Afavouritedodgetogetyourstoryreadbythepublicistoassertthatitistrue，andthenaddthatTruthisstrangerthanFiction。IdonotknowiftheyarnI
　　amanxiousforyoutoreadistrue；buttheSpanishpurserofthefruitsteamerElCarrerosworetomebytheshrineofSantaGuadalupethathehadthefactsfromtheU。S。
　　vice-consulatLaPaz-apersonwhocouldnotpossiblyhavebeencognizantofhalfofthem。
　　Asfortheadagequotedabove，Itakepleasureinpunc-
　　turingitbyaffirmingthatIreadinapurelyfictionalstorytheotherdaytheline:"'Beitso，'saidthepolice-
　　man。"NothingsostrangehasyetcroppedoutinTruth。
　　WhenH。FergusonHedges，millionairepromoter，investorandman-about-New-York，turnedhisthoughtsuponmattersconvivial，andwordofitwent"downtheline，"bouncerstookaprecautionaryturnattheIndianclubs，waitersputironstonechinaonhisfavouritetables，cabdriverscrowdedclosetothecurbstoneinfrontofall-nightcaf閟，andcarefulcashiersinhisregularhauntschargedupafewbottlestohisaccountbywayofprefaceandintroduction。
　　Asamoneypoweraone-millionaireisofsmallaccountinacitywherethemanwhocutsyoursliceofbeefbehindthefree-lunchcounterridestoworkinhisownautomobile。
　　ButHedgesspenthismoneyaslavishly，loudlyandshowilyasthoughhewereonlyaclerksquanderingaweek'swages。And，afterall，thebartendertakesnointerestinyourreservefund。HewouldratherlookyouuponhiscashregisterthaninBradstreet。
　　Ontheeveningthatthematerialallegationoffactsbegins，Hedgeswasbiddingdullcarebegoneinthecom-
　　panyoffiveorsixgoodfellows——acquaintancesandfriendswhohadgatheredinhiswake。
　　Amongthemweretwoyoungermen——RalphMerriam，abroker，andWade，hisfriend。
　　Twodeep-seacabmenwerechartered。AtColumbusCircletheyhovetolongenoughtorevilethestatueofthegreatnavigator，unpatrioticallyrebukinghimforhavingvoyagedinsearchoflandinsteadofliquids。Midnightovertookthepartymaroonedintherearofacheapcaf？faruptown。
　　Hedgeswasarrogant，overridingandquarrelsome。
　　Hewasburlyandtough，iron-graybutvigorous，"good"
　　fortherestofthenight。Therewasadispute——aboutnothingthatmatters——andthefive-fingeredwordswerepassed——thewordsthatrepresenttheglovecastintothelists。Merriamplayedther鬺eoftheverbalHotspur。
　　Hedgesrosequickly，seizedhischair，swungitonceandsmashedwildlydowpatMerriam'shead。Merriamdodged，drewasmallrevolverandshotHedgesinthechest。Theleadingroystererstumbled，fellinawryheap，andlaystill。
　　Wade，acommuter，hadformedthathabitofprompt-
　　ness。HejuggledMerriamoutasidedoor，walkedhimtothecorner，ranhimablockandcaughtahansom。Theyrodefiveminutesandthengotoutonadarkcorneranddismissedthecab。Acrossthestreetthelightsofasmallsaloonbetrayeditshectichospitality。
　　"Gointhebackroomofthatsaloon，"saidWade，"andwait。I'llgofindoutwhat'sdoingandletyouknow。
　　YoumaytaketwodrinkswhileIamgone-nomore。"
　　Attenminutestooneo'clockWadereturned。
　　"Braceup，oldchap，"hesaid。"TheambulancegottherejustasIdid。Thedoctorsayshe'sdead。Youmayhaveonemoredrink。Youletmerunthisthingforyou。You'vegottoskip。Idon'tbelieveachairislegallyadeadlyweapon。You'vegottomaketracks，that'sallthereistoit。"
　　Merriamcomplainedofthecoldquerulously，andaskedforanotherdrink。"Didyounoticewhatbigveinshehadonthebackofhishands？"hesaid。"I
　　nevercouldstand——Inevercould——"
　　"Takeonemore，"saidWade，"andthencomeon。
　　I'llseeyouthrough。"
　　Wadekepthispromisesowellthatateleveno'clockthenextmorningMerriam，withanewsuitcasefullofnewclothesandhair-brushes，steppedquietlyonboardalittle500-tonfruitsteameratanEastRiverpier。Thevesselhadbroughttheseason'sfirstcargooflimesfromPortLimon，andwashomewardbound。Merriamhadhisbankbalanceof$2，800inhispocketinlargebills，andbriefinstructionstopileupasmuchwaterashecouldbetweenhimselfandNewYork。Therewasnotimeforanythingmore。
　　FromPortLimonMerriamworkeddownthecoastbyschoonerandslooptoColon，thenceacrosstheisthmustoPanama，wherehecaughtatrampboundforCallaoandsuchintermediateportsasmighttemptthediscursiveskipperfromhiscourse。
　　ItwasatLaPazthatMerriamdecidedtoland——LaPaztheBeautiful，alittleharbourlesstownsmotheredinalivinggreenribbonthatbandedthefootofacloud-
　　piercingmountain。Herethelittlesteamerstoppedtotreadwaterwhilethecaptain'sdorytookhimashorethathemightfeelthepulseofthecocoanutmarket。Merriamwenttoo，withhissuitcase，andremained。
　　Kalb，thevice-consul，aGr鎐o-ArmeniancitizenoftheUnitedStates，borninHessen-Darmstadt，andedu-
　　catedinCincinnatiwardprimaries，consideredallAmeri-
　　canshisbrothersandbankers。HeattachedhimselftoMerriam'selbow，introducedhimtoeveryoneinLaPazwhoworeshoes，borrowedtendollarsandwentbacktohishammock。
　　Therewasalittlewoodenhotelintheedgeofabananagrove，facingthesea，thatcateredtothetastesofthefewforeignersthathaddroppedoutoftheworldintothet，ri，qtePeruviantown。AtKalb'sintroductory:"Shakehandswith——，"hehadobedientlyexchangedmanualsalutationswithaGermandoctor，oneFrenchandtwoItalianmerchants，andthreeorfourAmericanswhowerespokenofasgoldmen，rubbermen，mahoganymen——anythingbutmenoflivingtissue。
　　AfterdinnerMerriamsatinacornerofthebroadfrontgaleriawithBibb，aVermonterinterestedinhydraulicmining，andsmokedanddrankScotch"smoke。"Themoonlitsea，spreadinginfinitelybeforehim，seemedtoseparatehimbeyondallapprehensionfromhisoldlife。
　　Thehorridtragedyinwhichhehadplayedsuchadisas-
　　trouspartnowbegan，forthefirsttimesincehestoleonboardthefruiter，awretchedfugitive，toloseitssharperoutlines。Distancelentassuagementtohisview。Bibbhadopenedtheflood-gatesofastreamoflong-dammeddiscourse，overjoyedtohavecapturedanaudiencethathadnotsufferedunderahundredrepetitionsofhisviewsandtheories。
　　"Oneyearmore，"saidBibb，"andI'llgobacktoGod'scountry。Oh，Iknowit'sprettyhere，andyougetdolcefarnientebandedtoyouinchunks，butthiscountrywasn'tmadeforawhitemantolivein。You'vegottohavetoplugthroughsnownowandthen，andseeagameofbaseballandwearastiffcollarandhaveapolicemancussyou。Still，LaPazisagoodsortofapipe-dreamyoldhole。AndMrs。Conantishere。Whenanyofusfeelsparticularlylikejumpingintotheseawerusharoundtoherhouseandpropose。It'snicertoberejectedbyMrs。Conantthanitistobedrowned。Andtheysaydrowningisadelightfulsensation。"
　　"Manylikeherhere？"askedMerriam。
　　"Notanywhere，"saidBibb，withacomfortablesigh。
　　She'stheonlywhitewomaninLaPaz。Therestrangefromadappledduntothecolourofab-flatpianokey。She'sbeenhereayear。Comesfrom——well，youknowhowawomancantalk——ask'emtosay'string'
　　andthey'llsay'crow'sfoot'or'cat'scradle。'Some-
　　timesyou'dthinkshewasfromOshkosh，andagainfromJacksonville，Florida，andthenextdayfromCapeCod。"
　　"Mystery？"venturedMerriam。
　　"M——well，shelooksit；buthertalk'stranslucentenough。Butthat'sawoman。IsupposeiftheSphinxweretobegintalkingshe'dmerelysay:'Goodnessme!
