第5章

Thestillnessoftheemptyhousewasonlybrokenbythehabituallysubduedvoicesofthechildrenattheirplay，whensuddenlytheharshstrokeofadistantbellcamethroughtheopenwindow。ButitwasnoSabbathbell，andMr。Breezeknewit。ItwasthetocsinoftheVigilanceCommittee，summoningthememberstoassembleattheirquartersforacapture，atrial，oranexecutionofsomewrongdoer。Tohimitwasequallyasummonstotheoffice——todistastefulnewsandexcitement。

Hethrewhisproofsasideindisgust，laiddownhispen，seizedhishat，andpausedamomenttolookroundforhisplaymates。Buttheyweregone！Hewentintothehall，lookedintotheopendooroftheirroom，buttheywerenotthere。Hetriedthedoorofthesecondroom，butitwaslocked。

Satisfiedthattheyhadstolendownstairsintheireagernesstoknowwhatthebellmeant，hehurrieddownalso，metRobertsinthepassage，——asingularlyunusualcircumstanceatthathour，——calledtohimtolookaftertherunaways，andhurriedtohisoffice。

Herehefoundthestaffcollected，excitedlydiscussingthenews。

OneoftheVigilanceCommitteeprisoners，anotoriousbullyandruffian，detainedasacriminalandawitness，hadcommittedsuicideinhiscell。Fortunatelythiswasallreportorialwork，andtheservicesofMr。Breezewerenotrequired。Hehurriedback，relieved，tohisroom。

Whenhereachedhislanding，breathlessly，heheardthesamequickrustlehehadheardthatmemorableevening，andwasquitesatisfiedthathesawafigureglideswiftlyoutoftheopendoorofhisroom。Itwasnodoubthisneighbor，whohadbeenseekingherchildren，andasheheardtheirvoicesashepassed，hisuneasinessandsuspicionswereremoved。

Hesatdownagaintohisscatteredpapersandproofs，finishedhiswork，andtookittotheofficeonhiswaytodinner。Hereturnedearly，inthehopethathemightmeethisneighboragain，andhadquitesettledhismindthathewasjustifiedinofferingacivil"Good-evening"toher，inspiteofhispreviousrespectfulignoringofherpresence。Shemustcertainlyhavebecomeawarebythistimeofhisattentiontoherchildrenandconsiderationforherself，andcouldnotmistakehismotives。Buthewasdisappointed，althoughhecameupsoftly；hefoundthefloorindarknessandsilenceonhisreturn，andhehadtobecontentwithlightinghisgasandsettlingdowntoworkagain。

Anearchurchclockhadstrucktenwhenhewasstartledbythesoundofanunfamiliaranduncertainstepinthehall，followedbyatapathisdoor。Breezejumpedtohisfeet，andwasastonishedtofindDick，the"printer\'sdevil，"standingonthethresholdwitharollofproofsinhishand。

"Howdidyougethere？"heaskedtestily。

"Theytoldmeattherestauranttheyreckonedyoulivedyere，andthenightwatchmanatthedoorheadedmestraightup。WhenheknewwharIkemfromhewantedtoknowwhatthenewswas，butItoldhimhe\'dbetterbuyanextraandsee。"

"Well，whatdidyoucomefor？"saidtheeditorimpatiently。

"Theforemansaiditwasimportant，andhewantedtoknowaforehewenttopressefthisyercorrectionwasYOURS？"

Hewenttothetable，unrolledtheproofs，and，takingouttheslip，pointedtoamarkedparagraph。"Theforemansaysthereporterwhobroughtthenewsallowshegotitstraightfirst-hand！

Butefyou\'vecorrectedit，hereckonsyouknowbest。"

Breezesawataglancethattheparagraphalludedtowasnotofhisownwriting，butoneofseveralnewsitemsfurnishedbyreporters。

Thesehadbeen"setup"inthesame"galley，"andconsequentlyappearedinthesameproof-slip。Hewasabouttosaycurtlythatneitherthematternorthecorrectionwashis，whensomethingoddinthecorrectionoftheitemstruckhim。Itreadasfollows：——

"Itappearsthatthenotorious\'JimBodine，\'whoisinhidingandbadlywantedbytheVigilanceCommittee，hasbeentemptedlatelyintoarenewalofhisoldrecklessness。HewasseeninSacramentoStreettheothernightbytwoseparatewitnesses，oneofwhomfollowedhim，butheescapedinsomefriendlydoorway。"

Thewords"inSacramentoStreet"werestrickenoutandreplacedbythecorrection"ontheSaucelitoshore，"andthewords"friendlydoorway"werechangedto"friendlydinghy。"Thecorrectionwasnothis，northehandwriting，whichwasfurtherdisguisedbybeinganimitationofprint。Astrangeideaseizedhim。

"HasanyoneseentheseproofssinceIleftthemattheoffice？"

"No，onlytheforeman，sir。"

Herememberedthathehadlefttheproofslyingopenlyonhistablewhenhewascalledtotheofficeatthestrokeofthealarmbell；

herememberedthefigurehesawglidingfromhisroomonhisreturn。Shehadbeentherealonewiththeproofs；sheonlycouldhavetamperedwiththem。

TheevidentobjectofthecorrectionwastodirectthepublicattentionfromSacramentoStreettoSaucelito，astheprobablewhereaboutsofthis"JimmyBodine。"ThestreetbelowwasSacramentoStreet，the"friendlydoorway"mighthavebeentheirown。

