第3章
ThisthawinhisdivinitysentArmstrong"sheartgoingfaster。SomightanArcticexplorerthrillathisfirstkenofgreenfieldsandliquescentwaters。Theywereonalowerplaneofearthandlifeandweresuccumbingtoitspeculiar，subtleinfluence。Theausterityofthehillsnolongerthinnedtheairtheybreathed。Aboutthemwasthebreathoffruitandcornandbuildedhomes，thecomfortablesmellofsmokeandwarmearthandtheconsolationsmanhasplacedbetweenhimselfandthedustofhisbrotherearthfromwhichhesprung。Whiletraversingthoseawfulmountains，Mile。Giraudhadseemedtobewrappedintheirspiritofreverentreserve。
Wasthisthatsamewoman——nowpalpitating，warm，eager，throbbingwithconsciouslifeandcharm，femininetoherfinger-tips？Ponderingoverthis，Armstrongfeltcertainmisgivingsintrudeuponhisthoughts。Hewishedhecouldstoptherewiththischangingcreature，descendingnofarther。Herewastheelevationandenvironmenttowhichhernatureseemedtorespondwithitsbest。Hefearedtogodownupontheman-dominatedlevels。Wouldherspirit-notyieldstillfurtherinthatartificialzonetowhichtheyweredescending？
Nowfromalittleplateautheysawtheseaflashattheedgeofthegreenlowlands。Mile。Giraudgavealittle，catchingsigh。
"Oh!look，Mr。Armstrong，thereisthesea!Isn"titlovely？I"msotiredofmountains。"Sheheavedaprettyshoulderinagestureofrepugnance。"ThosehorridIndians!JustthinkofwhatIsuffered!AlthoughIsupposeIattainedmyambitionofbecomingastellarattraction，Iwouldn"tcaretorepeattheengagement。Itwasveryniceofyoutobringmeaway。Tellme，Mr。
Armstrong——honestly，now——doIlooksuchanawful，awfulfright？Ihaven"tlookedintoamirror，youknow，formonths。"
Armstrongmadeansweraccordingtohischangedmoods。Alsohelaidhishanduponhersasitresteduponthehornofhersaddle。Luiswasattheheadofthepacktrainandcouldnotsee。Sheallowedittoremainthere，andhereyessmiledfranklyintohis。
Thenatsundowntheydroppeduponthecoastlevelunderthepalmsandlemonsamongthevividgreensandsearletsandochresofthetierracaliente。TheyrodeintoMacuto，andsawthelineofvolatilebathersfrolick-
inginthesurf。Themountainswereveryfaraway。
Mlle。Giraud"seyeswereshiningwithajoythatcouldnothaveexistedunderthechaperonageofthemountain-
tops。Therewereotherspiritscallingtoher——nymphsoftheorangegroves，pixiesfromthechatteringsurf，imps，bornofthemusic，theperfumes，coloursandtheinsinuatingpresenceofhumanity。Shelaughedaloud，musically，atasuddenthought。
"Won"ttherebeasensation？"shecalledtoArmstrong。
"Don"tIwishIhadanengagementjustnow，though!
Whatapicnicthepressagentwouldhave!"HeldaprisonerbyabandofsavageIndianssubduedbythespellofherwonderfulvoice"——wouldn"tthatmakegreatstuff？ButIguessIquitthegamewinner，anyhow——
thereoughttobeacoupleofthousanddollarsinthatsackofgolddustIcollectedasencores，don"tyouthink？"
HeleftheratthedoorofthelittleHoteldeBuenDescansar，whereshehadstoppedbefore。Twohourslaterhereturnedtothehotel。Heglancedinattheopendoorofthelittlecombinedreceptionroomandcafe。
HalfadozenofMacuto"srepresentativesocialandofficialcaballerosweredistributedabouttheroom。
SefiorVillablanca，thewealthyrubberconcessionist，reposedhisfatfigureontwochairs，withanemollientsmilebeaminguponhischocolate-colouredface。Guil-
bert，theFrenchminingengineer，leeredthroughhispolishednose-glasses。ColonelMendez，oftheregulararmy，ingold-laceduniformandfatuousgrin，wasbusilyextractingcorksfromchampagnebottles。Otherpat-
ternsofMacutiangallantryandfashionprancedandposed。Theairwashazywithcigarettesmoke。Winedrippeduponthefloor。
PercheduponatableinthecentreoftheroominanattitudeofeasypreeminencewasMlle。Giraud。A
chiccostumeofwhitelawnandcherryribbonssupplantedhertravellinggarb。Therewasasuggestionoflace，andafrillortwo，withadiscreet，smallimplicationofhand-
embroideredpinkhosiery。Uponherlaprestedaguitar。
Inherfacewasthelightofresurrection，thepeaceofelysiumattainedthroughfireandsuffering。Shewassingingtoalivelyaccompanimentalittlesong:
"WhenyouseedebigroundmoonComin"uplikeaballoon，DisniggerskipsfurtokissdelipsObhisstylish，black-facedcoon。"
ThesingercaughtsightofArmstrong。
"Hi!there，Johnny，"shecalled；"I"vebeenexpectingyouforanhour。Whatkeptyou？Gee!butthesesmokedguysaretheslowestyoueversaw。Theyain"ton，atall。Comealongin，andI"llmakethiscoffee-
colouredoldsportwiththegoldepaulettesopenoneforyourightofftheice。"
"Thankyou，"saidArmstrong；"notjustnow，I
believe。I"veseveralthingstoattendto。"
Hewalkedoutanddownthestreet，andmetRuckercomingupfromtheConsulate。
"Playyouagameofbilliards，"saidArmstrong。"I
wantsomethingtotakethetasteofthesealeveloutofmymouth。"
"GIRL"
INGILTlettersonthegroundglassofthedoorofroomNo。962werethewords:"Robbins&Hartley，Brokers。"Theclerkshadgone。Itwaspastfive，andwiththesolidtrampofadroveofprizePercherons，scrub-
womenwereinvadingthecloud-cappedtwenty-storyofficebuilding。Apuffofred-hotairflavouredwithlemonpeelings，soft-coalsmokeandtrainoilcameinthroughthehalf-openwindows。
Robbins，fifty，somethingofanoverweightbeau，andaddictedtofirstnightsandhotelpalm-rooms，pretendedtobeenviousofhispartner"scommuter"sjoys。
"Goingtobesomethingdoinginthehumiditylineto-night，"hesaid。"Youout-of-townchapswillbethepeople，withyourkatydidsandmoonlightandlongdrinksandthingsoutonthefrontporch。"
Hartley，twenty-nine，serious，thin，good-looking，ner-
vous，sighedandfrownedalittle。
"Yes，"saidhe，"wealwayshavecoolnightsinFloral-
