第4章

manorwomanamongthem；thattheywerelookeduponasadistinctandsuperiorcasteofIndians，andenjoyedcertainprivilegeswiththetribe；thattheysuperstitiouslyavoidedwhitemen，ofwhomtheyhadthegreatestfear，andthattheywereprotectedinthisbytheotherIndians；thatitwasmarvelousandalmostbeyondbeliefthatPomfreyhadbeenabletoseeone，fornootherwhitemanhad，orwasevenawareoftheirexistence。

Howmuchofthisheactuallyunderstood，howmuchofitwaslyingandduetoJim"sbeliefthathewishedtoabductthefairstranger，Pomfreywasunabletodetermine。Therewasenough，however，toexcitehiscuriositystronglyandoccupyhismindtotheexclusionofhisbooks——saveone。Amonghissmallervolumeshehadfoundatravelbookofthe"ChinookJargon，"withalexiconofmanyofthewordscommonlyusedbytheNorthernPacifictribes。Anhourortwo"strialwiththeastonishedJimgavehimanincreasedvocabularyandanewoccupation。Eachdaytheincongruouspairtookalessonfromthelexicon。InaweekPomfreyfelthewouldbeabletoaccostthemysteriousstranger。Buthedidnotagainsurpriseherinanyofhisrambles，oreveninalatervisittothesweat-house。HehadlearnedfromJimthatthehousewasonlyusedbythe"bucks，"ormales，andthatherappearancetherehadbeenaccidental。Herecalledthathehadhadtheimpressionthatshehadbeenstealthilyfollowinghim，andtherecollectiongavehimapleasurehecouldnotaccountfor。Butanincidentpresentlyoccurredwhichgavehimanewideaofherrelationstowardshim。

ThedifficultyofmakingJimunderstandhadhithertopreventedPomfreyfromintrustinghimwiththecareofthelantern；butwiththeaidofthelexiconhehadbeenabletomakehimcomprehenditsworking，andunderPomfrey"spersonalguidancetheIndianhadonceortwicelitthelampandsetitsmachineryinmotion。ItremainedforhimonlytotestJim"sunaidedcapacity，incaseofhisownabsenceorillness。Ithappenedtobeawarm，beautifulsunset，whentheafternoonfoghadforoncedelayeditsinvasionoftheshore-line，thatheleftthelighthousetoJim"sundividedcare，andrecliningonasand-dunestillwarmfromthesun，lazilywatchedtheresultofJim"sfirstessay。Asthetwilightdeepened，andthefirstflashofthelanternstrovewiththedyinggloriesofthesun，Pomfreypresentlybecameawarethathewasnottheonlywatcher。Alittlegrayfigurecreepingonallfourssuddenlyglidedoutoftheshadowofanothersand-duneandthenhalted，fallingbackonitsknees，gazingfixedlyatthegrowinglight。Itwasthewomanhehadseen。Shewasnotadozenyardsaway，andinhereagernessandutterabsorptioninthelighthadevidentlyoverlookedhim。Hecouldseeherfacedistinctly，herlipspartedhalfinwonder，halfwiththebreathlessabsorptionofadevotee。

Afaintsenseofdisappointmentcameoverhim。ItwasnotHIMshewaswatching，butthelight！Asitswelledoutoverthedarkeninggraysandsheturnedasiftowatchitseffectaroundher，andcaughtsightofPomfrey。Withalittlestartledcry——thefirstshehaduttered——shedartedaway。Hedidnotfollow。Amomentbefore，whenhefirstsawher，anIndiansalutationwhichhehadlearnedfromJimhadrisentohislips，butintheoddfeelingwhichherfascinationofthelighthadcausedhimhehadnotspoken。Hewatchedherbentfigurescuttlingawaylikesomefrightenedanimal，withacriticalconsciousnessthatshewasreallyscarcehuman，andwentbacktothelighthouse。Hewouldnotrunafterheragain！

Yetthateveninghecontinuedtothinkofher，andrecalledhervoice，whichstruckhimnowashavingbeenatoncemelodiousandchildlike，andwishedhehadatleastspoken，andperhapselicitedareply。

Hedidnot，however，hauntthesweat-houseneartheriveragain。

YethestillcontinuedhislessonswithJim，andinthisway，perhaps，althoughquiteunpremeditatedly，enlistedahumbleally。

Aweekpassedinwhichhehadnotalludedtoher，whenonemorning，ashewasreturningfromarow，Jimmethimmysteriouslyonthebeach。

"S"posehimcomeslow，slow，"saidJimgravely，airinghisnewlyacquiredEnglish；"makenonoise——plentycatcheeIndianmaiden。"

Thelastepithetwasthepolitelexiconequivalentofsquaw。

Pomfrey，notentirelysatisfiedinhismind，neverthelesssoftlyfollowedthenoiselesslyglidingJimtothelighthouse。HereJimcautiouslyopenedthedoor，motioningPomfreytoenter。

Thebaseofthetowerwascomposedoftwolivingrooms，astoreroomandoil-tank。AsPomfreyentered，Jimclosedthedoorsoftlybehindhim。Theabrupttransitionfromtheglareofthesandsandsuntothesemi-darknessofthestoreroomatfirstpreventedhimfromseeinganything，buthewasinstantlydistractedbyascurryingflutterandwildbeatingofthewalls，asofacagedbird。Inanothermomenthecouldmakeoutthefairstranger，quiveringwithexcitement，passionatelydashingatthebarredwindow，thewalls，thelockeddoor，andcirclingaroundtheroominherdesperateattempttofindanegress，likeacapturedseagull。

