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The Adventures of Jimmie Dale
投诉 阅读记录

第6章

“Yes;hehadinvitedmuch——heandshetogether——theTocsinandhimself。He,JimmieDale,millionaire,clubman,whosenameforgenerationsinNewYorkhadbeenthefamilypride,was“wanted“astheGraySealforsomany“crimes“thathehadlosttrackofthemhimself——butfromanyoneofwhich,lettheidentityoftheGraySealbeoncesolved,therewasandcouldbenoescape!Whatexquisiteirony——yetfull,too,ofthemostdeadlyconsequences!

OncemoreJimmieDale”seyessoughtthepaper,andthistimescannedtheheadlinesofthefirstpage:

BRUTALMURDEROFMILLPAYMASTER。

THECRIMEWAVESTILLATITSHEIGHT。

HERMANROESSLEFOUNDDEADNEARHISCAR。

ASSASSINSESCAPEWITH$20,000。

JimmieDalereadon——andashereadtherecameagainthatangrysettohislips。Thedetailswerenotpleasant。HermanRoessle,thepaymasteroftheMartindale-KensingtonMills,whoseplantwasontheHudson,hadgonethatmorninginhisrunabouttothenearesttown,threemilesaway,forthemonthlypayroll;hadsecuredthemoneyfromthebank,asumoftwenty-oddthousanddollars;andhadstartedbackwithitforthemill。Atfirst,itbeingbroaddaylightandawell-frequentedroad,hisnonappearancecausednoapprehension;butasearlyafternooncameandtherewasstillnosignofRoesslethemillmanagementtookalarm。Discoveringthathehadleftthebankforthereturnjourneyatafewminutesbeforeeleven,andthatnothinghadbeenseenofhimathishome,thepolicewerenotified。

Followedthenseveralhoursoffruitlesssearch,untilfinally,withthewholecountrysidearousedandtheeffortsofthepoliceaugumentedbyprivatesearchparties,thecarwasfoundinathicketattheedgeofacrossroadsomefourmilesbackfromtheriver,and,alittlewayfromthecar,thebodyofRoessle,dead,theman”sheadcrushedinwhereithadbeenfiendishlybatteredbysomeblunt,heavyobject。Therewasnoclew——noonecouldbefoundwhohadseenthecaronthecrossroad——themurderer,ormurderers,andthetwenty-oddthousanddollarsincashhaddisappearedleavingnotracebehind。

Therewereseveralcolumnsofthis,whichJimmieDaleskimmedthroughquickly;butattheendhestaredforalongtimeatthelastparagraph。Somehow,strange,torelate,thepaperhadneglectedtoturnits“sob“artistloose,andthefewwords,addedalmostasthoughtheywereanafterthought,foroncerangtrueandfullofpathosintheirverysimplicity——attheRoesslehome,whereMrs。Roesslewasprostrated,twolittletotsoffiveandseven,tooyoungtounderstand,hadgravelyreceivedthereporterandtoldhimthatsomebadmanhadhurttheirdaddy。

“Mr。Dale,sir!“

JimmieDaleloweredhispaper。Aclubattendantwasstandingbeforehim,respectfullyextendingasilvercardtray。Fromtheman,JimmieDale”seyesfixedonawhiteenvelopeonthetray。Oneglancewasenough——itwasHERS,thatletter。TheTocsinagain!Hisbrainseemedsuddenlytobeafire,andhecouldfeelhispulsequicken,thebloodbegintopoundinfiercethrobsathisheart。

Lifeanddeathlayinthatwhite,innocent-looking,unaddressedenvelope,danger,peril——itwasalwayslifeanddeath,forthosewerethestakesforwhichtheTocsinplayed。But,masterofmanythings,JimmieDalewasmostofallmasterofhimself。Notamuscleofhisfacemoved。Hereachednonchalantlyfortheletter。

“Thankyou,“saidJimmieDale。

Themanbowedandstartedaway。JimmieDalelaidtheenvelopeonthearmoftheloungingchair。ThemanhadreachedthedoorwhenJimmieDalestoppedhim。

“Oh,bytheway,“saidJimmieDalelanguidly,“wheredidthiscomefrom?“

“Yourchauffeur,sir,“repliedtheother。“Yourchauffeurgaveittothehallporteramomentago,sir。”

“Thankyou,“saidJimmieDaleagain。

Thedoorclosed。

JimmieDaleglancedaroundtheroom。Itwasthecautionofhabit,thatglance;thehabitofyearsinwhichhislifehadhungonlittlethings。Hewasaloneinoneoftheclub”sprivatelibraryrooms。

Hepickeduptheenvelope,toreitopen,tookoutthefoldedsheetsinside,andbegantoread。Atthefirstwordsheleanedforward,suddenlytenseinhischair。Hereadon,turningthepageshurriedly,incredulity,amazement,and,finally,astrangemenacemirroringitselfinturnuponhisface。

Hestoodup——theletterinhishand。

“MyGod!“whisperedJimmieDale。

ItwasacalltoarmssuchastheGraySealhadneverreceivedbefore——suchastheTocsinhadnevermadebefore。Andifitweretrueit——True!Helaughedaloudalittlegratingly。True!HadtheTocsin,astounding,unbelievable,mystifyingaswerethemeansbywhichsheacquiredherknowledgenotonlyofthis,butofcountlessotheraffairs,everbysomuchasthesmallestdetailbeenastray。Ifitweretrue!

Hepulledouthiswatch。Itwashalf-pastnine。Benson,hischauffeur,hadsenttheletterintotheclub。Bensonhadbeenwaitingoutsidethereeversincedinner。JimmieDale,forthefirsttimesincethefirstcommunicationthathehadeverreceivedfromtheTocsin,didnotimmediatelydestroyherletternow。Heslippeditintohispocket——andsteppedquicklyfromtheroom。

Inthecloakroomdownstairshesecuredhishatandovercoat,and,thoughitwasawarmevening,putonthelattersincehewasineveningclothes,thenwalkedleisurelyoutoftheclub。

Atthecurb,Benson,thechauffeur,sprangfromhisseat,and,touchinghiscap,openedthedoorofaluxuriouslimousine。

JimmieDaleshookhishead。

“Ishallnotkeepyouwaitinganylonger,Benson,“hesaid。“Youmaytakethecarhome,andputitup。Ishallprobablybelateto-

night。”

“Verygood,sir,“repliedthechauffeur。

“Yousentinaletteramomentorsoago,Benson?“observedJimmieDalecasually,openinghiscigarettecase。

“Yes,sir,“saidBenson。“IhopeIdidn”tdowrong,sir。Hesaiditwasimportant,andthatyouweretohaveitatonce。”

“He?“JimmieDalewaslightinghiscigarettenow。

“Aboy,sir,“Bensonamplified。“Icouldn”tgetanythingoutofhim。Hejustsaidhe”dbeentoldtogiveittome,andtellmetoseethatyougotitatonce。Ihope,sir,Ihaven”t”

“Notatall,Benson,“saidJimmieDalepleasantly。“It”squiteallright。Good-night,Benson。”

“Good-night,sir,“Bensonanswered,climbingbacktohisseat。

TherewasaqueerlittlesmileonJimmieDale”slips,ashewatchedthegreatcarswingaroundinthestreetandglidenoiselesslyaway——

aqueerlittlesmilethatstillheldthereevenafterhehimselfhadstartedbrisklyalongtheavenueinadowntowndirection。Itwasinvariablythesame,alwaysthesame——theletterscameunexpectedly,whenleastlookedfor,nowbythismeans,nowbythat,butalwaysinamannerthatprecludedtheslightestpossibilityoftracingthemtotheirsource。Wasthereanything,inhisintimatesurroundings,inhisintimatelife,thatshedidnotknowabouthim——

whoknewabsolutelynothingabouther!Benson,forinstance——thatthemanwasabsolutelytrustworthy——orelseshewouldneverforaninstanthaveriskedtheletterinhispossession。Wasthereanythingthatshedidnot——yes,onething——shedidnotknowhimintherolehewasgoingtoplayto-night。Thatatleastwasonethingthatsurelyshedidnotknowabouthim;theroleinwhich,manytimes,forweeksonend,hehaddevotedhimselfbodyandsoulinanattempttosolvethemysterywithwhichshesurroundedherself;therole,too,thatoftenenoughhadbeenabulwarkofsafetytohimwhenhardpressedbythepolice;theroleoutofwhichhehadsocarefully,sopainstakinglycreatedanowrecognisedandwell-knowncharacteroftheunderworld——theroleofLarrytheBat。

JimmieDaleturnedfromFifthAvenueintoBroadway,continuedondownBroadway,acrosstotheBowery,keptalongtheBoweryforseveralmoreblocka——andfinallyheadedeastintothedimlylightedcrossstreetonwhichtheSanctuarywaslocated。

AndnowJimmieDalebecamecautiousinhismovements。Asheapproachedtheblackalleywaythatflankedthemiserabletenement,heglancedsharplybehindandabouthim;and,atthealleywayitself,withoutpause,butwithacuriouslightning-likesidestep,nolongerJimmieDalenow,buttheGraySeal,hedisappearedfromthestreet,andwaslostinthedeepshadowsofthebuilding。

Inamomenthewasatthesidedoor,listeningforanysoundfromwithin——nonehadeverseenormetthelodgerorthefirstflooreitherascendingordescending,exceptinthefamiliarcharacterofLarrytheBat。Heopenedthedoor,closeditbehindhim,andintheutterblacknesswentnoiselesslyupthestairs——stairssoricketythatitseemedamouse”streadalonewouldhavesetthemcreaking。

ThereseemedanartintheplayofJimmieDale”severymuscle;inthemovements,lithe,balanced,quick,absolutelysilent。Onthefirstlandinghestoppedbeforeanotherdoor,therewasthefaintclickofakeyturninginthelock;andthenthisdoor,too,closedbehindhim。Soundedthefaintclickofthekeyasitturnedagain,andJimmieDaledrewalongbreath,steppedacrosstheroomtoassurehimselfthatthewindowblindwasdown,andlightedthegasjet。

Ayellow,murkyflamespurtedup,pitifullyweak,almostasthoughitwereashamedofitsdisreputablesurroundings。Dirt,disorder,squalour,theevidenceoflowlivingtestifiedeloquentlyenoughtoanyone,thepolice,forinstance,intimespastinquisitiveuntiltheywerefatuouslycontentwiththebeliefthattheyknewtheoccupantforwhathewas,thattheplacewasquiteinkeepingwithitstenant,amuteprototype,asitwere,ofLarrytheBat,thedopefiend。

