"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Imeanthatheisnottryingtopickusup，"shewentoninthesamecomposedvoice。"Hethrewmeoverboard。"
　　"Youarenotmakingamistake？"
　　"HowcouldI？Iwasatthemainrigging，lookingtoseeifanymorerainthreatened。Hemusthaveleftthewheelandcreptbehindme。Iwasholdingontoastaywithonehand。Hegrippedmyhandfreefrombehindandthrewmeover。It’stoobadyoudidn’tknow，orelseyouwouldhavestaidaboard。"
　　Duncangroaned，butsaidnothingforseveralminutes。Thegreenlightchangedthedirectionofitscourse。
　　"She’sgoneabout，"heannounced。"Youareright。He’sdeliberatelyworkingaroundusandtowindward。Upwindtheycanneverhearme。Butheregoes。"
　　Hecalledatminuteintervalsforalongtime。Thegreenlightdisappeared，beingreplacedbythered，showingthattheyachthadgoneaboutagain。
　　"Minnie，"hesaidfinally，"itpainsmetotellyou，butyoumarriedafool。OnlyafoolwouldhavegoneoverboardasI
　　did。"
　　"Whatchancehaveweofbeingpickedup……bysomeothervessel，Imean？"sheasked。
　　"Aboutoneintenthousand，ortenthousandmillion。Notasteamerroutenortraderoutecrossesthisstretchofocean。
　　Andtherearen’tanywhalersknockingabouttheSouthSeas。
　　TheremightbeastraytradingschoonerrunningacrossfromTutuwanga。ButIhappentoknowthatislandisvisitedonlyonceayear。Achanceinamillionisours。"
　　"Andwe’llplaythatchance，"sherejoinedstoutly。
　　"YouAREajoy！"Hishandliftedherstohislips。"AndAuntElizabethalwayswonderedwhatIsawinyou。Ofcoursewe’llplaythatchance。Andwe’llwinit，too。Tohappenotherwisewouldbeunthinkable。Heregoes。"
　　Heslippedtheheavypistolfromhisbeltandletitsinkintothesea。Thebelt，however，heretained。
　　"Nowyougetinsidethebuoyandgetsomesleep。Duckunder。"
　　Sheduckedobediently，andcameupinsidethefloatingcircle。
　　Hefastenedthestrapsforher，then，withthepistolbelt，buckledhimselfacrossoneshouldertotheoutsideofthebuoy。
　　"We’regoodforalldayto—morrow，"hesaid。"ThankGodthewater’swarm。Itwon’tbeahardshipforthefirsttwenty—hourhours，anyway。Andifwe’renotpickedupbynightfall，we’vejustgottohangonforanotherday，that’sall。"
　　Forhalfanhourtheymaintainedsilence，Duncan，hisheadrestingonthearmthatwasonthebuoy，seemedasleep。
　　"Boyd？"Minniesaidsoftly。
　　"Thoughtyouwereasleep，"hegrowled。
　　"Boyd，ifwedon’tcomethroughthis——"
　　"Stowthat！"hebrokeinungallantly。"Ofcoursewe’recomingthrough。Thereisisn’tadoubtofit。Somewhereonthisoceanisashipthat’sheadingrightforus。Youwaitandsee。JustthesameIwishmybrainwereequippedwithwireless。NowI’mgoingtosleep，ifyoudon’t。"
　　Butforonce，sleepbaffledhim。AnhourlaterheheardMinniestirandknewshewasawake。
　　"Say，doyouknowwhatI’vebeenthinking！"sheasked。
　　"No;what？"
　　"ThatI’llwishyouaMerryChristmas。"
　　"ByGeorge，Ineverthoughtofit。Ofcourseit’sChristmasDay。We’llhavemanymoreofthem，too。AnddoyouknowwhatI’vebeenthinking？Whataconfoundedshamewe’redoneoutofourChristmasdinner。WaittillIlayhandsonDettmar。I’lltakeitoutofhim。Anditwon’tbewithanironbelayingpineither，Justtwobunchesofnakedknuckles，that’sall。"
　　Despitehisfacetiousness，BoydDuncanhadlittlehope。Heknewwellenoughthemeaningofonechanceinamillion，andwascalmlycertainthathiswifeandhehadenteredupontheirlastfewlivinghours——hoursthatwereinevitablyboundtobeblackandterriblewithtragedy。
　　Thetropicsunroseinacloudlesssky。Nothingwastobeseen。
　　TheSamosetwasbeyondthesea—rim。Asthesunrosehigher，Duncanrippedhispajamatrousersinhalvesandfashionedthemintotworudeturbans。Soakedinsea—watertheyoffsettheheat—rays。
　　"WhenIthinkofthatdinner，I’mreallyangry，"hecomplained，ashenotedananxiousexpressionthreateningtosetonhiswife’sface。"AndIwantyoutobewithmewhenIsettlewithDettmar。I’vealwaysbeenopposedtowomenwitnessingscenesofblood，butthisisdifferent。Itwillbeabeating。"
　　"IhopeIdon’tbreakmyknucklesonhim，"headded，afterapause。
　　Middaycameandwent，andtheyfloatedon，thecenterofanarrowsea—circle。Agentlebreathofthedyingtrade—windfannedthem，andtheyroseandfellmonotonouslyonthesmoothswellsofaperfectsummersea。Once，aguniespiedthem，andforhalfanhourcircledaboutthemwithmajesticsweeps。And，once，ahugerayfish，measuringascoreoffeetacrossthetips，passedwithinafewyards。
　　Bysunset，Minniebegantorave，softly，babblingly，likeachild。Duncan’sfacegrewhaggardashewatchedandlistened，whileinhismindherevolvedplansofhowbesttoendthehoursofagonythatwere。coining。And，soplanning，astheyroseonalargerswellthanusual，hesweptthecircleoftheseawithhiseyes，andsaw，whatmadehimcryout。
　　"Minnie！"Shedidnotanswer，andheshoutedhernameagaininherear，withallthevoicehecouldcommand。Hereyesopened，inthemflutteredcommingledconsciousnessanddelirium。Heslappedherhandsandwriststillthestingoftheblowsrousedher。
　　"Theresheis，thechanceinamillion！"hecried。
　　"Asteameratthat，headingstraightforus！ByGeorge，it’sacruiser！Ihaveit！—theAnnapolis，returningwiththoseastronomersfromTutuwanga……
　　UnitedStatesConsulLingfordwasafussy，elderlygentleman，andinthetwoyearsofhisserviceatAttu—AttuhadneverencounteredsounprecedentedacaseasthatlaidbeforehimbyBoydDuncan。Thelatter，withhiswife，hadbeenlandedtherebytheAnnapolis，whichhadpromptlygoneonwithitscargoofastronomerstoFiji。
　　"Itwascold—blooded，deliberateattempttomurder，"saidConsulLingford。"Thelawshalltakeitscourse。Idon’tknowhowpreciselytodealwiththisCaptainDettmar，butifhecomestoAttu—Attu，dependuponitheshallbedealtwith，he——ah——shallbedealtwith。Inthemeantime，Ishallreadupthelaw。Andnow，won’tyouandyourgoodladystopforlunch！"
　　AsDuncanacceptedtheinvitation，Minnie，whohadbeenglancingoutofthewindowattheharbor，suddenlyleanedforwardandtouchedherhusband’sarm。Hefollowedhergaze，andsawtheSamoset，flagathalfmast，roundingupanddroppinganchorscarcelyahundredyardsaway。
　　"There’smyboatnow，"DuncansaidtotheConsul。"Andthere’sthelaunchovertheside，andCaptainDettmardroppingintoit。
　　IfIdon’tmissmyguess，he’scomingtoreportourdeathstoyou。"
　　Thelaunchlandedonthewhitebeach，andleavingLorenzotinkeringwiththeengine，CaptainDettmarstrodeacrossthebeachandupthepathtotheConsulate。
