Contents
TheMisadventuresofJohnNicholsonTheBody—SnatcherTheStoryofaLie
THEMISADVENTURESOFJOHNNICHOLSON
CHAPTERI—INWHICHJOHNSOWSTHEWIND
JOHNVAREYNICHOLSONwasstupid;yet，stupidermenthanhearenowsprawlinginParliament，andlaudingthemselvesastheauthorsoftheirowndistinction。Hewasofafathabit，evenfromboyhood，andinclinedtoacheerfulandcursoryreadingofthefaceoflife;andpossiblythisattitudeofmindwastheoriginalcauseofhismisfortunes。Beyondthishintphilosophyissilentonhiscareer，andsuperstitionstepsinwiththemorereadyexplanationthathewasdetestedofthegods。
Hisfather—thatirongentleman—hadlongagoenthronedhimselfontheheightsoftheDisruptionPrinciples。Whattheseare（andinspiteoftheirgrimnametheyarequiteinnocent）noarrayoftermswouldrenderthinkabletothemerelyEnglishintelligence;buttotheScottheyoftenproveunctuouslynourishing，andMr。Nicholsonfoundinthemthemilkoflions。AbouttheperiodwhenthechurchesconveneatEdinburghintheirannualassemblies，hewastobeseendescendingtheMoundinthecompanyofdiversred—headedclergymen：thesevoluble，heonlycontributingoracularnods，briefnegatives，andtheausterespectacleofhisstretchedupperlip。ThenamesofCandlishandBeggwerefrequentintheseinterviews，andoccasionallythetalkranontheResiduaryEstablishmentandthedoingsofoneLee。A
strangertothetightlittletheologicalkingdomofScotlandmighthavelistenedandgatheredliterallynothing。AndMr。
Nicholson（whowasnotadullman）knewthis，andragedatit。Heknewtherewasavastworldoutside，towhomDisruptionPrincipleswereasthechatteroftree—topapes;
thepaperbroughthimchillwhiffsfromit;hehadmetEnglishmenwhohadaskedlightlyifhedidnotbelongtotheChurchofScotland，andthenhadfailedtobemuchinterestedbyhiselucidationofthatnicepoint;itwasanevil，wild，rebelliousworld，lyingsunkinDOZENEDNESS，fornothingshortofaScotswordwillpaintthisScotsman’sfeelings。
AndwhenheenteredintohisownhouseinRandolphCrescent（southside），andshutthedoorbehindhim，hisheartswelledwithsecurity。Here，atleast，wasacitadelimpregnablebyright—handdefectionsorleft—handextremes。Herewasafamilywhereprayerscameatthesamehour，wheretheSabbathliteraturewasunimpeachablyselected，wheretheguestwhoshouldhaveleanedtoanyfalseopinionwasinstantlysetdown，andoverwhichtherereignedallweek，andgrewdenseronSundays，asilencethatwasagreeabletohisear，andagloomthathefoundcomfortable。
Mrs。Nicholsonhaddiedaboutthirty，andlefthimwiththreechildren：adaughtertwoyears，andasonabouteightyearsyoungerthanJohn;andJohnhimself，theunluckybearerofanameinfamousinEnglishhistory。Thedaughter，Maria，wasagoodgirl—dutiful，pious，dull，butsoeasilystartledthattospeaktoherwasquiteaperilousenterprise。’Idon’tthinkIcaretotalkaboutthat，ifyouplease，’shewouldsay，andstriketheboldestspeechlessbyherunmistakablepain;thisuponalltopics—dress，pleasure，morality，politics，inwhichtheformulawaschangedto’mypapathinksotherwise，’andevenreligion，unlessitwasapproachedwithaparticularwhiningtoneofvoice。Alexander，theyoungerbrother，wassickly，clever，fondofbooksanddrawing，andfullofsatiricalremarks。Inthemidstofthese，imaginethatnatural，clumsy，unintelligent，andmirthfulanimal，John;mightywell—behavedincomparisonwithotherlads，althoughnotuptothemarkofthehouseinRandolphCrescent;fullofasortofblunderingaffection，fullofcaresses，whichwereneververywarmlyreceived;fullofsuddenandloudlaughterwhichrangoutinthatstillhouselikecurses。Mr。Nicholsonhimselfhadagreatfundofhumour，oftheScotsorder—intellectual，turningontheobservationofmen;hisowncharacter，forinstance—ifhecouldhaveseenitinanother—wouldhavebeenararefeasttohim;buthisson’semptyguffawsoverabrokenplate，andempty，almostlight—heartedremarks，struckhimwithpainastheindicesofaweakmind。
OutsidethefamilyJohnhadearlyattachedhimself（muchasadogmayfollowamarquis）tothestepsofAlanHouston，aladaboutayearolderthanhimself，idle，atriflewild，theheirtoagoodestatewhichwasstillinthehandsofarigoroustrustee，andsoroyallycontentwithhimselfthathetookJohn’sdevotionasathingofcourse。TheintimacywasgalltoMr。Nicholson;ittookhissonfromthehouse，andhewasajealousparent;itkepthimfromtheoffice，andhewasamartinet;lastly，Mr。Nicholsonwasambitiousforhisfamily（inwhich，andtheDisruptionPrinciples，heentirelylived），andhehatedtoseeasonofhisplaysecondfiddletoanidler。Aftersomehesitation，heorderedthatthefriendshipshouldcease—anunfaircommand，thoughseeminglyinspiredbythespiritofprophecy;andJohn，sayingnothing，continuedtodisobeytheorderundertherose。
Johnwasnearlynineteenwhenhewasonedaydismissedratherearlierthanusualfromhisfather’soffice，wherehewasstudyingthepracticeofthelaw。ItwasSaturday;andexceptthathehadamatteroffourhundredpoundsinhispocketwhichitwashisdutytohandovertotheBritishLinenCompany’sBank，hehadthewholeafternoonathisdisposal。HewentbyPrincesStreetenjoyingthemildsunshine，andthelittlethrillofeasterlywindthattossedtheflagsalongthatterraceofpalaces，andtumbledthegreentreesinthegarden。Thebandwasplayingdowninthevalleyunderthecastle;andwhenitcametotheturnofthepipers，heheardtheirwildsoundswithastirringoftheblood。Somethingdistantlymartialwokeinhim;andhethoughtofMissMackenzie，whomhewastomeetthatdayatdinner。
Now，itisundeniablethatheshouldhavegonedirectlytothebank，butrightinthewaystoodthebilliard—roomofthehotelwhereAlanwasalmostcertaintobefound;andthetemptationprovedtoostrong。Heenteredthebilliard—room，andwasinstantlygreetedbyhisfriend，cueinhand。
’Nicholson，’saidhe，’IwantyoutolendmeapoundortwotillMonday。’
’You’vecometotherightshop，haven’tyou？’returnedJohn。
’Ihavetwopence。’
’Nonsense，’saidAlan。’Youcangetsome。Goandborrowatyourtailor’s;theyalldoit。OrI’lltellyouwhat：popyourwatch。’
’Oh，yes，Idaresay，’saidJohn。’Andhowaboutmyfather？’
’Howishetoknow？Hedoesn’twinditupforyouatnight，doeshe？’inquiredAlan，atwhichJohnguffawed。’No，seriously;Iaminafix，’continuedthetempter。’Ihavelostsomemoneytoamanhere。I’llgiveityouto—night，andyoucangettheheir—loomoutagainonMonday。Come;
it’sasmallservice，afterall。Iwoulddoagooddealmoreforyou。’
WhereuponJohnwentforth，andpawnedhisgoldwatchundertheassumednameofJohnFroggs，85Pleasance。Butthenervousnessthatassailedhimatthedoorofthatinglorioushaunt—apawnshop—andtheeffortnecessarytoinventthepseudonym（which，somehow，seemedtohimanecessarypartoftheprocedure），hadtakenmoretimethanheimagined：andwhenhereturnedtothebilliard—roomwiththespoils，thebankhadalreadycloseditsdoors。
