第6章

Maddoxgreetedhimgenially，butPhilipcuthimshort。

"Iwantyoutoactforme，"hewhispered，"andactquick！IwantyoutobuyformeonethousandsharesoftheRoyalMailLine，oftheElder—Dempster，andoftheUnionCastle。"

HeheardMaddoxlaughindulgently。

"There’snothinginthatyarnofacombine，"hecalled。"Ithasfallenthrough。Besides，sharesareatfifteenpounds。"

Philip，havinginhispossessionasecond—classticketandafive—poundnote，wasindifferenttothat，andsaidso。

"Idon’tcarewhattheyare，"heshouted。"Thecombineisalreadysignedandsealed，andnooneknowsitbutmyself。Inanhoureverybodywillknowit！"

"Whatmakesyouthinkyouknowit？"demandedthebroker。

"I’veseenthehouse—flags！"criedPhilip。"Ihave——doasItellyou，"hecommanded。

Therewasadistractingdelay。

"Nomatterwho’sbackofyou，"objectedMaddox，"it’sabigorderonagamble。"

"It’snotagamble，"criedPhilip。"It’sanaccomplishedfact。

I’mattheRitz。Callmeupthere。Startbuyingnow，and，whenyou’vegotathousandofeach，stop！"

Philipwasmuchtooagitatedtogofarfromthetelephonebooth；

soforhalfanhourhesatinthereading—room，forcinghimselftoreadtheillustratedpapers。Whenhefoundhehadreadthesameadvertisementfivetimes，hereturnedtothetelephone。Thetelephoneboymethimhalf—waywithamessage。

"Havesecuredforyouathousandsharesofeach，"heread，"atfifteen。Maddox。"

Likeamanawakeningfromanightmare，Philiptriedtoseparatethehorrorofthesituationfromthecoldfact。Thecoldfactwassufficientlyhorrible。Itwasthat，withoutapennytopayforthem，hehadboughtsharesinthreesteamshiplines，whichshares，addedtogether，wereworthtwohundredandtwentyfivethousanddollars。Hereturneddownthecorridortowardthelounge。Tremblingathisownaudacity，hewasinastateofalmostcompletepanic，whenthathappenedwhichmadehisoutrageousspeculationoflittleconsequence。Itwasdrawingneartohalf—pastone；and，inthepersonsofseveralsmartmenandbeautifulladies，thecomponentpartsofdifferentluncheonpartieswerebeginningtoassemble。

OftheluncheontowhichLadyWoodcotehadinvitedhim，onlyoneguesthadarrived；but，sofarasPhilipwasconcerned，thatonewassufficient。ItwasHelenherself，seatedalone，withhereyesfixedonthedoorsopeningfromPiccadilly。Philip，hisheartsingingwithappeals，blessings，andadoration，rantowardher。

Herprofilewastowardhim，andshecouldnotseehim；buthecouldseeher。Andhenotedthat，asthoughseekingsomeone，hereyeswereturnedsearchinglyuponeachyoungmanasheenteredandmovedfromonetoanotherofthosealreadyinthelounge。Herexpressionwaseagerandanxious。

"Ifonly，"Philipexclaimed，"shewerelookingforme！Shecertainlyislookingforsomeman。Iwonderwhoitcanbe？"

Assuddenlyasifhehadslappedhisfaceintoawall，hehaltedinhissteps。Whyshouldhewonder？Whydidhenotreadhermind？

WhydidhenotKNOW？Awaiterwashasteningtowardhim。Philipfixedhisminduponthewaiter，andhiseyesaswell。MentallyPhilipdemandedofhim："Ofwhatareyouthinking？"

Therewasnoresponse。Andthen，seeinganunlitcigarettehangingfromPhilip’slips，thewaiterhastilystruckamatchandprofferedit。Obviously，hismindhadworked，first，inobservingthehalf—burnedcigarette；next，infurnishingthenecessarymatch。AndofnostepinthatmentalprocesshadPhilipbeenconscious！Theconclusionwasonlytooapparent。Hispowerwasgone。Nolongerwasheamindreader！

HastilyPhilipreviewedtheadventuresofthemorning。Asheconsideredthem，themoralwasobvious。Themomenthehadusedhispowertohisownadvantage，hehadlostit。Solongashehadexerteditforthehappinessofthetwolovers，tosavethelifeoftheKing，tothwartthedishonestyofaswindler，hehadbeenall—powerful；butwhenheendeavoredtobendittohisownuses，ithadfledfromhim。Ashestoodabashedandrepentant，Helenturnedhereyestowardhim；and，atthesightofhim，thereleapedtothemhappinessandwelcomeandcompletecontent。Itwas"thelookthatneverwasonlandorsea，"anditwasnotnecessarytobeamindreadertounderstandit。Philipsprangtowardherasquicklyasamandodgesataxi—cab。

"Icameearly，"saidHelen，"becauseIwantedtotalktoyoubeforetheothersarrived。"Sheseemedtoberepeatingwordsalreadyrehearsed，tobefollowingacourseofconductalreadypredetermined。"Iwanttotellyou，"shesaid，"thatIamsorryyouaregoingaway。IwanttotellyouthatIshallmissyouverymuch。"Shepausedanddrewalongbreath。AndshelookedatPhilipasifshewasbegginghimtomakeiteasierforhertogoon。

Philipproceededtomakeiteasier。

"Willyoumissme，"heasked，"intheRow，whereIusedtowaitamongthetreestoseeyouridepast？Willyoumissmeatdances，whereIusedtohidebehindthedowagerstowatchyouwaltzingby？Willyoumissmeatnight，whenyoucomehomebysunrise，andIamnothidingagainsttherailingsoftheCarltonClub，justtoseeyourunacrossthepavementfromyourcarriage，justtoseethelightonyourwindowblind，justtoseethelightgoout，andtoknowthatyouaresleeping？"

Helen’seyesweresmilinghappily。Shelookedawayfromhim。

"Didyouusetodothat？"sheasked。

"EverynightIdothat，"saidPhilip。"Askthepolicemen！Theyarrestedmethreetimes。"

"Why？"saidHelengently。

ButPhilipwasnotyetfreetospeak，sohesaid：

"TheythoughtIwasaburglar。"

Helenfrowned。Hewasmakingitveryhardforher。

"YouknowwhatImean，"shesaid。"Whydidyoukeepguardoutsidemywindow？"

"Itwasthepolicemankeptguard，"saidPhilip。"Iwasthereonlyasaburglar。Icametorob。ButIwasacoward，orelseIhadaconscience，orelseIknewmyownunworthiness。"Therewasalongpause。Asbothofthem，whenevertheyheardthetuneafterward，alwaysremembered，theHungarianband，withrareinconsequence，wasplayingthe"GrizzlyBear，"andpeopleweretryingtospeaktoHelen。Byhertheywerereceivedwithalookofsocompletealackofrecognition，andbyPhilipwithaglareofsuchsavagehate，thattheyretreatedindismay。Thepauseseemedtolastformanyyears。