Amazed，mystified，indignantwithJim，himself，andevenhisunfortunatecaptive，PomfreycalledtoherinChinooktostop，andgoingtothedoor，flungitwideopen。Shedartedbyhim，raisinghersoftblueeyesforaninstantinaswift，sidelongglanceofhalfappeal，half-frightenedadmiration，andrushedoutintotheopen。Buthere，tohissurprise，shedidnotrunaway。Onthecontrary，shedrewherselfupwithadignitythatseemedtoincreaseherheight，andwalkedmajesticallytowardsJim，whoatherunexpectedexithadsuddenlythrownhimselfuponthesand，inutterlyabjectterrorandsupplication。Sheapproachedhimslowly，withonesmallhandupliftedinamenacinggesture。Themanwrithedandsquirmedbeforeher。Thensheturned，caughtsightofPomfreystandinginthedoorway，andwalkedquietlyaway。Amazed，yetgratifiedwiththisnewassertionofherself，Pomfreyrespectfully，butalas！incautiously，calledafterher。Inaninstant，atthesoundofhisvoice，shedroppedagainintoherslouchingIndiantrotandglidedawayoverthesandhills。

PomfreydidnotaddanyreproofofhisowntothediscomfitureofhisIndianretainer。Neitherdidheattempttoinquirethesecretofthissavagegirl"spoweroverhim。Itwasevidenthehadspokentrulywhenhetoldhismasterthatshewasofasuperiorcaste。

PomfreyrecalledhererectandindignantfigurestandingovertheprostrateJim，andwasagainperplexedanddisappointedathersuddenlapseintothetimidsavageatthesoundofhisvoice。

Wouldnotthiswell-meantbutmiserabletrickofJim"shavetheeffectofincreasingherunreasoninganimal-likedistrustofhim？

Afewdayslaterbroughtanunexpectedanswertohisquestion。

Itwasthehottesthouroftheday。Hehadbeenfishingoffthereefofrockswherehehadfirstseenher，andhadtakeninhislineandwasleisurelypullingforthelighthouse。Suddenlyalittlemusicalcrynotunlikeabird"sstruckhisear。Helayonhisoarsandlistened。Itwasrepeated；butthistimeitwasunmistakablyrecognizableasthevoiceoftheIndiangirl，althoughhehadhearditbutonce。Heturnedeagerlytotherock，butitwasempty；hepulledaroundit，butsawnothing。Helookedtowardstheshore，andswunghisboatinthatdirection，whenagainthecrywasrepeatedwiththefaintestquaverofalaugh，apparentlyontheleveloftheseabeforehim。Forthefirsttimehelookeddown，andthereonthecrestofawavenotadozenyardsahead，dancedtheyellowhairandlaughingeyesofthegirl。Thefrightenedgravityofherlookwasgone，lostintheflashofherwhiteteethandquiveringdimplesasherdrippingfaceroseabovethesea。

Whentheireyesmetshedivedagain，butquicklyreappearedontheotherbow，swimmingwithlazy，easystrokes，hersmilingheadthrownbackoverherwhiteshoulder，asifluringhimtoarace。

Ifhersmilewasarevelationtohim，stillmoresowasthisfirsttouchoffemininecoquetryinherattitude。Hepulledeagerlytowardsher；withafewlongoverhandstrokesshekeptherdistance，or，ifheapproachedtoonear，shedivedlikealoon，comingupasternofhimwiththesamechildlike，mockingcry。Invainhepursuedher，callinghertostopinherowntongue，andlaughinglyprotested；sheeasilyavoidedhisboatateveryturn。

Suddenly，whentheywerenearlyabreastoftheriverestuary，sheroseinthewater，and，wavingherlittlehandswithagestureoffarewell，turned，andcurvingherbacklikeadolphin，leapedintothesurgingswelloftheestuarybarandwaslostinitsfoam。Itwouldhavebeenmadnessforhimtohaveattemptedtofollowinhisboat，andhesawthatsheknewit。Hewaiteduntilheryellowcrestappearedinthesmootherwateroftheriver，andthenrowedback。Inhisexcitementandpreoccupationhehadquiteforgottenhislongexposuretothesunduringhisactiveexercise，andthathewaspoorlyequippedforthecoldsea-fogwhichtheheathadbroughtinearlier，andwhichnowwasquietlyobliteratingseaandshore。Thismadehisprogressslowerandmoredifficult，andbythetimehehadreachedthelighthousehewaschilledtothebone。

Thenextmorninghewokewithadullheadacheandgreatweariness，anditwaswithconsiderabledifficultythathecouldattendtohisduties。Atnightfall，feelingworse，hedeterminedtotransferthecareofthelighttoJim，butwasamazedtofindthathehaddisappeared，andwhatwasmoreominous，abottleofspiritswhichPomfreyhadtakenfromhislockerthenightbeforehaddisappearedtoo。LikeallIndians，Jim"srudimentaryknowledgeofcivilizationincluded"fire-water；"heevidentlyhadbeentempted，hadfallen，andwastooashamedortoodrunktofacehismaster。Pomfrey，however，managedtogetthelightinorderandworking，andthen，hescarcelyknewhow，betookhimselftobedinastateofhighfever。Heturnedfromsidetosiderackedbypain，withburninglipsandpulses。Strangefanciesbesethim；hehadnoticedwhenhelithislightthatastrangesailwasloomingofftheestuary——aplacewherenosailhadeverbeenseenorshouldbe——andwasrelievedthatthelightingofthetowermightshowtherecklessorignorantmarinerhisrealbearingsforthe"Gate。"Attimeshehadheardvoicesabovethefamiliarsongofthesurf，andtriedtorisefromhisbed，butcouldnot。Sometimesthesevoiceswerestrange，outlandish，dissonant，inhisownlanguage，yetonlypartlyintelligible；butthroughthemalwaysrangasinglevoice，musical，familiar，yetofatonguenothisown——hers！Andthen，outofhisdelirium——forsuchitprovedafterwardstobe——cameastrangevision。Hethoughtthathehadjustlitthelightwhen，fromsomestrangeandunaccountablereason，itsuddenlybecamedimanddefiedallhiseffortstoreviveit。Toaddtohisdiscomfiture，hecouldseequiteplainlythroughthelanternastrange-lookingvesselstandinginfromthesea。ShewassoclearlyoutofhercoursefortheGatethatheknewshehadnotseenthelight，andhislimbstrembledwithshameandterrorashetriedinvaintorekindlethedyinglight。Yettohissurprisethestrangeshipkeptsteadilyon，passingthedangerousreefofrocks，untilshewasactuallyinthewatersofthebay。Butstrangerthanall，swimmingbeneathherbowswasthegoldenheadandlaughingfaceoftheIndiangirl，evenashehadseenitthedaybefore。Astrangerevulsionoffeelingovertookhim。Believingthatshewasluringtheshiptoitsdestruction，heranoutonthebeachandstrovetohailthevesselandwarnitofitsimpendingdoom。Buthecouldnotspeak——nosoundcamefromhislips。Andnowhisattentionwasabsorbedbytheshipitself。High-bowedandpooped，andcurvedlikethecrescentmoon，itwasthestrangestcraftthathehadeverseen。