Thiswasashrewdknock。’Apieceofbusinesshadbeenneglected。’Heheardthesewordsinhisfather’strenchantvoice，andtrembled，andthendodgedthethought。Afterall，whowastoknow？HemustcarryfourhundredpoundsaboutwithhimtillMonday，whentheneglectcouldbesurreptitiouslyrepaired;andmeanwhile，hewasfreetopasstheafternoonontheencirclingdivanofthebilliard—room，smokinghispipe，sippingapintofale，andenjoyingtothemastheadthemodestpleasuresofadmiration。
Nonecanadmirelikeayoungman。Ofallyouth’spassionsandpleasures，thisisthemostcommonandleastalloyed;andeveryflashofAlan’sblackeyes;everyaspectofhiscurlyhead;everygracefulreach，everyeasy，stand—offattitudeofwaiting;ay，anddowntohisshirt—sleevesandwrist—links，wereseenbyJohnthroughaluxuriousglory。Hevaluedhimselfbythepossessionofthatroyalfriend，huggedhimselfuponthethought，andswaminwarmazure;hisowndefects，likevanquisheddifficulties，becomingthingsonwhichtoplumehimself。OnlywhenhethoughtofMissMackenzietherefelluponhismindashadowofregret;thatyoungladywasworthyofbetterthingsthanplainJohnNicholson，stillknownamongschoolmatesbythederisivenameof’Fatty’;andhefelt，ifhecouldchalkacue，orstandatease，withsuchacarelessgraceasAlan，hecouldapproachtheobjectofhissentimentswithalesscrushingsenseofinferiority。
Beforetheyparted，Alanmadeaproposalthatwasstartlingintheextreme。HewouldbeatColette’sthatnightabouttwelve，hesaid。WhyshouldnotJohncomethereandgetthemoney？TogotoColette’swastoseelife，indeed;itwaswrong;itwasagainstthelaws;itpartook，inaverydingymanner，ofadventure。Wereitknown，itwasthesortofexploitthatdisconsideredayoungmanforgoodwiththemoreseriousclasses，butgavehimastandingwiththeriotous。
AndyetColette’swasnotahell;itcouldnotcome，withoutvaultinghyperbole，undertherubricofagildedsaloon;and，ifitwasasintogothere，thesinwasmerelylocalandmunicipal。Colette（whosenameIdonotknowhowtospell，forIwasneverinepistolarycommunicationwiththathospitableoutlaw）wassimplyanunlicensedpublican，whogavesuppersafterelevenatnight，theEdinburghhourofclosing。Ifyoubelongedtoaclub，youcouldgetamuchbettersupperatthesamehour，andlosenotajotinpublicesteem。Butifyoulackedthatqualification，andwereanhungered，orinclinedtowardconvivialityatunlawfulhours，Colette’swasyouronlyport。Youwereveryill—supplied。
ThecompanywasnotrecruitedfromtheSenateortheChurch，thoughtheBarwasverywellrepresentedontheonlyoccasiononwhichIflewinthefaceofmycountry’slaws，and，takingmyreputationinmyhand，penetratedintothatgrimsupper—
house。AndColette’sfrequenters，thrillinglyconsciousofwrong—doingand’thattwo—handedengine（thepoliceman）atthedoor，’wereperhapsinclinedtosomewhatfeverishexcess。
Buttheplacewasinnosenseaverybadone;anditissomewhatstrangetome，atthisdistanceoftime，howithadacquireditsdangerousrepute。
InpreciselythesamespiritasamanmaydebateaprojecttoascendtheMatterhornortocrossAfrica，JohnconsideredAlan’sproposal，and，greatlydaring，acceptedit。Ashewalkedhome，thethoughtsofthisexcursionoutofthesafeplacesoflifeintothewildandarduous，stirredandstruggledinhisimaginationwiththeimageofMissMackenzie—incongruousandyetkindredthoughts，fordidnoteachimplyunusualtighteningofthepegsofresolution？didnoteachwoohimforthandwarnhimbackagainintohimself？
Betweenthesetwoconsiderations，atleast，hewasmorethanusuallymoved;andwhenhegottoRandolphCrescent，hequiteforgotthefourhundredpoundsintheinnerpocketofhisgreatcoat，hungupthecoat，withitsrichfreight，uponhisparticularpinofthehatstand;andintheveryactionsealedhisdoom。
CHAPTERII—INWHICHJOHNREAPSTHEWHIRLWIND
ABOUThalf—pasttenitwasJohn’sbravegoodfortunetoofferhisarmtoMissMackenzie，andescortherhome。Thenightwaschillandstarry;allthewayeastwardthetreesofthedifferentgardensrustledandlookedblack。UpthestonegullyofLeithWalk，whentheycametocrossit，thebreezemadearushandsettheflamesofthestreet—lampsquavering;
andwhenatlasttheyhadmountedtotheRoyalTerrace，whereCaptainMackenzielived，agreatsaltfreshnesscameintheirfacesfromthesea。ThesephasesofthewalkremainedwrittenonJohn’smemory，eachemphasisedbythetouchofthatlighthandonhisarm;andbehindalltheseaspectsofthenocturnalcityhesaw，inhismind’s—eye，apictureofthelighteddrawing—roomathomewherehehadsattalkingwithFlora;andhisfather，fromtheotherend，hadlookedonwithakindandironicalsmile。Johnhadreadthesignificanceofthatsmile，whichmighthaveescapedastranger。Mr。Nicholsonhadremarkedhisson’sentanglementwithsatisfaction，tingedbyhumour;andhissmile，ifitstillwasathoughtcontemptuous，hadimpliedconsent。
Atthecaptain’sdoorthegirlheldoutherhand，withacertainemphasis;andJohntookitandkeptitalittlelonger，andsaid，’Good—night，Flora，dear，’andwasinstantlythrownintomuchfearbyhispresumption。Butsheonlylaughed，ranupthesteps，andrangthebell;andwhileshewaswaitingforthedoortoopen，keptcloseintheporch，andtalkedtohimfromthatpointasoutofafortification。Shehadaknittedshawloverherhead;herblueHighlandeyestookthelightfromtheneighbouringstreet—lampandsparkled;andwhenthedooropenedandcloseduponher，Johnfeltcruellyalone。
Heproceededslowlybackalongtheterraceinatenderglow;
andwhenhecametoGreensideChurch，hehaltedinadoubtfulmind。OverthecrownoftheCaltonHill，tohisleft，laythewaytoColette’s，whereAlanwouldsoonbelookingforhisarrival，andwherehewouldnowhavenomoreconsentedtogothanhewouldhavewilfullywallowedinabog;thetouchofthegirl’shandonhissleeve，andthekindlylightinhisfather’seyes，bothloudlyforbidding。Butrightbeforehimwasthewayhome，whichpointedonlytobed，aplaceoflittleeaseforonewhosefancywasstrungtothelyricalpitch，andwhosenotveryardentheartwasjustthentumultuouslymoved。Thehilltop，thecoolairofthenight，thecompanyofthegreatmonuments，thesightofthecityunderhisfeet，withitshillsandvalleysandcrossingfilesoflamps，drewhimbyallhehadofthepoetic，andheturnedthatway;andbythatquiteinnocentdeflection，ripenedthecropofhisvenialerrorsforthesickleofdestiny。
OnaseatonthehillaboveGreensidehesatforperhapshalfanhour，lookingdownuponthelampsofEdinburgh，andupatthelampsofheaven。Wonderfulweretheresolvesheformed;
beautifulandkindlywerethevistasoffuturelifethatspedbeforehim。HeutteredtohimselfthenameofFlorainsomanytouchinganddramatickeys，thathebecameatlengthfairlymeltedwithtenderness，andcouldhavesungaloud。Atthatjunctureacertaincreasinginhisgreatcoatcaughthisear。Heputhishandintohispocket，pulledforththeenvelopethatheldthemoney，andsatstupefied。TheCaltonHill，aboutthisperiod，hadanillnameofnights;andtobesittingtherewithfourhundredpoundsthatdidnotbelongtohimwashardlywise。Helookedup。Therewasamaninaverybadhatalittleononesideofhim，apparentlylookingatthescenery;fromalittleontheotherasecondnight—
walkerwasdrawingveryquietlynear。UpjumpedJohn。Theenvelopefellfromhishands;hestoopedtogetit，andatthesamemomentbothmenraninandclosedwithhim。
