Hisunclestaredathimwithamixedexpressionofamazementandshameandincredulitythatwassorrowfultosee。Atlasthesaid：
\"Whichofthetwinswasit？\"
\"CountLuigi。\"
\"Youhavechallengedhim？\"
\"N——no，\"hesitatedTom，turningpale。
\"Youwillchallengehimtonight。Howardwillcarryit。\"
Tombegantoturnsick，andtoshowit。Heturnedhishatroundandroundinhishand，hisunclegloweringblackerandblackeruponhimastheheavysecondsdriftedby;thenatlasthebegantostammer，andsaidpiteously：
\"Oh，please，don’taskmetodoit，uncle！Heisamurderousdevil——
Inevercould——I——I’mafraidofhim！\"
OldDriscoll’smouthopenedandclosedthreetimesbeforehecouldgetittoperformitsoffice;thenhestormedout：
\"Acowardinmyfamily！ADriscollacoward！Oh，whathaveIdonetodeservethisinfamy！\"Hetotteredtohissecretaryinthecorner，repeatedthatlamentagainandagaininheartbreakingtones，andgotoutofadrawerapaper，whichheslowlytoretobits，scatteringthebitsabsentlyinhistrackashewalkedupanddowntheroom，stillgrievingandlamenting。Atlasthesaid：
\"Thereitis，shredsandfragmentsoncemore——mywill。Oncemoreyouhaveforcedmetodisinherityou，youbasesonofamostnoblefather！
Leavemysight！Go——beforeIspitonyou！\"
Theyoungmandidnottarry。ThenthejudgeturnedtoHoward：
\"Youwillbemysecond，oldfriend？\"
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Thereispenandpaper。Draftthecartel，andlosenotime。\"
\"TheCountshallhaveitinhishandsinfifteenminutes，\"saidHoward。
Tomwasveryheavyhearted。Hisappetitewasgonewithhispropertyandhisself—respect。Hewentoutthebackwayandwandereddowntheobscurelanegrieving，andwonderingifanycourseoffutureconduct，howeverdiscreetandcarefullyperfectedandwatchedover，couldwinbackhisuncle’sfavorandpersuadehimtoreconstructoncemorethatgenerouswillwhichhadjustgonetoruinbeforehiseyes。
Hefinallyconcludedthatitcould。Hesaidtohimselfthathehadaccomplishedthissortoftriumphoncealready，andthatwhathadbeendoneoncecouldbedoneagain。Hewouldsetaboutit。Hewouldbendeveryenergytothetask，andhewouldscorethattriumphoncemore，costwhatitmighttohisconvenience，limitasitmighthisfrivolousandliberty—lovinglife。
\"Tobegin，\"hesaystohimself，\"I’llsquareupwiththeproceedsofmyraid，andthengamblinghasgottobestopped——andstoppedshortoff。
It’stheworstviceI’vegot——frommystandpoint，anyway，becauseit’stheonehecanmosteasilyfindout，throughtheimpatienceofmycreditors。Hethoughtitexpensivetohavetopaytwohundreddollarstothemformeonce。Expensive——_that！_Why，itcostmethewholeofhisfortune——but，ofcourse，heneverthoughtofthat;
somepeoplecan’tthinkofanybuttheirownsideofacase。
IfhehadknownhowdeepIaminnow，thewillwouldhavegonetopotwithoutwaitingforadueltohelp。Threehundreddollars！
It’sapile！Buthe’llneverhearofit，I’mthankfultosay。
TheminuteI’vecleareditoff，I’msafe;andI’llnevertouchacardagain。Anyway，Iwon’twhilehelives，Imakeoathtothat。
I’menteringonmylastreform——Iknowit——yes，andI’llwin;
butafterthat，ifIeverslipagainI’mgone。\"
CHAPTER13
TomStaresatRuinWhenIreflectuponthenumberofdisagreeablepeoplewhoIknowhavegonetoabetterworld，Iammovedtoleadadifferentlife。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarOctober。Thisisoneofthepeculiarlydangerousmonthstospeculateinstocksin。TheothersareJuly，January，September，April，November，May，March，June，December，August，andFebruary。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThusmournfullycommuningwithhimself，TommopedalongthelanepastPudd’nheadWilson’shouse，andstillonandonbetweenfencesenclosingvacantcountryoneachhandtillhenearedthehauntedhouse，thenhecamemopingbackagain，withmanysighsandheavywithtrouble。
Hesorelywantedcheerfulcompany。Rowena！Hisheartgaveaboundatthethought，butthenextthoughtquietedit——thedetestedtwinswouldbethere。
HewasontheinhabitedsideofWilson’shouse，andnowasheapproachedit，henoticedthatthesittingroomwaslighted。
Thiswoulddo;othersmadehimfeelunwelcomesometimes，butWilsonneverfailedincourtesytowardhim，andakindlycourtesydoesatleastsaveone’sfeelings，evenifitisnotprofessingtostandforawelcome。
Wilsonheardfootstepsathisthreshold，thentheclearingofathroat。
\"It’sthatfickle—tempered，dissipatedyounggoose——poordevil，hefindfriendsprettyscarcetoday，likely，afterthedisgraceofcarryingapersonalassaultcaseintoalaw—court。\"
Adejectedknock。\"Comein！\"
Tomentered，anddroppedintoachair，withoutsayinganything。
Wilsonsaidkindly：
\"Why，myboy，youlookdesolate。Don’ttakeitsohard。
