FinallyhelandedGoreebytellinghimhewascountinguponhishelpintheengineeringandtransportationofalargeamountoffelledtimberfromahighmountain-sidetoawaterway。HeknewthatGoreehadonceinventedadeviceforthispurpose——aseriesofslidesandchutes-
　　uponwhichhehadjustlypridedhimself。Inaninstantthepoorfellow，delightedattheideaofhisbeingofusetoanyone，hadpaperspreaduponthetable，andwasdrawingrapidbutpitifullyshakylinesindemonstrationofwhathecouldandwoulddo。
　　Themanwassickenedofthehusks；hisprodigalheartwasturningagaintowardthemountains。Hismindwasyetstrangelyclogged，andhisthoughtsandmemorieswerereturningtohisbrainonebyone，likecarrierpigeonsoverastormysea。ButColtranewassatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade。
　　Bethelreceivedthesurpriseofitsexistencethatafter-
　　noonwhenaColtraneandaGoreerodeamicablytogetherthroughthetown。Sidebysidetheyrode，outfromthedustystreetsandgapingtownspeople，downacrossthecreekbridge，anduptowardthemountain。Theprodigalhadbrushedandwashedandcombedhimselftoamoredecentfigure，buthewasunsteadyinthesaddle，andheseemedtobedeepinthecontemplationofsomevexingproblem。Coltranelefthiminhismood，relyingupontheinfluenceofchangedsurroundingstorestorehisequilibrium。
　　OnceGoreewasseizedwithashakingfit，andalmostcametoacollapse。Hehadtodismountandrestatthesideoftheroad。Thecolonel，foreseeingsuchacon-
　　dition，hadprovidedasmallflaskofwhiskyforthejourneybutwhenitwasofferedtohimGoreerefuseditalmostwithviolence，declaringhewouldnevertouchitagain。
　　Byandbyhewasrecovered，andwentquietlyenoughforamileortwo。Thenhepulleduphishorsesuddenly，andsaid:
　　"Ilosttwohundreddollarslastnight，playingpoker。
　　Now，wheredidIgetthatmoney？"
　　"Takeiteasy，Yancev。Themountainairwillsoonclearitup。We'llgofishing，firstthing，atthePinnacleFalls。Thetroutarejumpingtherelikebullfrogs。We'lltakeStellaandLucyalong，andhaveapicniconEagleRock。Haveyouforgottenhowahickory-cured-hamsandwichtastes，Yancey，toahungryfisherman？"
　　Evidentlythecoloneldidnotbelievethestoryofhislostwealth；soGoreeretiredagainintobroodingsilence。
　　BylateAfternoontheyhadtravelledtenofthetwelvemilesbetweenBethelandLaurel。HalfamilethissideofLaurellaytheoldGoreeplace；amileortwobeyondthevillagelivedtheColtranes。Theroadwasnowsteepandlaborious，butthecompensationsweremany。Thetiltedaislesoftheforestwereopulentwithleafandbirdandbloom。Thetonicairputtoshamethepharma-
　　cop鎖a。Thegladesweredarkwithmossyshade，andbrightwithshyrivuletswinkingfromthefernsandlaurels。Onthelowersidetheyviewed，framedinthenearfoilage，exquisitesketchesofthefarvalleyswooninginitsopalhaze。
　　Coltranewaspleasedtoseethathiscompanionwasyieldingtothespellofthehillsandwoods。FornowtheyhadbuttoskirtthebaseofPainter'sCliff；tocrossElderBranchandmountthehillbeyond，andGoreewouldhavetofacethesquanderedhomeofhisfathers。
　　Everyrockhepassed，everytree，everyfootoftherockyway，wasfamiliartohim。Thoughhehidforgottenthewoods，theythrilledhimlikethemusicof"Home，SweetHome。"
　　Theyroundedthecliff，decendedintoElderBranch，andpausedtheretoletthehorsesdrinkandsplashintheswiftwater。Ontherightwasarailfencethatcorneredthere，andfollowedtheroadandstream。
　　Inclosedbyitwastheoldappleorchardofthehomeplace；thehousewasyetconcealedbythebrowofthesteephill。Insideandalongthefence，pokeberries，elders，sassafras，andsumacgrewhighanddense。Atarustleoftheirbranches，bothGoreeandColtraneglancedup，andsawalong，yellow，wolfishfaceabovethefence，staringatthemwithpale，unwinkingeyes。Theheadquickydisappeared；therewasaviolentswayingofthebushes，andanungainlyfigureranupthroughtheappleorchardinthedirectionofthehouse，zigzaggingamongthetrees。
　　"That'sGarvey，"saidColtrane；"themanyousoldoutto。There'snodoubtbuthe'sconsiderablycracked。
　　Ihadtosendhimupformoonshining，once，severalyearsago，inspiteofthefactthatIbelievedhimirresponsible。
　　Why，what'sthematter，Yancey？"
　　Goreewaswipinghisforehead，andhisfacehadlostitscolour。"DoIlookqueer，too？"heasked，tryingtosmile。"I'mjustrememberingafewmorethings。"
　　Someofthealcoholhadevaporatedfromhisbrain。"I
　　recollectnowwhereIgotthattwohundreddollars。"
　　"Don'tthinkofit，"saidColtranecheerfully。"Lateronwe'llfigureitallouttogether。"
　　Theyrodeoutofthebranch，andwhentheyreachedthefootofthehillGoreestoppedagain。
　　"DidyoueversuspectIwasaveryvainkindoffellow，Colonel"heasked。"Sortoffoolishproudaboutappearances？"
　　Thecolonel'seyesrefusedtowandertothesoiled，sag-
　　gingsuitofflaxandthefadedslouchhat。
　　"Itseemstome，"hereplied，mystified，buthumouringhim，"Irememberayoungbuckabouttwenty，withthetightestcoat，thesleekesthair，andtheprancingestsaddlehorseintheBlueRidge。"
　　"Rightyouare，"saidGoreeeagerly。"Andit'sinmeyet，thoughitdon'tshow。Oh，I'masvainasaturkeygobbler，andasproudasLucifer。I'mgoingtoaskyoutoindulgethisweaknessofmineinalittlematter。"
　　"Speakout，Yancey。We'llcreateyouDukeofLaurelandBaronofBlueRidge，ifyouchoose；andyoushallhaveafeatheroutofStella'speacock'stailtowearinyourhat。"
　　"I'minearnest。Inafewminuteswe'llpassthehouseupthereonthehillwhereIwasborn，andwheremypeoplehavelivedfornearlyacentury。Strangerslivetherenow——andlookatme!Iamabouttoshowmyselftothemraggedandpoverty-stricken，awastrelandabeggar。ColonelColtrane，I'mashamedtodoit。I
　　wantyoutoletmewearyourcoatandhatuntilweareoutofsightbeyond。Iknowyouthinkitafoolishpride，butIwanttomakeasgoodashowingasIcanwhenIpasstheoldplace。"
　　"Now，whatdoesthismean？"saidColtranetohim-
　　self，ashecomparedhiscompanion'ssanelooksandquietdemeanourwithhisstrangerequest。Buthewasalreadyunbuttoningthecoat，assentingreadily，asifthefancywereinnowisetobeconsideredstrange。
　　ThecoatandhatfittedGoreewell。Hebuttonedtheformerabouthimwithalookofsatisfactionanddignity。HeandColtranewerenearlythesamesize——
