HewasnolongerEdgarByrne。Hewasatorturedsoulsufferingmoreanguishthananysinner'sbodyhadeversufferedfromrackorboot。ThedepthofhistormentmaybemeasuredwhenIsaythatthisyoungman，asbraveatleastastheaverageofhiskind，contemplatedseizingapistolandfiringintohisownhead。Butadeadly，chilly，langourwasspreadingoverhislimbs。Itwasasifhisfleshhadbeenwetplasterstiffeningslowlyabouthisribs。
　　Presently，hethought，thetwowitcheswillbecomingin，withcrutchandstick-horrible，grotesque，monstrous-affiliatedtothedevil-toputamarkonhisforehead，thetinylittlebruiseofdeath。Andhewouldn'tbeabletodoanything。Tomhadstruckoutatsomething，buthewasnotlikeTom。Hislimbsweredeadalready。Hesatstill，dyingthedeathoverandoveragain；andtheonlypartofhimwhichmovedwerehiseyes，turningroundandroundintheirsockets，runningoverthewalls，thefloor，theceiling，againandagaintillsuddenlytheybecamemotionlessandstony-startingoutofhisheadfixedinthedirectionofthebed。
　　Hehadseentheheavycurtainsstirandshakeasifthedeadbodytheyconcealedhadturnedoverandsatup。Byrne，whothoughttheworldcouldholdnomoreterrorsinstore，felthishairstirattheroots。Hegrippedthearmsofthechair，hisjawfell，andthesweatbrokeoutonhisbrowwhilehisdrytongueclovesuddenlytotheroofofhismouth。Againthecurtainsstirred，butdidnotopen。"Don't，Tom!"Byrnemadeefforttoshout，butallheheardwasaslightmoansuchasanuneasysleepermaymake。Hefeltthathisbrainwasgoing，for，now，itseemedtohimthattheceilingoverthebedhadmoved，hadslanted，andcamelevelagain-andoncemoretheclosedcurtainsswayedgentlyasifabouttopart。
　　Byrneclosedhiseyesnottoseetheawfulapparitionoftheseaman'scorpsecomingoutanimatedbyanevilspirit。Intheprofoundsilenceoftheroomheenduredamomentoffrightfulagony，thenopenedhiseyesagain。Andhesawatoncethatthecurtainsremainedclosedstill，butthattheceilingoverthebedhadrisenquiteafoot。Withthelastgleamofreasonlefttohimheunderstoodthatitwastheenormousbaldaquinoverthebedwhichwascomingdown，whilethecurtainsattachedtoitswayedsoftly，sinkinggraduallytothefloor。Hisdroopingjawsnappedto-andhalfrisinginhischairhewatchedmutelythenoiselessdescentofthemonstrouscanopy。Itcamedowninshortsmoothrushestillloweredhalfwayormore，whenittookarunandsettledswiftlyitsturtle-backshapewiththedeepborderpiecefittingexactlytheedgeofthebedstead。Aslightcrackortwoofwoodwereheard，andtheoverpoweringstillnessoftheroomresumeditssway。
　　Byrnestoodup，gaspedforbreath，andletoutacryofrageanddismay，thefirstsoundwhichheisperfectlycertaindidmakeitswaypasthislipsonthisnightofterrors。Thisthenwasthedeathhehadescaped!ThiswasthedevilishartificeofmurderpoorTom'ssoulhadperhapstriedfrombeyondthebordertowarnhimof。Forthiswashowhehaddied。Byrnewascertainhehadheardthevoiceoftheseaman，faintlydistinctinhisfamiliarphrase，"Mr。Byrne!Lookout，sir!"andagainutteringwordshecouldnotmakeout。Butthenthedistanceseparatingthelivingfromthedeadissogreat!PoorTomhadtried。Byrnerantothebedandattemptedtoliftup，topushoffthehorriblelidsmotheringthebody。Itresistedhisefforts，heavyaslead，immovablelikeatombstone。Therageofvengeancemadehimdesist；
　　hisheadbuzzedwithchaoticthoughtsofextermination，heturnedroundtheroomasifhecouldfindneitherhisweaponsnorthewayout；andallthetimehestammeredawfulmenaces……
　　Aviolentbatteringatthedooroftheinnrecalledhimtohissoberersenses。Heflewtothewindowpulledtheshuttersopen，andlookedout。Inthefaintdawnhesawbelowhimamobofmen。
　　Ha!Hewouldgoandfaceatoncethismurderouslotcollectednodoubtforhisundoing。Afterhisstrugglewithnamelessterrorsheyearnedforanopenfraywitharmedenemies。Buthemusthaveremainedyetbereftofhisreason，becauseforgettinghisweaponsherusheddownstairswithawildcry，unbarredthedoorwhileblowswererainingonitoutside，andflingingitopenflewwithhisbarehandsatthethroatofthefirstmanhesawbeforehim。Theyrolledovertogether。Byrne'shazyintentionwastobreakthrough，toflyupthemountainpath，andcomebackpresentlywithGonzales'
　　mentoexactanexemplaryvengeance。Hefoughtfuriouslytillatree，ahouse，amountain，seemedtocrashdownuponhishead-andheknewnomore。
　　*****
　　HereMr。Byrnedescribesindetailtheskilfulmannerinwhichhefoundhisbrokenheadbandaged，informsusthathehadlostagreatdealofblood，andascribesthepreservationofhissanitytothatcircumstance。HesetsdownGonzales'profuseapologiesinfulltoo。ForitwasGonzaleswho，tiredofwaitingfornewsfromtheEnglish，hadcomedowntotheinnwithhalfhisband，onhiswaytothesea。"Hisexcellency，"heexplained，"rushedoutwithfierceimpetuosity，and，moreover，wasnotknowntousforafriend，andsowe……etc。，etc。Whenaskedwhathadbecomeofthewitches，heonlypointedhisfingersilentlytotheground，thenvoicedcalmlyamoralreflection:"Thepassionforgoldispitilessintheveryold，senor，"hesaid。"Nodoubtinformerdaystheyhaveputmanyasolitarytravellertosleepinthearchbishop'sbed。"
　　"Therewasalsoagipsygirlthere，"saidByrnefeeblyfromtheimprovisedlitteronwhichhewasbeingcarriedtothecoastbyasquadofguerilleros。