Tryandforgetyouhavebeenkicked。\"
\"Oh，dear，\"saidTom，wretchedly，\"it’snotthat，Pudd’nhead——
it’snotthat……It’sathousandtimesworsethanthat——oh，yes，amilliontimesworse。\"
\"Why，Tom，whatdoyoumean？HasRowena——\"
\"Flungme？_No_，buttheoldmanhas。\"
Wilsonsaidtohimself，\"Aha！\"andthoughtofthemysteriousgirlinthebedroom。\"TheDriscollshavebeenmakingdiscoveries！\"
Thenhesaidaloud，gravely：
\"Tom，therearesomekindsofdissipationwhich——\"
\"Oh，shucks，thishasn’tgotanythingtodowithdissipation。
HewantedmetochallengethatdernedItaliansavage，andIwouldn’tdoit。\"
\"Yes，ofcoursehewoulddothat，\"saidWilsoninameditativematter—of—courseway，\"butthethingthatpuzzledmewas，whyhedidn’tlooktothatlastnight，foronething，andwhyheletyoucarrysuchamatterintoacourtoflawatall，eitherbeforetheduelorafterit。It’snoplaceforit。
Itwasnotlikehim。Icouldn’tunderstandit。Howdidithappen？\"
\"Ithappenedbecausehedidn’tknowanythingaboutit。HewasasleepwhenIgothomelastnight。\"
\"Andyoudidn’twakehim？Tom，isthatpossible？\"
Tomwasnotgettingmuchcomforthere。Hefidgetedamoment，thensaid：
\"Ididn’tchoosetotellhim——that’sall。Hewasgoinga—fishingbeforedawn，withPembrokeHoward，andifIgotthetwinsintothecommoncalaboose——andIthoughtsureIcould——Ineverdreamedoftheirslippingoutonapaltryfineforsuchanoutrageousoffense——
well，onceinthecalaboosetheywouldbedisgraced，andunclewouldn’twantanyduelswiththatsortofcharacters，andwouldn’tallowany。
\"Tom，Iamashamedofyou！Idon’tseehowyoucouldtreatyourgoodolduncleso。Iamabetterfriendofhisthanyouare;
forifIhadknownthecircumstancesIwouldhavekeptthatcaseoutofcourtuntilIgotwordtohimandlethimhavethegentleman’schance。\"
\"Youwould？\"exclaimedTom，withlivelysurprise。\"Andityourfirstcase！Andyouknowperfectlywellthereneverwouldhave_been_
anycaseifhehadgotthatchance，don’tyou？Andyou’dhavefinishedyourdaysapaupernobody，insteadofbeinganactuallylaunchedandrecognizedlawyertoday。Andyouwouldreallyhavedonethat，wouldyou？\"
\"Certainly。\"
Tomlookedathimamomentortwo，thenshookhisheadsorrowfullyandsaid：
\"Ibelieveyou——uponmywordIdo。Idon’tknowwhyIdo，butIdo。
Pudd’nheadWilson，Ithinkyou’rethebiggestfoolIeversaw。\"
\"Thankyou。\"
\"Don’tmentionit。\"
\"Well，hehasbeenrequiringyoutofighttheItalian，andyouhaverefused。Youdegenerateremnantofanhonorableline！
I’mthoroughlyashamedofyou，Tom！\"
\"Oh，that’snothing！Idon’tcareforanything，nowthatthewill’stornupagain。\"
\"Tom，tellmesquarely——didn’thefindanyfaultwithyouforanythingbutthosetwothings——carryingthecaseintocourtandrefusingtofight？\"
Hewatchedtheyoungfellow’sfacenarrowly，butitwasentirelyreposeful，andsoalsowasthevoicethatanswered：
\"No，hedidn’tfindanyotherfaultwithme。Ifhehadhadanytofind，hewouldhavebegunyesterday，forhewasjustinthehumorforit。
Hedrovethatjack—pairaroundtownandshowedthemthesights，andwhenhecamehomehecouldn’tfindhisfather’soldsilverwatchthatdon’tkeeptimeandhethinkssomuchof，andcouldn’trememberwhathedidwithitthreeorfourdaysagowhenhesawitlast，andwhenIsuggestedthatitprobablywasn’tlostbutstolen，itputhiminaregularpassion，andhesaidIwasafool——
whichconvincedme，withoutanytrouble，thatthatwasjustwhathewasafraid_had_happened，himself，butdidnotwanttobelieveit，becauselostthingsstandabetterchanceofbeingfoundagainthanstolenones。\"
\"Whe—ew！\"whistledWilson。\"Scoreanotheronethelist。\"
\"Anotherwhat？\"
\"Anothertheft！\"
\"Theft？\"
\"Yes，theft。Thatwatchisn’tlost，it’sstolen。There’sbeenanotherraidonthetown——andjustthesameoldmysterioussortofthingthathashappenedoncebefore，asyouremember。\"
\"Youdon’tmeanit！\"
\"It’sassureasyouareborn！Haveyoumissedanythingyourself？\"
\"No。Thatis，IdidmissasilverpencilcasethatAuntMaryPrattgavemelastbirthday——\"
\"You’llfinditstolen——that’swhatyou’llfind。\"
\"No，Isha’n’t;forwhenIsuggestedtheftaboutthewatchandgotsucharap，Iwentandexaminedmyroom，andthepencilcasewasmissing，butitwasonlymislaid，andIfounditagain。\"
\"Youaresureyoumissednothingelse？\"
\"Well，nothingofconsequence。Imissedasmallplaingoldringworthtwoorthreedollars，butthatwillturnup。I’lllookagain。\"
\"Inmyopinionyou’llnotfindit。There’sbeenaraid，Itellyou。
Come_in！_\"
Mr。JusticeRobinsonentered，followedbyBuckstoneandthetownconstable，JimBlake。Theysatdown，andaftersomewanderingandaimlessweather—conversationWilsonsaid：
\"Bytheway，We’vejustaddedanothertothelistofthefts，maybetwo。
