\"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。