byRichardHardingDavis
I
IhadmadeupmymindthatwhenmyvacationcameIwouldspenditseekingadventures。Ihavealwayswishedforadventures，but，thoughIamoldenough——Iwastwenty—fivelastOctober——andhavealwaysgonehalf—waytomeetthem，adventuresavoidme。Kinneysaysitismyfault。Heholdsthatifyouwantadventuresyoumustgoafterthem。
KinneysitsnexttomeatJoyce&Carboy’s，thewoollenmanufacturers，whereIamastenographer，andKinneyisaclerk，andwebothhaveroomsatMrs。Shaw’sboarding—house。Kinneyisonlyayearolderthanmyself，butheisalwaysmeetingwithadventures。Atnight，whenIhavesatuplatereadinglaw，sothatImayfitmyselfforcourtreporting，andinthehopethatsomedayImaybecomeamemberofthebar，hewillknockatmydoorandtellmesomesurprisingthingthathasjusthappenedtohim。Sometimeshehasfollowedafire—engineandhelpedpeoplefromafire—escape，orhehaspulledtheshieldoffapoliceman，oratthebaroftheHotelKnickerbockerhasmadefriendswithastranger，whoturnsouttobenolessthananoblemanoranactor。Andwomen，especiallybeautifulwomen，arealwayspursuingKinneyintaxicabsandcallinguponhimforassistance。JusttolookatKinney，withoutknowinghowcleverheisatgettingpeopleoutoftheirdifficulties，hedoesnotappeartobeamantowhomyouwouldturnintimeoftrouble。Youwouldthinkwomenindistresswouldappealtosomeonebiggerandstronger；wouldsooneraskapoliceman。But，onthecontrary，itistoKinneythatwomenalwaysrun，especially，asI
havesaid，beautifulwomen。Nothingofthesorteverhappenstome。Isuppose，asKinneysays，itisbecausehewasbornandbroughtupinNewYorkCityandlooksandactslikeaNewYorkman，whileI，untilayearago，havealwayslivedatFairport。Fairportisaveryprettyharbor，butitdoesnottrainoneforadventures。
Wearrangedtotakeourvacationatthesametime，andtogether。
AtleastKinneysoarrangedit。Iseeagooddealofhim，andinlookingforwardtomyvacation，nottheleastpleasantfeatureofitwasthateverythingconnectedwithJoyce&CarboyandMrs。
Shaw’sboarding—housewouldbeleftbehindme。ButwhenKinneyproposedweshouldgotogether，Icouldnotseehow，withoutbeingrude，Icouldrefusehiscompany，andwhenhepointedoutthatforanexpeditioninsearchofadventureIcouldnotselectabetterguide，Ifeltthathewasright。
"Sometimes，"hesaid，"Icanseeyoudon’tbelievethathalfthethingsItellyouhavehappenedtome，reallyhavehappened。Now，isn’tthatso？"
TofindtheanswerthatwouldnothurthisfeelingsIhesitated，buthedidnotwaitformyanswer。Heseldomdoes。
"Well，"onthistrip，"hewenton，"youwillseeKinneyonthejob。
Youwon’thavetotakemywordforit。Youwillseeadventureswalkupandeatoutofmyhand。"
OurvacationcameonthefirstofSeptember，butwebegantoplanforitinApril，anduptothenightbeforeweleftNewYorkweneverceasedplanning。OurdifficultywasthathavingbeenbroughtupatFairport，whichisontheSound，northofNewLondon，Iwashomesickforasmellofsaltmarshesandforthesightofwaterandships。Thoughtheywereonlyschoonerscarryingcement，Iwantedtositinthesunonthestring—pieceofawharfandwatchthem。I