hurst，especiallyinthewinter。"
AmanwithanairofmysterycameinthedoorandwentuptoHartley。
"I"vefoundwhereshelives，"heannouncedintheportentoushalf-whisperthatmakesthedetectiveatworkamarkedbeingtohisfellowmen。
Hartleyscowledhimintoastateofdramaticsilenceandquietude。ButbythattimeRobbinshadgothiscaneandsethistiepintohisliking，andwithadebonairnodwentouttohismetropolitanamusements。
"Hereistheaddress，"saidthedetectiveinanaturaltone，beingdeprivedofanaudiencetofoil。
Hartleytooktheleaftornoutofthesleuth"sdingymemorandumbook。Onitwerepencilledthewords"VivienneArlington，No。341East——thStreet，careofMrs。McComus。"
"Movedthereaweekago，"saidthedetective。"Now，ifyouwantanyshadowingdone，Mr。Hartley，Icandoyouasfineajobinthatlineasanybodyinthecity。Itwillbeonly$7adayandexpenses。Cansendinadailytypewrittenreport，covering——"
"Youneedn"tgoon，"interruptedthebroker。"Itisn"tacaseofthatkind。Imerelywantedtheaddress。
HowmuchshallIpayyou？"
"Oneday"swork，"saidthesleuth。"Atennerwillcoverit。"
Hartleypaidthemananddismissedhim。ThenhelefttheofficeandboardedaBroadwaycar。Atthefirstlargecrosstownarteryoftravelhetookaneastboundcarthatdepositedhiminadecayingavenue，whoseancientstructuresonceshelteredtheprideandgloryofthetown。
Walkingafewsquares，hecametothebuildingthathesought。Itwasanewflathouse，bearingcarveduponitscheapstoneportalitssonorousname，"TheVallambrosa。"
Fire-escapeszigzaggeddownitsfront——theseladenwithhouseholdgoods，dryingclothes，andsquallingchildrenevictedbythemidsummerheat。Hereandthereapalerubberplantpeepedfromthemiscellaneousmass，asifwonderingtowhatkingdomitbelonged——
vegetable，animalorartificial。
Hartleypressedthe"McComus"button。Thedoorlatchclickedspasmodically——nowhospitably，nowdoubt-
fully，asthoughinanxietywhetheritmightbeadmittingfriendsorduns。Hartleyenteredandbegantoclimbthestairsafterthemannerofthosewhoseektheirfriendsincityflat-houses——whichisthemannerofaboywhoclimbsanapple-tree，stoppingwhenhecomesuponwhathewants。
OnthefourthfloorhesawViviennestandinginanopendoor。Sheinvitedhiminside，withanodandabright，genuinesmile。Sheplacedachairforhimnearawindow，andpoisedherselfgracefullyupontheedgeofoneofthoseJekyll-and-Hydepiecesoffurniturethataremaskedandmysteriouslyhooded，unguessablebulksbydayandinquisitorialracksoftorturebynight。
Hartleycastaquick，critical，appreciativeglanceatherbeforespeaking，andtoldhimselfthathistasteinchoosinghadbeenflawless。
Viviennewasabouttwenty-one。ShewasofthepurestSaxontype。Herhairwasaruddygolden，eachfilamentoftheneatlygatheredmassshiningwithitsownlustreanddelicategraduationofcolour。Inperfectharmonywereherivory-clearcomplexionanddeepsea-blueeyesthatlookedupontheworldwiththeingenuouscalmnessofamermaidorthepixieofanundiscoveredmountainstream。Herframewasstrongandyetpossessedthegraceofabsolutenaturalness。AndyetwithallherNorth-
ernclearnessandfranknessoflineandcolouring，thereseemedtobesomethingofthetropicsinher——somethingoflanguorinthedroopofherpose，ofloveofeaseinheringeniouscomplacencyofsatisfactionandcomfortinthemereactofbreathing——somethingthatseemedtoclaimforherarightasaperfectworkofnaturetoexistandbeadmiredequallywitharareflowerorsomebeauti-
ful，milk-whitedoveamongitssober-huedcompanions。
Shewasdressedinawhitewaistanddarkskirt-thatdiscreetmasqueradeofgoose-girlandduchess。
"Vivienne，"saidHartley，lookingatherpleadingly，"youdidnotanswermylastletter。Itwasonlybynearlyaweek"ssearchthatIfoundwhereyouhadmovedto。
WhyhaveyoukeptmeinsuspensewhenyouknewhowanxiouslyIwaswaitingtoseeyouandhearfromyou？"
Thegirllookedoutthewindowdreamily。
"Mr。Hartley，"shesaidhesitatingly，"Ihardlyknowwhattosaytoyou。Irealizealltheadvantagesofyouroffer，andsometimesIfeelsurethatIcouldbecontentedwithyou。But，again，Iamdoubtful。Iwasbornacitygirl，andIamafraidtobindmyselftoaquietsub-
urbanlife。"
"Mydeargirl，"saidHartley，ardently，"haveInottoldyouthatyoushallhaveeverythingthatyourheartcandesirethatisinmypowertogiveyou？Youshallcometothecityforthetheatres，forshoppingandtovisityourfriendsasoftenasyoucareto。Youcantrustme，canyounot？"
"Tothefullest，"shesaid，turningherfrankeyesuponhimwithasmile。"Iknowyouarethekindestofmen，andthatthegirlyougetwillbealuckyone。IlearnedallaboutyouwhenIwasattheMontgomerys"。"
"Ah!"exclaimedHartley，withatender，reminiscentlightinhiseye；"IrememberwelltheeveningIfirstsawyouattheMontgomerys"。Mrs。Montgomerywassound-
ingyourpraisestomealltheevening。Andshehardlydidyoujustice。Ishallneverforgetthatsupper。Come，Vivienne，promiseme。Iwantyou。You"llneverregretcomingwithme。Nooneelsewillevergiveyouaspleasantahome。"
Thegirlsighedandlookeddownatherfoldedhands。
AsuddenjealoussuspicionseizedHartley。
"Tellme，Vivienne，"heasked，regardingherkeenly，"isthereanother——istheresomeoneelse？"
Arosyflushcreptslowlyoverherfaircheeksandneck。
"Youshouldn"taskthat，Mr。Hartley，"shesaid，insomeconfusion。"ButIwilltellyou。Thereisoneother——buthehasnoright——Ihavepromisedhimnothing。"
"Hisname？"demandedHartley，sternly。
"Townsend。"
"RaffordTownsend!"exclaimedHartley，withagrimtighteningofhisjaw。"Howdidthatmancometoknowyou？AfterallI"vedoneforhim——"
"Hisautohasjuststoppedbelow，"saidVivienne，bendingoverthewindow-sill。"He"scomingforhisanswer。OhIdon"tknowwhattodo!"