　　rathertall，portly，anderect。Twenty-fiveyearswerebetweenthem，butinappearancetheymighthavebeenbrothers。Goreelookedolderthanhisage；
　　hisfacewaspuffyandlined；thecolonelhadthesmooth，freshcomplexionofatemperateliver。HeputonGoree'sdisreputableoldflaxcoatandfadedslouchhat。
　　"Now，"saidGoree，takingupthereins，"I'mallright。Iwantyoutorideabouttenfeetintherearaswegoby，Colonel，sothattheycangetagoodlookatme。
　　They'llseeI'mnobacknumberyet，byanymeans。I
　　guessI'llshowupprettywelltothemoncemore，any-
　　how。Let'srideon。"
　　Hesetoutupthehillatasmarttrot，thecolonelfol-
　　lowing，ashehadbeenrequested。
　　Goreesatstraightinthesaddle，withheaderect，buthiseyeswereturnedtotheright，sharplyscanningeveryshrubandfenceandhiding-placeintheoldhomesteadyard。Oncehemutteredtohimself，"Willthecrazyfooltryit，ordidIdreamhalfofit？"
　　Itwaswhenhecameoppositethelittlefamilyburyinggroundthathesawwhathehadbeenlookingfor——apuffofwhitesmoke，comingfromthethickcedarsinonecomer。HetoppledsoslowlytotheleftthatColtranehadtimetourgehishorsetothatside，andcatchhimwithonearm。
　　Thesquirrelhunterhadnotoverpraisedhisaim。Hehadsentthebulletwhereheintended，andwhereGoreehadexpectedthatitwouldpass-throughthebreastofColonelAbnerColtrane'sblackfrockcoat。
　　GoreeleanedheavilyagainstColtrane，buthedidnotfall。Thehorseskeptpace，sidebyside，andtheColonel'sarmkepthimsteady。ThelittlewhitehousesofLaurelshonethroughthetrees，halfamileaway。GoreereachedoutonehandandgropeduntilitresteduponColtrane'sfingers，whichheldhisbridle。
　　"Goodfriend，"hesaid，andthatwasall。
　　ThusdidYanceyGoree，asberodepasthisoldhome，make，consideringallthings，thebestshowingthatwasinhispower。
　　THESONGANDTHESERGEANT
　　Halfadozenpeoplesuppingatatableinoneoftheupper-Broadwayall-nightrestaurantsweremakingtoomuchnoise。Threetimesthemanagerwalkedpastthemwithapolitelywarningglance；buttheirargumenthadwaxedtoowarmtobequelledbyamanager'sgaze。
　　Itwasmidnight，andtherestaurantwasfilledwithpatronsfromthetheatresofthatdistrict。SomeamongthedispersedaudiencesmusthaverecognizedamongthequarrelsomesextetthefacesoftheplayersbelongingtotheCarrollComedyCompany。
　　Fourofthesixmadeupthecompany。Anotherwastheauthorofthecomedietta，"AGayCoquette，"
　　whichthequartetteoflayershadbeenpresentingwithfairsuccessatseveralvaudevillehousesinthecity。Thesixthatthetablewasapersoninconsequentintherealmofart，butoneatwhosebiddingmanylobstershadperished。
　　Loudlythesixmaintainedtheirclamorousdebate。
　　NooneofthePartywassilentexceptwhenanswerswerestormedfromhimbytheexcitedones。Thatwasthecomedianof"AGayCoquette。"Hewasayoungmanwithafaceeventoomelancholyforhisprofession。
　　TheoralwarfareoffourimmoderatetongueswasdirectedatMissClariceCarroll，thetwinklingstarofthesmallaggregation。Exceptingthedowncastcomedian，allmembersofthepartyunitedincastinguponherwithvehemencetheblameofsomemomentousmisfortune。
　　Fiftytimestheytoldher:"Itisyourfault，Clarice-
　　itisyoualonewhospoiltthescene。Itisonlyoflatethatyouhaveactedthisway。Atthisratethesketchwillhavetobetakenoff。"
　　MissCarrollwasamatchforanyfour。Gallicancestrygaveheravivacitythatcouldeasilymounttofury。Herlargeeyesflashedascorchingdenialatheraccusers。Herslender，eloquentarmsconstantlymenacedthetableware。
　　Herhigh，clearsopranovoicerosetowhatwouldhavebeenascreamhaditnotpossessedsopureamusicalquality。Shehurledbackattheattackingfourtheirdenunciationsintonessweet，butoftoogreatcarryingpowerforaBroadwayrestaurant。
　　Finallytheyexhaustedherpatiencebothasawomanandanartist。Shespranguplikeapanther，managedtosmashhalfadozenplatesandglasseswithoneroyalsweepofherarm，anddefiedhercritics。Theyroseandwrangledmoreloudly。Thecomediansighedandlookedatriflesadderanddisinterested。Themanagercametrippingandsuggestedpeace。HewastoldtogotothepopularsynonymforwarsopromptlythattheaffairmighthavehappenedatTheHague。
　　Thuswasthemanagerangered。Hemadeasignwithhishandandawaiterslippedoutofthedoor。Intwentyminutesthepartyofsixwasinapolicestationfacingagrizzledandphilosophicaldesksergeant。
　　"Disorderlyconductinarestaurant，"saidthepolice-
　　manwhohadbroughtthepartyin。
　　Theauthorof"AGayCoquette"steppedtothefront。
　　Heworenose-glassesandeveningclothes，evenifhisshoeshadbeentansbeforetheymetthepatent-leather-polishbottle。
　　"Mr。Sergeant，"saidhe，outofhisthroat，likeActorIrving，"Iwouldliketoprotestagainstthisarrest。ThecompanyofactorswhoareperforminginalittleplaythatIhavewritten，incompanywithafriendandmyselfwerehavingalittlesupper。Webecamedeeplyinterestedinthediscussionastowhichoneofthecastisresponsibleforasceneinthesketchthatlatelyhasfallensoflatthatthepieceisabouttobecomeafailure。Wemayhavebeenrathernoisyandintolerantofinterruptionbytherestaurantpeople；butthematterwasofconsiderableimportancetoallofus。Youseethatwearesoberandarenotthekindofpeoplewhodesiretoraisedisturbances。
　　Ihopethatthecasewillnotbepressedandthatwemaybeallowedtogo。"
　　"Whomakesthecharge？"askedthesergeant。
　　"Me，"saidawhite-apronedvoiceintherear。"Derestaurantsentmeto。Degangwasraisin'arough-
　　houseandbreakin'dishes。"
　　"Thedisheswerepaidfor，"saidtheplaywright。
　　"Theywerenotbrokenpurposely。Inheranger，becauseweremonstratedwithherforspoilingthescene，Miss——"
　　"It'snottrue，sergeant，"criedtheclearvoiceofMiss。
　　ClariceCarroll。Inalongcoatoftansilkandared-
　　plumedhat，sheboundedbeforethedesk。
　　"It'snotmyfault，"shecriedindignantly。"How-
　　daretheysaysuchathing!I'veplayedthetitler鬺eeversinceitwasstaged，andifyouwanttoknowwhomadeitasuccess，askthepublic——that'sall。"
　　"WhatMissCarrollsaysistrueinpart，"saidtheauthor。"Forfivemonthsthecomediettawasadrawing-
　　cardinthebesthouses。Butduringthelasttwoweeksithaslostfavour。ThereisonesceneinitinwhichMissCarrollmadeabighit。Nowshehardlygetsahandoutofit。Shespoilsitbyactingitentirelydifferentfromheroldway。"