wantedtobeatabouttheharborinacatboat，andfeelthetugandpullofthetiller。Kinneyprotestedthatthatwasnowaytospendavacationortoinviteadventure。HisfacewassetagainstFairport。Theconversationofclam—diggers，hesaid，didnotappealtohim；andhecomplainedthatatFairportouronlychanceofadventurewouldbemycapsizingthecatboatorrobbingalobster—pot。Heinsistedweshouldgotothemountains，wherewewouldmeetwhathealwayscalls"ourbestpeople。"InSeptember，heexplained，everybodygoestothemountainstorecuperateaftertheenervatingatmosphereofthesea—shore。TothisIobjectedthatthelittleseaairwehadinhaledatMrs。Shaw’sbasementdining—roomandinthesubwayneedcauseusnoanxiety。Andso，alongtheselines，throughoutthesleepless，sultrynightsofJune，July，andAugust，wefoughtitout。TherewasnotasummerresortwithinfivehundredmilesofNewYorkCitywedidnotconsider。
FromtheinformationbureausandpassengeragentsofeveryrailroadleavingNewYork，Kinneyprocuredalibraryoftimetables，maps，folders，andpamphlets，illustratedwiththemostattractivepicturesofsummerhotels，golflinks，tenniscourts，andboat—
houses。Fortwomonthshecarriedonacorrespondencewiththeproprietorsofthesehotels；andincomparingthedifferentpricestheyaskedhimforsuitesofroomsandsunparlorsderivedconstantsatisfaction。
"TheOutlookHouse，"hewouldannounce，"wantstwenty—fourdollarsadayforbedroom，parlor，andprivatebath。WhileforthesameaccommodationstheCarteretArmsasksonlytwenty。ButtheCarterethasnotenniscourt；andthenagain，theOutlookhasnogarage，noraredogsallowedinthebedrooms。"
AsKinneycouldnotplaylawntennis，andasneitherofusownedanautomobileoradog，ortwenty—fourdollars，thesedetailstomeseemedsuperfluous，buttherewasnohealthinpointingthatouttoKinney。Because，ashehimselfsays，hehassovividanimaginationthatwhathelackshecan"makebelieve"hehas，andthepleasureofpossessionishis。
Kinneygivesagreatdealofthoughttohisclothes，andthequestionofwhatheshouldwearonhisvacationwasuponhismind。
WhenIsaidIthoughtitwasnothingtoworryabout，hesnortedindignantly。"YOUwouldn’t！"hesaid。"IfI’Dbeenbroughtupinacatboat，andhadatanlikearedIndian，andhairlikeaBroadwayblonde，Iwouldn’tworryeither。Mrs。ShawsaysyoulookexactlylikeaBritishpeerindisguise。"IhadneverseenaBritishpeer，withorwithouthisdisguise，andIadmitIwasinterested。
"Whyarethegirlsinthishouse，"demandedKinney，"alwaysrunningtoyourroomtoborrowmatches？BecausetheyadmireyourCLOTHES？
Ifthey’recrazyaboutclothes，whydon’ttheycometoMEformatches？"
"Youarealwaysoutatnight，"Isaid。
"Youknowthat’snottheanswer，"heprotested。"Whydothetype—
writergirlsattheofficealwaysgotoYOUtosharpentheirpencilsandtellthemhowtospellthehardwords？Whydothegirlsinthelunch—roomsserveyoufirst？Becausethey’rehypnotizedbyyourclothes？IsTHATit？"
"Dothey？"Iasked；"Ihadn’tnoticed。"
Kinneysnortedandtosseduphisarms。"Hehadn’tnoticed！"hekeptrepeating。"Hehadn’tnoticed！"ForhisvacationKinneyboughtasecond—handsuit—case。ItwascoveredwithlabelsofhotelsinFranceandSwitzerland。
"Joe，"Isaid，"ifyoucarrythatbagyouwillbeawalkingfalsehood。"
Kinney’snameisJosephForbesKinney；hedroppedtheJosephbecausehesaiditdidnotappearoftenenoughintheSocialRegister，andcouldbefoundonlyintheOldTestament，andhehasaskedmetocallhimForbes。Havingfirstknownhimas"Joe，"I
occasionallyforget。
"MynameisNOTJoe，"hesaidsternly，"andIhaveasmuchrighttocarryasecond—handbagasanewone。ThebagsaysIThasbeentoEurope。ItdoesnotsaythatIhavebeenthere。"
"But，youprobablywill，"Ipointedout，"andthensomeonewhohasreallyvisitedthoseplaces——"