　　morevisitorscomingfordinner，andnothingtoeatbutthesandwhichishere。'Butyouwon'tthinkaboutthatwhenyoumeether，Merriam。You'llproposetohertoo。"
　　Tomakeahardstorysoft，Merriamdidmeetherandproposetoher。Hefoundhertobeawomaninblackwithhairthecolourofabronzeturkey'swings，andmysterious，rememberingeyesthat-well，thatlookedasifshemighthavebeenatrainednurselookingonwhenEvewascreated。Herwordsandmanner，though，weretranslucent，asBibbhadsaid。Shespoke，vaguely，offriendsinCaliforniaandsomeofthelowerparishesinLouisiana。Thetropicalclimateandindolentlifesuitedher；shehadthoughtofbuyinganorangegrovelateron；
　　LaPaz。allinall，charmedher。
　　Merriam'scourtshipoftheSphinxlastedthreemonths，althoughbedidnotknowthathewascourtingher。Hewasusingherasanantidoteforremorse，untilhefound，toolate，thathehadacquiredthehabit。Duringthattimehehadreceivednonewsfromhome。Wadedidnotknowwherehewas；andhewasnotsureofWade'sexactaddress，andwasafraidtowrite。Hethoughthehadbetterletmattersrestastheywereforawhile。
　　OneafternoonheandMrs。Conanthiredtwoponiesandrodeoutalongthemountaintrailasfarasthelittlecoldriverthatcametumblingdownthefoothills。Theretheystoppedforadrink，andMerriamspokehispiece——
　　heproposed，asBibbhadprophesied。
　　Mrs。Conantgavehimoneglanceofbrillianttenderness，andthenherfacetookonsuchastrange，haggardlookthatMerriamwasshakenoutofhisintoxicationandbacktohissenses。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，Florence，"hesaid，releasingherhand；"butI'llhavetohedgeonpartofwhatIsaid。I
　　can'taskyoutomarryme，ofcourse。IkilledamaninNewYork——amanwhowasmyfriend-shothimdown——inquiteacowardlymanner，Iunderstand。Ofcourse，thedrinkingdidn'texcuseit。Well，Icouldn'tresisthavingmysay；andI'llalwaysmeanit。I'mhereasafugitivefromjustice，and——Isupposethatendsouracquaintance。"
　　Mrs。Conantpluckedlittleleavesassiduouslyfromthelow-hangingbranchofalimetree。
　　"Isupposeso，"shesaid，inlowandoddlyuneventones；"butthatdependsuponyou。I'llbeashonestasyouwere。Ipoisonedmyhusband。Iamaself-madewidow。Amancannotloveamurderess。SoIsupposethatendsouracquaintance。"
　　Shelookedupathimslowly。Hisfaceturnedalittlepale，andhestaredatherblankly，likeadeaf-and-dumbmanwhowaswonderingwhatitwasallabout。
　　Shetookaswiftsteptowardhim，withstiffenedarmsandeyesblazing。
　　"Don'tlookatmelikethat!"shecried，asthoughshewereinacutepain。"Curseme，orturnyourbackonme，butdon'tlookthatway。AmIawomantobebeaten？IfIcouldshowyou——hereonmyarms，andonmybackarescars——andithasbeenmorethanayear——scarsthathemadeinhisbrutalrages。Aholynunwouldhaverisenandstruckthefienddown。Yes，I
　　killedhim。ThefoulandhorriblewordsthathehurledatmethatlastdayarerepeatedinmyearseverynightwhenIsleep。Andthencamehisblows，andtheendofmyendurance。Igotthepoisonthatafternoon。Itwashiscustomtodrinkeverynightinthelibrarybeforegoingtobedahotpunchmadeofrumandwine。Onlyfrommyfairhandswouldhereceiveit——becauseheknewthefumesofspiritsalwayssickenedme。ThatnightwhenthemaidbroughtittomeIsentherdownstairsonanerrand。BeforetakinghimhisdrinkIwenttomylittleprivatecabinetandpouredintoitmorethanatea-
　　spoonfuloftinctureofaconite——enoughtokillthreemen，soIhadlearned。Ihaddrawn$6，000thatIhadinbank，andwiththatandafewthingsinasatchelIleftthehousewithoutanyoneseeingme。AsIpassedthelibraryIheardhimstaggerupandfallheavilyonacouch。ItookanighttrainforNewOrleans，andfromthereIsailedtotheBermudas。IfinallycastanchorinLaPaz。Andnowwhathaveyoutosay？Canyouopenyourmouth？"
　　Merriamcamebacktolife。
　　"Florence，"hesaidearnestly，"Iwantyou。Idon'tcarewhatyou'vedone。Iftheworld——"
　　"Ralph，"sheinterrupted，almostwithascream，"bemyworld!"
