothings，thatIloveyouandthat，untilyouloveme，Iamgoingtomakeyourlifehell！"

Hecaughtatherhands，andforaninstantshelethimclasptheminbothofhis，whileshelookedathim。

Somethinginherface，otherthandistressandpity，causedhishearttoleap。Buthewastoowisetospeak，and，thatshemightnotreadthehopeinhiseyes，turnedquicklyandlefther。Hehadnotcrossedthegroundsoftheagencybeforehehadmadeuphismindastothereasonforherrepellinghim。

"SheisengagedtoFearing！"hetoldhimself。"ShehaspromisedtomarryFearing！Shethinksthatitistoolatetoconsideranotherman！"Theprospectofafightforthewomanhelovedthrilledhimgreatly。Hislowerjawsetpugnaciously。

"I\'llshowherit\'snottoolate，"hepromisedhimself。"I\'llshowherwhichofusisthemantomakeherhappy。And，ifIamnottheman，I\'lltakethefirstoutboundsteamerandtroublethemnomore。

Butbeforethathappens，"healsopromisedhimself，"Fearingmustshowheisthebetterman。"

Inspiteofhisbravewords，inspiteofhisdetermination，withinthedayHemingwayhadwithdrawninfavorofhisrival，and，ontheCrownPrinceEitel，boundforGenoaandNewYork，hadbookedhispassagehome。

OntheafternoonofthesamedayhehadspokentoPollyAdair，Hemingwayatthesunsethourbetookhimselftotheconsulate。Atthathourithadbecomehiscustomtovisithisfellowcountrymanandwithhimsharethegossipofthedayandsuchacocktailasonlyafellowcountrymancouldcompose。LaterhewastodineatthehouseoftheIvoryCompanyand，ashisheartneverceasedtellinghim，Mrs。Adairalsowastobepresent。

"Itwillbeaverypleasantparty，"saidHarris。"Theygavemeabid，too，butit\'ssteamerdayto-morrow，andI\'vegottogetmymailreadyfortheCrownPrinceEitel。Mrs。Adairistobethere。"

Hemingwaynodded，andwithpleasantanticipationwaited。OfMrs。

Adair，Harrisalwaysspokewithreverententhusiasm，andthemanwholovedherdelightedtolisten。ButthistimeHarrisdisappointedhim。

"AndFearing，too，"headded。

AgainHemingwaynodded。Theconjunctionofthetwonamessurprisedhim，buthemadenosign。LoquaciousasheknewHarristobe，heneverbeforehadheardhisfriendevensuggestthesubjectthattoZanzibarhadbecomeofacuteinterest。

Harrisfilledthetwoglasses，andbegantopacetheroom。Whenhespokeitwasintheaggrievedtoneofonewhofeelshimselfplacedinafalseposition。

"There\'snoone，"hecomplainedsuddenly，"sopopularlyunpopularasthemanwhobuttsin。Iknowthat，butstillI\'vealwaystakenhisside。I\'vealwaysbeenforhim。"Hehalted，straddlingwithlegsapartandhandsdeepinhistrouserspockets，andfrowneddownuponhisguest。

"Suppose，"hebeganaggressively，"Iseeamandrivinghiscaroveracliff。IfItellhimthatroadwilltakehimoveracliff，theworstthatcanhappentomeistobetoldtomindmyownbusiness，andIcanalwaysanswerback：\'Iwasonlytryingtohelpyou。\'IfIdon\'tspeak，themanbreakshisneck。Betweenthetwo，itseemstome，soonerthanhaveanyone\'slifeonmyhands，I\'dratherbetoldtomindmyownbusiness。"

Hemingwaystaredintohisglass。Hisexpressionwasdistinctlydisapproving，but，undismayed，theconsulcontinued。

