Andastherewerealwaysgroundedsnaggsinthechannelwhichitwouldbeimpossibletomakeout，DavidsonveryprudentlyturnedtheSissieround，andwithonlyenoughsteamontheboilerstogiveheratouchaheadifnecessary，letherdriftupsternfirstwiththetide，silentandinvisibleintheimpenetrabledarknessandinthedumbstillness。
"Itwasalongjob，andwhenattheendoftwohoursDavidsonthoughthemustbeuptotheclearing，thesettlementsleptalready，thewholelandofforestsandriverswasasleep。
"Davidson，seeingasolitarylightinthemasseddarknessoftheshore，knewthatitwasburninginBamtz'shouse。Thiswasunexpectedatthistimeofthenight，butconvenientasaguide。
ByaturnofthescrewandatouchofthehelmhesheeredtheSissiealongsideBamtz'swharf-amiserablestructureofadozenpilesandafewplanks，ofwhichtheex-vagabondwasveryproud。A
coupleofKalashesjumpeddownonit，tookaturnwiththeropesthrowntothemroundtheposts，andtheSissiecametorestwithoutasingleloudwordortheslightestnoise。Andjustintimetoo，forthetideturnedevenbeforeshewasproperlymoored。
"Davidsonhadsomethingtoeat，andthen，comingondeckforalastlookround，noticedthatthelightwasstillburninginthehouse。
"Thiswasveryunusual，butsincetheywereawakesolate，Davidsonthoughtthathewouldgouptosaythathewasinahurrytobeoffandtoaskthatwhatrattanstherewereinstoreshouldbesentonboardwiththefirstsignofdawn。
"Hesteppedcarefullyovertheshakyplanks，notbeinganxioustogetasprainedankle，andpickedhiswayacrossthewastegroundtothefootofthehouseladder。Thehousewasbutaglorifiedhutonpiles，unfencedandlonely。
"Likemanyastoutman，Davidsonisverylightfooted。Heclimbedthesevenstepsorso，steppedacrossthebambooplatformquietly，butwhathesawthroughthedoorwaystoppedhimshort。
"Fourmenweresittingbythelightofasolitarycandle。Therewasabottle，ajugandglassesonthetable，buttheywerenotengagedindrinking。Twopacksofcardswerelyingtheretoo，buttheywerenotpreparingtoplay。Theyweretalkingtogetherinwhispers，andremainedquiteunawareofhim。Hehimselfwastooastonishedtomakeasoundforsometime。Theworldwasstill，exceptforthesibilationofthewhisperingheadsbunchedtogetheroverthetable。
"AndDavidson，asIhavequotedhimtoyoubefore，didn'tlikeit。
Hedidn'tlikeitatall。
"Thesituationendedwithascreamproceedingfromthedark，interiorpartoftheroom。'ODavy!you'vegivenmeaturn。'
"DavidsonmadeoutbeyondthetableAnne'sverypaleface。Shelaughedalittlehysterically，outofthedeepshadowsbetweenthegloomymatwalls。'Ha!ha!ha!'
"Thefourheadssprangapartatthefirstsound，andfourpairsofeyesbecamefixedstonilyonDavidson。Thewomancameforward，havinglittlemoreonherthanaloosechintzwrapperandstrawslippersonherbarefeet。HerheadwastiedupMalayfashioninaredhandkerchief，withamassofloosehairhangingunderitbehind。Herprofessional，gay，Europeanfeathershadliterallydroppedoffherinthecourseofthesetwoyears，butalongnecklaceofamberbeadshungroundheruncoveredneck。Itwastheonlyornamentshehadleft；Bamtzhadsoldallherpoor-enoughtrinketsduringtheflightfromSaigon-whentheirassociationbegan。
"Shecameforward，pastthetable，intothelight，withherusualgropinggestureofextendedarms，asthoughhersoul，poorthing!
hadgoneblindlongago，herwhitecheekshollow，hereyesdarklywild，distracted，asDavidsonthought。Shecameonswiftly，grabbedhimbythearm，draggedhimin。'It'sheavenitselfthatsendsyouto-night。MyTony'ssobad-comeandseehim。Comealong-do!'
"Davidsonsubmitted。TheonlyoneofthementomovewasBamtz，whomadeasiftogetupbutdroppedbackinhischairagain。
Davidsoninpassingheardhimmutterconfusedlysomethingthatsoundedlike'poorlittlebeggar。'
"Thechild，lyingveryflushedinamiserablecotknockedupoutofgin-cases，staredatDavidsonwithwide，drowsyeyes。Itwasabadboutoffeverclearly。ButwhileDavidsonwaspromisingtogoonboardandfetchsomemedicines，andgenerallytryingtosayreassuringthings，hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbytheextraordinarymannerofthewomanstandingbyhisside。Gazingwithdespairingexpressiondownatthecot，shewouldsuddenlythrowaquick，startledglanceatDavidsonandthentowardstheotherroom。
"'Yes，mypoorgirl，'hewhispered，interpretingherdistractioninhisownway，thoughhehadnothingpreciseinhismind。'I'mafraidthisbodesnogoodtoyou。Howisittheyarehere？'
"Sheseizedhisforearmandbreathedoutforcibly:'Nogoodtome!
