第2章

Heopenedadoor，steppedintoanunlightedhallwaywheretheairwascloseandevilsmelling，mountedastairway，andhaltedbeforeanotherdooronthefirstlanding。Therewasthelowclickingofalock，threetimesrepeated，andheenteredaroom，closingandfasteningthedoorbehindhim。

JimmieDalecalledithis“Sanctuary。”InoneoftheworstneighbourhoodsofNewYork，wherenoquestionswereaskedaslongastherentwaspaid，ithadthefurtheradvantageofthreeseparateexits——onebytheareawaywherehehadentered；onefromthestreetitself；andanotherthroughabackyardwithanentryintoasaloonthatfrontedonthenextstreet。ItwasnotoftenthatJimmieDaleusedhisSanctuary，buttherehadbeentimeswhenitwasnomorenorlessthanexactlywhathecalledit——asanctuary！

Hesteppedtothewindow，assuredhimselfthattheshadewasdown——

andlightedthegas，blinkingalittleastheyellowflameilluminatedtheroom。

Itwasaroughplace，dirty，uninviting；abedroom，furnishedinthemostscantyfashion。Neither，apparently，wasthereanythingsuspiciousaboutittorewardonecuriousenoughtobreakinduringtheowner”sabsence——someratherdisreputableclotheshangingonthewall，andflunguntidilyacrossthebed——thatwasall。

Alonenow，JimmieDale”sfacewasstrainedandanxiousand，occasionally，asheundressedhimself，hishandsclencheduntilhisknucklesgrewwhite。Thegraysealonthemurderedman”sforeheadwasaGENUINEGRAYSEAL——oneofJimmieDale”sown。Therewasnodoubtofthat——hehadsatisfiedhimselfonthatpoint。

Wherehaditcomefrom？Howhaditbeenobtained？JimmieDalecarefullyplacedtheclotheshehadtakenoffunderthemattress，pulledadisreputablecollarlessflannelshirtoverhishead，andpulledonadisreputablepairofboots。Therewereonlytwosourcesofsupply。Hisown——andthecollectionthatthepolicehadmade，whichCarruthershadreferredto。

JimmieDaleliftedacorneroftheoilclothinacorneroftheroom，liftedapieceoftheflooring，liftedoutalittleboxwhichheplaceduponthericketytable，andsatdownbeforeacrackedmirror。

Whowasitthatwouldhaveaccesstothegraysealsinthepossessionofthepolice，since，obviously，itwasoneofthosethatwasonthedeadman”sforehead？Theanswercamequickenough——camewiththesuddenout-thrustofJimmieDale”slowerjaw。ONEOFTHE

POLICETHEMSELVES——nooneelse。Clayton”sheavy，cunningface，Clayton”sshiftyeyes，Clayton”ssuddenrushwhenhehadtouchedthedeadman”sforehead，picturedthemselvesinaredflashoffurybeforeJimmieDale。Therewasnomasknow，nofacetiousness，noactedpart——onlyamercilessrage，andthemusclesofJimmieDale”sfacequiveredandtwitched。MURDER，foisted，shifteduponanother，upontheGraySeal——makingofthatnameacalumny——ruiningforevertheworkthatsheandhemightdo！

AndthenJimmieDalesmiledmirthlessly，withthinninglips。Theboxbeforehimwasopen。Hisfingersworkedquickly——alittlewaxbehindtheears，inthenostrils，undertheupperlip，deftlyplaced-hands，wrists，neck，throat，andfacereceivedtheirquotaofstain，appliedwithanartist”stouch——andthenthespruce，muscularJimmieDale，transformedintoaslouching，vicious-featureddenizenoftheunderworld，replacedtheboxundertheflooring，pulledaslouchhatoverhiseyes，extinguishedthegas，andwentout。

JimmieDale”srangeofacquaintanceshipwaswide——fromtheupperstrataoftheSt。JamesClubtotheeliteofNewYork”sgangland。

And，adoredbytheone，hewastrustedimplicitlybytheother——notunderstood，perhaps，bythelatter，forhehadneveralliedhimselfwithanyoftheirnefariousschemes，buttrustedimplicitlythroughlongyearsofpersonalcontact。IthadstoodJimmieDaleingoodsteadbefore，thisassociation，where，inasortofstrange，carefullyguardedexchange，thenewsoftheunderworldwascommonpropertytothosewithoutthelaw。ToNewYorkinitsmillions，themurderofMetzer，thestoolpigeon，wouldbeunknownuntilthecityroseinthemorningtoreadthesensationaldetailsoverthebreakfasttable；here，itwouldalreadybethetopicofwhisperedconversations，hereithadprobablybeenknownlongbeforethepolicehaddiscoveredthecrime。EspeciallywoulditbeexpectedtobeknowntoPeteLazanis，commonlycalledtheRunt，whowasapowerbelowthedeadlineand，morepertinentstill，oneinwhoseconfidenceJimmieDalehadrejoicedforyears。

JimmieDale，asLarrytheBat——aeuphonious“monaker“bestowedpossiblybecausethisparticularworldknewhimonlybynight——beganasearchfortheRunt。Fromoneresorttoanotherhehurried，talkingintheacceptedstylethroughonecornerofhismouthtohard-visagedindividualsbehinddirty，reekingbarsthatwererearedonequallydirtyandfoul-smellingsawdust-strewnfloors；visitingdancehalls，secretivebackrooms，andcertainChinesepipejoints。

ButtheRuntwasdecidedlyelusive。Therehadbeennonewsofhim，noonehadseenhim——andthisafterfullyanhourhadpassedsinceJimmieDalehadleftCarruthersinfrontofMoriarty”s。Thepossibilitieshoweverwerestilllegion——numberedonlybythenumberlessdivesanddensshelteredbythatquarterofthecity。

JimmieDaleturnedintoChathamSquare，headingforthePagodaDanceHall。Amanloiteringatthecurbshotaswift，searchingglanceathimasheslouchedby。JimmieDalepausedinthedoorwayofthePagodaandlookedupanddownthestreet。Themanhehadpassedhaddrawnalittlecloser；anothermaninanapparentlyaimlessfashionloungedafewyardsaway。

“Somethingup，“mutteredJimmieDaletohimself。“Lansing，ofheadquarters，andtheotherlookslikeMilrae。”

JimmieDalepushedinthroughthedoorofthePagoda。Abedlamofnoisesurgedoutathim——atin-panpianoandamandolinweregoingfuriouslyfromalittleraisedplatformattherear；inthecentreoftheroomadozencoupleswereinthethroesofthetangoandthebunny-hug；aroundthesides，atlittletables，menandwomenlaughedandapplaudedandthumpedtimeonthetabletopswiththeirbeermugs；whilewaiters，withbeer-stainedapronsandunshavenfaces，juggledmarveloushandfulsofglassesandmugsfromthebarbesidetheplatformtothepatronsatthetables。

JimmieDale”seyesswepttheroominaswift，comprehensiveglance，fixedonalittlefellow，loudlydressed，whosharedatablehalfwaydowntheroomwithawomaninapicturehat，andasmileofrelieftouchedhislips。TheRuntatlast！

Hewalkeddowntheroom，caughttheRunt”seyessignificantlyashepassedthetable，keptontoadoorbetweentheplatformandthebar，openedit，andwentoutintoalightedhallway，atoneendofwhichadooropenedontothestreet，andattheotherastairwayledabove。

TheRuntjoinedhim。“Wot”sderow，Larry？“inquiredtheRunt。

“Nuthin”much，“saidJimmieDale。“OnlyIt”oughtI”dletyouseknow。Iwaspassin”Moriarty”san”gotdetip。Say，someguy”scroakedJakeMetzerdere。”

“Aw，fergetit！“observedtheRuntairily。“Dat”sstale。Waswisetodathoursago。”

JimmieDale”sfacefell。“ButIjustcomefromdere，“heinsisted；

“an”deharnessbullsonlyjustfounditout。”

“Mabbe，“gruntedtheRunt。“ButMetzergothisearlyindeafternoon——see？“

JimmieDalelookedquicklyaroundhim——andthenleanedtowardtheRunt。

“Wot”sdelay，Runt？“hewhispered。

TheRuntpulleddownoneeyelid，and，withhisknowinggrin，thecigarette，clingingtohisupperlip，saggeddownintheoppositecornerofhismouth。

JimmieDalegrinned，too——inaflashinspirationhadcometoJimmieDale。

“Say，Runt“——hejerkedhisheadtowardthestreetdoor”wot”sdeflycopsdoin”outdere？“

ThegrinvanishedfromtheRunt”slips。HestaredforasecondwildlyatJimmieDale，andthenclutchedatJimmieDale”sarm。

“DeWOT？“hesaidhoarsely。

“Deflycops，“JimmieDalerepeatedinwell-simulatedsurprise。

“DeywasderewhenIcomein——Lansingan”Milrae，an”

TheRuntshotahurriedglanceatthestairway，andlickedhislipsasthoughtheyhadgonesuddenlydry。

“MyGawd，I”Hegasped，andshrankhastilybackagainstthewallbesideJimmieDale。

Thedoorfromthestreethadopenednoiselessly，instantly。Blackformsbulkedthere——thenarushoffeet——andattheheadofhalfadozenmen，thefaceofInspectorClaytonloomedupbeforeJimmieDale。Therewasasecond”spauseintherush；and，inthepause，Clayton”svoice，inaviciousundertone：

“Youtwoginksopenyourtraps，andI”llrunyoubothin！“

Andthentherushpassed，andsweptonupthestairs。

JimmieDalelookedattheRunt。Thecigarettedangledlimply；theRunt”seyeswerelikeahuntedbeast”s。

“Deygothim！“hemumbled。“It”sStace——StaceMorse。Hecometomeaftercroakin”Metzer，an”he”sbeenhidin”updereallafternoon。

StaceMorse——knowninganglandasamanwitheverycrimeinthecalendartohiscredit，andprominentbecauseofit！SomethingseemedtogosuddenlyqueerinsideofJimmieDale。StaceMorse！