"Now，weallknowthatthismorningyougavethatpoloponytoLadyFirth，andoneofusguessesthatyoufirstofferedittosomeoneelse，whorefusedit。Oneofusthinksthatverysoon，to-morrow，orevento-night，atthispartyyoumayofferthatsamepersonsomethingelse，somethingworthmorethanapolopony，andthatifsherefusesthat，itisgoingtobreakyouallup，isgoingtohurtyoufortherestofyourlife。"

Liftinghiseyesfromhisglass，Hemingwayshotathisfriendaglanceofwarning。Inhaste，Harriscontinued：

"Iknow，"heprotested，answeringthelook，"IknowthatthisiswhereMr。Buttinskyistoldtomindhisbusiness。ButI\'mgoingrighton。I\'mgoingtostateahypotheticalcasewithnonamesmentionedandnoquestionsasked，oranswered。I\'mgoingtostateatheory，andletyoudrawyourowndeductions。"

Heslidintoachair，andacrossthetablefastenedhiseyesonthoseofhisfriend。Confidentlyandundisturbed，butwithawrysmileofdislike，Hemingwaystaredfixedlybackathim。

"What，"demandedHarris，"isthefirstruleindetectivework？"

Hemingwaystarted。Hewaspreparedforsomethingunpleasant，butnotforthatparticularformofunpleasantness。Buthisfaithwasunshaken，andhesmiledconfidently。Helettheconsulanswerhisownquestion。

"Itistofollowthewoman，"declaredHarris。"And，accordingly，whatshouldbethefirstprecautionofamanmakinghisget-away？

Toseethatthewomandoesnotfollow。Butsupposewearedealingwithafugitiveofespecialintelligence，withacriminalwhohasimaginationandbrains？Hemightfixitsothatthewomancouldfollowhimwithoutgivinghimaway，hemightplanitsothatnoonewouldsuspect。Shemightarriveathishiding-placeonlyaftermanymonths，onlyaftereachhadmadeseparatelyalongcircuitoftheglobe，onlyafterajourneywithaplausibleandlegitimateobject。

Shewouldarrivedisguisedineveryway，andtheywouldmeetastotalstrangers。And，asstrangersundertheeyesofothers，theywouldbecomeacquainted，wouldgraduallygrowmorefriendly，wouldbeseenmorefrequentlytogether，untilatlastpeoplewouldsay：\'Thosetwomeantomakeamatchofit。\'Andthen，oneday，openly，inthesightofallmen，withtheaidofthelawandthechurch，theywouldresumethoserelationsthatexistedbeforethemanranawayandthewomanfollowed。"

Therewasashortsilence。

Hemingwaybrokeitinatonethatwouldacceptnodenial。

"Youcan\'ttalklikethattome，"hecried。"Whatdoyoumean？"

Withoutresentment，theconsulregardedhimwithgravesolicitude。

Hislookwasoneofrealaffection，and，althoughhistoneheldtheabsolutefinalityofthefamilyphysicianwhodeliversasentenceofdeath，hespokewithgentlenessandregret。

"Imean，"hesaid，"thatMrs。Adairisnotawidow，thatthemanshespeaksofasherlatehusbandisnotdead；thatthatmanisFearing！"

Hemingwayfeltafraid。Amonthbeforearhinoceroshadchargedhimandhaddroppedathisfeet。Atanothertimeawoundedlionesshadleapedintohispathandcrouchedtospring。Thenhehadnotbeenafraid。Thenhehadaimedasconfidentlyasthoughhewerefiringatastrawtarget。Butnowhefeltrealfear：fearofsomethinghedidnotcomprehend，ofasituationhecouldnotmaster，ofanadversaryasstrongasFate。Byawordsomethinghadbeensnatchedfromhimthathenowknewwasasdeartohimaslife，thatwaslife，thatwaswhatmadeitworthcontinuing。Andhecoulddonothingtopreventit；hecouldnothelphimself。Hewasasimpotentastheprisonerwhohearsthejudgebanishhimintoexile。Hetriedtoadjusthismindtothecalamity。Buthismindrefused。Aseasilyaswithhisfingeramancanblocktheswingofapendulumandhalttheprogressoftheclock，Harriswithawordhadbroughttheentireworldtoafullstop。