"Listen！"commandedKinney。"Ifyouwantadventuresyoumustbesomebodyofimportance。NoonewillgosharesinanadventurewithJoeKinney，atwenty—dollar—a—weekclerk，thehumanaddingmachine，thehall—roomboy。ButForbesKinney，Esq。，withabagfromEurope，andaHarvardribbonroundhishat——"
"IsthataHarvardribbonroundyourhat？"Iasked。
"Itis！"declaredKinney；"andIhaveaYaleribbon，andaTurfClubribbon，too。Theycomeonhooks，andyouhook’emontomatchyourclothes，orthecompanyyoukeep。And，what’smore，"hecontinued，withsomeheat，"I’veborrowedatennisracketandagolfbagfullofsticks，andyoutakecareyoudon’tgivemeaway。"
"Isee，"Ireturned，"thatyouaregoingtogetusintoalotoftrouble。"
"Iwasthinking，"saidKinney，lookingatmeratherdoubtfully，"itmighthelpalotifforthefirstweekyouactedasmysecretary，andduringthesecondweekIwasyoursecretary。"
Sometimes，whenMr。Joycegoesonabusinesstrip，hetakesmewithhimashisprivatestenographer，andthechangefromofficeworkisverypleasant；butIcouldnotseewhyIshouldspendoneweekofmyholidaywritinglettersforKinney。
"Youwouldn’twriteanyletters，"heexplained。"ButifIcouldtellpeopleyouweremyprivatesecretary，itwouldnaturallygivemeacertainimportance。"
"Ifitwillmakeyouanyhappier，"Isaid，"youcantellpeopleI
amaBritishpeerindisguise。"
"Thereisnouseinbeingnastyaboutit，"protestedKinney。"Iamonlytryingtoshowyouawaythatwouldleadtoadventure。"
"Itsurelywould！"Iassented。"Itwouldleadustojail。"
ThelastweekinAugustcame，and，astowhereweweretogowestillwereundecided，Isuggestedweleaveittochance。
"Thefirstthing，"Ipointedout，"istogetawayfromthisawfulcity。Thesecondthingistogetawaycheaply。Letuswritedownthenamesofthesummerresortstowhichwecantravelbyrailorbyboatfortwodollarsandputtheminahat。ThenameoftheplacewedrawwillbetheoneforwhichwestartSaturdayafternoon。Theidea，"Iurged，"isinitselffullofadventure。"
Kinneyagreed，butreluctantly。WhatchieflydisturbedhimwasthethoughtthattheplacesnearNewYorktowhichonecouldtravelforsolittlemoneywerenotlikelytobefashionable。
"Ihaveaterriblefear，"hedeclared，"that，withthislimitofyours，wewillwakeupinAsburyPark。"
Fridaynightcameandfounduspreparedfordeparture，andatmidnightweheldourlottery。Inapillow—caseweplacedtwentyslipsofpaper，oneachofwhichwaswrittenthenameofasummerresort。TenoftheseplaceswereselectedbyKinney，andtenbymyself。Kinneydramaticallyrolleduphissleeve，and，plunginghisbaredarmintoourgrab—bag，drewoutaslipofpaperandreadaloud："NewBedford，viaNewBedfordSteamboatLine。"Thechoicewasoneofmine。
"NewBedford！"shoutedKinney。Histoneexpressedthekeenestdisappointment。"It’samilltown！"heexclaimed。"It’sfullofcottonmills。"
"Thatmaybe，"Iprotested。"Butit’salsoamostpicturesqueoldseaport，oneoftheoldestinAmerica。Youcanseewhalingvesselsatthewharfsthere，andwoodenfigure—heads，andharpoons——"
"Isthisanexpeditiontodigupburiedcities，"interruptedKinney，"orapleasuretrip？Idon’tWANTtoseeharpoons！I
wouldn’tknowaharpoonifyoustuckoneintome。Iprefertoseehatpins。"