Evenashegazeditglidedonnearerandnearer，andatlastbeacheditselfnoiselesslyonthesandsbeforehisownfeet。A

scoreoffiguresasbizarreandoutlandishastheshipitselfnowthrongeditshighforecastle——reallyacastleinshapeandwarlikepurpose——andleapedfromitsports。Thecommonseamenwerenearlynakedtothewaist；theofficerslookedmorelikesoldiersthansailors。Whatstruckhimmorestrangelywasthattheywereoneandallseeminglyunconsciousoftheexistenceofthelighthouse，saunteringupanddowncarelessly，asifonsomeuninhabitedstrand，andeventalking——sofarashecouldunderstandtheiroldbookishdialect——asifinsomehithertoundiscoveredland。Theirignoranceofthegeographyofthewholecoast，andevenoftheseafromwhichtheycame，actuallyarousedhiscriticalindignation；

theircoarseandstupidallusionstothefairIndianswimmerasthe"mermaid"thattheyhadseenupontheirbowmadehimmorefuriousstill。Yethewashelplesstoexpresshiscontemptuousanger，orevenmakethemconsciousofhispresence。Thenanintervalofincoherencyandutterblanknessfollowed。Whenheagaintookupthethreadofhisfancytheshipseemedtobelyingonherbeamendsonthesand；thestrangearrangementofherupperdeckandtop-hamper，morelikeadwellingthananyshiphehadeverseen，wasfullyexposedtoview，whiletheseamenseemedtobeatworkwiththerudestcontrivances，calkingandscrapingherbarnacledsides。Hesawthatphantomcrew，whennotworking，atwassailandfestivity；heardtheshoutsofdrunkenroisterers；sawtheplacingofaguardaroundsomeofthemostuncontrollable，andlaterdetectedthestealthyescapeofhalfadozensailorsinland，amidstthefruitlessvolleyfireduponthemfromobsoleteblunderbusses。

Thenhisstrangevisiontransportedhiminland，wherehesawtheseseamenfollowingsomeIndianwomen。Suddenlyoneofthemturnedandranfrenziedlytowardshimasifseekingsuccor，closelypursuedbyoneofthesailors。Pomfreystrovetoreachher，struggledviolentlywiththefearfulapathythatseemedtoholdhislimbs，andthen，assheutteredatlastalittlemusicalcry，bursthisbondsand——awoke！

Asconsciousnessslowlystruggledbacktohim，hecouldseethebarewooden-likewallsofhissleeping-room，thelocker，theonewindowbrightwithsunlight，theopendoorofthetank-room，andthelittlestaircasetothetower。Therewasastrangesmokyandherb-likesmellintheroom。Hemadeanefforttorise，butashedidsoasmallsunburnthandwaslaidgentlyyetrestraininglyuponhisshoulder，andheheardthesamemusicalcryasbefore，butthistimemodulatedtoagirlishlaugh。Heraisedhisheadfaintly。

Halfsquatting，halfkneelingbyhisbedwastheyellow-hairedstranger。

Withtherecollectionofhisvisionstillperplexinghim，hesaidinaweakvoice，"Whoareyou？"

Herblueeyesmethisownwithquickintelligenceandnotraceofherformertimidity。Asoft，caressinglighthadtakenitsplace。

Pointingwithherfingertoherbreastinachildlikegesture，shesaid，"Me——Olooya。"

"Olooya！"HerememberedsuddenlythatJimhadalwaysusedthatwordinspeakingofher，butuntilthenhehadalwaysthoughtitwassomeIndiantermforherdistinctclass。

"Olooya，"herepeated。Then，withdifficultyattemptingtouseherowntongue，heasked，"Whendidyoucomehere？"

"Lastnight，"sheansweredinthesametongue。"Therewasnowitch-firethere，"shecontinued，pointingtothetower；"whenitcamenot，Olooyacame！Olooyafoundwhitechiefsickandalone。

Whitechiefcouldnotgetup！Olooyalitwitch-fireforhim。"

"You？"herepeatedinastonishment。"Ilititmyself。"

Shelookedathimpityingly，asifstillrecognizinghisdelirium，andshookherhead。"Whitechiefwassick——howcanknow？Olooyamadewitch-fire。"

Hecastahurriedglanceathiswatchhangingonthewallbesidehim。IthadRUNDOWN，althoughhehadwounditthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。Hehadevidentlybeenlyingtherehelplessbeyondthetwenty-fourhours！

