TheScarletCar

ByRichardHardingDavis

THESCARLETCAR

ITHEJAIL-BREAKERS

For a long time it had been arranged they all should go to theHarvard andYalegameinWinthrop'scar.Itwasperfectlywellunderstood.EvenPeabody,whopicturedhimselfandMissForbesinthebackofthecar,withherbrotherandWinthrop in front, condescended to approve. It was necessary to invitePeabodybecauseitwashisgreatgoodfortunetobeengagedtoMissForbes.HerbrotherSamhadbeeninvited,notonlybecausehecouldactaschaperonforhissister,butbecausesincetheywereatSt.Paul's,Winthropandhe,eitheras participants or spectators, had never missed going together to the Yale-Harvardgame.AndBeatriceForbesherselfhadbeeninvitedbecauseshewasherself.Whenatnineo'clockonthemorningofthegame,Winthropstoppedthecarinfrontofherdoor,hewasinlovewithalltheworld.IntheNovemberairtherewasastinglikefrost-bittencider,intheskytherewasabrilliant,beautifulsun,in thewindwas the tingling touchof three ice-chilledrivers.And in thebighouse facingCentralPark, outsideofwhichhis prancing steedof brass andscarlet chugged and protested and trembled with impatience, was the mostwonderfulgirlinalltheworld.Itwastrueshewasengagedtobemarried,andnottohim.Butshewasnotyetmarried.Andto-dayitwouldbehisprivilegetocarryherthroughtheStateofNewYorkandtheStateofConnecticut,andhewouldsnatchglimpsesofherprofilerisingfromtheroughfurcollar,ofher

wind-blownhair,ofthelong,lovelylashesunderthegrayveil."'Shall be together, breathe and ride, so, one day more am I deified;'"whisperedtheyoungmanintheScarletCar;"'whoknowsbuttheworldmayendto-night?'"Ashewaitedatthecurb,othergreattouring-cars,ofeveryspeedandshape,inthemadracefortheBostonPostRoad,andthetownofNewHaven,sweptupFifthAvenue.Somerolledandpuffedliketugboatsinaheavyseaway,othersglidedbynoiseless andproudasprivateyachts.But each flew thecolorsofblueorcrimson.Winthrop's car, because her brother had gone to one college, and he hadplayedrightendfortheother,wasdrapedimpartially.Andsoeveryothercarmockedorcheeredit,andinoneabare-headedyouthstoodup,andshoutedtohis fellows: "Look! there's BillyWinthrop! Three times three for old BillyWinthrop!"Andtheylashedtheairwithflags,andsenthisnameechoingoverCentralPark.Winthropgrinnedinembarrassment,andwavedhishand.Abicyclecop,andFred,thechauffeur,wereequallyimpressed."WastheytheHarvoids,sir?"askedFred."Theywas,"saidWinthrop.HerbrotherSamcamedownthestepscarryingsweatersandsteamer-rugs.Butheworenoholidaycountenance."What do you think?" he demanded indignantly. "Ernest Peabody's insidemakingtrouble.HissisterhasaPullmanononeof thespecial trains,andhewantsBeatricetogowithher."Inspiteofhisfurs,theyoungmaninthecarturnedquitecold."Notwithus?"hegasped.MissForbesappearedatthehousedoor,followedbyErnestPeabody.Heworeanexpressionofdisturbeddignity;sheoneofdistressedamusement.ThatshealsoworeherautomobilecoatcausedtheheartofWinthroptoleaphopefully."Winthrop,"saidPeabody,"Iaminratheranembarrassingposition.Mysister,Mrs.TaylorHolbrooke"hespokethenameasthoughhewereannouncingitatthe door of a drawing-room "desiresMiss Forbes to gowith her. She feelsaccidentsareapttooccurwithmotorcarsandtherearenootherladiesinyourpartyandthecrowds"

WinthropcarefullyavoidedlookingatMissForbes."Ishouldbeverysorry,"hemurmured."Ernest!"saidMissForbes,"Iexplaineditwasimpossibleformetogowithyoursister.WewouldbeextremelyrudetoMr.Winthrop.Howdoyouwishustosit?"sheasked.Shemountedtotherearseat,andmaderoomoppositeherforPeabody."Do I understand, Beatrice," began Peabody in a tone that instantly madeevery one extremely uncomfortable, "that I am to tellmy sister you are notcoming?""Ernest!"beggedMissForbes.Winthrop bent hastily over the oil valves. He read the speedometer, whichwas,asusual,outoforder,withfascinatedinterest."Ernest,"pleadedMissForbes,"Mr.WinthropandSamplannedthistripforusalongtimeagotogiveusalittlepleasure""Then,"saidPeabodyinahollowvoice,"youhavedecided?""Ernest,"criedMissForbes,"don'tlookatmeasthoughyoumeanttohurlthecurseofRome.Ihave.Jumpin.Please!""Iwill bid you good-by," said Peabody; "I have only just time to catch ourtrain."MissForbesroseandmovedtothedoorofthecar."Ihadbetternotgowithanyone,"shesaidinalowvoice."Youwillgowithme,"commandedherbrother."Comeon,Ernest.""Thankyou,no,"repliedPeabody."Ihavepromisedmysister.""All right, then," exclaimed Sam briskly, "see you at the game. Section H.Don'tforget.Letherout,Billy."WithatroubledcountenanceWinthropbentforwardandclaspedtheclutch."Bettercome,Peabody,"hesaid."Ithankyou,no,"repeatedPeabody."Imustgowithmysister."

AsthecarglidedforwardBrotherSamsighedheavily."My!buthe'sgotameandisposition,"hesaid."HehasquitespoiledMYday."He chuckled wickedly, but Winthrop pretended not to hear, and his sistermaintainedanexpressionofutterdejection.Buttomaintainanexpressionofutterdejectionisverydifficultwhenthesunisshining,whenyouareflyingattherateoffortymilesanhour,andwheninthecarsyoupassfoolishyouthswaveYaleflagsatyou,andtakeadvantageofthedaytocry:"Threecheersforthegirlinthebluehat!"And to entirely remove the last trace of the gloom that Peabodyhad forceduponthem,itwasnecessaryonlyforatiretoburst.Ofcourseforthiseffort,thetirechosethecoldestandmostfiercelywindsweptportionofthePelhamRoad,wherefromthebroadwatersoftheSoundpneumoniaandthegripracedrampant, andwhere to the touch a steelwrenchwasnot tobedistinguishedfromapieceofice.Butbeforethewheelshadceasedtocomplain,WinthropandFredwereoutoftheirfurcoats,downontheirknees,andjackinguptheaxle."Onanexpeditionofthissort,"saidBrotherSam,"whateverhappens,takeitasajoke.Fortunately,"heexplained,"Idon'tunderstandfixinginnertubes,soIwillgetoutandsmoke.Ihavenoticedthatwhenacarbreaksdown,thereisalwaysonemanwhopacesupanddowntheroadandsmokes.Hishopeistofoolpassingcarsintothinkingthatthepeopleinhiscarstoppedtoadmiretheview."Recognizingtheannualfootballmatchasintendedsolelytoreplenishthetowncoffers, the thrifty townsfolk of Rye, with bicycles and red flags, were, asusual,andregardlessofthespeedatwhichitmoved,levyingtributeoneverysecondcarthatenteredtheirhospitableboundaries.ButbeforetheScarletCarreachedRye,smallboysof the town,possessedofasportingspirit,orofaninheritedinstinctforgraft,werewaitingtogiveanoisynoticeoftheambush.And so, fore-warned, the Scarlet Car crawled up themain street of Rye asdemurelyasababy-carriage,andthen,havingsafelyreachedapointdirectlyin front of the police station, with a loud and ostentatious report, blew upanothertire."Well,"saidSamcrossly,"theycan'tarrestUSforspeeding.""Whateverhappens,"saidhissister,"takeitasajoke."TwomilesoutsideofStamford,BrotherSamburstintoopenmutiny.

"Every car in theUnited States has passed us," he declared. "Wewon't getthere,atthisrate,tilltheendofthefirsthalf.Hitherup,can'tyou,Billy?""Sheseemstohaveanillness,"saidWinthropunhappily."IthinkI'dsavetimeifIstoppednowandfixedher."Shamefacedly Fred and he hid themselves under the body of the car, and asoundofhammeringandstentorianbreathingfollowed.Ofthemall thatwasvisible was four feet beating a tattoo on the road. Miss Forbes got outWinthrop'scamera,andtookasnap-shotofthescene."Iwillcallit,"shesaid,"TheIdleRich."BrotherSamgazedmoroselyinthedirectionofNewHaven.Theyhadhaltedwithinfiftyyardsoftherailroadtracks,andaseachspecialtrain,loadedwithhappyenthusiasts,racedpastthemhegroaned."TheonlyoneofusthatshowedanycommonsensewasErnest,"hedeclared,"andyouturnedhimdown.IamgoingtotakeatrolleytoStamford,andthefirsttraintoNewHaven.""Youarenot,"saidhissister;"IwillnotdesertMr.Winthrop,andyoucannotdesertme."BrotherSamsighed,andseatedhimselfonarock."Doyouthink,Billy,"heasked,"youcangetustoCambridgeintimefornextyear'sgame?"Thecar limped intoStamford,andwhile itwent intodrydockat thegarage,BrotherSamfledtotherailroadstation,wherehelearnedthatforthenexttwohoursnotrainthatrecognizedNewHavenspoketoStamford."That being so," saidWinthrop, "while we are waiting for the car, we hadbettergetaquicklunchnow,andthenpushon.""Push,"exclaimedBrotherSamdarkly,"iswhatwearelikelytodo."After behaving with perfect propriety for half an hour, just outside ofBridgeporttheScarletCarcametoaslowandsullenstop,andoncemoretheowner and the chauffeur hid their shame beneath it, and attacked its vitals.Twentyminutes later, while they still were at work, there approached fromBridgeportayoungmaninabuggy.WhenhesawthemassofcollegecolorsontheScarletCar,hepulledhishorsedowntoawalk,andashepassedraisedhishat.

"Attheendofthefirsthalf,"hesaid,"thescorewasatie.""Don'tmentionit,"saidBrotherSam."Now,"hecried,"we'vegottoturnback,andmakeforNewYork.Ifwestartquick,wemaygetthereaheadofthelastcartoleaveNewHaven.""IamgoingtoNewHaven,andinthiscar,"declaredhissister."ImustgotomeetErnest.""If Ernest has as much sense as he showed this morning," returned heraffectionatebrother, "Ernestwillgo tohisPullmanandstay there.As I toldyou,theonlysurewaytogetanywhereisbyrailroadtrain."WhentheypassedthroughBridgeportitwassolatethattheelectriclightsofFairviewAvenuewerejustbeginningtosputterandglowinthetwilight,andas theycamealongtheshoreroad intoNewHaven, thefirstcaroutofNewHaven in the race back to New York leaped at them with siren shrieks ofwarning, and dancing, dazzling eyes. It passed like a thing driven by theFuries; and before the ScarletCar could swing back intowhat had been anemptyroad, inswiftpursuitof thefirstcamemanymorecars,withblindingsearchlights,witha roarof throbbing, thrashingengines, flyingpebbles,andwhirling wheels. And behind these, stretching for a twisted mile, camehundredsofothers;untiltheroadwasaflamewithflashingWill-o'-the-wisps,dancingfireballs,andlong,shiftingshaftsoflight.MissForbes sat in front, besideWinthrop, and it pleasedher to imagine, asthey bent forward, peering into the night, that together theywere facing somany fiery dragons, speeding to give thembattle, to grind themunder theirwheels. She felt the elation of great speed, of imminent danger. Her bloodtingledwith the air from the wind-swept harbor, with the rush of the greatengines, as by a handbreadth they plunged past her. She knew they weredriven bymen and half-grown boys, joyouswith victory, piqued by defeat,recklessbyonetouchtoomuchofliquor,andthattheyoungmanathersidewasdriving,notonlyforhimself,butforthem.Eachfractionofasecondadazzlinglightblindedhim,andheswervedtoletthemonster,withahoarse,bellowingroar,passby,andthenagainswepthiscarintotheroad.Andeachtimeforgreaterconfidencesheglancedupintohisface.Throughout the mishaps of the day he had been deeply concerned for hercomfort,sorryforherdisappointment,underBrotherSam's indignant ironiespatient, and at all times gentle and considerate. Now, in the light from theonrushing cars, she noted his alert, laughing eyes, the broad shoulders bent

across the wheel, the lips smiling with excitement and in the joy ofcontrolling,withaturnof thewrist,apowerequal tosixtygallopinghorses.Shefoundinhisfacemuchcomfort.Andinthefactthatforthemomenthersafetylayinhishands,asenseofpleasure.Thatthiswasherfeelingpuzzledanddisturbedher,fortoErnestPeabodyitseemed,insomeway,disloyal.Andyetthereitwas.Ofacertainty,therewasthesecretpleasureinthethoughtthatiftheyescapedunhurtfromthetrapinwhichtheyfoundthemselves,itwouldbe due to him.Toherself she argued that if the chauffeurwere driving, herfeelingwouldbe thesame, that itwas thenerve, theskill, and thecoolness,not theman, thatmovedheradmiration.But inherheart sheknew itwouldnotbethesame.AtWestHavenGreenWinthropturnedoutofthetrackoftheracingmonstersinto a quiet street leading to the railroad station, andwith a half-sigh, half-laugh,leanedbackcomfortably."Thoselightscomingupsuddenlymakeithardtosee,"hesaid."Hardtobreathe,"snortedSam;"sincethatfirstcarmissedus,Ihaven'tdrawnan honest breath. I held on so tight that I squeezed the hair out of thecushions."Whentheyreachedtherailroadstation,andSamhadfinallyfoughthiswaytothe stationmaster, that half-crazed official informed him he hadmissed thedepartureofMrs.TaylorHolbrooke'scarbyjusttenminutes.BrotherSamreportedthisstateofaffairstohiscompanions."Godknowsweaskedforthefishfirst,"hesaid;"sonowwe'vedoneourdutybyErnest,whohasshamefullydesertedus,andwecangetsomethingtoeat,andgohomeatourleisure.AsIhavealwaystoldyou,theonlywaytotravelindependentlyisinatouring-car."At theNewHavenHouse theybought threewaiters, body and soul, and, inspite of the fact that in the very next room the teamwas breaking training,obtainedanexcellentbutchaoticdinner;andbyeighttheywereontheirwaybacktothebigcity.Thenightwasgrandlybeautiful.ThewatersoftheSoundflashedinthelightof a cold, clearmoon,which showed them, like pictures in silver print, thesleepingvillagesthroughwhichtheypassed,theancientelms,thelow-roofedcottages, the townhall facing the common.Thepost roadwas again empty,andthecarmovedassteadilyasawatch."Just because it knowswedon't care nowwhenweget there," saidBrother

Sam,"youcouldn'tmakeitbreakdownwithanaxe."Fromthe rear,wherehesatwithFred,heannouncedhewasgoing tosleep,and asked that he be not awakened until the car had crossed the State linebetweenConnecticutandNewYork.Winthropdoubted ifheknew theStatelineofNewYork."ItiswheretheadvertisementsforBesseBaker'stwenty-sevenstorescease,"saidSamdrowsily,"andthebillpostersofEthelBarrymorebegin."In the front of the car the two young people spoke only at intervals, butWinthrop had never been sowidely alert, so keenly happy, never before soconsciousofherpresence.Anditseemedas theyglidedthroughthemysteriousmoonlitworldofsilentvillages,shadowywoods,andwind-sweptbaysandinlets,fromwhich,asthecarrattledovertheplanksofthebridges,thewildduckroseinnoisycircles,theyalonewereawakeandliving.The silence had lasted so long that itwas as eloquent aswords.The youngmanturnedhiseyestimorously,andsoughtthoseofthegirl.Whathefeltwassostronginhimthatitseemedincrediblesheshouldbeignorantofit.Hiseyessearchedthegrayveil.Inhisvoicetherewasbothchallengeandpleading."'Shall be together,'" he quoted, "'breathe and ride. So, one daymore am Ideified;whoknowsbuttheworldmayendto-night?'"Themoonlightshowedthegirl'seyesshiningthroughtheveil,andregardinghimsteadily."Ifyoudon'tstopthiscarquick,"shesaid,"theworldWILLendforallofus."Heshota lookahead,andsosuddenly threwon thebrake thatSamand thechauffeur tumbled awake. Across the road stretched the great bulk of atouring-car, its lampsburningdully in thebrillianceof themoon.Around it,forgreaterwarmth,ahalf-dozenfiguresstampeduponthefrozenground,andbeatthemselveswiththeirarms.Samandthechauffeurvaultedintotheroad,andwenttowardthem."It'swhatyousay,andthewayyousayit,"thegirlexplained.Sheseemedtobe continuing an argument. "It makes it so very difficult for us to playtogether."The young man clasped the wheel as though the force he were holding incheckweremuchgreaterthansixtyhorse-power.