Oh，no!Butwhataboutyou!Theyareafterthedollarsyouhaveonboard。'
"Davidsonletoutanastonished'Howdotheyknowthereareanydollars？'
"Sheclappedherhandslightly，indistress。'Soit'strue!Youhavethemonboard？Thenlookoutforyourself。'
"Theystoodgazingdownattheboyinthecot，awarethattheymightbeobservedfromtheotherroom。
"'Wemustgethimtoperspireassoonaspossible，'saidDavidsoninhisordinaryvoice。'You'llhavetogivehimhotdrinkofsomekind。Iwillgoonboardandbringyouaspirit-kettleamongstotherthings。'Andheaddedunderhisbreath:'Dotheyactuallymeanmurder？'
"Shemadenosign，shehadreturnedtoherdesolatecontemplationoftheboy。Davidsonthoughtshehadnotheardhimeven，whenwithanunchangedexpressionshespokeunderherbreath。
"'TheFrenchmanwould，inaminute。Theothersshirkit-unlessyouresist。He'sadevil。Hekeepsthemgoing。Withouthimtheywouldhavedonenothingbuttalk。I'vegotchummywithhim。WhatcanyoudowhenyouarewithamanlikethefellowIamwithnow。
Bamtzisterrifiedofthem，andtheyknowit。He'sinitfromfunk。Oh，Davy!takeyourshipaway-quick!'
"'Toolate，'saidDavidson。'She'sonthemudalready。'
"Ifthekidhadn'tbeeninthisstateIwouldhaverunoffwithhim-toyou-intothewoods-anywhere。Oh，Davy!willhedie？'shecriedaloudsuddenly。
"Davidsonmetthreemeninthedoorway。Theymadewayforhimwithoutactuallydaringtofacehisglance。ButBamtzwastheonlyonewholookeddownwithanairofguilt。ThebigFrenchmanhadremainedlollinginhischair；hekepthisstumpsinhispocketsandaddressedDavidson。
"'Isn'titunfortunateaboutthatchild!Thedistressofthatwomanthereupsetsme，butIamofnouseintheworld。Icouldn'tsmooththesickpillowofmydearestfriend。Ihavenohands。
Wouldyoumindstickingoneofthosecigarettesthereintothemouthofapoor，harmlesscripple？Mynerveswantsoothing-uponmyhonour，theydo。'
"Davidsoncompliedwithhisnaturallykindsmile。Ashisoutwardplaciditybecomesonlymorepronounced，ifpossible，themorereasonthereisforexcitement；andasDavidson'seyes，whenhiswitsarehardatwork，getverystillandasifsleepy，thehugeFrenchmanmighthavebeenjustifiedinconcludingthatthemantherewasameresheep-asheepreadyforslaughter。Witha'MERCIBIEN'heupliftedhishugecarcasetoreachthelightofthecandlewithhiscigarette，andDavidsonleftthehouse。
"Goingdowntotheshipandreturning，hehadtimetoconsiderhisposition。AtfirsthewasinclinedtobelievethatthesemenNiclaus-thewhiteNakhoda-wastheonlyoneheknewbysightbefore，besidesBamtzwerenotofthestamptoproceedtoextremities。Thiswaspartlythereasonwhyheneverattemptedtotakeanymeasuresonboard。HispacificKalasheswerenottobethoughtofasagainstwhitemen。Hiswretchedengineerwouldhavehadafitfromfrightatthemereideaofanysortofcombat。
Davidsonknewthathewouldhavetodependonhimselfinthisaffairifitevercameoff。
"DavidsonunderestimatednaturallythedrivingpoweroftheFrenchman'scharacterandtheforceoftheactuatingmotive。Tothatmansohopelesslycrippledthesedollarswereanenormousopportunity。WithhisshareoftherobberyhewouldopenanothershopinVladivostok，Haiphong，Manila-somewherefaraway。
"NeitherdiditoccurtoDavidson，whoisamanofcourage，ifevertherewasone，thathispsychologywasnotknowntotheworldatlarge，andthattothisparticularlotofruffians，whojudgedhimbyhisappearance，heappearedanunsuspicious，inoffensive，softcreature，ashepassedagainthroughtheroom，hishandsfullofvariousobjectsandparcelsdestinedforthesickboy。