Hegroanedandturnedtorise，butshegentlyforcedhimdownagain，andgavehimsomeherbalinfusion，inwhichherecognizedthetasteoftheYerbaBuenavinewhichgrewbytheriver。ThenshemadehimcomprehendinherowntonguethatJimhadbeendecoyed，whiledrunk，aboardacertainschoonerlyingofftheshoreataspotwhereshehadseensomemendigginginthesands。Shehadnotgonethere，forshewasafraidofthebadmen，andaslightreturnofherformerterrorcameintoherchangefuleyes。Sheknewhowtolightthewitch-light；sheremindedhimshehadbeeninthetowerbefore。

"Youhavesavedmylight，andperhapsmylife，"hesaidweakly，takingherhand。

Possiblyshedidnotunderstandhim，forheronlyanswerwasavaguesmile。Butthenextinstantshestartedup，listeningintently，andthenwithafrightenedcrydrewawayherhandandsuddenlydashedoutofthebuilding。Inthemidstofhisamazementthedoorwasdarkenedbyafigure——astrangerdressedlikeanordinaryminer。PausingamomenttolookaftertheflyingOlooya，themanturnedandglancedaroundtheroom，andthenwithacoarse，familiarsmileapproachedPomfrey。

"HopeIain"tdisturbin"ye，butIallowedI"djustbeneighborlyanddropin——seein"asthisisgov"nmentproperty，andmeandmypardners，asAmericancitizensandtax-payers，helpstosupportit。

We"recoastin"fromTrinidaddownhereandprospectin"alongthebeachforgoldinthesand。Yeseemtohevamightysoftberthofithere——nothingtodo——andlotsofpurtyhalf-breedshangin"

round！"

Theman"seffronterywastoomuchforPomfrey"sself-control，weakenedbyillness。"ItISgovernmentproperty，"heansweredhotly，"andyouhavenomorerighttointrudeuponitthanyouhavetodecoyawaymyservant，agovernmentemployee，duringmyillness，andjeopardizethatproperty。"

Theunexpectednessofthisattack，andthesuddenrevelationofthefactofPomfrey"sillnessinhisflushedfaceandhollowvoiceapparentlyfrightenedandconfusedthestranger。Hestammeredasurlyexcuse，backedoutofthedoorway，anddisappeared。AnhourlaterJimappeared，crestfallen，remorseful，andextravagantlypenitent。Pomfreywastooweakforreproachesorinquiry，andhewasthinkingonlyofOlooya。

Shedidnotreturn。Hisrecoveryinthatkeenair，aided，ashesometimesthought，bytheherbsshehadgivenhim，wasalmostasrapidashisillness。Theminersdidnotagainintrudeuponthelighthousenortroublehisseclusion。Whenhewasabletosunhimselfonthesands，hecouldseetheminthedistanceatworkonthebeach。Hereflectedthatshewouldnotcomebackwhiletheywerethere，andwasreconciled。ButonemorningJimappeared，awkwardandembarrassed，leadinganotherIndian，whomheintroducedasOlooya"sbrother。Pomfrey"ssuspicionswerearoused。Exceptthatthestrangerhadsomethingofthegirl"ssuperiorityofmanner，therewasnolikenesswhatevertohisfair-hairedacquaintance。Butafuryofindignationwasaddedtohissuspicionswhenhelearnedtheamazingpurportoftheirvisit。ItwasnothinglessthananofferfromtheallegedbrothertoSELLhissistertoPomfreyforfortydollarsandajugofwhiskey！

Unfortunately，Pomfrey"stemperoncemoregotthebetterofhisjudgment。WithascathingexpositionofthelawsunderwhichtheIndianandwhitemanequallylived，andthelegalpunishmentofkidnaping，hesweptwhathebelievedwastheimpostorfromhispresence。Hewasscarcelyaloneagainbeforeherememberedthathisimprudencemightaffectthegirl"sfutureaccesstohim，butitwastoolatenow。

Stillheclungtothebeliefthatheshouldseeherwhentheprospectorshaddeparted，andhehailedwithdelightthebreakingupofthecampnearthe"sweat-house"andthedisappearanceoftheschooner。Itseemedthattheirgold-seekingwasunsuccessful；butPomfreywasstruck，onvisitingthelocality，tofindthatintheirexcavationsinthesandattheestuarytheyhaduncoveredthedecayingtimbersofaship"ssmallboatofsomeancientandobsoleteconstruction。Thismadehimthinkofhisstrangedream，withavaguesenseofwarningwhichhecouldnotshakeoff，andonhisreturntothelighthousehetookfromhisshelvesacopyoftheoldvoyagestoseehowfarhisfancyhadbeenaffectedbyhisreading。IntheaccountofDrake"svisittothecoasthefoundafootnotewhichhehadoverlookedbefore，andwhichranasfollows：

"TheAdmiralseemstohavelostseveralofhiscrewbydesertion，whoweresupposedtohaveperishedmiserablybystarvationintheinhospitableinteriororbythehandsofsavages。ButlatervoyagershavesuggestedthatthedesertersmarriedIndianwives，andthereisalegendthatahundredyearslaterasingularraceofhalf-breeds，bearingunmistakableAnglo-Saxoncharacteristics，wasfoundinthatlocality。"Pomfreyfellintoareverieofstrangehypothesesandfancies。Heresolvedthat，whenheagainsawOlooya，hewouldquestionher；herterrorofthesemenmightbesimplyracialorsomehereditarytransmission。

Buthisintentionwasneverfulfilled。Forwhendaysandweekshadelapsed，andhehadvainlyhauntedtheriverestuaryandtherockyreefbeforethelighthousewithoutasignofher，heovercamehispridesufficientlytoquestionJim。Themanlookedathimwithdullastonishment。

"Olooyagone，"hesaid。

"Gone！——where？"