ThatshehadsomeknowledgeofthisBodinewasnotmoreimprobablethantheballetstory。Herstrangeabsences，themysterysurroundingher，allseemedtotestifythatshehadsomeconnection——perhapsonlyaninnocentone——withthesedesperatepeoplewhomtheVigilanceCommitteewerehuntingdown。Herattempttosavethemanwas，afterall，nomoreillegalthantheirattempttocapturehim。True，shemighthavetrustedhim，Breeze，withoutthistamperingwithhispapers；yetperhapsshethoughthewascertaintodiscoverit——anditwasonlyasilentappealtohismercy。Thecorrectionswereingeniousandnatural——itwastheactofanintelligent，quick-wittedwoman。

Mr。Breezewaspromptinactinguponhisintuition，whetherrightorwrong。Hetookuphispen，wroteonthemarginoftheproof，"Printascorrected，"saidtotheboycarelessly，"Thecorrectionsareallright，"anddismissedhimquickly。

Thecorrectedparagraphwhichappearedinthe"Informer"thenextmorningseemedtoattractlittlepublicattention，thegreaterexcitementbeingthesuicideoftheimprisonedbullyandtheeffectitmighthaveupontheprosecutionofothersuspectedparties，againstwhomthedeadmanhadbeenexpectedtobearwitness。

Mr。BreezewasunabletoobtainanyinformationregardingthedesperadoBodine\'sassociatesandrelations；hiscorrectionoftheparagraphhadmadetheothermembersofthestaffbelievehehadsecretandsuperiorinformationregardingthefugitive，andhethuswasestoppedfromaskingquestions。ButhefelthimselfjustifiednowindemandingfullerinformationfromRobertsattheearliestopportunity。

Forthispurposehecamehomeearlierthatnight，hopingtofindthenightwatchmanstillonhisfirstbeatinthelowerhalls。Buthewasdisappointed。Hewasamazed，however，onreachinghisownlanding，tofindthepassagepiledwithnewluggage，someofthatrudertypeofrolledblanketandknapsackknownasa"miner\'skit。"

Hewasstillmoresurprisedtohearmen\'svoicesandthesoundoflaughterproceedingfromtheroomthatwasalwayslocked。Asuddensenseofuneasinessanddisgust，heknewnotwhy，cameoverhim。

Hepassedquicklyintohisroom，shutthedoorsharply，andlitthegas。Buthepresentlyheardthedoorofthelockedroomopen，aman\'svoice，slightlyelevatedbyliquorandopposition，saying，"I

knowwhat\'sduefromonegen\'lemanto\'nother"——aquerulous，objectingvoicesaying，"Holeon！notnow，"andafainterfeminineprotest，allofwhichwerefollowedbyaraponhisdoor。

Breezeopenedittotwostrangers，oneofwhomlurchedforwardunsteadilywithoutstretchedhand。Hehadahandsomefaceandfigure，andacertainconsciousnessofitevenintheabandonofliquor；hehadanaggressivetreacherousnessofeyewhichhispotationshadnotsubdued。HegraspedBreeze\'shandtightly，butdroppeditthenextmomentperfunctorilyasheglancedroundtheroom。

"ItoldthemIwasboundtocomein，"hesaid，withoutlookingatBreeze，"andsay\'Howdy！\'tothemanthat\'sbinapaltomywomenfolksandthekids——andactedwhiteallthrough！IsaidtoMame，\'IreckonHEknowswhoIam，andthatIkinbehigh-tonedtothemthat\'shigh-toned；kinreturnshakeforshakeandshotforshot！\'

Aye！that\'sme！SoIwasboundtocomeinlikeagen\'leman，sir，andhereIam！"

HethrewhimselfinanunprofferedchairandstaredatBreeze。

"I\'mafraid，"saidBreezedryly，"that，nevertheless，Ineverknewwhoyouwere，andthatevennowIamignorantwhomIamaddressing。"

"That\'sjustit，"saidthesecondman，withaquerulousprotest，whichdidnot，however，concealhisadmiringvassalagetohisfriend；"that\'swhatI\'mallustellingJim。\'Jim，\'Isays，\'howisfolkstoknowyou\'rethemanthatshotKernelBaxter，anddroppedthreeo\'themMariposaVigilants？Theydidn\'tseeyoudoit！Theyjustlookatyourfancystyleandthemmustachesofyours，andallowyemightbedeathonthegirls，buttheydon\'tknowye！An\'

thismanyere——he\'sascribeinthempapers——writeswhatthebosseditortellshim，andlivesupyereontheroof，\'longsideyerwifeandthechildren——what\'sheknowin\'aboutYOU？\'Jim\'sallrightenough，"hecontinued，ineasyconfidencetoBreeze，"buthe\'stoofresh\'bouthimself。"

Mr。JamesBodineacceptedthistributeandcriticismofhishenchmanwithacomplacentlaugh，whichwasnot，however，withoutacertaincontemptforthespeakerandthemanspokento。Hisbold，selfisheyeswanderedroundtheroomasifinsearchofsomeotheramusementthanhiscompanionsoffered。

"Ireckonthisistheroomwhichthathoundofalandlord，Rakes，allowedhe\'dfixupforourpokerclub——theclubthatDanSimmonsandmegotup，withafewothersports。Itwastobeaslap-upaffair，rightundertheroof，wheretherewasnochanceofthepoliceraidingus。ButthecurweakenedwhentheVigilantsstartedouttomakewaronanygameagen\'lemanmighthevthatwasn\'tintheirgummy-bag，saltporktrade。Well，it\'sgettin\'alongtimebetweendrinks，gen\'lemen，ain\'tit？"Helookedroundhimsignificantly。

Onlythethoughtofthewomanandherchildreninthenextroom，andtheshamethathebelievedshewasenduring，enabledBreezetokeephistemperorevenashowofcivility。

