Thedrum—beatoftherainfollowedhimdownthestaircase，butheshutitoutwithhisotherthoughts，whenheagainclosedthedoorofhisoffice。Hesetdiligentlytoworkbythedecliningwinterlight，untilhewasinterruptedbytheentranceofhisChinesewaitertotellhimthatsupper——whichwasthemealthatMulradyreligiouslyadheredtoinplaceofthelatedinnerofcivilization——
　　wasreadyinthedining—room。Mulradymechanicallyobeyedthesummons；butonenteringtheroomtheoasisofafewplatesinadesertofwhitetable—clothwhichawaitedhimmadehimhesitate。
　　Initsbestaspect，thehighdarkGothicmahoganyecclesiasticalsideboardandchairsofthisroom，whichlookedliketheappointmentsofamortuarychapel，werenotexhilarating；andto—
　　day，inthelightoftherain—filmedwindowsandthefeebleraysofalamphalf—obscuredbythedarkshiningwalls，itwasmostdepressing。
　　"Youkintakeupsupperintomyoffice，"saidMulrady，withasuddeninspiration。"I’lleatitthere。"
　　Heateitthere，withhisusualhealthyappetite，whichdidnotrequireeventhestimulationofcompany。Hehadjustfinished，whenhisIrishcook——theonefemaleservantofthehouse——cametoaskpermissiontobeabsentthateveningandthenextday。
　　"Isupposethelikesofyourhonorwon’tbeathomeontheChristmasDay？Andit’smecousinsfromtheoldcounthryatRough—
　　and—Readythatareinvitin’me。"
　　"Whydon’tyouaskthemoverhere？"saidMulrady，withanothervagueinspiration。"I’llstandtreat。"
　　"Lordpreserveyouforajinerousgintleman!Butit’sthelikesofthemandmyselfthatwouldn’tbeathomehereonsuchaday。"
　　TherewassomuchtruthinthisthatMulradycheckedasighashegavetherequiredpermission，withoutsayingthathehadintendedtoremain。Hecouldcookhisownbreakfast：hehaddoneitbefore；
　　anditwouldbesomethingtooccupyhim。Astohisdinner，perhapshecouldgotothehotelatRough—and—Ready。Heworkedonuntilthenighthadwelladvanced。Then，overcomewithacertainrestlessnessthatdisturbedhim，hewasforcedtoputhisbooksandpapersaway。Ithadbeguntoblowinfitfulgusts，andoccasionallytherainwasdrivensoftlyacrossthepaneslikethepassingofchildishfingers。Thisdisturbedhimmorethanthemonotonyofsilence，forhewasnotanervousman。Heseldomreadabook，andthecountypaperfurnishedhimonlythefinancialandmercantilenewswhichwaspartofhisbusiness。Heknewhecouldnotsleepifhewenttobed。Atlastherose，openedthewindow，andlookedoutfrompureidlenessofoccupation。Asplashofwheelsinthedistantmuddyroadandfragmentsofadrunkensongshowedsignsofanearlywanderingreveller。Therewerenolightstobeseenattheclosedworks；aprofounddarknessencompassedthehouse，asifthedistantpinesinthehollowhadmovedupandroundit。Thesilencewasbrokennowonlybytheoccasionalsighingofwindandrain。Itwasnotaninvitingnightforaperfunctorywalk；butanideastruckhim——hewouldcallupontheSlinns，andanticipatehisnextday’svisit!Theywouldprobablyhavecompany，andbegladtoseehim：hecouldtellthegirlsofMamieandhersuccess。Thathehadnotthoughtofthisbeforewasaproofofhisusualself—containedisolation，thathethoughtofitnowwasanequalproofthathewasbecomingatlastaccessibletoloneliness。
　　Hewasangrywithhimselfforwhatseemedtohimaselfishweakness。
　　Hereturnedtohisoffice，and，puttingtheenvelopethathadbeenlyingonSlinn’sdeskinhispocket，threwaserapeoverhisshoulders，andlockedthefrontdoorofthehousebehindhim。Itwaswellthatthewaywasafamiliaronetohim，andthathisfeetinstinctivelyfoundthetrail，forthenightwasverydark。Attimeshewaswarnedonlybythegurglingofwateroflittlerivuletsthatdescendedthehillandcrossedhispath。Withouttheslightestfear，andwithneitherimaginationnorsensitiveness，herecalledhow，thewinterbefore，oneofDonCaesar’svaqueros，crossingthishillatnight，hadfallendownthechasmofalandslipcausedbytherain，andwasfoundthenextmorningwithhisneckbrokeninthegully。DonCaesarhadtotakecareoftheman’sfamily。Supposesuchanaccidentshouldhappentohim？
　　Well，hehadmadehiswill。Hiswifeandchildrenwouldbeprovidedfor，andtheworkoftheminewouldgoonallthesame；hehadarrangedforthat。Wouldanybodymisshim？Wouldhiswife，orhisson，orhisdaughter？No。Hefeltsuchasuddenandoverwhelmingconvictionofthetruthofthisthathestoppedassuddenlyasifthechasmhadopenedbeforehim。No!Itwasthetruth。IfheweretodisappearforeverinthedarknessoftheChristmasnighttherewasnonetofeelhisloss。HiswifewouldtakecareofMamie；hissonwouldtakecareofhimself，ashehadbefore——relievedofeventhescantpaternalauthorityherebelledagainst。AmoreimaginativemanthanMulradywouldhavecombatedorhavefollowedoutthisidea，andthendismissedit；tothemillionaire’smatter—of—factminditwasadeductionthat，havingoncepresenteditselftohisperception，wasalreadyarecognizedfact。Forthefirsttimeinhislifehefeltasuddeninstinctofsomethinglikeaversiontowardshisfamily，afeelingthatevenhisson’sdissipationandcriminalityhadneverprovoked。Hehurriedonangrilythroughthedarkness。
　　Itwasverystrange；theoldhouseshouldbealmostbeforehimnow，acrossthehollow，yettherewerenoindicationsoflight!Itwasnotuntilheactuallyreachedthegardenfence，andtheblackbulkofshadowroseoutagainstthesky，thathesawafaintrayoflightfromoneofthelean—towindows。Hewenttothefrontdoorandknocked。Afterwaitinginvainforareply，heknockedagain。
　　Thesecondknockprovingequallyfutile，hetriedthedoor；itwasunlocked，and，pushingitopen，hewalkedin。Thenarrowpassagewasquitedark，butfromhisknowledgeofthehouseheknewthe"lean—to"wasnexttothekitchen，and，passingthroughthedining—
　　roomintoit，heopenedthedoorofthelittleroomfromwhichthelightproceeded。Itcamefromasinglecandleonasmalltable，andbesideit，withhiseyesmoodilyfixedonthedyingembersofthefire，satoldSlinn。Therewasnootherlightnoranotherhumanbeinginthewholehouse。
　　FortheinstantMulrady，forgettinghisownfeelingsinthemutepictureoftheutterdesolationofthehelplessman，remainedspeechlessonthethreshold。Then，recallinghimself，hesteppedforwardandlaidhishandgaylyonthebowedshoulders。
　　"Rouseupouto’this，oldman!Come!thiswon’tdo。Look!I’verunoverhereintherain，jisttohaveasociabletimewithyouall。"
　　"Iknewit，"saidtheoldman，withoutlookingup；"Iknewyou’dcome。"
　　"YouknewI’dcome？"echoedMulrady，withanuneasyreturnofthestrangefeelingofawewithwhichheregardedSlinn’sabstraction。
　　"Yes；youwerealone——likemyself——allalone!"