　　Hereyesmelted；sherelaxedmagnificentlvandswayedtowardMerriamsosuddenlythathehadtojumptocatchher。
　　Dearme!insuchsceneshowthetalkrunsintoartificialprose。Butitcan'tbehelped。It'sthesubconscioussmellofthefootlights'smokethat'sinallofus。Stirthedepthsofyourcook'ssoulsufficientlyandshewilldiscourseinBulwer-Lyttonese。
　　MerriamandMrs。Conantwereveryhappy。HeannouncedtheirengagementattheHotelOrilladelMar。
　　EightforeignersandfournativeAstorspoundedhisbackandshoutedinsincerecongratulationsathim。Pedrito，theCastilian-manneredbarkeep，wasgoadedtoextradutyuntilhisagilitywouldhaveturnedaBostoncherry-
　　phosphateclerkapalelilacwithenvy。
　　Theywerebothveryhappy。Accordingtothestrangemathematicsofthegodofmutualaffinity，theshadowsthatcloudedtheirpastswhenunitedbecameonlyhalfasdenseinsteadofdarker。Theyshuttheworldoutandboltedthedoors。Eachwastheother'sworld。Mrs。
　　Conantlivedagain。TherememberinglooklefthereyesMerriamwaswithhereverymomentthatwaspossible。
　　Onalittleplateauunderagroveofpalmsandcalabashtreestheyweregoingtobuildafairybungalow。Theyweretobemarriedintwomonths。Manyhoursofthedaytheyhadtheirheadstogetheroverthehouseplans。
　　Theirjointcapitalwouldsetupabusinessinfruitorwoodsthatwouldyieldacomfortablesupport。"Goodnight，myworld，"wouldsayMrs。ConanteveryeveningwhenMerriamleftherforhishotel。Theywereveryhappy。Theirlovehad，circumstantially，thatelementofmelancholyinitthatitseemstorequiretoattainitssupremestelevation。Anditseemedthattheirmutualgreatmisfortuneorsinwasabondthatnothingcouldsever。
　　Onedayasteamerhoveintheoffing。Bare-leggedandbare-shoulderedLaPazscampereddowntothebeach，forthearrivalofasteamerwastheirloop-the-loop，circus，EmancipationDayandfour-o'clocktea。
　　Whenthesteamerwasnearenough，wiseonespro-
　　claimedthatshewasthePajaro，boundup-coastfromCallaotoPanama。
　　ThePaiaroputonbrakesamileoffshore。Soonaboatcamebobbingshoreward。Merriamstrolleddownonthebeachtolookon。IntheshallowwatertheCaribsailorssprangoutanddraggedtheboatwithamightyrushtothefirmshingle。Outclimbedthepurser，thecaptainandtwopassengers，ploughingtheirwaythroughthedeepsandtowardthehotel。Merriamglancedtowardthemwiththemildinterestduetostrangers。Therewassomethingfamiliartohiminthewalkofoneofthepas-
　　sengers。Helookedagain，andhisbloodseemedtoturntostrawberryicecreaminhisveins。Burly，arrogant，debonairasever，H。FergusonHedges，themanhehadkilled，wascomingtowardhimtenfeetaway。
　　WhenHedgessawMerriamhisfaceflushedadarkred。Thenheshoutedinhisold，bluffway:"Hello，Merriam。Gladtoseeyou。Didn'texpecttofindyououthere。Quinby，thisismyoldfriendMerriam，ofNewYork——Merriam，Mr。Quinby。"
　　MerriamgaveHedgesandthenQuinbyanice-coldhand。
　　"Br-r-r-r!"saidHedges。"Butyou'vegotafrapp閐
　　flipper!Man，you'renotwell。You'reasyellowasaChinaman。Malarialhere？Steerustoabarifthereissuchathing，andlet'stakeaprophylactic。"
　　Merriam，stillhalfcomatose，ledthemtowardtheHotelOrilladelMar。
　　"QuinbyandI"explainedHedges，puffingthroughtheslipperysand，"arelookingoutalongthecoastforsomeinvestments。We'vejustcomeupfromConcepci髇
　　andValparaisoandLima。Thecaptainofthissub-
　　sidizedferryboattoldustherewassomegoodpickingaroundhereinsilvermines。Sowegotoff。Now，whereisthatcaf？Merriam？Oh，inthisportablesodawaterpavilion？"
　　LeavingQuinbyatthebar，HedgesdrewMerriamside。
　　"Now，whatdoesthismean？"hesaid，withgruffkindness。"Areyousulkingaboutthatfoolrowwehad？"
　　"Ithought，"stammeredMerriam——"Iheard——theytoldmeyouwere——thatIhad"
　　"Well，youdidn't，andI'mnot，"saidHedges。"ThatfoolyoungambulancesurgeontoldWadeIwasacan-
　　didateforacoffinjustbecauseI'dgottiredandquitbreathing。Ilaidupinaprivatehospitalforamonth；
　　buthereIam，kickingashardasever。WadeandI
　　triedtofindyou，butcouldn't。Now，Merriam，shakehandsandforgetitall。Iwasasmuchtoblameasyouwere；andtheshotreallydidmegood——Icameoutofthehospitalashealthyandfitasacabhorse。Comeon；
　　thatdrink'swaiting。"
　　"Oldman，"saidMerriam，brokenly，"Idon'tknowhowtothankyou——I——well，youknow——"
　　"Oh，forgetit，"boomedHedges。"Quinby'lldieofthirstifwedon'tjoinhim。"
　　Bibbwassittingontheshadysideofthegallerywaitingfortheeleven-o'clockbreakfast。PresentlyMerriamcameoutandjoinedhim。Hiseyewasstrangelybright。
　　"Bibb，myboy，"saidhe，slowlywavinghishand，"doyouseethosemountainsandthatseaandskyandsun-
　　shine？——they'remine，Bibbsy——allmine。"
　　"Yougoin，"saidBibb，"andtakeeightgrainsofquinine，rightaway。Itwon'tdointhisclimateforamantogettothinkinghe'sRockefeller，orJamesO'Neilleither。
　　Inside，thepurserwasuntyingagreatrollofnewspapers，manyofthemweeksold，gatheredinthelowerportsbythePajarotobedistributedatcasualstopping-places。
　　Thusdothebeneficentvoyagersscatternewsandenter-
　　tainmentamongtheprisonersofseaandmountains。
　　TioPancho，thehotelproprietor，sethisgreatsilver-
　　rimmedaiteojosuponhisnoseanddividedthepapersintoanumberofsmallerrolls。Abarefootedmuchachodashedin，desiringthepostofmessenger。
　　"Bienvenido，"saidTioPancho。"ThistoSe駉raConant；thattoelDoctorS-S-Schlegel——Dios!whatanametosay!-thattoSe駉rDavis——oneforDonAlberto。ThesetwofortheCasadeHuespedes，Numero6，enlacalledelasBuenasGracias。Andsaytothemall，muchacho，thatthePajarosailsforPanamaatthreethisafternoon。Ifanyhaveletterstosendbythepost，letthemcomequickly，thattheymayfirstpassthroughthecorreo。"
　　Mrs。Conantreceivedherrollofnewspapersatfouro'clock。Theboywaslateindeliveringthem，becausehehadbeendeflectedfromhisdutybyaniguanathatcrossedhispathandtowhichheimmediatelygavechase。
　　Butitmadenohardship，forshehadnoletterstosend。
　　Shewasidlinginahammockinthepatioofthehousethatsheoccupied，halfawake，halfhappilydreamingoftheparadisethatsheandMerriamhadcreatedoutofthewrecksoftheirpasts。Shewascontentnowforthehorizonofthatshimmeringseatobethehorizonofherlife。Theyhadshutouttheworldandclosedthedoor。
　　Merriamwascomingtoherhouseatseven，afterhisdinneratthehotel。Shewouldputonawhitedressandanapricot-colouredlacemantilla，andtheywouldwalkanhourunderthecocoanutpalmsbythelagoon。Shesmiledcontentedly，andchoseapaperatrandomfromtherolltheboyhadbrought。
　　AtfirstthewordsofacertainheadlineofaSundaynewspapermeantnothingtoher；theyconveyedonlyavisualizedsenseoffamiliarity。Thelargesttyperanthus:"LloydB。Conantsecuresdivorce。"Andthenthesubheadings:"Well-knownSaintLouispaintmanufac-
　　turerwinssuit，pleadingoneyear'sabsenceofwife。"
　　"Hermysteriousdisappearancerecalled。""Nothinghasbeenheardofhersince。"
　　Twistingherselfquicklyoutofthehammock，Mrs。
　　Conant'seyesoontraversedthehalf-columnofthe"Recall。"Itendedthus:"ItwillberememberedthatMrs。ConantdisappearedoneeveninginMarchoflastyear。ItwasfreelyrumouredthathermarriagewithLloydB。Conantresultedinmuchunhappiness。Storieswerenotwantingtotheeffectthathiscrueltytowardhiswifehadmorethanoncetakentheformofphysicalabuse。Afterherdepartureafullbottleoftinctureofaconite，adeadlypoison，wasfoundinasmallmedicinecabinetinherbedroom。Thismighthavebeenanindicationthatshemeditatedsuicide。Itissupposedabandonedsuchanintentionifshepossessedit，andleftherhomeinstead。"
　　Mrs。Conantslowlydroppedthepaper，andsatonachair，claspingherhandstightly。
　　"Letmethink——OGod!——letmethink，"shewhis-
　　pered。"Itookthebottlewithme……Ithrewitoutofthewindowofthetrain……I……
　　therewasanotherbottleinthecabinet……thereweretwo，sidebyside——theaconite——andthevalerianthatItookwhenIcouldnotsleep……Iftheyfoundtheaconitebottlefull，why——but，heisalive，ofcourse——Igavehimonlyaharmlessdoseofvalerian……Iamnotamurderessinfact……Ralph，I——
　　0God，don'tletthisbeadream!"