　　"Itisnotmyfault，"reiteratedtheactress。
　　"Thereareonlytwoofyouoninthescene，"arguedtheplaywrighthotly，"youandDelmars，here——"
　　"Thenit'shisfault，"declaredMissCarroll，withalightningglanceofscornfromherdarkeyes。Thecomediancaughtit，andgazedwithincreasedmelancholyatthepanelsofthesergeant'sdesk。
　　Thenightwasadulloneinthatparticularpolicestation。
　　Thesergeant'slong-bluntedcuriosityawokealittle。
　　"I'veheardyou，"hesaidtotheauthor。Andthenheaddressedthethin-facedandascetic-lookingladyofthecompanywhoplayed"AuntTurnip-top"inthelittlecomedy。
　　"Whodoyouthinkspoilsthesceneyouarefussingabout？"heasked。
　　"I'mnoknocker，"saidthatlady，"andeverybodyknowsit。So，whenIsaythatClaricefallsdowneverytimeinthatsceneI'mjudgingherartandnotherself。
　　Shewasgreatinitonce。Shedoesitsomethingfiercenow。It'lldopetheshowifshekeepsitup。"
　　Thesergeantlookedatthecomedian。
　　"Youandtheladyhavethisscenetogether，Iunder-
　　stand。Isupposethere'snouseaskingyouwhichoneofyouqueersit？"
　　ThecomedianavoidedthedirectraysfromthetwofixedstarsofMissCarroll'seyes。
　　"Idon'tknow，"hesaid，lookingdownathispatent-
　　leathertoes。
　　"Areyouoneoftheactors？"askedthesergeantofadwarfishyouthwithamiddle-agedface。
　　"Why，say!"repliedthelastThespianwitness，"youdon'tnoticeanytinspearinmyhands，doyou？Youhaven'theardmeshout:'See，theEmperorcomes!'sinceI'vebeeninhere，haveyou？IguessI'monthestagelongenoughfor'emnottostartapanicbymistakingmeforathincurlofsmokerisingabovethefootlights。"
　　"Inyouropinion，ifyou'vegotone，"saidthesergeant，"isthefrostthatgathersonthesceneinquestiontheworkoftheladyorthegentlemanwhotakespartinit？"
　　Themiddle-agedyouthlookedpained。
　　"Iregrettosay，"heanswered，"thatMissCarrollseemstohavelosthergriponthatscene。She'sallrightintherestoftheplay，but——butItellyou，sergeant，shecandoit——shehasdoneitequaltoanyof'em——andshecandoitagain。"
　　MissCarrollranforward，glowingandpalpitating。
　　"Thankyou，Jimmy，forthefirstgoodwordI'vehadinmanyaday，"shecried。Andthensheturnedhereagerfacetowardthedesk。
　　"I'llshowyou，sergeant，whetherIamtoblame。I'llshowthemwhetherIcandothatsame。Come，Mr。
　　Delmars；letusbegin。Youwillletus，won'tyou，sergeant？"
　　"Howlongwillittake？"askedthesergeant，dubiously。
　　"Eightminutes，"saidtheplaywright。"Theentireplayconsumesbutthirty。"
　　"Youmaygoahead，"saidthesergeant。"Mostofyouseemtosideagainstthelittlelady。Maybeshehadarighttocrackupasaucerortwointhatrestaurant。
　　We'llseehowshedoestheturnbeforewetakethatup。"
　　Thematronofthepolicestationhadbeenstandingnear，listeningtothesingularargument。Shecamenigherandstoodnearthesergeant'schair。Twoorthreeofthereservesstrolledin，bigandyawning。
　　"Beforebeginningthescene，"saidtheplaywright，"andassumingthatyouhavenotseenaproductionof'AGayCoquette，'Iwillmakeabriefbutnecessaryexplanation。
　　Itisamusical-farce-comedy——burlesque-comedietta。
　　Asthetitleimplies，MissCarroll'sr鬺eisthatofagay，rollicking，mischievous，heartlesscoquette。Shesustainsthatcharacterthroughouttheentirecomedypartoftheproduction。AndIhavedesignedtheextravaganzafeaturessothatshemaypreserveandpresentthesamecoquettishidea。
　　"Now，thesceneinwhichwetakeexceptiontoMissCarroll'sactingiscalledthe'gorilladance。'Sheiscostumedtorepresentawoodnymph，andthereisagreatsong-and-dancescenewithagorilla——playedbyMr。
　　Delmars，thecomedian。Atropical-foreststageisset。
　　"Thatusedtogetfourandfiverecalls。Themainthingwastheactingandthedance——itwasthefunniestthinginNewYorkforfivemonths。Delmars'ssong，'I'llWooTheetoMySylvanHome，'whileheandMissCarrollwerecuttinghide-and-seekcapersamongthetropicalplants，wasawinner。"
　　"What'sthetroublewiththescenenow？"askedthesergeant。
　　"MissCarrollspoilsitrightinthemiddleofit，"saidtheplaywrightwrathfully。
　　Withawidegestureofherever-movingarmstheactresswavedbackthelittlegroupofspectators，leavingaspaceinfrontofthedeskforthesceneofhervindicationorfall。Thenshewhippedoffherlongtancloakandtosseditacrossthearmofthepolicemanwhostillstoodofficiallyamongthem。
　　MissCarrollhadgonetosupperwellcloaked，butinthecostumeofthetropicwoodnymph。Askirtoffernleavestouchedherknee；shewaslikeahumming-
　　bird——greenandgoldenandpurple。
　　Andthenshedancedafluttering，fantasticdance，soagileandlightandmazyinherstepsthattheotherthreemembersoftheCarrollComedyCompanybrokeintoapplauseattheartofit。
　　AndatthepropertimeDelmarsleapedoutatherside，mimickingtheuncouth，hideousboundsofthegorillasofunnilythatthegrizzledsergeanthimselfgaveashortlaughliketheclosingofapadlock。Theydancedtogetherthegorilladance，andwonahandfromall。
　　Thenbeganthemostfantasticpartofthescene——
　　thewooingofthenymphbythegorilla。Itwasakindofdanceitself——eccentricandprankish，withthenymphcoquettishandseductiveretreat，followedbythegorillaashesang"I'llWooTheetoMySylvanHome。"
　　Thesongwasalyricofmerit。Thewordswerenon-
　　sense，asbefittedtheplay，butthemusicwasworthyofsomethingbetter。Delmarsstruckintoitinarichtenorthatownedaqualitythatshamedtheflippantwords。
　　Duringoneverseofthesongthewoodnymphper-
　　formedthegrotesqueevolutionsdesignedforthescene。
　　Atthemiddleofthesecondverseshestoodstill，withastrangelookonherface，seemingtogazedreamilyintothedepthsofthescenicforest。Thegorilla'slastleaphadbroughthimtoherfeet，andthereheknelt，holdingherhand，untilhehadfinishedthehaunting-lyricthatwassetintheabsurdcomedylikeadiamondinapieceofputty。
　　WhenDelmarsceasedMissCarrollstarted，andcoveredasuddenflowoftearswithbothhands。
　　"There!"criedtheplaywright，gesticulatingwithviolence；"thereyouhaveit，sergeant。Fortwoweeksshehasspoiledthatsceneinjustthatmannerateveryperformance。IhavebeggedhertoconsiderthatitisnotOpheliaorJulietthatsheisplaying。Doyouwondernowatourimpatience？Tearsforthegorillasong!