"Allthefourweresittingagainroundthetable。Bamtznothavingtheplucktoopenhismouth，itwasNiclauswho，asacollectivevoice，calledouttohimthicklytocomeoutsoonandjoininadrink。
"'IthinkI'llhavetostaysomelittletimeinthere，tohelpherlookaftertheboy，'Davidsonansweredwithoutstopping。
"Thiswasagoodthingtosaytoallayapossiblesuspicion。And，asitwas，Davidsonfelthemustnotstayverylong。
"Hesatdownonanoldemptynail-kegneartheimprovisedcotandlookedatthechild；whileLaughingAnne，movingtoandfro，preparingthehotdrink，givingittotheboyinspoonfuls，orstoppingtogazemotionlessattheflushedface，whispereddisjointedbitsofinformation。ShehadsucceededinmakingfriendswiththatFrenchdevil。Davywouldunderstandthatsheknewhowtomakeherselfpleasanttoaman。
"AndDavidsonnoddedwithoutlookingather。
"Thebigbeasthadgottobequiteconfidentialwithher。Sheheldhiscardsforhimwhentheywerehavingagame。Bamtz!Oh!BamtzinhisfunkwasonlytoogladtoseetheFrenchmanhumoured。AndtheFrenchmanhadcometobelievethatshewasawomanwhodidn'tcarewhatshedid。That'showitcameabouttheygottotalkbeforeheropenly。Foralongtimeshecouldnotmakeoutwhatgametheywereupto。Thenewarrivals，notexpectingtofindawomanwithBamtz，hadbeenverystartledandannoyedatfirst，sheexplained。
"Shebusiedherselfinattendingtotheboy；andnobodylookingintothatroomwouldhaveseenanythingsuspiciousinthosetwopeopleexchangingmurmursbythesick-bedside。
"'ButnowtheythinkIamabettermanthanBamtzeverwas，'shesaidwithafaintlaugh。
"Thechildmoaned。Shewentdownonherknees，and，bendinglow，contemplatedhimmournfully。Thenraisingherhead，sheaskedDavidsonwhetherhethoughtthechildwouldgetbetter。Davidsonwassureofit。Shemurmuredsadly:'Poorkid。There'snothinginlifeforsuchashe。Notadog'schance。ButIcouldn'tlethimgo，Davy!Icouldn't。'
"Davidsonfeltaprofoundpityforthechild。ShelaidherhandonhiskneeandwhisperedanearnestwarningagainsttheFrenchman。
Davymustneverlethimcometoclosequarters。NaturallyDavidsonwantedtoknowthereason，foramanwithouthandsdidnotstrikehimasveryformidableunderanycircumstances。
"'Mindyoudon'tlethim-that'sall，'sheinsistedanxiously，hesitated，andthenconfessedthattheFrenchmanhadgotherawayfromtheothersthatafternoonandhadorderedhertotieaseven-
poundironweightoutofthesetofweightsBamtzusedinbusinesstohisrightstump。Shehadtodoitforhim。Shehadbeenafraidofhissavagetemper。Bamtzwassuchacraven，andneitheroftheothermenwouldhavecaredwhathappenedtoher。
TheFrenchman，however，withmanyawfulthreatshadwarnedhernottolettheothersknowwhatshehaddoneforhim。Afterwardshehadbeentryingtocajoleher。HehadpromisedherthatifshestoodbyhimfaithfullyinthisbusinesshewouldtakeherwithhimtoHaiphongorsomeotherplace。Apoorcrippleneededsomebodytotakecareofhim-always。
"Davidsonaskedheragainiftheyreallymeantmischief。Itwas，hetoldme，thehardestthingtobelievehehadrunupagainst，asyet，inhislife。Annenodded。TheFrenchman'sheartwassetonthisrobbery。Davymightexpectthem，aboutmidnight，creepingonboardhisship，tostealanyhow-tomurder，perhaps。Hervoicesoundedweary，andhereyesremainedfastenedonherchild。
"AndstillDavidsoncouldnotacceptitsomehow；hiscontemptforthesemenwastoogreat。
"'Lookhere，Davy，'shesaid。'I'llgooutsidewiththemwhentheystart，anditwillbehardluckifIdon'tfindsomethingtolaughat。Theyareusedtothatfromme。Laughorcry-what'stheodds。Youwillbeabletohearmeonboardonthisquietnight。
Darkitistoo。Oh!it'sdark，Davy!-it'sdark!'