Alittleafter，hegottohisfeetverysoreandshaken，thepoorerbyapursewhichcontainedexactlyonepennypostage—
stamp，byacambrichandkerchief，andbytheall—importantenvelope。
Herewasayoungmanonwhom，atthehighestpointoflovelyexaltation，therehadfallenablowtoosharptobesupportedalone;andnotmanyhundredyardsawayhisgreatestfriendwassittingatsupper—ay，andevenexpectinghim。Wasitnotinthenatureofmanthatheshouldrunthere？Hewentinquestofsympathy—inquestofthatdrollarticlethatweallsupposeourselvestowantwheninastrait，andhaveagreedtocalladvice;andhewent，besides，withvaguebutrathersplendidexpectationsofrelief。Alanwasrich，orwouldbesowhenhecameofage。Byastrokeofthepenhemightremedythismisfortune，andavertthatdreadedinterviewwithMr。Nicholson，fromwhichJohnnowshrunkinimaginationasthehanddrawsbackfromfire。
CloseundertheCaltonHillthererunsacertainnarrowavenue，partstreet，partby—road。Theheadofitfacesthedoorsoftheprison;itstaildescendsintothesunlessslumsoftheLowCalton。Ononehanditisoverhungbythecragsofthehill，ontheotherbyanoldgraveyard。Betweenthesetwotheroadwayrunsinatrench，sparselylightedatnight，sparselyfrequentedbyday，andbordered，whenitwasclearedtheplaceoftombs，bydingyandambiguoushouses。OneofthesewasthehouseofColette;andathisdoorourill—
starredJohnwaspresentlybeatingforadmittance。Inanevilhourhesatisfiedthejealousinquiriesofthecontrabandhotel—keeper;inanevilhourhepenetratedintothesomewhatunsavouryinterior。Alan，tobesure，wasthere，seatedinaroomlightedbynoisygas—jets，besideadirtytable—cloth，engagedonacoarsemeal，andinthecompanyofseveraltipsymembersofthejuniorbar。ButAlanwasnotsober;hehadlostathousandpoundsuponahorse—
race，hadreceivedthenewsatdinner—time，andwasnow，indefaultofanypossiblemeansofextrication，drowningthememoryofhispredicament。HetohelpJohn！Thethingwasimpossible;hecouldn’thelphimself。
’Ifyouhaveabeastofafather，’saidhe，’IcantellyouI
haveabruteofatrustee。’
’I’mnotgoingtohearmyfathercalledabeast，’saidJohnwithabeatingheart，feelingthatheriskedthelastsoundrivetofthechainthatboundhimtolife。
ButAlanwasquitegood—natured。
’Allright，oldfellow，’saidhe。’Mos’respec’ablemanyourfather。’Andheintroducedhisfriendtohiscompanionsas’oldNicholsonthewhat—d’ye—call—um’sson。’
Johnsatindumbagony。Colette’sfoulwallsandmaculatetable—linen，andevendowntoColette’svillainouscasters，seemedlikeobjectsinanightmare。Andjustthentherecameaknockandascurrying;thepolice，solamentablyabsentfromtheCaltonHill，appeareduponthescene;andtheparty，takenFLAGRANTEDELICTO，withtheirglassesattheirelbow，wereseized，marcheduptothepoliceoffice，andalldulysummonedtoappearaswitnessesintheconsequentcaseagainstthatarch—shebeener，Colette。
Itwasasorrowfulandamightilysoberedcompanythatcameforthagain。Thevagueterrorofpublicopinionweighedgenerallyonthemall;buttherewereprivateandparticularhorrorsonthemindsofindividuals。Alanstoodindreadofhistrustee，alreadysorelytried。Oneofthegroupwasthesonofacountryminister，anotherofajudge;John，theunhappiestofall，hadDavidNicholsontofather，theideaoffacingwhomonsuchascandaloussubjectwasphysicallysickening。TheystoodawhileconsultingunderthebuttressesofSaintGiles;thencetheyadjournedtothelodgingsofoneofthenumberinNorthCastleStreet，where（forthatmatter）
theymighthavehadquiteasgoodasupper，andfarbetterdrink，thaninthedangerousparadisefromwhichtheyhadbeenrouted。There，overanalmosttearfulglass，theydebatedtheirposition。Eachexplainedhehadtheworldtoloseiftheaffairwenton，andheappearedasawitness。Itwasremarkablewhatbrightprospectswerejustthenintheveryactofopeningbeforeeachofthatlittlecompanyofyouths，andwhatpiousconsiderationforthefeelingsoftheirfamiliesbegannowtowellfromthem。Each，moreover，wasinanoddstateofdestitution。Notonecouldbearhisshareofthefine;notonebutevincedawonderfultwinkleofhopethateachoftheothers（insuccession）wastheverymanwhocouldstepintomakegoodthedeficit。Onetookahighhand;hecouldnotpayhisshare;ifitwenttoatrial，heshouldbolt;hehadalwaysfelttheEnglishBartobehistruesphere。Anotherbranchedoutintotouchingdetailsabouthisfamily，andwasnotlistenedto。John，inthemidstofthisdisorderlycompetitionofpovertyandmeanness，satstunned，contemplatingthemountainbulkofhismisfortunes。
Atlast，uponapledgethateachshouldapplytohisfamilywithacommonfrankness，thisconventionofunhappyyoungassesbrokeup，wentdownthecommonstair，andinthegreyofthespringmorning，withthestreetslyingdeademptyallaboutthem，thelampsburningonintothedaylightindiminishedlustre，andthebirdsbeginningtosoundpremonitorynotesfromthegrovesofthetowngardens，wenteachhisownwaywithbowedheadandechoingfootfall。
TherookswereawakeinRandolphCrescent;butthewindowslookeddown，discreetlyblinded，onthereturnoftheprodigal。John’spass—keywasarecentprivilege;thiswasthefirsttimeithadbeenused;and，oh！withwhatasickeningsenseofhisunworthinesshenowinserteditintothewell—oiledlockandenteredthatcitadeloftheproprieties！Allslept;thegasinthehallhadbeenleftfaintlyburningtolighthisreturn;adreadfulstillnessreigned，brokenbythedeeptickingoftheeight—dayclock。
Heputthegasout，andsatonachairinthehall，waitingandcountingtheminutes，longingforanyhumancountenance。
Butwhenatlastheheardthealarmspringitsrattleinthelowerstory，andtheservantsbegintobeabout，heinstantlylostheart，andfledtohisownroom，wherehethrewhimselfuponthebed。
CHAPTERIII—INWHICHJOHNENJOYSTHEHARVESTHOME
SHORTLYafterbreakfast，atwhichheassistedwithahighlytragicalcountenance，Johnsoughthisfatherwherehesat，presumablyinreligiousmeditation，ontheSabbathmornings。
Theoldgentlemanlookedupwiththatsour，inquisitiveexpressionthatcamesoneartosmilingandwassodifferentineffect。
’ThisisatimewhenIdonotliketobedisturbed，’hesaid。
’Iknowthat，’returnedJohn;’butIhave—Iwant—I’vemadeadreadfulmessofit，’hebrokeout，andturnedtothewindow。
Mr。Nicholsonsatsilentforanappreciabletime，whilehisunhappysonsurveyedthepolesinthebackgreen，andacertainyellowcatthatwaspercheduponthewall。DespairsatuponJohnashegazed;andheragedtothinkofthedreadfulseriesofhismisdeeds，andtheessentialinnocencethatlaybehindthem。
’Well，’saidthefather，withanobviouseffort，butinveryquiettones，’whatisit？’
’Macleangavemefourhundredpoundstoputinthebank，sir，’beganJohn;’andI’msorrytosaythatI’vebeenrobbedofit！’
’Robbedofit？’criedMr。Nicholson，withastrongrisinginflection。’Robbed？Becarefulwhatyousay，John！’
’Ican’tsayanythingelse，sir;Iwasjustrobbedofit，’
saidJohn，indesperation，sullenly。
’Andwhereandwhendidthisextraordinaryeventtakeplace？’
inquiredthefather。