　　"Itwasshewhowinchedupthatinfernalmachine，anditwasshetoowholowereditthatnight，"wastheanswer。
　　"Butwhy？Why？"exclaimedByrne。"Whyshouldshewishformydeath？"
　　"Nodoubtforthesakeofyourexcellency'scoatbuttons，"saidpolitelythesaturnineGonzales。"Wefoundthoseofthedeadmarinerconcealedonherperson。Butyourexcellencymayrestassuredthateverythingthatisfittinghasbeendoneonthisoccasion。"
　　Byrneaskednomorequestions。TherewasstillanotherdeathwhichwasconsideredbyGonzalesas"fittingtotheoccasion。"Theone-
　　eyedBernardinostuckagainstthewallofhiswine-shopreceivedthechargeofsixescopettasintohisbreast。AstheshotsrangouttheroughbierwithTom'sbodyonitwentpastcarriedbyabandit-likegangofSpanishpatriotsdowntheravinetotheshore，wheretwoboatsfromtheshipwerewaitingforwhatwasleftonearthofherbestseaman。
　　Mr。Byrne，verypaleandweak，steppedintotheboatwhichcarriedthebodyofhishumblefriend。ForitwasdecidedthatTomCorbinshouldrestfaroutinthebayofBiscay。Theofficertookthetillerand，turninghisheadforthelastlookattheshore，sawonthegreyhillsidesomethingmoving，whichhemadeouttobealittlemaninayellowhatmountedonamule-thatmulewithoutwhichthefateofTomCorbinwouldhaveremainedmysteriousforever。
　　June，1913。
　　BECAUSEOFTHEDOLLARS
　　CHAPTERI
　　Whilewewerehangingaboutnearthewater'sedge，assailorsidlingashorewilldoitwasintheopenspacebeforetheHarbourOfficeofagreatEasternport，amancametowardsusfromthe"front"ofbusinesshouses，aimingobliquelyatthelandingsteps。
　　Heattractedmyattentionbecauseinthemovementoffiguresinwhitedrillsuitsonthepavementfromwhichhestepped，hiscostume，theusualtunicandtrousers，beingmadeoflightgreyflannel，madehimnoticeable。
　　Ihadtimetoobservehim。Hewasstout，buthewasnotgrotesque。
　　Hisfacewasroundandsmooth，hiscomplexionveryfair。OnhisnearerapproachIsawalittlemoustachemadeallthefairerbyagoodmanywhitehairs。Andhehad，forastoutman，quiteagoodchin。InpassingusheexchangednodswiththefriendIwaswithandsmiled。
　　MyfriendwasHollis，thefellowwhohadsomanyadventuresandhadknownsomanyqueerpeopleinthatpartofthemoreorless
　　gorgeousEastinthedaysofhisyouth。Hesaid:"That'sagoodman。Idon'tmeangoodinthesenseofsmartorskilfulinhistrade。ImeanareallyGOODman。"
　　Iturnedroundatoncetolookatthephenomenon。The"reallyGOOD
　　man"hadaverybroadback。Isawhimsignalasampantocomealongside，getintoit，andgooffinthedirectionofaclusteroflocalsteamersanchoredcloseinshore。
　　Isaid:"He'saseaman，isn'the？"
　　"Yes。Commandsthatbiggishdark-greensteamer:'Sissie-
　　Glasgow。'Hehasnevercommandedanythingelsebutthe'Sissie-
　　Glasgow，'onlyitwasn'talwaysthesameSissie。Thefirsthehadwasabouthalfthelengthofthisone，andweusedtotellpoorDavidsonthatshewasasizetoosmallforhim。EvenatthattimeDavidsonhadbulk。Wewarnedhimhewouldgetcallositiesonhisshouldersandelbowsbecauseofthetightfitofhiscommand。AndDavidsoncouldwellaffordthesmileshegaveusforourchaff。Hemadelotsofmoneyinher。ShebelongedtoaportlyChinamanresemblingamandarininapicture-book，withgogglesandthindroopingmoustaches，andasdignifiedasonlyaCelestialknowshowtobe。
　　"ThebestofChinamenasemployersisthattheyhavesuchgentlemanlyinstincts。Oncetheybecomeconvincedthatyouareastraightman，theygiveyoutheirunboundedconfidence。Yousimplycan'tdowrong，then。Andtheyareprettyquickjudgesofcharacter，too。Davidson'sChinamanwasthefirsttofindouthisworth，onsometheoreticalprinciple。Onedayinhiscounting-
　　house，beforeseveralwhitemenhewasheardtodeclare:'CaptainDavidsonisagoodman。'Andthatsettledit。Afterthatyoucouldn'ttellifitwasDavidsonwhobelongedtotheChinamanortheChinamanwhobelongedtoDavidson。Itwashewho，shortlybeforehedied，orderedinGlasgowthenewSissieforDavidsontocommand。"
　　WewalkedintotheshadeoftheHarbourOfficeandleanedourelbowsontheparapetofthequay。
　　"ShewasreallymeanttocomfortpoorDavidson，"continuedHollis。
　　"Canyoufancyanythingmorenaivelytouchingthanthisoldmandarinspendingseveralthousandpoundstoconsolehiswhiteman？
　　Well，theresheis。Theoldmandarin'ssonshaveinheritedher，andDavidsonwithher；andhecommandsher；andwhatwithhissalaryandtradingprivilegeshemakesalotofmoney；andeverythingisasbefore；andDavidsonevensmiles-youhaveseenit？Well，thesmile'stheonlythingwhichisn'tasbefore。"
　　"Tellme，Hollis，"Iasked，"whatdoyoumeanbygoodinthisconnection？"
　　"Well，therearemenwhoareborngoodjustasothersarebornwitty。WhatImeanishisnature。Nosimpler，morescrupulouslydelicatesoulhadeverlivedinsucha-a-comfortableenvelope。
　　HowweusedtolaughatDavidson'sfinescruples!Inshort，he'sthoroughlyhumane，andIdon'timaginetherecanbemuchofanyothersortofgoodnessthatcountsonthisearth。Andashe'sthatwithashadeofparticularrefinement，Imaywellcallhima'REALLYgoodman。'"
　　IknewfromoldthatHolliswasafirmbelieverinthefinalvalueofshades。AndIsaid:"Isee"-becauseIreallydidseeHollis'sDavidsoninthesympatheticstoutmanwhohadpassedusalittlewhilebefore。ButIrememberedthatattheverymomenthesmiledhisplacidfaceappearedveiledinmelancholy-asortofspiritualshadow。Iwenton。