　　"Then，whyinthunderdidn’tyouopenthedoororsingoutjustnow？"hesaid，withanaffectedbrusquerietocoverhisuneasiness。
　　"Where’syourdaughters？"
　　"GonetoRough—and—Readytoaparty。"
　　"Andyourson？"
　　"Henevercomesherewhenhecanamusehimselfelsewhere。"
　　"YourchildrenmighthavestayedhomeonChristmasEve。"
　　"Somightyours。"
　　Hedidn’tsaythisimpatiently，butwithacertainabstractedconvictionfarbeyondanysuggestionofitsbeingaretort。
　　Mulradydidnotappeartonoticeit。
　　"Well，Idon’tseewhyusoldfolkscan’tenjoyourselveswithoutthem，"saidMulrady，withaffectedcheerfulness。"Let’shaveagoodtime，youandme。Let’ssee——youhaven’tanyoneyoucansendtomyhouse，hevyou？"
　　"Theytooktheservantwiththem，"saidSlinn，briefly。"Thereisnoonehere。"
　　"Allright，"saidthemillionaire，briskly。"I’llgomyself。Doyouthinkyoucanmanagetolightupalittlemore，andbuildafireinthekitchenwhileI’mgone？Itusedtobemightycomfortableintheoldtimes。"
　　Hehelpedtheoldmantorisefromhischair，andseemedtohaveinfusedintohimsomeofhisownenergy。Hethenadded，"Now，don’tyougetyourselfdownagainintothatchairuntilIcomeback，"anddartedoutintothenightoncemore。
　　Inaquarterofanhourhereturnedwithabagonhisbroadshoulders，whichoneofhisporterswouldhaveshrunkfromlifting，andlaiditbeforetheblazinghearthofthenowlightedkitchen。
　　"It’ssomethingtheoldwomangotforherparty，thatdidn’tcomeoff，"hesaid，apologetically。"Ireckonwecanpickoutenoughforaspread。ThatdarnedChinamanwouldn’tcomewithme，"headded，withalaugh，"because，hesaid，he’dknockedoffwork’alleesame，Mellicanman!’Lookhere，Slinn，"hesaid，withasuddendecisiveness，"mypay—rollofthemenaroundheredon’trunshortofahundredandfiftydollarsaday，andyetIcouldn’tgetahandtohelpmebringthistruckoverformyChristmasdinner。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidSlinn，gloomily。
　　"Ofcourse；soitoughterbe，"returnedMulrady，shortly。"Why，it’sonlytheironedayoutof364；andIcanhave363daysoff，asIamtheirboss。Idon’tmindaman’sbeingindependent，"hecontinued，takingoffhiscoatandbeginningtounpackhissack——acommon"gunnybag"——usedforpotatoes。"We’reindependentourselves，ain’twe，Slinn？"
　　Hisgoodspirits，whichhadbeenatfirstlaboredandaffected，hadbecomenatural。Slinn，lookingathisbrightenedeyeandfreshercolor，couldnothelpthinkinghewasmorelikehisownrealselfatthismomentthaninhiscounting—houseandoffices——withallhissimplicityasacapitalist。AlessabstractedandmoreobservantcriticthanSlinnwouldhaveseeninthispatientaptitudeforrealwork，andtherecognitionoftheforceofpettydetail，thedominanceoftheoldmarket—gardenerinhisformerhumble，aswellashislatermoreambitious，successes。
　　"Heavenkeepusfrombeingdependentuponourchildren!"saidSlinn，darkly。
　　"Lettheyoungonesaloneto—night；wecangetalongwithoutthem，astheycanwithoutus，"saidMulrady，withaslighttwingeashethoughtofhisreflectionsonthehillside。"Butlookhere，there’ssomechampagneandthemsweetcordialsthatwomenlike；
　　there’sjelliesandsuchlikestuff，aboutasgoodastheymake’em，Ireckon；andpreserves，andtongues，andspicedbeef——takeyourpick!Stop，let’sspreadthemout。"Hedraggedthetabletothemiddleofthefloor，andpiledtheprovisionsuponit。Theycertainlywerenotdeficientinqualityorquantity。"Now，Slinn，wadein。"
　　"Idon’tfeelhungry，"saidtheinvalid，whohadlapsedagainintoachairbeforethefire。
　　"NomoredoI，"saidMulrady；"butIreckonit’stherightthingtodoaboutthistime。Somefolksthinktheycan’tbehappywithoutthey’regettingoutsideo’suthin’，andmydirectorsdownat’Friscocan’tdoanybusinesswithoutadinner。Takesomechampagne，tobeginwith。"
　　Heopenedabottle，andfilledtwotumblers。"It’spasttwelveo’clock，oldman，sohere’samerryChristmastoyou，andbothofusezishere。Andhere’sanothertoourfamilies——ezisn’t。"
　　Theybothdranktheirwinestolidly。Therainbeatagainstthewindowssharply，butwithoutthehollowechoesofthehouseonthehill。"ImustwritetotheoldwomanandMamie，andsaythatyouandmehadahigholdtimeonChristmasEve。"
　　"Byourselves，"addedtheinvalid。
　　Mr。Mulradycoughed。"Nat’rally——byourselves。Andherprovisions，"headded，withalaugh。"We’rereallybeholdentoHER
　　for’em。Ifshehadn’tthoughtofhavingthem——"
　　"Forsomebodyelse，youwouldn’thavehadthem——wouldyou？"saidSlinn，slowly，gazingatthefire。
　　"No，"saidMulrady，dubiously。Afterapausehebeganmorevivaciously，andasiftoshakeoffsomedisagreeablethoughtthatwasimpressinghim，"ButImustn’tforgettogiveyouYOUR