　　ShewentintothepartofthehousethatsherentedfromtheoldPeruvianmanandhiswife，shutthedoor，andwalkedupanddownherroomswiftlyandfeverishlyforhalfanhour。Merriam'sphotographstoodinaframeonatable。Shepickeditup，lookedatitwithasmileofexquisitetenderness，and——droppedfourtearsonit。
　　AndMerriamonlytwentyrodsaway!Thenshestoodstillfortenminutes，lookingintospace。Shelookedintospacethroughaslowlyopeningdoor。OnhersideofthedoorwasthebuildingmaterialforacastleofRomance——
　　love，anArcadyofwavingpalms，alullabyofwavesontheshoreofahavenofrest，respite，peace，alotuslandofdreamyeaseandsecurity——alifeofpoetryandheart'seaseandrefuge。Romanticist，willyoutellmewhatMrs。Conantsawontheothersideofthedoor？Youcannot？——thatis，youwillnot？Verywell；thenlisten。
　　Shesawherselfgointoadepartmentstoreandbuyfivespoolsofsilkthreadandthreeyardsofginghamtomakeanapronforthecook。"ShallIchargeit，ma'am？"
　　askedtheclerk。Asshewalkedoutaladywhomshemetgreetedhercordially。"Oh，wheredidyougetthepatternforthosesleeves，dearMrs。Conant？"shesaid。Atthecornerapolicemanhelpedheracrossthestreetandtouchedhishelmet。"Anycallers？"sheaskedthemaidwhenshereachedhome。"Mrs。Waldron，"answeredthemaid，andthetqvoMissesJenkinson。""Verywell，"shesaid。
　　Youmaybringmeacupoftea，Maggie。"
　　Mrs。ConantwenttothedoorandcalledAngela，theoldPeruvianwoman。"IfMateoistheresendhimtome。"
　　Mateo，ahalf-breed，shufflingandoldbutefficient，came。
　　"Isthereasteameroravesselofanykindleavingthiscoastto-nightorto-morrowthatIcangetpassageon？"sheasked。
　　Mateoconsidered。
　　"AtPuntaReina，thirtymilesdownthecoast，se駉ra，"
　　heanswered，"thereisasmallsteamerloadingwithcinchonaanddyewoods。ShesailsforSanFranciscoto-morrowatsunrise。Sosaysmybrother，whoarrivedinhissloopto-day，passingbyPuntaReina。"
　　"Youmusttakemeinthatslooptothatsteamerto-night。Willyoudothat？"
　　"Perhaps——"Mateoshruggedasuggestiveshoul-
　　der。Mrs。Conanttookahandfulofmoneyfromadrawerandgaveittohim。
　　"Getthesloopreadybehindthelittlepointoflandbelowthetown，"sheordered。"Getsailors，andbereadytosailatsixo'clock。Inhalfanhourbringacartpartlyfilledwithstrawintothepatiohere，andtakemytrunktothesloop。Thereismoremoneyyet。Now，hurry。"
　　ForonetimeMateowalkedawaywithoutshufflinghisfeet。
　　"Angela，"criedMrs。Conant，almostfiercely，"comeandhelpmepack。Iamgoingaway。Outwiththistrunk。Myclothesfirst。Stiryourself。Thosedarkdressesfirst。Hurry。"
　　Fromthefirstshedidnotwaverfromherdecision。
　　Herviewwasclearandfinal。Herdoorhadopenedandlettheworldin。HerloveforMerriamwasnotlessened；butitnowappearedahopelessandunrealizablething。Thevisionsoftheirfuturethathadseemedsoblissfulandcompletehadvanished。Shetriedtoassureherselfthatherrenunciationwasratherforhissakethanforherown。Nowthatshewasclearedofherburden——
　　atleast，technically——wouldnothisownweightooheavilyuponhim？Ifsheshouldclingtohim，wouldnotthedifferenceforeversilentlymarandcorrodetheirhappiness？
　　Thusshereasoned；buttherewereathousandlittlevoicescallingtoherthatshecouldfeelratherthanhear，likethehumofdistant，powerfulmachinery——thelittlevoicesoftheworld，that，whenraisedinunison，cansendtheirinsistentcallthroughthethickestdoor。
　　Oncewhilepacking，abriefshadowofthelotusdreamcamebacktoher。SheheldMerriam'spicturetoherheartwithonehand，whileshethrewapairofshoesintothetrunkwithherother。
　　Atsixo'clockMateoreturnedandreportedthesloopready。Heandhisbrotherliftedthetrunkintothecart，covereditwithstrawandconveyedittothepointofembarkation。Fromtheretheytransferreditonboardinthesloop'sdory。ThenMateoreturnedforadditionalorders。
　　Mrs。Conantwasready。ShehadsettledallbusinessmatterswithAngela，andwasimpatientlywaiting。Sheworealong，looseblack-silkdusterthatsheoftenwalkedaboutinwhentheevenino'swerechilly。Onherheadwasasmallroundhat，andoverittheapricot-colouredlacemantilla。
　　Duskhadquicklyfollowedtheshorttwilight。Mateoledherbydarkandgrass-grownstreetstowardthepointbehindwhichthesloopwasanchored。OnturningacornertheybeheldtheHotelOrilladelMarthreestreetsaway，nebulouslyaglowwithitsarrayofkerosenelamps。
　　Mrs。Conantpaused，withstreamineyes。"Imust，ImustseehimoncebeforeIgo，"shemurmuredinanguish。Buteventhenshedidnotfalterinherdecision。
　　Quicklysheinventedaplanbywhichshemightspeaktohim，andyetmakeherdeparturewithouthisknowing。
　　Shewouldwalkpastthehotel，asksomeonetocallhimoutandtalkafewmomentsonsometrivialexcuse，leavinghimexpectingtoseeheratherhomeatseven。
　　SheunpinnedherhatandgaveittoMateo。"Keepthis，andwaitheretillIcome，"sheordered。Thenshedrapedthemantillaoverherheadassheusuallydidwhenwalkingaftersunset，andwentstraighttotheOrilladelMar。
　　Shewasgladtoseethebulky，white-cladfigureofTioPanchostandingaloneonthegallery。
　　"TioPancho，"shesaid，withacharmingsmile，"mayItroubleyoutoaskMr。MerriamtocomeoutforjustafewmomentsthatImayspeakwithhim？"
　　TioPanchobowedasanelephantbows。
　　"Buenastardes，Se駉raConant，"hesaid，asacavaliertalks。Andthenhewenton，lessathisease:
　　"Butdoesnotthese駉raknowthatSe駉rMerriamsailedonthePajaroforPanamaatthreeo'clockofthisafternoon？"
　　THETHEORYANDTHEHOUND
　　NOTmanydaysagomyoldfriendfromthetropics，J。P。Bridger，UnitedStatesconsulontheislandofRatona，wasinthecity。WehadwassailandjubileeandsawtheFlatironbuilding，andmissedseeingtheBronxlessmenageriebyaboutacoupleofnights。Andthen，attheebbtide，wewerewalkingupastreetthatparallelsandparodiesBroadway。
　　Awomanwithacomelyandmundanecountenancepassedus，holdinginleashawheezing，vicious，waddling，bruteofayellowpug。ThedogentangledhimselfwithBridger'slegsandmumbledhisanklesinasnarling，peevish，sulkybite。Bridger，withahappysmile，kickedthebreathoutofthebrute；thewomanshowereduswithaquickrainofwell-conceivedadjectivesthatleftusinnodoubtastoourplaceinheropinion，andwepassedon。Tenyardsfartheranoldwomanwithdis-
　　orderedwhitehairandherbankbooktuckedwellhiddenbeneathhertatteredshawlbegged。Bridgerstoppedanddisinterredforheraquarterfromhisholidaywaist-
　　coat。
　　Onthenextcorneraquarterofatonofwell-clothedmanwitharice-powdered，fat，whitejowl，stoodholdingthechainofadevil-bornbulldogwhoseforelegswerestrangersbythelengthofadachshund。Alittlewomaninalast-season'shatconfrontedhimandwept，whichwasplainlyallshecoulddo，whilehecursedherinlowsweet，practisedtones。
　　Bridgersmiledagain——strictlytohimself——andthistimehetookoutalittlememorandumbookandmadeanoteofit。Thishehadnorighttodowithoutdueexplanation，andIsaidso。
　　"It'sanewtheory，"saidBridger，"thatIpickedupdowninRatona。I'vebeengatheringsupportforitasI
　　knockabout。Theworldisn'tripeforityet，but——wellI'lltellyou；andthenyourunyourmindbackalongthepeopleyou'veknownandseewhatyoumakeofit。"
　　AndsoIcorneredBridgerinaplacewheretheyhaveartificialpalmsandwine；andhetoldmethestorywhichishereinmywordsandonhisresponsibility。
　　Oneafternoonatthreeo'clock，ontheislandofRatona，aboyracedalongthebeachscreaming，"Pajaro，ahoy!"
　　Thushemadeknownthekeennessofhishearingandthejusticeofhisdiscriminationinpitch。
　　Hewhofirstheardandmadeoralproclamationcon-
　　cerningthetootofanapproachingsteamer'swhistle，andcorrectlynamedthesteamer，wasasmallheroinRatona-untilthe'nextsteamercame。Wherefore，therewasrivalryamongthebarefootyouthofRatona，andmanyfellvictimstothesoftlyblownconchshellsofsloopswhich，astheyenterharbour，soundsurprisinglylikeadistantsteamer'ssignal。Andsomecouldnameyouthevesselwhenitscall，inyourdullerears，soundednolouderthanthesighofthewindthroughthebranchesofthecocoa-
　　nutpalms。
　　Butto-dayhewhoproclaimedthePajarogainedhishonours。Ratonabentitseartolisten；andsoonthedeep-tonguedblastgrewlouderandnearer，andatlengthRatonasawabovethelineofpalmsonthelow"joint"
　　thetwoblackfunnelsofthefruiterslowlycreepingtowardthemouthoftheharbour。
　　YoumustknowthatRatonaisanislandtwentymilesoffthesouthofaSouthAmericanrepublic。Itisaportofthatrepublic；anditsleepssweetlyinasmilingsea，toilingnotnorspinning；fedbytheabundanttropicswhereallthings"ripen，ceaseandfalltowardthegrave。"
　　Eighthundredpeopledreamlifeawayinagreen-
　　emboweredvillagethatfollowsthehorseshoecurveofitsbijouharbour。TheyaremostlySpanishandIndianmestizos，withashadingofSanDomingoNegroes，alighteningofpure-bloodSpanishofficialsandaslightleaveningofthefrothofthreeorfourpioneeringwhiteraces。NosteamerstouchatRatonasavethefruitsteamerswhichtakeontheirbananainspectorsthereontheirwaytothecoast。TheyleaveSundaynewspapers，ice，quinine，bacon，watermelonsandvaccinematterattheislandandthatisaboutallthetouchRatonagetswiththeworld。
　　ThePajaropausedatthemouthoftheharbour，rollingheavilyintheswellthatsentthewhitecapsracingbeyondthesmoothwaterinside。Alreadytwodoriesfromthevillage——oneconveyingfruitinspectors，theothergoingforwhatitcouldget——werehalfwayouttothesteamer。
　　Theinspectors'dorywastakenonboardwiththem，andthePajarosteamedawayforthemainlandforitsloadoffruit。
　　TheotherboatreturnedtoRatonabearingacontri-
　　butionfromthePajaro'sstoreofice，theusualrollofnewspapersandonepassenger——TaylorPlunkett，sheriffofChathamCounty，Kentucky。
　　Bridger，theUnitedStatesconsulatRatona，wasclean-
　　inghisrifleintheofficialshantyunderabread-fruittreetwentyyardsfromthewateroftheharbour。Theconsuloccupiedaplacesomewhatnearthetailofhispoliticalparty'sprocession。Themusicofthebandwagonsoundedveryfaintlytohiminthedistance。Theplumsofofficewenttoothers。Bridger'sshareofthespoils——
　　theconsulshipatRatona——waslittlemorethanaprune——adriedprunefromtheboarding-housedepartmentofthepubliccrib。But$900yearlywasopulenceinRatona。Besides，Bridgerhadcontractedapassionforshootingalligatorsinthelagoonsnearhisconsulate，andwasnotunhappy。
　　Helookedupfromacarefulinspectionofhisriflelockabroadmanfillinghisdoorway。Abroad，noiseless，slow-movingman，sunburnedalmosttotheVandyke。Amanofforty-five，neatlyclothedinhomespun，withscantylighthair，aclose-clippedbrown-
　　and-graybeardandpale-blueeyesexpressingmildnessimplicity。