TheIndianmadeagesturetoseawardwhichseemedtoencompassthewholePacific。

"How？Withwhom？"repeatedhisangryyethalf-frightenedmaster。

"Withwhitemaninship。YousayYOUnowantOlooya——fortydollarstoomuch。Whitemangivefiftydollars——takeeOlooyaallsame。"

UNDERTHEEAVES

TheassistanteditoroftheSanFrancisco"DailyInformer"wasgoinghome。Somuchofhistimewasspentintheofficeofthe"Informer"thatnooneevercaredtoknowwherehepassedthosesixhoursofsleepwhichpresumablysuggestedadomicile。Hisbusinessappointmentsoutsidetheofficeweregenerallykeptattherestaurantwherehebreakfastedanddined，orofeveningsinthelobbiesoftheatresortheanteroomsofpublicmeetings。Yethehadahomeandanintervalofseclusionofwhichhewasjealouslymindful，anditwastothishewasgoingto-nightathisusualhour。

Hisroomwasinanewbuildingononeofthelargerandbusierthoroughfares。Thelowerfloorwasoccupiedbyabank，butasitwasclosedbeforehecamehome，andnotyetopenedwhenheleft，itdidnotdisturbhisdomesticsensibilities。Thesamemaybesaidofthenextfloor，whichwasdevotedtostockbrokers"andcompaniesoffices，andwasequallytomb-likeandsilentwhenhepassed；thefloorabovethatwasadesertofemptyrooms，whichechoedtohisfootstepsnightandmorning，withhereandthereanoasisinthegreensignofaminingsecretary"soffice，with，however，thedesolatingannouncementthatitwouldonlybe"openfortransfersfromtwotofouronSaturdays。"Thetopfloorhadbeenfranklyabandonedinanunfinishedstatebythebuilder，whoseambitionhad"o"erleapeditself"inthatsanguineeraofthecity"sgrowth。

Therewasasmellofplasterandthefirstcoatofpaintaboutitstill，butthewholefrontofthebuildingwasoccupiedbyalongroomwithodd"bull"s-eye"windowslookingoutthroughtheheavyornamentationsofthecorniceovertheadjacentroofs。

Ithadbeenoriginallyintendedforaclub-room，butaftertheillfortunewhichattendedthelettingofthefloorbelow，andpossiblybecausetheearthquake-fearingSanFranciscanshadtheirdoubtsofsuccessfulhilarityatthetopofsotallabuilding，itremainedunfinished，withthetwosmallerroomsatitsside。Itsincompleteandlonelygrandeurhadoncestrucktheeditorduringavisitofinspection，andthelandlord，whomheknew，hadofferedtomakeithabitableforhimatanominalrent。Ithadalavatorywithamarblebasinandatapofcoldwater。Theofferwasanovelone，butheacceptedit，andfitteduptheapartmentwithsomecheapsecond-handfurniture，quiteinconsistentwiththecarvedmantelsanddecorations，andmadeafairsitting-roomandbedroomofit。

Here，onaSunday，whenitsstillnesswasintensified，andevenapassingfootsteponthepavementfiftyfeetbelowwasquitestartling，hewouldsitandworkbyoneofthequaintopenwindows。

Intherainyseason，throughthefilmedpaneshesometimescaughtaglimpseofthedistant，white-cappedbay，butneverofthestreetbelowhim。

Thelightswereout，but，gropinghiswayuptothefirstlanding，hetookfromacup-boardednicheinthewallhiscandlestickandmatchesandcontinuedtheascenttohisroom。Thehumblecandlelightflickeredontheostentatiousgoldlettersdisplayedontheground-glassdoorsofopulentcompanieswhichheknewwerefamous，androomswheremillionairesmetinsecretconclave，butthecontrastawakenedonlyhissenseofhumor。Yethewasalwaysrelievedafterhehadreachedhisownfloor。Possiblyitsincompletenessandinchoateconditionmadeitseemlesslonelythanthedesolationofthefinishedandfurnishedroomsbelow，anditwasonlythisrecollectionofpasthumanoccupancythatwasdepressing。

Heopenedhisdoor，litthesolitarygasjetthatonlyhalfilluminatedthelongroom，and，itbeingalreadypastmidnight，begantoundresshimself。Thisprocesspresentlybroughthimtothatcornerofhisroomwherehisbedstood，whenhesuddenlystopped，andhissleepyyawnchangedtoagapeofsurprise。For，lyinginthebed，itsheaduponthepillow，anditsrigidarmsaccuratelystretcheddownovertheturned-backsheet，wasachild"sdoll！Itwasasmalldoll——abangedandbattereddoll，thathadseenservice，butithadevidentlybeen"tuckedin"withmaternaltenderness，andlaytherewithitsstaringeyesturnedtotheceiling，theverygeniusofinsomnia！

Hisfirststartofsurprisewasfollowedbyanaturalresentmentofwhatmighthavebeenanimpertinentintrusiononhisprivacybysomepractical-jokingadult，forheknewtherewasnochildinthehouse。

Hisroomwaskeptinorderbythewifeofthenightwatchmanemployedbythebank，andnooneelsehadarightofaccesstoit。

Butthewomanmighthavebroughtachildthereandnotnoticeditsdisposalofitsplaything。Hesmiled。Itmighthavebeenworse！

Itmighthavebeenarealbaby！

Theideatickledhimwithapromiseoffuture"copy"——ofastorywithfarcicalcomplications，orevenadramaticending，inwhichthebaby，adoptedbyhim，shouldturnouttobesomebody"sstolenoffspring。Heliftedthelittleimagethathadsuggestedthesefancies，carefullylaiditonhistable，wenttobed，andpresentlyforgotitallinslumber。

Inthemorninghisgood-humorandinterestinitrevivedtotheextentofwritingonaslipofpaper，"Good-morning！Thankyou——