"I\'mafraid，"hesaidquietly，"thatyou\'llfindverylittleheretoremindyouoftheclub——noteventhewhiskey；forIusetheroomonlyasabedroom，andasIamaworkingman，andcomeinlateandgooutearly，Ihaveneverfounditavailableforhospitality，eventomyintimatefriends。Iamveryglad，however，thatthelittleleisureIhavehadinithasenabledmetomakethefloorlesslonelyforyourchildren。"

Mr。Bodinegotupwithanaffectedyawn，turnedanembarrassedyetdarkeningeyeonBreeze，andlungedunsteadilytothedoor。"AndasIonlyhappenedintodothereg\'larthingbetweenhigh-tonedgen\'lemen，Ireckonwekinsay\'Quits。\'"Hegaveacoarselaugh，said"Solong，"nodded，stumbledintothepassage，andthenceintotheotherroom。

Hiscompanionwatchedhimpassoutwitharelievedyetprotectingair，andthen，closingthedoorsoftly，drewnearertoBreeze，andsaidinhuskyconfidence，——

"Yeain\'tseein\'himathisbest，mister！He\'sbindrinkin\'toomuch，andthisyernewshasupsethim。"

"Whatnews？"askedBreeze。

"Thisyersuicideo\'IrishJack！"

"Washehisfriend？"

"Friend？"ejaculatedtheman，horrifiedatthemeresuggestion。

"Notmuch！Why，IrishJackwastheonlymanthatcouldhevhungJim！Nowhe\'sdead，incoursetheVigilantsain\'tgotnoproofaginJim。Jimwantstofaceitoutnowan\'stayhere，buthiswifeandmedon\'tseeitnoways！Sowearetakingadvantageo\'thelullaginhimtogethimoffdownthecoastthisverynight。That\'swhyhe\'sbeenoffhisheaddrinkin\'。Yesee，whenamanhasbeenforweekshidin\'——parto\'thetimeinthatroomandparto\'thetimeonthewharf，wherethemVigilantshasbeenwatchin\'everyshipthatleftinordertoketchhim，he\'sinclinedtocelebratehischanceo\'gettingaway"——

"Partofthetimeinthatroom？"interruptedBreezequickly。

"Sartin！Don\'tyesee？Healluskeminasyouwentout——sabe！——

andgotawaybeforeyoukemback，hiswifeallthetimejusta-

hoverin\'betweenthetwoplaces，andkeepingwatchforhim。Itwaskillin\'toher，yousee，forshewasn\'tbroughtuptoit，whilesJimdidn\'tkeer——hadtworevolversandkalkilatedtokilladozenVigilantsaforehedropped。Butthat\'sovernow，andwhenI\'vegothimsafeonthat\'plunger\'downatthewharfto-night，andputhimaboardtheschoonerthat\'slyingofftheHeads，he\'sallrightagin。"

"AndRobertsknewallthisandwasoneofhisfriends？"askedBreeze。

"Robertsknewit，andRoberts\'swifeusedtobeakindofservanttoJim\'swifeintheSouth，whenshewasagirl，butIdon\'tknowezRobertsishisFRIEND！"

"Hecertainlyhasshownhimselfone，"saidBreeze。

"Ye-e-s，"saidthestrangermeditatively，"ye-e-s。"Hestopped，openedthedoorsoftly，andpeepedout，andthencloseditagainsoftly。"It\'ssing\'lar，Mr。Breeze，"hewentoninasuddenyetembarrassedburstofconfidence，"thatJimthar——amanthetcanshootstraight，andhezfrequent；amanthetknowseveryskingamegoin\'——thatTHETmanJim，"veryslowly，"hezn\'treally——got——anyfriends——\'ceptme——andhiswife。"

"Indeed？"saidMr。Breezedryly。

"Sure！Why，youyourselfdidn\'tcottontohim——IcouldseeTHET。"

Mr。Breezefelthimselfreddenslightly，andlookedcuriouslyattheman。Thisvulgarparasite，whomhehadsetdownasaworshiperofshamheroes，undoubtedlydidnotlooklikeanassociateofBodine\'s，andhadacertainseriousnessthatdemandedrespect。Ashelookedcloserintohiswide，roundface，seamedwithsmall-pox，hefanciedhesaweveninitsfatuousimbecilitysomethingofthathauntingdevotionhehadseenontherefinedfeaturesofthewife。

Hesaidmoregently，——

"Butonefriendlikeyouwouldseemtobeenough。"

"Iain\'twhatIusterbe，Mr。Breeze，"saidthemanmeditatively，"andmebbeyedon\'tknowwhoIam。I\'mAbeShuckster，ofShuckster\'sRanch——oneofthebiggestinPetalumy。Iwasarichmanuntilayearago，whenJimgotintertrouble。Whatwithmortgagesandinterest，payin\'upJim\'sfriendsandbuyingoffsomeezwassetaginhim，tharain\'tmuchleft，andwhenI\'vesettledthatbillfortheschoonerlyingofftheHeadsthereIreckonI\'maboutplayedout。ButI\'veallusashantyatPetalumy，andmebbewhenthingsisfrozeoverandJimgetsback——you\'llcomeandseehim——foryouain\'tseenhimathisbest。"

"Isupposehiswifeandchildrengowithhim？"saidBreeze。

"No！He\'saginit，andwantsthemtocomelater。Butthat\'sallright，foryouseeshekingobacktotheirownhouseattheMission，nowthattheVigilantsaregivin\'upshadderin\'it。Solong，Mr。Breeze！We\'restartin\'aforedaylight。Sorryyoudidn\'tseeJimincondition。"

