manorwomanamongthem；thattheywerelookeduponasadistinctandsuperiorcasteofIndians，andenjoyedcertainprivilegeswiththetribe；thattheysuperstitiouslyavoidedwhitemen，ofwhomtheyhadthegreatestfear，andthattheywereprotectedinthisbytheotherIndians；thatitwasmarvelousandalmostbeyondbeliefthatPomfreyhadbeenabletoseeone，fornootherwhitemanhad，orwasevenawareoftheirexistence。
Howmuchofthisheactuallyunderstood，howmuchofitwaslyingandduetoJim'sbeliefthathewishedtoabductthefairstranger，Pomfreywasunabletodetermine。Therewasenough，however，toexcitehiscuriositystronglyandoccupyhismindtotheexclusionofhisbooks——saveone。Amonghissmallervolumeshehadfoundatravelbookofthe"ChinookJargon，"withalexiconofmanyofthewordscommonlyusedbytheNorthernPacifictribes。Anhourortwo'strialwiththeastonishedJimgavehimanincreasedvocabularyandanewoccupation。Eachdaytheincongruouspairtookalessonfromthelexicon。InaweekPomfreyfelthewouldbeabletoaccostthemysteriousstranger。Buthedidnotagainsurpriseherinanyofhisrambles，oreveninalatervisittothesweat-house。HehadlearnedfromJimthatthehousewasonlyusedbythe"bucks，"ormales，andthatherappearancetherehadbeenaccidental。Herecalledthathehadhadtheimpressionthatshehadbeenstealthilyfollowinghim，andtherecollectiongavehimapleasurehecouldnotaccountfor。Butanincidentpresentlyoccurredwhichgavehimanewideaofherrelationstowardshim。
ThedifficultyofmakingJimunderstandhadhithertopreventedPomfreyfromintrustinghimwiththecareofthelantern；butwiththeaidofthelexiconhehadbeenabletomakehimcomprehenditsworking，andunderPomfrey'spersonalguidancetheIndianhadonceortwicelitthelampandsetitsmachineryinmotion。ItremainedforhimonlytotestJim'sunaidedcapacity，incaseofhisownabsenceorillness。Ithappenedtobeawarm，beautifulsunset，whentheafternoonfoghadforoncedelayeditsinvasionoftheshore-line，thatheleftthelighthousetoJim'sundividedcare，andrecliningonasand-dunestillwarmfromthesun，lazilywatchedtheresultofJim'sfirstessay。Asthetwilightdeepened，andthefirstflashofthelanternstrovewiththedyinggloriesofthesun，Pomfreypresentlybecameawarethathewasnottheonlywatcher。Alittlegrayfigurecreepingonallfourssuddenlyglidedoutoftheshadowofanothersand-duneandthenhalted，fallingbackonitsknees，gazingfixedlyatthegrowinglight。Itwasthewomanhehadseen。Shewasnotadozenyardsaway，andinhereagernessandutterabsorptioninthelighthadevidentlyoverlookedhim。Hecouldseeherfacedistinctly，herlipspartedhalfinwonder，halfwiththebreathlessabsorptionofadevotee。
Afaintsenseofdisappointmentcameoverhim。ItwasnotHIMshewaswatching，butthelight！Asitswelledoutoverthedarkeninggraysandsheturnedasiftowatchitseffectaroundher，andcaughtsightofPomfrey。Withalittlestartledcry——thefirstshehaduttered——shedartedaway。Hedidnotfollow。Amomentbefore，whenhefirstsawher，anIndiansalutationwhichhehadlearnedfromJimhadrisentohislips，butintheoddfeelingwhichherfascinationofthelighthadcausedhimhehadnotspoken。Hewatchedherbentfigurescuttlingawaylikesomefrightenedanimal，withacriticalconsciousnessthatshewasreallyscarcehuman，andwentbacktothelighthouse。Hewouldnotrunafterheragain！
Yetthateveninghecontinuedtothinkofher，andrecalledhervoice，whichstruckhimnowashavingbeenatoncemelodiousandchildlike，andwishedhehadatleastspoken，andperhapselicitedareply。
Hedidnot，however，hauntthesweat-houseneartheriveragain。
YethestillcontinuedhislessonswithJim，andinthisway，perhaps，althoughquiteunpremeditatedly，enlistedahumbleally。
Aweekpassedinwhichhehadnotalludedtoher，whenonemorning，ashewasreturningfromarow，Jimmethimmysteriouslyonthebeach。
"S'posehimcomeslow，slow，"saidJimgravely，airinghisnewlyacquiredEnglish；"makenonoise——plentycatcheeIndianmaiden。"
Thelastepithetwasthepolitelexiconequivalentofsquaw。
Pomfrey，notentirelysatisfiedinhismind，neverthelesssoftlyfollowedthenoiselesslyglidingJimtothelighthouse。HereJimcautiouslyopenedthedoor，motioningPomfreytoenter。
Thebaseofthetowerwascomposedoftwolivingrooms，astoreroomandoil-tank。AsPomfreyentered，Jimclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim。Theabrupttransitionfromtheglareofthesandsandsuntothesemi-darknessofthestoreroomatfirstpreventedhimfromseeinganything，buthewasinstantlydistractedbyascurryingflutterandwildbeatingofthewalls，asofacagedbird。Inanothermomenthecouldmakeoutthefairstranger，quiveringwithexcitement，passionatelydashingatthebarredwindow，thewalls，thelockeddoor，andcirclingaroundtheroominherdesperateattempttofindanegress，likeacapturedseagull。