　　"Whoonearthhaspaidhimoffforbeingsofinebyspoilinghissmile？"
　　"That'squiteastory，andIwilltellittoyouifyoulike。
　　Confoundit!It'squiteasurprisingone，too。Surprisingineveryway，butmostlyinthewayitknockedoverpoorDavidson-
　　andapparentlyonlybecauseheissuchagoodsort。Hewastellingmeallaboutitonlyafewdaysago。Hesaidthatwhenhesawthesefourfellowswiththeirheadsinabunchoverthetable，heatoncedidn'tlikeit。Hedidn'tlikeitatall。Youmustn'tsupposethatDavidsonisasoftfool。Thesemen-
　　"ButIhadbetterbeginatthebeginning。WemustgobacktothefirsttimetheolddollarshadbeencalledinbyourGovernmentinexchangeforanewissue。JustaboutthetimewhenIleftthesepartstogohomeforalongstay。Everytraderintheislandswasthinkingofgettinghisolddollarssentuphereintime，andthedemandforemptyFrenchwinecases-youknowthedozenofvermouthorclaretsize-wassomethingunprecedented。Thecustomwastopackthedollarsinlittlebagsofahundredeach。Idon'tknowhowmanybagseachcasewouldhold。Agoodlot。Prettytidysumsmusthavebeenmovingafloatjustthen。Butletusgetawayfromhere。Won'tdotostayinthesun。Wherecouldwe-？Iknow!
　　letusgotothosetiffin-roomsoverthere。"
　　Wemovedoveraccordingly。OurappearanceinthelongemptyroomatthatearlyhourcausedvisibleconsternationamongsttheChinaboys。ButHollisledthewaytooneofthetablesbetweenthewindowsscreenedbyrattanblinds。Abrillianthalf-lighttrembledontheceiling，onthewhitewashedwalls，bathedthemultitudeofvacantchairsandtablesinapeculiar，stealthyglow。
　　"Allright。Wewillgetsomethingtoeatwhenit'sready，"hesaid，wavingtheanxiousChinamanwaiteraside。Hetookhistemplestouchedwithgreybetweenhishands，leaningoverthetabletobringhisface，hisdark，keeneyes，closertomine。
　　"DavidsonthenwascommandingthesteamerSissie-thelittleonewhichweusedtochaffhimabout。Heranheralone，withonlytheMalayserangforadeckofficer。Thenearestapproachtoanotherwhitemanonboardofherwastheengineer，aPortuguesehalf-
　　caste，asthinasalathandquiteayoungsteratthat。ForallpracticalpurposesDavidsonwasmanagingthatcommandofhissingle-handed；andofcoursethiswasknownintheport。Iamtellingyouofitbecausethefacthaditsinfluenceonthedevelopmentsyoushallhearofpresently。
　　"Hissteamer，beingsosmall，couldgouptinycreeksandintoshallowbaysandthroughreefsandoversand-banks，collectingproduce，wherenoothervesselbutanativecraftwouldthinkofventuring。Itisapayinggame，often。Davidsonwasknowntovisitinherplacesthatnooneelsecouldfindandthathardlyanybodyhadeverheardof。
　　"Theolddollarsbeingcalledin，Davidson'sChinamanthoughtthattheSissiewouldbejustthethingtocollectthemfromsmalltradersinthelessfrequentedpartsoftheArchipelago。It'sagoodbusiness。Suchcasesofdollarsaredumpedaftintheship'slazarette，andyougetgoodfreightforverylittletroubleandspace。
　　"Davidson，too，thoughtitwasagoodidea；andtogethertheymadeupalistofhiscallsonhisnexttrip。ThenDavidsonhehadnaturallythechartofhisvoyagesinhisheadremarkedthatonhiswaybackhemightlookinatacertainsettlementupamerecreek，whereapoorsortofwhitemanlivedinanativevillage。
　　DavidsonpointedouttohisChinamanthatthefellowwascertaintohavesomerattanstoship。
　　"'Probablyenoughtofillherforward，'saidDavidson。'Andthat'llbebetterthanbringingherbackwithemptyholds。Adaymoreorlessdoesn'tmatter。'
　　"Thiswassoundtalk，andtheChinamanownercouldnotbutagree。
　　Butifithadn'tbeensounditwouldhavebeenjustthesame。
　　Davidsondidwhatheliked。Hewasamanthatcoulddonowrong。
　　However，thissuggestionofhiswasnotmerelyabusinessmatter。
　　TherewasinitatouchofDavidsoniankindness。ForyoumustknowthatthemancouldnothavecontinuedtolivequietlyupthatcreekifithadnotbeenforDavidson'swillingnesstocalltherefromtimetotime。AndDavidson'sChinamanknewthisperfectlywell，too。Soheonlysmiledhisdignified，blandsmile，andsaid:'Allright，Captain。Youdowhatyoulike。'
　　"IwillexplainpresentlyhowthisconnectionbetweenDavidsonandthatfellowcameabout。NowIwanttotellyouaboutthepartofthisaffairwhichhappenedhere-thepreliminariesofit。
　　"YouknowaswellasIdothatthesetiffin-roomswherewearesittingnowhavebeeninexistenceformanyyears。Well，nextdayabouttwelveo'clock，Davidsondroppedinheretogetsomethingtoeat。
　　"Andherecomestheonlymomentinthisstorywhereaccident-mereaccident-playsapart。IfDavidsonhadgonehomethatdayfortiffin，therewouldbenow，aftertwelveyearsormore，nothingchangedinhiskindly，placidsmile。
　　"Buthecameinhere；andperhapsitwassittingatthisverytablethatheremarkedtoafriendofminethathisnexttripwastobeadollar-collectingtrip。Headded，laughing，thathiswifewasmakingratherafussaboutit。Shehadbeggedhimtostayashoreandgetsomebodyelsetotakehisplaceforavoyage。Shethoughttherewassomedangeronaccountofthedollars。Hetoldher，hesaid，thattherewerenoJava-seapiratesnowadaysexceptinboys'