Foralittlespace,JimmieDale,immaculateinhiseveningclothes,stoodinthecentreofthemiserableroom,hisdarkeyes,keen,alert,critical,sweepingcomprehensivelyovereveryobjectabouthim——thepositionofachair,ofacrackeddrinkingglassonthebroken-leggedtable,ofanoldcoatthrownwithapparentcarelessnessontheflooratthefootofthebed,ofabrokenbottlethathadinnocentlystrewnsomesortofwhitepowderclosetothethreshold,invitingunwaryfoottracksacrossthefloor。Andthen,takingouttheTocsin”sletter,helaidituponthetable,placedwhatmoneyhehadinhispocketsbesideit,andbeganrapidlytoremovehisclothes。TheSanctuaryhadnotbeeninvadedsincehislastvisitthere。

Heturnedbacktheoilclothinthefarcorneroftheroom,tookupthepieceoflooseflooring,which,however,strangelyenough,fittedsocloselyastogivenosignofitsexistenceevenshoulditinadvertently,bysomecuriousvisitoragainbetrodupon;andfromtheaperturebeneathliftedoutabundleofclothesandasmallbox。

Undressednow,hecarefullyfoldedtheclotheshehadtakenoff,laidthemundertheflooring,andbegantodressagain,hiswardrobesuppliedbythebundlehehadtakenoutinexchange——anoldpairofshoes,thelacesbroken;mismatedsocks;patchedtrousers,frayedatthebottoms;asoiledshirt,collarless,openattheneck。Attiredtohissatisfaction,heplacedtheboxuponthetable,proppedupacrackedmirror,satdowninfrontofit,and,withadeft,artist”stouch,begantoapplystaintohishands,wrists,neck,throat,andface——butthehardness,thegrimmenacethatnowgrewintothedominantcharacteristicofhisfeatureswasnotduetothestainalone。

“DearPhilanthropicCrook“——hiseyeswereontheTocsin”sletterthatlaybeforehim。Hereadon——foronce,eventoJimmieDale”skeen,facilemind,afirstreadinghadfailedtoconveythefullsignificanceofwhatshehadwritten。Itwastooamazing,almostbeyondbelief——theseriesofcrimes,rampantforthepastfewweeks,atwhichthecommunityhadstoodaghast,thebrutalmurderofRoesslebutafewhoursold,laybarebeforehiseyes。Itwasallthere,allofit,thedetails,thehellishcleverness,thepersonnelevenofthethugs,all,everything——excepttheproof。

“Gethim,Jimmie——themanhigherup。Gethim,Jimmie——beforeanotherpaysforfeitwithhislife“——thewordsseemedtoleapoutathimfromthewhitepageinred,dancinglines”Gethim——Jimmie——themanhigherup。”

JimmieDalefinishedthesecondreadingoftheletter,readitagainforthethirdtime,thentoreitintotinyfragments。Hisfingersdelvedintotheboxagain,andthetransformationofJimmieDale,memberofNewYork”smostexclusivesocialset,intoalow,vicious-

featureddenizenoftheunderworldwenton——alittlewaxappliedskilfullybehindtheears,inthenostrilsandundertheupperlip。

Itwasallthere——allexcepttheproof。Andtheproof——helaughedaloudsuddenly,unpleasantly。Thereseemedsomethingsardonicinit;ay,morethanthat,allthatwasgriminirony。Theproof,inStangeist”sownwriting,sworntobeforewitnessesinthepresenceofanotary,thetextofthedocument,ofcourse,unknowntobothwitnessesandnotary,evidence,absoluteandfinal,thatwouldbeadmittedinanycourt,forStangeistwasalawyer,andwouldseetothat,wasinStangeist”sownsafe,forStangeist”sownprotection——

Stangeist,whowashimselftheheadandbrainsofthismurdergang——

Stangeist,whowasthemanhigherup!

Itwasamazing,withoutparallelinthehistoryofcrime——andyetingenious,clever,fullofthecraftandcunningthathadbuiltuptheshysterlawyer”sreputationbelowthedeadline。

JimmieDale”slipswerecuriouslythinnow。SoitwasStangeist!A

DoctorJekyllandMr。Hydewithavengeance!HeknewStangeist——notpersonally;notbythereputationStangeistheld,lowevenasthatwas,amonghisbrothermembersoftheprofession;butasthemanwasknownforwhathereallywasamongthecrooksandcriminalsoftheunderworld,where,inthatstrangeundergroundexchange,whisperedconfidencespassedbetweenthosewhosecommonenemywasthelaw,whereLarrytheBathimselfwastrustedintheinnermostcircles。

StangeistwasapowerintheBadLands。TherewerefewamongthatunholycommunitythatStangeist,atonetimeoranother,inonewayoranother,hadnotrescuedfromtheclutchesofthelaw,resortingtoanytrickorcunning,butwithperjury,thathecouldhandlelikethemasterofitthathewas,employedasthemostcommonweaponofdefenceforhisclients——providedhewerepaidwellenoughforit。

Themanhadbecomemorethantheattorneyforthecrimeworld——hehadbecomepartofit。Cunning,shrewd,crafty,conscienceless,cold-blooded——thatwasStangeist。

TheformandfeaturesofthemanpicturedthemselvesinJimmieDale”smind——thesix-footmuscularframe,thatwasinvariablyclothedinattireofthemostfashionablecut;thethinlipswiththeiroily,plausiblesmile,thestraightblackhairthatstraggledintopinpoint,littleblackeyes,thedarkfacewithitshighcheekbones,which,withthepronouncedaquilinenoseandthepersistentrumourthathewasaquartercaste,hadledtheunderworld,prejudicedalwaysinfavourofa“monaker,“todubthemanthe“IndianChief。”

JimmieDalelaughedagain——stillunpleasantly。SoStangeisthadtakentheplungeatlastandbranchedoutintoawiderfield,hadhe?Well,therewasnothingsurprisinginthat——exceptthathehadnotdoneitbefore!TheironyofitlayinthefactthatatlasthehadbeenTOOclever,oversteppedhimselfinhisowncleverness,thatwasall。ItwasAustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeanethatStangeisthadgatheredaroundhim,theTocsinhadsaid——andtherewerenoneworseinLarrytheBat”swiderangeofacquaintanceshipthanthosethree。StangeisthadmadehimselfmasterofAustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeane——andhehaddriventhemalittletoohardonthedivisionofthespoils——andlaughedatthem,andcrackedthewhipmuchafterthefashionthatthetrainerinthecagehandlesthegrowlingbeastsaroundhim。

AdozenofthecrimesthathadappalledandstaggeredNewYorktheyhadcommittedunderhisleadership;andthen,itseemed,theyhadquarrelledfuriously,thethreepittedagainstStangeist,threateninghim,demandingamoreequitableshareoftheproceeds。

NonewasbetterawarethanStangeistthatthreatsfrommenoftheircalibrewerelikelytoresultinagrimaftermath——andStangeist,yesterday,theTocsinsaid,hadansweredthemasnoothermanthanStangeistwouldeitherhavethoughtoforhavedaredtodo。Onebyone,atseparatetimes,coveringtheotherwitharevolver,Stangeisthadpermittedthemtoreadadocumentthatwasaddressedtothedistrictattorney。Itwasaconfession,completeineverydetail,ofeverycrimethefourtogetherhadcommitted,implicatingStangeistasfullyandunreservedlyasitdidtheotherthree。Itrequirednocommentary!IfanythinghappenedtoStangeist,astabinthedark,forinstance,abulletfromsomedarkalleyway,ablackjackdeftlywielded,asonlyAustralianIke,TheMopeorClarieDeaneknewhowtowieldit——thedocumentautomaticallybecameaDEATHSENTENCEforAustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeane!

Itwasverysimple——and,evidently,ithadbeeneffective,aswitnesstherenewaloftheiroperationsinthemurderofRoesslethatafternoon。Fearandavaricehadbothprobablyplayedtheirpart;fearofthemanwhowouldwithsuchconsummatenerveflinghislifeintothebalancetoturnthetablesuponthem,whilehejeeredatthem;avaricethatpromptedthemtogetwhattheycouldoutofStangeist”sbrainsandleadership,andtobesatisfiedwithwhattheyCOULDget——sincetheycouldgetnomore!

Satisfied?JimmieDaleshookhishead。No;thatwashardlytheword——cowed,perhaps,forthemoment,wouldbebetter。Butafterward,withadocumentlikethatinexistence,whentheywouldneverbesafeforaninstant——well,beastsinthecageshadbeenknowntogetthebetterofthemanwiththewhip,andbeastsweregentlethingscomparedwithAustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeane!SomedaytheywouldreversethetablesontheIndianChief——

iftheycould。Andiftheycouldn”titwouldnotbeforthelackoftrying。

TherewouldbeanotheractinthatdramaoftheHouseDividedbeforethecurtainfell!Andtherewouldbeasortofgrim,poeticjusticeinit,atemptationalmosttolettheplayworkitselfouttoitsowninevitableconclusion,only——JimmieDale,thefinaltouchesgiventohisfeatures,stoodup,andhishandsclenchedsuddenly,fiercely——itwasnotjustthemanhigherupalone,thereweretheotherthreeaswell,thewholefourofthem,allofthem,crimeswithoutnumberattheirdoor,brutal,fiendishacts,damnableoutrages,murdertoanswerfor,withwhichthepublicnowwasbeginningtoconnectthenameoftheGraySeal!TheGraySeal!

