第11章

Withanexclamationofanger，Hemingwaycaughttheotherbytheshoulderanddraggedhimcloser。

"Tosaveyou！"hewhispered。"Noone\'sthinkingofyou。Ididn\'tdoitforyou。Ididit，thatyoubothcouldescapetogether，togiveyoutime——"

"ButItellyou，"protestedFearing，"shedoesn\'twantmetoescape。

Andmaybeshe\'sright。Anyway，we\'resailingwithyouat——"

"We？"echoedHemingway。

Thatagainhewastoseethewomanheloved，thatforsixweeksthroughsummerseashewouldtravelinhercompany，filledhimwithalarm，withdistress，withawonderfulhappiness。

"We？"hewhispered，steadyinghisvoice。"Then——thenyourwifeisgoingwithyou？"

Fearinggazedathimasthoughtheotherhadsuddenlygonemad。

"Mywife！"heexclaimed。"Ihaven\'tgotawife！"IfyoumeanPolly——Mrs。Adair，sheismysister！Andshewantstothankyou。

She\'sbelow——"

Hewasnotallowedtofinish。Hemingwayhadflunghimtooneside，andwasracingdownthedeck。

Thedetectivespranginpursuit。

"Onemoment，there！"heshouted。

Butthemaninthewhitemess-jacketbarredhisway。

Inthemoonlightthedetectivesawthatthealert，bronzedyoungmanwassmiling。

"That\'sallright，"saidFearing。"He\'llbebackinaminute。Besides，youdon\'twanthim。I\'mthemanyouwant。"

THELONGARM

Thesafewasanoldonethatopenedwithakey。Asadjutant，CaptainSwansonhadchargeofcertainfundsoftheregimentandkeptinthesafeaboutfivethousanddollars。NoonebuthimselfandRueff，hisfirstsergeant，hadaccesstoit。AndasRueffprovedanalibi，themoneymighthavebeenremovedbyanoutsider。Thecourt-martialgaveSwansonthebenefitofthedoubt，andareprimandfornottakinggreatercareofthekeys，andSwansonmadegoodthefivethousand。

Swansondidnotthinkitwasaburglarwhohadrobbedthesafe。

HethoughtRueffhadrobbedit，buthecouldnotpossiblyprovethat。AtthetimeoftherobberyRueffwasoutsidethePresidio，inuniform，atamoving-pictureshowinSanFrancisco。Adozenpeoplesawhimthere。Besides，Rueffheldanexcellentrecord。

Hewasasilent，clerk-likeyoungman，betterat"paperwork"thancampaigning，butevenasasoldierhehadnevercomeuponthebooks。

Andhehadseenserviceintwocampaigns，andwassupposedtocherishambitionstowardacommission。But，ashekeptmuchtohimself，hisfellownon-comscouldonlyguessthat。

Onhiscaptain\'saccounthewasloyallydistressedoverthecourt-martial，andinhistestimonytriedtoshieldSwanson，byagreeingheartilythatthroughhisowncarelessnessthekeysmighthavefallenintothehandsofsomeoneoutsidethepost。

Buthisloyaltycouldnotsavehissuperiorofficerfromwhatwasaverdictvirtuallyof"notproven。"

Itwasamostdistressingaffair，and，onaccountofthesocialprominenceofSwanson\'speople，hisownpopularity，andthenamehehadmadeatBatangasandintheBoxerbusiness，wasmuchcommentedupon，notonlyintheservices，butbythenewspapersallovertheUnitedStates。

EveryonewhoknewSwansonknewthecourt-martialwasonlyamatterofform。Evenhisenemiesventuredonlytosuggestthatovernighthemighthaveborrowedthemoney，meaningtoreplaceitthenextmorning。AndtheonlyreasonforconsideringthisexplanationwasthatSwansonwasknowntobeindebt。Forhewasapersistentgambler。JustasatPekinhehadgambledwithdeathforhisnumber，intimesofpeacehegambledformoney。Itwasalwayshisownmoney。

FromthestartSwanson\'sownattitudetowardtheaffairwasoneofblind，unreasoningrage。Inithesawnonecessaryroutineofdiscipline，onlycrass，ignorantstupidity。Thatanyoneshouldsuspecthimwassopreposterous，sounintelligent，astobenearlycomic。Andwhen，instantly，hedemandedacourtofinquiry，hecouldnotbelieveitwhenhewassummonedbeforeacourt-martial。

Itsickened，wounded，deeplyaffrontedhim；turnedhimquitesavage。

Onhisstandhisattitudeandanswersweresoinsolentthathisoldfriendandclassmate，CaptainCopley，whowasactingashiscounsel，wouldgladlyhavekickedhim。Thefindingsofthecourt-martial，thatneitherclearednorcondemned，andthereprimand，wereanintolerableinsulttohisfeelings，and，inafitofbitterdisgustwiththeserviceandeveryoneinit，Swansonresigned。Ofcourse，themomenthehaddonesohewassorry。

Swanson\'sthoughtwasthathecouldnolongerassociatewithanyonewhocouldbelievehimcapableoftheft。Itwashisideaofshowinghisownopinionofhimselfandthearmy。

Butnoonesawitinthatlight。Onthecontrary，peoplesaid：

"Swansonhasbeenallowedtoresign。"Inthearmy，voluntarilyresigningandbeing"allowedtoresign"lestgreaterevilsbefall，aretwovastlydifferentthings。AndwhenitwastoolatenoonethanSwansonsawthatmoreclearly。Hisangergavewaytoextrememorbidness。Hebelievedthatinresigninghehadassuredeveryoneofhisguilt。Ineveryfriendandstrangerhesawamanwhodoubtedhim。Heimaginedsnubs，rebuffs，andcoldnesses。Hismorbidnessfasteneduponhismindlikeaparasiteuponatree，andthebrainsickened。Whenmenandwomenglancedathisalert，well-set-upfigureandshoulders，thatevenwhenhewore"cits"seemedtosupportepaulets，andsmiledapprovingly，Swansonthoughttheysneered。Inaweekhelongedtobebackinthearmywithahomesicknessthatmadeeveryonewhobelongedtoithisenemy。

HeleftSanFrancisco，wherehewasknowntoall，andtravelledsouththroughTexas，andthentoNewOrleansandFlorida。Henevercouldrecallthisperiodwithclearness。Herememberedchangingfromonetraintoanother，fromonehoteltothenext。

Nothingimpresseditselfuponhim。Forwhathehadlostnothingcouldgiveconsolation。Withouthonorlifeheldnocharm。Andhebelievedthatintheeyesofallmenhewasathief，apariah，andanoutcast。

HehadbeeninCubawiththeArmyofOccupation，andofthatbeautifulislandhadgrownfoolishlyfond。Hewasfamiliarwitheverypartofit，andhebelievedinoneoranotherofitsprettyportshecouldsocompletelyhidehimselfthatnoonecouldintrudeuponhismisery。IntheStates，inthenewspapersheseemedtoreadonlyofthoseplaceswherehehadseenservice，ofthoseplacesandfriendsandassociateshemostloved。InthelittleCubanvillageinwhichhewouldburyhimselfhewouldcuthimselfofffromallnewspapers，fromallwhoknewhim；fromthosewhohadbeenhisfriends，andthosewhoknewhisnameonlytoconnectitwithascandal。

OnhiswayfromPortTampatoCubatheboatstoppedatKeyWest，andforthehourinwhichshedischargedcargoSwansonwentashoreandwanderedaimlessly。Thelittletown，rearedonaflatislandofcoralandlimestone，didnotlongdetainhim。Themainstreetofshops，eating-houses，andsaloons，theprettyresidenceswithoverhangingbalconies，setamonggardensandmagnolia-trees，weresoonexplored，andhewasreturningtotheboatwhenthemartialmusicofabandcausedhimtohalt。Asidestreetledtoagreatgatewaysurmountedbyananchor。BeyonditSwansonsawlawnsofwell-keptgrass，regularpaths，prettycottages，thetwo-starredflagofanadmiral，and，risinghighabovethese，likefourEiffeltowers，thegiganticmastsofawireless。HerecognizedthathewasattheentrancetotheKeyWestnavalstation，andturnedquicklyaway。