JudgeDriscoll’soldsilverwatchisgone，andTomherehasmissedagoldring。\"
\"Well，itisabadbusiness，\"saidthejustice，\"andgetsworsethefurtheritgoes。TheHankses，theDobsons，thePilligrews，theOrtons，theGrangers，theHales，theFullers，theHolcombs，infacteverybodythatlivesaroundaboutPatsyCooper’shadbeenrobbedoflittlethingsliketrinketsandteaspoonsandsuchlikesmallvaluablesthatareeasilycarriedoff。It’sperfectlyplainthatthethieftookadvantageofthereceptionatPatsyCooper’swhenalltheneighborswereinherhouseandalltheirniggershangingaroundherfenceforalookattheshow，toraidthevacanthousesundisturbed。
Patsyismiserableaboutit;miserableonaccountoftheneighbors，andparticularlymiserableonaccountofherforeigners，ofcourse;
somiserableontheiraccountthatshehasn’tanyroomtoworryaboutherownlittlelosses。\"
\"It’sthesameoldraider，\"saidWilson。\"Isupposethereisn’tanydoubtaboutthat。\"
\"ConstableBlakedoesn’tthinkso。\"
\"No，you’rewrongthere，\"saidBlake。\"Theothertimesitwasaman;
therewasplentyofsignsofthat，asweknow，intheprofession，thoughtwenevergothandsonhim;butthistimeit’sawoman。\"
Wilsonthoughtofthemysteriousgirlstraightoff。Shewasalwaysinhismindnow。Butshefailedhimagain。Blakecontinued：
\"She’sastoop—shoulderedoldwomanwithacoveredbasketonherarm，inablackveil，dressedinmourning。Isawhergoingaboardtheferryboatyesterday。LivesinIllinois，Ireckon;butIdon’tcarewhereshelives，I’mgoingtogether——shecanmakeherselfsureofthat。\"
\"Whatmakesyouthinkshe’sthethief？\"
\"Well，thereain’tanyother，foronething;andforanother，someniggerdraymenthathappenedtobedrivingalongsawhercomingoutoforgoingintohouses，andtoldmeso——anditjusthappensthattheywas_robbed_，everytime。\"
Itwasgrantedthatthiswasplentygoodenoughcircumstantialevidence。
Apensivesilencefollowed，whichlastedsomemoments，thenWilsonsaid：
\"There’sonegoodthing，anyway。Shecan’teitherpawnorsellCountLuigi’scostlyIndiandagger。\"
\"My！\"saidTom。\"Is_that_gone？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，thatwasahaul！Butwhycan’tshepawnitorsellit？\"
\"BecausewhenthetwinswenthomefromtheSonsofLibertymeetinglastnight，newsoftheraidwassiftinginfromeverywhere，andAuntPatsywasindistresstoknowiftheyhadlostanything。
Theyfoundthatthedaggerwasgone，andtheynotifiedthepoliceandpawnbrokerseverywhere。Itwasagreathaul，yes，buttheoldwomanwon’tgetanythingoutofit，becauseshe’llgetcaught。\"
\"Didtheyofferareward？\"askedBuckstone。
\"Yes，fivehundreddollarsfortheknife，andfivehundredmoreforthethief。\"
\"Whataleather—headedidea！\"exclaimedtheconstable。
\"Thethiefdas’n’tgonearthem，norsendanybody。
Whoevergoesisgoingtogethimselfnabbed，fortheirain’tanypawnbrokerthat’sgoingtolosethechanceto——\"
IfanybodyhadnoticedTom’sfaceatthattime，thegray—greencolorofitmighthaveprovokedcuriosity;butnobodydid。
Hesaidtohimself：\"I’mgone！Inevercansquareup;therestoftheplunderwon’tpawnorsellforhalfofthebill。Oh，Iknowit——
I’mgone，I’mgone——andthistimeit’sforgood。Oh，thisisawful——
Idon’tknowwhattodo，norwhichwaytoturn！\"
\"Softly，softly，\"saidWilsontoBlake。\"Iplannedtheirschemeforthematmidnightlastnight，anditwasallfinishedupshipshapebytwothismorning。They’llgettheirdaggerback，andthenI’llexplaintoyouhowthethingwasdone。\"
Therewerestrongsignsofageneralcuriosity，andBuckstonesaid：
\"Well，youhavewhettedusupprettysharp。Wilson，andI’mfreetosaythatifyoudon’tmindtellingusinconfidence——\"
\"Oh，I’dassoontellasnot，Buckstone，butaslongasthetwinsandIagreedtosaynothingaboutit，wemustletitstandso。
Butyoucantakemywordforit，youwon’tbekeptwaitingthreedays。
Somebodywillapplyforthatrewardprettypromptly，andI’llshowyouthethiefandthedaggerbothverysoonafterward。\"
Theconstablewasdisappointed，andalsoperplexed。Hesaid：
\"Itmayallbe——yes，andIhopeitwill，butI’mblamedifI
canseemywaythroughit。It’stoomanyforyourstruly。\"
Thesubjectseemedabouttalkedout。Nobodyseemedtohaveanythingfurthertooffer。AfterasilencethejusticeofthepeaceinformedWilsonthatheandBuckstoneandtheconstablehadcomeasacommittee，onthepartoftheDemocraticparty，toaskhimtorunformayor——forthelittletownwasabouttobecomeacityandthefirstcharterelectionwasapproaching。ItwasthefirstattentionwhichWilsonhadeverreceivedatthehandsofanyparty;
itwasasufficientlyhumbleone，butitwasarecognitionofhisdebutintothetown’slifeandactivitiesatlast;itwasastepupward，andhewasdeeplygratified。Heaccepted，andthecommitteedeparted，followedbyyoungTom。