JimmieDale”shands,whosedelicatefingerswereartfullygrimedandblackenednowbeneaththenails,clenchedstilltighter——andthen,withaquickshrugofhisshoulders,athinningofthefirmlycompressedlips,hepickedupthecoatfromwhereitlayuponthefloor,putiton,putthemoneythatwasonthetableinhispocket,andreplacedtheboxundertheflooring。

Inquicksuccession,fromthesamehidingplace,anautomatic,ablacksilkmask,anelectricflashlight,thatthinmetalboxlikeacigarettecase,andahalfdozenvicious-lookinglittleblued-steelburglar”stoolswerestowedawayinhispockets,theflooringcarefullyreplaced,theoilclothspreadbackagain;andthen,pullingaslouchhatwelldownoverhiseyes,hereacheduptoturnoffthegas。

Foraninstanthishandheldthere,whilehiseyes,sweepingaroundtheapartment,tookineverysingledetailabouthiminthatsamealert,comprehensivewayaswhenhehadentered——thentheroomwasindarkness,andtheGraySeal,asLarrytheBat,ashuffling,unkemptcreatureoftheunderworld,aliasJimmieDale,thelionisedofclubs,thematrimonialtargetofexclusivedrawing-rooms,closedthedooroftheSanctuarybehindhim,shuffleddownthestairs,shuffledoutintothelane,andshuffledalongthestreettowardtheBowery。

Apolicemanonthecorneraccostedhimfamiliarly。

“Hello,Larry!“grinnedtheofficer。

“”Ello!“returnedJimmieDaleaffablythroughthesideofhismouth。

“Finenight,ain”tit?“——andshuffledonalongthestreet。

AndnowJimmieDalebegantohurry——stillwiththatshufflingtread,butcoveringthegroundneverthelesswithamazingcelerity。HehadlostnotimesincereceivingtheTocsin”sletter,itwastrue,but,forallthat,itwasnowafterteno”clock。Stangeist”shousewas“dark“thatevening,shehadsaid,meaningthattheoccupants,Stangeistaswellaswhateverservantstheremightbe,forStangeisthadnofamily,wereout——theservantsintownforatheatreorpictureshowprobably——andStangeisthimselfasyetnotback,presumablyfromthatRoessleaffair。Thestubofanoldcigar,unlighted,shiftedwithasudden,savagetwistofthelipsfromonesideofJimmieDale”smouthtotheother。Therewasneedforhaste。

TherewasnotellingwhenStangeistmightgetback——asfortheservants,thatdidnotmattersomuch;servantsinsuburbanhomeshadamarkedaffinityfor“lasttrains!“

JimmieDaleboardedacross-towncar,effectedatransfer,andinaquarterofanhourafterleavingtheSanctuarywashuddled,aninoffensiveheap,likeatired-outworkingman,inacornerseatofaLongIslandtrain。Fromhere,therewasonlyashortrunaheadofhim,and,twentyminuteslater,descendingfromthetrainatForestHills,hehadpassedthroughthemorethicklysettledportionofthelittleplace,andwaswalkingbrisklyoutalongthecountryroad。

Stangeist”shouselay,approximately,amileandahalffromthestation,quitebyitself,andsetwellbackfromtheroad。JimmieDalecouldhavefounditwithhiseyesblindfolded——theTocsin”sdirectionshadlackednoneoftheirusualexplicitminuteness。Theroadwasquitedeserted。JimmieDalemetnoone。Eveninthehousesthathepassedthelightswereinnearlyeveryinstancealreadyout。

Something,mercilessinitsrage,sweptsuddenlyoverJimmieDale,as,unbidden,ofitsownvolition,thelastparagraphhehadreadinthatevening”spaperbegantorepeatitselfoverandoveragaininhismind。Thetwolittlekiddies——itseemedasthoughhecouldseethemstandingthere——andfromJimmieDale”slips,notgiventoprofanity,therecameabitteroath。Itmightpossiblybethat,evenifheweresuccessfulinwhatwasbeforehimto-night,theauthorsoftheRoesslemurderwouldneverbeknown。ThatconfessionofStangeist”swaswrittenpriortowhathadhappenedthatafternoon,andtherewouldbenomention,naturally,ofRoessle。

And,foramoment,thatseemedtoJimmieDaletheonethingparamounttoallothers,theonethingthatwasvital;thenheshookhishead,andlaughedoutshortly。Afterall,itdidnotmatter——

whetherStangeistandthebloodwolveshehadgatheredaroundhimpaidthepenaltyspecificallyforoneparticularcrimeorforanothercouldmakelittledifference——theywouldPAY,justassurely,justascertainly,oncethatpaperwasinhispossession!

JimmieDalewascountingthehousesashepassed——theyweremoreinfrequentnow,fartherapart。Stangeistwasnofool——notthefoolthathewouldappeartobeforkeepingadocumentlikethat,oncehehadhadthetemeritytoexecuteit,inhisownsafe;for,inadayortwo,theTocsinhadhintedatthis,afterholdingitovertheheadsofAustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeaneagaintodrivetheforceofitalittledeeperhome,hewouldundoubtedlydestroyit——andtheSUPPOSITIONthatitwasstillinexistencewouldhaveequallythesameeffectonthemindsoftheotherthree!Stangeistwascertainlyalivetotheperilthatheranwithsuchathinginhispossession,onlytheperilhadnotappealedtohimasimminenteitherfromthethreethugswithwhomhehadalliedhimself,or,muchless,fromanyoneelse,thatwasall。

JimmieDalehaltedbyalow,ornamentalstonefence,somethreefeethigh,andstoodthereforamoment,glancingabouthim。ThiswasStangeist”shouse——hecouldjustmakeoutthebuildingasitloomedupashadowy,irregularshape,perhapstwohundredyardsbackfromthefence。Thehousewasquitedark,notalightshowedinanywindow。JimmieDalesatdowncasuallyonthefence,lookedcarefullyagainupanddowntheroad——then,swinginghislegsover,quicknowineveryaction,hedroppedtotheotherside,andstolesilentlyacrossthegrasstotherearofthehouse。

Herehestoppedagain,reacheduptoawindowthatwasaboutonalevelwithhisshoulders,andtesteditsfastenings。Thewindow——itwasthewindowofStangeist”sprivatesanctum,accordingtotheplaninherletter——wassecurelylocked。JimmieDale”shandswentintohispocket——andtheblacksilkmaskwasslippedoverhisface。Helistenedintently——thenalittlesteelinstrumentbegantognawlikearat。

Aminutepassed——twoofthem。AgainJimmieDalelistened。Therewasnotasoundsavethenightsounds——thelightbreezewhisperingthroughthebranchesofthetrees;thefar-offrumbleofatrain;

thewhirofinsects;thehoarsecroakingofafrogfromsomenear-bycreekorpond。Thewindowsashwasraisedaninch,another,andgraduallytothetop。Likeashadow,JimmieDalepulledhimselfuptothesill,and,poisedthere,hishandpartedtheheavyportieresthathungwithin。Itwastoodarktodistinguishevenasingleobjectintheroom。Heloweredhimselftothefloor,andslippedcautiouslybetweentheportieres。

Fromsomewhereinthehouse,aclockbegantostrike。JimmieDalecountedthestrokes。Eleveno”clock。Itwasgettinglate——TOO

late!Stangeistwaslikelytobebackatanymoment。Theflashlight,inJimmieDale”shandnow,circledtheroomwithitslittleroundwhiteray,lingeringaninstantinaqueer,inquisitivesortofwayhereandthereonthisobjectandthat——andwentout。

JimmieDalenodded——theflatdeskinthecentreofthefloor,thesafeinthecornerbytherearwall,thepositionofeverythingintheroom,eventothechairs,wasphotographedonhismind。

Hesteppedfromtheportierestothesafe,andtheflashlightplayedagain——thistimereflectingbackfromtheglisteningnickelledknobs。JimmieDale”slipstightened。Itwasasmallsafe,almostludicrouslysmall;buttosuchheightastheartofsafedesignhadbeencarried,thatdesignwasembodiedintheonebeforehim。

“TypeK-four-two-eight-Colby,“mutteredJimmieDale。“Anastylittlebeggar——andit”seleveno”clocknow!I”duse”soup”foronce,ifitweren”tthatitwouldputStangeistwise,andgivehimachancetomakehisget-awaybeforethedistrictattorneygotthenippersonthefourofthem。”

Thelightwentout。JimmieDaledroppedtohisknees;and,whilehislefthandpassedswiftly,tentativelyoverdialsandhandle,herubbedthefingersofhisrighthandrapidlytoandfrooverthecarpet。WonderfulfingertipswerethoseofJimmieDale,sensitivetoanabnormaldegree;andnow,tinglingwiththefriction,thenervesthrobbingattheskinsurface,theyclosedinalight,delicatetouchupontheknobofthedial——andJimmieDale”searpressedcloseagainstthefaceofthesafe。

Timepassed。Thesilencegrewheavy——seemedtopalpitatethroughtheroom。Thenadeepbreath,halflikeasigh,halflikeaflutteringsobasofastrongmantaxedtotheuttermostofhisendurance,camefromJimmieDale,andhislefthandsweptawaythesweatbeadsthathadspurtedtohisforehead。

“Eight——thirteen——twenty-two,“whisperedJimmieDale。

Therewasaclick,alowmetallicthudastheboltsslidback,andthedoorswungopen。

Andnowtheflashlightagain,searchingthemechanismoftheinnerdoor——thendarknessoncemore。

Fiveminutes,tenminuteswentby。Theclockstruckagain——andthesinglestrokeseemedtoboomoutthroughthehouseinaweird,raucous,threateningnote,andseemedtolinger,throbbingintheair。

Theinnerdoorwasopen——theflashlight”sraywasfloodinganestofpigeonholesandlittledrawers。Thepigeonholeswerecrammedwithpapers,as,presumably,too,werethedrawers。JimmieDalesuckedinhisbreath。Hehadalreadybeentherewelloverhalfanhour——

everyminutenow,everysecondwascountingagainsthim,andtosearchthatmassofpapersbeforeStangeistreturnedwas——

“Ah!“——itcameinafiercelittleejaculationfromJimmieDale。

Fromthecentrepigeonhole,almostthefirstpaperhehadtouched,hedrewalong,sealedenvelopeandatasingleswiftglancehadreadtheinscriptionuponit,writteninlonghand:

TOTHEDISTRICTATTORNEY,NEWYORKCITY。

IMPORTANT。URGENT。

Thewordsinthecornerswereunderscoredthreetimes。

Swiftly,deftly,JimmieDale”shandsrolledtheroundedendofoneofhiscollectionofthelegalinstrumentsundertheflapoftheenvelope,turnedthesheetsoveranddrewoutthefoldeddocumentinside。Therewereeightsheetsoflegalfoolscap,neatlyfastenedtogetheratthetopleft-handcornerwithgreentape。Heopenedthemout,readafewwordshereandthere,andturnedthepageshurriedlyovertoscrutinisethelastone——andnoddedgrimly。ThreewitnesseshadtestifiedtothesignatureofStangeist,andanotary”sseal,accompaniedbytheusuallegalformula,wasdulyaffixed。

JimmieDaleslippedthedocumentintohispocket,and,withtheenvelopeinhishand,movedtothedesk。Heopenedfirstonedrawerandthenanother,andfinallydiscoveringapileofblankfoolscap,tookoutfoursheets,foldedthem,andplacedthemintheenvelope,sealingtheflapofthelatteragain。ThatitdidnotsealverywellnowbroughtaquizzicaltwitchtoJimmieDale”slips。Sealedorunsealed,perhaps,itmadelittledifference;but,forallthat,hewasnotthroughwithityet。Apartfrombringingthefourtojustice,therewas,afterall,achancetovindicatetheGraySealinthismatteratleast,andrepudiatethenewspapertheorywhichthepublic,towhomtheGraySealwasalreadyamonsterofiniquity,wouldseizeuponwithavidity。