　　Christmas，oldman，andI’vegotitrightherewithme。"Hetookthefoldedenvelopefromhispocket，and，holdingitinhishandwithhiselbowonthetable，continued，"Idon’tmindtellingyouwhatideaIhadingivingyouwhatI’mgoin’togiveyounow。I’vebeenthinkingaboutitforadayortwo。Amanlikeyoudon’twantmoney——youwouldn’tspendit。Amanlikeyoudon’twantstocksorfancyinvestments，foryoucouldn’tlookafterthem。Amanlikeyoudon’twantdiamondsandjewellery，noragold—headedcane，whenit’sgottobeusedasacrutch。No，sir。Whatyouwantissuthin’thatwon’trunawayfromyou；thatisalwaystherebeforeyouandwon’twearout，andwilllastafteryou’regone。That’sland!Andifitwasn’tthatIhaveswornnevertosellorgiveawaythishouseandthatgarden，ifitwasn’tthatI’veheldoutagintheoldwomanandMamieonthatpoint，youshouldhaveTHIS
　　houseandTHATgarden。But，mebbee，forthesamereasonthatI’vetoldyou，Iwantthatlandtokeepformyself。ButI’veselectedfouracresofthehillthissideofmyshaft，andhere’sthedeedofit。Assoonasyou’reready，I’llputyouupahouseasbigasthis——thatshallbeyours，withtheland，aslongasyoulive，oldman；andafterthatyourchildren’s。"
　　"No；nottheirs!"brokeintheoldman，passionately。"Never!"
　　Mulradyrecoiledforaninstantinalarmatthesuddenandunexpectedvehemenceofhismanner，"Goslow，oldman；goslow，"hesaid，soothingly。"Ofcourse，you’lldowithyourownasyoulike。"Then，asifchangingthesubject，hewentoncheerfully：
　　"Perhapsyou’llwonderwhyIpickedoutthatspotonthehillside。
　　Well，first，becauseIreserveditaftermystrikeincasetheleadshouldrunthatway，butitdidn’t。Next，becausewhenyoufirstcamehereyouseemedtoliketheprospect。Youusedtosittherelookingatit，asifitremindedyouofsomething。Youneversaiditdid。Theysayyouwassittingonthatbouldertherewhenyouhadthatlastattack，youknow；but，"headded，gently，"you’veforgottenallaboutit。"
　　"Ihaveforgottennothing，"saidSlinn，rising，withachokingvoice。"IwishtoGodIhad；IwishtoGodIcould!"
　　Hewasonhisfeetnow，supportinghimselfbythetable。Thesubtlegenerousliquorhehaddrunkhadevidentlyshakenhisself—
　　control，andburstthosevoluntarybondshehadputuponhimselfforthelastsixmonths；theinsidiousstimulanthadalsoputastrangevigorintohisbloodandnerves。Hisfacewasflushed，butnotdistorted；hiseyeswerebrilliant，butnotfixed；helookedashemighthavelookedtoMastersinhisstrengththreeyearsbeforeonthatveryhillside。
　　"Listentome，AlvinMulrady，"hesaid，leaningoverhimwithburningeyes。"Listen，whileIhavebraintothinkandstrengthtoutter，whyIhavelearnttodistrust，fear，andhatethem!Youthinkyouknowmystory。Well，hearthetruthfromMEto—night，AlvinMulrady，anddonotwonderifIhavecause。"
　　Hestopped，and，withpatheticinefficiency，passedthefingersandinward—turnedthumbofhisparalyzedhandacrosshismouth，asiftocalmhimself。"ThreeyearsagoIwasaminer，butnotaminerlikeyou!Ihadexperience，Ihadscientificknowledge，Ihadatheory，andthepatienceandenergytocarryitout。Iselectedaspotthathadalltheindications，madeatunnel，and，withoutaid，counselorassistanceofanykind，workeditforsixmonths，withoutrestorcessation，andwithscarcelyfoodenoughtosustainmybody。Well，Imadeastrike；notlikeyou，Mulrady，notablunderofgoodluck，afool’sfortune——there，Idon’tblameyouforit——butinperfectdemonstrationofmytheory，therewardofmylabor。Itwasnopocket，butavein，alead，thatIhadregularlyhunteddownandfound——afortune!
　　"IneverknewhowhardIhadworkeduntilthatmorning；IneverknewwhatprivationsIhadundergoneuntilthatmomentofmysuccess，whenIfoundIcouldscarcelythinkormove!Istaggeredoutintotheopenair。Theonlyhumansoulnearmewasadisappointedprospector，amannamedMasters，whohadatunnelnotfaraway。Imanagedtoconcealfromhimmygoodfortuneandmyfeeblestate，forIwassuspiciousofhim——ofanyone；andashewasgoingawaythatdayIthoughtIcouldkeepmysecretuntilhewasgone。Iwasdizzyandconfused，butIrememberthatImanagedtowritealettertomywife，tellingherofmygoodfortune，andbegginghertocometome；andIrememberthatIsawMastersgo。I
　　don’trememberanythingelse。Theypickedmeupontheroad，nearthatboulder，asyouknow。"
　　"Iknow，"saidMulrady，withaswiftrecollectionofthestage—
　　driver’saccountofhisdiscovery。
　　"Theysay，"continuedSlinn，tremblingly，"thatIneverrecoveredmysensesorconsciousnessfornearlythreeyears；theysayIlostmymemorycompletelyduringmyillness，andthatbyGod’smercy，whileIlayinthathospital，Iknewnomorethanababe；theysay，becauseIcouldnotspeakormove，andonlyhadmyfoodasnaturerequiredit，thatIwasanimbecile，andthatIneverreallycametomysensesuntilaftermysonfoundmeinthehospital。TheySAY
　　that——butItellyouto—night，AlvinMulrady，"hesaid，raisinghisvoicetoahoarseoutcry，"Itellyouthatitisalie!IcametomysensesaweekafterIlayonthathospitalcot；IkeptmysensesandmemoryeverafterduringthethreeyearsthatIwasthere，untilHarrybroughthiscold，hypocriticalfacetomybedsideandrecognizedme。Doyouunderstand？I，thepossessorofmillions，laythereapauper。Desertedbywifeandchildren——aspectacleforthecurious，asportforthedoctors——ANDIKNEWIT!Iheardthemspeculateonthecauseofmyhelplessness。Iheardthemtalkofexcessesandindulgences——I，thatneverknewwineorwoman!I
　　heardapreacherspeakofthefingerofGod，andpointtome。MayGodcursehim!"
