第8章
Andastherewerealwaysgroundedsnaggsinthechannelwhichitwouldbeimpossibletomakeout，DavidsonveryprudentlyturnedtheSissieround，andwithonlyenoughsteamontheboilerstogiveheratouchaheadifnecessary，letherdriftupsternfirstwiththetide，silentandinvisibleintheimpenetrabledarknessandinthedumbstillness。
"Itwasalongjob，andwhenattheendoftwohoursDavidsonthoughthemustbeuptotheclearing，thesettlementsleptalready，thewholelandofforestsandriverswasasleep。
"Davidson，seeingasolitarylightinthemasseddarknessoftheshore，knewthatitwasburninginBamtz"shouse。Thiswasunexpectedatthistimeofthenight，butconvenientasaguide。
ByaturnofthescrewandatouchofthehelmhesheeredtheSissiealongsideBamtz"swharf-amiserablestructureofadozenpilesandafewplanks，ofwhichtheex-vagabondwasveryproud。A
coupleofKalashesjumpeddownonit，tookaturnwiththeropesthrowntothemroundtheposts，andtheSissiecametorestwithoutasingleloudwordortheslightestnoise。Andjustintimetoo，forthetideturnedevenbeforeshewasproperlymoored。
"Davidsonhadsomethingtoeat，andthen，comingondeckforalastlookround，noticedthatthelightwasstillburninginthehouse。
"Thiswasveryunusual，butsincetheywereawakesolate，Davidsonthoughtthathewouldgouptosaythathewasinahurrytobeoffandtoaskthatwhatrattanstherewereinstoreshouldbesentonboardwiththefirstsignofdawn。
"Hesteppedcarefullyovertheshakyplanks，notbeinganxioustogetasprainedankle，andpickedhiswayacrossthewastegroundtothefootofthehouseladder。Thehousewasbutaglorifiedhutonpiles，unfencedandlonely。
"Likemanyastoutman，Davidsonisverylightfooted。Heclimbedthesevenstepsorso，steppedacrossthebambooplatformquietly，butwhathesawthroughthedoorwaystoppedhimshort。
"Fourmenweresittingbythelightofasolitarycandle。Therewasabottle，ajugandglassesonthetable，buttheywerenotengagedindrinking。Twopacksofcardswerelyingtheretoo，buttheywerenotpreparingtoplay。Theyweretalkingtogetherinwhispers，andremainedquiteunawareofhim。Hehimselfwastooastonishedtomakeasoundforsometime。Theworldwasstill，exceptforthesibilationofthewhisperingheadsbunchedtogetheroverthetable。
"AndDavidson，asIhavequotedhimtoyoubefore，didn"tlikeit。
Hedidn"tlikeitatall。
"Thesituationendedwithascreamproceedingfromthedark，interiorpartoftheroom。"ODavy!you"vegivenmeaturn。"
"DavidsonmadeoutbeyondthetableAnne"sverypaleface。Shelaughedalittlehysterically，outofthedeepshadowsbetweenthegloomymatwalls。"Ha!ha!ha!"
"Thefourheadssprangapartatthefirstsound，andfourpairsofeyesbecamefixedstonilyonDavidson。Thewomancameforward，havinglittlemoreonherthanaloosechintzwrapperandstrawslippersonherbarefeet。HerheadwastiedupMalayfashioninaredhandkerchief，withamassofloosehairhangingunderitbehind。Herprofessional，gay，Europeanfeathershadliterallydroppedoffherinthecourseofthesetwoyears，butalongnecklaceofamberbeadshungroundheruncoveredneck。Itwastheonlyornamentshehadleft；Bamtzhadsoldallherpoor-enoughtrinketsduringtheflightfromSaigon-whentheirassociationbegan。
"Shecameforward，pastthetable，intothelight，withherusualgropinggestureofextendedarms，asthoughhersoul，poorthing!
hadgoneblindlongago，herwhitecheekshollow，hereyesdarklywild，distracted，asDavidsonthought。Shecameonswiftly，grabbedhimbythearm，draggedhimin。"It"sheavenitselfthatsendsyouto-night。MyTony"ssobad-comeandseehim。Comealong-do!"
"Davidsonsubmitted。TheonlyoneofthementomovewasBamtz，whomadeasiftogetupbutdroppedbackinhischairagain。
Davidsoninpassingheardhimmutterconfusedlysomethingthatsoundedlike"poorlittlebeggar。"
"Thechild，lyingveryflushedinamiserablecotknockedupoutofgin-cases，staredatDavidsonwithwide，drowsyeyes。Itwasabadboutoffeverclearly。ButwhileDavidsonwaspromisingtogoonboardandfetchsomemedicines，andgenerallytryingtosayreassuringthings，hecouldnothelpbeingstruckbytheextraordinarymannerofthewomanstandingbyhisside。Gazingwithdespairingexpressiondownatthecot，shewouldsuddenlythrowaquick，startledglanceatDavidsonandthentowardstheotherroom。
""Yes，mypoorgirl，"hewhispered，interpretingherdistractioninhisownway，thoughhehadnothingpreciseinhismind。"I"mafraidthisbodesnogoodtoyou。Howisittheyarehere？"
"Sheseizedhisforearmandbreathedoutforcibly:"Nogoodtome!
