第5章

"Icanquitebelievethat，"heagreed，"butthere’sthisimportantdifference：nomatterhowmuchamanwantstomarryyou，hecan’tLOVEyouasIdo！"

"That’sANOTHERthingtheythink，"sighedHelen。

"I’msorrytobesounoriginal，"snappedLatimer。

"PLEASEdon’t！"pleadedHelen。"Idon’tmeantobeunfeeling。I’mnotunfeeling。I’monlytryingtobefair。IfIdon’tseemtotakeittoheart，it’sbecauseIknowitdoesnogood。Icanseehowmiserableagirlmustbeifsheislovedbyonemanandcan’tmakeuphermindwhetherornotshewantstomarryhim。Butwhenthere’ssomanyshejuststopsworrying；forshecan’tpossiblymarrythemall。"

"ALL！"exclaimedLatimer。"ItisincrediblethatIhaveundervaluedyou，butmayIaskhowmanythereare？"

"Idon’tknow，"sighedHelenmiserably。"Thereseemstobesomethingaboutmethat——"

"Thereis！"interruptedLatimer。"I’venoticedit。Youdon’thavetotellmeaboutit。IknowthattheHelenPagehabitisadamneddifficulthabittobreak！"

Itcannotbesaidthathemadeanyviolentefforttobreakit。Atleast，notonethatwasobvioustoFairHarborortoHelen。

Oneoftheirfavoritedriveswasthroughthepinewoodstothepointonwhichstoodthelighthouse，andononeoftheseexcursionstheyexploredaforgottenwoodroadandcameoutuponacliff。Thecliffoverlookedthesea，andbelowitwasajumbleofrockswithwhichthewavesplayedhideandseek。Onmanyafternoonsandmorningstheyreturnedtothisplace，and，whileLatimerreadtoher，Helenwouldsitwithherbacktoatreeandtosspine—conesintothewater。SometimesthepoetswhoseworkshereadmadelovesocharminglythatLatimerwasmostgratefultothemforrenderingsuchexcellentfirstaidtothewounded，andintohisvoicehewouldthrowallthatfeelingandmusicthatfromjuriesandmassmeetingshaddraggedtearsandcheersandvotes。

Butwhenhisvoicebecamesoappealingthatitnolongerwaspossibleforanywomantoresistit，Helenwouldexclaimexcitedly："Pleaseexcusemeforinterrupting，butthereisalargespider——"andthespellwasgone。

Onedaysheexclaimed："Oh！"andLatimerpatientlyloweredthe"OxfordBookofVerse，"andasked："Whatisit，NOW？"

"I’msosorry，"Helensaid，"butIcan’thelpwatchingthatChapmanboy；he’sonlygotonereefin，andthenexttimehejibshe’llcapsize，andhecan’tswim，andhe’lldrown。Itoldhismotheronlyyesterday——"

"Ihaven’ttheleastinterestintheChapmanboy，"saidLatimer，"orinwhatyoutoldhismother，orwhetherhedrownsornot！I’madrowningmanmyself！"

Helenshookherheadfirmlyandreprovingly。"MengetoverTHAT

kindofdrowning，"shesaid。

"NotTHISkindofmandoesn’t！"saidLatimer。"Anddon’ttellme，"hecriedindignantly，"thatthat’sANOTHERthingtheyallsay。"

"Ifonecouldonlybesure！"sighedHelen。"Ifonecouldonlybesurethatyou——thattherightmanwouldkeeponcaringafteryoumarryhimthewayhesayshecaresbeforeyoumarryhim。Ifyoucouldknowthat，itwouldhelpyoualotinmakingupyourmind。"

"Thereisonlyonewaytofindthatout，"saidLatimer；"thatistomarryhim。Imean，ofcourse，"hecorrectedhastily，"tomarryme。"

Oneday，whenontheirwaytothecliffattheendofthewoodroad，themanwhomakestheNantucketsailorandpeddleshimpassedthroughthevillage；andLatimerboughtthesailormanandcarriedhimtotheirhiding—place。Therehefastenedhimtothelowestlimbofoneoftheancientpine—treesthathelpedtoscreentheirhiding—placefromtheworld。Thelimbreachedoutfreeoftheotherbranches，andthewindcaughtthesailormanfairlyandspunhimlikeadancingdervish。Thenittiredofhim，andwentofftotrytodrowntheChapmanboy，leavingthesailormanmotionlesswithhisarmsoutstretched，balancingineachhandatinyoarandsmilinghappily。

"Hehasafriendlysmile，"saidHelen；"Ithinkhelikesus。"

"Heisonguard，"Latimerexplained。"Iputhimtheretowarnusifanyoneapproaches，andwhenwearenothere，heistofrightenawaytrespassers。Doyouunderstand？"hedemandedofthesailorman。"Yourdutyistoprotectthisbeautifullady。SolongasIloveheryoumustguardthisplace。Itisalifesentence。

Youarealwaysonwatch。Youneversleep。Youareherslave。Shesaysyouhaveafriendlysmile。Shewrongsyou。Itisabeseeching，abject，worshippingsmile。IamsurewhenIlookathermineisequallyidiotic。Infact，weareinmanywaysalike。

Ialsoamherslave。Ialsoamdevotedonlytoherservice。AndI

neversleep，atleastnotsinceImether。"

FromherthroneamongthepineneedlesHelenlookedupatthesailormanandfrowned。

"Itisnotahappysimile，"sheobjected。"Foronething，asailormanhasasweetheartineveryport。"

"Waitandsee，"saidLatimer。

"And，"continuedthegirlwithsomeasperity，"ifthereisanythingonearththatchangesitsmindasoftenasaweather—vane，thatislessCERTAIN，lessCONSTANT——"

"Constant？"Latimerlaughedatherinopenscorn。"Youcomebackhere，"hechallenged，"monthsfromnow，yearsfromnow，whenthewindshavebeatenhim，andthesunblisteredhim，andthesnowfrozenhim，andyouwillfindhimsmilingatyoujustasheisnow，justasconfidently，proudly，joyously，devotedly。Becausethosewhoareyourslaves，thosewholoveYOU，cannotcometoanyharm；onlyifyoudisownthem，onlyifyoudrivethemaway！

Thesailorman，delightedatsuchbeautifullanguage，threwhimselfaboutinadeliriumofjoy。HisarmsspunintheirsocketslikeIndianclubs，hisoarsflashedinthesun，andhiseyesandlipswerefixedinoneblissful，long—drawn—out，unalterablesmile。

Whenthegolden—rodturnedgray，andtheleavesredandyellow，anditwastimeforLatimertoreturntohisworkintheWest，hecametosaygood—by。ButthebestHelencoulddotokeephopealiveinhimwastosaythatshewasgladhecared。Sheaddeditwasveryhelpfultothinkthatamansuchashebelievedyouweresofineaperson，andduringthecomingwintershewouldtrytobelikethefinepersonhebelievedhertobe，butwhich，sheassuredhim，shewasnot。

Thenhetoldheragainshewasthemostwonderfulbeingintheworld，towhichshesaid："Oh，indeedno！"andthen，asthoughheweregivingheracue，hesaid："Good—by！"Butshedidnottakeuphiscue，andtheyshookhands。Hewaited，hardlydaringtobreathe。

"Surely，nowthatthepartinghascome，"heassuredhimself，"shewillmakesomesign，shewillgivemeaword，alookthatwillwrite’total’underthehourswehavespenttogether，thatwillhelptocarrymethroughthelongwinter。"

Butheheldherhandsolongandlookedathersohungrilythathereallyforcedhertosay："Don’tmissyourtrain，"whichkindconsiderationforhiscomfortdidnotdelighthimasitshould。