HegraspedBreeze\'shandwarmlyandslippedoutofthedoorsoftly。

ForaninstantMr。Breezefeltinclinedtofollowhimintotheroomandmakeakinderadieutothepair，butthereflectionthathemightembarrassthewife，who，itwouldseem，hadpurposelyavoidedaccompanyingherhusbandwhenheentered，withheldhim。Andforthelastfewminuteshehadbeendoubtfulifhehadanyrighttoposeasherfriend。Besidethedevotionofthemanwhohadjustlefthim，hisownscantkindnesstoherchildrenseemedridiculous。

Hewenttobed，buttosseduneasilyuntilhefanciedheheardstealthyfootstepsoutsidehisdoorandinthepassage。Eventhenhethoughtofgettingup，dressing，andgoingouttobidfarewelltothefugitives。Butevenwhilehewasthinkingofithefellasleepanddidnotwakeuntilthesunwasshininginathiswindows。

Hesprangtohisfeet，threwonhisdressing-gown，andpeeredintothepassage。Everythingwassilent。Hesteppedoutside——thelightstreamedintothehallfromtheopendoorsandwindowsofbothrooms——thefloorwasempty；notatraceoftheformeroccupantsremained。Hewasturningbackwhenhiseyefelluponthebatteredwoodendollsetuprightagainsthisdoorjamb，holdingstifflyinitsjointedarmsabitofpaperfoldedlikeanote。Openingit，hefoundafewlineswritteninpencil。

Godblessyouforyourkindnesstous，andtrytoforgivemefortouchingyourpapers。ButIthoughtthatyouwoulddetectit，knowWHYIdidit，andthenhelpus，asyoudid！Good-by！

MAMIEBODINE。

Mr。Breezelaiddownthepaperwithaslightaccessionofcolor，asifitspurporthadbeenironical。Howlittlehadhedonecomparedtothedevotionofthisdelicatewomanorthesacrificesofthatroughfriend！Howdesertedlookedthisnestundertheeaves，whichhadsolongborneitsburdenofguilt，innocence，shame，andsuffering！Formanydaysafterwardsheavoideditexceptatnight，andeventhenheoftenfoundhimselflyingawaketolistentothelostvoicesofthechildren。

Butoneevening，afortnightlater，hecameuponRobertsinthehall。"Well，"saidBreeze，withabruptdirectness，"didhegetaway？"

Robertsstarted，utteredanoathwhichitispossibletheRecordingAngelpassedtohiscredit，andsaid，"Yes，HEgotawayallright！"

"Why，hasn\'thiswifejoinedhim？"

"No。Never，inthisworld，Ireckon；andifanywhereinthenext，Idon\'twanttogothere！"saidRobertsfuriously。

"Ishedead？"

"Dead？Thatkinddon\'tdie！"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

Roberts\'slipswrithed，andthen，withastrongeffort，hesaidwithdeliberatedistinctness，"Imean——thatthehoundwentoffwithanotherwoman——that——was——in——thatschooner，andleftthatfoolShucksteradriftintheplunger。"

"Andthewifeandchildren？"

"ShuckstersoldhisshantyatPetalumatopaytheirpassagetotheStates。Good-night！"

HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO

ThejuniorpartnerofthefirmofSparlow&Kane，"DruggistsandApothecaries，"ofSanFrancisco，wasgazingmeditativelyoutofthecornerofthewindowoftheirlittleshopinDupontStreet。HecouldseethedimlylitperspectiveofthenarrowthoroughfarefadeoffintothelevelsandwastesofMarketStreetontheoneside，andplungeintothehalf-excavatedbulkofTelegraphHillontheother。HecouldseetheglowandheartherumbleofMontgomeryStreet——thegreatcentralavenuefartherdownthehill。Abovethehousetopswasspreadthewarmblanketofsea-fogunderwhichthecitywasregularlylaidtosleepeverysummernighttothecoollullabyoftheNorthwestTrades。Itwasalreadyhalf-pasteleven；

footstepsonthewoodenpavementweregettingrarerandmoreremote；thelastcarthadrumbledby；theshutterswereupalongthestreet；theglareofhisownredandbluejarswastheonlybeaconlefttoguidethewayfarers。Ordinarilyhewouldhavebeengoinghomeatthishour，whenhispartner，whooccupiedthesurgeryandasmallbedroomattherearoftheshop，alwaysreturnedtorelievehim。Thatnight，however，aprofessionalvisitwoulddetainthe"Doctor"untilhalf-pasttwelve。Therewasstillanhourtowait。Hefeltdrowsy；themysteriousincenseoftheshop，thatcombinedessenceofdrugs，spice，scentedsoap，andorrisroot——whichalwaysremindedhimoftheArabianNights——wasaffectinghim。Heyawned，andthen，turningaway，passedbehindthecounter，tookdownajarlabeled"Glycyrr。Glabra，"selectedapieceofSpanishlicorice，andmeditativelysuckedit。Notreceivingfromitthatdiversionandsustenanceheapparentlywasseeking，healsovisited，inanequallyfamiliarmanner，ajarmarked"Jujubes，"andreturnedruminatinglytohispreviousposition。