　　Theplayislost!"
　　Outofherbewitchment，whateveritwas，thewoodnymphflaredsuddenly，andpointedadesperatefingeratDelmars。
　　"Itisyou——youwhohavedonethis，"shecriedwildly。"Youneversangthatsongthatwayuntillately。
　　Itisyourdoing。"
　　"Igiveitup，"saidthesergeant。
　　Andthenthegray-hairedmatronofthepolicestationcameforwardfrombehindthesergeant'schair。
　　"Mustanoldwomanteachyouall？"shesaid。ShewentuptoMissCarrollandtookherhand。
　　"Theman'swearinghisheartoutforyou，mydear。
　　Couldn'tyoutellitthefirstnoteyouheardhimsing？
　　Allofhismonkeyflip-flopswouldn'thavekeptitfromme。Mustyoubedeafaswellasblind？That'swhyyoucouldn'tactyourpart，child。Doyoulovehimormusthebeagorillafortherestofhisdays？"
　　MissCarrollwhirledaroundandcaughtDelmarswithalightningglanceofhereye。Hecametowardher，melancholy。
　　"Didyouhear，Mr。Delmars？"sheasked，withacatchingbreath。
　　"Idid，"saidthecomedian。"Itistrue。Ididn'tthinktherewasanyuse。Itriedtoletyouknowwiththesong。"
　　"Silly!"saidthematron；"whydidn'tyouspeak？"
　　"No，no，"criedthewoodnymph，"hiswaywasthebest。Ididn'tknow，but——itwasjustwhatIwanted，Bobby。"
　　Shespranglikeagreengrasshopper；andthecomedianopenedhisarms，and——smiled。
　　"Getoutofthis，"roaredthedesksergeanttothewaitingwaiterfromtherestaurant。"There'snothingdoinghereforyou。"
　　ONEDOLLAR'SWORTH
　　ThejudgeoftheUnitedStatescourtofthedistrictlyingalongtheRioGrandeborderfoundthefollowingletteronemorninginhismail:
　　JUDGE:
　　Whenyousentmeupforfouryearsyoumadeatalk。
　　Amongotherhardthings，youcalledmearattlesnake。
　　MaybeIamone——anyhow，youhearmerattlingnow。
　　OneyearafterIgottothepen，mydaughterdiedof——
　　well，theysaiditwaspovertyandthedisgracetogether。
　　You'vegotadaughter，Judge，andI'mgoingtomakeyouknowhowitfeelstoloseone。AndI'mgoingtobitethatdistrictattorneythatspokeagainstme。I'mfreenow，andIguessI'veturnedtorattlesnakeallright。
　　Ifeellikeone。Idon'tsaymuch，butthisismyrattle。
　　LookoutwhenIstrike。
　　Yoursrespectfully，RATTLESNAKE。
　　JudgeDerwentthrewthelettercarelesslyaside。Itwasnothingnewtoreceivesuchepistlesfromdesperatemenwhomhehadbeencalledupontojudge。Hefeltnoalarm。LateronheshowedthelettertoLittlefield，theyoungdistrictattorney，forLittlefield'snamewasincludedinthethreat，andthejudgewaspunctiliousinmattersbetweenhimselfandhisfellowmen。
　　Littlefieldhonouredtherattleofthewriter，asfarasitconcernedhimself，withasmileofcontempt；buthefrownedalittleoverthereferencetotheJudge'sdaughter，forheandNancyDerwentweretobemarriedinthefall。
　　Littlefieldwenttotheclerkofthecourtandlookedovertherecordswithhim。TheydecidedthatthelettermighthavebeensentbyMexicoSam，ahalf-breedborderdesperadowhohadbeenimprisonedformanslaughterfouryearsbefore。Thenofficialdutiescrowdedthemat-
　　terfromhismind，andtherattleoftherevengefulserpentwasforgotten。
　　CourtwasinsessionatBrownsville。Mostofthecasestobetriedwerechargesofsmuggling，counterfeiting，post-officerobberies，andviolationsofFederallawsalongtheborder。OnecasewasthatofayoungMexican，RafaelOrtiz，whohadbeenroundedupbyacleverdeputymarshalintheactofpassingacounterfeitsilverdollar。Hehadbeensuspectedofmanysuchdeviationsfromrectitude，butthiswasthefirsttimethatanythingprovablehadbeenfixeduponhim。Ortizlanguishedcozilyinjail，smokingbrowncigarettesandwaitingfortrial。Kilpatrick，thedeputy，broughtthecounterfeitdollarandhandedittothedistrictattorneyinhisofficeinthecourt-house。ThedeputyandareputabledruggistwerepreparedtoswearthatOrtizpaidforabottleofmedicinewithit。Thecoinwasapoorcounterfeit，soft，dull-looking，andmadeprincipallyoflead。ItwasthedaybeforethemorningonwhichthedocketwouldreachthecaseofOrtiz，andthedistrictattorneywaspreparinghimselffortrial。
　　"Notmuchneedofhavinginhigh-pricedexpertstoprovethecoin'squeer，isthere，Kil？"smiledLittlefield，ashethumpedthedollardownuponthetable，whereitfellwithnomoreringthanwouldhavecomefromalumpofputty。
　　"IguesstheGreaser'sasgoodasbehindthebars，"
　　saidthedeputy，easinguphisholsters。"You'vegothimdead。Ifithadbeenjustonetime，theseMexicanscan'ttellgoodmoneyfrombad；butthislittleyallerrascalbelongstoagangofcounterfeiters，Iknow。ThisisthefirsttimeI'vebeenabletocatchhimdoingthetrick。
　　He'sgotagirldownthereinthemMexicanjacalsontheriverbank。IseenheronedaywhenIwaswatchinghim。She'sasprettyasaredheiferinaflowerbed。"
　　Littlefieldshovedthecounterfeitdollarintohispocket，andslippedhismemorandaofthecaseintoanenvelope。
　　Justthenabright，winsomeface，asfrankandjollyasaboy's，appearedinthedoorway，andinwalkedNancyDerwent。
　　"Oh，Bob，didn'tcourtadjournattwelveto-dayuntilto-morrow？"sheaskedofLittlefield。
　　"Itdid，"saidthedistrictattorney，"andI'mverygladofit。I'vegotalotofrulingstolookup，and——"
　　"Now，that'sjustlikeyou。Iwonderyouandfatherdon'tturntolawbooksorrulingsorsomething!I
　　wantyoutotakemeoutplover-shootingthisafternoon。
　　LongPrairieisjustalivewiththem。Don'tsayno，please!Iwanttotrymynewtwelve-borehammerless。
　　I'vesenttotheliverystabletoengageFlyandBessforthebuckboard；theystandfiresonicely。Iwassureyouwouldgo。"
　　Theyweretobemarriedinthefall。Theglamourwasatitsheight。Theploverswontheday——or，rather，theafternoon——overthecalf-boundauthorities。Littlefieldbegantoputhispapersaway。
　　Therewasaknockatthedoor。Kilpatrickansweredit。Abeautiful，dark-eyedgirlwithaskintingedwiththefaintestlemoncolourwalkedintotheroom。Ablackshawlwasthrownoverherheadandwoundoncearoundherneck。
　　ShebegantotalkinSpanish，avoluble，mournfulstreamofmelancholymusic。Littlefielddidnotunder-
　　standSpanish。Thedeputydid，andhetranslatedhertalkbyportions，atintervalsholdinguphishandtochecktheflowofherwords。
　　"Shecametoseeyou，Mr。Littlefield。Hername'sJoyaTrevi馻s。Shewantstoseeyouabout——well，she'smixedupwiththatRafaelOrtiz。She'shis——she'shisgirl。Shesayshe'sinnocent。Shesaysshemadethemoneyandgothimtopassit。Don'tyoubelieveher，Mr。Little-field。That'sthewaywiththeseMexi-
　　cangirls；they'lllie，steal，orkillforafellowwhentheygetstuckonhim。Nevertrustawomanthat'sinlove!"