　　books。Hehadlaughedatherfears，buthewasverysorry，too；
　　forwhenshetookanynotioninherheaditwasimpossibletoargueheroutofit。Shewouldbeworryingherselfallthetimehewasaway。Well，hecouldn'thelpit。Therewasnooneashorefittotakehisplaceforthetrip。
　　"ThisfriendofmineandIwenthometogetherinthesamemail-
　　boat，andhementionedthatconversationoneeveningintheRedSeawhileweweretalkingoverthethingsandpeoplewehadjustleft，withmoreorlessregret。
　　"Ican'tsaythatDavidsonoccupiedaveryprominentplace。Moralexcellenceseldomdoes。Hewasquietlyappreciatedbythosewhoknewhimwell；buthismoreobviousdistinctionconsistedinthis，thathewasmarried。Ours，asyouremember，wasabachelorcrowd；
　　inspiritanyhow，ifnotabsolutelyinfact。Theremighthavebeenafewwivesinexistence，butifsotheywereinvisible，distant，neveralludedto。Forwhatwouldhavebeenthegood？Davidsonalonewasvisiblymarried。
　　"Beingmarriedsuitedhimexactly。Itfittedhimsowellthatthewildestofusdidnotresentthefactwhenitwasdisclosed。
　　Directlyhehadfelthisfeetouthere，Davidsonsentforhiswife。
　　ShecameoutfromWestAustraliaintheSomerset，underthecareofCaptainRitchie-youknow，Monkey-faceRitchie-whocouldn'tpraiseenoughhersweetness，hergentleness，andhercharm。Sheseemedtobetheheaven-bornmateforDavidson。Shefoundonarrivalaveryprettybungalowonthehill，readyforherandthelittlegirltheyhad。Verysoonhegotforheratwo-wheeledtrapandaBurmahpony，andsheusedtodrivedownofaneveningtopickupDavidson，onthequay。WhenDavidson，beaming，gotintothetrap，itwouldbecomeveryfullallatonce。
　　"WeusedtoadmireMrs。Davidsonfromadistance。Itwasagirlishheadoutofakeepsake。Fromadistance。Wehadnotmanyopportunitiesforacloserview，becauseshedidnotcaretogivethemtous。WewouldhavebeengladtodropinattheDavidsonbungalow，butweweremadetofeelsomehowthatwewerenotverywelcomethere。Notthatsheeversaidanythingungracious。Sheneverhadmuchtosayforherself。IwasperhapstheonewhosawmostoftheDavidsonsathome。WhatInoticedunderthesuperficialaspectofvapidsweetnesswasherconvex，obstinateforehead，andhersmall，red，pretty，ungenerousmouth。ButthenI
　　amanobserverwithstrongprejudices。Mostofuswerefetchedbyherwhite，swan-likeneck，bythatdrooping，innocentprofile。
　　TherewasalotoflatentdevotiontoDavidson'swifehereabouts，atthattime，Icantellyou。Butmyideawasthatsherepaiditbyaprofoundsuspicionofthesortofmenwewere；amistrustwhichextended-Ifancied-toherveryhusbandattimes。AndI
　　thoughtthenshewasjealousofhiminaway；thoughtherewerenowomenthatshecouldbejealousabout。Shehadnowomen'ssociety。
　　It'sdifficultforashipmaster'swifeunlessthereareothershipmasters'wivesabout，andtherewerenoneherethen。Iknowthatthedockmanager'swifecalledonher；butthatwasall。ThefellowshereformedtheopinionthatMrs。Davidsonwasameek，shylittlething。Shelookedit，Imustsay。AndthisopinionwassouniversalthatthefriendIhavebeentellingyouofrememberedhisconversationwithDavidsonsimplybecauseofthestatementaboutDavidson'swife。Heevenwonderedtome:'FancyMrs。Davidsonmakingafusstothatextent。Shedidn'tseemtomethesortofwomanthatwouldknowhowtomakeafussaboutanything。'
　　"Iwondered，too-butnotsomuch。Thatbumpyforehead-eh？I
　　hadalwayssuspectedherofbeingsilly。AndIobservedthatDavidsonmusthavebeenvexedbythisdisplayofwifelyanxiety。
　　"Myfriendsaid:'No。Heseemedrathertouchedanddistressed。
　　Therereallywasnoonehecouldasktorelievehim；mainlybecauseheintendedtomakeacallinsomeGod-forsakencreek，tolookupafellowofthenameofBamtzwhoapparentlyhadsettledthere。'
　　"Andagainmyfriendwondered。'Tellme，'hecried，'whatconnectioncantherebebetweenDavidsonandsuchacreatureasBamtz？'
　　"Idon'tremembernowwhatanswerImade。Asufficientonecouldhavebeengivenintwowords:'Davidson'sgoodness。'THATneverboggledatunworthinessiftherewastheslightestreasonforcompassion。Idon'twantyoutothinkthatDavidsonhadnodiscriminationatall。Bamtzcouldnothaveimposedonhim。
　　Moreover，everybodyknewwhatBamtzwas。Hewasaloaferwithabeard。WhenIthinkofBamtz，thefirstthingIseeisthatlongblackbeardandalotofpropitiatorywrinklesatthecornersoftwolittleeyes。TherewasnosuchbeardfromheretoPolynesia，whereabeardisavaluablepropertyinitself。Bamtz'sbeardwasvaluabletohiminanotherway。YouknowhowimpressedOrientalsarebyafinebeard。Yearsandyearsago，Iremember，thegraveAbdullah，thegreattraderofSambir，unabletorepresssignsofastonishmentandadmirationatthefirstsightofthatimposingbeard。Andit'sverywellknownthatBamtzlivedonAbdullahoffandonforseveralyears。Itwasauniquebeard，andsowasthebearerofthesame。Auniqueloafer。Hemadeafineartofit，orratherasortofcraftandmystery。Onecanunderstandafellowlivingbycadgingandsmallswindlesintowns，inlargecommunitiesofpeople；butBamtzmanagedtodothattrickinthewilderness，toloafontheoutskirtsofthevirginforest。