Washewrong，afterall？JimmieDaledrewclosertotheRunt。

“Yergivin”measteer，ain”tyouse？“Hespokeagainfromthecornerofhismouth，almostinaudibly。“AreyousesureitwasStacecroakedMetzer？Wotfer？How”dyerknow？“

TheRuntwaslistening，hiseyesstrainedtowardthestairs。Thehalldoortothestreetwasclosed，butbothwerequitewellawarethattherewasanofficeronguardoutside。

“Hetoldme，“whisperedtheRunt。“Metzerwasfixin”tersnitchonhimter-night。Dey”vegotdegoodsonStace，too。Hemadeabumjobofit。”

“Whydidn”thegetoutofdecountrydenwhenhehaddechanst，insteadofhangin”aroundhereallafternoon？“demandedJimmieDale。

“Hewasbroke，“theRuntanswered。“Wewasgettin”decoinferhimterfadeawaywidter-night，an””

Arevolvershotfromabovecutshorthiswords。Camethenthesoundofastruggle，oaths，theshufflingtreadoffeet——butinthedancehallthepianostillrattledon，themandolintwanged，voicessangandapplauded，andbeermugsthumpedtime。

Theywereonthestairsnow，theofficers，halfcarrying，halfdraggingsomeonebetweenthem——andthemantheydraggedcursedthemwithutterabandon。Astheyreachedthebottomofthestairs，JimmieDalecaughtsightoftheprisoner”sface——notaprepossessingone——villainous，——low-browed，contortedwithamixtureoffearandrage。

“It”salie！Alie！Alie！“themanshrieked。“Ineverseenhiminmelife——blastyou！——curseyou！——d”yehear！“

InspectorClaytoncaughtJimmieDaleandtheRuntbythecollars。

“There”snothingtointerestyouaroundhere！“hesnappedmaliciously。“Goon，now——beatit！“Andhepushedthemtowardthedoor。

Theyhadheardthedisturbanceinthedancehallnowandtheoccupantswereswarmingtothesidewalk。Apatrolwagoncamearoundthecorner。InthecrowdJimmieDaleslippedawayfromtheRunt。

Washewrong，afterall？Afiercepassionseizedhim。ItwasStaceMorsewhohadmurderedMetzer，theRunthadsaid。InJimmieDale”sbrainthewordsbegantoreiteratethemselvesinasingsongfashion：

“ItwasStaceMorse。ItwasStaceMorse。”Thenhislipsdrewtighttogether。WASitStaceMorse？Hewouldhavegivenagooddealforachancetotalktotheman——evenforaminute。Buttherewasnopossibilityofthatnow。Later，to-morrowperhaps，ifhewaswrong，afterall！

JimmieDalereturnedtotheSanctuary，removedfromhispersonallevidencesofLarrytheBat——andfromtheSanctuarywenthometoRiversideDrive。

Inhisdenthere，inthemorningafterbreakfast，Jason，thebutler，broughthimthepapers。Three-inchheadlinesinredinkscreamed，exulted，andshriekedoutthenewsthattheGraySeal，inthepersonofStaceMorse，fence，yeggmanandmurderer，hadbeencaptured。Thepublic，ifithadheldanyprivateadmirationfortheone-timemysteriouscrookcouldnowonceandforeverdisillusionitself。TheGraySealwasStaceMorse——andStaceMorsewasofthedregsofthecity”sscum，apariah，anoutcast，withnosingleredeemingtraittolifthimfromtheruckofmireandslimethathadstrewnhislifefrominfancy。ThefaceofInspectorClayton，blandlyself-

complacent，leapedoutfromthepapertomeetJimmieDale”seyes——

andwithitacolumnandahalfofperfervideulogy。

Somethingatfirstlikedismay，thedismayofimpotency，filledJimmieDale——andthen，cold，leavinghimunnaturallycalm，theoldmercilessragetookitsplace。Therewasnothingtodonowbutwait——waituntilCarruthersshouldsendthatphotograph。Thenif，afterall，hewerewrong——thenhemustfindsomeotherway。Butwashewrong！ThenotebookthatCarruthershadgivenhim，openatthesketchhehadmadeofClayton，layuponthedesk。JimmieDalepickeditup——hehadalreadyspentquitealittletimeoveritbeforebreakfast——andexamineditagainminutely，evenresortingtohismagnifyingglass。Heputitdownasaknocksoundedatthedoor，andJasonenteredwithasilvercardtray。FromCarruthersalready！JimmieDalesteppedquicklyforward——andthenJimmieDalemettheoldman”seyes。Itwasn”tfromCarruthers——itwasfromHER！

“Thesameshufferbroughtit，MasterJim，“saidJason。

JimmieDalesnatchedtheenvelopefromthetray，andwavedtheotherfromtheroom。Asthedoorclosed，hetoreopentheletter。Therewasjustasingleline：

Jimmie——Jimmie，youhaven”tfailed，haveyou？

JimmieDalestaredatit。Failed！Failed——HER！Thehaggardlookwasinhisfaceagain。Itwasthebondbetweenthemthatwasatstake——theGraySeal——thebondthathadcome，heknewforalltimeinthatinstant，tomeanhislife。

“Godknows！“hemutteredhoarsely，andflunghimselfintoaloungingchair，stillstaringatthenote。

Thehoursdraggedby。Luncheontimearrivedandpassed——andthenbyspecialmessengerthelittlepackagefromCarrutherscame。

JimmieDalestartedtoundothestring，thenlaidthepackagedown，andheldouthishandsbeforehimforinspection。Theyweretremblingvisibly。ItwasastrangeconditionforJimmieDaleeithertowitnessorexperience，unlikehim，foreigntohim。

“Thiswon”tdo，Jimmie，“hesaidgrimly，shakinghishead。

Hepickedupthepackageagain，openedit，andfrombetweentwopiecesofcardboardtookoutalargephotographicprint。Amoment，two，JimmieDaleexaminedit，usedthemagnifyingglassagain；andthenastrangegleamcameintothedarkeyes，andhislipsmoved。

“I”vewon，“saidJimmieDale，withominoussoftness。I”veWON！“

Hewasstandingbesidetherosewooddesk，andhereachedforthephone。Carrutherswouldbeathomenow——hecalledCarruthersthere。

Afteramomentortwohegottheconnection。

“ThisisJimmie，Carruthers，“hesaid。“Yes，Igotit。Thanks……

Yes……Listen。IwantyoutogetInspectorClayton，andbringhimuphereatonce……What？No，no——no！……How？……

Why——er——tellhimyou”regoingtorunafullpageofhimintheSundayedition，andyouwanthimtositforasketch。He”dgoanywhereforthat……Yes……Halfanhour……YES……

Good-bye。”

JimmieDalehungupthereceiver；and，hastilynow，begantowriteuponapadthatlaybeforehimonthedesk。Theminutespassed。Ashewrote，hescoredoutwordsandlineshereandthere，substitutingothers。Attheendhehadcoveredthreelargepageswith，toanyonebuthimself，anindecipherablescrawl。Theseheshovedasidenow，and，verycarefully，verylegibly，madeacopyonfreshsheets。

Ashefinished，heheardacardrawupinfrontofthehouse。

JimmieDalefoldedthecopiedsheetsneatly，tuckedtheminhispocket，lightedacigarette，andwaslollinglazilyinhischairasJasonannounced：“Mr。Carruthers，sir，andanothergentlemantoseeyou。”

“Showthemup，Jason，“instructedJimmieDale。

JimmieDalerosefromhischairastheycamein。Jason，well-

trainedservant，closedthedoorbehindthem。

“Hello，Carruthers；hello，inspector，“saidJimmieDalepleasantly，andwavedthemtoseats。“Takethischair，Carruthers。”Hemotionedtooneathiselbow。“Gladtoseeyou，inspector——trythatoneinfrontofthedesk，you”llfinditcomfortable。”

Carruthers，tryingtocatchJimmieDale”seyeforsomesortofacue，and，failing，satdown。InspectorClaytonstaredatJimmieDale。

“Oh，it”sYOU，eh？“Hiseyesrovedaroundtheroom，fastenedforaninstantonsomeofJimmieDale”sworkonaneasel，camebackfinallytoJimmieDale——andheplumpedhimselfdowninthechairindicated。

“Thoughtyouwasmore”nacubreporter，“heremarked，withagrin。

“Youweretooslickwithyourpencil。Prettyfinestudioyougothere。Carrutherssaysyou”regoingtodrawme。”

JimmieDalesmiled——notpleasantly——andleanedsuddenlyoverthedesk。

“Yes，“hesaidslowly，agrimintonationinhisvoice，“goingtodrawyou——TRUETOLIFE。”

Withanexclamation，Claytonsluedaroundinhischair，halfrose，andhisshiftyeyes，smallandcunning，boredintoJimmieDale”sface。

“Whatd”yemeanbythat？“hesnappedout“JustexactlywhatIsay，“repliedJimmieDalecurtly。“Nomore，noless。Butfirst，nottobetooabrupt，Iwanttojoinwiththenewspapersincongratulatingyouontheremarkable——shallIcallitcelerity，oracumen？——withwhichyousolvedthemysteryofMetzer”sdeath，andplacedthemurdererbehindthebars。Itisreallyremarkable，inspector，soremarkable，infact，thatit”salmost——

SUSPICIOUS。Don”tyouthinkso？No？Well，that”swhatMr。

Carrutherswasgoodenoughtobringyouupheretotalkover——inanintimateandconfidentialway，youknow。”

InspectorClaytonsurgedupfromhischairtohisfeet，hisfistsclenched，theredsweepingoverhisface——andthenheshookonefistatCarruthers。

“Sothat”syourgame，isit！“hestormed。“Tryingtocrawloutofthattwenty-fivethousandreward，eh？Andasforyou“——heturnedonJimmieDale”you”veriggedupanicelittleplantbetweenyou，eh？

Well，itwon”twork——andI”llmakeyousquirmforthis，bothofyou，damnyou，beforeI”mthrough！“Heglaredfromonetotheotherforamoment——thenswungonhisheel。“Good-afternoon，gentlemen，“hesneered，ashestartedforthedoor。