Hewalkedafewfeet，themusicofthebandstillinhisears。InanhourhewouldbesteamingtowardCuba，and，shouldheholdtohispresentpurpose，inmanyyearsthiswouldbethelasttimehewouldstandonAmericansoil，wouldseetheuniformofhiscountry，wouldhearamilitarybandlullthesuntosleep。Itwouldhurt，buthewonderedifitwerenotworththehurt。Asmartsergeantofmarines，inpassing，castoneglanceatthemanwhoseemedalwaystowearepaulets，andbroughthishandsharplytosalute。TheactdeterminedSwanson。Hehadobtainedthesaluteunderfalsepretenses，butithadpleased，nothurthim。Heturnedbackandpassedintothegateofthenavalstation。

Fromthegateagrass-linedcarriagedriveledtothewatersoftheharborandthewharfs。Atitsextremeendwastheband-stand，flankedononesidebythecottageoftheadmiral，ontheotherbyasail-loftwithiron-barredwindowsandwhitewashedwalls。

Upontheturfwerepyramidsofcannon-ballsand，laidoutinrowsasthoughawaitingburial，old-timemuzzle-loadingguns。Acrosstheharborthesunwassinkingintothecoralreefs，andthespringair，stillwarmfromitscaresses，wasstirredbythemusicofthebandintogentle，rhythmicwaves。Thescenewasoneofpeace，order，andcontent。

ButasSwansonadvanced，themeasureofthemusicwasinstantlyshatteredbyafiercevolleyofexplosions。Theycamesosuddenlyandsharplyastomakehimstart。Itwasasthoughfromhisflankaquick-firingguninambushhadopeneduponhim。Swansonsmiledathavingbeentakenunawares。ForinSanFranciscoheoftenhadheardtheroarandrattleofthewireless。Butneverbeforehadhelistenedtoanattacklikethis。

Fromatinywhite-and-greencottage，squattingamongthefourgiantmasts，cametheroarofaforestfire。Onecouldhearthecrackleoftheflames，thecrashofthefallingtree-trunks。Theairaboutthecottagewastornintothreads；beneaththeshocksoftheelectricitythelawnseemedtoheaveandtremble。Itwaslikesomegiantmonster，boundandfettered，strugglingtobefree。Nowitgrowledsullenly，nowinimpotentrageitspatandspluttered，nowitlashedaboutwithcrashing，stunningblows。Itseemedasthoughthewoodenwallsofthestationcouldnotcontainit。

FromtheroadSwansonwatched，throughtheopenwindowsofthecottage，theelectricboltsflashandflareanddisappear。Thethingappealedtohisimagination。Itspower，itscapabilitiesfascinatedhim。Inithesawahungrymonsterreachingouttoeverycornerofthecontinentanddevouringthenewsoftheworld；feedingupontalesofshipwreckanddisaster，lingeringoversomedaintymorselofscandal，snatchingfromshipsandcitiestwothousandmilesawaythethrice-toldtaleofaconflagration，thescoreofabaseballmatch，thefallofacabinet，theassassinationofaking。

Inasuddenaccessoffierceness，asthoughinanecstasyoversomefreshhorrorjustreceived，itshriekedandchortled。Andthen，assuddenlyasithadbrokenforth，itsanktosilence，andfromtheendofthecarriagedriveagainrose，undisturbed，themusicoftheband。

Themusicianswereplayingtoaselectaudience。Onbenchesaroundtheband-standsatahalfdozennurse-maidswithknittingintheirhands，thebaby-carriageswithinarm\'slength。Ontheturfolderchildrenoftheofficerswereatplay，andupanddownthepathsbareheadedgirls，andmatrons，andofficersinuniformstrolledleisurely。Fromthevine-coveredcottageofAdmiralPreble，setinagardenoffloweringplantsandbendingpalmettos，camethetinkleoftea-cupsandtherippleoflaughter，andatarespectfuldistance，seatedonthedismantledcannon，weremarinesinkhakiandbluejacketsinglisteningwhite。

Itwasafamilygroup，andhadnotSwansonrecognizedamongthelittleaudienceothersofthepassengersfromthesteamerandnativesofthetownwho，likehimself，hadbeenattractedbythemusic，hewouldhavefeltthatheintruded。Henowwishedtoremain。Hewantedtocarrywithhimintohisexileamemoryofthemeninuniform，ofthemusic，andprettywomen，ofthegorgeouscrimsonsunset。But，thoughhewishedtoremain，hedidnotwishtoberecognized。

Fromtheglancesalreadyturnedtowardhim，hesawthatinthislittlefamilygatheringthepresenceofastrangerwasanevent，andhewasawarethatduringthetrialthenewspapershadmadehisfaceconspicuous。AlsoitmightbethatstationedatthepostwassomeofficerorenlistedmanwhohadservedwithhiminCuba，China，orthePhilippines，andwhomightpointhimouttoothers。

Fearingthis，Swansonmadeadetourandapproachedtheband-standfromthewharf，andwithhisbacktoahawser-postseatedhimselfuponthestring-piece。

Hewasovercomewithanintolerablemelancholy。Fromwherehesathecouldsee，softenedintoshadowsbythewirescreensoftheveranda，AdmiralPrebleandhiswifeandtheirguestsattea。A

monthbefore，hewouldhavereportedtotheadmiralasthecommandantofthestation，andpaidhisrespects。Nowhecouldnotdothat；atleastnotwithoutinvitingarebuff。Amonthbefore，heneedonlyhaveshownhiscardtotheadmiral\'sorderly，andtheorderlyandtheguardandtheofficers\'messandtheadmiralhimselfwouldhaveturnedthepostupsidedowntodohimhonor。Butofwhatavailnowwashisrecordinthreecampaigns？Ofwhatavailnowwashismedalofhonor？TheynowknewhimasSwanson，whohadbeencourt-martialled，whohadbeenallowedtoresign，whohadleftthearmyforthearmy\'sgood；theyknewhimasacivilianwithoutrankorauthority，asanex-officerwhohadrobbedhisbrotherofficers，asanoutcast。

Hisposition，ashismorbidmindthusdistortedit，temptedSwansonnolonger。Forbeinginthisplighthedidnotfeelthatinanywayhewastoblame。Butwithaflamingangerhestillblamedhisbrotherofficersofthecourt-martialwhohadnotclearedhisnameandwithacleanbillofhealthrestoredhimtoduty。Thosewerethemenheblamed；notRueff，thesergeant，whohebelievedhadrobbedhim，norhimself，who，inapassionofwoundedpride，hadresignedandsohadgivenreasonforgossip；

butthemenwhohadnotintoneslikeabugle-callproclaimedhisinnocence，who，whentheyhadhandedhimbackhissword，hadgivenitgrudgingly，notwithcongratulation。

Ashesawit，hestoodinaperpetualpillory。Whentheyhadrobbedhimofhishonortheyhadlefthimnaked，andlifewithouthonorhadlostitsflavor。Hecouldeat，hecoulddrink，hecouldexist。Heknewthatinmanycornersoftheworldwhitearmswouldreachouttohimandmenwouldbeckonhimtoaplaceattable。

Buthecouldnotcrossthatlittlestripofturfbetweenhimandthechatteringgroupontheverandaandhandhiscardtotheadmiral\'sorderly。Swansonlovedlife。Heloveditsothatwithouthelp，money，oraffectionhecouldeachmorninghavegreeteditwithasmile。Butlifewithouthonor！Hefeltasuddenhotnauseaofdisgust。Whywashestillclingingtowhathadlostitspurpose，towhatlackedtheonethingneedful？

"Iflifebeanillthing，"hethought，"Icanlayitdown！"

Thethoughtwasnotnewtohim，andduringthetwopastweeksofaimlesswanderinghehadcarriedwithhimhisserviceautomatic。

Toreassurehimselfhelaidhisfingersonitscoldsmoothsurface。

Hewouldwait，hedetermined，untilthemusicianshadfinishedtheirconcertandthewomenandchildrenhaddeparted，andthen——

Thentheorderlywouldfindhimwherehewasnowseated，sunkenagainstthehawser-postwithaholethroughhisheart。Tohisdisorderedbrainhisdecisionappearedquitesane。Hewassureheneverhadbeenmorecalm。Andashepreparedhimselffordeathheassuredhimselfthatforoneofhisstandardnootherchoicewaspossible。Thoughtsoftheactivepast，orofwhatdistressinthefuturehisactwouldbringtoothers，didnotdisturbhim。Thethinghadtobe，noonelostmoreheavilythanhimself，andregretswerecowardly。