’OntheCaltonHillabouttwelvelastnight。’
’TheCaltonHill？’repeatedMr。Nicholson。’Andwhatwereyoudoingthereatsuchatimeofthenight？’
’Nothing，sir，’saysJohn。
Mr。Nicholsondrewinhisbreath。
’Andhowcamethemoneyinyourhandsattwelvelastnight？’
heasked，sharply。
’Ineglectedthatpieceofbusiness，’saidJohn，anticipatingcomment;andtheninhisowndialect：’Icleanforgotallaboutit。’
’Well，’saidhisfather，’it’samostextraordinarystory。
Haveyoucommunicatedwiththepolice？’
’Ihave，’answeredpoorJohn，thebloodleapingtohisface。
’Theythinktheyknowthementhatdidit。Idaresaythemoneywillberecovered，ifthatwasall，’saidhe，withadesperateindifference，whichhisfathersetdowntolevity;
butwhichsprungfromtheconsciousnessofworsebehind。
’Yourmother’swatch，too？’askedMr。Nicholson。
’Oh，thewatchisallright！’criedJohn。’Atleast，ImeanIwascomingtothewatch—thefactis，Iamashamedtosay，I—Ihadpawnedthewatchbefore。Hereistheticket;theydidn’tfindthat;thewatchcanberedeemed;theydon’tsellpledges。’Theladpantedoutthesephrases，oneafteranother，likeminuteguns;butatthelastword，whichranginthatstatelychamberlikeanoath，hisheartfailedhimutterly;andthedreadedsilencesettledonfatherandson。
ItwasbrokenbyMr。Nicholsonpickingupthepawn—ticket：
’JohnFroggs，85Pleasance，’heread;andthenturninguponJohn，withabriefflashofpassionanddisgust，’WhoisJohnFroggs？’hecried。
’Nobody，’saidJohn。’Itwasjustaname。’
’AnALIAS，’hisfathercommented。
’Oh！Ithinkscarcelyquitethat，’saidtheculprit;’it’saform，theyalldoit，themanseemedtounderstand，wehadagreatdealoffunoverthename—’
Hepausedatthat，forhesawhisfatherwinceatthepicturelikeamanphysicallystruck;andagaintherewassilence。
’Idonotthink，’saidMr。Nicholson，atlast，’thatIamanungenerousfather。Ihavenevergrudgedyoumoneywithinreason，foranyavowablepurpose;youhadjusttocometomeandspeak。AndnowIfindthatyouhaveforgottenalldecencyandallnaturalfeeling，andactuallypawned—pawned—yourmother’swatch。Youmusthavehadsometemptation;I
willdoyouthejusticetosupposeitwasastrongone。Whatdidyouwantwiththismoney？’
’Iwouldrathernottellyou，sir，’saidJohn。’Itwillonlymakeyouangry。’
’Iwillnotbefencedwith，’criedhisfather。’Theremustbeanendofdisingenuousanswers。Whatdidyouwantwiththismoney？’
’TolendittoHouston，sir，’saysJohn。
’IthoughtIhadforbiddenyoutospeaktothatyoungman？’
askedthefather。
’Yes，sir，’saidJohn;’butIonlymethim。’
’Where？’camethedeadlyquestion。
And’Inabilliard—room’wasthedamninganswer。Thus，hadJohn’ssingledeparturefromthetruthbroughtinstantpunishment。FornootherpurposebuttoseeAlanwouldhehaveenteredabilliard—room;buthehaddesiredtopalliatethefactofhisdisobedience，andnowitappearedthathefrequentedthesedisreputablehauntsuponhisownaccount。
OncemoreMr。Nicholsondigestedtheviletidingsinsilence，andwhenJohnstoleaglanceathisfather’scountenance，hewasabashedtoseethemarksofsuffering。
’Well，’saidtheoldgentleman，atlast，’Icannotpretendnottobesimplyboweddown。Irosethismorningwhattheworldcallsahappyman—happy，atleast，inasonofwhomI
thoughtIcouldbereasonablyproud—’
Butitwasbeyondhumannaturetoendurethislonger，andJohninterruptedalmostwithascream。’Oh，wheest！’hecried，’that’snotall，that’snottheworstofit—it’snothing！HowcouldItellyouwereproudofme？Oh！I
wish，IwishthatIhadknown;butyoualwayssaidIwassuchadisgrace！Andthedreadfulthingisthis：wewerealltakenuplastnight，andwehavetopayColette’sfineamongthesix，orwe’llbehadupforevidence—shebeeningitis。
Theymademesweartotellyou;butformypart，’hecried，burstingintotears，’IjustwishthatIwasdead！’Andhefellonhiskneesbeforeachairandhidhisface。
Whetherhisfatherspoke，orwhetherheremainedlongintheroomoratoncedeparted，arepointslosttohistory。A
horridturmoilofmindandbody;burstingsobs;broken，vanishingthoughts，nowofindignation，nowofremorse;
brokenelementarywhiffsofconsciousness，ofthesmellofthehorse—haironthechairbottom，ofthejanglingofchurchbellsthatnowbegantomakedayhorriblethroughouttheconfinesofthecity，ofthehardfloorthatbruisedhisknees，ofthetasteoftearsthatfoundtheirwayintohismouth：foraperiodoftime，thedurationofwhichIcannotguess，whileIrefusetodwelllongeronitsagony，thesewerethewholeofGod’sworldforJohnNicholson。
Whenatlast，asbythetouchingofaspring，hereturnedagaintoclearnessofconsciousnessandevenameasureofcomposure，thebellshadbutjustdoneringing，andtheSabbathsilencewasstillmarredbythepatterofbelatedfeet。Bytheclockabovethefire，aswellasbythesemorespeakingsigns，theservicehadnotlongbegun;andtheunhappysinner，ifhisfatherhadreallygonetochurch，mightcountonneartwohoursofonlycomparativeunhappiness。Withhisfather，thesuperlativedegreereturnedinfallibly。Heknewitbyeveryshrinkingfibreinhisbody，heknewitbythesuddendizzywhirlingofhisbrain，atthemerethoughtofthatcalamity。Anhourandahalf，perhapsanhourandthree—quarters，ifthedoctorwaslong—winded，andthenwouldbeginagainthatactiveagonyfromwhich，eveninthedullacheofthepresent，heshrunkasfromthebiteoffire。Hesaw，inavision，thefamilypew，thesomnolentcushions，theBibles，thepsalm—books，Mariawithhersmelling—salts，hisfathersittingspectacledandcritical;andatoncehewasstruckwithindignation，notunjustly。Itwasinhumantogoofftochurch，andleaveasinnerinsuspense，unpunished，unforgiven。Andattheverytouchofcriticism，thepaternalsanctitywaslessened;yetthepaternalterroronlygrew;andthetwostrandsoffeelingpushedhiminthesamedirection。
Andsuddenlytherecameuponhimamadfearlesthisfathershouldhavelockedhimin。Thenotionhadnogroundinsense;itwasprobablynomorethanareminiscenceofsimilarcalamitiesinchildhood，forhisfather’sroomhadalwaysbeenthechamberofinquisitionandthesceneofpunishment;
butitstucksorigorouslyinhismindthathemustinstantlyapproachthedoorandproveitsuntruth。Ashewent，hestruckuponadrawerleftopeninthebusinesstable。Itwasthemoney—drawer，ameasureofhisfather’sdisarray：themoney—drawer—perhapsapointingprovidence！Whoistodecide，whenevendivinesdifferbetweenaprovidenceandatemptation？orwho，sittingcalmlyunderhisownvine，istopassajudgmentonthedoingsofapoor，hunteddog，slavishlyafraid，slavishlyrebellious，likeJohnNicholsononthatparticularSunday？Hishandwasinthedrawer，almostbeforehismindhadconceivedthehope;andrisingtohisnewsituation，hewrote，sittinginhisfather’schairandusinghisfather’sblotting—pad，hispitifulapologyandfarewell：—
’MYDEARFATHER，—Ihavetakenthemoney，butIwillpayitbackassoonasIamable。Youwillneverhearofmeagain。
Ididnotmeananyharmbyanything，soIhopeyouwilltryandforgiveme。Iwishyouwouldsaygood—byetoAlexanderandMaria，butnotifyoudon’twantto。Icouldnotwaittoseeyou，really。Pleasetrytoforgiveme。Youraffectionateson，JOHNNICHOLSON。’