Amazed，mystified，indignantwithJim，himself，andevenhisunfortunatecaptive，PomfreycalledtoherinChinooktostop，andgoingtothedoor，flungitwideopen。Shedartedbyhim，raisinghersoftblueeyesforaninstantinaswift，sidelongglanceofhalfappeal，half-frightenedadmiration，andrushedoutintotheopen。Buthere，tohissurprise，shedidnotrunaway。Onthecontrary，shedrewherselfupwithadignitythatseemedtoincreaseherheight，andwalkedmajesticallytowardsJim，whoatherunexpectedexithadsuddenlythrownhimselfuponthesand，inutterlyabjectterrorandsupplication。Sheapproachedhimslowly，withonesmallhandupliftedinamenacinggesture。Themanwrithedandsquirmedbeforeher。Thensheturned，caughtsightofPomfreystandinginthedoorway，andwalkedquietlyaway。Amazed，yetgratifiedwiththisnewassertionofherself，Pomfreyrespectfully，butalas！incautiously，calledafterher。Inaninstant，atthesoundofhisvoice，shedroppedagainintoherslouchingIndiantrotandglidedawayoverthesandhills。
PomfreydidnotaddanyreproofofhisowntothediscomfitureofhisIndianretainer。Neitherdidheattempttoinquirethesecretofthissavagegirl'spoweroverhim。Itwasevidenthehadspokentrulywhenhetoldhismasterthatshewasofasuperiorcaste。
PomfreyrecalledhererectandindignantfigurestandingovertheprostrateJim，andwasagainperplexedanddisappointedathersuddenlapseintothetimidsavageatthesoundofhisvoice。
Wouldnotthiswell-meantbutmiserabletrickofJim'shavetheeffectofincreasingherunreasoninganimal-likedistrustofhim？
Afewdayslaterbroughtanunexpectedanswertohisquestion。
Itwasthehottesthouroftheday。Hehadbeenfishingoffthereefofrockswherehehadfirstseenher，andhadtakeninhislineandwasleisurelypullingforthelighthouse。Suddenlyalittlemusicalcrynotunlikeabird'sstruckhisear。Helayonhisoarsandlistened。Itwasrepeated；butthistimeitwasunmistakablyrecognizableasthevoiceoftheIndiangirl，althoughhehadhearditbutonce。Heturnedeagerlytotherock，butitwasempty；hepulledaroundit，butsawnothing。Helookedtowardstheshore，andswunghisboatinthatdirection，whenagainthecrywasrepeatedwiththefaintestquaverofalaugh，apparentlyontheleveloftheseabeforehim。Forthefirsttimehelookeddown，andthereonthecrestofawavenotadozenyardsahead，dancedtheyellowhairandlaughingeyesofthegirl。Thefrightenedgravityofherlookwasgone，lostintheflashofherwhiteteethandquiveringdimplesasherdrippingfaceroseabovethesea。
Whentheireyesmetshedivedagain，butquicklyreappearedontheotherbow，swimmingwithlazy，easystrokes，hersmilingheadthrownbackoverherwhiteshoulder，asifluringhimtoarace。
Ifhersmilewasarevelationtohim，stillmoresowasthisfirsttouchoffemininecoquetryinherattitude。Hepulledeagerlytowardsher；withafewlongoverhandstrokesshekeptherdistance，or，ifheapproachedtoonear，shedivedlikealoon，comingupasternofhimwiththesamechildlike，mockingcry。Invainhepursuedher，callinghertostopinherowntongue，andlaughinglyprotested；sheeasilyavoidedhisboatateveryturn。
Suddenly，whentheywerenearlyabreastoftheriverestuary，sheroseinthewater，and，wavingherlittlehandswithagestureoffarewell，turned，andcurvingherbacklikeadolphin，leapedintothesurgingswelloftheestuarybarandwaslostinitsfoam。Itwouldhavebeenmadnessforhimtohaveattemptedtofollowinhisboat，andhesawthatsheknewit。Hewaiteduntilheryellowcrestappearedinthesmootherwateroftheriver，andthenrowedback。Inhisexcitementandpreoccupationhehadquiteforgottenhislongexposuretothesunduringhisactiveexercise，andthathewaspoorlyequippedforthecoldsea-fogwhichtheheathadbroughtinearlier，andwhichnowwasquietlyobliteratingseaandshore。Thismadehisprogressslowerandmoredifficult，andbythetimehehadreachedthelighthousehewaschilledtothebone。
Thenextmorninghewokewithadullheadacheandgreatweariness，anditwaswithconsiderabledifficultythathecouldattendtohisduties。Atnightfall，feelingworse，hedeterminedtotransferthecareofthelighttoJim，butwasamazedtofindthathehaddisappeared，andwhatwasmoreominous，abottleofspiritswhichPomfreyhadtakenfromhislockerthenightbeforehaddisappearedtoo。LikeallIndians，Jim'srudimentaryknowledgeofcivilizationincluded"fire-water；"heevidentlyhadbeentempted，hadfallen，andwastooashamedortoodrunktofacehismaster。Pomfrey，however，managedtogetthelightinorderandworking，andthen，hescarcelyknewhow，betookhimselftobedinastateofhighfever。Heturnedfromsidetosiderackedbypain，withburninglipsandpulses。Strangefanciesbesethim；hehadnoticedwhenhelithislightthatastrangesailwasloomingofftheestuary——aplacewherenosailhadeverbeenseenorshouldbe——andwasrelievedthatthelightingofthetowermightshowtherecklessorignorantmarinerhisrealbearingsforthe"Gate。"Attimeshehadheardvoicesabovethefamiliarsongofthesurf，andtriedtorisefromhisbed，butcouldnot。Sometimesthesevoiceswerestrange，outlandish，dissonant，inhisownlanguage，yetonlypartlyintelligible；butthroughthemalwaysrangasinglevoice，musical，familiar，yetofatonguenothisown——hers！