Hecountedthemoneyhehadonhispersonandwaspleasedtofindtherewasenoughtopayforwhatservicesotherssoonmustrenderhim。Inhispocketswereletters，cards，acigarette-case，eachofwhichwouldtellhisidentity。Hehadnowishtoconcealit，forofwhathewasabouttodohewasnotashamed。Itwasnothisact。

Hewouldnothavedied"byhisownhand。"Tohisunbalancedbraintheofficersofthecourt-martialwereresponsible。Itwastheywhohadkilledhim。Ashesawit，theyhadmadehisdeathasinevitableasthoughtheyhadsentencedhimtobeshotatsunrise。

Alinefrom"TheDrumsoftheForeandAft"camebacktohim。

Oftenhehadquotedit，whensomeoneintheservicehadsufferedthroughthefaultofothers。Itwasthedeath-cryoftheboyofficer，Devlin。TheknivesoftheGhazihadcuthimdown，butitwashisownpeople\'sabandoninghiminterrorthathadkilledhim。Andso，withasob，heflungthelineattheretreatingbacksofhiscomrades：

"You\'vekilledme，youcowards！"

Swanson，nursinghisanger，repeatedthissavagely。Hewishedhecouldbringithometothosemenofthecourt-martial。Hewishedhecouldmakethemknowthathisdeathlayattheirdoor。Hedeterminedthattheyshouldknow。Ononeofhisvisiting-cardshepencilled：

"TotheOfficersofmyCourt-Martial：\'You\'vekilledme，youcowards！\'"

Heplacedthecardinthepocketofhiswaistcoat。Theywouldfinditjustabovetheplacewherethebulletwouldburnthecloth。

Thebandwasplaying"AufWiedersehen，"andthewaltzcarriedwithitthesadnessthathadmadepeoplecallthemanwhowroteitthewaltzking。Swansonlistenedgratefully。Hewasgladthatbeforehewentout，hislastmoodhadbeenofregretandgentleness。

Thestingofhisangerhaddeparted，themusicsoothedandsoberedhim。Ithadbeenaverygoodworld。Untilhehadbrokenthespineofthingsithadtreatedhimwell，farbetter，headmitted，thanhedeserved。Thereweremanyinitwhohadbeenkind，towhomhewasgrateful。Hewishedtherewassomewaybywhichhecouldletthemknowthat。Asthoughinanswertohiswish，fromacrosstheparade-groundthewirelessagainbegantocrashandcrackle；butnowSwansonwasatagreaterdistancefromit，andthesighingrhythmofthewaltzwasnotinterrupted。

Swansonconsideredtowhomhemightsendafarewellmessage，butasinhismindhepassedfromonefriendtoanother，hesawthattoeachsuchagreetingcouldbringonlydistress。Hedecideditwasthemusicthathadledhimastray。Thiswasnomomentforfalsesentiment。Helethishandcloseuponthepistol。

Theaudiencenowwasdispersing。Thenurse-maidshadcollectedtheircharges，themusiciansweretakingaparttheirmusic-racks，andfromthestepsofthevine-coveredverandaAdmiralPreblewasbiddingthefriendsofhiswifeadieu。Athissidehisaide，young，alert，confident，withill-concealedimpatienceawaitedtheirdeparture。

Swansonfoundthatheresentedtheaide。Heresentedthemannerinwhichhespeededthepartingguests。Evenifthereweremattersofimportancehewasanxioustocommunicatetohischief，heneednotmakeitplaintothewomenfolkthattheywereintheway。

When，amonthbefore，hehadbeenadjutant，inalikesituationhewouldhaveshownmoreself-command。Hedisapprovedoftheaideentirely。Heresentedthefactthathewasasyoungashimself，thathewasinuniform，thathewasanaide。Swansoncertainlyhopedthatwhenhewasinuniformhehadnotlookedsomuchtheconqueringhero，soself-satisfied，sosupercilious。Withasmilehewonderedwhy，atsuchamoment，amanhehadneverseenbefore，andneverwouldseeagain，shouldsodisturbhim。

Inhisheartheknew。Theaidewasgoingforwardjustwherehewasleavingoff。Theribbonsonthetunicoftheaide，thestrapsonhisshoulders，toldSwansonthattheyhadservedinthesamecampaigns，thattheywereofthesamerelativerank，andthatwhenhehimself，hadheremainedintheservice，wouldhavebeenabrigadier-generaltheaidewouldcommandabattle-ship。ThepossiblefutureoftheyoungsailorfilledSwansonwithhonorableenvyandbitterregret。Withallhissoulheenviedhimtherighttolookhisfellowmanintheeye，hisrighttodieforhiscountry，togivehislife，shoulditberequiredofhim，forninetymillionpeople，foraflag。Swansonsawthetwoofficersdimly，witheyesofbitterself-pity。Hewasdying，buthewasnotdyinggloriouslyforaflag。Hehadlosttherighttodieforit，andhewasdyingbecausehehadlostthatright。

Thesunhadsunkandtheeveninghadgrownchill。Atthewharfwherethesteamerlayonwhichhehadarrived，butonwhichhewasnottodepart，theelectriccargolightswerealreadyburning。

ButforwhatSwansonhadtodotherestillwaslightenough。

Fromhisbreast-pockethetookthecardonwhichhehadwrittenhismessagetohisbrotherofficers，readandrereadit，andreplacedit。

Savefortheadmiralandhisaideatthestepsofthecottage，andabareheadedbluejacketwhowasreportingtothem，andtheadmiral\'sorderly，whowaswalkingtowardSwanson，noonewasinsight。Stillseateduponthestringpieceofthewharf，Swansonsomovedthathisbackwastowardthefourmen。Themomentseemedpropitious，almostasthoughithadbeenprearranged。Forwithsuchanaudience，forhistakingoffnootherpersoncouldbeblamed。Therewouldbenoquestionbutthatdeathhadbeenself-inflicted。

ApproachingfrombehindhimSwansonheardthebriskstepsoftheorderlydrawingrapidlynearer。Hewonderedifthewharfweregovernmentproperty，ifheweretrespassing，andifforthatreasonthemanhadbeensenttoorderhimaway。Heconsideredbitterlythatthegovernmentgrudgedhimaplaceeveninwhichtodie。

Well，hewouldnotforlongbeatrespasser。Hishandslippedintohispocket，withhisthumbheloweredthesafety-catchofthepistol。

Butthehandwiththepistolinitdidnotleavehispocket。Thestepsoftheorderlyhadcometoasuddensilence。Raisinghisheadheavily，Swansonsawtheman，withhiseyesfixeduponhim，standingatsalute。Theyhadfirstmadehislifeunsupportable，Swansonthought，nowtheywouldnotlethimleaveit。

"CaptainSwanson，sir？"askedtheorderly。

Swansondidnotspeakormove。

"Theadmiral\'scompliments，sir，"snappedtheorderly，"andwillthecaptainpleasespeakwithhim？"

StillSwansondidnotmove。

Hefeltthatthebreaking-pointofhisself-controlhadcome。

Thisimpertinentinterruption，thisthrustingintothelastfewsecondsofhislifeofareminderofallthathehadlost，thisfutilepostponementofhisend，wascruel，unhuman，unthinkable。

Thepistolwasstillinhishand。Hehadbuttodrawitandpressitclose，andbeforethemarinecouldleapuponhimhewouldhaveescaped。

Frombehind，approachinghurriedly，camethesoundofimpatientfootsteps。

Theorderlystiffenedtoattention。"Theadmiral！"hewarned。

Twelveyearsofdiscipline，twelveyearsofrecognitionofauthority，twelveyearsofdeferencetosuperiorofficers，draggedSwanson\'shandfromhispistolandliftedhimtohisfeet。Asheturned，AdmiralPreble，theaide，andthebareheadedbluejacketwerecloseuponhim。Theadmiral\'sfacebeamed，hiseyeswereyoungwithpleasurableexcitement；withtheeagernessofaboyhewavedasideformalgreetings。

"MydearSwanson，"hecried，"Iassureyouit\'samostastonishing，mostcuriouscoincidence！Seethisman？"Heflungouthisarmatthebluejacket。"He\'smywirelesschief。HewaswirelessoperatoronthetransportthattookyoutoManila。Whenyoucameinherethisafternoonherecognizedyou。Halfanhourlaterhepicksupamessage——picksituptwothousandmilesfromhere——fromSanFrancisco——AssociatedPressnews——itconcernsyou；thatis，notreallyconcernsyou，butIthought，wethought"-asthoughsignallingforhelp，theadmiralglancedunhappilyathisaide-