CHAPTER14
RoxanaInsistsUponReformThetrueSouthernwatermelonisaboonapart，andnottobementionedwithcommonerthings。Itischiefofthisworld’sluxuries，kingbythegraceofGodoverallthefruitsoftheearth。
Whenonehastastedit，heknowswhattheangelseat。ItwasnotaSouthernwatermelonthatEvetook：weknowitbecausesherepented。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAboutthetimethatWilsonwasbowingthecommitteeout，PembrokeHowardwasenteringthenexthousetoreport。
Hefoundtheoldjudgesittinggrimandstraightinhischair，waiting。
\"Well，Howard——thenews？\"
\"Thebestintheworld。\"
\"Accepts，doeshe？\"andthelightofbattlegleamedjoyouslyintheJudge’seye。
\"Accepts？Whyhejumpedatit。\"
\"Did，didhe？Nowthat’sfine——that’sveryfine。Ilikethat。
Whenisittobe？\"
\"Now！Straightoff！Tonight！Anadmirablefellow——admirable！\"
\"Admirable？He’sadarling！Why，it’sanhonoraswellasapleasuretostandupbeforesuchaman。Come——offwithyou！
Goandarrangeeverything——andgivehimmyheartiestcompliments。
Ararefellow，indeed;anadmirablefellow，asyouhavesaid！\"
\"I’llhavehiminthevacantstretchbetweenWilson’sandthehauntedhousewithinthehour，andI’llbringmyownpistols。\"
JudgeDriscollbegantowalkthefloorinastateofpleasedexcitement;
butpresentlyhestopped，andbegantothink——begantothinkofTom。
Twicehemovedtowardthesecretary，andtwiceheturnedawayagain;
butfinallyhesaid：
\"Thismaybemylastnightintheworld——Imustnottakethechance。
Heisworthlessandunworthy，butitislargelymyfault。
Hewasentrustedtomebymybrotheronhisdyingbed，andIhaveindulgedhimtohishurt，insteadoftraininghimupseverely，andmakingamanofhim，Ihaveviolatedmytrust，andImustnotaddthesinofdesertiontothat。Ihaveforgivenhimoncealready，andwouldsubjecthimtoalongandhardtrialbeforeforgivinghimagain，ifIcouldlive;butImustnotrunthatrisk。
No，Imustrestorethewill。ButifIsurvivetheduel，Iwillhideitaway，andhewillnotknow，andIwillnottellhimuntilhereforms，andIseethathisreformationisgoingtobepermanent。\"
Heredrewthewill，andhisostensiblenephewwasheirtoafortuneagain。Ashewasfinishinghistask，Tom，weariedwithanotherbroodingtramp，enteredthehouseandwenttiptoeingpastthesittingroomdoor。Heglancedin，andhurriedon，forthesightofhisunclewasnothingbutterrorsforhimtonight。Buthisunclewaswriting！Thatwasunusualatthislatehour。Whatcouldhebewriting？AchillofanxietysettleddownuponTom’sheart。
Didthatwritingconcernhim？Hewasafraidso。Hereflectedthatwhenillluckbegins，itdoesnotcomeinsprinkles，butinshowers。
Hesaidhewouldgetaglimpseofthatdocumentorknowthereasonwhy。
Heheardsomeonecoming，andsteppedoutofsightandhearing。
ItwasPembrokeHoward。Whatcouldbehatching？
Howardsaid，withgreatsatisfaction：
\"Everything’srightandready。He’sgonetothebattlegroundwithhissecondandthesurgeon——alsowithhisbrother。I’vearrangeditallwithWilson——Wilson’shissecond。Wearetohavethreeshotsapiece。\"
\"Good！Howisthemoon？\"
\"Brightasday，nearly。Perfect，forthedistance——fifteenyards。
Nowind——notabreath;hotandstill。\"
\"Allgood;allfirst—rate。Here，Pembroke，readthis，andwitnessit。\"
Pembrokereadandwitnessedthewill，thengavetheoldman’shandaheartyshakeandsaid：
\"Nowthat’sright，York——butIknewyouwoulddoit。Youcouldn’tleavethatpoorchaptofightalongwithoutmeansorprofession，withcertaindefeatbeforehim，andIknewyouwouldn’t，forhisfather’ssakeifnotforhisown。\"
\"Forhisdeadfather’ssake，Icouldn’t，Iknow;forpoorPercy——
butyouknowwhatPercywastome。Butmind——TomisnottoknowofthisunlessIfalltonight。\"
\"Iunderstand。I’llkeepthesecret。\"
Thejudgeputthewillaway，andthetwostartedforthebattleground。
InanotherminutethewillwasinTom’shands。
Hismiseryvanished，hisfeelingsunderwentatremendousrevulsion。
Heputthewillcarefullybackinitsplace，andspreadhismouthandswunghishatonce，twice，threetimesaroundhishead，inimitationofthreerousinghuzzahs，nosoundissuingfromhislips。
Hefelltocommuningwithhimselfexcitedlyandjoyously，buteverynowandthenheletoffanothervolleyofdumbhurrahs。
Hesaidtohimself：\"I’vegotthefortuneagain，butI’llnotletonthatIknowaboutit。AndthistimeI’mgongtohangontoit。
Itakenomorerisks。I’llgamblenomore，I’lldrinknomore，because——well，becauseI’llnotgowherethereisanyofthatsortofthinggoingon，again。It’sthesureway，andtheonlysureway;
Imighthavethoughtofthatsooner——well，yes，ifIhadwantedto。