HewashalfwayacrosstheroombeforeJimmieDalespoke。

“Clayton！“

Claytonturned。JimmieDalewasstillleaningoverthedesk，butnowoneelbowwasproppeduponit，andinthemostcasualwayarevolvercoveredInspectorClayton。

“Ifyouattempttoleavethisroom，“saidJimmieDale，withoutraisinghisvoice，“IassureyouthatIshallfirewithaslittlecompunctionasthoughIwereaimingatamaddog——andIapologisetoallmaddogsforcouplingyournamewiththem。”Hisvoicerangsuddenlycold。“Comebackhere，andsitdowninthatchair！“

ThecolourebbedslowlyfromClayton”sface。Hehesitated——thensullenlyretracedhissteps；hesitatedagainashereachedthechair，andfinallysatdown。

“What——whatd”yemeanbythis？“hestammered，tryingtobluster。

“Justthis，“saidJimmieDale。“ThatIaccuseyouofthemurderofJakeMetzer——ITWASYOUWHOMURDEREDMETZER。”

“GoodGod！“burstsuddenlyfromCarruthers。

“Youlie！“yelledClayton——andagainhesurgedupfromhischair。

“ThatiswhatStaceMorsesaid，“saidJimmieDalecoolly。“Sitdown！“

ThenClaytontriedtolaugh。“You”re——you”rehavingajoke，ain”tyou？ItwasStace——Icanproveit。Comedowntoheadquarters，andIcanproveit。Igotthegoodsonhimalltheway。Itellyou“——

hisvoiceroseshrilly”itwasStaceMorse。”

“Youareadespicablehound，“saidJimmieDale，throughsetlips。

“Here“——hehandedtherevolverovertoCarruthers”keephimcovered，Carruthers。You”regoingtotheCHAIRforthis，Clayton，“

hesaid，inafiercemonotone。“Thechair！Youcan”tsendanotherthereinyourplace——thistime。ShallIdrawyounow——truetolife？

You”vebeengraftingforyearsoneverydisreputabledeninyourdistrict。Metzerwasgoingtoshowyouup；andso，Metzerbeingintheroad，youremovedhim。AndyouseizedonthefactofStaceMorsehavingpaidavisittohimthisafternoontofixthecrimeon——

StaceMorse。Proofs？Oh，yes，Iknowyou”vemanufacturedproofsenoughtoconvicthim——ifthereweren”tstrongerproofstoconvictYOU。”

“ConvictME！“Clayton”slowerjawhungloosely；butstillhemadeaneffortatbluster。“Youhaven”tathingonme——notathing——notathing。”

JimmieDalesmiledagain——unpleasantly。

“Youarequitewrong，Clayton。See——here。”Hetookasheetofpaperfromthedrawerofhisdesk。

Claytonreachedforitquickly。“Whatisit？“hedemanded。

JimmieDaledrewitbackoutofreach。

“Justaminute，“hesaidsoftly。“Youremember，don”tyou，thatinthepresenceofCarruthershere，ofmyself，andofhalfadozenreporters，youstatedthatyouhadbeenalonewithMetzerinhisroomatthreeo”clockyesterday，andthatitwasyou——alone——whofoundthebodylateronatnineo”clock？Yes？ImentionthissimplytoshowthatfromyourownlipstheevidenceiscompletethatyouhadanOPPORTUNITYtocommitthecrime。Nowyoumaylookatthis，Clayton。”Hehandedoverthesheetofpaper。

Claytontookit，staredatit，turningitoverfromfirstonesidetotheother。Thenasortofreliefseemedtocometohimandhegulped。

“Nothingbutadamnedpieceofblankpaper！“hemumbled。

JimmieDalereachedoverandtookbackthesheet。

“You”rewrongagain，Clayton，“hesaidcalmly。“ItWASquiteblankbeforeIhandedittoyou——butnotnow。Inoticedyesterdaythatyourhandsweregenerallymoist。Iamsuretheyaremoresonow——

excitement，youknow。Carruthers，seethathedoesn”tinterrupt。”

Fromadrawer，JimmieDaletookoutalittleblackbottle，thenotebookhehadusedthedaybefore，andthephotographCarruthershadsenthim。OnthesheetofpaperClaytonhadjusthandled，JimmieDalesprinkledalittlepowderfromthebottle。

“Lampblack，“explainedJimmieDale。Heshookthepapercarefully，allowingtheloosepowdertofallonthedeskblotter——andheldoutthesheettowardClayton。“Ratherneat，isn”tit？Averygoodimpression，too。Yourthumbprint，Clayton。Nowdon”tmove。Youmaylook——nottouch。”HelaidthepaperdownonthedeskinfrontofClayton。Besideitheplacedthenotebook，openatthesketch——ablackthumbprintnowuponit。“Yourecallhandlingthisyesterday，I”msure，Clayton。Itriedthesameexperimentwiththelampblackonitthismorning，yousee。Andthis“——besidethenotebookheplacedthepolicephotograph；that，too，initsenlargement，showed，sharplydefined，athumbprintonadiamond-shapedbackground。“Youwillnodoubtrecogniseitasanofficialphotograph，enlarged，takenofthegraysealonMetzer”sforehead——ANDTHETHUMBPRINTOF

METZER”SMURDERER。Youhaveonlytoglanceatthelittlescarattheedgeofthecentrelooptosatisfyyourselfthatthethreeareidentical。Ofcourse，thereareadozenotherpointsofsimilarityequallyindisputable，but”

JimmieDalestopped。Claytonwasonhisfeet——rockingonhisfeet。

Hisfacewasdeathlikeinitspallor。Moisturewasoozingfromhisforehead。

“Ididn”tdoit！Ididn”tdoit！“hecriedoutwildly。“MyGod，I

tellyou，IDIDN”Tdoit——and——and——thatwouldsendmetothechair。”

“Yes，“saidJimmieDalecoldly，“andthat”spreciselywhereyou”regoing——tothechair。”

Themanwasbesidehimselfnow——rackedtothesoulbyaparoxysmoffear。

“I”minnocent——innocent！“hescreamedout。“Oh，forGod”ssake，don”tsendaninnocentmantohisdeath。ItWASStaceMorse。

Listen！Listen！I”lltellthetruth。”Hewasclawingwithhishands，piteously，overthedeskatJimmieDale。“WhenthebigrewardscameoutlastweekIstoleoneofthegraysealsfromthebunchatheadquartersto——touseitthefirsttimeanycrimewascommittedwhenIwassureIcouldlaymyhandsonthemanwhodidit。Don”tyousee？Ofcoursehe”ddenyhewastheGraySeal，justashe”ddenythathewasguilty——butI”dhavetheproofbothwaysand——andI”dcollecttherewards，and——and”Themancollapsedintothechair。

Carrutherswasupfromhisseat，hishandsgrippingtightontheedgeofthedeskasheleanedoverit。

“Jimmie——Jimmie——whatdoesthismean？“hegaspedout。

JimmieDalesmiled——pleasantlynow。

“Thathehastoldthetruth，“saidJimmieDalequietly。“ItisquitetruethatStaceMorsecommittedthemurder。Showsupthevalueofcircumstantialevidencethough，doesn”tit？Thiswouldcertainlyhavegothimoff，andconvictedClaytonherebeforeanyjuryintheland。Butthepointis，Carruthers，thatStaceMorseISN”TtheGraySeal——andthattheGraySealisNOTamurderer。”

Claytonlookedup。“You——youbelieveme？“hestammeredeagerly。

JimmieDalewhirledonhiminasuddensweepofpassion。

“NO，youcur！“heflashed。“It”snotyouIbelieve。Isimplywantedyourconfessionbeforewitnesses。”Hewhippedthethreewrittensheetsfromhispocket。“Here，substantially，isthatconfessionwrittenout。”HepassedittoCarruthers。“Readittohim，Carruthers。”

Carruthersreaditaloud。

“Now，“saidJimmieDalegrimly，“thisspellsruinforyou，Clayton。

Youdon”tdeserveachancetoescapeprisonbars，butI”mgoingtogiveyouone，foryou”regoingtogetitprettystiff，anyhow。Ifyourefusetosignthis，I”llhandyouovertothedistrictattorneyinhalfanhour，andCarruthersandIwillsweartoyourconfession；

ontheotherhand，ifyousignit，Carrutherswillnotbeabletoprintituntilto-morrowmorning，andthatgivesyousomethinglikefourteenhourstoputdistancebetweenyourselfandNewYork。Hereisapen——ifyouarequickenoughtotakeusbysurpriseonceyouhavesigned，youmightsucceedinmakingadashforthatdoorandeffectingyourescape——withoutforcingustocompoundafelony——

understand？“

Clayton”shandtrembledviolentlyasheseizedthepen。Hescrawledhisname——lookedfromonetotheother——wethislips——andthen，takingJimmieDaleathisword，rushedforthedoor——andthedoorslammedbehindhim。

Carruthers”facewashard。“Whatdidyoulethimgofor，Jimmie？“

hesaiduncompromisingly。

“Selfishness。Pureselfishness，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“They”dguymeunmercifullyiftheyeverheardofitattheSt。JamesClub。

Thehonourisallyours，Carruthers。Idon”tappearonthestage。

That”sunderstood？Yes？Well，then“——hehandedoverthesignedconfession”isthe”scoop”bigenough？“

Carruthersfingeredthesheets，buthiseyesinabewilderedwaysearchedJimmieDale”sface。

“Bigenough！“heechoed，asthoughinvokingtheuniverse。“It”sthebiggestthingthenewspapergamehaseverknown。Buthowdidyoucometodoit？Whatstartedyou？Wheredidyougetyourlead？“