Nor，indeed，laterdidsheherselfrecalltheremarkwithsatisfaction。

WithLatimeroutofthewaytheothertwohundredandforty—ninesuitorattackedwithrenewedhope。AmongotheradvantagestheyhadoverLatimerwasthattheywereontheground。TheysawHelendaily，atdinners，dances，atthecountryclubs，inherowndrawing—room。LikeanysailorfromtheCharlestownNavyYardandhissweetheart，theycouldwalkbesideherintheparkandthrowpeanutstothepigeons，andscratchdatesandinitialsonthegreenbenches；theycouldwalkwithheruponesideofCommonwealthAvenueanddownthesouthbankoftheCharles，whenthesunwasgildingthedomeoftheStateHouse，whenthebridgeswerebeginningtodeckthemselveswithnecklacesoflights。Theyhadknownhersincetheyworeknickerbockers；andtheysharedmanyinterestsandfriendsincommon；theytalkedthesamelanguage。Latimercouldtalktoheronlyinletters，forwithherhesharednofriendsorinterests，andhewasforcedtochoosebetweentellingherofhislawsuitsandhiseffortsinpoliticsorofhislove。Towritetoherofhisaffairsseemedwastefulandimpertinent，andofhisloveforher，aftershehadreceivedwhathetoldofitinsilence，hewastooproudtospeak。Sohewrotebutseldom，andthenonlytosay："YouknowwhatIsendyou。"Hadheknownit，hisbestletterswerethosehedidnotsend。WheninthemorningmailHelenfoundhisfamiliarhandwriting，thatseemedtostandoutlikethefaceofafriendinacrowd，shewouldpounceupontheletter，readit，and，assuredofhislove，wouldgoonherwayrejoicing。Butwheninthemorningtherewasnoletter，shewonderedwhy，andalldayshewonderedwhy。Andthenextmorningwhenagainshewasdisappointed，herthoughtsofLatimerandherdoubtsandspeculationsconcerninghimshutouteveryotherinterest。Hebecameaperplexing，insistentproblem。Hewasneveroutofhermind。Andthenhewouldspoilitallbywritingherthathelovedherandthatofallthewomenintheworldshewastheonlyone。

And，reassureduponthatpoint，Helenhappilyandpromptlywouldforgetallabouthim。

Butwhensherememberedhim，althoughmonthshadpassedsinceshehadseenhim，sherememberedhimmuchmoredistinctly，muchmoregratefully，thanthatoneofthetwohundredandfiftywithwhomshehadwalkedthatsameafternoon。Latimercouldnotknowit，butofthatanxiousmultitudehewasfirst，andtherewasnosecond。AtleastHelenhoped，whenshewasreadytomarry，shewouldloveLatimerenoughtowanttomarryhim。Butasyetsheassuredherselfshedidnotwanttomarryanyone。Asshewas，lifewasverysatisfactory。Everybodylovedher，everybodyinvitedhertobeofhisparty，orinvitedhimselftojoinhers，andtheobjectofeachseemedtobetoseethatsheenjoyedeveryhourofeveryday。Hernaturewassuchthattomakeherhappywasnotdifficult。SomeofherdevoteescoulddoitbygivingheradanceandlettingherinvitehalfofBoston，andherkidbrothercoulddoitbytakinghertoCambridgetowatchtheteamatpractice。

Shethoughtshewashappybecauseshewasfree。Asamatteroffact，shewashappybecauseshelovedsomeoneandthatparticularsomeonelovedher。Herbeing"free"wasonlyhermistakenwayofputtingit。HadshethoughtshehadlostLatimerandhislove，shewouldhavediscoveredthat，sofarfrombeingfree，shewasboundhandandfootandheartandsoul。

Butshedidnotknowthat，andLatimerdidnotknowthat。

Meanwhile，fromthebranchofthetreeinthesheltered，secrethiding—placethatoverlookedtheocean，thesailormankeptwatch。

Thesunhadblisteredhim，thestormshadbuffetedhim，thesnowhadfrozenuponhisshoulders。Buthisloyaltyneverrelaxed。Hespuntothenorth，hespuntothesouth，andsorapidlydidhescanthesurroundinglandscapethatnoonecouldhopetocreepuponhimunawares。Nor，indeed，didanyoneattempttodoso。

Onceafoxstoleintothesecrethiding—place，butthesailormanflappedhisoarsandfrightenedhimaway。Hewasalwaystriumphant。Tobirds，tosquirrels，totrespassingrabbitshewasathingofterror。Once，whentheairwasstill，animpertinentcrowperchedontheverylimbonwhichhestood，andwithscornful，disapprovingeyessurveyedhiswhitetrousers，hisbluereefer，hisredcheeks。Butwhenthewindsuddenlydrovepastthemthesailormansprangintoactionandthecrowscreamedinalarmanddartedaway。So，aloneandwithnoonetocometohisrelief，thesailormanstoodhiswatch。Abouthimthebranchesbentwiththesnow，theiciclesfrozehimintoimmobility，andinthetree—topsstrangegroaningsfilledhimwithalarms。Butundaunted，monthaftermonth，alertandsmiling，hewaitedthereturnofthebeautifulladyandofthetallyoungmanwhohaddevouredherwithsuchbeseeching，unhappyeyes。

LatimerfoundthattoloveawomanlikeHelenPageashelovedherwasthebestthingthatcouldcomeintohislife。Buttositdownandlamentoverthefactthatshedidnotlovehimdidnot，tousehisfavoriteexpression，"tendtowardefficiency。"Heremovedfromhissightthethreepicturesofherhehadcutfromillustratedpapers，andceasedtowritetoher。

Inhislastletterhesaid："Ihavetoldyouhowitis，andthatishowitisalwaysgoingtobe。Thereneverhasbeen，therenevercanbeanyonebutyou。Butmyloveistooprecious，toosacredtobebroughtouteveryweekinaletteranddangledbeforeyoureyeslikeanadvertisementofamotor—car。Itistoowonderfulathingtobecheapened，tobesubjectedtoslightsandsilence。Ifeveryoushouldwantit，itisyours。Itisherewaiting。Butyoumusttellmeso。Ihavedoneeverythingamancandotomakeyouunderstand。Butyoudonotwantmeormylove。

Andmylovesaystome：’Don’tsendmethereagaintohavethedoorshutinmyface。Keepmewithyoutobeyourinspiration，tohelpyoutoliveworthily。’Andsoitshallbe。"

WhenHelenreadthatlettershedidnotknowwhattodo。Shedidnotknowhowtoanswerit。Herfirstimpressionwasthatsuddenlyshehadgrownveryold，andthatsomeonehadturnedoffthesun，andthatinconsequencetheworldhadnaturallygrowncoldanddark。Shecouldnotseewhythetwohundredandforty—nineexpectedhertokeepondoingexactlythesamethingsshehadbeendoingwithdelightforsixmonths，andindeedforthelastsixyears。Whycouldtheynotseethatnolongerwasthereanypleasureinthem？ShewouldhavewrittenandtoldLatimerthatshefoundshelovedhimverydearlyifinhermindtherehadnotarisenafearfuldoubt。Supposehisletterwasnotquitehonest？

Hesaidthathewouldalwaysloveher，buthowcouldshenowknowthat？Whymightnotthisletterbeonlyhiswayofwithdrawingfromapositionwhichhewishedtoabandon，fromwhich，perhaps，hewasevengladtoescape？Werethistrue，andshewroteandsaidallthosethingsthatwereinherheart，thatnowsheknewweretrue，mightshenotholdhimtoheragainsthiswill？Thelovethatoncehehadforhermightnolongerexist，andif，inherturn，shetoldhimshelovedhimandhadalwayslovedhim，mighthenotinsomemistakenspiritofchivalryfeelitwashisdutytopretendtocare？Hercheeksburnedatthethought。Itwasintolerable。Shecouldnotwritethatletter。Andasdaysucceededday，todosobecamemoredifficult。Andsosheneverwroteandwasveryunhappy。AndLatimerwasveryunhappy。Buthehadhiswork，andHelenhadnone，andforherlifebecameagameofputtinglittlethingstogether，likeapicturepuzzle，anhourhereandanhourthere，tomakeupeachday。Itwasadrearygame。

Fromtimetotimesheheardofhimthroughthenewspapers。For，inhisownState，hewasan"Insurgent"makingafight，theoutcomeofwhichwasexpectedtoshowwhatmightfollowthroughouttheentireWest。Whenhewonhisfightmuchmorewaswrittenabouthim，andhebecameanationalfigure。InhisownStatethepeoplehailedhimasthenextgovernor，promisedhimaseatintheSenate。ToHelenthisseemedtotakehimfurtheroutofherlife。Shewonderedifnowsheheldaplaceeveninhisthoughts。

AtFairHarborthetwohundredandforty—nineusedtojokewithheraboutherpolitician。ThentheyconsideredLatimerofimportanceonlybecauseHelenlikedhim。Nowtheydiscussedhimimpersonallyandoverherhead，asthoughshewerenotpresent，asapower，aninfluence，astheleaderandexponentofanewidea。Theyseemedtothinkshenolongercouldpretendtoanypeculiarclaimuponhim，thatnowhebelongedtoallofthem。