ThePatiencedidnotsailuntilsixo’clock，butweweresoanxioustoputNewYorkbehindusthatatfivewewereonboard。Ourcabinwasanoutsideonewithtwoberths。Afterplacingoursuit—casesinit，wecollectedcamp—chairsandsettledourselvesinacoolplaceontheboatdeck。Kinneyhadboughtalltheafternoonpapers，and，aslaterIhadreasontoremember，wasgreatlyinterestedoverthefactthattheyoungEarlofIvyhadatlastarrivedinthiscountry。ForsomeweeksthepapershadbeengivingmorespacethanseemednecessarytothatyoungIrishmanandtotheyoungladyhewascomingovertomarry。Therehadbeenpicturesofhisdifferentcountryhouses，picturesofhimself；inuniform，intherobesheworeatthecoronation，onapolopony，asMasterofFox—hounds。AndtherehadbeenpicturesofMissAldrich，andofHERcountryplacesatNewportandontheHudson。FromtheafternoonpapersKinneylearnedthat，havingsailedunderhisfamilynameofMeehan，theyoungmanandLadyMoya，hissister，hadthatmorninglandedinNewYork，butbeforethereportershaddiscoveredthem，hadescapedfromthewharfanddisappeared。
"’Inquiriesatthedifferenthotels，’"readKinneyimpressively，"’failedtoestablishthewhereaboutsofhislordshipandLadyMoya，anditisbelievedtheyatonceleftbytrainforNewport。’"
WithaweKinneypointedattheredfunnelsoftheMauretania。
"ThereistheboatthatbroughtthemtoAmerica，"hesaid。"I
see，"headded，"thatinthispictureofhimplayinggolfhewearsoneofthoseknitjacketstheEiselbaumhasjustmarkeddowntothreedollarsandseventy—fivecents。Iwish——"headdedregretfully。
"YoucangetoneatNewBedford，"Isuggested。
"Iwish，"hecontinued，"wehadgonetoNewport。AllofourBEST
peoplewillbethereforthewedding。Itisthemostimportantsocialeventoftheseason。Youmightalmostcallitanalliance。"
Iwentforwardtowatchthemtakeonthefreight，andKinneystationedhimselfattherailabovethepassengersgangwaywherehecouldseetheotherpassengersarrive。Hehaddressedhimselfwithmuchcare，andwaswearinghisYalehat—band，butwhenaverysmart—lookingyouthcameupthegangplankwearingaHarvardribbon，Kinneyhastilyretiredtoourcabinandreturnedwithonelikeit。
AfewminuteslaterIfoundhimandtheyoungmanseatedincamp—
chairssidebysideengagedinaconversationinwhichKinneyseemedtobearthegreaterpart。Indeed，towhatKinneywassayingtheyoungmanpaidnottheslightestattention。Instead，hiseyeswerefastenedonthegangplankbelow，andwhenayoungmanofhisownage，accompaniedbyagirlinadressofroughtweed，appeareduponit，heleapedfromhisseat。ThenwithaconsciouslookatKinney，sankback。
Thegirlinthetweedsuitwassufficientlybeautifultocauseanymantoriseandtoremainstanding。ShewasthemostbeautifulgirlIhadeverseen。Shehadgrayeyesandhairlikegolden—rod，worninafashionwithwhichIwasnotfamiliar，andherfacewassolovelythatinmysurpriseatthesightofit，Ifeltasuddencatchatmythroat，andmyheartstoppedwithawe，andwonder，andgratitude。
AfterabriefmomenttheyoungmanintherealHarvardhat—bandroserestlesslyand，withanodtoKinney，wentbelow。Ialsoroseandfollowedhim。Ihadanuncontrollabledesiretoagainlookatthegirlwiththegolden—rodhair。Ididnotmeanthatsheshouldseeme。NeverbeforehadIdonesuchathing。ButneverbeforehadIseenanyonewhohadmovedmesostrangely。Seekingher，I
walkedthelengthofthemainsaloonandbackagain，butcouldnotfindher。Thedelaygavemetimetoseethatmyconductwasimpertinent。Theveryfactthatshewassolovelytolookuponshouldhavebeenherprotection。Itaffordedmenoexcusetofollowandspyuponher。Withthisthought，Ihastilyreturnedtotheupperdecktoburymyselfinmybook。Ifitdidnotservetokeepmymindfromtheyounglady，atleastIwouldpreventmyeyesfromcausingherannoyance。
IwasabouttotakethechairthattheyoungmanhadleftvacantwhenKinneyobjected。
"Hewasverymuchinterestedinourconversation，"Kinneysaid，"andhemayreturn。"