AtlastHelensaid："Doyouknowthestoryofthetworoses？Theygrewinagardenunderalady’swindow。Theybothlovedher。Onelookedupatherfromthegroundandsighedforher；buttheotherclimbedtothelady’swindow，andsheliftedhiminandkissedhim——becausehehaddaredtoclimb。"

Philiptookouthiswatchandlookedatit。ButHelendidnotmindhisdoingthat，becauseshesawthathiseyeswerefilledwithtears。Shewasdelightedtofindthatshewasmakingitveryhardforhim，too。

"Atanymoment，"Philipsaid，"ImayknowwhetherIowetwohundredandtwenty—fivethousanddollarswhichIcanneverpay，orwhetherIamworthaboutthatsum。Ishouldliketocontinuethisconversationattheexactplacewhereyoulastspoke——AFTER

IknowwhetherIamgoingtojail，orwhetherIamworthaquarterofamilliondollars。"

Helenlaughedaloudwithhappiness。

"Iknewthatwasit！"shecried。"Youdon’tlikemymoney。IwasafraidyoudidnotlikeME。Ifyoudislikemymoney，Iwillgiveitaway，orIwillgiveittoyoutokeepforme。Themoneydoesnotmatter，solongasyoudon’tdislikeme。"

WhatPhilipwouldhavesaidtothat，Helencouldnotknow，forapageinmanybuttonsrushedathimwithamessagefromthetelephone，andwithahandthattrembledPhilipsnatchedit。Itread："Combineisannounced，shareshavegonetothirty—one，shallIholdorsell？"

ThatatsuchacrisisheshouldpermitofanyinterruptionhurtHelendeeply。Sheregardedhimwithunhappyeyes。Philipreadthemessagethreetimes。Atlast，andnotwithoutuneasydoubtsastohisownsanity，hegraspedthepreposteroustruth。Hewasworthalmostaquarterofamilliondollars！Atthepageheshovedhislastandonlyfive—poundnote。Hepushedtheboyfromhim。

"Run！"hecommanded。"Getoutofhere，TellhimheistoSELL！"

HeturnedtoHelenwithalookinhiseyesthatcouldnotbequestionedordenied。Heseemedincapableofspeech，and，tobreakthesilence，Helensaid："Isitgoodnews？"

"Thatdependsentirelyuponyou，"repliedPhilipsoberly。

"Indeed，allmyfuturelifedependsuponwhatyouaregoingtosaynext。"

Helenbreatheddeeplyandhappily。

"And——whatamIgoingtosay？"

"HowcanIknowthat？"demandedPhilip。"AmIamindreader？"

ButwhatshesaidmaybesafelyguessedfromthefactthattheybothchuckedLadyWoodcotesluncheon，andateoneofpennybuns，whichtheysharedwiththebearsinRegentsPark。

Philipwasjustabletopayforthepennybuns。Helenpaidforthetaxi—cab。

Chapter7。THENAKEDMAN

IntheirhometownofKeepsburg，theKeepswerethereigningdynasty，sociallyandineveryway。OldmanKeepwaspresidentofthetrolleyline，thetelephonecompany，andtheKeepNationalBank。ButFred，hisson，andtheheirapparent，didnotinheritthebusinessabilityofhisfather；or，ifhedid，hetookpainstoconcealthatfact。FredhadgonethroughHarvard，butastothatalso，unlesshetoldpeople，theywouldnothaveknownit。

TenminutesafterFredmetamanhegenerallytoldhim。

WhenFredarrangedanalliancewithWinniePlatt，whoalsowasoftheinnermostinnersetofKeepsburg，everybodysaidKeepsburgwouldsoonlosethem。Andeverybodywasright。Whensingle，eachhadsighedforothersocialworldstoconquer，andwhentheycombinedtheirfortunesandambitionstheyfoundKeepsburgimpossible，andtheyleftittolaysiegetoNewYork。TheyweretoocraftytoatonceattackNewYorkitself。AwidowladytheymetwhileontheirhoneymoonatPalmBeachhadtoldthemnottoattemptthat。AndshewasthePalmBeachcorrespondentofasocietypapertheynaturallyacceptedheradvice。ShewarnedthemthatinNewYorkthewaiting—listisalreadyinterminable，andthat，ifyouhopedtobreakintoNewYorksociety，thecleverthingtodowastolaysiegetoitbywayofthesuburbsandthecountryclubs。IfyouwentdirecttoNewYorkknowingnoone，youwouldatonceexposethatfact，andtheresultwouldbedisastrous。

Shetoldthemofacouplelikethemselves，youngandrichandfromtheWest，who，atthefirstdancetowhichtheywereinvited，asked，"Whoistheoldladyinthewig？"andthatquestionarguedthemsounknownthatitsetthembacktwoyears。

Itwasaterriblestory，anditfilledtheKeepswithmisgivings。

Theyagreedwiththeladycorrespondentthatitwasfarbettertoadvanceleisurely；firstfirmlytointrenchthemselvesinthesuburbs，andthentoenterNewYork，notastheKeepsfromKeepsburg，whichmeantnothing，butastheFredKeepsofLongIsland，orWestchester，orBordentown。

"Inallofthoseplaces，"explainedthewidowlady，"oursmartestpeoplehavecountryhomes，andatthecountryclubyoumaygettoknowthem。Then，whenwintercomes，youfollowthemontothecity。"

ThepointfromwhichtheKeepselectedtolaunchtheirattackwasScarboro—on—the—Hudson。TheyselectedScarborobecausebothofthemcouldplaygolf，andtheyplannedthattheirfirstskirmishshouldbefoughtandwonuponthegolf—linksoftheSleepyHollowCountryClub。Buttheattackdidnotsucceed。Somethingwentwrong。Theybegantofearthattheladycorrespondenthadgiventhemthewrongdope。For，althoughthreemonthshadpassed，andtheyhadplayedgolftogetheruntiltheywereasloathtoclaspagolfclubasared—hotpoker，theyknewnoone，andnooneknewthem。Thatis，theydidnotknowtheVanWardens；andifyoulivedatScarboroandwerenotrecognizedbytheVanWardens，youwerenottobefoundonanymap。

SincethedaysofHendrikHudsonthecountry—seatoftheVanWardenshadlookeddownupontheriverthatbearshisname，andeversincethosedaystheVanWardenshadlookeddownuponeverybodyelse。Theyweresoproudthatatalltheirgatestheyhadplacedsignsreading，"Nohorsesallowed。Taketheotherroad。"TheotherroadwasanearthroadusedbytradespeoplefromOssining；theroadreservedfortheVanWardens，andautomobiles，wasofbluestone。IthelpedgreatlytogivetheVanWardenestatetheappearanceofawellkeptcemetery。AndthoseVanWardenswhooccupiedthecountry—placewereascoldandunsociableasthesortofpeoplewhooccupycemeteries——except"Harry"VanWarden，andshelivedinNewYorkattheTurfClub。