"'Don'tyourunanyrisks，'saidDavidson。Presentlyhecalledherattentiontotheboy，who，lessflushednow，haddroppedintoasoundsleep。'Look。He'llbeallright。'
"Shemadeasiftosnatchthechilduptoherbreast，butrestrainedherself。Davidsonpreparedtogo。Shewhisperedhurriedly:
"'Mind，Davy!I'vetoldthemthatyougenerallysleepaftinthehammockundertheawningoverthecabin。Theyhavebeenaskingmeaboutyourwaysandaboutyourship，too。ItoldthemallIknew。
Ihadtokeepinwiththem。AndBamtzwouldhavetoldthemifI
hadn't-youunderstand？'
"Hemadeafriendlysignandwentout。ThemenaboutthetableexceptBamtzlookedathim。ThistimeitwasFectorwhospoke。
'Won'tyoujoinusinaquietgame，Captain？'
"Davidsonsaidthatnowthechildwasbetterhethoughthewouldgoonboardandturnin。Fectorwastheonlyoneofthefourwhomhehad，sotospeak，neverseen，forhehadhadagoodlookattheFrenchmanalready。HeobservedFector'smuddyeyes，hismean，bittermouth。Davidson'scontemptforthosemenroseinhisgorge，whilehisplacidsmile，hisgentletonesandgeneralairofinnocenceputheartintothem。Theyexchangedmeaningglances。
"'Weshallbesittinglateoverthecards，'Fectorsaidinhisharsh，lowvoice。
"'Don'tmakemorenoisethanyoucanhelp。'
"'Oh!weareaquietlot。Andiftheinvalidshouldn'tbesowell，shewillbesuretosendoneofusdowntocallyou，sothatyoumayplaythedoctoragain。Sodon'tshootatsight。'
"'Heisn'tashootingman，'struckinNiclaus。
"'Inevershootbeforemakingsurethere'sareasonforit-atanyrate，'saidDavidson。
"Bamtzletoutasicklysnigger。TheFrenchmanalonegotuptomakeabowtoDavidson'scarelessnod。Hisstumpswerestuckimmovablyinhispockets。Davidsonunderstoodnowthereason。
"Hewentdowntotheship。Hiswitswereworkingactively，andhewasthoroughlyangry。Hesmiled，hesaysitmusthavebeenthefirstgrimsmileofhislife，atthethoughtoftheseven-poundweightlashedtotheendoftheFrenchman'sstump。Theruffianhadtakenthatprecautionincaseofaquarrelthatmightariseoverthedivisionofthespoil。Amanwithanunsuspectedpowertodealkillingblowscouldtakehisownpartinasuddenscrimmageroundaheapofmoney，evenagainstadversariesarmedwithrevolvers，especiallyifhehimselfstartedtherow。
"'He'sreadytofaceanyofhisfriendswiththatthing。Buthewillhavenouseforit。Therewillbenooccasiontoquarrelaboutthesedollarshere，'thoughtDavidson，gettingonboardquietly。Heneverpausedtolookiftherewasanybodyaboutthedecks。Asamatteroffact，mostofhiscrewwereonshore，andtherestslept，stowedawayindarkcorners。
"Hehadhisplan，andhewenttoworkmethodically。
"Hefetchedalotofclothingfrombelowanddisposeditinhishammockinsuchawayastodistendittotheshapeofahumanbody；thenhethrewoverallthelightcottonsheetheusedtodrawoverhimselfwhensleepingondeck。Havingdonethis，heloadedhistworevolversandclamberedintooneoftheboatstheSissiecarriedrightaft，swungoutontheirdavits。Thenhewaited。
"Andagainthedoubtofsuchathinghappeningtohimcreptintohismind。Hewasalmostashamedofthisridiculousvigilinaboat。Hebecamebored。Andthenhebecamedrowsy。Thestillnessoftheblackuniverseweariedhim。Therewasnoteventhelappingofthewatertokeephimcompany，forthetidewasoutandtheSissiewaslyingonsoftmud。Suddenlyinthebreathless，soundless，hotnightanarguspheasantscreamedinthewoodsacrossthestream。Davidsonstartedviolently，allhissensesonthealertatonce。
"Thecandlewasstillburninginthehouse。Everythingwasquietagain，butDavidsonfeltdrowsynolonger。Anuneasypremonitionofeviloppressedhim。
"'SurelyIamnotafraid，'hearguedwithhimself。
"Thesilencewaslikeasealonhisears，andhisnervousinwardimpatiencegrewintolerable。Hecommandedhimselftokeepstill。
Butallthesamehewasjustgoingtojumpoutoftheboatwhenafaintrippleontheimmensityofsilence，ameretremorintheair，theghostofasilverylaugh，reachedhisears。
"Illusion!
"Hekeptverystill。Hehadnodifficultynowinemulatingthestillnessofthemouse-agrimlydeterminedmouse。Buthecouldnotshakeoffthatpremonitionofevilunrelatedtothemeredangerofthesituation。Nothinghappened。Ithadbeenanillusion!
"Acuriositycametohimtolearnhowtheywouldgotowork。Hewonderedandwondered，tillthewholethingseemedmoreabsurdthanever。
"Hehadleftthehanginglampinthecabinburningasusual。Itwaspartofhisplanthateverythingshouldbeasusual。Suddenlyinthedimglowoftheskylightpanesabulkyshadowcameuptheladderwithoutasound，madetwostepstowardsthehammockithungrightovertheskylight，andstoodmotionless。TheFrenchman!