"wethoughtyou\'dliketoknow。Ofcourse，tous，"headdedhastily，"it\'squitesuperfluous——quitesuperfluous，but——"

Theaidecoughedapologetically。"Youmightread，sir，"hesuggested。

"What？Exactly！Quiteso！"criedtheadmiral。

Inthefadinglightheheldclosetohiseyesapieceofpaper。

"SanFrancisco，April20，"heread。"Rueff，firstsergeant，shothimselfhereto-day，leavingwrittenconfessiontheftofregimentalfundsforwhichSwanson，captain，latelycourt-martialled。MoneyfoundintactinRueff\'smattress。InnocenceofSwansonneverquestioned，butdissatisfiedwithfindingsofcourt-martialhasleftarmy。Brotherofficersmakingeveryefforttofindhimandpersuadereturn。"

Theadmiralsighedhappily。"Andmywife，"headded，withanimpressivenessthatwasintendedtoshowhehadatlastarrivedattheimportantpartofhismessage，"saysyouaretostaytodinner。"

Abruptly，rudely，Swansonswunguponhisheelandturnedhisfacefromtheadmiral。Hisheadwasthrownback，hisarmsheldrigidathissides。Inslow，deepbreaths，likeonewhohadbeendraggedfromdrowning，hedrankinthesalt，chillair。Afteroneglancethefourmenalsoturned，andinthefallingdarknessstoodstaringatnothing，andnoonespoke。

Theaidewasthefirsttobreakthesilence。Inapolitetone，asthoughhewerecontinuingaconversationwhichhadnotbeeninterrupted，headdressedtheadmiral。"Ofcourse，Rueff\'swrittenconfessionwasnotneeded，"hesaid。

"Hisshootinghimselfprovedthathewasguilty。"

Swansonstartedasthoughacrosshisnakedshoulderstheaidehaddrawnawhip。

Inpenitenceandgratitudeheraisedhiseyestothestars。Highabovehisheadthestrandsofthewireless，swingingfromthetoweringmastslikethestringsofagiantAeolianharp，weresweptbythewindfromtheocean。ToSwansonthesighingandwhisperingwiressanginpraiseandthanksgiving。

THEGODOFCOINCIDENCE

TheGodofCoincidenceisfortunateinpossessinginnumerablepressagents。Theyhavemadethelengthofhisarmaproverb。Howatexactlytherightmomentheextendsitacrosscontinentsanddragstwoandtwotogether，thuscausingfourtoresultwherebutforhimsixesandsevenswouldhaveobtained，theyhavemadeknowntothereadersofallofourbestmagazines。Forinstance，HolworthyisleavingfortheCongotofindacureforthesleepingsickness，andforhimselfanysicknessfromwhichoneiswarrantednevertowakeup。Thisishisconditionbecausethebeautifulmillion-heiresswhoiswinteringattheAlexanderYoungHotelinHonoluluhasrefusedtoanswerhisletters，cables，andappeals。

Heisleaningupontherailtakinghislastneck-breakinglookattheWoolworthBuilding。Thegoing-ashorebuglehassounded，pocket-handkerchiefsarewaving；andJoeHutton，thelastvisitortoleavetheship，isatthegangway。

"Good-by，Holworthy！"hecalls。"Wheredoyoukeepyourself？

Haven\'tseenyouattheclubinayear！"

"Haven\'tbeenthereinayear——normeanto！"istheungraciousreplyofourhero。

"Then，forHeaven\'ssake，"exclaimsHutton，"sendsomeonetotakeyourmailoutoftheHbox！EverytimeIlookforlettersIwadethroughyours。"

"Tearthemup！"callsHolworthy。"They\'rebills。"

Huttonnowishalf-waydownthegangplank。

"Thenyourcreditors，"heshoutsback，"mustallliveattheAlexanderYoungHotelinHonolulu！"

ThatnightanexpresstrainshriekingthroughthedarknesscarriedwithittowardSanFrancisco——

InthishowevidentisthefineItalianhandoftheGodofCoincidence！

HadHutton\'snamebegunwithanM；hadtheHinHuttonbeensilent；hadhenotcarriedtotheMauretaniaasteamerbasketforhisrichaunt；hadhenotresentedthefactthatsinceHolworthy\'selectiontotheVanSturtevantClubhehadceasedtovisittheGrillClub——acureforsleepingsicknessmighthavebeendiscovered；

buttwolovingheartsneverwouldhavebeenreunitedandthatstorywouldnothavebeenwritten。

Or，Mrs。Montclair，withasuit-case，isleavingherhomeforevertojoinhandsomeHarryBellairs，whoisatthecornerwitharacing-carandallthemoneyofthebankofwhichhehasbeencashier。Astheguiltywomanplacesthefarewellletteragainstthepin-cushionwhereherhusbandwillbesuretofindit，herinfantsonturnsinhissleepandjabshimselfwithapin。Hishowlofanguishresemblesthatofapuppyonamoonlightnight。

Themotherrecognizeshermaster\'svoice。Shebelievesherchilddying，fliestothebedside，tearsuptheletter，unpacksthesuit-case。

Thenextmorningatbreakfastherhusband，readingthenewspaper，exclaimsaloud：

"HarryBellairs，"hecries，"hasskippedwiththebank\'smoney！I

alwaystoldyouhewasnotamanyououghttoknow。"

"Hismannertome，"shesaysseverely，"alwayswasthatofaperfectgentleman。"

Againcoincidencegetsthecredit。Hadnotthechildtossed——hadnotatthecriticalmomentthesafetypinproveduntruetothemanwhoinventedit——thathappyfamilyreunionwouldhavebeenimpossible。

Or，itmightbetoldthisway：

OldManMcCurdy，thePig-IronKing，forbidshisdaughterGwendolyneventothinkofmarryingpoorbuthonestBeefWalters，thebaseballpitcher，anddenieshimhishouse。Theloversplananelopement。

AtmidnightBeefistostandatthetradesman\'sentranceandwhistle"WaitingattheChurch"；anddownthesilentstairsGwendolynistostealintohisarms。AttheverysamehourthebutlerhasplannedwiththepolicemanonfixedposttostealMotherMcCurdy\'sdiamondsandpassthemtoabrotherofthepoliceman，whoistowaitatthetradesman\'sentranceandwhistle"WaitingfortheRobertE。Lee。"

Thissoundsimprobable——especiallythatthepolicemanwouldallowevenhisbrothertogetthediamondsbeforehedid；but，withtheGodofCoincidenceonthejob，youshallseethatitwillallcomeoutright。Beefisfirstatthedoor。Hewhistles。

Thebutler——anEnglishbutler——withnoearformusic，shovesintohishandstiarasandsunbursts。HonestBeefhandsoverthebutlertothepolicemanandthetiarastoMotherMcCurdy。

"HowcanIrewardyou？"exclaimsthegratefulwoman。

"Yourdaughter\'shand！"

AgaintheGodofCoincidencescoresandBeefWaltersiscreditedwithanassist。AndforpreventingtherobberyMcCurdyhasthepeg-postcopmadeacaptain；thusenablinghimtoweardiamondsofhisownandraisinghimabovetheneedoftakingthemfromothers。

Theseexamplesofwhatthegodcandoaremerefiction；thestorythatcomesnowreallyhappened。Italsoisastoryofcoincidence。

Itshowshowthistimethelongarmwasstretchedouttomaketwoyoungpeoplehappy；itagainillustratesthat，intheinstrumentshechooses，theGodofCoincidenceworksinamysteriouswayhiswonderstoperform。Thistimethetoolheusedwasahatofgreenfelt。

Thestoryreallyshouldbecalled"TheManintheGreenHat。"

AtSt。James\'sPalacetheplenipotentiariesoftheAlliesandofTurkeyweretryingtobringpeacetoEurope；inRussellSquare，Bloomsbury，SamLowellwastryingtoarrangeapeacewithMrs。Wroxton，hislandlady。TheultimatumoftheAllieswas："Adrianopleorfight！"

ThelastwordsofMrs。Wroxtonwere："Fivepoundsormoveout！"

Samdidnothavefivepounds。HewasastrangerinLondon；hehadlosthispositioninNewYorkandthatverymorninghadrefusedtomarrythegirlheloved——PollySeward，theyoungwomantheSundaypaperscalled"TheRichestGirlinAmerica。"

Foranyman——foroneday——thatwouldseemtobetroubleenough；buttotheSultanofTurkeythatdaybroughttroublesfarmoreserious。