“Why，fromyou，Iguess，Carruthers，“JimmieDaleansweredthoughtfully，withartfullypuckeredbrow。“IrememberedthatyouhadsaidlastweekthattheGraySealneverleftfingermarksonhiswork——andIsawoneonthesealonMetzer”sforehead。Then，youknow，Iliftedonecornerwherethesealoverlappedathreadofblood，and，underneath，thethreadofbloodwasn”tintheslightestdisturbed；so，ofcourse，Iknewthesealhadbeenputonquitealongtimeafterthemanwasdead——notuntilthebloodhaddriedthoroughly，toacrust，youknow，sothateventhedampsurfaceofthestickysideofthesealhadn”taffectedit。Andthen，ItookadisliketoClaytonsomehow——andputtwoandtwotogether，andtookaflyeringettinghimtohandlethenotebook。Iguessthat”sall——

nootherreasononearth。Jollylucky，don”tyouthink？“

Carruthersdidn”tsayanythingforamoment。Whenhespoke，itwasirrelevantly。

“Yousavedmetwenty-fivethousanddollarsonthatreward，Jimmie。”

“That”stheonlythingIregret，“saidJimmieDalebrightly。“Itwasn”tniceofyou，Carruthers，toturnontheGraySealthatway。

Anditstrikesmeyouowethechap，whoeverheis，aprettyemphaticexonerationafterwhatyousaidinthismorning”sedition。”

“Jimmie，“saidCarruthersearnestly。“YouknowwhatIthoughtofhimbefore。It”slikeanewleaseoflifetogetbackone”sfaithinhim。Youleaveittome。I”llputtheGraySealonapedestalto-morrowthatwillbeworthyoftheimmortals——youleaveittome。”

AndCarrutherskepthisword。Also，beforethepaperhadbeenanhouroffthepress，Carruthersreceivedaletter。ItthankedCarruthersquitegenuinely，evenifcouchedinsomewhatfacetiousterms，forhis“sweepingvindication，“twittedhimgentlyforhis“backsliding，“beggedtoremain“hisgratefully，“andinlieuofsignaturetherewasagray-colouredpieceofpapershapedlikethis：

[Picture]

Onlytherewerenofingerprintsonit。

CHAPTERIII

THEMOTHERLODE

Itwasthefollowingevening，andtheyhaddinedtogetheragainattheSt。JamesClub——JimmieDale，andCarruthersoftheMORNINGNEWS-

ARGUS。FromClaytonandadiscussionoftheMetzermurder，theconversationhadturned，notillogically，uponthephysiognomyofcriminalsingeneral。JimmieDale，lazilyensconcednowinaloungingchairinoneoftheclub”sprivatelibraryrooms，flickedaminutespeckofcigarashfromthesleeveofhisdinnerjacket，andsmiledwhimsicallyacrossthetableathisfriend。

“Oh，Idaresaythere”salotinphysiognomy，Carruthers，“hedrawled。“Neverstudiedthething，youknow——thatis，fromthestandpointofcrime。Personally，I”veonlygotoneprejudice：I

distrust，onprinciple，themanwhowearsaperennialandpompoussmirk——whichisn”t，ofcourse，strictlyspeaking，physiognomyatall。Yousee，amancan”thelphiseyesbeingbeadyorhisnosepronounced，butpomposityandasmirk，now”JimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders。

Carrutherslaughed——andthenglancedludicrouslyatJimmieDale，asthedoor，ajar，waspushedopen，andamanentered。

“Speakingofangels，“murmuredJimmieDale——andsatupinhischair。

“Hello，Markel！“heobservedcasually，“You”vemetCarruthers，oftheNEWS-ARGUS，haven”tyou？“

Markelwasfatandimportant；hehadbeadyblackeyes，fastidiouslytrimmedwhiskers——andapronouncedsmirk。

Markelblewhisnosevigorously，coughedasthmatically，andheldouthishand。

“Ofcourse，certainly，“saidheeffusively。“I”vemetCarruthersseveraltimes——usedhissheetmorethanoncetoadvertiseanewbondflotation。”

ThedominantnoteinMarkel”svoicewasaningratiatingandunpleasantwhine，andCarruthersnodded，notverycordially——andshookhands。

Markelwentbacktothedoor，closeditcarefully，andreturnedtothetable。

“Factis，“hesmiledconfidentially，“Isawyoutwocomeinhereafewminutesago，andI”vegotsomethingthatIthoughtCarruthersmightbegladtohaveforhissocietycolumn——say，intheSundayedition。”

Hedoveintotheinsidepocketofhiscoat，producedalargemoroccoleatherjeweller”scase，and，holdingitoutoverthetablebetweenCarruthersandJimmieDale，suddenlysnappedthecoveropen——andthen，withacomplacentlittlechucklethatterminatedinanotherfitofcoughing，spilledthecontentsonthetableundertheelectricreadinglamp。

Likeathingofliving，pulsingfireitrolledbeforetheireyes——amagnificentdiamondnecklace，ofwondrousbeauty，gleamingandscintillatingasthelightraysshotbackfromathousandfacets。

Foramoment，bothmengazedatitwithoutaword。

“Littlesurpriseformywife，“volunteeredMarkel，withadebonairwaveofhispudgyhand，andtryingtomakehisvoicesoundcareless。

Thecaselayopen——patentlydisplayingthenameofthemostfamousjewelryhouseinAmerica。JimmieDale”seyesfixedonMarkel”swhiskerswheretheywerebrushedoutwardinanornateandfastidiousgray-blacksweep。

“ByJove！“hecommented。“Youdon”tdothingsbyhalves，doyou，Markel？“

“TwohundredandtenthousanddollarsIpaidforthatlittlebunchofgewgaws，“saidMarkel，wavinghishandagain。ThenheclappedCarruthersheartilyontheshoulder。“Whatdoyouthinkofit，Carruthers——eh？Say，aphotographofit，andoneofMrs。Markel——

eh？Pleaseher，youknow——she”scrazyonthissocietystunt——allflubdubtomeofcourse。How”sitstrikeyou，Carruthers？“

Carruthers，veryevidently，likedneitherthemannorhismanners，butCarruthers，aboveeverythingelse，wasagentleman。

“Tobeperfectlyfrankwithyou，Mr。Markel，“hesaidalittlefrigidly，“Idon”tbelieveinthissortofthing。It”sallrightfromanewspaperstandpoint，andwedoit；butit”sjustinthiswaythatownersofvaluablejewelrylaythemselvesopentotheft。Itsimplyamountstoadvisingeverycrookinthecountrythatyouhaveaquarterofamillionathisdisposal，whichhecancarryawayinhisvestpocket，oncehecangethishandsonit——andyouinvitehimtotry。”

JimmieDalelaughed。“WhatCarruthersmeans，Markel，isthatyou”llhavetheGraySealdownyourstreet。Carrutherstalksofcrooksgenerally，buthethinksintermsofonlyone。Hecan”thelpit。

He”sbeentryingsolongtocatchthechapthatit”sbecomeanobsession。Eh，Carruthers？“

Carrutherssmiledseriously。“Perhaps，“headmitted。“Ihope，though，forMr。Markel”ssake，thattheGraySealwon”ttakeafancytoit——ifhedoes，Mr。Markelcansaygood-byetohisnecklace。”

“Pouf！“coughedMarkelarrogantly。“Overrated！Hisclevernessisallinthenewspapercolumns。Ifheknowswhat”sgoodforhim，he”llknowenoughtoleavethisalone。”

JimmieDalewasleaningoverthetablepokinggingerlywiththetipofhisforefingeratthecentrestoneinthesetting，revolvingitgentlytoandfrointhelight——averylargestone，whoseweightwouldhardlybelessthanfifteencarats。JimmieDaleloweredhisheadforacloserexamination——andtohideacurious，mockinglittlegleamthatcreptintohisdarkeyes。

“Yes，Ishouldsayyou”reright，Markel，“heagreedjudicially。“Heoughttoknowbetterthantotouchthis。It——itwouldbetoohardtodisposeof。”

“I”mnotworrying，“declaredMarkelimportantly。

“No，“saidJimmieDale。“Twohundredandtenthousand，yousaid。

Anyspecial——er——significancetotheoccasion，ifthequestion”snotimpertinent？Birthday，weddinganniversary——orsomethinglikethat？“

“No，nothinglikethat！“Markelgrinned，winkedsecretively，andrubbedhishandstogether。“I”mfeelinggood，that”sall——I”mgoingtomakethekillingofmylifeto-morrow。”

“Oh！“saidJimmieDale。

MarkelturnedtoCarruthers。“I”llletyouinonthat，too，Carruthers，inadayortwo，ifyou”llsendareporteraround——

financialman，youknow。It”llbeworthyourwhile。Andnow，howaboutthis？WhatdoyousaytoalittlearticleandthephotosnextSunday？“

TherewasaslighthintofrisingcolourinCarruthers”face。

“Ifyou”llsendthemtothesocietyeditor，I”venodoubthe”llbeabletousethem，“hesaidbrusquely。

“Right！“saidMarkel，andcoughed，andpattedCarruthers”shoulderpatronisinglyagain。“I”lljustdothatlittlething。”Hepickedupthenecklace，dangledittillitflashedandflashedagainunderthelight，thenrestoreditveryostentatiouslytoitscase，andthecasetohispocket。“Thanksawfully，Carruthers，“hesaid，asherosefromhischair。“Seeyouagain，Dale。Good-night！“

Carruthersglaredatthedoorasitclosedbehindtheman。

“Sayit！“proddedJimmieDalesweetly。“Don”tfeelrestrainedbecauseyouareaguest——Iabsolveyouinadvance。”

“Rotter！“saidCarruthers。

“Well，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“Yousee——Carruthers？“

Carruthers”matchcrackledsavagelyashelightedacigar。

“Yes，Isee，“hegrowled。“ButIdon”tsee——you”llpardonmysayingso——howvulgaritylikethateveracquiredmembershipintheSt。

JamesClub。”

“Carruthers，“saidJimmieDaleplaintively，“yououghttoknowbetterthanthat。Youknow，tobeginwith，sinceitseemshehasadvertisedwithyou，thatherunssomesortofbrokeragebusinessinBoston。He”stakenasummerhomeuphereonLongIsland，andsomemisguidedchapputhimontheclub”svisitor”slist。HiscardwillNOTberenewed。Sleekcustomer，isn”the？Triflefamiliar——Iwasonlyintroducedtohimlastnight。”