Oh，no!Butwhataboutyou!Theyareafterthedollarsyouhaveonboard。"
"Davidsonletoutanastonished"Howdotheyknowthereareanydollars？"
"Sheclappedherhandslightly，indistress。"Soit"strue!Youhavethemonboard？Thenlookoutforyourself。"
"Theystoodgazingdownattheboyinthecot，awarethattheymightbeobservedfromtheotherroom。
""Wemustgethimtoperspireassoonaspossible，"saidDavidsoninhisordinaryvoice。"You"llhavetogivehimhotdrinkofsomekind。Iwillgoonboardandbringyouaspirit-kettleamongstotherthings。"Andheaddedunderhisbreath:"Dotheyactuallymeanmurder？"
"Shemadenosign，shehadreturnedtoherdesolatecontemplationoftheboy。Davidsonthoughtshehadnotheardhimeven，whenwithanunchangedexpressionshespokeunderherbreath。
""TheFrenchmanwould，inaminute。Theothersshirkit-unlessyouresist。He"sadevil。Hekeepsthemgoing。Withouthimtheywouldhavedonenothingbuttalk。I"vegotchummywithhim。WhatcanyoudowhenyouarewithamanlikethefellowIamwithnow。
Bamtzisterrifiedofthem，andtheyknowit。He"sinitfromfunk。Oh，Davy!takeyourshipaway-quick!"
""Toolate，"saidDavidson。"She"sonthemudalready。"
"Ifthekidhadn"tbeeninthisstateIwouldhaverunoffwithhim-toyou-intothewoods-anywhere。Oh，Davy!willhedie？"shecriedaloudsuddenly。
"Davidsonmetthreemeninthedoorway。Theymadewayforhimwithoutactuallydaringtofacehisglance。ButBamtzwastheonlyonewholookeddownwithanairofguilt。ThebigFrenchmanhadremainedlollinginhischair；hekepthisstumpsinhispocketsandaddressedDavidson。
""Isn"titunfortunateaboutthatchild!Thedistressofthatwomanthereupsetsme，butIamofnouseintheworld。Icouldn"tsmooththesickpillowofmydearestfriend。Ihavenohands。
Wouldyoumindstickingoneofthosecigarettesthereintothemouthofapoor，harmlesscripple？Mynerveswantsoothing-uponmyhonour，theydo。"
"Davidsoncompliedwithhisnaturallykindsmile。Ashisoutwardplaciditybecomesonlymorepronounced，ifpossible，themorereasonthereisforexcitement；andasDavidson"seyes，whenhiswitsarehardatwork，getverystillandasifsleepy，thehugeFrenchmanmighthavebeenjustifiedinconcludingthatthemantherewasameresheep-asheepreadyforslaughter。Witha"MERCIBIEN"heupliftedhishugecarcasetoreachthelightofthecandlewithhiscigarette，andDavidsonleftthehouse。
"Goingdowntotheshipandreturning，hehadtimetoconsiderhisposition。Atfirsthewasinclinedtobelievethatthesemen(Niclaus-thewhiteNakhoda-wastheonlyoneheknewbysightbefore，besidesBamtz)werenotofthestamptoproceedtoextremities。Thiswaspartlythereasonwhyheneverattemptedtotakeanymeasuresonboard。HispacificKalasheswerenottobethoughtofasagainstwhitemen。Hiswretchedengineerwouldhavehadafitfromfrightatthemereideaofanysortofcombat。
Davidsonknewthathewouldhavetodependonhimselfinthisaffairifitevercameoff。
"DavidsonunderestimatednaturallythedrivingpoweroftheFrenchman"scharacterandtheforceoftheactuatingmotive。Tothatmansohopelesslycrippledthesedollarswereanenormousopportunity。WithhisshareoftherobberyhewouldopenanothershopinVladivostok，Haiphong，Manila-somewherefaraway。
"NeitherdiditoccurtoDavidson，whoisamanofcourage，ifevertherewasone，thathispsychologywasnotknowntotheworldatlarge，andthattothisparticularlotofruffians，whojudgedhimbyhisappearance，heappearedanunsuspicious，inoffensive，softcreature，ashepassedagainthroughtheroom，hishandsfullofvariousobjectsandparcelsdestinedforthesickboy。