And，ashislosseswereSam\'sgain，wemustfollowthetroublesoftheSultan。Until，withtheaidofagreenfelthat，theGodofCoincidenceturnsthemisfortunesoftheSultanintoafortuneforSam，Sammustwait。

Fromthefirstdaysofthepeaceconferenceitwasevidenttherewasaleak。Thenegotiationshadbeenopenedunderamostsolemnoathofsecrecy。Astotheprogressoftheconference，onlysuchinformationormisinformation——ifthediplomatsconsidereditbetter-

aswasmutuallyagreeduponbytheplenipotentiarieswasgiventoawaitingworld。Buteachmorning，inadditiontotheofficialreportoftheproceedingsofthedayprevious，onenewspaper，theTimes，publishedanaccountwhichdifferedfromthatineveryotherpaper，andwhichundoubtedlycamefromtheinside。Indetailsitwasfarmoregenerousthantheofficialreport；itgavenames，speeches，arguments；itdescribedthewordybattlesofthediplomats，theconcessions，bluffs，bargains。

Afterthreedaysthematterbecamepublicscandal。Atfirst，theplenipotentiariesdeclaredtheeventsdescribedintheTimeswereinventedeacheveningintheofficeoftheTimes；buttheproceedingsofthedayfollowingshowedthepublicthiswasnotso。

Someoneactuallypresentattheconferencewastellingtalesoutofschool。ThesetaleswerecabledtoBelgrade，Sofia，Athens，Constantinople；andhourlyfromthosecapitalstheplenipotentiarieswereassailedbyadvice，abuse，andthreats。Thewholeworldbegantotakepartintheirnegotiations；fromeverysidetheywereattacked；

fromhomebytheYoungTurks，ortheOntoConstantinopleParty；

andfromabroadbypeacesocieties，religiousbodies，andchambersofcommerce。Eventhearmiesinthefield，insteadofwaitingfortheresultoftheirdeliberations，toldthemwhattodo，andthatunlesstheydidittheywouldbetterremaininexile。Tomakemattersworse，ineverystockexchangegamblingonthenewsfurnishedbytheTimesthreatenedthefinancialpeaceofEurope。Toworkundersuchconditionsofpublicitywasimpossible。ThedelegatesappealedtotheirhostsoftheBritishForeignOffice。

Unlessthechielamangthemtakin\'noteswasdiscoveredandtheleakstopped，theydeclaredtheconferencemustend。SpurredonbyquestionsinParliament，byappealsfromthegreatbankingworld，bycriticismsnotaltogetherunselfishfromtheothernewspapers，theForeignOfficesurroundedSt。James\'sPalaceandtheofficeoftheTimeswithanarmyofspies。Everysecretary，stenographer，andattendantattheconferencewasundersurveillance，hispastrecordlookedinto，hispresentcomingsandgoingsnoted。Eventheplenipotentiariesthemselveswerewatched；andemployeesoftheTimesweresecretlyurgedtosellthegovernmentthemanwhowassellingsecretstothem。Butthosewhowerewillingtobe"urged"

didnotknowtheman；thosewhodidknowhimrefusedtobebought。

ByaprocessofeliminationsuspicionfinallyrestedupononeAdolfHertz，ayoungHungarianscholarwhospokeandwroteallthemongrellanguagesoftheBalkans；whoforyears，asacopyingclerkandtranslator，hadbeenemployedbytheForeignOffice，andwhonowbyithadbeenlenttotheconference。ForthereasonthatwhenhelivedinBudapesthewasacorrespondentoftheTimes，thepolice，inseekingfortheleak，centredtheirattentionuponHertz。But，thougheverymomenthewaswatched，andthoughHertzknewhewaswatched，nopresentlinkbetweenhimandtheTimeshadbeenestablished-andthisinspiteofthefactthatthehoursduringwhichitwasnecessarytokeephimunderclosestobservationwerefew。Thosewerethehoursbetweentheclosingoftheconference，andmidnight，whentheprovincialeditionoftheTimeswenttopress。Fortheremainderoftheday，sofarasthepolicecared，Hertzcouldgotothedevil！Butforthosehours，exceptwhenonhisreturnfromtheconferencehelockedhimselfinhislodgingsinJermynStreet，detectiveswerealwaysathiselbow。

Itwassupposedthatitwasduringthisbriefperiodwhenhewaslockedinhisroomthathewrotehisreport；buthow，later，heconveyedittotheTimesnoonecoulddiscover。Inhisroomstherewasnotelephone；hisdoorsandwindowswereopenlywatched；

andafterleavinghisroomshismovementswere——astheyalwayshadbeen——methodical，followingaroutineopentoobservation。

Hisprogrammewasinvariablythesame。Eachnightatsevenfromhisfrontdoorhewalkedwest。AtRegentStreethestoppedtobuyaneveningpaperfromtheagednews-venderatthecorner；hethencrossedPiccadillyCircusintoCoventryStreet，skirtedLeicesterSquare，andattheendofGreenStreetenteredPavoni\'sItalianrestaurant。Therehetookhisseatalwaysatthesametable，hunghishatalwaysonthesamebrasspeg，orderedthesameHungarianwine，andreadthesameeveningpaper。Hespoketonoone；noonespoketohim。

Whenhehadfinishedhiscoffeeandhiscigarettehereturnedtohislodgings，andthereheremaineduntilherangforbreakfast。

Fromthetimeatwhichhelefthishomeuntilhisreturntoithespoketoonlytwopersons——thenews-vendertowhomhehandedahalfpenny；thewaiterwhoservedhimtheregulartabled\'hotedinner——betweenwhomandHertznothingpassedbutthreeandsixforthedinnerandsixpenceforthewaiterhimself。

Eachevening，themomenthemovedintothestreetaplain-clothesmanfellintostepbesidehim；anotherfollowedathisheels；andfromacrossthestreetmoreplain-clothesmenkepttheireyesoneveryoneapproachinghiminfrontorfromtherear。Whenheboughthiseveningpapersixpairsofeyeswatchedhimplaceahalfpennyinthehandofthenews-vender，andduringtheentiretimeofhisstayinPavoni\'severymouthfulheatewasnoted——

everydirectionhegavethewaiterwasoverheard。

OfthissurveillanceHertzwaswellaware。Tohavebeenignorantofitwouldhavearguedhimblindandimbecile。Butheshowednoresentment。Witheyesgraveanduntroubled，hesteadilyregardedhisescort；butnotbythehasteningofafootsteportheaccelerationofagesturedidheadmitthatbyhisaudiencehewaseitherdistressedorembarrassed。ThatwasthesituationonthemorningwhentheTreatyofLondonwastobesignedandsealed。

InspiteofthepublicitygiventotheconferencebytheTimes，however，whatthetermsofthetreatymightbenooneknew。IfAdrianopleweresurrendered；ifSalonikaweregiventoGreece；ifServiaobtainedaright-of-waytotheAdriatic——peacewasassured；

but，shouldtheYoungTurksrefuse——shouldAustriaproveobstinate-

notonlywouldthewarcontinue，butthePowerswouldbeinvolved，andthatgreater，moreawfulwar——thewardreadedbyalltheChristianworld——mightturnEuropeintoaslaughter-house。

WouldTurkeyandAustriaconsentandpeaceensue？Wouldtheyrefuseandwarfollow？ThatmorningthosewerethequestionsonthelipsofeverymaninLondonsaveone。HewasSamLowell；andhewasaskinghimselfanotherandmorepersonalquestion："HowcanIfindfivepoundsandpacifyMrs。Wroxton？"

HehadfriendsinNewYorkwhowouldcablehimmoneytopayhispassagehome；buthedidnotwanttogohome。HepreferredtostarveinLondonthanbevulgarlyrichanywhereelse。ThatwasnotbecausehelovedLondon，butbecauseaboveeverythinginlifehelovedPollySeward——andPollySewardwasinLondon。Hehadbeguntoloveheronclassdayofhissenioryear；and，afterhisfatherdiedandlefthimwithnooneelsetocarefor，everydayhehadlovedhermore。

UntilamonthbeforehehadbeenintheofficeofWetmore&

Hastings，asmartbrokers\'firminWallStreet。HehadobtainedthepositionnotbecausehewasofanyusetoWetmore&Hastings，butbecausethefirmwastheonethroughwhichhisfatherhadgambledthemoneythatwouldotherwisehavegonetoSam。IngivingSamajobthefirmthoughtitwasmakingrestitution。Samthoughtitwasmakingthepunishmentfitthecrime；forheknewnothingofthewaysofWallStreet，andhavingtolearnthemboredhimextremely。Hewantedtowritestoriesforthemagazines。HewantedtobindtheminabookanddedicatethemtoPolly。Andinthiswisheditorshumoredhim——butnotsomanyeditorsorwithsuchenthusiasmastowarranthisturninghisbackonWallStreet。