I"vesleptverywell，"puttingtheslipinthedoll"sjointedarms，andleavingitinasittingpostureoutsidehisdoorwhenhelefthisroom。Whenhereturnedlateatnightitwasgone。

Butitsochancedthat，afewdayslater，owingtopressofworkonthe"Informer，"hewasobligedtoforegohisusualSundayholidayoutoftown，andthatmorningfoundhim，whilethebellswereringingforchurch，inhisroomwithapileofmanuscriptandproofbeforehim。FortheseweretroublousdaysinSanFrancisco；thegreatVigilanceCommitteeof"56wasinsession，andtheofficesofthedailypaperswerethrongedwitheagerseekersofnews。Suchaffairs，indeed，werenotinthefunctionsoftheassistanteditor，norexactlytohistaste；hewasneitherapartisanoftheso-

calledLawandOrderParty，noryetanenthusiasticadmirerofthecitizenRevolutionistsknownastheVigilanceCommittee，bothextremesbeingincompatiblewithhishabitsofthought。

Consequentlyhewasnotdispleasedatthisopportunityofdoinghisworkawayfromtheofficeandthe"headytalk"ofcontroversy。

HeworkedonuntilthebellsceasedandamorethanSabbathstillnessfelluponthestreets。Soquietwasitthatonceortwicetheconversationofpassingpedestriansfloatedupandintohiswindow，asofvoicesathiselbow。

Presentlyheheardthesoundofachild"svoicesinginginsubduedtone，asiffearfulofbeingoverheard。Thistimehelaidasidehispen——itcertainlywasnodelusion！Thesounddidnotcomefromtheopenwindow，butfromsomespaceonalevelwithhisroom。Yettherewasnocontiguousbuildingashigh。

Heroseandtriedtoopenhisdoorsoftly，butitcreaked，andthesinginginstantlyceased。Therewasnothingbeforehimbutthebare，emptyhall，withitslathedandplasteredpartitions，andthetwosmallerrooms，unfinishedlikehisown，oneithersideofhim。

Theirdoorswereshut；theoneathisrighthandwaslocked，theotheryieldedtohistouch。

Forthefirstmomenthesawonlythebarewallsoftheapparentlyemptyroom。Butasecondglanceshowedhimtwochildren——aboyofsevenandagirloffive——sittingonthefloor，whichwasfurtherlitteredbyamattress，pillow，andblanket。Therewasacheaptrayononeofthetrunkscontainingtwosoiledplatesandcupsandfragmentsofameal。Buttherewasneitherachairnortablenoranyotherarticleoffurnitureintheroom。Yethewasstruckbythefactthat，inspiteofthispovertyofsurrounding，thechildrenweredecentlydressed，andthefewscatteredpiecesofluggageinqualitybespokeasuperiorcondition。

Thechildrenmethisastonishedstarewithanequalwonderand，hefancied，somelittlefright。Theboy"slipstrembledalittleashesaidapologetically——

"ItoldJinnynottosing。Butshedidn"tmakeMUCHnoise。"

"MammasaidIcouldplaywithmydolly。ButIfordotandsinged，"

saidthelittlegirlpenitently。

"Where"syourmamma？"askedtheyoungman。Thefancyoftheirbeingnearrelativesofthenightwatchmanhadvanishedatthesoundoftheirvoices。

"Dornout，"saidthegirl。

"Whendidshegoout？"

"Lastnight。"

"Wereyouallaloneherelastnight？"

"Yes！"

Perhapstheysawthelookofindignationandpityintheeditor"sface，fortheboysaidquickly——

"Shedon"tgooutEVERYnight；lastnightshewentto"——

Hestoppedsuddenly，andbothchildrenlookedateachotherwithahalflaughandhalfcry，andthenrepeatedinhopelessunison，"She"sdornout。"

"Whenisshecomingbackagain？"

"To-night。Butwewon"tmakeanymorenoise。"

"Whobringsyouyourfood？"continuedtheeditor，lookingatthetray。

"Woberts。"

EvidentlyRoberts，thenightwatchman！Theeditorfeltrelieved；

herewasacluetosomeexplanation。Heinstantlysatdownonthefloorbetweenthem。

"Sothatwasthedollythatsleptinmybed，"hesaidgayly，takingitup。

Godgiveshelplessnessawonderfulintuitionofitsfriends。Thechildrenlookedupatthefaceoftheirgrown-upcompanion，giggled，andthenburstintoashrillfitoflaughter。Hefeltthatitwasthefirstonetheyhadreallyindulgedinformanydays。Neverthelesshesaid，"Hush！"confidentially；whyhescarcelyknew，excepttointimatetothemthathehadtakenintheirsituationthoroughly。"Makenonoise，"headdedsoftly，"andcomeintomybigroom。"

Theyhungback，however，withfrightenedyetlongingeyes。"Mammasaidwemussentdooutofthisroom，"saidthegirl。

"NotALONE，"respondedtheeditorquickly，"butwithME，youknow；

that"sdifferent。"

Thelogicsufficedthem，poorasitwas。Theirhandsslidquitenaturallyintohis。Butatthedoorhestopped，andmotioningtothelockeddooroftheotherroom，asked：——

"Andisthatmamma"sroom，too？"

Theirlittlehandsslippedfromhisandtheyweresilent。

Presentlytheboy，asifacteduponbysomeoccultinfluenceofthegirl，saidinahalfwhisper，"Yes。"

Theeditordidnotquestionfurther，butledthemintohisroom。

Heretheylosttheslightrestrainttheyhadshown，andbegan，childfashion，tobecomequestionersthemselves。

