第3章
"Whatwasyouthinkin"about，Jim？"
Jimwasatrifleawkwardforthemoment。
"Nothin"，"heanswered。"OnlyIwasthinkin"justhowfunnyitwas——allthemjoolsathishouse。Whatmadeyouask？"
"Nothin"。Iwasjustwonderin"，thatwasall。"
Thesilencesettleddown，brokenbyanoccasionallowandnervousgiggleonthepartofJim。Hewasovercomebythespreadofgems。Itwasnotthathefelttheirbeauty。Hewasunawarethattheywerebeautifulinthemselves。Butinthemhisswiftimaginationvisionedthejoysoflifetheywouldbuy，andallthedesiresandappetitesofhisdiseasedmindandsicklyfleshweretickledbythepromisetheyextended。Hebuildedwondrous，orgy-hauntedcastlesoutoftheirbrilliantfires，andwasappalledatwhathebuilded。Thenitwasthathegiggled。Itwasalltooimpossibletobereal。Andyettheretheyblazedonthetablebeforehim，fanningtheflameofthelustofhim，andhegiggledagain。
"Iguesswemightaswellcount"em，"Mattsaidsuddenly，tearinghimselfawayfromhisownvisions。"Youwatchmean"seethatit"ssquare，becauseyouan"mehasgottobeonthesquare，Jim。Understand？"
Jimdidnotlikethis，andbetrayeditinhiseyes，whileMattdidnotlikewhathesawinhispartner"seyes。
"Understand？"Mattrepeated，almostmenacingly。
"Ain"twealwaysbensquare？"theotherreplied，onthedefensivebecauseofthetreacheryalreadywhisperinginhim。
"Itdon"tcostnothin"，bein"squareinhardtimes，"Mattretorted。"It"sbein"squareinprosperitythatcounts。Whenweain"tgotnothin"，wecan"thelpbein"square。We"reprosperousnow，an"we"vegottobebusinessmen——honestbusinessmen。Understand？"
"That"sthetalkforme，"Jimapproved，butdeepdowninthemeagresoulofhim，——andinspiteofhim，——wantonandlawlessthoughtswerestirringlikechainedbeasts。
Mattsteppedtothefoodshelfbehindthetwo-burnerkerosenecookingstove。Heemptiedtheteafromapaperbag，andfromasecondbagemptiedsomeredpeppers。Returningtothetablewiththebags，heputintothemthetwosizesofsmalldiamonds。Thenhecountedthelargegemsandwrappedthemintheirtissuepaperandchamoisskin。
"Hundredan"forty-sevengood-sizedones，"washisinventory；"twentyrealbigones；twobigboysandonewhopper；an"acoupleoffistfulsofteenyonesan"dust。"
HelookedatJim。
"Correct，"wastheresponse。
Hewrotethecountoutonaslipofmemorandumpaper，andmadeacopyofit，givingonesliptohispartnerandretainingtheother。
"Justforreference，"hesaid。
Againhehadrecoursetothefoodshelf，whereheemptiedthesugarfromalargepaperbag。Intothishethrustthediamonds，largeandsmall，wrappeditupinabandannahandkerchief，andstoweditawayunderhispillow。Thenhesatdownontheedgeofthebedandtookoffhisshoes。
"An"youthinkthey"reworthahundredthousan"？"Jimasked，pausingandlookingupfromtheunlacingofhisshoe。
"Sure，"wastheanswer。"Iseenadance-housegirldowninArizonaonce，withsomebigsparklersonher。Theywasn"treal。Shesaidiftheywasshewouldn"tbedancin"。Saidthey"dbeworthalloffiftythousan"，an"
shedidn"thaveadozenof"emalltold。"
"Who"dworkforalivin"？"Jimtriumphantlydemanded。"Pickan"shovelwork!"hesneered。"Worklikeadogallmylife，an"saveallmywages，an"Iwouldn"thavehalfasmuchaswegottonight。"
"Dishwashin"saboutyourmeasure，an"youcouldn"tgetmore"ntwentyamonthan"board。Yourfiggersis"wayoff，butyourpointiswelltaken。
Letthemthatlikesit，work。IroderangeforthirtyamonthwhenIwasyoungan"foolish。Well，I"molder，an"Iain"tridin"range。"
Hegotintobedononeside。Jimputoutthelightandfollowedhiminontheotherside。
"How"syourarmfeel？"Jimqueriedamiably。
Suchconcernwasunusual，andMattnotedit，andreplied——
"Iguessthere"snodangerofhydrophoby。Whatmadeyouask？"
Jimfeltinhimselfaguiltystir，andunderhisbreathhecursedtheother"swayofaskingdisagreeablequestions；butaloudheanswered——
"Nothin"，onlyyouseemedscaredofitatfirst。Whatareyougoin"todowithyourshare，Matt？"
"BuyacattleranchinArizonaan"setdownan"payothermentoriderangeforme。There"ssomeseveralI"dliketoseeaskin"ajobfromme，damnthem!An"nowyoushutyourface，Jim。It"llbesometimebeforeIbuythatranch。JustnowI"mgoin"tosleep。"
ButJimlaylongawake，nervousandtwitching，rollingaboutrestlesslyandrollinghimselfwideawakeeverytimehedozed。Thediamondsstillblazedunderhiseyelids，andthefireofthemhurt。Matt，inspiteofhisheavynature，sleptlightly，likeawildanimalalertinitssleep；andJimnoticed，everytimehemoved，thathispartner"sbodymovedsufficientlytoshowthatithadreceivedtheimpressionandthatitwastremblingonthevergeofawakening。Forthatmatter，Jimdidnotknowwhetherornot，frequently，theotherwasawake。Once，quietly，betokeningcompleteconsciousness，Mattsaidtohim:"Aw，gotosleep，Jim。Don"tworryaboutthemjools。They"llkeep。"AndJimhadthoughtthatatthatparticularmomentMatthadbeensurelyasleep。
InthelatemorningMattwasawakewithJim"sfirstmovement，andthereafterheawokeanddozedwithhimuntilmidday，whentheygotuptogetherandbegandressing。