IfIhavenotinthisincidentsufficientlyestablishedtheyouthfulnessofthejuniorpartner，Imayaddbrieflythathewasjustnineteen，thathehadearlyjoinedtheemigrationtoCalifornia，andafteroneortwopreviouslight-heartedessaysatotheroccupations，forwhichhewassingularlyunfitted，hehadsavedenoughtoembarkonhispresentventure，stilllesssuitedtohistemperament。Inthoseadventurousdaystradesandvocationswerenotalwaysfilledbytrainedworkmen；itwasextremelyprobablethattheexperiencedchemistwasalreadymakinghissuccessasagold-miner，withalawyerandaphysicianforhispartners，andMr。Kane\'sinexperiencedpositionwasbynomeansanovelone。AslightknowledgeofLatinasawrittenlanguage，anAmericanschoolboy\'sacquaintancewithchemistryandnaturalphilosophy，weredeemedsufficientbyhispartner，aregularphysician，forpracticalcooperationinthevendingofdrugsandputtingupofprescriptions。Heknewthedifferencebetweenacidsandalkaliesandthepeculiarresultswhichattendedtheirincautiouscombination。Buthewasexcessivelydeliberate，painstaking，andcautious。Thelegendwhichadornedthedeskatthecounter，"Physicians\'prescriptionscarefullyprepared，"wasmorethanusuallytrueasregardedtheadverb。Therewasnodangerofhispoisoninganybodythroughhasteorcarelessness，butitwaspossiblethatanurgent"case"mighthavesuccumbedtothediseasewhilehewasputtinguptheremedy。Norwashiscautionentirelypassive。Inthosedaysthe"heroic"practiceofmedicinewasinkeepingwiththeabnormaldevelopmentofthecountry；therewere"record"dosesofcalomelandquinine，andhehadonceortwiceincurredthefuryoflocalpractitionersbysendingbacktheirprescriptionswithamodestquery。

Thefar-offclatterofcarriagewheelspresentlyarrestedhisattention；lookingdownthestreet，hecouldseethelightsofahackneycarriageadvancingtowardshim。Theyhadalreadyflashedupontheopencrossingablockbeyondbeforehisvaguecuriositychangedintoanactiveinstinctivepresentimentthattheywerecomingtotheshop。Hewithdrewtoamorebecominganddignifiedpositionbehindthecounterasthecarriagedrewupwithajerkbeforethedoor。

Thedriverrolledfromhisboxandopenedthecarriagedoortoawomanwhomheassisted，betweensomehystericalexclamationsonherpartandsomeequallyincoherentexplanationsofhisown，intotheshop。Kanesawataglancethatbothwereundertheinfluenceofliquor，andone，thewoman，wasdisheveledandbleedingaboutthehead。Yetshewaselegantlydressedandevidentlyenfete，withoneortwo"tricolor"knotsandribbonsmingledwithherfinery。

Hergoldenhair，mattedanddarkenedwithblood，hadpartlyescapedfromherFrenchbonnetandhungheavilyoverhershoulders。Thedriver，whowassupportingherroughly，andwithafamiliaritythatwaspartoftheincongruousspectacle，wasthefirsttospeak。

"MadameleBlank！yeknow！GotcutabouttheheaddownatthefeteatSouthPark！Triedtodanceuponthetable，androlledoveronsomechampagnebottles。See？Wantsplasteringup！"

"Ahbrute！Hog！Nozzingofzekine！Whywillyoulie？Idance！

Zecowards，fools，traitorszereupsetzetableandIfall。Iamcut！Ah，myGod，howIamcut！"

Shestoppedsuddenlyandlapsedheavilyagainstthecounter。AtwhichKanehurriedaroundtosupportherintothesurgerywiththeonefixedideainhisbewilderedmindofgettingheroutoftheshop，and，suggestively，intothedomainandundertheresponsibilityofhispartner。Thehackman，apparentlyrelievedandwashinghishandsofanyfurthercomplicityinthematter，noddedandsmiled，andsaying，"IreckonI\'llwaitoutside，pardner，"retreatedincontinentlytohisvehicle。ToaddtoKane\'shalf-ludicrousembarrassmentthefairpatientherselfslightlyresistedhissupport，accusedthehackmanof"abandoningher，"anddemandedifKaneknew"zeereasonofzeesaffair，"yetshepresentlylapsedagainintothelargereclining-chairwhichhehadwheeledforward，withopenmouth，half-shuteyes，andastrangePierrettemaskofface，combinedofthepalloroffaintnessandchalk，andtherougeofpaintandblood。AtwhichKane\'scautiousnessagainembarrassedhim。Alittlebrandyfromthebottlelabeled"ViniGalli"seemedtobeindicated，buthisinexperiencecouldnotdetermineifherrelaxationwasfrombloodlessnessorthereactingdepressionofalcohol。Inthisdilemmahechoseamediumcourse，witharomaticspiritsofammonia，andmixingadilutedquantityinameasuring-glass，poureditbetweenherwhitelips。Astart，astruggle，acough——avolleyofimprecatoryFrench，andtheknockingoftheglassfromhishandfollowed——butshecameto！Hequicklyspongedherheadofthehalf-coagulatedblood，andremovedafewfragmentsofglassfromalonglacerationofthescalp。Theshockofthecoldwaterandtheappearanceoftheensanguinedbasinfrightenedherintoamomentarypassivity。ButwhenKanefounditnecessarytocutherhairintheregionofthewoundinordertoapplytheadhesiveplaster，sheagainendeavoredtoriseandgraspthescissors。

"You\'llbleedtodeathifyou\'renotquiet，"saidtheyoungmanwithdoggedgravity。

Somethinginhismannerimpressedherintosilenceagain。Hecutwholelocksawayruthlessly；hewasdeterminedtodrawtheedgesofthewoundtogetherwiththestripofplasterandstopthebleeding——

ifhecroppedthewholehead。Hisexcessivecautionforherphysicalconditiondidnotextendtohersuperficialadornment。

Heryellowtresseslayonthefloor，herneckandshouldersweresaturatedwithwaterfromthespongewhichhecontinuallyapplied，untiltheheatedstripsofplasterhadclosedthewoundalmosthermetically。Shewhimpered，tearsrandownhercheeks；butsolongasitwasnotbloodtheyoungmanwassatisfied。