Harry，accordingtoalllocaltradition——forhefrequentlymotoredouttoWardenKoopf，theVanWardencountry—seat——and，accordingtothenewspapers，wasadevilofafellowandinnosensecoldorunsociable。SofarastheKeepsreadofhim，hewasalwaysbeingarrestedforoverspeeding，orbreakinghiscollar—boneouthunting，orlosinghisfrontteethatpolo。ThisgreatlyannoyedtheproudsistersatWardenKoopf；notbecauseHarrywasarrestedorhadbrokenhiscollar—bone，butbecauseitdraggedthefamilynameintothenewspapers。

"Ifyouwouldonlyplaypoloorridetohoundsinsteadofplayinggolf，"sighedWinnieKeeptoherhusband，"youwouldmeetHarryVanWarden，andhe’dintroduceyoutohissisters，andthenwecouldbreakinanywhere。"

"IfIwastoridetohounds，"returnedherhusband，"theonlythingI’dbreakwouldbemyneck。"

Thecountry—placeoftheKeepswascompletelysatisfactory，andforthepurposesoftheirsocialcomedythestage—settingwasperfect。Thehousewasonetheyhadrentedfromamanofcharmingtasteandinflatedfortune；andwithittheyhadtakenoverhiswell—disciplinedbutler，hispictures，furniture，familysilver，andlinen。Itstooduponaneminence，washeavilywooded，andsurroundedbymanygardens；butitschiefattractionwasanartificiallakewellstockedwithtroutthatlaydirectlybelowtheterraceofthehouseandalsoinfullviewfromtheroadtoAlbany。

ThislatterfactcausedWinnieKeepmuchconcern。IntheneighborhoodweremanyItalianlaborers，andonseveralnightsthefishhadtemptedthesebornpoacherstotrespass；andmorethanonce，onhotsummerevenings，smallboysfromTarrytownandOssininghadbrokenthroughthehedge，andusedthelakeasaswimming—pool。

"Itmakesmenervous，"complainedWinnie。"Idon’tliketheideaofpeopleprowlingaroundsonearthehouse。Andthinkofthosetwelvehundredconvicts，notonemileaway，inSingSing。Mostofthemareburglars，andiftheyevergetout，ourhouseistheveryfirstonethey’llbreakinto。"

"Ihaven’tcaughtanybodyinthisneighborhoodbreakingintoourhouseyet，"saidFred，"andI’dbegladtoseeevenaburglar！"

Theywereseatedonthebrickterracethatoverlookedthelake。

Itwasjustbeforethedinnerhour，andtheduskofawonderfulOctobernighthadfallenonthehedges，theclumpsofevergreens，therowsofclose—clippedbox。Afullmoonwasjustshowingitselfabovethetree—tops，turningthelakeintomovingsilver。

Fredrosefromhiswickerchairand，crossingtohisyoungbride，touchedherhairfearfullywiththetipsofhisfingers。

"Whatifwedon’tknowanybody，Win，"hesaid，"andnobodyknowsus？It’sbeenaperfectlygoodhoneymoon，hasn’tit？Ifyoujustlookatitthatway，itworksoutallright。Wecameherereallyforourhoneymoon，tobetogether，tobealone——"

Winnielaughedshortly。"Theycertainlyhaveleftusalone！"shesighed。

"Butwhereelsecouldwehavebeenanyhappier？"demandedtheyounghusbandloyally。"Wherewillyoufindanyprettierplacethanthis，justasitisatthisminute，sostillandsweetandsilent？There’snothingthematterwiththatmoon，isthere？

Nothingthematterwiththelake？Where’sthereabetterplaceforahoneymoon？It’sabower——abowerofpeace，solitudea——bowerof——"

Asthoughmockinghiswords，thereburstuponthesleepingcountrysidetheshriekofagiantsiren。Itwasraucous，virulent，insulting。Itcameassharplyasascreamofterror，itcontinuedinabellowofrage。Then，assuddenlyasithadcriedaloud，itsanktosilence；onlyafterapauseofaninstant，asthoughgivingasignal，toshriekagainintwosharpblasts。Andthenagainitbrokeintothehideouslongdrawnscreamofrage，insistent，breathless，commanding；fillingthesoulofhimwhoheardit，evenoftheinnocent，withalarm。

"InthenameofHeaven！"gaspedKeep，"what’sthat？"

Downtheterracethebutlerwashasteningtowardthem。Whenhestopped，hespokeasthoughhewereannouncingdinner。"A

convict，sir，"hesaid，"hasescapedfromSingSing。Ithoughtyoumightnotunderstandthewhistle。IthoughtperhapsyouwouldwishMrs。Keeptocomein—doors。"

"Why？"askedWinnieKeep。

"Thehouseisneartheroad，madam，"saidthebutler。"Andtherearesomanytreesandbushes。Lastsummertwoofthemhidhere，andthekeepers——therewasafight。"ThemanglancedatKeep。

Fredtouchedhiswifeonthearm。

"It’stimetodressfordinner，Win，"hesaid。

"Andwhatareyougoingtodo？"demandedWinnie。

I’mgoingtofinishthiscigarfirst。Itdoesn’ttakemelongtochange。"Heturnedtothebutler。"AndI’llhaveacocktail，tooI’llhaveitouthere。"

Theservantleftthem，butintheFrenchwindowthatopenedfromtheterracetothelibraryMrs。Keeplingeredirresolutely。

"Fred，"shebegged，"you——you’renotgoingtopokearoundinthebushes，areyou？——justbecauseyouthinkI’mfrightened？"

Herhusbandlaughedather。"IcertainlyamNOT！"hesaid。"Andyou’renotfrightened，either。Goin。I’llbewithyouinaminute。"

Butthegirlhesitated。Stillshatteringthesilenceofthenightthesirenshriekedrelentlessly；itseemedtobeattheirverydoor，tobeatandbuffetthewindow—panes。Thebrideshiveredandheldherfingerstoherears。

"Whydon’ttheystopit！"shewhispered。"Whydon’ttheygivehimachance！"

Whenshehadgone，Fredpulledoneofthewickerchairstotheedgeoftheterrace，and，leaningforwardwithhischininhishands，satstaringdownatthelake。Themoonhadclearedthetopsofthetrees，hadblottedthelawnswithblack，rigidsquares，haddisguisedthehedgeswithwaveringshadows。

Somewherenearathandacriminal——amurderer，burglar，thug——wasatlarge，andthevoiceoftheprisonhehadtrickedstillbellowedinrage，inamazement，stillclamorednotonlyforhispersonbutperhapsforhislife。Thewholecountrysideheardit：

thefarmersbeddingdowntheircattleforthenight；theguestsoftheBriarCliffInn，diningunderredcandleshades；thejoyridersfromthecity，racingtheircarsalongtheAlbanyroad。ItwoketheechoesofSleepyHollow。ItcrossedtheHudson。ThegranitewallsofthePalisadesflungitbackagainstthegranitewallsoftheprison。Whicheverwaytheconvictturned，ithuntedhim，reachingforhim，pointinghimout——stirringintheheartofeachwhohearditthelustofthehunter，whichneverissocruelaswhenthehuntedthingisaman。

"Findhim！"shriekedthesiren。"Findhim！He’sthere，behindyourhedge！He’skneelingbythestonewall。THAT’Sherunninginthemoonlight。THAT’Shecrawlingthroughthedeadleaves！Stophim！Draghimdown！He’smine！Mine！"