Thecoinsabstractedandthemissivewritten，hecouldnotbegonetoosoonfromthesceneofthesetransgressions;andrememberinghowhisfatherhadoncereturnedfromchurch，onsomeslightillness，inthemiddleofthesecondpsalm，hedurstnotevenmakeapacketofachangeofclothes。Attiredashewas，heslippedfromthepaternaldoors，andfoundhimselfinthecoolspringair，thethinspringsunshine，andthegreatSabbathquietofthecity，whichwasnowonlypointedbythecawingoftherooks。TherewasnotasoulinRandolphCrescent，norasoulinQueensferryStreet;inthisoutdoorprivacyandthesenseofescape，Johntookheartagain;andwithapatheticsenseofleave—taking，heevenventuredupthelaneandstoodawhile，astrangeperiatthegatesofaquaintparadise，bythewestendofSt。George’sChurch。Theyweresingingwithin;andbyastrangechance，thetunewas’St。George’s，Edinburgh，’whichbearsthename，andwasfirstsunginthechoirofthatchurch。’WhoisthisKingofGlory？’wentthevoicesfromwithin;and，toJohn，thiswasliketheendofallChristianobservances，forhewasnowtobeawildmanlikeIshmael，andhislifewastobecastinhomelessplacesandwithgodlesspeople。
Itwasthus，withnorisingsenseoftheadventurous，butinmeredesolationanddespair，thatheturnedhisbackonhisnativecity，andsetoutonfootforCalifornia，withamoreimmediateeyetoGlasgow。
CHAPTERIV—THESECONDSOWING
ITisnopartofminetonarratetheadventuresofJohnNicholson，whichweremany，butsimplyhismoremomentousmisadventures，whichweremorethanhedesired，and，byhumanstandards，morethanhedeserved;howhereachedCalifornia，howhewasrooked，androbbed，andbeaten，andstarved;howhewasatlasttakenupbycharitablefolk，restoredtosomedegreeofself—complacency，andinstalledasaclerkinabankinSanFrancisco，itwouldtaketoolongtotell;norintheseepisodeswerethereanymarksofthepeculiarNicholsonicdestiny，fortheywerejustsuchmattersasbefellsomethousandsofotheryoungadventurersinthesamedaysandplaces。Butoncepostedinthebank，hefellforatimeintoahighdegreeofgoodfortune，which，asitwasonlyalongerwayabouttofreshdisaster，itbehoovesmetoexplain。
Itwashislucktomeetayoungmaninwhatistechnicallycalleda’dive，’andthankstohismonthlywages，toextricatethisnewacquaintancefromapositionofpresentdisgraceandpossibledangerinthefuture。ThisyoungmanwasthenephewofoneoftheNobHillmagnates，whoruntheSanFranciscoStockExchange，muchasmorehumbleadventurers，inthecornerofsomepublicparkathome，maybeseentoperformthesimpleartificeofpeaandthimble：
fortheirownprofit，thatistosay，andthediscouragementofpublicgambling。Itwasthusinhispower—and，ashewasofgratefultemper，itwasamongthethingsthathedesired—toputJohninthewayofgrowingrich;andthus，withoutthoughtorindustry，orsomuchasevenunderstandingthegameatwhichheplayed，butbysimplybuyingandsellingwhathewastoldtobuyandsell，thatplaythingoffortunewaspresentlyattheheadofbetweenelevenandtwelvethousandpounds，or，ashereckonedit，ofupwardofsixtythousanddollars。
Howhehadcometodeservethiswealth，anymorethanhowhehadformerlyearneddisgraceathome，wasaproblembeyondthereachofhisphilosophy。Itwastruethathehadbeenindustriousatthebank，butnomoresothanthecashier，whohadsevensmallchildrenandwasvisiblysinkingindecline。
Norwasthestepwhichhaddeterminedhisadvance—avisittoadivewithamonth’swagesinhispocket—anactofsuchtranscendentvirtue，orevenwisdom，astoseemtomeritthefavourofthegods。Fromsomesenseofthis，andofthedizzysee—saw—heaven—high，hell—deep—onwhichmensitclutching;orperhapsfearingthatthesourcesofhisfortunemightbeinsidiouslytracedtosomerootinthefieldofpettycash;hestucktohiswork，saidnotawordofhisnewcircumstances，andkepthisaccountwithabankinadifferentquarterofthetown。Theconcealment，innocentasitseems，wasthefirststepinthesecondtragicomedyofJohn’sexistence。
Meanwhile，hehadneverwrittenhome。Whetherfromdiffidenceorshame，oratouchofanger，ormereprocrastination，orbecause（aswehaveseen）hehadnoskillinliteraryarts，orbecause（asIamsometimestemptedtosuppose）thereisalawinhumannaturethatpreventsyoungmen—nototherwisebeasts—fromtheperformanceofthissimpleactofpiety—monthsandyearshadgoneby，andJohnhadneverwritten。Thehabitofnotwriting，indeed，wasalreadyfixedbeforehehadbeguntocomeintohisfortune;
anditwasonlythedifficultyofbreakingthislongsilencethatwithheldhimfromaninstantrestitutionofthemoneyhehadstolenor（ashepreferredtocallit）borrowed。Invainhesatbeforepaper，attendingoninspiration;thatheavenlynymph，beyondsuggestingthewords’mydearfather，’remainedobstinatelysilent;andpresentlyJohnwouldcrumpleupthesheetanddecide，assoonashehad’agoodchance，’tocarrythemoneyhomeinperson。Andthisdelay，whichisindefensible，washissecondstepintothesnaresoffortune。
Tenyearshadpassed，andJohnwasdrawingneartothirty。
Hehadkeptthepromiseofhisboyhood，andwasnowofalustyframe，vergingtowardcorpulence;goodfeatures，goodeyes，agenialmanner，areadylaugh，alongpairofsandywhiskers，adashofanAmericanaccent，aclosefamiliaritywiththegreatAmericanjoke，andacertainlikenesstoaR—
y—lP—rs—n—ge，whoshallremainnamelessforme，madeuptheman’sexternalsashecouldbeviewedinsociety。Inwardly，inspiteofhisgrossbodyandhighlymasculinewhiskers，hewasmorelikeamaidenladythanamanoftwenty—nine。
Itchancedoneday，ashewasstrollingdownMarketStreetontheeveofhisfortnight’sholiday，thathiseyewascaughtbycertainrailwaybills，andinveryidlenessofmindhecalculatedthathemightbehomeforChristmasifhestartedonthemorrow。Thefancythrilledhimwithdesire，andinonemomenthedecidedhewouldgo。
Therewasmuchtobedone：hisportmanteautobepacked，acredittobegotfromthebankwherehewasawealthycustomer，andcertainofficestobetransactedforthatotherbankinwhichhewasanhumbleclerk;anditchanced，inconformitywithhumannature，thatoutofallthisbusinessitwasthelastthatcametobeneglected。Nightfoundhim，notonlyequippedwithmoneyofhisown，butoncemore（asonthatformeroccasion）saddledwithaconsiderablesumofotherpeople’s。
Nowitchancedtherelivedinthesameboarding—houseafellow—clerkofhis，anhonestfellow，withwhatiscalledaweaknessfordrink—thoughitmight，inthiscase，havebeencalledastrength，forthevictimhadbeendrunkforweekstogetherwithoutthebriefestintermission。TothisunfortunateJohnintrustedaletterwithaninclosureofbonds，addressedtothebankmanager。Evenashedidsohethoughtheperceivedacertainhazinessofeyeandspeechinhistrustee;buthewastoohopefultobestayed，silencedthevoiceofwarninginhisbosom，andwithoneandthesamegesturecommittedthemoneytotheclerk，andhimselfintothehandsofdestiny。
Idwell，evenattheriskoftedium，onJohn’sminutesterrors，hiscasebeingsoperplexingtothemoralist;butwehavedonewiththemnow，therollisclosed，thereaderhastheworstofourpoorhero，andIleavehimtojudgeforhimselfwhetherheorJohnhasbeenthelessdeserving。