　　"Goslow，oldman；goslow，"saidMulrady，gently。
　　"Iheardthemspeakofmeasafriendlessman，anoutcast，acriminal——abeingwhomnoonewouldclaim。Theywereright；nooneclaimedme。Thefriendsofothersvisitedthem；relationscameandtookawaytheirkindred；afewluckyonesgotwell；afew，equallylucky，died!Ialonelivedon，uncaredfor，deserted。
　　"Thefirstyear，"hewentonmorerapidly，"Iprayedfortheircoming。Ilookedforthemeveryday。Ineverlosthope。Isaidtomyself，’Shehasnotgotmyletter；butwhenthetimepassesshewillbealarmedbymysilence，andthenshewillcomeorsendsomeonetoseekme。’Ayoungstudentgotinterestedinmycase，and，bystudyingmyeyes，thoughtthatIwasnotentirelyimbecileandunconscious。Withtheaidofanalphabet，hegotmetospellmynameandtowninIllinois，andpromisedbysignstowritetomyfamily。ButinanevilmomentItoldhimofmycursedfortune，andinthatmomentIsawthathethoughtmeafoolandanidiot。Hewentaway，andIsawhimnomore。YetIstillhoped。Idreamedoftheirjoyatfindingme，andtherewardthatmywealthwouldgivethem。PerhapsIwasalittleweakstill，perhapsalittleflighty，too，attimes；butIwasquitehappythatyear，eveninmydisappointment，forIhadstillhope!"
　　Hepaused，andagaincomposedhisfacewithhisparalyzedhand；buthismannerhadbecomelessexcited，andhisvoicewasstronger。
　　"Achangemusthavecomeovermethesecondyear，forIonlydreadedtheircomingnowandfindingmesoaltered。Ahorribleideathattheymight，likethestudent，believemecrazyifIspokeofmyfortunemademepraytoGodthattheymightnotreachmeuntilafterIhadregainedmyhealthandstrength——andfoundmyfortune。Whenthethirdyearfoundmestillthere——Inolongerprayedforthem——Icursedthem!Isworetomyselfthattheyshouldneverenjoymywealth；butIwantedtolive，andletthemknowI
　　hadit。Ifoundmyselfgettingstronger；butasIhadnomoney，nofriends，andnowheretogo，Iconcealedmyrealconditionfromthedoctors，excepttogivethemmyname，andtotrytogetsomelittleworktodotoenablemetoleavethehospitalandseekmylosttreasure。OnedayIfoundoutbyaccidentthatithadbeendiscovered!Youunderstand——mytreasure!——thathadcostmeyearsoflaborandmyreason；hadleftmeahelpless，forgottenpauper。
　　ThatgoldIhadneverenjoyedhadbeenfoundandtakenpossessionofbyanother!"
　　HecheckedanexclamationfromMulradywithhishand。"Theysaytheypickedmeupsenselessfromthefloor，whereImusthavefallenwhenIheardthenews——Idon’tremember——IrecallnothinguntilIwasconfronted，nearlythreeweeksafter，bymyson，whohadcalledatthehospital，asareporterforapaper，andhadaccidentallydiscoveredmethroughmynameandappearance。Hethoughtmecrazy，orafool。Ididn’tundeceivehim。Ididnottellhimthestoryoftheminetoexcitehisdoubtsandderision，or，worse（ifIcouldbringprooftoclaimit），haveitperhapspassintohisungratefulhands。No；Isaidnothing。Ilethimbringmehere。Hecoulddonoless，andcommondecencyobligedhimtodothat。"
　　"Andwhatproofcouldyoushowofyourclaim？"askedMulrady，gravely。
　　"IfIhadthatletter——ifIcouldfindMasters，"beganSlinn，vaguely。
　　"Haveyouanyideawheretheletteris，orwhathasbecomeofMasters？"continuedMulrady，withamatter—of—factgravity，thatseemedtoincreaseSlinn’svaguenessandexcitehisirritability。
　　"Idon’tknow——Isometimesthink——"Hestopped，satdownagain，andpassedhishandsacrosshisforehead。"Ihaveseenthelettersomewheresince。Yes，"hewenton，withsuddenvehemence，"Iknowit，Ihaveseenit!I——"Hisbrowsknitted，hisfeaturesbegantoworkconvulsively；hesuddenlybroughthisparalyzedhanddown，partlyopened，uponthetable。"IWILLrememberwhere。"
　　"Goslow，oldman；goslow。"
　　"Youaskedmeonceaboutmyvisions。Well，thatisoneofthem。I
　　rememberamansomewhereshowingmethatletter。Ihavetakenitfromhishandsandopenedit，andknewitwasminebythespecimensofgoldthatwereinit。Butwhere——orwhen——orwhatbecameofit，Icannottell。Itwillcometome——itMUSTcometomesoon。"
　　HeturnedhiseyesuponMulrady，whowasregardinghimwithanexpressionofgravecuriosity，andsaidbitterly，"Youthinkmecrazy。Iknowit。Itneededonlythis。"
　　"Whereisthismine，"askedMulrady，withoutheedinghim。
　　Theoldman’seyesswiftlysoughttheground。
　　"Itisasecret，then？"
　　"No。"
　　"Youhavespokenofittoanyone？"
　　"No。"
　　"Nottothemanwhopossessesit？"
　　"No。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecauseIwouldn’ttakeitfromhim。"
　　"Whywouldn’tyou？"
　　"Becausethatmanisyourself!"
