第5章
Thestillnessoftheemptyhousewasonlybrokenbythehabituallysubduedvoicesofthechildrenattheirplay，whensuddenlytheharshstrokeofadistantbellcamethroughtheopenwindow。ButitwasnoSabbathbell，andMr。Breezeknewit。ItwasthetocsinoftheVigilanceCommittee，summoningthememberstoassembleattheirquartersforacapture，atrial，oranexecutionofsomewrongdoer。Tohimitwasequallyasummonstotheoffice——todistastefulnewsandexcitement。
Hethrewhisproofsasideindisgust，laiddownhispen，seizedhishat，andpausedamomenttolookroundforhisplaymates。Buttheyweregone！Hewentintothehall，lookedintotheopendooroftheirroom，buttheywerenotthere。Hetriedthedoorofthesecondroom，butitwaslocked。
Satisfiedthattheyhadstolendownstairsintheireagernesstoknowwhatthebellmeant，hehurrieddownalso，metRobertsinthepassage，——asingularlyunusualcircumstanceatthathour，——calledtohimtolookaftertherunaways，andhurriedtohisoffice。
Herehefoundthestaffcollected，excitedlydiscussingthenews。
OneoftheVigilanceCommitteeprisoners，anotoriousbullyandruffian，detainedasacriminalandawitness，hadcommittedsuicideinhiscell。Fortunatelythiswasallreportorialwork，andtheservicesofMr。Breezewerenotrequired。Hehurriedback，relieved，tohisroom。
Whenhereachedhislanding，breathlessly，heheardthesamequickrustlehehadheardthatmemorableevening，andwasquitesatisfiedthathesawafigureglideswiftlyoutoftheopendoorofhisroom。Itwasnodoubthisneighbor，whohadbeenseekingherchildren，andasheheardtheirvoicesashepassed，hisuneasinessandsuspicionswereremoved。
Hesatdownagaintohisscatteredpapersandproofs，finishedhiswork，andtookittotheofficeonhiswaytodinner。Hereturnedearly，inthehopethathemightmeethisneighboragain，andhadquitesettledhismindthathewasjustifiedinofferingacivil"Good-evening"toher，inspiteofhispreviousrespectfulignoringofherpresence。Shemustcertainlyhavebecomeawarebythistimeofhisattentiontoherchildrenandconsiderationforherself，andcouldnotmistakehismotives。Buthewasdisappointed，althoughhecameupsoftly；hefoundthefloorindarknessandsilenceonhisreturn，andhehadtobecontentwithlightinghisgasandsettlingdowntoworkagain。
Anearchurchclockhadstrucktenwhenhewasstartledbythesoundofanunfamiliaranduncertainstepinthehall，followedbyatapathisdoor。Breezejumpedtohisfeet，andwasastonishedtofindDick，the"printer"sdevil，"standingonthethresholdwitharollofproofsinhishand。
"Howdidyougethere？"heaskedtestily。
"Theytoldmeattherestauranttheyreckonedyoulivedyere，andthenightwatchmanatthedoorheadedmestraightup。WhenheknewwharIkemfromhewantedtoknowwhatthenewswas，butItoldhimhe"dbetterbuyanextraandsee。"
"Well，whatdidyoucomefor？"saidtheeditorimpatiently。
"Theforemansaiditwasimportant，andhewantedtoknowaforehewenttopressefthisyercorrectionwasYOURS？"
Hewenttothetable，unrolledtheproofs，and，takingouttheslip，pointedtoamarkedparagraph。"Theforemansaysthereporterwhobroughtthenewsallowshegotitstraightfirst-hand！
Butefyou"vecorrectedit，hereckonsyouknowbest。"
Breezesawataglancethattheparagraphalludedtowasnotofhisownwriting，butoneofseveralnewsitemsfurnishedbyreporters。
Thesehadbeen"setup"inthesame"galley，"andconsequentlyappearedinthesameproof-slip。Hewasabouttosaycurtlythatneitherthematternorthecorrectionwashis，whensomethingoddinthecorrectionoftheitemstruckhim。Itreadasfollows：——
"Itappearsthatthenotorious"JimBodine，"whoisinhidingandbadlywantedbytheVigilanceCommittee，hasbeentemptedlatelyintoarenewalofhisoldrecklessness。HewasseeninSacramentoStreettheothernightbytwoseparatewitnesses，oneofwhomfollowedhim，butheescapedinsomefriendlydoorway。"
Thewords"inSacramentoStreet"werestrickenoutandreplacedbythecorrection"ontheSaucelitoshore，"andthewords"friendlydoorway"werechangedto"friendlydinghy。"Thecorrectionwasnothis，northehandwriting，whichwasfurtherdisguisedbybeinganimitationofprint。Astrangeideaseizedhim。
"HasanyoneseentheseproofssinceIleftthemattheoffice？"
"No，onlytheforeman，sir。"
Herememberedthathehadlefttheproofslyingopenlyonhistablewhenhewascalledtotheofficeatthestrokeofthealarmbell；
herememberedthefigurehesawglidingfromhisroomonhisreturn。Shehadbeentherealonewiththeproofs；sheonlycouldhavetamperedwiththem。
TheevidentobjectofthecorrectionwastodirectthepublicattentionfromSacramentoStreettoSaucelito，astheprobablewhereaboutsofthis"JimmyBodine。"ThestreetbelowwasSacramentoStreet，the"friendlydoorway"mighthavebeentheirown。