Therewasnofurtherneedoflightnow。JimmieDalereplacedtheflashlightinhispocket,tookoutthethin,metalcase,openedit,andwiththetinypairoftweezersthatlikewisenestledthere,liftedoutoneofthegray,diamond-shapedpaperseals。Therewasnoquestionbutthat,onceunderarrest,Stangeist”seffectswouldbeimmediatelyandthoroughlysearchedbytheauthorities!JimmieDale”ssmilefromquizzicalbecameironic。Itwouldaffordthepoliceanotherlittle,bewilderingreminderoftheGraySeal,andgiveCarruthers,goodoldCarruthersoftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS,soinnocentlyignorantthattheGraySealwashisoldcollegepal,yettheoneeditorofthemallwhowasnotforeverbarkingandyelpingattheGraySeal”sheels,achancetovindicatehimselfalittle,too!JimmieDalemoistenedtheadhesivesideofthegrayseal,and,stillmindfuloftell-talefingerprints,laiditwiththetweezersontheflapoftheenvelope,andpresseditfirmlyintoplacewithhiselbow。

Andthen,suddenly,everyfacultyinstantlyonthealert,hesnatcheduptheenvelopefromthedesk,andlistened。Wasitimagination,atrickofnerves,or——no,thereitwasagain!——afootfallonthegravelwalkatthefrontofthehouse。Thesoundbecamelouder,clearer——twofootfallsinsteadofone。ItwasStangeist,andsomebodywaswithhim。

InaninstantJimmieDalewasacrosstheroomandkneelingagainbeforethesafe。Hisfingerswereflyingnow。Theenvelopeshotbackintothepigeonholefromwhichhehadtakenit——theinnerdoorofthesafeclosedsilentlyandswiftly。

AdrychucklecamefromJimmieDale”slips。Itwasjustlikefiction,justpreciselytimeenoughtohaveaccomplishedwhathehadcomeforbeforehewasinterrupted,notasecondmoreorless,thevillainfoiledatthepsychologicalmoment!Thekeywasrattlinginthefrontdoornow——theywereinthehall——hecouldhearStangeist”svoice——therecameadullglowfromthehallway,followingtheclickofanelectric-lightswitch。Theouterdoorofthesafeswungshut,theboltsslidintoplace,thedialwhirledunderJimmieDale”sfingers。Itwasonlyasteptotheportieres,theopenwindow——andescape。Hestraightenedup,steppedback,theportieresclosedbehindhim——andthechucklediedonJimmieDale”slips。

Hewastrapped——caughtwithoutsomuchasacornerinwhichtoturn!

Stangeistwaseventhencomingintotheroom——andOUTSIDE,darklyoutlined,twoformsstoodjustbeneaththewindow。Instinctively,quickasaflash,JimmieDalecrouchedbelowthesill。Whowerethey?Whatdiditmean?Questionssweptinswiftsequencethroughhisbrain。Hadtheyseenhim?Itwouldbeverydarkagainstthebackgroundoftheportieres,butyetiftheywerewatching——hedrewabreathofrelief。Hehadnotbeenseen。Theirvoicesreachedhiminlow,guardedwhispers。

“Say,youse,Ike,pipeit!Dere”sawindowopeninthesnitch”sroom。Comeon,we”llgetindere。It”llmakethehairstanduponthebackofhisneckferastarter。”

“Aw,fergetit!“repliedanothervoice。“Canthetee-ayterstunt!

Clarieleavesthefrontdoorunfastened,don”the?An”dey”llbeindereinaminutenow。Wotcherwantterdo?Crabthegame?Hemighthearusan”fixClariebeforewehadachanst,theskinnyoldfox!An”dere”sthelightnow——see!Beatitonyertoesferthefrontofthehouse!“

Theroomwasfloodedwithlight。Throughtheportieres,thatJimmieDalepartedbythebarestfractionofaninch,hecouldseeStangeistandanotherman,athick-set,ugly-faced-lookingcustomer——

ClarieDeane,accordingtothatbrief,whisperedcolloquythathehadheardoutside。Helookedagainthroughthewindow。Thetwodarkformshaddisappearednow,buttheyhaddisappearedjustafewsecondstoolate——withthetwoothermennowintheroom,andoneofthemsoclosethatJimmieDalecouldalmosthavereachedoutandtouchedhim,itwasimpossibletogetthroughthewindowwithoutbeingdetected,whentheslightestsoundwouldattractinstantattentionandequallyinstantsuspicion。Itwasachancetobetakenonlyasalastresort。

JimmieDale”sfacegrewhard,ashisfingersclosedaroundhisautomaticanddrewtheweaponfromhispocket。Itwasallplainenough。Thatlastactinthedramawhichhehadspeculativelyanticipatedwasbeingstagedwithlittlelossoftime——andinagrimsortofwaythethoughtflashedacrosshismindthat,perilousashisownpositionwas,Stangeistatthatmomentwasinevengreaterperilthanhimself。AustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeane,giventhechance,andtheyseemedtohavemadethatchancenow,werenotlikelytodealinhalfmeasures——ClarieDeanehaddroppedintoachairbesidethedesk;andTheMopeandAustralianIkewerecreepingaroundtothefrontdoor!

Thepartingintheportiereswidenedalittlemore,averylittlemore,slowly,imperceptibly,untilJimmieDale,bythesimpleexpedientofmovinghishead,couldobtainanunobstructedviewoftheentireroom。

Stangeisttossedabaghehadbeencarryingonthedesk,pulledupachairoppositetoClarieDeane,andsatdown。BothmenweresidefacetoJimmieDale。

“Youtelltheboys,“saidStangeistabruptly,“tofadeawayafterthisforawhile。Thingsaregettingtoohot。AndyoutellTheMopeIdockhimfivehundredforthatextracrunchonRoessle”sskull。Thatsortofthingisn”tnecessary。That”sthekindofstuntthatgetsthepublicsore——themanwasdeadenoughasitwas。

See?“

“Sure!“ClarieDeane”sejaculationwasagrunt。

Stangeistopenedthebag,anddumpedthecontentsonthedesk——pileafterpileofbanknotes,thepayrolloftheMartindale-KensingtonMills。

“Somehaul!“observedClarieDeane,withahoarsechuckle。“Thepaperssaidovertwentythousand。”

“Youcan”talwaysbelievewhatthepaperssay,“returnedStangeistcurtly;and,takingascribblingpadfromthedesk,begantocheckupthepackages。

ClarieDeane”scigarhadgoneout。Herolledtheshortstubinhismouth,andleanedforward。

Thebillswereevidentlyjustastheyhadbeendeliveredtothemurderedpaymasteratthebank,doneupwithlittlenarrowpaperbandsinpackagesofonehundrednoteseach,saveforasmallbundleofloosebillswhichlatter,withtherollsofsilver,Stangeistswepttoonesideofthedesk。

Packagebypackage,Stangeistwentonjottingtheamountsdownonthepad。

“Nix!“growledClarieDeanesuddenly。“Cutthatout!Them”sfiversinthatwad。Makethatfivehundredinsteadofone——I”monteryer!“

“Mistake,“saidStangeistsuavely,changingthefigureswithhispencil。“You”reprettywideawakeforthistimeofnight,aren”tyou,Clarie?“

“Oh,Idunno!“respondedClarieDeanegruffly。“Notsovery!“

Stangeist,finishedwiththepackages,pickeduptheloosebills,and,withashortlaugh,tossedthemintothebagandfollowedthemwiththerollsofsilver。HepushedthebagtowardClarieDeane。

“That”salittleextraforyou,“hesaid。“Thetroublewithyoufellowsisthatyoudon”tknowwhenyou”rewelloff——butthesooneryoufinditoutthebetter,unlessyouwantanotherlessonlikeyesterday。”Hemadetheadditiononthepad。“Fifteenthousand,eighthundreddollars,“heannouncedsoftly。“That”sseventhousand,ninehundredforthethreeofyoutodivide,lessfivehundredfromTheMope。”

ClarieDeane”seyesnarrowed。Hishandswereonhisknees,hiddenbythedesk。

“There”smore”ntwentythere,“hesaidsullenly——anddrewamatchacrosstheunderedgeofthedeskwithalong,cracklingnoise。

Stangeist”sfacelostitssuavity,asnarlcurledhislips;but,abouttoreply,hesprangsuddenlytohisfeetinstead,hisheadturnedsharplytowardthedoor。

“What”sthat!“hesaidhoarsely。“It”snottheservants,theywouldn”tdareto”

Stangeist”swordsendedinagulp。Hewasstaringintothemuzzleofaheavy-caliberedrevolverthatClarieDeanehadjerkedupfromunderthedesk。

“Yousitdown,orI”llblowyourblockoff!“saidClarieDeane,withasuddenleer。

IthappenedthenalmostbeforeJimmieDalecouldgraspthedetails;

beforeevenClarieDeanehimselfcouldinterfere。Thedoorburstopen,twomenrushedin——andone,withabound,flunghimselfatStangeist。Theman”shand,graspingaclubbedrevolver,roseintheair,descendedonStangeist”shead——andStangeistwentdowninalimpheap,crashedintothechair,andslidfromthechairwithathudtothefloor。

TherewasanoathfromClarieDeane。Hejumpedfromhisseat,andwithaviolentshovesentthemanreelinghalfacrosstheroom。

“Blastyou,Mope!“hesnarled。“You”retooblamedfly!D”yewanterqueerthewholebiz?“

“Aw,wot”sthematterwidyouse!“TheMope,purple-facedwithrage,littleblackeyesglittering,mouthworkingunderaflattenednosethatsomepreviousencounterhadbrokenandbentoverthesideofhisface,advancedbelligerently。

AustralianIke,whohadenteredtheroomwithhim,pulledhimback。

“Fergetit!“heflungout。“Clarie”sdealin”thedeck。Fergetit!“

TheMopeglaredfromonetotheother;thenshookhisfistatStangeistonthefloor。

“Yousetwomakemesick!“hesneered。“Wot”stheuseofwaitin”allnight?Wewastobumphimoff,anyway,wasn”twe?Dat”swotyousesaidyerselves,”causewotwasterstophimwritin”outanotherpaperifwedidn”tfixhimferkeeps?“

“That”sallright,“rejoinedClarieDeane;“butthat”sthesecondact,youbonehead,see!Weain”tgotthepaperyet,havewe?Say,takealookatthatsafe!It”seasierterscarehiminteropenin”

itthantercrackit,ain”tit?“

JimmieDale,fromhiscrouchedposition,begantorisetohisfeetslowly,makingbuttheslightestmovementatatime,cautiousoftheleastsound。Hislipswerelikeathinline,hisfingerstightlypressedovertheautomaticinhishand。Therewasnotroomforhimbetweentheportieresandthewindow;and,dowhathecould,thehangingsbulgedalittle。Letoneofthethreenoticethat,orinadvertentlybrushagainsttheportieres,andhislifewouldnotbeworthaninstant”spurchase。