　　"Mr。Kilpatrick!"
　　NancyDerwent'sindignantexclamationcausedthedeputytoflounderforamomentinattemptingtoexplainthathehadmisquotedhisownsentiments，andthenheeventonwiththetranslation:
　　"Shesaysshe'swillingtotakehisplaceinthejailifyou'lllethimout。Shesaysshewasdownsickwiththefever，andthedoctorsaidshe'ddieifshedidn'thavemedicine。That'swhyhepassedtheleaddollaronthedrugstore。Shesaysitsavedherlife。ThisRafal。
　　seemstobeherhoney，allright；there'salotofstuffinhertalkaboutloveandsuchthingsthatyoudon'twanttohear。"
　　Itwasanoldstorytothedistrictattorney。
　　"Tellher，"saidhe，"thatIcandonothing。Thecasecomesupinthemorning，andhewillhavetomakehisfightbeforethecourt。"
　　NancyDerwentwasnotsohardened。Shewaslook-
　　ingwithsympatheticinterestatJoyaTrevi馻sandatLittlefieldalternately。Thedeputyrepeatedthedis-
　　trictattorney'swordstothegirl。Shespokeasentenceortwoinalowvoice，pulledhershawlcloselyaboutherface，andlefttheroom。
　　"Whatdidshesaythen？"askedthedistrictattorney。
　　"Nothingspecial，"saidthedeputy。"Shesaid:'Ifthelifeoftheone'——let'sseehowitwent——'Silavidadeellaaquientuamas——ifthelifeofthegirlyouloveiseverindanger，rememberRafaelOrtiz。'"
　　Kilpatrickstrolledoutthroughthecorridorinthedirectionofthemarshal'soffice。
　　"Can'tyoudoanythingforthem，Bob？"askedNancy。
　　"It'ssuchalittlething——justonecounterfeitdollar——
　　toruinthehappinessoftwolives!Shewasindangerofdeath，andhedidittosaveher。Doesn'tthelawknowthefeelingofpity？"
　　"Ithasn'taplaceinjurisprudence，Nan，"saidLittle-
　　field，"especiallyinrethedistrictattorney'sduty。I'llpromiseyouthattheprosecutionwillnotbevindictive；
　　butthemanisasgoodasconvictedwhenthecaseiscalled。
　　WitnesseswillsweartohispassingthebaddollarwhichIhaveinmypocketatthismomentas'ExhibitA。'TherearenoMexicansonthejury，anditwillvoteMr。Greaserguiltywithoutleavingthebox。"
　　Theplover-shootingwasfinethatafternoon，andintheexcitementofthesportthecaseofRafaelandthegriefofJoyaTrevi馻swasforgotten。Thedistrictattor-
　　neyandNancyDerwentdroveoutfromthetownthreemilesalongasmooth，grassyroad，andthenstruckacrossarollingprairietowardaheavylineoftimberonPiedraCreek。BeyondthiscreeklayLongPrairie，thefavouritehauntoftheplover。Astheywerenearingthecreektheyheardthegallopingofahorsetotheirright，andsawamanwithblackhairandaswarthyfaceridingtowardthewoodsatatangent，asifhehadcomeupbehindthem。
　　"I'veseenthatfellowsomewhere，"saidLittlefield，whohadamemoryforfaces，"butIcan'texactlyplacehim。
　　Someranchman，Isuppose，takingashortcuthome。"
　　TheyspentanhouronLongPrairie，shootingfromthebuckboard。NancyDerwent，anactive，outdoorWesterngirl，waspleasedwithhertwelve-bore。Shehadbaggedwithintwobraceofhercompanion'sscore。
　　Theystartedhomewardatagentletrot。WhenwithinahundredyardsofPiedraCreekamanrodeoutofthetimberdirectlytowardthem。
　　"Itlookslikethemanwesawcomingover，"remarkedMissDerwent。
　　Asthedistancebetweenthemlessened，thedistrictattorneysuddenlypulleduphisteamsharply，withhiseyesfixedupontheadvancinghorseman。Thatindivid-
　　ualhaddrawnaWinchesterfromitsscabbardonhissaddleandthrownitoverhisarm。
　　"NowIknowyou，MexicoSam!"mutteredLittlefieldtohimself。"Itwasyouwhoshookyourrattlesinthatgentleepistle。"
　　MexicoSamdidnotleavethingslongindoubt。Hehadaniceeyeinallmattersrelatingtofirearms，sowhenhewaswithingoodriflerange，butoutsideofdangerfromNo。8shot，hethrewuphisWinchesterandopenedfireupontheoccupantsofthebuckboard。
　　Thefirstshotcrackedthebackoftheseatwithinthetwo-inchspacebetweentheshouldersofLittlefieldandMissDerwent。ThenextwentthroughthedashboardandLittlefield'strouserleg。
　　ThedistrictattorneyhustledNancyoutofthebuck-
　　boardtotheground。Shewasalittlepale，butaskednoquestions。Shehadthefrontierinstinctthatacceptsconditionsinanemergencywithoutsuperfluousargument。
　　Theykepttheirgunsinhand，andLittlefieldhastilygatheredsomehandfulsofcartridgesfromthepasteboardboxontheseatandcrowdedthemintohispockets"Keepbehindthehorses，Nan，"hecommanded。
　　"ThatfellowisaruffianIsenttoprisononce。He'stryingtogeteven。Heknowsourshotwon'thurthimatthatdistance。"
　　"Allright，Bob，"saidNancysteadily。"I'mnotafraid。Butyoucomeclose，too。Whoa，Bess；standstill，now!"