"Youarenotmarriedyet,areyou?"hedemanded.Thegirlmovedherhead."Andwhenyouaremarried, therewillprobablybeanaltar fromwhichyouwillturntowalkbackuptheaisle?""Well?"saidthegirl."Well,"heansweredexplosively,"untilyouturnawayfromthataltar,Idonotrecognize the right of anyman to keepme quiet, or your right either.WhyshouldIbeheldbyyourengagement?Iwasnotconsultedaboutit.Ididnotgivemyconsent,didI?Itellyou,youaretheonlywomanintheworldIwillevermarry,andifyouthinkIamgoingtokeepsilentandwatchsomeoneelsecarryyouoffwithoutmakingafightforyou,youdon'tknowme.""Ifyougoon,"saidthegirl,"itwillmeanthatIshallnotseeyouagain.""ThenIwillwriteletterstoyou.""Iwillnotreadthem,"saidthegirl.Theyoungmanlaugheddefiantly."Oh,yes,youwill read them!"Hepoundedhisgauntleted fiston the rimofthewheel."Youmayn'tanswerthem,butifIcanwritethewayIfeel,Iwillbetyou'llreadthem."Hisvoicechangedsuddenly,andhebegantoplead.Itwasasthoughsheweresomemasculinegiantbullyingasmallboy."Youarenotfairtome,"heprotested."Idonotaskyoutobekind,Iaskyouto be fair. I am fighting for what means more to me than anything in thisworld,andyouwon'tevenlisten.WhyshouldIrecognizeanyothermen!AllIrecognizeisthatIamthemanwholovesyou,that'Iamthemanatyourfeet.'ThatisallIknow,thatIloveyou."Thegirlmovedasthoughwiththecold,andturnedherheadfromhim."Iloveyou,"repeatedtheyoungman.Thegirlbreathedlikeonewhohasbeenswimmingunderwater,but,whenshespoke,hervoicewascalmandcontained."Please!"shebegged,"don'tyouseehowunfairitis.Ican'tgoaway;IHAVEtolisten."Theyoungmanpulledhimselfupright,andpressedhislipstogether.

"Ibegyourpardon,"hewhispered.There was for some time an unhappy silence, and then Winthrop addedbitterly:"Methinksthepunishmentexceedstheoffence.""DoyouthinkyoumakeiteasyforME?"returnedthegirl.She considered itmost ungenerous of him to sit staring into themoonlight,looking so miserable that it made her heart ache to comfort him, and soextremelyhandsomethattodosowasquiteimpossible.Shewouldhavelikedtoreachoutherhandandlayitonhisarm,andtellhimshewassorry,butshecouldnot.Heshouldnothavelookedsounnecessarilyhandsome.Sam came running toward them with five grizzly bears, who balancedthemselvesapparentlywithsomeslighteffortupontheirhindlegs.Thegrizzlybearswereproperlypresentedas:"TommyTodd,ofmyclass,andsomemorelikehim.And,"continuedSam,"Iamgoingtoquityoutwoandgowiththem.Tom'scarbrokedown,butFredfixedit,andbothourcarscantraveltogether.Sortofconvoy,"heexplained.Hissistersignalledeagerly,butwithequaleagernessheretreatedfromher."Believeme,"heassuredhersoothingly,"Iamjustasgoodachaperonfiftyyardsbehindyou, andwideawake, as I am in the samecarand fast asleep.And,besides,Iwanttohearaboutthegame.And,what'smore,twocarsaremuchsaferthanone.Supposeyoutwobreakdowninalonelyplace?We'llberightbehindyoutopickyouup.YouwillkeepWinthrop'scarinsight,won'tyou,Tommy?"hesaid.The grizzly bear called Tommy, who had been examining the Scarlet Car,answereddoubtfullythattheonlywayhecouldkeepitinsightwasbytyingaropetoit."That'sallright,then,"saidSambriskly,"Winthropwillgoslow."So theScarletCar shot forwardwithsometimes thesecondcar so far in therearthattheycouldonlyfaintlydistinguishthehornbeggingthemtowait,andagain it would follow so close upon their wheels that they heard the fivegrizzlybearschantingbeseechinglyOh,bringthiswagonhome,John,Itwillnotholdusa-all.ForsometimetherewassilenceintheScarletCar,andthenWinthropbrokeitbylaughing.

"First,IlosePeabody,"heexplained,"thenIloseSam,andnow,afterIthrowFredoverboard,IamgoingtodriveyouintoStamford,wheretheydonotaskrunawaycouplesforalicense,andmarryyou."Thegirlsmiledcomfortably.Inthatmoodshewasnotafraidofhim.Sheliftedherface,andstretchedoutherarmsasthoughsheweredrinkinginthemoonlight."It has been such a good day," she said simply, "and I am really so veryhappy.""Ishallbeequallyfrank,"saidWinthrop."SoamI."Fortwohourstheyhadbeenontheroad,andwerejustenteringFairport.Forsome long time the voices of the pursuing grizzlies hadbeen lost in the fardistance."Theroad'sup,"saidMissForbes.Shepointedaheadtotworedlanterns."Itwasallrightthismorning,"exclaimedWinthrop.Thecarwaspulleddowntoeightmilesanhour,and,tremblingandsnortingattheindignity,noseduptotheredlanterns.Theyshowedinaruddyglowthelegsoftwomen."Yougottastop!"commandedavoice."Why?"askedWinthrop.Thevoicebecameembodiedinthepersonofatallman,withalongovercoatandadroopingmustache."'CauseItellyouto!"snappedthetallman.Winthropthrewaquickglancetotherear.Inthatdirectionforamiletheroadlaystraightaway.Hecouldseeitsentirelength,anditwasempty.InthinkingofnothingbutMissForbes,hehadforgottenthechaperon.Hewasimpressedwiththefactthattheimmediatepresenceofachaperonwasdesirable.Directlyin front of the car, blocking its advance,were two barrels,with a two-inchplanksaggingheavilybetweenthem.BeyondthatthemainstreetofFairportlaysteepedinslumberandmoonlight."I am a selectman," said the onewith the lantern. "You been exceedin' our

speedlimit."The chauffeur gave a gasp thatmight havebeen construed tomean that thechargeamazedandshockedhim."That isnotpossible,"Winthropanswered."Ihavebeengoingveryslowonpurposetoallowadisabledcartokeepupwithme."Theselectmanlookeddowntheroad."Itain'tkep'upwithyou,"hesaidpointedly."Ithasuntilthelastfewminutes.""It'sthelastfewminuteswe'retalkingabout,"returnedthemanwhohadnotspoken.Heputhisfootonthestepofthecar."Whatareyoudoing?"askedWinthrop."IamgoingtotakeyoutoJudgeAllen's.Iamchiefofpolice.Youareunderarrest."BeforeWinthrop rose moving pictures ofMiss Forbes appearing in a dirtypolicestationbeforeanofficiousDogberry,and,asheandhiscarwerewellknown along the Post road, appearing the next morning in the New Yorkpapers. "William Winthrop," he saw the printed words, "son of EndicottWinthrop,wasarrestedherethisevening,withayoungwomanwhorefusedtogive her name, but who was recognized as Miss Beatrice Forbes, whoseengagement to Ernest Peabody, the Reform candidate on the Independentticket"And,ofcourse,Peabodywouldblameher."IfIhaveexceededyourspeedlimit,"hesaidpolitely,"Ishallbedelightedtopaythefine.Howmuchisit?""JudgeAllen'lltellyouwhatthefineis,"saidtheselectmangruffly."Andhemaywantbail.""Bail?"demandedWinthrop."Doyoumeantotellmehewilldetainushere?""Hewill,ifhewantsto,"answeredthechiefofpolicecombatively.Foran instantWinthrop satgazinggloomilyahead,overcomeapparentlybythe enormity of his offence. Hewas calculating whether, if he rammed thetwo-inch plank, it would hit the car or Miss Forbes. He decided swiftly itwouldhithisnew two-hundred-dollar lamps.Asswiftlyhedecided thenew

lampsmustgo.Buthehadreadofguardiansofthepublicsafetysoregardlessofprivatesafetyastotrytopuncturerunawaytireswithpistolbullets.HehadnointentionofsubjectingMissForbestoafusillade.Sohewhirleduponthechiefofpolice:"Takeyourhandoffthatgun!"hegrowled."Howdareyouthreatenme?"Amazed,thechiefofpolicedroppedfromthestepandadvancedindignantly."Me?"hedemanded."Iain'tgotagun.Whatyoumeanby"Withsuddenintelligence,thechauffeurprecipitatedhimselfuponthescene."It'stheotherone,"heshouted.Heshookanaccusingfingerattheselectman."Hepointeditatthelady."ToMissForbestherealismofFred'sactingwastooconvincing.Tolearnthatone is coveredwith a loaded revolver is disconcerting.Miss Forbes gave astartledsqueak,andduckedherhead.Winthroproaredaloudattheselectman."Howdareyoufrightenthelady!"hecried."Takeyourhandoffthatgun.""What you talkin' about?" shouted the selectman. "The idea ofmy havin' agun!Ihaven'tgota""Allright,Fred!"criedWinthrop."Lowbridge."Therewasacrashofshatteredglassandbrass,ofscatteredbarrelstaves,thesmell of escaping gas, and the Scarlet Car was flying drunkenly down themainstreet."Whataretheydoingnow,Fred?"calledtheowner.Fredpeeredoverthesternoftheflyingcar."The constable's jumping around the road," he replied, "and the long one'sleaningagainstatree.No,he'sclimbingthetree.Ican'tmakeoutWHAThe'sdoing.""Iknow!"criedMissForbes;hervoicevibratedwithexcitement.Defianceofthelawhadthrilledherwithunsuspectedsatisfaction;hereyesweredancing."There was a telephone fastened to the tree, a hand telephone. They aresendingwordtosomeone.They'retryingtoheadusoff."

Winthropbroughtthecartoaquickhalt."We're in a police trap!" he said. Fred leaned forward andwhispered to hisemployer.Hisvoicealsovibratedwiththejoyofthechase."This'llbeourTHIRDarrest,"hesaid."Thatmeans""Iknowwhat itmeans,"snappedWinthrop."Tellmehowwecangetoutofhere.""Wecan'tgetoutofhere,sir,unlesswegoback.Goingsouth,thebridgeistheonlywayout.""Thebridge!"Winthropstruckthewheelsavagelywithhisknuckles."Iforgottheir confounded bridge!" He turned to Miss Forbes. "Fairport is a sort ofisland,"heexplained."Butafterwe'reacross thebridge,"urged thechauffeur,"weneedn'tkeep tothepostroadnomore.WecanturnintoStoneRidge,andstrikesouthtoWhitePlains.Then""Wehaven'tcrossedthebridgeyet,"growledWinthrop.Hisvoicehadnoneofthejoyoftheothers;hewasgreatlyperturbed."Lookback,"hecommanded,"andseeifthereisanysignofthoseboys."Hewasnowquitewillingtoshareresponsibility.ButtherewasnosignoftheYalemen,and,unattended,theScarletCarcreptwarilyforward.Aheadofit,acrossthelittlereed-growninlet,stretchedtheirroadofescape,alongwoodenbridge,lyingwhiteinthemoonlight."Idon'tseeasoul,"whisperedMissForbes."Anybody at that draw?" askedWinthrop.Unconsciouslyhis voice alsohadsunktoawhisper."No,"returnedFred."Ithinkthemanthattendsthedrawgoeshomeatnight;thereisnolightthere.""Wellthen,"saidWinthrop,withananxioussigh,"we'vegottomakeadashforit."The car shot forward, and, as it leaped lightly upon the bridge, therewas arapidrumbleofcreakingboards.BetweenitandthehighwaytoNewYorklayonlytwohundredyardsoftrack,straightandempty.