Thebellintheflatkitchenwhirred。Viviennehurriedtopressthelatchbutton。
"Stayhere，"saidHartley。"Iwillmeethiminthehall。"
Townsend，lookinglikeaSpanishgrandeeinhislighttweeds，Panamahatandcurlingblackmustache，cameupthestairsthreeatatime。HestoppedatsightofHartleyandlookedfoolish。
"Goback，"saidHartley，firmly，pointingdownstairswithhisforefinger。
"Hullo!"saidTownsend，feigningsurprise。"What"sup？Whatareyoudoinghere，oldman？"
"Goback，"repeatedHartley，inflexibly。"TheLawoftheJungle。DoyouwantthePacktotearyouinpieces？Thekillismine。"
"Icameheretoseeaplumberaboutthebathroomconnections，"saidTownsend，bravely。
"Allright，"saidHartley。"Youshallhavethatlyingplastertostickuponyourtraitoroussoul。But，goback。"
Townsendwentdownstairs，leavingabitterwordtobewaftedupthedraughtofthestaircase。Hartleywentbacktohiswooing。
"Vivienne，"saidhe，masterfully。"Ihavegottohaveyou。Iwilltakenomorerefusalsordilly-dallying。"
"Whendoyouwantme？"sheasked。
"Now。Assoonasyoucangetready。"
Shestoodcalmlybeforehimandlookedhimintheeye。
"Doyouthinkforonemoment，"shesaid，"thatIwouldenteryourhomewhileH閘oiseisthere？"
Hartleycringedasiffromanunexpectedblow。Hefoldedhisarmsandpacedthecarpetonceortwice。
"Sheshallgo，"hedeclaredgrimly。Dropsstooduponhisbrow。"WhyshouldIletthatwomanmakemylifemiserable？NeverhaveIseenonedayoffreedomfromtroublesinceIhaveknownher。Youareright，Vivienne。H閘oisemustbesentawaybeforeIcantakeyouhome。Butsheshallgo。Ihavedecided。Iwillturnherfrommydoors。"
"Whenwillyoudothis？"askedthegirl。
Hartleyclinchedhisteethandbenthisbrowstogether。
"To-night，"hesaid，resolutely。"Iwillsendherawayto-night。"
"Then，"saidVivienne，"myansweris"yes。"Comeformewhenyouwill。"
Shelookedintohiseyeswithasweet，sincerelightinherown。Hartleycouldscarcelybelievethathersur-
renderwastrue，itwassoswiftandcomplete。
"Promiseme，"hesaidfeelingly，"onyourwordandhonour。"
"Onmywordandhonour，"repeatedVivienne，softly。
Atthedoorheturnedandgazedatherhappily，butyetasonewhoscarcelytruststhefoundationsofhisjoy。
"To-morrow，"hesaid，withaforefingerofreminderuplifted。
"To-morrow，"sherepeatedwithasmileoftruthandcandour。
InanhourandfortyminutesHartleysteppedoffthetrainatFloralhurst。Abriskwalkoftenminutesbroughthimtothegateofahandsometwo-storycottagesetuponawideandwell-tendedlawn。Halfwaytothehousehewasmetbyawomanwithjet-blackbraidedhairandflowingwhitesummergown，whohalfstrangledhimwithoutapparentcause。
Whentheysteppedintothehallshesaid:
"Mamma"shere。Theautoiscomingforherinhalfanhour。Shecametodinner，butthere"snodinner。"
"I"vesomethingtotellyou，"saidHartley。"Ithoughttobreakittoyougently，butsinceyourmotherisherewemayaswelloutwithit。"
Hestoopedandwhisperedsomethingatherear。
Hiswifescreamed。Hermothercamerunningintothehall。Thedark-hairedwomanscreamedagain-
thejoyfulscreamofawell-belovedandpettedwoman。
"Oh，mamma!"shecriedecstatically，"whatdoyouthink？Vivienneiscomingtocookforus!SheistheonethatstayedwiththeMontgomerysawholeyear。
Andnow，Billy，dear，"sheconcluded，"youmustgorightdownintothekitchenanddischargeH閘oise。Shehasbeendrunkagainthewholedaylong。"
SOCIOLOGYINSERGEANDSTRAW
Theseasonofirresponsibilityisathand。Come，letustwineroundourbrowswreathsofpoisonivy(thatisforidiocy)，andwanderhandinhandwithsociologyinthesummerfields。
Likelyasnottheworldisflat。Thewisemenhavetriedtoprovethatitisround，withindifferentsuccess。
Theypointedouttousashipgoingtosea，andbadeusobservethat，atlength，theconvexityoftheearthhidfromourviewallbutthevessel"stopmast。Butwepickedupatelescopeandlooked，andsawthedecksandhullagain。Thenthewisemensaid:"Oh，pshaw!
anyhow，thevariationoftheintersectionoftheequatorandtheeclipticprovesit。"Wecouldnotseethisthroughourtelescope，soweremainedsilent。Butitstandstoreasonthat，iftheworldwereround，thequeuesofChina-
Menwouldstandstraightupfromtheirheadsinsteadofhangingdowntheirbacks，astravellersassureustheydo。
Anotherhot-weathercorroborationoftheflattheoryisthefactthatalloflife，asweknowit，movesinlittle，unavailingcircles。Morejustlythantoanythingelse，itcanbelikenedtothegameofbaseball。Crack!wehittheball，andawaywego。Ifweearnarun(inlifewecallitsuccess)wegetbacktothehomeplateandsituponabench。Ifwearethrownout，wewalkbacktothehomeplate——andsituponabench。
Thecircumnavigatorsoftheallegedglobemayhavesailedtherimofawaterycirclebacktothesameportagain。Thetrulygreatreturnatthehightideoftheirattainmentstothesimplicityofachild。Thebillionairesitsdownathismahoganytohisbowlofbreadandmilk。Whenyoureachtheendofyourcareer，justtakedownthesign"Goal"andlookattheothersideofit。Youwillfind"BeginningPoint"there。Ithasbeenreversedwhileyouweregoingaroundthetrack。
Butthisishumour，andmustbestopped。LetusgetbacktotheseriousquestionsthatarisewheneverSociologyturnssummerboarder。Youareinvitedtoconsiderthesceneofthestory-wild，Atlanticwaves，thunderingagainstawoodedandrock-boundshore——
intheGreaterCityofNewYork。
ThetownofFishampton，onthesouthshoreofLongIsland，isnotedforitsclamfrittersandthesummerresidenceoftheVanPlushvelts。
TheVanPlushveltshaveahundredmilliondollars，andtheirnameisahouseholdwordwithtradesmenandphotographers。
OnthefifteenthofJunetheVanPlushveltsboardedupthefrontdooroftheircityhouse，carefullydepositedtheircatonthesidewalk，instructedthecaretakernottoallowittoeatanyoftheivyonthewalls，andwhizzedawayina40-horse-powertoFishamptontostrayalonetheshade——Amaryllisnotbeingintheirclass。IfasubscribertotheToadies"Magazine，youhaveoften——Yousayyouarenot？Well，youbuyitatanews-stand，thinkingthatthenewsdealerisnotwisetoyou。Butheknowsaboutitall。HEknows——HE
knows!IsaythatyouhaveoftenseenintheToadies"
MagazinepicturesoftheVanPlushvelts"summerhome；