Butfromwithintheprison，fromwithinthegraywallsthatmadethehomeofthesiren，eachoftwelvehundredmencurseditwithhissoul。Each，clingingtothebarsofhiscell，each，tremblingwithafearfuljoy，each，histhumbsup，urgingonwithallthestrengthofhiswillthehunted，rat—likefigurethatstumbledpantingthroughthecrispOctobernight，bewilderedbystrangelights，besetbyshadows，staggeringandfalling，runninglikeamaddogincircles，knowingthatwhereverhisfeetledhimthesirenstillheldhimbytheheels。

Asarule，whenWinnieKeepwasdressingfordinner，Fred，intheroomadjoining，couldhearherunconsciouslyandlight—heartedlysingingtoherself。Itwasahabitofhersthatheloved。Butonthisnight，althoughherroomwasdirectlyabovewherehesatupontheterrace，heheardnosinging。Hehadbeenontheterraceforaquarterofanhour。Gridley，theagedbutlerwhowasrentedwiththehouse，andwhofortwentyyearshadbeenaninmateofit，hadbroughtthecocktailandtakenawaytheemptyglass。AndKeephadbeenalonewithhisthoughts。Theywereentirelyoftheconvict。Ifthemansuddenlyconfrontedhimandbeggedhisaid，whatwouldhedo？Heknewquitewellwhathewoulddo。Heconsideredeventhemeansbywhichhewouldassistthefugitivetoasuccessfulget—away。

TheethicsofthequestiondidnotconcernFred。HedidnotweighhisdutytotheStateofNewYork，ortosociety。Oneday，whenhehadvisited"theinstitution，"asasomewhatsensitiveneighborhoodpreferstospeakofit，hewastoldthatthechanceofaprisoner’sescapingfromSingSingandnotbeingatonceretakenwasoneoutofsixthousand。SowithFreditwaslargelyasportingproposition。Anymanwhocouldbeatasix—thousand—to—oneshotcommandedhisadmiration。

And，havingsettledhisowncourseofaction，hetriedtoimaginehimselfintheplaceofthemanwhoatthatverymomentwasendeavoringtoescape。Werehethatman，hewouldfirst，hedecided，ridhimselfofhistell—taleclothing。Butthatwouldleavehimnaked，andinWestchesterCountyanakedmanwouldbequiteasconspicuousasoneinthepurple—grayclothoftheprison。Howcouldheobtainclothes？Hemightholdupapasser—by，and，ifthepasser—bydidnotfleefromhimorpunchhimintoinsensibility，hemighteffectanexchangeofgarments；

hemightbythreatsobtainthemfromsomefarmer；hemightdespoilascarecrow。

ButwithnoneoftheseplanswasFredentirelysatisfied。Thequestiondeeplyperplexedhim。Howbestcouldanakedmanclothehimself？Andashesatponderingthatpoint，fromthebushesanakedmanemerged。Hewasnotentirelyundraped。Foraroundhisnakednesshehaddrawnacanvasawning。Fredrecognizeditashavingbeentornfromoneoftherow—boatsinthelake。But，exceptforthat，themanwasnakedtohisheels。HewasayoungmanofFred’sownage。Hishairwascutclose，hisfacesmooth—shaven，andabovehiseyewasahalf—healedbruise。Hehadthesharp，clever，rat—likefaceofonewholivedbyevilknowledge。Waterdrippedfromhim，andeitherforthatreasonorfromfrighttheyoungmantrembled，and，likeonewhohadbeenrunning，breathedinshort，hardgasps。

Fredwassurprisedtofindthathewasnotintheleastsurprised。Itwasasthoughhehadbeenwaitingfortheman，asthoughithadbeenanappointment。

Twothoughtsaloneconcernedhim：thatbeforehecouldridhimselfofhisvisitorhiswifemightreturnandtakealarm，andthattheman，notknowinghisfriendlyintentions，andinastatetocommitmurder，mightrushhim。Butthestrangermadenohostilemove，andforamomentinthemoonlightthetwoyoungmeneyedeachotherwarily。

Then，takingbreathandwithaviolentefforttostopthechatteringofhisteeth，thestrangerlaunchedintohisstory。

"Itookabathinyourpond，"heblurtedforth，"and——andtheystolemyclothes！That’swhyI’mlikethis！"

Fredwasconsumedwithenvy。Incomparisonwiththisingeniousnarrativehowprosaicandcommonplacebecamehisownplanstoridhimselfofaccusinggarmentsandexplainhisnakedness。Heregardedthestrangerwithadmiration。Buteventhoughheapplaudedtheother’sinvention，hecouldnotlethimsupposethathewasdeceivedbyit。

"Isn’titratheracoldnighttotakeabath？"hesaid。

Asthoughinheartyagreement，thenakedmanburstintoaviolentfitofshivering。

"Itwasn’tabath，"hegasped。"Itwasabet！"

"Awhat！"exclaimedFred。Hisadmirationwasincreasing。"Abet？

Thenyouarenotalone？"

"IamNOW——damnthem！"exclaimedthenakedone。Hebeganagainreluctantly。"Wesawyoufromtheroad，youandawoman，sittinghereinthelightfromthatroom。TheybetmeIdidn’tdarestripandswimacrossyourpondwithyousittingsonear。Icanseenowitwasframeduponmefromthestart。ForwhenIwasswimmingbackIsawthemruntowhereI’dleftmyclothes，andthenI

heardthemcrankup，andwhenIgottothehedgethecarwasgone！"

Keepsmiledencouragingly。"Thecar！"heassented。"Soyou’vebeenridingaroundinthemoonlight？"

Theothernodded，andwasabouttospeakwhenthereburstinuponthemtheroaringscreamofthesiren。Thenotenowwasofdeeperrage，andcameingreatervolume。Betweenhisclinchedteeththenakedonecursedfiercely，andthen，asthoughtoavoidfurtherquestions，burstintoafitofcoughing。Tremblingandshaking，hedrewthecanvascloakclosertohim。Butatnotimedidhisanxious，pryingeyesleavetheeyesofKeep。

"You——youcouldn’tlendmeasuitofclothescouldyou？"hestuttered。"Justforto—night？I’llsendthemback。It’sallright，"headded；reassuringly。"Ilivenearhere。"

WithastartKeepraisedhiseyes，anddistressedbyhislook，theyoungmancontinuedlessconfidently。

"Idon’tblameyouifyoudon’tbelieveit，"hestammered，"seeingmelikethis；butIDOliverightnearhere。Everybodyaroundhereknowsme，andIguessyou’vereadaboutmeinthepapers，too。I’m——thatis，myname——"likeoneabouttotakeaplungehedrewashortbreath，andtherat—likeeyesregardedKeepwatchfully——"mynameisVanWarden。I’mtheoneyoureadabout——Harry——I’mHarryVanWarden！"

Afterapause，slowlyandreprovinglyFredshookhishead；buthissmilewaskindlyevenregretful，asthoughheweresorryhecouldnotlongerenjoythestranger’sconfidences。