Inhisexcitementthechauffeurrosefromtherearseat."They'llnevercatchusnow,"hemuttered."They'llnevercatchus!"But even as he spoke there grated harshly the creak of rusty chains on acoggedwheel, the rattleof abrake.Theblack figureof amanwithwavingarmsranoutuponthedraw,andthedrawgapedslowlyopen.When thecarhalted therewasbetween itand thebrokenedgeof thebridgetwentyfeetofrunningwater.Atthesamemomentfrombehinditcameapatteroffeet,andWinthropturnedto see racing toward them some dozen young men of Fairport. Theysurrounded him with noisy, raucous, belligerent cries. They were, as theyproudlyinformedhim,membersoftheFairport"VolunteerFireDepartment."That they might purchase new uniforms, they had arranged a trap for theautomobiles returning in illegal haste from New Haven. In fines they hadcollected$300,anditwasevidentthatalreadysomeofthatmoneyhadbeenexpendedinbadwhiskey.Asmanyascoulddosocrowdedintothecar,othershungtotherunningboardsandstep,othersranbesideit.TheyrejoicedoverWinthrop's unsuccessful flight and capture with violent and humiliatinglaughter.Fortheday,JudgeAllenhadmadeatemporarycourtintheclubroomofthefiredepartment,whichwasover theenginehouse;andtheproceedingswerebriefanddecisive.TheselectmantoldhowWinthrop,afterfirstbreakingthespeedlaw,hadbrokenarrestandJudgeAllen,refusingtofinehimandlethimgo, held him and his companions for a hearing the following morning. Hefixedtheamountofbailat$500each;failingtopaythis,theywouldforthenightbelockedupindifferentpartsoftheenginehouse,which,itdeveloped,containedonthegroundfloorthehomeofthefireengine,onthesecondfloortheclubroom,onalternatenights,of thefiremen, the localG.A.R.,andtheKnightsofPythias,andinitscellarthetownjail.Winthrop and the chauffeur the learned judge condemned to the cells in thebasement.Asaconcession,hegrantedMissForbesthefreedomoftheentireclubroomtoherself.The objections raised byWinthrop to this arrangement were of a nature soviolent,sovigorous,atonemomentsospeciousandconciliatory,andthenextsoabusive,thathislistenersweremovedbyawe,butnottopity.Inhisindignation,JudgeAllenrosetoreply,andas,thebettertohearhim,thecrowdpushedforward,Fredgavewaybeforeit,untilhewasleftstandinginsullengloomuponitsouteredge.Inimitationoftherealfiremenofthegreat

cities, the vamps of Fairport had cut a circular hole in the floor of theirclubroom, and from the engine room below had reared a sliding pole ofshining brass.When leaving their clubroom, itwas always their pleasure toscornthestairsand,likerealfiremen,slidedownthispole.IthadnotescapedthenoticeofFred,andsincehisentrancehehadbeengravitatingtowardit.Asthevoiceofthejudgeroseinviolentobjurgation,andalleyeswerefixeduponhim,thechauffeurcrookedhislegtightlyaboutthebrasspole,and,likethedevilinthepantomime,sanksoftlyandswiftlythroughthefloor.TheiratejudgewasshakinghisfingerinWinthrop'sface."Don'tyoutrytoteachmenolaw,"heshouted;"IknowwhatIcando.EfMYdarterwent gallivantin' around nights in one of them automobiles, it wouldserveherrighttogetlockedup.Maybethisyoungwomanwilllearntostayathomenightswithherfolks.Sheain'tgoin'totakenoharmhere.Theconstablesitsupallnightdownstairsinthefireengineroom,andthatsofa'sasgoodaplacetosleepasthehotel.Ifyouwantmetolethergotothehotel,whydon'tyousendtoyourfolksandbailherout?""YouknowdamnwellwhyIdon't,"returnedWinthrop."Idon'tintendtogivethenewspapersandyouandtheseotheridiotsthechancetoannoyherfurther.Thisyounglady'sbrotherhasbeenwithusallday;heleftusonlybyaccident,andby forcingher to remainhere aloneyou are actingoutrageously. If youknewanythingofdecency,orlaw,you'd""I know thismuch!" roared the justice triumphantly, pointing his spectacle-case atMiss Forbes. "I know her name ain't Lizzie Borden and yours ain'tCharleyRoss."Winthropcrossed towhereMissForbesstoodinacorner.Shestillworeherveil,butthroughit,thoughherfacewaspale,shesmiledathim.Hisowndistresswasundisguised."Icanneverforgivemyself,"hesaid."Nonsense!"repliedMissForbesbriskly."Youwereperfectlyright.Ifwehadsentforanyone,itwouldhavehadtocomeout.Now,we'llpaythefineinthemorning and get home, and no one will know anything of it excepting thefamilyandMr.Peabody,andthey'llunderstand.ButifIeverlayhandsonmybrother Sam!" she clasped her fingers together helplessly. "To think of hisleavingyoutospendthenightinacell""Iwillgetoneofthesementosendhiswifeorsisterovertostaywithyou,"

hesaid.ButMissForbesprotestedthatshedidnotwantacompanion.Theconstablewould protect her, she said, and she would sit up all night and read. Shenoddedattheperiodicalsontheclubtable."This is the only chance I may ever have," she said, "to read the 'PoliceGazette'!""Youreadythere?"calledtheconstable."Good-night,"saidWinthrop.Undertheeyesofthegrinningyokels,theyshookhands."Good-night,"saidthegirl."Where'syouryoungman?"demandedthechiefofpolice."Mywhat?"inquiredWinthrop."Theyoungfellowthatwaswithyouwhenweheldyouupthatfirsttime."Theconstable,orthechiefofpoliceashecalledhimself,ontheprinciplethatif therewere only one policeman hemust necessarily be the chief, glancedhastilyovertheheadsofthecrowd."Anyofyouholdingthatshoffer?"hecalled.Noonewasholdingthechauffeur.Thechauffeurhadvanished.ThecelltowhichtheconstableledWinthropwasinacornerofthecellarinwhich formerly coal had been stored. This cornerwas now fenced offwithboards,andawoodendoorwithchainandpadlock.High in thewall, on a levelwith the ground,was the opening, orwindow,throughwhich thecoalhadbeendumped.Thiswindownowwasbarricadedwithironbars.Winthroptestedthedoorbyshakingit,andlandedaheavykickononeofthehinges.Itgaveslightly,andemittedafeeblegroan."Whatyoutryin'todo?"demandedtheconstable."That'stownproperty."Inthelightoftheconstable'slantern,Winthropsurveyedhiscellwithextremedissatisfaction."Icallthisacheapcell,"hesaid.

"It's good enough for a cheap sport," returned the constable. It was sooverwhelming a retort that after the constable had turned the key in thepadlock,andtakenhimselfandhislanterntothefloorabove,Winthropcouldhearhimrepeatingittothevolunteerfiremen.Theyreceiveditwithdelightedhowls.Foranhour,onthethreeemptyboxesthatformedhisbed,Winthropsat,withhischinonhisfists,planningthenamelessatrocitieshewouldinflictuponthevillage of Fairport. Compared to his tortures, those of Neuremberg weremerely reprimands. Also he considered the particular punishment he wouldmeteout toSamForbesforhisdesertionofhissister,andtoFred.Hecouldnot understand Fred. Itwas not like the chauffeur to think only of himself.Nevertheless, forabandoningMissForbes in thehourofneed,Fredmustbedischarged.Hehad,withsomeregret,determineduponthisdiscipline,whenfromdirectlyoverhisheadthevoiceofFredhailedhimcautiously."Mr.Winthrop,"thevoicecalled,"areyouthere?"ToWinthrop the question seemed superfluous. He jumped to his feet, andpeeredupintothedarkness."WhereareYOU?"hedemanded."Atthewindow,"cametheanswer."We'reinthebackyard.Mr.Samwantstospeaktoyou."OnMissForbes'saccount,Winthropgaveagaspofrelief.Onhisown,oneofsavagesatisfaction."AndIwanttospeaktoHIM!"hewhispered.Themoonlight,which had been faintly shining through the iron bars of thecoal chute,was eclipsedby aheadand shoulders.The comfortablevoiceofSamForbesgreetedhiminaplayfulwhisper."Hullo,Billy!Youdownthere?""WherethedevildidyouthinkIwas?"Winthropansweredatwhiteheat."LetmetellyouifIwasnotdownhereI'dbepunchingyourhead.""That'sall right,Billy,"Samansweredsoothingly."But I'll saveyou just thesame.ItshallneverbesaidofSamForbeshedesertedacomrade""Stopthat!Doyouknow,"Winthropdemandedfiercely,"thatyoursisterisaprisonerupstairs?"

"I do," replied the unfeeling brother, "but she won't be long. All the low-comedypartsareoutnowarrangingarescue.""Whoare?Toddandthoseboys?"demandedWinthrop."Theymustn'tthinkofit!They'llonlymake itworse. It is impossible togetyour sisteroutofherewith those drunken firemen in the building.Youmustwait till they've gonehome.Doyouhearme?""PardonME!" returnedSamstiffly,"but this isMYreliefexpedition. Ihavesent twoof theboys tohold thebridge, likeHoratius, and two toguard themotors,and theothersaregoing toentice thefiremenawayfromtheenginehouse.""Entice them? How?" demandedWinthrop. "They're drunk, and they won'tleaveheretillmorning."Outsidetheenginehouse,suspendedfromaheavycross-bar,wasasteelrailborrowedfromarailroadtrack,andbentintoahoop.Whenhitwithasledge-hammeritproclaimedtoFairportthatthe"consumingelement"wasatlarge.AtthemomentWinthropaskedhisquestion,overthevillageofFairportandoverthebayandmarshes,andfaroutacrosstheSound,thegreatsteelbarsentforthashudderingboomofwarning.Fromtheroomabovecameawildtumultofjoyousyells."Fire!"shriekedthevamps,"fire!"Thetwomencrouchingbythecellarwindowheardtherushoffeet,theenginebangingandbumpingacross thesidewalk, itsbrassbellclankingcrazily, thehappyvampsshoutinghoarse,incoherentorders.Through the window Sam lowered a bag of tools he had taken fromWinthrop'scar."Canyouopenthelockwithanyofthese?"heasked."Icankickitopen!"yelledWinthropjoyfully."Gettoyoursister,quick!"Hethrewhisshoulderagainstthedoor,andthestaplesflyingbeforehimsenthim sprawling in the coal-dust. When he reached the head of the stairs,BeatriceForbeswasdescendingfromtheclubroom,and in frontof thedoorthe twocars,with their lampsunlitandnumbershidden,werepanting tobefree.And in the North, reaching to the sky, rose a roaring column of flame,

shamelessinthepalemoonlight,draggingintonakeddaythesleepingvillage,theshingledhouses,theclock-faceinthechurchsteeple."Whatthedevilhaveyoudone?"gaspedWinthrop.Beforeheanswered,Samwaiteduntil thecarswere rattling to safetyacrossthebridge."Wehavebeenprotecting the faceofnature,"heshouted. "Theonlyway toget that gang out of the engine housewas to set fire to something. Tommywantedtoburnuptherailroadstation,becausehedoesn't liketheNewYorkandNewHaven,andFredwasforsettingfiretoJudgeAllen'shouse,becausehe was rude to Beatrice. But we finally formed the Village ImprovementSociety,organizedtoburnalladvertisingsigns.Youknowthosethatstoodinthemarshes, andhid theview from the trains, so thatyoucouldnot see theSound.Wechoppedthemdownandput theminapile,andpouredgasoleneonthem,andthatfireisallthatisleftofthepickles,fly-screens,andpills."Itwasmidnightwhen the cars drew up at the door of the house of Forbes.AnxiouslywaitinginthelibrarywereMrs.ForbesandErnestPeabody."Atlast!"criedMrs.Forbes,smilingherrelief;"wethoughtmaybeSamandyouhaddecidedtospendthenightinNewHaven.""No," saidMiss Forbes, "thereWAS some talk about spending the night atFairport,butwepushedrighton."

IITHETRESPASSERS

Witha long,nervousshudder, theScarletCarcametoastop,and the lampsboreda roundhole in thenight, leaving the restof theencirclingworld inachillandsilentdarkness.Thelampsshowedaflickeringpictureofacountryroadbetweenhighbankscoveredwith loose stones, and overhead, a fringe of pine boughs. It lookedlikeacoloredphotographthrownfromastereopticoninadarkenedtheater.From thebackof thecar thevoiceof theowner saidbriskly: "Wewillnowsingthatbeautifulballadentitled'HeIsSleepingintheYukonValeTo-night.'Whatareyoustoppingfor,Fred?"heasked.Thetoneofthechauffeursuggestedhewasagainuponthedefensive."Forwater,sir,"hemumbled.

MissForbesinthefrontseatlaughed,andherbrotherintherearseat,groanedindismay."Oh,forwater?"saidtheownercordially."Ithoughtmaybeitwasforcoal."Saveadignifiedsilence,therewasnoanswertothis,untiltherecamearollingofloosestonesandthesoundofaheavybodysuddenlyprecipitateddownthebank,andlandingwithathumpintheroad."Hedidn'tgetthewater,"saidtheownersadly."Areyouhurt,Fred?"askedthegirl.Thechauffeurlimpedinfrontofthelamps,appearingsuddenly,likeanactorsteppingintothelimelight."No,ma'am," he said. In the rays of the lamp, he unfolded a roadmap andscowledatit.Heshookhisheadaggrievedly."ThereOUGHTtobeahousejustabouthere,"heexplained."ThereOUGHTtobeahotelandagarage,andacoldsupper,justabouthere,"saidthegirlcheerfully."That's thewaywiththosehouses,"complainedtheowner."Theyneverstaywherethey'reput.Atnighttheygoaroundandvisiteachother.Wheredoyouthinkyouare,Fred?""I thinkwe're in that longwoods,betweenLoonLakeandStoughtonon theBostonPike,"saidthechauffeur,"and,"hereiterated,"thereOUGHTtobeahousesomewhereaboutherewherewegetwater.""Well,getthere,then,andgetthewater,"commandedtheowner."ButIcan'tgetthere,sir,tillIgetthewater,"returnedthechauffeur.Heshookouttwocollapsiblebuckets,andstarteddowntheshaftoflight."Iwon'tbemorenorfiveminutes,"hecalled."I'mgoingwithhim,"saidthegirl,"I'mcold."She stepped down from the front seat, and the owner with sudden alacrityvaultedthedoorandstartedafterher."You coming?" he inquired of Ernest Peabody. But Ernest Peabody beingsoundlyasleepmadenoreply.WinthropturnedtoSam."AreYOUcoming?"