　　Intheinstantofcompletesilencethatfollowedtheycouldhearthatthemonotonouspatterofrainontheroofhadceased。
　　"ThenallthiswasinMYshaft，andtheveinIthoughtIstrucktherewasYOURlead，foundthreeyearsagoinYOURtunnel。Isthatyouridea？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"ThenIdon’tsabewhyyoudon’twanttoclaimit。"
　　"IhavetoldyouwhyIdon’twantitformychildren。Igofurther，now，andItellyou，AlvinMulrady，thatIwaswillingthatyourchildrenshouldsquanderit，astheyweredoing。Ithasonlybeenacursetome；itcouldonlybeacursetothem；butI
　　thoughtyouwerehappyinseeingitfeedselfishnessandvanity。
　　Youthinkmebitterandhard。Well，Ishouldhaveleftyouinyourfool’sparadise，butthatIsawto—night，whenyoucamehere，thatyoureyeshadbeenopenedlikemine。You，thepossessorofmywealth，mytreasure，couldnotbuyyourchildren’slovingcareandcompanywithyourmillions，anymorethanIcouldkeepmineinmypoverty。Youwereto—nightlonelyandforsaken，asIwas。Wewereequal，forthefirsttimeinourlives。Ifthatcursedgoldhaddroppeddowntheshaftbetweenusintothehellfromwhichitsprang，wemighthaveclaspedhandslikebrothersacrossthechasm。"
　　Mulrady，whoinafriendlyshowofbeingathiseasehadnotyetresumedhiscoat，roseinhisshirt—sleeves，and，standingbeforethehearth，straightenedhissquarefigurebydrawingdownhiswaistcoatoneachsidewithtwopowerfulthumbs。Afteramoment’scontemplativesurveyofthefloorbetweenhimandthespeaker，heraisedhiseyestoSlinn。Theyweresmallandcolorless；theforeheadabovethemwaslow，andcrownedwithashockoftawnyreddishhair；eventherudestrengthofhislowerfeatureswasenfeebledbyalong，straggling，goat—likebeard；butforthefirsttimeinhislifethewholefacewasimpressedandtransformedwithastrongandsimpledignity。
　　"EzfarezIkinsee，Slinn，"hesaid，gravely，"thepintbetweenyouandmeain’ttobesettledbyourchildren，orwotweallowisdooandrightfromthemtous。Aforewepreachatthemforplayingintheslumgullion，andgettin’themselvessplashed，perhapswemoutezwellrememberthatthattharslumgullioncomesfromourownsluice—boxes，wherewewashourgold。Sowe’lljustputTHEM
　　behindus，so，"hecontinued，withabackwardsweepofhispowerfulhandtowardsthechimney，"andgoeson。Thenextthingthatcropsupaheadofusisyourthreeyearsinthehospital，andwotyouwentthroughatthattime。Iain’tsayin’itwasn’troughonyou，andthatyoudidn’thaveitaboutasbigasit’smade；butezyou’llallowthatyou’dhevhadthatforthreeyears，whetherI’dfoundyourmineorwhetherIhadn’t，IthinkwecanputTHATbehindus，too。There’snothin’nowlefttoprospectbutyourstoryofyourstrike。Well，takeyourownproofs。Mastersisnothere；andifhewas，accordin’toyourownstory，heknowsnothin’ofyourstrikethatday，andcouldonlyproveyouwereadisappointedprospectorinatunnel；yourletter——thatthepersonyouwrotetonevergot——YOUcan’tproduce；andifyoudid，wouldbeonlyyourownstorywithoutproof!Thereisnotabusinessmanezwouldlookatyourclaim；thereisn’tafriendofyoursthatwouldn’tbelieveyouwerecrazy，anddreameditall；thereisn’tarivalofyoursezwouldn’tsayezyou’dinventedit。Slinn，I’mabusinessman——Iamyourfriend——Iamyourrival——butIdon’tthinkyou’relyin’——I
　　don’tthinkyou’recrazy——andI’mnotsureyourclaimain’tagoodone!
　　"EfyoureckonfromthatthatI’mgoin’tohandyouoverthemineto—morrow，"hewenton，afterapause，raisinghishandwithadeprecatinggesture，"you’remistaken。Foryourownsake，andthesakeofmywifeandchildren，you’vegottoproveitmoreclearlythanyouhev；butIpromiseyouthatfromthisnightforwardIwillspareneithertimenormoneytohelpyoutodoit。Ihavemorethandoubledtheamountthatyouwouldhavehad，hadyoutakentheminethedayyoucamefromthehospital。Whenyouprovetomethatyourstoryistrue——andwewillfindsomewaytoproveit，ifitIS
　　true——thatamountwillbeyoursatonce，withouttheneedofawordfromlaworlawyers。Ifyouwantmynametothatinblackandwhite，cometotheofficeto—morrow，andyoushallhaveit。"
　　"AndyouthinkI’lltakeitnow？"saidtheoldmanpassionately。
　　"Doyouthinkthatyourcharitywillbringbackmydeadwife，thethreeyearsofmylostlife，theloveandrespectofmychildren？
　　Ordoyouthinkthatyourownwifeandchildren，whodesertedyouinyourwealth，willcomebacktoyouinyourpoverty？No!Lettheminestay，withitscurse，whereitis——I’llhavenoneofit!"