ThatshehadsomeknowledgeofthisBodinewasnotmoreimprobablethantheballetstory。Herstrangeabsences，themysterysurroundingher，allseemedtotestifythatshehadsomeconnection——perhapsonlyaninnocentone——withthesedesperatepeoplewhomtheVigilanceCommitteewerehuntingdown。Herattempttosavethemanwas，afterall，nomoreillegalthantheirattempttocapturehim。True，shemighthavetrustedhim，Breeze，withoutthistamperingwithhispapers；yetperhapsshethoughthewascertaintodiscoverit——anditwasonlyasilentappealtohismercy。Thecorrectionswereingeniousandnatural——itwastheactofanintelligent，quick-wittedwoman。
Mr。Breezewaspromptinactinguponhisintuition，whetherrightorwrong。Hetookuphispen，wroteonthemarginoftheproof，"Printascorrected，"saidtotheboycarelessly，"Thecorrectionsareallright，"anddismissedhimquickly。
Thecorrectedparagraphwhichappearedinthe"Informer"thenextmorningseemedtoattractlittlepublicattention，thegreaterexcitementbeingthesuicideoftheimprisonedbullyandtheeffectitmighthaveupontheprosecutionofothersuspectedparties，againstwhomthedeadmanhadbeenexpectedtobearwitness。
Mr。BreezewasunabletoobtainanyinformationregardingthedesperadoBodine"sassociatesandrelations；hiscorrectionoftheparagraphhadmadetheothermembersofthestaffbelievehehadsecretandsuperiorinformationregardingthefugitive，andhethuswasestoppedfromaskingquestions。ButhefelthimselfjustifiednowindemandingfullerinformationfromRobertsattheearliestopportunity。
Forthispurposehecamehomeearlierthatnight，hopingtofindthenightwatchmanstillonhisfirstbeatinthelowerhalls。Buthewasdisappointed。Hewasamazed，however，onreachinghisownlanding，tofindthepassagepiledwithnewluggage，someofthatrudertypeofrolledblanketandknapsackknownasa"miner"skit。"
Hewasstillmoresurprisedtohearmen"svoicesandthesoundoflaughterproceedingfromtheroomthatwasalwayslocked。Asuddensenseofuneasinessanddisgust，heknewnotwhy，cameoverhim。
Hepassedquicklyintohisroom，shutthedoorsharply，andlitthegas。Buthepresentlyheardthedoorofthelockedroomopen，aman"svoice，slightlyelevatedbyliquorandopposition，saying，"I
knowwhat"sduefromonegen"lemanto"nother"——aquerulous，objectingvoicesaying，"Holeon！notnow，"andafainterfeminineprotest，allofwhichwerefollowedbyaraponhisdoor。
Breezeopenedittotwostrangers，oneofwhomlurchedforwardunsteadilywithoutstretchedhand。Hehadahandsomefaceandfigure，andacertainconsciousnessofitevenintheabandonofliquor；hehadanaggressivetreacherousnessofeyewhichhispotationshadnotsubdued。HegraspedBreeze"shandtightly，butdroppeditthenextmomentperfunctorilyasheglancedroundtheroom。
"ItoldthemIwasboundtocomein，"hesaid，withoutlookingatBreeze，"andsay"Howdy！"tothemanthat"sbinapaltomywomenfolksandthekids——andactedwhiteallthrough！IsaidtoMame，"IreckonHEknowswhoIam，andthatIkinbehigh-tonedtothemthat"shigh-toned；kinreturnshakeforshakeandshotforshot！"
Aye！that"sme！SoIwasboundtocomeinlikeagen"leman，sir，andhereIam！"
HethrewhimselfinanunprofferedchairandstaredatBreeze。
"I"mafraid，"saidBreezedryly，"that，nevertheless，Ineverknewwhoyouwere，andthatevennowIamignorantwhomIamaddressing。"
"That"sjustit，"saidthesecondman，withaquerulousprotest，whichdidnot，however，concealhisadmiringvassalagetohisfriend；"that"swhatI"mallustellingJim。"Jim，"Isays，"howisfolkstoknowyou"rethemanthatshotKernelBaxter，anddroppedthreeo"themMariposaVigilants？Theydidn"tseeyoudoit！Theyjustlookatyourfancystyleandthemmustachesofyours，andallowyemightbedeathonthegirls，buttheydon"tknowye！An"
thismanyere——he"sascribeinthempapers——writeswhatthebosseditortellshim，andlivesupyereontheroof，"longsideyerwifeandthechildren——what"sheknowin"aboutYOU？"Jim"sallrightenough，"hecontinued，ineasyconfidencetoBreeze，"buthe"stoofresh"bouthimself。"
Mr。JamesBodineacceptedthistributeandcriticismofhishenchmanwithacomplacentlaugh，whichwasnot，however，withoutacertaincontemptforthespeakerandthemanspokento。Hisbold，selfisheyeswanderedroundtheroomasifinsearchofsomeotheramusementthanhiscompanionsoffered。
"Ireckonthisistheroomwhichthathoundofalandlord，Rakes，allowedhe"dfixupforourpokerclub——theclubthatDanSimmonsandmegotup，withafewothersports。Itwastobeaslap-upaffair，rightundertheroof，wheretherewasnochanceofthepoliceraidingus。ButthecurweakenedwhentheVigilantsstartedouttomakewaronanygameagen"lemanmighthevthatwasn"tintheirgummy-bag，saltporktrade。Well，it"sgettin"alongtimebetweendrinks，gen"lemen，ain"tit？"Helookedroundhimsignificantly。