soitwillnotbedescribedhere。OurbusinessiswithyoungHaywoodVanPlushvelt，sixteenyearsold，heirtothecenturyofmillions，darlingofthefinancialgodsandgreatgrandsonofPeterVanPlushvelt，formerownerofaparticularlyfinecabbagepatchthathasbeenruinedbyanintrusivelotofdowntownskyscrapers。
OneafternoonyoungHaywoodVanPlushveltstrolledoutbetweenthegranitegatepostsof"DolcefarNiente"——
that"swhattheycalledtheplace；anditwasanimprove-
mentondolceFarRockaway，Icantellyou。
Haywoodwalkeddownintothevillage。Hewashuman，afterall，andhisprospectivemillionsweigheduponhim。Wealthhadwreakeduponhimitsdirefullest。
Hewastheproductofprivatetutors。Evenunderhisfirsthobby-horsehadtanbarkbeenstrewn。Hehadbeenbornwithagoldspoon，lobsterforkandfish-setinhismouth。ForwhichIhope，later，tosubmitjustification，Imustaskyourconsiderationofhishaberdasheryandtailoring。
YoungFortunatuswasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneat，whitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，ofthewell-known"immaculate"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarriedaslender，neat，bamboocane。
DownPersimmonStreet(there"snevertreenorthofHagerstown，Md。)camefromthevillage"Smoky"
Dodson，fifteenandahalf，worstboyinFishampton。
"Smoky"wasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe"serviceable"brand。Dust，clingingtothemois-
tureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。"Smoky"carriedabaseballbat，andaleagueballthatadvertiseditselfintherotundityofhistrouserspocket。Haywoodstoppedandpassedthetimeofday。
"Goingtoplayball？"heasked。
"Smoky"s"eyesandcountenanceconfrontedhimwithafrankblue-and-freckledscrutiny。
"Me？"hesaid，withdeadlymildness；"surenot。
Can"tyouseeI"vegotadivin"suiton？I"mgoin"upinasubmarineballoontocatchbutterflieswithatwo-inchauger。
"Excuseme，"saidHaywood，withtheinsultingpolite——
nessofhiscaste，"formistakingyouforagentleman。I
mighthaveknownbetter。"
"HowmightyouhaveknownbetterifyouthoughtI
wasone？"said"Smoky，"unconsciouslyalogician。
"Byyourappearances，"saidHaywood。"Nogentle-
manisdirty，raggedandaliar。"
"Smoky"hootedoncelikeaferry-boat，spatonhishand，gotafirmgriponhisbaseballbatandthendroppeditagainstthefence。
"Say，"saidhe，"Iknowsyou。You"rethepupthatbelongsinthatswellprivatesummersanitariumforcity-
guysoverthere。Iseenyoucomeoutofthegate。Youcan"tbluffnobodybecauseyou"rerich。Andbecauseyougotonswellclothes。Arabella!Yah!"
"Ragamuffin!"saidHay-wood。
"Smoky"pickedupafence-railsplinterandlaiditonhisshoulder。
"Dareyoutoknockitoff，"hechallenged。
"Iwouldn"tsoilmyhandswithyou，"saidthearistocrat。
""Fraid，"said"Smoky"concisely。"Yousecity-
ducksain"tgottheIsand。Ikinlickyouwithone-
hand。"
"Idon"twishtohaveanytroublewithyou，"saidHaywood。"Iaskedyouacivilquestion；andyoureplied，likea——likea——acad。"
"Wot"sacad？"asked"Smoky。"
"Acadisadisagreeableperson，"answeredHaywood，"wholacksmannersanddoesn"tknowhisplace。They，sometimesplaybaseball。"
"Icantellyouwhatamollycoddleis，"said"Smoky。"
"It"samonkeydressedupbyitsmotherandsentouttoopickdaisiesonthelawn。"
"Whenyouhavethehonourtorefertothemembersofmyfamily，"saidHaywood，withsomedimideasofacodeinhismind，"you"dbetterleavetheladiesoutofyourremarks。"
"Ho!ladies!"mockedtherudeone。"Isayladies!
Iknowwhatthemrichwomeninthecitydoes。They，drinkcocktailsandswearandgivepartiestogorillas。
Thepaperssaysso。"
ThenHaywoodknewthatitmustbe。Hetookoffhiscoat，foldeditneatlyandlaiditontheroadsidegrass，placedhishatuponitandbegantounknothisbluesilktie。
"Hadn"tyerbetterringferyermaid，Arabella？"
taunted"Smoky。""Wotyergoingtodo——gotobed？"
"I"mgoingtogiveyouagoodtrouncing，"saidthehero。Hedidnothesitate，althoughtheenemywasfarbeneathhimsocially。Herememberedthathisfatheroncethrashedacabman，andthepapersgaveittwocol-
umns，firstpage。AndtheToadies"MagazinehadaspecialarticleonUpperCutsbytheUpperClasses，andrannewpicturesoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat，atFishampton。
"Wot"strouncing？"asked"Smoky，"suspiciously。
"Idon"twantyouroldclothes。I"mno——oh，youmeantoscrap!My，my!Iwon"tdoathingtomamma"spet。
Criminy!I"dhatetobeahand-launderedthinglikeyou。
"Smoky"waitedwithsomeawkwardnessforhisadversarytoprepareforbattle。Hisowndeckswerealwaysclearforaction。Whenheshouldspituponthepalmofhisterriblerightitwasequivalentto"Youmayfirenow，Gridley。"
Thehatedpatricianadvanced，withhisshirtsleevesneatlyrolledup。"Smoky"waited，inanattitudeofease，expectingtheaffairtobeconductedaccordingtoFishampton"srulesofwar。Theseallowedcombattobeprefacedbystigma，recrimination，epithet，abuseandinsultgraduallyincreasinginemphasisanddegree。
Afteraroundofthese"you"reanothers"wouldcomethechipknockedfromtheshoulder，ortheadvanceacrossthe"dare"linedrawnwithatoeontheground。Nextlighttapsgivenandtaken，thesealsoincreasinginforceuntilfinallythebloodwasupandfistsgoingattheirbest。
ButHaywooddidnotknowFishampton"srules。
Noblesseobligekeptafaintsmileonhisfaceashewalkedslowlyupto"Smoky"andsaid:
"Goingtoplayball？"
"Smoky"quicklyunderstoodthistobeaputtingofthepreviousquestion，givinghimthechancetomakepracticalapologybyansweringitwithcivilityandrelevance。
"Listenthistime，"saidhe。"I"mgoin"skatin"ontheriver。Don"tyouseemeautomobilewithChineselanternsonitstandin"andwaitin"forme？"
Haywoodknockedhimdown。
"Smoky"feltwronged。Tothusdeprivehimofpreliminarywrangleandobjurgationwastosendanarmouredknightfulltiltagainstacrashinglancewithoutpermittinghimfirsttocaracolearoundthelisttotheflourishoftrumpets。Buthescrambledupandfelluponhisfoe，head，feetandfists。
Thefightlastedoneroundofanhourandtenminutes。
Itwaslengtheneduntilitwasmorelikeawarorafamilyfeudthanafight。Haywoodhadlearnedsomeofthescienceofboxingandwrestlingfromhistutors，butthesehediscardedforthemoreinstinctivemethodsofbattlehandeddownbythecave-dwellingVanPlushvelts。