Thathedidlaterwhen，afteratouroftheworldthathadbegunfromtheSanFranciscoside，PollySewardandhermotherandSenatorSewardreachedNaples。ThereSenatorSewardboughtoldItalianfurnitureforhisofficeonthetwenty-fifthflooroftheperfectlynewSewardbuilding。Mrs。SewardtriedtobuyforPollyaprincenearlyasoldasthefurniture，andPollyboughtpicturepost-cardswhichshesenttoSam。

Pollyhadbeenabsentsixmonths，andSam\'sendurancehadbeensotimedasjusttolastoutthehalf-year。Itwasnotguaranteedtowithstandanychangeofschedule，andthetwomonths\'delayinItalybrokehisheart。Itcouldnotrunovertimeonastarvationdietofpost-cards；sowhenhereceivedacablereading，"AddressLondon，Claridge\'s，"hishearttoldhimitcouldnolongerwait-

andheresignedhispositionandsailed。

OnhertriproundtheworldPollyhadlearnedmanythings。Shewasobservant，alert，intentonaskingquestions，hungeringforfacts。Andacharmingyoungwomanwhoseeksfactsratherthanattentionwillneverlackeither。ButofallthefactsPollycollected，theoneofsurpassinginterest，andwhichgaveherthegreatesthappiness，wasthatshecouldnotlivewithoutSamLowell。Shehadsuspectedthis，anditwaspartlytomakesurethatshehadconsentedtothetriproundtheworld。Nowthatshehadmadesure，shecouldnottoosoonmakeupforthedayslost。Samhadspenthismoney，andheeithermustreturntoNewYorkandearnmoreorremainnearPollyandstarve。Itwasanembarrassingchoice。Pollyherselfmadethechoiceevenmoredifficult。

OnemorningwhentheywalkedinSt。James\'sParktofeedtheducksshesaidtohim：

"Sam，whenarewetobemarried？"

Whenforthreeyearsamanhasbeenbeggingagirltomarryhim，andsheconsentsattheexactmomentwhen，withoutcapitulationtoallthatheholdshonorable，hecannotmarryanybody，hispositiondeservessympathy。

"Mydearone，"exclaimedtheunhappyyouth，"youmakemethemostmiserableofmen！Ican\'tmarry！I\'minanawfulplace！IfI

marriedyounowI\'dbeacrook！Itisn\'taquestionofloveinacottage，withbreadandcheese。IfcottageswererentingforadollarayearIcouldn\'trentonefortenminutes。Ihaven\'tcheeseenoughtobaitamouse-trap。It\'sterrible！Butwehavegottowait。"

"Wait！"criedPolly。"Ithoughtyouhadbeenwaiting！HaveIbeenawaytoolong？Doyoulovesomeoneelse？"

"Don\'tberidiculous！"saidSamcrossly。"Lookatme，"hecommanded，"andtellmewhomIlove！"

Pollydidnottaketimetolook。

"ButI，"sheprotested，"havesomuchmoney！"

"It\'snotyourmoney，"explainedSam。"It\'syourmother\'smoneyoryourfather\'s，andbothofthemdislikeme。Theyevenhavetoldmeso。YourmotherwantsyoutomarrythatItalian；andyourfather，havinghalfthemoneyinAmerica，naturallywantstomarryyoutotheotherhalf。IfIwereselfishandmarriedyouI\'dbeallthethingstheythinkIam。"

"Youareselfish！"criedPolly。"You\'rethinkingofyourselfandofwhatpeoplewillsay，insteadofhowtomakemehappy。What\'stheuseofmoneyifyoucan\'tbuywhatyouwant？"

"Areyousuggestingyoucanbuyme？"demandedSam。

"Surely，"saidPolly——"ifIcan\'tgetyouanyotherway。Andyoumaynameyourownprice，too。"

"WhenIammakingenoughtosupportmyselfwithoutspongingonyou，"explainedSam，"youcanhaveasmanymillionsasyoulike；

butImustfirstmakeenoughtokeepmealive。Amanwhocan\'tdothatisn\'tfittomarry。"

"Howmuch，"demandedPolly，"doyouneedtokeepyoualive？MaybeIcouldlendittoyou。"

Samwasentirelyserious。

"Threethousandayear，"hesaid。

Pollyexclaimedindignantly。

"Icallthatextremelyextravagant！"shecried。"Ifwewaituntilyouearnthreethousandayearwemaybedead。Doyouexpecttoearnthatwritingstories？"

"Icantry，"saidSam——"orIwillrobabank。"

Pollysmileduponhimappealingly。

"YouknowhowIloveyourstories，"shesaid，"andIwouldn\'thurtyourfeelingsfortheworld；but，Samdear，Ithinkyouhadbetterrobabank！"

Addressinganimaginaryaudience，supposedlyofmen，Samexclaimed：

"Isn\'tthatjustlikeawoman？Shewouldn\'tcare，"heprotested，"howIgotthemoney！"

Pollysmiledcheerfully。

"NotifIgotyou！"shesaid。Inextenuation，also，sheaddressedanimaginaryaudience，presumablyofwomen。"That\'showIlovehim！"sheexclaimed。"Andheasksmetowait！Isn\'tthatjustlikeaman？Seriously，"shewenton，"ifwejustgoaheadandgetmarriedfatherwouldhavetohelpus。He\'dmakeyouavice-presidentorsomething。"

AtthissuggestionSamexpressedhisextremedispleasure。

"ThelasttimeItalkedtoyourfather，"hesaid，"Iwasinapositiontomarry，andItoldhimIwantedtomarryyou。Whathesaidtothatwas：\'Don\'tbeanass！\'ThenItoldhimhewasunintelligent——

andItoldhimwhy。First，becausehecouldnotseethatamanmightwanttomarryhisdaughterinspiteofhermoney；andsecond，becausehecouldn\'tseethathermoneywouldn\'tmakeuptoamanforhavinghimforafather-in-law。"

"Didyouhavetotellhimthat？"askedPolly。

"Someonehadtotellhim，"saidSamgloomily。"Anyway，asasourceofrevenuefatheriseliminated。IhavestillonechanceinLondon。IfthatfailsImustgohome。I\'vebeenpromisedajobinNewYorkreportingforaWallStreetpaper——andI\'llwritestoriesontheside。I\'vecabledformoney，andiftheLondonjobfallsthroughIshallsailWednesday。"

"Wednesday！"criedPolly。"Whenyousaythingslike\'Wednesday\'

youmaketheworldsodark！Youmuststayhere！Ithasbeensuchalongsixmonths；andbeforeyouearnthreethousanddollarsI

shallbeanold，oldmaid。Butifyougetworkherewecouldseeeachothereveryday。"

TheywereintheSewards\'sitting-roomatClaridge\'s。Samtookupthedesktelephone。

"InLondon，"hesaid，"myonebestandonlybetisamannamedForsythe，whohelpseditthePallMall。I\'lltelephonehimnow。

IfhecanpromisemeevenashillingadayI\'llstayonandstarve——

butI\'llbenearyou。IfForsythefailsmeIshallsailWednesday。"

ThetelephonecallfoundForsytheatthePallMalloffice。HewouldbecharmedtoadviseMr。Lowellonamatterofbusiness。WouldhethatnightdinewithMr。Lowell？Hewould。AndmighthesuggestthattheydineatPavoni\'s？Hehadaspecialreasonforgoingthere，andthedinnerwouldcostonlythreeandsix。

"That\'sreasonenough！"Samtoldhim。

"Anddon\'tforget，"saidPollywhen，forthefifthtime，Samrosetogo，"thatafteryourdinneryouaretolookformeattheDuchessofDeptford\'sdance。Iaskedherforacardandyouwillfinditatyourlodgings。Everybodywillbethere；butitisabigplace-fullofdarkcornerswherewecanhide。"

"Don\'thideuntilIarrive，"saidSam。"Ishallbeverylate，asIshallhavetowalk。AfterIpayforForsythe\'sdinnerandforwhiteglovesforyourdanceIshallnotbeinapositiontohireataxi。ButmaybeIshallbringgoodnews。MaybeForsythewillgivemethejob。Ifhedoeswewillcelebrateinchampagne。