IhadnotnoticedanyeagernessonthepartoftheyoungmantotalktoKinneyortolistentohim，butIdidnotsitdown。
"Ishouldnotbesurprisedabit，"saidKinney，"ifthatyoungmanisnoendofaswell。HeisaHarvardman，andhismannerwasmostpolite。That，"explainedKinney，"isonewayyoucanalwaystellarealswell。They’renothighandmightywithyou。Theirsocialpositionissosecurethattheycandoastheylike。Forinstance，didyounoticethathesmokedapipe？"
IsaidIhadnotnoticedit。
ForhisholidayKinneyhadpurchasedaboxofcigarsofaqualitymoreexpensivethanthosehecanusuallyafford。Hewassmokingoneofthematthemoment，and，asitgrewless，hadbeencarefullymovingthegoldbandwithwhichitwasencircledfromthelightedend。Butashespokeheregardeditapparentlywithdistaste，andthendroppeditoverboard。
"Keepmychair，"hesaid，rising。"Iamgoingtomycabintogetmypipe。"Isatdownandfastenedmyeyesuponmybook；butneitherdidIunderstandwhatIwasreadingnorseetheprintedpage。Instead，beforemyeyes，confusingandblindingme，wasthelovely，radiantfaceofthebeautifullady。InperplexityIlookedup，andfoundherstandingnottwofeetfromme。Somethingpulledmeoutofmychair。Somethingmadememoveittowardher。I
liftedmyhatandbackedaway。Buttheeyesofthelovelyladyhaltedme。
Tomyperplexity，herfaceexpressedbothsurpriseandpleasure。
Itwasasthougheithershethoughtsheknewme，orthatIremindedherofsomemanshedidknow。Werethelatterthecase，hemusthavebeenafriend，forthewayinwhichshelookedatmewaskind。
Andtherewas，besides，theexpressionofsurpriseandasthoughsomethingshesawpleasedher。MaybeitwasthequicknesswithwhichIhadofferedmychair。Stilllookingatme，shepointedtooneofthesky—scrapers。
"Couldyoutellme，"sheasked，"thenameofthatbuilding？"Hadherquestionnotprovedit，hervoicewouldhavetoldmenotonlythatshewasastranger，butthatshewasIrish。Itwasparticularlysoft，low，andvibrant。Itmadethecommonplacequestionsheaskedsoundasthoughshehadsungit。Itoldherthenameofthebuilding，andthatfartheruptown，asshewouldseewhenwemovedintomidstream，therewasanotherstilltaller。Shelistened，regardingmebrightly，asthoughinterested；butbeforeherIwasembarrassed，and，fearingIintruded，Iagainmadeamovementtogoaway。Withanotherquestionshestoppedme。I
couldseenoreasonforherdoingso，butitwasalmostasthoughshehadaskedthequestiononlytodetainme。
"Whatisthatoddboat，"shesaid，"pumpingwaterintotheriver？"
Iexplainedthatitwasafire—boattestingherhose—lines，andthenaswemovedintothechannelIgainedcourage，andfoundmyselfpointingouttheStatueofLiberty，GovernorsIsland，andtheBrooklynBridge。Thefactthatitwasastrangerwhowastalkingdidnotseemtodisturbher。Icannottellhowsheconveyedtheidea，butIsoonfeltthatshefelt，nomatterwhatunconventionalthingshechosetodo，peoplewouldnotberude，ormisunderstand。
Iconsideredtellinghermyname。Atfirstitseemedthatthatwouldbemorepolite。ThenIsawtodosowouldbeforcingmyselfuponher，thatshewasinterestedinmeonlyasaguidetoNewYorkHarbor。
WhenwepassedtheBrooklynNavyYardItalkedsomuchandsoeagerlyofthebattle—shipsatanchortherethattheladymusthavethoughtIhadfollowedthesea，forsheasked："Areyouasailorman？"
Itwasthefirstquestionthatwasinanywaypersonal。
"Iusedtosailacatboat，"Isaid。
Myanswerseemedtopuzzleher，andshefrowned。Thenshelaugheddelightedly，likeonehavingmadeadiscovery。