　　"Goslow，oldman；goslow，"saidMulrady，quietly，puttingonhiscoat。"Youwilltakethemineifitisyours；ifitisn’t，I’llkeepit。Ifitisyours，youwillgiveyourchildrenachancetoshowhattheycandoforyouinyoursuddenprosperity，asIshallgivemineachancetoshowhowtheycanstandreverseanddisappointment。Ifmyheadislevel——andIreckonitis——they’llbothpanoutallright。"
　　Heturnedandopenedthedoor。Withaquickrevulsionoffeeling，SlinnsuddenlyseizedMulrady’shandbetweenbothofhisown，andraisedittohislips。Mulradysmiled，disengagedhishandgently，andsayingsoothingly，"Goslow，oldman；goslow，"closedthedoorbehindhim，andpassedoutintotheclearChristmasdawn。
　　Forthestars，withtheexceptionofonethatseemedtosparklebrightlyovertheshaftofhisformerfortunes，wereslowlypaling。
　　Aburdenseemedtohavefallenfromhissquareshouldersashesteppedoutsturdilyintothemorningair。Hehadalreadyforgottenthelonelymanbehindhim，forhewasthinkingonlyofhiswifeanddaughter。Andatthesamemomenttheywerethinkingofhim；andintheirelaboratevillaoverlookingtheblueMediterraneanatCanneswerediscussing，intheeventofMamie’smarriagewithPrinceRossoeNegro，thepossibilityofMr。
　　Mulrady’spayingtwohundredandfiftythousanddollars，thegamblingdebtsofthatunfortunatebutdeeplyconscientiousnobleman。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　WhenAlvinMulradyreenteredhisownhouse，henolongernoticeditsloneliness。Whethertheeventsofthelastfewhourshaddrivenitfromhismind，orwhetherhislatereflectionshadrepeopleditwithhisfamilyunderpleasanterauspices，itwouldbedifficulttodetermine。Destituteashewasofimagination，andmatter—of—factinhisjudgments，herealizedhisnewsituationascalmlyashewouldhaveconsideredanybusinessproposition。Whilehewasdecidedtoactuponhismoralconvictionspurely，hewaspreparedtosubmitthefactsofSlinn’sclaimtotheusualpatientandlaboriousinvestigationofhispracticalmind。ItwastheleasthecoulddotojustifythereadyandalmostsuperstitiousassenthehadgiventoSlinn’sstory。
　　Whenhehadmadeafewmemorandaathisdeskbythegrowinglight，heagaintookthekeyoftheattic，andascendedtotheloftthatheldthetangiblememoriesofhispastlife。Ifhewasstillundertheinfluenceofhisreflections，itwaswithverydifferentsensationsthathenowregardedthem。Wasitpossiblethattheseashesmightbewarmedagain，andthesescatteredembersrekindled？
　　HispracticalsensesaidNo!whateverhiswishmighthavebeen。A
　　suddenchillcameoverhim；hebegantorealizetheterriblechangethatwasprobable，morebytheimpossibilityofhisacceptingtheoldorderofthingsthanbyhisvoluntarilyabandoningthenew。
　　Hiswifeandchildrenwouldneversubmit。Theywouldgoawayfromthisplace，faraway，wherenoreminiscenceofeitherformerwealthorformerpovertycouldobtrudeitselfuponthem。Mamie——hisMamie——shouldnevergobacktothecabin，sincedesecratedbySlinn’sdaughters，andtaketheirplaces。No!Whyshouldshe？——
　　becauseofthehalf—sick，half—crazydreamsofanoldvindictiveman？
　　Hestoppedsuddenly。Inmoodilyturningoveraheapofminingclothing，blankets，andindia—rubberboots，hehadcomeuponanoldpickaxe——theonehehadfoundintheshaft；theonehehadcarefullypreservedforayear，andthenforgotten!Whyhadhenotremembereditbefore？Hewasfrightened，notonlyatthissuddenresurrectionoftheproofhewasseeking，butathisownfatefulforgetfulness。WhyhadheneverthoughtofthiswhenSlinnwasspeaking？Asenseofshame，asifhehadvoluntarilywithhelditfromthewrongedman，sweptoverhim。Hewasturningaway，whenhewasagainstartled。
　　Thistimeitwasbyavoicefrombelow——avoicecallinghim——
　　Slinn’svoice。Howhadthecrippledmangotheresosoon，andwhatdidhewant？Hehurriedlylaidasidethepick，which，inhisfirstimpulse，hehadtakentothedooroftheloftwithhim，anddescendedthestairs。Theoldmanwasstandingatthedoorofhisofficeawaitinghim。
　　AsMulradyapproached，hetrembledviolently，andclungtothedoorpostforsupport。
　　"Ihadtocomeover，Mulrady，"hesaid，inachokedvoice；"Icouldstandittherenolonger。I’vecometobegyoutoforgetallthatIhavesaid；todriveallthoughtofwhatpassedbetweenuslastnightoutofyourheadandmineforever!I’vecometoaskyoutoswearwithmethatneitherofuswilleverspeakofthisagainforever。ItisnotworththehappinessIhavehadinyourfriendshipforthelasthalf—year；itisnotworththeagonyIhavesufferedinitslossinthelasthalf—hour。"
　　Mulradygraspedhisoutstretchedhand。"P’raps，"hesaid，gravely，"theremayn’tbeanyuseforanotherword，ifyoucanansweronenow。Comewithme。Nomatter，"headded，asSlinnmovedwithdifficulty；"Iwillhelpyou。"
　　Hehalfsupported，halfliftedtheparalyzedmanupthethreeflightsofstairs，andopenedthedooroftheloft。Thepickwasleaningagainstthewall，wherehehadleftit。"Lookaround，andseeifyourecognizeanything。"
　　Theoldman’seyesfellupontheimplementinahalf—frightenedway，andthenliftedthemselvesinterrogativelytoMulrady’sface。
　　"Doyouknowthatpick？"
　　Slinnraiseditinhistremblinghands。"IthinkIdo；andyet——"
　　"Slinn!isityours？"
　　"No，"hesaidhurriedly。
　　"Thenwhatmakesyouthinkyouknowit？"
　　"IthasashorthandlelikeoneI’veseen。"
　　"Andisisn’tyours？"
　　"No。Thehandleofminewasbrokenandspliced。Iwastoopoortobuyanewone。"
　　"ThenyousaythatthispickwhichIfoundinmyshaftisnotyours？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Slinn!"