"

"Youwillletmeatleastpayforthechampagne？"beggedPolly。

"No，"saidSamfirmly——"theduchesswillfurnishthat。"

WhenSamreachedhislodgingsinRussellSquare，whichheapproachedwithconsiderabletrepidation，hefoundMrs。Wroxtonawaitinghim。Butherattitudenolongerwashostile。Onthecontrary，asshehandedhimalarge，squareenvelope，decoratedwiththestrawberryleavesofaduke，hermannerwashumble。

Samopenedtheenvelopeand，withapparentcarelessness，stuckitoverthefireplace。

"Aboutthatbackrent，"hesaid；"Ihavecabledformoney，andassoon——"

"Iknow，"saidMrs。Wroxton。"Ireadthecable。"Shewasreadingthecardofinvitationalso。"There\'snohurry，sir，"protestedMrs。

Wroxton。"AnyofmyyounggentlemenwhoismadewelcomeatDeptfordHouseismadewelcomehere！"

"Credit，Mrs。Wroxton，"observedSam，"isbetterthancash。Ifyouhaveonlycashyouspenditandnothingremains。Butwithcredityoucancontinueindefinitelyto-to-"

"Soyoucan！"exclaimedMrs。Wroxtonenthusiastically。"Stayaslongasyoulike，Mr。Lowell。"

AtPavoni\'sSamfoundForsythealreadyseatedand，withevidentinterest，observingthesceneofgayetybeforehim。TheplacewasnewtoSam，andafterthedarknessandsnowofthestreetsitappearedbothcheerfulandresplendent。Itwasbrilliantlylighted；

aceilingofgaypanelspickedoutwithgold，andredplushsofas，backedagainstwallshungwithmirrorsandfacedbyrowsofmarble-toppedtables，gaveitanairoftheContinent。

Samsurrenderedhishatandcoattothewaiter。ThehatwasasoftAlpineoneofgreenfelt。ThewaiterhungitwhereSamcouldseeit，ononeofmanyhooksthatencircledagildedpillar。

AftertwocourseshadbeenservedForsythesaid：

"Ihopeyoudon\'tobjecttothisplace。Ihadaspecialreasonforwishingtobehereonthisparticularnight。Iwantedtobeinatthedeath！"

"Whosedeath？"askedSam。"Isthedinnerasbadasthat？"

Forsytheleanedbackagainstthemirrorbehindthemand，bringinghisshoulderclosetoSam\'s，spokeinawhisper。

"Asyouknow，"hesaid，"to-daythedelegatessigntheTreatyofLondon。ItstillmustreceivethesignaturesoftheSultanandthethreekings；andtheywillsignit。Butuntiltheydo，whatthetermsofthetreatyarenoonecanfindout。"

"I\'llbettheTimesfindsout！"saidSam。

"That\'sit！"returnedForsythe。"Hertz，themanwhoissupposedtobesellingthesecretsoftheconferencetotheTimes，dineshere。

To-nightishislastchance。Ifto-nighthecansliptheTimesacopyoftheTreatyofLondonwithoutbeingcaught，andtheTimeshasthecouragetopublishit，itwillbethebiggestnewspapersensationofmoderntimes；anditwilleithercauseafinancialpanicalloverEurope——orpreventone。Themantheysuspectisfacingus。Don\'tlooknow，butinaminuteyouwillseehimsittingaloneatatableontherightofthemiddlepillar。

Thepeopleatthetablesnearesthim——eventhewomen——aredetectives。HiswaiterisintheemployofScotlandYard。Themaitred\'hotel，whomyouwillseealwayshoveringroundhistable，isapoliceagentlentbyBulgaria。FortheAlliesareevenmoreanxioustostoptheleakthanweare。Weareinterestedonlyastheirhosts；withthemitisamatterofnationallifeordeath。Aweekagooneofourowninspectorstippedmeofftowhatisgoingon，andeverynightsincethenI\'vedinedhere，hopingtoseesomethingsuspicious。"

"Haveyou？"askedSam。

"Onlythis，"whisperedForsythe——"onfourdifferentnightsI\'verecognizedmenIknowareonthestaffoftheTimes，andontheothernightsmenIdon\'tknowmayhavebeenhere。Butafterallthatprovesnothing，forthisplaceisaresortofnewspaperwritersandeditors——andtheTimesmen\'sbeingheremayhavebeenonlyacoincidence。"

"AndHertz？"askedSam——"whatdoeshedo？"

TheEnglishmanexclaimedwithirritation。

"Justwhatyouseehimdoingnow！"heprotested。"Heeatshisdinner！Lookathim！"hecommanded。"Ofallintheroomhe\'stheleastconcerned。"

SamlookedandsawthesuspectedAdolfHertzdanglingamassofmacaroniontheendofhisfork。Samwatchedhimuntilitdisappeared。

"Maybethat\'sasignal！"suggestedSam。"Maybeeverythinghedoesispartofaciphercode！HegivesthesignalsandtheTimesmenreadthemandwritethemdown。"

"Amanwouldhaveafinechancetowriteanythingdowninthisroom！"saidForsythe。

"Butmaybe，"persistedSam，"whenhemakesthosestrangemovementswithhislipsheistalkingtoaconfederatewhocanreadtheliplanguage。Theconfederatewritesitdownattheofficeand——"

"Fantasticandextremelyimprobable！"commentedForsythe。"But，nevertheless，thefactremains，thefellowdoescommunicatewithsomeonefromtheTimes；andthepolicearepositivehedoesithereandthatheisdoingitnow！"

TheproblemthatsogreatlydisturbedhisfriendwouldhavemoredeeplyinterestedSamhadthesolvingofhisowntroublebeenlessimperative。Thatalonefilledhismind。Andwhenthecoffeewasservedandthecigarslit，withoutbeatingaboutthebushSamaskedForsythebluntlyifonhispaperarisingandimpecuniousgeniuscouldfindaplace。WithevenlessbeatingaboutthebushForsytheassuredhimhecouldnot。Theanswerwasfinal，andthedisappointmentwassokeenthatSamsoonbeggedhisfriendtoexcusehim，paidhisbill，androsetodepart。

"Betterwait！"urgedForsythe。"You\'llfindnothingsogoodoutatamusic-hall。ThisisHoudinigettingoutofhishandcuffsbeforeanaudienceentirelycomposedofpolicemen。"

Samshookhisheadgloomily。

"Ihaveafewhandcuffsofmyowntogetridof，"hesaid，"anditmakesmepoorcompany。"

Hebadehisfriendgoodnightand，pickinghiswayamongthetables，movedtowardthepillaronwhichthewaiterhadhunghishat。ThepillarwastheonebesidewhichHertzwassitting，andasSamapproachedthemanhesatisfiedhiscuriositybyalonglook。UndertheglanceHertzloweredhiseyesandfixedthemuponhisnewspaper。Samretrievedhishatandlefttherestaurant。

Hismindimmediatelywasovercast。HerememberedhisdisappointmentandthatthepartingbetweenhimselfandPollywasnowinevitable。

WithoutconsideringhisdirectionheturnedtowardCharingCrossRoad。Buthewasnotlongallowedtomeditateundisturbed。

HehadonlycrossedthelittlestreetthatrunsbesidetherestaurantandpassedintotheshadowoftheNationalGallerywhen，atthebaseoftheIrvingMemorial，fromeachsidehewasfiercelyattacked。

Ayoungmanofeminentlyrespectableappearancekickedhislegsfromunderhim，andanotherofequallyimpeccableexteriormadeanhonestefforttoknockoffhishead。

Samplungedheavilytothesidewalk。Ashesprawledforwardhishatfellunderhimandinhisstruggletorisewashiddenbytheskirtsofhisgreatcoat。That，also，hehadfallenheavilyuponhishatwithbothkneesSamdidnotknow。Thestrangeactionsofhisassailantsenlightenedhim。Tohissurprise，insteadofcontinuingtheirassaultorattemptingaraiduponhispockets，hefoundthemengagedsolelyintuggingatthehat。Andsopreoccupiedweretheyinthisthat，thoughstillonhisknees，Samwasabletolandsomelustyblowsbeforearushoffeetcausedtheyoungmentoleaptotheirownand，pursuedbyseveralburlyforms，disappearintheheartofthetraffic。