　　"Lethimmakehisreport，"Duncansaid。"We’lljuststepintothisnextroomandlisten。"
　　Andthroughthepartlyopendoor，heandhiswifeheardCaptainDettmar，withtearsinhisvoice，describethelossofhisowners。
　　"Ijibedoverandwentbackacrosstheveryspot，"heconcluded。"Therewasnotasignofthem。Icalledandcalled，buttherewasneverananswer。Itackedbackandforthandworefortwosolidhours，thenhovetotilldaybreak，andcruisedbackandforthallday，twomenatthemastheads。Itisterrible。Iamheartbroken。Mr。Duncanwasasplendidman，andIshallnever……"
　　Buthenevercompletedthesentence，foratthatmomenthissplendidemployerstrodeoutuponhim，leavingMinniestandinginthedoorway。CaptainDettmar’swhitefaceblanchedevenwhiter。
　　"Ididmybesttopickyouup，sir，"hebegan。
　　BoydDuncan’sanswerwascouchedintermsofbunchedknuckles，twobunchesofthem，thatlandedrightandleftonCaptainDettmar’sface。
　　CaptainDettmarstaggeredbackward，recovered，andrushedwithswingingarmsathisemployer，onlytobemetwithablowsquarelybetweentheeyes。ThistimetheCaptainwentdown，bearingthetypewriterunderhimashecrashedtothefloor。
　　"Thisisnotpermissible，"ConsulLingfordspluttered。"Ibegofyou，Ibegofyou，todesist。"
　　"I’llpaythedamagestoofficefurniture，"Duncananswered，andatthesametimelandingmorebunchedknucklesontheeyesandnoseofDettmar。
　　ConsulLingfordbobbedaroundintheturmoillikeawethen，whilehisofficefurniturewenttoruin。Once，hecaughtDuncanbythearm，butwasflungback，gasping，half—acrosstheroom。
　　AnothertimeheappealedtoMinnie。
　　"Mrs。Duncan，won’tyou，please，please，restrainyourhusband？"
　　Butshe，white—facedandtrembling，resolutelyshookherheadandwatchedthefraywithallhereyes。
　　"Itisoutrageous，"ConsulLingfordcried，dodgingthehurtlingbodiesofthetwomen。"ItisanaffronttotheGovernment，totheUnitedStatesGovernment。Norwillitbeoverlooked，Iwarnyou。Oh，dopraydesist，Mr。Duncan。Youwillkilltheman。I
　　begofyou。Ibeg，Ibeg……"
　　Butthecrashofatallvasefilledwithcrimsonhibiscusblossomslefthimspeechless。
　　ThetimecamewhenCaptainDettmarcouldnolongergetup。Hegotasfarashandsandknees，struggledvainlytorisefurther，thencollapsed。Duncanstirredthegroaningwreckwithhisfoot。
　　"He’sallright，"heannounced。"I’veonlygivenhimwhathehasgivenmanyasailorandworse。"
　　"Greatheavens，sir！"ConsulLingfordexploded，staringhorror—strickenatthemanwhomhehadinvitedtolunch。
　　Duncangiggledinvoluntarily，thencontrolledhimself。
　　"Iapologize，Mr。Lingford，Imostheartilyapologize。IfearI
　　wasslightlycarriedawaybymyfeelings。"
　　ConsulLingfordgulpedandsawedtheairspeechlesslywithhisarms。
　　"Slightly，sir？Slightly？"hemanagedtoarticulate。
　　"Boyd，"Minniecalledsoftlyfromthedoorway。
　　Heturnedandlooked。
　　"YouAREajoy，"shesaid。
　　"Andnow，Mr。Lingford，Iamdonewithhim，"Duncansaid。"I
　　turnoverwhatislefttoyouandthelaw。"
　　"That？"ConsulLingfordqueried，inaccentofhorror。
　　"That，"BoydDuncanreplied，lookingruefullyathisbatteredknuckles。
　　WAR
　　HEwasayoungman，notmorethantwenty—fourorfive，andhemighthavesathishorsewiththecarelessgraceofhisyouthhadhenotbeensocatlikeandtense。Hisblackeyesrovedeverywhere，catchingthemovementsoftwigsandbrancheswheresmallbirdshopped，questingeveronwardthroughthechangingvistasoftreesandbrush，andreturningalwaystotheclumpsofundergrowthoneitherside。Andashewatched，sodidhelisten，thoughherodeoninsilence，savefortheboomofheavygunsfromfartothewest。Thishadbeensoundingmonotonouslyinhisearsforhours，andonlyitscessationcouldhavearousedhisnotice。Forhehadbusinessclosertohand。Acrosshissaddle—bowwasbalancedacarbine。
　　Sotenselywashestrung，thatabunchofquail，explodingintoflightfromunderhishorse’snose，startledhimtosuchanextentthatautomatically，instantly，hehadreinedinandfetchedthecarbinehalfwaytohisshoulder。Hegrinnedsheepishly，recoveredhimself，androdeon。Sotensewashe，sobentupontheworkhehadtodo，thatthesweatstunghiseyesunwiped，andunheededrolleddownhisnoseandspatteredhissaddlepommel。Thebandofhiscavalryman’shatwasfresh—stainedwithsweat。Theroanhorseunderhimwaslikewisewet。Itwashighnoonofabreathlessdayofheat。Eventhebirdsandsquirrelsdidnotdarethesun，butshelteredinshadyhidingplacesamongthetrees。
　　Manandhorsewerelitteredwithleavesanddustedwithyellowpollen，fortheopenwasventurednomorethanwascompulsory。
　　Theykepttothebrushandtrees，andinvariablythemanhaltedandpeeredoutbeforecrossingadrygladeornakedstretchofuplandpasturage。Heworkedalwaystothenorth，thoughhiswaywasdevious，anditwasfromthenorththatheseemedmosttoapprehendthatforwhichhewaslooking。Hewasnocoward，buthiscouragewasonlythatoftheaveragecivilizedman，andhewaslookingtolive，notdie。
　　Upasmallhillsidehefollowedacowpaththroughsuchdensescrubthathewasforcedtodismountandleadhishorse。Butwhenthepathswungaroundtothewest，heabandoneditandheadedtothenorthagainalongtheoak—coveredtopoftheridge。
　　Theridgeendedinasteepdescent—sosteepthathezigzaggedbackandforthacrossthefaceoftheslope，slidingandstumblingamongthedeadleavesandmattedvinesandkeepingawatchfuleyeonthehorseabovethatthreatenedtofalldownuponhim。Thesweatranfromhim，andthepollen—dust，settlingpungentlyinmouthandnostrils，increasedhisthirst。Tryashewould，neverthelessthedescentwasnoisy，andfrequentlyhestopped，pantinginthedryheatandlisteningforanywarningfrombeneath。
　　Atthebottomhecameoutonaflat，sodenselyforestedthathecouldnotmakeoutitsextent。Herethecharacterofthewoodschanged，andhewasabletoremount。Insteadofthetwistedhillsideoaks，tallstraighttrees，big—trunkedandprosperous，rosefromthedampfatsoil。Onlyhereandtherewerethickets，easilyavoided，whileheencounteredwinding，park—likegladeswherethecattlehadpasturedinthedaysbeforewarhadrunthemoff。
　　Hisprogresswasmorerapidnow，ashecamedownintothevalley，andattheendofhalfanhourhehaltedatanancientrailfenceontheedgeofaclearing。Hedidnotliketheopennessofit，yethispathlayacrosstothefringeoftreesthatmarkedthebanksofthestream。Itwasamerequarterofamileacrossthatopen，butthethoughtofventuringoutinitwasrepugnant。Arifle，ascoreofthem，athousand，mightlurkinthatfringebythestream。