Onlythethoughtofthewomanandherchildreninthenextroom，andtheshamethathebelievedshewasenduring，enabledBreezetokeephistemperorevenashowofcivility。
"I"mafraid，"hesaidquietly，"thatyou"llfindverylittleheretoremindyouoftheclub——noteventhewhiskey；forIusetheroomonlyasabedroom，andasIamaworkingman，andcomeinlateandgooutearly，Ihaveneverfounditavailableforhospitality，eventomyintimatefriends。Iamveryglad，however，thatthelittleleisureIhavehadinithasenabledmetomakethefloorlesslonelyforyourchildren。"
Mr。Bodinegotupwithanaffectedyawn，turnedanembarrassedyetdarkeningeyeonBreeze，andlungedunsteadilytothedoor。"AndasIonlyhappenedintodothereg"larthingbetweenhigh-tonedgen"lemen，Ireckonwekinsay"Quits。""Hegaveacoarselaugh，said"Solong，"nodded，stumbledintothepassage，andthenceintotheotherroom。
Hiscompanionwatchedhimpassoutwitharelievedyetprotectingair，andthen，closingthedoorsoftly，drewnearertoBreeze，andsaidinhuskyconfidence，——
"Yeain"tseein"himathisbest，mister！He"sbindrinkin"toomuch，andthisyernewshasupsethim。"
"Whatnews？"askedBreeze。
"Thisyersuicideo"IrishJack！"
"Washehisfriend？"
"Friend？"ejaculatedtheman，horrifiedatthemeresuggestion。
"Notmuch！Why，IrishJackwastheonlymanthatcouldhevhungJim！Nowhe"sdead，incoursetheVigilantsain"tgotnoproofaginJim。Jimwantstofaceitoutnowan"stayhere，buthiswifeandmedon"tseeitnoways！Sowearetakingadvantageo"thelullaginhimtogethimoffdownthecoastthisverynight。That"swhyhe"sbeenoffhisheaddrinkin"。Yesee，whenamanhasbeenforweekshidin"——parto"thetimeinthatroomandparto"thetimeonthewharf，wherethemVigilantshasbeenwatchin"everyshipthatleftinordertoketchhim，he"sinclinedtocelebratehischanceo"gettingaway"——
"Partofthetimeinthatroom？"interruptedBreezequickly。
"Sartin！Don"tyesee？Healluskeminasyouwentout——sabe！——
andgotawaybeforeyoukemback，hiswifeallthetimejusta-
hoverin"betweenthetwoplaces，andkeepingwatchforhim。Itwaskillin"toher，yousee，forshewasn"tbroughtuptoit，whilesJimdidn"tkeer——hadtworevolversandkalkilatedtokilladozenVigilantsaforehedropped。Butthat"sovernow，andwhenI"vegothimsafeonthat"plunger"downatthewharfto-night，andputhimaboardtheschoonerthat"slyingofftheHeads，he"sallrightagin。"
"AndRobertsknewallthisandwasoneofhisfriends？"askedBreeze。
"Robertsknewit，andRoberts"swifeusedtobeakindofservanttoJim"swifeintheSouth，whenshewasagirl，butIdon"tknowezRobertsishisFRIEND！"
"Hecertainlyhasshownhimselfone，"saidBreeze。
"Ye-e-s，"saidthestrangermeditatively，"ye-e-s。"Hestopped，openedthedoorsoftly，andpeepedout，andthencloseditagainsoftly。"It"ssing"lar，Mr。Breeze，"hewentoninasuddenyetembarrassedburstofconfidence，"thatJimthar——amanthetcanshootstraight，andhezfrequent；amanthetknowseveryskingamegoin"——thatTHETmanJim，"veryslowly，"hezn"treally——got——anyfriends——"ceptme——andhiswife。"
"Indeed？"saidMr。Breezedryly。
"Sure！Why，youyourselfdidn"tcottontohim——IcouldseeTHET。"
Mr。Breezefelthimselfreddenslightly，andlookedcuriouslyattheman。Thisvulgarparasite，whomhehadsetdownasaworshiperofshamheroes，undoubtedlydidnotlooklikeanassociateofBodine"s，andhadacertainseriousnessthatdemandedrespect。Ashelookedcloserintohiswide，roundface，seamedwithsmall-pox，hefanciedhesaweveninitsfatuousimbecilitysomethingofthathauntingdevotionhehadseenontherefinedfeaturesofthewife。
Hesaidmoregently，——
"Butonefriendlikeyouwouldseemtobeenough。"
"Iain"twhatIusterbe，Mr。Breeze，"saidthemanmeditatively，"andmebbeyedon"tknowwhoIam。I"mAbeShuckster，ofShuckster"sRanch——oneofthebiggestinPetalumy。Iwasarichmanuntilayearago，whenJimgotintertrouble。Whatwithmortgagesandinterest，payin"upJim"sfriendsandbuyingoffsomeezwassetaginhim，tharain"tmuchleft，andwhenI"vesettledthatbillfortheschoonerlyingofftheHeadsthereIreckonI"maboutplayedout。ButI"veallusashantyatPetalumy，andmebbewhenthingsisfrozeoverandJimgetsback——you"llcomeandseehim——foryouain"tseenhimathisbest。"
"Isupposehiswifeandchildrengowithhim？"saidBreeze。
"No！He"saginit，andwantsthemtocomelater。Butthat"sallright，foryouseeshekingobacktotheirownhouseattheMission，nowthattheVigilantsaregivin"upshadderin"it。Solong，Mr。Breeze！We"restartin"aforedaylight。Sorryyoudidn"tseeJimincondition。"
HegraspedBreeze"shandwarmlyandslippedoutofthedoorsoftly。