Inafewmomentstheywereinpossessionofhisname，hisbusiness，thekindofrestauranthefrequented，wherehewentwhenhelefthisroomallday，themeaningofthosefunnyslipsofpaper，andthewrittenmanuscripts，andwhyhewassoquiet。Butanyattemptofhistoretaliatebycounterquestionswasmetbyasuddenreservesounchildlikeandpainfultohim——asitwasevidentlytothemselves——thathedesisted，wiselypostponinghisinquiriesuntilhecouldmeetRoberts。

Hewasgladwhentheyfelltoplayinggameswitheachotherquitenaturally，yetnotentirelyforgettinghispropinquity，astheiroccasionalfurtiveglancesathismovementsshowedhim。He，too，becamepresentlyabsorbedinhiswork，untilitwasfinishedanditwastimeforhimtotakeittotheofficeofthe"Informer。"ThewildideaseizedhimofalsotakingthechildrenafterwardsforaholidaytotheMissionDolores，butheprudentlyrememberedthateventhisnegligentmotheroftheirsmighthavesomerightsoverheroffspringthathewasboundtorespect。

Hetookleaveofthemgayly，suggestingthatthedollbereplacedinhisbedwhilehewasaway，andevenassistedin"tuckingitup。"

Butduringtheafternoontherecollectionoftheselonelyplayfellowsinthedesertedhouseobtrudeditselfuponhisworkandthetalkofhiscompanions。Sundaynightwashisbusiestnight，andhecouldnot，therefore，hopetogetawayintimetoassurehimselfoftheirmother"sreturn。

Itwasnearlytwointhemorningwhenhereturnedtohisroom。Hepausedforamomentonthethresholdtolistenforanysoundfromtheadjoiningroom。Butallwashushed。

Hisintentionofspeakingtothenightwatchmanwas，however，anticipatedthenextmorningbythatguardianhimself。Atapuponhisdoorwhilehewasdressingcausedhimtoopenitsomewhathurriedlyinthehopeoffindingoneofthechildrenthere，buthemetonlytheembarrassedfaceofRoberts。Invitinghimintotheroom，theeditorcontinueddressing。Carefullyclosingthedoorbehindhim，themanbegan，withevidenthesitation，——

"Ioughterhevtoldyesuthin"afore，Mr。Breeze；butIkalkilated，sotospeak，thatyouwouldn"tbebotheredonewayoranother，andsoyehadn"tanycalltoknowthattherewasfolkshere"——

"Oh，Isee，"interruptedBreezecheerfully；"you"respeakingofthefamilynextdoor——thelandlord"snewtenants。"

"Theyain"texactlyTHAT，"saidRoberts，stillwithembarrassment。

"Thefactis——yesee——thethingpointsTHISway：theyain"tnorighttobehere，andit"sasmuchasmyplaceisworthifitleaksoutthattheyare。"

Mr。Breezesuspendedhiscollar-buttoning，andstaredatRoberts。

"Yousee，sir，they"remightypoor，andthey"venowhereelsetogo——

andIreckonedtotake"eminhereforaspellandsaynothingaboutit。"

"Butthelandlordwouldn"tobject，surely？I"llspeaktohimmyself，"saidBreezeimpulsively。

"Oh，no；don"t！"saidRobertsinalarm；"hewouldn"tlikeit。Yousee，Mr。Breeze，it"sjustthisway：themother，she"sabornlady，anddidmyoldwomanagoodturninoldtimeswhenthefamilywasrich；butnowshe"sobliged——justtosupportherself，youknow——totakeupwithwhatshegets，andsheactsintheballyinthetheatre，yousee，andheztocomeinlateo"nights。Inthemcheapboarding-houses，youknow，thefolkslooksdownuponherforthat，andwon"thevher，andinthecheaphotelsthemenare——youknow——adarnedsightwuss，andthat"showItookherandherkidsinhere，wherenooneknows"em。"

"Isee，"noddedtheeditorsympathetically；"andverygooditwasofyou，myman。"

Robertslookedstillmoreconfused，andstammeredwithaforcedlaugh，"And——so——I"mjustkeepingheronhere，unbeknownst，untilherhusbandgets"——Hestoppedsuddenly。

"Soshehasahusbandliving，then？"saidBreezeinsurprise。

"Inthemines，yes——inthemines！"repeatedRobertswithamonotonousdeliberationquitedistinctfromhisprevioushesitation，"andshe"sonlywaitin"untilhegetsmoneyenough——

to——totakeheraway。"Hestoppedandbreathedhard。

"Butcouldn"tyou——couldn"tWE——gethersomemorefurniture？

There"snothinginthatroom，youknow，notachairortable；andunlesstheotherroomisbetterfurnished"——

"Eh？Oh，yes！"saidRobertsquickly，yetstillwithacertainembarrassment；"ofcourseTHAT"Sbetterfurnished，andshe"squitesatisfied，andsoarethekids，withanything。Andnow，Mr。

Breeze，Ireckonyou"llsaynothin"o"this，andyou"llnevergobackonme？"

"MydearMr。Roberts，"saidtheeditorgravely，"fromthismomentI

amnotonlyblind，butdeaftothefactthatANYBODYoccupiesthisfloorbutmyself。"

"Iknewyouwaswhiteallthrough，Mr。Breeze，"saidthenightwatchman，graspingtheyoungman"shandwithagripofiron，"andI

telledmywifeso。Isez，"JestyouletmetellhimEVERYTHIN"，"

butshe"——Hestoppedagainandbecameconfused。

"Andshewasquiteright，Idaresay，"saidBreeze，withalaugh；

"andIdonotwanttoknowanything。AndthatpoorwomanmustneverknowthatIeverknewanything，either。Butyoumaytellyourwifethatwhenthemotherisawayshecanbringthelittleonesinherewhenevershelikes。"

"Thankye——thankye，sir！——andI"lljustrundownandtelltheoldwomannow，andwon"tintrudeuponyourdressin"anylonger。"