　　"YouareMr。Bridger，theconsul，"saidthebroadman。"Theydirectedmehere。Canyoutellmewhatthosebigbunchesofthingslikegourdsareinthosetreesthatlooklikefeatherdustersalongtheedgeofthewater？"
　　"Takethatchair，"saidtheconsul，reoilinghisclean-
　　ingrag。"No，theotherone——thatbamboothingwon'tholdyou。Why，they'recocoanuts——greencocoanuts。
　　Theshellof'emisalwaysalightgreenbeforethey'reripe。"
　　"Muchobliged，"saidtheotherman，sittingdowncarefully。"Ididn'tquiteliketotellthefolksathometheywereolivesunlessIwassureaboutit。MynameisPlunkett。I'msheriffofChathamCounty，Kentucky。
　　I'vegotextraditionpapersinmypocketauthorizingthearrestofamanonthisisland。They'vebeensignedbythePresidentofthiscountry，andthey'reincorrectshape。
　　Theman'snameisWadeWilliams。He'sinthecocoa-
　　nutraisingbusiness。Whathe'swantedforisthemurderofhiswifetwoyearsago。WherecanIfindhim？"
　　Theconsulsquintedaneyeandlookedthroughhisriflebarrel。
　　"There'snobodyontheislandwhocallshimself'Wil-
　　liams，'"heremarked。
　　"Didn'tsupposetherewas，"saidPlunkettmildly。
　　"He'lldobyanyothername。"
　　"Besidesmyself，"saidBridger，"thereareonlytwoAmericansonRatona——BobReevesandHenryMorgan。"
　　"ThemanIwantsellscocoanuts，"suggestedPlunkett。
　　"Youseethatcocoanutwalkextendinguptothepoint？"saidtheconsul，wavinghishandtowardtheopendoor。"ThatbelongstoBobReeves。HenryMorganownshalfthetreestoloo'ardontheisland。"
　　"One，monthago，"saidthesheriff，"WadeWilliamswroteaconfidentiallettertoamaninChathamcounty，tellinghimwherehewasandhowhewasgettingalong。
　　Theletterwaslost；andthepersonthatfounditgaveitaway。Theysentmeafterhim，andI'vegotthepapers。
　　Ireckonhe'soneofyourcocoanutmenforcertain。"
　　"You'vegothispicture，ofcourse，"saidBridger。
　　"ItmightbeReevesorMorgan，butI'dhatetothinkit。
　　They'rebothasfinefellowsasyou'dmeetinanall-dayautoride。"
　　"No，"doubtfullyansweredPlunkett；"therewasn'tanypictureofWilliamstobehad。AndIneversawhimmyself。I'vebeensheriffonlyayear。ButI'vegotaprettyaccuratedescriptionofhim。About5feet11；
　　dark-hairandeyes；noseinclinedtobeRoman；heavyabouttheshoulders；strong，whiteteeth，withnonemiss-
　　ing；laughsagooddeal，talkative；drinksconsiderablybutnevertointoxication；looksyousquareintheeyewhentalking；agethirty-five。Whichoneofyourmendoesthatdescriptionfit？"
　　Theconsulgrinnedbroadly。
　　"I'lltellyouwhatyoudo，"hesaid，layingdownhisrifleandslippingonhisdingyblackalpacacoat。"Youcomealong，Mr。Plunkett，——andI'lltakeyouuptoseetheboys。Ifyoucantellwhichoneof'emyourdescrip-
　　tionfitsbetterthanitdoestheotheryouhavetheadvan-
　　tageofme。"
　　Bridgerconductedthesheriffoutandalongthehardbeachclosetowhichthetinyhousesofthevillageweredistributed。Immediatelybackofthetownrosesudden，small，thicklywoodedhills。Uponeofthese，bymeansofstepscutinthehardclay，theconsulledPlunkett。
　　theveryvergeofaneminencewasperched，atwo-
　　roomwoodencottagewithathatchedroof。ACaribwomanwaswashingclothesoutside。Theconsulusheredthesherifftothedooroftheroomthatover-
　　lookedtheharbour。
　　Twomenwereintheroom，abouttositdown，intheirshirtsleeves，toatablespreadfordinner。Theyborelittleresemblanceonetotheotherindetail；butthegeneraldescriptiongivenbyPlunkettcouldhavebeenjustlyappliedtoeither。Inheight，colourofhair，shapeofnose，buildandmannerseachofthemtalliedwithit。
　　Theywerefairtypesofjovial，ready-witted，broad-
　　gaugedAmericanswhohadgravitatedtogetherforcom-
　　panionshipinanalienland。
　　"Hello，Bridger"theycalledinunisonatsightOftheconsul。"Comeandhavedinnerwithus!"AndthentheynoticedPlunkettathisheels，andcameforwardwithhospitablecuriosity。
　　"Gentlemen，"saidtheconsul，hisvoicetakingonunaccustomedformality，"thisisMr。Plunkett。Mr。
　　Plunkett——Mr。ReevesandMr。Morgan。"
　　Thecocoanutbaronsgreetedthenewcomerjoyously。
　　ReevesseemedaboutaninchtallerthanMorgan，buthislaughwasnotquiteasloud。Morgan'seyeswere-
　　deepbrown；Reeves'swereblack。ReeveswasthehostandbusiedhimselfwithfetchingotherchairsandcallingtotheCaribwomanforsupplementaltableware。ItwasexplainedthatMorganlivedinabambooshackto。
　　loo'ard，butthateverydaythetwofriendsdinedtogether。Plunkettstoodstillduringthepreparations，lookingaboutmildlywithhispale-blueeyes。Bridgerlookedapologeticanduneasy。
　　Atlengthtwoothercoverswerelaidandthecompany-
　　wasassignedtoplaces。ReevesandMorganstoodsidebysideacrossthetablefromthevisitors。Reevesnoddedgeniallyasasignalforalltoseatthemselves。AndthensuddenlyPlunkettraisedhishandwithagestureofauthority。HewaslookingstraightbetweenReevesandMorgan。
　　"WadeWilliams，"hesaidquietly，"youareunderarrestformurder。"
　　ReevesandMorganinstantlyexchangedaquick，brightglance，thequalityofwhichwasinterrogation，withaseasoningofsurprise。Then，simultaneouslytheyturnedtothespeakerwithapuzzledandfrankdepre-
　　cationintheirgaze。
　　"Can'tsaythatweunderstandyou，Mr。Plunkett，"
　　saidMorgan，cheerfully。"Didyousay'Williams'？"
　　"What'sthejoke，Bridgy？"askedReeves，turning，totheconsulwithasmile。
　　BeforeBridgercouldanswerPlunkettspokeagain。