Andthen，outofhisdelirium——forsuchitprovedafterwardstobe——cameastrangevision。Hethoughtthathehadjustlitthelightwhen，fromsomestrangeandunaccountablereason，itsuddenlybecamedimanddefiedallhiseffortstoreviveit。Toaddtohisdiscomfiture，hecouldseequiteplainlythroughthelanternastrange-lookingvesselstandinginfromthesea。ShewassoclearlyoutofhercoursefortheGatethatheknewshehadnotseenthelight，andhislimbstrembledwithshameandterrorashetriedinvaintorekindlethedyinglight。Yettohissurprisethestrangeshipkeptsteadilyon，passingthedangerousreefofrocks，untilshewasactuallyinthewatersofthebay。Butstrangerthanall，swimmingbeneathherbowswasthegoldenheadandlaughingfaceoftheIndiangirl，evenashehadseenitthedaybefore。Astrangerevulsionoffeelingovertookhim。Believingthatshewasluringtheshiptoitsdestruction，heranoutonthebeachandstrovetohailthevesselandwarnitofitsimpendingdoom。Buthecouldnotspeak——nosoundcamefromhislips。Andnowhisattentionwasabsorbedbytheshipitself。High-bowedandpooped，andcurvedlikethecrescentmoon，itwasthestrangestcraftthathehadeverseen。
Evenashegazeditglidedonnearerandnearer，andatlastbeacheditselfnoiselesslyonthesandsbeforehisownfeet。A
scoreoffiguresasbizarreandoutlandishastheshipitselfnowthrongeditshighforecastle——reallyacastleinshapeandwarlikepurpose——andleapedfromitsports。Thecommonseamenwerenearlynakedtothewaist；theofficerslookedmorelikesoldiersthansailors。Whatstruckhimmorestrangelywasthattheywereoneandallseeminglyunconsciousoftheexistenceofthelighthouse，saunteringupanddowncarelessly，asifonsomeuninhabitedstrand，andeventalking——sofarashecouldunderstandtheiroldbookishdialect——asifinsomehithertoundiscoveredland。Theirignoranceofthegeographyofthewholecoast，andevenoftheseafromwhichtheycame，actuallyarousedhiscriticalindignation；
theircoarseandstupidallusionstothefairIndianswimmerasthe"mermaid"thattheyhadseenupontheirbowmadehimmorefuriousstill。Yethewashelplesstoexpresshiscontemptuousanger，orevenmakethemconsciousofhispresence。Thenanintervalofincoherencyandutterblanknessfollowed。Whenheagaintookupthethreadofhisfancytheshipseemedtobelyingonherbeamendsonthesand；thestrangearrangementofherupperdeckandtop-hamper，morelikeadwellingthananyshiphehadeverseen，wasfullyexposedtoview，whiletheseamenseemedtobeatworkwiththerudestcontrivances，calkingandscrapingherbarnacledsides。Hesawthatphantomcrew，whennotworking，atwassailandfestivity；heardtheshoutsofdrunkenroisterers；sawtheplacingofaguardaroundsomeofthemostuncontrollable，andlaterdetectedthestealthyescapeofhalfadozensailorsinland，amidstthefruitlessvolleyfireduponthemfromobsoleteblunderbusses。
Thenhisstrangevisiontransportedhiminland，wherehesawtheseseamenfollowingsomeIndianwomen。Suddenlyoneofthemturnedandranfrenziedlytowardshimasifseekingsuccor，closelypursuedbyoneofthesailors。Pomfreystrovetoreachher，struggledviolentlywiththefearfulapathythatseemedtoholdhislimbs，andthen，assheutteredatlastalittlemusicalcry，bursthisbondsand——awoke！
Asconsciousnessslowlystruggledbacktohim，hecouldseethebarewooden-likewallsofhissleeping-room，thelocker，theonewindowbrightwithsunlight，theopendoorofthetank-room，andthelittlestaircasetothetower。Therewasastrangesmokyandherb-likesmellintheroom。Hemadeanefforttorise，butashedidsoasmallsunburnthandwaslaidgentlyyetrestraininglyuponhisshoulder，andheheardthesamemusicalcryasbefore，butthistimemodulatedtoagirlishlaugh。Heraisedhisheadfaintly。
Halfsquatting，halfkneelingbyhisbedwastheyellow-hairedstranger。
Withtherecollectionofhisvisionstillperplexinghim，hesaidinaweakvoice，"Whoareyou？"
Herblueeyesmethisownwithquickintelligenceandnotraceofherformertimidity。Asoft，caressinglighthadtakenitsplace。
Pointingwithherfingertoherbreastinachildlikegesture，shesaid，"Me——Olooya。"
"Olooya！"HerememberedsuddenlythatJimhadalwaysusedthatwordinspeakingofher，butuntilthenhehadalwaysthoughtitwassomeIndiantermforherdistinctclass。
"Olooya，"herepeated。Then，withdifficultyattemptingtouseherowntongue，heasked，"Whendidyoucomehere？"
"Lastnight，"sheansweredinthesametongue。"Therewasnowitch-firethere，"shecontinued，pointingtothetower；"whenitcamenot，Olooyacame！Olooyafoundwhitechiefsickandalone。
Whitechiefcouldnotgetup！Olooyalitwitch-fireforhim。"
"You？"herepeatedinastonishment。"Ilititmyself。"
Shelookedathimpityingly，asifstillrecognizinghisdelirium，andshookherhead。"Whitechiefwassick——howcanknow？Olooyamadewitch-fire。"
Hecastahurriedglanceathiswatchhangingonthewallbesidehim。IthadRUNDOWN，althoughhehadwounditthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。Hehadevidentlybeenlyingtherehelplessbeyondthetwenty-fourhours！