"I"mgoin"outtogetapaperan"somebread，"Mattsaid。"Youboilthecoffee。"
AsJimlistened，unconsciouslyhisgazeleftMatt"sfaceandrovedtothepillow，beneathwhichwasthebundlewrappedinthebandannahandkerchief。
OntheinstantMatt"sfacebecamelikeawildbeast"s。
"Lookhere，Jim，"hesnarled。"You"vegottoplaysquare。Ifyoudomedirt，I"llfixyou。Understand？I"deatyou，Jim。Youknowthat。I"dbiterightintoyourthroatan"eatyoulikethatmuchbeefsteak。"
Hissunburnedskinwasblackwiththesurgeofbloodinit，andhistobacco-stainedteethwereexposedbythesnarlinglips。Jimshiveredandinvoluntarilycowered。Therewasdeathinthemanhelookedat。Onlythenightbeforethatblack-facedmanhadkilledanotherwithhishands，andithadnothurthissleep。AndinhisownheartJimwasawareofasneakingguilt，ofatrainofthoughtthatmeritedallthatwasthreatened。
Mattpassedout，leavinghimstillshivering。Thenahatredtwistedhisownface，andhesoftlyhurledsavagecursesatthedoor。Herememberedthejewels，andhastenedtothebed，feelingunderthepillowforthebandannabundle。Hecrusheditwithhisfingerstomakecertainthatitstillcontainedthediamonds。AssuredthatMatthadnotcarriedthemaway，helookedtowardthekerosenestovewithaguiltystart。Thenhehurriedlylightedit，filledthecoffee-potatthesink，andputitovertheflame。
ThecoffeewasboilingwhenMattreturned，andwhilethelattercutthebreadandputasliceofbutteronthetable，Jimpouredoutthecoffee。
Itwasnotuntilhesatdownandhadtakenafewsipsofthecoffee，thatMattpulledoutthemorningpaperfromhispocket。
"Wewaswayoff，"hesaid。"ItoldyouIdidn"tdastfiggerouthowfatitwas。Lookatthat。"
Hepointedtothehead-linesonthefirstpage。
"SWIFTNEMESISONBUJANNOFF"STRACK，"theyread。"MURDEREDINHISSLEEP
AFTERROBBINGHISPARTNER。"
"Thereyouhaveit!"Mattcried。"Herobbedhispartner——robbedhimlikeadirtythief。"
"Halfamillionofjewelsmissin"，"Jimreadaloud。HeputthepaperdownandstaredatMatt。
"That"swhatItoldyou，"thelattersaid。"Whatinhelldoweknowaboutjools？Halfamillion!——an"thebestIcouldfiggeritwasahundredthousan"。Goonan"readtherestofit。"
Theyreadonsilently，theirheadssidebyside，theuntouchedcoffeegrowingcold；andeverandanononeortheotherburstforthwithsomesalientprintedfact。
"I"dliketoseenMetzner"sfacewhenheopenedthesafeatthestorethismornin"，"Jimgloated。
"HehitthehighplacesrightawayforBujannoff"shouse，"Mattexplained。
"Goonan"read。"
"WastohavesailedlastnightattenontheSajodafortheSouthSeas——
steamshipdelayedbyextrafreight——"
"That"swhywecaught"minbed，"Mattinterrupted。"Itwasjustluck——
likepickin"afifty-to-onewinner。"
"Sajodasailedatsixthismornin"——"
"Hedidn"tcatchher，"Mattsaid。"Isawhisalarm-clockwassetatfive。
That"dgiven"mplentyoftime……onlyIcomealongan"putthekiboshonhistime。Goon。"
"AdolphMetznerindespair——thefamousHaythornepearlnecklace——
magnificentlyassortedpearls——valuedbyexpertsatfromfiftytoseventythousan"dollars。"
Jimbrokeofftoswearvilelyandsolemnly，concludingwith，"Thosedamnoyster-eggsworthallthatmoney!"
Helickedhislipsandadded，"Theywasbeautiesan"nomistake。"
"BigBraziliangem，"hereadon。"Eightythousan"dollars——manyvaluablegemsofthefirstwater——severalthousan"smalldiamondswellworthfortythousan"。"
"Whatyoudon"tknowaboutjoolsisworthknowin"，"Mattsmiledgood-
humouredly。
"Theoryofthesleuths，"Jimread。"Thievesmusthaveknown——cleverlykeptwatchonBujannoff"sactions——musthavelearnedhisplanandtrailedhimtohishousewiththefruitsofhisrobbery——"
"Clever——hell!"Mattbrokeout。"That"sthewayreputationsismade……
inthenoospapers。How"dweknowhewasrobbin"hispardner？"
"Anyway，we"vegotthegoods，"Jimgrinned。"Let"slookat"emagain。"
Heassuredhimselfthatthedoorwaslockedandbolted，whileMattbroughtoutthebundleinthebandannaandopeneditonthetable。
"Ain"ttheybeauties，though!"Jimexclaimedatsightofthepearls；andforatimehehadeyesonlyforthem。"Accordin"totheexperts，worthfromfiftytoseventythousan"dollars。"
"An"womenlikethemthings，"Mattcommented。"An"they"lldoeverythingtoget"em——sellthemselves，commitmurder，anything。"
"Justlikeyouan"me。"
"Notonyourlife，"Mattretorted。"I"llcommitmurderfor"em，butnotfortheirownsakes，butforsakeofwhatthey"llgetme。That"sthedifference。Womenwantthejoolsforthemselves，an"Iwantthejoolsforthewomenan"suchthingsthey"llgetme。"
"Luckythatmenan"womendon"twantthesamethings，"Jimremarked。
"That"swhatmakescommerce，"Mattagreed；"peoplewantin"differentthings。"
InthemiddleoftheafternoonJimwentouttobuyfood。Whilehewasgone，Mattclearedthetableofthejewels，wrappingthemupasbeforeandputtingthemunderthepillow。Thenhelightedthekerosenestoveandstartedtoboilwaterforcoffee。Afewminuteslater，Jimreturned。