"Allthefourweresittingagainroundthetable。Bamtznothavingtheplucktoopenhismouth，itwasNiclauswho，asacollectivevoice，calledouttohimthicklytocomeoutsoonandjoininadrink。
""IthinkI"llhavetostaysomelittletimeinthere，tohelpherlookaftertheboy，"Davidsonansweredwithoutstopping。
"Thiswasagoodthingtosaytoallayapossiblesuspicion。And，asitwas，Davidsonfelthemustnotstayverylong。
"Hesatdownonanoldemptynail-kegneartheimprovisedcotandlookedatthechild；whileLaughingAnne，movingtoandfro，preparingthehotdrink，givingittotheboyinspoonfuls，orstoppingtogazemotionlessattheflushedface，whispereddisjointedbitsofinformation。ShehadsucceededinmakingfriendswiththatFrenchdevil。Davywouldunderstandthatsheknewhowtomakeherselfpleasanttoaman。
"AndDavidsonnoddedwithoutlookingather。
"Thebigbeasthadgottobequiteconfidentialwithher。Sheheldhiscardsforhimwhentheywerehavingagame。Bamtz!Oh!BamtzinhisfunkwasonlytoogladtoseetheFrenchmanhumoured。AndtheFrenchmanhadcometobelievethatshewasawomanwhodidn"tcarewhatshedid。That"showitcameabouttheygottotalkbeforeheropenly。Foralongtimeshecouldnotmakeoutwhatgametheywereupto。Thenewarrivals，notexpectingtofindawomanwithBamtz，hadbeenverystartledandannoyedatfirst，sheexplained。
"Shebusiedherselfinattendingtotheboy；andnobodylookingintothatroomwouldhaveseenanythingsuspiciousinthosetwopeopleexchangingmurmursbythesick-bedside。
""ButnowtheythinkIamabettermanthanBamtzeverwas，"shesaidwithafaintlaugh。
"Thechildmoaned。Shewentdownonherknees，and，bendinglow，contemplatedhimmournfully。Thenraisingherhead，sheaskedDavidsonwhetherhethoughtthechildwouldgetbetter。Davidsonwassureofit。Shemurmuredsadly:"Poorkid。There"snothinginlifeforsuchashe。Notadog"schance。ButIcouldn"tlethimgo，Davy!Icouldn"t。"
"Davidsonfeltaprofoundpityforthechild。ShelaidherhandonhiskneeandwhisperedanearnestwarningagainsttheFrenchman。
Davymustneverlethimcometoclosequarters。NaturallyDavidsonwantedtoknowthereason，foramanwithouthandsdidnotstrikehimasveryformidableunderanycircumstances。
""Mindyoudon"tlethim-that"sall，"sheinsistedanxiously，hesitated，andthenconfessedthattheFrenchmanhadgotherawayfromtheothersthatafternoonandhadorderedhertotieaseven-
poundironweight(outofthesetofweightsBamtzusedinbusiness)tohisrightstump。Shehadtodoitforhim。Shehadbeenafraidofhissavagetemper。Bamtzwassuchacraven，andneitheroftheothermenwouldhavecaredwhathappenedtoher。
TheFrenchman，however，withmanyawfulthreatshadwarnedhernottolettheothersknowwhatshehaddoneforhim。Afterwardshehadbeentryingtocajoleher。HehadpromisedherthatifshestoodbyhimfaithfullyinthisbusinesshewouldtakeherwithhimtoHaiphongorsomeotherplace。Apoorcrippleneededsomebodytotakecareofhim-always。
"Davidsonaskedheragainiftheyreallymeantmischief。Itwas，hetoldme，thehardestthingtobelievehehadrunupagainst，asyet，inhislife。Annenodded。TheFrenchman"sheartwassetonthisrobbery。Davymightexpectthem，aboutmidnight，creepingonboardhisship，tostealanyhow-tomurder，perhaps。Hervoicesoundedweary，andhereyesremainedfastenedonherchild。
"AndstillDavidsoncouldnotacceptitsomehow；hiscontemptforthesemenwastoogreat。
""Lookhere，Davy，"shesaid。"I"llgooutsidewiththemwhentheystart，anditwillbehardluckifIdon"tfindsomethingtolaughat。Theyareusedtothatfromme。Laughorcry-what"stheodds。Youwillbeabletohearmeonboardonthisquietnight。
Darkitistoo。Oh!it"sdark，Davy!-it"sdark!"