Hegroanedandturnedtorise，butshegentlyforcedhimdownagain，andgavehimsomeherbalinfusion，inwhichherecognizedthetasteoftheYerbaBuenavinewhichgrewbytheriver。ThenshemadehimcomprehendinherowntonguethatJimhadbeendecoyed，whiledrunk，aboardacertainschoonerlyingofftheshoreataspotwhereshehadseensomemendigginginthesands。Shehadnotgonethere，forshewasafraidofthebadmen，andaslightreturnofherformerterrorcameintoherchangefuleyes。Sheknewhowtolightthewitch-light；sheremindedhimshehadbeeninthetowerbefore。
"Youhavesavedmylight，andperhapsmylife，"hesaidweakly，takingherhand。
Possiblyshedidnotunderstandhim，forheronlyanswerwasavaguesmile。Butthenextinstantshestartedup，listeningintently，andthenwithafrightenedcrydrewawayherhandandsuddenlydashedoutofthebuilding。Inthemidstofhisamazementthedoorwasdarkenedbyafigure——astrangerdressedlikeanordinaryminer。PausingamomenttolookaftertheflyingOlooya，themanturnedandglancedaroundtheroom，andthenwithacoarse，familiarsmileapproachedPomfrey。
"HopeIain'tdisturbin'ye，butIallowedI'djustbeneighborlyanddropin——seein'asthisisgov'nmentproperty，andmeandmypardners，asAmericancitizensandtax-payers，helpstosupportit。
We'recoastin'fromTrinidaddownhereandprospectin'alongthebeachforgoldinthesand。Yeseemtohevamightysoftberthofithere——nothingtodo——andlotsofpurtyhalf-breedshangin'
round！"
Theman'seffronterywastoomuchforPomfrey'sself-control，weakenedbyillness。"ItISgovernmentproperty，"heansweredhotly，"andyouhavenomorerighttointrudeuponitthanyouhavetodecoyawaymyservant，agovernmentemployee，duringmyillness，andjeopardizethatproperty。"
Theunexpectednessofthisattack，andthesuddenrevelationofthefactofPomfrey'sillnessinhisflushedfaceandhollowvoiceapparentlyfrightenedandconfusedthestranger。Hestammeredasurlyexcuse，backedoutofthedoorway，anddisappeared。AnhourlaterJimappeared，crestfallen，remorseful，andextravagantlypenitent。Pomfreywastooweakforreproachesorinquiry，andhewasthinkingonlyofOlooya。
Shedidnotreturn。Hisrecoveryinthatkeenair，aided，ashesometimesthought，bytheherbsshehadgivenhim，wasalmostasrapidashisillness。Theminersdidnotagainintrudeuponthelighthousenortroublehisseclusion。Whenhewasabletosunhimselfonthesands，hecouldseetheminthedistanceatworkonthebeach。Hereflectedthatshewouldnotcomebackwhiletheywerethere，andwasreconciled。ButonemorningJimappeared，awkwardandembarrassed，leadinganotherIndian，whomheintroducedasOlooya'sbrother。Pomfrey'ssuspicionswerearoused。Exceptthatthestrangerhadsomethingofthegirl'ssuperiorityofmanner，therewasnolikenesswhatevertohisfair-hairedacquaintance。Butafuryofindignationwasaddedtohissuspicionswhenhelearnedtheamazingpurportoftheirvisit。ItwasnothinglessthananofferfromtheallegedbrothertoSELLhissistertoPomfreyforfortydollarsandajugofwhiskey！
Unfortunately，Pomfrey'stemperoncemoregotthebetterofhisjudgment。WithascathingexpositionofthelawsunderwhichtheIndianandwhitemanequallylived，andthelegalpunishmentofkidnaping，hesweptwhathebelievedwastheimpostorfromhispresence。Hewasscarcelyaloneagainbeforeherememberedthathisimprudencemightaffectthegirl'sfutureaccesstohim，butitwastoolatenow。
Stillheclungtothebeliefthatheshouldseeherwhentheprospectorshaddeparted，andhehailedwithdelightthebreakingupofthecampnearthe"sweat-house"andthedisappearanceoftheschooner。Itseemedthattheirgold-seekingwasunsuccessful；butPomfreywasstruck，onvisitingthelocality，tofindthatintheirexcavationsinthesandattheestuarytheyhaduncoveredthedecayingtimbersofaship'ssmallboatofsomeancientandobsoleteconstruction。Thismadehimthinkofhisstrangedream，withavaguesenseofwarningwhichhecouldnotshakeoff，andonhisreturntothelighthousehetookfromhisshelvesacopyoftheoldvoyagestoseehowfarhisfancyhadbeenaffectedbyhisreading。IntheaccountofDrake'svisittothecoasthefoundafootnotewhichhehadoverlookedbefore，andwhichranasfollows：
"TheAdmiralseemstohavelostseveralofhiscrewbydesertion，whoweresupposedtohaveperishedmiserablybystarvationintheinhospitableinteriororbythehandsofsavages。ButlatervoyagershavesuggestedthatthedesertersmarriedIndianwives，andthereisalegendthatahundredyearslaterasingularraceofhalf-breeds，bearingunmistakableAnglo-Saxoncharacteristics，wasfoundinthatlocality。"Pomfreyfellintoareverieofstrangehypothesesandfancies。Heresolvedthat，whenheagainsawOlooya，hewouldquestionher；herterrorofthesemenmightbesimplyracialorsomehereditarytransmission。
Buthisintentionwasneverfulfilled。Forwhendaysandweekshadelapsed，andhehadvainlyhauntedtheriverestuaryandtherockyreefbeforethelighthousewithoutasignofher，heovercamehispridesufficientlytoquestionJim。Themanlookedathimwithdullastonishment。