So，whenhefoundhimself，duringthem阬閑，seateduponthekickingandroaring"Smoky"s"chest，heimprovedtheopportunitybyvigorouslykneadinghand-
fulsofsandandsoilintohisadversary"sears，eyesandmouth，andwhen"Smoky"gottheproperlegholdand"turned"him，hefastenedbothhandsinthePlushvelthairandpoundedthePlushveltheadagainstthelapofmotherearth。Ofcourse，thestrifewasnotincessantlyactive。Therewereseasonswhenonesatupontheother，holdinghimdown，whileeachblewlikeagrampus，spatoutthemoreinconvenientlylargesectionsofgravelandandstrovetosubduethespiritofhisopponentwithafrightfulandsoul-paralyzingglare。
Atlast，itseemedthatinthelanguageofthering，theireffortslackedsteam。Theybrokeaway，andeachdisappearedinacloudashebrushedawaythedustoftheconflict。Assoonashisbreathpermitted，Haywoodwalkedcloseto"Smoky"andsaid:
"Goingtoplayball？"
"Smoky"lookedpensivelyatthesky，athisbatlyingontheground，andatthe"leaguer"roundinghispocket。
"Sure，"hesaid，offhandedly。"The"Yellowjackets""
playsthe"LongIslands。"I"mcap"nofthe"LongIslands。"
"IguessIdidn"tmeantosayyouwereragged，"saidHaywood。"Butyouaredirty，youknow。"
"Sure，"said"Smoky。""Yergetthatwayknockin"
around。Say，Idon"tbelievethemNewYorkpapersaboutladiesdrinkin"andhavin"monkeysdinin"atthetablewith"em。Iguessthey"relies，liketheyprintaboutpeopleeatin"outofsilverplates，andownin"dogsthatcost$100。"
"Certainly，"saidHaywood。"Whatdoyouplayonyourteam？"
"Ketcher。Everplayany？"
"Neverinmylife，"saidHaywood。"I"veneverknownanyfellowsexceptoneortwoofmycousins。"
"Jerliketolearn？We"regoin"tohaveapractice-
gamebeforethematch。Wantercomealong？I"llputyerinleft-field，andyerwon"tbelongketchin"on。"
"I"dlikeitbully，"saidHaywood。"I"vealway-
wantedtoplaybaseball。"
Theladies"maidsofNewYorkandthefamiliesofWesternmineownerswithsocialambitionswillrememberwellthesensationthatwascreatedbythereportthattheyoungmulti-millionaire，HaywoodVanPlushvelt，wasplayingballwiththevillageyouthsofFishampton。Itwasconcededthatthemillenniumofdemocracyhadcome。Reportersandphotographersswarmedtotheisland。Thepapersprintedhalf-pagepicturesofhimasshort-stopstoppingahotgrounder。TheToadies"
MagazinegotoutaBatandBallnumberthatcoveredthesubjecthistorically，beginningwiththevampirebatandendingwiththePatriarchs"ball——illustratedwithinteriorviewsoftheVanPlushveltcountryseat。
Ministers，educatorsandsociologistseverywherehailedtheeventasthetocsincallthatproclaimedtheuniversalbrotherhoodofman。
OneafternoonIwasrecliningunderthetreesneartheshoreatFishamptonintheesteemedcompanyofaneminent，bald-headedyoungsociologist。Bywayofnoteitmaybeinsertedthatallsociologistsaremoreorlessbald，andexactlythirty-two。Look"emover。
ThesociologistwascitingtheVanPlushveltcaseasthemostimportant"uplift"symptomofageneration，andasanexcuseforhisownexistence。
Immediatelybeforeuswerethevillagebaseballgrounds。
AndnowcamethesportiveyouthofFishamptonanddistributedthemselves，shouting，aboutthediamond。
"There，"saidthesociologist，pointing，"thereisyoungVanPlushvelt。"
Iraisedmyself(sofaracosycophantwithMaryAnn)
andgazed。
YoungVanPlushveltsatupontheground。Hewasdressedinaraggedredsweater，wreckedandweather-
worngolfcap，run-overshoes，andtrousersofthe"ser-
viceable"brand。Dustclingingtothemoistureinducedbyfreeexercise，darkenedwideareasofhisface。
"Thatishe，"repeatedthesociologist。Ifhehadsaid"him"Icouldhavebeenlessvindictive。
Onabench，withanair，sattheyoungmillionaire"schum。
Hewasdressedinaneatsuitofdarkblueserge，aneatwhitestrawhat，neatlow-cuttanshoes，linenofthewell-known"immaculate"trademark，aneat，narrowfour-in-handtie，andcarrieda-slender，neatbamboocane。
Ilaughedloudlyandvulgarly。
"Whatyouwanttodo，"saidItothesociologist，"istoestablishareformatoryfortheLogicalViciousCircle。
OrelseI"vegotwheels。Itlookstomeasifthingsarerunningroundandroundincirclesinsteadofgettinganywhere。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedthemanofprogress。
"Why，lookwhathehasdoneto"Smoky，"Ireplied。
"Youwillalwaysbeafool，"saidmyfriend，thesociolo-
gist，gettingupandwalkingaway。
THERANSOMOFREDCHIEF
ITLOOKEDlikeagoodthing:butwaittillItellyou。
WeweredownSouth，inAlabama——BillDriscollandmyself——whenthiskidnappingideastruckus。Itwas，asBillafterwardexpressedit，"duringamomentoftemporarymentalapparition"；butwedidn"tfindthatouttilllater。
Therewasatowndownthere，asflatasaflannel-cake，andcalledSummit，ofcourse。ItcontainedinhabitantsOfasundeleteriousandself-satisfiedaclassofpeasantryaseverclusteredaroundaMaypole。
Billandmehadajointcapitalofaboutsixhundreddollars，andweneededjusttwothousanddollarsmoretopulloffafraudulenttown-lotschemeinWesternIllinoiswith。Wetalkeditoveronthefrontstepsofthehotel。Philoprogenitiveness，sayswe，isstronginsemi-
ruralcommunities；thereforeandforotherreasons，akidnappingprojectoughttodobettertherethanintheradiusofnewspapersthatsendreportersoutinplainclothestostiruptalkaboutsuchthings。WeknewthatSummitcouldn"tgetafteruswithanythingstrongerthanconstablesandmaybesomelackadaisicalblood-
houndsandadiatribeortwointheWeeklyFarmers"
Budget。So，itlookedgood。
WeselectedforourvictimtheonlychildofaprominentcitizennamedEbenezerDorset。Thefatherwasrespect-
ableandtight，amortgagefancierandastern，uprightcollection-platepasserandforecloser。Thekidwasaboyoften，withbas-relieffreckles，andhairthecolourofthecoverofthemagazineyoubuyatthenews-standwhenyouwanttocatchatrain。BillandmefiguredthatEbenezerwouldmeltdownforaransomoftwothousanddollarstoacent。ButwaittillItellyou。
AbouttwomilesfromSummitwasalittlemountain，coveredwithadensecedarbrake。Ontherearelevationofthismountainwasacave。Therewestoredprovisions。
Oneeveningaftersundown，wedroveinabuggypastoldDorset"shouse。Thekidwasinthestreet，throw-
ingrocksatakittenontheoppositefence。