Andthen，abovehishead，Hemingwayheardthelazywhisperofthepunka，andfromtheharbortheraucouswhistleoftheCrownPrinceEitel，signallingherentrance。Theworldhadnotstopped；forthepunka-boy，forthecaptainoftheGermansteamer，forHarrisseatedwithfaceaverted，theworldwasstillgoinggaylyandbusilyforward。

Onlyforhimhaditstopped。

InspiteoftheconfidenttoneinwhichHarrishadspoken，inspiteofthefactthatunlessheknewitwasthetruth，hewouldnothavespoken，Hemingwaytriedtourgehimselftobelievetherehadbeensomehideous，absurderror。Butinanswercamebacktohimsnatchesoftalkorphrasesthegirlhadlastaddressedtohim："Youcancommandthefuture，butyoucannotchangethepast。Icannotmarryyou，oranyone！Iamnotfree！"

Andthentocomforthimself，hecalledupthelookhehadsurprisedinhereyeswhenhestoodholdingherhandsinhis。Heclungtoit，asadrowningmanwillclutchevenatapieceoffloatingseaweed。

Whenhetriedtospeakhefoundhisvoicechokedandstifled，andthathisdistresswasevident，heknewfromthepityhereadintheeyesofHarris。

Inavoicestrangetohim，heheardhimselfsaying："Whydoyouthinkthat？You\'vegottotellme。Ihavearighttoknow。ThismorningIaskedMrs。Adairtomarryme。"

Theconsulexclaimedwithdismayandsquirmedunhappily。"I

didn\'tknow，"heprotested。"IthoughtIwasintime。Ioughttohavetoldyoudaysago，but——"

"Tellmenow，"commandedHemingway。

"Iknowitinathousandways，"beganHarris。

Hemingwayraisedhiseyeshopefully。

Buttheconsulshookhishead。"Buttoconvinceyou，"hewenton，"Ineedtellyouonlyone。Thethousandotherproofsarelookstheyhaveexchanged，sentencesIhavechancedtooverhear，andthateachofthemunknowntotheotherhastoldmeoflittlehappeningsandincidentswhichIfoundwerecommontoboth。Eachhasdescribedthehouseinwhichheorshelived，anditwasthesamehouse。TheyclaimtocomefromdifferentcitiesinNewEngland，theycamefromthesamecity。Theyclaim——"

"Thatisnoproof，"criedHemingway，"eitherthattheyaremarried，orthatthemanisacriminal。"

ForamomentHarrisregardedtheotherinsilence。Thenhesaid：

"You\'remakingitveryhardforme。IseeI\'vegottoshowyou。

It\'skindest，afterall，tocutquick。"Heleanedfartherforward，andhisvoicedropped。Speakingquickly，hesaid：

"LastsummerIlivedoutsidethetowninabungalowonthePearlRoad。Fearing\'shousewasnexttomine。ThiswasbeforeMrs。

Adairwenttoliveattheagency，andwhileshewasaloneinanotherbungalowfartherdowntheroad。Iwasillthatsummer；

mynerveswentbackonme。Icouldn\'tsleep。Iusedtositallnightonmyverandaandprayforthesuntorise。FromwhereIsatitwasdarkandnoonecouldseeme，butIcouldseetheverandaofFearing\'shouseandintohisgarden。AndnightafternightIsawMrs。AdaircreepoutofFearing\'shouse，sawhimwalkwithhertothegate，sawhimintheshadowofthebushestakeherinhisarms，andsawthemkiss。"Thevoiceoftheconsulrosesharply。"NooneknowsthatbutyouandI，and，"hecrieddefiantly，"itisimpossibleforustobelieveillofPollyAdair。Theeasyexplanationwerefuse。Itisintolerable。