""Don"tyourunanyrisks，"saidDavidson。Presentlyhecalledherattentiontotheboy，who，lessflushednow，haddroppedintoasoundsleep。"Look。He"llbeallright。"
"Shemadeasiftosnatchthechilduptoherbreast，butrestrainedherself。Davidsonpreparedtogo。Shewhisperedhurriedly:
""Mind，Davy!I"vetoldthemthatyougenerallysleepaftinthehammockundertheawningoverthecabin。Theyhavebeenaskingmeaboutyourwaysandaboutyourship，too。ItoldthemallIknew。
Ihadtokeepinwiththem。AndBamtzwouldhavetoldthemifI
hadn"t-youunderstand？"
"Hemadeafriendlysignandwentout。Themenaboutthetable(exceptBamtz)lookedathim。ThistimeitwasFectorwhospoke。
"Won"tyoujoinusinaquietgame，Captain？"
"Davidsonsaidthatnowthechildwasbetterhethoughthewouldgoonboardandturnin。Fectorwastheonlyoneofthefourwhomhehad，sotospeak，neverseen，forhehadhadagoodlookattheFrenchmanalready。HeobservedFector"smuddyeyes，hismean，bittermouth。Davidson"scontemptforthosemenroseinhisgorge，whilehisplacidsmile，hisgentletonesandgeneralairofinnocenceputheartintothem。Theyexchangedmeaningglances。
""Weshallbesittinglateoverthecards，"Fectorsaidinhisharsh，lowvoice。
""Don"tmakemorenoisethanyoucanhelp。"
""Oh!weareaquietlot。Andiftheinvalidshouldn"tbesowell，shewillbesuretosendoneofusdowntocallyou，sothatyoumayplaythedoctoragain。Sodon"tshootatsight。"
""Heisn"tashootingman，"struckinNiclaus。
""Inevershootbeforemakingsurethere"sareasonforit-atanyrate，"saidDavidson。
"Bamtzletoutasicklysnigger。TheFrenchmanalonegotuptomakeabowtoDavidson"scarelessnod。Hisstumpswerestuckimmovablyinhispockets。Davidsonunderstoodnowthereason。
"Hewentdowntotheship。Hiswitswereworkingactively，andhewasthoroughlyangry。Hesmiled，hesays(itmusthavebeenthefirstgrimsmileofhislife)，atthethoughtoftheseven-poundweightlashedtotheendoftheFrenchman"sstump。Theruffianhadtakenthatprecautionincaseofaquarrelthatmightariseoverthedivisionofthespoil。Amanwithanunsuspectedpowertodealkillingblowscouldtakehisownpartinasuddenscrimmageroundaheapofmoney，evenagainstadversariesarmedwithrevolvers，especiallyifhehimselfstartedtherow。
""He"sreadytofaceanyofhisfriendswiththatthing。Buthewillhavenouseforit。Therewillbenooccasiontoquarrelaboutthesedollarshere，"thoughtDavidson，gettingonboardquietly。Heneverpausedtolookiftherewasanybodyaboutthedecks。Asamatteroffact，mostofhiscrewwereonshore，andtherestslept，stowedawayindarkcorners。
"Hehadhisplan，andhewenttoworkmethodically。
"Hefetchedalotofclothingfrombelowanddisposeditinhishammockinsuchawayastodistendittotheshapeofahumanbody；thenhethrewoverallthelightcottonsheetheusedtodrawoverhimselfwhensleepingondeck。Havingdonethis，heloadedhistworevolversandclamberedintooneoftheboatstheSissiecarriedrightaft，swungoutontheirdavits。Thenhewaited。
"Andagainthedoubtofsuchathinghappeningtohimcreptintohismind。Hewasalmostashamedofthisridiculousvigilinaboat。Hebecamebored。Andthenhebecamedrowsy。Thestillnessoftheblackuniverseweariedhim。Therewasnoteventhelappingofthewatertokeephimcompany，forthetidewasoutandtheSissiewaslyingonsoftmud。Suddenlyinthebreathless，soundless，hotnightanarguspheasantscreamedinthewoodsacrossthestream。Davidsonstartedviolently，allhissensesonthealertatonce。
"Thecandlewasstillburninginthehouse。Everythingwasquietagain，butDavidsonfeltdrowsynolonger。Anuneasypremonitionofeviloppressedhim。
""SurelyIamnotafraid，"hearguedwithhimself。
"Thesilencewaslikeasealonhisears，andhisnervousinwardimpatiencegrewintolerable。Hecommandedhimselftokeepstill。
Butallthesamehewasjustgoingtojumpoutoftheboatwhenafaintrippleontheimmensityofsilence，ameretremorintheair，theghostofasilverylaugh，reachedhisears。
"Illusion!
"Hekeptverystill。Hehadnodifficultynowinemulatingthestillnessofthemouse-agrimlydeterminedmouse。Buthecouldnotshakeoffthatpremonitionofevilunrelatedtothemeredangerofthesituation。Nothinghappened。Ithadbeenanillusion!
"Acuriositycametohimtolearnhowtheywouldgotowork。Hewonderedandwondered，tillthewholethingseemedmoreabsurdthanever。
"Hehadleftthehanginglampinthecabinburningasusual。Itwaspartofhisplanthateverythingshouldbeasusual。Suddenlyinthedimglowoftheskylightpanesabulkyshadowcameuptheladderwithoutasound，madetwostepstowardsthehammock(ithungrightovertheskylight)，andstoodmotionless。TheFrenchman!