ForaninstantMr。Breezefeltinclinedtofollowhimintotheroomandmakeakinderadieutothepair，butthereflectionthathemightembarrassthewife，who，itwouldseem，hadpurposelyavoidedaccompanyingherhusbandwhenheentered，withheldhim。Andforthelastfewminuteshehadbeendoubtfulifhehadanyrighttoposeasherfriend。Besidethedevotionofthemanwhohadjustlefthim，hisownscantkindnesstoherchildrenseemedridiculous。
Hewenttobed，buttosseduneasilyuntilhefanciedheheardstealthyfootstepsoutsidehisdoorandinthepassage。Eventhenhethoughtofgettingup，dressing，andgoingouttobidfarewelltothefugitives。Butevenwhilehewasthinkingofithefellasleepanddidnotwakeuntilthesunwasshininginathiswindows。
Hesprangtohisfeet，threwonhisdressing-gown，andpeeredintothepassage。Everythingwassilent。Hesteppedoutside——thelightstreamedintothehallfromtheopendoorsandwindowsofbothrooms——thefloorwasempty；notatraceoftheformeroccupantsremained。Hewasturningbackwhenhiseyefelluponthebatteredwoodendollsetuprightagainsthisdoorjamb，holdingstifflyinitsjointedarmsabitofpaperfoldedlikeanote。Openingit，hefoundafewlineswritteninpencil。
Godblessyouforyourkindnesstous，andtrytoforgivemefortouchingyourpapers。ButIthoughtthatyouwoulddetectit，knowWHYIdidit，andthenhelpus，asyoudid！Good-by！
MAMIEBODINE。
Mr。Breezelaiddownthepaperwithaslightaccessionofcolor，asifitspurporthadbeenironical。Howlittlehadhedonecomparedtothedevotionofthisdelicatewomanorthesacrificesofthatroughfriend！Howdesertedlookedthisnestundertheeaves，whichhadsolongborneitsburdenofguilt，innocence，shame，andsuffering！Formanydaysafterwardsheavoideditexceptatnight，andeventhenheoftenfoundhimselflyingawaketolistentothelostvoicesofthechildren。
Butoneevening，afortnightlater，hecameuponRobertsinthehall。"Well，"saidBreeze，withabruptdirectness，"didhegetaway？"
Robertsstarted，utteredanoathwhichitispossibletheRecordingAngelpassedtohiscredit，andsaid，"Yes，HEgotawayallright！"
"Why，hasn"thiswifejoinedhim？"
"No。Never，inthisworld，Ireckon；andifanywhereinthenext，Idon"twanttogothere！"saidRobertsfuriously。
"Ishedead？"
"Dead？Thatkinddon"tdie！"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
Roberts"slipswrithed，andthen，withastrongeffort，hesaidwithdeliberatedistinctness，"Imean——thatthehoundwentoffwithanotherwoman——that——was——in——thatschooner，andleftthatfoolShucksteradriftintheplunger。"
"Andthewifeandchildren？"
"ShuckstersoldhisshantyatPetalumatopaytheirpassagetotheStates。Good-night！"
HOWREUBENALLEN"SAWLIFE"INSANFRANCISCO
ThejuniorpartnerofthefirmofSparlow&Kane，"DruggistsandApothecaries，"ofSanFrancisco，wasgazingmeditativelyoutofthecornerofthewindowoftheirlittleshopinDupontStreet。HecouldseethedimlylitperspectiveofthenarrowthoroughfarefadeoffintothelevelsandwastesofMarketStreetontheoneside，andplungeintothehalf-excavatedbulkofTelegraphHillontheother。HecouldseetheglowandheartherumbleofMontgomeryStreet——thegreatcentralavenuefartherdownthehill。Abovethehousetopswasspreadthewarmblanketofsea-fogunderwhichthecitywasregularlylaidtosleepeverysummernighttothecoollullabyoftheNorthwestTrades。Itwasalreadyhalf-pasteleven；
footstepsonthewoodenpavementweregettingrarerandmoreremote；thelastcarthadrumbledby；theshutterswereupalongthestreet；theglareofhisownredandbluejarswastheonlybeaconlefttoguidethewayfarers。Ordinarilyhewouldhavebeengoinghomeatthishour，whenhispartner，whooccupiedthesurgeryandasmallbedroomattherearoftheshop，alwaysreturnedtorelievehim。Thatnight，however，aprofessionalvisitwoulddetainthe"Doctor"untilhalf-pasttwelve。Therewasstillanhourtowait。Hefeltdrowsy；themysteriousincenseoftheshop，thatcombinedessenceofdrugs，spice，scentedsoap，andorrisroot——whichalwaysremindedhimoftheArabianNights——wasaffectinghim。Heyawned，andthen，turningaway，passedbehindthecounter，tookdownajarlabeled"Glycyrr。Glabra，"selectedapieceofSpanishlicorice，andmeditativelysuckedit。Notreceivingfromitthatdiversionandsustenanceheapparentlywasseeking，healsovisited，inanequallyfamiliarmanner，ajarmarked"Jujubes，"andreturnedruminatinglytohispreviousposition。