Carruthersgrunted，brokehisburnedmatchintopieces，andbegantotossthepiecesintoanashtray。

JimmieDalebecameabsorbedinaninspectionofhishands——thosewonderfulhandswithlong，slim，taperingfingers，whoseclean，pinkfleshmaskedastrengthandpowerthatwasliketoasteelvise。

JimmieDalelookedup。“Goingtoprintanicelittlestoryforhimaboutthe”costliestandmostbeautifulnecklaceinAmerica”？“heinquiredinnocently。

Carruthersscowled。“No，“hesaidbluntly。“Iamnot。He”llreadtheNEWS-ARGUSalongtimebeforehereadsanythingaboutthat，Jimmie。”

ButthereinCarrutherswaswrong——theNEWS-ARGUScarriedthe“story“

ofMarkel”sdiamondnecklaceinthree-inch“caps“inredinkonthefrontpageinthenextmorning”sedition——andCarruthersgloatedoveritbecausethemorningNEWS-ARGUSwastheONLYpaperinNewYorkthatdid。CarrutherswastohearmoreofMarkelandMarkel”snecklacethanhethought，thoughforthetimebeingthesubjectdroppedbetweenthetwomen。

Itwasstillearly，barelyteno”clock，whenCarrutherslefttheclub，and，preferringtowalktothenewspaperoffices，refusedJimmieDale”sofferofhislimousine。ItwasbutfiveminuteslaterwhenJimmieDale，afterchattingforamomentortwowiththoseaboutinthelobby，inturnsoughtthecoatroom，whereMarkelwasbeingassistedintohiscoat。

“Gettinghomeearly，aren”tyou，Markel？“remarkedJimmieDalepleasantly。

“Yes，“saidMarkel，andranhisfingersfussily，combfashion，throughhiswhiskers。“Quitealittlerunouttomyplace，youknow——andwith，youknowwhat，Idon”tcaretobeouttoolate。”

“No，ofcourse，“concurredJimmieDale，gettingintohisowncoat。

Theywalkedoutoftheclubtogether，andMarkelclimbedimportantlyintothetonneauofabiggraytouringcar。

“Ah——home，Peters，“hesniffedathischauffeur；andthen，withagrandiloquentwaveofhishandtoJimmieDale：“”Night，Dale。”

JimmieDalesmiledwithhiseyes——whichwerehiddenbythebrimofhisbat。

“Good-night，Markel，“hereplied，andthesmilecreptcuriouslytothecornersofhismouthashewatchedthegraycardisappeardownthestreet。

Alimousinedrewup，andBenson，JimmieDale”schauffeur，openedthedoor。

“Home，Mr。Dale？“heaskedcheerily，touchinghiscap。“Yes，Benson——home，“saidJimmieDaleabsently，andsteppedintothecar。

Itwasaluxuriouscar，aseverythingthatbelongedtoJimmieDalewasluxurious——andheleanedbackluxuriouslyonthecushions，extendedhislegsluxuriouslytotheirfulllength，plungedhishandsintohisovercoatpockets——andthenachangestolestrangely，slowlyoverJimmieDale。

Thesensitivefingersofhisrighthandinthepockethadtouched，andnowplayeddelicatelyoverasealedenvelopethattheyhadfoundthere，playedoveritasthoughindeedbythesenseoftouchalonetheycouldreadthecontents——andhedrewhisbodygraduallyerect。

Itwasanotherofthosemysteriousmissivesfrom——HER。Thetextureofthepaperwasinvariablythesame——likethisone。Howhaditcomethere？Collusionwiththecoatboyattheclub？Thatwashardlyprobable。Perhapsithadbeentherebeforehehadenteredtheclubfordinner——heremembered，now，thattherehadbeenseveralpeoplepassing，andthathehadbeenjostledslightlyincrossingthesidewalk。What，however，diditmatter？Itwastheremysteriously，asscoresofothershadcometohimmysteriously，withneveraclewtoheridentity，totheidentityofhis——hesmiledalittlegrimly——accompliceincrime。

Hetooktheenvelopefromhispocketandstaredatit。Hisfingershadnotbeenatfault——itwasoneofhers。Thefaint，elusive，exquisitefragranceofsomerareperfumecametohimasheheldit。

“I”dgive，“saidJimmieDalewistfullytohimself”I”dgiveeverythingIowntoknowwhoyouare——andsomeday，pleaseGod，I

willknow。”

JimmieDaletoretheenvelopeverygently，asthoughthetearingalmostwereanactofdesecration——andextractedtheletterfromwithin。Hebegantoreadaloudhurriedlyandinsnatches：

“DEARPHILANTHROPICCROOK：CharletonParkManor——Markel”shouseisthesecondonefromthegatesontheright-handside——libraryleadsoffreceptionhallonleft，dooroppositestaircase——telephoneinreceptionhallnearvestibuleentrance，left-handside——safeisoneofyourfather”smake，No。14，321——clothesclosetbehindthedesk——

probablywillbekeptincashbox——fiveservants；twomen，threemaids——quartersontopstory——Markelandwifeoccupyroomoverlibrary——Frenchwindowstodiningroomonoppositesideofthehouse——openingonthelawn——getitTO-NIGHT，Jimmie——TO-MORROWWOULD

BETOOLATE——disposeofit——seefit——HenryWilbur，MarshallBuilding，Broadway——fifthstory”

Throughtheglass-panelledfrontofthecar，JimmieDalecouldseehischauffeur”sback，andthehandthatheldtheletterdroppednowtohisside，andJimmieDalestared——athischauffeur”sback。Then，presently，hereadtheletteragain，asthoughcommittingittomemorynow；andthen，tearingthepaperintotinyshreds，ashedidwitheveryoneofhercommunications，hereachedoutofthewindowandallowedthelittlepiecestofiltergraduallyfromhishand。

TheGraySeal！Hesmiledinhiswhimsicalway。Ifitwereeverknown！He，JimmieDale，withhissocialstanding，hiswealth，hisposition——theGraySeal！Notapoliceofficial，notasecret-

servicebureauprobablyinthecivilisedworld，butknewthename——

notaman，woman，orchildcertainlyinthisgreatcityaroundhimbuttowhomitwasasfamiliarastheirown！Danger？Yes。A

battleofwits？Yes。Hisagainsteverybody”s——evenagainstCarruthers”，hisoldcollegechum！For，evenasareporter，beforehehadrisentotheeditorialdesk，andevennowthathehad，CarruthershadbeenoneofthekeenestonthescentoftheGraySeal。

Danger？Yes。Butitwasworthit！Worthitathousandtimesfortheverylureofthedangeritself；butworthitmostofallforhisassociationwithherwho，bysomeamazingmeans，vergingindeedonthemiraculous，cameintotouchwithallthesethings，andsuppliedhimwiththedataonwhichtowork——thatalwayssomewrongmightberighted，orgladnesscomewheretherehadbeengloombefore，orhopewheretherehadbeendespair——thatintosomefellowhuman”sheartshouldcomeagleamofsunshine。Yes，inspiteofthehowlsofthepolice，thevirulentdiatribesofthepress，anangrypublicscreamingforhisarrest，conviction，andpunishment，therewerethoseperhapswhoevenontheirbendedkneesatnightaskedGod”sblessingon——theGraySeal！

Wasitstrange，then，afterall，thatthepolice，seekingaclewthroughmotive，shouldhavebeendriventofrenzyoneveryoccasioninfindingthemselvesforeverconfrontedwithwhat，fromeveryangletheywereabletoviewit，wasquiteapurposelesscrime！Ononepointonlytheywereright，theolddogma，theold，oldcry，oldastheinstitutionofpolice，olderthanthat，oldsincetimeimmemorial——CHERCHEZLAFEMME！Quiteright——butalsoquitepurposeless！JimmieDale”seyesgrewwistful。Hehadbeen“huntingforthewomaninthecase“himself，now，formonthsandyearsindefatigably，usingeveryresourceathiscommand——quitepurposelessly。

JimmieDaleshruggedhisshoulders。Whygooverallthisto-night——

therewereotherthingstodo。Shehadcometohimagain——andthistimewithamatterthatentailedmorethanordinarydifficulty，morethanusualdanger，thatwouldtaxhiswitsandhisskilltotheutmost，notonlytosucceed，buttogetoutofithimselfwithawholeskin。Markel——eh？JimmieDaleleanedbackinhisseat，claspedhishandsbehindhishead——andhiseyes，halfclosednow，werestudyingBenson”sbackagainthroughtheplate-glassfront。

HewasstillsittinginthatpositionasthecarapproachedhisresidenceonRiversideDrive——but，asitcametoastop，andBensonopenedthedoor，itwasaveryalertJimmieDalethatsteppedtothesidewalk。

“Benson，“hesaidcrisply，“Iamgoingdowntownagainlateron，butIshalldrivemyself。Bringthetouringcararoundandleaveitinfrontofthehouse。I”llrunitintothegaragewhenIgetback——

youneednotwaitup。”

“Verygood，sir，“saidBenson。

Inthehallway，Jason，thebutler，whohadbeenbutlertoJimmieDale”sfatherbeforehim，tookJimmieDale”shatandcoat。

“It”safineevening，MasterJim，“saidtheprivilegedoldmanaffectionately。

JimmieDaletookouthissilvercigarettecase，selectedacigarette，tappeditdaintilyonthecoverofthecase——andacceptedthematchtheoldmanhastilyproduced。

“Yes，Jason。”saidJimmieDale，pleasantlyfacetious，“itafinenight，agloriousnight，moonandstarsandabalmybreeze——quitetoofine，indeed，toremainindoors。Infact，youmightlayoutmygrayulster；IthinkIwillgoforaspinpresently，whenIhavechanged。”

“Yes，sir，“saidJason。“Anythingelse，MasterJim？“

“No；that”sall，Jason。Don”tsitupforme——youmaygotobednow。”

“Thankyou，sir，“saidtheoldman。

JimmieDalewentupstairs，openedthedoorofhisownparticulardenontherightofthelanding，steppedinside，closedthedoor，switchedonthelight——andJimmieDale”sdebonairnonchalancedroppedfromhimasamaskinstantly——anditwasanotherJimmieDale——theprofessionalJimmieDale。