"Mostsurprising，"heremarked。"Streets，an"stores，an"peoplejustliketheyalwayswas。Nothin"changed。An"mewalkingalongthroughitallamillionaire。Nobodylookedatmean"guessedit。"
Mattgruntedunsympathetically。Hehadlittlecomprehensionofthelighterwhimsandfanciesofhispartner"simagination。
"Didyougetaporterhouse？"hedemanded。
"Sure，an"aninchthick。It"sapeach。Lookatit。"
Heunwrappedthesteakandhelditupfortheother"sinspection。Thenhemadethecoffeeandsetthetable，whileMattfriedthesteak。
"Don"tputontoomuchofthemredpeppers，"Jimwarned。"Iain"tusedtoyourMexicancookin"。Youalwaysseasontoohot。"
Mattgruntedalaughandwentonwithhiscooking。Jimpouredoutthecoffee，butfirst，intothenickedchinacup，heemptiedapowderhehadcarriedinhisvestpocketwrappedinarice-paper。Hehadturnedhisbackforthemomentonhispartner，buthedidnotdaretoglancearoundathim。
Mattplacedanewspaperonthetable，andonthenewspapersetthehotfrying-pan。Hecutthesteakinhalf，andservedJimandhimself。
"Eatherwhileshe"shot，"hecounselled，andwithknifeandforksettheexample。
"She"sadandy，"wasJim"sjudgment，afterhisfirstmouthful。"ButItellyouonethingstraight。I"mnevergoin"tovisityouonthatArizonaranch，soyouneedn"taskme。"
"What"sthematternow？"Mattasked。
"Hell"sthematter，"wastheanswer。"TheMexicancookin"onyourranch"dbetoomuchforme。IfI"vegothella-comin"inthenextlife，I"mnotgoin"totormentmyinsidesinthisone。Damnedpeppers!"
Hesmiled，expelledhisbreathforciblytocoolhisburningmouth，dranksomecoffee，andwentoneatingthesteak。
"Whatdoyouthinkaboutthenextlifeanyway，Matt？"heaskedalittlelater，whilesecretlyhewonderedwhytheotherhadnotyettouchedhiscoffee。
"Ain"tnonextlife，"Mattanswered，pausingfromthesteaktotakehisfirstsipofcoffee。"Norheavennorhell，nornothin"。Yougetallthat"scomin"righthereinthislife。"
"An"afterward？"Jimqueriedoutofhismorbidcuriosity，forheknewthathelookeduponamanthatwassoontodie。"An"afterward？"herepeated。
"Didyoueverseeamantwoweeksdead？"theotherasked。
Jimshookhishead。
"Well，Ihave。Hewaslikethisbeefsteakyouan"meiseatin"。Itwasoncesteercavortin"overthelandscape。Butnowit"sjustmeat。That"sall，justmeat。An"that"swhatyouan"mean"allpeoplecometo——meat。"
Mattgulpeddownthewholecupofcoffee，andrefilledthecup。
"Areyouscaredtodie？"heasked。
Jimshookhishead。"What"stheuse？Idon"tdieanyway。Ipassonan"
liveagain——"
"Togostealin"，an"lyin"an"snivellin"throughanotherlife，an"goonthatwayforeveran"everan"ever？"Mattsneered。
"MaybeI"llimprove，"Jimsuggestedhopefully。"Maybestealin"won"tbenecessaryinthelifetocome。"
Heceasedabruptly，andstaredstraightbeforehim，afrightenedexpressiononhisface。
"What"sthematter!"Mattdemanded。
"Nothin"。Iwasjustwonderin""——Jimreturnedtohimselfwithaneffort——
"aboutthisdyin"，thatwasall。"
Buthecouldnotshakeoffthefrightthathadstartledhim。Itwasasifanunseenthingofgloomhadpassedhimby，castinguponhimtheintangibleshadowofitspresence。Hewasawareofafeelingofforeboding。
Somethingominouswasabouttohappen。Calamityhoveredintheair。Hegazedfixedlyacrossthetableattheotherman。Hecouldnotunderstand。
Wasitthathehadblunderedandpoisonedhimself？No，Matthadthenickedcup，andhehadcertainlyputthepoisoninthenickedcup。
Itwasallhisownimagination，washisnextthought。Ithadplayedhimtricksbefore。Fool!Ofcourseitwas。Ofcoursesomethingwasabouttohappen，butitwasabouttohappentoMatt。HadnotMattdrunkthewholecupofcoffee？
Jimbrightenedupandfinishedhissteak，soppingbreadinthegravywhenthemeatwasgone。
"WhenIwasakid——"hebegan，butbrokeoffabruptly。
Againtheunseenthingofgloomhadfluttered，andhisbeingwasvibrantwithpremonitionofimpendingmisfortune。Hefeltadisruptiveinfluenceatworkinthefleshofhim，andinallhismusclestherewasaseemingthattheywereabouttobegintotwitch。Hesatbacksuddenly，andassuddenlyleanedforwardwithhiselbowsonthetable。Atremorrandimlythroughthemusclesofhisbody。Itwaslikethefirstrustlingofleavesbeforetheoncomingofwind。Heclenchedhisteeth。Itcameagain，aspasmodictensingofhismuscles。Heknewpanicattherevoltwithinhisbeing。Hismusclesnolongerrecognizedhismasteryoverthem。Againtheyspasmodicallytensed，despitethewillofhim，forhehadwilledthattheyshouldnottense。Thiswasrevolutionwithinhimself，thiswasanarchy；
andtheterrorofimpotencerushedupinhimashisfleshgrippedandseemedtoseizehiminaclutch，chillsrunningupanddownhisbackandsweatstartingonhisbrow。Heglancedabouttheroom，andallthedetailsofitsmotehimwithastrangesenseoffamiliarity。Itwasasthoughhehadjustreturnedfromalongjourney。Helookedacrossthetableathispartner。Mattwaswatchinghimandsmiling。AnexpressionofhorrorspreadoverJim"sface。
"MyGod，Matt!"hescreamed。"Youain"tdopedme？"