Oldermenwouldsaytoher："IhearyouknowLatimer？Whatsortofamanishe？"

Helenwouldnotknowwhattotellthem。Shecouldnotsayhewasamanwhosatwithhisbacktoapine—tree，readingfromabookofverse，orhaltingtodevourherwithhumble，entreatingeyes。

ShewentSouthforthewinter，thedoctorsdecidingshewasrundownandneededthechange。Andwithanunhappylaughatherownexpensesheagreedintheirdiagnosis。Shewasindifferentastowheretheysenther，forsheknewwherevershewentshemuststillforceherselftogoonputtingonehourontopofanother，untilshehadbuiltuptheinexorableandnecessarytwenty—four。

Whenshereturnedwinterwasdeparting，butreluctantly，andreturningunexpectedlytocovertheworldwithsnow，toeclipsethethinspringsunshinewithcheerlessclouds。Helentookherselfseriouslytotask。Sheassuredherselfitwasweak—mindedtorebel。ThesummerwascomingandFairHarborwithallitsolddelightswasbeforeher。Shecompelledherselftotakeheart，toacceptthefactthat，afterall，theworldisaprettygoodplace，andthattothinkonlyofthepast，toliveonlyonmemoriesandregrets，wasnotonlycowardlyandselfish，but，asLatimerhadalreadydecided，didnottendtowardefficiency。

AmongtheotherrulesofconductthatsheimposeduponherselfwasnottothinkofLatimer。Atleast，notduringthewakinghours。Shouldshe，asitsometimeshappened，dreamofhim——shouldsheimaginetheywereagainseatedamongthepines，ridingacrossthedowns，orracingatfiftymilesanhourthroughcountryroads，withthestonefencesflyingpast，withthewindandthesunintheireyes，andintheirheartshappinessandcontent——thatwouldnotbebreakingherrule。Ifshedreamedofhim，shecouldnotbeheldresponsible。Shecouldonlybegrateful。

Andthen，justasshehadbanishedhimentirelyfromhermind，hecameEast。Notasoncehehadplannedtocome，onlytoseeher，butwithablareoftrumpets，atthecommandofmanycitizens，astheguestofthreecities。Hewastospeakatpublicmeetings，toconferwithpartyleaders，tocarrythewarintotheenemy’scountry。HewasduetospeakinBostonatFaneuilHallonthefirstofMay，andthatsamenighttoleavefortheWest，andthreedaysbeforehiscomingHelenfledfromthecity。HehadspokenhismessagetoPhiladelphia，hehadspokentoNewYork，andforaweekthepapershadspokenonlyofhim。Andforthatweek，fromthesightofhisprintedname，fromsketchesofhimexhortingcheeringmobs，fromsnap—shotsofhimonrearplatformsleaningforwardtograspeagerhands，Helenhadshuthereyes。

AndthatduringthetimehewasactuallyinBostonshemightspareherselffurtherandmoredirectattacksuponherfeelingssheescapedtoFairHarbor，theretoremainuntil，onthefirstofMayatmidnight，heagainwouldpassoutofherlife，maybeforever。Noonesawinhergoinganysignificance。Springhadcome，andinpreparationforthesummerseasonthehouseatFairHarbormustbeopenedandsetinorder，andthepresencethereofsomeoneofthePagefamilywaseasilyexplained。

Shemadethethreehours’runtoFairHarborinhercar，drivingitherself，andasthefamiliarlandfallsfellintoplace，shedoubtedifitwouldnothavebeenwiserhadshestayedaway。ForshefoundthatthememoriesofmorethantwentysummersatFairHarborhadbeenwipedoutbythoseofonesummer，bythoseofoneman。Thenativesgreetedherjoyously：theboatmen，thefishermen，herowngroomsandgardeners，thevillagepostmaster，theoldestinhabitant。Theywelcomedherasthoughtheywerehervassalsandshetheirqueen。ButitwastheonemanshehadexiledfromFairHarborwhoateveryturnwrungherheartandcausedherthroattotighten。Shepassedthecottagewherehehadlodged，andhundredsofyearsseemedtohavegonesincesheusedtowaitforhiminthestreet，blowingnoisilyonherautomobilehorn，callingderisivelytohisopenwindows。WhereversheturnedFairHarborspokeofhim。Thegolf—links；thebathingbeach；theuglycornerinthemainstreetwherehealwaysremindedherthatitwasbettertogoslowfortensecondsthantoremainalongtimedead；theoldhouseonthestonewharfwheretheschoonersmadefast，whichheintendedtoborrowforhishoneymoon；thewoodentroughwheretheyalwaysdrewreintowatertheponies；

thepondintowhichhehadwadedtobringherlilies。

Ontheseconddayofherstayshefoundshewaspassingtheseplacespurposely，thattodososhewasgoingoutofherway。

Theynolongerdistressedher，butgaveherastrangecomfort。

Theywereoldfriends，whohadknownherinthedayswhenshewasrichinhappiness。

Butthesecrethiding—place——theirveryownhiding—place，theopeningamongthepinesthatoverhungthejumbleofrocksandthesea——shecouldnotbringherselftovisit。Andthen，ontheafternoonofthethirddaywhenshewasdrivingalonetowardthelighthouse，herpony，ofhisownaccord，fromforceofhabit，turnedsmartlyintothewoodroad。Andagainfromforceofhabit，beforehereachedthespotthatoverlookedthesea，hecametoafullstop。Therewasnoneedtomakehimfast。Forhours，stretchingovermanysummerdays，hehadstoodunderthosesamebranchespatientlywaiting。

Onfoot，herheartbeatingtremulously，steppingreverently，asoneenterstheaisleofsomedimcathedral，Helenadvancedintothesacredcircle。Andthenshestoodquitestill。Whatshehadexpectedtofindthereshecouldnothavetold，butitwasgone。

Theplacewasunknowntoher。Shesawanopeningamonggloomypines，empty，silent，unreal。Nohauntedhouse，nobarrenmoor，noneglectedgraveyardeverspokemorepoignantly，moremournfully，withsuchutterhopelessness。Therewasnosignofhisorofherformerpresence。Acrosstheopenspacesomethinghadpasseditshand，andithadchanged。Whathadbeenatrysting—place，abower，anest，hadbecomeatomb。Atomb，shefelt，forsomethingthatoncehadbeenbrave，fine，andbeautiful，butwhichnowwasdead。Shehadbutonedesire，toescapefromtheplace，toputitawayfromherforever，torememberit，notasshenowfoundit，butasfirstshehadrememberedit，andasnowshemustalwaysrememberIt。Sheturnedsoftlyontiptoeasonewhohasintrudedonashrine。

Butbeforeshecouldescapetherecamefromtheseaasuddengustofwindthatcaughtherbytheskirtsanddrewherback，thatsetthebranchestossingandsweptthedeadleavesracingaboutherankles。Andatthesameinstantfromjustaboveherheadtherebeatupontheairaviolent，joyoustattoo——asoundthatwasneitheroftheseanorofthewoods，acreaking，swiftlyrepeatedsound，liketheflutterofcagedwings。

Helenturnedinalarmandraisedhereyes——andbeheldthesailorman。

Tossinghisarmsinadeliriouswelcome，waltzinginafrenzyofjoy，callingherbacktohimwithwildbeckonings，shesawhimsmilingdownatherwiththesameradiant，beseeching，worshippingsmile。InHelen’searsLatimer’scommandstothesailormanrangasclearlyasthoughLatimerstoodbeforeherandhadjustspoken。Onlynowtheywerenolongerajest；theywereavow，apromise，anoathofallegiancethatbroughttoherpeace，andpride，andhappiness。

"SolongasIlovethisbeautifullady，"hadbeenhisfoolishwords，"youwillguardthisplace。Itisalifesentence！"

WithonehandHelenPagedraggeddownthebranchonwhichthesailormanstood，withtheothershesnatchedhimfromhispostofduty。Withajoyouslaughthatwasasob，sheclutchedthesailormaninbothherhandsandkissedthebeseeching，worshippingsmile。

Anhourlaterhercar，onitswaytoBoston，passedthroughFairHarboratarateofspeedthatcausedherchauffeurtopraybetweenhischatteringteeththatthefirstpolicemanwouldsavetheirlivesbylandingtheminjail。