herepeated.The tone of the invitation seemed to suggest that a refusal would notnecessarilyleadtoaquarrel."IamNOT!"saidthebrother."You'vekeptPeabodyandmetwelvehoursintheopenair,andit'spasttwo,andwe'regoingtosleep.Youcantakeitfrommethatwearegoingtospendtherestofthisnighthereinthisroad."Hemovedhiscrampedjointscautiously,andstretchedhislegsthefullwidthofthecar."Ifyoucan'tgetplainwater,"hecalled,"getclubsoda."Heburiedhisnoseinthecollarofhisfurcoat,andtheodorsofcamphorandraccoon skins instantly assailed him, but he only yawned luxuriously anddisappearedintothecoatasaturtledrawsintoitsshell.Fromthewoodsabouthimthesmellofthepineneedlespresseduponhimlikeadrug,andbeforethefootsteps of his companionswere lost in the silence hewas asleep.But hissleepwasonlyareviewofhiswakinghours.Stilloneitherhandroseflyingdust clouds and twirling leaves; still on either side raced gray stone walls,telegraphpoles,hillsrichinautumncolors;andbeforehimalongwhiteroad,unending, interminable, stretching out finally into a darkness lit by flashingshop-windows, like open fireplaces, by street lamps, by swinging electricglobes, by the blinding searchlights of hundreds of darting trolley carswithterrifying gongs, and then a cold white mist, and again on every side,darkness,exceptwherethefourgreatlampsblazedapaththroughstretchesofghostlywoods.Asthetwoyoungmenslumbered,thelampssplutteredandsizzledlikebaconin a frying-pan, a stone rolled noisily down the bank, a white owl, bothappalledandfascinatedbythedazzlingeyesofthemonsterblockingtheroad,hooted,andflappeditselfaway.Butthemeninthecaronlyshiveredslightly,deepinthesleepofutterweariness.InsilencethegirlandWinthropfollowedthechauffeur.Theyhadpassedoutofthelightofthelamps,andintheautumnmisttheelectrictorchoftheownerwasasineffectiveasaglow-worm.Themysteryoftheforestfellheavilyuponthem.Fromtheirfeetthedeadleavessentupaclean,dampodor,andoneithersideandoverheadthegiantpinetreeswhisperedandrustledinthenightwind."Takemycoat,too,"saidtheyoungman."You'llcatchcold."Hespokewithauthorityandbegantosliptheloopsfromthebighornbuttons.Itwasnotthehabitofthegirltoconsiderherhealth.Nordidshepermitthemembersofherfamilytoshowsolicitudeconcerningit.Buttheanxietyoftheyoungman,did

notseemtooffendher.Shethankedhimgenerously."No;thesecoatsarehardtowalkin,andIwanttowalk,"sheexclaimed."Iliketoheartheleavesrustlewhenyoukickthem,don'tyou?WhenIwassohigh,Iusedtopretenditwaswadinginthesurf."Theyoungmanmovedover to thegutterof the roadwhere the leavesweredeepest andkickedviolently. "And themorenoiseyoumake,"he said, "themoreyoufrightenawaythewildanimals."Thegirlshudderedinamosthelplessandfascinatingfashion."Don't!" shewhispered. "I didn'tmention it, but already I have seen severallionscrouchingbehindthetrees.""Indeed?"saidtheyoungman.Histonewaspreoccupied.Hehadjustkickedarock,hiddenbytheleaves,andwasstandingononeleg."Do youmean you don't believeme?" asked the girl, "or is it that you aremerelybrave?""Merelybrave!"exclaimedtheyoungman."Massachusettsissofarnorthforlions,"hecontinued,"thatIfancywhatyousawwasagrizzlybear.ButIhavemytrustyelectrictorchwithme,andifthereisanythingabearcannotabide,itistobepointedatbyanelectrictorch.""Letuspretend,"criedthegirl,"thatwearethebabesinthewood,andthatwearelost.""Wedon'thavetopretendwe'relost,"saidtheman,"andasIrememberit,thebabescametoasadend.Didn'ttheydie,anddidn'tthebirdsburythemwithleaves?""SamandMr.Peabodycanbethebirds,"suggestedthegirl."SamandPeabodyhoppingaroundwithleavesintheirteethwouldlooksilly,"objectedtheman,"IdoubtifIcouldkeepfromlaughing.""Then," said thegirl, "they canbe thewicked robberswho came to kill thebabes.""Verywell,"saidthemanwithsuspiciousalacrity,"letusbebabes.IfIhavetodie,"hewentonheartily,"Iwouldratherdiewithyouthanlivewithanyoneelse."Whenhehadspoken,althoughtheywereentirelyaloneintheworldandquiteneartoeachother,itwasasthoughthegirlcouldnothearhim,evenasthough

hehadnot spokenat all.After a silence, thegirl said: "Perhaps itwouldbebetterforustogobacktothecar.""Iwon'tdoitagain,"beggedtheman."Wewillpretend,"criedthegirl,"thatthecarisavanandthatwearegypsies,andwe'llbuildacampfire,andIwilltellyourfortune.""Youaretheonlywomanwhocan,"mutteredtheyoungman.Thegirlstillstoodinhertracks."Yousaid"shebegan."Iknow,"interruptedtheman,"butyouwon'tletmetalkseriously,soIjoke.Butsomeday""Oh,look!"criedthegirl."There'sFred."Sheranfromhimdowntheroad.Theyoungmanfollowedherslowly,hisfistsdeepinthepocketsofthegreat-coat,andkickingattheunoffendingleaves.The chauffeurwas peering through a double irongate hungbetween squarebrick posts. The lower hinge of one gatewas broken, and that gate lurchedforward leavinganopening.By the lightof theelectric torch theycouldseethebeginningofadriveway,roughandweed-grown,linedwithtreesofgreatage andbulk, and anunkempt lawn, strewnwithbushes, andbeyond, in anopenplacebareoftreesandilluminatedfaintlybythestars,theshadowofahouse,black,silent,andforbidding."That's it," whispered the chauffeur. "I was here before. The well is overthere."Theyoungmangaveagaspofastonishment."Why,"heprotested,"thisistheCareyplace!IshouldsayweWERElost.Wemusthavelefttheroadanhourago.There'snotanotherhousewithinmiles."Buthemadenomovementtoenter."Ofallplaces!"hemuttered."Well, then," urged the girl briskly, "if there's no other house, let's tapMr.Carey'swellandgeton.""Doyouknowwhoheis?"askedtheman.Thegirl laughed."Youdon'tneedaletterof introductiontotakeabucketofwater,doyou?"shesaid.

"It's Philip Carey's house. He lives here." He spoke in a whisper, andinsistently, as though the informationmust carry some special significance.But the girl showed no sign of enlightenment. "You remember the Careyboys?"heurged."TheyleftHarvard theyearIentered.TheyHADto leave.Theywere quitemad.All theCareys have beenmad.The boyswere queereventhen,andawfullyrich.HenryranawaywithagirlfromashoefactoryinBrocktonandlivesinParis,andPhilipwassenthere.""Sent here?" repeated the girl. Unconsciously her voice also had sunk to awhisper."He has a doctor and a nurse and keepers, and they live here all the yearround. When Fred said there were people hereabouts, I thought we mightstrikethemforsomethingtoeat,oreventoputusupforthenight,but,PhilipCarey!Ishouldn'tfancy""Ishouldthinknot!"exclaimedthegirl.For,aminutethethreestoodsilent,peeringthroughtheironbars."And theworstof it is,"wenton theyoungman irritably,"hecouldgiveussuchgoodthingstoeat.""Itdoesn'tlookit,"saidthegirl."Iknow,"continuedthemaninthesameeagerwhisper."Butwhowasitwastellingme?Somedoctor Iknowwhocamedowntoseehim.HesaidCareydoeshimselfawfullywell,hasthehousefullofbullypictures,andthefamilyplate, and wonderful collections things he picked up in the East goldornaments,andjewels,andjade.""Ishouldn'tthink,"saidthegirlinthesamehushedvoice,"theywouldlethimlivesofarfromanyneighborswithsuchthingsinthehouse.Supposeburglars""Burglars!Burglarswouldneverhearofthisplace.Howcouldthey?Evenhisfriendsthinkit'sjustaprivatemadhouse."Thegirlshiveredanddrewbackfromthegate.Fredcoughedapologetically."I'VEheardofit,"hevolunteered."TherewasapieceintheSundayPost.Itsaidheeatshisdinnerinadiamondcrown,andallthewallsisgold,andtwomonkeyswaitontablewithgold"

"Nonsense!"saidthemansharply."Heeatslikeanyoneelseanddresseslikeanyoneelse.Howfaristhewellfromthehouse?""It'spurtynear,"saidthechauffeur."Prettynearthehouse,orprettynearhere?""Justoutsidethekitchen;anditmakesacreakynoise.""Youmeanyoudon'twanttogo?"Fred'sanswerwasunintelligible."You wait here with Miss Forbes," said the young man. "And I'll get thewater.""Yes,sir!"saidFred,quitedistinctly."No,sir!"saidMissForbes,withequaldistinctness."I'mnotgoingtobeleftherealonewithallthesetrees.I'mgoingwithyou.""Theremaybeadog,"suggested theyoungman,"or, Iwas thinking if theyheardmeprowlingabout,theymighttakeashotjustforluck.Whydon'tyougobacktothecarwithFred?""Downthatlongroadinthedark?"exclaimedthegirl."DoyouthinkIhavenoimagination?"Theman in front, the girl close on his heels, and the boywith the bucketsfollowing, crawled through the broken gate, and moved cautiously up thegraveldriveway.Withinfiftyfeetofthehousethecourageofthechauffeurreturned."Youwaithere,"hewhispered,"andifIwake'emup,youshoutto'emthatit'sallright,thatit'sonlyme.""Yourideabeing,"saidtheyoungman,"thattheywillthenfireatme.Cleverlad.Runalong."There was a rustling of the dead weeds, and instantly the chauffeur wasswallowedintheencompassingshadows.MissForbesleanedtowardtheyoungman."Doyouseealightinthatlowerstory?"shewhispered."No,"saidtheman."Where?"

Afterapausethegirlanswered:"Ican'tseeitnow,either.MaybeIdidn'tseeit.Itwasveryfaintjustaglowitmighthavebeenphosphorescence.""It might," said theman. He gave a shrug of distaste. "The whole place iscertainlyoldenoughanddecayedenough."Forabriefspacetheystoodquitestill,andatonce,accentuatedbytheirownsilence,thenoisesofthenightgrewinnumberanddistinctness.Aslightwindhad risen and the boughs of the pines rocked restlessly, making mournfulcomplaint;andattheirfeettheneedlesdroppinginagentledesultoryshowerhad the sound of rain in springtime. From every side theywere startled bynoisestheycouldnotplace.Strangemovementsandrustlingscausedthemtopeersharplyintotheshadows;footsteps, thatseemedtoapproach,and,then,having marked them, skulk away; branches of bushes that suddenly swepttogether,asthoughclosingbehindsomeoneinstealthyretreat.Althoughtheyknew that in the deserted garden they were alone, they felt that from theshadows they were being spied upon, that the darkness of the place waspeopledbymalignpresences.Theyoungmandrewacigarfromhiscaseandputitunlitbetweenhisteeth."Cheerful,isn'tit?"hegrowled."Thesedeadleavesmakeitdampasatomb.IfI've seenoneghost, I've seenadozen. Ibelievewe're standing in theCareyfamily'sgraveyard.""Ithoughtyouwerebrave,"saidthegirl."I am," returned the young man, "very brave. But if you had the mostwonderfulgirlonearthtotakecareofinthegroundsofamadhouseattwointhemorning,you'dbescaredtoo."Hewas abruptly surprised byMiss Forbes laying her hand firmly upon hisshoulder,andturninghiminthedirectionofthehouse.Herfacewassonearhisthathefelttheunevenflutteringofherbreathuponhischeek."Thereisaman,"shesaid,"standingbehindthattree."Bythefaintlightofthestarshesaw,inblacksilhouette,ashoulderandheadprojectingfrombeyondthetrunkofahugeoak,andthenquicklywithdrawn.The owner of the head and shoulder was on the side of the tree nearest tothemselves,hisbackturnedtothem,andsodeeplywashisattentionengagedthathewasunconsciousoftheirpresence."Heiswatchingthehouse,"saidthegirl."Whyishedoingthat?"

"Ithinkit'sFred,"whisperedtheman."He'safraidtogoforthewater.That'sas farashe'sgone."Hewasabout tomoveforwardwhenfromtheoak treetherecamea lowwhistle.Thegirl and themanstoodsilentandmotionless.But they knew itwas useless; that they had been overheard.A voice spokecautiously."Thatyou?"itasked.With the ideaonlyofgaining time, theyoungman respondedpromptly andtruthfully."Yes,"hewhispered."Keeptotherightofthehouse,"commandedthevoice.TheyoungmanseizedMissForbesbythewristandmovingtotherightdrewherquicklywithhim.Hedidnotstopuntiltheyhadturnedthecornerofthebuilding,andwereoncemorehiddenbythedarkness."The plot thickens," he said. "I take it that that fellow is a keeper, orwatchman.Hespokeasthoughitwerenaturalthereshouldbeanothermaninthe grounds, so there's probably two of them, either to keepCarey in, or tokeeptrespassersout.Now,I thinkI'llgobackandtellhimthatJackandJillwentupthehilltofetchapailofwater,andthatalltheywantistobeallowedtogetthewater,andgo.""Whyshouldawatchmanhidebehindatree?"askedthegirl."Andwhy"Sheceasedabruptlywithasharpcryoffright."What'sthat?"shewhispered."What'swhat?"askedtheyoungmanstartled."Whatdidyouhear?""Overthere,"stammeredthegirl."Somethingthatgroaned.""Pretty soon thiswill get onmy nerves," said theman.He ripped open hisgreatcoat and reached under it. "I've been stoned twice, when there werewomeninthecar,"hesaid,apologetically,"andsonowatnightIcarryagun."Heshiftedthedarkenedtorchtohislefthand,and,movingafewyards,haltedto listen. The girl, reluctant to be left alone, followed slowly. As he stoodimmovabletherecamefromtheleavesjustbeyondhimthesoundofafeeblestruggle,andastrangledgroan.Themanbentforwardandflashedthetorch.Hesawstretchedrigidonthegroundahugewolf-hound.Itslegsweretwistedhorribly, the lipsdrawnawayfromthe teeth, theeyesglazed inanagonyofpain.Themansnappedoffthelight."Keepback!"hewhisperedtothegirl.Hetookherbythearmandranwithhertowardthegate."Whowasit?"shebegged.

"Itwasadog,"heanswered."Ithink"Hedidnottellherwhathethought."I'vegot to findoutwhat thedevilhashappened toFred!"hesaid."Yougobacktothecar.Sendyourbrotherhereontherun.Tellhimthere'sgoingtobearough-house.You'renotafraidtogo?""No,"saidthegirl.Ashadowblackerthanthenightrosesuddenlybeforethem,andavoiceaskedsternlybutquietly:"Whatareyoudoinghere?"Theyoungmanliftedhisarmclearof thegirl,andshovedherquicklyfromhim.Inhishandshefeltthepressureoftherevolver."Well,"herepliedtruculently,"andwhatareyoudoinghere?""Iamthenightwatchman,"answeredthevoice."Whoareyou?"ItstruckMissForbesifthewatchmanknewthatoneofthetrespasserswasawomanhewouldbeatoncereassured,andshebrokeinquickly:"Wehavelostourway,"shesaidpleasantly."Wecamehere"Shefoundherselfstaringblindlydownashaftoflight.Foraninstantthetorchheldher,andthenfromhersweptovertheyoungman."Dropthatgun!"criedthevoice.Itwasnolongerthesamevoice;itwasnowsavageand snarling.Foranswer theyoungmanpressed the torch inhis lefthand,and,heldinthetwocirclesof light, themensurveyedeachother.Thenewcomerwasoneofunusualbulkandheight.Thecollarofhisovercoathidhismouth,andhisderbyhatwasdrawndownoverhisforehead,butwhattheysaw showed an intelligent, strong face, although for the moment it wore amenacingscowl.Theyoungmandroppedhisrevolverintohispocket."Myautomobile randry,"he said; "wecame inhere toget somewater.Mychauffeur is back there somewhere with a couple of buckets. This is Mr.Carey'splace,isn'tit?""Takethatlightoutofmyeyes!"saidthewatchman."Takeyourlightoutofmyeyes,"returnedtheyoungman."Youcanseewe'renotwedon'tmeananyharm."Thetwolightsdisappearedsimultaneously,andtheneach,as thoughworkedbythesamehand,sprangforthagain.