　　ShestrokedBess'smane。Littlefieldstoodwithhisgunready，prayingthatthedesperadowouldcomewithinrange。
　　ButMexicoSamwasplayinghisvendettaalongsafelines。Hewasabirdofdifferentfeatherfromtheplover。
　　Hisaccurateeyedrewanimaginarylineofcircumferencearoundtheareaofdangerfrombird-shot，anduponthislinelierode。Hishorsewheeledtotheright，andashisvictimsroundedtothesafesideoftheirequinebreast-
　　workhesentaballthroughthedistrictattorney'shat。
　　Oncehemiscalculatedinmakingad閠our，andover-
　　steppedMsmargin。Littlefield'sgunflashed，andMexicoSamduckedhisheadtotheharmlesspatteroftheshot。Afewofthemstunghishorse，whichprancedpromptlybacktothesafetyline。
　　Thedesperadofiredagain。AlittlecrycamefromNancyDerwent。Littlefieldwhirled，withblazingeyes，andsawthebloodtricklingdownhercheek。
　　"I'mnothurt，Bob——onlyasplinterstruckme。I
　　thinkhehitoneofthewheel-spokes。"
　　"Lord!"groanedLittlefield。"IfIonlyhadachargeofbuckshot!"
　　Theruffiangothishorsestill，andtookcarefulaim。
　　Flygaveasnortandfellintheharness，struckintheneck。Bess，nowdisabusedoftheideathatploverwerebeingfiredat，brokehertracesandgallopedwildlyaway——MexicanSamsentaballneatlythroughthefulnessofNancyDerwent'sshootingjacket。
　　"Liedown——liedown!"snappedLittlefield。"closetothehorse——flatontheground——so。"Healmostthrewheruponthegrassagainstthebackoftherecum-
　　bentFly。Oddlyenough，atthatmomentthewordsoftheMexicangirlreturnedtohismind:
　　"Ifthelifeofthegirlyouloveiseverindanger，remem-
　　berRafaelOrtiz。"
　　Littlefieldutteredanexclamation。
　　"Openfireonhim，Nan，acrossthehorse'sback。
　　Fireasfastasyoucan!Youcan'thurthim，butkeephimdodgingshotforoneminutewhileItrytoworkalittlescheme。"
　　NancygaveaquickglanceatLittlefield，andsawhimtakeouthispocket-knifeandopenit。Thensheturnedherfacetoobeyorders，keepinguparapidfireattheenemy。
　　MexicoSamwaitedpatientlyuntilthisinnocuousfusilladeceased。Hehadplentyoftime，andhedidnotcaretoriskthechanceofabird-shotinhiseyewhencouldbeavoidedbyalittlecaution。HepulledhisheavyStetsonlowdownoverhisfaceuntiltheshotsceased。
　　Thenhedrewalittlenearer，andfiredwithcarefulaimatwhathecouldseeofhisvictimsabovethefallenhorse。
　　Neitherofthemmoved。Heurgedhishorseafewstepsnearer。Hesawthedistrictattorneyrisetoonekneeanddeliberatelylevelhisshotgun。Hepulledhishatdownandawaitedtheharmlessrattleofthetinypellets。
　　Theshotgunblazedwithaheavyreport。MexicoSamsighed，turnedlimpallover，andslowlyfellfromhishorse——adeadrattlesnake。
　　Atteno'clockthenextmorningcourtopened，andthecaseoftheUnitedStatesversusRafaelOrtizwascalled。
　　Thedistrictattorney，withhisarminasling，roseandaddressedthecourt。
　　"Mayitpleaseyourhonour，"hesaid，"Idesiretoenteranollepros。inthiscase。Eventhoughthedefend-
　　antshouldbeguilty，thereisnotsufficientevidenceinthehandsofthegovernmenttosecureaconviction。Thepieceofcounterfeitcoinupontheidentityofwhichthecasewasbuiltisnotnowavailableasevidence。Iask，therefore，thatthecasebestrickenoff。"
　　AtthenoonrecessKilpatrickstrolledintothedistrictattorney'soffice。
　　"I'vejustbeendowntotakeasquintatoldMexicoSam，"saidthedeputy。"They'vegothimlaidout。
　　OldMexicowasatoughoutfit，Ireckon。Theboyswaswonderin'downtherewhatyoushothimwith。Somesaiditmusthavebeennails。Ineverseeaguncarryanythingtomakeholeslikehehad。"
　　"Ishothim，"saidthedistrictattorney，"withExhibitAofyourcounterfeitingcase。Luckythingforme——
　　andsomebodyelse——thatitwasasbadmoneyasitwas!