　　"I'llexplain，"hesaid，quietly。"Oneofyoudon'tneedanyexplanation，butthisisfortheotherone。OneofyouisWadeWilliamsofChathamCounty，Kentucky。
　　YoumurderedyourwifeonMay5，twoyearsago，afterill-treatingandabusinghercontinuallyforfiveyears。I
　　havetheproperpapersinmypocketfortakingyoubackwithme，andyouaregoing。Wewillreturnonthefruitsteamerthatcomesbackbythisislandto-morrowtoleaveitsinspectors。Iacknowledge，gentlemen，thatI'mnotquitesurewhichoneofyouisWilliams。ButWadeWilliamsgoesbacktoChathamCountyto-morrow。
　　Iwantyoutounderstandthat。"
　　AgreatsoundofmerrylaughterfromMorganandReeveswentoutoverthestillharbour。TwoorthreefishermeninthefleetofsloopsanchoredtherelookedupatthehouseofthediablosAmericanosonthehillandwondered。
　　"MydearMr。Plunkett，"criedMorgan，conqueringhismirth，"thedinnerisgetting，cold。Letussitdownandeat。Iamanxioustogetmyspoonintothatshark-
　　finsoup。Businessafterward。"
　　"Sitdown，gentlemen，ifyouplease，"addedReeves，pleasantly。"IamsureMr。Plunkettwillnotobject。
　　Perhapsalittletimemaybeofadvantagetohiminidenti-
　　fying——thegentlemenhewishestoarrest。"
　　"Noobjections，I'msure，"saidPlunkett，droppingintohischairheavily。"I'mhungrymyself。Ididn'twanttoacceptthehospitalityofyoufolkswithoutgivingyounotice；that'sall。"
　　Reevessetbottlesandglassesonthetable。
　　"There'scognac，"hesaid，"andanisada，andScotch'smoke，'andrye。Takeyourchoice。"
　　Bridgerchoserye，ReevespouredthreefingersofScotchforhimself，Morgantookthesame。Thesheriff，againstmuchprotestation，filledhisglassfromthewaterbottle。
　　"Here'stotheappetite，"saidReeves，raisinghisglass，"ofMr。Williams!"Morgan'slaughandhisdrinkencounteringsenthimintoachokingsplutter。Allbegantopayattentiontothedinner，whichwaswellcookedandpalatable。
　　"Williams!"calledPlunkett，suddenlyandsharply。
　　Alllookedupwonderingly。Reevesfoundthesheriff'smildeyerestinguponhim。Heflushedalittle。
　　"Seehere，"hesaid，withsomeasperity，"myname'sReeves，andIdon'twantyoutoo——"Butthecomedyofthethingcametohisrescue，andheendedwithalaugh。
　　"Isuppose，Mr。Plunkett，"saidMorgan，carefullyseasoninganalligatorpear，"thatyouareawareofthefactthatyouwillimportagooddealoftroubleforyour-
　　selfintoKentuckyifyoutakebackthewrongman——
　　thatis，ofcourse，ifyoutakeanybodyback？"
　　"Thankyouforthesalt，"saidthesheriff。"Oh，I'lltakesomebodyback。It'llbeoneofyoutwogentlemen。
　　Yes，IknowI'dgetstuckfordamagesifImakeamis-
　　take。ButI'mgoingtotrytogettherightman。"
　　"I'lltellyouwhatyoudo，"saidMorgan，leaningfor-
　　wardwithajollytwinkleinhiseyes。"Youtakeme。
　　I'llgowithoutanytrouble。Thecocoanutbusinesshasn'tpannedoutwellthisyear，andI'dliketomakesomeextramoneyoutofyourbondsmen。"
　　"That'snotfair，"chimedinReeves。"Igotonly$16athousandformylastshipment。Takeme，Mr。
　　Plunkett。"
　　"I'lltakeWadeWilliams，"saidthesheriff，patiently，"orI'llcomeprettyclosetoit。"
　　"It'slikediningwithaghost，"remarkedMorgan，withapretendedshiver。"Theghostofamurderer，too!
　　WillsomebodypassthetoothpickstotheshadeofthenaughtyMr。Williams？"
　　PlunkettseemedasunconcernedasifhewerediningathisowntableinChathamCounty。Hewasagallanttrencherman，andthestrangetropicviandstickledhispalate。Heavy，commonplace，almostslothfulinhismovements，heappearedtobedevoidofallthecunningandwatchfulnessofthesleuth。Heevenceasedtoobserve，withanysharpnessorattempteddiscrimination，thetwomen，oneofwhomhehadundertakenwithsur-
　　prisingself-confidence，todragawayupontheseriouschargeofwife-murder。Here，indeed，wasaproblemsetbeforehimthatifwronglysolvedwouldhaveamountedtohisseriousdiscomfiture，yettherehesatpuzzlinghissoultoallappearancesoverthenovelflavourofabroilediguanacutlet。
　　Theconsulfeltadecideddiscomfort。ReevesandMorganwerehisfriendsandpals；yetthesherifffromKentuckyhadacertainrighttohisofficialaidandmoralsupport。SoBridgersatthesilentestaroundtheboardandtriedtoestimatethepeculiarsituation。Hiscon-
　　clusionwasthatbothReevesandMorgan，quickwitted，asheknewthemtobe，hadconceivedatthemomentofPlunkett'sdisclosureofhismission——andinthebriefspaceofalightningflash——theideathattheothermightbetheguiltyWilliams；andthateachofthemhaddecidedinthatmomentloyallytoprotecthiscomradeagainstthedoomthatthreatenedhim。Thiswastheconsul'stheory。
　　andifhehadbeenabookmakerataraceofwitsforlifeandlibertyhewouldhaveofferedheavyoddsagainsttheploddingsherifffromChathamCounty，Kentucky。
　　WhenthemealwasconcludedtheCaribwomancameandremovedthedishesandcloth。Reevesstrewedthemtablewithexcellentcigars，andPlunkett，withtheothers，lightedoneofthesewithevidentgratification。
　　"Imaybedull，"saidMorgan，withagrinandawinkatBridger；"butIwanttoknowifIam。Now，IsaythisisallajokeofMr。Plunkett's，concoctedtofrighten。
　　twobabes-in-the-woods。IsthisWilliamsontobetakenseriouslyornot？"
　　"'Williams，'"correctedPlunkettgravely。"Inevergotoffanyjokesinmylife。IknowIwouldn'ttravel2，000milestogetoffapooroneasthiswouldbeifI
　　didn'ttakeWadeWilliamsbackwithme。Gentlemen!"