"Youdon’tsay’sailorman，’"shesaid。"Whatdoyouask，overhere，whenyouwanttoknowifamanisinthenavy？"
Shespokeasthoughweweretalkingadifferentlanguage。
"Weaskifheisinthenavy，"Ianswered。
Shelaughedagainatthat，quiteasthoughIhadsaidsomethingclever。
"Andyouarenot？"
"No，"Isaid，"IaminJoyce&Carboy’soffice。Iamastenographer。"
Againmyanswerseemedbothtopuzzleandtosurpriseher。Sheregardedmedoubtfully。Icouldseethatshethought，forsomereason，Iwasmisleadingher。
"Inanoffice？"sherepeated。Then，asthoughshehadcaughtme，shesaid："Howdoyoukeepsofit？"Sheaskedthequestiondirectly，asamanwouldhaveaskedit，andasshespokeIwasconsciousthathereyesweremeasuringmeandmyshoulders，asthoughshewerewonderingtowhatweightIcouldstrip。
"It’sonlylatelyI’veworkedinanoffice，"Isaid。"BeforethatIalwaysworkedout—of—doors；oysteringandclammingand，inthefall，scalloping。AndinthesummerIplayedballonahotelnine。"
Isawthattothebeautifulladymyexplanationcarriednomeaningwhatsoever，butbeforeIcouldexplain，theyoungmanwithwhomshehadcomeonboardwalkedtowardus。
Neitherdidheappeartofindinhertalkingtoastrangeranythingembarrassing。Hehaltedandsmiled。Hissmilewaspleasant，butentirelyvague。InthefewminutesIwaswithhim，Ilearnedthatitwasnosignthathewassecretlypleased。Itwasmerelyhisexpression。Itwasasthoughaphotographerhadsaid："Smile，please，"andhehadsmiled。
Whenhejoinedus，outofdeferencetotheyoungladyIraisedmyhat，buttheyouthdidnotseemtothinkthatoutwardshowofrespectwasnecessary，andkepthishandsinhispockets。Neitherdidheceasesmoking。Hisfirstremarktothelovelyladysomewhatstartledme。
"Haveyougotabrassbedinyourroom？"heasked。Thebeautifulladysaidshehad。
"So’veI，"saidtheyoungman。"Theydoyouratherwell，don’tthey？Andit’sonlythreedollars。Howmuchisthat？"
"Fourtimesthreewouldbetwelve，"saidthelady。"Twelveshillings。"
Theyoungmanwassmokingacigaretteinalongambercigarette—
holder。Ineverhadseenonesolong。Heexaminedtheendofhiscigarette—holder，and，apparentlysurprisedandrelievedatfindingacigarettethere，againsmiledcontentedly。
ThelovelyladypointedatthemarbleshaftrisingaboveMadisonSquare。
"Thatisthetallestsky—scraper，"shesaid，"inNewYork。"Ihadjustinformedherofthatfact。Theyoungmansmiledasthoughhewerebeingintroducedtothebuilding，butexhibitednointerest。
"ISit？"heremarked。Histoneseemedtoshowthathadshesaid，"Thatisarabbit，"hewouldhavebeenequallygratified。
"Someday，"hestated，withthesamestartlingabruptnesswithwhichhehadmadehisfirstremark，"ourwar—shipswilllifttheroofsoffthosesky—scrapers。"
Theremarkstruckmeinthewrongplace。Itwasunnecessary。
AlreadyIresentedthemanneroftheyoungmantowardthelovelylady。Itseemedtomelackingincourtesy。Heknewher，andyettreatedherwithnodeference，whileI，astranger，feltsogratefultoherforbeingwhatIknewonewithsuchafacemustbe，thatIcouldhavekneltatherfeet。SoIratherresentedtheremark。
"Ifthewar—shipsyousendoverhere，"Isaiddoubtfully，"aren’tmoresuccessfulinliftingthingsthanyouryachts，you’dbetterkeepthemathomeandsavecoal！"
SeldomhaveImadesolongaspeechorsorudeaspeech，andassoonasIhadspoken，onaccountofthelovelylady，Iwassorry。
Butafterapauseofhalfasecondshelaugheddelightedly。