TheywereliftingStangeistupnow,proppinghimupinthechair。

Stangeistmoaned,openedhiseyes,staredinadazedwayatthethreefacesthatleeredintohis,thendawningintelligencecame,andhisface,thathadbeenwhitebefore,tookonapasty,grayishpallor。

“You——thethreeofyou!“hemumbled。“What”sthismean?“

AndthenClarieDeanelaughedinalow,brutalway。

“Wotd”yethinkitmeans?Wewantthatpaper,an”wewantitdamnquick——see!D”yethinkwewasgoin”terstandferhavin”atripterSingSingan”thewirechairdanglin”overourheads!“

Stangeistclosedhiseyes。Whenheopenedthemagain,somethingoftheold-timecraftinesswasinhisface。

“Well,whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?“heinquired,almostsharply。“Youknowwhatwillhappentoyou,ifanythinghappenstome。”

“Don”tyousekidyerself!“retortedClarieDeane。“D”yethinkwe”refools?Thisain”tlikeitwasyesterday——see!WeGETSthepaperthistime——sotherewon”tnothin”happentous。Youcomeacrosswithitblastedquicknow,orTheMope”llgiveyouanotheronthebeanthat”llputyoutosleepferkeeps!“

ThebloodwasrunningdownStangeist”sface。Hewipeditawayfromhiseyes。

“It”snothere,“hesaidinnocently。“It”sinmyboxinthesafety-

depositvaults。”

“Aw,“blurtedoutAustralianIke,pushingsuddenlyforward,“yousecan”tworkdatcrawlon”

“Cutitout,Ike!“snappedClarieDane。“I”mrunnin”this!Soit”sinthevaults,eh?“HeshovedhisfacetowardStangeist”s。

“Yes,“saidStangeisteasily。“Yousee——Iwaslookingforsomethinglikethis。”

ClarieDeane”sfistclenched。

“Youlie!“hechoked。“TheMope,here,wasthelastofusyoushowedthepapertoyesterdayafernoon,an”thevaultswasclosedthen——an”youain”tbeenthereto-day,”causeyou”vebeenwatched。

That”swhywefixeditferto-nightafterthedivvythatyou”vejusttriedterdousonagain,”causeweknewyouhadithere。”

“Itellyou,it”snothere,“saidStangeistevenly。

“Youlie!“saidClarieDeaneagain。“It”sinthatsafe。TheMopeheardyoutellthegirlinyerofficethatifanythinghappenedtoyoushewasterwiseupthedistrictattorneythattherewasapaperinyoursafeathomeferhimthatwasimportant。Nowthen,youbeatitoverterthatsafe,an”openitup——we”llgiveyouaminuteterdoitin。”

“Thepaper”snotthere,Itellyou,“saidStangeistoncemore。

“That”sallright,“submittedClarleDeanegrimly。“There”saquarterofthatminutegone。”

“Iwon”t!“Stangeistflashedoutviolently。

“That”sallright,“repeatedClarieDeane。“There”shalfofthatminutegone。”

JimmieDale”seyes,inafascinatedsortofway,wereonStangeist。

Theman”sfacewastwitchingnow,moisturebegantooozefromhisforehead,asthecallousbrutalityofthescowlingfacesseemedtogethim——andthenhelurchedsuddenlyforwardinhischair。

“MyGod!“hecriedout,aringofterrorinhisvoice“Whatdoyoumeantodo?You”llpayforit!They”llgetyou!Theservantswillbebackinaminute。”

“Twoskirts!“jeeredClarieDeane。Weain”tgoin”terrunawayfromthem。Iftheycomesbeforewegoes,we”llfix”em。Thatminute”sup!“

Stangeistlickedhislipswithhistongue。

“Suppose——supposeIrefuse?“hesaidhoarsely。

“Youcansuityerself,“saidClarieDeane,withaviciousgrin。“Weknowthepaper”sthere,an”wegetsitbeforeweleaveshere——see?

Youcantakeyerchoice。Eitheryougoesoverterthesafean”

opensityerself,orelse“——hepausedandproducedasmallbottlefromhispocket”thisisnitro-glycerin”,an”weopensitferyouwiththis。Onlyifwedoesthejobwedoesitproper。Wetiesyouupandsetsyouagainstthedoorofthesafebeforewetouchesoffthe”soup”an”mabbeifyeragoodguesseryoucanguesstherest。”

Therewasashort,raucousguffawfromTheMope。

Stangeistturnedadrawnfacetowardtheman,staredathim,andstaredinamiserablewayattheothertwointurn。Helickedhislipsagain——nonewasinabetterpositionthanhimselftoknowthattherewouldbeneitherscruplesnorhesitancytointerferewithcarryingoutthethreat。

“Suppose,“hesaid,tryingtokeephisvoicesteady,“supposeIopenthesafe——whatthen——afterward?“

“Weain”tgotthesafeopenyet,“counteredClarieDeaneuncompromisingly。“An”weain”tgotnomoretimeterfooloverit,either。YougetamoveonbeforeIcountsfive,orTheMopean”Iketiesyouup!One”

Stangeiststaggeredtohisfeet,wipedthebloodoutofhiseyesforthesecondtime,and,withlipsworking,wentunsteadilyacrosstheroomtothesafe。

Hekneltbeforeit,andbegantomanipulatethedial;whiletheotherscrowdedaroundbehindhim。TheMopewasfingeringhisrevolveragainclubfashion。AustralianIke”selbowjustgrazedtheportieres,andJimmieDaleflattenedhimselfagainstthewindow,holdinghisbreath——asmileonhislipsthatwasmirthless,deadly,cold。Theendwasnotfaroffnow;andthen——WHAT?

Stangeisthadtheouterdoorofthesafeopennow——andnowtheinnerdoorswungback。Hereachedinhishandtothepigeonhole,drewouttheenvelope——andwithasudden,wildcry,reeledtohisfeet。

“MyGod!“hescreamedout。“What”s——what”sthis!“

ClarieDeanesnatchedtheenvelopefromhim。

“THEGRAYSEAL!“——thewordscamewithajerkfromhislips。Herippedtheenvelopeopenfrantically——andlikeamanstunnedgazedatthefourblanksheets,whilethecolourlefthisface。“IT”S

GONE!“hecriedouthoarsely。

“Gone!“TherewasaburstofoathsfromAustralianIke。“Gone!

Denwe”renipped——delotofus!“

TheMope”sfacewaslikeamaniac”sashewhirledonStangeist。

“Sure!“hecroaked。“Butyousegetsyersfirst,youse”

Withacry,Stangeist,toeludetheblow,duckedblindlybackward——

intotheportieres——andwitharipandtearthehangingswerewrenchedapart。

Itcameinstantaneously——ayellofmingledsurpriseandfuryfromthethree——thecrashandspitofJimmieDale”srevolverashefiredoneshotatthefloortostoptheirrush——thenheflunghimselfatthewindow,throughit,anddroppedsprawlingtotheground。

Astreamofflamecutthedarknessabovehim,abulletwhistledbyhishead——another——andanother。Hewasonhisfeet,quickasacat,andrunningclosealongsideofthewallofthehouse。Heheardathudbehindhim,stillanother,andyetathird——theyweredroppingthroughthewindowafterhim。Cameanothershot,anangryhumofthebulletcloserthanbefore——thenthepoundofracingfeet。

JimmieDaleswungaroundthecornerofthehouse,runningattopspeed。Somethingthatwaslikeahotironsuddenlyburnedandsearedalongthesideofhisheadjustabovetheear。Hereeled,staggered,recoveredhimself,anddashedon。Itnauseatedhim,thatstinginginhishead,andallatonceseemedtobedraininghisstrengthaway。Theshouts,theshots,therunningfeetbecamelikeacuriousbuzzinginhisears。Itseemedstrangethattheyshouldhavehithim,thatheshouldbewounded!Ifhecouldonlyreachthelowstonewallbytheroad,hecouldatleastmakeafightforhislifeontheotherside!

RedstreaksswambeforeJimmieDale”seyes。Thewallwassuchalongwayoff——ayardortwowasaverylongwaymoretogo——theweaknessseemedtobecreepingupnoweventonumbhisbrain。No,herewasthewall——theyhadn”thithimagain——helaughedinadementedway——androlledhisbodyover,andfelltotheotherside。

“JIMMIE!“

Thecryseemedtoreachsomeinnerconsciousness,revivehim,sendthebloodwhippingthroughhisveins。Thatvoice!Itwasher——

HERS!TheTocsin!Therewasanautomobile,engineracing,standingthereintheroad。Hewontohisfeet——dark,rushingformswerealmostatthewall。Hefired——once——twice——firedagain——andturned,staggeringforthecar。

“Jimmie!Jimmie——QUICK!“

Panting,gasping,hehalffellintothetonneau。Thecarleapedforward,yellsfilledtheair——butonlyonethingwasdominantinJimmieDale”sreelingbrainnow。Hepulledhimselfuptohisfeet,andleanedoverthebackoftheseat,reachingfortheslimfigurethatwasbentoverthewheel。

“It”syou——youatlast!“hecried。“Yourface——letmeleeyourface!“

Abulletsplitthebackpanelofthecar——littlespurtingflamesweredancingoutfromtheroadwaybehind,“Areyoumad!“sheshoutedbackathim。“Letmesteer——doyouwantthemtohitme!“

“No-o,“saidJimmieDale,inaqueersingsongsortofway,andhisheadseemedtospindizzilyaround。“No——Iguess”Hechoked。

“Thepaper——it”sin——mypocket“——andhewentdownunconsciousonthefloorofthecar。

Whenherecoveredhissenseshewaslyingonacouchinaplainlyfurnishedroom,andaman,astranger,red,jovial-faced,farmerishlooking,wasbendingoverhim。

“WhereamI?“hedemandedfinally,proppinghimselfuponhiselbow。

“You”reallright,“repliedtheman。“Shesaidyou”dcomearoundinalittlewhile。”

“Whosaidso?“inquiredJimmieDale。

“Shedid。Thewomanwhobroughtyouhereaboutfiveminutesago。

Shesaidsheranyoudownwithhercar。”

“Oh!“saidJimmieDale。Hefelthishead——itwasbandaged,anditwasbandaged,hewasquitesure,withapieceoftornunderskirt。

Helookedatthemanagain。“Youhaven”ttoldmeyetwhereIam。”