Henceforthwehavetofollowthespectacleofamanwhowasamerewhip—topforcalamity;onwhoseunmeritedmisadventuresnoteventhehumouristcanlookwithoutpity，andnoteventhephilosopherwithoutalarm。
Thatsamenighttheclerkentereduponaboutofdrunkennesssoconsistentastosurpriseevenhisintimateacquaintance。
Hewasspeedilyejectedfromtheboarding—house;depositedhisportmanteauwithaperfectstranger，whodidnotevencatchhisname;wanderedheknewnotwhere，andwasatlasthove—to，allstanding，inahospitalatSacramento。There，undertheimpenetrableALIASofthenumberofhisbed，thecrapulousbeinglayforsomemoredaysunconsciousofallthings，andofonethinginparticular：thatthepolicewereafterhim。TwomonthshadcomeandgonebeforetheconvalescentintheSacramentohospitalwasidentifiedwithKirkman，theabscondingSanFranciscoclerk;eventhen，theremustelapsenearlyafortnightmoretilltheperfectstrangercouldbehuntedup，theportmanteaurecovered，andJohn’slettercarriedatlengthtoitsdestination，thesealstillunbroken，theinclosurestillintact。
Meanwhile，Johnhadgoneuponhisholidayswithoutaword，whichwasirregular;andtherehaddisappearedwithhimacertainsumofmoney，whichwasoutofallboundsofpalliation。Buthewasknowntobecareless，andbelievedtobehonest;themanagerbesideshadaregardforhim;andlittlewassaid，althoughsomethingwasnodoubtthought，untilthefortnightwasfinallyatanend，andthetimehadcomeforJohntoreappear。Then，indeed，theaffairbegantolookblack;andwheninquiriesweremade，andthepennilessclerkwasfoundtohaveamassedthousandsofdollars，andkeptthemsecretlyinarivalestablishment，thestoutestofhisfriendsabandonedhim，thebookswereoverhauledfortracesofancientandartfulfraud，andthoughnonewerefound，therestillprevailedageneralimpressionofloss。
Thetelegraphwassetinmotion;andthecorrespondentofthebankinEdinburgh，forwhichplaceitwasunderstoodthatJohnhadarmedhimselfwithextensivecredits，waswarnedtocommunicatewiththepolice。
NowthiscorrespondentwasafriendofMr。Nicholson’s;hewaswellacquaintedwiththetaleofJohn’scalamitousdisappearancefromEdinburgh;andputtingonethingwithanother，hastedwiththefirstwordofthisscandal，nottothepolice，buttohisfriend。Theoldgentlemanhadlongregardedhissonasonedead;John’splacehadbeentaken，thememoryofhisfaultshadalreadyfallentobeoneofthoseoldaches，whichawakenagainindeeduponoccasion，butwhichwecanalwaysvanquishbyaneffortofthewill;andtohavethelonglostresuscitatedinafreshdisgracewasdoublybitter。
’Macewen，’saidtheoldman，’thismustbehushedup，ifpossible。IfIgiveyouacheekforthissum，aboutwhichtheyarecertain，couldyoutakeitonyourselftoletthematterrest？’
’Iwill，’saidMacewen。’Iwilltaketheriskofit。’
’Youunderstand，’resumedMr。Nicholson，speakingprecisely，butwithashenlips，’Idothisformyfamily，notforthatunhappyyoungman。Ifitshouldturnoutthatthesesuspicionsarecorrect，andhehasembezzledlargesums，hemustlieonhisbedashehasmadeit。’AndthenlookingupatMacewenwithanod，andoneofhisstrangesmiles：’Good—
bye，’saidhe，andMacewen，perceivingthecasetobetoograveforconsolation，tookhimselfoff，andblessedGodonhiswayhomethathewaschildless。
CHAPTERV—THEPRODIGAL’SRETURN
BYalittleafternoonontheeveofChristmas，Johnhadlefthisportmanteauinthecloak—room，andsteppedforthintoPrincesStreetwithawonderfulexpansionofthesoul，suchasmenenjoyonthecompletionoflong—nourishedschemes。Hewasathomeagain，incognitoandrich;presentlyhecouldenterhisfather’shousebymeansofthepass—key，whichhehadpiouslypreservedthroughallhiswanderings;hewouldthrowdowntheborrowedmoney;therewouldbeareconciliation，thedetailsofwhichhefrequentlyarranged;
andhesawhimself，duringthenextmonth，madewelcomeinmanystatelyhousesatmanyfrigiddinner—parties，takinghisshareintheconversationwiththefreedomofthemanandthetraveller，andlayingdownthelawuponfinancewiththeauthorityofthesuccessfulinvestor。Butthisprogrammewasnottobebegunbeforeevening—nottilljustbeforedinner，indeed，atwhichmealthereassembledfamilyweretositroseate，andthebestwine，themodernfattedcalf，shouldflowfortheprodigal’sreturn。
Meanwhilehewalkedfamiliarstreets，merryreminiscencescrowdingroundhim，sadonesalso，bothwiththesamesurprisingpathos。Thekeenfrostyair;thelow，rosy，wintrysun;thecastle，hailinghimlikeanoldacquaintance;
thenamesoffriendsondoor—plates;thesightoffriendswhomheseemedtorecognise，andwhomheeagerlyavoided，inthestreets;thepleasantchantofthenorth—countryaccent;
thedomeofSt。George’sremindinghimofhislastpenitentialmomentsinthelane，andofthatKingofGlorywhosenamehadechoedeversinceinthesaddestcornerofhismemory;andthegutterswherehehadlearnedtoslide，andtheshopwherehehadboughthisskates，andthestonesonwhichhehadtrod，andtherailingsinwhichhehadrattledhisclachanashewenttoschool;andallthosethousandandonenamelessparticulars，whichtheeyeseeswithoutnoting，whichthememorykeepsindeedyetwithoutknowing，andwhich，takenonewithanother，buildupforustheaspectoftheplacethatwecallhome：allthesebesiegedhim，ashewent，withbothdelightandsadness。
HisfirstvisitwasforHouston，whohadahouseonRegentTerrace，keptforhiminolddaysbyanaunt。Thedoorwasopened（tohissurprise）uponthechain，andavoiceaskedhimfromwithinwhathewanted。
’IwantMr。Houston—Mr。AlanHouston，’saidhe。
’Andwhoareye？’saidthevoice。
’Thisismostextraordinary，’thoughtJohn;andthenaloudhetoldhisname。
’No’youngMr。John？’criedthevoice，withasuddenincreaseofScotchaccent，testifyingtoafriendlierfeeling。
’Theverysame，’saidJohn。
Andtheoldbutlerremovedhisdefences，remarkingonly’I
thochtyewerethatman。’Buthismasterwasnotthere;hewasstaying，itappeared，atthehouseinMurrayfield;andthoughthebutlerwouldhavebeengladenoughtohavetakenhisplaceandgivenallthenewsofthefamily，John，struckwithalittlechill，waseagertobegone。Only，thedoorwasscarceclosedagain，beforeheregrettedthathehadnotaskedabout’thatman。’
Hewastopaynomorevisitstillhehadseenhisfatherandmadeallwellathome;Alanhadbeentheonlypossibleexception，andJohnhadnottimetogoasfarasMurrayfield。
ButherehewasonRegentTerrace;therewasnothingtopreventhimgoingroundtheendofthehill，andlookingfromwithoutontheMackenzies’house。Ashewent，hereflectedthatFloramustnowbeawomanofnearhisownage，anditwaswithintheboundsofpossibilitythatshewasmarried;
butthisdishonourabledoubthedammeddown。
Therewasthehouse，sureenough;butthedoorwasofanothercolour，andwhatwasthis—twodoor—plates？Hedrewnearer;
thetoponebore，withdignifiedsimplicity，thewords，’Mr。
Proudfoot’;theloweronewasmoreexplicit，andinformedthepasser—bythatherewaslikewisetheabodeof’Mr。J。A。