"Hey，littleboy!"saysBill，"wouldyouliketohaveabagofcandyandaniceride？"
TheboycatchesBillneatlyintheeyewithapieceofbrick。
"Thatwillcosttheoldmananextrafivehundreddollars，"saysBill，climbingoverthewheel。
Thatboyputupafightlikeawelter-weightcinnamonbear；but，atlast，wegothimdowninthebottomofthebuggyanddroveaway。WetookhimuptothecaveandIhitchedthehorseinthecedarbrake。AfterdarkI
drovethebuggytothelittlevillage，threemilesaway，wherewehadhiredit，andwalkedbacktothemoun-
tain。
Billwaspastingcourt-plasteroverthescratchesandbruisesonhisfeatures。Therewasaburningbehindthebigrockattheentranceofthecave，andtheboywaswatchingapotofboilingcoffee，withtwobuzzardtail-
feathersstuckinhisredhair。HepointsastickatmewhenIcomeup，andsays:
"Ha!cursedpaleface，doyoudaretoenterthecampofRedChief，theterroroftheplains？
"He"sallrightnow，"saysBill，rollinguphistrousersandexaminingsomebruisesonhisshins。"We"replayingIndian。We"remakingBuffaloBill"sshowlooklikemagic-lanternviewsofPalestineinthetownhall。
I"mOldHank，theTrapper，RedChief"scaptive，andI"mtobescalpedatdaybreak。ByGeronimo!thatkidcankickhard。"
Yes，sir，thatboyseemedtobehavingthetimeofhislife。Thefunofcampingoutinacavehadmadehimforgetthathewasacaptive，himself。HeimmediatelychristenedmeSnake-eye，theSpy，andannouncedthat，whenhisbravesreturnedfromthewarpath，Iwastobebroiledatthestakeattherisingofthesun。
Thenwehadsupper；andhefilledhismouthfullofbaconandbreadandgravy，andbegantotalk。Hemadeaduring-dinnerspeechsomethinglikethis:
"Ilikethisfine。Inevercampedoutbefore；butI
hadapet"possumonce，andIwasninelastbirthday。
Ihatetogotoschool。RatsateupsixteenofJimmyTalbot"saunt"sspeckledhen"seggs。ArethereanyrealIndiansinthesewoods？Iwantsomemoregravy。
Doesthetreesmovingmakethewindblow？Wehadfivepuppies。Whatmakesyournosesored，Hank？
Myfatherhaslotsofmoney。Arethestarshot？I
whippedEdWalkertwice，Saturday。Idon"tlikegirls。
Youdassentcatchtoadsunlesswithastring。Dooxenmakeanynoise？Whyareorangesround？Haveyougotbedstosleeponinthiscave？AmosMurrayhasgotSixtoes。Aparrotcantalk，butamonkeyorafishcan"t。
Howmanydoesittaketomaketwelve？"
Everyfewminuteshewouldrememberthathewasapeskyredskin，andpickuphisstickrifleandtiptoetothemouthofthecavetorubberforthescoutsofthehatedpaleface。Nowandthenhewouldletoutawar-
whoopthatmadeOldHanktheTrappershiver。ThatboyhadBillterrorizedfromthestart。
"RedChief，"saysItothekid，"wouldyouliketogohome？"
"Aw，whatfor？"sayshe。"Idon"thaveanyfunathome。Ihatetogotoschool。Iliketocampout。Youwon"ttakemebackhomeagain，Snake-eye，willyou？"
"Notrightaway，"saysI。"We"llstayhereinthecaveawhile。"
"Allright!"sayshe。"That"llbefine。Ineverhadsuchfuninallmylife。"
Wewenttobedabouteleveno"clock。WespreaddownsomewideblanketsandquiltsandputRedChiefbetweenus。Weweren"tafraidhe"drunaway。Hekeptusawakeforthreehours，jumpingupandreachingforhisrifleandscreeching:"Hist!pard，"inmineandBill"sears，asthefanciedcrackleofatwigortherustleofaleafrevealedtohisyoungimaginationthestealthyapproachoftheoutlawband。Atlast，Ifellintoatroubledsleep，anddreamedthatIhadbeenkidnappedandchainedtoatreebyaferociouspiratewithredhair。
Justatdaybreak，IwasawakenedbyaseriesofawfulscreamsfromBill。Theyweren"tyells，orhowls，orshouts，orwhoops，oryalps，suchasyou"dexpectfromamanlysetofvocalorgans——theyweresimplyindecent，terrifying，humiliatingscreams，suchaswomenemitwhentheyseeghostsorcaterpillars。It"sanawfulthingtohearastrong，desperate，fatmanscreamincontinentlyinacaveatdaybreak。
Ijumpeduptoseewhatthematterwas。RedChiefwassittingonBill"schest，withonehandtwinedinBill"shair。Intheotherhehadthesharpcase-knifeweusedforslicing，bacon；andhewasindustriouslyandrealisticallytryingtotakeBill"sscalp，accordingtothesentencethathadbeenpronounceduponhimtheeveningbefore。
Igottheknifeawayfromthekidandmadehimliedownagain。But，fromthatmoment，Bill"sspiritwasbroken。Helaiddownonhissideofthebed，butheneverclosedaneyeagaininsleepaslongasthatboywaswithus。
Idozedoffforawhile，butalongtowardsun-upIremem-
beredthatRedChiefhadsaidIwastobeburnedatthestakeattherisingofthesun。Iwasn"tnervousorafraid；
butIsatupandlitmypipeandleanedagainstarock。
"Whatyougettingupsosoonfor，Sam？"askedBill。
"Me？"saysI。"Oh，Igotakindofapaininmyshoulder。Ithoughtsittingupwouldrestit。"
"You"realiar!"saysBill。"You"reafraid。Youwastobeburnedatsunrise，andyouwasafraidhe"ddoit。Andhewould，too，ifhecouldfindamatch。
Ain"titawful，Sam？Doyouthinkanybodywillpayoutmoneytogetalittleimplikethatbackhome？"
"Sure，"saidI。"Arowdykidlikethatisjustthekindthatparentsdoteon。Now，youandtheChiefgetupandcookbreakfast，whileIgouponthetopofthismountainandreconnoitre。"
Iwentuponthepeakofthelittlemountainandranmyeyeoverthecontiguousvicinity。OvertowardSummitI
expectedtoseethesturdyyeomanryofthevillagearmedwithscythesandpitchforksbeatingthecountrysideforthedastardlykidnappers。ButwhatIsawwasapeacefullandscapedottedwithonemanploughingwithadunmule。Nobodywasdraggingthecreek；nocouriersdashedhitherandyon，bringingtidingsofnonewstothedistractedparents。TherewasasylvanattitudeofsomnolentsleepinesspervadingthatsectionoftheexternaloutwardsurfaceofAlabamathatlayexposedtomyview。
"Perhaps，"saysItomyself，"ithasnotyetbeendiscov-
eredthatthewolveshavehomeawaythetenderlambkinfromthefold。Heavenhelpthewolves!"saysI，andI
wentdownthemountaintobreakfast。
WhenIgottothecaveIfoundBillbackedupagainstthesideofit，breathinghard，andtheboythreateningtosmashhimwitharockhalfasbigasacocoanut。
"Heputared-hotboiledpotatodownmyback，"
explainedBill，"andthemasheditwithhisfoot；andIboxedhisears。Haveyougotagunaboutyou，Sam？
Itooktherockawayfromtheboyandkindofpatcheduptheargument。"I"llfixyou，"saysthekidtoBill。
"NomaneveryetstrucktheRedChiefbutwhathegotpaidforit。Youbetterbeware!"