Samroseandstoodunsteadily。HefoundhimselfsurroundedbyallofthosewhobutamomentbeforehehadleftcontentedlydiningatPavoni\'s。Inanexcitedcirclewaitersandpatronsoftherestaurant，bothmenandwomen，stoodinthefallingsnow，bareheaded，coatless，andcloakless，staringathim。ForsythepushedthemasideandtookSambythearm。

"Whathappened？"demandedSam。

"Yououghttoknow，"protestedForsythe。"Youstartedit！Themomentyoulefttherestauranttwomengrabbedtheirhatsandjumpedafteryou；adozenothermen，withoutwaitingforhats，jumpedafterthem。Therestofusgotoutjustasthetwomenandthedetectivesdivedintothetraffic。"

Abigman，withanairofauthority，drewSamtooneside。

"Didtheytakeanythingfromyou，sir？"heasked。

"I\'venothingtheycouldtake，"saidSam。"Andtheydidn\'ttrytofindout。Theyjustknockedmedown。"

Forsytheturnedtothebigman。

"Thisgentlemanisafriendofmine，inspector，"hesaid。"HeisastrangerintownandwasatPavoni\'sonlybyaccident。"

"Wemightneedhistestimony，"suggestedtheofficial。

Samgavehiscardtotheinspectorandthensoughtrefugeinataxicab。Forthesecondtimehebadehisfriendgoodnight。

"Andwhennextwedine，"hecalledtohiminparting，"choosearestaurantwherethedetectiveserviceisquicker！"

Threehourslater，brushedandrepairedbyMrs。Wroxton，andagainresplendent，SamsatinasecludedcornerofDeptfordHouseandbadePollyalongfarewell。Itwasespeciallylong，owingtotheunusualnumberofinterruptions；foritwasevidentthatPollyhadmanyfriendsinLondon，andthatnottoknowtheRichestOneinAmericaandherabsurdmother，andthepompous，self-satisfiedfather，arguedoneselfnobody。ButfinallytheduchesscarriedPollyofftosupwithher；andastheduchessdidnotincludeSaminherinvitation——atleastnotinsuchawaythatanyonecouldnoticeit——

Samsaidgood-night——butnotbeforehehadarrangedameetingwithPollyforeleventhatsamemorning。Ifitwasclear，themeetingwastobeattheduckpondinSt。James\'sPark；ifitsnowed，attheNationalGalleryinfrontofthe"AgeofInnocence。"

Afterrobbingtheduchessofthreesuppers，Samdescendedtothehallandfromanattendantreceivedhiscoatandhat，whichlattertheattendantofferedhimwiththeinsideofthehatshowing。Samsawinitthetrademarkofaforeignmaker。

"That\'snotmyhat，"saidSam。

Themanexpressedpolitedisbelief。

"Ifounditrolledupinthepocketofyourgreatcoat，sir，"heprotested。

ThewordsremindedSamthatonarrivingatDeptfordHousehehadtwistedthehatintoarollandstuffeditintohisovercoatpocket。

"Quiteright，"saidSam。Butitwasnothishat；andwithsomehopeofstillrecoveringhispropertyhemadewayforotherdepartingguestsandatonesidewaited。

Forsomeclewtothepersonhebelievedwasnowwearinghishat，Samexaminedtheoneinhishand。Justshowingabovetheinsidebandwassomethingwhite。Thinkingitmightbethecardoftheowner，Samremovedit。Itwasnotacard，butalongsheetofthinpaper，coveredwithtypewriting，andmanytimesfolded。Samreadtheopeningparagraph。Thenhebackedsuddenlytowardagreatchairofgoldandvelvet，andfellintoit。

Hewasconscioustheattendantsinpinkstockingswereregardinghimaskance；that，astheywaitedinthedraftyhallforcarsandtaxis，thenoblelordsinstarsandribbons，thenobleladiesintiarasandshowingmuch-fur-linedgaloshes，werediscussinghisstrangeappearance。Theymightwellbelievetheyouthwasill；theymighteasilyhaveconsideredhimintoxicated。Outsiderosethevoicesofservantsandpolicecallingthecarriages。Insideotherservantsechoedthem。

"TheDuchessofSutherland\'scar！"theychanted。"Mrs。TrevorHill\'scarriage！TheFrenchambassador\'scarriage！BaronHaussmann\'scar！"

Likeoneemergingfromatrance，Samsprangupright。Alittlefatman，withmildblueeyesandcurlyredhair，wasshylyandwithmurmuredapologiespushingtowardtheexit。BeforehegaineditSamhadwriggledawaytohiselbow。

"BaronHaussmann！"hestammered。"Imustspeaktoyou。It\'samatterofgravestimportance。Sendawayyourcar，"hebegged，"andgivemefiveminutes。"

Theeyesofthelittlefatmanopenedwideinsurprise，almostinalarm。HestaredatSamreprovingly。

"Impossible！"hemurmured。"I——Idonotknowyou。"

"Thisisaletterofintroduction，"saidSam。Intotheunwillingfingersofthebankerhethrustthefoldedpaper。Bendingoverhim，hewhisperedinhisear。"That，"saidSam，"istheTreatyofLondon！"

ThealarmofBaronHaussmannincreasedtoapanic。

"Impossible！"hegasped。And，withreproach，herepeated："Idonotknowyou，sir！Idonotknowyou！"

Atthatmoment，toweringabovethecrush，appearedthetallfigureofSenatorSeward。TherichmanoftheNewWorldandtherichmanofEuropekneweachotheronlybysight。But，uponseeingSaminearnestconversewiththegreatbanker，thesenatorbelievedthatwithoutappearingtoseekithemightthroughSameffectameeting。Withaheartyslapontheshoulderhegreetedhisfellowcountryman。

"Halloo，Sam！"hecriedgenially。"Youwalkinghomewithme？"

Samdidnoteventurnhishead。

"No！"hesnapped。"I\'mbusy。Go\'way！"

Crimson，thesenatordisappeared。BaronHaussmannregardedtheyoungstrangerwithamazedinterest。

"Youknowhim！"heprotested。"HecalledyouSam！"

"Knowhim？"criedSamimpatiently。"I\'vegottoknowhim！He\'sgoingtobemyfather-in-law。"

Thefingersoftherichmanclutchedthefoldedpaperastheclawsofaparrotclingtothebarsofhiscage。Helethissablecoatslipintothehandsofaservant；heturnedbacktowardthemarblestaircase。

"Come！"hecommanded。

SamledhimtothesecludedcornerPollyandhehadleftvacantandtoldhisstory。

"So，itisevident，"concludedSam，"thateachnightsomeoneintheserviceoftheTimesdinedatPavoni\'s，andthathishatwasthesamesortofhatastheonewornbyHertz；andeachnight，insidetheliningofhishat，Hertzhidthereportofthatday\'sproceedings。AndwhentheTimesmanlefttherestaurantheexchangedhatswithHertz。Butto-night——IgotHertz\'shatandwithitthetreaty！"

Inperplexitytheblueeyesofthelittlegreatmanfrowned。

"Itisaremarkablestory，"hesaid。

"Youmeanyoudon\'tbelieveme！"retortedSam。"IfIhadfinancialstanding——ifIhadcredit——ifIwerenotastranger-

youwouldnothesitate。"

BaronHaussmannneitheragreednorcontradicted。Hemadeapoliteanddeprecatorygesture。Stillindoubt，hestaredatthepieceofwhitepaper。Stilldeepinthought，hetwistedandcreasedbetweenhisfingerstheTreatyofLondon！

Returningwiththeduchessfromsupper，PollycaughtsightofSamand，withahappylaugh，rantowardhim。Seeinghewasnotalone，shehaltedandwavedherhand。

"Don\'tforget！"shecalled。"Ateleven！"

Shemadeasweetandlovelypicture。Samroseandbowed。

"I\'llbethereatten，"heanswered。

WithhismildblueeyesthebaronfollowedPollyuntilshehaddisappeared。ThenheturnedandsmiledatSam。

"Permitme，"hesaid，"toofferyoumyfelicitations。Youryoungladyisverybeautifulandverygood。"Sambowedhishead。"Ifshetrustsyou，"murmuredthebaron，"IthinkIcantrustyoutoo。"

"Howwonderfuliscredit！"exclaimedSam。"Iwasjustsayingsotomylandlady。Ifyouhaveonlycashyouspenditandnothingremains。Butwithcredityoucan——"

"Howmuch，"interruptedthebanker，"doyouwantforthis？"

Samreturnedbrisklytothebusinessofthemoment。