"Olooyagone，"hesaid。
"Gone！——where？"
TheIndianmadeagesturetoseawardwhichseemedtoencompassthewholePacific。
"How？Withwhom？"repeatedhisangryyethalf-frightenedmaster。
"Withwhitemaninship。YousayYOUnowantOlooya——fortydollarstoomuch。Whitemangivefiftydollars——takeeOlooyaallsame。"
UNDERTHEEAVES
TheassistanteditoroftheSanFrancisco"DailyInformer"wasgoinghome。Somuchofhistimewasspentintheofficeofthe"Informer"thatnooneevercaredtoknowwherehepassedthosesixhoursofsleepwhichpresumablysuggestedadomicile。Hisbusinessappointmentsoutsidetheofficeweregenerallykeptattherestaurantwherehebreakfastedanddined，orofeveningsinthelobbiesoftheatresortheanteroomsofpublicmeetings。Yethehadahomeandanintervalofseclusionofwhichhewasjealouslymindful，anditwastothishewasgoingto-nightathisusualhour。
Hisroomwasinanewbuildingononeofthelargerandbusierthoroughfares。Thelowerfloorwasoccupiedbyabank，butasitwasclosedbeforehecamehome，andnotyetopenedwhenheleft，itdidnotdisturbhisdomesticsensibilities。Thesamemaybesaidofthenextfloor，whichwasdevotedtostockbrokers'andcompaniesoffices，andwasequallytomb-likeandsilentwhenhepassed；thefloorabovethatwasadesertofemptyrooms，whichechoedtohisfootstepsnightandmorning，withhereandthereanoasisinthegreensignofaminingsecretary'soffice，with，however，thedesolatingannouncementthatitwouldonlybe"openfortransfersfromtwotofouronSaturdays。"Thetopfloorhadbeenfranklyabandonedinanunfinishedstatebythebuilder，whoseambitionhad"o'erleapeditself"inthatsanguineeraofthecity'sgrowth。
Therewasasmellofplasterandthefirstcoatofpaintaboutitstill，butthewholefrontofthebuildingwasoccupiedbyalongroomwithodd"bull's-eye"windowslookingoutthroughtheheavyornamentationsofthecorniceovertheadjacentroofs。
Ithadbeenoriginallyintendedforaclub-room，butaftertheillfortunewhichattendedthelettingofthefloorbelow，andpossiblybecausetheearthquake-fearingSanFranciscanshadtheirdoubtsofsuccessfulhilarityatthetopofsotallabuilding，itremainedunfinished，withthetwosmallerroomsatitsside。Itsincompleteandlonelygrandeurhadoncestrucktheeditorduringavisitofinspection，andthelandlord，whomheknew，hadofferedtomakeithabitableforhimatanominalrent。Ithadalavatorywithamarblebasinandatapofcoldwater。Theofferwasanovelone，butheacceptedit，andfitteduptheapartmentwithsomecheapsecond-handfurniture，quiteinconsistentwiththecarvedmantelsanddecorations，andmadeafairsitting-roomandbedroomofit。
Here，onaSunday，whenitsstillnesswasintensified，andevenapassingfootsteponthepavementfiftyfeetbelowwasquitestartling，hewouldsitandworkbyoneofthequaintopenwindows。
Intherainyseason，throughthefilmedpaneshesometimescaughtaglimpseofthedistant，white-cappedbay，butneverofthestreetbelowhim。
Thelightswereout，but，gropinghiswayuptothefirstlanding，hetookfromacup-boardednicheinthewallhiscandlestickandmatchesandcontinuedtheascenttohisroom。Thehumblecandlelightflickeredontheostentatiousgoldlettersdisplayedontheground-glassdoorsofopulentcompanieswhichheknewwerefamous，androomswheremillionairesmetinsecretconclave，butthecontrastawakenedonlyhissenseofhumor。Yethewasalwaysrelievedafterhehadreachedhisownfloor。Possiblyitsincompletenessandinchoateconditionmadeitseemlesslonelythanthedesolationofthefinishedandfurnishedroomsbelow，anditwasonlythisrecollectionofpasthumanoccupancythatwasdepressing。
Heopenedhisdoor，litthesolitarygasjetthatonlyhalfilluminatedthelongroom，and，itbeingalreadypastmidnight，begantoundresshimself。Thisprocesspresentlybroughthimtothatcornerofhisroomwherehisbedstood，whenhesuddenlystopped，andhissleepyyawnchangedtoagapeofsurprise。For，lyinginthebed，itsheaduponthepillow，anditsrigidarmsaccuratelystretcheddownovertheturned-backsheet，wasachild'sdoll！Itwasasmalldoll——abangedandbattereddoll，thathadseenservice，butithadevidentlybeen"tuckedin"withmaternaltenderness，andlaytherewithitsstaringeyesturnedtotheceiling，theverygeniusofinsomnia！
Hisfirststartofsurprisewasfollowedbyanaturalresentmentofwhatmighthavebeenanimpertinentintrusiononhisprivacybysomepractical-jokingadult，forheknewtherewasnochildinthehouse。
Hisroomwaskeptinorderbythewifeofthenightwatchmanemployedbythebank，andnooneelsehadarightofaccesstoit。
Butthewomanmighthavebroughtachildthereandnotnoticeditsdisposalofitsplaything。Hesmiled。Itmighthavebeenworse！
Itmighthavebeenarealbaby！
Theideatickledhimwithapromiseoffuture"copy"——ofastorywithfarcicalcomplications，orevenadramaticending，inwhichthebaby，adoptedbyhim，shouldturnouttobesomebody'sstolenoffspring。Heliftedthelittleimagethathadsuggestedthesefancies，carefullylaiditonhistable，wenttobed，andpresentlyforgotitallinslumber。