"Theminutesbegantoslipaway。DavidsonguessedthattheFrenchman"spart(thepoorcripple)wastowatchhis(Davidson"s)
slumberswhiletheotherswerenodoubtinthecabinbusyforcingoffthelazarettehatch。
"Whatwasthecoursetheymeanttopursueoncetheygotholdofthesilver(thereweretencases，andeachcouldbecarriedeasilybytwomen)nobodycantellnow。Butsofar，Davidsonwasright。
Theywereinthecabin。Heexpectedtohearthesoundsofbreaking-ineverymoment。Butthefactwasthatoneofthem(perhapsFector，whohadstolenpapersoutofdesksinhistime)
knewhowtopickalock，andapparentlywasprovidedwiththetools。ThuswhileDavidsonexpectedeverymomenttohearthembegindownthere，theyhadthebaroffalreadyandtwocasesactuallyupinthecabinoutofthelazarette。
"InthediffusedfaintglowoftheskylighttheFrenchmanmovednomorethanastatue。Davidsoncouldhaveshothimwiththegreatestease-buthewasnothomicidallyinclined。Moreover，hewantedtomakesurebeforeopeningfirethattheothershadgonetowork。
Nothearingthesoundsheexpectedtohear，hefeltuncertainwhethertheyallwereonboardyet。
"Whilehelistened，theFrenchman，whoseimmobilitymighthavebutcloakedaninternalstruggle；movedforwardapace，thenanother。
Davidson，entranced，watchedhimadvanceoneleg，withdrawhisrightstump，thearmedone，outofhispocket，andswinginghisbodytoputgreaterforceintotheblow，bringtheseven-poundweightdownonthehammockwheretheheadofthesleeperoughttohavebeen。
"Davidsonadmittedtomethathishairstirredattherootsthen。
ButforAnne，hisunsuspectingheadwouldhavebeenthere。TheFrenchman"ssurprisemusthavebeensimplyoverwhelming。Hestaggeredawayfromthelightlyswinginghammock，andbeforeDavidsoncouldmakeamovementhehadvanished，boundingdowntheladdertowarnandalarmtheotherfellows。
"Davidsonspranginstantlyoutoftheboat，threwuptheskylightflap，andhadaglimpseofthemendowntherecrouchingroundthehatch。Theylookedupscared，andatthatmomenttheFrenchmanoutsidethedoorbellowedout"TRAHISON-TRAHISON!"Theyboltedoutofthecabin，fallingovereachotherandswearingawfully。
TheshotDavidsonletoffdowntheskylighthadhitnoone；butherantotheedgeofthecabin-topandatonceopenedfireatthedarkshapesrushingaboutthedeck。Theseshotswerereturned，andarapidfusilladeburstout，reportsandflashes，Davidsondodgingbehindaventilatorandpullingthetriggertillhisrevolverclicked，andthenthrowingitdowntotaketheotherinhisrighthand。
"HehadbeenhearinginthedintheFrenchman"sinfuriatedyells"TUEZ-LE!TUEZ-LE!"abovethefiercecursingoftheothers。Butthoughtheyfiredathimtheywereonlythinkingofclearingout。
IntheflashesofthelastshotsDavidsonsawthemscramblingovertherail。Thathehadhitmorethanonehewascertain。Twodifferentvoiceshadcriedoutinpain。Butapparentlynoneofthemweredisabled。
"Davidsonleanedagainstthebulwarkreloadinghisrevolverwithouthaste。Hehadnottheslightestapprehensionoftheircomingback。
Ontheotherhand，hehadnointentionofpursuingthemonshoreinthedark。Whattheyweredoinghehadnoidea。Lookingtotheirhurtsprobably。NotveryfarfromthebanktheinvisibleFrenchmanwasblasphemingandcursinghisassociates，hisluck，andalltheworld。Heceased；thenwithasudden，vengefulyell，"It"sthatwoman!-it"sthatwomanthathassoldus，"washeardrunningoffinthenight。
"Davidsoncaughthisbreathinasuddenpangofremorse。HeperceivedwithdismaythatthestratagemofhisdefencehadgivenAnneaway。Hedidnothesitateamoment。Itwasforhimtosavehernow。Heleapedashore。Butevenashelandedonthewharfheheardashrillshriekwhichpiercedhisverysoul。
"Thelightwasstillburninginthehouse。Davidson，revolverinhand，wasmakingforitwhenanothershriek，awaytohisleft，madehimchangehisdirection。
"Hechangedhisdirection-butverysoonhestopped。Itwasthenthathehesitatedincruelperplexity。Heguessedwhathadhappened。Thewomanhadmanagedtoescapefromthehouseinsomeway，andnowwasbeingchasedintheopenbytheinfuriatedFrenchman。Hetrustedshewouldtrytorunonboardforprotection。
"AllwasstillaroundDavidson。Whethershehadrunonboardornot，thissilencemeantthattheFrenchmanhadlostherinthedark。
"Davidson，relieved，butstillveryanxious，turnedtowardstheriver-side。Hehadnotmadetwostepsinthatdirectionwhenanothershriekburstoutbehindhim，againclosetothehouse。