Butnow——dearme，I’vehadascarethistime，andI’lltakenomorechances。Notasinglechancemore。Land！IpersuadedmyselfthiseveningthatIcouldfetchhimaroundwithoutanygreatamountofeffort，butI’vebeengettingmoreandmoreheavyheartedanddoubtfulstraightalong，eversince。Ifhetellsmeaboutthisthing，allright;butifhedoesn’t，Isha’n’tleton。I——well，I’dliketotellPudd’nheadWilson，but——no，I’llthinkaboutthat;perhapsIwon’t。\"
Hewhirledoffanotherdeadhuzzah，andsaid，\"I’mreformed，andthistimeI’llstayso，sure！\"
Hewasabouttoclosewithafinalgrandsilentdemonstration，whenhesuddenlyrecollectedthatWilsonhadputitoutofhispowertopawnorselltheIndianknife，andthathewasoncemoreinawfulperilofexposurebyhiscreditorsforthatreason。
Hisjoycollapsedutterly，andheturnedawayandmopedtowardthedoormoaningandlamentingoverthebitternessofhisluck。
Hedraggedhimselfupstairs，andbroodedinhisroomalongtime，disconsolateandforlorn，withLuigi’sIndianknifeforatext。
Atlasthesighedandsaid：
\"WhenIsupposedthesestoneswereglassandthisivorybone，thethinghadn’tanyinterestformebecauseithadn’tanyvalue，andcouldn’thelpmeoutofmytrouble。Butnow——why，nowitisfullofinterest;yes，andofasorttobreakabody’sheart。
It’sabagofgoldthathasturnedtodirtandashesinmyhands。
Itcouldsaveme，andsavemesoeasily，andyetI’vegottogotoruin。
It’slikedrowningwithalifepreserverinmyreach。Allthehardluckcomestome，andallthegoodluckgoestootherpeople——
Pudd’nheadWilson，forinstance;evenhiscareerhasgotasortofalittlestartatlast，andwhathashedonetodeserveit，Ishouldliketoknow？Yes，hehasopenedhisownroad，butheisn’tcontentwiththat，butmustblockmine。
It’sasordid，selfishworld，andIwishIwasoutofit。\"
Heallowedthelightofthecandletoplayuponthejewelsofthesheath，buttheflashingsandsparklingshadnocharmforhiseye;
theywereonlyjustsomanypangstohisheart。\"ImustnotsayanythingtoRoxyaboutthisthing，\"hesaid。\"Sheistoodaring。
Shewouldbefordiggingthesestonesoutandsellingthem，andthen——
why，shewouldbearrestedandthestonestraced，andthen——\"
Thethoughtmadehimquake，andhehidtheknifeaway，tremblingalloverandglancingfurtivelyabout，likeacriminalwhofanciesthattheaccuserisalreadyathand。
Shouldhetrytosleep？Oh，no，sleepwasnotforhim;histroublewastoohaunting，tooafflictingforthat。Hemusthavesomebodytomournwith。HewouldcarryhisdespairtoRoxy。
Hehadheardseveraldistantgunshots，butthatsortofthingwasnotuncommon，andtheyhadmadenoimpressionuponhim。
Hewentoutatthebackdoor，andturnedwestward。HepassedWilson’shouseandproceededalongthelane，andpresentlysawseveralfiguresapproachingWilson’splacethroughthevacantlots。
Theseweretheduelistsreturningfromthefight;hethoughtherecognizedthem，butashehadnodesireforwhitepeople’scompany，hestoopeddownbehindthefenceuntiltheywereoutofhisway。
Roxywasfeelingfine。Shesaid：
\"Whahwasyou，child？Warn’tyouinit？\"
\"Inwhat？\"
\"Indeduel。\"
\"Duel？Hastherebeenaduel？\"
\"Co’sedeyhas。DeoleJedgehasbe’nhavin’aduelwidoneo’demtwins。\"
\"GreatScott！\"Thenheaddedtohimself：\"That’swhatmadehimremakethewill;hethoughthemightgetkilled，anditsoftenedhimtowardme。
Andthat’swhatheandHowardweresobusyabout……
Ohdear，ifthetwinhadonlykilledhim，Ishouldbeoutofmy——\"
\"Whatisyoumumblin’’bout，Chambers？Whahwasyou？
Didn’tyouknowdeywasgwinetobeaduel？\"
\"No，Ididn’t。TheoldmantriedtogetmetofightonewithCountLuigi，buthedidn’tsucceed，soIreckonheconcludedtopatchupthefamilyhonorhimself。\"
Helaughedattheidea，andwentramblingonwithadetailedaccountofhistalkwiththejudge，andhowshockedandashamedthejudgewastofindthathehadacowardinhisfamily。Heglancedupatlast，andgotashockhimself。Roxana’sbosomwasheavingwithsuppressedpassion，andshewasgloweringdownuponhimwithmeasurelesscontemptwritteninherface。
\"Enyourefuse’tofightamandatkickedyou，’stido’jumpin’
atdechance！Enyouain’tgotnomo’feelin’dentocomeentellme，datfetchedsichapo’lowdownorneryrabbitintodeworl’！Pah！itmakemesick！It’sdeniggerinyou，dat’swhatitis。Thirty—onepartso’youiswhite，enon’yonepartnigger，endatpo’littleonepartisyo’_soul_。
’Tain’twuthsavin’;tain’twuthtotin’outonashovelenthrowin’
endegutter。Youhasdisgracedyo’birth。Whatwouldyo’pathinko’you？It’senoughtomakehimturninhisgrave。
ThelastthreesentencesstungTomintoafury，andhesaidtohimselfthatifhisfatherwereonlyaliveandinreachofassassinationhismotherwouldsoonfindthathehadaveryclearnotionofthesizeofhisindebtednesstothatman，andwaswillingtopayitupinfull，andwoulddoittoo，evenatriskofhislife;