"Theminutesbegantoslipaway。DavidsonguessedthattheFrenchman'spartthepoorcripplewastowatchhisDavidson's
slumberswhiletheotherswerenodoubtinthecabinbusyforcingoffthelazarettehatch。
"Whatwasthecoursetheymeanttopursueoncetheygotholdofthesilverthereweretencases，andeachcouldbecarriedeasilybytwomennobodycantellnow。Butsofar，Davidsonwasright。
Theywereinthecabin。Heexpectedtohearthesoundsofbreaking-ineverymoment。ButthefactwasthatoneofthemperhapsFector，whohadstolenpapersoutofdesksinhistime
knewhowtopickalock，andapparentlywasprovidedwiththetools。ThuswhileDavidsonexpectedeverymomenttohearthembegindownthere，theyhadthebaroffalreadyandtwocasesactuallyupinthecabinoutofthelazarette。
"InthediffusedfaintglowoftheskylighttheFrenchmanmovednomorethanastatue。Davidsoncouldhaveshothimwiththegreatestease-buthewasnothomicidallyinclined。Moreover，hewantedtomakesurebeforeopeningfirethattheothershadgonetowork。
Nothearingthesoundsheexpectedtohear，hefeltuncertainwhethertheyallwereonboardyet。
"Whilehelistened，theFrenchman，whoseimmobilitymighthavebutcloakedaninternalstruggle；movedforwardapace，thenanother。
Davidson，entranced，watchedhimadvanceoneleg，withdrawhisrightstump，thearmedone，outofhispocket，andswinginghisbodytoputgreaterforceintotheblow，bringtheseven-poundweightdownonthehammockwheretheheadofthesleeperoughttohavebeen。
"Davidsonadmittedtomethathishairstirredattherootsthen。
ButforAnne，hisunsuspectingheadwouldhavebeenthere。TheFrenchman'ssurprisemusthavebeensimplyoverwhelming。Hestaggeredawayfromthelightlyswinginghammock，andbeforeDavidsoncouldmakeamovementhehadvanished，boundingdowntheladdertowarnandalarmtheotherfellows。
"Davidsonspranginstantlyoutoftheboat，threwuptheskylightflap，andhadaglimpseofthemendowntherecrouchingroundthehatch。Theylookedupscared，andatthatmomenttheFrenchmanoutsidethedoorbellowedout'TRAHISON-TRAHISON!'Theyboltedoutofthecabin，fallingovereachotherandswearingawfully。
TheshotDavidsonletoffdowntheskylighthadhitnoone；butherantotheedgeofthecabin-topandatonceopenedfireatthedarkshapesrushingaboutthedeck。Theseshotswerereturned，andarapidfusilladeburstout，reportsandflashes，Davidsondodgingbehindaventilatorandpullingthetriggertillhisrevolverclicked，andthenthrowingitdowntotaketheotherinhisrighthand。
"HehadbeenhearinginthedintheFrenchman'sinfuriatedyells'TUEZ-LE!TUEZ-LE!'abovethefiercecursingoftheothers。Butthoughtheyfiredathimtheywereonlythinkingofclearingout。
IntheflashesofthelastshotsDavidsonsawthemscramblingovertherail。Thathehadhitmorethanonehewascertain。Twodifferentvoiceshadcriedoutinpain。Butapparentlynoneofthemweredisabled。
"Davidsonleanedagainstthebulwarkreloadinghisrevolverwithouthaste。Hehadnottheslightestapprehensionoftheircomingback。
Ontheotherhand，hehadnointentionofpursuingthemonshoreinthedark。Whattheyweredoinghehadnoidea。Lookingtotheirhurtsprobably。NotveryfarfromthebanktheinvisibleFrenchmanwasblasphemingandcursinghisassociates，hisluck，andalltheworld。Heceased；thenwithasudden，vengefulyell，'It'sthatwoman!-it'sthatwomanthathassoldus，'washeardrunningoffinthenight。
"Davidsoncaughthisbreathinasuddenpangofremorse。HeperceivedwithdismaythatthestratagemofhisdefencehadgivenAnneaway。Hedidnothesitateamoment。Itwasforhimtosavehernow。Heleapedashore。Butevenashelandedonthewharfheheardashrillshriekwhichpiercedhisverysoul。
"Thelightwasstillburninginthehouse。Davidson，revolverinhand，wasmakingforitwhenanothershriek，awaytohisleft，madehimchangehisdirection。
"Hechangedhisdirection-butverysoonhestopped。Itwasthenthathehesitatedincruelperplexity。Heguessedwhathadhappened。Thewomanhadmanagedtoescapefromthehouseinsomeway，andnowwasbeingchasedintheopenbytheinfuriatedFrenchman。Hetrustedshewouldtrytorunonboardforprotection。
"AllwasstillaroundDavidson。Whethershehadrunonboardornot，thissilencemeantthattheFrenchmanhadlostherinthedark。
"Davidson，relieved，butstillveryanxious，turnedtowardstheriver-side。Hehadnotmadetwostepsinthatdirectionwhenanothershriekburstoutbehindhim，againclosetothehouse。