"Myboy！"heexclaimed，"you’reMOREthanVanWarden！You’reagenius！"Heroseandmadeaperemptorygesture。"Sorry，"hesaid，"butthisisn’tsafeforeitherofus。Followme，andI’lldressyouupandsendyouwhereyouwanttogo。"Heturnedandwhisperedoverhisshoulder："Somedayletmehearfromyou。A

manwithyournerve——"

Inalarmthenakedonewithagesturecommandedsilence。

Thelibraryledtothefronthall。Inthiswasthecoat—room。

Firstmakingsurethelibraryandhallwerefreeofservants，Fredtiptoedtothecoat—roomand，openingthedoor，switched：ontheelectriclight。Thenakedman，leavinginhiswakeatrailofdampfootprints，followedathisheels。

Fredpointedatgolf—capes，sweaters，greatcoatshangingfromhooks，andontheflooratbootsandovershoes。

"Putonthatmotor—coatandthegaloshes，"hecommanded。"They’llcoveryouincaseyouhavetorunforit。I’mgoingtoleaveyouherewhileIgetyousomeclothes。Ifanyoftheservantsbuttin，don’tloseyourhead。Justsayyou’rewaitingtoseeme——Mr。

Keep。Iwon’tbelong。Wait。"

"Wait！"snortedthestranger。"YouBETI’llwait！’

AsFredclosedthedooruponhim，thenakedonewasrubbinghimselfviolentlywithMrs。Keep’syellowgolf—jacket。

InhisownroomFredcollectedasuitofblueserge，atennisshirt，boots，evenatie。Underclotheshefoundreadylaidoutforhim，andhesnatchedthemfromthebed。Fromarollofmoneyinhisbureaudrawerhecountedoutahundreddollars。Tactfullyheslippedthemoneyinthetrouserspocketofthesergesuitandwiththebundleofclothesinhisarmsraceddownstairsandshovedthemintothecoat—room。

"Don’tcomeoutuntilIknock，"hecommanded。"And，"headdedinavehementwhisper，"don’tcomeoutatallunlessyouhaveclotheson！"

Thestrangergrunted。

FredrangforGridleyandtoldhimtohavehiscarbroughtaroundtothedoor。Hewantedittostartatoncewithintwominutes。

Whenthebutlerhaddeparted，Fred，byaninch，againopenedthecoat—roomdoor。Thestrangerhaddrapedhimselfintheunderclothesandtheshirt，andatthemomentwascarefullyarrangingthetie。

"Hurry！"commandedKeep。"Thecar’llbehereinaminute。WhereshallItellhimtotakeyou？"

Thestrangerchuckledexcitedly；hisconfidenceseemedtobereturning。"NewYork，"hewhispered，"fastashecangetthere！

Lookhere，"headdeddoubtfully，"there’sarollofbillsintheseclothes。"

"They’reyours，"saidFred。

Thestrangerexclaimedvigorously。"You’reallright！"hewhispered。"Iwon’tforgetthis，oryoueither。I’llsendthemoneybacksametimeIsendtheclothes。"

"Exactly！"saidFred。

Thewheelsofthetouring—carcrunchedonthegraveldrive，andFredslammedtothedoor，andlikeasentryonguardpacedbeforeit。Afteraperiodwhichseemedtostretchovermanyminutestherecamefromtheinsideacautiousknocking。WithequalcautionFredopenedthedoorofthewidthofafinger，andputhiseartothecrack。

"Youcouldn’tfindmeabutton—hook，couldyou？"whisperedthestranger。

IndignantlyFredshutthedoorand，walkingtotheveranda，hailedthechauffeur。James，thechauffeur，wasaKeepsburgboy，andwhenKeephadgonetoCambridgeJameshadaccompaniedhim。

Keepknewtheboycouldbetrusted。

"You’retotakeamantoNewYork，"hesaid，"orwhereverhewantstogo。Don’ttalktohim。Don’taskanyquestions。So，ifYOU’REquestioned，youcansayyouknownothing。That’sforyourowngood！"

Thechauffeurmechanicallytouchedhiscapandstarteddownthesteps。Ashedidso，theprisonwhistle，stillunsatisfied，stilldemandingitsprey，shatteredthesilence。Asthoughithadhithimaphysicalblow，theyouthjumped。Heturnedandliftedstartled，inquiringeyestowhereKeepstoodabovehim。

"Itoldyou，"saidKeep，"toasknoquestions。

AsFredre—enteredthehall，WinnieKeepwascomingdownthestairstowardhim。Shehadchangedtooneoftheprettiesteveninggownsofhertrousseau，andsooutrageouslylovelywasthecombinationofherselfandthegownthatherhusband’sexcitementandanxietyfellfromhim，andhewaslostinadmiration。Buthewasnotforlonglost。Tohishorror；thedoorofthecoat—closetopenedtowardhiswifeandoutoftheclosetthestrangeremerged。Winnie，notaccustomedtoseeingyoungmensuddenlyappearfromamongthedust—coats，utteredasharpshriek。

Withwhatheconsideredgreatpresenceofmind，Fredswunguponthevisitor"Didyoufixit？"hedemanded。

Thevisitordidnotheedhim。Inamazementinabjectadmiration，hiseyeswerefasteneduponthebeautifulandradiantvisionpresentedbyWinnieKeep。Buthealsostillpreservedsufficientpresenceofmindtonodhisheaddully。

"Come，"commandedFred。"Thecariswaiting。"

Stillthestrangerdidnotmove。Asthoughhehadneverbeforeseenawoman，asthoughherdazzlinglovelinessheldhiminatrance，hestoodstill，gazing，gaping，devouringWinniewithhiseyes。Inherturn，Winniebeheldastrangeyouthwholookedlikeagroomoutoflivery，soovercomebyhermerepresenceastobestruckmotionlessandinarticulate。Forprotectionshemovedinsomealarmtowardherhusband。

Thestrangergaveasuddenjerkofhisbodythatmighthavebeenintendedforabow。BeforeKeepcouldinterrupthim，likeaparrotrecitingitslesson，heexclaimedexplosively：

"Myname’sVanWarden。I’mHarryVanWarden。"

HeseemedaslittleconvincedofthetruthofhisstatementasthoughhehadannouncedthathewastheCzarofRussia。Itwasasthoughastage—managerhaddrilledhiminthelines。

ButuponWinnie，asherhusbandsawtohisdismay，thewordsproducedaninstantandappallingeffect。Shefairlyradiatedexcitementanddelight。HowherhusbandhadsucceededincapturingthesocialprizeofScarboroshecouldnotimagine，but，fordoingso，sheflashedtowardhimaglanceofdeepandgratefuldevotion。

Thenshebeameduponthestranger。"Won’tMr。VanWardenstaytodinner？"sheasked。

Herhusbandemittedahowl。"HewillNOT！"hecried。"He’snotthatkindofaVanWarden。He’saplumber。He’sthemanthatfixesthetelephone！"