"Isee，"shecried，asthoughitwereasortofagame。"HemeansLipton！Wecan’tliftthecup，wecan’tlifttheroofs。Don’tyousee，Stumps！"sheurged。Inspiteofmyruderemark，theyoungmanshecalledStumpshadcontinuedtosmilehappily。Nowhisexpressionchangedtooneofdiscomfortanduttergloom，andthenbrokeoutintoaradiantsmile。
"Isay！"hecried。"That’sawfullygood：’Ifyourwar—shipsaren’tanybetteratliftingthings——’Oh，Isay，really，"heprotested，"that’sawfullygood。"HeseemedtobeafraidIwouldnotappreciatetherareexcellenceofmyspeech。"Youknow，really，"
hepleaded，"itisAWFULLYgood！"
Wewereinterruptedbythesuddenappearance，inoppositedirections，ofKinneyandtheyoungmanwiththerealhat—band。
Bothwereexcitedanddisturbed。Atthesightoftheyoungman，Stumpsturnedappealinglytothegolden—rodgirl。Hegroanedaloud，andhisexpressionwasthatofaboywhohadbeencaughtplayingtruant。
"Oh，Lord！"heexclaimed，"what’shehuffyaboutnow？HeTOLDmeI
couldcomeondeckassoonaswestarted。"
Thegirlturneduponmeasweetandlovelysmileandnodded。Then，withStumpsatherside，shemovedtomeettheyoungman。Whenhesawthemcominghehalted，and，whentheyjoinedhim，begantalkingearnestly，almostangrily。Ashedidso，muchtomybewilderment，heglaredatme。AtthesamemomentKinneygrabbedmebythearm。
"Comebelow！"hecommanded。Histonewashoarseandthrillingwithexcitement。
"Ouradventures，"hewhispered，"havebegun！"
II
Ifelt，forme，adventureshadalreadybegun，formymeetingwiththebeautifulladywastheeventofmylife，andthoughKinneyandIhadagreedtoshareouradventures，ofthisoneIknewIcouldnotevenspeaktohim。Iwantedtobealone，whereIcoulddelightinit，whereIcouldgooverwhatshehadsaid；whatIhadsaid。I
wouldshareitwithnoone。Itwastoowonderful，toosacred。ButKinneywouldnotbedenied。Heledmetoourcabinandlockedthedoor。
"Iamsorry，"hebegan，"butthisadventureisoneIcannotsharewithyou。"TheremarkwassoinkeepingwithmyownthoughtsthatwithsuddenunhappydoubtIwonderedifKinney，too，hadfeltthecharmofthebeautifullady。Buthequicklyundeceivedme。
"Ihavebeendoingalittledetectivework，"hesaid。Hisvoicewaslowandsepulchral。"AndIhavecomeuponarealadventure。
TherearereasonswhyIcannotshareitwithyou，butasitdevelopsyoucanfollowit。Abouthalfanhourago，"heexplained，"Icameheretogetmypipe。Thewindowwasopen。Thelatticewasonlypartlyclosed。OutsidewasthatyoungmanfromHarvardwhotriedtomakemyacquaintance，andtheyoungEnglishmanwhocameonboardwiththatblonde。"Kinneysuddenlyinterruptedhimself。
"Youweretalkingtoherjustnow，"hesaid。IhatedtohearhimspeakoftheIrishladyas"thatblonde。"Ihatedtohearhimspeakofheratall。So，toshuthimoff，Iansweredbriefly："SheaskedmeabouttheSingerBuilding。"
"Isee，"saidKinney。"Well，thesetwomenwerejustoutsidemywindow，and，whileIwassearchingformypipe，IheardtheAmericanspeaking。Hewasveryexcitedandangry。’Itellyou，’
hesaid，’everyboatandrailroadstationiswatched。Youwon’tbesafetillwegetawayfromNewYork。Youmustgotoyourcabin，andSTAYthere。’Andtheotheroneanswered：’Iamsickofhidinganddodging。’"
Kinneypauseddramaticallyandfrowned。
"Well，"Iasked，"whatofit？"
"Whatofit？"hecried。Heexclaimedaloudwithpityandimpatience。
"Nowonder，"hecried，"youneverhaveadventures。Why，it’splainasprint。Theyarecriminalsescaping。TheEnglishmancertainlyisescaping。"
Iwasconcernedonlyforthelovelylady，butIasked："YoumeantheIrishmancalledStumps？"