Inthemorninghisgood-humorandinterestinitrevivedtotheextentofwritingonaslipofpaper，"Good-morning！Thankyou——
I'vesleptverywell，"puttingtheslipinthedoll'sjointedarms，andleavingitinasittingpostureoutsidehisdoorwhenhelefthisroom。Whenhereturnedlateatnightitwasgone。
Butitsochancedthat，afewdayslater，owingtopressofworkonthe"Informer，"hewasobligedtoforegohisusualSundayholidayoutoftown，andthatmorningfoundhim，whilethebellswereringingforchurch，inhisroomwithapileofmanuscriptandproofbeforehim。FortheseweretroublousdaysinSanFrancisco；thegreatVigilanceCommitteeof'56wasinsession，andtheofficesofthedailypaperswerethrongedwitheagerseekersofnews。Suchaffairs，indeed，werenotinthefunctionsoftheassistanteditor，norexactlytohistaste；hewasneitherapartisanoftheso-
calledLawandOrderParty，noryetanenthusiasticadmirerofthecitizenRevolutionistsknownastheVigilanceCommittee，bothextremesbeingincompatiblewithhishabitsofthought。
Consequentlyhewasnotdispleasedatthisopportunityofdoinghisworkawayfromtheofficeandthe"headytalk"ofcontroversy。
HeworkedonuntilthebellsceasedandamorethanSabbathstillnessfelluponthestreets。Soquietwasitthatonceortwicetheconversationofpassingpedestriansfloatedupandintohiswindow，asofvoicesathiselbow。
Presentlyheheardthesoundofachild'svoicesinginginsubduedtone，asiffearfulofbeingoverheard。Thistimehelaidasidehispen——itcertainlywasnodelusion！Thesounddidnotcomefromtheopenwindow，butfromsomespaceonalevelwithhisroom。Yettherewasnocontiguousbuildingashigh。
Heroseandtriedtoopenhisdoorsoftly，butitcreaked，andthesinginginstantlyceased。Therewasnothingbeforehimbutthebare，emptyhall，withitslathedandplasteredpartitions，andthetwosmallerrooms，unfinishedlikehisown，oneithersideofhim。
Theirdoorswereshut；theoneathisrighthandwaslocked，theotheryieldedtohistouch。
Forthefirstmomenthesawonlythebarewallsoftheapparentlyemptyroom。Butasecondglanceshowedhimtwochildren——aboyofsevenandagirloffive——sittingonthefloor，whichwasfurtherlitteredbyamattress，pillow，andblanket。Therewasacheaptrayononeofthetrunkscontainingtwosoiledplatesandcupsandfragmentsofameal。Buttherewasneitherachairnortablenoranyotherarticleoffurnitureintheroom。Yethewasstruckbythefactthat，inspiteofthispovertyofsurrounding，thechildrenweredecentlydressed，andthefewscatteredpiecesofluggageinqualitybespokeasuperiorcondition。
Thechildrenmethisastonishedstarewithanequalwonderand，hefancied，somelittlefright。Theboy'slipstrembledalittleashesaidapologetically——
"ItoldJinnynottosing。Butshedidn'tmakeMUCHnoise。"
"MammasaidIcouldplaywithmydolly。ButIfordotandsinged，"
saidthelittlegirlpenitently。
"Where'syourmamma？"askedtheyoungman。Thefancyoftheirbeingnearrelativesofthenightwatchmanhadvanishedatthesoundoftheirvoices。
"Dornout，"saidthegirl。
"Whendidshegoout？"
"Lastnight。"
"Wereyouallaloneherelastnight？"
"Yes！"
Perhapstheysawthelookofindignationandpityintheeditor'sface，fortheboysaidquickly——
"Shedon'tgooutEVERYnight；lastnightshewentto"——
Hestoppedsuddenly，andbothchildrenlookedateachotherwithahalflaughandhalfcry，andthenrepeatedinhopelessunison，"She'sdornout。"
"Whenisshecomingbackagain？"
"To-night。Butwewon'tmakeanymorenoise。"
"Whobringsyouyourfood？"continuedtheeditor，lookingatthetray。
"Woberts。"
EvidentlyRoberts，thenightwatchman！Theeditorfeltrelieved；
herewasacluetosomeexplanation。Heinstantlysatdownonthefloorbetweenthem。
"Sothatwasthedollythatsleptinmybed，"hesaidgayly，takingitup。
Godgiveshelplessnessawonderfulintuitionofitsfriends。Thechildrenlookedupatthefaceoftheirgrown-upcompanion，giggled，andthenburstintoashrillfitoflaughter。Hefeltthatitwasthefirstonetheyhadreallyindulgedinformanydays。Neverthelesshesaid，"Hush！"confidentially；whyhescarcelyknew，excepttointimatetothemthathehadtakenintheirsituationthoroughly。"Makenonoise，"headdedsoftly，"andcomeintomybigroom。"
Theyhungback，however，withfrightenedyetlongingeyes。"Mammasaidwemussentdooutofthisroom，"saidthegirl。
"NotALONE，"respondedtheeditorquickly，"butwithME，youknow；
that'sdifferent。"
Thelogicsufficedthem，poorasitwas。Theirhandsslidquitenaturallyintohis。Butatthedoorhestopped，andmotioningtothelockeddooroftheotherroom，asked：——
"Andisthatmamma'sroom，too？"
Theirlittlehandsslippedfromhisandtheyweresilent。
Presentlytheboy，asifacteduponbysomeoccultinfluenceofthegirl，saidinahalfwhisper，"Yes。"
Theeditordidnotquestionfurther，butledthemintohisroom。
Heretheylosttheslightrestrainttheyhadshown，andbegan，childfashion，tobecomequestionersthemselves。