"HethinksthattheFrenchmanhadlostsightofthepoorwomanrightenough。Thencamethatperiodofsilence。Butthehorribleruffianhadnotgivenuphismurderouspurpose。Hereasonedthatshewouldtrytostealbacktoherchild，andwenttolieinwaitforhernearthehouse。
"Itmusthavebeensomethinglikethat。Assheenteredthelightfallingaboutthehouse-ladder，hehadrushedathertoosoon，impatientforvengeance。Shehadletoutthatsecondscreamofmortalfearwhenshecaughtsightofhim，andturnedtorunforlifeagain。
"Thistimeshewasmakingfortheriver，butnotinastraightline。HershriekscircledaboutDavidson。Heturnedonhisheels，followingthehorribletrailofsoundinthedarkness。Hewantedtoshout"Thisway，Anne!Iamhere!"buthecouldn"t。Atthehorrorofthischase，moreghastlyinhisimaginationthanifhecouldhaveseenit，theperspirationbrokeoutonhisforehead，whilehisthroatwasasdryastinder。Alastsupremescreamwascutshortsuddenly。
"Thesilencewhichensuedwasevenmoredreadful。Davidsonfeltsick。Hetorehisfeetfromthespotandwalkedstraightbeforehim，grippingtherevolverandpeeringintotheobscurityfearfully。Suddenlyabulkyshapesprangfromthegroundwithinafewyardsofhimandboundedaway。Instinctivelyhefiredatit，startedtoruninpursuit，andstumbledagainstsomethingsoftwhichthrewhimdownheadlong。
"EvenashepitchedforwardonhisheadheknewitcouldbenothingelsebutLaughingAnne"sbody。Hepickedhimselfupand，remainingonhisknees，triedtoliftherinhisarms。Hefelthersolimpthathegaveitup。Shewaslyingonherface，herlonghairscatteredontheground。Someofitwaswet。Davidson，feelingaboutherhead，cametoaplacewherethecrushedbonegavewayunderhisfingers。Butevenbeforethatdiscoveryheknewthatshewasdead。ThepursuingFrenchmanhadflungherdownwithakickfrombehind，and，squattingonherback，wasbatteringinherskullwiththeweightsheherselfhadfastenedtohisstump，whenthetotallyunexpectedDavidsonloomedupinthenightandscaredhimaway。
"Davidson，kneelingbythesideofthatwomandonesomiserablytodeath，wasovercomebyremorse。Shehaddiedforhim。Hismanhoodwasasifstunned。Forthefirsttimehefeltafraid。HemighthavebeenpounceduponinthedarkatanymomentbythemurdererofLaughingAnne。Heconfessestotheimpulseofcreepingawayfromthatpitifulcorpseonhishandsandkneestotherefugeoftheship。Heevensaysthatheactuallybegantodoso……
"OnecanhardlypicturetooneselfDavidsoncrawlingawayonallfoursfromthemurderedwoman-Davidsonunmannedandcrushedbytheideathatshehaddiedforhiminasense。Buthecouldnothavegoneveryfar。Whatstoppedhimwasthethoughtoftheboy，LaughingAnne"schild，that(Davidsonrememberedherverywords)
wouldnothaveadog"schance。
"ThislifethewomanhadleftbehindherappearedtoDavidson"sconscienceinthelightofasacredtrust。Heassumedanerectattitudeand，quakinginwardlystill，turnedaboutandwalkedtowardsthehouse。
"Forallhistremorshewasverydetermined；butthatsmashedskullhadaffectedhisimagination，andhefeltverydefencelessinthedarkness，inwhichheseemedtohearfaintlynowhere，nowthere，theprowlingfootstepsofthemurdererwithouthands。Butheneverfalteredinhispurpose。Hegotawaywiththeboysafelyafterall。Thehousehefoundempty。Aprofoundsilenceencompassedhimallthetime，exceptonce，justashegotdowntheladderwithTonyinhisarms，whenafaintgroanreachedhisears。Itseemedtocomefromthepitch-blackspacebetweenthepostsonwhichthehousewasbuilt，buthedidnotstoptoinvestigate。
"It"snousetellingyouindetailhowDavidsongotonboardwiththeburdenAnne"smiserablycruelfatehadthrustintohisarms；
hownextmorninghisscaredcrew，afterobservingfromadistancethestateofaffairsonboard，rejoinedwithalacrity；howDavidsonwentashoreand，aidedbyhisengineer(stillhalfdeadwithfright)，rolledupLaughingAnne"sbodyinacottonsheetandbroughtitonboardforburialatsealater。Whilebusywiththispioustask，Davidson，glancingabout，perceivedahugeheapofwhiteclotheshuddledupagainstthecorner-postofthehouse。
ThatitwastheFrenchmanlyingtherehecouldnotdoubt。Takingitinconnectionwiththedismalgroanhehadheardinthenight，DavidsonisprettysurethathisrandomshotgaveamortalhurttothemurdererofpoorAnne。
"Astotheothers，Davidsonneverseteyesonasingleoneofthem。