"Whatdidyou think Iwasgoing todo?" theyoungmanasked.He laughedandswitchedoffhistorch.Buttheonethewatchmanheldinhishandstillmovedfromthefaceofthegirltothatoftheyoungman."How'dyouknow thiswas theCareyhouse?"hedemanded. "DoyouknowMr.Carey?""No, but I know this is his house." For amoment frombehind hismask oflightthewatchmansurveyedtheminsilence.Thenhespokequickly:"I'lltakeyoutohim,"hesaid,"ifhethinksit'sallright,it'sallright."Thegirlgaveaprotestingcry.Theyoungmanburstforthindignantly:"YouwillNOT!"hecried."Don'tbeanidiot!YoutalklikeaTenderloincop.Dowelooklikesecond-storyworkers?""I found you prowling aroundMr.Carey's grounds at two in themorning,"saidthewatchmansharply,"withaguninyourhand.Myjobistoprotectthisplace,andIamgoingtotakeyoubothtoMr.Carey."Untilthismomenttheyoungmancouldseenothingsavetheshaftoflightandthe tinyglowingbulb at its base; now into the light thereprotrudedablackrevolver."Keepyourhandsup, andwalkaheadofme to thehouse," commanded thewatchman."Thewomanwillgoinfront."Theyoungmandidnotmove.Underhisbreathhemuttered impotently,andbitathislowerlip."Seehere,"hesaid,"I'llgowithyou,butyoushan'ttakethisladyinfrontofthatmadman.Lethergotohercar.It'sonlyahundredyardsfromhere;youknowperfectlywellshe""Iknowwhereyourcaris,allright,"saidthewatchmansteadily,"andI'mnotgoing to let you get away in it till Mr. Carey's seen you." The revolvermotionedforward.MissForbessteppedinfrontofitandappealedeagerlytotheyoungman."Dowhathesays,"sheurged."It'sonlyhisduty.Please!Indeed,Idon'tmind."Sheturnedtothewatchman."Whichwaydoyouwantustogo?"sheasked."Keepinthelight,"heordered.

The light showed thebroad steps leading to the front entranceof thehouse,andinitsshafttheyclimbedthem,pushedopentheunlockeddoor,andstoodinasmallhallway.Itledintoagreaterhallbeyond.Bytheelectriclightsstillburningtheynotedthattheinteriorofthehousewasasrichandwellcaredforas the outside was miserable. With a gesture for silence the watchmanmotionedthemintoasmallroomontherightofthehallway.Ithadthelookofanoffice,andwasapparentlytheplaceinwhichwereconductedtheaffairsoftheestate.Inanopengratewasadyingfire;infrontofitaflatdeskcoveredwithpapersandjapannedtinboxes."You stay here till I fetch Mr. Carey, and the servants," commanded thewatchman."Don't try togetout,and,"headdedmenacingly,"don'tmakenonoise."Withhisrevolverhepointedat the twowindows.Theywereheavilybarred."ThosebarskeepMr.Carey in,"hesaid,"andIguess theycankeepyouin, too.Theotherwatchman,"headded,"willbe justoutsidethisdoor."Butstillhehesitated,gloweringwithsuspicion;unwillingtotrustthemalone.Hisfacelitwithanuglysmile."Mr. Carey's very bad to-night," he said; "he won't keep his bed and he'swanderingaboutthehouse.Ifhefoundyoubyyourselves,hemight"Theyoungman,whohadbeenstaringatthefire,swungsharplyonhisheel."Get-to-hell-out-of-here!" he said. The watchman stepped into the hall andwascautiouslyclosingthedoorwhenamanspranglightlyupthefrontsteps.Through the inch crack left by the open door the trespassers heard thenewcomerseagergreeting."Ican'tgethimright!"hepanted."He'ssnoringlikeahog."Thewatchmanexclaimedsavagely:"He's fooling you." He gasped. "I didn't mor' nor slap him. Did you throwwateronhim?""I drownedhim!" returned theother. "Heneverwinked. I tellYouwegottawalk,anddamnquick!""Walk!" The watchman cursed him foully. "How far could we walk? I'LLbringhim to,"heswore."He'sscaredofus,andhe's shamming."Hegaveasuddenstartofalarm."That'sit,he'sshamming.Youfool!Youshouldn'thavelefthim."

Therewastheswiftpatterofretreatingfootsteps,andthenasuddenhalt,andtheyheard thewatchmancommand: "Goback, andkeep theother two till Icome."Thenextinstantfromtheoutsidethedoorwassoftlycloseduponthem.IthadnomorethanshutwhentothesurpriseofMissForbestheyoungman,withadelightedandvindictivechuckle,sprangtothedeskandbegantodrumupon it with his fingers. It were as though he were practising upon atypewriter."HemissedTHESE,"hemutteredjubilantly.Thegirlleanedforward.Beneathhisfingersshesaw,flushwiththetable,arolloflittleivorybuttons.Shereadthewords"Stables," "Servants'hall."She raisedapairofverybeautifulandverybewilderedeyes."Butifhewantedtheservants,whydidn'tthewatchmandothat?"sheasked."Because he isn't a watchman," answered the young man. "Because he'srobbingthishouse."Hetooktherevolverfromhisencumberinggreatcoat,slippeditinhispocket,andthrewthecoatfromhim.Hemotionedthegirlintoacorner."Keepoutofthelineofthedoor,"heordered."Idon'tunderstand,"beggedthegirl."Theycameinacar,"whisperedtheyoungman."It'sbrokendown,andtheycan'tgetaway.WhenthebigfellowstoppedusandIflashedmytorch,Isawtheircarbehindhimintheroadwiththefrontoffandthelightsout.He'dseenthelampsofourcar,andnowtheywantittoescapein.That'swhyhebroughtusheretokeepusawayfromourcar.""AndFred!"gaspedthegirl."Fred'shurt!""IguessFredstumbledintothebigfellow,"assentedtheyoungman,"andthebigfellowputhimout; thenhesawFredwasachauffeur,andnowtheyaretryingtobringhimto,sothathecanrunthecarforthem.Youneedn'tworryaboutFred.He'sbeeninfoursmash-ups."The youngman bent forward to listen, but from no part of the great housecameanysign.Heexclaimedangrily."Theymust be drugged," he growled.He ran to the desk andmade viciousjabsattheivorybuttons.

"Supposethey'reoutoforder!"hewhispered.Therewasthesoundofleapingfeet.Theyoungmanlaughednervously."No,it'sallright,"hecried."They'recoming!"Thedoorflungopenandthebigburglarandasmall,rat-likefigureofamanburstuponthem;thebigonepointingarevolver."Comewithmetoyourcar!"hecommanded."You'vegottotakeustoBoston.Quick,orI'llblowyourfaceoff."Although the young man glared bravely at the steel barrel and the liftedtrigger, poised a few inches from his eyes, his body, as though weak withfright, shifted slightly and his feet made a shuffling noise upon the floor.When theweightofhisbodywasbalancedon theballofhis right foot, theshuffling ceased. Had the burglar lowered his eyes, the manoeuvre to himwould have been significant, but his eyes were following the barrel of therevolver.In themindof the youngman the one thought uppermostwas that hemustgain time, but,with a revolver in his face, he found his desire to gain timeswiftlydiminishing.Still,whenhespoke,itwaswithdeliberation."Mychauffeur"hebeganslowly.Theburglarsnappedathimlikeadog."Tohellwithyourchauffeur!"hecried."Yourchauffeurhasrunaway.You'lldrivethatcaryourself,orI'llleaveyouherewiththetopofyourheadoff."Thefaceoftheyoungmansuddenlyflashedwithpleasure.Hiseyes,lookingpasttheburglartothedoor,litwithrelief."There'sthechauffeurnow!"hecried.Thebigburglarforoneinstantglancedoverhisrightshoulder.Formonthsatatime,onSoldiersField,theyoungmanhadthrownhimselfathumantargets,thatrananddodgedandevadedhim,andthehulkingburglar,motionlessbeforehim,waseasilyhisvictim.Heleapedathim,hisleftarmswinginglikeascythe,and,withtheimpactofaclub,theblowcaughttheburglarinthethroat.The pistolwent off impotently; the burglarwith a choking cough sank in aheaponthefloor.

Theyoungmantrampedoverhimanduponhim,andbeatthesecondburglarwithsavage,whirlwindblows.Thesecondburglar,shriekingwithpain,turnedto fly,anda fist, that felluponhimwherehisbumpofhonestyshouldhavebeen,drovehisheadagainstthelintelofthedoor.Atthesameinstantfromthebelfryontheroofthererangoutonthenightthesuddentumultofabell;abellthattoldasplainlyasthoughitclamoredwithahumantongue,thatthehandthatrangitwasdrivenwithfear;fearoffire,fearofthieves,fearofamad-manwithaknifeinhishandrunningamuck;perhapsatthatmomentcreepingupthebelfrystairs.Fromalloverthehousetherewastherushoffeetandmen'svoices,andfromthegardenthelightofdancinglanterns.Andwhilethesmokeoftherevolverstill hungmotionless, the opendoorwas crowdedwith half-clad figures.Attheirheadweretwoyoungmen.Onewhohaddrawnoverhisnightclothesasergesuit,andwho,ineventhatgarb,carriedanairofauthority;andone,tall,stooping,weakof faceand light-haired,witheyes thatblinkedand trembledbehindgreat spectaclesandwho, forcomfort,huggedabouthimagorgeouskimono.Foraninstantthenewcomersstaredstupidlythroughthesmokeatthebodieson the floorbreathingstertorously, at theyoungmanwith the lustofbattlestill inhisface,atthegirlshrinkingagainstthewall.Itwastheyoungmaninthesergesuitwhowasthefirsttomove."Whoareyou?"hedemanded."Theseareburglars,"saidtheownerofthecar."Wehappenedtobepassinginmyautomobile,and"Theyoungmanwasnolongerlistening.Withanalert,professionalmannerhehad stoopedover thebigburglar.Withhis thumbhepushedback theman'seyelids, and ranhis fingersoverhis throatandchin.He felt carefullyof thepointofthechin,andglancedup."You'vebrokenthebone,"hesaid."Ijustswungonhim,"saidtheyoungman.Heturnedhiseyes,andsuggestedthepresenceofthegirl.Atthesamemomentthemaninthekimonocriednervously:"Ladiespresent,ladiespresent.Goputyourclotheson,everybody;putyourclotheson."For orders themen in the doorway looked to the youngmanwith the sternface.Hescowledatthefigureinthekimono.

"Youwill please go to your room, sir," he said.He stoodup, andbowed toMissForbes."Ibegyourpardon,"heasked,"youmustwanttogetoutofthis.Willyoupleasegointothelibrary?"Heturnedtotherobustyouthsinthedoor,andpointedatthesecondburglar."Movehimoutoftheway,"heordered.Themaninthekimonosmirkedandbowed."Allowme,"hesaid;"allowmetoshowyoutothelibrary.Thisisnoplaceforladies."Theyoungmanwiththesternfacefrownedimpatiently."Youwillpleasereturntoyourroom,sir,"herepeated.With an attempt at dignity the figure in the kimono gathered the silk robecloserabouthim."Certainly,"hesaid."IfyouthinkyoucangetonwithoutmeIwillretire,"andliftinghisbarefeetmincingly,hetiptoedaway.MissForbeslookedafterhimwithanexpressionofrelief,ofrepulsion,ofgreatpity.Theownerofthecarglancedattheyoungmanwiththesternface,andraisedhiseyebrowsinterrogatively.Theyoungmanhadtakentherevolverfromthelimpfingersoftheburglarandwasholding it inhishand.Winthropgavewhatwashalf a laughandhalf asighofcompassion."So,that'sCarey?"hesaid.There was a sudden silence. The young man with the stern face made noanswer.Hisheadwasbentovertherevolver.Hebrokeitopen,andspilledthecartridgesintohispalm.Stillhemadenoanswer.Whenheraisedhishead,hiseyes were no longer stern, but wistful, and filled with an inexpressibleloneliness."No,IamCarey,"hesaid.Theonewhohadblunderedstoodhelpless, tongue-tied,withnopresenceofmindbeyondknowingthattoexplainwouldoffendfurther.Theother seemed to feel forhimmore than forhimself. Inavoice lowandpeculiarlyappealing,hecontinuedhurriedly.

"He ismy doctor," he said. "He is a youngman, and he has not hadmanyadvantageshismanner isnot I findwedonotgeton together. Ihaveaskedthem tosendmesomeoneelse."Hestoppedsuddenly,andstoodunhappilysilent. The knowledge that the strangers were acquainted with his storyseemedtorobhimofhisearlierconfidence.Hemadeanuncertainmovementasthoughtorelievethemofhispresence.MissForbessteppedtowardhimeagerly."YoutoldmeImightwaitinthelibrary,"shesaid."Willyoutakemethere?"For a moment the man did not move, but stood looking at the young andbeautifulgirl,who,withasmile,hidthecompassioninhereyes."Willyougo?"heaskedwistfully."Whynot?"saidthegirl.Theyoungmanlaughedwithpleasure."Iamunpardonable,"he said. "I live somuchalone that I forget."Likeonewho,issuingfromacloseroom,encountersthemorningair,hedrewadeep,happybreath."Ithasbeenthreeyearssinceawomanhasbeeninthishouse,"he said simply. "And Ihavenot even thankedyou,"hewenton, "noraskedyouifyouarecold,"hecriedremorsefully,"orhungry.Howniceitwouldbeifyouwouldsayyouarehungry."Thegirlwalkedbesidehim,laughinglightly,and,astheydisappearedintothegreaterhallbeyond,Winthropheardhercry:"Youneverrobbedyourownice-chest? How have you kept from starving? Show me it, and we'll rob ittogether."Thevoiceoftheirhostrangthroughtheemptyhousewithalaughlikethatofaneager,happychild."Heavens!" said theowner of the car, "isn't shewonderful!"But neither theprostrate burglars, nor the servants, intent on strapping theirwrists together,gavehimanyanswer.Astheywerefinishingthesupperfilchedfromtheice-chest,Fredwasbroughtbefore them from the kitchen. The blow the burglar had given him wascoveredwithapieceofcoldbeef-steak,andthewaterthrownonhimtorevivehimwasthawingfromhisleatherbreeches.Mr.Careyexpressedhisgratitude,andrewardedhimbeyondtheavariciousdreamsevenofachauffeur.Asthe three trespassers left thehouse,accompaniedbymanypailsofwater,

thegirlturnedtothelonelyfigureinthedoorwayandwavedherhand."Maywecomeagain?"shecalled.ButyoungMr.Careydidnot trust his voice to answer.Standing erect,withfoldedarms,indarksilhouetteinthelightofthehall,hebowedhishead.Deaf toalarmbells, topistol shots, to cries forhelp, they foundherbrotherandErnestPeabodysleepingsoundly."Samisacharmingchaperon,"saidtheownerofthecar.Withthegirlbesidehim,withFredcrouched,shivering,onthestep,hethrewintheclutch;theservantsfromthehousewavedtheemptiedbucketsinsalute,and the great car sprang forward into the awakening day toward the goldendome over the Boston Common. In the rear seat Peabody shivered andyawned,andthensaterect."Didyougetthewater?"hedemanded,anxiously.Therewasagrimsilence."Yes,"saidtheownerofthecarpatiently."Youneedn'tworryanylonger.Wegotthewater."