IfIhavenotinthisincidentsufficientlyestablishedtheyouthfulnessofthejuniorpartner，Imayaddbrieflythathewasjustnineteen，thathehadearlyjoinedtheemigrationtoCalifornia，andafteroneortwopreviouslight-heartedessaysatotheroccupations，forwhichhewassingularlyunfitted，hehadsavedenoughtoembarkonhispresentventure，stilllesssuitedtohistemperament。Inthoseadventurousdaystradesandvocationswerenotalwaysfilledbytrainedworkmen；itwasextremelyprobablethattheexperiencedchemistwasalreadymakinghissuccessasagold-miner，withalawyerandaphysicianforhispartners，andMr。Kane"sinexperiencedpositionwasbynomeansanovelone。AslightknowledgeofLatinasawrittenlanguage，anAmericanschoolboy"sacquaintancewithchemistryandnaturalphilosophy，weredeemedsufficientbyhispartner，aregularphysician，forpracticalcooperationinthevendingofdrugsandputtingupofprescriptions。Heknewthedifferencebetweenacidsandalkaliesandthepeculiarresultswhichattendedtheirincautiouscombination。Buthewasexcessivelydeliberate，painstaking，andcautious。Thelegendwhichadornedthedeskatthecounter，"Physicians"prescriptionscarefullyprepared，"wasmorethanusuallytrueasregardedtheadverb。Therewasnodangerofhispoisoninganybodythroughhasteorcarelessness，butitwaspossiblethatanurgent"case"mighthavesuccumbedtothediseasewhilehewasputtinguptheremedy。Norwashiscautionentirelypassive。Inthosedaysthe"heroic"practiceofmedicinewasinkeepingwiththeabnormaldevelopmentofthecountry；therewere"record"dosesofcalomelandquinine，andhehadonceortwiceincurredthefuryoflocalpractitionersbysendingbacktheirprescriptionswithamodestquery。
Thefar-offclatterofcarriagewheelspresentlyarrestedhisattention；lookingdownthestreet，hecouldseethelightsofahackneycarriageadvancingtowardshim。Theyhadalreadyflashedupontheopencrossingablockbeyondbeforehisvaguecuriositychangedintoanactiveinstinctivepresentimentthattheywerecomingtotheshop。Hewithdrewtoamorebecominganddignifiedpositionbehindthecounterasthecarriagedrewupwithajerkbeforethedoor。
Thedriverrolledfromhisboxandopenedthecarriagedoortoawomanwhomheassisted，betweensomehystericalexclamationsonherpartandsomeequallyincoherentexplanationsofhisown，intotheshop。Kanesawataglancethatbothwereundertheinfluenceofliquor，andone，thewoman，wasdisheveledandbleedingaboutthehead。Yetshewaselegantlydressedandevidentlyenfete，withoneortwo"tricolor"knotsandribbonsmingledwithherfinery。
Hergoldenhair，mattedanddarkenedwithblood，hadpartlyescapedfromherFrenchbonnetandhungheavilyoverhershoulders。Thedriver，whowassupportingherroughly，andwithafamiliaritythatwaspartoftheincongruousspectacle，wasthefirsttospeak。
"MadameleBlank！yeknow！GotcutabouttheheaddownatthefeteatSouthPark！Triedtodanceuponthetable，androlledoveronsomechampagnebottles。See？Wantsplasteringup！"
"Ahbrute！Hog！Nozzingofzekine！Whywillyoulie？Idance！
Zecowards，fools，traitorszereupsetzetableandIfall。Iamcut！Ah，myGod，howIamcut！"
Shestoppedsuddenlyandlapsedheavilyagainstthecounter。AtwhichKanehurriedaroundtosupportherintothesurgerywiththeonefixedideainhisbewilderedmindofgettingheroutoftheshop，and，suggestively，intothedomainandundertheresponsibilityofhispartner。Thehackman，apparentlyrelievedandwashinghishandsofanyfurthercomplicityinthematter，noddedandsmiled，andsaying，"IreckonI"llwaitoutside，pardner，"retreatedincontinentlytohisvehicle。ToaddtoKane"shalf-ludicrousembarrassmentthefairpatientherselfslightlyresistedhissupport，accusedthehackmanof"abandoningher，"anddemandedifKaneknew"zeereasonofzeesaffair，"yetshepresentlylapsedagainintothelargereclining-chairwhichhehadwheeledforward，withopenmouth，half-shuteyes，andastrangePierrettemaskofface，combinedofthepalloroffaintnessandchalk，andtherougeofpaintandblood。AtwhichKane"scautiousnessagainembarrassedhim。Alittlebrandyfromthebottlelabeled"ViniGalli"seemedtobeindicated，buthisinexperiencecouldnotdetermineifherrelaxationwasfrombloodlessnessorthereactingdepressionofalcohol。Inthisdilemmahechoseamediumcourse，witharomaticspiritsofammonia，andmixingadilutedquantityinameasuring-glass，poureditbetweenherwhitelips。Astart，astruggle，acough——avolleyofimprecatoryFrench，andtheknockingoftheglassfromhishandfollowed——butshecameto！Hequicklyspongedherheadofthehalf-coagulatedblood，andremovedafewfragmentsofglassfromalonglacerationofthescalp。Theshockofthecoldwaterandtheappearanceoftheensanguinedbasinfrightenedherintoamomentarypassivity。ButwhenKanefounditnecessarytocutherhairintheregionofthewoundinordertoapplytheadhesiveplaster，sheagainendeavoredtoriseandgraspthescissors。
"You"llbleedtodeathifyou"renotquiet，"saidtheyoungmanwithdoggedgravity。
Somethinginhismannerimpressedherintosilenceagain。Hecutwholelocksawayruthlessly；hewasdeterminedtodrawtheedgesofthewoundtogetherwiththestripofplasterandstopthebleeding——
ifhecroppedthewholehead。Hisexcessivecautionforherphysicalconditiondidnotextendtohersuperficialadornment。