“LongIsland,“theotheranswered。“Myname”sHanson。Ikeepabitofatruckgardenhere。”

“Oh,“saidJimmieDaleagain。

Themancrossedtheroom,pickedupanenvelopefromthetable,andcamebacktoJimmieDale。

“Shesaidtogiveyouthisassoonasyougotyoursenses,andaskedustoputyouupforawhile,aslongasyouwantedtostay,andpaidusforit,too。She”sallright,sheis。Youdon”twanttoholdtheaccidentupagainsther,shewasmightysorryaboutit。

AndnowI”llgoandseeiftheoldlady”sgotyourroomreadywhileyou”rereadin”yourletter。”

Themanlefttheroom。

JimmieDalesatuponthecouch,andtoretheenvelopeopen。Thenote,scrawledinpencil,beganabruptly:

Youwerequiteaproblem。Icouldn”ttakeyouHOME——couldI?I

couldn”ttakeyoutowhatyoucalltheSanctuarycouldI?I

couldn”ttakeyoutoahospital,norcallinadoctor——thestainyouusewouldn”tstandit。But,thankGod!Iknowit”sonlyafleshwound,andyouareallrightwhereyouareforthedayortwothatyoumustkeepquietandtakecareofyourself。Bythetimeyoureadthisthepaperwillbeonthewaytotheproperhands,andbymorningthefourwheretheyshouldbe。TherewereafewarticlesinyourclothesIthoughtitbettertotakechargeofincase——well,incaseofACCIDENT。”

JimmieDaletorethenoteup,andsmiledwrylyatthedoor。Hefeltinhispockets。Mask,revolver,burglar”stools,andthethinmetalinsigniacaseweregone。

“AndIhadthesublimeoptimism,“murmuredJimmieDale,“tospendmonthstryingtofindherasLarrytheBat!“

CHAPTERIX

TWOCROOKSANDAKNAVE

Thebulletwoundalongthesideofhisheadandjustabovehisearwouldhavebeenaveryawkwardthingindeed,inmorewaysthanone,forJimmieDale,themillionaire,tohaveexplainedathisclub,inhissocialset,oreventohisservants,andoftheselattertoJasontheSolicitousinparticular;butforJimmieDaleasLarrytheBatitwasamatteroflittlemoment。TherewasnonetoquestionLarrytheBat,saveinamostcasualandindifferentway;andabandageofanydescription,primarilyandaboveallonethathecouldarrangehimself,withonlyhimselftotakenoteoftheincongruoushuesofskinwherethestain,thegreasepaint,andthemake-upwaswashedoff,wouldexcitelittleattentioninthatworldwheredailyaffrayswerecommon-placehappenings,andawound,forwhateverreason,hadlongsincelostthetangofnovelty。WhythenshoulditarouseevenapassinginterestifLarrytheBat,creditedasthemostconfirmedofdopefiends,shouldhavefallendownthedark,ricketystairsofthetenementinoneofhisorgies,and,intheexpressivelanguageoftheBadLands,crackedhisbean!

AndsoJimmieDalehadbeenforcedtomaintaintheroleofLarrytheBatforafarlongerperiodthanhehadanticipatedwhen,tendaysbefore,hehadassumeditforthenight”sworkthathadsonearlyresultedfatallyforhimself,thoughithadplacedRoessle”smurderersbehindthebars。For,thenextday,unwillingtocourttheriskofremaininginthatneighbourhood,hehadleftHanson”s,thefarmer”s,houseonLongIslandwheretheTocsinhadcarriedhiminanunconsciousstate,telephonedJasonthathehadbeenunexpectedlycalledoutoftownforafewdays,andreturnedtotheSanctuaryinNewYork。Andhere,tohisgrimdismay,hehadfoundtheunderworldinastateoffurious,angryunrest,likeanestofhornets,stirredup,seekingtowreakvengeanceonanunseenassailant。

Foryears,astheGraySeal,JimmieDalehadlivedwiththesloganofthepolice,“TheGraySealdeadoralive——buttheGraySeal!“

soundinginhisears;withthenewspapersscreamingtheirdiatribes,arousingthepeopleagainsthim,naggingtheauthoritiesintosleepless,frenziedeffortstotraphim;withapriceuponhisheadthatwaslargeenoughtomakeaman,nottoopretentious,richforlife——butintheunderworld,untilthen,thenameoftheGraySealhadbeenonetoconjurewith,fortheunderworldhadswornbytheunknownmastercriminal,andhadspokenhisnamewithareverencethatwasnonethelessgenuineevenifpungentlytaintedwithunholiness。Butnowitwasdifferent。UpanddownthroughtheBadLands,ingamblinghells,inviciousresorts,inthehidingplaceswherethugsandcrooksburrowedthemselvesawayfromthedaylight,throughtheheartandtheoutskirtsoftheunderworldtravelledthefiat,whisperedoutofmouthscrookedtooneside——DEATHTOTHEGRAY

SEAL!

Ganglanddifferenceswereforgotteninthelargerissueofthecommonweal。Thegangspiritbecamethespiritofaunitedwhole,andthecrimefraternitybuzzedandhummedpoisonously,spurredonbyhatred,thirstforrevenge,fear,and,perhapsmostpotentofall,ahideoussuspicionnowofeachother。

Theunderworldhadreceivedashockatwhichitstoodaghast,andwhich,withitsterrifyingpossibilities,struckconsternationintothesoulofeveryindividualofthatbrotherhoodwhosebondwascrime,whowasalready“wanted“forsomeoffenceorother,whetheritrangedfrommurderinthefirstdegreetosomepettypieceofsneakthievery。Stangeist,theIndianchief,thelawyerwhosecunningbrainhadstoodasarampartbetweentheunderworldandaprisoncell,washimselfnowintheTombswiththecertaintyoftheelectricchairbeforehim;andwithhim,thesamefateequallyassured,wereAustralianIke,TheMope,andClarieDeane!

AristocratsoftheBadLands,peersofthatingloriousrealmwerethosefour——andtheblowhadfallenwithstunningforce,ablowthatinitselfwouldhavebeenenoughtohavestirredtheunderworldtoitsdepths。Butthatwasnotall——fromthecellsintheTombs,fromthefourcametheword,andpassedfrommouthtomouthinthatstrangeundergroundexchangeuntilallhadheardit,thattheGraySealhad“SQUEALED。”TheGraySealwho,thoughunknown,theyhadcountedthemosteminentamongthemselves,hadsquealed!WhowastheGraySeal?IthehadheldthesecretsofStangeistandhisband,whatelsemighthenotknow?Whoelsemightnotfallnext?

TheGraySealhadbecomeasnitch,amenace,asourceofdangerthatstalkedamongthemlikeaghastlyspectre。WhowastheGraySeal?

Noneknew。

“DeathtotheGraySeal!Runhimtoearth!“wentthewhisperfromliptolip;andwiththewhispermenstareduncertainlyintoeachother”sfaces,fearfulthattheonetowhomtheyspokemightevenbe——theGraySeal!

JimmieDale”slipstwistedqueerlyashelookedaroundhimatthesqualidappointmentsoftheSanctuary。Thepolicewerebadenough,thepaperswereworse;butthiswasastillgraverperil。Witheverydenizenoftheunderworldbelowthedeadlinesuspiciousofeachother,theirlives,thepenitentiary,oraprisonsentencethestakesagainstwhicheachoneplayed,theroleofLarrytheBat,cleveraswasthemake-upanddisguise,wasfraughtnowmorethaneverbeforewithdangerandperil。Itseemedasthoughslowlythenetwasbeginningatlasttotightenaroundhim。

Themurky,yellowflameofthegasjetflickeredsuddenly,asthoughinacquiescencewiththequick,impulsiveshrugofJimmieDale”sshoulders——andJimmieDale,bendingtopeerintothecrackedmirrorthatwasproppeduponthebroken-leggedtable,knottedhisdresstiealmostfastidiously。Thehair,ifjustatrifletoolong,coveredthescaronhisheadnow,thewoundnolongerrequiredabandage,andLarrytheBat,forthetimebeingatleast,haddisappeared。Acrossthefootofthebed,neatlyfolded,layhisdresscoatandovercoat,butlittlecreasedforallthattheyhadlaininthathiding-placeundertheflooringsincethenightwhen,hurryingfromtheclub,hehadplacedthemtheretoassumeinsteadthetattersofLarrytheBat。ItwasJimmieDaleinhisownpersonagainwhostoodtherenowinLarrytheBat”sdisreputableden,anincongruousfigureenoughagainstthebackgroundofhismiserablesurroundings,inperfect-fittingshoesandtrousers,thebroadexpanseofspotlesswhiteshirtbosomglisteningeveninthepoverty-strickenflarefromthesingle,sputteringgasjet。

JimmieDaletookthewatchfromhispocketthathadnotbeenwoundformanydays,wounditmechanically,setitbyguesswork——itwasnotfarfromeighto”clock——andreplaceditinhispocket。

Carefullythen,oneatatime,heexaminedhisfingers,long,slim,sensitive,taperingfingers,magicalmastersofsafesandlocksandvaultsofthemostintricateandmodernmechanism——nosingletraceofgrimeremained,theyweremetamorphosedhandsfromthefilthypawsofLarrytheBat。Henoddedinsatisfaction;andpickedupthemirrorforafinalinspectionofhimself,that,thistime,didnotmissasinglelineinhisfaceorneck。AgainJimmieDalenodded。

Asthoughhehadvanishedintothinair,asthoughhehadneverexisted,notatraceofLarrytheBatremained——excepttheheapofragsuponthefloor,thebatteredslouchhat,thefrayedtrousers,thepatchedbootswiththeirbrokenlaces,themismatedsocks,thegrimyflannelshirt,andtheoldcoatthathehadjustdiscarded。

Themirrorwasreplacedonthetable;and,pushingtheheapofclothesbeforehimwithhisfoot,JimmieDalekneltdowninthecorneroftheroomwheretheoilclothhadbeenturnedupandthelooseplankingofthefloorremoved,andbegantopackthearticlesawayinthehole。JimmieDalerolledthetrousersofLarrytheBatintoacompactlittlebundle,andstuffedthemundertheflooring。

Thegasjetseemedtoblinkagaininasortofconfidentialapproval,asthoughthesecretlayinviolatebetweenitselfandJimmieDale。Throughtheclosedwindow,shadetightlydrawn,came,lowandmuffled,thesoundofdistantlifefromtheBowery,afewblocksaway。Thegasjet,sufferingfromairsomewherewithinthepipes,hissedangrily,theyellowflamediedtoalittleblue,forkedspurt——andJimmieDalewasonhisfeet,hisfacesuddenlyhardandwhiteasmarble。

SOMEONEWASKNOCKINGATTHEDOOR!