Mattsmiledandcontinuedtowatchhim。Intheparoxysmthatfollowed，Jimdidnotbecomeunconscious。Hismusclestensedandtwitchedandknotted，hurtinghimandcrushinghimintheirsavagegrip。Andinthemidstofitall，itcametohimthatMattwasactingqueerly。Hewastravellingthesameroad。Thesmilehadgonefromhisface，andtherewasonitanintentexpression，asifhewerelisteningtosomeinnertaleofhimselfandtryingtodivinethemessage。Mattgotupandwalkedacrosstheroomandbackagain，thensatdown。
"Youdidthis，Jim，"hesaidquietly。
"ButIdidn"tthinkyou"dtrytofixME，"Jimansweredreproachfully。
"Oh，Ifixedyouallright，"Mattsaid，withteethclosetogetherandshiveringbody。"Whatdidyougiveme？"
"Strychnine。"
"SameasIgaveyou，"Mattvolunteered。"It"sahellofamess，ain"tit？"
"You"relyin"，Matt，"Jimpleaded。"Youain"tdopedme，haveyou？"
"Isuredid，Jim；an"Ididn"toverdoseyou，neither。Icookeditinasneatasyoupleaseinyourhalftheporterhouse——Holdon!Where"reyougoin"？"
Jimhadmadeadashforthedoor，andwasthrowingbackthebolts。Mattspranginbetweenandshovedhimaway。
"Drugstore，"Jimpanted。"Drugstore。"
"Noyoudon"t。You"llstayrighthere。Thereain"tgoin"tobeanyrunnin"outan"makin"apoisonplayonthestreet——notwithallthemjoolsreposin"underthepillow。Savve？Evenifyoudidn"tdie，you"dbeinthehandsofthepolicewithawholelotofexplanationscomin"。Emeticsisthestuffforpoison。I"mjustasbadbitasyou，an"I"mgoin"totakeaemetic。That"sallthey"dgiveyouatadrugstore，anyway。"
HethrustJimbackintothemiddleoftheroomandshottheboltsintoplace。Ashewentacrossthefloortothefoodshelf，hepassedonehandoverhisbrowandflungoffthebeadedsweat。Itspatteredaudiblyonthefloor。JimwatchedagonizedlyasMattgotthemustard-canandacupandranforthesink。Hestirredacupfulofmustardandwateranddrankitdown。Jimhadfollowedhimandwasreachingwithtremblinghandsfortheemptycup。AgainMattshovedhimaway。Ashemixedasecondcupful，hedemanded——
"D"youthinkonecup"lldoforme？YoucanwaittillI"mdone。"
Jimstartedtotottertowardthedoor，butMattcheckedhim。
"Ifyoumonkeywiththatdoor，I"lltwistyourneck。Savve？YoucantakeyourswhenI"mdone。An"ifitsavesyou，I"lltwistyourneck，anyway。
Youain"tgotnochance，nohow。Itoldyoumanytimeswhatyou"dgetifyoudidmedirt。"
"Butyoudidmedirt，too，"Jimarticulatedwithaneffort。
Mattwasdrinkingthesecondcupful，anddidnotanswer。ThesweathadgotintoJim"seyes，andhecouldscarcelyseehiswaytothetable，wherehegotacupforhimself。ButMattwasmixingathirdcupful，and，asbefore，thrusthimaway。
"ItoldyoutowaittillIwasdone，"Mattgrowled。"Getoutamyway。"
AndJimsupportedhistwitchingbodybyholdingontothesink，thewhileheyearnedtowardtheyellowishconcoctionthatstoodforlife。Itwasbysheerwillthathestoodandclungtothesink。Hisfleshstrovetodoublehimupandbringhimtothefloor。Mattdrankthethirdcupful，andwithdifficultymanagedtogettoachairandsitdown。Hisfirstparoxysmwaspassing。Thespasmsthatafflictedhimweredyingaway。Thisgoodeffectheascribedtothemustardandwater。Hewassafe，atanyrate。Hewipedthesweatfromhisface，and，intheintervalofcalm，foundroomforcuriosity。Helookedathispartner。
AspasmhadshakenthemustardcanoutofJim"shands，andthecontentswerespilleduponthefloor。Hestoopedtoscoopsomeofthemustardintothecup，andthesucceedingspasmdoubledhimuponthefloor。Mattsmiled。
"Staywithit，"heencouraged。"It"sthestuffallright。It"sfixedmeup。"
Jimheardhimandturnedtowardhimastrickenface，twistedwithsufferingandpleading。Spasmnowfollowedspasmtillhewasinconvulsions，rollingonthefloorandyellowinghisfaceandhairinthemustard。
Mattlaughedhoarselyatthesight，butthelaughbrokemidway。Atremorhadrunthroughhisbody。Anewparoxysmwasbeginning。Hearoseandstaggeredacrosstothesink，where，withprobingforefinger，hevainlystrovetoassisttheactionoftheemetic。Intheend，heclungtothesinkasJimhadclung，filledwiththehorrorofgoingdowntothefloor。
Theother"sparoxysmhadpassed，andhesatup，weakandfainting，tooweaktorise，hisforeheaddripping，hislipsfleckedwithafoammadeyellowbythemustardinwhichhehadrolled。Herubbedhiseyeswithhisknuckles，andgroansthatwerelikewhinescamefromhisthroat。
"Whatareyousnifflin"about？"Mattdemandedoutofhisagony。"Allyougottodoisdie。An"whenyoudieyou"redead。"
"I……ain"t……snifflin"……it"s……the……mustard……
stingin"……my……eyes，"Jimpantedwithdesperateslowness。
Itwashislastsuccessfulattemptatspeech。Thereafterhebabbledincoherently，pawingtheairwithshakingarmstillafreshconvulsionstretchedhimonthefloor。
Mattstruggledbacktothechair，and，doubleduponit，withhisarmsclaspedabouthisknees，hefoughtwithhisdisintegratingflesh。Hecameoutoftheconvulsioncoolandweak。Helookedtoseehowitwentwiththeother，andsawhimlyingmotionless。