"HethinksthattheFrenchmanhadlostsightofthepoorwomanrightenough。Thencamethatperiodofsilence。Butthehorribleruffianhadnotgivenuphismurderouspurpose。Hereasonedthatshewouldtrytostealbacktoherchild，andwenttolieinwaitforhernearthehouse。
"Itmusthavebeensomethinglikethat。Assheenteredthelightfallingaboutthehouse-ladder，hehadrushedathertoosoon，impatientforvengeance。Shehadletoutthatsecondscreamofmortalfearwhenshecaughtsightofhim，andturnedtorunforlifeagain。
"Thistimeshewasmakingfortheriver，butnotinastraightline。HershriekscircledaboutDavidson。Heturnedonhisheels，followingthehorribletrailofsoundinthedarkness。Hewantedtoshout'Thisway，Anne!Iamhere!'buthecouldn't。Atthehorrorofthischase，moreghastlyinhisimaginationthanifhecouldhaveseenit，theperspirationbrokeoutonhisforehead，whilehisthroatwasasdryastinder。Alastsupremescreamwascutshortsuddenly。
"Thesilencewhichensuedwasevenmoredreadful。Davidsonfeltsick。Hetorehisfeetfromthespotandwalkedstraightbeforehim，grippingtherevolverandpeeringintotheobscurityfearfully。Suddenlyabulkyshapesprangfromthegroundwithinafewyardsofhimandboundedaway。Instinctivelyhefiredatit，startedtoruninpursuit，andstumbledagainstsomethingsoftwhichthrewhimdownheadlong。
"EvenashepitchedforwardonhisheadheknewitcouldbenothingelsebutLaughingAnne'sbody。Hepickedhimselfupand，remainingonhisknees，triedtoliftherinhisarms。Hefelthersolimpthathegaveitup。Shewaslyingonherface，herlonghairscatteredontheground。Someofitwaswet。Davidson，feelingaboutherhead，cametoaplacewherethecrushedbonegavewayunderhisfingers。Butevenbeforethatdiscoveryheknewthatshewasdead。ThepursuingFrenchmanhadflungherdownwithakickfrombehind，and，squattingonherback，wasbatteringinherskullwiththeweightsheherselfhadfastenedtohisstump，whenthetotallyunexpectedDavidsonloomedupinthenightandscaredhimaway。
"Davidson，kneelingbythesideofthatwomandonesomiserablytodeath，wasovercomebyremorse。Shehaddiedforhim。Hismanhoodwasasifstunned。Forthefirsttimehefeltafraid。HemighthavebeenpounceduponinthedarkatanymomentbythemurdererofLaughingAnne。Heconfessestotheimpulseofcreepingawayfromthatpitifulcorpseonhishandsandkneestotherefugeoftheship。Heevensaysthatheactuallybegantodoso……
"OnecanhardlypicturetooneselfDavidsoncrawlingawayonallfoursfromthemurderedwoman-Davidsonunmannedandcrushedbytheideathatshehaddiedforhiminasense。Buthecouldnothavegoneveryfar。Whatstoppedhimwasthethoughtoftheboy，LaughingAnne'schild，thatDavidsonrememberedherverywords
wouldnothaveadog'schance。
"ThislifethewomanhadleftbehindherappearedtoDavidson'sconscienceinthelightofasacredtrust。Heassumedanerectattitudeand，quakinginwardlystill，turnedaboutandwalkedtowardsthehouse。
"Forallhistremorshewasverydetermined；butthatsmashedskullhadaffectedhisimagination，andhefeltverydefencelessinthedarkness，inwhichheseemedtohearfaintlynowhere，nowthere，theprowlingfootstepsofthemurdererwithouthands。Butheneverfalteredinhispurpose。Hegotawaywiththeboysafelyafterall。Thehousehefoundempty。Aprofoundsilenceencompassedhimallthetime，exceptonce，justashegotdowntheladderwithTonyinhisarms，whenafaintgroanreachedhisears。Itseemedtocomefromthepitch-blackspacebetweenthepostsonwhichthehousewasbuilt，buthedidnotstoptoinvestigate。
"It'snousetellingyouindetailhowDavidsongotonboardwiththeburdenAnne'smiserablycruelfatehadthrustintohisarms；
hownextmorninghisscaredcrew，afterobservingfromadistancethestateofaffairsonboard，rejoinedwithalacrity；howDavidsonwentashoreand，aidedbyhisengineerstillhalfdeadwithfright，rolledupLaughingAnne'sbodyinacottonsheetandbroughtitonboardforburialatsealater。Whilebusywiththispioustask，Davidson，glancingabout，perceivedahugeheapofwhiteclotheshuddledupagainstthecorner-postofthehouse。
ThatitwastheFrenchmanlyingtherehecouldnotdoubt。Takingitinconnectionwiththedismalgroanhehadheardinthenight，DavidsonisprettysurethathisrandomshotgaveamortalhurttothemurdererofpoorAnne。
"Astotheothers，Davidsonneverseteyesonasingleoneofthem。