Inthemidstofitheheardtheshopdooropen，andpresentlythesoundofrappingonthecounter。Anothercustomer！

Mr。Kanecalledout，"Waitamoment，"andcontinuedhisministrations。

Afterapausetherappingrecommenced。Kanewasjustsecuringthelaststripofplasterandpreservedapreoccupiedsilence。Thenthedoorflewopenabruptlyandafigureappearedimpatientlyonthethreshold。Itwasthatofaminerrecentlyreturnedfromthegolddiggings——sorecentlythatheevidentlyhadnothadtimetochangehisclothesathisadjacenthotel，andstoodthereinhishighboots，ducktrousers，andflannelshirt，overwhichhiscoatwasslunglikeahussar\'sjacketfromhisshoulder。Kanewouldhaveutteredanindignantprotestattheintrusion，hadnottheintruderhimselfasquicklyrecoiledwithanastonishmentandcontritionthatwasbeyondtheeffectofanyreproval。Heliterallygaspedatthespectaclebeforehim。Ahandsomelydressedwomanreclininginachair；laceandjewelryandribbonsdependingfromhersaturatedshoulders；tressesofgoldenhairfillingherlapandlyingonthefloor；apailofruddywaterandaspongeatherfeet，andapaleyoungmanbendingoverherheadwithaspiritlampandstripsofyellowplaster！

"\'Scuseme，pard！Iwasjustdroppingin；don\'tyouhurry！Ikinwait，"hestammered，fallingback，andthenthedoorclosedabruptlybehindhim。

Kanegathereduptheshornlocks，wipedthefaceandneckofhispatientwithacleantowelandhisownhandkerchief，threwhergorgeousoperacloakoverhershoulders，andassistedhertorise。

Shedidso，weaklybutobediently；shewasevidentlystunnedandcowedinsomemysteriouswaybyhismaterialattitude，perhaps，orhersuddenrealizationofherposition；atleastthecontrastbetweenheraggressiveentranceintotheshopandhersubduedpreparationforherdeparturewassoremarkablethatitaffectedevenKane\'spreoccupation。

"There，"hesaid，slightlyrelaxinghisseveredemeanorwithanencouragingsmile，"Ithinkthiswilldo；we\'vestoppedthebleeding。Itwillprobablysmartalittleastheplastersetscloser。Icansendmypartner，Dr。Sparlow，toyouinthemorning。"

Shelookedathimcuriouslyandwithastrangesmile。"AndzeesDoctorSparrlow——eezhelikeyou，M\'sieu？"

"Heisolder，andverywellknown，"saidtheyoungmanseriously。

"Icansafelyrecommendhim。"

"Ah，"sherepeated，withapensivesmilewhichmadeKanethinkherquitepretty。"Ah——heezolder——yourDoctorSparrlow——butYOUarestrong，M\'sieu。"

"And，"saidKanevaguely，"hewilltellyouwhattodo。"

"Ah，"sherepeatedagainsoftly，withthesamesmile，"hewilltellmewhattodoifIshallnotknowmyself。Datezgood。"

Kanehadalreadywrappedhershornlocksinapieceofspotlesswhitepaperandtieditupwithnarrowwhiteribboninthedaintyfashiondeartodruggists\'clerks。Ashehandedittohershefeltinherpocketandproducedahandfulofgold。

"WhatshallIpayforzees，M\'sieu？"

Kanereddenedalittle——solelybecauseofhisslowarithmeticalfaculties。Adhesiveplasterwascheap——hewouldliketohavechargedproportionatelyfortheexactamounthehadused；butthedivisionwasbeyondhim！Andhelackedthetrader\'sinstinct。

"Twenty-fivecents，Ithink，"hehazardedbriefly。

Shestarted，butsmiledagain。"Twenty-fivecentsforallzees——zemedicine，zestripsforzehead，zehaircut"——sheglancedatthepaperparcelhehadgivenher——"itisonlytwenty-fivecents？"

"That\'sall。"

Heselectedfromheroutstretchedpalm，withsomedifficulty，theexactamount，thesmallestcoinitheld。Sheagainlookedathimcuriously——halfconfusedly——andmovedslowlyintotheshop。Theminer，whowasstillthere，retreatedasbeforewithagaspinglyapologeticgesture——evenflatteninghimselfagainstthewindowtogivehersweepingsilkflouncesfreerpassage。Asshepassedintothestreetwitha"Merci，M\'sieu，gooda\'night，"andthehackmanstartedfromthevehicletoreceiveher，theminerdrewalongbreath，andbringinghisfistdownuponthecounter，ejaculated，——

"B\'gosh！She\'sastunner！"

Kane，agooddealrelievedatherdepartureandthesuccessofhisministration，smiledbenignly。

Thestrangeragainstaredaftertheretreatingcarriage，lookedaroundtheshop，andevenintothedesertedsurgery，andapproachedthecounterconfidentially。"Lookyer，pardner。IkemstraightfromSt。Jo，Mizzorri，toGoldHill——wharI\'vegotaclaim——andI

reckonthisisthefirsttimeIeverstruckSanFrancisker。I

ain\'tuptotownywaysnohow，andIallowthatmebbeI\'mrathergreen。Sowe\'llletthatpass！Nowlookyer！"headded，leaningoverthecounterwithstilldeeperandevenmysteriousconfidence，"Isupposethisyerkindo\'thingistheregulargohere，eh？

nothin\'newtoYOU！incourseno！Buttome，pard，it\'sjustfetchin\'me！Liftsmeclearoutermybootseverytime！Why，whenIpoppedintothattharroom，andsawthatlady——allgold，furbelows，andspangles——attwelveo\'clockatnight，sittin\'inthatcheerandyoua-cuttin\'herh\'randswabbin\'herheado\'

blood，andkinderprospectin\'for\'indications，\'sotospeak，anddoin\'itsokamandindifferentlike，Iseztomyself，\'Rube，Rube，\'sezI，\'thisyer\'slife！citylife！SanFranciskerlife！andb\'gosh，you\'vedroppedintoit！Now，pard，lookyar！don\'tyouanswer，yeknow，efitain\'tsquareandaboveboardformetoknow；