Afterbreakfastthekidtakesapieceofleatherwithstringswrappedarounditoutofhispocketandgoesout-
sidethecaveunwindingit。
"What"sheuptonow？"saysBill，anxiously。"Youdon"tthinkhe"llrunaway，doyou，Sam？"
"Nofearofit，"saysI。"Hedon"tseemtobemuchofahomebody。Butwe"vegottofixupsomeplanabouttheransom。Theredon"tseemtobemuchexcitementaroundSummitonaccountofhisdisappearance；butmaybetheyhaven"trealizedyetthathe"sgone。Hisfolksmaythinkhe"sspendingthenightwithAuntJaneoroneoftheneighbours。Anyhow，he"llbemissedto-day。
To-nightwemustgetamessagetohisfatherdemandingthetwothousanddollarsforhisreturn。"
JustthenweheardakindOfwar-whoop，suchasDavidmighthaveemittedwhenheknockedoutthechampionGoliath。ItwasaslingthatRedChiefhadpulledoutofhispocket，andhewaswhirlingitaroundhishead。
Idodged，andheardaheavythudandakindofasighfromBill，likeahorsegivesoutwhenyoutakehissaddleoff。AniggerheadrockthesizeofanegghadcaughtBilljustbehindhisleftear。Heloosenedhimselfalloverandfellinthefireacrossthefryingpanofhotwaterforwashingthedishes。Idraggedhimoutandpouredcoldwateronhisheadforhalfanhour。
Byandby，Billsitsupandfeelsbehindhisearandsays:"Sam，doyouknowwhomyfavouriteBiblicalcharacteris？"
"Takeiteasy，"saysI。"You"llcometoyoursensespresently。"
"KingHerod，"sayshe。"Youwon"tgoawayandleavemeherealone，willyou，Sam？"
Iwentoutandcaughtthatboyandshookhimuntilhisfrecklesrattled。
"Ifyoudon"tbehave，"saysI，"I"lltakeyoustraighthome。Now，areyougoingtobegood，ornot？"
"Iwasonlyfunning，"sayshesullenly。"Ididn"tmeantohurtOldHank。Butwhatdidhehitmefor？
"I"llbehave，Snake-eye，ifyouwon"tsendmehome，andifyou"llletmeplaytheBlackScoutto-day。"
"Idon"tknowthegame，"saysI。"That"sforyouandMr。Billtodecide。He"syourplaymatefortheday。
I"mgoingawayforawhile，onbusiness。Now，youcomeinandmakefriendswithhimandsayyouaresorryforhurtinghim，orhomeyougo，atonce。"
ImadehimandBillshakehands，andthenItookBillasideandtoldhimIwasgoingtoPoplarCove，alittlevillagethreemilesfromthecave，andfindoutwhatI
couldabouthowthekidnappinghadbeenregardedinSummit。Also，IthoughtitbesttosendaperemptorylettertooldmanDorsetthatday，demandingtheransomanddictatinghowitshouldbepaid。
"Youknow，Sam，"saysBill，"I"vestoodbyyouwith-
outbattinganeyeinearthquakes，fireandflood——inpokergames，dynamiteoutrages，policeraids，trainrobberiesandcyclones。Ineverlostmynerveyettillwekidnappedthattwo-leggedskyrocketofakid。He"sgotmegoing。Youwon"tleavemelongwithhim，willyou，Sam？"
"I"llbebacksometimethisafternoon，"saysI。"YoumustkeeptheboyamusedandquiettillIreturn。Andnowwe"llwritethelettertooldDorset。"
BillandIgotpaperandpencilandworkedontheletterwhileRedChief，withablanketwrappedaroundhim，struttedupanddown，guardingthemouthofthecave。Billbeggedmetearfullytomaketheransomfifteenhundreddollarsinsteadoftwothousand。"I
ain"tattempting，"sayshe，"todecrythecelebratedmoralaspectofparentalaffection，butwe"redealingwithhumans，anditain"thumanforanybodytogiveuptwothousanddollarsforthatforty-poundchunkoffreckledwildcat。I"mwillingtotakeachanceatfifteenhundreddollars。Youcanchargethedifferenceuptome。"
So，torelieveBill，Iacceded，andwecollaboratedaletterthatranthisway:
EbenezerDorset，Esq。:
WehaveyourboyconcealedinaplacefarfromSummit。
Itisuselessforyouorthemostskilfuldetectivestoattempttofindhim。Absolutely，theonlytermsonwhichyoucanhavehimrestoredtoyouarethese:Wedemandfifteenhundreddollarsinlargebillsforhisreturn；
themoneytobeleftatmidnightto-nightatthesamespotandinthesameboxasyourreply——ashereinafterdescribed。Ifyouagreetotheseterms，sendyouranswerinwritingbyasolitarymessengerto-nightathalf-pasteighto"clock。AftercrossingOwlCreek，ontheroadtoPoplarCove，therearethreelargetreesaboutahundredyardsapart，closetothefenceofthewheatfieldontheright-handside。Atthebottomofthefence-post，oppositethethirdtree，willbefoundasmallpasteboardbox。
ThemessengerwillplacetheanswerinthisboxandreturnimmediatelytoSummit。
Ifyouattemptanytreacheryorfailtocomplywithourdemandasstated，youwillneverseeyourboyagain。
Ifyoupaythemoneyasdemanded，hewillbereturnedtoyousafeandwellwithinthreehours。Thesetermsarefinal，andifyoudonotaccedetothemnofurthercoin-
municationwillbeattempted。
TWODESPERATEMEN。
IaddressedthislettertoDorset，andputitinmypocket。
AsIwasabouttostart，thekidcomesuptomeandsays:
"Aw，Snake-eye，yousaidIcouldplaytheBlackScoutwhileyouwasgone。"
"Playit，ofcourse，"saysI。"Mr。Billwillplaywithyou。Whatkindofagameisit？"
"I"mtheBlackScout，"saysRedChief，"andI
havetoridetothestockadetowarnthesettlersthattheIndiansarecoming。I"mtiredofplayingIndianmyself。
IwanttobetheBlackScout。"
"Allright，"saysI。"Itsoundsharmlesstome。
IguessMr。Billwillhelpyoufoilthepeskysavages。"
"WhatamItodo？"asksBill，lookingatthekidsuspiciously。
"Youarethehoss，"saysBlackScout。"Getdownonyourhandsandknees。HowcanIridetothestockadewithoutahoss？"
"You"dbetterkeephiminterested，"saidI，"tillwegettheschemegoing。Loosenup。"
Billgetsdownonhisallfours，andalookcomesinhiseyelikearabbit"swhenyoucatchitinatrap。
"Howfarisittothestockade，kid？"heasks，inahuskymannerofvoice。
"Ninetymiles，"saystheBlackScout。"Andyouhavetohumpyourselftogetthereontime。Whoa，now!"