DunlopProudfoot，Advocate。’TheProudfootsmustberich，fornoadvocatecouldlooktohavemuchbusinessinsoremoteaquarter;andJohnhatedthemfortheirwealthandfortheirname，andforthesakeofthehousetheydesecratedwiththeirpresence。HerememberedaProudfoothehadseenatschool，notknown：alittle，whey—facedurchin，thedespicablememberofsomelowerclass。Coulditbethisabortionthathadclimbedtobeanadvocate，andnowlivedinthebirthplaceofFloraandthehomeofJohn’stenderestmemories？ThechillthathadfirstseizeduponhimwhenheheardofHouston’sabsencedeepenedandstruckinward。Foramoment，ashestoodunderthedoorsofthatestrangedhouse，andlookedeastandwestalongthesolitarypavementoftheRoyalTerrace，wherenotacatwasstirring，thesenseofsolitudeanddesolationtookhimbythethroat，andhewishedhimselfinSanFrancisco。
Andthenthefigurehemade，withhisdecentportliness，hiswhiskers，themoneyinhispurse，theexcellentcigarthathenowlighted，recurredtohismindinconsolatorycomparisonwiththatofacertainmaddenedladwho，onacertainspringSundaytenyearsbefore，andinthehourofchurch—timesilence，hadstolenfromthatcitybytheGlasgowroad。Inthefaceofthesechanges，itwereimpioustodoubtfortune’skindness。Allwouldbewellyet;theMackenzieswouldbefound，Flora，youngerandlovelierandkinderthanbefore;
Alanwouldbefound，andwouldhavesonicelydiscriminatedhisbehaviourastohavegrown，ontheonehand，intoavaluedfriendofMr。Nicholson’s，andtohaveremained，upontheother，ofthatexactshadeofjovialitywhichJohndesiredinhiscompanions。Andso，oncemore，Johnfelltoworkdiscountingthedelightfulfuture：hisfirstappearanceinthefamilypew;hisfirstvisittohisuncleGreig，whothoughthimselfsogreatafinancier，andonwhosepurblindEdinburgheyesJohnwastoletinthedazzlingdaylightoftheWest;andthedetailsingeneralofthatunrivalledtransformationscene，inwhichhewastodisplaytoallEdinburghaportlyandsuccessfulgentlemanintheshoesofthederidedfugitive。
Thetimebegantodrawnearwhenhisfatherwouldhavereturnedfromtheoffice，anditwouldbetheprodigal’scuetoenter。HestrolledwestwardbyAlbanyStreet，facingthesunsetembers，pleased，heknewnotwhy，tomoveinthatcoldairandindigotwilight，starredwithstreet—lamps。Buttherewasonemoredisenchantmentwaitinghimbytheway。
AtthecornerofPittStreethepausedtolightafreshcigar;thevestathrew，ashedidso，astronglightuponhisfeatures，andamanofabouthisownagestoppedatsightofit。
’IthinkyournamemustbeNicholson，’saidthestranger。
Itwastoolatetoavoidrecognition;andbesides，asJohnwasnowactuallyonthewayhome，ithardlymattered，andhegavewaytotheimpulseofhisnature。
’GreatScott！’hecried，’Beatson！’andshookhandswithwarmth。Itscarceseemedhewasrepaidinkind。
’Soyou’rehomeagain？’saidBeatson。’Wherehaveyoubeenallthislongtime？’
’IntheStates，’saidJohn—’California。I’vemademypilethough;anditsuddenlystruckmeitwouldbeanobleschemetocomehomeforChristmas。’
’Isee，’saidBeatson。’Well，Ihopewe’llseesomethingofyounowyou’rehere。’
’Oh，Iguessso，’saidJohn，alittlefrozen。
’Well，ta—ta，’concludedBeatson，andheshookhandsagainandwent。
Thiswasacruelfirstexperience。Itwasidletoblinkfacts：herewasJohnhomeagain，andBeatson—OldBeatson—
didnotcarearush。HerecalledOldBeatsoninthepast—
thatmerryandaffectionatelad—andtheirjointadventuresandmishaps，thewindowtheyhadbrokenwithacatapultinIndiaPlace，theescaladeofthecastlerock，andmanyanotherinestimablebondoffriendship;andhishurtsurprisegrewdeeper。Well，afterall，itwasonlyonaman’sownfamilythathecouldcount;bloodwasthickerthanwater，heremembered;andthenetresultofthisencounterwastobringhimtothedoorstepofhisfather’shouse，withtendererandsofterfeelings。
Thenighthadcome;thefanlightoverthedoorshonebright;
thetwowindowsofthedining—roomwheretheclothwasbeinglaid，andthethreewindowsofthedrawing—roomwhereMariawouldbewaitingdinner，glowedsoftlierthroughyellowblinds。Itwaslikeavisionofthepast。Allthistimeofhisabsencelifehadgoneforwardwithanequalfoot，andthefiresandthegashadbeenlighted，andthemealsspread，attheaccustomedhours。Attheaccustomedhour，too，thebellhadsoundedthricetocallthefamilytoworship。Andatthethought，apangofregretforhisdemeritseizedhim;herememberedthethingsthatweregoodandthathehadneglected，andthethingsthatwereevilandthathehadloved;anditwaswithaprayeruponhislipsthathemountedthestepsandthrustthekeyintothekey—hole。
Hesteppedintothelightedhall，shutthedoorsoftlybehindhim，andstoodtherefixedinwonder。Nosurpriseofstrangenesscouldequalthesurpriseofthatcompletefamiliarity。TherewasthebustofChalmersnearthestair—
railings，therewastheclothes—brushintheaccustomedplace;andthere，onthehat—stand，hunghatsandcoatsthatmustsurelybethesameasheremembered。Tenyearsdroppedfromhislife，asapinmayslipbetweenthefingers;andtheoceanandthemountains，andthemines，andcrowdedmartsandmingledracesofSanFrancisco，andhisownfortuneandhisowndisgrace，became，forthatonemoment，thefiguresofadreamthatwasover。
Hetookoffhishat，andmovedmechanicallytowardthestand;
andtherehefoundasmallchangethatwasagreatonetohim。Thepinthathadbeenhisfromboyhood，wherehehadflunghisbalmoralwhenheloiteredhomefromtheAcademy，andhisfirsthatwhenhecamebrisklybackfromcollegeortheoffice—hispinwasoccupied。’Theymighthaveatleastrespectedmypin！’hethought，andhewasmovedasbyaslight，andbeganatoncetorecollectthathewashereaninterloper，inastrangehouse，whichhehadenteredalmostbyaburglary，andwhereatanymomenthemightbescandalouslychallenged。
Hemovedatonce，hishatstillinhishand，tothedoorofhisfather’sroom，openedit，andentered。Mr。NicholsonsatinthesameplaceandpostureasonthatlastSundaymorning;
onlyhewasolder，andgreyer，andsterner;andashenowglancedupandcaughttheeyeofhisson，astrangecommotionandadarkflushsprungintohisface。
’Father，’saidJohn，steadily，andevencheerfully，forthiswasamomentagainstwhichhewaslongagoprepared，’father，hereIam，andhereisthemoneythatItookfromyou。I
havecomebacktoaskyourforgiveness，andtostayChristmaswithyouandthechildren。’
’Keepyourmoney，’saidthefather，’andgo！’
’Father！’criedJohn;’forGod’ssakedon’treceivemethisway。I’vecomefor—’
’Understandme，’interruptedMr。Nicholson;’youarenosonofmine;andinthesightofGod，Iwashmyhandsofyou。
OnelastthingIwilltellyou;onewarningIwillgiveyou;
allisdiscovered，andyouarebeinghuntedforyourcrimes;
ifyouarestillatlargeitisthankstome;butIhavedoneallthatImeantodo;andfromthistimeforthIwouldnotraiseonefinger—notonefinger—tosaveyoufromthegallows！Andnow，’withalowvoiceofabsoluteauthority，andasingleweightygestureofthefinger，’andnow—go！’
CHAPTERVI—THEHOUSEATMURRAYFIELD