Hetriedtosoliloquize，tobefacetious，tohavehislastgrimlaughatlife，buthislipsmadeonlyincoherentsounds。Thethoughtcametohimthattheemetichadfailed，andthatnothingremainedbutthedrugstore。
Helookedtowardthedooranddrewhimselftohisfeet。Therehesavedhimselffromfallingbyclutchingthechair。Anotherparoxysmhadbegun。
Andinthemidstoftheparoxysm，withhisbodyandallthepartsofitflyingapartandwrithingandtwistingbackagainintoknots，heclungtothechairandshoveditbeforehimacrossthefloor。Thelastshredsofhiswillwereleavinghimwhenhegainedthedoor。Heturnedthekeyandshotbackonebolt。Hefumbledforthesecondbolt，butfailed。Thenheleanedhisweightagainstthedoorandsliddowngentlytothefloor。
CREATEDHETHEM
Shemethimatthedoor。
"Ididnotthinkyouwouldbesoearly。"
"Itishalfpasteight。"Helookedathiswatch。"Thetrainleavesat9。12。"
Hewasverybusinesslike，untilhesawherlipstrembleassheabruptlyturnedandledtheway。
"It"llbeallright，littlewoman，"hesaidsoothingly。"DoctorBodineau"stheman。He"llpullhimthrough，you"llsee。"
Theyenteredtheliving-room。Hisglancequestedapprehensivelyabout，thenturnedtoher。
"Where"sAl？"
Shedidnotanswer，butwithasuddenimpulsecameclosetohimandstoodmotionless。Shewasaslender，dark-eyedwoman，inwhosefacewasstampedthestrainandstressofliving。Butthefinelinesandthehauntedlookintheeyeswerenotthehandiworkofmereworry。Heknewwhosehandiworkitwasashelookeduponit，andsheknewwhensheconsultedhermirror。
"It"snouse，Mary，"hesaid。Heputhishandonhershoulder。"We"vetriedeverything。It"sawretchedbusiness，Iknow，butwhatelsecanwedo？You"vefailed。DoctorBodineau"sallthat"sleft。"
"IfIhadanotherchance……"shebeganfalteringly。
"We"vethreshedthatallout，"heansweredharshly。"You"vegottobuckup，now。Youknowwhatconclusionwearrivedat。Youknowyouhaven"ttheghostofahopeinanotherchance。"
Sheshookherhead。"Iknowit。Butitisterrible，thethoughtofhisgoingawaytofightitoutalone。"
"Hewon"tbealone。There"sDoctorBodineau。Andbesides，it"sabeautifulplace。"
Sheremainedsilent。
"Itistheonlything，"hesaid。
"Itistheonlything，"sherepeatedmechanically。
Helookedathiswatch。"Where"sAl？"
"I"llsendhim。"
Whenthedoorhadclosedbehindher，hewalkedovertothewindowandlookedout，drummingabsentlywithhisknucklesonthepane。
"Hello。"
Heturnedandrespondedtothegreetingofthemanwhohadjustentered。
Therewasaperceptibledragtotheman"sfeetashewalkedacrosstowardthewindowandpausedirresolutelyhalfway。
"I"vechangedmymind，George，"heannouncedhurriedlyandnervously。"I"mnotgoing。"
Hepluckedathissleeve，shuffledwithhisfeet，droppedhiseyes，andwithastrongeffortraisedthemagaintoconfronttheother。
Georgeregardedhimsilently，hisnostrilsdistendingandhisleanfingersunconsciouslycrookinglikeaneagle"stalonsabouttoclutch。
Inlineandfeature，therewasmuchofresemblancebetweenthetwomen；andyet，inthestrongestresemblancestherewasaradicaldifference。Theirswerethesameblackeyes，butthoseofthemanatthewindowweresharpandstraightlooking，whilethoseofthemaninthemiddleoftheroomwerecloudyandfurtive。Hecouldnotfacetheother"sgaze，andcontinuallyandvainlystruggledwithhimselftodoso。Thehighcheekboneswiththehollowsbeneathwerethesame，yetthetextureofthehollowsseemeddifferent。Thethin-lippedmouthswerefromthesamemould，butGeorge"slipswerefirmandmuscular，whileAl"sweresoftandloose——thelipsofanasceticturnedvoluptuary。Therewasalsoasagatthecorners。Hisfleshhintedofgrossness，especiallysointheeagle-likeaquilinenosethatmustoncehavebeenliketheother"s，butthathadlosttheausteritytheother"sstillretained。
Alfoughtforsteadinessinthemiddleofthefloor。Thesilencebotheredhim。Hehadafeelingthathewasabouttobeginswayingbackandforth。
Hemoistenedhislipswithhistongue。
"I"mgoingtostay，"hesaiddesperately。
Hedroppedhiseyesandpluckedagainathissleeve。
"Andyouareonlytwenty-sixyearsold，"Georgesaidatlast。"Youpoor，feebleoldman。"
"Don"tbesosureofthat，"Alretorted，withaflashofbelligerence。
"Doyourememberwhenweswamthatmileandahalfacrossthechannel？"
"Well，andwhatofit？"AsullenexpressionwascreepingacrossAl"sface。
"Anddoyourememberwhenweboxedinthebarnafterschool？"
"Icouldtakeallyougaveme。"
"AllIgaveyou!"George"svoicerosemomentarilytoahigherpitch。"Youlickedmefourafternoonsoutoffive。YouweretwiceasstrongasI——
threetimesasstrong。AndnowI"dbeafraidtolandonyouwithasofacushion；you"dcrumpleuplikealastyear"sleaf。You"ddie，youpoor，miserableoldman。"
"Youneedn"tabusemejustbecauseI"vechangedmymind，"theotherprotested，thehintofawhineinhisvoice。
Hiswifeentered，andhelookedappealinglytoher；butthemanatthewindowstrodesuddenlyuptohimandburstout——
"Youdon"tknowyourownmindfortwosuccessiveminutes!Youhaven"tanymind，youspineless，crawlingworm!"