Heryellowtresseslayonthefloor，herneckandshouldersweresaturatedwithwaterfromthespongewhichhecontinuallyapplied，untiltheheatedstripsofplasterhadclosedthewoundalmosthermetically。Shewhimpered，tearsrandownhercheeks；butsolongasitwasnotbloodtheyoungmanwassatisfied。
Inthemidstofitheheardtheshopdooropen，andpresentlythesoundofrappingonthecounter。Anothercustomer！
Mr。Kanecalledout，"Waitamoment，"andcontinuedhisministrations。
Afterapausetherappingrecommenced。Kanewasjustsecuringthelaststripofplasterandpreservedapreoccupiedsilence。Thenthedoorflewopenabruptlyandafigureappearedimpatientlyonthethreshold。Itwasthatofaminerrecentlyreturnedfromthegolddiggings——sorecentlythatheevidentlyhadnothadtimetochangehisclothesathisadjacenthotel，andstoodthereinhishighboots，ducktrousers，andflannelshirt，overwhichhiscoatwasslunglikeahussar"sjacketfromhisshoulder。Kanewouldhaveutteredanindignantprotestattheintrusion，hadnottheintruderhimselfasquicklyrecoiledwithanastonishmentandcontritionthatwasbeyondtheeffectofanyreproval。Heliterallygaspedatthespectaclebeforehim。Ahandsomelydressedwomanreclininginachair；laceandjewelryandribbonsdependingfromhersaturatedshoulders；tressesofgoldenhairfillingherlapandlyingonthefloor；apailofruddywaterandaspongeatherfeet，andapaleyoungmanbendingoverherheadwithaspiritlampandstripsofyellowplaster！
""Scuseme，pard！Iwasjustdroppingin；don"tyouhurry！Ikinwait，"hestammered，fallingback，andthenthedoorclosedabruptlybehindhim。
Kanegathereduptheshornlocks，wipedthefaceandneckofhispatientwithacleantowelandhisownhandkerchief，threwhergorgeousoperacloakoverhershoulders，andassistedhertorise。
Shedidso，weaklybutobediently；shewasevidentlystunnedandcowedinsomemysteriouswaybyhismaterialattitude，perhaps，orhersuddenrealizationofherposition；atleastthecontrastbetweenheraggressiveentranceintotheshopandhersubduedpreparationforherdeparturewassoremarkablethatitaffectedevenKane"spreoccupation。
"There，"hesaid，slightlyrelaxinghisseveredemeanorwithanencouragingsmile，"Ithinkthiswilldo；we"vestoppedthebleeding。Itwillprobablysmartalittleastheplastersetscloser。Icansendmypartner，Dr。Sparlow，toyouinthemorning。"
Shelookedathimcuriouslyandwithastrangesmile。"AndzeesDoctorSparrlow——eezhelikeyou，M"sieu？"
"Heisolder，andverywellknown，"saidtheyoungmanseriously。
"Icansafelyrecommendhim。"
"Ah，"sherepeated，withapensivesmilewhichmadeKanethinkherquitepretty。"Ah——heezolder——yourDoctorSparrlow——butYOUarestrong，M"sieu。"
"And，"saidKanevaguely，"hewilltellyouwhattodo。"
"Ah，"sherepeatedagainsoftly，withthesamesmile，"hewilltellmewhattodoifIshallnotknowmyself。Datezgood。"
Kanehadalreadywrappedhershornlocksinapieceofspotlesswhitepaperandtieditupwithnarrowwhiteribboninthedaintyfashiondeartodruggists"clerks。Ashehandedittohershefeltinherpocketandproducedahandfulofgold。
"WhatshallIpayforzees，M"sieu？"
Kanereddenedalittle——solelybecauseofhisslowarithmeticalfaculties。Adhesiveplasterwascheap——hewouldliketohavechargedproportionatelyfortheexactamounthehadused；butthedivisionwasbeyondhim！Andhelackedthetrader"sinstinct。
"Twenty-fivecents，Ithink，"hehazardedbriefly。
Shestarted，butsmiledagain。"Twenty-fivecentsforallzees——zemedicine，zestripsforzehead，zehaircut"——sheglancedatthepaperparcelhehadgivenher——"itisonlytwenty-fivecents？"
"That"sall。"
Heselectedfromheroutstretchedpalm，withsomedifficulty，theexactamount，thesmallestcoinitheld。Sheagainlookedathimcuriously——halfconfusedly——andmovedslowlyintotheshop。Theminer，whowasstillthere，retreatedasbeforewithagaspinglyapologeticgesture——evenflatteninghimselfagainstthewindowtogivehersweepingsilkflouncesfreerpassage。Asshepassedintothestreetwitha"Merci，M"sieu，gooda"night，"andthehackmanstartedfromthevehicletoreceiveher，theminerdrewalongbreath，andbringinghisfistdownuponthecounter，ejaculated，——
"B"gosh！She"sastunner！"
Kane，agooddealrelievedatherdepartureandthesuccessofhisministration，smiledbenignly。
Thestrangeragainstaredaftertheretreatingcarriage，lookedaroundtheshop，andevenintothedesertedsurgery，andapproachedthecounterconfidentially。"Lookyer，pardner。IkemstraightfromSt。Jo，Mizzorri，toGoldHill——wharI"vegotaclaim——andI
reckonthisisthefirsttimeIeverstruckSanFrancisker。I
ain"tuptotownywaysnohow，andIallowthatmebbeI"mrathergreen。Sowe"llletthatpass！Nowlookyer！"headded，leaningoverthecounterwithstilldeeperandevenmysteriousconfidence，"Isupposethisyerkindo"thingistheregulargohere，eh？