HegraspedBreeze"shandagain，wentoutandclosedthedoorbehindhim。Itmighthavebeentheeditor"sfancy，buthethoughttherewasacertainintervalofsilenceoutsidethedoorbeforethenightwatchman"sheavytreadwasheardalongthehallagain。

ForseveraleveningsafterthisMr。Breezepaidsomeattentiontotheballetinhisusualroundofthetheatres。Althoughhehadneverseenhisfairneighbor，hehadavagueideathathemightrecognizeherthroughsomelikenesstoherchildren。Butinvain。

Intheopulentcharmsofcertainnymphs，andintheangularausteritiesofothers，hefailedequallytodiscernanyofthoserefinementswhichmighthavedistinguishedthe"bornlady"ofRoberts"sstory，orwhichhehimselfhadseeninherchildren。

Thesehedidnotmeetagainduringtheweek，ashisdutieskepthimlateattheoffice；butfromcertainsignsinhisroomheknewthatMrs。Robertshadavailedherselfofhisinvitationtobringtheminwithher，andheregularlyfound"Jinny"s"dolltuckedupinhisbedatnight，andheasregularlydisposedofitoutsidehisdoorinthemorning，withafewsweets，likeanoffering，tuckedunderitsrigidarms。

Butanothercircumstancetouchedhimmoredelicately；hisroomwasarrangedwithgreatercarethanbefore，andwithanoccasionalexhibitionoftastethatcertainlyhadnotdistinguishedMrs。

Roberts"spreviousministrations。Oneeveningonhisreturnhefoundasmallbouquetofinexpensiveflowersinaglassonhiswriting-table。Helovedflowerstoowellnottodetectthattheywerequitefresh，andcouldhavebeenputthereonlyanhourortwobeforehearrived。

ThenexteveningwasSaturday，and，asheusuallylefttheofficeearlieronthatday，itoccurredtohim，ashewalkedhome，thatitwasaboutthetimehisfairneighborwouldbeleavingthetheatre，andthatitwaspossiblehemightmeether。

Atthefrontdoor，however，hefoundRoberts，whoreturnedhisgreetingwithacertainawkwardnesswhichstruckhimassingular。

Whenhereachedthenicheonthelandinghefoundhiscandlewasgone，butheproceededon，gropinghiswayupthestairs，withanoddconvictionthatboththeseincidentspointedtothefactthatthewomanhadjustreturnedorwasexpected。

Hehadalsoastrangefeeling——whichmayhavebeenowingtothedarkness——thatsomeonewashiddenonthelandingoronthestairswherehewouldpass。Thiswasfurtheraccentedbyafaintodorofpatchouli，as，withhishandontherail，heturnedthecornerofthethirdlanding，andhewasconvincedthatifhehadputouthisotherhanditwouldhavecomeincontactwithhismysteriousneighbor。Butacertaininstinctofrespectforhersecret，whichshewasevennowguardinginthedarkness，withheldhim，andhepassedonquicklytohisownfloor。

Hereitwaslighter；themoonshotabeamofsilveracrossthepassagefromanunshutteredwindowashepassed。Hereachedhisroomdoor，entered，butinsteadoflightingthegasandshuttingthedoor，stoodwithithalfopen，listeninginthedarkness。

Hissuspicionswereverified；therewasaslightrustlingnoise，andafigurewhichhadevidentlyfollowedhimappearedattheendofthepassage。Itwasthatofawomanhabitedinagrayishdressandcloakofthesamecolor；butasshepassedacrossthebandofmoonlighthehadadistinctviewofheranxious，worriedface。Itwasafacenolongeryoung；itwaswornwithillness，butstillrepletewithadelicacyandfadedbeautysoinconsistentwithheravowedprofessionthathefeltasuddenpangofpainanddoubt。

Thenextmomentshehadvanishedinherroom，leavingthesamefaintperfumebehindher。Heclosedhisdoorsoftly，litthegas，andsatdowninastateofperplexity。Thatswiftglimpseofherfaceandfigurehadmadeherstoryimprobabletothepointofabsurdity，orpossiblytotheextremeofpathos！

Itseemedincrediblethatawomanofthatqualityshouldbeforcedtoacceptavocationatoncesolow，sodistasteful，andsounremunerative。Withherevidentantecedents，hadshenofriendsbutthiscommonWesternnightwatchmanofabank？HadRobertsdeceivedhim？Washiswholestoryafabrication，andwastheresomecomplicitybetweenthetwo？Whatwasit？Heknithisbrows。

Mr。Breezehadthatoverpoweringknowledgeoftheworldwhichonlycomeswiththeexperienceoftwenty-five，andtothishesuperaddedtheactiveimaginationofanewspaperman。Aplottorobthebank？

Thesemysteriousabsences，thatluggagewhichhedoubtednotwasemptyandintendedforspoil！Butwhyencumberherselfwiththetwochildren？Herehiscommonsenseandinstinctoftheludicrousreturnedandhesmiled。

Buthecouldnotbelieveintheballetdancer！Hewondered，indeed，howanymanagercouldhaveacceptedthegrimsatireofthatpale，worriedfaceamongthefairies，thatsadrefinementamidtheirvacantsmilesandrougedchecks。Andthen，growingsadagain，hecomfortedhimselfwiththereflectionthatatleastthechildrenwerenotalonethatnight，andsowenttosleep。

Forsomedayshehadnofurthermeetingwithhisneighbors。Thedisturbedstateofthecity——fortheVigilanceCommitteewerestillinsession——obligedthedailypresstoissue"extras，"andhisworkattheofficeincreased。

ItwasnotuntilSundayagainthathewasabletobeathome。

Needlesstosaythathissolitarylittlecompanionsweredulyinstalledthere，whilehesatatworkwithhisproofsonthetablebeforehim。