"Youcan"tmakemeangry。"Alsmiledwithcunning，andglancedtriumphantlyathiswife。"Youcan"tmakemeangry，"herepeated，asthoughtheideawerethoroughlygratifyingtohim。"Iknowyourgame。
It"smystomach，Itellyou。Ican"thelpit。BeforeGod，Ican"t!Isn"titmystomach，Mary？"
SheglancedatGeorgeandspokecomposedly，thoughshehidatremblinghandinafoldofherskirt。
"Isn"tittime？"sheaskedsoftly。
Herhusbandturneduponhersavagely。"I"mnotgoingtogo!"hecried。
"That"sjustwhatI"vebeentelling……him。AndItellyouagain，allofyou，I"mnotgoing。Youcan"tbullyme。"
"Why，Al，dear，yousaid——"shebegan。
"NevermindwhatIsaid!"hebrokeout。"I"vesaidsomethingelserightnow，andyou"veheardit，andthatsettlesit。"
HewalkedacrosstheroomandthrewhimselfwithemphasisintoaMorrischair。Buttheothermanwasswiftlyuponhim。Thetalon-likefingersgrippedhisshoulders，jerkedhimtohisfeet，andheldhimthere。
"You"vereachedthelimit，Al，andIwantyoutounderstandit。I"vetriedtotreatyoulike……likemybrother，buthereafterIshalltreatyoulikethethingthatyouare。Doyouunderstand？"
Theangerinhisvoicewascold。Theblazeinhiseyeswascold。Itwasvastlymoreeffectivethananyoutburst，andAlcringedunderitandundertheclutchinghandthatwasbruisinghisshouldermuscles。
"Itisonlybecauseofmethatyouhavethishouse，thatyouhavethefoodyoueat。Yourposition？Anyothermanwouldhavebeenshownthedoorayearago——twoyearsago。Ihaveheldyouinit。Yoursalaryhasbeencharity。Ithasbeenpaidoutofmypocket。Mary……herdresses……
thatgownshehasonismadeover；shewearsthediscardeddressesofhersisters，ofmywife。Charity——doyouunderstand？Yourchildren——theyarewearingthediscardedclothesofmychildren，ofthechildrenofmyneighbourswhothinktheclotheswenttosomeorphanasylum。Anditisanorphanasylum……oritsoonwillbe。"
Heemphasizedeachpointwithanunconscioustighteningofhisgripontheshoulder。Alwassquirmingwiththepainofit。Thesweatwasstartingoutonhisforehead。
"Nowlistenwelltome，"hisbrotherwenton。"Inthreeminutesyouwilltellmethatyouaregoingwithme。Ifyoudon"t，Maryandthechildrenwillbetakenawayfromyou——to-day。Youneedn"tevercometotheoffice。
Thishousewillbeclosedtoyou。AndinsixmonthsIshallhavethepleasureofburyingyou。Youhavethreeminutestomakeupyourmind。"
Almadeastranglingmovement，andreachedupwithweakfingerstotheclutchinghand。
"Myheart……letmego……you"llbethedeathofme，"hegasped。
ThehandthrusthimdownforciblyintotheMorrischairandreleasedhim。
Theclockonthemantletickedloudly。Georgeglancedatit，andatMary。
Shewasleaningagainstthetable，unabletoconcealhertrembling。Hebecameunpleasantlyawareofthefeelingofhisbrother"sfingersonhishand。Quiteunconsciouslyhewipedthebackofthehanduponhiscoat。
Theclocktickedoninthesilence。ItseemedtoGeorgethattheroomreverberatedwithhisvoice。Hecouldhearhimselfstillspeaking。
"I"llgo，"camefromtheMorrischair。
Itwasaweakandshakenvoice，anditwasaweakandshakenmanthatpulledhimselfoutoftheMorrischair。Hestartedtowardthedoor。
"Whereareyougoing？"Georgedemanded。
"Suitcase，"cametheresponse。"Mary"llsendthetrunklater。I"llbebackinaminute。"
Thedoorclosedafterhim。Amomentlater，struckwithsuddensuspicion，Georgewasopeningthedoor。Heglancedin。Hisbrotherstoodatasideboard，inonehandadecanter，intheotherhand，bottomupandtohislips，awhiskyglass。
AcrosstheglassAlsawthathewasobserved。Itthrewhimintoapanic。
Hastilyhetriedtorefilltheglassandgetittohislips；butglassanddecanterweresentsmashingtothefloor。Hesnarled。Itwaslikethesoundofawildbeast。Butthegriponhisshouldersubduedandfrightenedhim。Hewasbeingpropelledtowardthedoor。
"Thesuitcase，"hegasped。"It"sthereinthatroom。Letmegetit。"
"Where"sthekey？"hisbrotherasked，whenhehadbroughtit。
"Itisn"tlocked。"
Thenextmomentthesuitcasewasspreadopen，andGeorge"shandwassearchingthecontents。Fromonesideitbroughtoutabottleofwhisky，fromtheothersideaflask。Hesnappedthecaseto。
"Comeon，"hesaid。"Ifwemissonecar，wemissthattrain。"
Hewentoutintothehallway，leavingAlwithhiswife。Itwaslikeafuneral，Georgethought，ashewaited。
Hisbrother"sovercoatcaughtontheknobofthefrontdooranddelayeditsclosinglongenoughforMary"sfirstsobtocometotheirears。George"slipswereverythinandcompressedashewentdownthesteps。Inonehandhecarriedthesuitcase。Withtheotherhandheheldhisbrother"sarm。
Astheynearedthecorner，heheardtheelectriccarablockaway，andurgedhisbrotheron。Alwasbreathinghard。Hisfeetdraggedandshuffled，andheheldback。
"AhellofabrotherYOUare，"hepanted。
Forreply，hereceivedaviciousjerkonhisarm。Itremindedhimofhischildhoodwhenhewashurriedalongbysomeangrygrown-up。Andlikeachild，hehadtobehelpedupthecarstep。Hesankdownonanoutsideseat，panting，sweating，overcomebytheexertion。HefollowedGeorge"seyesasthelatterlookedhimupanddown。