ForthefractionofasecondJimmieDalestoodmotionless。FoundasJimmieDaleinthedenofLarrytheBat,andtheconsequencesrequirednoeffortoftheimaginationtopicturethem;policeordenizenoftheunderworldwhowasknockingthere,itwasallthesame,themethodofdeathwouldbealittledifferent,thatwasall——

onelegalised,theothernot。JimmieDale,LarrytheBat,theGraySeal,onceuncovered,couldexpectasmuchquarteraswouldbegiventoacorneredrat。Hiseyesswepttheroomwithaswift,criticalglance——evidencesofLarrytheBat,theclothes,werestillabout,evenifheinthepersonofJimmieDale,alonedamningenough,werenotstandingtherehimself。Andhewasevenweaponless——theTocsinhadtakentherevolverfromhispocket,togetherwiththoseothertelltalearticles,themask,theflashlight,thelittleblued-steeltools,beforeshehadintrustedhimthatnight,woundedandunconscious,toHanson”scare。

JimmieDaleslippedhisfeetoutofhisloweveningpumps,snatcheduptheoldcoatandhatfromthepile,putthemon,and,withoutasound,reachedthegasjetandturneditoff。Asecondhadgoneby——

nomore——theknockingstillsoundedinsistentlyonthedoor。Itwasdarknow,perfectlyblack。Hestartedacrosstheroom,histreadabsolutelysilentasthetrainedmuscles,relaxing,threwthebodyweightgraduallyupononefootbeforethenextstepwastaken。

Itwaslikeashadow,alittleblackerinoutlinethanthesurroundingblackness,stealingacrossthefloor。

Halfwaytothedoorhepaused。Theknockinghadceased。Helistenedintently。Itwasnotrepeated。Instead,hisearcaughtaguardedstepretreatingoutsideinthehall。JimmieDaledrewabreathofrelief。Hewentonagaintothedoor,stilllistening。

Wasitatrap——thatstepoutside?

Atthedoornow,tense,alert,heloweredhiseartothekeyhole。

Therecamethefaintestcreakfromthestairs。JimmieDale”sbrowsgathered。Itwasstrange!Theknockinghadnotlastedlong。

Whoeveritwaswasgoingaway——butitrequiredtheutmostcautiontodescendthosestairs,ricketyandtumble-downastheywere,withnomoresoundthanthat!Whysuchcaution?Whynotamoredeterminedandprolongedeffortathisdoor——thevisitorhadbeeneasilysatisfiedthatLarrytheBatwasnotwithin。TOOeasilysatisfied!

JimmieDaleturnedthekeynoiselesslyinthelock。Heopenedthedoorcautiously——halfinch——aninch,therewasnosoundoffootstepsnow。Occasionallyalodgermovedaboutonthefloorabove;

occasionallyfromsomewhereinthetenementcamethemurmurofvoicesasfrombehindcloseddoor——thatwasall。Allelsewassilenceanddarknessnow。

Thedoor,onitswell-oiledhinges,swungwideopen。JimmieDalethrustouthisheadintothehall——andsomethingfelluponthethresholdwithalittlethud——butforamomentJimmieDaledidnotmove。Listening,tryingtopiercethedarkness,hewasasstillasthesilencearoundhim;thenhestoopedandgropedalongthethreshold。Hishandcloseduponwhatseemedlikeasmallboxwrappedinpaper。Hepickeditup,closedandlockedthedooragain,andretreatedbackacrosstheroom。Itwasstrange——

unpleasantlystrange——aboxproppedstealthilyagainstthedoorsothatitwouldfalltothethresholdwhenthedoorwasopened!Andwhythestealth?Whatdiditmean?Hadtheunderworldwithitsthousandeyesandearsalreadysucceededinafewdayswherethepolicehadfailedsignallyforyears——hadtheysenthimthis,whateveritwas,assomegrimtokenthattheyhadrunLarrytheBattoearth?Heshookhishead。No;ganglandstruckmoreswiftly,withlessfinessethanthat——the“cat-and-mouse“actwasneveroneitfavoured,forthemousehadbeenknowntogetaway。

JimmieDalelightedthegasagain,andturnedthepackageoverinhishands。Itwas,ashehadsurmised,asmallcardboardbox;anditwaswrappedinplainpaperandtiedwithastring。Heuntiedthestring,andstillsuspicious,asamanissuspiciousintheknowledgethatheisstalkedbyperilateveryturn,removedthewrapperalittlegingerly。Itwasstillwithoutsignormarkinguponit,justanordinarycardboardbox。Heliftedoffthecover,and,withashort,suddenlaugh,stared,alittleoutofcountenance,atthecontents。

Onthetoplayawhite,unaddressedenvelope。HERS!Beneath——heemptiedtheboxonthetable——hisblacksilkmask,hisautomaticrevolver,thekitoffine,smallblued-steelburglar”stools,hispocketflashlight,andthethinmetalinsigniacase。TheTocsin!

ImpulsivelyJimmieDaleturnedtowardthedoor——andstopped。Hisshouldersliftedinashrugthat,meanttobephilosophical,wasfarfromphilosophical。Hecouldnot,darednotventurefarthroughthetenementdressedashewas;andevenifhecouldtherewerethreeexitstotheSanctuary,afactthatnowforthefirsttimewasnotwhollyasourceofunmixedsatisfactiontohim;andbesides——shewasgone!

JimmieDaleopenedtheletter,agrimsmileplayingonhislips。HehadforgottenforthemomentthattheillusionhehadcherishedforyearsinthebeliefthatshedidnotknowLarrytheBatasanaliasofJimmieDalewasnomorethan——anillusion。Well,ithadbeenapieceofconsummateegotismonhispart,thatwasall。But,afterall,whatdiditmatter?Hehadhadhisinnings,triedintheroleofLarrytheBattosolveheridentity,devotedweeksonendtotheattempt——andfailed。Someday,perhaps,histurnwouldcome;someday,perhaps,shewouldnolongerbeabletoeludehim,unless——thelettercrackledsuddenlyinhisfingers——unlessthehousethattheyhadbuiltonsuchstrangeandperilousfoundationscrashedatsomemoment,withoutaninstant”swarning,indisasterandruintotheground。Whoknewbutthatthisletternow,anothercalltotheGraySealtoact,anotherperilinvited,wouldbetheLAST?Theremustbeanendsomeday;luckandnervehadtheirlimitations——ithadalmostendedlastweek!

“DearPhilanthropicCrook“——itwasthesameinevitablebeginning。

“Youarewellenoughagain,aren”tyou,Jimmie?——Iamsendingtheselittlethingsbacktoyou,foryouwillneedthemto-night。”——JimmieDalereadon,mutteringsnatchesoftheletteraloud:“MichaelBreenprospectinginAlaska——mapoflocationofrichminingclaim——

Hamvert,hisformerpartner,hadpreviouslyfleecedhimoffifteenthousanddollars——hisshareofadealtogether——Breenwasalwaysaverypoorman——Breenlaterstruckaclaimalone;but,takingsick,camebackhome——diedonarrivalinNewYorkaftergivingmaptohiswife——wifeinveryneedycircumstances——liveswithlittledaughterofseveninNewRochelle——worksoutbythedayatHenryMittel”shouseontheSoundnear-by——wifeintrustedmapforsafe-keepingandadvicetoMittel——Hamvertaftermap——telephonewirescut——roomonehundredandforty-eight,corner,right,firstfloor,Palais-

MetropoleHotel,unoccupied——connectingdoors——quarterpastnineto-night——theWeasel——Mittel”shouselater——thepolice——lookoutforboththeWeaselandthepolice,Jimmie”

Therewasmore,severalpagesofit,explanations,specificdetailsdowntoaminutedescriptionofthelocalityandplanofthehouseontheSound。JimmieDale,toointentnowtomutter,readonsilently。Attheendheshuffledthesheetsalittleabstractedly,ashisfacehardened。Thenhisfingersbegantoteartheletterintolittleshreds,tearingitoverandoveragain,tearingtheshredsintotinyparticles。Hehadnotbeenfarwrong。Fromwhatthenightpromisednow,thismightwellbethelastletter。Whoknew?Therewouldbeneedofallthewitandluckandnerveto-nightthattheGraySealhadeverhadbefore。

Withajerk,JimmieDalerousedhimselffromthemomentaryreverieintowhichhehadfallen;and,allactionnow,stuffedthetornpiecesoftheletterintohistrouserspockettobedisposedoflaterinthestreet;tookofftheoldcoatandslouchhatagain,andresumedthedisposalofLarrytheBat”seffectsundertheflooring。

Thisaccomplished,hereplacedtheplankingandoilcloth,stoodup,putonhisdresscoatandlightovercoat,and,fromthetable,stowedtheblacksilkmask,theautomatic,thelittlekitoftools,theflashlight,andthethinmetalcaseawayinhispockets。

JimmieDaleraisedhishandtothegasfixture,circledtheroomwithaglancethatmissednosingledetail——thenthelightwentout,thedoorclosedbehindhim,locked,adarkshadowcreptsilentlydownthestairs,outthroughthesidedoorintothealleyway,alongthealleywayclosetothewallofthetenementwhereitwasblackest,and,satisfiedthatforthemomenttherewerenopassers-

by,emergedonthestreet,walkingleisurelytowardtheBowery。

OncewellawayfromtheSanctuary,however,JimmieDalequickenedhissteps;andtwentyminuteslater,havingstoppedbutoncetotelephonetohishomeonRiversideDriveforhistouringcar,hewasbrisklymountingthestepsoftheSt。JamesClubonFifthAvenue。

Anothertwentyminutesafterthat,andhehaddismissedBenson,hischauffeur,and,atthewheelofhisbig,powerfulmachine,wasspeedinguptownforthePalais-MetropoleHotel。

Itwastwelveminutesafterninewhenhedrewupatthecurbinfrontofthesideentranceofthehotel——hiswatch,setbyguesswork,hadbeenalittleslow,andhehadcorrecteditattheclub。Hewasreplacingthewatchinhispocketashesaunteredaroundthecorner,andpassedinthroughthemainentrancetothebiglobby。

JimmieDaleavoidedtheelevators——itwasonlyoneflightup,andelevatorboysonoccasionshadbeenknowntobeobservant。Atthetopofthefirstlanding,along,wide,heavilycarpetedcorridorwasbeforehim。“Numberonehundredandforty-eight,thecornerroomontheright,“theTocsinhadsaid。JimmieDalewalkednonchalantlyalong——pastNo。148。Atthelowerendofthehallagroupofpeopleweregatheredaroundtheelevatordoors;halfwaydownthecorridorabellboycameoutofaroomandwentaheadofJimmieDale。