buthekeptthisthoughttohimself;thatwassafestinhismother’spresentstate。
\"Whateverhascomeo’yo’Essexblood？Dat’swhatIcan’tunderstan’。
Enitain’ton’yjistEssexblooddat’sinyou，notbyalongsight——
’deeditain’t！Mygreat—great—great—gran’fatherenyo’
great—great—great—great—gran’fatherwasOleCap’nJohnSmith，dehighestblooddatOleVirginnyeverturnedout，en_his_
great—great—gran’mother，orsomersalongbackdah，wasPocahontasdeInjunqueen，enherhusbun’wasaniggerkingoutenAfrica——
enyithereyouis，aslinkin’outenaduelendisgracin’ourwholelinelikeaornerylowdownhound！Yes，it’sdeniggerinyou！\"
Shesatdownonhercandleboxandfellintoareverie。
Tomdidnotdisturbher;hesometimeslackedprudence，butitwasnotincircumstancesofthiskind，Roxana’sstormwentgraduallydown，butitdiedhard，andevenwhenitseemedtobequitegone，itwouldnowandthenbreakoutinadistantrumble，sotospeak，intheformofmutteredejaculations。Oneofthesewas，\"Ain’tniggerenoughinhimtoshowinhisfingernails，endattakesmightylittle——
yitdey’senoughtopainhissoul。\"
Presentlyshemuttered。\"Yassir，enoughtopaintawholethimblefulof’em。\"Atlastherramblingsceasedaltogether，andhercountenancebegantoclear——awelcomesighttoTom，whohadlearnedhermoods，andknewshewasonthethresholdofgoodhumornow。
Henoticedthatfromtimetotimesheunconsciouslycarriedherfingertotheendofhernose。Helookedcloserandsaid：
\"Why，Mammy，theendofyournoseisskinned。Howdidthatcome？\"
ShesentoutthesortofwholeheartedpealoflaughterwhichGodhadvouchsafedinitsperfectiontononebutthehappyangelsinheavenandthebruisedandbrokenblackslaveontheearth，andsaid：
\"Dadfetchdatduel，Ibe’ninitmyself。\"
\"Gracious！didabullettothat？\"
\"Yassir，youbetitdid！\"
\"Well，Ideclare！Why，howdidthathappen？\"
\"Happeneddis—away。I’uza—sett’n’herekinderdozin’indedark，en_che—bang！_goesagun，rightoutdah。Iskipsalongouttowardst’otherendo’dehousetoseewhat’sgwineon，enstopsbydeolewinderondesidetowardsPudd’nheadWilson’shousedatain’tgotnosashinit——
butdeyain’tnoneof’emgotanysashes，forasdat’sconcerned——
enIstooddahindedarkenlookout，endarinthemoonlight，rightdownunderme’uzoneo’detwinsa—cussin’——notmuch，butjista—cussin’soft——it’uzdebrownonedat’uzcussin，’
’ca’sehe’uzhitindeshoulder。EnDoctorClaypoolhe’uza—workin’athim，enPudd’nheadWilsonhe’uza—he’pin’，enoleJedgeDriscollenPemHoward’uza—standin’outyonderalittlepiecewaitin’for’emtogetreadyagin。Entrecklydeysquaredoffengivedeword，en_bang—bang_wentdepistols，endetwinhesay，’Ouch！’——hithimondehan’distime——enIheardatsamebulletgo_spat！_ag’indelogsunderdewinder;endenex’timedeyshoot，detwinsay，’Ouch！’ag’in，enIdoneittoo，’ca’sedebulletglance’
onhischeekboneenskipuphereenglance’ondesideo’dewinderenwhizrightacrostmyfaceentuckdehideoff’nmynose——
why，ifI’d’a’;be’njistainchorainchenahalffurder’twould’a’tuckdewholenoseendisfiggeredme。Here’sdebullet;
Ihuntedherup。\"
\"Didyoustandthereallthetime？\"
\"Dat’saquestiontoask，ain’tit！WhatelsewouldIdo？
DoesIgitachancetoseeadueleveryday？\"
\"Why，youwererightinrange！Weren’tyouafraid？\"
Thewomangaveasniffofscorn。
\"’Fraid！DeSmith—Pocahontasesain’t’fraido’nothin’，letalonebullets。\"
\"They’vegotpluckenough，Isuppose;whattheylackisjudgment。
_I_wouldn’thavestoodthere。\"
\"Nobody’saccusin’you！\"
\"Didanybodyelsegethurt？\"
\"Yes，weallgothit’cep’deblon’twinendedoctorendeseconds。
DeJedgedidn’tgithurt，butIhearPudd’nheadsaydebulletsnipsomeo’hisha’roff。\"
\"’George！\"saidTomtohimself，\"tocomesonearbeingoutofmytrouble，andmissitbyaninch。Ohdear，dear，hewilllivetofindmeoutandsellmetosomeniggertraderyet——yes，andhewoulddoitinaminute。\"Thenhesaidaloud，inagravetone：
\"Mother，weareinanawfulfix。\"
Roxanacaughtherbreathwithaspasm，andsaid：
\"Chile！Whatyouhitabodysosuddenfor，likedat？
What’sbe’nengoneenhappen’？\"
\"Well，there’sonethingIdidn’ttellyou。WhenIwouldn’tfight，hetoreupthewillagain，and——\"
Roxana’sfaceturnedadeadwhite，andshesaid：
\"Nowyou’s_done！_——doneforever！Dat’sdeend。Bofeunusisgwinetostarveto——\"
\"Waitandhearmethrough，can’tyou！Ireckonthatwhenheresolvedtofight，himself，hethoughthemightgetkilledandnothaveachancetoforgivemeanymoreinthislife，sohemadethewillagain，andI’veseenit，andit’sallright。But——\"
\"Oh，thankgoodness，denwe’ssafeag’in！——safe！ensowhatdidyouwanttocomehereentalksichdreadful——\"