Inafewmomentstheywereinpossessionofhisname，hisbusiness，thekindofrestauranthefrequented，wherehewentwhenhelefthisroomallday，themeaningofthosefunnyslipsofpaper，andthewrittenmanuscripts，andwhyhewassoquiet。Butanyattemptofhistoretaliatebycounterquestionswasmetbyasuddenreservesounchildlikeandpainfultohim——asitwasevidentlytothemselves——thathedesisted，wiselypostponinghisinquiriesuntilhecouldmeetRoberts。
Hewasgladwhentheyfelltoplayinggameswitheachotherquitenaturally，yetnotentirelyforgettinghispropinquity，astheiroccasionalfurtiveglancesathismovementsshowedhim。He，too，becamepresentlyabsorbedinhiswork，untilitwasfinishedanditwastimeforhimtotakeittotheofficeofthe"Informer。"ThewildideaseizedhimofalsotakingthechildrenafterwardsforaholidaytotheMissionDolores，butheprudentlyrememberedthateventhisnegligentmotheroftheirsmighthavesomerightsoverheroffspringthathewasboundtorespect。
Hetookleaveofthemgayly，suggestingthatthedollbereplacedinhisbedwhilehewasaway，andevenassistedin"tuckingitup。"
Butduringtheafternoontherecollectionoftheselonelyplayfellowsinthedesertedhouseobtrudeditselfuponhisworkandthetalkofhiscompanions。Sundaynightwashisbusiestnight，andhecouldnot，therefore，hopetogetawayintimetoassurehimselfoftheirmother'sreturn。
Itwasnearlytwointhemorningwhenhereturnedtohisroom。Hepausedforamomentonthethresholdtolistenforanysoundfromtheadjoiningroom。Butallwashushed。
Hisintentionofspeakingtothenightwatchmanwas，however，anticipatedthenextmorningbythatguardianhimself。Atapuponhisdoorwhilehewasdressingcausedhimtoopenitsomewhathurriedlyinthehopeoffindingoneofthechildrenthere，buthemetonlytheembarrassedfaceofRoberts。Invitinghimintotheroom，theeditorcontinueddressing。Carefullyclosingthedoorbehindhim，themanbegan，withevidenthesitation，——
"Ioughterhevtoldyesuthin'afore，Mr。Breeze；butIkalkilated，sotospeak，thatyouwouldn'tbebotheredonewayoranother，andsoyehadn'tanycalltoknowthattherewasfolkshere"——
"Oh，Isee，"interruptedBreezecheerfully；"you'respeakingofthefamilynextdoor——thelandlord'snewtenants。"
"Theyain'texactlyTHAT，"saidRoberts，stillwithembarrassment。
"Thefactis——yesee——thethingpointsTHISway：theyain'tnorighttobehere，andit'sasmuchasmyplaceisworthifitleaksoutthattheyare。"
Mr。Breezesuspendedhiscollar-buttoning，andstaredatRoberts。
"Yousee，sir，they'remightypoor，andthey'venowhereelsetogo——
andIreckonedtotake'eminhereforaspellandsaynothingaboutit。"
"Butthelandlordwouldn'tobject，surely？I'llspeaktohimmyself，"saidBreezeimpulsively。
"Oh，no；don't！"saidRobertsinalarm；"hewouldn'tlikeit。Yousee，Mr。Breeze，it'sjustthisway：themother，she'sabornlady，anddidmyoldwomanagoodturninoldtimeswhenthefamilywasrich；butnowshe'sobliged——justtosupportherself，youknow——totakeupwithwhatshegets，andsheactsintheballyinthetheatre，yousee，andheztocomeinlateo'nights。Inthemcheapboarding-houses，youknow，thefolkslooksdownuponherforthat，andwon'thevher，andinthecheaphotelsthemenare——youknow——adarnedsightwuss，andthat'showItookherandherkidsinhere，wherenooneknows'em。"
"Isee，"noddedtheeditorsympathetically；"andverygooditwasofyou，myman。"
Robertslookedstillmoreconfused，andstammeredwithaforcedlaugh，"And——so——I'mjustkeepingheronhere，unbeknownst，untilherhusbandgets"——Hestoppedsuddenly。
"Soshehasahusbandliving，then？"saidBreezeinsurprise。
"Inthemines，yes——inthemines！"repeatedRobertswithamonotonousdeliberationquitedistinctfromhisprevioushesitation，"andshe'sonlywaitin'untilhegetsmoneyenough——
to——totakeheraway。"Hestoppedandbreathedhard。
"Butcouldn'tyou——couldn'tWE——gethersomemorefurniture？
There'snothinginthatroom，youknow，notachairortable；andunlesstheotherroomisbetterfurnished"——
"Eh？Oh，yes！"saidRobertsquickly，yetstillwithacertainembarrassment；"ofcourseTHAT'Sbetterfurnished，andshe'squitesatisfied，andsoarethekids，withanything。Andnow，Mr。
Breeze，Ireckonyou'llsaynothin'o'this，andyou'llnevergobackonme？"
"MydearMr。Roberts，"saidtheeditorgravely，"fromthismomentI
amnotonlyblind，butdeaftothefactthatANYBODYoccupiesthisfloorbutmyself。"
"Iknewyouwaswhiteallthrough，Mr。Breeze，"saidthenightwatchman，graspingtheyoungman'shandwithagripofiron，"andI
telledmywifeso。Isez，'JestyouletmetellhimEVERYTHIN'，'
butshe"——Hestoppedagainandbecameconfused。
"Andshewasquiteright，Idaresay，"saidBreeze，withalaugh；
"andIdonotwanttoknowanything。AndthatpoorwomanmustneverknowthatIeverknewanything，either。Butyoumaytellyourwifethatwhenthemotherisawayshecanbringthelittleonesinherewhenevershelikes。"
"Thankye——thankye，sir！——andI'lljustrundownandtelltheoldwomannow，andwon'tintrudeuponyourdressin'anylonger。"