Whethertheyhadconcealedthemselvesinthescaredsettlement，orboltedintotheforest，orwerehidingonboardNiclaus'sprau，whichcouldbeseenlyingonthemudahundredyardsorsohigherupthecreek，thefactisthattheyvanished；andDavidsondidnottroublehisheadaboutthem。HelostnotimeingettingoutofthecreekdirectlytheSissiefloated。Aftersteamingsometwentymilesclearofthecoast，heinhisownwords'committedthebodytothedeep。'Hedideverythinghimself。Heweightedherdownwithafewfire-bars，hereadtheservice，heliftedtheplank，hewastheonlymourner。Andwhilehewasrenderingtheselastservicestothedead，thedesolationofthatlifeandtheatrociouswretchednessofitsendcriedaloudtohiscompassion，whisperedtohimintonesofself-reproach。
"Heoughttohavehandledthewarningshehadgivenhiminanotherway。Hewasconvincednowthatasimpledisplayofwatchfulnesswouldhavebeenenoughtorestrainthatvileandcowardlycrew。
Butthefactwasthathehadnotquitebelievedthatanythingwouldbeattempted。
"ThebodyofLaughingAnnehavingbeen'committedtothedeep'sometwentymilesS。S。W。fromCapeSelatan，thetaskbeforeDavidsonwastocommitLaughingAnne'schildtothecareofhiswife。Andtherepoor，goodDavidsonmadeafatalmove。Hedidn'twanttotellherthewholeawfulstory，sinceitinvolvedtheknowledgeofthedangerfromwhichhe，Davidson，hadescaped。Andthis，too，afterhehadbeenlaughingatherunreasonablefearsonlyashorttimebefore。
"'IthoughtthatifItoldhereverything，'Davidsonexplainedtome，'shewouldneverhaveamoment'speacewhileIwasawayonmytrips。'
"Hesimplystatedthattheboywasanorphan，thechildofsomepeopletowhomhe，Davidson，wasunderthegreatestobligation，andthathefeltmorallyboundtolookafterhim。Somedayhewouldtellhermore，hesaid，andmeantimehetrustedinthegoodnessandwarmthofherheart，inherwoman'snaturalcompassion。
"Hedidnotknowthatherheartwasaboutthesizeofaparchedpea，andhadtheproportionalamountofwarmth；andthatherfacultyofcompassionwasmainlydirectedtoherself。Hewasonlystartledanddisappointedattheairofcoldsurpriseandthesuspiciouslookwithwhichshereceivedhisimperfecttale。Butshedidnotsaymuch。Sheneverhadmuchtosay。Shewasafoolofthesilent，hopelesskind。
"WhatstoryDavidson'screwthoughtfittosetafloatinMalaytownisneitherherenorthere。Davidsonhimselftooksomeofhisfriendsintohisconfidence，besidesgivingthefullstoryofficiallytotheHarbourMaster。
"TheHarbourMasterwasconsiderablyastonished。Hedidn'tthink，however，thataformalcomplaintshouldbemadetotheDutchGovernment。Theywouldprobablydonothingintheend，afteralotoftroubleandcorrespondence。Therobberyhadnotcomeoff，afterall。Thosevagabondscouldbetrustedtogotothedevilintheirownway。Noamountoffusswouldbringthepoorwomantolifeagain，andtheactualmurdererhadbeendonejusticetobyachanceshotfromDavidson。Betterletthematterdrop。
"Thiswasgoodcommonsense。Buthewasimpressed。
"'Soundsaterribleaffair，CaptainDavidson。'
"'Aye，terribleenough，'agreedtheremorsefulDavidson。Butthemostterriblethingforhim，thoughhedidn'tknowityetthen，wasthathiswife'ssillybrainwasslowlycomingtotheconclusionthatTonywasDavidson'schild，andthathehadinventedthatlamestorytointroducehimintoherpurehomeindefianceofdecency，ofvirtue-ofhermostsacredfeelings。
"Davidsonwasawareofsomeconstraintinhisdomesticrelations。
Butatthebestoftimesshewasnotdemonstrative；andperhapsthatverycoldnesswaspartofhercharmintheplacidDavidson'seyes。Womenarelovedforallsortsofreasonsandevenforcharacteristicswhichonewouldthinkrepellent。Shewaswatchinghimandnursinghersuspicions。
"Then，oneday，Monkey-facedRitchiecalledonthatsweet，shyMrs。
Davidson。Shehadcomeoutunderhiscare，andheconsideredhimselfaprivilegedperson-heroldestfriendinthetropics。Heposedforagreatadmirerofhers。Hewasalwaysagreatchatterer。Hehadgotholdofthestoryrathervaguely，andhestartedchatteringonthatsubject，thinkingsheknewallaboutit。
AndinduecourseheletoutsomethingaboutLaughingAnne。
"'LaughingAnne，'saysMrs。Davidsonwithastart。'What'sthat？'
Ritchieplungedintocircumlocutionatonce，butsheverysoonstoppedhim。'Isthatcreaturedead？'sheasks。
"'Ibelieveso，'stammeredRitchie。'Yourhusbandsaysso。'
"'Butyoudon'tknowforcertain？'
"'No!HowcouldI，Mrs。Davidson!'