AndsoyoumustbelieveasIbelieve；thatwhenshevisitedFearingbynightshewenttohimbecauseshehadtherighttogotohim，becausealreadyshewashiswife。AndnowwheneveryoneherebelievestheymetforthefirsttimeinZanzibar，whennoonewillbesurprisediftheyshouldmarry，theywillgothroughtheceremonyagain，andliveasmanandwife，astheyare，astheywerebeforehefledfromAmerica！"

Hemingwaywasseatedwithhiselbowsonthetableandhisfaceinhishands。HewassolongsilentthatHarrisstruckthetableroughlywithhispalm。

"Well，"hedemanded，"whydon\'tyouspeak？Doyoudoubther？

Don\'tyoubelievesheishiswife？"

"Irefusetobelieveanythingelse！"saidHemingway。Herose，andslowlyandheavilymovedtowardthedoor。"AndIwillnottroublethemanymore，"headded。"I\'llleaveatsunriseontheEitel。"

Harrisexclaimedindismay，butHemingwaydidnothearhim。Inthedoorwayhehaltedandturnedback。Fromhisvoicealltraceofemotionhaddeparted。"Why，"heaskeddully，"doyouthinkFearingisafugitive？Notthatitmatterstoher，sincesheloveshim，orthatitmatterstome。OnlyIwouldliketothinkyouwerewrong。Iwanthertohaveonlythebest。"

Againtheconsulmovedunhappily。

"Ioughtn\'ttotellyou，"heprotested，"andifIdoIoughttotelltheStateDepartment，andadetectiveagencyfirst。Theyhavethecall。

Theywanthim，oramandamnedlikehim。"Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper。"ThemanwantedisHenryBrownell，acashierofabankinWaltham，Mass。，thirty-fiveyearsofage，smooth-shaven，college-bred，speakingwithamarkedNewEnglandaccent，and——andwithothermarksthatfitFearinglikethecoveronabook。ThedepartmentandthePinkertonshavebeendevillingthelifeoutofmeaboutitforninemonths。TheyarepositiveheisonthecoastofAfrica。Iputthemoff。

Iwasn\'tsure。"

"You\'vebeenprotectingthem，"saidHemingway。

"Iwasn\'tsure，"reiteratedHarris。"AndifIwere，thePinkertonscandotheirownsleuthing。Theman\'slivinghonestlynow，anyway，isn\'the？"

hedemanded；"andsheloveshim。Atleastshe\'sstuckbyhim。WhyshouldIpunishher？"

Histoneseemedtochallengeandupbraid。

"GoodGod！"criedtheother，"I\'mnotblamingyou！I\'dbeproudofthechancetodoasmuch。IaskedbecauseI\'dliketogoawaythinkingshe\'scontent，thinkingshe\'shappywithhim。"

"Doesn\'titlookasthoughshewere？"Harrisprotested。"She\'sfollowedhim——followedhimhalfaroundtheglobe。Ifshe\'dbeenhappierawayfromhim，she\'dhavestayedawayfromhim。"

Sointenthadbeenthemenupontheirtalkthatneitherhadnotedthepassingoftheminutesor，whatatothertimeswasaneventofmoment，thatthemailsteamerhaddistributedhermailandpassengers；andwhenaservantenteredbearinglamps，andfromtheofficetheconsul\'sclerkappearedwithabundleoflettersfromtheEitel，bothweretakenbysurprise。

"Solate？"exclaimedHemingway。"Imustgo。IfI\'mtosailwiththeEitelatdaybreak，I\'velittletime！"

Buthedidnotgo。

AsheadvancedtowardHarriswithhishandoutstretchedinadieu，thefaceoftheconsulhaltedhim。Withtheletters，theclerkhadplaceduponthetableavisiting-card，andasitlayinthecircleoflightfromthelamptheconsul，asthoughitwerealiveandmenacing，staredatitinfascination。Movingstiffly，heturneditsothatHemingwaycouldsee。OnitHemingwayread，"GeorgeS。Sheyer，"and，onalowerline，"RepresentingWilliamL。Pinkerton。"