Heseizedthevisitorbythesleeveofthelongmotor—coatanddraggedhimdownthesteps。Reluctantly，almostresistingly，thevisitorstumbledafterhim，castingbackwardamazedglancesatthebeautifullady。Fredthrusthimintotheseatbesidethechauffeur。Pointingatthegolf—capandautomobilegoggleswhichthestrangerwasstupidlytwistinginhishands，Fredwhisperedfiercely：

"Putthoseon！Coveryourface！Don’tspeak！Themanknowswhattodo。"

WitheagereyesandpartedlipsJamesthechauffeurwaswaitingforthesignal。Frednoddedsharply，andthechauffeurstoopedtothrowintheclutch。Butthecardidnotstart。Fromthehedgebesidethedriveway，directlyinfrontofthewheels，somethingonallfoursthrewitselfuponthegravel；somethinginasuitofpurple—gray；somethingtornandbleeding，smearedwithsweatanddirt；somethingthatcringedandcrawled，thattriedtoriseandsankbackuponitsknees，liftingtotheglareofthehead—lightsthewhitefaceandwhitehairofaveryold，oldman。Thekneelingfiguresobbed；thesobsrisingfromfardowninthepitofthestomach，wrenchingthebodylikewavesofnausea。Themanstretchedhisarmstowardthem。Fromlongdisusehisvoicecrackedandbroke。

"I’mdone！"hesobbed。"Ican’tgonofarther！Igivemyselfup！"

Abovetheawfulsilencethatheldthefouryoungpeople，theprisonsirenshriekedinonelong，mockinghowloftriumph。

Itwasthestrangerwhowasthefirsttoact。PushingpastFred，andslippingfromhisownshouldersthelongmotor—coat，heflungitoverthesuitofpurple—gray。Thegogglesheclappedupontheoldman’sfrightenedeyes，thegolf—caphepulleddownoverthewhitehair。Withonearmheliftedtheconvict，andwiththeotherdraggedandpushedhimintotheseatbesidethechauffeur。Intothehandsofthechauffeurhethrusttherollofbills。

"Gethimaway！"heordered。"It’sonlytwelvemilestotheConnecticutline。Assoonasyou’reacross，buyhimclothesandatickettoBoston。GothroughWhitePlainstoGreenwich——andthenyou’resafe！"

Asthoughsuddenlyrememberingthepresenceoftheownerofthecar，heswunguponFred。"AmIright？"hedemanded。

"Ofcourse！"roaredFred。Heflunghisarmatthechauffeurasthoughthrowinghimintospace。

"Get—to—hell—out—of—here！"heshouted。

Thechauffeur，byprofessionacriminal，butbybirthahumanbeing，chuckledsavagelyandthistimethrewintheclutch。Withagrindingofgraveltheracing—carleapedintothenight，itsrubyrearlampwinkinginfarewell，itstinysirenansweringthegreatsirenoftheprisoninjeeringnotesofjoyandvictory。

Fredhadsupposedthatatthelastmomenttheyoungerconvictproposedtoleaptotherunning—board，butinsteadthestrangerremainedmotionless。

Fredshoutedimpotentlyaftertheflyingcar。Indismayheseizedthestrangerbythearm。

"Butyou？"hedemanded。"Howareyougoingtogetaway？"

ThestrangerturnedappealinglytowhereupontheupperstepstoodWinnieKeep。

"Idon’twanttogetaway，"hesaid。"Iwashoping，maybe，you’dletmestaytodinner。"

AterribleandicychillcreptdownthespineofFredKeep。Hemovedsothatthelightfromthehallfellfulluponthefaceofthestranger。

"Willyoukindlytellme，"Freddemanded，"whothedevilyouare？"

Thestrangerexclaimedpeevishly。"I’veBEENtellingyouallevening，"heprotested。"I’mHarryVanWarden！"

Gridley，theancientbutler，appearedintheopendoor。

"Dinnerisserved，madam，"hesaid。

Thestrangergaveanexclamationofpleasure。"Hello，Gridley！"

hecried。"WillyoupleasetellMr。KeepwhoIam？Tellhim，ifhe’llaskmetodinner，Iwon’tstealthespoons。"

UponthefaceofGridleyappearedasmileitneverhadbeentheprivilegeofFredKeeptobehold。Thebutlerbeameduponthestrangerfondly，proudly，bytherightoflongacquaintanceship，withtheaffectionofanoldfriend。Stillbeaming，hebowedtoKeep。

"IfMr。Harry——Mr。VanWarden，"hesaid，"istostaytodinner，mightIsuggest，sir，heisverypartialtothePaulVibert，’84。"

FredKeepgazedstupidlyfromhisbutlertothestrangerandthenathiswife。Shewasagainradiantlybeautifulandsmilinglyhappy。

Gridleycoughedtentatively。"ShallIopenabottle，sir？"heasked。

HopelesslyFredtossedhisarmsheavenward。

"Openacase！"heroared。

Atteno’clock，whentheywerestillattableandreachingastateofsuchmutualappreciationthatsoontheywouldbecallingeachotherbytheirfirstnames，Gridleybroughtinawrittenmessagehehadtakenfromthetelephone。Itwasalong—distancecallfromYonkers，sentbyJames，thefaithfulchauffeur。

Fredreaditaloud。

"Igotthatpartythearticlesheneeded，"itread，"andsawhimsafeonatraintoBoston。OnthewaybackIgotarrestedforspeedingthecaronthewaydown。Pleasesendmoney。IaminacellinYonkers。"

Chapter8。THEBOYWHOCRIEDWOLF

Beforehefinallyarrestedhim，"Jimmie"Sniffenhadseenthemanwiththegolf—cap，andtheblueeyesthatlaughedatyou，threetimes。Twice，unexpectedly，hehadcomeuponhiminawoodroadandonceonRoundHillwherethestrangerwaspretendingtowatchthesunset。Jimmieknewpeopledonotclimbhillsmerelytolookatsunsets，sohewasnotdeceived。HeguessedthemanwasaGermanspyseekinggunsites，andsecretlyvowedto"stalk"him。

Fromthatmoment，hadthestrangerknownit，hewasasgoodasdead。Foraboyscoutwithbadgesonhissleevefor"stalking"

and"path—finding，"nottoboastofothersfor"gardening"and"cooking，"canoutwitanyspy。Evenhad，GeneralBaden—PowellremainedinMafekingandnotinventedtheboyscout，JimmieSniffenwouldhavebeenone。Because，bybirthhewasaboy，andbyinheritance，ascout。InWestchesterCountytheSniffensareoneofthecountyfamilies。Ifitisn’taSarles，it’saSniffen；

andwithBrundages，Platts，andJays，theSniffensdatebacktowhentheacresofthefirstCharlesFerrisranfromtheBostonpostroadtothecoachroadtoAlbany，andwhenthefirstGouverneurMorrisstoodononeofhishillsandsawtheIndiancanoesintheHudsonandintheSoundandrejoicedthatallthelandbetweenbelongedtohim。