"AhellofabrotherYOUare，"wasGeorge"scommentwhenhehadfinishedtheinspection。
MoisturewelledintoAl"seyes。
"It"smystomach，"hesaidwithself-pity。
"Idon"twonder，"wastheretort。"Burntoutlikethecraterofavolcano。
Ferventheatisn"tacircumstance。"
Thereaftertheydidnotspeak。Whentheyarrivedatthetransferpoint，Georgecametohimselfwithastart。Hesmiled。Withfixedgazethatdidnotseethehousesthatstreamedacrosshisfieldofvision，hehadhimselfbeensunkdeepinself-pity。Hehelpedhisbrotherfromthecar，andlookeduptheintersectingstreet。Thecartheyweretotakewasnotinsight。
Al"seyeschanceduponthecornergroceryandsaloonacrosstheway。Atoncehebecamerestless。Hishandspassedbeyondhiscontrol，andheyearnedhungrilyacrossthestreettothedoorthatswungopenevenashelookedandletinahappypilgrim。Andinthatinstanthesawthewhite-
jacketedbartenderagainstanarrayofglitteringglass。Quiteunconsciouslyhestartedtocrossthestreet。
"Holdon。"George"shandwasonhisarm。
"Iwantsomewhisky，"heanswered。
"You"vealreadyhadsome。"
"Thatwashoursago。Goon，George，letmehavesome。It"sthelastday。
Don"tshutoffonmeuntilwegetthere——Godknowsitwillbesoonenough。"
Georgeglanceddesperatelyupthestreet。Thecarwasinsight。
"Thereisn"ttimeforadrink，"hesaid。
"Idon"twantadrink。Iwantabottle。"Al"svoicebecamewheedling。
"Goon，George。It"sthelast，theverylast。"
"No。"ThedenialwasasfinalasGeorge"sthinlipscouldmakeit。
Alglancedattheapproachingcar。Hesatdownsuddenlyonthecurbstone。
"What"sthematter？"hisbrotherasked，withmomentaryalarm。
"Nothing。Iwantsomewhisky。It"smystomach。"
"Comeonnow，getup。"
Georgereachedforhim，butwasanticipated，forhisbrothersprawledflatonthepavement，oblivioustothedirtandtothecuriousglancesofthepassers-by。Thecarwasclangingitsgongatthecrossing，ablockaway。
"You"llmissit，"Algrinnedfromthepavement。"Anditwillbeyourfault。"
George"sfistsclenchedtightly。
"FortwocentsI"dgiveyouathrashing。"
"Andmissthecar，"wasthetriumphantcommentfromthepavement。
Georgelookedatthecar。Itwashalfwaydowntheblock。Helookedathiswatch。Hedebatedasecondlonger。
"Allright，"hesaid。"I"llgetit。Butyougetonthatcar。Ifyoumissit，I"llbreakthebottleoveryourhead。"
Hedashedacrossthestreetandintothesaloon。Thecarcameinandstopped。Therewerenopassengerstogetoff。Aldraggedhimselfupthestepsandsatdown。Hesmiledastheconductorrangthebellandthecarstarted。Theswingingdoorofthesaloonburstopen。Clutchinginhishandthesuitcaseandapintbottleofwhisky，Georgestartedinpursuit。
Theconductor，hishandonthebellcord，waitedtoseeifitwouldbenecessarytostop。Itwasnot。Georgeswunglightlyaboard，satdownbesidehisbrother，andpassedhimthebottle。
"Youmighthavegotaquart，"Alsaidreproachfully。
Heextractedthecorkwithapocketcorkscrew，andelevatedthebottle。
"I"msick……mystomach，"heexplainedinapologetictonestothepassengerwhosatnexttohim。
Inthetraintheysatinthesmoking-car。Georgefeltthatitwasimperative。Also，havingsuccessfullycaughtthetrain，hisheartsoftened。Hefeltmorekindlytowardhisbrother，andaccusedhimselfofunnecessaryharshness。Hestrovetoatonebytalkingabouttheirmother，andsisters，andthelittleaffairsandinterestsofthefamily。ButAlwasmorose，anddevotedhimselftothebottle。Asthetimepassed，hismouthhunglooserandlooser，whiletheringsunderhiseyesseemedtopuffoutandallhisfacialmusclestorelax。
"It"smystomach，"hesaid，once，whenhefinishedthebottleanddroppeditundertheseat；buttheswifthardeningofhisbrother"sfacedidnotencouragefurtherexplanations。
Theconveyancethatmetthematthestationhadallthedignityandluxuriousnessofaprivatecarriage。George"seyeswerekeenfortheearmarksoftheinstitutiontowhichtheyweregoing，buthisapprehensionswereallayedfrommomenttomoment。Astheyenteredthewidegatewayandrolledonthroughthespaciousgrounds，hefeltsurethattheinstitutionalsideoftheplacewouldnotjaruponhisbrother。Itwasmorelikeasummerhotel，or，betteryet，acountryclub。Andastheysweptonthroughthespringsunshine，thesongsofbirdsinhisears，andinhisnostrilsthebreathofflowers，Georgesighedforaweekofrestinsuchaplace，andbeforehiseyesloomedthearidvistaofsummerintownandattheoffice。Therewasnotroominhisincomeforhisbrotherandhimself。
"Letustakeawalkinthegrounds，"hesuggested，aftertheyhadmetDoctorBodineauandinspectedthequartersassignedtoAl。"Thecarriageleavesforthestationinhalfanhour，andwe"lljusthavetime。"
"It"sbeautiful，"heremarkedamomentlater。Underhisfeetwasthevelvetgrass，thetreesarchedoverhead，andhestoodinmottledsunshine。
"IwishIcouldstayforamonth。"
"I"lltradeplaceswithyou，"Alsaidquickly。
Georgelaugheditoff，buthefeltasinkingoftheheart。
"Lookatthatoak!"hecried。"Andthatwoodpecker!Isn"theabeauty!"