HowJohnpassedtheevening，inwhatwindyconfusionofmind，inwhatsquallsofangerandlullsofsickcollapse，inwhatpacingofstreetsandplungingintopublic—houses，itwouldprofitlittletorelate。Hismisery，ifitwerenotprogressive，yettendedinnowaytodiminish;forinproportionasgriefandindignationabated，fearbegantotaketheirplace。Atfirst，hisfather’smenacingwordslaybyinsomesafedrawerofmemory，bidingtheirhour。Atfirst，Johnwasallthwartedaffectionandblightedhope;
nextbludgeonedvanityraiseditsheadagain，withtwentymortalgashes：andthefatherwasdisownedevenashehaddisownedtheson。Whatwasthisregularcourseoflife，thatJohnshouldhaveadmiredit？whatweretheseclock—workvirtues，fromwhichlovewasabsent？Kindnesswasthetest，kindnesstheaimandsoul;andjudgedbysuchastandard，thediscardedprodigal—nowrapidlydrowninghissorrowsandhisreasoninsuccessivedrams—wasacreatureofaloveliermoralitythanhisself—righteousfather。Yes，hewasthebetterman;hefeltit，glowedwiththeconsciousness，andenteringapublic—houseatthecornerofHowardPlace（whitherhehadsomehowwandered）hepledgedhisownvirtuesinaglass—perhapsthefourthsincehisdismissal。Ofthatheknewnothing，keepingnoaccountofwhathedidorwherehewent;andinthegeneralcrashinghurryofhisnerves，unconsciousoftheapproachofintoxication。Indeed，itisaquestionwhetherhewerereallygrowingintoxicated，orwhetheratfirstthespiritsdidnotevensoberhim。Foritwasevenashedrainedthislastglassthathisfather’sambiguousandmenacingwords—poppingfromtheirhiding—
placeinmemory—startledhimlikeahandlaiduponhisshoulder。’Crimes，hunted，thegallows。’Theywereuglywords;intheearsofaninnocentman，perhapsalltheuglier;forifsomejudicialerrorwereinactagainsthim，whoshouldsetalimittoitsgrossnessortohowfaritmightbepushed？NotJohn，indeed;hewasnobelieverinthepowersofinnocence，hiscursedexperiencepointinginquiteotherways;andhisfears，oncewakened，grewwitheveryhourandhuntedhimaboutthecitystreets。
Itwas，perhaps，nearlynineatnight;hehadeatennothingsincelunch，hehaddrunkagooddeal，andhewasexhaustedbyemotion，whenthethoughtofHoustoncameintohishead。
Heturned，notmerelytothemanasafriend，buttohishouseasaplaceofrefuge。Thedangerthatthreatenedhimwasstillsovaguethatheknewneitherwhattofearnorwherehemightexpectit;butthismuchatleastseemedundeniable，thataprivatehousewassaferthanapublicinn。
Movedbythesecounsels，heturnedatoncetotheCaledonianStation，passed（notwithoutalarm）intothebrightlightsoftheapproach，redeemedhisportmanteaufromthecloak—room，andwassoonwhirlinginacabalongtheGlasgowRoad。Thechangeofmovementandposition，thesightofthelampstwinklingtotherear，andthesmellofdampandmouldandrottenstrawwhichclungaboutthevehicle，wroughtinhimstrangealternationsoflucidityandmortalgiddiness。
’Ihavebeendrinking，’hediscovered;’Imustgostraighttobed，andsleep。’AndhethankedHeavenforthedrowsinessthatcameuponhismindinwaves。
Fromoneofthesespellshewaswakenedbythestoppageofthecab;and，gettingdown，foundhimselfinquiteacountryroad，thelastlampofthesuburbshiningsomewaybelow，andthehighwallsofagardenrisingbeforehiminthedark。
TheLodge（astheplacewasnamed），stood，indeed，verysolitary。Tothesouthitadjoinedanotherhouse，butstandinginsolargeagardenastobewelloutofcry;onallothersides，openfieldsstretchedupwardtothewoodsofCorstorphineHill，orbackwardtothedellsofRavelston，ordownwardtowardthevalleyoftheLeith。Theeffectofseclusionwasaidedbythegreatheightofthegardenwalls，whichwere，indeed，conventual，and，asJohnhadtestedinformerdays，defiedtheclimbingschoolboy。Thelampofthecabthrewagleamuponthedoorandthenotbrillianthandleofthebell。
’ShallIringforye？’saidthecabman，whohaddescendedfromhisperch，andwasslappinghischest，forthenightwasbitter。
’Iwishyouwould，’saidJohn，puttinghishandtohisbrowinoneofhisaccessesofgiddiness。
Themanpulledatthehandle，andtheclankingofthebellrepliedfromfurtherinthegarden;twiceandthricehedidit，withsufficientintervals;inthegreatfrostysilenceofthenightthesoundsfellsharpandsmall。
’Doesheexpectye？’askedthedriver，withthatmanneroffamiliarinterestthatwellbecamehisport—wineface;andwhenJohnhadtoldhimno，’Well，then，’saidthecabman，’ifye’lltak’myadviceofit，we’lljustgangback。Andthat’sdisinterested，mindye，formystablesareintheGlesgieRoad。’
’Theservantsmusthear，’saidJohn。
’Hout！’saidthedriver。’Hekeepsnoservantshere，man。
They’rea’inthetownhouse;Idrivehimoften;it’sjustakindofahermitage，this。’
’Givemethebell，’saidJohn;andhepluckedatitlikeamandesperate。
Theclamourhadnotyetsubsidedbeforetheyheardstepsuponthegravel，andavoiceofsingularnervousirritabilitycriedtothemthroughthedoor，’Whoareyou，andwhatdoyouwant？’
’Alan，’saidJohn，’it’sme—it’sFatty—John，youknow。
I’mjustcomehome，andI’vecometostaywithyou。’
Therewasnoreplyforamoment，andthenthedoorwasopened。
’Gettheportmanteaudown，’saidJohntothedriver。
’Donothingofthekind，’saidAlan;andthentoJohn，’Comeinhereamoment。Iwanttospeaktoyou。’
Johnenteredthegarden，andthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。
Acandlestoodonthegravelwalk，winkingalittleinthedraughts;itthrewinconstantsparklesontheclumpedholly，struckthelightanddarknesstoandfrolikeaveilonAlan’sfeatures，andsenthisshadowhoveringbehindhim。
Allbeyondwasinscrutable;andJohn’sdizzybrainrockedwiththeshadow。Yetevenso，itstruckhimthatAlanwaspale，andhisvoice，whenhespoke，unnatural。
’Whatbringsyouhereto—night？’hebegan。’Idon’twant，Godknows，toseemunfriendly;butIcannottakeyouin，Nicholson;Icannotdoit。’
’Alan，’saidJohn，’you’vejustgotto！Youdon’tknowthemessI’min;thegovernor’sturnedmeout，andIdaren’tshowmyfaceinaninn，becausethey’redownonmeformurderorsomething！’
’Forwhat？’criedAlan，starting。
’Murder，Ibelieve，’saysJohn。
’Murder！’repeatedAlan，andpassedhishandoverhiseyes。
’Whatwasthatyouweresaying？’heaskedagain。
’Thattheyweredownonme，’saidJohn。’I’maccusedofmurder，bywhatIcanmakeout;andI’vereallyhadadreadfuldayofit，Alan，andIcan’tsleepontheroadsideonanightlikethis—atleast，notwithaportmanteau，’hepleaded。
’Hush！’saidAlan，withhisheadononeside;andthen，’Didyouhearnothing？’heasked。
’No，’saidJohn，thrilling，heknewnotwhy，withcommunicatedterror。’No，Iheardnothing;why？’Andthen，astherewasnoanswer，herevertedtohispleading：’ButI
say，Alan，you’vejustgottotakemein。I’llgorightawaytobedifyouhaveanythingtodo。Iseemtohavebeendrinking;Iwasthatknockedover。Iwouldn’tturnyouaway，Alan，ifyouweredownonyourluck。’
’No？’returnedAlan。’Neitherwillyou，then。Comeandlet’sgetyourportmanteau。’
Thecabmanwaspaid，anddroveoffdownthelong，lamp—
lightedhill，andthetwofriendsstoodontheside—walkbesidetheportmanteautillthelastrumbleofthewheelshaddiedinsilence。ItseemedtoJohnasthoughAlanattachedimportancetothisdepartureofthecab;andJohn，whowasinnostatetocriticise，sharedprofoundlyinthefeeling。