Iain\'taskin\'youtogivetheshowaway，yeknow，inthematterofhigh-tonedladieslikethat，but"（verymysteriously，andsinkinghisvoicetothelowestconfidentialpitch，asheputhishandtohisearasiftocatchthehushedreply），"whatmouthevbinhappening，pard？"

Considerablyamusedattheman\'ssimplicity，Kanerepliedgood-

humoredly："Dancedamongsomechampagnebottlesonatableataparty，fellandgotcutbyglass。"

Thestrangernoddedhisheadslowlyandapprovinglyasherepeatedwithinfinitedeliberateness："Dancedonchampagnebottles，champagne！yousaid，pard？atapahty！Yes！"（musinglyandapprovingly）。"Ireckonthat\'saboutthegaittheytake。SHE\'Ddoit。"

"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？sorrytohavekeptyouwaiting，"saidKane，glancingattheclock。

"OME！Lord！yeneedn\'tmindme。Why，Ishouldwaitforanythin\'

o\'thelikeo\'that，andbejustproudtodoit！Andyesee，I

sorterhelpedmyselfwhileyouwarbusy。"

"Helpedyourself？"saidKaneinastonishment。

"Yes，outerthatbottle。"Hepointedtotheammoniabottle，whichstillstoodonthecounter。"Itseemedtobehandyandpopular。"

"Man！youmighthavepoisonedyourself。"

Thestrangerpausedamomentattheidea。"SoImout，Ireckon，"

hesaidmusingly，"that\'sso！pizinedmyselfjestezyouwaslookin\'arterthathigh-tonedcase，andkinderbotheredyou！It\'slikeme！"

"Imeanitrequireddiluting；yououghttohavetakenitinwater，"

saidKane。

"Ireckon！ItDIDsorterh\'istmeovertothedoorforalittlefreshairatfirst！seemedraytherscaldytothelips。ButwotofitthatGOTTHAR，"heputhishandgravelytohisstomach，"didmepow\'fulgood。"

"Whatwasthematterwithyou？"askedKane。

"Well，yesee，pard"（confidentiallyagain），"Ireckonit\'ssuthin\'

alongo\'myheart。Timesitgetstopoundin\'awaylikeaquartzstamp，andthenitstopssuddentlike，andkinderleavesMEouttoo。"

Kanelookedathimmoreattentively。Hewasastrong，powerfullybuiltmanwithacomplexionthatbetrayednothingmoreseriousthantheeffectsofminingcookery。Itwasevidentlyacommoncaseofindigestion。

"Idon\'tsayitwouldnothavedoneyousomegoodifproperlyadministered，"hereplied。"IfyoulikeI\'llputupadilutedquantityanddirections？"

"That\'sme，everytime，pardner！"saidthestrangerwithanaccentofrelief。"Andlookyer，don\'tyoustopatthat！Yejustputmeupsomesampleslikeofanythin\'youthinkmoutbelikelytohit。

I\'llgoinforafairshow，andthenmeanderineverynowandthen，betwixttimes，toletyouknow。Yedon\'tmindmydriftinginhere，doye？It\'saboutezlikelyaplaceezIstrucksinceI\'velefttheSacramentoboat，andmyhotel，justroundthecorner。Yejustsamplemeabito\'everythin\'；don\'tmindtheexpense。I\'lltakeYOURwordforit。Thewayyou——ayoungfellow——jeststucktoyourworkinthar，coolandkamasawoodpecker——notmindinghowhigh-

tonedshewas——northejeweleryandspanglesshehadon——jestgotme！Iseztomyself，\'Rube，\'sezI，\'whatever\'swrongo\'YOUR

insides，youjeststicktothatfellertosetyeright。\'"

Thejuniorpartner\'sfacereddenedasheturnedtohisshelvesostensiblyforconsultation。Consciousofhisinexperience，thehomelypraiseofeventhisignorantmanwasnotungrateful。Hefelt，too，thathistreatmentoftheFrenchwoman，thoughsuccessful，mightnotbeconsideredremunerativefromabusinesspointofviewbyhispartner。Heaccordinglyacteduponthesuggestionofthestrangerandputuptwoorthreespecificsfordyspepsia。Theywerereceivedwithgratefulalacrityandthecasualdisplayofconsiderablegoldinthestranger\'spocketintheprocessofpayment。Hewasevidentlyasuccessfulminer。

Afterbestowingthebottlescarefullyabouthisperson，heagainleanedconfidentiallytowardsKane。"Ireckonofcourseyouknowthishigh-tonedlady，beinginthewayofseein\'thatkindo\'

folks。Isupposeyouwon\'tmindtellingme，ezastranger。But"

（headdedhastily，withadeprecatorywaveofhishand），"perhapsyewould。"

Mr。Kane，infact，hadhesitated。HeknewvaguelyandbyreportthatMadameleBlancwastheproprietressofafamousrestaurant，overwhichshehadroomswhereprivategamblingwascarriedontoagreatextent。Itwasalsoallegedthatshewasprotectedbyafamousgamblerandasomewhatnotoriousbully。Mr。Kane\'scautionsuggestedthathehadnorighttoexposethereputationofhischancecustomer。Hewassilent。