Tothewomanhelovedthecalamitytheydreadedhadcome，andHemingway，withagroanofdismay，exclaimedaloud：

"Itistheend！"

Fromthedarknessoftheouterofficeamansteppedsoftlyintothecircleofthelamp。Theycouldseehisfigureonlyfromthewaistdown；therestofhimwasblurredinshadows。

"\'Itistheend\'？"herepeatedinquiringly。Hespokethephrasewithpeculiaremphasis，asthoughtoimpressituponthememoryofthetwoothers。Hisvoicewascool，alert，authoritative。"Theendofwhat？"hedemandedsharply。

Thequestionwasmostdifficult。Inthesilencethedetectivemovedintothelight。Hewastallandstronglybuilt，hisfacewasshrewdandintelligent。Hemighthavebeenaprosperousmanofbusiness。

"Whichofyouistheconsul？"heasked。ButhedidnottakehiseyesfromHemingway。

"Iamtheconsul，"saidHarris。ButstillthedetectivedidnotturnfromHemingway。

"Why，"heasked，"didthisgentleman，whenhereadmycard，say，\'Itistheend\'？Theendofwhat？Hasanythingbeengoingonherethatcametoanendwhenhesawmycard？"

Disconcerted，indeepembarrassment，Harrisstruggledforaword。

Buthisdistresswasnotobservedbythedetective。Hiseyes，suspiciousandaccusing，stillwerefixeduponHemingway，andundertheirscrutinyHarrissawhisfriendslowlyretreat，slowlycrumpleupintoachair，slowlyraisehishandstocoverhisface。Asthoughinanightmare，heheardhimsayingsavagely：

"Itistheendoftwoyearsofhell，itistheendoftwoyearsoffearandagony！NowIshallhavepeace。NowIshallsleep！

IthankGodyou\'vecome！IthankGodIcangoback！"

Harrisbrokethespellbyleapingtohisfeet。Hesprangbetweenthetwomen。

"Whatdoesthismean？"hecommanded。

Hemingwayraisedhiseyesandsurveyedhimsteadily。

"Itmeans，"hesaid，"thatIhavedeceivedyou，Harris——thatIamthemanyoutoldmeof，Iamthemantheywant。"Heturnedtotheofficer。

"Ifooledhimforfourmonths，"hesaid。"Icouldn\'tfoolyouforfiveminutes。"

Theeyesofthedetectivedancedwithsuddenexcitement，joy，andtriumph。HeshotaneagerglancefromHemingwaytotheconsul。

"Thisman，"hedemanded；"whoishe？"

WithanimpatientgestureHemingwaysignifiedHarris。

"Hedoesn\'tknowwhoIam，"hesaid。"HeknowsmeasHemingway。

IamHenryBrownell，ofWaltham，Mass。"Againhisfacesankintothepalmsofhishands。"AndI\'mtired——tired，"hemoaned。"Iamsickofnotknowing，sickofrunningaway。Igivemyselfup。"

Thedetectivebreathedasighofreliefthatseemedtoissuefromhissoul。

"MyGod，"hesighed，"you\'vegivenmealongchase！I\'vehadelevenmonthsofyou，andI\'massickofthisasyouare。"Herecoveredhimselfsharply。Asthoughrecitinganincantation，headdressedHemingwayincrisp，emotionlessnotes。

"HenryBrownell，"hechanted，"IarrestyouinthenameofthecommonwealthofMassachusettsfortherobbery，onOctobertheeleventh，nineteenhundredandnine，oftheWalthamTitleandTrustCompany。Iunderstand，"headded，"youwaiveextraditionandreturnwithmeofyourownfreewill？"