Atthewheel，hershouldersthrownforward，hereyessearchingthedarkplacesbeyondthereachoftheleapinghead—lightsHelenPageracedagainsttime，againsttheminionsofthelaw，againstsuddendeath，tobeatthemidnighttrainoutofBoston，toassurethemanshelovedoftheonethingthatcouldmakehislifeworthliving。

Andcloseagainstherheart，buttonedtightbeneathhergreat—coat，thesailormansmiledinthedarkness，hislongwatchover，hissoulatpeace，hisdutywellperformed。

Chapter6。THEMINDREADER

WhenPhilipEndicottwasatHarvard，hewrotestoriesofundergraduatelifesuggestedbythingsthathadhappenedtohimselfandtomenheknew。Underthetitleof"TalesoftheYard"theywerecollectedinbookform，andsoldsurprisinglywell。AfterhewasgraduatedandbecameareporterontheNewYorkRepublic，hewrotemorestories，ineachofwhichareporterwasthehero，andinwhichhisfailureorsuccessingatheringnewssuppliedtheplot。Theseappearedfirstinthemagazines，andlaterinabookunderthetitleof"TalesoftheStreets。"

Theyalsowerewellreceived。

ThencametohimtheliteraryeditoroftheRepublic，andsaid：

"Therearetwokindsofmenwhosucceedinwritingfiction——menofgeniusandreporters。Areportercandescribeathinghehasseeninsuchawaythathecanmakethereaderseeit，too。Amanofgeniuscandescribesomethinghehasneverseen，oranyoneelseforthatmatter，insuchawaythatthereaderwillexclaim：

’Ihavenevercommittedamurder；butifIhad，that’sjustthewayI’dfeelaboutit。’Forinstance，KiplingtellsushowaGreekpirate，chainedtotheoarofatrireme，suffers；howamotherrejoiceswhenherbabycrawlsacrossherbreast。Kiplinghasneverbeenamotherorapirate，butheconvincesyouheknowshoweachofthemfeels。Hecandothatbecauseheisagenius；youcannotdoitbecauseyouarenot。Atcollegeyouwroteonlyofwhatyousawatcollege；andnowthatyouareinthenewspaperbusinessallyourtalesareonlyofnewspaperwork。

Youmerelyreportwhatyousee。So，ifyouaredoomedtowriteonlyofwhatyousee，thenthebestthingforyoutodoistoseeasmanythingsaspossible。Youmustseeallkindsoflife。Youmustprogress。YoumustleaveNewYork，andyouhadbettergotoLondon。"

"ButontheRepublic，"Endicottpointedout，"Igetasalary。AndinLondonIshouldhavetosweepacrossing。"

"Then，"saidtheliteraryeditor，"youcouldwriteastoryaboutamanwhosweptacrossing。"

Itwasnotalonetheliteraryeditor’swordsofwisdomthathaddrivenPhiliptoLondon。HelenCareywasinLondon，visitingthedaughteroftheAmericanAmbassador；and，thoughPhiliphadknownheronlyonewinter，helovedherdearly。Thegreattroublewasthathehadnomoney，andthatshepossessedsomuchofitthat，unlesshecouldshowsomeunusualqualityofmindorcharacter，hisaskinghertomarryhim，fromhisownpointofviewatleast，wasquiteimpossible。Ofcourse，heknewthatnoonecouldloveherashedid，thatnoonesotrulywishedforherhappiness，orwouldtrysodevotedlytomakeherhappy。Buttohimitdidnotseempossiblethatagirlcouldbehappywithamanwhowasnotabletopayforherhome，orherclothes，orherfood，whowouldhavetoborrowherpurseifhewantedanewpairofglovesorahair—cut。ForPhilipEndicott，whilerichinbirthandeducationandcharmofmanner，hadnomoneyatall。When，inMay，hecamefromNewYorktolaysiegetoLondonandtotheheartofHelenCareyhehadwithhim，alltold，fifteenhundreddollars。Thatwasallhepossessedintheworld；andunlessthemagazinesboughthisstoriestherewasnoprospectofhisgettinganymore。

FriendswhoknewLondontoldhimthat，ifyouknewLondonwell，itwaseasytolivecomfortablythereandtogoaboutandeventoentertainmodestlyonthreesovereignsaday。So，atthatrate，Philipcalculatedhecouldstaythreemonths。ButhefoundthattoknowLondonwellenoughtobeabletolivethereonthreesovereignsadayyouhadfirsttospendsomanyfive—poundnotesingettingacquaintedwithLondonthattherewerenosovereignsleft。Attheendofonemonthhehadjustenoughmoneytobuyhimasecond—classpassagebacktoNewYork，andhewasasfarfromHelenasever。

Oftenhehadreadinstoriesandnovelsofmenwhoweretoopoortomarry。Andhehadlaughedattheidea。Hehadalwayssaidthatwhentwopeopletrulyloveeachotheritdoesnotmatterwhethertheyhavemoneyornot。ButwheninLondon，withonlyafive—poundnote，andfacetofacewiththeactualpropositionofaskingHelenCareynotonlytomarryhimbuttosupporthim，hefeltthatmoneycountedformorethanhehadsupposed。Hefoundmoneywasmanydifferentthings——itwasself—respect，andproperpride，andprivatehonorsandindependence。And，lackingthesethings，hefelthecouldasknogirltomarryhim，certainlynotoneforwhomhecaredashecaredforHelenCarey。Besides，whileheknewhowhelovedher，hehadnoknowledgewhatsoeverthatshelovedhim。Shealwaysseemedextremelygladtoseehim；butthatmightbeexplainedindifferentways。Itmightbethatwhatwasinherheartforhimwasreallyasortof"oldhomeweek"

feeling；thattoheritwasarelieftoseeanyonewhospokeherownlanguage，whodidnotneedtohaveitexplainedwhenshewasjesting，andwhodidnotthinkwhenshewasspeakinginperfectlysatisfactoryphrasesthatshemustbetalkingslang。

TheAmbassadorandhiswifehadbeenverykindtoEndicott，and，asafriendofHelen’s，hadaskedhimoftentodinnerandhadsenthimcardsfordancesatwhichHelenwastobeoneofthebellesandbeauties。AndHelenherselfhadbeenmostkind，andhadtakenearlymorningwalkswithhiminHydeParkandthroughtheNationalGalleries；andtheyhadfedbunstothebearsintheZoo，andindoingsohadlaughedheartily。Theythoughtitwasbecausethebearsweresoridiculousthattheylaughed。Latertheyappreciatedthatthereasontheywerehappywasbecausetheyweretogether。Hadthebearpitbeenempty，theystillwouldhavelaughed。

Ontheeveningofthethirty—firstofMay，EndicotthadgonetobedwithhisticketpurchasedforAmericaandhislastfive—poundnotetolasthimuntiltheboatsailed。Hewasamiserableyoungman。HeknewnowthathelovedHelenCareyinsuchawaythattoputtheoceanbetweenthemwasliabletounseathiscourageandhisself—control。InLondonhecould，eachnight，walkthroughCarltonHouseTerraceand，leaningagainsttheironrailsoftheCarltonClub，gazeupatherwindow。But，onceontheothersideoftheocean，thattenderexercisemustbeabandoned。Hemustevenconsiderherpursuedbymostattractiveguardsmen，diplomats，andbeltedearls。Heknewtheycouldnotloveherashedid；heknewtheycouldnotloveherforthereasonshelovedher，becausethefineandbeautifulthingsinherthathesawandworshippedtheydidnotseek，andsodidnotfind。Andyet，forlackofafewthousanddollars，hemustremainsilent，mustputfromhimthebestthatevercameintohislife，mustwastethewonderfuldevotionhelongedtogive，muststarvethelovethathecouldneversummonforanyotherwoman。

Onthethirty—firstofMayhewenttosleeputterlyandcompletelymiserable。OnthefirstofJunehewokehopelessandunrefreshed。

Andthenthemiraclecame。

Prichard，theex—butlerwhovaletedalltheyounggentlemeninthehousewherePhiliphadtakenchambers，broughthimhisbreakfast。AsheplacedtheeggsandmuffinsonthetablestoPhilipitseemedasthoughPrichardhadsaid："Iamsorryheisleavingus。Thenextgentlemanwhotakestheseroomsmaynotbesoopen—handed。Heneverlockeduphiscigarsorhiswhiskey。I

wishhe’dgivemehisolddress—coat。Itfitsme，exceptacrosstheshoulders。"

PhilipstaredhardatPrichard；butthelipsofthevalethadnotmoved。Insurpriseandbewilderment，Philipdemanded：