nothin"newtoYOU！incourseno！Buttome，pard，it"sjustfetchin"me！Liftsmeclearoutermybootseverytime！Why，whenIpoppedintothattharroom，andsawthatlady——allgold，furbelows，andspangles——attwelveo"clockatnight，sittin"inthatcheerandyoua-cuttin"herh"randswabbin"herheado"
blood，andkinderprospectin"for"indications，"sotospeak，anddoin"itsokamandindifferentlike，Iseztomyself，"Rube，Rube，"sezI，"thisyer"slife！citylife！SanFranciskerlife！andb"gosh，you"vedroppedintoit！Now，pard，lookyar！don"tyouanswer，yeknow，efitain"tsquareandaboveboardformetoknow；
Iain"taskin"youtogivetheshowaway，yeknow，inthematterofhigh-tonedladieslikethat，but"（verymysteriously，andsinkinghisvoicetothelowestconfidentialpitch，asheputhishandtohisearasiftocatchthehushedreply），"whatmouthevbinhappening，pard？"
Considerablyamusedattheman"ssimplicity，Kanerepliedgood-
humoredly："Dancedamongsomechampagnebottlesonatableataparty，fellandgotcutbyglass。"
Thestrangernoddedhisheadslowlyandapprovinglyasherepeatedwithinfinitedeliberateness："Dancedonchampagnebottles，champagne！yousaid，pard？atapahty！Yes！"（musinglyandapprovingly）。"Ireckonthat"saboutthegaittheytake。SHE"Ddoit。"
"IsthereanythingIcandoforyou？sorrytohavekeptyouwaiting，"saidKane，glancingattheclock。
"OME！Lord！yeneedn"tmindme。Why，Ishouldwaitforanythin"
o"thelikeo"that，andbejustproudtodoit！Andyesee，I
sorterhelpedmyselfwhileyouwarbusy。"
"Helpedyourself？"saidKaneinastonishment。
"Yes，outerthatbottle。"Hepointedtotheammoniabottle，whichstillstoodonthecounter。"Itseemedtobehandyandpopular。"
"Man！youmighthavepoisonedyourself。"
Thestrangerpausedamomentattheidea。"SoImout，Ireckon，"
hesaidmusingly，"that"sso！pizinedmyselfjestezyouwaslookin"arterthathigh-tonedcase，andkinderbotheredyou！It"slikeme！"
"Imeanitrequireddiluting；yououghttohavetakenitinwater，"
saidKane。
"Ireckon！ItDIDsorterh"istmeovertothedoorforalittlefreshairatfirst！seemedraytherscaldytothelips。ButwotofitthatGOTTHAR，"heputhishandgravelytohisstomach，"didmepow"fulgood。"
"Whatwasthematterwithyou？"askedKane。
"Well，yesee，pard"（confidentiallyagain），"Ireckonit"ssuthin"
alongo"myheart。Timesitgetstopoundin"awaylikeaquartzstamp，andthenitstopssuddentlike，andkinderleavesMEouttoo。"
Kanelookedathimmoreattentively。Hewasastrong，powerfullybuiltmanwithacomplexionthatbetrayednothingmoreseriousthantheeffectsofminingcookery。Itwasevidentlyacommoncaseofindigestion。
"Idon"tsayitwouldnothavedoneyousomegoodifproperlyadministered，"hereplied。"IfyoulikeI"llputupadilutedquantityanddirections？"
"That"sme，everytime，pardner！"saidthestrangerwithanaccentofrelief。"Andlookyer，don"tyoustopatthat！Yejustputmeupsomesampleslikeofanythin"youthinkmoutbelikelytohit。
I"llgoinforafairshow，andthenmeanderineverynowandthen，betwixttimes，toletyouknow。Yedon"tmindmydriftinginhere，doye？It"saboutezlikelyaplaceezIstrucksinceI"velefttheSacramentoboat，andmyhotel，justroundthecorner。Yejustsamplemeabito"everythin"；don"tmindtheexpense。I"lltakeYOURwordforit。Thewayyou——ayoungfellow——jeststucktoyourworkinthar，coolandkamasawoodpecker——notmindinghowhigh-
tonedshewas——northejeweleryandspanglesshehadon——jestgotme！Iseztomyself，"Rube，"sezI，"whatever"swrongo"YOUR
insides，youjeststicktothatfellertosetyeright。""
Thejuniorpartner"sfacereddenedasheturnedtohisshelvesostensiblyforconsultation。Consciousofhisinexperience，thehomelypraiseofeventhisignorantmanwasnotungrateful。Hefelt，too，thathistreatmentoftheFrenchwoman，thoughsuccessful，mightnotbeconsideredremunerativefromabusinesspointofviewbyhispartner。Heaccordinglyacteduponthesuggestionofthestrangerandputuptwoorthreespecificsfordyspepsia。Theywerereceivedwithgratefulalacrityandthecasualdisplayofconsiderablegoldinthestranger"spocketintheprocessofpayment。Hewasevidentlyasuccessfulminer。
Afterbestowingthebottlescarefullyabouthisperson，heagainleanedconfidentiallytowardsKane。"Ireckonofcourseyouknowthishigh-tonedlady，beinginthewayofseein"thatkindo"
folks。Isupposeyouwon"tmindtellingme，ezastranger。But"
（headdedhastily，withadeprecatorywaveofhishand），"perhapsyewould。"
Mr。Kane，infact，hadhesitated。HeknewvaguelyandbyreportthatMadameleBlancwastheproprietressofafamousrestaurant，overwhichshehadroomswhereprivategamblingwascarriedontoagreatextent。Itwasalsoallegedthatshewasprotectedbyafamousgamblerandasomewhatnotoriousbully。Mr。Kane"scautionsuggestedthathehadnorighttoexposethereputationofhischancecustomer。Hewassilent。