"Idon"tlikeithere，"heheardhisbrothermutter。
George"slipstightenedinpreparationforthestruggle，buthesaid——
"I"mgoingtosendMaryandthechildrenofftothemountains。Sheneedsit，andsodothey。Andwhenyou"reinshape，I"llsendyourightontojointhem。Thenyoucantakeyoursummervacationbeforeyoucomebacktotheoffice。"
"I"mnotgoingtostayinthisdamnedhole，forallyoutalkaboutit，"Alannouncedabruptly。
"Yesyouare，andyou"regoingtogetyourhealthandstrengthbackagain，sothatthelookofyouwillputthecolourinMary"scheekswhereitusedtobe。"
"I"mgoingbackwithyou。"Al"svoicewasfirm。"I"mgoingtotakethesametrainback。It"sabouttimeforthatcarriage，Iguess。"
"Ihaven"ttoldyouallmyplans，"Georgetriedtogoon，butAlcuthimoff。
"Youmightaswellquitthat。Idon"twantanyofyoursoapytalking。Youtreatmelikeachild。I"mnotachild。Mymind"smadeup，andI"llshowyouhowlongitcanstaymadeup。Youneedn"ttalktome。Idon"tcarearapforwhatyou"regoingtosay。"
Abalefullightwasinhiseyes，andtohisbrotherheseemedforalltheworldlikeacorneredrat，desperateandreadytofight。AsGeorgelookedathimherememberedbacktotheirchildhood，anditcametohimthatatlastwasarousedinAlthesameoldstubbornstrainthathadenabledhim，asachild，tostandagainstallforceandpersuasion。
Georgeabandonedhope。Hehadlost。Thiscreaturewasnothuman。Thelastfineinstinctofthehumanhadfled。Itwasabrute，sluggishandstolid，impossibletomove——justtherawstuffoflife，combative，rebellious，andindomitable。Andashecontemplatedhisbrotherhefeltinhimselftherisingupofasimilarbrute。Hebecamesuddenlyawarethathisfingersweretensingandcrookinglikeathug"s，andheknewthedesiretokill。Andhisreason，turnedtraitoratlast，counselledthatheshouldkill，thatitwastheonlythingleftforhimtodo。
Hewasarousedbyaservantcallingtohimthroughthetreesthatthecarriagewaswaiting。Heanswered。Then，lookingstraightbeforehim，hediscoveredhisbrother。Hehadforgottenitwashisbrother。Ithadbeenonlyathingthemomentbefore。Hebegantotalk，andashetalkedthewaybecamecleartohim。Hisreasonhadnotturnedtraitor。Thebruteinhimhadmerelyorientatedhisreason。
"Youarenoearthlygood，Al，"hesaid。"Youknowthat。You"vemadeMary"slifeahell。Youareacursetoyourchildren。Andyouhavenotmadelifeexactlyaparadisefortherestofus。"
"There"snouseyourtalking，"Alinterjected。"I"mnotgoingtostayhere。"
"That"swhatI"mcomingto，"Georgecontinued。"Youdon"thavetostayhere。"(Al"sfacebrightened，andheinvoluntarilymadeamovement，asthoughabouttostarttowardthecarriage。)"Ontheotherhand，itisnotnecessarythatyoushouldreturnwithme。Thereisanotherway。"
George"shandwenttohishippocketandappearedwitharevolver。Itlayalonghispalm，thebutttowardAl，andtowardAlheextendedit。Atthesametime，withhishead，heindicatedthenear-bythicket。
"Youcan"tbluffme，"Alsnarled。
"Itisnotabluff，Al。Lookatme。Imeanit。Andifyoudon"tdoitforyourself，Ishallhavetodoitforyou。"
Theyfacedeachother，theprofferedrevolverstillextended。Aldebatedforamoment，thenhiseyesblazed。Withaquickmovementheseizedtherevolver。
"MyGod!I"lldoit，"hesaid。"I"llshowyouwhatI"vegotinme。"
Georgefeltsuddenlysick。Heturnedaway。Hedidnotseehisbrotherenterthethicket，butheheardthepassageofhisbodythroughtheleavesandbranches。
"Good-bye，Al，"hecalled。
"Good-bye，"camefromthethicket。
Georgefeltthesweatuponhisforehead。Hebeganmoppinghisfacewithhishandkerchief。Heheard，asfromaremotedistance，thevoiceoftheservantagaincallingtohimthatthecarriagewaswaiting。Thewoodpeckerdroppeddownthroughthemottledsunshineandlightedonthetrunkofatreeadozenfeetaway。Georgefeltthatitwasalladream，andyetthroughitallhefeltsupremejustification。Itwastherightthingtodo。Itwastheonlything。
Hiswholebodygaveaspasmodicstart，asthoughtherevolverhadbeenfired。ItwasthevoiceofAl，closeathisback。
"Here"syourgun，"Alsaid。"I"llstay。"
Theservantappearedamongthetrees，approachingrapidlyandcallinganxiously。Georgeputtheweaponinhispocketandcaughtbothhisbrother"shandsinhisown。
"Godblessyou，oldman，"hemurmured；"and"——withafinalsqueezeofthehands——"goodluck!"
"I"mcoming，"hecalledtotheservant，andturnedandranthroughthetreestowardthecarriage。
THECHINAGO
"Thecoralwaxes，thepalmgrows，butmandeparts。"——
Tahitianproverb。