　　"Heunderstoodhowtoingratiatehimselfwiththenatives。Hewouldarriveinsomesettlementupariver，makeapresentofacheapcarbineorapairofshoddybinoculars，orsomethingofthatsort，totheRajah，orthehead-man，ortheprincipaltrader；andonthestrengthofthatgift，askforahouse，posingmysteriouslyasaveryspecialtrader。Hewouldspinthemnoendofyarns，liveonthefatoftheland，forawhile，andthendosomemeanswindleorother-orelsetheywouldgettiredofhimandaskhimtoquit。
　　Andhewouldgooffmeeklywithanairofinjuredinnocence。Funnylife。Yet，henevergothurtsomehow。I'veheardoftheRajahofDongalagivinghimfiftydollars'worthoftradegoodsandpayinghispassageinaprauonlytogetridofhim。Fact。AndobservethatnothingpreventedtheoldfellowhavingBamtz'sthroatcutandthecarcasethrownintodeepwateroutsidethereefs；forwhoonearthwouldhaveinquiredafterBamtz？
　　"HehadbeenknowntoloafupanddownthewildernessasfarnorthastheGulfofTonkin。Neitherdidhedisdainaspellofcivilisationfromtimetotime。AnditwaswhileloafingandcadginginSaigon，beardedanddignifiedhegavehimselfoutthereasabookkeeper，thathecameacrossLaughingAnne。
　　"Thelesssaidofherearlyhistorythebetter，butsomethingmustbesaid。WemaysafelysupposetherewasverylittleheartleftinherfamouslaughwhenBamtzspokefirsttoherinsomelowcafe。
　　ShewasstrandedinSaigonwithpreciouslittlemoneyandingreattroubleaboutakidshehad，aboyoffiveorsix。
　　"AfellowIjustremember，whomtheycalledPearlerHarry，broughtheroutfirstintotheseparts-fromAustralia，Ibelieve。Hebroughtheroutandthendroppedher，andsheremainedknockingabouthereandthere，knowntomostofusbysight，atanyrate。
　　EverybodyintheArchipelagohadheardofLaughingAnne。Shehadreallyapleasantsilverylaughalwaysatherdisposal，sotospeak，butitwasn'tenoughapparentlytomakeherfortune。Thepoorcreaturewasreadytosticktoanyhalf-decentmanifhewouldonlylether，butshealwaysgotdropped，asitmighthavebeenexpected。
　　"ShehadbeenleftinSaigonbytheskipperofaGermanshipwithwhomshehadbeengoingupanddowntheChinacoastasfarasVladivostokfornearupontwoyears。TheGermansaidtoher:
　　'Thisisallover，MEINTAUBCHEN。IamgoinghomenowtogetmarriedtothegirlIgotengagedtobeforecomingouthere。'AndAnnesaid:'Allright，I'mreadytogo。Wepartfriends，don'twe？'
　　"Shewasalwaysanxioustopartfriends。TheGermantoldherthatofcoursetheywerepartingfriends。Helookedratherglumatthemomentofparting。Shelaughedandwentashore。
　　"Butitwasnolaughingmatterforher。Shehadsomenotionthatthiswouldbeherlastchance。Whatfrightenedhermostwasthefutureofherchild。ShehadleftherboyinSaigonbeforegoingoffwiththeGerman，inthecareofanelderlyFrenchcouple。ThehusbandwasadoorkeeperinsomeGovernmentoffice，buthistimewasup，andtheywerereturningtoFrance。Shehadtotaketheboybackfromthem；andaftershehadgothimback，shedidnotliketopartwithhimanymore。
　　"ThatwasthesituationwhensheandBamtzgotacquaintedcasually。
　　Shecouldnothavehadanyillusionsaboutthatfellow。TopickupwithBamtzwascomingdownprettylowintheworld，evenfromamaterialpointofview。Shehadalwaysbeendecent，inherway；
　　whereasBamtzwas，nottomincewords，anabjectsortofcreature。
　　Ontheotherhand，thatbeardedloafer，wholookedmuchmorelikeapiratethanabookkeeper，wasnotabrute。Hewasgentle-rather-eveninhiscups。Andthen，despair，likemisfortune，makesusacquaintedwithstrangebed-fellows。Forshemaywellhavedespaired。Shewasnolongeryoung-youknow。
　　"Ontheman'ssidethisconjunctionismoredifficulttoexplain，perhaps。Onething，however，mustbesaidofBamtz；hehadalwayskeptclearofnativewomen。Asonecan'tsuspecthimofmoraldelicacy，Isurmisethatitmusthavebeenfromprudence。Andhe，too，wasnolongeryoung。Thereweremanywhitehairsinhisvaluableblackbeardbythen。Hemayhavesimplylongedforsomekindofcompanionshipinhisqueer，degradedexistence。Whatevertheirmotives，theyvanishedfromSaigontogether。Andofcoursenobodycaredwhathadbecomeofthem。
　　"SixmonthslaterDavidsoncameintotheMirrahSettlement。Itwastheveryfirsttimehehadbeenupthatcreek，wherenoEuropeanvesselhadeverbeenseenbefore。AJavanesepassengerhehadonboardofferedhimfiftydollarstocallinthere-itmusthavebeensomeveryparticularbusiness-andDavidsonconsentedtotry。
　　Fiftydollars，hetoldme，wereneitherherenorthere；buthewascurioustoseetheplace，andthelittleSissiecouldgoanywherewheretherewaswaterenoughtofloatasoup-plate。
　　"DavidsonlandedhisJavaneseplutocrat，and，ashehadtowaitacoupleofhoursforthetide，hewentashorehimselftostretchhislegs。
　　"Itwasasmallsettlement。Somesixtyhouses，mostofthembuiltonpilesovertheriver，therestscatteredinthelonggrass；theusualpathwayattheback；theforesthemmingintheclearingandsmotheringwhattheremighthavebeenofairintoadead，hotstagnation。
　　"Allthepopulationwasontheriver-bankstaringsilently，asMalayswilldo，attheSissieanchoredinthestream。Shewasalmostaswonderfultothemasanangel'svisit。Manyoftheoldpeoplehadonlyheardvaguelyoffire-ships，andnotmanyoftheyoungergenerationhadseenone。OnthebackpathDavidsonstrolledinperfectsolitude。Buthebecameawareofabadsmellandconcludedhewouldgonofarther。
　　"Whilehestoodwipinghisforehead，heheardfromsomewheretheexclamation:'MyGod!It'sDavy!'