"Howdoyouknowitfits？Haveyoutriediton？"

"Iwouldn’ttakesuchaliberty，"protestedPrichard。"Notwithanyofourgentlemen’sclothes。"

"HowdidyouknowIwastalkingaboutclothes，"demandedPhilip。

"Youdidn’tsayanythingaboutclothes，didyou？"

"No，sir，Ididnot；butyouaskedme，sir，andI——"

"Wereyouthinkingofclothes？"

"Well，sir，youmightsay，inaway，thatIwas，answeredthevalet。"Seeingasyou’releaving，sir，andthey’renotover—new，Ithought"

"It’smentaltelepathy，"saidPhilip。

"Ibegyourpardon，"exclaimedPrichard。

"Youneedn’twait，"saidPhilip。

Thecoincidencepuzzledhim；butbythetimehehadreadthemorningpapershehadforgottenaboutit，anditwasnotuntilhehademergedintothestreetthatitwasforciblyrecalled。Thestreetwascrowdedwithpeople；andasPhilipsteppedinamongthem，Itwasasthougheveryoneatwhomhelookedbegantotalkaloud。Theirlipsdidnotmove，nordidanysoundissuefrombetweenthem；but，withoutceasing，brokenphrasesofthoughtscametohimasclearlyaswhen，inpassinginacrowd，snatchesoftalkarecarriedtotheears。Onemanthoughtofhisdebts；

anotheroftheweather，andofwhatdisasteritmightbringtohissilkhat；anotherplannedhisluncheon；anotherwasrejoicingoveratelegramhehadbutthatmomentreceived。Tohimselfhekeptrepeatingthewordsofthetelegram——"Noneedtocome，outofdanger。"ToPhilipthemessagecameasclearlyasthoughhewerereadingitfromthefoldedslipofpaperthatthestrangerclutchedinhishand。

Confusedandsomewhatfrightened，andinorderthatundisturbedhemightconsiderwhathadbefallenhim，Philipsoughtrefugefromthecrowdedstreetinthehallwayofabuilding。Hisfirstthoughtwasthatforsomeunaccountablecausehisbrainforthemomentwasplayingtrickswithhim，andhewasinventingthephrasesheseemedtohear，thathewasattributingthoughtstoothersofwhichtheywereentirelyinnocent。But，whateveritwasthathadbefallenhim，heknewitwasimperativethatheshouldatoncegetatthemeaningofit。

ThehallwayinwhichhestoodopenedfromBondStreetupaflightofstairstothestudioofafashionablephotographer，anddirectlyinfrontofthehallwayayoungwomanofcharmingappearancehadhalted。Herglancewastroubled，hermannerillatease。Toherselfshekeptrepeating："DidItellHudsontobehereataquartertoeleven，oraquarterpast？Willshegetthetelephonemessagetobringtheruff？Withouttheruffitwouldbeabsurdtobephotographed。WithoutherruffMaryQueenofScotswouldlookridiculous！"

Althoughtheyoungwomanhadspokennotasingleword，althoughindeedshewasbitingimpatientlyatherlowerlip，Philiphaddistinguishedthewordsclearly。Or，ifhehadnotdistinguishedthem，hesurelywasgoingmad。Itwasamattertobeatoncedetermined，andtheyoungwomanshoulddetermineit。Headvancedboldlytoher，andraisedhishat。

"Pardonme，"hesaid，"butIbelieveyouarewaitingforyourmaidHudson？"

Asthoughfearinganimpertinence，thegirlregardedhiminsilence。

"Ionlywishtomakesure，"continuedPhilip，"thatyouaresheforwhomIhaveamessage。Youhaveanappointment，Ibelieve，tobephotographedinfancydressasMaryQueenofScots？"

"Well？"assentedthegirl。

"AndyoutelephonedHudson，"hecontinued，"tobringyouyourmuff。"

Thegirlexclaimedwithvexation。

"Oh！"sheprotested；"Iknewthey’dgetitwrong！Notmuff，ruff！

Iwantmyruff。"

Philipfeltacoldshivercreepdownhisspine。

"FortheloveofHeaven！"heexclaimedinhorror；"it’strue！"

"What’strue？"demandedtheyoungwomaninsomealarm。

"ThatI’mamindreader，"declaredPhilip。"I’vereadyourmind！

Icanreadeverybody’smind。Iknowjustwhatyou’rethinkingnow。You’rethinkingI’mmad！"

Theactionsoftheyoungladyshowedthatagainhewascorrect。

Withagaspofterrorshefledpasthimandracedupthestairstothestudio。Philipmadenoefforttofollowandtoexplain。

Whatwastheretoexplain？Howcouldheexplainthatwhich，tohimself，wasunbelievable？Besides，thegirlhadservedherpurpose。Ifhecouldreadthemindofone，hecouldreadthemindsofall。Bysomeunexplainablemiracle，tohisordinaryequipmentofsensesasixthhadbeenadded。Aseasilyas，beforethatmorning，hecouldlookintothefaceofafellow—mortal，henowcouldlookintotheworkingsofthatfellow—mortal’smind。

Thethoughtwasappalling。Itwaslikelivingwithone’seartoakey—hole。Inhisdismayhisfirstideawastoseekmedicaladvice——thebestinLondon。HeturnedinstantlyinthedirectionofHarleyStreet。There，hedetermined，tothemostskilledalienistintownhewouldexplainhisstrangeplight。Foronlyasamisfortunedidthemiracleappeartohim。Butashemadehiswaythroughthestreetshispaceslackened。

Washewise，heaskedhimself，inallowingotherstoknowhepossessedthisstrangepower？Wouldtheynotatoncetreathimasamadman？Mighttheynotplacehimunderobservation，orevendeprivehimofhisliberty？AtthethoughthecametoanabrupthaltHisowndefinitionofthemiracleasa"power"hadopenedanewlineofspeculation。Ifthisstrangegift（alreadyhewasbeginningtoconsideritmoreleniently）wereconcealedfromothers，couldhenothonorablyputittosomeusefulpurpose？

For，amongtheblind，themanwithoneeyeisagod。Wasnothe——amongallothermentheonlyoneabletoreadthemindsofallothermen——agod？TurningintoBrutonStreet，hepaceditsquietlengthconsideringthepossibilitiesthatlaywithinhim。

Itwasapparentthatthegiftwouldleadtocountlessembarrassments。Ifitwereonceknownthathepossessedit，wouldnotevenhisfriendsavoidhim？Forhowcouldanyone，knowinghismostsecretthoughtwasatthemercyofanother，behappyinthatother’spresence？Hispowerwouldleadtohissocialostracism。Indeed，hecouldseethathisgiftmighteasilybecomeacurse。Hedecidednottoacthastily，thatforthepresenthehadbestgivenohinttoothersofhisuniquepower。

Astheideaofpossessingthispowerbecamemorefamiliar，heregardeditwithlessaversion。Hebegantoconsidertowhatadvantagehecouldplaceit。Hecouldseethat，giventherighttimeandtherightman，hemightlearnsecretsleadingtofar—reachingresults。Toastatesman，toafinancier，suchagiftashepossessedwouldmakehimarulerofmen。Philiphadnodesiretobearulerofmen；butheaskedhimselfhowcouldhebendthisgifttoservehisown？WhathemostwishedwastomarryHelenCarey；and，tothatend，topossessmoney。Sohemustmeetmenwhopossessedmoney，whoweremakingmoney。Hewouldputquestionstothem。Andwithwordstheywouldgiveevasiveanswers；buttheirmindswouldtellhimthetruth。

Theethicsofthisproceduregreatlydisturbedhim。Certainlyitwasnobetterthanreadingotherpeople’sletters。But，heargued，thedishonorinknowledgesoobtainedwouldlieonlyintheusehemadeofit。Ifheuseditwithoutharmtohimfromwhomitwasobtainedandwithbenefittoothers，washenotjustifiedintradingonhissuperiorequipment？Hedecidedthateachcasemustbeconsideredseparatelyinaccordancewiththeprincipleinvolved。But，principleornoprinciple，hewasdeterminedtobecomerich。Didnottheendjustifythemeans？