HegraspedBreeze'shandagain，wentoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim。Itmighthavebeentheeditor'sfancy，buthethoughttherewasacertainintervalofsilenceoutsidethedoorbeforethenightwatchman'sheavytreadwasheardalongthehallagain。
ForseveraleveningsafterthisMr。Breezepaidsomeattentiontotheballetinhisusualroundofthetheatres。Althoughhehadneverseenhisfairneighbor，hehadavagueideathathemightrecognizeherthroughsomelikenesstoherchildren。Butinvain。
Intheopulentcharmsofcertainnymphs，andintheangularausteritiesofothers，hefailedequallytodiscernanyofthoserefinementswhichmighthavedistinguishedthe"bornlady"ofRoberts'sstory，orwhichhehimselfhadseeninherchildren。
Thesehedidnotmeetagainduringtheweek，ashisdutieskepthimlateattheoffice；butfromcertainsignsinhisroomheknewthatMrs。Robertshadavailedherselfofhisinvitationtobringtheminwithher，andheregularlyfound"Jinny's"dolltuckedupinhisbedatnight，andheasregularlydisposedofitoutsidehisdoorinthemorning，withafewsweets，likeanoffering，tuckedunderitsrigidarms。
Butanothercircumstancetouchedhimmoredelicately；hisroomwasarrangedwithgreatercarethanbefore，andwithanoccasionalexhibitionoftastethatcertainlyhadnotdistinguishedMrs。
Roberts'spreviousministrations。Oneeveningonhisreturnhefoundasmallbouquetofinexpensiveflowersinaglassonhiswriting-table。Helovedflowerstoowellnottodetectthattheywerequitefresh，andcouldhavebeenputthereonlyanhourortwobeforehearrived。
ThenexteveningwasSaturday，and，asheusuallylefttheofficeearlieronthatday，itoccurredtohim，ashewalkedhome，thatitwasaboutthetimehisfairneighborwouldbeleavingthetheatre，andthatitwaspossiblehemightmeether。
Atthefrontdoor，however，hefoundRoberts，whoreturnedhisgreetingwithacertainawkwardnesswhichstruckhimassingular。
Whenhereachedthenicheonthelandinghefoundhiscandlewasgone，butheproceededon，gropinghiswayupthestairs，withanoddconvictionthatboththeseincidentspointedtothefactthatthewomanhadjustreturnedorwasexpected。
Hehadalsoastrangefeeling——whichmayhavebeenowingtothedarkness——thatsomeonewashiddenonthelandingoronthestairswherehewouldpass。Thiswasfurtheraccentedbyafaintodorofpatchouli，as，withhishandontherail，heturnedthecornerofthethirdlanding，andhewasconvincedthatifhehadputouthisotherhanditwouldhavecomeincontactwithhismysteriousneighbor。Butacertaininstinctofrespectforhersecret，whichshewasevennowguardinginthedarkness，withheldhim，andhepassedonquicklytohisownfloor。
Hereitwaslighter；themoonshotabeamofsilveracrossthepassagefromanunshutteredwindowashepassed。Hereachedhisroomdoor，entered，butinsteadoflightingthegasandshuttingthedoor，stoodwithithalfopen，listeninginthedarkness。
Hissuspicionswereverified；therewasaslightrustlingnoise，andafigurewhichhadevidentlyfollowedhimappearedattheendofthepassage。Itwasthatofawomanhabitedinagrayishdressandcloakofthesamecolor；butasshepassedacrossthebandofmoonlighthehadadistinctviewofheranxious，worriedface。Itwasafacenolongeryoung；itwaswornwithillness，butstillrepletewithadelicacyandfadedbeautysoinconsistentwithheravowedprofessionthathefeltasuddenpangofpainanddoubt。
Thenextmomentshehadvanishedinherroom，leavingthesamefaintperfumebehindher。Heclosedhisdoorsoftly，litthegas，andsatdowninastateofperplexity。Thatswiftglimpseofherfaceandfigurehadmadeherstoryimprobabletothepointofabsurdity，orpossiblytotheextremeofpathos！
Itseemedincrediblethatawomanofthatqualityshouldbeforcedtoacceptavocationatoncesolow，sodistasteful，andsounremunerative。Withherevidentantecedents，hadshenofriendsbutthiscommonWesternnightwatchmanofabank？HadRobertsdeceivedhim？Washiswholestoryafabrication，andwastheresomecomplicitybetweenthetwo？Whatwasit？Heknithisbrows。
Mr。Breezehadthatoverpoweringknowledgeoftheworldwhichonlycomeswiththeexperienceoftwenty-five，andtothishesuperaddedtheactiveimaginationofanewspaperman。Aplottorobthebank？
Thesemysteriousabsences，thatluggagewhichhedoubtednotwasemptyandintendedforspoil！Butwhyencumberherselfwiththetwochildren？Herehiscommonsenseandinstinctoftheludicrousreturnedandhesmiled。
Buthecouldnotbelieveintheballetdancer！Hewondered，indeed，howanymanagercouldhaveacceptedthegrimsatireofthatpale，worriedfaceamongthefairies，thatsadrefinementamidtheirvacantsmilesandrougedchecks。Andthen，growingsadagain，hecomfortedhimselfwiththereflectionthatatleastthechildrenwerenotalonethatnight，andsowenttosleep。
Forsomedayshehadnofurthermeetingwithhisneighbors。Thedisturbedstateofthecity——fortheVigilanceCommitteewerestillinsession——obligedthedailypresstoissue"extras，"andhisworkattheofficeincreased。
ItwasnotuntilSundayagainthathewasabletobeathome。
Needlesstosaythathissolitarylittlecompanionsweredulyinstalledthere，whilehesatatworkwithhisproofsonthetablebeforehim。