\"HoldON，Itellyou，andletmefinish。TheswagIgatheredwon’thalfsquaremeup，andthefirstthingweknow，mycreditors——
well，youknowwhat’llhappen。\"
Roxanadroppedherchin，andtoldhersontoleaveheralone——
shemustthinkthismatterout。Presentlyshesaidimpressively：
\"Yougottogomightykeerfulnow，Itellyou！Enhere’swhatyougottodo。Hedidn’tgitkilled，enifyougiveshimdeleastreason，he’llbustdewillag’in，endat’sde_las’_time，nowyouhearme！
So——you’sgottoshowhimwhatyoukindoindenex’fewdays。
Yougottobepisongood，enlethimseeit;yougottodoeverythingdat’llmakehimb’lieveinyou，enyougottosweetenaroun’oleAuntPratt，too——she’spow’fulstrongwithdeJedge，endebes’frien’yougot。
Nex’，you’llgo’longawaytoSentLouis，endat’ll_keep_himinyo’favor。
Denyougoenmakeabargainwiddempeople。Youtell’emheain’tgwinetolivelong——endat’sdefac’，too——entell’emyou’llpay’emintrust，enbigintrust，too——tenper——whatyoucallit？\"
\"Tenpercentamonth？\"
\"Dat’sit。Denyoutakeandsellyo’truckaroun’，alittleatatime，enpaydeintrust。Howlongwillitlas’？\"
\"Ithinkthere’senoughtopaytheinterestfiveorsixmonths。\"
\"Denyou’sallright。Ifhedon’tdieinsixmonths，datdon’tmakenodiff’rence——Providence’llprovide。You’sgwinetobesafe——
ifyoubehaves。\"Shebentanaustereeyeonhimandadded，\"EnyouISgwinetobehave——doesyouknowdat？\"
Helaughedandsaidhewasgoingtotry，anyway。Shedidnotunbend。
Shesaidgravely：
\"Tryin’ain’tdething。You’sgwineto_do_it。Youain’tgwinetostealapin——’ca’seitain’tsafenomo’;enyouain’tgwineintonobadcomp’ny——notevenonce，youunderstand;enyouain’tgwinetodrinkadrop——naryasingledrop;enyouain’tgwinetogambleonesinglegamble——notone！Disain’twhatyou’sgwinetotrytodo，it’swhatyou’sgwinetoDO。EnI’lltellyouhowIknowsit。
Disishow。I’sgwinetofolleralongtoSentLouismyownself;
enyou’sgwinetocometomeeverydayo’yourlife，enI’lllookyouover;enifyoufailsinonesingleoneo’demthings——jist_one_——
ItakemyoathI’llcomestraightdowntodistownentelldeJedgeyou’saniggerenaslave——en_prove_it！\"Shepausedtoletherwordssinkhome。Thensheadded，\"Chambers，doesyoub’lievemewhenIsaysdat？\"
Tomwassoberenoughnow。Therewasnolevityinhisvoicewhenheanswered：
\"Yes，Mother，Iknow，now，thatIamreformed——andpermanently。
Permanently——andbeyondthereachofanyhumantemptation。\"
\"Deng’longhomeenbegin！\"
CHAPTER15
TheRobberRobbedNothingsoneedsreformingasotherpeople’shabits。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarBehold，thefoolsaith，\"Putnotallthineeggsintheonebasket\"——
whichisbutamannerofsaying，\"Scatteryourmoneyandyourattention\";butthewisemansaith，\"Putallyoureggsintheonebasketand——_watchthatbasket！_\"
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarWhatatimeofitDawson’sLandingwashaving！Allitslifeithadbeenasleep，butnowithardlygotachanceforanod，soswiftlydidbigeventsandcrashingsurprisescomealonginoneanother’swake：Fridaymorning，firstglimpseofRealNobility，alsograndreceptionatAuntPatsyCooper’s，alsogreatrobberraid;
Fridayevening，dramatickickingoftheheirofthechiefcitizeninpresenceoffourhundredpeople;Saturdaymorning，emergenceaspracticinglawyerofthelong—submergedPudd’nheadWilson;
Saturdaynight，duelbetweenchiefcitizenandtitledstranger。
Thepeopletookmoreprideintheduelthaninalltheothereventsputtogether，perhaps。Itwasaglorytotheirtowntohavesuchathinghappenthere。Intheireyestheprincipalshadreachedthesummitofhumanhonor。Everybodypaidhomagetotheirnames;
theirpraiseswereinallmouths。Eventheduelists’subordinatescameinforahandsomeshareofthepublicapprobation：
whereforePudd’nheadWilsonwassuddenlybecomeamanofconsequence。
WhenaskedtorunforthemayoraltySaturdaynight，hewasriskingdefeat，butSundaymorningfoundhimamademanandhissuccessassured。
Thetwinswereprodigiouslygreatnow;thetowntookthemtoitsbosomwithenthusiasm。Dayafterday，andnightafternight，theywentdiningandvisitingfromhousetohouse，makingfriends，enlargingandsolidifyingtheirpopularity，andcharmingandsurprisingallwiththeirmusicalprodigies，andnowandthenheighteningtheeffectswithsamplesofwhattheycoulddoinotherdirections，outoftheirstockofrareandcuriousaccomplishments。Theyweresopleasedthattheygavetheregulationthirtydays’notice，therequiredpreparationforcitizenship，andresolvedtofinishtheirdaysinthispleasantplace。Thatwastheclimax。
Thedelightedcommunityroseasonemanandapplauded;andwhenthetwinswereaskedtostandforseatsintheforthcomingaldermanicboard，andconsented，thepubliccontentmentwasroundedandcomplete。