"'That'sallwantedtoknow，'saysshe，andgoesoutoftheroom。
"WhenDavidsoncamehomeshewasreadytogoforhim，notwithcommonvolubleindignation，butasiftricklingastreamofcoldclearwaterdownhisback。Shetalkedofhisbaseintriguewithavilewoman，ofbeingmadeafoolof，oftheinsulttoherdignity。
"Davidsonbeggedhertolistentohimandtoldherallthestory，thinkingthatitwouldmoveaheartofstone。Hetriedtomakeherunderstandhisremorse。Sheheardhimtotheend，said'Indeed!'
andturnedherbackonhim。
"'Don'tyoubelieveme？'heasked，appalled。
"Shedidn'tsayyesorno。Allshesaidwas，'Sendthatbratawayatonce。'
"'Ican'tthrowhimoutintothestreet，'criedDavidson。'Youdon'tmeanit。'
"'Idon'tcare。Therearecharitableinstitutionsforsuchchildren，Isuppose。'
"'ThatIwillneverdo，'saidDavidson。
"'Verywell。That'senoughforme。'
"Davidson'shomeafterthiswaslikeasilent，frozenhellforhim。
Astupidwomanwithasenseofgrievanceisworsethananunchaineddevil。HesenttheboytotheWhiteFathersinMalacca。Thiswasnotaveryexpensivesortofeducation，butshecouldnotforgivehimfornotcastingtheoffensivechildawayutterly。Sheworkeduphersenseofherwifelywrongsandofherinjuredpuritytosuchapitchthatoneday，whenpoorDavidsonwaspleadingwithhertobereasonableandnottomakeanimpossibleexistenceforthemboth，sheturnedonhiminachillpassionandtoldhimthathisverysightwasodioustoher。
"Davidson，withhisscrupulousdelicacyoffeeling，wasnotthemantoasserthisrightsoverawomanwhocouldnotbearthesightofhim。Hebowedhishead；andshortlyafterwardsarrangedforhertogobacktoherparents。Thatwasexactlywhatshewantedinheroutrageddignity。AndthenshehadalwaysdislikedthetropicsandhaddetestedsecretlythepeopleshehadtoliveamongstasDavidson'swife。Shetookherpure，sensitive，meanlittlesoulawaytoFremantleorsomewhereinthatdirection。Andofcoursethelittlegirlwentawaywithhertoo。WhatcouldpoorDavidsonhavedonewithalittlegirlonhishands，evenifshehadconsentedtoleaveherwithhim-whichisunthinkable。
"ThisisthestorythathasspoiledDavidson'ssmileforhim-
whichperhapsitwouldn'thavedonesothoroughlyhadhebeenlessofagoodfellow。"
Hollisceased。ButbeforewerosefromthetableIaskedhimifheknewwhathadbecomeofLaughingAnne'sboy。
HecountedcarefullythechangehandedhimbytheChinamanwaiter，andraisedhishead。
"Oh!that'sthefinishingtouch。Hewasabright，takinglittlechap，asyouknow，andtheFatherstookveryspecialpainsinhisbringingup。Davidsonexpectedinhishearttohavesomecomfortoutofhim。Inhisplacidwayhe'samanwhoneedsaffection。
Well，Tonyhasgrownintoafineyouth-butthereyouare!Hewantstobeapriest；hisonedreamistobeamissionary。TheFathersassureDavidsonthatitisaseriousvocation。Theytellhimhehasaspecialdispositionformissionwork，too。SoLaughingAnne'sboywillleadasaintlylifeinChinasomewhere；hemayevenbecomeamartyr；butpoorDavidsonisleftoutinthecold。Hewillhavetogodownhillwithoutasinglehumanaffectionnearhimbecauseoftheseolddollars。"
Jan。1914
Footnotes:
1Thegallows，supposedtobewidowedofthelastexecutedcriminalandwaitingforanother。