AndthenJimmieDalestoppedsuddenly,andbegantoretracehissteps。Thegrouphadenteredtheelevator,thebellboyhaddisappearedaroundthefartherendofthehallintothewingofthehotel——thecorridorwasempty。InamomenthewasstandingbeforethedoorofNo。148;inanother,underthepersuasionofalittlesteelinstrument,deftlymanipulatedbyJimmieDale”sslim,taperingfingers,thelockclickedback,thedooropened,andhesteppedinside,closingandlockingthedooragainbehindhim。

Itwasalreadyaquarterpastnine,butnoonewasasyetintheconnectingroom——thefanlightnextdoorhadbeendarkashepassed。

Hisflashlightsweptabouthim,locatedtheconnectingdoor——andwentout。Hemovedtothedoor,triedit,andfounditlocked。

Againthelittlesteelinstrumentcameintoplay,releasedthelock,andJimmieDaleopenedthedoor。Againtheflashlightwinked。Thedooropenedintoabathroomthat,obviously,atwill,waseithercommontothetworoomsorcould,bythesimpleexpedientoflockingonedoorortheother,beusedbyoneoftheroomsalone。Inthepresentinstance,theoccupantoftheadjoiningapartmenthadtaken“aroomwithabath。”

JimmieDalepassedthroughthebathroomtotheoppositedoor。Thiswasalreadythree-quartersopen,andswungoutwardintothebedroom,nearthelowerendoftheroombythewindow。Throughthecrackofthedoorbythehinges,JimmieDaleflashedhislight,testingtheradiusofvision,pushedthedoorafewincheswideropen,testeditagainwiththeflashlight——andretreatedbackintoNo。148,closingthedooronhissideuntilitwasjustajar。

Hestoodtherethensilentlywaiting。ItwasHamvert”sroomnextdoor,andHamvertandtheWeaselwerealreadylate。Astepsoundedoutsideinthecorridor。JimmieDalestraightenedintently。Thesteppassedondownthehallwayanddiedaway。Afalsealarm!

JimmieDalesmiledwhimsically。Itwasastrangeadventurethisthatconfrontedhim,quitethestrangestinawaythattheTocsinhadeverplanned——andthenightlaybeforehimfullofperilinitsextraordinarycomplications。TowinthehandhemustblockHamvertandtheWeaselwithoutallowingthemaninklingthathisinterferencewasanythingmorethan,say,theluckofahotelsneakthiefatmost。TheWeaselwasadangerousman,oneoftheslickestsecond-storyworkersinthecountry,withsafecrackingasoneofhisfavouritepursuits,amanmostearnestlydesiredbythepolice,providedthelattercouldcatchhim“withthegoods。”AsforHamvert,hedidnotknowHamvert,whowasastrangerinNewYork,exceptthatHamverthadfleecedamannamedMichaelBreenoutofhisshareinaclaimtheyhadhadtogetherwhenBreenhadfirstgonetoAlaskatotryhisluck,andnow,havingdiscoveredthatBreen,whenprospectingalonesomewhereintheinterioramonthorsoago,hadfoundarichveinandhadmadeamapordiagramofitslocation,he,Hamvert,hadfollowedtheothertoNewYorkforthepurposeofgettingitbyhookorcrook。Breen”s“find“hadbeentoolate;

takensick,hehadneverworkedhisclaim,hadbarelygotbackhomebeforehedied,andonlyintimetohandhiswifethestrangelegacyofaroughlyscrawledlittlepieceofpaper,and——JimmieDalestraightenedupalertlyoncemore。Stepsagain——andthistimecomingfromthedirectionoftheelevator;thenvoices;thentheopeningofthedoorofthenextroom;thenavoice,distinctlyaudible:

“Pullupachair,andwe”llgetdowntobusiness。You”relate,asitis。Wehaven”tanytimetowaste,ifwe”regoingtowashpay-

dirtto-night。”

“Aw,dat”sallright!“respondedanothervoice——quiteevidentlytheWeasel”s。“Don”tyouseworry——degame”scinchedtoafadeaway。”

Therewasthesoundofchairsbeingmovedacrossthefloor。JimmieDaleslippedtheblacksilkmaskoverhisface,openedthedooronhissideofthebathroomcautiously,and,withoutasound,steppedintothebathroomthatwaslightednow,ofcourse,bythelightstreaminginthroughthepartiallyopeneddoorofHamvert”sroom。

Thetwoweretalkingearnestlynowinlowertones。JimmieDaleonlycaughtawordhereandthere——hisfacultiesforthemomentwereconcentratedontraversingthebathroomsilently。Hereachedthefartherdoor,crouchedthere,peeredthroughthecrack——andtheoldwhimsicalsmileflickeredacrosshislipsagain。

ThePalais-Metropolewashighclassandexclusive,andtheWeaselforoncelookedquitethegentleman,and,forallhissharp,ferretface,notentirelyoutofkeepingwithhissurroundings——elsehewouldneverhavegotfartherthanthelobby。Theotherwasashort,thickset,heavy-jowledman,withagreatshockofsandyhair,andsmallblackeyesthatlookedfurtivelyoutfromoverhanging,bushyeyebrows。

“Well,“Hamvertwassaying,“thedetailsareyourconcern。WhatI

wantisresults。Wewon”twastetime。You”retobebackherebydaylight——onlyseethatthere”snocome-back。”

“Leaveittome!“returnedtheWeasel,withassurance。“How”sderegoin”terbeanycome-back?Mittelkeepsitinhissafe,don”the?

Well,gentlemen”shouseshasbeenrobbedbefore——an”disjob”llbeagoodone。Degeographfystuntyousewantsgetspinchedwidderest,dat”sall。Itdisappears——see?Who”sterknowyousegetsyerclawsonit?It”sjustlostindeshuffle。”

“Right!“agreedHamvertbriskly——andfromhisinsidepocketproducedapackageofcrispnewbills,yellow-backs,andevidentlyoflargedenominations。“Halfdownandhalfondelivery——that”sourdeal。”

“Dat”swot!“assentedtheWeaselcurtly。

Hamvertbegantocountthebills。

JimmieDale”shandstoleintohispocket,andcameoutwithhishandkerchiefandthethinmetalinsigniacase。Fromthelatter,withitslittlepairoftweezers,hetookoutoneoftheadhesivegrayseals。Hiseyeswarilyonthetwomen,hedroppedthesealonhishandkerchief,restoredthethinmetalcasetohispocket——andinitssteadtheblue-blackuglymuzzleofhisautomaticpeepedfrombetweenhisfingers。

“Fivethousanddown,“saidHamvert,pushingapileofnotesacrossthetable,andtuckingtheremainderbackintohispocket;“andtheotherfive”shereforyouwhenyougetbackwiththemap。

Ordinarily,Iwouldn”tpayapennyinadvance,butsinceyouwantitthatwayandthemap”snogoodtoyouwhiletherestofthelonggreenis,I”Heswallowedhiswordswithastartledgulp,clutchedhastilyatthemoneyonthetable,andbegantostruggleupfromhischairtohisfeet。

Withaswift,noiselessside-stepthroughtheopendoor,JimmieDalewasstandingintheroom。

JimmieDale”stoneswereconversational。“Don”tgetup,“saidJimmieDalecoolly。“Andtakeyourhandoffthatmoney!“

TheWeasel,whosebackhadbeentothedoor,squirmedaroundinhischair——andinhisturnstaredintothemuzzleofJimmieDale”srevolver,whilehisjawdroppedandsagged。

“Good-evening,Weasel,“observedJimmieDalecasually。“Iseemtobeinluckto-night。Igotintothatroomnextdoor,butanemptyroomisslimpicking。AndthenitseemedtomeIheardsomeoneinherementionfivethousanddollarstwice,whichmakestenthousand,andwhichhappenstobejustexactlythesumIneedatthepresentmoment——ifIcan”tgetanymore!Ihaven”tthehonourofyourwealthyfriend”sacquaintance,butIamreallycharmedtomeethim。

You——er——understand,bothofyou,thattheslightestsoundmightproveextremelyembarrassing。”

Hamvert”sfacewaswhite,andhestirreduneasilyinhischair;butintotheWeasel”sface,thefirstshockofsurpriseddismaypast,cameadull,angryred,andintotheeyesaviciousgleam——andsuddenlyhelaughedshortly。

“Why,yousedamnedfool,“jeeredtheWeasel,“d”youset”inkyousecangetawaywiddat!Say,takeitfromme,youseareapiker!

Say,yousemakemetired。Wotd”youset”inkyouseare?D”youset”inkdisisatee-ayter,an”datyouseareacheap-skateactorstrollin”acrostdestage?Aw,beatit,yousemakemesick!Why,say,yousepinchdatmoney,an”yousehavegotdesamechanstofgettin”outerdishotelasaguyhasofbreakin”outerSingSing!

Bydetimeyousegetsfivefeetfromdedoorofdisroomwehasdewholeworksonyerneck。”

“Doyouthinkso,Weasel?“inquiredJimmieDalepolitely。Hecarriedhishandkerchieftohismouthtocloakacough——andhistonguetouchedtheadhesivesideofthelittlediamond-shapedgrayseal。Handandhandkerchiefcamebacktothetable,andJimmieDaleleanedhisweightcarelesslyuponit,whiletheautomaticinhisrighthandstillcoveredthetwomen。“Doyouthinkso,Weasel?“herepeatedsoftly。“Well,perhapsyouareright;andyet;somehow,I

aminclinedtodisagreewithyou。Letmesee,Weasel——itwasTuesdaynight,twonightsago;wasn”tit,thatatriflingbreakinMaidenLaneatThoroldandSonsdisturbedthepolice?Itwasathree-yearjobforevenafirstoffender,tenforonealreadyonnoddingtermswiththepoliceandfifteentotwentyfor——well,say,foramanlikeyou,Weasel——IFHEWERECAUGHT!AmImakingmyselfquiteplain?“

ThecolourintheWeasel”scheeksfadedalittle——hiseyeswereholdinginsuddenfascinationuponJimmieDale。

“IseethatIam,“observedJimmieDalepleasantly。“Isaid,”ifhewerecaught”youwillremember。Iamgoingtoleavethisroominamoment,Weasel,andleaveitentirelytoyourdiscretionastowhetheryouwillthinkitwiseornottostirfromthatchairfortenminutesafterIshutthedoor。Andnow“——JimmieDalenonchalantlyreplacedhishandkerchiefinhispocket,nonchalantlyfolloweditwiththebanknoteswhichhepickedupfromthetable——

andsmiled。

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