　　"Davidson'slowerjaw，asheexpressedit，cameunhookedatthecryingofthisexcitedvoice。Davywasthenameusedbytheassociatesofhisyoungdays；hehadn'thearditformanyyears。
　　Hestaredaboutwithhismouthopenandsawawhitewomanissuefromthelonggrassinwhichasmallhutstoodburiednearlyuptotheroof。
　　"Trytoimaginetheshock:inthatwildplacethatyoucouldn'tfindonamap，andmoresqualidthanthemostpoverty-strickenMalaysettlementhadarighttobe，thisEuropeanwomancomingswishingoutofthelonggrassinafancifultea-gownthing，dingypinksatin，withalongtrainandfrayedlacetrimmings；hereyeslikeblackcoalsinapasty-whiteface。Davidsonthoughtthathewasasleep，thathewasdelirious。FromtheoffensivevillagemudholeitwaswhatDavidsonhadsniffedjustbeforeacoupleoffilthybuffaloesuprosewithloudsnortsandlumberedoffcrashingthroughthebushes，panic-struckbythisapparition。
　　"Thewomancameforward，herarmsextended，andlaidherhandsonDavidson'sshoulders，exclaiming:'Why!Youhavehardlychangedatall。ThesamegoodDavy。'Andshelaughedalittlewildly。
　　"ThissoundwastoDavidsonlikeagalvanicshocktoacorpse。Hestartedineverymuscle。'LaughingAnne，'hesaidinanawe-struckvoice。
　　"'Allthat'sleftofher，Davy。Allthat'sleftofher。'
　　"Davidsonlookedupatthesky；buttherewastobeseennoballoonfromwhichshecouldhavefallenonthatspot。Whenhebroughthisdistractedgazedown，itrestedonachildholdingonwithabrownlittlepawtothepinksatingown。Hehadrunoutofthegrassafterher。HadDavidsonseenarealhobgoblinhiseyescouldnothavebulgedmorethanatthissmallboyinadirtywhiteblouseandraggedknickers。Hehadaroundheadoftightchestnutcurls，verysunburntlegs，afreckledface，andmerryeyes。Admonishedbyhismothertogreetthegentleman，hefinishedoffDavidsonbyaddressinghiminFrench。
　　"'BONJOUR。'
　　"Davidson，overcome，lookedupatthewomaninsilence。Shesentthechildbacktothehut，andwhenhehaddisappearedinthegrass，sheturnedtoDavidson，triedtospeak，butaftergettingoutthewords，'That'smyTony，'burstintoalongfitofcrying。
　　ShehadtoleanonDavidson'sshoulder。He，distressedinthegoodnessofhisheart，stoodrootedtothespotwhereshehadcomeuponhim。
　　"Whatameeting-eh？Bamtzhadsentherouttoseewhatwhitemanitwaswhohadlanded。AndshehadrecognisedhimfromthattimewhenDavidson，whohadbeenpearlinghimselfinhisyouth，hadbeenassociatingwithHarrythePearlerandothers，thequietestofaratherrowdyset。
　　"BeforeDavidsonretracedhisstepstogoonboardthesteamer，hehadheardmuchofLaughingAnne'sstory，andhadevenhadaninterview，onthepath，withBamtzhimself。Sheranbacktothehuttofetchhim，andhecameoutlounging，withhishandsinhispockets，withthedetached，casualmannerunderwhichheconcealedhispropensitytocringe。Ya-a-as-as。Hethoughthewouldsettleherepermanently-withher。ThiswithanodatLaughingAnne，whostoodby，ahaggard，tragicallyanxiousfigure，herblackhairhangingoverhershoulders。
　　"'Nomorepaintanddyesforme，Davy，'shestruckin，'ifonlyyouwilldowhathewantsyoutodo。YouknowthatIwasalwaysreadytostandbymymen-iftheyhadonlyletme。'
　　"Davidsonhadnodoubtofherearnestness。ItwasofBamtz'sgoodfaiththathewasnotatallsure。BamtzwantedDavidsontopromisetocallatMirrahmoreorlessregularly。Hethoughthesawanopeningtodobusinesswithrattansthere，ifonlyhecoulddependonsomecrafttobringouttradinggoodsandtakeawayhisproduce。
　　"'Ihaveafewdollarstomakeastarton。Thepeopleareallright。'
　　"Hehadcomethere，wherehewasnotknown，inanativeprau，andhadmanaged，withhissedatemannerandtheexactlyrightkindofyarnheknewhowtotelltothenatives，toingratiatehimselfwiththechiefman。
　　"'TheOrangKayahasgivenmethatemptyhousetheretoliveinaslongasIwillstay，'addedBamtz。
　　"'Doit，Davy，'criedthewomansuddenly。'Thinkofthatpoorkid。'
　　"'Seenhim？'Cutelittlecustomer，'saidthereformedloaferinsuchatoneofinterestastosurpriseDavidsonintoakindlyglance。
　　"'Icertainlycandoit，'hedeclared。HethoughtofatfirstmakingsomestipulationastoBamtzbehavingdecentlytothewoman，buthisexaggerateddelicacyandalsotheconvictionthatsuchafellow'spromiseswereworthnothingrestrainedhim。Annewentalittledistancedownthepathwithhimtalkinganxiously。
　　"'It'sforthekid。HowcouldIhavekepthimwithmeifIhadtoknockaboutintowns？Herehewillneverknowthathismotherwasapaintedwoman。AndthisBamtzlikeshim。He'srealfondofhim。
　　IsupposeIoughttothankGodforthat。'
　　"DavidsonshudderedatanyhumancreaturebeingbroughtsolowastohavetothankGodforthefavoursoraffectionofaBamtz。
　　"'Anddoyouthinkthatyoucanmakeouttolivehere？'heaskedgently。
　　"'Can'tI？YouknowIhavealwaysstucktomenthroughthickandthintilltheyhadenoughofme。Andnowlookatme!ButinsideI
　　amasIalwayswas。Ihaveactedonthesquaretothemalloneafteranother。Onlytheydogettiredsomehow。Oh，Davy!Harryoughtnottohavecastmeoff。Itwashethatledmeastray。'
　　"DavidsonmentionedtoherthatHarrythePearlerhadbeendeadnowforsomeyears。Perhapsshehadheard？
　　"Shemadeasignthatshehadheard；andwalkedbythesideofDavidsoninsilencenearlytothebank。Thenshetoldhimthathermeetingwithhimhadbroughtbacktheoldtimestohermind。Shehadnotcriedforyears。Shewasnotacryingwomaneither。ItwashearingherselfcalledLaughingAnnethathadstartedhersobbinglikeafool。Harrywastheonlymanshehadloved。Theothers-