Certainlyanall—wiseProvidencehadnotbroughtHelenCareyintohislifeonlytotakeherawayfromhim。Itcouldnotbesocruel。But，inselectingthemforoneanother，theall—wiseProvidencehadoverlookedthefactthatshewasrichandhewaspoor。ForthatoversightProvidenceapparentlywasnowendeavoringtomakeamends。InwhatcertainlywasafantasticandroundaboutmannerProvidencehadtardilyequippedhimwithagiftthatcouldleadtogreatwealth。AndwhowashetoflyinthefaceofProvidence？Hedecidedtosetaboutbuildingupafortune，andbuildingitinahurry。

FromBrutonStreethehademergeduponBerkeleySquare；and，asLadyWoodcotehadinvitedhimtomeetHelenatluncheonattheRitz，heturnedinthatdirection。Hewastooearlyforluncheon；

butinthecorridoroftheRitzheknewhewouldfindpersonsofpositionandfortune，andinreadingtheirmindshemightpassthetimebeforeluncheonwithentertainment，possiblywithprofit。For，whilepacingBrutonStreettryingtodiscovertheprinciplesofconductthatthreatenedtohamperhisnewpower，hehadfoundthatinactualoperationitwasquitesimple。Helearnedthathismind，inrelationtootherminds，waslikethereceiverofawirelessstationwithanunlimitedfield。For，whilethewirelesscouldreceivemessagesonlyfromthoseinstrumentswithwhichitwasattuned，hismindwasinkeywithallotherminds。Toreadthethoughtsofanother，hehadonlytoconcentratehisownuponthatperson；andtoshutoffthethoughtsofthatperson，hehadonlytoturnhisownthoughtselsewhere。Butalsohediscoveredthatoverthethoughtsofthoseoutsidetherangeofhisphysicalsighthehadnocontrol。WhenheaskedofwhatHelenCareywasatthatmomentthinking，therewasnoresult。Butwhenheasked，"Ofwhatisthatpolicemanonthecornerthinking？"hewassurprisedtofindthatthatofficerofthelawwasformulatingregulationstoabolishthehobbleskirtasanimpedimenttotraffic。

AsPhilipturnedintoBerkeleySquare，theaccentsofamindingreatdistresssmoteuponhisnewandsixthsense。And，inthepersonofayounggentlemanleaningagainsttheparkrailing，hediscoveredthesourcefromwhichthementalsufferingsemanated。

Theyoungmanwasapink—cheeked，yellow—hairedyouthofextremelyboyishappearance，anddressedasiffortherace—track。Butatthemomenthispinkandbabyishfaceworeanexpressionofcompletemisery。Withtear—filledeyeshewasgazingatahouseofyellowstuccoontheoppositesideofthestreet。Andhisthoughtswerethese："Sheisthebestthateverlived，andIamthemostungratefuloffools。Howhappywereweinthehouseofyellowstucco！Onlynow，whenshehascloseditsdoorstome，doIknowhowhappy！Ifshewouldgivemeanotherchance，neveragainwouldIdistressordeceiveher。"

Sofarhadtheyoungmanprogressedinhisthoughtswhenanautomobileofsurprisingsmartnesssweptaroundthecorneranddrewupinfrontofthehouseofyellowstucco，andfromitdescendedacharmingyoungperson。ShewasoftheDresden—

shepherdesstype，withlargeblueeyesofhauntingbeautyandinnocence。

"Mywife！"exclaimedtheblondyouthattherailings。Andinstantlyhedodgedbehindahorsethat，whilestillattachedtoafour—wheeler，wascontentedlyeatingfromanose—bag。

WithakeytheDresdenshepherdessopenedthedoortotheyellowhouseanddisappeared。

Thecallingofthereportertrainshiminaudacity，andtoactquickly。Hesharesthetroublesofsomanypeoplethattothetroublesofotherpeoplehebecomescallous，andoftenwillrushinwherefriendsofthefamilyfeartotread。AlthoughPhilipwasnotnowactingasareporter，heactedquickly。Hardlyhadthedoorclosedupontheyoungladythanhehadmountedthestepsandrungthevisitor’sbell。Ashedidso，hecouldnotresistcastingatriumphantglanceinthedirectionoftheoutlawedhusband。And，inturn，whattheoutcasthusband，peeringfromacrossthebackofthecabhorse，thoughtofPhilip，ofhisclothes，ofhisgeneralappearance，andofthemannerinwhichhewoulddelighttoalterallofthem，wasquicklycommunicatedtotheAmerican。TheywerethoughtsofanaturesoviolentanduncomplimentarythatPhiliphastilycutoffallconnection。

AsPhilipdidnotknowthenameoftheDresden—chinadoll，itwasfortunatethatonopeningthedoor，thebutlerpromptlyannounced：

"Herladyshipisnotreceiving。"

"Herladyshipwill，Ithink，receiveme，"saidPhilippleasantly，"whenyoutellherIcomeasthespecialambassadorofhislordship。"

Fromatinyreception—roomontherightoftheentrance—hallthereissuedafeminineexclamationofsurprise，notunmixedwithjoy；andinthehallthenobleladyinstantlyappeared。

Whenshesawherselfconfrontedbyastranger，shehaltedinembarrassment。Butas，evenwhileshehalted，heronlythoughthadbeen，"Oh！ifhewillonlyaskmetoforgivehim！"Philipfeltnoembarrassmentwhatsoever。Outside，concealedbehindacabhorse，wastheerringbutbitterlyrepentanthusband；inside，hertenderestthoughtsracingtumultuouslytowardhim，wasanunhappychild—wifebeggingtobebeggedtopardon。

ForaNewYorkreporter，andaHarvardgraduateofcharmandgoodmanners，itwastooeasy。

"Idonotknowyou，"saidherladyship。Butevenasshespokeshemotionedtothebutlertogoaway。"Youmustbeoneofhisnewfriends。"Hertonewasoneofenvy。

"Indeed，Iamhisnewestfriend，"Philipassuredher；"butIcansafelysaynooneknowshisthoughtsaswellasI。Andtheyareallofyou！"

Thechinashepherdessblushedwithhappiness，butinstantlysheshookherhead。

"TheytellmeImustnotbelievehim，"sheannounced。"Theytellme——"

"Nevermindwhattheytellyou，"commandedPhilip。"ListentoME。

Helovesyou。Betterthaneverbefore，helovesyou。Allheasksisthechancetotellyouso。Youcannothelpbutbelievehim。

Whocanlookatyou，andnotbelievethathelovesyou！Letme，"

hebegged，"bringhimtoyou。"Hestartedfromherwhen，rememberingthesomewhatviolentthoughtsoftheyouthfulhusband，headdedhastily："Orperhapsitwouldbebetterifyoucalledhimyourself。"

"Calledhim！"exclaimedthelady。"HeisinParis—attheraces——withher！"

"Iftheytellyouthatsortofthing，"protestedPhilipindignantly，"youmustlistentome。HeisnotinParis。Heisnotwithher。Thereneverwasaher！"

Hedrewasidethelacecurtainsandpointed。"Heisthere——

behindthatancientcabhorse，prayingthatyouwilllethimtellyouthatnotonlydidheneverdoit；but，whatismuchmoreimportant，hewillneverdoitagain。"

Theladyherselfnowtimidlydrewthecurtainsapart，andthenmoreboldlyshowedherselfupontheironbalcony。Leaningoverthescarletgeraniums，shebeckonedwithbothhands。Theresultwasinstantaneous。Philipboltedforthefrontdoor，leavingitopen；and，ashedarteddownthesteps，theyouthfulhusband，instridesresemblingthoseofanostrich，shotpasthim。PhilipdidnotceaserunninguntilhewaswelloutofBerkeleySquare。Then，notill—pleasedwiththeadventure，heturnedandsmiledbackatthehouseofyellowstucco。

"Blessyou，mychildren，"hemurmured；"blessyou！"

HecontinuedtotheRitz；and，oncrossingPiccadillytothequieterentrancetothehotelinArlingtonStreet，foundgatheredarounditaconsiderablecrowddrawnuponeithersideofaredcarpetthatstretcheddownthestepsofthehoteltoacourtcarriage。AredcarpetinJune，whenallisdryunderfootandthesunisshininggently，canmeanonlyroyalty；andintherearofthemeninthestreetPhiliphalted。HerememberedthatforafewdaystheyoungKingofAsturiaandtheQueenMotherwereattheRitzincognito；and，asheneverhadseentheyoungmanwhosorecentlyandsotragicallyhadbeenexiledfromhisownkingdom，Philipraisedhimselfontiptoeandstaredexpectantly。