IIITHEKIDNAPPERS

During the last two weeks of the "whirlwind" campaign, automobiles hadcarriedtherivalcandidatestoeveryelectiondistrictinGreaterNewYork.During these two weeks, at the disposal of Ernest Peabody on the ReformTicket, "the people's choice forLieutenant-Governor "Winthrop had placedhisScarletCar,and,asitschauffeur,himself.Not that Winthrop greatly cared for Reform, or Ernest Peabody. The"whirlwind" part of the campaign was what attracted him; the crowds, thebands, the fireworks, the rush by night from hall to hall, from Fordham toTompkinsville.And,while inside thedifferentLyceums,Peabody lashed theTammany Tiger, outside in his car, Winthrop was making friends withTammanypolicemen,andhisnaturalenemies,thebicyclecops.ToWinthrop,theday inwhichhedidnot increasehisacquaintancewith the trafficsquad,wasadaylost.ButtherealreasonforhiseffortsinthecauseofReform,wasonehecouldnotdeclare.Anditwasareasonthatwasguessedperhapsbyonlyoneperson.On

somenightsBeatriceForbesandherbrotherSamaccompaniedPeabody.AndwhilePeabodysatintherearofthecar,mumblingthespeechhewouldnextdeliver,Winthropwasgiventhechancetotalkwithher.Thesechancesweregrowing cruelly few. In one month after election day Miss Forbes andPeabodywouldbemanandwife.Oncebefore thedayof theirmarriagehadbeen fixed,but,when theReformPartyofferedPeabodyahighplaceon itsticket,heasked,inorderthathemightbearhispartinthecauseofreform,thatthe wedding be postponed. To the postponement Miss Forbes made noobjection.Toonelessself-centredthanPeabody,itmighthaveappearedthatshealmosttooreadilyconsented."Iknew Icouldcountuponyour seeingmydutyas I saw it," saidPeabodymuchpleased,"italwayswillbeasatisfactiontobothofustorememberyouneverstoodbetweenmeandmyworkforreform.""Whatdoyouthinkmybrother-in-law-to-behasdonenow?"demandedSamofWinthrop, as theScarletCar swept into JeromeAvenue. "He's postponedhis marriage with Trix just because he has a chance to be Lieutenant-Governor.WhatisaLieutenant-Governoranyway,doyouknow?Idon'tliketoaskPeabody.""Itisnothisownelectionhe'sworkingfor,"saidWinthrop.Hewasconsciousofanefforttoassumeapointofviewbothnobleandmagnanimous."Heprobablyfeelsthe'cause'callshim.But,goodHeavens!""Lookout!"shriekedSam,"whereyougoing?"Winthropswungthecarbackintotheavenue."Tothink,"hecried,"thatamanwhocouldmarryagirl,andthenwouldaskhertowaittwomonths.Or,twodays!Twomonthslostoutofhislife,andshemightdie;hemightloseher,shemightchangehermind.AnynumberofmencanbeLieutenant-Governors;onlyonemancanbe"He broke off suddenly, coughed and fixed his eyes miserably on the road.After a brief pause, Brother Sam covertly looked at him. Could it be that"Billie"Winthrop,themanlikedofallmen,shouldlovehissister,andthatsheshould prefer Ernest Peabody? He was deeply, loyally indignant. Hedeterminedtodemandofhissisteranimmediateandabjectapology.Ateighto'clockonthemorningofelectionday,Peabody, in theScarletCar,wasonhiswaytovote.HelivedatRiversideDrive,andthepolling-boothwasonlyafewblocksdistant.Duringtherestofthedayheintendedtousethecartovisitotherelectiondistricts,andtokeephimintouchwiththeReformersat

theGilseyHouse.Winthropwasactingashischauffeur,and in the rearseatwasMiss Forbes. Peabody had asked her to accompany him to the polling-booth,becausehethoughtwomenwhobelievedinreformshouldshowtheirinterestinitinpublic,beforeallmen.MissForbesdisagreedwithhim,chieflybecausewhenever she sat in a box at any of the publicmeetings the artistsfromthenewspapers,insteadofimmortalizingthecandidate,madepicturesofherandherhat.Aftershehadseenherfuturelordandmastercasthisvoteforreform and himself, she was to depart by train to Tarrytown. The Forbes'scountryplacewasthere,andforelectiondayherbrotherSamhadinvitedoutsomeofhisfriendstoplaytennis.AsthecardartedanddodgedupEighthAvenue,amanwhohadbeenhiddenbythestairstotheElevated,steppedinfrontofit.Itcaughthim,andhurledhim,likeamail-bagtossedfromatrain,againstoneofthepillarsthatsupportthe overhead tracks.Winthrop gave a cry and fell upon the brakes.The crywasasfullofpainasthoughhehimselfhadbeenmangled.MissForbessawonly theman appear, and then disappear, but,Winthrop's shout ofwarning,andthewrenchasthebrakeslocked,toldherwhathadhappened.Sheshuthereyes, and for an instant covered them with her hands. On the front seatPeabodyclutchedhelplesslyatthecushions.Inhorrorhiseyeswerefastenedon themotionlessmass jammedagainst thepillar.Winthrop scrambledoverhim,andrantowherethemanlay.So,apparently,dideveryotherinhabitantofEighthAvenue;butWinthropwasthefirsttoreachhimandkneelinginthecartracks,hetriedtoplacetheheadandshouldersofthebodyagainsttheironpillar.Hehadseenvery fewdeadmen;and tohim, thisweight inhisarms,thisbundleoflimpfleshandmuddyclothes,andthepurple-bloatedfacewithbloodtricklingdownit,lookedlikeadeadman.Onceortwicewheninhiscar,DeathhadreachedforWinthrop,andonlybythescantiestgracehadheescaped.Thenthenearnessof ithadonlysoberedhim.Nowthathebelievedhehadbroughtittoafellowman,eventhoughheknewhewas innodegree toblame, the thought sickenedandshockedhim.Hisbraintrembledwithremorseandhorror.But voices assailing him on every side brought him to the necessity of themoment.Menwere pressing close uponhim, jostling, abusing him, shakingfists in his face. Another crowd of men, as though fearing the car wouldescapeofitsownvolition,wereclingingtothestepsandrunningboards.WinthropsawMissForbesstandingabovethem,talkingeagerlytoPeabody,andpointingathim.Heheardchildren's shrillvoicescalling tonewarrivalsthatanautomobilehadkilledaman;thatithadkilledhimonpurpose.Ontheouter edge of the crowdmen shouted: "Ah, soak him," "Kill him," "Lynchhim."

Asoiledgiantwithoutacollarstoopedoverthepurple,blood-stainedface,andthen leaped upright, and shouted: "It's Jerry Gaylor, he's killed old manGaylor."Theresponsewasinstant.EveryoneseemedtoknowJerryGaylor.Winthroptookthesoiledpersonbythearm."Youhelpmelifthimintomycar,"heordered."Takehimbytheshoulders.Wemustgethimtoahospital.""Toahospital?To theMorgue!" roared theman."And thepolicestationforyours.Youdon'tdonoget-away."Winthropansweredhimbyturningtothecrowd."Ifthismanhasanyfriendshere,they'llpleasehelpmeputhiminmycar,andwe'lltakehimtoRooseveltHospital."ThesoiledpersonshovedafistandabadcigarunderWinthrop'snose."Hashegotany friends?"hemocked."Sure,he'sgot friends,and they'll fixyou,allright.""Sure!"echoedthecrowd.Themanwasencouraged."Don'tyougoawaythinkingyoucancomeupherewithyourbuzzwagonandmurderbettermennoryou'lleverbeand""Oh,shutup!"saidWinthrop.Heturnedhisbackonthesoiledman,andagainappealedtothecrowd."Don'tstandtheredoingnothing,"hecommanded."Doyouwantthismantodie?Someofyouringforanambulanceandgetapoliceman,ortellmewhereisthenearestdrugstore."No onemoved, but every one shouted to every one else to do asWinthropsuggested.Winthropfeltsomethingpullingathissleeve,andturning,foundPeabodyathisshoulderpeeringfearfullyatthefigureinthestreet.Hehaddrawnhiscapoverhis eyes andhidden the lowerpart of his face in thehigh collar of hismotorcoat."Ican'tdoanything,canI?"heasked.

"I'm afraid not," whisperedWinthrop. "Go back to the car and don't leaveBeatrice.I'llattendtothis.""That'swhatIthought,"whisperedPeabodyeagerly."IthoughtsheandIhadbetterkeepoutofit.""Right!"exclaimedWinthrop."GobackandgetBeatriceaway."Peabodylookedhisrelief,butstillhesitated."I can't do anything, as you say," he stammered, "and it's sure to get in the'extras,'andthey'llbeoutintimetoloseusthousandsofvotes,andthoughnooneistoblame,they'resuretoblameme.Idon'tcareaboutmyself,"headdedeagerly,"but theverymorningofelectionhalf thecityhasnotvotedyet theTicket""DamntheTicket!"exclaimedWinthrop."Theman'sdead!"Peabody,buryinghisfacestilldeeperinhiscollar,backedintothecrowd.Inthe present and past campaigns, from carts and automobiles he had mademany speeches in Harlem, and on the West Side, lithographs of his stern,resolute features hung in every delicatessen shop, and that he might berecognized,wasextremelylikely.HewhisperedtoMissForbeswhathehadsaid,andwhatWinthrophadsaid."ButyouDON'Tmeantoleavehim,"remarkedMissForbes."Imust,"returnedPeabody."Icandonothingfortheman,andyouknowhowTammanywilluse thisThey'llhaveitonthestreetbyten.They'llsayIwasdrivingrecklessly;withoutregardforhumanlife.And,besides,they'rewaitingformeatheadquarters.Pleasehurry.Iamlatenow."MissForbesgaveanexclamationofsurprise."Why,I'mnotgoing,"shesaid."Youmustgo!Imustgo.Youcan'tremainherealone."Peabodyspokeinthequick,assuredtonethatatthefirsthadconvincedMissForbeshiswasamostmasterfulmanner."Winthrop,too,"headded,"wantsyoutogoaway."MissForbesmadenoreply.ButshelookedatPeabodyinquiringly,steadily,asthough she were puzzled as to his identity, as though he had just beenintroducedtoher.Itmadehimuncomfortable.

"Areyoucoming?"heasked.Heranswerwasaquestion."Areyougoing?""Iam!"returnedPeabody.Headdedsharply:"Imust.""Good-by,"saidMissForbes.Asheranupthestepstothestationoftheelevated,itseemedtoPeabodythatthe tone of her "good-by" had been most unpleasant. It was severe,disapproving. Ithada final, fateful sound.Hewasconsciousof a feelingofself-dissatisfaction. In not seeing the political importance of his not beingmixed up with this accident, Winthrop had been peculiarly obtuse, andBeatrice, unsympathetic. Until he had cast his vote for Reform, he feltdistinctlyill-used.ForamomentBeatriceForbessatinthecarmotionless,staringunseeinglyatthe iron steps by which Peabody had disappeared. For a fewmoments herbrowswere tightly drawn. Then, having apparently quickly arrived at someconclusion,sheopenedthedoorofthecarandpushedintothecrowd.Winthropreceivedhermostrudely."Youmustn'tcomehere!"hecried."Ithought,"shestammered,"youmightwantsomeone?""I told " beganWinthrop, and then stopped, and added "to take you away.Whereishe?"MissForbesflushedslightly."He'sgone,"shesaid.IntryingnottolookatWinthrop,shesawthefallenfigure,motionlessagainstthepillar,andwithanexclamation,bentfearfullytowardit."CanIdoanything?"sheasked.Thecrowdgavewayforher,andwithcuriouspleasedfaces,closedinagaineagerly.Sheaffordedthemanewinterest.Ayoungmanintheuniformofanambulancesurgeonwaskneelingbesidethemud-stained figure, and a police officer was standing over both. The

ambulance surgeon touched lightly the matted hair from which the bloodescaped, stuck his finger in the eye of the prostrateman, and thenwith hisopenhandslappedhimacrosstheface."Oh!"gaspedMissForbes.Theyoungdoctorheardher,andlookingup,scowledreprovingly.Seeingshewas a rarely beautiful young woman, he scowled less severely; and thendeliberately and expertly, again slappedMr. Jerry Gaylor on the cheek. Hewatched the white mark made by his hand upon the purple skin, until thebloodstruggledslowlybacktoit,andthenrose.Heignoredeveryonebutthepoliceofficer."There'snothingthematterwithHIM,"hesaid."He'sdeaddrunk."ThewordscametoWinthropwithsuchabruptrelief,bearingsotremendousaburdenofgratitude,thathisheartseemedtofailhim.Inhissuddenlyregainedhappiness,heunconsciouslylaughed."Areyousure?"heaskedeagerly."IthoughtI'dkilledhim."ThesurgeonlookedatWinthropcoldly."When they're like that," he explainedwith authority, "you can't hurt 'em ifyouthrowthemofftheTimesBuilding."Hecondescendedtorecognizethecrowd."Youknowwherethismanlives?"Voices answered that Mr. Gaylor lived at the corner, over the saloon. Thevoicesshoweda lackofsympathy.OldmanGaylordeadwasanovelty;oldmanGaylordrunkwasnot.Thedoctor'sprescriptionwassimpleanddirect."Puthimtobedtillhesleepsitoff,"heordered;heswunghimselftothestepof theambulance. "Lethimout,Steve,"hecalled.Therewas theclangof agongandtherattleofgallopinghoofs.ThepoliceofficerapproachedWinthrop."TheytellmeJerrysteppedinfrontofyourcar;thatyouwasn'ttoblame.I'llgettheirnamesandwheretheylive.Jerrymighttrytoholdyouupfordamages.""Thankyouverymuch,"saidWinthrop.With several of Jerry's friends, and the soiled person, who now seemeddissatisfiedthatJerrywasalive,Winthrophelpedtocarryhimuponeflightof

stairsanddrophimuponabed."Incaseheneedsanything,"saidWinthrop,andgaveseveralbillstothesoiledperson, upon whom immediately Gaylor's other friends closed in. "And I'llsendmyowndoctoratoncetoattendtohim.""You'd better," said the soiled person morosely, "or, he'll try to shake youdown."TheopinionsastowhatmightbeMr.Gaylor'snextmoveseemedunanimous.From the saloon below,Winthrop telephoned to the family doctor, and thenrejoinedMissForbesandthePoliceofficer.Theofficergavehimthenamesofthose citizens who had witnessed the accident, and in return receivedWinthrop'scard."Not that it will go any further," said the officer reassuringly. "They're allsayingyouactedallrightandwantedtotakehimtoRoosevelt.There'smany,"headdedwithsententiousindignation,"thatknockamandown,andthenrunawaywithoutwaitingtofindoutifthey'vehurted'emorkilled'em."ThespeechforbothWinthropandMissForbeswasequallyembarrassing."You don't say?" exclaimedWinthrop nervously. He shook the policeman'shand. The handclasp was apparently satisfactory to that official, for hemurmured "Thank you," and stuck something in the lining of his helmet."Now,then!"WinthropsaidbrisklytoMissForbes,"Ithinkwehavedoneallwecan.Andwe'llgetawayfromthisplacealittlefasterthanthelawallows."Miss Forbes had seated herself in the car, andWinthrop was cranking up,when thesamepoliceman,wearingananxiouscountenance, touchedhimonthe arm. "There is a gentleman here," he said, "wants to speak to you."Heplaced himself between the gentleman and Winthrop and whispered: "He's'Izzy'Schwab,he's aHarlempolice-court lawyerandaTammanyman.He'saftersomething,lookoutforhim."Winthropsaw,smilingathimingratiatingly,aslight,slimyouth,withbeady,rat-like eyes, a low forehead, and aHebraic nose.Hewondered how it hadbeenpossibleforJerryGaylortosoquicklysecurecounsel.ButMr.Schwabatonceundeceivedhim."I'm from the Journal," he began, "not regular on the staff, but I send 'emHarlem items, and the court reporter treats me nice, see! Now about thisaccident;couldyougivemethenameoftheyounglady?"HesmiledencouraginglyatMissForbes.