　　"Sheshruggedhershoulders。Butshepridedherselfonherloyaltytothesuccessivepartnersofherdismaladventures。Shehadneverplayedanytricksinherlife。Shewasapalworthhaving。Butmendidgettired。Theydidnotunderstandwomen。Shesupposedithadtobe。
　　"DavidsonwasattemptingaveiledwarningastoBamtz，butsheinterruptedhim。Sheknewwhatmenwere。Sheknewwhatthismanwaslike。Buthehadtakenwonderfullytothekid。AndDavidsondesistedwillingly，sayingtohimselfthatsurelypoorLaughingAnnecouldhavenoillusionsbythistime。Shewrunghishandhardatparting。
　　"'It'sforthekid，Davy-it'sforthekid。Isn'theabrightlittlechap？'
　　CHAPTERII
　　"AllthishappenedabouttwoyearsbeforethedaywhenDavidson，sittinginthisveryroom，talkedtomyfriend。Youwillseepresentlyhowthisroomcangetfull。Everyseat'llbeoccupied，andasyounotice，thetablesaresetclose，sothatthebacksofthechairsarealmosttouching。Thereisalsoagooddealofnoisytalkhereaboutoneo'clock。
　　"Idon'tsupposeDavidsonwastalkingveryloudly；butverylikelyhehadtoraisehisvoiceacrossthetabletomyfriend。Andhereaccident，mereaccident，putinitsworkbyprovidingapairoffineearsclosebehindDavidson'schair。Itwastentooneagainst，theownerofthesamehavingenoughchangeinhispocketstogethistiffinhere。Buthehad。Mostlikelyhadrookedsomebodyofafewdollarsatcardsovernight。HewasabrightcreatureofthenameofFector，aspare，short，jumpyfellowwitharedfaceandmuddyeyes。Hedescribedhimselfasajournalistascertainkindofwomengivethemselvesoutasactressesinthedockofapolice-court。
　　"Heusedtointroducehimselftostrangersasamanwithamissiontotrackoutabusesandfightthemwheneverfound。Hewouldalsohintthathewasamartyr。Andit'safactthathehadbeenkicked，horsewhipped，imprisoned，andhoundedwithignominyoutofprettywelleveryplacebetweenCeylonandShanghai，foraprofessionalblackmailer。
　　"Isuppose，inthattrade，you'vegottohaveactivewitsandsharpears。It'snotlikelythatheoverheardeverywordDavidsonsaidabouthisdollarcollectingtrip，butheheardenoughtosethiswitsatwork。
　　"HeletDavidsongoout，andthenhastenedawaydowntothenativeslumstoasortoflodging-housekeptinpartnershipbytheusualsortofPortugueseandaverydisreputableChinaman。MacaoHotel，itwascalled，butitwasmostlyagamblingdenthatoneusedtowarnfellowsagainst。Perhapsyouremember？
　　"There，theeveningbefore，Fectorhadmetapreciouscouple，apartnershipevenmorequeerthanthePortugueseandtheChinaman。
　　OneofthetwowasNiclaus-youknow。Why!thefellowwithaTartarmoustacheandayellowcomplexion，likeaMongolian，onlythathiseyesweresetstraightandhisfacewasnotsoflat。Onecouldn'ttellwhatbreedhewas。Anondescriptbeggar。Fromacertainangleyouwouldthinkaverybiliouswhiteman。AndI
　　daresayhewas。HeownedaMalayprauandcalledhimselfTheNakhoda，asonewouldsay:TheCaptain。Aha!Nowyouremember。
　　Hecouldn't，apparently，speakanyotherEuropeanlanguagethanEnglish，butheflewtheDutchflagonhisprau。
　　"TheotherwastheFrenchmanwithouthands。Yes。Theverysameweusedtoknowin'79inSydney，keepingalittletobaccoshopatthelowerendofGeorgeStreet。Yourememberthehugecarcasehunchedupbehindthecounter，thebigwhitefaceandthelongblackhairbrushedbackoffahighforeheadlikeabard's。Hewasalwaystryingtorollcigarettesonhiskneewithhisstumps，tellingendlessyarnsofPolynesiaandwhiningandcursinginturnabout'MONMALHEUR。'Hishandshadbeenblownawaybyadynamitecartridgewhilefishinginsomelagoon。Thisaccident，Ibelieve，hadmadehimmorewickedthanbefore，whichissayingagooddeal。
　　"Hewasalwaystalkingabout'resuminghisactivities'someday，whatevertheywere，ifhecouldonlygetanintelligentcompanion。
　　Itwasevidentthatthelittleshopwasnofieldforhisactivities，andthesicklywomanwithherfacetiedup，whousedtolookinsometimesthroughthebackdoor，wasnocompanionforhim。
　　"And，trueenough，hevanishedfromSydneybeforelong，aftersometroublewiththeExcisefellowsabouthisstock。Goodsstolenoutofawarehouseorsomethingsimilar。Heleftthewomanbehind，buthemusthavesecuredsomesortofcompanion-hecouldnothaveshiftedforhimself；butwhomhewentawaywith，andwhere，andwhatothercompanionshemighthavepickedupafterwards，itisimpossibletomaketheremotestguessabout。
　　"WhyexactlyhecamethiswayIcan'ttell。TowardstheendofmytimeherewebegantoheartalkofamaimedFrenchmanwhohadbeenseenhereandthere。ButnooneknewthenthathehadforegatheredwithNiclausandlivedinhisprau。IdaresayheputNiclausuptoathingortwo。Anyhow，itwasapartnership。NiclauswassomewhatafraidoftheFrenchmanonaccountofhistempers，whichwereawful。Helookedthenlikeadevil；butamanwithouthands，unabletoloadorhandleaweapon，canatbestgoforoneonlywithhisteeth。FromthatdangerNiclausfeltcertainhecouldalwaysdefendhimself。
　　"Thecouplewerealonetogetherloafinginthecommon-roomofthatinfamoushotelwhenFectorturnedup。Aftersomebeatingaboutthebush，forhewasdoubtfulhowfarhecouldtrustthesetwo，herepeatedwhathehadoverheardinthetiffin-rooms。
　　"HistaledidnothavemuchsuccesstillhecametomentionthecreekandBamtz'sname。Niclaus，sailingaboutlikeanativeinaprau，was，inhisownwords，'familiarwiththelocality。'ThehugeFrenchman，walkingupanddowntheroomwithhisstumpsinthepocketsofhisjacket，stoppedshortinsurprise。'COMMENT？
　　BAMTZ!BAMTZ!'