Thestranger"sfacebecameintenselysympatheticandapologetic。
"Isee！——notanotherword，pard！Itain"tthesquarethingtobegivin"heraway，andIoughtn"ttohevasked。Well——solong！I
reckonI"lljestdriftbacktothehotel。Iain"tbeeninSanFranciskermor""nthreehours，andIcalkilate，pard，thatI"vejestseenaboutezsquareasampleofhigh-tonedlifeasfellersezhazbinhereayear。Well，hastermanyanner——eztheGreaserssay。
I"llbedroppin"into-morrow。Myname"sReubenAlleno"Mariposa。
Iknowyours；it"sonthesign，anditain"tSparlow。"
Hecastanotherlingeringglancearoundtheshop，asifloathtoleaveit，andthenslowlysaunteredoutofthedoor，pausinginthestreetamoment，intheglareoftheredlight，beforehefadedintodarkness。Withoutknowingexactlywhy，KanehadaninstinctthatthestrangerknewnooneinSanFrancisco，andafterleavingtheshopwasgoingintouttersilenceandobscurity。
AfewmomentslaterDr。Sparlowreturnedtorelievehisweariedpartner。Apushing，activeman，helistenedimpatientlytoKane"saccountofhisyouthfulpracticewithMadameleBlanc，without，however，dwellingmuchonhismethods。"Yououghttohavechargedhermore，"theeldersaiddecisively。"She"dhavepaidit。SheonlycameherebecauseshewasashamedtogotoabigshopinMontgomeryStreet——andshewon"tcomeagain。"
"Butshewantsyoutoseeherto-morrow，"urgedKane，"andItoldheryouwould！"
"Yousayitwasonlyasuperficialcut？"queriedthedoctor，"andyouclosedit？Umph！whatcanshewanttoseeMEfor？"Hepaidmoreattention，however，tothecaseofthestranger，Allen。"Whenhecomeshereagain，managetoletmeseehim。"Mr。Kanepromised，yetforsomeindefinablereasonhewenthomethatnightnotquiteaswellsatisfiedwithhimself。
Hewasmuchmoreconcernedthenextmorningwhen，afterrelievingthedoctorforhisregularmorningvisits，hewasstartledanhourlaterbytheabruptreturnofthatgentleman。Hisfacewasmarkedbysomeexcitementandanxiety，whichneverthelessstruggledwiththatsenseoftheludicrouswhichCaliforniansinthosedaysimportedintomostsituationsofperplexityorcatastrophe。
Puttinghishandsdeeplyintohistrouserspockets，heconfrontedhisyouthfulpartnerbehindthecounter。
"HowmuchdidyouchargethatFrench-woman？"hesaidgravely。
"Twenty-fivecents，"saidKanetimidly。
"Well，I"dgiveitbackandaddtwohundredandfiftydollarsifshehadneverenteredtheshop。"
"What"sthematter？"
"Herheadwillbe——andamassofit，inaday，Ireckon！Why，man，youputenoughplasteronittoclotheandpaperthedomeoftheCapitol！Youdrewherscalptogethersothatshecouldn"tshuthereyeswithoutclimbingupthebed-post！Youmowedherhairoffsothatshe"llhavetowearawigforthenexttwoyears——andhandedittoherinabeau-ti-fulsealedpackage！Theytalkofsuingmeandkillingyououtofhand。"
"Shewasbleedingagreatdealandlookedfaint，"saidthejuniorpartner；"IthoughtIoughttostopthat。"
"Andyoudid——bythunder！ThoughitmighthavebeenbetterbusinessfortheshopifI"dfoundheracrumblingruinhere，thanlathedandplasteredinthisfashion，overthere！However，"headded，withalaugh，seeinganangrylightinhisjuniorpartner"seye，"SHEdon"tseemtomindit——thecursingallcomesfromTHEM。
SHEratherlikesyourstyleandpraisesit——that"swhatgetsme！
Didyoutalktohermuch，"headded，lookingcriticallyathispartner。
"Ionlytoldhertositstillorshe"dbleedtodeath，"saidKanecurtly。
"Humph！——shejabberedsomethingaboutyourbeing"strong"andknowingjusthowtohandleher。Well，itcan"tbehelpednow。I
thinkIcameintimefortheworstofitandhavedrawntheirfire。
Don"tdoitagain。Thenexttimeawomanwithacutheadandlonghairtacklesyou，fillupherscalpwithlintandtannin，andpackherofftosomeofthebigshopsandmakeTHEMpickitout。"Andwithagood-humorednodhestartedofftofinishhisinterruptedvisits。
Withavaguesenseofremorse，andyetaconsciousnessofsomeinjusticedonehim，Mr。Kaneresumedhisoccupationwithfiltersandfunnels，andmortarsandtriturations。Hewassogloomilypreoccupiedthathedidnot，asusual，glanceoutofthewindow，orhewouldhaveobservedtheminingstrangerofthepreviousnightbeforeit。Itwasnotuntiltheman"sbowedshouldersblockedthelightofthedoorwaythathelookedupandrecognizedhim。Kanewasinnomoodtowelcomehisappearance。Hispresence，too，activelyrecalledthelastnight"sadventureofwhichhewasawitness——albeitasympathizingone。Kaneshrankfromtheillusionswhichhefelthewouldbesuretomake。Andwithhispresentillluck，hewasbynomeanssurethathisministrationseventoHIM
hadbeenanymoresuccessfulthantheyhadbeentotheFrenchwoman。