Quicknowineveryaction，heswungasidetheportierethatcurtainedoffthesquat，barrel-shapedsafeinthelittlealcove，openedthesafe，tookoutthatcuriousleathergirdlewithitskitofburglar”stools，addedtoitaflashlightandanautomaticrevolver，closedthesafe——andpassedintohisdressingroom。Here，heproceededtodivesthimselfrapidlyofhiseveningclothes，selectingintheirsteadasuitofdarktweed。HeheardJasoncomeupthestairs，passalongthehall，andmountthesecondflighttohisownquarters；andpresentlycamethesoundofanautomobilewithout。ThedressingroomfrontedontheDrive——JimmieDalelookedout。Bensonwasjustgettingoutofthetouringcar。Slippingtheleathergirdle，then，aroundhiswaist，JimmieDaleputonhisvest，thenhiscoat——andwalkedbrisklydownstairs。

Jasonhadlaidoutagrayulsteronthehallstand。JimmieDaleputiton，selectedaleathercapwithmotor-goggleattachmentthatpulleddownalmosttothetipofhisnose，tuckedaslouchhatintothepocketoftheulster，and，leavingthehouse，climbedintohiscar。

Heglancedathiswatchashestarted——itwasaquarterofeleven。

JimmieDale”slipspursedalittle。

“Iguessit”llmakeanightofit，andatightsqueeze，atthat，togetbackundercoverbeforedaylight，“hemuttered。“I”llhavetodosometallspeeding。”

Butatfirst，acrossthecityandthroughBrooklyn，forallhisimpatience，itwasnecessarilyslow——afterthat，JimmieDaletookchances，and，onceonthecountryroadsofLongIsland，thebig，powerfulcartorethroughthenightlikeagreyhoundwhoseleashisslipped。

Ahalfhourpassed——JimmieDale”seyesshiftingoccasionallyfromthegraythreadofroadaheadofhimundertheglareofthedancinglamps，totheroadmapspreadoutathisfeet，uponwhich，fromtimetotime，hefocusedhispocketflashlight。Andthen，finally，heslowedthecartoasnail”space——heshouldbeverynearhisdestination——thatveryultra-exclusivesubdivisionofCharletonParkManor。

Oneithersideoftheroadnowwasquiteathicklysetstretchofwoodedland，risingslightlyontheright——andthisJimmieDalescrutinisedsharply。Infact，hestoppedforaninstantashecameoppositetoawagontrack——itseemedtobelittlemorethanthat——

thatledinthroughthetrees。

“Ifit”snottoofarfromtheseatofwar，“commentedJimmieDaletohimself，ashewentonagain，“itwilldoadmirably。”

Andthen，ahundredyardsfartheron，JimmieDalenoddedhisheadinsatisfaction——hewaspassingtheratherornatestonepillarsthatmarkedtheentrancetoCharletonParkManor，andonwhichtheinitialpromotersofthesubdivision，thereal-estatepeople，hadevidentlydeemeditgoodadvertisingpolicytoexpendasmallfortune。

Anotherhundredyardsfartheron，JimmieDaleturnedhiscararoundandreturnedpastthegatestothewagontrackagain。Theroadwasdeserted——notacarnoravehicleofanydescriptionwasinsight。

JimmieDalemadesureofthat——andinanotherinstantJimmieDale”sowncar，everylightextinguished，hadvanished——hehadbackeditupthewagontrack，justfarenoughinforthetreestoscreenitthoroughlyfromthemainroad。

NordidJimmieDalehimselfappearagainonthemainroad——untiljustasheemergedclosetothegatesofCharletonParkManorfromashortcutthroughthewoods。Also，hewaswithouthisulsternow，andtheslouchhathadreplacedthemotorcap。

JimmieDale，inthemoonlight，tookstockofhissurroundings，ashepassedinatabusinesslikewalkthroughthegates。Itwasalargepark，ifthatnamecouldproperlybeappliedtoitatall，andthehouses——hecaughtsightofonesetbackfromthedrivewayontheright——werequitefarapart，eachinitsownratherspaciousgroundsamongthetrees。

“Thesecondhouseontheright，“herletterhadsaid。JimmieDalehadalreadypassedthefirstone——thenextwouldbeMarkel”sthen——

anditloomedaheadofhimnow，blackandshadowyandunlighted。

JimmieDaleshotaglancearoundhim——therewasstillness，quieteverywhere——nosignoflife——nosound。

JimmieDale”sfacebecametense，hislipstight——andhesteppedsuddenlyfromthesidewalkinamongthetrees。Theywerenotthickhere，ofcourse，thetrees，andtheturfbeneathhisfeetwaswellkept——and，therefore，soundless。Hemovedquicklynow，butcautiously，fromtreetotree，forthemoonlight，floodingthelawnandhouse，threwallobjectsintoboldrelief。

Aminute，two，threewentby——andashadowflittedhereandthereacrossthelight-greensward，likethemovingofthetreesswayinginthebreeze——andthenJimmieDalewasstandingcloseupagainstonesideofthehouse，hiddenbytheprotectingblackshadowsofthewalls。

Buthere，foramoment，JimmieDaleseemedlittleoccupiedwiththehouseitself——hewasstaringdownpastitslengthtowherethewoodsmadeaheavy，darkbackgroundattherear。Thenheturnedhishead，tofacedirectlytothemainroad，thenbackagainslowly，asthoughmeasuringanangle。JimmieDalehadnointentionofmakinghisescapebytheroundaboutwayinwhichhehadbeenforcedtocomeinordertomakecertainoflocatingtherighthouse，thesecondonefromthegates——andhewasgettingthebearingsofhiscarandthewagontracknow。

“Iguessthat”llbeaboutright，“JimmieDalemutteredfinally。

“Andnowfor”

Heslippedalongthesideofthehouseandhaltedwhere，almostonalevelwiththeground，theFrenchwindowsofthediningroomopenedonthelawn。JimmieDaletriedthemgently。Theywerelocked。

AnindulgentsmilecrepttoJimmieDale”slips——andhishandcreptinunderhisvest。Itcameoutagain——notempty——andJimmieDaleleanedcloseagainstthewindow。Therewasafaint，almostinaudible，scratchingsound，thenaslight，brittlecrack——andJimmieDalelaidaneatlittlefour-inchsquareofglassonthegroundathisfeet。Throughtheaperturehereachedinhishand，turnedthekeythatwasinthelock，turnedthebolt-rodhandle，pushedthedoorssilentlyopen——wideopen——leftthemopen——andsteppedintotheroom。

Hecouldseequitewellwithin，thankstothemoonlight。JimmieDaleproducedablacksilkmaskfromoneofthelittleleatherpockets，adjusteditcarefullyoverhisface，andcrossedtheroomtothehalldoor。Heopenedthis——wideopen——leftitopen——andenteredthehall。

Hereitwasdark——apitchblackness。Hestoodforamoment，listening——uttersilence。Andthen——alert，strained，tenseinaninstant，JimmieDalecrouchedagainstthewall——andthenhesmiledalittlegrimly。Itwasonlysomeonecoughingupstairs——Markel——inhissleep，perhaps，or，perhaps——inwakefulness。

“I”mafool！“confidedJimmieDaletohimself，asherecognisedthecoughthathehadheardattheclub。“Andyet——Idon”tknow。One”snervesgetsortoftaut。Prettystiffbusiness。IfI”mevercaught，thepenitentiarysentenceIgetwillbethesmallestpartofwhat”stopay。”

Aroundbuttonoflightplayedalongthewallfromtheflashlightinhishand——justforaninstant——andallwasblacknessagain。ButinthatinstantJimmieDalewasacrossthehall，andhisfingersweretracingthetelephoneconnectionfromtheinstrumenttowherethewiresdisappearedinthebaseboardofthefloor。Anotherinstant，andhehadseveredthewireswithapairofnippers。

Againthequick，fireflygleamoflighttolocatethestaircaseandthelibrarydooroppositetoit——and，movingwithouttheslightestnoise，JimmieDale”shandwasonthedooritself。Againhepausedtolisten。Allwassilencenow。

Thedoorswungunderhishand，and，leftopenbehindhim，hewasintheroom。Theflashlightwinkedonce——suspiciously。Thenhesnappeditslittleswitch，keepingthecurrenton，andtheraydodgedimpudentlyhereandthereallovertheapartment。

Thesafewassetinasortofclothesclosetbehindthedesk，shehadsaid。Yes，thereitwas——thedoor，atleast。JimmieDalemovedtowardit——andpausedashislightsweptthetopoftheinterveningdesk。Amassofpapers，books，andcorrespondencelitteredituntidily。TheyellowsheetofatelegramcaughtJimmieDale”seye。

Hepickeditupandglancedatit。Itread：

“Veinuncoveredto-day。Undoubtedlymotherlode。Enormouslyrich。

Putthescrewsonatonce。THURL。”

Underthemask，JimmieDale”slipstwitched。

“Ithink，Markel，youmiserablehound，“saidhesoftly，thatGodwillforgivemefordeprivingyouofashareoftheprofits。Twohundredandtenthousand，Ithinkitwas，yousaidthesparklerscost。”AcuriouslittlesoundcamefromJimmieDale”slips——likeachuckle。

JimmieDaletossedthetelegrambackonthedesk，movedonbehindthedesk，openedthedooroftheclosetthathadbeenmetamorphosedintoavault——andthewhitelighttravelledslowly，searchingly，criticallyovertheshiningblack-enamelledsteel，thenickelledknobs，anddialsofasafethatconfrontedhim。

JimmieDalenoddedatit——familiarly，grimly。

“It”snumberone-four-three-two-one，allright，“hemurmured。“Andoneofthebestweevermade。Prettytough。ButI”vedoneitbefore。Say，halfanhourofgentlepersuasion。Itwouldbetoobadtocrackitwith”soup”——besides，that”scrude——CarrutherswouldneverforgivetheGraySealforthat！“