　　Twiceheessayedtostart，andtwicehepaused。Hewasappalledbyhisownloneliness。ThepulseofwarthatbeatfromtheWestsuggestedthecompanionshipofbattlingthousands;herewasnaughtbutsilence，andhimself，andpossibledeath—dealingbulletsfromamyriadambushes。Andyethistaskwastofindwhathefearedtofind。Hemuston，andon，tillsomewhere，sometime，heencounteredanotherman，orothermen，fromtheotherside，scouting，ashewasscouting，tomakereport，ashemustmakereport，ofhavingcomeintouch。
　　Changinghismind，heskirtedinsidethewoodsforadistance，andagainpeepedforth。Thistime，inthemiddleoftheclearing，hesawasmallfarmhouse。Therewerenosignsoflife。Nosmokecurledfromthechimney，notabarnyardfowlcluckedandstrutted。Thekitchendoorstoodopen，andhegazedsolongandhardintotheblackaperturethatitseemedalmostthatafarmer’swifemustemergeatanymoment。
　　Helickedthepollenanddustfromhisdrylips，stiffenedhimself，mindandbody，androdeoutintotheblazingsunshine。
　　Nothingstirred。Hewentonpastthehouse，andapproachedthewalloftreesandbushesbytheriver’sbank。Onethoughtpersistedmaddeningly。Itwasofthecrashintohisbodyofahigh—velocitybullet。Itmadehimfeelveryfragileanddefenseless，andhecrouchedlowerinthesaddle。
　　Tetheringhishorseintheedgeofthewood，hecontinuedahundredyardsonfoottillhecametothestream。Twentyfeetwideitwas，withoutperceptiblecurrent，coolandinviting，andhewasverythirsty。Buthewaitedinsidehisscreenofleafage，hiseyesfixedonthescreenontheoppositeside。Tomakethewaitendurable，hesatdown，hiscarbinerestingonhisknees。Theminutespassed，andslowlyhistensenessrelaxed。Atlasthedecidedtherewasnodanger;butjustashepreparedtopartthebushesandbenddowntothewater，amovementamongtheoppositebushescaughthiseye。
　　Itmightbeabird。Buthewaited。Againtherewasanagitationofthebushes，andthen，sosuddenlythatitalmoststartledacryfromhim，thebushespartedandafacepeeredout。Itwasafacecoveredwithseveralweeks’growthofginger—coloredbeard。Theeyeswereblueandwideapart，withlaughter—wrinklesinthecomersthatshoweddespitethetiredandanxiousexpressionofthewholeface。
　　Allthishecouldseewithmicroscopicclearness，forthedistancewasnomorethantwentyfeet。Andallthishesawinsuchbrieftime，thathesawitasheliftedhiscarbinetohisshoulder。Heglancedalongthesights，andknewthathewasgazinguponamanwhowasasgoodasdead。Itwasimpossibletomissatsuchpointblankrange。
　　Buthedidnotshoot。Slowlyheloweredthecarbineandwatched。Ahand，clutchingawater—bottle，becamevisibleandthegingerbeardbentdownwardtofillthebottle。Hecouldhearthegurgleofthewater。Thenarmandbottleandgingerbearddisappearedbehindtheclosingbushes。Alongtimehewaited，when，withthirstunslaked，hecreptbacktohishorse，rodeslowlyacrossthesun—washedclearing，andpassedintotheshelterofthewoodsbeyond。
　　II
　　Anotherday，hotandbreathless。Adesertedfarmhouse，large，withmanyoutbuildingsandanorchard，standinginaclearing。
　　FromtheWoods，onaroanhorse，carbineacrosspommel，rodetheyoungmanwiththequickblackeyes。Hebreathedwithreliefashegainedthehouse。Thatafighthadtakenplacehereearlierintheseasonwasevident。Clipsandemptycartridges，tarnishedwithverdigris，layontheground，which，whilewet，hadbeentornupbythehoofsofhorses。Hardbythekitchengardenweregraves，taggedandnumbered。Fromtheoaktreebythekitchendoor，intattered，weatherbeatengarments，hungthebodiesoftwomen。Thefaces，shriveledanddefaced，borenolikenesstothefacesofmen。Theroanhorsesnortedbeneaththem，andtheridercaressedandsootheditandtieditfartheraway。
　　Enteringthehouse，hefoundtheinteriorawreck。Hetrodonemptycartridgesashewalkedfromroomtoroomtoreconnoiterfromthewindows。Menhadcampedandslepteverywhere，andonthefloorofoneroomhecameuponstainsunmistakablewherethewoundedhadbeenlaiddown。
　　Againoutside，heledthehorsearoundbehindthebarnandinvadedtheorchard。Adozentreeswereburdenedwithripeapples。Hefilledhispockets，eatingwhilehepicked。Thenathoughtcametohim，andheglancedatthesun，calculatingthetimeofhisreturntocamp。Hepulledoffhisshirt，tyingthesleevesandmakingabag。Thisheproceededtofillwithapples。
　　Ashewasabouttomounthishorse，theanimalsuddenlyprickedupitsears。Theman，too，listened，andheard，faintly，thethudofhoofsonsoftearth。Hecrepttothecornerofthebarnandpeeredout。Adozenmountedmen，strungoutloosely，approachingfromtheoppositesideoftheclearing，wereonlyamatterofahundredyardsorsoaway。Theyrodeontothehouse。Somedismounted，whileothersremainedinthesaddleasanearnestthattheirstaywouldbeshort。Theyseemedtobeholdingacouncil，forhecouldhearthemtalkingexcitedlyinthedetestedtongueofthealieninvader。Thetimepassed，buttheyseemedunabletoreachadecision。Heputthecarbineawayinitsboot，mounted，andwaitedimpatiently，balancingtheshirtofapplesonthepommel。
　　Heheardfootstepsapproaching，anddrovehisspurssofiercelyintotheroanastoforceasurprisedgroanfromtheanimalasitleapedforward。Atthecomerofthebarnhesawtheintruder，amereboyofnineteenortwentyforallofhisuniformjumpbacktoescapebeingrundown。Atthesamemomenttheroanswervedanditsridercaughtaglimpseofthearousedmenbythehouse。Somewerespringingfromtheirhorses，andhecouldseetheriflesgoingtotheirshoulders。Hepassedthekitchendoorandthedriedcorpsesswingingintheshade，compellinghisfoestorunaroundthefrontofthehouse。A
　　riflecracked，andasecond，buthewasgoingfast，leaningforward，lowinthesaddle，onehandclutchingtheshirtofapples，theotherguidingthehorse。
　　Thetopbarofthefencewasfourfeethigh，butheknewhisroanandleapeditatfullcareertotheaccompanimentofseveralscatteredshots。Eighthundredyardsstraightawaywerethewoods，andtheroanwascoveringthedistancewithmightystrides。Everymanwasnowfiring。pumpingtheirgunssorapidlythathenolongerheardindividualshots。Abulletwentthroughhishat，buthewasunaware，thoughhedidknowwhenanothertorethroughtheapplesonthepommel。Andhewincedandduckedevenlowerwhenathirdbullet，firedlow，struckastonebetweenhishorse’slegsandricochettedoffthroughtheair，buzzingandhumminglikesomeincredibleinsect。