　　Theoldmanpassedhishandacrosshisforehead，lookedatMulrady，anddroppedhiseyes。"Itisnotmine，"hesaidsimply。
　　"Thatwilldo，"saidMulrady，gravely。
　　"Andyouwillnotspeakofthisagain？"saidtheoldman，timidly。
　　"Ipromiseyou——notuntilIhavesomemoreevidence。"
　　Hekepthisword，butnotbeforehehadextortedfromSlinnasfulladescriptionofMastersashisimperfectmemoryandstillmoreimperfectknowledgeofhisformerneighborcouldfurnish。Heplacedthis，withalargesumofmoneyandthepromiseofastilllargerreward，inthehandsofatrustworthyagent。WhenthiswasdoneheresumedhisoldrelationswithSlinn，withtheexceptionthatthedomesticlettersofMrs。MulradyandMamiewerenolongerasubjectofcomment，andtheirbillsnolongerpassedthroughhisprivatesecretary’shands。
　　Threemonthspassed；therainyseasonhadceased，thehillsidesaroundMulrady’sshaftwerebridal—likewithflowers；indeed，therewererumorsofanapproachingfashionablemarriageintheair，andvaguehintsinthe"Record"thatthepresenceofadistinguishedcapitalistmightsoonberequiredabroad。Thefaceofthatdistinguishedmandidnot，however，reflectthegayetyofnaturenortheanticipationofhappiness；onthecontrary，forthepastfewweeks，hehadappeareddisturbedandanxious，andthatrudetranquillitywhichhadcharacterizedhimwaswanting。Peopleshooktheirheads；afewsuggestedspeculations；allagreedonextravagance。
　　Onemorning，afterofficehours，Slinn，whohadbeenwatchingthecarewornfaceofhisemployer，suddenlyroseandlimpedtohisside。
　　"Wepromisedeachother，"hesaid，inavoicetremblingwithemotion；"nevertoalludetoourtalkofChristmasEveagainunlesswehadotherproofsofwhatItoldyouthen。Wehavenone；Idon’tbelievewe’lleverhaveanymore。Idon’tcareifweeverdo，andIbreakthatpromisenowbecauseIcannotbeartoseeyouunhappyandknowthatthisisthecause。"
　　Mulradymadeamotionofdeprecation，buttheoldmancontinued——
　　"Youareunhappy，AlvinMulrady。Youareunhappybecauseyouwanttogiveyourdaughteradowryoftwohundredandfiftythousanddollars，andyouwillnotusethefortunethatyouthinkmaybemine。"
　　"Who’sbeentalkingaboutadowry？"askedMulrady，withanangryflush。
　　"DonCaesarAlvaradotoldmydaughter。"
　　"Thenthatiswhyhehasthrownoffonmesincehereturned，"saidMulrady，withsuddensmallmalevolence，"justthathemightunloadhisgossipbecauseMamiewouldn’thavehim。Theoldwomanwasrightinwarnin’meaginhim。"
　　Theoutburstwassounlikehim，andsodwarfedhislargethoughcommonnaturewithitslittleness，thatitwaseasytodetectitsfeminineorigin，althoughitfilledSlinnwithvaguealarm。
　　"Nevermindhim，"saidtheoldman，hastily；"whatIwantedtosaynowisthatIabandoneverythingtoyouandyours。Therearenoproofs；thereneverwillbeanymorethanwhatweknow，thanwhatwehavetestedandfoundwanting。Isweartoyouthat，excepttoshowyouthatIhavenotliedandamnotcrazy，Iwoulddestroythemontheirwaytoyourhands。Keepthemoney，andspenditasyouwill。Makeyourdaughterhappy，and，throughher，yourself。
　　Youhavemademehappythroughyourliberality；don’tmakemesufferthroughyourprivation。"
　　"Itellyouwhat，oldman，"saidMulrady，risingtohisfeet，withanawkwardminglingoffranknessandshameinhismannerandaccent，"IshouldliketopaythatmoneyforMamie，andletherbeaprincess，ifitwouldmakeherhappy。IshouldliketoshutthelanternjawsofthatDonCaesar，who’dbetoogladifanythinghappenedtobreakoffMamie’smatch。ButIshouldn’ttouchthatcapital——unlessyou’dlendittome。Ifyou’lltakeanotefromme，payableifthepropertyeverbecomesyours，I’dthankyou。A
　　mortgageontheoldhouseandgarden，andthelandsIboughtofDonCaesar，outsidethemine，willscreenyou。"
　　"Ifthatpleasesyou，"saidtheoldman，withasmile，"haveyourway；andifItearupthenote，itdoesnotconcernyou。"
　　ItdidpleasethedistinguishedcapitalistofRough—and—Ready；forthenextfewdayshisfaceworeabrightenedexpression，andheseemedtohaverecoveredhisoldtranquillity。Therewas，infact，aslighttouchofconsequenceinhismanner，thefirstostentationhehadeverindulgedin，whenhewasinformedonemorningathisprivateofficethatDonCaesarAlvaradowasinthecounting—house，desiringafewmoments’conference。"Tellhimtocomein，"saidMulrady，shortly。ThedooropeneduponDonCaesar——erect，sallow，andgrave。MulradyhadnotseenhimsincehisreturnfromEurope，andevenhisinexperiencedeyeswerestruckwiththeundeniableeaseandgracewithwhichtheyoungSpanish—Americanhadassimilatedthestyleandfashionofanoldercivilization。Itseemedratherasifhehadreturnedtoafamiliarconditionthanadoptedanewone。
　　"Takeacheer，"saidMulrady。
　　TheyoungmanlookedatSlinnwithquietlypersistentsignificance。
　　"Youcantalkallthesame，"saidMulrady，acceptingthesignificance。"He’smyprivatesecretary。"
　　"Itseemsthatforthatreasonwemightchooseanothermomentforourconversation，"returnedDonCaesar，haughtily。"DoI
　　understandyoucannotseemenow？"
　　Mulradyhesitated，hehadalwaysreveredandrecognizedacertainsocialsuperiorityinDonRamonAlvarado；somehowhisson——ayoungmanofhalfhisage，andonceapossibleson—in—law——appearedtoclaimthatrecognitionalso。Herose，withoutaword，andprecededDonCaesarup—stairsintothedrawing—room。ThealienportraitonthewallseemedtoevidentlytakesideswithDonCaesar，asagainstthecommonintruder，Mulrady。
　　"IhopedtheSenoraMulradymighthavesavedmethisinterview，"
　　saidtheyoungman，stiffly；"oratleasthavegivenyousomeintimationofthereasonwhyIseekit。AsyoujustnowproposedmytalkingtoyouinthepresenceoftheunfortunateSenorEsslinnhimself，itappearsshehasnot。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyou’redrivingat，orwhatMrs。Mulrady’sgottodowithSlinnoryou，"saidMulrady，inangryuneasiness。