Withhisfacestillinhishands，Hemingwaymurmuredassent。Thedetectivesteppedbrisklyanduninvitedtothetableandseatedhimself。

Hewasbeamingwithtriumph，withpleasurableexcitement。

"Iwanttosendamessagehome，Mr。Consul，"hesaid。"MayIuseyourcableblanks？"

HarriswasstillstandinginthecentreoftheroomlookingdownuponthebowedheadandshouldersofHemingway。Since，inamazement，hehadsprungtowardhim，hehadnotspoken。Andhewasstillsilent。

InsidetheskullofWilburHarris，ofIowa，U。S。A。，AmericanconsultoZanzibar，EastAfrica，therewasgoingforwardamightystrugglethatwasnotfittoputintowords。ForHarrisandhisconsciencehadmetandwereatodds。Onewayortheotherthefightmustbesettledatonce，andwhateverhedecidedmustbeforalltime。Thisheunderstood，andashissympathiesandconsciencestruggledforthemasterythepenofthedetective，scratchingatracingspeedacrossthepaper，warnedhimthatonlyafewsecondswerelefthiminwhichtoprotestorelsetoforeverafterholdhispeace。

SorealistichadbeentheactingofHemingwaythatforaninstantHarrishimselfhadbeendeceived。Butonlyforaninstant。WithhisknowledgeofthecircumstanceshesawthatHemingwaywasnotconfessingtoacrimeofhisown，butdrawingacrossthetrailoftherealcriminaltheconvenientandusefulredherring。HeknewthatalreadyHemingwayhaddeterminedtosailthenextmorning。InleavingZanzibarhewasmakingnosacrifice。Hemerelywascarryingouthisoriginalplan，andbytakingawaywithhimthedetectivewasgivingBrownellandhiswifeatleastamonthinwhichtoagainlosethemselves。

Whatwashisowndutyhecouldnotdetermine。ThatofHemingwayheknewnothing，hecouldtruthfullytestify。AndifnowHemingwayclaimedtobeHenryBrownell，hehadnocertainknowledgetothecontrary。ThatthroughhisadventureHemingwaywouldcometoharmdidnotgreatlydisturbhim。HeforesawthathisfriendneedonlysendawirelessfromNantucketandatthewharfwitnesseswouldswarmtoestablishhisidentityandmakeitevidentthedetectivehadblundered。AndinthemeanwhileBrownellandhiswife，insomesettlementstillfurtherremovedfromobservation，wouldforthesecondtimehavefortifiedthemselvesagainstpursuitandcapture。HesawtheeyesofHemingwayfixeduponhiminappealandwarning。

Thebriskvoiceofthedetectivebrokethesilence。

"Youwilltestify，ifneedbe，Mr。Consul，"hesaid，"thatyouheardtheprisoneradmithewasHenryBrownellandthathesurrenderedhimselfofhisownfreewill？"

Foraninstanttheconsulhesitated，thenhenoddedstiffly。

"Iheardhim，"hesaid。

Threehourslater，atteno\'clockofthesameevening，thedetectiveandHemingwayleanedtogetherontherailoftheCrownPrinceEitel。Forward，intheglareofhercargolights，tothepuffingandcreakingofderricksanddonkeyengines，bundlesofbeeswax，ofrawhides，andprecioustusksofivorywerebeinghurledintothehold；fromtheshore-boatsclingingtotheship\'ssidescametheshrieksoftheZanzibarboys，fromthesmoking-roomtheblareofthesteward\'sbandandtheclinkofglasses。ThoseoftheyouthofZanzibarwhowereonboard，theGermanandEnglishclerksandagents，sawinthepresenceofHemingwayonlyapurposesimilartotheirown；thedesireofahomesickexiletogazeuponthemirroredgloriesoftheEitel\'ssaloon，atthefacesofwhitemenandwomen，tolistentohome-mademusic，todrinkhome-brewedbeer。Ashepassedthesmoking-roomtheycalledtohim，andtothestrangerathiselbow，butheonlynoddedsmilingand，avoidingthem，ascendedtotheshadowofthedesertedboat-deck。