　　continuedthesheriff，nowlettinghismildeyestravelimpartiallyfromoneofthecompanytoanother，"seeifyoucanfindanyjokeinthiscase。WadeWilliamsislisteningtothewordsIutternow；butoutofpoliteness，Iwillspeakofhimasathirdperson。Forfiveyearshemadehiswifeleadthelifeofadog——No；I'lltakethatback。NodoginKentuckywasevertreatedasshewas。
　　Hespentthemoneythatshebroughthim——spentitatraces，atthecardtableandonhorsesandhunting。Hewasagoodfellowtohisfriends，butacold，sullendemonathome。Hewoundupthefiveyearsofneglectbystrik-
　　ingherwithhisclosedhand——ahandashardasastone——whenshewasillandweakfromsuffering。Shediedthenextday；andheskipped。That'sallthereistoit。
　　It'senough。IneversawWilliams；butIknewhiswife。I'mnotamantotellhalf。SheandIwerekeep-
　　ingcompanywhenshemethim。ShewenttoLouisvilleonavisitandsawhimthere。I'lladmitthathespoiltmychancesinnotime。IlivedthenontheedgeoftheCumberlandmountains。IwaselectedsheriffofChathamCountyayearafterWadeWilliamskilledhiswife。Myofficialdutysendsmeouthereafterhim；butI'lladmitthatthere'spersonalfeeling，too。Andhe'sgoingbackwithme。Mr——er——Reeves，willyoupassmeamatch？
　　"AwfullyimprudentofWilliams，"saidMorgan，puttinghisfeetupagainstthewall，"tostrikeaKentuckylady。
　　SeemstomeI'veheardtheywerescrappers。"
　　"Bad，badWilliams，"saidReeves，pouringoutmoreScotch。"
　　Thetwomenspokelightly，buttheconsulsawandfeltthetensionandthecarefulnessintheiractionsandwords。"Goodoldfellows，"hesaidtohimself；"they'rebothallright。Eachof'emisstandingbytheotherlikealittlebrickchurch。"
　　Andthenadogwalkedintotheroomwheretheysat——
　　ablack-and-tanhound，long-eared，lazy，confidentofwelcome。
　　Plunkettturnedhisheadandlookedattheanimal，whichhalted，confidently，withinafewfeetofhischair。
　　Suddenlythesheriff，withadeep-mouthedoath，lefthisseatand，bestoweduponthedogaviciousandheavykick，withhisponderousshoe。
　　Thehound，heartbroken，astonished，withflappingearsandincurvedtail，utteredapiercingyelpofpainandsurprise。
　　Reevesandtheconsulremainedintheirchairs，say-
　　ingnothing，butastonishedattheunexpectedshowofintolerancefromtheeasy-going-manfromChathamcounty。
　　ButMorgan，withasuddenlypurplingface，leaped，tohisfeetandraisedathreateningarmabovetheguest。
　　"You——brute!"heshouted，passionately；"whydidyoudothat？"
　　Quicklytheamenitiesreturned，Plunkettmutteredsomeindistinctapologyandregainedhisseat。Morganwithadecidedeffortcontrolledhisindignationandalsoreturnedtohischair。
　　AndthenPlunkettwiththespringofatiger，leapedaroundthecornerofthetableandsnappedhandcuffsontheparalyzedMorgan'swrists。
　　"Hound-loverandwoman-killer!"hecried；"getreadytomeetyourGod。"
　　WhenBridgerhadfinishedIaskedhim:
　　"Didhegettherightman？"
　　"Hedid，"saidtheConsul。
　　"Andhowdidheknow？"Iinquired，beinginakindofbewilderment。
　　"WhenheputMorganinthedory，"answeredBridger，"thenextdaytotakehimaboardthePajaro，thismanPlunkettstoppedtoshakehandswithmeandIaskedhimthesamequestion。"
　　"'Mr。Bridger，'saidhe，'I'maKentuckian，andI'veseenagreatdealofbothmenandanimals。AndIneveryetsawamanthatwasoverfondofhorsesanddogsbutwhatwascrueltowomen。'"
　　THEHYPOTHESESOFFAILURE
　　LAWYERGOOCHbestowedhisundividedattentionupontheengrossingartsofhisprofession。Butoneflightoffancydidheallowhismindtoentertain。Hewasfondoflikeninghissuiteofofficeroomstothebot-
　　tomofaship。Theroomswerethreeinnumber，withadooropeningfromonetoanother。Thesedoorscouldalsobeclosed。
　　"Ships，"LawyerGoochwouldsay，"areconstructedforsafety，withseparate，water-tightcompartmentsintheirbottoms。Ifonecompartmentspringsaleakitfillswithwater；butthegoodshipgoesonunhurt。Wereitnotfortheseparatingbulkheadsoneleakwouldsinkthevessel。NowitoftenhappensthatwhileIamoccu-
　　piedwithclients，otherclientswithconflictinginterestscall。WiththeassistanceofArchibald——anofficeboywithafuture——Icausethedangerousinfluxtobedivertedintoseparatecompartments，whileIsoundwithmylegalplummetthedepthofeach。Ifneces-
　　sary，theymaybehaledintothehallwayandpermittedtoescapebywayofthestairs，whichwemaytermtheleescuppers。Thusthegoodshipofbusinessiskeptafloat；
　　whereasiftheelementthatsupportsherwereallowedtominglefreelyinherholdwemightbeswamped——ha，ha，ha!
　　Thelawisdry。Goodjokesarefew。SurelyitmightbepermittedLawyerGoochtomitigatetheboreofbriefs，thetediumoftortsandtheprosinessofprocesseswithevensolightalevyuponthegoodpropertyofhumour。
　　LawyerGooch'spracticeleanedlargelytothesettle-
　　mentofmaritalinfelicities。Didmatrimonylanguishthroughcomplications，hemediated，soothedandarbi-
　　trated。Diditsufferfromimplications，hereadjusted，defendedandchampioned。Diditarriveattheextremityofduplications，healwaysgotlightsentencesforhisclients。
　　ButnotalwayswasLawyerGoochthekeen，armed，wilybelligerent，readywithhistwo-edgedswordtolopofftheshacklesofHymen。Hehadbeenknowntobuildupinsteadofdemolishing，toreuniteinsteadofsevering，toleaderringandfoolishonesbackintothefoldinsteadofscatteringtheflock。Oftenhadhebyhiseloquentandmovingappealssenthusbandandwife，weeping，backintoeachother'sarms。Frequentlyhehadcoachedchildhoodsosuccessfullythat，atthepsychologicalmomentandatagivensignaltheplaintivepipeof"Papa，won'tyouturnhomeadaintomeandmuvver？"
　　hadwonthedayandupheldthepillarsofatotteringhome。
　　UnprejudicedpersonsadmittedthatLawyerGoochreceivedasbigfeesfromtheserevokedclientsaswouldhavebeenpaidhimhadthecasesbeencontestedincourt。
　　Prejudicedonesintimatedthathisfeesweredoubled。
　　becausethepenitentcouplesalwayscamebacklaterforthedivorce，anyhow。
　　TherecameaseasoninJunewhenthelegalshipofLawyerGoochtoborrowhisownfigurewasnearlybecalmed。ThedivorcemillgrindsslowlyinJune。ItisthemonthofCupidandHymen。
　　LawyerGooch，then，satidleinthemiddleroomofhisclientlesssuite。Asmallanteroomconnected——orratherseparated——thisapartmentfromthehallway。
　　HerewasstationedArchibald，whowrestedfromvisitorstheircardsororalnomenclaturewhichheboretohismasterwhiletheywaited。
　　Suddenly，onthisday，therecameagreatknockingattheoutermostdoor。
　　Archibald，openingit，wasthrustasideassuperfluousbythevisitor，whowithoutduereverenceatoncepene-
　　tratedtotheofficeofLawyerGoochandthrewhimselfwithgood-naturedinsolenceintoacomfortablechairfacingthatgentlemen。
　　"YouarePhineasC。Gooch，attorney-at-law？"saidthevisitor，histoneofvoiceandinflectionmakinghiswordsatonceaquestion，anassertionandanaccusation。
　　Beforecommittinghimselfbyareply，thelawyeresti-
　　matedhispossibleclientinoneofhisbriefbutshrewdandcalculatingglances。
　　Themanwasoftheemphatictype——large-sized，active，boldanddebonairindemeanour，vainbeyondadoubt，slightlyswaggering，readyandatease。Hewaswell-
　　clothed，butwithashadetoomuchornateness。Hewasseekingalawyer；butifthatfactwouldseemtosaddlehimwithtroublestheywerenotpatentinhisbeamingeyeandcourageousair。
　　"MynameisGooch，"atlengththelawyeradmitted。