　　Theshotsdieddownasthemagazineswereemptied，until，quickly，therewasnomoreshooting。Theyoungmanwaselated。
　　Throughthatastonishingfusilladehehadcomeunscathed。Heglancedback。Yes，theyhademptiedtheirmagazines。Hecouldseeseveralreloading。Otherswererunningbackbehindthehousefortheirhorses。Ashelooked，twoalreadymounted，camebackintoviewaroundthecomer，ridinghard。Andatthesamemoment，hesawthemanwiththeunmistakablegingerbeardkneeldownontheground，levelhisgun，andcoollytakehistimeforthelongshot。
　　Theyoungmanthrewhisspursintothehorse，crouchedverylow，andswervedinhisflightinordertodistracttheother’saim。Andstilltheshotdidnotcome。Witheachjumpofthehorse，thewoodssprangnearer。Theywereonlytwohundredyardsawayandstilltheshotwasdelayed。
　　Andthenheheardit，thelastthinghewastohear，forhewasdeaderehehitthegroundinthelongcrashingfallfromthesaddle。Andthey，watchingatthehouse，sawhimfall，sawhisbodybouncewhenitstrucktheearth，andsawtheburstofred—cheekedapplesthatrolledabouthim。Theylaughedattheunexpectederuptionofapples，andclappedtheirhandsinapplauseofthelongshotbythemanwiththegingerbeard。
　　UNDERTHEDECKAWNINGS
　　"CANanyman——agentleman，Imean——callawomanapig？"
　　Thelittlemanflungthischallengeforthtothewholegroup，thenleanedbackinhisdeckchair，sippinglemonadewithanaircommingledofcertitudeandwatchfulbelligerence。Nobodymadeanswer。Theywereusedtothelittlemanandhissuddenpassionsandhighelevations。
　　"Irepeat，itwasinmypresencethathesaidacertainlady，whomnoneofyouknows，wasapig。Hedidnotsayswine。Hegrosslysaidthatshewasapig。AndIholdthatnomanwhoisamancouldpossiblymakesucharemarkaboutanywoman。"
　　Dr。Dawsonpuffedstolidlyathisblackpipe。Matthews，withkneeshunchedupandclaspedbyhisarms，wasabsorbedintheflightofagunie。Sweet，finishinghisScotchandsoda，wasquestingaboutwithhiseyesforadecksteward。
　　"Iaskyou，Mr。Treloar，cananymancallanywomanapig？"
　　Treloar，whohappenedtobesittingnexttohim，wasstartledbytheabruptnessoftheattack，andwonderedwhatgroundshehadevergiventhelittlemantobelievethathecouldcallawomanapig。
　　"Ishouldsay，"hebeganhishesitantanswer，"thatit——er——dependsonthe——er——thelady。"
　　Thelittlemanwasaghast。
　　"Youmean……？"hequavered。
　　"ThatIhaveseenfemalehumanswhowereasbadaspigs——andworse。"
　　Therewasalongpainedsilence。Thelittlemanseemedwitheredbythecoarsebrutalityofthereply。Inhisfacewasunutterablehurtandwoe。
　　"Youhavetoldofamanwhomadeanotniceremarkandyouhaveclassifiedhim，"Treloarsaidincold，eventones。"Ishallnowtellyouaboutawoman——Ibegyourpardon——alady，andwhenI
　　havefinishedIshallaskyoutoclassifyher。MissCaruthersI
　　shallcallher，principallyforthereasonthatitisnothername。ItwasonaP。&0。boat，anditoccurredneithermorenorlessthanseveralyearsago。
　　"MissCarutherswascharming。No;thatisnottheword。Shewasamazing。Shewasayoungwoman，andalady。Herfatherwasacertainhighofficialwhosename，ifImentionedit，wouldbeimmediatelyrecognizedbyallofyou。Shewaswithhermotherandtwomaidsatthetime，goingouttojointheoldgentlemanwhereveryouliketowishintheEast。
　　"She，andpardonmeforrepeating，wasamazing。Itistheoneadequateword。Eventhemostminoradjectivesapplicabletoherareboundtobesheersuperlatives。Therewasnothingshecouldnotdobetterthananywomanandthanmostmen。Sing，play——bah！——assomerhetoricianoncesaidofoldNap，competitionfledfromher。Swim！Shecouldhavemadeafortuneandanameasapublicperformer。Shewasoneofthoserarewomenwhocanstripoffallthefrillsofdress，andinsimpleswimmingsuitbemoresatisfyingbeautiful。Dress！Shewasanartist。
　　"Butherswimming。Physically，shewastheperfectwoman——youknowwhatImean，notinthegross，muscularwayofacrobats，butinallthedelicacyoflineandfragilityofframeandtexture。Andcombinedwiththis，strength。Howshecoulddoitwasthemarvel。Youknowthewonderofawoman’sarm——theforearm，Imean;thesweetfadingawayfromroundedbicepsandhintofmuscle，downthroughsmallelbowandfirmsoftswelltothewrist，small，unthinkablysmallandroundandstrong。Thiswashers。Andyet，toseeherswimmingthesharpquickEnglishoverhandstroke，andgettingsomewherewithit，too，was——well，Iunderstandanatomyandathleticsandsuchthings，andyetitwasamysterytomehowshecoulddoit。
　　"Shecouldstayunderwaterfortwominutes。Ihavetimedher。
　　Nomanonboard，exceptDennitson，couldcaptureasmanycoinsasshewithasingledive。Ontheforwardmain—deckwasabigcanvastankwithsixfeetofsea—water。Weusedtotosssmallcoinsintoit。Ihaveseenherdivefromthebridgedeck——nomeanfeatinitself——intothatsix—feetofwater，andfetchupnolessthanforty—sevencoins，scatteredwilly—nillyoverthewholebottomofthetank。Dennitson，aquietyoungEnglishman，neverexceededherinthis，thoughhemadeitapointalwaystotieherscore。
　　"Shewasasea—woman，true。Butshewasaland—woman，ahorsewoman——a——shewastheuniversalwoman。Toseeher，allsoftnessofsoftdress，surroundedbyhalfadozeneagermen，languidlycarelessofthemallorflashingbrightnessandwitonthemandatthemandthroughthem，onewouldfancyshewasgoodfornothingelseintheworld。AtsuchmomentsIhavecompelledmyselftorememberherscoreofforty—sevencoinsfromthebottomoftheswimmingtank。Butthatwasshe，theeverlasting，wonderofawomanwhodidallthingswell。
　　"Shefascinatedeverybetrouseredhumanaroundher。Shehadme——andIdon’tmindconfessingit——shebadmetoheelalongwiththerest。Youngpuppiesandoldgraydogswhooughttohaveknownbetter——oh，theyallcameupandcrawledaroundherskirtsandwhinedandfawnedwhenshewhistled。Theywereallguilty，fromyoungArdmore，apinkcherubofnineteenoutwardboundforsomeclerkshipintheConsularService，tooldCaptainBentley，grizzledandsea—worn，andasemotional，tolookat，asaChinesejoss。Therewasanicemiddle—agedchap，Perkins，Ibelieve，whoforgothiswifewasonboarduntilMissCarutherssenthimtotherightaboutandbackwherehebelonged。