"Youaresure，"hesaid，"youtoldnoone？"

"Noone，"thedetectiveanswered。"Ofcourseyourhotelproprietorknowsyou\'resailing，buthedoesn\'tknowwhy。And，bysunrise，we\'llbewelloutatsea。"

ThewordscaughtHemingwaybythethroat。Heturnedhiseyestothetownlyinglikeafieldofsnowinthemoonlight。Somewhereononeofitsflatroofsamerrydinner-partywaslaughing，drinking，perhapsregrettinghisabsence，wonderingathisexcuseofsuddenillness。Shewasthere，andhewiththedetectivelikeashadowathiselbow，wassailingoutofherlifeforever。Hehadseenherforthelasttime：thatmorningforthelasttimehadlookedintohereyes，hadheldherhandsinhis。Hesawthewhitebeach，thewhitefortress-likewalls，thehanginggardens，thecourtesyingpalms，dimly。Itwasamongthosethathewhohadthoughthimselfcontent，hadfoundhappiness，andhadthenseenitdeserthimandtakeoutofhislifepleasureinallotherthings。Withapainthatseemedimpossibletosupport，heturnedhisbackuponZanzibarandallitmeanttohim。

And，asheturned，hefaced，comingtowardhim，acrossthemoonlitdeck，Fearing。

Hisinstinctwastocryouttothemaninwarning，buthissecondthoughtshowedhimthatthroughhisveryefforttoprotecttheother，hemightbringabouthisundoing。So，helplesstoprevent，inagitationandalarm，hewaitedinsilence。Ofthetwomen，Fearingappearedtheleastdisturbed。Withapolitebutauthoritativegestureheturnedtothedetective。"Ihavesomethingtosaytothisgentlemanbeforehesails，"

hesaid；"wouldyoukindlystandoverthere？"

Hepointedacrosstheemptydeckattheotherrail。

Inthealert，confidentyoungmanintheEnglishmess-jacket，clean-shavenandbronzedbythesunsoftheequator，thedetectivesawnolikenesstothepale，beardedbankclerkoftheNewEnglandcity。This，heguessed，mustbesomeEnglishofficial，somefriendofBrownell\'swhogenerouslyhadcometobidtheunfortunatefugitiveGodspeed。

Assuredofthis，thedetectivealsobowedpolitely，and，outofhearing，butwithhisprisonerinfullview，tookupapositionagainsttherailopposite。

Turninghisbackuponthedetective，andfacingHemingwaywithhiseyesclosetohis，Fearingbeganabruptly。Hisvoicewassunktoawhisper，buthespokewithouttheslightestsignoftrepidation，withoutthehesitationofaninstant。

"Twoyearsago，whenIwasindicted，"hewhispered，"andranaway，PollypaidbackhalfofthesumIstole。Thatleftherwithoutapenny；that\'swhyshetooktothistypewriting。Sincethen，Ihavepaidbacknearlyalltherest。ButPollywasnotsatisfied。Shewantedmetotakemypunishmentandstartfresh。

Sheknewtheywerewatchinghersoshecouldn\'twritethistome，butshecametomebyaroundaboutway，takingayeartogethere。Andallthetimeshe\'sbeenhere，she\'sbeenbeggingmetogobackandgivemyselfup。Icouldn\'tseeit。IknewinafewmonthsI\'dhavepaidbackallItook，andIthoughtthatwasenough。

Iwantedtokeepoutofjail。ButshesaidImusttakemymedicineinourowncountry，andstartsquarewithacleanslate。She\'sdonealotforme，andwhetherI\'dhavedonethatforherornot，Idon\'tknow。Butnow，Imust！Whatyoudidto-nighttosaveme，leavesmenochoice。So，I\'llsail——"