Thelightwentout——blacknessfell。JimmieDale”sslim，sensitivefingersclosedonthedial”sknob，hisheadtouchedthesteelfrontofthesafeashepressedhisearagainstitforthetumblers”fall。

Andthensilence。Itseemedtogrowheavier，thatsilence，witheachsecond——topalpitatethroughthequiethouse——togrowpregnant，premonitoryofdread，offear——itseemedtothrobinlongundulations，andthestillnessgrewLOUD。Amoonbeamfilteredinbetweentheedgeofthedrawnshadeandtheedgeofthewindow。Itstruggledacrossthefloorinawaveringpath，strayedoverthedesk，anddiedaway，shadowyandformless，againsttheblacknessoftheopenedrecessdoor，againsttheblacknessofthegreatsteelsafe，theblacknessofahuddledformcrouchedagainstit。Onlynowandthen，inastrange，projected，wraithlikeeffect，themoonrayglintedtimidlyonthetipofanickeldial，and，ghostlike，disclosedahumanhand。

Upstairs，Markelcoughedagain。Thenfromthesafeawhisper，heavy-breathedasfromgreatexertion：

“MISSEDIT！“

Thedialwhirledwithfaint，musical，littlemetallicclicks；thenbegantomoveslowlyagain，very，veryslowly。Themoonbeam，asthoughpetulantatitsownabortiveattempttosatisfyitscuriosity，retreatedbackacrossthefloor，andfadedaway。

Blackness！

Timepassed。Thenfromthesafeagain，butnowinalowgasp，apantofrelief：

“Ah！“

Theearmightbarelycatchthesound——itwasasofmetalslidinginwell-oiledgrooves，ofmetalmeetingmetalinapaddedthud。Themassivedoorswungoutward。JimmieDalestoodup，easinghiscrampedmuscles，andflirtedthesweatbeadsfromhisforehead。

Afteramoment，hekneltagain。Therewasstilltheinnerdoor——butthatwasaminormattertoJimmieDalecomparedwithwhathadgonebefore。

Stillnessoncemore——alongperiodofit。Andthenagainthatcoughfromabove——aprolongedparoxysmofitthistimethatwentracketingthroughthehouse。

JimmieDale，intheactofswingingbacktheinnerdoorofthesafe，pausedtolisten，andlittlefurrowsunderhismaskgatheredonhisforehead。Thecoughingstopped。JimmieDalewaitedamoment，stilllistening——thenhisflashlightboredintotheinteriorofthesafe。

“Thecashbox，probably，“quotedJimmieDale，beneathhisbreath——

andpickeditupfromwhereitlayinthebottomcompartmentofthesafe。

Thelocksnippedundertheinsistentprobeofadelicatelittleblued-steelinstrument，andJimmieDaleliftedthecover。Therewasapackageofpapersanddocumentsontop，heldtogetherwithelasticbands。JimmieDalespentamomentortwoexaminingthese，thenhisfingersdiveddownunderneath，andthenextminute，undertheflashlight，themoroccoleathercaseopen，thediamondnecklacewassparklingandflashingonitswhitesatinbed。

“Atemptinglittlething，isn”tit？“saidJimmieDalegently。“Itwasreallythoughtfulofyou，Markel，tobuythatthisafternoon！“

JimmieDalereplacedthenecklaceinthecashbox，setthecashboxonthefloor，closedtheinnerdoorofthesafe，andswungtheouterdooralittleinward——butleftitflauntinglyajar。Thenfromapocketoftheleathergirdlebeneathhisvestheproducedhissmall，thin，flat，metalcase。Fromthis，frombetweensheetsofoilpaper，withtheaidofapairoftweezers，heliftedoutagray，diamond-shapedseal。JimmieDalewasapparentlyfastidious。Heheldthesealwiththetweezersashemoistenedtheadhesivesidewithhistongue，laidthesealonhishandkerchief，andpressedthehandkerchieffirmlyagainstthesafe——asusual，JimmieDale”sinsigniaborenofingerprintsasitlayneatlycappingtheknobofthedial。

Hereacheddown，pickedupthecashbox——andthen，forthesecondtimethatnight，heldsuddenlytense，alert，listening，hiseverymuscletaut。Adooropenedupstairs。Therecameamurmurofvoices。Thenamomentarylull。

JimmieDalelistened。Likeastatuehestoodthereintheblack，absolutelymotionless——hisheadalittleforwardandtooneside。

Nothing——notasound。Thenaverylow，curious，swishingnoise，andafaintcreak。SOMEBODYWASCOMINGDOWNTHESTAIRS！

JimmieDalemovedstealthilyfromtherecess，andnoiselesslytothedesk。Veryfaintly，butdistinctlynow，cameapadofeitherslipperedorbarefeetonthestairwaycarpet。Likeacat，soundlessinhismovements，JimmieDalecrepttowardthedooroftheroom。Downthestairscamethatpadoffeet；occasionallycamethatswishingsound。NearerthedoorcreptJimmieDale，andhislipswerethinnednow，hisjawsclamped。Hownearweretheytogether，heandthisnightprowler？Attimeshecouldnotheartheotheratall，and，besides，theheavycarpetmadethejudgmentofdistanceanimpossibility。Ifhecouldgainthehall，and，inthedarkness，eludetheother，thewayofescapethroughthediningroomwasopen。

Andthen，withinafewfeetofthedoor，JimmieDalehaltedabruptly，asawoman”svoicerosequerulouslyfromthehallwayabove：

“Youaremakingaperfectfoolofyourself，TheodoreMarkel！Comebackheretobed！“

JimmieDale”sfacehardenedlikestone——theanswercamealmostfromtheverythresholdinfrontofhim：

“Ican”tsleep，Itellyou“——itwasMarkel”svoice，inadisgruntledsnarl。“Iwasafooltobringtheconfoundedthinghome。I”mgoingtotakethelibrarycouchfortherestofthenight。”

Ithappenedquick，then——quickasthewinkingofaneye。Twosharp，almostsimultaneous，clicksoftheelectric-lightbuttonspressedbyMarkel，andthehallandlibrarywereafloodoflight——andJimmieDaleleapedforwardtowhere，indressinggownandpajamas，blanketsandbeddingoveronearm，arevolverdanglingintheotherhand，Markelstoodfullbeforethedoorinthehallwaywithout。

TherewasawildyellofterrorandsurprisefromMarkel，thenadeafeningroarandaspitofflamefromhisrevolver——abitter，smotheredexclamationfromJimmieDaleasthecashboxcrashedtothefloorfromhislefthand，andhewasupontheotherlikeatiger。

Withtheimpact，bothmenwenttothefloor，grappled，androlledoverandover。Halfmadwithfear，shock，andsurprise，Markelfoughtlikeamaniac，andhisvoice，ingaspingshouts，rangthroughthehouse。

Aminute，twopassed——andthemenrolledaboutthehallfloor。

Markel，overmiddleageandunheathilyfat，againstJimmieDale”ssixfeetofmuscle——onlyJimmieDale”slefthand，drippingaredstreamnow，wasalmostuseless。

Fromabovecamewildconfusion——women”svoicesinlittleshrieks；

men”svoicesshoutinginexcitement；doorsopening，runningfeet。

AndthenJimmieDalehadsnatchedtherevolverfromthefloorwhereMarkelhaddroppeditinthescuffle，andwaspressingitagainstMarkel”sforehead——andMarkel，terror-stricken，hadcollapsedinaflabby，pliantheap。

JimmieDale，stillcoveringMarkelwiththeweapon，stoodup。Thefrightenedfacesofwomenprotrudedoverthebanistersabove。Thetwomen-servants，atbestnonetooenthusiasticallyonthewaydown，stoppedasthoughstunnedasJimmieDaleswungtherevolveruponthem。

ThenJimmieDalespoke——toMarkel——pointingtheweaponatMarkelagain。

“Idon”tlikeyou，Markel，“hesaid，withcoldimpudence。Theonlydecentthingyou”lleverdowillbetodie——andifthosemenofyoursonthestairsmoveanotherstepitwillbeyourdeathwarrant。

Doyouunderstand？Iwouldsuggestthatyourequestthemtostaywheretheyare。”

ColdsweatwasonMarkel”sfaceashestaredintothemuzzleoftherevolver，andhisteethchattered。

“Goback！“hescreamedhystericallyattheservants。“Goback！Sitdown！Don”tmove！Dowhathetellsyou！“

“Thankyou！“saidJimmieDalegrimly。“Now，getupyourself！“

Markelgotup。

JimmieDalebackedtothelibrarydoor，pickedupthecashbox，tuckeditunderhisleftarmpit，andfacedthoseonthestairs。

“Mr。MarkelandIaregoingoutforalittlewalk，“heannouncedcoolly。“Ifoneofyoumakeamoveorraiseanalarmbeforeyourmastercomesback，Ishallbeobliged，inself-defence，toshoot——

Mr。Markel。Mr。Markelquiteunderstandsthat——Iamsure。Doyounot，Mr。Markel？“

“Helen，“screamedMarkeltohiswife，“don”tlet”emmove！ForGod”ssake，doashesays！“

JimmieDale”slips，justshowingbeneaththeedgeofhismask，broadenedinapleasantlittlesmile。

“Willyouleadtheway，Mr。Markel？“herequested，withironicdeference。“Throughthediningroom，please。Yes，that”sright！

Markelwalkedweaklyintothediningroom，andJimmieDalefollowed。

Aprodinthebackfromtherevolvermuzzle，andMarkelsteppedthroughtheFrenchwindowsandoutonthelawn。JimmieDalefacedtheothertowardthewoodsattherearofthehouse。

“Goon！“JimmieDale”svoicewascurtnow，uncompromising。“Andsteplively！“

Theypassedonalongthesideofthehouseandinamongthetrees。

Fiftyyardsorsomore，andJimmieDalehalted。HebackedMarkelupagainstalargetree——notovergently。

“I——Isay“——Markel”steethweregoinglikecastanets。“I”