　　"Hehadrunacrosshimseveraltimesinhislife。Heexclaimed:
　　'BAMTZ!MAISJENECONNAISQUECA!'AndheappliedsuchacontemptuouslyindecentepithettoBamtzthatwhen，later，healludedtohimas'UNECHIFFE'amereragitsoundedquitecomplimentary。'Wecandowithhimwhatwelike，'heassertedconfidently。'Oh，yes。Certainlywemusthastentopayavisittothat-'anotherawfuldescriptiveepithetquiteunfitforrepetition。'Deviltakemeifwedon'tpulloffacoupthatwillsetusallupforalongtime。'
　　"HesawallthatlotofdollarsmeltedintobarsanddisposedofsomewhereontheChinacoast。OftheescapeaftertheCOUPheneverdoubted。TherewasNiclaus'sprautomanagethatin。
　　"Inhisenthusiasmhepulledhisstumpsoutofhispocketsandwavedthemabout。Then，catchingsightofthem，asitwere，heheldtheminfrontofhiseyes，cursingandblasphemingandbewailinghismisfortuneandhishelplessness，tillNiclausquietedhimdown。
　　"Butitwashismindthatplannedouttheaffairanditwashisspiritwhichcarriedtheothertwoon。Neitherofthemwasoftheboldbuccaneertype；andFector，especially，hadneverinhisadventurouslifeusedotherweaponsthanslanderandlies。
　　"ThatveryeveningtheydepartedonavisittoBamtzinNiclaus'sprau，whichhadbeenlying，emptiedofhercargoofcocoanuts，foradayortwounderthecanalbridge。TheymusthavecrossedthebowsoftheanchoredSissie，andnodoubtlookedatherwithinterestasthesceneoftheirfutureexploit，thegreathaul，LE
　　GRANDCOUP!
　　"Davidson'swife，tohisgreatsurprise，sulkedwithhimforseveraldaysbeforeheleft。Idon'tknowwhetheritoccurredtohimthat，forallherangelicprofile，shewasaverystupidlyobstinategirl。Shedidn'tlikethetropics。Hehadbroughtheroutthere，whereshehadnofriends，andnow，shesaid，hewasbecominginconsiderate。Shehadapresentimentofsomemisfortune，andnotwithstandingDavidson'spainstakingexplanations，shecouldnotseewhyherpresentimentsweretobedisregarded。OntheverylasteveningbeforeDavidsonwentawaysheaskedhiminasuspiciousmanner:
　　"'Whyisitthatyouaresoanxioustogothistime？'
　　"'Iamnotanxious，'protestedthegoodDavidson。'Isimplycan'thelpmyself。There'snooneelsetogoinmyplace。'
　　"'Oh!There'snoone，'shesaid，turningawayslowly。
　　"ShewassodistantwithhimthateveningthatDavidsonfromasenseofdelicacymadeuphismindtosaygood-byetoheratonceandgoandsleeponboard。Hefeltverymiserableand，strangelyenough，moreonhisownaccountthanonaccountofhiswife。Sheseemedtohimmuchmoreoffendedthangrieved。
　　"Threeweekslater，havingcollectedagoodmanycasesofolddollarstheywerestowedaftinthelazarettewithanironbarandapadlocksecuringthehatchunderhiscabin-table，yes，withabiggerlotthanhehadexpectedtocollect，hefoundhimselfhomewardboundandofftheentranceofthecreekwhereBamtzlivedandeven，inasense，flourished。
　　"ItwassolateinthedaythatDavidsonactuallyhesitatedwhetherheshouldnotpassbythistime。HehadnoregardforBamtz，whowasadegradedbutnotareallyunhappyman。HispityforLaughingAnnewasnomorethanhercasedeserved。Buthisgoodnesswasofaparticularlydelicatesort。Herealisedhowthesepeopleweredependentonhim，andhowtheywouldfeeltheirdependenceifhefailedtoturnupthroughalongmonthofanxiouswaiting。
　　Promptedbyhissensitivehumanity，Davidson，inthegatheringdusk，turnedtheSissie'sheadtowardsthehardlydiscerniblecoast，andnavigatedhersafetythroughamazeofshallowpatches。
　　Butbythetimehegottothemouthofthecreekthenighthadcome。
　　"Thenarrowwaterwaylaylikeablackcuttingthroughtheforest。