TomDriscollwasnothappyoverthesethings;theysunkdeep，andhurtallthewaydown。Hehatedtheonetwinforkickinghim，andtheotheroneforbeingthekicker’sbrother。
Nowandthenthepeoplewonderedwhynothingwasheardoftheraider，orofthestolenknifeortheotherplunder，butnobodywasabletothrowanylightonthatmatter。Nearlyaweekhaddriftedby，andstillthethingremainedavexedmystery。
OnSundayConstableBlakeandPudd’nheadWilsonmetonthestreet，andTomDriscolljoinedthemintimetoopentheirconversationforthem。
HesaidtoBlake：\"Youarenotlookingwell，Blake;youseemtobeannoyedaboutsomething。Hasanythinggonewronginthedetectivebusiness？Ibelieveyoufairlyandjustifiablyclaimtohaveaprettygoodreputationinthatline，isn’titso？\"——
whichmadeBlakefeelgood，andlookit;butTomadded，\"foracountrydetective\"——whichmadeBlakefeeltheotherway，andnotonlylookit，butbetrayitinhisvoice。
\"Yes，sir，I_have_gotareputation;andit’sasgoodasanybody’sintheprofession，too，countryornocountry。\"
\"Oh，Ibegpardon;Ididn’tmeananyoffense。WhatIstartedouttoaskwasonlyabouttheoldwomanthatraidedthetown——
thestoop—shoulderedoldwoman，youknow，thatyousaidyouweregoingtocatch;andIknewyouwould，too，becauseyouhavethereputationofneverboasting，and——well，you——you’vecaughttheoldwoman？\"
\"Damntheoldwoman！\"
\"Why，sho！youdon’tmeantosayyouhaven’tcaughther？\"
\"No，Ihaven’tcaughther。Ifanybodycouldhavecaughther，Icould;butnobodycouldn’t，Idon’tcarewhoheis。\"
Iamsorry，realsorry——foryoursake;because，whenitgetsaroundthatadetectivehasexpressedhimselfconfidently，andthen——\"
\"Don’tyouworry，that’sall——don’tyouworry;andasforthetown，thetownneedn’tworryeither。She’smymeat——makeyourselfeasyaboutthat。I’monhertrack;I’vegotcluesthat——\"
\"That’sgood！NowifyoucouldgetanoldveterandetectivedownfromSt。Louistohelpyoufindoutwhatthecluesmean，andwheretheyleadto，andthen——\"
\"I’mplentyveteranenoughmyself，andIdon’tneedanybody’shelp。
I’llhaveherinsideofawe——insideofamonth。ThatI’llswearto！\"
Tomsaidcarelessly：
\"Isupposethatwillanswer——yes，thatwillanswer。ButIreckonsheisprettyold，andoldpeopledon’toftenoutlivethecautiouspaceoftheprofessionaldetectivewhenhehasgothiscluestogetherandisoutonhisstill—hunt。\"
Blake’sdullfaceflushedunderthisgibe，butbeforehecouldsethisretortinorderTomhadturnedtoWilson，andwassaying，withplacidindifferenceofmannerandvoice：
\"Whogotthereward，Pudd’nhead？\"
Wilsonwincedslightly，andsawthathisownturnwascome。
\"Whatreward？\"
\"Why，therewardforthethief，andtheotheronefortheknife。\"
Wilsonanswered——andratheruncomfortably，tojudgebyhishesitatingfashionofdeliveringhimself：
\"Well，the——well，inface，nobodyhasclaimedityet。\"
Tomseemedsurprised。
\"Why，isthatso？\"
Wilsonshowedatrifleofirritationwhenhereplied：
\"Yes，it’sso。Andwhatofit？\"
\"Oh，nothing。OnlyIthoughtyouhadstruckoutanewidea，andinventedaschemethatwasgoingtorevolutionizethetimewornandineffectualmethodsofthe——\"Hestopped，andturnedtoBlake，whowashappynowthatanotherhadtakenhisplaceonthegridiron。
\"Blake，didn’tyouunderstandhimtointimatethatitwouldn’tbenecessaryforyoutohunttheoldwomandown？\"
’B’George，hesaidhe’dhavethiefandswagbothinsideofthreedays——
hedid，byhokey！andthat’sjustaboutaweekago。
Why，Isaidatthetimethatnothiefandnothief’spalwasgoingtotrytopawnorsellathingwhereheknowedthepawnbrokercouldgetbothrewardsbytakingHIMintocamp_with_theswag。
ItwastheblessedestideathateverIstruck！\"
\"You’dchangeyourmind，\"saidWilson，withirritatedbluntness，\"ifyouknewtheentireschemeinsteadofonlypartofit。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheconstable，pensively，\"Ihadtheideathatitwouldn’twork，anduptonowI’mrightanyway。\"
\"Verywell，then，letitstandatthat，andgiveitafurthershow。
Ithasworkedatleastaswellasyourownmethods，youperceive。\"
Theconstablehadn’tanythinghandytohitbackwith，sohedischargedadiscontentedsniff，andsaidnothing。
AfterthenightthatWilsonhadpartlyrevealedhisschemeathishouse，Tomhadtriedforseveraldaystoguessoutthesecretoftherestofit，buthadfailed。ThenitoccurredtohimtogiveRoxana’ssmarterheadachanceatit。Hemadeupasupposititious0zHcase，andlaiditbeforeher。Shethoughtitover，anddeliveredherverdictuponit。Tomsaidtohimself，\"She’shitit，sure！\"Hethoughthewouldtestthatverdictnow，andwatchWilson’sface;sohesaidreflectively：
\"Wilson，you’renotafool——afactofrecentdiscovery。