　　"Menwerewaxinherhands。Shemeltedthem，orsoftlymoldedthem，orincineratedthem，asshepleased。Therewasn’tasteward，even，grandandremoteasshewas，who，atherbidding，wouldhavehesitatedtosousetheOldManhimselfwithaplateofsoup。Youhaveallseensuchwomen——asortofworld’sdesiretoallmen。Asaman—conquerorshewassupreme。
　　Shewasawhip—lash，astingandaflame，anelectricspark。
　　Oh，believeme，attimestherewereflashesofwillthatscorchedthroughherbeautyandseductionandsmoteavictimintoblankandshiveringidiocyandfear。
　　"Anddon’tfailtomark，inthelightofwhatistocome，thatshewasapridefulwoman。Prideofrace，prideofcaste，prideofsex，prideofpower——shehaditall，apridestrangeandwilfulandterrible。
　　"Sherantheship，sheranthevoyage，sheraneverything，andsheranDennitson。Thathehadoutdistancedthepackeventheleastwiseofusadmitted。Thatshelikedhim，andthatthisfeelingwasgrowing，therewasnotadoubt。Iamcertainthatshelookedonhimwithkindereyesthanshehadeverlookedwithonmanbefore。Westillworshiped，andwerealwayshangingaboutwaitingtobewhistledup，thoughweknewthatDennitsonwaslapsandlapsaheadofus。Whatmighthavehappenedweshallneverknow，forwecametoColomboandsomethingelsehappened。
　　"YouknowColombo，andhowthenativeboysdiveforcoinsintheshark—infestedbay。Ofcourse，itisonlyamongthegroundsharksandfishsharksthattheyventure。Itisalmostuncannythewaytheyknowsharksandcansensethepresenceofarealkiller——atigershark，forinstance，oragraynursestrayedupfromAustralianwaters。Letsuchasharkappear，and，longbeforethepassengerscanguess，everymother’ssonofthemisoutofthewaterinawildscrambleforsafety。
　　"Itwasaftertiffin，andMissCarutherswasholdingherusualcourtunderthedeck—awnings。OldCaptainBentleyhadjustbeenwhistledup，andhadgrantedherwhathenevergrantedbefore……norsince——permissionfortheboystocomeuponthepromenadedeck。Yousee，MissCarutherswasaswimmer，andshewasinterested。Shetookupacollectionofalloursmallchange，andherselftosseditoverside，singlyandinhandfuls，arrangingthetermsofthecontests，chidingamiss，givingextrarewardstocleverwins，inshort，managingthewholeexhibition。
　　"Shewasespeciallykeenontheirjumping。Youknow，jumpingfeet—firstfromaheight，itisverydifficulttoholdthebodyperpendicularlywhileintheair。Thecenterofgravityofthemalebodyishigh，andthetendencyistoovertopple。Butthelittlebeggarsemployedamethodwhichshedeclaredwasnewtoherandwhichshedesiredtolearn。Leapingfromthedavitsoftheboat—deckabove，theyplungeddownward，theirfacesandshouldersbowedforward，lookingatthewater。Andonlyatthelastmomentdidtheyabruptlystraightenupandenterthewatererectandtrue。
　　"Itwasaprettysight。Theirdivingwasnotsogood，thoughtherewasoneofthemwhowasexcellentatit，ashewasinalltheotherstunts。Somewhitemanmusthavetaughthim，forhemadetheproperswandiveanddiditasbeautifullyasIhaveeverseenit。Youknow，headfirstintothewater，fromagreatheight，theproblemistoenterthewaterattheperfectangle。
　　Misstheangleanditmeansattheleastatwistedbackandinjuryforlife。Also，ithasmeantdeathformanyabungler。
　　Butthisboycoulddoit——seventyfeetIknowheclearedinonedivefromtherigging——clenchedhandsonchest，headthrownback，sailingmorelikeabird，upwardandout，andoutanddown，bodyflatontheairsothatifitstruckthesurfaceinthatpositionitwouldbesplitinhalflikeaherring。Butthemomentbeforethewaterisreached，theheaddropsforward，thehandsgooutandlockthearmsinanarchinadvanceofthehead，andthebodycurvesgracefullydownwardandentersthewaterjustright。
　　"Thistheboydid，againandagain，tothedelightofallofus，butparticularlyofMissCaruthers。Hecouldnothavebeenamomentovertwelveorthirteen，yethewasbyfarthecleverestofthegang。Hewasthefavoriteofhiscrowd，anditsleader。Thoughtherewereanumberolderthanhe，theyacknowledgedhischieftaincy。Hewasabeautifulboy，alitheyounggodinbreathingbronze，eyeswideapart，intelligentanddaring，abubble，amote，abeautifulflashandsparkleoflife。Youhaveseen。wonderfulgloriouscreatures——animals，anything，aleopard，ahorse—restless，eager，toomuchaliveevertobestill，silkenofmuscle，eachslightestmovementabenedictionofgrace，everyactionwild，untrammeled，andoverallspillingoutthatintensevitality，thatsheenandlusteroflivinglight。Theboyhadit。Lifepouredoutofhimalmostinaneffulgence。Hisskinglowedwithit。Itburnedinhiseyes。IswearIcouldalmosthearitcracklefromhim。Lookingathim，itwasasifawhiffofozonecametoone’snostrils——sofreshandyoungwashe，soresplendentwithhealth，sowildlywild。
　　"Thiswastheboy。Anditwashewhogavethealarminthemidstofthesport。Theboysmadeadashofitforthegangwayplatform，swimmingthefasteststrokestheyknew，pellmell，flounderingandsplashing，frightintheirfaces，clamberingoutwithjumpsandsurges，anywaytogetout，lendingoneanotherahandtosafety，tillallwerestrungalongthegangwayandpeeringdownintothewater。
　　"’Whatisthematter？’askedMissCaruthers。
　　"’Ashark，Ifancy，’CaptainBentleyanswered。’Luckylittlebeggarsthathedidn’tgetoneofthem。’
　　"’Aretheyafraidofsharks？’sheasked。
　　"’Aren’tyou？’heaskedback。
　　Sheshuddered，lookedoversideatthewater，andmadeamoue。
　　"’NotfortheworldwouldIventurewhereasharkmightbe，’
　　shesaid，andshudderedagain。’Theyarehorrible！Horrible！’
　　"Theboyscameuponthepromenadedeck，clusteringclosetotherailandworshipingMissCarutherswhohadflungthemsuchawealthofbacksheesh。Theperformancebeingover，CaptainBentleymotionedtothemtoclearout。Butshestoppedhim。
　　"’Onemoment，please，Captain。Ihavealwaysunderstoodthatthenativesarenotafraidofsharks。’
　　"Shebeckonedtheboyoftheswandivenearertoher，andsignedtohimtodiveoveragain。Heshookhishead，andalongwithallhiscrewbehindhimlaughedasifitwereagoodjoke。
　　"’Shark，’hevolunteered，pointingtothewater。
　　"’No，’shesaid。’Thereisnoshark。’
　　"Buthenoddedhisheadpositively，andtheboysbehindhimnoddedwithequalpositiveness。
　　"’No，no，no，’shecried。Andthentous，’Who’lllendmeahalf—crownandasovereign！’
　　"Immediatelythehalfdozenofuswerepresentingherwithcrownsandsovereigns，andsheacceptedthetwocoinsfromyoungArdmore。