Ifyoudonotbelieveinheredity，thefactthatJimmie’sgreat—great—grandfatherwasascoutforGeneralWashingtonandhunteddeer，andevenbear，overexactlythesamehillswhereJimmiehuntedweasleswillcountfornothing。ItwillnotexplainwhytoJimmie，fromTarrytowntoPortChester，thehills，theroads，thewoods，andthecow—paths，caves，streams，andspringshiddeninthewoodswereasfamiliarashisownkitchengarden，Norexplainwhy，whenyoucouldnotseeaPeaseandElliman"ForSale"signnailedtoatree，Jimmiecouldseeinthehighestbranchesalastyear’sbird’snest。

Orwhy，whenhewasoutaloneplayingIndiansandhadsunkhisscout’saxeintoafallenlogandthenscalpedthelog，hefeltthatoncebeforeinthosesamewoodshehadtrailedthatsameIndian，andwithhisowntomahawksplitopenhisskull。Sometimeswhenheknelttodrinkatasecretspringintheforest，theautumnleaveswouldcrackleandhewouldraisehiseyesfearingtoseeapantherfacinghim。

Butthereain’tnopanthersinWestchester，"Jimmiewouldreassurehimself。Andinthedistancetheroarofanautomobileclimbingahillwiththemuffleropenwouldseemtosuggesthewasright。ButstillJimmierememberedoncebeforehehadkneltatthatsamespring，andthatwhenheraisedhiseyeshehadfacedacrouchingpanther。"Mebbedadtoldmeithappenedtograndpop，"Jimmiewouldexplain，"orIdreamedit，or，mebbe，I

readitinastorybook。"

The"Germanspy"maniaattackedRoundHillafterthevisittotheboyscoutsofClaveringGould，thewarcorrespondent。Hewasspendingtheweekendwith"Squire"HarryVanVorst，andasyoungVanVorst，besidesbeingajusticeofthepeaceandaMasterofBeaglesandPresidentoftheCountryClub，wasalsoalocal"councilman"fortheRoundHillScouts，hebroughthisguesttoacamp—firemeetingtotalktothem。Indeferencetohisaudience，GouldtoldthemoftheboyscoutshehadseeninBelgiumandoftheparttheywereplayinginthegreatwar。Itwashisperorationthatmadetrouble。

"Andanyday，"heassuredhisaudience，"thiscountrymaybeatwarwithGermany；andeveryoneofyouboyswillbeexpectedtodohisbit。Youcanbeginnow。WhentheGermanslanditwillbenearNewHaven，orNewBedford。TheywillfirstcapturethemunitionworksatSpringfield，Hartford，andWatervlietsoastomakesureoftheirammunition，andthentheywillstartforNewYorkCity。TheywillfollowtheNewHavenandNewYorkCentralrailroads，andmarchstraightthroughthisvillage。Ihaven’ttheleastdoubt，"exclaimedtheenthusiasticwarprophet，"thatatthismomentGermanspiesareasthickinWestchesterasblackberries。Theyareheretoselectcampsitesandgunpositions，tofindoutwhichofthesehillsenfiladetheothersandtolearntowhatextenttheirarmiescanliveonthecountry。

Theyarecountingthecows，thehorses，thebarnswherefodderisstored；andtheyaremarkingdownontheirmapsthewellsandstreams。"

AsthoughatthatmomentaGermanspymightbecrouchingbehindthedoor，Mr。Gouldspokeinawhisper。"Keepyoureyesopen！"hecommanded。"Watcheverystranger。Ifheactssuspiciously，getwordquicktoyoursheriff，ortoJudgeVanVorsthere。Rememberthescouts’motto，’Beprepared！’"

Thatnightasthescoutswalkedhome，behindeachwallandhayricktheysawspikedhelmets。

YoungVanVorstwasextremelyannoyed。

"Nexttimeyoutalktomyscouts，"hedeclared，you’lltalkon’VotesforWomen。’Afterwhatyousaidto—nighteveryrealestateagentwhodaresopenamapwillbearrested。We’renottryingtodrivepeopleawayfromWestchester，we’retryingtosellthembuildingsites。"

"YOUarenot！"retortedhisfriend，"youownhalfthecountynow，andyou’retryingtobuytheotherhalf。"

"I’majusticeofthepeace，"explainedVanVorst。"Idon’tknowWHYIam，exceptthattheywisheditonme。AllIgetoutofitistrouble。TheItaliansmakechargesagainstmybestfriendsforoverspeedingandIhavetofinethem，andmybestfriendsbringchargesagainsttheItaliansforpoaching，andwhenIfinetheItalians，theysendmeBlackHandletters。AndnoweverydayI’llbeaskedtoissueawarrantforaGermanspywhoisselectinggunsites。AndhewillturnouttobeamillionairewhoistiredoflivingattheRitz—Carltonandwantsto’ownhisownhome’andhisowngolf—links。Andhe’llbesohotatbeingarrestedthathe’lltakehismillionstoLongIslandandtrytobreakintothePipingRockClub。And，itwillbeyourfault！"

Theyoungjusticeofthepeacewasright。AtleastsofarasJimmieSniffenwasconcerned，thewordsofthewarprophethadfilledonemindwithunrest。InthepastJimmie’sideaofaholidayhadbeentospenditscoutinginthewoods。Inthispleasurehewasselfish。Hedidnotwantcompanionswhotalked，andtrampleduponthedeadleavessothattheyfrightenedthewildanimalsandgavetheIndianswarning。Jimmielikedtopretend。Helikedtofillthewoodswithwaryandhostileadversaries。Itwasagameofhisowninventing。Ifhecrepttothetopofahillandonpeeringoverit，surprisedafatwoodchuck，hepretendedthewoodchuckwasabear，weighingtwohundredpounds；if，himselfunobserved，hecouldlieandwatch，offitsguard，arabbit，squirrel，or，mostdifficultofall，acrow，itbecameadeerandthatnightatsupperJimmiemadebelievehewaseatingvenison。SometimeshewasascoutoftheContinentalArmyandcarrieddespatchestoGeneralWashington。

Therulesofthatgamewerethatifanymanploughinginthefields，orcuttingtreesinthewoods，orevenapproachingalongthesameroad，sawJimmiebeforeJimmiesawhim，Jimmiewastakenprisoner，andbeforesunrisewasshotasaspy。Hewasseldomshot。Orelsewhyonhissleevewasthebadgefor"stalking。"Butalwaystohavetomakebelievebecamemonotonous。Even"dryshopping"alongtheRuedelaPaixwhenyoupretendyoucanhaveanythingyouseeinanywindow，leavesonejustasrich，butunsatisfied。SotheadviceofthewarcorrespondenttoseekoutGermanspiescametoJimmielikeadayatthecircus，likeaweekattheDanburyFair。Itnotonlywasacalltoarms，toprotecthisflagandhome，butachancetoplayinearnestthegameinwhichhemostdelighted。Nolongerneedhepretend。Nolongerneedhewastehisenergiesinwatching，unobserved，agreedyrabbitrobacarrotfield。Thegamenowwashisfellow—manandhisenemy；notonlyhisenemy，buttheenemyofhiscountry。