　　"DoIunderstand，"saidDonCaesar，sternly，"thatSenoraMulradyhasnottoldyouthatIentrustedtoheranimportantletter，belongingtoSenorEsslinn，whichIhadthehonortodiscoverinthewoodsixmonthsago，andwhichshesaidshewouldrefertoyou？"
　　"Letter？"echoedMulrady，slowly；"mywifehadaletterofSlinn’s？"
　　DonCaesarregardedthemillionaireattentively。"ItisasI
　　feared，"hesaid，gravely。"Youdonotknoworyouwouldnothaveremainedsilent。"HethenbrieflyrecountedthestoryofhisfindingSlinn’sletter，hisexhibitionofittotheinvalid，itsdisastrouseffectuponhim，andhisinnocentdiscoveryofthecontents。"Ibelievedmyselfatthattimeontheeveofbeingalliedwithyourfamily，SenorMulrady，"hesaid，haughtily；"andwhenIfoundmyselfinthepossessionofasecretwhichaffecteditsintegrityandgoodname，Ididnotchoosetoleaveitinthehelplesshandsofitsimbecileowner，orhissillierchildren，butproposedtotrustittothecareoftheSenora，thatsheandyoumightdealwithitasbecameyourhonorandmine。IfollowedhertoParis，andgavehertheletterthere。Sheaffectedtolaughatanypretensionofthewriter，oranyclaimhemighthaveonyourbounty；butshekepttheletter，and，Ifear，destroyedit。Youwillunderstand，SenorMulrady，thatwhenIfoundthatmyattentionswerenolongeragreeabletoyourdaughter，Ihadnolongertherighttospeaktoyouonthesubject，norcouldI，withoutmisapprehension，forcehertoreturnit。Ishouldhavestillkeptthesecrettomyself，ifIhadnotsincemyreturnheremadetheneareracquaintanceofSenorEsslinn’sdaughters。I
　　cannotpresentmyselfathishouse，asasuitorforthehandoftheSenoritaVashti，untilIhaveaskedhisabsolutionformycomplicityinthewrongthathasbeendonetohim。Icannot，asacaballero，dothatwithoutyourpermission。ItisforthatpurposeIamhere。"
　　ItneededonlythislastblowtocompletethehumiliationthatwhitenedMulrady’sface。ButhiseyewasnonethelessclearandhisvoicenonethelesssteadyasheturnedtoDonCaesar。
　　"Youknowperfectlythecontentsofthatletter？"
　　"Ihavekeptacopyofit。"
　　"Comewithme。"
　　Heprecededhisvisitordownthestaircaseandbackintohisprivateoffice。Slinnlookedupathisemployer’sfaceinunrestrainedanxiety。Mulradysatdownathisdesk，wroteafewhurriedlines，andrangabell。Amanagerappearedfromthecounting—room。
　　"Sendthattothebank。"
　　Hewipedhispenasmethodicallyasifhehadnotatthatmomentcountermandedtheordertopayhisdaughter’sdowry，andturnedquietlytoSlinn。
　　"DonCaesarAlvaradohasfoundtheletteryouwroteyourwifeonthedayyoumadeyourstrikeinthetunnelthatisnowmyshaft。
　　HegavethelettertoMrs。Mulrady；buthehaskeptacopy。"
　　UnheedingthefrightenedgestureofentreatyfromSlinn，equallywiththeunfeignedastonishmentofDonCaesar，whowasentirelyunpreparedforthisrevelationofMulrady’sandSlinn’sconfidences，hecontinued，"Hehasbroughtthecopywithhim。I
　　reckonitwouldbeonlysquareforyoutocompareitwithwhatyourememberoftheoriginal。"
　　InobediencetoagesturefromMulrady，DonCaesarmechanicallytookfromhispocketafoldedpaper，andhandedittotheparalytic。ButSlinn’stremblingfingerscouldscarcelyunfoldthepaper；andashiseyesfelluponitscontents，hisconvulsivelipscouldnotarticulateaword。
　　"P’rapsI’dbetterreaditforyou，"saidMulrady，gently。"YoukinfollowmeandstopmewhenIgowrong。"
　　Hetookthepaper，and，indeadsilence，readasfollows：——
　　"DEARWIFE，——I’vejuststruckgoldinmytunnel，andyoumustgetreadytocomeherewiththechildren，atonce。Itwasaftersixmonths’hardwork；andI’msoweakI……It’safortuneforusall。Weshouldberichevenifitwereonlyabranchveindippingwesttowardsthenexttunnel，insteadofdippingeast，accordingtomytheory——"
　　"Stop!"saidSlinn，inavoicethatshooktheroom。
　　Mulradylookedup。
　　"It’swrong，ain’tit？"heasked，anxiously；"itshouldbeEAST
　　towardsthenexttunnel。"
　　"No!IT’SRIGHT!Iamwrong!We’reallwrong!"
　　Slinnhadrisentohisfeet，erectandinspired。"Don’tyousee，"
　　healmostscreamed，withpassionatevehemence，"it’sMASTERS’
　　ABANDONEDTUNNELyourshafthasstruck？Notmine!ItwasMasters’
　　pickyoufound!Iknowitnow!"
　　"Andyourowntunnel？"saidMulrady，springingtohisfeetinexcitement。"AndYOURstrike？"
　　"Isstillthere!"
　　Thenextinstant，andbeforeanotherquestioncouldbeasked，Slinnhaddartedfromtheroom。Intheexaltationofthatsupremediscoveryheregainedthefullcontrolofhismindandbody。
　　MulradyandDonCaesar，nolessexcited，followedhimprecipitately，andwithdifficultykeptupwithhisfeverishspeed。TheirwaylayalongthebaseofthehillbelowMulrady’sshaft，andonalinewithMasters’abandonedtunnel。OnlyoncehestoppedtosnatchapickfromthehandofanastonishedChinamanatworkinaditch，ashestillkeptonhisway，aquarterofamilebeyondtheshaft。Herehestoppedbeforeajaggedholeinthehillside。Baredtotheskyandair，theveryopennessofitsabandonment，itsunpropitiousposition，anddistancefromthestrikeinMulrady’sshafthadnodoubtpreserveditsintegrityfromwayfarerorprospector。
　　"Youcan’tgointherealone，andwithoutalight，"saidMulrady，layinghishandonthearmoftheexcitedman。"Letmegetmorehelpandpropertools。"
　　"Iknoweverystepinthedarkasinthedaylight，"returnedSlinn，struggling。"Letmego，whileIhaveyetstrengthandreason!
　　Standaside!"
　　Hebrokefromthem，andthenextmomentwasswallowedupintheyawningblackness。Theywaitedwithbatedbreathuntil，afteraseemingeternityofnightandsilence，theyheardhisreturningfootsteps，andranforwardtomeethim。Ashewascarryingsomethingclaspedtohisbreast，theysupportedhimtotheopening。
　　Butatthesamemomenttheobjectofhissearchandhisburden，amisshapenwedgeofgoldandquartz，droppedwithhim，andbothfelltogetherwithequalimmobilitytotheground。HehadstillstrengthtoturnhisfadingeyestotheothermillionaireofRough—
　　and—Ready，wholeanedoverhim。
　　"You——see，"hegasped，brokenly，"Iwasnot——crazy!"
　　No。Hewasdead!