　　"Sheheldupthehalf—crownfortheboystosee。Buttherewasnoeagerrushtotherailpreparatorytoleaping。Theystoodtheregrinningsheepishly。Sheofferedthecointoeachoneindividually，andeach，ashisturncame，rubbedhisfootagainsthiscalf，shookhishead，andgrinned。Thenshetossedthehalf—crownoverboard。Withwistful，regretfulfacestheywatcheditssilverflightthroughtheair，butnotonemovedtofollowit。
　　"’Don’tdoitwiththesovereign，’Dennitsonsaidtoherinalowvoice。
　　"Shetooknonotice，butheldupthegoldcoinbeforetheeyesoftheboyoftheswandive。
　　"’Don’t，’saidCaptainBentley。’Iwouldn’tthrowasickcatoversidewithasharkaround。’
　　"Butshelaughed，bentonherpurpose，andcontinuedtodazzletheboy。
　　"’Don’ttempthim，’Dennitsonurged。’Itisafortunetohim，andhemightgooverafterit。’
　　"’Wouldn’tYOU？’sheflaredathim。’IfIthrewit？’
　　Thislastmoresoftly。
　　Dennitsonshookhishead。
　　"’Yourpriceishigh，’shesaid。’Forhowmanysovereignswouldyougo？’
　　"’Therearenotenoughcoinedtogetmeoverside，’washisanswer。
　　"Shedebatedamoment，theboyforgotteninhertiltwithDennitson。
　　"’Forme？’shesaidverysoftly。
　　"’Tosaveyourlife——yes。Butnototherwise。’
　　"Sheturnedbacktotheboy。Againsheheldthecoinbeforehiseyes，dazzlinghimwiththevastnessofitsvalue。Thenshemadeastotossitout，and，involuntarily，hemadeahalf—movementtowardtherail，butwascheckedbysharpcriesofreprooffromhiscompanions。Therewasangerintheirvoicesaswell。
　　"’Iknowitisonlyfooling，’Dennitsonsaid。’Carryitasfarasyoulike，butforheaven’ssakedon’tthrowit。’
　　"Whetheritwasthatstrangewilfulnessofhers，orwhethershedoubtedtheboycouldbepersuaded，thereisnotelling。Itwasunexpectedtoallofus。Outfromtheshadeoftheawningthecoinflashedgoldenintheblazeofsunshineandfelltowardtheseainaglitteringarch。Beforeahandcouldstayhim，theboywasovertherailandcurvingbeautifullydownwardafterthecoin。Bothwereintheairatthesametime。Itwasaprettysight。Thesovereigncutthewatersharply，andattheveryspot，almostatthesameinstant，withscarcelyasplash，theboyentered。
　　"Fromthequicker—eyedblackboyswatching，cameanexclamation。Wewereallattherailing。Don’ttellmeitisnecessaryforasharktoturnonitsback。Thatonedidnot。Intheclearwater，fromtheheightwewereaboveit，wesaweverything。Thesharkwasabigbrute，andwithonedrivehecuttheboysquarelyinhalf。
　　"Therewasamurmurorsomethingfromamongus——whomadeitI
　　didnotknow;itmighthavebeenI。Andthentherewassilence。
　　MissCarutherswasthefirsttospeak。Herfacewasdeathlywhite。
　　"’Ineverdreamed，’shesaid，andlaughedashort，hystericallaugh。
　　Allherpridewasatworktogivehercontrol。SheturnedweaklytowardDennitson，andthen，onfromonetoanotherofus。Inhereyeswasaterriblesickness，andherlipsweretrembling。Wewerebrutes——oh，Iknowit，nowthatIlookbackuponit。Butwedidnothing。
　　"’Mr。Dennitson，’shesaid，’Tom，won’tyoutakemebelow！’
　　"Heneverchangedthedirectionofhisgaze，whichwasthebleakestIhaveeverseeninaman’sface，nordidhemoveaneyelid。Hetookacigarettefromhiscaseandlightedit。
　　CaptainBentleymadeanastysoundinhisthroatandspatoverboard。Thatwasall;thatandthesilence。
　　"Sheturnedawayandstartedtowalkfirmlydownthedeck。
　　Twentyfeetaway，sheswayedandthrustahandagainstthewalltosaveherself。Andsoshewenton，supportingherselfagainstthecabinsandwalkingveryslowly。"
　　Treloarceased。Heturnedhisheadandfavoredthelittlemanwithalookofcoldinquiry。
　　"Well，"hesaidfinally。"Classifyher。"
　　Thelittlemangulpedandswallowed。
　　"Ihavenothingtosay，"hesaid。"Ihavenothingwhatevertosay。"
　　TOKILLAMAN
　　THOUGHdimnight—lightsburned，shemovedfamiliarlythroughthebigroomsandwidehalls，seekingvainlythehalf—finishedbookofverseshehadmislaidandonlynowremembered。Whensheturnedonthelightsinthedrawing—room，shedisclosedherselfcladinasweepingnegligeegownofsoftrose—coloredstuff，throatandshoulderssmotheredinlace。Herringswerestillonherfingers，hermassedyellowhairhadnotyetbeentakendown。Shewasdelicately，gracefullybeautiful，withslender，ovalface，redlips，afaintcolorinthecheeks，andblueeyesofthechameleonsortthatatwillstarewidewiththeinnocenceofchildhood，gohardandgrayandbrilliantlycold，orflameupinhotwilfulnessandmastery。
　　Sheturnedthelightsoffandpassedoutanddownthehalltowardthemorningroom。Attheentranceshepausedandlistened。Fromfartheronhadcome，notanoise，butanimpressionofmovement。Shecouldhaveswornshehadnotheardanything，yetsomethinghadbeendifferent。Theatmosphereofnightquietudehadbeendisturbed。Shewonderedwhatservantcouldbeprowlingabout。Notthebutler，whowasnosion。
　　toriousforretiringearlysaveonspecialoccasion。Norcoulditbehermaid，whomshehadpermittedtogothatevening。
　　Passingontothedining—room，shefoundthedoorclosed。Whysheopeneditandwentonin，shedidnotknow，exceptforthefeelingthatthedisturbingfactor，whateveritmightbe，wasthere。Theroomwasindarkness，andshefeltherwaytothebuttonandpressed。Astheblazeoflightflashedon，shesteppedbackandcriedout。Itwasamere"Oh！"anditwasnotloud。
　　Facingher，alongsidethebutton，flatagainstthewall，wasaman。Inhishand，pointedtowardher，wasarevolver。Shenoticed，evenintheshockofseeinghim，thattheweaponwasblackandexceedinglylong—barreled。Sheknewblackandexceedinglylongitforwhatitwas，aColt’s。Hewasamedium—sizedman，roughlyclad，brown—eyed，andswarthywithsunburn。Heseemedverycool。Therewasnowabbletotherevolveranditwasdirectedtowardherstomach，notfromanoutstretchedarm，butfromthehip，againstwhichtheforearmrested。
　　"Oh，"shesaid。"Ibegyourpardon。Youstartledme。Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"IreckonIwanttogetout，"heanswered，withahumoroustwitchtothelips。"I’vekindoflostmywayinthishereshebang，andifyou’llkindlyshowmethedoorI’llcausenotroubleandsurevamoose。"
　　"Butwhatareyoudoinghere？"shedemanded，hervoicetouchedwiththesharpnessofoneusedtoauthority。
　　"Plainrobbing，Miss，that’sall。IcamesnoopingaroundtoseewhatIcouldgatherup。Ithoughtyouwan’ttohome，seein’asIsawyoupulloutwithyouroldmaninanauto。Ireckonthatmustabenyourpa，andyou’reMissSetliffe。"
　　Mrs。Setliffesawhismistake，appreciatedthenaivecompliment，anddecidednottoundeceivehim。