"Stumps！"exclaimedKinney。"Whatastrangename。Toostrangetobetrue。It’sanalias！"IwasincensedthatKinneyshouldchargethefriendsofthelovelyladywithbeingcriminals。HaditbeenanyoneelseIwouldhaveatonceresentedit，buttobeangrywithKinneyisdifficult。Icouldnothelpbutrememberthatheistheslaveofhisownimagination。Itplaystricksandrunsawaywithhim。Andifitleadshimtobelieveinnocentpeoplearecriminals，italsoleadshimtobelievethateverywomanintheSubwaytowhomhegiveshisseatisagreatlady，aleaderofsocietyonherwaytoworkintheslums。
"Joe！"Iprotested。"Thosemenaren’tcriminals。ItalkedtothatIrishman，andhehasn’tsenseenoughtobeacriminal。"
"Therailroadsarewatched，"repeatedKinney。"DoHONESTmencareadarnwhethertherailroadiswatchedornot？Doyoucare？DoI
care？AnddidyounoticehowangrytheAmericangotwhenhefoundStumpstalkingwithyou？"
Ihadnoticedit；andIalsorecalledthefactthatStumpshadsaidtothelovelylady："HetoldmeIcouldcomeondeckassoonaswestarted。"
ThewordsseemedtobearoutwhatKinneyclaimedhehadoverheard。
Butnotwishingtoencouragehim，ofwhatIhadheardIsaidnothing。
"Hemaybedodgingasummons，"Isuggested。"Heiswanted，probably，onlyasawitness。Itmightbeacivilsuit，orhischauffeurmayhavehitsomebody。"
Kinneyshookhisheadsadly。
"Excuseme，"hesaid，"butIfearyoulackimagination。Thosemenarerascals，dangerousrascals，andthewomanistheiraccomplice。
WhattheyhavedoneIdon’tknow，butIhavealreadylearnedenoughtoarrestthemassuspiciouscharacters。Listen！Eachofthemhasaseparatestate—roomforward。ThewindowoftheAmerican’sroomwasopen，andhissuit—casewasonthebed。OnitweretheinitialsH。P。A。Thestateroomisnumbertwenty—four，butwhenI
examinedthepurser’slist，pretendingIwishedtofindoutifafriendofminewasonboard，Ifoundthatthemanintwenty—fourhadgivenhisnameasJamesPreston。Now，"hedemanded，"whyshouldoneofthemhideunderanaliasandtheotherbeafraidtoshowhimselfuntilweleavethewharf？"Hedidnotwaitformyanswer。"IhavebeentalkingtoMr。H。P。A。，ALIASPreston，"hecontinued。"IpretendedIwasapersonofsomeimportance。I
hintedIwasrich。Myobject，"Kinneyaddedhastily，"wastoencouragehimtotrysomeofhistricksonME；totrytorobME；sothatIcouldobtainevidence。Ialso，"hewenton，withsomeembarrassment，"toldhimthatyou，too，werewealthyandofsomeimportance。"
Ithoughtofthelovelylady，andIfeltmyselfblushingindignantly。
"Youdidverywrong，"Icried；"youhadnoright！Youmayinvolveusbothmostunpleasantly。"
"Youarenotinvolvedinanyway，"protestedKinney。"AssoonaswereachNewBedfordyoucansliponshoreandwaitformeatthehotel。WhenI’vefinishedwiththesegentlemen，I’lljoinyou。"
"Finishedwiththem！"Iexclaimed。"Whatdoyoumeantodotothem？"
"Arrestthem！"criedKinneysternly，"assoonastheystepuponthewharf！"
"Youcan’tdoit！"Igasped。
"IHAVEdoneit！"answeredKinney。"It’sgoodasdone。IhavenotifiedthechiefofpoliceatNewBedford，"hedeclaredproudly，"tomeetmeatthewharf。Iusedthewireless。Hereismymessage。"
Fromhispocketheproducedapaperand，withgreatimportance，readaloud："MeetmeatwharfonarrivalsteamerPatience。Twowell—knowncriminalsonboardescapingNewYorkpolice。Willpersonallylaychargesagainstthem。——ForbesKinney。"
AssoonasIcouldrecoverfrommysurprise，Imadeviolentprotest。IpointedouttoKinneythathisconductwasoutrageous，thatinmakingsuchseriouscharges，onsuchevidence，hewouldlayhimselfopentopunishment。