Whethertheyhadconcealedthemselvesinthescaredsettlement，orboltedintotheforest，orwerehidingonboardNiclaus"sprau，whichcouldbeseenlyingonthemudahundredyardsorsohigherupthecreek，thefactisthattheyvanished；andDavidsondidnottroublehisheadaboutthem。HelostnotimeingettingoutofthecreekdirectlytheSissiefloated。Aftersteamingsometwentymilesclearofthecoast，he(inhisownwords)"committedthebodytothedeep。"Hedideverythinghimself。Heweightedherdownwithafewfire-bars，hereadtheservice，heliftedtheplank，hewastheonlymourner。Andwhilehewasrenderingtheselastservicestothedead，thedesolationofthatlifeandtheatrociouswretchednessofitsendcriedaloudtohiscompassion，whisperedtohimintonesofself-reproach。
"Heoughttohavehandledthewarningshehadgivenhiminanotherway。Hewasconvincednowthatasimpledisplayofwatchfulnesswouldhavebeenenoughtorestrainthatvileandcowardlycrew。
Butthefactwasthathehadnotquitebelievedthatanythingwouldbeattempted。
"ThebodyofLaughingAnnehavingbeen"committedtothedeep"sometwentymilesS。S。W。fromCapeSelatan，thetaskbeforeDavidsonwastocommitLaughingAnne"schildtothecareofhiswife。Andtherepoor，goodDavidsonmadeafatalmove。Hedidn"twanttotellherthewholeawfulstory，sinceitinvolvedtheknowledgeofthedangerfromwhichhe，Davidson，hadescaped。Andthis，too，afterhehadbeenlaughingatherunreasonablefearsonlyashorttimebefore。
""IthoughtthatifItoldhereverything，"Davidsonexplainedtome，"shewouldneverhaveamoment"speacewhileIwasawayonmytrips。"
"Hesimplystatedthattheboywasanorphan，thechildofsomepeopletowhomhe，Davidson，wasunderthegreatestobligation，andthathefeltmorallyboundtolookafterhim。Somedayhewouldtellhermore，hesaid，andmeantimehetrustedinthegoodnessandwarmthofherheart，inherwoman"snaturalcompassion。
"Hedidnotknowthatherheartwasaboutthesizeofaparchedpea，andhadtheproportionalamountofwarmth；andthatherfacultyofcompassionwasmainlydirectedtoherself。Hewasonlystartledanddisappointedattheairofcoldsurpriseandthesuspiciouslookwithwhichshereceivedhisimperfecttale。Butshedidnotsaymuch。Sheneverhadmuchtosay。Shewasafoolofthesilent，hopelesskind。
"WhatstoryDavidson"screwthoughtfittosetafloatinMalaytownisneitherherenorthere。Davidsonhimselftooksomeofhisfriendsintohisconfidence，besidesgivingthefullstoryofficiallytotheHarbourMaster。
"TheHarbourMasterwasconsiderablyastonished。Hedidn"tthink，however，thataformalcomplaintshouldbemadetotheDutchGovernment。Theywouldprobablydonothingintheend，afteralotoftroubleandcorrespondence。Therobberyhadnotcomeoff，afterall。Thosevagabondscouldbetrustedtogotothedevilintheirownway。Noamountoffusswouldbringthepoorwomantolifeagain，andtheactualmurdererhadbeendonejusticetobyachanceshotfromDavidson。Betterletthematterdrop。
"Thiswasgoodcommonsense。Buthewasimpressed。
""Soundsaterribleaffair，CaptainDavidson。"
""Aye，terribleenough，"agreedtheremorsefulDavidson。Butthemostterriblethingforhim，thoughhedidn"tknowityetthen，wasthathiswife"ssillybrainwasslowlycomingtotheconclusionthatTonywasDavidson"schild，andthathehadinventedthatlamestorytointroducehimintoherpurehomeindefianceofdecency，ofvirtue-ofhermostsacredfeelings。
"Davidsonwasawareofsomeconstraintinhisdomesticrelations。
Butatthebestoftimesshewasnotdemonstrative；andperhapsthatverycoldnesswaspartofhercharmintheplacidDavidson"seyes。Womenarelovedforallsortsofreasonsandevenforcharacteristicswhichonewouldthinkrepellent。Shewaswatchinghimandnursinghersuspicions。
"Then，oneday，Monkey-facedRitchiecalledonthatsweet，shyMrs。
Davidson。Shehadcomeoutunderhiscare，andheconsideredhimselfaprivilegedperson-heroldestfriendinthetropics。Heposedforagreatadmirerofhers。Hewasalwaysagreatchatterer。Hehadgotholdofthestoryrathervaguely，andhestartedchatteringonthatsubject，thinkingsheknewallaboutit。
AndinduecourseheletoutsomethingaboutLaughingAnne。
""LaughingAnne，"saysMrs。Davidsonwithastart。"What"sthat？"
Ritchieplungedintocircumlocutionatonce，butsheverysoonstoppedhim。"Isthatcreaturedead？"sheasks。
""Ibelieveso，"stammeredRitchie。"Yourhusbandsaysso。"
""Butyoudon"tknowforcertain？"
""No!HowcouldI，Mrs。Davidson!"