　　"HowdoyouknowIamMissSetliffe？"sheasked。
　　"ThisisoldSetliffe’shouse，ain’tit？"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Ididn’tknowhehadadaughter，butIreckonyoumustbeher。
　　Andnow，ifitain’tbotherin’youtoomuch，I’dsurebeobligedifyou’dshowmethewayout。"
　　"ButwhyshouldI？Youarearobber，aburglar。"
　　"IfIwan’tanorneryshorthornatthebusiness，I’dbeaccumulatin’themringsonyourfingersinsteadofbeingpolite，"heretorted。
　　"IcometomakearaiseoutaoldSetliffe，andnottoberobbingwomen—folks。Ifyougetoutatheway，IreckonIcanfindmyownwayout。"
　　Mrs。Setliffewasakeenwoman，andshefeltthatfromsuchamantherewaslittletofear。Thathewasnotatypicalcriminal，shewascertain。Fromhisspeechsheknewhewasnotofthecities，andsheseemedtosensethewider，homelierairoflargespaces。
　　"SupposeIscreamed？"shequeriedcuriously。"SupposeImadeanoutcryforhelp？Youcouldn’tshootme？……awoman？"
　　Shenotedthefleetingbafflementinhisbrowneyes。Heansweredslowlyandthoughtfully，asifworkingoutadifficultproblem。"Ireckon，then，I’dhavetochokeyouandmaulyousomebad。"
　　"Awoman？"
　　"I’dsurehaveto，"heanswered，andshesawhismouthsetgrimly。
　　"You’reonlyasoftwoman，butyousee，Miss，Ican’taffordtogotojail。No，Miss，Isurecan’t。There’safriendofminewaitin’formeoutWest。He’sinahole，andI’vegottohelphimout。"Themouthshapedevenmoregrimly。"IguessIcouldchokeyouwithouthurtingyoumuchtospeakof。"
　　Hereyestookonababystareofinnocentincredulityasshewatchedhim。
　　"Inevermetaburglarbefore，"sheassuredhim，"andIcan’tbegintotellyouhowinterestedIam。"
　　"I’mnotaburglar，Miss。Notarealone，"hehastenedtoaddasshelookedheramusedunbelief。"Itlookslikeit，mebeinghereinyourhouse。Butit’sthefirsttimeIevertackledsuchajob。Ineededthemoneybad。Besides，Ikindoflookonitlikecollectingwhat’scomingtome。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"shesmiledencouragingly。"Youcameheretorob，andtorobistotakewhatisnotyours。"
　　"Yes，andno，inthishereparticularcase。ButIreckonI’dbetterbegoingnow。"
　　Hestartedforthedoorofthedining—room，butsheinterposed，andaverybeautifulobstacleshemadeofherself。Hislefthandwentoutasiftogripher，thenhesitated。Hewaspatentlyawedbyhersoftwomanhood。
　　"There！"shecriedtriumphantly。"Iknewyouwouldn’t。"
　　Themanwasembarrassed。
　　"Iain’tnevermanhandledawomanyet，"heexplained，"anditdon’tcomeeasy。ButIsurewill，ifyousettoscreaming。"
　　"Won’tyoustayafewminutesandtalk？"sheurged。"I’msointerested。Ishouldliketohearyouexplainhowburglaryiscollectingwhatiscomingtoyou。"
　　Helookedatheradmiringly。
　　"Ialwaysthoughtwomen—folkswerescairtofrobbers，"heconfessed。"Butyoudon’tseemnone。"
　　Shelaughedgaily。
　　"Therearerobbersandrobbers，youknow。Iamnotafraidofyou，becauseIamconfidentyouarenotthesortofcreaturethatwouldharmawoman。Come，talkwithmeawhile。Nobodywilldisturbus。Iamallalone。My——fathercaughtthenighttraintoNewYork。Theservantsareallasleep。Ishouldliketogiveyousomethingtoeat——womenalwayspreparemidnightsuppersfortheburglarstheycatch，atleasttheydointhemagazinestories。ButIdon’tknowwheretofindthefood。
　　Perhapsyouwillhavesomethingtodrink？"
　　Hehesitated，anddidnotreply;butshecouldseetheadmirationforhergrowinginhiseyes。
　　"You’renotafraid？"shequeried。"Iwon’tpoisonyou，I
　　promise。I’lldrinkwithyoutoshowyouitisallright。"
　　"Yousureareasurprisepackageofallright，"hedeclared，forthefirsttimeloweringtheweaponandlettingithangathisside。"Noonedon’tneedtotellmeeveragainthatwomen—folksincitiesisafraid。Youain’tmuch——justalittlesoftprettything。Butyou’vesuregotthespunk。Andyou’retrustfulontopofit。Thereain’tmanywomen，ormeneither。
　　who’dtreatamanwithagunthewayyou’retreatingme。"
　　Shesmiledherpleasureinthecompliment，andherface，wasveryearnestasshesaid：
　　"ThatisbecauseIlikeyourappearance。Youaretoodecent—lookingamantobearobber。Yououghtn’ttodosuchthings。Ifyouareinbadluckyoushouldgotowork。Come，putawaythatnastyrevolverandletustalkitover。Thethingforyoutodoistowork。"
　　"Notinthisburg，"hecommentedbitterly。"I’vewalkedtwoinchesoffthebottomofmylegstryingtofindajob。Honest，Iwasafinelargemanonce……beforeIstartedlookingforajob。"
　　Themerrylaughterwithwhichshegreetedhissallyobviouslypleasedhim，andshewasquicktonoteandtakeadvantageofit。Shemoveddirectlyawayfromthedoorandtowardthesideboard。
　　"Come，youmusttellmeallaboutitwhileIgetthatdrinkforyou。Whatwillitbe？Whisky？"
　　"Yes，ma’am，"hesaid，ashefollowedher，thoughhestillcarriedthebigrevolverathisside，andthoughheglancedreluctantlyattheunguardedopendoor。
　　Shefilledaglassforhimatthesideboard。
　　"Ipromisedtodrinkwithyou，"shesaidhesitatingly。"ButI
　　don’tlikewhisky。I……Iprefersherry。"
　　Sheliftedthesherrybottletentativelyforhisconsent。
　　"Sure，"heanswered，withanod。"Whisky’saman’sdrink。I
　　neverliketoseewomenatit。Wine’smoretheirstuff。"
　　Sheraisedherglasstohis，hereyesmeltinglysympathetic。
　　"Here’stofindingyouagoodposition——"
　　Butshebrokeoffatsightoftheexpressionofsurpriseddisgustonhisface。Theglass，barelytouched，wasremovedfromhiswrylips。
　　"Whatisthematter！"sheaskedanxiously。"Don’tyoulikeit？
　　HaveImadeamistake？"
　　"It’ssurefunnywhisky。Tasteslikeitgotburnedandsmokedinthemaking。"
　　"Oh！Howsillyofme！IgaveyouScotch。Ofcourseyouareaccustomedtorye。Letmechangeit。"
　　Shewasalmostsolicitiouslymaternal，asshereplacedtheglasswithanotherandsoughtandfoundtheproperbottle。
　　"Better？"sheasked。
　　"Yes，ma’am。Nosmokeinit。It’ssuretherealgoodstuff。I
　　ain’thadadrinkinaweek。Kindofslick，that;oily，youknow;notmadeinachemicalfactory。"
　　"Youareadrinkingman？"Itwashalfaquestion，halfachallenge。
　　"No，ma’am，nottospeakof。IHAVEraredupandripsnortedatspells，butmostunfrequent。Butthereistimeswhenagoodstiffjoltlandsontherightspotkerchunk，andthisissureoneofthem。Andnow，thankingyouforyourkindness，ma’am，I’lljustbeapullingalong。"