“You”llobligemebykeepingyourmouthshut，“observedJimmieDalepolitely——andhewhippedthecordofMarkel”sdressinggownlooseandbegantotiethemantothetree。“Youhavemanyunpleasantcharacteristics，Markel——yourvoiceisoneofthem。ShallIrepeatthatIdonotlikeyou？“Hesteppedtothebackofthetree。

“PardonmeifIdrawthisuncomfortablytight。Idon”tthinkyoucanreacharoundtotheknot。No？Thetrunkistoolarge？Quiteso！“HesteppedaroundtofaceMarkelagain——themanwasthoroughlyfrightened，hisfacewaslivid，hisjawsaggedweakly，andhiseyesfollowedeverymovementoftherevolverinJimmieDale”shandinasortofmiserablefascination。JimmieDalesmiledunhappily。“Iamgoingtodosomething，Markel，thatIshouldadvisenoothermantodo——Iamgoingtoputyouonyourhonour！Forthenextfifteenminutesyouarenottoutterasound。Doyouunderstand？“

“Y-yes，“saidMarkelhoarsely。

“No，“saidJimmieDalesadly，“Idon”thinkyoudo。Letmebepainfullyexplicit。Ifyoubreakyourvowofsilencebysomuchasasecond，thento-morrow，orthenextday，orthedayafter，atmyconvenience，Markel，youandIwillmeetagain——fortheLASTtime。

Therecanbenopossiblemisapprehensiononyourpartnow——Markel？“

“N-no，“——Markelcouldscarcelychatterouttheword。

“Quiteso，“saidJimmieDale，invelvettones。Hestoodforaninstantlookingattheotherwithcoolinsolence；then：“Good-night，Markel“——andfiveminuteslateragreattouringcarwastearingNewYorkwardovertheLongIslandroadsatexpressspeed。

Itwasoneo”clockinthemorningasJimmieDaleswungthecarintoacrossstreetofflowerBroadway，anddrewupatthecurbbesidealargeofficebuilding。Hegotout，snuggledthecashboxunderhisulster，wentaroundtotheBroadwayentrance，glanceduptonotethatalightburnedinafifth-storywindow，andenteredthebuilding。

Thehallwaywaspracticallyindarkness，oneortwoincandescentsonlythrewadimlightabout。JimmieDalestoppedforamomentatthefootofthestairs，besidetheelevatorwell，tolisten——ifthewatchmanwasmakingrounds，itwasinanotherpartofthebuildingJimmieDalebegantoclimb。

Hereachedthefifthfloor，turneddownthecorridor，andhaltedinfrontofadoor，throughtheground-glasspanelofwhichalightglowedfaintly——asthoughcomingfromaninnerofficebeyond。

JimmieDaledrewtheblacksilkmaskfromhispocket，adjustedit，triedthedoor，founditunlocked，openeditnoiselessly，andsteppedinside。Acrosstheroom，throughanotherdoor，halfopen，thelightstreamedintotheouteroffice，whereJimmieDalestood。

JimmieDalestoleacrosstheroom，crouchedbythedoortolookintotheinneroffice——andhisfacewentsuddenlyrigid。

“GoodGod！“hewhispered。“Asbadasthat！“——butitwasanonchalantJimmieDaletoalloutwardappearancesthat，ontheinstant，steppedunconcernedlyoverthethreshold。

Anelderlyman，white-haired，kindly-faced，kindly-eyed，savenowthatthefacewasdrawnandhaggard，theeyesfullofweariness，wasstandingbehindaflat-toppeddesk，hisfingerstwitchingnervouslyonarevolverinhishand。Hewhirled，withastartledcry，atJimmieDale”sentrance，andtherevolverclatteredfromhisfingerstothefloor。

“Iamafraid，“saidJimmieDale，smilingpleasantly，“thatyouweregoingtoshootyourself。YournameisWilbur，HenryWilbur，isn”tit？“

Unmanned，trembling，theotherstood——andnoddedmechanically。

“It”sreallynotanicethingtodo，“saidJimmieDaleconfidentially。“Makesamess，yousee，too“——hewaspullingoffhismotorgauntlet，hisulster，hisjacket，and，havingsetthecashboxonthedesk，wasrollingbackhissleeveashespoke。“Hadalittleexperiencemyselfthisevening。”Heheldouthishandthat，withtheforearm，wascoveredwithblood。“Alittleabovethewrist——fortunatelyonlyafleshwound——alittlemementofromachapnamedMarkel，and”

“MARKEL！“Thewordburst，quivering，fromtheother”slips。

“Yes，“saidJimmieDaleimperturbably。“DoyoumindifIwashabit——andcouldyouobligemewithatowel，orsomethingthatwoulddoforabandage？“

Themanseemeddazed。Inasubconsciousway，hewalkedfromthedesktoalittlecupboard，andtookouttwotowels。

JimmieDalestooped，whiletheother”sbackwasturned，pickeduptherevolverfromthefloor，andslippeditintohistrouserspocket。

“Markel？“saidWilburagain，thesametremblinganxietyinhisvoice，ashehandedJimmieDalethetowelsandmotionedtowardawashstandinthecorneroftheroom。“DidyousayMarkel——TheodoreMarkel？“

“Yes，“saidJimmieDale，examininghiswoundcritically。

“Youhadtrouble——afightwithhim？Ishe——he——dead？“

“No，“saidJimmieDale，smilingalittlegrimly。“He”sprettybadlyhurt，though，Iimagine——butnotinaphysicalway。”

“Strange！“whisperedWilbur，inanumbedtonetohimself；andhewentbackandsankdowninhisdeskchair。“StrangethatyoushouldspeakofMarkel——strangethatyoushouldhavecomehereto-night！“

JimmieDaledidnotanswer。Heglancednowandthenattheother，ashedeftlydressedhiswrist——themanseemedonthevergeofcollapse，onthevergeofanervousbreakdown。JimmieDalesworesoftlytohimself。Wilburwastoooldamantobecalledupontostandagainstthetroubleandanxietythatwasmirroredinthemiseryinhisface，thathadbroughthimtothepointoftakinghisownlife。

JimmieDaleputonhiscoatagain，walkedovertothedesk，andpickedupthe”phone。

“IfImay？“heinquiredcourteously——andconfidedanumbertothemouthpieceoftheinstrument。

Therewasamoment”swait，duringwhichWilbur，inadesperatesortofway，seemedtobetryingtorallyhimself，topiecetogetherapuzzle，asitwere；andforthefirsttimeheappearedtotakeapersonalinterestinthemaskedfigurethatleanedagainsthisdesk。

Hekeptpassinghishandsacrosshiseyes，staringatJimmieDale。

ThenJimmieDalespoke——intothe”phone。

“MORNINGNEWS-ARGUSoffice？Mr。Carruthers，please。Thankyou。”

Anotherwait——thenJimmieDale”svoicechangeditspitchandregistertoapleasantandnatural，thoughquiteunrecognisablebass。

Mr。Carruthers？Yes。IthoughtitmightinterestyoutoknowthatMr。TheodoreMarkelpurchasedaveryvaluablediamondnecklacethisafternoon……Oh，youknewthat，didyou？Well，somuchthebetter；you”llbeallthemorekeenlyinterestedtoknowthatitisnolongerinhispossession……Ibegpardon？Oh，yes，Iquiteforgot——thisistheGraySealspeaking……Yes……TheGraySeal……IhavejustcomefromMr。Markel”scountryhouse，andifyouhurryamanoutthereyououghttobeabletogivethepublicanexclusivebitofnews，ascoop，Ibelieveyoucallit——yousee，Mr。Carruthers，Iamnotungratefulfor，Imightsay，theeulogisticmannerinwhichtheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUStreatedmeinthatlastaffair，andItrustIshallbeabletodoyoumanymorefavours——I

amdeeplyinyourdebt。And，oh，yes，tellyourreporternottooverlookthedetailofMr。Markelinhispajamasanddressinggowntiedtoatreeinhispark——Mr。Markelmightbeinclinedtobereticentonthatpoint，anditwouldbeapitytodeprivethepublicofany——er——”atmosphere”inthestory，youknow……What？……

No；IamafraidMr。Markel”s”phoneis——er——outoforder……

Yes……And，bytheway，speakingof”phones，Mr。Carruthers，betweengentlemen，IknowyouwillmakenoeffortunderthecircumstancestodiscoverthenumberIamcallingfrom。Good-night，Mr。Carruthers。”JimmieDalehungthereceiverabruptlyonthehook。

“Yousee，“saidJimmieDale，turningtoWilbur——andthenhestopped。

Themanwasonhisfeet，swayingthere，hisfacepositivelygray。

“MyGod！“Wilburburstout。“Whathaveyoudone？AthousandtimesbetterifIhadshotmyself，asIwouldhavedoneinanothermomentifyouhadnotcomein。Iwasonlyruinedthen——Iamdisgracednow。

YouhaverobbedMarkel”ssafe——Iamtheonemanintheworldwhowouldhaveareasonaboveallothersfordoingthat——andMarkelknowsit。Hewillaccusemeofit。HecanproveIhadamotive。I

havenotbeenhometo-night。NobodyknowsIamhere。Icannotproveanalibi。Whathaveyoudone！“

“Really，“saidJimmieDale，almostplaintively，swinginghimselfuponthecornerofthedeskandtakingthecashboxonhisknee，“really，youarealarmingyourselfunnecessarily。I”

ButWilburstoppedhim。“Youdon”tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout！“Wilburcriedout，inachokedway；then，hisvoicesteadying，herushedon：“Listen！Iamaruinedman，absolutelyruined。AndMarkelhasruinedme——Ididnotseethroughhistrickuntiltoolate。Listen！Foryears，asaminingengineer，Imadeagoodsalary——andIsavedit。TwoyearsagoIhadnearlyseventythousanddollars——itrepresentedmylifework。IboughtanabandonedmineinAlaskafornexttonothing——Iwascertainitwasrich。AmanbythenameofThurl，JasonT。Thurl，anotherminingengineer，asteameracquaintance，wasoutthereatthetime——hewasapartnerofMarkel”s，thoughIdidn”tknowitthen。Istartedtoworkthemine。Itdidn”tpanout。Idroppednearlyeverycent。