TheBlackScoutjumpsonBill"sbackanddigshisheelsinhisside。
"ForHeaven"ssake，"saysBill，"hurryback，Sam，assoonasyoucan。Iwishwehadn"tmadetheransommorethanathousand。Say，youquitkickingmeorI"llgetupandwarmyougood。"
IwalkedovertoPoplarCoveandsataroundthepost-
officeandstore，talkingwiththechawbaconsthatcameintotrade。OnewhiskerandosaysthathehearsSummitisallupsetonaccountofElderEbenezerDorset"sboyhavingbeenlostorstolen。ThatwasallIwantedtoknow。
Iboughtsomesmokingtobacco，referredcasuallytothepriceofblack-eyedpeas，postedmylettersurreptitiouslyandcameaway。Thepostmastersaidthemail-carrierwouldcomebyinanhourtotakethemailontoSummit。
WhenIgotbacktothecaveBillandtheboywerenottobefound。Iexploredthevicinityofthecave，andriskedayodelortwo，buttherewasnoresponse。
SoIlightedmypipeandsatdownonamossybanktoawaitdevelopments。
InabouthalfanhourIheardthebushesrustle，andBillwabbledoutintothelittlegladeinfrontofthecave。
Behindhimwasthekid，steppingsoftlylikeascout，withabroadgrinonhisface。Billstopped，tookoffhishatandwipedhisfacewitharedhandkerchief。Thekidstoppedabouteightfeetbehindhim。
"Sam，"saysBill，"Isupposeyou"llthinkI"marene-
gade，butIcouldn"thelpit。I"magrownpersonwithmasculineproclivitiesandhabitsofself-defense，butthereisatimewhenallsystemsofegotismandpredominancefail。Theboyisgone。Ihavesenthimhome。Allisoff。Therewasmartyrsinoldtimes，"goesonBill，"thatsuffereddeathratherthangiveuptheparticulargrafttheyenjoyed。Noneof"emeverwassubjugatedtosuchsupernaturaltorturesasIhavebeen。Itriedtobefaithfultoourarticlesofdepredation；buttherecamealimit。"
"What"sthetrouble，Bill？"Iaskshim。
"Iwasrode，"saysBill，"theninetymilestothestockade，notbarringaninch。Then，whenthesettlerswasrescued，Iwasgivenoats。Sandain"tapalatablesubstitute。
Andthen，foranhourIhadtotrytoexplaintohimwhytherewasnothin"inholes，howaroadcanrunbothwaysandwhatmakesthegrassgreen。Itellyou，Sam，ahumancanonlystandsomuch。Itakeshimbytheneckofhisclothesanddragshimdownthemountain。
Onthewayhekicksmylegsblack-and-bluefromthekneesdown；andI"vegottohavetwoorthreebitesonmythumbandhandcauterized。
"Buthe"sgone"——continuesBill——"gonehome。
IshowedhimtheroadtoSummitandkickedhimabouteightfeetnearerthereatonekick。I"msorrywelosetheransom；butitwaseitherthatorBillDriscolltothemadhouse。"
Billispuffingandblowing，butthereisalookofineffablepeaceandgrowingcontentonhisrose-pinkfeatures。
"Bill，"saysI，"thereisn"tanyheartdiseaseinyourfamily，isthere？
"No，"saysBill，"nothingchronicexceptmalariaandaccidents。Why？"
"Thenyoumightturnaround，"saysI，"andhaveatookbehindyou。"
Billturnsandseestheboy，andloseshiscomplexionandsitsdownplumpontheroundandbeginstopluckaimlesslyatgrassandlittlesticks。ForanhourIwasafraidforhismind。AndthenItoldhimthatmyschemewastoputthewholejobthroughimmediatelyandthatwewouldgettheransomandbeoffwithitbymidnightifoldDorsetfellinwithourproposition。SoBillbracedupenoughtogivethekidaweaksortofasmileandapromisetoplaytheRussianinaJapanesewarwithhimissoonashefeltalittlebetter。
Ihadaschemeforcollectingthatransomwithoutdangerofbeingcaughtbycounterplotsthatoughttocommenditselftoprofessionalkidnappers。Thetreeunderwhichtheanswerwastobeleft——andthemoneylateron——wasclosetotheroadfencewithbig，barefieldsonallsides。Ifagangofconstablesshouldbewatchingforanyonetocomeforthenotetheycouldseehimalongwayoffcrossingthefieldsorintheroad。Butno，sirree!Athalf-pasteightIwasupinthattreeaswellhiddenasatreetoad，waitingforthemessengertoarrive。
Exactlyontime，ahalf-grownboyridesuptheroadonabicycle，locatesthepasteboardboxatthefootofthefence-post，slipsafoldedpieceofpaperintoitandpedalsawayagainbacktowardSummit。
Iwaitedanhourandthenconcludedthethingwassquare。Isliddownthetree，gotthenote，slippedalongthefencetillIstruckthewoods，andwasbackatthecaveinanotherhalfanhour。Iopenedthenote，gotnearthelanternandreadittoBill。Itwaswrittenwithapeninacrabbedhand，andthesumandsubstanceofitwasthis:
TwoDesperateMen。