"Icouldnot!"growledWinthrop."Themanwasn'thurt,thepolicemanwilltellyouso.Itisnotoftheleastpublicinterest."Withadeprecatoryshrug,theyoungmansmiledknowingly."Well,mebbenotthelady'sname,"hegranted,"butthenameoftheOTHERgentlemanwhowaswithyou,whentheaccidentoccurred."Hisblack,rat-likeeyessnapped."IthinkHISnamewouldbeofpublicinterest."TogaintimeWinthropsteppedintothedriver'sseat.HelookedatMr.Schwabsteadily."Therewasnoothergentleman,"hesaid."Doyoumeanmychauffeur?"Mr.Schwabgaveanappreciativechuckle."No, I don't mean your chauffeur," he mimicked. "I mean," he declaredtheatricallyinhisbestpolice-courtmanner,"themanwhoto-dayishopingtobeatTammany,ErnestPeabody!"Winthropstaredattheyouthinsolently."Idon'tunderstandyou,"hesaid."Oh,ofcoursenot!"jeered"Izzy"Schwab.Hemovedexcitedlyfromfoottofoot. "Then who WAS the other man," he demanded, "the man who ranaway?"Winthropfeltthebloodrisetohisface.ThatMissForbesshouldhearthisratofaman,sneeringattheoneshewastomarry,madehimhatePeabody.Butheansweredeasily:"Nooneranaway.Itoldmychauffeurtogoandcallupanambulance.Thatwasthemanyousaw."As when "leading on" a witness to commit himself, Mr. Schwab smiledsympathetically."Andhehasn'tgotbackyet,"hepurred,"hashe?""No,andI'mnotgoingtowaitforhim,"returnedWinthrop.Hereachedfortheclutch,butMr.Schwabjumpeddirectlyinfrontofthecar."Washelookingforatelephonewhenheranuptheelevatedsteps?"hecried.Heshookhisfistsvehemently.

"Oh,no,Mr.Winthrop, itwon'tdoyoumakeagoodwitness.Iwouldn'taskfornobetter,but,youdon'tfool'Izzy'Schwab.""You'remistaken, I tellyou,"criedWinthropdesperately."Hemay look likelikethismanyouspeakof,butnoPeabodywasinthiscar.""Izzy"Schwabwrunghishandshysterically."No,hewasn't!"hecried,"becauseherunaway!Andleftanoldmaninthestreetdead,forallheknowednorcaredneither.Yah!"shriekedtheTammanyheeler."HIMaReformer,yah!""Standawayfrommycar,"shoutedWinthrop,"oryou'llgethurt.""Yah,you'd like to,wouldn'tyou?" returnedMr.Schwab, leaping,nimbly tooneside."WhatdoyouthinktheJournal'llgivemeforthatstory,hey?'ErnestPeabody, theReformer,Kills anOldMan,ANDRUNSAWAY.'Andhidinghis face, too! Iseenhim.Whatdoyou think thatstory'sworth toTammany,hey?It'sworthtwentythousandvotes!"Theyoungmandancedinfrontofthecartriumphantly,mockingly,inafrenzyofmalice."Readtheextras,that'sall,"hetaunted."Read'eminanhourfromnow!"Winthropglaredattheshriekingfigurewithfierce,impotentrage;then,withalookofdisgust,heflungtherobeoffhiskneesandrose.Mr.Schwab,fearingbodilyinjury,backedprecipitatelybehindthepoliceman."Come here," commandedWinthrop softly.Mr. Schwabwarily approached."Thatstory,"saidWinthrop,droppinghisvoicetoalowwhisper,"isworthadamnsightmoretoyouthantwentythousandvotes.YoutakeaspinwithmeupRiversideDrivewherewe can talk.Maybe you and I can 'make a littlebusiness.'"Atthewords,thefaceofMr.Schwabfirstdarkenedangrily,andthen,litwithsuchexultationthatitappearedasthoughWinthrop'seffortshadonlyplacedPeabodydeeper inMr.Schwab'spower.But the rat-likeeyeswavered, therewas doubt in them, andgreed, and,when they turned to observe if anyonecouldhaveheardtheoffer,Winthropfeltthetrickwashis.ItwasapparentthatMr.Schwabwaswillingtoarbitrate.Hesteppedgingerlyintothefrontseat,andasWinthropleanedoverhimandtuckedandbuckledthefurrobearoundhisknees,hecouldnotresistaglanceathisfriendsonthesidewalk.Theyweregrinningwithwonderandenvy,andasthegreatcarshookitself,andraneasilyforward,Mr.Schwableanedbackandcarelesslywavedhishand.Buthisminddidnotwaverfromthepurposeofhisride.Hewasnotonetobecajoledwithfurrugsandglitteringbrass.

"Well,Mr.Winthrop," he began briskly. "You want to say something? Youmustbequickeveryminute'smoney.""Waittillwe'reoutofthetraffic,"beggedWinthropanxiously"Idon'twanttorun down any more old men, and I wouldn't for the world have anythinghappentoyou,Mr."Hepausedpolitely."SchwabIsadoreSchwab.""HowdidyouknowMYname?"askedWinthrop."Thecardyougavethepoliceofficer""Isee,"saidWinthrop.Theyweresilentwhilethecarsweptswiftlywest,andMr.Schwabkeptthinkingthatforayoungmanwhowasafraidofthetraffic,Winthrop was dodging the motor cars, beer vans, and iron pillars, with adexteritythatwascriminallyreckless.AtthathourRiversideDrivewasempty,andafteragaspofrelief,Mr.Schwabresumedtheattack."Now,then,"hesaidsharply,"don'tgoanyfurther.Whatis thisyouwanttotalkabout?""HowmuchwilltheJournalgiveyouforthisstoryofyours?"askedWinthrop.Mr.Schwabsmiledmysteriously."Why?"heasked."Because,"saidWinthrop,"IthinkIcouldofferyousomethingbetter.""Youmean,"saidthepolice-courtlawyercautiously,"youwillmakeitworthmywhilenottotellthetruthaboutwhatIsaw?""Exactly,"saidWinthrop."That'sall!Stopthecar,"criedMr.Schwab.Hismannerwascommanding.Itvibratedwithtriumph.Hiseyesglistenedwithwickedsatisfaction."Stopthecar?"demandedWinthrop,"whatdoyoumean?""Imean,"saidMr.Schwabdramatically,"thatI'vegotyouwhereIwantyou,thankyou.YouhavekilledPeabodydeadasacigarbutt!NowIcantellthemhowhisfriendstriedtobribeme.WhydoyouthinkIcameinyourcar?ForwhatmoneyYOUgot?Doyou thinkyoucanstackupyour roll against the

NewYorkJournal's,oragainstTammany's?"Hisshrillvoiceroseexultantly."Why,Tammanyoughttomakemejudgeforthis!Now,letmedownhere,"hecommanded,"andnexttime,don'tthinkyoucantakeon'Izzy'Schwabandgetawaywithit."TheywerepassingGrant'sTomb,andthecarwasmovingataspeedthatMr.Schwabrecognizedwasinexcessofthespeedlimit."Doyouhearme?"hedemanded,"letmedown!"TohisdismayWinthrop's answerwas in some fashion to so jugglewith theshining brass rods that the car flew into greater speed.To "Izzy"Schwab itseemed to scorn the earth, to proceed by leaps and jumps.But,what addedeven more to his mental discomfiture was, that Winthrop should turn, andslowlyandfamiliarlywinkathim.Asthroughthewindowofanexpresstrain,Mr.SchwabsawthewhitefrontofClaremont,andbeyonditthebroadsweepoftheHudson.And,then,withoutdecreasingitsspeed,thecarlikeagreatbird,sweptdownahill,shotunderabridge,andintoapartlypavedstreet.Mr.Schwabalreadywastwomilesfromhisownbailiwick.His surroundingswereunfamiliar.On theonehandwerenewlyerected,untenantedflathouseswiththepaintstillonthewindowpanes,and on the other side, detached villas, a roadhouse, an orphan asylum, aglimpseoftheHudson."Letmeout,"yelledMr.Schwab,"whatyoutryingtodo?Doyouthinkafewblocks'llmakeanydifferencetoatelephone?Youthinkyou'redamnedsmart,don'tyou?Butyouwon'tfeelsofreshwhenIgetonthelongdistance.Youletmedown,"hethreatened,"or,I'll"Withasickeningskiddingofwheels,Winthropwhirledthecarroundacornerand into the Lafayette Boulevard, that for miles runs along the cliff of theHudson."Yes,"askedWinthrop,"WHATwillyoudo?"Ononesidewasahighsteepbank,ontheothermanytrees,andthroughthembelow, the river. But there were no houses, and at half-past eight in themorningthosewholaterdriveupontheboulevardwerestillinbed."WHATwillyoudo?"repeatedWinthrop.Miss Forbes, apparently as much interested in Mr. Schwab's answer asWinthrop,leanedforward.Winthropraisedhisvoiceabovethewhirofflyingwheels,therushingwindandscatteringpebbles.

"Iaskedyouintothiscar,"heshouted,"becauseImeanttokeepyouinituntilI had you where you couldn't do any mischief. I told you I'd give yousomethingbetterthantheJournalwouldgiveyou,andIamgoingtogiveyouahappydayinthecountry.We'renowonourwaytothislady'shouse.Youaremyguest,andyoucanplaygolf,andbridge,andthepiano,andeatanddrinkuntilthepollsclose,andafterthatyoucangotothedevil.Ifyoujumpoutatthisspeed,youwillbreakyourneck.And,ifIhavetoslowupforanything,andyoutrytogetaway,I'llgoafteryouitdoesn'tmatterwhereitisandbreakeveryboneinyourbody.""Yah!youcan't!"shriekedMr.Schwab."Youcan'tdoit!"Themadnessoftheflyingengineshadgotuponhisnerves.Theirpoisonwassurginginhisveins.HeknewhehadonlytotouchhiselbowagainsttheelbowofWinthrop,andhe could throw the three of them into eternity. He was travelling on air,uplifted,defiant,carriedbeyondhimself."Ican'tdowhat?"askedWinthrop.ThewordsreachedSchwabfroman immeasurabledistance,as fromanotherplanet, a calm, humdrum planet on which events moved in commonplace,orderly array. Without a jar, with no transition stage, instead of hurtlingthrough space,Mr.Schwab foundhimself luxuriously seated in a cushionedchair,motionless,atthesideofasteepbank.Foramilebeforehimstretchedan empty road.And, beside him in the car,with arms folded calmly on thewheelthereglaredathimagrim,alertyoungman."Ican'tdowhat?"growledtheyoungman.Afeelingofgreatlonelinessfellupon"Izzy"Schwab.Wherewerenowthoseofficers, who in the police courts were at his beck and call? Where thenumberedhouses,thepassingsurfacecars,thesweatingmultitudesofEighthAvenue?Inalltheworldhewasalone,aloneonanemptycountryroad,withagrim,alertyoungman."WhenIaskedyouhowyouknewmyname,"saidtheyoungman,"IthoughtyouknewmeashavingwonsomeracesinFloridalastwinter.Thisisthecarthatwon.IthoughtmaybeyoumighthaveheardofmewhenIwascaptainofafootball teamatauniversity. Ifyouhaveany idea thatyoucan jumpfromthiscarandnotbekilled,or,thatIcannotpoundyouintoapulp,letmeprovetoyouyou'rewrongnow.We'requitealone.Doyouwishtogetdown?""No," shriekedSchwab, "Iwon't!"He turnedappealingly to theyoung lady."You're a witness," he cried. "If he assaults me, he's liable. I haven't donenothing."

"We'renearYonkers,"saidtheyoungman,"andifyoutrytotakeadvantageofmyhavingtogoslowthroughthetown,youknownowwhatwillhappentoyou."Mr.Schwabhaving instantlyplannedon reachingYonkers, to leap from thecar into the armsof thevillage constable,with suspicious alacrity, assented.Theyoungmanregardedhimdoubtfully."I'mafraidI'llhavetoshowyou,"saidtheyoungman.HelaidtwofingersonMr. Schwab'swrist; looking at him, as he did so, steadily and thoughtfully,like a physician feeling a pulse.Mr. Schwab screamed.When he had seenpolicementwiststeelnippersonthewristsofprisoners,hehadthought,whentheprisonersshriekedandwrithed,theywereacting.Henowknewtheywerenot."Now,willyoupromise?"demandedthegrimyoungman."Yes,"gaspedMr.Schwab."I'llsitstill.Iwon'tdonothing.""Good,"mutteredWinthrop.AtroubledvoicethatcarriedtotheheartofSchwabapromiseofprotection,said:"Mr.Schwab,wouldyoubemorecomfortablebackherewithme?"Mr.Schwabturnedtwoterrifiedeyesinthedirectionofthevoice.Hesawthebeautiful young lady regarding him kindly, compassionately; with just asuspicionofasmile.Mr.Schwabinstantlyscrambledtosafetyoverthefrontseatintothebodyofthecar.MissForbesmadewayfortheprisonerbesideherandhesankbackwithanervous,apologetic sigh.Thealertyoungmanwasquicktofollowtheleadofthelady."You'll findcapsandgoggles in theboot,Schwab,"hesaidhospitably."Youhad better put them on. We are going rather fast now." He extended amagnificentcaseofpigskin, thatbloomedwith fatblackcigars. "Tryoneofthese,"said thehospitableyoungman.Theemotions thatsweptMr.Schwabhefounddifficulttopursue,butheraisedhishattothelady."MayI,Miss?"hesaid."Certainly,"saidthelady.Therewas amoment of delaywhilewith fingers that slightly trembled,Mr.Schwabselectedanamazinggreencapandlithiscigar;andthenthecarsweptforward,singingandhumminghappily,andscatteringtheautumnleaves.Theyoungladyleanedtowardhimwithabookinaleathercover.Sheplacedherfingeronatwistingredlinethattrickledthroughapageoftype.