　　ButMrs。Setliffedidnotwanttoloseherburglar。Shewastoopoisedawomantopossessmuchromance，buttherewasathrillaboutthepresentsituationthatdelightedher。Besides，sheknewtherewasnodanger。Theman，despitehisjawandthesteadybrowneyes，waseminentlytractable。Also，fartherbackinherconsciousnessglimmeredthethoughtofanaudienceofadmiringfriends。Itwastoobadnottohavethataudience。
　　"Youhaven’texplainedhowburglary，inyourcase，ismerelycollectingwhatisyourown，"shesaid。"Come，sitdown，andtellmeaboutithereatthetable。"
　　Shemaneuveredforherownseat，andplacedhimacrossthecornerfromher。Hisalertnesshadnotdesertedhim，asshenoted，andhiseyesrovedsharplyabout，returningalwayswithsmolderingadmirationtohers，butneverrestinglong。Andshenotedlikewisethatwhileshespokehewasintentonlisteningforothersoundsthanthoseofhervoice。Norhadherelinquishedtherevolver，whichlayatthecornerofthetablebetweenthem，thebuttclosetohisrighthand。
　　Buthewasinanewhabitatwhichhedidnotknow。ThismanfromtheWest，cunninginwoodcraftandplainscraft，witheyesandearsopen，tenseandsuspicious，didnotknowthatunderthetable，closetoherfoot，wasthepushbuttonofanelectricbell。Hehadneverheardofsuchacontrivance，andhiskeennessandwarinesswentfornaught。
　　"It’slikethis，Miss，"hebegan，inresponsetoherurging。
　　"OldSetliffedonemeupinalittledealonce。Itwasraw，butitworked。Anythingwillworkfullandlegalwhenit’sgotfewhundredmillionbehindit。I’mnotsquealin’，andIain’ttakingaslamatyourpa。Hedon’tknowmefromAdam，andI
　　reckonhedon’tknowhedonemeoutaanything。He’stoobig，thinkinganddealinginmillions，toeverhearofasmallpotatolikeme。He’sanoperator。He’sgotallkindsofexpertsthinkingandplanningandworkingforhim，someofthem，I
　　hear，gettingmorecashsalarythanthePresidentoftheUnitedStates。I’monlyoneofthousandsthathavebeendoneupbyyourpa，that’sall。
　　"Yousee，ma’am，Ihadalittleholeintheground——adinky，hydraulic，one—horseoutfitofamine。AndwhentheSetliffecrowdshookdownIdaho，andreorganizedthesmeltertrust，andropedintherestofthelandscape，andputthroughthebighydraulicschemeatTwinPines，whyIsuregotsqueezed。I
　　neverhadarunformymoney。Iwasscratchedoffthecardbeforethefirstheat。Andso，to—night，beingbrokeandmyfriendneedingmebad，Ijustdroppedaroundtomakearaiseoutayourpa。SeeingasIneededit，itkindawascomingtome。"
　　"Grantingallthatyousayisso，"shesaid，"neverthelessitdoesnotmakehouse—breakinganythelesshouse—breaking。Youcouldn’tmakesuchadefenseinacourtoflaw。"
　　"Iknowthat，"heconfessedmeekly。"What’srightain’talwayslegal。Andthat’swhyIamsouncomfortablea—settin’hereandtalkingwithyou。NotthatIain’tenjoyingyourcompany——I
　　suredoenjoyit——butIjustcan’taffordtobecaught。Iknowwhatthey’ddotomeinthisherecity。Therewasayoungfellowthatgotfiftyyearsonlylastweekforholdingamanuponthestreetfortwodollarsandeighty—fivecents。Ireadaboutitinthepaper。Whentimesishardandtheyain’tnowork，mengetdesperate。Andthentheothermenwho’vegotsomethingtoberobbedofgetdesperate，too，andtheyjustsuresoakittotheotherfellows。IfIgotcaught，IreckonI
　　wouldn’tgetamitelessthantenyears。That’swhyI’mhankeringtobeonmyway。"
　　"No;wait。"Sheliftedadetaininghand，atthesametimeremovingherfootfromthebell，whichshehadbeenpressingintermittently。"Youhaven’ttoldmeyournameyet。"
　　Hehesitated。
　　"CallmeDave。"
　　"Then……Dave，"shelaughedwithprettyconfusion。
　　"Somethingmustbedoneforyou。Youareayoungman，andyouarejustatthebeginningofabadstart。Ifyoubeginbyattemptingtocollectwhatyouthinkiscomingtoyou，lateronyouwillbecollectingwhatyouareperfectlysureisn’tcomingtoyou。Andyouknowwhattheendwillbe。Insteadofthis，wemustfindsomethinghonorableforyoutodo。"
　　"Ineedthemoney，andIneeditnow，"hereplieddoggedly。
　　"It’snotformyself，butforthatfriendItoldyouabout。
　　He’sinapeckoftrouble，andhe’sgottogethisliftnowornotatall。"
　　"Icanfindyouaposition，"shesaidquickly。"And——yes，theverything！——I’lllendyouthemoneyyouwanttosendtoyourfriend。Thisyoucanpaybackoutofyoursalary。"
　　"Aboutthreehundredwoulddo，"hesaidslowly。"Threehundredwouldpullhimthrough。I’dworkmyfingersoffforayearforthat，andmykeep，andafewcentstobuyBullDurhamwith。"
　　"Ah！Yousmoke！Ineverthoughtofit。"
　　Herhandwentoutovertherevolvertowardhishand，asshepointedtothetell—taleyellowstainonhisfingers。Atthesametimehereyesmeasuredthenearnessofherownhandandofhistotheweapon。Sheachedtogripitinoneswiftmovement。
　　Shewassureshecoulddoit，andyetshewasnotsure;andsoitwasthatsherefrainedasshewithdrewherhand。
　　"Won’tyousmoke？"sheinvited。
　　"I’m’mostdyingto。"
　　"Thendoso。Idon’tmind。Ireallylikeit——cigarettes，I
　　mean。"
　　Withhisleftbandhedippedintohissidepocket，broughtoutaloosewheat—strawpaperandshiftedittohisrighthandclosebytherevolver。Againhedipped，transferringtothepaperapinchofbrown，flakytobacco。Thenheproceeded，bothhandsjustovertherevolver，torollthecigarette。
　　"Fromthewayyouhoverclosetothatnastyweapon，youseemtobeafraidofme，"shechallenged。
　　"Notexactlyafraidofyou，ma’am，but，underthecircumstances，justamitetimid。"
　　"ButI’venotbeenafraidofyou。"
　　"You’vegotnothingtolose。"
　　"Mylife，"sheretorted。
　　"That’sright，"heacknowledgedpromptly，"andyouain’tbeenscairtofme。MebbeIamoveranxious。"
　　"Iwouldn’tcauseyouanyharm。"
　　Evenasshespoke，herslipperfeltforthebellandpressedit。Atthesametimehereyeswereearnestwithapleaofhonesty。
　　"Youareajudgeofmen。Iknowit。Andofwomen。Surely，whenIamtryingtopersuadeyoufromacriminallifeandtogetyouhonestworktodo……？"
　　Hewasimmediatelycontrite。
　　"Isurebegyourpardon，ma’am，"hesaid。"Ireckonmynervousnessain’tcomplimentary。"
　　Ashespoke，hedrewhisrighthandfromthetable，andafterlightingthecigarette，droppeditbyhisside。
　　"Thankyouforyourconfidence，"shebreathedsoftly，resolutelykeepinghereyesfrommeasuringthedistancetotherevolver，andkeepingherfootpressedfirmlyonthebell。
　　"Aboutthatthreehundred，"hebegan。"IcantelegraphitWestto—night。AndI’llagreetoworkayearforitandmykeep。"
　　"Youwillearnmorethanthat。Icanpromiseseventy—fivedollarsamonthattheleast。Doyouknowhorses？"
　　Hisfacelightedupandhiseyessparkled。