""That"sallwantedtoknow，"saysshe，andgoesoutoftheroom。
"WhenDavidsoncamehomeshewasreadytogoforhim，notwithcommonvolubleindignation，butasiftricklingastreamofcoldclearwaterdownhisback。Shetalkedofhisbaseintriguewithavilewoman，ofbeingmadeafoolof，oftheinsulttoherdignity。
"Davidsonbeggedhertolistentohimandtoldherallthestory，thinkingthatitwouldmoveaheartofstone。Hetriedtomakeherunderstandhisremorse。Sheheardhimtotheend，said"Indeed!"
andturnedherbackonhim。
""Don"tyoubelieveme？"heasked，appalled。
"Shedidn"tsayyesorno。Allshesaidwas，"Sendthatbratawayatonce。"
""Ican"tthrowhimoutintothestreet，"criedDavidson。"Youdon"tmeanit。"
""Idon"tcare。Therearecharitableinstitutionsforsuchchildren，Isuppose。"
""ThatIwillneverdo，"saidDavidson。
""Verywell。That"senoughforme。"
"Davidson"shomeafterthiswaslikeasilent，frozenhellforhim。
Astupidwomanwithasenseofgrievanceisworsethananunchaineddevil。HesenttheboytotheWhiteFathersinMalacca。Thiswasnotaveryexpensivesortofeducation，butshecouldnotforgivehimfornotcastingtheoffensivechildawayutterly。Sheworkeduphersenseofherwifelywrongsandofherinjuredpuritytosuchapitchthatoneday，whenpoorDavidsonwaspleadingwithhertobereasonableandnottomakeanimpossibleexistenceforthemboth，sheturnedonhiminachillpassionandtoldhimthathisverysightwasodioustoher。
"Davidson，withhisscrupulousdelicacyoffeeling，wasnotthemantoasserthisrightsoverawomanwhocouldnotbearthesightofhim。Hebowedhishead；andshortlyafterwardsarrangedforhertogobacktoherparents。Thatwasexactlywhatshewantedinheroutrageddignity。AndthenshehadalwaysdislikedthetropicsandhaddetestedsecretlythepeopleshehadtoliveamongstasDavidson"swife。Shetookherpure，sensitive，meanlittlesoulawaytoFremantleorsomewhereinthatdirection。Andofcoursethelittlegirlwentawaywithhertoo。WhatcouldpoorDavidsonhavedonewithalittlegirlonhishands，evenifshehadconsentedtoleaveherwithhim-whichisunthinkable。
"ThisisthestorythathasspoiledDavidson"ssmileforhim-
whichperhapsitwouldn"thavedonesothoroughlyhadhebeenlessofagoodfellow。"
Hollisceased。ButbeforewerosefromthetableIaskedhimifheknewwhathadbecomeofLaughingAnne"sboy。
HecountedcarefullythechangehandedhimbytheChinamanwaiter，andraisedhishead。
"Oh!that"sthefinishingtouch。Hewasabright，takinglittlechap，asyouknow，andtheFatherstookveryspecialpainsinhisbringingup。Davidsonexpectedinhishearttohavesomecomfortoutofhim。Inhisplacidwayhe"samanwhoneedsaffection。
Well，Tonyhasgrownintoafineyouth-butthereyouare!Hewantstobeapriest；hisonedreamistobeamissionary。TheFathersassureDavidsonthatitisaseriousvocation。Theytellhimhehasaspecialdispositionformissionwork，too。SoLaughingAnne"sboywillleadasaintlylifeinChinasomewhere；hemayevenbecomeamartyr；butpoorDavidsonisleftoutinthecold。Hewillhavetogodownhillwithoutasinglehumanaffectionnearhimbecauseoftheseolddollars。"
Jan。1914
Footnotes:
(1)Thegallows，supposedtobewidowedofthelastexecutedcriminalandwaitingforanother。