Aseasilyashecouldreadtheirfacescouldhereadthethoughtsofthoseabouthim。Theywerethoughtsoffriendlycuriosity，ofpityfortheexiles；onthepartofthepolicemenwhohadhastenedfromacrossstreet，ofprideattheirtemporaryresponsibility；onthepartofthecoachmanofthecourtcarriage，ofspeculationastothepossibleamountofhisMajesty’stip。Thethoughtswereasharmlessandprotectingasthewarmsunshine。

Andthen，suddenlyandharshly，likethestrokeofafirebellatmidnight，theharmoniouschorusofgentle，hospitablethoughtswasshatteredbyonethatwasdiscordant，evil，menacing。Itwasthethoughtofamanwithabraindiseased；anditspurposewasmurder。

"Whentheyappearatthedoorway，"spokethebrainofthemaniac，"Ishallliftthebombfrommypocket。Ishallraiseitabovemyhead。Ishallcrashitagainstthestonesteps。Itwillhurlthemandallofthesepeopleintoeternityandmewiththem。ButI

shallLIVE——amartyrtotheCause。AndtheCausewillflourish！"

Throughtheunsuspectingcrowd，likeafootballplayerdivingforatackle，Philiphurledhimselfuponalittledarkmanstandingclosetotheopendoorofthecourtcarriage。FromtherearPhilipseizedhimaroundthewaistandlockedhisarmsbehindhim，elbowtoelbow。Philip’sface，appearingovertheman’sshoulder，staredstraightintothatofthepoliceman。

"Hehasabombinhisright—handpocket！"yelledPhilip。"Icanholdhimwhileyoutakeit！But，forHeaven’ssake，don’tdropit！"Philipturneduponthecrowd。"Run！allofyou！"heshouted。

"Runlikethedevil！"

AtthatinstanttheboyKingandhisQueenMother，herselfstillyoungandbeautiful，andcloakedwithadignityandsorrowthatherrobesofmourningcouldnotintensify，appearedinthedoorway。

"Goback，sir！"warnedPhilip。"Hemeanstokillyou！"

Atthewordsandatsightofthestrugglingmen，thegreatladyswayedhelplessly，hereyesfilledwithterror。Hersonsprangprotectinglyinfrontofher。Butthedangerwaspast。Asecondpolicemanwasnowholdingthemaniacbythewrists，forcinghisarmsabovehishead；Philip’sarms，likealariat，werewoundaroundhischest；andfromhispocketthefirstpolicemangingerlydrewfortharound，blackobjectofthesizeofaglassfire—grenade。Heheldithighintheair，andwavedhisfreehandwarningly。Butthewarningwasunobserved。Therewasnooneremainingtoobserveit。Leavingthewould—beassassinstrugglingandbitinginthegraspofthestalwartpoliceman，andtheotherpolicemanunhappilyholdingthebombatarm’slength，PhilipsoughttoescapeintotheRitz。ButtheyoungKingbrokethroughthecircleofattendantsandstoppedhim。

"Imustthankyou，"saidtheboyeagerly；"andIwishyoutotellmehowyoucametosuspecttheman’spurpose。"

Unabletospeakthetruth，Philip，thewould—bewriteroffiction，begantoimprovisefluently。

"Tolearntheirpurpose，sir，"hesaid，"ismybusiness。IamoftheInternationalPolice，andinthesecretserviceofyourMajesty。"

"ThenImustknowyourname，"saidtheKing，andaddedwithadignitythatwasmostbecoming，"Youwillfindwearenotungrateful。"

Philipsmiledmysteriouslyandshookhishead。

"Isaidinyoursecretservice，"herepeated。"DidevenyourMajestyknowme，myusefulnesswouldbeatanend。"Hepointedtowardthetwopolicemen。"Ifyoudesiretobejust，aswellasgracious，thosearethementoreward。"

HeslippedpasttheKingandthroughthecrowdofhotelofficialsintothehallandonintothecorridor。

Thearresthadtakenplacesoquietlyandsoquicklythatthroughtheheavyglassdoorsnosoundhadpenetrated，andofthefactthattheyhadbeensoclosetoapossibletragedythoseinthecorridorwerestillignorant。ThemembersoftheHungarianorchestrawerearrangingtheirmusic；awaiterwasservingtwomenofmiddleagewithsherry；andtwodistinguished—lookingelderlygentlemenseatedtogetheronasofaweretalkinginleisurelywhispers。

Oneofthetwomiddle—agedmenwaswellknowntoPhilip，whoasareporterhadoften，inNewYork，endeavoredtointerviewhimonmattersconcerningthesteeltrust。HisnamewasFaust。HewasaPennsylvaniaDutchmanfromPittsburgh，andatonetimehadbeenaforemanofthenightshiftinthesamemillshenowcontrolled。

Butwitharoarandaspectacularflash，notunlikeoneofhisownblastfurnaces，hehadsoaredtofameandfortune。HerecognizedPhilipasoneofthebrightyoungmenoftheRepublic；

butinhisownopinionhewasfartooself—importanttobetraythatfact。

PhilipsankintoanimitationLouisQuatorzechairbesideafountaininimitationofoneintheapartmentofthePompadour，andorderedwhatheknewwouldbeanexecrableimitationofanAmericancocktail。WhilewaitingforthecocktailandLadyWoodcote’sluncheonparty，Philip，fromwherehesat，couldnothelpbutoverheartheconversationofFaustandofthemanwithhim。ThelatterwasaGermanwithHebraicfeaturesandapointedbeard。InloudtoneshewascongratulatingtheAmericanmany—timemillionaireonhavingthatmorningcomeintopossessionofarareandvaluablemasterpiece，ahithertounknownandbutrecentlydiscoveredportraitofPhilipIVbyVelasquez。

Philipsighedenviously。

"Fancy，"hethought，"owningaVelasquez！Fancyhavingitalltoyourself！Itmustbefuntoberich。Itcertainlyishelltobepoor！"

TheGerman，whowasevidentlyapicture—dealer，wasexclaimingintonesofrapture，andnoddinghisheadwithanairofaweandsolemnity。

"Iamtellingyouthetruth，Mr。Faust，"hesaid。"InnogalleryinEurope，no，noteveninthePrado，istheresuchanotherVelasquez。Thisiswhatyouaredoing，Mr。Faust，youarerobbingSpain。YouarerobbingherofsomethingworthmoretoherthanCuba。AndItellyou，sosoonasitisknownthatthisVelasquezisgoingtoyourhomeinPittsburgh，everySpaniardwillhateyouandeveryart—collectorwillhateyou，too。ForitisthemostwonderfularttreasureinEurope。Andwhatabargain，Mr。Faust！

Whatabargain！"

Tomakesurethatthereporterwaswithinhearing，Mr。FaustglancedinthedirectionofPhilipand，seeingthathehadheard，frownedimportantly。Thatthereportermighthearstillmore，healsoraisedhisvoice。

"Nothingcanbecalledabargain，Baron，"hesaid，"thatcoststhreehundredthousanddollars！"

AgainhecouldnotresistglancingtowardPhilip，andsoeagerlythatPhilipdeemeditwouldbeonlypolitetolookinterested。Soheobliginglyassumedastartledlook，withwhichheendeavoredtominglesimulationsofsurprise，awe，andenvy。

Thenextinstantanexpressionofrealsurpriseoverspreadhisfeatures。

Mr。Faustcontinued。"Ifyouwillcomeupstairs，"hesaidtothepicture—dealer，"Iwillgiveyouyourcheck；andthenIshouldliketodrivetoyourapartmentsandtakeafarewelllookatthepicture。"

"Iamsorry，"theBaronsaid，"butIhavehaditmovedtomyartgallerytobepacked。"

"Thenlet’sgotothegallery，"urgedthepatronofart。"We’vejusttimebeforelunch。"Herosetohisfeet，andontheinstantthesoulofthepicture—dealerwasfilledwithalarm。

Inactualwordshesaid："Thepictureisalreadyboxedandinitsleadcoffin。NodoubtbynowitisonitswaytoLiverpool。Iamsorry。"Buthisthoughts，asPhilipeasilyreadthem，were：

"FancymylettingthisvulgarfoolintotheTateStreetworkshop！

EvenHEwouldknowthatoldmastersarenotfoundinahalf—finishedstateonChelsea—madeframesandcanvases。Fancymylettinghimseethosetwohalf—completedVanDycks，thenewHals，thehalf—dozenCorots。HewouldevenseehisowncopyofVelasqueznexttotheoneexactlylikeit——theoneMacMillanfinishedyesterdayandthatIamsendingtoOporto，wherenextyear，inaconvent，weshall’discover’it。"