Thestranger\'sfacebecameintenselysympatheticandapologetic。

"Isee！——notanotherword，pard！Itain\'tthesquarethingtobegivin\'heraway，andIoughtn\'ttohevasked。Well——solong！I

reckonI\'lljestdriftbacktothehotel。Iain\'tbeeninSanFranciskermor\'\'nthreehours，andIcalkilate，pard，thatI\'vejestseenaboutezsquareasampleofhigh-tonedlifeasfellersezhazbinhereayear。Well，hastermanyanner——eztheGreaserssay。

I\'llbedroppin\'into-morrow。Myname\'sReubenAlleno\'Mariposa。

Iknowyours；it\'sonthesign，anditain\'tSparlow。"

Hecastanotherlingeringglancearoundtheshop，asifloathtoleaveit，andthenslowlysaunteredoutofthedoor，pausinginthestreetamoment，intheglareoftheredlight，beforehefadedintodarkness。Withoutknowingexactlywhy，KanehadaninstinctthatthestrangerknewnooneinSanFrancisco，andafterleavingtheshopwasgoingintouttersilenceandobscurity。

AfewmomentslaterDr。Sparlowreturnedtorelievehisweariedpartner。Apushing，activeman，helistenedimpatientlytoKane\'saccountofhisyouthfulpracticewithMadameleBlanc，without，however，dwellingmuchonhismethods。"Yououghttohavechargedhermore，"theeldersaiddecisively。"She\'dhavepaidit。SheonlycameherebecauseshewasashamedtogotoabigshopinMontgomeryStreet——andshewon\'tcomeagain。"

"Butshewantsyoutoseeherto-morrow，"urgedKane，"andItoldheryouwould！"

"Yousayitwasonlyasuperficialcut？"queriedthedoctor，"andyouclosedit？Umph！whatcanshewanttoseeMEfor？"Hepaidmoreattention，however，tothecaseofthestranger，Allen。"Whenhecomeshereagain，managetoletmeseehim。"Mr。Kanepromised，yetforsomeindefinablereasonhewenthomethatnightnotquiteaswellsatisfiedwithhimself。

Hewasmuchmoreconcernedthenextmorningwhen，afterrelievingthedoctorforhisregularmorningvisits，hewasstartledanhourlaterbytheabruptreturnofthatgentleman。Hisfacewasmarkedbysomeexcitementandanxiety，whichneverthelessstruggledwiththatsenseoftheludicrouswhichCaliforniansinthosedaysimportedintomostsituationsofperplexityorcatastrophe。

Puttinghishandsdeeplyintohistrouserspockets，heconfrontedhisyouthfulpartnerbehindthecounter。

"HowmuchdidyouchargethatFrench-woman？"hesaidgravely。

"Twenty-fivecents，"saidKanetimidly。

"Well，I\'dgiveitbackandaddtwohundredandfiftydollarsifshehadneverenteredtheshop。"

"What\'sthematter？"

"Herheadwillbe——andamassofit，inaday，Ireckon！Why，man，youputenoughplasteronittoclotheandpaperthedomeoftheCapitol！Youdrewherscalptogethersothatshecouldn\'tshuthereyeswithoutclimbingupthebed-post！Youmowedherhairoffsothatshe\'llhavetowearawigforthenexttwoyears——andhandedittoherinabeau-ti-fulsealedpackage！Theytalkofsuingmeandkillingyououtofhand。"

"Shewasbleedingagreatdealandlookedfaint，"saidthejuniorpartner；"IthoughtIoughttostopthat。"

"Andyoudid——bythunder！ThoughitmighthavebeenbetterbusinessfortheshopifI\'dfoundheracrumblingruinhere，thanlathedandplasteredinthisfashion，overthere！However，"headded，withalaugh，seeinganangrylightinhisjuniorpartner\'seye，"SHEdon\'tseemtomindit——thecursingallcomesfromTHEM。

SHEratherlikesyourstyleandpraisesit——that\'swhatgetsme！

Didyoutalktohermuch，"headded，lookingcriticallyathispartner。

"Ionlytoldhertositstillorshe\'dbleedtodeath，"saidKanecurtly。

"Humph！——shejabberedsomethingaboutyourbeing\'strong\'andknowingjusthowtohandleher。Well，itcan\'tbehelpednow。I

thinkIcameintimefortheworstofitandhavedrawntheirfire。

Don\'tdoitagain。Thenexttimeawomanwithacutheadandlonghairtacklesyou，fillupherscalpwithlintandtannin，andpackherofftosomeofthebigshopsandmakeTHEMpickitout。"Andwithagood-humorednodhestartedofftofinishhisinterruptedvisits。

Withavaguesenseofremorse，andyetaconsciousnessofsomeinjusticedonehim，Mr。Kaneresumedhisoccupationwithfiltersandfunnels，andmortarsandtriturations。Hewassogloomilypreoccupiedthathedidnot，asusual，glanceoutofthewindow，orhewouldhaveobservedtheminingstrangerofthepreviousnightbeforeit。Itwasnotuntiltheman\'sbowedshouldersblockedthelightofthedoorwaythathelookedupandrecognizedhim。Kanewasinnomoodtowelcomehisappearance。Hispresence，too，activelyrecalledthelastnight\'sadventureofwhichhewasawitness——albeitasympathizingone。Kaneshrankfromtheillusionswhichhefelthewouldbesuretomake。Andwithhispresentillluck，hewasbynomeanssurethathisministrationseventoHIM

hadbeenanymoresuccessfulthantheyhadbeentotheFrenchwoman。