"We'rejusthere,"saidtheyounglady,"andweoughttoreachhome,whichisjustaboutthere,inanhour.""Isee,"saidSchwab.Butallhesawwasafingerinawhiteglove,andlongeyelashestangledinagrayveil.Formanyminutes, or for allSchwabknew, formanymiles, theyoung ladypointedouttohimtheplacesalongtheHudson,ofwhichhehadreadinthepublicschoolhistory,andquaintoldmanorhousessetingloriouslawns;andtoldhimwholivedin them.Schwabknewthenamesasbelongingtodown-town streets, and up-town clubs. He became nervously humble, intenselypolite,hefelthewasbeingcarriedasanhonoredguestintotheveryheartoftheFourHundred, andwhen the car jogged slowlydown themain street ofYonkers, although a policeman stood idly within a yard of him, instead ofshriekingtohimforhelp,"Izzy"Schwablookedathimscornfullyacrossthesocialgulfthatseparatedthem,withalltheintolerancehebelievedbecomingintheupperclasses."Thosebicyclecops,"hesaidconfidentiallytoMissForbes,"aretoochesty."Thecarturnedinbetweenstonepillars,andunderanarchofredandgoldenleaves,andsweptupalongavenuetoahouseofinnumerableroofs.Itwasthegrandest houseMr. Schwab had ever entered, andwhen two youngmen instripedwaistcoatsandmanybrassbuttonsrandownthestonestepsandthrewopenthedoorofthecar,hisheartflutteredbetweenfearandpleasure.Loungingbeforeanopenfire in thehallwereanumberofyoungmen,whowelcomedWinthropdelightedlyand,toallofwhomMr.Schwabwasformallypresented.Ashewasintroducedheheldeachbythehandandelbowandsaidimpressively,andmuchtotheother'sembarrassment,"WHATname,please?"Thenoneoftheservantsconductedhimtoaroomopeningonthehall,fromwhence he heard stifled exclamations and laughter, and some one saying"Hush." But "Izzy" Schwab did not care. The slave in brass buttons wasprofferinghimivory-backedhair-brushes,andobsequiouslyremovingthedustfromhiscoatcollar.Mr.Schwabexplainedtohimthathewasnotdressedforautomobiling,asMr.Winthrophadinvitedhimquiteinformally.Themanwasmost charmingly sympathetic. And when he returned to the hall every onereceived himwith themost genial, friendly interest.Would he play golf, ortennis,orpool,orwalkoverthefarm,orjustlookon?Itseemedthewishofeachtobehisescort.Neverhadhebeensopopular.Hesaidhewould"justlookon."Andso,duringthelastanddecisivedayofthe "whirlwind" campaign, while in Eighth Avenue voters were being

challenged, beaten, and bribed, bonfires were burning, and "extras" wereappearing every half hour, "Izzy" Schwab, the Tammany henchman, with asecretworth twenty thousandvotes, sat aprisoner, in awicker chair,with adrinkandacigar,guardedbyfouryoungmeninflannels,whoplayedtennisviolentlyatfivedollarsacorner.It was always a great day in the life of "Izzy" Schwab. After a luncheon,which, as he later informed his friends, could not have cost less than "twodollarsaplateanddrinkallyou like,"SamForbes tookhimonatpool.Mr.SchwabhadlearnedthegameinthecellarsofEighthAvenueattwoandahalfcentsacue,andnow,even inColumbusCirclehewasastar.So,before thesunhadset,Mr.Forbes,whoatpoolratherfanciedhimself,wasseventy-fivedollars poorer, and Mr. Schwab just that much to the good. Then therefollowed a strange ceremony called tea, or, if youpreferred it,whiskey andsoda;andthetallfootmanbentbeforehimwithhugesilversalversladendownwith flickering silver lamps, and bubbling soda bottles, and cigars, andcigarettes."You could have filled your pockets with twenty-five cent Havanas, andnobodywouldhavesaidnothing!"declaredMr.Schwab,andhisfriendswhonever had enjoyed his chance to study at such close quarters the truly rich,noddedenviously.Atsixo'clockMr.SchwabledWinthropintothebiglibraryandaskedforhisticketofleave."They'llbecountingthevotessoon,"hebegged."Ican'tdonoharmnow,andIdon'tmeanto.Ididn'tseenothing,andIwon'tsaynothing.Butit'selectionnight,andandIjustGOTtobeonBroadway.""Right,"saidWinthrop,"I'llhaveacartakeyouin,andifyouwillacceptthissmallcheck""No!" roared"Izzy"Schwab.Afterwardhewonderedhowhecame todo it."You'vegivemeagood time,Mr.Winthrop.You've treatedme fine, all thegentlemen have treatedme nice. I'm not a blackmailer,Mr.Winthrop."Mr.Schwab'svoiceshookslightly."Nonsense, Schwab, you didn't letme finish," saidWinthrop, "I'm likely toneed a lawyer any time; this is a retaining fee. Suppose I exceed the speedlimitI'mliabletodothat""Youbetyouare!"exclaimedMr.Schwabviolently."Well,then,I'llsendforYOU,andthereisn'tapolicemagistrate,noranyof

thetrafficsquad,youcan'thandle,isthere?"Mr.Schwabflushedwithpleasure."Youcancountonme,"hevowed,"andyourfriendstoo,andtheladies,"headdedgallantly."Ifever the ladieswant togetbail, tell 'em to telephonefor'Izzy'Schwab.Ofcourse,"hesaidreluctantly,"ifit'saretainingfee"Butwhen he read the face of the check he exclaimed in protest. "But,Mr.Winthrop,thisismorethantheJournalwouldhavegiveme!"Theyputhiminacarbelongingtooneoftheothermen,andallcameoutonthe steps to wave him "good-by," and he drovemagnificently into his owndistrict,wheretherewereoveradozenmenwhosworehetippedtheFrenchchauffeurafivedollarbill"justlikeitwasacigarette."AllofelectiondaysinceherarrivalinWinthrop'scar,MissForbeshadkepttoherself. In themorning,whentheotheryoungpeoplewereoutofdoors,sheremained in her room, and after luncheon when they gathered round thebilliardtable,shesentforhercartanddroveoffalone.Theothersthoughtshewas concerned over the possible result of the election, and did notwant todisturb them by her anxiety. Winthrop, thinking the presence of Schwabembarrassed her, recalling as it did Peabody's unfortunate conduct of themorning,blamedhimself forbringingSchwabto thehouse.Butheneednothave distressed himself. Miss Forbes was thinking neither of Schwab norPeabody, nor was she worried or embarrassed. On the contrary, she wascompletelyhappy.When that morning she had seen Peabody running up the steps of theElevated,allthedoubts,thetroubles,questions,andmisgivingsthatnightandday for the last threemonthshadupset her, fell fromher shoulders like thepilgrim'sheavypack.Formonthsshehadbeentellingherself that theunrestshe feltwhenwithPeabodywasdue tohernot being able to appreciate theimportanceofthosebigaffairsinwhichhewassointerested;inwhichhewassoadmirablea figure.Shehad,asshesupposed, lovedhim,becausehewasearnest,masterful, intentofpurpose.Hishadseemeda finecharacter.Whenshehadcomparedhimwiththeamusingboysofherownage,theeasy-goingjokingyouths towhom thebettermentofNewYorkwasofnoconcern, shehadbeenproudinherchoice.ShewasgladPeabodywasambitious.Shewasambitiousforhim.Shewasgladtohavehimconsultheronthosequestionsoflocal government, to listen to his fierce, contemptuous abuse of Tammany.Andyetearly intheirengagementshehadmissedsomething,somethingshehadneverknown,butwhichshefeltsureshouldexist.Whethershehadseenitinthelivesofothers,orreadofitinromances,orwhetheritwastherebecause

itwasnaturetodesiretobeloved,shedidnotknow.ButlongbeforeWinthropreturnedfromhistriproundtheworld,inhermeetingswiththemanshewasto marry, she had begun to find that there was something lacking. AndWinthrop had shown her that this something lacking was the one thingneedful.WhenWinthrop had gone abroad hewas only one of her brother'sseveral charming friends. One of the amusingmerry youths who came andwentinthehouseasfreelyasSamhimself.Now,aftertwoyears'absence,herefusedtobeplacedinthatcategory.Herebelledonthefirstnightofhisreturn.AsshecamedowntothedinnerofwelcomeherbrotherwasgivingWinthrop,hestaredatherasthoughshewerea ghost, and said, so solemnly that every one in the room, even Peabody,smiled: "Now I knowwhy I came home."That he refused to recognize herengagement to Peabody, that on every occasion he told her, or by some actshowedher,helovedher; thathesworesheshouldnevermarryanyonebuthimself,andthathewouldnevermarryanyonebuther,didnotatfirst,excepttoannoy,inanywayimpressher.ButheshowedherwhatinherintercoursewithPeabodywaslacking.AtfirstshewishedPeabodycouldfindtimetobeasfondofher,asfoolishlyfondofher,aswasWinthrop.Butshe realized that thiswasunreasonable.Winthropwasjustahot-headedimpressionableboy,Peabodywasamandoingaman'swork.Andthenshefoundthatweekafterweekshebecamemoredifficulttoplease. Other things in which she wished Peabody might be more likeWinthrop, obtruded themselves. Little things which she was ashamed tonotice,butwhichrankled;andbigthings,suchasconsiderationforothers,anda senseof humor, andnot talkingof himself.Since this campaignbegan, attimesshehadfelt that ifPeabodysaid"I"onceagain,shemustscream.Sheassured herself she was as yet unworthy of him, that her intelligence wasweak, thatasshegrewolderandsobetterable tounderstandseriousaffairs,such as the importance of having an honest man at Albany as Lieutenant-Governor, theywould becomemore in sympathy.And now, at a stroke, thewholefabricofself-deceptionfellfromher.ItwasnotthatshesawPeabodyso differently, but that she sawherself and her own heart, andwhere it lay.Andsheknewthat"Billy"Winthrop,gentle,joking,selfishonlyinhisloveforher,helditinhistwostronghands.For themoment, when as she sat in the car deserted by Peabody this truthflasheduponher,sheforgotthemanlyinginjuredinthestreet,theunscrubbedmobcrowdingabouther.Shewasconsciousonlythatagreatweighthadbeenlifted.Thatherbloodwasflowingagain,leaping,beating,dancingthroughherbody.ItseemedasthoughshecouldnottooquicklytellWinthrop.Forbothofthemshehadlostoutoftheirlivesmanydays.Shehadriskedlosinghimfor

always.Her only thoughtwas tomake up to him and to herself thewastedtime.Butthroughoutthedaytheone-timewelcome,butnowintruding,friendsandtheinnumerableconventionsofhospitalityrequiredhertosmileandshowaninterest,whenherheartandmindwerecryingouttheonegreatfact.It was after dinner, and the members of the house party were scatteredbetween the billiard-room and the piano. Sam Forbes returned from thetelephone."Tammany," he announced, "concedes the election of Jerome by fortythousand votes, and that he carries his ticket with him. Ernest Peabody iselected his Lieutenant-Governor by a thousand votes. Ernest," he added,"seems to have had a close call." There was a tremendous chorus ofcongratulations in the cause of Reform. They drank the health of Peabody.Peabodyhimself,onthetelephone,informedSamForbesthataconferenceofthe leaders would prevent his being present with them that evening. TheenthusiasmforReformperceptiblyincreased.An hour laterWinthrop came over to Beatrice and held out his hand. "I'mgoingtoslipaway,"hesaid."Good-night.""Goingaway!"exclaimedBeatrice.Hervoice showedsuchapparentlyacuteconcernthatWinthropwonderedhowthebestofwomencouldbesodeceitful,eventobepolite."Ipromisedsomemen,"hestammered,"todrivethemdown-towntoseethecrowds."Beatriceshookherhead."It'sfartoolateforthat,"shesaid."Tellmetherealreason."Winthropturnedawayhiseyes."Oh!therealreason,"hesaidgravely,"isthesameoldreason,theoneI'mnotallowed to talk about. It's cruelly hard when I don't see you," he went on,slowlydraggingoutthewords,"butit'sharderwhenIdo;soI'mgoingtosay'good-night'andrunintotown."Hestoodforamomentstaringmoodilyat thefloor,andthendroppedintoachairbesideher."And, I believe, I've not told you," he went on, "that on Wednesday I'mrunningawayforgood,thatis,forayearortwo.I'vemadeallthefightIcanandIlose,andthereisnouseinmystayingonheretowelltosuffer,thatisthe plain English of it. So," he continued briskly, "I won't be here for the

ceremony,andthisis'good-by'aswellas'good-night.'""Whereareyougoingforayear?"askedMissForbes.Hervoicenowshowednoconcern.Itevensoundedasthoughshedidnottakehis news seriously, as though as to his movements she was possessed of aknowledgesuperiortohisown.Hetriedtospeakinmatter-of-facttones."ToUganda!"hesaid."ToUganda?"repeatedMissForbes."WhereisUganda?""ItisinEastAfrica;Ihadbadlucktherelasttrip,butnowIknowthecountrybetter,andIoughttogetsomegoodshooting."MissForbesappearedindifferentlyincredulous.Inhereyestherewasa lookofradianthappiness.Itrenderedthembewilderinglybeautiful."OnWednesday,"shesaid."Won'tyoucomeandseeusagainbeforeyousailforUganda?"Winthrophesitated."I'llstopinandsay'good-by'toyourmotherifshe'sintown,andtothankher.She's been awfully good to me. But you I really would rather not see youagain. You understand, or rather, you don't understand, and," he addedvehemently, "you never will understand." He stood looking down at hermiserably.Onthedrivewayoutsidetherewasacrunchingonthegravelofheavywheelsandanaurora-borealisoflights."There'syourcar,"saidMissForbes."I'llgooutandseeyouoff.""You'reverygood,"mutteredWinthrop.Hecouldnotunderstand.Thispartingfromherwasthegreatmomentinhislife,andalthoughshemustknowthat,sheseemedtobemakingitunnecessarilyhardforhim.Hehadtoldherhewasgoingtoaplaceveryfaraway,tobegonealongtime,andshespokeofsaying"good-by" tohimaspleasantlyas though itwashis intention to return fromUgandaforbreakfast.Insteadofwalking through thehallwhere theothersweregathered, she ledhimoutthroughoneoftheFrenchwindowsupontheterrace,andalongittothesteps.Whenshesawthechauffeurstandingbythecar,shestopped."Ithoughtyouweregoingalone,"shesaid.

"I am," answered Winthrop. "It's not Fred; that's Sam's chauffeur; he onlybroughtthecararound."The man handed Winthrop his coat and cap, and left them, and Winthropseated himself at the wheel. She stood above him on the top step. In theeveninggownoflaceandsilvershelookedapartofthemoonlightnight.Foreachofthemthemomenthadarrived.Likeaswimmerstandingonthebankgathering courage for the plunge, Miss Forbes gave a trembling, shiveringsigh."You'recold,"saidWinthrop,gently."Youmustgoin.Good-by.""Itisn'tthat,"saidthegirl."Haveyouanextracoat?""Itisn'tcoldenoughfor""Imeantforme,"stammeredthegirlinafrightenedvoice."Ithoughtperhapsyouwouldtakemealittleway,andbringmeback."Atfirsttheyoungmandidnotanswer,butsatstaringinfrontofhim,then,hesaidsimply:"It'sawfullygoodofyou,Beatrice.Iwon'tforgetit."It was a wonderful autumn night, moonlight, cold, clear and brilliant. Shestepped in beside him and wrapped herself in one of his great-coats. Theystartedswiftlydowntheavenueoftrees."No,notfast,"beggedthegirl,"Iwanttotalktoyou."The car checked and rolled forward smoothly, sometimes in deep shadow,sometimes in the soft silver glamour of the moon; beneath them the fallenleaves crackled and rustled under the slowmovingwheels.At the highwayWinthrop hesitated. It lay before them arched with great and ancient elms;below,theHudsonglitteredandrippledinthemoonlight."Whichwaydoyouwanttogo?"saidWinthrop.Hisvoicewasverygrateful,veryhumble.Thegirldidnotanswer.Therewasalong,longpause.Thenheturnedandlookedatherandsawhersmilingathimwiththatlightinhereyesthatneverwasonlandorsea.

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