Philip’ssurprisegavewaytointenseamusement。Inhisdelightatthesituationuponwhichhehadstumbled，helaughedaloud。

Thetwomen，whohadrisen，surprisedatthespectacleofayoungmanlaughingatnothing，turnedandstared。Philipalsorose。

"Pardonme，"hesaidtoFaust，"butyouspokesoloudIcouldn’thelpoverhearing。Ithinkwe’vemetbefore，whenIwasareporterontheRepublic。"

ThePittsburghmillionairemadeapretense，ofannoyance。

"Really！"heprotestedirritably，"youreportersbuttineverywhere。Nopublicmanissafe。Istherenoplacewecangowhereyoufellowswon’tannoyus？"

"YoucangotothedevilforallIcare，"saidPhilip，"oreventoPittsburgh！"

Hesawthewaiterbearingdownuponhimwiththeimitationcocktail，andmovedtomeetit。Themillionaire，fearingthereporterwouldescapehim，hastilychangedhistone。Hespokewitheffectiveresignation。

"However，sinceyou’velearnedsomuch，"hesaid，"I’lltellyouthewholeofit。Idon’twantthefactgarbled，foritisofinternationalimportance。DoyouknowwhataVelasquezis？"

"Doyou？"askedPhilip。

Themillionairesmiledtolerantly。

"IthinkIdo，"hesaid。"Andtoproveit，Ishalltellyousomethingthatwillbenewstoyou。IhavejustboughtaVelasquezthatIamgoingtoplaceinmyartmuseum。Itisworththreehundredthousanddollars。"

Philipacceptedthecocktailthewaiterpresented。Itwasquiteasbadashehadexpected。

"Now，Ishalltellyousomething，"hesaid，"thatwillbenewstoyou。YouarenotbuyingaVelasquez。ItisnomoreaVelasquezthanthishairoilisarealcocktail。Itisabadcopy，worthafewdollars。"

"Howdareyou！"shoutedFaust。"Areyoumad？"

ThefaceoftheGermanturnedcrimsonwithrage。

"Whoisthisinsolentone？"hesputtered。

"Iwillmakeyouasportingproposition，"saidPhilip。"Youcantakeit，orleaveit。Youtwowillgetintoataxi。Youwilldrivetothisman’sstudioinTateStreet。YouwillfindyourVelasquezisthereandnotonitswaytoLiverpool。Andyouwillfindoneexactlylikeit，andadozenother’oldmasters’

half—finished。I’llbetyouahundredpoundsI’mright！AndI’llbetthismanahundredpoundsthatheDOESN’TDARETAKEYOUTO

HISSTUDIO！"

"Indeed，Iwillnot，"roaredtheGerman。"Itwouldbetoinsultmyself。"

"Itwouldbeaneasywaytoearnahundredpounds，too，"saidPhilip。

"HowdareyouinsulttheBaron？"demandedFaust。"Whatmakesyouthink——"

"Idon’tthink，Iknow！"saidPhilip。"Forthepriceofataxi—cabfaretoTateStreet，youwinahundredpounds。"

"Wewillallthreegoatonce，"criedtheGerman。"Mycarisoutside。Waithere。Iwillhaveitbroughttothedoor？"

Faustprotestedindignantly。

"Donotdisturbyourself，Baron，"hesaid；"justbecauseafreshreporter——"

ButalreadytheGermanhadreachedthehall。Nordidhestopthere。Theysawhim，withouthishat，rushintoPiccadilly，springintoataxi，andshoutexcitedlytothedriver。Thenextmomenthehaddisappeared。

"That’sthelastyou’llseeofhim，"saidPhilip。

"Hisactionsarecertainlypeculiar，"gaspedthemillionaire。"Hedidnotwaitforus。Hedidn’tevenwaitforhishat！Ithink，afterall，IhadbettergotoTateStreet。"

"Doso，"saidPhilip，"andsaveyourselfthreehundredthousanddollars，andfromthelaughteroftwocontinents。You’llfindmehereatlunch。IfI’mwrong，I’llpayyouahundredpounds。"

"Youshouldcomewithme，"saidFaust。"Itisonlyfairtoyourself。"

"I’lltakeyourwordforwhatyoufindinthestudio，"saidPhilip。"Icannotgo。Thisismybusyday。"

Withoutfurtherwords，themillionairecollectedhishatandstick，and，inhisturn，enteredataxi—cabanddisappeared。

PhilipreturnedtotheLouisQuatorzechairandlitacigarette。

Saveforthetwoelderlygentlemenonthesofa，theloungewasstillempty，andhisreflectionswereundisturbed。Heshookhisheadsadly。

"Surely，"Philipthought，"theFrenchchapwasrightwhosaidwordsweregivenustoconcealourthoughts。Whatastrangeworlditwouldbeifeveryonepossessedmypower。Deceptionwouldbequitefutileandlyingwouldbecomealostart。Iwonder，"hemusedcynically，"isanyonequitehonest？Doesanyonespeakashethinksandthinkashespeaks？"

Atoncecameadirectanswertohisquestion。Thetwoelderlygentlemenhadrisenand，beforeseparating，hadhaltedafewfeetfromhim。

"Isincerelyhope，SirJohn，"saidoneofthetwo，"thatyouhavenoregrets。IhopeyoubelievethatIhaveadvisedyouinthebestinterestsofall？"

"Ido，indeed，"theotherrepliedheartily"Weshallbethoughtentirelyselfish；butyouknowandIknowthatwhatwehavedoneisforthebenefitoftheshareholders。"

Philipwaspleasedtofindthatthethoughtsofeachoftheoldgentlemenranhandinhandwithhisspokenwords。"Here，atleast，"hesaidtohimself，"aretwohonestmen。"

Asthoughloathtopart，thetwogentlemenstilllingered。

"AndIhope，"continuedtheoneaddressedasSirJohn，"thatyouapproveofmyholdingbackthepublicannouncementofthecombineuntiltheafternoon。Itwillgivetheshareholdersabetterchance。Hadwegivenoutthenewsinthismorning’spapersthestockbrokerswouldhave——"

"Itwasmostwise，"interruptedtheother。"Mostjust。"

TheonecalledSirJohnbowedhimselfaway，leavingtheotherstillstandingatthestepsofthelounge。Withhishandsbehindhisback，hischinsunkonhischest，heremained，gazingatnothing，histhoughtsfaraway。

Philipfoundthemthoughtsofcuriousinterest。Theywereconcernedwiththreeflags。Now，thegentlemanconsideredthemseparately；andPhilipsawtheemblemspaintedclearlyincolors，flutteringandflattenedbythebreeze。Again，thegentlemanconsideredtheminvariouscombinations；butalways，inwhateverorderhismindarrangedthem，ofthethreehisheartspokealwaystothesameflag，astheheartofamotherreachestowardherfirstborn。

Thenthethoughtswerediverted；andinhismind’seyetheoldgentlemanwaswatchingthelaunchingofalittleschoonerfromashipyardontheClyde。Athermainflewoneofthethreeflags——aflagwitharedcrossonawhiteground。Withthoughtstenderandgrateful，hefollowedhertostrange，hotports，throughhurricanesandtidalwaves；hesawherreturnagainandagaintotheLondondocks，ladenwithodorouscoffee，mahogany，redrubber，andrawbullion。HesawsistershipsfollowinherwaketoeveryportintheSouthSea；sawsteampacketstaketheplaceoftheshipswithsails；sawthesteampacketsgivewaytogreatoceanliners，eachafloatingvillage，eachequipped，asnovillageisequipped，withagiantpowerhouse，thousandsofelectriclamps，suiteaftersuiteofsilk—linedboudoirs，withthefloatingharpsthatvibratetoalovemessagethreehundredmilesaway，tothefiercecallforhelpfromasinkingship。Butatthemainofeachgreatvesseltherestillflewthesamehouse—flag——theredcrossonthefieldofwhite——onlynowinthearmsofthecrosstherenestledproudlyaroyalcrown。

Philipcastascaredglanceattheoldgentleman，andraceddownthecorridortothetelephone。

OfalltheyoungEnglishmenheknew，Maddoxwashisbestfriendandastock—broker。InthatlattercapacityPhiliphadneverbeforeaddressedhim。Nowhedemandedhisinstantpresenceatthetelephone。