InhisfirsteffortJimmiewasnotentirelysuccessful。Themanlookedthepartperfectly；heworeanauburnbeard，disguisingspectacles，andhecarriedasuspiciousknapsack。ButheturnedouttobeaprofessorfromtheMuseumofNaturalHistory，whowantedtodigforIndianarrow—heads。AndwhenJimmiethreatenedtoarresthim，theindignantgentlemanarrestedJimmie。Jimmieescapedonlybyleadingtheprofessortoasecretcaveofhisown，thoughonsomeoneelse’sproperty，whereonenotonlycoulddigforarrow—heads，butfindthem。Theprofessorwasdelighted，butforJimmieitwasagreatdisappointment。TheweekfollowingJimmiewasagaindisappointed。

OnthebankoftheKensicoReservoir，hecameuponamanwhowasactinginamysteriousandsuspiciousmanner。Hewasmakingnotesinabook，andhisrunaboutwhichhehadconcealedinawoodroadwasstuffedwithblue—prints。ItdidnottakeJimmielongtoguesshispurpose。HewasplanningtoblowuptheKensicodam，andcutoffthewatersupplyofNewYorkCity。Sevenmillionsofpeoplewithoutwater！Withoutfiringashot，NewYorkmustsurrender！AtthethoughtJimmieshuddered，andattheriskofhislifebyclingingtothetailofamotortruck，hefollowedtherunaboutintoWhitePlains。Butthereitdevelopedthemysteriousstranger，sofarfromwishingtodestroytheKensicodam，wastheStateEngineerwhohadbuiltit，and，also，alargepartofthePanamaCanal。NorinhisthirdeffortwasJimmiemoresuccessful。FromtheheightsofPoundRidgehediscoveredonahilltopbelowhimamanworkingaloneuponabasinofconcrete。

ThemanwasaGerman—American，andalreadyonJimmie’slistof"suspects。"ThatfortheuseoftheGermanartilleryhewaspreparingaconcretebedforasiegegunwasonlytooevident。

Butcloserinvestigationprovedthattheconcretewasonlytwoinchesthick。Andthehyphenatedoneexplainedthatthebasinwasbuiltoveraspring，inthewatersofwhichheplannedtoerectafountainandraisegoldfish。Itwasabitterblow。Jimmiebecamediscouraged。MeetingJudgeVanVorstonedayintheroadhetoldhimhistroubles。Theyoungjudgeprovedunsympathetic。"Myadvicetoyou，Jimmie，"hesaid，"istogoslow。Accusingeverybodyofespionageisaveryseriousmatter。Ifyoucallamanaspy，it’ssometimeshardforhimtodisproveit；andthenamesticks。So，goslow——veryslow。Beforeyouarrestanymorepeople，cometomefirstforawarrant。"

So，thenexttimeJimmieproceededwithcaution。

Besidesbeingafarmerinasmallway，Jimmie’sfatherwasahandymanwithtools。Hehadnounioncard，but，inlayingshinglesalongabluechalkline，fewwereasexpert。ItwasAugust，therewasnoschool，andJimmiewascarryingadinner—pailtowherehisfatherwasatworkonanewbarn。Hemadeacross—cutthroughthewoods，andcameupontheyoungmaninthegolf—cap。Thestrangernodded，andhiseyes，whichseemedtobealwayslaughing，smiledpleasantly。Buthewasdeeplytanned，and，fromthewaistup，heldhimselflikeasoldier，so，atonce，Jimmiemistrustedhim。EarlythenextmorningJimmiemethimagain。Ithadnotbeenraining，buttheclothesoftheyoungmanweredamp。Jimmieguessedthatwhilethedewwasstillontheleavestheyoungmanhadbeenforcinghiswaythroughunderbrush。

ThestrangermusthaverememberedJimmie，forhelaughedandexclaimed：

"Ah，myfriendwiththedinner—pail！It’sluckyouhaven’tgotitnow，orI’dholdyouup。I’mstarving！"

Jimmiesmiledinsympathy。"It’searlytobehungry，"saidJimmie；"whendidyouhaveyourbreakfast？"

"Ididn’t，"laughedtheyoungman。"Iwentouttowalkupanappetite，andIlostmyself。But，Ihaven’tlostmyappetite。

WhichistheshortestwaybacktoBedford？"

"Thefirstroadtoyourright，"saidJimmie。

"Isitfar？"askedthestrangeranxiously。Thathewasveryhungrywasevident。

"It’sahalf—hour’swalk，"saidJimmie"IfIlivethatlong，"correctedtheyoungman；andsteppedoutbriskly。

Jimmieknewthatwithinahundredyardsaturnintheroadwouldshuthimfromsight。So，hegavethestrangertimetowalkthatdistance，and，then，divingintothewoodthatlinedtheroad，"stalked"him。Frombehindatreehesawthestrangerturnandlookback，andseeingnooneintheroadbehindhim，alsoleaveitandplungeintothewoods。

HehadnotturnedtowardBedford；hehadturnedtotheleft。Likearunnerstealingbases，Jimmieslippedfromtreetotree。Aheadofhimheheardthestrangertramplingupondeadtwigs，movingrapidlyasonewhoknewhisway。AttimesthroughthebranchesJimmiecouldseethebroadshouldersofthestranger，andagaincouldfollowhisprogressonlybythenoiseofthecracklingtwigs。Whenthenoisesceased，Jimmieguessedthestrangerhadreachedthewoodroad，grass—grownandmoss—covered，thatledtoMiddlePatent。So，heranatrightanglesuntilhealsoreachedit，andasnowhewasclosetowhereitenteredthemainroad，heapproachedwarily。But，hewastoolate。Therewasasoundlikethewhirofarisingpartridge，andaheadofhimfromwhereithadbeenhidden，agraytouring—carleapedintothehighway。Thestrangerwasatthewheel。Throwingbehinditacloudofdust，thecarracedtowardGreenwich。JimmiehadtimetonoteonlythatitboreaConnecticutStatelicense；thatinthewheel—rutsthetiresprintedlittleV’s，likearrow—heads。

ForaweekJimmiesawnothingofthespy，butformanyhotanddustymileshestalkedarrow—heads。Theyluredhimnorth，theyluredhimsouth，theywerestampedinsoftasphalt，inmud，dust，andfresh—spreadtarvia。WhereverJimmiewalked，arrow—headsranbefore。Inhissleepasinhiscopy—book，hesawendlesschainsofV’s。Butnotoncecouldhecatchupwiththewheelsthatprintedthem。Aweeklater，justatsunsetashepassedbelowRoundHill，hesawthestrangerontopofit。Ontheskyline，insilhouetteagainstthesinkingsun，hewasasconspicuousasaflagstaff。Buttoapproachhimwasimpossible。ForacresRoundHillofferednoothercoverthanstubble。Itwasasbaldasaskull。Untilthestrangerchosetodescend，Jimmiemustwait。Andthestrangerwasinnohaste。ThesunsankandfromthewestJimmiesawhimturnhisfaceeasttowardtheSound。Astormwasgathering，dropsofrainbegantosplashandastheskygrewblackthefigureonthehilltopfadedintothedarkness。Andthen，attheveryspotwhereJimmiehadlastseenit，theresuddenlyflaredtwotinyflashesoffire。Jimmieleapedfromcover。Itwasnolongertobeendured。Thespywassignalling。