　　Itslicedupintoslugsverynicely。Say，Kil，can'tyougodowntothejacalsandfindwherethatMexicangirllives？MissDerwentwantstoknow。"
　　ANEWSPAPERSTORY
　　AT8A。M。itlayonGiuseppi'snews-stand，stilldampfromthepresses。Giuseppi，withthecunningofhisilk，philanderedontheoppositecomer，leavinghispatronstohelpthemselves，nodoubtonatheoryrelatedtothehypothesisofthewatchedpot。
　　Thisparticularnewspaperwas，accordingtoitscustomanddesign，aneducator，aguide，amonitor，achampionandahouseholdcounsellorandvademecum。
　　Fromitsmanyexcellenciesmightbeselectedthreeeditorials。Onewasinsimpleandchastebutilluminat-
　　inglanguagedirectedtoparentsandteachers，depreca-
　　tingcorporalpunishmentforchildren。
　　Anotherwasanaccusiveandsignificantwarningaddressedtoanotoriouslabourleaderwhowasonthepointofinstigatinghisclientstoatroublesomestrike。
　　Thethirdwasaneloquentdemandthatthepoliceforcebesustainedandaidedineverythingthattendedtoincreaseitsefficiencyaspublicguardiansandservants。
　　Besidesthesemoreimportantchidingsandrequisitionsuponthestoreofgoodcitizenshipwasawiseprescriptionorformofprocedurelaidoutbytheeditoroftheheart-
　　to-heartcolumninthespecificcaseofayoungmanwhohadcomplainedoftheobduracyofhisladylove，teachinghimhowhemightwinher。
　　Again，therewas，onthebeautypage，acompleteanswertoayoungladyinquirerwhodesiredadmonitiontowardthesecuringofbrighteyes，rosycheeksandabeautifulcountenance。
　　Oneotheritemrequiringspecialcognizancewasabrief"personal，"runningthus:
　　DEARJACK:——Forgiveme。Youwereright。MeetmecomerMadisonand-that8。30thismorning。Weleaveatnoon。
　　PENITENT。
　　At8o'clockayoungmanwithahaggardlookandthefeverishgleamofunrestinhiseyedroppedapennyandpickedupthetoppaperashepassedGiuseppi'sstand。
　　Asleeplessnighthadlefthimalateriser。Therewasanofficetobereachedbynine，andashaveandahastycupofcoffeetobecrowdedintotheinterval。
　　Hevisitedhisbarbershopandthenhurriedonhisway。Hepocketedhispaper，meditatingabelatedperusalofitattheluncheonhour。Atthenextcorneritfellfromhispocket，carryingwithithispairofnewgloves。Threeblockshewalked，missedtheglovesandturnedbackfuming。
　　Justonthehalf-hourhereachedthecornerwherelaytheglovesandthepaper。Buthestrangelyignoredthatwhichhehadcometoseek。Hewasholdingtwolittlehandsastightlyaseverhecouldandlookingintotwopenitentbrowneyes，whilejoyriotedinhisheart。
　　"DearJack，"shesaid，"Iknewyouwouldbehereontime。"
　　"Iwonderwhatshemeansbythat，"hewassayingtohimself；"butit'sallright，it'sallright。"
　　Abigwindpuffedoutofthewest，pickedupthepaperfromthesidewalk，openeditoutandsentitflyingandwhirlingdownasidestreet。Upthatstreetwasdrivingaskittishbaytoaspider-wheelbuggy，theyoungmanwhohadwrittentotheheart-to-hearteditorforarecipethathemightwinherforwhomhesighed。
　　Thewind，withaprankishflurry，flappedtheflyingnewspaperagainstthefaceoftheskittishbay。Therewasalengthenedstreakofbaymingledwiththeredofrunninggearthatstretcheditselfoutforfourblocks。
　　Thenawater-hydrantplayeditspartinthecosmogony，thebuggybecamematchwoodasforeordained，andthedriverrestedveryquietlywherehehadbeenflungontheasphaltinfrontofacertainbrownstonemansion。
　　Theycameoutandhadhiminsideverypromptly。Andtherewasonewhomadeherselfapillowforhishead，andcaredfornocuriouseyes，bendingoverandsaying，"Oh，itwasyou；itwasyouallthetime，Bobby!Couldn'tyouseeit？Andifyoudie，why，somustI，and——"
　　Butinallthiswindwemusthurrytokeepintouchwithourpaper。
　　PolicemanO'Brinearresteditasacharacterdangeroustotraffic。Straighteningitsdishevelledleaveswithhisbig，slowfingers，hestoodafewfeetfromthefamilyentranceoftheShandonBellsCaf？Oneheadlinehespelledoutponderously:"ThePaperstotheFrontinaMovetoHelpthePolice。"
　　But，whisht!ThevoiceofDanny，theheadbartender，throughthecrackofthedoor:"Here'sanipforye，Mike，ouldman。"
　　Behindthewidespread，amicablecolumnsofthepressPolicemanO'Brinereceivesswiftlyhisnipoftherealstuff。Hemovesaway，stalwart，refreshed，fortified，tohisduties。Mightnottheeditormanviewwithpridetheearly，thespiritual，theliteralfruitthathadblessedhislabours。
　　PolicemanO'Brinefoldedthepaperandpokeditplayfullyunderthearmofasmallboythatwaspassing。
　　ThatboywasnamedJohnny，andhetookthepaperhomewithhim。HissisterwasnamedGladys，andshehadwrittentothebeautyeditorofthepaperaskingforthepracticabletouchstoneofbeauty。Thatwasweeksago，andshehadceasedtolookforananswer。
　　Gladyswasapalegirl，withdulleyesandadiscontentedexpression。Shewasdressingtogouptotheavenuetogetsomebraid。BeneathherskirtshepinnedtwoleavesofthepaperJohnnyhadbrought。Whenshewalkedtherustlingsoundwasanexactimitationoftherealthing。
　　OnthestreetshemettheBrowngirlfromtheflatbelowandstoppedtotalk。TheBrowngirlturnedgreen。
　　Onlysilkat$5ayardcouldmakethesoundthatsheheardwhenGladysmoved。TheBrowngirl，consumedbyjealousy，saidsomethingspitefulandwentherway，withpinchedlips。
　　Gladysproceededtowardtheavenue。Hereyesnowsparkledlikejagerfonteins。Arosybloomvisitedhercheeks；atriumphant，subtle，vivifying，smiletransfiguredherface。Shewasbeautiful。Couldthebeautyeditorhaveseenherthen!Therewassomethinginheranswerinthepaper，Ibelieve，aboutcultivatingkindfeelingstowardothersinordertomakeplainfeaturesattractive。
　　Thelabourleaderagainstwhomthepaper'ssolemnandweightyeditorialinjunctionwaslaidwasthefatherofGladysandJohnny。HepickeduptheremainsofthejournalfromwhichGladyshadravishedacosmeticofsilkensounds。Theeditorialdidnotcomeunderhiseye，butinsteaditwasgreetedbyoneofthoseingeniousandspeciouspuzzleproblemsthatenthrallalikethesimpletonandthesage。
　　Thelabourleadertoreoffhalfofthepage，providedhimselfwithtable，pencilandpaperandgluedhimselftohispuzzle。
　　Threehourslater，afterwaitingvainlyforhimattheappointedplace，othermoreconservativeleadersdeclaredandruledinfavourofarbitration，andthestrikewithitsattendantdangerswasaverted。Subsequenteditionsofthepaperreferred，incolouredinks，totheclariontoneofitssuccessfuldenunciationofthelabourleader'sintendeddesigns。
　　Theremainingleavesoftheactivejournalalsowentloyallytotheprovingofitspotency。
　　WhenJohnnyreturnedfromschoolhesoughtasecludedspotandremovedthemissingcolumnsfromtheinsideofhisclothing，wheretheyhadbeenartfullydistributedsoastosuccessfullydefendsuchareasasaregenerallyattackedduringscholasticcastigations。Johnnyattendedaprivateschoolandhadhadtroublewithhisteacher。Ashasbeensaid，therewasanexcellenteditorialagainstcorporalpunishmentinthatmorning'sissue，andnodoubtithaditseffect。
