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!