　　Afterthiscananyonedoubtthepowerofthepress？
　　TOMMY'SBURGLAR
　　ATTENo'clockP。M。Felicia，themaid，leftbythebasementdoorwiththepolicemantogetaraspberryphosphatearoundthecorner。Shedetestedthepolice-
　　manandobjectedearnestlytothearrangement。Shepointedout，notunreasonably，thatshemighthavebeenallowedtofallasleepoveroneofSt。GeorgeRathbone'snovelsonthethirdfloor，butshewasoverruled。Rasp-
　　berriesandcopswerenotcreatedfornothing。
　　Theburglargotintothehousewithoutmuchdifficulty；
　　becausewemusthaveactionandnottoomuchdescrip-
　　tionina2，000-wordstory。
　　Inthediningroomheopenedtheslideofhisdarklantern。Withabraceandcentrebithebegantoboreintothelockofthesilver-closet。
　　Suddenlyaclickwasheard。Theroomwasfloodedwithelectriclight。Thedarkvelvetporti鑢espartedtoadmitafair-hairedboyofeightinpinkpajamas，bearingabottleofoliveoilinhishand。
　　"Areyouaburglar？"heasked，inasweet，childishvoice。
　　"Listentothat，"exclaimedtheman，inahoarsevoice。
　　"AmIaburglar？WotdoyousupposeIhaveathree-
　　days'growthofbristlybreadonmyfacefor，andacapwithflaps？Givemetheoil，quick，andletmegreasethebit，soIwon'twakeupyourmamma，whoislyingdownwithaheadache，andleftyouinchargeofFelicia。
　　whohasbeenfaithlesstohertrust。"
　　"Oh，dear，"saidTommy，withasigh。"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoreup-to-date。ThisoilisforthesaladwhenIbringlunchfromthepantryforyou。AndmammaandpapahavegonetotheMetropolitantohearDeReszke。Butthatisn'tmyfault。Itonlyshowshowlongthestoryhasbeenknockingaroundamongtheeditors。Iftheauthorhadbeenwisehe'dhavechangedittoCarusointheproofs。"
　　"Bequiet，"hissedtheburglar，underhisbreath。"IfyouraiseanalarmI'llwringyournecklikearabbit's。"
　　"Likeachicken's，"correctedTommy。"Youhadthatwrong。Youdon'twringrabbits'necks。"
　　"Aren'tyouafraidofme？"askedtheburglar。
　　"YouknowI'mnot，"answeredTommy。"Don'tyousupposeIknowfactfromfiction。Ifthiswasn'tastoryI'dyelllikeanIndianwhenIsawyou；andyou'dprobablytumbledownstairsandgetpinchedonthesidewalk。"
　　"Isee，"saidtheburglar，"thatyou'reontoyourjob。Goonwiththeperformance。"
　　Tommyseatedhimselfinanarmchairanddrewhistoesupunderhim。
　　"Whydoyougoaroundrobbingstrangers，Mr。Burg-
　　lar？Haveyounofriends？"
　　"Iseewhatyou'redrivingat，"saidtheburglar，withadarkfrown。"It'sthesameoldstory。Yourinnocenceandchildishinsoucianceisgoingtoleadmebackintoanhonestlife。EverytimeIcrackacribwherethere'sakidaround，ithappens。"
　　"Wouldyoumindgazingwithwolfisheyesattheplateofcoldbeefthatthebutlerhasleftonthediningtable？"
　　saidTommy。"I'mafraidit'sgrowinglate。"
　　Theburglaraccommodated。
　　"Poorman，"saidTommy。"Youmustbehungry。
　　IfyouwillpleasestandinalistlessattitudeIwillgetyousomethingtoeat。"
　　Theboybroughtaroastchicken，ajarofmarmaladeandabottleofwinefromthepantry。Theburglarseizedaknifeandforksullenly。
　　"It'sonlybeenanhour，"hegrumbled，"sinceIhadalobsterandapintofmustyaleuponBroadway。Iwishthesestorywriterswouldletafellowhaveapepsintablet，anyhow，betweenfeeds。"
　　"Mypapawritesbooks，"remarkedTommy。
　　Theburglarjumpedtohisfeetquickly。
　　"Yousaidhehadgonetotheopera，"hehissed，hoarselyandwithimmediatesuspicion。
　　"Ioughttohaveexplained，"saidTommy。"Hedidn'tbuythetickets。"Theburglarsatagainandtoyedwiththewishbone。
　　"Whydoyouburglehouses？"askedtheboy，wonderingly。
　　"Because，"repliedtheburglar，withasuddenflowoftears。"Godblessmylittlebrown-bairedboyBessieathome。"
　　"Ah，"saidTommy，wrinklinghisnose，"yougotthatanswerinthewrongplace。Youwanttotellyourhard-
　　luckstorybeforeyoupulloutthechildstop。"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidtheburglar，"Iforgot。Well，onceIlivedinMilwaukee，and——"
　　"Takethesilver，"saidTommy，risingfromhischair。
　　"Holdon，"saidtheburglar。"ButImovedaway。"
　　Icouldfindnootheremployment。ForawhileIman-
　　agedtosupportmywifeandchildbypassingconfederatemoney；but，alas!Iwasforcedtogivethatupbecauseitdidnotbelongtotheunion。Ibecamedesperateandaburglar。"
　　"Haveyoueverfallenintothehandsofthepolice？"
　　askedTommy。
　　"Isaid'burglar，'not'beggar，'"answeredthecracksman。
　　"Afteryoufinishyourlunch，"saidTommy，"andexperiencetheusualchangeOfheart，howshallwewindupthestory？"
　　"Suppose，"saidtheburglar，thoughtfully，"thatTonyPastorturnsoutearlierthanusualto-night，andyourfathergetsinfrom'Parsifal'at10。30。IamthoroughlyrepentantbecauseyouhavemademethinkofmyownlittleboyBessie，and——"
　　"Say，"saidTommy，"haven'tyougotthatwrong？"
　　"NotonyourcolouredcrayondrawingsbyB。CoryKilvert，"saidtheburglar。"It'salwaysaBessiethatIhaveathome，artlesslyprattlingtothepale-checkedburglar'sbride。AsIwassaying，yourfatheropensthefrontdoorjustasIamdepartingwithadmonitionsandsandwichesthatyouhavewrappedupforme。UponrecognizingmeasanoldHarvardclassmatehestartsbackin——"
　　"Notinsurprise？"interruptedTommy，withwide，openeyes。
　　"Hestartsbackinthedoorway，"continuedtheburglar。
　　Andthenherosetohisfeetandbegantoshout"Rah，rah，rah!rah，rah，rah!rah，rah，rah!"
　　"Well，"saidTommy，wonderingly，"that's，thefirsttimeIeverknewaburglartogiveacollegeyellwhenhewasburglarizingahouse，eveninastory。"
　　"That'soneonyou，"saidtheburglar，withalaugh。
　　"Iwaspractisingthedramatization。Ifthisisputonthestagethatcollegetouchisabouttheonlythingthatwillmakeitgo。"
　　Tommylookedhisadmiration。
　　"You'reon，allright，"hesaid。
　　"Andthere'sanothermistalzeyou'vemade，"saidtheburglar。"Youshouldhavegonesometimeagoandbroughtmethe$9goldpieceyourmothergaveyouonyourbirthdaytotaketoBessie。"
　　"Butshedidn'tgiveittometotaketoBessie，"saidTommy，pouting。
　　"Come，come!"saidtheburglar，sternly。"It'snotniceofyoutotakeadvantagebecausethestorycontainsanambiguoussentence。YouknowwhatImean。It'smightylittleIgetoutofthesefictionaljobs，anyhow。I
　　losealltheloot，andIhavetoreformeverytime；andalltheswagI'mallowedistheblamedlittlefol-de-rolsandluck-piecesthatyoukidshandover。Why，inonestory，allIgotwasakissfromalittlegirlwhocameinonmewhenIwasopeningasafe。Andittastedofmolassescandy，too。I'veagoodnotiontotiethistablecoveroveryourheadandkeeponintothesilver-closet。"